Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise will end on Tuesday, September 10, and one passenger onboard the 9-month cruise has taken to social media to share their thoughts about returning to land. 

TikTok user Dr. Jenny (@drjennytravels) is one of the most well-known social media stars on the world cruise, and she's spent the last 9 months documenting her time onboard. She has over 164,000 followers and has amassed over 1.9 million likes on her videos. 

With less than one week until Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise concludes, Dr. Jenny shares her feelings about what it's like to see this once-in-a-lifetime experience end. 

In a video shared on September 3, one day before Serenade of the Seas' arrival in New York, she shows suitcases placed in the hallway. 

"Look at this," she begins, "seven days left...and as you can see, look at all the luggage out here." 

The hallway looks like a cruise ship on the night before disembarkation when guests normally place their suitcases outside their cabins to be collected by the ship's crew. While passengers can carry their bags off, many choose to collect them in the terminal to make disembarking easier. 

Though the world cruise hasn't officially ended, Dr. Jenny explains how some passengers opted to use the "Luggage Forward" service to have their bags shipped home. 

Read more: A passenger on the 9-month cruise is halfway done and lists what they like and don't like about the trip so far

"This is just bizarre," says Dr. Jenny, "We have watched...people put their luggage out here as they've come and gone, but now this is...world cruisers. Sad day." 

She tags another TikTok user in the caption, saying she saw crew members load up some of Angie Linderman's (@Angie) bags!

The video ends positively, though, with Dr. Jenny dancing the night away with friends at the Silent Disco to "all the New York songs."

"Just think 7 days is a normal cruise length," reads one of the top comments. 

"😭 There was something so comforting knowing that somewhere out there, people were getting to see the world one stop at a time. I've enjoyed following along and I can't wait to see what comes next!" says another. 

"I'm feeling sad, anxious, and kind of dreading the end of this adventure"

In another video shared on August 10, Dr. Jenny explains her feelings with one month left of the Ultimate World Cruise. 

While she admits to being upset, she's also optimistic, saying there's still one month of cruising, showcasing her glass half-full mentality. 

"Today, we have friends joining us on the Ultimate World Cruise for this next mini-segment from Copenhagen to Amsterdam," she exclaims, "I'm so excited, this is just the kind of energy I need!"

The Ultimate World Cruise began on December 10, 2023

Since departing nearly 274 days ago, Serenade of the Seas has visited over 55 countries and eight world wonders, including the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, and The Great Barrier Reef. 

The 9-month voyage was divided into four segments, so cruisers who couldn't be on board for the entire cruise could still enjoy parts of the journey: the Ultimate Americas Cruise, the Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise, the Immersive Africa Cruise, and the Ultimate Europe and Beyond Cruise. 

There are just two ports left on the world cruise: Bermuda and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Serenade of the Seas will call at Kings Wharf on September 6, followed by CocoCay on September 9. 

Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are the two biggest cruise ships in the world, and they are the newest cruise ships for Royal Caribbean.

Both cruise ships offer the most innovative Royal Caribbean features, like water parks, ice skating spectacles, escape rooms, destination elevators, and more. Royal Caribbean classics like the Royal Promenade, FlowRider, and Windjammer are also found onboard these ships.

While Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have a lot in common, there are some key differences between these two mega ships that prospective cruisers should know.

Let’s take a look at how Star of the Seas compares to Utopia of the Seas.

Overview of cruise ships

Star of the Seas is the first ship in the Icon Class, while Utopia of the Seas is the sixth Oasis Class ship.

Cruisers who have been on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships will find that Utopia of the Seas is very similar in terms of layout, design, and offerings. In contrast, Star of the Seas is a completely new and different cruise ship since it is the first in its class.

Utopia hit the high seas in 2024, while Star of the Seas made her grand debut in August 2025. The inaugural sailing of Utopia of the Seas was on July 19, 2024, from Port Canaveral, Florida. During the 3-night voyage, guests visited Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. Comparatively, the official maiden voyage for Star departed on August 31, 2025, although there were a few shorter showcase sailings before the inaugural launch. 

As one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, Star of the Seas can hold 5,610 guests at double occupancy, as well as 2,350 crew members. In fact, Star of the Seas can carry 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy! Utopia of the Seas can hold 5,668 guests at double occupancy and 2,290 crew members.

As far as other specs, Star of the Seas is heavier, longer, wider, and taller than Utopia of the Seas. 

Here are more stats for each cruise ship:

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

Neighborhoods

Both Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas are split into eight distinct neighborhoods. These cruise ships are so big that they need to be broken down into neighborhoods to help passengers navigate them.

Utopia of the Seas has the same neighborhoods as Wonder of the Seas, the third newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship — and the fourth biggest ship in the world. All the other Oasis Class ships (Oasis, Allure, Harmony, and Symphony) have seven neighborhoods because there is no Suite Neighborhood.

Star of the Seas has new neighborhoods that are exclusive to Icon Class ships and not found on other Royal Caribbean vessels, including Surfside, AquaDome, Chill Island, Thrill Island, and The Hideaway.

Here are the neighborhoods on Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas:

Dining and bars

All Royal Caribbean ships have The Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet, but Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have so many other options to choose from, including never-before-seen venues. With over 20 places to eat on both cruise ships, you will not go hungry during your vacation!

Restaurants that can only be found on Star of the Seas include:

• AquaDome Market
• Basecamp
• Pearl Cafe
• Surfside Eatery
• Surfside Bites
• Lincoln Park Supper Club
• Celebration Table
• Pier 7
• The Grove (for suite guests)

Venues that can only be found on Utopia of the Seas include:

• Royal Railway - Utopia Station
• The Spare Tire

Utopia of the Seas also features a new two-story Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar with a terrace that overlooks The Boardwalk neighborhood. 

Also, Utopia is the first Oasis Class ship to have Izumi in the Park (Icon of the Seas was the first ship to have Izumi in the Park on any Royal Caribbean ship. The concept is available on Star of the Seas, too.).

Star of the Seas’ Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar is located in the Royal Promenade.

Cruisers will find a variety of complimentary dining venues and specialty restaurants on both ships. It's possible to cruise on Star and Utopia and not spend an extra dime on food because there are seemingly endless options. However, visiting one of the specialty restaurants onboard is sure to be a treat with higher-quality food and ambiance.

Here is a full list of the restaurants and casual dining spots you can find on Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas:

Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas also share a number of bars, like the Schooner Bar, Playmakers Sports Bar, and Boleros. However, Star of the Seas has more unique bars, while Utopia of the Seas has almost all of the bars that the other Oasis Class ships have.

Bars that can only be found on Star of the Seas include:

• 1400 Lobby Bar
• Bubbles
• Dueling Pianos
• Hideaway Bar
• Lou's Jazz 'n Blues
• Rye & Bean
• Swim & Tonic
• The Lemon Post
• The Overlook

Pesky Parrot is a bar that is unique to Utopia of the Seas. Similar to The Bamboo Room on Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, the Pesky Parrot is a tiki bar that serves fruity cocktails in a tropical setting. This bar replaced the Bionic Bar.

Here’s a list of every bar found on Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas:

Entertainment and activities

Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have dazzling entertainment options for guests to enjoy in the Royal Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B.

Utopia of the Seas has an outdoor AquaTheater, while Star of the Seas has an indoor one. Here, Utopia of the Seas has a show called Aqua80Too, which is a sequel to Oasis of the Seas’ Aqua80 show. On Star of the Seas, there’s a show called Torque.

Both ships have an ice skating rink onboard with different names — Star's is called Absolute Zero, while Utopia’s is called Studio B. In addition to open ice skating, there are shows guests can attend during the cruise. 

On Star of the Seas, there are two shows called Sol. On Utopia of the Seas, the ice skating show is called Youtopia!

Lastly, there are various shows held in the Royal Theater on most nights of the cruise. Star of the Seas has a few featured productions, including Back to the Future: The Musical. Utopia of the Seas has one production show called All In!

Both cruise ships also have adult comedy shows in The Attic. Be sure to make reservations for these shows as soon as they open because the venues are small with limited seating.

Other activities you can find on Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas include:

Cabins and suites

Although Star of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in the world, she actually has fewer staterooms than Utopia of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas has a total of 2,834 staterooms, while Star of the Seas has 2,805.

Here’s a breakdown:

Star of the Seas has some unique cabins called infinite balconies, which are essentially verandas. Don't worry, Star of the Seas also has traditional oceanview balconies.

Since Star of the Seas is a cruise ship meant for families, there are many new stateroom options, like the Family Infinite Ocean View Balcony and Surfside Family View Balcony, that can accommodate three to four people.

Utopia of the Seas features two Solarium Suites at the front of the ship above the bridge wings.

Both ships offer Royal Suite Class cabins. This includes Sea, Sky, and Star Class suites with varying levels of perks. For those booked in a suite, a Suite Neighborhood will be available. This neighborhood includes a Suite Sun Deck, Coastal Kitchen, and Suite Lounge.

In addition, The Grove, a Mediterranean restaurant only on Star of the Seas, is available for Sky and Star class guests. 

Itineraries and pricing

Perhaps the biggest difference between Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas is its itinerary offerings.

Star of the Seas cruise ship is heavily geared towards families because of the tremendous amount of activities and entertainment onboard. Cruisers can select from various seven-night options that leave from Port Canaveral, Florida, and visit the Western and Eastern Caribbean.

Western Caribbean sailings visit Mexico (Cozumel and Costa Maya) and Roatán, Honduras. Eastern Caribbean sailings visit a combination of St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.

Every sailing on Star of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.

On the other hand, Utopia of the Seas is marked as “The World's Biggest Weekend.” A first for an Oasis Class cruise ship, Utopia only offers three and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida. These sailings visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. Some sailings only visit CocoCay.

Utopia of the Seas is being marketed towards first-time cruisers who want to experience a cruise for a short period of time on a ship with the best of the best Royal Caribbean features. However, if you are a seasoned cruiser and want to spend more time onboard the newest Royal Caribbean ship, you could book a back-to-back sailing that combined would be a week-long trip.

Both of these new ships are considered to be destinations in and of themselves. Star of the Seas offers more exotic itinerary options compared to Utopia of the Seas because Utopia’s sailings are shorter than Icon’s.

Now, let's compare pricing on both of these cruise ships. I will compare pricing on both ships for two sailings in July 2027. I looked at the lowest price for an interior cabin, an oceanview cabin, and a balcony cabin.

July 16, 2027 (3-N Utopia of the Seas)

• Interior: $904
• Outside View: $974
• Balcony: $1,078

July 11, 2027 (7-N Utopia of the Seas)

• Interior: $2,170
• Outside View: $2,360
• Balcony: $2,671

It is easy to see that, on average, Star of the Seas is more expensive than Utopia of the Seas — and for a few good reasons. 

First, Star of the Seas is more unique. As one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, demand is high because people want to experience this massive, record-breaking ship for themselves. In contrast, Utopia of the Seas is nearly identical to her sister ships in the Oasis Class. There are not a ton of new things to see or do on this ship, either. 

Moreover, Star of the Seas' sailings are longer, naturally increasing the total price of the cruise vacation. Longer itineraries also include more days at sea and extra port visits, which add to the operating costs. 

A former Royal Caribbean crew member has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after placing hidden cameras in guests' staterooms and secretly recording young kids. 

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, a cabin steward from the Philippines, was arrested in March after a passenger onboard the 228,081 gross registered ton Symphony of the Seas reported finding a camera in their bathroom. The guest found the concealed camera when she reached under the sink to grab toilet paper. 

Mirasol was arrested when the ship returned to Port Everglades on March 3, when Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection could board the Oasis Class ship and begin their investigation. 

Federal authorities seized his electronic devices and found videos of women undressing, as well as child pornography, dating back to December 2023. One of the videos even captured Mirasol installing a cabin in a guest's bathroom. 

Homeland Security Investigations later identified the children, whose ages range from 2 to 17 years old, according to the United States Justice Department

Mirasol would also hide under guests' beds while they were in the shower, and during a post-Miranda interview, he claimed to pleasure himself while watching the videos. 

Local 10 reported that one video was of a young girl around the age of 10 undressing and showering, with her genitals "clearly visible" and "the focus of the video."

Additionally, authorities said they found multiple voyeurism-related searches on Mirasol's phone, including "teen on bed." 

Charging documents reveal he told federal investigators that he "wants to control it...but can't." 

"We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior. We immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities," read a statement issued by Royal Caribbean upon Mirasol's arrest. 

"Something out of a nightmare"

People have flocked to social media and online forums to discuss the incident, with most comments condemning Mirasol's behavior. 

"That is something out of a nightmare, imagine finding a pair of eyes under your bed. Nope Nope Nope. I would be so sure I was going to get murdered," wrote ActiveAlarmed7886 on a thread under the r/cruise subreddit. 

"If you're here reading this, don't stop at the headline. Read the story. It just keeps getting worse and worse with each paragraph," added alinroc. 

karenmarie303 said, "What a complete weirdo. I can’t believe he was never caught under the bed. And to get away with being gone at odd times, freako!"

"I thought I was being paranoid by NOT allowing my teen to stay in the room by herself," remarked friendofoldman, "[I] dragged her out of the room to participate...in activities."

For peace of mind, consider bringing a RAVIAD Detector onboard to scan your stateroom

Cabins are supposed to be our home away from home on a cruise ship. Though it's important to never let your guard down, the point of vacation is to relax and enjoy the experience. 

User Bead Pirate shared their go-to detector on a Cruise Critic forum that helps them search for hidden cameras and microphones.

"Amazon has a great hidden camera / microphone detector that runs on a couple AA Batteries for $50 bucks. We throw it in the suitcase whenever we travel land/sea/air does not matter. Takes 2 minutes to scan a room or can do a house in 5 minutes. Great peace of mind...," they explained. 

It's easy to use, too. All you have to do is turn the device on and walk around the perimeter of the cabin and near furniture. 

It's about to become easier to book restaurant reservations on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean passengers with the Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) may soon be able to book specialty dining reservations in advance. 

Historically, being unable to make specialty dining reservations until embarkation day was the biggest draw of the UDP. Now, Royal Caribbean is rolling out a feature allowing passengers to make all their reservations before paying for the package through the Cruise Planner. 

Nicole Pantalena first shared the update in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group, saying, "The website now allows you to make all reservations for the UDP at [the] time of purchase!!"

Pantalena clarified that she's on the December 2 sailing on Allure of the Seas, as other users didn't see any changes to their Cruise Planner. She also stated that she couldn't make reservations for the UDP in advance for her Anthem of the Seas cruise next year. 

Adam Balaban commented he was able to access the new reservation portal; however, he is also sailing onboard Allure of the Seas in December, indicating this feature may just be a test on Allure. 

There's no official word on this new feature, nor when other ships may have the option.

Before adding the package to the cart, the new booking portal would allow passengers to make reservations for each day of the cruise, eliminating the need for a courtesy reservation on the first night. 

Read more: How does specialty dining work on Royal Caribbean?

This new feature makes it significantly easier to get reservations instead of running around on embarkation day to make them.

Change announced last year

While brainstorming potential ways to make the embarkation day experience easier, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation, explained that they'd be making all of Royal Caribbean's dining packages reservable through the website, so passengers wouldn't have to worry about making reservations on day one. 

Rather than rushing onboard and heading to a specialty restaurant to confirm their dining plans, guests can make their reservations from the comfort of their homes, allowing them to have the same experience as passengers who book individual reservations. 

Not only does this make embarkation day more relaxing, but it gives cruisers with the UDP more options for dining times, as they're typically stuck choosing leftover reservations. 

In addition to reducing guests' "angst," the change will help improve the flow of traffic in public areas onboard. Schneider's team discovered there's "a lot of heavy lifting" in the Royal Promenade, and by letting passengers make UDP reservations online, that's one less booth they'll have to visit. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will make specialty restaurants reservable pre-cruise if you have a dining package

What is the Ultimate Dining Package?

Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Dining Package lets guests eat at specialty restaurants for brunch, lunch, and dinner each day of their cruise. Instead of booking each reservation separately, it's typically more economical to purchase the UDP, especially if you plan on dining at multiple specialty restaurants throughout your cruise. 

With the UDP, you won't have to worry about paying for restaurants with cover charges, as nearly every eatery is included in the cost. Note that certain restaurants have an upcharge, such as Izumi Hibachi ($15), Chef's Table ($49.99), and Empire Supper Club ($130).  

Some specialty restaurants have á la carte menus, meaning you only pay for what you order, rather than a set charge for a multi-course meal. 

Depending on the restaurant, you'll receive a pre-determined food credit. At Izumi Sushi, for example, you're given $39.99, $20 at Playmaker's, and $10 at Izumi in the Park. 

The UDP doesn't include premium items in the Main Dining Room, the Taste of Royal experience, Celebration Table, or Chops Grille premium cuts. 

Moreover, the price varies based on factors like the length of your cruise, itinerary, and ship. For example, the UDP costs $174.99 per person on my upcoming Vision of the Seas sailing and $302.99 on my Icon cruise in March 2025. 

There's no penalty for canceling and rebooking the package if you notice the price drops before your cruise, similar to the Deluxe Beverage Package.  

Dutch environmental protesters have prevented and delayed two Royal Caribbean cruise ships from docking in Amsterdam. 

On August 10, Extinction Rebellion blocked the locks needed for Jewel of the Seas to safely pass through to the port. Instead, the ship was forced to disembark in Ijmuiden about 25 miles from Amsterdam.

The activist group took responsibility for the protest on their website, stating they demanded an immediate cessation of the destructive cruise industry because of the harm it causes to the environment and its impact on human health. 

According to Travel Market Report, they delayed Regent's Seven Seas Mariner by about three hours one day later. 

Most recently, Extinction Rebellion returned and delayed Serenade of the Seas' arrival. Footage shared to their live stream channel shows the 90,090 gross registered ton ship attempting to dock. Unsuccessful, the mooring ropes were retracted before Serenade of the Seas backed out of the port into open water. 

Carlijn van Essen, a spokeswoman for the Port of Amsterdam, confirmed the Radiance Class ship could eventually resume its route, as Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. 

The article continued to explain how police arrived on the scene around 5:00pm to remove eight protestors. They were taken into custody but have been released. A police spokesperson confirmed no arrests were made. 

Serenade of the Seas was initially scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam on August 19. However, amidst the disruptions caused by the environmental group, the ship canceled its call at Bergen, Norway, and headed to Amsterdam on August 18. 

"We are on Serenade OTS anchored in open water today. The port of Bergen Norway was cancelled on the 'Ultimate Fjords Cruise' so we could attempt to get to Amsterdam and dock early," shared Doug_Texas on Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion forum. 

"The climate change protesters are [gluing] themselves to the docks and shutting everything down. Already Jewel OTS was blocked as well as Regent Navigator...This is sad to see"

TikTok user @LittleRatBrain shared footage captured onboard Serenade of the Captain's announcement, in which he explains the goal of arriving before noon and giving passengers an overnight stay. 

Surprisingly, many of the comments support Extinction Rebellion. "I don't blame them," wrote TofuNinja, "It's a beautiful place being ruined by large cruise ships." 

"Much as I enjoy your account, I completely support these protesters," added lolantherosa. 

Katie b said, "I support these protestors. Cruises are disgusting and pollute the ocean."

The protests come a little over one month after the City of Amsterdam announced they'll cap cruise ship visits to just 100 per year (down from 190) starting in 2026. By 2035, the city will end all ocean-going cruise visits. 

According to Cruise Mapper, the next ship scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam is Jewel of the Seas on August 22, with Norwegian Prima arriving the following day at 7:00am local time. 

Anti-tourism protests aren't new in Europe 

Earlier this summer, thousands of protestors marched through Barcelona, soaking vacationers with water guns while they dined al fresco in Las Ramblas. The angry locals were chanting "tourists go home," CNN reported. 

The Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth) has published 13 proposals to reduce the number of visitors and create a new tourism model, including more regulation for tourist accommodations and the closure of cruise ship terminals. 

By November 2028, Barcelona also plans to end short-term rentals to help ensure residents aren't displaced by "overtourism." Reuters reported that the city will revoke all 10,101 apartment licenses approved as short-term rentals. 

In April, a protest took place in the Canary Islands. Locals blamed visitors for increasing the cost of living, pricing them out of their homes, and causing environmental damage. 

Before that, 15,000 people demanded affordable housing while protesting mass tourism in Málaga, as reported by Euronews. 

"Now the city centre is a theme park for tourists,” one of the protestors, Jose, 60, told the news outlet, "What was once ‘El Café Central’ in Málaga’s main square...is an Irish pub full of tourists.”

“I’m not against tourism, but there has to be a limit and control," he says. 

Serenade of the Seas is nearing the end of its 274-day Ultimate World Cruise

Serenade of the Seas set sail from Miami, Florida, on December 10, 2023, on an epic 9-month journey. There's less than one month to go, with the cruise concluding on September 10. 

The cruise was slated to sail to over 150 destinations in 65 countries, visiting 11 Great Wonder of the World including the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and Great Barrier Reef. 

While inclement weather and political disruptions have caused them to adjust the itinerary, most notably to Africa to avoid the Red Sea, it's been a memorable experience for those onboard. 

In addition to changes in the itinerary, the Ultimate World Cruise has seen its fair share of drama, from an unexpected passenger death to a TikTok user-made bingo card with scenarios that could happen onboard (including a pirate takeover, COVID outbreak, and a minor mystery to solve). 

Though nothing's been confirmed regarding dates or ship, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO, said they'd do another Ultimate World Cruise, despite the challenges associated with planning one. 

Read more: A passenger on the 9-month cruise is halfway done and lists what they like and don't like about the trip so far

Serenade of the Seas will sail from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama in 2025 and 2026. 

The Radiance Class vessel is set to conclude Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise on September 10, 2024. Afterward, the 90,090 gross registered ton ship will remain in Tampa through March 2025, offering 5- to 9-night cruises to the Caribbean, before relocating to the West Coast for a summer season in Alaska. 

Then, Serenade of the Seas will embark on a 13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Miami on September 19, marking the last time the ship will visit Florida through at least April 2026. 

Effective October 5, Serenade will offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama.

Sailings departing from Cartagena, Colombia will spend a day in Colon, Panama, and vice versa

Similar to many European cruises, all voyages on Serenade of the Seas from Colombia and Panama are "interport" sailings, meaning that guests may choose their embarkation city. 

Unlike Caribbean sailings that depart solely from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral, interport cruises offer flexibility and a broader choice for travelers, allowing guests to determine which city is most convenient or appealing for their departure. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is sailing interport cruises, where passengers may embark in Barcelona, Spain or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Read more: I sailed on a Radiance Class ship

Most itineraries are 7 nights

On October 5, 2025, Serenade will depart from Cartagena, Colombia on a 7-night cruise to Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Colón, Panama before returning to Colombia on October 12. 

Though all itineraries visit at least two of the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) islands, each voyage offers a blend of destinations and experiences. Some, for example, may only visit Bonaire and Curaçao, while others call at Curaçao and Aruba or Aruba and Bonaire. 

Select sailings visit all three: 

• December 12, 2025 from Colón, Panama
• December 14, 2025 from Cartagena, Colombia

On sailings with three ports of call, including Panama or Colombia, the ship will spend three days at sea. 

If you want to sail through the Panama Canal, you will have to book a dedicated Panama Canal cruise

Colón, Panama sits at the entrance to the Panama Canal and is a significant port city for maritime trade. However, it's not located inside the canal. Instead, it serves as a gateway to the canal's operations. 

Sailing through the Panama Canal is a bucket list cruise for many, as it offers a unique opportunity to traverse one of the world's most famous engineering marvels. 

Do not book a sailing to the Southern Caribbean on Serenade of the Seas in hopes of seeing the canal in person—you'll end up disappointed. 

Royal Caribbean offers repositioning cruises through the canal throughout the year, typically in the fall and spring. In 2025, guests may choose from four sailings on two Radiance Class ships: Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. 

• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 13
• 15-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 19
• 13-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida on September 19
• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from San Diego, California to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 4 

Updates to Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor single supplement benefit

WAAAYTOOO took to Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion forum to share an update they received in their recent Crown & Anchor newsletter. 

"Starting August 1, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members with more than 340 points will enjoy a reduced single supplement cruise fare of 125% on all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings," the post reads. 

"We want to make booking these popular voyages even easier. For all other sailings, you will continue to enjoy a reduced single supplement fare of 150%."

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

This means, for example, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus cruisers would only pay $1,250. Before this update, the fare would have cost $1,500. 

The change only applies to Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus sailors with 340+ cruise points. There's no single supplement benefit for Gold, Platinum, Emerald, or Diamond Crown & Anchor members. 

Celebrity Cruises received 18 awards at the 2024 Wine Spectator Awards, increasing the cruise line's total to 136 over the last 12 years. 

“We are continually innovating and expanding our beverage offerings to remain at the forefront of trends and meet the preferences of Celebrity guests,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. 

“We are honored to receive continued recognition for our elevated wine program from the experts at Wine Spectator," the world’s leading authority on wine anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication reaching about 3 million readers worldwide. 

Celebrity Cruises won nine 2024 Awards of Excellence for the 12th year in a row:

• Opus on Celebrity Reflection
• Grand Cuvée on Celebrity Silhouette 
• Grand Epernay on Celebrity Solstice
• Moonlight Sonata on Celebrity Eclipse
• Silhouette on Celebrity Equinox
• Cosmopolitan on Celebrity Summit
• Metropolitan on Celebrity Millennium
• San Marco on Celebrity Constellation
• Trellis on Celebrity Infinity

They also received the 2024 Best of Award of Excellence for Le Voyage on Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond; the 2024 Best of Award of Excellence for Tuscan on Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond; the 2024 Best of Award of Excellence for Cyprus on Celebrity Apex; the 2024 Award of Excellence for Normandie on Celebrity Edge; and the 2024 Award of Excellence for Fine Cut on Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Apex.

Guests sailing onboard one of Celebrity's ships have a selection of over 500 wines to choose from

Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a novice, Celebrity's trained sommeliers, who are available in every restaurant, are eager to assist, guiding passengers through the extensive list of onboard wines, including Celebrity's private labels. 

Guests may also choose from various wine-focused programs, such as World Wine Tours, Food & Wine Pairing Workshops, and Destination Wine Tours in ports around the globe.  

The World Wine Tour allows you to sample wines from around the world and learn about regional and varietal technicalities, all from the comfort of your ship. Food & Wine Pairing Workshops educate participants on the fundamentals of food and wine chemistry, including how the two interact. 

Destination Wine Tours are for those who want to immerse themselves in wine-producing areas worldwide. Sampling an Italian wine on the ship differs from the experience of visiting a local winery first-hand! 

Pricing varies; however, on my upcoming Celebrity Ascent cruise, the World Wine Tour and Food & Wine Pairing Workshop start at $55 per guest. The Premium Wine Tasting is more expensive, costing $199 per attendee. 

Seven ships have the acclaimed Cellar Masters onboard

On Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity Summit, wine aficionados should explore Cellar Masters, which has a large selection of international wines, all hand-picked by Celebrity sommeliers. 

Cellar Masters was replaced by the Craft Social Bar on Celebrity Equinox. While wines are still available, it's more of a sports bar than a wine bar. 

Both the Classic and Premium Drink Package include wine, but the latter has a more extensive list of wine options

Celebrity's Classic Package is their basic option which includes select beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, and wines by the glass up to $10 per serving. Though a few wines are available, your selection will be far more limited than if you purchase the Premium Package. 

The Classic Package costs $84.99-$89 per person, per day. Since the Premium Package includes a wider array of beverages, it is more expensive, costing as much as $109 per person, per day. 

However, you can save on your Celebrity drink package by purchasing it in advance through the online Cruise Planner. At the time of writing, for example, the Classic Package was advertised for $67.99 per day on my upcoming Celebrity Ascent cruise. The Premium Package was listed as $79.99 per person, per day. 

If you book a package and later discover the price has dropped due to a pre-cruise sale, you can cancel and rebook for no penalty. You will be refunded the full amount of the original booking. 

Guests who booked Celebrity's All Included fare will receive a Classic Package, as well as Basic Wi-Fi. Both can be upgraded to premium packages through the Cruise Planner or once onboard. You will get a better rate by purchasing the upgrade online, though. 

Your drink package doesn't dictate your ability to participate in one of the onboard wine experiences. They are available to all guests willing to pay extra. Even if you have a package for your cruise, you will have to pay for the wine-focused programs. 

Like with the packages, it's best to reserve your spot for the experiences beforehand, as they tend to sell out as the departure date approaches. If you want until you're onboard, the program you were looking forward to may be sold out. 

Unexpected emergencies arise and prevent people from embarking on their long-awaited cruise, and those who don't purchase travel insurance are often out hundreds or thousands of dollars. One individual, however, took to Reddit to share a feel-good story about her experience with Royal Caribbean's customer service after undergoing emergency surgery. 

Infamousunicornsocks was set to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise in less than one month with her husband of seven years and five-year-old daughter. However, an emergency abdominal surgery and nasojejunal feeding tube placement postponed their plans. 

"Unsure how long I would be in the hospital for, much less how long the Dobhoff [tube] would be in for, I called Royal Caribbean customer service fully expecting to [lose] my entire deposit & cruise price as I didn’t buy the travel insurance," she writes. 

She spoke to a customer service representative who couldn't promise anything without first reviewing her medical documentation. However, within less than 24 hours, she received a call back with an offer to change the sail date for just $100 per person. 

Typically, if you cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise less than 30 days before sailing, you forfeit 100% of the cruise fare, regardless if the sailing is 4 or 10 nights. 

To receive a full refund, you must cancel your cruise 90 or 75 days or more before the first day of sailing. Even then, non-refundable deposits won't be refunded. Guests on shorter sailings (i.e. between 1 and 4 nights) have a longer window, as they can cancel for a refund up to 75 days before the cruise. 

Passengers on sailings 5+ nights must cancel 90 days or more in advance for a full refund, minus the non-refundable deposit. Those canceled between 89 and 75 days before will have to pay a 25% cancelation fee, while those who cancel the cruise 74 to 61 days prior to departure will pay 50% of the total fare. 

"Our sailing has been postponed to this fall and although I’m set to now have the [nasojejunal] feeding tube replaced with a G-J tube directly through my stomach and probably won’t get [to] enjoy much of any food, I’m so grateful for their kindness and compassion, fully knowing it was saw something they didn’t have to do," Infamousunicornsocks shares about their resolution.  

"My hope [is] that by sharing this, the next person going through something similar can be hopeful knowing that they’re dealing with a company that at least tries to help the consumer by listening and being understanding."

While Infamousunicornsocks had a positive experience with Royal Caribbean's customer service, do not neglect to add travel insurance to your upcoming cruise

Travel insurance plans provide financial peace of mind during stressful and unexpected situations, from lost luggage to medical evacuations. 

Policies purchased through Royal Caribbean include six benefits underwritten by Arch Insurance Company: 

• Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of total trip cost if you can't start or finish your cruise vacation because you're sick or hurt, there's a death in the family, or another covered reason.
• Trip Delay: Up to $2,000 ($250 per day) for catch-up expenses
• Missed Connection: Up to $300 if you miss your trip departure for covered reasons by three hours or more. 
• Accident and Sickness Medical: up to $25,000 if you get hurt and $25,000 if you get sick on your cruise vacation.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $50,000 for emergency medical transportation during your vacation. 
• Baggage Protection and Delay: Up to $1,500 if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged and up to $500 to buy necessary personal items if your bags are delayed.

Read more: Royal Caribbean will increase price of travel insurance policy

If that's not enough, you can add a "Cancel for Any Reason Credit" for an extra cost by calling 1-888-722-2195 or informing your travel agent. 

Per the policy's contract, "This additional enhancement is offered by Royal Caribbean International as a special service to guests that purchase this cruise ticket Cancellation Penalty Waiver Addendum...Credits are valid for one year from issue date, are not transferable, and have no cash value."

"To be eligible for the credits: 1. The travel protection plan must be purchased prior to having made final payment for the cruise; and 2. Notification of cancellation must be given to Royal Caribbean International prior to the ship's departure."

Alternatively, those who travel frequently—for work or leisure—should look into annual policies, which provide insurance coverage for one year of travel, rather than on a trip-by-trip basis. 

Even if you plan on taking just one cruise this year, annual policies cover all types of trips for one set price, including land-based trips to Europe, road trips along the Pacific Coast Highway, all-inclusive stays in Mexico, domestic flights, and more. Typically, however, the destination must be 100+ miles from home. 

Travel insurance is helpful for situations that occur before and during the sailing

In 2019, Vincent Wasney and his fiancée, Sarah Eberlein, were hit with a $2,500.22 medical bill from onboard treatment that had to be paid out-of-pocket since they did not purchase insurance, as KFF Health News and NPR reported. 

According to the invoice, the general ward admission and observation totaled $2,285.78, with the i-STAT blood test, out-of-facility services, and medication amounted to $97.99, $104.55, and $11.90, respectively.

The couple was traveling on Independence of the Seas on a cruise gifted by their real estate agent after purchasing their first home in Saginaw, Michigan in 2018.

Following three seizures, Wasney was evacuated by a rescue boat and transported to the emergency room at Broward Health Medical Center, where he incurred further debt.

Have you ever put a travel insurance policy to use? Let us know in the comments! 

When you book your next Royal Caribbean cruise, prices may appear higher than in the past. 

On July 1, Senate Bill 478, also known as the "Honest Pricing Law," went into effect. Rather than create confusion with different booking systems, cruise lines—including Royal Caribbean—have changed how they advertise cruise fares in the United States. 

Now, the advertised price will include a breakdown of fees to help give consumers more transparency when budgeting for their vacations, regardless of whether they reside in California, Florida, New York, etc. However, it neither impacts the total price of the cruise nor the portion of the fare that's commissionable to travel agents. 

Read more: New law forces Royal Caribbean to change advertised price for cruises

If, for example, you find a 7-night sailing aboard Wonder of the Seas advertised for $1,282 per person, you won't be surprised with added fees later on. Instead, you can estimate how much the fare will cost. In the past, passengers had to prepare for the cruise fare to increase once port fees and taxes were added. 

Though the total price is the same, the $1,282 cruise on Wonder of the Seas may have been advertised at around $1,120 per person in the past, with taxes & fees added once the cabin selection was made. Now, the $325.18—or $162.59 per person—of taxes & fees are included in the price, simplifying the booking process by providing transparency. 

Taxes & fees are included regardless of whether you're sailing to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia, or Asia. With port fees notoriously higher in Alaska, potential cruisers aren't left shocked by the $300+ in fees added to the cruise fare. 

Note, however, that the law doesn't apply to bookings made from Canada. 

A sailing onboard Wonder of the Seas in July 2025, the price starts at $1,672 CAD, with taxes and fees listed as an extra $203 CAD. However, the same sailing on Royal Caribbean's Australian and United Kingdom websites includes taxes and fees. 

Port fees are charges imposed by each port of call to allow the ship to dock which are passed on to passengers 

It doesn't matter whether you're staying in a multi-level suite or a tiny interior stateroom, as everyone onboard pays the same amount in port fees. 

They're a combination of several charges, including the per-passenger fee (head tax), docking fee, and pilot fee, which covers the costs of bringing the local pilot onboard to help guide the ship into port. 

Unlike gratuities, you don't have the option to pay them onboard. Instead, they're part of the cruise fare that must be paid in full by the final payment date. 

Though the new advertised prices include taxes & fees, passengers will still have to budget for gratuities

As of November 2023, the daily gratuity for passengers in standard staterooms (i.e., interior cabins to Junior Suites) is $18.00 per person, per day, and $20.50 per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above.

If you're going on a 7-night cruise in a balcony stateroom, gratuities will amount to $126 per person. Unlike discounted rates for third and fourth guests, they're still subject to the full gratuity rate, so a family of four can expect to pay around $500 in tips for a weeklong sailing. 

This is upsetting to many who are fans of the updated pricing model. 

"Just need to include the gratuities in the headline cost and we'll all understand the basic cruise fare before we start the booking process," Mike Shad commented on a Royal Caribbean Blog post. 

"Good, now we just need gratuities in there too, because that's another $200-$300 that they don't disclose," added Tiffany Miller. 

When it comes to gratuities, passengers have the option to prepay them or have them added to their onboard account during the sailing to be settled at the end of the cruise. If you choose to prepay them, they must be paid in full by the final payment date.

Royal Caribbean isn't the only cruise line impacted

The advertised fares for Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean's upscale sister line, are also subject to California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act, as fares for sailings with Carnival, Virgin Voyages, Princess, and Holland America Line. 

"The prices displayed for Carnival cruises are now inclusive of taxes and fees. The total price has not changed due to this update, and by showing the total price while shopping you can now see the total cost before completing your booking," reads Carnival's website. 

Read more: After 6 Royal Caribbean cruises this year, my wife and I tried Carnival for the first time, and here’s what we liked and didn’t like