Getting to Port Canaveral from the nearest major airport isn't as convenient as Miami or Fort Lauderdale. 

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is roughly 45 miles from Port Canaveral, whereas Port Everglades is less than 5 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). 

While you can hire an Uber or Lyft to Port Canaveral, the price varies depending on traffic and demand. It's not uncommon to see fares as expensive as $70 to $100 for a one-way ride. 

Recently, my partner and I decided to try out Go Port's shuttle service from MCO to Port Canaveral. Since it was only the two of us, we didn’t want to risk spending $200 or more on transportation to and from the cruise ship. 

Plus, having pre-arranged transportation meant we wouldn't have any long wait times while the app searched for an available driver. 

We booked our round-trip transportation on the website for $59.98 per person, which worked out to about $30 per person each way. This meant we wouldn’t be stuck paying $100 for a one-way ride on embarkation or disembarkation day. Instead, the total cost for transfers to and from Orlando came out to just under $120 for both of us.

Overall, I was pleased with Go Port and would consider using their shuttle service to Port Canaveral in the future, especially if I'm traveling alone or with one other person. 

Easy-to-locate check-in deck

My partner and I stayed in Orlando for two nights before our cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas. As such, we took a short Lyft from our hotel across from Universal Studios to MCO on embarkation morning. 

After being dropped off at Terminal A, we took the elevator down to the ground transportation area, which is where you'll also find the car rental counters. 

It felt strange skipping the usual airport baggage drop-off and security process. However, we walked to the end of the far right hallway near Door A105 and quickly checked in for our shuttle to Port Canaveral. 

Instead of choosing a specific shuttle time, passengers are assigned a specific boarding number on a first-come, first-served basis. This system made the process smooth and flexible, as we didn’t have to rush to catch the first bus or feel stuck with a later departure. 

Still, we wanted to be at Port Canaveral as soon as possible. While we enjoyed our day at Universal Studios, we we eager to kickstart our week aboard Wonder of the Seas! 

We arrived at MCO at 9:45am, with the first shuttle scheduled for 10:00am. As such, we were given boarding number 82. We were also given luggage tags, which helped the driver know the ship the bags were headed to. 

Go Port caters to multiple cruise lines, meaning passengers onboard their shuttles could be cruising with Royal Caribbean, Princess, MSC, Carnival, Disney, or Celebrity. Ensuring that luggage tags are secured on all bags placed underneath the bus helps luggage handlers easily sort and deliver the bags to the correct ships. 

It was obvious other cruisers also wanted to make their way to Port Canaveral early. While the seating area near the check-in desk was expansive, it was pretty full by 10:00am, though there were a few remaining seats. 

I waited for our group to be called while my partner ran to the conveniently located restrooms. Note that while the buses do have restrooms onboard, they are locked during the ride from MCO to Port Canaveral and vice versa. 

I didn't get comfortable for long, as boarding for groups 71 through 98 started shortly after 10:00am, less than twenty minutes after checking in and receiving our group number. 

I’d recommend staying close to the check-in area, as it might be difficult to hear the Go Port representatives calling boarding numbers if you wander too far. For instance, my partner wouldn't have been able to hear them from the restroom, which is why I stayed in the waiting area. 

Efficient boarding process and smooth ride

I was amazed at how fast the boarding process was. Within minutes of being instructed to line up, we were heading out the doors and onto the buses. Luggage handlers quickly loaded everyone's bags onto the shuttles while passengers took their seats and situated their carry-on bags. 

By 10:15am, we were pulling out of the airport and en route to Port Canaveral! The buses weren't anything super luxurious, but they were a step-up from public transportation. Instead of hard plastic seats, the coach buses had fabric-cushioned seats. 

Additionally, the buses had a two-by-two seating arrangement, and by the time my partner and I were boarding, it was pretty full. We made our way to the back of the bus with our bags and found two seats together. 

The ride itself was smooth and shorter than I thought. Since we were sailing aboard Wonder of the Seas, we were dropped off first and bypassed a line of cars. However, your ride time may be slightly longer if sailing on a different cruise line. 

Porters were available as soon as we got off the bus, so we didn't have to lug our bags closer to the terminal. This was convenient and saved time, allowing us to head inside and start our cruise check-in process without any hassle.

Disembarkation was just as easy

After an amazing seven days on Wonder, we were faced with the reality that our cruise had come and gone. 

Go Port's shuttles to MCO begin at around 7:00am and continue until disembarkation is complete. However, rather than wasting time onboard, we decided to disembark in case there were any long lines for bag drop or security. 

The check-in kiosk was right where the bus had dropped us off one week earlier, and though the line was a little longer than when we checked in at MCO, it wasn't unbearable or annoying. I'd assume guests disembarking later might have a longer wait. 

Unlike when we were heading to Port Canaveral, we weren't given a boarding number or luggage tags. Instead, everyone funneled onto the shuttles after giving the agents their name. Additionally, MCO is the only stop the bus makes, so all bags are unloaded at the airport upon arrival. 

Since the bus was nearly full, we were off minutes after boarding. We arrived at MCO by 8:30am and were through security and in The Club by 9:10am, hours ahead of our 1:00pm flight to Charlotte. 

I was happy with Go Port and would use their services again

When we arrived at MCO, my partner checked Uber to see how much a one-way ride would have cost. At $90 before tip, taking an Uber from Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral would have been more expensive than booking with Go Port.

I knew we made the right decision since we would've had to pay for a return ride from Port Canaveral to the airport one week later. Though this wasn't necessarily a budget cruise for us, saving on transportation costs was a nice bonus. 

That said, I understand why families of four might be hesitant to pay for Go Port since it would cost around $240; however, I'd argue that the convenience is worth the cost, especially since you won't have to worry about hiring a larger rideshare, and subsequently paying more, for everyone's suitcases. 

The check-in process during embarkation and disembarkation was straightforward; the shuttle buses were comfortable; and the overall experience was hassle-free. Everything went as planned with Go Port, making the start and end of our cruise on Wonder of the Seas more enjoyable and less stressful.

One of the worst mistakes new cruisers can make is booking their flights for the day of their cruise's departure. 

In a picture-perfect world, that 8:00am flight would depart as scheduled, leaving you with plenty of time to mosey from Fort Lauderdale's airport to Port Everglades. However, the reality of flying is that flights can be unpredictable and chaotic. 

One Royal Caribbean cruiser shared their experience of trying to cruise from Fort Lauderdale, only to miss the ship after over 13 hours of delays and giving themself a buffer in case of unforeseen delays and cancellations. 

In a post titled "THIS is why you fly in the day before," Reddit user Mamm0nn described the unlucky series of events that caused them to return home earlier than expected. 

"On our 3rd flight delay.... total of 5hr 30 minute delay so far.... now getting in at 1AM the date of the cruise," they begin. 

The first update to the original post reveals that, after three delays, the original flight was canceled. With no other options, they were going to have to sleep on the airport floor and fly from Chicago to Florida at 5:00am on the morning of departure. 

The frustration grew as five delays and two flight cancellations later, they realized they were stuck in Chicago and lost all hope of making their cruise on time. 

"UPDATE #2 13 hours at Ohare 5 delays 2 flight cancelations We can't get to Fort Lauderdale out of OHare until tomorrow evening," Mamm0nn continues. 

"No cars available to rent to get back to Milwaukee so waiting until 0630 to get a bus back and finish the trip with Uber."

They returned home around 8:00am and slept until noon. However, they didn't stay down in the dumps for too long, as they booked a 4-night cruise out of Los Angeles to achieve the coveted Diamond status before their Greece cruise!

Other users agreed that they always fly to their embarkation port at least one day early

While Charlotte, North Carolina, has multiple daily departures to popular embarkation ports like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, I'd never risk my vacation by flying on the day of my cruise. 

Last July, AirHelp released data about the worst airports for flight disruptions. Charlotte ranked #9, with over 25% of flights delayed or canceled. According to AirHelp, the worst airport in the United States is Ronald Reagan National Airport in D.C., where more than 40% of flights are disrupted. As such, it's not uncommon for travelers to face delays, especially during peak travel seasons. 

I've been stuck in Charlotte for longer than I'd like to admit. Most recently, I had two flights canceled while trying to get to Tampa for a cruise aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander. Thankfully, I was flying into Florida the day before and wasn't too stressed. Though I arrived a few hours later than planned, I wasn't trying to navigate flight disruptions on embarkation day. 

It may be easy to catch another flight to your land destination and lose a day of vacation, but cruise ships operate on tight schedules and won't wait for late passengers. 

While travel insurance can help recoup some costs, it's stressful and expensive to try and catch the ship in the next port of call, not to mention that you may lose two or three days onboard that won't be refunded by the cruise line. 

One day before isn't enough time for many. Comments on Mamm0nn's post reveal that cruisers are giving themselves even more of a buffer than before.

"I used to fly in the day before. Now I fly in 2 days in advance. This is because the airline screwed me and delayed my luggage and it wouldn’t arrive until the following day when I would have already boarded the ship," explained ItsDeCia.

"So when I arrived following my flight, I basically went straight from the airport to the mall to buy a whole new bag and clothes to put in it. Stressful to say the least."

AnonUserAccount added, "Agreed. I’ve been delayed on my last three trips, twice arriving past midnight (technically the day of the cruise) and once arriving at 8am the day of the cruise (flight from Dallas was cancelled, took the 5am flight the day of the cruise)."

"Yeah, I’ve never been one to cut it close. Our next one, we’re going in 3 days early. We look at it as an opportunity to explore a new city, or visit favorite spots in an old one," wrote 410bore.

Delayed flights aren't the only embarkation day risks

Not only is flying expensive, but it's often riskier than driving. That, however, doesn't mean that driving to your cruise ship is predictable and easy. 

"I totally agree. I even drive in the day before. I live in San Antonio and have cruised out of Galveston several times. On our honeymoon cruise, we drove 4+ hours the morning...Our luck, a storm came through that morning and it was a torrential downpour almost the entire drive on top of the freeway," explained Constant_Bandicoot21.

"We made it in time however we were frazzled by the time we got on the ship. We said never again."

myfapaccount_istaken wrote, "I lived in Orlando and would go the night before to Port [Canaveral]. 528 get[s] closed to[o] many times where you [couldn't] turn around and go to the coast in time. I'm on the other coast now, and will drive to Tampa (an hour) the night before and always Miami or FLL the night before. Just so much less stress."

Speaking of traffic, ports like Miami have reported massive delays due to the influx of passengers disembarking and embarking at the same time. 

For example, if there are seven or more ships in port, cruisers have reported sitting in upwards of 90 minutes of traffic because there's just one road shared by multiple cruise terminals. As such, whether you're flying or driving, it's crucial to budget time into your arrival plan for unforeseen traffic delays. 

Read more: Traffic is so bad in Miami that Royal Caribbean is offering free bus transfers

Cruising has changed a lot each decade, and some aspects of what it was like to go on a cruise are now reserved to stories from those that experienced it over 40 years ago.

Royal Caribbean has been making history for decades. While many, myself included, weren't alive when Royal Caribbean first set sail, the company has consistently been a pioneer in the cruise industry. 

From the launch of Song of Norway in 1970 to the introduction of the world's largest and most innovative cruise ships at sea today, Royal Caribbean has continued to redefine what a cruise vacation should be. 

Along with creating bigger and bolder ships, the cruise line has adapted to societal changes and responded to cultural shifts and passenger expectations. As such, many traditions that were once prevalent on their fleet have disappeared to meet the demands of a new generation of cruisers. 

Here are some traditions that you will no longer find aboard Royal Caribbean ships. 

Casino Night

While Royal Caribbean hasn't gotten rid of casinos, the tradition of Casino Night on two-week cruises, where guests would take on the role of dealers, is no longer offered. 

Passengers could see what it was like to be a blackjack dealer or croupier with lowered bet amounts (10 cents per bet) for other guests who wished to try their luck. However, the special event wasn't held in the regular casino. Instead, crew members would set up blackjack tables and wheels of fortune in the Main Lounge. 

Today, Royal Caribbean continues to evolve the overall casino experience by introducing non-smoking areas and more electronic gaming options than ever before. 

Read more: What it was like to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the 1970s

Souvenir Passenger List

All guests sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise would be given a list with the names and hometowns of all fellow passengers onboard. The booklet would also detail specific information about the crew, including the Captain's and Cruise Director's names, the itinerary, and more. 

The souvenir passenger lists would be printed during the sailing and delivered to everyone's cabins. Of course, this would not fly today with heightened privacy and safety concerns. 

Believe it or not, I've seen passenger lists from former voyages for sale on eBay! 

Masquerade Events

Theme nights are still popular aboard Royal Caribbean ships. However, the old-fashioned masquerade events have disappeared. At the costume gala, guests with the Most Humorous, Most Original, and Most Artistic costumes were awarded prizes.

While, like today, passengers were encouraged to bring costumes from home, crew members could provide materials to have guests create their own on board. Unfortunately, you won't find a slew of 80s-themed clothing available at the last minute for the party in the Royal Promenade. 

It also wasn't uncommon for cruise companions, such as dinner tablemates, to decide to participate together. 

Ladies Night

Like Casino Night, Ladies Night was offered on two-week cruises. While you might see a "Ladies Pamper Party" advertised in today's Cruise Compass, the two couldn't be more different. 

The special event had four rules:

• Ladies must ask the gentlemen to dance, and they must not refuse
• Ladies must escort the gentlemen to the dance floor and return them to their seats
• Ladies must buy the gentlemen drinks
• Ladies must light the gentlemen's cigarettes 

Read more: Vintage photos show what life was like on a Royal Caribbean cruise before the megaships

White Elephant Auction Sale 

It's easy to get caught up in the fun of buying souvenirs ashore or onboard. Sometimes, however, cruisers may regret their $15 t-shirt or random necklace. 

Royal Caribbean used to host a White Elephant Auction Sale at the end of every cruise. Passengers could bring unwanted goodies to the Main Lounge, and an auctioneer would try to sell them to another guest. 

If your item went unsold or didn't beat the price you listed, it would be returned to you. 

Skeet Shooting

It's almost unbelievable that guns were once kept on cruise ships for recreational activities. 

Still, skeet shooting was offered on Royal Caribbean cruises on sea days. Passengers could shoot clay pigeons off the back of the ship for an extra charge. 

Unfortunately, it's now a thing of the past, as the activity was removed from ships due to safety and liability concerns. Not only that, but it's prohibited to throw objects into the ocean today. 

Read more: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

Passenger Talent Night

Passenger Talent Night was almost like an evening in the Spotlight Karaoke lounge with a broader range of performances. 

Guests could sing, dance, perform magic tricks, play a musical instrument, or anything else they were brave enough to confidently do in front of other passengers and crew. 

Today, while karaoke remains a favorite activity, Royal Caribbean has shifted towards more structured entertainment, including Broadway-style performances, ice skating shows, game shows hosted by the activities team, and more. 

Afternoon Tea

Unless sailing on a premium or upscale line (including Princess and Cunard), you likely won't find afternoon tea on the daily schedule. 

However, Royal Caribbean used to offer tea and pastries every afternoon. It was a beloved tradition where guests could relax with a cup of tea and chat with fellow passengers. 

While there may not be a dedicated tea service, tea is still included in your cruise fare. You will find tea bags and hot water in venues like the Windjammer and Cafe Promenade.  

After giving Royal Caribbean's VIP add-on pass  a try on my recent Wonder of the Seas cruise, I understand the critics more than the fans. 

The Key is an optional purchase that includes certain benefits, such as internet access, reserved seating in the theaters, an exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room, priority ship-to-shore departure at tender ports of call, and more.

After over one dozen cruises with the family-friendly cruise line, I decided to finally splurge on the pricey add-on since it was my partner's first Oasis Class cruise. Sailing on one of the world's largest ships, I wanted to make the experience even more special. 

Plus, we both needed Wi-Fi for work, so it was easier to justify the extra cost since The Key includes one VOOM Surf & Stream package per person. In total, The Key came out to $517.86 for our 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

However, because Oasis Class ships are too big to use tenders, that was one less perk off the bat. Instead, I focused on making use of our onboard perks.

While I appreciated dropping off my carry-on backpack and having reserved seating, I didn't feel the price was worth it and wouldn't purchase The Key again. 

Embarkation was easy without using The Key's priority terminal access

On embarkation day, we took a Lyft from our hotel in Orlando to the airport to catch our pre-arranged shuttle bus through Go Port. Because the earliest shuttle wasn't scheduled to depart until 10:00am, I knew we wouldn't be the first passengers inside the terminal. 

However, I was worried that since we were missing the Key's priority arrival, we'd be turned away since we had a 1:00pm check-in time. Thankfully, my concerns were unfounded, as we were welcomed into the terminal with no issue. 

Overall, our embarkation process was smooth, which was a direct reflection of the efficiency of the team at Port Canaveral, rather than The Key itself. We were onboard the ship within fifteen minutes of stepping foot inside the terminal. 

The exclusive welcome lunch was nice

Although it was only 11:30am, we headed straight to the Main Dining Room to drop off our heavy carry-on bags and sit down for the exclusive lunch. 

We walked straight up to the check-in desk, where crew members tagged our backpacks and asked if we were ready to eat. We thought about returning an hour later but decided to go ahead and eat before the crowds arrived. 

A helpful crew member immediately escorted us to a private table for two, though another couple was seated extremely close soon thereafter. It felt strange considering how many other seats were available, but it didn't ruin the experience. 

The menu wasn't as large as the standard dinner menu; however, it included a decent variety of options. I was a little disappointed to see that there wasn't a dedicated vegetarian entrée. 

Though I was content with a shrimp cocktail and filet mignon, my partner didn't find the options as appealing as someone who doesn't eat red meat. Instead, she ordered two appetizers and a dessert. 

My filet mignon was cooked well, and my partner’s Caesar salad and shrimp cocktail appetizers were fine. 

The best course was the New York Cheesecake, though having both lived in the Big Apple, it still fell short.

Generally speaking, the quality of the exclusive lunch didn't seem on par with what was advertised to help justify the expensive VIP experience. 

While at lunch, we pursued the sheet given us to during check-in about all the benefits available to us during our 7-night cruise which included: 

• Carry-on luggage drop-off on Deck 4 until 1:30pm on embarkation day + delivery straight to our cabin
• Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille menu
• Private hours at ship activities
• Dedicated reserved seating at shows in the theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B
• One VOOM Surf & Stream Wi-Fi package per cruiser
• À la carte breakfast on disembarkation day from 6:30am to 8:30am

Being able to drop off our bags was the best embarkation day perk

Our carry-on bags were heavier than usual since we both brought on a bottle of wine to save money on drinks during our weeklong cruise. 

As such, I was extremely grateful I didn't have to keep my backpack on my person while waiting for our stateroom. 

Instead, we utilized The Key's drop-off program. All we had to do was give the crew members our cabin number, and they tagged our bags. We didn't see them again until they were delivered to our stateroom. 

The Cruise Director came over the PA system around 1:00pm to announce that our cabins were finally ready, so we made our way to the cabin I booked on Deck 9 only to find that our backpacks weren't there yet. 

What was there, however, was a fresh fruit place with grapes, an apple, a pear, and a banana. This felt a little wasteful, as most of the fruit went uneaten. 

I would have preferred a form asking whether we wanted a plate and what our fruit preferences were. Alas, we weren't in a suite, so we got what was provided. 

Rather than waiting around in our interior cabin for our carry-on bags, we decided to take advantage of the ship's amenities and explore our home for the next week! 

My partner used one of her daily Diamond drink vouchers for a cocktail at Trellis Bar while taking in the sights of Central Park. She couldn't believe she was on a cruise ship! 

By the time we returned around 2:00pm, our bags had been delivered and placed directly on the bed. 

Truthfully, the delay wasn't a huge deal. I would have preferred to be slightly inconvenienced without my bag for a short time than have to carry it on my back for hours! 

The reserved seating and exclusive activity times required advance planning and was somewhat inconvenient

If you've ever sailed on an Oasis Class ship, you know that cruisers are serious about their shows. Whether it's a theater production or a high-diving spectacle, expect passengers with (or without) reservations to line up at least 45 minutes before showtime. 

Initally, the reserved seating excited me, as I typically end up on the far left or right of the AquaTheater. This time, we were guaranteed seats in the middle of the AquaTheater, which felt like a real treat—or it did until our show was canceled due to weather. 

As we funneled out of the Boardwalk, we hastily made our way to Studio B to salvage our night with the ice skating show. Since we didn't have reservations, we couldn't take advantage of the reserved seating since it was full when we arrived. 

Still, I thought we found great seats considering the ice skating show wasn't on our agenda until later in the week. 

That said, Royal Caribbean handled our canceled AquaTheater show incredibly well. Instead of having passengers scramble to find last-minute reservations for one of the existing shows, they added a separate showtime on Day 5 and automatically moved our reservation. 

As such, we finally got to try the reserved seating for inTENse. Though it was a nice perk, it wasn't game-changing. We could have scored similar seats by lining up early (and for a lot less money!).

Another benefit of The Key is private time for certain activities. However, we found the exclusive times inconvenient. 

Note, Royal Caribbean has since changed this benefit. Instead of a free Flowrider time, it's now just a discount on these sort of activities.

I prefer to experience onboard activities during the day, freeing up my nights for relaxing dinners, shows, and listening to live music—we didn't want to do the FlowRider at 7:30pm at night after freshening up for dinner!

The only reserved time we took advantage of was the zip line on Day 7 after we showed up to grab seats for a game show in Spotlight Karaoke only to realize it was already full.

The zip line had no wait, which was nice as we were harnessed up and flying over the Boardwalk before we knew it! We could have ridden it again but once was enough for us.

Easy disembarkation experience

Overall, The Key's disembarkation experience was about the same as the regular process. On the second-to-last night of our cruise, our cabin attendant left us special light blue disembarkation tags for our luggage. 

After packing our suitcases, we left our luggage in the hallway on the final evening and didn't see it again until we had made our way off the ship and to the luggage pick-up zone. 

In terms of the actual disembarkation, we skipped the private breakfast in favor of specialty lattes from Cafe Promenade. It felt silly to budget extra time in our morning to grab breakfast that we really did not want! 

Instead, after grabbing our coffee, we joined the short line to get off Wonder of the Seas. We passed through customs & immigration, collected our bags, and were waiting for our return Go Port bus by 7:45am. 

Though The Key didn't really make a difference for us, I could see the separate disembarkation line useful if trying to get off closer to 8:15 or 8:30am. 

While certain perks made the cruise experience feel more special, The Key wasn't worth it

There's no denying that dropping off our carry-on bags was a huge benefit that made embarkation day less stressful. However, the majority of the perks didn't justify the cost. 

For example, instead of spending money on The Key, I'd rather splurge on individual experiences, like a specialty meal on embarkation day—I'm certain Giovanni's would have been better than our mediocre MDR lunch!

Additionally, I think it's easy to line up for shows ahead of time and grab decent seats—and that doesn't cost anything extra! 

Though I felt special with the little key icon of my SeaPass, it certainly wasn't worth the $500+ we paid, even with Wi-Fi included. 

MGM Rewards, MGM Resorts' loyalty program, is launching enhanced benefits with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. 

MGM and Royal Caribbean have had a longstanding loyalty match. If you're an Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club cruiser within the Crown & Anchor Society, you're eligible to be matched to MGM Rewards' Gold Tier. 

In addition to Sapphire and Pearl Tier benefits, Gold members receive access to an expedited reservations line, tier appreciation events, VIP line access to select nightclubs in Las Vegas, a waived resort fee when booking direct, complimentary valet parking at participating locations, and an enhanced room upon check-in. 

The 2025 upgrades take it one step further for MGM Rewards members looking to hit the high seas with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises. 

Read more: Loyalty Perks Beyond the Cruise: Using Crown & Anchor Society Rewards on Land

Onboard FreePlay

Now, all MGM Rewards members will receive a new Onboard FreePlay benefit when sailing on any MGM Rewards loyalty offer, certificate offer, or group cruise. 

The amount received is based on the member's MGM tier status. For example, entry-level Sapphire members will receive $25, while top-tier NOIR members will receive $200 in Onboard Freeplay:

• Sapphire ($25)
• Pearl ($50)
• Gold ($75)
• Platinum ($100)
• NOIR ($200)

Read more: Royal Caribbean is adding a new casino to one of its ships in an unusual spot that non-smokers will love

This benefit isn't replacing the existing onboard credit offer for Gold, Platinum, and NOIR members. Instead, it’s an additional perk that will enhance the overall cruise experience and, arguably, encourage more time spent in the ship's casino. 

The onboard credit perk is based on the member's MGM Rewards tier status and can be spent on add-ons like specialty dining, drink packages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi:

• Gold ($125)
• Platinum ($200)
• NOIR ($300)

Note that these benefits aren't available to Crown & Anchor Society cruisers who matched into MGM Rewards, as the perks are available only to persons who earned the minimum Tier Credits associated with each level, or who were invited to the NOIR Tier Level during the Tier Status Earning Year based on spending. 

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

Annual Cruise Benefit

What's a good way to encourage cruisers to visit the casino? By gifting them a free cruise, of course! As part of MGM Rewards' 2025 enhancements, more members have the chance to earn a free cruise.

Not only that, but qualifying members can enjoy upgraded staterooms, access to better itineraries, and more onboard benefits. Gold Tier members are also eligible for the benefit for the first time, and based on the tier, members can receive a set trade-in value:

• Gold: Oceanview cabin on an eligible voyage of up to five nights (or up to $750 toward a cruise of their choice)
• Platinum: Balcony cabin on an eligible voyage of up to seven nights (or up to $1,500 toward a cruise of their choice)
• NOIR: Junior Suite on an eligible voyage of up to ten nights (or up to $3,000 toward a cruise of their choice)

MGM Rewards members who have already redeemed their annual cruise can enjoy the upgraded perks by calling Royal Caribbean at 800-762-0702 or Celebrity at 855-227-2537. Have your booking number handy!

In addition to the annual cruise benefit, MGM Rewards launched exclusive stateroom savings on additional cruises:

• Pearl (5%)
• Gold (10%)
• Platinum (10%)
• NOIR (10%)

Read more: Royal Caribbean rolls the dice on a new casino to address a problem cruise passengers hated for years

New land perks

Not ready to commit to an ocean voyage or planning your pre-cruise stay? Through MGM's enhancements, loyalty members can match their status to Marriott Bonvoy:

• Pearl: Marriott Silver Elite status
• Gold: Marriott Gold Elite status
• Platinum: Marriott Gold Elite status (existing benefit)
• NOIR: Marriott Ambassador Elite status (existing benefit)

MGM is also selling e-gift cards at a discount, allowing guests the chance to save on their upcoming travels. All MGM members who purchase e-gift cards valued at $300 or more by March 28 will receive 5% off. 

Royal Caribbean released new "badges," which award guests for traveling on specific ships and allow loyal fans to track their progress across the cruise line’s entire fleet. 

The badges are awarded on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity's mobile apps and serve as a fun way for cruisers to celebrate their loyalty. 

Guests can easily view their badge collection in the respective apps by scrolling to the small head icon and selecting "profile" across from their name. 

From there, you can click "recent badges" and see all the ship badges you've earned, providing a clear visual representation of your travel milestones within the company. 

Ships you have sailed on are vibrantly colored in, while ships you have not sailed on are greyed out. At the top, you can also see how many ships you've sailed on. 

For example, if you have been on 10 of Royal Caribbean's 29 ships, it will read, "10 out of 29 badges earned" at the top of the screen, giving you a quick overview of your progress.

It will also indicate how many other cruisers have earned the badge. For instance, according to Royal Caribbean's app, over 1.1 million passengers have sailed aboard Allure of the Seas. 

According to Royal Caribbean's app, the most popular ship in the fleet is Allure of the Seas, with 1.2 million cruisers, followed by Oasis (1.0 million) and Freedom (1.0 million).  

On the flip side, the least sailed on (because it hasn't launched yet) is Star of the Seas, with a total passenger count of 0. 

149.9k cruisers have earned "Icon of the Seas" badges for sailing on the cruise line's largest and most innovative vessel since it launched in Jan. 2024. Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest ship, has welcomed 187.4k guests. 

Read more: I sailed on Royal Caribbean's mega-ship designed for first-time cruisers

According to Celebrity's app, their most sailed ship is Celebrity Equinox (433.9k), whereas Celebrity Flora, the cruise line's luxury expedition ship, has only seen 11k guests. 

If you haven't sailed on a specific ship and click on it, a window will pop up that says, "Book cruise." However, Royal Caribbean wants repeat cruisers, so if you've been on a specific ship, a pop-up reading, "Book again," will appear.

The new feature is only available through the mobile app. Though you can see your past cruises on the website, they appear as a list and give more details about the sailing, revealing the duration, itinerary, and dates. 

Do former ships have badges?

Certain ships no longer part of Royal Caribbean's fleet are noticeably missing, including Monarch of the Seas, Sovereign of the Seas, Empress of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Song of America, Song of Norway, and the original Legend of the Seas. 

In other words, it appears the ship has to be actively sailing for Royal Caribbean to be eligible to receive a badge through the mobile app. Retired ships, even if they haven't been scrapped, aren't listed. 

For example, the former Splendour of the Seas is now sailing as Marella Discovery for Marella Cruises. 

The same goes for Celebrity. Ships like Celebrity Zenith, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Xperience, and Celebrity Xpedition are excluded from the badge collection. 

Similarly, Celebrity Century, a Century Class ship that debuted in 1995 for Celebrity Cruises, operates for Marella Cruises as Marella Explorer 2 but is missing from the app. 

It can take up to 30 days post-cruise to receive a new badge

"Badges can take up to 30 days post-cruise to display. Requests to add missing cruises or points must be submitted within 12 months after the debarkation date of your sailing," says the app. 

"Any requests made beyond the 12 month period will not be accommodated."

Cruisers heading to Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island will have to leave their private speakers behind. 

As part of the "Special Tips" section in the Cruise Compass delivered to passengers sailing aboard Icon of the Seas' March 15 cruise, Royal Caribbean quietly introduced a new policy banning personal speakers on Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Though personal speakers aren't yet included on Royal Caribbean's prohibited items list as of Friday, Mar. 21, the notice reads, "Glass bottles and personal speakers are not permitted on the island."

Presumably, this new change is part of the cruise line's effort to maintain a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere on CocoCay, as personal speakers can cause a lot of noise disruptions. 

Other bullet points within Cruise Compass' tips section aren't a surprise. For example, young cruisers must wear swim diapers in the pools and Splashaway Bay. 

Fishing and taking marine life as souvenirs are also prohibited, and Royal Caribbean reminded guests not to feed the seagulls. 

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

Why the ban?

Royal Caribbean isn't the only cruise line restricting personal speakers. Last year, Carnival banned Bluetooth speakers from its fleet of "FUN" ships, citing safety concerns. 

Because all passengers must hear updates made over the PA system, Carnival decided to ban speakers because they could interfere with urgent safety announcements. 

“All speakers (including Bluetooth, portable, and wireless types) and radios are prohibited and will be held and returned at the end of the cruise...Consequently, guests must use earphones when listening to music or watching shows/movies on personal devices in public spaces," reads Carnival's website. 

Shortly after the ban, cruisers began to debate whether Royal Caribbean would follow in Carnival's footsteps. 

"Will RC follow suit with speaker bans? Curious if this [is] even a problem on RCL ships," asked sheeplewatcher on a Royal Caribbean Reddit thread. 

One of the top responses described a less-than-pleasant experience at Royal Caribbean's private destination in Haiti:

"[I] was at labadee at few weeks ago. My family was the first of a few to set up at Nellie’s beach in the front row. 20mins later a large family comes down and sets up in the front row. Loads up the speaker and sets it to top volume," wrote modestcouch.

"THEN they all head into the water as far as they could from their seats. The [lifeguard] came down. Looked around to see whose speaker it was. Finally he grabbed it. Turned it off."

Another user explained they also encountered disruptive personal speakers on CocoCay and onboard one of Royal Caribbean's ships:

Vivid-Syrup-3317 said, "Yeah we had this issue...It definitely wasn’t deafeningly loud, but we chose to sit at chill island as far away as we could get from the pool and south beach for a reason. We also encountered 2 or 3 people walking around the inside of the ship with their speakers. It was mildly annoying."

Additionally, many other users said they'd welcome such a ban. 

"Please ban them everywhere," Thick_Asparagus3978 pleaded, "I have reached my limit with speakers being played constantly [wherever] I go. It wouldn't be bad if they had any common sense as to the [volume] but they [don't]."

However, while banning personal speakers on CocoCay may appease many, for the time being, this ban only applies to Royal Caribbean's private island. 

It may also be a temporary ban during the busy spring break season, which tends to see rowdier-than-usual crowds. 

Royal Caribbean also updated guidance on a popular travel item last year

It's not uncommon for cruise lines to update their list of prohibited items as part of their ongoing efforts to ensure passenger safety and comfort. Last year, for example, Royal Caribbean added "multi-plug outlets."

This shocked many, as multi-plug outlets were long considered a cruise must-have to combat the shortage of charging options in many cabins. 

Shortly after updating their website, Royal Caribbean clarified the ban on multi-plug outlets didn't include "consumer type power conversion device USB charger[s]."

A draft of a U.S. government list with over 40 countries facing travel bans was recently made public. Among those on the list are four popular Eastern Caribbean cruise destinations: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. 

The Caribbean countries face potential travel restrictions if their governments don't address unspecific "deficiencies" within 60 days as part of what appears to be President Donald Trump's latest crackdown on migration. 

However, leaders from the listed nations have said they haven't received communication from the United States about the travel ban or their country's governing issues, catching the Caribbean nationals by surprise.

“There’s nothing we’re not afraid to answer to. We have been very transparent. We engage governments in transparency. People know us. What we say in the night, is what we say in the day; our word is our bond,” Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Monday during a press conference, as reported by the Miami Herald. 

“We are prepared to engage everyone, including the United States, in this matter. So whatever concerns the United States may have, which I do not know of yet, we are prepared to respond.” 

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis also sent diplomatic notes to the State Department requesting confirmation of the reports and seeking clarification.

St. Kitts' government emphasized it has upheld “consistent and open dialogue with the U.S. government" since 2022, particularly about the country's Citizenship By Investment Program, which allows foreign nationals to buy a second citizenship for as little as $100,000, allowing them visa-free access to more than 100 countries. 

St. Kitts isn't the only country that has faced scrutiny over its Citizenship By Investment Program. Other Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, offer similar programs that have received negative attention under the assumption that they're exploited by criminals who wish to launder their money or hide their identity and assets.

Haiti was also included on the travel ban list, facing potential restrictions due to ongoing political instability and security concerns because of the devastating gang conflict that has forced over 1 million locals from their homes. 

Last year, Royal Caribbean even halted cruises to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti, as a precaution due to the escalating violence. 

Though they restarted cruises to Haiti in late 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned flights to Port-au-Prince through at least Sept. 2025. 

That said, while the reasoning is unclear, one future Celebrity cruise departing on April 28, 2025, had its scheduled visit to Labadee changed to Grand Turk over a month in advance. It's possible the stop was switched due to the dire situation in Haiti. 

"To provide you with a better guest experience, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Labadee, Haiti. Instead, we'll visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, from 8:00am - 6:00pm on Friday, May 2nd," reads an email shared to the r/cruise Reddit thread. 

If Haiti's travel ban goes into effect, it will affect certain visas for tourists and students entering the United States.

An anonymous U.S. official warned that the list is not set in stone and could be subject to changes after further review by the administration.

Should you be worried about your cruise itinerary?

If you have a cruise planned to St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, or Antigua and Barbuda, the proposed bans are unlikely to have an immediate impact. 

In terms of safety, these Caribbean nations are generally considered safe for tourists. That said, as with any destination, it's always good to stay aware of your surroundings and not let your guard down. 

Tourism is a major part of the local economy, and cruise ports are typically well-monitored. Plus, excursions are designed with safety in mind. However, if you are worried about going off your own, consider booking a tour through Royal Caribbean. 

Existing travel advisories 

Another smart way to stay informed about your travel destination is by checking the U.S. State Department's travel advisories.

For example, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia all currently have a Level 1 Advisory, which means travelers should exercise normal precautions. This indicates that these destinations are generally safe for tourists, and there are no major safety concerns at the moment. 

Haiti, however, has a Level 4 Advisory, indicating that Americans shouldn't travel to the country due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. That said, Labadee is generally considered safer because it is a private destination operated by Royal Caribbean, with heightened security measures in place. 

Royal Caribbean passengers traveling to Roatán are in for a surprise, as the country of Honduras recently issued stricter guidance about a popular shore excursion. 

Roatán welcomed 1.7 million cruise passengers in 2024, making it the most visited cruise destination in Central America last year. The island is famous for several things, including diving and snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and animal sanctuaries. 

Many cruisers like to visit wildlife rescues while in Honduras, including Victor's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary, AJ's Monkeys and Sloths, and Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout. In the past, these sanctuaries were more than a zoo, with interactive opportunities to hold animals like sloths, capuchin monkeys, and macaws. 

Recently, however, Honduras has cracked down on such activities, implementing regulations on animal encounters aimed to prevent the “over manipulation of wildlife," including, "carrying and holding animals for exhibition and taking photographs."

Companies that fail to comply with the new restrictions and rules face intervention by the FTIA (inter-institutional task force against environmental crime), as well as administrative sanctions. 

Cruise passengers with tours booked through Bodden Tours were sent an alert informing them that the popular animal encounters would no longer be available, effective immediately.

"As of March 1, 2025, the Honduran government, through the Wildlife Department of the National Institute for Forest Conservation and Development, Protected Areas and Wildlife (ICF), implemented regulations, which intensified efforts to protect endangered and vulnerable species," the notice reads. 

"These new regulations directly impact our operations at Victor's Monkey & Sloth Sanctuary...At this time, we are unable to offer ANY Sloth-Hugs as of March 14, as we have been informed by authorities that TODAY is the [last day] for these interactions." 

While visitors can no longer hug sloths, the sanctuary assures that guests can still visit the animals and observe them in a hands-off manner.

"You will still be able to enter the animal's habitats for up-close viewing, photos and selfies, but touching or disturbing the sloths will not be permitted. This means that we can no longer offer fuzzy sloth hugs." 

tjcruisers posted on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum that some interactions had been paused before Bodden Tours' update was sent out: 

"We docked at [Roatán] a few days ago and had that excursion booked. Definitely correct, couldn’t hold the sloths but we’re able to be near them. Before going on the tour, the tour company made sure we were aware and made us sign off that that they told us."

Another popular wildlife rescue, AJ's Monkeys and Sloths, claims that they will allow guests to hold sloths a little bit longer. However, the encounters won't be offered after May. 

Read more: Best things to do in Roatán, Honduras cruise port

"It's a bummer as a tourist. But I recognize it's for the better"

Many seem to understand the need for stricter regulations. 

"Honestly if these parks and excursions are leading to animal mistreatment and trafficking I'm 100% on board. Ban them, and prosecute the parks. We've done these things before though, and they all claim to be rescue and/or rehab centers," shared emarkd on a Reddit thread. 

"I did some zip lines with money & sloth at the end while in Roatan. It was fun and I’m glad I got to do it last August, but I’m also glad they’re doing something to control it," added TXJKU4ME.

Others, however, expressed their disappointment over the changes and wished companies would be more upfront about the situation. 

"Whaaaat..... we have an excursion booked at Daniel Johnson's coming up here in a few months, does that mean that's a no-go now?" asked Callec254.

Several-Eagle4141 said, "I’ll admit I’m sad. I had an excellent time with my young son at one of these."

Tom Wrenn went one step further, calling out Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout on Facebook for not answering questions about the encounters. 

"They won't answer the questions you all keep asking about holding the sloths," he commented on a post about the website's technical difficulties. 

Roatán offers other tours

If you are worried about paying for an animal encounter and being limited to just viewing them, don’t worry: there are plenty of other memorable experiences on the island. 

From zip-lining through lush forests to exploring the underwater world while snorkeling, wild ATV tours, and relaxing all-inclusive beach breaks, Roatán, Honduras, offers a diverse range of activities.

Do not let the new regulations discourage you from finding another tour and making the most of your time in port! The island is beautiful and shouldn't be missed just because wildlife encounters are restricted. 

Read more: I checked out a private island in Honduras —with crystal clear beaches and all-inclusive drinks, it far exceeded my expectations

Amidst the ongoing trade war between the United States and Canada, one U.S. Senator threatened to have cruise ships skip Canada when cruising to Alaska. 

Historically, Alaska cruises sailing round-trip from the U.S. have had to call at a Canadian port to satisfy the Passenger Vessel Service Act (PVSA) of 1886, which requires foreign-flagged cruise ships to visit a foreign port if sailing a closed-loop cruise from the United States.

Alaska’s U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan claimed he'd propose an amendment to the PVSA after British Columbia Premier David Eby said he'd introduce legislation to place tolls on Alaska-bound commercial trucks. 

“I’m here to share that we will be introducing a new law in the coming days to respond to this historic challenge: unprecedented legislation. It will include such countermeasures as allowing the province to apply fees to commercial trucks that transit through British Columbia on their way to Alaska,” Eby said speaking at the Legislative Assembly building in Victoria. 

As a result, Sullivan said Congress could pass a law exempting cruise ships from the required stop in Canada when sailing from the Lower 48 to Alaska. 

Alternatively, he could seek an exemption by executive order issued by President Trump. Either way, Sullivan claimed the impact on Canada's economy could be in the "billions."

“You know, Canada, you don’t want to mess with Alaska,” Sullivan added, “If you do, we’re going to work hard on having our cruise ships bypass your ports, and that’ll help our economy tremendously, it’ll help our tourism industry tremendously, and it’ll really hurt their tourism.”

Currently, cruise ships that depart from U.S. ports like Seattle often call at Victoria on the final evening of the cruise before making their way back to Washington. 

For example, a round-trip Alaska cruise on Anthem of the Seas may depart from Seattle and visit Sitka, Skagway, and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier before making its way to Victoria. 

This new exemption would mean that cruise ships no longer have to visit Canada on voyages from the U.S. Instead, they could potentially adjust their itineraries to include additional stops in Alaska or spend more time offering scenic cruising at glaciers. 

Read more: I’ve been on 5 Alaska cruises, and one itinerary was far better than the rest

If Sullivan's threats are successful, it wouldn't be the first time the United States passed an exemption

In 2021, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a new bill to repeal and reform the PVSA. The Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA) was signed into law in May but was only temporary and applied just to 2021 cruises.

Before the act went into effect, Canada banned cruise ships from entering their waters due to the global pandemic. As such, Alaska cruises from the United States—such as Seattle or San Francisco—were impossible. 

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) tried to make the change permanent, arguing that the requirement "unintentionally put many Alaskan businesses at the mercy of the Canadian government."

The Cruising for Alaska’s Workforce Act would have allowed any ship carrying more than 1,000 passengers to transport passengers between a port in Alaska and another port in the United States, directly or by way of a foreign port.

Read more: I went on a 7-night cruise to Alaska. Here are 16 things that surprised me the most