After a Royal Caribbean ship nearly failed its health inspection, the cruise line has made big changes to remedy the problems.

Symphony of the Seas had its regular health inspection conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scoring just one point above "unsatisfactory." 

The inspection took place in early February and yielded over 50 violations that raised serious concerns about the ship's hygiene and safety protocols.

These ranged from crew members handling ice with open wounds on their forearms to improper food storage and failing to properly report children in the youth programs with present GI symptoms. 

Spencer Aronfeld, known on TikTok as @cruiseshiplawyer, said that it typically costs cruise lines around $65,000 to quickly correct all the violations of a nearly-failing report. 

"The score was an 86, which is barely satisfactory. One point less, which is an 85, would have been an unsatisfactory evaluation, which probably would have caused them to have to cancel the cruise," he explained. 

Roughly a month after the inspection, a corrective report for the deficiencies was released, which is required by the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program. However, the VSP can't verify that the deficiencies have been corrected until after conducting the next vessel inspection or re-inspection. 

The 8-page document details what Royal Caribbean did to correct the violations and ensure that Symphony of the Seas meets the necessary health and safety standards moving forward.

In other words, it serves as a crucial step to maintain trust with loyal passengers that Royal Caribbean strives to uphold the safety and well-being of everyone aboard their fleet of ships. 

Read more: These were the 5 cleanest Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year, according to the CDC

The corrective report details what Royal Caribbean did to remedy 57 violations found by CDC inspectors

Some of the worst violations include improper food storage. 

For example, at Johnny Rockets, a metal bin used for disposing of raw hamburger plastic and paper packing was on the front preparation counter and was in contact with the burger topping area.

Before leaving Johnny Rockets, the inspector noticed what appeared to be blood splatter on the preparation counter, too. 

In the corrective report, Royal Caribbean claims the, "[standard operating procedure] has been modified and Burgers are unwrapped from plastic and paper packaging before placing them in [a] hotel pan to avoid any cross contamination. Team has been retrained with new SOP."

The initial report also revealed that 25 raw, shelled eggs were stored in a plastic bag in a crew cabinet next to a manager's desk. An unopened bag of potato chips and an open bottle of hot sauce were stored below the raw eggs in the same cabinet. 

When the crew was asked about the eggs, the inspector discovered they had been brought into the upholstery office the day before. The eggs, chips, and hot sauce were all taken to the incinerator room and discarded. 

According to the corrective report, "Inspections were conducted of Upholstery, Carpenter and Repair workshop areas. Management met with the Division using these areas, [and] reminded them regarding food safety and no food items to be brought to the workshops. Unannounced inspections to continue [on] a regular basis."

Another violation revealed that a crew member accessing an ice machine's technical department in the Solarium had open and scabbed sores on his forearm. 

Like the inspector, Royal Caribbean also advised all crew members to protect wounds with bandages before working on any food-grade equipment and before entering food areas.

Still, perhaps one of the most shocking violations was the improper medical identification of acute gastroenteritis cases in the youth clubs. 

In January 2025, five out of eleven vomiting and diarrhea incidents reported in the children's activity center weren't appropriately handed. As such, symptomatic children weren't isolated because they were not assessed or incorrectly assessed for meeting acute gastroenteritis. 

For example, around 9:20pm on Jan. 9, Adventure Ocean reported that a 9-year-old child had vomited. Less than two hours later, housekeeping reported a vomiting incident on the bed for the same child. 

The parents called the medical center around midnight to report multiple episodes of vomiting. They finally brought their child to the medical center around 3:10pm on Jan. 10 for abdominal cramps. The medical notes for the visit stated that the "child has had several episodes of vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain."

This case met the acute gastroenteritis reporting definition, but the child wasn't isolated, and the case wasn't included on the acute gastroenteritis log. 

To remedy the violation, Royal Caribbean revised the standard operating procedure for reporting PVI/PFI incidents. Plus, they conducted training sessions with the medical team about acute gastroenteritis knowledge, so they can properly identify and report cases following the criteria as per the VSP manual. 

Not only that but in the future, the medical team "will reach out to each PVI/PFI case by calling them twice. If they are unable to make contact, they will [hand the case] over to the security team and guest [relations] to get in touch with the person involved in the incident ASAP."

Speaking of illnesses, while onboard, the CDC inspection team noticed that the child activity crew didn't follow their illness exclusion policy, allowing known symptomatic children into the activity center. 

Around noon on Jan. 21, Adventure Ocean reported a diarrhea incident for a 3-year-old child. The activity center reported another incident for the same kid around 8:00pm the same evening, though they indicated that it was "code brown," or non-GI related.

The medical team didn't follow up with the parents to assess for isolation because a non-medical crew member stated it wasn't related to acute gastroenteritis.

The corrective report states, "Every PVI and PFI in Adventure Ocean will be closely monitored. The team has been retrained and coached, and we will be following these steps: Once a PVI or PFI incident occurs in Adventure Ocean, the AO staff will report the incident to the dispatcher and the medical team will be advised of the incident with an additional call to the nurse on duty, providing information about the child."

"The staff will inform the AOM to monitor the incident, adding it to the PVI/PFI log and noting in the system that the child may not return until cleared by the medical team...The medical team will do the evaluation and diagnosis of the child, following up on the incident, and communicating further with AO once the child has been cleared to return to Adventure."

Other violations, including soiled food service items, broken soap dispensers, and areas without written symptom guidance posted were easily remedied by the ship's team. 

For example, at the child activity center, an open play area for parents to play with their young children did not have written symptom guidance posted. As such, a sign was printed, laminated, and placed in the area. 

Additionally, the soap dispenser in one of the men's restrooms wasn't mounted to the bulkhead, making it difficult to operate. 

Corrective action began immediately by the plumping team. Plus, crew members were coached about the importance of hand washing stations always being properly equipped and available. 

A pool/hot tub net had also been stored in one of the showers, making it inaccessible for guests during the 1.5 hours the main pool had been open. 

Consequently, crew members received training on net storage, ensuring that the shower remains always accessible to guests. 

Read more: 10 tips to make your next cruise healthier

Sailing on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas is a vacation on one of the biggest cruise ship's in the world, but it also comes with a big price tag for everything it offers.

I went on a 7-night sailing that cost me more than $4,500 for the cruise fare, hotel, airfare, and plenty of onboard purchases.

Since Oasis Class ships are among my favorites at sea, I couldn’t resist sailing aboard Wonder for a week to the western Caribbean.

I made the most of my time on the ship without completely breaking the bank by employing some money-saving strategies, such as booking an interior stateroom and cruising during the shoulder season.

In total, I spent $4,698.16 on my weeklong Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise on Wonder of the Seas, including airfare to Florida and miscellaneous onboard spending. It wasn't the cheapest vacation, but it was worth every penny! 

My guarantee inside cabin was $2,292.10

In a dream world, I’d always cruise in a balcony stateroom. However, they’re more expensive than interior cabins, and given how frequently I sail, this isn’t realistic.

As such, I booked a guarantee interior stateroom for my 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas. The total was $2,292.10, including taxes, port fees, and gratuities for two people. 

Because I booked a guarantee cabin, we could not choose our stateroom’s location and were assigned cabin 9116. 

The standard interior stateroom was all the way forward on Deck 9. I typically prefer midship staterooms, especially when sailing with my partner, as she gets seasick more easily than I do. However, we got lucky on our particular sailing. 

There were very few times we felt excessive movement in our stateroom. One evening, my partner said the rocking kept her awake later than she would have liked, but a little Dramamine helped her doze off before midnight. 

That said, the stateroom was well-appointed. Traveling as a couple, we kept the bed configured together, rather than separating the mattresses and having two smaller twin-sized beds. 

Read more: I got seasick on two cruises. Here's what I'll do differently next time

Besides the location, my only other quarrels with the cabin were the lack of a loveseat or sofa and hooks. While we had a chair, I would have preferred a larger couch as a catch-all place for our miscellaneous items. At times, we had multiple bags piled on the tiny chair. 

Our cabin's walls were also noticeably bare other than a small gallery wall arrangement on the left side. As such, there wasn't a great spot to hang lanyards or day bags. Though larger staterooms onboard typically have hooks beneath the television, this area was occupied by the dresser. 

If I were to cruise on Wonder again, I'd prioritize bringing magnetic hooks to help utilize the wall space more efficiently and better organize our belongings. 

My onboard expenses, including a specialty meal at The Mason Jar and a few souvenirs, came out to $403.91

Everyone’s onboard spending looks different. Some may prefer to splurge on a drink package, whereas other cruisers might spend their money on a specialty dining package or shore excursions in port.

While on Wonder of the Seas, I didn’t fully restrict myself to the complimentary amenities. As such, my onboard spending came to $403.91.

Before the cruise, my partner and I made a reservation for The Mason Jar to try its brunch because neither of us had eaten there before.

When we booked our cruise with our travel agent, we were gifted $50 in onboard credit that we used to help offset the cost. This meant we paid just $9.20 per person or $18.40 altogether.

I wish I had a lighter dinner the night before because my stomach definitely wasn't ready for a multi-course meal at 11:00am on our final day onboard! Everything from the deviled eggs to the over-the-top cinnamon roll and twice-fried Oreos was delicious and worth the cost. 

On embarkation day, we also decided to skip the Main Dining Room and eat at Playmakers for dinner. An order of six wings, a chicken sandwich, and the infamous campfire cookie was $40.72, including an extra tip for our prompt waiter.

In addition to food, we spend money on a few souvenirs onboard. One of my guilty pleasures is purchasing new toys for my dog, Dexter. One night, as we were browsing the shops, we couldn’t resist buying a new collar and first-mate dog toy for him. These two items came out to be $22.93.

In all fairness, he did need a new collar. We somehow misplaced his and were using one that didn’t fit our old guy very well. The toy was a fun bonus!

Another miscellaneous purchase was my partner’s lanyard. I was in Florida before her, so she packed on her own. A few items were forgotten, including a lanyard! She also forgot her trusty handheld fan. Thankfully, we took it easy, booking a private driver with an air-conditioned car in Roatán, staying onboard in Cozumel, and spending time in the pool while docked in Costa Maya. 

Royal Caribbean ships don’t have a shortage of lanyards, so she picked one up on embarkation day for $10.64 in the Royal Promenade while we waited for the announcement that staterooms were ready. 

We also bought two new T-shirts in the Royal Promenade for $30. Usually, I steer clear of these sales; however, I wanted a new comfy shirt to sleep in, and $15 for an oversized shirt isn't a bad deal. 

Alcohol is something to consider on any cruise, regardless of which line you're sailing with. We limited our daily consumption since we decided to save money and not purchase a drink package. For the most part, we stuck to our four included Diamond vouchers. 

Read more: The secrets to achieving Diamond status quickly on Royal Caribbean

However, there were a few times we wanted an extra drink when attending activities like the adults-only silent disco in the Solarium or watching The Quest in Studio B. 

Plus, we tried the Bionic Bar and invented our own concoctions, and I couldn't go too long without a crisp Diet Coke. My partner also purchased a Cafe Select Coffee Card for her iced coffees each morning. Altogether, these beverages totaled $199.14. 

One night, we purchased ice cream at Sugar Beach while watching Inside Out 2 at the AquaTheater. Our two scoops of Cookies & Cream ice cream came out to $7.08. It was my first time trying Sugar Beach and though it was a nice treat, the soft serve at Sprinkles is a solid option and does not cost anything extra. 

Finally, if there’s one place my partner and I have to visit on every cruise, it’s the arcade. Or, in my case, the adult arcade, aka the casino! Between the slots and a few failed claw machines, we spent $75.00.

Before the cruise, we reserved The Key for $517.86

After 14 Royal Caribbean cruises, I decided to try The Key to see if it was worth the relatively high price tag. It came out to $517.86 for two passengers, or $36.99 per person, per night, for our weeklong cruise on Wonder of the Seas. 

The Key Program gives guests certain priority benefits, such as reserved seating in the main theater and AquaTheater, an exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room, and more. 

It also includes a VOOM Surf & Stream package for one device per person, so since my partner and I were both going to purchase a Wi-Fi package, we decided to splurge on The Key for extra perks while on our 7-night cruise. 

The Key did not include priority or expedited boarding in the terminal at Port Canaveral; however, once on the ship, we dropped off our carry-on bags in the Main Dining Room and enjoyed a three-course meal. 

It was a nice touch to begin our weeklong cruise away from the crowds in the buffet. However, the food wasn't really anything that special. 

Throughout our voyage, we also took advantage of the reserved seating in the AquaTheater. We had amazing seats front and center and were in awe of the talented divers and dancers as they performed daring stunts and synchronized routines. 

We also utilized The Key's private zip line time on the last day, though this wasn't planned. We wanted to watch the Yes or No game show in the karaoke lounge; however, all seats were filled when we arrived. Instead of standing in the corner, we made our way to Deck 16 and rode the zip line with no wait! 

Overall, though, I don't think The Key was worth the cost. While having extra benefits was nice, I'd rather spend the money on a cabin with a view or a shore excursion. 

We did not even use The Key's express disembarkation. After grabbing a coffee at Cafe Promenade, we joined the line in the Royal Promenade and were off the ship in minutes. 

I booked an excursion through Viator in Roatán, Honduras, for $140

Since my partner and I visited Cozumel last year, we opted to stay onboard, saving money and taking advantage of fewer crowds. However, it was my fiancée's first time in Roatán, and she really wanted to visit an animal sanctuary. We booked a last-minute tour through Viator for $140 including a tip, and I'd highly recommend it!

Though we booked through Viator, the tour company was called Roatán Breakaway Tours. We easily located our driver, Kendall, outside the port, and were whisked away on a 3.5-hour excursion that visited Daniel Johnson's Monkey & Sloth Hangout, the Roatán Rum Company, and the Roatán Chocolate Factory. 

Kendall was a fantastic driver, and we learned a lot about the island as we drove to each stop. This was easily one of the highlights of our cruise! Who wouldn't want to hold an adorable sloth or have cute monkeys jump all over them?

This was the only excursion purchased, as we planned a cheap port day in Costa Maya, venturing off the ship for a quick dip in the port's pool before returning onboard. 

One thing to note is that if you plan to stay in Costa Maya's port area and use the lounge chairs, you must purchase something from a nearby bar. 

We ordered two overpriced and over-sugary mojitos for $38.00 and thought that since we bought something from a port bar, we could move freely from one pool to another. Unfortunately, we were told you must purchase something from the closest bar. So, even though we spent nearly $40.00 at the Mojito Bar, we couldn't sit near the Costa Maya Beach pool. 

While ashore, I spent $52 on souvenirs 

Even though I say I'm not going to purchase anything in port, I always come back with something new. 

This time, it was a handmade shot glass made in Honduras, as well as a magnet for my partner's desk at work and a rum cake. 

We also bought local hot sauce for our family, and my partner couldn't resist trying a cookies and cream popsicle from the Roatán Chocolate Factory. Altogether, these items came to $52. 

I spent $1,254.29 on airfare and transportation

Before my cruise on Wonder, I took a 4-night cruise aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander out of Tampa. As such, I began my two-week trip by flying into Tampa and out of Orlando. My airfare with American Airlines was $402.97. 

Thankfully, I gave myself time and flew into Tampa the day before my first cruise, as I had to deal with two canceled flights before finally departing Charlotte about four hours later than scheduled. 

After my cruise on Islander, I took an Uber from Tampa to my hotel in Orlando, where I stayed for two nights between sailings using Hyatt points transferred from Chase Ultimate Rewards. This was the most expensive rideshare of the trip, costing $133.95. 

Rather than spend a full Saturday in the hotel, my partner and I purchased a one-day multi-park ticket to Universal Studios. This was completely optional, though, and came out to $466.48 for both of us. 

My partner's flights were more affordable. Because she doesn't have loyalty status with a specific airline, she booked a one-way flight to Orlando on Spirit, and I used American miles for her return flight. She paid just $82.19 for the flight from Charlotte to Orlando, which included a checked bag. 

On the morning of our cruise, we took a Lyft from our hotel across Universal Studios to the Orlando airport to catch our bus to Port Canaveral for $23.75. We booked our shuttle through Go Port and paid $59.98 each or $119.96 altogether. 

It was my first time using Go Port, and it was such an easy experience. After checking in around 9:45am, we waited until our boarding group number was called. It took less than fifteen minutes from when we lined up to board the bus to when we were en route to Port Canaveral. 

Using Go Port to return to the Orlando airport was just as smooth and efficient. We easily located Go Port's check-in counter after leaving the terminal and were off in minutes thanks to an almost full bus. The shuttle got us to the airport by 8:30am, and we were through security and passing time in the lounge by 9:10am, hours ahead of our 1:00pm flight. 

The last expense of my 7-night cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas was a Lyft ride from the Charlotte airport back home, which came to $24.99.

Royal Caribbean cancelled a cruise on one of its cruise ships because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. 

Passengers booked on the upcoming 3-night sailing onboard Quantum of the Seas were informed that their cruise would not proceed as scheduled. The sailing was scheduled for March 7, 2025.

"We have been monitoring the progression of Tropical Cyclone Alfred as it slowly moves toward Brisbane. Due to the development of the storm and the closure of the Port of Brisbane, the previous Quantum of the Seas sailing has been delayed returning to port, and as a result, our 3-Night sailing has unfortunately been cancelled," the email to confirmed guests reads.

All passengers will receive a full refund of any paid portion of the cruise fare, including non-refundable deposits and pre-paid add-ons, as well as a Future Credit Card to be used on a future Royal Caribbean cruise. 

The amount varies based on the stateroom category booked and applies per cabin, not per person:

• Inside cabin: $150 USD
• Outside cabin: $200 USD
• Balcony cabin: $250 USD
• Deluxe cabin: $400 USD

Quantum stuck at sea

Quantum of the Seas' February 28 sailing was due to return to Brisbane on March 7. However, the 168,666 gross registered ton ship (GRT) will remain at sea because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The rare, powerful weather system is a Category 2 storm with destructive wind gusts of up to 96mph. 

"Due in Brisbane Australia on Friday 7th March, however TC Alfred is due to make landfall in Brisbane the same day and the port is closed. Will now dock on Monday 10th March," wrote Jester_Fleshwound on a Reddit thread. 

In addition to 3 extra sea days, Quantum will visit Noumea, New Caledonia, for the second time. Quantum is expected to arrive on March 7. The ship previously called at Noumea on March 3, followed by Mystery Island, Vanuatu, on March 4. 

Royal Caribbean gave guests complimentary internet to help them stay connected while adjusting to the unexpected changes. 

Additionally, passengers who booked airfare through Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program will automatically have their flights adjusted. Those who booked independently will receive a credit of $200 USD for domestic travel and $400 USD for international travel per person. 

Regarding Wi-Fi and drink packages, Royal Caribbean is extending VOOM Surf & Stream packages for three days at no extra cost. 

However, guests with drink packages must pay an extra $35 USD daily for the Deluxe Beverage Package and $14 USD for the Royal Refreshment Package. There's no additional charge for the Soda Package. 

Passengers who decide not to extend their drink package and purchase beverages individually will receive 50% off. 

Finally, guests who didn't pre-pay their gratuities will notice additional charges for the three extra days onboard, while all passengers will receive 3 more nights' worth of cruise points, bringing the total for their voyage to 10. 

Other cruise ships impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred

Several other cruise ships have had their itineraries altered because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, including Norwegian Sun, Queen Anne, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Encounter, and Carnival Luminosa.

Like Quantum of the Seas, Carnival Luminosa's March 6 cruise from Brisbane was canceled while the ship remains at sea to avoid the storm.

"Our Fleet Operations Center continues to keep a close eye on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Given its current track, the storm is expected to directly impact the Brisbane area in the coming days and the port is now closed as it prepares," read an email sent to guests.

"Regrettably, we have no alternative but to cancel your voyage. We know this is disappointing and we are truly sorry for the disruption to your holiday plans." 

The current 11-night sailing was slated to conclude on 6; however, Carnival guests shouldn't expect to disembark any earlier than March 8. 

Work is underway on making major upgrades to Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

The second-ever Oasis Class ship is currently in Cádiz, Spain, undergoing an extensive $100 million-plus dry dock to enhance its amenities and overall guest experience. 

Allure was initially on the schedule for Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplified program. However, the pandemic had other plans, and her dry dock was indefinitely postponed. 

Years later, she's finally receiving the enhancements she deserves, boosting her onboard offerings to be more consistent with newer ships in the fleet. 

“Allure will be reimagined with the best of Royal Caribbean and what travelers love. Between new favorites, like the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, and experiences that unlock core memories time and time again, from an incredible pool deck to an unmatched combination of thrills and ways to chill, Allure will have even more of everything that makes it a standout favorite," said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer, Royal Caribbean International.

Following Allure's season in Europe, a first since 2015, she'll reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025, where she will remain through October 2026, excluding a short stint in Galveston, Texas, in March and April 2026. 

One TikTok user on-site during the dry dock, @evasion_20s, has taken to social media to share exclusive content about Allure's refurbishment. 

The short videos range from showing cabins to Adventure Ocean, the brand-new Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade, and the pool deck, all in anticipation of Allure of the Seas welcoming guests onboard in Spain on April 11. 

Refreshed staterooms

It's rare for Royal Caribbean to completely redesign cabins during dry docks. However, it's usual for them to be updated and refreshed, ensuring they last for many, many more years. 

For example, @evasion_20s shows staterooms with torn-out carpets. With the furniture and carpet removed, it's a great time to replace the bedding and other worn-out furnishings, which is difficult when Allure is in regular service. 

However, Allure is receiving new suites above the bridge. The "Ultimate Panoramic Suites" will provide guests with 200-degree ocean views from the comfort of their cabins. Plus, passengers will enjoy the slew of perks that come with staying in a Star Class suite. 

Revamped Adventure Ocean

Adventure Ocean is Royal Caribbean's award-winning youth program. While adults can spend the day in the Solarium, Adventure Ocean spaces are exclusively for kids and teens. 

Younger cruisers sailing on Allure of the Seas can expect exciting new Adventure Ocean areas, including Play Place, the AO Theater; hands-on art, science, and tech events at the Workshop; interactive games at the Arena;  and even a brand-new Social298 venue with video games, music, movies, and more just for teens. 

The programming is included in your cruise fare, so families with children of all ages, including babies, can rest assured knowing there are dedicated activities for everyone onboard. 

Resort-style pools

The reimagined Caribbean pool deck will teleport guests to the tropics even if they're on a port-intensive European getaway. In addition to the new color scheme, guests can look forward to casitas, in-pool loungers, daybeds, and more. 

Additionally, the pool deck will finally receive what it has lacked compared to other Oasis Class ships: the Perfect Storm water slides.

The Cyclone, Typhoon, and SuperCell champagne bowl will bring another layer of thrills to cruises aboard Allure of the Seas. 

Younger kids and tweens will enjoy Splashaway Bay, featuring slides, water cannons, fountains, pools and whirlpools, and two drench buckets, while adults can lounge in the Solarium complete with new touches and the fan-favorite Samba Grill. 

New restaurants

While Samba Grill might not be a new addition, Allure of the Seas is introducing exciting dining options that cater to various tastes, including The Mason Jar and Playmaker's Sports Bar & Arcade. 

Both are specialty restaurants that aren't included in your cruise fare. Playmaker's is à la carte, meaning you only pay for what you order, while The Mason Jar has a set cover charge. 

The Mason Jar is a relatively new concept that debuted on Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and was added to Utopia of the Seas in 2024. Once Allure returns to service in April, The Mason Jar will be found on three ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet. 

Read more: The best bar scene is only on two of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships

The Southern-inspired restaurant offers classic comfort food like fried chicken and waffles, buttermilk biscuits, deviled eggs, gumbo, chicken pot pie, coleslaw, collard greens, and more. 

Playmaker's is like your favorite sports bar back home. The no-frills joint is a great place to stop for a drink before an AquaTheater show, grab a low-key dinner on the Boardwalk, or catch the latest sports game. Note that it's replacing Sabor, the Mexican restaurant that was previously available.

Don't worry, though. You can still get your Mexican fix while sailing on Allure. For a while, the Oasis Class ship had a "knock-off" El Loco Fresh at the Wipe Out Café. 

Now, she'll finally have the proper complimentary Mexican restaurant where guests can grab yummy quesadillas and build their own nachos.  

El Loco Fresh will be on Deck 15 near the Sports Court. 

Ultimate Abyss

Allure of the Seas is also receiving the Ultimate Abyss dry slide. 

First launched on Harmony of the Seas, the Ultimate Abyss has quickly become an Oasis Class staple and was even added to Oasis of the Seas during her Royal Amplification. 

The slide is included in your cruise fare and takes you from the aft of Deck 16 to the Boardwalk on Deck 6, spitting riders out beside Playmaker's. This means that, along with Sabor, the Sabor Bar is also being removed to make way for the end of the Ultimate Abyss slide. 

New bars

The Pesky Parrot is perhaps one of the most unique additions to Allure of the Seas. The brand-new bar launched on Utopia of the Seas in July 2024. 

It's a lively, tropical-themed bar that brings a vibrant atmosphere to the Royal Promenade. Unfortunately, the relaxed Champagne Bar will be removed and replaced by the Pesky Parrot tiki bar. 

The Lime and Coconut is another new bar coming to Allure of the Seas, though it isn't new to the fleet. The popular pool bar offers guests the perfect spot to unwind with tropical drinks on a sea day. And yes, you can use your drink package at both!

Royal Escape Room and Laser Tag

If slides aren't your thing, whether wet or dry, Allure has plenty of other activities to keep you busy, from an ice skating rink to the zip line, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, and mini-golf course.

Allure of the Seas will receive a new themed escape room and laser tag course while in dry dock, adding to the fun available onboard.

The Royal Escape Room — Apollo 18: Lunar Landing is the latest in the cruise line's escape room lineup. Participants will be transported to 1973 as they hunt for clues to help Apollo 18 successfully land on the moon. Note, however, that this experience isn't included in your cruise fare.

Conversely, Battle for Planet Z, Royal Caribbean's glow-in-the-dark laser tag course that takes over the Studio B ice skating rink, doesn't cost extra.

Read more: What are the Oasis Class Ships?

Inside staterooms are usually my least favorite cabins on a cruise ship; however, I was pleasantly surprised by my windowless room on Wonder of the Seas. 

I began cruising on Oasis Class cruise ships at 14 when my family embarked on a weeklong spring break voyage aboard Oasis of the Seas to the Western Caribbean. 

However, I sailed on Oasis, Allure, and Harmony of the Seas before finally staying in an interior stateroom on Symphony of the Seas a few years ago. 

Since then, I've become accustomed to saving money by booking inside cabins. Most recently, I cruised in an interior stateroom on Wonder of the Seas on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida. 

To save even more money, we booked a guarantee cabin, meaning that we couldn't choose our stateroom's location. As such, we were randomly assigned room 9116 at the front of the ship. 

Initally, I was worried I'd regret not selecting my cabin, as staterooms in the forward of a cruise ship can sometimes experience more motion, especially during rough seas. 

Thankfully, the seas were calm during our weeklong voyage, and we did not experience much rocking in our tiny cabin. 

Our interior stateroom was $2,292.10, including prepaid gratuities. However, I'm confident we could have gotten a better rate on our shoulder season cruise had we booked more than two months in advance. 

Though I wish we had a more central location on such a large ship, I was happy with my stateroom on Wonder of the Seas. I rarely spend much time in my cabin when cruising on mega-ships anyway! 

Tiny but well-appointed

Cruisers seeking spacious accommodations rarely book cheap interior staterooms. Because they lack natural light and don't have private verandahs, they're typically the smallest accommodations on a cruise ship. 

This was certainly the case aboard Wonder of the Seas. Our cabin wasn't large but was cleverly designed to maximize the available space. The layout was efficient, with just enough room for the essentials, including a bed, desk, chair, dresser, and two nightstands. 

On embarkation day, I asked my cabin steward for a mattress topper, as I don't find Royal Caribbean's beds the most comfortable. 

Though I was disappointed to learn Wonder didn't have toppers, he padded the bed with an extra comforter. It wasn’t quite the same as a mattress topper, but it helped improve the sleep experience and made the mattress feel much more plush than without.

Because Wonder of the Seas is a newer ship having debuted in 2022, the stateroom was well-appointed with a fresh aesthetic and modern amenities. 

Perhaps one of my favorite features was the beside charging options, as the table lamps were outfitted with USB ports and standard American outlets. 

Older Royal Caribbean ships don't usually have bedside charging options, so it's nice that the company has updated their rooms with practical, convenient features. 

I appreciate charging my phone directly from the bedside table. While it's a small detail, it makes the cruising experience much better, especially after long days exploring the ship or port when you want to scroll on social media or play a mindless game before bed. 

Cabin 9116 didn't have a shortage of other charging options, either. The vanity was home to three American outlets, two USB ports, and two European plugs. 

Typically, I never travel without my trusty European adapters, as some ships have just two American and two European outlets. 

But with the ample charging options in this cabin, I didn’t need to worry about running out of places to plug in my devices.

Another pleasant surprise was the storage space

Before my 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas, I spent 4 nights on Margaritaville at Sea's Islander and two nights in Orlando, Florida, visiting Universal Studios (I'm bummed I was there one week before they launched the new Wizarding World wands!). As such, my checked bag wasn't light, coming in at around 45 pounds! 

Between my almost-overweight bag, backpack, and my partner's belongings, I was a little concerned about where we'd stow everything in our interior cabin. To my surprise, there was enough space to organize everything.

The closet had enough hangers for our dresses and blouses, while the small cubbies were great for stashing my packing cubes, shoes, and other smaller items. 

There was also a small dresser directly next to the closet with multiple drawers where we kept undergarments and swimsuits. 

However, I wish our stateroom had hooks for beach bags and lanyards. Because there wasn't a great place to hang anything, our cabin's singular chair, excluding the vanity chair, became a catch-all place to help keep the floor and vanity clear of clutter. 

Modern bathroom

The bathroom also had plenty of storage. I never travel without my hanging toiletries organizer, and it stayed out of the way on the back of the door during our sailing. This freed up the three shelves for my partner. 

Even then, the bathroom never felt overwhelming with cosmetics or toiletries strewn about. The shelves provided more than enough space for essentials, and the bathroom felt organized despite the small size. 

The shower had amazing water pressure and felt larger than other standard showers. Rarely did I bump my elbows into the glass door! 

Like other Royal Caribbean ships, however, the shower had the same 2-in-1 shampoo-body wash hybrid and small toiletries shelf. 

I'm always prepared with my own products, never leaving home without my preferred shampoo and conditioner. 

That said, because I was on a two-week trip, I brought larger bottles instead of my usual travel-sized ones. 

The small shelf isn't ideal for larger bottles, and outside of my shampoo and conditioner, there wasn't much room for my face wash or our two razors. 

Moreover, after 14 Royal Caribbean cruises using the cheap bar soap provided, I finally tried one of the best bathroom hacks: bringing your own liquid soap. 

Perhaps I just have chronically dry hands, but I hate using the provided soap. In fact, it's one of the reasons that lotion is always on my must-pack list. 

However, the foaming Dial soap turned out to be a game changer. The gentle formula felt much better on my skin and didn't create the same soapy mess that bars typically do. 

Relatively noisy during the day

As soon as we were assigned cabin 9116, I went to Wonder's deck plan to see where exactly we'd be spending 7 nights. I was disappointed to learn it was at the front of the ship and even more upset when I discovered it was next to a crew-only area once onboard. 

I didn't have many issues with the noise as I prefer to spend as little time as possible in the cabin while on a cruise ship. However, my partner prefers to take afternoon naps in the stateroom versus a Solarium chair. 

Because our cabin was next to the linen closet, she frequently heard crew members outside the stateroom in the afternoon while cabins were being serviced. Sometimes, the noise would start as early as 7:45am as they prepped for the morning shift. 

Read more: I always choose this time to have my cruise room cleaned

Thankfully, though I was worried about feeling the ship rocking at night, I didn't feel much movement at all. My partner felt a little differently, but she's more sensitive to motion sickness than I am. 

Dramamine, motion sickness patches, and acupressure bands helped turn an otherwise negative experience into something more manageable.  

Read more: I tried the most common seasickness hacks on my cruise. Here’s what works best

While I didn't have a bad cabin experience, I'd hesitate to book this stateroom again because of its location

Deck 9 is such a great deck on Oasis Class ships, as you're only one deck above Central Park and four above the Royal Promenade. 

On massive ships like these, grabbing an elevator can sometimes be difficult, so it was nice to know we didn't have to rely on waiting for an elevator after a show when the banks were busier than usual.

However, I'll always take a midship stateroom over one in the forward or aft of the ship simply because you never know what sea conditions will be like on any given sailing.

Because my partner is much more susceptible to seasickness than I am, paying extra to choose our cabin is almost always justifiable, as we've had some less-than-pleasant experiences, such as when sailing on Disney Magic last November.  

Sometimes, however, you can get lucky with guarantee staterooms. On my upcoming sailing on Icon of the Seas, we gambled with another GTY cabin and booked an unassigned Surfside stateroom for $3,802.46. 

Weeks before sailing, however, we noticed that we were assigned a midship Central Park infinite verandah, much to our surprise! 

Royal Caribbean charges for room service, except for one breakfast option that you can easily enjoy in your room for free.

I think a lot of people instinctively start their morning with a stop at the cruise buffet, but there's actually a free room service option at breakfast.

There's no shortage of included food on a Royal Caribbean cruise, from three-course meals in the Main Dining Room to an all-you-can-eat buffet and fast-casual joints like El Loco Fresh and the Boardwalk Dog House. Yet, many passengers overlook room service, especially for breakfast. 

Outside of breakfast, ordering room service incurs a $7.95 service charge. Still, continental breakfast items, such as pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice are complimentary and can be delivered to your stateroom free of charge. 

Ordering room service for breakfast is one of my favorite ways to kickstart my day on a cruise ship. While the options are more limited than the Windjammer, it's nice not to have to budget time for breakfast while avoiding the crowds. 

It's even better when you're staying in a balcony stateroom! There's nothing like sipping on a cup of coffee as your ship pulls into port. It's just as nice on a sea day, too. 

The convenience of room service breakfast can't be beat. It's a relaxing way to ease into the day before heading out to explore the ship or going ashore for an all-day excursion. 

Each cabin has room service menus that can be filled out and hung on the door handle the night before you want room service delivered for breakfast

On a recent cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas, my partner and I decided to order room service before our excursion in Roatán, Honduras. 

The night before, we filled out the room service menu, selecting which items we wanted delivered and at what time. Everything on the continental breakfast side is included. 

However, items listed under "American Breakfast," such as scrambled eggs, buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, and bacon, incur a $7.95 service charge. That said, Royal Caribbean doesn't charge $7.95 per item, so you can order as many hot dishes as you want for a single price. 

Alcoholic drinks, including Mimosas and the Ultimate Bloody Mary, can also be delivered to the room. Note, though, that they are not included in any drink package. Even if you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you must pay the current bar pricing, plus an 18% gratuity. Daily diamond vouchers can't be used for room service drinks, either. 

Sticking with the included options, we ordered coffee with lactose-free milk, plain bagels with cream cheese, croissants, assorted pastries, and a fruit plate. Other options include yogurt, cereal, muffins, toast, grits, granola, oatmeal, and donuts. 

Because we had a third-party excursion booked, we wanted our room service to come early, so we could be one of the first passengers off the ship. We were to meet our driver at the port's exit an hour after Wonder's arrival. 

As such, we selected the 7:00am to 7:30am timeslot. However, we received a phone call at 6:48am saying our food was on the way! It was delivered and placed in our cabin before 7:00am. The earliest timeslot begins at 6:00am, while the latest delivery is from 10:30am to 11:00am. 

Since it arrived so early, we enjoyed breakfast in bed, watching a little television while munching on our food and drinking coffee. 

Read more: I ate brunch at 3 Royal Caribbean restaurants, and the one you've heard of the least was the best

The bagels were overtoasted, but the fruit plate was fresh

Breakfast is actually my least favorite meal of the day, so I try to keep it light and simple. Royal Caribbean's continental breakfast isn't anything fancy. However, there are enough options for a satisfying start to your day. 

The most disappointing part of our room service breakfast was the overtoasted bagels. Though they arrived warm, they were genuinely too burnt to eat. Instead, my partner lathered up one of the croissants with cream cheese. I was grateful we added them to our order the night before! 

I appreciated the assorted pastries, particularly the raspberry danishes and chocolate croissant. 

We agreed the fresh fruit plate was the most enjoyable dish. Everything from the juicy pineapple to the kiwi was ripe and refreshing. In fact, I wish we had ordered two! I would have been perfectly fine with fruit and coffee, rather than the extra pastries. 

Speaking of coffee, I'm not going anywhere, especially off the ship, without caffeine coursing through my veins. If you're someone who needs a hot cup of coffee to start your morning, I'd highly recommend ordering a pot via room service! 

Because we indicated that we were ordering for two people, our delivery included two coffee mugs. However, my partner prefers iced coffee, so she didn't drink any. This worked to my benefit since I had the entire pot to myself! 

However, if you and your travel companion are coffee fanatics, you can request an extra pot, rather than sharing one between two cruisers. 

Unfortunately, if you have a Royal Caribbean drink package and want to kickstart your day with a latte from Cafe Latte-Tudes, Cafe Promenade, or the Pearl Cafe, you will have to get it yourself. You cannot order iced beverages to your stateroom via Royal Caribbean's room service breakfast menu. 

I found the regular coffee to be perfectly fine, especially since I could enjoy it at my own pace without leaving the cabin. It was better than venturing to the Royal Promenade or Windjammer and carrying a full cup back to my stateroom. 

Coffee isn't the only beverage included with the continental breakfast. You may also order apple juice, orange juice, regular or chocolate milk, fat-free or lactose-free milk, half & half, green tea, black tea, and herbal tea. Decaffeinated coffee is an option, too. 

Should you order Royal Caribbean's free room service breakfast?

Instead of waking up earlier and getting ready before grabbing a bite to eat at the Windjammer or Main Dining Room,  we enjoyed having the extra time to rest in bed before heading off the ship in Honduras. 

Again, the continental breakfast isn't anything fancy or over-the-top, but who doesn't want to feel like royalty waking up to breakfast in bed? It's nice that Royal Caribbean includes such a convenient option in its cruise fare. It will remain a must-do for any cruise I'm on!  

Plus, there's no limit as to how many times you can order continental room service breakfast. In other words, if you're on a 7-night Caribbean cruise, you can be awoken each morning by a crew member telling you that your food is on the way, all for no extra charge! If you run out of menu cards, you can either ask your cabin steward or go to Guest Services. 

Massive Royal Caribbean ships have been unable to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, for months due to ongoing improvements to the pier infrastructure. Most recently, more sailings aboard Icon of the Seas have replaced their visits to San Juan with other Caribbean ports. 

The new string of changes affects cruises through July 2025. Guests booked on the May 3, June 7, June 21, and July 19 sailings received an email indicating they're no longer scheduled to call at San Juan. 

"Before your vacation begins, we wanted to inform you about some changes to our itinerary. Due to ongoing improvements to the pier infrastructure in San Juan, the port operators have advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit," the email begins. 

Three out of four of the voyages will now call at Ponce, Puerto Rico, while the July 19 voyage is skipping Puerto Rico entirely and heading to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. 

The email continues, "We'll now enjoy a visit to Philipsburg, St. Maarten on Day 4. We'll still visit Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, now on Day 5 instead of Day 4. Thank you for your understanding - it's exciting to share this new destination with you."

Instead of nixing Puerto Rico from the itinerary completely, the May 3, June 7, and June 21 voyages will visit Ponce instead of San Juan. 

"Ponce has a captivating history as Puerto Rico's second-largest city is full of laid-back vibes and nostalgic charm. Enjoy a stroll through Plaza de las Delicias or unwind like a true Ponceño along La Guancha boardwalk," reads the email sent to booked passengers. 

"Want to dine like a local? Set your sights on cocina criolla, a blend of Spanish, Taino, American and African flavors - be sure to try Puerto Rico's national dish, mofongo (fried [plantains] mashed with garlic and olive oil). Finish the day with a scoop of hand-churned, tropical-flavored, ice cream at King's Cream, open since 1964. Whatever you choose to do on your adventure, you're sure to have a memorable time."

Guests with pre-paid shore excursions in San Juan will receive an automatic refund to their original form of payment. No other compensation is being provided. 

Read more: Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship: Review, Photos

Symphony of the Seas changes

Passengers aboard Symphony of the Seas' April 6, 2025, cruise were also notified that they'll be skipping San Juan. 

"We’ll still visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, as originally planned. You’ll now get to explore the beautiful, Labadee, Haiti and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. [And] We’re dialing up the fun by adding an extra port to your itinerary! We’ll now visit Nassau, Bahamas on Day 3 of our sailing," reads the email. 

The original 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise was scheduled to call at Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, and St. Maarten, respectively. This means that other than CocoCay, the entire itinerary has been updated. 

Ongoing issues docking in San Juan

Oasis and Icon Class ships have not visited San Juan since November 2024 because of ongoing construction with Pier 3-West. 

The issue hasn't impacted all ships, as San Juan has more than one pier for cruises. For example, Adventure of the Seas, an older Royal Caribbean ship measuring 137,276 gross registered tons (GRT), successfully docked in San Juan on Tuesday, February 24, 2025. 

In comparison, Icon of the Seas comes in at 248,663 GRT. Because of her size, Icon—and other Oasis Class ships—can only dock at Pier 3-West. 

According to Cruise Mapper, Scarlet Lady, Sun Princess, Marella Discovery, and Viking Sea also arrived in San Juan on Tuesday, Feb. 25 without issue. 

Large cruise ships, such as Symphony of the Seas, have been diverted from San Juan to alternative ports, including Labadee, Haiti; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Nassau, leading to dismay from guests. 

"These are major downgrades of ports…both Falmouth and Nassau suck and I tried to avoid them when initially booking the cruise," wrote one disappointed passenger on Reddit.

In January, local media outlet El Vocero reported that the Coast Guard was making progress in its repair efforts and claimed the pier could be fixed by late January. This, however, did not come to fruition. 

The issue began in April 2024 when MSC Meraviglia collided with the pier and caused "catastrophic damage." San Juan Cruise Port recently filed a lawsuit against MSC, as well as its insurers, to recover some of the costs associated with the damages and repairs, as reported by The Street. 

MSC is being accused of negligence for operating MSC Meraviglia with excessive speed and failure to follow proper docking procedures, including not using the available tug assistance or successfully aligning the vessel with the mooring dolphin. 

A dolphin is a group of pilings that serve as a protective hardpoint along a dock and help secure a cruise ship to the pier. 

The ongoing repairs are out of Royal Caribbean's hands, and the work is managed by the Puerto Rican authorities and is subject to Coast Guard approval. 

The Instagram-famous Captain Kate McCue is bidding a fond farewell to Celebrity Cruises. 

Captain Kate shared the news on her Instagram on Monday, February 24. 

"Today, I saw farewell to Celebrity," she begins, "I've spent the last 22 years on 11 ships in the Royal Caribbean Group, from 2nd Officer to Captain. I have seen some of the most beautiful places, met inspiring and wonderful people, and had opportunities to live my 12-year-old dream out loud!"

In 2003, Captain Kate began working for Royal Caribbean Group as 2nd Officer onboard Nordic Empress. Then, she became a 1st Officer on Brilliance, Mariner, and Independence of the Seas, according to her LinkedIn. 

However, she rose to prominence when she became the Captain of the Celebrity Summit at 37 years old in 2015. It was the first time an American woman had been named Captain of a mega cruise ship, and she has been with Celebrity Cruises ever since. 

Throughout her time as a Captain, she gained notoriety online. As of February 2025, she has over 4.6 million combined followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where she gives glimpses into the daily life of a cruise ship Captain. 

For example, she gave behind-the-scenes footage of the Celebrity Beyond's development during the ship's construction, as well as filmed a video showing what her living quarters looked like. Spoiler alert: it wasn't an average cruise ship cabin! 

She also used her platform to help cruisers understand the not-so-fun parts of being a Captain, such as making the disappointing decision to cancel ports of call due to weather.  

Captain Kate was also famous for her sphynx cat who lived with her onboard while at sea. Unfortunately, the 8-year-old Bug Naked passed away from complications following a routine dental surgery the day after Christmas. 

Celebrity Cruises' social media team shared a heartfelt comment on Captain Kate's post: "The journey we have shared together has been absolutely amazing. You brought passion and heart to everything you did, inspiring so many along the way, and leaving a lasting mark on our industry. We wish you fair winds and following seas, always. 💙 ⚓️"

Other users took to the comments to wish Captain Kate the best in her future endeavors. 

"Captain you’re gonna be so missed! You’re such an inspiration and I hope our paths will cross again❤️ Wishing you all the best!!" wrote bettinald. 

meredithreese added, "@captainkatemccue you are just an absolute gem of a human. So grateful our souls crossed!! Wishing you blessings and amazing energy on your continued journeys!! 🩵🩵🩵"

"Captain, you are such an inspiration to us all and easily one of the most impressive humans we’ve ever met," said cruisewithjj. 

"We will all miss you but are also so grateful for the times we had sailing the seas together under your leadership, witty humor, and genuine kindness for us all. ❤️"

She's not retiring 

Per Captain Kate's Instagram post, she isn't ready for life on land. 

"You might be wondering why I am leaving," she continues, "Simply put, life has an incredible way of reminding us what's important and changing up priorities. I've recently had some big life changes, and this just happens to be one of those."

"Are my sailing days over? Absolutely not. I've got too much salt in my veins to leave the sea behind."

Though she doesn't disclose what her next steps are, she could be transitioning to a new company. 

Her deep love for the ocean suggests that, while her time with Celebrity Cruises has come to an end, her journey at sea is far from over. 

Captain Kate longed for life at sea from a young age

She dreamed of being a Cruise Director after her first cruise at 12 years old. Her father supported her aspirations but also encouraged her to dream bigger. 

After graduating from California State University's Maritime Academy with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, she moved to Hawaii and worked as a general deckhand on a catamaran. She finally got a job onboard a cruise ship with Disney Cruise Line in 2002 aboard the Disney Magic. 

In 2003, she was offered a job for Royal Caribbean, a company she stayed with until 2015. She worked as a 2nd Officer, traveling the world and visiting Asia, Alaska, Australia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. 

Read more: Take a look inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters

While working with Royal Caribbean, she obtained her Chief Mate and Master's License in 2009 from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies, which gave her the necessary qualifications to take command of a vessel. 

She then became a Chief Officer for Royal Caribbean, working aboard ships like Mariner of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. 

A few years later, she was asked to apply to Celebrity Cruises, a sister brand to Royal Caribbean owned by Royal Caribbean Group, by then-President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and accepted the position of cruise ship Captain in 2015. 

She started on Celebrity Summit, one of the line's smallest ships that debuted in 2001, and remained there until 2018 when she became the commanding officer aboard the Celebrity Equinox. 

Captain Kate moved to Celebrity Edge in 2019, where she became the first female Captain to command one of the line’s newest and most innovative ships. 

She ended her time with Celebrity Cruises as the Captain of Celebrity Beyond, a mega-ship measuring 140,600 gross registered tons and 1,073 feet long. 

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is known for its crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect destination for beach and water activities. 

Among the most popular on the island is snorkeling. Whether you're a skilled snorkeler or trying it for the first time, CocoCay's calm waters are perfect for exploring the underwater world. 

As one of the most common activities, it's not unusual to find fellow cruisers posting advice online, so future guests can learn from their experiences. 

Reddit user greenbananas1200 did just that, sharing invaluable snorkeling tips to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. 

They begin the post by saying, "We went to cococay yesterday and went snorkeling! I did a lot of research before to be prepared and wanted to share some advice we learned."

If you're planning to snorkel at Perfect Day at CocoCay, taking a few tips from seasoned snorkelers can help you make the most of your adventure, and greenbananas1200's post is filled with helpful advice!

Bring your own equipment 

Purchasing your own snorkel gear is more cost-effective in the long run. 

"The snorkel-at-your-leisure excursion is essentially just the equipment rental. We bought snorkel gear at home and brought it (only the mask because we couldn't fit the flippers in our carry-ons). It is worthwhile - I paid only $30 CAD for my set, while rentals were around $40 USD," says greenbananas1200. 

According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "CocoCay All-Day Snorkeling at Your Leisure" excursion costs $39.58 for an upcoming cruise on Icon of the Seas, with an onboard price of $53.90. 

As greenbananas1200 explained, the excursion isn't an actual tour. Rather, it's just rental equipment for the day. In other words, you won't be guided through the Bahamian waters by an expert! 

Though you could pay $40 for the snorkel gear, it's easy to find equipment on Amazon for less. Plus, you can use it throughout your cruise. 

So, for instance, if you're in CocoCay one day and Nassau the next, you can easily take a cab to a local beach and snorkel without needing to rent more gear or purchase an excursion. You can even store it in your garage for your next tropical getaway. 

ZEEPORTE had an affordable equipment set for just $38.99 that includes a snorkel mask, fins, silicon breathing tube with a dry snorkel top, and a mesh carry bag, making it easy to get your gear from your cruise ship cabin to the beach. 

It also comes in various colors, including lavender, dark blue, grey, red, and yellow. 

Please note that we have linked an Amazon item above, which contains an affiliate link. The affiliate link does not cost you anything extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Wake up early

"We were in line to be the first ones off the ship. I would HIGHLY recommend [it]!" stated greenbananas1200, "There are some mixed reviews on the snorkelling at cococay so I was expecting to only see some tan-coloured fish."

However, because they started their day bright and early, they experienced snorkeling at its best. 

greenbananas1200 continues, "Instead we saw many interesting fish (including one with a long spike on its nose), a small stingray, a large ~5ft spotted eagle ray, a ~3ft fish/shark-looking thing. We saw way more in...cococay than the 2-stop snorkel excursion in Nassau that we paid $90 USD pp for."

CocoCay offers plenty of other activities to enjoy the island's beauty even if you aren't snorkeling, and getting off the ship early is one of the best ways to maximize your time ashore. 

For example, by mid-afternoon, many complimentary chairs and loungers on the beach will have been taken, and the island can feel a bit more crowded. By arriving early, you can snag your ideal spot and relax in peace. 

Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently

Claim a locker

While the ship is never far, you want to take certain essentials ashore, including medication, sunscreen, and flip-flops. However, you may not want to lug everything around all day. Enter CocoCay's complimentary lockers. 

"When you get on cococay, claim a locker," advises greenbananas1200, "They are free but first-come-first-served so get one first that you can use throughout the day to store your gear." 

The lockers are scattered throughout the island and won't cost you anything. To use a locker, you will set a pin that will allow you to open and close it as many times as you need throughout the day. They do fill up early, so don't wait to claim one! 

Snorkel at Chill Island

Perfect Day at CocoCay offers a variety of beaches, including the adults-only Hideaway Beach and the family-friendly South Beach. 

If you're unsure which one to choose, greenbananas1200 suggests heading to Chill Island: "We saw the cool larger animals under the floating platforms/rafts (there are 3-4 of them), so I would recommend looking near those. But be careful, it was actually really scary!"

Chill Island is easy to find. After disembarking the ship and walking onto the island, head straight until you see Captain Jack's. Then, take a left and continue over the bridge. 

Not only is Chill Island great for snorkeling but it's also conveniently located near the Chill Grill, so you won't have to venture far for lunch. It's also where you will find the CocoCay Island Market, perfect for stocking up on last-minute souvenirs. 

A passenger injured during a jet ski excursion at Royal Caribbean's private island has filed a lawsuit seeking damages of more than $5 million. 

Jessica Haro was sailing aboard Icon of the Seas when she participated in a beginner-level jet ski excursion at Perfect Day at CocoCay on December 20, 2024, the last day of the 7-night cruise, reported Cruise Hive. 

Haro joined 12 other passengers and two guides for the excursion. However, things took a turn for the worse during the activity. 

She claimed she suffered four spinal fractures and extensive internal injuries after being hit by one of the guides at high speed. According to Haro, some injuries are permanent and require extra medical expenses. 

Because of the extent of her injuries, Haro and her attorney, Justin Shapiro of Lessfield & Partners in Miami, filed a federal lawsuit against Royal Caribbean on February 10, 2025. 

“In the course of the jet ski tour, Royal Caribbean’s tour guide, who was hired to protect Ms. Haro, suddenly and recklessly crashed his jet ski into the rear of Ms. Haro’s jet ski at a high rate of speed while trying to pass her," reads the suit.

“The tour guide ultimately drove his jet ski over the top of Ms. Haro’s jet ski, causing a violent impact with Ms. Haro’s body."

The suit further reveals that Haro didn't have much experience operating a personal watercraft. 

However, she "...decided to book the guided jet ski excursion based on [Royal Caribbean’s] effort in marketing the excursion as being ideal for novice operators and that no experience operating a personal watercraft was necessary.”

Jet skiing is a popular activity in the Bahamas

Royal Caribbean offers jet ski tours at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Since it is a private destination, there are no third-party operators to go through. 

According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "Wave Jet Guided Tour" is a one-hour and fifteen-minute excursion where guests can ride alone or with a passenger. 

Each Seadoo can accommodate up to two passengers with a maximum combined weight of 375 lbs. The minimum age to drive a jet ski is 16, while passengers must be at least 10 years old.

"Beginners welcome - experienced guides will provide instructions and safety briefs to prepare you and your driver for the action," reads the tour's description. 

The excursion's details also warn guests not to consume alcohol before the tour, and passengers "with cardiac conditions, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, other heart or respiratory conditions, or any other medical condition must take particular caution when selecting an activity with snorkeling/swimming elements since such water activities could be subject to adverse sea conditions such as high winds, waves, and sea current."

It's not recommended for pregnant guests, either. 

All passengers who willingly decide to book and participate in Royal Caribbean's jet ski excursion must wear life jackets and complete liability waivers releasing the company and its employees from actions “arising from any accident [or] injury” concerning the “rental, participation, use, or operation of” a jet ski."

Not the first jet ski incident at CocoCay

Years before CocoCay became Perfect Day at CocoCay, a passenger sailing on the now-scrapped Monarch of the Seas was also injured while jet skiing at the private island. 

In 2013, claimant Linda Arnold filed a suit and a complaint for damages, alleging that Royal Caribbean was liable for the injuries she suffered during a jet-ski collision while visiting the island in 2011. 

Arnold and her boyfriend, Glynn Daniels, began to slow down on their jet ski after catching up to the ski ahead of theirs. However, Arnold and Daneisl were struck by a jet ski operated by another passenger, and Arnold suffered injuries as a result of the accident. 

Royal Caribbean sought to limit its liability due to the liability waiver; however, a United States District judge ruled the waiver was void due to provisions that limited liability for personal injuries caused by negligence.