I’ve visited 19 countries by cruise ship, but 7 ports were the most beautiful.

As a frequent cruiser, I love crossing cruise ports off my travel wishlist. Whether an idyllic island in Greece or bustling city in Europe, there are hundreds of cruise ports to discover around the world.

Throughout the past 4 years I’ve sailed to nearly 50 cruise ports in 19 countries. I’ve visited world-renowned beaches, ancient landmarks, and rustic mountain towns, but I’ve enjoyed some ports more than others.

A few in particular were more beautiful than the rest, whether due to the port’s natural scenery or historic architecture.

From chilly Alaska to secluded French Polynesia, these are 7 of the most beautiful cruise ports in the world.

Skagway, Alaska

I cruise to Alaska nearly every summer. After visiting 6 ports in the Last Frontier, I’d rank Skagway above the rest.

Truthfully, there’s no such thing as an “ugly” cruise port in Alaska. With vast glaciers, immense mountains, and an abundance of wildlife, the state is unfathomably beautiful.

Still, if I had to pick the most beautiful port of all, it would be Skagway. The former gold-rush town of just over 1,000 residents is located at the end of the Lynn Canal, the deepest fjord in North America.

Related: Local's guide of what to do in Skagway, Alaska

In Skagway, cruisers can choose between active excursions, like a cycling tour through the Taiya River Valley, or a more relaxing choice, such as a ride on the scenic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

I love Skagway’s options for a low-budget port day, too. It’s possible to experience the town’s beauty without spending extra on shore excursions. I especially love the beginner-friendly hiking trail to Yakutania Point, located less than a mile from the cruise port.

Finally, the sailaway from Skagway is the most spectacular in all of Alaska. The Lynn Canal’s length ensures passengers can enjoy wonderful views even hours after leaving port.

Naples, Italy

Calling Naples “beautiful” could be considered controversial by some cruisers.

Many first-time visitors call the Italian city disorderly and grungy, with graffiti-lined streets and chaotic traffic. I, on the other hand, love everything about it. Naples’ streets are full of culture and history, and the street food scene is completely out-of-this-world.

Related: Must-eat foods on a cruise to Italy

That being said, I wouldn’t call the city itself one of the world’s most beautiful cruise ports, especially from an aesthetic point of view. Instead, it’s the surrounding areas that make it a contender.

While visiting Naples, cruisers can book excursions to Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast, or perhaps take a boat tour to the islands of Capri or Ischia. These destinations offer a quintessential Italian feel, with enchanting small towns like Sorrento providing sprawling vistas of the Mediterranean.

Of all of Italy’s cruise ports, Naples is one I’d return to again and again.

Mo’orea, French Polynesia

The most remote cruise port on my list might just be the most beautiful of all.

Located in the South Pacific, Mo’orea is a French Polynesian island known for its overwater bungalows, crystal clear water, and dreamy white-sand beaches. The volcanic island is surrounded by a shallow reef, which offers dreamlike snorkeling conditions.

Mo’orea’s cuisine is another highlight, blending Asian flavors with French flare. During my visit, I indulged in everything from chocolate crêpes to freshly-caught teriyaki tuna served on a crispy baguette.

Related: 15 countries you didn't know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

The downside of visiting Mo’orea on a cruise ship are the limited itineraries. Royal Caribbean’s ships only call upon the port on infrequent transpacific itineraries, which can be over 20 nights in length.

If you can make the itinerary work, though, the beauty of Mo’orea is hard to beat.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Caribbean may be known for its picture-perfect beaches, but my favorite Caribbean port is beautiful for another reason: its architecture.

San Juan, Puerto Rico is a common port on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Cruise ships dock directly in Old San Juan, a region of the city with cobblestone streets and Spanish-style buildings. The area, which is over 500 years old, has some of the most beautiful architecture in all of the Caribbean.

I love spending my port day in Old San Juan, walking around the neighborhood’s colorful streets and sipping on piña coladas, a cocktail said to be invented in the city.

Related: How I spent a day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Castillo San Felipe Del Morro, a 16th century fortress along the coast, cannot be missed, either. The fort costs just $10 to enter, but even just walking around the surrounding grounds offers marvelous ocean views.

Olden, Norway

On a cruise to the Norwegian fjords, I was totally blown away by Norway’s beauty, both in its landscapes and picturesque towns.

It was the quaint village of Olden, however, that impressed me even more than the others.

Located at the end of Norway’s Nordfjord, Olden is nothing short of stunning. Vibrant, green mountains tower over charming farmlands, and numerous waterfalls flow from the snow-capped landscapes above.

Related: 7 mistakes and 3 things I did right on my Norwegian fjords cruise

Cruise ships dock a short walk from Olden’s town center, but the majority of passengers plan nature-based excursions instead.

I opted for a ride up the Loen Skylift, one of the steepest cable cars in the world. At the top were walking trails, a restaurant and cafe, and some of the most jaw-dropping views I’ve ever seen.

For those booking a cruise to Norway, Olden is a must-visit destination.

Sydney, Australia

It’s easy to focus on the ports of call during a cruise vacation, but what about the embarkation port?

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, and it’s my pick for the most beautiful embarkation port in the world. Royal Caribbean ships depart from Circular Quay in the city’s downtown, sailing through the Sydney Harbour before entering the open ocean.

Related: I tried my first Australia cruise: here are 7 things that surprised me

I first visited Sydney to embark on a South Pacific cruise, and I planned several days of sightseeing before embarkation day. I loved exploring Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and dining outdoors at buzzing public squares. As it was springtime in the city, the streets were lined with thousands of vivid purple flowers blooming on the trees.

Sydney quickly became one of my favorite cities in the world, and embarking from Sydney was the perfect way to kick off an incredible cruise adventure.

Labadee, Haiti

I still remember the first time I visited Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti. Anxious to catch a glimpse of the port, I left my windowless inside cabin to head to the pool deck. Once there, I was awestruck by what I saw.

Labadee is located on a mountainous peninsula in northern Haiti, in contrast to the flat geography at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. I’m a sucker for mountains of all kinds, and the lush landscape of Labadee was immediately intriguing.

Related: Labadee, Haiti Do's and Don'ts Guide

Labadee’s mountains form coves with crystal clear water along the peninsula, and the port offers 5 beaches exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers.

Thrilling attractions are offered at Labadee as well, like a 2,600-foot-long zip line and an alpine coaster, both of which provide unmatched views of the surrounding scenery to visitors.

Despite only visiting Labadee once, I would love to plan another cruise back to the port. The landscapes are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in all of the Caribbean, and it’s a lovely place for a low-key beach day.

After taking my first cruise to Alaska, I realized there were a few things I wish I knew before I went. From packing proper footwear to picking the right dinner time, a few minor decisions could have made my Alaska cruise go more smoothly.

I’ve been on nearly 30 cruises, but my first cruise to Alaska remains one of my favorites. I was awestruck by the state’s majestic nature, whether marveling at an expansive glacier or picturesque fjord.

Despite the wonderful memories of my first trip to Alaska, the cruise was dotted with small mistakes that made a big difference in my overall cruise experience. I thought I researched everything there was to know about cruising Alaska, but I still found myself making mistakes along the way.

Since then, I’ve been on 4 more Alaska cruises. By now, I’m familiar with the ins and outs of visiting the state, but I always find myself learning additional ways to make the most of my Alaska cruise experiences.

These are the 7 things I wish I knew about cruising to Alaska before I went.

Don’t bring mesh tennis shoes—you’ll regret it

I traveled with my dad on my first cruise to Alaska, and he packed a trusty pair of soft mesh tennis shoes. Looking back, we didn’t know any better, but this was a huge mistake.

When packing for an Alaska cruise, it’s crucial to bring a comfortable pair of shoes. Many passengers spend their port days walking around historic towns and hiking near glaciers, so you’ll want to bring suitable footwear for the trip.

However, you want to ensure your footwear is water-resistant. Popular sneakers with a mesh exterior might be comfy, but they do not fare well with Alaska’s rainy weather.

As my dad and I explored port, his feet were cold and wet almost immediately after disembarking the ship. Rainwater quickly seeped through the mesh lining of his shoes, leaving his socks wet and frigid.

My water-resistant Adidas sneakers and pair of boots were far more adequate for visiting Alaska. Had I thought about this before my cruise, I would have told my dad to pack more appropriate footwear.

It might be surprisingly warm, so pack short-sleeved shirts

Before I cruised to Alaska, I assumed the weather would always be slightly cold. I packed nearly every sweatshirt and jacket I could find in my closet, but neglected to bring items like short-sleeved shirts and shorts.

My first Alaska cruise was in October, which is arguably the worst month to cruise to Alaska. It rained nearly every day, but I kept warm in my thermal layers and waterproof jacket.

Two years later, however, I cruised to Alaska in mid-June, often considered one of the best times to visit Alaska. The days were long, sunny, and much warmer than I expected.

Even though temperatures were hovering just over 70 degrees, it felt more like 90 degrees in my long-sleeved shirts and pants. While walking around Skagway, my sister and I couldn’t help but laugh at how unprepared we were for the sweltering heat.

Next time I cruise to Alaska, I’ll definitely pack a few short-sleeved shirts… and maybe even a pair of shorts!

Your much-anticipated glacier day might not happen

Most Alaska cruise itineraries include a glacier viewing day, during which your ship sails along one of the state’s scenic glaciers. This is a major highlight of visiting Alaska for many passengers, many of whom might be seeing a glacier for the very first time.

On my first Alaska cruise, I was looking forward to visiting Dawes Glacier, but rainy weather and patches of ice blocked our ship from a safe approach. Even though we still saw a faraway glimpse of the glacier, I was disappointed we couldn’t get closer.

Later, on my second cruise to Alaska, our visit to Hubbard Glacier was cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions. Hubbard Glacier was supposed to be a highlight of my one-way itinerary, so I was bummed I couldn’t visit.

Of course, the weather is something cruise lines cannot control. Even though I felt disappointed, I knew it was for the best to call off a glacier visit in order to keep guests (and the ship) safe.

Fortunately, on subsequent visits to Alaska, my ships completed their scheduled glacier visits without any issues. Nonetheless, I wish I knew how unpredictable these glacier visits could be before my first Alaska cruise.

Excursions are expensive. You can still have fun without them, but they could be worth the splurge

Shore excursions on any cruise can be expensive, but especially in Alaska. Booking a whale watching tour might cost around $200 per person. Bucket-list excursions, like helicopter tours to glaciers, are priced even higher—sometimes over $600 per person.

I’m a budget cruiser, so I usually skip booking shore excursions. By doing just a little research ahead of time, I can almost always plan a fun day in port on my own. When I cruised to Juneau, for example, I visited Mendenhall Glacier on my own instead of booking a tour through Royal Caribbean, saving me nearly $50 in the process.

Yet when I think back to my first Alaska cruise, I wish I could have told myself that it’s okay to splurge on that extraordinary excursion even if the price tag seems shocking.

My dad and I considered booking a whale watching tour, but we ultimately decided against it to save money. Looking back now, I wish my dad and I would have booked the excursion to make more memories together.

For most cruisers, visiting Alaska is something they’ll only do once in their lifetime. Some excursions are totally worth the splurge in order to dive deeper into Alaska’s nature, history, and culture.

Luggage Valet makes disembarkation day less stressful

I distinctly remember carrying my jam-packed, nearly-broken suitcase through Seattle’s cruise terminal on disembarkation day of my first Alaska cruise.

There was nothing glamorous about lugging the heavy suitcase out of the cruise terminal, through the rain to grab an Uber, and to the check-in desk at the airport. I’m sure I looked ridiculous carrying so much luggage!

I wish I knew about Royal Caribbean’s Luggage Valet service before cruising to Alaska, as it would have made my disembarkation day far more relaxing.

If your Alaska cruise returns to Seattle, you can take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Luggage Valet service, which works in partnership with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Passengers who book this service receive their airline boarding passes and luggage tags in their stateroom the day before disembarkation. Later that evening, the luggage is taken from their cabin, where it is delivered to the airport and onto their flight the next day.

The convenience of Luggage Valet cannot be understated, and I wish I knew about this helpful service on my first cruise to Alaska.

The Gulf of Alaska can be rocky, so be prepared with seasickness remedies

For my second cruise to Alaska, I booked a port-intensive itinerary that started in Vancouver, Canada and ended in Seward, Alaska. These itineraries allow passengers to visit more ports in Alaska compared to a roundtrip sailing. Plus, many choose to extend their vacation in Alaska’s interior, visiting places like Denali National Park & Preserve and Anchorage.

To reach Seward from southeast Alaska, where the majority of the cruise takes place, ships must traverse the Gulf of Alaska. I wish I knew how rocky this body of water could be before I sailed.

As my ship crossed the gulf, I felt nauseous and miserable. The ship rocked substantially throughout the day—my cabinmate even fell ill! 

Luckily, a few motion-sickness pills in the day made me feel much better.

If I knew about this before, I would have taken the seasickness remedies in the morning to avoid wasting half my day onboard.

Book a later dinner time so you don’t miss sailaway

Eating dinner in the Main Dining Room is a staple of any Royal Caribbean cruise experience, but I wish I knew to pick a later dinner time for my Alaska cruise.

As your ship sails away from any of Alaska’s ports of call, you’ll be rewarded with unbeatable views. Sailing away from Skagway, for instance, involves a multi-hour passage through the Lynn Canal, where astonishing mountains surround both sides of the ship.

Most ships leave port sometime between 5 and 7PM, although some port days may differ. Regardless, if you book an early seating time in the Main Dining Room, sailaway could occur at the same time as your dinner reservation.

I booked the earliest dinner time on my first few Alaska cruises, but I later regretted the decision. I found myself skipping dinner in the dining room in favor of the buffet so that I didn’t miss out on breathtaking views.

Next time, I’ll select a later dining time so I can eat after my ship sails away from port.

I cruise to Alaska every summer, and I always see passengers making the same few rookie mistakes.

After five cruises to the 49th state, I’m familiar with the ins and outs of Alaska cruises. I know exactly what I should pack, which excursions I should book, and what to do in each cruise port.

For most first time cruisers to Alaska, however, this is not the case. Many of these passengers make rookie mistakes that can easily be avoided, whether packing incorrectly or unintentionally missing out on breathtaking views.

As someone who sails to Alaska often, I wanted to share the most common mistakes I see cruisers making on Alaska cruises so that you know what to expect.

Be sure to avoid these mishaps to ensure your cruise is as memorable and stress free as possible.

Booking shore excursions in every port

Alaska cruises offer some seriously intriguing shore excursions, from whale watching tours to helicopter rides over glaciers. There’s no doubt these excursions lead to an unforgettable day, but it’s not necessary to book an excursion in every port.

One advantage of Alaska’s small ports is that they offer plenty to do without needing an excursion or transportation from one place to another.

Most ports have walking trails, downtown shopping, and museums within walking distance to the cruise port. You can visit raging waterfalls, hike through the rainforest, and learn more about the state’s culture without spending much (if anything) extra.

Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

If you want to venture away from downtown, you can always book shuttles to destinations like Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau or the Fortress of the Bear rehabilitation center in Sitka. Booking transportation on your own versus as part of a shore excursion not only gives you more flexibility, but lower prices, too.

Shore excursions are great for activities you cannot experience as easily on your own, such as kayaking tours and flightseeing experiences, but you can experience a lot of the state’s highlights on your own as well.

Worrying too much about the weather

“It’s going to rain every day!”

I’ve heard this sentence more times than I can count from those visiting Alaska for the first time. While preparing for an Alaska cruise, it’s tempting to check the weather forecast, but take it with a grain of salt.

Alaska’s weather can change rapidly from one moment to the next. At 7AM you may find yourself freezing with high winds and rain whereas at 1PM you might have to take off a layer because it’s too hot.

Related: When is the best time to cruise Alaska? Month-by-month guide

I always recommend packing layers for an Alaska cruise for this very reason. If you have the appropriate layers (a base layer, warm layer, and waterproof layer), you will be prepared for any type of weather condition.

It’s important to remain flexible, nonetheless, and to mentally prepare yourself to feel uncomfortable—it’s unlikely you’ll encounter ideal weather conditions in every port.

On a recent visit to Juneau, for example, I rode a bicycle to Mendenhall Glacier. On route to the glacier we rode in favorable conditions, with temperatures in the mid 60s and a slight breeze.

On the way back, we encountered heavy rainfall and were drenched by the time we made it back downtown. Sure, we were uncomfortable and our clothes were beyond filthy, but it didn’t ruin our cruise experience by any means.

Worrying about the weather will cause you unnecessary stress. As long as you wear and/or pack appropriate layers for each port day, everything should go smoothly.

Packing too warm of clothes for cruises in the middle of summer

One mistake I see many first time Alaska cruisers make is packing clothes more suited for Antarctica than southeast Alaska. As shocking as it sounds, you can feel uncomfortably warm on an Alaska cruise in the middle of summer.

In fact, my most recent Alaska cruise in mid June had me sweating more often than shivering. I could not believe the high temperatures we encountered—in Juneau it was nearly 80 degrees fahrenheit!

Needless to say, I immediately regretted wasting packing space with several sweaters, pullovers, and jackets. Most warm layers went unworn during the cruise, and I found myself in need of a lightweight t-shirt to avoid overheating!

Related: Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing

If you’re cruising to Alaska in the middle of summer, I would avoid packing an excessive amount of warm layers. There’s no need to pack a parka, wool socks, and extreme weather gloves.  While you should definitely still pack a few warm outfits, be sure to pack lightweight layers like t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, and, yes, maybe even a pair of shorts.

If you’re cruising to Alaska during the shoulder season (the beginning or end of the season), disregard this advice: you’ll definitely want the majority of your suitcase to be warm layers.

Assuming balcony rooms are necessary

Many first time cruisers to Alaska are under the assumption that they must book a balcony cabin for an Alaska cruise. Having a balcony cabin means you can enjoy Alaska’s scenery from the comfort of your stateroom, so it’s an extremely popular cabin choice on Alaska itineraries.

Booking a balcony cabin is certainly nice, but it’s not necessary in order to enjoy an Alaska cruise. I’ve cruised in an interior cabin on all five of my Alaska cruises, and I have no regrets about this decision. 

Related: Interior vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise

One of the unique aspects of cruising Alaska is sailing through the narrow inlets of the state’s Inside Passage. As your ship travels through Alaska, you can view the state’s huge mountains and islands on both sides of the ship.

Most balconies only have views of one side of the ship, meaning that by watching scenery from your balcony, you are missing out on half of the scenic views! Because of this, many cruisers find themselves heading to the pool deck or the helicopter pad anyway in order to have a wider view of the outdoors.

If a balcony room is in your budget, there’s no harm in booking one for an Alaska cruise. If it’s a stretch for your bank account, book an interior room and allocate additional vacation savings towards add-ons like shore excursions instead.

Eating dinner in the Main Dining Room during sailaway

Enjoying meals in the Main Dining Room is a staple part of any cruise vacation, but I hardly ever eat in the venue on Alaska cruises.

The Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean ships is a gorgeous space, with most ships featuring a multi-story, opulent dining venue. However, there are limited tables by the windows, so only a small percentage of passengers dine with a window view.

While your ship sails through Alaska, you’ll want to be near a window or outside view as often as possible. If you have early dining, which is around 5PM, your dinner may coincide with the sailaway in Alaska’s cruise ports.

Related: Dinner on Royal Caribbean: Early Dinner vs. Late Dinner

Some of the most beautiful cruising occurs as your ship leaves port. The sailaway in Skagway, as an example, travels through the Inside Passage for several hours, passing massive glaciers and mountain ranges along the way.

If you’re eating in the Main Dining Room during sailaway, there’s a good chance you’ll miss some of the best scenery of the trip.

If your ship’s sailaway is at the same time as dinner, I recommend skipping dinner in the Main Dining Room and eating at the Windjammer buffet instead. Unlike the dining room, the Windjammer has large windows around the whole venue, allowing you to dine with a panoramic view of Alaska’s scenery.

Waiting too long to disembark the ship in port

One of the biggest mistakes I see passengers making on Alaska cruises is waiting too long to disembark their ship in a port of call.

Generally speaking, the earlier you disembark your cruise ship on a port day, the fewer crowds you’ll encounter in port. It’s not uncommon for there to be four or five cruise ships in busy ports like Juneau, which means 10-15,000+ passengers may disembark their ships on any given day.

Related: Local's guide of what to do in Juneau, Alaska

Alas, Alaska’s small, quaint cruise ports can feel crowded quickly, with peak crowds appearing around 11AM - 1PM. As passengers finish a morning shore excursion or disembark the ship after sleeping in, most walk the streets of each port's downtown, leading to higher crowds.

If you want to beat the crowds on an Alaska cruise, disembark your ship as early as possible. While this might require setting an alarm earlier than you would prefer, it’s worth it for the early morning exploring without the crowds.

Only considering roundtrip itineraries

There are two options when it comes to Alaska cruises: one-way itineraries and roundtrip itineraries.

Roundtrip itineraries travel roundtrip from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia, starting and ending in the same port. One-way cruises, on the contrary, travel in one direction—from Vancouver to Seward, Alaska and vice versa.

Many first time cruisers to Alaska book a roundtrip itinerary for convenience. In most cases, it’s easier to start and end in the same port, as it makes booking flights and/or driving to the cruise port much easier.

Nonetheless, one mistake I see passengers make on an Alaska cruise is only considering roundtrip itineraries. Of my five Alaska cruises, I sailed on four roundtrip sailings and one one-way cruise. The one-way cruise was, by far, the better itinerary.

A one-way cruise allows you to visit more ports and glaciers in Alaska, including those that are further away from the lower 48 like Hubbard Glacier. Additionally, traveling in one direction means you can extend your trip in Alaska’s interior to visit sites like Denali National Park & Preserve.

Before booking an Alaska cruise, be sure to consider the pros and cons of a one-way itinerary over a roundtrip sailing.

Not researching what to do before arriving in port

Each Alaska cruise port offers its own set of must-sees and dos, and one of the worst mistakes you can make when planning an Alaska cruise is not researching what to do in each port.

On my recent cruise to Skagway, I planned to hike to Yakutania Point, a lookout point with a stunning view of the Taiya Inlet. When it came time to disembark in port, I realized I had not yet researched how to get to the trailhead, and upon reaching town, my phone had no cell connection.

An emergency trip to the local library for wifi eventually led me to finding the trailhead, but I wished I had done more research ahead of time to avoid this unexpected scenario.

While you don’t have to book excursions in every port, we still recommend having a general idea of what to expect in each Alaska port. Whether you’re interested in a day hike in Sitka or museum visit in Ketchikan, it’s a lot easier to research things to do before you disembark the ship in port.

Eating only on the ship

Alaska is home to delightful, fresh cuisine—the state is famous for its fish, king crab, and reindeer meat. If you’re a seafood lover, one of the worst mistakes you can make on an Alaska cruise is eating only on the ship to avoid paying for food in port.

Although most food on a Royal Caribbean cruise is complimentary, I always suggest budgeting for a meal in port. Whether you grab a few fish tacos from a food truck or enjoy a sit-down meal in port, spending ~$20 for a tasty meal of Alaskan specialties is well worth the cost.

Related: Where to eat like a local on your Alaska cruise

Flying in the same day the cruise begins

Like any cruise destination, a huge mistake many passengers make is flying to their embarkation port the same day the cruise begins.

I always fly to my cruise ports the day before my cruise. Arriving a day early eases the stress of travel by ensuring I have enough wiggle room in the case of flight delays or cancellations.

Related: The costly cruising mistakes newbies make planning their first cruise

Not only that, but arriving early means I can enjoy a day in Seattle or Vancouver before my Alaska cruise. I always take this time to dine at a nice restaurant, go for an evening walk, and catch up on rest before embarkation day.

Time and time again, I see passengers booking flights the same day as their cruise. Not only is this risky, but it makes the first day of your cruise extra stressful. Instead of spending embarkation day sipping a cocktail stress-free, you’ll most likely be jet lagged and ready for a nap.

Forgetting binoculars

You can only get so close to Alaska’s scenery and wildlife while visiting on a cruise, but using binoculars makes you feel so much more connected to the state’s magnificence.

A common mistake many passengers make on an Alaska cruise is forgetting to bring binoculars. You can find a cheap pair of binoculars on Amazon for around $30, and believe us: it‘s well worth the small cost.

Related: What should you bring on an Alaska cruise?

I spend an embarrassing amount of time looking through my binoculars on an Alaska cruise—I’m on whale watching duty, as I like to call it. Whether spotting whales or viewing glaciers close-up, binoculars undoubtedly make an Alaska cruise more immersive.

Not using Port Valet in Seattle

If your Alaska cruise ends in Seattle, you should take advantage of the port’s luggage valet program.

Luggage Valet is a helpful, complimentary service offered by the Port of Seattle and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. This service enables passengers to bypass check-in and baggage drop at the airport by completing these steps on their cruise ship instead.

If you sign up for luggage valet, you will receive a luggage tag near the end of your cruise. When you place your suitcase (with the luggage tag attached) outside your cabin door on the last night of the cruise, you will not see the suitcase again until you arrive at your home airport.

Luggage Valet transfers your suitcase directly from the ship to the airport and onto your plane. There’s no need to travel from the cruise terminal with the luggage yourself, and this is a huge time (and stress) saver for many passengers.

You can enroll for the service ahead of time or once onboard—a sign up sheet will be delivered to your stateroom during the cruise.

Waiting too long to book a shore excursion

If you wait to book a shore excursion until you're on your ship, you're making a big mistake.

Alaska shore excursions sell out quickly, and more people are booking them before the cruise begins than ever before.

Tours offered by Royal Caribbean are in short supply, and slots fill up fast. Once you get within 4-6 months of your cruise, you can expect tours to start selling out.

What you should be doing is booking your excursions as early as you can. Ideally, at least six months before the sailing.

Skip third party excursions

Just as problematic as waiting too long to book an excursion is overlooking tours sold outside the cruise line.

Alaska is one of the best places to book a tour with an outside company because it's part of the United States, everyone speaks English, and you could save a lot of money.

Check out our list of Alaska shore excursions our readers swear by as reputable and really fun.

Not buying travel insurance

You never know what might happen while in Alaska, and it's why it's so important to buy travel insurance.

All too often cruisers skip it to save money, or just out of ignorance.  Regardless, it's a big mistake because of the risks with travel. You could slip and fall, your flights might get cancelled, or you might get sick.

Travel insurance is something I recommend for everyone on every cruise to buy. It's more than just medical coverage, as travel insurance plans cover unforeseen circumstances and issues you may run into before, during, or after the cruise.

Overpacking for evenings

Because an Alaska cruise is so port intensive, dinners on a Royal Caribbean cruise are secondary.

In practice, most people dress far more casually for an Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean.  While I can't speak for other lines, I can tell you it's a mistake wasting a lot of luggage space on formal outfits for dinners when going to Alaska.

That isn't to say you should dress like a slob to dinner.  Rather, don't over think it. You can skip the formal wear and pack outfits you can re-use or mix and match to save on space.

Not to mention packing less means potentially saving on luggage costs when flying with the airlines.

Not planning for getting seasick

You probably won't get seasick, but it can happen on an Alaska cruise, especially if your sailing goes through the Gulf of Alaska.

The Pacific Ocean can get plenty rough during the summer. Luckily most of the cruise occurs within the Inside Passage, but there's still the risk of getting seasick.

Pack seasickness medications with you, just in case the motion in the ocean hits you. I've seen posts from too many people complaining they got so seasick when they could have avoided the worst of it by having the right medicine with them.

Not spending enough time outdoors

Even in the summer, Alaska can get cold. But you really ought to suck it up in order to enjoy what you can see that surrounds you.

Often I see cruisers focused on the indoor activities, and totally missing out on what's happening outside.

Pack the right jackets, sweaters, hats, scarves, and gloves so you can be outside and see the thing you came to Alaska to see in the first place.

The best spot to go are the top decks of your ship, and that's also going to be the windiest locations.  Having the right clothing makes a big difference, and you don't want to miss out on a passing whale, soaring eagle, or incredible mountain range.

Skipping the visitor centers

Each port has a visitor bureaus you can visit for free, and it's really a great starting point if you've never been to that city.

These visitor centers can help with referrals and recommendations. You'll get great info from Travel Juneau, Visit Ketchikan, and Skagway Visitors Center.

Not trying the White Pass Railway at least once

If you're worried the White Pass Railway is a tourist trap, fear not. It's probably the Alaska shore excursion to try.

This is an authentic gold rush era train that takes you from Skagway into the Alaskan wilderness.  You can book the train roundtrip, or with a bus ride to/from the station.

Inside the train car are large windows to view Alaska's scenery.

The ride starts by passing through Skagway and the historic Gold Rush Cemetery near town. It continues along a river and begins to gain elevation. The guide onboard highlights interesting points along the way, telling the history of Skagway's role in the Gold Rush era.

More Alaska cruise tips:

• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• Alaska cruise whale watching guide & tips
• How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise
• What is the best time of year to see wildlife in Alaska?

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I just tried one of Royal Caribbean’s most exclusive and expensive suites. Despite the amazing perks, I might book an interior cabin next time.

On my most recent cruise—a 3-night getaway on the brand-new Utopia of the Seas—I booked a Star Class suite for the first time. Star Class is the highest tier of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Suite Class, which encompasses the largest, most lavish suites in the cruise line’s fleet.

These cabins can cost upwards of $30,000 for a 7-night cruise, with the biggest suites often priced over $50,000.

As someone who typically books cheaper cabins on cruise ships, like interior rooms, I never considered booking a Star Class suite. Sure, there's nothing fancy about cruising in a dark, windowless cabin, but with so much to do on Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships, I rarely spend much time in my cabin anyway.

Related: We stayed in every type of cabin on Royal Caribbean—here's how they compared

Due to the price, I had a hard time justifying cruising in a Star Class suite. Yet when a friend’s change of plans left them with an empty bedroom in one of these suites, I jumped at the last-minute invitation to join the cruise.

After a weekend trying Star Class, though, I think I would have had just as much fun in my usual interior cabin.

I cruised in a 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite, which cost over $11,000 for the weekend cruise

For the weekend, I stayed in a 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite on Utopia of the Seas. The total cost was $11,388, or nearly $3,800 per passenger including gratuities. While usually among the cheapest Star Class cabins to book, the suite still came with a hefty price tag.

Related: Take a look inside my $11,000 suite on Utopia of the Seas

It was, however, unlike any cabin I’ve booked before. Inside were two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious living room, and a wraparound balcony with panoramic ocean views.

The cabin came stocked with complimentary beverages, from seltzers to sodas, and a selection of finger foods were delivered to the room each day.

If the suite’s amenities were any indication of what my overall Star Class experience would be like, I now had high expectations.

My suite came with a personal concierge, my own “magic maker” onboard the ship

All Star Class suites on Royal Caribbean come with a Royal Genie, the cruise line’s “magic maker” for suite guests. While there are no strict guidelines as to what the Royal Genie can and cannot do for Star Class guests, their goal, in a nutshell, is to make the cruise experience as seamless as possible.

I first met my Royal Genie, Carlos, at the cruise terminal, after which he promptly escorted me onboard Utopia of the Seas and to my opulent suite. Once there, we confirmed my weekend schedule. He had already organized entertainment and dining reservations.

Related: My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

After just minutes with my Royal Genie, I was impressed by his friendliness and attention to detail.

Throughout the weekend cruise, Carlos was truly a magic maker. He took my Starbucks and breakfast order for the following day each evening, and he also escorted me around the ship, whether to my front-row, reserved seats at the ice-skating show or to enter a specialty restaurant for dinner.

Whenever I had a question or made a special request, Carlos was available and ready to assist almost immediately.

I wasn’t used to this type of luxury, so I felt out of my element

As someone who cruises in budget cabins, I was not accustomed to the luxury of a Royal Genie. Truthfully, I don’t find it that difficult to do things myself, whether making a reservation at a specialty restaurant or reserving a theater show ahead of time on Royal Caribbean’s app.

Nonetheless, I was still curious to test the benefits of my Royal Genie further. A few hours after boarding, I messaged Carlos to request a quesadilla and glass of wine to be delivered to the suite. I felt somewhat ridiculous requesting this; I could have easily obtained the items myself with just a short walk. Regardless, my request was promptly fulfilled.

I made a few similar requests throughout the weekend, but despite the convenience, I always felt slightly uncomfortable asking too much of my Royal Genie. Knowing how diligently Royal Caribbean’s crew members work, I felt guilty asking for silly requests that I could do myself, even if this is part of the genie’s job description.

I loved having access to the ship’s exclusive, suites-only spaces

Outside of my cabin, one of my favorite aspects of cruising in a suite was having access to Utopia of the Seas’ Suite Neighborhood.

Royal Caribbean’s newest ships feature an entire neighborhood dedicated to suite guests. On Utopia of the Seas, the Suite Neighborhood encompasses the Suite Lounge, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and an exclusive outdoor sun deck.

During my three days onboard, I took full advantage of these spaces. On a ship with over 6,000 passengers, the suites-only spaces felt like a haven away from the hustle and bustle found elsewhere.

I particularly enjoyed the ambiance of Coastal Kitchen.

This suites-only restaurant offers a more enhanced dining experience than the larger, more chaotic Main Dining Room for non-suite passengers. The menu offered upscale options like lobster risotto, and tables were far apart from each other, which provided more privacy to guests.

My Star Class suite included perks like a drink package and dining package

Aside from access to the Suite Neighborhood and a Royal Genie, another benefit of Star Class are all of the included perks.

Star Class guests receive a Deluxe Beverage Package, Unlimited Dining Package, included WiFi on one device, and complimentary laundry services, among other benefits.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

Although I always purchase a WiFi package when I cruise, I rarely spend money on extras like a dining package, drink package, or laundry. I was skeptical of whether or not I would make use of these benefits. Of course, they were already included in my cruise fare, so I tried to find value in the perks.

I started off my cruise with an embarkation day brunch at The Mason Jar, the first of five specialty dining meals during the sailing. I appreciated the wide variety of cuisine at specialty restaurants, from sushi to steak, and found the food quality higher than that in the ship’s complimentary dining venues. Of all the perks, this was probably my most utilized.

The laundry perk proved useful, too. I sent my travel outfit to dry cleaning after boarding the ship, and I later had a full bag of laundry washed so I could return home with clean clothes.

I didn’t get value from the Deluxe Beverage Package, and wished there was an option to remove it

Despite making use of the Unlimited Dining Package and laundry services, I wish I could have opted out of the Deluxe Beverage Package to save money on my cruise fare.

I never book drink packages when I cruise. As a Diamond Plus member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I already receive five free drinks each day. Spending over $70 per day on a drink package just doesn’t make sense. I would need to drink over 10 drinks per day to maybe break even!

Related: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

Because of this, the drink package was one of my least favorite benefits of Star Class. It is included in the cruise fare, but I would rather save money on the overall cost of the suite and remove the package.

I understand Royal Caribbean wants the Star Class suites to be as all-inclusive as possible, but I would rather book a cheaper cabin and purchase the add-ons I actually want individually.

My Star Class benefits were unbelievable, but cheaper cabins can offer just as much fun

Despite the mind-blowing benefits that came with my Star Class cabin, I probably won’t book this type of cabin again.

Don’t get me wrong—I loved feeling like royalty onboard. However, at over $11,000 for the weekend, Star Class is simply out of my budget for regular vacations. Personally, I might rather use that money to visit a new-to-me destination, or perhaps try a luxury, all-inclusive cruise on Silversea, Royal Caribbean’s sister brand.

As someone who travels on a budget, I recognize that I am not part of the cruise line’s target demographic for Star Class. Many passengers booking these high-end suites may not find the price tag to be a concern, and they are unlikely to worry about the benefits justifying the expensive cruise fare.

Aside from just the price, though, I still wouldn't say my experience in a Star Class cabin was any more enjoyable than cruises where I’ve booked interior, oceanview, and balcony rooms.

I’ve had just as much fun watching movies with my sister in an interior room, viewing Alaska’s glaciers from the pool deck instead of a balcony cabin, and reading under the sunlight from an oceanview cabin’s cozy porthole.

At the end of the day, the main reason I cruise is to make memories around the world with those I care about. Whether I’m staying in the best or worst cabin onboard is an afterthought.

Many cruise ship cabins are cramped and compact, but one Royal Caribbean suite is anything but.

During a 3-night getaway on Utopia of the Seas—Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship—I tried something I had never booked before: a Star Class cabin.

Star Class is the highest tier of the cruise line’s lucrative Royal Suite Class. The program offers top-of-the-line benefits for suite passengers on Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels.

Related: A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class on Royal Caribbean

With benefits like an included Deluxe Beverage Package, Ultimate Dining Package, reserved spots at entertainment shows and activities, and all-day access to a private, suites-only neighborhood, Star Class provides a cruise experience unlike any other.

Best of all, though, Star Class passengers can utilize the services of a Royal Genie, a crew member who provides personalized experiences onboard.

Acting as somewhat of a concierge, Royal Genies can escort guests around the ship, plan their cruise schedule, reserve tables at venues, and organize in-room dining experiences, among other services.

It’s no secret that Star Class suites are expensive, but one is usually cheaper than the rest

Unsurprisingly, Star Class suites come with a hefty price tag. You can easily expect to pay around $10,000-20,000 for a Star Class suite on a short cruise, with even steeper prices on 7-night itineraries.

Like any Royal Caribbean cabin, the exact price of a Star Class suite varies based on the time of year you book the cruise, along with the type of Star Class suite booked. The most expensive suites, such as the Ultimate Family Suite and Royal Loft Suite, can cost over $50,000 for a 7-night cruise.

One Star Class cabin, on the other hand, is priced more reasonably—the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite.

On the aft of every Oasis Class cruise ship is the AquaTheater entertainment venue. If you look to either side of the AquaTheater, you’ll see sprawling balconies, which belong to the ship’s AquaTheater suites.

These suites are highly sought-after while cruising on Oasis Class ships, as they offer not only the aforementioned suite benefits, but also access to some of the most impressive balconies onboard.

There are both 1 and 2-bedroom AquaTheater suites onboard these vessels, but only the 2-bedroom suites belong to Star Class. These are almost always the cheapest Star Class suites offered, particularly the cabins on deck 9, which are slightly smaller than those found a deck below.

On my recent Utopia of the Seas cruise, I spent three nights in a 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite. At just over $11,000 with three guests in the cabin, it was the cheapest Star Class cabin available to book onboard.

Take a tour through the coveted 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite

Entering the cabin, you are welcomed by a spacious entryway, complete with a mirror and decorative table.

Immediately upon entering, guests will notice the spacious living room.

A cozy couch and chair make for an excellent lounging space, complete with a coffee table in the middle. The couch can be converted into a double bed when traveling with extra guests.

From the couch, guests can enjoy the living room’s television. For Star Class passengers, a selection of movies are included in their cruise fare.

Under the television is shelving, which features a Lavazza Espresso machine along with additional complimentary beverages.

A mini fridge is found here, too, which comes stocked with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Because the suite includes a Deluxe Beverage Package, you will find Coca-Cola souvenir cups in the cabin as well. These can be used at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines around the ship.

Next up is the dining table, and Star Class guests may find this quite useful during their time onboard. Because room service—including from specialty restaurants—is included, many passengers enjoy meals from the comfort of their cabin.

Lastly, the living room also features floor-to-ceiling closets which include shelving. Because Utopia of the Seas only sails short 3 and 4-night cruises, guests may find there is more storage than necessary. That being said, the closets can still be useful for storing items like luggage and shoes.

Primary Bedroom

The primary bedroom in the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite is spacious and opulent. A king-sized bed dominates the room, with a comfortable ottoman placed at the foot of the bed.

The bed is topped with a luxury pillow top mattress, making it noticeably more plush than those in more basic cabins onboard.

Guests can find nightstands with storage and charging outlets on either side of the bed.

One wall of the bedroom features two large closets and full-length mirrors. Inside the closets is hanging space along with shelving and the cabin’s safe.

On the other side of the room is a vanity and a door directly to the balcony.

Inside the master bedroom is a bathroom.

The bathroom comes with several upgraded features compared to bathrooms in standard cruise cabins, including a bathtub and upgraded toiletries.

Second Bedroom

As the name implies, the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite also features a second bedroom. This room can accommodate four passengers, as it has both a king-sized bed and two twin-sized pullman beds that can be pulled down from the wall. Nightstands and charging outlets are found on each side of the king-sized bed.

One wall of the bedroom is lined with a desk, drawers, closets, and a television. Storage is abundant, as are outlets, with four USB plugs along with two American-style and one European-style outlet along the desk alone.

There are no windows in the second bedroom, which effectively makes it an interior stateroom. Knowing this, passengers can expect to sleep soundly given the room’s pitch black conditions at night.

While the second bedroom doesn’t have its own ensuite bathroom, the suite has a second bathroom near the living room.

This bathroom includes upgraded toiletries, but it does not have a bathtub.

AquaTheater Suite Balcony

Of course, the pièce de résistance of the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite is the wraparound balcony. Even though there are over 1,400 balcony cabins on Utopia of the Seas, few compare to those in AquaTheater suites.

The balcony wraps around the cabin’s exterior, forming a corner of Utopia of the Seas. Nearest to the primary bedroom are two padded lounge chairs.

In the widest balcony space you will find a 6-seat dining table and two reclining pool chairs.

This area looks over the AquaTheater, offering the perfect view for these impressive acrobatic and diving performances.

Another two chairs are placed in this area for optimal viewing.

If you want to try Star Class, the 2-bedroom AquaTheater Suite could be your best bet

Royal Caribbean’s Star Class offers a personalized, all-inclusive cruise experience unlike any other. For those looking to try Star Class on a “budget,” the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite can be a (relatively speaking) cost-effective starting point.

At the end of the day, a Star Class cabin is, unquestionably, a splurge, but the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite can make that luxury a little more accessible.

Some of Royal Caribbean’s best deals can be found on the cruise line's older cruise ships, but how much money can you expect to save by sailing on an older ship?

Everyone loves finding a great cruise deal, and finding a cheap cruise on a 20 year old cruise ship is more common than finding a deal on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships like Icon of the Seas.

A $2000 interior stateroom on a new ship might be priced at only $1200 on an older ship. You’ll often see savings in the hundreds of dollars when cruising on an older ship. This means you're able to stretch your vacation budget much further, whether that means splurging on a dining package, booking a spa treatment, or planning a luxurious port day.

Let’s take a look at how much you can expect to save by sailing on an older cruise ship.

Old versus new Royal Caribbean ships

Royal Caribbean has 28 cruise ships in its fleet. The oldest, Grandeur of the Seas, launched in 1996 and the newest, Star of the Seas, is currently under construction and set to launch in August 2025.

These ships belong to seven ship classes, which are categorized for their unique layouts, onboard offerings, and size:

• Vision Class
• Radiance Class
• Voyager Class
• Freedom Class
• Oasis Class
• Quantum Class
• Icon Class

Most passengers consider Vision and Radiance Class ships to be older ships, with Voyager and Freedom Classes somewhere in the middle. Oasis, Quantum, and Icon ships are all considered new ships by comparison.

Why sail on an older cruise ship

Older cruise ships lack many of the onboard activities that Royal Caribbean is known for, such as waterslides, Broadway shows, zip lines, and a plethora of specialty dining venues. The adrenaline-filled features you’ll see on Royal Caribbean’s TV commercials are unlikely to be found on the oldest ships in the fleet.

Related: Things you’ll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship

Nonetheless, older and smaller ships still offer a classic cruise experience, bringing guests to beautiful ports around the world while providing Royal Caribbean’s signature cuisine, entertainment, and hospitality.

Cruising on an older ship can offer a more intimate feel than a ship with 6,000 passengers. In addition, the ports you visit tend to be more unique. Whereas newer and bigger ships often visit the same ports over and over, smaller, older ships sail to unique destinations such as Costa Rica, Fiji, and Montenegro.

Related: 15 countries you didn’t know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

Plus, older cruise ships tend to be priced lower than newer ships in the fleet, with the potential to save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on a cruise vacation.

Putting it to the test: how much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Just how much money can you expect to save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean ship? Unfortunately, there's no set price difference between older and newer ships. Cruise pricing changes day to day based on the demand on any particular ship, itinerary, or stateroom category.

Related: How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget

You’ll usually see a trend of older ships offering lower prices, but occasionally you can come across fantastic deals on newer cruise ships. To determine just how much you can expect to save on an older ship, I priced out cruises in three different locations: Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska.

In each location, I selected ships of varied ages and sizes to compare the pricing between each. Pricing is based on a 7-night cruise for 2 adults. The cruise fare includes taxes and fees, but does not include gratuities.

European cruise: comparing prices by ship

Traveling to Europe is a dream for many cruisers, and Royal Caribbean sends both old and new cruise ships to Europe each summer season.

Let’s take a look at the prices you can expect to see on different classes of Royal Caribbean ships in Europe. These prices are for a European cruise in June.

Brilliance of the Seas (Radiance Class ship)

• Interior: $1952.76
• Balcony: $3014.76
• Grand Suite: $6075.76

Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class ship)

• Interior: $1932.90
• Balcony: $4230.90
• Grand Suite: $7212.90

Allure of the Seas (Oasis Class ship)

• Interior: $2512.98
• Balcony: $2994.98
• Grand Suite: $9267.98

Thoughts

There isn't much of a price difference for an inside room on Brilliance of the Seas (Vision Class ship) and Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class ship), but the higher category staterooms see a some separation. While these two ships are older, Explorer of the Seas is a much larger vessel with many of Royal Caribbean’s signature features, such as the Royal Promenade and an ice-skating rink.

Allure of the Seas, as one of the fleet’s largest and will be updated in 2025, so it comes at a higher price than the smaller ships. However, the price difference between Symphony and the two smaller ships is not outrageous, especially if planning to cruise in a balcony cabin.

It’s also worth noting that, while a suite is over $2000 more on Allure of the Seas compared to older ships, you’ll receive many more benefits by cruising in a suite on an Oasis (or Quantum) Class ship. These ships are part of the Royal Suite Class, with benefits including complimentary VOOM internet, private Suite Sun Deck, and meals at Coastal Kitchen, a suites-only restaurant.

Caribbean cruise: comparing prices on Oasis Class ships only

While we tend to categorize Oasis Class cruise ships as new cruise ships, there is a 13 year gap between the oldest Oasis Class ship and the newest. Therefore, you can expect to see lower prices on the two older Oasis Class ships (Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas).

Let’s compare cruise fare pricing on three Oasis Class ships to determine how much of a price difference you can expect in the same ship class. These prices are for a Caribbean cruise in June.

Harmony of the Seas (7-nights)

• Interior: $2066.12
• Ocean view Balcony: $2273.12
• Junior Suite: $6840.12

Oasis of the Seas (6-nights)

• Interior: $2234.94
• Ocean view Balcony: $4599.94
• Junior Suite: $4383.94

Wonder of the Seas (7-nights)

• Interior: $2838.00
• Neighborhood view Balcony: $3557.00
• Junior Suite: $6933.00

Thoughts

Wonder of the Seas has some of the highest cruise fares in the fleet. You can expect to spend several hundred dollars more per person on Wonder of the Seas compared to other Oasis Class ships.

The homeport is a factor in price as well, as typically fares are lower for cruises from Galveston than Florida. In addition, Oasis of the Seas is doing 6- and 8-night cruises only, so it's not exactly the same itinerary for each of these ships.

Nonethless, the price of a Junior Suite is a good example of the pricing you can expect between ship ages.  The newest ship is priced the most compared to Oasis or Harmony.

You can expect to save a few hundred dollars per person on Oasis of the Seas compared to sailing on a new Oasis Class ship like Symphony or Wonder of the Seas.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that cruising on an older Royal Caribbean ship can save you money, but it isn’t so black and white.

As you can see in the examples above, cruise prices do not follow any set rules. Just because a ship is ~20 years older than another ship does not guarantee that you’ll see lower prices in every stateroom category.

Prices change from sailing to sailing and can fluctuate daily. You might be able to snag a suite on an older ship for the price of an interior cabin on a newer ship. On the contrary, however, you might end up paying more for a balcony on an older ship than a newer ship.

It’s typical that you’ll save a couple hundred dollars per person on an older ship compared to a newer ship, especially if you book far in advance. That being said, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of sailing on an older ship versus a newer ship before booking to ensure you don’t end up surprised or disappointed on embarkation day.

More cruise tips & tricks:

• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean Blog staff members cruised over 50 times in 2024, sailing on dozens of vessels to countless ports around the world. As professional cruisers, we certainly know the ins and outs of cruising. That being said, there are always lessons to be learned on any cruise vacation.

Whether sailing on the world’s largest ship, Icon of the Seas, or on one of Royal Caribbean’s smallest ships, Vision of the Seas, our team followed a wide range of cruise tips throughout the year.

From stocking up on cheap cruise essentials to opting out of Royal Caribbean's shore excursions, here are the top 10 cruise tips that worked for our Royal Caribbean Blog staffers in 2024.

Calista booked non-Royal Caribbean shore excursions to save money

Royal Caribbean Blog writer Calista took 7 cruises in 2024, trying out new ships like Utopia of the Seas and smaller, older vessels like Brilliance and Rhapsody of the Seas.

Her cruises took her around the Caribbean and Europe, visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, and Barcelona, among other ports.

Related: 8 lessons I learned from every Royal Caribbean cruise I took this year

On most itineraries, Calista booked shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean. Yet while this was convenient, Royal Caribbean’s excursions are typically more expensive than tours booked through independent operators.

So, during a visit to Nassau, Calista branched out and booked an excursion through shoreexcursions.com instead of through Royal Caribbean.

She paid just $50 per person for an excursion to nearby Pearl Island, whereas Royal Caribbean charged over $100 for a similar tour!

There are several advantages to booking directly through the cruise line, including a guaranteed return to the ship even if the tour runs late. Nonetheless, Calista had a great experience booking a shore excursion on her own.

Matt packed USB hubs and a long charging cable for his cabin

Matt boarded Allure of the Seas in February for a short 3-night cruise—one of his 14 (and counting) cruises in 2024. While packing, he made the mistake of assuming his cabin would have abundant outlets. Instead, due to the cabin's older design, he found himself struggling to charge all of his electronics throughout the cruise.

After this experience, he packed extra USB hubs and a long charging cord for the rest of his cruises in 2024. Even though cabins on new ships like Icon of the Seas have more than enough charging ports, this is not the case for cabins on older ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Note: While Royal Caribbean banned multi-plug outlet adapters earlier this year, USB hubs are still allowed.

Angie reserved entertainment shows before her cruise to ensure she had a seat

On select Royal Caribbean ships, guests can reserve entertainment shows ahead of their cruise on the Cruise Planner website. Because popular productions like Broadway shows can book up quickly, it’s recommended that guests reserve entertainment prior to embarkation day.

Earlier this year, social media strategist Angie took advantage of this advice while preparing for her Harmony of the Seas cruise. She made reservations online for the Broadway production of Grease and other popular events, which guaranteed her a seat.

During the cruise, Angie was grateful she took the time to make entertainment reservations ahead of time. When entering the theater, she noticed a long line of passengers waiting for standby seats at these events.

Related: 7 mistakes I saw passengers make on Harmony of the Seas

Instead of waiting in line and hoping for a seat at a fully-booked show, Angie could walk directly into the theater with her reservation.

Speaking of lines, Angie reserved Traditional Dining over My Time Dining to save time and hassle

The Main Dining Room is a staple of any cruise, and Angie enjoyed dozens of meals in the restaurant on her 8 cruises this year.

While booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, guests must choose between Traditional Dining and My Time Dining. Traditional Dining means passengers dine at the same time each evening with the same table and wait staff. My Time Dining, on the other hand, gives guests flexibility to reserve different dining times each evening.

Related: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining Versus Traditional Dining

Although My Time Dining allows for more flexibility, guests must remember to make dining reservations in advance. If not, they’ll be stuck waiting in line for an open table.

Angie almost always chooses Traditional Dining, and she was glad to have a guaranteed table and dining time each evening of her cruises. There was no need to make reservations individually for each dinner, and she never had to wait in a long line to enter the Main Dining Room.

Elizabeth tried an extra-cost activity on a port day for free

When writer Elizabeth cruised to Alaska earlier this year on Quantum of the Seas—one of 11 cruises in 2024—she was excited to try RipCord by iFLY, the ship’s indoor skydiving simulator. This activity is only available on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships, so trying the activity was a must for Elizabeth while onboard.

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

However, RipCord by iFLY is unlike most Royal Caribbean activities in that it offers varied price options. On port days, the activity is complimentary for a 1-minute flight experience. Sea days, meanwhile, offer a 2-minute flight for nearly $100 per person.

Elizabeth wanted to save money, so she tried the skydiving simulator when her ship was docked in Icy Strait Point. The complimentary 1-minute experience allowed her to get a taste for the activity without spending extra.

Jenna booked her 2024 cruises with a travel agent, leading to savings and extra perks

Perhaps the most tried-and-true cruise tip we share at Royal Caribbean Blog is to book with a travel agent, and I followed this tip on each of my cruises in 2024.

As Royal Caribbean Blog’s video editor, I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s two newest ships this year: Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. Although I typically book most travel, such as flights and hotels, on my own, I always book cruises with a trusted travel agent.

Related: Why first-time cruisers should use a Royal Caribbean travel agent

Booking with a travel agent meant I didn’t need to do anything myself, and I got extra perks like onboard credit and discounted rates along the way. On my Utopia of the Seas cruise, in fact, my travel agent scored an upgraded balcony cabin in a more central location than what I originally booked.

A good travel agent will cost you nothing extra, and it’s one of the most helpful cruise tips to follow.

Allie stocked up on cheap cruise essentials from Dollar Tree

Packing for a cruise can feel overwhelming, especially if you follow every packing list on the internet to a tee. That $30 pair of sandals and $300 underwater camera would be nice, of course, but there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on your cruise packing list.

Nonetheless, there are some essentials you do need to pack for a cruise, such as toiletries, and many cruisers also enjoy packing fun items like door decorations, too.

When Royal Caribbean Blog writer Allie was preparing for a cruise this year, she decided to shop at Dollar Tree for her cruise essentials. She purchased items like over-the-counter medication, magnetic clips, and travel-sized toiletries for just $1.25 each instead of spending significantly more at a store like Target.

Related: 5 Dollar Tree Items Cruisers Should Stock Up on Before Their Sailing

Sure, items may be more limited, but Allie was surprised how well this packing tip worked while cruising on a budget.

When sailing on the world’s largest cruise ship, Calista tried as many dining venues as possible

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was, undoubtedly, the most anticipated cruise ship of 2024, and Calista had the opportunity to sail on the vessel this past summer.

As the biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas boasts mind-blowing entertainment venues like the AquaDome and endless thrills at the ship’s Category 6 Waterpark. Aside from activities, though, are an abundance of dining venues, from casual grab-and-go spots to high-end restaurants.

Related: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

During Calista’s week on Icon of the Seas, she made it a point to try the ship’s diverse dining options. She loved the Mediterranean bowls at AquaDome Market and grab-and-go snacks at Pearl Cafe.

It’s easy to get into a routine of dining at only the Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet, but trying a variety of restaurants while cruising ensures that each day’s dining experience is different from the last. Plus, you might discover a new favorite dish!

Elizabeth tried Royal Caribbean’s coffee card, allowing her to try new beverages

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package might be the most popular drink package—who doesn’t love unlimited cocktails, after all—but coffee lovers shouldn’t overlook the cruise line’s Cafe Select Coffee Card.

Elizabeth skipped a drink package on her recent cruise to Bermuda, instead opting for Royal Caribbean’s coffee card. For $36.58, the punch card entitled her to 15 espresso-based beverages throughout the cruise. As a plus, the card could be shared between Elizabeth and her travel partner (unlike a drink package).

Related: I tried the Royal Caribbean drink package nobody talks about. Why it's worth the money

With the card, the price per specialty coffee came out to around $2.43 per drink. Considering each drink could cost over $5 without the card, Elizabeth was pleased she gave it a try.

Matt arrived to his embarkation city with more than enough time to spare

European cruises are all the rage during the summer, and Matt was excited to head across the pond this past August for his own European adventure. Matt’s 7-night Spain and France cruise was set to depart from Southampton, so he made sure to arrive in London with plenty of time to spare before embarkation day.

If there’s just one piece of advice to follow when planning a cruise, it’s to always fly into your cruise embarkation city at least one day ahead of time.

Related: The worst part of flying to Europe could easily ruin half your cruise

Our staff members have heard far too many horror stories of cancelled flights, missed connections, and other travel mishaps en route to a cruise. Booking a flight the same day your cruise begins is risky; no one wants to risk missing their cruise altogether due to a travel delay.

Therefore, Matt arrived in London two days before embarkation day. Not only did this ensure he would make it to the port even if he encountered delays, but it also gave him time to recover from jet lag. As a plus, Matt had time to enjoy London’s highlights, too!

First-time cruisers may be scared of falling overboard, but veteran cruisers know there are far more frightening (and plausible) things to be afraid of on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

We wanted to find out the biggest fears among cruisers, so we posed the question to members of the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards. Over 40 cruisers responded, sharing their biggest rational—and irrational—fears.

Some cruisers are panicked at the thought of getting left behind in port, while others are more concerned about what they would do if they forgot their underwear at home.

Forget falling off a cruise ship—these are the 11 things cruisers are actually scared of while onboard.

Leaving their passport at home

If there’s one thing that can ruin a cruise vacation before it even begins, it’s forgetting your passport at home.

Lost luggage? Forgot your sunscreen? These mishaps may be unfortunate, but at the end of the day, items like clothing and toiletries are easily replaceable. Your passport, on the other hand, is the single most important item you need for a cruise vacation.

Related: Can I cruise without a passport?

Message board member BXcruiser mentioned how forgetting their passport at home is their ultimate cruise fear; they constantly check to make sure the passport is packed before leaving home.

User loki007 added to the discussion by explaining what happened when they once forgot their passport. Fortunately, they realized their mistake while staying at a hotel the evening before embarkation, but the 7-hour round trip drive to retrieve the passport was far from enjoyable.

Evacuating the ship in an emergency

Every cruiser knows they must complete Royal Caribbean’s safety drill on embarkation day, but for most, the thought of a real emergency never crosses their mind. Cruise ships rarely encounter major issues at sea, after all, and emergency evacuations are largely unheard of.

Nonetheless, there’s a reason that millions of passengers complete safety drills each year—an emergency is always a possibility. Whether the ship is taking on water or a fire starts onboard, some cruisers stress about what an emergency evacuation could entail.

Message board member Geezer Of The Seas expressed his concerns, stating that “somehow, I don’t envision the real thing going as smoothly as the drills the crews perform periodically.”

Being left behind in port

We’ve all seen videos of frantic cruisers sprinting back to their cruise ship before it leaves port. Dubbed pier runners, these cruisers are frequently the target of jokes in the cruise industry. Several Royal Caribbean Blog message board members mentioned missing the ship as their biggest cruise fear.

It’s important to be cognizant of time while in port, as it’s crucial to return back to the ship in time. With the exception of those on shore excursions booked through Royal Caribbean, the cruise ship will not wait for late passengers. Those guests who miss the ship’s departure will need to make their own arrangements to meet up with the ship in the next port of call.

Related: What happens if you miss your cruise ship?

Moral of the story? Keep an eye on the time in port, and make note of whether your ship is following the port’s local time or ship time to ensure you get back onboard with plenty of time to spare.

Not making it to the embarkation city

Not getting back to your cruise ship before it leaves a port of call is a common cruise fear, but what about missing your cruise ship’s first departure altogether?

User smokeybandit explained how their biggest concern is getting to the port in the first place, particularly during the winter. User JimnKathy shared a similar remark, stating how “I never feel comfortable until the plane lands at our port of departure. Commercial air travel is SO unreliable these days.”

One of our most tried and true cruise tips at Royal Caribbean Blog is arriving at your embarkation city at least one day before your cruise begins. Even still, some veteran cruisers remain wary of travel delays that could cause them to miss the ship despite proper planning.

Something bad happening at home

Royal Caribbean Blog message board user RockerDom31 mentioned how their biggest cruise fear is something happening at home, such as an injury or death in the family. Many cruisers can relate to this fear, and it’s important to always be prepared for the worst case scenario.

No one wants to think of an emergency occurring at home while on a cruise, but it’s always a possibility. To be prepared for the worst, we recommend purchasing travel insurance before your cruise.

Related: Travel insurance for a cruise: Why you need it

Many travel insurance policies offer trip interruption coverage in case of the death of a family member back home, which may cover costs associated with an early departure from your ship when possible.

Plus, travel insurance will keep cruisers covered if something happens to themselves on a cruise, whether a sudden illness or emergency medical evacuation.

Losing luggage before (or after) boarding the ship

Frequent cruisers are meticulous when packing for a cruise, ensuring they pack the perfect outfit for each formal night or a day at the beach. Yet what if your luggage goes missing?

For several users on our message boards, losing luggage takes the top spot on their list of cruise fears.

Member asquared17 wrote how one of their biggest fears is watching their luggage float on the water as the ship pulls away from the cruise terminal. Traveling Mike shared similar sentiments, explaining how he would have trouble finding well-fitting clothing at the last minute if his luggage were to be lost.

Related: 6 tips to help keep a cruise line from losing your luggage

PhantomWolf shared a tip for those with luggage concerns, recommending that cruisers place AirTags in their luggage prior to leaving for a cruise. This way, cruisers can track down their bags on the chance they are misplaced.

Bad weather before, during, and after the cruise

Everyone wants a cool breeze and sunny skies when cruising, but weather will always be somewhat unpredictable regardless of where a cruise takes place.

From heat waves in the Mediterranean to hurricane season in the Caribbean, cruisers often express concern about encountering bad weather on a cruise.

Board user SPS explained how bad weather is his biggest fear on a cruise. Storms, winter travel, and cooler-than-expected weather can cause travel delays, missed ports of call, and miserably cold days at sea.

Royal Caribbean tries its best to complete every itinerary as scheduled, but out-of-the-ordinary weather patterns can occasionally put a damper on even the most anticipated cruise vacations.

The bar running out of a favorite drink

On a lighter note, what if your favorite beverage is out of stock on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

You can try dozens of unique drinks onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, whether a classic Cucumber Martini or tropical-inspired Parrot Punch. Some cruisers, though, prefer sticking to their favorites.

Related: 21 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package

Message board user Ryan79 stated how the scariest thing that could happen on a cruise would be “the bar running out of Kraken for my lava flow!” and, after 55 cruises, Mike45orlando mentioned that “all the bars running out of your beer of choice is our biggest nightmare.”

Fortunately, even if the cruise ship does run out of your favorite drink, there are more than enough other intriguing choices available.

Getting food poisoning

There’s nothing glamorous about food poisoning—no one wants to spend their entire cruise in the bathroom! As expected, many cruisers are fearful of catching norovirus or another gastrointestinal illness onboard.

User Pattycruise said her biggest fear is learning about multiple cases of food poisoning through her sailing’s Facebook group.

“Reading in the Facebook group for your sailing that numerous people have food poisoning... I had the ‘joy’ of norovirus on disembarkation day on one of those sailings.”

Our advice? Make sure to wash your hands frequently while onboard. It’s a good idea to carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you, too, which you can use after handling commonly-touched items like buffet tongs and door handles.

Losing car keys for the way home

In all the excitement of embarkation day, some cruisers may toss their car keys into the first convenient place they find in their luggage. Come disembarkation day, however, remembering where they put their car keys can be challenging.

Member Auto mentioned losing his car keys as one of his biggest cruise fears, having experienced this himself after one sailing.

“We got to the parking garage to go home and I can’t find the keys anywhere,” he explained. “After about 10 minutes of searching, I finally found them in a pocket of a backpack I have never used before (or since). Not a great feeling.”

For those driving to the cruise port, make sure to put your keys in an easy-to-remember place.

Looking at your bill at the end of the cruise

Finally, one of the scariest moments all cruisers can relate to is looking at the final bill at the end of the cruise.

While onboard, it’s easy to swipe your SeaPass card without much thought. Another $15 cocktail? Sure, why not! The $200 spa treatment is only $150 today? What a steal!

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

After days of spending—and treating yourself—comes the dreaded moment of receiving your final bill.

To avoid intense sticker shock at the end of the cruise, keep an eye on your onboard charges via the Royal Caribbean app. If the number frightens you just halfway through the cruise, that’s a great reminder to cut back on your spending.

This year I tried my first Celebrity cruise after over twenty Royal Caribbean cruises, and there were a few things I wish I knew before setting foot onboard.

It’s easy to stick to the status quo when it comes to cruising. Even still, I always aim to try something new on every cruise vacation, whether trying a new-to-me cruise line or simply booking a type of cabin I haven’t booked before.

Exploring something new, of course, comes with learning curves. So when I booked my first-ever Celebrity cruise this past summer—a 7-night Norwegian Fjords itinerary on Celebrity Silhouette—I expected to encounter a few growing pains.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the cruise line’s atmosphere, dining experience, and onboard activities, but I was excited to see what Celebrity Cruises was all about.

After my week onboard, these are the seven things I wish I knew before I set foot on a Celebrity ship.

Loyalty perks are plentiful, but be sure to read the fine print

Before I set foot on a Celebrity cruise, I made sure to match my loyalty status with Royal Caribbean to Celebrity Cruises. The two lines offer a status matching program, and my Diamond Plus status with Royal Caribbean meant I qualified for Elite Plus, the second highest tier in Celebrity’s Captain’s Club program.

As an Elite Plus member, I received excellent perks during my Celebrity cruise, including free drinks during the ship’s daily happy hour, access to exclusive events, and discounts on extras like specialty dining and wifi packages.

Even with these lucrative perks, I wish I knew to read the fine print of each loyalty benefit. The happy hour, for instance, only offers a very limited menu of beverages, and not every bar onboard participates in the daily event.

Related: Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club loyalty program info, tips & secrets

In addition, while I could receive two complimentary bags of laundry with my status, I didn’t realize the benefit’s stringent limitations. As I was about to send a bag of dirty clothes to the ship’s laundry services on the fifth day of my cruise, I realized the benefit had expired—it was not offered within three days of disembarkation.

If I knew to read the fine print, I would have had a better idea of the ins and outs of each loyalty benefit.

I wish I knew not to wait until the end of the cruise to try new venues

Like most of today’s modern cruise ships, Celebrity Silhouette boasts numerous bars, lounges, entertainment venues, and onboard activities to keep passengers busy during their time onboard.

Throughout my weeklong cruise, however, I found myself sticking to the same venues, whether catching a game at Craft Social—Celebrity Cruises’ sports bar—or enjoying a gorgeous view of Norway from the Sunset Bar.

It wasn’t until the final night of my cruise that I came across the Ensemble Lounge, a low-key, cozy bar offering live music and an elegant cocktail menu.

The Ensemble Lounge was far less busy than venues like the Martini Bar and Café al Bacio, and I was impressed by the performance from the instrumentalist and vocalist.

Related: Celebrity Cruises Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

Almost immediately, I regretted not finding the lounge sooner, and it made me wonder what else I missed out on by sticking to the same familiar lounges all week long.

On my next Celebrity cruise, I’ll be sure to check out more venues around the ship at the start of the cruise rather than the end.

I wish I knew the price was comparable to Royal Caribbean

Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line, which is generally considered a step above mass market lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Knowing this, I expected cruise fares on Celebrity ships to be moderately higher than those on Royal Caribbean. As someone who often cruises on a budget, I wrote Celebrity off as “too expensive” for my travel style.

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

As it turns out, my preconceived notions about Celebrity Cruises’ pricing was completely wrong. I began planning my European cruise, and I was surprised to see Celebrity’s pricing comparable to Royal Caribbean’s.

When I first booked the cruise, I paid just $1,830 for two guests in an interior cabin, which was comparable to the $1,858 I spent on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Europe two years prior. Although I ended up adding a third guest to the cabin and upgrading to a balcony, I was still impressed with Celebrity’s pricing.

I only wish I knew to check Celebrity Cruises’ prices for previous cruise vacations instead of assuming the premium line would be out of my budget.

I wish I knew about all of the live cooking stations at the buffet

One regret from my Celebrity cruise is that I didn’t know about all of the diverse cooking stations at Oceanview Cafe, the cruise line’s signature buffet.

Buffets are a staple on any cruise ship, but Celebrity’s buffet is particularly impressive, offering a wide selection of made-to-order cooking stations. Everything from a panini station to custom pastas and charred-to-order crème brûlées were available on Celebrity Silhouette.

Prior to embarking the ship, I didn’t realize the breadth of stations that would be available. I unknowingly overlooked these stations during my first few buffet meals, and it was only later in the cruise that I realized just how many choices were offered.
Next time, I’ll know to try all of the various stations to better customize my dining experience.

I wish I knew to try more restaurants

Speaking of dining, one of my regrets from my Celebrity cruise was not trying one of the cruise line’s specialty restaurants.

Like most cruise ships, Celebrity Silhouette offers a mix of restaurants that are included in guests’ cruise fares and those that come with an extra charge.

I often treat myself to specialty dining meals when cruising, but I decided against it on my first Celebrity sailing. Having already spent a hefty chunk of change flying to Europe and booking three nights in Amsterdam, I wanted to save money by sticking to included dining venues.

I stuck to this money-saving plan during my week onboard, but I occasionally found myself regretting my choice. It wasn’t until I got onboard that I realized the variety of specialty dining available, from technology-focused meals at Le Petit Chef to outdoor dining at The Porch.

Related: 5 savvy ways I saved money on my first Celebrity cruise

Prior to my cruise, I wish I knew I might want to try these dining options. If I had, I would have budgeted for a few specialty meals or purchased a dining package ahead of time.

I wish I knew there was limited storage in the cabin

I had few complaints about the spacious balcony cabin I booked for my Celebrity Silhouette cruise. Despite the cabin’s slight obstructed view, it was a comfortable place to rest and unwind during my week onboard.

Nonetheless, there was one aspect of my cabin I didn’t love—the storage space.

Related: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Although older cruise cabins tend to lack features like storage and ample electrical outlets, cabins on ships built after 2010 usually boast more modern features. Celebrity Silhouette was built in 2012, so I assumed there would be adequate storage space in the cabin.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the storage space available. While there were three drawers in the cabin’s dresser, the only other storage space—aside from the closet—were two shelves above the bed. I found these shelves too high for easy access.

Sharing the cabin with two relatives, it was difficult to keep our belongings separated and organized. Looking back, I wish I had brought easy-to-pack items like a hanging shoe organizer and magnetic hooks to keep the cabin less cluttered during the week.

Finally, I wish I knew to arrive at activities earlier

Having cruised with Royal Caribbean so many times, I’ve become accustomed to the cruise line’s regularly scheduled programming. Whether the Quest adult game show, Harry Potter trivia, or live guitar music at the pub, most Royal Caribbean cruises offer similar activities.

While onboard my first Celebrity cruise, though, I was pleased to see new-to-me activities when browsing the Cruise Planner. I was intrigued by activities like the Musical Murder Mystery game show and Olympic curling, and I couldn’t wait to try them out.

Yet if I had known beforehand, I would have arrived at onboard activities significantly earlier than I did. When I tried to attend the watercolor painting class, for example, I was turned away due to the activity reaching maximum capacity.

On my next Celebrity cruise, I’ll make it a point to show up to activities at least twenty minutes before they are set to begin.

I’ve cruised to Alaska five times—each on a different route—and I thought one cruise itinerary was far better than the rest.

Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, with over 1.5 million passengers visiting the state this past season. The vast majority of Alaska cruises, and all of Royal Caribbean’s itineraries, depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia.

Itineraries vary from sailing to sailing, but all cruises offer a somewhat similar experience. Virtually all itineraries visit Juneau, with most stopping at ports like Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, too. Yet even though itineraries are similar, the slight differences in each are enough to make them distinguishable from one another.

Related: 10 things to know before you book an Alaska cruise

Having cruised to Alaska five times in the past four years, I’ve found I prefer certain ports and itineraries over others. While I wouldn’t go as far to say there’s a “bad” Alaska cruise itinerary, one of my five cruises to Alaska offered the most spectacular itinerary of them all.

I tried a roundtrip Alaska cruise first, and I was immediately hooked

Back in 2021, I headed to Seattle to board my first Alaska cruise, a 7-night itinerary on Ovation of the Seas. It was my third cruise ever, and my first outside of the Caribbean region. Compared to the tropical Caribbean, I found that Alaska offered a totally unique cruise experience.

During my week onboard, I was astonished by Alaska’s landscapes and historic ports. I marveled at glaciers amongst the state’s narrow fjords, hiked through the Tongass National Forest, and caught a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

Related: Best things to do on an Alaska cruise

Alaska’s plethora of outdoor activities—along with its stunning nature—really opened my eyes to what a cruise could be. I found I preferred the itinerary over Caribbean cruises, and I couldn’t wait to head back the following year.

For my second Alaska cruise, I booked a one-way, port-intensive itinerary

I loved my first Alaska cruise experience so much that I planned to book a second sailing to the Last Frontier. So, when I came across an ultra-cheap Alaska cruise deal the following summer, I booked the itinerary without hesitation.

The second time around, however, I would be trying something new. Instead of a roundtrip cruise from Seattle, I booked a one-way itinerary on one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships, Radiance of the Seas.

Related: I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find: here's how it went

The cruise was set to depart from Vancouver, British Columbia and end in Seward, Alaska. Not only would the itinerary offer an additional port stop in Alaska, but it also included a scenic sailing around Hubbard Glacier. As another plus, ending the cruise in Seward meant I could explore Alaska’s interior after disembarking, whether on a Royal Caribbean Cruisetour or on my own.

All that being said, I still had hesitations. I wondered whether or not the one-way itinerary would be worth the extra travel time. There were no direct flights available from my home airport to Vancouver, and getting home after the cruise would be more challenging, too, as it required a long travel day from Anchorage.

Nonetheless, the itinerary intrigued me, and I figured it would be worth the longer travel times to and from the ship.

Luckily, the one-way itinerary was just as majestic as I hoped it would be

As it turned out, the minor inconveniences of getting to and from the ship were well worth the effort.

The one-way itinerary meant I visited four Alaska cruise ports in one week—Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. I felt this offered a better value than roundtrip cruises from Seattle, which usually only visit three ports in Alaska.

Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

I also loved ending the cruise in Seward, which brought me closer to some of the most famous national parks in the United States. Even though I didn’t have time to spend extra days in Alaska, I loved spending disembarkation day in Anchorage before my flight home. For those interested in exploring Alaska’s interior before or after their cruise, booking a one-way itinerary is a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, our scheduled visit to Hubbard Glacier was canceled due to poor weather. This was, of course, out of our control, but I’m sure visiting the glacier would have made the one-way itinerary even more remarkable.

The next year I cruised to Alaska three more times, but the one-way itinerary remained my favorite

Somewhat unexpectedly, I ended up cruising to Alaska three separate times in the summer of 2023. An early-season cruise deal in May and two family vacations in June brought me back to the state again and again—all on roundtrip itineraries from Seattle.

All three itineraries were relatively similar, stopping at three ports in Alaska along with a visit to Victoria, British Columbia. Two of the cruises included a glacier viewing day, with a Princess Cruises’ itinerary visiting Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.

Related: Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: Which cruise line is better?

Glacier Bay is often considered the crown jewel of Alaska port visits, and the park certainly lived up to the hype. Our ship sailed past multiple glaciers in one day, and National Park Service rangers joined the ship to give lectures about the park. Nevertheless, I found I still preferred cruising to Alaska on a one-way itinerary over these roundtrip sailings.

To me, you can’t beat the chance to start or end your cruise in Southcentral Alaska, providing convenient access to Denali National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park.

Plus, despite my bad luck with the weather, the scheduled visits to Hubbard Glacier are a major drawing point of one-way cruises. This is especially true if cruising on Royal Caribbean; the cruise line does not have access to Glacier Bay, so Hubbard Glacier is a great alternative.

All in all, Alaska’s remote location makes one-way itineraries worth the extra effort

For many cruisers, visiting Alaska is something they will do just once in their lifetime, and truthfully, there’s no right or wrong Alaska cruise route. When I cruised to Alaska for the first time, I was awestruck by the state’s geography, culture, and cuisine. I could have cared less about whether or not I picked the “right” itinerary for the cruise.

Related: Best Alaska cruises for every travel style

So, if you’ve booked an Alaska cruise on a roundtrip itinerary from Seattle, don’t feel as if you’ve made the wrong choice. For most passengers, these itineraries offer a perfect first glimpse into what the state has to offer. In addition, the majority of these cruises are on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships, which offer countless activities, dining options, cabin categories, and entertainment onboard.

Personally, though, after cruising to Alaska five times, I would choose a one-way itinerary for my next sailing. There are downsides, of course, including fewer direct flights to board the ship and the fact that only older ships tend to sail these itineraries.

Despite these drawbacks, I still find one-way itineraries to offer a more in-depth, immersive Alaska cruise experience.