The opportunity to cruise to Alaska again was really exciting, but the travel required gave me pause.

I live on the east coast, so this trip meant I'd have to fly cross country for a 7-night Alaska cruise on Serenade of the Seas. I love any excuse to cruise, but that flying more than 6 hours each way isn't easy.

Anytime you travel more than 3-4 hours, there are new challenges that emerge.  There are fewer flight options, costs rise, and it becomes an all-day affair.

I think certain itineraries are worth the extra travel effort, especially an Alaska cruise.

So taking my own advice, I booked flights to Vancouver that worked out perfectly.

I think I made the most of this trip by doing a few things smartly.

I booked flights from an airport that had better options

In planning this trip, I wanted to prioritize the easiest and smoothest travel options.

Yes, this meant likely spending more than if I chose a less-convenient flight, but the last thing I want to do is try to save a few bucks in exchange for a longer and more arduous travel day.

Air travel is wonderful when everything goes the way it's supposed to, and to that point, I made sure to book flights that would have the best chances of doing just that.

For my flight from New York City to Vancouver, I booked the earliest flight I could of the day. I prioritized booking the first flight available to avoid a potential problem.

Summer air travel is when thunderstorms and other severe weather typically starts up later in the day. Departing in the morning reduces the chance there will be storms or even turbulence.

Another smart decision I made was to book a hotel at the airport for the night before I departed, because I had early flight.

I booked the Courtyard by Marriott Newark Airport so I wasn't in a rush to make it to Newark, and then enjoy more sleep the day of flying.

Early morning flights are great for on-time performance, but it's never easy to get going and then power through a day with less than normal sleep.

Something else I'm glad I did was I prioritized booking a direct flight over taking a cheaper connecting flight. 

Reducing flight time means less time traveling, and I can get to Vancouver quicker and start enjoying the fun part of the trip.

For my return flight, I picked a noon flight so I had plenty of time to disembark the ship, get to the airport, and get through security without worrying about being able to make my flight. Alternatively, I avoided a late afternoon flight so I wouldn't be sitting around the airport all day.

Friends on my cruise took red-eye flights home, but when I landed back in Newark, I was so glad I was done traveling.

Booking the right flights removes a lot of travel anxiety

After flying to Europe multiple times and now Alaska, it's clear making travel day as easy as possible really makes a difference in enjoying your cruise.

I want to get to the ship and start the fun, not spend more time stuck on an airplane or airport. To that point, I look for the best flight options that minimize how long it takes to get from my home to the ship, and then back again.

In the case of these flights, I booked economy seats to help reduce the cost, because the direct flights were more expensive. I'd rather be in less glamorous seats if it means a quicker trip.

Less connections means less complications, and ultimately, I want my journey back and forth to be as effortless as possible. The last thing I want to do is have a travel disaster ruin the cruise before it begins.

Even seasoned fliers can get rattled when things don't go as expected, so I look for direct flights at optimal times to make things as easy as I can for myself.

I'm glad I went, but it helped things went well

I'm happy to say my flight plans worked about as well as I could have hoped, and I'm glad I made the trip across North America for it.

First and foremost, I had good weather the entire trip (including my travel days).

There was rain on the day I arrived in Vancouver, but it cleared out by the time I landed there. 

The weather in each of my departure cities was clear of any bad weather, making for on time departures from both.

Having on time flights makes any trip seem quite successful, so avoiding afternoon flights in the summer is a good strategy.

I'm glad I flew cross-country in order to get back to Alaska on Serenade of the Seas. But it greatly helps if you can maximize your trip with smart decisions (and a little luck) along the way.

Happy Sunday! I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! Hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

Legend of the Seas is on its way and almost ready to welcome passengers onboard.

The brand new cruise ship departed its shipyard in Finland, and is headed to make final preparations.

Similar to a new house, Royal Caribbean needs to provision the ship now.

Royal Caribbean News

• Video shows new Royal Caribbean cruise ship barely squeezing under bridge
• A Royal Caribbean guest called their suite "scam" and a "nightmare"
• Man allegedly admits to photographing up passenger's dress on cruise
• 8% off Royal Caribbean gift cards (but beware the fine print)
• US-Iran deal is good news for cruise lines
• 6 things I learned when I sailed solo for the first time on a cruise
• 8 beverage package mistakes I always see people make
• I paid $3400 for a balcony on an Alaska cruise. It lacked privacy, but was much larger than normal
• 7 things I wish I knew before cruising to Alaska
• Conrad Hilton Fort Lauderdale hotel review

New RCB Video: 7 Days In A CONTROVERSIAL Balcony With NO PRIVACY

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 7 Days In A CONTROVERSIAL Balcony With NO PRIVACY — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

"Serious dangers": US travel warning for popular cruise port

The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to tourists in The Bahamas, including the islands cruise ships visit.

The new warning claims "serious dangers" associated with renting certain small water craft because of reported attacks against women.

It's an important reminder to be extra cautious about where you rent them from, if at all.

I tried another Alaska cruise after 4 years

I went back to Alaska for the first time in many years, and while the time change was frustrating, the experience was so worth it.

Alaska is one of those places you have to see to believe, and going back was better than even I expected.

Sailing from Vancouver, this 7-night cruise took us to four different ports and each had something special to see.

Royal Caribbean will let suite guests bring friends into its exclusive restaurant

A new change means suite guests can bring friends into their exclusive restaurant.

Royal Caribbean has changed its policy to allow suite guests to pay to bring non-suite guests into Coastal Kitchen.

There's a fee to bring guests, depending on which meal it is.

4 Disappointing Royal Caribbean balcony cabins that you might regret booking

Balcony cabins are the most popular stateroom category, but some rooms aren't as good as others.

Certain balcony rooms have blocked views, noise problems, or something else you might not like.

Consider this a warning so you don't end up disappointed later.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 613th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available with small tweaks to how you cruise.

There are a handful of ships Matt hasn't been on in a few years and would rather go back on sooner than others. 

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! 

I'd estimate I've purchased a Royal Caribbean unlimited drink package at least 30 times, so I've gotten a lot of practice in maximizing it all.

Cruise drink packages are expensive, but they offer a way budget easily for all the beers, cocktails, sodas, and bottled water onboard while adding significant convenience.

I also believe drink packages are among the most popular add-ons people buy for a Royal Caribbean cruise.  Getting the lowest price and getting the most out of them are probably the most common questions I get from our readers.

When you consider buying the Deluxe Beverage Package for two people on a 7-day cruise can easily cost over $1,000, it should come as no surprise how quickly questions of "is it worth it?" pop up.

The key to understanding the value of a drink package is in how you use it, and unfortunately too many people overspend and misuse their beverage packages.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when they buy a Royal Caribbean drink package.

Buying drink packages on the ship

If you wait to buy a drink package until you're on your ship, you're going to significantly overpay.

The absolute highest price for a drink package is when you buy it onboard because the onboard prices start high, and only offer a BOGO discount to help subsidize the second person's cost.

What you should be doing instead is pre-purchasing the drink package before the cruise begins.

No matter when you buy it before the sailing, the cost of a drink package will always be cheaper if you buy it prior to getting onboard. This is because Royal Caribbean runs a lot of pre-cruise sales that deeply discount the cost.

If you're skeptical why the price would be cheaper before you're on the ship, it's because Royal Caribbean executives want you buying things online. Every pre-cruise dollar spent will usually generate 50% more onboard revenue for that customer later.  It's a psychology thing within marketing.

The bottom line is don't wait to buy a drink package on the ship, because it's going to cost you hundreds of dollars more.

Waiting too long for a sale to buy a drink package

Now that you know not to wait to buy a drink package on the ship, you also don't want to wait to lock in a price.

Even though some people know to pre-buy a drink package, they try to time a sale and this results in them spending more than they expected.

If you know you want to get a drink package, go ahead and pre-purchase now at whatever price you see.  The mistake is waiting for a lower sale price later.

The reason this is a mistake is sometimes the price never comes down, and actually goes up.

I've seen a lot of people who read others got a lower price than them, so they wait to buy it.  And then the price never goes down, but actually increases.

You can cancel and re-price anything before the cruise begins.  Buying it now locks in your price, but allows you to take advantage of a price decrease later. You can cancel and rebook drink packages as many times as you like.

Ordering a drink without specifying the liquor

When you order your favorite cocktail on the ship, be sure to tell the bartender which liquor you want with it.

If you order a "martini", you're going to get well liquor.  This is the cheapest and lowest quality vodka available, but your drink package includes much higher shelf options.

What you want to do is ask for name brand liquors with any drink you order.

Most new cruisers are surprised to know their drink package includes brands like Jose Cuervo, Grey Goose, Captain Morgan, or Gentleman Jack.

It's just the super top shelf liquors that aren't included, and the bartender will usually warn you if you're trying to order something not included with a package.

Not taking advantage of all the other drinks you get

If you buy a Refreshment Package or the Deluxe Beverage Package, it's easy to focus just on the mocktails or cocktails, but the best way to make a drink package worth it is to take advantage of other drinks too.

Both of these packages include premium coffees and teas from Cafe Promenade, Pearl Cafe, or Cafe Lattetudes. These are the Starbucks-style drinks that would otherwise cost $5-8 each.

Plus, you can get sodas, Evian bottled water, energy drinks, and milkshakes.

The booze is probably why most people buy the unlimited alcohol package, but there's a lot more that get with it.  Not only can you get these other choices, but it makes it easier to break even on the daily cost.

Sharing drink package benefits with others

It's strictly forbidden to get someone a beverage who doesn't have a drink package with your package benefits.

The drink package benefits are only for the person that bought it, and sharing your drinks with someone else could result in having your drink package cancelled without a refund.

No matter how clever you think you are to cheat the drink package, the cruise line has seen it all before.

Not ordering bottled water with every drink order

My favorite inclusion with a drink package is bottled water, and I'll start stockpiling them in my stateroom for use later.

Even though the rules technically say you can only order one drink at a time with a beverage package, bartenders never seem to mind giving you a bottle of water along with your beer or cocktail.  This is because they want you to stay hydrated and not get sick.

Rather than ordering a bottle of water one at a time, start asking for a bottle with any drink order you make.  Bring those bottles back to your room, so you have them when you're thirsty in the middle of the night or want to take one off the ship for an excursion.

Missing out on the different drink menus around the ship

Did you know the drink menu is different depending on which bar you're at onboard?

While there is a fleetwide menu available on every ship, many specialty restaurants, lounges, and bars have their own special menu that has cocktails and mocktails you won't find anywhere else.

Royal Caribbean has undertaken a special mission of developing fun new drinks that go beyond the clichéd "boat drinks" people expect.

In addition to pina colada or daiquiri, some bars have toasted marshmallow old fashioned, painchiller, tequil-ya zombie, and much more.

Usually these cocktails are included with a drink package at no cost, so try them all!

A drink package includes gratuity, but I tip an extra dollar

It's not a mistake to rely purely on the included gratuity your drink package includes, but I've found you can get better service with a small tip each time you buy a drink.

Whenever I order a drink, I'll give the bartender an extra dollar bill. Why? Because I get better service with it.

This matters when you're at a crowded bar, because bartenders remember who tipped them and that translates to less waiting for a drink.

There's nothing wrong with not adopting my strategy, but I think it's a smart change to make.

My family of four and a group friends took a cruise to Alaska on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, which took us to places like Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Dawes Glacier.

Even though I've taken two other cruises to Alaska, this was my first in over 4 years. Back then, there were still Covid rules in place.

I was far from a novice on this Alaska cruise, as I've not only been there a couple of times before, but also spent plenty of time researching.

Getting back to Alaska, I was far from a novice.  And yet, I was still surprised by a few important things on my cruise and they are lessons I think almost anyone else headed to Alaska would want to know about.

Here are seven things I didn't expect about the overall experience.

The impact of the World Cup made my vacation more expensive.

I booked my Alaska cruise two years ago, but had no idea back then that the World Cup would play a significant role in my travel plans.

It never crossed my mind, but just like trying to cruise from the same city the Super Bowl is hosted in, hotel and airfare prices will skyrocket.

My cruise departed from Vancouver, Canada, which was one of two Canadian cities selected to host the World Cup. The result was when it came time to book flights and hotel rooms, I paid much more than I expected.

I stayed in the Pan Pacific hotel because it's in the same building as the cruise terminal. At $600 per room, per night, it cost me much more than I expected.

It's a good idea to look at what events are happening in the city you're cruising from to see what kind of impact it might have on demand to get there.

Creek Street in Ketchikan is a tourist trap.

I'll say it: I was disappointed how much Ketchikan was a tourist trap, especially Creek Street.

Creek Street is the picturesque street you've likely seen lots of photos that looks like a throwback to gold rush Alaska. 

While it does look as cute in real life, there's not much here that you won't find everywhere else around town (or in other Alaska towns you visit).

I was disappointed this part of Ketchikan didn't have more to it than more of the same souvenirs you'll see elsewhere. To be fair, all the ports in Alaska are kind of like this. Haines remains the most authentic town that I've visited.

My advice is take your photo of Creek Street, but you can avoid the crowds trying to get into every store because there's not much beyond what you'd find elsewhere in town.

I was impressed by how much Alaskan food offered on my ship.

I'm so used to Royal Caribbean's food that almost anything different grabs my attention.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the ship's chef's leaning into Alaska cuisine as much as they did.

The Windjammer buffet had a variety of different dishes from both Alaska and Canada.  While none of it might be the most authentic version you'll ever have, I give them a lot of credit for trying.

There was an "Alaskan breakfast sandwich" every morning, which was the combination of French toast, bacon and eggs.  

My favorite was the Alaskan salmon chowder soup, which was essentially New England Clam chowder, but salmon substituted for the clams. Plus, they even served it in bread bowls on one afternoon!

The bagel station had Alaskan salmon, Alaskan baked fresh cod, and a giant hoagie sandwich. I don't think the sandwich is related to Alaska, but it was different!

There was even a poutine station on one day, which a number of Canadians onboard seemed impressed by.

I was also very happy to see Alaskan Brewing beers offered onboard, which offered a nice alternative to the usual beers you'd find on Royal Caribbean ships.

A lot of stores closed early, regardless of how late ships were in port

Our itinerary had us in port fairly late for most ports, and yet a lot of shops were closed by 5 or 6pm.

The cruise schedule is well-known by shop owners, so I was surprised how many were closed even though our ship was in port until 8 or 9pm.

This isn't like the hardware store in your hometown.  These are towns that literally make all of their revenue off cruise ship passengers during the cruise season.  So you would expect them to maximize every minute considering how short the season is.

In both Juneau and Ketchikan, a lot of places were closed by the time we got to the early evening. That limits shopping and dining opportunities, and it forces our hand to return to the ship earlier.

If I'm being honest, this phenomenon occurs in other ports I've visited around the world where ships stay late. But those are towns and cities that have year-round tourists, whereas Alaska is more limited, and that's why I was surprised.

Prince Rupert is a sleeper hit.

Due to US maritime law, all Royal Caribbean ships make at least one stop in Canada.  It might look like a technical requirement, but I was fairly impressed by Prince Rupert Island.

This is a quaint town, but it's perfect for walking around and enjoying some time outside.  

We lucked out with amazing weather, so it helped greatly that Canada's rainiest city had no rain.

There's a sunken garden that was perfect for a quick stop, a few different breweries, and lots of scenic walks along the water.

Our cruise focused on Alaska, but don't overlook your time in Canada as well.

You don't need a parka, but glacier day will be chilly.

It's easy to look at an Alaska cruise and fall into the trap of thinking you need clothes fit for the arctic.

It's still summer in Alaska, and I think you can ditch the parka or heavy jackets.

I packed three outer layers on my cruise: a fleece jacket, a heavy hoodie sweatshirt, and a light rain jacket. That's it.

I think that's more than sufficient for the outdoors in any of the ports, even with temperatures that barely exceed 60 degrees.

The one day where you might really get cold is on your glacier visit.  For this day, double or triple down on what you brought.

I wore my fleece and hoodie on top of each other and was warm enough to be outside for long periods. A knit hat and gloves really paid off on glacier day.

Buying disposable hand warmers would probably be a good idea. (Affiliate link that costs you nothing extra to use)

The reality is I don't think it will be as cold as you might think, and we were in t-shirts more often than even I expected.

Excursions are expensive, but you'll regret not doing more.

Alaska shore excursions are much more expensive than in the Caribbean, but you really should bite the bullet and book them anyway.

While you can easily walk around town on your own without spending extra, the best things to see and do require an organized tour to do properly.

I booked a private wildlife tour in Sitka that absolutely blew me away, with both what we saw and how personal the experience was.

Captain Patrick only takes small groups of 6-8 people out on his boat to the spots he knows there are almost always lots of wildlife.

We saw whales, sea otters, bald eagles, and sea lions, and he explained everything about Alaska along the way.  When we couldn't find humpback whales, he extended the tour at no cost to find them.

For most people, Alaska is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so don't go cheap on the excursions.  Save more for the good ones that will take you to see and do things that are the top of your bucket list.

Legend of the Seas, the highly anticipated next new Royal Caribbean cruise ship, has officially left the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and will soon enter service.

The 248,663-gross-ton vessel, and third in the Icon Class, sailed away from the shipyard and is on its way to start offering cruises soon.

Before that can happen, Legend needs to go to Spain.  There, the ship will prep before its first sailings begin.

"And she’s off! Legend of the Seas has officially departed from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is now heading to Cadiz, Spain to get her finishing touches," the cruise line posted in a social media post.

Primary construction of the new ship began in October 2024 when the keel was laid. Then in September 2025, the ship was floated out. This is when the ship touches water for the first time and transitions from a dry dock to a wet dock.

In April 2026, Royal Caribbean held sea trials for Legend in order to ascertain the new ship's sea worthiness.  This is when all of the ship's systems are put to the test.

What's next for Legend of the Seas

Legend of the Seas is headed to Cadiz, Spain to enter a different shipyard in order to be fully provisioned.

While the new ship has completed construction, it's not ready to welcome passengers yet.  Think of it like a new house: when the builder finishes it, it doesn't mean the house has furniture, artwork, and all the things necessary to live inside.

Some crew members are already onboard, but more will join so that the cruise ship is fully operational.

After leaving the shipyard in Spain, Legend of the Seas will sail to Malaga, Spain, to offer a quick 4-night media preview sailing. This is when travel partners, media, and VIPs will sail on June 29 and visit La Spezia, Italy.

The inaugural voyage will be held on July 4, when paying passengers will board for the first time. Legend will homeport in Rome, Italy and begin a Western Mediterranean summer cruise itinerary.

The ship’s first regular sailing is set to depart on July 4th and is a 7-Night Western Mediterranean itinerary with calls to Provence, France; Barcelona, Spain; Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and La Spezia, Italy.

A naming ceremony is likely coming later this year

One detail we still don't know about Legend of the Seas is who the ship's godmother will be, and that detail is likely going to be a few more months away.

Legend of the Seas will sail in the Mediterranean for the summer before heading to Fort Lauderdale this winter.

In November, Legend of the Seas will arrive to start a winter cruising season in the Caribbean. This is when I expect the official naming ceremony to take place, headed up by the ship's godmother.

The new will will rotate between six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises. Following her five-month stint in Florida, she will once again return to Europe in April 2027.

Whenever a new Royal Caribbean ship debuted in Europe first and then sailed to North America for a winter cruise season, this has been the pattern of waiting to officially name and christen the ship until it arrives closer to Royal Caribbean's headquarters in Miami.

When Harmony of the Seas started cruising, it debuted in Europe first and then sailed to the United States at which point the naming ceremony was held.

Later this summer, Royal Caribbean will announce who the ship's ceremonial godmother will be and when the naming ceremony will be held.

The event will be held in the ship’s AquaTheater, in the AquaDome neighborhood, which is an enclosed theater that has restaurants nearby at the front of the vessel.

New Icon Class ship with favorites and new features

While Legend of the Seas is the third in the Icon Class, it's not an exact replica of Icon of the Seas or Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean knows well enough to leave what's working well onboard, including so many of the ship's neighborhoods and popular venues.

Legend of the Seas will have the same eight neighborhoods and amenities as the other two ships, but will also introduce a few firsts.

"America's Got Talent LIVE" will be among an array of brand new shows coming to this ship.  This will be an extension of the show many have seen on TV, but this time on a cruise ship.

In addition, there will be a Broadway show, Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

Passengers will also be able to enjoy a two-story casino, with one deck being exclusively non-smoking.

Two new restaurants will be added. 

A new immersive classic train restaurant will be added, Silk Routes at Royal Railway – Legend Station.

Diners will feel like they are on a classic train traveling across Asia and tracing Marco Polo's route. Every course will match a different region the train is passing through.

Hollywoodland Supper Club is a new fancy restaurant themed to the golden age of Hollywood.

Music of the 1940s and 1950s will be intertwined with a multi-course meal that is paired with a cocktail with each serving.

As someone that cruises a lot, I surprised myself when I realized it had been too long since my last Alaska cruise.

Alaska is one of those places that should be at the top of everyone's must-do cruise list because it's a beautiful destination and is arguably best seen by ship (rather than on land).

It's been four years since my last cruise to Alaska, and I truly was shocked how long it had been since I went. I think because I started cruising to Europe, the cruises requiring long haul flights were taken up.  Nonetheless, I was determined to go back.

I selected a 7-night roundtrip sailing on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas that departed from Vancouver and would take us to three Alaskan ports.

Here's why it was such a standout trip.

I saw beautiful scenery every day from my balcony.

I don't always book a balcony room on every cruise, but I made a point to have one for this trip.

There are plenty of places to see all the scenery around us from public areas on the ship, but having a balcony is a special experience.  This is especially true on glacier day.

Being able to step outside anytime I want and see mountains, waterfalls, and (hopefully) marine life is why the higher cost of a balcony is worth it for this type of sailing.

On the morning we visited Dawes Glacier, I sat outside with my coffee and watched as you traversed Endicott Arm. If I started feeling the chill, I could easily hop back inside and then watch from the comfort of my bed.

I was able to see eagles soaring from the comfort of my room, and then the approach to the glacier was incredible. It made the balcony cost worth immediately worth it.

The opportunity to see whales, seals, and eagles is unlike any other tour.

I visited three ports in Alaska: Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau, and there was no shortage of animals to see.

While I love experiencing the culture and learning about the history of places I visit elsewhere, seeing the big game wildlife in Alaska is unparalleled.

Excursions aren't cheap in Alaska, but I'm so glad we spent the money for a private boat tour of Sitka sound, where we got to see humpback whales, seals, sea otters, and grey whales.

My kids were enthralled by seeing these animals close-up, and it was the family bonding experience that made the price tag worth every penny.

Captain Patrick even kept us out late past our tour time because he wanted us to be able to see more whales.

In Juneau, we rented a Jeep and drove around to see various sights, including Mendenhall Glacier.

Even if my girls were there for the Instagram-worthy photos, I loved the memories we made along the way (including a stop at McDonalds because the french fries are "fire").

I booked a highly-rated tour in Ketchikan to visit waterfalls and see more marine life. Once again, the connection with animals is something you don't get in the Caribbean or Europe. 

I love the relaxed pace of an Alaska cruise.

Being on a smaller cruise ship and the fact we docked in almost every port in the afternoon meant we had slow starts to every day.

I'm so used to being on Caribbean sailings where there are a lot of early starts to get to the beach, or we're trying to squeeze in all the amazing things to do on Royal Caribbean's big ships. My family loved sleeping in and taking their time before it was time to head out.

There's no question there is a quieter atmosphere on an Alaska cruise, and that's largely because of the focus is on where you're going and what you can see outside.

Plus, the cooler weather outside limited the typical pool deck activities that you'd find in the tropics. 

It's clear people didn't book this cruise for a party like you'd find on a short Utopia of the Seas sailing. Instead, everyone seems to be all about what's happening outside.

We had amazing weather every day of our cruise.

You can't ever bet on the weather in Alaska, but we lucked out with how perfect the weather was every day of the sailing.

The only significant rain was on embarkation day in Vancouver.  After that, the sun was shining and there was barely any rain the rest of the voyage.

In fact, we visited Ketchikan and Prince Rupert, British Columbia, which are two places well-known for how much rain they receive. Prince Rupert Canada's "wettest city", while Ketchikan gets about 149 to 160 inches of rain per year. 

Both days were sunny for us, and it was very comfortable being outdoors to enjoy touring.

Even on our glacier visit, we got bursts of sunlight and very little ice to impede our approach to the glacier.

Since we were cruising in early June, temperatures barely got above 60 degrees on any day, but I relished every minute of it.  

As someone that lives in Florida and has to deal with seemingly never ending sweltering humidity, I was very happy to enjoy crisp and refreshing temperatures.

Alaska is notorious for how extreme the weather can change, but we had consistently beautiful conditions every day.

The time zone differences was the one big problem for me.

I don't know how all you west coasters can deal with being three and four hours behind east coast time, because I always felt like the world had passed us by.

The time difference meant trying to keep up with the news cycle was a real challenge.  I had to wake up every morning at 6am so I could not miss any news, which is a product of the fact I work from cruise ships.

I recognize not everyone is remotely working while on a Royal Caribbean ship, but the time difference was a challenge when talking with friends and family back home, as well as having time to watch sports.

Personally, it felt like I was always behind what was happening "in the real world", and it's the only reason I don't book more Alaska cruises.

Overall, cruising to Alaska was a bucket-list trip.

While it wasn't my first Alaska cruise, this voyage will easily be one of the best I've taken in a while.

It was so special to see glaciers, watch whales swim near us, and explore the Alaskan countryside. Plus, when we got to enjoy one of the most underrated cruise ships in the fleet.

Without a doubt, I loved this itinerary and mad at myself for not returning to Alaska sooner. I need to make sure my next trip out here isn't so many years away.

A cruise port visited by Royal Caribbean cruise ships every week has a new warning out for tourists.

The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 warning for The Bahamas on Monday, related to a popular activity.

The updated warning is about renting jet skis around The Bahamas, because there are "serious dangers" associated with doing so.

United States Ambassador Herschel Walker spoke in a recorded video about the issues with this activity, and why the government is now getting involved, "I need to warn you about some serious dangers associated with renting jet skis and small water craft, and swimming at beaches where jet skis and small water craft are being operated in shallow water."

Travel warnings should always be considered, especially when it pertains to safety.

Since Royal Caribbean ships visit The Bahamas on a near daily basis, here's what you should be aware of before booking shore excursions there.

A new warning about jet skis and being near jet skis

The U.S. Embassy issued a new warning to Americans about the "serious and ongoing dangers" of renting jet skis in The Bahamas.

Moreover, they want to urge caution about visiting the beaches around The Bahamas because of this danger.

First and foremost, Americans should be aware of the risks of operating or going on a jet ski ride while in The Bahamas due to the lack of enforcement of safety regulations in that country.

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau has received several reports of jet ski operators sexually assaulting U.S. citizen women, including two cases in 2026.

They outline a pattern of similar incidents in 2025 and 2024.

"Some victims reported that male jet ski operators sexually assaulted them after soliciting them for jet ski rides from the small islands just east of Paradise Island, downtown Nassau, and Paradise Island beaches. This includes the area from Junkanoo Beach to Saunders Beach and Cabbage Beach."

Victims say they were taken to an isolated island by jet ski and then assaulted there.

The other issue are accidents on jet skis.

In August 2025, a U.S. citizen riding a jet ski was killed after being struck by an unlicensed operator driving an unregistered boat off Paradise Island.  In 2024, 6 U.S. citizens were hospitalized with injuries from jet ski accidents.

In his video statement, Ambassador Walker pointed out issues specifically around Nassau and Paradise Island.

He called them "preventable accidents".

He also said the U.S. government is working with The Bahamian government to address the issues, but in the meantime, additional caution is needed.

Not the first warning about jet skis in The Bahamas

There have been similar warnings about jet skis and renting small boats in The Bahamas, but this warning is a new call to be vigilant.

In May 2025, the State Department warned of violent crime, swimming risks and firearm warnings.

The swimming risks overlap the new warning, advising Americans sexual assaults and beach safety.

"Never swim alone and beware of jet skis or other watercraft operating close to shore. Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert in public restrooms."

Royal Caribbean ships visit Nassau almost daily

There's a good chance if your Royal Caribbean cruise sails from the east coast of the United States, it's going to visit somewhere in The Bahamas.

The new warning is primarily aimed at someone that might rent a jet ski on their own, as opposed to through the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean sells jet ski rentals through licensed and insured operators that have been vetted by the cruise line.

In fact, the warning specifically mentions certain beaches where tourists will go on their own, such as Junkanoo Beach.

One cruise ship passenger was so disappointed in what their cruise ship room looked like compared to the website description, that they called it a "nightmare".

Reddit user bambledsoe complained in a post online that their room on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas was a "scam" because they felt it didn't qualify to be referred to as panoramic or a suite. 

They booked an Ocean View Panoramic Suite, but felt the room didn't measure up to what was advertised.

"If you book the fantastic sounding Ocean View Panoramic Suite on this boat, check what your stateroom is. If it’s 1892-1910, you may as well cancel it because those rooms don’t qualify for the last two words," they wrote.

"They are slightly bigger than the standard non-balcony exterior rooms, but not really anything advertised." 

They also complained because the room was underneath the sports court, they could hear basketball being played until midnight.

According to bambledsoe, they were initially offered 10% of their cruise fare back as a credit, but eventually got $1,000 in onboard credit.  Still, they are upset and considering a class action lawsuit.

Their experience is a good reminder of how important doing research is for booking a cruise.

Cruise ship rooms aren't like airplane seats

One major difference in booking travel on a cruise ship is how much personalization exists.

All cruise ships have four major categories of rooms: inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites.  But there are so many sub-categories of cabins and variations based on a ship's class and year it was built.

You can never fully rely on the marketing description provided on the cruise line's website as your primary basis of selecting one room or another.  Certainly the stock images that are used across all ships aren't trustworthy, as they only provide a generic idea of what to expect.

Moreover, the complaint about cabin noise is an easily avoidable problem, because I always recommend checking deck plans to book a room that has other rooms one deck above or below it.

Booking a room underneath a public venue is one of the top cruise mistakes that we hear about.

Look for photos and videos of your room online

Say what you will about social media, but it's incredibly helpful when it comes to sharing cruise ship cabin photos.

So many people have posted videos and photos of their rooms on Facebook and YouTube that there's a good chance you can find what your exact room looks like.  Or at least a room that's the same category from the same ship.

In addition, you can easily seek advice from others about a certain room online.

Many people will post on message boards, Facebook, or Reddit to ask for someone else's experience in a specific cabin.  Once again, you might be surprised how often this works.

A travel agent can help you pick the right room

I think if this person had worked with a good travel agent, they could have avoided this situation in the first place.

Travel agents that sell a lot of Royal Caribbean cruises are well versed in how to pick a cruise stateroom, and they know not to pick rooms under common areas, and which room types might be best.

"Working with a knowledgeable and experienced travel advisor is essential to avoid the classic examples of expecting one experience and actually getting another," is what Zach Glenn, a Travel Advisor with MEI Travel, told me about this situation.

Jenn Greene is one of MEI Travel top performing agents, and she leverages her own experience in helping clients pick a room, " I have access to deck plan maps, actual photos from ship tours and much more. Often times a stock photo or AI generated photo will not show the real stateroom."

When I asked her how she guides a new cruiser to a specific cabin, she asks questions to understand their needs first, "Do you want to be in a quiet location so you can relax? Do you want to be near all the action? When it comes to say an oceanview vs a balcony, I ask how important having their own outside space is on vacation. You cannot guide a client without knowing how they like to travel."

This wasn't a "nightmare", but an avoidable problem

With all due respect to bambledsoe, I think anyone who's worried about encountering a similar situation should focus on looking up cabin reviews and other shared experiences before booking.

Booking a hotel or seat on an airplane is far simpler because there are less variables involved. It speaks to why booking a cruise online hasn't taken off like other forms of travel.

Working with a good travel agent, checking deck plans, and looking up photos or videos online are easy ways to see what a room looks like before you book.

Ironically, their Reddit post could now be helpful for others to avoid such a room in the future.

I spent 7-nights on a Royal Caribbean cruise in a balcony cabin because I wanted to make it as convenient as possible to enjoy everything Alaska has to offer.

While I've sailed to Alaska before, this is still one of my all-time favorite places to visit around the world. My wife wanted to celebrate her milestone birthday returning here, so a balcony room made sense to upgrade to.

I picked a balcony room on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas in cabin 7658, which has an added bonus that most other balcony rooms do not have. The cost of the room was $3458.50 for two people, including gratuities, taxes, fees, and port expenses.

This category 4D stateroom on deck 7 comes with double the balcony space, compared to a standard balcony.  

Here's a look around this room and why having a balcony on an Alaska cruise is worth it.

The balcony measures 41 square feet, which is perfect for families.

I've cruised over 100 times and stayed in plenty of balcony rooms, so when I see an extra large balcony, it stands out immediately.

Located towards the back of the ship, these category 4D cabins have an extended balcony that provides 41 square feet of space instead of 20.

There's room for two chairs and a table, but you could easily fit sun loungers in the space.

Having a private balcony like this meant we had lots of room to conveniently go outside anytime we wanted to go whale watching or enjoy the scenery passing by.

The problem with this balcony is there's no privacy

While the extra balcony space is fantastic, it comes at the cost of privacy.

The extra space doesn't have full walls. This is good for being able to see what's around you, but you can very easily see into everyone else's balcony and they can see into yours.

With a regular balcony, the walls provide enough privacy that you can feel like the area is just for you without prying eyes.

This is less about wanting to be naked on my balcony or anything like that. Rather, you feel like you're being watched by neighbors and it's a psychological discomfort. Moreover, we needed to be mindful of keeping the blinds drawn when we needed privacy inside the room.

I'd also add the odor of unruly passengers smoking on their balcony seemed to be more noticeable.

My large balcony was the perfect space for our glacier day.

If you ever question the high balcony cost on an Alaskan cruise, you will instantly forget about it when you sail near a glacier.

Our itinerary replaced Tracy Arm fjord with Endicott Arm fjord because of a rockslide issue. Nonetheless, we had a front row seat to an amazing displace of an ice age relic.

Serenade of the Seas slowly sailed into the fjord, providing views of water falls, seals, mountains, and more. 

Beginning at 6am, I put on my heavy hoodie and sat outside to enjoy unfettered views.  While other passengers had to find a spot on a public deck, I was able to enjoy my balcony.

The advantage of this particular room was it allowed my entire family and even some friends to join us on the balcony.  The extra space was fantastic.

Our stateroom had a giant closet, which gave us plenty of space to store our belongings.

Despite the room being fairly small, I was impressed by how much storage space there was.

Walking into the room, there is a large closet with two doors. There are shelves and hangers, which could easily store all the belongings my wife and I had.

In addition, there are drawers below the vanity.  

Once we stowed our belongings and put our empty suitcases under the bed, the room didn't feel as small.

The king size bed was positioned next to the balcony door for convenient viewings.

Royal Caribbean staterooms alternate between having the bed near the balcony, or the couch near the balcony.  Luckily, this room had the bed next to the balcony.

The beds can be split apart or left together to form a king sized bed.

The advantage of this room configuration is you can be in bed and look outside to see what's passing by.

Another nice benefit was Royal Caribbean added extra power and USB outlets near the bed because this ship was used for a world cruise a couple of years ago. 

In order to prep the ship for passengers that would spend months in the room, Royal Caribbean added much-needed upgrades around the ship.

The bathroom was tiny, but it had an important shower upgrade.

Unlike other Radiance Class ships, the shower was upgraded in two important places.

There are no clingy shower curtains here, as they were replaced with a plastic enclosure.  

In addition, the shower head is newer, which helps spread the water spray more evenly.

Compared to the cabin I had on Radiance of the Seas last month, this felt like a big improvement.

Balconies cost more than inside rooms, but I can see why they're worth it in Alaska.

I may have paid more to stay in a balcony instead of an inside room, but the views we had made it worth every penny.

We were lucky the weather was so cooperative, because it made it far more inviting to spend time on the balcony.

I didn't love the lack of privacy because of the balcony layout, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the space at all. A standard balcony might have felt more private, but the extra space was more important.

The outdoor space was very comfortably and is a great choice for any itinerary where you will likely spend more time outdoors.