I've taken a few cruises on Celebrity Cruises and found policies and ideas that Royal Caribbean is missing out on.

Every cruise line has its plusses and minuses, including my beloved Royal Caribbean.  

Among the cruise lines, there seems to be a gamesmanship of trying to out do each other.  But since Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are owned by the same company, why reinvent the wheel?

I'm not advocating both lines operate exactly the same, but when there's a good idea, it's a good idea for both. After all, Celebrity ships visit Royal Caribbean's private destinations and beach clubs openly.

I came up with five ideas I think Royal Caribbean should copy from Celebrity Cruises immediately.

Passengers can drop their luggage off in their cabins before rooms are ready

The first time I took a Celebrity Cruise, I thought it was incredible that you could drop off your bags, cans of soda, or anything else you carried on in your stateroom before they're officially ready.

Like Royal Caribbean, cabins are not ready on embarkation day for you to use until the early afternoon. The difference is on Celebrity, you can stop by to drop anything you want off. 

This takes away a major pain point of boarding day, because rooms aren't usually ready until 1pm. Until then, you have to carry backpacks, strollers, and other knick-knacks around. For families, this is a big problem.

Heck, you could bring your luggage on the ship yourself too and avoid having to wait for the bags to be delivered later.

Keeping part of the buffet open late

I think Royal Caribbean has always lacked compelling late night food options that go beyond pizza.

On Celebrity, they keep one section of their buffet at Oceanview Cafe open much later after the rest of the buffet closes.

Part of the reason Celebrity does this is their late night pizza is located in Oceanview Cafe, so the venue is already open anyway.  However, you'll also find pastas, salad, and a few other options.

To Royal Caribbean's credit, adding the Aquadome Market and keeping that open until midnight is a worthy alternative. But that's only available on Icon Class ships.

Making the casino completely non-smoking

Both Celebrity Cruises and Silversea have completely non-smoking casinos, and Royal Caribbean should finally make that change too.

I admit, as a non-smoker, this is something that directly benefits me.  But given how much more space Royal Caribbean has given to building out non-smoking casino space, clearly there's a demand.

Today, Royal Caribbean's casinos are split into a smoking and non-smoking side. As you might imagine, the smoke (and odor) doesn't obey the dividing line.

Back in 2022, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley said they saw a drop in casino business whenever they experimented with a non-smoking casino. I could be wrong, but I've not seen the line run another experiment since a temporary Covid restriction in 2021.

I think attitudes about smoking have changed a lot, and if they're willing to expand the casinos to offer more non-smoking space, that's a sign there's a lot of demand for that. I think it's time to rip the band aid off and copy Celebrity's lead.

A more full service cafe like Cafe al Bacio

Sometimes a small change makes a big difference, and Cafe al Bacio is a great example.

The genius of Cafe al Bacio on Celebrity is the service that comes with it.  You can get your own coffee at the bar, or take a seat and have someone bring it to you.

That might not sound like a big deal, but it really adds to making the venue feel like a coffee house vibe.  And I'm willing to bet I'll spend more on coffee if someone is offering to bring me another.

Pearl Cafe on the Icon Class ships is certainly a major step up from Cafe Promenade, but I'd love to see it go full service.

I love the theater design from the Edge Class ships

When I went on Celebrity Ascent, I was very impressed by how much the stage design contributed to making a regular musical revue show better.

First, the stage is more circular than a traditional stage, allowing the audience to surround it.  That adds a different dimension to the show, as you feel more immersed.

Second, there's an amazing LED screen behind the stage that does a better job of storytelling than lasers and lights ever could.

I really think this makes a typical cruise ship show of singing and dancing stand out more.

You don't have to check out towels

On Celebrity, pool towels are given out without having scan your Seapass card and it's so much better.

On Royal Caribbean, you have to scan the towels out, and then back in or face a $25 fee.

I get that they want towels to be brought back and not left all over, but it's one of those policies that seems to cause more problems than it solves.  Not only is having to scan towels in and out cumbersome, but there's been a real problem with incorrectly being charged for towels after the cruise is over.

Royal Caribbean has renamed the main areas of its private beach club in The Bahamas.

Since opening in December 2025, Royal Caribbean has quietly made small tweaks to improve the guest experience at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island.

This is the cruise line's private beach option in Nassau, Bahamas where cruisers can choose to purchase admission to it.

The latest change is to rename the key areas of the club.

It appears the name changes are more a reflection of how they're being used by guests, rather than a fundamental change in what's being offered.

Adjusting to match the experience

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first of four beach clubs that will open by 2027, and the cruise line isn't afraid to make tweaks.

The change is reflected in the names of each beach going forward: Chill, Party and Paradise.

Family Beach is being renamed to Chill Beach, and Royal Caribbean is making the change because they want the area to be welcoming to all. A "family" area might sound like it's just for kids, and preclude someone from even going there.

As a result, the area formerly known as Family Beach will swap names to Chill Beach.

The new Chill Beach has a zero-entry pool, beach games, and more. In addition, family-focused activities including Captain Cool, beach games and pool games will continue to take place at Chill Beach (previously Family Beach)

The original Chill Beach will now be called Paradise Beach, as a way to reflect its location.

Signs around Royal Beach Club will be updated very soon to reflect the name changes.

Cabana name changes too

Since the zones are changing names, some cabanas are too.

Prior to the official name change news breaking, guests received emails from Royal Caribbean informing them that their cabana rental has changed in name only. The locations and amenities remain unchanged.

"We have a small update to share," an email to guests read. "Your Beach Cabana (Family Beach) is now called the Beach Cabana (Chill Beach)."

"That’s the only change—everything else about your reservation remains exactly the same."

Why Royal Caribbean likely made the change

Labels can make or break someone's decision how they spend their day at the beach club, and I think Royal Caribbean wants to make sure any assumptions are correct.

Simpler, more intuitive naming is a good idea for first-time visitors. And it doesn't create any pre-conceived notions about if a certain area should be avoided.

I think "family beach" may have kept some visitors from even going over to see the area because they believed it was just for kids.

In truth, the area formerly known as Family Beach was massive, especially the beach area. It was quite possible to get away from the crowds there.

Remember, each zone is just a starting point

Despite the names, you can go to any of the zones with or without kids.  Royal Caribbean likes to use colorful names to make it easy to distinguish.

Party Cove is where you'll find the DJ playing party music and a pool party vibe. Kids are welcome to join in.

Similarly, the new Chill Beach has more for young kids with a zero-entry pool. But it's also one of the largest beaches.

Basically, the names are primarily a general motif and not immersive.

Guest feedback is like gold to Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean places a high value on guest feedback about any of their products, but new ones get even more attention.

Every passenger that visits Royal Beach Club gets a post-visit email survey link, where they have the chance to rate just about everything offered.  Plus, there is an opportunity to enter suggestions or general feedback in text form.

They then aggregate the surveys to look for patterns, and potentially, a policy change.

Royal Caribbean even holds focus groups from time to time to ask more specific questions of cruisers.

Everyone says to join a cruise Facebook group. I wish I hadn't.

I love sharing information, meeting new people, and staying informed, but I stopped joining Facebook groups for my sailings.

As groups have risen in popularity, so have the problems.  What used to be infrequent annoyances have become far more commonplace, and it's the sort of things that turn me off from bothering to go about it.

I cruise a monthly basis, so I run across lots of groups. If I'm on a big ship, it's not uncommon for there to be hundreds of people in there.

I hate to paint with a wide brush, because there are lots of people who use Facebook to learn from others, share their own experiences, and generally help get excited about an awesome vacation that's coming up.

The drama, misinformation, and spam are why I don't recommend joining Facebook groups anymore for a cruise.

Know-it-alls, judging others, and drama is a big turnoff

Squabbles over silly issues usually crop up, even before the cruise begins.

A simple question about dress codes, where to find information, or other "cruise 101" posts conjure up responses that are plain nasty.

While the correct answer usually gets shared, it's mired with trolling messages and personal attacks.  Some people get annoyed anyone would ask a question that cannot be searched on Google first.  

Then there are the sarcastic and joke responses.  The people writing it think they're funny, but humor doesn't travel well in written form without being able to hear the inflection. That results in nasty comments back (because they think they're being attacked), or even someone thinking the joke response is the correct answer.

My personal pet peeve are the "weather pearl clutchers". These are the people that look at a 21 day weather forecast and start freaking out because there's any chance of rain. They bring the doom and gloom and bring down the vibe quickly.

All of it bogs down the usefulness of being in a Facebook group, and all it takes is one bored person to quickly set the wrong tone for everyone.

Some travel agents use Facebook groups to drum up business

The amount of unsolicited sales pitches in Facebook groups is a quickly growing problem.

Some travel agents will create a group as a means of gathering potential future sales leads. They lock down sharing links that might conflict with their own business interests, and share lots of posts offering to book future cruises.

I have no problem with someone marketing themselves and trying to grow their business, but a Facebook group that passes itself off as a place for everyone to meet isn't the place for that. 

Absentee group admins foster chaos

If a travel agent that rules their group with an iron fist is bad, a group with no admin at the helm is even worse.

Facebook has a bad spam problem, and if you start a public group for a sailing, you can start a countdown on an egg timer before someone will post advertising a taxi service, shore excursion in Roatan, or t-shirts to buy.

Beyond the spam, arguments grow out of control and problem makers are left unchecked.

Misinformation spreads fast, and it's tiring to try to help

Even if there's a benevolent group admin that does a good job at rooting out the worst offenders, incorrect info can still run wild.

On a recent sailing, someone asked which cruise terminal we were boarding from in San Juan, Puerto Rico and I saw a couple of people insisting it was the wrong port.

I certainly don't want to go into any group and try to correct everyone. And I don't think anyone wants to be "that guy" that responds to every post and risks being seen as annoying or a know-it-all.

On the one hand, I hate to see people lead astray with the wrong info. But on the other hand, I have no interest in trying to correct everyone, especially people that think they're providing the right answer.

This is especially true of dress codes, because they're quite subjective and open for interpretation.  Royal Caribbean doesn't really enforce dress codes much, so the result is a wide gap in personal preference.

One of the top reasons people book a cruise ship vacation is to explore the destinations it visits, but no one wants to book a tour that leaves you disappointed.

I asked our readers for what shore excursions they booked and instantly regretted, and I was surprised the general consensus wasn't one specific excursion, but a type of tour. 

We had over 500 responses to my question in just a few days. What surprised me wasn't just how many people had regrets, but how often they came from the excursions that seemed like the safest choices.

Large sightseeing tours were by far the most commonly mentioned kind of cruise excursion that were filled with regret.

On paper, these tours sounded like a sure thing.  But after taking them, the reality was many tours were the type cruisers wish they could do over.

Here is why this type of cruise ship shore excursion was lackluster, and the other tours our readers say they'd never book again.

City tours and long bus tours

The shore excursion most people regretted the most were bus tours, and it wasn't even close to the rest.

An excursion that takes you around a city seems like a safe and easy way to see a destination. In reality, many cruisers said they felt like they spent most of their port day staring out a bus window instead of actually experiencing anything.

• "We sat on a bus for hours and barely got out."
• "It was basically a drive-by tour with a few photo stops."
• "Felt like we saw everything… but experienced nothing."
• "Too much talking, not enough doing."

I've experienced this sort of regret too when I took a bus tour around a fjord in Norway. I wanted my family to see them, but so much of the tour is on the bus, with little outdoor time.

Our readers felt the same way, because a big frustration was how little time people actually had off the bus. Stops were often rushed, with just enough time for a quick photo before moving on.

• "Every stop felt rushed... like ‘take your picture and get back on.'"
• "We had 15 minutes here, 20 minutes there… it wasn’t relaxing at all."

Other issues with a bus tour can be the guide, and how easy it is (or not) to understand them. Or how knowledgeable they are of what you're seeing.

• "The guide talked nonstop, but none of it was memorable."
• "Half the time I couldn’t even hear what they were saying."

Ultimately, the issue with a bus tour is it feels like most of the time is spent in transit, rather than experiencing something. 

Our readers lamented that it left them like they wasted port time.

I recommend doing research before your visit to any port and honing in on an activity, place, or major sight.  Hop in a taxi, walk there, or book an excursion that only visits that place.

If you want to experience more of a destination rather than feel like you sat on a bus, you could hire a private driver or small group tour.  Because these excursions have less people, you can be more nimble and customize the experience.

Overcrowded and underwhelming beaches

The second most-mentioned regret was going to the beach, but this was more about one simple issue: expectation vs reality.

The complaint isn't against all beaches. Rather, a beach that didn't match up to expectations. People booked beach excursions expecting a pristine, relaxing escape, but what they got instead often felt crowded, expensive, and underwhelming.

• "It was packed—chairs right on top of each other."
• "Not worth what we paid at all."
• "I could’ve gone to a public beach for a fraction of the price."
• "Didn’t look anything like the photos."

Crowding was a major theme, especially at popular beach clubs tied to cruise traffic.

Tours that include a beach break will often end up at beaches that cater to cruise ship excursions because they have a large facility. 

• "Way too many people for the space."
• "Felt more like a resort pool deck than a beach day."

I've been to a few of these types of beaches, such as one in Jamaica that I would have volunteered to return to the ship within five minutes of arriving had that been an option.

When service and amenities don't live up to the marketing, it feels like you've been bamboozled.  It's one thing if you get sunburnt, drink too much, or have an annoying uncle with you.  But it's another when it feels like your day never had a chance to be fun.

The good news is beaches are easy to do on your own without an organized tour. You can easily search for the best beaches in any port your ship visits, and find lots of good recommendations.  

I would also look for reviews that speak to the location, exclusivity, or service components.  Find one that has exactly the vibe you're looking for.

Snorkeling photos look great, but the experience doesn't match the hype

Snorkeling tours was repeated a number of times, and it's primarily because the the idea sounded better than what they experienced.

Snorkeling can be very rewarding, but if it's too crowded or the weather doesn't cooperate, then it's lackluster.

• "The water was murky. You couldn’t see anything."
• "Too many people in the water at once."
• "We were all kicking each other trying to see fish."

Another issue is someone brand new might struggle to get the hang of how to properly snorkel.

• "I didn’t realize how hard snorkeling would be."
• "Spent more time trying to breathe than enjoying it."

Weather conditions are a major factor, and that's not the fault of the tour operator. A good snorkeling excursion relies on group size and instructors that can help everyone, even if they're brand new.

A small-group snorkel tour might be a good idea for minimizing those risks.  Also, if you can practice before the tour so breathing through a mask doesn't feel so foreign, that would help a lot.

Swimming with dolphins is expensive and overproduced

Dolphin swims are controversial, and also underwhelming for many readers.

Many cruisers said the experience felt overpriced and underwhelming. Dolphin encounters are usually a group event that involves very little individual time with the animal.

• "It was over so fast."
• "You spend more time waiting than actually with the dolphins."

A common complaint was how structured and limited the interaction felt.

• It felt very staged... like you’re just moving through a line."
• "You get your photo, your quick interaction, and that’s it."

Another issue is the ethical concerns of these tours.

• "It didn’t feel right once I saw the conditions."
• "After doing it, I wouldn’t do it again because of how the dolphins are kept."

I've never liked the idea of a dolphin encounter in a caged environment, so if you want to see marine life, I recommend booking a viewing tour of some kind in the open ocean.  You won't get a selfie with them, but it's best for both of you.

Glass-bottom boat tours sound so much more fun than they really are

Just like bus tours, taking a glass-bottom boat ride sounds great in theory, but rarely matches up.

The problem with this kind of a tour is how little you actually see.

• "The water wasn’t clear enough to see anything."
• "We were all squinting trying to spot something."
• "Definitely not what the brochure made it look like."

Like other tours on this list, the boats were crowded.  So when you add a small viewing area, that's a recipe for frustration.

For many, it ended up feeling like a passive, underwhelming ride.

There's so much luck involved with a glass-bottom boat ride in terms of the chances your boat passes over something interesting (or something interesting passes under your boat).  I'd much rather take my chances snorkeling.

Royal Caribbean got a lot of attention when it announced it would offer a 3-story treehouse suite on its new cruise ship, and the price is just as eye-opening.

Cruise fares for Hero of the Seas went on sale today and the Ultimate Family Treehouse suite is well over $200,000 for a week.

The fourth Icon Class ship was revealed earlier this week, and will introduce a number of firsts.

The triple-deck Ultimate Family Treehouse suite is new, as is an immersive train car dining experience, an expanded adults-only area, two new family raft slides, and a New Orleans-themed supper club.

The changes are part the next phase of the Icon Class ships, which will introduce the most significant changes to the Icon Class since the launch of the first ship in 2024.

The Ultimate Family Treehouse suite is not only new, but comes with an equally high price tag.

What's special about the Ultimate Family Treehouse suite?

This $200,000 treehouse suite might be Royal Caribbean's wildest cabin yet.

Designers wanted it to be the ultimate family living space with great spaces to hang out, great spaces to watch movies, and gorgeous views of the ocean.

It has a private whirlpool and sweeping ocean views. Two main bedrooms each include their own bathroom and balcony. Plus, a two-story hideout with game room, spiral staircase, and more.

Two of the floors will be for teens, with two main bedrooms, ensuites, and balconies.

• Space for up to 12 guests
• Three decks, including a rooftop terrace
• Private whirlpool and lounge area
• Outdoor kitchen for al fresco dining
• Game room hangout

There's only one of these suites on Hero of the Seas.

How much does the Ultimate Family Treehouse cost?

Royal Caribbean opened bookings for Hero of the Seas on Wednesday, and not unexpectedly, the Treehouse suite is expensive.

The cruise line uses dynamic pricing, so the cost differs from sailing to sailing, but here's a quick look at a few example prices:

Ultimate Family Treehouse prices per person (double occupancy)

• August 14, 2027: $112,246.86
• August 21, 2027: $90,223.21
• August 28, 2027: $90,223.21
• November 20, 2027: $114,494.43
• December 23, 2027: $105,877.98
• December 30, 2027: $187,660.14

The highest prices that cost well over $200,000 for two people are for holiday cruises and the first full sailing.

Despite the cost, this suite is already booked up on certain sailings. For example, the December 30th (New Years Eve) cruise is listed as having the suite sold.

There are somewhat lower prices if you're willing to sail during the shoulder season.

• September 11, 2027: $47,142.71
• October 9, 2027: $48,612.71
• November 27, 2027: $46,310.20
• December 11, 2027: $44,820.20

On Reddit, there was a mix of disbelief, shock, and thought provoking commentary.

"They wouldn’t keep building them if they didn’t sell," said one person. "Yeah I’ll never be able to afford it, but it’s still interesting to me," added another.

For comparison, the Ultimate Family Townhouse is also available on Hero of the Seas and costs a bit less.

This mega suite has an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to the Surfside area.

This cabin is a 1,772-square-foot space that is also three decks high, and sleeps up to eight people.

• August 14, 2027: $68,346.86
• August 21, 2027: $62,466.21
• August 28, 2027: $43,782.71
• November 20, 2027: $48,853.43
• December 23, 2027: $72,868.98
• December 30, 2027: $79,905.64

A record breaking new ship

Hero of the Seas will have nine swimming pools, the most we've seen on a cruise ship to date.

In fact, Royal Caribbean is adding a new pool, Coconut Cove, and expanding the Hideaway to have a second pool.

The ship's waterpark is getting a new family raft slide, as well as extending the ride duration of the other slides. The kid-friendly waterpark Splashaway Bay will have new features too.

Plenty of thrills are returning from the other Icon Class ships, such as skywalk-zip line Crown's Edge experience, Flowrider surf simulator, golf courses and rock climbing walls.

The sailings will include seven night sailings from Miami from August 2027, including stays at the private Perfect Day at CocoCay island.

Bookings are open now for Hero of the Seas.

Demolition at Royal Caribbean's new private destination in Mexico is now cleared to move forward following court rulings that lifted earlier injunctions.

On March 27, a hearing was held regarding the injunction, with the Mexican judge granting Royal Caribbean a suspension against the closure carried out by Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA), the federal agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws and regulations, in January.

Earlier this year, PROFEPA halted demolition at one of three sites after inspectors found "landfilling and compaction activities on a dirt road in a low-lying coastal jungle area with mangroves, as well as demolition and debris removal, all without the required environmental impact authorization from the competent federal authority." 

(Credit: Francisco Javier Hernández / Facebook)

The provisional suspension was issued after environmental activists raised concerns about the large-scale project, claiming that Mahahual's drainage and sewage management problems could be worsened by the proposed water park. There was a debate over whether Perfect Day Mexico could damage the nearby mangroves, too. 

However, despite the environmental concerns, the judge ruled in Royal Caribbean’s favor, demolition work of dilapidated structures on the port the brand now owns to continue, a local news outlet reported.

(Credit: Francisco Javier Hernández / Facebook)

While critics argue that this ruling places corporate policies and economic interests above community and environmental protection, Royal Caribbean has made it clear that it cares about the environment and will do what it can to safeguard mangrove areas, coastal ecosystems, and local wildlife. 

Royal Caribbean has consistently said it plans to follow all regulatory requirements and minimize environmental impact as the project moves forward.

For example, when questioned about the project by El Financiero last year, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, said, "We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area," adding that the mangroves are already dying due to pollution from the municipal water treatment plant.

The company has also said it is committed to transparency and compliance with Mexican regulations as the legal process unfolds.

Why this matters

A project as ambitious as Perfect Day Mexico was bound to get the attention of a lot of people, and developing projects anywhere has its challenges.

On the surface, cruise fans can look forward to the eventual opening of a massive new private destination experience that builds upon the tremendous success of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Just as important is this legal maneuver proves how committed Royal Caribbean is to improving the local community around Mahaual and protecting the environment.

Just last week, the company announced plans to build a new, state-of-the-art solid waste management facility in the area. This is an example of a win-win opportunity for company and community.

The current trash management that serves the area is less than ideal, and Royal Caribbean needs something more robust to support building Perfect Day Mexico.  Significantly strengthening local waste infrastructure in Mahahual not only gets them what they need, but ensures the people living in the community have access to it too.

The new solid waste facility will incorporate advanced sorting technologies, closed-loop processing systems, high-efficiency material recovery solutions, and best-in-class environmental controls, enabling more efficient waste handling, resource recovery, and reduced reliance on landfills.

Plus, they're working with Maritime Procurement Services (MPS), which is a local company and that boosts the economy there.

In October, Royal Caribbean announced plans to clean up the mangroves in the area because for years, the coastal wetlands have been used to discharge wastewater from the municipal treatment plant.

According to Mr. Schneider, the antiquated sewer plant was leaking into the surrounding mangrove ecosystem, contaminating both the mangroves and the beach adjacent to the cruise ship pier.

In turn, Royal Caribbean will build their own reverse osmosis system to provide drinking water as well as a treatment plant to clean up the area, which will later be transferred to the municipal government to serve the entire community.

Royal Caribbean announced plans for Hero of the Seas to launch in 2027, but I found a few tidbits about this ship that will make it different from other cruise ships.

Every new ship is always a bit different from the previous ones. Even when they're the same class, Royal Caribbean takes every opportunity to refine and improve a ship.  They capture so much guest feedback that their product development team seeks to improve ships going forward.

The cruise line has already marketed the major changes coming to Hero: an expanded adults-only area, two new family raft slides, and a New Orleans-themed supper club. Plus, it will introduce an immersive train car dining experience and a two-deck Ultimate Family Treehouse suite.

However, if you didn't dig through every piece of news released, there are a couple of tidbits I discovered about Hero of the Seas worth sharing too.

According to Jennifer Goswami, Senior Director of Product Development, Hero of the Seas, "marks the beginning of the next phase of the Icon Class". With that in mind, changes are abound.

Swim & Tonic will be larger

Since the launch of Icon of the Seas, these ships have been focused on providing a connection to the water.  This includes pool access.

The Swim & Tonic pool has easily been one of the most popular ideas, and it will be bigger on Hero of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean says they will expand its footprint to be "refreshed and 30% larger". That means more space to be in the water and enjoying the bar experience.

As one of the adults-only areas on the ship, the Swim & Tonic is far less loud than The Hideaway.  On Hero, that area will also get an upgrade with a second pool that will have a DJ booth.

It's clear with both changes, Royal Caribbean wants more guests to be able to enjoy either venue by expanding the pool space.

Longer length water slides

Another example of listening to guest feedback is in the water slides.

Category 6 waterpark on Hero of the Seas will add the first-ever funnel raft slide at sea. But the other slides are getting changes too.

"Our guests are so happy with this water park," Ms. Goswami explained "The only thing they told us is they wish they were there longer."

"So, we've switched out some of our raft slides to make sure that the time that guests are on the ride is now longer and is even more thrilling."

Not only do we get a new slide, but we're also getting more time on the slides.

Food hall will no longer be cuisine specific

Aquadome Market quickly became my favorite included restaurant, and it's going to change for the better on Hero.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza revealed that while the Aquadome Market will have new food cuisine choices on Hero, they'll periodically change.

"We will always debut with five really well- tested concepts, but we're also going to design the stalls to no longer be so specific to a cuisine so that we can start to bring in different ideas and test it with guests as time goes on," he said.

This means when Hero of the Seas starts sailing, it will start with four new stall concepts, plus desserts at Crème de la Crêpe and freshly squeezed juices at Simply Pressed.

Later, we could see the stalls swap out cuisines for something new.

Personally, I'd love to see a food and wine, or rotating showcase of food from various countries.   

A better outdoor Chops Grille experience

Restaurants in Central Park offer indoor and outdoor seating, but if it's humid or rainy, then sitting outside isn't so great.

That's why Royal Caribbean will introduce new climatized outdoor seating at Chops Grille.

We don't have specifics yet, but it's likely this means enclosing the outdoor seating to offer not only protection from rain, but potentially also air conditioning. That would be a helpful change for a ship that will be sailing around the Caribbean.

Ultimate Family Treehouse will replace a different suite?

Deck plans aren't available yet as of the publishing of this article, but it looks like the new Ultimate Family Treehouse will take the place of where the Royal Loft Suite is located on the first three Icon Class ships. Don't worry, the Royal Loft Suite is being moved to another location.

Initially, I assumed it would replace the Ultimate Family Townhouse.  However, the renderings we've seen clearly show the Treehouse in the location that the Royal Loft Suite is located on other Icon Class ships.

This new type of stateroom is three decks high, and has a rooftop terrace, private whirlpool and dedicated teen space spanning two decks.

It sleeps up to 12 people.

Royal Caribbean Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider thinks it will be "designed for families with younger children, but really meant to be the ultimate family hangout."

Royal Caribbean is about to roll out two new credit cards that that are going to be offer more incentives to consumers.

For the first time, the company is introducing a single credit card that works across all three of its cruise brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. The new cards, called Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus, are part of a bigger push the company has had to build customer loyalty.

Instead of earning rewards tied to just one cruise line, this new program is designed to let you earn and redeem across all of them.

The cards are expected to launch in the coming weeks, although an exact date hasn’t been announced yet.

Here's what has been announced and what you can expect with the new cards.

The first tri-branded cruise credit card

Not only is there a new credit card, but it's different how you can use it to redeem rewards.

Instead of being locked into just Royal Caribbean rewards, you'll be able to earn points whether you’re sailing on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea,  and then use those points across any of those brands.

The company says their goal is to make make rewards more flexible and easier to use as guests move between different lines. This is important given the recent changes to loyalty programs to make earning points between the lines easier.

It further reduces being siloed by brand. Instead, you can mix and match which cruise line you sail on and how you redeem your points.

This new card is designed to follow how people actually cruise today.

There's no word yet when you start applying for the card.  Current cardholders will receive the new terms and conditions and then begin the conversion process automatically. 

Two cards are launching

Royal Caribbean is launching two versions of the card to provide a choice in how they opt to travel.

Royal ONE (no annual fee)

The base version of the card comes with no annual fee and focuses on straightforward rewards:

• 3X points on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea
• 2X points on groceries, gas, and EV charging
• 1X point on all other purchases

It also includes a few travel perks, such as:

• Priority boarding on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises
• A $100 anniversary reward after qualifying spend
• No foreign transaction fees

This version is clearly aimed at casual cruisers who want to earn rewards without paying a yearly fee.

Royal ONE Plus ($99 annual fee)

The upgraded version of the card adds more earning power and additional perks, especially for frequent cruisers.

• 4X points on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea
• 2X points on groceries, gas, EV charging, plus air, hotel, and dining
• 1X point on all other purchases

Extra benefits include:

• Priority suite boarding across all three brands
• Priority luggage handling (Royal Caribbean and Celebrity)
• A $200 anniversary reward after qualifying spend
• A $120 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit every four years
• No foreign transaction fees

This card carries an annual fee, but it also has more perks and you can earn points more quickly to help justify it.  I think it's aimed at people that love to cruise already and who travel often enough to justify the annual fee.

Here are a few other important differences about these cards:

• The anniversary reward is recurring each year
• Points don't expire
• The old card has a maximum cap on points, but the new card doesn't
• The minimum point redemption will move from 1,000 to 5,000 points

Better rewards

Another improvement over the current credit card is what you convert your points into as you sail.

Points earned with the Royal ONE cards can be used for cruise fare discounts or onboard credits that can be redeemed for:

• Shore excursions
• Beverage packages
• Specialty dining
• Wi-Fi packages
• Onboard experiences

That flexibility is key. It aligns the credit card more closely with how people actually spend money on a cruise. They want rewards that save them money on how they already like to cruise.

What happens to the current Royal Caribbean credit card

If you already have the existing Royal Caribbean credit card, you won't be left behind.

Royal Caribbean Group says current cardholders will be automatically converted to the new Royal ONE card. From there, they’ll have the option to upgrade to the Royal ONE Plus version if they want the additional perks.

Is the new Royal Caribbean Royal ONE card worth it?

Ever since Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty mentioned a new credit card was in the works, plans are revolved around the idea of offering more to loyal cruisers.

When asked about the Royal Caribbean credit card during an earnings call, he said they were working on something better.

"We do have a co-branded credit card. It is tied today to our loyalty program, but not in the way that fits our ambition."

That ambition is evident in how this credit card offers more incentives than before, and it's part of a larger journey of empowering loyal cruisers.

Royal Caribbean Group introduced status matching in 2024, and then added Points Choice so you could earn points no matter which cruise line you sailed on. 

The credit card is the third step, because now you can earn credit card points and not be limited if you use them for a Royal Caribbean, Silversea, or Celebrity Cruise.  And whichever line you choose, you can earn points for that sailing back in the loyalty program of your choice.

That kind of flexibility didn’t exist before in this way.

"I think people want to be recognized," Mr. Liberty explained. "They and not just recognized for their spend today, but recognized for all that they have done in the past."

"And then we need to make sure we're creating an environment across our brands to make sure that in their lifetime of vacation, we have the right vacation experience that is relevant to them, and that they're benefiting from continuing to stay inside our ecosystem."

Both of these cards were made for those who love cruising and sail on Royal Caribbean brand ships pretty much every year.

That's because the reward earning potential is so much higher for booking a cruise and using the card to pay for any extras.

The Royal ONE Plus card certainly is best for anyone that cruises more than once a year, and the annual fee is negated by the $200 anniversary reward (with qualifying spend).

I think the genius of this card is you can earn points and then later decide if you want to redeem the points towards any one of the Royal Caribbean Group brands. That flexibility offers more freedom in how you can jump between lines more easily than in the past.

Of course, for those who don't foresee a cruise vacation in their future or are more immersed in the world of credit card rewards, it may not make sense to add this card to their wallet.

Royal Caribbean is making its next Icon Class ship bigger and bolder, with some serious new changes.

Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon Class ship, will set sail from Miami in August 2027, the cruise line announced on Monday. This will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when she debuts and offer new activities and experiences.

One takeaway from the early announcement is Royal Caribbean wants to offer even more to families to experience together.  While the majority of the ship is similar to other Icon Class ships, the big changes speak to the family cruise vacation.

"With more water, more thrills and more choices for all ages, we’re continuing to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and delivering the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together," said the line's CEO Michael Bayley.

Here’s what guests can expect.

When will Hero of the Seas debut?

The ship will launch in August 2027.

Its homeport will be Miami, Florida.

Bookings open on April 1. 

Royal Caribbean says Crown and Anchor members can book on April 1 and the public can do so on April 2, but it's been our experience bookings are available for everyone on April 1st. The difference is bookings get publicized on April 2nd.

What's new coming to Hero of the Seas?

More pools, with a shift towards lounging

Royal Caribbean is never content with rolling out copies of its ships. They look for opportunities to improve and push forward.

Hero of the Seas will lean more into the "resort at sea" vibe. Don't worry, there's plenty of thrills too.

There will be 9 pools in total, making it the ship with the most at sea.  But the real change is how these pools will be used.

A new pool concept will be Coconut Cove, that has in-water loungers and chill Caribbean bar energy.

The Hideaway (adults-only area) is being upgraded to have a second pool.  Plus, it will have the largest swim-up bar at sea and an in-water DJ booth.

The waterpark is getting a new headline attraction

Category 6 waterpark has been notable for how big it is since debuting on Icon of the Seas, but it's getting even bigger on Hero.

Royal Caribbean is adding its first-ever funnel raft slide at sea. Plus, there will be new twists on the mat-racing Storm Chasers duo.

Both slides are the kind of water slides families can enjoy together, which is something the cruise line has heard its guests prefer over solo body slides.

Dining gets more experiential

Dining is evolving yet again with Hero of the Seas, as the ship will have 28 dining venues.  But the amount of places to eat isn't the whole story.

The New Orleans Parish Supper Club is a jazz experience that combines with a Cajun/Creole tasting menu.

There will be an immersive train car experience on Hero of the Seas. Royal Caribbean neglected to mention what the theme or motif will be yet.

Something else new coming to Hero are hands-on cooking classes in a new venue to be revealed. 

It will be located in the Surfside neighborhood where "families of all ages can learn kitchen skills together, from fun recipes for little ones to more advanced courses focused on chopping and baking."

Introducing the Ultimate Family Treehouse

Royal Caribbean is looking to outdo itself yet again with an over-the-top suite.

The Ultimate Family Treehouse is 3 stories and features a rooftop terrace and private whirlpool, a two-deck teen space, and two main bedrooms each with their own bathroom and balcony.

The suite has direct access to Surfside.

What else can guests expect?

One truth about any new Royal Caribbean ship is the cruise line is never content to let any be carbon copies of each other.

Even when you get past the headline-generating changes for Hero, this new ship will likely bring more of what people already love about the Icon Class.

The Icon Class ships have been developed to be the biggest, boldest ships at sea. Icon of the Seas raised the bar for the entire vacation industry, and Hero of the Seas will refine it.

Instead of trying to outdo itself with entirely new concepts, Royal Caribbean is clearly doubling down on what worked and smoothing out what didn't.

The shift towards shared experiences is a key takeaway. The addition of family raft slides, cooking classes, and more group-friendly activities signals a move away from individual “wow” moments and toward things families can actually do together.

At the same time, Hero doesn’t abandon what made Icon Class successful in the first place. The core formula is still here: a mix of waterpark-style thrills, resort-style relaxation, and a long list of dining and entertainment choices. But instead of reinventing the wheel, Royal Caribbean is fine-tuning it.

For cruisers, that likely means a more predictable experience in a good way. If you liked Icon of the Seas, Hero looks like it will deliver more of what you already enjoy, with fewer trade-offs.

There's another cruise ship debuting first

While Hero of the Seas is grabbing a lot of attention, it's not the next new Royal Caribbean ship in line to arrive.

Legend of the Seas debut this summer as the third ship in the Icon Class. In many ways, Legend will act as the bridge between what guests have already seen on Icon of the Seas and the refinements coming with Hero.

Legend will debut in Europe first, and then come to the United States in November.

This new ship will have a Hollywood-themed supper club, offer brand new shows like America’s Got Talent and Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".

Royal Railway Legend Station will be on the ship to become the first Icon Class ship to offer the immersive train restaurant before Hero.