The Royal Caribbean cruise experience is evolving, and it's moving well past simply sailing on a cruise ship.

Wall Street analysts, Cleveland Research Company, published comments on the trajectory of Royal Caribbean Group after a meeting with the cruise giant's investor relations. They see Royal Caribbean Group in the middle of a transition from cruise ships to total vacation.

"Over the past few years, Royal has essentially transformed the cruise industry into something more than just a cruise," the report starts out by saying.  And that's primarily because of its focus on land-based destinations it's cultivating.

Cruise lines have had private islands for decades, but the difference is how Royal Caribbean is going beyond offering a secluded beach.  There is a major shift in the scale, scope, and type of experience being offered that rivals even going on the ship.

"Evolving into a total travel company"

The analysis by CRC says Royal Caribbean is "evolving into a total travel company" instead of just being a cruise line.

It's a very rosy picture for the cruise giant, as they're seen as a market leader in what they're doing and how it's translated into sales.

"Royal’s lean into these islands is now something that all peers are attempting to emulate," the report says.

Here's how the numbers break down:

• About 9 million passengers will sail with Royal Caribbean
  • 4 million will stop at a private island
• In 2019, only 1.6 million people visited a private island with Royal Caribbean
  • 0.9 million people visited CocoCay in 2019 vs 3.5 million people in 2025

That's a major shift because of the growth in popularity of Perfect Day at CocoCay. As of now, Eastern Caribbean sailings account for 65-70% of the Caribbean sailings overall because so many ships call on CocoCay (as well as the island being so close to Florida).

Royal Caribbean indicated that number "should look much more balanced" when Perfect Day Mexico opens in 2027.

Bigger than the Magic Kingdom

Perfect Day Mexico is more than a counterbalance to CocoCay, it's set to be the new golden standard for what a vacation day will look like.

Opening in late 2027, the second Perfect Day is going to be massive. The footprint is over 200 acres, which is bigger than the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World and double the size of CocoCay.

The CRC report claims once it's fully operational, over 5 million passengers will visit it per year.

It also means more ships can visit the "underserved" Western Caribbean market, benefiting ships that homeport in Galveston, Tampa or New Orleans.

Beach clubs solve a cruise ship passenger problem

According to Royal Caribbean, today passengers typically don’t get off the ship in places like Cozumel or Nassau, but they think their beach club product will solve for that.

In addition to the Perfect Day spots, two new beach clubs will open too.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau will open in December 2025 and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in late 2026.

Unlike CocoCay, these are extra-cost admission areas owned and operated by Royal Caribbean that seek to offer the ultimate beach day.

CRC thinks over 1 million people could buy passes to each annually, and they believe the price will average upwards of $200 per person.

Building out private beaches means there could be certain itineraries where a ship visits three different ports that feature a Royal Caribbean private enclave.

By 2028, 90% of passengers sailing in the Caribbean will visit a private destination run by the cruise line. That number is 60% today.

River cruises are a smash hit

Earlier this week, Celebrity Cruises opened pre-bookings for its first river cruises, and deposits sold out within minutes.

CRC notes the river boat design draws clear inspiration from the Edge Class ships.

Stateroom categories include River View, Infinite Veranda, Veranda, and two suite classes: the Skylight Suite and Vista Suite. 

Included in the ticket fare is one shore excursion per day, dining, select wine and beer (option to upgrade), and internet access.

Suite guests receive butler service, exclusive dining access, daily cocktail hours, and laundry service once per sailing.

The first sailings will be 7-night sailings along the Danube and Rhine rivers, which CRC says account for the majority of European river cruise capacity. 

Royal Caribbean offers its Refreshment Package as a way to enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, but is it worth it?

With the Refreshment Package, you can order almost any non-alcoholic beverage at any bar and restaurant on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. This includes as much mocktails, sparkling water, premium coffee, and sodas on your cruise as you like.

This is a convenient way to budget how much you need to spend on drinks without worrying about a big bill later.

It's a popular extra add-on, but is the Refreshment Package worth it on Royal Caribbean?

What does the Refreshment package include?

Basically, any beverage on your Royal Caribbean cruise that doesn't have alcohol is included with the Refreshment package:

• Coca-Cola Freestyle Machine beverages including sodas, sugar free sodas, Minute Maid lemonades, Powerade, vitaminwater®, iced tea, fruit punch and more
• Can and fountain soda
• Bottled still water, sparkling water, and CocoLove coconut water
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Smoothies and protein shakes
• Specialty coffees and teas
• Johnny Rockets® Shakes and Desserted Soda Floats
• Non-alcoholic spirits, wines and beers (only available to guests of legal drinking age)
• Frozen drinks (Non-alcoholic pina colada, etc.)

Guests who purchase the Royal Refreshment package will also receive a souvenir Coca-Cola cup, which can be used with the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines on select Royal Caribbean ships.

The drink package works as well while at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee.

How much is the Refreshment package?

If you buy the Refreshment Package on your ship, it will cost $40 per person, per night (excluding gratuity).

However, you can save a lot of money if you pre-purchase it before the cruise begins.

Gratuity will be automatically added to the cost when you go to buy it, and is 18% of the daily cost.

Is there ever a discount offered on the Refreshment package?

Sale prices on the drink package can bring that price as low as $29 per person, per day.

It's why I always recommend pre-purchasing drink packages before the cruise begins to save money.

Royal Caribbean offers sales quite often through its Cruise Planner site and app. These sales apply to drink packages, WiFi, shore excursions, and more.

There is no risk in purchasing a drink package now and taking advantage of a price drop later. If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Does the Refreshment package include premium coffees too?

Royal Caribbean defines "premium coffees" as cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes. Thus, espresso based drinks are included with the Royal Refreshment package at any restaurant, bar, or cafe that serves espresso beverages.

This includes specialty coffees you can get at Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, or Cafe@Two70. At these locations, they serve Starbucks drinks and are included with a Refreshment Package.

However, the Refreshment Package does not work at Starbucks kiosks.

Why should you buy the Refreshment Package

If you're someone that wants to have more than three or four non-alcoholic drinks per day, I think the Refreshment Package makes a lot of sense.

It's also the right choice if you don't want alcoholic drinks.  If you want cocktails, beer, or wine, you should upgrade to the Deluxe Beverage Package.

The Refreshment Package is very popular with teenagers and young people that cannot drink alcohol yet.  They'll make it worth their while buy enjoy a lot of premium coffees, mocktails and sodas. A growing amount of adults are opting for this sort of a drink package too.

There's no question this beverage package can save you money compared to ordering the same amount of drinks individually onboard.  As long as you can drink enough every day to make it worthwhile, this is the right buy.

How is this different from the soda package?

The soda package only includes soft drinks and a souvenir Coca-Cola cup, whereas the Refreshment package includes mocktails, coffees, juices, milk shakes and sodas.

So the difference is if you want just sodas or other beverages included with the package as well.

Is it worth it to buy a Refreshment package?

Ultimately the value is based on how much you'll actually drink on your cruise.

I think most people that buy it find it worthwhile for the convenience.  One price and you don't have to worry about how much each drink costs.

You're on vacation, why be bothered with how much a drink costs.

Royal Caribbean positions the price so that it's more expensive than if you were a casual drinker that wanted one or two drinks per day, but it's a good value for those that truly enjoy a lot of beverages that aren't included in the cruise fare.

If you're someone that will probably have a couple drinks per day, every day of the sailing, then I think it's absolutely worth it. Factor in a latte in the morning, a couple of mocktails during the day, and bottled water here and there, and you'll be breaking even on the total cost. 

The most important thing is to buy the drink package before the cruise begins to take advantage of a lower price.  Waiting to book it onboard is a mistake.

Royal Caribbean has seven types of cruise ships, and each has its own distinct style.

The Icon, Oasis, Quantum, Freedom, Voyager, Radiance, and Vision Class ships come in different layouts, sizes, and onboard features.

Think of ship classes like models of cars. There are many similarities, but also a few ways they're different in how they look and function.

I've got tips and tricks to make the most of any of them, regardless of which ships you prefer or are sailing on next.

Icon class tips

There are two Icon Class cruise ships in service (plus a few more on order): Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.

Book shows before the cruise begins: The shows on Icon Class ships are incredible, so don't miss out on them by not having a reservation.

You can make a reservation for shows on Icon Class ships up to 30 days before the cruise begins.  Right now there isn't an exact cadence to when they are available to book, but usually it's about a month or less before your cruise sails.

Go on the water slides on a port day: The Category 6 waterpark is impressive, but your best bet is to try to ride the slides during a port day.

Either stay on the ship when your ship is docked in port, or plan to hit the slides before or after your tour. 

There are more free (and better) dining choices: While I love indulging in specialty restaurants, you really don't have to spend extra for them.

Royal Caribbean invested more in convenient included restaurants, including my all-time favorite: Aquadome Market. There's also El Loco Fresh, Basecamp, Pearl Cafe, and of course Windjammer, Main Dining Room, and Sorrento's.

Oasis Class tips

Some of the biggest ships in the world, the Oasis Class ships include: Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia of the Seas.

Try the Solarium Bistro: One of the least-crowded spots for a sit down meal that's included in your fare is Solarium Bistro.

It's a combination of buffet and plated meal, but most people are unaware it exists and it's a great alternative to the more crowded venues.

Don't miss the Mason Jar bar: My favorite bar experience on any ship is the country bar on Utopia, Allure, and Wonder of the Seas.

The Mason Jar is a Southern American restaurant, but it has a really fun country music bar that has great music, and even better cocktails.

Catch an AquaTheater show: I think the must-see performance on any Oasis Class ship is in the Aquatheater.

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early so you can get a really good seat.  Keep in mind the first two rows are the "splash zone".

Quantum Class tips

Think of the Quantum Class ships like a mash-up of big ship size with refined tastes. There are five ships in total: Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Spectrum, and Odyssey of the Seas.

Two70: The don't miss venue on any Quantum Class ships is Two70, which has different events throughout the day.

This beautiful space has shows at night, and demonstrations involving its impressive roboscreens.

Book a North Star and Ripcord reservation before the cruise: Royal Caribbean opens bookings for its two most popular top deck activities before the cruise begins.

North Star pod and Ripcord by iFly require reservations, so get one about a month or so before the cruise begins.

North Star is free if you book a port day (like embarkation day), and in my opinion, you're not missing much for a paid one on a sea day.

Bumper cars are a lot of fun: It might seem like a gimmick to offer bumper cars on a cruise ship, but I really think they're worth trying.

It's a lot of family fun and worth the wait!

Freedom Class tips

There are just three Freedom Class ships, but I think they're some of the best options for value, size, and fun things to do onboard: Freedom of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas.

Go to the helipad for sailaway: I love the helipad location for sailaway, and most guests don't know you can go there.

The perfect views from deck 14: If you want a great spot to sit, have a drink, and watch the world go by, I'd recommend the lounge on deck 14.

It goes by different names depending on which ship you're on, but it's the lounge on deck 14 accessible by the aft elevators.

Each ship has a special dining venue: Depending on the Freedom Class ship you sail on, Royal Caribbean has one restaurant you should seek out to eat at because it's impressive.

• Freedom of the Seas: Giovanni's Italian Kitchen ($)
• Independence of the Seas: Fish and Ships
• Liberty of the Seas: Izumi Teppanyaki

Voyager Class tips

Arguably the best value in Royal Caribbean right now, the Voyager Class ships have the big ship feel, but without the premium price tag: Voyager of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas.

Free sauna: Voyager Class ships offer saunas and steam rooms in the fitness area.

When you enter the gym, there should be an entrance on the left.

Visit the helipad: As one of three cruise ship classes offering access to the helipad, it's worth going there for a photo.

You can access it on deck 4 at the outside area and then walking forward.

Bring your bathing suit on embarkation day: Whether you want to hit the water slides, pool, or FlowRider surf simulator, the best time to go is on boarding day.

Pack your bathing suit or simply wear it to the cruise terminal and then go right to the pool deck. You'll find non-existent lines.

Radiance Class tips

Small in size, the Radiance Class offer sailings to fantastic places around the world.  They're a mix of versatile and relaxing.  

There are a total of four ships in this class: Radiance, Serenade, Brilliance, and Jewel of the Seas.

There's a water slide for young kids: If you children are under the age of eight, take them to try the water slide.

The water slide on deck 12 is basic, but it's something young children should relish going down over and over.

There's a rotating bar: The Radiance Class has a bar up on deck 13 in the Viking Crown Lounge, and theoretically it spins.

At night, it has the capability to slowly rotate.  It's often broken, but if it does work, it's a neat effect.

Thermal spa pass: You can buy a thermal spa pass, which gets you unlimited access to the steam room, sauna, and heated stone chairs.

You can buy it at the Vitality Spa, and it also includes a Rasul treatment session.

Vision Class tips

The oldest and smallest of Royal Caribbean's ships, there are just four of these left in service: Enchantment, Vision, Rhapsody, and Grandeur of the Seas.

The best Schooner Bar: All Royal Caribbean ships have a Schooner Bar, but I think the one on the Vision Class is the best in the fleet.

It's massive, has lots of seating, and fantastic ocean views too.  Plan to visit at least a couple of evenings.

Park Cafe is hidden: You might miss Park Cafe if you didn't know it was in the adults-only Solarium.

This is where you can get sandwiches, salads, and even late night pizza. Don't worry, kids can go in to get a bite to eat too.

Free sauna and steam room: Inside the Fitness Center is a free sauna, steam room, and very large showers for anyone to use.

The showers are great for families, and the sauna and steam rooms are lesser-known amenities open to guests.

Discovery Class tips

Just kidding, there are no Discovery Class ships. 

Or are there?

Royal Caribbean has announced a new policy for those that skip a specialty restaurant reservation they have booked.

In an email sent to travel agents, the cruise line said it will now implement charges for no-shows at its specialty dining venues across the fleet.

They're making this change to improve access to limited-capacity restaurants and encourage those that make a reservation to stick to their booking.

Specialty restaurants are a major focal point of any ship these days, but reservations aren't easy to come by. This is especially true for the very popular restaurants.

What's changing with this policy

Royal Caribbean will now charge a guest that books a specialty restaurant but fails to show up without cancelling in advance.

The new policy was sent to travel agents first, as a heads up.

We will be implementing charges for no-shows at specialty dining reservations across the fleet. Our goal is to preserve these limited seats for clients eager to experience our exclusive, limited-capacity dining options. By encouraging guests to honor their reservations, we aim to enhance the overall experience. Update excludes your clients who have an existing Dining Package or booked in Star Class suites.

Royal Caribbean has not yet disclosed the exact fee amount.

Why Royal Caribbean is Making this change

Demand for specialty restaurants has gone up tremendously in the last few years, and the introduction of a few very popular and limited capacity venues has exacerbated the trend.

Specialty restaurants traditionally have very limited seating. Even the more popular restaurants found on many ships (Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, Izumi) have a fraction of the seating you'd find in the Main Dining Room..

Two of Royal Caribbean's newest restaurants are extremely small, yet very popular. The Royal Railway can handle 48 guests and the Empire Supper Club is even smaller, at only 38 people.

A no-show reservation means a table often sits empty, even while other guests are eager to dine there.

By discouraging no-shows, it appears Royal Caribbean wants to ensure those that want to dine there can do so, especially if they are holding a table for someone that isn't coming.

Moreover, specialty restaurants are an important revenue stream. An empty table represents lost income.

Who Is exempt from no-show charges

Not every guest will be affected by the new policy.

Guests with dining packages: If you have a dining package, such as the Unlimited Dining Package or 3-Night Dining Package, they won’t be subject to no-show charges. 

Since they’ve already prepaid for their specialty dining, the cruise line doesn’t need to recoup lost revenue in these cases.

Star Class suite guests: The highest (and most expensive) level of Royal Caribbean’s suite program, Star Class guests enjoy perks like unlimited specialty dining, concierge service, and access to a Royal Genie. Their inclusive experience already covers dining reservations, so they will not face no-show fees.

The new policy is focusing the policy on individual, a la carte reservations.

How this changes what to plan

When you make a dining reservation going forward, you'll need to plan ahead to avoid incurring this charge.

Making a “just in case” reservation that goes unused could now carry a cost. Instead, you'll want to be more mindful or hold off until you're certain of your plans.

Of course, you can still cancel and avoid the fee. Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner and onboard app make it straightforward to modify bookings.

Many guests accidentally miss reservations because of conflicting entertainment or shore excursions. Be sure to carefully check schedules before booking.

What other cruise lines do

In case you're wondering, Royal Caribbean isn't the first cruise line to charge a no-show policy.

Norwegian Cruise Line requires cancellations to be made 24 hours in advance.  If cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours’ notice, the full price of the cover per guest will be charged.

"We strive for excellent service; therefore, we can only hold your dinner reservation for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, the unclaimed reservation will be released and the full price of the cover per guest will be charged to you."

Carnival charges a no-show cancellation fee at only certain restaurants, but with a much smaller window.

For the Chef's Table, Bonsai Teppanyaki and Thing 1 & Thing 2 Birthday Breakfast, there will be a charge of the full price of your dining reservation for cancellations made within 48 hours of your scheduled dinner reservation or no-show.

When I tried my first infinite balcony cabin, I wasn't impressed. But I had the wrong perspective to appreciate what they offer.

As I approached my first Star of the Seas sailing, I lamented I'd be in an infinite balcony because they aren't really a balcony.  It's more of a window experience, and that hasn't changed.

But my outlook changed after I spoke with some fellow writers about these rooms, and I realized while it's not a regular balcony experience, it can offer something a balcony can't offer.

In recognizing my own cruising style, I gave the infinite balcony another try. This time, I went in with a different mindset and I ended up liking this cruise cabin type a lot more than ever.

Disclosure: I sailed on a free trip on Star of the Seas to review the ship. The opinions expressed below are entirely mine and weren't subject to review by the line.

Why I disliked it

I think it's important to start with why I never liked the infinite balcony room before, because I suspect a lot of people feel the same way.

The first types of these rooms debuted on Celebrity Edge, and Royal Caribbean borrowed the idea for its Icon Class ships.

The idea is you have a convertible balcony space, but in practice it's an enclosed room with a window that opens.

When you open the window, all the air conditioned cold air gets sucked out and the room's air conditioning is actually disabled until you close the window.

I thought they were a gimmick, not the real balcony experience because you're not immersed in being outside like a traditional balcony.

It's not a balcony, and that's ok

While talking about how I don't like an infinite balcony, a colleague mentioned she really likes these cabins because it's like a private solarium.

She didn't dispute the fact it's a window and not a balcony, but as she talked more about her experience in this room, I realized having a bigger room with more space that's air conditioned isn't a bad thing.

In reality, it's too hot to be out on the balcony most months in the Caribbean.

When I stay in a traditional balcony, I might go out on my balcony for sail away or a moment here or there.  But I usually don't go out there because it's uncomfortable given the heat and humidity.

My realization was I actually could enjoy the view without melting in the heat.

Why an infinite balcony cabin is worth it

Having more usable space is the first reason I'd want to stay in an infinite balcony again.

If you never open the window, then the "balcony" area is part of the stateroom, so you gain extra square footage you can enjoy all day.

While on Star of the Seas, I treated it like a lounge area. I used it to work from my laptop, watch a movie, or simple relax and enjoy the view

With it enclosed, it also means I have more furniture to sit on and no concern it gets too hot out there.

The air conditioning keeps the space cool when the window is closed.

When my kids were younger, I was always nervous with them on a regular balcony because young kids always want to climb. 

But with this kind of a room, we would have had more space for them to crawl, climb, and play without those fears. I think an infinite balcony is a really good choice for families.

Another benefit to the window is you get far less noise.

When I was on Independence of the Seas earlier this summer, I had a traditional balcony and the whistling sound from the point where the balcony door meets the frame was an on-and-off-again problem.

But with this "balcony", I didn't have any such issue.

It's a window, and that's perfect for my needs

I know there people reading this and saying "It’s not a real balcony", and they're totally right. 

My point isn't to convince anyone it's a real balcony. Rather, to change your perspective on how to think about the room.

When I sail in an infinite balcony, I'm simply never opening the window. Once I understood that, I could appreciate the room more.

If you're like me and don't enjoy being hot and humid, then this room is a great compromise of space, views, and comfort.

There are lots of cruisers who never go out on their balcony for many reasons. Or they're like me and go on it once or twice just to say they did.

I'd rather have more indoor space that I can better utilize, than a nice balcony I'll rarely (if ever) go onto.

Final thoughts

If you've avoided infinite balcony cabins because you thought they were disappointing, I was right there with you.  But now I see them as a smart alternative, especially when it's hot outside.

I wish Royal Caribbean would do make a few fixes to improve the balcony aspect of it in the future, such as adding plastic dividers and keeping the air conditioning on when the window is open.  But in it's current form, I'm content with enjoying the extra space.

Some readers shared they agreed with my perspective, but think the name is misleading.  I don't disagree, but then again a Junior Suite isn't a suite and an Ocean View Panoramic is hardly panoramic. There's always some marketing in cruise ship staterooms.

The bottom line is I realized I just didn't spend much time on my balcony when I was in a traditional room, especially in the Caribbean, because it was too hot.

Getting back that extra square footage as indoor space is a great trade off to keeping the window closed.

Royal Caribbean appears to be sending offers to certain cruisers that we've never seen before from them.

Over the past week, we've seen different cruisers receive an email from the cruise line with an offer to take advantage of "an exclusive loyalty perk" and choose between three options.

It's not being sent to everyone, but those that do get the email have the choice of one of three things that could save a lot of money.

That's why one lucky cruiser was happy to open their email inbox and discover a special email from Royal Caribbean. 

Rom Nam received a special pre-cruise offer from Royal Caribbean, offering them a choice of a complimentary add-on. 

At first, they thought it was too good to be true. However, they called Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor customer service number at (800) 526-9723 to confirm that the offer was legit. 

According to the email, Nam can select one of three perks:

• Unlimited Wi-Fi for one device
• 3 daily drink vouchers
• 3-night specialty dining package

"[Royal Caribbean] verified [the offer] is from them, those are both emails that are used by Royal for marketing and loyalty programs at times. Not a scam.. the email was forwarded directly to the resolutions team who inspected the email and they could verify," Nam added on the Facebook post. 

Nam also shared terms and conditions for the special offer: "The Perks Your Way Offer applies to new individual bookings made August 25, 2025 – October 30, 2025 (“Offer Cruise”) on sailings departing November 1, 2025 – November 1, 2026 (“Offer Period”) by the Crown & Anchor Society member."

Unfortunately, because they booked their cruise on August 22, they didn't qualify for the complimentary perk. 

On Reddit, bitemytail posted a screenshot of the similar offer for their upcoming cruise.

"Got sent this offer but I'm not sure what to pick. Thoughts?" they posted.

According to bitemytail, they are a Gold member in Crown and Anchor Society with just 20 points and the email came in randomly to their inbox.

Another user mentioned they received a similar offer, but the benefits were a little different:

"I got the same email but my offers are not as good as yours- I got offered vip shows, champagne/strawberries, free hideaway beach pass, or 2 free photos. I was told I’d have to book an additional sailing within the promotional period to then redeem, not apply to a current sailing," commented Kristin Campbell.

Of course, it's important to be cautious when receiving unexpected promotional emails. Scammers often mimic branding to trick people into clicking links or sharing personal information, which can be costly. 

No pattern to who's getting the offer

If you're thinking "how do I get one of these emails", the answer is no one really knows.

So far, there's only been a handful of them reported and as the email indicates, it's being sent to "a select group" of people.

Royal Caribbean's marketing algorithm may have identified certain cruisers as being an ideal candidate to attract them back to cruise or to spend more.  It's really anyone's guess.

A lucrative offer

This is a very unusual offer by Royal Caribbean, as it's not something I can ever recall seeing.

Although Royal Caribbean's fares are pretty inclusive (i.e., you don't have to worry about shelling out extra money for food, entertainment, and transportation), there are plenty of ways to enhance your vacation.

You can, for instance, opt to splurge on a drink or dining package, or buy Wi-Fi to stay connected with friends and family back home.

That said, these add-ons don't come cheap. It's not uncommon for cruisers to pay over $60 per person, per day, for the Deluxe Beverage Package. 

The value of one unlimited internet device for a cruise is $26.99 per day, when purchased onboard the ship.

Three drinks per day could be as much as $42 per day, if you max out the cocktail price at $14 each (before gratuity).

Finally, the 3-night dining package costs $180 on an upcoming Oasis of the Seas sailing when purchased onboard.

The savings from this targeted offer could be applied to other onboard purchases, a new cruise, or pocketed. 

For as long as I can remember, the shower on a cruise ship was never the best feature in the cabin.

Most cruise ships have showers that look like a tube meant to beam people up into space.  Not only that, they were super tiny and it felt like I had to keep my arms in and tucked.

It was not only cramped, but made the shower experience less enjoyable.  When you have lots of hot water and great water pressure, that's not something to pass up.

Luckily, Royal Caribbean introduced a new shower for its cabins on the biggest ship in the world and it's a game changer.

Goodbye capsule showers, hello space!

Royal Caribbean is proud of so many innovations introduced on Icon of the Seas, but I think the shower design is unheralded win.

Because Icon was the first of its class, it was treated as a "white paper" ship and every aspect of it was rethought from the ground up, including cabin design.

On ships that came before Icon, standard cabin showers were a tight fit space that looked like a capsule.  In fact, it had curved plastic shower doors that truly felt like you were entering the turbo lift on a Star Trek ship.

The showers were even worse on the older, smaller ships that had a fabric shower divider instead of the plastic.  That curtain loves to cling to you while you shower.

They were certainly functional, but I can't say there was much enjoyment being in them because of how cramped it felt.  I was just glad I wasn't that tall, because I don't know how tall people managed to shower.

Shower design got a little better with newer ships, such as Odyssey of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas.  Clearly more space was given, but it was still a tube.

The improvement came with Icon of the Seas, which redesigned the space completely.

Gone was the capsule design, and instead, we got a shower that looks like one we might actually have at home.

It spans the width of the bathroom and has floor to ceiling glass, providing lots of space and most importantly, room for your elbows!

The glass door maneuvered inward and sideways to keep the bathroom less cramped. 

Another smart change was to add a bench to the shower, once again providing space and functionality to the shower.

It's a far more spacious design, and prior to Icon, you could only find showers like this in suite cabins.

The shower head is also adjustable, as it can slide up or down the pole to provide the right height.

There's a black release button on the back of the arm that the showerhead attaches to that you can press in order to make the adjustment.

Something else worth noting is there's a guard to prevent the shower from getting extra hot, but you can override it.

When Icon launched, there was some that claimed you couldn't get a hot shower on the new ship, but those folks didn't understand how the temperature controls worked.

The temperature control will stop at 38°C (100°F), but you can override it by pressing the black button on the left to move it past the stopper.

Having gone on Star of the Seas in a couple of different cabins, and in each the shower configuration was very nice.

A world different from the worst shower design

If you're saying "Matt, there's no way the shower on a cruise ship makes a difference", then I'd say you haven't cruised on a cruise ship with the cloth curtain showers.

On the Radiance, Vision and some Voyager Class ships are bathrooms that have a tube shower that have a cloth curtain instead of plastic.

This is problematic for two reasons.

First, the curtain does a very poor job at keeping the water inside the shower.  It flails open constantly and you're all but guaranteed to flood your bathroom.

Second, it tends to cling to your body as you're in the shower.

Like a needy ex, I hate clinginess, and then you have to remember that curtain has touched a lot of other people over the years. 

Carnival is joining the trend too

When one of our writers went on Carnival's newest ships, I noticed their shower design also departed from the tube shower.

On Carnival Jubilee, a balcony cabin had a "stylish and well-designed" bathroom.

"The best aspect of the bathroom was the large walk-in shower," wrote Allie Hubers when she sailed on Jubilee.

Just like Icon and Star, the shower was rather large with a glass door that maneuvered inward.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

The water slide that injured a cruise passenger as it broke when he went down it is being repaired.

Royal Caribbean was making repairs to the slide on Icon of the Seas, and replacing the broken section.

According to reports from passengers, it could be ready to re-open very soon.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean adds two new perks to its VIP program
• Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas successfully floats out
• Celebrity is ready to sell its first river cruises, but there are more questions than answers
• Royal Caribbean is offering up to half off its drink packages during its Labor Day weekend sale
• Icon of the Seas vs. Star of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean brought back its $100,000 bling cup to sell on its new ship
• New Royal Caribbean casino website makes redeeming free cruises easier
• 6 Royal Caribbean app upgrades that need to be added
• I ate at the most expensive restaurant on Star of the Seas, and it's even better than the original

New RCB Video: 8 Things I Did SMARTER On The Newest Cruise Ship

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 — 8 Things I Did SMARTER On The Newest Cruise Ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Here's what Royal Caribbean will change on Liberty of the Seas

We now know exactly what changes will be made to Liberty of the Seas when she's upgraded next year.

New deck plans have been released that show the upgrades and replacements that will take place during her Royal Amplification.

Liberty is one of three cruise ships scheduled for major upgrades in 2026.

Locals protest Perfect Day Mexico plans, Royal Caribbean responds

An online petition has gotten over 200,000 signatures asking to stop Royal Caribbean from building Perfect Day Mexico.

Royal Caribbean responded with promises to be transparent and open as it moves forward with the project.

Locals are worried about the impact on the environment and local community, but the cruise line says it has plans in place to avoid any of those issues.

I stayed in Royal Caribbean's $4,000 VIP Area on Star of the Seas

Paying extra for a suite gets you into an exclusive area on the brand new Star of the Seas.

There's an entire section of the ship dedicated to suite guests, and it spans three decks with restaurants, a lounge, and more.

Before you book, here's a look at what you can expect in this space as part of the extra cost.

I ate at 3 Star of the Seas restaurants for under $50 thanks to an easy trick

Specialty dining isn't always cheap, but with the right strategy you can enjoy it for less money than you might have thought possible.

Matt went on Star of the Seas and challenged himself to dine at three specialty restaurants and spend less than $50.

He managed to enjoy full meals at each restaurant, and the trick wasn't difficult to master.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 574th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! Ilana ranked all of the cruise line private islands, and you can probably guess where Perfect Day at CocoCay landed.

We update our podcast weekly, so subscribe for more updates via YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, or RSS.

You can also leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so go ahead and check it out! We appreciate your feedback.

Royal Caribbean's popular pay-to-get perks program has been updated.

The Key is what the cruise line refers to as its VIP pass, where guests can enjoy certain perks that you'd otherwise need to pay for a suite or be a top tier loyal member to have access to.

Now there are two new benefits guests that buy it can enjoy, which Royal Caribbean believes will add even more value to the program. Guests who purchase it will enjoy bigger discounts on sports activities and a new spa savings credit, adding more reasons to consider this optional program.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what's being added, and what remains the same.

The Two New Perks

50% Off Sports Activities Onboard

Previously, The Key included 25% off sports activities. With this update, that discount has doubled to 50% off.

That’s a meaningful change for families or groups who want to try several activities during their sailing. For example, a group FlowRider surf simulator session costs $79 per person onboard Utopia of the Seas.

With The Key's new benefit, that price drops to $39.50. Multiply that across a family of four, and the savings add up quickly.

Another popular activity are private or group lessons at the FlowRider surf simulator, which can be quite pricey.

$60 Off a $250 Spa Purchase

Royal Caribbean is also adding a new spa savings credit. Guests will now receive $60 off a $250 spa purchase, which can be applied toward treatments such as:

• Swedish or deep tissue massages
• Couples massages
• Facials
• Aromatherapy or hot stone treatments
• Specialized body wraps or scrubs

The credit is one-time use, non-transferable, and does not apply to taxes or gratuities.

If a 75-minute hot stone massage costs $259 before gratuity, the added perk drops the price closer to $199. That’s nearly the same cost as a standard 50-minute massage.

Perks included in The Key

The Key is a combination of included benefits, services, and experiences. The rest of the program is not changing. Here's what you still get:

Priority access during The Key’s designated arrival time

Guests can board the ship earlier with shorter wait times at check-in.

Carry-on bag drop with delivery to your stateroom

Instead of lugging your carry-ons around the ship on embarkation day, you can drop them off and have them delivered to your stateroom.

Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room

Held on embarkation day, this luncheon features a signature menu with items from specialty restaurants, giving you a relaxed start to your cruise.

20% off specialty dining when you book on Day 1

This is a popular perk for guests who want to try restaurants like Chops Grille, Giovanni’s, Izumi, or Wonderland.

Access to fast lines at onboard activities

Skip the regular line for certain attractions and enjoy more time actually doing the activities.

Priority departure at tender ports of call

On ships that anchor offshore, The Key holders get off the ship more quickly.

Reserved seating at shows

Dedicated seating sections are available in major venues such as the Royal Theater, AquaTheater, Studio B, and Two70 (reservations required on some ships).

VOOM Surf & Stream high-speed internet

Each person who purchases The Key gets internet for one device, which is a major value driver since VOOM can cost $20+ per day per device when purchased separately.

Exclusive à la carte breakfast on departure day

Instead of the crowded buffet, The Key guests get a calmer breakfast option and a choice of departure time.

How much does The Key cost?

The price of The Key varies by sailing and ship but generally ranges between $24.99 to $49.99 per person, per day. 

Everyone in your stateroom who is over the age of six must purchase it if one person does, which means the total cost can add up for families.

For example:

• On a 4-night sailing at $38.99 per person, The Key would cost about $155.96 per person.
• For a family of four, that’s $623.84 total for the sailing.

How does this change the value of The Key?

Depending on your cruising habits, the two new perks could sway your decision to buy it or not.

Discounts on the Spa are a benefit for adults, as kids can't take advantage of it.  It's likely best for a couple that's buying The Key.

However, doubling the sports activity discount can add up to big savings... if your family will actually take advantage of them.

There aren't many sports activities that cost money, with the private FlowRider lessons being the most popular option. If your goal is to learn to surf on a cruise, this change could be quite beneficial.

Overall, most cruisers that buy The Key tend to do so because for other reasons:

• Priority embarkation
• Included welcome lunch on embarkation day
• Bundled internet package
• Storing carry-on bags on embarkation day

The other benefits, including the two new ones, are usually less utilized benefits because they have less universal appeal among guests.

Without a doubt, adding the new perks is more value than The Key had in the past. But it's value may remain in how you take advantage of it all.