Labor Day weekend is a relaxing vacation for some, but it can also be the perfect time to save money on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean has kicked off its Labor Day Sale advertising up to 45% off drink packages, although some top-tier loyalty members are seeing even higher discounts.

That discount grows to 50% off if you're Diamond or higher in Crown and Anchor Society or Prime or higher in Casino Royale.

There are many sales throughout the year, but major holidays usually see more lucrative discounts too.

This is a good opportunity to check the price of popular add-ons to see if there's a better price.

As an example, I'm seeing the Royal Caribbean cruise is a drink package priced as low as $54.99 per person, per day on a few of my sailings.  Considering Royal Caribbean has been charging $120 per person, per day for the same drink package onboard, that's a great deal.

In fact, all purchases made online are cheaper than waiting to book during the sailing.

The Labor Day Sale runs between August 27, 2025 - September 3, 2025 and applies to select sailings departing August 30, 2025 - December 31, 2026.

Beverage: Up to 45% off

• Evian Water Package: 40% off onboard prices
• Classic Soda Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
  • CAS Diamond and above: 50% off Deluxe Beverage Package

Dining: Up to 50% off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 2N – 25N sailings: 35% off to 50% off
• 3 Night/10 Dining Package: 30% off to 40% off
• Chops/Giovanni's/Sichuan Red + Your Choice Package: 20% off to 35% off
• Specialty Restaurants – Lunch: 25% to 40% off
• Specialty Restaurants – Dinner: 25% to 40% off
• Culinary Experiences: 25% to 35% off
  (Discount varies by ship.)

Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off

• PCC Products for sailings within 4 months: Up to 40% off
• PCC Products for sailings between 5 and 7 months: Up to 35% off
• PCC Products for sailings after 7 months: Up to 20% off
• Shorex for sailings within 4 months: Up to 30% off
• Shorex for sailings between 5 and 7 months: Up to 25% off
• Shorex for sailings after 7 months: Up to 20% off
• Royal Signature Excursions for sailings within 4 months: Up to 30% off
• Royal Signature Excursions for sailings between 5 and 7 months: Up to 25% off
• Royal Signature Excursions for sailings after 7 months: Up to 20% off
• Special Collection Tours: 40% off

Onboard Activities: Up to 25% off

• Behind the Waves - The Insider's Tour: Discount varies by ship.

Spa: Up to 30% off

• Spa treatments: Up to 30% off select times

Internet: Up to 40% off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship

VIP Passes: Up to 45% off

• The Key: Discount varies by ship.
• Royal Genie Package – Grand Suite and above: 20% off adults, 30% off kids
• Royal Genie Package – Junior Suite and below: 10% off adults, 20% off kids

Photo Packages: Up to 60% off

• Photo Packages from 5 - 100 Photos: Discount varies by ship.
• Private Photo Session: 50% off onboard prices

Gifts & Gear: Up to 35% off

• All Gifts & Gear products (excluding Inky Beach Towel): 20% off onboard prices
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 35% off onboard prices 

You can re-price to get a better deal

If you already bought one one of these add-ons but it's now at a lower price, you can still take advantage of the price with the Labor Day sale.

Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and rebook Cruise Planner purchases with no penalty.

It's easy to check, you just log into the the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for the current prices.

I recommend ignoring the percentages off and focus on the total price when it's in the cart.

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.

Up to $900 off on new cruise bookings

Royal Caribbean is also running a sale to coincide with Labor Day Weekend on new cruise bookings.

You can usually find a few different offers that are combinable at any given time, but this weekend has extra instant savings.

The "Beat The Clock" sale  applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made between August 29 – 31, 2025 on sailings departing on or after August 30, 2025, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length as follows: 

• 5 nights or less
  • $125 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $200 USD for Balconies
  • $400 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $225 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $300 USD for Balconies
  • $900 USD for Suites

Another "Short Caribbean Kicker" applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made August 29 – September 3, 2025, on a Short Caribbean sailing departing August 30-April 30, 2026, provides OBC, varying by stateroom category booked as follows: 

• $25 USD for Interior Ocean View, and Balconies
• $50 USD for Suites

The Labor Day Sale is combinable with the BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, and Short Caribbean Kicker promotions.

BOGO60, Kids Sail Free and Short Caribbean Kicker are also combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts; Beat The Clock is not combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts. BOGO60, Kids Sail Free, Short Caribbean Kicker and Beat The Clock are not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates.

Royal Caribbean has brought back its bling cup that costs as much as a new house.

The cruise line introduced a goblet guests could buy on Icon of the Seas when that ship launched, and it was one-of-a-kind in cost and perks it provided.

This insanely expensive cup was sold in the Royal Bling store, and it's an ornately decorated chalice meant for the ultimate super fan. Only was one initially made for the first Icon Class ship.

To quote Jedi Master Yoda, "No... there is another."

Bling cup available on Star of the Seas

Royal Bling is located in the Aquadome Neighborhood of Star of the Seas, and it too is selling one of these cups.

The store only sells Royal Caribbean branded rings, necklaces, and other keepsakes adorned with the cruise line logo.

This particular cup costs $100,000 and comes with a lifetime benefit.

Buying it gets you an unlimited Royal Caribbean drink package for life.

That means you'll never have to pay for another Deluxe Beverage Package for yourself ever again.

The Deluxe Beverage Package includes cocktails, spirits, liquors, beers, wine by the glass, sodas, water, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice. Basically almost any drink on the ship up to $14 in value.

If you're doing the math in your head, the Deluxe Beverage Package on the inaugural sailing of Star of the Seas for one person across seven nights is $65.99 per person, per day when pre-purchased online with a 45% off sale.  That's 461.93 before gratuities. 

The onboard price is $120 per person, per day for the same drink package.

Doing some "back of the napkin" math, if you only ever took 7-night cruises, you would need to take more than 150 cruises "break even" on the goblet purchase.

The novelty goblet is one of several jewelry choices cruises can purchase on the ship. Most of the other jewelry comes in at a much lower price point.

Yes, someone bought one on Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024 with the golden cup for sale, and within a few months it sold.

Cruisers on Icon spotted the person with the cup, walking around the ship.

The unidentified male evidently purchased the cup, spending the six figure cost to get it.

"I’m currently on Icon and noticed the Royal Bling Cup at a cabana on Coco Cay and went to speak to the guy who was very friendly and mentioned what he intends to do with it after the cruise. It was a shock to see it being used as an actual cup," posted Mick on the Royal Caribbean forums.

According to the poster, he was told by the gentleman he intended to, "auction it off and you can buy tickets world wide to win it and the monies goes to charity."

We're unaware whatever happened to those plans, but in case you are wondering, there is a market for this sort of an item.

Royal Caribbean jewelry is sold exclusively at this store

Royal Bling is a new store that was launched on the Icon Class ships, and it's for the Royal Caribbean super fan.

The Royal Bling store has Crown and Anchor bracelets, rings, earrings and more. The jewelry is made by Effy Jewelry.

Cruise line loyalists are a passionate bunch, and representing their favorite cruise line in their everyday life is just as important to some as going on the ships.

Star of the Seas started sailing in August, and is one of the world's largest cruise ship.

In addition to a very expensive chalice, it has an entire water park onboard, seven pools, an entire neighborhood for families with young children, 40 different restaurants, bars and lounges.

At 250,800 tons, Star of the Seas is sailing from Port Canaveral and offer cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean.

It's now easier to track and manage your Royal Caribbean casino rewards, thanks to a website overhaul.

The new Casino Royale website is available to guests, which features a better integrated login, sleeker design, and makes managing offers easier.

The casino loyalty program is more popular than ever, but its website had been an old design that wasn't mobile device optimized and required guests to enter their Crown and Anchor Society number instead of their usual Royal Caribbean login credentials.

The new site has an easier to follow navigation, and works well on all devices.

It's also a step forward in the prominence of the cruise line's casino offerings.

Better design

About two weeks ago, emails went out to alert guests a new casino site was coming, and now it's here.

The new site promises to make it easier to track your offers and view your personalized dashboard of tier credit earnings conveniently in one location.

After logging in with the same credentials you would use to access the main Royal Caribbean site, you can link your casino account to other partner casino programs.

Royal Caribbean has loyalty matching with a few other casino programs, including Hard Rock Casino and MGM Casino.

The new site makes it easier to quickly see how many points you've accumulated, your status, and offers you may have waiting.

The offers, in particular, are the most useful feature since they are a way to redeem free cruises.

Players that gamble enough on a Royal Caribbean ship can earn complimentary future cruises to go on, based on either how much they wagered on a sailing or simply an instant offer.

You can now easily pick an offer to use, and then actually book the cruise through the website instead of having to call in to redeem it.

There is a list of sailings to choose from, and then a way to pick an individual booking.

The site takes users through the options of redeeming or applying the offer, and selecting which complimentary sailing they'd like to sail on.

The new site replaces not only an old site, but PDF documents that used to be the only way to track the options players had available.

How to earn a free cruise from the casino

If you want to earn complimentary casino cruise offers, here's what you need to know.

A reminder that gambling is very addictive and is not for everyone. Know your limits, and you could easily spend much more in gambling losses than what you could get on a cruise. There is definitely a bigger picture to consider.

The concept is simple: you can earn one point for every few dollars you wager (not wins or losses, just how much you play).  By far, you'll want to play slots (instead of table games) to earn points faster.

At the casino host desk, there is a sheet that lists how many points during that sailing you need to reach certain reward thresholds.

Depending on your sailing, the lowest milestone could be a few hundred points or closer to 1,000. The lowest tiers offer an inside stateroom for free and just pay taxes and port fees.

If you get more points, you can qualify for better cabins and/or more free play to go with it.

Casino Royale may add instant offers to your account, which are incentives to come back to cruise (and hopefully gamble). There's no rhyme or reason I've determined as to how these are offered.

In addition, if you can reach the Prime status within Casino Royale, then you can qualify for free annual cruise too.

A deepening casino integration

The new Casino Royale website coincides with Royal Caribbean's push into attracting more casino players.

A trend over the last few years has been to pursue and cater to more of its gamblers onboard.

Royal Caribbean has steadily been expanding its casinos on select ships, which has involved replacing public venues with new casino space.

On some Oasis Class ships, the Crown Lounge and Attic areas were replaced in order to make expand the casino.

On Freedom of the Seas, the wine bar was replaced with a non-smoking casino.

Not only are there more gambling areas on these ships, but they're non-smoking venues.

Royal Caribbean hasn't officially announced a change in policy to cater more to non-smoking gamblers, but it's my guess it has to do with maximizing onboard revenue as it does addressing a need passengers have been asking for.

For those that want a higher level of service and amenities, Royal Caribbean's new ship offers more for those that are willing to pay for it.

The brand new Star of the Seas has reserved areas just for those that booked a suite, which are the most expensive and lavish staterooms on the ship. It's also available to the top tier loyalty members, but it requires 700 cruise points to get there.

Guests that book a Sky Class or Star Class suite get access to these areas, and I wanted to show what the extra cost of a suite gets you in terms of suite perks.

Here's a look at the exclusive areas on Star of the Seas available for most passengers can't access so you can determine if it's worth it for you to spend extra.

The suite area is spread across three decks

Suite guests will have access to the Suite Neighborhood, which is on deck 16, 17, and 18.

This is one more deck of space than on Wonder or Utopia of the Seas, which are Oasis Class ships.

Access to all of it requires guests to use their SeaPass card to enter.

Since I was staying in a Surfside Family Suite, I had access to this area of the ship. However, for sailings on or after May 2, 2026, that perk will end.

I paid $4,472.60 for my suite on a 4-night sailing. 

The Suite Lounge is combined with an exclusive restaurant

On deck 16 is the area where I think most suite guests will spend the most time and it's a combination of lounge and restaurant.

The left side is the Suite Lounge, which has comfortable seating, a full service bar, and even a buffet area.

Before you reach any of it is the suite concierge, and there are two of them on Star of the Seas. 

The concierge is there to assist with any problems or concerns suite guests may have, such as billing issues, making restaurant reservations, or general questions.

Behind them is the Suite Lounge bar, where there is beer, wine, and soft drinks served from 11am to 11pm. A cocktail hour takes place in the evening. All of these drinks are included with the cruise fare as a suite guest when ordered in the Suite Lounge (or anywhere in the Suite Neighborhood).

This means you can enjoy unlimited drinks in the suite lounge during these select hours, making it a compelling alternative to a drink package.

If you proceed even further into the lounge, there's more seating and a food station.

Throughout the day there are light snacks and au d'oeuvres served. There's also a 24 hour coffee and espresso machine suite guests may use.

The suite lounge seating is essentially the "left side" of the space, with the rest reserved for Coastal Kitchen.

I enjoyed walking up to the bar and taking a seat for a drink and getting to know the very talkative bartenders. 

They'd often engage in conversation with other guests, and it's a fun way to meet people. As a solo cruiser, I love to engage in conversation with the crew members as a way to break up the quietness.

Coastal Kitchen is a restaurant that replaces the Main Dining Room

One of the best benefits of being a suite guest is access to Coastal Kitchen.

This is restaurant that is exclusively available to suite guests, and it's included in your cruise fare.

Guests staying in Sky and Star Class rooms can have breakfast, lunch, and dinner here every day.  Guests in Sea Class can go for just dinner.

Coastal Kitchen is like a Main Dining Room that's just for suite guests, offering a menu that changes each evening.  But I like there's a "classics menu" that has the same items each evening.

This means I can choose from a changing array of options, but still indulge in French Onion Soup when I want it.

I think dinner is it's strongest option, and breakfast is nice too for a relaxing start to your day.

Some suite guests will eat exclusively at Coastal Kitchen, but I prefer to mix it into my plans. Be sure to go there for the embarkation day dinner, because I think that's the best menu of any sailing.

Suite guests have a private pool, buffet, and loungers just for them

Moving up to deck 18, you'll find the Suite Sun Deck.

This is an entire pool area just for suite guests, and it's much larger than I expected.

Before you reach the pool, there's The Grove.  

The Grove is a buffet, but the food quality is so much better than the Windjammer. You'll find tapas, fruit, spreads, and even Magnum Ice Cream Bars.

I was impressed by the quality and selection available, and made a few trips up to The Grove for pseudo meals during my sailing.

Across from The Grove is a bar, where you can grab a drink or sit and enjoy another conversation opportunity.

Walking around the sun deck, there is a wading pool in the middle, plus a hot tub nearby.

You'll find seating all around the Suite Sun Deck, and this is more than just loungers.

There are chairs, day beds, suspended chairs, and more.  Some of it in the shade, and the rest in the sun.

This exclusivity is a big selling point for a cruise line that doesn't usually target luxury travelers

Suites on Star of the Seas aren't cheap, so the perks you get with them are a major reason to book one.

Having access to an entire neighborhood just for suite guests means you have essentially an enclave, especially if your suite is located on deck 16 or 17.

Not only is there a sense of exclusivity, but there are less people to compete with for the amenities. This is especially important on the Suite Sun Deck, because loungers and pool access is always in high demand on any cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean doesn't have a true "ship within a ship" concept like other cruise lines, but this is as close as they've come to having something similar to it.

More suite perks beyond the neighborhood

The benefits of staying in a suite go beyond the Suite Neighborhood.

Royal Caribbean includes a special check-in in the cruise terminal, as well as an escort off the ship by the concierge team when the cruise is complete.

There's also reserved seating at shows for suite guests.  And suite guests get an extra point per night in the loyalty program, which catapults guests faster to the higher tiers.

Junior Suite guests don't get access to most of this area

It's important to remind you that despite its name, Junior Suite guests don't get access to the full suite perks.

Sea Class Junior Suite cabins only have access to Coastal Kitchen for dinner, but not to the Suite Lounge, Suite Sun Deck, or the services of the concierge.

There are some Sky Class Junior Suite staterooms that would have those perks.

Royal Caribbean has a great app, but it could use a few upgrades.

While I think the Royal Caribbean app has come a long way and is one of the best in the cruise industry, there's always room for improvement.

I was using the app while I was sailing on Star of the Seas, and was frustrated by a few of its shortcomings. These aren't major problems or bugs with the app. Rather, they're necessary upgrades to make the app far more useful.

The cruise line has delved more into the digital realm by relying more on its app rather than a printed Cruise Compass.

So in the interest of making things better, I came up with a list of 6 features Royal Caribbean should add as soon as possible to its app to make it even better.

Ability to add custom events

An app feature I've heard many cruisers ask for years is the option to add their own events to the calendar.

When you scroll through the daily events, you can select an event and add it to your own calendar. Then Royal Caribbean reminds you with a push notification 30 minutes before it starts.

I really wish they'd add an option to create your own events within your calendar.

This would be useful for things like "Meet the kids at the slides", or "Go to Playmakers to watch the Yankees game".

It serves both as a reminder and means to block out time in your calendar for things happening on the ship that aren't listed in the app.

While I could always use my own calendar app on my phone, leveraging Royal Caribbean's app prevents double booking myself.

Search function

I really can't believe there is no way to search for an activity within the Royal Caribbean app.

While on Star of the Seas, I spoke to a member of the activities staff that were was going to be a WWE wrestling theme song trivia event but he didn't know when it was.

I had to scroll through every single day, looking carefully to spot it.

There should be a search function where I can search for a keyword in the activity title or description to make it simpler.  I think many guests are aware certain events may be occurring, but unsure when exactly.

This would make it so much easier to plan out favorite events, or filter certain events by themes.

See all events in a certain venue

Similar to the search function, I think you should be able to have a way to show all the events happening in a certain lounge, area, or room.

As an example, I love Two70 on the Quantum Class ships because of how innovative and fun it is.  So I'd love to see just the events coming up in Two70.

Or perhaps guests that love trivia would want to see all the trivia happening in the Schooner Bar on a given day.

Cruise countdown widget

I'm really surprised there isn't a proper countdown widget in the Royal Caribbean app that easily shows how many days until your next cruise.

I think it's safe to say everyone with a Royal Caribbean cruise booked is excited for the start of their vacation, so there should be a very prominent countdown option within the app.

Heck, I'd go one step further and add a way to have that countdown appear as a widget on your home screen. 

The excitement of an upcoming cruise is almost as good as the cruise itself, and having an easy to find list of how many days are left until the cruise begins seems like an easy win.

Ability to track Diamond drink vouchers

While the use case is the least of all my app feature requests, I think there's value in tracking how many drink vouchers you have left each day.

Diamond members in Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program get 4 free drinks per day, every day of the cruise. They can be used at any bar, restaurant or lounge, and it's good for any drink up to $14 in value. 

Diamond Plus members get 5 drinks per day and Pinnacle Club members get 6.

As of now, the only way to know how many drinks you have left per day is to look at the bottom of the receipt or ask the bartender.

The reason why the receipt isn't trustworthy is sometimes a waiter or bartender doesn't actually use your voucher. They could accidentally charge your SeaPass card or simply give you a freebie.

It would be lovely to be able to see how many drink vouchers I have left each day without bugging a crew member.  And since it's all tracked digitally already, it seems like it would be an easy lift to pull that data into the app.

Order food from the app

Once upon a time, Royal Caribbean said it would bring mobile food ordering to its app.  They even tested it on Symphony of the Seas on at least one sailing.

But then other features got prioritized, and the idea fell to the wayside.

I think it's time to revisit this idea.

The concept is you can be somewhere on the ship in a public area and order food or drink. 

At the very least, being able to order a drink from your lounge chair would be a huge win. It means less wandering for bartenders and less waiting for guests. 

I know there are many times I spend more time trying to flag down a waiter than for the drink to be delivered.

Sure, I'd love for them to add pizza, Playmakers food, or sushi to a mobile delivery option.  And room service, while we're at it.

But let's at least begin with drinks.

I challenged myself to go on the biggest cruise ship in the world and spend less than $50 to eat at three restaurants.

I was inspired when I ran across a recent Royal Caribbean pre-cruise sale that brought the price down of one restaurant just $9.

Specialty dining is quite popular, but also tends to be expensive. However, if you know when to book, there are deals to be had.

For my recent 4-night showcase sailing on Star of the Seas, I was able to eat at three different restaurants and have a meal at each one for less than $50.  Here's how I did it.

Pier 7

I came up with this dining challenge when I spotted Pier 7 going for just $9 for brunch.

It's common that the price of a specialty restaurant for lunch would cost less than dinner. I think it's because there's less demand for a sit down meal on a busy sea day.

Pier 7 is the a casual sit-down restaurant right in the middle of the kids-only Surfside neighborhood. 

It costs extra to dine here for adults, but is complimentary for kids under the age of 12.

Royal Caribbean describe the food as, "California-inspired dishes," and I really like that there are different foods you won't usually find elsewhere on the ship.

For $8.99, I was able to order one item from "Board Bites", one item from "Wave-Riding Entrees" and one dessert.  

I tried the Pier 7 salad, although I regret not going with the Buddha Bowl instead.

I wasn't in the mood for breakfast, so I had the Surfer's Club sandwich.

Dessert was the Caramel Waffles, and it was so decadent.  I probably would have skipped dessert, but since I got it included, why not.

I paid $9 for a meal that's listed as $25 if bought a la carte, or two dishes for a flat $15 fee.  

Izumi

Not only do I love Izumi, but it's now the most popular Royal Caribbean specialty restaurant by volume. So I felt I was in good company to choose this.

The pre-cruise sale listed dinner for $23.99, and I jumped on it since it would leave me some breathing room on price for my third restaurant and because you don't have to twist my arm to dine here.

Just like Pier 7, you have the choice of ordering off the fixed price menu or going a la carte.

Basically you can order food up to $40 in value, either with one small plate, two large plates, and dessert; or just pick and choose what you want up to $40. 

So with the sale, that's an additional $16 in value. 

I picked:

• Miso soup (included with the fixed price menu)
• Tofu ginger salad
• Spicy crispy tuna roll
• Chef's sushi selection
• Chocolate lava cake

That's a lot of food for just twenty four dollars, and certainly very satisfying too.

It's worth mentioning I could have had an even less expensive meal if I went to the Izumi sushi window.

This is a to-go window, where you can order a few different sushi rolls.

The sushi options include a choice of two rolls, plus edamame or seaweed salad. You'll find both sashimi and nigiri rolls to pick from. And then you can either eat it in Central Park, or take it elsewhere on the ship, such as your balcony!

If you prefer dessert for your meal (I won't tell your mom), they also have amazingly decadent bubble cones too!

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

With about $17 left in my budget, I had a lot of good choices for my third dinner.

I was actually impressed by how many inexpensive meal choices I had that would fit with a $17 budget:

• Burger at Playmakers
• Giovanni's Wine Bar food menu
• Trellis Bar

I looked at each of the menus, but went with Giovanni's because I could squeeze in two things and also enjoy air conditioning (sorry Trellis Bar).

You may not be aware, but you can go to the wine bar at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen without a reservation and order off the bar menu.  There's a sub selection of food items from the restaurant menu available.

I was able to order the Giovanni's House Salad and the Margherita Pizza for just $15 total.

I usually order the salad when I dine at Giovanni's, because I like the mix of greens and light, yet tasty dressing.  It's one of the few non-carbs on the menu, so I'll embrace it.

I love the pizzas at Giovannis and I think they're vastly underrated.

The pizzas Royal Caribbean serves at Giovanni's were actually created by Renato Viola, who is one of Italy’s best Master Pizza Chefs in the world. 

If you find yourself in South Florida, check out Mister O1 Pizza, because it's the creation of Renato's works and you can order the same pizzas (plus many more) as you'd find on Royal Caribbean ships.

Pre-planning pays off

My $50 challenge is the result of a simple, yet effective strategy: pre-book your cruise and do your research.

It's amazing how many discounts and deals you can get by simply booking in advance and researching what's available for your cruise.

I was more impressed I could get prices this low for both Izumi and Pier 7, considering this is a brand new ship.

It also helps this challenge to be on a ship that has a lot of restaurant choices, which is an advantage of bigger and newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

In the end, I ate at three restaurants for about $48 and each was a legitimate meal. It was a great way to enjoy plussed up dining without breaking my budget.

Royal Caribbean is planning to completely overhaul the port of Costa Maya in Mexico and that's gotten the attention of locals who have concerns.

Earlier this summer, the cruise line revealed plans to construct its biggest private destination yet. In fact, the footprint is as large as the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

The ambitious plans were received with astonishment from the public for all the fun activities, but some people are worried about the impact it will have on the area.

An online petition has collected over 200,000 signatures asking for the project to stop the project.

The creator of the petition claims Perfect Day Mexico will be restrictive and disruptive to the people and environment.

This project directly threatens our rights of access and use of the sea, beaches, and mangroves, our local identity, our way of life, our freedom to live here, and above all, the survival of unique and threatened ecosystems

Royal Caribbean defended its plans, and promises to be transparent and open as it moves forward with the project.

"Careful planning and open dialogue"

The petition caught the attention of Royal Caribbean, as they want to be as open about their plans as possible.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider issued a statement to Riviera Maya News that explains their approach and why their plans are not what's being characterized by the online petition.

According to the statement, the development will be "characterized by transparency and a profound respect for the local community and the environment."

It's true the cruise line bought the Port of Costa Maya in July, but it's merely the first step in a journey that will take many years, "Perfect Day Mexico is designed to generate a positive and lasting impact on the economy, the local community, and the environment."

Royal Caribbean is aware of the concerns locals have regarding the impact the project will have on the environment, local resources, and small businesses.

In response, Royal Caribbean said it has been meeting with stakeholders, "Since we recently took on responsibility for managing the port, we have worked closely with employees, local operators, and authorities to listen, identify, and understand their priorities. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of opportunities that benefit everyone."

Environment

In response to the strong concerns about how Perfect Day Mexico could be problematic to the ecosystem in the greater Mahahual area, Royal Caribbean pledged to do everything it can to protect it.

"As part of our ongoing environmental commitment, we will preserve 45 hectares of existing mangroves," the statement said.

Additionally, they promised to ensure natural water flow is not changed, "we will actively participate in restoring water flow throughout the ecosystem and work to reverse existing degradation in aquifer layers, allowing the mangroves to thrive in a healthy natural habitat."

Furthermore, Mr. Schneider stressed construction would not begin until environmental permits are secured and a community meeting has been held, "construction and renovation activities will only begin once we have obtained the necessary environmental permits from the competent authorities."

Another pledge Royal Caribbean has made is to Perfect Day Mexico will be a green operation.

By 2040, the entire area will operate on 100% green energy, "Our commitment to using 100% green energy to supply our site by 2040 is based on a holistic approach to sustainable development that balances economic growth, community inclusion, and environmental protection."

Protecting the sea turtles

Royal Caribbean said it will work with environmental associations to protect native species, including sea turtle nesting sites.

Mr. Schneider said that more than 95% of wastewater generated today in Mahahual is untreated.

According to the company, reef structures will remain untouched, and new waste management systems will be put in place to prevent further contamination.

Royal Caribbean's approach includes:

• A wastewater treatment plant
• A solid waste management facility serving both tourists and residents
• Programs to eliminate single-use plastics

"This new facility will represent a transformative change for the region and reduce its environmental impact."

"We will also collaborate with environmental associations to enhance the area, leaving existing reef structures intact, and implementing sustainable solutions to manage waste and coastal resources. We are committed to protecting native species, including sea turtle nesting sites and coastal flora."

What about small businesses?

In addition to the environment, a number of companies that cater to cruise tourists today are worried about being driven out of business.

Royal Caribbean responded by saying the development will include, "Training programs for local employees, access to educational and healthcare services, as well as the integration of advanced technologies in energy and mobility that will significantly reduce carbon emissions in the area."

He also reiterated that direct and open dialogue with nearby communities will continue throughout the process, calling transparency "a practice that we will continue as part of our commitment."

What Royal Caribbean has planned

It will take two years for Costa Maya to be converted into Perfect Day Mexico, and the cruise port will remain open in the meantime.

The port will continue to allow other cruise lines to stop at the Port of Costa Maya, allowing their passengers to enjoy the excursions and activities around Mahahual.  The actual Perfect Day Mexico property will be exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests (although they are free to do go out and do other tours too).

Over $600 million will be invested in building a water park, beach clubs, a lazy river, shopping areas, and lots of dining. In fact, it will have 30 slides and the longest lazy river in the world.

Perfect Day Mexico is expected to open for Royal Caribbean guests in Fall 2027.

The Lincoln Park Supper Club is a six-course meal on Star of the Seas that pairs cocktails and live music, but is it worth $200 per person?

Themed after the Chicago of the 1930s and 1940s, this is Royal Caribbean's second supper club experience that follows up on the Empire Supper Club that was first added on Icon of the Seas.

When I tried the first supper club, I was skeptical if I'd enjoy it because it sounded like an expensive and long meal. Not only did I enjoy it, I went back for a second time.

With Lincoln Park Supper Club, I wanted to see how similar the experience was and if it felt like more of the same.  As it turned out, I walked away liking this version so much more.

What to know before you book

Lincoln Park Supper Club is a totally different kind of experience from other specialty restaurants on Star of the Seas.

The meal takes about two and a half hours, and includes alcohol with the experience.

The listed price is $200 per person, however guests with the Unlimited Dining Package can dine here for $130.

There are no discounts for guests with the Deluxe Beverage Package or Crown and Anchor status. 

Royal Caribbean has a formal dress code and it's enforced.  Men must wear a jacket, and will be provided one if they don't have one.

It's a very small venue, with a maximum capacity of just 38 people per evening. Tables can accommodate two or four guests, and if you're dining alone there's a good chance you'll be seated with a stranger.

Groups containing more than four guests will need to be seated at separate tables.

Yes, kids can come, but Royal Caribbean says it's "designed for adult guests" and there's no difference in price for children.

It's also required that you show up on time. Doors open 10 minutes before your dining time and the experience starts up quickly.

Lincoln Park Supper Club review

Located on deck eight on Star of the Seas, you'll find the entrance to the Lincoln Park Supper Club near Central Park.

Guests wait in the elevator lobby near the entrance until a waiter comes to escort you inside.  Very quickly you'll notice the elegance and differences from traditional specialty restaurants.

This is an intimate restaurant, and it feels like you're in a club considering how small the venue is.

You'll be given a flute of champagne the start, and then a menu gives you an overview of your evening.

There are three acts to the meal. 

Each of the courses from the first act will be served to you, and then you can order one option from the second (entree) and third (dessert) acts.

Each course comes with a select cocktail, meant to pair perfectly with the food served.

Now let's talk substitutions.  While the menu is fixed, there are alternatives for both food and drink available.

I don't eat shellfish or pork, and the restaurant had no problem serving me courses that either didn't include those foods or a completely different (yet visually similar) alternative. 

They have some flexibility, but don't expect Sorrento's Pizza or something completely different from the menu offerings.

Similarly, if you prefer non-alcoholic cocktails, they can serve those instead.

The meal begins with a jazz trio, consisting of a piano player, bassist, and singer.  Later in the show, a trumpeter joins in (spoiler alert).

Each course is paired with a song, such as Home Sweet Chicago, Maple Leaf Rag, or Quiet Whiskey.

The musical element is wonderful, and it's difficult not to tap your toe as you enjoy it.

Here's a list of all the food we were served to both myself and my dining partner. Neither of us are professional food reviewers, but we're from Connecticut, so that instantly gives us a certain level of esteem (that's a joke, let's move on).

Drink #1: Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut

You'll start the meal off with a flute of champagne and a toast.  Classic and simple.

Starter #1: Amuse-bouche

There are two starters that technically aren't courses, but you'll enjoy them as a lovely start.

The first is inspired by a Chicago seafood restaurant that is served with caviar and edible gold flakes.

Starter #2: "Deep dish pizza" bread

My favorite of the two starters looks like bread, but it's essentially a deconstructed deep-dish pizza. 

The bread is paired with truffle butter and pepperoni and sun-dried tomato spread. Combined together, and it's sort like a pizza in your mouth.

Appetizer #1: Kampachi

I really liked this option, as it has fish, cucumber, soy, and goat cheese. Creatively arranged, it felt like a shame to eat.

Drink #3: Hyde Park Martini

This cocktail is inspired by the Lake House Hotel, which was Chicago's first fine dining hotel that opened in 1835. 

I'm not a huge martini fan, but it had a good mix of being a bit dry and invoking a good flavor.

Appetizer #2: Beetroot

If you're a fan of beets, this is the appetizer for you.

I found each of the beet options here to be less tart than I expected, and I actually ate it all.  We both enjoyed it was creatively made and still tasted good.

Drink #4: Botanist's Elixir

Another homage to Chicago's past, this cocktail is a tribute to Chicago's first supper club, the Winter Garden Cabaret. 

I enjoyed this drink, and it was my favorite up until this point.

Appetizer #3: Steak Tartare

Royal Caribbean came up with a very creative way to shake up a traditional steak tartare.

It's served vertically, and I had to politely take bites rather than gobble up the whole thing in one bite. Soft, tender, and great flavor.

Drink #5: LP Old Fashioned

I wanted to love this drink more, but I'm not a fan of bitters. 

Old fashioned's are back in style, so I recognize this is a "me thing" and I'm sure you'll enjoy this more than I did.

Appetizer #4: Crab Ravioli

Since I don't eat shellfish, I was served a substitute of cheese in my ravioli.

Nonetheless, we both really liked this ravioli. It looked and almost tasted more like a soup, but it had a very rich flavor.

Drink: Lakeshore Fizz

I really liked this drink a lot, as it had good flavor and kick to it.

This cocktail was inspired by another Chicago supper club, the Chez Paree, which was created in 1938. It was best known for being glamorous as well as being a notorious mob hangout.

Palate cleanser

Before the main course, we were served a sorbet that came with dry ice and I was like a little kid as soon as they brought it out.

Main course: Prime Rib

There are four options for your entree: walleye (fish), lamb, wagyu prime rib, or cauliflower. 

Each option is a tribute to The Pump Room, a popular hangout spot for celebrities in Chicago.

My dining partner picked the prime rib, and I sampled a bite of it because it looked so good.

It's accompanied by potatoes and onion, and I would have ordered it had I not wanted some variety in our review.

It's paired with the Southside cocktail.

Main course: Cauliflower steak

I've had plenty of cauliflower steaks on Royal Caribbean, so I was curious to see how this stacked up.

As the vegetarian option, it comes out looking like a menagerie of cauliflower. Like everything on the menu, the presentation is truly impressive.

I prefer to pair a cauliflower steak with a protein to help balance it all, but I was impressed by the taste and texture of it. 

The accompanied cocktail for this was the Chicago Cocktail (seriously, that's the name).

Dessert: Palmer House Brownie

There are two desserts on the menu, so we decided to share. 

Evidently the brownie was invented at the Palmer House in Chicago, and it tasted decadent and delightful. Plus, it has a scoop of vanilla gelato.

I was hesitant to share the bite I promised.

The cocktail is Gold Coast.

Dessert: Grasshopper Pie

A weird name, but this is a peppermint mousse.

Personally, I hate mint and mousse, but my dining partner enjoyed it a lot.

We both really liked the Brandy Alexander cocktail that came with it.  I even got one for myself, because I enjoyed it so much.

It tasted like a White Russian cocktail, and was quite smooth. My favorite of all the cocktails.

Surprise dessert

If we didn't have enough to eat by now, there was one more dessert served.

Chocolate bites were brought out on a piano filled with dry ice, and each chocolate bite had a different filling.

Better than Empire Supper Club

I walked away from the Lincoln Park Supper Club with one important takeaway: I liked this even more than the version on Icon of the Seas.

I thought the music was even better, as I think the addition of the trumpeter mixed things up.  Plus, I greatly preferred the food overall at Lincoln Park.

While the meal did take almost three hours, I never once glanced at my phone to see what time it was. The pacing is perfect, and you're never sitting there wondering when the next thing will happen.

The disappointment comes in that it seems nearly impossible to actually finish every cocktail they serve.  The pacing is quick, and these are full cocktails. Many drinks went back half consumed.

Is the Lincoln Park Supper Club worth the cost?

At $200 per person, this is a very expensive meal, but I think it's absolutely worth paying if you love cocktails, special foods, and want a lovely evening out.

You can make the argument that the amount of cocktails alone justify the cost, given that you can expect to pay between $10-14 for each one at a bar around the ship.

If you're smart and a little lucky, you can pre-book it online and get a lower price.  For my Star of the Seas cruise in November, the price is discounted to $179.99 per person.

Then there's the food, which is truly nothing like you'll find anywhere else on Star of the Seas.

Given that you're getting drinks, food, and live entertainment in one, the Lincoln Park Supper Club is the ultimate date night on Star of the Seas.

It's not meant to be like Chops Grille, where you dine there multiple times.  This is a special restaurant for a special occasion or evening out.

Moreover, the attention to detail makes it feel like something totally different from a specialty restaurant. It's on another level up from what you may have experienced in other venues onboard.

If you're a foodie, want to do something different or special, and enjoy cocktails, Lincoln Park Supper Club is a must-try.

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!

Star of the Seas is here and Matt thinks it's a winning follow-up to the original Icon Class ship.

Royal Caribbean sought to build a ship just as good as Icon of the Seas, but tweak and enhance a few areas.

After 10 nights onboard, our full review has a look at what makes Star of the Seas stand out.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean alters cruise ship itineraries to avoid Hurricane Erin
• Royal Caribbean redeploys cruise ships sailing from Latin America
• Celebrity confirms when they will open bookings for river cruises
• I spent $5,300 on a last-minute cruise on Voyager of the Seas. It was expensive, but I couldn't pass it up
• How to find dining menus on Royal Caribbean's app
• Jason Liberty and Richard Fain reflect on Royal Caribbean's past, present and future
• When to book Star of the Seas for the lowest price, data shows

New RCB Video: A Cruise In A Hurricane Isn’t What You Think

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 — A Cruise In A Hurricane Isn’t What You Think — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean teases Texas with Icon possibility

Did Royal Caribbean's CEO confirm they'll bring an Icon Class ship to a Texas port?

Michael Bayley strongly hinted the cruise line could bring one of its Icon Class ships to Galveston.

A new ship could be coming there as early as the 2027-2028 season.

Royal Caribbean's wearables have a new look and prices

WOW Bands have a new look and price too.

With the launch of Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has revamped its wearables to go along with the ship.

They're functionally the same, but come in new colors and a higher price tag.

Perfect Day at CocoCay vs. Celebration Key

How does Royal Caribbean's game-changing private island in The Bahamas stack up to Carnival's new Celebration Key?

Perfect Day at CocoCay has a waterpark, helium balloon and a giant pool.  Carnival now has its own take on the idea, with freshwater lagoons, beaches, and slides.

Our team took a look at the benefits of each one.

This family suite has the perfect amount of space

What is the new Surfside Family Suite really like to stay in?

Matt had the chance to stay in this room while on Star of the Seas, and he found it quite spacious.

It has separation for families, but it lacks enough storage and an interesting bathroom setup.

Royal Caribbean sought to make Star of the Seas a nearly identical follow-up to Icon of the Seas because why mess with what works?

I went on Star of the Seas interested to see how the second Icon Class ship could possibly match up to the original game changer, Icon of the Seas.

Because of how much hype and praise Icon received, I wanted to see how Star stood out.  

In reality, Star is so similar to Icon that you have to look closely to find differences. That's not a bad thing, because Royal Caribbean got so much of it right the first time.

A new family vacation destination

Photo by AdamsAway

The core experience Royal Caribbean is curating on Star of the Seas is a cruise ship filled with just about every family friendly and memory making option you can think of.

It's clear to me Royal Caribbean wants to build cruise ships that foster experiences that you'll remember for a long time to come. Star of the Seas has shows, activities, dining, and venues that all are sure to capture your attention quickly, and likely compel you to grab a photo so you can remember it and show it off to everyone at home later.

They do this with a lineup of things to do that you just won't find on any other ship.

The Icon Class is built with new innovations that are big and small. You'll be wowed by the six slide water park on the back of the ship that is easily seen as you drive up to the ship, but also appreciate the shorter wait times for elevators thanks to a more efficient programming.

New cruisers don't need to know the differences, because they'll feel right at home shifting from a resort on land to a cruise ship. Star of the Seas is a smooth experience, from check-in to boarding, to dining, and beyond.

So much to experience, being bored isn't an option

Arguably one of the best reasons to pick a brand new giant ship like Star of the Seas is for the sheer amount of different things you can do onboard.

Royal Caribbean includes the most shows, restaurants, bars, and activities on its biggest ships, and you'll find Star of the Seas has something happening almost every minute of the day.

Star's top deck is filled with water slides, pools, bars, and places to hang out. There are two adults-only pools, plus an entire section of the ship dedicated to young families.

The Royal Caribbean app lists activities you can try, including trivia, karaoke, pickleball, guitarists, concerts, street parties, and much more.

Plus, there are three theaters onboard with shows unique to Star of the Seas.

Back to the Future: The Musical is the must-see production onboard, and it's exactly like the Broadway/West End version. A fun musical for the entire family, and included in your cruise fare.

In the AquaTheater is a high dive stunt show, known as Torque.

Think of this like a high energy performance that combines diving boards, acrobatics, music, and swim into one.  

At the ship's ice skating rink, you'll find Sol.  This show highlights incredible skating technique, set to music. 

The shows are equally compelling in different ways, and it's all included in your cruise fare.  But, be sure to make reservations early for them so you're not left out.

The only way to be bored on Star of the Seas is to sit in your cabin and force yourself into a temporary exile.

Star is huge, but easy to navigate

New cruisers might be daunted at how they'll ever find their way around Star of the Seas, but the truth is it's easier than it seems.

Royal Caribbean has become masters of building giant cruise ships that are relatively easy to get around. The secret is in deliberate theming and visual cues.

• AquaDome: An indoor space and theater capped by a large dome, offering immersive entertainment and dining experiences (Deck 15).
• Central Park: Open air park with real trees, shrubs, and flowers that has a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars (Deck 8).
• Thrill Island: All things fun and exciting, with a water park, mini-golf, sports court, and many more activities (Deck 16)
• Chill Island: Most of the pools, whirlpools, and bars for time spent enjoying being in or around the water (Decks 15, 16 & 17)
• Royal Promenade: Two deck high entertainment "street" that has restaurants, bars, and is home to The Pearl (Deck 5 & 6)
• The Hideaway: Adults only enclave for passengers at least 18 years old, with a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, and a variety of seating options (Deck 16).
• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved area of the ship exclusively for guests booked in a suite.  There's two dedicated restaurants, bar, and sun deck (Deck 16, 17, & 18).
• Surfside: A family-friendly neighborhood with a kids' splash zone, arcade, carousel, and family-friendly restaurants (Deck 6).

Star of the Seas has lots of restaurants, but many cost extra

Royal Caribbean boasts there are over 40 ways to dine and drink on Star of the Seas, but not all of it is included in your cruise fare.

Don't worry, you can go onboard and find lots of choices of where to eat and drink without spending extra. But the temptation to do so will certainly be there.

The cruise industry as a whole as adopted this model of freemium dining. The basics are included, but there are opportunities to spend extra and splurge.

I think the included restaurants on Star of the Seas are some of the best in the fleet. I could eat at Aquadome Market, El Loco Fresh, Pearl Cafe, and Main Dining Room exclusively and be quite content.

In fact, I think the update to Aquadome Market makes it superior to the version on Icon of the Seas.

But if you are willing to spend extra, you'll find lots of fabulous choices.

The only completely new restaurant on Star (compared to Icon) is the Lincoln Park Supper Club. It costs $200 per person, and lasts almost three hours, but I loved this experience so much. It's the ultimate fancy night out.

My favorite restaurant onboard is Izumi, where you can get sushi or indulge in teppanyaki cooking. It's a real crowd pleaser, and somewhere I try to eat on any ship that has it.

Suite guests have their own subsection of the ship that includes two restaurants: Coastal Kitchen and The Grove.

Coastal Kitchen is akin to a suites-only Main Dining Room, whereas The Grove is a convenient buffet on the sun deck.

Star of the Seas is easily one of the best cruise ships because it has just about everything

The reason to choose Star of the Seas for a cruise vacation is it's likely going to offer everything and anything you'd want in a memorable family vacation.

Royal Caribbean seems to understand the family vacation market better than most, and it's really honed in on what families want in any vacation they take: fun things they can do together that will make memories they'll cherish.

There is no shortage of fun things for everyone of every age to enjoy, and so many activities lean into multigenerational appeal.

With a ship as large as Star of the Seas, you might be worried about it being too crowded.  The reality is Royal Caribbean tackled the crowd management issue to the point it's astounding how uncrowded Star of the Seas feels.

Venues, activities, and neighborhoods are so well spread out that it helps keep passengers moving and not all in the same place. 

The only time I ever found a crowd is if there was a dance party of the Royal Promenade, which is designed to create a crowd.

Even the pool deck, a traditionally crowded place on a cruise ship, has open chairs and areas to spread out.  The adults-only areas can feel fuller than others, but it's hardly problematic.

I think the fact there are multiple, smaller pools that are spread out helps keep the pool deck from feeling like most cruise ship pool decks do.  Plus, there are so many loungers and chairs around the pool I cannot fathom there would ever be enough people at once to take them all up, even on busy sea days.

By far the best thing about Star of the Seas crowd management are the destination elevators.

They're smarter elevators that assign an elevator to you, rather than you taking the first available one.

It allows them to move more efficiently and reduce waits. It's easy to learn and very fast. 

Plus, Star of the Seas has some amazing shows and dining.  It seems to tick every box of what you'd want in a cruise ship vacation.

Who should book Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean markets Star of the Seas as being the world's best family vacation, but it works for many people than just families.

There's no doubt Star is a great ship to bring the kids, your parents, cousins, and siblings on, because it's the perfect multi-generational ship.  There's enough onboard for everyone of every age to find appealing.

But I believe there's enough too for other types of cruisers, including couples, solo travelers, and retirees. Because Star of the Seas embodies the very best that Royal Caribbean has to offer, I think it's a good choice for just about anyone.

I also think it's one of the best ships for someone that has never cruised before.  New cruisers might think a giant ship would be daunting, but in truth, I think it's better to have more choices in what you can do, than not enough.

Plus, new cruisers are sure to find Star of the Seas extremely easy to figure out because it was designed with the best ideas and new concepts.

If there's someone who shouldn't book a Star of the Seas sailings, it's probably someone on a tight budget or a value seeker. Cruises on Star of the Seas aren't cheap, and deals are few and far between compared to older ships in the fleet.

Insider Star of the Seas tips and secrets

I've spent 10 nights so far on Star of the Seas, which has given me an opportunity most people don't have to experience it all.

Here are my best Star of the Seas tips and tricks you should take advantage of.

Book shows before the cruise: The shows will sell out, so book them before the cruise begins.

Reservations are free, and should open up about 30 days or less before the cruise begins. Don't miss out.

How to meet the dog: Everyone wants to meet Sailor, the official family dog of Star of the Seas.

There is no posted schedule, so it's a bit of luck to find her around the ship . The Overlook, jogging track, and mini golf course are all places I've seen Sailor the most frequently

The best deals for drink packages, wifi, and more: It's quite likely you'll want a drink package, internet access, a specialty restaurant reservation or some other extra cost item.

The best prices are before the cruise begins on the Cruise Planner or app. Take advantage of these sales, because they can save up to 40% off the onboard price.

Secret bar menus: A couple of bars have food you can order from too, and it's a great alternative to booking a full specialty restaurant.

Both Giovanni's Wine Bar and the Trellis Bar have food menus, and neither require a reservation to dine there.