A woman claimed she was on a Royal Caribbean cruise and had an allergic reaction to something she ate, but then refused to pay the high price for medication onboard.

The woman posted a video on TikTok of her swollen face and disdain for the price the cruise ship's medical facility wanted to charge her.

"I've been on the boat for ... not even the full 24 hours and my face is swollen," she said as she took her sunglasses.

She did not say what she ate the triggered the reaction.  She said she said she went to the medical center on her vessel and was told it would cost $390 for Benadryl.

"They do have it, but it costs $390 for them to give me Benadryl," she said.

Cruise ship medical bays have doctors and nurses onboard, and it's effectively a mini urgent care location to treat and triage minor issues.  For major medical issues, the passenger will be taken off the ship to get treatment back on land.

For medical care onboard, they don't accept any insurance.  You have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed after the cruise by either your own medical insurance or a travel insurance policy.

Unfortunately, most medical insurance plans don't cover cruise ships because they're outside of their country. 

Luckily for this woman, she said at the end of the video she managed to get Benadryl from another passenger on the ship.

Fierce opinions

The comments for this woman's video exploded with opinions on the matter, as many had differing thoughts of what she should have done in this situation.

Many cruisers talked about how they bring all sorts of over-the-counter medications on vacation with them.

"I take the whole medicine cabinet with me on a cruise because I refuse!," said Deneanne Nicole.

Others recommended asking other passengers, who may have done just that.

"Girl. Go ask folks on the boat. Especially veteran cruisers. They have everything," said Baezivy.

Txfynest recommended, "Go on the Facebook travel group for your boat and ask the group hopefully you’ll be ok till yall port and get something."

Some viewers realized the need to plan ahead as a result of the video, "this is a learning experience for all of us. I need to take meds on my next cruise" gabrielabutcallmegaby commented.

Most of the comments centered around being prepared and bringing the right medications with you, just in case.

In fact, one of the top things cruisers shared they regretted not packing was over-the-counter medication.

No one wants to get sick on vacation, but it happens.

Whether you simply catch a head cold or you have a mild allergic reaction to a bug bite, having a variety of over-the-counter medication can make all the difference. 

The importance of travel insurance

The real debate topic was the importance of travel insurance and how they would have handled the situation.

Toneee22 shared their experience when something similar happened, "I fainted on a cruise was taken 2 the infirmary & my bill came 2 $600. I paid the bill before I left & sent it 2 my insurance company. They reimbursed me $570, so my out of pocket was only the co-pay."

Christina Sanford Hamilton added, "I have travel insurance. Buy it annually and I always take two bags of meds and bathroom stuff."

Travel insurance is technically optional, but it ought to be a must-buy for travelers going on a cruise vacation.

A basic policy from Allianz costs $37 per plan and covers:

• Flight, hotel, and vacation-rental cancellations
• Meal and transportation expenses during delays
• Rental-car insurance
• Medical expenses, including evacuations

The exact cost will depend on how long the trip is, the age of the cruisers, add-on coverages, and other considerations.

Travel insurance also covers you for a last-minute need to cancel a cruise, such as a death in the family or loss of a job.

The best way to compare insurance plans is to go through a travel insurance aggregator. 

My two favorite options are InsureMyTrip.com and TravelInsurance.com. 

Both charge you nothing extra to use their services, so it's free to browse. Plus, they offer ways to compare specific plans from different travel insurance companies against each other.

You probably won't actually need the travel insurance, but if you do, you never want to be in a situation where you're debating getting the health care you need versus the out of pocket costs.

According to a report, a passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was detained for allegedly being violent towards crew members on his ship, and then died shortly after.

Fox 11 reports the passenger is being identified as Michael Virgil, and his family claims he died shortly after being injected "with some sort of sedative."

A video showed the man attempting to break down the door of a cabin, along with threatening other passengers and assaulting two crew members.

The incident took place on Navigator of the Seas as it was about to start a cruise from Los Angeles (San Pedro) to Ensenada, Mexico.

According to the report, Virgil allegedly kicked one Royal Caribbean crew member in the face and punched the other.

Christifer Mikhail told FOX 11, "The gentleman that was drunk said that he was gonna kill us, and then he started chasing us down the hallway."

Mikhail sailed that the crew member who was punched was hit with such force that he "flew a couple feet back."

Several Royal Caribbean security team members were able to eventually detain a tired-out Virgil by using zip ties, handcuffs and either bear or pepper spray, according to the bystander and his video.

Virgil's family says he was injected with a sedative and died within an hour.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the man's passing in a statement to Fox 11, "We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests."

"We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation."

Virgil’s devastated family told FOX 11 that his shocking outburst was uncharacteristic of the dad, who was on the cruise with his 7-year-old autistic son and his fiancé.

“He didn’t deserve to die over it,” a relative told the station.

FBI investigation has begun

The FBI is now involved in the case and is investigating the fight and death. An autopsy will be performed.

The FBI’s Los Angeles field office issued a statement to USA Today confirming their agency responded as the cruise ship returned to dock on Monday.

The FBI did not have additional specifics to share in regards to how they'll conduct the investigation.

The FBI website describes their jurisdiction on cruise ship incidents as "complicated", "Cruise ship criminal jurisdiction is complicated, and keeping U.S. passengers safe at sea presents unique challenges."

The issue is related to the fact cruise ships are registered in foreign countries and crimes occur in international waters.  Plus, the passengers and crew members may be from foreign countries.

So if there's a crime, other countries may want to investigate it too.

The location of the vessel, the nationality of the suspect or victim, the ownership of the vessel, the points of embarkation and debarkation, and the country where the vessel is registered all determine the FBI’s role and ability to investigate.

Cruisers reactions

News of the incident and the man's subsequent death spread across the internet quickly, with differing opinions on the situation.

On Facebook, many cruisers offered their own speculation as to what could have happened to cause the man to die so quickly.

Michael Snyder posted, "Leaving ugly comments won’t change the facts of this, the guy was out of control but his family he left behind are suffering his loss and very likely embarrassed by his actions no matter what caused them. The people he threatened and assaulted also suffered."

Becca Castro added, "Sad that this happened, sad for his family that was on their with him to witness all this and then deal with this."

Security measures on cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has its own security guide, which is required under the the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act.

Every Royal Caribbean ship is staffed with dedicated security and medical teams to respond to alleged crimes. They are onboard, on duty and available at all times. 

According to Royal Caribbean, crime allegations are reported to law enforcement officials in the next port of call, as well as to the nation where their ships are flagged. 

The company also reports allegations of crime to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), in compliance with United States laws. 

For a crime such as the man allegedly assaulting with serious bodily injury, US federal law requires Royal Caribbean to report the incident to the FBI by telephone as soon as possible, to the United States Department of Homeland Security electronically and to the USCG in writing. 

A crew member went overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, cruisers have posted online.

Photos have been shared of rescue craft in the ocean near the ship, attempting to locate the person.

UPDATE: The person has been identified as a crew member.

Guests sailing on Vision of the Seas shared updates they received, "it’s certainly a sad day.  We lost a crew member yesterday.  Search went on for about 6-7 hrs, before the Coast Guard could get here and take over," said Gwendolyn Salzman on a Facebook post.

A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson issued a statement, "We immediately launched a search and rescue effort and are working with authorities. We are also providing support and assistance to our crew’s family during this difficult time. To respect the privacy of our employee, we have no additional details to share."

Original story below.

The incident has occurred near the conclusion of a Southern Caribbean cruise on Vision of the Seas.

Lori Green, who is sailing on Vision of the Seas, posted on Facebook, "Code “OSCAR” (man overboard) just announced on Vision of the Seas.  Search and rescue has been deployed."

Reddit user blazinearth also took a photo of the search efforts, "Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time."

The report of the passenger overboard occurred around 1pm on Tuesday evening, as the ship was making its way back to Baltimore, Maryland.

At 7pm, a passenger posted on a Facebook page an update that the search is still ongoing, "Still searching for the person who went overboard.  Coast Guard is here now and Captain said at some point the [Coast Guard] will take over the search."

The United States Coast Guard often steps in to help for a man overboard situation. They can run air and naval searches while the cruise ship uses its small craft to assist.

Vision of the Seas is sailing a 12 Night Southern Caribbean cruise that began in Baltimore.

This is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest cruise ships.

The 1997-built ship offers cruises year-round from Baltimore to Bermuda, The Bahamas, Caribbean and Florida. 

Safety at sea

The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are extremely low.

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.

In addition, there are thick metal or Plexiglas panels or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent people from slipping through. 

When a man overboard situation occurs, the media usually reports on it and it leads some to wonder how it could happen in the first place.

An article from The Points Guy points out cruise ships have railings that are around chest height to ensure passenger safety and to prevent someone from slipping and falling overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to. It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Passengers going overboard are rare

The chances of a cruise ship passenger going overboard are quite low, but it does occasionally happen.

In a report from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), there were 212 identified overboard incidents from cruise ships for either crew members or passengers between 2009 to 2019. 

Of these overboard incidents, only 48 (or 28.2%) individuals were successfully rescued. Around 71.8% of people who go overboard from cruise ships are sadly never recovered or located. 

The CLIA report also shows an overall decline in overboard incidents throughout the 10-year period. The overboard incident rate decreased 64% from 2009 to 2019, with an incidence rate of 0.00004 overboard reports per active lower berth in 2019.

The report states, “When compared with the growth in capacity in the industry over the study years, man overboard incidents continue on a downward trend.” 

Royal Caribbean's most luxurious and expensive suites now come with a few extra costs.

Star Class is the upper most echelon of Royal Caribbean's suite program, where you get the biggest suites at sea, the services of a Royal Genie, and as much included in your cruise fare as you'll find on the cruise line.

However, the cruise line has changed what's included with the Star Class experience by adding surcharges to six restaurants.

While never a true all-inclusive experience, Star Class includes the most amenities. Guests receive complimentary specialty restaurant dining, a Deluxe beverage package (for all guests 21 and older) or Refreshment package (for anyone not legal to drink), minibar stocked with soda and water, laundry and pressing, and gratuities.

Regarding the complimentary specialty restaurant dining, there's now more added fees that come with it.

While sailing on Utopia of the Seas, our Royal Genie alerted us to extra costs at specialty restaurants to be aware of for cruises booked after November 1:

• Royal Railway: $49.99+18% adults/ $24.99+18% kids surcharge
• Izumi in the Park: $10 credit a day per person (instead of unlimited)
• Playmakers: $20 food credit per day per person (instead of unlimited)
• Chef's Table: $50.00+18% cover charge
• Izumi Omakase: $60.00+18% per person
• Izumi Hibachi: $15.00+18% surcharge

The language on what's included with Star Class on Royal Caribbean's website has also been revised.

Original information

Updated information

To be fair, Star Class has never been truly all-inclusive, and there have been certain experiences that cost extra. These new surcharges add costs on top of a very pricey cruise experience.

Because Star Class cabins are the largest you'll find and include the most options, they're the most expensive.  You can expect the cheapest Star Class cabin on a 3-night cruise to begin at $10,000.

For a 7-night cruise, many Star Class suites cost between $25,000 and $50,000. 

The three-story "Ultimate Family Townhouse" on Icon of the Seas has sold for as much as $80,000.

Should it be included?

Charging extra for some food while paying for the Star Class experience is a hot debated topic among cruise fans.

In the Star Class Cruisers Facebook group, there's a level of frustration when having to pay more for these restaurants.

"So disappointing!," is what Lance Shalit posted. "Just charge me a little extra for the room and make everything included, even downloadable photos."

"That’s absolutely ridiculous. My last Star class sailing, I spent almost $30,000 on 3-night cruise. To get nickel and dimed like that for specialty dining is a dealbreaker," wrote Amanda Mann.

Erin wrote, "one of the best benefits is not being my families vacation genie and not worrying about anything. The cost has increased and with the decrease in benefits, it is no longer justified."

Anna Janke posted, "I just simply don't understand the dining upcharged. When the room is costing tens of thousands of dollars if Royal truly believes they need the extra pennies to cover specialty dining just increase the room price by $500 or so and nobody would probably even notice."

What's appealing about Star Class?

If you've never experienced Star Class, it's essentially the "easy button" for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Available only on the cruise line's newest biggest cruise ships, it's a suite program that blends all-inclusive, butler service, and giant suites.

First and foremost, you'll find the biggest suites in Star Class. These suites can span two or three decks, and have multiple bedrooms, private hot tub, and other impressive amenities not found in other cruise ship cabins.

The Ultimate Family Suite is a great example of the sort of experience found within Star Class, as it includes just about everything a family would want during their cruise.

Movie room, PlayStation 5, hot tub, cozy couch, in-room slide, and stocked mini-bar make this cabin extremely fun.

If opulence is more your style, perhaps the Royal Loft Suite will suit your needs.

You'll find hardwood floors, a baby grand piano, marble furnishings, wet bar on the balcony, and the biggest cruise ship shower I've ever seen.

Regardless of which Star Class cabin you pick, they all come with the services of the Royal Genie.

The Genie is best described as your wish maker. They're not quite a traditional cruise ship suite butler, but they do a lot of the things a butler can do and more.

Genies can arrange just about everything you need on the ship. In many cases, they'll allow you to bypass the line and enjoy everything with no wait.

They can get you in for a FlowRider, laser tag, or Ultimate Abyss session without having to wait in line.  They can book specialty restaurants, have food from specialty restaurants delivered to your suite, and even set up a cocktail party on your balcony.

What makes Star Class so appealing is how easy the cruise becomes to manage and enjoy. Anyone can have a great cruise without staying in Star Class, but this is the way to make it as easy as possible.

Even cruisers who are low maintenance have told me how special being in Star Class can be, and having those extras included made their cruise feel extra special.

Royal Caribbean has announced some exciting changes and updates this week.

While there can be big news reveals some days, such as the Royal Beach Club announcement last week, other times we get minor bits of news worth sharing too.

In trying to capture it all, here's a run-through of what's new in Royal Caribbean over the last few days.

Updated casino exclusion program

Royal Caribbean has updated its exclusion program details to make it a bit easier.

The exclusion program allows someone to prevent themselves from gambling in the ship's casino.  Usually it's because that person has a gambling problem and needs a preventative measure in place.

You might be unfamiliar with this option, because the old program was not advertised, and it you did enroll, you would be banned from sailing on all Royal Caribbean ships.  

Under the new program, there's an option for a one year ban or a lifetime ban from the casino.

To request a review of a lifetime ban, the casino requires at least a year to have elapsed before that request can be considered.

Once enrolled, the casino team will refuse your wagers.  If you were somehow able to gamble, you would be ineligible to collect any winnings or recover any losses.

Thanks to Bryan for sharing this update with us.

Royal Beach Club construction photos

With Royal Caribbean revealing the first Royal Beach Club will open in The Bahamas in December 2025, you might be curious how it looks now.

I was sailing on Utopia of the Seas this weekend and have these photos from our visit to Nassau that were taken on December 14.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to open in December 2025 and will come at an extra cost for passengers, providing a day pass to experience pools, food, and games.

It covers 17 acres of land, offering two stunning beaches, three pools, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and an array of dining and drinking options. 

All-inclusive day passes and cabanas for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be available for purchase starting in spring 2025.

Don't forget, this is just one of three beach clubs currently planned.

They've got a Royal Beach Club going to Cozumel, Mexico, and Vanuatu.

Beach clubs are like a "super shore excursion" that aims to offer an elevated beach day experience for passengers who want a beach day with Royal Caribbean's standards in place.

Plus, the beach club will address a decades long problem of poor customer feedback regarding Nassau.

On top of that, Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 to offer the cruise line's third private beach destination.

Beverage change update

Reports began circulating last week that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.

As it turns out, the rumor was half-true.

A post from Royal Caribbean in reply to a disgruntled cruiser explained what the change affects.

"We're sorry for any confusion. Kindly note, this policy does not apply to non-alcoholic beverages, such as canned sodas and bottled water. Only alcoholic drinks."

This means drinks ordered with a drink voucher from the Crown and Anchor Society benefits that begin at the Diamond Level will have to be opened for the guest.  Ditto for cans of beer ordered with a drink package.

So if you order a can of beer, expect it to be opened for you, regardless of if you want it to be opened or not.

Two Royal Caribbean ships had to have a passenger evacuated off the cruise ship for medical reasons.

The US Coast Guard rescued a man experiencing severe abdominal pain from Grandeur of the Seas shortly after the ship began a cruise.

Grandeur of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's oldest cruise ship, and she had departed from Fort Lauderdale to make her way to the Southern Caribbean for a 9-night voyage.

The US Coast Guard Southeast was called in when the 2,440 passenger cruise ship was 40 miles off shore, southeast of Miami.

#Breaking A @USCG Air Station #Miami rescue crew medevaced a 56-year-old male from a cruise ship, 40 miles southeast of Miami, Sat. 

The aircrew transported the individual, who suffered severe abdominal pain to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. #SAR pic.twitter.com/vhey8HT4hm

#Breaking A @USCG Air Station #Miami rescue crew medevaced a 56-year-old male from a cruise ship, 40 miles southeast of Miami, Sat. 

The aircrew transported the individual, who suffered severe abdominal pain to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. #SAR pic.twitter.com/vhey8HT4hm

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) December 14, 2024

A post on X/Twitter showed the rescue efforts after the man was airlifted off the ship.

While medical emergencies may be the last thing cruise-goers want to consider when planning their vacations, the video offers a glimpse into the emergency rescue procedures followed during life-or-death emergencies at sea. 

According to the Coast Guard, the man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami in stable condition.

Grandeur of the Seas then resumed her sailing, heading to Labadee, Haiti.

Another rescue on Radiance of the Seas

On the same day, another Coast Guard unit was requested for assistance on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas.

Radiance was sailing from Tampa, Florida and had also just begun a cruise.  Radiance is sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.

The Coast Guard was alerted when the 2,466 passenger ship was 13 miles west of Anna Maria Island.

The reported issue involved taking a female passenger off the ship, accompanied by her mother & father.

This time, a Coast Guard vessel was dispatched instead of a helicopter.

In a tweet, the Coast Guard said, "The female required higher level care and was transferred to awaiting EMS at Station Cortez."

Following the evacuation, the Royal Caribbean ship resumed her sailing towards the Western Caribbean.

Medical evacuations happen more often than you think

Posts from the US Coast Guard highlight the important work they do in cases of emergencies, and it's a good reminder that health issues can arise anywhere.

Passengers could be taken from a ship for a host of medical issues, such as symptoms of strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, progressive acute illness, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and septic shock. 

Cruise ships are equipped with basic facilities to triage any health issues they encounter until such a time the passenger can be taken off the ship to a full medical facility.

Cruise ship medical centers are probably bigger than you might think, but their function is to offer necessary treatments and if a patient has a more serious condition, get them off the ship so they can receive the full range of treatments they require.

All cruise ships have standards set by the American College of Emergency Physicians in how patients are treated onboard, as well as experience levels, certifications, and skills of the doctors and clinical staff onboard. 

Medical staff varies by ship size, but Royal Caribbean ships typically have at least 2 doctors and 4 nurses onboard.

Medical evacuations are expensive

This pair of medevacs are a good reminder how important travel insurance is for anyone going on a cruise.

Most travel insurance plans include some level of Medical Evacuation & Repatriation coverage.

While the Coast Guard conducted these rescues, sometimes it can be done using an air ambulance, a commercial airline, or other ground transportation vehicles fitted with medical equipment. 

According to the CDC, a medical air evacuation can cost between $25,000 to more than $250,000.

Remember, most primary health insurance plans, such as Medicare or an employer sponsored plan, do not provide coverage outside the United States. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends someone going on a cruise ship have a travel insurance plan that has at least $250,000 in emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. 

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of the articles and news we shared about Royal Caribbean.

The first Royal Beach Club is set to open in December 2025.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for its exclusive beach experience in Nassau, Bahamas and confirmed it will be an all-inclusive experience.

Not only will it have beaches, pools, and great food, it will also have an epic over-the-top family cabana you can rent.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's plan to fix the problem with a very popular cruise port
• Yacht collides with Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• I got seasick on two cruises. Here's what I'll do differently next time
• Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water
• How much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• The best cruise travel gifts from Amazon’s holiday shop
• I eat in the cruise ship buffet often, but so many people overlook the best food option
• Carnival is revamping its private island to better compete with Royal Caribbean's offering
• Taking a cruise from the UK in 2025? You'll need to do something new this year
• Experts share which cruise line and ship are the best, and it's no surprise to us
• Mexico delays huge new tourist tax
• Water leak floods hallway on Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Video: Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?!

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 — Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

A Royal Caribbean gift card deal was so good, they had to pull it down immediately

You might have missed out on the best cruise discount we've seen in a long time.

Royal Caribbean offered up to 20% off its gift cards, and so many people bought it that the promotion ended more than a week earlier than expected.

It offered up to $400 off gift card purchases, and sales exploded as soon as word began to circulate about the offer.

Royal Caribbean changes policy on how it serves beverages

It appears getting an alcoholic beverage in a can requires it to be opened.

Reports began circulating that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.

This has annoyed some cruisers, who liked being able to collect cans to enjoy later in their cabin.

I booked an inside cabin, but hated how dark it was

Inside cabins can save a lot of money, but they have big downside too.

Everything about Matt's inside cabin on Serenade of the Seas was great, but having no natural light disrupted his morning routine.

He'll make changes on his next cruise to account for this issue.

9 cruise traditions that probably confuse new cruisers

Someone who has never cruised before might be surprised by some of the cruise norms.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. 

The virtual muster drill is still the best change in the cruise industry

Arguably the best change on a cruise ship in recent memory was the eMuster drill.

Implemented in 2021, eMuster has made embarkation day better for crew and guests, while making it easier to convey important information.

Surprisingly, there's still one cruise line that refuses to adopt it.

No matter how much you cruise, there's always a chance you could get seasick on a cruise.

I would tell anyone who has never cruised before not to avoid cruising out of fear of getting seasick, because it's an easily treatable issue. Plus, in the grand scheme of my cruising career, it's been quite rare.

However, winter weather in the tropics has churned up the seas lately and that's resulted in two sailings in a row where I've felt a little seasick.

I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.  The first cruise went to Mexico and the second to The Bahamas, but gusty winds were enough to add some "motion to the ocean" and it set off my stomach.

While hurricane season ended on November 30, that doesn't mean there can't be storms or just strong winds with a front.

When we boarded Utopia of the Seas, there was a video playing in all the cabins explaining the strong winds we expected to encounter, as described by Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.

Sometimes you get a good warning of what's to come, and other times it's more a surprise, like on Serenade when it was calm for the entire cruise, except when we were traveling near Cancun.

Nonetheless, I'll adopt a few strategies for my future cruises to avoid seasickness.

Myth: you don't feel as much movement on larger ships

You might think the biggest cruise ships in the world are immune to being jostled by the wind, but that's definitely not the case.

Some people prefer to sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class or Icon Class ships because they heard the big ships don't move as much.

Being on a bigger ship might have a minimal effect with a casual breeze, but when there are rough seas, any ship can encounter movement.

It's incredible how big Utopia of the Seas is, but that consistent rocking happened onboard too.

Find a spot low and center on the ship

When you start to notice the ship moving a lot, especially when you start swaying a bit as you walk, I think it's a good idea to find a place to minimize the feeling.

The best spot to feel the least movement is somewhere on a low deck and center on the ship. 

There's no doubt it feels worse when you're all the way at the front or back of the ship, especially on a higher deck.

My wife might think this is an excuse to spend more time in the casino, but the ship's casino is almost always around deck 4, and right in the middle.

To really help, you should also find a spot where you can see the horizon. While your ship might be moving, the horizon is a fixed position and focusing on it can help re-adjust your mind.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor walking promenade deck that have chairs facing the ocean. This is a great location for focusing on the horizon.

Stop drinking alcohol

This is easier said than done, but you want to stop anything that might be dehydrating you.

Getting more dehydrated can be a trigger for seasickness, and alcohol is definitely one of those things.

Instead, switch to a carbonated beverage.  Ginger ale is best because it combines carbonation and ginger, both of which are good to settle a stomach.  But a Coke works well too.

Try a natural remedy

Every body reacts differently to getting a little queasy, so I like to start off with a homeopathic approach first.

The most common treatments before you take any medicine are to eat ginger, green apples, or peppermint.

Head to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon.

I might try bringing ginger chews with me to make it more convenient and because I don't love ginger ale.

The other thing that works is sleeping. Taking a nap is one of my favorite cruise activities to begin with, but sleeping off the nausea effects has worked well for me in the past.

If nothing else, you might sleep through the worst of the winds and wake up to calmer seas.

Take a medication

When I was on Serenade of the Seas and started feeling off, I ultimately relied on medication to help ease the effects of being seasick.

The most popular medication is Dramamine, and I always pack Bonine.

There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.

There are side effects to medications, so be sure to do your research. Also, it's ideal anyone taking meds to start the regiment before the cruise begins.

Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.

Don't avoid a cruise because of seasickness

No matter how many times I've gotten seasick, I think it's a low risk and not a reason to not go on a cruise.

Many people go on dozens of cruises without getting sick. In fact, I don't think I got seasick on any of my cruises earlier this year, many of which that went through hurricane season.

If you find yourself feeling motion sick onboard, there are numerous ways to quickly alleviate the discomfort. By being prepared with some of the tips mentioned earlier, you can ensure you're ready to fully enjoy your cruise experience.

One of the most popular cruise ports in the world is also one of the worst rated among cruise passengers, but Royal Caribbean has a plan.

If you think of a warm tropic cruise getaway, The Bahamas is probably what you imagine, and yet cruiser surveys rank it as among the worst places they visit.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley revealed last year that passengers don't love Nassau, Bahamas.

"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said.

Given Nassau's proximity to the United States, you might assume there's not much that can be done about it, as alternatives aren't plenty within a logistical distance.

But Royal Caribbean wants to fix the issues its customers have with the port with a brand new idea that's never been attempted.

Building a better beach day

According to Royal Caribbean's surveys, cruisers found Nassau lacking fresh or innovative things to do. That seemed to be at the heart of the frustration.

Royal Caribbean's plan is to try something completely different that will deliver the high standards the line has already developed on its ships and at its private islands.

New details were revealed this week to showcase the scale of its 17-acre development that is right in the heart of Nassau.

Royal Caribbean bought up land right where cruise ships dock, and that's no accident. They wanted to give the very best product in an extremely convenient location.

Their plan is known as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which is described as the ultimate beach day.

Opening in December 2025, the beach club will charge an admission cost for a super-charged Royal Caribbean excursion.

Available exclusively to Royal Caribbean cruisers, there will be multiple beaches and pools, with different vibes for each area. The three zones - Family Beach, Chill Beach, Party Zone- ensures there is something for everyone.

And because it's all-inclusive, there's nothing to worry about once you arrive. Relax, enjoy food and drink, and get the kind of tropical experience vacationers crave.

What you can do at the Royal Beach Club

Royal Caribbean shared what the property will offer, and it's a mix of beach, pool, and experience.

There's two beaches, three pools, the world's largest swim-up bar, cabanas, and places to get something eat.

At the west end is the Family Zone, where you'll find The Shallow End Pool and Swim-up bar.

This is a zero-entry pool where everyone can walk in and swim, along with the choice to stop by the swim-up bar. This bar has both cocktails and mocktails, so it's great for parents or kids.

There's also beach bars and the Paradise Grill to keep you replenished while enjoying time at the white sand beach.

In the middle is party zone, which has the hard-to-miss Floating Flamingo pool.

The name stands out as much as the venue, which is a two-story swim-up bar that has a DJ to play music all day long.

Royal Caribbean is also offering an extra cost area, known as Party Cove VIP. It's meant to be a celebration spot, where you can have your own exclusive space with elevated service.

Finally, there's Chill Zone on the eastern end of the property, and it's going to be the quiet(er) area of the beach club.

The Deep End pool also has a swim-up bar that serves mocktails and cocktails, and it's right up against the ocean.

Combining ship and shore

None of Royal Caribbean's plans operate in a vacuum, and when you look at the big picture, it becomes apparent they're moving ships and beaches around like a chess board that's close to end game.

When Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December 2025, the cruise line's four best cruise ships will be ready to visit.

Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are giant Oasis Class ships that sail only to The Bahamas, and will operate out of Port Canaveral and Miami.

If short cruises aren't your thing, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have 7-night sailings to take you there too. And that's the two biggest cruise ships in the world that have made headlines on their own for redefining what a cruise vacation is all about.

Basically, Royal Caribbean wants to grab the attention of anyone thinking about taking a cruise vacation (especially people that have never cruised before) and show them there's no question Royal Caribbean has the best options from any cruise line in the world.

It's bold, creative, and novel, and aims to not only solve the puzzle of Nassau, but also set the bar higher for vacations.

The cruise industry had a rough go of it in 2020, but one great change that came out of it was a revamped and substantially better safety drill experience.

All cruise ship passengers are required by maritime law to understand what to do in the case of an emergency, similar to airline passengers that get a safety drill before takeoff.

Known as the muster drill, the process remained the same for decades where passengers stopped what they were doing, lined up outdoors in a single file line, and waited to hear instructions read over a bullhorn or public address system.

Royal Caribbean knew this was not a great way to convey important safety information and that its guests lamented the entire process for how cumbersome and disruptive it was.

In 2021 when cruise ships restarted cruising, a virtual muster drill was implemented for the first time.  It was a concept devised before the industry shutdown, but turned out to be the perfect way way to get safety information while social distancing.

Fast-forward a few years later, and it remains one of the best innovations within the cruise industry.  In fact, Royal Caribbean openly shared the patented process with any cruise line that wanted it.

"It's the easiest process in cruising," wrote Clbengel on Reddit.

"You'll watch a few videos and listen to a sound of the emergency horn on the Royal app. Then once you board, just go to your designated muster station and they'll scan you in as having completed it. You're good to go and officially start your cruise."

Reinventing the muster drill

If you go on a cruise today, every passenger is obliged to know what to do and where to go in an emergency.

Instead of standing around to hear someone tell you, Royal Caribbean wanted a better way.

Traditionally, in the context of a passenger cruise ship, a muster drill is performed at the beginning of the cruise before the cruise ship departs or shortly thereafter. During the muster drill, each individual passenger reports to an assigned muster station—a specific location on the vessel. A crew member then confirms the presence of each passenger expected to be present at the specific location during the muster drill so that all passengers may be accounted for in the event of an actual emergency and a resultant actual muster.

Further, the old muster drill was confusing for some—particularly the elderly and children—both of whom often require additional assistance locating and moving towards assigned muster stations.

For crew members, trying to perform the drill with thousands of guests may create unnecessary confusion or missed opportunities to educate and inform, in light of the ultimate goal.

A group at Royal Caribbean worked on a new idea to get passengers critical information without disrupting everyone's day at the same time.

A digital approach was conceived, and its not only made it easier to give cruisers the information they needed, but it also allowed it to be done individually and monitored.

The change was widely heralded by passengers who loved the change because of how much easier the process became.

Not only that, more passengers were participating than ever before.

Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Marine Operations Greg Purdy shared Royal Caribbean has "extremely high percentage rates for guest participation", which is in part due to training of the crew members to facilitate it, as well as plenty of reminder announcements."

Mr. Purdy went on to say participation rates are higher with eMuster than the old way, "we're fairly aggressive about ensuring that you complete the safety drill prior to sailing. "

"That's actually better than the old traditional drill."

Most importantly, guests get the important information while making the process easier overall, "This has been a real win for the guest and a win for those of our crew that are charged with with safety responsibilities in an emergency."

Other cruise lines followed Royal Caribbean's lead, and while their implementation may vary slightly, the general flow is the same.

One cruise line stubbornly refuses to change

Most cruise lines adopted eMuster, but one mainstream cruise line stubbornly have not and it's baffling why not.

Disney Cruise Line initially made the switch to eMuster, but then quickly reverted in November 2022 back to the in-person safety muster drill.

An email to travel agents said, "We regularly review our processes and have made the decision to reintroduce the in-person assembly drills. All Guests will be required to report to their assigned assembly station in person at the scheduled time on embarkation day."

Even after all these years, they are the notable holdout.

Armstrong2Cernan wrote on Reddit how tiresome the old way is, "Crew members with bullhorns and clip boards calling out for a few passengers who felt they were too important to attend. Kids getting tired and cranky, all still standing chest to back, parents holding smaller children, switching them off to their spouse as they got tired. Waiting, waiting, waiting until finally they bark out a few instructions that you would do if there were an actual emergency. So. Very. Tiring."