Royal Caribbean is known for being a family cruise line, but which cabin would be the best choice to book?

I've been cruising with my family ever since my first kid was old enough to sail, but there are different needs once you introduce kids into the mix.

Families are often looking for space, privacy, and convenience with their room choice, and if they can not spend a lot for it, then it's a bonus.

Royal Caribbean has a fairly wide range of cruise ship cabins to choose from, even if you're trying to stick to a budget.

Those willing to spend more will find sprawling suites with crazy amenities, but there are also very nice options that will work well in the lower category cabins too.

Here are my top picks for finding the the perfect family-friendly cruise cabin on Royal Caribbean.

1. Budget-friendly cabins

Interior and Ocean View Rooms: These are slightly larger cabins that can sleep up to four people in the cabin.

In addition to the bed that can be combined to form a king or split apart, there are going to be either pullman beds that descend from the ceiling or sofa beds that open up for the extra passenger.

Putting four people in one room will likely be the cheapest option, but it's also going to feel the most cramped. Living space will be at a premium, and all of you will share one bedroom.

Connecting cabins: My favorite configuration for families is to book two connecting staterooms that have a common door between them.

The advantage of connecting cabins is you get twice the space, an extra bathroom, an extra TV, and full separation between each room.  This is a great choice if you're cruising with teens.

Moreover, you can find connecting cabins in a variety of cabin categories, from inside to balcony. 

2. Best mid-range family-friendly cabins

Spacious Ocean View and Balcony Rooms: The advantage of booking a higher category cabin if you're putting all four of you in one room is you get more living space.

Royal Caribbean labels staterooms with the word "spacious" as an indicator it has more square footage, and that means you four people sharing the room comfortably.

Like the inside rooms, it's likely a better price, but a better compromise on the balance of space and value.

Family Ocean View Cabins: Some of the largest cabins you'll find outside of suites are the Family Ocean View Cabins.

Usually located at the very front of the ship, these are massive rooms that often have a separate sleeping room, bunk beds, and more than one bathroom.

The downside to these rooms is they are usually located in the forward area of the ship, which means a longer walk and possibly more motion.

Ultra Spacious Ocean View / Balcony Cabins: Even larger than the family cabins, Ultra Spacious rooms are enormous.

There aren't many of them, but they're designed to accommodate up to 6 passengers. You'll find ultra spacious ocean view rooms on Freedom and Oasis Class ships.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies: Royal Caribbean came up with a few new kinds of family staterooms for its Icon Class ships, and each relies on clever layouts.

The Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies has an infinite balcony instead of a standard balcony. This means you can convert the balcony space into an indoor living instead, which is great for young children who want to crawl and walk and have play room.

They can sleep up to six guests too.

Surfside Family View Cabins: These staterooms are located near the Surfside neighborhood, which is an area of the ship designed for young families.

There are Surfside Family View Interior or Balcony rooms, and they can handle three or four people in the room.

The rooms are convenient, as well as being in a family-focused location.

Surfside Family Suite: Royal Caribbean introduced affordable suites that are great for young kids, but also include many more perks.

The idea is having a room where kids and parents share the cabin, without feeling like everyone is on top of each other. Thanks to nooks and clever ideas, it feels like there's more separation than you might expect.

You'll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. 

3. Best family-friendly suites

Ultimate Family Suite: If money is no object, go big and try the suite that was made to be second-to-none for families.

This incredible suite has an in-room slide, Lego wall, movie and game room, hot tub, spread across two levels, and has more games and play spaces than I ever thought possible.

Plus, it comes with Star Class perks, including the services of the Royal Genie.  It's an incredible way to vacation as a family.

It's only available on a handful of ships, such as Star of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and a few others.

Royal Family Suite: Another massive room for families to consider has about 560 square feet of space with two bedrooms.

It can sleep up to 8 people, making it the perfect suite to share with grandparents for multigenerational travel.

Tips for booking a family cruise on Royal Caribbean

No matter which suite you book, there are a few good tricks for ensuring you can get on and maybe save some money too.

First, I'd recommend using a travel agent familiar with Royal Caribbean’s family options.  

Royal Caribbean's website sometimes won't show staterooms that can sleep more than 4 people, and you wouldn't want to miss out because of that.  Travel agents are able to easily book them for you.

I recommend MEI Travel for making it as easy as possible to book a family room.

You should also book your family cruise sooner than later, especially for suites.

Royal Caribbean cruises are in high demand, and the first type of cabins to book up are usually suites and some of the unique cabins that don't have much inventory.

I'd also recommend you look at what's nearby your room before selecting a specific cabin.

Having a room near Adventure Ocean kids club, the pools, Surfside, or an area of the ship you think you'll spend a lot of time in would be smart.

Speaking of room location, always consider its location on the ship and how that may factor into motion sickness.

Certain cruise cabin locations are definitely more prone to motion, and that could be an issue for you.

Lastly, don't overlook simply booking two connecting rooms instead of a bigger, more expensive single room.

I love connecting rooms because they're often some of the best values and it gives everyone the living space they need. You might be surprised how much more economical it is to book two rooms instead of one bigger cabin.

Everyone wants to save money on a cruise, so what are a few things anyone could do right now to do just that?

We share Royal Caribbean money saving tips on this site all the time, but I started to think about what's something you could do right now to potentially reduce your vacation cost.

Many strategies involve things to do onboard the ship or tired to the initial booking.

Whether you have months or weeks before your cruise begins, here are a few strategies I think could net you additional savings.

Change refundable to non-refundable fare

One of the lesser known tricks for saving money is adjusting your fare type.

Royal Caribbean offers refundable and non-refundable deposits when you book a cruise. The basic difference is refundable will cost more, but has the option to cancel without any penalties.

If you went the cautious route, you might consider once you get closer to your cruise if it will save you money to change to non-refundable fare.

It's easy to book it as refundable more than a year in advance, and then forget about the fare type you selected.  Changing it to non-refundable could lower your cruise cost, and hopefully by now, you're certain you are going on the cruise.

This trick doesn't work all the time, but I've been able to save hundreds of dollars on a cruise I know I'm definitely going on by swapping when the numbers work in my favor.

Refundable cruise fare is a safe option, but right before final payment date I'll double check to see if I can save money by going to non-refundable.

Ask your travel agent if it's possible to change to non-refundable fare, and if that would save you money. You need to be before final payment date.

Reprice all your pre-cruise purchases

One of the best tried-and-true money saving Royal Caribbean tips is to check for a price drop on your pre-cruise purchases.

Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and repurchase any pre-cruise item all the way up to a day or so before the cruise begins.

It's very simple to do this, and I love this strategy because you can take advantage of a price drop on something you bought, such as a drink package, shore excursion, cabana, or Wi-Fi package.

Repricing my Cruise Planner purchases has easily saved me the most money of any tip over the years.  

Heck, you can even use a free price tracker to be notified when there's a better price.

What I'll do is buy up any extra I know I want, and then periodically check to see if there's a lower price later.

If you haven't done this, log onto the Cruise Planner website now and see if the prices have changed. You might be surprised at the savings waiting.

Change to a cheaper category

Booked a balcony but realize you won’t use it much? Downgrading to an ocean view or inside cabin could free up cash for excursions or specialty dining.

Just like booking refundable cruise fare, perhaps you reserved a higher category cabin, but have reconsidered how cost-effective it will be.  Perhaps you're on a very port intensive itinerary, or you're on a cruise with friends and will be out and about all the time?

If you're before the final payment date, you might be able to change staterooms to a cheaper category cabin and net savings there.

Inside cabins have certain virtues to them (besides being cheaper), and repurposing the money saved makes your vacation budget go further.

Rethink tour transportation to port

If you're flying to your cruise port, never assume the flights you booked are the least expensive option.

If you're flying in, set flight alerts for a fare drop.  In addition, considering alternate airports where you could save a lot of money with a slightly longer drive.

Speaking of driving, you might consider prepaying for parking online to save money.  

If you're taking an Uber, compare that cost to hotel shuttles or off-site lots.

Bring your own essentials

Another way to save money on your cruise today is to not pay the cruise line prices for important things later.

There are some cruise essentials everyone seems to need, and I'd recommend buying them early so you can get the lowest possible price.

Things such as a refillable water bottle, lanyard, over-the-counter meds, sunscreen, magnets, and USB outlet extenders are all good to buy now.

Buying these onboard or at the port will mean marked up prices.

One example is the woman that was charged $390 for Benadryl on her cruise, but buying it before the cruise would have been a fraction of that.

I thought spending a week in Denmark between cruises would be the perfect way to explore Europe and enjoy a different kind of trip, but I was constantly reminded how much more I prefer cruising.

I've primarily relied on taking cruises as my primary method of travel for well over a decade. I go on ships about once a month, and it's not just my work but I also greatly enjoy the unpack once and let the world come to me approach.

When I had the chance to go on my first luxury cruise, I opted to spend a week in Copenhagen in a hotel.  It seemed like a great opportunity to truly see the city and immerse myself in the Danish culture and lifestyle.

I quickly realized how much better a value cruising is, and missed not only the onboard experience but also the glimpses it provides.

Food costs alone make cruising a great value

The first indication a cruise was a better value was how quickly my credit card charges started to pile up from food.

While I did get to try some amazing food that I couldn't get back home, it's not cheap.  The Scandinavian countries of Europe are especially expensive to begin with, and then you add meals to the equation and the cost starts to build up.

I debated how to best balance trying the foods that make Copenhagen unique versus trying to save money. 

Unlike a cruise ship, I couldn't fall back on the complimentary options was a way to reduce expenses.  On a cruise ship, there are included restaurants that offer meals, snacks, and drinks with your cruise fare.

Of course, staying in a hotel also means I don't have the means to prepare meals. There's no microwave, oven, or fridge to be able to make a proper meal.

Unpacking once on a cruise is an underrated benefit

The magic of a cruise is you get to unpack once and then see a variety of places.

When I sailed on Independence of the Seas prior to my stay in Denmark, our ship moved between Hamburg, Rotterdam, Oslo, and Copenhagen.

It's so much easier to go to sleep and wake up in a different city, and it's something you can only get with a cruise ship.

During my stay in Copenhagen, I could have seen more of Denmark or the surrounding area, but I would have had to pack up, travel, and then unpack again in the new place before returning to Copenhagen later. 

I considered doing more of a road trip and going around, but it seemed the logistics, costs, and time commitment needed to get around were more than I was willing to try.

Leaving the travel plans to the cruise line and simply walking off the ship to see the place I'm in for the day is definitely my speed.

Getting a glimpse of these places is good enough

Another advantage of a cruise might seem like a negative aspect. Having just 6-8 hours in port might seem like a problem when visiting amazing places, but I think it's the right amount of time for the best options.

I got my first taste of Copenhagen a week earlier when my cruise visited the city, and really liked it.  So when I returned for a week, I thought it would be amazing to explore even further.

While I had more time to see the city's highlights, I realized the saying "less is more" applies to city touring too.

I certainly didn't hate my time in Copenhagen, but I think spending the day is enough to experience the very best the port has to offer. 

As the days passed, I was ready to move onto something else. This reinforced the benefits of cruising and getting just enough time to see things I need to visit.

Cruise ships can get to places that are impractical by car

My Independence of the Seas cruise had also visited the Norwegian fjords, and this was by far my favorite area of Scandinavia to see.

While a big city like Copenhagen has a lot of interesting activities, the natural beauty of the fjords is unmatched.

I think being able to visit a fjord, glacier, or bay is something so special about cruising.

Even in the Caribbean, a cruise ship can get you to places that are difficult to get to otherwise. The most beautiful beaches are accessible via boat, and starting off on a cruise ship that docks nearby helps immensely.

I missed the value and convenience of a cruise ship

I didn't hate my week in Copenhagen, but I was quite happy to board a cruise ship and get back into that style of travel.

Ultimately, I think visiting cities by cruise ship is the right amount of time to see the highlights. I might prefer the ship stays in port a few extra hours, but it's usually good enough.

When you start to account for the costs of living in a city for multiple days along with transportation needs, cruising becomes even more attractive.

In my situation, I was also coming at it from an almost idyllic scenario because it was just me and I didn't have kids, grandparents, or other special needs.  The more people you add to the equation, the more demands it has on catering to everyone's needs.

I'd recommend seeing Copenhagen to anyone as a beautiful city, but preferably as part of a visit for the day on the ship.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week! 

Royal Caribbean has changed their policy to no longer offer drink package exemptions for those that cannot or do not want alcohol.

As of this week, the cruise line is no longer accepting requests to bypass the “everyone must purchase” rule for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

The change is because too many passengers were abusing the option and sharing drinks with people that didn't have the drink package.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean reports 100 million cruisers and is celebrating with a bonus sale
• Royal Caribbean's second quarter earnings revealed cruises are still selling out, even at higher prices
• Higher fares for last minute cruises? What you can do to avoid paying extra
• Royal Caribbean begins charging for new Greek cruise tax
• Royal Caribbean crew member shares how to earn free cruises in the casino
• What a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise is like in 2025
• The $10,000 Cabana: Royal Caribbean reports strong demand for its new beach club
• "Loyalty that matters": Royal Caribbean doubles down on its customers
• I tried Royal Caribbean’s secret disembarkation hack and it made my cruise so much better
• I always ask my travel agent for 4 things on every cruise I book to make my cruise easier

Video: What happens to the uneaten food on a cruise ship

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — What Happens To The Uneaten Food On Cruise Ship Buffets — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean cancels visits to its private beach in Haiti amid violence

More visits to Labadee were cancelled this week, as the pause to its private beach destination continues.

Royal Caribbean will halt visits to Labadee through at least the end of October 2025.

Concerns regarding the safety because of Haiti's instability prompted the change.

Royal Caribbean is testing making its swim-up bar adults-only

There's been a change on Icon of the Seas to make the Swim & Tonic require adults-only.

Signage appeared on this week's sailing that says you must be at least 18 years old to go into the Swim & Tonic bar, which has a swim-up bar.

The test is to evaluate how well it will work, following up on guest feedback regarding concerns of children impacting the bar experience.

Changes to Royal Caribbean's credit card?

There could be an overhaul coming to the Royal Caribbean credit card soon.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty hinted his company is already evaluating new ideas for the card and how it fits into the customer loyalty program.

There aren't any firm details, but it sounds like the credit card would offer different benefits "very soon".

6 things I'll try first on Star of the Seas

Star of the Seas is just a few weeks away from its first sailing, and Matt has a few areas he is targeting to check out first.

While Star may not be totally different than Icon of the Seas, the new ship has a number of changes from the original Icon Class ship.

Matt shared the six thing he'll be on the lookout for to see how it differs after boarding Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has made a change to one of the rules regarding its popular drink packages.

When a passenger purchases the unlimited alcohol package, it requires all other adults in the same stateroom to purchase it too. However, there was a caveat that allowed for someone who is unable or unwilling to drink alcohol to call in and get an exemption.

The cruise line quietly updated its policy to remove that option.

Rumors quickly swirled among passengers of a rule change, and Royal Caribbean Blog has confirmed the cruise line has indeed changed its rules.

According to a Royal Caribbean spokesperson, "Beginning August 1, Royal Caribbean will no longer be able to grant exceptions to our policy that both guests in a stateroom must purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package."

This means guests can no longer call and request to have the other passenger purchase the Royal Refreshment package instead.

To be clear, this rule only applies when someone buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, which is the unlimited alcohol package. There's no similar requirement for the Royal Refreshment Package or Soda package.

Why Royal Caribbean is making the policy change

The policy shift came as a surprise to many cruisers, because it's been in place for years.

Royal Caribbean says it's making the change due to how the exception was being used.

"This change allows us to ensure guests are consuming their beverage package responsibly. Over time, requests for exceptions have increased, and sharing of packages has continued, which led us to implement this policy change," the company spokesperson said.

The exception was in place to offer an alternative to guests who couldn't drink alcohol, such as expectant mothers, people in recovery, and other specific needs.

Evidently more and more people were aware of the option, and that necessitated the change.

One of the biggest problems with the unlimited drink package is when guests share the benefits with someone that doesn't have it, which is strictly against the rules.

The cruise line has determined the level of abuse of the drink package benefits in sharing with those that have circumvented the rules reached a breaking point.

Not the first time drink packages rules had to change

This isn't the first time Royal Caribbean has made policy shifts to its drink packages in order to curb sharing of packages.

When they first introduced an unlimited alcohol package, there were no requirements on all adults needing to buy it too, despite other cruise lines having those rules in place.

Later, Royal Caribbean relented and made the policy change to require if one adult bought the Deluxe Beverage Package then all other adults in the same stateroom must buy it also.

Just like today, that change was made due to too many passengers sharing drink package benefits with those that didn't have the drink package.

Cruisers react

The policy change was noted quickly among social media, where people quickly shared their thoughts on why it needed to happen.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, there was a mix of surprise, lament, and frustration.

JFCruise posted, "I can see them doing this because people might abuse the exception, too.  But what will happen now is that they will see even fewer sales of the package and people just buying as they go."

ZBrady added, "The tricky thing is there are legitimate reasons for only needing one deluxe package, but its basically impossible to have means to 'prove' many of the reasons."

"My response is I will go without a package and do with other promos and leverage any discounts I can get as a Platinum member.", DunwoodyDad wrote.

Top_Turnip4781 posted on the Royal Caribbean sub reddit, "I’m assuming they closed the loophole. People were doing this and still sharing alcohol. Only takes a few to ruin it for everyone."

A poster claiming to be a Royal Caribbean employee said the abuse of the policy became too much, "As others have pointed out it’s unfortunately because selfish people abuse the exemptions (supposed to be reserved for pregnant women, those recovering/recovered from addiction, etc.).

"While I personally support having exemptions, privacy concerns over documentation and physical processing of the requests basically made it an honor system sort of deal, which is where people started abusing it."

Options for cruising without a drink package

Royal Caribbean was quick to add that despite the policy change, guests are still able to purchase a la carte drinks and drink specials will still be widely available throughout the ship.

While drink packages are quite convenient, they're not essential or required to cruise.

With some good planning, you might find a way to enjoy alcoholic beverages on your cruise without buying a beverage package and avoiding a high bar bill.

• Each adult is allowed to bring one bottle of wine onboard on embarkation day, and there's no cost if consumed in your stateroom
• Attaining Prime status in the Royal Caribbean casino loyalty program allows for unlimited complimentary alcoholic beverages in the casino bar
• Once you reach Diamond level in Crown and Anchor Society, guests receive four complimentary drinks per day
• Rarely, there is a 10 drink card offered onboard select sailings that is shareable
• You could choose to do most of your drinking in port, which may have less expensive drink prices
• Booking a suite is a workaround, because Royal Caribbean includes beer, wine, and cocktails during certain hours while in the Suite Lounge

A new cruise tax in Greece has begun, and it means an additional cost for Greek isle cruises.

The tax was first announced last year, but it is now an official policy as of August 1, 2025.

Guests with cruises to Greek ports of call received an email from Royal Caribbean informing them of the change.

"Beginning with sailings that depart on August 1, 2025, a seasonal cruise tax will be implemented across various ports in Greece, including iconic destinations like Mykonos and Santorini," the email read.

The cruise line also explained what this tax is for, "This initiative supports sustainable tourism and helps preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these beloved destinations."

When the tax was announced last year, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said it was to provide additional support to these locations during the peak tourism season, "Greece does not have a structural over-tourism problem ... Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with."

"Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions."

Here's how the new tax breaks down:

If a passenger chooses stay onboard and not go ashore in these Greek ports, Royal Caribbean will automatically refund their SeaPass account for the applicable amount towards the end of the sailing.

Higher taxes for the two most popular islands

Santorini and Mykonos are the nation's most popular tourist islands, especially for cruise ships.

The volcanic island of Santorini is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, while Mykonos is well-known for its elegant architecture and views.

Santorini saw 800 cruise ships in 2023, with a combined statistic of 1.3 million visitors onboard. While Santorini had 63 peak days for cruise visits in 2023, this was reduced to 48 in 2024.

It is the most popular cruise destination in Greece, and during the summer months, hosts over 17,000 cruise ship visitors arrive a day.

For the small island with a population of just 15,500, that number of tourists threatens the local infrastructure.

Beginning in 2025, Santorini will also cap the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to visit at 8,000 per day.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis said that part of the revenue from the cruise ship levy will be returned to local communities to invest in and support local infrastructure.

A fix for overtourism

To regulate the arrival of cruise ships, the Greek government will also impose a digital berth allocation system at ports. The system will spread out ship arrivals to prevent overcrowding from multiple vessels arriving simultaneously.

The allocation will handle popular destinations at peak times, considering criteria such as ship size, environmentally friendly vessels, and the length of the stay on the island. 

To prevent cruisers from rushing between the port and tours, ships staying longer will be prioritized in the system.

Mitsotakis also announced that Greece must protect the environment and tackle water shortages on its popular tourist islands.

New taxes and fees don't just apply to cruisers on the sea—Greece is also raising the lodging tax. 

During the peak tourist months between April and October, hotels and short-term rentals will see an increase in fees and limitations.

Greece's economy relies on tourism, with a revenue of about 20 billion euros in 2023 supported by 31 million tourist arrivals that year.

Despite the economic influence tourism has on the economy, Greece has begun to follow in the footsteps of other cruise ports evaluating the impact of cruise ships on their region.

Especially as cruising gains popularity, and passenger numbers surpass those pre-pandemic, many popular tourist spots are looking at the effects of overtourism.

Protests in Santorini, Venice, and Barcelona have made the news recently, as locals call for limits on tourism.

Royal Caribbean's new Star of the Seas is almost ready to welcome passengers onboard, and I can't wait to see it myself.

The first official cruise departs Port Canaveral on August 16, followed by a series of short showcase sailings leading up to the official maiden voyage on August 31st.

Star of the Seas is the second Icon Class ship, and it's Royal Caribbean's follow-up to the mega hit that has been Icon of the Seas.

A new ship launch is always exciting, but the sequel to a truly game-changing ship is going to be something not to miss.

When I embark Star of the Seas and start exploring, I've already come up with a six things I'll be looking for to see how this ship stands out from her big sister.

Lincoln Park Supper Club

Royal Caribbean exceeded my expectations when it opened its first supper club on Icon of the Seas, so I can't wait to see its follow-up.

The supper club on Icon had a New York theme, and the one on Star of the Seas will have a Chicago theme to it.

If you haven't tried the Empire Supper Club yet, it's a fine dining experience that combines food, cocktails, and live music. Trust me, it's an experience you don't find on cruise ships.

Each course matches what you're eating and drinking to the music played, and I liked it much more than I expected when I tried it on Icon.

In fact, I went back for a second time because I liked it so much.

I also really like the fact it has a strict dress code, so everyone going in to dine has an elevated look.  Sometimes, it's fun to dress up and look fancy.

I booked a seating on Star so I can check it out for myself and see how this version measures up to the original.

New Aquadome Market

Another follow-up restaurant hit is the complimentary food hall on Star of the Seas.

When Royal Caribbean announced it would open its first food hall, I was sold immediately.  Freshly prepared food that leaned into various regional offerings in a quick service manner sounded like the perfect idea.

Sure enough, Aquadome Market quickly became my favorite restaurant, and it sounds like the version on Star of the Seas could be even better.

Royal Caribbean is keeping a few of the food halls from Icon, but swapping out some others.

• NEW: Pig Out BBQ: Serves smoky pulled pork and beef brisket
• NEW: Mai Thai: Specializes in Southeast Asian favorites like pad Thai and beef panang
• NEW: La Cocinita: Offers South American staples such as empanadas and arepas
• Crème de la Crêpe: Serves sweet and savory French crêpes
• Feta Mediterranean: Features fresh pitas and bowls with Mediterranean flavors

Not only did they add three new halls, but they kept the two best ones from Icon.

Part of the reason I like Aquadome Market so much is it's included in your cruise fare, conveniently located near the pool deck, and it's open late.

You can bet I'll be headed to Aquadome Market on embarkation day for lunch.

Back to the Future: The Musical

I was really surprised when Royal Caribbean confirmed they'd have a full Broadway musical on Star of the Seas, especially a brand new show.

It has been a number of years since Royal Caribbean added a Broadway show to one of its ships and I feared they might have moved past that trend.

So when Back to the Future: The Musical was revealed as the show for Star, I was really excited. Not only was it a new show, but a crowd pleasing musical that even casual theater fans could appreciate.

I don't need to recap what this musical is about because I think everyone has seen the film, but it should be a real hit with guests.

The Wizard of Oz is performed on Icon of the Seas, and I think that quickly impressed a lot of people.  So now with a show that has even more pizzazz, I think it's going to be a hot ticket.

Crowd management

If there's one thing Royal Caribbean really got right with Icon of the Seas, it's the crowd flow.  So I'm hoping it's just as good (if not better) on Star of the Seas.

One of the early takeaways on Icon was that it felt so much less crowded than the Oasis Class ships.

Initially I thought this might have been a fluke on my sailing, but I've been on Icon a few more times and it's incredible a ship that can handle up to 7,000 passengers can feel as uncrowded as it does.

When the ship feels uncrowded, I think it makes a significant difference in how passengers enjoy the experience overall.  It feels less contentious and almost liberating because you're more at ease with everything.

I'm going to pay special attention to a few areas, such as the Royal Promenade and it's improved Pearl.  I also want to see how the change to adults-only at Swim & Tonic impacts the venue, as well as the entire pool deck vibe.

Aquadome show

If there's one must-see on any Royal Caribbean ship, it's their aqua show.

I don't care which ship it is, I'll always make a point to go to the Aquatheater to see the show because it's such a crowd pleaser.

Royal Caribbean has a new show for Star of the Seas, called Torque.

A revved-up aqua show featuring athletic artists, synchronized swimmers, dancers and slackliners for an action-packed show of thrilling stunts, cutting-edge tech and immersive visuals.

When it comes to the aqua shows, it's about taking in the spectacle of talented performers that dance, dive, and balance better than anyone I've ever seen.  Often, it's to some really good music too.

I got chills when I saw the Darth Vader scene in the aqua show on Icon of the Seas, so I can't wait to see how they top that on Star.

What changes (if any) to the cabin

I pay particular attention to my cabin on any cruise ship I sail on, because it's where the most tweaks tend to happen.

With Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas built right around the same time, I'm not certain how much of a difference there will be in the cabin. However, I've noted cabins get updates more easily than public areas.

Whether it's additional storage, new connectivity options, or even just an improvement to the shower, I'm curious to see what Royal Caribbean has lined up for the staterooms on Star.

Star of the Seas begins sailing in August 2025

Beginning with the August 31 sailing, Star of the Seas will sail 7-night cruises to the Caribbean from her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Every sailing includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

You can book a cruise on Star through early 2027, and there are even a few last-minute rooms left on the early showcase sailings.

Could booking a cruise at the last-minute cost you more than if you booked months earlier?

This week, Royal Caribbean Group executives discussed their second quarter earnings, which were notably higher thanks to more people booking last-minute cruises.

For years, some cruisers relied on waiting to book a cruise in order to snag a great price, but that strategy might not be as effective based on the comments from executives.

Royal Caribbean executives have made it clear: close-in demand is surging, pricing is strong, and guests are spending more.

If this trend continues, it could mean you'll pay much more for a cruise booked late rather than early.

Surging close-in demand

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty opened the earnings call with this fact: Net Yield grew 5.2% in the quarter, a full 70 basis points above their original guidance.

In cruise industry terms, Net Yield includes both fare and onboard revenue per available passenger day. So if Net Yields are up because of close-in bookings, that strongly implies that those last-minute fares are coming in above average, not below.

According to Liberty, "that was driven by better than expected close-in demand across all key itineraries."

What he's essentially saying is cruisers booking closer to the sail date were booking in large numbers and at higher prices than expected.

In the past, cruise lines may have discounted their fares to fill unsold cabins. However, that's not a problem these days. The average ship in the second quarter sailed with a load factor of 110%, meaning there’s simply not as much leftover space to mark down.

Higher cruise fares holding firm

To be clear, Royal Caribbean executives didn’t say the words "last-minute fares cost more." But their commentary left little room for doubt.

As mentioned earlier, close-in bookings pushed Net Yields higher. If last-minute fares were discounted, it would have dragged this number down, not up.

They also talked about how the booking window is shortening while prices are rising.

"More than half of consumers tell us they are booking closer to their departure date than they used to… [Yet] our booked position is in line with prior years at higher rates for both 2025 and 2026," Mr. Liberty said in the earning call.

This means travelers taking longer to book a cruise, so there's more competition for those last minute bookings, and at higher fares year over year.

Younger cruisers are fueling this trend

More younger people are trying cruising, and it's this growing segment of cruisers that are waiting to book.

Royal Caribbean said during the call that millennials and Gen Z are driving this behavior.

"We are also seeing strong intent across demographics, particularly among millennials and younger, who continue to represent half of our customer base," Mr. Liberty said.

"Roughly 7 in 10 consumers in these younger generations are more likely to book closer to departure, reflecting a desire for spontaneity and flexibility."

What can cruisers do to save money?

This revelation is a warning of how to adjust your booking strategy. You don’t have to overpay, but you do need to plan better.

Book early

If at all possible, book your cruise early instead of waiting for the final months before a sailing begins.

Royal Caribbean releases sailings to book up to two years in advance, and the best pricing is often available at launch. This is especially true for new ships and high-demand routes (like Alaska, Europe, or holiday sailings).

Booking early also gives you first choice of cabins, and often better value for suites and family staterooms.

Watch for price drops

The next thing to do is take advantage of a price drop.

I recommend booking with a good travel agent that can help you find price drops, and if there is one, reprice your cruise if the fare drops before final payment.

Be flexible

It's also a good idea to look for a cruise during certain times of the year when there's less demand.

If your schedule is flexible, consider shoulder season sailings, such as:

• Late August or early September in the Caribbean
• Early May or September in Europe
• May or September in Alaska

These three strategies should net you a lower price and better stateroom choice than if you wait until closer to the sail date to book.  It will also ensure you bypass this growing trend of higher demand for a last-minute cruise.

A new round of cancellations have been announced for Royal Caribbean's private beach destination in Haiti.

Travel agents were informed on Wednesday the cruise line will extend its pause of visits to Labadee through the end of October 2025.

"We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we're cancelling our visits to Labadee through October 31st," an email from the cruise line said.

Labadee is a private beach stop exclusive to Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean had already cancelled visits to Labadee beginning in April 2025 due to gang violence that raised concerns about safety.

Since then, there have been more cancellations periodically announced.

No visits until at least November

Up until now, visits were cancelled through early August, but Royal Caribbean has made the decision to extend those cancellations through October.

With cancellations extending into October, that will mean at least another few months of no visits there.

Any prepaid excursions will automatically refund any and reschedule any other impacted pre-paid Royal Caribbean International shore excursions.

Here's what Royal Caribbean has planned instead for affected sailings.

• Adventure of the Seas:
  • August 16
    • We're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day, and we've added a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on Day 6. Additionally, we'll now have some extra time in Falmouth, Jamaica.
  • August 30
    • We're skipping our visit to Labadee, and we'll now visit George Town, Grand Cayman instead. Additionally, we've also adjusted our arrival and departure times in Falmouth, Jamaica and George Town. We'll now arrive in George Town at 10:30 AM and depart at 6:00 PM and we'll now arrive in Falmouth at 7:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM. Additionally, we'll now arrive an hour earlier at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
  • September 13 and October 11
    • We're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day, and we've added a visit to Nassau, Bahamas on Day 6.
  • September 27
    • We're skipping our visit to Labadee, and we'll now visit George Town, Grand Cayman instead. Additionally, we've also ajusted our arrival and departure times in Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll now arrive in Falmouth at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we'll now arrive half an hour earlier at Grand Bahamas Island, Bahamas.
  • October 25th
    • We're skipping our visit to Labadee, and we'll now visit Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, on Day 5 instead.

• Freedom of the Seas:
  • August 22, August 28, September 6, September 11, September 25, October 4, October 9, October 18, and October 23
    • We'll now visit Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti.

• Icon of the Seas:
  • August 9 and September 20
    • We're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day. Additionally, we've rearranged the order and the times we'll visit our ports. We'll now visit Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas on Day 4 at 8:00 AM and depart at 6:00 PM and we'll now visit San Juan on Day 5 at 7:00 AM and depart at 3:00 PM. We've also adjusted our arrival time in Perfect Day at CocoCay. We'll now arrive at 8:00 AM instead of 8:30 AM.

• Oasis of the Seas:
  • August 17
    • We're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day, and we've added a visit to Nassau, Bahamas, on Day 6. Additionally, we have adjusted the times in which we'll visit Falmouth, Jamaica and Nassau.
  • September 7 and October 5
    • We're swapping our visit to Labadee for a Sea Day, and we'll now visit Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis, on Day 5 instead. Additionally, we've rearranged the order and the times we'll visit our ports. We'll now visit San Juan, Puerto Rico on Day 3 at 2:00 PM and depart at 9:00 PM. We've also adjusted our arrival time in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. We'll now arrive at 9:00 AM instead of 8:00 AM.
  • September 14 and October 26
    • We're skipping our visit to Labadee and we'll now visit Costa Maya, Mexico instead. Additionally, we're swapping our visit to Falmouth, Jamaica for a day in Cozumel, Mexico. As a result of this change, we've slightly adjusted our arrival and departure times. We'll now depart Cozumel at 6:00 PM and we'll arrive in Costa Maya at 8:00 AM.
  • October 12
    • We're skipping our visit to Labadee and we'll now visit Costa Maya, Mexico on Day 5 instead. As a result of this change, we're also swapping our visit to Nassau, Bahamas for a Sea Day and we'll now visit Cozumel, Mexico on Day 3. Additionally, we'll now enjoy a visit to Roatan, Honduras on Day 4 instead of Falmouth, Jamaica.

• Radiance of the Seas:
  • October 20
    • We'll now visit Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti.

The email apologized for the change, "We're sorry for any inconvenience this may cause - your safety is our top priority."  

"While we know it's not the original itinerary we planned, we appreciate your understanding and can't wait to explore these new destinations."

Why Royal Caribbean is continuing to skip Labadee

Haiti is experiencing gang violence that is targeting the country's government.

Ever since the 2021 assassination of Haiti's last president, an alliance of gangs have employed brutal tactics to grow its power.

An estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, is controlled by gangs. 

The United States recently designated Haiti's major gangs as terrorist groups, which is intended to isolate the groups, denying them access to financing from U.S. people or companies.

More than 1,600 people were killed in violent clashes in the first three months of this year while over 1 million are internally displaced, according to U.N. estimates.

The U.S. State Department has a the highest level of travel advisory against visiting Haiti for well over a year, which is “Level 4: Do Not Travel." 

Yes, someone paid $10,000 for a cabana at Royal Caribbean's new beach club coming to The Bahamas, and it's indicative of how much interest there is for the new development.

Royal Caribbean Group held its second quarter earnings call on Tuesday and it was our first public comments on how well the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is selling since bookings opened up.

The beach club is a brand new idea for the cruise industry to single-handedly build out an incredible shore excursion option, available exclusively to Royal Caribbean guests that seeks to infuse the private island experience within a tropical destination.

Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International, was quick to point out that interest and demand exceeded even their initial expectations.

"In the first hour when we opened for sale, we sold our Ultimate Family Cabana for one day at $10,000," he said during the earnings call. "And subsequently, we've sold a lot of days at $10,000."

Royal Caribbean's new Royal Beach Clubs aren’t just a side attraction, they're going to become one of the core pieces of the cruise line's future.

New beach club coming to Nassau

Opening in December 2025, the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a new kind of cruise ship experience.

It's located in Nassau, Bahamas on a strip of land very close to where the cruise ships dock. The idea is to offer a more exclusive alternative to the lackluster options that have plagued Nassau for years.

According to the cruise line, Nassau has historically ranked very low in guest satisfaction scores because there aren't compelling activities to do.

It's been built with premium experiences in mind: private pools, fun dining, curated cabanas, and a party atmosphere.

According to Mr. Bayley, the club is set to open during a December 21 cruise.

Nassau is just the start, as Royal Caribbean will open a second beach club in Cozumel in 2026.

Why people are booking a $10,000 cabana (and more)

During the earnings call, Royal Caribbean executives talked about how they feel they've priced the beach club at a good place to balance value and profit.

"We really do think we've got the product right and it's going to deliver very high levels of guest satisfaction," Mr. Bayley said of the Ultimate Family Cabana.

The Ultimate Family Cabana has a big price tag, but it's also unlike any other cabana we've ever seen.

It includes:

• Day passes for up to 12 people
• Cabana attendant
• Private bathroom
• Private shower
• Private changing room
• Wet bar
• Reserved beach space
• Heated whirlpool
• Spiral slide
• Wooden swing
• Hammock
• Suspended net lounger
• Frozen drink machine
• TV
• Mini fridge

It's far from an inexpensive day, but it's all but guaranteed to deliver memories for a multi-gen family that wants a full-day luxury resort experience.

Pricing for the rest of the beach club is far less expensive, with day passes, cabanas, beach beds, and other ways to get in and have a fun day ashore.

Prices start at $139 per person per day, but Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for its product, so prices can easily go up from there.  As an example, my January 2026 visit is priced at $250 per person, per day.

With the beach club admission, Royal Caribbean is testing real-time pricing similar to airline seats or hotel rooms.

"We think we may experience more demand than supply… That’s where dynamic pricing will play an important role," Mr. Bayley said of the club's capacity.

When the club is fully operational and ready to admit guests, they expect it to host  about 1 in 3 Royal Caribbean guests in Nassau.

To that point, Royal Caribbean sees this as an opportunity to deliver something truly incredible.

"It's not about a question of demand. It's the question of operational excellence," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group CEO.

He said capacity will start out lower, and then build up as they get things going and better understand the flow of an average day.

"We want to make sure the experience is flawless," Mr. Liberty said.

"We could probably make more money," Liberty added, "But the trust we establish with our customers is a priority. So it will be a slow ramp-up."

Betting big on land-based experiences

By 2027, Royal Caribbean expects to have its announced beach clubs and private destinations online and a major reason to pick Royal Caribbean for vacation.

"We’re delivering exclusive, destination-led experiences that elevate the vacation value proposition," Mr. Liberty explained during the call.

The plan is to open Royal Beach Club Paradise Island this year, followed by Royal Beach Club Cozumel in 2026, and then Perfect Day Mexico in September 2027. A new private beach in Lelepa will open in early 2027.

An interesting anecdote during the call was Mr. Liberty noted Perfect Day Mexico will be "approximately the size of the Magic Kingdom in Orlando."

Beach clubs are premium-margin products with high guest satisfaction. These experiences help Royal Caribbean differentiate itself from competitors, while giving customers something they can't get anywhere else.

They create compelling reasons to book with Royal Caribbean over another cruise line or land-based resort.

Royal Caribbean's hope is it generates high satisfaction scores, which will translate to higher guest spend and loyalty return.