It's been more than two years since Royal Caribbean restarted cruises following the industry shutdown in 2020, so what's it like today if you were to test positive for Covid while on your ship?

The cruise industry and the world as a whole have changed how they handle Covid cases, and thanks to a combination of new treatments and changes in the strain itself, the dangers posed are seemingly less troublesome today than in 2021.

But what happens if you were to have Covid while on a cruise? 

I experienced Royal Caribbean's health protocols in summer 2022, but many of the policies in place then have since changed. 

Royal Caribbean's website does not contain a great deal of information on the matter. It states if you were to have Covid in the days before your cruise, you'll be denied boarding and that travel insurance would be a good investment to have to cover such trip interruptions.

The cruise contract still has verbiage alluding to what they could do, but there really isn't a clear indication of what to expect.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Jim Rose returned from a cruise on Jewel of the Seas to Greenland in September 2023, where he and his wife tested positive a few days before the end of the sailing.

He provided a recap of his experience. Keep in mind his experience may vary from your experience, as regulations are changing all the time.

Testing positive

Towards the end, both my wife and myself tested positive for Covid.  It reminded me of an earlier story posted on Royal Caribbean Blog about what to expect.  This allowed me to better understand what to expect.  Since there hasn't been any recent reported updates about this, I figured I would report our experience in case someone else should have to experience the situation.

Starting overnight of day twelve, my wife wasn't feeling well.  By morning, she was obviously not doing well.  

Based on previous information posted on this blog, and suggestions posted on the cruise Facebook page, I had brought several Covid self tests.  I did not bring any (useful) extra medicine that had been suggested (such as NyQuil).  

I tested my wife, twice, and both quickly came up positive.  I also tested myself and it came up negative.  Based on this, we contacted medical, and were told to come over to their office on deck 2 forward and to wear masks.  Since we had brought masks, we were able to go immediately over.  

The on-duty nurse listened to what we had to say.  Then, since my wife was the positive result, they asked about medications and medical conditions (normal type questions) before being escorted to an exam room.  Explained the situation to the doctor who checked my wife.  

After verifying the result, he instructed she take generic Nyquil and cough drops (both provided by the ship) and to take an allergy medicine (which I happened to have some in the cabin).  

He also explained that since the cruise only had 3 days left in the cruise,  she would need to remain in our cabin for the remainder of the cruise (and not the required 5 days).   Because I tested negative, I was still free to roam around and not be in isolation.  

The doctor also explained that both Guest Services and medical would call to check on her twice a day and that  Royal Caribbean would provide us with free 1-device Wi-Fi and room service delivery. No cabin change was instructed or offered.

After getting my wife back into our cabin, I was free to do as I wished.  I decided to wear a mask for most of the time I was out of the cabin.  During this time, I started to realize as the day went on that I may also be getting sick.

The next day, I also tested positive, and was called down to medical.  I went through the same medical review and exam.  I assume because my explained symptoms were slightly different from my wife's, I was given an allergy medicine, which was good since I was now running out, Thera-Flu, and cough crops.  I also knew I now was in isolation.

What it was like in their cabin

We found we weren't that hungry, but did order food from room service, including (for Royal Night) Lobster Tail and other items from that night's Main Dining Room menu.

Medical and Guest Services regularly called us to check on how we were doing.  Unfortunately, we weren't always able to know which one it was due to being sick. 

Guest Services also provided us with disembarkation instructions that were later clarified.

We also received letters stating Royal Caribbean would be refunding us our cruise fares (3 days for my wife, 2 days for me) and we would be notified by Royal Caribbean on what that amount would be.

Disembarkation

The night before disembarkation day, we received  call from Room Service asking us for our breakfast order.  We placed an order and were told it would be delivered at about 6:30 AM.

The day of disembarkation, we received a call from Room Service notifying us of our breakfast delivery.  All of our luggage was packed and in our cabin.  

Then at about 8:00 AM, an officer arrived with new KN-95 masks for us and to escort us out of the room.  We were led up to Deck 5, past a number of people in line to exit the ship, and to a conference room.  This is where we joined a number of other guests also wearing masks.  

Because we could not carry all of our luggage, some was left behind in the cabin and was later delivered onto a luggage cart outside the room.

After a few more guests joined us, a couple of Customs Agents came into the room and began to process us there.  This took time since they had to take a cell phone picture of a person, take their passport, and send/receive on the the information for each person.  

Once this was done, each couple was eventually escorted out of the room.  We were eventually escorted out of the room and (with our luggage) were escorted down the forward elevators to deck 2, where we were led off the front gangplank and onto the dock.  

We walked around the side of the building, bast the gate guard, and to the front of the terminal building where we had our friend come and pick us up.

Jim's thoughts

Considering the circumstances, it appeared Royal Caribbean tried to take care of us while trying to follow the current U.S. Government rules, and to allow us to rest.  

It was no fun being sick (and still does since we are still recovering as of my writing this) and missing out the last few days of the cruise.  But, overall Royal Caribbean did a reasonable job of handling the situation.

In case anyone was interested, there were about 25 people in isolation on disembarkation day, and a number of others reported in a Facebook group post (since removed) of  feeling sick after getting home. 

The reserved spot on all cruise ships for Royal Caribbean's top tier members is getting a new name.

The Diamond Lounge has been the name of a special room dedicated to the upper echelon of cruisers, and it appears Royal Caribbean will change the name of it.

Royal Caribbean informed guests of the change in the cruise line's monthly newsletter.

Royal Caribbean Director of Loyalty, Courtney Brant, wrote, "I’m thrilled to announce that over the next few weeks, the Diamond Lounge — beloved by our Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members — is being specially renamed as the Crown Lounge across our fleet."

The Diamond Lounge is available for use by Crown and Anchor members who have reached Diamond, Diamond Plus or Pinnacle status.

Read more: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Royal Caribbean trademarked the phrase Crown Lounge with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on July 21, 2023.

The description of the trademark stated, "Cruise line lounge services; providing food and drink services."

Along with the name, she included a new logo too.

Why the change? According to Ms. Brant, it represents what being a loyal guest means today, "This is more than just a new name — it’s a tribute to the legacy of the Royal Caribbean maritime heritage. It’s a nod to our roots, and a symbol of our dedication to our loyal guests.""

There is no indication yet when the name change will occur.

The renaming of Diamond Lounge to Crown Lounge does not apply to Spectrum of the Seas.

She also said there's no functional change to how the Crown Lounge will operate, "Don’t worry — access requirements aren’t changing. All members who have enjoyed the Diamond Lounge will continue to enjoy the exclusivity and comfort of your private space with delicious treats and top-notch service."

If the name sounds familiar, it could be a reference to the Viking Crown Lounge, which was one of Royal Caribbean's first signature venues that separated it from other lines.

The Viking Crown Lounge was originally created in 1970 for Song of Norway, and became so popular it continued be a staple of Royal Caribbean ship design.  

Over the years, as ships grew in size, the Viking Crown Lounge grew, too, and starting with the Vision Class ships in 1995, moved from its position on the smokestacks to a nearby larger spot amidships with equally stunning views.

In addition, many (but not all) Diamond Lounges are located in the Viking Crown Lounge.

How does the Crown Lounge work?

The Crown Lounge is a room on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship that can only be accessed by Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club cruises.

There is seating to enjoy, as well as light snacks served throughout the day.  

You'll find continental breakfast served each morning. Those who prefer to have specialty coffee can enjoy cappuccinos and lattes via an automated machine all day. Each evening, you can find different nightly appetizers served. 

There is also a dedicated Diamond Lounge Concierge to help you with any sort of issues you might have onboard. These concierges can help with dining reservations, questions, tender tickets and more. 

In the evening hours, drink service is provided, which guests can use their complimentary free drink vouchers while in the lounge.

Read more: How Royal Caribbean's free drink vouchers for Diamond and higher members works

Overcrowding issues

There was no mention of something else Royal Caribbean has been wrestling with related to the Diamond Lounge: overcrowding.

Last month, Royal Caribbean’s CEO Michael Bayley asked cruisers on Facebook for their thoughts on how to tackle the issue of overcrowding in what is now known as the Crown Lounge.

The question was posed seemingly out of the blue, although it did come immediately after this year's President's Cruise when the company's most loyal cruisers congregate on a single sailing and have access to share their thoughts with Mr. Bayley.

While the Crown Lounge has had issues with being busy for years, Mr. Bayley indicated an influx of new Diamond members has exacerbated the issue. 

There was no mention in the announcement of any policy shifts to account for the matter that Mr. Bayley raised.

Royal Caribbean has added a new option when booking a cruise on its website to also buy a drink package at the same time.

Drink packages are among the most popular extra cost add-ons that Royal Caribbean offers its guests.

These unlimited drink packages include as much of the drinks not included with the Royal Caribbean cruise fare.

The Royal Caribbean website now has a Beverage Package step added to the checkout flow, where guests are given the choice to add them to their cart at the same time of booking the cruise.

Before this feature was added, guests had no access to book drink packages until they had placed a deposit and booked the cruise reservation first.

Moreover, guests can now see how much a drink package will cost them before booking a cruise.

The beverage package screen offers the three primary drink packages available: Deluxe Beverage package, Refreshment Package, and Classic Soda package.

Just like when purchasing a drink package through the Cruise Planner website, there is a discount offered when bought before the cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers a discount on its drink package when purchased before the cruise begins.  The onboard price is always higher.

The price of a drink package pre-cruise can change in the months leading up to a cruise, depending on what sale the line has running.

Read more: Best Time to Buy A Royal Caribbean Drink Package

Don't worry if you change your mind later about a drink package, because all pre-cruise purchases are fully refundable.

Not only that, you can cancel and rebook if there's a better price later.

Read more: How to cancel and rebook pre-cruise purchases on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner

What's included with a drink package?

Each of Royal Caribbean's drink packages includes a selection of beverages that would otherwise cost you extra for each purchase.

The Classic Soda package includes:

• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Fountain soda and refills at any venue

The Refreshment package includes:

• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Fountain soda and refills at any venue

The Deluxe Beverage package includes:

• Cocktails, Spirits, and Premium Liquors
• Beer and Spiked Seltzers
• Wine by the Glass
• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Non-alcoholic cocktails
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup

Cruise add-ons are big business

Offering a drink package at the time of booking is smart business for Royal Caribbean given how lucrative these add-ons have been for the company.

More people are making pre-cruise purchases than ever before, thanks to a combination of higher demand to splurge on extras, as well as better market penetration.

According to Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, about two thirds of guests bought something for their cruise before the cruise began. 

That's up from 48% in 2019, which indicates the company is seeing the most demand ever for these add-ons.

Not only is this getting them more business, it's generating higher profits too.

Getting people to book things before the cruise commences has an impact on their bottom line, "Every dollar a guest spends, pre-cruise translates into approximately $0.70 of incremental spend."

Royal Caribbean invested heavily in its e-commerce system to provide better sales pitches to guests, and the result is now materializing in passengers spending more money than ever before their cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the investment in better software during an earnings call earlier this year, "The investment that we made in the software for pre-cruise revenue, which continued through the pandemic."

"We've really leveraged that now, and we've seen a significant increase in penetration and uptick with up-tick sales."

More features added to booking a cruise

Royal Caribbean has also made other tweaks and updates to its website feature list.

When booking a cruise, there is an option to sign in via a pop-up window.  This will then prepopulate your information once you sign-in.

Previously the log in would take you off the page.

In addition, scheduled payments are available now via the My Reservation section.

If you make a deposit on your booking and then go to manage the booking in the My Reservations section, you can now schedule payments.

This applies to single cabin bookings outside of the final payment period. Once you're past final payment, you can not use this feature because you will have had to pay off the entire balance of the reservation.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

You'll need to be a little bit older to access the adults-only pool on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

It looks like Royal Caribbean has changed the minimum age to access the Solarium area on its cruise ships.

In an update sent via email, the cruise line indicated it is responding to guest feedback by changing the minimum age.

Going forward, guests will need to be 18 years old or older to access the Solarium. Prior to this change, guests had to be at least 16 years old.

"At Royal Caribbean, our guests' feedback matters. This is why we have decided to keep our 'adults-only' areas consistent, and update the Solarium age restriction from 16+ to 18+ years old."

The update was sent to travel agents.

While the age limit has changed, kids are still allowed to walk through the Solarium, such as to access the Solarium Bistro restaurant.  The difference is they cannot stop and spend time in the venue or its pools.

Historically, a ship will waive the minimum age for cold weather cruises when the public pool for all guests is too cold, such as on Alaska cruises.

Why make the change?

The minimum age of 16 years old to access the Solarium has been in place for many years.

The subject of changing the minimum age has been a hot button topic for years, and it usually comes up as a question to Royal Caribbean executives on a Presidents Cruise event.

Perhaps related is the fact the change comes just a few months after the 2023 President's Cruise, when some guests voiced their concern regarding the minimum age in the Solarium.

It's not clear exactly why the change was made now after so many years with 16 being the minimum, other than "guest feedback".

One benefit of making the Solarium only available for 18 year olds or older is that aligns better with other adult-only areas. 

Some guests expressed frustration in that the Solarium allowed 16 and 17-year-olds, but the minimum age for adults at the new Hideaway Beach area of Perfect Day at CocoCay is 18 and above.

What is the Solarium?

The exact offerings depend on the ship, but inside the Solarium you will often find a pool, hot tub, seating area and a bar. Some ships have food inside the Solarium at a Park Cafe or Solarium Bistro location.

Another difference between the Solarium and the main pool are the loungers tend to be padded.

Some ships have a totally glass-enclosed Solarium area, while other ships are open-air. The glass keeps the heat in, and often, the Solarium is one of the warmest spots onboard.

On Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships, you'll find a greater variety of seating, included padded couches and other comfortable seating.

There is no additional cost to access the Solarium.

Reader reaction

With a topic like age restrictions, there's no shortage of opinions on Royal Caribbean's policy change.

Pippa Madden wrote, "I really had no idea it was such an issue."

Many readers celebrated the news, but questioned how effective it would be in terms of the rules being enforced. Tom Thomasson exemplified many comments, "About time. Now if they will enforce it."

There are a few well-known guest conduct policies that are policy on paper, but rarely enforced.  The so-called "chair hog" problem of guests reserving pool loungers, dress code in the main dining room, and curfew rules at select venues are examples of such long-standing gripes cruisers have with a lack of rule enforcement.

Read more: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

Ryan Longo thought the cruise line should have gone further, "Should be 21 but 18 is good enough."

There's a new way to spend your day by the pool on the newest Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Guests can now book an in-pool daybed on Icon of the Seas for an additional cost.

Royal Caribbean has added the new option to its Cruise Planner website, which are located in the Hideaway neighborhood.

The Hideaway is located on deck 15 above Surfside neighborhood , and it's essentially a beach club or Vegas pool party scene that the cruise line is going for. Access to The Hideaway is complimentary, but there are daybeds you can choose to rent.

The Hideaway Pool is the first suspended infinity pool at sea, and it's one of the signature options on Icon of the Seas.

You'll find tiered lounge space, hot tubs and a bar specializing in Champagne and Champagne-based cocktails.

Day bed options

There are two types of day beds, with the option to reserve them on port days or sea days.

Both types include amenities provided for up to 2 - 4 guests.

The cruise line warns daybeds are uncovered with limited access to shade.

In-Pool Day bed

The in-pool daybed are a full-sized daybeds which, "channel beach club party vibes at the first suspended infinity pool at sea."

It includes:

• Chilled champagne
• Bottled water
• Four pool towels
• A large tray for your personal items. 

Royal Caribbean describes it as, "Whether you're lounging with friends or jamming to the beat, these In-Pool Daybeds are your haven of comfort onboard. Your exclusive retreat awaits. Space is limited and may sell out — book yours today!"

Oceanview Daybed

The other option is an oceanview daybed, and as you might imagine, the difference is its location.

The amenities are the same, but offer full-size daybeds which overlook the ocean.

These include:

• (1) Champagne bottle (Insulated plastic bottle holder and ice bucket included)
• Branded souvenir champagne glasses
• (4) Pool towels
• (4) Bottles of water
• Side table for personal belongings
• Dedicated beverage service

Guests under the age of 18 will receive complimentary mocktails to substitute the champagne bottle.

Hideaway daybed prices

In comparing prices across multiple Icon of the Seas sailings, the prices for the daybeds in the Hideaway seem to be the same.

• The Hideaway In-Pool Daybed — Sea Day: $350
• The Hideaway Oceanview Daybed — Sea Day: $300
• The Hideaway In-Pool Daybed — Port Day: $250
• The Hideaway Oceanview Daybed — Port Day: $200

Pool deck option: casitas

Another option for a private retreat near a pool are the casitas, which are available on the pool deck.

Casitas have been offered on other Royal Caribbean cruise ships for an extra cost.  On Icon of the Seas, they will have an additional fee as well.

Located at Chill Island on Deck 16, casitas cost more than day beds, but also offer more included, like towels, a tabletop cooler, water bottles, a charging outlet, and dedicated bar service at the touch of a button. 

The full list of what you get for a casita on Icon of the Seas:

• Welcome drinks for all guests
• (8) Pool towels
• (8) Water bottles
• (2) Tabletop coolers
• Charging outlets
• Call-for-service button for dedicated beverage service
• Shaded and unshaded lounge seating

Amenities are provided for up to 6 - 8 guests.

Reader reactions

Since the new option appeared to book, cruise fans aren't surprised to see such a new extra cost option.

Xaa wrote, "Those beds will sell everyday.  People want them.  If they were free, the hogging and associated conflicts created would be constant. "

Gilley wasn't a fan just because of the lack of shade, "it’s in the sun, no umbrella.  I will pass."

asquared17 added, "I don’t know how comfortable I’d feel with spending money for what is essentially an island that anyone could swim up to and haul aboard."

A new kind of pool vibe

The Hideaway is a new type of neighborhood on a cruise ship, and Royal Caribbean thinks it will offer something very different than other pools.

A combination of music and location, The Hideaway is designed to offer a beach club experience.

"Perfectly perched in the center of the new Hideaway neighborhood and with its own resident DJ, it's the ultimate spot to keep the beach club vibes going all day. Designed with disappearing edges for seamless sunsets and full-sized daybeds surrounded by water, this signature suspended infinity pool will make for your most snap-worthy sea day yet."

After planning a cruise vacation for months or years, the last thing you want to do is come home wishing you had done something you could have done.

Cruise ships are packed with a great deal of things to do, and then there's the fun to be had on shore. It's easy to list it all now, but when you get on the ship time becomes fleeting and you could miss out on a few things on your personal "must-do" list.

Whether you ran out of time, neglected to walk over, or were too timid to give it a shot, there are plenty of things you might regret not doing on a cruise.

I asked our readers what is one thing they regret not trying on a cruise to get a sense of the top things they would love a chance to do over again.

1. Wonderland

Whimsical or weird?

Ben wrote, "I’ve been on Anthem a few times and haven’t tried Wonderland. I heard it’s not everyone’s favorite but I feel I need to try it at least once."

Wonderland is indeed a different kind of restaurant. It's loosely based on the "Alice in Wonderland" story and the food and service are anything but conventional.

Read more: I spent $60 to eat at Royal Caribbean’s most bizarre restaurant. I thought I would hate it, but it was one of the best meals of my cruise.

2. Ice show

Royal Caribbean's ice skating shows are an impressive feat of skill and poise, but some may overlook it.

Judy Carson wrote, "Going to the ice show. We miss it time and time again."

Admittedly, ice skating may not sound like something you absolutely need to see, but I'm always impressed by these shows because of how well put together they are. The choreography, music, and of course abilities of the skaters really stand out.

3. Zip line

Having done the zip line on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, I can see why some might sidestep a visit.

Located on the back of the ship on the Sports Deck, they can develop long lines and it's directly in the sun. During the warmer months of the year, it can get very hot out there.

And then there's the chasm below you must traverse during the ride, which may give guests some trepidation about giving it a try.

"The zip line. Hours way too short," is what Jennifer Allred said.  

Steve Welker also lamented not going on it, "Zip line, maybe one day!"

And don't forget about the zip line in Labadee, which is significantly longer than the one on the ships.

Suzanne SG wrote, "I did over 30 cruises and finally did the zip line on Labadee! Why I waited till my 60s is a mystery, but happy I finally did it! Loved it!"

4. Love & Marriage game show

Royal Caribbean's version of the Newlywed Game, the Love & Marriage game show came up on our reader's list of regrets.

"IK missed the Love and Marriage show for the first time in my life," wrote Andrea Toth.

"I regret missing it. It was in the afternoon and I was busy but I did regret not going."

5. Helicopter tour

On his Alaska cruise, Rich Harrington listed not taking a helicopter tour.

Alaska's glaciers are an incredible sight, and the best way to see them is by helicopter or seaplane. They are, however, quite pricey. Usually, the price of a helicopter ride starts at $500 per person.

If you can get past the price, the access these rides give you is unparalleled. You'll fly up and land on a glacier and explore the ice caves or take a dog sled ride.

6. FlowRider

Is surfing your thing? You won't know until you try.

Andrew Maiewski shared, "While I know I would fail miserably at FlowRider surfing. I still have yet to try body boarding, which I kinda want to do."

With the FlowRider, you can try stand-up surfing or boogie boarding, and there's no cost. It's simply first come, first surf.

Read more: I learned how to surf on a weekend cruise. Here is my advice if you want to try it too

7. Booking a balcony cabin in Alaska

Is it worth spending extra for a balcony room on an Alaska cruise?

Connie Jackson seems to think so, "Balcony cabin on my Alaska cruise" is what she listed as a regret.

If you have a balcony cabin in Alaska, you can more easily pop out from your cabin to see the beautiful scenery passing by. It's certainly more convenient than going out to a public deck.

Read more: Best cabins to book for an Alaska cruise

8. Rock climbing

One of Royal Caribbean's signature onboard activities is the rock wall, and it's something I have yet to try either!

Chris Buchner wrote, "Rock climbing!! Did it on my last cruise, and I regret not trying it many cruises ago!"

Sandra Roof added, "My husband finally did the rock wall last week. He's 53 and in great shape. He flew up that wall on the hardest one. The attendant even said he made it look to easy. I was proud of him."

No matter how far up the wall you make it, going up the rock wall is a good test of your own personal endurance and a fun challenge too.

9. Taking it easy

Sometimes the best thing to do on a cruise is nothing at all.

Rebecca Jackson posted, "Slowing down a bit and relaxing."

Getting away from it all is a major draw of any cruise, and with all of the fun activities onboard, it's easy to lose sight of just enjoying time away from the daily routine.

Whether that comes in the form of sitting in a lounger by the pool, taking an afternoon nap, or reading a book, there are plenty of ways to not do much while on a cruise.

10. Diving

A few readers shared they regretted not giving scuba or snorkel dives a try on their cruise.

Both Justin White and Daniella Price wrote they wish they had a chance to try an underwater dive on their cruise.

Royal Caribbean sometimes offers scuba classes onboard so that guests can then work towards their certification, including a dive in one of their upcoming ports.

There's almost always snorkeling or other underwater excursions offered in Caribbean ports as well.

11. Sleeping in

I'm guilty of not getting enough sleep on a cruise, but that's because of how much fun there is to try!

Maxine Bucholtz wrote, "More sleep!!" and I agree it's difficult to find the motivation to sleep when there's so much happening around you.

The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real on a cruise. You'll see a daily list of activities jam packed with things to do, along with exciting ports, and opportunities to go out with friends and family.

However, taking the time to sleep in and relax is important too. It's a good idea to pick a day, set the alarm late, and embrace rolling out of your cabin well into the double-digit times.

12. Karaoke

Mustering the strength to stand in front of a room full of strangers and belt out a tune is not as simple as it sounds.

A few readers had karaoke on their list of regrets, saying they would have liked to give it a try.

You'll find karaoke on almost every night of the cruise, and it's really popular. In fact, even if you want to try it, you'll need to act quickly because so many people do karaoke that it often fills up quickly.

13. Ultimate Abyss

Royal Caribbean's signature dry slide may seem daunting, but a lot of readers regret not giving it a try.

The Ultimate Abyss is 10 stories long and puts you in the dark as you descend through the twists and turns while riding a mat.

On Utopia of the Seas, the Ultimate Abyss slide is even longer and adds a few tweaks.

In addition to it being longer, the slide on Utopia has rollers to bump up your speed as you go along and a section where you're going to be able to see the other rider. 

14. Water slides

Many readers also had the water slides on the ship they were on previously as something they wish they had done.

You'll find water slides on most Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and they are a fun (and free) activity you can try.

As you might imagine, the lines do get long, but they are as fun as they look.

My advice for being able to do the water slides without as long of a wait is to go on embarkation day. Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on bag and go right when you get on the ship. 

Read more: 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

15. Watching the sunset

Collene Felts listed not watching the sunset from an upper deck as her regret, and I think sunsets at sea are so beautiful to see.

While photos usually come out nice, it just doesn't do it justice.

They're great for a selfie, or to just take in the moment. It's one of those surreal moments to just enjoy life on a cruise ship and take it all in.

16. Booking a suite

A few people regretted not spending more to book a Royal Caribbean suite.

Tim Lott wrote buying a suite as something he wanted to do, and Dayna Richards responded, "We had one of the rear facing suites on Harmony of the Sea. When it came time to disembark, we were escorted past the entire passport line. We were out of there in five minutes. My husband said we will ‘always book a suite from now on. "

Gwendolyn Salzman added, "A suite! But, I could do a couple cruises for the price of one suite. So, I chose the lower priced cabins so I can cruise more often."

Certainly, the perks of a suite are impressive, and it's a lovely way to spend your time while on a cruise. Between the larger living space in your cabin to the services provided by the concierge, the experience will spoil you.

Read more: I cruised in a suite for the first time. Here are 5 things I learned from the experience–and 3 I'd do differently next time

17. Skeet shooting

Whether he meant this in jest or not, R.D. Wheeldon had skeet shooting on his list and he missed out on this activity by about 30 years or so.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, you could shoot clay pigeons off the back of a cruise ship. That's right, you'd be given a shotgun to shoot targets off the back of a ship.

The practice came to an end at some point in the 80s or 90s, but it was something you could have done back in the day.

Read more: 9 cruise ship activities Royal Caribbean abandoned

18. Skypad

A few readers wish they had the opportunity to try the Skypad before Royal Caribbean closed it.

Greg Brockman wrote, "I wish I had tried SkyPad before it closed."

The Sky Pad was a trampoline where guests put on a virtual reality visor to engage in a game as they jump. 

Once inside, participants bounced up and down on the trampolines with the aid of the bungee cords. As you jumped on the trampoline, you jumped in the game. 

Similar to the FlowRider surf simulator and sky diving simulator, it was meant to offer guests a gravity-defying fun top deck experience.

19. Not buying the drink package

In retrospect, Jennifer Stoeckeler wishes she had bought Royal Caribbean's drink package to help curtail costs, "I regretted not buying the drinks package. So many pretty cocktails. If I went on another I would. Cruising is great!"

A few others had drink packages on their list because it ensures you have a fixed price for all the drinks you care to enjoy onboard.

Royal Caribbean has three primary drink packages to cater to various tastes, and while the cost is high up-front, it is truly unlimited once onboard the ship.

There are a few ways to get a discount on a Royal Caribbean drink package so you don't have to pay top dollar for it.

20. Different drinks

Speaking of drinks, Cheryl Watt wished she tried a wider variety of drinks.

It's easy to fall into the rut of ordering the same familiar drinks on any cruise. Sharon Birmingham combats this by actually having a list of drinks to try when she cruises.

Here's our list of 21 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package.

21. Back to back cruises

What's better than going on a cruise? Going on two cruises in a row!

Bev Taylor and Chris Gonterman listed a back-to-back cruise as their cruise regret.

When someone says they are doing a back-to-back cruise, it means they are doing multiple cruises in a row on the same ship.

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Royal Caribbean started as a company in 1968, and by the 1980s, had made a name for itself with a small fleet of impressive cruise ships and had become an increasingly popular cruise line.

Song of Norway, Nordic Prince, and Sun Viking had lead the way for the company, and Song of America & Viking Serenade joined the fleet in 1982. By the end of the 80s, the new Sovereign Class would redefine what a cruise ship consisted of as it ushered in the first megaships.

Though the 1970s had concluded optimistically, the 1980s were ushered in by a recession in the United States. The cruising public became more cautious about their disposable vacation income, and the cruise lines began advertising strenuously, anticipating and countering rival company offers. Discounting, free airfare and the necessity to increase onboard revenues emerged as urgent cruising realities of the harsher 1980s.

Despite these challenges, the cruise industry managed to grow in the 1980s and Royal Caribbean found itself right in the middle of a struggle with competitor lines for building ever-increasingly larger ships. Song of America had proven the economies of scale was the future of cruise ships, and it would send Royal Caribbean down the path of building a ship as massive as Sovereign of the Seas.

Read more: What happened to Royal Caribbean's first cruise ships?

As the decade came to a close, Royal Caribbean had positioned itself perfectly for the immense growth the 1990s would bring.

Here's what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s.

Before even looking at the onboard experience, cruise ships in the 1980s were smaller than today.

Nordic Prince was 18,346 GT and 552 feet long, whereas Wonder of the Seas is 236,857 GT and 1,188 feet long.

A lot of the marketing material for a cruise in the 1980s was centered around the good times you could have onboard a cruise ship. They were selling what we would call today "a vibe" of being away from it all and enjoying time on a floating oasis.

Similar to today, the pool deck was the epicenter of activity on a cruise ship. A holiday spent tanning and enjoying the warm Caribbean sun was a major selling point.

Of course, dining was an important aspect of a cruise in the 1980s as well. In the marketing material, Royal Caribbean said La Chaine de Rotisseurs (a French international gastronomic society), "thinks our food is consistently superb."

"Our cuisine, in fact, could be one good reason the readers of Travel/Holiday magazine voted our ships among the world's best."

Just like today, ships had their own bakeries onboard. And a cruise in the 1980s still had a midnight buffet in the dining room, which was slowly phased out by the 2000s.

The main dining room was a focal point of dining, as specialty restaurants wouldn't become an option for another decade.

Royal Caribbean wanted to offer the kind of vacation where everything was made available and not as much thinking as a land trip.

They also marketed a cruise as a great way to celebrate, "As tensions disappear at sea, relationships flourish. Which means those starry-eyed couples aren't all newlyweds. Some may be celebrating silver and golden wedding anniversaries. Or even second honeymoons. You'll also find that about a third of our passengers are single."

What was a cruise ship cabin like in the 1980s? Decor style aside, they had a lot in common with a cabin today.

Royal Caribbean staterooms vary in size, in price, and in location. Some are even available with connecting staterooms to accommodate four or five people. Others offer third and fourth Pullman beds.

All cabins had:

• Individual room temperature control
• Private shower and bathroom facilities
• 110-volt/60 cycle U.S. current for hair dryers and shavers
• Three-channel radio
• Reading lights
• A dressing table and full-length mirror
• Plenty of drawer space
• A full-length wardrobe closet
• Wall-to-wall carpeting

 An interesting selling point was the entertaining aspect of having your own room, "Since most accommodations have beds that convert to sofas, you can use your stateroom for more than sleeping. You can use it for entertaining. Passengers very often invite friends to their staterooms to enjoy champagne or drinks before dinner. Or for a bon voyage party before sailing."

In terms of service in a cabin, a lot has changed since the 1980s. Room stewards do the same basic services you can expect today, but the marketing material advertised  more offerings, "Every stateroom has a steward, who performs a little shipboard magic every evening. When you go out for dinner or dancing, you'll leave a pleasant sitting room."

"But when you come back, you'll find a cozy bedroom. With fluffed-up pillows. Turned-down covers. And fresh fruit in the basket on your dressing table. This is the kind of attentive service you'll get every single night.

"And every single day, we'll make your stateroom neater than you left it. We'll also leave clean towels and a bucket of ice. Pick up and return your laundry. Deliver a schedule of activities and coming events, along with ship news and weather forecasts. And provide beverage and snack service, 24 hours a day. "

While the Viking Crown concept is retained in many of Royal Caribbean's ships today, the feature was designed initially for Song of Norway. Royal Caribbean made a name for itself with its signature space, the Viking Crown Lounge.

Entertainment on a cruise in the 1980s included a variety show that had a ventriloquist, comedian, cabaret singer, or big-band era music.

There was also passenger talent night and masquerade night on cruises of this era. On passenger talent night, guests would sing, dance, make magic, or just about anything else they were brave enough to demonstrate for their fellow guests and crew.

Masquerade night is just what it sounds like: it is an old-fashioned costume gala.  Prizes are given for Most Humorous, Most Original and Most Artistic costume.  Guests were encouraged to bring a costume, but the staff could provide necessary materials to build their own onboard.

Once your ship made it to port, it was time for a shore excursion. There were 7-night cruises from Miami that went to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico.

An Eastern Caribbean itinerary sailed from Miami to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.

Bermuda runs in 1985 included four days in Bermuda before returning to New York.

If you preferred a longer cruise, Nordic Prince and Sun Viking sailed 10-night cruises from Miami down to the Southern Caribbean, going as far as Barbados.

Longer cruises offered a more traditional cruise experience to get to more exotic ports, and they were still a staple of the industry. Today, 7-night cruises are the norm, and longer sailings tend to be outliers, especially in the Caribbean.

Being the 1980s, ships had certain features that no longer are a thing.  Royal Caribbean advertised access to cable, Telex, and regular news bulletins. There was also a "Chinese laundry".

Skeet shooting off the back of the ship was still offered, where guests were given shotguns to shoot clay pigeons into the ocean.

The core cruise experience is largely the same then as it is today. The primary difference is what's offered onboard ships now, as well as the immense size difference.

Cruising as evolved since its early days, and some fads come and go, while other aspects of cruising remain the same today.

Read more: 10 Ways Cruising Has Changed in the Last 30 Years

Are you looking for information about the latest news, cruise ship information, or offering by Royal Caribbean? You're not alone.

New ships, incidents, and things you can buy for a cruise were among the list of most-Googled things about Royal Caribbean, according to data from Google.

Searches for the popular cruise line rose in January at the start of Wave season and then peaked again in July.

The internet has always been a useful place to get Royal Caribbean news and updates, and interest surrounding a Royal Caribbean cruise nets quite a lot of search traffic.

At Royal Caribbean Group's most recent earnings call, the company reported a doubling in website visits compared to 2019.

In looking at Google's search trends, we get a look at what people are predominately interested in, especially topics that are noteworthy at the time.

Top 10 Royal Caribbean related searches

Google categorizes its search data in two segments: top searches and rising searches.

Top searches are the overall most searched phrases, while rising searches are the things people Google a lot at once, almost always related to something newsworthy.

Think of it like searching for "New York" vs "New Years eve in New York".  The first can be searched throughout the year, but the latter is only relevant in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

Let's look at the rising data, which gives insight into the hottest search trends of the year.  I've omitted queries that are essentially the same phrase, but worded differently:

1. Royal Caribbean cruise man overboard

Just like a car accident on the side of the road, the public can't seem to not be interested when someone jumps or goes overboard from a cruise ship.

Unfortunately there have been a few cruise ship passengers that have gone overboard because of either jumping or doing something they shouldn't do that gets them in a precarious situation.

The media jumps on news related to people going overboard cruise ships because it seems to get attention, probably because people who aren't familiar with cruises may not understand how it could happen.

A 2022 article from The Points Guy points out that cruise ship railings are sufficiently high enough on all decks and balconies to ensure someone does not slip and fall 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," the article's author states.

"It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Not being somewhere you're not supposed to, or doing something you're not supposed to, is key to safety at sea, "Play by the rules and remain in control of your actions, and you don't have to worry about inadvertently falling overboard from a cruise ship."

2. Royal Caribbean premier pass

Royal Caribbean made an "oopsie" in March when guests were able to book a VIP pass that didn't actually exist.

Royal Caribbean added a new Premier Pass to its website that appeared to be a new extra cost pass. It included WiFi, exclusive tours and more at a bargain price.

Unfortunately, it was too good to be true. 

An email went out a few days later to inform anyone that bought the Premier Pass was a "system glitch" and was never intended to be put on sale in the first place. Any purchases made were cancelled.

An uproar ensued because people wanted the cruise line to stand by the option, especially in cases where the guests cancelled another purchase in lieu of the Premier Pass.

3. Utopia cruise ship Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's next (and final?) Oasis Class ship will be Utopia of the Seas, and it generated a lot of interest when Royal Caribbean revealed details about the ship.

Utopia of the Seas will debut in summer 2024 and offer 3- and 4-night cruises only, which is a big change for Royal Caribbean.

Typically, new cruise ships start off with 7-night cruises because demand is so high and more lucrative for these cruises.  Older ships usually offer short cruises.

Utopia will instead do short cruises with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean seems to want to embrace the new to cruise market and target people who have never taken a cruise with a ship that stands out from the competition. The hope is new cruisers that aren't sure they will like a cruise or not tend to go with short cruises, and by giving them one of Royal Caribbean's newest and best ships, it will hook them to this kind of vacation.

Read more: Royal Caribbean has a plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations

4. New Royal Caribbean ship 2024

There's actually two new Royal Caribbean cruise ships entering service in 2024, which is a bit unusual.

Icon of the Seas will join the fleet first and sail weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean from Miami. Each cruise also stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In July, Utopia of the Seas will start offering cruises from Port Canaveral. 

5. Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

The next new Royal Caribbean cruise ship has garnered a lot of attention, Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas will be the first ship in the Icon Class. She will be 250,600 tons and hold up to 7,600 passengers, both of which are stats that eclipse the current largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas.

Not only is she big, but Royal Caribbean is loading her up with all sorts of new offerings.

Icon will have new types of cabins, a water park, new neighborhoods, and plenty of activities inbetween.  It will also offer a bigger array of dining venues, bars and deck-top attractions than any cruise vessel ever built.

6. Royal Caribbean cruise ship storm

There have been a few tropical storms that have had an impact on Royal Caribbean ships this year.

Hurricane Hillary, Idalia, and Lee all forced the cruise line to change plans to avoid the path of the storm.

Cruising in hurricane season has its challenges, but an itinerary change is usually the worst to come out of it. When there is a tropical disturbance, a lot of people take to Google to figure out if there have been any changes or cancellations to their cruise.

Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist works with ship captains to chart an optimal course and avoid the worst of any storm.  

7. Royal Caribbean cruise 2024

Most likely if you're searching for a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2024, you're looking to plan a cruise for next year.

One of the best strategies is to book a cruise many months in advance (instead of at the last-minute), so people searching for 2024 cruises is about trying to find the best Royal Caribbean cruise to sail on next year.

As previously mentioned, there are two new Royal Caribbean ships debuting in 2024, and that could also contribute to additional interest in a 2024 cruise.

8. Royal Caribbean drink package 2023

Perhaps no extra-cost add-on is as popular as Royal Caribbean's drink package.

There's three primary drink packages you can buy for a Royal Caribbean cruise, in addition to a water package and coffee card.

Drink packages are very popular because they provide an easy and convenient way to let guests enjoy unlimited drinks without having to worry about paying for each drink.

9. Royal Caribbean cruise 2023

It's not surprising there's interest in a cruise this year as well.

The cruise planning process extends to the months and weeks leading up the actual sailing.

From shore excursions to spa treatments to things to do onboard the ship, you can always learn more about your cruise ship and plan around what to do.

10. Carnival Celebration

Not sure if Google goofed on this to include a Carnival ship with Royal Caribbean results, or a lot of Royal Caribbean fans are simply curious about Carnival's newest ship.

The second in the Excel Class, Celebration can accommodate 6,600 guests.