More Royal Caribbean ships are offering one of the best perks you can buy on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean tested out offering its Royal Genie service on two of its ships earlier this summer to determine the feasibility of giving such benefits on other ships.

Evidently the Royal Genie Package proved to be a good idea, because we're seeing it now on more ships.

Here's what you get for the hefty cost and if it's worth buying.

More ships offering a Genie

Initially, the Royal Genie Package was only available on Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

We spot checked a number of upcoming sailings and it looks like more ships are offering it now:

• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas

With this change, all of the Freedom Class ships offer a Royal Genie option. Plus, more than half of the Voyager Class ships.

What does a Genie get you?

Think of the Royal Genie Package as a way to get the absolute best perks on your ship for a price.

The starting price is $300 per adult, per day (kids are $200 per day), and it's an add-on you can buy for your sailing.

With your Genie, this person will personally take care of your needs around the ship. This includes getting you seats in any show wherever you want it, specialty dining reservations, food delivered to your cabin, and escorts on and off the ship.

Plus, it also gets you these added benefits:

• Deluxe Beverage Package (for all guests of legal drinking age)
• Refreshment Package (for all guests below legal drinking age)
• Unlimited Dining Package
• Complimentary Room Service
• 1 Device Internet package per guest in the reservation
• Complimentary Stateroom Mini Bar Beverages (Coca-Cola canned products)
• Still & Sparkling Water Bottle Delivery
• Complimentary Starbucks Beverages
• VIP Luggage Service (Arrival & Departure)
• VIP Welcome Food & Beverage Amenity
• Suite Lounge Access
• Complimentary Ice Cream at Sugar Beach
• Reserved Seating in the Main Theater
• Designated time to FlowRider, Rock Climbing Wall & Ice Skating
• Complimentary Stateroom Movies
• Malin+Goetz Bath Amenities

Each Genie will handle about 3 or 4 cabins per sailing.

Unlike the Royal Genie service on Royal Caribbean's bigger ships, you don't have to stay in a suite to get this package on its smaller ships.

That means you can be booked in an inside cabin and still get the Genie services.

Before you book, you should know you cannot cancel the Royal Genie Package once you buy it, either before the cruise begins or onboard.  It's completely non-refundable.

I tried the Royal Genie service and it was impressive

I've stayed in Star Class suites that comes with a Genie, but I was curious if this Genie package would be just as good without the mega cabin to go with it.

While on Independence of the Seas, I tried the Royal Genie Package for my family on a 7-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords.

The best thing about having a Genie is you get pretty much everything you want or need without much effort.  It's the easy way to cruise.

That isn't to say you can't have a good cruise without one, but a Genie takes care of every need.  

Our Genie decorated my kids' cabin with a sisters motif, and that was something I had never seen before.

She also ensured we had our Starbucks coffee order delivered to our room every morning.  When I mentioned the WiFi signal in my cabin wasn't great, she had a maintenance team in there in less than hour to install a repeater so it was better.

At $300 per adult, per day, it's pricey. 

You can justify some of that cost given it includes a Deluxe Beverage Package, which easily costs more than $100 per day onboard the ship.  And having unlimited access to specialty restaurants that have a cover charge $40 - $60 per person adds up quickly too.

Plus there's the free internet package too.

The only downside to my experience was because I was booked in an oceanview balcony cabin, we really couldn't take full advantage of the things the Genie can do in a smaller cabin.

When you're in a suite, the Genie can set up meals to enjoy in your living room or balcony, and it's just not the same in a regular cabin.

Ultimately, it's an expensive upgrade, but those that can afford it will find it an incredible way to splurge and enjoy cruises in an all new way.

Megaship fans will find new reason to try an Alaska cruise.

Royal Caribbean on Wednesday posted its new 2027 cruises to Alaska, which officially kickstarts its new deployments for the 2027-2028 year.

Four ships will offer cruises to Alaska, including two Quantum Class vessels.  These are the line's third-largest class of ships and they're barely 10 years old.

Here's the breakdown of which ships are sailing to Alaska and where.

Alaska cruises in 2027

Quantum of the Seas will sail from Seattle, Washington and offer 7-night voyages via the Inside Passage.

Ports include Sitka; Skagway; Victoria, British Columbia; and Juneau.

There is one difference, in that only select Quantum cruises will sail to Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.

Anthem of the Seas is positioned to be offer visits deeper into Alaska, as it's sailing one-way  sailings from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Seward, Alaska.

The advantage of these "open jaw" routes is the ship can go to places a traditional roundtrip voyage cannot. 

Anthem has sailings that visit Hubbard Glacier, as well as offering the option of a cruisetour.

Cruisetours are pre- and post-land trips you can add-on to a cruise that are operated through Royal Caribbean and can take you to inland places, such as Denali National Park and Preserve and Banff National Park.

New CruiseTours available in summer 2027 include a 9-night Destination Denali CruiseTour and a 12-night Mountain Panorama & Alyeska CruiseTour. 

Not only do you get to see more of inland Alaska with a CruiseTour, but you can earn Crown and Anchor points too.

Voyager of the Seas will also homeport in Seattle, offering 7-night sailings to popular Alaskan ports.

Similar to Quantum, not all Voyager sailings go to Dawes Glacier. Instead, they offer visits to Ketchikan or Sitka.

Rounding out the deployment is Serenade of the Seas, based in Vancouver.

Serenade will cruise 7-night roundtrip sailings, and select sailings include visits to Tracy Arm Fjord, Icy Strait Point, or Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

You can also book a Pacific Coastal Cruise that goes from San Diego to Vancouver at the very start of the cruise season.

It's a rare 7-night cruise that goes up the West Coast of the United States, with stops in Astoria, Oregon & Seattle, Washington.

The 2027 Alaska cruises are available to book between May and September 2027.

Should you pick a cruise that visits a glacier?

Not all of the sailings include a glacier visit on the itinerary, and I would recommend prioritizing a voyage that includes a glacier visit.

While you certainly can see glaciers in one of your port stops, there's simply nothing like seeing one from the ocean.

The risk with a glacier visit by sea is it's dependent on the weather to be safe enough to transit. It's common for a glacier visit to be cancelled or has to stop far from the glacier because of sea ice or poor visibility.

Nonetheless, I think it's worth trying to book because when the weather cooperates, glaciers are amazing to see from the ship.

If all else fails, be sure to book a shore excursion that takes you to Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau.

Hawaii cruises also available to book

Royal Caribbean typically doesn't offer cruises to Hawaii, except when a ship needs to reposition from Australia to Alaska (and back).

Anthem of the Seas has a 8-night voyage between Oahu and Vancouver on April 29, 2027.

It has an overnight stop in Kailua Kona before heading to Vancouver.

Before that, there's a 16-night Transpacific cruise between Sydney, Australia and Oahu, Hawaii. 

This sailing doesn't visit Hawaiian islands, but does offer visits to islands in French Polynesia.

If you want a really long cruise that includes a visit to Hawaii, Quantum of the Seas has a 23-night Transpacific cruise with stops in:

• Papeete, Tahiti
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Now is the best time to book an Alaska cruise

The new 2027 Alaska cruises are available to book beginning today, and getting in on a cruise early is one of the best ways to get the best price.

It's been my experience that some of the best prices, especially for suites, are found when new itineraries are released.

This is especially true if you want to book a summer Alaska cruise in July or August, when it's the peak season.

Plus, specific cabins can sell out quickly on popular sailings. For example, if you want to book a suite or aft balcony cabin on Serenade of the Seas, you'll need to book as early as possible to ensure your preferred category.

As a rule, placing your initial deposit as soon as you can gets you the best price.

Each of my two kids have been cruising since they were six months old, and as they enter their teenage years, I think cruising has been the best experience for them.

Cruise ships are often referred to as "floating cities" and that analogy holds up with raising kids, because learning to navigate cities (and the world) is part of growing up.

As my kids grew older, how they cruised changed and a certain amount of independence started to creep into it all. We like cruising together as a family, but there are times they want to do their own thing (and my wife and I do too).

In observing my kids at home, it's clear their years of cruising truly helped them with important life skills.

Letting go a little bit at a time

I remember the first time I let my kids go on their own to go down to Sorrento's to grab pizza and then come back to the cabin.

Today, that's not a big deal, but as a parent it was scary letting them walk down a few decks and back.  But it taught them (and us) how to operate.

They had cruised enough with us at that point to understand where things are located, how to act in public, and what to expect when ordering the food.

Slowly, we introduced little trips and "missions" for them.  It gave them fleeting moments of independence to feel grown up, without letting them go completely on their own.

Pizza runs, trips to the ice cream machine, or an arcade trip are all examples of giving them the trust to be on their own and know how it feels.

Trust builds independence

As they got older, we gave our kids more freedom to do their own thing onboard the ship.

We started off by allowing them to be alone when with friends. I joked as a group, they'd all be too annoying to kidnap. 

Giving them more leeway allowed them to enjoy that freedom, but they also understood it was based on trust.

I think giving them spurts of time to be alone on the ship was safer than doing the same thing in public places on land, like a mall or Starbucks.

There's risk with everything, but cruise ships are more self-contained.  Nonetheless, the guiding principles of being out without parental supervision is the same.

We give them rules to prevent them from being "those kids"

Because we cruised with them when they were little, we all quickly noticed kids behaving badly on ships.

Most of it is typical teenage antics, like hanging out in elevators, hanging out in stairwells, or packing hot tubs with friends. But we've seen and read about teens who clearly cross the line of bad behavior.

With my kids now around teenage years, they're well aware we do not condone acting running amuck, being obnoxious, or pressing all the buttons in the elevator.

They've earned their freedom, and it comes with expectations and rules meant to keep them safe and not be a problem.

Communication is the most important rule.  We have regular check-ins, as well as curfews.  

We also told them they're never allowed in anyone else's cabin, nor inviting anyone else into their cabin. 

I don't lock down their SeaPass card to charge, but they also know to ask before buying anything. 

Luckily, my kids are more interested in simply hanging out with their friends than being loud and problematic. And I'll try to invite friends from home to cruise with us so that they have a built in network of friends that keeps them from feeling lonely.

Seeing the world is so important for kids

My kids learned independence on the ship, but they've been exposed to different cultures thanks to cruising.

I've taken my kids around the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe, and there's no question in my mind it's opened their minds to the world beyond their home.

Meeting different people, picking up words in different languages, and simply seeing how the rest of the world works are lessons no school can teach but are just as important.

They meet all sorts of people on the ship from all over the world, but going to cities and villages outside the United States is something that can truly shape someone.

By taking them to different countries, I hope it plants a seed of a love of travel and demonstrates how valuable traveling is.

I think it finally clicked with my oldest daughter on our cruise in Europe when she was talking to a friend she made on the ship. She casually mentioned all the cruises she's taken, and her friend was in astonishment how much she's been able to travel and said how lucky she was. 

When a peer says it, it resonates more with teens, and it made me proud as a parent she appreciated all of the cruising.

This week is off to an early start with Royal Caribbean updates and developments that you should know about.

We spotted a few changes that you should know about, plus the cruise line did something no one else has ever done in one particular port. 

It's easy to overlook some of these changes, so we've packaged up everything into this quick hit post.

Here is a rundown of some news that you should be aware of!

New beach club in Bahamas is making lots of progress

We reported last week that Royal Caribbean moved up the opening of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and I think it's clear why.

One of our readers, Mike Pastore, shared photos of the progress in his Facebook group all about the new beach club.

While sailing on Utopia of the Seas, he took photos of the nearby area to see what's changed.

In just a few weeks, there's been so many more buildings are visible. When I visited the construction site last month, I was told there are over 500 people working every day working.

The official opening date for the beach club is December 21, which is exactly two months from today. However, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 13, followed by a series of "soft openings".

These soft openings will invite select cruisers to experience the club so the line can test and adjust their operations as needed before welcoming in bigger crowds.

Admission to the new beach club costs extra, which means you have to buy a pass.  This is unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, where everyone on the ship can go ashore and enjoy a variety of included options. Only Royal Caribbean passengers can buy a pass.

New Alaska cruises coming this week

Royal Caribbean will release its new Alaska cruises this week, but it's not out quite yet.

According to the deployment schedule for 2027-2028 cruises, Alaska will be released first. It can be confusing when they say sailings will be available "The week of October 20", as some people infer that to mean actually on October 20.

In reality, it can be at any point during the week, but it's almost always later in the week.  Typically, on Wednesdays or Thursdays.

Based on early test loads, it appears four ships will be based in Alaska in 2027:

• Voyager of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas

Once the deployment is open, we'll share the full details.

Royal Caribbean achieved a first at its Galveston terminal

Royal Caribbean's cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas opened in 2022 and just did something no other cruise terminal can tout.

The building is the the first cruise facility to formally achieve both Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Net-Zero Energy and LEED Net-Zero Carbon certifications for its ongoing operations. 

This is in addition to the existing LEED Gold certification for the design and construction of GCT.

What this means is the terminal's operations balance out their energy use and carbon emissions over the course of a full year. When you combine that with the building's certification for design and construction, this gives the Galveston facility three separate sustainability achievements in under three years. That's something few large buildings, let alone cruise terminals, have managed to pull off.

So why does this matter? It's an incredible achievement because the Galveston cruise terminal is running efficiently enough using clean or renewable energy sources that the total energy it uses is offset by the energy it produces or saves. 

Plus, the carbon footprint from how it's run on a daily basis has been reduced or balanced through measurable, verifiable methods.

New ship arrives in Singapore

The cruise season has restarted in Singapore, with Ovation of the Seas sailing there.

From now through March 2026, Ovation will primarily sail 3- to 5-night cruises, along with some longer 8-night cruises.  The ship will visit places such as Penang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.

The short 3- or 4-night cruises go to Penang or Phuket. The 5-night sailing combines both, along with an overnight experience.

Those sailing on the 8-night cruise will spend two full days in Celukan Bawang and Benoa in Bali. Plus, there's a visit to Lombok, Indonesia.

Reservations are open now to book these sailings.

Happy Sunday! We are so happy that you stopped by and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and check out the latest cruise news.

Royal Caribbean has big plans for 2026, and you ought to know what to expect in the coming next year.

Between new ships, new destinations, and new updates, there's going to be a lot happening by the time we reach the end of the year.

I think it will be a transitional year, setting up an even bigger 2027.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Beach Club in Nassau will open even earlier than expected
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship stuck in New York Harbor because of powerful nor’easter
• The pros and cons of balcony cruise ship cabins
• Inside cabin on Oasis of the Seas room tour
• The 5 best rooms on a cruise ship after trying them all
• I took my first Royal Caribbean cruise. Two days on one of the world's largest ships wasn't enough
• Royal Caribbean has the best entertainment in the industry — and it's not even close

New Video: The most unpredictable cruise I've ever taken

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 — The most unpredictable cruise I've ever taken — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Sneak peek at the new Royal Railway restaurant

Matt was invited to Royal Caribbean headquarters for a first look at the Royal Railway restaurant that is coming to Legend of the Seas.

The immersive train car experience is unlike any other specialty restaurant.

This is an all new theme that follows the journey of Marco Polo, and it includes food from five different countries.

Oasis of the Seas ship review

How does Oasis of the Seas compare to newer ships that have come since?

Matt sailed for 7-nights on the original game changing ship and shared what's great about it, and what he missed from other ships.

Oasis remains a fabulous cruise ship choice, and also has a number of enhancements that still stand out.

What I wish I packed for my cruise

We asked our readers what's one thing they regretted not bringing with them on their cruise.

It's common to go on a cruise and either notice they forgot something or quickly realize they should have brought something with them.

Between the ordinary and "I wish I thought of that", we compiled a list of what cruisers wish they brought onboard.

Famous Royal Caribbean cruise ship now looks like a ghost ship

Majesty of the Seas was sold off in 2020, and while it's still intact, it looks to be in general disrepair.

During the cruise industry shutdown, Royal Caribbean found a buyer for Majesty.  

But nothing has been done with the ship since.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 579th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

In this episode, Matt and Beci share what they liked and didn't like about Oasis of the Seas.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Balcony cabins are the most popular type of cruise ship room because they offer a mix of additional living space and a private outdoor space.

Having natural light and an outdoor area just for you makes them an attractive option for many cruisers.

Those added benefits come with a higher price when compared to an inside room. Sometimes the cost difference can be substantial.

Let's go over the pros and cons of balcony rooms and consider which option might be best for different kind of cruisers.

Why should I get a balcony cabin?

First, let's review the advantages of a balcony room over an inside room.

Balcony rooms have more living space

Compared to an inside room, moving up to a balcony will get you a bigger room and the private space of the balcony.

Because cruise ship rooms are usually smaller than hotel rooms you might be used to on land, every square foot of living space matters.

In an inside room you'll often do a shuffle in order to get from one side of the room to another, but that's less an issue with a balcony.

And of course more living space makes a big difference if you're sharing the cabin with other people.  Families opting to put 3 or 4 passengers in the same room will appreciate any extra space they can get.

Having your own balcony means not competing with anyone

The balcony itself is the top reason to book this type of stateroom, and it's a great perk.

When you have your own balcony, it's your own little retreat to enjoy the views as your ship sails, get a view of sail away, or enjoy outdoor space at your leisure. Plus, you can enjoy the view from inside your room too.

Best of all, you don't have to worry about someone else taking your seat.

Could be better if you're worried about motion sickness

Some people swear by booking balcony rooms if they are sensitive to motion sickness.

I've heard from other cruisers that having a balcony makes it easier to acclimate if the motion of the ocean starts to get to them. Being able to see the horizon and get fresh air are two strategies for reducing the effect of seasickness.

While there are plenty of other ways to avoid getting seasick, a balcony room offers a convenient way to readjust yourself should you start to feel off.

Why shouldn't I get a balcony cabin?

All the pros aside, there's still an extra cost associated with upgrading to a balcony. Here are some of the considerations to be mindful of.

How much time will you really spend in your room?

One truth of cruising is there is so much to do around your Royal Caribbean ship, so you may end up just using your stateroom as a place to sleep, shower, and change clothes.

If you're going to be out and about enjoying the ship, why spend extra on a balcony room?  

Sure, it's nice to have a balcony, but if you aren't in the room to take advantage of it, then you're paying for something you won't really use.

The price difference between a balcony and interior room can be a lot

Sometimes the difference in price to move up to a balcony can be a lot.

While I love balcony cabins, I wouldn't pay any price for them.  If an interior room is hundreds of dollars cheaper, you can make the argument that money is better spent on other things.

You'll often see the balcony price gap significantly higher on destination focused itineraries, such as Alaska. When demand is higher for balcony rooms because everyone has the notion to get one to enjoy the scenery, it drives up the price.

How much is too much? That depends on your budget, but all the benefits of a balcony stateroom can't make up for a room cost that's too expensive.

Not all balcony rooms are the same

Royal Caribbean offers balcony rooms that go beyond an ocean view, and that may not be to your liking.

Some of the bigger Royal Caribbean ships have balconies that face inwards to one of the public areas. 

You still get the same private balcony, but it faces into these areas. Not only can people in these neighborhoods see you, but there are balcony rooms on the opposite side of the ship facing you. 

In addition to a lack of privacy, neighborhood balcony rooms can be louder than ocean balconies.

From people taking, to parties, to shows, there will be a certain level of noise that can be heard.  The noise issue is really only an issue on the actual balcony, as the stateroom does a good job of muffling the sounds in my experience.

You should also know some ocean balconies might be blocked somehow by an object.

The cruise line calls these obstructed balconies, and it's often the kind of balcony room you might get if you book a guarantee balcony room.

The issue with obstructed view balcony rooms is you don't have a full range of view to see from your balcony.  Depending on what percentage your view is blocked, this may or may not be an issue.

You can't smoke on your balcony

Just in case you're thinking to book a balcony to have a convenient place to smoke, that isn't allowed.

Royal Caribbean banned smoking in your cabin or on balcony rooms many years ago. Instead, there are designated smoking areas on the ship.

You'll be charged a $250 cleaning fee if you're caught smoking there.

Our advice

A balcony room is a great stateroom for almost any cruise, but it's not necessarily a slam dunk choice every time.

If the extra cost to move up to a balcony room isn't too high, I think it's a great room choice for most cruisers.  Who wouldn't want a bigger room and easy access to outdoor space?

I'd caution against letting Royal Caribbean pick your balcony room if you're at all concerned about getting an obstructed view or neighborhood balcony. This is more an issue for new cruisers who aren't used to these rooms.

Royal Caribbean has big plans for 2026, some of which will fundamentally shape the future of the cruise industry.

Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a building spree, with new ships and land destinations opening, and 2026 should be a catalyst for moving those plans forward.

Coming on the heels of launching Star of the Seas and its first beach club that will have opened in December 2025, we already have big things to look forward to in the new year.

Here are five big changes that we know about already for Royal Caribbean in 2026 that you should be tracking now. 

Legend of the Seas launches

We will get a brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2026 when Legend of the Seas joins the fleet.

The third Icon Class ship will have its first sailing July 11, 2026, and sail in the Mediterranean for the summer.

Then Legend moves across the Atlantic to call Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) home for the winter, with the first North American sailing November 9th.

A brand new cruise ship is always a big deal because it not only adds a new option, but comes with new changes and innovations.

If you're shopping for a 2026 cruise, it's hard to overlook a new ship because it's the latest and greatest.

Royal Caribbean will feature a number of new offerings:

• Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" musical
• Royal Railway Legend Station
• Hollywoodland Supper Club
• Reimagined Surfside
• New Aquadome Market options

Expect a lot of fanfare for the launch.

New beach club opens in Cozumel, Mexico

The second Royal Beach Club is set to open in the second half of 2026.

The first will open at the very end of 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas, but then work will shift to get the Royal Beach Club Cozumel open in December 2026.

Cozumel's beach club is all about providing the best day in the beach or pool, with lots of sun, food, and culture too. There are two heated pools, plus a fabulous beach.

All Royal Beach Clubs have an extra cost to go to them. Think of it like a shore excursion that's built and run by Royal Caribbean.

Located about 10 minutes away from where cruise ships dock in Cozumel, you'll be able to access it by bus, taxi and water transportation as well.

There will be a pool with a swim-up bar, along with a side that's toes in the sand that stretches over to the beach.

Full details haven't been released yet, but the cruise line is adamant this will deliver the best beach day.

Three cruise ships will get major upgrades

Royal Caribbean is reinvesting in its fleet by giving three ships the Royal Amplified treatment.

In early 2026, these vessels will go out of service for about a month to get upgraded:

• Ovation of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas

This means there will be restaurants, activities, suites, and even new suites on each ship.  The purpose is to bring each of them up to the standard set by newer ships.

The reason to be excited for these changes is it will truly enhance these ships. As newer ships come out, it can feel like older ships fall behind. But amplification work, like this, can make a big difference.

A return to Labadee?

We're crossing our fingers that Royal Caribbean ships will be able to return to Labadee again in 2026.

The cruise line halted all visits to its private beach spot in Haiti since April 2025, and it cancelled future stops until at least May 2026.

The issue is the civil unrest that's been plaguing the country, and the cruise line feels it's best to skip visits until the situation improves.

The change was made "in an abundance of caution" according to the cruise line, but there's no indication if visits will resume.

While this isn't the first time Labadee has been shut down due to problems in the country, it is the longest duration of continuously skipping visits.

If you have a cruise booked that is scheduled to visit Labadee, I would caution there's a chance your stop could be cancelled. Cruises that previously included Labadee have been re-rerouted to places like Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, or Cozumel.

However, I'm hopeful we'll see ships going back sometime in 2026.

A new homeport in SoCal

There will be a new homeport in California when Royal Caribbean starts sailing from San Diego.

Beginning in October 2026, Serenade of the Seas will offer a variety of sailings down to Ensenada, Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. Serenade will also visit La Paz, a new stop for the line.

Up until now, Royal Caribbean has only used Los Angeles (San Pedro) as its homeport in California.

Royal Caribbean announced it will add its second immersive dining experience on its newest Icon Class ship, and we have an early look at what you can expect.

Royal Railway – Legend Station is one of the big changes coming to Legend of the Seas when it launches in 2026. It's the follow-up to the original restaurant first opened on Utopia of the Seas where passengers can dine in a full-size rail car that looks and feels like a real train. This is a specialty restaurant that has a cover charge.

The experience relies on digital screens built into the windows, sophisticated sounds and vibrations, and crew members acting as conductors to weave together a story.

This time, there's a brand new story, destination, and menu to go with it. It's called "Silk Routes", and it traces the journey of famed explorer Marco Polo from China back to Italy.

There are stops in multiple countries, each country representing a course on the menu.

Having tried the Wild West version already, Royal Caribbean invited me for an exclusive first look to test out its new idea at its headquarters in Miami that is still very much in development as they fine tune the final version.

Mock-up of what we can expect

Deep inside its Innovation Lab at the cruise line's headquarters, Royal Caribbean built a scale copy of the train car that will eventually be onboard Legend of the Seas.

Along with about 20 cruise line employees, I got to try out the full meal and see, taste, and hear what passengers may encounter when they get onboard the new ship. 

This is still an early version of the restaurant, and the purpose of this test is to not only ensure the effects, crew members, and experience works like it should, but it's also an opportunity to gather feedback.

Royal Caribbean is adamant about taking guest feedback into account for the final product, and a prototype allows them to test and adjust leading right up to the ship's launch.

A journey through Asia and Europe

Silk Routes takes you half way across the world and visits five countries.

• China
• India
• Persia
• Turkey
• Italy

Each country corresponds to a course, and the cuisine is representative of those parts of the world.

We had a limited selection of food choices for this trial run, but passengers can expect a full menu when it opens on Legend.

Whether you've been to the first restaurant or not, I think your jaw will drop when the windows open and you're transported to China and each subsequent country.

In fact, I think this is the genius of Silk Routes. Because there are multiple countries and each has its own distinct look, the novelty of looking out the "windows" doesn't get old.

The digital screens rely on high definition computer renderings to portray the landscapes your train is passing by. I saw some seriously amazing vistas, such as Holi in India, Dolomites in northern Italy, or hot air balloons over Turkey. I hope these make it into the final version.

Along the way a conductor is your guide through the journey. 

The conductor not only announces which country and region you're passing by, but explains local traditions, significant landmarks, and shares some of the history too.

Your menu has not only what food choices you can pick from, but it has a map to explain where you're going.

Unlike the map from the fictitious Wild West version, this one is rooted in reality. Each region has an explanation of its history and what drew Marco Polo there in the first place.

More immersion

Besides the part of the world you're visiting, one change you should expect is less schtick with the conductors.

The conductor this time around is here to narrate, not act. 

It relies more heavily on great food and great drinks, and you get to enjoy the places your train takes you. Basically, immersion is turned up with Silk Routes.

Where Wild West was very family centric, I think Silk Routes will be more of an experience you'd want to go for to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an evening out doing something special.

That isn't to say kids wouldn't enjoy this too, but don't expect a story telling aspect akin to the Wild West show.

Taking the food tour

In our preview, we got an idea Royal Caribbean has for the menu when Royal Railway – Legend Station opens.

There's a brand new menu, but don't assume anything shown on this menu will make the final cut. However, the idea is to lean into each region's rich culinary history to offer options from each.

We got to try Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls from China, Potato Chop from India, and more. Keep in mind the food was prepped with a ghost kitchen, so this is simply to give you an idea of the direction Royal Caribbean is leaning towards.

Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls

I hope the Potato Chop and Adana Kebab make the final menu, because they were incredibly tasty.

Potato Chop

Adana Kebab

As a fan of Indian food, I love Royal Caribbean is finally giving us a specialty restaurant that serves curry, biryani, and more.

When the restaurant opens, I'll have a hard time choosing between the various options.

Limone

Speaking of choices, this early version of the menu seems to have many more options to pick than the Wild West menu. I'm all for variety, so I'd love to see that stay on as well.

The new must-do restaurant?

When Royal Railway opened on Utopia of the Seas, it was instantly sold out and I think the version coming to Legend will be an even hotter ticket.

Not only is this the second version of the restaurant, but it's substantially different in the approach. I think that will get a lot of cruisers wanting to try Silk Routes, whether they've done Wild West or not.

Leaning into an international showcase of food is such a smart idea for Silk Routes, and it's something I think most people want. A greater variety of great food that goes well beyond "just another specialty restaurant."

The immersive factor cannot be understated with Silk Routes. Royal Caribbean designed the train restaurant to be a memory making super machine, and I think anyone dining here will be talking about it well after the check is delivered.

We don't yet know how much Royal Caribbean will charge for Silk Routes or when reservations may open for it. But when you are able to start booking it, I know I'll want to book a reservation.