Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships are among the most activity-packed cruise ships in the world. With only 4 days aboard Wonder of the Seas, I challenged myself to try every complimentary activity.

Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest megaship to sail short getaway cruises. Building on the popularity of the party-focused Utopia of the Seas, the cruise line is clearly leaning into the trend of weekend party sailings.

I was lucky to be among the first to sail aboard Wonder of the Seas for the ship’s very first 4-night sailing. After a fun-filled cruise on Utopia of the Seas earlier this year, I was eager to see how the experience would compare.

Our itinerary included two ports of call in the Bahamas: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We also had one sea day to enjoy all of the ship’s amenities and onboard attractions.

Typically, I prefer spending my sea days in the adults-only Solarium. With only one sea day in our short itinerary, I didn’t have much time to check everything off my bucket list.

Although I tried my best to attempt every activity, I did have some limitations. Essentially, I didn’t want to hurt myself and ruin my vacation. My 30-year-old body isn’t quite as nimble as it once was. Luckily, I’ve been cruising with Royal Caribbean for two decades, so I’ve tried many of the activities on prior cruises.

I always crushed climbing on the rock wall and could, at one point, do tunnel flips on the FlowRider (those days are long gone!). The zip line is another favorite activity on Oasis class ships; however, the line was always long and wrapped around the activity deck. I was committed to zip-lining, but I couldn’t find the energy to stand in the scorching heat for more than an hour for a 5-second ride.

Ice skating is another unique activity on Royal Caribbean’s ships, but this requires long pants for skating. I completely forgot to pack pants so I could ice skate, as an August cruise to the Caribbean doesn’t exactly require pants. With just a carry-on suitcase and no pants available, I skipped ice skating.

All that said, I hit the ground running and crammed as much as I could into my sea day. I spent nearly 12 hours of nonstop activity running around the ship. It was exhausting, but tons of fun, and I would definitely do it again!

10:30 a.m. - Windjammer Breakfast

Our morning started later than we expected, but that’s the beauty of a sea day! We had nowhere to be, so we didn’t set an alarm. My friend is a mom of young kids, so she was happy to sleep in.

By the time we got out of bed and dressed, the Windjammer was our only option for breakfast. In my opinion, the Windjammer buffet space is too small on Oasis class ships. Although there are many different places to dine, the Windjammer is your only option for late breakfast. Considering Wonder of the Seas’ focus on late-night partying, I’d like to see more options for brunch or late-morning breakfast.

We navigated the packed buffet for a quick breakfast, along with many other guests doing the same. Despite the crowd, we enjoyed our selections, and the food was served hot and fresh!

11:30 a.m. - The Ultimate Abyss

Following breakfast, I decided to ride the Ultimate Abyss — the world’s tallest dry slide at sea! Because we were finishing breakfast on the ship’s top deck, the Ultimate Abyss was an easy activity to knock off my bucket list.

My friend wasn’t interested in riding the slide with me, so I ventured on my own to experience the 10-story slide. I positioned myself on the slide for a wild ride in the provided snack. It reminded me of the burlap sacks used for slides at a fair, but this one was more padded. We were given a small demonstration on how to position ourselves, and I listened intently.

The slide was so much fun! I was concentrating on following the instructions that I started to slide sideways from being so stiff. I slightly scraped my knee, but nothing that left a mark. I screamed the entire way down.

12:00 p.m. - Boardwalk Carousel

The Ultimate Abyss brings you from the ship’s top deck down to the Boardwalk on Deck 6. After the exhilarating ride, I noticed the Boardwalk’s signature carousel was offering rides. Although we didn’t have any kids with us, we asked if we could ride, and the operator said it was no issue.

I’d passed by the carousel countless times but had never actually taken a ride. In fact, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d been on one — maybe Disneyland about eight years ago.

We hopped onto two horses for a fun ride. I expected a slow, boring spin, but the carousel moved faster than I anticipated. We laughed along with the kids, and before we knew it, the ride was over after just a few lively turns.

12:30 p.m. - Trivia: Who Wants to be a Caribbeanaire

As we wandered around the ship, I popped into an energetic game in the Karaoke Spotlight lounge in the Royal Promenade. The lounge was packed, so I knew it was going to be a fun game.

This game is similar to the classic ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ game show with multiple-choice questions that gradually get more difficult as the game progresses. Although I didn’t participate, I enjoyed watching the game and trying to answer the questions myself. The crowd was super engaged and interactive, which is always fun. I would definitely attend this show again!

Read more: I went to 5 different parties on my last Royal Caribbean cruise. One was clearly the best

1:00 p.m. - Relaxing on the Back of the Ship

Wonder of the Seas is a busy ship, so we were always on the lookout for a quiet, comfortable place to relax. One of our favorite spots on the ship was at the very back of the ship on the walking path.

Oasis class ships have a dedicated walking and running path around the entire ship on Deck 5. Where the ship wraps around the ship’s aft, you can find some chairs that overlook the ship’s wake.

We relaxed here for about an hour while enjoying the beautiful, sunny day. There were only a few other people relaxing here, so it’s a great spot to retreat if you appreciate ocean views! We retreated to this spot multiple times a day, and it’s a great spot to watch the sunset each evening.

2:00 p.m. - Lunch at El Loco Fresh

One of my favorite casual eateries on a Royal Caribbean cruise is El Loco Fresh. The Mexican cuisine is served buffet-style, but everything tastes freshly made. You can find an assortment of burritos, quesadillas, tacos, nachos, and desserts.

My go-to at El Loco Fresh is a chicken quesadilla with sour cream and Mexican cheese — it’s divine! My friend loved the nachos, and we both tried a taco with tender, flavorful pork. Everything was delicious and we hardly had to wait in line.

3:00 p.m. - Mini Golf

This one is a cruise classic! Wonder of the Seas has a miniature golf course on the back of the ship. Mini golf is a great family-friendly activity to keep both kids and adults entertained. You simply grab your own club and golf ball to start your game. It wasn’t entirely clear which hole was meant to be first, and there didn’t seem to be any particular order that we were meant to follow.

The miniature golf course is brightly colored and ocean-themed with a giant octopus, whale, and stingrays. I loved the theming, even though my miniature golf game isn’t anything to write home about.

5:00 p.m. - Dinner in Main Dining Room

After a rousing game of miniature golf, we ventured back to our cabin to relax, shower, and get ready for dinner. We were assigned a lovely table right by the window with excellent wait staff (shout out to Bayou and Gino). We looked forward to our dinners in the main dining room each evening. The food was also fantastic, and the service was attentive! In fact, it was one of the best main dining room experiences that I’ve had in a while.

8:00 p.m. - inTENSE AquaTheatre Show

Oasis class ships have some of the best entertainment in the cruise industry, including high-diving productions in the AquaTheatre. With a giant amphitheater at the back of the ship, you can watch jaw-dropping shows with divers, synchronized swimmers, acrobats, and aerialists.

Our show on Wonder of the Seas was inTENSE with an all-woman cast of performers. The production was outstanding with high-diving stunts from crazy heights and acrobatics like I’ve never seen. The energetic performance was so entertaining that we returned for a second show the following night.

9:00 p.m. - Pizza at Sorrento’s

Is it really a late night on a cruise ship without a slice of pizza? Because our dinner was early at 5:00 p.m., we enjoyed our late-night stop at Sorrento’s in the Royal Promenade. This was one of the most popular restaurants on our cruise, as there was always a line that wrapped around the restaurant.

Luckily, the line moved quickly, and we were happy to gorge on pepperoni pizza. I also love that Royal Caribbean provides ranch dressing for pizza dipping — it makes my Midwestern heart so happy!

9:30 p.m. - Voices Production Show

Our last activity of the night was attending a show in the Royal Theatre called Voices. I had never heard of this show before, and I was eager to see what the a cappella production would be like.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite show during our cruise. I looked forward to the a cappella performance, but most of the vocals were pre-recorded. The visual displays were impressive and the singers were very talented, but the show wasn’t my cup of tea. I really appreciated the concept of an a cappella performance, but the pre-recorded vocals were distracting from the live performers.

Royal Caribbean has started its Black Friday sale, and it's the beginning of the holiday shopping season that could save you money on a cruise.

Many cruisers look to Black Friday as a way to net the lowest prices of the year on popular add-ons and even cruise fares.

While I haven't seen deep discounts on drink packages or Wi-Fi, I have spotted deals on other extras that will definitely cost more if you wait to book. Of course, the exact discount will depend on your sailing because there is variable pricing.

Expect there to be a series of "preview sales" leading up to the actual Black Friday and Cyber Monday holidays. Now is the perfect time to re-price things out and I would recommend checking back to see if there are better sales later too.

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner items applies to purchases made through November 30, 2025.

After spending a day going through all the offers, I came up with a list of the best buys available now. Buying now will get you a good price and definitely save you money compared to anyone that waits to book it onboard.

Day pass to the Royal Beach Club

The best discount right now is on Royal Caribbean's new beach club that is opening in The Bahamas.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens on December 23, 2025 and it looks to be an incredible way to spend your day in The Bahamas.

This is an extra cost beach club experience, meaning you have to purchase admission to get in there.

Thanks to Black Friday, we're seeing prices for an adult admission that includes alcohol around $129 - $149 per person. Prior to the sale, prices were closer to $200 - $250 each.

On two different Utopia of the Seas sailings in 2026, I saw my price drop from $245 to $149 for the day pass with alcohol ($139 for non alcohol).

All-in Package

Exclusive for Black Friday, the All-in Package is a new option that bundles the most popular add-ons into one buy.

It includes an unlimited alcohol package, unlimited specialty dining package, and Wi-Fi internet. If your ship visits Nassau, it also includes admission to the Royal Beach Club.

The pricing for the All-In package without the Day Pass is $119.99 per person.

It's worth pricing out the individual components of the package to see if you could save more buying them separately, but for a lot of people the bundle is a better deal. For my sailing, it was $139 less expensive to book the bundle than all separately.

Unlimited soda package

So far, the unlimited alcohol package prices don't seem much lower, but the soda package is definitely a good buy right now.

I'm seeing prices as low as $8.99 per person, per day on a few upcoming sailings.

That's 40% off the onboard price and could be a great buy for kids and teens that devour soft drinks all day long.

In truth, any pre-cruise sale on a drink package will be cheaper than buying it onboard. When you can get it for a lower than average price online, that's a win.

Thrill Waterpark admission

I've seen better than average prices for Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The waterpark has a variety of slides and a wave pool, and for about $60ish per person, it's a great price.

I've seen the admission cost go as well over $100 per person, so to get it for less than $70 per person is pretty good.  This might the chance for families to finally try all the slides.

Last-minute cruise fares

Don't overlook booking a cruise during Black Friday.

Royal Caribbean is calling these their Black Friday Mega Deals, and there are some seriously good discounts, if you have a flexible travel schedule.

I found cruise fares for less than $200, but you're going to need to move fast. Most of these sailings depart in the next two weeks.

There are also many other cruise deals to choose from.  A list of 12 pages of cruise offers are available.

If you're looking to squeeze in another cruise soon, I'd recommend checking out the list for a cheap last-minute cruise.

Supper club

One other notable discount to highlight are the Supper Club experiences on Royal Caribbean's newest ships.

The Empire Supper Club and Lincoln Park Supper Club are both exquisite six-course meals that usually cost $200 per person.

Thanks to the sale, the price is down to $159.99. That's the lowest price I've seen for the meal.

Expect more sales this month

Don't sleep on the Black Friday sale as what you see today is what it will be.  

Royal Caribbean will likely relaunch its Black Friday offers throughout November, including the actual holiday itself.

While I don't have any inside information of what to expect, it's been experience that they tend to run a series of promotions that mix up the exact discounts.

Last year, the cruise line changed the Black Friday offer a few different times all the way through early December.

I recommend using a price tracking tool to make it easier on yourself so you can be notified when there's a new discount available.

Another busy week of Royal Caribbean fun just wrapped up, but if you missed any of it, I have a concise look at all of it for you in this weekly news round-up!

Royal Caribbean quietly removed one of its popular Broadway shows.

Grease has been performed on Harmony of the Seas and Independence of the Seas for almost a decade, but that's now over.

The cruise line confirmed both ships have pulled the show with a possible replacement coming soon.

Royal Caribbean News

• After Hurricane Melissa, Royal Caribbean begins delivering relief supplies
• Royal Caribbean reroutes cruise ships from Jamaica after hurricane
• Royal Caribbean's latest cruise ship deployment sparks questions about what's still missing
• 14 Do's and Dont's for your first day on every cruise
• Can you cruise without a passport?
• What you should do if you forgot something on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• Miami, Orlando, Tampa included in airports cutting flights because of shutdown
• I cruise many times each year. Here are common mistakes I see cruisers make.
• Royal Caribbean is trying to elevate cruise ports passengers complain about

New RCB Video: 8 Uncomfortable Things You Don't Expect On A Cruise

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 — 8 Uncomfortable Things You Don't Expect On A Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean's early Black Friday sale has new discounts

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday deals are here!

Retailers have been kicking off Black Friday sales earlier, and Royal Caribbean has joined this trend.

There are new discounts on a variety of add-ons and cruise fares too, with great prices spotted across the board.

7 Kick streamers thrown off a Royal Caribbean ship after a brawl

A group of streamers were reportedly escorted off a Royal Caribbean ship this week after a fight and guest complaints forced the line's hand.

While on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing on Harmony of the Seas, there was a fist fight among two members that got both sent to the brig and then left off the ship at the next port.

Then five others were removed at the next port when complaints escalated.

New Caribbean cruises for 2027-2028 added

The latest deployment was posted this week including 7-night and Short Caribbean year round sailings.

Sailing between May 2027 and April 2028, there are five ships included in this list.

These new sailings are available to book immediately.

14 things you can buy at a Dollar Tree to make your cruise better

There are lots of things you can buy for a cruise, but you might save money by shopping at the Dollar Tree store.

Instead of going to Amazon or Target, a dollar store offers very similar items are a significant discount.

Matt tried it out before his recent cruise and was pleasantly surprised how well it worked.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 582nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Why Royal Caribbean’s latest announcements feel like an early gift to loyal fans.

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

A group of live streamers were kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week for two different incidents caused onboard.

The group of live streamers call themselves the "Cx group" and they are lead by streamer Ice Poseidon, and their approach is to broadcast on Kick.com nearly everything they do.

During the course of their 7-night western Caribbean cruise, a number of incidents lead up to most of the group being kicked off the ship.

Clips of the group doing various things started circulating online, including one member getting into a verbal argument with a passenger because he was standing up and recording the show. 

Dave Willis was recording when another passenger wanted him to sit down because it was blocking their view. He then berated the family and used profanity and slurs to get his point across.

In another clip, the group (including Ice Poseidon) went door to door around the ship looking for upside down pineapple magnets on guest doors.

Upside down pineapples are known for being a symbol of couples that engage in swinging. When they found one, they knocked on the door and asked the passenger if that was indeed what they were interested in.

This all lead up to incidents that caused the ship's Captain to get involved and request the group go home early.

What got them kicked off the ship

According to Cx group leader Ice Poseidon, there were two different incidents that got the 7 members kicked off the ship.

The first incident was a fight on the pool deck between two members, David Ryan and Dave Willis.

Evidently the two started fighting over a joke that kept escalating, but it erupted into punches and tackling each other.

The fight was live streamed and a clip of it was widely circulated, which got the two of them immediately detained and kicked off thee ship in the next port of call, which is Roatan, Honduras.

The rest of the group seemed to be okay until the next morning when the ship's staff contacted five other members early in the morning to ask to leave too.

According to Ice Poseidon, a total of five group members were called down to the ship's security and interviewed before being asked to leave the ship.

He said their removal stemmed from a combination of harassing other passengers in an elevator while live recording and subsequent complaints from cruise ship passengers.

Not only were they kicked off the ship, but Royal Caribbean forced the group to pay a $800 taxi ride to get them to the nearest airport in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

He later said the issue was guests complaining about them recording, ""[A woman] said, 'I didn't like the camera,' and that was it."

"Literally, the sight of a camera will get you kicked off of the boat now."

Each of them had to secure their own flights home at their own expense.

Three other members of the Cx group not directly involved in the incidents were allowed to stay on the ship.

"I didn't do anything that would be a nuisance"

Upon reaching his hotel, Ice Poseidon live streamed his thoughts in a 2 and a half hour video laced with profanity.

"I didn't do anything that would be a nuisance on that boat, except for the first day asking for swingers, but that's not big of a deal," he explained.

He said he stopped immediately once being told that was not acceptable by the ship's staff.

He then later questioned why he was kicked off when others were the ones that were the instigators of the group, "Why am I getting the blame?"

The ship's security team told him guests went to Guest Services to complain. Specifically an incident in an elevator where the other passengers felt "intimidated".

He then downplayed his filming on the ship after the first day. 

Later in the video, he claims he received a call from the ship's security to check on their progress and let them know they're welcome to cruise again with the line. This confused him given he was just removed from the ship.

He says he's going to try to get a refund for the rest of the sailing.

Most travelers automatically assume that a passport is necessary for a cruise vacation, but that isn't always true. 

Generally speaking, passports are recommended for all cruises, whether a short 3-night Bahamian getaway or a voyage to The Last Frontier. However, they aren't always required. 

Whether you're a first-time cruiser or have waited too long to renew, you can embark on certain cruises without a passport — so long as you have a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. 

There are two stipulations to that freedom, though. First, you must be a U.S. citizen, and second, the sailing must be a closed-loop cruise that departs from the United States. 

Here's what cruisers need to know about traveling with — and without — a passport. 

What is a closed-loop cruise?

A closed-loop cruise departs from and returns to the same port of call and visits at least one foreign port in between. 

For example, a round-trip cruise on Icon of the Seas from Miami, Florida, is a closed-loop cruise. As such, you can technically cruise without a passport on one of the world's largest ships to the Eastern or Western Caribbean. 

A short 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, is also a closed-loop cruise, as all voyages call at Nassau and/or Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. 

One-way sailings, even if they begin and end in the United States, aren't closed-loop cruises. These include one-way Panama Canal voyages and other repositioning cruises. 

Moreover, round-trip cruises from ports outside of the U.S., such as a weeklong sailing around the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain, don't qualify as closed-looped. 

Therefore, all guests would need to have a valid passport in order to sail, regardless of citizenship. 

What documentation do you need to go on a closed-loop cruise?

U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport on a closed-loop cruise with just a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID (depending on the age of the traveler). 

The birth certificate must have been issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where they were born. However, an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) can be used in place of the birth certificate. 

EDLs are a low-cost, convenient option for entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean through a land or sea port of entry, and they have complied with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) since June 1, 2009. 

However, they're only available in five states: Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. They are different than REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, too. 

Those without an EDL will still need to provide a birth certificate when embarking on a cruise without a passport. 

Moreover, a valid form of photo ID is necessary for all cruisers 16 and older. An example is a government-issued driver's license that includes a photo, name, and date of birth.

Where can I cruise without a passport?

U.S. travelers have plenty of options if they want to cruise without a passport, although they can travel to more destinations with one. 

So long as the voyage is a round-trip sailing from a United States port of call (that visits at least one foreign destination, such as The Bahamas or Canada), you do not need a passport. 

Popular closed-loop itineraries for guests without a passport include: 

• The Bahamas
• The Caribbean
• Alaska (round-trip from Seattle only)
• Canada & New England
• Bermuda
• Mexican Riviera

You cannot visit destinations like Europe, the Panama Canal, Asia, Australia, or New Zealand without a passport. 

The rules are stricter for air travel than for closed-loop cruises, and U.S. citizens always need a valid passport to fly internationally. 

Moreover, if the round-trip sailing from the U.S. visits Panama, Colombia, or Martinique, a passport is required, even if it meets the technical definition of a closed-loop cruise. 

What qualifies as a valid passport?

Many destinations require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond your planned return date. So, if your cruise were to return to Florida on July 1, 2027, you'd need your passport's expiration date to read January 1, 2027, or earlier. If it's later, you'd need to renew your passport before using it on a cruise. 

I recently had to renew my passport even though it didn't expire until May 2026 because it wouldn't have been valid past November. Thankfully, the process was quick. I renewed via mail, shipping my current passport, application, and updated photograph on October 6. 

I paid to expedite the application and return shipping, and was surprised with I got a notification that it was delivered on the 19th! Even so, I gave myself over a month until I needed it just to be safe. 

According to the U.S. Department of State's website, the current routine processing time for passports is 4-6 weeks. The expedited process takes 2-3 weeks and costs an extra $60. Processing times don't include shipping. 

Should I bring a passport on a closed-loop cruise?

Passports are preferred over birth certificates and valid photo IDs because they make international travel smoother and provide more flexibility in case of unexpected emergencies. 

For example, if you have to suddenly disembark the cruise ship because of a medical emergency, a passport ensures you can fly home from a foreign port without any delays.

Additionally, traveling with a passport generally means you have smoother embarkation and disembarkation experiences, as those without one can get stuck in longer immigration lines. 

"We strongly recommend that all cruise passengers travel with a passport book, even if not required by the cruise line. You need to have a passport book to fly home on an international flight in an emergency," reads the U.S. State Department's website. 

Royal Caribbean's early Black Friday sale is officially here. That means it's time to start shopping some Black Friday deals!

There are new discounts on both booking a new cruise reservation as well as extras to tack onto your cruise. Some cruises are less than $200 per person, and there's a new Black Friday bundle too.

The Cruise Planner sale is packed with savings on drink packages, Wi-Fi, specialty dining and more.

While Royal Caribbean has many sales throughout the year, this is definitely one to stop and re-check prices to see if there's a deal out there for you.

Here's what Royal Caribbean's Black Friday offer looks like and what you can expect going forward. This post will be updated with new Black Friday offers as soon as they are revealed.

Kicking off the sale with instant savings

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale officially began on Friday, November 7, 2025.

The Beat the Clock sale comes in three phases, with the greatest savings at the start. It applies to sailings departing on or after November 8, 2025.

• UP TO $1,000 INSTANT SAVINGS
  • Booking Window: November 7 - 10, 2025
  • Sailing Window: Sailings departing on or after November 7, 2025
  • Offer details: Up to $1,000 Instant Savings
  • 5 nights or less
    • Savings of $125 USD for Inside and Ocean View
    • $200 USD for Balconies
    • $400 USD for Suites
  • 6 nights or longer
    • Savings of $225 USD for Interior and Ocean View
    • $300 USD for Balconies
    • $1000 USD for Suites
• UP TO $950 INSTANT SAVINGS
  • Booking Window: November 11 - 12, 2025
  • Sailing Window: Sailings departing on or after November 11, 2025
  • Offer details: Up to $950 Instant Savings
• UP TO $900 ONBOARD CREDIT.
  • Booking Window: November 13, 2025
  • Sailing Window: Sailings departing on or after November 13, 2025
  • Offer details: Up to $900 Onboard Credit

You can combine this offer with the Kids Sail Free deal that runs between November 4, 2025  – December 8, 2025, on select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after November 5, 2025. Kids Sail Free comes with a lot of blackout dates and fine print.

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates; November 20 – 28, 2025; Ovation Holiday sailings departing November 24 – December 24, 2025; December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; Chinese New Year February 15 – 18, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; excluding Harmony of the Seas sailing July 26, 2026; Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 15 – September 11, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026, December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027; May 28 – August 20, 2027, Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 14 – September 17, 2027, November 18 – 26, 2027, December 16, 2026 – January 5, 2028, March 3 – 31, 2028, April 7 – 17, 2028.

Introducing the All-in Package

New for Black Friday 2025, the All-In Package includes the three most popular add-ons in one bundle.

It's only available during their Black Friday sale, and it includes:

• Deluxe Beverage Package
• Unlimited Dining Package
• VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device

I observed prices of $119.99 per person for it.

It's only available to guests of drinking age

If your cruise visits Nassau, Bahamas, there's even the All-in Package + Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Open Bar Day Pass. It also includes a day pass the Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The cost for a Utopia of the Seas sailing in January is $494.97 for one person.

Sale on pre-cruise add-ons

There are potentially big savings on the extras you can buy for your cruise, and this is one of the top things a lot of cruisers look for in their Black Friday cruise shopping.

There will be various sales throughout the month, with different names and offers:

• Early Access: Friday, November 7, 2025 – Friday, November 14, 2025
• Black Friday: Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Saturday, November 30, 2025
• Cyber Monday: Monday, December 1, 2025 – Friday, December 12, 2025

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals apply to sailings departing November 10, 2025 – December 31, 2026.

Royal Caribbean lists these possible discounts as part of its promotions:

• Beverage: Up to 50% off
• Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
• Royal Beach Club: Up to 45% OFF
• Dining: Up to 50% Off
• Onboard Activities: Up to 55% Off
• Spa: Up to 30% Off
• VIP Passes: Up to 45% Off
• Internet: Up to 55% Off
• Photo Package: Up to 60% Off
• Gift & Gear: Up to 30% off
• Laundry: Up to 10% off

So far, I'm not seeing deep discounts applied, with the All-In Package being the notable change. 

The terms and conditions say the current sale applies to purchases made November 7, 2025 - November 30, 2025 on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner or app and applies to select sailings departing November 10, 2025 - December 31, 2026.

Any of the prices offered during Black Friday are sure to be cheaper than if you waited to book them onboard the ship.  They might even be cheaper than any sales in the coming months.

Cruises as cheap as $179 per person

There's also a special Black Friday offer on a lot of cruises that come in pretty darn cheap.

The Black Friday Mega Deals is a list of 12 pages of cheap cruise offers.  Royal Caribbean claims the sale has offers where the cruise is as cheap as $249.

Black Friday Mega Deals applies to new and individual bookings made November 7, 2025 – December 2, 2025, on the sailings listed under “Black Friday Mega Deals” under the Deals section of RoyalCaribbean.com and provides discounted pricing at the rates displayed. 

Some examples of the cheap offers for inside rooms:

• Liberty of the Seas 4 NIGHT BAHAMAS & PERFECT DAY CRUISE 11/16/2025: $179
• Freedom of the Seas 5 NIGHT CARIBBEAN GETAWAY CRUISE 11/15/2025: $209
• Explorer of the Seas 5 NIGHT WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE 11/15/2025: $299
• Navigator of the Seas 4 NIGHT CATALINA & ENSENADA CRUISE 12/1/25: $199
• Radiance of the Seas 4 NIGHT BAHAMAS & PERFECT DAY CRUISE 11/17/25: $179

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If you're flying to your cruise from Florida, prepare for possible delays or cancellations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is prepared to cut thousands of flights across the United States due to the ongoing government shutdown. Out of the 40 impacted airports, at least four are major hubs for cruise passengers. 

The restrictions will go into effect on Friday morning and are a proactive measure based on flight data and growing staffing pressures, as over 11,000 air traffic controllers and countless TSA agents continue to work without pay. 

The flight reductions could create a ripple effect for cruisers, especially flying into airports like Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO), and Tampa (TPA), potentially disrupting travel plans and causing guests to miss their ship's departure. 

Airlines have already begun issuing warnings, urging passengers to check their flight status, arrive early, and prepare for delays or cancellations.

"Due to the ongoing government shutdown and air traffic control staffing shortages, the FAA directed airlines to reduce flight schedules starting Friday, Nov. 7," reads a travel alert on American Airlines' website. 

"If your flight is impacted, we will let you know. We're committed to keeping our customers informed and have issued a travel waiver so you can change your trip online or in the American app."

Other major U.S. carriers, including Delta Air Lines, United, and Southwest, have issued similar warnings.

Many have said that hub-to-hub routes won't be as heavily impacted. However, regional flights may see more dramatic service cuts. 

Other major airports on the FAA's list include Houston Hobby (HOU) and George Bush Houston Intercontinental (IAH), serving Galveston; New York LaGuardia (LGA), Newark Liberty International (EWR), and New York John F Kennedy International (JFK), serving Cape Liberty (Bayonne) and New York; and Los Angeles International (LAX), serving Long Beach. 

More important than ever to arrive early and create a backup plan

Cruise veterans and travel experts advise against flying into your embarkation city the morning of departure. Even on a good day, there's always the risk of a last-minute delay or cancellation. 

However, with the FAA planning to reduce flight capacity by 10% at 40 major airports, it's more important than ever to build extra buffer time into your travel plans.

One cruiser on Reddit shared that they moved their flights from Friday to Thursday for a Saturday departure. 

"We also booked a flight for earlier in the day...that will [hopefully] be less likely to get messed up. We also were able to add Thursday night to our hotel reservation," they added.

Others have suggested that, if all else fails, driving could be a reliable, albeit inconvenient, backup plan.

"We went on freedom of the seas two weeks ago and I told everybody worst case scenario if these flights get canceled we’re getting a rental car and its that simple," wrote one person on Reddit. 

Another added, "It’s inconvenient, but finding a Buccees along the way will make it an adventure."

What about travel insurance?

A good travel insurance policy will reimburse consumers for certain expenses incurred from trip disruptions, including flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage. 

However, as with any policy, there's a lot written into the fine print that ultimately determines what is and what isn't covered. 

For instance, a travel insurance policyholder generally cannot file for a reimbursement if they choose to back out of their travel plans to avoid potential hiccups — unless they have a cancel-for-any-reason add-on. 

Even then, there are more caveats, and travelers must see whether they can get their money back for the airline flights and the cruise, should they choose to cancel because of the new FAA restrictions. 

Two Royal Caribbean ships have removed their Broadway musical, but a replacement is on the way.

Grease has been shown on both Harmony of the Seas and Independence of the Seas for many years, but the curtain has closed on that production.

After a few readers reported hearing the show has been removed, we reached out to the cruise line to confirm the change.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed that Grease is no longer being performed on either ship.

Grease was performed for almost 10 years

Royal Caribbean had a production of Grease on two of its ships since July 2016.

Both Independence of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas had the show as its featured production show in the Royal Theater.

Harmony debuted with Grease, whereas it was added to Independence of the Seas during a ship upgrade. 

Royal Caribbean chose Grease for its broad appeal, calling it a fun, high-energy musical that gets the whole audience singing and dancing. That popularity is why the line made the unusual decision to debut the show on two ships.

The story follows Sandy Dumbrowski, a sweet, new-to-town girl, and Danny Zuko, the school’s resident cool guy, who shared a secret summer romance. 

Once the school year starts, Sandy struggles to fit into the social world of Rydell High and win back Danny’s attention, while Danny tries to protect his tough-guy image. 

Even before Grease, Royal Caribbean had invested in Broadway musicals for years.  When Hairspray was initially announced for Royal Caribbean, it generated a lot of attention because it was the first time a full Broadway show was going to be performed at sea.

Why Royal Caribbean retired the show

No reason has been provided why Grease has been removed, but cruisers have their own opinions.

Any Broadway show performed on a cruise ship has to be licensed, and those licenses cost money.

In addition, Harmony of the Seas is scheduled for a major upgrade in 2026. Perhaps the timing of that amplification ties into the decision to let the license lapse.

Baltodave posted on the Royal Caribbean message boards, "Apparently it has to do with the contract for Grease and the fact that Harmony is going to dry dock in a few months."

What's coming next

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, "we will have an update soon on the next production" for what will replace Grease.

Looking at a recent Cruise Compass from Harmony of the Seas, the cruise line has put in its place (at least temporarily) Voices.

Voices is an original production created by the cruise line that first debuted on Wonder of the Seas. It has been replicated on a few other ships since.

The description of Voice is as follows:

A completely new style of musical production that brings together the world-class vocal talents and live performance skills of our most experienced singers and dancers with the virtual technology that we have all become so accustomed to using over recent years.

It's not known yet what Royal Caribbean may replace the show with in the future.  It could be another Broadway musical, a jukebox-style production, or a custom original show.

How Royal Caribbean picked Grease as a show for its cruise ships

As we bid adieu to Grease, I wanted to share the story of how Royal Caribbean picked this show.

Former head of entertainment for the cruise line shared the story of picking this musical, in 2017.

On the Anthem of the Seas, sitting in Chops (one of my fave restaurants), and having dinner with Tony Edge (Director of We Will Rock You), he asked me “So what’s your next Broadway show gonna be?”

With the recent success of Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, the selection of our next Broadway offering had been weighing on my mind for many months. This is the question I have been avoiding from everybody. What on earth could follow the energy and fun of our last two fabulous shows?

“Have you ever thought of Grease?” he asked…and the penny dropped. Grease would be perfect!

A complicated deal to make, especially if you want to include the hit songs from the 1978 motion picture, (and the license holder is extremely particular and specific about production quality), but as you will see, the final result is absolutely superb.

Our version of Grease is totally unique, making excellent use of our state-of-the-art lighting technology and automation systems, and our audiences are on their feet every night. (Thanks Tony, I owe you one.)

One more note of interest, (and a quirky requirement in the deal), is that every logo for every new production of Grease needs to be unique. So with the single direction to “use lots of pink”, our home-grown logo is proving to be very popular with the show’s worldwide legion of fans. I describe it as being energetic, fun and a bit “squishy”.

The first day of your cruise is the start of a vacation, and also when you should knock out a few important things to make your cruise better.

In my years of cruising, embarkation day has changed a lot.  On the one hand, it's gotten so much smoother thanks to smarter procedures and leveraging technology. But, there are still things cruisers should always try to do before the ship sets sail.

I'm a proponent of planning ahead, and with the right approach, you can set yourself up for an even better Royal Caribbean cruise by doing a few key things on that first day. That isn't to say you'll have a bad cruise if you do not follow anything here.  Rather, I think it all enhances your sailing.

Here's my list of the things to do and not to do on your first day aboard a ship.

Do the muster drill and get it out of the way

Every cruise ship passenger has to complete their safety drill before the ship sets sail, and I recommend doing it immediately.

By the time guests are able to board, the muster stations will be open and there will be a crew member waiting.

The smart play is to go there immediately and knock it out because the muster stations are usually near the embarkation point.

Because Royal Caribbean uses an e-muster, you can do this at any time rather than the old days of everyone going at once.

You can ask a crew member as you board to help you locate your station by referencing its location from the Royal Caribbean app.

Make specialty dining reservations

If you need to make specialty dining reservations, go and do that next.

This step is likely less likely to be necessary because Royal Caribbean now allows guests book specific days and times for restaurants when they purchase a dining package pre-cruise, but sometimes it's still necessary.

Examples of why you'd still need to wait to make a reservation are people with a Diamond Plus BOGO offer, or someone looking to get a first day discount.

There's usually a crew member on the Royal Promenade at a station for "specialty dining reservations", but you can also go to any restaurant and the crew member there can book reservations for any other restaurant too.

Reservations will fill up quickly, so I'd recommend making them as soon as possible.

Eat lunch sooner than later

One of the first stops on any cruise is to eat lunch, and there are a few options.

Most passengers will head to the Windjammer buffet to grab a plate and load up.  I love the Windjammer because there's so much variety, with lots for everyone. Even picky eaters will probably find something here.

The downside to the Windjammer is it can get very crowded, especially at noon.

Depending on which ship you're on, there are alternatives that might be less crowded:

• Sorrento's
• Park Cafe
• Cafe Promenade/Pearl Cafe

You could opt for a specialty restaurant for a more relaxing first day.  

That gets you no rushing around, a sit down meal, and higher quality food.

Walk around the ship

Another must-do on embarkation day is to walk around the ship to explore.

While I think the layout of a Royal Caribbean ship is pretty easy to navigate, it's a good idea to explore and see everything so you have a good frame of reference for what's onboard and where everything is.

It's really common to walk around the ship and then realize there's a certain activity or venue that you forgot about.  

Plus, it makes getting around easier later when you're in a rush to get somewhere.

Stop for a "first drink of the cruise"

Most cruisers will tell you a time honored tradition of cruising is to grab a cocktail, beer, mocktail, or glass of wine to toast the start of the vacation.

My preferred spot is at the upper pool deck bar, where I can enjoy a drink, the breeze, and a view of the ship as I take in the start of my vacation.

Don't be temped to live out of your suitcase

While no one day dreams about the start of their cruise involving unpacking, it really makes a difference.

Once you get to your stateroom, unpack your bags and put everything away so there's less clutter.  Be sure to stash your suitcases underneath your bed after you're done.

I've cruises many times unpacked and also living out of a suitcase, and living out of a suitcase always ends up frustrating me when I'm trying to find another pair of socks or where I put that one thing.

Talk to your stateroom attendant

The crew member you're likely to talk to the most is the cruise ship cabin attendant, and I recommend tracking them down on day one.

Usually they'll come by and knock on your door to introduce themselves, but don't be shy to approach them in the hallway if you see them.

Your steward can be really helpful in not only keeping your cabin tidy, but assisting in ensuring you have everything you need.  I always ask my room attendant for certain amenities that makes my cruise more enjoyable.

Plus, you can specify when you want your room cleaned, and ensure the bed configuration is correct well before it's bed time.

Don't buy a drink package

I think a Royal Caribbean drink package is a great value, but do not wait to buy it onboard the ship.

You will spend hundreds of dollars more if you buy it onboard because it's always cheaper if you buy it before the cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean has sales on drink packages practically every week, so there's no excuse to buy it on the ship and pay up to 40% more than if you did it online.

Considering how much cheaper a beverage package is online, go ahead and book that now rather than waiting for the first day.

Do the spa tour for fun

I actually like taking the Vitality Spa tour, if only to see what this private area of the ship looks like.

On embarkation day there are crew members eager and waiting to show you around the spa at no cost or obligation.

The spa and fitness center are well-appointed areas, plus you might be surprised by the offerings.

Take the kids to the water slides

If you or your kids want to try the waterslides, I recommend doing this on the first day of the cruise.

Embarkation day is a genius hack for avoiding the longer lines for the slides later in the cruise.  Most passengers don't have their bathing suits and they're busy doing everything else on this list on day one, so that leaves the slides with less waits.

Most Royal Caribbean ships have water slides now (especially the big ships), and it's usually the must-do thing for most kids once they see it. Ideally, pack their swim suit in a carry-on bag so they can change in one of the public restrooms on the pool deck and start riding.

Avoid high fees later and disable your phone

You can use your phone on embarkation day, but be sure to put it into airplane mode before it's time for sailaway.

Once your ship leaves port, it will quickly leave your cell phone service area and then your phone will be roaming. Roaming coverage could cost you hundreds of dollars without you even knowing about it.

By putting your phone into airplane mode (instead of turning it off), you can still use the Royal Caribbean app or access the ship's Wi-Fi.

Don't assume your cabin is working perfectly

It's a good idea when you get into your stateroom to double check everything is working the way you expect it.

Set the thermostat to what you want, verify the toilet and sink work, make sure there's hot water, and see if the television works.

Most of the time, there won't be issues, but it's better to call maintenance to fix them now, rather than later in the evening.

Don't wait to sign the kids for kids club

You'll want to register your children for Adventure Ocean or the teen club on the first day by going to the venue and filling out a quick form.

During the afternoon of the first day, both venues are in open house mode. Parents can come in and meet the counselors and ask questions. Plus, the kids can see what it's like too.

There's no cost to leave your kids at Adventure Ocean (unless they stay late or are under 3), and this is when you can indicate who has permission to pick up and drop them off, as well as if the kids can sign themselves out.

Teens have less rules, but you need to get them registered too.

All of the kids programming begins after dinner (usually at 7pm), but do it in the daytime to avoid waits later.

Don't go to your stateroom until they're ready

Royal Caribbean doesn't open its staterooms until usually 1pm (sometimes later), so don't waste your time trying to go earlier.

Unlike other cruise lines, such as Celebrity, you cannot drop your bags off in the room before the staterooms officially open.

Guests sailing aboard Royal Caribbean ships have received emails with an update to the ship's itinerary stating that they're no longer visiting Jamaica.

Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc over Jamaica last week, and Royal Caribbean ships are now skipping visits to the island.

Rather than calling at Falmouth, Jamaica, the Oasis Class vessel will visit Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, on November 26. 

"As part of our ongoing itinerary planning process, we’ve modified our upcoming sailing. On Day 4, we’ll now be visiting Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, in place of the previously scheduled stop," reads the email sent to booked passengers. 

"We’re excited to bring you this refreshed experience and appreciate your understanding, as itinerary planning is an ongoing process that requires cruises to have a certain level of flexibility, modifications can occur at any time."

The new itinerary is as follows:

• Sunday, November 23, 2025: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Monday, November 24, 2025: Nassau, Bahamas
• Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Cruising
• Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic (Originally Falmouth, Jamaica)
• Thursday, November 27, 2025: Cruising
• Friday, November 28, 2025: Cruising
• Saturday, November 29, 2025: Fort Lauderdale, Florida 

The email continues, adding that any pre-paid Royal Caribbean shore excursions will automatically be refunded to the original form of payment, and all guests will receive a refund of the port tax surplus. 

Royal Caribbean noted that itinerary changes can happen for a variety of reasons, including weather, scheduling conflicts, or berthing agreements.

However, the timing strongly suggests that Hurricane Melissa's impact on Jamaica was the reason that Oasis of the Seas' visit to Falmouth was swapped with the Dominican Republic. 

Oasis of the Seas' November 9 cruise will also skip its scheduled visit to Jamaica. According to a post shared in the sailing's Facebook group, Oasis will call at Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, on November 12 instead. 

Moreover, Rhapsody of the Seas did not visit Falmouth on November 5. Instead, the Vision Class ship called at Grand Cayman one day earlier than expected. 

Jamaica aims for full tourism operations by December 15

Hurricane Melissa struck near New Hope, Jamaica, on October 28, leaving widespread destruction and becoming the strongest landfall the country had ever recorded. 

Although the country remains closed to tourists, Jamaica's tourism leaders are optimistic about the country's swift recovery. They plan on resuming full tourism operations by December 15, 2025. 

"Tourism’s strength lies not just in its product offerings, but in its people and partnerships. The speed and synergy of our response show the industry’s resilience and our unwavering commitment to recovery with empathy, compassion, and innovation," said Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism. 

To support that ambitious goal, the Ministry of Tourism activated a high-level recovery task force and a companion Tourism Resilience Coordination Committee to facilitate action between public and private organizations. 

Preparing cruise ports for ships and passengers is a key part of the initiative to help bring the country's tourism industry back to life. 

The recovery task force will fast-track assessments and service readiness across resorts, airports, ports, beaches, and more to ensure that visitors feel confident to travel to Jamaica by December 15. 

Royal Caribbean is helping Jamaica's relief efforts

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

Days after Hurricane Melissa made catastrophic landfall in Jamaica, Royal Caribbean Group pledged to contribute more than $1 million in aid to Jamaica and The Bahamas.

On Tuesday, November 4, Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, shared that the Rhapsody of the Seas was en route to deliver emergency relief supplies in Falmouth, Jamaica.

"This morning the Rhapsody of the Seas will call into Falmouth, Jamaica on a relief call for a couple of hours to [offload] over 120 pallets of supplies of water, bedding, medical supplies, food items," he said.

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

"The pallets will be offloaded and then items packaged as relief packages for immediate distribution with the help of GEM [Global Empowerment Mission] our relief partner. A huge thank you to the Falmouth Port Authority and community for opening the port."

Rhapsody of the Seas wasn't the only cruise ship in Jamaica for humanitarian efforts on the 4th. Carnival Horizon docked in Ocho Rios for a quick stop to make a brief supply stop. 

Read more: After Hurricane Melissa, Royal Caribbean begins delivering relief supplies