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With five months left in 2023, there is still plenty of time to plan another cruise vacation.
The fall months bring cooler temperatures and lower prices than peak summer cruises. Plus, even if the cruise itself is fully booked, there are less land-based travelers, meaning that there will be fewer crowds in port.
You might even be able to find a once-in-a-lifetime itinerary that is not offered throughout the year.
Here are the best 2023 fall cruises that you should take.
Royal Caribbean's Alaska's season wraps up in September, and this month just so happens to mark the region's transition from summer to fall. The earlier you cruise, the better weather you have have, including more daylight.
On September 3, Brilliance of the Seas is departing on a roundtrip "Multi Glacier Experience Cruise" from Vancouver, Canada, with prices starting at $966 per person for an interior cabin. If you want to upgrade to a balcony, expect to pay a minimum of $1,842 per person.
During this 7-night voyage, the ship will dock in Sitka, Juneau, and Ketchikan, Alaska. You will also have three different sightseeing opportunities in Hubbard Glacier, Tracy Arm Fjord, and the Inside Passage.
In comparison, the 7-night Alaska Glacier onboard Quantum of the Seas that departs on September 11 only has one glacier viewing: Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. This does, however, mean that you will have more time in port, visiting Sitka; Icy Strait Point; Juneau; and Victoria, British Columbia.
Pricing is similar, with an interior cabin starting at $906 per person.
Currently, most cruises onboard Spectrum of the Seas are only 3-5 nights. This fall, however, there are two 12-night cruises that sail from Singapore to Tokyo and vice versa that are each unique in their own way. The itineraries for both sailings are different, with the first cruise visiting fewer ports than the second.
The first sailing departs on September 19 and sails from Singapore to Tokyo, making stops in Nha Trang, Vietnam; Hong Kong, China; and Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima, Japan before arriving in Tokyo. Currently, pricing for this cruise currently starts around $1,800 per person for either a balcony or interior stateroom.
The latter sailing is more expensive visits one more port of call. Throughout the 12-night voyage, the ship will visit Mt. Fuji (Shimizu), Kobe, Okinawa (Naha), and Ishigaki, Japan; Hong Kong, China; and Hue / Danang (Chan May), Vietnam.
While fall is still part of the Atlantic hurricane season, you are less likely to be impacted by inclement weather in late October and November.
In those two months, Royal Caribbean has twenty ships deployed here, meaning that you have a variety of different itineraries to choose from from embarkation ports ranging from Cape Liberty, New Jersey to Galveston, Texas and even San Juan, Puerto Rico.
If you are looking for a quick getaway, consider sailing on Allure of the Seas. She begins making 3- and 4-night voyages out of Port Canaveral on October 30 to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The fall is also one of your last chances to sail on Wonder of the Seas while she is the largest cruise ship in the world, a title no other Oasis Class ships will ever hold again once Icon of the Seas launches in January.
In October and November, she will be making 7-night roundtrip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, all including a stop at CocoCay.
With twenty ships, though, you don't have to sail on some of the largest in the fleet. Some of the smallest, such as Vision of the Seas, will be sailing on unique and longer itineraries to the Southern Caribbean, visiting ports like St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Kitts & Nevis.
You will find better rates on the older ships, too. A 12-night cruise on Vision of the Seas starts at $1,199 per person, while a 7-night cruise onboard Wonder of the Seas starts at $1,246 per person.
September is a good month to visit Bermuda, as daily highs will still peak into the 80s. This means that you will be able to enjoy the warm summer temperatures with fewer crowds.
Liberty of the Seas sails to Bermuda from Cape Liberty through October. In September, there are three 5-night sailings, each has two days at sea and two days docked at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
While not the largest ship in the fleet, this Freedom Class ship offers plenty of activities and things to do, including water slides, a FlowRider surf simulator, an ice skating rink and Broadway show, specialty dining venues, pools, and more.
Currently, the cheapest sailing departs on September 30 and costs $609 per person.
Fall foliage cruises are popular because they allow passengers to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the changing hues of the trees of Canada and New England.
This year, Royal Caribbean is offering four "fall foliage" cruises onboard Jewel of the Seas. For the best chance of seeing the most transformation, take one of the earlier two, as you are more likely to experience peak foliage through mid-October.
The first is an 11-night northbound cruise from Cape Liberty to Quebec City on September 28 that starts at $949 per person. This itinerary focuses on Canadian ports of call, visiting Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Sept-Iles and Saguenay, Quebec.
The following 10-night southbound cruise from Quebec City to Cape Liberty is more port intensive, with only three days at sea. Additionally, you will dock in Portland, Maine and Boston, Massachusetts. This sailing starts at $749 per person for an interior room.
And while not advertised as fall foliage cruises, there are two sailings onboard Liberty of the Seas where you are likely to experience some of the northeast's fall magic: October 5 and 19. Both sailings start at under $650 per person.
The ports of call include Boston, Massachusetts; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John (Bay of Fundy), New Brunswick.
Unlike the Caribbean, you can expect to spend long days in port exploring European cities, rather than lounging on the beach. In the peak of the summer, it can get to be miserably hot. In the fall, you will be greeted with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds in port.
In July, for instance, it is not unusual for the daily high to reach the high 80s and 90s in places like Rome, while in October, the daily temperatures range from the high 60s to mid 70s.
For a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise onboard Symphony of the Seas, the sailings range from $1,295 to $1,755 per person for an interior room in October. You can sail from either Barcelona, Spain or Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; however, the cheapest port of embarkation is Barcelona.
During your voyage, you will visit Naples/Capri, Italy; Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; and Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy. If you sail from Barcelona, you will have a day in Rome, and if you sail from Rome, you will be able to explore Barcelona for a day.
October and November are two of the best months to visit the Mexican Riviera, as you will find pleasant weather compared to the summer months.
Moreover, October marks the end of the region's rainy season; August and September have higher rainfall averages. Temperatures will still be in the 80s, meaning that you can sunbathe and enjoy other water activities in port.
Consider a 7-night cruise to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta onboard Navigator of the Seas, a Voyager Class ship that received $115 million in renovations in early 2019, and visit beautiful beaches, try the local cuisine, and see world-famous landmarks, including the El Arco rock formation in Cabo.
Due to less overall demand, you will find some great deals, too. All dates in October begin under $700 per person for an inside stateroom.
Read more: What it's like to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas in 2023
The fall is one of two times throughout the year that Royal Caribbean offers sailings through the Panama Canal. This year, there are three cruises that you can choose from, all of which are on Radiance Class ships.
The first is a 16-night cruise onboard Radiance of the Seas that departs on October 7 and sails from San Diego to Tampa. The next two are not until November, and they are both 14-night cruises onboard Serenade of the Seas.
On November 7, Serenade will depart from Miami, arriving in Los Angeles on November 21. That same day, she will leave on another Panama Canal cruise to return to Miami.
Pricing varies greatly, with the most expensive being the 16-night cruise onboard Radiance. This cruise starts at $1,646 per person for an interior room. At the time of writing, all ocean view, balconies, and suites were sold out.
The cheapest Panama Canal cruise in Fall 2023 is the 14-night sailing on Serenade of the Seas from Los Angeles on November 21. An interior room begins at $936 per person.
After these three sailings, there will not be another opportunity to cruise the Panama Canal onboard a Royal Caribbean ship until April 2024.
The fall is also a common time for transatlantic and transpacific cruises, as ships are being redeployed after cruises in seasonal regions, such as Europe and Alaska.
The larger the vessel, the more you will have to do onboard during the long stretch of sea days. Symphony and Odyssey of the Seas will offer the most to do, with the latter visiting more ports of call.
When Symphony of the Seas departs on her transatlantic cruise on October 29, she will only stop at two different ports in Europe -- Valencia and Seville (Cadiz), Spain -- before crossing the ocean. Before docking in Fort Lauderdale, she will visit Nassau. Currently, the price for this cruise begins at under $740 per person.
Odyssey of the Seas' return to the Americans will begin on October 27. On this sailing, you can visit Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy; Nice (Villefranche), France; Palma De Mallorca and Valencia, Spain; Ponta Delgada, Azores; and Bermuda. The price for this cruise is substantially more than Symphony, though, with interior cabins starting at $1,750 per person.
In total, there are nine transatlantic and transpacific to choose from in October and November 2023. If you want a transpacific cruise that visits Hawaii, you will want to skip these itineraries in the fall. They only depart from Honolulu, rather than island hopping like spring voyages from Honolulu to the Pacific Coast.
Transpacific sailings on October focus more on the islands of the South Pacific, such as Vanuatu, French Polynesia, and Tahiti. Upon arrival in Australia, the ships -- Brilliance, Quantum, and Ovation of the Seas -- will begin their seasonal deployments in the South Pacific, where they will remain until Spring 2024.
Do you return from a cruise and immediately start planning your next one? Perhaps you even book your next cruise before your current one is even over.
While some cruise casually as a one-off vacation, others share a deeper passion for cruising. You have undoubtedly met a chronic cruiser who has spent more time at sea than they have on land!
During the height of the pandemic, Royal Caribbean Blog reader Joe01 posed the question in our forum, “Why are people addicted to cruising?” - and I thought this was an excellent, thought-provoking question.
He received countless responses from cruisers alike who shared why they prefer - and love - to cruise over and over again. The top comment, from user Kwong, made me laugh: “Look man, it's not an addiction. I can quit whenever I want to!”
Of course, the cruise shutdown throughout 2020 had many of us cruise-lovers missing the ability to be whisked away from reality on a cruise ship. We dreamed of waking up to new places each day, watching sunsets at sea and being carefree onboard with little to no responsibilities.
But, can you actually be addicted to cruising?
Research shows that experiencing new places through travel and wanderlust has been linked to increased happiness and creativity. Those who prioritize vacationing are happier in general than those who do not vacation. In fact, an extremely relaxing vacation can have lasting effects on our happiness even after we return home.
So, it’s not surprising that cruisers take to the high seas over and over again. Here’s what research says about the cruising and travel addiction, including some supporting insight from RCB readers.
But, I am not alone in this, as nearly 60% of cruisers are repeat customers and take at least one cruise each year.
Growing up, we cruised every year as a family - and I loved everything about it. I’d beg my parents to take me and my sister on the newest and biggest Royal Caribbean ships. My dad would give me a destination, timeframe and budget and I would spend hours looking for the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise.
Cruising was something we enjoyed as a family, whether it be a short spring break trip or a big summer expedition to see Europe for the first time. The quality time together and memories made were unmatched.
RCB User PhillyLady echoes my sentiments: “My first cruise was in the Mediterranean when I was a teenager, and I was mesmerized by the calm blue waters, clear sky and exotic destinations. Cruising became a type of vacation experience that was simply a part of all our lives--more than just an addiction.”
The more I cruised, the more I found myself wanting to plan as many as possible. I dreamed of seeing exotic places like Thailand, China, Japan, Norway, etc - and cruising made it not only possible, but extremely accessible to visit these bucket-list itineraries. I even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, living on a ship for 100 days, and traveled the world.
Then, the pandemic struck and left an unexpected void in my travel-loving soul. I wanted nothing more than to cruise and experience new places, but yet we were stuck at home. I told my husband, “I think I am actually addicted to traveling, because I feel depressed that I literally cannot right now!”
There are many different ways to travel and vacation, yet people (including myself) come back to cruising repeatedly. If a destination can be reached by cruise ship, this is always my preferred method of traveling.
“Well, once you realize that the experience of travel is extremely rewarding and unlike anything else, the more you want to keep doing it,” explains Dr. Brein, a social psychologist who specializes in travel and intercultural communication.
Cruising is not only affordable, but it’s super convenient. I can see multiple countries and destinations without unpacking my suitcase. Transportation and logistics are taken care of. In my mind, cruising is the perfect balance between relaxing onboard and being pampered while still having daily exploration, cultural immersion and adventure in port.
Humans are naturally drawn to safety and comfort. For many travelers, cruise travel feels inherently safer than alternatives with easy access to medical care and onboard security.
On a cruise ship, I feel safe and very comfortable, making it easy to relax. Once I started cruising to more far-flung destinations in Europe, Africa and Asia, this became even more true. I had a safe place to return each night with clean water, a freshly made bed and gourmet food.
RCB user Dawnelda feels similarly, stating that she feels very safe on a cruise ship compared to land-based solo trips she took in her early twenties. Other women agreed that cruising, even solo, feels much safer on a cruise ship compared to land-based alternatives.
We all deal with stress in our lives. To cope, it’s a natural instinct for humans to create a daily routine that feels predictable and easy to minimize this stress. Over time though, our daily routines become monotonous and even detrimental to our personal growth and potential for new opportunities.
In this way, traveling acts as a form of escapism. Many agree with this sentiment for why they love cruising so much.
RCB member Krhardy shares, “For me, it's a total escape from reality. I am blessed with a wonderful life...a husband I adore, 3 successful and independent adult children and 3 grandchildren, and amazing friends. That said, life has stress. The second I walk onto a ship, all of my worries seem to just disappear for a short time.”
Traveling can also be used as a way to shift and reorganize our identities and provides an opportunity to reevaluate our priorities in life.
Karen Stein, a socialist who’s studies travel and culture, explains that traveling allows us to devote our time and attention to identities and commitments that we have, unwillingly, put on the back burner thanks to the stress of daily lives.
Those who travel also find a feeling of increased self-esteem and confidence, Dr. Brein states. We also tend to be more present while traveling thanks to less distractions, which is especially true while cruising due to the nature of being disconnected at sea.
RCB moderator Lovetocruise2002 shares, "For me, as a parent, it is truly the only time that I can get away and 100% relax and not do anything! That is what cruising represents to me. It is not just a vacation. It is more than that”.
For many of us, cruising is more than a vacation. It can be a lifestyle, an escape from reality and a time to shift our perspectives and priorities. Similar to an addiction, we can crave these unique feelings that cruising provides.
For humans, research shows that the physical and psychological escape from our daily life is a special experience that can actually alter our brain chemistry. When we escape from our environment and challenge ourselves, it’s exhilarating.
In fact, cruising provides an opportunity to visit places that would otherwise be difficult to reach. You might even visit a destination that you had never considered simply because it was on your itinerary. I tell prospective cruisers that you can choose an itinerary to see certain places of the world, and if you love what you see, you can always return.
RCB user JLMoran feels similarly, saying, “I can visit cities I couldn’t otherwise see with changes in scenery and culture. It’s only one day in each place, but that’s enough for me to decide if it’s a place I want to experience again - and I have transportation to each of those places.”
Experiencing cultures different than our own can help us grow tremendously. With cruising, you can meet new people, learn different languages, try new foods, visit new places, experience different ways of living. We can even grow to appreciate our own lift in a new light after experiencing a culture vastly different than our own.
Ray, another RCB user, feels like, “Each new place we visit is a new experience and as our time on this planet is limited. We need to make the most of it and venture out to experience new things! No point looking back in 20 years with regrets”
Once you step onboard a cruise ship, you’re encountering hundreds of new faces between fellow passengers and crew members. In port, this interaction continues when you meet and connect with locals.
Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School who studies the psychological impact of travel, explains how these cross-cultural experiences bring us out of our own cultural bubble by connecting with people who have a different background than our own.
By engaging with other cultures, this type of unique connection leads to a general faith in humanity where most realize that even people in different cultures treat you in a similar way, producing an increase in trust. It’s a humbling experience.
RCB member FManke beautifully shared, “For somebody who has never cruised, they would not understand the feeling of standing on deck, in the middle of the vast ocean with no land for hundreds of miles, looking up at more stars than you can ever remember seeing before and both feeling so alive and so insignificant at the same time. In those moments, I find cruising to be very humbling. A small fish in a very large pond. Albeit a very happy fish.”
Traveling as an escape from your stresses of daily life is not only acceptable, but encouraged for all of the reasons above. But, just like anything, moderation is key. Cruising is special because it’s a physiological and physical break from our day to day realities and stress. But, once cruising becomes part of your routine, it can lose its zest because it’s no longer unique.
I learned this last year after 10 cruises, some for work and some for leisure. By the end of the year, I wanted to plan my cruises to be more spread out so I looked forward to them in the same way.
Ask most people who travel for work and they agree. After so much travel, you start to miss your bed, home, routine and schedule. The uniqueness fades when it becomes routine. Earlier this year, RCB writer, Jenna, shared some of the downsides of cruising too much. Similarly, Matt even shared in a YouTube video that his goal for the new year was to take less cruises to ensure cruising keeps its charm and excitement for him.
From the time you book your cruise to packing your bags in anticipation or ordering that first cocktail at the pool, you experience small hits of dopamine.
As humans, we are wired to pursue that hit of dopamine, aka doing what makes us happy. If cruising gives you that joy, it can fuel your desire to continue cruising.
But you can breathe a sigh of relief, because you cannot be clinically addicted to cruising. But, you could very well have an obsession with cruising simply because it makes you happy. This joy comes from escaping reality for even just a short while, including the benefits of experiencing new cultures and connecting with new people along the way.
August is a popular month for a summer cruise, with some of the warmest temperatures you'll find anywhere a Royal Caribbean cruise ship sails.
If you're taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in August, expect to find lots of families enjoying their summer break trip. In fact, August is such a popular month for cruises that demand for cruises can be quite high, especially in the first half of the month.
As summer begins its slow fade into fall, August means it will still be plenty warm almost anywhere you sail.
Europe will be quite warm, and Alaska cruises can enjoy comfortable outdoor temperatures too.
In the Caribbean, August represents the off season as the hurricane season is about to kick up in chances of a storm.
If you have a cruise in August, here's what to expect on your sailing.
Royal Caribbean operates cruises in three markets in August: Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe. You'll also find cruises to Bermuda and Canada too.
Starting in Alaska, you'll find August to be Alaska's peak season because of warm weather and school out of session, which enables families to visit. However, crowds and higher cruise fares are to be expected at this time of year and rain is likely, especially in August. You will want to book well in advance for an Alaska cruise in August, as itineraries tend to sell out quickly.
The Bermuda cruise season is between May and October, with highest demand between June and August. This makes a Bermuda cruise in August probably more expensive than if you sailed in September or October.
You'll find a smattering of Royal Caribbean ships operating in the Caribbean during the month of August, mostly because a portion of the fleet has is in Europe.
July and August are the most popular months to travel by cruise ship in Europe because of the warmth you'll find around the continent.
Just like July, August is a very warm month for a cruise.
A Mediterranean cruise in August means you could encounter a heatwave, especially in places like Greece. You can expect normal temperatures to be in the 80 degree range, with overnight lows in the 60's.
One advantage of August in Europe is the optimal weather. Typical August weather on land and at sea are at their best this time of year, so expect smooth sailing into port, and dry, sunny days ashore.
Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
Alaska cruises in August is when you'll not only find warm weather, but also rain. This means you should expect a washout during your Alaska shore excursions. Daytime average high temperatures are in the low- to mid-60s in August, and lows are in the upper 40s and lower 50s.
Read more: When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
If you like it hot and humid, then a Caribbean cruise in August is just what you wanted.
The Caribbean may not see the kind of temperature swings you experience across the United States in August, but it will rain every day in the Caribbean. On the plus side, ocean temperatures are at their warmest in August.
If you do select an August cruise in the Caribbean, keep in mind this is the month hurricane season starts to kick up in intensity.
Read more: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean
August tends to have a different sort of feel to it depending if you cruise the first half or second half of the month.
Early August is still very much summer, and more similar to July in terms of weather, crowds, and prices.
Once you get to late August, many kids are back in school, and the weather can also start to cool down in places like Alaska or Europe. In addition, hurricane season in the Caribbean starts becoming more impactful.
Speaking of hurricanes, if you have a Caribbean cruise in August, it's not unheard of for there to be a tropical storm that disrupts your itinerary. You should be prepared for an itinerary change if a storm does pop up.
Hurricane season lasts from June through the end of November, but most storms occur during August and September.
August isn't a bad month to take a cruise to The Bahamas or Caribbean, but you should be aware of the risks of an itinerary change. And in case you're wondering, it's unlikely for your cruise to be cancelled due to a hurricane. The most likely scenario if a tropical storm is projected to be in the path of your ship is for your itinerary to change.
In terms of prices, you can probably find much better prices for an August cruise in the final two weeks compared to the early part of the week. Someone looking for a last-minute cruise deal could probably have some degree of luck with a late August cruise.
If you dislike large numbers of children, avoid sailing in August because of the fact school is on break for most kids.
For anyone cruising to Europe, keep in mind many Europeans head out for their own vacation during August, so be aware that some businesses might be closed. As crowds thicken over the summer, especially at popular tourist attractions, pickpockets will be on the prowl -- be smart about your belongings.
More information
Summer 2023 is here, and that means a lot of families want to escape somewhere fun, relaxing, and memorable.
With the cruise ship experience returning to pre-2020 levels of occupancy, market reach, and ship deployments, this year is likely when a summer cruise vacation sounds like a great family trip idea.
Royal Caribbean expects this to be a big year, with demand the highest it has been in a long time. "Demand for our brands is outpacing broader travel due to a strong rebound and an attractive value proposition," is what Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told investors recently.
That means planning a summer cruise this year could be a challenge given how cabins are filling up and prices for a cruise might not be much of bargain.
If you're still thinking of taking a summer cruise, act quickly and consider the following destination ideas to get you started.
If there's a best kept secret of cruises from the United States, it's Royal Caribbean's ship on the west coast.
Navigator of the Seas sails short 3- and 4-night cruises for easy getaways, along with occasional 7-night cruises down the Mexican Riviera. As a recently amplified Voyager Class cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas boasts plenty of amenities, restaurants, lounges, and onboard activities to keep cruisers busy.
A Pacific Ocean cruise from Los Angeles means you can see a different side of Mexico from what you may have already seen on a Cozumel visit on previous cruises. Western Mexico has more wildlife viewing opportunities, such as whales and seals. There's also beautiful historic, cobblestone-street towns you can explore.
Pueblos Mágicos (Magic Towns) are small towns recognized by the Mexican government for their culture, history, and charm. There are currently 132 pueblos mágicos in Mexico, several of which are located nearby cruise ports in the Mexican Riviera, including Sayulita and Todos Santos.
I love the value proposition Mariner of the Seas represents, and she sails a good variety of cruises to mix up your choices.
Sailing from Port Canaveral, Mariner of the Seas is conveniently located close to the Orlando area.
The great thing about Mariner of the Seas are the variety of itineraries. In summer 2023, there's eastern, western, and southern Caribbean cruises you can choose from, along with Bermuda sailings.
The Bermuda cruises are especially intriguing, since you still get to visit Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, along with the must-see spots in Bermuda.
An easy destination to wander around, Bermuda is a mix of English tradition with local culture. Its rich history, natural beauty, and geography make it unique among other islands.
While you might think beach and sun for a summer vacation, don't forget about the other amazing summer spot: Alaska.
A Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise is a must-do for anyone that's never been, because of the majestic beauty this area of the world is known for.
Visiting the 49th state means viewing incredible scenery, tasting delightfully fresh cuisine, and experiencing Alaska’s unique history firsthand.
Read more: Why an Alaska cruise is worth it and you should go there
Ovation of the Seas sails from Seattle, and she is the newest Royal Caribbean ship to offer Alaska cruises in 2023. Plus, sailing from Seattle is an easy city to reach for most Americans with ample flights.
More about Alaska cruises
If you're sold on the idea of an Alaska cruise but want to get a cheap Alaska cruise deal, then Radiance of the Seas might be the ship for you.
Sailing from Vancouver, Canada, Radiance offers 7-10 night cruises that you can also combine with a land tour to further extend your Alaska explorations. These land tours are add-ons that take you further in-land to places, such as Denali.
Radiance of the Seas sails open-jaw sailings, meaning it begins in one port and concludes in a different port. This makes getting to and from your ship a bit tricky, but demand is lower for these sailings and it represents very competitive prices.
Anyone that has cruised a lot to Alaska will tell you these open-jaw cruises have the best Alaska itineraries in terms of the ports you'll visit.
Whether you live in the UK or fancy a flight across the pond, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is a great choice for a European vacation.
Anthem sails from Southampton, England, and it's a short train ride away from London.
Anthem of the Seas has made a name for itself as one of the premier cruise ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet. She debuted in 2015 and combines first class style, exquisite dining and original entertainment productions to provide an incredible cruise experience.
This 4,180-passenger ship offers a lot of entertainment and dining onboard, and is best known for some of the headliner attractions, such as bumper cars, the observation pod that takes guests 300 feet above sea level, and a skydiving simulator.
The beauty of Anthem's summer deployment in England are the different itineraries you can choose from in 2023:
Having a variety of choices is great, and given how easy it is to get to London for most people, Anthem of the Seas is a ship worth sailing on.
A new embarkation port for Royal Caribbean, Haifa, Israel gives you a Greek Isles bucket list cruise along with a pre- or post-cruise vacation to the Holy Land.
Royal Caribbean recently began offerings cruises from Haifa, and this port puts you right in the heart of the eastern Mediterranean with more Greek islands to visit than you can manage.
And since Haifa isn't a traditional cruise port to sail from, we've often seen some of the best Mediterranean cruise prices around.
Sailings this summer will visit ports in Greece and Cyprus, including Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, Greece and Limassol, Cyprus.
If you're looking to maximize your time in the Greek Isles, Rhapsody of the Seas is going to check-off a lot of choices.
Forget the places you can go, the cruise ship is the destination to many cruise fans!
Wonder of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship and Royal Caribbean's newest ship. This means you're going to find the very latest and greatest that the cruise line has to offer.
While you'll also visit beautiful Caribbean beaches, the ship has a ton to see and do.
It has 16 passenger decks, which are divided into eight neighborhoods. It's a cruise ship that appeals to active families, couples and friend groups.
Like the earlier Oasis-class ships, Wonder will offer multiple main pool areas, a kiddie splash zone, surfing simulators, a miniature golf course, a basketball court and even a zip line. And that’s just on its top deck. Inside the vessel, you’ll find more lounges, bars, restaurants and shops than you can imagine, plus a huge casino, spas and theaters.
If you're from the Northeast United States, there's no reason you can't find a great cruise vacation in your backyard.
Royal Caribbean's summer deployment of cruise ships to Bayonne, New Jersey offers a little of something for everyone, but you'll find interesting itineraries and lower prices on Liberty of the Seas.
Liberty of the Seas sails from the New York City area, with sailings to Canada, New England, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.
No month is more synonymous with summer cruise vacations than the month of July.
You'll find warm temperatures across all of Royal Caribbean's sailings along with (hopefully) sunny skies.
The month of July is the peak of the summer cruise season, which means families are on summer break and demand for a summer vacation reaches its height. Very likely your ship and the places you visit will have lots of people looking to enjoy a break.
In Europe specifically, July is the month when Europeans go on holiday (along with August), so prepare to see a lot of people wherever you go in ports. Be vigilant about your surroundings, as pickpockets in Europe are common in the summer.
The one region where the month of July is off-season is the Caribbean. Given many ships left the Caribbean to sail Europe or Alaska, there are less ships in the Caribbean. While that may mean less ships in Caribbean ports of call, there's still plenty of people that will be booked on the ships that are left.
If you have a summer cruise in July, here's what to expect on your sailing.
You'll find Royal Caribbean offering cruises in Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean.
July is the most popular month for a summer cruise because families don't have to worry about the school calendar, and it's also when the weather is warmest in Alaska and Europe.
Conversely, July represents a very off-peak time in the Caribbean for cruises. There are less ships sailing to the Caribbean compared to the winter, and it's also quite hot and humid.
July sees some of the hottest temperatures for any of the regions you will be cruising from.
In Europe, heatwaves are not uncommon in July. The Greek islands can see temperatures that get into the 90s, but most of Europe should have high temperatures in the 80s, with overnight lows in the 60s.
Sea conditions in the Mediterranean are quite calm, with smooth sailing expected. Likewise, July has great weather in terms of low chance of rain.
In short, expect hot, sunny skies when you are in port or ashore.
Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
If you are headed to Alaska, you will also enjoy some of the warmest temperatures of the season. July is one of the best months for an Alaska cruise because of the very comfortable outdoor conditions. Temperatures are always all over the place in Alaska, but high temperatures in the 70s or even 80s is not unheard of.
Expect up to 18 hours of sunlight in July. Chances of rain also increase as the summer months go by, so don’t forget to bring all of your rain gear.
Read more: When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
If you have a Caribbean cruise, I hope you like it hot and humid.
Daily high temperatures in the Caribbean during July will be in the upper 70s to upper 80s, and plenty of humidity. Believe it or not, temperatures don't go much into the 90s because of how the tropics tend to always be around the same temperature throughout the year.
With those toasty temperatures, it will feel perfect for a swim, as the ocean temperatures will be quite warm.
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Expect it to rain every day of your July cruise in the Caribbean, but that doesn't mean an all-day soaker. Thunderstorms roll in and out quickly in the Caribbean, so afternoon downpours are common, but short lived. Plan on outdoor activities but you may need to seek shelter for a few minutes to let the rain pass.
Don't forget, it's hurricane season in the Caribbean, so a tropical storm could cause a change in your itinerary.
Read more: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean
If you want the warmest weather for your cruise, July is the perfect month to take a cruise, especially in Alaska.
The weather in Alaska is always in flux, but generally speaking, you'll find the most comfortable outdoor temperatures in July.
The optimal weather comes at the price of crowds, as lots of people want to sail this time of year. Demand for a July cruise is among the highest of the year (along with Christmas and Spring Break). Higher demand means you're not likely to find a deal, especially at the last-minute.
Considering Royal Caribbean cruise ships sail full year-round anyway, what "higher demand" means to you is you'll likely pay more for a July cruise instead of another month, and there will be more ships in port with you.
Not only is demand higher for Royal Caribbean, but other cruise lines as well. Expect ports full of ships in Alaska and Europe, which means you need to plan ahead better for shore excursions.
Read more: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid
Shore excursions in July tend to sell out much faster than other months because of how many other cruise passengers you are competing with. If you have a July cruise booked, be sure to book your tours as early as possible to avoid missing out.
Read more: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
If you're going to take a Caribbean cruise, expect fewer choices of ships compared to the winter. This is because the summer is off season for the Caribbean cruise market.
I wouldn't characterize July as a bad month to sail the Caribbean. Less ships means your ports of call wont be as busy. Plus, you don't have to worry about being cold at all.
Of course, July in the Caribbean is the wet season, so it will likely rain at least once a day and be quite humid throughout the day. Nonetheless, the rain showers usually pass quickly, and you can enjoy pool weather morning, afternoon, and night.
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Royal Caribbean Group's first quarter earnings call with analysts shed light onto how strong their business is right, and why you may need to adjust your own planning strategy.
Reading the tea leaves of what executives said during the hour-long call, it's clear demand for cruises is the highest it's been since 2019, and that has ramifications for how to effectively budget and schedule your upcoming cruise.
"While demand has been strong across all products and markets, we continue to see exceptional strength from the North American consumer. This strength, in combination with the incredible Perfect Day at CocoCay has resulted in record yields for our Caribbean sailings," said Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty.
The demand for cruises is so strong right now that it's not only erased any doubt about the cruise industry's ability to bounce back from the events of 2020 - 2022, but demonstrates how competitive things are going to be this year in terms of booking a new cruise.
These earnings call may sound like just another financial discussion, but it sheds light on trends we can expect when it comes to cruise planning.
In looking at the numbers, there are two trends you should be aware of if you're either going to book a 2023 cruise, or have one booked already.
With demand so high for cruise bookings right now, I wouldn't expect to find bargain basement rates for cruises in the near future.
"Strong demand for Caribbean itineraries translated into higher load factors at better than expected pricing for both ticket and onboard," is what Mr. Liberty said at the beginning of the call.
"Yields grew 5.8% compared to record 2019 levels and were significantly above our guidance."
What this means is there were more people booked on Caribbean cruises than before, specifically with more than 2 people in the cabin, and those passengers paid more for the cruise fare and their add-ons.
Here are more quotes about how strong the business of selling cruises is in the first quarter.
"Our brands are stronger than ever and our yield in Q1 blew away previous records."
"The acceleration of demand, coupled with our team's incredible execution, is also translating into higher revenue and earnings expectations for the full year."
"Bookings outpaced 2019 levels by a very wide margin throughout the entire first quarter and into April."
He also emphasized the people are booking cruises back in a "normal" way, meaning some of the trepidation we saw following the cruise industry restart is pretty much gone now.
"The booking window is now completely back to normal, demonstrating consumers desire to continue to plan their vacation travel with us well in advance."
After hearing all of this, it sounds to me that even though Royal Caribbean has raised cruise fare prices (compared to 2019), consumers are still booking and in record numbers.
This means the chances of cruise fare prices going down on average seem remote, and if anything, I think it could embolden the company to continue raising fares.
My advice is if you haven't booked a cruise yet but want to, go ahead and lock in a price now before prices go up again. If you can book your cruise more than 6 months before the cruise begins, it will greatly benefit you.
One of my best Royal Caribbean cruise tips is to book your cruise as early as you can to lock in the best rates, keeping in mind residents of many countries (US and Canada, for example) can reprice the cruise if the price does drop up until the final payment date.
That isn't to say there won't be any last-minute deals for a cruise, but you shouldn't bank on it as your primary cruise booking strategy.
One lesson I'll apply from the earnings call is when I book my Royal Caribbean shore excursions in the future.
Not only are people booking cruises like never before, but they're also buying more before the cruise begins.
"About two thirds of our guests booked some of their onboard activities in advance of their cruise," Mr. Liberty explained.
"The comparable figure in 2019 was 48%. So you can see we have used our time well to upgrade our systems."
Getting people to book things before the cruise commences is a big deal to the company, because it ends up being more profitable for the company, "Every dollar a guest spends, pre-cruise translates into approximately $0.70 of incremental spend."
What this means to me is the days of waiting until you got onboard your cruise ship to book a tour, drink package, or other add-on would be a mistake. I've always felt this way about drink packages, but excursions are a shift.
If more than half the people on your cruise are shopping for cruise add-ons in advance, that means more competition to book shore excursions and consequently a higher chance tours will sell out before the cruise begins.
Read more: Guide to picking the perfect Royal Caribbean shore excursion
I'd go one step further and recommend booking your tours months before your cruise, instead of weeks or days.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for cruisers is when there are limited or no shore excursions left to book through the cruise line, and booking shore excursions on your own through a third party provider is a daunting prospect.
Read more: What to do if Royal Caribbean's shore excursions are sold out
It's not just shore excursions that can sell out, as specialty restaurants and dining packages are often selling out.
Remember, anything you book in the Cruise Planner website is fully refundable before the cruise begins. So if you book a tour or package four or five months before the cruise begins but change your mind later, there's no risk.
Read more: How to cancel and rebook pre-cruise purchases on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner
Perhaps the most cryptic thing said during the earnings call was a short comment about cruise ship cabin availability.
Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship
Near the end of the call, Mr. Liberty talked about cruise cabin inventory, and how the increased demand might change how Royal Caribbean sells rooms next year.
I've always worked under the assumption when Royal Caribbean puts a new sailing for sale, every single cabin is available at once to book. But perhaps that is no longer the case.
"We used to kind of put everything out there and all the suites would be sold basically right off the bat. And then you would kind of work your way down to the inside cabins," he said in answering the question.
"While now, we we hold back inventory, and we release it based off of our what are much more sophisticated revenue management models that we have today."
Unfortunately, there was no other clarification or insight into what that statement means. For context, here's everything else he said immediately after that. Perhaps you can decipher it better than I can.
That's why I think sometimes when we get into conversations around "what percent booked are you", "how does it relate to this period versus that period", what we're really focused on is optimizing yield. And so there might be periods where quarter over quarter, or year over year, we want to be in a in a stronger booked position or lesser than what we were booked in a previous period. Because what we're focused on is maximizing yield, which sometimes comes with us having more inventory to sell.
The call wrapped up immediately after that comment, so it's hard to know precisely how Royal Caribbean is managing their stateroom inventory. It certainly sounds like when a new sailing becomes available to book, not every cabin is available off the bat.
Without having additional context, I simply wanted to provide this information so you can keep it in mind when booking new cruises, especially when Royal Caribbean adds new cruises to book.
It might mean if a certain cabin category is sold out initially, that it becomes available to book again down the road.
Or it could be a comment we're not properly understanding and stateroom inventory is not nearly as opportunistic as it sounds.
June is the official start of the summer cruise season, which means warm temperatures on pretty much every Royal Caribbean ship you can sail on (outside of Alaska).
Have a cruise planned in June? This should provide you the important information for navigating a cruise this month.
June is when summer cruises get into full swing in Europe and Alaska. This means all the ships are in position to offer a full assortment of cruises this month.
Depending on where you live, school begins to let out for summer break during the month of June. This means as the month progresses, so do the crowds and demand for sailings.
If you're looking to get a deal on a cruise, your best is to look for a last-minute cruise deal for early June. Of course, that may be easier said than done, as available cabins may be limited.
Royal Caribbean's ships will be operating out of three primary markets: Alaska, Europe, and Caribbean.
Read more: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska 2023
Summer is actually a off-peak time for cruises to the Caribbean. You will find far less ships sailing to the Caribbean because many vessels have been redeployed to Europe and Alaska. It's also as hot as it gets in the Caribbean during the summer.
The advantage of a summer cruise to the Caribbean is there are less ships overall to contend with, making for favorable conditions in the ports you will visit since there will be less passengers in port.
June temperatures in the Caribbean typically range from about 78 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and 70 to 80 at night.
Expect water temperatures around 81 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
This means hot and humid conditions for a Caribbean cruise with very warm ocean temperatures as well.
Officially, the hurricane season begins on June first, but tropical storms don't usually get going until later in the season.
Read more: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean
Let's move over to Europe, where you will find the sunniest month of the cruise season. June is a fabulous time to take a Mediterranean cruise because of the warm, but not yet hot, temperatures that come later in the summer. On top of that, there are less crowds in June compared to next month.
June is also the time of year when the Mediterranean Sea is finally warm enough to swim, with an average water temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
If your European cruise goes to Northern Europe, expect high temperatures in the low 60s, and night time temperatures in the low 50s.
In Alaska, expect the least rain of the year. This is the perfect month for outdoor shore excursions, such as hiking.
Read more: Best things to do on an Alaska cruise
The average temperature for an Alaska cruise are lows in the upper 40s and highs in the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Towards the end of June, you benefit from additional daylight, with up to 18 hours of sunlight.
You're going to need layers for this sort of weather, so it's important to pack for your Alaska cruise effectively.
June is a great month to take a cruise if you're sailing to either Alaska or Europe because of the fact it's not as busy as the rest of the summer.
You'll encounter warmer temperatures in June in Alaska without the higher rainfall chances that come in July. This is important to help reduce the risk of your Alaska shore excursions getting rained out.
Expect high temperatures around 60 degrees in Alaska in June. Plus, June is when the flowers start blooming again.
Equally beneficial to a June Alaska cruise are prices. While the price for an Alaska cruise in June will cost more than May, it's still going to be cheaper than a July Alaska cruise.
In fact, if you can cruise during the first two weeks of June, you'll find much better prices than the second half of the month.
Similarly, Europe in June is a time of year where you can enjoy a warm Mediterranean cruise without the big crowds that come by in July and August.
That being said, the price of a June cruise won't be cheap in Europe. Typically, the highest prices of the year for a Mediterranean cruise will peak in June through August.
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Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in May opens the beginning of the summer cruise season.
If you have a cruise planned in May, this article is aimed at giving you a preview of what to expect for sailing this month, as well as helpful tips.
With spring break over, May is generally a slower month in terms of demand (with the exception of Memorial Day Weekend) because school is in session, and most families either just took vacation over spring break, or are about to take vacation next month when school is out.
It's also the month when Royal Caribbean's European cruise season begins in earnest with all the ship that will sail from the region in place to start service.
The Memorial Day holiday in the United States can see a bit more demand for cruises, although primarily for weekend cruises.
Certainly there is less demand for cruises in the first three weeks of May.
The Alaska cruise season will also fully start up in the month of May. Royal Caribbean will have four cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2023.
Read more: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska 2023
It's going to get warmer in May in the Caribbean, so expect high temperatures to reach the high 80s and low temperatures not getting below the 70s.
In terms of rainfall, the wet season will resume in some areas. You will see lots of passing showers in places like San Juan, Puerto Rico or Antigua.
Over in Europe, the sun will be shining in the Mediterranean without the larger crowds that will come later this summer. May is the best time for a Greek Isles cruise because there is very little rain combined with temperatures in the high 60s and 70s.
The one downside of May in the Mediterranean is sea temperatures tend to be still chilly. If you want warm ocean temperatures in May, the Caribbean is the place for you.
Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?
If you're cruising to Alaska in May, expect less rain than normal. May is one of the driest months of the season, with just a 25% chance of rain.
The average high in southeast Alaska is 54 degrees and the average low is 39 degrees.
Read more: When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?
Sailings to the Mexican Riviera, expect more rain in the forecast. The months of May to October are the wettest months of the year (same for Eastern Mexico).
The eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30.
May is a great month to sail as it offers warm weather without the crowds that you'll find later in the summer.
Because May is a month where most kids are still in school, demand for cruises is less than April or June. After all, families either just took a spring break cruise last month or are about to take their summer vacations next month. So why take the kids out of school for a vacation in May?
The result is demand is generally lower, and prices tend to be lower for May cruises compared to other months of the spring and summer.
Read more: The best time to go on a Caribbean cruise
May is also the last month before hurricane season begins, so tropical disturbances are not a factor for cruises in May. Between the lower prices and comfortable weather, May is one of the best months of the year to take a Caribbean cruise.
May is referred to as the shoulder season for both Alaska and European cruise season. This means it's a time just before the peak of the cruise season commences, and it's an ideal time to get a good price for a cruise to either destination.
Moreover, May is a month where the weather is warm without being sweltering hot.
In Alaska, May can still be on the chilly side, but when the sun shines, you should feel the warmth. Likewise in Europe, May is a month where it's quite comfortable to be outside.
In general, Royal Caribbean cruises are almost always sailing full, but demand for cruises in May is usually less than other months of the year.
Your ship may or may not be completely full, but one of the best chances for a few leftover cabins to be available would be in May.
The lessened family travel demand means potentially less cabins with third and fourth passengers, and that could make the ship feel a bit less crowded than if you sailed next month.
When you need to get a hold of Royal Caribbean because you have a question or concern, knowing which way will get you an answer as fast as possible is important.
It's very common for people booked on a cruise to have an issue they want to raise with Royal Caribbean. Whether it's something simple like re-pricing a drink package, or altering the reservation, there seems to be a lot questions about where to turn first.
Royal Caribbean has many departments and means to get in contact with them, but they aren't all created equally. While I love cruising with Royal Caribbean, I've learned there are better ways to get assistance with an issue than others.
Knowing where to turn to when you have a nagging problem or time-sensitive issue can be frustrating if you aren't getting a response in a timely manner.
For anyone looking to get in touch with Royal Caribbean's customer service department, here are the best (and not so great) ways to get it done.
Picking up the phone to contact Royal Caribbean customer service is probably the most obvious method, but it has its pros and cons.
Phone agents are available during the day time, but it's not a 24 hour operation, so if you try to call after hours, you'll have to wait until the next day.
Moreover, hold times on the phone can vary greatly. Sometimes there's barely a wait, while other times hold times can be over an hour. This is especially true when there is something out of the ordinary occurring, such as a new cruise booking release, weather impact to existing cruises, etc.
Certainly a phone call is quite simple, but it's a bit of a guessing game how long you will have to wait until you get a hold of someone. Plus, Royal Caribbean has different phone numbers for reservations, excursions, groups, and more. So you if you don't call the right department first, it may be more wasted time.
Still, calling Royal Caribbean on the phone is a good starting point.
The general Royal Caribbean customer service phone number is 1 (800) 256-6649.
If you are booking a new reservation, or need to modify a reservation you made directly with the cruise line, call 1 (866) 562-7625.
If you're going on a cruise the same day you're calling, the phone number is 1 (800) 256-6649 or (305) 539-4107 (Int'l)
If you already went on your cruise and have a question, you can call Post Cruise Assistance at 1 (800) 256-6649.
One of the best ways to get your concern routed efficiently is to contact Royal Caribbean on social media.
Royal Caribbean's Twitter and Facebook pages are quite responsive with getting you pointed in the right direction.
They may not directly address your concern, but often they inform whom to contact. If your question is fairly rudimentary, they can also answer questions for you.
Contacting Royal Caribbean's social media for your questions is actually one of the best cruise hacks.
One of the best reasons to use a good travel agent is to get answers to tough questions or problems you run into with the cruise line.
Billing discrepancies, changes to your sailings, policy updates and more are usually in any good travel agent's wheel house.
First and foremost, the travel agent is the one that may need to sit on hold for an extended period of time to get the right answer. Let them do it, while freeing you up to do something else.
Plus, travel agents have resources guests do not, including more leeway with certain policies. While no travel agent can guarantee they can solve any problem, I'm constantly amazed how some agents are able to "bend" or get exemptions to Royal Caribbean policies, thanks in part to their years of experience and relationships with the cruise line.
When I have a question or problem, the first person I turn to is my travel agent for help and it saves me so much time.
Did you know Royal Caribbean has a dedicated phone number exclusively for Crown and Anchor members?
If you've cruised at least once with Royal Caribbean, you're eligible to use this phone number and I've found on average the hold times to be less for this line.
It's a benefit you receive as a loyal cruiser, so you may as well take advantage of it before trying the main phone numbers.
The Crown and Anchor phone number is 1 (800) 526-9723.
This customer service hack is becoming more well-known as a way to get help when you have a concern, and that's to email Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.
It's quite clear his (public) email is monitored by a team of employees, so you probably aren't reaching Mr. Bayley. However, the results speak for themselves.
Time and time again, I see anecdotal evidence from Royal Caribbean Blog readers who reach out to Mr. Bayley via email and get a prompt response. This is especially true for complicated issues related to a personal experience on a ship.
The other methods of contacting Royal Caribbean customer support will be sufficient for most issues, but for escalating a problem, emailing the CEO might work for you.
Michael Bayley's email is [email protected].
In my opinion, don't both emailing Royal Caribbean with a problem, change, or concern.
I hear from so many cruisers who complain they emailed the cruise line to get an answer and haven't heard back, and that tells me emailing is not as efficient as the other ways outlined in this article.
Royal Caribbean has various email addresses it provides for many different facets of the business, as well as regions of the world:
Contacting Royal Caribbean customer service via your travel agent or social media is a much better idea.
If there's one waste of time in trying to get customer service, it's posting a lengthy message about your problem with the cruise line on a forum or message board.
Whether you try posting your problem that you want rectified on our Royal Caribbean message boards, or a Facebook group, or some other unofficial and unrelated website, you won't get a response from the cruise line.
Some people do this because they believe Royal Caribbean monitors certain sites. While this may be true, that doesn't mean they reach out to customers on unofficial sites to help them with their problem.
If you want to vent, that's fine, but if you want a response, go directly to the cruise line and not a forum post.