Royal Caribbean Blog

Happy (almost) Halloween! I don't have any bad Halloween themed puns to include here, just the latest Royal Caribbean news to catch up on before you hit up the neighborhood for candy.

According to a report, a 66-year-old woman jumped overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

The incident occurred on Allure of the Seas while the ship was in The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Bahamas Defense Force conducted a lengthy search for the woman, but she was not found.

Royal Caribbean News

• Taylor Swift-themed fan cruise sets sail with other Swifties onboard
• What a Royal Caribbean crew member spends her money on in a week
• Royal Caribbean ship stuck in Mexico overnight, delayed return
• The #1 Habit to Break If You Don't Want To Gain Weight On A Cruise
• Unexpected new Royal Caribbean cruises for 2026 with unbelievably unique itineraries
• I listed the 7 must-see attractions on Royal Caribbean's new ship, and the best one makes you think you're on a train
• I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.
• 5 Best and Worst Parts of Working on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship, According to a Crew Member

New Video: Ultimate Guide to Freebies on a Royal Caribbean 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 — Ultimate Guide to Freebies on a Royal Caribbean Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 548th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Matt goes over some important cruise etiquette questions. From Main Dining Room planning to speakers, here's what you should know.

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 giant cruise ship will sail deeper into Alaska than ever before on one-way voyages

Royal Caribbean just released its 2026 Alaska deployments, and one surprising change will allow cruisers to see even more of the region.

Instead of a smaller vessel, the huge Ovation of the Seas will be running open-jaw cruises to the region.

In addition to three other Royal Caribbean vessels sailing to Alaska for 2026, Quantum of the Seas will homeport in Vancouver, Canada, for the summer. 

New Broadway musical coming to Star of the Seas

Star of the Seas' Broadway musical will be a surprising classic: Back to the Future.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the rumors on Monday, posting an official announcement on its social media.

"Blast to the past and introduce the entire fam to Marty McFly’s high-flying adventure, as Back to the Future: The Musical travels straight from Broadway to Star of the Seas, coming summer 2025," the announcement read.

Starbucks-Royal Caribbean partnership: How coffee works onboard the cruise ship

How can you get Starbucks coffee onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

The Starbucks partnership on the cruise line allows guests another avenue for getting their coffee fix while on vacation.

However, Starbucks coffee comes at an extra charge, and ordering at these cafes is different than on land.

The best Royal Caribbean hacks, according to the cruise line's fans

DIY projects and hacks are a key part of any cruise, as they help passengers save money and maximize their time onboard.

Royal Caribbean International asked its followers on X for their best cruise hacks, and received helpful responses.

From bringing takeout containers to reserving add-ons at the right time, here are the fans' best hacks.

Managing Royal Caribbean International is a huge task for CEO and President Michael Bayley.

The cruise line employs nearly 88,700 people, with 28 cruise ships visiting over 300 locations around the world.

It's a massive endeavor, but that doesn't mean that it's all serious!

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, also goes by Bada-bing Bayley. 

Bayley has been with the cruise line for over 40 years, and he brings a clear love and cheerfulness to the job.

He shares openly on social media about his love of Royal Caribbean, from crew member profiles to passenger stories.

If that wasn't enough evidence of his fun-loving personality, Bayley also loves self-admitted "bad dad jokes."

Here's a collection of the best ones he's shared all over the Internet—often to unamused listeners.

Why did the pony ask for a glass of water? Because it was a little horse

Bayley hails from the United Kingdom—Cardiff, Wales, to be exact. The small country borders England, with a population of just over three million.

Bayley attended university in English, graduating from the University of Bournemouth with a degree in business.

When he graduated college, he heard from a friend about a cruise line hiring in the United States.

What do you call a group of men waiting in line for a haircut? A barber-que 

In 1981, Bayley took his first-ever plane flight to the United States and began working with Royal Caribbean International.

His career started with a variety of shipboard and shoreside positions as he received an increasing amount of management responsibility.

Now, Bayley holds decades of experience in the hospitality and cruise industry.

My wife said I should do lunges to stay in shape. That would be a big step forward!

Michael Bayley shares the majority of his "bad dad jokes," on social media. He even started a series he's shared on TikTok and Facebook.

Bayley is rare among other CEOs of huge companies, who usually shy away from sharing a fun or intimate side of life.

However, Bayley often shares personal, hilarious videos, showing viewers what it's like to work for the cruise line, images of his travels, and even household fridge tours.

Why did the bicycle fall over? It was too tired

Bayley publicly shares on social media his genuine love for cruising and sharing fun moments with friends and family. 

He currently resides in Miami, Florida, with his wife and two sons.

His username on Instagram and TikTok is captaincruise guy.

Read more: Who is Royal Caribbean Group's new CEO Jason Liberty

I think my phone is broken! I clicked the home button, but I'm still in the office!

Bayley's very first position at Royal Caribbean was as an assistant purser on the Nordic Prince.

The Nordic Prince, launched in 1971, was the second-ever ship built for Royal Caribbean. 

The vessel was just over 550 feet long, and had a passenger capacity of 741 guests—a far cry from the mega-ships of today!

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

I went to the store to get a dozen bees, but I got thirteen. The guy said, don't worry, that's a free bee

The Nordic Prince sailed mostly in the Caribbean, and Bayley's job onboard was to assist with front desk administration, dealing with details like immigration, customs, crew travel, embarkation, and emergency muster lists.

He speaks fondly of the time he spent in this position. 

According to Bayley, he dealt with lots of crew and passengers at the front desk. 

He especially loved the sirloin steak and french fries served on Saturday night dinner.

What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie? Sofish-ticated!

Bayley's online dad jokes series often features guest stars at various cruising events. 

From new ship launches to President's Day cruises, Royal Caribbean's CEO doesn't miss a chance to make new jokes.

He shared this joke with Boy George of Culture Club when they performed at the 2024 President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas.

Boy George barely cracked a smile at some of Bayley's corny jokes, but he kept laughing.

I am very afraid of a calendar. Its days are numbered

This particular dad joke was shared to TikTok, featuring Philip Smith, former head of the Bahamas Feeding Network.

The cruise line's commitment to the charity began in 2019, and it continues to donate money and food to the organization.

As of 2023, Royal Caribbean had donated over $500,000 to the Bahamas Feeding Network.

What did the chicken say when it saw lettuce? Chicken caesar salad

In addition to being a CEO and comedian, Michael Bayley is a big foodie. He enjoys the abundance of food available on Royal Caribbean ships. 

Bayley has tried his hand at being a Teppanyaki chef in Izumi Hibachi, and he can often be seen posting Royal Caribbean dining polls on his Facebook page.

His favorite restaurants span all over the world, from Sao Paulo to Hong Kong. 

According to his son, Bayley's best-cooked dish is enchiladas.

How does a French skeleton say hello? Bone-jour!

Michael Bayley was named President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International in December 2014.

Prior to that, he actually worked for the line's sister company, Celebrity Cruises. There, he delivered strong results and built up the company's "Modern Luxury" brand.

In his prior role as Royal Caribbean International's Executive Vice President, Bayley was responsible for developing three of the company's cruise lines to an international business scale: Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. 

After working in that position for four years, he established 11 regional offices around the world, which now generate more than 50 percent of the corporation’s total revenue.

Now, he is the longtime CEO of the world's largest cruise brand—but he can always make time to crack a few jokes.

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas was stuck in Progreso, Mexico, overnight due to technical issues. As a result, the ship's return to New Orleans, Louisiana, has been delayed. 

User cgbdpm shared the news to a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum on Oct. 24, saying, "Currently on [Brilliance] of the seas in Progresso, Mexico. We should have left port 2 hours ago and captain said engineers said we should be underway hopefully soon. Sounds like engine issues."

CruiseGus later commented that the ship was just sitting in port with the casino closed. "Big revenue lost," they added. Not only that, but they mentioned that the bars were "slammed."

The issues come at the end of a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana. Progreso was the last port of call, following Cozumel, Mexico, and Grand Cayman. 

As of 11:00am EST on Friday, October 25, the vessel's location has moved, indicating the ship has successfully departed Mexico. 

"We are moving.. I will update when they give us an arrival time for New Orleans," commented cgbdpm on the discussion forum. 

Brilliance of the Seas, a 90,090 gross registered ton ship launched in 2002, is due back in New Orleans on Saturday, Oct. 26. However, Brilliance was supposed to have a full day at sea en route back to Louisiana. Now, the ship is expected to arrive in NOLA around 5:00pm, delaying the next cruise's departure. 

The Radiance Class vessel is scheduled to depart on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Progreso on the 26th. However, Royal Caribbean emailed impacted guests informing them of a delayed embarkation process. 

"We’re excited to welcome you onboard Brilliance of the Seas for our October 26, 2024, sailing! Before you head to the terminal, we have an important update to share with you," the email reads.

"To ensure a smooth boarding process, all guests should plan on arriving at your new arrival time as listed below. All guests must be checked in and onboard by 11:00 PM and we'll now set sail at 11:30 PM.  Additionally, arriving earlier than your adjusted time will result in being turned away until your new check-in time. Please arrive no later than 10:30 PM."

Moreover, the email states that while no ports of call have been canceled, the times will differ because of the delayed departure. Additionally, Monday will be a sea day, with Cozumel's stop being moved to Wednesday. 

Brilliance will be docked in Grand Cayman from 8:00am to 4:00pm on Tuesday, Oct. 29, Cozumel from 10:00am to 6:00pm on Wednesday, and Progreso from 9am to 6:00pm on Thursday. Then, the ship will have one day at sea before returning to NOLA on Saturday, Nov. 2. 

As compensation, Royal Caribbean is providing guests with a refund of one day's cruise fare as onboard credit, as well as a pro-rated refund for prepaid daily packages and gratuities. Any unused credits will be refunded to the card on file up to 14 business days from disembarkation.  

Issues earlier this year

During her stint in Australia and the South Pacific, Royal Caribbean canceled a 5-night cruise onboard Brilliance of the Seas due to unexpected technical issues.

The previous 11-night sailing was also impacted, with the ship canceling its scheduled stops in New Caledonia, Mystery Island, Port Vila, and Luganville. Instead, the vessel returned to Sydney, Australia, 4 nights earlier than anticipated. 

Moreover, the April 4, 2024, cruise's departure date was pushed back to April 7. 

Brilliance of the Seas isn't the first Radiance Class ship to struggle with technical problems

Last September, Radiance of the Seas canceled two Alaska cruises because of unplanned technical problems with the ship's propulsion system. 

Passengers on the Sept. 1 sailing were informed on embarkation day that their cruise was canceled. As guests had already boarded the ship, Royal Caribbean let them stay onboard for two nights to give them time to adjust their travel plans. The Sept. 7 cruise was canceled as well. 

The issues continued into 2024, with Royal Caribbean altering a 4-night open-jaw sailing from Los Angeles to Vancouver. Though passengers disembarked on April 26 as scheduled, all stops along the way were canceled, and Radiance arrived in Canada at around 9:00pm on April 25, spending the night in port. 

Subsequently, the April 26 cruise was canceled, too. Passengers found out after they had boarded the ship. Guests boarded as planned after being informed that their departure would be delayed by two days to allow ample time to fix the issue. 

However, around mid-day on Sunday, an announcement was made informing passengers that their cruise would have to be canceled to fix the ongoing technical problem. 

Cruise hacks help passengers save time and money, so they can maximize their time onboard and ashore without breaking the bank. 

Royal Caribbean International took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask cruisers for their most underrated travel hack. Since being posted on October 22, the post has received over 25 replies, with cruise fans eager to share their best-kept secrets. 

From insider tips on pre-booking add-ons to travel advice, here's a list of some of the top cruise hacks shared by seasoned travelers to help you make the most of your next Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Fly in one day early

If you're like me, the closest major cruise port isn't within driving distance. Port Canaveral is over 500 miles—or nearly 8 hours—away from Charlotte, so I'm always on the lookout for flight deals to help make my cruising habit more affordable. 

Though some can drive to their nearest cruise port (or take the Brightline train!), flying is a practical option for those who don't want to spend hours on the road. 

@CaptPat48 recommends flying in at least one day early, and I couldn't second this motion enough! When I was pursuing my Master's, I booked a cruise with a few friends on Allure of the Seas after finding an unbelievable deal. Still, we weren't trying to spend more money than necessary and decided to fly to Florida on the morning of departure. 

Thankfully, we all made it without issue; however, I was an anxious wreck in the hours leading up to our flights. I vowed never to take that kind of risk again and have since always flown out at least one day before the ship's scheduled departure. 

You can't rely on the assumption that your flight will be on time. Even if it is, you must account for the time it'll take to deplane, collect your luggage, and navigate to the terminal. If you miss the ship's all-aboard time, you are responsible for the associated costs of meeting your Royal Caribbean cruise in the next port of call—if possible. 

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

Pack take-out containers

There's food available 24/7 on your cruise, from late-night pizza at Sorrento's to poolside tacos from El Loco Fresh in the afternoon and early-morning pastries at Café Latte-tudes/Café Promenade/Pearl Café. Still, sometimes you might have a specific craving, such as french fries or cut fruit, or you may just want extra food on hand to help calm a fussy child! 

"We bring [take-out] containers for bringing snacks back to our room. Then the room steward won't accidentally throw it out and it won't get stale sitting on a plate," says @LisaLueyLutes.

With take-out containers, you can easily keep your favorite snacks in your stateroom without piling up plates in your mini-fridge. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean food: Review and guide

Book another cruise while onboard

@Gina4ISU advises passengers to book another trip while on their current one!

While disembarkation day is sad for everyone (who really wants to return to their daily responsibilities after a week of being pampered by crew members?), one of the best ways to battle the post-cruise blues is to book another one!

While on your ship, visit Royal Caribbean's Next Cruise desk, where the agents will help you explore available itineraries and place a deposit for your next sailing. Not only will you walk away excited for your next getaway, but Royal Caribbean offers incentives to guests who make their next booking while onboard, including:

• The best offer on any cruise, guaranteed
• Up to $600 in onboard credit
• Deposits as low as $100 per person
• Ability to handpick your cabin 
• Booking up to three staterooms with the same benefits for friends and family
• Up to 10% off shore excursions

Plus, you can transfer the booking to your travel agent within 30 days. 

Read more: 4 common mistakes people make when booking another cruise onboard their ship

Reserve add-ons early 

Royal Caribbean cruise fares aren't all-inclusive. While you'll enjoy unlimited dining in venues like the Windjammer Marketplace and Main Dining Room, specialty restaurants cost extra, as well as alcoholic and select non-alcoholic beverages. 

While many cruisers prefer to purchase drinks individually, others find value in one of Royal Caribbean's drink packages. If you're someone who doesn't want to worry about tallying up each beverage while onboard and will drink at least six cocktails daily, you will want to pre-purchase your drink package on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner. 

"Plan ahead and book all of your 'extras' as early as possible (specialty dining, excursions, [The] Key, etc.) as early as possible," writes @DanielAshely13.

Not only will pre-purchasing add-ons help you budget for your vacation, but you will score better deals than if you were to buy them on the ship. 

Plus, everything on the Cruise Planner can be canceled up to 48 hours before your cruise starts, meaning if you purchase a shore excursion or drink package and later discover the price has dropped, you can cancel and rebook for no penalty. 

Read more: Cruise hack lets you preview Royal Caribbean add-on costs before you book a cruise

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes on embarkation day

If you score an early arrival time, you will have nearly the entire day to enjoy the ship's amenities before sailing away! While the casino and onboard shops will be closed, you can take a dip in one of the pools before they become crowded on sea days! 

However, since you'll hand your larger bags over to a porter at the terminal, if swimming on embarkation day is a must-do, make sure you have your swimsuit on under your clothes, as recommended by @rhendrix69.

Alternatively, you can put a bathing suit and change of clothing in your carry-on bag. Though you can't change in your cabin since it won't be available until around 1:00pm or 2:00pm, there are public restrooms on the pool deck! 

Read more: 15 things to pack in your cruise carry-on

Utilize packing cubes

Speaking of packing, @ChipHaynes1 is a fan of packing cubes. 

Packing cubes are a game-changer for keeping your luggage organized and maximizing space. These affordable compartments allow you to sort your clothing and other travel must-haves, making it easy to find what you need in your cabin. 

Plus, when it's time to unpack, you won't waste time taking each item out individually. Instead, simply slide the cubes into the drawers or shelves. 

Read more: 115-item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Have your ride pick you up at the airport's departure area

To avoid dealing with the chaos of the airport's arrival area, tell your ride to pick you up at departures instead. "Sounds weird I know but it is faster," says @branches053, "Especially if late [at] night when not many flights [are] departing."

Of course, this won't work if you're utilizing a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, as airports have designated pick-up zones for those services. 

However, if a friend or family member picks you up, the departure area can be a great alternative to locate your ride without navigating crowds. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is discounting airfare by hundreds of dollars for a 2025 cruise

Bring magnetic hooks

"I’m sailing [on] Anthem of the Seas on 7th November from Dubai and I swear by small magnetic hooks for the cabin," remarks @kevevs1908. 

Magnetic hooks are one of the most popular cruise cabin hacks! Since staterooms are much smaller than traditional hotels on land, cruisers have found savvy ways to utilize the available space. 

Hooks can be used to hang hats, beach bags, lanyards, and other miscellaneous items to help keep the vanity area clear of clutter. Plus, if you purchase some with clips, you can safely store important documents, such as shore excursion tickets, disembarkation tags, loyalty benefit info sheets, and more. 

Have a cruise "go bag"

If you're a frequent cruiser, unpacking and repacking the same essentials can be tiresome. 

Instead, @nospam23321 suggests keeping a cruise "go bag" with items like towel clips or bands, lip balm, magnetic hooks, a Bingo dobber, sunblock, door decorations, and rubber ducks. 

This way, packing will be easier since you won't have to worry about certain must-haves. Instead, you can focus on other details of your trip, such as reserving excursions or specialty dining, organizing pre-cruise transfers, or planning the perfect theme night outfit. 

Aim for nonstop flights

Nonstop flights may be hard to come by if you don't leave near a major airport. Even if you do, they can often be more expensive than connecting ones. Still, the extra cost may be worth it. 

@randybieri says, "Try to get nonstop flights, especially on your way to your vacation/cruise, to reduce the risk of losing your luggage during transitions." 

If nonstop flights are out of the question, consider condensing everything into a carry-on bag to minimize the chance of your chosen airline losing your luggage. 

Cruise ship passengers are all too familiar with the extra costs that come with cruising. But what do crew members pay extra for?

Krista Joselyn is a cruise ship singer onboard Freedom of the Seas.

She performs in onboard shows such as the Welcome Aboard show and Once Upon a Time.

The Freedom Class vessel has about 1,365 crew members onboard, and each employee has the freedom to determine exactly what they spend extra on.

In a recent YouTube video, Krista shared a breakdown of her current weekly expenses as a crew member living onboard.

"A top perk of this job," she says, "is getting to save a lot of the money that you make. We have very limited expenses."

Budgeting is entirely up to each crew member, according to Krista. 

"If you wanted to spend $0, you could."

What's free for crew members?

First, Krista explained the items that she doesn't have to pay for while living onboard.

These include:

• Accommodations
• Living expenses
• Laundry
• Gym memberships
• Crew parties

Crew members don't pay extra for cabins and the resulting water and electricity bills. Living expenses aren't taken out of paychecks, either.

The laundry room is free to use onboard, but Krista does have to bring her own laundry detergent. She buys one big package at Costo, so estimates she only spends about 50 cents a week on laundry.

Crew members can also use the crew gym for free. 

As a matter of fact, cast members are required to log gym hours.

 "As a cast member we are required to do five gym hours per week to keep up stamina for the shows," Krista says.

Krista explains that, back home, she would usually spend anywhere between $10 and $50 a month for a gym membership.

"So it is really nice to have such a beautiful gym to use for free."

Royal Caribbean HR also throws free crew parties weekly. These parties have fun themes like White Night, Beach Party, and School vs. Drool.

According to Krista, alcoholic drinks are provided free of charge, and it's a fun opportunity for cast and crew members to enjoy a night together.

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off daring high dive on cruise ship: "Should be illegal"

What do they spend in a week?

Crew members do get access to a crew mess hall for free, so food isn't a necessary extra fee.

However, Krista says that the menu options and rotation "get a little boring," so she and her boyfriend sometimes splurge on specialty restaurants.

Specialty dining: $50

Crew members can go to the same restaurants cruisers are familiar with onboard: Giovanni's, Chops Grille, Izumi Sushi, Playmakers, and Johnny Rockets.

Krista says they usually get a 20% discount—or more. Even with this discount, specialty food is one of her biggest expenses onboard.

She estimated that she spends about $50 a week on specialty dining.

Water: $3

Bottled water is sold once a week—on sale for $3 a pack.

When it comes to alcoholic drinks, Krista says she saves a lot of money by purchasing liquor from the crew bar and making her own beverages.

However, drinks are very cheap at the crew bar.

According to Krista, you can get a margarita for $4, whereas on land it would be $10. In comparison, passenger bars onboard Freedom of the Seas charge $14 for a margarita.

WiFi: $0

Crew members only get two free hours of WiFi per week, so most crew members pay extra for more time. The WiFi costs $3.99 per hour (depending on the package purchased).

However, Krista invested in a side job so that she wouldn't have to pay extra for more hours of WiFi.

She works an hour or two a week at the WiFi desk onboard. For one hour of work, she received 300 free minutes of WiFi.

Thanks to her job there, she gets between 5 and 10 hours of free Internet each week.

Krista spends about $200 a week onshore

Freedom of the Seas currently sails alternating 7-night itineraries in the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In a typical week, the vessel visits destinations such as St. Thomas, San Juan, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and Jamacia.

Krista says that excursions in the Caribbean cost more than she expected.

"A lot of the places that we're going to in the Caribbean here are very touristy and so they are just more expensive and so I really did not expect that."

On many port days, Krista does grab lunch off the ship, visit a nearby beach, or splurge on an exciting shore excursion.

On turnaround day, the ship disembarks in Fort Lauderdale. 

Krista and her boyfriend usually head to Publix to purchase groceries, and then a cafe for food and WiFi.

The ship WiFi isn't always strong enough to download everything Krista wants for the week, so she spends her time gathering new music, podcasts, and Netflix shows.

When the ship stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, most activities and dining are free for the crew, so Krista never spends money on Royal Caribbean's private island.

However, if there are particular activities she wants to experience she will splurge, for example, visiting a waterpark in Nassau. It's worth it for a fun day with the crew!

However, there are also some weeks where Krista doesn't get off the ship, so every cruise is different.

Since Krista doesn't have expenses back home (such as rent and bills), she's usually willing to spend a little more money on experiences like excursions.

She only spends $253 total each week

Every week is different, but according to Krista's calculations of an average week, she would only spend about $253 on both onboard and shore expenses.

Krista is aware that her costs of living on a cruise ship as a crew member are less than what she'd spend living on land.

"Every once in a while I get a little nervous for the day that I'm going to have to start paying rent again," she joked.

"[I'll have to] live in a house and deal with all of those adulty things that I haven't had to deal with in my 20s."

A lot of cruises go to the usual places, but Royal Caribbean just added eight cruises with fascinating itineraries.

These one-off wonders are the cruise line's unique twist on repositioning cruises for its ships.

Repositioning cruises, nicknamed "repos" by veterans, are one-way itineraries taken when ships sail across the oceans to change their seasonal homeports.

Cruise ships tend to relocate depending on the season and weather, which requires them to travel across oceans for a longer sailing.

For example, ships sailing in Alaska for the summer cruise season have to relocate for warmer weather in the fall.

Read more: A giant cruise ship will sail deeper into Alaska than ever before on one-way voyages

In the spring, you'll also see cruise ships returning to Alaska from all over the world.

Fans of cheaper and longer cruises love repositioning sailings for the unique opportunities these sailings offer.

They provide cruisers with the chance to sail a new and unique route, usually at a lower price.

The 2026 repositioning cruises include a wide variety of ship types and will visit a number of exceptional ports.

Voyager of the Seas

The first Voyager-Class ship is scheduled for two repositioning cruises in the spring of 2026.

First, it will cruise a round-trip, 8-night South Pacific cruise departing on April 6th, 2026.

She will sail from Brisbane, Australia, with the following itinerary:

• Brisbane, Australia
• Cruising (2 days)
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu
• Noumea, New Caledonia
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
• Cruising (2 days)

After returning to Brisbane, Voyager will embark on a stunning 25-night Transpacific cruise on April 14th. She will sail from Australia to homeport in Seattle, Washington for the Alaska cruise season.

Read more: Australia & South Pacific cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Voyager's Transpacific itinerary is as follows:

• Brisbane, Australia
• Cruising (6 days)
• Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Cruising (5 days)
• Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii (2 days)
• Napali Coast (Cruising)
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii
• Hilo, Hawaii
• Cruising (5 days)
• Seattle, Washington

Anthem of the Seas 

Anthem will take two cruises to complete its repositioning from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the 2026 Alaska cruise season.

First, she embarks on April 14th for her 18-night Transpacific voyage. 

The itinerary includes:

• Sydney, Australia
• Cruising (2 days)
• Bay Of Islands, New Zealand
• Cruising (4 days)
• Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Cruising (5 days)
• Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii (2 days)

Instead of sailing directly to Vancouver from Australia, Royal Caribbean wanted to add a unique twist and allow cruisers the chance to vacation in Hawaii.

Anthem of the Seas' second cruise leaves on May 1st, 2026. She will sail from Hawaii to Vancouver on an 8-night sailing:

• Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii (2 days)
• Cruising (5 days)
• Vancouver, British Columbia

Cruisers uninterested in a long Transpacific cruise could still book this second sailing and experience Hawaii and Canada at the lower prices of a repositioning cruise.

Ovation of the Seas 

Two unique cruises will also be available on Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship.

First, Ovation departs from Singapore on April 17th, sailing a 14-night cruise to Tokyo, Japan.

The unique itinerary will call upon countless exciting ports in Asia:

• Singapore
• Cruising
• Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam
• Cruising (2 days)
• Hong Kong, China
• Cruising
• Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China
• Cruising 
• Jeju (Seogwipo), South Korea
• Nagasaki, Japan
• Cruising
• Kobe, Japan
• Mt. Fuji (Shimizu), Japan
• Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

After arriving in Tokyo, Ovation will embark on her repositioning cruise to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 

She departs on May 1st, 2026, for a 15-night voyage. On her way to begin the Alaska cruise season, Ovation will call at:

• Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan
• Cruising
• Hakodate, Japan
• Aomori, Japan
• Sapporo (Muroran), Japan
• Cruising (8 days)
• Vancouver, British Columbia (2 days)

Serenade of the Seas

Royal Caribbean recently re-started sailings to Los Angeles, California, after a decade spent taking a break from the area.

Serenade of the Seas will spend the spring of 2026 in Los Angeles, California before repositioning for the Alaska cruise season.

On May 5th, 2026, she will sail a unique, 5-night Pacific Coastal cruise. This sailing includes:

• Los Angeles, California
• Cruising (2 days) 
• Victoria, British Columbia
• Vancouver, British Columbia

When the Alaska weather gets colder, and cruise ships begin to leave the area, Serenade will return to California with another repositioning cruise.

On September 27th, she cruises for 5-nights along the Pacific Coast. 

Serenade's itinerary is as follows:

• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Astoria, Oregon
• Cruising
• San Francisco, California
• Cruising
• San Diego, California

Why sail a repositioning cruise?

Repo cruises allow passengers to visit multiple ports and a lot of the world on a single sailing.

You could cross the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, or visit the coastal cities of Japan. All of these unique port stops take place on one longer cruise, rather than spending more time and money traveling to see different locations.

Plus, repositioning cruises often include many sea days, creating a more laidback schedule even with the frequent ports of call.

Not all repo cruises are long ones. In 2026, Royal Caribbean will offer multiple 5-night repositioning cruises. This allows guests to get a feel for a new cruise line, or for the concept of a repo sailing.

These cruises aren't appealing to everyone. Some passengers despise the idea of spending multiple sea days in the middle of the ocean. Since many of them are multiple weeks long, those who work or attend school have a limited timeline.

Read more: I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a cheap cruise. Here’s what it's really like to spend 10 days at sea

Additionally, these sailings are always one-way, forcing travelers to book one-way flights rather than roundtrip airfare, which is often more expensive.

Due to these constraints, repositioning cruises have cheaper prices than regular sailings. The rate per day will be much lower than typical Royal Caribbean cruises.

What's worth exploring on "The World's Biggest Weekend"?

Utopia of the Seas, just launched this summer, features 18 decks and 2,834 staterooms, with a capacity for 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

It is the second-largest cruise ship in the world and offers lots for cruisers to experience on short sailings.

The Oasis-Class vessel currently sails three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Its shorter sailings require cruisers to plan their time carefully, choosing the most important amenities to take advantage of.

Amid two casinos, carousels, multiple pools and whirlpools, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, and more, how can you decide which features to spend time on?

Utopia is home to 22 dining venues and 13 bars and lounges, but there are ten onboard attractions, in particular, that you can't afford to miss.

1. Royal Railway ($)

The Royal Railway: Utopia Station is a must-see attraction, especially if you're looking to splurge on a specialty restaurant.

This venue is the only one of its kind in the entire fleet, so it's worth exploring during a sailing on Utopia of the Seas.

The Royal Railway takes a dinner-and-a-show concept to a new level. It's more like an immersive experience than a simple restaurant.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, called the venue a "storytelling platform." 

There's room for multiple stories on the train-car-themed platform, but the vessel currently features a Wild West experience.

The Royal Railway has a flat entrance fee of $74.99 per adult and $24.99 per child. It's also included in the Unlimited Dining Package for a $15 surcharge for adults (no extra cost for kids).

2. Ultimate Abyss

Royal Caribbean's signature dry slide, the recognizable bright purple Ultimate Abyss, is worth trying on Utopia.

While most Oasis Class ships feature the 10-deck slide, Utopia's is 43 feet longer than previous iterations—and is the tallest dry slide at sea.

The Ultimate Abyss spans 259 feet long, offering 10 stories of thrilling drop.

Intrepid guests can queue up to ride a mat down the stainless steel slide.

A glass platform at the launch area shows cruisers just how high the area is—going all the way from the top decks down to the Boardwalk.

A ride down the Ultimate Abyss can reach up to nine miles per hour as it twists and turns!

The Ultimate Abyss is free to ride and has no age limit. However, guests must be at least 44 inches tall and weigh less than 300 pounds.

2. Escape U ($)

Whether or not you're a puzzle aficionado, the escape room on Utopia of the Seas is worth a shot.

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to have escape rooms on its ships, and Escape U: Freshman Year is a brand-new concept for the fleet.

For $30 per person, guests join a team to try to escape from the university-themed room.

Groups of 2-12 guests receive 30 minutes to solve various puzzles and figure out where their missing professor has gone. 

It's neither too easy nor too hard, and passengers of all ages will enjoy putting their minds to this mystery.

3. Perfect Storm waterslides 

The Perfect Storm waterslides on Utopia of the Seas are a thrilling trio of slides designed for guests to have a variety of experiences.

Typhoon is a fast-paced slide with steep drops and rapid turns. Cyclone has another intense ride experience, with tight spirals at a dizzying speed.

Read more: 5 things to know before sailing on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

Supercell has a giant, swirling bowl that spins guests around before dropping them through the center.

The waterslides are free of charge, but guests must be 48 inches tall to ride.

4. Laser tag 

Did you know you can play laser tag on a cruise ship?

Utopia's laser tag takes place in Studio B, which is the ice skating rink that doubles for many other events.

Families and guests of all ages can participate in this fun-filled, fast-paced game. 

Each participant receives a lightweight vest with sensors and a harmless laser gun that shoots infrared beams.

Laser tag is free of charge, but you'll want to book a time slot ahead of time using the Royal Caribbean app. Guests must wear close-toed shoes to participate.

5. Aqua80 Too 

Aqua80 was such a fan-favorite on Oasis of the Seas that Royal Caribbean decided to debut a sequel on its newest Oasis-Class ship.

Aqua80 Too, Utopia's AquaShow, features a live performance by world-class acrobats, athletes, dancers, and divers, all set to a soundtrack of upbeat, familiar hits from the 1980s.

Whether you attend for the nostalgic 80s music, the awe-inspiring feats of athleticism, or the wonderous light shows, this show has something for everyone.

Among all of Utopia's entertainment, it's one of the must-see performances onboard.

6. FlowRider 

The FlowRider is a thrilling surf simulator found on most Royal Caribbean ships.

Powerful jets of water are pumped over its blue vinyl surface to simulate a 40-foot-long wave.

Guests can either bodyboard lying down or stand up surfing on an ocean-like wave of water.

It's an adventurous experience where you can learn to surf on a cruise ship!

The Flowrider area also has lifeguards present and seating all around the pool, so spectators can enjoy the experience.

The FlowRider is free to watch and use, but guests needing extra practice can pay for additional lessons.

7. Izumi Omakase ($)

The chef-led Izumi Omakase is only available on Utopia of the Seas, and it's worth the extra cost.

It's an eight-course communal dining experience. 

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Each course of dinner is paired with a special drink, and both the host and chef will guide you through it in English and Japanese.

The cost is $129.99 per guest, and there is no kids pricing. It is also included in the Unlimited Dining Package with a $59.99 surcharge.

Utopia of the Seas is also the second Royal Caribbean ship to place Izumi Sushi and Hibachi in Central Park (after Icon of the Seas).

A 66-year-old woman went overboard from a cruise ship late Tuesday night, and it's being reported she jumped.

Search efforts were made quickly to try to find the woman who was sailing on Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

TMZ reports that the, "woman jumped from the 14th floor of the cruise ship."

Both the U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Bahamas Defense Force conducted searches, along with Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

Search efforts proved unsuccessful and the operation was called off on Wednesday.

The woman went overboard at 9:40 PM on Tuesday.

Earlier, Royal Caribbean issued a statement, "Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities. We are also providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. To respect the privacy of our guest’s family, we have no additional details to share."

Jump, not fall

A representative for the Royal Bahamas Defense Force made the distinction that the woman jumped from the ship, which is important understanding what happened.

News of someone going overboard into the ocean is enough to scare a lot of people that are unaware of how safe cruise ships really are.

Unfortunately, media reports tend to use the word "fall" to describe the action, which conjures up imagery of a passenger minding their own business when they fall unexpectedly over the side of a cruise ship.

"I'll stress that people don't just fall over the side," said Brian Salerno, senior vice president of global maritime policy at Cruise Lines International Association (now retired). 

"There are railings and they're pretty high. It's almost always the result of an intentional act."

Cruise ships have railings that are around chest height to ensure passenger safety and to prevent someone from slipping and falling overboard.

The situation is either the result of someone intentionally jumping, or being somewhere they shouldn't be and then falling.  As an example, climbing on the railing or standing on a deck chair.

Royal Caribbean's guest-conduct policy says, "Sitting, standing, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers, or tampering with ship's equipment, facilities or systems designed for guest safety is not permitted." 

Breaking the rules can result in being kicked off the ship at the next port.

In past similar incidents, guests have not only been kicked off the ship but also banned for life from the cruise line.

A woman that stood on her balcony railing in 2019 was banned for life.

What happens when someone is overboard?

As is the case with the incident this week on Spectrum of the Seas, the first thing the ship's crew will do is attempt to ascertain when the man overboard situation occurred.

The ship will also contact local authorities to help conduct a search.

In the United States, the Coast Guard is contact, but since this occurred in Asia, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Singapore was the agency Royal Caribbean contacted to assist in the search.

The ship and local authorities will attempt to search an area based on where the person likely hit the water, and where they are likely to be.

If you love big ships, there's a new way to see more of Alaska than ever before on Royal Caribbean.

Cruisers can now book their 2026 Royal Caribbean sailing to Alaska, and they've changed their lineup by having one of their megaships do open-jaw runs instead of a smaller ship.

Ovation of the Seas is one of four Royal Caribbean ships just announced to sail to Alaska in 2026, and the voyages are open for booking on the Royal Caribbean website or by speaking with a travel agent.

Following in the tradition of previous deployments, Royal Caribbean will send four ships of the fleet to Alaska. 

In addition to Ovation, Royal Caribbean will also deploy Anthem of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas to the Last Frontier.

Read more: I went on a 7-night cruise to Alaska. Here are 16 things that surprised me the most.

Take a look at the 2026 cruises to Alaska

The 2026 Alaska cruises are available to book between May and September 2026.

The most notable change is Ovation of the Seas will sail open-jaw sailings out of Vancouver.

This Quantum-Class mega-ship is scheduled to cruise 7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier itineraries. 

Between May and September of 2026, the vessel will visit ports such as Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Seward, Icy Strait Point, with views of the Hubbard Glacier.

This means you can sail from Vancouver to Seward, or Seward to Vancouver and see more of Alaska than ever before because you can combine the sailing with a Cruisetour.

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

New CruiseTours available in summer 2026 include a 9-night Destination Denali CruiseTour, 12-night Kenai Trek and Inland Wildlife CruiseTour and a 13-night Homer Adventure and Interior Wildlife CruiseTour. 

These sort of sailings have traditionally been only offered by much smaller ships.

The change to have a big ship such as Ovation of the Seas is related to a $137 million cruise ship port that is being built in Seward, Alaska that should be ready for the 2026 cruise season.

Anthem of the Seas will sail roundtrip, 7-night voyages out of Seattle, Washington.

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

Both ships will visit popular ports such as Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point. Alaskan sailings out of Seattle also offer cruisers the opportunity to view Dawes Glacier, as long as the weather permits a sighting. 

Itineraries will vary depending on the sailing.

Read more: I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here’s how they compare

Returning to Alaska in 2026, Serenade of the Seas will cruise 7-night roundtrip sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

One notable change is Serenade will visit Prince Rupert, British Columbia, which is located on Kaien Island near the Alaskan panhandle.

Repositioning cruises are also open for booking

Royal Caribbean has also added two repositioning cruises to its 2026 Alaska deployments.

Voyager of the Seas will cruise a 25-night Transpacific itinerary, departing on April 14th from Brisbane, Austrailia. 

The sailing will call at Papeetee, Tahiti; Moorea, French Polynesia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Hailua Kona, Hawaii; and Hilo, Hawaii, before reaching Seattle, Washington.

Anthem of the Seas also offers a repositioning cruise: a 18-night Transpacific sailing departing on April 14th.

The Quantum-Class ship will sail from Sydney, Australia, to New Zealand; Papeetee, Tahiti; Moorea, French Polynesia; Raiatea, French Polynesia; and Honolulu, Hawaii.

What is an open-jaw cruise?

An open-jaw sailing is essentially a one-way cruise that embarks in one port and disembarks in another.

Open-jaw cruises are a popular choice to sail to Alaska because of the beautiful land views the state offers.

Cruisers find that the more remote ports and inland areas of Alaska provide the most authentic view. For those who value the landscapes and wildlife of the Last Frontier, an open-jaw cruise provides more opportunities to sight-see.

These sailings visit more ports than round-trip cruises and allow you to book land tours before or after the cruise in different locations.

However, one-way sailings come with additional logistics questions and often cost more in transportation to and from the cruise ports.

For example, you'll have to book two one-way flights instead of round-trip airfare. These two flights will often be more expensive, in addition to the extra cost of travel to and from the airports.

For example, if your cruise begins or ends in Seward, Alaska, you'll have to account for a 2+ hour drive to the airport.

Another disadvantage of open-jaw sailings is that they require a valid passport. US citizens cannot use a birth certificate or government ID for these sailings.

Book earlier for the best price

Alaskan cruises are more expensive than Caribbean sailings, but you can get a better price by booking early.

Typically, the lowest pricing for an Alaska cruise is found right when itineraries are released.

Especially if you'd like to sail during the peak of the cruising season, with warmer weather (in June and July), you should book your cruise as soon as possible.

Read more: The worst months to cruise to Alaska

The shoulder season (the months of May and September) offers good deals on occasion but worse weather.

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

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

Booking your Alaska cruise:

• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• 50 Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tips
• Royal Caribbean Alaska excursions: Recommended tours for each port
• What Is an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise?
• What is the most useful time to cruise to Alaska?
• Best things to do on an Alaska cruise
• Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing

A cruise ship passenger may have gone overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the U.S. Coast Guard says.

The U.S. Coast Guard said a search is underway for a a 66-year-old woman that somehow went into the ocean while sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.

The report of the passenger overboard occurred at 9:40pm on Tuesday evening, roughly 17 miles north of Nassau, Bahamas.

Allure of the Seas is sailing a 4-night Bahamas cruise that departed Miami.

Search efforts by the Coast Guard include a plane and a helicopter dispatched from Miami.

Royal Caribbean also brought Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas to assist in the search.

Photo by X user @Navaleye1

Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident in a statement, "Our crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort and is working with local authorities. We are also providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. 

"To respect the privacy of our guest’s family, we have no additional details to share."

"Hoping for a miracle"

Passengers sailing on Allure of the Seas posted on social media their account of what happened last night.

"Allure of the seas. Code Oscar," wrote Reddit user Kaylaaa002.  Oscar is a maritime code for someone that has gone overboard.

"Heart goes out to the family."

Suspicious-Visit8634 added, "That is terrible, hoping for a miracle".

One user tracked the search efforts of the Coast Guard airplane, noting the pattern the plane took to try to locate the woman.

Onboard safety precautions

The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are extremely low.

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.

In addition, there are thick metal or Plexiglas panels or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent people from slipping through. 

When a man overboard situation occurs, the media usually reports on it and it leads some to wonder how it could happen in the first place.

An article from The Points Guy points out cruise ships have railings that are around chest height to ensure passenger safety and to prevent someone from slipping and falling overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to. It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Passengers going overboard are rare

The chances of a cruise ship passenger going overboard are quite low, but it does occasionally happen.

In a report from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), there were 212 identified overboard incidents from cruise ships for either crew members or passengers between 2009 to 2019. 

Of these overboard incidents, only 48 (or 28.2%) individuals were successfully rescued. Around 71.8% of people who go overboard from cruise ships are sadly never recovered or located. 

The CLIA report also shows an overall decline in overboard incidents throughout the 10-year period. The overboard incident rate decreased 64% from 2009 to 2019, with an incidence rate of 0.00004 overboard reports per active lower berth in 2019.

The report states, “When compared with the growth in capacity in the industry over the study years, man overboard incidents continue on a downward trend.”