Multiple Royal Caribbean cruise ships have had their itineraries altered due to a powerful cold front impacting Florida and The Bahamas. 

On Tuesday in Nassau, winds near the port will be around 22-24 knots (25-28 miles per hour). In comparison, the winds are forecasted to drop to around 12 knots, or 14 mph, by Thursday. By Monday afternoon, The Bahamas had already issued a near Gale warning (28-33 knots) for the Northern and Northwest Bahamas. 

According to forecasters, the front will continue to push through The Bahamas before stalling over the Southeast islands. This will result in elevated shower and thunderstorm chances throughout the week. 

As the cold front moves across the region, the unfavorable weather conditions forced the cruise line to make adjustments. 

"Our Captain, along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, are tracking a cold front that will bring adverse weather conditions to CocoCay on Tuesday...To provide you with the best experience, we've switched the days and order we'll visit Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas," reads a letter given to guests sailing aboard Wonder of the Seas. 

The 4-night cruise was initially scheduled to call at CocoCay on Tuesday. Now, however, passengers will enjoy a sea day before visiting Nassau on Wednesday, followed by a visit to CocoCay on Thursday. 

Similarly, Freedom of the Seas' 5-night cruise to CocoCay and Mexico has been completely changed. 

The November 10 sailing axed both scheduled stops and replaced them with visits to Taino Bay on Wednesday and Amber Cove on Thursday. 

This means that both port days will be spent in the Dominican Republic's Puerto Plata region, which is known for its beaches and outdoor activities. Royal Caribbean guests also have the rare opportunity to visit Carnival Corporation’s private destination, Amber Cove, which opened in 2015.

"We have been tracking the development of a strong cold front that will be impacting the area of our sailing...As a result, we've made some adjustments to our itinerary," read the notice given to Freedom passengers.

"We'll need to skip our visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, and instead, enjoy a Sea Day tomorrow. Additionally, we will now visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on Day 3 and Amber Cove, Dominican Republic on Day 4. While we know it's not the original itinerary we planned, we're excited for our journey together!"

Moving on, although no ports were cancelled on Utopia of the Seas' Nov. 10 departure, guests will visit Nassau and CocoCay in a different order. 

Utopia, like Wonder, will enjoy a day at sea on Tuesday, followed by CocoCay on Wednesday. The ship will call at Nassau on Thursday, which was formerly the cruise's day at sea, before returning to Port Canaveral on Friday. 

Read more: What to do in Nassau on a cruise? I love these 7 ideas

Finally, Radiance of the Seas' Nov. 10 cruise pushed its scheduled visit to the capital of The Bahamas. Rather than calling at Nassau on Tuesday, the Radiance Class ship will spend the day at sea. Radiance will now visit Nassau on Thursday, after an unchanged stop in CocoCay on Wednesday. 

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," concludes the letter given to guests aboard Wonder of the Seas. 

The ships' shore excursion teams will reschedule any prepaid tours booked through Royal Caribbean. If the excursion cannot be reaccommodated, it will be automatically canceled and refunded to the card on file in up to 14 business days. 

Reminder to remain flexible

The Atlantic hurricane season is set to wrap up on Nov. 30, and as of Nov. 11, tropical cyclone activity is not expected during the next seven days. However, that does not mean that cruisers are in the clear for weather-related itinerary changes. 

Cold fronts and high winds can impact sailing conditions, making it unsafe to call in port. Although last-minute changes are disappointing, they are always made with guests' comfort and safety in mind. 

Royal Caribbean has a full-time meteorologist who monitors weather patterns and conditions, working directly with cruise ship captains to determine the safest and most comfortable adjustments when unexpected weather arises. 

"Florida cloud shadow! Ideal cold weather setup for Florida with high pressure dropping into northern Gulf coast with cool & dry air spilling undisturbed down the peninsula," Setzer wrote on X. 

"The warmth of the nearby Gulf/Atlantic often moderate the chilly air but not in this flow pattern."

Royal Caribbean is giving fans the chance to make a permanent mark on the all-new duckie-go-round coming to Legend of the Seas. 

The cruise giant introduced the new member of Legend's duckie crew on Facebook and invited cruisers to give her the perfect name. 

According to Royal Caribbean, she is a "rootin’-tootin’ cowgirl who loves to wrangle up the fun and turns every adventure into a wild ride."

The duckie's favorite thrill is glow-in-the-dark laser tag, and she loves building her own tacos at El Loco Fresh. 

In terms of appearance, she sports a rosy cowboy hat with a bandana, emblazoned with the cruise line's famous crown and anchor symbol. 

Fans were quick to share their creative name ideas in the Facebook post's comments:

• Quack-a-long Katy, the Loco Legend of the West
• The LEGENDary Lasso Lucille
• Annie Duckley, the rooting tootin laser shooting sharpshooter
• Celestial Quackgirl
• Dolly
• Señorita Quackalita
• Royal Ruby
• Bandana Barbara

Vicki Freed, the Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support, and Service, shared that Legend of the Seas isn’t stopping with just one duck friend on the brand-new carousel. 

"Meet the newest feathered explorer joining the Duckie-Go-Round on Legend of the Seas — an Explorer Duckie dedicated to YOU, our incredible travel partners," she wrote on Facebook. 

Unlike the other competition, there are just four options for the tourist-inspired duckie: Kona, Flip, Miles, and Atlas. Voting ends within the next 48 hours. 

The all-new duckie-go-round will set sail in the Mediterranean summer of 2026. Legend of the Seas' inaugural cruise is scheduled for July 11. 

After a stint in Europe, Legend will reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in October 2026, rotating between 6 and 8-night Caribbean cruises. 

After that, she will return to Europe for another season of Mediterranean adventures. After that, however, Legend's fate is unknown, though the cowgirl-themed duckie-go-round hints that Legend could be heading to Texas.

Is the duck a hint of what's to come?

Maybe I'm reading too much into a rubber duck, but it seems more than a coincidence that the rubber duck has a cowboy hat on, which is synonymous with the state of Texas.

There's absolutely no mention of Galveston or Texas in this fun contest, but the timing seems too convenient.

At some point this week we will get the 2027-2028 ship deployments announced for Galveston, and a lot of people expect Royal Caribbean to announce an Icon Class ship based there.

After years of hinting and dropping subtle clues, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO, told a theater full of travel agents that they planned to move an Icon Class ship to Texas. 

Although he could not confirm the timeline, he assured the audience that the news was coming. 

As of now, Royal Caribbean's two Icon Class ships exclusively sail out of Florida. Icon of the Seas' homeport is Miami, while Star of the Seas' is Port Canaveral.

When Legend of the Seas enters service next year, she will cruise from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) after spending a few months in the Mediterranean. 

However, an Icon Class ship has never sailed from Texas. Moving one of the world's largest ships to Galveston would mark a significant expansion of Royal Caribbean’s presence in the Gulf area. 

This isn't surprising, though. Royal Caribbean has been steadily expanding its Western Caribbean offerings, giving cruisers more reasons to explore the region. Once completed, one of the line’s biggest draws will be Perfect Day Mexico. 

The cruise line is taking what worked at its award-winning private island in The Bahamas and making it ever better. There will be spots for chill, thrill, and family-friendly fun throughout the Royal Caribbean-exclusive destination. 

Royal Caribbean also plans to build a 42-acre beach club in Cozumel. It will feature a large pool with a swim-up bar and plenty of spots to relax on the beach. 

The goal of both new private destinations is to help make Western Caribbean itineraries as popular and desirable as Eastern Caribbean ones. An Icon Class ship sailing from Texas would further allow Royal Caribbean to offer better Western Caribbean experiences.

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

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

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

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

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

What is a closed-loop cruise?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where can I cruise without a passport?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What qualifies as a valid passport?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What about travel insurance?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The new itinerary is as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jamaica aims for full tourism operations by December 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal Caribbean is helping Jamaica's relief efforts

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

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

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

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

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

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

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

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

Royal Caribbean is helping Jamaica's relief efforts after Hurricane Melissa caused catastrophic damage across the country. 

Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Tuesday, October 28, as the strongest landfall the country has ever recorded. 

According to NBC News, the Category 5 storm is responsible for 32 deaths and up to $4 billion in insured losses in Jamaica alone. 

At Hurricane Melissa's peak, 77% of homes and businesses in Jamaica were without power. More than 80 roads were closed, too. However, as of Monday, over 27% of customers had their power restored. 

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

In the days following the storm's direct impact, Royal Caribbean Group pledged to contribute more than $1 million in aid to Jamaica and The Bahamas.

Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, took to social media to share that the first cruise ship had arrived with emergency relief supplies in Falmouth, Jamaica. 

"This morning the Rhapsody of the Seas will call into Falmouth, Jamaica on a relief call for a couple of hours to off load over 120 pallets of supplies of water, bedding, medical supplies, food items," he wrote on Facebook. 

(Credit: Michael Bayley/Facebook)

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

The images shared by Bayley depict supplies, including memory foam mattresses, bottled water, and t-shirts, being loaded onto the Vision Class ship. 

Rhapsody of the Seas departed San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Nov. 2 on a 6-day cruise to the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean promises over $1 million in aid will be sent to hurricane-ravaged Jamaica & Bahamas

(Screenshot taken from Cruise Mapper at 9:25 a.m. EST on Nov. 4)

According to Cruise Mapper, the ship revised its itinerary to call at Falmouth one day earlier to drop off supplies for the locals. However, the port is still closed to tourists. 

Rhapsody of the Seas is expected to conclude its current voyage on Nov. 8 in Tampa, Florida. 

Jamaica remains closed to tourists

(Pictured: Falmouth, Jamaica, after Hurricane Melissa. Credit: Michael Wattkis)

After Hurricane Melissa passed, residents and tourists emerged to find their communities and resorts in shambles. Entire neighborhoods were swept away by the powerful winds and flooding. Power and communication lines were torn down, too. 

That said, Jamaica's tourism leaders are optimistic about the country's recovery, and they're eyeing a full restoration of the tourism industry by Dec. 15, 2025. 

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

Other cruise lines are also sending supplies to Jamaica

Carnival Horizon's current 6-night cruise was scheduled to visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica, on Nov. 4, and Carnival Cruise Line used the opportunity to assist those in need.

A letter from Captain Rocco Lubrano was delivered to passengers on Nov. 2, saying that Carnival had been in close contact with local officials about the planned visit. 

As expected, the local infrastructure and shore excursion partners weren't ready to provide a day of fun to the cruise guests. 

(Screenshot taken from Cruise Mapper at 9:45 a.m. EST on Nov. 4)

However, the 133,500 gross registered ton ship still called in Ocho Rios to make a brief supply stop. Passengers were not allowed to disembark, but they were given refunds for their shore excursions, as well as the port fees and taxes. 

Have you ever wanted to see what's under the surface of Royal Caribbean's AquaTheater pool? 

Well, you aren't alone. I've often joked that if it were offered, I'd pay extra for an under-the-water tour of the technologically advanced pool that makes one of the most popular shows at sea possible. 

While that isn't an option, one performer recently gave a rare glimpse below the surface. Although she doesn’t go into too much detail about the interworking's of the pool, she reveals what guests don't see during the AquaTheater shows, including the submerged doors where performances make their dramatic entrances. 

In the 22-second TikTok, user @ocean.performer briefly explained how the pool works, saying that "it's made of three parts: stage right, center lift, and stage left."

Each section can move independently, allowing the pool’s depth to change throughout the show to let divers safely perform their stunts. 

She concludes the video by showing the depth of the AquaTheater pool at its current level, coming in at 3.7 meters — or roughly 12 feet — deep. However, it can actually be adjusted as deep as nearly 18 feet. 

Since being posted, the short video has received over 18,000 views and 520 likes, indicating that there's a lot of curiosity about Royal Caribbean's most exclusive pools. 

Other clips on the TikToker's page reveal that she's a performer working aboard Wonder of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that sails out of Miami, Florida. 

The AquaTheater pools are the deepest at sea and have two 30-foot diving platforms

Another performer, Ginni van Katwijk, shared a behind-the-scenes look at one of the high dives that takes place during AquaTheater shows. 

When Katwijk posted the Instagram video, she was working aboard Harmony of the Seas, the third Oasis Class ship to enter service for Royal Caribbean. 

"Just like normal," she says as she prepares to dive off the platform, "easy peasy." She then raises her arms, takes a deep breath, and gracefully jumps off the diving board into the AquaTheater pool. 

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

Users were amazed by her bravery.

Calstatic_king wrote, "You give me anxiety but I can’t stop watching 😂😂😂."

Another added, "Watching you put your hands up and seeing them slightly shake before you centered yourself reminded me that you are a human, but totally a professional! You are incredible at what you do!!!"

What ships have an AquaTheater?

Since launching in 2009 aboard Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a signature feature of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships. Never before had anyone seen daring high dives and choreographed water stunts in the middle of the ocean. 

Today, AquaTheaters can be found on eight ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, including the two Icon Class vessels:

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Star of the Seas

That said, the AquaTheater on Icon and Star of the Seas is different. Instead of being located at the back of the ship, they're found in the enclosed AquaDome. 

Because the theater is inside, it features climate control settings, advanced lighting, and AI-based technologies to deliver the most immersive and dynamic iterations of the show yet. 

Pro tip: make your reservation for the first or second show! Performances can sometimes be canceled due to weather, so booking early gives you a better chance of seeing the AquaTheater show. If your performance is canceled, you will have time to make it to another before disembarkation. They may even reschedule it for you! 

One man put himself in danger by climbing out his cruise ship window and sitting on top of it.

The incident occurred during a cruise last week, in which someone noticed the man doing something very dangerous and something he definitely shouldn't doing.

Purposefully disregarding these rules can have serious consequences, ranging from hefty fines to permanent bans. 

Recently, one cruiser caught another passenger incorrectly using their infinite verandah cabin on Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class ship. 

In the photograph, the guest is seen sitting on the edge of the open window, with his legs dangling over the side. Presumably, he wanted a better view of the action in Central Park. 

One way to take advantage of the neighborhood is by reserving an inward-facing balcony cabin. On Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, most of these staterooms are infinite verandahs, a modern, innovative twist on the traditional balcony experience. 

Instead of having a separate open-air space, infinite verandah cabins feature a floor-to-ceiling window. The top half can be lowered at the push of a button to transform the entire room into an outdoor retreat. 

Generally speaking, these rooms are pretty controversial. Some cruisers love the extra indoor living space, while others prefer traditional cruise balconies. 

Still, when the window is down, it creates a bright, airy space that brings Central Park right into the stateroom. 

That said, the window is not meant to be sat on when open. Doing so can be extremely dangerous, and this passenger is lucky that he did not accidentally fall! 

Last year, a 12-year-old passenger fell off their Central Park balcony and died 

Witnesses sailing on Harmony of the Seas claimed that the boy had been playing with friends he had met onboard before going over the stateroom's balcony railing, falling to his death. 

Royal Caribbean confirmed that although crew members tried to resuscitate the child, the life-saving efforts were unsuccessful. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries before the ship returned to Galveston, Texas, on September 8, 2024. 

"We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE.

It wasn't the first time someone had died in a balcony-related incident on Harmony of the Seas, either. In 2019, a 16-year-old guest passed away trying to climb onto their balcony after forgetting their SeaPass card. 

Harmony was docked in Labadee at the time — Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti. According to reports, the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the passenger was on Deck 8 when he slipped and fell on the pier. 

Most recently, a viral TikTok captured a scary moment when teenagers were caught climbing on a cruise balcony.

(Credit: @dvandzzedsw/TikTok)

The 5-second clip was likely meant as a social media stunt (thankfully, no injuries were reported), but it served as a harsh reminder of how quickly things can take a turn for the worse. 

For instance, one boy can be seen wearing flimsy flip-flops and protruding their stomach over the railing while holding onto the ceiling above. Had he taken one wrong step, he could have plummeted overboard into the sea!

Not only that, but passengers were outraged by the reckless behavior. Some went as far as asserting that the teens — along with their parents — should be banned from sailing with the cruise line again. 

Read more: Video captures scary moment teenagers caught climbing on cruise balcony

More vacationers are leaving rival cruise lines to sail with Royal Caribbean, according to the company’s CEO. 

Speaking during an earnings call with investors this week, Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, mentioned they're seeing an uptick in customers to their brand, but not cruising.

They're attracting a growing number of new-to-brand cruisers thanks to its differentiated destinations, strong loyalty programs, and innovative ships. 

Icon of the Seas, for example, is unlike any other ship at sea. And although other cruise lines have begun investing more in their private destinations, none come close to the plans that Royal Caribbean has in place — from the upcoming Royal Beach Club Paradise Island to Perfect Day Mexico and beyond. 

Consequently, Mr. Liberty said the company has noticed a clear shift of guests from other cruise lines to its brands.

"We've seen an elevated amount of that," he shared during the company's third-quarter earnings call on Tuesday, October 28. 

Continuing, Liberty emphasized that Royal Caribbean’s strategy of investing in high-return projects is paying off by attracting both new travelers and strengthening guest loyalty.

He added that demand remains strong across nearly all key markets, including the Caribbean and Europe. Moreover, bookings are up on new and like-for-like hardware. 

"We continue to see strong momentum across our business, powered by accelerated demand, growing loyalty, and an all-time high guest satisfaction, he said.

Exclusive destinations and innovative ships attract new cruisers

Royal Caribbean has been ahead of the game for decades. They launched the first cruise ships with ice skating rinks, surfing simulators, zip lines, high-diving water shows, and more. 

"Our technology, our AI tools are getting smarter and smarter so that we are able to curate what is relevant to that consumer," Mr Liberty explained.

"Really seeing an elevated amount of increase first to brand. So seeing people shift from other cruise lines to our brands, we've seen an elevated amount of that."

Today, the cruise line continues to push the boundaries with ships like Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, offering unprecedented experiences at sea. 

Not only that, but their private destinations, such as Perfect Day at CocoCay and the upcoming Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, give guests a way to enjoy the onboard experience while ashore. 

"[We have a] vision to redefine how the world vacations," Liberty said, "[W]ith the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Perfect Day Mexico, and others, we expect to increase our exclusive [land-based] destination portfolio from 2 to 8 by 2028."

These include Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Royal Beach Club Cozumel, Perfect Day Mexico, Royal Beach Club Santorini, and Royal Beach Club Lelepa. 

Combined, Royal Caribbean's innovative ships and exclusive destinations create a vacation experience that cannot be replicated, whether you're sailing on a party cruise to The Bahamas or exploring the Greek Isles. 

Better loyalty benefits

Compared to other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean Group's loyalty programs are among the best in the industry — and they don't want to change that. 

For example, once cruisers earn 80 cruise points with Royal Caribbean, they will receive 4 complimentary drinks per day, one free day of Wi-Fi, one complimentary photograph every sailing, access to the Crown Lounge, and more.

Beyond cruise line-specific perks, Royal Caribbean Group launched an industry-first status match program in 2024. Now, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea cruisers can enjoy the same recognition across all three brands.

Most recently, they announced the company's brand-new Points Choice initiative, which will allow cruisers to choose which program they want to apply the loyalty points to, regardless of who they sail with. 

This means that, effective sometime in 2026, those who sail with Celebrity Cruises can turn the cruise points into Crown & Anchor Society points to boost them closer to the next tier in Royal Caribbean's loyalty program. 

"This initiative further strengthens the overall value of our loyalty proposition, deepening engagement across our portfolio, and reinforcing our commitment to putting the guests at the center of our orbit as our ecosystem expands," Liberty said about the Points Choice program. 

In Royal Caribbean's eyes, loyalty is a "two-way street." The company wants cruisers to feel loyal to them, and passengers want to feel rewarded for their loyalty to the cruise line. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is "trying to avoid" loyalty changes Carnival has made, CEO says

Cruise ships are regularly inspected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to make sure they're offering paying passengers and crew members a healthy and safe environment. And this year, four Royal Caribbean ships earned a perfect score. 

These inspections aren't limited to Royal Caribbean, either. All cruise lines, ranging from Carnival to MSC, Norwegian, Virgin, Celebrity, and more, are subject to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) inspections. 

The purpose of the random evaluations is to ensure that the cruise lines are meeting the expected standards of cleanliness and to mitigate the chances of illness spreading on board. They focus on everything from food preparation to basic safety and disease prevention protocols. 

Whenever a ship is inspected by the VSP, it's given a rating on a scale of 0-100. Anything 86 or above is considered satisfactory, while anything below 85 is deemed unsatisfactory. The best, of course, is a perfect 100, which reflects the crew members' exemplary standards and meticulous attention to detail.

As the year begins to wind down, the CDC has revealed that 20 ships, including four Royal Caribbean vessels, received perfect scores. Comparatively, five Royal Caribbean ships earned perfect scores in 2024. 

These were the cleanest Royal Caribbean cruise ships in 2025:

• Adventure of the Seas (inspected on June 3, 2025)
• Icon of the Seas (inspected on June 4, 2025)
• Ovation of the Seas (inspected on July 1, 2025)
• Utopia of the Seas (inspected on July 21, 2025)

Other honorable mentions

Last year, the lowest-scoring Royal Caribbean ship was Adventure of the Seas, receiving an 89 out of 100. Thankfully, while no Royal vessels had failing scores this year, one was just barely above the unsatisfactory threshold.

When inspected on February 9, 2025, Symphony of the Seas scored a shocking 86 out of 100. The then-6-year-old Oasis Class ship was just one point from failing its inspection. 

Afterward, Royal Caribbean implemented over 50 changes to remedy the violations that were found on board, including crew members handling ice with open wounds on their forearms, improper food storage, and failing to properly report children in the youth programs with present gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

Read more: After ‘absolutely horrifying’ inspection, Royal Caribbean makes 57 fixes to its cruise ship

The changes were beneficial, and when inspected again on July 22, Symphony of the Seas' score increased from an 86 to a 97. 

17 other Royal Caribbean scored above a 90 in 2025, including:

• Anthem of the Seas, 99 (inspected on May 16, 2025)
• Brilliance of the Seas, 95 (inspected on February 1, 2025)
• Enchantment of the Seas, 95 (inspected on June 18, 2025)
• Freedom of the Seas, 98 (inspected on September 6, 2025)
• Grandeur of the Seas, 97 (inspected on June 14, 2025)
• Harmony of the Seas, 98 (inspected on May 18, 2025)
• Jewel of the Seas, 97 (inspected on April 29, 2025)
• Liberty of the Seas, 99 (inspected on January 17, 2025)
• Mariner of the Seas, 93 (inspected on April 14, 2025)
• Navigator of the Seas, 95 (inspected on June 30, 2025)
• Oasis of the Seas, 93 (inspected on June 5, 2025)
• Quantum of the Seas, 98 (inspected on May 19, 2025)
• Radiance of the Seas, 99 (inspected on July 13, 2025)
• Rhapsody of the Seas, 99 (inspected on March 30, 2025)
• Serenade of the Seas, 96 (inspected on June 25, 2025)
• Vision of the Seas, 95 (inspected on March 13, 2025)
• Wonder of the Seas, 98 (inspected on September 5, 2025)

The cleanliness of Royal Caribbean's ships is reflected in the low number of GI outbreaks reported in 2025

Although cruise ships are more susceptible to the rapid spread of illnesses, the CDC's VSP inspections and sanitation standards play an important role in minimizing these outbreaks.

While GI cases across the cruise industry are higher than in 2024, which saw a total of 18 outbreaks for the entire year, Royal Caribbean has managed to limit its reported outbreaks.

Comparatively, 2025 has already seen 20 GI outbreaks reported industry-wide. The most recent was onboard Oceania Insignia, with over 11% of passengers falling ill. 

That said, only 3 Royal Caribbean ships have reported GI outbreaks to the CDC, including Serenade of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas.