Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals 2024: Early discounts, what to expect, and more

In:
06 Nov 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

If you're looking for a chance to save on a Royal Caribbean cruise, your opening is coming soon.

Icon of the Seas front night

Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which this year is November 29.  Royal Caribbean is getting the ball rolling with sales leading up to the holiday.

Travel agents were informed of the cruise line's plan to offer a "preview sale", with more sales to follow. In fact, there will be "offers every week" that extend all the way until Travel Tuesday. It's important to note these sales do not begin until the dates specified, and calling in before the sale begins won't get you anything.

This post will be updated with new Black Friday offers as soon as they are revealed.

A month of sales

November 2024 sale

Royal Caribbean will begin the Black Friday bonanza on November 8, 2024.

The Black Friday Preview Sale adds on extra savings to the November month offer.

We're listing the major bullet points of each sale, but please remember there are terms and conditions, and special rules about combinability with each sale. Refer to them at the time the sale begins.

Before the Black Friday promos hit, the monthly offer for November will have a buy one guest, get second guest 60% off & 30% off on third and fourth guests.

That's coupled with a Kids Sail Free deal that runs between November 8 – December 9, 2024 on sailings departing on or after November 9, 2024. As usual, Kids Sail Free comes with a lot of blackout dates and fine print.

Thanksgiving Sailings (Departing between November 22, 2024 – November 29, 2024); (Departing between November 20 - November 28, 2025), Holiday Sailings (Departing December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025); (Departing between December 18, 2025 – January 1, 2026), Spring Break Sailings (Departing between March 7, 2025 – March 28, 2025); (Departing between March 6, 2026 – April 9, 2026), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Departing between April 12, 2025 – April 24, 2025), Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour Sailings (Departing May 16, 2025 – September 12, 2025); Summer sailings (Departing between May 22, 2025 – August 29, 2025); Anthem of the Seas sailings (Departing November 21 – December 28, 2024) and Chinese New Year sailing on Anthem of the Seas (Departing January 27, 2025).

The first Black Friday promotion begins November 8.

The Black Friday Preview sale applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made 11/8 – 11/11/24 on sailings departing on or after November 9, 2024 and provides an up to $750 instant savings per stateroom varying by stateroom category booked and sailing length.

  • 5 nights or less
    • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
    • $175 USD for Balconies
    • $300 USD for Suites
  • 6 nights or longer
    • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
    • $250 USD for Balconies
    • $750 USD for Suites

BOGO60 and Kids Sail Free are combinable with each other and Black Friday Early Access.

What about a Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner purchases?

Cocktails at the pool

Just as important as a deal on cruise fares are discounts on add-ons for the sailing.

Royal Caribbean has not revealed details on what sort of discounts it will offer during any of its Black Friday sales yet.

Typically the Cruise Planner sale occurs in tandem with the new cruise booking sales, and offers discounts on drink packages, shore excursions, The Key, specialty dining and more.

Here's a look at Royal Caribbean's 2023 Black Friday sale on its add-ons for an idea of what might be in store for 2024.

When is the real Black Friday sale?

Wonder of the Seas

While there will likely be other offers leading up to Black Friday, we know there will be a sale for certain over the actual holiday.

Royal Caribbean hinted to travel agents Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales will begin on Thanksgiving, November 28, 2024. 

More details to follow, but we should expect an offer then.

Radiance of the Seas departing Vancouver

In addition, there will be a new offer in early December.

"Mark your calendars for December 3, 2024 — our Travel Tuesday sale is kicking off," is what travel agents were told.

"It's the perfect chance for your clients to start planning their 2025 vacations with unbeatable deals. Don't let them miss out on the fun."

Royal Caribbean alters cruise ship itineraries to avoid Hurricane Rafael

In:
06 Nov 2024
By: 
Calista Kiper

Royal Caribbean has changed the itineraries of four cruise ships in preparation for Hurricane Rafael. The intensifying storm is predicted to make landfall later this week as a Category 2.

As of Wednesday morning, Rafael was a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph – just 1 mph away from Category 3 status – and 130 miles from Cuba.

Models currently show Hurricane Rafael hitting Western Cuba later tonight, with high winds of over 100 miles an hour.

The hurricane is expected to continue to move toward the Gulf of Mexico and weaken before reaching the United States on Saturday or Sunday.

So far, four ships in the fleet have been affected by the storm: Radiance of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas.

Radiance of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas left the port of Tampa on November 2nd, with a scheduled 7-day cruise visiting Bimini, Freeport, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Passengers onboard received a notice of the change. 

The email read: "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we've been monitoring inclement weather along our intended path due to a developing storm system forecasted to bring increasingly strong winds across the sea, impacting our planned ports and potentially making them unsafe to visit."

Letter to guests

To avoid the hurricane's path, the Radiance-Class vessel will steer into the Western Caribbean instead, visiting Mexico and Honduras.

"As a result, we'll be unable to visit the planned ports of call on our itinerary. To provide you with the most enjoyable sailing experience, we'll now visit some of our popular Western Caribbean destinations - Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya Mexico!"

Radiance of the Seas will return to Tampa on Saturday, November 9th, as scheduled.

Vision of the Seas docked in Baltimore, Maryland

Vision of the Seas is also skipping stops in the Bahamas. The Vision-Class vessel sailed out of Baltimore, Maryland on October 31st.

Her 9-day sailing was scheduled to visit Bermuda, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Now, Vision of the Seas will remain in Bermuda for longer, avoiding the Bahamas altogether. 

Port Canaveral has always been added to her itinerary as a new port of call.

Freedom of the Seas also changed her itinerary, but the sailing won't change any ports. Instead, two port days will be swapped.

The Freedom-Class vessel departed on a 6-night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, November 3rd. 

The original sailing called for Freedom to visit Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamacia, and Labadee, Haiti.

Letter sent to passengers on Freedom of the Seas Nov 3 sailing

Freedom will now call upon Labadee first to divert the ship away from Hurricane Rafael, then Falmouth and Grand Cayman.

Brilliance of the Seas left the port of New Orleans on November 2nd, departing on a 7-day sailing.

Brilliance of the Seas

Her original itinerary included stops at Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Grand Cayman.

The Radiance-Class ship was scheduled to stop in George Town, Cayman Islands today, November 6th, but will now visit Belize City instead.

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," Royal Caribbean said in a letter to guests.

Royal Caribbean's meteorologists are still monitoring the storm

Hurricane as seen from space

Guest and crew safety are top priority for Royal Caribbean. The cruise line employs a chief meteorologist, Craig Setzer, who monitors hurricanes and other weather events.

Setzer recently posted his own thoughts on Hurricane Rafel to X. 

Read more: "Unforeseen weather events" are top concern for cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's meteorologist

On Saturday morning, Setzer wrote: "While uncertainty about exact details remain (how strong, exactly where), combining weather systems over the next several days will impact Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, & Caymans with exceptionally windy and stormy periods this week."

"The message from the Euro model is for near tropical storm winds (green area) & higher gusts with passing squalls likely." 

"Focus might be on hurricane development potential (which is low at this time), but longer duration tropical storm-like impacts are possible over South Florida/Keys & The Bahamas by early this week, even without a named storm."

Now that the storm has developed into a Hurricane, Setzer has made more updates to his X page.

"Wow," he posted, "Hurricane Rafael's eye coming into view of Key West radar, which is seeing it 240 miles away at a radar beam altitude of 40,000 feet."

"From the radar (and now recon) perspective, there appears to be a double eyewall structure. Maybe, just maybe if an eyewall replacement cycle can happen as the storm is approaching and making landfall in Cuba, the intensity will drop a bit...let's hope this happens."

Royal Caribbean makes key changes to some of its suites, dropping certain benefits

In:
06 Nov 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Royal Caribbean announced changes to some of its suite cabins, slashing benefits in some cases.

Surfside family suite

The changes relate to the benefits and amenities that come with suites, and the cruise line intends to change what is included with select cabins in the future.

Travel agents were sent an update by Royal Caribbean to inform them of the change.

All of these changes are effective for sailings on or after May 2, 2026, regardless of the booking creation date.

Family surfside suite

The first change is to drop Surfside Family Suites from Sky Class to Sea Class.  

Surfside Family Suites are a new suite category that were first added on Icon of the Seas. The Surfside Family Suite overlooks the Surfside neighborhood. Like its namesake, this suite is meant to be a great choice for those with young kids.

Overlooking Surfside

This suite overlooks the Surfside Family Neighborhood and features a king size bed, and a cozy kids sleeping nook, and can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children.

As a result of the change, these cabins will no longer have access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Concierge services, complimentary internet access, complimentary beverages in the Suite Lounge, and can only dine at Coastal Kitchen restaurant for dinner only (instead of breakfast and lunch).

Junior Suite

Meanwhile, Sunset Junior Suites will get a bump up to Sky Class.

Sunset Junior Suites are essentially what used to be Junior Suites on the back of cruise ships, and was a change in name and category made when Royal Caribbean reclassified many of its cabins.

Icon-Sky-Junior-Suite-5

Another big change is on three ships - Icon of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas - Sky Junior Suites will no longer have complimentary Wi-Fi as an amenity.

Royal Caribbean says they are making this change is to align these ships with the rest of the fleet where Sky Junior suites do not include Wi-Fi. 

The cruise line explained to travel agents why it was making all of these changes, "we continuously strive to enhance guest experience onboard and reach alignment of our product offerings across the fleet."

Sea Class vs Sky Class

Bed in Surfside Family Suite

To illustrate the changes better, it's important to understand what's included with each tier of Royal Caribbean's suite benefits.

On the cruise line's newest ships (Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class ships), the suite program is divided up into three levels based on the suite category, Star, Sky, and Sea.

Sky Class Benefits

Sky Class benefits
  • Concierge service
  • All-day access to Coastal Kitchen and The Grove (The Grove is on Icon Class ships only)
  • Specialty bottled water upon arrival
  • Complimentary internet 
  • Priority boarding and departure
  • Priority dining reservations
  • Suite Lounge access
  • Access to Suite Sun Deck
  • Royal Caribbean plush bathrobes for use onboard
  • Luxury pillow top mattress
  • Luxury bathroom amenities
  • Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Sea Class Benefits

Sea Class benefits
  • Dinner at Coastal Kitchen
  • Royal Caribbean bathrobes for use onboard
  • Luxury pillow top mattress
  • Luxury bathroom amenities
  • Lavazza Espresso coffee maker

Reaction to the changes

Sky Junior Suite

The most notable change is the change in benefits for the Surfside Family Suites on the Icon Class ships.

Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel, and thinks this change will hurt sales of these cabins, "The Surfside Family Suites sold not only to families, but also couples looking for Sky Class perks without the large price tag."

"This change may not be a good one for keeping that stateroom category full."

Ms. Greene is referring to the fact the room's location far away from the suite neighborhood and view of the kids area (rather than the ocean) were reasons a lot of people might have overlooked the cabin, if not for the suite benefits.

I Took a Royal Caribbean Cruise With My Sister — and It Was the Ultimate Girls Trip

In:
05 Nov 2024
By: 
Calista Kiper

Planning the perfect girls' trip requires careful preparation. Whether it is a land or sea vacation, a trip with the girls has to accommodate everyone's preferences.

To prevent disagreements or awkwardness, a girls' cruise should meet everyone's needs, from available activities to the food on board.

I've taken three cruises with my sister, Valentine, and we've discovered that the Oasis Class ships make for the perfect trip together.

These Royal Caribbean mega-ships blend entertainment, dining, and activities into a thrilling cruise experience that appeals to all types.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Oasis-Class ships feature unique adventures on giant ships that have it all, such as water slides, AquaTheater performances, dry slides, surf simulators, specialty dining, themed bars, ice skating, laser tag, and rock climbing.

I've sailed on Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas with Val—here's why these ships make for the best cruise.

Short cruises accommodate everyone's schedule

Allure of the Seas in Nassau

While some cruisers adamantly stick to sailing for 7-nights or longer, my girls' trips wouldn't be possible without shorter sailings.

Multiple Oasis-Class ships, such as Allure of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, currently offer weekend cruises that last 3 or 4 nights.

It may seem like a shorter cruise on a mega ship is a waste of money: you'll never have enough time to experience everything onboard.

However, shorter cruises make it easier for me to travel with my young friends who have jobs or school.

Many young adults simply can't fit trips a week or longer into their schedule. Shorter cruises are also more affordable—it's easier to pay for three nights than seven!—which eases the pressure on your friendship and prevents money from getting in the middle.

I've been able to take two shorter cruises on Oasis-Class ships with my sibling. We sailed on Allure of the Seas for three nights over a weekend, and on Utopia of the Seas for a 4-night weekday cruise.

Read more: How to get the most out of a short sailing on Utopia of the Seas

These miniature sailings made it easier to take a trip together—and prevented us from going too stir-crazy!

The specialty dining is unbeatable

Food brings everyone together. When cruising with friends, specialty dining is one surefire way to spice up your cruise, promising an elegant and adventurous experience.

I've found that the specialty dining on the Oasis-Class ships is like no other.

On one vessel, you can find 15-20 specialty venues that offer excellent food and unique dining experiences. 

Oasis-Class ships feature incredible restaurants like Wonderland, a dining adventure inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and The Royal Railway, a train-based dining experience set in the Wild West.

On my cruises with Val, we dined at Izumi Hibachi, Izumi Sushi, The Mason Jar, Chops Grille, and Wonderland, and each meal was a marvelous, exciting bonding experience.

I still reminisce about some of the meals I've had on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Izumi Hibachi's fried rice, yuzu citrus at Wonderland, and Chops Grille's fatty bacon appetizer.

Oasis-Class ships attract active cruisers

wonder-sm-bike-selfie

One of the best aspects of cruising is getting to meet a variety of people. A cruise ship becomes a community for the length of the sailing, so it's quite possible to turn strangers into friends by the end of the cruise.

That being said, I've only ever made those exciting new friendships on Oasis-Class vessels. I left my cruises on Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas with genuine, new connections.

My theory is that the Oasis Class just attracts active, younger cruisers—travelers ready for an exciting vacation full of new connections.

With such a multitude of activities and entertainment onboard, these vessels draw in travelers looking to have a busy and fun time.

With the possibility of making new friends onboard, a girls' trip on board an Oasis-Class ship becomes a thrilling adventure you and your friends can look forward to. Your vacation will be enriched by the company of many other cruisers.

Endless activities to try together or solo

Escape room cover image

The multitude of activities onboard the Oasis Class vessel are stunning—and they make for a great girls' trip.

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, I've tried activities I never saw myself doing before—much less on a cruise ship! These adventures include:

  • escape rooms
  • laser tag
  • ice skating
  • rock climbing
  • singing karaoke
  • beer pong
  • silent discos
  • sake-tasting

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

The best part of these ships is that they are so huge, made up of multiple themed neighborhoods. Often, many events will be going on at the same time, allowing you to choose between your favorite activities.

Another reason this makes for a good girls' trip is that you don't have to do everything your friend wants to do. Valentine and I often find ourselves splitting up when the time is right, allowing for a healthy balance of priorities.

If she feels like sleeping in while I head to the gym, it's totally possible to do that! On the other hand, if I want to try dinner at the Windjammer and Val prefers being served in the Main Dining Room, it's easy to meet up later when we've each met our own needs.

The stunning entertainment creates conversation-starters

Aquatheater show on Icon

The only thing worse than not getting a vacation is going on a boring vacation. With Royal Caribbean, the Oasis Class promises the opposite.

The onboard entertainment, from start to finish, will stun you and your travel buddies. 

Valentine and I have seen some jaw-dropping performances on the Oasis Class, and this entertainment has sealed our love of these ships.

Ice Show

Entertainment like live game shows, Broadway performances, AquaTheater shows, and ice skating routines have taken our breath away, and created for new and exciting conversation starters.

How do you think they train to be able to dive from such a high distance? Wasn't the costume design in All-In! so cool? 

Every element invests more excitement into a girls getaway.

The 5 important Royal Caribbean email addresses you should know about

In:
05 Nov 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

There are a variety of ways you can contact Royal Caribbean for assistance, including a handful of email addresses that can make a big difference.

Royal Caribbean has upped its game in how guests can take care of special requests using self-service tools. The Royal Caribbean app is a great example of how much is now done on your own.

However, there are times when you need more assistance, and sending out an email is still one of the best ways to get the issue resolved.

It's a little eye opening for me that a basic email still works as a primary method for getting an issue resolved or questions answered because so many other businesses now rely on ticket systems, chat bots, or rely on a phone call.

Nonetheless, there are a handful of email addresses you should know about in case you need them for your upcoming cruise vacation.

Special needs

royal-promenade-stateroom

Royal Caribbean's attention to ensuring any special needs are met is exemplary, and while they have a robust Special Needs form you can use to take care of many common requests, it may not suffice all the time.

In addition to the form, you can always email [email protected] to get confirmation that your specific situation is being taken care of.

sharps-container

The top reason why you'd want to email Royal Caribbean in the case of a special need is because there's an unique situation at hand.  Or you're trying to get confirmation that your request was received and set for your sailing.

This is especially true if you need to bring specialized equipment onboard and are unsure what's allowed or not.

Emailing the CEO

michael-bayley-presidents-cruise-1

There are situations where a problem just doesn't seem to be getting resolved, or you believe there's a bigger issue at hand that needs attention.  In those scenarios, you want someone in authority to be able to step in.

When there's a problem that goes beyond the ordinary, many will turn to the head of the cruise line, Michael Bayley.

Mr. Bayley is the President and CEO of the cruise line, and his email has become a sort of issue escalation and resolution resource. His email is [email protected].

Balcony room on Odyssey of the Seas

It's clear his emails are screened, so don't expect him to actually read or respond to your email directly. Issues guests have tend to get forwarded to the proper department.  However, many people report getting satisfaction in having their issues addressed, or at least acknowledged.

If you're going to send an email to him, it's best for "big picture" issues. You always want to resolve any problems you have during a cruise while still onboard, and feedback on how the cruise line can improve is best sent in your post-cruise survey.

Suite concierge

 Suite Concierge

If you're booked in a suite, expect an email a few days before your cruise begins from the suite concierge.

The suite concierge is a tremendous asset, as they can help with so many potential questions, issues, or ways to make your cruise better.

You should feel free to email the concierge in the days leading up to your cruise with any pre-cruise requests you have.  You can even email them during your voyage rather than making the trip upstairs to the lounge.

My top reason to email the concierge is for them to make specialty dining reservations for you, although that need might be disappearing soon.

Since the suite concierge acts as Guest Services for suite guests, you can get a lot of questions or concerns addressed in the lead up to your cruise. Don't be shy about reaching out to them, because that's part of what you pay for when staying in a suite.

Main Dining Room requests

Main dining room on Harmony of the Seas

Want a table by the window in the Main Dining Room? How about a table alone, without being seated with other passengers?

You can send an email to [email protected] and make any request for a certain configuration or table arrangement when you're booked into Traditional Dining.

Another common request for this email is to be seated with specific people not in your cabin.

Main dining room on Independence of the Seas

You'll want to give the team a few weeks to process your request. Send the email about 2-3 weeks prior to your sailing with your request.  

Be sure to include in the email your name, reservation number, ship, sail date, and cabin number.

Stock shareholder benefit

RCG brands

If you own at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock, you're entitled to extra onboard credit during your sailing.

Depending on the length of your sailing, you can get up to $250 onboard credit.

  • $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights
  • $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 13 nights
  • $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less

To redeem this benefit, you just need to email [email protected] with your name, address, confirmation number, ship and sailing date along with a copy of your shareholder proxy card or a current brokerage statement showing proof of share ownership.

Read more: 60 Royal Caribbean tips and tricks

I took my 6-month-old on a cruise. This is the best ship for a baby, and I want to go on one again

In:
05 Nov 2024
By: 
Nicole Feist

As a long time traveler, I loved cruises, but what would it be like to bring a baby on a cruise ship?

Icon Aft Nicole

Having been on over 15 cruises in my life, I thought I knew everything there was to know about cruising. I’d sailed through tropical paradises, explored countless ports, and enjoyed seemingly endless amenities aboard different ships. Yet, despite all of these experiences, I was stepping into entirely new territory on this particular trip — cruising with a baby in tow.

​​When I first mentioned taking our 6-month-old on a cruise, I got more than a few raised eyebrows. One family member even called me “brave.” Looking back, I’m not sure if it was bravery or just a bit of naïveté, but cruising has always been a big part of our lives, and we wanted our daughter to experience it from the start. There seemed no better time to rip off the band aid and dive into family cruising.

Even as an experienced cruiser, bringing a 6-month-old on board introduced a host of fresh challenges and a bit of nervous excitement. From managing a stroller on deck to syncing our schedule with our daughter’s naptime, I knew this trip would be unlike any other. I soon discovered a whole new side of cruising—one that revealed how well-suited it can be for families with young children. It was an eye-opening experience in the best way.

Read more: I've been cruising with my kids for 14 years. Here are the biggest mistakes I've made since they were babies

Planning the cruise

Icon Aft CocoCay

Since we live in Florida, cruising has always been our preferred way to vacation. Living so close to major embarkation ports offers easy access to a variety of ships and itineraries, which makes planning for a unique getaway far easier and avoids the hassle of long-distance travel. 

When we found out we were expecting our first child in April of 2024, I couldn’t wait to start planning for her first cruise. I’d always imagined we’d have her join us on our travel adventures, and the idea of her first cruise became an exciting milestone.

As I looked into options, I learned about Royal Caribbean’s Infant Policy, which states, “Infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise and/or CruiseTour.” 

However, for Hawaii voyages, transpacific and transatlantic routes, and some South American cruises, the minimum age is 12 months. Additionally, any cruise with three or more consecutive days at sea also requires infants to be at least 12 months old on embarkation day.

Knowing these guidelines early on was reassuring, especially as new parents. It allowed us to focus on shorter itineraries and prioritize cruises with fewer sea days. With these considerations, we felt confident in choosing a cruise that would be a comfortable, exciting, and safe experience for our little one. 

After all, a successful family vacation starts with the right planning, and knowing Royal Caribbean had policies in place made all the difference.

Icon Waterslides

With the age restrictions in mind, one ship quickly emerged as the perfect choice for our baby’s first adventure at sea: Icon of the Seas. Billed as the "Ultimate Family Vacation," this ship promised an experience like no other, especially for families with young children. 

Our chosen itinerary was a 7-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise, allowing us to explore beautiful destinations while enjoying all of the ship's family-friendly amenities. The different neighborhoods, variety of dining options, and activities tailored for children were perfect for our first trip as a family of three. We were eager to see if Icon of the Seas could live up to its family-oriented reputation.

When it was time to book, we were in luck — a “Kids Sail Free” promotion was running, and we were thrilled to be able to take advantage of it. I’d always known this was one of the best deals for families, but as a frequent cruiser without kids, I’d never had a reason to use it before. This time, though, it felt like an ideal way to offset some of the extra costs of traveling as a family.

We initially planned to book the most affordable option and assumed that it would be an interior cabin. However, I quickly realized one of the interesting changes that come with booking a family cruise: adding a third passenger (even a baby) could actually make the balcony cabin more economical than both the interior and ocean-view options! To my surprise, adding our daughter as a third guest made the balcony stateroom the most affordable.

Read more: 7 Best Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships for Kids

Icon Cabin

About 90 days before our sailing, we received our room assignment and learned we’d be staying in a Surfside Family View Balcony Stateroom. This interior balcony room overlooked the bustling Surfside neighborhood, a family-centric area of the ship filled with activities and amenities just for kids. We got lucky with our specific stateroom, as it was just a few cabins from the end, allowing us a partial ocean view as well. Knowing we’d likely be spending a lot more time in our room compared to past cruises, we were thrilled to have a balcony that offered views of the action. We could people-watch and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Surfside right from our room while our baby napped.

One concern did cross our minds, though. On a previous cruise, we’d stayed in a Boardwalk View Balcony on an Oasis Class ship, where noise from the AquaTheater could be a bit disruptive, especially during late-night shows. We worried that the Surfside area might have a similar vibe, with the sounds of kids’ activities echoing throughout the day. Still, being in a space designed specifically for families felt perfect for our first cruise as a family of three. We couldn’t wait to see if the Surfside Family View Balcony would live up to its reputation as a top pick for families.

Embarkation day with an infant

Icon Intercontinental

Another change for us this time was deciding to drive to the port the day before the cruise. Since moving to Florida, we’d usually gone against the “fast and loose” approach with timing for previous cruises. 

Living just 3-4 hours from all the Florida ports that Royal Caribbean sails from, we typically hit the road early on embarkation day, making it to the port with time to spare. It was simple and stress-free when it was just the two of us. Re’d get up early, pack the car, and go with hardly a stop along the way.

However, after a few road trips with our baby, we’d learned that traveling with a tiny human meant more stops, slower packing, and an extended morning routine. 

Even getting out the door took longer than we were used to! With that in mind, we decided to take the age-old advice of heading to the port a day early, ensuring a stress-free start to our trip. The last thing we wanted was the added pressure of unexpected delays, traffic, or baby-related detours on embarkation day.

We opted to stay at the Intercontinental Miami, conveniently located close to the port, to make our embarkation as smooth as possible. Knowing we’d be minutes away from the ship gave us peace of mind and made the whole experience feel more like a true vacation from the start.

Icon Terminal

When embarkation day finally arrived, we were excited to head to the port and officially kick off our long-awaited family cruise. As seasoned cruisers, we knew the boarding process well, but adding a stroller into the mix brought new challenges. 

Thankfully, the entire process was still as smooth as I remembered, with staff going above and beyond to make the experience stress-free. They quickly directed us to the elevators and guided us through the handicap and stroller security screening areas, which were surprisingly efficient.

Unfortunately, our check-in time coincided perfectly with our baby’s usual nap schedule. I worried the busy terminal might disrupt her routine, but luck was on our side. Our little one fell asleep in her stroller, undisturbed by the bustling atmosphere around her. 

To my relief, she managed to nap her way through most of the check-in process and even onto Icon of the Seas. Watching her sleep despite the commotion was a promising start, and I felt reassured that she could handle the excitement of the cruise ahead.

Once onboard, our first order of business was to complete the muster drill at our designated station. After that, we headed straight to Adventure Ocean, following a popular tip we’d read about beforehand: go directly to Adventure Ocean upon boarding to register your child and reserve hours for the Adventure Babies program. Knowing that these slots could fill up quickly, especially on a ship geared toward families, we didn’t want to miss our chance.

Icon Baby Terminal

Unlike the Adventure Ocean program for kids aged 3 and up, the Adventure Babies program requires reservations for a fee, adding an extra layer of planning for families. For our sailing, we were allowed to reserve six hours on day one, with the option to check back on day three for additional availability. 

Fortunately, I’d planned ahead and used the cruise planner to outline the activities we wanted to enjoy as a couple. This way, I arrived ready to book our preferred time slots without our baby, maximizing our hours strategically.

With no guarantee of extra slots later in the cruise, I reserved time slots that worked best with our schedule, even if they were farther out. Knowing we had some dedicated baby-free time booked allowed us to look forward to a few adult-oriented experiences while still enjoying the family-centered atmosphere on board.

After we had completed our two most important tasks for the day, it was finally time to explore our new home away from home for the next seven nights. One of the first things that struck us about cruising with a baby was the necessity of using the elevators instead of the stairs due to the stroller. This minor adjustment highlighted how different our cruising experience would be this time around.

Icon Adventure Ocean

Fortunately, the elevators on Icon of the Seas were impressive; we never had to wait long for one to arrive. However, we quickly discovered there were several areas of the ship where taking a quick flight of stairs would have been more efficient than retracing our steps to find an elevator bank. 

While this was a small inconvenience, it served as a reminder of the unique challenges and adjustments that come with traveling with a little one, and it didn’t significantly impact our overall experience.

Exploring the ship 

Icon Surfside

With our logistical tasks behind us, we made our way outside to Surfside to check out this vibrant, kid-centric area for the first time. As soon as we arrived, we were immediately impressed by the fun and colorful designs that surrounded us, along with the thoughtful touches that had been implemented throughout the space. Surfside truly seemed to be designed for ultimate family fun, featuring a dry slide, carousel, splash pad, playscape, eating venues, and, most importantly for us, the Baby Bay.

Baby Bay is essentially a baby and toddler splash pad, an area only certain Royal Caribbean ships offer, typically located next to Splashaway Bay. Since babies and children who need diapers are not allowed in regular pools or Splashaway Bay, it was essential for us to choose a ship that included this feature. 

Icon Baby Bay 2

These splash zones are smaller versions of the traditional splash pads but allow diapered children to enjoy water play safely. Knowing that we would be visiting warm destinations during our cruise, having the option to take our baby into a designated water area to cool off and enjoy the sunny weather was a must-have for us. It felt like a huge relief to know that our little one could join in the fun while we soaked up the sun, making our family experience much more enjoyable.

We found ourselves a little underwhelmed by the Baby Bay on Icon of the Seas, especially compared to the impressive Splashaway Bay situated right next to it. It honestly felt like an afterthought in terms of both size and features, particularly when we thought of the more engaging Baby Splash Zones found on many of the Oasis Class ships.

Icon Baby Bay Rules

We noticed that there weren’t many older toddlers in this area, which made us wonder how long the novelty might last for kids older than a year. 

While the space provided just enough entertainment for our baby, we questioned whether it would fully engage slightly older children. We both agreed that toddlers might quickly grow bored with the limited features or feel frustrated by not being able to join the excitement of Splashaway Bay right next door.

While Baby Bay met our needs and was a safe space for little ones, it felt like it could benefit from a few additions. Enhancements like more interactive water elements or a larger space might make it more exciting for a broader age range, keeping older toddlers entertained. That way, they’d be able to stay engaged and enjoy the fun without feeling restricted.

Icon Splashaway Bay

Another great aspect of Surfside was the carousel. Our daughter loved watching it turn and was even happier when she got to ride it. It was a fun, simple activity we could easily return to throughout our trip.

A detail I hadn’t thought to look for on previous cruises—but was impressed to find on Icon of the Seas—was the availability of baby changing stations throughout the ship. At home, I’m often discouraged by the lack of convenient changing stations, especially since most men’s bathrooms don’t include them, which limits my husband’s ability to help. 

Icon Famiyl Bathroom

Right away, we noticed plenty of family bathrooms on board, each equipped with clean, well-placed changing stations and even baby wipes, which was a thoughtful touch. This setup made it easy and stress-free for both of us to confidently explore the ship with our baby.

Our stateroom setup

Icon Baby Crib

Not long after we began exploring the ship and getting our bearings, our room was ready. Upon entering, I was immediately impressed. As with most cruise ship cabins, it was compact—something we had expected—but what stood out was the impressive storage space. 

This was a huge asset for us, given how many supplies we had to bring along. Cruising with a baby means packing a lot of extra items we wouldn’t have needed in the past, so it was a relief to have ample space to unpack and stay organized for the week.

Before sailing, I had researched how other families set up their staterooms to optimize having a pack-and-play and still have enough space to move around the cabin. We knew this would eat up a large chunk of our limited space, but it was a non-negotiable, unfortunately. 

Icon Baby Crib 2

We opted to put it in the center of the living area, which did end up taking up most of the space. We were able to push it to one side and create a tiny walkway to squeeze through to the balcony. 

It was not ideal, but we had to work with what we had. When the pack-and-play wasn’t in use, we would take the blackout tent off, wedge it between the sofa and balcony, and put the pack-and-play on the couch. This freed up the walkway and vanity, allowing us more access to the cabin.

Another feature I was thrilled about was the abundance of power outlets throughout the cabin. Typically, I find only one or two American outlets near the vanity, far from where I actually need them. In contrast, our cabin came with a smart variety of outlets and ports. We had USB plug-ins on one side of the bed, a standard outlet on the other, and several additional USB and USB-C ports conveniently located around the room.

Icon Hairdryer

My favorite discovery, though, was the outlets in the bathroom. This might seem like a minor feature, but on previous cruises, outlets have been at the vanity, meaning I’d have to dry my hair in the main cabin – a tricky situation with a sleeping baby. 

Thanks to this bathroom outlet, I could quietly dry my hair without disturbing my husband and baby, allowing them to sleep soundly. It’s a small detail, but it highlighted how thoughtfully designed this ship was for families like ours.

I am a firm believer that any cabin on a cruise is better than not being on a cruise. One thing that I have seen time and time again in my research of cruising with small children, however, is the importance of having a balcony if possible. This immediately proved true for us in many ways. 

Icon Baby Balcony

First, our baby is a people-watcher. She loves to see what is going on and doesn’t like missing out on anything. We were able to take her outside on our balcony easily and let her take in the sights and sounds of Surfside. The balcony was also a great escape for us parents when the baby was napping. 

We were able to sit out there and get fresh air and have conversations in normal volumes without feeling like we would disrupt her sleep. 

While a balcony isn’t essential for every family cruise, I’d highly recommend it if it’s within budget. It added a whole new level of convenience and relaxation to our trip, and it’s a feature we’d consider essential for future cruises.

Read more: When is a cruise ship balcony worth it?

Dining with an Infant

Icon Main Dining Room Eating

Before we knew it, our ship was sailing away from Miami, and our cruise had officially begun. After a successful lunch at the Windjammer, we opted to try the Main Dining Room on night one. 

While I was a bit nervous about how a more formal dining experience would go with a baby, I was encouraged by other cruisers who shared positive stories about dining with young children. 

When we arrived at our table, we requested a high chair, which was promptly brought over, with the tray wrapped in plastic to show it was clean – a touch I really appreciated. Armed with toys to keep her entertained, we also ordered some fruits and veggies for her to chew on, as she’s just started eating solids. 

The wait staff were incredible, bringing out her food items within minutes, knowing that a baby’s mealtime operates on its own schedule, quite different from a leisurely, multi-course dinner.

Icon High Chair

The staff was attentive and engaging with our baby, coming over to say hello, play peek-a-boo, and entertain her between courses. 

Unfortunately, even with the staff’s best efforts, after about 40 minutes, our baby decided she was done sitting, so we wrapped up our meal. The staff were kind enough to pack some to-go desserts, even helping us navigate our stroller out of the busy dining room.

The following nights, the timing of the Main Dining Room didn’t always align with her naps, so rather than pushing through a sit-down dinner, we opted for the Windjammer buffet. This flexibility allowed us to dine when it worked best for us, and the lively atmosphere gave her plenty to watch, which kept her engaged. It was also a great opportunity for her to try a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables as part of her solids journey.

Staff and guest interactions

Icon Towel Animal

Throughout our trip, the crew members on Icon of the Seas were incredibly attentive and welcoming to our baby. They often remembered her name, went out of their way to say hello, and would help us gather foods like steamed broccoli for her. Their genuine care and thoughtfulness really enhanced our experience and made us feel valued as a family.

One thing I hadn’t anticipated was how much we’d end up interacting with other guests and crew, all thanks to our baby. As someone who is usually more introverted, I don’t often start conversations with strangers, but our baby seemed to have other plans. 

She would make eye contact and smile at people nearby, prompting friendly exchanges. It was a great way to connect with other travelers and share experiences, especially with those interested in cruising with young children.

Icon Baby 2_0

I had some initial reservations about how other guests might react to a baby onboard. With so much online commentary about families cruising, I was a bit apprehensive about potential negative reactions, but we had only positive interactions. Everyone we met was incredibly kind, making us feel that we belonged and that cruising with a baby is truly embraced on a family-friendly line like this one.

Excursions and infant-friendly options

Icon Roatan Baby Excursion

One of my biggest concerns about cruising with an infant was the potential limitations on excursions. Most excursions come with age requirements of 3-4 years or older, even for something as simple as a beach day. This restriction left us with few options at our ports, so I wasn’t entirely sure what our best choices would be. 

I didn’t feel comfortable going on any excursions that required riding in a vehicle since we hadn’t brought our car seat on board, so we focused on activities within walking distance or those accessible by ferry. This allowed us to prioritize our baby’s safety while still enjoying some light exploration.

I want to note that I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have already visited all of these ports on previous cruises, allowing me to experience the must-see excursions in the past. This familiarity made it easier to accept skipping certain excursions, as I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything major. I realize, however, that this could pose a more significant challenge for families cruising to these destinations for the first time.

Icon Roatan Excursion

We ended up selecting a single beach excursion that was just a quick, five-minute ferry ride away. One of my main priorities was to keep our return to the ship as simple as possible so we could head back quickly if needed. 

This excursion had the ferry running back and forth all day and was actually in sight of the ship. For the other three ports, we decided against booking excursions, opting instead to explore the port areas on foot or enjoy a beach day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Utilizing Adventure Babies

Icon AO Babies sign

One resource we were thrilled to have onboard was Royal Babies and Tots, which gave us the opportunity to enjoy a few experiences just for us. We got in a date-night dinner, and my husband had a chance to try the adventurous Crown’s Edge (while I lucked into meeting the Chief Dog Officer, Rover). 

We also explored the largest waterpark at sea and even caught one of our favorite shows, Love and Marriage. Having qualified childcare that was easily accessible was a huge comfort and allowed us to balance family time with a bit of fun for ourselves.

Icon Surfside Playscape

One thing I was disappointed to discover was that Adventure Ocean didn’t have a dedicated baby playroom. I’d read that some other ships have an open play area with soft flooring and toys available without a reservation—an ideal space for letting our baby roll around and play outside of our cabin. 

When we asked the Adventure Ocean staff about it, they explained that Icon didn’t include this playroom, opting instead for the playscape and other features in Surfside. While Surfside is the ultimate spot for kids, those specific features are definitely geared toward older children.

Icon Toy Bag

However, we were pleased to find out that the ship participated in a toy rental program, offering a variety of toys packed in different bags that you can "rent" throughout your vacation. These toys are free to borrow, and you can swap them out anytime. 

This was a fantastic way to keep our baby entertained with fresh toys all week, including larger ones like a light-up piano—things we wouldn’t have been able to pack ourselves.

Icon AO Halloween

Something else we observed was that the staff at Adventure Ocean clearly puts a lot of effort into creating memorable experiences, especially around the holidays. Since we cruised over Halloween, we had the chance to see how Royal Caribbean transforms the ship with festive touches for families. 

The Promenade was decorated with Halloween inflatables and fun decor, adding to the excitement and making it easy to celebrate the holiday as a family.

Icon Cabin Halloween

They didn’t stop with decorations, though—the ship was alive with themed events designed for every age group, and Adventure Ocean was at the heart of it. Trick-or-treat stations were set up around Icon, with an early timed segment in Surfside creating a festive scavenger hunt, and the staff even put together a kid-friendly haunted house. 

For families, they hosted a costume contest parade and a lively Monster Bash, where kids and adults alike could dress up and celebrate together. 

Nicole Icon Halloween

For parents, these thoughtful additions meant that the cruise was engaging for all family members—even our baby could soak up the sights, sounds, and festive energy without us needing to go out of our way to seek out holiday fun.

Perks of cruising with Royal Caribbean

Icon Lemon Post NA

One added benefit of cruising with Royal Caribbean is that if you hold a Crown & Anchor status, your children automatically share your status until they turn 18. After that, their status adjusts based on the number of nights they’ve sailed. 

Before our cruise, I emailed [email protected] a few months in advance to arrange this, and they assigned our daughter a Crown & Anchor number, giving her Diamond status before she even set sail. 

Since she’s still an infant, she doesn’t drink anything other than formula and small amounts of water, so we happily used her four complimentary non-alcoholic beverage vouchers each day. This little perk felt like a fun bonus and allowed us to enjoy a few extra treats along the way.

Setting realistic expectations

Icon Coasta MAya

Something that helped my husband and me enjoy this cruise was going in with the mindset of having no expectations. Because we’d both cruised to these ports before, we didn’t feel the need to check off every attraction. 

We’ve had the chance to experience many of the shows and activities Royal Caribbean offers across its fleet, so this time, we focused on activities unique to Icon of the Seas. 

We approached the cruise with the understanding that our baby’s schedule would dictate our days, which made it much easier to go with the flow and embrace flexibility. Some days, this meant one of us staying back in the room while she took a good nap, letting the other explore a show or activity. 

Other times, it meant returning to the room early if she wasn’t up for whatever we were doing. By going into this experience knowing it wouldn’t look like our previous cruises, we could adjust our plans without feeling any disappointment. 

This approach allowed us to relax and have a memorable vacation, even if it was a different kind of cruise than what we were used to. In fact, my husband did a solo excursion while we were in port in Costa Maya, while I hung back with our baby. 

Overall thoughts on taking our baby on Icon of the Seas

Icon Baby CocoCay

Taking your baby on a trip essentially means parenting without the comforts of home, but it’s also what you make of it. We could either change diapers at home or do it in the Caribbean! Cruising gave us the flexibility of a vacation without the usual stresses of planning a land-based trip, like finding suitable accommodations, arranging meals and activities, or coordinating transportation.

Ultimately, Icon of the Seas was a fantastic choice for our first cruise as a family of three. With a constant variety of activities available, we never had to wonder what to do next. 

Our baby especially enjoyed the Baby Splash Zone, watching other guests try the FlowRider, gazing at the floating tiles inside The Pearl, and all the bright lights and murals decorating the ship. Every corner seemed to offer something fun and stimulating for her.

Reflecting on our trip, some of our favorite benefits of cruising with a baby were the ease of returning to our cabin whenever we needed a break or nap and the freedom to leave an activity or meal early if necessary. There was no pressure to stick to any set schedule, allowing us to fill our days as we pleased and always with options close by.

Icon Surfside Flamingo

While we felt that Icon of the Seas, and Surfside in particular - with its dedicated kid-friendly activities - would be ideal for children 3 and up who can fully enjoy the attractions, we still had a great experience. The ship’s amenities made it easy for us to keep our baby engaged and comfortable, and we appreciated the thoughtful touches for families.

We enjoyed our trip so much that we’ve already booked her next cruise in just a few months. It’s safe to say we’re happily raising a future cruiser!

Party accidentally sets off sprinklers on giant cruise ship flooding deck with water

In:
04 Nov 2024
By: 
Elizabeth Wright

Guests attending a Halloween party in the Royal Promenade onboard Symphony of the Seas had the festivities abruptly halted when the automatic sprinkles began going off. 

Symphony-Sprinkler-Hero-2

A fog machine in the Royal Promenade set the sprinkles off, sending guests to seek shelter near the shore excursion tablets adjacent to the Bionic Bar. 

TikTok user nickfromsubway44 documented the experience on his social media account, stating that it was crazy to walk indoors and see the sprinklers going off. 

Symphony-Sprinklers-Promenade-1

Instead of seeing people gathered at the Rising Tide Bar or dancing, the scene resembled a torrential downpour, with cascades of water creating a haze that made it impossible to see to the other side of the Promenade. 

Nick posted another video saying the ship was "lowkey bouta sink." Guests dressed in costume can be seen observing the unexpected rain shower. 

Symphony-Sprinklers-Promenade-2

Royal Caribbean crew members are also seen presumably taking down a photo spot, trying to keep the equipment out of harm's way. 

"[T]his happened at 10:30pm. By 6am the promenade was back in working order with a few fans left facing carpets. They did amazing [at] cleaning it up," wrote Amy Marie in a Symphony of the Seas Facebook group. 

Read more: Top 10 Symphony of the Seas hidden secrets

Fog machines are popular during Halloween

Icon-Halloween-8

Halloween is the spookiest holiday of the year, and special effects—like fog—can transform an everyday space into a haunted scene, making it more immersive for party-goers. 

According to theatrefx.com, fog machines can set off smoke alarms: "Because many venues use smoke detectors that measure the density of particles in the air, fog effects (especially dense fog effects) can 'fool' the detectors and trigger a fire alarm." 

In other words, ionization-type smoke detectors can be set off as they sense fog particles like smoke. Hazers are less likely to set off smoke alarms because of the smaller size of their particles, lightsounds.com.au writes. 

Read more: What Halloween is like on the world's largest cruise ship

Symphony of the Seas was on its last sailing from Cape Liberty for the season

Photo by John McCarry

The 228,081 gross registered ton vessel departed New Jersey on Oct. 27 on a 7-night cruise to The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. In addition to CocoCay, the ship called at Port Canaveral, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas. 

Symphony will be homeported in Miami throughout April 2025. The 6,680-passenger vessel will sail on 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean before returning to Cape Liberty and kicking off her summer stint with a 9-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on April 30 to Haiti, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten. 

"Sprinkler of the Seas"

Symphony of the Seas

Nick's videos are flooded (pun intended) with comments about the unusual situation. user2311376559104 wrote, "Sprinkler of the Seas," with Lola adding, "The new bar experience [is the] aqua lounge." Thatguy said, "Normally you have to pay more for the indoor waterpark [but] y'all got it for free 😂."

Rottiedad44 commented about a similar situation on Wonder of the Seas a few weeks ago: "...some similar happened to the right wing of the Windjammer grill station...not that extreme though. Washy, washy!"

Another user added they were on the sailing at the same time and heard from some cruisers that the whole buffet was filled with smoke, while others said there was barely any smoke at all. 

Asian food

"I was sitting on that side at a roundtable overlooking the park. It wasn't much smoke. I was told that the vent fans malfunctioned and triggered sprinklers," replied Rottiedad44

The comment section also sparked a debate about Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean. Kell Kellz instigated the conversation by saying, "Carnival would have kept the party goinggggg." 

One TikTok user joked that a similar situation wouldn't happen on Carnival because they don't have working sprinklers, with another snapping back and claiming the line is "more popular" than Royal Caribbean.

These are the 3 top competitors for Royal Caribbean. None are cruise lines

In:
04 Nov 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

A billion dollar profit last quarter has left Royal Caribbean at the top of its game, but it doesn't measure itself against other cruise lines.

Utopia of the Seas aerial

While there are other big players within the cruise industry, Jason Liberty, CEO and President of Royal Caribbean Group doesn't pay any attention to them.  He's eyeing a bigger prize.

In an interview with Skift, Mr. Liberty dismissed any notion other lines are what his company worries about, "We spend almost no time thinking about our cruise competitor."

Instead, Royal Caribbean Group is more interested in lining itself up against land-based attractions, "We think of ourselves as an experience company. We’re competing directly with places like Orlando and Las Vegas. We are competing with Taylor Swift concerts."

Las Vegas

This isn't a new strategy, as Royal Caribbean has made it clear they want in on the substantially bigger $1.9 trillion vacation market.

How will Royal Caribbean achieve this? By offering the best cruise ships with the best amenities that as compelling as what you can find on land.

During Royal Caribbean Group's third quarter 2024 earnings call with investors last week, Mr. Liberty answered a question about pricing in relation to how his product stacks up against land resorts, not other cruise lines, "there's still a significant value proposition versus land-based vacation."

Dumbo ride

In 2022, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told Wall Street their goal with the new Icon of the Seas cruise ship is to lure vacationers who would traditionally visit Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando with a cruise vacation.

"The Icon product, along with Perfect Day, with the kind of experiences that we're offering, with the kind of new accommodations that we have on Icon and the experiences that we have for young families, older families and of course couples and singles and what have you, is really squarely standing shoulder to shoulder with Orlando and those kind of destinations," he said.

Mr. Bayley sees the Royal Caribbean International brand being more "aggressive" with how it competes with the Orlando attractions, "And what we're beginning to see is us moving certainly the Royal brand into that space far more aggressively."

Star of the Seas

To that point, Royal Caribbean will place its next new cruise ship right on Orlando's front door, with Star of the Seas being homeported in Port Canaveral.

Star of the Seas will be built around the same design as Icon of the Seas, and offer a few tweaks and enhancements, including the full Back to the Future Broadway musical.

Placing Star near Orlando is actually the second step, because Utopia of the Seas already debuted in Port Canaveral earlier this summer.

Magic Kingdom

Utopia is a brand new Oasis Class ship that offers just 3- and 4-night cruises.  This puts the very best new ship near Disney World so families can combine a couple days in the theme parks with a cruise vacation.

In July 2024, Mr. Bayley said he believes many customers will combine a theme park visit with a cruise on Utopia, "one of the reasons we put this brand new Oasis class into this market is that we really expect to see a certain amount of demand coming from tourists who are going in... some kind of combo where they're doing Disney or Universal or they're doing something in Orlando."

"They can also package themselves with vacation, which includes a three night, four nights, a Perfect Day. If you're a family, that's a great vacation."

If a weekend cruise is too short, then they can jump right to Icon or Star. In either case, Royal Caribbean thinks these ships have the right product that no other line can match.

Utopia docked at CocoCay

Moreover, short cruisers on Utopia are seen as a way to attract first-time cruisers. The notion is by taking just a weekend cruise, they can give cruising a try without committing to too many days off work or school.

A better quality product

Waterpark view of Icon of the Seas

At the time Icon of the Seas launched, Mr. Liberty talked about how a ship like Icon of the Seas positions itself to be not just a great ship, but a truly compelling alternative to a land vacation.

"We’re beginning to really attract a lot of demand from those land-based options with better quality product, more exciting products and great price points," said Liberty.

Overlook

One of the major goals is to keep customers within Royal Caribbean Group's ecosystem of brands, something land-based experience providers do very well. The cruise company wants to incentivize stronger customer loyalty with repeat experiences.

In an interview with CNBC in July, Mr. Liberty talked about how his cruise ships are being designed to be just as engrossing as a land vacation, "What we’re trying to do is make sure that our experience, whether on the ship or at our private islands, is something that is highly competitive with land-based vacation."

Royal Caribbean News Round-Up: November 3, 2024

In:
03 Nov 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to stay in a one-of-a-kind suite that costs as much as a used car?

Living room

The Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas is not cheap, but it is an incredible cruise ship cabin.  Matt took his family on a 3-night cruise to see if the experience lives up to the hype.

Between the in-room slide, Royal Genie service, private hot tub, and movie room included in the cabin, it's a tremendous place to stay.

Royal Caribbean News

New RCB Video: Royal Caribbean's SECRET new SMALLER cruise ship

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 — Royal Caribbean's SECRET new SMALLER cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

New Europe 2026 cruises, including an epic solar eclipse sailing

Explorer of the Seas departs from Ravenna

Royal Caribbean released the first half of its 2026 European cruises, which are now available to book.

There are cruises that visit Northern Europe, Norway, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and even one voyage that will put passengers right in the path of a total solar eclipse.

More European sailings will be released in early 2025.

What to expect for Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sales

Icon of the Seas aerial

We're just weeks away from the pinnacle of shopping, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner.

Royal Caribbean is expected to offer its own Black Friday sales, which in years' past have included discounts on cruise add-ons and hundreds of dollars off cruise fares.

While cruise deals differ from retail Black Friday offers, there's still potential to save a lot of money off a cruise.

I spent 5 nights onboard one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ships

Vision of the Seas interior cabin

After spending 5 nights onboard Vision of the Seas, Elizabeth discovered a level of intimacy that the larger ships lack. 

Vision Class ships don't have as much to do as the newer, bigger ships, but they offer some of the lowest prices you'll find on a cruise today.

The charm of Vision of the Seas is reminiscent of a different era of cruising, where the focus was connecting with the sea and fellow passengers, rather than flashy attractions.

Utopia of the Seas vs. Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas vs Utopia of the Seas

What's the difference between Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ships: Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas?

Admittedly, these two ships share more similarities than differences.  But Royal Caribbean never "copies and pastes" its ships, so you'll find a few notable changes between the two.

Varying itineraries, entertainment, and even a few dining choices are the most notable differences you'll find onboard.

 

Royal Caribbean diverts cruise ships away from Bahamas due to developing tropical storm

In:
02 Nov 2024
By: 
Matt Hochberg

A new tropical disturbance is brewing, and Royal Caribbean is already moving some of its cruise ships away.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of low pressure in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, but this system has a low chance of developing over the next week.

So far four different ships have had their itineraries changed as a result of the weather.

The November 2nd sailing of Radiance of the Seas was the first ship to have her scheduled itinerary changed.

The ship was scheduled to originally sail through The Bahamas and visit Bimini and Freeport, Bahamas, along with a visit to Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Letter to guests

Passengers received an email notifying them of the change, "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we've been monitoring inclement weather along our intended path due to a developing storm system forecasted to bring increasingly strong winds across the sea, impacting our planned ports and potentially making them unsafe to visit."

As a result, Radiance will head into the Western Caribbean to avoid the path of the storm.

"As a result, we'll be unable to visit the planned ports of call on our itinerary. To provide you with the most enjoyable sailing experience, we'll now visit some of our popular Western Caribbean destinations - Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya Mexico!"

Cozumel, Mexico

Radiance will arrive in Cozumel on Monday and sail her revised itinerary, ending the string of port calls on Thursday before heading back to Tampa for her scheduled return on Saturday.

Vision of the Seas docked in Baltimore, Maryland

A second ship will also bypass The Bahamas with Vision of the Seas.

Vision is sailing from Baltimore, Maryland and was scheduled to go to Nassau, Bahamas and CocoCay.

Vision of the Seas sailing away

Instead, Vision will spend more time in Bermuda and include a visit to Port Canaveral, Florida.

Freedom of the Seas is also getting a change in her planned schedule.

The scheduled November 3rd sailing will have its itinerary flipped around to keep the ship away from the worst weather. The good news is they'll still be able to visit the same set of ports, just on different days.

Letter sent to passengers on Freedom of the Seas Nov 3 sailing

Instead of visiting Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, the new itinerary will be Labadee; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.

A fourth ship, Brilliance of the Seas is also changing ports of call due to the storm.

Brilliance of the Seas

The November 2nd sailing from New Orleans originally was scheduled to visit Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Grand Cayman.

Instead, they will drop a visit to Grand Cayman and visit Belize City, Belize instead.

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," Royal Caribbean said in a letter to guests.

Royal Caribbean's forecast

NHC image

Royal Caribbean employs its own meteorologist, Craig Setzer, and he posted his thoughts on the storm chances on his X/Twitter page on Saturday morning.

"While uncertainty about exact details remain (how strong, exactly where), combining weather systems over the next several days will impact Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, & Caymans with exceptionally windy and stormy periods this week.

"The message from the Euro model is for near tropical storm winds (green area) & higher gusts with passing squalls likely." 

"Focus might be on hurricane development potential (which is low at this time), but longer duration tropical storm-like impacts are possible over South Florida/Keys & The Bahamas by early this week, even without a named storm."

Brewing storm

ocean-storm

While November is the last month of Hurricane Season, it's not over yet.

While it may not become a tropical storm, there's enough rain and wind to make it undesirable for cruise ships. 

The National Hurricane Center is giving this system a slight chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next couple of days.

"Some heavy tropical downpours will affect the northeastern Caribbean islands for the next couple of days as the system tracks to the west," the NHC said. "Next week, it will likely be absorbed by the developing disturbance in the Caribbean."

Another disturbance in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea

A disturbance in the southwestern Caribbean Sea of concern is likely to develop into something.

The NHC expects it to become at least a tropical depression.

As of Saturday morning, the system remained a cluster of disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the southwestern Caribbean Sea. However, the National Hurricane Center expects gradual development over the weekend, with a tropical depression likely to form within the next few days as the system progresses across the central and western Caribbean.