Royal Caribbean Blog

Did you know that you can match your Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society status to other cruise lines?

While Royal Caribbean wants you to continue sailing with them, they also understand the evolving needs of today’s cruisers.

Rather than forcing loyal guests to start from scratch, the parent company, Royal Caribbean Group, created a cohesive ecosystem that rewards brand loyalty across its entire portfolio — from Royal Caribbean International to Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.

This offers cruisers a way to instantly earn perks and benefits with another Royal Caribbean Group line, despite never having sailed with them before.

Through the Royal Caribbean status matching program, Crown & Anchor Society members can receive equivalent tier recognition in Celebrity’s Captain’s Club and Silversea’s Venetian Society. This ensures that guests stay within the Royal Caribbean Group network.

The program has recently gotten even better. Now, instead of automatically earning loyalty points with the brand you sail, guests can choose which line’s loyalty program they want their points to be added to.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Royal Caribbean status match program, including how it works, how the different tiers align, and how to choose where you want your loyalty points to accrue.

Read more: Royal Caribbean introduces a new way to status match between its other cruise lines

Does Royal Caribbean Status Match?

You can only match your Royal Caribbean loyalty status to other brands in the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, including Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. This means that you can’t take your American Airlines or Delta Airlines status and hope to cheat your way up the loyalty ladder.

Effective June 2024, cruisers can enjoy reciprocal status across the brands — this even includes the top-tier levels. That means if you’ve reached Pinnacle Club with Royal Caribbean International, you can sail as a Zenith member of Celebrity’s Captain’s Club.

In other words, your hard-earned loyalty isn’t diluted from one brand to another. That said, the perks within each program aren’t identical.

For example, while Diamond Crown & Anchor Society cruisers get four complimentary drinks per day, Elite Captain’s Club members get access to a limited happy hour from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

This means that, on Royal Caribbean, you can redeem your drink vouchers for a beachside piña colada at Perfect Day at CocoCay or a morning mimosa, but you’re limited to a set window in the evening when sailing with Celebrity Cruises.

Moreover, whereas Celebrity offers a complimentary bag of laundry for Elite cruisers and above, only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members are eligible for a free bag when sailing on voyages that are 5+ nights.

Some perks cannot be attained through the Status Match Program, as they're exclusively reserved for those who earned their status by sailing with the brand directly. These include:

Crown & Anchor Society

• Complimentary Pinnacle Club milestone cruises
• Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club amenities
• Single supplement cruise fare reduction
• Cheers with an Officer onboard event
• Milestone recognition (Crystal Block)
• Upgraded bathroom amenities
• Pinnacle Club milestone kits
• Chef’s Choice amenity 

Captain’s Club

• Complimentary Zenith cruises
• Zenith milestone kits
• WWF® donations
• Retreat Lounge access when not staying in the Retreat (Status match members will only be permitted to access the Retreat Lounge when not staying in the Retreat, based on availability and at the sole discretion of Celebrity Cruises) 

Venetian Society

• "Sail with Us: referral offer before your first Silversea voyage
• Complimentary cruises
• Milestone recognition during the Venetian Society Party

Here’s how each loyalty status tier within the Royal Caribbean Group aligns across the three programs:

How To Match Your “Royal Caribbean Loyalty Program” Status

If you're currently a member of one or more Royal Caribbean Group brands’ loyalty programs, the company will automatically verify your information and determine whether you qualify for a status upgrade. Those who are eligible will receive an email confirming their new status — typically within one week.

If it’s been more than seven days since you’ve enrolled, you should call to further review your information. According to Royal Caribbean, those who do not receive an automatic status match may have different names, addresses, or phone numbers listed on the accounts.

Here are the best numbers to call to help get your status match sorted before your next cruise:

• Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society: 1-800-526-9723 or (541) 285-9723 if outside of the U.S. and Canada (charges may apply)
• Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club: 1-800-760-0654 or 1-316-554-5961 if outside of the U.S. and Canada (charges may apply)
• Silversea Cruises’ Venetian Society: 1-888-978-4070 (North America) or call your local Silversea Office (charges may apply)

Royal Caribbean MGM Status Match

Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society members can get a complimentary tier match into MGM® Rewards and benefit from the perks at all MGM destinations nationwide. You must visit an MGM Rewards desk at any MGM Rewards destination to validate your Crown & Anchor Society status.

Here’s how each of the Crown & Anchor tiers matches across MGM’s loyalty program:

MGM Rewards destinations in Las Vegas, Nevada, include the Bellagio, ARIA, Vdara, MGM Grand, The Signature at MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, W Las Vegas, Park MGM Las Vegas, NoMad Las Vegas, New York-New York, Luxor, and Excalibur.

The regional MGM Rewards destinations are the Beau Rivage, Borgata, Empire City Casino, MGM Grand Detroit, MGM National Harbor, MGM Springfield, and MGM Northfield Park.

Read more: How do Royal Caribbean and MGM Resorts' shared benefits work?

What is the MSC Status Match program?

While you can't use other loyalty statuses to climb the Royal Caribbean Group ladder, you can leverage your existing status with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Silversea to gain a head start through the MSC Status Match program.

Thanks to MSC Cruises' status match initiative, you can sail as a top-tier member in their Voyagers Club immediately, unlocking lucrative benefits like 20% off spa treatments, priority check-in, a complimentary picture, specialty restaurant dinner, and more. 

Enrollment is easy. All you have to do is submit the one-time request on MSC's website. Note that you will need to attach a scan or screen capture of your current loyalty status for proof. 

Read more: I cruised on Royal Caribbean's and MSC's biggest cruise ships. One was a better experience, but the other was a better value

An Israeli man was arrested at PortMiami on Monday after he was found with child sexual abuse material on his cellphone, according to a report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. 

Basilios Grayeb, 29, of Haifa, Israel, was detained after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers received a "suspicious activity report" regarding "the purchasing of child sexual abuse material," CBS News reported. 

Grayeb was sailing aboard Freedom of the Seas. Rather than waiting for him to disembark and pass through the terminal, federal agents boarded the 156,271 gross-ton ship to take him into custody. 

According to the arrest report, an officer conducted a border search on the suspect's phone and found a video showing a man sexually assaulting a girl who appeared to be younger than five years old. 

(Credit: Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation)

Grayeb confessed to viewing and possessing the material after being read his Miranda rights. He was then brought to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility, where he was booked on February 16, 2026, around 4:00 p.m.

He is being held on a $2,500 bond as of Tuesday morning, The Times of Israel reported, and was also placed on an immigration hold. 

According to Cruise Mapper, Freedom of the Seas had just completed a 4-night Bahamian cruise to Freeport and Nassau, departing on Feb. 12. 

(Credit: Mugshots Zone)

The 19-year-old ship set sail on her maiden voyage in May 2006. She measures 1,111 feet long and has a passenger capacity of 3,926 at double occupancy. Freedom will remain in Miami, Florida, through at least April 2028, embarking on a series of cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean. 

First-time cruisers likely have questions about what to expect once they're onboard the ship. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by everything, from the embarkation process to the main dining room and kids' club. The best way to feel confident before your vacation is to ask questions, even if they seem silly or like basic common knowledge. 

Every cruiser, even the most experienced, had to start somewhere — anxiously trying to figure out which line, ship, cabin, and itinerary were perfect for them, and learning about the nuances of cruise culture. 

In other words, there’s a definite learning curve to cruising for the first (second, or even third) time. To help smooth the transition, we’ve rounded up some of the most common cruise questions that first-time guests are often too embarrassed or shy to ask, so you can act like a pro before you set foot on a ship.

What is included on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Cruises remain one of the most popular ways to vacation because of their convenience. The base fare is more inclusive than your standard hotel, meaning that you pay one upfront price for accommodations, transportation between ports of call, and a variety of onboard experiences.

Generally speaking, Royal Caribbean cruises include your stateroom, meals in complimentary dining venues, select beverages, most entertainment, access to pools and fitness facilities, youth programming, and transportation between destinations. 

Some amenities, such as specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi, cost extra, which can catch first-time cruisers by surprise if they aren’t prepared and budget accordingly. 

Do you have to pay gratuities on a cruise?

Speaking of add-ons, gratuities are another cost that often confuses first-time cruisers. While they aren't included in the base fare, they are typically considered mandatory and can either be prepaid before your sailing or automatically added to your SeaPass account.

The gratuity charges (or tips) go toward hardworking crew who help ensure that your vacation is memorable, including your cabin attendant, dining room servers, and other behind-the-scenes team members. 

As of February 2026, Royal Caribbean charges $18.50 per person per day for guests in standard or Junior Suite staterooms. The charge increases to $21.00 per person per day for suites. 

Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn't do

How much food can I order in the cruise ship dining room?

The main dining room is one of the complimentary restaurants available fleet-wide. Nearly the entire menu is included in your cruise fare, minus a few premium add-ons. As such, you can order as much food as you want. 

Many passengers enjoy eating in the dining room because they can try new dishes that they may not otherwise pay for at a standard restaurant — think escargot, chicken saag, lentil soup, and seafood cakes. 

In fact, many servers will encourage cruisers to order multiple appetizers, entrées, and desserts if they’re torn between options or want to sample a few different dishes. Regardless of how much you order, you don't have to sweat anticipating a large bill at the end of the meal!  

What should I leave off my cruise packing list?

Packing for your cruise can feel overwhelming. Since you don't have easy access to drug stores and supermarkets, many first-time guests are tempted to overpack. 

Instead of frantically throwing everything you think you might need into your suitcase, take a minute to familiarize yourself with Royal Caribbean's prohibited items list. Common household items like irons, steamers, and extension cords cannot be brought on board. 

Additionally, you can leave your bulky beach towels at home, as Royal Caribbean provides towels for guests to use on the ship and at ports of call. 

Read more: 115-item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Do you need a passport to go on a cruise?

Passports are recommended for all cruises, regardless of whether you are eyeing a short getaway on Utopia of the Seas or an immersive voyage to The Last Frontier. That said, passports aren't always required for cruises. 

Technically, United States citizens can sail on certain cruises without a passport — so long as you can obtain a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. The only stipulation is that you must be embarking on a closed-loop (or round-trip) voyage that departs from the U.S.

For example, a U.S. citizen wouldn't need a passport on a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida. They would, however, need one for a one-way Alaska sailing from Seward to Vancouver, Canada. 

Is the tap water safe to drink on a cruise ship?

Between daytime cocktails by the pool and long days spent ashore in the heat, it's easy to get dehydrated while on a cruise. While water is included in your cruise fare, bottled water typically costs extra — unless you splurge on a pricey drink package. 

That said, the tap water is safe to consume on cruise ships; all water is rigorously distilled or purified according to sanitation standards approved by the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). Additionally, the USPHS regularly inspects the ship during construction and throughout the year to ensure compliance with its strict standards. 

So, yes, it's safe to drink the water on a cruise ship! You should not be afraid to bring your reusable water bottle and refill it in your cabin or other public areas on board. 

Read more: Is the tap water safe to drink on a cruise ship?

How do I beat the cruise chair hogs?

"Chair hogs" refer to guests who leave their towels or personal items on one or more pool loungers and then walk away for hours without actually using them.

We don't recommend becoming part of the problem and annoying other passengers. As such, the best approach is to be strategic. For example, arrive early to claim a spot and use the pool in the morning, rather than waiting until early afternoon. 

You can also hit the pool on a port day, when fewer guests are on the ship. Don't be afraid to speak up if you see unattended chairs, either. Technically, pool attendants should be removing items from chairs that have been left for an extended period. 

What is a guarantee cabin on a cruise?

Some first-time cruisers are interested in the cheapest fare they can find. This isn't wise for a few reasons, starting with the fact that the lowest fares typically mean you do not get to pick your specific cruise cabin. 

Royal Caribbean's guarantee (GTY) fares may initially seem like a wise trade-off since you're still guaranteed a stateroom on the same ship. However, you won't know the exact location of your cabin until closer to your sailing's departure date. 

Since GTY rooms are often assigned from "leftover" cabins, it's always a possibility that you could end up with a stateroom in a less-than-ideal location, such as near the noisy nightclub or at the front of the ship where motion is more prominent. 

Read more: What does stateroom guarantee (GTY) mean on Royal Caribbean?

How do you not get seasick on a cruise?

Since your stateroom’s location can affect how much motion you feel, choosing the right cabin is especially important for those prone to motion sickness. 

Generally speaking, staterooms toward the front (forward) and back (aft) of the ship tend to feel more rocking, while cabins in the middle of the vessel and on lower decks often experience less movement. 

Other hacks to prevent seasickness include buying over-the-counter medication, such as Dramamine or Bonine, acupressure bands, or behind-the-ear patches. More natural remedies include fixating on the horizon, sipping peppermint tea, staying hydrated, and eating green apples.

Where does the crew sleep on a cruise ship?

Crew members live on board during their contracts, but their living areas are completely separate from guest areas. 

Crew accommodations are vastly different than guest cabins, too. Whereas every guest stateroom has an ensuite bathroom, many crew members have to share with at least one other person. Not every crew member has a private room, either.

Another big difference is that crew cabins are more functional than luxurious. As such, the décor tends to be more minimalistic, with crew members often adding personal touches like photos, LED strip lights, plants, and more. 

Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas

How strict is the dress code?

The cruise ship dining dress code debate comes up often as lines become more casual and laid-back. Today, many Royal Caribbean passengers prioritize comfort, with dining venues rarely enforcing the formal standards of decades past. 

Still, there are some rules, both implicit and explicit, that you should follow. For example, bare feet and swimsuits aren't allowed in the buffet. You also shouldn't pack any clothing with profanity or offensive graphics. 

Beyond these guidelines, "resort casual" tends to suffice — think simple sundresses, t-shirts, blouses, skirts, and jeans. Formal night isn't a mandatory requirement, either. That said, many cruisers enjoy participating and dressing their best. 

Read more: I packed the wrong clothes for the last day of my cruise, and it's a reminder of the worst cruise ship packing mistakes

What happens if you fall off of a cruise ship?

Falling off a cruise ship is not an everyday occurrence, but it isn't unheard of for guests to go overboard. In reality, if you follow the posted safety guidance, it's very, very unlikely that you'll end up in the ocean. Those who end up making headlines are often doing something they shouldn't be, such as climbing on their balcony's railing. 

In the unfortunate event that someone does go overboard, the situation is treated as an emergency, and the crew jumps into action. One of the first things you may notice is an emergency broadcast of "Oscar, Oscar, Oscar." The secret code alerts the crew to the situation and helps maintain a sense of order without panicking other passengers. 

Then, search and rescue operations will begin to see if they can either rescue the passenger or recover their body. Following the overboard incident, a formal investigation will be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the event.

How much does a cruise ship captain make?

A cruise ship is nothing without its trusted captain and navigational crew. The captain is responsible for the safety of the ship, crew, and passengers. They also oversee all the daily operations and ensure smooth sailing.

According to Payscale, cruise captains earn an average of $119,000 per year. A younger captain may earn around $68,000 annually, while the most experienced captains at sea could earn up to $223,000 per year. 

Did you know that you can meet the captain of your cruise, too? Check the daily Cruise Compass to see what opportunities are available during your sailing, such as a Captain's Corner chat or welcome reception. 

What are the best cruise activities?

Cruises are more than eating, drinking, and gambling. There’s something for nearly every interest, so you don't have to worry about boredom being an issue. 

Royal Caribbean's mega-ships are filled from bow to stern with endless activities, ranging from water slides to a mini-golf course, rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, a sports court, ice skating rink, world-class theater, and more. 

Even the smaller ships that lack the same WOW factors have an impressive daily schedule, with activities like trivia, bingo, live music, wine tastings, and original production shows. 

Read more: After 14 cruises in 2025, these are the best things I did on Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year

For three nights, I woke up every morning to the feeling of vibrations as my cruise ship maneuvered into port. I pressed the automatic window shade to see the view of which Bahamian port we were in and take in the beautiful scenery.

I was aboard my sixth cruise on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, which is one of the biggest ships in the world. It's still very much a new ship and because it offers short weekend cruises, it's become my preferred weekend escape mechanism.

During my three night voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida, we sailed to Nassau, Bahamas and and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

I stayed in an ocean-view stateroom on deck nine for $685. The cruise was offered as a "free sailing" through the casino loyalty program. Take a look inside the 187-square-foot space.

My room was at the front of deck nine

An oceanview stateroom is one category above an inside stateroom with no windows, but it's one category below staterooms with a balcony, and two below a suite.

Oceanview rooms are usually a bit larger than inside rooms and have a view.

If the price difference is negligible, moving up to an oceanview instead of an inside room can be a pleasant upgrade.

I was surprised how big the room felt as soon as I stepped inside my stateroom

The unusual layout of the cabin at the very front of the ship gave it more space than you'd get in an oceanview cabin on the side of the ship.

The room has a desk, mirror, outlets for charging electronics and USB ports

One thing I instantly notice anytime I go on a newer Royal Caribbean ship is how many more outlets are in the room.

As someone that works remotely from cruise ships, it's nice having a desk.  I use it as my mobile office location, as well as to store any important paperwork or flyers I'll need later.

There are drawers nearby that include a minifridge

The amount of drawers and storage space is impressive, especially for a ship only offering short cruises.

Suffice to say, there was more than enough space for my belongings.

Plus, there's a fridge to keep food or drinks chilled. It's not a true refrigerator, but perfect for my bottled water.

There is a couch across from the desk, and a closet

This stateroom is big enough to fit a full sized couch, with a closet next to it.

There are hangers provided in the closet, so it makes it simple to get what you need hung up.

Near the entrance to the room is a small bathroom that maximized the space

In this room is a private bathroom, that has sink, toilet, and shower.

There is complimentary 2-in-1 body wash and shampoo, but I'd recommend bringing your own hair products from home if proper hair care is important to you.  For kids, it's good enough.

There is a pull-out clothing line in the shower that you can use to dry bathing suits or any garments you need to launder yourself.

The king size bed can be split to create two twin beds if you're sharing the cabin

Nearly every Royal Caribbean bed can be split in two, which is perfect for anyone sharing the room.

The stateroom attendant can split or combine the beds at anytime, so don't fret if it's not in the right configuration when you get inside.

There are also two nightstands on either side of the bed with a lamp, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

There is a large TV mounted across from the bed with a clever storage hack below

I thought it was smart that Royal Caribbean placed storage hooks in every cabin so you can get certain belongings off the floor.

The window provided a view of the front of the ship, which is unusual

The large window has an electric shade that you can open or close by pushing a button. 

This ensured the room stayed dark while I slept, and illuminated the cabin when I was ready for it.

The problem with this cabin is there was so much movement when the ship docked

From photos, this looks like an amazing room.  However, the amount of movement made sleeping a challenge.

Every time the ship docked, it felt like a mini-earthquake and it lasted long enough to wake me up and keep me awake.  This is because the room is above the bow thrusters.

I regretted booking this room because I prefer to sleep in while on a cruise.  If you're an early riser, this might not be a problem.

Next time, I'll pick a room more centrally located on the ship to avoid the motion problems.

Royal Caribbean is renowned for building the world’s biggest and most advanced cruise ships. However, it wasn’t until last year that my husband and I cruised on an Oasis class ship together for the first time.

Although we’ve traveled the world, most of our sailings have been aboard Royal Caribbean’s older and smaller ships. Our very first Royal Caribbean cruise was aboard Mariner of the Seas in Southeast Asia, followed by our engagement trip on Brilliance of the Seas and honeymoon on Rhapsody of the Seas!

Since then, we’ve cruised together in Alaska, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, the Canary Islands and the Caribbean many times. Typically, we book our cruises based on the itinerary rather than the ship itself. For many years, we never even cared about the ship at all, as the destinations have always been the highlight.

For instance, our most recent Royal Caribbean cruises have been aboard Jewel of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas. So, when my parents invited us to join them on a 4-night cruise aboard the brand-new Utopia of the Seas, we were eager to experience one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

Not to mention, Luke and I had never cruised together on a brand-new ship before! Even more exciting was the fact that my husband, Luke, would experience an Oasis class ship for the first time. While this wasn’t my first time onboard one of the world’s largest cruise ships, this would be our first time together aboard an Oasis class ship.

Overall, Luke was impressed with the entertainment and dining options, but he hated dealing with the constant crowds. We had a wonderful family vacation, but like any trip, it wasn’t perfect. Here’s what he thought of his first Oasis class experience, and whether we will consider booking another one.

Entertainment was a highlight, which normally isn’t the case for Luke

My husband enjoys cruise entertainment, but it’s usually not his favorite aspect of a cruise. His favorite shows are typically comedy acts, and he won’t turn down a magician or variety act. Instead, Luke typically prefers relaxing in a bar or lounge after dinner, followed by an earlier bedtime.

That really aboard Utopia of the Seas, as Luke was blown away by the entertainment! In my opinion, Oasis class ships have some of the best cruise ship entertainment in the industry. I really hyped up the entertainment, and luckily, it didn’t disappoint.

Luke was especially impressed by the Aqua80Too show at the AquaTheatre. He said the diving, acrobatics, technology, and synchronized elements were unlike anything he had seen at sea. Throughout the entire cruise, he kept commenting on how talented the athletes were and how well-executed the production was.

In addition, he loved the ice skating performance on board. We have seen ice shows on Voyager Class ships before, but the YouTopia show felt elevated in both choreography and overall production quality. 

By the end of the sailing, even the late-night comedy show on the final evening turned into one of our favorite shared moments. The comedian had us laughing so hard that we were in tears!

He loved the wide selection of specialty dining options

When Luke and I took our first cruise together, I knew he would love all of the complimentary dining options. What 21-year-old college kid doesn’t love an all-you-can-eat buffet?

During our early years of cruising together, we only dined at the complimentary restaurants. We were newlyweds on a budget, so we didn’t have a lot of extra cash to splurge. Not to mention, there is already so much included in your cruise fare, so we never felt the need to spend extra.

Over the years, we’ve started to splurge on specialty dining experiences. Now, we really appreciate the elevated ambiance, attentive service, and higher-quality cuisine. We’ve never purchased a specialty dining package, but we always try two or three of the specialty restaurants during our cruises.

On Utopia of the Seas, Luke was shocked by the huge selection of dining options. During our four nights aboard, we managed to dine at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, and Mason Jar. Each restaurant offered a distinct and memorable experience, although Mason Jar did not quite meet our expectations.

Even still, the dining variety available on an Oasis Class ship is especially impressive. With only four nights aboard, there were still venues we did not have time to try, including Izumi Sushi, which is one of Luke’s favorites.

Compared to the older and smaller ships with only a few places to eat, it’s a completely different dining experience aboard an Oasis class ship.

However, we both found the main dining room to be underwhelming on Utopia of the Seas. This has become a common theme for us in recent years. At this point, we include specialty dining in our cruise budget, as we pretty much always splurge now. While the service is always attentive, the cuisine in the main dining room simply does not compare to specialty venues.

Embarkation day was overwhelming, which wasn’t the best first impression

They say first impressions are everything, but the crowds on embarkation day were particularly off-putting for Luke. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you might experience crowds while cruising aboard an Oasis class ship. These are among the biggest cruise ships in the world, with Utopia of the Seas holding nearly 6,000 passengers at capacity.

However, it seemed like we were battling the crowds from the minute we arrived at Port Canaveral for embarkation. The crowds only continued as we entered the Royal Promenade after boarding and looked for a quick snack. Sorrento’s was packed with passengers lining up for pizza, and we found ourselves weaving through the busy walkway just to get through.

Once we finally escaped the Royal Promenade, we headed to another packed venue: the Windjammer buffet. Luke loves seafood, so he was especially excited to indulge in lobster during the seafood spread. Embarkation day is always one of the busiest times in the Windjammer, and adding lobster to the menu only seemed to amplify the crowds.

Finding a table proved to be the biggest challenge. Traveling with my grandma, who uses a walker, made navigating the busy restaurant even more stressful. What should have been a relaxed first lunch onboard quickly turned into a frustrating experience. We didn't return to the Windjammer after this, as we wanted to avoid the long lines here. 

At the same time, Luke and I were running around frantically trying to get our dining and entertainment reservations.  He said he hadn’t experienced anything like that on embarkation day before, and it wasn’t exactly relaxing. Unfortunately, securing all of your reservations is crucial aboard an Oasis class ship.

With so many people vying for reservations at the same time, you’ll want to ensure you have all of your plans sorted as soon as possible.  For example, we weren’t able to secure entertainment reservations before boarding, and our Diamond Plus BOGO specialty restaurant can only be redeemed onboard. This meant our first few hours of vacation were pretty chaotic.

Luke loved the thoughtful design and amenities

After sailing on many older ships together, Luke immediately noticed how modern Utopia of the Seas felt. Newer ships naturally come with updated technology and state-of-the-art amenities, but he really appreciated the thoughtful details throughout the ship. Beyond the aesthetics, Luke appreciated how intentional and practical many of the features felt.

For instance, he loved the dedicated jogging track on Utopia of the Seas that wraps around the ship. As a runner, he appreciated being able to run easily without weaving through chairs or loungers on the pool deck. Although I am not a runner, I enjoyed being able to walk around the path with my parents and soak in the ocean views.

Moreover, Luke found our interior stateroom to feel contemporary and functional with many thoughtful design elements. Although we booked the cheapest cabin on board, our stateroom was very comfortable for the four nights on board.

In particular, Luke appreciated the USB port and outlet conveniently located on the nightstand. On many older ships, the only outlets are at the vanity, which usually means relying on a portable charger at his bedside. With phones, watches, headphones, and laptops all needing regular charging, that small design upgrade makes a noticeable difference.

Finally, Luke even noticed the improved bathroom layout in our cabin. As a 6’4 cruiser, he loved having a larger walk-in shower with more space. This was certainly a welcome design improvement compared to older ships, which can often feel outdated and very cramped.

We still prefer smaller vessels, although it was a great vacation!

Despite the ship’s many impressive amenities, Luke still prefers cruising on smaller vessels. As destination-focused cruisers, we prefer visiting new regions and booking sailings to new ports of call. 

Unfortunately, Oasis class ships are limited in where they can sail because of their massive size. In addition, you won’t be able to tender ashore while cruising aboard an Oasis class vessel, further limiting the ports of call that you can visit.

If you’re someone who prioritizes unique ports and longer voyages, you won’t be sailing on Oasis class ships very often. For those wanting to experience new places, Oasis class ships never seem to check the boxes. Additionally, Royal Caribbean has been transitioning its Oasis class ships to focus on shorter, party-centric sailings in the Caribbean.

Additionally, cruising together aboard Utopia of the Seas felt completely different than our recent Royal Caribbean cruises, such as our 12-night cruise to Iceland on Jewel of the Seas. As a Radiance class vessel, Jewel of the Seas is about 60% smaller and holds only 2,191 passengers.

With fewer passengers onboard, Luke and I loved being able to see familiar faces throughout our cruise. This built a sense of community, especially on a longer voyage. Luke and I value those small interactions with both crew members and fellow guests.

This isn’t to say we didn’t enjoy the service aboard Utopia of the Seas, as it was very professional. However, the experience felt less personal, likely because of the ship’s larger passenger capacity. This can make it harder to grow those connections during your sailing.

Essentially, our cruise on Utopia of the Seas was extremely fun and memorable. We loved being able to spend time with my family, including my late grandfather who recently passed away. However, we both prefer the smaller, more intimate cruise ships, such as Celebrity’s Edge class ships.

Royal Caribbean's Main Dining Room is a staple of the cruise experience, and within its daily menu are a few must-eats that you might otherwise overlook.

Each night there's a new menu to choose from, but certain items stand out among those that cruise enough to repeat menus.

Sure, you can order the lobster tail, steak, or chicken cordon bleu and be happy with that. After all, they're great dishes. But they can blind you to delectable appetizers, sides, and entrees that deserve way more attention.

In my 20 years of cruising on Royal Caribbean, I've discovered underrated dishes that stand out as a great choice to order because they're something new, exciting, and totally delicious.

But trust me: You'll be glad you tried these items once you give them a chance.

Indian curry

I liked Indian curry before I ever cruised on Royal Caribbean, but the curry offerings on Royal Caribbean are fabulous.

Indian curry has garnered a cult-like following among cruise fans who recognize it's one of the consistently best options on the menu.  Plus, there's a rotating curry option every night of the cruise in the Main Dining Room, including a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option.

If you've never tried it, fear not, it's not as spicy as you might think. In fact, I think nearly all of Royal Caribbean's curries are quite mild and lack the authentic heat it probably should have. Nonetheless, it's quite tame and a great option for someone that has never tried curry.

Try the butter chicken or chicken curry when it's on the menu as a great starting idea. No vegetables, just chicken in a great tasting sauce.  Add in some rice and I bet you'll love it.

Escargot

Yes, the traditional French dish that serves snails is actually really good.

In reality, the baked snails are quite small and nearly drowning in garlic and butter. This makes escargot more palatable to someone trying it and if you eat it with bread, I doubt you'll taste anything other than the garlic and butter.

It's salty, savory, and lots of cruisers swear by it as a must-order item because it's different.  Few of us are fine diners at home, so the chance to try something different here and venture out is fun.

Crab cakes

According to the Royal Caribbean Dining group on Facebook, the crab cakes are underrated.

"I order this for dinner instead of appetizer," one person posted.

Available on the Welcome Aboard menu (night one), it's one of those dishes I'll see highlighted over and over again by cruisers.

Outside of those from Maryland who have higher standards for the dish, I think it's routinely one of the better options to try.

French onion soup

I don't know how much French onion soup can be hidden, but I'm putting it on the list because if you've ever thought "been there, done that", you haven't.

There's something about Royal Caribbean's French onion soup that truly stands out from the same soup I've had at plenty of other restaurants on land.

The salty broth, cheese, bread, and plenty of onions all combine to never disappoint.

I also appreciate it comes out as nearly scalding hot, which makes a difference with any soup.  I think soup should always be too hot to enjoy initially.  Plus, it lets the cheese and bread soak in more.

French onion soup has been on the Main Dining Room menu for as long as I've been cruising, and it's probably the top reason I'll choose to eat there instead of another venue.

Eggs benedict

Did you know the Main Dining Room is open every morning for breakfast too?

It's a traditional American breakfast, but many people swear by the eggs benedict as a must-order.  It's overlooked because a lot of people opt for scrambled eggs or an omelet.

Eggs benedict is a poached egg with Canadian bacon along with hollandaise sauce.

Many fans love this dish.

• "I have eggs benedict for breakfast on the first day of every cruise. Can’t wait!"
• "Best egg benedict in the fleet!"
• "Eggs benny....one of my favorite breakfasts."

Royal Caribbean has changed another entertainment venue into a casino on one of its ships.

While undergoing routine maintenance work in drydock, Radiance of the Seas returned to service this week with one notable change: a new non-smoking casino.

Reports from passengers onboard the ship indicated the Pub had been replaced with a non-smoking casino. Jeremy Thomasson posted, "Onboard now and can confirm Radiance has removed the Pub and replaced it with a Non Smoking Casino."

A video tour of the new casino was shared by Sea Days & Sunsets and the entire Quill & Compass Pub has been swapped out for a casino space.

The change is part of a greater trend on Royal Caribbean ships to offer more casino space while also offering an enclave for non-smokers.

Traditionally, cruise ship casinos offer a non-smoking and smoking side. But just like airplanes, sharing an enclosed space with smokers doesn't keep the smoke odor on one side.

The new casino space is still attached to the main casino on two ends, but there's a corridor in-between to provide some separation.

The non-smoking casino space has a dedicated bar, which takes the place of the former bar within the pub.

There are slot machines and some table games. In the video tour, it appeared the casino space was still being set up.

Gone is the pub, which leaves one less bar with entertainment onboard the ship.

Radiance of the Seas is one of the smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships in the fleet, with a capacity of just 2,143 passengers.  Compare that to Icon of the Seas, which can handle 5,610 passengers at double occupancy.

Trend of adding more non-smoking casinos

Royal Caribbean has been on quest as of late to expand its casino offerings on its ships, a trend that began with the launch of Wonder of the Seas.

Wonder of the Seas launched in 2022, and was originally slated to debut in China.  Instead of a jazz club on deck 4 that all other Oasis Class ships had previously had, there were plans for a casino instead.

When Wonder of the Seas was shifted and debuted in North America instead, Royal Caribbean decided to experiment with keeping the casino.  Evidently it was a success, because more ships received the update.

Since then, all the Jazz on 4 venues on other Oasis Class venues have been replaced by non-smoking casinos.

On some ships, the cruise line has even moved the Crown Lounge loyalty space to offer an even bigger casino fingerprint.

On Freedom of the Seas, the Vintages wine bar was removed and replaced with a non-smoking casino.  

In this case, this added a casino on the Royal Promenade for the first time.

When Legend of the Seas debuts later this year, it will be the first ship in the fleet to have a two-story casino.

In fact, Legend will have the biggest casino space of any ship.

Why Royal Caribbean is adding more casinos

Adding more casinos has two benefits, but it comes at a price.

First and foremost, adding more gambling space provides more revenue opportunities for the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean Group does not break down its revenue it earns from gambling, but it's hard to imagine that based on how many more casinos are being added to ships that the move is not a profit generating space.

Traditionally, casinos have always been a profit generator for cruise lines.

Anecdotally, the casino loyalty program seems to be more popular than ever, and those that gamble enough to get free cruise offers are reporting an influx of additional offers.

For passengers, it's a case of good and bad news with the casino expansion.

Those that don't smoke and refuse to gamble in the regular casino because of the smoke odor have celebrated the expansion of casino spaces. 

It offers them an opportunity to enjoy gambling without the second hand smoke issues or even smell. Plus, a bigger casino means more capacity and possibly less crowds.

The downside is these new casinos replace bars and lounges that sometimes offered entertainment.

In the case of Radiance of the Seas, this change possibly means there is no longer a pub singer entertainer onboard. It remains to be seen if the pub singer will be moved to another venue.

With Jazz on 4, the jazz music was moved to Central Park on the Oasis Class ships to perform outdoors.

Similarly, when Royal Caribbean got rid of the comedy club space to make room for a casino, the comedy shows got moved to the Royal Theater.

Comedy in a large theater is adequate, but lacks the crowd work and sense of inclusion you get in a smaller comedy venue.

If you've ever been on a cruise ship and noticed there are moments that stick out for slowing everything down, you're certainly not alone.

While nearly all the experience being on a Royal Caribbean ship is fantastic, every cruise will have moments when you find it difficult to avoid a delay, regret, or general hassle.

I was on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas getting back on the ship after our day in Nassau when I ran into a very crowded elevator bank. Getting back on a ship can be one of those moments, but there are ways to circumvent the problem to a degree.

It got me thinking about other less-than-desirable situations on a cruise you might encounter and the tricks you need to know to beat them.

Lines at the cruise terminal

When you get to the cruise terminal, there's bound to be a line of people waiting to go through security and check-in for your cruise.

There's actually a shorter line you can get into simply by knowing how to complete the online check-in beforehand.

Express Boarding is available to anyone, but you need to know what to do and how to do it.

This special line is shorter and will get you onboard faster because you would have already completed all the important steps.

There's no cost to get Express Boarding, but you need to complete all of the online check-in steps within the Royal Caribbean app, including the selfie and health questionnaire. 

This is one of my favorite cruise hacks and worth doing every time to make check-in a breeze.

People reserving chairs at the pool deck

Whether you're at a Marriott resort or Royal Caribbean cruise, chair hogs are a thing. 

Some people get up early, reserve a bunch of lounge chairs by the pool, and then never relinquish them. Many times the chairs they reserve don't even get used for a few more hours after.

Royal Caribbean claims they have a policy to combat this practice, but I've rarely seen it enforced.

There are a couple workarounds (and no, I don't advocate moving their stuff. I don't want a confrontation on my vacation).

First, if you can get up to the pool deck before 10am, there's a good chance you'll have no problem getting a lounger yourself.

In my experience, it's the people that sleep in and roll up to the pool deck later in the morning or early afternoon that run into problems.

Another idea is to go to the pool on a port day, when there's far less demand for the pool. 

Staying onboard a ship on a port day is a frequent cruiser trick, and it feels like you have the entire pool to yourself.

Elevator congestion

I mentioned the issue earlier in this article about a crowded elevator, and you'll likely encounter crowded elevators multiple times during your cruise.

Elevators can get easily overwhelmed when a show lets out, dinner wraps up, or the aforementioned post-excursion rush.

The stairs are still the best alternative to crowded elevators. While taking the stairs may not be ideal, I find it can be faster in many cases than even waiting for an uncrowded elevator (especially if it's less than 4 decks).

I'd recommend taking the stairs if you're going under 3 decks.

For my excursion problem, you could take the stairs just a couple decks up and then wait for the elevator there. You'd be surprised how many people will get off the elevator at that point, freeing up space.

Waiting for a tender boat

It seems to be getting rarer to have a cruise with a tender port stop, but if you do, waiting for a tender boat in the morning can feel really frustrating.

Tender boats are slow loading and unloading, and they have a small capacity. With seemingly everyone trying to head ashore at the same time, it can lead to very long lines.

I find the best strategy if you have a tender port is to book a Royal Caribbean excursion to at least get you there.

Royal Caribbean excursions always get priority tendering.  This means you'll meet for your tour on the ship and then be escorted to a waiting tender boat just for those on a tour.

Say what you will about the advantages of a third party excursion, but I think in a tender port booking a cruise line excursion is a must-do to avoid the hassle and tender boat lines.

Waits for the water slides

Did you know most Royal Caribbean ships have water slides onboard? In fact, the Icon Class ships even have an entire water park!

A lot of people know about it, and that's why lines for the water slides can be among the longest waits you'll encounter on any Royal Caribbean ship.

Instead of taking your kids on a sea day and waiting in line, I have a few workarounds.

First, bring your bathing suits on embarkation day and hit the water slides as soon as you get onboard.

There's usually no line on the first day of the cruise because no one has their bathing suits with them (they're packed in their luggage). Change into your bathing suit at a public restroom and you'll practically have them to yourselves.

The second strategy is to come back early from a port day.

Get off the ship early and enjoy some time at the beach or on whatever tour you're doing. But if you can get on the ship a few hours before all aboard time, I've found the water slide lines to also be quite short.

Lastly, if all else fails, wake up early and hit the water slides then. 

Sea days will be the most crowded, but if you can get to the slides around 9am when they open, the lines are usually much shorter for a bit.

The "Why didn’t I know that?" regret

This is a problem I read about online after people get home from their cruise, where they realize too late they missed out on something they would have loved to do on their cruise.

Classic examples include:

• Missing a hidden venue
• Finding out about a perk too late
• Not using Crown & Anchor benefits
• Missing booking windows

There's a lot to see and do on a cruise, so I don't blame someone for overlooking one aspect of a cruise. However, I think avoiding FOMO is worthwhile with a little bit of prep work.

I recommend before going to bed to check the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Compass to preview what events and activities are coming up tomorrow.

Before the cruise begins, try to pre-book everything possible. Shows, specialty restaurants, private karaoke sessions, and excursions are all things you can reserve and lock-in so there's no excuses later for missing it.

I also think joining a roll call group is a good idea to educate yourself on what's happening. Often times I don't know what I don't know until someone else mentions it and then I want to try it too. 

We have our own roll call section on our message boards or you can try a Facebook group.

Speaking of educating yourself, watch a ship tour video.  We have a full Royal Caribbean ship tours you can watch that cover every inch of the ship and don't include any sales pitches or my face in the video.

Lastly, don't miss out on the fun theme nights of your sailing.

You can look up the theme nights before your cruise begins and have the perfect matching outfit for everyone.

Surprise onboard charges

There have been plenty of cruises where I've asked aloud to my family, "who bought this?" as I point to a charge in the Royal Caribbean app.

In most cases, I forgot about something. But sometimes there's an error. 

On one cruise, the crew member misconstrued my terrible handwriting and thought I tipped them $80 at a restaurant. 

There are a few ways you can limit your onboard charges to avoid confusion later.

Prepaying gratuities is one way to eliminate a lot of onboard charges. Instead of getting a daily charge, I prefer to prepay so it's all take care of before I sail.

It's also a good idea to turn off in-app purchases for kids. You can go to Guest Services on the ship and ask to turn off their charging privileges to ensure they don't accidentally (or intentionally) start buying up arcade games.

And to lessen the surprise factor, I recommend checking your onboard account daily. This is so easy to do with the Royal Caribbean app.

Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas successfully rescued six people from a small boat in the Western Caribbean.

According to social media posts, the Radiance Class vessel came to a "full stop" off the coast of Cuba on Sunday, February 15, 2026, to respond to a vessel in distress. 

"Current status on Radiance of the Seas. We are at a full stop pending rescue of 6 people," shared Mike Hoglander in the Crown and Anchor Society Facebook group. 

One Redditor also provided context on the situation, claiming that the captain saw the vessel and was forced to stop. Under international maritime law, vessels are legally required to assist anyone in distress at sea — so long as doing so doesn't endanger their own ship. 

(Credit: Mike Hoglander/Facebook)

According to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), vessels must proceed "with all possible speed" to assist persons in distress, provide help regardless of immigration status or nationality, and coordinate with rescue authorities. 

"[W]ere waiting for the Coast Guard to pick them up but I don’t think they could come," explained Junior-Front-5544. 

"At around 5:45-6 [the crew] decided to get them and there were 6 people. Captain said they will stay [on board] until port tomorrow at [Grand Cayman]."

(Credit: Junior-Front-5544/Reddit)

Hoglander updated his original post to share that all six people were successfully rescued from the small vessel that had begun taking on water. 

Cruise Mapper shows that Radiance of the Seas arrived in Grand Cayman on Monday, Feb. 16, as planned. 

The 90,090 gross-ton Radiance Class vessel is currently on a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise that departed on Feb. 14, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

(Credit: Junior-Front-5544/Reddit)

The first port of call on the itinerary is Grand Cayman, followed by Cozumel, Mexico, on Feb. 18. Radiance is expected to return to Florida on Friday, Feb. 20. 

Radiance of the Seas is a 24-year-old cruise ship that launched in 2001. She measures 962 feet long and can accommodate around 2,140 guests at double occupancy. 

Through April 2026, Radiance will offer Bahamian voyages from Fort Lauderdale. She'll relocate to Tampa, Florida, in April, where she will remain through at least April 2028. 

(Credit: Junior-Front-5544/Reddit)

Itineraries range from 4-night getaways to 8-night Western Caribbean cruises that visit ports like Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatán, and Costa Maya. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by age — Newest to Oldest

It's not uncommon for cruise ships to rescue passengers in distress

(Credit: @AileenCD/TikTok)

A few years ago, Odyssey of the Seas rescued 77 migrants off the coast of Greece while on a 7-night Greek Isles cruise. 

The sailboat was first spotted by a Maltese-flagged cargo ship roughly 112 nautical miles (129 miles) southwest of Pylos. Then, Greece's search and rescue authority helped coordinate the rescue operation.

A few months later, Voyager of the Seas rescued 4 adults, 2 children, and a black lab off a disabled sailboat drifting off the coast of Marrakesh, Morocco.

(Credit: Karen Fraser)

In Oct. 2025, Norwegian Epic rescued over 60 people from a boat in the Ionian Sea, USA TODAY reported. 

"The individuals were brought on board and tended to by the ship’s crew who provided a medical evaluation, food and other items for their comfort," said Norwegian in an emailed statement. 

"Following a mandatory directive from the Rescue Coordination Centre, the ship proceeded to Kalamata, Greece where the rescued individuals were turned over to the Greek authorities."

Enchantment of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest vessels, also saved a group of people from a raft that was "falling apart" in international waters between Mexico and Cuba. 

As reported by NBC News, Enchantment of the Seas launched two lifeboats and successfully rescued the distressed people. Afterward, the captain announced that everyone was in good health. 

Few people impacted the cruise industry as deeply as Richard Fain had.

With a career spanning decades, he became the leader of Royal Caribbean Group and an instant leader within the travel space. Under his leadership, Royal Caribbean launched the megaship era and revolutionized the cruise industry. But his biggest impact may have come with the cruise industry shutdown and guiding cruising back. 

He worked almost 40 years in cruising before stepping aside in recent years.

In his new book, Delivering the Wow he said, "Almost everybody is focused on what's going to happen next month or next year and I think it's the ability to focus on the north star that's key to success."

His words are an important reminder to almost anyone how important it is to be focused on your long term goal, despite the daily grind and distractions that can steer you away.

The advice in his book centers around a focus on how he used long term goals to guide him, in the same way mariners use the North Star to sail a ship at night.

"The north star is millions of miles away," he explained. "We don't expect to reach it. We're using the north star as a goal, a long-term direction. It's the same thing when you're building a business. It's just something we're constantly striving toward."

The advice is something that was important to him and the company as Royal Caribbean came out of the shutdown of 2020 and accumulated billions of dollars of debt and barely any income.

He called the realization that Covid would be a major problem prohibiting his business from functioning as "devastating".

Clearly the company's return to service and tremendous success in a few short years since 2020 has been the result of this business tenant emphasizing not losing sight of getting back to business.

Richard Fain's career

Richard Fain joined Royal Caribbean in 1988 and left a legacy that reshaped the modern cruise industry.

When he stepped into leadership, Royal Caribbean was a relatively small player with only a handful of ships. Over the decades, he helped transform it into one of the dominant forces in global cruising, with a fleet that spans continents and sets industry trends rather than follows them.

Royal Caribbean didn't just grow in size, it broadened its reach. Royal Caribbean expanded its portfolio to include Celebrity Cruises and later Silversea, giving travelers everything from contemporary mega-ships to premium and ultra-luxury experiences under one corporate umbrella. That diversification strengthened the company’s position and widened its appeal to different kinds of cruisers.

His leadership ushered in the megaship era. The debut of the Oasis Class vessels didn’t just build bigger ships, it fundamentally changed expectations of what a cruise vacation could be. Suddenly, a cruise ship wasn’t just transportation and a pool deck. They now have neighborhoods, entertainment venues, specialty dining, and attractions people had never seen at sea before. 

He was also a major supporter behind the bold reinvention of Perfect Day at CocoCay. What had once been a fairly typical private island stop became a full-scale destination with water park, cabanas, a massive freshwater pool, and experiences designed to rival shoreside resorts. 

It was another move that shifted the industry’s mindset because suddenly every other traditional cruise private island was obsolete. Since then, other cruise lines have quickly begun upgrading their own private islands to keep pace.

Decades of growth came to a halt in 2020 as the global shutdown hit cruise lines especially hard. Ships stopped sailing, revenue evaporated, and uncertainty hung over the entire sector. 

Through that period, Fain became a steady public voice for the company, frequently communicating with guests, travel advisors, and investors. Many credit his calm, consistent leadership during 2020 and 2021 with helping restore confidence that cruising would return.

Cruising did return, and Royal Caribbean emerged from it not just active, but strategically stronger. The company weathered the crisis, resumed expansion, and positioned itself for long-term growth.

He helped redefine what a mainstream cruise line could be, pushed the boundaries of ship design and destination development, and guided the company through one of the most challenging periods in its history. That combination of vision and resilience will likely define how his tenure is remembered.