Royal Caribbean Blog

Dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise has a few options, but I gave Anytime Dining a try to see how it compares to the traditional alternative.

I'll be honest, I usually avoid free-time dining on cruise ships because I don't think the perceived flexibility it offers is as good as it sounds.

When I eat in the Main Dining Room, I usually pick traditional dinner and have the same time, waiters, and tablemates each evening.

But when I recently sailed on Radiance of the Seas for a 4-night cruise, I decided to flip my script and give My Time Dining a try. Because I booked my cruise at the last-minute, the only traditional dinner time left was the late time at 8pm.  When I boarded the ship, I spoke with a crew member who said they could get me into dinner every night at 6:45pm so I had the perfect "Goldlocks time" to eat.

I saw I had been assigned to My Time Dining, but decided to give it a try and see how it works.

How flexible dining works

Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining (sometime called "anytime dining") allows you to either make a reservation for dinner or show up and wait for an open table.

The idea is to give passengers more flexibility in when they can eat. Rather than have a single time, you could mix up dinner times to match up better with your shore excursions or pool deck fun.

Upon arrival at the Main Dining Room, there are two lines: people with a reservation and people without a reservation.  You get in one of the lines and then are assigned a table.

Unlike traditional dinner, you might have a different table and/or waiter assignment.

Read more: My Time Dining vs Traditional Dinner

There was a wait every night

Because I picked 6:45pm, that was the earliest My Time Dining option available and it was clearly a popular time for dinner.

Each night, there was a line for those with and without a reservation.  I quickly learned there wasn't much advantage to lining up early because within 5-10 minutes, the people in line got their tables assigned quickly. 

The head waiters and maître d's worked quickly to get everyone seated. They understand guest satisfaction is enormously important (because their entire job is judged primarily by guest surveys), and thus, they try to get everyone to their table as soon as possible.

Instead of lining up 10 minutes or more early, I tried to time it so I'd arrive right at 6:45 or shortly thereafter to minimize my wait.

One thing that I found frustrating was while I had a reservation, those without reservations were seated just as quickly as us.  Effectively, they split two check-in locations for those with a reservation and two for those without one, instead of prioritizing us with a reservation. That being said, the line for those with a reservation was always shorter.

However, it was clearly an advantage to eating alone because small tables are more plentiful and on two occasions, I got to skip ahead in the line.

I ended up with the same table and waiters each night

To my surprise, I had the same table assignment every evening.  

I expected to be given different tables each night, but I always had the same table for two.  

Speaking of my table size, another concern I had was being seated with strangers. I wouldn't necessarily hate it, but I understood that was a risk with My Time Dining.

However, each time I checked in for dinner, I was told the same table number. In fact, by the third evening, the host asked if I knew where my "usual table" was located.

The advantage of having the same table assignment was I had the same waiters, who not only learned my name quickly but also knew I brought my own soda to dinner and had glasses of ice waiting.

Anytime dinner isn't quite as versatile as it sounds

I booked dinner for the same time each night, but I think it's not quite convenient as advertised.

The early traditional dinner time begins at 5pm, but the earliest time you can eat with My Time Dining is 6:45pm.

Everyone has their own sense of "how early is too early" for dinner, but I wish MTD started service closer to 6pm.  That would be truly more useful.

I was also surprised how many people didn't have reservations.  On the first night of the cruise, their wait seemed to be the longest.  As the cruise went on, it seemed demand for the Main Dining Room subsided, and lines shortened each evening.

I enjoyed My Time Dining more than I thought, but I'll stick with traditional

While there was a line every night, I can't say I hated trying My Time Dining as much as I expected.

The line before seating begins looks daunting, but the truth is they moved through it quickly and once the clock hit 6:45pm, I don't think I waited more than five minutes.

If you're going to try My Time Dining, I highly recommend making a reservation.  You can do so via the Royal Caribbean app before your cruise or even on the ship.

My friend actually got a notification in her app when her table was ready, so she didn't have to (theoretically) wait in line.

That being said, there is no line with traditional dinner. You just walk in and head to the table that's assigned to you (the number is written at the bottom of your SeaPass card).

Perhaps if I book a cruise with very port intensive itinerary and realize early dinner just won't work, I'll give My Time Dinner a try again.

Royal Caribbean just completed its Royal Amplification aboard Harmony of the Seas, and I was lucky enough to be onboard one of the first post-dry dock sailings to check out all the new changes. 

I've been a fan of Oasis Class ships since 2014, when I sailed aboard Oasis of the Seas during my high school spring break. At the time, she was one of the largest and most impressive ships at sea — and although new ships and classes have debuted, there's still something about Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class that feels unmatched. 

At just three nights, my Harmony of the Seas cruise was a quick one, but it was enough time to get a feel for the refreshed spaces and see how the ship's new additions make it stand out. 

For example, the cruise line added new staterooms, restaurants, and even swapped out a couple of dated venues, like Sabor Modern Mexican. 

After spending 66 hours on the updated Harmony of the Seas cruise ship, I was surprised by 8 things, both good and bad, that future passengers should be aware of! 

There's a new Italian restaurant and wine bar in Central Park.

Jamie's is on its way out with Royal Caribbean, with Giovanni's becoming the line's staple Italian specialty restaurant. 

During Harmony of the Seas' Royal Amplification, the 226,963 gross-ton ship replaced Vintages and Jamie's Italian with Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen offers a more upscale menu with options that will please any palate, ranging from made-to-order pizzas to chicken parmigiana, fettuccine alfredo, classic lasagna, grilled filet mignon, osso bucco, and more. 

There's still not a pool in the adults-only Solarium.

One of Harmony's biggest pre-Royal Amplification complaints was that the adult-only sun deck didn't have a pool, and many were hopeful that one would be added during the dry dock. 

However, despite being one of the most requested upgrades, the Solarium remained without a pool, continuing to offer the same hot tubs and water misters. 

Instead, the bulk of the refurbishment to the adult-only area leaned more toward changes to the lounge experience. Royal Caribbean, for example, removed the lower level of the Solarium to make way for new staterooms and added a new outdoor sun deck area. 

Harmony of the Seas finally has a functioning escape room. 

Harmony of the Seas' old escape room closed and never reopened. Now, however, passengers can once again test their wits at "Escape V: Science Lab," a new themed escape room that replaced "Escape the Rubicon."

Guests will have to work together to successfully solve a series of puzzles and clues to "escape" before time runs out. The entrance to this extra-cost activity can be found within Adventure Ocean on Deck 14.

Staterooms were largely untouched. 

While Harmony of the Seas received over thirty new staterooms, the existing ones remained largely untouched. Royal Caribbean isn't known for overhauling its accommodations during dry dock, as the line typically focuses on public spaces over cabin renovations. 

Still, I was disappointed to discover that my inside stateroom showed obvious signs of wear and tear. For example, there was a massive yellow stain on the carpet between the two twin-sized beds, and one of the hooks on the bathroom door was broken. 

In the grand scheme of things, those issues aren’t make-or-break problems. However, they stood out more than they otherwise would have on a vessel fresh out of a multi-week dry dock.

The Pesky Parrot bar is quirky and a lot of fun. 

The Pesky Parrot bar first launched on Utopia of the Seas in 2024. Since then, it's been added to three ships, including Harmony of the Seas, where it replaced the technology-focused Bionic Bar. 

This fun tiki bar transports you to a beachfront Caribbean resort and is a fun place to grab a pre- or post-dinner drink since it's so close to the Main Dining Room. 

In addition to an immersive environment, the bar offers a unique lineup of fruity, tropical cocktails, including the I-Land Negroni, Peanut Butter Piña Colada, and Tiki 'Mosa.

The new non-smoking casino is awkwardly placed outside of Studio B.

Deck 4 welcomed some substantial changes during Harmony's Royal Amplification. The Attic and Crown Lounge, for example, were removed and replaced with a non-smoking Casino Royale, creating the largest casino in the fleet. 

The new expanded casino area is directly outside of the Studio B ice rink and features everything from slot machines to table games and even another bar with virtual gaming options. 

This move reflects the cruise line's broader trend of replacing less popular venues with more casino space to drive higher revenue. However, its location creates an awkward contrast between the family-friendly entertainment venue and the adult-focused Casino Royale. 

Royal Caribbean removed the Vitality Café.

When Utopia of the Seas launched in 2024, it was quickly noted that the ship did not have the Vitality Café in the spa and fitness center. As such, there wasn't a dedicated spot for fresh, healthy smoothies and juices.

Around a year after the ship's debut, the cruise line listened to feedback and added a makeshift juice shop in the Spotlight Karaoke lounge on Deck 5.

A similar change was made aboard Harmony of the Seas, with Royal Caribbean removing the Vitality Café (to make way for more staterooms) and replacing it with a simple pop-up in the On Air Club. 

There isn't a new Broadway-style production show.

Last year, Royal Caribbean closed the curtain on its long-running Grease musical in the Royal Theater. Unfortunately, Harmony didn't get a new Broadway-style production during its Royal Amplification.

Instead, Voices, an original musical production that brings together talented vocalists and virtual technology, is the primary show in the Royal Theater. 

Other shows, such as the high-diving spectacle The Fine Line and jaw-dropping ice show 1887: A Journey in Time, were not replaced or changed. They are available free of charge, and reservations can be made through the Cruise Planner or Royal Caribbean mobile app once onboard. 

The changes weren't as epic as I hoped, but it's a better ship than before.

Harmony of the Seas received several worthwhile upgrades, including new dining venues, bars, and activities. For example, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, the Pesky Parrot bar, and the expanded non-smoking Casino Royale bring Harmony more in line with Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels. 

However, some of the most anticipated changes never materialized. There isn't, for instance, an adult-only pool in the Solarium, and the vessel lacks a Broadway-style production show. Many existing staterooms may show noticeable signs of age, too. 

Ultimately, Harmony of the Seas did not receive a dramatic transformation — but that's far from a bad thing. The Royal Amplification focused more on refreshing the Oasis Class ship rather than making it vastly different from its counterparts. 

Some guests may be disappointed by the changes (or lack thereof), but Harmony of the Seas still offers the signature Oasis Class features, entertainment options, and overall atmosphere that have made these vessels so popular for nearly two decades. 

Royal Caribbean isn't abandoning its Perfect Day Mexico plans, despite being told that the current proposal would be rejected due to environmental backlash. 

Instead, they are reworking elements of the project to address concerns around coastal impact, namely the massive water park that would have been home to over two dozen slides. One of the defining features would have been a 170-foot-tall slide tower with record-breaking attractions, including the tallest slides in the Americas and the longest coaster-style waterslide.

In addition to the water park, the 230-acre Perfect Day Mexico project was expected to feature private resort-style pools, beaches, a dozen restaurants, bars, an adults-only area, and other attractions capable of catering to thousands of cruise passengers. 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that Royal Caribbean has scrapped its plan to build the water park at Perfect Day Mexico, as first reported by Reuters. Authorities also informed the cruise giant that three permits tied to the park, one of which involved a pier, were denied. 

Sheinbaum added that the project won't be carried out at its current proposed site, saying that the government is talking with the cruise line to potentially relocate the planned development. 

What does this mean? Well, instead of having the proposal flat-out rejected, Royal Caribbean pulled back, meaning they can formally reapply in the future. It also confirms that the company has no plans to abandon its broader ambitions in Costa Maya, Mexico.

The cruise line hinted at this in its statement released after the initial block was announced, saying that it planned to work with stakeholders to find an environmentally responsible way to move forward:

"Over the coming weeks, we will re-engage stakeholders to move forward in a way that delivers shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico."

Read more: Mexico rejects Royal Caribbean's plans for Perfect Day Mexico, but the project isn't dead

Why did Mexico suddenly reject Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Mexico plans?

Plans for the $600 million Perfect Day Mexico development were officially rejected on the grounds of environmental risks and the impact such a project would have on the port of Costa Maya, near the small village of Mahahual, Mexico.

A report released by Mexico's Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) claims that officials felt there were too many concerns tied to mangroves, coral reefs, groundwater systems, and broader ecosystems to approve the project in its current form.

One of the biggest concerns involved the mangroves, which are seen as natural barriers against erosion and critical for sustaining the coastal ecosystem. SEMARNAT also claimed that Perfect Day Mexico added risks to the Mesoamerican Reef System involving groundwater and underground hydrological systems.

Moving on, Royal Caribbean lumped all the project's elements into one large development, rather than having them evaluated separately. In other words, the water park, upscale beach club, and cruise pier were assessed as a single, unified proposal. Consequently, the government felt the overall environmental impact of the combined project was too significant to approve.

Royal Caribbean's latest sale honors brave service members with exclusive discounted rates on 250 cruises to celebrate America's 250th birthday. 

From now through July 7, 2026, military personnel can save an additional 10% on fares aboard select sailings, ranging from Caribbean and Alaska sailings to European getaways. The offer also includes 3rd and 4th guests sail free, along with 30% off cruise extras. 

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and government taxes and fees are additional. All itineraries and prices are subject to change without notice, too. 

Itineraries include sailings aboard ships ranging from Adventure of the Seas to Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Legend of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Star of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and more. 

Other onboard benefits include a special veterans' "Get Together" event, allowing former service members to share their stories in a safe space, as well as a veterans' tribute event with patriotic songs, poems, and more to honor military personnel. 

Whether you are planning a short Bahamian escape, an Alaskan adventure, or a port-intensive European getaway, the ongoing military promotion adds more value to your next Royal Caribbean vacation.

Who is eligible for the Royal Caribbean cruise military discount?

Royal Caribbean's new military promotion is only available to active-duty and retired members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, and Canadian National Defense, as well as honorably discharged veterans who served at least two years or spent six months in an active war zone. 

According to the sale's terms and conditions, the cruise line is also offering special rates for active, retired, volunteer, and employed fire and law enforcement personnel at the local, state, or federal level in the United States. 

At least one passenger in each cabin must meet the eligibility requirements and present valid identification during check-in. This means that spouses, parents, in-laws, children, or other friends or family members aren't eligible for the Memorial Day military discount without the eligible passenger occupying the stateroom. 

Those who cannot provide proof of eligibility at the cruise port may have their reservation repriced to the current available fare and could risk being denied boarding.

How to book the brand-new cruise military discount

When booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, make sure you select price code "MIL," "PFD," "MILITARY," or "MILITARY NRD." Otherwise, you won't get the military discount available through the limited-time promotion.

You can also work with a trusted travel agent. They can help apply the correct promotional code, verify eligibility requirements, and answer any other questions about your upcoming vacation. 

At Royal Caribbean Blog, we recommend MEI Travel. I’ve booked more than a dozen cruises with them, and they have consistently provided attentive service and helpful advice, making the entire planning process much easier. 

If there's one place I could cruise to every year, I would choose Alaska. 

While I've certainly enjoyed other destinations (especially Europe), there's simply nothing like the unmatched beauty of seeing Alaska.

Maybe it's the brisk air, or the majestic mountains that welcome you into every port, but every spring I yearn to return and book another cruise there.

The good news is I'm headed back this summer for a return visit, and I can't wait to see it all again one more time.

After already taken a few Alaska cruises, here's what makes this type of cruise great and why I'll be back many more times.

Departing is different in a fun way

Most Alaska cruises depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, but I've started cruising more out of Vancouver and I can't deny the sail away experience isn't part of why.

Both Vancouver and Seattle are set in the Pacific Northwest, and you'll immediately notice the lush forests and views that surround you.

But in Vancouver, cruise ships homeport right in the heart of the downtown area and your departure is a mix of city skyline and rugged scenery ahead. Plus, your ship passes under the Lions Gate Bridge as you sail away.

Seattle's cruise port isn't quite as close to downtown as Vancouver, but it's still a great backdrop.

The Inside Passage is a cruise within a cruise

A sea day in Alaska is unlike a sea day anywhere else because of how much you can see while traversing the Inside Passage.

Think of the Inside Passage like taking the scenic route instead of the highway. It's a waterway that stretches 1,000 miles between southeastern Alaska and British Columbia.

You can spend all day on your balcony or on a public deck taking in the views, which include wildlife, mountains, water falls, and just about the prettiest stretch of land you'll encounter anywhere. 

I think the animal viewing opportunities are what makes the Inside Passage so interesting.  Bald eagles become so common to spot, but there's also a good chance you'll be able to see whales or even a bear on the shore.

I recommend taking your cruise cocktails with you out to a deck and watching everything as you pass by.

Glacier viewings will take amaze you

The first time our cruise ship entered Endicott Arm to see Dawes Glacier, I was blown away by seeing this incredible sheet of rock and ice so close.

Most Alaska cruises include a glacier viewing (or at least attempt to) in the sailing. It's when a ship slowly approaches a glacier and offers an up-close view.

Royal Caribbean ships almost always visit Dawes Glacier. Unfortunately, all visits to Sawyer Glacier had to be cancelled this year due to landslides.

If the sea conditions are safe enough to get close to the glacier, it's going to be an unforgettable experience. Seeing how big the glacier is, hearing the ice crack, watching seals laying on floating pieces of ice, are just some of the things you can expect.

Not to mention your ship is flanked by steep cliffs on both side as you traverse the narrow waterway.  It's something photos never quite capture the magnitude of the feeling of being there.

Juneau has so much to see, I struggle with what to choose

My favorite Alaska cruise port is probably the state capital of Juneau.

It's home to Mendenhall Glacier, which is one of the easiest glaciers to see on foot.  You could take a seaplane or helicopter there on a tour and then actually step foot on it!

Juneau also has so many parks and forests you can visit, and it's all drivable. The last time we went there, we rented a Jeep and toured the area on our own. It was the perfect way to see the highlights, including a bear on the side of the road!

The food scene in every Alaska town is worth the trip

To say the seafood is fresh in Alaska would be an understatement, because there's simply nothing like having it while you're there.

Juneau has both food trucks and established restaurants to choose from.  I love a good selection of food trucks that we can hop between, giving everyone something to try. Deckhand Dave’s is a fish taco truck at a trendy food truck park right downtown.

Suffice to say, if you're ever going to try salmon or crab, this is the place to do it.  My daughter had never tried salmon until our guide brought out a salmon that they caught that morning and sliced it up for us to sample.  She gave it a try and loved it!

My favorite hidden gem is in Sitka at The Fresh Fish, which is a one-woman food stand. They have poke bowls, seafood chowder, po'boys and tacos.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Tracy's Crab Shack as the most well-known spot to eat King Crab while in Alaska.

Every town you visit will have a few places to eat, and I'd recommend skipping the Windjammer and having a meal in town.

Skagway is like taking a time machine to Gold Rush

One town that usually stands out is Skagway, because it feels you stepped back in time.

The history of Skagway is well-preserved with the entire downtown retaining its Klondike Gold Rush look and feel. 

That connection to history is more than skin deep. You can learn about every aspect of what it was like to be in Alaska during this period through various tours and walking trails. Many are free or cheap to try!

Yes, I prefer the cooler weather

If there's one reason some people avoid an Alaska cruise it's because they, "don't want to go somewhere colder than where they are" and I have to say it's worth going anyway.

First and foremost, you're cruising to Alaska in the summer so it's probably not going to be nearly as cold as you think it will be.  If you go in July or August, there's a better chance you'll need a t-shirt than a jacket.

However, you won't mistake Alaska for the Caribbean in terms of temperature.  That being said, I really prefer it because cooler weather makes for easier outdoor touring.

As lovely as a Caribbean beach is, the heat and humidity drain you and it makes it difficult to enjoy being outside unless submerged in water.  But in Alaska, it feels great being out and about with low humidity and comfortable outdoor temperatures.

The beauty of Alaska is why I want to go back every year

If you think Alaska is a "one and done" type itinerary, I dare you to go and not want to return immediately.

When I cruised to Alaska for the first time, I couldn't believe how stunning everything looked. Everyone tells you this area is beautiful, but words never prepare you for how majestic it all is.  I was awestruck by the state's geography, culture, and food.

A cruise is the perfect way to experience this area, and I'm already salivating at the idea of returning this summer.

A Royal Caribbean ship has changed plans due to a "technical issue" that has forced the vessel to reduce speed.

Guests aboard Allure of the Seas were informed today that their planned itinerary will be altered because of an issue with the ship's propulsion.

The 6-night cruise departed on May 24 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida was scheduled to visit Falmouth, Jamaica and Nassau, Bahamas. However, those plans won't work anymore.

The exact problem was not disclosed by the cruise line or the Captain, but passengers were told the ship would slow down and there will be a change in itinerary.

"We are currently experiencing a technical issue with one of our propulsion systems. While our team works to resolve this, we’ll be sailing at a reduced speed and will need to make a slight adjustment to our itinerary."

"We’re terribly sorry for this last-minute change. Please know that your safety and comfort are always our top priorities."

Now Allure of the Seas will skip Falmouth, and go to Nassau, Bahamas directly.

"Instead of visiting Falmouth, Jamaica, we’ll now sail directly to Nassau, Bahamas, where we are expected to arrive at approximately 7:00AM."

The new port hours are to be in Nassau between 7:30am to 5:30pm. 

Afterwards, the ship will sail and do a sea day before returning to Nassau again on Friday, Day 6, as originally scheduled.

Allure of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with a double occupancy of 5,718 passengers.  It's 1,187 feet long and revolutionized the cruise industry when it launched in 2010 just months after Oasis of the Seas did.

At the time of publishing this article, Allure had a speed of 11-12 knots, reflecting the reduced speed in the announcement.

A passenger onboard Allure of the Seas shared photos of the ships wake after the announcement was made. I'm not an engineer, but it appears the starboard azipod is not functioning. 

To be clear, we don't know what the issue is and merely speculating at what the issue could be.

Azipods are multidirectional pods that drive the ship and can be rotated 360 degrees. They are the standard form of propulsion for all of Royal Caribbean's new cruise ships.

Most importantly, Allure of the Seas is still seaworthy and safe to sail on.  This is why cruise ships have multiple azipods and backup systems to ensure the ship doesn't need all systems.

By reducing its speed, it reduces the strain on the other parts of the propulsion.

Royal Caribbean is offering passengers compensation

Passengers on Allure of the Seas received a letter in their cabin explaining the situation and offering "a small token of our appreciation".

It's fairly common when a ship alters its itinerary at the last-minute, the cruise line offers passengers some extra onboard credit as a gesture of good will.  

An onboard credit, per stateroom, will be given based on the category booked:

• Inside & Oceanview: $100 USD
• Neighborhood view/balcony: $150 USD
• Suite: $200 USD
• Each third and fourth passenger: $50 USD per guest

Thanks to Royal Caribbean Blog reader Colby Burnett for sharing this information.

Excursions will be refunded

Any booked excursions through Royal Caribbean in Falmouth will be automatically refunded to the onboard account.

The credits can be used anywhere onboard, and any remaining, refundable amounts at the end of the sailing will be refunded to the card on file within 14 business days from final disembarkation.

Ordinarily an itinerary that visits the same port twice in the same sailing might not be ideal, but Nassau has one major advantage.

Royal Caribbean recently opened its first Royal Beach Club there, an exclusive resort experience just for cruise line passengers.

There are multiple beaches and pools, along with included food and alcoholic beverages. 

Now passengers have the opportunity to go twice to the beach club and double up on what's arguably one of Royal Caribbean's best new offerings.

Read more: I went to Royal Caribbean's two best beach clubs in one weekend

Propulsion problems sometimes happen on cruise ships

Engine troubles are not uncommon among cruise ships, as they can occasionally occur.

A ship like Allure of the Seas operates every week, offering cruises without any stops year-round.  Nonetheless, propulsion problems are rare.

Allure of the Seas is not a new ship, but Royal Caribbean invests a lot of money into routine maintenance. In fact, Allure underwent a massive upgrade last year to not only add new venues to the ship, but also provide routine maintenance to its engines, propellors, and other primary systems.

Just like your well-maintained car at home, engine trouble can still occur.

It's common when there is an issue for the ship's speed to be affected and itinerary changed, rather than cancelling the entire sailing.

Maintenance can be done to the ship while in port if necessary, rather than pulling it out of service completely.

Carry-on bags are great for short vacations, but I'm not opposed to forgoing my bulky suitcase on longer cruises in favor of a smaller one. 

Not only are checked baggage fees at their all-time high, with airlines like United and JetBlue charging $45 per bag each way, but the hassle of waiting at baggage claim and the possibility of lost luggage make traveling lighter more appealing than ever.

During a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise, I challenged myself to pack only using a carry-on suitcase (my trusted Tumi Tegra-Lite® Expandable International bag, if you're wondering) and a personal item. I knew this wasn't an impossible feat, as I had a friend who traveled on an eight-night cruise in just a budget-airline-approved personal item, not even a true carry-on-sized bag!

Since I was sailing to the warm Caribbean, I was less worried about running out of space since I didn't need to pack bulky clothing or prepare for versatile weather like during a cruise to Alaska or Norway. 

I tried to pack strategically, thinking about the plans I had for the sailing aboard Symphony of the Seas. In the end, though, there are a few things that I'd do differently if I were to pack that light again.

In this article, I'll share my cruise carry-on packing list, along with what worked and what didn't, so you don't make the same mistakes I did. 

How to pack for a 7 day cruise in a carry-on

I started by thinking about my toiletries, since I needed to ensure that everything — from my face wash to shampoo and conditioner — was in TSA-compliant bottles. 

Before this specific trip, I actually didn't have any carry-on toiletry bottles, so I purchased three from my local Target for my hair products. 

I also went ahead and bought travel-sized bottles of face wash and contact lens solution, along with toothpaste, makeup remover wipes, and mouthwash.

When it came to packing my clothes, I planned on making myself comfortable in the adult-only Solarium most days, so I wanted to keep it simple with a few swimsuits, a cover-up, t-shirts, and athletic shorts.

I also planned on rotating between a few dresses for dinner each night, rather than packing seven different outfits for dinner — seven dresses, even when rolled tightly, can take up a lot of room!

Here's my 7 day Caribbean cruise packing list using just a small carry-on and personal item:

• Three t-shirts
• Two pairs of athletic shorts
• Two pairs of jeans
• Four evening shirts
• Four dresses
• One pair of pajamas
• One sweatshirt
• Six pairs of shoes
• A small purse
• Hair straightener and microfiber hair towel
• Three swimsuits
• One swim cover-up
• Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, face wash, deodorant, contact lens solution, hair products, etc.)
• Undergarments (underwear, socks, bras, etc.)
• Laptop
• Electronic chargers
• Medication
• Camera
• Passport and credit cards
• Sunglasses

How to pack for a cruise

Since I didn’t have much space, I tightly rolled all my clothing. Then, I placed my bulkiest pieces, like my jeans and maxi dress, in the corners of the bag. My smaller items easily filled the gaps and layered on top.

The trickiest part was fitting all my toiletries and cosmetics, and I had to play a little Tetris to fully maximize my available space.

To bring even more clothing, I wore my bulky sweatshirt, one pair of jeans, and sneakers to the airport. Initially, I wasn't going to bring the sweatshirt, but this cozy article of clothing was a lifesaver on debarkation morning, which was a chillier-than-usual Florida day. 

Moreover, I needed sunscreen for my tropical getaway. However, since I was cramming everything into a small bag and needed TSA-compliant liquids, I decided to run into a store en route to the cruise terminal and grab a bottle. 

This was a more cost-effective option than checking a bag just to bring sunscreen or buying it on the ship, since Royal Caribbean charges upwards of $30 for a single bottle of spray sunscreen. 

My cruise ship packing mistakes

In the end, I regretted packing as much as I did. For example, I repeated outfits a lot, wearing the same dress for both formal night and dress your best night, even though I intended to wear different outfits. 

I also could have gotten away with two dresses and two evening shirts instead of four each. Plus, there was one pair of sandals that I only wore once. Although I appreciated having the option to choose between pairs of shoes, I really only needed one nicer pair of sandals for the seven-day cruise. 

In addition to packing too many sandals, I did not need more than one pair of sneakers. One athletic pair would have been sufficient, as I only wore my Golden Goose once. Sandals were better footwear for evenings aboard the ship. 

On the flip side, there were quite a few items I found myself wishing that I had brought. For starters, I definitely did not pack enough loungewear, and it would have been nice to have more t-shirts and athletic shorts. 

Another item I wish I had brought was a portable charger. Foolishly, I assumed it would be easy to charge my phone in my cabin during downtime. However, I failed to think about what might happen if my phone battery started to decline ashore.

For example, when I decided to explore Water Island near St. Thomas, my phone barely survived the six hours I was off the ship. This was even more worrisome since I was traveling by myself. 

How to minimize packing for a cruise

Packing for a seven-day cruise with only a single carry-on and personal item was not as tough as I had made it out to be. That said, there are some ways I'd change how I minimize my packing list for a cruise, like focusing more on comfortable clothing rather than a diverse wardrobe of evening wear.

You definitely do not need as many clothes as you think. Instead, the key is choosing versatile pieces that can be mixed, matched, and re-worn. Some things might be nice to have, but if you can live without them, they probably do not need to make the trip.

It's also smart to avoid overpacking for every possible scenario. While it is smart to be prepared, packing for hypotheticals you are unlikely to encounter will only take up valuable space in your suitcase. For example, I did not need to pack an extra pair of athletic shoes "just in case" my other sneakers got wet. 

All that said, the best part of packing for a cruise in a carry-on-sized bag is how easy disembarkation is. Rather than placing your bag outside your stateroom the night before, you can keep your stuff with you and roll your luggage off during the self-assist disembarkation process. 

Royal Caribbean's new credit card has gotten into the hands of passengers, and we have our first look at how easy it is to redeem points.

It's been about a month since the new Royal ONE Visa Signature credit card opened applications for it, and it's clearly been a step-up from the old card.

One of the best things about this card is you can redeem points not just for a Royal Caribbean cruise, but also for a Celebrity or Silversea cruise. I was curious how the point redemption process would work in order to maximize this benefit.

Royal Caribbean Group was adamant about the fact this is a big improvement for consumers who have more choice in how they can earn and redeem points, as well as build their loyalty.

Now that the new credit card is openly available, here's what to expect when you redeem all of those points towards your next sailing.

Moving points into your account is simple

Anyone that applies for the new cards could get up to 70,000 bonus points simply for signing up, and that could be turned around quite quickly to a future cruise.

One of our readers shared their experience with the new card and redeeming points.  He signed up almost immediately for the Royal ONE Plus card when it applications opened up.

In fact, after getting approved, he was able to use a digital temporary card number, which was valid for two months while he waited for the new card to arrive. 

New Royal ONE Visa cardholders can earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

New cardholders can earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.

Once you hit that spending threshold, the points are added in a few days to your account, "I can say the 70k points for signing up for a RoyalOne Plus card appeared within a week of satisfying the requirements for the new card bonus."

With your points, there are three options you can use them for:

• Onboard credit
• Reduce final payment cost
• Book a cruise

It's your choice to apply points towards any one of those things. I was interested to see there weren't "tiers", where a certain amount of points qualifies for a certain rewards. Rather, your points equal a dollar value and that can be used as you see fit.

Royal Caribbean points are worth at least one cent per point, so you'll have $50 in rewards for every 5,000 points earned.

The 70,000 bonus points are worth at least $700. That's enough for a cheap weekend cruise on an older ship.

It is unified across Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, with both apps giving the same options and access to the same points.

Here's how it worked in our example to redeem points for a Celebrity Reflection sailing:

• May 10 - Apply for RoyalOne Plus, approved with temporary credit card number provided.
• May 11 - Paid annual home insurance policy with temporary card number
• May 11 - Board Reflection, edit check in to add the temporary RoyalOne card for the onboard account
• May 15 - Debark Reflection with onboard account charges going to RoyalOne Plus card satisfying the threshold to earn the bonus 70,000 points
• May 17 - Notified by email I had met the requirements for the 70,000 bonus points
• May 20 - New card delivered
• May 21 - Partial redemption of 30,000 points for $300 OBC 

Once the 30,000 points were redeemed, it was applied to the account overnight.

Should you get a Royal ONE Visa card?

Credit cards tied to a cruise line have one advantage: it's the only credit card you can get to earn points for onboard credit or a free cruise.

The Royal ONE card has no annual fee, which makes it attractive since you don't have to spend enough each year to make it worthwhile to keep. For someone that cruises occasionally, this is the kind of card that you could keep in your wallet and leverage when you have a sailing coming up.

Moreover, it also includes priority check-in at the cruise terminal. That's a perk usually reserved for suite guests or Pinnacle Club members.

The Royal ONE Plus Visa is probably better for someone that cruises a lot, because it carries a $99 annual fee. That isn't a huge fee, but I'd argue it's the kind of card best for someone that sails on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises or Silversea at least a few times each year. Then, you could justify the annual fee more.

These are credit cards marketed towards cruise fans, and it's best for them. Other travel cards offer more flexibility with how you can redeem points, including the ability to transfer rewards out to other programs.

Nonetheless, if you're a cruise fan and sail at least a couple times per year, this the card for you.

I'd think about how often you realistically will sail before choosing one of the cards, and whether a travel credit card with more flexible travel rewards is better for you.

A balcony cabin is the most popular type of cruise ship stateroom on any Royal Caribbean ship, but is it a good idea to sleep with the door open?

For many people, having a balcony room is romanticized for offering a private enclave for you to enjoy the ocean breeze and take in the views.

After 20 years of cruising, I've stayed in plenty of balcony rooms in Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska. It's undeniably a great stateroom choice because you always have a view of what's happening near your ship.

That leads some cruisers to want to sail with the balcony door open to truly embrace being on the open sea.

There's good and bad about sleeping with the balcony door open, but I generally think it's probably not as enjoyable as some people think in practice.

Letting in the ocean breeze is tempting

I'll admit, when you first step foot on your balcony and take in the view outside, it's special.

Once your cruise ship begins sailing, there should be a decent amount of wind on your balcony. However, you'd be surprised how little wind there can be sometimes depending on your ship's speed and the direction of the wind, relative to your ship.

But when the wind is just right, it can easily come into your cabin and either cool you all down or just add that salty sea air aroma.

I think a lot of people equate this idea with having a beach house somewhere and enjoying the sea breeze there. I'm not sure it always ends up being like that kind of an experience, but I certainly understand the temptation.

But when the weather is cooperating, I've left my balcony door open to the room while I'm watching TV, working on my laptop, or just relaxing in the room.

It can be very humid, making sleeping difficult

The first issue with sleeping with the balcony door open is how humid it can be at sea, especially in the Caribbean.

Most months of the year, the humidity levels can be quite high. Or at least high enough to quickly make your stateroom feel a little bit too sticky.

Enjoying the breeze during the day is one thing, but I find too much humidity makes sleeping difficult. You enter that situation of uncomfortable because it's too hot under the covers and too cold without them. Plus, I don't think Royal Caribbean's bedding is optimal for hot or humid sleeping.

Compounding the problem is once your stateroom balcony door is open, the air conditioning will automatically turn off.  Without that, the humidity level is likely to rise.  Moreover, it will take a while after you close the door for the air conditioning to "catch back up" to the right temperature.

If you're lucky enough to cruise during the winter and humidity isn't a factor, then you just risk the room getting a bit too cold for comfort. 

I'd be too paranoid about birds or insects coming in the room to sleep with the door open

Even if the humidity and temperature are perfect, I still wouldn't recommend sleeping with the balcony door open because there's a chance something else could enter your room.

Birds and insects are known to fly near cruise ships, and it doesn't take much for their curiosity to pique as they see somewhere safe to land.

There have been a few videos of birds getting into balcony rooms that get posted on the internet, but I suspect it's happened more than a few times.

Clearly I am not the type of person that enjoys being in the "great outdoors" to see this as a plus, but I want my room just for myself and clear of any other non-humans.

I'd probably be more worried about a mosquito than a seagull, but regardless, I don't want either in my room.

You could get woken up in the early morning from the ship docking

You would be surprised how well the balcony doors work to muffle sound from outside, because your cruise ship is downright loud when it's trying to dock.

There's a lot of beeping, horns, movement, and people yelling when a ship comes into a port.  And all of this typically happens in the early morning hours.

Last year when my ship was returning to Southampton, I was awoken to the constant sounds of a forklift that was moving back and forth from the ship to the terminal. And then when a door opened, it sounded like a fire alarm was going off.  All of it woke me up quickly, and that was with the balcony door closed.

Because cruise ships tend to always dock in the early morning, it can make sleeping in difficult at best.

Speaking of noise, anyone on their balcony talking near your room can easily filter into your room too. I'm always amazed at how the acoustics work that I can hear someone's entire conversation a few doors down the hall.

One other issue will be the sun because without the blinds drawn, it will get very bright in your room.

When the balcony door is open, it's difficult to open the main door

I'll also mention when the balcony door is open, it creates a wind tunnel if you try to open the door to your hallway.

While you're sleeping, this isn't an issue. But if one of you wants to leave the room for any reason and let the others in the cabin sleep, it's going to quickly envelope the room in a wind storm quickly making a big mess with anything not held down.

Moreover, the door  to the hallway will slam shut because of the wind and that's loud.

Sleeping with the balcony door open just sounds better than it really is

The lack of air conditioning and higher humidity levels alone makes sleeping with your balcony door open less of a good idea than it sounds.

Yes, it's possible on certain sailings for the temperature and humidity outside to be low enough, but I'd estimate this is not very common. Especially in the Caribbean.

If you want to sleep with the blinds open, you could still wake up to the ocean view while enjoying a climate controlled cabin all night long.

And no, please don't drag your mattress out to the balcony to sleep there.

Ultimately, I'd advise against trying to sleep with the balcony door open on a cruise and instead enjoy being outside with the ocean breeze during the daytime.

Your cruise ship cabin will be cleaned and tidied up every day, but I changed when I asked to have my room done.

Royal Caribbean made a change a few years ago to go from twice a day cleaning to just once for standard rooms. When you meet your stateroom attendant on the first day, they'll ask when you want your room serviced.

I cruise at least once a month, so I've tried both morning and evening cleaning times.  I can see the benefits of both, but I've decided that evening cleaning just works better.

While there is one major issue with taking evening service on short cruises, nonetheless, I think it's still the better choice because it aligns better with the cruise schedule.

Before you choose your time, here's why I recommend telling your room attendant to come back at night.

Passengers can choose to have their room cleaned in the morning or evening

If you're in an inside, oceanview, or balcony room, your cabin will be cleaned once a day.

This means your cabin steward will come into your room to make your bed, sanitize the bathroom, empty the trash, replace towels, and vacuum.

Before you think having daily cabin cleanings isn't important, I can tell you it makes a nice difference to have your room tidied up because of how small the space is.  Plus, having towels replenished and the bed made daily is wonderful.

You can always change your mind later in the cruise by asking the stateroom attendant to switch it up.  

It's been my experience if you don't run into your cabin attendant on the first day, they generally assume they'll clean your cabin in the morning. But that's not an official policy, just my observation.

I think evening cleanings are more convenient

I've had my stateroom cleaned in both morning and evenings, and I really think evening is the way to go.

In order for your room to be cleaned, you need to be out of the way and out of the room. You can still get fresh towels if you're in the room, but you need to be elsewhere for the proper cleaning to occur.

I find mornings on a cruise can be when you'd want to sleep in, especially on sea days. Having to get out of the room so they can clean can sometimes diminish the "we're taking it easy today" mood.

Stateroom attendants will usually start making up rooms around 9am, and work until about noon or so. Then, they return at about 4pm to start the evening service.

I think it's more likely you'll want to be in your room in the late morning than in the evening.

Dinner and shows are a major focus of cruising, and when you get to about 5pm, there is a lot happening around the ship.  Moreover, I don't think the evening hours are when a lot of people look to nap.

Plus, your cabin attendant has your dinner rotation in their schedule so they can work around it.

Essentially, I find I'm far more likely to be out of my room in the evening anyway than in the morning.

There's one problem with evening service

I'll always ask to have my cabin cleaned in the evening, but I've noticed there's an immediate downside that is made worse on short cruises.

Since your room is prepared before you board the ship on embarkation day, the next opportunity stateroom attendants will come to clean a cabin is the next day.

With an evening cleaning schedule, you won't get your room serviced for a day and a half. It was last cleaned the day before during turnaround day, and that means it's 24 hours when you get to the morning of day 2.  Add another 8 hours or so for the start of the evening service.

It's not problematic, but might be an issue if your family is taking showers after going to the pool, water slides, or simply wanting to prepare for dinner.

Not to worry, your attendant can always bring extra bath towels and you can call to request more at any time.

Once you get past day two, everything evens out between morning and evening. 

I recommend picking evening so it's more likely you won't need to go out of your way

Ultimately, I think most people will be out of their stateroom in the evening than in the morning. That's why evening room cleanings just make more sense to me.

If the cabin attendant comes to your room and sees you're still there, they will usually try to come back later. Plus, you can use your "Do Not Disturb" magnet and leave it on the door to avoid even a knock.

Nonetheless, I don't want to be a hindrance to their schedule, especially if I'm going to be doing something else anyway in the evening.

Avoiding morning cleanings has also been a family cruise tip, because my kids like to sleep in on sea days.  Even when they're not sleeping in, they enjoy lounging in bed until we coax them to go out.

Everyone's cruise habit and schedule will vary, but I'm willing to bet most people are likely to be out of their room anyway in the evening hours than morning hours. So why not align that with your cabin cleaning time?