I love to cruise on Royal Caribbean, and in 2024 I got to cruise the most I've ever done in one year.
This year, I've been on a ship for 70 nights (and have another couple days left before the year ends).
Because I live in Florida, it's logistically easier to get on a cruise ship given how close the major ports are to where I live. Nonetheless, I also flew to New York and Europe to go on cruises in order to expand my options.
After so many cruises, you might think things would get rather repetitive, but I relish certain cruising traditions that I feel obliged to do every time.
On nearly every trip, I have some absolute must-dos that I simply can't skip. No matter how much I cruise, these are the six things that never get old.
Go to the Windjammer for my first meal onboard
It just doesn't feel like a Royal Caribbean cruise to me unless I start things off with lunch in the Windjammer buffet.
While I do occasionally hit up a specialty restaurant first (such as when I have a dining package), I still prefer lunch at the ship's buffet.
This is a cruising tradition going back to my very first Royal Caribbean cruise on Explorer of the Seas. I distinctly remember going to the Windjammer with my family and being amazed how much variety there was.
Besides nostalgia, I don't usually eat breakfast, so by the time I get going and on the ship, I'm pretty hungry and ready for a meal.
While the buffet can get busy on embarkation day, I try to go there before noon to beat the worst of the crowds.
With a belly full of food, I'm ready to start any cruise.
Spend my evenings in the pub with great music
When Royal Caribbean Blog readers ask me where to find me on a ship, I always tell them there's a good chance I'll be in the English Pub most nights.
You'll find a pub on nearly all the ships in the fleet, and they play the kind of bar music hits on a guitar that I really enjoy.
Basically, these are songs you likely know all the words to and likely have heard in many bars before.
Pub singers come in all styles, but my favorite this year had to be Kevin Phillip while he performed on Icon of the Seas. I'd book a cruise if I knew he was performing on it, because of how talented and engaging with the crowd he is.
The rare exception is when I'm on Utopia of the Seas and the Country Trio is playing, and then I'll skip the pub and head up to the Mason Jar bar.
Seek out my favorite foods
Royal Caribbean executives have said the top two reasons most people go on a cruise is for the destinations and the food, and I can certify I love to cruise for the food too.
Depending on the itinerary, ship, and who I'm cruising with, I'll dine at a variety of restaurants on Royal Caribbean that are included and cost extra.
My wife will attest to the fact I go out of my way to find my all-time favorite Royal Caribbean foods.
In no particular order, here's my cruise ship must-eats:
- French onion soup from the Main Dining Room or Coastal Kitchen
- Popcorn
- Sushi from Izumi
- Indian curry from the Windjammer
- Asian stir fry from the cooking station in the Windjammer
These are deeply satisfying foods that I could probably eat every single day. I'm pretty sure on some cruises this year I did eat one of these every day.
There are other foods I love too, but this is the list of what I can find and seek out on pretty much every ship.
Try to plan at least one epic shore excursion
I'm not sure when this started, but one way I like to spice up any cruise I take is to plan a really fun shore excursion.
I think this was born out of visiting a port of call many times over the course of my cruising career, but I try to book a tour, cabana, private boat, or something else that truly stands out.
It's easy to fall into the same routine on cruises, especially as you repeat itineraries. So as a way to mix it up and also treat my family, I look for ways to do something a little different.
Royal Caribbean is fond of saying their ships are all about making memories for their guests, and I like to apply that mantra to my own plans. My kids may not remember the umpteenth time we sailed on Mariner of the Seas, but they definitely remember when we do something extraordinary.
Some examples from this year include:
- Chartering a catamaran in Bermuda
- Snorkeling in St. John
- Staying in an Airbnb in London
If you want an easy but really fun shore excursion idea, look into chartering a boat. Whether it's a catamaran, fishing boat, or yacht, they are plentiful and never disappoint.
Take a nap
Call me old, call me boring, but I don't care. I love to nap on a cruise.
I don't usually sleep in, but right after lunch on a sea day, I usually feel a knack to lay down and take a break.
It's not only relaxing, but napping allows me to (probably) stay up later if I'm well rested.
Start planning my next cruise
As the cruise starts to wind down and we approach the last day or two of the sailing, I'll begin looking forward to my next sailing.
I think this is a coping mechanism for dealing with the end of a fun vacation, so starting to look at shore excursions or dining plans is a good distraction.
I'll also take this opportunity to see which of our friends or family could potentially join us. After all, cruising is more fun with friends!
