If you love to cruise on Royal Caribbean, you'll want to mark your calendars in 2025 for the top event of the year.
Each year there are compelling cruises to consider booking, but there's one cruise that Royal Caribbean hosts that gets the most attention for good reason.
The President's Cruise is an annual tradition, where Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley sails on a specific sailing with the open invitation for cruise line fans to join him.
It might seem like a strange idea to go on a cruise specifically to be on a ship with the CEO and other cruise fans, but it's essentially a giant celebration of cruising.
Think of it like the Comic-Con of cruising, where people the super fans come out to see and be seen.
When is Royal Caribbean's President's Cruise in 2025?
Let's get right to it: the next President's Cruise is already scheduled for 2025.
It will be held on Utopia of the Seas on the September 22, 2025 sailing. That's a 4-night Bahamas cruise that sails from Port Canaveral, Florida.
The cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.
What makes the President's Cruise special?
To understand the appeal of going on a President's Cruise, you have to love cruising on Royal Caribbean. A lot.
The annual event began as a celebration of all things Royal Caribbean and the people that love sailing on the cruise line.
Royal Caribbean is not only one of the biggest cruise lines in the world, it's also incredibly popular. There are passengers that sail with Royal Caribbean dozens of times per year. Some even cruise more than they're on land.
Royal Caribbean has offered a President's Cruise for the past few years, and each year has seemingly been outdone by the previous year with special events, giveaways, and guest stars.
Of course, Mr. Bayley is sailing onboard the ship and there are opportunities to meet him during the sailing. He hosts certain events, and is otherwise around to meet.
A lot of cruisers relish the opportunity to meet him and have a moment to share what they like about the cruise line, as well as hear his thoughts on where the cruise line is headed.
And yes, some will take the chance to bring up issues they see with Royal Caribbean. That's a style he seems to embrace, as Mr. Bayley welcomes feedback.
In addition to Bayley, other top Royal Caribbean executives are onboard as well. It's basically a who's who of Royal Caribbean's leadership team.
With all those executives onboard, there's extra attention given to just about every facet of the sailing.
And then there are the passengers, many of whom are super cruise line fans. You won't find a sailing with more top tier Royal Caribbean cruisers that have enormous Crown and Anchor Society point totals.
Special events and surprises
While the President's Cruise is a normal Royal Caribbean sailing, there are a subset of events you can attend that go above and beyond what's typical.
You'll find Q&A sessions that offer behind-the-scenes insights from Royal Caribbean's top brass. There are special performances by musical celebrities, surprise events, and even special shore excursions.
Past musical acts brought on a President's Cruise have included Michael Bolton, Boy George, and Patty LaBelle.
Each day there's usually swag waiting in your cabin that you can't otherwise buy. Royal Caribbean branded everything, and lots of gifts to bring home.
Why you might be interested
First and foremost, a President's Cruise is going to appeal someone that loves to cruise on Royal Caribbean often.
It's also a one-of-a-kind experience to sail alongside Michael Bayley and other leaders. The access this sort of a cruise provides is really the only opportunity customers have to meet these folks.
Often Mr. Bayley will talk about upcoming ships, innovations, and company plans.
I think the exclusive events, unique souvenirs, and surprise gifts also factor in highly to consider going. Some of these are published before the cruise commences, but many others are revealed only once the cruise begins.
Then there's the social aspect where the top cruisers get a chance to meet up.
You can meet other die-hard Royal Caribbean fans, and a lot of super cruisers look forward to a President's Cruise like a reunion.
How to book the President's Cruise
Because the September 22, 2025 sailing of Utopia of the Seas is a regular sailing (as opposed to a charter sailing), anyone can book it like any other cruise.
Our preferred travel agency is showing at the time of this article's publishing cabins are still available in all of the four major categories.
An inside cabin starts at $1,213.26 per guest (including taxes and fees). For two people, the lowest price is $2,426.52. That price would be for a category ZI Interior Stateroom Guarantee, which means Royal Caribbean would pick the cabin assignment.
The cheapest balcony on this sailing is a Central Park View Balcony, which costs $3,372.52 for two people (including taxes and fees).
And if you want to cruise in style, there is still a Two Bedroom AquaTheater Suite that comes with Star Class benefits for $13,572.52 for two guests.
Any Royal Caribbean cruise is likely to sell out sooner or later, so space will be limited and you'll want to book as early as you can before prices go higher and more cabins sell out.
