Royal Caribbean Blog

The first time I went on a three-night cruise, I treated it like a race.

I was determined to milk every minute of every activity from that ship because I had just a few days onboard instead of the usual week.

I woke up early, and tried to make it to every bar, show, activity, and restaurant before disembarking.

While I did experience a lot, it left me exhausted. I felt like I had spent more time trying to get everything done instead of enjoying any of it.

I've taken a lot of 3-night cruises since then (I'm up to nine on Utopia of the Seas), and I've completely changed how I approach a shorter sailing. I stopped trying to squeeze a full week into 72 hours, and I definitely enjoy them more.

If you're going to take a three-night cruise, here's how I'd recommend enjoying it.

You need a different mindset

If you've taken longer sailings already, you're going to need to change how you think about a short cruise.

The best analogy I have is like going to a restaurant and only ordering appetizers to share instead of a full meal. You get a taste, but it's not what you're used to typically.

I think people that treat a short cruise like a seven-night cruise are often disappointed because they try to cram so much into a short period of time.

When I step aboard, I go in knowing I won't be able to do everything and there will be areas of the ship I never see. But that's okay, because I can come back again for another short cruise.

The pace of the trip will feel different, so you need to adjust how your priorities accordingly.

Short cruises are perfect for booking an inside room

I've stayed in inside, balcony, and suite cabins while sailing on short cruises. My takeaway is there is just not enough time in your cabin.

There's an argument to book a less expensive inside room of, "how much time will you actually spend in your room? So why pay more for a nicer one you'll barely be in?" and it really applies for short cruises.

The first day of the cruise is a blur because you're running around a lot trying to see and do things.  But Royal Caribbean ships pack two port days after that, meaning there are no sea days on a three-nighter. When you're off the ship early in the morning and then come back to shower and change for dinner, that leaves barely any time in the cabin.

I've started leaning towards cheaper inside staterooms so that I can save money. I'd rather take that extra couple hundred dollars I'd save from not booking a balcony and instead use it towards a cabana rental or admission to a beach day pass.

Or you can just pocket the savings. Either way, it feels like there is less time in your cabin.

Board the ship as early as possible

When you only have 72 hours of a cruise, don't waste it in your hotel room.

Check-in for a cruise begins around 10am and guests have between then and 2-3pm to get onboard.

Royal Caribbean assigns check-in times via the app, so I'd recommend getting the earliest check-in time possible so you can get on the ship sooner.

Getting an extra few hours will make embarkation day feel much longer, and it's also the best time to hit the Windjammer, water slides, or other popular areas before they get slammed with other passengers later.

I've made it a habit of mine to check-in for my cruise 45 days before embarkation so I can get an early check-in time.

Make reservations immediately

While I said you have to change your mindset for short cruises, that doesn't mean give up on doing anything.

Check the Royal Caribbean app to make reservations for comedy, stage shows, dining, escape room, and anything else limited.

Here's a tip that works very well: I'll always pick the first Aquatheater show to see instead of ones later in the sailing. This is because if bad weather plays a role in postponing shows, you want to see it early for the best chance of not missing out.

Royal Caribbean will cancel shows if the winds or rocking motion are too strong. So never assume you'll have a chance to see the show later.

Once onboard the ship, certain activities open up reservations once you connect to the ship's Wi-Fi. Laser tag and additional reservations for shows are examples of this.  Connect to the Wi-Fi and check for any extra reservations once you have a minute on the ship.

Do a half day at CocoCay or Nassau so you enjoy the ship

An underrated cruise tip is to find something to do in either of your cruise ports, but return to the ship before everyone else.

If you can get a few hours at either Perfect Day at CocoCay or Nassau, Bahamas and then go back onboard, you will be able to enjoy a less crowded ship.

In fact, this works best if you're wearing your swim suit already and go immediately back onboard to the pool or waterslides.  Those venues will be far less busy because most people are off the ship.

Royal Caribbean credit cards unlock special onboard perks, high welcome bonuses, and other travel benefits. However, the two cards serve different types of travelers. So how do you know which one is actually worth it?

To help you decide, we've created a detailed breakdown comparing the new Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® and Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® credit cards across the factors that matter most.

At the end of the day, loyal Crown & Anchor fans can't go wrong with either card, as both options offer a straightforward way to earn rewards toward future Royal Caribbean vacations. 

Still, you may find that the premium Royal ONE Plus card better meets your needs as a frequent cruiser with enhanced benefits, while the no-fee Royal ONE Visa could be a smarter choice for occasional travelers. 

Methodology for comparing Royal Caribbean credit cards

For this comparison, we'll compare the Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus credit cards across six categories: 

• Annual fee 
• Current welcome offer 
• Ways to earn points 
• Redemption options 
• Cruise benefits
• Travel perks/protections 

Editor's note: This analysis is based on the everyday traveler, rather than dedicated cruise enthusiasts who may place a higher value on Royal Caribbean perks and benefits. Additionally, information related to the Visa Signature® cards collected by Royal Caribbean Blog has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the cards. 

Royal ONE vs. Royal ONE Plus comparison

Annual fee

When evaluating any credit card's annual fee, you must weigh the included benefits and statement credits to see whether you can justify the cost. The key is determining if you think it's worth it, as your spending habits and travel preferences may differ from your aunt's, coworker's, etc. 

In this case, the Royal ONE credit card allows cardholders to earn Royal Caribbean rewards without paying an annual fee, while the Royal ONE Plus comes with an annual fee of $99 in exchange for additional perks and better point earning rates. 

Although the $99 annual fee isn't as hefty as some other premium travel cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum, you still need to make sure you will use the card's benefits enough to offset the cost. Otherwise, you're better off going with the no-fee Royal ONE card. 

Welcome offer

Both cards come with welcome offers that can help get you closer to your next cruise vacation, though offers can change, and eligibility restrictions apply. If, for instance, your previously held Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises credit card was replaced by a Royal ONE credit card, you can't get a new welcome bonus. 

At the time of publication, the Royal ONE card offered new cardholders 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 within the first 90 days of account opening, while the Royal ONE Plus card offered 60,000 bonus points after spending $2,500 within the first 90 days of account opening.

Along with the annual fee, you'll need to consider whether you can comfortably meet the spending requirements for the Royal ONE Plus card within the designated timeframe. 

Ways to earn points

Another important factor to compare is each card's points-earning potential. 

Although both cards offer opportunities to rack up points, the Royal ONE Plus card comes with a few extra bonus categories that allow cardholders to earn points faster on certain purchases. 

The points multiplier for the no-fee Royal ONE card is as follows:

• 3 points per dollar spent on eligible Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea purchases
• 2 points per dollar on eligible grocery, gas, and EV charging station purchases
• 1 point per dollar on other everyday purchases

If you decide to go for the Royal ONE Plus card, you can expect the following point earning rates:

• 4 points per dollar spent on eligible Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea purchases
• 2 points per dollar on eligible airline, hotel, dining, grocery, gas, and EV charging station purchases
• 1 point per dollar on other everyday purchases

Overall, the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature® cards have pretty solid points multipliers, with a heavy emphasis on Royal Caribbean Group purchases. 

For example, with the Royal ONE card, you will earn three points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. So if you spend $1,500 on your cruise fare, you'll earn 4,500 points. 

Royal ONE Plus cardholders, however, will earn four points per dollar spent on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, turning that same $1,500 fare into 6,000 credit card points. The premium card also offers bonus point earnings on categories such as airlines, dining, and hotels.

One important caveat to keep in mind is that third-party bookings don't qualify for the bonus. In other words, if you book a Royal Caribbean cruise through a travel website like Expedia, the purchase won't be eligible for the point multiplier rate. 

Redemption options

Unlike other credit cards that have multiple transfer partners, the Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus cards focus on Royal Caribbean-related rewards. 

This means that if you want a travel card that offers flexibility between airline and hotel transfers, you won't get the same level of versatility from these cards. 

However, the ability to redeem rewards directly toward cruises and pricey add-ons can make a Royal Caribbean credit card a valuable addition to your travel strategy – if you're a frequent cruiser. 

That said, there isn't a difference in how redemption works between the two cards. Each point is equivalent to one cent that you can apply toward cruise discounts, add-ons, or onboard credit on Royal Caribbean Group-operated sailings, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. 

The minimum redemption is 5,000 points, which comes out to $50. As mentioned, points can be used to pay for a cruise, get extra onboard credit, or cover pre-cruise purchases. 

Point redemptions can be completed online, through the app, or by calling Royal Caribbean at 888-305-4626, Celebrity Cruises at 800-760-0654, or Silversea at 888-978-4077. 

The biggest difference comes down to the annual anniversary bonus. This, however, is subject to meeting the credit card's minimum spending requirements — and they aren't exactly easy to reach.

Royal ONE cardholders receive a $100 anniversary credit after spending $10,000 or more on the card annually, while Royal ONE Plus cardholders get a $200 anniversary credit after spending $20,000 or more each year.

Cruise benefits

The Royal Caribbean credit cards come with a few onboard perks aboard Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea cruises. 

All cardholders, for example, receive access to special events during their sailings and priority boarding at the terminal (subject to availability). This ensures that you aren't stuck wasting valuable vacation time in line and can start enjoying everything onboard sooner. 

Those with the Royal ONE Plus card also benefit from expedited luggage delivery, along with access to a dedicated suite boarding lane that makes the embarkation process even faster.

Travel perks/protections  

Both credit cards offer perks that are useful for land-based travel, including no foreign transaction fees. As a Visa Signature® cardholder, you'll have access to the Visa Signature® Luxury Hotel Collection and receive special rates and VIP status at select hotels worldwide. 

The cards also include 24-hour travel and emergency assistance, car rental coverage, access to emergency roadside assistance, trip delay and lost luggage expense reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and extended warranty protection. 

Finally, Royal ONE Plus cardholders will receive a $120 statement credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry enrollment or renewal once every four years.

Is the Royal ONE credit card or the Royal ONE Plus credit card better?

There isn't a right or wrong answer when it comes to which Royal Caribbean credit card is better. At the end of the day, the better card depends on how often you cruise and how much value you can squeeze out of the card's benefits. 

The no-fee Royal ONE card is a solid option for occasional cruisers who want to earn rewards for future vacations without paying an annual fee. On the flip side, Royal ONE Plus is designed for frequent travelers who want to maximize their rewards and take advantage of additional benefits. 

With higher earning rates on Royal Caribbean Group purchases, extra bonus categories, priority suite boarding, expedited luggage delivery, and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit, it is easy for some to justify the $99 annual fee. 

That said, the Royal ONE Plus card really only makes sense if you travel enough to use the benefits to offset the cost. Occasional cruisers may get more value from the Royal ONE card's no-fee structure and simple rewards.

Choose Royal ONE if...

• You aren't a frequent cruiser
• You don't want to pay an annual fee
• You want a simple way to earn rewards toward future Royal Caribbean vacations

Choose Royal ONE Plus if... 

• You cruise multiple times per year 
• You spend regularly in the card's bonus categories, including dining, hotels, and airlines
• You'll take advantage of the TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit

Royal Caribbean is getting a very early start on the holiday shopping season with a new sale that could save you lots on your next cruise.

Their Black Friday Sneak Peek sale reflects the eagerly anticipated hottest shopping day of the year in November, but instead it's being offered in July.

The sale is live now through July 28, 2026 on select sailings departing July 24, 2026 - June 30, 2027.

Royal Caribbean prices all of its extras dynamically, which means the price will vary from sailing to sailing and ship to ship.

Up to 50% off discounts

The Black Friday Sneak Peek sale spans every category of things you can pre-purchase for a cruise, including drink packages, Wi-Fi, shore excursions, and more.

Royal Caribbean advertises you can expect up to 50% off select items, but the percentage off varies depending on the category of item.

• Shore excursions: up to 40% off
• Royal Beach Club bundles: up to 50% off
• Royal Beach Club day passes: up to 35% off
• Beverage packages: up to 40% off
• Unlimited Dining Package: up to 50% off
• Internet package (multi-device plans): up to 50% off

It's important to note that just because there is a Cruise Planner sale doesn't mean the prices of items you see has gone down. Cruise add-on prices aren't marketed the same as apparel or electronics, where prices are marked down across the board.

What's the best price for the popular things

Royal Caribbean offers a lot of add-ons you can buy for a cruise, but a handful are my favorites that are worth checking for a price drop.

Drink packages

Arguably the most popular add-on to buy for a cruise, Royal Caribbean's drink packages are the most sought after discount because the onboard prices are as much as $100 per person, per day.

Royal Caribbean offers a number of beverage packages, but the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package are the two most commonly purchased ones.

A good price for a Deluxe Beverage Package is if you can get it below $75.00 per day.  If you can get it for less than $60 per day, it's a great deal.

The Refreshment Package is usually around $30 per day when pre-purchased.  Anything less than that is a great deal.

Internet packages

Royal Caribbean loves to deeply discount its Wi-Fi packages before the cruise begins, but it's best if you are buying a multi-device package.

You can buy up to a 4 device package, and yes, you can share Wi-Fi packages with other people. There's no rule against that.

It's important to do some math here, because often the per device price is better if you buy those.

For example, my upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise is priced as follows:

• 1 device package: $65.97
• 2 device package: $104.97
• 3 device package: $134.97
• 4 device package: $143.97

The percentage off gradually increases, from 35% off the 1 device plan, but 50% off for per device for the 4 device plan.

Beach day passes

I'll always check with any Royal Caribbean sale if the price of a day pass to any of its beach clubs has gotten better.

There are four day passes Royal Caribbean sells to its beach clubs:

• Coco Beach Club
• Hideaway Beach
• Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
• Thrill Waterpark

Generally speaking, a really good price for each of these is if you can find it as follows:

• Coco Beach Club: Less than $150 per person
• Hideaway Beach: Less than $60 per person
• Royal Beach Club Paradise Island: Less than $125 per person
• Thrill Waterpark: Less than $70 per person

I'm sure some of our readers will disagree with me, but based on where prices have been most recently, this is the threshold I look for.

Specialty restaurants & packages

Discounts on specialty restaurants can be more hit or miss with pre-cruise sales, but I'll check for discounts on specific restaurants or packages.

I've found better discounts on dining packages, especially the Unlimited Dining Package, which can take the sting out of eating at multiple restaurants.

The closer you can get the per-night rate down to $30 per night, the better the deal.

Buy now because you can reprice later

You can log into the Royal Caribbean app or Cruise Planner website to check for what the prices are for your sailing.

Please keep in mind that the sale may not actually discount more what you have previously seen. Royal Caribbean's sales aren't across the board discounts.  

The cruise line uses AI to price their items based on a specific ship and sailing's demand, length, ship age, and even demographic of who's sailing on it.

I recommend buying anything you see that is at a reasonable price that you are comfortable with. Remember, it will cost you more if you want to book it onboard.

The other advantage of buying these items now is you can lock in the price and guard against a price going up.  

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel and then re-purchase the same item. There's no cancellation penalty.

A mechanical issue delayed the start of Utopia of the Seas on Monday.

One of the largest cruise ships in the world, Utopia was originally scheduled to depart at 3pm, but an announcement quickly warned guests that it would be delayed.

Guests onboard the ship posted updates on social media as the delays began to mount.

Utopia of the Seas was scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral, and offer a 4-night cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

Utopia of the Seas launched in 2024 and is 225,282 gross tons. It has 2,834 staterooms and can accommodate 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

While the ship was able to depart eventually, there's been an update to its schedule

The Captain announced a maintenance issue

Initially, the delayed departure was supposed to only be a few hours, with a revised departure time of 6pm.

"We are on it too and the [Captain] just announced ongoing issue," one person wrote on Facebook.

Another person added, "They made an announcement that they had a delay with maintenance and it would be a 2 hour delay before departure."

But the hours started ticking away.

Utopia of the Seas remained safely docked in Port Canaveral until the undisclosed issue was resolved.

The ship eventually was able to depart Port Canaveral sometime in the early morning, between 3 and 5am. Different cruisers reported varying times that the ship finally left.

A revised itinerary

The good news is Utopia of the Seas had very little distance to travel in order to make its ports of call in The Bahamas.

According to passengers onboard, the new itinerary was to have a sea day on Tuesday, followed by Nassau on Wednesday, and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Thursday.

The original plan was for Utopia to be at CocoCay on Tuesday.

Royal Caribbean changed plans for Wonder of the Seas too

According to Cruise Fever, Wonder of the Seas also changed its plans as a result of Utopia's change.

Wonder is a similar size ship as Utopia and sailing a similar itinerary from Miami.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas vs. Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean also changed Wonder's plan to visit CocoCay on Thursday instead of Tuesday.

Why did they change Wonder's plans too? It's likely to keep all the pre-booked tours and rentals in place without having to cancel and rebook everything.

Typically when a cruise ship changes plans, any pre-booked excursions have to be cancelled and refunds issued. But by keeping the same ships in port at Royal Caribbean's private island on a day in which no other ships were scheduled to visit, it allows for them to keep everything booked.

What happens onboard when a ship is delayed?

Unlike an airplane, a cruise ship with maintenance issues can still operate normally for guests.

Royal Caribbean keeps nearly all of its venues open and its activity schedule executing as planned.

There are bars, restaurants and shows to enjoy even while the ship remains docked in port.  Guests would likely not notice much of a difference other than the ship not moving.

The two areas of the ship that cannot legally be open while a cruise ship remains in port are its casino and onboard shops.

Cruise lines have an agreement with the countries they visit to usually keep both of those venues closed while in port, as not to compete with the local options.

Once the ship departs and is sufficiently far away from land, then the casino and shops can open.

When sailing on Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest cruise ship, I tried 6 food hacks to make the most of my meals onboard. From loaded tater tots to a gourmet lunch at the buffet, I discovered a few tasty hacks you’ll want to try yourself.

I recently spent a week aboard Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s latest Icon Class ship. In addition to offering a wide selection of entertainment options, thrilling activities, and spacious cabins, the ship also offers an extensive lineup of restaurants.

There are 28 dining venues around the ship, with 16 complimentary and 12 extra-cost options.

Food is an important part of any cruise vacation, and I wanted to make the most of everything to eat onboard. I got creative, looking beyond the usual options to see how I could “hack” my way to the most delicious snacks and meals around the ship.

After trying numerous food hacks aboard Legend of the Seas, these were my favorite, along with one I wouldn’t try again.

Food Hack #1: Embarkation Day Gourmet Lunch

The Windjammer buffet is a staple restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, but it’s usually not associated with fine dining. Although the venue offers a wide array of options, it’s generally seen as a quick, no-frills place to dine while onboard.

However, what if I told you that the buffet offers perhaps the most luxurious meal of the entire cruise?

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe buffet

All of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class ships offer gourmet food options in the buffet for embarkation day lunch. You’ll find options like filet mignon, lobster tails, calamari, mussels, crab legs, and more, and it’s all included in your cruise fare.

I headed to the Windjammer right after boarding to see whether this upgraded buffet meal lived up to the hype. My travel party and I sampled items like lobster tails with lemon caper sauce and filet mignon with chimichurri.

Everything was excellent, and I was impressed with the quality of the food. It was a major upgrade compared to the typical offerings of hamburgers and fries, pasta stations, and Asian stir-fry.

If you’re someone who skips the Windjammer on embarkation day to avoid crowds, you might want to reconsider the restaurant when sailing on Legend of the Seas. Not all cruisers know about this complimentary, gourmet “food hack,” and it’s a fun way to start your cruise with just a little bit of luxury.

Food Hack #2: Tapas & Wine

I love any food hack that feels fancy, and Legend of the Seas’ complimentary tapas stand is an easy way to turn a quick snack into a sophisticated aperitif.

Inside the AquaDome Market on Legend of the Seas are five food stands that are included in guests’ cruise fares. The stands offer everything from Korean rice bowls to Cajun gumbo, sweet crêpes, street tacos, and my personal favorite—Spanish tapas.

Related: Ranking every food stand at Legend of the Seas' AquaDome Market

La Española, the Spanish-inspired stand, offers a variety of bite-sized tapas along with gazpacho. Tapas include marinated Spanish olives, patatas bravas, tortilla de patatas, and pan con tomate.

This is the first time Royal Caribbean has offered a dedicated tapas menu on one of its cruise ships. Although the Trellis Bar, located in Central Park, offers finger foods like truffle fries and steak bites, these come with an extra charge.

I wanted to see if I could “hack” the system to enjoy an aperitif, complete with a drink and bite-sized snacks, without spending extra on food.

So, I grabbed a selection of tapas from La Española and headed next door to The Overlook, an observation lounge complete with a bar and spectacular ocean views. I ordered a glass of wine, which paired perfectly with the savory and crunchy pan con tomate.

Even though the food came from a casual, quick-service food hall, the experience felt much more luxurious, and I would definitely try this hack again.

Food Hack #3: Mexican-Style Loaded Tater Tots

One lunch venue that’s always busy on Legend of the Seas is El Loco Fresh, the ship’s grab-and-go, complimentary Mexican restaurant. If you’re in the mood for quesadillas, nachos, burritos, tacos, and more, this is the spot to visit.

Right above El Loco Fresh, however, is Basecamp, another complimentary restaurant that offers quick-service snacks like pretzel bites, tater tots, and chicken fingers. Given the proximity of these two venues, I decided to try a food hack that would combine them.

Related: I tried a free food hack on my Royal Caribbean cruise that I couldn't believe was so good

I grabbed a bowl of tater tots from Basecamp before heading downstairs to the salsa station at El Loco Fresh. Then I proceeded to top my tater tots with salsa, cheese, guacamole, and lettuce, creating a potato-filled twist on traditional nachos.

It was a fun way to level up my tater tots, but next time, I’d reconsider my choice of toppings. The salsa, lettuce, and cheese cooled the tater tots quite quickly. I also wished I’d topped the tater tots with some type of protein to make the dish more substantial.

If you plan to try this food hack, I’d recommend loading the tater tots with warm options from El Loco Fresh, such as chicken, nacho cheese, and black beans, and later visiting the salsa station to add additional toppings.

Overall, this food hack has great potential, but I’d make a few changes next time I try it.

Food Hack #4: Giovanni’s Wine Bar Pizza

If you want to try a specialty restaurant on Legend of the Seas without a hefty cover charge, there’s a hack you’ll want to try.

Adjacent to the ship’s Italian restaurant, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, you’ll find Giovanni’s Wine Bar. This bar offers classic and Italian-themed cocktails, and it also offers an à la carte menu for food. Menu items range from $7 margherita pizzas to a $9 Italian stromboli and $6 tiramisu.

Related: 6 restaurants on Royal Caribbean we recommend over and over

If you just want to try one or two items, eating at the wine bar will save you money compared to the restaurant’s lunch and dinner cover charges for all-you-can-eat dining, which usually run around $25 and $50, respectively.

One evening of my cruise, I headed to Giovanni’s Wine Bar for a budget-friendly specialty meal. My travel party and I each ordered a margherita pizza, which we enjoyed with an Aperol spritz.

Not including the cocktails, our total bill was only $18.52 with gratuity. The pizzas were large enough to fill us up for the rest of the evening, and they were much higher quality than the pizza at Sorrento’s.

Not only that, but the ambiance of the wine bar—located in the middle of the Royal Promenade—was great for people-watching, and I also enjoyed the live music that accompanied our meal.

Food Hack #5: Ice Cream Crêpe

One hack I wouldn’t recommend trying on your Legend of the Seas cruise is a soft-serve ice cream-topped crêpe.

Judging by the endless lines of hungry passengers, Crème de la Crêpe is, by far, the most popular food stand in Legend of the Seas’ AquaDome Market. Day and night, this stand serves up four sweet crêpe options, ranging from Salted Caramel to the ever-popular Hazelnut & Bananas crêpe.

The crêpes certainly live up to the hype. I’m not sure I’ve gone one day sailing on an Icon Class ship without ordering one myself.

Yet one evening, I had an idea to “elevate” the standard crêpe. I took my freshly-made crêpe just a few steps away to Sprinkles, the soft-serve ice cream stand onboard. I asked the crew member to top my crêpe with chocolate ice cream, thinking it would make the sweet treat even tastier.

Unfortunately, though, my ice cream crêpe was not what I imagined. The ice cream overpowered the crêpe’s flavor, and it quickly made the dish cold and soggy.

It was fun to try something new, but I’ll be skipping this hack next time.

Food Hack #6: Surfside Eatery for Breakfast

Legend of the Seas has over 6,000 passengers, so you’re guaranteed to encounter crowds here and there. Yet with a little planning, you can find quiet areas of the ship that almost feel like you have the place to yourself.

One of my favorite food hacks I tried on Legend of the Seas was eating breakfast at Surfside Eatery instead of the Windjammer buffet. The Windjammer gets extremely crowded during peak meal times, especially at breakfast.

I was determined to avoid these crowds, so I searched for other options. Surfside Eatery, an included, smaller buffet located in the ship’s family-friendly Surfside neighborhood, seemed like the perfect fit.

Many guests don’t even know this venue exists, or if they do, they think of it as a kids-only venue. Yet Surfside Eatery offers a large selection of breakfast foods, albeit not quite as extensive as the Windjammer’s.

Related: Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to expect

I visited Surfside Eatery for breakfast on the third morning of my cruise, and I was one of only a few passengers in the restaurant. I enjoyed the same foods I would have eaten in the Windjammer, including an omelet, pastry, and fruit, but without the chaos of the latter.

Throughout my cruise, I kept returning to Surfside Eatery for breakfast. It was a more peaceful way to start my morning rather than navigating the crowds in the Windjammer.

Double points is back for the first time in many years.

You have now until the end of July to get double loyalty points when booking a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean is offering guests bonus loyalty points, in which they can earn double the normal amount of points.

This promotion was originally offered during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020 and 2021 as a way to entice new bookings at a time when cruise ships weren't sailing and the company needed an influx of money.

It was quite popular with passengers, because extra points makes it easier to get to the next loyalty tier.

Double points is back for new cruise bookings.

Double points offer

Beginning July 21, new cruises booked qualify for the double points offer.

Targeting the cruise line's loyalty members, the Double Points offer is just what it sounds like: Customers who book a cruise during the promotion will get double the normal amount of Crown & Anchor loyalty points when cruising.

Every category of cabin on Royal Caribbean ships is eligible for the promotion.

New cruises booked between July 21 - 31, 2026 on sailings departing September 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027 will receive double the cruise points to Crown & Anchor Society members.

Here is the breakdown of the points you will receive under the Double Points offer:

A 7-night cruise in a standard cabin will earn 14 points, instead of the regular 7 points.

Transatlantic and Transpacific sailings are excluded from this offer, because they would potentially earn too many points.

Double Points is available to Gold, Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Crown & Anchor Society members.

Double Points Offer is combinable with BOGO60, Kids Sail Free and Free 3rd & 4th Guests, as well as promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Crown & Anchor discounts, and Shareholder Benefits. Not combinable with any offer or promotion including but not limited to complimentary cruises, employee cruises, casino offers, seminar rates, or travel agent reduced rates. 

One caveat is you cannot earn double points through this promotion and then apply to transfer them to a different cruise line through the Points Choice program.  You would forfeit the bonus points in such a situation.

Why this is such a good offer

Being able to get double the amount of points than normal is both lucrative to cruisers and rare.

Anyone that takes advantage of this new offer can reach the higher tiers of Crown & Anchor Society faster, such as Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club. These are the tiers when more freebies are available and perks start to really add up.

This includes complimentary drink vouchers, Wi-Fi, reserved seating at shows, photos, and more.

Since Royal Caribbean loyalty status doesn't expire, it's a benefit that never goes away.  Anyone that's serious about attaining higher status will likely find great value since you can shoot up the loyalty ladder.

For example, someone staying solo in a suite could get 42 points for that voyage. That would allow a new cruiser to get to Platinum or Emerald in just one sailing (depending on how many points they had before the sailing).

The number of points you need for Royal Caribbean's tier levels breaks down like this:

• Gold: 3 Cruise Points
• Platinum: 30 Cruise Points
• Emerald: 55 Cruise Points
• Diamond: 80 Cruise Points
• Diamond Plus: 175 Cruise Points
• Pinnacle Club: 700 Points

The catch is it's for new cruises only

Before you start planning out your Pinnacle party, there are two catches.

This offer applies to new bookings only. Any existing bookings you have do not qualify for double points. 

Second, you can only book up to two cruises with the offer. 

Just like five years ago, Royal Caribbean is using this new offer as a way to spur new bookings. The company is in a much better financial situation today, so it's likely they want to simply help their bottom line.

During a press event aboard Odyssey of the Seas in 2021, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley outlined exactly this sort of a situation to offer double points.

When he was asked if double points would return, he answered they would use it "strategically."

"You'll see more of that coming, but it's not going to be a blanket open book."

You're going on a Royal Caribbean cruise with your neighbor, the family of your kids' friend, or a coworker. This will either be a great vacation to enjoy together or an exercise in awkwardness.

It seemed like a good idea when you proposed booking the same cruise with friends, but suddenly you realize you don't know them very well and have no clue what they're like for more than a couple hours at a time. Plus, you don't want to ruin your friendship.

I've certainly had these types of cruises, where people I know from my everyday life want to come on a cruise and as the sailing approaches, I'm unsure what to expect in terms of the overall dynamic we will have. 

The good news is I think with the right approach, you can have a great vacation, spend time with them, and not put your entire relationship in jeopardy afterwards.

Don't treat the cruise like a group project

I think the biggest mistake you can make when cruising with friends is to act like you have to do everything together.

The beauty of a cruise vacation is you're together on the ship, but you don't have to do the same things all the time. Unlike visiting a city together, a cruise allows for more independence while still feeling like you're experiencing the same things.

One mantra of all the advice in this article is you shouldn't feel guilty about doing your own thing.

You'll likely pick up on your friends cruise differently than you. They might wake up at 6am to go to the gym, or they might sleep until 10am.  You might want to try all the trivia events, but they want to hang out at the pool all day.

That's completely normal, and you should avoid the temptation to over plan how you spend your days together.

You don't have to book every excursion together

Sometimes the best idea is to split up.

I think sharing a group excursion is actually a great idea, especially to lower the costs. But you shouldn't feel obligated to always do every tour together.

When I cruised to Alaska with friends, I had a different idea of a fun excursion than my friends. While I did look to see if there was something else we could do, ultimately we chose to do our own tours and meet up later in town. 

We split up, but then met back onboard and shared stories about it.

I would start by looking for excursions you can enjoy together, but don't be afraid to say "we'll do our thing, and you do yours" if tours don't line up.

Give each other permission to say "no"

Before I book a cruise with casual friends, the first thing I'll say is they don't have to do everything with us all the time.

It's important to normalize phrases like, "I'm going to skip this one" or "You guys go ahead".  

There shouldn't be any guilt if you'd rather not participate in something. 

For example, I can't stand magic shows or the Battle of the Sexes game shows, but it seems like a lot of first-time cruisers really enjoy it.  So when they bring up the idea of going to that, I'll politely decline.

The important thing is not to guilt anyone who opts not to try something, but still invite them to join you. I find everyone is happier when there's less regiment and more freedom to join in or not.

Buy an internet package to make communicating easy

I think if there's one thing to buy for your cruise, it's an internet package to make it simpler to be able to message each other.

Royal Caribbean's app has a free messaging feature, but notifications can be tricky. Moreover, using the texting app you're used to at home is just plain easier.

Being able to easily and quickly message each other is essential to avoid the problem of feeling like someone disappeared.

I've cruised with friends and then realized after a day or two no one has heard from them.  Then you start playing the game of do they want to be left alone? Or are they waiting for you to contact them?

Agree on a messaging app before the cruise and check-in regularly to keep the lines of communication open. You cannot rely on the idea you'll run into each other when cruising together.

Book the cruise with the same travel agent

There are a lot of good reasons to use the same travel agent when booking a cruise with friends.

You do not want to be your friends' personal reminder to make final payment, help them solve payment issues, or assist with getting your dining times coordinated.  Let a travel agent do all of that, especially the billing issues.

If you are traveling with a large group, using the same travel agent could get everyone group benefits if there are enough of you sailing together. You'd need at least 6 cabins, but speak to your travel agent about further details on this idea.

Ultimately, I'll recommend my friends use a travel agent so when they have changes, questions, or issues to deal with, the travel agent can handle it all. Those are the sort of issues that people get frustrated with, and I don't want to be the "middle man" in that.

There's a new hidden escape to find on Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The cruise line quietly opened a new section that offers guests a tranquil escape from the party atmosphere you might find elsewhere around the private island.

The Secret Garden Bar opened over the weekend as a secluded area that has shaded places to sit, a bar, books to read, and more.

This new area looks like it would appeal to cruisers that want to bring their own book, grab a drink, or enjoy more Zen time.

It's part of Perfect Day at CocoCay island in The Bahamas.  Many Royal Caribbean ships visit CocoCay during their Caribbean and Bahamian sailings.

Here's our first look at what you can expect to find at the Secret Garden Bar.

A hidden hangout spot

With the name "Secret Garden Bar", Royal Caribbean clearly created a special space that isn't meant to be everyone's first stop.

Gina Warren shared photos of the new bar that opened over the weekend and is now welcoming guests who come across it.

A archway welcomes guests in as they walk down a sandy path to lead to the garden area.

It's not a large area, but you'll find a wooden walkway with chairs and umbrellas to sit and enjoy.

There appear to be about a half dozen pairs of chairs along the walkway, with a reflecting pool in the middle.

As the name implies, there is indeed a bar in the middle.

The bar has a rustic tiki theme to it, and it's not large at all.  It reflects the nature of this entire section, as it's a spot off the beaten path.

There are about five chairs at the bar, with a few more seats nearby.

The other fun feature here is a small sitting couch, surrounded by books.

Not quite a cabana, this looks like a reader's perfect refuge for laying down with a book that's borrowed or brought with them.

You'll find inside fun quips and sayings related to reading.

How to find the Secret Garden Bar

Royal Caribbean added the Secret Garden Bar on the north side of the island.

As you walk towards South Beach, there's now a sign that welcomes guests in.

There's no admission cost

The Secret Garden Bar has no cost to enter, but any drinks you order would be extra.

Of course, guests with an unlimited drink package can enjoy beverages here because beverage packages work at CocoCay.

If you want a hidden beach, try Cove Beach

I know what some of you are thinking, "This looks great, but I want a secluded beach too," and that wish has already been granted.

Located past South Beach is an area called Cove Beach, and it's also a relatively new option that's been added to the island.

Cove Beach is small, but it's an area to walk to if you want as quiet a beach area as exists on CocoCay.

There's no DJ, bar, or activities. Just sand, some chairs, and the ocean to enjoy.

One area within Royal Caribbean's private destination

The Secret Garden Bar is one small part of a very impressive private island experience.

Perfect Day at CocoCay has quickly become one of Royal Caribbean's most popular destinations among cruisers, given its tremendously high guest satisfaction scores.

It has everything from resort-style pools and over-the-water cabanas to an adult-only retreat, beautiful beaches, a massive water park, and more, ensuring that everyone has their "perfect day" ashore. 

There's no cost to enter CocoCay, and most of what's available to do is included in your cruise fare.

Over the past several years, Royal Caribbean has rolled out numerous policy changes that have reshaped everything from loyalty benefits to gambling, specialty reservations, and more. 

Some updates have improved the overall cruise experience, while others have sparked debate among loyal passengers who have seen perks scaled back and stricter rules enforced. 

Someone that hasn't cruised in a while would be interested to know what to expect, while casual cruisers may be unaware of the updated rules.

We sought to list the biggest changes Royal Caribbean has made in the post-Covid era of cruising. It might not be every single change, but it's the changes with the biggest impacts on how you cruise.

Whether you're nearing Pinnacle Club status or are planning your first cruise, these changes have had a lasting impact on the Royal Caribbean experience. 

Wine policy changed to per adult instead of per stateroom

The Royal Caribbean wine policy used to state that each cabin could bring up to two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne on embarkation day, regardless of how many adults were staying in the cabin. 

In 2023, however, the cruise line revised the policy to make the allowance per adult instead of per stateroom. Now, each adult may bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne. So, for example, if four adults are sharing a cabin, they can bring up to four bottles onboard.

Enforcing the corkage fee

On that note, while you can bring wine on Royal Caribbean ships, the cruise line has become more consistent about enforcing its corkage fee. 

If you decide to drink the wine you brought onboard in one of the ship's restaurants, bars, or lounges rather than in your cabin, you'll be charged a $15 corkage fee per bottle.

Cruise gratuities increased

Effective November 2024, Royal Caribbean raised the daily gratuity rate by 50 cents per day, bringing the new rate for standard cabins to $18.50 per person, up from $18.00, and suites to $21.00 per person, up from $20.50. 

The cruise line also increased the mandatory service charge for salon and spa services from 18% to 20%. This matches Celebrity Cruises' salon/spa policy.

Souvenir soda cups aren't included with every drink package anymore 

The Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment Package are Royal Caribbean's two priciest drink packages. Yet, these packages no longer automatically include a Coca-Cola souvenir cup for every guest who purchases them.

Instead, guests with a package who would like access to the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines can purchase a souvenir cup onboard for $4.99.

Dropped drink package exception rule

When someone purchases the Deluxe Beverage Package, all other adults in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. In the past, a common workaround was to call and request that the other guest purchase the Royal Refreshment Package instead.

Unfortunately, effective August 2025, Royal Caribbean no longer grants exceptions to its policy requiring all guests in a stateroom to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package. As such, if one person wants the alcoholic package, you should be prepared to have to buy it for everyone in your stateroom, even if some guests don't drink a lot of alcohol.

Pre-book meals with a specialty dining package 

One popular change was the new feature that allows guests with dining packages to pre-book their specialty restaurants via the online Cruise Planner. 

Previously, one of the major caveats with the packages was that guests had to wait until they were on the ship to confirm their reservations. Now, you can book specialty reservations before embarkation day. 

No-show fee for specialty dining reservations

With specialty restaurants in such high demand among guests, Royal Caribbean implemented a policy to reduce no-shows and free up tables that might otherwise sit empty during peak dining times. 

Under the policy, guests cannot modify their reservation within 24 hours of their scheduled dining time. Those who cancel within that window or don't show up may be charged a cancellation fee, which starts at $25 per person and increases to $50 for premium restaurants like Empire Supper Club and Izumi Hibachi. 

Introduced a third seating time in the dining room

In the past, Royal Caribbean offered two traditional dinner times on its ships, seating guests around 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Although the traditional seating is a popular option for many guests, others thought the times were either too early or too late. 

As such, the cruise line added a third dining time to fit other passengers' schedules, ensuring that dinner remained a convenient and enjoyable part of the daily cruise experience. The exact time of the extra seating depends on the ship and itinerary, but it typically starts between 6:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Changes to Adventure Ocean prices for nursery and late-night care

Adventure Ocean is free for kids between 3 and 12 until 10:00 p.m. After that, there's an hourly charge for those staying for the late-night party. This now costs $15 per hour, per child, up from $10. 

Adventure Ocean Babies, the daycare spot for infants and toddlers between 6 and 36 months, also got more expensive. The new nursery rates are $9 per hour per child until 6 p.m., up from $6 per hour, and $12 per hour after 6 p.m., up from $8 per hour.

Priority tendering for Pinnacle Club members

With Priority Digitized Tendering, top-tier Pinnacle Club members don't have to worry about waiting in line to collect a ticket or rushing to secure a spot on a tender boat. 

Instead, when visiting La Spezia on Harmony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, or Legend of the Seas, Pinnacle Club cruisers can simply head to the designated tender boarding area.

Banned multi-plug outlets

According to Royal Caribbean's website, electrical items and electronic equipment not designed for personal grooming are banned from its ships. 

Previously, this excluded multi‑plug outlets. However, the cruise line updated its prohibited-items policy to ban multi-plug outlets, alongside extension cords and power strips.

Video poker gets fewer casino points

Royal Caribbean increased the earning requirement for video poker to $15 per point. This means that you now have to wager more money to earn the same number of casino points.

They also started charging a convenience fee for onboard casino withdrawals at slot machines if you aren't Prime or above. It's $3.00 per transaction, so you're better off transferring one large sum rather than multiple smaller ones during your sailing. 

Surfside Family Suites downgraded to Sea Class 

The Surfside Family Suites, available exclusively on Icon Class ships, overlook the Surfside neighborhood. Although they come with a high price tag, these cabins are part of the entry-level tier of the Royal Suite Class.

As such, effective May 2026, they no longer have access to the Suite Lounge, Concierge services, complimentary internet access, complimentary beverages in the Suite Lounge, and can only dine at Coastal Kitchen for dinner.

Sunset Junior Suites upgraded to Sky Class 

On the flip side, Sunset Junior Suites received a welcome upgrade, moving from the Sea Class tier to Sky Class within the Royal Suite Class program. 

As such, guests staying in these suites have access to additional perks and amenities, including all-day access to Coastal Kitchen, Concierge services, and more, that were previously reserved for higher-tier accommodations.

Refreshed crystal block design

Royal Caribbean's crystal blocks are awarded to guests who have earned at least 140 cruise points. After that, members earn additional crystal blocks for every 70 cruise points accumulated.

Before February 2023, the crystal block elements were etched into the crystal, giving them an elegant, timeless look. The updated design features a colorful image of the ship with the Crown & Anchor logo in the upper-left corner and the ship's name in the lower-right corner.

Better Diamond drink rollover time 

One of the best Crown & Anchor Society perks is the complimentary drinks awarded to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle guests — and now the benefit is even more flexible for night owls. 

Effective December 2022, Royal Caribbean changed the rule so that these vouchers can be redeemed from 5:00 a.m. one day until 4:59 a.m. the following day. This means that unused drinks no longer expire at midnight. 

Changes to Crown & Anchor welcome snacks and beverages 

Unfortunately, Emerald members and above can no longer pre-select welcome beverages. Instead, all guests will receive complimentary water in their stateroom on embarkation day. Emerald and Diamond passengers will get two bottles per person, whereas Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club cruisers will get three per person. 

Additionally, the cruise line removed the welcome snack as a loyalty benefit, so there won't be cookies waiting in your stateroom anymore. 

Multiple cruise passengers found themselves in handcuffs after law enforcement officers arrested travelers with outstanding warrants. 

Six cruise guests were arrested at Port Canaveral on Friday, July 17, while either embarking or disembarking from cruises, for outstanding warrants and probation violations, law enforcement officials confirmed. 

"To start the day off was Martell Murray out of Georgia and his cabin mate, Kenderia Burney out of Leon County, Florida. Murray had a warrant reference a violation of his release conditions for his Murder charges…yes you read that correctly, and Burney had [a] warrant for Violation of Probation!!" shared the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Florida (Official) Facebook page. 

"Luckily these two still got to vacation together at the Lodge even though they got accommodations with separate sleeping quarters."

Veronica Hamlet of Tampa, Florida, and James Brewton of Allendale, South Carolina, were also arrested on outstanding warrants for failure to appear and violation of probation, respectively.

The Facebook post continued, "To put the cherry on top of the piña colada, two passengers disembarking from their cruise were stopped as they are currently on Felony Probation and did not have approval to leave the country!!"

According to the arrest reports, both Murray and Burney are being held without bond. Hamlet, however, was released on a $1,000 bond, while Brewton was released on a $500 bond on Saturday, July 18.

The final two arrests involved unnamed passengers who were serving felony probation and had not received permission to leave the country. As such, they violated the terms of their probation by going on a cruise. 

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office didn't specify which ships the guests had sailed on or intended to sail on. However, according to CruiseMapper, there were three ships in port on Friday: Utopia of the Seas, Disney Wish, and Carnival Glory. 

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas had just finished up a four-night Bahamian voyage and was about to embark on a short weekend cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Similarly, Disney Wish had returned to Port Canaveral after completing a four-night Bahamian itinerary featuring a visit to Disney's private island destination, Castaway Cay, and a stop in Nassau. The 144,000 gross-ton Wish Class ship later on another Bahamas cruise to the line's private island and Nassau. 

Finally, Carnival Glory just completed a four-night sailing that included stops at Nassau and Celebration Key. Like the other two vessels, she then departed on a weekend cruise to Carnival's newest private destination. 

Can you go on a cruise with a felony?

Having a criminal record does not automatically mean you can't go on a cruise, but there are a few important factors to consider.

Generally speaking, there's no law prohibiting felons from boarding a ship. However, Ron Harper, a Licensed Paralegal and owner of OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Service, told Royal Caribbean Blog that lines can deny boarding to individuals with felony convictions.

Some countries also have strict entry restrictions and may refuse entry to felons, which further complicates the issue. 

"Although there is no federal law that prohibits someone convicted of a felony from boarding a cruise ship, several large cruise lines (e.g., Carnival, Royal Caribbean) perform criminal background checks," Harper explained. 

Royal Caribbean's website, for example, states that the cruise line checks booking details against law enforcement registries and its internal records to ensure the safety of all customers.

"We check booking details against law enforcement registers and Our internal records for the safety of all customers. With your consent to do so, we compare any photo you provide before your cruise with images taken during embarkation to help identify you and to speed up the boarding process for you," Royal Caribbean says.

"We also use closed-circuit television ("CCTV") cameras onboard Our ships, and We may match images against the photograph We have of you if We need to identify you."

Carnival conducts criminal background checks, too. However, its website adds that felons convicted of physical and/or sexual assault, armed robbery, and other violent crimes may be denied boarding.

Moving on, while convicted felons can cruise to places like The Bahamas and the Caribbean, countries may restrict entry to people with a criminal record.

"Most of the travelers believe that if they remain aboard the ship when they visit a port, they are not in trouble, but the fact is that the border agencies know about the ship by its manifest at least 96 hours before arrival," Barry Nussbaum, Owner and Senior Lawyer at Nussbaum Law in Ontario, said.

For example, countries such as Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand have strict entry requirements that may prevent individuals with felony convictions from visiting, even if their cruise departs from the United States.

Finally, Harper said that those on probation may face even more issues, with international travel (or even intrastate travel) requiring authorization from the probation officer who is responsible for supervising the individual.