Royal Caribbean Blog

Since Alaska is part of the United States, many travelers wonder whether they need a passport for an Alaskan cruise.

The Alaska cruise season is short, with Royal Caribbean sailings beginning in early May and going through September. As such, planning ahead is important. 

Because voyages don't run year-round, it's not uncommon for Alaska cruises to sell out in advance. Before booking, travelers must have proper documentation to avoid last-minute surprises. 

Certain voyages require all passengers, regardless of nationality, to have a valid passport, while U.S. citizens can get away with bringing a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID on others. 

Here's everything you need to know about whether you need a passport to cruise to Alaska or not. 

Do you need a passport for a cruise to Alaska?

Not all Alaskan cruises require passengers to have a passport. However, before booking your dream voyage to The Last Frontier, it's important to understand the various caveats. 

For starters, if you're not a U.S. citizen, you will need a valid passport on embarkation day to board your Alaska cruise, regardless of where it starts or ends. 

Similarly, U.S. citizens need a valid passport for one-way cruises from Seward, Alaska, or Vancouver, Canada. These include "Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier" and "Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier" itineraries. 

Passports are also required on round-trip cruises from Canada. In 2026, for example, Royal Caribbean is offering round-trip sailings from Vancouver on Serenade of the Seas. 

However, you aren't out of luck if you don't have a valid passport; U.S. citizens on a round-trip (or closed-loop) sailing from Seattle, Washington, don't need a passport for Alaska cruises. 

You'll notice on every round-trip sailing from Seattle that Royal Caribbean's ships stop in Victoria, British Columbia. This is because closed-loop cruises from the U.S. must visit a foreign port of call so as not to violate the Passenger Vessel Services Act. Don't worry — you still don't need a passport for these itineraries. That said, having one is always, always recommended. 

Read more: You can take a cruise without a passport, but some require one

What's the best Alaska cruise itinerary?

One-way cruises tend to be more immersive since less time is spent in transit from the continental United States. For example, one-way cruises often include a glacier viewing day at Hubbard Glacier, which is rare to find on round-trip sailings from Washington or Vancouver. 

Another benefit to one-way cruises is that it's easier to explore inland Alaska before or after your sailing. Seward, Alaska, for example, is about 360 miles from the Denali National Park and Preserve. Royal Caribbean will even take care of the planning if you book one of their cruisetours.

Sometimes, they're cheaper than round-trip cruises, too. Since planning pre- and post-cruise travel from two different destinations is more costly, it's not uncommon for cruise lines, Royal Caribbean included, to price these itineraries competitively to encourage travelers to choose them.

Round-trip sailings from Seattle, on the other hand, are the only option for travelers without a passport. While you won't visit remote glaciers, these itineraries still call at must-visit Alaskan ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, with scenic cruising through the Inside Passage.

In 2026, Royal Caribbean is deploying two ships to Washington: Anthem of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. Two ships — Ovation of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas — will also offer cruises from Seward and Vancouver. As such, you can experience The Last Frontier on a Quantum Class ship regardless of whether you choose a one-way or round-trip sailing.

Read more: How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary

Alaska cruise cost in 2026

The cost of an Alaska cruise varies greatly based on which month you sail, as well as your stateroom category. 

June, July, and August see the highest demand. As such, cruise fares can be more expensive during the summer months. On the flip side, the shoulder season months of May and September see less demand and, therefore, more competitive prices. 

Additionally, interior, ocean-view, balcony cabins, and suites all come with varying price points. Windowless inside staterooms are typically the cheapest, with balconies and suites offering more space and premium views — along with a higher price tag. 

At the time of publication, the cheapest Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise in 2026 is aboard Ovation of the Seas on August 21. Inside cabins start at $657 per person, while the price of a balcony shoots up to $1,055 per person. 

The one-way cruise departs from Vancouver, British Columbia, and has scheduled visits to Icy Strait Point, Sitka, Skagway, and Hubbard Glacier before ending in Seward. 

The cheapest round-trip cruise is aboard Voyager of the Seas from Seattle on the Sept. 11, 2026, sailing. Prices start at $714 per person for a standard interior stateroom, with the cost of a balcony increasing to $1,694 per person. 

In addition to the base cruise fare, you'll have to factor in the price of add-ons like drink packages, specialty meals, Wi-Fi, and shore excursions. Ship-sponsored tours in Alaska tend to be pricier in Alaska than in The Bahamas or Caribbean. 

For example, it is not uncommon to see excursions for once-in-a-lifetime experiences like visiting a sled dog musher's camp or a glacier helicopter ride cost $250 or more per person. 

Read more: I booked a 7-day cruise to Alaska for $1,500 per person, but spent nearly $2,400 with extras. Take a closer look at how much my cruise cost

Royal Caribbean is about to make it even easier to earn loyalty points while cruising on any of its brands of cruise ships.

Beginning January 30, the new Points Choice program will allow cruisers to earn loyalty points when cruising on any cruise line within the Royal Caribbean Group family.

This means you can take a Celebrity Cruise, but earn points in Crown and Anchor Society.

It's a major upgrade for cruisers because it makes it easier to expand your choices in where and how you cruise while still attaining status and climbing the loyalty ladder.

For the cruise company, the goal is to create a more flexible loyalty ecosystem across Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

Here’s a full breakdown of what Points Choice is, how it works, and when it starts.

Points Choice provides more choice and more value

Beginning January 30, Points Choice will allow cruisers to sail on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea and earn points back to the preferred loyalty program of their choice.

It will be available on sailings departing on or after January 30, 2026.

The program was initially announced in October 2025 when Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty revealed plans for the program.

"Points Choice is designed with our guests at the center," Mr. Liberty said in a statement today.

"Points Choice gives every guest the power to direct their loyalty points within our family of brands where they will have the biggest impact for them"

With Points Choice, you can now earn points from the Royal Caribbean Group cruise brand of your choice, with the amount of points you earn from a cruise depending on:

• Cruise line
• Number of nights sailed
• Stateroom category

After your sailing completes, you have up to 2 weeks to complete an online form to request the points be transferred.

Up until now, you could only earn loyalty points under the program of the cruise line you sailed on.  Going forward, you'll have the option to transfer those points to another loyalty program, including:

• Crown & Anchor Society (Royal Caribbean International)
• Captain’s Club (Celebrity Cruises)
• Venetian Society (Silversea)

If a guest is happy keeping their points with the brand they sailed, no action is required.

Points exchange rates

Points will be converted using brand-specific exchange rates.

Exchange rates will be reviewed and published annually on our branded websites. 

Royal Caribbean International

Celebrity Cruises

Silversea

How you earn points if you're a solo cruiser

When you cruise solo, how many bonus points you earn depends on which cruise line’s loyalty program you apply those points to.

• Celebrity Cruises awards double points to solo travelers.
• Royal Caribbean gives solo guests one additional point per night.
• Silversea does not offer bonus credit for solo cruising.

For example, a solo guest sailing with Royal Caribbean in a balcony stateroom on a 7-night cruise would earn 14 points total—one base point per night, plus one additional point per night for traveling alone.

If that guest chose to transfer those points to Celebrity Cruises, they would receive 42 Captain’s Club points. That total reflects three base points per night under the exchange rate, plus three bonus points per night for sailing solo.

If the same points were transferred to Silversea, the guest would earn 2 VS days, based on the exchange rate, with no added solo bonus.

The same principle works in reverse. A solo traveler sailing with Celebrity Cruises in a veranda stateroom on a 7-night cruise would earn 42 points—three base points per night, plus three bonus points per night for traveling alone.

If those points were transferred to Royal Caribbean, they would convert to 14 points total, based on one base point per night under the exchange rate, plus one extra point per night for sailing solo.

If transferred to Silversea, the guest would again receive 2 VS days, with no solo travel bonus applied.

How to convert points

Points Choice will apply to sailings that depart on or after January 30, 2026.

After each eligible sailing ends, guests will have 14 days to submit a Points Choice request if they want to move their earned points to a different program:

• Through the Royal Caribbean app
• Royal Caribbean website

If no request is submitted within that window, the points will automatically remain with the brand sailed, just as loyalty points do today. 

There is one important requirement: you must already be enrolled in the loyalty program you want to apply points to.

For example:

• If you sail Royal Caribbean but want the points applied to Celebrity’s Captain’s Club, you must already be a Captain’s Club member.
• If you sail Celebrity and want points applied to Crown & Anchor, you must already be enrolled in Crown & Anchor.

To enroll, log in to your app and navigate to the Loyalty Match section to complete your enrollment.

A separate request form must be submitted for every sailing when you wish to apply points to another program. 

Allow up to 30 days after your cruise is completed and you submit your request.  Once submitted, requests cannot be changed, and points can only be transferred once between brands.

The cruise line plans to introduce a preference center later this year that will enable you to make your selection once for all future sailings. 

Lastly, you cannot apply loyalty points to another member.

No change to how you earn Crown and Anchor points

The big difference with Points Choice is you can now earn Crown and Anchor Society points by taking other cruises within the Royal Caribbean brands.

Nothing is changing as it relates to how many points are earned by cruising on Royal Caribbean.

Guests will continue earning points based on:

• Stateroom category
• Length of the cruise

Points Choice is about enabling fans of one line to be able to sail on another line while still moving up the loyalty ladder.

In addition, there's no change to any of the loyalty rewards and benefits. 

Making it easier to cruise more

Points Choice is part of the evolution of taken to offer more to cruisers that began with status matching, which allowed members of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea's programs to enjoy reciprocal status regardless of which brand they sail with. 

This meant you could get a one-for-one status match across all three brands once you've accrued status with just one line.

If, for instance, you're a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, you'll automatically become an Elite Captain's Club member and Venetian Society member with 250 VS Days once all of the accounts have been connected. 

That change alone has afforded plenty of new perks when trying a new Royal Caribbean Group line.

One cruise passenger missed their ship's departure in Port Canaveral, Florida, after traveling to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. They then tried to meet up with the Oasis Class ship in Nassau. However, their request was denied, causing them to miss out on their entire cruise vacation. 

Nobody wants their long-awaited vacation ruined before it even begins. Unfortunately, that was the case for Redditor Crispy-Don, who shared how they accidentally missed Utopia of the Seas' departure from Port Canaveral on January 12, 2026, in the r/royalcaribbean thread. 

"[W]e pulled a major travel fail today and showed up at Port Everglades instead of Port Canaveral (which is 3 hours away from Fort Lauderdale). We’ve obviously missed the ship’s departure. We are currently at FLL trying to book a flight to Nassau to meet the ship tomorrow morning," they wrote. 

"We have already contacted Royal Caribbean’s emergency travel line to request approval for a "downline join" in Nassau. They told us they have to review it and will email us if approved." 

Initially, Crispy-Don planned to spend the night in Fort Lauderdale and catch an 8:00 a.m. flight to Nassau on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from Miami International Airport (MIA). 

However, their hopes of rejoining the ship were quickly thwarted by Royal Caribbean, which proved that meeting up with a cruise in the next port of call isn't always a guarantee. 

In a follow-up post, Crispy-Don explained that they received an email from the cruise line, denying their request to board Utopia of the Seas in Nassau. 

(Credit: Crispy-Don/Reddit)

"We regret to inform you that your request to embark in Nassau, Bahamas has been denied by port authorities. The reason provided does not meet the established criteria for authorization to embark at an alternate port of call. Please note that this decision is final and cannot be appealed," the email reads. 

According to their post, Crispy-Don said that they told the cruise line they had confused Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale for Port Canaveral and were over 3 hours away by the time they realized the mistake on embarkation day. 

Despite the disappointment, Crispy-Don took full responsibility for the mistake, saying, "Obviously we [are] crushed as we booked our Nassau flight tickets (refundable) hoping it would work, but this was my own mistake to learn from. Good to know that Royal won’t just green light you to join at a different port."

In the end, Crispy-Don lost about $1,000 on two cruise fares, though with Royal Caribbean refunding taxes and fees of roughly $200, the actual loss was closer to $800.

Other users flocked to the comments to share their own travel mishaps

Perhaps because it was the way that Crispy-Don handled the situation (i.e., taking responsibility and not taking their frustration out on the cruise line), but Redditors flooded the comments with support, sharing their own travel mistakes. 

"I once missed a flight because I went to the gate of my seat number instead of the correct gate which was in a different terminal. My seat number gate was completely empty and I sat there like an idiot until it was too late," one person wrote. 

Another added, "Was going through a divorce and needed to get away. Booked last minute trip. Price was really good. I arrived at my big city airport. Good news; my ticket was for that day; bad news; not for that year."

Read more: I spent 73 days on Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year. Here are 6 travel mistakes I won't be making in 2026

The cruiser's unfortunate incident serves as a cautionary tale to always check and double-check every aspect of your travel plans before departure

Cruising is essentially a form of time-sensitive travel. As such, flights, pre-cruise accommodations, and embarkation details require careful attention before and during your vacation. 

If you arrive at the port too late, whether because of an unexpected traffic jam or flight delay, you may miss your cruise ship entirely. So, it's important to plan ahead. For example, if you know you need to fly to your embarkation port, plan on arriving at least one day before embarkation. 

The same goes for during your sailing. If you venture off the ship alone, whether independently or with a third-party tour agency, give yourself a buffer to return before the all-aboard time. 

A few Redditors thanked Crispy-Don, as his experience was a reminder to double-check their own travel details ahead of time. 

"Whew made me double check that I am indeed flying into Orlando and not [Fort Lauderdale]," said one user. 

Another commented, "I’m sorry this happened. I leave on a cruise on Friday and I’m checking to make sure I have the right port."

Royal Caribbean built just one Ultimate Family Cabana that has more space than any other cabana it's ever built, and a price tag of $10,000.

Located within the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, this one-of-a-kind two-story private retreat is aimed at those who want everything they could possibly need in a beach day.

The Royal Beach Club is a shore excursion developed and operated by Royal Caribbean. While admission to the beach club ranges between $100 - $250 per person (dynamic pricing means the exact price depends on your ship and date), there are cabanas you can rent that include admission.

While the UFC is not cheap, there's a market for it. 

"In the first hour when we opened for sale, we sold our ultimate family cabana for one day at $10,000, which was quite remarkable," said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley during an earnings call last year.

"Subsequently, we've sold a lot of days in the Ultimate Family Cabana at $10,000."

What do you get for that price and what's it like inside? I took a tour of the new cabana to share photos of what you can expect.

The biggest cabana yet

Located in the Family Beach section of the Royal Beach Club, the Ultimate Family Cabana is in situated between the zero-entry pool and beach.

Among the other cabanas nearby, this stands out like a mansion among regular homes.

Landscaping and ropes ensure privacy as it's large footprint gives you plenty of space.

It's two stories tall, with a backyard beach and front patio.

If you purchase the cabana, it includes admission for up to 12 people plus all of these perks:

• Cabana attendant
• Private bathroom
• Private shower
• Private changing room
• Wet bar
• Reserved beach space
• Heated whirlpool
• Spiral slide
• Wooden swing
• Hammock
• Suspended net lounger
• Frozen drink machine
• TV
• Mini fridge

The goal of this cabana is to deliver a "premium, opulent, over-the-top cabana", as described by Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider. After all, the idea was inspired by the Ultimate Family Suite and Ultimate Family Townhouses on Royal Caribbean ships.

As you enter on the lower level, there's a large living room set on wood decking. There are chairs and couches that look like they could easily be at someone's lanai.

The living space extends to offer outdoor couch space too, so you can enjoy being in the shade or the sun.

I also spotted a few board games that you can play at one of the many full length tables within the cabana.

As advertised, there is a frozen drink machine that can dispense pina coladas or daiquiris with no wait.

Don't worry, you don't have to get drinks yourself. A cabana attendant will serve food and drink, is included.

There's even a small kitchen, where you have a fridge, sink, and place for your cabana attendant to manage everything you need. Opposite the kitchen is a private restroom to use.

Walking out to the back, there is the heated hot tub that's just for your use.

Not only is the hot tub private, but it offers unfettered views of the beach and ocean.

If you prefer, there's also reserved beach chairs and umbrellas near the ocean, along with easy access to the blue waters.

There's a hammock nearby to take naps in, read a book, or to take a moment to appreciate everything this cabana offers.

Moving to the back of the cabana, stairs lead to the upper level.

Coming back down is much easier since there's giant slide to bring you right into a sandy finish.

The slide has a button at the top to "prime" it with water. It's a combo "wet/dry slide" but the water ensures you'll go down it with ease.

Upstairs, you'll find a day bed that faces the ocean. It's the perfect nap spot!

There are also beach loungers with some sun to enjoy being outside. You'll also find a wet bar upstairs, to ensure you only need to go back downstairs if you want to try the slide.

The views from the second floor are incredible. You have the perfect vantage point to people watch around the Family Beach pool, or take in the scenery of the beautiful Bahamian waters.

One heck of a way to spend your day

I could only spend a few minutes exploring the Ultimate Family Cabana, but I'd imagine this would be an incredible cabana to enjoy for the day.

Royal Caribbean isn't kidding when they say it has everything you'd need. There's just about everything I've ever seen in any cabana experience to date, plus a few extras.

Suffice to say, kids will never want to leave the cabana. It would be a mesmerizing experience with so much to do and try. It's a good thing there are plenty of places for a nap to recharge later.

I think one thing it needs is a white picket fence to keep astounded guests from wandering in, especially on the front porch area. 

The list price is $10,000, but I've seen it on sale for my upcoming cruises with discounts of up to 30% off.

Even at $7,000, it's still a very expensive splurge.  But there's no doubt renting one of these cabanas would create more memories than any other beach day I can imagine.

Royal Caribbean has cancelled more of its scheduled visits to Labadee, its private destination in Haiti, through the end of 2026.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we have extended our pause to Labadee through December 2026," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement confirming the news to Royal Caribbean Blog.

Prior to today's announcement, the cruise line had scrapped visits through April 2026.

This means no Royal Caribbean ship has visited Labadee as part of a scheduled port stop since April 2025. And that follows a stoppage of visits in 2024.

Extending the pause in visits to Labadee an additional 8 months is the result of putting safety first.

In previous announcements when Labadee was skipped for months, the cruise line explained the decision was made to ensure the wellbeing of guests and crew. 

Emails to guests sent out explain, "We have been monitoring the evolving situation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and out of an abundance of caution, we're cancelling our visit to Labadee."

Labadee is a private beach owned and operated by Royal Caribbean offering cruise ship passengers an exclusive spot for a relaxing beach day. 

No other cruise lines sail to Haiti.

Where the ships will go instead

Travel agents were sent a list of replaced ports for ships that were scheduled to visit Labadee.

• Adventure of the Seas  
  • May 23 and June 20
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 9:00 AM and depart at 6:00 PM.
  • July 18  
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, arriving at 8:00 AM and departing at 5:00 PM. Additionally, before our first Sea Day, we'll now visit Nassau, Bahamas in place of Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll arrive in Nassau at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • August 15
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 3:00 PM.
  • September 12 and October 10
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, arriving at 8:00 AM and departing at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we'll now visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in place of Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll arrive in Puerto Plata at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • October 30
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Cozumel, Mexico. We'll arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted our departure time from Nassau, Bahamas. We'll now depart at 3:00 PM instead of 2:30 PM.
  • November 7
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. We'll arrive at 10:00 AM and depart at 6:00 PM.
  • December 5
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Allure of the Seas:
  • May 10, May 24, July 5, July 19, August 16, August 30, September 13, September 27, and October 11
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • June 7
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll now be arriving in Falmouth at 8:00 AM and departing at 4:00 PM.
  • June 21 and August 2
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the time we'll visit Falmouth, Jamaica, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We'll now be arriving in Falmouth at 8:00 AM and departing at 4:00 PM and we'll now arrive in Perfect Day at CocoCay at 7:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • October 25
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico. We'll arrive at 10:30 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we're swapping our visit to Falmouth, Jamaica, for a visit to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We'll be arriving at 9:30 AM and departing at 5:00 PM.
  • November 15, November 29, and December 13
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day instead. Additionally, we'll now depart Falmouth, Jamaica, at 5:00 PM.
  • December 20
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit San Juan, Puerto Rico. We'll now arrive at 9:30 AM and depart at 6:00 PM.
• Brilliance of the Seas:
  • December 21
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • December 28
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Explorer of the Seas:
  • November 13 and December 11
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • November 27
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted our departure time from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic the next day. We'll now depart at 4:00 PM instead of 5:00 PM.
  • December 21
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Bahama Island. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Freedom of the Seas:
  • May 2
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • May 7, May 21, August 22, October 31, and December 17
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • May 16, May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, September 5, September 19, October 3, and October 17
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 7:30 AM and depart at 5:30 PM.
  • November 14 and December 26
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM.
  • November 28
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at George Town, Grand Cayman*. We'll arrive at 10:00 AM and depart at 6:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Nassau, Bahamas. We'll now be arriving at 7:00 AM and departing at 4:00 PM.
  • December 12
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Costa Maya, Mexico. We'll arrive at 9:00 AM and depart at 6:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Nassau, Bahamas. We'll now arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM.
• Icon of the Seas:
  • May 2
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Cozumel, Mexico. We'll arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we're swapping out our visits to Philipsburg, St. Maarten and San Juan Puerto Rico. We're now excited to explore Costa Maya, Mexico and Roatan, Honduras. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM for both of these destinations.
• Independence of the Seas:
  • May 7, June 4, July 2, and July 30
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted our departure time from San Juan, Puerto Rico. We'll now be departing at 3:30 PM instead of 2:30 PM.
  • October 29
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We'll arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Kralendijk, Bonaire. We'll now arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • December 6
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll now arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Jewel of the Seas:
  • May 25 and June 15
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Legend of the Seas:
  • November 22 and December 6
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day. Additionally, we've adjusted our departure time from Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll now depart at 5:00 PM instead of 4:00 PM.
  • December 20
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll now arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Oasis of the Seas:
  • April 29
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day. Additionally, we've adjusted the day and times we'll visit Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas. We'll now be arriving in Orlando on Saturday at 8:00 AM and departing at 6:00 PM and we'll now arrive in Nassau on Monday at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
  • October 25
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at San, Juan, Puerto Rico. We'll arrive at 10:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. We'll now be departing Orlando at 7:00 PM, we'll now arrive in Perfect Day at CocoCay at 8:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM, and we'll now arrive in Puerto Plata at 9:00 AM.
  • December 21
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day. Additionally, we've adjusted the times we'll visit Falmouth, Jamaica. We'll now arrive at 7:00 AM and depart at 4:00 PM.
• Star of the Seas:
  • May 3
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a relaxing Sea Day. Additionally, we've swapped our visit to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a day in Philipsburg, St. Maarten instead. We'll arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM. We've also adjusted the times for our visit to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas and will now arrive at 8:00 AM and depart at 5:00 PM.
• Utopia of the Seas:
  • May 4
    • Instead of visiting Labadee, we'll now enjoy a stop at Nassau, Bahamas. We'll arrive at 7:30 AM and depart at 5:30 PM.

The challenge with replacing a port of call with less than a year before the sailing is port stops are planned years in advance, and that leaves few open slots in a port for a ship to call on.

Warning not to travel

Haiti has been in a state of emergency since March 2024 when gang violence surged and caused civil panic around its cities.

The U.S. State Department lists Haiti at its highest warning level possible, Level 4, with the warning "Do not travel".

The website then says, "Do not travel to Haiti for any reason."

"Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom."

In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard has concerns about security in the ports of Haiti. Until those are addressed, the Coast Guard advises mariners and passengers traveling through the ports of Haiti to exercise caution.

Haiti's ongoing crisis

With armed gangs now controlling much of the country, it's created a major humanitarian crisis because of widespread violence, hunger and displacement.

Much of today's troubles began in 2021 when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated. As a result of governmental instability and major economic strife, armed gangs exploited the resulting power vacuum.

Today, gangs control nearly all of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital city, and are expanding their reach outward.

Armed groups compete violently for territory, showing little regard for civilian lives. As gang control spreads across northern and western Haiti, the humanitarian crisis has deepened.

The United Nations has engaged in multiple support missions to stabilize the country, but previous operations failed due to being underfunded and underequipped. 

A planned 2026 intervention is in the works.

Impact to Royal Caribbean's bottom line

Labadee isn't scheduled for many Royal Caribbean ships, but cancellations in previous months have impacted revenue.

During the Royal Caribbean Group earnings call in October 2025, CEO Jason Liberty called the closure a "headwind", "Our fourth quarter year outlook has been trivially impacted due to adverse weather and the unplanned extension of the temporary closure of Labadee, one of our exclusive destinations."

During that quarter, Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz broke down the impact further by saying earnings per share were negatively impacted by $0.05 as a result of adverse weather events and the unplanned extension of the closure of Labadee.

The Government of The Bahamas is planning on developing a new cruise port. However, unlike Nassau, Freeport, Bimini, and other cruise line private destinations, the island has remained largely undeveloped and sparsely populated.

On January 7, 2026, the Office of the Prime Minister announced its intention to develop a cruise port on the island of Mayaguana, The Bahamas' easternmost island, through a new public-private partnership.

"The Office of the Prime Minister advises that the Government of The Bahamas has entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) to advance the Port at Mayaguana, a major maritime and logistics project intended to strengthen economic activity in Mayaguana and across the South East Bahamas," the press release reads. 

Continuing on, "This PPP positions Mayaguana to play a stronger role in regional trade, cruise activity, and related services."

As such, the new port won't be designed to cater solely to cruise tourism; it will also serve as a cargo port for vessels heading to the Panama Canal and other major ports. 

The new port project is to be jointly owned by the Government of The Bahamas, the Mayaguana Island Development Fund, and Global Lead Consultant Group Limited. Development will be split into three phases:

1. Construction of a "Temporary Marine Offloading Facility (TMOF)" and a deep-water port
2. Cruise ship terminal construction
3. Deep-water port enhancements and a terminal for larger vessels, plus adjacent land development and handling components

Detailed planning will continue in 2026. At the time of publication, the timeline for when the new port would welcome cruise passengers was unknown. 

Based on preliminary estimates included in the press release, the project team anticipates the venture will create approximately 2,000 full-time jobs.

"The Government will continue to keep the public informed as the project advances through required approvals and consultation processes, with a focus on jobs for Bahamians, strong standards, and clear community benefits for Mayaguana," the press release concludes. 

Where is Mayaguana?

(Credit: Google Earth)

The 110-square-mile island is roughly 66 miles west of Turks and Caicos and approximately 334 miles southeast of Nassau, the capital of The Bahamas. Additionally, according to the Islands of The Bahamas Visitor Guide, Mayaguana has a population of just 277, based on the 2010 census. 

Its location makes it ideal for Eastern Caribbean itineraries, positioning the island as a strategic stop between developed cruise ports like Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. 

Mayaguana was once home to the Lucayans, the original inhabitants of The Bahamas, and a branch of the Arawak Indian tribe. In fact, Mayaguana is the only Bahamian island that has retained its original Arawak name over the years. 

In addition to its small population and laid-back villages, the island is renowned for its unspoiled beaches, including Horse Pond Beach, Pirate's Well, and Betsy Cay. 

It's also surrounded by largely untouched coral reefs, offering great snorkeling and diving opportunities. For divers, specifically, the offshore reefs reach depths of 45 to 60 feet. 

The Izumi menu has been updated again following feedback from guests.

Just weeks after Royal Caribbean altered the menu to no longer include vegetables as part of its hibachi meal, it appears the "undo button" has been hit.

Izumi is a specialty restaurant that offers hibachi dining in addition to sushi. It's a very popular choice among cruisers.

However, during the holiday season a new menu listed vegetables were no longer included with the cost.

That meant the hibachi meal only included fried rice and two proteins. Grilled vegetables were available for $5 extra (or as one of the proteins).

The good news is the revised menu includes vegetables once again.

Back on the menu

Laurie Olivieri boarded Utopia of the Seas on Monday and noticed the menu has been changed.

It now says, "All entries come with vegetables and fried rice" above the list of proteins.

Previously, it said "All entries come with fried rice" only.

There's been no change to pricing.

Carol M. was also on Utopia and shared what she heard from a crew member that was preparing her food, "We had lunch at Izumi on Utopia today and every guest got veggies."

"When I asked the chef, he said they got so many complaints, especially from returning cruisers, that they are starting to give everyone veggies again."

"He said they were not serving everyone veggies last week, but it came down from headquarters to bring them back."

The cost to dine at Izumi hibachi is listed at $70 per adult for dinner, and $45 per adult for lunch.  Both meals are the same menu.

You can usually reserve Izumi hibachi for less when pre-booking prior to the start of the cruise. For example, on an upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, the cost is $55.99 per adult for dinner and $35.99 per adult for lunch.

Controversial change

When vegetables were removed suddenly, it caught a lot of cruisers off guard as to why it would have been done in the first place.

"Most ridiculous thing I have ever seen from Royal and they do a lot of crazy things," wrote Jeff Whiting on the Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook page.

Jessica Gomez added, "I would strongly urge [Royal Caribbean] to reconsider this decision. Continued price increases combined with reduced offerings risk alienating loyal customers."

"I usually stand with Royal’s decisions, but this one is just blatant cost cutting and is very disappointing," wrote Chris Barnes.

Why Izumi is so popular

Izumi hibachi is usually sold out on most sailings and it's largely because of how much of a crowd pleaser it is.

It's a fun experience where the chef cooking in front of you puts on a show that adds an entertainment factor. Plus, the menu appeals to even the pickiest of eaters: chicken or beef (along with seafood options).

In addition, hibachi has a fixed cost that includes appetizers, main course, rice, and dessert.

A quick fix

Ultimately, Royal Caribbean made a quick change to remedy the situation.

Guest feedback may have played a role in the menu rollback. Even small tweaks can alter the perception of any venue, leading to brushback.

Going forward, we can expect the veggies back as part of the meal.

Nobody wants to get sick on vacation. Unfortunately, one family's New Year's cruise became one they'd never forget — all thanks to the new "super flu."

Ellie Doyle, a mom from Connecticut who shares her family adventures on social media under the name @reheatedcoffeeclub, posted multiple videos about her experience on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas. 

What was supposed to be a fun getaway to celebrate her parents' 50th wedding anniversary quickly turned into a stressful vacation when her daughter fell ill on the first night. 

Doyle is an avid cruiser who grew up in Florida and has previously sailed on multiple lines, including Disney, Norwegian, and MSC. However, even with years of cruising experience under her belt, Doyle said this outbreak was unlike anything she had experienced at sea before. 

"If you guys have seen the Netflix documentary 'Poop Cruise,' this was like 'Puke Cruise'"

(Credit: @reheatedcoffeeclub/TikTok)

Doyle recalled a terrifying night spent in the ship's medical center in a TikTok posted shortly after the vacation ended. 

On the first night of the 7-night cruise to Nassau, San Juan, and St. Thomas, her two-year-old daughter, Norah, woke up coughing and wheezing. 

Because she was diagnosed with childhood asthma, they tried to rush her to the ship's medical center. However, it took them 15-20 minutes and a few inconvenient roadblocks to actually locate it on Deck 1. 

(Credit: @reheatedcoffeeclub/TikTok)

Doyle's family didn't have travel insurance, so the nurse began explaining that all treatment would have to be paid out-of-pocket. 

"So while Norah is like wheezing, [the nurse is] like, 'So it's gonna be a $250 inspection, and then it's gonna be whatever medicine she needs, whatever treatments, it's just gonna keep going up,'" Doyle said. 

The first thing Norah received was a nebulizer treatment to ease her breathing. She was also prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid for inflamed airways. 

(Credit: @reheatedcoffeeclub/TikTok)

Additionally, while Doyle was at the medical center with her daughter, the nurse and doctor were clear that Norah’s condition wasn't a medical emergency. As such, they could not turn the ship around. Doyle, however, never asked if that was an option. 

Ironically, according to Doyle in another TikTok, the ship had to change its course twice to evacuate other passengers who required urgent care.

During the sailing, they returned to Nassau and Turks & Caicos, which wasn't on the itinerary, to evacuate the critically ill guests. 

The "super flu" swept through her family of 21 

Thankfully, Norah tested negative for the flu. However, Doyle told the Daily Mail that more than a dozen other family members ended up testing positive for the flu. There were a total of 21 people, including Doyle, her husband Michael, their three children, and four siblings, traveling together. 

Their son Porter was the next person to get sick, followed by their six-year-old daughter Maisie. The bug continued to spread through the family, infecting Doyle's 77-year-old dad, 73-year-old mom, three nephews, and two adult siblings. 

The symptoms weren't consistent, either. Some had a sore throat, body aches, a fever, and congestion. In other cases, the symptoms were milder. 

"[I don't think Royal Caribbean] was prepared for the amount of people that were gonna be sick at once," she added. 

Doyle recalled seeing multiple public bathrooms closed during the sailing, saying, "I have a sneaking suspicion [that it's] because of all the puke on the cruise."

Massive spike in flu activity nationwide

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there was a 24.7% increase in people testing positive for influenza between Dec. 27, 2025, and Jan. 3, 2026. 

While this marked a slight decrease from the week prior, infection levels remained high, with the most frequently reported influenza viruses this week being influenza A (H3N2), known as subclade K and dubbed the new "super flu."

During that same week, most reported influenza cases were type A, with H3N2 accounting for over 90% of subtyped cases.

Moreover, weekly hospitalization rates remained elevated at 54.1 per 100,000 residents. Of those, 39,945 patients were admitted to hospitals with influenza. 

The CDC estimates that, so far this season, there have been at least 15 million illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths from the flu.

Symptoms of the "super flu" include:

• Fever and chills, often above 100.4°F
• Severe muscle and body aches
• Fatigue
• Cough and sore throat
• Headache or head pressure
• Nasal congestion or a runny nose

Norovirus cases have also been on the rise

Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that's often referred to as the "cruise ship virus." However, that nickname is misleading. According to the CDC, norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships account for around 1% of all reported outbreaks.

In reality, norovirus cases are on the rise at sea and on land. Concentrations have risen 45% since November, Marlene Wolfe, Ph.D., professor at Emory University and program director at WastewaterSCAN, told TODAY.com.

Between Aug. 1 and Dec. 11, 2025, 268 norovirus outbreaks were reported by states in the CDC’s NoroSTAT program, including Wisconsin, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oregon, Ohio, North Carolina, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan, and Massachusetts. 

Norovirus is spreading rapidly in part because of a newer strain, GII.17, that emerged in Asia about a decade ago, with the CDC reporting that GII.17 was responsible for 75% of norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. during the 2024–2025 season.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a simple solution to a long-standing problem of cruise ship passengers finding a compelling and lovely way to spend the day in Nassau, Bahamas.

This new kind of shore excursion combines the best ideas Royal Caribbean had at its private islands, sprinkled in some new ideas, and built it in one of the best spots you could ever hope for in a tropical getaway.

It's definitely not a private island that's an extension of the ship. Rather, it's a Royal Caribbean built and designed optional excursion that applies what they know cruisers look for in a beach day.

Nassau is one of the most visited cruise ports in the Caribbean, but historically a lot of vacationers treated it like a sea day because the offerings had become stale.

I spoke with Jay Schneider, who is Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer and lead the development effort with the new beach club, about why Royal Caribbean built the new club, "We’ve heard from our guests that they’re looking for new and exciting experiences in Nassau."

"Over the last five to seven years, we’ve been on a mission to develop what we think is the ultimate beach day for them."

This new beach club is the answer people have openly asked for, and it's likely going to be a key differentiator for Royal Caribbean.

Open only to passengers of Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises, guests pay an admission fee to enter the Royal Beach Club. There's dynamic pricing, but you can expect to pay around $100 - $200 per person if you pre-purchase a ticket. The list price onboard is $250 per person.

I paid for my day pass admission about 2 months before the cruise and it cost me $130 for the pass with unlimited alcohol.

I visited for the day while sailing on Utopia of the Seas and found the kind of beach and pool day that eclipsed anything else I've experienced in The Bahamas.

A new kind of day at the beach

I'm no stranger to day passes as a shore excursion. I've been to dozens of day passes around the Caribbean, including Atlantis and the British Colonial.

The difference with the Royal Beach Club is it offers more than any of those do, while adding superior service and convenience.

It appears Royal Caribbean took the best ideas from Perfect Day at CocoCay with Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club and used that as its starting point for the new beach club.

Mr. Schneider thinks the finished product sets a new standard, "This is the perfect beach day. I think the design here actually exceeds CocoCay’s — and I’d argue it rivals any beach and pool club on the planet."

Your day pass includes transportation from the ship to the beach club.  The piece of land is close enough to see from your cruise ship, but it's not connected to the cruise port. Instead, you board complimentary water ferries that take you there.

It's a short 5 minute ferry ride over, where you have the choice of stopping at either end of the property.

Royal Beach Club is 17 acres, split into three zones:

• Chill Beach
• Party Cove
• Family Beach

The names allude to the sort of vibe you can expect, but you can go to any of them and there's no adult-only areas.

Your day pass gets you access to any of the chairs and umbrellas, which are first-come, first-reserved. You can also get to any of the pools or hot tubs.

You also get unlimited food, drink, Wi-Fi, and ferry transportation. Towels are provided too, so there's no need to bring any from the ship.

All of the pools are heated, which is one of the best features because the ocean may not be optimal temperature year-round. Having been to unheated pools, it can be quite chilly. If you've been to Oasis Lagoon at CocoCay, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

One thing you'll notice quickly about the property is it's deceptively large. There's more than enough room to spread out.

You can stay as long as you like with ferries running continuously. 

One note about the ferry service is when you want to depart back to the ship, the ferry will drop you off at the far side of the Nassau cruise port.  

I timed the walk back to the ship, and it was about 15 minutes, including a line to go through security.  It's a lengthy walk and could be problematic during the hotter months with kids. After a long day of fun in the sun and surf, I could envision meltdowns on the long walk back.

Service as good as any cruise

One thing about the experience I was curious about was would it feel like an elevated day.  I was worried with everyone having unlimited food and drink, getting service would be a challenge.

My fears were quickly assuaged as my day progressed. Each area of the beach, pool and walkways has a server that's assigned to that area to get drinks.

If you sit down at a chair, there's a bartender there to take your order.  But if you go to a bar or swim-up bar, there's another group of bartenders there to take your drink order.

This makes it easy to meander and enjoy the entire beach club without being subject to one or two waiters, which is usually how it works at other day pass clubs I've been to in the Caribbean.

I was able to get my drinks quickly and there was a good mix of creative cocktails to sample, as well as tried-and-true favorites.

The only strange issue was at the swim-up bar where the bartenders needed to scan our SeaPass card for every drink. I found this strange considering it's all-inclusive so clearly we all get drinks. All it did was slow everything down (the bartender said it was for inventory management).

There are multiple restaurants in each zone, but it's the same menu at each one.  The idea is to make food service quick and convenient and to reduce trekking around to track down the food you want.

I'm not a food critic, but I think the food menu was good, not great.  I didn't love it as much as the Snack Shack location at Perfect Day, but a few workers told me an updated food menu should be coming soon.

The chicken fingers were easily my favorite food, although they do have a kick to them even without the BBQ sauce.

I also think the chicken wrap and burger were quite satisfying.

Luxury options if you prefer more luxury in your beach day

In addition to the day passes, there are cabanas and day beds you could rent.

Each of them includes admission for a certain amount of people, and it comes with added service as well as private and reserved areas.

I generally like renting a cabana with my family because it offers a home base of operations, dedicated service, and shade.

If you have the budget for it, they are a fabulous way to splurge and elevate your day even further.  Your cabana host will bring you any food and drink you want (same menu as everywhere else), which means you never have to leave your private spot.

There are beach cabanas, pool cabanas, cabanas with views of both, and more. 

In fact, there's even an over-the-top Ultimate Family Cabana that costs $10,000 that looks incredible given how many amenities it has. 

Those with the money to spend, it has a private hot tub, beach area, two levels, frozen drink machine, and more.

A super excursion with everything you'd want for a day by the water

Is the Royal Beach Club worth it? I think so, given how much is included and how well it's all delivered.

I think a lot of families want a captivating spot for fun in the sun, and I think Royal Caribbean really delivered the beach/pool day experience most would want.

When comparing it to other day pass options in Nassau, none include as much or offer nearly as good amenities. 

Plus, the pool and beach set up are picture perfect. It feels like any spot you pick is worthy of a postcard because the views are stunning.

The beauty of the property really stood out to me, as the club delivers on the idyllic tropical setting I think so many people envision when they think about taking a Caribbean cruise.

"The entire site is breathtakingly beautiful — from the big design moments like the floating flamingo bar to the smallest details, including art from local Bahamian artists and even the design of back-of-house buildings," Schneider told me.

Plus, it's very close to where the ships are located. 

It's not a cheap excursion, but considering it's all-inclusive and includes transportation, I think it's worth the cost when you can take advantage of a pre-cruise sale that brings the price down to under $150 per person.

Royal Beach Club tips and advice

If you have the Royal Beach Club booked, here are some tricks and ways to maximize your visit.

Always prebook admission so you can save money. Do not wait to book it before the cruise begins.

It's a good idea to get to the island early. I'd recommend before 10am for pick of almost any spot. 

Don't bring towels. There are complimentary towels at the club, and they're much nicer than the blue ones your ship has.

There are beach wheelchairs and paved areas around, so accessibility should not be an issue.

If you want the quietest spots, head to the very end of either Family Beach or Chill Beach.  The further down the beach you go, it gets very secluded.

There's also complimentary reef-safe sunscreen provided at the towel stations and cabana check-in. No excuse for getting sunburned!

I’ve been cruising with Royal Caribbean since I was 11. Over the past 15 years, I’ve sailed on nearly a dozen of their ships, gaining extensive firsthand experience along the way.

Nothing comes close to your first cruise, though. Even if it is on an older vessel, like Grandeur of the Seas, the excitement of stepping onboard and exploring the ship is unforgettable. 

Still, before you dream of sipping poolside piña coladas, planning dreamy shore excursions, or dropping your kids off at Adventure Ocean, it's important to understand what to expect on the cruise ship. 

From knowing what’s included in your cruise fare to understanding the cruise contract's policies and dining options, a little preparation can go a long way in making your first Royal Caribbean cruise enjoyable and stress-free. 

Here are 9 things everyone should know before their first Royal Caribbean cruise. 

New doesn't always mean better

I've sailed on ships as old as Vision of the Seas and as new as Icon of the Seas. While there’s no denying that the gigantic Icon Class mega-ships are impressive, they certainly aren’t for everyone. 

Older vessels offer a level of intimacy that larger ships simply can’t replicate. Rather than focusing on flashy attractions, the emphasis is on connecting with the sea and with fellow passengers. 

As a result, you won’t find water parks, surfing simulators, or ice skating rinks onboard, but that doesn’t make these ships bad. 

Pros of smaller ships include diverse itineraries, a greater focus on intimacy, more affordable fares, better quality control, and less nickel-and-diming. 

That said, if Royal Caribbean's commercials showcasing adrenaline-pumping attractions are what first caught your attention, a smaller ship won't deliver the experience you’re expecting — just be prepared to pay a premium. 

Read more: I've cruised on one of Royal Caribbean's smallest ships and one of its biggest. I was surprised how much I liked the small ones

Travel agents can help save time and money

It can be hard to give up control over your vacation, but trust me — you won't regret working with a travel agent. A good agent will meet you wherever you are in the planning process, whether you're trying to pick an itinerary, ship, or cabin. 

They can break down the pros and cons of different staterooms, suggest excursions, make pre-cruise travel arrangements, and even talk with Royal Caribbean on your behalf if plans change. 

If you’re lucky, your agent may have access to a special group rate for your sailing, which could save you hundreds compared to the fare advertised on the cruise line’s website.

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

Passports aren't always required, but they're always recommended 

Although passports are recommended for all cruises, whether a short 3-night voyage to CocoCay or a port-intensive voyage to The Last Frontier, they aren't always required.

Still, it is in your best interest to travel with a valid passport on any cruise. Unexpected itinerary changes or medical emergencies could require you to disembark the ship early and re-enter the United States by air. In those situations, a passport will minimize delays, stress, and complications.

Plus, having a passport will open doors to a wider range of itineraries. When you're traveling with a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID, you’re limited to closed-loop sailings that depart from and return to the same U.S. port. With a passport, however, you can sail on international itineraries and unique one-way voyages. 

On a similar note, if you do have a passport, check its expiration date well in advance of your cruise. Royal Caribbean defines a valid passport as one that's not set to expire within six months of your return date. 

So, for example, if your cruise ends on August 15, 2026, your passport needs to be valid through at least February 15, 2027, to meet the six-month requirement.

Read more: You can take a cruise without a passport, but some require one

Speak up if you have a problem

Whether it’s an issue with your cabin or a concern about the dining room's food quality, it's important to address any problems early to make things better on your vacation. 

Crew members are there to help. If Guest Services doesn't have an answer, they will direct you to the correct department. 

For example, if you are unhappy with your service in the Main Dining Room, ask to speak to the head waiter to alert them of the problem. Additionally, Guest Services can help resolve billing disputes. 

You don't have to sit through every event

Cruise ships have seemingly endless activities, from trivia competitions to sports tournaments, production shows, karaoke, themed parties, and more. 

It's tempting to want to do it all, but trying to cram every activity into your schedule is exhausting. Instead, don't feel like you have to commit to full events. Rather than sitting through an entire evening of karaoke, you can start your evening by listening to a few songs, trying your luck in the casino, and ending by attending a late-night dance party. 

One of the great things about a Royal Caribbean cruise is that the schedule was designed to be flexible, so you can enjoy what interests you without feeling like you're missing out on other experiences. 

Keep all essentials in your cruise carry-on bag

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will be greeted by a porter who will ensure your suitcases are properly tagged; you won't see them until you've boarded. 

Because it could be hours until your bags are delivered to your stateroom, you will want to have important documentation and other valuables packed in your carry-on bags. 

This includes passports (or your birth certificate/valid photo ID), credit cards, jewelry, electronics, and medication. Some cruisers also like to bring a swimsuit on board to enjoy the pool deck on the first day. 

If you are carrying on soda or a bottle of wine, you'll also want to pack it in your carry-on. Note that security has the right to search for prohibited liquids, such as hard liquor, beer, and hard seltzers.

Read more: 15 things to pack in your cruise carry-on

Don't forget to bring cash

Although your cruise card serves as your identification, credit card, and room key, you may also want to bring a little cash with you. 

Cash is useful for tipping cabin stewards, bartenders, and dining room waitstaff. It's also required when playing table games in the ship's casino. 

That said, cash is also handy when going ashore for excursions, where cards may not always be accepted. Local artisans, for example, might not have a card reader to accept payments. 

If you're traveling abroad, like to Europe or Australia, make sure you bring the local currency with you. While USD is generally accepted in The Bahamas and the Caribbean, you won't be able to buy anything with U.S. dollars in places like Norway, Spain, or Italy. 

Read more: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?

Bring a European power adapter 

If you're sailing on an older Royal Caribbean ship (i.e., Vision, Radiance, Voyager, or Freedom Class vessels), you'll want to bring a European power adapter to maximize your stateroom's charging options. 

For example, when I sailed on Vision of the Seas, there were just two standard American outlets, as well as two 220V European outlets. Between cell phones, laptops, smartwatches, and earphones, it's easy to run out of outlets if you aren't prepared. 

Additionally, there aren't any bedside outlets on older ships. As such, a long charging cable will enable you to charge your devices conveniently from across the room while in bed. 

Read more: The 1-item upgrade you need for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)

Prepare to be seasick (but hope you aren't)

Even if you've never suffered from motion sickness before, the swaying of a cruise ship can affect anyone. Before your cruise, pack common seasickness remedies, including medication like Bonine and Dramamine, SeaBands, and motion sickness patches. 

When I took my partner on her first cruise, she assumed she wouldn’t get seasick on a short Bahamas voyage. But just a few hours after we set sail, she started feeling unwell, and we had to pick up over-the-counter remedies from Guest Services.

Since then, she's learned to always come prepared. In preparation for our cruise to Bermuda last fall, she got a Scopolamine patch prescribed by her doctor. Although it’s supposed to prevent seasickness, she experienced blurred vision. Now, she prefers to stick with over-the-counter remedies and behind-the-ear patches from Amazon. 

Read more: I tried the most common seasickness hacks on my cruise. Here’s what works best