Royal Caribbean Blog

It looks like Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class cruise ship has a name.

At a steel cutting ceremony in Saint-Nazaire, France, the shipyard revealed the name of the next new Oasis Class cruise ship will be Utopia of the Seas and marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel.

The name Utopia of the Seas was trademarked in December 2021 among 23 other possible cruise ship names.

Photos by Véronique Savard

The order for the ship was originally placed with the shipyard in February 2019. Delivery is scheduled for the end of May 2024.

It will be 362 m long, with about 2,800 cabins. That is 50 less cabins because of the space that is needed to install the LNG tanks.

It is not yet known where Utopia of the Seas will sail from, nor what itineraries she will visit.

Do you like the name Utopia of the Seas? Share your thoughts on the name in the comments!

Royal Caribbean will keep a cruise ship based on the west coast of the United States for another season.

Royal Caribbean returned to offering cruises from Los Angeles in 2021 after more than a decade away from the region.

Navigator of the Seas will remain homeported from Los Angeles from Spring 2023 through early 2024.

The plan is to have Navigator of the Seas offer primarily 3- and 4-night cruises from Los Angeles, with scattered 7-night cruises down the Mexican Riviera.

• 3-night Ensenada cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico only
• 4-night cruises visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico
• 4-night cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico only
• 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The new sailings are available to book immediately.

Just like the cruises in 2021-2022, Navigator of the Seas will depart from Los Angeles' World Cruise Center in San Pedro.

Best things to do on Mexican Riviera cruise

If you've never taken a cruise on the west coast, you'll find a side of Mexico that's very different from Cozumel.

Cruises to the Mexican Riviera are known for a wide variety of things to do, including scuba diving, kayaking, days at the beach, and amazing food.

Ensenada

Just over the border from the United States, Ensenada is known for fishing and shopping. 

It's also famous for a natural geyser, known as La Bufadora, where you can go to see and hear this natural wonder.

If you like more of a party vibe, check out Hussong's Cantina. This is the oldest and best known cantina in Baja California, Mexico. It's famous for being reputedly the place where the Margarita was created.

You'll also find a number of wineries in the area that you can tour and sample the local wines.

Catalina Island

Across the bay from Los Angeles is a popular day spot for tourists, where you'll find shopping and restaurants to enjoy.

If you're looking for fun in the ocean, scuba diving is great at Catalina because of the clear waters.

Another popular activity is to rent a golf cart and explore the island on your own. You can take the cart around to visit different spots, like Descanso Beach or the Catalina Casino.

Mazatlan

You'll find a 10-mile long seaside promenade in Mazatlan, where you can sample some great Mexican cuisine. 

There's also the "old town" area of Mazatlan known as Plaza Republica, which has a number of historic sites from the cities origins.

Mazatlan has plenty of lovely beaches in the area, which is perfect for surfing, scuba diving, or just relaxing in the ocean.

Puerto Vallarta

You will find some of the best food in Western Mexico in Puerto Vallarta, which is great for foodies. El Centro, which is the name of the downtown region, features churches with charming colonial detail.

The beaches are a major draw in Puerto Vallarta that offer all sorts of activities.

Cabo San Lucas

You'll take a tender into town where you can choose from golf, swimming, or zip-lining.

Whale watching is a hot activity in Cabo, as humpback whales migrate to the area from December through April.

The construction of Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class cruise ship reached an important milestone this week when the keel was laid for Icon of the Seas.

At a ceremony held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the official start of construction was celebrated.

Icon of the Seas will be the first of three Icon Class cruise ships, which the cruise line says will have a bold new design.  The cruise line has not yet released details on what the new ship looks like, or any of the features onboard.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty was joined by Chairman Richard Fain, along with Meyer Turku senior executives and teams on Tuesday for the keel-laying.

The ship's keel is the first block, and it is maritime tradition to commemorate this phase of a new ship construction.  Icon's first block required a 3,000-ton crane lifting the block into place on top of freshly minted coins, which represent the shipyard and cruise line. 

The coins are meant to bring luck during construction, and they will be retrieved and given to Icon’s captain and crew before setting sail.

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley shared his excitement for the new ship, "Five years ago, we began dreaming of Icon of the Seas, and now the next phase of this iconic adventure is beginning."

"As this game-changing ship takes shape, the excitement from families and travelers alike, travel advisors and our partners continues to build. Later this year, we’ll reveal the lineup of firsts and favorites that will set a new standard for vacations come fall 2023."

Icon of the Seas will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It's expected we will get more information on Icon of the Seas' deployment and ship details beginning later this spring.

Read more: A look at Royal Caribbean's plans now that cruises are back

It's official, you'll be able to serve yourself at the buffet on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship again.

Royal Caribbean confirmed to RoyalCaribbeanBlog that beginning with cruises that departed on or after April 2, 2022, guests can serve themselves instead of crew members doing so at the buffet locations.

The statement added that while guests can serve themselves, the cruise line will still offer single-serve foods that do not require passengers to handle any serving utensils.

"On cruises departing on or after April 2, 2022, Royal Caribbean International will bring back self-service dining in guest-favorite venues on board, including the Windjammer Marketplace, Solarium Bistro, and at private destinations."

"Grab-and-go dishes and single serving portions will continue as a permanent offering – they have become popular options, and keeping them is among the top requests from our guests."

Photos by Matt Rearick on Symphony of the Seas

It looked like Royal Caribbean had made the change almost two weeks earlier when select cruise ships start seeing self-service resume in the Windjammer, but Royal Caribbean said that was a one-off test.

They've now decided to go with the self-service buffet.

Having crew members serve passengers instead of guests was one of the early changes cruise lines made during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to limit the spread from person to person.

Crew members handled the serving tongs or serving spoons and would place the food on the guest's plate.

The buffet serving change is one of many changes Royal Caribbean has made following the cruise line joining the CDC's voluntary Covid-19 monitoring program and electing to join the "highly vaccinated" program.

Drink stations were already changed to self-service earlier this year, where passengers could grab coffee, water, and juice.

While Royal Caribbean has changed to self-service just now, other cruise lines had already done so prior to this.

Carnival Cruise Line had self-service buffets back in July 2021.

Disney Cruise Line said that as of April 1, their ships would resume self-service buffets.

CDC food service requirements

In checking the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operations manual for cruise ships sailing in the U.S., the rules for how food can be served has changed to be up to the cruise line.

According to the CDC, "food and beverage stations may be operated as self-service at the cruise operator’s discretion."

Cruise lines must encourage distancing through physical guides to direct the flow of passengers, provide signage for social distancing, and provide an appropriate number of staff to monitor distancing.

In addition, cruise lines must provide hand sanitizer at the entrances to food and beverage stations, ensure adequate supply of high-touch materials (serving spoons, tongs, etc.) to minimize sharing of the utensil by many guests, limit seat capacity at the buffet, and install physical barriers where it is difficult for guests to maintain a proper physical distance.

Two major cruise lines have raised their daily gratuities this year, which could be an indicator of what Royal Caribbean may do as well.

CruiseRadio reported Carnival Cruise Line will raise its gratuity beginning on sailings that depart May 1, 2022.

The new gratuity rate for Carnival will be as follows:

• Standard staterooms will pay $14.50 per person, per day
• Suites will pay $16.50 per person, per day

Carnival will allow anyone with a cruise booked right now to lock in the old gratuity rate if they prepay gratuities before May 1, 2022. Cruises booked after May 1 will be subject to the new rate.

According to Carnival, 100% of gratuities are distributed to the crew members, such as stateroom attendants, dining and culinary services staff, as well as others who work behind the scenes.

Carnival's change comes just weeks after Norwegian Cruise Line announced they would increase the daily gratuities.

As of April 1st, NCL increased their gratuity amount as follows:

• Balcony and lower cabins: $16.00 per person, per day
• Haven and Suite guests: $20.00 per person, per day
• Club Balcony Suite guests remains at $18.00 per person, per day

NCL says their gratuities compensate crew members in tandem with a salary for crew members such as complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff.

Will Royal Caribbean do the same?

With two of Royal Caribbean's biggest competitors changing the daily gratuity amounts, Royal Caribbean cruisers may be wondering if a change is coming soon for them as well.

Royal Caribbean hasn't touched their gratuity rate since the end of 2017, when they announced a change to the gratuity to begin in 2018.

The current gratuity for Royal Caribbean is: $14.50 per guest per day in non-suites. For guests in a Grand Suite or above, the amount is $17.50.

Just like the other cruise lines, the daily gratuity is shared among dining, bar & culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams who work behind the scenes.

Read more: Should you prepay gratuities for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean has not announced or said anything about changing the gratuity rates, but it's not unusual from a historical perspective for cruise lines to match each other with changes like this.

When Royal Caribbean announced a change in gratuity in 2017, they mentioned keeping up with other cruise lines, "Royal Caribbean is constantly reviewing our competitive environment and this adjustment positions us in-line with our competitors. The additional gratuity collected will be disbursed to our onboard crew".

The good news is Royal Caribbean has in the past done exactly what Carnival is doing now, by offering passengers booked with an existing reservation to lock in the old rate if they pre-pay before the new rate goes into effect.

There are a handful of cruise tips that are so important, I feel everyone should follow them, and anyone who went on a cruise this weekend was likely reminded of how critical they are.

Thanks to severe weather, technical issues, and air traffic control problems, it was a messy weekend for flying to Florida. 

Over 3,500 flights were cancelled this past weekend, including a lot on Sunday on JetBlue and Southwest.  JetBlue cancelled 25% of its schedule on Sunday, and 15% cancelled on Saturday. Southwest cancelled more than 500 flights on Saturday and almost 400 on Sunday due to the bad weather. Flights on American Airlines, Spirit, and Allegiant Airlines all saw their fair share of cancellations as well.

Regardless of your airline, Orlando and Miami International airports were the top two airports in the world by origin and destination to see flights cancelled and delayed on Sunday.

In light of all the recent delays and cancellations, this is a good opportunity to remind everyone of three core planning tips for your cruise that everyone should consider.

Don't fly to your cruise the same day it departs

In short, flying to your cruise ship the same day the ship embarks passengers is playing with fire.

You've spent a lot of time and money planning your perfect cruise vacation, so why let a cancelled flight or delay possibly jeopardize your plans?

Flying in the same day of your cruise leaves very few options if something like what happened this past weekend were to occur. Remember, this happened in early April, which is not even hurricane season.

The smart move is to fly in at least one day before your cruise is set to depart, and this includes anyone driving to their cruise ship.  

Coming in at least one day early gives you a buffer against any flight delays or cancellations impacting your ability to get onboard the ship.

Yes, this means paying for a hotel, but peace of mind is worth something, and losing money on your vacation because you didn't want to spend a little extra for a night at the Holiday Inn Express seems like a worthwhile expense.

As a nice side effect, coming into your city early also starts your vacation a little sooner!

Buy travel insurance

The truth about any type of insurance is it's likely money spent for something you won't need, but if you do need it, it feels great having it.

Travel insurance covers a lot of costs if you were to find yourself in a scenario where your travel plans prohibited you from making the cruise.

As we move away from the Cruise with Confidence program and the ability to cancel at the very last minute, having a good travel insurance policy makes a lot of sense once again.

If your flight gets delayed or cancelled and you are unable to make the cruise, travel insurance pays you back for the cruise you missed, along with incidental costs along the way.

Depending on your age, residency, and exact plan you pick, the costs will vary, but figure on spending around $100-170 per person for travel insurance.

Ask your travel agent for suggestions, but here are a few popular travel insurance providers:

• Allianz Global Assistance
• AIG Travel Guard
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
• TravelSafe Insurance

There are also a few travel insurance comparison websites out there, such as Insure My Trip or SquareMouth.

Use a good travel agent

There is no more frustrating endeavor right now than trying to call Royal Caribbean due to their extremely long hold times.

If a delay means your cruise plans are in trouble, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour or more on hold waiting for someone at Royal Caribbean to answer.  While I love cruising with Royal Caribbean, their phone centers have been inundated with calls recently, and that's lead to very long hold times.

The way around this problem is to book your cruise with a good travel agent.

Anyone can book a cruise, but a good travel agent is worth using every time for everything that occurs after booking.  

And no, a good travel agent should not cost you anything extra to use their services for booking and managing your cruise fare reservation.

In a situation where you are not going to make the cruise, or find yourself stuck in a connecting airport, a good travel agent can be a lifesaver in getting you answers and resolutions.  

While a good travel agent can't magically make your flight on time, they can save your sanity as you explore other options.

Read more: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

The small town of Skagway is a popular port on an Alaska cruise. Despite the town’s small size and population of just 1,240 people, Skagway boasts some of the most adventurous activities available on an Alaska cruise.

From a journey into Canada’s Yukon territory to rafting the Taiya river and exploring nearby destinations via scooter, cruisers are sure to find interesting activities to do while in Skagway.

If you have an Alaska cruise booked that visits Skagway, here are 10 ideas for what to do with your day there in order to get the best out of this small, scenic town.

White Pass & Yukon Railroad

Perhaps the most popular activity to do in Skagway is book a ticket on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. There are a few options for taking a train ride in Skagway, with roundtrip train rides between 2-8 hours.

The most common train ride to book is the journey on the White Pass Railroad, which takes passengers north of Skagway in the direction of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Booking the train all the way to the White Pass Summit is recommended for maximum scenery viewing opportunities. 

During the train ride, a local guide tells stories of frontier Alaska, Skagway’s gold rush history, and what life is like in Skagway today. The train cars are heated and offer large windows as well as outdoor observation areas.

Don’t worry about picking the best side of the train once you get onboard. Once the train reaches the top and turns around, passengers will switch seats to ensure everyone gets to see the best views of the scenery from out the window. That being said, if you want the most dramatic views on the way up, the left side of the train would be better.

While it is possible to purchase a train ticket via the White Pass & Yukon Railroad’s website, it is recommended to book directly through Royal Caribbean as this allows you to board the train right near where your cruise ship docks.

Read more about taking the White Pass & Yukon Railroad here.

Visit the Yukon Territory

Skagway is the closest Alaska cruise port to Canada, with the border between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon territory just 14 miles away. Because the Yukon territory is so remote, those looking to visit this part of Canada may want to take advantage of the opportunity to do so while in Skagway.

You can visit the Yukon territory through a guided tour that brings you through stunning wilderness, turquoise blue mountain lakes, and a visit to the tiny town of Carcross across the border. Alternatively, you can opt to rent a car in Skagway and explore on your own.

As a plus, by visiting the Yukon, guests will have the opportunity to take a picture with the iconic “Welcome to Alaska ' sign found at the Canada-United States border.

Read more about visiting Yukon from Skagway here.

Rent a scooter or motorcycle

Photo credit: Skagway Scooters

If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, consider renting a scooter or motorcycle in Skagway to explore as much as possible in just one day.

Skagway Scooters offers hourly scooter and motorcycle rentals to cruise ship passengers. Renting a scooter, unlike a motorcycle, is possible with a regular driver’s license.

The benefits of exploring Skagway via scooter are that you can explore the town and surrounding areas at your own pace and have complete control over where you go during the day.

A popular route to take on a scooter is to leave the town of Skagway and continue along the waterfront Taiya inlet via Dyea road. Another option is to follow the Klondike Highway north out of town and through the mountains. Whichever route you take, spectacular views will certainly be in abundance.

Skagway Scooters provides a map along with a free lesson prior to your ride in order to ensure all visitors feel comfortable on their scooter before leaving.

Ziplining at Grizzly Falls

Passengers traveling with kids or simply looking for something different may be interested in a zip lining excursion at Grizzly Falls.

Excursions to Grizzly Falls meet at the cruise dock before a scenic drive to Dyea, Alaska. Upon arrival in Dyea, guests will transfer to an all-wheel drive vehicle, ascending a rugged mountain road with views of the rainforest and waterfalls.

After a safety instruction at the top of the mountain, guests will be attached to the zipline and fly through Alaska’s scenery and waterfalls on 10 zip line courses. A series of suspension bridges are also available for guests to take photos and spend more time enjoying the views around them.

Float the Taiya River

Photo credit: Shore Excursions Group

Just west of Skagway is the Taiya River, where rafting and float excursions can be found.

Most float tours are relaxed, with a guide paddling down the river and passengers enjoying the scenic views around Skagway. The guide points out wildlife and native plants throughout the tour along with telling stories of the region’s history.

Some rafting tours are paired with a short hike on the Chilkoot trail, allowing for both an active and tranquil excursion.

Walking tour of Skagway

While the mountains and scenery around Skagway are massive, the town is quite small, making it easy to explore it all in one day. Those without an excursion planned or who have free time to spare after a tour may choose to wander around the historic streets of Skagway.

Visitors to Skagway can explore the town without a plan or use a self-guided walking tour.

Alaska.org has a free, interactive walking tour map available on their website that makes exploring Skagway a breeze. With 23 separate places listed, the map provides details on each of the major sites to see in town.

Food and drinks in Skagway

We recommend booking shore excursions in the morning on an Alaska cruise to allow for free time exploring, eating, and drinking in Alaska’s ports during the afternoon.

One of the best ways to wind down after a busy day in Skagway is to enjoy the town’s restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops.

Skagway Brewing Company, a three story building with a 1,500 square foot beer garden, tasting room, gift shop, and restaurant, is a great place to do this. The brewery’s signature beer is the Spruce Tip Blonde Ale, made from young spruce tips hand-picked during Alaska’s spring season.

The on-site restaurant has an extensive menu of fresh Alaskan seafood, classic American sandwiches, burgers, and pastas.

If you're looking for a restaurant specializing in seafood, be sure to check out the Skagway Fish Company. Their signature dish is the Jumbo Alaskan King Crab Leg. Halibut, shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, salmon burgers, fried chicken, and steak are available as well.

Those with a sweet tooth are in luck on a visit to Skagway, too. From homemade fudge at the Alaskan Fudge Company to Alaskan fry bread at Klondike Doughboy, there’s sure to be a dessert to try as you walk around town.

Go on a day hike

Skagway is surrounded by hiking trails, making the town’s surrounding area a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

The most well known hiking trail in Skagway is also the most historic, the Chilkoot Trail. This is a 33-mile path that was an expedition route during Alaska’s gold rush era, in which thousands of people crossed from coastal Alaska into interior Canada. The route was originally followed by the native Tlinget people in the area, who showed the route to gold prospectors in the late 1800s.

While cruise ship passengers do not have time to do the entire trail in one day, of course, shorter day hikes of the Chilkoot trail can be a fun active, adventure that provides a historical perspective as well.

Beyond the Chilkoot trail are several other day hikes located near the center of Skagway.

The Lower Reid Falls and Gold Rush Cemetery hike is a beginner-friendly trail that takes visitors to the Lower Reid Falls waterfall just outside of Skagway. The hike is approximately four miles roundtrip and leaves from downtown Skagway, making it an easily accessible trail that should take around one hour each way.

If you’re looking for something a bit more strenuous, try the trail to Lower Dewey Lake. The trailhead starts just to the east of downtown Skagway and begins with a steep, 500 ft. elevation gain ending at Lower Dewey Lake. Spectacular mountain and water views surround the trail as you loop the lake for the next 3.6 miles.

Helicopter and glacier tour

While helicopter tours to Mendenhall Glacier are popular in Juneau, cruising to Skagway also brings the opportunity to see Alaska’s scenery from above.

Helicopter tours leaving from Skagway generally visit either Chilkat Glacier or Denver Glacier. Prior to landing on the glacier is a scenic tour during which visitors can admire Skagway’s spectacular scenery, whether the rainforests, waterfalls, or snowy mountain peaks. Upon landing on the glacier, most tours will either include a guided glacier hike or dog sledding expedition.

While helicopter tours are not the most budget friendly shore excursion in Alaska, they offer a way to see the state’s scenery from a completely different perspective and are sure to make for a memorable experience in port.

Visit Davidson Glacier via wilderness safari

The “Glacier Point Wilderness Safari” excursion takes guests on a journey to Davidson Glacier, located southeast of Skagway. This excursion can be a great tour option for those who would love to get up close and personal to a glacier without going on a helicopter.

To arrive at Davidson Glacier, guests take a catamaran through the Lynn Canal. It’s possible whales will be spotted during the boat ride and a naturalist will be onboard with the group to share information about the area's wildlife and nature.

Once guests have reached the glacier, they will board a 31-foot voyager canoe to get up close and personal with the glacier.

They say April showers brings May flowers, but Sundays bring you a round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed its travel warning against going on a cruise ship this week.

The federal agency dropped its risk advisory all together for cruise ships, thanks largely to the industry's steadfast dedication to effective health protocols.

The change was celebrated by the cruise industry, who see this as a major change to level the playing field between cruise ships and other forms of leisure travel.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released new 2023-2024 cruises from Panama
• Cruise with Confidence program came to an end
• Royal Caribbean releases health protocols for Alaska cruises
• Royal Caribbean updates: CEO talks CDC warning, app update & more
• New cruise planner sale on drink packages and more
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Top desserts to try on Wonder of the Seas
• Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska
• Alaska cruise whale watching guide & tips

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 448th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing Deb's review of her Harmony of the Seas cruise.

In this episode, Deb talks about her first cruise back since cruising restarted in 2021, and how her experience went while exploring Harmony.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: Oceanview vs Balcony cabin on a cruise ship

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Oceanview vs Balcony cabin on a cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

All about Oasis Class cruise ships

Ever thought about trying Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships, the Oasis Class?

Not only are Oasis Class cruise ships the largest in the world, but they stand out for just how much you can do onboard, with seemingly endless activities, dining options, and entertainment.

There are five Oasis Class ships in the fleet, with a sixth coming soon. Here's what to expect on these mega ships.

My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you ever spend the money to stay in a Star Class suite, the Royal Genie is going to be your top benefit. Maximizing the value of your genie can make a big difference in the cruise.

Every Genie has their own approach to the position, and having tried Star Class twice, I've found there to be a bit of a learning curve to getting the most out of the experience.

I wanted to share my best advice for someone trying a Star Class suite for the first time.

What to expect on April 2022 cruises

With spring here, that means warmer temperatures and changes across Royal Caribbean's fleet in the month of April.

Whether you are sailing on a spring break cruise, or taking a transatlantic to Europe, I wanted to share the important things to know about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in April.

In-between all the cruise news of this week, there's other tidbits of changes and news to share beyond the major headlines.

There's plenty of other changes and developments you should be aware of from this past week, so here's a look at a few of them that you should know about.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

Michael Bayley comments on CDC removing travel warning

The big cruise news this week was when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took down its warning against going on a cruise ship due to Covid-19.

In a nutshell, the CDC eliminated its travel warning of contracting Covid-19 on a cruise ship. The warning had been in place for two years.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared his thoughts on the change during a panel at the Cruise360 conference this week.

Cruise360 is an annual travel agent conference, and Mr. Bayley was speaking on a panel when the topic came up.

As you might imagine, Mr. Bayley was quite happy with the warning being removed, "This is great news. The fact that they removed the warning is a very positive step for our industry."

"We’ve been on a very long journey with the CDC."

"Now when a consumer wants to find out about COVID-19 on cruise ships, they can go to the CDC’s websites and get the facts without being scared away by a warning."

Every ship is now in the app

Royal Caribbean added Radiance of the Seas to Royal Caribbean's app, which means now every ship in the fleet has app support.

Ever since Royal Caribbean's app debuted, the company has systematically been adding app support to each ship.  Since 2021, more ships have gotten app support correlating to restart plans.

Getting emuster and check-in support necessitated having the app ready for when a ship would start sailing again.

Read more: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips

ArriveCAN ready for cruise ship passengers

When Royal Caribbean announced its Alaska cruise health protocols, it noted passengers will need to use the ArriveCAN app for all sailings from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver.

All travelers to Canada, or their legal guardians, must download the ArriveCAN app or complete the mandatory travel information via the ArriveCAN website prior to your entry into Canada.

In the 2.27.2 update to ArriveCAN, the app now supports "marine travelers".

According to the app update, cruisers can enter their date and time of embarkation from their country of origin no earlier than 72 hours prior to departure.  In addition, cruisers can make ArriveCAN submissions 30 days prior to arrival.

The ArriveCAN app can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

There simply is no other cruise ship in the world like Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise industry with the introduction of Oasis of the Seas in 2009. It redefined what you could expect to find on a cruise, and other lines had to play catch-up to match what the Oasis Class offered. 

Every new cruise ship that has entered service since has been compared back to the Oasis Class, and it is a testament to how well-designed the ships are from bow to stern.

They are the biggest cruise ships in the world and their massive size is matched by the variety of activities, entertainment, dining options and more.

They offer expansive suites, lots of activities that appeal to families, food to cater all tastes, and more ways to have fun than ships that came before it.

Something you should know about these ships is that they are not all alike. With each ship, Royal Caribbean has differentiated each one with different entertainment, restaurants, pool deck activities and more. Just because you've sailed one, doesn't mean you've sailed them all.

Royal Caribbean isn't done adding new Oasis Class ships. Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth in the class and the company has hinted they haven't ruled out adding more.

Ready to try an Oasis Class ship? Or want to know what makes each different? Here's a breakdown of the Oasis Class ships and what you need to know about each one.

What are the 7 Oasis Class Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean has six Oasis Class cruise ships:

• Oasis of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Miami and Cape Liberty, offering cruises to Canada and the Caribbean.
• Allure of the Seas is the second Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston, offering Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises.
• Harmony of the Seas is the third Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami, offering Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises.
• Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis Class ship, and she primarily sails from Miami, offering 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the summer, she sails from Barcelona and Rome, offering 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises.
• Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class ship, and she sails primarily from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Her first sailings depart from Ft. Lauderdale, and she spends the summer in Europe, offering Western Mediterranean cruises.
• Utopia of the Seas will be the first Oasis Class ship to start by offering short 3- and 4-night cruises. Utopia is under construction and will enter service in July 2024 from her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.
• An order is in place for a yet-to-be-named Oasis Class ship, which will debut sometime in 2028.

Oasis Class neighborhoods

Oasis Class cruise ships are split into distinct neighborhoods onboard, which helps to keep the ship’s layout easy to navigate as well as split up crowds into different areas. There are seven neighborhoods on the Oasis Class ships, with the exception of Wonder of the Seas which has eight neighborhoods.

• The Boardwalk, an outdoor neighborhood built like an old-fashioned boardwalk, with an arcade, carousel, dining, and entertainment venues
• Pool and Sports Zone, the top decks of an Oasis Class ship with four main pools, an adults-only Solarium, waterslides, and a sports area
• Central Park, an outdoor park with over 10,000 plants and flowers surrounding dining and shopping venues
• Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare of an Oasis Class ship with dining, bars, entertainment, and shopping
• Entertainment Place, a hub of entertainment venues including a comedy club, ice-skating rink, and jazz club
• Youth Zone, where Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean programming is located
• Vitality Spa and Fitness, the onboard spa and gym including a thermal suite, beauty salon, fitness classes, and cafe

Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have an eighth neighborhood: the Suite Neighborhood. This is an area of the ship dedicated to suite guests and has a pool, bar, lounge areas, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and Suite Lounge.

Activities and things to do

The Oasis Class ships have no shortage of complimentary activities to choose from while onboard. While they share some activities with other Royal Caribbean ships, there are several unique things to do found only on the Oasis Class cruise ships.

Ultimate Abyss

The Ultimate Abyss is a 10-story slide that transports guests from the sports deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood. It is a dry slide and guests use a racer mat to reach the bottom. The slide incorporates lights, sound effects, and music as guests twist and turn at 9mph to the bottom.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have The Ultimate Abyss, but it will be added to the ship once the Royal Amplified program returns.

Utopia of the Seas will have an even longer slide.

Zipline

Guests looking for a thrill can try out the zipline, located on the sports deck of Oasis Class ships. The 82-foot long zipline flies nine decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood. The ride only lasts around ten seconds, but will surely give guests an adrenaline rush.

Rock climbing wall

Oasis Class ships have not only one, but two rock climbing walls. At 43 feet tall, these are the tallest rock climbing walls in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. They are located in the Boardwalk neighborhood overlooking the AquaTheater and ship’s aft.

Ice skating

All Oasis Class ships have the Studio B ice skating rink. Beyond ice skating shows, there are open skating sessions available during the cruise. Guests are provided with ice skates and a helmet.

FlowRider

The FlowRider is a surfing simulator where guests can practice boogie boarding and stand up surfing as water rushes from the front to the back of the FlowRider.

Carousel

Located in the Boardwalk neighborhood on each Oasis Class ship is an intricately designed, colorful carousel. The carousels’ designs are colorful and kid-friendly, with not only horses to ride, but cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and more.

The carousel moves quite slowly, so it is a fun activity for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Waterslides

Oasis Class ships have three main waterslides on the pool deck. First is The Perfect Storm, a set of racing slides. The other slide is Supercell, which ends with a “toilet” or “champagne” bowl, where guests loop around a bowl several times before falling into the middle.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have waterslides, but the Cyclone, Typhoon, and Supercell slides will be added to the ship once the Royal Amplified program returns.

Puzzle Break Center

Oasis Class ships offer the Puzzle Break Center, an escape room, onboard. This activity comes at an extra cost (usually around $20 per person). The escape room’s theme and challenge varies per ship, so guests can try the escape room on more than one Oasis Class ship without the storyline repeating.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have a Puzzle Break Center, and the escape room on Wonder of the Seas is still being constructed.

Kids activities & Adventure Ocean

Each Oasis Class ship has two arcades onboard: one on the top decks near the sports deck areas and one on the Boardwalk. The boardwalk arcade is either in its own venue or incorporated into Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. The arcade comes at an extra cost.

In addition, all Oasis Class ships have an extensive Adventure Ocean area for kids. Childcare is available for kids aged 6 months to 17 years, and kids are broken into separate rooms by age group.

Teens have their own space onboard Oasis Class ships, with both indoor and outdoor spaces to hang out.

Other activities

On the sports deck of each Oasis Class ship is a mini golf course and sports court. Both are open throughout the day, with select activities such as pickleball and basketball tournaments listed in the Cruise Planner.

Select Oasis Class ships also offer Battle for Planet Z, a laser tag arena, onboard. The arena is glow-in-the-dark and sure to be a fun activity for kids and adults.

Pool Deck

Because Oasis Class ships are split in the middle, there are two separate sides of the pool deck, and guests can look from the pool deck down into Central Park below.

There are four pools on the pool deck:

• The Beach Pool, with lines of pool chairs placed into shallow water, meant to create the effect of lounging in a chair near the ocean
• The Sports Pool, where pool games and activities are played, such as the belly flop contest or pool volleyball
• The Main Pool, a regular pool with plenty of seating
• Splashaway Bay, a kids aqua park with waterslides, dump buckets, and water sprayers. Allure of the Seas has an H20 zone instead of Splashaway Bay.

Also located on the pool deck are jacuzzis at each of the four pools, two large cantilevered jacuzzis, and several pool bars.

Each Oasis Class ship also features an adults-only Solarium for guests 16 and older, with a pool and several jacuzzis.

Entertainment and venues on Oasis Class ships

Oasis Class ships have three main entertainment venues onboard. The most unique venue is the AquaTheater. Found only on Oasis Class ships, the AquaTheater is where Royal Caribbean’s aqua shows are performed, combining diving, slacklining, aerialists, synchronized swimmers, and more.

AquaTheater shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Aqua 80 and Splash
• Allure of the Seas: Oceanaria
• Harmony of the Seas: The Fine Line and Hideaway Heist
• Symphony of the Seas: HIRO and Aqua Nation
• Wonder of the Seas: inTENse
• Utopia of the Seas: Aqua 80 Too

Like on all Royal Caribbean ships, the Royal Theater is home to signature shows and entertainers throughout the cruise. The Oasis Class ships (with the exception of Wonder of the Seas) all perform a full-length Broadway musical in addition to Royal Caribbean’s original productions.

Royal Theater shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Cats (Broadway musical) and One Sky
• Allure of the Seas: Mama Mia (Broadway musical) and Blue Planet
• Harmony of the Seas: Grease (Broadway musical) and Columbus: The Musical
• Symphony of the Seas: Hairspray (Broadway musical) and Flight: Dare to Dream
• Wonder of the Seas: Voices and The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn
• Utopia of the Seas: To be announced

Oasis Class ships also have Studio B, the ice skating rink onboard. The ice skating show(s) vary per ship, but they all combine talented figure skaters, intricate technology and lighting effects, and detailed set design to create an immersive story for guests. 

Studio B shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Frozen in Time
• Allure of the Seas: Ice Games
• Harmony of the Seas: iSkate and 1887: A Journey in Time
• Symphony of the Seas: iSkate 2.0 and 1997: Adventure on Ice
• Wonder of the Seas: 365: The Seasons on Ice
• Utopia of the Seas: To be announced

Other than the signature productions onboard Oasis Class ships, there are plenty of other entertainment venues for guests to enjoy. The exact name of these venues may vary by ship:

• Jazz on 4, a jazz club with an elegant 1920s atmosphere and live jazz music each evening (not available on Wonder of the Seas)
• The Attic/Blaze Comedy/Comedy Live, a comedy club where the ship’s featured comedians perform throughout the evening
• On Air/Spotlight Karaoke, a karaoke bar where guests can sing solo or with a group of friends
• Music Hall/Dazzles, a multi-level nightclub and lounge with live bands and dancing with views of the Boardwalk neighborhood

Other entertainment can be found throughout the cruise, such as live Latin music and dancing at Boleros, piano entertainment at Schooner Bar, and an acoustic guitarist at the English-style pub onboard.

Food & dining

Oasis Class ships share the following complimentary dining venues:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Solarium Bistro
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Park Cafe
• The Boardwalk Dog House
• Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)
• Cafe Promenade (excluding specialty drinks)
• Vitality Cafe (excluding specialty drinks)
• Soft serve ice cream station on the pool deck

They also share the following specialty dining venues:

• Chef’s Table
• Wonderland (excluding Oasis & Allure of the Seas)
• Chops Grille
• 150 Central Park
• Johnny Rockets (complimentary for breakfast)
• Starbucks
• Izumi sushi & hibachi

Oasis Class ships share the following bars and lounges:

• Boleros
• Rising Tide Bar
• Schooner Bar
• Bionic Bar (excluding Allure of the Seas)
• English-style pub
• Solarium Bar
• Pool bars
• Wipe Out Bar
• Vintages (excluding Wonder of the Seas)
• Trellis Bar

One of the most unique bars on Oasis Class ships is the Rising Tide Bar, which continuously moves up and down from the Royal Promenade on deck 5 to Central Park on deck 8.

Each Oasis Class ship has a complimentary, grab-and-go restaurant located on the pool deck that is open for breakfast and lunch:

• El Loco Fresh, found on Oasis, Symphony, and Wonder of the Seas, offers burritos, quesadillas, rice, beans, and a salsa station
• Wipe Out Cafe, found on Allure of the Seas, offers sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and more
• Mini Bites, found on Harmony of the Seas, offers similar items to Wipe Out Cafe and also has an omelette station at breakfast

Each Oasis Class ship also has a specialty Italian restaurant onboard, although the venue changes by ship:

• Giovanni’s Table, found on Allure and Oasis of the Seas, offers traditional Italian cuisine with menu highlights including tagliatelle alla carbonara, Mediterranean branzino, and filet mignon
• Jamie’s Italian, found on Harmony and Symphony of the Seas, offers a more modern take on Italian cuisine with menu highlights including truffle tagliatelle, pan-roasted salmon, and chianti-braised short rib.
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, found on Wonder of the Seas, is Royal Caribbean’s newest Italian restaurant concept, with menu highlights including specialty pizzas, steak muffuletta, and lasagna classica. Next door to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is Giovanni’s Wine Bar, with an extensive selection of Italian wines and small bites.

Differences between the Oasis Class cruise ships

Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship, was recently amplified through Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified Program in 2019. Due to this, she received a number of enhancements and features found on the newest Oasis Class ships such as waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss, and new dining venues.

The pool deck on Oasis of the Seas was transformed into a Caribbean-style pool deck during the amplification, with colorful decor, comfy seating, casita lounge areas, and extra jacuzzis.

The Lime & Coconut bar was also added to the pool deck, which serves a variety of tropical drinks such as the Watermelon Rita, Blue Hawaiian, and signature Lime & Coconut cocktail.

Here are the other new venues added to Oasis of the Seas during her amplification:

• Portside BBQ, a specialty restaurant unique to Oasis of the Seas, which serves a variety of barbecued meat and comfort food, including Texas Beef Brisket and St. Louis-style Spare Ribs
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Royal Caribbean’s signature sports bar with nachos, sliders, burgers, beer, and countless TV screens available to watch your favorite team
• Sugar Beach candy store

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas has a few significant differences from other Oasis Class ships, as her amplification has been indefinitely postponed due to Covid-19.

Allure of the Seas does not have the Ultimate Abyss slide, waterslides, or a Splashaway Bay for kids. She does have the H20 Zone on the pool deck, which features kids splash pads and water sprayers.

Despite not having these signature activities, Allure of the Seas still offers many signature activities onboard like rock climbing, mini golf, ziplining, the FlowRider, etc.

There are a few dining options unique to Allure of the Seas:

• Boardwalk Donuts, where guests can enjoy complimentary donuts and coffee each morning (complimentary)
• Cups & Scoops, a 1940s-style ice cream shop selling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and cupcakes (extra cost)
• Candy Beach candy store (extra cost)
• Samba Grill, a traditional Brazilian rodizio with all-you-can-eat meats as well as a salad and sides bar. Samba Grill is located in the Solarium Bistro in the evenings (specialty restaurant)

Allure of the Seas is one of two Oasis Class ships with Sabor, a Mexican specialty restaurant and tequila bar, which is located in the Boardwalk neighborhood.

She is the only Oasis Class ship without the Wonderland specialty restaurant onboard. In its place is the Diamond Club. Diamond members may enjoy this venue, as it is a two-story venue with huge windows overlooking the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Allure of the Seas has Blaze, an additional nightclub lounge, on Deck 4. This is where the Diamond Club is found on other Oasis Class ships.

Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to be designed with waterslides in the initial ship build, as well as add new features to Oasis Class ships such as the Ultimate Abyss. Many of the design innovations made on Harmony of the Seas have served as a model for future Oasis Class ships and amplifications.

Harmony of the Seas is the only Oasis Class ship with Royal Caribbean’s original production Columbus: The Musical!, which tells the story of Marvin Columbus, the imaginary, luckless cousin of Christopher Columbus. This show is usually a favorite among cruisers.

The Solarium on Harmony of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships in that she does not have a pool. She still has four jacuzzis, but guests looking to take a swim must head to the main pool deck.

Harmony of the Seas, like Allure of the Seas, has the specialty restaurant Sabor on the Boardwalk. Menu highlights at Sabor include build-your-own tacos, spicy beef empanadas, and cinnamon churros.

Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas was the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer Hooked on Seafood, a specialty restaurant specializing in New England-style seafood. Those dining at Hooked on Seafood can start their meal with starters such as Fresh-shucked Oysters, Clam & Crab Chowder, and Ceviche. Entree highlights include the Messy Fish Sandwich, Drunken Mussels, and Maine Lobster Roll. 

Like Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas also has a Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Sugar Beach candy store on the Boardwalk.

Symphony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to debut the Ultimate Family Suite, Royal Caribbean’s most expensive suite. The Ultimate Family Suite is designed to be an oasis for kids, with an in-suite slide, air hockey table, LEGO wall, and private gaming area.

Symphony of the Seas has a few unique entertainment additions, as well. On Royal Caribbean’s signature show Flight: Dare to Dream, guests can be amazed by a replica of the original Wright brothers’ airplane, which “flies” through the Royal Theater during the show.

During the ice skating show 1977: Adventure on Ice, a drone show is included in the performance. A total of 48 drones with lighting effects are used in the production, programmed to move up, down, and around the ice rink in sync with the music.

Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class ship.

Originally she was designed for the Chinese market, so Wonder of the Seas has a few design differences compared to other Oasis Class ships.

Suite neighborhood

The biggest difference on Wonder of the Seas is the addition of the Suite Neighborhood. The Suite Neighborhood is the eighth neighborhood onboard and is accessible only for suite guests.

The suite neighborhood follows a similar concept to the suite-exclusive areas found on Quantum Class ship Spectrum of the Seas. Also designed for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas has exclusive dining, pool, and lounge areas just for suite guests.

The Suite neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas wraps around the ship’s funnel on decks 16, 17, and 18. It features Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge, and a private sun deck with views of the sports court and ocean.

The private sundeck includes its own plunge pool, bar, and outdoor lounge areas.

Other key differences

Wonder of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship with The Vue, a cantilevered bar located on the upper pool deck.

The Vue offers panoramic views of the ocean and a colorful, mosaic canopy overhead that lights up at night. The Vue has taken the space of one of the cantilevered hot tubs onboard, so instead of two like on other Oasis Class ships, there is only one.

Another new bar on Wonder of the Seas is Cantina Fresca. Located next to El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca offers Mexican-inspired cocktails, margaritas, and aguas frescas.

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas only has one FlowRider. In its place is the Wonder Playscape, a brand new play area for kids onboard.

The Playscape is an underwater-themed playground with climbing walls, slides, nets, interactive murals, games, and nooks and crannies to explore.

Like Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas has a Caribbean-style pool deck complete with colorful decor, lounge areas, casitas, extra hot tubs, and The Lime & Coconut bar. Wonder of the Seas has more seating options available on the pool deck, including a movie screen theater area.

Speaking of a movie screen, the TV screen on the pool deck on Wonder of the Seas is the largest in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Like Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas also features an Ultimate Family Suite. It is bigger than the suite on Symphony, with three bedrooms and a movie/game room that can be converted into a fourth bedroom.

In place of Jazz on 4, Wonder of the Seas has The Golden Room, an extra casino space. As Wonder of the Seas was designed for the Chinese Market, extra casino spaces were incorporated into the ship. This may be changed in the future to better fit the American and European cruise markets.

Another difference on Wonder of the Seas is the Windjammer. Unlike on other Oasis Class ships where the Windjammer is relatively small, the Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas is the largest in Royal Caribbean's fleet and wraps around the entire Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 15.

Dining

The Mason Jar, a brand new restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, is found on Wonder of the Seas. 

The Mason Jar specializes in Southern staples, including Lobster & Crawfish Gumbo, Blackened Cajun Catfish, and Shrimp N’ Grits. Brunch is also available on sea days, with menu highlights including Meemaw’s Fried Chicken N’ Waffles, Blueberry Johnny Cakes, and Stuffed French Toast.

Adjacent to The Mason Jar is The Mason Jar Bar, serving unique cocktails with a focus on bourbon and moonshine.

Wonder of the Seas also has Hooked Seafood, Playmakers, and Sugar Beach.

Staterooms on Oasis Class ships

Due to the unique architecture found on Oasis Class ships, there are several types of staterooms not available on other Royal Caribbean ships:

• Boardwalk balconies, which offer views of the Boardwalk and a partial, side view of the ocean
• Central Park balconies, which offer views of Central Park
• Central Park and Boardwalk view staterooms, which feature a window looking into the Central Park or Boardwalk neighborhood
• AquaTheater suites, which are located in the ship’s aft with panoramic views of the ocean and AquaTheater

Oasis Class ships have a wide variety of suites available, including Grand Suites, the Owner’s Suite, AquaTheater suites, and loft suites.

There are also interior, interior with virtual balcony, ocean view, balcony, and Royal Promenade view rooms available.

Who is the Oasis Class best for?

The Oasis Class is best for guests who view the cruise ship as the destination, and they offer something for every type of cruiser.

Many guests book a cruise on an Oasis Class ship due to the sheer range of options available. With the amount of entertainment, organized activities, and dining venues onboard, there is a little chance guests will ever get bored on an Oasis Class ship.

Those looking for a quiet experience onboard will find plenty of options, too, whether spending the afternoon reading a book in Central Park or relaxing in the Solarium.

The Oasis Class is an extremely popular choice for families, as the ships can cater to guests of all ages. Kids will have an abundance of activities onboard, from waterslides to rock climbing and the zipline. Teens will love the large hangout spaces and areas to explore with new friends on the ship.

Due to the size of Oasis Class ships, they are not able to fit into a wide variety of ports around the world. Therefore, many of the itineraries on Oasis Class ships are similar to each other. If you plan to visit more unique cruise ports, an Oasis Class ship may not be the best choice for you.

Oasis Class Tips & Secrets

There is no 13th deck on Oasis Class ships, so you will go straight from the 12th deck to the 14th deck!

Allure and Oasis of the Seas have art displays known as “Small Wonders” throughout the ship. These are periscopes or telescopes where you’ll find tiny, 3D pieces of art when you look inside. They are located around the ship, so exploring Allure or Oasis of the Seas to find them can be a fun activity to do onboard.

Likewise, Wonder of the Seas has astronauts scattered throughout the ship. 

The Solarium bridge wings offer a fantastic view for sailaway or sunset.