Royal Caribbean Blog

As the start of your cruise gets closer, you're probably looking at shore excursions, but is there a best time frame to book?

The ports of call your ship visits will offer a variety of tours that can be booked through the cruise line or with an independent party. There are limited spots in each of these tours, and prices can vary considerably.

Just like a retail purchase, you might be concerned booking too early and not getting the lowest price.  Or wait too long, and it will be sold out.

Having taken dozens of cruises, I've seen the dynamic shift with when to book a tour.  In fact, the region you cruise to can often dictate how early you need to book an excursion.

When it comes to booking a Royal Caribbean shore excursion, you'll want to be opportunistic about when you book it.

The best time to book an excursion is as early as you can

If there's one mantra to remember about when to book a shore excursion, it's the earlier you can book, the better.

Shore excursions sell out quite commonly, so the earlier you book, the less the chance the tour you want to do will not be available.

Royal Caribbean's tours are all fully refundable, so that means you can book a tour six months before your cruise and then change your mind up until the sailing to get a refund.

Moreover, you can take advantage of a price drop later by cancelling and rebooking.  In short, there's little risk with booking a shore excursion very early because you can change your mind later.

You should book a shore excursion in the Caribbean about 3-5 months before your cruise begins, but there's no risk with booking even earlier.

If you're booking an independent excursion not sold through the cruise line, review their cancellation terms. Most will allow a refund as long as you don't try to cancel at the last minute.

It's even more important to book early in Europe or Alaska

If you're taking a bucket list cruise to Europe or Alaska, I cannot stress enough the importance of booking a tour early.

It's been my experience cruisers headed to far flung destinations are more eager to book tours than in the Caribbean.

It could be because of the unfamiliarity with the region, or plain excitement for something different, but I've observed Royal Caribbean shore excursions sell out quicker in these regions.

It's equally important to note not to overlook third party tours in Alaska or Europe.  Many times the exact same tour seen on Royal Caribbean's website is sold through various companies.

Regardless of where you book, I'd advocate getting a head start and booking your excursions for Alaska or Europe at least 4-6 months early.  In fact, booking a Royal Caribbean excursion 6-9 months in advance is probably a safer bet to avoid disappointment if it were to sell out.

Be sure to check out our list of recommended tours for each port in Alaska.

Waiting to book on the ship is probably a mistake

Thanks to the proliferation of the Royal Caribbean app and improvements made to its website, more cruisers are booking excursions earlier and in greater numbers.

If you wait to book an excursion on your ship, you're probably making a mistake because of how much will be sold out.

Cabanas at Royal Caribbean's private island will be almost certainly sold out, as will day passes to the waterpark and elevated beach club.

Even if it's not sold out, you will pay more on the ship because the cruise line offers pre-cruise discounts. Once you're onboard, it's too late to take advantage of those sales and you'll pay full price.

Royal Caribbean has a lot of sales

Booking a shore excursion early will not only lock in a spot, but probably save you money too.

There are sales almost every week, and deeper discounts offered on some holidays too.  While it's arguable how lucrative any one sale is, you will save money booking a shore excursion on the Royal Caribbean website instead of waiting to book it onboard.

The best Royal Caribbean sale of the year is likely Black Friday, because it's when the biggest discounts are typically offered.  

While I don't deny there are good deals on Black Friday, I wouldn't wait for November to book a shore excursion.  

Instead, book your tour as early as you can and then check again if the price has gone down during any one sale, including Black Friday.

Third-party tours tend to sell out later

If you miss the boat on that perfect Royal Caribbean shore excursion, you might find the same one or better through a third party.

Independent shore excursions are a great alternative to going through the cruise line, but you'll need to do your own vetting process.

In my experience, the tours sold through independent agents or the tour operator itself take longer to sell out.  That's because it's not as easy or simple to track down by cruisers.

Moreover, there are many more third party excursion options out there. 

That isn't to say you can wait until a few weeks before your cruise to book a shore excursion. I would recommend booking your tours early.  In fact, if you're going to Alaska or Europe, I would still stick to booking at least 4-6 months early as a rule of thumb.

If you're totally late on booking a shore excursion, booking an independent tour might be your best option.

One other option is a free shore excursion, which have no cost but a tip for the guide is expected.

I tried one of these in Spain and it was far better than I ever expected.

Don't overlook a DIY excursion

It's easy to assume you should book an organized tour as your de facto option, but in many ports you might be better off without an organized tour.

If your ship is docked in a city, you can easily explore without a guide.  There are so many guide books, Google Maps, and YouTube videos explaining the best spots to see, that you can easily do something on your own.

Before you book a tour, you might consider going on your own as an alternative.

In addition, if you're late booking tours and not finding many options, going it alone might be your last option.  With a little research, you can easily find something to do.

Cruise ships are regularly inspected to ensure they are maintaining a healthy and safe environment, with five Royal Caribbean ships getting a perfect score.

The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducts random inspections of cruise ships and shares their findings with the public. 

The purpose is to ensure cruise lines meet the standards expected of them and to mitigate the chances someone would get sick on a ship, somewhat similar to how restaurants and supermarkets are inspected.

Traveling on cruise ships exposes guests to new environments, communal spaces, and high volumes of other people, all of which can exacerbate the risk of illness.

The CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) gives each cruise ship a rating on a scale of 0-100 once the inspection is complete.

As 2024 comes to a close, the CDC revealed 27 cruise ships got a perfect sanitation score.

In 2024, the CDC conducted a total of 151 inspections and most scored a 95 or better. Of those, 29 were Royal Caribbean ships.

Five Royal Caribbean ships earned a perfect score this year:

• Mariner of the Seas: Inspected 10/28/2024
• Jewel of the Seas: Inspected 9/28/2024
• Serenade of the Seas: Inspected 9/10/2024
• Radiance of the Seas: Inspected 7/21/2024
• Brilliance of the Seas: Inspected 5/16/2024

Interestingly enough, this list is comprised of the entire Radiance Class of ships, with just Mariner of the Seas being a Voyager Class ship.

What were the scores for the other Royal Caribbean ships?

There's a good chance you're wondering how the rest of the fleet did, besides these five perfect scores.

The good news is every Royal Caribbean ship passed (a score of 85 or lower is unsatisfactory), with Adventure of the Seas coming in with the lowest score of 89.

You should also be aware that after each inspection, crew members respond to the results and offer corrective actions to remedy the issues inspectors found.

The end result is a cleaner cruise ship.

Inspection scores don't tell the whole story

Remember, non-perfect scores don't mean an unhealthy or unsafe ship.

The CDC's inspections and VSP scores are important, but not the only factor in ensuring a cruise ship is clean.

Cruise ships are also mindful of the impact that bad news and excessive press about sickness can have. Royal Caribbean wants its guests to be healthy and enjoy their cruise enough to sail again.

Every vessel, no matter its VSP score, features several health awareness tactics and oversight of outbreak prevention.

Guests on Royal Caribbean ships will spot hand-washing stations, free hand sanitizer, health awareness signs, and even crew members reminding guests to clean their hands.

If guests do fall sick, Royal Caribbean has a series of health protocols to prevent further infection, no matter the source.

This program, implemented in 2023, includes six tenants:

1. Stop buffet self-service if the onboard norovirus rate exceeds 1.5%
2. More crew training on acute GI symptoms and avoiding cross-contamination
3. More GI training for onboard medical teams
4. Increased oversight of the Outbreak Prevention Plan
5. Switching to PDI SaniCloth Prime hospital-grade disinfectant wipes, which carry a claim against norovirus (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use)
6. Contactless tap technology, so crew members don't have to handle SeaPass cards

You'll find a basketball court on most cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean reinvented the concept on one type of ship that truly stands out.

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering just about as many activities as you can imagine onto its ships. The idea is to offer more to do so passengers have a choice in how they have fun.

Sports courts on cruise ships have been around for a while, but the Quantum Class ships have a different take on it, and it's the only ships where I'll step foot on the sports court.

The SeaPlex is what Royal Caribbean called its indoor basketball court because it's so much more than a sports court.

While all the Quantum Class ships have a SeaPlex, the final version on Odyssey of the Seas is by far my favorite.

Climate controlled with lots to do

The reason why I think the SeaPlex is such a smart upgrade from a traditional outdoor sports court is the fact it's climate controlled.

On every other cruise ship, the sports court is not only outdoors, but offers zero shade.  

Basking in the sun as you shoot hoops or kick the soccer ball around may sound like a nice idea when you're at home, but most months of the year in the Caribbean, it feels like the surface of the sun on that asphalt.

I admit that you'll still find plenty of people out there to play, but the SeaPlex solves a few issues.

Being a two-deck indoor venue, you don't have to worry about getting sunburned. And there's air conditioning to keep it at the perfect temperature.

Royal Caribbean went above just climatizing the venue, as there are lots of activities too.

It's most celebrated activity are bumper cars, where the sports court transforms into a bumper car arena.

Hop in a car and slam into other cars as fast as you can, or try to evade them all.

Bumper cars got a lot of recognition as a signature activity to try, and one of those "I can't believe they have this on a cruise ship" experiences.

Of course, there's also more traditional activities in the SeaPlex. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, dodgeball, archery, and badminton are just a few.

There's also the wildly popular pickleball, along with laser tag too. And all of it is included in your cruise fare.

The sports team crew members will swap out activities throughout the day.  Within the Royal Caribbean app are listings for times of each activity, so you'll need to plan accordingly to get in on the one you want.

Perfecting with Playmakers

The SeaPlex is two levels on all Quantum Class ships, but Royal Caribbean's Product Development team re-imagined the space when they designed Odyssey of the Seas.

It seems they thought about how to combine sports with the sports bar and they came up with the idea of adding the first Playmakers into the SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas.

Located on the second level of the SeaPlex, Playmakers has the opportunity to view the big game or the game happening below.

There are over 50 TV's throughout Playmakers, and that means you can catch the game from any corner.

Playmakers also has a giant TV screen that hangs over the SeaPlex sports court. I've often found myself watching the televised game on the large screen, while also glancing down to see the fun happening below on the court.

If catching a sporting event isn't your thing, there are large windows looking out to the ocean too. The main bar area has lots of seating that allow to look out on the ocean in addition to a TV.

This setup makes it perfect for families, where kids can be on the court or playing one of the games around the SeaPlex while their parents watch the game at the same time they're supervising the kids.

And then there's the Playmakers food, which always hits the spot for me on any ship they serve it.

Nachos, burgers, onion rings, and the delightful buffalo chicken wraps are just some of the notable menu offerings.

Everything in Playmakers is priced a la carte, so you can enjoy a snack without a full restaurant cost. 

Odyssey isn't the first ship to offer Playmakers, but unlike the Oasis Class ships, this version is air conditioned and makes it far more enjoyable during the summer months.

The idyllic spot for older kids

If you want to epitomize how Royal Caribbean appeals to families with older kids, the SeaPlex is a good example.

The second level of the SeaPlex has lots of areas for all guests to enjoy, but in practice, it's the teenagers that tend to congregate here.

You'll find video arcades, comfortable seating, and communal gaming opportunities.

The space is designed to be cozy and inviting so guests will want to spend time there.

The sports court you'll want to go with your kids to

Ultimately, I think the beauty of the SeaPlex over a sports court is how much it offers for everyone.

Besides being climate controlled, there's a lot more to see and do for guests of all ages. If all you want to do is watch your kids play, there's seating all around the edge of the court.

I think certain activities really lend themselves to being inviting to everyone. Bumper cars can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, and pickle ball has become one of the top activities for adults of all ages.

And if you happen to be on Odyssey of the Seas, then the addition of Playmakers really offers more for parents and guests without kids reason to visit.

The bottom line is on all other Royal Caribbean ships, you will never find me on the sports court. But on a Quantum Class ship, there's a good chance I'll head up there a few times every cruise because it's the only version I truly enjoy.

There are many choices for where to go on a cruise, but which is the best first time cruise destination?

You can have a great time anywhere a cruise goes, but certain regions might be a better idea for your first sailing than another simply because there's an aspect of it that is a good fit for a newbie.

Our team has been cruising for decades, and we've been on lots of cruises with new cruisers. In our experience in speaking with hundreds of cruisers, it's clear there are better choices for a first Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here are the top choices for best cruise itineraries for first-time cruisers.

A 7-night Caribbean cruise on a new ship

White sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and hot temperatures are why so many people that have never cruised before want to try a Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean dominates the Caribbean cruise market with a wide selection of ships and itineraries, but I think someone that has never cruised before should try a weeklong sailing on a cruise ship that was launched in the last 10 years.

Resist the temptation to book a weekend cruise because the experience goes by too quickly to really get a grasp of what cruising is all about.  Likewise, don't chase a low price on an old small ship because those ships lack the variety of activities and features a new cruiser expects to find on a ship.

My advice is to pick a cruise that goes to the Western Caribbean or Eastern Caribbean for 7-nights.  You'll be able to visit 3 or 4 ports, each with beautiful beaches and idyllic waters.

If you're feeling bold, try to find one that visits the Southern Caribbean ports of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.  

The Southern Caribbean has arguably the best beaches in all of the Caribbean, but you'll need to either go on a longer sailing or depart from a port outside of Florida (like San Juan, Puerto Rico).

Avoid this cruise: While Royal Caribbean advertises weekend cruises on the brand new Utopia of the Seas heavily towards people that have never cruised, trust me a weekend cruise is too short.

You might think about a short cruise out of trepidation of not liking what a cruise is all about, but think of a cruise as a floating resort rather than a boat. 

Plus, you'll go to more interesting places than The Bahamas on a longer cruise.

An Alaska glacier cruise from Seattle

There is no better way to see Alaska than on a cruise ship, so try a cruise as a way to get your feet wet.

The great thing about an Alaska cruise is it tends to be a port intensive itinerary, which means you're docked and on land most days of the cruise.  This is a crutch for new cruisers who might be worried about being bored on sea days.

Alaska is majestic, and the natural beauty will likely capture your imagination quickly. Because of how land-focused an Alaska cruise is, the cruise experience becomes almost secondary due to the landscape around you.

Royal Caribbean's ships sailing from Seattle offer a convenient option with plenty of flight options and they sail on Royal Caribbean's bigger and newer ships.

Bigger ships matter because there's better entertainment onboard, as well as a wider variety of restaurants. More to do onboard is really important for families with kids.

Avoid this cruise: The open-jaw sailings that offer one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

These cruises can be tempting, but the logistics involved with flying one-way is a challenge. Moreover, Royal Caribbean's smaller ships sail these routes, which offer less to do onboard. For someone that has never cruised, I'd save the smaller ships for a follow-up trip.

Ciao Italy! Cruise the Mediterranean

Similar to Alaska, a cruise along the Mediterranean is a great first-time cruise choice.

While you'll have limited time in ports, a European cruise is a great way to get a taste of the Old World without having to deal with transportation logistics, making your time in Europe that much more enjoyable.

One way to augment your first cruise in Europe is to combine it with a land trip.  Since you'll need to fly in early to acclimate to the new time zone as well as ensure travel delays don't cause you to miss the cruise, many people prefer combining a European cruise with a land-based vacation.

As an example, you could fly to London a week before a cruise from Southampton, giving you plenty of time to visit sites like Stonehenge, Windsor, and the Roman Baths.

Avoid this cruise: In considering the "worst" choice for a European cruise as a first-timer, skip a sailing that visits Northern France and Spain only.

In the grand scheme of European cruises, I think a cruise that only visits the coast of Normandy, Galicia and Basque Country is underwhelming compared to almost anywhere else on the continent.

In addition, the Bay of Biscay is notorious for rough seas.

So you still want a 3-night cruise? Fine, go to Royal Caribbean's private island

Earlier I recommended going on a 7-night cruise as your first cruise, but I know lots of first-time cruisers still prefer to dip their toe with a short sailing.

In that case, your best bet is a cruise on a big new ship that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean is well-known for offering the best options for families, kids, and adults because of how much they include on their ships. Plus, there are ways to splurge with a suite or keep it cheap with an inside cabin.

The advantage of picking a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas that include stops in The Bahamas are the lineup of what you can do on land.

CocoCay is open exclusively to Royal Caribbean passengers, and so much of it is included in your cruise fare. This island is designed to be easy to navigate and a "no thinking required" kind of beach day.

Opening in December 2025 is a new beach club for Royal Caribbean passengers in Nassau, Bahamas. 

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will have an admission cost, but it will be all-inclusive and another easy button to press for a great first cruise.

Is booking a cruise late still a good idea to get a deal?

Booking a cruise at the last minute used to be one of the easiest ways to save money. However, with record-high cruising demand, booking a last-minute sailing might not be the best strategy for everyone.

Last-minute cruising refers to bookings made after the final payment deadline has passed. For most Royal Caribbean cruises, final payment date is 90 days before the sailing is scheduled to depart. When you book a cruise within this timeframe, you’ll usually need to pay for your cruise in its entirety at the time of booking.

You might think you are likely to snag a sweet deal with this strategy, but that’s not always the case anymore. Here’s why you might want to rethink booking last-minute cruises and whether these sailings are actually cheaper. 

Are last-minute cruises in high demand?

You might have noticed that cruise prices have continued to rise in the last few years -  and don’t expect the fares to lower in the near future. With cruising demand at record-high levels, it’s becoming harder to find last-minute cruises in general.

Earlier this year during the cruise line’s second-quarter earnings call, Royal Caribbean President and Chief Executive Officer, Jason Liberty, discussed the sky-high demand for cruising throughout 2024. He said, ”2024 bookings have consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire second quarter and into July, despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell.”

With fewer staterooms to sell, Royal Caribbean is able to continuously sell cruises at higher prices. Liberty also hinted during the call that Royal Caribbean will continue to raise prices in 2025 with such high demand for cruising.

Royal Caribbean’s third-quarter 2024 earnings call specifically highlighted the rising prices of last-minute cruises. Reporting better-than-expected earnings in October 2024, Royal Caribbean attributed the strong quarter to vacationers booking last-minute cruises for a higher price.

Do cruise prices drop as the departure date approaches?

Last-minute cruising deals occur when cruise lines struggle to sell cabins for a particular sailing. If demand is low, cruise lines will drop prices to sell excess staterooms. To reduce unsold inventory, cruise lines might run flash sales and offer reduced pricing as the sail date approaches.

However, people are more interested than ever before to book cruises for their vacation. In the post-pandemic era of heightened travel spending, Royal Caribbean is selling more cabins over the years, often at higher prices. Basic economic principles show that prices rise as supply decreases and demand increases.  Because of this, you’re less likely to find a good deal on a last-minute cruise. 

In particular, Royal Caribbean's growing popularity has been propelled by the recent launch of Icon of the Seas. The revolutionary cruise ship is unlike anything Royal Caribbean has built before, leading to sold-out bookings and surging prices. We are seeing many itineraries for the brand-new Icon class ship being completely sold out for months in advance. 

People are demonstrating how they are willing to pay higher prices for Royal Caribbean cruises. As a result, last-minute cruise deals have become much less common due to the surge in booking demand. With popular itineraries, you might not even have the option to book a particular sailing because cabins are filling up faster. 

For example, I am booked on a cruise for April 2025 sailing on Anthem of the Seas from Singapore to Tokyo. Although this sailing is more than four months away, the remaining cabins were high-end suites that are selling for upwards of $10,000 per person!

How can I find last-minute cruise deals?

Although last-minute deals are far and few between, you can still find some reduced prices occasionally. But, you should expect to dig around for these last-minute deals, along with being extremely flexible with your plans.

First, look for last-minute deals right after final payment is due for a particular sailing. This is when already-booked cruisers will need to pay the entire balance of their reservation. If plans change, cruisers cancel their booking or might move to a different sailing.

Within about 30 days of final payment date, cruise lines have a better idea of passenger load to determine occupancy levels for a particular sailing. This is when last-minute deals begin to emerge. Cruise lines could continue to drop prices until the sail date approaches if cabins do not sell.

You’re more likely to find a last-minute deal during the offseason or shoulder season. Generally speaking, shoulder season includes sailing in off-peak months like September through November. This is when demand is lower and prices tend to drop as a result.

Depending on the destination, you might be able to find cheaper deals for the first and last sailings of a certain season, such as cruising to Alaska in late April and early October. For the Caribbean, check out peak hurricane season for last-minute deals after kids are back in school.

Less popular itineraries might be another good option to snag last-minute deals. For instance, repositioning cruises, along with transatlantic or transpacific crossings, could have more cabins to book at the last minute. These longer sailings with additional sea days typically see lower demand, making them ideal for last-minute bookings.

Also, Royal Caribbean’s website has a Last Minute Cruises page where you can look at sailings departing within the next few months. When clicking the “Book now” button, you can see a promotional offer applied to the search function with a “Promo Last Minute Deals” code applied. 

In addition, Royal Caribbean also offers Going, Going, Gone deals on its website. These promotional offers are often last-minute sailings departing within the next few weeks or months. Either way, you’ll need to have major flexibility for the best outcome.

What else should I consider when booking a cruise last minute?

Last-minute cruising can be quite lucrative if your schedule allows for flexibility. If all the stars align and the right opportunity presents itself, you can save hundreds to thousands of dollars on a short notice cruise. However, you should consider a few things before booking a last-minute cruise.

One of the biggest perks of booking a last-minute cruise is knowing the certainty of your schedule, minimizing the risk of needing to change or cancel your reservation. When booking years in advance, it’s hard to know what unexpected circumstances could occur. Changing or cancelling your nonrefundable reservation could be expensive.

Speaking of expenses, you’ll want to consider how last-minute cruising limits the amount of financial planning you can do ahead of your vacation. Your budget should allow for spending hundreds to thousands of dollars to book the cruise within a short timeframe. If you want to book any add-ons, including onboard internet access, drink packages or specialty dining, you will want to account for these expenses as well.

Airfare is another consideration. Those who live within driving distance of cruise ports are in a better position to snag last-minute deals than those who need to book airfare. If you need to fly to a cruise port for a particular sailing, you’ll want to consider the cost of airfare as well.

Because last-minute airfare can be astronomical these days due to increased travel demand, your cheap cruise might be offset by expensive airfare. But, similar to last-minute cruising, lower demand routes could have reduced pricing. 

Also, you should expect to have limited options for staterooms on a last-minute cruise. Leftover cabins can often be located in less desirable locations onboard, so you will need to anticipate having minimal stateroom choices. You might need to be fine with any stateroom, such as the very front of the ship with excessive motion or directly below the pool deck with screeching chairs early in the morning.

Additionally, keep in mind that your options for shore excursions may be limited. If you book a last-minute cruising, many travelers have likely already booked their excursions for the entire itinerary. This could leave you with very few options for tours within each port. However, if you are comfortable booking independent excursions, this factor might not be an issue for you. 

Last-minute cruising can present logistical challenges too, such as needing to arrange pet care or securing time off work. Make sure you’ve confirmed your schedule allows for the last-minute itinerary before booking a non-refundable sailing.

Finally, ensure your travel documents are up-to-date and all necessary travel requirements can be met. Most countries require at least six months of passport validity while others might require a visa to visit. Vaccines could also be a consideration for more exotic itineraries in Africa, South America and Asia. 

When should I avoid trying to book a last-minute cruise?

Booking a last-minute cruise is not for everyone. First, those on a tight budget should especially avoid last-minute cruising. Sailings are released years in advance, so this provides plenty of time to plan and budget appropriately for your vacation needs.

Also, you’ll want to avoid peak travel periods if you hope to find a last-minute cruise deal. This includes avoiding holidays, spring break and summer vacation. During these times, families tend to book early to align their vacations with school breaks, leaving fewer opportunities for last-minute availability.

Typically, there is higher demand for holiday sailings at Christmas, New Years, Easter and Thanksgiving. Summer months from June to August are usually considered peak vacation time for families when kids are not in school. Finally, spring break is usually in March for many, including college students. This is a popular time to go cruising, meaning you are less likely to find a last-minute deal. 

Further, those looking to visit a specific destination or sail on a particular itinerary should not wait for a last-minute deal to book. Some unique itineraries are extremely popular and sell out months in advance. For this reason, destination-focused vacationers are not the best candidates for last-minute cruising.

Other reasons to avoid last-minute cruising would include group travel and accessibility needs. If a sailing has limited cabin options, it could be difficult for group travel to be successfully booked. Also, those needing accessibility accommodations might find limited stateroom options for accessible cabins. 

Moreover, brand-new cruise ships will be especially difficult to find last-minute deals because of higher demand. For instance, the soon-to-debut Star of the Seas is seeing strong demand for bookings. This means you might not be able to find a last-minute deal on the latest Icon class ship for a while.

Special occasions or events should also be considered, such as anniversary trips or themed itineraries. You wouldn’t want to risk having a special occasion ruined because you are unable to find a last-minute itinerary. Similarly, themed sailings, such as Royal Caribbean's upcoming Solar Eclipse cruise in August 2026, often sell out far in advance.

Bottom Line: Is booking a last-minute cruise cheaper?

Although booking a last-minute cruise used to be quite lucrative, those days are long gone. With more people eager to cruise and fewer cabins to book, finding a last-minute cruise for a great price is becoming more difficult. In particular, Royal Caribbean’s skyrocketing demand continues to drive up prices, even for last-minute sailings.

Of course, this isn’t to say you can’t find a last-minute deal. Those with flexible schedules who can sail during off-peak times could save hundreds of dollars by booking last-minute. Less popular itineraries with low demand are the best option for last-minute savings.

However, last-minute booking isn’t the best option for everyone. There are many factors to consider when booking a last-minute cruise, such as airfare costs, limited excursion availability and fewer stateroom options. Those who are on a tight budget will likely benefit from booking their cruise far in advance, allowing time to pay off their sailing and even reprice if the cost goes down.

At the end of the day, if you are very flexible and simply want to get on a cruise ship, you could benefit from last-minute cruising.

The cruise industry as a whole had a great 2024, but Royal Caribbean clearly stood out as having one of its best years ever.

It wasn't too long ago that all the cruise lines were mired in crushing debt, negative profits, and a public perception problem all tied to the events of 2020.

Royal Caribbean's recovery has taken a meteoric path, seeing profits significantly higher than its peers along the way. 

In 2024, the cruise line truly flexed its muscles with a series of new ships, bold strategic moves, and it's counting its winnings all the way to the bank.

CEO reflects on the year

With Christmas approaching, Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley posted on LinkedIn his reflections on Royal Caribbean's meteoric year.

Milestone after milestone, accolade after accolade, Mr. Bayley celebrated a big year for the cruise line and is already looking forward to an even bigger year in 2025.

Talk about an iconic year! Or, was it the utopia of all years? However you look at it, 2024 was an extraordinary year for Royal Caribbean, filled with milestones that underscore our commitment to delivering the absolute ultimate vacations. We kicked the year off with the debut of Icon of the Seas, a first-of-its-kind ship combining record-breaking features for every kind of family and vacationer, with Lionel Messi, the Icon of Icon, headlining its naming celebration. We caught our breath and then debuted, Utopia of the Seas, dubbed The World’s Biggest Weekend℠, offering the ultimate short getaway.

We announced exciting new destinations, including Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas and Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico, offering the ultimate beach day experience with stunning beaches, pools, swim-up bars, and local cultural touches. Plus, we celebrated the opening of Hideaway Beach, the first adults-only hideaway escape on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We also announced the upcoming glow-up of Allure of the Seas, set to redefine European adventures in 2025, and revealed our plans for Star of the Seas, which will soon join our fleet, doubling the world’s best vacation options from Port Canaveral. AND, we signed an agreement for the fourth Icon Class ship, continuing our legacy of revolutionary experiences.

This year, we also continued our strong partnership with Inter Miami CF, creating memorable experiences for families and fans. Together with Make-A-Wish, we had the privilege of granting the wishes of 23 children, offering them unforgettable adventures on Icon of the Seas and the chance to meet the Inter Miami squad and Lionel Messi.

Our Royal Caribbean team, shoreside and shipboard, has achieved so much this year that I can’t even begin to cover it all. Your dedication and hard work have been the driving force behind our success. To our trusted partners, your collaboration has been invaluable. And to our guests, thank you for letting Royal Caribbean be part of your most cherished memories and adventures. Wishing everyone a joyous holiday season and a spectacular new year!

An Iconic start to the year

The new year had barely begun when Royal Caribbean introduced its game-changing cruise ship to the world.

Icon of the Seas was launched in January 2024 and captured the attention of the world.  

New cruise ships happen frequently, but the amount of hype, interest, and attention that Icon received was unparalleled. The ship generated so much buzz from all corners of the market, that it dwarfed pretty much every other ship launch since.

In April, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said the launch of Icon of the Seas was a difference maker, "Our existing fleet along with our new ships continue to perform exceptionally well, highlighted by the market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas, which has exceeded all expectations."

At 250,800 gross registered tons, Icon of the Seas carries 5,610 people on a double-occupancy basis and about 7,600 passengers when every berth is filled. That's in addition to 2,350 crew members. It spans 20 decks and has its own water park onboard.

Icon has gone on to claim all sorts of accolades, along with being a popular choice among cruisers.

The introduction of a second ship

Two new Royal Caribbean ships entered service in 2024, which is out of the ordinary for any cruise line.

Utopia of the Seas began offering cruises in July 2024, and it had a different goal in mind compared to Icon.

Whereas Icon of the Seas redefined what a megaship could be, Royal Caribbean wanted to set a new standard for weekend cruises with Utopia.

Unlike every other new ship, Utopia began with just short weekend cruises. Utopia is meant to be the ultimate short getaway. In addition to all the activities onboard, there are shows, parties, and dance events meant to keep passengers in the right vibe every day of the sailing.

The aim is to deliver to customers what they've been telling the cruise line for years: they want first experiences that create family bonding moments with memories they'll take home and cherish.

Utopia of the Seas measures 236,473 gross tons, making her slightly larger than Wonder of the Seas but not quite as big as Icon of the Seas.

Opening of Hideaway Beach

Tied to the launch of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean also opened its first adults-only expansion on its private island.

Hideaway Beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay opened this year, giving cruise ship passengers that wanted a break from the family experience.

Available only to guests at least 18 years old, Hideaway Beach has a giant swim-up bar with DJ, sports bar, crescent-shaped beach, new food options, and more.

It addressed a need to have an adult only space, which was one of the most requested attractions.

Revealed a new private beach in Mexico

Royal Caribbean turned a lot of heads when they announced plans to build its biggest private beach experience ever in Mexico.

Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 and will completely overhaul the port of Costa Maya.

Similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay, this will be an all-encompassing offering exclusive to Royal Caribbean ship passengers that will include beaches, pools, a waterpark, helium balloon ride, and many more details that have yet to be revealed.

The total project will encompass 90 hectares, with is about 220 acres. That's roughly double the size of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Expect more details in Spring 2025.

An incredible year for its stock

The proof of how good Royal Caribbean did as a cruise line came in the financial results for the company.

Royal Caribbean Group had just about the best year you could hope for, with double-digit growth and monster revenue numbers.

Each quarter saw the company bringing in billions in revenue:

• First Quarter: $3.7 billion revenue
• Second quarter: $4.1 billion revenue
• Third quarter: $4.9 billion revenue

The company's financial success was driven by strong demand for cruising, supported by both loyal repeat customers and an increasing number of first-time travelers. Consumer spending onboard, was also a major factor, driving their numbers even higher.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) shares have soared all year long, closing at $240.30 per share before the holiday break.

Royal Caribbean has cancelled more scheduled visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico on one of its largest cruise ships, and cruisers are not happy.

Symphony of the Seas - measuring at 228,081 gross registered tons - was scheduled to visit San Juan on the two upcoming voyages, including the December 28, 2024 and January 12, 2025 sailings. However, due to ongoing construction at the pier, large cruise ships have been unable to dock for months in the capital city.

Cruisers sailing on both itineraries were alerted recently about itinerary changes because the Oasis class ship is still unable to dock in San Juan. However, both itineraries have been significantly altered due to the port change.

For the December 28 sailing, guests received the following email from Royal Caribbean:

“We wanted to inform you about some changes to your upcoming cruise. Due to ongoing construction at the pier in San Juan, the port authority has advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit. We understand how important each destination is to your vacation, so we have worked diligently to find the best alternatives for you.”

The 7-night itinerary will visit Perfect Day at Coco Cay as planned, but visits to St. Maarten and San Juan are cancelled. Instead of visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico, the revised itinerary has Symphony of the Seas will now be visiting Labadee, Haiti.

As one of Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Labadee was recently reopened following violence in the country this year. The cruise line suspending visits to Labadee when tension began to rise in the spring; however, the private destination’s location is completely operated by the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean also added a new port stop in Nassau, Bahamas on the December 28, 2024 sailing, which will replace one of the sea days.

In addition, vacationers on the January 12, 2025 sailing onboard Symphony of the Seas received a similar email from Royal Caribbean about itinerary changes. The 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing was meant to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico on January 15, 2025.

The Oasis class vessel was scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten on a roundtrip itinerary from Miami, Florida. However, the continuous issues with San Juan have caused the cruise line to revise this itinerary too.

Guests booked on the impacted itinerary were told the cruise would no longer sail an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Although Symphony of the Seas will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay as planned on January 13, 2024, the rest of the port visits are altered.

Instead of visiting Puerto Rico, the ship will now dock in Labadee, Haiti. Additionally, the new itinerary features a port visit to Falmouth, Jamaica instead of St. Maarten. The remaining two sea days on the itinerary remain unchanged. Symphony of the Seas will return to Miami, Florida as scheduled.

Ongoing issues docking in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Prior to these recent changes, Royal Caribbean also adjusted Symphony of the Seas’ itineraries in December that were meant to dock in San Juan. Sailings throughout November and December were also altered significantly to replace San Juan, Puerto Rico because of the pier issues that persist.

Unfortunately, there is no end in sight for the port cancellations in Puerto Rico due to “technical issues” with San Juan’s pier.

Royal Caribbean explained in communication earlier this month, “We’ve recently been advised by the port authority in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that due to technical issues with the pier and the work that must be done and cleared by the United States Coast Guard for accepting a ship our size, we’ll have to adjust our itinerary for our sailing.”

Currently, there is no timeline for when the pier will be completed. The dock is located in San Juan’s old town, making it one of the more popular destinations for cruisers in the Caribbean. Neither the Port Authority in San Juan nor Royal Caribbean have stated when the pier will be cleared for larger vessels, indicating the pier might not be fixed for some time.

According to local reports from elnuevodia, San Juan’s Pier 3 was damaged by MSC Meraviglia in April 2024. This forced the port to close down the west side of the facility until further notice because of the extensive damage to the pier. Neither Royal Caribbean nor the Port of San Juan have confirmed the pier damage by MSC Meraviglia.

Luckily, San Juan has two docks for cruise ships to use. Smaller ships are able to use the Pan America pier; however, Oasis class ships are only able to use the damaged pier due to the large size. As such, Royal Caribbean is technically at the mercy of San Juan to repair the damaged pier before they can resume normal operations.

Disappointment and frustration from many impacted cruisers

Although Royal Caribbean is technically not responsible for the damaged pier repairs, many cruisers are frustrated by the continued last-minute changes. The repeated itinerary adjustments are disappointing for most cruisers scheduled to vacation on Symphony of the Seas.

Cruisers impacted by the sailing have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, including a thread on Reddit and forum post on Royal Caribbean Blog.

In particular, some have expressed their dismay with Royal Caribbean choosing to replace San Juan, Puerto Rico with less-desired ports. For example, the U.S. State Department has Haiti as a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory for the region. Others are not pleased with the elimination of St. Maarten for Falmouth, Jamaica.

“Skipping St. Maarten for Jamaica, Haiti and Nassau would make me cranky,” commented one user on Reddit.

Others found the wording of the communication comical considering the political unrest in Haiti. “[Haiti is] so stunning that there are armed guards who stop you from leaving the private port,” responded one commenter.

“Telling us that being diverted to Haiti (during a level 4 do not travel advisory) is suddenly safe is an insult. RC stopped visiting Labadee in March, 2024… but now 'the safety and security of our guest remains our main priority' — and just like that it’s safe again?” commented one frustrated cruiser.

“Ugh. Nassau and Falmouth in exchange for San Juan and St. Martin? That’s the downgrade of downgrades,” responded another user.

“Love how they try to make roses out of turds,” exclaimed one responder.

Others are frustrated by Royal Caribbean’s lack of planning considering the ongoing issue, especially considering the cruise line continues to advertise Oasis class cruises visiting San Juan in early 2025:

“RCCL continues to look bad on this issue. They have to know the pier issue is going to take time to get back to operations that support Oasis class ships. Rhapsody docked just fine this morning. Highly recommend the itinerary she is running right now.”

The poster replied, “Definitely knew, feels like a bait and switch to private islands. The money grab from Covid downtime is so very apparent. At least try to substitute with another eastern island.”

Which Royal Caribbean ships are impacted?

Reports of issues with docking in San Juan, Puerto Rico were reported by Royal Caribbean cruisers as early as April 2024. Guests sailing on Wonder of the Seas reported the captain chose to divert the ship from San Juan and Dominican Republic to visit St. Thomas and St. Maarten instead. At the time, guests were told the pier was damaged by an MSC ship and Oasis class ships could not dock.

After the diversion of Wonder of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas has faced the greatest impact. Since the spring, every itinerary that included a stop in San Juan has been modified.

Looking ahead to next year, Symphony of the Seas has planned visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico, throughout early 2025. While January itineraries have already been modified, no updates have been shared regarding changes to additional sailings. If the pier’s repair timeline remains unclear and adjustments continue, more itineraries could be affected.

For instance, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, a Quantum class ship measuring 167,000 gross registered tons, is also scheduled to visit San Juan on January 30, 2025. Currently, this sailing has not been impacted.

Finally, Rhapsody of the Seas is home-ported in San Juan and sails roundtrip itineraries from the capital city to the Southern Caribbean. Because Rhapsody of the Seas is one of the cruise line’s smallest ship, the vessel operates at the alternative San Juan dock. Therefore, the Vision class ship has not been impacted and continues to operate as scheduled. 

Are impacted cruisers receiving compensation?

Even with the adjusted sailings, cruisers on impacted itineraries are not being offered the opportunity to cancel for a refund. This has created additional frustration for vacationers who are visiting ports of call they did not originally plan to visit. 

"They sold and marketed this New Years Holiday Cruise as an Eastern Caribbean itinerary knowing that it was unlikely that the San Juan port would be fixed,” argued another cruiser online.

Itinerary changes are not uncommon in the cruise industry, especially for weather-related changes. However, because cruise lines have the power to make itinerary changes as needed for any reason, guests are not currently being offered any sort of refund or compensation for the change.

For previous itinerary changes caused by the pier issues in San Juan, Royal Caribbean announced that guests would automatically be refunded to their original form of payment for any prepaid excursions at the canceled ports. Additionally, new excursions will likely be offered through Royal Caribbean for ports of call in Falmouth (Jamaica), Nassau (Bahamas) and Labadee (Haiti). 

I love a good cruise deal, but sometimes splurging and staying in a suite is the way to go while on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean has many kinds of suites, but the ones that always capture people's attention are their signature Star Class suites on its biggest ships.

In 2024, I had the chance to review three giant cruise ship suites: Royal Loft Suite, Aquatheater Suite, and the Ultimate Family Suite.

I paid an average of around $4,000 - $5,000 per night for these suites, making them far from a cheap deal.

Each suite was indeed massive, but I think everyone expects that.  What truly stood out about these rooms were some of the surprises I didn't expect with these sort of suites. They may not be the top reasons to book them, but I think they make a difference.

Being escorted through check-in made me feel like a VIP

All suite guests have their own line for check-in at a cruise terminal, but when you book a Star Class room, you get escorted inside.

There's a special meet area for Star Class guests, where you drop off your luggage. You don't need to print out the regular luggage tags, because Star Class guests get their own luggage tags added on the spot.  In fact, your luggage is taken onboard the ship by a specific porter just for Star Class guests, so that means no waiting around for your bags to arrive.

The agent then escorts your group into the cruise terminal and through security and check-in.  They find the shortest lines and get you moving as quickly as possible.

Royal Caribbean's check-in process is already very fast, but as you whizz past everyone, it's a surreal feeling getting the most exclusive service even before the cruise begins

I loved being able to my suite as soon as I boarded the ship

No matter which cruise I go on, I always want to board the ship as quickly as possible.

A loyal Royal Caribbean Blog reader, (and long-time suffering Vols fan) Michael Poole, once reminded me you can either wait at the hotel room or the cruise terminal, so may as well get there early.  With Star Class, this even more important.

Your Royal Genie will take you right to your suite as soon as you board the ship.

This means you can not only drop off your things in the room, but get to start enjoying the suite you paid a lot of money for in the first place.

Having early access to your suite before other cabins are ready is a treat, and it's great for entertaining friends.  I invited friends up to the suite immediately to hang out and get the cruise fun started.

Even if you're not looking to invite anyone, being in the room early means you could nap, enjoy the amenities within the cabin, or just have a quieter start to your cruise.

The special SeaPass card got attention of crew members

When you go around the ship and flash your Star Class card, crew members take notice.

Like all things with being in Star Class, it's easier, and when you show your SeaPass card at the theater, order a drink at a bar, or borrow towels at the pool deck, you're almost always just waived through.

It's not only easier, but it speeds things up.

I didn't expect the exclusive suite entrance to be quieter

In the case of the Royal Loft Suite on Wonder of the Seas and Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas, there is a dedicated entrance.

At first, I thought having these special glass doors to get to my suite was more of a vanity thing.  I joked it was a way to keep my friends' kids out.

As it turned out, the real benefit of not having a suite on a shared hallway is you hear no noise at all from outside your suite.

I don't think hallway noise is a big deal to begin with (especially on the suite deck), but after a day or so I really started to notice I heard nothing from outside our room.  In other cabins, you'll occasionally hear someone talking loudly, running, or some sort of commotion.  

The exclusivity of being in one of these giant suites really stands out.

I didn't think I'd use the hot tub more than the kids did

Two of the suites I stayed in had their own hot tub, but I probably spent more time in there than my kids.

Like many children, my kids like to do something to say they've done and then move onto the next thing.  This was the case with the hot tub too.

The best times to enjoy the hot tub are when the ship is sailing in or out of a port, at night, or if there's a sunset in view.

I don't usually hit the pools and hot tubs on the cruise ship's main deck because of how crowded they can be, so it was nice having my own and it's definitely an added bonus.

One of the biggest surprises was how much time the kids preferred to be in the suite

Royal Caribbean is known for offering so much to do on its ships, but my kids tended to hang out in the suite more than when we are in other kinds of cabins.

I certainly don't blame them for wanting to enjoy what the suite offered, but many times they just wanted to have dinner delivered to the suite and watch TV, call their friends, or enjoy the entertainment in the suite.

The kids were glued to the game table in the Ultimate Family Suite, which has all sorts of multi-player games to try.

Plus, they liked being able to stay in the PJs and not bother getting dressed up for dinner and have their meal brought to the suite.  One of the best benefits of being in Star Class is you can have room service deliver food from the Main Dining Room or Specialty Restaurants to your suite.

As a parent, I liked knowing they weren't roaming the ship, and I didn't mind being able to go to dinner with just my wife.  Date nights are a rare commodity when you have kids, so it was a nice benefit I didn't count on.

When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises following the COVID pandemic, the cruise giant introduced e-muster drills that effectively replaced the traditional, in-person muster drills. While this move has allowed for a more efficient, less crowded process, the creator of the digital e-muster argues the true potential of the invention has yet to be realized. 

Gone are the days when Royal Caribbean passengers had to cram together in designated muster stations while listening to safety demonstrations. With the introduction of e-muster drills, passengers can complete their safety briefing at their convenience without worrying about baking in the warm Florida sun. 

Rather than listen to a crew member relay important safety information, passengers can watch a brief video and listen to the emergency alarm on their mobile app or stateroom television before heading to their assigned muster station to check in with the ship's crew within a specific time frame after embarkation. 

Before sail away, a few more announcements are made over the public address system, and the emergency alarm is sounded. However, guests are not required to report to their muster stations and may continue to lounge by the pool, explore the ship, or unpack. 

The digital approach was conceived before the pandemic to help better inform cruisers about essential information. Ensuring guests absorbed the safety information during traditional muster drills when crammed together like sardines was difficult. 

Not only that but the old muster drill was painstaking for parties with young children and elderly cruisers who often require extra assistance when navigating to their assigned assembly stations. 

The completion of the muster drill is required by maritime law. If you choose to not watch the required videos or show up to your assembly station before sail away, your name and stateroom number will be given to crew members who will track you down. 

In short, don't be that person. The sooner you complete the drill, the sooner you can get back to enjoying the first day of your cruise vacation. 

Read more: Years after Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise ship safety drill, it's still the best change in the industry

The e-muster is designed to be 100% digital

Nick Weir, the former Head of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was the visionary behind the e-muster concept. However, he says there's room for improvement to make the process even more efficient. 

"The use of geolocation technology in combination with personal devices and/or wearables, is actually the main event of my big idea. By installing a network of locator beacons around each muster station (similar to the system that is being used to locate and guide the indoor drone swarms that I introduced to Royal Caribbean’s production shows), guests would be able to participate in the eMuster process without the need for crew participation," he explains in an X post. 

What does this mean? Instead of requiring tons of crew members to be positioned at muster stations on embarkation day, the digital muster system would leverage guests' personal devices to automatically track and confirm their presence. 

The abstract of the patent, which was filed on March 3, 2020, reads: 

"During the period, as each mobile device is sensed within a geographically defined area of a correspondingly assigned muster station, a record of the completion of the muster drill by the passenger associated with the sensed mobile device is recorded in the memory."

"These steps can be performed digitally," Weir continues, "The arrival of a guest at their muster station can be tracked, geolocated and confirmed automatically, without the need for deploying dozens of crew members to do the [time-consuming], repetitive manual work, standing on their feet all day." 

The overall plan still includes one crew member at each station to "tie up any loose ends" and answer questions. First-time cruisers may have extra concerns they want to address before departing, so it makes sense to have a trained crew member available to provide reassurance. However, their presence would likely be phased out as society evolves and technology improves. 

"The function of eMuster—as I intended when I created it—is for it to be a fully digital, fully automated system and fully in line with the norms of modern society," he says. 

Weir adds that there's the possibility of the guests' presence at their muster stations being confirmed using facial recognition. This would benefit passengers without mobile devices or families with younger children. However, this part of the patent needs to be developed.

One of the most popular Caribbean destinations will be increasing port fees for cruise passengers in 2025.

During a public hearing on December 17, 2024, the Virgin Islands Port Authority announced that cruise ship fees in the St. Thomas–St. John district will increase across three separate categories. Along with higher port dues, guests will also face increased wharfage fees in 2025. 

According to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, generated revenue from the higher cruise fees will support necessary dredging and marine operations next year. Technically, the Virgin Island Port Authority is responsible for harbor dredging in St. Thomas, but currently lacks the financial resources to complete the project. Therefore, the increased port fees for cruise ship passengers are necessary to ensure vessels can safely dock and navigate the harbor. 

To raise funds, port dues for the St. Thomas - St. John district in U.S. Virgin Islands will be increasing by $3 for each cruise passenger. This means port fees will increase from $6.84 to $9.84 per person, which will be used to directly fund the Charlotte Amalie Harbor Dredging Project. The higher port fee will go into effect by April 1, 2025 for cruise ship guests.

The dredging project will help support larger vessels at the St. Thomas cruise port and allow for improved navigation for vessels. The Charolette Amalie Dredging Project will take approximately two years and is expected to be completed sometime in 2026.

According to NOAA’s National Ocean Service, dredging involves the removal of silt and debris from the bottom of harbors to increase the water depth. “It is a routine necessity in waterways around the world because sedimentation—the natural process of sand and silt washing downstream—gradually fills channels and harbors,” explains NOAA.

Wharfage fee increases begin in January 2025

In addition to hiked port dues, the island is planning to increase wharfage fees for cruise ship passengers starting as early as January 1, 2025. 

According to the Virgin Islands Port Authority, the increased wharfage fees will be used to support marine operations and maintain docking facilities. All cruise ships docking in the district will be subject to the increased wharfage fees.

Cruise ships visiting the West Indian Company Dock (WICO) will increase port fees by $0.44 on January 1, 2025. The new fees will increase from $7.80 per person to $8.24 for the WICO dock. Ships that dock at Crown Bay in St. John will pay the same higher fee in 2025, but this change will not go into effect until April 1, 2025.

The wharfage fees will be collected by the West Indian Company (WICO) or the Virgin Islands Port Authority depending on the ship’s docking location. For ships docking at the West Indian Company Dock in Havensight, WICO will collect the fee. On the other hand, the Port Authority plans to collect the fees for ships docking at the Austin ‘Babe’ Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay and on St. John.

Cruise ship passengers already pay a $1 marine tax for visiting St. Thomas, which remains unchanged in 2025. It’s also important to note that St. Croix will not impose tariffs to cruise ships entering the district. Currently, St. Croix charges a port fee of $3.45 and $3.55 wharfage fee per person.

Why the Virgin Islands Port Authority is increasing fees

St. Thomas is one of the most popular cruise destinations for Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Most of the major cruise lines visit the island year round, including some of the industry’s newest and biggest cruise ships. For example, Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Icon of the Seas regularly visits St. Thomas on its Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day itinerary.

According to a local report from St. Thomas, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line requested the harbor to be dredged to 40 feet deep in the port’s main channel. This will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels and maintain St. Thomas’ competitiveness for cruise lines as one of the top destinations.

However, no dedicated funding was initially allocated to complete the dredging project. While the U.S. Virgin Islands government has provided approximately $17 million for the effort, this amount falls short of the total required funding. As a result, the increased cruise ship fees will only partially cover the project’s costs.

Local reports indicate that some stakeholders and businesses have voiced concerns about raising port dues for the project, fearing that the higher fees might discourage ships from docking in the district altogether. However, the Virgin Islands Port Authority emphasized that the dredging project is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability of port operations and accommodating larger cruise ships in the future.

The public information officer for the port authority stated in a released statement, “This significant development will ensure improved access and navigability for cruise traffic, benefiting the local economy and supporting continued growth and development in the region.”

The Virgin Islands Port Authority has also emphasized that cruise ship operations should not be impacted by the dredging projects. With careful coordination, the project should be complete while cruise ship operations continue as scheduled. The port authority is also addressing environmental considerations with the project, such as relocating coral and a historic shipwreck.

Additionally, cruise ships visits are expected to increase by nearly 20% in 2025. With more passengers visiting the Virgin Islands than ever, improved infrastructure and routine maintenance are necessary to ensure smooth operations. 

Theoretically, guests could be subject to multiple fee increases if their itinerary docks at both St. Thomas and St. John. This would include the increased port dues, along with higher wharfage fees for visiting both docks.

Other Caribbean destinations raising fees

Rising port taxes have been a hot topic recently for destinations throughout the Caribbean. Just recently, Mexico announced a new tax that was scheduled to begin in early 2025. The immigration tax would be known as the “Non-Resident Fee."

At $42 per person, the significant fee increase for visiting Mexican ports was highly criticized by the cruise lines. In addition, critics questioned why more than two-thirds of the expected revenue from the tax would be allocated to the Mexican Army. Instead, many argued the revenue should be used to maintain port facilities, harbor infrastructure and general port operations.

“If this measure is implemented, it would make Mexican ports of call among the most expensive in the world, severely affecting their competitiveness with other Caribbean destinations,” the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents said in response to the tax.

Other critics included the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), a not-for-profit trade organization that currently represents 23 different cruise lines. The association expressed concerns on behalf of the cruise lines to the Mexican president in a letter, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises.

According to a local news source, the FCCA stated that cruise lines were already considering itinerary adjustments to avoid Mexican ports because of anticipated costs increasing. Nearly 10 million passengers could be deterred from visiting the Caribbean destination over the increased cost, explained the association.

Mexico relies heavily on tourism for its economy, including multiple cruise ports across the region. With the new tax implications, the FCCA warned that massive investments from the cruise lines could be at risk. Notably, Royal Caribbean is planning to build Perfect Day Mexico at the Costa Maya port as its next private destination in the Caribbean. The massive investment is scheduled to be complete in 2027.

The significant pushback from the cruise industry caused the Mexican government to defer the new tax by six months. Now, the Non-Resident Fee is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2025.