Royal Caribbean Blog

One cruiser was surprised how much they enjoyed Carnival after cruising with Royal Caribbean for years.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are two of the most popular mainstream cruise lines in the world. Royal Caribbean is known for building some of the biggest and most advanced cruise ships in the world. On the other hand, Carnival Cruise Line has just started constructing mega cruise ships in the last five years. 

Carnival's focus on fun can be misconstrued as a party-centric experience. For this reason, many cruisers tend to be either loyal to Royal Caribbean or diehard fans of Carnival Cruise Line. As two of the top competitors in the industry, the cruise lines have more in common than you might think. 

Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line offer affordable cruise fares onboard their family-friendly vessels. Some argue that Carnival’s newest and most innovative ships in their Excel class rival Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships. With many dining choices and plenty of onboard thrills, the two classes are quite similar.

One cruiser recently shared their first-time experience on Carnival Cruise Line after being loyal to Royal Caribbean for years. The user, @Itwo_Inokam, detailed their first impressive Carnival cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee on Reddit in the r/Cruise subreddit.

Carnival Jubilee is the newest and biggest ship in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. The Excel class vessel was launched in 2023 and holds 6,500 passengers at capacity. Prior to sailing on Carnival Jubilee, the cruiser stated they sailed twice on Allure of the Seas.

In the post, the first-time cruiser shared, "I am SO SO glad we booked! We had been loyal to Royal previously and have Emerald status. We will still do Royal, and eventually want to try Icon [of the Seas], but I feel like my first cruise on Carnival has beat my last two on Royal.”

Here’s why the first-timer’s family cruise with Carnival Cruise Line exceeded expectations after cruising with Royal Caribbean.

One of the most pleasant surprises from cruising with Carnival was the inclusion of so many restaurants onboard

Many cruisers praise Carnival Cruise Line for having a multitude of casual dining options included in their cruise fare. The majority of restaurants on Carnival’s Excel class ships are complimentary, with only a few select specialty options for splurging.

The first-time Carnival cruiser said, “The food was incredible! We ate at Chibang, Cucina del Capitano, and did all of the Street Eats, Guy’s [Burger Joint], Big Chicken, and BlueIguana Cantina.”

The cruiser found some of the complimentary dining options on Carnival were comparable to specialty dining on Royal Caribbean. The first-timer said, “We just can't believe how many choices there were that weren't an up-charge, and all delicious. Some definitely would be considered specialty dining on Royal Caribbean.”

With this, the cruiser found Carnival to be better value for the money. They commented, “Because Carnival includes so much at no up-charge, we came out with a significantly lower bill. Experiences with our kids at dining options that would have been a per-person charge on Royal, weren’t on Carnival.”

Further, the cruiser said they attempted to try all of the food during their cruise, but nearly ran out of time because there were so many options.

“We tried so hard to try everything, and it was just too much. And we were amazed at how good it all was. The type of quality was what you'd expect from specialty dining or an up-charge. Also, even items that were an up-charge like Emeril’s [Bistro] were so cheap for the quality! Same with the seafood station on the lido deck,” concluded the cruiser.

Read more: Royal Caribbean vs Carnival: Which is a better choice?

On prior cruises with Royal Caribbean, the cruiser stated that their main dining room and buffet experiences were somewhat disappointing. The long-time Royal Caribbean cruiser said they have personally noticed a decline in the dining experience, including the Windjammer buffet and main dining room.

The cruiser explained, “It’s so sad - [Royal Caribbean] wasn’t always like it is now. One of my favorite parts of cruising is eating and trying new foods. [Now], you’re pushed into getting the specialty dining because the Windjammer is a miss more than a hit. On our last two [cruises], the dining room was unbelievably slow only to receive warm to cold food.”

Carnival’s Camp Ocean was particularly impressive and accommodating for the first-time cruiser and his kids

Along with Carnival Jubilee’s expansive dining options, the family was especially wowed by the youth programming onboard. With a focus on family fun, Carnival Cruise Line has a well-established childcare program across its fleet, including a state-of-the-art facility on Carnival Jubilee.

In their experience, the cruiser stated, “My kids are 9 and 10, and they were actually mad when we picked them up from [Camp Ocean]. There is a room with over a dozen [Playstation consoles] and they also have structure, and do crafts and other activities with the kids.”

Additionally, the cruiser noted how the interactive staff also enhanced their experience. “My kids were the ones that pointed out how happy [the staff] seemed and they shared the staff played with and amongst the kids, and it made [Camp Ocean] even more fun.”

The family also preferred Carnival’s structure for its youth programming, as the experience aligned better with the family’s needs

Although Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line both provide childcare options onboard their ships, each cruise line takes a slightly different approach. For this family, Carnival’s approach to youth programming was preferred.

“The hours on Carnival’s kids’ club aren’t broken up where you need to find additional activities for kids. You can leave them in there, if they want to stay, as soon as it opens,” the parent explained.

In contrast, the cruiser stated Royal Caribbean had more strict hours for drop-off times on their cruises. ”On Royal Caribbean, you need to get them out for all meals. It closes at 12 and then reopens at 2, I think, and closes again at 5 - and opens back after dinner,” stated the cruiser.

Because they limit screen time and tablet use, the cruiser said filling these gaps during the day on Royal Caribbean can be taxing. To keep their kids entertained on Royal Caribbean, the poster said they often found activities, classes, or events that required an extra cost. This often resulted in the cruiser’s kids not wanting to return to Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean.

Clarifying this perspective, the cruiser stated, “I am not saying that people shouldn't want to spend time with their kids, I'm just sharing that for us, we'd have to find or pay for activities for the kids and they often didn’t want to go back once we picked them up for lunch.”

Because the kids enjoyed their time at Camp Ocean, the cruiser was able to relax more and save money during their Carnival cruise.

The poster shared, “Even though Carnival has classes you can pay for, we didn't need to because they have so many free things for kids, and [Camp Ocean] on Jubilee made the kids want to stay in it so we didn't need to find or pay for as many options for them."

In the end, Carnival’s flexible hours and attentive staff helped facilitate a welcoming and fun environment for the family’s children. Compared to prior experiences with Royal Caribbean, the first-timer preferred Carnival’s childcare for the value.

Along with childcare, the first-time cruiser also loved all of the free activities available for everyone

During their cruise on Carnival Jubilee, the family was also blown away by all of the activities and entertainment available. The cruise line is known for having a lively and energetic atmosphere with nonstop fun from the moment you get onboard. Part of this includes a variety of events while sailing, especially on larger vessels with more guests to entertain.

“The amount of free activities for everyone, but especially the kids, will definitely keep us coming back. The adult entertainment and amount of varied activities was incredible,” shared the cruiser.

During their time on Carnival Jubilee, the cruiser said they enjoyed watching gameshows as a family, including Love & Marriage, Family Feud, and Deal or No Deal. The first-time Carnival cruiser said, “We couldn't keep up with all of the choices and options for shows each evening.”

Read more: Is Carnival Jubilee worth the hype? My honest review

After sailing on Carnival Jubilee, the family has already booked another Carnival cruise

Even though the family was hesitant to venture from Royal Caribbean, the first-time Carnival cruiser was happy with their experience. From the snazzy ship design to the impressive dining experience and Camp Ocean, the family plans to return to Carnival Cruise Line.

As for Carnival’s bad reputation, this first-time cruiser said Carnival doesn’t deserve the bad rap. “I'm sorry to admit that I used to contribute to it and had never even sailed the line. I just believed what others would say…and justify avoiding them even though we hadn't been pleased with Royal on the last two cruises.”

In the end, the family had an overwhelmingly positive experience on Carnival Jubilee. The cruiser stated, “For the affordability and quality, I feel like we more than got our money's worth! If you're on the fence about Carnival, I'd encourage you to try it on a newer ship sailing 7+ days.”

In fact, the poster shared in the comment section that their family has already booked a future sailing with Carnival.

In the comments, many cruisers agreed with the first-time Carnival cruiser

After detailing their first Carnival cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee, the Reddit post resonated with other cruisers. First, one of the most common opinions in the comment section involved the food. Many cruisers preferred Carnival’s complimentary dining compared to Royal Caribbean’s dining options.

“The Windjammer had constant lines to get in. The pizza and burgers were bad - cafe style patties put out on a tray with half stale buns. Nothing like Guy’s [Burger Joint] on Carnival,” shared one Carnival cruiser.

Another responder said, “My wife and I took our honeymoon cruise on Jubilee’s sister ship, Celebration, in 2023 and we had the time of our lives. Service was amazing, so many incredible food options that we didn’t even get to try them all (Big Chicken was our go-to).”

One commenter noted how they felt Carnival’s complimentary food surpassed even some of Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining. The cruiser explained, “Really irritating [Johnny Rockets] was not included, yet I could get Guy’s [Burger Joint] and BlueIguana Cantina, which were pretty darn good (better than the paid-for stuff at Royal), for free."

In particular, Carnival fans agreed that Excel class ships rivaled Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ships. One cruiser stated, “The Excel Class ships are really nice. Much closer to the Royal experience, but with far better food. We love doing them but just wish they had better entertainment.”

Another overarching theme in the comment section involved Carnival Cruise Line getting a bad reputation compared to Royal Caribbean. Each cruise line offers a different experience, which can align with some travelers better than others. For some, Royal Caribbean is a better option while others prefer Carnival's experience. 

One responder said, “Glad you enjoyed it. Carnival undeservedly gets a bad rap and it's created by those who have never cruised with them.”

Similarly, another cruiser shared, “So tired of seeing the same lame ‘Walmart of the Seas’ comment. Yes, the average customer base is not the same as Celebrity or Princess, but that’s the point! There’s something for everyone with cruising.”

I go on a Royal Caribbean cruise about once a month, and I always seem to forget to pack something minor that could have made my trip so much better.

Most of the time, I think I do a good job remembering to bring the essentials with me, but it's the small things that seem to elude me from time to time.

It might be because they're not critical elements that I cannot cruise without. Rather, they're ancillary items that improve the experience for me.

An example is when I went on Liberty of the Seas for a short cruise and forgot to pack liquid hand soap.  There's nothing wrong with the bar soap that the cruise line provides and it didn't ruin my cruise by any means, but I prefer the liquid soap because it's easier and faster to use.

With that in mind, there are other cheap things everyone can pack for a cruise that makes a small difference. I call these "good to have" items that aren't essential, but still helpful.

So before you zip up that suitcase, double check you have these things that cost less than $10 make your cruise better.

This article contains affiliate links to products I've mentioned, which means it costs you absolutely nothing extra, but I make a small commission if you buy it.

Liquid hand soap

$9.88 on Amazon.

I mentioned already liquid hand soap, but it really is worth bringing on every cruise.

It's so important to stay healthy on a cruise ship, and washing your hands is step one in that process.  You'll hear the mantra of washing your hands quite a lot.

In your cabin bathroom will be a bar of soap that you can use, but I find liquid soap is so much easier to use and completely cover your hands in a good lather.

Also, bar soap always leaves my hands feeling dry after I use it.

An added benefit of liquid soap is my hands smell better too.

Pop-up laundry hamper

$6.79 on Amazon.

I never thought a cheap laundry hamper could make such a difference in my cabin, but it really does.

I originally started bringing a laundry hamper with me as a way to test out inside cruise cabin hacks, and I've brought one with me ever since.

When I've forgotten it, I thought I'd be fine with just a pile of dirty laundry in the corner somewhere, but that pile becomes a mountain quickly and expands with it.

The hamper makes laundry more manageable and it collapses down when I'm done with it.

Some readers recommend instead to put the dirty laundry in a suitcase, but I keep my suitcase under my bed and I'll admit I'm too lazy to take it out and put it away everyday.

Plastic luggage holders

$5.99 at Amazon.

I probably forget to actually print out luggage tags more than I've forgotten to pack the luggage tag holders, but that's a different blog post.

When I use my luggage tag holders, I don't worry about my luggage tags accidently getting ripped off in the transit process to my cabin.

A pack of them are cheap and they last forever.

Shampoo and body wash

$9.52 at Amazon.

Anytime I've gone on a cruise and forgotten to bring my own body wash or shampoo, I've regretted it every time I showered.

If you're the type of cruiser that can rely on the 2-in-1 mystery liquid that comes out of the dispenser in your cruise ship shower, I salute you, because I cannot.

Just like the hand soap, I find it makes a difference in how clean I feel to have my own stuff.  I don't have any scientific evidence, but I have a hard time believing 2-in-1 stuff can work as effectively.  

Plus, I prefer the scent my own toiletries have.

I should point out if you're staying in a suite, you'll get higher end toiletries that come with separate body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. I can tolerate these a bit more, but if you have specific needs for your hair, I'd recommend bringing your own.

Your hair products might cost more than $10, but I feel that even some of the cheap stuff from your local store is better than what's waiting in that shower dispenser.

Over the counter medications

$5.39 at Amazon.

When I cruise solo, I seem to always forget to bring a bag of medications with me and always realize it when I unpack in my cabin.

Most of the time I never need any, but if you're fighting a hangover, upset stomach, or stuffy nose, having medications with you makes a big difference in feeling better quickly (and cheaply).

Royal Caribbean does sell some medicine in its shop, but they charge a high price for it and the shop is only open when the ship is at sea and during certain hours.  Plus, who wants to get up and go out when they have a hangover and just want to take an aspirin to help with the headache?

Lip balm

$9.99 at Amazon.

When I cruise to Europe or Alaska and I encounter a humidity level that's far less that the Caribbean, I regret not bringing Chapstick with me.

Chapped lips hurt, and it seems the drier air in these itineraries almost always hits me.

More things that are must-haves on a cruise

Of course, there are plenty of other things I bring on a cruise that cost more than $10, but I think are very helpful.

I thought it would be helpful to include other items that I would be disappointed not to have with me onboard.

Besides the basics that everyone packs, I wanted to include a few other items I'd recommend to anyone going on a cruise.

AirTags

It's not just for a flight, AirTags are great for a cruise too.

The idea is simple: keep track of where your luggage is to make sure it's on the ship and not lost somewhere in the terminal. Plus, you can use them when flying too.

Water bottle

One of the top trends right now is to bring a reusable water bottle so you can keep hydrated easily on your cruise.

It means you can make less trips to get water, but is also really useful when on a shore excursion.  During the hot summer months, this is a must-have.

Headphones

I love bringing noise-cancelling headphones because it's the perfect accessory for enjoying quiet time on the ship.

I really love putting them on when I'm on the pool deck so I can enjoy the breeze and sun while laying out in a lounger, without all the conversations, music, and noise you'd have to put up with around you.

For years, I've used and recommended the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-cancelling headphones for over-the-ear comfort and unbeatable noise cancellation.

I know a lot of other people that prefer the Apple AirPods Pro because they offer noise cancelling without the heft and size.

Air freshener

Whether you're sharing a cabin with a friend or family member, what happens in the bathroom shouldn't be well-known to everyone else.

Poo pourri and other air fresheners are a must-pack item to keep your cabin bathroom from being a point of contention (or embarrassment) 

Magnetic hooks

Magnets that can you can affix to the walls are so helpful and you can use them almost anywhere in your cabin.

There's a lack of storage space on cruise ships, so magnetic hooks provide convenient ways to hang clothes and accessories.

I recommend these magnetic hooks if you have not purchased one yet.

E-reader

If you're a reader, bringing a Kindle or other e-reader is a must-have on a cruise.

You'll find lots of opportunity to read while on a cruise, especially on a sea day. The Kindle Paperwhite is perfect for the pool deck as well as in your cabin.

Night light

It shouldn't come as a shock that inside cabins are really dark at night because they have no natural light source.

This night light not only offers lighting, but it will only come on when someone moves around.

Royal Caribbean has a new ship coming out in 2025 and they want feature the work of aspiring artists on it.

Star of the Seas will enter service later this year and it's one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, which includes a large art collection.

Royal Caribbean is no stranger to art, as all of their ships have rather large collections featured onboard. The art is more than just paintings, in many cases it defines the look and feel of areas of its ships.

The "Artist Discovery Program" is the cruise line's new search for artists across the Caribbean to submit their art for consideration.

Artists that are selected could get as much as $100,000 in commission budget if selected.

The selected winners of the discover program will head to Turku, Finland to work with the Royal Caribbean team in integrating their visions for Star of the Seas.  Finland is where Star of the Seas is currently under construction.

The goal is to promote local artists around the Caribbean and provide them with exposure to grow their craft.

Royal Caribbean International Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider sees this as a tremendous opportunity, "We are excited for this next edition of The Artist Discovery Program and can’t wait to be awestruck by visionary artists across the Caribbean."

"Our goal is to connect our guests to the enduring beauty and creativity of the Caribbean, and this immersive program is a pathway to celebrating and exploring local culture while onboard the next Icon of vacations – Star of the Seas."

How to enter the contest to be considered

In order to be considered for the Artist Discovery Program, an artist must submit the following:

• Five samples of previous works: The work must be original.
• A brief artist statement that helps explain their work, inspiration and other details regarding the pieces submitted.
• A copy of their CV / resume.

You can apply via the program website.

Royal Caribbean wants to commission painting of large-scale murals in four key areas of the ship:

Royal Promenade

Embarkation area

Suite Sundeck Lobby

Suite Sundeck

Joining a collection onboard that includes an array of pieces created by local artists and inspired by the region, each creation will invoke the vibrancy of the Caribbean.

Star of the Seas begins sailing in August 2025

The new cruise ship will begin offering cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida on August 31, 2025.

Star will sail will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Port Canaveral.  Every sailing includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

Star follows up on the incredible success of the first Icon Class ship, Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas blew away expectations when she launched in January 2024 and is not only the biggest cruise ship in the world, but also one of the most popular ones for the amazing features onboard.

The new ship will have 20 decks and manned by 2,350 crew members.

You're going to have to wait a little bit longer for new Royal Caribbean cruises to be released for 2026-2027.

The deployment schedule has been quietly updated this week and the cruise line has added new offerings, while pushing everything back.

The deployment schedule refers to when Royal Caribbean will put new sailings on sale for the first time, and each release is tied to a region of the world for sometime between 2026 and 2027.

Royal Caribbean already released some new cruises in the fall, but took a break over the winter holidays.

Here's when that the new deployment schedule looks like and what to expect.

Updated 2026-2027 deployments

According to the updated schedule that has been distributed to travel agents, there's now a new offering for Singapore that will come first, followed by others a bit delayed.

• Week of February 3, 2025: Singapore
• Week of February 10, 2025: Europe 2.0
• Week of February 17, 2025: Short Caribbean & West Coast
• Week of February 24, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean
• Week of March 10, 2025: China
• Week of March 31, 2025: Australia

Updated schedule

Original deployment schedule

What's different is Singapore is now coming up first. Previously Singapore was listed as "TBD".

"Europe 2.0" refers to a follow-up deployment to the European sailings already released for 2026 that occurred in October.

One other change is the addition of China. Like Singapore, it had a "TBD" distinction, but now is added for early March.

Short Caribbean & West Coast, Seasonal Caribbean, and Australia remain unchanged.

What's been released already for 2026-2027

In case you missed it, there have been some cruises already released and ready to book that came out in the fall.

• Alaska 2026
• Europe 2026
• Summer & Yearlong Caribbean 2026-2027
• Northeast 2026-2027

The deployment schedule could change again

Royal Caribbean systematically puts out new cruise sailings each year, and it usually occurs in the fall and spring.

But this schedule could change again if they need more time to align offerings.

Something else to be aware of is that the releases occur at some point during the week specified. It could be any day of that week and is rarely, if ever, the actual day listed.

Cruise fans will commonly mistake that and assume the new sailings come out on February 10, instead of some day that week.

Something else to be aware of is the sailings get loaded into Royal Caribbean's system slowly, so it's not uncommon to start seeing some sailings pop up on the Royal Caribbean website before others.  Or for travel agents to see new sailings in their backend system before the website.

Often new sailings start appearing on the website around midnight GMT, and usually fill out the schedule by the next morning.

What's missing

If you're thinking big picture, you would remember that in 2026 Royal Caribbean is going to launch a new cruise ship and wonder where that fits into this.

Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class cruise ship will launch sometime in 2026 and her arrival will impact where other ships are sailing from too.

We have very few details about Icon 3. We don't even know the ship's name or where it will sail from.

Formal construction of the ship began in October 2024, and you can't book cruises yet for it.

Historically, Royal Caribbean does not include new ships as part of its regular deployments.  New ships typically have their own deployment release that's independent of the others.

So that means if Icon 3 were to sail in Europe in summer 2026, I would not necessarily expect it to be part of the Europe 2.0 release in February.

What I would expect is a special announcement of Icon 3's name, homeport, and what date the public can start booking sailings.

What you should be doing now while you wait for new deployments

With just a few weeks left until Royal Caribbean releases the rest of its deployments, there are some things you could do now to prepare.

My advice is let your travel agent know what sort of sailings you're interested in and the time frame so they can jump on it when it becomes available.

We don't know which ship will sail from a particular port or dates, but you can make educated guesses and then your agent knows what you're looking for so you can book it quickly.

One of the top reasons to book a cruise as soon as they become available is to get one of the highly desirable cruise cabins that sell out quickly.

Plus, booking a cruise as early as possible is one of the best ways to save money on a cruise. 

In general, cruise prices are lowest when they are first put out and then get more expensive as cabins get booked up.

Planning on booking a cruise in 2026-2027? These stories will help:

• What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
• What is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean?
• 7 tips for a great Mediterranean cruise
• What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

You booked an amazing cruise, but the U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for the place you're scheduled to go.

This scenario plays out a lot because cruise ships tend to visit countries around the world that have their issues.

Should you cancel? Will Royal Caribbean change the itinerary?

One vacationer is booked on Jewel of the Seas for a cruise in April wrote on Facebook, "Has anyone read that there is a travel warning for Belize City, Belize?"

"What are your thoughts? Should I be sacred?" is what this person wrote, and it's a commonly asked question related to many other ports.

Here's what these warnings mean and how they apply to your cruise.

What are these warnings about?

The United States State Department has warnings for Americans traveling around the world, and they use different levels to convey how concerning the issues are.

These warnings are all listed on the State Department website, and are updated as needed.

A Level 1 warning is the lowest warning, and it's described as "Exercise normal precautions."

Level 2 is a step up, and changes the wording to be "Exercise increased caution." 

In both cases, the government wants Americans to be less cavalier than usual, and to be aware of the minor issues that have flared up recently.

Many countries have a Level 1 or Level 2 warning, including the United Kingdom, Greece, Denmark, New Zealand, Ireland, and Canada.

When you get to Level 3, the warning changes to "Reconsider Travel".  And then you have Level 4 of "Do Not Travel".

These are more serious warnings that alert Americans to terrorism threats, war, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, high crime rates and other personal security issues.

Countries with the Level 4 warning are ones that are either known for having a history of internal strife or enduring wars, such as Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Burma, Syria, or Lebanon.

Will the cruise line change plans because of the warnings?

Usually, cruise lines don't change their plans, even for a Level 3 or 4 warning.

That might sound strange, but the reality is these warnings apply to specific areas of the country and not necessarily where your cruise ship will visit. Violent crime rarely involves tourists.

That isn't to say the warning isn't important, but the places tourists go aren't necessarily where the problems occur.

In the case of Belize, the warning was related to violent crime on the south side of the city.  When reading the warning, the State Department clearly says, "This area (south of Haulover Creek Canal and continuing south to Fabers Road) does not overlap with the typical tourism areas. "

Most shore excursions in Belize City actually take place in the ocean, surrounding jungle, or caves. According to Viator's list of Belize City tours, nearly all of them took place in the jungle, around ruins, or on the water. 

Most importantly, Royal Caribbean has a team that monitors safety issues around the world.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said, "The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority."

"At all times, we remind guests to remain aware of their surroundings while ashore and follow all State Department guidelines. 

"Should any changes be required, guests will be notified directly."

Essentially, the decision to change an itinerary depends on the specific situation in that country and how it impacts tourism areas.

Is it safe to go if there's a travel warning?

Travel warnings shouldn't be ignored, but they aren't a reason to cancel your plans either.

There's risk with almost anything you do, and that extends to travel.  Of course, that risk also applies to cities in our own country too.

Many countries have had travel warnings for many years, and the State Department re-issuing similar warnings is not new, per se.

If you are truly concerned, you don't have to get off the ship. There's no requirement to go on a shore excursion.

The tour operators that Royal Caribbean partners with are vetted by the cruise line for safety, and if there's unnecessary risks involved, the tour is cancelled. 

An example of this was when a ferry boat sank to Blue Lagoon in The Bahamas.  Following the incident, cruise lines pulled bookings until the tour operator addressed safety issues.  

In a more extreme example, Royal Caribbean suspended visits to its private destination of Labadee for many months until it was determined their ships could return again.

The purpose of these travel warnings is to give travelers insight into issues occurring in these countries.

Labadee, Haiti has a "No Travel" warning!

The most notable travel warning has to do with Haiti because that's where a lot of Royal Caribbean ships visit.

Haiti has a Level 4 warning, and the country's issues have been well-documented in the news.

The State Department warning states, "Since March 2024, Haiti has been under a State of Emergency. Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed."

That's lead to a lot of concerned cruisers who have sailings that visit Royal Caribbean's private beach in Labadee, which is a small peninsula in northern Haiti.

It's important to remember where Labadee is located, as it's on a peninsula walled off from the rest of the country. There is a large wall and barbed wire fence between the property line and the outside, and Labadee has its own private security.

Moreover, there has not been any fighting or civil strife anywhere near Labadee.

It might seem like a genius move, but booking two shore excursions on the same day is better idea than it really is in practice.

I received an email a week ago from a podcast listener who is headed on a Western Caribbean sailing and wanted to know if she should try to book two excursions on the same day.

"Is it possible to do two excursions from one day?" she asked. It seems like a good way to maximize time in a port, but there's more to a day ashore than I think some people consider.

I often joke that some tours sound better while you're sitting in air conditioning on your couch than in practice.  As an example, that hike through the jungle sounds lovely until you realize it's going to be a hot and humid day to start with, along with bugs, and those shoes that weren't as comfortable as well as you thought.

A lot of vacationers go on a sailing that takes them to places they may only visit once, and they want to seek out the really fun activities that they can tell everyone at home about when they return.

While booking two shore excursions on the same day might seem like a good idea, I think it's actually a mistake waiting to happen for a few important reasons.

There isn't as much time in port as it seems

To begin, time management while on shore excursions is not straight forward.

In order to go on two shore excursions on the same day, you'll need to schedule them so that one ends before the next one begins without being late.

It's not unusual for a tour to run late, or for the meeting point to not be factored into the overall length of the excursion.

Plus, you may want extra time on the end of your first tour to do something else, like shop.  Many excursions end in an area where there are many shops, or include photo opportunities.

You would not want to risk losing out on the other tour you have booked because you didn't make it there on time.

It's harder to know precisely when one tour would conclude with confidence so you could get to the next one.

What time your ship arrives and leaves is misleading

In my experience, you don't have as much time in port as you think you do.

Your itinerary lists what time your ship will be in each port of call, but those hours aren't when you actually be off the ship.

The arrival time you see is the estimated time the ship will pull into port.  At that point it has to line up with the pier, tie its lines, and get cleared by local authorities to disembark passengers. Getting cleared is sometimes very quick, while other times can take a while. It all depends how thorough the local authorities want to be in investigating everything is as expected.

Then at the end of your day in port, the time listed is when the ship is scheduled to depart, which means you're expected to already be back onboard the ship.

Realistically, you'll want to be back on the ship much earlier than the all aboard time.  So in practice, that shaves off an hour or two from your day in order to be back on the cruise ship with plenty of time to spare.

Both issues shave time off your total time in port, and that leaves you with less time to work in multiple shore excursions.

You're going to be more tired than you think

Assuming you have plenty of time for two excursions in one day, I think in reality you might not have the energy for both.

It's easy while at home to assume you can do it all, but tours are taxing, even basic ones.

When you're wet from rain in Alaska or under the hot Caribbean sun, the amount of energy you have is going to wane.

Buses are uncomfortable, walking on uneven pavement and cobblestone roads hurts, and you probably had to wake up early for the first tour. 

Trying to do two excursions is going to be pretty darn tiring.

It can dilute the value of what you paid

One of the most common places I see people trying to work two tours into one day is at Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Often guests will book admission to the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach, and then also book a jet ski tour or zip line adventure.

I think the most egregious example are people that book a cabana and admission to Thrill Waterpark.

The issue here is you're taking away time from one activity that you paid for to go and do another, and I think that reduces the value of what you paid.

Avoid the temptation to double dip with activities and enjoy the primary one all day.

You'll have time for more activities

While I'm advocating not booking two shore excursions for the same port day, that doesn't mean you can't include something else before or after one tour.

Most tours leave you with time to work something else in, and in many cases, there is a natural fit related to the tour or where you're dropped off.

There might be a beautiful beach you could head to and unwind for the rest of the day. Or you might stay in the city or two to do some shopping or sightseeing.

In my experience, some tour operators will give their guests the choice of going back to the ship or being dropped off at a popular area.

And if you're spent after one tour, you can head right back to the ship for a well-deserved shower and nap.

With just one excursion booked, you have more flexibility to see how you're feeling, and include a DIY adventure.

Plan another port visit instead

If you really are tempted to try two excursions on the same day, that might be a sign you should plan another cruise.

Repeating the same itinerary isn't counterintuitive at all.  It's actually a really good way to enjoy these amazing places and see more of them.

Of course that means you'll have to wait to come back again and there's the cost that comes with booking another vacation, but having another trip to look forward to is the best way to get over the post-cruise depression that comes when your vacation ends.

One tour is the best plan, but keep the option for exploring on your own

If you're someone that is thinking about doing two tours on the same day, I recommend sticking to just one tour and leaving your day open for additional exploring after.

I just don't think the logistics of working in both tours makes a lot of sense, especially x factors such as transportation, fatigue, and proper timing.

The anxiety and effort required to make it all work just isn't worth it.

If you do have plenty of extra time, I think you will find many options to consider on your own that give you peace of mind and flexibility to go with it.

Royal Caribbean named its private island in The Bahamas "perfect", and the moniker certainly holds up if you've been there to experience it.

Ever since Perfect Day at CocoCay opened in 2019, it's been a revelation as to what a private cruise line beach day can be because of all the options offered.

Royal Caribbean opened Perfect Day at CocoCay in phases, going back to 2018 when construction on some of the first areas to be completed began allowing guests in.

One of those areas was the Oasis Lagoon, and it's since become my go-to spot, every time we visit CocoCay.

At its opening, Oasis Lagoon was the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. It covers 33,175 square feet, which makes it enormous.

Whether or not it still holds that title, it's exactly what I want from my private island day.

While I think most people on a cruise prefer the beach, I like a pool day better. I don't have to worry where I walk, there are no creatures lurking, and the water is always refreshing.

Royal Caribbean didn't just build a giant pool, they added the best swim-up bar I had ever been to, complete with seats on both sides.  

Guests can swim up and sit at the bar, or opt to go to the "dry side" and enjoy drinks without being in the water.

There's no cost to access Oasis Lagoon or any of the chairs and umbrellas nearby.

In 2023, Royal Caribbean shared the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon is one of the highest rated attractions on the island.

There are also small islands throughout Oasis Lagoon for you to sit at as well, with plants and trees that provide just the right amount of shade.

For years I would immediately go to Oasis Lagoon first on almost every visit because it offered exactly what I wanted from my day. Sometimes we'd venture elsewhere and book a spot at the Coco Beach Club or one of the beaches.  But I always preferred going to Oasis Lagoon.

The one problem I had with Oasis Lagoon was it tended to attract the party crowd because of the DJ that was originally placed near the swim-up bar.

I don't mind a party vibe to my pool day, but it evolved over the years and became more raucous, especially when there were 20 and 30 year olds hanging there.

When it got loud, I either enjoyed it, or moved to a different end of the pool.

A big shift in the dynamic of Oasis Lagoon occurred in 2024 when Royal Caribbean opened its adults-only area, Hideaway Beach.

An even bigger swim-up bar and giant pool was added to this area, and with it, went the DJ.

Royal Caribbean purposefully brought over that party vibe that had grown at Oasis Lagoon to Hideaway.

In their research to create the ultimate day for adults, feedback indicated guests want a drink in their hand with music to enjoy. 

Since the opening of Hideaway Beach, the DJ has been removed from Oasis Lagoon and replaced with a programmed musical setlist.

The result has been the energy at Oasis Lagoon has been more subdued than pre-2024 levels, and I think it's made it better.

Without the DJ to raise the volume, I think the pool has remained fun and enjoyable without feeling like a Vegas pool party.

I'm sure everyone has their own feelings on what is the right level of music, energy, and partying for a pool.  But I think Royal Caribbean has found a new normal for Oasis Lagoon that really meshes well without being overbearing.

To be fair, Hideaway Beach's pool is heated, whereas Oasis Lagoon's pool is heated by the sun and nothing else.  It can be downright frigid in Oasis Lagoon at times.

While Hideaway Beach is newer, flashier, and has limited access, I think Oasis Lagoon is a fun spot to head to, and considering it's included in your cruise fare, it's hard to pass up that value.

My favorite Oasis Lagoon tips and tricks

While enjoying Oasis Lagoon, here are a few ideas to maximize your day.

If you bought a Royal Caribbean drink package, you can enjoy drinks at the pool too.  There's no additional charge, and that's a great way to get your value back from a drink package.

Likewise, if you are a Diamond member or higher in Crown and Anchor Society, the daily drink vouchers work here too.  

And no, you do not need to bring the soda cups with you off your ship to use them at Oasis Lagoon (or anywhere at CocoCay).

Just like at a bar on the ship, you just need to let the crew member know you want to use a drink voucher. 

When you're feeling a little hungry, the Snack Shack is just a few steps away from Oasis Lagoon.

The quickest way to get there is exit the Oasis Lagoon pool on the "right side" of the bar.  When facing the swim-up bar, there's a set of stairs out of the pool on the right side.

Walk past the smoking area and you'll see it across the tram path.  

The Snack Shack is included in your cruise fare and has some of my favorite foods, such as the mozzarella sticks, funnel cake, and the "secret sandwich" that you can only order by name.

If you need shade but don't want to get out of the water, you can find lots of under the bridge that's near the bar. 

There's always shade here, and it's close to the bar, so you don't have to venture far to get a refill.

There are islands and loungers in the water, and they are first-come, first-reserved.

My advice is get off the ship very early if you want to nab one of them.

A medical emergency has delayed the return of a Royal Caribbean ship to its home port.

Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will be delayed returning to Baltimore, Maryland, due to a medical evacuation. Because of the emergency, Vision of the Seas unexpectedly diverted in San Juan, Puerto Rico to evacuate the passenger before continuing its sailing.

The docking in San Juan has caused Vision of the Seas to be delayed on its current voyage, which will push back the ship’s return by one day to Baltimore. This diversion will also cause the ship's following 12-night itinerary on January 16, 2024 to depart one day later. 

According to guests onboard the current sailing, Vision of the Seas will now return to Baltimore on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:00 am. Guests will be able to disembark the vessel at this time. 

The Vision class ship was sailing on a 12-night round-trip itinerary from Baltimore, Maryland to the Caribbean. Ports of call included St. Croix, St. John’s, St. Maarten, Martinique and St. Kitts & Nevis. 

Vision of the Seas departed St. Kitts on January 12, 2024 to begin sailing back to Baltimore, Maryland. The ship was scheduled to have three sea days before returning to Baltimore on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Guests currently aboard Vision of the Seas reported the captain made an announcement in the late afternoon about diverting towards Puerto Rico for an emergency airlift.

(Current location at time of publication for Vision of the Seas. Source: CruiseMapper)

“We are turning around to go to San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's 150 nautical miles from where we are. They're trying to get the coast guard involved and will notify us more once we have more information,” commented one passenger onboard on the Vision of the Seas Facebook page.

Those onboard reported the captain later announced in the evening that the Coast Guard deemed an airlift was not possible. “They just announced that [the] Coast Guard cannot do an airlift, so we have to go all the way to San Juan to get this person off. We should be there tomorrow morning,” shared one guest on Facebook.

Instead of the airlift, Vision of the Seas would sail to San Juan, Puerto Rico to dock and evacuate the passenger. After arriving in San Juan, guests reported the passenger was successfully transferred to the hospital and the ship resumed the sailing almost immediately.

(Photos shared from passenger on Facebook)

“We docked in San Juan at 5:00 am, the passenger and her family were taken off, we are all praying for her!” commented one guest on Facebook. 

Royal Caribbean sent communication to guests on the impacted January 16, 2025 sailing about the delay. The cruise line said, “Due to our previous sailing’s delay in arriving at the Port of Baltimore, our sailing will now take place on Friday, January 17th.” 

Vision of the Seas was originally scheduled to sail on an 8-night itinerary from Baltimore on January 16, 2025. The original itinerary would sail to Charleston (South Carolina), Port Canaveral (Florida), Grand Bahama Island (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas) with three sea days. To make up for the delay, Vision of the Seas will skip its first port of call in Charleston, South Carolina with an additional sea day.

One passenger shared in a post on Reddit, “We received an email stating we are now boarding Friday morning instead of Thursday and an updated itinerary. No more Charleston (sad). Getting pro-rated for the day we will miss and any packages that were purchased in the form of onboard credit for that day.”

In addition to the medical evacuation, Vision of the Seas might need to navigate choppy waters with an Atlantic storm passing through the area. One guest onboard commented, "Captain was trying to go around a storm, but now that we are changing course for the medical evacuation, we may end up having to sail into the weather system.”

Royal Caribbean states that all guests will receive refunds for shore excursions booked in Charleston, South Carolina to the original form of payment. Those with booked flights through Royal Caribbean will automatically be rescheduled. Those with independent airfare will receive $400 USD for international travel and $200 for domestic travel, on a per person basis.

There are different places you can eat dinner on a cruise ship, but there are compelling reasons to eat the buffet instead of the Main Dining Room.

Royal Caribbean offers different choices in where to eat dinner, including fancy sit down meals, restaurants that cost extra, and casual options too.

Over the years I've eaten at all of them, and I think the Windjammer Cafe is vastly underrated for dinner.  It doesn't come with the level of service the Main Dining Room has, but I think the variety, ease of getting in and out, and flexibility really make it a top choice.

In thinking about where to eat on my next sailing, I had to consider both options and ultimately picked the buffet.  I'm on vacation, and I sometimes I want to relax more and not concern myself the pomp and circumstance that comes with the dining room.

If you're trying to decide where to eat on your cruise, here are the top 11 best reasons to choose the Windjammer buffet instead.

It's fast

The cruise ship experience has evolved over the decades, and sitting down for a long meal isn't what some people consider to be a fun experience.

The Windjammer offers a way to quickly grab the food you need and be on your way.  There's no waiting for a seating time, no waiters to deliver your food.  You can eat as quickly as you can serve the food from the buffet trays and sit down and eat it.

It's quite possible to have a full meal in the Windjammer in less than 20 minutes, whereas a "fast" meal in the Main Dining Room would easily take one hour.

Having a fast meal is useful if you want to get to a show or some other activity onboard the ship. Or perhaps you need to make an appointment.

Crew members keep the food supply moving, so there's rarely any long waits.  Occasionally there can be a line for certain foods, but it's not much more than a minute or two.

There are so many different choices

I love how many choices of food you'll find in the Windjammer, especially for dinner.

Royal Caribbean goes well beyond just burgers and hot dogs.  You'll find salads, soups, sandwiches, pastas, carved meats, desserts, and plenty more.

There's usually a set of options that don't change every day, along with a rotating mix of food.

I've found it advantageous to be able to find a wide range of foods every day, because what I'm in the mood to eat can vary.

Plus, I like to mix and match my foods and not limit myself to a single cuisine.

Some of the same food from the Main Dining Room

At dinner Royal Caribbean offers many of the same food that you'll find in the Main Dining Room right in the Windjammer.

It's not exactly the same offerings, but if you're feeling conflicted about where to eat, you can often find overlap between the menus. That means less compromise about what you can choose from.

The added bonus of the buffet is if you want seconds or thirds, you can quickly go up and get some more without waiting.

No dress codes

You're on vacation, so who needs to bother with a different outfit for dinner?

Royal Caribbean has no dress code for the Windjammer anytime of day, with the exception you cannot come in with a wet bathing suit and must wear shoes and a cover up.  That's it.

Eating at the Windjammer for dinner means less to pack, and less prep each evening.  It also means more time to enjoy at the pool or in port because you don't have to get back to your room to get dressed up.

Easier to indulge with lots of food

Let's be real, one major reason people like eating at a buffet is because you can eat as much as you want.

You serve yourself exactly how much you want, even if it's an entire plate full of just one food. I know I've come back to my table at times with just a plate full of Indian curry with zero regrets.

Of course, if we're talking about indulging, the desserts available are probably where most will gravitate towards. Some evenings there are really incredible sweets there, such as funnel cake, fondue station, or personal-sized lava cakes.

Overeating isn't what everyone will do, but sometimes you're in the mood for extra and the Windjammer has that whereas the Main Dining Room does not.

Easier to get a great view

It's so easy to get a table near a window and see what's happening around you while you eat in the Windjammer.

On most ships, the Windjammer is at the very back of the ship and it's surrounded by glass.  Even if you don't get a table right at the window, you can see outside from many tables nearby.

Plus, on Radiance and Quantum Class ships, there's an outdoor seating area at the very back where you can enjoy the sunshine and ocean breeze with your meal.

I never miss an opportunity to dine outside when possible because it's so enjoyable to see right out to the ocean as you eat.

It's the best choice when you had a busy day in port

On a day when you spend many hours exploring a port of call, the last thing I want to do is get dressed up for dinner.

I love to hit up the Windjammer for dinner on a port day when we come back to the ship in the late afternoon or evening. It's so much easier to drop off my things in my cabin, and then head up to the Windjammer for a quick, but satisfying meal.

This is especially true when I'm on a cruise to Alaska or Europe, where it's easy to spend 6-8 hours walking, kayaking, or bussing around town.

Along those lines, I'll often eat my way around the ports I visit.  So having the Windjammer open until 9:30pm or so leaves a late dinner option that goes beyond a slice of pizza.

My favorite place to bring picky eaters

When my kids were younger, the only place I took them to eat was the Windjammer because they were so picky.

Royal Caribbean's buffet does a good job of offering traditional favorites and more adventurous food, but it's definitely a great spot for those that know what they want.

You'll find burgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers every night of the cruise. Plus, there is usually a grilled meat or two.  And the salads are all build-your-own, so you can customize it the way you want it.

The cooking stations are worth eating here alone

My favorite thing about the Windjammer are the cooking stations, and the chef will make the dish exactly the way you want it.

At breakfast there is an omelet station to make eggs as you'd like them.  I've even seen recently waffles being made on the spot in the mornings on some ships.

For lunch and dinner, there's usually a rotating option and it is a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine to eat here.

I personally could eat the Asian stir fry station food every day, and pretty much did when I was on Anthem of the Seas last summer in Europe.

Fresh food will always be a step ahead of prepared food, and the cooking stations are my first stop in the Windjammer on every visit.

No set dining times

Flexibility is kind at the Windjammer, as you can come in whenever you like.

While the Windjammer isn't open all day long (it takes short breaks between meals to clean and reset), they have longer serving hours compared to the Main Dining Room.

First and foremost, this means you don't have to make a reservation or adhere to a dining time. As long as they are open, you are welcome to go in.

Plus, they serve for long periods of time.  You can get breakfast in many cases right up until lunch, whereas the Main Dining Room offers it for just a few hours earlier in the morning.

Opens up your nighttime fun

Because you can get in and out of the Windjammer, you can take advantage of all the fun activities onboard your ship.

Each evening there are various events held throughout the ship, and if you're at a sit down restaurant for 90 minutes or more, you're going to miss out on some of them.

I love that I can get a satisfying meal at the buffet and then be right back out to enjoy live music, catch a trivia session, or attend a show. This can be really important on the big ships where the signature show performances are must-sees.

If you're used to eating in the dining room, I think you'll find the evening so much longer when you get back more time after eating at the Windjammer.

If you’re a frequent cruiser, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in the same cruise routine. Humans are creatures of habit and gravitate towards familiar, comfortable experiences. This can be true even while traveling when you’re already outside of your normal comfort zone!

For one Royal Caribbean cruiser, switching things up during her recent Royal Caribbean cruise was an eye-opening experience. Seasoned cruiser, Patty, recently sailed onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas on a 5-night sailing to the Western Caribbean.

Patty explained that she’s been cruising for over 30 years with her first cruise in 1992 with Norwegian Cruise Line. She has cruised around the world, including a recent sailing to Australia and Bali with her family. In addition, she has cruised to Europe and Asia with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. However, she has visited the Caribbean more times than any other port of call in the world.

During her 5-night sailing, Patty visited Cozumel, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. For some cruisers, the ports of call will always be the highlight of any sailing. However, Patty normally finds the onboard experience to be her favorite part of any cruise. From the delectable dining to the onboard activities and show-stopping entertainment, Patty finds herself enjoying the ship as much as she’s exploring ashore.

Looking to expand her cruising horizons, Patty decided to try a few new things instead of sticking to her 30-year cruising routine. Some changes were small while others were more significant. Overall, these new experiences resulted in an “exceptional” Royal Caribbean cruise.

Skipping the buffet and heading straight to the bar

When boarding a cruise ship, embarkation day can be quite hectic. Between busy cruise terminals, muster drill requirements, unpacking your suitcase, and getting settled, some might be surprised by the chaotic nature of embarkation day.

To kick off her vacation on the right foot, Patty decided to head straight to the bar after boarding. It’s not an unusual stop for most vacationers, but Patty shares she often doesn’t have a cocktail until later in the evening when cruising. Normally, she is in a hurry to visit the Windjammer buffet after boarding, along with dropping off carry-on luggage and checking her table location in the Main Dining Room.

Speaking of the Windjammer, Patty decided on the first day of her cruise that she wanted to skip the crazy buffet for lunch. Most cruisers head straight to the buffet on embarkation day, creating long lines. Sometimes, it’s hard even to find a table for lunch during this time!

Instead, Patty decided to visit a new quick-casual dining option on Independence of the Seas: Fish and Ships. As a seafood lover, Patty was eager to try the new-to-her restaurant. The complimentary dining option is only available on Independence of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

Located on the pool deck, Patty found there was no one in line at Fish and Ships. This was a welcomed change from the crowded buffet. The menu included a few no-cost options, such as fried shrimp with chips, fish sandwich, fish and chips, and chicken fingers.

Patty was excited to try the fish and chips, along with the breaded shrimp. She found the fish to be very tasty and fried with a thick breading. Although the shrimp was smaller than expected, these were enjoyable as well. Patty’s travel companion was not a seafood fan, so instead, she ordered the chicken tenders with French fries. The tenders were so small, Patty said they seemed mislabeled and should have been called chicken nuggets.

Visiting the sauna and steam room in the spa

After visiting Cozumel more times than she can count, Patty decided to stay aboard Independence of the Seas rather than heading ashore. In addition, the weather was hot and muggy. With this, Patty wanted to experience a quieter cruise ship while most guests decided to go ashore.

Even after cruising for more than three decades, Patty had never been in the spa to visit the sauna or steam room before. Without allocating dedicated time to try the spa’s amenities, it’s always too busy for her to stop by. In addition, some cruise ships charge to visit these spa amenities, so Patty was happy to try both for free.

Unsurprisingly, Patty was the only person in the women’s sauna and steam room. As suspected, most passengers had disembarked for the itinerary’s port of call, especially with only two stops on the sailing. Patty shared that the facilities were clean, as she anticipated, and she appreciated being the only person in the space. “It was calming since I had no idea what I was doing,” she explained.

Although she had some questions, Patty stated the spa had signage with instructions and warnings for passengers. While some might glaze over these, Patty felt it was important to understand the facilities.

First, she decided to try the sauna. The instructions stated to add water to the coals, so Patty did as instructed. The rules also advised that spa visitors should only stay in the sauna for 10 minutes or less. To be safe, Patty shared she only stayed in the sauna for 7 minutes due to being alone and having high blood pressure.

Up next, she ventured over to the steam room in the spa. She described the space as having a single-tile seat to rest on. Unfortunately, the steam room was claustrophobic to Patty because the steam was so thick. Again, she decided to only stay in the steam room for less than 10 minutes - not that she wanted to spend any extra time.

To complete her spa visit, Patty cooled off in the shower. She shared how she enjoyed using the extra-large shower in the spa compared to her interior cabin’s tiny shower. Although she was glad to try the sauna and steam room for the first time, Patty doesn’t necessarily need to visit these facilities again.

Enhancing her interior cabin

Staying in an inside stateroom, Patty wanted to try a few small changes to enhance her cabin experience. After reading a blog post on our site about questions to ask your cabin steward, she learned about the option to ask for mattress toppers. Because cruise beds are often too firm for her liking, Patty wanted to see if the mattress topper would enhance her quality of sleep.

After boarding on the first day of her cruise, Patty asked the cabin steward if she could have a mattress topper added to her bed. She returned that evening to find the mattress topper already on her bed. Patty was pleased with the mattress topper, stating how she slept better on the softened mattress.

To optimize the cabin space, Patty wanted to try another new strategy. Originally, she explained her interior cabin had one nightstand on both sides of the bed. Patty decided to rearrange the cabin so each bed was against the cabin wall, allowing more space between the beds for navigating the room.

By pushing the beds against the wall, Patty was also able to stack pillows along the side of the wall for comfortable side sleeping. This prevents the pillows from falling all over the floor as well, so Patty will continue separating her bed like this in the future.

See more: I stayed in the cheapest, smallest cabin on Independence of the Seas. Look inside my 162-square-foot room

Other small changes included extra pillows and more hangers for the closet to provide more hanging space for her clothes. Finally, Patty requested a paper Cruise Compass to be delivered daily because she doesn’t always enjoy using the Royal Caribbean app.

Luckily, their cabin steward was happy to accommodate these requests and Patty found the small enhancements to make a big difference during her cruise.

Repeat specialty dining visits

When Patty cruises, she typically only visits a specialty dining restaurant once during her sailing. Never before had she thought to revisit the same specialty dining restaurant more than once during the same cruise.

During her time on Independence of the Seas, Patty had onboard credit to spend before the end of the cruise. She opted to try Giovanni’s Table for lunch on the first sea day for only $22.99 compared to $54.99 per person for dinner to save money. 

Patty described the lunch as fantastic, starting with the crispy calamari. She felt the serving size was easily five times the size of what the Main Dining Room would serve. The lightly breaded calamari had a crispy coating and was served with lemon garlic aioli and tomato sauce. In fact, she couldn’t stop talking about how good the heavenly calamari was!

For her main entree, Patty decided to try the fillet mignon after her waiter highly recommended it. She decided to try the fillet with smaller pasta dishes for the sides. Patty said the waiter was right and the steak was incredible, cooked to perfection, and very tender. She argues the fillet is better than what she’s had in Chops Grille Steakhouse on Royal Caribbean.

After a wonderful first visit, they returned to Giovanni’s. On the last day of her cruise, Patty shared how her waiter from lunch was promoting the restaurant. He remembered her and offered to make her a deal to return that night. To her surprise, the waiter offered a BOGO deal for both Patty and her guest to dine for only $54.99 each.

Read more: Everything I ate on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas: Food review and pictures

After a subpar experience in the Main Dining Room, Patty didn’t hesitate to accept the BOGO offer. Normally, she enjoys connecting with the waitstaff in the dining room throughout her cruise, but found this wasn’t the case on her short cruise. She stated, “This was the first time I can ever remember not wanting to be in the Main Dining Room on the last night of a cruise.”

As such, Patty dined at Giovanni’s for the final night of her cruise and ordered nearly the same meal. She couldn’t resist ordering the amazing calamari once more, along with the fantastic fillet.

Trying new breakfast options

When cruising with Royal Caribbean, Patty normally enjoys breakfast in the Windjammer or Main Dining Room. While she’s considered ordering room service before, she had never found the right opportunity to do so.

On this cruise, she wanted to splurge and try Royal Caribbean’s complimentary room service option for breakfast. She ordered her breakfast to be delivered between 9 and 9:30 a.m., hoping her must-have coffee wouldn’t be served lukewarm. Patty also ordered an English muffin and fruit plate for breakfast.

At promptly 8:50 a.m., the room service department rang her cabin to ensure she was awake to receive the order. A few minutes later, the meal was delivered to her stateroom. Patty was delighted to find her coffee was in a carafe and served very hot - just the way she likes it. She anticipated the English muffin might also be served lukewarm, but found it was still warm as well.

Overall, she was very impressed by the experience and found it was a nice way to start the day while her roommate wanted to sleep in. Patty questioned why she had never ordered room service before and will definitely continue doing so in the future!

Another thing Patty wanted to try was the light breakfast in the Diamond Lounge for top-tier loyalty members. She describes how breakfast was served until 10 a.m. on sea days and this particular sailing had very few top-tier loyalty members. Patty was the only person in the lounge for breakfast, so it was quite relaxing.

The lounge served a nice continental breakfast, which included pastries, yogurt, fruit, juice, and specialty coffee. Even better, the lounge featured a beautiful view of the ocean!

Formal night at the buffet

During her sailing on Independence of the Seas, the musical Grease was showing at 7:00 p.m. on formal night. Patty was looking forward to seeing the Broadway musical during her cruise, although the time conflicted with dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Instead, Patty opted to skip the dining room to have dinner in the Windjammer buffet on formal night. This was the first time Patty had ever skipped formal night in the dining room after 30-plus years of cruising. Following the musical, she made her way to the buffet for a late dinner. While she is usually pleased with the Main Dining Room, Patty enjoyed trying something different on formal night.

To start, she was surprised to find that the buffet had a similar theme as the Main Dining Room. The formal night theme in the main dining room was “Savor La France” while the Windjammer theme was “A Taste of France.” Because of this, most of the food being served in the Main Dining Room was also available in the buffet.

One of the highlights of their casual dining experience was finding a nice window seat to enjoy the aft-facing views of the ship. Patty was able to watch the sunset during her dinner in the Windjammer; in comparison, her Main Dining Room table was smack-dab in the middle of the large dining hall, far away from any ocean views. Being able to savor the sunset without battling any crowds made for a memorable dinner.

The Windjammer offered a crepe bar with tasty toppings to try, so Patty opted to try the strawberry and chocolate crepe. Although the food was fine, she likely won’t return to the buffet for formal dinner when given the option. 

In the future, Patty also concludes she probably won’t get dressed up for formal night if she isn’t heading to the dining room anyway. Grabbing buffet food in her gown seemed too casual for formal night, and Patty shared she missed having a longer meal in the dining room.

Other small changes that added to the cruise experience

During this short cruise, Patty challenged herself to do little things differently in hopes of creating some new cruise traditions and routines. You never know unless you try!

Patty is a relatively new diabetic and wanted to see how Royal Caribbean could accommodate her dietary needs. As such, she ordered the low-sugar options in the dining room for dessert. These included vanilla ice cream, coffee pot de creme, coconut cake, and dark chocolate custard.

Of course, Patty found the desserts were not as good as full-sugar desserts. But, she was happy to see options provided as a choice for those trying to watch their weight or needing to monitor their blood sugar. Even as a diabetic, Patty was able to enjoy one of her favorite things about cruising, which is always the food!

In the same way, Patty found Johnny Rockets was accommodating to her dietary requests. She felt guilty ordering a full milkshake because of the sugar content, but she didn’t want to be wasteful. Instead, she inquired about whether she could order a half-size milkshake instead of the full-size. To her surprise, the crew was happy to accommodate the request and the smaller size satisfied her sweet tooth.

Additionally, Patty shared how she sat on the promenade deck one evening after sunset and gazed at the stars. This was a new way to relax while finding a serene place away from other cruisers. It almost felt like having the ship to herself.

Finally, Patty decided on disembarkation day to visit the coffee shop while waiting for their numbers to be called. She was surprised that her Diamond voucher was accepted for the specialty coffee, and felt this was a wonderful way to end her vacation. She never considered this as a possibility, but she was glad she asked about using her voucher before heading home.

“Maybe it's my age, but it's funny how you can get in a rut doing the same routines while cruising. I enjoyed pushing myself to make some changes. They were small, but they added to the overall experience on our Independence of the Seas cruise. Anytime I can cruise with one of my daughters, I’m in,” concluded Patty.