Royal Caribbean Blog

Guests attending a Halloween party in the Royal Promenade onboard Symphony of the Seas had the festivities abruptly halted when the automatic sprinkles began going off. 

A fog machine in the Royal Promenade set the sprinkles off, sending guests to seek shelter near the shore excursion tablets adjacent to the Bionic Bar. 

TikTok user nickfromsubway44 documented the experience on his social media account, stating that it was crazy to walk indoors and see the sprinklers going off. 

Instead of seeing people gathered at the Rising Tide Bar or dancing, the scene resembled a torrential downpour, with cascades of water creating a haze that made it impossible to see to the other side of the Promenade. 

Nick posted another video saying the ship was "lowkey bouta sink." Guests dressed in costume can be seen observing the unexpected rain shower. 

Royal Caribbean crew members are also seen presumably taking down a photo spot, trying to keep the equipment out of harm's way. 

"[T]his happened at 10:30pm. By 6am the promenade was back in working order with a few fans left facing carpets. They did amazing [at] cleaning it up," wrote Amy Marie in a Symphony of the Seas Facebook group. 

Read more: Top 10 Symphony of the Seas hidden secrets

Fog machines are popular during Halloween

Halloween is the spookiest holiday of the year, and special effects—like fog—can transform an everyday space into a haunted scene, making it more immersive for party-goers. 

According to theatrefx.com, fog machines can set off smoke alarms: "Because many venues use smoke detectors that measure the density of particles in the air, fog effects (especially dense fog effects) can 'fool' the detectors and trigger a fire alarm." 

In other words, ionization-type smoke detectors can be set off as they sense fog particles like smoke. Hazers are less likely to set off smoke alarms because of the smaller size of their particles, lightsounds.com.au writes. 

Read more: What Halloween is like on the world's largest cruise ship

Symphony of the Seas was on its last sailing from Cape Liberty for the season

The 228,081 gross registered ton vessel departed New Jersey on Oct. 27 on a 7-night cruise to The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. In addition to CocoCay, the ship called at Port Canaveral, Florida, and Nassau, Bahamas. 

Symphony will be homeported in Miami throughout April 2025. The 6,680-passenger vessel will sail on 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean before returning to Cape Liberty and kicking off her summer stint with a 9-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on April 30 to Haiti, Puerto Rico, and St. Maarten. 

"Sprinkler of the Seas"

Nick's videos are flooded (pun intended) with comments about the unusual situation. user2311376559104 wrote, "Sprinkler of the Seas," with Lola adding, "The new bar experience [is the] aqua lounge." Thatguy said, "Normally you have to pay more for the indoor waterpark [but] y'all got it for free 😂."

Rottiedad44 commented about a similar situation on Wonder of the Seas a few weeks ago: "...some similar happened to the right wing of the Windjammer grill station...not that extreme though. Washy, washy!"

Another user added they were on the sailing at the same time and heard from some cruisers that the whole buffet was filled with smoke, while others said there was barely any smoke at all. 

"I was sitting on that side at a roundtable overlooking the park. It wasn't much smoke. I was told that the vent fans malfunctioned and triggered sprinklers," replied Rottiedad44. 

The comment section also sparked a debate about Carnival vs. Royal Caribbean. Kell Kellz instigated the conversation by saying, "Carnival would have kept the party goinggggg." 

One TikTok user joked that a similar situation wouldn't happen on Carnival because they don't have working sprinklers, with another snapping back and claiming the line is "more popular" than Royal Caribbean.

A billion dollar profit last quarter has left Royal Caribbean at the top of its game, but it doesn't measure itself against other cruise lines.

While there are other big players within the cruise industry, Jason Liberty, CEO and President of Royal Caribbean Group doesn't pay any attention to them.  He's eyeing a bigger prize.

In an interview with Skift, Mr. Liberty dismissed any notion other lines are what his company worries about, "We spend almost no time thinking about our cruise competitor."

Instead, Royal Caribbean Group is more interested in lining itself up against land-based attractions, "We think of ourselves as an experience company. We’re competing directly with places like Orlando and Las Vegas. We are competing with Taylor Swift concerts."

This isn't a new strategy, as Royal Caribbean has made it clear they want in on the substantially bigger $1.9 trillion vacation market.

How will Royal Caribbean achieve this? By offering the best cruise ships with the best amenities that as compelling as what you can find on land.

During Royal Caribbean Group's third quarter 2024 earnings call with investors last week, Mr. Liberty answered a question about pricing in relation to how his product stacks up against land resorts, not other cruise lines, "there's still a significant value proposition versus land-based vacation."

In 2022, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told Wall Street their goal with the new Icon of the Seas cruise ship is to lure vacationers who would traditionally visit Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Orlando with a cruise vacation.

"The Icon product, along with Perfect Day, with the kind of experiences that we're offering, with the kind of new accommodations that we have on Icon and the experiences that we have for young families, older families and of course couples and singles and what have you, is really squarely standing shoulder to shoulder with Orlando and those kind of destinations," he said.

Mr. Bayley sees the Royal Caribbean International brand being more "aggressive" with how it competes with the Orlando attractions, "And what we're beginning to see is us moving certainly the Royal brand into that space far more aggressively."

To that point, Royal Caribbean will place its next new cruise ship right on Orlando's front door, with Star of the Seas being homeported in Port Canaveral.

Star of the Seas will be built around the same design as Icon of the Seas, and offer a few tweaks and enhancements, including the full Back to the Future Broadway musical.

Placing Star near Orlando is actually the second step, because Utopia of the Seas already debuted in Port Canaveral earlier this summer.

Utopia is a brand new Oasis Class ship that offers just 3- and 4-night cruises.  This puts the very best new ship near Disney World so families can combine a couple days in the theme parks with a cruise vacation.

In July 2024, Mr. Bayley said he believes many customers will combine a theme park visit with a cruise on Utopia, "one of the reasons we put this brand new Oasis class into this market is that we really expect to see a certain amount of demand coming from tourists who are going in... some kind of combo where they're doing Disney or Universal or they're doing something in Orlando."

"They can also package themselves with vacation, which includes a three night, four nights, a Perfect Day. If you're a family, that's a great vacation."

If a weekend cruise is too short, then they can jump right to Icon or Star. In either case, Royal Caribbean thinks these ships have the right product that no other line can match.

Moreover, short cruisers on Utopia are seen as a way to attract first-time cruisers. The notion is by taking just a weekend cruise, they can give cruising a try without committing to too many days off work or school.

A better quality product

At the time Icon of the Seas launched, Mr. Liberty talked about how a ship like Icon of the Seas positions itself to be not just a great ship, but a truly compelling alternative to a land vacation.

"We’re beginning to really attract a lot of demand from those land-based options with better quality product, more exciting products and great price points," said Liberty.

One of the major goals is to keep customers within Royal Caribbean Group's ecosystem of brands, something land-based experience providers do very well. The cruise company wants to incentivize stronger customer loyalty with repeat experiences.

In an interview with CNBC in July, Mr. Liberty talked about how his cruise ships are being designed to be just as engrossing as a land vacation, "What we’re trying to do is make sure that our experience, whether on the ship or at our private islands, is something that is highly competitive with land-based vacation."

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to stay in a one-of-a-kind suite that costs as much as a used car?

The Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas is not cheap, but it is an incredible cruise ship cabin.  Matt took his family on a 3-night cruise to see if the experience lives up to the hype.

Between the in-room slide, Royal Genie service, private hot tub, and movie room included in the cabin, it's a tremendous place to stay.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean posts "exceptional third quarter results" of $4.9 billion in revenue
• New cruise ship orders? Here’s the earliest they could be ready
• The majority of passengers are people that have never cruised
• Royal Caribbean just made it easier to hold a cruise without paying for it
• Photos show the biggest cabin a crew member can get on a cruise ship
• Comparing the 4 cruise ships in Alaska in 2025
• Spain deadly flash floods force Royal Caribbean to change cruise ship visit
• Royal Caribbean diverts cruise ships away from Bahamas due to developing tropical storm
• What Halloween is like on the world's largest cruise ship

New RCB Video: Royal Caribbean's SECRET new SMALLER cruise ship

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

New Europe 2026 cruises, including an epic solar eclipse sailing

Royal Caribbean released the first half of its 2026 European cruises, which are now available to book.

There are cruises that visit Northern Europe, Norway, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and even one voyage that will put passengers right in the path of a total solar eclipse.

More European sailings will be released in early 2025.

What to expect for Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sales

We're just weeks away from the pinnacle of shopping, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner.

Royal Caribbean is expected to offer its own Black Friday sales, which in years' past have included discounts on cruise add-ons and hundreds of dollars off cruise fares.

While cruise deals differ from retail Black Friday offers, there's still potential to save a lot of money off a cruise.

I spent 5 nights onboard one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest cruise ships

After spending 5 nights onboard Vision of the Seas, Elizabeth discovered a level of intimacy that the larger ships lack. 

Vision Class ships don't have as much to do as the newer, bigger ships, but they offer some of the lowest prices you'll find on a cruise today.

The charm of Vision of the Seas is reminiscent of a different era of cruising, where the focus was connecting with the sea and fellow passengers, rather than flashy attractions.

Utopia of the Seas vs. Wonder of the Seas

What's the difference between Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis Class ships: Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas?

Admittedly, these two ships share more similarities than differences.  But Royal Caribbean never "copies and pastes" its ships, so you'll find a few notable changes between the two.

Varying itineraries, entertainment, and even a few dining choices are the most notable differences you'll find onboard.

A new tropical disturbance is brewing, and Royal Caribbean is already moving some of its cruise ships away.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring an area of low pressure in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, but this system has a low chance of developing over the next week.

So far four different ships have had their itineraries changed as a result of the weather.

The November 2nd sailing of Radiance of the Seas was the first ship to have her scheduled itinerary changed.

The ship was scheduled to originally sail through The Bahamas and visit Bimini and Freeport, Bahamas, along with a visit to Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Passengers received an email notifying them of the change, "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we've been monitoring inclement weather along our intended path due to a developing storm system forecasted to bring increasingly strong winds across the sea, impacting our planned ports and potentially making them unsafe to visit."

As a result, Radiance will head into the Western Caribbean to avoid the path of the storm.

"As a result, we'll be unable to visit the planned ports of call on our itinerary. To provide you with the most enjoyable sailing experience, we'll now visit some of our popular Western Caribbean destinations - Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya Mexico!"

Radiance will arrive in Cozumel on Monday and sail her revised itinerary, ending the string of port calls on Thursday before heading back to Tampa for her scheduled return on Saturday.

A second ship will also bypass The Bahamas with Vision of the Seas.

Vision is sailing from Baltimore, Maryland and was scheduled to go to Nassau, Bahamas and CocoCay.

Instead, Vision will spend more time in Bermuda and include a visit to Port Canaveral, Florida.

Freedom of the Seas is also getting a change in her planned schedule.

The scheduled November 3rd sailing will have its itinerary flipped around to keep the ship away from the worst weather. The good news is they'll still be able to visit the same set of ports, just on different days.

Instead of visiting Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, the new itinerary will be Labadee; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Grand Cayman.

A fourth ship, Brilliance of the Seas is also changing ports of call due to the storm.

The November 2nd sailing from New Orleans originally was scheduled to visit Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Grand Cayman.

Instead, they will drop a visit to Grand Cayman and visit Belize City, Belize instead.

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," Royal Caribbean said in a letter to guests.

Royal Caribbean's forecast

Royal Caribbean employs its own meteorologist, Craig Setzer, and he posted his thoughts on the storm chances on his X/Twitter page on Saturday morning.

"While uncertainty about exact details remain (how strong, exactly where), combining weather systems over the next several days will impact Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, & Caymans with exceptionally windy and stormy periods this week.

"The message from the Euro model is for near tropical storm winds (green area) & higher gusts with passing squalls likely." 

"Focus might be on hurricane development potential (which is low at this time), but longer duration tropical storm-like impacts are possible over South Florida/Keys & The Bahamas by early this week, even without a named storm."

Brewing storm

While November is the last month of Hurricane Season, it's not over yet.

While it may not become a tropical storm, there's enough rain and wind to make it undesirable for cruise ships. 

The National Hurricane Center is giving this system a slight chance of becoming a tropical depression over the next couple of days.

"Some heavy tropical downpours will affect the northeastern Caribbean islands for the next couple of days as the system tracks to the west," the NHC said. "Next week, it will likely be absorbed by the developing disturbance in the Caribbean."

Another disturbance in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea

A disturbance in the southwestern Caribbean Sea of concern is likely to develop into something.

The NHC expects it to become at least a tropical depression.

As of Saturday morning, the system remained a cluster of disorganized showers and thunderstorms in the southwestern Caribbean Sea. However, the National Hurricane Center expects gradual development over the weekend, with a tropical depression likely to form within the next few days as the system progresses across the central and western Caribbean.

Passengers onboard Odyssey of the Seas' transatlantic cruise from Italy to Cape Liberty were informed they'd no longer be visiting Valencia, Spain. 

Deadly flash floods caused by heavy downpours in eastern Spain have resulted in at least 205 fatalities, according to the Associated Press. It's the country's deadliest storm in living memory and has been classified as a level two crisis on a scale of three. 

Spain's meteorological agency said a year's worth of rain fell on the region in less than 8 hours. The catastrophic flooding happened with little to no warning, trapping residents in their homes and vehicles. 

By the time an emergency alert was sent out around 8:00pm, many were already overwhelmed by the rising waters. As the water came rushing down the rivers and tributaries toward the Mediterranean Sea, bridges were destroyed, and cars were swept away. 

Valencia's president, Carlos Mazón, has deployed over 500 soldiers, joining the 1,200 from the Military Emergency Unit. An additional 500 soldiers will arrive on Saturday to help rescue victims, clear debris, and provide food and water. 

While the waters have receded, it will take Spain months to recover from the destruction. Many are still without power or running water. CNN reported that Valencia's highways are blocked or only partially useable. Additionally, the train tracks are so badly damaged that rail services will be unavailable for weeks. 

Royal Caribbean emailed booked passengers and travel agents on Friday, Nov. 1, saying flash flooding has made it difficult to navigate the area. 

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change - the safety and well-being of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit are always our top priority," the notice reads. 

Instead of calling at Valencia, Odyssey of the Seas will visit Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Wednesday, Nov. 6 before resuming its original itinerary, including stops in Cartagena and Malaga, Spain, and Madeira (Funchal), Portugal, followed by six days at sea en route to New Jersey. 

"The Spanish island of Mallorca is waiting for you, with its towering mountains and dramatic cliffs rising over clear, blue water. Its hidden gem is Palma de Mallorca, the island's capital, and largest city, where you'll find quaint historic streets, Gothic castles, and gastronomic delights," the email continues. 

"If you're feeling adventurous, journey through Palma de Mallorca's Drach Caves, home to the largest underground lake in the world. Or hike through the city's historic 15th century royal path to the town of Banyalbufar."

Guests with shore excursions booked in Valencia will receive a refund in the form of an onboard credit on their SeaPass accounts, and they can be used anywhere onboard—from the Bionic Bar to one of Odyssey's specialty restaurants or another tour in Palma de Mallorca.  

Any remaining credits not used during the sailing will be refunded to the card on file up to 14 business days after disembarkation. 

The next Royal Caribbean ship scheduled to call at Valencia is Voyager of the Seas on Nov. 12, followed by Adventure of the Seas on the 25th. After that, Valencia won't see another Royal Caribbean ship until next year, when Brilliance of the Seas visits in April, marking the beginning of the cruise line's European season. 

Read more: I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Odyssey of the Seas that cost $2,300

Odyssey of the Seas is repositioning to New Jersey

After she arrives in mid-November, the 1,138-foot-long ship will make regular voyages to Florida and The Bahamas. She'll also embark on a few longer sailings to the Southern Caribbean in January. 

Odyssey will return to Europe in May 2025, following a 14-night transatlantic cruise to Italy. The vessel will remain homeported in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, through October 2025, offering sailings to the Greek Isles. 

As a Quantum Class ship, Odyssey features innovative design and advanced technology, ranging from the SeaPlex, a multi-purpose indoor venue that hosts activities such as bumper cars and roller skating, to the North Star, a glass observation capsule that takes passengers high above the ship for views of the surrounding ocean and ports of call. 

Growing up, I primarily cruised on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships. However, within the past year, I've started branching out to explore what makes their older vessels appealing. 

After spending 5 nights onboard Vision of the Seas, I discovered a level of intimacy that the larger ships lack. Still, not everything about this 20+ year-old ship was perfect. 

While I appreciated the overall atmosphere, some areas showed the ship's true age, such as the cabin's bathroom, which I found to be dated compared to the sleek, modern design of newer vessels. Plus, the entertainment options were more limited. I missed the Broadway-style shows and the AquaTheater's high-diving spectacles. 

That said, the charm of Vision of the Seas captivated me. It was reminiscent of a different era of cruising, where the focus was connecting with the sea and fellow passengers, rather than flashy attractions. Royal Caribbean ships didn't always have FlowRider surf simulators, water slides, and ice skating rinks onboard! 

Ease of embarking from Baltimore

Many cruisers—including myself—limit their searches to popular ports like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Seattle, and Cape Liberty. However, Royal Caribbean also deploys ships from smaller ports, such as Tampa and Baltimore. 

Though smaller, sailing from Baltimore is convenient for those who live in the DMV area, with the Maryland Cruise Terminal just 40 miles from the heart of Washington D.C. The Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is also only 10 miles away, so it's easy to access if you're flying in. 

Earlier this year, I had a horrible experience embarking on Carnival Elation in Jacksonville, Florida. I was worried I'd have a similar experience in Maryland, with both ports being outdated compared to newer terminals in South Florida and even Galveston. 

Thankfully, the Maryland Cruise Terminal was efficient, clean, and well-organized. After clearing security, the port agents checked our travel documentation, and we were onboard Vision of the Seas in less than twenty minutes, akin to the time it has taken to board larger ships in modern facilities. 

We found disembarkation to be just as easy. Our assigned group was scheduled to be called off around 9:00am; however, the process went faster than expected, with all groups receiving clearance at 8:45am as we finished breakfast in the Main Dining Room.  

Once off, locating our suitcases was easy, and I was impressed with the terminal's rideshare pick-up area. Instead of pulling up to the sidewalk, all cars were instructed to pull into a parking spot, effectively reducing congestion and helping keep the area organized. 

Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation do's and don'ts

Impressive main and specialty dining

Compared to recent sailings on Quantum and Freedom of the Seas, Vision's main and specialty dining experience didn't leave much to be desired. Izumi, in particular, was a standout. 

Everything was drool-worthy, from the edamame to the creamy firecracker shrimp rolls, savory miso ramen, and tender champagne lobster roll. In my opinion, it was worth the $40 per person upcharge (note the price includes the pre-cruise Cruise Planner sale and gratuity). 

Aside from one meal in Hamilton, Bermuda, the remaining nights were spent in the Main Dining Room. Prior to the cruise, I advised my friend not to expect anything mindblowing. While I've found included cruise food satisfactory, it's rarely exceptional. 

To my surprise, a few dishes in the MDR were that good, such as the French Onion Soup, Rustic Chicken Korma, Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp, and Tirasmu. 

Though Vision doesn't have as many venues as larger ships in the fleet, what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality! 

Read more: I spent 5 days eating on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Here’s everything I ate, including some dishes I’d skip

Activities and amenities 

Vision of the Seas might not have some of the WOW factors that have come to define the Royal Caribbean brand (i.e., the Perfect Storm water slides, FlowRider surf simulator, AquaTheater, zip line, and more), but you won't be bored during your cruise. 

On embarkation day, we decided to attend the silent disco in the Centrum. It was a lively activity that was more popular than I thought! After dancing the night away, we worked up an appetite and headed to the Park Cafe in the Solarium for some pizza. 

While the next day was more relaxing, I loved the enclosed Solarium. It proved to be the perfect retreat, as most of our cruise was plagued with poor weather. 

Additionally, it was steps away from the complimentary sauna and steam room in the Vitality Spa. This made it easy to switch from lounging in the peaceful Solarium to relaxing in the sauna and letting the heat work its magic whenever we wanted. 

Whether we wanted to attend a trivia session, watch a production show, listen to live music at the Schooner Bar, try our luck at Bingo, climb the rock wall, or participate in The Crazy Quest, there was always something to keep us entertained.

Read more: All about Vision Class cruise ships

Basic cabin

My inside stateroom on Vision was like a time capsule. 

The soft lighting and furnishings were simple yet inviting, and I appreciated the functional layout with plenty of storage, a small seating area, and dual nightstands with extra drawers. 

That said, the most disappointing aspect of my cabin was the clingy shower curtain. No matter how hard I tried, it always seemed drawn to my skin, making showering a bit challenging. Because of this, more water would escape from the shower than I'd like. 

Read more: I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships. I'd only book one again

I also wish Royal Caribbean would update its older cabins to feature more charging options. When I cruised on Carnival Elation, a ship roughly the same age as Vision, I was surprised to find multiple outlets, including USB ports beside the bed. 

Thankfully, I came prepared with European power adapters, so we could use all four outlets (two American and two European) at the vanity. I'd also recommend bringing a portable charger if you want to charge your phone in bed, as there aren't any outlets near the bedside. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean banned outlet extenders on its cruise ships. Its change started a debate about what's allowed

Inconsistent buffet

My least favorite thing about Vision of the Seas was the buffet, particularly during breakfast. I enjoy a simple breakfast, typically eggs for protein, fruit, and a hashbrown patty, and throughout my 5 days onboard, the quality of the Windjammer's breakfast varied greatly. 

On the first full morning, my eggs were cold—though I liked the small avocado toast. The eggs were again cold the following day, but the hash brown patty was perfectly crispy. Things went really downhill from there.

Deciding to mix it up, I grabbed a hardboiled egg instead of scrambled eggs, but the heat lamp made the shell too hot to touch. By the time I finally removed the shell, I found the hardboiled egg to be overcooked, rubbery, and dry. 

Additionally, the hash brown wasn't as crispy as the day before. Instead, it was on the soggy side. After a few disappointing breakfasts in the Windjammer, we decided to carve out extra time each morning to eat in the Main Dining Room, where the quality of the food was consistently better. 

Read more: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

When I cruise, I love taking advantage of every trick to save me time or money, but not all of them work as well as I hoped.

I find there are a lot of tried-and-true cruise tips and hacks that work quite well.  Some are so ingrained in my routine that I just consider them standard operating procedure, although they may not be so obvious to someone new to cruising.

Planning a cruise effectively means you side step common mistakes and set yourself up for a great time.  However, some strategies just aren't as useful as they may sound.

To be fair, I concede some tips work for others, but not for me. The first time I tried an over the door shoe organizer as a cruise hack to save on storage space, I thought it wasn't nearly as useful as I imagined.

Nonetheless, I love to try tips out all the time in order to make me a better cruiser.  Over my last few cruises, I found a few more duds that just didn't work for my family.  Some were tips that I think are overrated, while others may be ship or itinerary specific.

Here's why they generally weren't worth the effort (and what we found worked instead).

Wear a bathing suit to the ship on embarkation day

A really good cruise tip to know is you can use the pool and water slides on embarkation day, and it's one of the best times to do so without big lines or crowds.

With that tip in mind, you should bring a swimsuit with you so you can change into it in one of the public bathrooms after you board.  Personally, I hate changing clothes in a public bathroom because it's awkward and not comfortable at all. 

One tip was to simply wear your bathing suit when you board the ship under your clothes. 

It seemed like a good workaround, since by the time you're done swimming, your stateroom cabin should be ready to go and change back.

The issue I had was wearing a bathing suit for a few hours isn't that comfortable, especially men's bathing suits with a mesh lining. I'd put it on in the morning of the cruise, and then wear it through the cruise terminal until I got on the ship and into the pool.

After a few hours of wearing swim trunks, I felt as though the mesh lining becomes the single most uncomfortable item of clothing ever made. 

My preferred hack for enjoying a ship's pool or slides is to go on a port day instead.

Don't overpack

I'm an over packer and always have been, so I've tried to be better about it.  

If I'm cruising from a port in Florida where I can drive or take the train, overpacking really isn't an issue since I don't have to worry about luggage allowances. 

But when I fly to cruise, cutting down on overpacking seems like a good tip to follow.  Even if I'm cruising locally, having a smaller suitcase would be easier.

The problem I have when I under pack is it gives me anxiety about running out of clothes when I get on the ship. Plus, during summer months, I find I sweat through more clothes than I thought I would.

On a cruise to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles in June, I sweat so profusely in Mazatlan that I even surprised myself.

Of course, I can send clothes out for dry cleaning on a ship, but it's not cheap.

Having backup clothes just makes things easier, and I feel less anguish about if I should re-use clothing.

Skip the buffet on your first day

There are few venues on a Royal Caribbean cruise that get as busy as the Windjammer buffet on embarkation day.

It seems as though everyone that gets onboard wants to eat lunch, and they all head to the buffet.

I really like the buffet, and go there on nearly every cruise. But it's definitely frustrating trying to find a seat, especially on Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

There are two ideas for skipping the buffet with an alternative.

The first hack is to go to a different complimentary venue, but the value of this tip really depends on the ship.  If you're on an Oasis or Icon Class ship, it's a great idea because you can hit up Park Cafe or Aquadome Market.  

Each has a good selection of food, freshly prepared, and it feels like a meal.

On other ships, you're relegated to Cafe Promeande or Sorrento's Pizza. Maybe it's just a me thing, but I don't find either satisfying as a meal.

The other hack is to go to a specialty restaurant on embarkation day.  Sure it costs money, but you get to sit down and enjoy a full meal.  And you can find at least one specialty restaurant open on any Royal Caribbean ship on embarkation day.

The problem I have with this hack is I'm too excited for all the fun of the cruise to sit around for an hour or more to eat a meal.

While this option is indeed satisfying, when I board a ship, I want to explore and do things. I'm excited to cruise, and I'm not in the mood to sit around.

I doubt I'll adopt this hack, other than if I'm on a ship that has a really good alternative. Sign me up for Aquadome Market any day of the week, if I'm on a ship with that option!

Use the free showers in the fitness center

The last time I shared a cabin with my kids, my oldest daughter was hogging up the shower like all teenagers typically do.

I then remembered a commonly shared cruise tip to use the free showers in the fitness center.

On every Royal Caribbean ship, the gym has a changing room and shower that anyone can use.

I gathered my stuff and was about to go use this tip when I remembered an equally important tip from college: you need to wear shoes of some kind to avoid athlete's foot.

I didn't have the proper shoes for it, so I had to skip this tip. While I've sworn off sharing a cabin with my kids at this point, if I ever did again, I'd have to remember to bring the right kind of footwear with me.

Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise vacation is always fun but can be especially memorable over a holiday, such as Halloween. 

The largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, is currently celebrating her first Halloween in service! Royal Caribbean Blog reader Kate Hebner was kind enough to share photos of the ship's spooky decorations. 

The Royal Promenade is decked out with inflatables, ranging from larger-than-life aliens to an octopus with a trick-or-treat bucket. 

There's also a jack-o-lantern waving "hello" to passengers and a haunted tree, which is a popular hang-out spot for ghosts.

If you try to ride the inflatable dragon, you won't get very far! It's tempting on a ship so large, though. 

The dog in the Royal Promenade has been dressed as a ghost. Thankfully, the white sheet was cut so it won't interfere with its "business." 

Speaking of dogs, Rover is dressed like a pirate. She’s probably the nicest (and softest) pirate at sea! 

Spiderwebs lines the banister of the staircase leading up to Deck 6, with balloons in black and orange affixed to the railings overlooking the Promenade below. 

Hebner shares that the decorations were placed overnight, meaning they weren't there when guests embarked on the current 7-night Western Caribbean cruise to Mexico, Honduras, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

In addition to decorations, Royal Caribbean cruise ships tend to have Halloween-themed activities, such as costume contests, a parade, themed arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts. You may even meet passengers handing out candy to children to mimic trick-or-treating.

Today's Cruise Compass says Halloween events began as early as 9:00am with the Adult and Family Halloween Costume Contest Registrations. At 9:30am, there was a Halloween Wordsearch Puzzle in the Schooner Bar, followed by a Halloween Word Fill Challenge at 10:15am at Spotlight Karaoke. 

Other events on the schedule include Name that Tune: Halloween Hits, Adventure Ocean's Family Haunted House, Pumpkin Soccer Shootout, Family Trick or Treat at Splashaway Bay, Adult Haunted House: The Abandoned Manor of Dr. Gristle, Halloween Flash Mob "Thriller," Family Halloween Costume Contest Parade, Family Halloween Monster Bash Party, Adult Halloween Costume Parade and Bash Party, and Casino Royale's HalloWin Costume Contest. 

Crew members live and work onboard cruise ships, and while many of their cabins are quite small, there are a few bigger ones.

A video shared on TikTok shows what the largest crew cabins are like on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, including Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Quantum of the Seas. He also shares glimpses of his life as a crew member onboard Royal Caribbean vessels on various social media channels, from TikTok (819k followers) to Instagram (273k followers). 

Though he's currently on Utopia of the Seas, a video shared on his social media in May shows his cabin while working onboard Quantum during the ship's seasonal stint in Alaska. 

Unlike his living quarters while on Utopia, he shares five reasons he loves this massive cabin, from the private, full-sized bathroom to the porthole window. 

#5: Storage space

Cruise ship cabins aren't known for being the most spacious. Crew staterooms are even smaller than standard passenger cabins, meaning they have even less storage space despite living on the ship for months at a time. 

James has been working on Royal Caribbean ships for years and is used to small closets. While he admits it isn't an issue, he appreciated having more space on Quantum. 

"...[small closets are] fine because I don't have a lot of clothes, but just to know I've got the extra space...or [if] I have people come [to] visit me on the ship like my mom just did, it's great to have a place for them to put their clothes, too," he says. 

Read more: Ultimate Cruise Packing List

#4: Full-size bathroom

Sometimes, crew members have to share bathrooms during their contracts. While on Quantum, however, James had his own bathroom. Not only that but it was larger than others he's had in the past!

"You don't have to be in the shower and on the toilet at the same time," he remarks, "They are two separate entities." 

Above the sink, which is also in the bathroom unlike on Utopia of the Seas, there's a huge medicine cabinet with space for toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other toiletries. 

Noticeably missing from the bathroom is the standard glass shower door in passenger staterooms. Instead, crew members are given a shower curtain.

#3: Full-size desk

James compares his desk onboard Quantum to one on a previous contract. "...clearly a massive upgrade," he says. 

In his cabin, the desk takes up nearly one wall, giving him plenty of space to edit videos for his social media channels and unwind by playing video games. 

The desk in his old cruise ship cabin pulled out from the closet, and there wasn't enough floor space to keep the stool out full-time. Instead, he stored it when it wasn't in use to free up floor space. 

#2: Full-size bed

Could you imagine sleeping on a twin-sized bed for months at a time? Typically, that's how cruise ship crew members experience life at sea. In this case, James was surprised that he had a full-sized bed. 

Even better, it wasn't two twin-sized beds pushed together, which is the case in passenger cabins. Guests can elect to have them separated or keep them pushed together, depending on their preferences. 

"Normally, they take two mattresses [and] they squish them together...this is an actual real mattress," he explains. 

His cabin also had a pullman bed, ideal when guests stayed with him while onboard. 

#1: Porthole

Some cruisers refuse to pay extra for balcony cabins, whereas others can't imagine stepping foot on a ship without having access to a private verandah. Crew members don't get to decide whether they have an inside or ocean-view room. Most, however, stay in tiny cabins without any natural light for the duration of their contact. 

On Quantum, James was most pleased with his porthole, allowing him to catch glimpses of Alaska's natural beauty inside his stateroom. 

"Not only do I get sunshine during the day," he says, "but I can stick my phone up to the window and get cell service so I don't have to use the internet....This is the dream, guys." 

Read more: I always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship

Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in May 2025

Following her season in Australia and the South Pacific, Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in May, offering 7-night roundtrip cruises from Seattle, along with one 5-night sailing to Sitka and Victoria, British Columbia. 

The 168,666 gross registered ton vessel is the namesake ship of the Quantum Class, the first to feature innovations like a skydiving simulator, indoor SeaPlex used for roller skating and bumper cars, and the North Star Observation Capsule. 

During Quantum's Alaskan itineraries, guests can lounge on the top decks to take in the stunning views of glaciers and fjords and take advantage of numerous outdoor activities in port, including hiking, kayaking, and whale watching. 

Read more: I went on a 7-night cruise to Alaska

Thinking about booking a cruise, but aren't ready to commit yet? It's now easier to buy yourself more time to think it over.

Royal Caribbean has updated its policy regarding courtesy holds to give guests more time before it expires.

A courtesy hold allows a guest to hold a booking with no deposit.

This hold allows the guest to hold not only the cabin, but also the promotional pricing.

Travel agents were sent an update that indicates as of October 28, 2024, the maximum allowed courtesy hold period has been increased to 5 days. Any booking created before October 28th will be honored under the existing option date policy.

The exact length of time you have under a courtesy hold depends on how far in advance you are booking:

• 0 hold days for sailings departing within 0 to 30 days
• 1 hold day for sailings departing within 31 to 45 days
• 2 hold days for sailings departing within 46 to 90 days
• 5 hold days for sailings departing within 91 days or more

The new five day policy is available if you book on your own or with a travel agent. Here's an example of the five day hold available for a cruise in December 2025:

The cruise line says the change was made to make things simpler, "This change is designed to simplify the booking process across all channels, ensuring that both you, as the advisor, and your guests have access to the most accurate inventory across our fleet."

They also said they hope more time will provide, "a more streamlined booking experience, making your bookings easier to manage, and encouraging your clients to finalize their reservations earlier."

In order to avoid a cancellation, payments need to be made prior to 11:00 PM EDT. If no payment is made window expires, the reservation is automatically cancelled.

Why place a hold instead of making a deposit

There are a few good reasons to place a hold on a cabin before booking a cruise.

Placing a hold locks in the price, which means you have more time to decide to book the cruise.

You not only get to hold the price, but also any promotions that come with the price, such as kids sail free, onboard credit, et al.

All too often, cabins get booked up before someone can decide on if they want to cruise.  This ensures more time to get vacation time approved from work, pet setting, and other considerations you may need to secure before being ready to book.

Another advantage of a hold is you can investigate which add-ons are available to book, such as drink packages, shore excursions, and more.

Unlike a booking, there's no money at play. This means it's easy to lock in a price of a cabin for a short period of time to decide later.

Courtesy hold vs deposit

You might be wondering what the differences and advantages are to placing a hold or a deposit on a sailing.

A courtesy hold requires no money down, but only lasts up to 48 hours before it expires.  

A deposit requires at least a few hundred dollars down, but ensures that cabin is yours until you cancel or if you fail to make final payment date.

Both a courtesy hold and a deposit secure the price and promotions at the time of booking.

If you cancel a hold, there's no penalty or money to be refunded. A cancelled deposit means potentially money to be refunded and/or money lost due to a penalty from a non-refundable deposit type.

You should think of courtesy holds as a way to give yourself more time to think about booking without losing a specific cabin and/or price.  

Deposits ensure the room is yours until final payment date, albeit with certain rules depending on which deposit type you choose (refundable or non-refundable).

If your sailing is already past final payment date, then full payment will be required at the time of booking.  A courtesy hold would still allow you to reserve a room temporarily without money down.