Royal Caribbean Blog

Picking the best cruise isn't as easy as sorting the price from "low to high." With that mindset, you'll likely end up disappointed, with cruising leaving a sour taste in your mouth. 

I've been cruising since I was 5 years old, and over 20 years (and 30 cruises) later, I've mastered how to choose the best cruise line and ship.

I'm a firm believer that there's the perfect ship, destination, and line for everyone — even those adamant that cruising isn't right for them. 

However, finding that right fit isn't as simple as selecting the newest, flashiest ship. Instead, you need to evaluate your priorities and budget. 

For example, the best cruise line for families will be different than the one ideal for couples seeking an adult-oriented getaway. 

Think of this as your ultimate guide to navigating all the options so you can pick a cruise that you will love. 

How to book a cruise for the first time?

First things first, one of the easiest ways to lessen the burden of spending countless hours on Google, YouTube, and Royal Caribbean Blog is to work with a travel agent. 

Not only can they help narrow down your search based on your preferences, but they can also help save you money with exclusive group rates. Plus, you never know when you'll be gifted perks like complimentary gratuities, a bottle of champagne, or a free dinner in one of the ship's specialty restaurants. 

For years, I thought that working with a travel agent meant giving up control over my vacations. However, after booking over 15 sailings with MEI Travel, I realized that having a trusted agent means gaining insider knowledge and access to special deals. 

Travel agents will also contact the cruise line on your behalf if you have any issues before or during your cruise. For example, if you need to change your sail date, they’ll handle the request so you only cover the standard change fee.

How to pick a cruise?

Regardless of whether you use a travel agent, 6 key factors will help you choose a cruise for the first (or 20th) time. 

First, you'll need to establish a budget. While the cruise fare will likely consume most of it, don't forget to account for extras like transportation, drink packages, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and specialty meals. 

For example, if you find a too-good-to-be-true fare for a sailing out of Port Canaveral, consider how much you'll have to shell out in airfare. If flights from your small-town airport start at $400 per person to Orlando, that "deal" may be more costly than you think. 

Next, determine your destination. Are you dreaming of sailing through Alaska's picturesque Inside Passage, or do you want to spend your days lounging on beaches in the Caribbean with a cocktail in hand? 

Most mainstream cruise lines sail globally, though some regions may be seasonal, such as Europe and Alaska. 

In the end, your destination will shape the cruise line, ship, excursions, and overall vibe of your vacation, so it's a crucial step in narrowing down options. 

As an example, I prefer sailing with Celebrity Cruises in Europe due to the laid-back, adult-focused experience. However, if I'm eyeing a vacation to The Bahamas or Caribbean, Royal Caribbean is my go-to for its entertainment, variety of dining options, and endless onboard activities. 

Moving on, consider how much time you want to be at sea. Some first-time cruisers start out with short sailings, while others might opt for longer voyages that explore multiple destinations. 

Your work schedule, available vacation days, and kids' school calendar will play a role in the length of your cruise, too. A 7-day Caribbean cruise may be feasible, while a 14-night transatlantic cruise would be more challenging to make work. 

Keep in mind that the longer the cruise is, the more you will pay in daily add-ons, such as drink and internet packages. Whereas you may pay around $195 for an unlimited drink package on a 3-day Royal Caribbean cruise, that same package could cost $450 per person or more on a 7-night sailing.

After that, you can begin to think about which cruise line will meet your needs. Generally speaking, nine mainstream cruise lines offer sailings in the major markets, including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Disney Cruise Line
• Virgin Voyages

Each cruise line has its own personality, target audience, and onboard experience. For example, Disney Cruise Line is ideal for families with young children who love the magic of Disney. Highlights of the experience include character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber shows, themed dining, and immersive kids' clubs. 

That said, one of the cons of a Disney Cruise is that they're more expensive than competitors, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian — all of which also offer tons of family-friendly fun. 

Comparatively, Celebrity Cruises is geared more towards adults, with craft cocktail bars, fine dining experiences, port-intensive itineraries, and upscale spas. While families are welcome, the atmosphere is more refined. 

Enter Royal Caribbean, Celebrity's sister brand. Royal Caribbean is known for building the world's largest cruise ships, including Icon and Star of the Seas. However, they've technically held the title since Freedom of the Seas debuted in 2006. 

That means that, for decades, they've been at the forefront of cruise ship innovation, and their ships are packed with amenities for every type of traveler. 

That said, their older ships lack the same jaw-dropping features as the line's newest vessels, which is why it's important to thoroughly research the cruise ship you're considering before booking. 

Read more: I left Royal Caribbean for Celebrity after 20 cruises. Here's why I'm going back to Royal Caribbean next time

Icon of the Seas, for instance, is vastly different than Vision of the Seas. The former has a record-breaking waterpark, surf simulator, ice skating rink, mini-golf course, countless dining options, and cutting-edge entertainment (think high diving aqua shows and a Broadway-style production of "The Wizard of Oz"). 

In contrast, Vision of the Seas offers a more traditional cruising experience with smaller public spaces and fewer adrenaline-pumping attractions. 

If you don't want to sail on the newest or oldest ships in the fleet, check out Royal Caribbean's Voyager and Freedom Classes. These vessels continue to be popular amongst cruise enthusiasts because they strike a balance between modern amenities and value. 

Onboard, you'll find everything from rock climbing walls to ice skating rinks, surf simulators, spacious public areas, multiple pools, an elegant dining room, a specialty steakhouse, and more. 

Similarly, newer Carnival cruise ships will feel vastly different than older ones. I've sailed on Carnival Celebration and Carnival Elation, and prefer the sleek cabins, dining variety, and entertainment on Excel Class ships. 

Another important consideration is what cruise cabin you want. Most ships have four standard categories of staterooms: inside, ocean-view, balcony, and suite. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide

Interior cabins are usually the cheapest. However, they're also the smallest and lack natural light. Ocean-view rooms have an exterior-facing window, but it doesn't open. If you want access to fresh air directly from your cabin, you'll want to book a balcony. 

There are more balcony rooms on newer ships compared to older ones. Also, some of Royal Caribbean's vessels have inward-facing balconies, so make sure you're careful when selecting a cabin on Oasis and Icon Class ships. 

Moreover, Icon Class ships have infinite verandahs, which are somewhat controversial. Unlike traditional balconies, infinite verandahs don't have a private outdoor area. Instead, the entire stateroom turns into a balcony with the press of a button, which lowers the top half of the floor-to-ceiling window. 

If you're looking for the most spacious accommodations on the ship, suites are the way to go. The perks vary based on the cruise line and ship. For example, Royal Caribbean's suite program is more robust than Carnival's. 

However, the benefits aren't consistent fleetwide. Royal Caribbean's newer ships (i.e., Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class vessels) feature the Royal Suite Class, which categorizes cabins into three tiers — each with its own set of perks. 

The suite program on older ships (i.e., Vision, Voyager, Radiance, and Freedom Classes) is more limited and offers fewer exclusive amenities. While you’ll still enjoy extra space and some perks compared to standard cabins, the experience isn’t as luxurious as what’s offered in the Royal Suite Class. 

Read more: I stayed in 3 mega cruise ship suites this year. 6 surprises made it better than I expected

Cruisers staying in top-tier suites within the Royal Suite Class enjoy benefits like an unlimited drink package and Wi-Fi, access to the suite-only dining room, a Royal Genie (essentially a butler), and more. 

Other cruise lines also have lavish "ship-within-a-ship" experiences with private areas, exclusive restaurants, and outstanding service. 

For example, I stayed in MSC's Yacht Club and was blown away by my spacious suite, the upscale Topsail Lounge, private pool deck, and more. Plus, it was not as pricey as Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class. 

To recap, the key factors to consider when picking a cruise are:

• Budget
• Destination
• Length
• Cruise line
• Cruise ship
• Cruise cabin

The perfect cruise for you won't be the same as your coworker, best friend, aunt, uncle, cousin, or neighbor

With over 100 mainstream cruise ships sailing globally, there's a cruise to match every travel style, budget, and bucket list destination. 

Some travelers thrive on mega-ships packed with the industry's latest technology and amenities, while others prefer cruising on smaller vessels to off-the-beaten-path destinations. 

At the end of the day, picking the right cruise isn't just about the itinerary. After all, the ship serves as your floating hotel, so you want to make sure that the onboard experience is just as memorable as your shore excursions. 

Hiding rubber ducks on a cruise is one of the hottest trends among families today, but it's taken a step forward with a new app.

When I sailed on Star of the Seas, I expected plenty of kids to be scouring the ship for ducks. Cruise ducks are easily the fastest growing and most popular guest-driven activity.

The idea is simple: hide ducks around the ship for others to find. If you find one, you can either keep it or opt to hide it again for someone else to find.

Hiding ducks on cruise ships has become so popular that there's now an app.

It's like Waze for hiding ducks

My youngest daughter has been caught up in the duck hiding craze, and she usually spends some time each day looking for them.

But I noticed at some point in the cruise she and a number of other kids duck hunting while looking at their devices.  You could easily overlook this as kids multitasking watching social media, but they were using their phone to find the ducks.

In fact, a lot of kids on my cruise had the Sea Ducks app downloaded on their phone to make hiding and finding ducks more fun. It's available for both iPhone and Android devices.

The app is far more sophisticated than I expected, as it allows them to identify which sailing they are on and use it give hints and mark when ducks are found.

According to the app, 294 people were registered for our particular sailing on Star of the Seas. Assuming they were all kids, our sailing had 2,500 people under the age of 18 years old onboard because it was a Thanksgiving cruise. That means over 10% of the kids had this app and were using it.

More astounding was the app recorded over 1,100 ducks were hidden on this sailing with the aid of the app.

Those hiding a duck with the aid of the app can establish which deck and side of the ship it's on.  

They can also provide a text hint and a photo to make it easier for others to locate it.

I was impressed by the sophisticated advanced features like adding a PIN so you can identify the individual duck or hiding your entry for specific users.

Once the duck is spotted, someone with the app can take a photo and mark the duck found.

The kids definitely had a sense of satisfaction not only finding the duck, but marking it complete.  It reminds me a lot of the Waze traffic app, where people report police cars, construction, stalled vehicles and more.

There is even a leaderboard that shows who has found the most ducks so far, and it builds a sense of competition to it.

I think the appeal is it elevates what is usually a solitary activity among your own family to something everyone can compete in.  Plus, it makes it easier to know when there are more ducks hidden.

It's quite common in Facebook groups to see people posting if anyone has hidden any ducks because they or their kids want to know if it's worth going out to search for them.

Why do people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships?

To the unindoctrinated, finding and hiding tinny rubber ducks seems like the epitome of silliness. That is, until you've tried it.

It's a cruise trend that grew out of something wholesome and perfect for passengers of all ages.

The story goes a 10-year-old girl named Abby went on a spring break cruise in 2018 with 50 rubber ducks to try to make other passengers smile.

The idea took off, and a Facebook group was created to help spread the fun.  It's something toddlers, school-aged kids, teens, and adults can enjoy at the same time.  The barrier for entry is low, but the fun factor is high.

Now, hiding ducks is on every Royal Caribbean cruise I've ever taken.

The activity is totally guest-driven. It's just a lot of cruise ship passengers eager to join in on the fun.

The cruise line does not condone, encourage, or facilitate it at all.  The exception is Royal Caribbean has prohibited hiding ducks in one place.

Earlier this year, signs began to appear in planters asking guests not to hide ducks in or around any of its plants.

"Please help us protect our plants," the sign reads, "This is a duck free zone. Please don't hide ducks in Central Park." 

Central Park is a neighborhood on Oasis and Icon Class ships that features trees, shrubs, and other plants. On Icon of the Seas, for example, there are over 33,000 plants. 

It's been months since Royal Caribbean ships have visited Falmouth, Jamaica. However, the port reopened and is welcoming cruise passengers once again. 

Hurricane Melissa made landfall near New Hope, Jamaica, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, as the strongest landfall the country had ever recorded, causing catastrophic damage across the Caribbean nation. 

Not only that, but Melissa is one of the most intense landfalling Atlantic hurricanes on record (in terms of lowest barometric pressure), tied with the "Labor Day" storm of 1935.

The Category 5 storm was responsible for 32 deaths and up to $4 billion in insured losses in Jamaica alone, NBC News reported. 

(Credit: Port Authority of Jamaica/Facebook)

As such, Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines had been diverting ships away from the country while it focused on critical relief efforts. 

However, according to the Port Authority of Jamaica, Falmouth is officially open to cruise traffic. Princess Cruises' Caribbean Princess was the first vessel to call at Falmouth on Dec. 2, 2025. The 3,140-passenger ship is currently on a 12-night Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

"This restart supports renewed activity across the Falmouth community, stimulating business opportunities for local merchants, transport operators, and service providers," Jamaica's Port Authority shared on Facebook. 

(Credit: Port Authority of Jamaica/Facebook)

"The Port Authority of Jamaica remains committed to strengthening the communities in which we operate and contributing meaningfully to local livelihoods as we return to normalcy and advance ongoing rebuilding efforts."

Multiple Royal Caribbean ships, including Adventure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Independence of the Seas, are set to call at Falmouth in the coming weeks. 

Other cruise lines, such as Disney, Norwegian, MSC, and Holland America Line, are also scheduled to visit Falmouth during the busy holiday season. 

Jamaica aims to resume full tourism operations by Dec. 15

Falmouth was the last cruise port in Jamaica to reopen to cruise passengers. 

Ocho Rios welcomed ships in mid-November, with guests aboard Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam visiting the island on Nov. 11. The following day, thousands of passengers on the Carnival Sunrise also got to call at Ocho Rios. 

Likewise, Montego Bay welcomed nearly 2,900 passengers from the Mein Schiff 1 cruise ship on Nov. 24. 

However, Falmouth's infrastructure repairs took longer to complete. As such, the port remained closed into December. 

After Melissa's landfall, Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's Minister of Tourism. said the country was aiming to resume full tourism operations by Dec. 15.

"Tourism’s strength lies not just in its product offerings, but in its people and partnerships. The speed and synergy of our response show the industry’s resilience and our unwavering commitment to recovery with empathy, compassion, and innovation," Bartlett explained. 

While tourism operations were halted, many cruise lines pledged millions to aid the ongoing relief efforts. Cruise ships also delivered essential supplies, such as water, bedding, clothing, mattresses, and more. 

An unexpected pregnancy nearly cost one couple their New Year's cruise — until Royal Caribbean's CEO came to the rescue. 

The soon-to-be father shared the story on the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. In a post titled "Unexpected pregnancy is keeping us from a cruise (already purchased) over New [Year's]," JTH2014 explained that he feared he and his wife would lose out on their $1,500 vacation. 

"My wife and I had booked a cruise at the end of next month. We just found out a couple [of] weeks ago that she was already 18 weeks pregnant with our first child (she swears she didn't feel any different), meaning she will be past 23 weeks by our sail date, meaning they won't let us onboard," he wrote. 

Continuing, the expectant father said he called Cruises.com (presumably the third-party they had booked through) to figure out what options were available to them since they did not have travel insurance. 

Initially, while they were told they couldn't get a refund, they could reschedule their cruise to a later sail date due to the medical issue. However, their relief didn't last long. 

"I called [Cruises.com] again yesterday with the new cruise I had picked out six months after my wife's due date. Royal Caribbean is apparently now refusing [to] reschedule," he said.

"I contacted the cruise line myself, asking for more information. They basically said that allowing customers to reschedule for medical reasons is not an official policy, that they allow or disallow it 'at their discretion.'"

Fellow cruisers chimed in with advice in the thread. Some comments weren't helpful, advising the expectant couple to lie about how far along the mother was and enjoy their cruise anyway. 

"Just lie about how far along she is. I did on one of my cruises, not a big deal. All you do is click not over 23 weeks on the health questions," suggested one individual. 

Others mentioned the importance of travel insurance, though that wasn't helpful to the couple's current situation. 

Experienced cruisers encouraged them to keep pushing for a medical accommodation. Someone even suggested contacting Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, Michael Bayley, to see if the company's advanced resolutions team could assist. 

Read more: The 5 important Royal Caribbean email addresses you should know about

"This Sub-Reddit saved my Honeymoon"

In a follow-up post, JTH2014 happily shared that, thanks to the advice on their previous thread, the issue was resolved. 

"I thought for sure I was out that $1500, but someone suggested I send my story directly to the CEO's public email ([email protected]). Someone from his office called me today and said I am being granted a one-year credit for that balance," he explained. 

To him, that was better than the original offer. With more flexibility, he can pick any sail date, depending on how things are going with their baby. 

Babies have to be at least 6 months old to cruise from the U.S.

As generous as the offer was, commenters reminded JTH2014 that Royal Caribbean has strict guidelines for traveling with younger children. 

"[D]o be aware that [your] baby must be at least six months old to cruise domestically, and 12 months old for any sailing with more than two consecutive sea days," wrote crazydisneycatlady, a Platinum sailor within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society. 

With those rules in mind, the year-long credit may not give them as much flexibility as they hoped. Still, there is time to plan their first vacation together as a family of three during the last quarter of 2026 without losing the money that's already been paid. 

Experienced parents in the thread shared how much they enjoyed sailing with their infants, giving them a lot to look forward to.

Haterofstarbucks remarked, "I took a [6-month-old] on a cruise. My spouse and I had a blast on the ship with the [6-month-old]. Our son’s personality really came out on the ship. He was highly alert but not in the crawling phase. We just put him in the stroller and went exploring."

Read more: 8 Things I wish I knew about taking a baby on a cruise ship

Always buy travel insurance

JTH2014's situation highlights one possible medical scenario where travel insurance could make a huge difference. Unexpected events, from unplanned pregnancies to sudden illnesses, can derail well-planned vacations — even once you are onboard. 

Without insurance, you're stuck paying for any medical care received on the ship out of pocket, as cruise ships do not typically accept standard health insurance policies. 

For example, one first-time cruiser was stuck paying $4,000 for treatment after she began throwing up blood and losing consciousness while sailing on a Royal Caribbean ship. 

Khiali Baxter was then transported to a hospital in Costa Maya, Mexico, where she racked up over $9,000 in additional medical expenses for several different procedures to help stabilize her.

Aside from helping cover costly medical emergencies, travel insurance can also help protect against trip disruptions, lost luggage, and more. 

I was surprised when Royal Caribbean informed me that my 5-night Freedom of the Seas cruise would be re-routed to Carnival's private port.

Amber Cove is Carnival's "exclusive port" in the Dominican Republic, located close to Taino Bay.

I've had itinerary changes in the past, but I've never heard of a Royal Caribbean ship visiting a rival port. Not only was it unusual, but I had never been to any Carnival private area.

While surreal, my visit to Amber Cove was a fun experience where I was surprised five times.

It's not run at all by Carnival

Upon arrival at Amber Cove, it became clear a private port run by Carnival is not like a Royal Caribbean private island.

While Carnival owns the port, it leases out everything and it's all run by third party vendors.

I expected to see far more Carnival branding, but was surprised to not find much.

Since the shops, restaurants, and bars are all operated by independent vendors, it felt less like "Carnival land" and more like a port of call that just happens to be owned by Carnival.

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, there was no army of crew members descending from the cruise ship to staff the island.  

Also, anything you paid for required cash or credit card.  I was concerned I might be at a disadvantage because I didn't have a cruise card from a Carnival ship.  But when I went to the swim-up bar in the pool to get a drink, I was able to use my phone's tap to pay option.

One of the biggest takeaways that while Amber Cove is owned by Carnival, it didn't feel like an extension of the cruise line.

Cabanas were cheap

After the announcement was made we'd go to Amber Cove, I reached out to my friends at Eat Sleep Cruise for a recommendation of what to do there. They recommended I rent a cabana.

Unfortunately, there were no advanced reservations available to be made on the ship. So I had to wait and see what was left to rent once I arrived.

Amber Cove has a few different cabanas you can rent, somewhat similar to Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee. Over the water, hill top, and pool cabanas were some of the options.

When I asked about renting a cabana, I was told I could get one of the over the water cabanas for just $500.

I was astounded by how low a price this was, considering cabanas at Royal Caribbean's private destinations can easily cost two to three times that.

The water slide they had for an extra cost was also quite inexpensive, at just $6 per person for unlimited rides.

While I can't comment how close the quality of the cabanas are to Royal Caribbean's (I didn't think I needed a cabana for just myself cruising solo), the pricing difference was rather notable.

There's no beach

I knew Amber Cove had a pool, but I couldn't believe there wasn't a beach.

Amber Cove has plenty of shore excursions you can take to take you to a nearby beach. Unlike CocoCay or Labadee, you're not relegated to just the port.

I think the rationale may simply be there are so many beautiful beaches in and around Puerto Plata, Carnival felt let folks take a quick trip if that's what they desire.

Instead, Amber Cove has a resort-style pool with swim-up bar, waterslides, a lazy river and plenty of lounge chairs.

It's clear Taino Bay copied Amber Cove

After realizing Amber Cove isn't that similar at all to CocoCay, I saw more similarities to Taino Bay.

Our cruise visited Taino Bay the day before, which is the port in Puerto Plata Royal Caribbean cruise ships usually visit.

Amber Cove opened in 2015, but Taino Bay opened in 2021. 

• Both have a complimentary pool and lazy river
• Both have lots of independent restaurants and bars
• Both have souvenir shops run by third parties
• Both offer shore excursions to the outside area

In my opinion, the folks that designed and built Taino Bay took a lot of inspiration from Amber Cove.  I'm not saying they straight out copied it, but the similarities are there.

While Taino Bay's lazy river feels more like a lazy river than Amber Cove's version, Amber Cove doesn't feel like a giant maze and is far easier to navigate.

It's a lot less like any Royal Caribbean private island than I expected

The biggest surprise to me is how much Amber Cove isn't like CocoCay.

Up until my visit there, I only had the context of Royal Caribbean's private operations. So I anticipated something more akin to a day there.

Instead, Amber Cove felt more like Costa Maya or Taino Bay than Labadee. If you've been to Falmouth in Jamaica, that might also be a better comparison.

I can see the advantages for Carnival to run it this way.  They get to make money from the lessees that do all the work and operate everything and don't have to commit manpower to make it happen.

That being said, I didn't get much of a Carnival vibe from the port.  When I'm at CocoCay, it feels like an extension of my Royal Caribbean ship.  I can't say I felt the same about Amber Cove.

In the end, I had a great time on my visit. 

It was a beautiful day and the pool was a lot of fun. Plus, I got to enjoy Nathan's hot dog and french fries for lunch!

I'm not daydreaming of returning, but at least now I know what to expect if I ever did.

Port Canaveral and PortMiami, among the busiest cruise locations in the world, set passenger records in 2025, reflecting higher cruise demand than ever.

PortMiami, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, set passenger records for fiscal year 2025, which ran from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, Miami officials said. 

The Miami cruise port welcomed 8,564,225 cruise passengers, which is a 4.02% increase in cruise passenger totals compared with 2024's record of 8,233,056. 

This doesn't come as a huge surprise, though. Miami is home to some of the world's newest and largest cruise ships, including Icon of the Seas, MSC World America, and Carnival Celebration. All offer weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean year-round. 

Moreover, MSC Cruises opened the world's largest cruise terminal in March. The 492,678-square-foot Terminal AA was designed to accommodate up to three ships from MSC’s World, Seaside, and Meraviglia Classes simultaneously — up to 36,000 embarking and disembarking passengers daily. 

The strong passenger growth also coincides with PortMiami’s booming cargo operations. During the 2024 fiscal year, PortMiami welcomed 1,115,058 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), marking the port's 11th consecutive year exceeding 1 million TEUs.

"PortMiami’s dual achievements highlight its dynamic role as both a cruise and cargo powerhouse, contributing billions to the local economy while advancing a future-ready vision of innovation, resiliency, and global connectivity," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.

PortMiami Director and CEO Hydi Webb noted that the record-breaking numbers showcase "the dedication of [its] entire team and the strength of [its] partnerships with the cruise industry, cargo carriers, and the business community."

Meanwhile, Port Canaveral's numbers are even more impressive. During the 2025 fiscal year, the port welcomed a staggering 8,602,047 cruise passengers, up from 7,592,535 in 2024. 

This secured Port Canaveral's spot as the busiest cruise port in the world. Port Canaveral previously earned the record in 2022 but lost it the following year to PortMiami. 

Like PortMiami, some of the world's newest, largest ships homeport in Port Canaveral, including Utopia of the Seas, Star of the Seas, and Carnival's Mardi Gras. 

Fiscal year 2026 kicked off on Oct. 1

It's poised to be an exciting one, too. Although neither Port Canaveral nor PortMiami is welcoming a new Royal Caribbean ship (Legend of the Seas is heading to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale), a slew of newer vessels will sail from Florida for the first time. 

For example, Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady embarked on a series of Caribbean cruises from PortMiami starting on Oct. 16. Additionally, Norwegian Luna, NCL's newest 3,571-passenger ship, will begin offering sailings from Miami in March 2026. 

If you've tried repricing a Royal Caribbean cruise lately, you may have had a harder time to get it done and it's not just you.

Royal Caribbean has offered the ability for guests to reprice their cruise if there's a lower price later, but many have reported the process has suddenly become more difficult.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, gi333 posted, "Is it normal that Royal Caribbean doesn’t want to reprice as it is only for new bookings?"

"I called Royal directly and i was told the same information. Flash Sales are not eligible for reprice."

Their experience has been similar to others who have reported issues with getting the reprice to be honored.  

It appears the cruise line has changed the terms and conditions to make it more difficult, but not impossible to take advantage of a price drop.

A Reddit user claiming to "work in the pre-cruise department" of Royal Caribbean answered questions about the changes to repricing.

"Repricing is being restricted"

The cruise line employee offered to answer questions about anything related to promotions and booking creation, to which the question of what the current procedure is regarding repricing a booking.

The user responded, "managers are confirming that repricing is being restricted, and most sales now state new bookings only."

He recommends booking refundable fare to get around the change, "If you want price protection, the best strategy is to book early with a refundable deposit. You may also monitor fares and act quickly before final payment."

The problem with booking refundable fare is how much more it costs to book refundable fare instead of non-refundable fare.

Similar to airfare, refundable comes at a significantly higher cost.

He went on to explain the change is related to how the price is advertised, "Before final payment you can only reprice if the lower fare is not marked new bookings only. Many promotions now say new bookings only so they don’t apply."

"Most sales that I’m seeing today are for new bookings only, so existing reservations usually can't be adjusted."

"If new sale is marked new bookings only we cannot reprice. If it’s the same promo code and your category qualifies, and you’re before final payment, you can reprice your reservation."

He also added, "After final payment date no repricing allowed but we can upgrade your stateroom." From my personal experience, I haven't seen that to be the case.

Royal Caribbean has not issued any sort of official guidance on a general policy change, as terms and conditions for individual promotions are always disclosed in the fine print.

How to reprice a cruise

Depending on a few conditions, you can re-price a cruise.  

You must be a resident of select countries (US, Canada and others).  For example, residents of the UK cannot reprice due to local laws.

Second, you must find a lower price for the exact same stateroom category code as you had booked. 

Lastly, you must be before the final payment date. If you spot the same promo code and your category qualifies, and you’re before final payment, you can reprice your reservation.

Unfortunately, a last-minute price drop after the final payment date does not qualify.

Finding a lower price is up to the guest, as the cruise line will not notify you of a price drop.

At that point, you have to call Royal Caribbean (or your travel agent if you booked with them) to ask for a reprice.

Use a travel agent to make it easier

My best advice for managing your reservation, including taking advantage of price drops, is to use a good travel agent instead of booking directly with the cruise line.

A good travel agent should cost you nothing extra (Royal Caribbean pays them a commission) and they take care of working with the cruise line to adjust the cruise fare.

Beci Mahnken is the owner of MEI Travel, and talked about repricing now, "Royal Caribbean’s new ‘bookings only’ policy for offers creates challenges for travelers who expect value throughout the life of their reservation. When existing guests can no longer benefit from a lower rate later in the booking cycle, it may shift when and how people choose to book."

"Travel advisors work hard to build trust and loyalty, and consistency in pricing protections is a key part of that experience. I sincerely hope they re-evaluate this trend for the sake of both guests and long-term loyalty."

The anonymous Royal Caribbean manager from the Reddit post admitted travel agents, "can add significant value through perks and personalized services."

"TAs often lock in rates months or even years in advance for a block of staterooms. These rates stay fixed even if Royal raises prices later."

"Group rates stay locked so when public rates spike, your TA rate looks much better."

Cruisers who don't have the proper documentation when traveling to their embarkation port may soon face a pesky $45 fee. 

Although cruise lines don't require U.S. citizens to have a valid passport on round-trip sailings from the States, travelers still need proper identification when flying to the port. 

The REAL ID requirement isn't new and went into effect on May 7, 2025. However, flyers without a REAL ID-compliant license must pay a hefty fee effective February 2026. 

The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) announced that it will begin charging unprepared travelers a fee to verify their identity at the airport. The original proposal had the fee at $18, but the final amount was increased to $45. 

The modernized alternative identity verification system, TSA Confirm.ID, is designed to streamline the process for travelers who arrive without acceptable identification. The process will differ from airport to airport. That said, the TSA is working to offer online payment options, so travelers can pay before arriving at the airport. 

The $45 transaction is good for a 10-day travel period, meaning that many cruisers embarking on a 7-night voyage would only have to pay it once. Still, it's an annoying added expense — and one that is easily avoidable. 

According to the TSA, acceptable identification includes a REAL ID-compliant driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), state-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), valid passport book or passport card, permanent resident card, foreign government-issued passport, Veteran Health Identification Card, and U.S. Department of Defense ID, among others. 

"Identity verification is essential to traveler safety, because it keeps terrorists, criminals, and illegal aliens out of the skies and other domestic transportation systems such as rail," said Senior Official Performing the Duties of Deputy Administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. 

"The vast majority of travelers present acceptable identification like REAL IDs and passports, but we must ensure everyone who flies is who they say they are...The security of the traveling public is our top priority, so we urge all travelers to get a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID as soon as possible to avoid delays and potentially miss flights."

Why you should not cruise without a passport

While your 3-night Bahamas cruise might not require a valid passport, now is the best time to go ahead and invest in one. Having a passport ensures you’re prepared for last-minute emergencies that could leave you stranded in a foreign port of call.

Moreover, you will not have to worry about getting a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, since a passport also serves as valid identification for domestic flights and will allow you to fly to your embarkation port with ease. 

Cruising without a passport means juggling extra paperwork, including a valid birth certificate, which can add extra stress to your vacation. 

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

Many cruises require a passport, too. For example, if you want to sail on a one-way voyage through Alaska's picturesque Inside Passage or embark on a dreamy Mediterranean cruise, you'll need a passport. 

If you already have a passport, check its expiration date. If, for example, your upcoming cruise returns to Florida on August 1, 2027, your passport's expiration date should be no earlier than February 1, 2028. 

This is because most destinations require passports to be valid for at least six months after your planned return date to account for unexpected delays and emergencies. 

According to the U.S. Department of State's website, the current routine processing time for passports is 4-6 weeks. However, you can pay an extra $60 for the expedited process, which takes 2-3 weeks. Note that passport processing times don't include shipping.

While sailing on the biggest cruise ship in the world, I tried out a food hack that really improved a favorite snack.

Star of the Seas has so many great restaurants that cost nothing extra, but adding flavor to enhance them is an idea I saw on Tiktok to try.

Two of the restaurants are great on their own: Surfside Bites and El Loco Fresh.  But what if you combined the two?

The idea is simple, but I was impressed how good the end result was after trying it.

Here's how it works and why you should give it a whirl.

Hot and spicy popcorn chicken

Surfside Bites is located within the family neighborhood of Star of the Seas. Frankly, too many people avoid Surfside because they don't have kids and they're missing out on some good eats.

The food hack is to take the basket of popcorn chicken and then top it off.

I went to Surfside, which is right in the middle of the neighborhood near the carousel. 

There are just a few items on the menu, but the idea is to quickly grab it and be on your way.

I ordered a basket of popcorn chicken as the start.  The popcorn chicken is pretty good on its own, but because it's aimed at kids, flavor is at a minimum.

What I mean is the food is good, but I like some kick to my popcorn chicken.  

I took the basket and headed up to deck 15 and stopped at El Loco Fresh. It's not a short distance, but because of how well the destination elevators work on Star of the Seas, it's probably only a few minutes to get there.

El Loco Fresh is another included restaurant that has Mexican food for a quick meal.

I walked past all the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas on the buffet and right to the salsa bar.

The food hack is to grab your favorite hot sauce.  Royal Caribbean provides a few different hot sauces of varying heat levels.

My favorite hot sauce is the Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce, but you can certainly pick whichever you like best.

Pour the hot sauce on the chicken as liberally as you prefer. 

Then grab the ends of the paper the chicken comes in, close it up, and shake it up so the hot sauce gets applied evenly.

I was skeptical how much different the chicken would be just from the hot sauce.

The result is hot popcorn chicken and I was impressed how much better it tasted. Adding more flavor really kicked it up a notch.

I then added to the spice level by adding jalapeño peppers from the toppings bar and it was the best bar snack I've had in a while!

You could go crazy and add the various toppings to make it your own hack.

The only downside to this hack is the distance between Surfside and El Loco Fresh. The elevators make it easier, but it's not quite as close as I would have liked.

Almost as good as the first food hack I tried on this ship

I was inspired to find a new food hack after running across my first one earlier this year.

While on the first sailings of Star of the Seas, I heard about an idea to combine two foods that sounded too good to be true.

In this case, it was at Basecamp and to start with the tater tots. Just like the popcorn chicken, they're served in a basket and fine on their own.

Basecamp is even closer to El Loco Fresh than Surfside.  There's just a short walk down a nearby staircase, so it's quite convenient.

Once at El Loco Fresh, top the tater tots with hot sauce, salsa, or anything else you like.

I was worried it might make the tots too soggy, but since I was eating it almost immediately, it wasn't a problem.  Plus the toppings made it taste so much better.

The key is to try to eat it while the tater tots are still warm.  Once they cool down, I don't think the tots aren't nearly as good.

Royal Caribbean is offering a sale on cruises in honor of Cyber Monday. 

Guests can save up to $1,000 off cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and more, as well as get free fares for 3rd and 4th passengers on select voyages. 

Cruises start at just $126 per person (before gratuities) and are available on sailings departing on or after December 2, 2025. 

Here's a look at Royal Caribbean's Cyber Monday sale highlights.

Up to $1,000 off in instant savings

Royal Caribbean's Cyber Monday sale is only valid on new bookings made on December 1, 2025. The instant savings vary based on stateroom category and sailing length:

5 nights or less

• Inside and Ocean View: $125 savings
• Balconies: $200 savings
• Suites: $400 savings

6 nights or longer

• Inside and Ocean View: $225 savings
• Balconies: $300 savings
• Suites: $1,000 savings

In addition to the instant savings, guests with confirmed bookings can take advantage of the Cruise Planner sale, which is seeing deep discounts on popular add-ons — up to 55% off. 

Sample cruise deals

The following cruises were priced as listed at the time of publication for three guests in an inside cabin:

• April 18-19, 2026: 1-night Southern Caribbean cruise on Serenade of the Seas, starting at $345
• January 13-16, 2026: 3-night Ensenada cruise on Navigator of the Seas, starting at $444
• January 26-31, 2026: 5-night Western Caribbean cruise on Enchantment of the Seas, starting at $734
• April 10-15, 2026: 5-night overnight Cabo cruise on Quantum of the Seas, starting at $1,045
• May 22-29, 2026: 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier cruise on Ovation of the Seas, starting at $2,456
• June 7-12, 2026: 5-night Hamburg & Bruges cruise on Liberty of the Seas, starting at $1,441
• September 27-October 4, 2026: 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Star of the Seas, starting at $3,326
• October 16-19, 2026: 3-night Perfect Day cruise on Jewel of the Seas, starting at $767
• May 7-14, 2027: 7-night Alaska Adventure on Anthem of the Seas, starting at $2,054
• September 19-25, 2027: 6-night Western Caribbean cruise on Icon of the Seas, starting at $2,315

Royal Caribbean's inside cabins are the cheapest. Moreover, many of the above rates are for guarantee staterooms, meaning that Royal Caribbean will assign your specific cabin before your cruise; you cannot choose the exact room. 

Additionally, the newer the ship, the higher the price tends to be, even when taking into account the ongoing Cyber Monday sale. Vessels like Icon, Star, and Utopia of the Seas offer the latest amenities, entertainment, and dining options, which warrant premium prices. 

How to make the most of Royal Caribbean's Cyber Monday sale

Travelers looking to maximize savings should prioritize looking at shorter cruises on older ships. Booking early also increases the chances of securing a better rate before sought-after itineraries and cabins sell out. 

That said, we're seeing some good pricing on last-minute cruises in December and January. Excluding holiday weeks, many sailings are experiencing lower demand. 

For example, a 4-night Perfect Day cruise on Liberty of the Seas starts at $358 for two people in an inside cabin. However, you would have to be flexible and be able to tie up loose ends by December 8, 2025. 

If you don't see a sailing you like, Cyber Monday is also a great time to book add-ons for upcoming cruises. Here's a glimpse at what my Cruise Planner is offering on drink and Wi-Fi packages, specialty meals, and more:

5-night Europe cruise on Liberty of the Seas in June 2026

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $58.99/night
• All-In Package: Drinks, Dining & WiFi: $99.99/night
• VOOM Internet Package: $17.99/night
• Unlimited Dining Package: $26.99/night

3-night Bahamas cruise on Utopia of the Seas in July 2026

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $53.99/night
• Deluxe Beverage Package (Full Cruise) + Royal Beach Club Open Bar Day Pass: $110.99/night
• VOOM Internet Package: $21.99/night
• Unlimited Dining Package: $38.99/night
• Hideaway Beach: $61.99/person
• Coco Beach Club Day Pass: $159.99/person

Maximize your Cyber Monday purchase

When booking cruises, don't forget to use a credit card that earns bonus points on travel purchases. It is an easy way to earn extra rewards that can help cover the cost of pre-cruise incidentals, including airfare and hotels!

Here are some travel credit cards that can help you maximize your cruise purchase:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: 2 points/$1 spent on travel
• Capital One® Venture X Card: 2 points/$1 on everyday spend, including travel
• American Express® Green Card: 3 points/$1 on travel

Cyber Monday is also a great time to look into other travel deals. 

For example, I've been eyeing flights from Charlotte to Orlando in July for a cruise on Utopia of the Seas. American Airlines (my preferred airline due to status and flight availability) wants around $440 per person, or around $880 for my partner and me. 

However, by taking advantage of the Atmos points sale, I bought enough points to cover our flights for just $375 when booking through Alaska Airlines, an AA partner.