Royal Caribbean Blog

The Port of Miami is the busiest cruise port in the world, with around 5 million passengers setting sail from the city each year. If you’re cruising from Miami, you’ll want to arrive in the city the night before your cruise begins and book a pre-cruise hotel stay.

Booking a hotel can be daunting, as it’s easy to be overwhelmed by hundreds of options. Plus, if you’re unfamiliar with Miami, you’ll want to make sure you pick a hotel in a nice location.

To make your hotel planning process easier, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best hotels in Miami. These hotels were recommended to us by Royal Caribbean Blog fans on our message boards or by personal experience our own cruises.

Here’s our list of the best Miami hotels near the cruise port.

Where to stay near the Port of Miami

We don’t recommend picking a hotel based solely on how close it is to the cruise port. You will take a taxi, Uber, or shuttle to the cruise port anyway, so whether the hotel is 2 miles or 5 miles away from the port is irrelevant.

Instead, pick a hotel based on what you’re interested in doing while in Miami. If you are looking forward to exploring South Beach, consider staying at a boutique hotel near the oceanfront. If your flight doesn’t land in Miami until 11PM, on the other hand, staying at a hotel near the airport is a better choice.

In addition, don’t select a hotel based on whether or not it offers shuttles from the hotel to the cruise port. Here’s why:

Let's say you’re traveling with a group of four people and a shuttle from your hotel to the cruise port is $10 per person. You will spend $40 total to reach the cruise terminal. A Lyft or Uber, on the other hand, may only cost around $10-15 dollars total from downtown Miami to the cruise terminal, as it is priced per ride instead of per person.

Keeping this in mind, our hotel recommendations are based in three areas of Miami: downtown, South Beach, and near the airport.

Best hotels in Downtown Miami

Downtown Miami is close to the cruise terminal yet still offers plenty of ways to kick off your cruise vacation. From walking the waterfront marinas to visiting museums, bars, and restaurants, it’s an exciting place to spend the night before your cruise.

Here are some of our top hotel recommendations in downtown Miami:

Intercontinental Miami

Average nightly price: $450

Address: 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131

The Intercontinental Miami is a 4-star waterfront hotel in downtown Miami, and is one of the most raved-about hotels by many cruisers. It is located just steps away from waterfront parks, bars, and restaurants in downtown Miami.

Related: Intercontinental Miami Hotel Review

There are 653 guest rooms available, which include 22 suites, and you can expect to pay around $450 plus tax for a standard hotel room at the Intercontinental Miami.

Hotel amenities include high-speed wifi, a rooftop pool, 24-hour fitness center, complimentary sauna, steam, drench shower, and relaxation room use, and a tech lounge. Breakfast is not included in the standard hotel fare.

Marriott Biscayne Bay

Average nightly price: $280-375

Address: 1633 N Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33132

Also located in downtown Miami is the Marriott Biscayne Bay, a 4-star waterfront hotel attached to a mall. The Marriott Biscayne Bay has both standard rooms and suites.

Amenities at the Marriott Biscayne Bay include free wifi, a fitness center, on-site restaurant, convenience store, gift shop, and room service. The hotel’s pool is currently closed for renovations as of December 2022.

DoubleTree Biscayne Bay

Average nightly price: $250-350

Address: 1717 N Bayshore Dr, Miami, FL 33132

Located adjacent to the Marriott Biscayne Bay and also attached to The Grand Retail Plaza Mall is the DoubleTree Biscayne Bay. The hotel has both standard guest rooms and suites.

The DoubleTree’s amenities include connecting rooms, an outdoor pool, spa, on-site restaurant, concierge service, and fitness center.

Kimpton Epic

Average nightly price: $400-600

Address: 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, FL 33131

The Kimpton Epic is a luxury boutique hotel in downtown Miami, and it’s a nice way to treat yourself before a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Amenities at the Kimpton Epic include a rare spirits bar, cigar lounge, Japanese restaurant, two pools, a spa, and a rooftop dining venue. Every room and suite has a private balcony providing views of Miami and/or the waterfront.

JW Marriott Miami

Average nightly price: $200-400

Address: 1109 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131

Not to be confused with the nearby JW Marriott Marquis, the JW Marriott Miami is a great high-end hotel our team has stayed at a few times. 

Located in the trendy Brickell neighborhood, it's close to the cruise port and has walkable restaurants and bars nearby. It's in a great location, close enough to the port, and I find the prices to usually be competitive with other downtown hotels.

The plush accommodations are perfect for anyone with discerning tastes, and it's about a 10 minute taxi ride to the port. Amenities include a pub-style bar and 2 restaurants, plus a heated outdoor pool, a spa and a fitness room. There’s also a business center and 18 meeting rooms.

Hampton Inn Brickell

Average nightly price: $250-450

Address: 50 SW 12th St, Miami, FL 33130

The Hampton Inn Brickell has standard rooms with either one king bed or two queen beds. The hotel also has King or Queen Studio Suites, and connecting rooms are also available.

A hot breakfast is included in the hotel’s amenities, which is always a nice benefit on the morning of embarkation day! Other amenities include an on-site restaurant, fitness center, business center, free wifi, and an outdoor pool.

Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Brickell

Average nightly price: $170-225

Address: 100 SE 4th St, Miami, FL 33131

With prices between $170 to $225 per night, the Comfort Inn & Suites in downtown Miami offers a nice value for an overnight stay before your cruise. Standard rooms and suites are available.

While not as luxurious as some of the other hotels on this list, the Comfort Inn & Suites provides a nice place to rest your head before boarding your cruise. Free breakfast is also offered at the Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown Brickell.

Best hotels in South Beach Miami

If you’re looking to experience the best of Miami’s party atmosphere, you’ll want to consider spending the night in South Beach. Famous for its beaches and nightlife, South Beach is certainly a fun place to spend time before your cruise begins.

Here are our top hotel recommendations in South Beach:

Gale South Beach

Average nightly price: $300-370

Address: 1690 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Located in the heart of South Beach, the Gale South Beach is an excellent place to spend the night in Miami. With a rooftop pool, on-site Italian restaurant, and stylish rooms, it makes for a relaxing place to escape the hustle and bustle of South Beach.

Reaching the cruise terminal from South Beach typically takes around 20 minutes.

Kasa El Paseo South Beach

Average nightly price: $200

Address: 405 Española Way, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Kasa El Paseo South Beach is a boutique hotel with influence from Spanish and Mediterranean design. It’s located in the historic district of Española Way and walking distance to shops, restaurants, and bars.

There’s no pool at the hotel, but the beach is a five minute walk away.

Kimpton Surfcomber

Average nightly price: $420 to $520

Address: 1717 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

Recently renovated, the Kimpton Surfcomber is a boutique hotel with Miami’s classic Art Deco design influence. This boutique hotel offers both standard guest rooms and suites, many of which come with views of South Beach’s waterfront.

Amenities include a pool with private cabanas, spa services, a fitness center, weekend yoga classes, backyard games, and a kids beach area with toys.

The Savoy Hotel & Beach Club

Average nightly price: $280 to $430

Address: 425 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33139

South Beach has no shortage of boutique hotels, and The Savoy Hotel & Beach Club is another fantastic place to spend a night in Miami. The Savoy is an oceanfront hotel with a large, sprawling pool space in the Art Deco strip of South Beach.

The hotel has two acres of private grounds with unobstructed views of the ocean. All rooms at The Savoy are suites, of which the hotel has 31.

Best hotels near the Miami Airport

If you’re flying to Miami and arriving late the night before your cruise departs, we recommend staying near the airport. You’ll likely be tired after a long flight and hotels near the airport tend to be more affordable than those downtown or in South Beach.

Luckily there are many hotel options near the airport. Here are our top recommendations:

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miami Airport East

Average nightly price: $165 to $280

Address: 2601 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33142

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Miami Airport East offers a comfortable place to stay before your cruise begins. With modern decor and both standard rooms and suites, it’s hard to go wrong with the Holiday Inn.

Breakfast is included in the nightly price. Additional amenities include a pool and fitness center.

Residence Inn by Marriott Miami Airport

Average nightly price: $300 to $430

Address: 1201 NW 42nd Ave, Miami, FL 33126

The Residence Inn Miami Airport is an all-suite hotel located just a seven minute drive from the airport. Studio, 1 Bedroom, and 2 Bedroom suites are available, so this hotel is a nice option for families.

Amenities at the Residence Inn include complimentary breakfast, airport shuttle service, pools, and a fitness center. 

Aloft Miami Airport

Average nightly price: $230 to $350

Address: 7220 NW 36th St, Miami, FL 33166

Aloft hotels are known for their modern design and social atmosphere, and the Aloft Miami Airport hotel is a great choice for spending the night near the airport before your cruise.

The Aloft Miami Airport does not have suites, but has guest rooms with either two queen beds or one king bed. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, bar, fitness center, outdoor pool, convenience store, meeting space, and other amenities.

More cruise planning tips & tricks:

• Better pre-cruise stay option: Airbnb vs hotel?
• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of this week's Royal Caribbean news.

Royal Caribbean teased a celebration for its customer loyalty program that will include new offerings.

Coinciding with Crown and Anchor's 25th anniversary, guests can expect events to take place throughout 2023.

The celebrations will kick off by unveiling new, fresh and redesigned program gifts, along with onboard amenities, to recognize members’ loyalty to Royal Caribbean. 

Pros and Cons of sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship

When you sail on an older cruise ship, there are some tradeoff's and benefits.

Older ships don’t offer nearly as much to do as ships but that doesn’t mean you should avoid old cruise ships.

In fact, many cruisers find that older ships offer a more relaxed cruise experience at a lower cost than new ships. Plus, older ships visit some of the most unique destinations offered by Royal Caribbean.

I sailed with a first-time cruiser to see what she thought about a Royal Caribbean cruise

Once you start cruising a lot, it's easy to forget what it was like when you were a new cruiser.

Jenna took a friend on Liberty of the Seas, which was her first cruise ever.

They shared the good and the bad—about her first Royal Caribbean cruise.

More Royal Caribbean information

• Tips for cruising as an adult with your parents
• Best way to see Alaska: Land or cruise?
• Where do cruises go from New York?

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 480th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available with an exclusive interview with Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty

Mr. Liberty shares where he sees things right now, and what the short term future holds for the cruise line!

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

New RCB Video: I spent $250 to upgrade my cruise cabin: worth it or waste of money?

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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 — How to choose the right Alaska cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Looking around a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, you’ll undoubtedly see many families enjoying their vacation together.

Cruises are an excellent vacation choice to suit many different travel styles; in fact, it’s not uncommon to see multiple generations traveling together on a cruise ship for this reason.

I grew up as a cruise kid, taking to the high seas with my parents and sister year after year for family cruises. Even into high school and through college, our family of four made it a priority to continue taking cruises and traveling together. 

Being married and living thousands of miles away from home now (my parents in South Dakota and I in Florida), continuing to cruise allows us to have quality time together as a family. My husband is a military pilot and, unfortunately, his demanding work and deployment schedule hasn’t aligned recently with our family cruises.

Now, as I near my 30s in the coming years, I still prioritize cruising with my 62-year-old parents - but it’s a totally different dynamic than it used to be.

We have yet to take a family cruise in my adulthood that hasn’t had its fair share of tiffs, head-butting and even a few tears. Honestly, it seems like the bigger the trip, the more opportunities for drama to arise. 

All this to say, I wouldn’t change it for the world - we love our family unconditionally even when they drive us nuts, right?

In October, I set sail on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas for a 12-night Holy Land cruise to Israel. This sailing was a bucket-list itinerary for my dad, as he’s dreamed of visiting the religious sites in Israel for the last decade. With the pandemic pushing back our plans, we finally made the trip happen!

My husband was booked originally to join, but (as anyone with a family member in the military knows) those plans had to change with his training schedule. 

It would be just the four of us with my sister and I sharing a cabin and our family of four finding a new groove while navigating this port-intensive, culturally immersive cruise. 

Here are my best tips for other adults looking to survive a cruise with your parents. 

Pack your patience

My best tip for cruising with your parents is to pack your patience - and a lot of it!

With each family cruise we take, I have to remind myself there’s always an adjustment period when the four of us are spending that much time together. Without my husband there to create a natural separation in the family between the two of us and the three of them, the four of us have to get used to each other again.

Traveling and cruising meshes everyone together quickly, but that’s not without a learning curve to adjust to a new dynamic. 

For our family, this means my dad’s always in a hurry and my mom is a notorious worry-wart. I’m the bossy, outspoken older sibling while my sister can be oblivious at times about the plan. I know these things about our family and I have to remind myself to be patient and accept everyone’s quirks. 

My patience was immediately tested as my sister and I flew to Rome from Paris to meet up with our parents prior to the cruise. As we tried to find a meeting point, mom and dad were in a tizzy trying to figure out which terminal they landed in and where their shuttle was picking them up. 

“Here we go” my sister and I laughed to one another as we heard them frantic on the phone, attempting to read signs in Italian about where they were. 

Packing your patience also involves allocating more time than you think for travel and cruising logistics. 

For instance, my dad prefers to get to the airport or train station way before we need to (I’m talking like 3 hours before departure). While I certainly don’t need that much time to catch a flight or train, I would rather be patient and wait additional time at the airport than create unnecessary stress for my parents. 

Similarly, cruising has continued to utilize technology to improve the onboarding experience; however, this requires most passengers to be familiar with their phones and the Royal Caribbean app.

While my parents are pretty tech savvy, be prepared to help with technology to ensure they can keep up. 

Go at you parents’ pace

When you’re an adult cruising with your parents, it’s best to take everything at their pace. Remember, it’s easier for you to slow down than it is for your parents to speed up.

It’s not always easy to come to terms with our parents getting older and seeing their capabilities change over the years. While my parents are still relatively young and healthy in their early 60s, my sister and I try not to push them too much.

We would rather go a bit slower so we can all enjoy our time together than pressure our parents to do more than they are comfortable with.  

For example, while my sister and I loved the convenience of riding electric scooters around Paris before we boarded the cruise, we knew our parents would simply not be able to ride these scooters - nor did we want them to for safety reasons!

Instead, we would take point to order Ubers or taxis for the four of us so our parents didn’t have to navigate these apps or attempt to hail a cab in a foreign country.   

Similarly, we picked excursions and activities that could accommodate our parents with what they were comfortable doing. Pushing them to keep up with us could be a point of contention.

Take time for yourself

There’s nothing wrong with taking some time to yourself when cruising with your parents. Having time to yourself is a great way to ensure you are properly getting your rest and it also ensures you don’t get burnt out.

Personally, I prefer to go to bed earlier than my parents do these days - how the tables have turned!

Instead of forcing myself to stay up late and attend every show, trivia and gameshow in the evenings, I don’t have a problem excusing myself for the night. This alone time is something I enjoy having to myself when traveling with my parents. 

Sometimes I use this quiet time to catch up on remote work, blog for Royal Caribbean Blog or FaceTime my husband. 

Having this time to yourself isn’t selfish - remember, it’s your vacation too. You are getting plenty of quality time together, so you don’t need to spend every waking moment with one another. 

I’ve even had times on an excursion or tour where I didn’t feel like waiting around for my parents while they were slowly meandering or shopping; it’s okay to walk away once in a while to have a moment to yourself and separate from the group.

Plan ahead strategically

Making appropriate plans that everyone in your family can enjoy is another great tip for cruising with your parents. 

While my husband and I might prefer doing independent exploration in port rather than excursions, this doesn’t always work best with my parents. 

On our 12-night Holy Land cruise, we booked 3 full day excursions in Israel and a full-day tour in Santorini. I made sure that none of the excursions required too much walking or hiking on uneven surfaces, as I didn’t want my parents to overdue anything. 

Santorini can be a logistically challenging port because you are not only required to tender from the cruise ship, you are required to take a cable car, donkey or long walk down a lot of stairs. The cable car can get very congested during busy days, which can compound an already stressful situation. 

However, if you book the right excursion that involves coach busses, you can avoid this predicament.

Although my husband and I didn’t have any issue a few years ago doing the stairs at the tender port, I knew this would be very stressful for my parents to deal with the donkey or cable car.

For this reason, I purposefully chose an excursion that utilized coach busses to ensure we weren’t put in this potential situation. 

Planning ahead to ensure everyone is comfortable with the excursions and tours is key for successfully cruising with your parents. Read the warnings carefully and make sure your parents are okay with the tour requirements. 

Set realistic expectations

You know your parents just about as good as anyone, so set realistic expectations with yourself before heading out on your cruise. 

My parents are notoriously bubbly, Midwestern-friendly and very talkative. They can be loud - and we all know it. This can certainly draw attention to our family when cruising, even though they are just being themselves. But, I mentally prepare for this and accept that it's going to happen when we cruise together. 

After traveling a lot on my own or with my husband these days, these are things that I notice more when I am back together with my family. You only ever know your own immediate family growing up, so you are used to whatever that dynamic is. 

These days, my husband and I naturally have our own family dynamic, which can add to the adjusting time when I am cruising with my parents. 

But, this means we always have a lot of fun together laughing, talking and catching up when I cruise with my parents. It might also mean that I have to eat dinner at 5:00pm, though! 

Go with the flow

When I cruise with my parents, I have to remind myself to go with the flow often. 

Sometimes my parents have different interests than I do these days, which is totally fine! It’s tough to please everyone, but this means there will be compromise on how you spend your time both onboard and in port.

While my husband and I might enjoy trying out small coffee shops, eating local cuisine and sipping on a seaside cocktail, my parents aren’t necessarily interested in doing that. They will appease me once in a while, but our cruising styles are a little different. 

I remind myself that if I wanted to do exactly what I’d like to do on a cruise, then I would have simply taken a cruise without my parents. We are there to experience these moments together and that quality time is most important.

Sometimes that means going with the flow if everyone in your family is able to agree on what to do, where to go, etc. 

Also, don't forget that your parents are also adjusting to traveling with you in the same way you are adjusting to cruising with them. When I told my family about this article, my mom joked about wanting to share what their experience is like cruising with adult children!

Enjoy the moments

Time together is precious, especially as you get older. Moving to Florida because of my husband’s military service means that I don’t get to see my parents very often. 

While traveling and cruising with your parents as an adult can come with its challenges, it’s also an incredible opportunity to make new family memories together. It’s hard for me to turn down that quality time with my parents while they are relatively young, healthy and still able to travel. 

Although we can have our inevitable scuffs when traveling, I wouldn’t trade the special moments and experiences we’ve had together for the world. 

I love that my family still enjoys cruising together, even as my sister and I have become grown-adults. 

Seeing my mom with tears in her eyes as my dad stepped into the Jordan River in Israel - something he’s always wanted to do - makes everything worthwhile. 

Quality time with your parents is priceless, and I will continue to prioritize cruising with my family as long as I am able. 

Royal Caribbean has big plans for its loyalty program in 2023, according to the cruise line’s loyalty director. 

Courtney Brant, who serves as Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society Director, announced recently that Crown and Anchor Society members can look forward to upcoming commemorations and festivities to celebrate the loyalty program’s 25th anniversary. 

These events are planned to take place throughout 2023 as year-long celebrations. 

In the note to Crown and Anchor Society members, Brant specifically mentions that the celebrations will kick off on an exciting note by unveiling new, fresh and redesigned program gifts, along with onboard amenities, to recognize members’ loyalty to Royal Caribbean. 

However, Brant does not specify what these onboard amenities will be or how the program gifts will be revamped in the coming year. 

This could be hinting at the gifts award to Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members, which receive personalized gifts and amenities as part of the loyalty program; however, this is simply speculation. 

According to Brant, the festivities with also kick off with Royal Caribbean’s first-ever Coffee Talk, which is described as a virtual webinar that will be hosted quarterly by the loyalty team. Brant shares that these virtual webinars will also feature special guest appearances from company leaders throughout next year.  

Invitations to join the company’s Coffee Talk virtual webinar will be sent in January, so Brant encourages Crown and Anchor members to keep a lookout for these in the coming weeks. 

Brant also teases more celebrations planned to commemorate the program’s tenure, noting these are just a few of the surprises coming in the new year.

Brant joined Royal Caribbean in May 2022 as the Director of Crown and Anchor Society in a role that gives frequent cruisers a singular point of reference for loyalty communication from the cruise line. 

As an advocate for Royal Caribbean’s valued Crown and Anchor members, Brant expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the memories created among Royal Caribbean’s valued and loyal members within her first year as director of the program. 

Brant also notes how moving it’s been for her to witness the relationships built with one another and even Royal Caribbean’s employees. 

Crown and Anchor Society Overview

Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program, Crown and Anchor Society, is free for anyone to join. Members of the Crown and Anchor society are rewarded and recognized for sailing with Royal Caribbean.

Each night you cruise with Royal Caribbean, you earn one point towards your loyalty status. Those cruising in a suite will earn double points during their sailing.

Members of the Crown and Anchor Society can start to earn points towards loyalty status after just one cruise. When you enroll as a member, you can enjoy exclusive benefits for each cruise you take with Royal Caribbean. 

Some of the most lucrative benefits include priority check-in, onboard discounts, and complimentary drinks each day of their cruise. The higher the tier, the more rewards you’ll receive. 

Members of higher tiers have access to dedicated venues, private cocktail parties and exclusive events when sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

The highest tier of loyalty, Pinnacle Club, even includes a free 7-night cruise. It certainly pays to be "loyal to royal"!

Covid-19’s Impact

The last two years has seen big changes for the Crown and Anchor Society, most of which were driven by the pandemic. Certain amenities and events had to be paused due to restrictions onboard. 

However, some of the changes were seen as welcomed and improved changes, such as the addition of daily drink vouchers. Rather than serving a nightly happy hour with beer, wine and basic cocktails, the daily vouchers (up to $14 each) can be used at anywhere on the ship throughout the day.

These daily drink vouchers are available for Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members of the Crown and Anchor Society, which is certainly one of the most lucrative benefits. 

While Royal Caribbean has over 20 cruise ships, they vary greatly in size, amenities, and activities. Everything from ice skating to waterslides can be found on the newest ships in the fleet, but older ships offer a much more traditional cruise experience.

If you’re interested in cruising on an older (~20+ year old) Royal Caribbean ship, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of sailing on smaller, older ships before booking. If you cruise on a Vision Class ship expecting the latest and greatest features, dining choices, and decor, you’ll likely end up disappointed.

Older ships don’t offer nearly as much to do as ships like Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid old cruise ships.

In fact, many cruisers find that older ships offer a more relaxed cruise experience at a lower cost than new ships. Plus, older ships visit some of the most unique destinations offered by Royal Caribbean.

Let’s weigh the pros and cons of cruising on an older ship to help you decide which ship to book for your next cruise.

Pros of cruising on older ships

Lower cost

One of the biggest perks of sailing on an older ship are the lower cruise fares available. You can find fantastic cruise deals on older ships, especially if you’re flexible with what time of the year you sail.

Related: How much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

It’s not uncommon to see prices of smaller ships for half the price of a new ship on the same itinerary. When saving money on cruise fare, you can more easily budget extra for add-ons like drink packages, shore excursions, dining packages, spa treatments, etc.

Suites are cheaper

One further benefit of cheaper cruise fares on older ships is that suites also tend to be priced lower.

You can often find deals on higher-category suites on smaller ships for the same price as a balcony or Junior Suite on the newest cruise ships.

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

While suites don’t come with as many upgraded perks, such as the Royal Suite Class, on older ships, they can still offer a luxury cruising experience.

Intimate atmosphere

Smaller Royal Caribbean ships offer a more intimate atmosphere than the fleet’s largest vessels. Having only 2-3,000 passengers onboard creates a more familiar experience throughout the ship. You’ll often find that crew members and passengers connect more with each other on older ships.

With fewer passengers, you’re more likely to run into your favorite crew members and passengers several times throughout the sailing. This often leads to new conversations and friendships by the end of the sailing.

While you can certainly meet new people and connect with crew members on larger ships, it tends to be easier on the smaller Royal Caribbean ships.

Exotic itineraries

Royal Caribbean deploys its older, smaller ships to some of the most unique destinations visited by the cruise line. You’ll find itineraries on older ships visiting destinations such as Iceland, the Panama Canal, Croatia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Costa Rica.

Related: 15 countries you didn’t know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

Newer cruise ships tend to offer itineraries to the same destinations. If you only cruise on Oasis Class ships from Florida, for example, you’ll visit ports like Cozumel, St. Maarten, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, and Roatan over and over again.

More relaxed feel

While all Royal Caribbean ships can offer a relaxing vacation experience, you’ll often find the atmosphere on an older ship to be much more tranquil.

On the newest and biggest cruise ships, there’s often pressure to try everything you can on the ship. Whether waterslides, surfing simulators, ice-skating, escape rooms, or bumper cars, it’s easy to spend a cruise rushing from activity to activity.

That’s not to say older ships don’t offer activities onboard, however. You’ll find rock climbing walls on even the smallest Royal Caribbean ships and on Radiance Class ships you’ll even find an indoor movie theater!

Activities like trivia, live music, game shows, pool competitions, mini golf, and other onboard programming is also available on older ships.

Ocean views

Royal Caribbean’s older ships were built with many venues facing outward instead of inward, meaning you’ll find sprawling ocean views from almost everywhere onboard.

From floor-to-ceiling windows in specialty restaurants to the publicly-accessible helicopter pad on Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy an ocean view on older ships.

Cons of cruising on older ships

Fewer balconies

While cruise ships today are built with several decks of balcony cabins, this was not the case in the past. Older cruise ships, such as Vision and Radiance Class ships, have far fewer balconies available than newer ships.

Related: Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean

Having fewer balconies means these cabins can fill up quickly and you might pay a premium for a balcony room. While balcony rooms might be priced only slightly higher than interior and ocean view rooms on new ships, there’s often a bigger gap between the price of these categories on older ships.

Fewer dining choices

All Royal Caribbean cruise ships provide several dining options, but you’ll find far fewer dining choices on older and smaller cruise ships.

You’ll find the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, and a few grab and go food options on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship. Additional dining venues can vary greatly, though, and you won't find the cruise line's newest dining venues on older ships. If you're looking to try venues like Playmakers Sports Bar or The Mason Jar, for example, you'll have to cruise on a newer ship.

Because there are fewer dining options on older ships, you’ll find yourself dining in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer more often than you might on a newer ship.

Might be more movement

It’s possible you’ll feel more movement on an older ship compared to a newer, larger cruise ship. While it won’t feel like you’re on a small sailboat, feeling motion is not unheard of when cruising on small ships.

That being said, it’s possible to feel seasick on even the largest cruise ships in the world. Therefore, it’s not entirely possible to plan whether or not you’ll feel movement on one ship over another.

Related: How to prevent seasickness on a cruise

Outdated cabins

You’ll find the cabins on older ships much more outdated compared to new ships. One of the major differences is stateroom technology. Older cabins were built before the age of cell phones, so you’ll find very few outlets in your cabin.

Likewise, decor and furnishings will be outdated on older ships. While the wall art of your stateroom shouldn’t necessarily affect choosing one cruise ship over another, you shouldn’t expect the most modern amenities in a 20+ year old cruise cabin.

Fewer activities for kids

Every Royal Caribbean cruise can offer a wonderful vacation for families, but it’s crucial to realize that older ships won’t have as many family activities as newer ships.

Royal Caribbean’s TV commercials may feature activities like zip lining, virtual reality simulations, and waterslides, but it’s important to realize that not all ships offer these activities. Before wowing your kids with videos of the FlowRider and bumper cars, double check to see which activities are offered on the cruise ship you’ve booked.

Related: 50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets

Royal Caribbean’s smallest ships will still offer Adventure Ocean, a rock climbing wall, and family-friendly programming, but other signature activities can vary greatly by ship.

Limited entertainment

If attending record-breaking, unique entertainment productions is important to you on a cruise, you might want to reconsider cruising on an older ship.

Older ships typically only have shows in the theater whereas newer ships have far more venues, from an ice skating rink to the AquaTheater.

Most of the shows on older ships feature singing and dancing without much of a storyline, and the shows have likely not been updated for a long time. Because of this, some of the entertainment may be considered outdated.

While the performers are still talented no matter which Royal Caribbean ship they perform on, there’s no doubt that newer ships offer more updated, diverse entertainment than smaller ships.

Considering a cruise on an older ship? Check out more of our tips & tricks:

• Things you’ll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship
• 12 differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• I’ve been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here’s what I like about each
• 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship

Visiting Alaska is an aspiration for many travelers, and you’ll want to plan the Alaska vacation that suits your travel style best. Most visitors to Alaska travel via cruise ship or through a land-based vacation, but what is the best way to see the state?

Regardless of how you travel Alaska, you’re sure to be impressed by the state’s wildlife, history, food, and terrain. However, each travel style comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Although you can enjoy an all-inclusive vacation on a cruise to Alaska, you’ll miss out on some of the state’s most popular attractions. And while you can visit Alaska without a cruise on a land tour, you may find the logistics of navigating on your own too complicated.

Let’s dive in and discover why you should cruise to Alaska and why you might want to consider a land-based trip to the Last Frontier.

Why cruise to Alaska

Alaska cruises are popular for a reason: they travel through some of the most gorgeous landscapes in North America and allow passengers to experience several diverse areas of the state in one week.

Whether discovering Gold Rush history in Skagway, whale watching in Icy Strait Point, or glacier-hopping near Juneau, an Alaska cruise is certainly an experience you’ll never forget.

Royal Caribbean cruises to Alaska visit the Inside Passage, a 500 mile stretch of fjords, islands, and small towns in the southeast region of the state. Many towns along the Inside Passage are only accessible by sea or plane, making a cruise the perfect way to travel from place to place.

An Alaska cruise is a fantastic way for families to travel around the state. Cruises are designed to cater to a wide range of age demographics and interests. You’ll find both kid-friendly activities like surfing simulators and kids clubs and adult-focused programming like theater shows and live music on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska.

Plus, a cruise offers a more all-inclusive experience compared to traveling independently to Alaska. While onboard, you won’t have to worry about the cost of food, entertainment, transportation, or hotels. Everything you need is included in your cruise fare, so you won’t be surprised with unexpected costs along the way.

Related: What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

One con of traveling to Alaska on a cruise is the limited time you’ll have in each cruise port. However, since many ports are quite small, you may find that you have more than enough time to explore the destination’s main attractions. If you’re looking for the most in-depth way to explore Alaska, though, you may want to consider a land tour.

Why book a land tour to Alaska

If you look at a map of Alaska and find the Inside Passage, you’ll realize that you’ve barely scratched the surface of the state on a cruise itinerary. Alaska is a whopping 665,400 square miles, and the Inside Passage is only a tiny portion of the state.

Therefore, it’s understandable that many people are torn between cruising to Alaska versus visiting the state on a land-based vacation. And while we love cruising here at Royal Caribbean Blog, there’s no doubt that a land tour to Alaska comes with its own set of benefits.

Related: How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary

Visiting Alaska on a land tour brings you closer to the state’s nature, as you can travel further into Alaska’s interior. Denali National Park and Preserve, for example, is one of the most popular places to visit in the state.

The national park is the second largest in the United States and is one of the best places to see Alaska’s Big Five: bears, wolves, moose, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. You’ll also have the opportunity to spot the peak of Denali, the tallest mountain in North America.

Related: What is the best time of year to see wildlife in Alaska?

Traveling Alaska on a land-based vacation means you can travel at your own pace. You won’t have to worry about limited time in port or sticking to a rigid schedule. It also gives you more flexibility with how you’d like to travel, whether you prefer touring with an organized group or renting an RV to drive around the state yourself.

One con of traveling to Alaska on a land-based trip are the logistics required to travel through the Inside Passage. For those with limited time, being constrained to the Alaska Marine Highway's ferry schedules can be frustrating, and the onboard accommodations won’t be as comfortable as on a cruise ship.

The solution: do both!

Truthfully, there’s no “better” way to see Alaska. Both cruises and land-based vacations each come with their own pros and cons, and it can be difficult to choose the best option for your Alaska trip.

Luckily, you don’t necessarily have to choose one or the other. Why not do both?

You can combine a cruise with a land trip to Alaska by booking one of Royal Caribbean’s one-way cruise itineraries. A Royal Caribbean ship sails one-way Alaska cruise itineraries each summer season. These cruises begin in Vancouver, British Columbia and end in Seward, Alaska and vice versa.

Related: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska

One-way Alaska cruises are 7-nights and visit 4-5 destinations in Alaska’s Inside Passage before (or following) a crossing through the Gulf of Alaska to Seward. A one-way cruise means you can visit Alaska’s top inland destinations and Inside Passage cruise ports.

There are a few ways to combine a cruise with a land tour of Alaska. Many passengers opt to book the land portion of their Alaska trip through Royal Caribbean as part of their overall cruise fare. 2-6 night tours are offered through Alaska’s interior, visiting destinations such as Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, and Seward.

Alternatively, you can choose to sightsee on your own in Alaska before or after your cruise. Renting a car, campervan, or RV is common for many travelers, or you can travel via the Alaska Railroad. Several tours are offered to Denali National Park and Preserve from Anchorage as well if you’d prefer an organized option without booking through Royal Caribbean.

More Alaska tips & tricks:

• How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise
• When should I book my Alaska shore excursion?
• What is the cheapest month for an Alaska cruise?
• Best things to do on an Alaska cruise
• What is the best time of year to see wildlife in Alaska?

Royal Caribbean cruises from New York sail to a diverse array of destinations, from picturesque towns in Quebec to the lush, tropical landscapes of the Southern Caribbean.

Cruises from New York sail year round and are a convenient option for those living in the northeast. A variety of Royal Caribbean’s ships sail from the port each year, from smaller Vision and Radiance Class ships to modern Quantum and Oasis Class ships.

One important note is that Royal Caribbean’s “New York City” cruise port is not actually in New York. The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is located in Bayonne, New Jersey just minutes from Newark International Airport.

Related: Guide to cruises from New York

Let’s dive in to uncover where cruises go from New York to help you plan your next cruise from Cape Liberty.

Canada & New England

During the summer and fall, you’ll find cruises to Canada and New England departing from Cape Liberty. While not the tropical paradise you’ll find further south, cruising to Canada and New England brings charming towns, intriguing history, and mouthwatering cuisine to discover.

The shortest cruises you’ll find to Canada and New England from Cape Liberty are 4 and 5-night itineraries. 4-night cruises visit Halifax, Nova Scotia whereas the 5-night itineraries visit both Halifax and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Booking a 9-night itinerary to Canada and New England gives you the chance to visit additional ports in the northeast, including Boston, Portland (Maine), Bar Harbor, Halifax, and Saint John.

The northeast of the United States and Canada is famous for its fall foliage, and you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to sail on a fall foliage cruise departing from Cape Liberty.

These 10 and 11-night sailings visit a variety of ports in the US and Canada, which vary based on itinerary:

• Bar Harbor, Maine
• Portland, Maine
• Saint John, New Brunswick
• Sydney, Nova Scotia,
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
• Saguenay, Quebec
• Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Fall foliage cruises are one-way itineraries and sail from Cape Liberty to Quebec City (and vice versa).

Bermuda

Many people are surprised to find out that Bermuda is located over 900 miles north of the Caribbean. Despite the island’s abundance of white sand beaches and turquoise blue water, Bermuda is located closer to North Carolina than it is to the Bahamas.

Because of this, Bermuda is a common stop on cruise itineraries from the northeast in the summer months. You’ll find 4 and 5-night cruises from Cape Liberty to Bermuda. 4-night cruises visit the island for just one day whereas the 5-night itineraries include an overnight stay in Bermuda.

Related: Why you should take a cruise to Bermuda

Caribbean

Traveling to the Caribbean from New York isn’t as convenient as from Florida, but you’ll still find regularly scheduled Caribbean cruises departing from Cape Liberty.

Due to the distance between the northeast and Caribbean, you won’t find Caribbean cruises from Cape Liberty shorter than 6 nights, with most between 7 and 9 nights.

Bahamas

Bahamas cruises from Cape Liberty are typically 7-night itineraries and visit Port Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau. Occasionally you will also find 8-night itineraries with either an extra sea day or a port day in Miami.

Eastern Caribbean & Bermuda

Although the Bahamas offers a relaxing tropical getaway, traveling further into the Caribbean can bring more exotic ports and even warmer temperatures.

9-night Eastern Caribbean itineraries are offered from Cape Liberty which have four ports and four sea days. Ports may include Bermuda, Labadee, La Romana, Puerto Plata, Nassau, Port Canaveral, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Southern Caribbean

While not offered as frequently as Bahamas cruises, you’ll occasionally find Southern Caribbean cruises from Cape Liberty. Travel time to the Southern Caribbean from the northeast can take some time, and you’ll find five sea days and five port days on these itineraries.

Depending on the itinerary, ports may include Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Antigua.

Related: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

Repositioning cruises

If you’re looking for a longer cruise itinerary from New York, consider a repositioning cruise. Repositioning cruises occur when a cruise ship is moved from one port to another, such as when ships move to Europe for the summer season.

In late spring each year, you’ll find transatlantic cruises from New York. These cruises embark in Cape Liberty and stop in the Azores, Madeira, France, Spain, and/or Italy before reaching their new homeport in Europe.

Transatlantic cruises from Cape Liberty are between 11 and 15 nights and you should expect many sea days en route to Europe.

In addition to transatlantic itineraries, you can occasionally find repositioning cruises to other North American ports from New York as ships move their homeport from Cape Liberty to ports in Florida or San Juan.

Looking for more information on Royal Caribbean’s destinations? Start here:

• 15 countries you didn’t know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean
• The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler
• 10 Royal Caribbean cruise destinations not to be missed
• Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide
• 30 best European cruise tips

Once you start cruising frequently, it’s easy to forget how it feels to go on a cruise for the very first time. From formal dinners in the Main Dining Room to the spectacular shows you see onboard, your first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise brings memories you’ll cherish for a long time.

One of my favorite parts of working for Royal Caribbean Blog is cruising with friends and family, most of whom are first-time cruisers. Hearing their thoughts about the cruise experience is always interesting, whether it’s the surprise at realizing they can order unlimited items off the menu or their reaction to the World’s Sexiest Man Competition on the pool deck.

I recently took my cousin Keli on a cruise on Liberty of the Seas, and I sat down with her to see what she thought—the good and the bad—about her first Royal Caribbean cruise.

Staff

First-time cruisers are often impressed with the level of service on a Royal Caribbean cruise, especially if they’ve never experienced an all-inclusive style of vacation before.

“As far as customer service goes," Keli mentioned, "it was far better than anything you get on land. Everyone was so happy. After learning they live on a ship for a long time, to keep up that energy and cheerfulness is amazing!”

Her favorite staff members, though, were the “Washy Washy” workers in the Windjammer Cafe. As you enter the buffet, these crew members encourage all guests to wash their hands through song, dance, and cheers.

“God, those ladies! They’re the best thing ever. Far better than any experience on land.”

Food

Food is synonymous with a Royal Caribbean cruise, and I was interested to see how Keli felt about the variety of food available onboard.

Right off the bat, she exclaimed that “I was literally never hungry.” This could not be more true, as we indulged in a variety of cuisines in the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, and Chops Grille during our sailing.

Breakfast was Keli’s favorite, and when asked about her favorite dish onboard, she immediately answered with “French toast, for sure!” I certainly agree with Keli, and you’ll never find me skipping breakfast on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

As far as options, Keli appreciated how a buffet provides a way to try foods you wouldn’t normally try, and that there were a lot more dinner options than she initially thought.

I think this is a huge benefit of the cruise experience, and I’ve definitely expanded my palette on a cruise far more than I ever would on land. Being able to try new dishes without worrying that I'll have to pay for something I don't like enhances the dining experience on any cruise.

Time in port

Our first surprise on our cruise was a last-minute itinerary change. As we entered the cruise terminal, we received a paper detailing a schedule change due to a storm. Instead of the Bahamas itinerary we originally planned for, we would be setting course to the Dominican Republic.

As a first-time cruiser, Keli had no idea an itinerary could change. “That was super surprising,” she mentioned. “I didn’t know that they could just send you somewhere different.”

Luckily we took our itinerary change in stride and we were beyond excited for our day in the Dominican Republic.

Puerto Plata’s cruise port is brand new, and the facilities within the port itself can keep visitors occupied for a full day. From a large pool to several bars and restaurants, I was impressed with the space, but was interested to hear what Keli had to say about this port.

“The port itself was gorgeous. If I couldn’t speak Spanish (which I can’t), leaving the port by myself would have been a little intimidating. Even if I didn’t feel comfortable doing that, staying at the port would have been gorgeous. The free pool was amazing and they had all those really cool bars. I would have been satisfied just staying at the port all day.”

Related: 7 things I did right (and 3 mistakes) on my recent cruise ship port day

This was Keli’s first time out of the United States. I’ve always thought cruises are a nice, stress-free vacation for those new to international travel, and Keli’s comments reinforced this opinion.

She mentioned how choosing a cruise for her first international trip was great due to the structure of the vacation.

“It’s a little less intimidating than going off by yourself. When you go to the port, you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want in the country. It’s not like they drop you off at the curb and say ‘See ya!’. You can go galavant by yourself or stay in the port.”

Do cruises spend enough time at each port?

A common concern of new cruisers is that they won’t have a lot of time to spend in port. To make the most of our few hours in the Dominican Republic, we hired a private taxi driver for the day. I asked Keli her thoughts on the time we had in Puerto Plata.

“I felt like we had a good amount of time. We went and saw a lot of the local stuff but then were still able to spend time at the port. Without the guide, I think we would have spent a lot more time finding our way around, so I think that was really helpful. Since we were able to get a local guide, we were able to come back and relax before we got back on the ship.”

Cabin

I decided to upgrade our cabin at the last minute from an interior to a spacious ocean view balcony room. Not only would this provide more room in our cabin, but it would be a nice way to kick off Keli’s first cruise.

Related: I spent $250 to upgrade my cruise ship cabin: Was it worth it?

“The cabin was bigger than I expected because we upgraded our stateroom. I was a little concerned about being in an interior room, so I’m glad we had the window. I think the window was really beneficial. In the future, I would definitely book one with a window or I would love to have one with a balcony. A balcony would be amazing!”

If there’s anything I’ve learned about cruising with first-timers, it’s that they’re often worried about feeling seasick. When I initially upgraded our stateroom, I realized our cabin was far aft and was nervous we would feel too much movement in the room.

Keli, too, was nervous, but she mentioned how “The dramamine worked well. I was surprised I enjoyed the ship rocking at night when I was going to sleep!”.

If you’re traveling with first-time cruisers, be sure to pack motion-sickness remedies in case anyone in your travel party is nervous about feeling too much movement.

Overall experience

I asked Keli if there’s anything she would change about her first cruise. Other than wishing she knew Spanish for our time in the Dominican Republic, she mentioned how she would have researched more had she not been cruising with me.

“Because I was going with you, I didn’t research anything! However if I was going to go by myself I would research the itinerary better.”

Researching your cruise ship, itinerary, and what’s offered onboard is definitely a helpful tip for any first-time cruisers. Knowing the ins and outs of what to expect both onboard and in port can ensure you don’t run into any surprises along the way.

Related: What to expect on your first cruise

Finally, I was curious about Keli’s favorite aspects of her cruise on Royal Caribbean. 

“My favorite thing was being on the tour with Ramon (our private taxi driver) in Puerto Plata. That was the best! My favorite thing on the ship was karaoke 100%. It was one big party. You had kids and elderly people and everyone in between having a good time. That I loved."

Cruising solo can be fun, but I always enjoy my cruise experience more when sailing with friends and family. Taking first-time cruisers onboard helps me to relive the “WOW” feeling I had when stepping onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time, and that was the case during my four nights onboard with Keli.

If you’re traveling with first-time cruisers (or are planning your first-ever cruise!) check our our helpful tips and tricks:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• The 20 worst mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation
• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• 8 things I learned on my first Royal Caribbean cruise

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of the articles and news we shared about Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean confirmed it will have a new main dining room menu beginning in January 2023.

This is the first new dining room menu in over five years for the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean cautioned that the exact menu selections may change, so test menus that have been used so far may not be the final product.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean changes Diamond drinks benefit to be easier for passengers that stay up late
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO talks ordering new ships, port projects & more
• Royal Caribbean announces plan to build first carbon-neutral cruise ship
• What's different about a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and the last ocean liner?
• Why January is the best time for last-minute cruises

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 479th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available featuring an inside look at why Royal Caribbean is changing the main dining room menus.

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza talks about the dynamics of changing a dining room menu and what we can expect when it rolls out.

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

New RCB Video: 8 Things I Won't Do Again on Royal Caribbean

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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 — 8 Things I Won't Do Again on Royal Caribbean — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

15 tips to cruising for cheap on less than $100 per day

Want to go on a cruise for cheap? We have some easy ways to enjoy a cruise for less than $100 per day.

Between planning in advance and avoiding certain onboard purchases, you can easily keep that cruise cost down.

Royal Caribbean releases 2024-2025 Caribbean sailings for sale

Ready to book a Caribbean cruise in winter 2024?

Royal Caribbean released its year-round and summer Caribbean sailings for the 2024-2025 cruise season.

The new itineraries are loaded into Royal Caribbean's website and available for immediate booking. 

Royal Caribbean removes Diamond Plus benefit from Crown and Anchor Society perks

There's been a change to one benefit for Diamond Plus members.

Royal Caribbean it has decided to rescind access to the Concierge Lounge due to overcrowding in the lounge.

Due to high counts of top-tier members on most sailings, Royal Caribbean had to limit access to the Concierge Lounge altogether.

Destination weddings took on a whole new meaning last week as two Royal Caribbean cruisers tied the knot at Perfect Day at CocoCay. But the newlyweds didn’t get married on the island… they got married above it!

Thomas and Nancy Budzyn were wed at the top of Royal Caribbean’s Up, Up, and Away helium balloon at Perfect Day at CocoCay. While weddings on a cruise are nothing new, this may be the most unique cruise wedding we’ve seen yet!

The Up, Up, and Away helium balloon at Royal Caribbean’s private island takes guests 450 feet in the air for 360 degree views of this Bahamian paradise. As the highest vantage point in the entire Bahamas, the helium balloon provides a view of the island like no other.

On December 9, 2022, two Royal Caribbean cruisers were married on the helium balloon. We wanted to learn more about their special day.

The newlyweds

Thomas and Nancy Budzyn live in Naples, Florida and are frequent Royal Caribbean cruisers, both of whom hold Diamond Plus status in the Crown & Anchor Society.

While the pair had met years ago, their relationship as a couple began after the cruising restart, and they took their first cruise together in July 2021. As the two both work remotely, they can cruise often and have been on thirteen cruises together since the restart.

I couldn’t help but ask how the idea of getting married on the Up, Up, and Away helium balloon came to be.

“We have been to CocoCay so many times together and always have a great time,” Thomas mentioned. “Plus, it’s so beautiful there. It just seemed like the perfect place to have our perfect day.”

Thomas and Nancy were the first couple to get married in the balloon, although another couple had previously gotten engaged there!

“Everyone always does the same thing. We wanted to do something different and hopefully be trendsetters.”

After a trial run in the balloon during a cruise over Thanksgiving, Thomas and Nancy were ready to return in a few weeks for their special day.

The ceremony

One of the main issues with the Up, Up, and Away helium balloon at Perfect Day at CocoCay is that rides are weather dependent. Weather conditions must be ideal–with very little wind and no rain–for the helium balloon to run.

Thomas explained how this was a potential issue for their special day.

“The only concern was the wind, as that could cause the balloon not to go up. We were mentally prepared for a last-minute venue change, either the wedding pavilion or somewhere on the beach.”

Luckily their wedding day brought sunny blue skies. They were notified 30 minutes before the ceremony that the balloon ride would take place.

The ceremony was small, with six attendees: the couple, the island’s Entertainment Manager, the balloon operator, the officiant (Nancy’s best friend), and another friend that took photos. The Up, Up, and Away helium balloon can accommodate thirty people in total.

“The balloon ride is short,” Thomas said. “The whole thing from boarding to unboarding was around 12 minutes. We had a short, simple ceremony to fit within the time constraint.”

After the wedding

After the ceremony, the wedding party headed over to Oasis Lagoon and each had the island’s signature drink, the Coco Loco. They took several photos on the bridge over the lagoon before heading back to the ship.

A private tram escorted the newlyweds back to Symphony of the Seas, where they took a few photos with the island’s dancers and band.

Once back onboard, Thomas and Nancy headed to the casino (a little post-wedding luck, perhaps?) before enjoying champagne and cake.

Thomas mentioned how the staff was excellent during the planning process and wedding ceremony.

“The staff were all just as excited as we were. The crew, both on the island and on the ship, made us feel like they were part of our wedding and our family.”

The only caveat with getting married at Perfect Day at CocoCay? The heat.

“One does not realize how hot it is,” Thomas joked, “until you walk from the ship to the balloon in a tuxedo!”

Thank you to Thomas and Nancy for sharing their story with us at Royal Caribbean Blog. Congratulations and we wish you many happy years together!