Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean’s European cruise season runs from April through October or early November each year, with the busiest times for a Mediterranean cruise found in July and August.

Choosing when to cruise the Mediterranean can be a difficult choice, as each season brings its own benefits and drawbacks. Shoulder seasons can offer a great price point, but can also come with colder water temperatures and occasional rain. The peak summer season offers sunny, long days, but also tends to be the most crowded time of year both onboard and in port.

Ultimately, whichever season you cruise to the Mediterranean you will encounter incredible history, delicious food, extraordinary scenery, and diverse cultures. While there isn’t necessarily a “perfect” time to take a Mediterranean cruise, this guide should help you decide which season works best for you.

Early shoulder season: late April and May

There are two shoulder seasons during the Mediterranean cruise season each year: spring and fall.

Many Royal Caribbean ships cross the Atlantic in April each year, traveling from the Caribbean to Europe in preparation for the cruise season. Ships arrive at the end of April or early May, the start of the spring’s shoulder season in the Mediterranean.

Weather

In the early season you can expect pleasant temperatures that are ideal for exploring the Mediterranean’s cities. In Barcelona, expect highs of around 70°F throughout most of May, with temperatures rising toward the end of the month. If you’re traveling further south to Athens, though, expect highs around 75-80°F.

Due to comfortable temperatures, the early shoulder season in the Mediterranean is a nice time to explore ports that can get uncomfortably hot in the peak summer months. Long days touring ancient sites like the Colosseum or walking through the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik can be a lot nicer when temperatures are still comfortable.

Water temperatures during this time of year will not be as warm as they will be later in the summer, though. Water temperature in Mykonos, Greece, for example, tends to average around 66°F in May versus 78°F in August.

Crowds and pricing

The months of April and May will bring fewer crowds on a Mediterranean cruise compared to mid-summer. As the school year has not finished yet, there tend to be fewer families and children onboard as well.

Not only that, but there will be fewer tourists in your ports of call. While cities like Rome and Barcelona stay relatively busy each year, the peak tourist season is in the summer months, leading to the biggest crowds and lines at tourist attractions. Therefore, shoulder season should offer more pleasant sightseeing compared to the peak season.

Pricing during shoulder season tends to be slightly cheaper than mid-summer. An ocean view balcony stateroom for 2 adults on a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Symphony of the Seas in early May is priced at $3056 total. The same sailing and stateroom category on a cruise in mid-July is priced at $4,216 total.

June

June in the Mediterranean offers beautiful weather and long, sunny days. The month of June can be looked at as a transition between the shoulder season of the spring and the peak months of July and August.

Weather

Temperatures rise throughout the month of June in the Mediterranean, leading to daily highs in the low to mid-80s in ports like Rome and Catania, whereas ports further north, like Nice and Genoa, will see highs in the mid-70s. Most days will be sunny, with little to no chance of precipitation.

For those who want a mix of pleasant temperatures in port with fairly comfortable water temperature for swimming, June may be the most ideal month to cruise the Mediterranean.

Crowds and pricing

As the school calendar comes to an end and families prepare for summer vacation, expect crowds and prices to rise.

Early June should come with fewer crowds than later in the month, as many families do not vacation as soon as the school year is over, preferring to wait until a bit later in the summer. However, the draw of ideal summer vacation weather in June will bring more crowds than you’ll see in the shoulder season.

Crowds will also increase in your ports of call, as many travelers begin summer vacations to Europe at this time. From college graduates backpacking through the Mediterranean to school travel groups, honeymoons, and family vacations, Europe’s most popular destinations will get more crowded throughout June.

June's pricing tends to be slightly higher than cruises in May, but typically several hundred dollars less per person than in July or August. An ocean view balcony stateroom for 2 adults on a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Wonder of the Seas in mid-June is priced at $3501 total. The same sailing and stateroom category on a cruise in mid-July is priced at $4,360 total.

July and August

July and August is the peak season of Mediterranean cruises, bringing the highest temperatures, prices, and crowds. Prime vacation time for those traveling to Europe and for Europeans themselves, Mediterranean ports of call will be bustling with energy and the region’s beaches will be busier than normal.

Weather

Expect high temperatures no matter where you visit in the Mediterranean during July and August. Ports like Cannes, France can see daily highs in the upper 70s and low 80s, whereas cities like Valencia and Rome can see daily highs in the low to mid-90s.

Sightseeing with such high temperatures can be challenging and uncomfortable for cruise ship passengers, so it’s important to plan appropriately, wear lightweight clothing, drink plenty of water, and take rests in the shade throughout the day.

Luckily, peak summer brings the best swimming temperatures in the Mediterranean, allowing you to cool off at the beaches in port. A classic beach day on the Amalfi Coast or French Riviera will be best during these months, with water averaging around 75-80°F in places like Capri and Nice.

Little to no rain should be expected in July and August.

Crowds and pricing

Late June through mid-August are the busiest times to cruise to the Mediterranean. During the peak of summer, families with children are common onboard as well, as a mid-summer cruise fits well in the school summer vacation schedule.

During this time of year, you’re likely to see ships near full capacity, and not only will ships be busy, but the ports of call you visit are likely to be busier, too. Tourists from around the world flock to Europe’s world-class destinations in the summer months, which may lead to more lines and higher demand for popular activities in port.

Along with more demand comes higher prices, with July usually the most expensive month of the season and August slightly cheaper. A 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Odyssey of the Seas in mid-July, as an example, is priced at $3,163 total for 2 adults in an ocean view balcony room.

Of course, cruising in the peak summer months does not always have to come with a huge price tag. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider cruising on one of Royal Caribbean’s older ships or sailing in an interior or ocean view stateroom as opposed to a balcony. 

By switching to a smaller ship and room category, you’re guaranteed to find lower prices. A 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Brilliance of the Seas in mid-July is priced at $1,860 for 2 adults in an interior cabin, around $1300 cheaper than a cruise on Odyssey of the Seas.

Are businesses closed in August?

If you’re cruising the Mediterranean during the month of August, you should be aware that this is when many Europeans take vacation, heading to the Mediterranean’s beaches for maximum relaxation.

You may encounter some businesses and restaurants closed during August, but this is unlikely to significantly impact your cruise experience. Major tourist sites and the majority of businesses within cities will remain open in August.

September and October

The Mediterranean cruise shoulder season returns in September as a new school year begins, leading to fewer crowds and lower prices. In addition, the temperature in early September remains excellent, making the month one of the best times of the year for a Mediterranean cruise.

October sees slightly chillier weather than September, but is also considered one of the best months for a Mediterranean cruise, and a bit of a “hidden secret” among those cruising to Europe in the fall. Royal Caribbean’s Mediterranean season continues to late October or early November, at which point ships return to the Caribbean for the winter season.

Weather

Early to mid-September can be looked at as an extension of summer in most Mediterranean cruise ports, with hot, sunny temperatures. Temperatures begin to cool down in late September and early October, but still remain relatively pleasant.

Barcelona, for example, sees daily highs in the mid 70s and low 80s in September, whereas in October the daily highs tend to be in the low to mid 70s. Further south in Cyprus, expect daily highs in the mid 80s in September and low 80s in October.

Fall can also be a great time to visit the most southerly Mediterranean ports, such as Egypt and Israel, as the peak summer months are almost sure to be uncomfortably hot. 

Whereas rain in the Mediterranean is rare throughout the majority of summer, the chance of precipitation tends to increase in October, although unlikely to bring heavy rainfall. Rainfall is also dependent on the port, with cities like Kotor often receiving over 150mm of precipitation in October and Athens only around 37mm.

Crowds and pricing

Crowds will not be as prevalent on a fall cruise to the Mediterranean due to the start of the school year and end of summer vacation. European tourists flocking to Mediterranean beaches in August have returned home by mid-September, and the peak season for land-based tours and travel has ended.

That being said, as the temperatures are still favorable in early fall, don’t expect to have Mediterranean destinations to yourself. Most ports will still receive a fair amount of tourists during the fall, especially closer to the beginning of September.

Prices in September and October tend to be comparable to prices seen in May or early June, allowing for great savings compared to cruising in July or August. If your schedule allows for it, an early fall cruise to the Mediterranean can be an excellent option.

It looks like Royal Caribbean will homeport Icon of the Seas in Miami, Florida when she arrives in the United States.

In a recent interview, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about how excited he was for Icon of the Seas, and mentioned in passing that the new ship will be based at PortMiami.

Mr. Bayley was speaking with TTG Media and explained following Icon of the Seas' debut in the UK summer season, “We will take [Icon of the Seas] across the Atlantic to Miami, which is where it’s going to be homeported.”

Bayley also stated that Icon of the Seas would likely have some stops in New York or Boston during the ship's East Coast transit. 

This was the same interview that Mr. Bayley mentioned Icon will visit Southampton, UK initially.

Debuting a brand new ship in the UK for its inaugural sailing season isn’t the first for Royal Caribbean; in fact, Harmony of the Seas first debuted to the UK market before transiting to the U.S for its homeport.

Bayley also emphasized how important the UK market is for Royal Caribbean, which helped solidify the cruise line’s decision to debut Icon of the Seas to the country first. 

"An Amazing Ship"

Royal Caribbean has been very quiet about its new Icon Class of ships, creating a lot of buzz in the cruising industry about the ship's design and features. Icon of the Seas will be the first cruise ship in the Icon Class. 

Little is currently known about Icon of the Seas, but Bayley did allude to being very impressed with Icon of the Seas. He stated, “The ship is unbelievable. It's an amazing ship. What’s fascinating about Icon is the sheer amount of product."

Although this gives us very little detail about Icon of the Seas itself, Bayley is certainly hyping up Royal Caribbean’s newest ship.

According to Bayley, Icon of the Seas will be a game-changer for the cruising industry, as the cruise line has spent 5 years designing the ship.

Just this month, Bayley said Royal Caribbean rented a movie theater in Miami and the company spent an entire day reviewing Icon of the Seas with internal stakeholders, marketing members and other executives. This meeting also focused on how Royal Caribbean plans to reveal Icon of the Seas to the public. 

Tradition, Evolution and Revolution

Although Bayley isn’t allowed to reveal anything specific, he explained that Icon of the Seas will feature a combination of ‘tradition, evolution and revolution’ cruising elements from Royal Caribbean. 

Bayley acknowledged that Royal Caribbean cruisers will always love certain features about the brand. These fan favorites, like the Schooner Bar, determine which traditional elements continue to be found on ships across the fleet.

On the other hand, evolution elements revolve around continuously improving elements that cruisers love, such as entertainment venues and waterslides. Finally, revolution elements are ‘industry-firsts’ and are meant to be WOW factors for the company.

In regards to revolutionary, it is known that Icon of the Seas will also be the first LNG-powered cruise ship for Royal Caribbean. This is a huge step towards Royal Caribbean's sustainability efforts to use cleaner, more environmentally-friendly fuel. 

Industry Leader

In general, Royal Caribbean leads the cruise industry with designing the biggest and most innovative ships at sea. It was the first cruise line to bring many onboard thrills to a cruise ship, such as the first zip-line at sea, the first surf simulator at sea and the first skydiving simulator.

With the Oasis Class ships, Royal Caribbean introduced its multi-neighborhood concept to the cruise industry, which featured an entire opened-aired Central Park and Boardwalk at sea. 

With Bayley hinting that Icon of the Seas details have been shared internally at Royal Caribbean, this could signal that more information about the new cruise ship will be made public soon. Bayley also stated that the cruise line plans to host an interactive event, potentially this spring or fall in New York, to reveal Icon of the Seas to the public.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class is the first class of new vessels since 2014 when Royal Caribbean launched the first of its Quantum Class ships. 

Selecting the best ship for your Royal Caribbean cruise can be a difficult task, especially if you’ve never cruised with Royal Caribbean before.

Royal Caribbean has six classes of ships: Vision Class, Radiance Class, Voyager Class, Freedom Class, Quantum Class, and Oasis Class. Each class comes with its own features, entertainment, layout, and itinerary options.

Whereas some passengers may value adrenaline-filled activities onboard like ziplining and rock climbing, others may be looking for a more traditional cruising experience. Likewise, having an idea of how far you want to travel to reach the cruise departure city, what type of entertainment you prefer, and what you like to do while onboard are all important considerations to make.

Let’s take a look at the questions you should be asking yourself prior to selecting a Royal Caribbean ship to ensure you find the best ship for you.

Am I traveling with kids?

While any Royal Caribbean ship makes for a fantastic family vacation, certain ships simply offer a lot more for kids to do and experience onboard.

Ships may offer water slides, ice skating, bumper cars, circus school, ziplining, the FlowRider, indoor skydiving, and more. Bigger or recently amplified ships will have more activities for kids onboard, but you will find activities like rock climbing, mini golf, and Adventure Ocean programming on all ships.

If you’re traveling with children aged 6-36 months, you’ll want to look for a ship that offers a nursery. The nursery, unlike Adventure Ocean programming for older children, does come at an extra cost, but the price is quite reasonable at $6 - $8 per hour depending on the time of day. 

Passengers with children still in diapers may want to look for a ship with a baby splash pad area so their kids can cool down and enjoy the pool deck. 

How much does itinerary matter?

Royal Caribbean offers itineraries to many of the world’s most famous attractions and picturesque islands. Whether the crystal blue waters of the Bahamas or historical cities of the Mediterranean, you’re guaranteed to visit some incredible destinations while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Asking yourself how much the itinerary matters to you on a cruise is a good first step to choosing a ship. Larger ships are more limited in port options compared to Royal Caribbean’s smaller ships, which may offer more unique itineraries to lesser-known destinations.

Many Oasis Class cruise ships, for example, tend to visit the same ports in the Caribbean on most itineraries: Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan, Nassau, Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Labadee, Falmouth, and San Juan.

Some Oasis Class itineraries occasionally make stops at places like Puerto Plata, Aruba, and Curacao, or travel to Europe. For the most part, however, itineraries are not as varied on Oasis Class ships compared to smaller Royal Caribbean ships.

Therefore, if you’re hoping to travel to lesser-visited ports such as St. Lucia, Cartagena, Puerto Vallarta, or Martinique, you’ll want to look for an itinerary on a smaller cruise ship.

Will I be eating at specialty restaurants?

Royal Caribbean offers fantastic complimentary dining options. Whether a sit-down meal in the Main Dining Room or grab-and-go lunch at El Loco Fresh or the Windjammer, there is plenty of food to choose from onboard.

Many passengers prefer to eat at specialty dining, though, in order to take advantage of the wide variety of restaurants available on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Every Royal Caribbean ship has at least one specialty restaurant onboard, with all except one (Enchantment of the Seas) having three or more. 

Oasis and Quantum Class ships will have the widest selection of specialty dining options, from the eclectic fare and dining experience found at Wonderland to elegant meals at 150 Central Park. For foodies, larger Royal Caribbean ships can be a great option for the sheer variety of cuisine and restaurant choices available. It’s possible to eat dinner at a different venue every night on Royal Caribbean’s largest ships and still not try every restaurant!

That being said, even smaller Royal Caribbean ships have enough specialty dining options. Radiance of the Seas, as an example, may be a smaller ship, but still offers specialty dining at Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Samba Grill, Izumi, and Chef’s Table.

What value do I place on entertainment?

Royal Caribbean prides itself on offering impressive entertainment with talented, professional casts from around the world. From backflips on an ice skating rink to aerialists spinning around a hoop in the air, you’re sure to be amazed by the entertainment onboard.

The bigger the Royal Caribbean ship, the more entertainment venues found onboard. Certain passengers value entertainment more than others, so if entertainment is a make or break for you on a cruise, it’s important to have an idea of what venues and shows are offered on each type of ship.

If you are hoping to watch full-length Broadway shows and the latest and greatest of technology incorporated into productions, cruising on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship would be a good option.

While not the biggest ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, the Voyager Class offers plenty of options when it comes to entertainment, with the Studio B ice skating rink, main theater, and live music in various venues throughout the ship, from the pub to Boleros.

Vision and Radiance Class cruise ships offer shows in the main theater and live music, but they do not have a separate entertainment venue like Studio B or an AquaTheater. However, many passengers are content with the variety of entertainment options available on smaller ships, with signature theater productions, comedians, game shows, and live music performed throughout the cruise.

What do I like to do while onboard?

If your idea of a relaxing cruise vacation means spending all day, every day on the pool deck or in the Solarium, you will most likely be happy on any Royal Caribbean ship. Even the smallest of Royal Caribbean’s ships offer pools, whirlpools, and adults-only relaxation areas.

In fact, if you prefer to spend your days simply relaxing with a book and looking out at the ocean, you might actually prefer a smaller ship over a large one. Smaller ships often have more quiet space on the outdoor Promenade Deck, helicopter pad, and in the front of the pool deck to relax and unwind away from crowds and activities.

If you want to have a nearly endless amount of activities going on throughout the day, though, look for a Voyager (amplified), Freedom, Quantum, or Oasis Class ship. Whether pickleball competitions, karaoke bars, ziplining, or bungee jumping, there’s sure to be a lot to choose from on a larger Royal Caribbean ship.

Will I be staying in a suite?

If you plan to book a suite for your next cruise, you may want to take a look at what the suite experience will be like on the ship you are considering.

Suite benefits on a Royal Caribbean cruise can vary from ship to ship, although they all feature the same basic benefits like priority boarding, concierge service, VIP pool deck seating, etc. Oasis and Quantum Class ships, however, offer the Royal Suite Class to those in Grand Suites and above, which is an elevated cruise experience for suite guests.

The highest tier of the Royal Suite Class is Star Class, where guests have access to the Royal Genie service and complimentary specialty dining, beverage packages, internet, gratuities, and more.

Suite guests on Oasis and Quantum Class ships also have access to Coastal Kitchen, a complimentary dining venue only for suite guests. Coastal Kitchen is available every day of the cruise for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

In fact, Wonder of the Seas has an entire Suite Neighborhood dedicated exclusively to suite guests, so this can be a nice ship to book if you plan to stay in a suite. The Suite Neighborhood features Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge, and a private sun deck complete with its own bar, plunge pool, and lounge areas.

How far away is the port from where I live?

If you’re picking a cruise ship, consider whether you want to drive or fly to port and if you’re okay traveling to a port far away from where you live. While the hub of Royal Caribbean cruising is in Florida, ships sail from many ports around the world.

If you live in the northeast, you may want to consider booking a cruise on one of Royal Caribbean’s ships that sail from New York (Cape Liberty). Ships of various sizes sail from Cape Liberty, from Radiance Class to Quantum and Oasis Class. It may be easier for those in the New York area to sail on Oasis of the Seas rather than fly to Florida to sail on Symphony of the Seas.

Likewise, if you are within a short driving distance to Baltimore and are looking for a no-frills getaway, you might want to consider a cruise on Enchantment of the Seas or Vision of the Seas. While not the newest and biggest ships Royal Caribbean offers, they can offer a fun getaway departing from close to home.

If you live in southern California or on the west coast, consider cruising on Navigator of the Seas to the Mexican Riviera as opposed to flying to Florida. You will have a similar experience onboard as on other Royal Caribbean ships without needing to fly across the country.

What will the weather be like on my cruise?

It’s a good idea to know what the weather may be like on your particular cruise itinerary before picking a ship.

Some Royal Caribbean ships offer more indoor spaces than others, making certain ships ideal for sailing in colder weather. Quantum Class ships, for example, have an indoor SeaPlex instead of an outdoor Sports Court, allowing guests to enjoy sports activities no matter the weather.

Likewise, Vision, Radiance, and Quantum Class ships feature an indoor pool as opposed to only an outdoor pool. While the indoor pool on Vision and Radiance Class ships is for adults only, as it is located within the Solarium, Quantum Class ships have an indoor pool available for guests of all ages.

If you plan to sail from New York to the Caribbean, for example, it could be nice to sail on a Quantum Class ship (Anthem of the Seas) instead of Oasis of the Seas to take advantage of the indoor spaces when sailing through colder weather en route to the Caribbean.

What questions do you like to ask yourself before choosing a cruise ship? Let us know in the comments below.

Royal Caribbean has been quiet on just about every detail of its new Icon Class cruise ships, but we now know she'll start cruising first in the UK.

The cruise line has reveled very few details about the ship, but it sounds like more information will be revealed sooner than later.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley confirmed when Icon of the Seas debuts, she will sail from the UK at the start of her career.

Speaking to TTG Media, Mr. Bayley emphasized how important the UK cruise market is by mentioning Icon of the Seas will sail from Southampton.

"I promise you will bring Icon of the seas into Southampton. The UK will be the first country and market that we will bring this incredible ship into [when it launches] in ’23."

This is not the first time a new Royal Caribbean cruise ship went to the UK first, before heading to the United States after.

Harmony of the Seas was the last Royal Caribbean cruise ship to do so. She started off with a series of short getaways to Northern Europe from Southampton, followed by cruises from Barcelona before heading to the United States shortly thereafter.

Royal Caribbean opted not to send Symphony of the Seas to the UK when she debuted because Harmony was poorly received by the British press.

More details coming soon

Mr. Bayley went on to talk about just how impressed he is with Icon while not divulging any additional details, "This ship is unbelievable."

"What's fascinating about Icon is the sheer scale of the product."

He talked about the fact details of the new ship have been shared internally at a closed-door event in Miami recently among key marketing and sales and revenue people. This could point to more information coming soon.

Mr. Bayley also said Royal Caribbean is working out details for timing of an event in New York later this year to announce more information.

Last month, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider said the public can expect to get more details on Icon between April or May.

It looks like Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class cruise ship has a name.

At a steel cutting ceremony in Saint-Nazaire, France, the shipyard revealed the name of the next new Oasis Class cruise ship will be Utopia of the Seas and marked the official start of construction by cutting the first piece of steel.

The name Utopia of the Seas was trademarked in December 2021 among 23 other possible cruise ship names.

Photos by Véronique Savard

The order for the ship was originally placed with the shipyard in February 2019. Delivery is scheduled for the end of May 2024.

It will be 362 m long, with about 2,800 cabins. That is 50 less cabins because of the space that is needed to install the LNG tanks.

It is not yet known where Utopia of the Seas will sail from, nor what itineraries she will visit.

Do you like the name Utopia of the Seas? Share your thoughts on the name in the comments!

Royal Caribbean will keep a cruise ship based on the west coast of the United States for another season.

Royal Caribbean returned to offering cruises from Los Angeles in 2021 after more than a decade away from the region.

Navigator of the Seas will remain homeported from Los Angeles from Spring 2023 through early 2024.

The plan is to have Navigator of the Seas offer primarily 3- and 4-night cruises from Los Angeles, with scattered 7-night cruises down the Mexican Riviera.

• 3-night Ensenada cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico only
• 4-night cruises visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico
• 4-night cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico only
• 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

The new sailings are available to book immediately.

Just like the cruises in 2021-2022, Navigator of the Seas will depart from Los Angeles' World Cruise Center in San Pedro.

Best things to do on Mexican Riviera cruise

If you've never taken a cruise on the west coast, you'll find a side of Mexico that's very different from Cozumel.

Cruises to the Mexican Riviera are known for a wide variety of things to do, including scuba diving, kayaking, days at the beach, and amazing food.

Ensenada

Just over the border from the United States, Ensenada is known for fishing and shopping. 

It's also famous for a natural geyser, known as La Bufadora, where you can go to see and hear this natural wonder.

If you like more of a party vibe, check out Hussong's Cantina. This is the oldest and best known cantina in Baja California, Mexico. It's famous for being reputedly the place where the Margarita was created.

You'll also find a number of wineries in the area that you can tour and sample the local wines.

Catalina Island

Across the bay from Los Angeles is a popular day spot for tourists, where you'll find shopping and restaurants to enjoy.

If you're looking for fun in the ocean, scuba diving is great at Catalina because of the clear waters.

Another popular activity is to rent a golf cart and explore the island on your own. You can take the cart around to visit different spots, like Descanso Beach or the Catalina Casino.

Mazatlan

You'll find a 10-mile long seaside promenade in Mazatlan, where you can sample some great Mexican cuisine. 

There's also the "old town" area of Mazatlan known as Plaza Republica, which has a number of historic sites from the cities origins.

Mazatlan has plenty of lovely beaches in the area, which is perfect for surfing, scuba diving, or just relaxing in the ocean.

Puerto Vallarta

You will find some of the best food in Western Mexico in Puerto Vallarta, which is great for foodies. El Centro, which is the name of the downtown region, features churches with charming colonial detail.

The beaches are a major draw in Puerto Vallarta that offer all sorts of activities.

Cabo San Lucas

You'll take a tender into town where you can choose from golf, swimming, or zip-lining.

Whale watching is a hot activity in Cabo, as humpback whales migrate to the area from December through April.

The construction of Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class cruise ship reached an important milestone this week when the keel was laid for Icon of the Seas.

At a ceremony held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the official start of construction was celebrated.

Icon of the Seas will be the first of three Icon Class cruise ships, which the cruise line says will have a bold new design.  The cruise line has not yet released details on what the new ship looks like, or any of the features onboard.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty was joined by Chairman Richard Fain, along with Meyer Turku senior executives and teams on Tuesday for the keel-laying.

The ship's keel is the first block, and it is maritime tradition to commemorate this phase of a new ship construction.  Icon's first block required a 3,000-ton crane lifting the block into place on top of freshly minted coins, which represent the shipyard and cruise line. 

The coins are meant to bring luck during construction, and they will be retrieved and given to Icon’s captain and crew before setting sail.

Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley shared his excitement for the new ship, "Five years ago, we began dreaming of Icon of the Seas, and now the next phase of this iconic adventure is beginning."

"As this game-changing ship takes shape, the excitement from families and travelers alike, travel advisors and our partners continues to build. Later this year, we’ll reveal the lineup of firsts and favorites that will set a new standard for vacations come fall 2023."

Icon of the Seas will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

It's expected we will get more information on Icon of the Seas' deployment and ship details beginning later this spring.

Read more: A look at Royal Caribbean's plans now that cruises are back

It's official, you'll be able to serve yourself at the buffet on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship again.

Royal Caribbean confirmed to RoyalCaribbeanBlog that beginning with cruises that departed on or after April 2, 2022, guests can serve themselves instead of crew members doing so at the buffet locations.

The statement added that while guests can serve themselves, the cruise line will still offer single-serve foods that do not require passengers to handle any serving utensils.

"On cruises departing on or after April 2, 2022, Royal Caribbean International will bring back self-service dining in guest-favorite venues on board, including the Windjammer Marketplace, Solarium Bistro, and at private destinations."

"Grab-and-go dishes and single serving portions will continue as a permanent offering – they have become popular options, and keeping them is among the top requests from our guests."

Photos by Matt Rearick on Symphony of the Seas

It looked like Royal Caribbean had made the change almost two weeks earlier when select cruise ships start seeing self-service resume in the Windjammer, but Royal Caribbean said that was a one-off test.

They've now decided to go with the self-service buffet.

Having crew members serve passengers instead of guests was one of the early changes cruise lines made during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to limit the spread from person to person.

Crew members handled the serving tongs or serving spoons and would place the food on the guest's plate.

The buffet serving change is one of many changes Royal Caribbean has made following the cruise line joining the CDC's voluntary Covid-19 monitoring program and electing to join the "highly vaccinated" program.

Drink stations were already changed to self-service earlier this year, where passengers could grab coffee, water, and juice.

While Royal Caribbean has changed to self-service just now, other cruise lines had already done so prior to this.

Carnival Cruise Line had self-service buffets back in July 2021.

Disney Cruise Line said that as of April 1, their ships would resume self-service buffets.

CDC food service requirements

In checking the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operations manual for cruise ships sailing in the U.S., the rules for how food can be served has changed to be up to the cruise line.

According to the CDC, "food and beverage stations may be operated as self-service at the cruise operator’s discretion."

Cruise lines must encourage distancing through physical guides to direct the flow of passengers, provide signage for social distancing, and provide an appropriate number of staff to monitor distancing.

In addition, cruise lines must provide hand sanitizer at the entrances to food and beverage stations, ensure adequate supply of high-touch materials (serving spoons, tongs, etc.) to minimize sharing of the utensil by many guests, limit seat capacity at the buffet, and install physical barriers where it is difficult for guests to maintain a proper physical distance.

Two major cruise lines have raised their daily gratuities this year, which could be an indicator of what Royal Caribbean may do as well.

CruiseRadio reported Carnival Cruise Line will raise its gratuity beginning on sailings that depart May 1, 2022.

The new gratuity rate for Carnival will be as follows:

• Standard staterooms will pay $14.50 per person, per day
• Suites will pay $16.50 per person, per day

Carnival will allow anyone with a cruise booked right now to lock in the old gratuity rate if they prepay gratuities before May 1, 2022. Cruises booked after May 1 will be subject to the new rate.

According to Carnival, 100% of gratuities are distributed to the crew members, such as stateroom attendants, dining and culinary services staff, as well as others who work behind the scenes.

Carnival's change comes just weeks after Norwegian Cruise Line announced they would increase the daily gratuities.

As of April 1st, NCL increased their gratuity amount as follows:

• Balcony and lower cabins: $16.00 per person, per day
• Haven and Suite guests: $20.00 per person, per day
• Club Balcony Suite guests remains at $18.00 per person, per day

NCL says their gratuities compensate crew members in tandem with a salary for crew members such as complimentary restaurant staff, stateroom stewards and behind-the-scenes support staff.

Will Royal Caribbean do the same?

With two of Royal Caribbean's biggest competitors changing the daily gratuity amounts, Royal Caribbean cruisers may be wondering if a change is coming soon for them as well.

Royal Caribbean hasn't touched their gratuity rate since the end of 2017, when they announced a change to the gratuity to begin in 2018.

The current gratuity for Royal Caribbean is: $14.50 per guest per day in non-suites. For guests in a Grand Suite or above, the amount is $17.50.

Just like the other cruise lines, the daily gratuity is shared among dining, bar & culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams who work behind the scenes.

Read more: Should you prepay gratuities for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean has not announced or said anything about changing the gratuity rates, but it's not unusual from a historical perspective for cruise lines to match each other with changes like this.

When Royal Caribbean announced a change in gratuity in 2017, they mentioned keeping up with other cruise lines, "Royal Caribbean is constantly reviewing our competitive environment and this adjustment positions us in-line with our competitors. The additional gratuity collected will be disbursed to our onboard crew".

The good news is Royal Caribbean has in the past done exactly what Carnival is doing now, by offering passengers booked with an existing reservation to lock in the old rate if they pre-pay before the new rate goes into effect.

There are a handful of cruise tips that are so important, I feel everyone should follow them, and anyone who went on a cruise this weekend was likely reminded of how critical they are.

Thanks to severe weather, technical issues, and air traffic control problems, it was a messy weekend for flying to Florida. 

Over 3,500 flights were cancelled this past weekend, including a lot on Sunday on JetBlue and Southwest.  JetBlue cancelled 25% of its schedule on Sunday, and 15% cancelled on Saturday. Southwest cancelled more than 500 flights on Saturday and almost 400 on Sunday due to the bad weather. Flights on American Airlines, Spirit, and Allegiant Airlines all saw their fair share of cancellations as well.

Regardless of your airline, Orlando and Miami International airports were the top two airports in the world by origin and destination to see flights cancelled and delayed on Sunday.

In light of all the recent delays and cancellations, this is a good opportunity to remind everyone of three core planning tips for your cruise that everyone should consider.

Don't fly to your cruise the same day it departs

In short, flying to your cruise ship the same day the ship embarks passengers is playing with fire.

You've spent a lot of time and money planning your perfect cruise vacation, so why let a cancelled flight or delay possibly jeopardize your plans?

Flying in the same day of your cruise leaves very few options if something like what happened this past weekend were to occur. Remember, this happened in early April, which is not even hurricane season.

The smart move is to fly in at least one day before your cruise is set to depart, and this includes anyone driving to their cruise ship.  

Coming in at least one day early gives you a buffer against any flight delays or cancellations impacting your ability to get onboard the ship.

Yes, this means paying for a hotel, but peace of mind is worth something, and losing money on your vacation because you didn't want to spend a little extra for a night at the Holiday Inn Express seems like a worthwhile expense.

As a nice side effect, coming into your city early also starts your vacation a little sooner!

Buy travel insurance

The truth about any type of insurance is it's likely money spent for something you won't need, but if you do need it, it feels great having it.

Travel insurance covers a lot of costs if you were to find yourself in a scenario where your travel plans prohibited you from making the cruise.

As we move away from the Cruise with Confidence program and the ability to cancel at the very last minute, having a good travel insurance policy makes a lot of sense once again.

If your flight gets delayed or cancelled and you are unable to make the cruise, travel insurance pays you back for the cruise you missed, along with incidental costs along the way.

Depending on your age, residency, and exact plan you pick, the costs will vary, but figure on spending around $100-170 per person for travel insurance.

Ask your travel agent for suggestions, but here are a few popular travel insurance providers:

• Allianz Global Assistance
• AIG Travel Guard
• Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection
• TravelSafe Insurance

There are also a few travel insurance comparison websites out there, such as Insure My Trip or SquareMouth.

Use a good travel agent

There is no more frustrating endeavor right now than trying to call Royal Caribbean due to their extremely long hold times.

If a delay means your cruise plans are in trouble, the last thing you want to do is spend an hour or more on hold waiting for someone at Royal Caribbean to answer.  While I love cruising with Royal Caribbean, their phone centers have been inundated with calls recently, and that's lead to very long hold times.

The way around this problem is to book your cruise with a good travel agent.

Anyone can book a cruise, but a good travel agent is worth using every time for everything that occurs after booking.  

And no, a good travel agent should not cost you anything extra to use their services for booking and managing your cruise fare reservation.

In a situation where you are not going to make the cruise, or find yourself stuck in a connecting airport, a good travel agent can be a lifesaver in getting you answers and resolutions.  

While a good travel agent can't magically make your flight on time, they can save your sanity as you explore other options.

Read more: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation