Royal Caribbean Blog

A lot of cruise ship passengers will drive to their port of embarkation, whether with their own vehicle or in a ride share and you might be wondering how to get there.

Cruise ship terminals are usually well-marked and have a reasonable amount of signage to indicate which exit they are located at, but it can be confusing which one is the right terminal.

Even in this age of mobile apps providing GPS directions to just about anywhere, if you don't pinpoint the right spot, you may end up driving in the wrong direction.

In an effort to provide a simple list of cruise ship terminals and associated parking information, here is what you should know about where to go at each of the major cruise ports Royal Caribbean sails from in the United States and what the parking situation is like at each port.

Miami

PortMiami has two possible cruise terminals Royal Caribbean sails from: Terminals A and G, but you'll probably end up sailing from Terminal A.

In fact, Oasis Class ships always sail from Terminal A.

Address

Terminal A: 2000 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Terminal G: 1103 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Driving Directions

From Miami International Airport (7 miles):

• Via Port Tunnel: Take 836 East through the toll. 
• Continue onto FL836 E/I-395 E, then keep right to merge onto MacArthur Causeway.  
• Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs to your pier terminal. 

• Via Port Bridge: Take 836 East through the toll.    
• Exit at US1 N.E. 2nd Avenue/Biscayne Boulevard, proceed straight through one light, and then turn right at the second light onto Biscayne Boulevard (US1). 
• Stay in your left-hand lane and turn left into the Port of Miami on N.E. 5th Street. 
• Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal.    

From Ft. Lauderdale International (26 miles):

• Via Port Tunnel: Take I-95 South to Exit 2D toward I-395 E/Miami Beach. 
• Merge onto MacArthur Causeway. 
• Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs for your pier terminal.

• Via Port Bridge: Take I-95 South to Exit 3B, N.W. 8th Street. 
• Turn left onto 5th Street and continue straight until you reach the Port of Miami entrance. 
• Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal. 

Parking Costs

Royal Caribbean Terminal A Garage rates as of January 15, 2022:

• For sailings 6 days or more – the rate will remain the same - $25 per night
• For sailings 5 nights or less – the new rate will be $28 per night

Other garages and lots:

• Long term (overnight or greater), per vehicle, per space, per day or fraction of $22

Fort Lauderdale

The cruise terminals in Fort Lauderdale are known as Port Everglades, and Royal Caribbean has two terminals it sails from: Terminal 18 and Terminal 29. Generally, most ships sail from Terminal 18.

Passengers should follow the port’s digital signage upon arrival to guide them to the correct terminal.

Address

Terminal 18: 1901 SE 19th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Terminal 29: Port Everglades Terminal 29, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Driving Directions

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport (5 miles):

• Exit the airport and follow signs for I-595 East/Port Everglades. Continue to the last exit on I-595 East and follow the signs to Port Everglades.
• This will automatically take you to the Port Everglades security entrance.
• From there, follow the directional signs for your designated ship's pier terminal.

From Miami International Airport (30 miles):

• Take 836 East to I-95 North.
• Exit I-95 North at 595 East.
• Follow 595 to the end; then follow the Port Everglades signs.

Parking Costs

Rates are $15 USD per day for the regular vehicles and $19 for the oversized vehicles (rates subject to change without notice by the Port Authority).

Orlando

Port Canaveral is the name of the port area that Royal Caribbean markets as Orlando, and it's where you'll find ships sailing primarily out of Terminal 1.

When there are multiple ships, Royal Caribbean will use other terminals as well, such as Terminal 5.

Address

Terminal 1: 9050 Discovery Rd, Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Terminal 5: 9245 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Driving Directions

From Orlando International Airport (MCO):
Approximately 45 minutes west of Port Canaveral.

• Take the North exit from the airport, staying to the right on SR 528 East.
• Take SR 528 East all the way to Port Canaveral.
• Upon approaching the port area, follow the signs indicating Port Canaveral Cruise Terminals B Side.

Parking Costs

• 3 Nights/4 Days - $68.00
• 4 Nights/5 Days - $85.00
• 5 Nights/6 Days - $102.00
• 6 Nights/7 Days - $119.00
• 7 Nights/8 Days - $136.00
• 8 Nights/9 Days - $153.00

Galveston

Royal Caribbean's home port in Texas is in the coastal island of Galveston, where Royal Caribbean is transitioning to a new cruise terminal in November 2022.

Address

Cruise Terminal 2: 2702 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

New cruise terminal: 1028 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

Driving Directions

From Hobby (HOU) Airport:

• Turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59
• Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
• Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
• Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
• The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

From George Bush International Airport (IAH):

• Exit the airport and turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59.
• Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
• Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
• Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
• The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

Parking Costs

There are three parking lots available and can be booked in advance directly from the Port of Galveston’s website.

There are three lots at Cruise Terminal 3: the North Lot, South Lot, and Pier 14 Lot.

Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean sails out of New Jersey instead of New York City. The good news is it's easier to get to without city traffic.

Cape Liberty is in the Port of Bayonne, just a few minutes from Newark International Airport.

There is just one cruise terminal in Cape Liberty, so it's easy to find where to go.

Address

4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Driving Directions

From Newark International Airport (9 miles):

• Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
• Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
• Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
• Follow signs for Route 440 South.
• Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
• Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
• This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
• Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
• Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

From NJ Turnpike north or south:

• Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
• Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
• Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
• Follow signs for Route 440 South.
• Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
• Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
• This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
• Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
• Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

Parking Costs

Parking fees are $25 per day including all taxes for the parking garage at the terminal.

Oversized vehicles, such as campers and RV’s, that occupy more than one space, will be charged double the normal rate.

The height restriction of the garage is 7’ 4”. There is an open lot adjacent to the parking garage to accommodate vehicles with height restrictions.

Tampa

Cruises from Tampa have two possible terminals your ship could sail from: Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.

Luckily, both terminals are adjacent to each other.

Address

Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Driving Directions

From Tampa International Airport (10 miles):

• Exit the Airport and follow signs to I-275 North.
• I-275 merges with I-4 East.
• Take I-4 East to Exit #1 (Ybor City).
• Go south on 21st Street, turn right on Adamo Drive (Hwy 60).
• Turnleft (south) on Channelside Drive.
• Cruise Terminal 3 main entrance is approximately 5 blocks South on Channelside Drive.
• Entrance is on the left at Cumberland Street.
• In the event of a last minute change in pier assignments, signage will indicate the assigned terminal for your particular ship.

Parking Costs

Parking will cost $15 Per Day. 

A valet option has a one time fee of $20 on top of the $15 daily rate. 

Baltimore

Cruises from Baltimore offer a convenient departure for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal.

Address

South Locust Point Cruise Terminal: 2001 E McComas St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Driving Directions

Traveling from the south:

• Follow I-95 North to Exit 55, Key Highway.
• From the ramp, stay straight on East McComas Street.
• The South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance is on the right.

Traveling from the north:

• Follow I-95 South through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel, be sure to be in the right lane when going through the tunnel.
• Take Exit 55, Key Highway.
• Turn left at the traffic light onto East McComas Street.
• Follow the signs to the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance on the right.

Parking Costs

Parking is approximately $15.00 per night.

Seattle

Royal Caribbean sails from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 in Seattle.

Address

2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98119

Driving Directions

From I-5 South:

• Head north on I-5 and follow signs to the Mercer Street Exit
• Take exit 167 (left-side off-ramp) to Mercer Street
• Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North (400 feet)
• Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
• Valley Street bends to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
• Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
• Bend right to Western Avenue (0.22 miles)
• Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
• Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
• Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection) (0.14 miles)
• Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street) (0.35 miles)
• Exit right. Follow signs to Smith Cove Park (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
• Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

From I-5 North:

• Head south on I-5 and follow the signs to the Mercer Street Exit
• Take exit 167 to Mercer Street (right-hand off-ramp)
• Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North ( 400 feet)
• Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
• Valley Street bends  to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
• Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
• Bend right to Western Avenue  (0.22 miles)
• Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
• Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
• Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection)  (0.14 miles)
• Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street)  (0.35 miles)
• Exit right.  Follow signs to “Smith Cove Park” (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
• Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

Parking Costs

General parking is available for $27 per day. Book online at Republic Parking Northwest.

Boston

Royal Caribbean offers seasonal cruises from Boston to Canada and New England from the Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

Address

1 Black Falcon Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Directions

From Logan International Airport (4 miles):

• When exiting Logan Airport, follow signs to enter the Ted Williams Tunnel (toll)
• Take Exit #25 (South Boston) and stay in the right lane
• Turn right onto Congress Street and turn left onto B Street
• At the next signal, turn right onto Seaport Boulevard (changes to Northern Avenue)
• At the end of Northern Avenue, turn right on Tide Street and make an immediate left onto Drydock Avenue
• Follow Drydock Avenue and turn right on Black Falcon Avenue
• There will be signs directing you to ship locations as well as police officers to assist

Parking Costs

Massport offers Cruise Parking at 492 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 (Lot D3). Parking arrangements must be made online prior to arrival here.

Seward, Alaska

If you happen to do an Alaska open-jaw sailing from Seward, Alaska down to Vancouver, here's what to know when it comes to getting to the cruise ship terminal.

Address

Port of Seward
Alaska Railroad Dock
Seward, AK 99664

Directions

From Anchorage Airport (130 miles):

• Take International Airport Road east until you reach Minnesota Drive.
• Take a right on Minnesota Drive and follow the signs to Seward Highway South.
• Once on Seward Highway, you’ll travel approximately 130 miles to Seward.
• Once in Seward, follow the signs to the Alaska Railroad Dock.
• You will also be able to see the ship terminal from the highway on your left as you enter Seward.
• For directions to the Hospitality Center in Anchorage please call (907) 278-8070.

Parking Costs

There is no parking at the terminal. You'll need to contact the City of Seward for parking information.

New Orleans

Royal Caribbean sails from Terminal 2 in New Orleans.

Address

920 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130

Directions

For guests being dropped off, not parking:

• Take I-10 East toward New Orleans.
• Follow signs for Westbank (Business 90) as you approach downtown.
• Exit at Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St. exit.
• Continue to Convention Center Blvd.
• Right on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue to Henderson St.
• Left on Henderson St.
• Continue to Port of New Orleans Place.
• Left on Port of New Orleans Place to cruise terminals.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 east to Exit 11C:

• Stay on I-10 all the way into the city.
• From the left lane, take exit 234C, Business 90 West/Westbank/Claiborne Ave.
• Stay left and take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
• Continue to Exit 11C.
• Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
• Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
• Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
• Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
• Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 west to Exit 11C:

• After passing the Carrollton Ave. exit, take Exit 234A, 90/Superdome, Claiborne Ave., Westbank.
• Stay in one of the left two lanes, under the "Business 90 West / Westbank" sign.
• Take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
• Continue to Exit 11C.
• Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
• Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
• Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
• Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
• Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

Parking Costs

The parking lot is a within a block of the terminal, and shuttle service is provided if needed. P

Parking rates: 4 day parking is $90; 5 days parking is $110; 7 days parking is $150.

Los Angeles

If your Royal Caribbean is sailing from Los Angeles, that means the terminal will be at the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.

Address

100 Swinford St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Directions

From Los Angeles International Airport

• Take the 110 Freeway South towards San Pedro.
• Exit at Harbor Boulevard (same exit as the Vincent Thomas Bridge).
• Stay to the right - Harbor Boulevard (Do not go over the bridge.)
• At the light, cross over the main road, turning right into the "World Cruise Terminal."
• Follow the directions to parking and passenger drop-off.

Parking Costs

Parking is available for $20 a day. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

When your Royal Caribbean cruise begins in San Juan, you will sail out of the Pan American cruise terminal, which is across the bay from Old San Juan.

Address

FW52+9V6, Calle Muelle, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Directions

From Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

• Exit the Airport to San Juan taking the middle lane on Baldorioty Ave.
• This avenue will take you to New and Old San Juan.
• Once you are at the end of the avenue you will find a traffic light.
• On the right you will see the Condado Lagoon and on your left you will see the Yacht Club.
• This is a one-way road.
• Stay in the left lane and follow the signs directing to San Juan or the Convention Centre.
• Keep to your left and make a U-turn whenever possible.
• After the turn, remain on the right hand side and continue forward past the Yacht Club, Sizzlers Restaurant.
• At the corner make a right, continue to the traffic light.
• Make a right hand turn at the next right.
• Follow the road to the entrance of the pier.

Parking costs

No parking available at the terminal. You'll need to find somewhere else to park and then take a taxi or shuttle to the terminal.

Think you're ready to make the change to a suite cabin on your next Royal Caribbean cruise?

The idea of booking a suite comes with nearly as many opulent images to ones mind as it does fear of the larger price tag, but depending on how you like to vacation, trying a suite might not be a bad idea.

Royal Caribbean suites offer more living space, better amenities, and a more inclusive cruise experience.  You'll definitely pay more for it, but the old saying, "you get what you pay for" certainly holds true.

For years, I never booked any suites out of concern the price was too high and the notion I didn't need to stay in a suite. As our family grew and our needs and tastes evolved, so did my attitudes towards staying in a suite.

And to be clear, staying in a suite doesn't always mean you have a giant price tag either. There are lots of cruise fans that will attest to the fact there are plenty of deals out there for a suite.

Depending on how flexible and resourceful you are, not only could you begin to live the suite life as a choice, but you might even get a great price on it too.

In my experience, I've found a lot of cruisers start off in smaller cabins and then graduate to suites over the years. Like me, they find themselves at a crossroad of "should I try a suite?"

The choice to book any cruise ship cabin always comes down to weighing the costs of the room versus how much time you'll actually spend in the cabin enjoying the benefits. Certainly a large suite would provide lovely accommodations, but if you're going to be at the pool deck all day, how much benefit will it provide you?

For anyone on the fence about booking a suite, I've come up with five signs it might be time to give a suite a try.

You might just find this the starting point of a wonderful new way to cruise.

You drink cocktails everyday but a drink package is expensive

Booking a suite won't save you money overall, but it might include something that does help out your bottom line.

It's no secret that Royal Caribbean's drink packages are more expensive today than they were just last year. With the rising cost of drink packages, you might be tempted to book a suite so that you can still indulge but with a fixed cost.

When you stay in a suite, you can enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages in the suite lounge during select hours.

Guests in a Sky Class suite or higher (Oasis or Quantum Class ships) can enjoy complimentary beer and wine between 11am and 11pm while in the suite lounge. From 5pm to 8pm, there's a greater assortment of cocktails and alcoholic beverages available.

On other ships, there is a happy hour in the evening where guests can enjoy the same assortment of cocktails and beers in the evening, usually between 5pm and 8pm.

While not as flexible as a drink package, free drinks in the suite lounge can be just enough for some guests to take advantage of and get their bar bill under control without the need for a pricier package.

In fact, the suite lounge experience is a very compelling argument for booking a suite. Guests that stay in suites a lot will tell you they spend a lot of time in the suite lounge for the many amenities you get, including the free drinks.

Paying to get faster service is worth it to you

If you're the type of person who is willing to pay more to get faster results, then a suite might be up your alley.

When it comes to lines, waiting, or simply your time, there are some people who don't mind throwing money at a problem to make it better.

Suite guests pay more, but they'll often have a dedicated and shorter line at the cruise terminal during the check-in process. When it's time to board the ship, they get onboard first.

The suite concierge also makes it easier on suite guests and can book shows and specialty restaurants before anyone boards the ship.

One of my favorite perks of staying in a suite is the suite concierge will walk you off the ship when the cruise is over, saving a great deal of time waiting in line. This perk alone has been a life saver with my kids.

The debate of time vs money is something everyone will have differing opinions on, but if you are the sort of person that values your time more than your money, then a suite might be the perfect choice.

You've tried a junior suite and want more

Often a cruiser will dip their toe into the waters of suite life by booking a junior suite.

Despite the name, junior suite cabins aren't actually suites and closer to balcony rooms than anything else.  They offer more space and a few perks, but lack the true suite experience.

However, if the limited benefits a junior suite provides is a good first taste of the suite experience, then you might be ready to jump up a full suite.

The price of a junior suite is usually reasonable compared to a balcony, and many people will spot reasonable prices here and there between a balcony vs a junior suite.

So if you sailed in a junior suite and loved it, then you might be ready to level up again and try a suite.

You like feeling special

To be fair, everyone likes feeling special, but some people relish in this feeling more than others.

Between the suite concierge, priority experiences getting on and off the ship, and even just a different color SeaPass card, you're going to quickly feel different when staying in a suite.

Suites offer a lot of benefits that have a singular goal: make you feel extra important on the cruise. Some are for comfort, and some are to save you time, but they all work towards separating you a bit from other guests onboard.

You'll find reserved seating on the pool deck just for suite guests. The suite concierge will know your family's name fairly quickly once you get to the suite lounge. Other guests will ask why your SeaPass card is a different color from theirs when you're at a bar. These are all simple things that will make you feel noticed.

Being in a suite isn't an elitist thing, rather, it's a way to splurge and treat yourself to the finer things in life.

Vacation is an escape from the ordinary, and it's nice now and again to step up to a finer holiday.

You fly first class

Forget how you cruise, if you generally opt for first class seats on an airplane, then a suite might be right for you.

Whether you go for first class or just comfort plus, you're paying a premium to get a better experience on an airplane and that sounds like it could be a sign you're ready for a suite.

A first class airplane ticket won't get you to your destination any faster, but you'll enjoy the trip a heck of a lot more than in coach.  Similarly, a suite on a cruise ship will get you luxurious accommodations that you will enjoy in between port stops, shows onboard, and various activities around the ship.

First class airfare usually includes priority boarding, complimentary beverages once on the aircraft, and a deluxe seating experience. It's easy to draw a lot of parallels to staying in a suite on your cruise.

Thank you for joining us for this a look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week. We had plenty to share, so let us jump right in!

Royal Caribbean rewards its repeat customers with a variety of benefits, but which Crown & Anchor benefits are the absolute best?

Depending on your cruising style and preferences, all the benefits may not be useful, but there are certainly a few that stand out as must-use nearly every cruise.

You can expect discounts, vouchers, and even freebies just for having sailed with Royal Caribbean in the past.

Royal Caribbean News

• Icon of the Seas looks like it will have a new bow design for Royal Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean cruises in September 2022: What to expect
• When do shore excursions become available to book?
• 50 Alaska cruise tips you should use
• Ultimate Hawaii cruise guide
• Letting the Genie out of the bottle: Asking Royal Caribbean's wish maker the top questions
• Cozumel’s Del Mar Latino Beach Club all-inclusive day pass review

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 467th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt reviews his recent sailing on Mariner of the Seas.

Just a few weeks later, Matt returned to Mariner of the Seas for another cruise and shares what his experience was like going solo on Mariner.

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.

Video: Rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly!

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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: Rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly!

I tried the cheapest Royal Caribbean Alaska cabin I could find

What's it like if you go on an Alaska cruise in the smallest, cheapest cabin you can find?

The cruise fare for Radiance of the Seas was listed at $240 per person with $293 in taxes and fees. 

As someone who cruises on a budget and loves visiting Alaska, Jenna took the leap and booked the cruise unsure of what to expect.

I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each

After trying each of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship classes, Jenna has her favorites.

Royal Caribbean has six distinct classes of cruise ships, each with their own layouts, amenities, itinerary options, and onboard atmosphere. 

Even though all Royal Caribbean cruise ships share a common cruise line "DNA", they can feel quite different from one another when comparing the ships side by side.

What happens if you're late and miss your cruise ship?

It’s every cruiser’s worst nightmare - arriving late to the port and missing the cruise ship's departure.

Longtime cruisers will tell you they’ve undoubtedly seen instances of cruise ships leaving late passengers behind. If you go up to the top deck at departure time, you might catch a glimpse of passengers running back to the ship.

If there’s one mistake that cruisers should absolutely never make, it’s arriving late to the cruise port. Those who do make this costly mistake will tell you time and time again how important it is to be on time for the ship's scheduled departure. 

One of the things I love most about cruising is the fantastic vacation value it can offer, with accommodation, food, entertainment, and amazing destinations included in the cruise fare. It’s hard to pass up a cheap cruise deal, especially when the cruise visits Alaska.

Back in May, I was browsing Royal Caribbean’s website when I came across a cheap cruise deal to Alaska: a 7-night one-way cruise on Radiance of the Seas.

The cruise fare was listed at $240 per person with $293 in taxes and fees. As someone who cruises on a budget and loves visiting Alaska, I took the leap and booked the cruise unsure of what to expect.

Cruising to Alaska on the cheap? Yes, please!

Expectations

Booking the cheapest cruise you can find often comes with low expectations, but my expectations were set pretty high. I took an Alaska cruise last year, and it remains one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.

The scenery, food, culture, and ports on an Alaska cruise are simply fantastic and it’s definitely my favorite place to cruise in North America.

Things would have to be pretty bad onboard for me not to enjoy my Alaska cruise experience, so I went into the cruise knowing it would likely live up to my expectations.

Plus, I assumed the cruise was offered at such a low price not because the product would not be up to par, but because of low demand at the end of the summer season.

In the spirit of booking the “cheapest Alaska cruise,” I did not book any excursions, dining packages, or drink packages. Alaska cruise ports are all walkable and full of free activities, so I knew I would be able to find enough to do in port without spending hundreds on shore excursions.

Cruise fare, flights, and hotel

When I booked my cruise on Radiance of the Seas, it was the cheapest Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean’s website. The total cruise fare with taxes & fees for 2 guests in an interior room was $1,118, or $559 per guest.

Gratuities for each guest were $101.50, bringing the total cruise fare to $660.50 per person. At around $94 per day, I felt it was a fantastic deal!

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

Flights & shuttle transfers

Because the cruise started in Vancouver and ended in Seward, I needed to purchase two one-way flights. Flying to Vancouver was $189 and flying from Anchorage was $347, bringing the total flight cost to $536.

Flying roundtrip from my house to either Seattle or Vancouver usually costs between $200 and $300 total, so the one-way flights were definitely more expensive, especially the one from Anchorage, adding a significant amount to the total cost of the cruise.

Additionally, because the cruise ended in Seward, I needed to purchase a shuttle bus to Anchorage for $78.95. This was the cheaper option; the train transfer was $124.95!

Hotel

The last purchase I made before the cruise was a hotel in Vancouver. As it’s recommended to fly to your cruise departure port the day before you sail, I spent $285 USD to spend the night at the Blue Horizon Hotel in downtown Vancouver ($142.50 per person). This was one of the cheapest hotel options I found downtown, with others as high as $400+ per night.

Related: Why you shouldn’t fly to your cruise the same day it begins

I also spent around $10 to get from Vancouver’s airport to downtown via the metro and $15 for an Uber from my house to the airport.

Total cost of my cruise fare, flights, hotel, and transfers: $1,442.95

Arrival & Embarkation

I arrived in Vancouver the night before my cruise and spent about 24 hours in the city before heading to the cruise terminal. Canada Place, Vancouver’s cruise terminal, is located walking distance from many hotels in downtown Vancouver.

I was cruising to Alaska with my friend Reeham from Egypt. I met Reeham in graduate school a few years ago and we’ve remained friends ever since! Reeham and I arrived at the cruise terminal by foot eager to board Radiance of the Seas and start our Alaska vacation.

The embarkation process was extremely easy and we were onboard within 20 minutes of arriving at the terminal.

Radiance of the Seas first impressions

I had never sailed on a Radiance Class cruise ship before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Royal Caribbean has 6 classes of cruise ships, and each has a different layout and size as well as varied onboard dining, activities, and amenities.

One of the first things I noticed was the large Centrum in the middle of Radiance of the Seas. Royal Caribbean is known for their sprawling Royal Promenades inside the ship, but the cruise line’s older cruise ships do not have this feature.

Instead, Radiance of the Seas has a large, 6-story elevator lobby connecting shops, lounges, a coffee shop, and other onboard amenities. I don’t mind the Centrum and feel that it connects the ship’s decks together nicely, although it seemed a bit cramped, even when compared to the more open Centrum area on my recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.

Radiance Class ships are known for the amount of windows found throughout the ship, and this is one of the features I ended up loving most about Radiance of the Seas throughout my cruise. No matter where I was onboard, I could relax with a view and enjoy Alaska’s scenery.

Related: 20 Radiance Class cruise ship tips and secrets

The outdoor decks on Radiance of the Seas were really nice as well, although I didn’t expect to spend much time there during an Alaska cruise. Having access to the helicopter pad is always a plus, and the indoor pool area in the Solarium was a beautiful space.

While Radiance of the Seas clearly did not have all the bells and whistles of a newer cruise ship, I thought the ship was perfect for a cruise focusing more on the destinations as opposed to the ship itself.

The vibe onboard

I almost immediately noticed that the vibe on this Alaska cruise would be different from not only Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean cruises, but also my Alaska cruise last year on Ovation of the Seas.

I was told there were only around 100 kids onboard and the average age of passengers was probably in the late 50s-70s. I’d say Reeham and I stuck out in comparison to the average demographic on the ship, and the atmosphere felt very tame throughout our entire cruise.

The relaxed vibe onboard was probably due to a few factors:

1. The school year had just started, so there was a noticeable lack of families and kids.
2. Those passengers and families looking for a more modern, activity-filled cruise will often choose a Quantum Class ship over a Radiance Class ship. Quantum Class ships have activities like bumper cars and the FlowRider which are not available on smaller ships.
3. This was a one-way sailing, so logistics were more difficult and expensive for younger passengers with limited PTO time, leading to a higher age demographic onboard.

I’m not a huge partier, so I didn’t mind the tame atmosphere on the ship. You’ll rarely catch me awake after 11PM and after 12 cruises I still haven’t been to the nightclub, so the older and calmer vibes onboard were fine with me.

Plus, if you really wanted to find a party you could. There was a nightclub/DJ each night at the Starquest Lounge and live music/dancing in the Centrum. Even if it didn’t have the party vibe of a weekend cruise from Miami, there was always something to do in the evenings.

Our cabin

Our cabin was ready around 1:30PM, and we had booked an interior cabin for this cruise. Booking the cheapest cruise to Alaska will almost always mean booking an interior cabin!

While a lot of people may think you have to book a balcony cabin when cruising to Alaska, I’d argue that there are better spaces onboard to watch the scenery than a balcony, which only provides views in one limited direction. I prefer hanging out on the pool deck or a lounge with more panoramic views of the outside.

Related: Choosing a cabin for your cruise

The cabin was room 9009, which was located on deck 9 forward of Radiance of the Seas. The cabin appeared well-maintained and had a nice amount of walking space throughout it. There was a ton of storage, too, with 7 drawers in the vanity, two shelving areas above the TV, one full-sized wardrobe, and one smaller wardrobe with shelves inside.

Because I travel with so much camera gear along with my clothes, I’m always happy when a cruise ship cabin has tons of storage.

Our cabin had two twin beds pushed apart. When traveling with friends, I prefer having the beds pushed apart not only so we get our own space, but it gives the room better walking space. I appreciated that this was done before we arrived as I did not have to track down my stateroom attendant!

The room had four outlets (2 North American style outlets and 2 European), which was more than I expected on a 20+ year old cruise ship. I was glad I packed a European outlet adapter so we could take advantage of all the outlets in the cabin.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

The bathroom in our cabin was a standard cruise ship-sized bathroom and nothing too fancy. The bathroom is where I noticed the ship showing its age, as the light would flicker on and off several times before staying on and the paint was faded in some areas, but that didn’t matter in the long run.

I only had two complaints with our stateroom. First, the walls seemed a lot thinner on Radiance of the Seas compared to other Royal Caribbean ships I’ve sailed on. One morning, in fact, I was woken up by the alarm in the room next to me!

Second, the internet onboard, which was pretty awful in the first place, was often not functional in our stateroom. As someone who has to do a few hours of blogging onboard each day, it was frustrating having to constantly leave the room and try to get better internet elsewhere.

Food & beverage

One of the first things that comes to mind when anyone thinks of the word “cruise” is endless food, so what was the food like on my cheap Alaska cruise?

I’ve never been disappointed by the food on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and I enjoyed every meal I had on Radiance of the Seas. Reeham and I did not dine at any specialty dining venues onboard, choosing only to eat at complimentary venues.

Related: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Thankfully, Radiance of the Seas has several complimentary venues onboard, including the Windjammer buffet, Park Cafe, Boardwalk Dog House, and the Main Dining Room.

Windjammer

We started most mornings of the cruise at the Windjammer. This is my favorite place to eat breakfast on a Royal Caribbean cruise due to how many options are available. From savory options like made-to-order omelets and bacon to sweets like french toast, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes, I was never disappointed.

My favorite breakfast at the Windjammer is a few slices of french toast topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. I had this pretty much every morning!

We had a few lunches and dinners at the Windjammer as well. The dinner theme changes every night, and our favorite was Mediterranean night, which had fresh hummus, falafel, lamb kabobs, and other Mediterranean delicacies.

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Cafe buffet

Main Dining Room

One of my favorite meals during the cruise was brunch in the Main Dining Room, where I had one of the best dishes of the cruise: butternut squash risotto. Both breakfast and lunch options were available at brunch, although the special menu was only offered one day of the cruise.

I loved the decor and ambiance in the Main Dining Room, and we ate dinner there 5 out of the 7 nights of our cruise. Dinner would usually take 1-1.5 hours. The French onion soup is by far my favorite item on the menu, but all of the salads, soups, main courses, and desserts were nice as well.

Other dining venues

Outside of the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, I spent most evenings in the Diamond Lounge enjoying complimentary appetizers and small bites. Occasionally I would grab a quick snack from Park Cafe or Caffe Latte-tudes which were free as well.

I was impressed with the food overall and never got tired of visiting the same venues for meals. I’m glad I did not purchase a dining package as this allowed me to save money for a nice, fresh lunch in port each day.

Beverages

As a Diamond member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I receive four free drinks per day of the cruise. This is my favorite benefit of having Diamond status, and I was able to order fresh orange juice, specialty coffees, and cocktails every day!

I only went over my limit twice, adding a total charge of $19 to my account balance.

There were a ton of venues to enjoy a drink, too. My favorite was Starquest and the Diamond Lounge, which are both located on the top deck of Radiance of the Seas. They offered what I think are the best views from the ship, and there were always fewer people there than in other bars and lounges.

Onboard activities

I don’t tend to pack my days onboard full of activities, and most of the time I’m happy to sit back and relax with a coffee and a nice view. That being said, I never felt bored on Radiance of the Seas and there were always activities available whenever I wanted to participate.

The first activity I tried was a movie at the Cinema. Something that makes Radiance Class cruise ships unique is the movie theater, which plays a different movie each day of the cruise! There were five showtimes each day, so it was the perfect thing to do on a chilly day at sea.

We also attended a round of trivia at the Schooner Bar. Trivia is offered several times throughout the day each day of the cruise, and it’s a low-effort activity that can be pretty fun.

Other activities, like bingo, spa seminars, dance classes, etc. were available, although I did not partake in any of these activities.

Music & entertainment

There was always some kind of entertainment or live music every night during the cruise. Guitar music was offered at the pub, piano tunes at Schooner Bar, singers and instrumentalists in the Centrum, and production shows in the Royal Theater.

Related: First time cruisers: Entertainment on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

On our first sea day, I checked out Piano Man in the Royal Theater. The show combined music from Billy Joel, Elton John, and Barry Manilow combined with dancing and singing.

I felt that the show was definitely geared toward an older age demographic, but it was still entertaining to watch. I’m not a huge theater person outside of Royal Caribbean's Broadway shows, so I didn’t attend any other performances throughout the week.

My favorite activity I attended was the Captain’s Corner, where the ship’s captain had a Q&A session to answer guests’ questions about what it’s like to work onboard, how ships navigate the ocean, etc. It was fascinating to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes on a cruise ship!

While Radiance of the Seas may not have a zip line or ice-skating rink, it seemed like there were enough activities onboard to keep kids busy. Adventure Ocean kids programming, a basketball court, mini-golf, and rock climbing were available. There is also a children’s swimming area with a small slide, although this remained closed during our cruise due to the weather.

Related: Here are the absolute best cruises for families

Alaska cruise ports

We stopped at four different ports on our Alaska cruise: Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Skagway. We were in port between 8-10 hours each day, and I felt this was plenty of time to explore without getting bored or feeling like we were in a rush.

Juneau

Pretty much every Alaska cruise itinerary stops in the state’s capital of Juneau, and it’s one of my favorite ports because of how many activities are available. A lot of Juneau’s best attractions must be visited either by car or through a tour, so I knew we would probably spend more money here than in any other ports.

Related: Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska

Radiance of the Seas docked at the dock furthest away from downtown Juneau, and while there was a shuttle available for around $6 roundtrip, we decided to save money and make the 20 minute walk into town.

We initially planned to spend $45 to ride the Goldbelt Tram to the top of Mount Roberts, but as there was a ton of fog on the mountaintop, we decided against it as the view would be severely blocked.

Instead, we found a shuttle bus to and from Mendenhall Glacier for $45. Other tours, like whale watching and helicopter rides, were in the hundreds of dollars, so we figured visiting Mendenhall Glacier would be the most budget-friendly tour option.

The trip was well worth the cost as Mendenhall Glacier is stunning and easily accessible from downtown Juneau. We spent a few hours walking on nature trails around the glacier and taking in the beauty around us. Mendenhall Glacier really is a must-do activity in Juneau.

Related: Local’s guide of what to do in Juneau, Alaska

Once we returned to downtown Juneau, we visited a few local shops and discovered a cool food truck park in the middle of the city. In total, we spent $9 each on fudge and chocolate and $6 on a salmon taco.

Total cost of my day in Juneau: $69

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is a unique port in that it is privately owned and operated by the Huna, a Tlingit tribe located in the nearby town of Hoonah. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this port and assumed there would be little to do, but I ended up enjoying the day a lot more than I initially expected.

Icy Strait Point is well developed and has many free attractions, including nice walking paths, a museum, and a beach. The natural beauty of Icy Strait Point is pristine, and we spent the morning looking through our binoculars trying to spot whales, bears, and sea otters.

Related: Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Icy Strait Point

The port is pretty small, however, so Reeham and I decided to walk to the nearby town of Hoonah. Free shuttles are available, but we walked the 40-minute coastal path to town.

While Icy Strait Point is only a port area, Hoonah is where the locals live, and I enjoyed observing local life in a remote town of only 850 people.

We visited a grocery store where jars of salsa were over $8 and bags of beef jerky over $20, watched a free demonstration of locals carving a traditional totem pole, and enjoyed lunch ($15 each) at a local seafood restaurant. There wasn’t too much to do in Hoonah, but it was worth the ~2 hour trip. 

Once back at Icy Strait Point, we enjoyed a bag of mini donuts ($5 each) before walking around a bit more and getting back onboard.

If I visit Icy Strait Point again, I’d probably choose to spend money on a shore excursion for half the day and explore on my own for the other half. We were in Icy Strait Point for the longest time of any ports on the cruise, but I ran out of things to do in the early afternoon. Booking a whale watching tour in addition to walking around on my own would be a nice way to fill up the entire day.

Total cost of my day in Icy Strait Point: $20

Sitka

Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska, was the next port on our cruise. Like other ports, we planned to explore freely without a prior plan, and it led to a fun yet busy day in town.

I was impressed with the amount of free activities in Sitka. One of my favorite parts of the day was walking around the Sitka National Historic Park, which had gorgeous rainforest nature trails. The salmon were also running when I was in Alaska, so tons of visitors gathered to watch as the salmon frantically swam upstream.

Related: Top 10 things to do in Sitka, Alaska

I was pretty frightened with all the “WARNING: BEAR” signs around town, though, so I didn’t venture too far on my own!

I also visited the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey. Admission to the center was $15 which felt fair as I was contributing to a good cause.

We spent most of the day in downtown Sitka exploring local businesses and attractions. In total, we spent $12 each on fish n’ chips, $4 on fudge, $3 on hot chocolates, and $6 on magnets.

Related: Local’s guide of what to do in Sitka, Alaska

My favorite place in town was the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, the location where Russia formally handed off Alaska to the United States. This site is free and the views from the top were beyond beautiful.

Total cost of my day in Sitka: $37

Skagway

Our last port of call brought us to Skagway, Alaska, the town most known for Alaska’s Gold Rush.

Last year I spent $100 to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad from Skagway. I would 100% recommend doing this while in port, but as I had done it already, I decided to simply walk around town without a plan.

Skagway is probably the most picturesque town we visited on this cruise, and I could spend hours walking up and down the town’s streets, which are lined with historic saloons, museums, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

Related: Local’s guide of what to do in Skagway, Alaska

Our first stop was to a few souvenir shops where we spent $5 on postcards and stamps to mail to friends and family back home.

We also made a pit stop to my favorite place to eat in Skagway, Klondike Doughboy. Specializing in Alaskan fry bread, Reeham and I shared a cinnamon-sugar fried dough for $7.

As I mentioned, Reeham is from Egypt and she abruptly stopped in her tracks in front of a jewelry shop when she saw a variety of Egyptian souvenirs and decor inside the shop.

The shop was owned by an Egyptian, and in true Egyptian culture, he invited Reeham and I inside to chat. Mohamed, the shop owner, and Reeham enjoyed talking to a fellow Egyptian in a town as remote as Skagway, and we stayed in the shop for a while to learn more about local life in Alaska.

Mohamed treated us to lunch and we treated him (and us!) to ice cream ($15) before getting back onboard Radiance of the Seas.

Total cost of my day in Skagway: $27

Related: Top 10 things to do in Skagway, Alaska

Weather

When I cruised to Alaska in October last year, we encountered awful weather. It basically did not stop raining the entire week!

Because this cruise was at the end of August and into September, I did not expect the weather to be nice this year, either, but I was pleasantly surprised by the weather conditions.

While we encountered some rain on and off most days of the cruise, there was usually only a light sprinkle with a couple rare downpours. We saw the sun nearly every day and in Skagway we did not have any rain whatsoever!

Related: What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

Weather is unpredictable anywhere in the world, but especially in Alaska, so I think we lucked out on this cruise. I even took off my jacket a few times to walk around in just a long sleeve shirt and remained comfortable.

Last sea day & disembarkation

The last full day of our Alaska cruise was supposed to include a visit to Hubbard Glacier, but unfortunately we were unable to approach the glacier due to low visibility.

Bad weather was the theme of the day, and we encountered the roughest waters I’ve experienced yet on a cruise. I spent most of the day feeling seasick and laying in bed, which was definitely not fun!

As evening approached, however, Reeham and I began to feel better and were able to enjoy our last night onboard before disembarking the next morning in Seward.

We arrived in Seward early on disembarkation day and took a 3 hour shuttle bus to downtown Anchorage. We still had ten hours before our flight once we arrived in Anchorage, so I was pleased to discover that the city has a complimentary building with luggage storage, tables and chairs, and a free airport shuttle available.

Soon enough, it was time to say goodbye to Alaska’s beauty and return home.

Total cost: was it really the cheapest Alaska cruise?

While I may have booked the “cheapest Alaska cruise” based on cruise fare price, the extra add-ons (one-way flights, shuttles, etc.) added a significant cost to the cruise.

Alaska cruise costs (per person):

• Pre-cruise purchases (cruise fare, hotel, flights, etc.): $1442.95
• Purchases in port: $153
• Onboard purchases: $19

Total cost of my Alaska cruise: $1614.95

Looking back, I probably could have booked a more expensive cruise fare on a newer ship from Seattle and still saved money due to cheaper flights and other transportation expenses.

If you’re truly looking to save the most amount of money possible, definitely research flight costs and shuttles before booking an Alaska cruise!

I had no idea a shuttle would cost $80 one-way to reach Anchorage from Seward, for example, and this could easily get way more expensive when cruising with a large family.

That being said, I definitely saved hundreds of dollars by not booking excursions and instead choosing to explore ports freely on my own. I didn’t feel we missed out on anything by not booking excursions.

However, I’ve already been to Alaska and will cruise to Alaska again in the future. If you’re only going to visit Alaska once, I’d book at least 1-2 excursions, such as whale watching and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train, in order to make the most out of Alaska’s attractions.

I was happy to end the cruise in southcentral Alaska as it allowed me to explore Anchorage (and I even saw the peak of Denali from downtown!).

In the end, I made some amazing memories with my friend Reeham and we were able to explore four unique Alaska cruise ports and discover more of Alaska’s culture, cuisine, and nature.

Alaska cruises remain my favorite cruise itineraries in North America and I’ll never get tired of relaxing onboard with a scenic view out the window.

Cruising to Alaska on a budget can be done, and while I’m not entirely sure this ended up being the cheapest cruise overall, it was certainly an incredible experience, and I’m already looking forward to returning to Alaska!

Planning an Alaska cruise? Check out our guides for more tips & tricks:

• Top 50 tips for planning your Alaska cruise
• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise
• Tips for taking an Alaska cruise on a budget
• Top ways to avoid crowds on an Alaska cruise

Planning for a cruise ship vacation means picking out fun and interesting tours while in the ports of call you visit, but when do excursions become available to book?

Periodically I answer questions RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers have sent to the RoyalCaribbeanBlog mailbag to answer for the benefit of everyone.

My family and I are booked on an Alaskan cruise for next August. I am starting to look into planning all of the details of our trip and wanted to know how far in advance Royal usually releases shore excursions for your cruise. Right now I see a few options but not a ton. When do  I need to really start checking in and looking for excursions? Thanks in advance for your help! - Katie L.

When I received Katie's question, I realized I've been getting this question asked a lot lately and wanted to share the answer for everyone curious when tours become available to book.

One of the best mantras for cruise planning is book as early as you can in order to get the lowest price. Cruise fares tend to be lower the sooner you book.

Not only does booking a cruise early lock in a good price, but you can also get the perfect cruise ship cabin for your family.

Read more: What's the best cruise ship cabin for my family?

If you book a cruise 9, 12, or 16 months in advance, you may find very few (if any) cruise add-ons to buy.

Read more: When should you buy Royal Caribbean drink package, wifi, tours & other add-ons

If you're like Katie and wondering when shore excursions will appear to book via Royal Caribbean's website, the short answer is "it depends".

Royal Caribbean doesn't have a set time frame when it loads in shore excursions to the Cruise Planner. This is no minimum number of days when tours get loaded, so it's up to the guest to keep checking back periodically.

If that answer doesn't sit well with you, I don't blame you. 

My best advice is to check back for shore excursions in the cruise planner around six months prior to your sail date because there's usually a good chance excursions will be added by that point.

Moreover, even if you check back at six months but shore excursions were added many weeks earlier than that, it shouldn't matter in terms of you being able to get the tour you want.

While Royal Caribbean shore excursions can sell out, most people are not booking up excursions half a year before they sail. In my opinion, there's minimal risk by checking back about six months before you sail for tours. Unlike check-in times on embarkation day, there won't be a rush to book things on the first day it becomes available.

If you still don't see tours by the six month timeframe, then check back more regularly as you're more likely to see them added than not. 

There can be any sort of behind-the-scenes reason why shore excursions aren't available to book yet, but they'll eventually make it in.

Read more: What to do if Royal Caribbean's shore excursions are sold out

Book on your own anytime

Regardless of when Royal Caribbean loads in shore excursions, you can always book your own tours via independent operators likely much sooner than six months before your sail date.

There's pros and cons of booking a third-party shore excursion, but you might consider browsing these in the interim just to have something ready.

Read more: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Most tour operators will allow bookings much further in advance than six months, especially for high-demand locations, such as Alaska cruises.

Not only will booking on your own give you a head start on Royal Caribbean's offerings, you may a greater variety of choices and perhaps a better price.

Does Royal Caribbean add more shore excursions closer to cruise date?

In addition to waiting for shore excursion to become available, a lot of people want to know if more tours will be added to the lineup.

It's not uncommon to see someone browse shore excursion options on the Royal Caribbean cruise planner site and find the choices limited. When browsing tours many months before the cruise, will there be more tours added by the cruise line?

Royal Caribbean sometimes adds new tours , especially if you checked tours more than a year before your sailing is scheduled to begin.

In addition, if a guest cancels a tour, suddenly a previously sold out excursion is bookable again.

If you read the first part of this article and made a note to check for new tours around six months prior to the cruise, then be sure to keep checking for new tours in the months leading up to your cruise because it's not unheard of for new tours to be added.

Does Royal Caribbean hold back spots on excursions booked online?

Another scenario you might encounter is the exact tour you wanted to do is no longer available to book because it sold out. Will more spots become available either online or onboard the ship?

In my experience, it's not that Royal Caribbean holds back spots as it is they can add capacity.

Sometimes the Shore Excursion department is able to book additional slots (tours) with their local operators.

More commonly, people cancel their reservations and then an excursion becomes bookable again. In either case, the end-user will never know which scenario has occurred.

If you keep checking online and the tour never re-opens for bookings, you could asked to be placed on a waiting list once onboard the ship.

Wait lists are something the shore excursion desk can assist you with once you get on the cruise ship. I've had fairly good luck with wait lists, but there's no guarantee.

More mailbag questions:

• Will a Royal Caribbean sale actually save me any money?
• What's worth paying extra for on a cruise?
• What is the earliest flight I should book after the cruise?

There may not be a position on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship more mysterious than the Royal Genie.

What adds to the intrigue is that you may not even realize you see them around the ship. A Genie doesn’t wear a nametag so they easily blend in to their surroundings. They are one of the few crew members that has access to the entire ship. Their impact on a Star Class passenger though is nothing short of magical.

I recently had the honor of interviewing a current Royal Genie. He preferred to keep his name anonymous as to not draw attention to himself personally and to keep the focus on the Genies as a whole.

However, he wanted to share some things you may not know. How does one become a Genie? What training do they go through? What would they like first time Star Class cruisers to know?

Let’s find out.

Who is chosen to be a Royal Genie?

To be able to apply for the position, one must have two years of hospitality service experience and possess a degree in the industry. Genies are typically former Suite or Diamond Concierges.

Being hired from outside the company is rare but does happen. They would be expected to have similar qualifications which you would normally find as a concierge of a five star hotel.

Genies go through an extensive interview process with multiple Human Resource and Guest Service managers. They are required to make a short 2 minute video, simulating picking up a guest from the terminal and escorting them onto the ship, for example.

They must demonstrate how they would handle a variety of guest situations. The final interview is with the Genie Fleet Coordinator. The entire process can take two or more months to complete.

Read more: What is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?

Training to become a Royal Genie

Being chosen as a Royal Genie is only the beginning.

Pre-pandemic, new Genies were flown to London to take classes at the British Butler Institute. There, they learned proper service techniques from a former butler to the Queen.

They visited wineries, learned about varieties of cheeses and correct caviar presentation. Did you know you have to use plastic spoons to serve caviar as a metal one will change the flavor? I didn’t, but maybe that’s just me.

A Genie's schedule

What time a Genie starts their day will likely depend on if the ship is in port or at sea.

Port days are generally earlier as most guests request to get off of the ship first, especially if they’re calling on one of the private islands. The Genie will escort them to the beach or pool with the loungers of their choice before the general public has disembarked.

A typical end to their day would be around 11 p.m. At that point, most of the activities have ended and the specialty restaurants are closed.

At the end of their five month contract, it is common for the ships management to ask if they’d like to return to the same ship.

Additionally, when Genies receive appraisals from guests and crew members, they are able to get more opportunities; like moving to a new ship, for instance.

What can a Genie do?

The Genie’s goal is provide their guests with a unique, unforgettable and magical experience. Communication is key. They carefully listen to their guests needs and tailor their trip with experiences they may not have even suggested.

Common guest requests are parties in their suite. Everything from birthdays, anniversaries and retirements to vow renewals and celebrations of life for family members that have passed on.

Your experience may differ depending on if you’re on an Oasis or Quantum class ship.

Oasis class tends to be more “show oriented” where the Genie will make sure you have the best seat in the house.

Quantum class is more “activity oriented” where your Genie will escort you to the iFly, North Star, bumper cars and acrobat school.

The only limits on a Genie’s power are things that go against company policies and local government laws. For example, guests would not be allowed in any backstage areas and bridge tours are currently suspended due to Covid restrictions. Additionally, your Genie cannot bypass the line at customs for you on debarkation morning.

Read more: My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Requesting a Genie

All Genies are amazing and more than capable of handling guests requests but can you request a specific Genie?

The answer is, maybe.

It depends on the ship if the Genies are able to trade guests. It is generally not a problem, especially if you already have a prior relationship with a Genie.

Regardless, it is not unusual for the Genies to help each other out. There are at least three Genies per ship to take care of anywhere between eight and eleven suites.

How much to tip a Genie?

As a Star Class guest, daily gratuities are included in the cruise fare however, Genies are not included in that. When asked if he could provide some type of monetary guideline for genie gratuities, he instead referred to tipping as an “appreciation of service.” He reminded me that even beyond money, gratitude and kindness are always appreciated.

If you check message boards online you will find many discussions regarding tipping the Genie and the amounts vary greatly. However, $100 per cabin/per day seems to be a pretty consistent opinion among Star Class cruisers.

I would say that the amount you give should be based on how they made your vacation special, how many people they are arranging experiences for and your overall connection to them personally.

Will Star Class expand?

I was surprised to learn that a lot of the requests he receives from guests is to have the Star Class program implemented on other Royal Caribbean ships.

He recommends that guests fill out their comment cards to let Royal know their wishes.

Final thoughts

When asked what a first time Star Class cruiser should know, the response was, trust your Genie to accomplish your dreams. Put yourself in vacation mode. Relax and know that they will take care of planning and organizing everything for you.

To him, being a Genie is like being on stage. If your performance is seamless, you should never see what’s going on behind the scenes. While the Genie gets a lot of the credit, he reiterated it is a team effort with many different departments to make sure you have the most unique vacation experience possible.

Royal Caribbean’s Hawaii cruises are unique itineraries where passengers can experience the phenomenal nature, culture, and cuisine of several Hawaiian islands in one cruise experience. While Hawaii cruises are only offered a few times per year, they are a dream vacation for many cruisers.

The marvelous scenery of the Nā Pali coast, imposing Mauna Loa volcano, fresh bowls of poke, and ancient traditions found in Hawaii evoke a sense of wonder and discovery for visitors to the islands.

If you’re interested in cruising to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean, here’s everything you need to know about what to expect when booking and sailing on a cruise to The Aloha State.

In this guide:

• Does Royal Caribbean offer cruises to Hawaii?
• Transpacific cruises
• Round-trip Hawaii cruises
• When can I cruise to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean?
• Why go on a cruise to Hawaii
• Hawaii cruise ports
• Which Royal Caribbean ships sail to Hawaii?
• How much does a Hawaii cruise cost?

Does Royal Caribbean offer cruises to Hawaii?

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Hawaii, although they are limited and usually only offered as one-way legs on transpacific cruises. 

Because it takes so long to cross the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic, Royal Caribbean splits the crossing into two cruise segments: Vancouver to Hawaii (and vice versa) and Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa).

Vancouver to Hawaii

Vancouver to Hawaii cruise itineraries are 9-11 nights depending on the sailing.

Hawaii is separated from North America by the Eastern Pacific barrier, a 4,000-mile stretch of deep ocean with no shallow areas. Because of this, there are no islands en route to Hawaii from Vancouver, so itineraries have a 5-6 day stretch of sea days to cross this section of the Pacific.

Once in Hawaii, itineraries can differ quite a bit, with some cruises stopping in Maui for an overnight stay and others visiting 3-4 islands. Cruises end in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Hawaii to Vancouver

You can also choose to start a Hawaii cruise in Honolulu and end in Vancouver. Just like on the way to Hawaii, most itineraries are between 9-11 nights and visit several islands, including Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai.

Related: Hawaii cruise on Royal Caribbean: Everything you need to know

Transpacific cruises

Transpacific cruises from Hawaii to Australia either begin or end in Honolulu, Oahu.

While not a true “Hawaii cruise” because no port stops are offered in Hawaii except the embarkation/disembarkation port, these itineraries can still allow guests to spend time on the islands before or after the cruise.

Hawaii to Australia (and vice versa)

Most ships traveling from Vancouver to Hawaii will continue the transpacific crossing by traveling from Hawaii to Australia. This is the longer of the two stretches, taking 16-19 nights depending on the itinerary. There will be between 12-14 sea days on these transpacific cruises.

After leaving Hawaii, there is a 5 day stretch at sea before visiting several ports in French Polynesia. Following a few days there, ships will continue to either the South Pacific islands or New Zealand before ending in Sydney or Brisbane, Australia.

These itineraries are offered in reverse at the end of the Australia cruise season, starting in Australia and ending in Hawaii.

Fun fact: When cruising to and from Australia to Hawaii, you will sail through the International Date Line. En route to Australia you’ll skip forward a day, whereas sailing to Hawaii you will “live the same day” twice!

Round-trip Hawaii cruises

Occasionally, Royal Caribbean will release an itinerary offering a “round-trip” Hawaii sailing, which is when a ship travels from Vancouver to Hawaii and immediately returns back to North America without continuing to Australia.

These cruises will be split into two segments that you can book as a one-way leg or back to back, and they will be offered immediately following the Alaska cruise season in September/October.

When can I cruise to Hawaii with Royal Caribbean?

Because Royal Caribbean ships only visit Hawaii on their way to or from Australia, cruises are only offered at times which coincide with the change between the Australia/New Zealand cruise season and Alaska cruise season.

September cruises to Hawaii

The Alaska cruise season ends in mid to late September, and this is when 2-3 Royal Caribbean ships will begin the long journey to Australia for the summer season down under.

You can expect to see cruises departing from Vancouver to Hawaii in the last week of September or first week of October. Cruises departing Hawaii for Australia will occur immediately after the trip from North America, setting sail in mid October.

April cruises to Hawaii

The Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific cruise season runs from October to April. Once the season is over, Royal Caribbean relocates its cruise ships back to North America.

Transpacific cruises from Australia to Hawaii depart in the first half of April, reaching the shores of Hawaii at the end of April or beginning of May.

Cruises from Hawaii to Vancouver occur immediately after the ship’s journey from Australia.

Why go on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Hawaii?

Easy travel from island to island

One of the best benefits of cruising to Hawaii is traveling from island to island without hassle. There’s no need to get to an airport, go through security, and board a flight. Traveling via cruise ship means you can visit multiple islands while only unpacking one time!

Depending on the itinerary, you can visit between 2-4 islands in Hawaii in a matter of days, and you won’t have to figure out any transportation logistics yourself, making for a stress-free way to explore the state.

Traditional cuisine

Hawaii’s cuisine has been shaped by a blend of cultures throughout history, from Polynesian to Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, American, and more!

Because of this melting pot of cuisines, Hawaii boasts cuisine unique to the state that is not so commonly found elsewhere in the United States. Poke (raw fish salad), poi (taro pudding), laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), and saimin (noodle soup) are just some of the mouth-watering dishes you can try on a cruise to Hawaii.

Unparalleled nature

Hawaii’s nature is unlike anything you’ll see in the continental United States–or perhaps anywhere else in the world.

There aren’t many places on Earth where you’ll find a combination of lava fields, snow-capped volcanoes, colossal waterfalls, rainforests, lush valleys, and secluded beaches in one place, and it's sure to leave you speechless.

Hawaii cruise ports

Honolulu, Oahu

The capital of Hawaii is a starting or ending point for Hawaii cruises, and offers urban life mixed with world-famous beaches, green mountains, diverse cultures, and history.

As a start or end point of the cruise, many passengers decide to add a few extra days to their time in Hawaii before or after the cruise to experience more of what the island of Oahu has to offer.

Popular activities on Oahu include hiking Diamond Head’s crater, touring Oahu’s North Shore, surfing, and attending an authentic Hawaiian luau.

Visitors can also visit Pearl Harbor while on Oahu. Excursions bring passengers to the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin submarine, and USS Missouri battleship to learn more about the devastating attack in 1941.

Lahaina, Maui

Maui is the second largest Hawaiian island, and cruise ships stop in the historic town of Lahaina, located on the island's northwest coast.

Maui is packed full of activities, from visiting the crater of Haleakalā to hiking the Iao Valley, swimming in waterfalls, and snorkeling at Molokini Crater. Lounging at the beach is a popular option in Maui, too, as the island has over 80 diverse beaches.

Some itineraries include an overnight stop in Maui, giving you more time to explore this tropical paradise.

Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is located on eastern coast of the Island of Hawai’i, often called the Big Island. Hilo is extremely lush, with plenty of waterfalls, beaches, and rainforest to discover. Rain falls in Hilo over 200 days of the year!

Visiting the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is a popular excursion for many visitors to Hilo, which is home to two of Hawaii’s most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

Akaka Falls is another must-see in the Hilo area, where the waterfall plunges a whopping 442 feet into a gorge below.

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Another port located on the Island of Hawai’i is Kailua-Kona. On the opposite side of the island from Hilo, Kailua-Kona is drier and sunnier than Hilo, making for excellent conditions for exploring the outdoors.

Culture lovers will appreciate a visit to the Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, a spiritual sanctuary that was once the home of royal grounds and a place of refuge for those who broke kapu, which were ancient, sacred laws.

If you don’t want to stray far from the port, downtown Kailua-Kona is filled with shops, restaurants, and farmers markets where you can purchase souvenirs as well as taste local products and cuisine.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

Kauai is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands (the 2nd oldest overall) and it was formed over 5 million years ago. While there are no active volcanoes on the island today, the landscape has been carved by wave, wind, and water erosion, making for unique landscapes not seen on other islands.

One of these features is Waimea Canyon, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Visitors will be awe-inspired by the canyon’s steep hillsides reaching depths of over 3,600 feet.

Nā Pali Coast (cruising)

If you’ve seen pictures of Hawaii’s rugged, emerald coastline, odds are it was a photo of the Nā Pali Coast on the island of Kauai. One of the most recognizable coastlines in the world, the Nā Pali coast offers unparalleled views of steep sea cliffs rising dramatically from the ocean below.

Some Hawaii cruise itineraries include a scenic cruising day around the Nā Pali coast. While passengers won’t disembark the ship on this day, they’re sure to be blown away by Hawaii’s natural beauty.

Transpacific cruise ports

If you book a transpacific cruise starting or ending in Hawaii, you will visit several ports in French Polynesia as well as a few stops in Melanesia or New Zealand.

Ports may include:

• Mo'orea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Papeete, Tahiti
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Napier, New Zealand
• Picton, New Zealand
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
• Nouméa, New Caledonia

Which Royal Caribbean cruise ships sail to Hawaii?

Depending on the year, Royal Caribbean sends 2-3 cruise ships to Hawaii. Due to limitations of crossing from the Pacific to the Caribbean, the ships sent to Hawaii and Australia tend to be the same cruise ships offering Alaska cruise itineraries.

Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class cruise ship launched in 2016. As one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, she is packed with the latest activities, entertainment, and dining venues found in the fleet.

Quantum Class ships were built to sail in all climates, with indoor pools, the SeaPlex sports center, and the Two70 entertainment venue and lounge which features floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for viewing Hawaii's scenery.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Quantum of the Seas

Quantum of the Seas is a sister ship to Ovation of the Seas. She was the first ship in the Quantum Class, launching in 2014.

Quantum of the Seas is nearly identical to Ovation of the Seas, albeit with a few changes in dining venues and entertainment shows.

Quantum Class ships make a great choice for a Hawaii cruise for those looking for the most activities, dining options, and entertainment available on a cruise with many sea days. Even with 5 sea days in a row, it will be hard to be bored on a Quantum Class ship!

Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas will be offering cruises from Australia in the 2023-2024 cruise season, so she will be offering cruises to Hawaii en route to and from Australia

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship and while smaller than the Quantum Class, she still offers plenty to do, see, and eat onboard.

One of the most beloved features of Radiance Class cruise ships is how much glass was built into the ship’s design. Large, panoramic windows are found all around the ship, which is a huge perk when traveling to a destination as beautiful as Hawaii.

Related: All about Radiance Class cruise ships

How much does a Hawaii cruise cost?

Hawaii cruises (Vancouver to Hawaii and vice versa)

Despite visiting a remote island chain in the Pacific, Hawaii itineraries can provide a great value on a cruise vacation. You'll often find prices comparable to Caribbean cruises, even though the cruises tend to be several days longer.

Look for last-minute cruise deals to Hawaii, too, as these itineraries do not always book as quickly as others. Due to travel to and from Vancouver/Hawaii and the fact that cruises are one-way instead of round-trip, you can often find last-minute deals.

Related: Ultimate Guide to last-minute cruise deals

Here are a few sample prices of the total cost for 2 adults, including taxes and fees, on a Hawaii cruise starting or ending in Vancouver:

9-night Hawaii cruise on Ovation of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $1,805
• Balcony cabin: $1,963

11-night Hawaii cruise on Radiance of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $2,132
• Balcony cabin: $3,010

Related: Interior vs Balcony staterooms on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Transpacific cruises (Hawaii to Australia and vice versa)

Transpacific cruises starting in Hawaii and ending in Australia (or vice versa) are generally more expensive than those starting or ending in Vancouver. Not only are they 5-8 days longer, but they travel a further distance and visit destinations that are much more difficult to reach, such as Mo'orea and Tahiti.

Here are a few sample prices of the total cost for 2 adults, including taxes and fees, on a transpacific cruise:

15-night Transpacific cruise on Quantum of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $2,908
• Balcony cabin: $3,982

18-night Transpacific cruise on Ovation of the Seas

• Interior cabin: $3,443
• Balcony cabin: $4,593

Extra costs on a Hawaii cruise

Outside of cruise fare, you’ll want to budget for the following add-ons when booking a Hawaii cruise:

• Airfare
• Hotel cost for the night before the cruise
• Gratuities
• Shore excursions or spending money in port
• Optional onboard extras: beverage package, dining package, etc.

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that aren’t included

Because Royal Caribbean’s cruises to Hawaii are one-way sailings that require many sea days, it’s recommended to spend some time in Hawaii on land before or after the cruise.

If you plan to do this, you’ll want to budget extra for hotels, food, and transportation costs in Hawaii.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

• 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
• How much does a cruise cost?
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

If you’ve cruised in the Caribbean, there’s a good chance you’ve visited Cozumel, Mexico. Between the gorgeous beaches, incredible snorkeling and proximity to Tulum and Cancun, this is a popular port for cruisers. 

In fact, Cozumel has over 3.6 million annual visitors just from cruise ship traffic alone!

As someone who loves to cruise, I’ve been to Cozumel probably a dozen times. At this point, it feels like I’ve done everything that the island has to offer. Now, one of my favorite ways to spend the day in Cozumel is at an all-inclusive resort.

With a day pass to an all-inclusive resort, you can access almost everything the resort has to offer while enjoying unlimited drinks and food. This can be a great option for cruisers who want to enjoy a low-key day in port while still enjoying the amenities of an all-inclusive resort. 

There are also day passes to all-inclusive clubs in Cozumel - including the Del Mar Latino Beach Club. 

Description

Del Mar Latino Beach Club is described as being the perfect place for those looking to enjoy a relaxing atmosphere with Latin Caribbean ambiance. 

With a regular rate of $39.95, this beach club offers a truly all-inclusive experience in Cozumel. Located within walking distance of the cruise ports, this exclusive club only allows a maximum number of 30 people each day. 

A daily pass to Del Mar Latino Beach Club includes unlimited food and drinks; you also have access to the pool, loungers, bathroom facilities and internet. 

Since this club is meant to offer a relaxing and intimate experience, Del Mar Latino Beach Club is fairly small. The beach club features a large pool surrounded by sun loungers and umbrellas. Del Mar Latino Beach Club also features a bar lined with high-top tables and chairs. 

We booked this beach club the week before our cruise; luckily, the club still had availability for the day that we would be in Cozumel. Since Del Mar Latino Beach Club caps the daily admittance at 30 people, reservations should be booked in advance to secure a slot. 

It appeared that the days leading up to our arrival were already booked, so we were excited to see our port day had availability. It was $8 for a deposit to reserve our slot for the day, in which the remaining balance would be due at arrival.  

Getting to the club

According to the information that was emailed with our reservation, the Del Mar Latino Beach Club operates from 9am to 5pm. 

When we arrived in Cozumel, we took our time in the morning getting breakfast on the ship since we had the full day. By the time we started walking to the club, it was pouring rain - so we waited in the Duty Free Shopping area for the rain to pass.

Our phones indicated that it was a short walk from the cruise terminal upon our arrival. The Royal Caribbean terminal is just a 5 minute walk to the entrance of the beach club. We walked outside of the terminal and, sure enough, we arrived quickly to Del Mar Latino Beach Club.

I felt safe walking in this area, especially considering there was a lot of traffic and a taxi would have probably taken just as long. 

When we arrived, we walked up to the bartender and checked in. They had a list with our names on there and we paid the remaining amount for the day. We were given wristbands to wear for the day.

All-inclusive experience

Upon arrival, we quickly made our way to the bar and ordered a round of piña coladas. There’s no better way to start a day in Mexico than with a cool, refreshing piña colada! It was delicious and creamy. 

After looking around the club, we decided to get in the pool. The pool is a decent size with plenty of room for everyone to sit comfortably. We had a gorgeous view of the ocean and the cruise ships nearby. 

The waitress came over to us multiple times during our time in the pool. My choice of drink is always a mojito and Del Mar Latino Beach Club’s mojitos were absolutely delicious! 

We also tried a Miami Vice, Chunky Monkey and Tequila Sunrise. There wasn’t a cocktail at this beach club that we didn’t enjoy! The drinks went down smoothly and we were having a wonderful time relaxing in the pool and listening to the music played by the DJ. 

As we lounged in the pool, we realized we did not bring towels with us off the ship. We reviewed the reservation notes and found that it did not state to bring towels; however, it also didn’t state that towels were included. We inquired with the staff about towels and they stated we could rent them for $5 each. This was reasonable, but we opted to just air dry after we enjoyed some time in the loungers. This was an oversight on our part and we should have brought towels just in case. 

After a few drinks in the pool, we had the munchies and decided to order food. Since everything was included from the snack menu, we ordered a variety of options. We tried the quesadillas, fried chicken tacos and chicken strips. 

Everything we ordered was hot, fresh and very tasty. We even ordered a second round of food because the portions were snack size and we enjoyed everything we tried. 

Throughout the day, we also made trips to the beach club’s bathroom facilities. These were well-kept and clean, which we appreciated. 

After 4-5 hours at Del Mar Latino beach club, we decided to walk back to the cruise terminal and head back to the ship after a wonderfully relaxing day. 

Final Comments

There are a few components that make an all-inclusive day pass worthwhile: fair price, attentive service, well-kept pools and freshly made food and drinks. 

We were very satisfied with our experience at Del Mar Latino Beach Club and felt all of these expectations were met.

To start, the price of $39.95 feels like a great value considering the drinks and food are unlimited. We had a tasty lunch and multiple drinks during the day, so the price of admission was very fair just in the amount of food and drink we consumed. 

We found the drinks and snack menu to have a wide selection to choose from. We tried almost every drink on the menu and agreed that the mojitos were the best, although everything tasted yummy. We also enjoyed everything we ordered from the snack menu - especially the quesadilla! 

The pool was well-kept and very comfortable; we saw a pool attendant come around and check the levels of the pool while we were swimming. The pool is also covered, which was nice since it rained a few times throughout the day. 

We were very impressed with the service provided as well. There was a waitress who attentively served us in the pool and brought us drinks throughout the afternoon. It was nice that we didn’t need to get out of the pool to get another drink. We were always served our drinks quickly!

The overall ambiance was very low-key and relaxing, especially with the wonderful ocean views and delicious drinks. With less than 30 people at Del Mar Latino Beach Club during our stay, it never felt cramped or crowded. 

Since this exclusive club is located near the cruise port, there isn’t a sandy beach to enjoy. If you are hoping to sit on a beach during the day, this might not be the best option. There is a man-made entrance to the sea from the club, but you’re essentially jumping right into the sea. I didn’t see anyone in the ocean during our time there, so I think most people stick to the pool. 

I would absolutely return to this beach club because of the incredible value and overall convenience to the cruise port. It was great being able to walk right to the club and not need to take a taxi. I live near the beach here in Florida, so I am fine sacrificing a beach day for a day at this exclusive and relaxing beach club. 

Even as Royal Caribbean continues to remain silent on the cruise line’s newest ship, newly released photos reveal what Icon of the Seas' bow will look like. 

Brand new pictures from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland show tug boats transporting the bow for Icon of the Seas. The exciting series of photos, shared by finki.22 on Instagram, feature the arrival by barge of the massive new bow for Icon of the Seas. 

It was a busy day at the Meyer Turku shipyard! The Instagram caption states that tugboats arrived from Poland with the bow of Icon of the Seas. Earlier in the day, the same tugboats assisted the new Carnival Celebration out of the shipyard for its sea trials. In fact, the two ships have been under construction together at the Finish shipyard. 

As seen in the photos, the bow color is Royal Caribbean’s signature baby blue color, which matches the coloring of the hull. The cruise line’s newest ships have started to feature this new light blue coloring, with Royal Caribbean choosing to phase out its classic white-colored hulls. 

In the background of the photos, the construction for Icon of the Seas can also be seen. Construction on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship started in June 2021. 

Royal Caribbean continues to keep hush-hush regarding Icon of the Seas, leading many to speculate about the ship’s design, amenities and features. 

Thanks to finki.22 for posting these photos.

Parabolic Bow Design

The bow for Icon of the Seas is now confirmed to be Royal Caribbean’s first ship to feature a parabolic bow design. This is a functional design element that creates a curved indentation in the bottom of the vessel’s hull. 

With the arrival of Icon of the Seas’ bow, construction will enter its next phase of fitting the bow to the hull of the ship. 

This new bow design helps increase overall stability of the vessel by shifting the center of gravity forward. In addition, parabolic bows allow the ship to be less likely to capsize or heel. This is due to the bow creating an area of low pressure beneath the ship’s hull. 

Essentially, it’s unsurprising Royal Caribbean would choose this design for its newest ship; parabolic bows cultivate a smoother ride for cruisers. This is especially important for ships that are heavily-loaded.

Early reports from Royal Caribbean have stated that Icon of the Seas will be the biggest cruise ship in the world, so the parabolic bow is an effective design choice.

Icon of the Seas

Although we know Icon of the Seas will have a parabolic bow design, there has been very little information about the ship’s design released by Royal Caribbean at this point. The cruise line has done an excellent job creating hype and excitement about what Icon of the Seas could bring to the Royal Caribbean fleet. 

Within recent weeks, Royal Caribbean released a new video series about Icon of the Seas. The highly-anticipated series is titled ‘Making an Icon’. During the first video of the series, Royal Caribbean described its newest ship as “the most transformative ship the world has ever seen”. 

The series has promised to feature footage from behind the scenes of the ship’s design, construction and eventual launch of Icon of the Seas. Engineers and industry experts will be featured to talk about the revolutionary cruise ship, which Royal Caribbean claims will offer the best family vacation in the world.   

Along with the hype of its design and amenities, Royal Caribbean has also announced that Icon of the Seas will start sailing in late 2023 as the cruise line’s first LNG powered ship in its fleet. LNG powered cruise ships feature dual engines that utilize liquified natural gas to propel the ship. This makes the ships more efficient and environmentally friendly.

A huge media campaign has started for Icon of the Seas, with CEO Michael Bayley hinting at a fall reveal. In addition, Bayley already revealed that Icon of the Seas will first set sail from the UK. 

Icon of the Seas is the first of its kind for Royal Caribbean and the first of a new class of ships. Royal Caribbean has not released a new ship class in over a decade; instead, the company has continued to expand its Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, including Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and Odyssey of the Seas in 2021.

At one point earlier this year, it was teased that a full-blown marketing event could be launched in New York City this fall. 

The CEO has also emphasized that the innovation and design of Icon of the Seas will be unlike anything Royal Caribbean has built before. Guests can expect incredible onboard thrills, water experiences like no other, and unparalleled entertainment.

Every cruiser’s worst nightmare is running to the pier as your cruise ship sails away, leaving you stranded in a foreign place!

Videos of “pier runners” (people frantically running to the ship) are popular online and can provide a great laugh, but the reality is that missing a cruise ship is not something you want to deal with on vacation!

Paying out-of-pocket to travel to the next port and being in a foreign country without any of your belongings is not on anyone’s vacation bucket-list. While you’ll have extra protections when on a shore excursion booked through Royal Caribbean, missing the cruise ship can still be a stressful experience for any passenger.

The good news is that missing the cruise ship is not as common as you might think, and with proper planning and responsibility, you’ll be able to ensure you arrive back to the ship with plenty of time to spare.

Here’s what happens when you miss your cruise ship and the steps you can take to avoid this mistake.

Will the cruise ship wait for you if you’re running late?

The general rule of thumb is that a Royal Caribbean cruise ship will not wait for you if you’re running late and miss all-aboard time when not on a Royal Caribbean shore excursion.

Cruise ships run on tight schedules, and even a 30 minute to an hour delay can cause problems later on, whether arriving late in the next port or rearranging onboard schedules.

If all-aboard time is 5:30PM and you arrive at 5:35PM, the gangway will likely still be open. When a captain is notified that passengers have not made it back onboard, he or she will try to keep the gangway up as long as possible to ensure they can make it back to the ship.

This wiggle room is not very much time, however, and if you’re 30 minutes late for the ship, you should expect the gangway to be up and the ship ready to sail away.

Exact protocols can change depending on specific ports and scheduling situations.

What if I’m on a shore excursion booked through Royal Caribbean?

If you’re running late but are on an excursion you booked through Royal Caribbean, you’ll receive added protections and the ship will wait for you and your tour group for as long as possible.

If the tour is running extremely late due to an unforeseen event and the ship absolutely cannot wait for the tour group to return before leaving port, Royal Caribbean will cover the cost of transferring all tour group members to the next port of call.

Related: Guide to picking the perfect Royal Caribbean shore excursion

What happens if I miss the cruise ship when NOT on a Royal Caribbean excursion?

Once the ship realizes you have not returned, they’ll often enter your stateroom to remove any essential items like passports and leave the items with the port agents on land. Keeping these items in an easy-to-find place (like the safe) can help crew members locate the items quickly in an emergency.

You’ll be able to retrieve the items Royal Caribbean left with the port agents when you eventually show up to port, even if the ship has already left. Once at the port, the port agents can assist you with figuring out the next steps and contacting Royal Caribbean.

Once you are able to contact the ship/Royal Caribbean, you can discuss your options with them and they can assist you with booking any necessary travel arrangements. These travel arrangements will not be covered by Royal Caribbean and can be costly, especially when traveling from island to island at the last minute.

If you do not have a passport or other proper identification with you, you’ll want to visit the nearest U.S. embassy to discuss next steps and receive replacement identification.

Passenger Vessel Services Act complications

Missing the cruise ship gets more complicated when you miss the ship in a U.S. port of call and want to meet up with the ship in another U.S. port of call.

This is because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), which prohibits foreign-flagged cruise ships from transporting passengers from one U.S. port to another.

While there are a few exceptions to this rule (round-trip sailings from the U.S. that visit a foreign country and travel from one U.S. port to another U.S. port including a stop at a “distant foreign port” like Cartagena or Bermuda), cruise lines will violate the PVSA if you depart from Miami and miss the ship on a port day in Key West, for example. This is because the cruise line technically transported a passenger from one U.S. port to another. 

If you miss the ship in Charleston, South Carolina and the next port of call is Port Canaveral, Florida, you unfortunately will not be able to board the ship in Charleston without breaking the PVSA. Instead, you will have to meet the ship in the first foreign port of call, such as the Bahamas, but this can cause you to miss much more of the cruise than you’d like.

How to avoid missing the ship

Keep track of time

Setting an alarm on your phone for 1-2 hours before all-aboard time can be a fool-proof way to ensure you don’t lose track of time.

Plan to get back onboard at least one hour before the ship’s scheduled departure time, and it’s a good idea to leave even more buffer room if you’re further away from the ship while in port.

Make sure your phone is set to ship time

It’s common for cruise ship itineraries to sail through several time zones, with some itineraries switching time zones nearly every day! To make time zones easier to navigate onboard, Royal Caribbean uses what they refer to as “ship time”.

Ship time is the time used onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, and it may or may not change when you enter/exit new time zones throughout the sailing. Any changes in ship time will be posted on the Cruise Compass.

Before you disembark the ship in port, double check that your phone’s time is set to the correct ship time. You don’t want to think it’s 5PM when it’s actually 6PM on the ship!

In addition, be sure to switch your phone’s time and date settings to manual time instead of automatic. This ensures your phone’s time won’t switch to the destination’s time zone automatically when you switch on your phone service.

Book excursions through Royal Caribbean

Perhaps the biggest benefit of booking shore excursions through Royal Caribbean is the added protection you’ll receive in case your tour runs late. Your cruise ship will wait for your tour group as long as possible, and even cover the cost of transportation to the next port if the ship cannot wait.

Related: Is it better to book excursions through the cruise ship?

Fly to your departure port the day before your cruise

One of our top tips here at Royal Caribbean Blog is to avoid flying to your departure port the same day your cruise begins. While saving on hotel costs and PTO can seem appealing, there are way too many risks involved when flying the same day as your cruise.

Weather delays, flight cancellations, and missed connections can cause you to miss your cruise altogether. Flying in a day ahead of time allots extra wiggle room to help ensure you’ll make it to the cruise port with plenty of time to spare.

Related: Why you shouldn't fly to your cruise the same day it begins

Don’t travel too far

Another way to avoid missing the ship is by limiting how far you travel from the port.

If you’re dreaming of visiting Chichén Itzá while the ship docks in Cozumel, as an example, it’s probably best to book a Royal Caribbean excursion. Visiting the Mayan Ruins requires a 45 minute ferry each way followed by nearly 2 hours by bus.

With so much travel time required, there’s a higher chance something could go wrong along the way (ferry delays, traffic, bus breaks down, etc.).

Avoid drinking too much

Indulging in cocktails, beer, and wine in your port of call may be a fun way to spend the day, but take precautions if you plan on drinking excessively.

Many passengers that find themselves running back to the ship–and even missing the ship altogether–may have spent the day having too much fun and losing track of time.

Have you ever missed the cruise ship (or witnessed the aforementioned 'pier runners' running to the ship)? Share you stories below!