Royal Caribbean Blog

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

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

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

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

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

Photos by Matt Rearick on Symphony of the Seas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CDC food service requirements

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

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

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

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

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

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

The new gratuity rate for Carnival will be as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Will Royal Caribbean do the same?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buy travel insurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Use a good travel agent

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The small town of Skagway is a popular port on an Alaska cruise. Despite the town’s small size and population of just 1,240 people, Skagway boasts some of the most adventurous activities available on an Alaska cruise.

From a journey into Canada’s Yukon territory to rafting the Taiya river and exploring nearby destinations via scooter, cruisers are sure to find interesting activities to do while in Skagway.

If you have an Alaska cruise booked that visits Skagway, here are 10 ideas for what to do with your day there in order to get the best out of this small, scenic town.

White Pass & Yukon Railroad

Perhaps the most popular activity to do in Skagway is book a ticket on the White Pass & Yukon Railroad. There are a few options for taking a train ride in Skagway, with roundtrip train rides between 2-8 hours.

The most common train ride to book is the journey on the White Pass Railroad, which takes passengers north of Skagway in the direction of Canada’s Yukon Territory. Booking the train all the way to the White Pass Summit is recommended for maximum scenery viewing opportunities. 

During the train ride, a local guide tells stories of frontier Alaska, Skagway’s gold rush history, and what life is like in Skagway today. The train cars are heated and offer large windows as well as outdoor observation areas.

Don’t worry about picking the best side of the train once you get onboard. Once the train reaches the top and turns around, passengers will switch seats to ensure everyone gets to see the best views of the scenery from out the window. That being said, if you want the most dramatic views on the way up, the left side of the train would be better.

While it is possible to purchase a train ticket via the White Pass & Yukon Railroad’s website, it is recommended to book directly through Royal Caribbean as this allows you to board the train right near where your cruise ship docks.

Read more about taking the White Pass & Yukon Railroad here.

Visit the Yukon Territory

Skagway is the closest Alaska cruise port to Canada, with the border between Alaska and Canada’s Yukon territory just 14 miles away. Because the Yukon territory is so remote, those looking to visit this part of Canada may want to take advantage of the opportunity to do so while in Skagway.

You can visit the Yukon territory through a guided tour that brings you through stunning wilderness, turquoise blue mountain lakes, and a visit to the tiny town of Carcross across the border. Alternatively, you can opt to rent a car in Skagway and explore on your own.

As a plus, by visiting the Yukon, guests will have the opportunity to take a picture with the iconic “Welcome to Alaska ' sign found at the Canada-United States border.

Read more about visiting Yukon from Skagway here.

Rent a scooter or motorcycle

Photo credit: Skagway Scooters

If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, consider renting a scooter or motorcycle in Skagway to explore as much as possible in just one day.

Skagway Scooters offers hourly scooter and motorcycle rentals to cruise ship passengers. Renting a scooter, unlike a motorcycle, is possible with a regular driver’s license.

The benefits of exploring Skagway via scooter are that you can explore the town and surrounding areas at your own pace and have complete control over where you go during the day.

A popular route to take on a scooter is to leave the town of Skagway and continue along the waterfront Taiya inlet via Dyea road. Another option is to follow the Klondike Highway north out of town and through the mountains. Whichever route you take, spectacular views will certainly be in abundance.

Skagway Scooters provides a map along with a free lesson prior to your ride in order to ensure all visitors feel comfortable on their scooter before leaving.

Ziplining at Grizzly Falls

Passengers traveling with kids or simply looking for something different may be interested in a zip lining excursion at Grizzly Falls.

Excursions to Grizzly Falls meet at the cruise dock before a scenic drive to Dyea, Alaska. Upon arrival in Dyea, guests will transfer to an all-wheel drive vehicle, ascending a rugged mountain road with views of the rainforest and waterfalls.

After a safety instruction at the top of the mountain, guests will be attached to the zipline and fly through Alaska’s scenery and waterfalls on 10 zip line courses. A series of suspension bridges are also available for guests to take photos and spend more time enjoying the views around them.

Float the Taiya River

Photo credit: Shore Excursions Group

Just west of Skagway is the Taiya River, where rafting and float excursions can be found.

Most float tours are relaxed, with a guide paddling down the river and passengers enjoying the scenic views around Skagway. The guide points out wildlife and native plants throughout the tour along with telling stories of the region’s history.

Some rafting tours are paired with a short hike on the Chilkoot trail, allowing for both an active and tranquil excursion.

Walking tour of Skagway

While the mountains and scenery around Skagway are massive, the town is quite small, making it easy to explore it all in one day. Those without an excursion planned or who have free time to spare after a tour may choose to wander around the historic streets of Skagway.

Visitors to Skagway can explore the town without a plan or use a self-guided walking tour.

Alaska.org has a free, interactive walking tour map available on their website that makes exploring Skagway a breeze. With 23 separate places listed, the map provides details on each of the major sites to see in town.

Food and drinks in Skagway

We recommend booking shore excursions in the morning on an Alaska cruise to allow for free time exploring, eating, and drinking in Alaska’s ports during the afternoon.

One of the best ways to wind down after a busy day in Skagway is to enjoy the town’s restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops.

Skagway Brewing Company, a three story building with a 1,500 square foot beer garden, tasting room, gift shop, and restaurant, is a great place to do this. The brewery’s signature beer is the Spruce Tip Blonde Ale, made from young spruce tips hand-picked during Alaska’s spring season.

The on-site restaurant has an extensive menu of fresh Alaskan seafood, classic American sandwiches, burgers, and pastas.

If you're looking for a restaurant specializing in seafood, be sure to check out the Skagway Fish Company. Their signature dish is the Jumbo Alaskan King Crab Leg. Halibut, shrimp, oysters, crab cakes, salmon burgers, fried chicken, and steak are available as well.

Those with a sweet tooth are in luck on a visit to Skagway, too. From homemade fudge at the Alaskan Fudge Company to Alaskan fry bread at Klondike Doughboy, there’s sure to be a dessert to try as you walk around town.

Go on a day hike

Skagway is surrounded by hiking trails, making the town’s surrounding area a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

The most well known hiking trail in Skagway is also the most historic, the Chilkoot Trail. This is a 33-mile path that was an expedition route during Alaska’s gold rush era, in which thousands of people crossed from coastal Alaska into interior Canada. The route was originally followed by the native Tlinget people in the area, who showed the route to gold prospectors in the late 1800s.

While cruise ship passengers do not have time to do the entire trail in one day, of course, shorter day hikes of the Chilkoot trail can be a fun active, adventure that provides a historical perspective as well.

Beyond the Chilkoot trail are several other day hikes located near the center of Skagway.

The Lower Reid Falls and Gold Rush Cemetery hike is a beginner-friendly trail that takes visitors to the Lower Reid Falls waterfall just outside of Skagway. The hike is approximately four miles roundtrip and leaves from downtown Skagway, making it an easily accessible trail that should take around one hour each way.

If you’re looking for something a bit more strenuous, try the trail to Lower Dewey Lake. The trailhead starts just to the east of downtown Skagway and begins with a steep, 500 ft. elevation gain ending at Lower Dewey Lake. Spectacular mountain and water views surround the trail as you loop the lake for the next 3.6 miles.

Helicopter and glacier tour

While helicopter tours to Mendenhall Glacier are popular in Juneau, cruising to Skagway also brings the opportunity to see Alaska’s scenery from above.

Helicopter tours leaving from Skagway generally visit either Chilkat Glacier or Denver Glacier. Prior to landing on the glacier is a scenic tour during which visitors can admire Skagway’s spectacular scenery, whether the rainforests, waterfalls, or snowy mountain peaks. Upon landing on the glacier, most tours will either include a guided glacier hike or dog sledding expedition.

While helicopter tours are not the most budget friendly shore excursion in Alaska, they offer a way to see the state’s scenery from a completely different perspective and are sure to make for a memorable experience in port.

Visit Davidson Glacier via wilderness safari

The “Glacier Point Wilderness Safari” excursion takes guests on a journey to Davidson Glacier, located southeast of Skagway. This excursion can be a great tour option for those who would love to get up close and personal to a glacier without going on a helicopter.

To arrive at Davidson Glacier, guests take a catamaran through the Lynn Canal. It’s possible whales will be spotted during the boat ride and a naturalist will be onboard with the group to share information about the area's wildlife and nature.

Once guests have reached the glacier, they will board a 31-foot voyager canoe to get up close and personal with the glacier.

They say April showers brings May flowers, but Sundays bring you a round-up of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news!

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) removed its travel warning against going on a cruise ship this week.

The federal agency dropped its risk advisory all together for cruise ships, thanks largely to the industry's steadfast dedication to effective health protocols.

The change was celebrated by the cruise industry, who see this as a major change to level the playing field between cruise ships and other forms of leisure travel.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean released new 2023-2024 cruises from Panama
• Cruise with Confidence program came to an end
• Royal Caribbean releases health protocols for Alaska cruises
• Royal Caribbean updates: CEO talks CDC warning, app update & more
• New cruise planner sale on drink packages and more
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Top desserts to try on Wonder of the Seas
• Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska
• Alaska cruise whale watching guide & tips

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 448th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing Deb's review of her Harmony of the Seas cruise.

In this episode, Deb talks about her first cruise back since cruising restarted in 2021, and how her experience went while exploring Harmony.

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

New RCB Video: Oceanview vs Balcony cabin on a cruise ship

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

All about Oasis Class cruise ships

Ever thought about trying Royal Caribbean's largest cruise ships, the Oasis Class?

Not only are Oasis Class cruise ships the largest in the world, but they stand out for just how much you can do onboard, with seemingly endless activities, dining options, and entertainment.

There are five Oasis Class ships in the fleet, with a sixth coming soon. Here's what to expect on these mega ships.

My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you ever spend the money to stay in a Star Class suite, the Royal Genie is going to be your top benefit. Maximizing the value of your genie can make a big difference in the cruise.

Every Genie has their own approach to the position, and having tried Star Class twice, I've found there to be a bit of a learning curve to getting the most out of the experience.

I wanted to share my best advice for someone trying a Star Class suite for the first time.

What to expect on April 2022 cruises

With spring here, that means warmer temperatures and changes across Royal Caribbean's fleet in the month of April.

Whether you are sailing on a spring break cruise, or taking a transatlantic to Europe, I wanted to share the important things to know about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in April.

In-between all the cruise news of this week, there's other tidbits of changes and news to share beyond the major headlines.

There's plenty of other changes and developments you should be aware of from this past week, so here's a look at a few of them that you should know about.

If you ever have a news tip, feel free to email it to [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future update!

Michael Bayley comments on CDC removing travel warning

The big cruise news this week was when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took down its warning against going on a cruise ship due to Covid-19.

In a nutshell, the CDC eliminated its travel warning of contracting Covid-19 on a cruise ship. The warning had been in place for two years.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared his thoughts on the change during a panel at the Cruise360 conference this week.

Cruise360 is an annual travel agent conference, and Mr. Bayley was speaking on a panel when the topic came up.

As you might imagine, Mr. Bayley was quite happy with the warning being removed, "This is great news. The fact that they removed the warning is a very positive step for our industry."

"We’ve been on a very long journey with the CDC."

"Now when a consumer wants to find out about COVID-19 on cruise ships, they can go to the CDC’s websites and get the facts without being scared away by a warning."

Every ship is now in the app

Royal Caribbean added Radiance of the Seas to Royal Caribbean's app, which means now every ship in the fleet has app support.

Ever since Royal Caribbean's app debuted, the company has systematically been adding app support to each ship.  Since 2021, more ships have gotten app support correlating to restart plans.

Getting emuster and check-in support necessitated having the app ready for when a ship would start sailing again.

Read more: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips

ArriveCAN ready for cruise ship passengers

When Royal Caribbean announced its Alaska cruise health protocols, it noted passengers will need to use the ArriveCAN app for all sailings from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver.

All travelers to Canada, or their legal guardians, must download the ArriveCAN app or complete the mandatory travel information via the ArriveCAN website prior to your entry into Canada.

In the 2.27.2 update to ArriveCAN, the app now supports "marine travelers".

According to the app update, cruisers can enter their date and time of embarkation from their country of origin no earlier than 72 hours prior to departure.  In addition, cruisers can make ArriveCAN submissions 30 days prior to arrival.

The ArriveCAN app can be downloaded on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

There simply is no other cruise ship in the world like Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.

Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise industry with the introduction of Oasis of the Seas in 2009. It redefined what you could expect to find on a cruise, and other lines had to play catch-up to match what the Oasis Class offered. 

Every new cruise ship that has entered service since has been compared back to the Oasis Class, and it is a testament to how well-designed the ships are from bow to stern.

They are the biggest cruise ships in the world and their massive size is matched by the variety of activities, entertainment, dining options and more.

They offer expansive suites, lots of activities that appeal to families, food to cater all tastes, and more ways to have fun than ships that came before it.

Something you should know about these ships is that they are not all alike. With each ship, Royal Caribbean has differentiated each one with different entertainment, restaurants, pool deck activities and more. Just because you've sailed one, doesn't mean you've sailed them all.

Royal Caribbean isn't done adding new Oasis Class ships. Utopia of the Seas will be the sixth in the class and the company has hinted they haven't ruled out adding more.

Ready to try an Oasis Class ship? Or want to know what makes each different? Here's a breakdown of the Oasis Class ships and what you need to know about each one.

What are the 7 Oasis Class Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean has six Oasis Class cruise ships:

• Oasis of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Miami and Cape Liberty, offering cruises to Canada and the Caribbean.
• Allure of the Seas is the second Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston, offering Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises.
• Harmony of the Seas is the third Oasis Class ship, and she sails from Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami, offering Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean cruises.
• Symphony of the Seas is the fourth Oasis Class ship, and she primarily sails from Miami, offering 7-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. In the summer, she sails from Barcelona and Rome, offering 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises.
• Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class ship, and she sails primarily from Port Canaveral, offering 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. Her first sailings depart from Ft. Lauderdale, and she spends the summer in Europe, offering Western Mediterranean cruises.
• Utopia of the Seas will be the first Oasis Class ship to start by offering short 3- and 4-night cruises. Utopia is under construction and will enter service in July 2024 from her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.
• An order is in place for a yet-to-be-named Oasis Class ship, which will debut sometime in 2028.

Oasis Class neighborhoods

Oasis Class cruise ships are split into distinct neighborhoods onboard, which helps to keep the ship’s layout easy to navigate as well as split up crowds into different areas. There are seven neighborhoods on the Oasis Class ships, with the exception of Wonder of the Seas which has eight neighborhoods.

• The Boardwalk, an outdoor neighborhood built like an old-fashioned boardwalk, with an arcade, carousel, dining, and entertainment venues
• Pool and Sports Zone, the top decks of an Oasis Class ship with four main pools, an adults-only Solarium, waterslides, and a sports area
• Central Park, an outdoor park with over 10,000 plants and flowers surrounding dining and shopping venues
• Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare of an Oasis Class ship with dining, bars, entertainment, and shopping
• Entertainment Place, a hub of entertainment venues including a comedy club, ice-skating rink, and jazz club
• Youth Zone, where Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean programming is located
• Vitality Spa and Fitness, the onboard spa and gym including a thermal suite, beauty salon, fitness classes, and cafe

Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas have an eighth neighborhood: the Suite Neighborhood. This is an area of the ship dedicated to suite guests and has a pool, bar, lounge areas, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and Suite Lounge.

Activities and things to do

The Oasis Class ships have no shortage of complimentary activities to choose from while onboard. While they share some activities with other Royal Caribbean ships, there are several unique things to do found only on the Oasis Class cruise ships.

Ultimate Abyss

The Ultimate Abyss is a 10-story slide that transports guests from the sports deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood. It is a dry slide and guests use a racer mat to reach the bottom. The slide incorporates lights, sound effects, and music as guests twist and turn at 9mph to the bottom.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have The Ultimate Abyss, but it will be added to the ship once the Royal Amplified program returns.

Utopia of the Seas will have an even longer slide.

Zipline

Guests looking for a thrill can try out the zipline, located on the sports deck of Oasis Class ships. The 82-foot long zipline flies nine decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood. The ride only lasts around ten seconds, but will surely give guests an adrenaline rush.

Rock climbing wall

Oasis Class ships have not only one, but two rock climbing walls. At 43 feet tall, these are the tallest rock climbing walls in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. They are located in the Boardwalk neighborhood overlooking the AquaTheater and ship’s aft.

Ice skating

All Oasis Class ships have the Studio B ice skating rink. Beyond ice skating shows, there are open skating sessions available during the cruise. Guests are provided with ice skates and a helmet.

FlowRider

The FlowRider is a surfing simulator where guests can practice boogie boarding and stand up surfing as water rushes from the front to the back of the FlowRider.

Carousel

Located in the Boardwalk neighborhood on each Oasis Class ship is an intricately designed, colorful carousel. The carousels’ designs are colorful and kid-friendly, with not only horses to ride, but cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, and more.

The carousel moves quite slowly, so it is a fun activity for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Waterslides

Oasis Class ships have three main waterslides on the pool deck. First is The Perfect Storm, a set of racing slides. The other slide is Supercell, which ends with a “toilet” or “champagne” bowl, where guests loop around a bowl several times before falling into the middle.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have waterslides, but the Cyclone, Typhoon, and Supercell slides will be added to the ship once the Royal Amplified program returns.

Puzzle Break Center

Oasis Class ships offer the Puzzle Break Center, an escape room, onboard. This activity comes at an extra cost (usually around $20 per person). The escape room’s theme and challenge varies per ship, so guests can try the escape room on more than one Oasis Class ship without the storyline repeating.

Allure of the Seas does not yet have a Puzzle Break Center, and the escape room on Wonder of the Seas is still being constructed.

Kids activities & Adventure Ocean

Each Oasis Class ship has two arcades onboard: one on the top decks near the sports deck areas and one on the Boardwalk. The boardwalk arcade is either in its own venue or incorporated into Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. The arcade comes at an extra cost.

In addition, all Oasis Class ships have an extensive Adventure Ocean area for kids. Childcare is available for kids aged 6 months to 17 years, and kids are broken into separate rooms by age group.

Teens have their own space onboard Oasis Class ships, with both indoor and outdoor spaces to hang out.

Other activities

On the sports deck of each Oasis Class ship is a mini golf course and sports court. Both are open throughout the day, with select activities such as pickleball and basketball tournaments listed in the Cruise Planner.

Select Oasis Class ships also offer Battle for Planet Z, a laser tag arena, onboard. The arena is glow-in-the-dark and sure to be a fun activity for kids and adults.

Pool Deck

Because Oasis Class ships are split in the middle, there are two separate sides of the pool deck, and guests can look from the pool deck down into Central Park below.

There are four pools on the pool deck:

• The Beach Pool, with lines of pool chairs placed into shallow water, meant to create the effect of lounging in a chair near the ocean
• The Sports Pool, where pool games and activities are played, such as the belly flop contest or pool volleyball
• The Main Pool, a regular pool with plenty of seating
• Splashaway Bay, a kids aqua park with waterslides, dump buckets, and water sprayers. Allure of the Seas has an H20 zone instead of Splashaway Bay.

Also located on the pool deck are jacuzzis at each of the four pools, two large cantilevered jacuzzis, and several pool bars.

Each Oasis Class ship also features an adults-only Solarium for guests 16 and older, with a pool and several jacuzzis.

Entertainment and venues on Oasis Class ships

Oasis Class ships have three main entertainment venues onboard. The most unique venue is the AquaTheater. Found only on Oasis Class ships, the AquaTheater is where Royal Caribbean’s aqua shows are performed, combining diving, slacklining, aerialists, synchronized swimmers, and more.

AquaTheater shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Aqua 80 and Splash
• Allure of the Seas: Oceanaria
• Harmony of the Seas: The Fine Line and Hideaway Heist
• Symphony of the Seas: HIRO and Aqua Nation
• Wonder of the Seas: inTENse
• Utopia of the Seas: Aqua 80 Too

Like on all Royal Caribbean ships, the Royal Theater is home to signature shows and entertainers throughout the cruise. The Oasis Class ships (with the exception of Wonder of the Seas) all perform a full-length Broadway musical in addition to Royal Caribbean’s original productions.

Royal Theater shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Cats (Broadway musical) and One Sky
• Allure of the Seas: Mama Mia (Broadway musical) and Blue Planet
• Harmony of the Seas: Grease (Broadway musical) and Columbus: The Musical
• Symphony of the Seas: Hairspray (Broadway musical) and Flight: Dare to Dream
• Wonder of the Seas: Voices and The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn
• Utopia of the Seas: To be announced

Oasis Class ships also have Studio B, the ice skating rink onboard. The ice skating show(s) vary per ship, but they all combine talented figure skaters, intricate technology and lighting effects, and detailed set design to create an immersive story for guests. 

Studio B shows:

• Oasis of the Seas: Frozen in Time
• Allure of the Seas: Ice Games
• Harmony of the Seas: iSkate and 1887: A Journey in Time
• Symphony of the Seas: iSkate 2.0 and 1997: Adventure on Ice
• Wonder of the Seas: 365: The Seasons on Ice
• Utopia of the Seas: To be announced

Other than the signature productions onboard Oasis Class ships, there are plenty of other entertainment venues for guests to enjoy. The exact name of these venues may vary by ship:

• Jazz on 4, a jazz club with an elegant 1920s atmosphere and live jazz music each evening (not available on Wonder of the Seas)
• The Attic/Blaze Comedy/Comedy Live, a comedy club where the ship’s featured comedians perform throughout the evening
• On Air/Spotlight Karaoke, a karaoke bar where guests can sing solo or with a group of friends
• Music Hall/Dazzles, a multi-level nightclub and lounge with live bands and dancing with views of the Boardwalk neighborhood

Other entertainment can be found throughout the cruise, such as live Latin music and dancing at Boleros, piano entertainment at Schooner Bar, and an acoustic guitarist at the English-style pub onboard.

Food & dining

Oasis Class ships share the following complimentary dining venues:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Solarium Bistro
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Park Cafe
• The Boardwalk Dog House
• Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)
• Cafe Promenade (excluding specialty drinks)
• Vitality Cafe (excluding specialty drinks)
• Soft serve ice cream station on the pool deck

They also share the following specialty dining venues:

• Chef’s Table
• Wonderland (excluding Oasis & Allure of the Seas)
• Chops Grille
• 150 Central Park
• Johnny Rockets (complimentary for breakfast)
• Starbucks
• Izumi sushi & hibachi

Oasis Class ships share the following bars and lounges:

• Boleros
• Rising Tide Bar
• Schooner Bar
• Bionic Bar (excluding Allure of the Seas)
• English-style pub
• Solarium Bar
• Pool bars
• Wipe Out Bar
• Vintages (excluding Wonder of the Seas)
• Trellis Bar

One of the most unique bars on Oasis Class ships is the Rising Tide Bar, which continuously moves up and down from the Royal Promenade on deck 5 to Central Park on deck 8.

Each Oasis Class ship has a complimentary, grab-and-go restaurant located on the pool deck that is open for breakfast and lunch:

• El Loco Fresh, found on Oasis, Symphony, and Wonder of the Seas, offers burritos, quesadillas, rice, beans, and a salsa station
• Wipe Out Cafe, found on Allure of the Seas, offers sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and more
• Mini Bites, found on Harmony of the Seas, offers similar items to Wipe Out Cafe and also has an omelette station at breakfast

Each Oasis Class ship also has a specialty Italian restaurant onboard, although the venue changes by ship:

• Giovanni’s Table, found on Allure and Oasis of the Seas, offers traditional Italian cuisine with menu highlights including tagliatelle alla carbonara, Mediterranean branzino, and filet mignon
• Jamie’s Italian, found on Harmony and Symphony of the Seas, offers a more modern take on Italian cuisine with menu highlights including truffle tagliatelle, pan-roasted salmon, and chianti-braised short rib.
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, found on Wonder of the Seas, is Royal Caribbean’s newest Italian restaurant concept, with menu highlights including specialty pizzas, steak muffuletta, and lasagna classica. Next door to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is Giovanni’s Wine Bar, with an extensive selection of Italian wines and small bites.

Differences between the Oasis Class cruise ships

Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship, was recently amplified through Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified Program in 2019. Due to this, she received a number of enhancements and features found on the newest Oasis Class ships such as waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss, and new dining venues.

The pool deck on Oasis of the Seas was transformed into a Caribbean-style pool deck during the amplification, with colorful decor, comfy seating, casita lounge areas, and extra jacuzzis.

The Lime & Coconut bar was also added to the pool deck, which serves a variety of tropical drinks such as the Watermelon Rita, Blue Hawaiian, and signature Lime & Coconut cocktail.

Here are the other new venues added to Oasis of the Seas during her amplification:

• Portside BBQ, a specialty restaurant unique to Oasis of the Seas, which serves a variety of barbecued meat and comfort food, including Texas Beef Brisket and St. Louis-style Spare Ribs
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Royal Caribbean’s signature sports bar with nachos, sliders, burgers, beer, and countless TV screens available to watch your favorite team
• Sugar Beach candy store

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas has a few significant differences from other Oasis Class ships, as her amplification has been indefinitely postponed due to Covid-19.

Allure of the Seas does not have the Ultimate Abyss slide, waterslides, or a Splashaway Bay for kids. She does have the H20 Zone on the pool deck, which features kids splash pads and water sprayers.

Despite not having these signature activities, Allure of the Seas still offers many signature activities onboard like rock climbing, mini golf, ziplining, the FlowRider, etc.

There are a few dining options unique to Allure of the Seas:

• Boardwalk Donuts, where guests can enjoy complimentary donuts and coffee each morning (complimentary)
• Cups & Scoops, a 1940s-style ice cream shop selling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and cupcakes (extra cost)
• Candy Beach candy store (extra cost)
• Samba Grill, a traditional Brazilian rodizio with all-you-can-eat meats as well as a salad and sides bar. Samba Grill is located in the Solarium Bistro in the evenings (specialty restaurant)

Allure of the Seas is one of two Oasis Class ships with Sabor, a Mexican specialty restaurant and tequila bar, which is located in the Boardwalk neighborhood.

She is the only Oasis Class ship without the Wonderland specialty restaurant onboard. In its place is the Diamond Club. Diamond members may enjoy this venue, as it is a two-story venue with huge windows overlooking the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Allure of the Seas has Blaze, an additional nightclub lounge, on Deck 4. This is where the Diamond Club is found on other Oasis Class ships.

Harmony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to be designed with waterslides in the initial ship build, as well as add new features to Oasis Class ships such as the Ultimate Abyss. Many of the design innovations made on Harmony of the Seas have served as a model for future Oasis Class ships and amplifications.

Harmony of the Seas is the only Oasis Class ship with Royal Caribbean’s original production Columbus: The Musical!, which tells the story of Marvin Columbus, the imaginary, luckless cousin of Christopher Columbus. This show is usually a favorite among cruisers.

The Solarium on Harmony of the Seas differs from other Oasis Class ships in that she does not have a pool. She still has four jacuzzis, but guests looking to take a swim must head to the main pool deck.

Harmony of the Seas, like Allure of the Seas, has the specialty restaurant Sabor on the Boardwalk. Menu highlights at Sabor include build-your-own tacos, spicy beef empanadas, and cinnamon churros.

Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas was the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer Hooked on Seafood, a specialty restaurant specializing in New England-style seafood. Those dining at Hooked on Seafood can start their meal with starters such as Fresh-shucked Oysters, Clam & Crab Chowder, and Ceviche. Entree highlights include the Messy Fish Sandwich, Drunken Mussels, and Maine Lobster Roll. 

Like Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas also has a Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and Sugar Beach candy store on the Boardwalk.

Symphony of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to debut the Ultimate Family Suite, Royal Caribbean’s most expensive suite. The Ultimate Family Suite is designed to be an oasis for kids, with an in-suite slide, air hockey table, LEGO wall, and private gaming area.

Symphony of the Seas has a few unique entertainment additions, as well. On Royal Caribbean’s signature show Flight: Dare to Dream, guests can be amazed by a replica of the original Wright brothers’ airplane, which “flies” through the Royal Theater during the show.

During the ice skating show 1977: Adventure on Ice, a drone show is included in the performance. A total of 48 drones with lighting effects are used in the production, programmed to move up, down, and around the ice rink in sync with the music.

Wonder of the Seas

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class ship.

Originally she was designed for the Chinese market, so Wonder of the Seas has a few design differences compared to other Oasis Class ships.

Suite neighborhood

The biggest difference on Wonder of the Seas is the addition of the Suite Neighborhood. The Suite Neighborhood is the eighth neighborhood onboard and is accessible only for suite guests.

The suite neighborhood follows a similar concept to the suite-exclusive areas found on Quantum Class ship Spectrum of the Seas. Also designed for the Chinese market, Spectrum of the Seas has exclusive dining, pool, and lounge areas just for suite guests.

The Suite neighborhood on Wonder of the Seas wraps around the ship’s funnel on decks 16, 17, and 18. It features Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge, and a private sun deck with views of the sports court and ocean.

The private sundeck includes its own plunge pool, bar, and outdoor lounge areas.

Other key differences

Wonder of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship with The Vue, a cantilevered bar located on the upper pool deck.

The Vue offers panoramic views of the ocean and a colorful, mosaic canopy overhead that lights up at night. The Vue has taken the space of one of the cantilevered hot tubs onboard, so instead of two like on other Oasis Class ships, there is only one.

Another new bar on Wonder of the Seas is Cantina Fresca. Located next to El Loco Fresh, Cantina Fresca offers Mexican-inspired cocktails, margaritas, and aguas frescas.

Unlike other Oasis Class ships, Wonder of the Seas only has one FlowRider. In its place is the Wonder Playscape, a brand new play area for kids onboard.

The Playscape is an underwater-themed playground with climbing walls, slides, nets, interactive murals, games, and nooks and crannies to explore.

Like Oasis of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas has a Caribbean-style pool deck complete with colorful decor, lounge areas, casitas, extra hot tubs, and The Lime & Coconut bar. Wonder of the Seas has more seating options available on the pool deck, including a movie screen theater area.

Speaking of a movie screen, the TV screen on the pool deck on Wonder of the Seas is the largest in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Like Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas also features an Ultimate Family Suite. It is bigger than the suite on Symphony, with three bedrooms and a movie/game room that can be converted into a fourth bedroom.

In place of Jazz on 4, Wonder of the Seas has The Golden Room, an extra casino space. As Wonder of the Seas was designed for the Chinese Market, extra casino spaces were incorporated into the ship. This may be changed in the future to better fit the American and European cruise markets.

Another difference on Wonder of the Seas is the Windjammer. Unlike on other Oasis Class ships where the Windjammer is relatively small, the Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas is the largest in Royal Caribbean's fleet and wraps around the entire Boardwalk neighborhood on Deck 15.

Dining

The Mason Jar, a brand new restaurant in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, is found on Wonder of the Seas. 

The Mason Jar specializes in Southern staples, including Lobster & Crawfish Gumbo, Blackened Cajun Catfish, and Shrimp N’ Grits. Brunch is also available on sea days, with menu highlights including Meemaw’s Fried Chicken N’ Waffles, Blueberry Johnny Cakes, and Stuffed French Toast.

Adjacent to The Mason Jar is The Mason Jar Bar, serving unique cocktails with a focus on bourbon and moonshine.

Wonder of the Seas also has Hooked Seafood, Playmakers, and Sugar Beach.

Staterooms on Oasis Class ships

Due to the unique architecture found on Oasis Class ships, there are several types of staterooms not available on other Royal Caribbean ships:

• Boardwalk balconies, which offer views of the Boardwalk and a partial, side view of the ocean
• Central Park balconies, which offer views of Central Park
• Central Park and Boardwalk view staterooms, which feature a window looking into the Central Park or Boardwalk neighborhood
• AquaTheater suites, which are located in the ship’s aft with panoramic views of the ocean and AquaTheater

Oasis Class ships have a wide variety of suites available, including Grand Suites, the Owner’s Suite, AquaTheater suites, and loft suites.

There are also interior, interior with virtual balcony, ocean view, balcony, and Royal Promenade view rooms available.

Who is the Oasis Class best for?

The Oasis Class is best for guests who view the cruise ship as the destination, and they offer something for every type of cruiser.

Many guests book a cruise on an Oasis Class ship due to the sheer range of options available. With the amount of entertainment, organized activities, and dining venues onboard, there is a little chance guests will ever get bored on an Oasis Class ship.

Those looking for a quiet experience onboard will find plenty of options, too, whether spending the afternoon reading a book in Central Park or relaxing in the Solarium.

The Oasis Class is an extremely popular choice for families, as the ships can cater to guests of all ages. Kids will have an abundance of activities onboard, from waterslides to rock climbing and the zipline. Teens will love the large hangout spaces and areas to explore with new friends on the ship.

Due to the size of Oasis Class ships, they are not able to fit into a wide variety of ports around the world. Therefore, many of the itineraries on Oasis Class ships are similar to each other. If you plan to visit more unique cruise ports, an Oasis Class ship may not be the best choice for you.

Oasis Class Tips & Secrets

There is no 13th deck on Oasis Class ships, so you will go straight from the 12th deck to the 14th deck!

Allure and Oasis of the Seas have art displays known as “Small Wonders” throughout the ship. These are periscopes or telescopes where you’ll find tiny, 3D pieces of art when you look inside. They are located around the ship, so exploring Allure or Oasis of the Seas to find them can be a fun activity to do onboard.

Likewise, Wonder of the Seas has astronauts scattered throughout the ship. 

The Solarium bridge wings offer a fantastic view for sailaway or sunset.

Royal Caribbean is starting April off with a brand new sale on pre-cruise purchases.

The "Soak Up The Savings" sale begins on April 1st (no joke), and promises up to 35% onboard prices.

The sale runs between April 1 - 7, 2022 and is valid on sailings departing between April 6, 2022 - December 31, 2022.

Here's a look at what sort of discounts you might be able to find:

Beverage: Up to 40% off

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 25% off onboard prices.
• Spring Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• San Benedetto Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• Evian Water Bottles: 40% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 30% off onboard prices.
• Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship.

Shore Excursions: Up to 25% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.

Internet: Up to 50% Off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.
• The Key: DIscount varies by ship

Dining: Up to 55% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship.

Gifts & Gear: Up to 20% Off

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries
• Inky Beach Set
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe)
• Inky Travel Set
• Red Wine and Cheese
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel
• Strawberries with Champagne
• White Wine and Cheese

Photo Packages: Up to 70% Off

• Photo Packages: From 5 - 100 Print and/or Digital Options: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: All Digital: Discount varies by ship.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

More helpful information

• Should you buy pre-cruise purchases now or wait to buy it onboard?
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• How much should I budget for a cruise?

Nearly all Royal Caribbean cruises to Alaska include a stop in Alaska’s picturesque capital city of Juneau. Whether hiking at Mendenhall Glacier, booking a whale watching tour, or traveling by floatplane, Juneau and the city’s surrounding area boast a variety of outdoor and cultural activities for cruisers to enjoy.

While Juneau is Alaska’s second most populous city, its population is only around 32,000, making it a comfortable destination to explore on a day in port. Surrounded by ice fields, mountains, and waterfalls, Juneau is a favorite port for many on an Alaska cruise.

Choosing what to do in Juneau on a cruise can be a difficult decision in the planning process, as the city offers a wide range of options for all interests and fitness levels. Let’s take a look at the best activities to do on a cruise to Juneau.

Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area

One of the most popular places visited by cruise passengers in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier. While the glacier can be accessed via helicopter or boat, most visitors arrive by road to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area.

The recreation area is quite big, with five short walks and hikes to choose from as well as an informative visitor’s center. Stunning views are available in every direction, whether spotting eagles in the trees, marveling at huge mountain peaks, or taking in glacier views across the lake.

A recommended trail at the recreation area is the trail to Nugget Falls, a 377 foot waterfall located near Mendenhall Glacier. This is a popular trail due to its short length of just 1.5 miles roundtrip on a gravel path.

You can purchase a tour that visits Mendenhall Glacier, but we recommend taking a taxi or shuttle bus so you can explore on your own time. A shuttle bus can be found right outside the pier once you dock in Juneau, with round trip tickets around $45 per person.

Helicopter glacier tour

Alaska’s nature is breathtaking, and a great way to truly grasp the scale of Juneau’s mountains and glaciers is by helicopter. The most common spot for helicopter tours in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier.

Helicopter tours usually include either a guided walk on the glacier or a dog sledding excursion. Guests on a helicopter tour will wear glacier boots for a secure walk around the ice and marvel in the spectacular scenery of Juneau’s icefields.

Helicopter tours are not cheap, with prices around $340 per person or more. Despite the higher cost, though, they are often a highlight of an Alaska cruise, offering a completely unique experience that cannot be replicated at the majority of cruise ports around the world.

Whale watching excursion

Juneau is one of the best Alaska cruise ports for whale watching, with humpback whales being most commonly spotted. Around 600 humpback whales call the waters near Juneau home in the summer months, leading to many sighting opportunities for cruise passengers.

Whale watching tours are offered through Royal Caribbean shore excursions or can be booked directly through local providers. Some tours combine whale watching with tours of Mendenhall Glacier, salmon bakes, and additional wildlife viewing opportunities.

Tour operators will often give a $100 cash refund (or partial refund) to guests on the chance that no whales are spotted on a tour. During the summer months, though, spotting whales on a tour is very common so a refund is rare.

Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway

The Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway brings riders from 56 feet above sea level to 1,800 feet up Mount Roberts (about halfway up the mountain). 

At the top of the tram, passengers can view downtown Juneau, the Chilkat Mountains, Gastineau Channel, Douglas Island, and Admiralty Island.

The Goldbelt Tram provides more than just a scenic view once at the top, though. On top of the mountain are hiking trails, tourist shops, a Nature Center, and a restaurant. An accessible trail is available as well.

Ambitious hikers may want to hike the rest of the way up Mount Roberts via a trail near the top of the tram which leads to the peak.

The Goldbelt Tramway is located about a five minute walk from the ship in Juneau, making it a convenient activity for guests to enjoy. The tramway is $45 for adults, $30 for children ages 3-12, and free for children 2 and under. The price includes unlimited rides up and down Mount Roberts throughout the day. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the ticket counter once in Juneau.

Red Dog Saloon

Established in Juneau’s mining era, the Red Dog Saloon is an iconic place to grab a drink near the cruise port in Juneau. Filled with eclectic decor and memorabilia including a historic gun, paper currency from around the world, and a walrus oosik, the Red Dog Saloon is a fun place to hang out while in Juneau.

The menu at the Red Dog Saloon includes three signature drinks: the Duck Fart shot, Glacier Margarita, and Miners Scratch Hard Lemonade. In addition to signature drinks are beers, wine, liquors, cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks. A food menu is available as well.

Hanging out at the Red Dog Saloon is great to do on days when the weather is particularly cold and rainy, or before you board the ship after a long day exploring Juneau.

Take a floatplane

Taking a floatplane from Juneau while on a cruise can take you to destinations further away from the city less visited by tourists. They also give a completely different perspective of Alaska’s scenery than what you can see from the cruise ship.

Some floatplane excursions take off in Juneau, fly around the area, and land back in Juneau. Others, such as the “Brown Bear and Wildlife Search by Floatplane” excursion, include a stop at a remote stream with high concentrations of brown bears. The plane lands near the stream, allowing guests to catch close-up glimpses of brown bears in their natural habitat before flying back to Juneau.

With aerial views of the Juneau icefield, glaciers, waterfalls, rainforests, and mountain peaks, flying on a floatplane is sure to be an unforgettable excursion.

Kayak near glaciers

Juneau’s nearby scenery provides some of the best kayaking experiences visitors can experience anywhere, and kayaking excursions are a popular choice for those looking to get active.

Popular kayak spots in Juneau include the Mendenhall wetlands and Smuggler’s Cove. Guests hoping to get a closer look at Mendenhall Glacier will be in luck on a kayak, with some tours offering loops of Mendenhall Glacier Lake.

Kayaking can also get visitors closer to wildlife, offering the opportunity to spot whales, seals, salmon, otters, and more from the water.

Go hiking

Outdoorsy cruisers will love the access to both beginner and challenging hiking trails near downtown Juneau. Aside from the excellent trails at the top of the Goldbelt Tramway and Mendenhall Glacier are other day hikes to consider.

One of these is Perseverance Trail, a 4.6 mile out and back through the forest, offering views of the valley and waterfalls along the way. The hike’s trailhead can be accessed via a steep, 1 mile uphill walk or taxi.

Those looking for a shorter, more casual walk may be interested in the Gold Creek Flume Trail, a 1.4 mile out and back hike. Much of the trail is on a boardwalk and is suitable for beginners and kids while still offering wonderful views in all directions.

Learn about and experience dog sledding

Dog sledding tours are a popular excursion choice for animal lovers in Juneau, offering the chance to learn more about dog mushing, Alaska’s state sport.

It’s estimated that dog mushing has been a reliable form of transportation in the Arctic for thousands of years, though the earliest archaeological evidence of dogsledding is dated around 1,000 A.D. Today the sport is popular throughout Alaska, with the state home to the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, a long distance sled dog race traveling from Anchorage to Nome.

While dog mushing is traditionally a winter sport, there are still ways to experience it while on an Alaska cruise.

Some tours will begin with a helicopter tour over Juneau, landing on Mendenhall Glacier for a dog sledding ride on top of the glacier. Others will travel via shuttle bus to Juneau’s Musher’s Camp, where visitors can meet and cuddle with husky puppies before a mile-long ride through the forest.

The helicopter and dog sled combo tends to be on the higher end of excursion prices, whereas a visit to the Musher’s Camp comes at a more reasonable price.

Read more about a sled dog excursion here.

Eat seafood

Photo credit: Tracy's King Crab Shack

While Royal Caribbean cruise ships offer fantastic dining options, don’t forget to taste local cuisine while on an Alaska cruise, specifically Alaskan seafood.

The most popular restaurant for visitors to try is Tracy’s King Crab Shack. Located right near the cruise port, Tracy’s King Crab Shack, as the name implies, focuses on dishes made with king crab. From king crab legs to crab bisque and crab cakes, this is a go-to spot for many hoping to taste the freshest Alaskan seafood around.

Photo credit: The Salmon Spot

If you’re hoping to try salmon while in Juneau, look no further than The Salmon Spot. While it’s easy to miss this small food stand at first glance, The Salmon Spot offers fresh salmon patties, salmon burgers, and salmon chowder. As a plus, it’s conveniently located near the cruise port, making for a quick, delicious meal before heading on an excursion or back onboard.

Another option for tasting Alaskan salmon is through a salmon bake. Some excursions in Juneau may include an Alaskan salmon bake, where guests can dine on salmon, chicken, and side dishes in the rainforest.

If you're staying in Royal Caribbean's top tier suites, you're going to want to know how to maximize the experience, including what your Royal Genie offers.

Royal Caribbean's top suite experience is known as Star Class, and it includes a crew member who is a blend of personal concierge and magic maker.  Known as a Genie, this crew member works with just three cabins or so to manage every need onboard.

Having tried two different Royal Genies so far, my takeaway has been there is a learning curve to being able to fully utilize what Royal Caribbean packs into the experience. In fact, what's listed on paper as your benefits is really just a starting point. Depending on your genie and how vocal you are, the experience can vary significantly from person to person.

The cost of booking one of the cruise cabins that includes a Royal Genie is not cheap, with prices usually starting in the five figures. So with that kind of investment, getting your money's worth is something you probably want to investigate.

Here's my best advice for someone trying a Star Class suite for the first time, and get everything out of it you can.

It makes even basic activities easier

It's easy to start planning all the big ticket things your Star Class suite includes, but don't overlook the basics either.

Having a Royal Genie is all about making your life onboard easier, especially when it comes to lines.

Genies have the ability to cut the line for almost everything, including onboard activities.

Your genie can get you to the front of the line for laser tag, water slides, and pretty much any other onboard activity. This is especially helpful with kids, who often want to do all the fun things onboard.

Every Genie is different

If you read the description of the Royal Genie service from Royal Caribbean, it sounds like the Genie experience is going to be the same for anyone you get, but it's far from that.

Each Genie has their own style and approach to offering their services, and that means your experience can vary between different Genie's.

Star Class, by its very definition, is designed to be a personalized experience.  While the overall "rules" are fairly consistent, the specific amenities do tend to vary by ship and even among Genies on the same ship.  

I hesitate to ever say one Genie is better or worse than another. Instead, they are simply different, so if you've had a Genie in the past, your next Genie will likely do things slightly differently.

What this means is some Genie's are better about pre-cruise communication than others, while other Genies prefer to spend more time socializing with their guests than others. 

Each Genie will help you with planning your days and nights with things like specialty dining reservations, entertainment seating, booking onshore excursions, and personal escorts onto and off of the ship, as needed. They're basically a walking and talking Guest Services that you can message anytime.

When you meet your Genie onboard, it's always a good idea to share what you're looking for during the sailing.  Just keep in mind how each Genie goes about their duties will vary.

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

Ask for everything

One of the early mantras I learned from others that book Star Class often is to rely heavily on the Genie to provide everything.

As someone that is used to planning a lot before the cruise and not wanting to be a bother, this was a bit of an adjustment, but the real value of having a Genie is having them take care of your every need.

What this means is any food or drink you want should go through the Genie, rather than you getting it yourself. If you want to see a show, or reserve a seat somewhere, ask the Genie.

I even asked my Genie to reserve seats at the Mason Jar bar because it was busy.  He investigated and got us reserved seats.  

Of course I can do many of these things on my own, but paying for the Star Class experience gets you this service.  So to best take advantage of what you're paying for is to not feel like a bother to the Genie by making requests.

Specialty dining galore

Another major benefit of booking Star Class is all the specialty dining is included with your cruise fare.

Just like the unlimited dining package, you can dine at any specialty restaurant and pay nothing extra for the experience.  

Unlike the dining packages, your Genie can reserve tables for you before the cruise.  He or she can also deliver any food from a specialty restaurant to your stateroom as long as the restaurant is open.

We usually feed our kids dinner before we drop them off at Adventure Ocean, so when we are in Star Class, my kids order steak from Chops Grille and pizza from Giovanni's Kitchen because it's included.

While Coastal Kitchen (the complimentary restaurant for suite guests) is included in your cruise fare as well, it seems to me the included specialty dining is far more lucrative to take advantage of for your dining plans.

Check-in is super easy

An underrated benefit of being Star Class is you'll never have such an easy check-in procedure at the cruise terminal.

Regardless of your check-in time with the Royal Caribbean app, your Genie will ask you what time you want to arrive.

When you get to the terminal, a designated porter just for Suite Guests will take your luggage and bring it directly onboard the ship immediately.

You then get to enter the cruise terminal and complete the check in process ahead of others. Your Genie meets you in the cruise terminal and takes you immediately up to your suite.

They say patience is a virtue, but it's not necessary with the Star Class.

Gratuities are crazy (depending who you ask)

How much to tip your Genie at the end of the cruise is a gray area, to say the least.

There's all sorts of ideas on what is appropriate and the amounts are all over the place.

In my experience, there is no right or wrong answer, as you have to consider all sorts of people book Star Class and there's no specific gratuity recommendation by Royal Caribbean.

The Genie will appreciate whatever gratuity you deem is appropriate at the conclusion of the sailing, but for anyone trying Star Class for the first time, you will quickly discover tipping is the wild west for Genies.

Depending on my experience onboard, I pick an amount and multiply it by the amount of people I'm travelling with and go from there.

Your cabin is your castle

Another mantra of the Star Class experience is to spend more time than ever in your cabin.

Because your Genie can deliver all the food and drinks you want to the cabin, plan on spending more time enjoying the lavish accommodations you have booked.

Star Class cabins are large, and offer a ton of living space coupled with beautiful views, so enjoy them as much as you can.

You can have not only food delivered, but cocktails too.  Heck, some Genies have arrange in-suite parties with bar cart, ice cream socials, and more.

Going back to one of the lessons I talked about earlier, ask for everything and whenever possible, have it delivered to your cabin.

Free laundry

Another underrated perk is you can enjoy all the laundry you want for no cost.

Instead of coming home with a suitcase full of dirty laundry, send it out to be laundered.

My advice is send it out daily, rather than a huge bag at the end of the cruise. It's easier to manage because you have to fill out the laundry form each time.

Is Star Class worth the cost?

I bet even if you read every part of this article, the one question you still have is if Star Class is worth paying significantly more to get.

The Star Class experience is a splurge of epic proportions, so this is not a question of can you do enough to "break even". Just like first class on an airplane, or buying a Corvette, you're doing these things because you can and it's nice to reward yourself sometimes.

Each time I've stayed in Star Class I come to the same conclusion: it was a wonderful way to spend my cruise, and it spoiled us. I think that's exactly what Royal Caribbean wants guests to feel like after they try Star Class.

Obviously not everyone will be able to afford Star Class, and that's okay. You can have an amazing cruise experience without a Royal Genie and filet mignon delivered to your cabin. 

If you do elect to try Star Class, do as much as you can to maximize your cost by utilizing all the services and perks of Star Class.