Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas is a popular choice for Caribbean getaways, but is it the right ship for your next vacation? 

According to Deloitte's recent travel survey, about 45% of Americans are planning summer vacations, so there are several key factors to consider before making your final decision. These include budget, activities, and total value for your money.

In 2023, I spent two weeks aboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, traveling to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Miami, Florida. As a solo traveler on both sailings, I paid around $3,107.38 for the cruise fare and gratuities, which breaks down to about $221.95 per night. 

I am no stranger to Oasis Class ships. In fact, they are my favorite class of ship, so I was hoping to see if Symphony of the Seas lived up to my expectations.

Here's what my experience aboard the Symphony of the Seas ship was like — and whether she is the right choice for your next tropical vacation.

About Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas is filled with seemingly endless dining options and activity choices, making it an ideal vacation for anyone looking for a mega ship vacation — it does not matter if you are a young couple or a multigenerational family. 

While not the newest Oasis Class ship, Symphony of the Seas proves that Royal Caribbean is constantly striving to improve and make the best even better! She debuted in 2018 as the largest cruise ship in the world and has some key differences that set her apart from her younger counterparts. 

The 5,518-passenger capacity ship, for instance, was the first Oasis Class ship to replace Sabor on the Boardwalk with Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade. 

Additionally, it was the first ship in the entire fleet to receive Hooked Seafood, a specialty restaurant that serves up fresh New England-style seafood for a nominal fee. 

Of course, thanks to Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification program, these venues can now be found on other Oasis Class ships, too. 

Although she is no longer the largest cruise ship, vacations on board Symphony of the Seas still deliver a floating resort-style experience at sea, with an impressive lineup of dining, entertainment, and onboard attractions that rival most ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet. 

In fact, Symphony of the Seas is so large that she's split into seven distinct neighborhoods, including:

• Central Park
• Boardwalk
• Royal Promenade
• Pool and Sports Zone
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Entertainment Place
• Youth Zone

This layout makes the 228,081 gross-ton vessel easier to navigate and helps disperse crowds. For example, in the Royal Promenade, you will find casual dining options, bars, shops, and essential services. 

However, the Pool and Sports Zone has a completely different atmosphere centered around outdoor fun and relaxation, ranging from the water slide complex to the FlowRider surf simulators and adults-only Solarium. 

Symphony of the Seas Highlights

Refreshed adults-only Solarium

As someone in their mid-twenties and childless by choice, I like to be able to have a space to retreat from families while on vacation. Not only is the Solarium a child-free place, but it is aesthetically a nice place to be. 

Unique to Symphony of the Seas is a one-of-a-kind art installation that is comprised of thousands of dichroic acrylic elements. You will not believe how beautiful it is at night! Plus, Symphony of the Seas' solarium has a convenient pool, so you don't have to leave the adults-only oasis to take a refreshing dip on a warm Caribbean day. 

Moreover, although all Oasis Class ships have a Solarium Bistro, I found the one on Symphony of the Seas to be particularly nicer. The two-story space shares the top floor with the specialty restaurant Hooked Seafood. It has a much more refined feel, despite the fact that children can technically eat there, and I preferred it over the Windjammer Marketplace!

Unique entertainment options

Royal Caribbean is known for its entertainment options onboard its cruise ships, particularly its newer ones. In total, Symphony of the Seas has four main shows: Hairspray, HiRO, 1977, and Flight: Dare to Dream.

Of course, there's also live music, comedy shows, and more. There was never a moment that I was bored during my cruise. In fact, I found trying to squeeze everything in to be a bit overwhelming (totally worth it, though!). 

I was a bit disappointed to find out that Hairspray was not a full-length Broadway-style production. That being said, the 90-minute show was my favorite! I had previously seen it onboard Oasis of the Seas in 2014 and remembered it being hilarious, especially the cast's ability to improvise with the technical difficulties.

Thankfully, there were no issues during this show, but the cast still had an unmatchable energy; it was evident that they loved what they did. 

The best piece of advice I can offer when it comes to shows is to make reservations for all of your "must-sees" as early as possible, especially the AquaTheatre show. You never know if later productions will have to be canceled due to unfavorable sailing conditions. 

Lots of complimentary dining options

I am a huge foodie, and going out to eat with friends and family is one of my favorite things to do! Knowing that, you can imagine that the dining options onboard a cruise are important to me. 

In the past, I have been disappointed with the lack of complimentary dining options on board Royal Caribbean ships. Thanks to the Royal Amplification program, though, many ships have begun to get more options, following in the footsteps of Oasis Class ships. 

Between the Main Dining Room, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Solarium Bistro, Boardwalk Dog House, Sorrento’s Pizza, Windjammer Marketplace, and Cafe Promenade, I found it easy to rotate between dining options and never get tired of anything. 

El Loco Fresh was my favorite quick-service spot, as I loved being able to build my own tacos and nachos! The array of hot sauces and salsas was great, too. 

Symphony of the Seas Inside Cabin

When I sailed on Symphony of the Seas, I stayed in an interior stateroom. While this meant that I did not have any access to natural sunlight, I was able to spend money on other experiences to enhance my overall experience, such as a shore excursion in St. Maarten and lunch at Izumi. 

Although my cabin was less than 150 square feet, it was one of the most modern cruise staterooms I had ever stayed in. For starters, the overall aesthetic was clean and minimal. I also greatly appreciated the large couch sandwiched between the cabin's two closets.

There were also so many outlets for charging electronics. On older Royal Caribbean ships, you're lucky if you have more than two standard American outlets by the vanity. However, my cabin had four American and one European socket, as well as two USB ports!

Finally, the bathroom was tiny (as expected), but it was clean and functional. My biggest quarrels were that the shower's water pressure wasn't the best, and the water temperature was inconsistent. 

Food on Symphony of the Sas

Complimentary

There are eleven complimentary dining options available to all guests on the ship, regardless of stateroom:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Solarium Bistro
• Park Cafe
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrento's
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Vitality Cafe
• Room Service (note that outside of the continental breakfast, there is a $7.95 delivery surcharge)
• Coastal Kitchen (suites only)

Overall, I was pleased with the included food on Symphony of the Seas. As expected, some dishes were misses. The Southern fried chicken in the dining room, for example, wasn't my favorite meal ever. I wasn't a fan of the caramel flan since the caramel taste was minimal, and the syrup topping was way too runny.

On the flip side, the tiramisu was one of the better desserts I had aboard the ship, and I fell in love with the crispy coconut shrimp appetizer (it's still one of my go-tos today!). 

Moreover, you can never go wrong with a Royal Kummelweck sandwich from the Park Cafe or poolside chips and salsa courtesy of El Loco Fresh. 

Specialty

Specialty restaurants offer a more intimate dining experience compared to complimentary options. They, of course, come with an additional surcharge and are not included in the base price of your cruise. Regardless, they are a great way to make your vacation a little more special:

• Chops Grille
• Jaime's Italian
• Wonderland
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi
• Hooked Seafood
• 150 Central Park
• Vintages Wine Bar
• Playmakers
• Johnny Rockets
• Starbucks
• Sugar Beach

While aboard Symphony of the Seas, I tried Wonderland, Jaime's Italian, Playmakers, and Izumi Sushi. 

Playmakers is a favorite of mine because of its casual atmosphere and ooey-gooey Campfire Cookies. However, I also enjoyed my whimsical meal at Wonderland, and it's a shame that Royal Caribbean is phasing this unique specialty restaurant out of its fleet. 

That said, if you're going to splurge on one meal, I'd recommend Jaime's Italian because it has a little something for everyone and is more upscale than Playmakers. Comparatively, Izumi Sushi and Wonderland are more adventurous and might not appeal to particular eaters. 

Symphony of the Seas Things to Do

There are so many fun activities offered on Symphony of the Seas, including:

• The Ultimate Abyss dry slide 
• Perfect Storm waterslides 
• Two FlowRider surf simulators 
• Splashaway Bay 
• Baby Bay 
• Zip line 
• Mini-golf course 
• Sports Court
• Carousel
• Adventure Ocean 
• Fuel Teen Disco
• The Back Deck
• Casino Royale 
• Arcade
• Two rock climbing walls 
• An ice skating rink 
• Escape room

During the day, you can relax by one of five pools, hang ten on one of two FlowRider surf simulators, zip line above the Boardwalk, play a round of mini-golf, see what game is being played in the Sports Court, or ride down the Ultimate Abyss slide or Perfect Storm waterslide trio. 

Even if you do not want to cool off in the pool, the pool deck is home to many events that you may want to watch, such as the belly flop competition, scuba classes, and more. It is important to check your Cruise Compass daily to make sure that you do not miss anything!

In addition to the fifteen bars and lounges on the ship, there are so many different entertainment options that will keep your evenings booked solid! From the Broadway-style musical Hairspray, to HiRO, 1977, and the Royal Caribbean Productions original Flight: Dare to Dream.

Children and teens will also love Royal Caribbean's award-winning youth programming, whether that's Adventure Ocean for those up to 12 years old or their teen-exclusive lounges.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sailing on Symphony of the Seas?

Advantage: Tons to see and do

As I previously mentioned, I was never bored during my cruise. 

Aside from the numerous entertainment options, there were other onboard activities that I wanted to cross off my list, including zip lining, mini-golf, sliding down the Ultimate Abyss, relaxing in Central Park, and more.

In fact, it took the entire two weeks to fully experience everything the vessel has to offer, which makes Symphony of the Seas a great vacation option for those who constantly like to think about what is next!

Disadvantage: Limited ports of call

I have been on over a dozen cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean throughout my life, meaning that I have visited many of the same ports over and over again. The repetition did not really bother me when I was younger; I was glad to be on a vacation! 

Now, however, I am more focused on cruises with different itineraries, such as bucket-list European itineraries. In 2024, for example, I sailed aboard Celebrity Ascent to the Greek Isles, and I'm looking forward to a fun-filled Northern European getaway on Liberty of the Seas in June 2026. 

Due to the size of Symphony of the Seas, it is harder (nay, impossible) for the ship to be able to sail to certain places. You will never, for instance, find the ship in Alaska! 

After years of cruising exclusively in North America, I'm ready to try my first Royal Caribbean cruise in Europe.

A cruise to Europe had been on my radar for a long time, but timing and a cruise industry shutdown prevented me from getting there until now. Thanks to a semi-last-minute opportunity, I'm taking my first European cruise and it'll be a Norwegian Fjords cruise later this month.

I'm booked on a 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton, England that will visit Haugesund, Geiranger, Olden, and Bergen, Norway.

Not only have I always wanted to try a cruise from Europe, the idea of a colder weather cruise held much more appeal to me as I enjoy a break from the endless summer that I "enjoy" living in Florida.

While the Royal Caribbean cruise ship experience is fairly consistent across the fleet and around the world, cruising to Europe is bound to bring its own differences and nuances that will be a challenge compared to what I'm used to.

Besides the obvious travel requirements to get from the United States to England, I realized there's going to be a number of changes on how I cruise and logistics I have to plan for prior to my arrival.

I've done about as much research as I can leading up to my cruise in just two weeks, and here are the things I'm planning to do before I take my first European cruise.

Convert some cash into Pounds and Euros

While I don't think anyone would not take US Dollars, I believe it's a good idea to get at least some cash in both Great British Pounds and Euros for when I'm off the ship.

Royal Caribbean certainly takes dollars (like in the casino), but I'll be spending a few days before and after the cruise in London (more on that later in this post), along with time on shore in Norway.

At first I thought I would just rely on a credit card with no foreign transaction fees, especially since credit cards are so widely used in Europe. But I think having at least some spending cash in local currency will greatly benefit me, especially if there's street foods or other quick transactions necessary.

My plan is to get cash for my cruise before the cruise from my bank, and then do a currency exchange once I get into London. Airport currency exchange kiosks are convenient, but one benefit of having a few days in London before my cruise is I can take the time to get a better rate at spot in the city.

I'm not entirely sure how much local currency I'll actually need and/or want to change, but I figure there will be additional opportunities to do so again later.  Plus, I could always change back to Dollars prior to my flight home.

Buy a travel adaptor

Between the Airbnb I booked, trains I'll take, and places I'll visit, I'm going to need to keep my phone and laptop charged and my US plugs won't work.

I didn't own any travel adaptors, so I set out to find one that will work in both England and Norway. 

In my research, I found a ton of similar devices that would do the trick. I settled on the EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter (this is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission but there's no extra cost to you) primarily because it was the Amazon recommended option and seemed to be priced well among its peers.

It's an all-in-one adapter that has 4 USB-A ports (2.4A), 1 USB-C port (3A), and 1 AC socket.

Spend a few days pre-cruise in London

No matter where you cruise, it's a good idea to always fly in at least one day before your cruise begins.

I'll be spending two nights before my cruise in London, which will provide plenty of time to adjust to local time and more importantly, see the city.

I've never been to London, so I booked an Airbnb in the Mayfair district so that I could be centrally located.  My plan is to explore on my own and start my trip off with sightseeing and plenty of local food.

London seems like a very easy city to navigate via the London Underground (tube), so I'm optimistic about my chances of working a lot in.

Take the train from London to Southampton

Anthem of the Seas sails from Southampton, which is about an hour and a half away via a train ride.

It takes about an hour and there's lots of trains that go there and it seems like the most cost-effective way to get there. I could also take a taxi or bus, but traffic concerns are pushing me towards the train.

Once I get to Southampton Central Station, I'll take a taxi.  I believe it will cost around £10/$13 and takes 10 minutes by taxi.

My only concern with this plan is there could be a rail strike planned for that weekend. The idea of strikes impacting travel like this is quite foreign in the United States.

I can always fall back on an Uber ride if all else fails, so I'll leave that as my contingency plan.

Skip excursions in some ports

If I've learned one thing from my friend Emma Cruises, it's the importance of doing things on your own in port in Europe.

There are lots of shore excursions you can book, but most of the towns in Norway are small towns you can easily walk and do things on your own.

Certainly in Bergen, my plan is to forgo any tour and explore on my own. The funicular railway seems quite easy to do on your own, plus the city has lots to see.

In other ports, I do have Royal Caribbean tours booked simply to get easily to the fjords.  My overarching goal is to see the fjords and natural wonders of Norway, so I want to ensure I see them.  To that point, I have booked a few tours through the cruise line.

I don't think booking a tour through Royal Caribbean is a mistake by any means, but I'm sure I could book similar tours on my own for cheaper. The only risk with going through Royal Caribbean is if the weather is worse when your tour is slated, you may not get a great view compared to someone who was able to go later because they went on their own schedule.

No matter where you book your tours, it's very important to book them as early as you can because of how quickly shore excursions are selling out.

In the case of Haugesund, we leave early (7am to 3pm), so I decided it was more important to stick with the cruise line.

Given it's my first time in Norway, I'm a bit apprehensive about getting around, so I'm probably being more cautious than necessary.

Pack for Norway like an Alaska cruise

In doing research for a Norwegian Fjords cruise, it became quickly apparent how similar the weather is to an Alaska cruise.

Just like Alaska, the weather can change rapidly, so you'll need proper clothing to adjust to rain, sun, cold, and warm conditions.

In short, the weather in Norway can be highly variable, and can also change dramatically from morning to afternoon.

The best strategy is to pack in layers. This means going with the three layers to pack:

• Base layer: t-shirt and jeans
• Warm layer: Fleece or down jacket/sweater
• Waterproof layer: Thin waterproof jacket suitable for when it rains

At the very least, I'll pack my waterproof shoes, a waterproof jacket, jeans, and a couple of hoodies.

Since I have proper clothing from my Alaska cruise last summer, there isn't much I have to buy specifically for this cruise.

Read more: The worst cruise packing mistakes to avoid

Lots of sun (even at night)

Another similarity to Alaska cruises is how late the sun sets in Norway.

Summer in Northern Europe means the sun sets much later than what we're used to at home.

The average sunset time in May in Norway is 09:49 pm.

It's an adjustment, but after a day or two you'll get used to it.  In my Alaska cruises, I don't recall ever struggling to go to sleep, although it is odd to see sunlight outside your cabin.

I don't think I'll need to go to the lengths of packing an eye mask, as the cabin curtains usually does the trick for me. Even when I take an afternoon nap, the room can get quite dark.  I will need to remember to pack a hair clip to ensure the curtains stay together.

Book a balcony cabin

If there aren't enough Alaska cruise comparisons yet, one more is the importance of booking a balcony cabin.

Even though I'm going solo on this cruise, I decided to book a balcony for the casual scenery viewing opportunities.

As the ship sails up and down the coast of Norway, there will be lots to see around us and my plan is to either be in the cabin or my balcony so I can quickly see things going by.

When I was in Alaska last year, we didn't have a balcony and I regretted not being able to quickly pop outside to see what was happening and then back inside. 

Every crew member plays an integral part is making sure that you have a memorable vacation, from those who you directly interact each day of your cruise with to those who work behind-the-scenes. 

The responsibilities of crew members, however, often entail more than what you see at the surface, and thanks to social media, we are able to get a more in-depth view as to what working as a crew member onboard a cruise ship is really like. 

Jordan Bauth, a 25-year-old professional figure skater working onboard Wonder of the Seas, documented her week in a recent YouTube video. The video blog spans the course of one week from April 9 to April 16 and shows what she does in addition to skating during the ice shows. 

Jordan's YouTube channel has amassed over 60,000 followers and 8,130,476 views. While she posts a lot of content about her life as a cruise ship crew member, she also enjoys making videos about fitness, health, figure skating, and travel. 

Keep reading to learn more about crew life from Jordan's perspective working in entertainment!

Day 1

Jordan begins the video on turnaround day, when Wonder of the Seas was docked in Port Canaveral and a new set of excited guests boarded the ship. 

Since the two ice skating shows were not until later that evening, she was able to get off of the ship for awhile with some other crew members to run errands, with their first stop being the port to pick up some packages. 

Next, she visited Walmart to pick up some snacks and other necessities. "Our holy grail for turnaround said," she chuckled, "we're ready to spend some money!" 

After what she claimed to be a successful Walmart trip, they made a stop at Starbucks before going to eat at Thai Thai Sushi Bar. 

When they returned to the ship, she had a little bit of downtime before she had to get ready and warm up for the first of two shows. At 6:45pm, she and her fellow cast members met to discuss some notes before hitting the ice. 

"It was so rocky...that was a tough show to do," she said after finishing the first show of the evening. 

It was not until afterwards that she was able to eat dinner, which was some oatmeal with bananas. 

Day 2

The first full day of the cruise started out differently, as she was scheduled to work at the Voom internet desk in the Royal Promenade from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Immediately after her shift, Jordan had to change into a pirate costume and meet the other cast members for the parade. 

This was followed by lunch before heading to the ice rink at 5:00pm ahead of the warm ups for the 8:30pm and 10:30pm shows. 

"Today's been like a chill yet productive day," she said in the video.

"I did work Wi-Fi from nine to noon, then I went straight to parade at twelve o'clock call, had lunch, and then I edited for a couple of hours and watched an episode of Euphoria." 

Day 3

The third day of the cruise was the first of three in a row where there were no ice shows. With her free time, she hung some LED string lights that she purchased at Walmart on turnaround day. In the video, she got excited talking about how she could change the color of the lights with a small remote! 

After walking around the jogging track soaking up some sea day views, she made her way to the fitness center for a bit, grabbed some lunch, and then returned to her cabin to work on some editing for a few hours and repaint her nails. 

Day 4

On Day 4, Wonder of the Seas was docked in St. Kitts along with Celebrity Apex, Carnival Magic, and Marella Explorer 2. Jordan got off of the ship and went to a nearby resort for a little while to relax. 

This was the only time she would be in St. Kitts during this contract, so she made the most of her time here by lounging in the sun, reading some of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and grabbing a vegetable plate to eat.

Despite not having any shows that day, she had to return to the ship to work All Skates, which is when Studio B is open for guests to skate. 

To prepare, all of the helmets and skates have to be moved out into Studio B. "...we had to set up all of the skate racks; they're quite heavy as you can see," she said, "It's taller than I am by a bit. [We also] set up all the helmets, chairs, and we're waiting to open the doors."  

Afterwards, she went to the crew dining room to eat dinner. 

Day 5

On Day 5, she had more ship-wide responsibilities than the previous day. 

First was the all crew drill, which she claimed gets repetitive. Once the announcement was made, she headed to her muster station to complete the drill and then got off the ship to spend some time in St. Thomas.

She and a few other crew members headed to the Crown Bay Marina to eat at Tickles Dockside Pub. On the way there, they admired the large yachts that were docked. "Just boat shopping," she joked!

At Scoops and Brew, she got an iced latte with almond milk and caramel that she ate with her wrap and fries from Tickles. 

Note: Tickles Dockside Pub is actually right across from Dock D, which is where you can board a short ferry to visit Water Island. 

Jordan had an early all aboard time due to the second "Anchors Away Street Spectacular" parade of the week, and she used her GoPro camera to capture some live footage during the parade, which was full of energy and confetti. 

Afterwards, she headed to the gym and was surprised that the stair master was available! Here, she watched the ship sail away from St. Thomas before doing some pilates and stretching. 

"I had such a good little gym session," she said, "My lower body feels really just tight today, so a nice long stretch was very much needed." 

She returned to her cabin to shower before a 5:30pm meeting and did laundry before going to bed. 

Day 6

On the second to last day of the cruise, Jordan started off the day by showing her breakfast. After three days off from shows, there were two that evening at 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Beforehand, though, she walked around the track outside, made some phone calls, and worked on editing a video. 

"I'm really excited to perform," Jordan said, "because it feels like ages since our last show day." At 6:15pm, she and the other cast members reported to discuss notes. At 11:00pm, she was finally able to eat dinner, and she used some quinoa that she took from lunch to make a salad. 

Day 7

Is any cruise to the Caribbean complete without a stop a Perfect Day at CocoCay? Jordan went to South Beach thinking it would be less crowded than other areas; however, she was surprised to find it just as busy! In fact, she had to walk around for a bit before she was able to find an open chair. 

She was not able to get off first thing because she had a meeting about brand standards. 

While on the island, Jordan was able to enjoy the island's buffet and had half of a portobello mushroom salad, some french fries, and a taco salad. 

"One thing I will never able to comprehend is the size comparison between any oasis class ship and the other ships in the fleet," she remarked on her way back to the ship. 

At 4:00pm, she had to report to understudy rehearsal and then warmed up before the final ice skating show of the cruise, and per usual, she ate her dinner afterwards. 

Jordan ending the vlog by saying, "It's been such an eventful cruise. I'm grateful everyday to be here and loving every second! I appreciate you all for being on this journey with me."

Royal Caribbean charges a daily cost to get internet access on its cruise ships, but there are a few ways to get free wifi onboard.

It’s no secret that wifi on a cruise is expensive. You should expect to pay around $20 per day for Royal Caribbean’s wifi package, and that's only for use on one device at a time. For a 7-night cruise, this means spending a whopping $140 per person to access the internet.

Because you cannot use cellular data on a cruise ship without racking up a costly bill, many passengers purchase wifi for their cruise to stay connected. For most guests, buying an internet package is just another mandatory cost on a cruise vacation, but what if I told you there's a way to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean?

There are a few ways to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean, but whether or not you can access free internet depends on several factors. From leveraging your loyalty perks to booking a suite, here are five ways to get free wifi on your cruise.

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle status

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program offers some impressive benefits, including free drinks, a private lounge, and access to exclusive events, but it also offers free internet.

Free internet access is a benefit for top-tier members in the Crown & Anchor Society, and is reserved for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members.

Diamond guests, those with 80-174 cruise points, receive one free day of internet per cruise. Diamond Plus guests, with 175-699 cruise points, receive two free days of internet per cruise.

The free internet can be accessed for 24 and 48 hours respectively, meaning if you log in to the wifi at 4PM on day two, you can use the wifi until 3:59PM on day three or four.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Passengers who are Pinnacle Club members, with over 700 loyalty points, receive a free Surf & Stream internet package for one device. Offering free wifi to Pinnacle Club members is another way Royal Caribbean rewards its top-tier members, and this perk can easily save cruisers thousands of dollars over time.

Even if you’re not a Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club member, you can still save money on Royal Caribbean’s wifi packages through the Crown & Anchor Society. Passengers in lower tiers—Gold, Platinum, and Emerald—receive discounts on internet packages at 10% for Gold and 15% for Platinum and Emerald.

Use onboard credit to pay for a wifi package

If you have onboard credit for your upcoming cruise, why not purchase a wifi package?

Onboard credit is free “cash” used to make purchases on a Royal Caribbean cruise. You can receive onboard credit several ways, but most commonly when booking a cruise during a Royal Caribbean promotion and/or booking through a travel agent.

Related: Royal Caribbean onboard credit

You can spend onboard credit before your cruise begins on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website on add-ons like drink packages, specialty dining, and spa services. If you don’t spend onboard credit before the cruise begins, it will be loaded to your SeaPass account upon boarding your cruise ship.

If you’re hoping to purchase a wifi package without spending your own money, use onboard credit to reserve the package in advance. To do so, visit Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website and add an internet package to your cart.

Once at checkout, you can redeem onboard credit to pay for the internet package. If your onboard credit is not enough to cover the entire wifi package, you will pay the difference with a credit card.

Gamble enough in the casino

Do you visit the casino every day on a Royal Caribbean cruise? If so, there’s a chance you could qualify for free wifi.

Club Royale is Royal Caribbean’s casino rewards program, in which guests earn points—called Tier Credits— in the program by gambling at the casino. The program is free to join, and as a guest moves up the program, they will qualify for free wifi.

The program has four tiers:

• Choice: 1 - 2,499 Tier Credits
• Prime: 2,500 - 24,999 Tier Credits
• Signature: 25,000 - 99,999 Tier Credits
• Masters: 100,000+ Tier Credits

Members in the Prime tier qualify for a discount on a VOOM Surf & Stream internet package. Those in the Signature tier receive complimentary wifi on one device, whereas Masters members receive free internet on two devices.

Club Royale reward points are earned by spending money at the casino. Guests earn 1 Tier Credit for every $5 coin in at slot machines and 1 Tier Credit for every $10 coin in on video poker machines. Tier Credits earned on table games vary based on the game, average bet, and length of play.

It’s not cost effective to gamble solely as a way to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean, but for those who gamble frequently while onboard, receiving free wifi is a nice benefit.

Stay in a high category suite

If you booked a suite for your upcoming cruise, you may receive free wifi as a suite perk.

Guests staying in Grand Suites and above on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships receive a complimentary VOOM Surf & Stream wifi package. Each guest in the cabin receives an internet package for one device.

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

Suites on these ships are part of the Royal Suite Class, Royal Caribbean’s most exclusive suite program. Unfortunately, free internet is not offered to guests in Junior Suites or those in Grand Suites and above on Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships.

Guests staying in suites on older Royal Caribbean cruise ships must pay for wifi themselves or use one of these tips to obtain free wifi another way.

Free wifi in port instead

If all else fails and you don’t want to spend money on wifi for your cruise, you can always find free wifi in port. Regardless of the port, it’s usually relatively easy to find places with free wifi.

One of the easiest ways to find free wifi in port is by visiting a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar in the immediate port area. These establishments cater to tourists, meaning they often provide free wifi if you purchase a drink or meal. Many businesses will have a sign on the shop or restaurant’s exterior indicating that they offer free wifi to customers.

Depending on the destination, you may also be able to use your cellular coverage as normal while in port. If you’re cruising to Alaska, for example, your regular US phone coverage will work while visiting Alaska cruise ports.

Additionally, if your phone service includes international coverage, you can turn off airplane mode in port and use data roaming at no extra cost.

Because your cruise ship is usually docked between 8-10 hours at a time, this should provide enough time to find and use free wifi or cell phone data before getting back onboard.

BONUS: Use Royal Caribbean’s free chat feature in the app

If the primary reason you’re considering purchasing internet for your cruise is to keep in touch with your travel party onboard, use the Royal Caribbean app instead.

Royal Caribbean’s app has a chat feature that is completely free to use, and it allows you to message other passengers on your sailing. Whether coordinating dinner plans with your travel party or letting your spouse know you’re heading back to the cabin, the app is a useful tool for communication.

Related: Here’s how Royal Caribbean’s onboard messaging system works

In order to use the app, be sure to download the Royal Caribbean app prior to your sailing. Once onboard, connect to Royal Caribbean’s wifi—and no, you don’t need a wifi package in order to access the app.

Once you open the app, click on the chat icon in the top right corner. From there, you can begin messaging others onboard. To message another guest, you must add the guest’s stateroom number (or reservation number) and their birthday. Doing so connects your accounts together, permitting you to message each other.

Using the chat feature on the Royal Caribbean app is a free workaround to staying connected without purchasing a wifi package.

Happy weekend! In case you missed any Royal Caribbean news, here is a look at everything that happened this week!

Are you ready to board Royal Caribbean's new specialty restaurant concept?

While it's very early in the design phase, Royal Caribbean is working on a immersive dining experience for Utopia of the Seas that will take diners on virtual train rides.

We have a first look at the new restaurant and what one possibility of what the experience could be like.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's next-gen cruise ship will advance goal of creating sustainable cruising
• Royal Caribbean will introduce new family fun ambassador on Icon of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean Junior Suite Perks
• What’s a good amount of days for a first cruise?
• 6 things I never buy for my kids on a cruise

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 497th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing important tips for solo cruisers.

This week's episode shares the things anyone going on a cruise by themselves should know before they sail.

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: 11 reasons to get as early a check-in time as possible for your cruise

{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/vs9fr3lfXEw.jpg?itok=AYZq8W1u","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs9fr3lfXEw","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}

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 — 11 reasons to get as early a check-in time as possible for your cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Inside look at Icon of the Seas Thrill Island development

Royal Caribbean is actually testing out one of its newest neighborhoods on Icon of the Seas in its Miami headquarters.

Thrill Island will be home to six new water slides, along with a host of other fun activities. At Royal Caribbean's Innovation Lab in Miami, Florida, the cruise line life-size mock-ups to give its executives and team members a real-world look at what their plans on paper will actually look like once built.

We toured the testing facility to show the lengths the cruise line is going to ensure it's perfect when the new ship launches.

Cruise advice that makes sense until you get on your ship

You'll hear lots of cruise tips before you sail, but a few of them seem to make sense until you get onboard.

There's merit in these cruise tips, but in practical terms, they just don't work well. Whether because they're too limiting or impractical, these are the cruise tips you might want to think twice about embracing.

Here's my list of cruise tips that aren't as good as they sound.

12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room

Whether you're a picky eater or not, the cruise ship buffet is an underrated option for dinner.

There are advantages to eating at the Main Dining Room or Windjammer, including convenience, variety, and service.

To help make this decision easier, here are 12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise.

I'm about to turn Pinnacle!

After 68 cruises, Matt is on the precipice of reaching Royal Caribbean's highest tier in the Crown and Anchor Society: Pinnacle.

To get to Pinnacle, you need 700 points and hitting that level means not only a lot of cruising, but dedication to one line.

Matt shares what special benefits you can expect if you make it to Pinnacle, and what stands out about this elite club.

Cruise ship formal nights are often a cause for concern for many first time cruisers. Worries over what to pack and what clothing is and is not allowed can be stressful.

And while formal night may stir up images of guests dressed to the nines, this is rarely the case once you get onboard. In reality, there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to what to wear for formal night on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

What is formal night?

Formal night only applies only to the Main Dining Room on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Specialty dining and other venues have their own separate dress codes, although they are usually pretty similar to a formal night dress code.

Royal Caribbean states the following about the formal night dress code:

"Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy."

From reading this, it may seem like a tuxedo and evening gown are the standard outfits that most passengers will be wearing on formal night. In reality, though, this is rarely the case.

While you will likely spot a few guests in tuxedos and ball gowns, most guests will be in a formal outfit that is a lot more casual. Women may be dressed in a cocktail or sundress and men in a button-up shirt and dress pants.

Formal night dress code for men

Collared shirts, slacks, and dress shirts are typical options for men on formal night. The most “casual” yet acceptable outfit for men on formal night is a polo shirt and slacks.

A dress shirt and slacks is the most common option. Suit jackets and ties are not required, although many guests will choose to wear them. Guests looking to dress up even more can wear a tuxedo, but again, this is relatively uncommon.

Formal night dress code for women

Women have quite a few more options than men when it comes to outfits for formal night. Acceptable attire for women includes cocktail dresses, sundresses, skirts, blouses, dress pants, dressy rompers, and more elegant attire like evening gowns.

Women should pack dress shoes like flats, heels, wedges, or dressy sandals to wear on formal night.

Can I wear jeans on formal night?

You can get away with wearing jeans to the Main Dining Room on formal night. However, it’s a good idea to make sure the jeans are fairly nice and do not have any holes or rips in them. A dark-washed jean will look more formal, although you will likely not be turned away with any type of jean.

Clothes you should not wear on formal night

Passengers should not wear casual clothing such as shorts, casual t-shirts, flip-flops, swimsuits, and tank tops. 

As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want to wear the clothes you would wear to the pool deck or walking around port on a cruise ship formal night.

Do I have to get dressed up on formal night?

The truth is you do not need to get dressed up for formal night.  

Technically, the formal night dress code only applies to the Main Dining Room. And even within the Main Dining Room, Royal Caribbean crew members do not enforce the dress code at all.  In practice, it's become more of a suggestion.

You also don't need to get fancy either. It’s easy to participate even by wearing an outfit as casual as khakis and a polo shirt.

Most specialty restaurants also require a semi-formal dress code, and their dress code supersedes the Main Dining Room. 

If you truly have no desire to get dressed up for dinner at all and prefer to be as casual as possible, The Windjammer is a good alternative on formal night.  Every night in the Windjammer allows casual clothing.

Other ways to get ready for formal night

Royal Caribbean cruise ships do not have irons in each stateroom because of the fire hazard they create. However, guests are able to have clothing pressed or dry cleaned prior to formal night. When you arrive in your stateroom on the first day of the cruise there should be a paper there with information about laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing services. 

Guests may also choose to get their hair styled or get a manicure prior to formal night. The salon onboard in the Vitality Spa has services including updos, blowouts, shampoo and style dry, manicures, and pedicures.

How many formal nights will there be on my cruise?

The number of formal nights on a cruise varies by ship length. Shorter sailings will usually have only one formal night whereas longer sailings will have 2, 3, or 4 formal nights. Royal Caribbean lists the amount of formal nights per cruise on their website, although the amount of formal nights is ultimately at the ship’s discretion:

• 3/4/5 night cruises - 1 formal night
• 6 and 7 night cruises - 2 formal nights
• 8 to 10 night cruises - 2 formal nights
• 11 to 14 night cruises - 3 formal nights
• 15 + night cruises - 3 or 4 formal nights

Planning a cruise? Check out these articles:

• What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?
• What to expect on your first cruise
• The unwritten rules of going on a cruise
• Is it worth it to book a short 3-night cruise?
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• Why you shouldn't book the cheapest cruise you can find

Save this blog on Pinterest

Royal Caribbean is so committed to delivering the best family cruise vacation experience, they're adding a new crew member whose job it is to ensure families are having a great time.

Icon of the Seas will feature next-level experiences designed for specifically for kids, teens, and adults who don't want to miss any of the fun.  

The 250,800 gross ton ship will offer things for the entire family to enjoy together, while also having separate spaces for guests of all ages to have their "alone" time. After a cruise on Icon of the Seas, every family member will have memories of their together their own adventures.

"The brand has evolved, and we've become more and more focused on multigenerational families," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

"And if you see and understand that Icon truly is, we deliver that, and we tick every single box as it relates to the ultimate family vacation."

Admiral Awesome

Icon of the Seas will be the first to welcome Admiral Awesome. The brand-new family fun ambassador will spearhead all family excitement onboard and be the LOL, or leader of laugher. 

Admiral Awesome will host different events, including the Larger-than-Life Family Festival in Surfside, which will be a celebration complete with live music, dancing, and supersized games-- think bowling, ring toss, darts, and more. 

There will also be a Steel Pan Family Jam. This event invites the entire family to join in on the fun and play some instructional instruments. Don't worry-- kid-friendly sheet music will be provided!

Kids will also love the Big Shark Block Party, where they can dance with Admiral Awesome and friends to themed mashups and classics, such as Baby Shark and Baby Beluga. 

Admiral Awesome will not just be full of energy. There has to be a balance; nobody wants their kids worn out at the end of the second day! At night, they will read original bedtime stories under the stars during Once Upon a Bedtime Story.

Surfside, the ultimate stay-all-day neighborhood 

When Icon launches in early 2024, she will be the very first cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet to have an area dedicated to young families: Surfside. Here, parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy a tropical drink or spiked milkshake while the kids stay entertained. They can, of course, join in on the fun, too. 

When hunger inevitably strikes, there will not be any hassle of dragging the kids up to the Windjammer. Instead, the entire family can dine at Surfside Eatery, a buffet dedicated to families that will feature fan-favorite Windjammer offerings. There will also be Surfside Bites, a grab-and-go stop for salty and sweet snacks.

Surfside will also be home to a brand-new specialty restaurant: Pier 7. This casual boardwalk eatery will serve an all-day brunch. 

Before or after lunch, adults (and kids) can grab something to drink from The Lemon Post, which will have a menu of unique drinks for everyone in the bunch. 

Accessing Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's award-winning youth program, will be a breeze, as it will be connected to Surfside. The dedicated youth spaces will feature activities for even the youngest sailors.

Between Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, Water's Edge, a carousel, the themed events, and dining venues, Surfside is almost like a vacation destination of its own!

Fun for older kids, teens, and adults

Icon of the Seas is going to be the ultimate vacation for all because it does not focus on a single demographic. Instead, it offers a little bit of something for everyone. Adults, for instance, can challenge each other during Laser Tag: The Fight for Atlantis, while older kids and teens will enjoy having dedicated play times just for them.

Onboard, guests will also find the largest ice skating area at sea, Absolute Zero, as well as The Royal Escape Room, which will require everyone to work together to solve the puzzle before the timer runs out. 

Sometimes, older kids and teens do not want to spend their entire vacation with their families. Social 020, a hidden, teens-only venue, is just for them. Here, they will be able to hangout with other guests their age while playing video games, listening to music, or watching movies. 

They will also love all the experiences that Thrill Island has to offer, from the record-breaking Category 6 waterpark to the Lost Dunes mini-golf course, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, the FlowRider surf simulator, and Sports Court.

Category 6 will be the largest waterpark at sea, encompassing over 17,000 square feet of space! Plus, families can enjoy the area together, as it will have first family raft slides at sea: Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter. The best part? All adventures within Category 6 will be complimentary during the hours of operation.

These adrenaline-pumping thrills will appeal to adults, too!

Thrill Island will also feature Desserted, the first milkshake bar in the cruise line's fleet. This extra-charge venue will serve three different types of milkshakes: classic, extravagant, and boozy for the adults!

Everyone will be able to reconvene in the Royal Promenade, a concept that first debuted on Voyager of the Seas in 1999. This will be a central hub for all guests with bars, lounges, restaurants and feature some fan-favorites including Spotlight Karaoke and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

Family-friendly accommodations

Large families rejoice! 80% of the staterooms onboard Icon of the Seas have been designed for larger families and will feature 14 brand-new categories of rooms to choose from, such as the Family Infinite Balcony.

These staterooms will have include in-room games, a split bathroom concept, and even a separate bunk alcove for children that can be closed off with a curtain for privacy!

It will also be the only ship in the fleet to have the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-story suite that is the definition of the ultimate family experience! It will have an in-suite slide, movie theatre, karaoke room, and patio that allows for direct access to the Surfside Neighborhood.

According to Michael Bayley, the average cost of the Ultimate Family Townhouse will be a whopping $75,000 per week!

I love going on Royal Caribbean cruises with my kids, but there are at least a few things I don't think are worth buying for them.

Family vacations are perfect on a cruise ship because of how we get to spend a lot of time together, but there are also opportunities for the kids and parents to have fun on their own as well.

Part of the fun of a cruise is indulging in certain add-ons, such as fun shore excursions, family photos, or a cabana rental. However, there are a few extras I personally don't think are worthwhile for my kids and I generally steer clear of them.

In most cases, these are things that I don't think are worth it for them, or it's simply excessive.  As a parent, you want your kids to have a good time, but spoiling them isn't in the cards (that's what grandparents are for).

While my kids might think I'm being "the worst" dad ever, these are cruise extras I won't bother buying for them on any cruise.

Drink package

Royal Caribbean's drink packages are a great value, but I don't think it's necessary for kids, especially kids that aren't teenagers yet.

I look at any drink package purchase as a question of "breaking even" on the investment, meaning can I consume enough drinks every day of the cruise to get value from the package in lieu of paying for drinks individually.

My kids are still young enough that they'd only ever have one sugary drink at home, and on vacation, more than 2 or 3 feels excessive for them from a health perspective. Plus, they have enough energy without a sugar kick to keep going most days.

For anyone new to cruising with Royal Caribbean, it's also important to know which drinks are included with your cruise fare.  It's not like the kids are relegated to water for the duration of the sailing.

It also greatly helps that they are Diamond Plus members in Crown and Anchor Society, so they get a few free drinks per day from their perks.

Ultimately, I'm all for them splurging on a cruise, but a drink package seems excessive for them.

Jewelry

I have two girls, and as of yet, I don't think jewelry makes a lot of sense to buy for them.

My kids have some jewelry, but the sort of jewelry you can buy on the ship's shops are over the top for their personal attention to detail.  

Essentially, the risk of them misplacing or damaging jewelry is quite high, so investing in something nice would be more of an exercise in futility than anything else. 

When they get more responsible, I think there's a good rationale to reward them with something nice from a shop onboard or on shore, but for now, the cheap stuff from our mall is what they need.

Prepaid arcade credits

We usually make a pilgrimage to the ship's arcade at least once per cruise, but I never buy the prepaid arcade credits.

There's two reasons why I don't purchase the arcade credit package pre-cruise on Royal Caribbean's website.

First, it seems there's always left over credits that you're trying to figure out the right combination of arcade credits and extra credits to finally get rid of your balance. It's just easier to pay for credits as you go, rather than rely on a balance ahead of time.

Second, it's not uncommon for certain arcade machines to be out of order, which means there are less games appealing to them and that leaves us with arcade credits we end up spending for the sake of spending them.

Candy from the duty free shop

My kids eat plenty of junk on a cruise, so we don't need to spend extra money on the duty free candy.

Besides the bottles of liquor you can purchase onboard, there's also large quantities of candy you can buy in the duty free store.

I find there's many treats to enjoy around the ship for no additional cost. Plus, we'll bring a few extra snacks onboard the ship from home to have so they can nosh in the cabin from time to time.

I have no idea if the candy sold in the duty free shop is any kind of deal, but I think it's unnecessary for us to buy for our kids.

Dining package

I don't buy my kids a dining package on a cruise, but not because I'm being cheap or think it's excessive.

My oldest daughter really loves specialty dining, so we visit our fair share of specialty restaurants during a cruise.  I'll buy a dining package for my wife and I, but I'll skip the kids.

At any specialty restaurant, kids ages 6-12 can dine there for a flat $12.99 cover charge. Kids 5 years old and under eat free. Just show up and I pay for the kids on the SeaPass account.

Another reason I don't buy them a dining package is sometimes they eat elsewhere. My youngest daughter is super picky, and we often get her a couple of slices of pizza from Sorrento's. The staff doesn't mind that we bring the food with us while the rest of us enjoy the meal at the restaurant.

Kids get charged less and it provides more flexibility in case they prefer to eat from another venue.

Historically or culturally significant shore excursions

I admit I struggle with taking my kids on certain shore excursions that have a great deal of significance, but I know they wont appreciate.

On the one hand, I want to expose my kids to the world and have them learn about the things, places, and times that shaped our world. It's important for everyone to know these things, including kids.

But, no matter how many times you tell your kids something they are seeing or doing is important, you can't force them to actually appreciate it.  Or at least have them stop complaining they're bored.

As an example, when we took a cruise to Cuba, we left the kids onboard because we knew they were too young to care about Cuba's political history. 

I know that if I ask them if they'd be interested in certain tours, I'm sure they'd say no to just about anything not involving ice cream or the beach. There's a certain level of filtering you have to do as a parent to know what's best for them.  In other cases, there are certain excursions that are definitely better for a more mature audience.

More information

• 50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets
• Best Royal Caribbean ships for kids
• Eight lessons I learned by going on a cruise with kids
• The ultimate kids cruise packing list
• From a former cruise kid: Why you should go on a cruise ship with your kids

Taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in May opens the beginning of the summer cruise season.

If you have a cruise planned in May, this article is aimed at giving you a preview of what to expect for sailing this month, as well as helpful tips.

With spring break over, May is generally a slower month in terms of demand (with the exception of Memorial Day Weekend) because school is in session, and most families either just took vacation over spring break, or are about to take vacation next month when school is out.

It's also the month when Royal Caribbean's European cruise season begins in earnest with all the ship that will sail from the region in place to start service.

The Memorial Day holiday in the United States can see a bit more demand for cruises, although primarily for weekend cruises.

Certainly there is less demand for cruises in the first three weeks of May.

The Alaska cruise season will also fully start up in the month of May. Royal Caribbean will have four cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2023.

May weather on a cruise

It's going to get warmer in May in the Caribbean, so expect high temperatures to reach the high 80s and low temperatures not getting below the 70s.

In terms of rainfall, the wet season will resume in some areas. You will see lots of passing showers in places like San Juan, Puerto Rico or Antigua.

Over in Europe, the sun will be shining in the Mediterranean without the larger crowds that will come later this summer. May is the best time for a Greek Isles cruise because there is very little rain combined with temperatures in the high 60s and 70s.

The one downside of May in the Mediterranean is sea temperatures tend to be still chilly. If you want warm ocean temperatures in May, the Caribbean is the place for you.

Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?

If you're cruising to Alaska in May, expect less rain than normal. May is one of the driest months of the season, with just a 25% chance of rain. 

The average high in southeast Alaska is 54 degrees and the average low is 39 degrees.

Read more: When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

Sailings to the Mexican Riviera, expect more rain in the forecast. The months of May to October are the wettest months of the year (same for Eastern Mexico).

The eastern Pacific hurricane season begins May 15 and ends November 30. 

Is May a good month to cruise the Caribbean?

May is a great month to sail as it offers warm weather without the crowds that you'll find later in the summer.

Because May is a month where most kids are still in school, demand for cruises is less than April or June.  After all, families either just took a spring break cruise last month or are about to take their summer vacations next month.  So why take the kids out of school for a vacation in May?

The result is demand is generally lower, and prices tend to be lower for May cruises compared to other months of the spring and summer.

Read more: The best time to go on a Caribbean cruise

May is also the last month before hurricane season begins, so tropical disturbances are not a factor for cruises in May.  Between the lower prices and comfortable weather, May is one of the best months of the year to take a Caribbean cruise.

May is referred to as the shoulder season for both Alaska and European cruise season. This means it's a time just before the peak of the cruise season commences, and it's an ideal time to get a good price for a cruise to either destination.

Moreover, May is a month where the weather is warm without being sweltering hot.

In Alaska, May can still be on the chilly side, but when the sun shines, you should feel the warmth.  Likewise in Europe, May is a month where it's quite comfortable to be outside.  

Are cruises crowded in May?

In general, Royal Caribbean cruises are almost always sailing full, but demand for cruises in May is usually less than other months of the year.

Your ship may or may not be completely full, but one of the best chances for a few leftover cabins to be available would be in May.

The lessened family travel demand means potentially less cabins with third and fourth passengers, and that could make the ship feel a bit less crowded than if you sailed next month.

Even though a Junior Suite has the word "suite" in its name, it's not exactly the same as higher category cabins and there are important differences.

A Junior Suite is the entry-level suite on all Royal Caribbean vessels, meaning that you will not be able to enjoy the full suite experience. Even though these staterooms have a few additional perks than standard cabins, they can be thought of like larger balcony cabins. 

Here's everything you need to know about staying in a Junior Suite and the associated perks. 

What ships have Junior Suites onboard?

Junior Suites can be found on all Royal Caribbean ships; it does not matter if you are sailing on a Vision Class ship or the world's largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas. Since it is the lowest tier of suite available, there are more onboard than say, for instance, Grand Suites or Owner's Suites. That being said, the number of available Junior Suites will be fewer on older ships.

Vision of the Seas, for instance, has 77 Junior Suites. In comparison, Wonder of the Seas has over 100! 

How big are Junior Suites?

The exact size and layout of Junior Suites varies between classes of ships. In essence, though, they are large cabins that offer more square footage, both inside and on the balcony, than standard balcony cabins.

Most fall somewhere between 240 and 300 square feet with balconies ranging from 50 to 80 square feet. The best way to tell how large the Junior Suite you are looking at will be is to check out the ship's deck plan. 

In most cases, Junior Suites come equipped with a Royal King bed than can be covered into two twin beds that covert upon request, a sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, larger closet, and en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and larger vanity area. 

What perks come with staying in a Junior Suite?

Unfortunately, staying in a Junior Suite does not grant you access to the full list of suite amenities. 

If you want to utilize the concierge, have priority access to dining reservations and spa bookings, access the suite lounge, or enjoy a private breakfast in a specialty restaurant (or Coastal Kitchen), you will need to consider booking a Grand Suite or above. 

In terms of what comes with a Junior Suite, the primary benefits that you will get are Royal Caribbean bathrobes for onboard use only, a Lavazza espresso machine in your stateroom, luxury bathroom amenities, and priority boarding.

Special SeaPass card

If you stay in a Junior Suite, your SeaPass will be a different color than the standard blue SeaPass for regular cabins. 

It will be silver for those staying in Junior Suites onboard Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships. Since Oasis and Quantum Ships have the Royal Suite Class onboard, SeaPasses on these ships are determined by what category of suite you are in: Sea, Sky, or Star. 

Junior Suites are the only suites that are part of the Sea Class, which comes with a blue-green SeaPass card. 

Note that colors can vary based on ship and sailing!

Coastal Kitchen

If you are sailing on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship, you will find that there is a dedicated suites-only restaurant called Coastal Kitchen. While those staying in Grand Suites and above can access it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Junior Suite guests can only eat here for dinner based on availability.  

You will want to make sure that you head to Coastal Kitchen on embarkation day to make any reservations. A good tip is to be flexible with your dining times. If you are set on eating at 7:00pm everyday, for instance, you may be disappointed if they say they can only seat you early or late. 

Extra Crown & Anchor loyalty points

Those staying in standard staterooms will get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. For a 4-night vacation, for example, you would earn 4 points, and for a 7-night cruise, you would earn 7. 

Those staying in a Junior Suite, however, will be awarded two points per night, so a 3-night cruise would get you 6 points, while a 7-night would get you 14. 

Staying in a Junior Suite is one way to climb the Crown & Anchor loyalty ladder faster to get rewarded with additional perks, such as daily drink vouchers, free laundry, welcome waters in your cabin, and more. 

What do Junior Suites not include?

Guests staying in Junior Suites will not get the majority of suite benefits that are available to those staying in Grand Suites and above. Here are the benefits those guests receive from staying in a regular suite:

• Pillowtop mattress
• Priority departure
• Concierge service
• Suite Lounge/Concierge Club access with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails every evening)
• Priority dining, spa, and shore excursion bookings
• Bridge, galley, and backstage tours
• VIP pool deck seating (not available on Vision or Radiance Class)
• Priority tendering 

• Welcome Evian water & fruit
• Ability to order from the Main Dining Room for in-suite dining (during operating hours)
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Private breakfast and lunch seating (location varies by ship and sailing)
• Departure breakfast
• Reserved seating for shows
• Complimentary pressing on first formal night

And, of course, since Junior Suites are in the Sea Class on Oasis and Quantum ships, they will not be eligible for any Star or Sky Class perks. 

The main perk is the additional space. For a family of four staying in one cabin, this would be much more comfortable than one standard balcony!

How much does it cost to stay in a Junior Suite? 

Since Junior Suites are the lowest tier of suite available on Royal Caribbean cruises, they are also the cheapest. If, however, you are trying to cruise on a budget, you may find that they are still relatively expensive compared to other cabin options. 

The cost depends on the ship, time of year, and length of itinerary, and as with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. 

A Junior Suite on a 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Odyssey of the Seas departing in August 2024 starts at $2,423 per person, based on double occupancy. In comparison, an obstructed ocean view balcony is currently being advertised for $1,763 per person.   

A 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Rhapsody of the Seas that also departs in August 2024 starts at $1,393 per person, based on double occupancy, for a Junior Suite. In this case, a balcony is not too much less, as they begin at $1,238 per person! 

There is no set price for a Junior Suite, so if staying in one on your upcoming cruise interests you, take the time to do some research or reach out to a travel agent who can assist you with the booking process.

Sometimes, getting a Junior Suite is worth the cost because the price difference between it and a standard balcony stateroom is minimal.

And while it may not include as many benefits as other higher tiered suites, there are enough perks to (often) justify the up charge, with one of the most important being the double Crown & Anchor points. An extra couple of hundred dollars to help you upgrade to the next tier may well be worth it.