Royal Caribbean Blog

A suite on a cruise is expensive, but it's also one of the most sought-after types of cruise cabins because of how enjoyable the experience is.

The price of a suite will vary considerably, with the Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas costing $80,000 per week. That's at least ten times what a balcony cabin would likely cost, but it's also a microcosm of the demand suites get by cruise ship passengers.

The attraction to a book a suite is all about the service and benefits you get by staying in one.  There many types of cruise ship suites, but you can expect a bigger room than standard cabins on cruise vessels, better location onboard, and plenty of extra perks included for the price.

Free wifi, extra restaurants, added service, and less waiting in lines are just a few of the perks available with some suites.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

While a suite is likely not a dollar-for-dollar value, it is compelling enough a proposition that some cruisers jump at the chance to move up to a suite.

If you're debating if a suite is worth it, here are the best reasons to book one instead of a standard cabin.

Less waiting

My favorite benefit to staying in a suite is less lines to deal with during the cruise.

Staying in a suite is the closest thing cruise lines offer to an express line to bypass lines, or at least reduce them. By paying extra, you get added service and shortcuts along the way.

On embarkation day, there will be a special line in almost every port for those staying in a suite. This provides a shorter line to wait in to check-in, and when it's time to board the ship, suite guests get to go first.

Onboard the ship, there can be opportunities for suite guests to bypass lines.  There can be reserved seating in shows, and if you have a Royal Genie, you can forget about waiting in just about any line on the ship.

The saying, "time is money" applies to suite guests, and it's nice to have bypasses along the way.

Exclusive areas on the ship

If you're in a suite, there will be special areas of the ship reserved just for you.

Royal Caribbean does not have a "ship within a ship" concept that other lines have, but there's still a few spots reserved just for suite guests and these alone can be worth the price of a suite.

Every ship has a suite lounge, where you can go anytime to socialize and enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks at certain times.

You'll also find reserved seating on the pool deck for suite guests, which is immensely beneficial on sea days when the pool is the busiest.

On Royal Caribbean's newest ships, there are entire neighborhoods for suite guests.  Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas both have a section of the ship for the exclusive use of suite passengers.

Bigger cabin

If you think having more space in your room doesn't matter, wait until you see how much more space there is in a suite.

Cruise ship cabins are typically smaller than hotel rooms, but suites will make you feel like you're back at home with the square footage found in them.

Some suites have extra bedrooms, bathrooms, or even a dining room.  The really large suites are incredible to see, because it's hard to fathom just how large these cabins are compared to other rooms.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse measures 1,772 square feet and is three decks high.  Compare that to a balcony cabin on Icon of the Seas that comes in at 204 square feet.

More conventional suites are still quite large. A Grand Suite on Icon measures 431 square feet, which is more than double that of a balcony.

Read more: Icon of the Seas cabins and suites guide

Having that extra space is a major reason why a lot of people book a suite. They want to feel like they can spread out, and if they're sharing the room with others, every extra foot makes a difference.

Concierge services

It's amazing how much better your cruise can be with the help of the suite concierge.

The concierge is there to be a dedicated resource for suite guests. Think of them like Guest Service just for suite guests, but with less lines and more service.

They can assist in making reservations, including pre-cruise.  They can escort you off the ship, get you a tender ride without a wait, and be your aid should a problem arise.

Their job is to make your experience on the ship better, and it's a really nice way to solve problems or simply enhance it all.

Freebies

Depending on the ship you pick, staying in a suite can get you a lot of extras included in your cruise fare that you would otherwise have to pay extra for.

All suites across all ships include free alcoholic beverages in the Suite Lounge each evening, which means there's less of a need to purchase an unlimited drink package.

If you cruise on a Quantum, Oasis, or Icon Class cruise ship, the included perks drastically increase. For Sky Class passengers, you'll get complimentary Wi-Fi access, access to a special restaurant, and room service too.

Star Class guests get pretty much everything included, including any specialty restaurant, extra-cost beverage, and gratuities.

Read more: What is Star Class?

Twice a day cabin service

Royal Caribbean cut back housekeeping to once a day on its cruise ships, but suites still get service twice per day.

Having your cabin attendant service your cabin in the morning and evening is a pleasant benefit, and it means towels get replaced quicker, beds are made if you took a nap, and your room just feels tidier. 

I've grown accustomed to this change in standard cabins by now, but having that twice-a-day service is a really nice benefit.

More loyalty points

If you're looking to move up the ladder of Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program faster, staying in a suite is the best strategy.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra point per night for staying in a suite, so that means two points instead of one (or three, if you're staying solo in a suite).

This is important because the sooner you reach the higher tiers of Crown and Anchor Society, the sooner you'll get to enjoy the best benefits, such as free drinks every day.

Getting to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club really adds significant value to how you cruise, so booking a suite to get there faster might be a really good idea.

Read more: My top 5 favorite Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club perks

Better cabin location

Want to reduce your walking distance when getting around the ship? Stay somewhere with less movement? A suite is the easy button for that.

You'll typically find suites in the most desirable places on the ship so that you can have the best views, stability, and convenience.

To avoid getting seasick on a cruise, you'll want a cabin mid-ship (definitely not at the front), and it's no coincidence that you'll find suites in these areas.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Is a suite on a cruise worth it?

It won't be cheap, but a suite has a lot of nice perks that come with it, and it might make sense for you to spend extra to stay in one.

When you consider what you get for booking a suite instead of a regular cabin, the higher price might make sense if you can take advantage of the added value.

Experts will tell you the best time to book a cruise is as soon as you pick out the right ship and itinerary, but some people still wonder if they're better off waiting to book a cruise later to try to get a better deal.

It's understandable why you might think there's a special or better time to book a cruise, because in other forms of travel there are inside scoops on when is the best time to book. 

The reality is a cruise ship is priced differently, and waiting to book is usually a mistake because of how the industry works.

While there are exceptions and times when a promotion seems lucrative, the best time to book a cruise is when you see a price that fits in your budget and and seems like a good price. If you think it's a good deal, go ahead and pull the trigger on booking it. There's no telling if or when the price may go down.

What is the best day to book a cruise?

There are definitely better days of the week to book a flight, but that's not the case with cruises.

Royal Caribbean does offer "Going, Going, Gone" rates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they tend to be very limited offers on close-in sailings. If you're planning your family vacation, waiting for one of these to roll around isn't a great strategy.

Prices of a cruise can change by the minute, and there isn't any kind of pattern that favors one day over another. While the cruise line's internal pricing logic isn't publicly known, anecdotally, there isn't any reason a price would be less on a certain day.  When it's time to raise or lower the price, it happens in real-time.

Just to confirm this theory, I reached out to a travel agent to get a sense of their experience.  Considering how many cruises they book every day, I wanted to know if there was a better day of the week to book a cruise.

"There isn't a best day of the week to book a cruise, as prices change often," said Sharla Manglass, Travel Planner with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel.

"Some people seem to believe that waiting for Black Friday, WOW, or Kids Sail Free sales will be the best option for them."

What is the best month to book a cruise?

There isn't necessarily one month that's better than another, but cruise lines love to tie sales to major holidays.

The month of November stands out because it has two of the most well-known shopping holidays: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While these sales tend to favor retail sales more, the truth is cruise lines trot out special bonus incentives for those that book a cruise during these days.

In fact, cruise lines get into the "spirit" of Black Friday by starting sales a week or more in advance, so you'll have time in the second half of November to take advantage of the sales.

However, it's a mistake to wait to book a cruise until Black Friday. Instead, book the cruise now.

Royal Caribbean allows price adjustments with no penalty until final payment date, so if you do notice a price drop when Black Friday rolls around, call Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to get the cruise fare adjustment.

Plus, you might find that Black Friday cruise deals are not very different from promotions you’ll see throughout the rest of the year. Unlike retail and technology stores, for example, cruise pricing does not drastically change on Black Friday. You might find that the Black Friday promotion is nearly the same as other promotions during the year.

What is the best time of year to book a cruise?

If you had the inspiration to book a cruise, ideally it would be in the beginning of the year during Wave Season.

“Wave Season” is a cruise industry term for the time of year in which cruise lines tend to offer their best promotions. Wave season traditionally occurs between January and March. The name comes from the fact bookings in this period are what carry the cruise industry for the rest of the year.

Wave season promotions vary based on year, but you might see savings like 60% off a second guest and up to $150 onboard credit to use onboard. If you’re browsing Royal Caribbean’s website during wave season, you should take advantage of the offer to hopefully save some money and get onboard perks.

The other really good time of year to book a cruise is when Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries.

Generally speaking, the best prices for a cruise are when a new sailing is put on sale and all the cabins are open to book. Inventory is at its highest, and prices only go up as rooms get booked.

Cruise itineraries are usually released around two years in advance. The first batch of new cruises go on sale around November and December, and the rest come out in February, March or April.

One way to stay informed about new cruise itineraries is by subscribing to Royal Caribbean’s marketing emails or following Royal Caribbean Blog.

Can I book a cruise at the last minute?

Your best bet is to always book as far in advance as possible, you could try for a last-minute booking instead.

Truthfully, booking a cruise at the last minute is a crapshoot.  If there are any good deals, the choices are going to be limited in terms of dates, ships, and cabin choice.

Equally importantly, you'll have to pay the entire fare at once, because cruises booked less than 90 days before sailing require deposit and the full fare to be paid at the same time.

The bigger issue is there may simply not be a last-minute cruise deal to be had.  Cruise ships are sailing full, and people are booking cruises earlier and in more numbers than ever before. 

However, if you're very flexible with when and where you sail, there could be something out there if you keep your eyes out for price drops. If a cruise is past final payment date and not all rooms have been booked, Royal Caribbean may drop prices in order to encourage more passengers to book the cruise.

It helps a lot if you can drive to your cruise so that you don't have to then figure out last-minute airfare or hotels.

Should you book your next cruise on the ship?

Cruise lines offer additional incentives if you book another cruise once on their ship, but it's not always the best strategy.

If you're on a ship and are suddenly struck with the inspiration to book another cruise, yes, booking onboard is a good idea. You will receive up to $600 in onboard credit  and a lower deposit amount simply for booking a cruise on the ship.

That may sound like a great reason to wait to book onboard, but waiting to book a cruise until you get on a ship is a mistake. Even if you have a cruise coming up in a few weeks or months, it’s almost always better to book a future cruise you are interested in while at home now because the price could go up between now and your sailing, negating the advantage of booking on the ship.

How do I know if I'm getting a good deal when I book?

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Royal Caribbean’s second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, is now available for booking.

Star will operate out of Port Canaveral, Florida and cruisers can now book 7-night Caribbean sailings beginning on August 17, 2025. 

Prices start at $​​2398 per person for an interior guarantee cabin.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean opens new slide at Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark
• Royal Caribbean announces new photo perk for its loyalty program members
• Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship prices are more expensive than Celebrity's new premium ship
• Video shows Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship barely passed under a bridge
• 7 Best cruise ports in the Caribbean
• Is January a good time for a cruise?
• Vintage photos show how drastically cruise ships have changed during the last century
• I tried the new cocktails coming to Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 519th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has a review of Celebrity's newest ship.

Matt and Don sailed on Celebrity Cruise’s brand-new Celebrity Ascent. In this episode, they discuss what makes the Edge Class ship unique. 

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

Video: Why I Chose a Smaller Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Why I Chose a Smaller Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Video shows look around Royal Caribbean's new adults-only beach

Royal Caribbean has made progress on the adults-only beach expansion located on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Called Hideaway Beach, the location will cater to guests 18 and older.

A new video from inside the park, posted by Marissa Abreu, Royal Caribbean’s Director of Design, shows a first look at the progress made.

Hideaway Beach will be a paid add-on for adults seeking a child-free experience, spanning over 8 acres.

6 things I loved and 3 things I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise

Every cruise ship has pros and cons, including Royal Caribbean’s older ships.

Jenna recently sailed on Brilliance of the Seas, a Radiance Class ship built in 2002. She provides a balanced perspective on both the positive and the negative aspects of a cruise experience on Brilliance of the Seas.

She loved the ship’s entertainment options, dining experiences, friendly crew, enjoyable excursions, spacious staterooms, and the overall cruise atmosphere.

On the negative side, Jenna experienced issues with the embarkation and disembarkation processes, crowded spaces at certain times, and limited specialty dining options. 

How long does it take to build a cruise ship

The process of building a cruise ship is no overnight feat, so how long does it take exactly?

With Icon of the Seas almost ready for her first sailing, we have a good example of the process and what goes into making an idea into a ship.

From concept, to steel cutting, to float out, and then launch, it's a multi-year process involving tens of thousands of people.

I went on four cruises and found the best way to protect Black hair on vacation

After four cruises, Calista has developed the best method to protect Afro-textured hair while on vacation.

Challenges such as weather, the elements, time limitations, and packing space can make it difficult to care for Black hair while on a cruise.

However, with the help of protective hairstyles, moisturization, and essential haircare products, you can prevent damage and maintain healthy hair during a cruise vacation.

Cruise ship travel has changed significantly over the last century. 

Main Dining Room. Royal Caribbean

From the ocean liners that preceded it, to the dawn of the cruise ship, and then onto the mega ship, leisure travel by sea has come a long way.

The cruise industry has made rapid improvements and innovated through each era, with a boom of activity beginning in the 1990s as ships transformed into floating cities.

Here's a look at what cruise ship travel looked like over the decades.

Pre-1914 B&N steamers. Norwegian Maritime Museum

By the end of the 19th century, Norway's scenic wonders attracted hundreds of tourists. British and German vessels began calling on the Norwegian coast during the summer.

B&N Line (Bergen Line and Nordenfjeldski Steamship Company) welcomed tourists to Norway and the Mediterranean. They called their vessels, "tourist yachts".

Oslofjord, Norwegian America Line's short-lived flagship in 1939 in Havana. Bard Kolltveit & John Maxtone-Graham

Ocean liners were the precursor to modern day cruise ships, but they were quite different in their design and approach to sailing.

Ocean liners were built to offer comfortable accommodations across oceans at the highest speed possible. They weren't leisure craft, as they were more suited for getting their passengers across vast distances as fast as possible.

Commodore Cruise Line Boheme ship in Miami in 1982. Bard Kolltveit & John Maxtone-Graham

The first cruise lines emerged in the 1960s, with Commodore Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line founded in 1966.

Cruise lines in these days primarily relied on ferries or old ocean liners. Commodore took over building a half-complete ferry under construction that had been cancelled.

Commodore Cruise Line became the first company to operate week-long cruises out of Florida year-round.

Arne Wilhelmsen and family. Arne Wilhelmsen

Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968, with Song of Norway as her first ship. She was one of the first large ships to be built specifically for Caribbean cruising instead of a converted ferry or ocean liner.

The Song of Norway originally weighed 18,000 gross tons and had a capacity for only 724 passengers. 

Song of Norway's embarkation lobby in 1970. Bard Kolltveit & John Maxtone-Graham

Cruising in the 1970s was quite different from cruising today. Song of Norway had its own radio station, guests received a passenger list of everyone onboard, there was a midnight buffet, and skeet shooting was available on sea days.

Main Dining Room. Royal Caribbean

Cruise ships had evolved to offer more creature comforts than ocean liners ever did. Ships in the '70s were small, and the industry was starting to grow.

Meeting the Captain. Royal Caribbean

On a cruise ship in the 1970s, you could dance..

Man shooting skeet. Royal Caribbean

... shoot skeet off the back of the ship...

Marketing photos in brochure. Royal Caribbean

... and  many other activities.

Viking Crown Lounge. Royal Caribbean

In the 1980s, the cruise industry had to deal with the growing pains of a recession and strong competition from many lines.

Nordic Prince. Royal Caribbean

Cuise ships in the 1980s were smaller than today. As an example, Nordic Prince was 18,346 GT and 552 feet long, whereas Icon of the Seas is 250,800 GT and 1,198 feet long.

Party crowd. Royal Caribbean

Just like the decade was known for, a cruise in the 1980s was about a way to celebrate and relax.

Once your ship made it to port, it was time for a shore excursion. There were 7-night cruises from Miami that went to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Workout class. Royal Caribbean

The core cruise experience is largely the same then as it is today. The primary difference is what's offered onboard ships now, as well as the immense size difference.

The mandatory boat drill is completed. Royal Caribbean

Sovereign of the Seas in Miami passing Song of America. Royal Caribbean

The cruise industry evolved once again in the late 1980s into the 1990s with the introduction of the mega ship.

Windjammer on Sovereign of the Seas. Royal Caribbean

Sovereign of the Seas, the world's largest purpose-built cruise ship at the time, was designed as a way to offer certain onboard amenities that Royal Caribbean executives dreamed up.

The launch of Sovereign of the Seas in 1988 introduced the era of the mega ship, and vessels became larger and larger. 

Royal Caribbean promotional video

While the ships got bigger, the core experience remained the same, as guests were told they would be "wined and dined virtually around the clock," with the Main Dining Room featuring a different international flavor each night. 

Centrum on Legend of the Seas. Royal Caribbean

In the 1990s, ships got bigger and they could experience more than ever thought possible on cruise ships. Rock climbing walls, mini-golf courses, and the first specialty restaurants were added.

Pool on ship top deck. m. van hintum

Voyager of the Seas ushered in a new era of cruising with another leap in ship size.

The addition of an indoor promenade was revolutionary with the Voyager Class. There were onboard activities that was previously not available on a cruise ship.  

More importantly, it introduced the concept of guests being able to do physically activities onboard that were never considered previously.

Oasis of the Seas Youth Zone. Royal Caribbean

In the 2000s, cruising had reached new heights of popularity and Royal Caribbean capitalized on that with the biggest ships yet.

Oasis of the Seas became the world's largest cruise ship by a factor previously unseen.

Oasis was more than 40 percent larger than the previous largest ships in the world (Freedom Class), coming in at 225,282-tons and accommodating 5,400 passengers.

Icon of the Seas leaving shipyard in Turku. Royal Caribbean

Cruise ships have continued their trend to grow and add more for passengers to do.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas will set the new bar for biggest cruise ship in the world with 20 decks and a length of 1,198 feet.

Royal Caribbean opened their brand-new water slide at Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark ahead of schedule. 

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley turned to Facebook to announce its opening: "We opened a new slide at Perfect Day Coco Cay today to enhance the Thrill and keep the kids busy and happy while the Moms and Dads Chill with a Pina Colada."

Read more: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips & tricks

In late October, Neva Heaston, Director of Private Destinations for Royal Caribbean International, said, "Look out for announcements from marketing, we are set to announce the name and open the ride in Q1 2024."

Located at the Splash Summit Tower, which is where you can also find the Sling Shot family raft slide, Splash Speedway mat slide, and Twister tube ride, the Tailspin is a family flume-style ride that uses the exact same rafts as the Sling Shot. 

Parties of 2-4 guests are sent into the bright green slide before shortly entering a dark tube that's illuminated with colorful lights. 

The entirety of the slide isn't enclosed, though. And as the name suggests, there are sharp turns that are sure to get everyone a little wet! 

Related: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, tricks and secrets

What is Thrill Waterpark?

Located on Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Thrill Waterpark opened in 2019 as part of the cruise line's $250 million renovation. 

Admission usually ranges from $89 to $169 per person, depending on what ship you're sailing on and when your cruise is set to take place. There are even cabanas located within the waterpark that include the cost of admission for up to six guests. 

You can also expect a cabana attendant, sectional sofa, two resort-style chairs, power outlets, towels, and complimentary water bottles.

Note that children under the age of 14 are required to be accompanied by a ticketed guest who is 14 years old or older. Otherwise, they will be denied admission. 

With the opening of Tailspin, there are now nine slides for guests to enjoy. Additionally, there's a wave pool and obstacle course named "Adventure Pool," where you'll find a rope swing, rock wall, lily pads, and more. 

Five slides are located within Daredevil's Tower, including the tallest waterslide in North America: Daredevil's Peak. The remaining four slides can be found at Splash Summit. 

15+ ways to slide

If you're cruising on Icon of the Seas, with the addition of the brand-new slide at Thrill Waterpark, you're able to try out over fifteen different water slides, both at sea and on land. 

Simiarily, Utopia of the Seas will have the longest dry slide at sea, so whether you're a fan of water slides or not, you have yet another way to get your adrenaline pumping. 

"We are very excited to add another amazing addition to Thrill Waterpark for families and friends to enjoy together," said Heaston. 

Are annual passes to Thrill Waterpark on the horizon?

While nothing's been confirmed, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley responded to a comment written by Christopher Birdsong on his Facebook account asking if they've ever thought about selling annual passes to Thrill Waterpark for those who frequently visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Bayley said, "Great idea. We will look into this." 

If annual passes were offered, how much would you be willing to pay? And, if offered, would they entice you to visit CocoCay even more, since you would be guaranteed to always have an extra-cost activity reserved? 

Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel and recently attended an event in Las Vegas with Royal Caribbean to sample new drinks coming to Icon of the Seas.

As we eagerly await the debut of Icon of the Seas debut from Miami in January 2024, we have been watching for all the details about this new ship. Not only is Icon of the Seas a brand new ship, but it’s a brand new ship class, which means new concepts.

I had the pleasure of attending a very exclusive Royal Caribbean event that included a preview of the cocktails coming to Icon of the Seas when she sets sail.

Our group was escorted to Libertine Social in Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. Once we arrived, it made sense why we were there for this preview; Royal Caribbean, Sr. Director of Beverage Operations Ed Eiswirth, tasked his mentor, Tony Abou-Ganim, to help with some of the Icon of the Seas cocktail menus.

Tony is a worldwide name in the beverage industry and a managing partner of Libertine Social. He welcomed us to his establishment with open arms to proudly show off the cocktails he has created. 

Mr. Eiswirth shared that his team embarked on a journey of experimentation, testing 150 drinks to curate a selection that would elevate the onboard experience.

Out of this rigorous testing process emerged a collection of 60 brand-new cocktails, each designed to tantalize the taste buds and reflect the diversity of the passengers. From classic concoctions with modern twists to innovative creations that push the boundaries of mixology, these cocktails are like nothing at sea. 

The Iconic G&T

We were greeted with this not-so-standard gin & tonic as we arrived. Made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Iconic tonic syrup, and soda water, this cocktail made my tastebuds question what I was drinking.

It's different from your standard gin & tonic, as the Iconic tonic syrup is made specifically for the Icon of the Seas and cannot be found anywhere else. 

The Big Bobbo

I wasn’t sure about this, as I am not usually a bubble tea drinker - but it is the perfect flavor combination. This eclectic cocktail is made with Mount Gay rum, Hard Truth Toasted CoConut Rum, cold brewed Earl Grey tea, simple syrup, and boba pearls. 

New York Sour

Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim crafted a signature drink and used out-of-the-box flavors to bring it to life.

Featuring Bulleit Bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and Claret wine, it will surely elevate your experience. 

Sunsplash

The Sunsplash is a classic cruise cocktail but without the rum.

Made with Grapefruit vodka, Aperol, honey syrup, lemon juice, orange juice, and sour mix- this is hands down my new favorite Royal Caribbean cocktail. 

The Pearl 

While we haven’t heard much about The Pearl, we know it will be a focal point on the Icon of the Seas. Therefore, a cocktail must be named after it. It’s a fancy margarita; at least, I felt it was. But this isn’t about the flavors- maybe a little- but it’s the presentation.

Shaken with Casamigos Blanco Tequila, Italicus liquor, lemon juice, sour mix, pearl shimmer syrup, and a Flavour Blaster citrus pearl, this is an insta-worthy cocktail! 

Royal Caribbeans beverage team looked at cocktail trends to develop unique and exciting offerings for their newest ship in the fleet. They said they wanted a combination of evolutionary and revolutionary to cater to everyone aboard the “ultimate family vacation.”

With only 75 days until Icon of the Seas sets sail on her Inaugural Voyage from Miami, we are all eager for more details. If this indicates what is coming, we are all in for an iconic vacation! 

15 Bars & 60 new cocktails

When Icon of the Seas launches, Royal Caribbean has plenty of new choices beyond even what was featured at the tasting event.

Icon of the Seas will have more than 15 bars and lounges, and there will be 60 new cocktail choices for the cruise line that will be exclusive to Icon.

There will be a blend of well-known fan favorite bars, such as the Schooner Bar, Trellis Bar, and Boleros.  And there will be new choices, such as Lou’s Jazz’n Blues, and Bubbles – a Champagne window in Central Park.

Royal Caribbean is also experimenting with a new family centric bar, where parents and their kids can enjoy a drink together.  The Lemon Post will have a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

In the AquaDome neighborhood, you'll find The Overlook.  This is a hip bar that has pods you can sit in to enjoy a drink with a view through the AquaDome.

If you prefer to drink your dessert, Desserted is what you'll want. It's a milkshake bar with over-the-top toppings.

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals new restaurants, bars, and activities on Icon of the Seas

Today’s mega cruise ships are packed with the latest thrills, from zip lines to indoor skydiving, but what is it like sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s older cruise ships?

I recently cruised on Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas, a Radiance Class cruise ship built in 2002. During my exotic ten day sailing to the South Pacific—my longest cruise thus far—I relished the opportunity to enjoy a more traditional cruising experience.

Although I love cruising on massive vessels with nearly endless activities to enjoy, there’s something special about the relaxed, quieter ambiance of cruising on a smaller, older ship. For the most part, I loved everything about my time onboard, from the attentive service to the itinerary and friendly faces around the ship.

Nonetheless, there were, like any cruise, a few things I did not enjoy. Whether the lack of specialty dining restaurants or the thin walls in my cabin, my vacation was not entirely perfect.

Here are six things I loved and three I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise.

I loved the ship’s unique itinerary, which isn’t offered on newer and bigger ships

My cruising mantra is to always select itineraries that visit at least one destination I haven’t been to before. Whether a new island in the Caribbean or a new port in Alaska, exploring breathtaking destinations is a major reason why I book cruises.

When the opportunity arose to book a cruise from Australia, I began searching for Royal Caribbean’s most unique itinerary in the region during the month of November. I decided upon a 10-night South Pacific cruise that visited five islands in the French territory of New Caledonia and the Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

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

You can find South Pacific itineraries on new ships like Quantum of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas, which also sail from Australia, but they typically only visit two or three islands on each itinerary. 

Sailing on an older ship like Brilliance of the Seas gave me the chance to make the most of my long journey across the world to Australia. I absolutely loved visiting five diverse, breathtaking islands during my cruise, and I was happy I chose the most unique itinerary available.

I hated the limited specialty dining options

I’ve recently reached the Diamond Plus tier in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, and one of the new perks I receive with this status is a buy one, get one free dinner at a specialty restaurant.

I thoroughly enjoy eating at Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants, as I love the calmer atmosphere and wider variety of cuisines. Because of this, the BOGO deal was the perk I was most looking forward to trying on Brilliance of the Seas.

Unfortunately, though, older Royal Caribbean cruise ships often have limited specialty restaurant options, and Brilliance of the Seas was no exception. The ship only features four specialty restaurants: Chops Grille, Giovanni’s Table, Izumi Sushi, and Chef’s Table.

Only two of these restaurants, Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table, allow guests to use the BOGO discount. I would have loved to dine at Izumi—my favorite of Royal Caribbean’s restaurants—but I was told this was not, unfortunately, covered with the discount.

Even though the food offered at Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table is of great quality, I’ve been to these restaurants many times before on other ships, and eating the same meal over and over can get a bit boring.

Having limited specialty restaurant options was one of the few times I wished I were sailing on a bigger cruise ship.

I loved my Main Dining Room experience, from the delightful cuisine to attentive service

Despite the lack of specialty dining options, I found myself pleased with my experience in the Main Dining Room on Brilliance of the Seas.

With fewer options onboard for meals, you’re likely to find yourself eating in the Main Dining Room more often on smaller ships compared to on Royal Caribbean’s largest vessels. On my Brilliance of the Seas cruise, I ate in the Main Dining Room nearly every evening along with lunch on sea days and several breakfasts.

Related: 21 Tips for the Best Cruise Ship Main Dining Room Experience

Although I frequently eat in the Main Dining Room on other Royal Caribbean cruises, the over-the-top service I experienced on Brilliance of the Seas was on a different level. My waiters, Stefan and Stephen, were beyond attentive, regularly bringing me surprise menu items to try and delivering food in record speed.

I felt so attached to them by the end of the cruise that I couldn’t even fathom eating dinner anywhere else! As a plus, the food quality and flavors were excellent as well.

I loved the ship’s tango show, and I wish I attended more productions while onboard

Whenever I sail on new ships like Wonder of the Seas, I prioritize attending entertainment shows. I just can’t pass up the entertainment offered onboard, from AquaTheater shows to ice skating shows and Broadway productions.

On smaller ships I tend to avoid theater shows. Although I can appreciate the talent of the cast on any ship, I’m never as thrilled with entertainment on old cruise ships. Whether the smaller budget or lack of a storyline, I would usually much rather spend my evening doing something else instead.

Regardless, during my time on Brilliance of the Seas, I figured I should at least try to attend one production show, so I attended a performance of Tango: Buenos Aires.

I grabbed a front row seat by showing up a half hour early, and I was quickly left impressed by the professional tango dancers and live music of the production. It was one of the more unique production shows I’ve seen on an older Royal Caribbean ship.

Following the performance, I wished I had attended more production shows during my time onboard, but I’ll definitely try to attend more shows next time I sail on an older ship.

I hated the Royal Mystery puzzle game, as it was way too difficult

I cruise with Royal Caribbean relatively often, and I find myself getting into a certain routine while onboard. While I’ll attend a trivia session or two during the day and listen to live music in the evening, I have realized I don’t try enough new activities to keep things interesting.

Determined to change this and try something new, I participated in the Royal Mystery puzzle game while onboard. The purpose of this complimentary activity is to "solve" the mystery of a museum heist during which important artwork was stolen.

Through a series of clues found throughout the room and in a folder of papers given to participants, each team is supposed to determine which character committed the crime.

While the concept of the game was intriguing, I found it to be exceptionally difficult. Of the hundred or so people playing the game, almost everyone appeared confused. Not only were the clues unclear, but there were so many steps to the game that only one team even got close to solving the mystery.

I’m glad I went out of my comfort zone to try a new activity, but I wish it would have been a little easier. Most passengers are not professional detectives, after all!

I loved the small ship experience and seeing familiar faces around the ship

Prior to my Brilliance of the Seas cruise, which was ten nights, I had never booked a cruise over seven nights in length. The main difference I found when cruising on a longer itinerary, particularly on a smaller ship, was the community that formed while onboard.

Being on a smaller cruise ship for ten days meant I saw the same guests again and again during my sailing. By the end of the cruise I had formed friendships with several passengers, and we spent our days attending activities together, playing cards at Schooner Bar, and sharing meals in the dining room.

Sure, it’s possible to form friendships on bigger cruise ships, but it’s a lot easier on the smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships as you’re more likely to see the same passengers around throughout the sailing.

I loved the internet speed—it was the quickest I’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship

The internet speed on Royal Caribbean cruise ships has significantly improved since the launch of Starlink internet in 2022, but nothing could have prepared me for the insanely quick speeds on Brilliance of the Seas.

As someone who frequently works remotely from cruise ships, I rely on Royal Caribbean’s internet to complete tasks like uploading videos to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel. In the past, uploading content could take hours, which was certainly not ideal for productivity.

Related: Can you work remotely from a cruise ship? I put it to the test

While on Brilliance of the Seas, I encountered the most responsive internet connection I’ve ever experienced on a cruise ship. I was streaming Netflix with no issues, uploading large video files in under twenty minutes, and video chatting with friends and family back home without any connection delay.

Due to my ship’s remote itinerary in the South Pacific and the fact I was sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s older vessels, I expected slow, frustrating internet speeds, but this was (thankfully!) not the case whatsoever.

I hated how thin the walls were in my cabin—I could hear everything from next door

One downside I’ve noticed when cruising on older ships are the thin walls in the cabins. Whether on Rhapsody of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, or Brilliance of the Seas, I’ve always been able to hear sounds from guests in the rooms adjacent to my own.

From alarm clocks to conversations and televisions, it’s not ideal being able to hear what is going on outside of your cabin. Although these sounds are somewhat muffled, I missed the thicker walls of cabins on newer cruise ships during my recent cruise.

I loved the new drink menu at Schooner Bar

When it’s time to grab a drink on a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of my preferred bars is Schooner Bar. Royal Caribbean’s nautical themed bar is found on every ship in the fleet, and it’s a popular spot for activities like trivia and live piano music.

In September 2023, Royal Caribbean revamped its drink menu at Schooner Bar, crafting cocktails such as the Peanut Butter Tropic, Parrot Punch, and Southern Belle.

Related: Royal Caribbean revamps its nautical themed bar with new menu

Because I cruise with Royal Caribbean often, I can’t pass up the opportunity to try a new drink menu. During my cruise I tried several new drinks at Schooner Bar, my favorite of which was the Desert Pear Margarita, which combines tequila, desert pear syrup, and lime juice for a distinct fruity flavor.

If anything, the new drink menu at Schooner Bar made me even more excited to try cocktails at one of the new bars on my Icon of the Seas cruise this January!

Royal Caribbean is adding a new souvenir photo benefit to most of its loyalty program tiers.

Members of the Crown and Anchor Society received an email on Thursday notifying them of the program change.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program has many benefits for repeat cruisers and the photo benefits have been updated.

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

Beginning on sailings departing on or after December 9, 2023, guests will have updated photo benefits.

Here's a breakdown of what each tier will receive:

Platinum

20% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook

Emerald

25% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook

Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club

• Free digital or printed photo of your choice
• 30% off a single photo, photo package, or a photobook

It should be noted Jewel, Radiance, Grandeur and Vision of the Seas do not offer digital downloads, and only prints.

A single photo or digital download sold onboard the ship usually costs $19.99 for a single print or download. 

In the announcement, Royal Caribbean said they were making this change to reward guests, "Your loyalty deserves to be celebrated, and what better way than capturing and preserving those unforgettable moments?"

What's different about this change?

If you're curious, this new benefit replaces a photo benefit that previously existed.

According to our notes, this change replaces the buy one, get one discount that was previously offered:

Platinum

Buy one, get one 50% off - Photo

Emerald

Buy one, get one 50% off - Photo

Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club

10% off a Photo Package or Photobook

Changing benefits

The addition of these new benefits is part of an ever evolving benefit structure by Royal Caribbean.

Earlier this year, the cruise line announced a change to the name of its loyalty lounge.

Also in 2023, Royal Caribbean introduced a new design to its crystal blocks for top tier members. They also made other changes, including Emerald members no longer have the option to pre-select your welcome beverages, because all guests will now receive complimentary water in their stateroom when they arrive.

Additionally, the cruise line removed the welcome snack as a loyalty benefit.

The value of daily drink vouchers for Diamond members and above went up to $14.

Lastly, the free bag of laundry on sailings five nights or longer is restricted to be redeemable only on the day of the ship's Wash & Fold laundry promotion.

Related: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

How to use this offer

You can redeem the photo benefits that Crown and Anchor provides you once onboard your ship. It's not available to use pre-cruise.

If your ship has an interactive kiosk you can use to order prints, then this is very simple.

Just scan your SeaPass card to view any photos you have taken with the ship's photographers.  Select which prints you would like to buy, and then look for a promotions icon in the top right corner.  

Once you click on it, you'll see whichever photo offers you have.  The photo benefit tied to your Crown and Anchor Society level should automatically appear.

Every person in your family that has the same tier status is entitled to the benefit, so you could redeem this offer for each person.  For example, a married couple that is Diamond status, could get 2 free prints by logging in as each person via the kiosk and ordering a print.

Alternatively, you can ask one of the crew members working in the photo gallery to assist.

January is the heart of winter in the northern hemisphere, so while temperatures are likely to be at their coldest, is this the right time for a cruise?

Picking the right month for a cruise depends on various factors, but January has its own considerations. It's also not as popular a month to take a vacation because nearly everyone just had time off with the December holidays just a few weeks earlier.

Among the cruise industry, January is actually one of the best months to go on a cruise because it has a few advantages that draw many back year after year.

You might be surprised how good of a time it is to go on a cruise in January.

Lowest prices of the year

Assuming you skip a cruise that goes over the New Year holiday, cruises in January tend to be quite inexpensive and that's because of the lack of demand.

Cruise prices tend to reflect demand, and when there's less demand, prices are usually lower.  In January, kids are back in school and adults are back at work.  It's not very common to take vacation time in January considering the built in time off that comes with Christmas and New Years.

Due to less demand, you will probably have a higher chance at finding a last-minute deal in January than in many other months. Keep an eye out for January cruise deals starting in November each year and check frequently to make sure you’re aware of the best deals being offered.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to last-minute cruise deals

Just like the cruises, flights tend to be cheaper too for a January cruise.  With less people in general interested in a vacation, you may find that getting a flight to your embarkation port isn't as expensive as a month or two later.

A winter escape

Nostalgia for a winter wonderland usually runs out by the time bitter cold temperatures arrive in January, so a January cruise is a great idea to get out of town.

By taking a January cruise, you get to head south and to warmer temperatures.  There’s something extra wonderful about suntanning on a beach when everyone else is freezing back home!

Less kids

If you prefer going on cruises with less kids onboard, then January is the perfect month for you.

With the exception of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, most kids will be in school and unable to cruise. Therefore, far fewer families and children will be onboard your cruise ship.

With school back in session, school aged kids will be far less likely to be on your sailing for the longer sailings.  Three night weekend cruises can still get their fair share of families from driving distance towns, but a seven night cruise should have less.

Of course, toddlers and other young children not yet in the day school system may be there, so don't expect an adults-only sailing.

Perfect outdoor weather

It's warm in the Caribbean year round, but January is one of the most comfortable months to be outside in this region.

January is the start of the dry season in the Caribbean, so you can expect less humidity and more comfortable temperatures than what you’ll find during the summer months. Plus, hurricane season is not a concern during January.

January can also be a great time to book shore excursions you wouldn’t otherwise book during the warmest months of the year. Visiting Mayan ruins in Mexico, hiking in St. Kitts, and exploring downtown Cozumel can be much more enjoyable in January compared to July or August.

The only downside to the lower temperature and humidity is the possibility of a cold front sliding through, especially in The Bahamas.

It’s not uncommon to see January averages in the Bahamas in the low 70s, which can surprisingly feel quite chilly on cloudy and windy days. Ocean temperatures can be colder, too, making swimming less comfortable.

If your cruise is headed further south, east, or west, it should be plenty warm to swim. Remember, ocean temperatures take longer to cool or heat up than air temperatures, so one cold front will not dramatically affect how warm the water is.

All things considered, weather is unpredictable and, more often than not, you’ll encounter warm, sunny skies on a cruise in January. Regardless of whether the forecast shows 70°F or 85°F, it will almost certainly be warmer than the weather back home!

Best cruises in January

If you're sold on a January cruise, there's plenty of great choices to consider.

In the winter, most Royal Caribbean ships offer cruises from North America. The abundance of ships in North America means there are more opportunities to find last-minute cruise deals and more flexibility over which ship to book.

Here are some ideas for which cruise to pick for a January sailing.

Cruises to Mexico

What's better than a cruise that gets you warm temperatures, tacos, beaches, and lots to explore?

Royal Caribbean offers a lot of itineraries that visit the Yucatan Peninsula, which means going to places like Cozumel and Costa Maya.

Not only are these ports sufficiently south to almost guarantee warm temperatures, but a visit in January is idyllic because of how less humid it is outside.

Mayan ruins are a favorite shore excursion, but since these ruins are located in the jungle, it can be downright sweaty most times of the year.  By going in January, you could check them out for yourself with far less perspiration involved.

In fact, being outdoors in general is lovely in Mexico, so don't overlook a beach day visit either.

Cruises to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao

If your goal is to find the absolutely hottest temperatures, you will want a Southern Caribbean cruise.

Cruises that go to the "ABC Islands" of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are as far south as you can get in the Caribbean, and temperatures in this region rarely change much throughout the year.

The average high temperature in Aruba in the month of January is 86°F and the average low is 76°F. You won't have to worry about being chilly here.

Since these islands are known for their beaches, a Southern Caribbean cruise is perfect for this month.

West Coast cruises

Have you cruised from Los Angeles yet?

If you take a seven night cruise down the Baja Peninsula, you will get to visit the Mexican Riviera with the best possible weather.

Ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are very popular in winter because of how wonderful the weather can be.  By taking a January cruise, you could combine not only a January escape, but also an excuse to try this itinerary.

Read more: Mexican Riviera cruise guide

The pricing for any new cruise ship will usually cost more than other ships, and it appears Royal Caribbean's new ship will continue that trend.

Bookings for two brand-new cruise ships from Royal Caribbean Group were recently released - and prices for the 2025-2026 cruise season are surprising. Based on anecdotal data Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is coming out to be more expensive than Celebrity Cruises’ new premium ship, Celebrity Xcel. 

Read more: Star of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

Following the announcement of the next vessel in the Icon class of cruise ships, Royal Caribbean also released the first sailings for prospective guests to book. Just a few weeks prior, sister-brand Celebrity Cruises released sailings for its newest cruise ship, Celebrity Xcel. This will be the fifth ship in the award-winning Edge class of ships for the cruise line. 

Both ships are set to debut in the second half of 2025, with Star of the Seas’ inaugural sailing taking place on August 17, 2025 from Port Canaveral, Florida. Similarly, Celebrity Xcel will set sail for the first time on November 18, 2025 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Keen Royal Caribbean fans on Reddit noted the apparent price discrepancy between the two brand-new cruise ships debuting in 2025. One user on Reddit shared various cabin prices for two 7-night itineraries onboard each ship. In the post, Celebrity Xcel had notably lower prices for most stateroom categories compared to Star of the Seas. 

Celebrity Cruises is a considered a premium cruise line, whereas Royal Caribbean is a contemporary cruise line. What this means is a premium line tends to be more sophisticated and high-end, whereas a contemporary line might be more casual. Royal Caribbean targets families while Celebrity Cruises caters to an adult-centered experience. 

Although Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line, prices for Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas are consistently more expensive. I wanted to see if this trend was consistent for all current sailings available for both Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel, prompting further analysis.

On average, Celebrity Xcel is 41.24% cheaper than Star of the Seas when comparing the base fares

During the winter season of 2025-2026, Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel will both be sailing 7-night Caribbean itineraries from Florida. This creates a nearly perfect scenario to compare prices between the two brand-new ships. 

For this basic analysis, I looked at prices for an interior guarantee, outside guarantee and balcony guarantee for both Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel. I priced out five different itineraries from each ship between November 2025 and March 2026. Each itinerary was a 7-night Caribbean sailing for two guests. 

Overall, the average cost to sail on Star of the Seas was $4,755 while the average cost of Celebrity Xcel was $2,794 for the five itineraries I looked at. Here’s how the average cabin prices compared between the two ships; 

Average Interior Cabin:

• Star of the Seas - $4,076
• Celebrity Xcel - $2,487

Average Outside Cabin: 

• Star of the Seas - $4,728
• Celebrity Xcel - $2,694

Average Balcony Cabin: 

• Star of the Seas - $5,463
• Celebrity Xcel - $3,201

Even with Celebrity’s All Included pricing, Celebrity Xcel’s average cost was still 23.07% cheaper than Star of the Seas

One way that Celebrity Cruises differentiates its brand from Royal Caribbean is by offering an inclusive pricing option. If you book the All Included cruise fare with Celebrity, you will receive a drink and internet package at a bundled discount. This creates a more all-inclusive style of cruising with Celebrity Cruises with basic drinks and wi-fi included with your cruise purchase. 

Surprisingly, even when comparing a base cruise fare from Star of the Seas with an All Included pricing from Celebrity Xcel, the new Celebrity ship was still cheaper. 

Overall, the average cost for Celebrity Xcel was $3,658 across the five itineraries, which is still cheaper than the average cost for Royal Caribbean’s newest ship at $4,755. Here is the breakdown of the cabins for Celebrity Xcel’s All Included price.

Average Interior Cabin:

• Star of the Seas - $4,076
• Celebrity Xcel: All Included - $3,323

Average Outside Cabin: 

• Star of the Seas - $4,728
• Celebrity Xcel: All Included $3,530

Average Balcony Cabin: 

• Star of the Seas - $5,463
• Celebrity Xcel: All Included- $4,122

In the graph below, you can see the consistent trends of Celebrity Xcel’s more affordable pricing compared to Star of the Seas

To ensure the pricing example on Reddit was not an outlier data point, I priced out the three different cabins for five itineraries. For each month, Star of the Seas is more expensive than Celebrity Xcel for the base cruise fare and All Included pricing. 

Since Celebrity Xcel’s deployment schedule is not available after March 2026, this was as far out as I could price the comparisons. Historically, Celebrity Cruises has sailed their newest Edge class ships in Europe during the vessel’s inaugural season. Star of the Seas only has sailings available to book through April 2026, although it would not be surprising if Star of the Seas sailed year-round from Port Canaveral. 

Many users on social media shared their thoughts regarding the pricing between Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel

Reading the Reddit thread, it was interesting to hear the multiple perspectives regarding Star of the Seas having a higher price point than Celebrity Xcel. 

To start, some users felt that looking at the two ships was not necessarily comparable; Royal Caribbean’s newest ship is packed with amenities and onboard thrills while Celebrity Xcel targets an entirely different audience. 

One user commented, “This is an apples-to-oranges comparison. Celebrity doesn’t have the waterpark, Aquadome, Central Park, Surfside, etc. Royal Caribbean saw a market for higher-income families, which is not targeted by Celebrity, and is going for it. If prices are too high, then they will come down. It’s supply and demand.”

Many responded that Star of the Seas shows similar pricing to Disney Cruise Line - and Royal Caribbean is likely looking to tap into this potential segment of cruisers. “Key words here are family and kids. Royal Caribbean is going after families with children who are willing to pay a premium to have a once in a lifetime vacation,” responded one user.

Others on social media were not surprised by the pricing discrepancies. One user commented that Star of the Seas would be the biggest ship in the world with the most to do on it. In addition, Royal Caribbean has a broader market than Celebrity’s and the pricing makes more sense.

Continuing, the user said, “There is some branding specialization here too. You go on Celebrity to go to cool places and have a nice elegant time when you’re on the ship, but the ship life is pretty chill. Icon class, the ship is the destination and the ports are secondary.”

Royal Caribbean states that demand is through the roof for the new Icon Class of ships

It’s no secret that Royal Caribbean designed Icon of the Seas to appeal to the family vacation market. There is more included than ever before on Icon of the Seas - and Star of the Seas is sure to be very similar. 

Icon of the Seas will be the biggest ship in the world at a whopping 250,800 gross tons. When you include crew members, Icon class ships will be able to hold nearly 10,000 people. 

With so much hype around the newest ship class from Royal Caribbean, the cruise line shared that demand was unprecedented. Guests are booking cruises on Icon of the Seas at prices that the cruise line has never experienced before. In fact, the cruise line shared that Icon of the Seas has been its best performing product in the company’s history. 

When the name of the ship was announced, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International president and CEO, commented, “The idea of combining the best of every type of vacation into one ultimate adventure has created more excitement than ever anticipated, and Star of the Seas will be the next bold answer to the record-breaking consumer demand we’ve seen for nearly a year and counting with Icon of the Seas.”

Celebrity Xcel is the fifth cruise ship in the very popular Edge-class for Celebrity Cruises

Although not targeting families, Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series has been wildly popular for the cruise line. The mid-sized cruise ship was innovative and revolutionary for Celebrity Cruises. Picture a resort-style cruising experience that whisk away cruisers to more than 50 countries and 120 ports of call. 

Celebrity Cruises states, “We’re changing the game again. Celebrity Xcel does exactly that. Our newest ship combines all the greatest hits of our Edge Series and adds even more—and entirely new—experiences that will change the game all over again. This ship truly excels into a class of its own”.

Similarly, the president Laura Hodges Bethge promises that Xcel will excel beyond her sister ships with new experiences that have yet to be revealed. The cruise line promises new exciting details in the coming months with ‘visionary new spaces’ and ‘delicious new food and drink concepts’ for Celebrity Xcel.

Celebrity’s Edge-class ships sail around the world with destinations in Alaska, Australia, Europe and the Caribbean.