Royal Caribbean Blog

One of the best reasons to sail on a slightly older Royal Caribbean cruise ship is when you can get a great deal, even if it's an inside room.

Freedom of the Seas is approaching being 20 years old, but don't let her age fool you. The ship got a massive upgrade in 2020 that added a lot, plus recent changes to its casino. That has added a lot to what this cruise ship can offer.

So when I received an offer to sail in an inside cabin on Freedom of the Seas for just port fees and taxes, I jumped at the chance.

Not only would I be able to go back onboard a favorite ship of mine, but also sneak in another getaway cruise before the end of the year.

Here's what it's like to choose one of the smallest staterooms on Freedom.

How I got such a low price

The secret to paying just port fees and taxes on what is essentially a "free cruise" is I received the offer through Royal Caribbean's casino.

I think the casino loyalty program is the best value in cruising right now, and you don't need to be a mega gambler in order to qualify for these offers.

Basically, I play enough in the casino on my sailings to qualify for offers to be mailed to me. Most casino pros recommend at least 200 - 300 points per sailing at a minimum to likely qualify.

One offer had an inside stateroom for free on a 5-night Freedom of the Seas cruise scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel. Spoiler alert, we didn't visit either of those places.

All I had to pay were the port fees and taxes.  Since I was sailing solo, I paid just $272. I got $39.58 refunded onboard when we didn't go to the scheduled ports.

An inside room is small, but it's perfect if I'm alone

You can argue the virtues of if an inside room is a good idea or not, but I really don't mind them. This is especially true when I'm on the cruise without my family.

With the kids in school, the choice of taking an inside room wasn't a problem. The casino offers are inflexible in that regard, although I might have been able to spend more to upgrade to a balcony.  I felt if I'm getting a "free room", I'm going to take advantage of that and limit my costs.

Royal Caribbean assigned me cabin 6669, which was a short walk from the aft elevator bank. I greatly prefer to have a cabin near the elevators instead of down the hall, so this worked out well.

Plus, it was one deck from the Royal Promenade.  This made it very convenient to be able to run back to my room for anything.

Royal Caribbean opens its cabins on embarkation day usually at 1pm, and I walked into a small space, but since it was just me, it's all I needed.

I've stayed in a lot of inside rooms on cruise ships, and while their exact dimensions or configuration may differ slightly, they all tend to have a similar feel.

There's a private bathroom, sitting area, vanity, and bed.  Plus, you'll find closet space too.

One thing I noticed immediately was the cabin decor felt like a 20 year old ship. As a rule of thumb, Royal Caribbean never updates its stateroom look during scheduled maintenance. They have never commented why, but I assume it's a cost issue.

While the motif may be dated, it's not a big deal. You adjust quickly to it and it doesn't affect the enjoyment of the cruise. It's just something that may initially jump out.

When I entered the cabin for the first time, the beds were pushed together to form one bed. That's not inherently a problem, but one of my favorite cruise hacks is to have the beds split apart to make the room feel bigger.

With the beds together, it required climbing over the bed to get in or out of the bed. But with them split, it's much easier to get around.

Plus, it made the space feel more open.

The bathroom is certainly big enough for just one person, but it's effectively the same bathroom layout and size as most non-suites cabin bathrooms on this ship.

There's a little storage space behind the mirror, but you can also stash some things below.

Just a reminder that Royal Caribbean only provides the 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, so be sure to pack your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

At the vanity, you'll find all of the power outlets for the room.

There are no USB plugs, so you'll need to bring your own adaptor.  I recommend buying this power adaptor because it offers 4 USB outlets, and will work in both US or EU power outlets. (Affiliate link means I'll make a small commission if you buy it, but it costs you nothing extra)

I also received complimentary soda and bottled water, but that's because I'm a top tier member within Crown and Anchor Society.

When you reach the upper tiers of the program, there are a lot of freebies that you get every sailing. Not only does this save me money, but it's so convenient to have them waiting in the cabin.

Opposite the desk and chair is the couch. I rarely ever use my couch for a place to sit, as it tends to accumulate various belongings as the cruise goes on.

The couch isn't big enough to sleep on, unless you're rather short or a child perhaps.  But it's not very deep either, so I think it's best suited for a visitor stopping by.

I was surprised how large the closet is, as there are both shelves and plenty of hangers.

You could easily store your clothes and suitcases in here, although I prefer to slide my suitcase under my bed.

The perfect getaway cabin

Considering the low price I paid for this room, I have no complaints about the cabin.

The outdated decor doesn't mean much since I basically used the room to sleep, shower, and change.  Otherwise, I was mostly out and about the ship. I even chose to do most of my work from public venues.

The downside to an inside room is there's no natural light, so you cannot easily tell the time of day. Nonetheless, I adjusted quickly and would set alarms so I knew if I was sleeping too late.

I think most people that choose a room like this on Freedom of the Seas are doing so to save money and get to cruise for a lower price. If so, this stateroom should offer the perfect way to get aboard without any extra frills.

One passenger was kicked off a Royal Caribbean cruise after getting into an alleged violent altercation with another guest. However, his family didn't pause their fun because of his immature mistake. 

The 44-year-old Australian passenger was on a 10-night cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas when he allegedly assaulted another guest on the Quantum Class ship around 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, as reported by Otago Daily Times. 

The Aussie male was kicked off the ship when it docked in Dunedin, New Zealand, and had to pay for his transportation home. His family, however, remained on board to finish out their vacation. Thankfully, the other guest only sustained minor injuries and received medical attention for a cut on the nose. 

A spokesperson for the New Zealand Police confirmed the incident in a statement to PEOPLE, further adding that officers were alerted about the altercation on Nov. 13. Police then met Anthem of the Seas in Port Chalmers after it docked. 

"Officers attended and spoke with those involved, and following this, the alleged offender was given a warning. He was also escorted off the ship," the statement continued. 

Anthem of the Seas departed from Sydney, Australia, on Monday, Nov. 10. After a port-intensive cruise in New Zealand, visiting Dunedin, Fiordland National Park, Lyttelton-Christchurch, Wellington, and Picton, the ship will return to Sydney on Nov. 20. 

Although larger media outlets don't reveal how the incident played out, it was severe enough for Royal Caribbean to kick one of its paying passengers off mid-cruise. 

Fights on cruise ships aren't necessarily common, but they are always taken seriously, whether they occur on a Royal Caribbean, Carnival, or MSC vessel. 

"Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted," states Royal Caribbean's official cruise contract, "This includes: uninvited physical contact, solicitation, harassment, vandalism, theft, violence, use of fake/false identification, [and] underage drinking."

Recently, two streamers were kicked off a Royal Caribbean ship in The Bahamas after fighting on the pool deck

During an organized streamers' cruise, two livestreamers — David Ryan and Dave Willis — were removed from Harmony of the Seas after a violent altercation on the pool deck. 

Supposedly, the two began fighting over a joke. However, it quickly escalated, and they began punching and tackling one another to the ground.

The nature of their group cruise meant the fight was immediately caught on camera and widely circulated online, which led to swift intervention from Harmony's security team. 

Ryan and Willis were kicked off at the ship's next port of call: Roatán, Honduras. This showcases Royal Caribbean's strict zero-tolerance policy for violence and disruptive behavior that jeopardizes guest and crew members' safety.

Your next visit to Royal Caribbean's private island could have a beer that's been missing for almost six years.

It's been a while, but the cruise line confirmed it's bringing back the Chilla Thrilla beer to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The cruise line introduced this exclusive brew that was produced in partnership with Funky Buddha Brewery.

Before you throw a few back, here's what's been revealed.

Coming to private destinations and ships

When Royal Caribbean opened Perfect Day at CocoCay, the introduced a lot of firsts, including a branded beer.

Chilla Thrilla was available for just a few months in 2019, as the cruise industry shutdown of 2020 halted distribution.

When cruises restarted in 2021, the beer wasn't brought back because of apparent supply chain issues.

However, that's changing, as Royal Caribbean confirmed Chilla Thrilla is coming back. The cruise line shared on its social media feeds an update:

The Royal Caribbean x Funky Buddha Brewery Chilla Thrilla is a refreshing blonde ale brewed with a splash of mango and guava, perfect for a full day of soaking up the sun.

Grab this Florida-brewed tropical ale at any of our private destinations and ships sailing out of the US.

This marks the first time since early 2020 the beer will be available, and it sounds like as long as your cruise ship sails from the U.S., you'll be able to sample it. Funky Buddha claims the beer is available on any ship sailing to the Caribbean.

In fact, it's already been spotted on Explorer of the Seas.

And yes, the beer is included with Royal Caribbean's popular drink packages.

What does it taste like?

According to the brewer, Chilla Thrilla is a "Blonde Ale with Mango and Guava". 

It's a drink meant to evoke a tropical taste, which is why it leans in the fruity direction.

"A crisp body and tropical vibe makes Chilla Thrilla perfect for a day packed full of fun in the sun."

Funky Buddha claims it pairs well with the food you can get at CoocCay, including a Cuban sandwich, mango and habanero wings, carnitas tacos, fresh citrus and stone fruits.

Beer fan site Untappd listed the fan reviews of Chilla Thrilla at 3.5 stars across over 500 reviews.

Over the past year, I've done a lot of cruise travel.

I've taken over a dozen Royal Caribbean cruises this year, in both the Caribbean and Europe, from Mexico to Norway to the Dominican Republic to Germany, and much more.

Although my cruises have been positive overall, things can always go wrong.

Here are the biggest mishaps I've encountered on Royal Caribbean cruises, and how I prepare for them in advance.

Dining is a top priority, so I pre-book it all and never book My Time Dining

The food on a cruise ship is always a highlight, so it's one of the first focuses I place in my cruise planning process.

My approach is to have all of my dining picked out and reserved before I step foot on the ship.

This used to be impossible if you had specialty dining in mind, but now that Royal Caribbean allows guests to pre-book with the dining packages, it can be done.

I find pre-booking reservations so important because it eliminates wasting time on embarkation day running around and wasting vacation time making bookings. Plus, it removes the guess work out of if there will be availability for the day and time you want.

More controversially, I never book My Time Dining for my dinner in the Main Dining Room. Instead, I book traditional dinner and pick a set time.

I know plenty of our readers swear by My Time Dining, but I avoid it because of the long lines that develop at peak hours.

While traditional dining is inflexible, I never have a wait for a table and I can walk right in and go straight to my table and have the same table, waiter, and table mates without any concern of how long it might take to get seated.

My Time Dining isn't a mistake, it's just more complicated and I prefer simplicity in this case.

Even though I cruise a lot, I'll pack seasickness medicine

I amaze myself when I get seasick, but it does happen from time to time.

The good news is I never am worried about it because I pack medications to easily deal with it. Most of the time I don't get motion sickness, but a couple of times I'll start to feel off and recognize I'm probably seasick.

I always pack Bonine chewable tablets with me (link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra).  

There are other remedies for avoiding getting seasick, but I find popping a pill like this works the best.

Some experienced cruisers say you can get seasickness medicine from Guest Services or the medical facility for free, but I never rely on that because it's not an official policy.  Plus, if I'm feeling queasy, it's easier to get what I need from my stateroom and have it ready to go.

I avoid traveling same day as my cruise begins

Anyone that plans to fly to their cruise ship the same day it is scheduled to depart is playing with fire.

Between bad weather, government shutdowns, mechanical failures, and airline staffing issues, there are all sorts of opportunity for your travel plans to be negatively impacted.

You should never, ever fly the same day of your cruise.  Instead, plan to arrive at least one day early so if your flight plans change, you can still make the cruise.

When traveling overseas, I'd recommend bumping that up to at least 2-3 days early. Not only do you need to make sure your flight is on time, but you'll have to wrestle with jetlag.

You can make arguments about some of my other pieces of advice in this article, but I truly believe this is one you're wrong to fly the same day.  Heck, I live in Florida and will come in a day early for a cruise out of Miami because I never trust public transportation.

I always have travel insurance purchased

The chances of you getting sick or injured on a cruise are pretty low, but I'll still buy travel insurance every single time.

There are so many unknown factors beyond getting hurt while traveling that could ruin your trip and cause you great financial hardship.

• Losing your job right before the trip
• Death in the family
• Hurricane or bad weather changing your plans
• Cancelled flights
• Lost luggage

When it comes to last-minute cancellations, you're going to be out of luck without travel insurance.  No matter how good of a sob story you have, Royal Caribbean isn't giving your money back if you want to cancel in those days leading up to the cruise.

And of course the cost of onboard medical treatment isn't cheap either (and they don't take any insurance onboard). 

Travel insurance is inexpensive and the safety net every traveler should have before they step foot aboard a cruise ship.  It's peace of mind that should anything negative come up unexpectedly, you're covered.

Before the ship sets sail, I have an internet package and I prep my phone

While there are some people that like the idea of disconnecting while on a cruise, I'm definitely not one of them.

I not only value being able to stay in contact with friends and family while on my cruise vacation, I think it makes my trip better.

That's why I always buy an internet package for my cruise. I even buy an extra one so I don't have to swap between phone and laptop, and that's so I can stay in contact easier while onboard.

The key is to pre-purchase an internet package before the cruise begins to save money compared to buying a package onboard the ship.

Equally important, I'll put my phone into airplane mode to avoid roaming fees.

One of the most common and costly mistakes people make on a cruise is allowing their phone to roam while at sea, and that can rack up hundreds of dollars in fees.

Before your ship sails away, put your phone into airplane mode so it won't start roaming.

Buying a WiFi package means I can easily text or call anyone (thanks to WiFi calling), and avoid an unexpected cell phone bill when I get home.

Getting sleep is important, so I'll pack ear plugs

On some occasions noise from creaking, other passengers, or ambient noise can make sleeping more difficult while aboard.

I always have disposable ear plugs packed for this situation (link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra).  

It's rare that I need them, but over the years I've run into situations where it's needed. Most commonly it's a result of windy conditions that cause the ship to rock more than usual, and that can make hangers clang together or the stateroom ceiling creak.

Rather than try to ignore the noise, I'll quickly grab a pair of ear plugs and head back to sleep quicker.

A heavily debated question is, “What’s the best cruise line?” While it ultimately depends on your personal preferences, reputable rankings can help you by weighing key factors, such as value for money and dining. This year, Royal Caribbean performed better in a popular rankings list than it did last year.

The 12th annual U.S. News & World Report Best Cruise Lines rankings were released on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The rankings cover the most popular cruise lines in ten categories:

• Best Luxury Cruise Lines
• Best Cruise Lines for the Money
• Best Cruise Lines for Couples
• Best Cruise Lines for Families
• Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean
• Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean
• *Best Cruise Lines for Dining — Luxury (*new)
• *Best Cruise Lines for Dining — Mainstream (*new)
• *Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers (*new)
• *Best Cruise Lines for Wellness (*new)

Compared to last year, when Royal Caribbean only ranked in the top three for “Best Cruise Lines for Families,” the cruise giant walked away with awards in two categories heading into 2026.

This year, they earned second place for “Best Cruise Lines for Families,” as well as third place for “Best Cruise Lines for the Money.”

The latter isn’t a significant jump, but it is worthy of praise — Royal Caribbean placed fourth in the same category in the 11th annual rankings.

Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises was favored in this year’s rankings, receiving a top-three placement in three categories, including one brand-new one: “Best Cruise Line for Wellness.” This isn’t much of a surprise, as Celebrity’s AquaClass product offers an immersive wellness experience.

Celebrity also beat Royal Caribbean in the "Best Cruise Lines for the Money" category, coming in second just below Virgin Voyages. However, the premium cruise line came in first place last year. 

Newcomer Explora Journeys also received an impressive number of accolades, placing in the top three in six categories.

"U.S. News Travel’s offerings are continuously evolving to meet consumers where they are as they consider new destinations, adventures and experiences," said Nicola Wood, Senior Travel Editor at U.S. News.

"The 2026 Best Cruise Lines rankings recognize the top cruise lines in a variety of categories, allowing travelers to compare features, amenities and itineraries across multiple lines. Now, four brand-new ranking lists give even more comprehensive choices for cruisers to create their ideal experiences at sea."

Here’s a breakdown of the 2026 rankings:

Best Cruise Lines for the Money 
1. Virgin Voyages 
2. Celebrity Cruises 
3. Royal Caribbean International

Best Luxury Cruise Lines 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Families 
1. Disney Cruise Line 
2. Royal Caribbean International 
3. Norwegian Cruise Lines

Best Cruise Lines for Couples 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Seabourn Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean 
1. Disney Cruise Line 
2. Virgin Voyages 
3. Explora Journeys

Best Cruise Lines for Dining – Luxury 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Oceania Cruises

Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean 
1. Viking Ocean Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys 
3. Silversea Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Dining – Mainstream
1. Virgin Voyages 
2. Celebrity Cruises 
3. Disney Cruise Line

Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers 
1. Crystal 
2. Norwegian Cruise Line 
3. Oceania Cruises

Best Cruise Lines for Wellness 
1. Celebrity Cruises 
2. Explora Journeys
3. Virgin Voyages

How is the best cruise line determined?

U.S. News & World Report scores ships based on their overall rankings, a numerical score that is represented by a graphical star rating rounded to the nearest half-star.

Three important criteria determine the overall rankings:

1. Expert Rating — 30% (U.S. News & World Report editors assign each ship an Expert Rating between 3 and 5 based on the ship’s level of luxury, size of the ship, the ship’s launch date, when the ship was last updated, crew-to-passenger ratio, cabin categories, and more)
2. Traveler Rating — 50% (Ship's traveler ratings are provided under license by Cruiseline.com. Reviewers assign a rating between 1 and 5 based on their level of satisfaction with their cruise experience)
3. Health Rating — 20% (A ship's health rating is based on sanitation inspection scores published by the Vessel Sanitation Program [VSP] at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]).

After staying in standard ocean-view balconies, interior-facing balconies, and infinite verandas, I finally tried an aft balcony. 

Aft balcony cabins are popular due to their large verandas, great wake views, and privacy.

However, they're more limited in availability since they are only found at the back of the ship, rather than lining the port and starboard sides of the vessel. As such, they're generally more expensive than traditional balconies. 

Recently, I stayed in an aft veranda on Celebrity Cruises' newest ship, Celebrity Xcel. The cruise line invited me on a short 2-night sailing to celebrate the launch of Xcel, and my only complaint about the cabin was that I didn't have more time to spend in it!

My stateroom, 12288, was one deck below Celebrity's enhanced pool deck. This meant I could easily access the resort-style pool and Oceanview Café using the aft stairs. 

Not only that, but a lot of other popular venues are found in the ship's aft, including the Sunset Bar (Deck 15), complimentary dining rooms (Decks 3 and 4), and the Bazaar (Deck 5). 

The cabin was stylish in a minimalist, boutique hotel kind of way. Instead of crowding the room with busy patterns or excessive decorations, the design relies on intentional pops of color and refined accents that add personality without feeling overwhelming. 

As soon as I walked in, I noted how bright the room felt, which was accentuated by its yellow accents throughout. 

The light wood paneling also added a modern, airy feel compared to older vessels, and the space was thoughtfully designed to avoid feeling cluttered. 

Of course, the true highlight of the stateroom was the aft veranda, which was the largest balcony I've ever had on a cruise ship. 

The amenities were the same as standard balconies. However, the deep, aft-facing layout meant that I had an unobstructed view of the ship's wake.

With more time onboard, I could easily picture myself on the veranda enjoying room service and sipping on fresh coffee while pulling into port. 

Celebrity Xcel Sunset Veranda Review

Having previously sailed on Edge Class ships, I knew I was in for a treat. To date, I've never stayed in more luxurious-feeling standard cabins than when I cruised on Celebrity Ascent — and I wasn't disappointed on Celebrity Xcel. 

Celebrity Xcel's Sunset Verandas have around 228 square feet of interior living space, with an 89-square-foot balcony. Combined, that's over 300 square feet of private space, which is a rarity on a cruise. 

For example, on Celebrity's older Solstice Class ships, the interior space in aft veranda cabins is approximately 194 square feet, while the balcony measures 54 square feet. 

Moving on, there was ample storage space, though my sister and I opted to live out of our suitcases. 

Between the closet, dresser, and built-in shelves, unpacking on a longer cruise would be easy. There's plenty of space to keep everything tidy and organized. 

Since Celebrity is a premium cruise line, you'll also find plush bathrobes in the closet on embarkation day, whereas on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity's sister line, you must reach a specific tier within the Crown & Anchor Society, then request them from your cabin steward. 

Another pleasant feature in Celebrity Xcel's Sunset Veranda was the bathroom. Edge Class bathrooms are noticeably more spacious and modern than older counterparts. 

Plus, they come with a range of amenities, including body lotion, shower caps, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

Being a brand-new ship, neither my sister nor I had any issues with the bathroom. The shower's water pressure was great, and the water quickly warmed up to the desired temperature. 

If I could change one thing about the cabin, I'd ask for an extra shelf in the shower. My sister is passionate about beauty and skincare, and she travels with a lot of products that quickly overtook the shower's single shelf. 

Since the cruise was over in the blink of an eye, there wasn't time for us to bicker over sharing the shelf. However, we would definitely want more space to keep our stuff organized in the shower on a longer cruise. Siblings, right?

That said, there was plenty of storage lining the bathroom's large mirror. The six shelves were perfect for smaller items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, makeup, and other miscellaneous toiletries.

The number of charging options in the cabin was also appreciated. On the vanity, there were two standard American outlets, two USB ports, and a European outlet in a handy cable box that helped keep our cords tidy. 

In addition, there were two more USB ports and another American outlet beside the bed. I was a bit surprised that Celebrity didn't add USB-C ports to its newest ship, though. 

Our Sunset Veranda also had a mini-fridge, which was locked since this was one of Xcel's first-ever sailings, a great air conditioning system, and ample lighting — all of which made the room feel comfortable and practical. 

It was hard to fully appreciate the amenities and spaciousness of the cabin on a short 2-night cruise. However, I can attest that it would be easy to settle in and call one of Celebrity Xcel's Sunset Verandas home on a longer voyage. 

The Celebrity Xcel ship is the most Instagrammable of 2025

2025 saw a lot of ship launches, from Star of the Seas to MSC World America, Disney Destiny, and Star Princess. None, however, is as visually striking as Celebrity Xcel. 

From its sleek continuation of the Edge Class design to jaw-dropping new spaces, every corner of the ship was thoughtfully crafted to catch the eye. 

Compared to previous Edge Class ships, Celebrity Xcel has 7 newly enhanced spaces for guests to explore, from the Bazaar to the Celebrity Pool Deck, Bora specialty restaurant, Celebrity Flagship store and museum, and more.

As such, Celebrity Xcel offers plenty of surprises, even if you think you know the Edge Class product forwards and backwards. 

Cruise ships are often compared to cities, and there are certain ones you'd love to go back and see again.

I just took my 100th cruise while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas, and it's a milestone that made me reflect on all the sailings I've taken since I started cruising in 2006.

In those almost 20 years, I've been on most of the ships in the fleet.  There are still a few I have yet to sail on, but I hope to try them all some day.

In the meantime, there are a handful of cruise ships I'll gladly sail on again because they stand out for offering a superior experience. In a lot of cases, they speak to my preferences and how I like to cruise.

Whether you're going on your first cruise or looking to get on every ship too, these are the five Royal Caribbean ships I highly recommend.

Utopia of the Seas has everything in a weekend cruise

I've loved Oasis Class ships since I first tried Oasis of the Seas in 2010, so picking a favorite is like choosing a favorite child.

I picked Utopia of the Seas because it's part of the latest generation and has the best in class features that just make it stand out.

Purists will complain the ship only sails short cruises instead of 7-nighters and that diminishes the appeal, but I'm willing to overlook the issue because Utopia is just better than the rest of the ships in its class.

Yes, it's marketed as a "weekend party ship" and you get an energetic bunch on there, but my goodness, they included so many smart ideas on Utopia.

Here's a few examples of things you'll only find on Utopia and none of the other Oasis Class ships:

• Best pool deck
• Flat Tire restaurant
• Royal Railway restaurant
• Izumi in Central Park
• Best Giovanni's location

Utopia also has my favorite bar on any ship, the Mason Jar. 

Plus, the non-smoking casino on this ship is massive. Royal Caribbean gutted the comedy club and loyalty lounge and replaced it with a sprawling non-smoking casino area that feels like a land based casino. 

While I wish it still had a dedicated comedy club because comedy in the Royal Theater doesn't hit the same, there's no doubt the casino is an upgrade.

It's also very similar to Wonder of the Seas, but I picked Utopia because Wonder doesn't have the Royal Railway, Flat Tire, or Izumi in Central Park. Little tweaks, but enough that I'd be lying if I said I didn't prefer them.

Freedom of the Seas has great prices and lots to do

I've sailed on Freedom of the Seas 8 times so far, and it's not a coincidence I've ended up back on onboard.

Not only are the Freedom Class ships great values that deliver a big ship feel, but the upgrades it received in 2020 easily make it the best of the class.

Freedom is a big ship, with a maximum capacity well over 4,000 passengers. There are water slides, a great variety of specialty restaurants, expansive aqua park for kids, and a great bar scene.

You're also very likely to find a good value when sailing on Freedom of the Seas. Both the Freedom and Voyager Class represent the best dollar-for-dollar value today because they're older ships (20 years old in 2026), but they also have a lot to do onboard.

Just like Utopia, it too got a nice upgrade with a non-smoking casino that replaced Vintages on the Royal Promenade. A welcome change to non-smokers that enjoy gambling.

The chief downside to Freedom is in its cabins, which still have a twenty year old motif to them. The light pink cabin doors, dated bedding, and lack of outlets are not reasons I recommend the ship. 

They're things I hope are some day improved, but in the meantime, I can live with them because the rest of the ship makes up for it.

The hidden gem ship is Odyssey of the Seas

Odyssey of the Seas is in some ways Royal Caribbean's forgotten new ship.

It launched right as the cruise industry was recovering from the shutdown of 2020, and Wonder of the Seas entered service so quickly after Odyssey that it felt like it was quickly overshadowed.

What I love about Odyssey is it's the Quantum Class ship that got everything right.  I always liked the Quantum Class ships, but never loved them until Odyssey came along.

Royal Caribbean figured out a lot of things with Odyssey.  They added Playmakers and reworked the SeaPlex to make it a place everyone would like to enjoy, not just teenagers.

They reworked the pool deck and opened it all up, while also making it feel like you're at a resort.

Odyssey has the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen restaurant, as well as a unified Main Dining Room. 

If you haven't sailed on Odyssey yet, you really should book something on it because it's easily overlooked, yet a ship I think doesn't get enough praise for being that darn good.

My favorite budget cruise ship is Mariner of the Seas

If you've got sticker shock looking at Icon of the Seas, you'll find much more reasonable prices on Mariner of the Seas.

Mariner is a Voyager Class ship, and first launched in 2003. While a 20 year old cruise ship might seem less than ideal, recent upgrades boost this ship's appeal.

It has a Playmakers sports bar, water slides, laser tag, tiki bar, and a handful of specialty restaurants I frequent anytime I'm onboard.

I've sailed on Mariner 13 times, and I think the reason I love to come back is the good mix of low prices and fun activities onboard.

Similar to Freedom, Mariner is the kind of ship you book because you want to spend less, but still have enough to do. And like Freedom, Mariner's upgrades make it a more compelling choice than other ships within its class.

Out of all the ships I've sailed, Icon of the Seas is my favorite

It's been almost two years since Royal Caribbean reset the standard for all other cruise ships when they introduced Icon of the Seas, and it remains at the very top of my recommended ship list.

The array of innovations, tweaks, and additions make Icon a must-try for pretty much everyone. I think Royal Caribbean got so much right with this ship while also improving guest pain points that it stands out from the rest of the ships in the fleet.

For someone new to cruising, I think it's a wonderful introduction because it just makes everything so effortless. You'll find so much to do, enticing options, and a frictionless vacation.

I especially like the pool variety, incredible water slides, the fully enclosed AquaTheater, and really good included dining choices.

The only downside to Icon is it will cost you more than any other ship on this list.  Both Icon and Star of the Seas command premium pricing, so don't expect a bargain basement price.

Speaking of Star, yes, I love Star and would recommend it too. The reason I picked Icon was simply because they're so similar and Icon was the original, so I opted for it.

Don't kid yourself, every other new ship out there is trying to catch up with the Icon Class, and none have come close to matching it.

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share. This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

The world's largest cruise ship will begin sailing from Galveston in 2027.

Royal Caribbean confirmed Icon of the Seas will be based in Galveston starting August 2027.

The cruise ship will be running six-day, seven-day and eight-day sailings into the Caribbean. 

Royal Caribbean News

• Rare tropical cold front forces Royal Caribbean ships to divert away from The Bahamas
• Royal Caribbean kicks off Black Friday 2025 with new bundles
• The best early Black Friday deals I could find on drink packages, beach clubs and more
• Photos show what it's like aboard the brand-new Celebrity Xcel cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean brings famous game show to its cruise ships
• What it's like to eat alone in the Main Dining Room
• Pros and cons of solo cruising
• 'Karma is a Cruise': Fan-led Taylor Swift cruise setting sail in 2026
• I tried doing every activity on one of Royal Caribbean's giant ships. I was exhausted, but would do it again

New Video: Why an inside cruise cabin is better

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 an inside cruise cabin is better—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean is bringing back a ship to Baltimore in the summer

There will be a cruise ship sailing from Baltimore in 2027, but only during the summer.

The new deployment revealed that Royal Caribbean will return to Baltimore as a homeport in 2027 after being absent in winter 2026.

The plan is to keep a ship there seasonally for the peak summer cruise season.

A Royal Caribbean ship visited Carnival's private cruise port

In a strange occurrence, one Royal Caribbean ship visited Carnival's private cruise port.

Freedom of the Seas made a stop at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic instead of a planned visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay because of bad weather.

The optics of a Royal Caribbean ship in a port exclusive to Carnival ships was certainly a surprise to many.

Man convicted of molesting boy on cruise ship

A 67-year-old Malaysian national was convicted this week on a child sexual abuse charge for something he did on a Royal Caribbean ship.

The incident occurred on Icon of the Seas and he was caught while onboard after molesting a young boy.

Two boys, age 7 and 9, were part of the heinous act.

Royal Caribbean sees strong demand for vacations, despite shift in consumer behavior

Consumers might be cutting back spending in some areas, but not for their vacations.

Royal Caribbean Group executives recently talked about how most people are unwilling to compromise on taking time off.

It's an interesting glimpse into how negative economic factors cause consumers to spend less, but vacation is still where splurging is king.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 583rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

There have been a few surprises in this year's new deployments coming for 2027-2028.

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

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale is in full swing, and it includes a new combo deal that could save you money.

Even though the actual Black Friday holiday isn't for a couple more weeks, Royal Caribbean decided to get in on the holiday sales early. It launched a Black Friday Early Access sale that will change names over the next few weeks.

While most people focus on individual add-ons, Royal Caribbean has added a new offer exclusive to Black Friday.

This limited time offer is only for the Black Friday period, and it's so different from any other combo deal I've seen in the past that it's worth taking a deeper look at.

The All-In Package

New for Black Friday in 2025 is a bundle deal that includes the most popular extras a lot of cruise passengers buy.

The All-In Package comes in two forms, depending if you are sailing to Nassau, Bahamas or not.

• Drink package
  • Deluxe Beverage Package for adults
  • Refreshment Package for kids
• Unlimited Dining Package
• VOOM Surf + Stream 1 Device

If your sailing is going to Nassau once the new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is open, it also includes a day pass with unlimited open bar & dining.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a new idea from Royal Caribbean, where passengers have the choice to purchase admission to an exclusive beach day excursion that is owned and operated by Royal Caribbean.

It's being described as the ultimate beach day experience to offer a superior excursion with pools, beaches, party zones, food and drink included.

The All-In Package also includes a free beach day pass to Hideaway Beach, which is the adults-only area of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For a cruise that visits both Nassau, Bahamas and CocoCay, the price listed is $164.99 per guest, per day.

Cruises that don't visit CocoCay or Nassau include just the drinks, dining, and WiFi. I've seen prices between $89.99 and $119.99 per guest, per day.

There's also a Refreshment Package that includes the Refreshment Package, Royal Beach Club Day Pass with Non-Alcoholic Drinks & Dining, and Thrill Waterpark Day Pass. It does not include WiFi.

Is this package a good deal?

Royal Caribbean is advertising the All-In Package as "our best deal of the year", but will they save you money?

In evaluating the package, the savings depend on your exact sailing. Because Royal Caribbean's prices vary from ship to ship and sailing to sailing, the prices for the package and the individual add-on components vary considerably.

For example, here's a Utopia of the Seas sailing on January 9. 

Total price for one person with the All-In Package that includes both the Royal Beach Club and Hideaway Beach day passes is $164.99 per guest, per day.

Here are the prices for the individual add-ons on that sailing:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $77.99 per guest, per day
• Unlimited Dining Package: $38.99 per guest, per day
• Voom 1 device package: $23.99 per guest, per day
• Royal Beach Club Day Pass (with alcohol): $149.99 per guest
• Hideaway Beach Day Pass: $71.99 per guest

Adding up the first three packages, it's $140.97 per guest, per day. Combining the total cost of the Royal Beach Club Day pass and Hideaway Beach Day pass and dividing by the 3 days, the cost is about $74 per guest, per day.

That brings the total cost to $214.97, making the All-In Package a savings of almost $50 per day.

There's a catch. The individual prices I listed are for a passenger with no Crown & Anchor status or status in the ship's casino.

I'm seeing the price of the Deluxe Beverage Package at a lower price because I'm a Pinnacle Club member and have Prime Status in the casino. For me, it's $53.99 per guest, per day. The Ultimate Dining Package is also slightly discounted at $34.99 per guest per day.

That brings the daily price down to $186.97, or about $22 per day savings.

In both cases, the All-In Package will save money assuming you want to visit both Hideaway Beach and The Royal Beach Club.

Before buying the package, it's worth seeing how much each bundle component is on its own before purchase. No matter what you choose to buy, purchasing before the cruise is still a better deal than waiting to get on the ship.

A 67-year-old man from Malaysia has been convicted of sexually abusing a child while cruising aboard the world’s largest cruise ship.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, a federal jury in Miami has convicted passenger Lay Ong for abusive sexual contact of a minor while cruising aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas this spring.

The press release states that Ong was found guilty on October 23, 2025 for the crime. According to WPLG Local 10 News, the federal criminal complaint reports the incident took place on April 2, 2025 while Icon of the Seas sailed through international waters, en route to PortMiami.

The Justice Department stated, “According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Lay Ong, 67, was walking down a stateroom corridor when he encountered two boys, ages seven and nine, playing outside their cabin. Evidence showed that Ong began speaking with the children while touching the seven-year-old’s head and chin, then reached down and squeezed the child’s genitalia before walking away.”

NBC6 South Florida reports that, according to the affidavit, the boys told the 7-year-old’s parents about the incident. The parents then notified cruise ship security to investigate the crime.

Additionally, the affidavit states that the boys told investigators Ong asked whether they were boys or girls, then said “let me check” before inappropriately touching the child. After the encounter, Ong supposedly walked away from the children.

The affidavit reports that Icon of the Seas’ security cameras also captured the encounter, according to NCB6 South Florida. Ong said he was “playing” with the boys when the incident took place, and claimed he only touched the 7-year-old’s stomach.

Ong was found guilty of abusive sexual contact with a minor and faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison for the crime. A judge will determine his sentence at a later date after reviewing federal sentencing guidelines. Authorities said Ong will also be subject to deportation after serving his sentence.

“Abusing a child is an unforgivable act,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones in the press release. “This verdict makes clear that anyone who preys on a child—anywhere, and under any flag—will be held to account.”

The FBI’s Miami Field Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ilana Malkin and Yeney Hernandez prosecuted it.

According to Gangwaze, Icon of the Seas was sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise from Miami, Florida when the crime occurred. The Icon class vessel departed from PortMiami on March 29, 2025 for the sailing. The itinerary included two sea days and visits to Roatan (Honduras), Costa Maya (Mexico), Cozumel (Mexico) and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas.