Royal Caribbean Blog

You're ready for a great day at the beach in warm tropical waters with the sun shining, but the Captain announces a change in the itinerary for your cruise ship. Who makes that call?

Craig Setzer is Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist, and it's his job to monitor weather developments around the world to make sure cruise ships are never in danger.

When he was hired, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty gave Mr. Setzer his marching orders when he told him, "I'm concerned about port weather events. Something that happens to us when we're in or near port that's sudden, a surprise, unexpected and not well forecast."

Since then, Mr. Setzer has been working every day to ensure bad weather doesn't compromise the safety of Royal Caribbean's planned sailings.

"From a weather perspective, safety is a given and it always comes first," he said during a seminar held at Seatrade Global conference earlier this month.

Of course, ensuring passengers enjoy their vacation is also important, "Guest comfort and guest experience are second on the list, right after safety."

What happens when bad weather threatens a port

When there's bad weather at sea, cruise ships can deviate.  But in port it's a different story.

"When you're in the open ocean, it's more about the wave heights or sudden wind events, " Mr. Setzer explained.

"In port, you don’t have room to deviate… there’s higher sensitivity to weather events like sudden wind gust."

There are risks to ships and the people on them while in port if bad weather strikes suddenly. Lines can break, ships can accidently veer off course and end up grounding or allision.

To determine if a change to your port stop is needed, Mr. Setzer relies on a three step approach: detect, notify, act.

"We have to know that something is coming that wasn't expected," he explained. Looking at weather models and tracking storms is part of that.

The second step is if he sees something concerning, to alert the ship and crew immediately.

The final step is to act and let the people at Royal Caribbean's marine division make a decision on a change.

He said his job is primarily detection, and he's thankful he's not the one making the call on a reroute, "I’m more on the detection part. We’re working together to create a notification part."

Hurricane season and big decisions

Forecasters recently called for an "above normal" hurricane season this year, but that doesn't change how he views his prep for what to expect.

"Even in low years like 1992, South Florida got Andrew. In high years like 2022, we didn’t get anything. So you never know."

Royal Caribbean never takes the threat of a hurricane lightly, "from a marine perspective, we prepare every year with the possibility we could have an impact. We don't say this year it's a low number, so we're going to relax now."

Craig spent 25 years in South Florida, and 22 of those years was spent as a TV weatherman in Miami. That experience from decades in Miami makes him a step ahead.

"I  tend to anticipate the weather more than the models… even before a hurricane advisory comes out, I’m thinking: Where are my ships going to go to stay safe?"

Last year, he participated in a preparedness test with key members across Royal Caribbean. The cruise line runs multiple hurricane exercises per year to get everyone ready for the season. 

In one example, a simulation had a storm that rapidly intensifies as it approaches South Florida. It began developing within 3 days of reaching Miami, putting everyone behind the planning curve from the beginning.

"This scenario is entirely possible and has happened before in history. Most folks think we will have days and days to watch and prepare."

How Royal Caribbean uses AI and radar to outsmart the weather

Royal Caribbean is blending artificial intelligence with weather radar to improve storm detection and cruise safety.

Royal Caribbean partnered with Meteopress to purchase a new radar system for the cruise line's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island in The Bahamas.

This isn't a run-of-the-mill radar station. It incorporates AI tools will forecast the weather to better detect port weather issues well before they hit.

It uses AI and machine learning to determine where traditional weather models have biases, and then corrects for those biases.

The weather radar is so powerful that it can reach up to 300 miles away, which will include Miami.

According to Mr. Setzer, all of this allows meteorologists to better anticipate weather events in terms of time instead of distance. It's a tool for Royal Caribbean to leverage.

Mr. Setzer's role blends science, instinct, and guest care in every voyage. By virtue of the fact Royal Caribbean employs a meteorologist, it provides a hidden value that guests may not be aware of, but is constantly watching for any potential issues.

Royal Caribbean is halting visits to Haiti due to security concerns in the country.

At least two cruise ships so far informed passengers that they will skip visits to Labadee, which is the cruise line's private beach destination in Haiti.

Labadee is located in a remote area of the country, far from the turmoil in the that has plagued the capital for years. 

It's a cruise line private destination operated by Royal Caribbean. The resort area is guarded by a private security force.

Passengers on Voyager of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas reported the change on their current sailing.

Announcements were made by the ship's Captain and letters distributed as well with the update, "As previously announced by our Captain, out of an abundance of caution, instead of visiting Labadee on Thursday, we’ll enjoy a beautiful day in Nassau, Bahamas, on Friday."

Thanks to Brian Landstrom for sharing this letter

Voyager of the Seas will head to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic instead.

UPDATE: On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean also informed guests sailing on the Adventure of the Seas May 2 their planned stop in Labadee will be changed.

Instead of Labadee, Adventure will go to Puerto Plata as well.

Thanks to Paul Crow for providing this email

Another ship re-routed away from Haiti on Wednesday is Symphony of the Seas.

The ship is sailing a 9-night Caribbean itinerary and they are skipping Labadee.

Guests that purchased shore excursions in Labadee will be refunded the value to their SeaPass Account as an onboard credit. 

The letter goes onto say, "We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change."

Some passengers are upset about the change.

One cruiser on Reddit posted, "can’t believe there’s people actually on the ship that is kicking off and saying that they want a full refund of the cruise because they only booked it because they’re going to Haiti."

"Obviously, the safety of the crew staff ships stuff on the island and also the guest is paramount ."

No other cruise lines sail to Haiti.

Gangs claiming more towns

The changes are likely due to an escalation in the gang violence within the beleaguered Caribbean country.

Gangs have formed coalitions in Haiti, and have carried out military-style ambushes, proving themselves to be more mobile and more coordinated that ever before.

On Monday, Haiti's government approved a "war budget" to combat rising gang violence.

Almost half the money is for Haiti’s police and military “to fight the armed groups that threaten national stability."

The civil unrest in Haiti has forced Royal Caribbean's hand in this situation, even if Labadee is not near the areas of conflict.

The latest U.S. State Department Travel Warning is set at "Level 4: Do Not Travel".

There's a litany of reasons why the warning is in place, "Crimes involving firearms are common in Haiti. They include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom. Kidnapping is widespread, and U.S. citizens have been victims and have been hurt or killed. Kidnappers may plan carefully or target victims at random, unplanned times. Kidnappers will even target and attack convoys. Kidnapping cases often involve ransom requests. Victims’ families have paid thousands of dollars to rescue their family members. "

More cancellations could be coming

It's not clear if additional cruises will be cancel their visits to Labadee as well.

Reddit user RC-Cruise-Swing shared what the Captain on Voyager of the Seas said, "The captain just said that Royal Caribbean have cancel all stops to Haiti for the next month due to the ongoing situation which is rapidly escalating."

Political and civil strife in Haiti is not new, and the travel warnings have been in places for many years. 

Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach area, is a walled-off, exclusive beach on a peninsula in northern Haiti.

It's located 130 miles north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Royal Caribbean cancelled visits to Haiti in March 2024 and suspended all visits until October 2024.

Sister company Celebrity Cruises announced it would halt visits to Labadee last month.

Since restarting visits, there's been no incidents with the various cruise ships stopping there.

Guests patiently awaiting their cruise aboard the new Icon Class ship have a lot to look forward to, as Royal Caribbean released Star of the Seas' entertainment lineup. 

From original stage productions to ice skating spectaculars, here's everything you can expect to find on the Star of the Seas, starting with the AquaTheater.

Torque is Star's high-diving spectacle and will feature "the most synchronized swimmers of any AquaTheater show." The aquatic show will also showcase cutting-edge technology, according to the infographic shared by Royal Caribbean.  

First launched on Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a fan favorite. An enhanced indoor version debuted on Icon of the Seas in January 2024. 

Supposedly, Pirates & Mermaids will finally debut on Star of the Seas. The new AquaTheater show was supposed to launch on Icon, but as of April 2025, it has yet to make an appearance. In the family-friendly show, pirate escapades will meet mesmerizing mermaids. 

Another favorite entertainment venue is the ice skating rink. Sol, the brand-new show designed for Star of the Seas, will "trace the sun's path from coast to coast...with extreme stunts and out-of-this-world projects," as well as the largest ice skating cast in the fleet. 

Royal Caribbean introduced the first ice skating rink at sea aboard Voyager of the Seas in 1999. Like the AquaTheater, the venue got a major upgrade when Icon of the Seas launched. Absolute Zero is now the largest ice rink at sea and was carefully designed to ensure that every seat was strategically positioned for optimal viewing. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will add Back to the Future musical to its next new cruise ship

Moving onto the Broadway musical, Star of the Seas will be home to Back to the Future: The Musical. This was first revealed in September 2024 after the Royal Caribbean Productions Facebook page posted that it was holding auditions for the musical. Better yet, the musical will be accompanied by the largest orchestra at sea. 

Icon of the Seas also received a brand-new musical. However, Royal's adaptation of The Wizard of Oz is an original version of the classic story, rather than the 2011 musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber. 

Another new show is coming to the theater aboard Star: Create. According to the infographic, "Artistic creation [will come] to life through dance, visual arts, music, and more in the Royal Theater."

Finally, a new parade will debut in the Royal Promenade. Dubbed "Ocean Odyssey," it'll take the audience on a quest to find the lost Royal Scroll with King Atlantis and his crew. 

Plenty of late-night activities 

From comedy shows in The Attic to salsa dancing in Boleros, lively shows in Dueling Pianos, and sultry jazz, the evening lineup on Star is impressive. 

Overall, it's similar to what you can expect on Icon of the Seas today. You can sip on craft cocktails at 1400 Lobby Bar, listen to electrifying rock and roll tributes in the Music Hall, relax to calming harps in the Overlook, or sing along to your favorite tunes at the Thorn & Thistle Pub. 

With so many places to listen to music, you'll have to hop between venues to hear it all — not to mention the unique cocktails available throughout the ship. 

Read more: 8 changes coming to Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship (and 1 returning favorite)

Star of the Seas will launch in August 2025

Star's construction is moving along so well that Royal Caribbean has bumped up its first voyage not once, but twice! 

At first, Royal planned for Star to debut with two 4-night "showcase cruises" ahead of the official inaugural cruise on August 31, 2025. Now, the first sailing is scheduled for August 20, 2025. 

The 3-night cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

When I sailed on the biggest cruise ship in the world, I wasn't expecting a space meant to provide sweeping views to act as a de facto zen spot.

One change Royal Caribbean made with Icon of the Seas was not to offer a Solarium, which is the traditional adults-only enclave on other ships.

Instead, they went with the Hideaway neighborhood.  This offers adults-only space, but with a pool party atmosphere.

It's clear some cruisers prefer to have a view of the ocean along with peace and quiet.

The more I've cruised on the world's largest cruise ship, the more I've realized an area within the Aquadome neighborhood has become the go-to spot for reading, napping, and enjoying a calming day.

The quietest spot is at the front of the ship

At the very front of the Aquadome neighborhood, which is effectively "behind" the Aquatheater", is arguably the quietest spot.

Known as the Overlook, it's an open seating area that faces the front of the ship.

Royal Caribbean describes it as "With two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows, the ocean views from inside the awe-inspiring AquaDome are unmatched."

With all the light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, it's easily one of the most relaxing indoor spaces on the ship.

In fact, the pods are one of the most popular spots on the ship.

Ever since Icon debuted, word got out quickly that snagging a pod is perfect for reading, doing work, or just getting some privacy.

The pods are elevated and enclosed, which makes them semi-exclusive.  

I've used them to do work, and it helps there are outlets within each one.  

Even if you don't have a pod, there are all sorts of comfortable loungers and chairs that face the ocean.

Best yet, there's no music or party atmosphere here. And it's all indoors, so the air conditioning makes it always comfortable. The Hideaway is in direct sunlight with little to no shade.

The only time it gets loud is when there's an Aquatheater show being performed or rehearsed. However, going here in the morning is almost always guaranteed to be quiet.

It speaks to a need some cruisers have about having a quiet place with a view.

It's also become the de facto teen club at night

If you walk through the Overlook after dinner, I've noticed the teens come out in force to hang out here too.

Despite having their own club, teens on cruises seem to prefer to hang out on their own terms. This usually comes in the form of hanging out in stairwells.

In the case of Icon, I noticed the teens gravitated towards the Overlook at night because the area is pretty much empty.

Before you shake your fist angrily at "those young people", there's really nothing for adults to do here after dark.  The bar shuts down and there's no entertainment.  Without the teens, the Overlook empties out considerably.

The best coffee bar on the ship is nearby

If you're going to Pearl Cafe to get your coffee on Icon of the Seas, you're doing it wrong.

Adjacent to the Overlook is the Rye & Bean bar. It has its own espresso machine and can make most coffees you can get elsewhere.

But it's also where you can some fabulous coffee-based cocktails.

It transitions from coffee bar in the morning to cocktail bar at night, and with those views you have from the Overlook, it makes it so enjoyable to sit and watch as you sip.

Image created by PG Cruiser

Two cocktails to try here are the Coffee Boulevardier and the Hibiscus Tea Punch.

The tea is refreshing and flavorful, while the Boulevardier has a really bold taste that makes it not taste like every other cocktail.

The quiet spot to hide on other ships

If you're not sailing on an Icon Class ship, there are other refuges to discover.

The Solarium is usually fairly quiet on other ships, although it is a pool. So there can be loud conversations in the pool, hot tub, or bar.

Ships that have a Library or Card Room tend to be your best bet for a quiet escape, as they aren't nearly as rowdy as any pool would be.

My personal favorite for a quiet retreat is the outside promenade deck that faces the ocean.

It's usually on deck 4 or 5 of most ships, and it offers chairs that face the ocean.  

I'll grab a chair in the shade, and prop my feet up on the stools they usually come with, and then prop my laptop up to do some work.

Your cruise vacation should be plenty fun, including the very start of it.

If you're like me, the final couple of days before the cruise is filled with anticipation and excitement for it to finally begin.  And I always make sure to do whatever I need to do to ensure it all goes off without a hitch.

While I can't anticipate every single possible issue, I've found there's a solid strategy for planning the right start to my cruise that can sidestep the big ones.

If you're flying to Orlando International Airport in order to sail from Port Canaveral ("Orlando" as the cruise line marketing department refers to it), there are "rules" I'd recommend everyone follow to make it as easy as possible.

Have every step of check-in complete before you step foot in Florida

Before your flight lands at Orlando International Airport or your car crosses the border into Florida, you should have completed all the check-in steps in the Royal Caribbean app.

 I hate wasting time doing things that could have been done before, and you're going to need to have the app installed with the online check-in process completed to expedite the process as quickly as possible.

You can do the first two steps in the app in the weeks leading up to your cruise. Don't forget to take a selfie photo too!

The final step needs to be completed the day of the cruise, and you can do that as you drive to the the cruise terminal (preferably someone who is not driving).

Completing all the steps before embarkation day makes the check-in go so much faster.

Hotels are cheaper (and better) in Orlando

Port Canaveral is about 30 to 45 minutes away from Orlando, but I'd still recommend booking a hotel there instead of one in Cocoa Beach.

The hotels in Cocoa Beach are fine, but I think they're overpriced and lack amenities compared to the ones in Orlando.

Because there are more hotels around Orlando, I'm betting you could probably save some money on a hotel there too.

In addition, if you're flying to Orlando in the evening, I'd rather save the drive to the cruise area for the morning.  Plus, having to drive to Port Canaveral that morning works better because you're going to be too excited to sleep in!

There are a lot of hotels north of the Orlando International Airport on or around Semoran Boulevard. 

The two best options to get to cruise terminal

If you don't have your own car to drive, there are two options I'd recommend.

First is to use a ride share service to get you there.  This is what my family does in almost every port because it allows you to travel on your schedule.

There's plenty of cars around the airport, so no need to schedule anything. 

The other option our team really likes is Go Port Shuttle, which can best be described as the only shuttle service that doesn't have the problems of a shuttle service.

It's about $30 per person each way, and works quite efficiently.

Royal Caribbean offers transfers, but I think going on your own is going to involve less "hurry up and wait" situations.

Get the temporary toll pass for your rental car

If you decide to rent a car, be sure to get the the Visitor Toll Pass (not SunPass).

Your car rental company will offer a toll option, but they charge a fee of their own on top of the tolls. It's quite easy to apply for a tag or use the app to save money on both tolls and car rental fees.

You could also stop by the vending machine near the rental car counters and pick up a Visitor Toll Pass. When your trip is done you just return the tag to the machine you picked it up at.

The entire highway between the airport and Port Canaveral is a toll road, with multiple tolls along the way.

Stopping to pay tolls in cash feels so archaic, not to mention it adds more time to your trip.

Drop off bags first, then return your rental car

Speaking of the rental car, don't return the car first.

Instead, go to the cruise terminal and drop off your luggage.  You might even consider dropping off the rest of your family too.

Then, return the car with just the driver and nothing else.  It makes it so much easier to get back to the cruise terminal from the car return facility.

Use MCO Reserve for your flight home

Before your flight home, take advantage of the shortcut for security lines.

Orlando International Airport offers the MCO Reserve service, which “allows travelers to reduce stress by planning ahead and reserving a dedicated time slot for their party to go through TSA security screening.”

It's totally free! Just go to the website and book a time for your security check-in.

Once at the airport, scan your MCO Reserve QR code at a specific MCO Reserve line, then move directly to TSA to screen your boarding pass and ID and proceed through the standard TSA security screening, cutting a considerable amount of time from the process on most days.

Leave time for disembarkation and your return flight

Whether you use MCO Reserve or not, don’t book a return flight before 12:00pm on disembarkation day. 

Even with a smooth exit, it takes time to get off the ship, clear customs, travel to MCO, and go through TSA. Play it safe!

It appears a child fell off the pier into the ocean at Royal Caribbean's private island, putting the child between the ship and the pier.

A variety of reports from cruise ship passengers visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay for the day indicate the child fell into the water.

"At CocoCay today a small child fell in the water between the dock and the Symphony," Henry Yeany posted in an unofficial Facebook group dedicated to Royal Caribbean.

Two Royal Caribbean ships were docked in CocoCay today, Symphony of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas.

The incident occurred in the area of the pier where the cruise ship is tied up to the moorings. There's a gap between the ship and the pier because of buoys that cushion the friction between ship and dock.

There is a bright yellow warning line meant to caution passengers from getting too close.

Luckily, it appears the child was rescued.

"We are on Oasis and heard a bunch of screaming. The child was rescued in a matter of a few minutes. The mother and child got back onboard the Symphony."

Up to two cruise ships can dock at a time at CocoCay, and there are clearly marked lines with warning signs not to approach the edge of the pier.  

Moreover, crew members actively warn passengers to move away from the edge of the pier. It's common to see guests attempting to peer over the side of the pier to look at the water color or fish.  Or to take family photos there.

Photos taken by Mr. Yeany show crew members looking into the water to help assist the child.

Later, the child is seen being carried back onto the ship by an adult.

Cruisers react to the incident

The incident sparked many emotions among cruisers who were glad the child is okay, and also expressed frustrating it happened in the first place.

"This has always been such a big fear of mine! So scary!" wrote Genevieve Dias on a Facebook post.

Suzy Torrez thinks a barrier is necessary, "Maybe think of putting up a guard fence cause not all parents keep an eye on their children from being excited and taking pics."

That idea may not be as easy as it sounds, as the pier needs to be clear for gangways and supply ramps to be used to offload items and people from the ship.

Others assigned blame on the parent for not more closely watching their child.  The opinions were mixed, as no parent can constantly hold their child all the time.  Plus, the spectacle of the private island is an easy distraction.  As with so many accidents, it takes just a quick moment for something like this to occur.

Woman fell into the water last month

Another passenger went off the side of CocoCay's pier last month.

A video shared by richiegino shows a woman in the ocean, between the ship and pier, attempting to get out of the water.

At the start of the video, she is clinging to one of the buoys attached to the pier that is meant to cushion the impact of a ship docking.

A life preserver was then given to her so she could float, presumably until she could be properly rescued out of the water.

How to keep your family safe

Incidents like this might give you pause, but the reality is following the rules can make a big difference in ensuring it never occurs.

First and foremost, follow all posted signs and warnings.  The edges of the pier are clearly marked with a large yellow line meant to keep you from going near it.

It's tempting to look over the side, especially if there's a fish nearby or simply to admire the view. You're better off doing so from one of the decks of your ship instead.

For families, it's a good idea to hold hands of children as they walk on or off the gangway. Reminds kids constantly to stay within designated area, and keep an eye on them at all times.

One of the most popular add-on's for Perfect Day at CocoCay now has a new way to score one, potentially for less than full price.

Cabanas are among the most highly sought after extras at Royal Caribbean's private island because of how luxurious and amenity-rich they are.

Now, you can bid for any unsold or last-minute cancelled cabanas.

There have been bidding opportunities for cabins for many years, but it appears they're extending this to cabanas too.

Bidding for cabanas

A passenger booked on an upcoming Wonder of the Seas sailing shared a screenshot of the option to Royal Up bid for a cabana.

The process is similar to bidding for a cabin.  RoyalUp Cabanas allows guests to select which cabanas they'd be interested to place a bid, with the option of bidding on multiple types.

"Browse through the cabana options below and select the amount you’re willing to pay. If applicable, making a bid on multiple cabanas will increase your chances of getting one. In the event that space becomes available, you’ll only pay for one cabana."

Bids work both before the cruise and during the sailing, as Royal Caribbean says winning bids will be notified via email pre-cruise, or onboard the ship should one become available then.

Each bid is per cabana, regardless of the amount of people that will be in the cabana.

Based on the description, it sounds like the RoyalUp Cabanas is being utilized as a fall back for people that cancel cabanas and to prevent them from going unsold.

"Important to note, the cabana you are bidding on may not be available as of today but we will keep your bid in the event a cabana becomes available. "

Passengers can cancel anything they booked through Royal Caribbean for a full refund, including cabanas, as long as they do so with enough time before the visit.

Screenshots shared by Royal Caribbean Message Board user sludog, prices start at $500 per cabana.

This person said they received the option after successfully bidding for a cabin, "We RoyalUp bid from our junior suite to a grand suite about 2 months ago. Just got word 12 days before sailing that our minimum bid was accepted."

"A couple of hours later received another email that we could bid on cabanas at Perfect Day."

Bidding instead of booking comes with good and bad

Ever since Royal Caribbean introduced the option to bid for a stateroom upgrade, it's introduced a dichotomy of choice.

In this case, you could spend less than the advertised price to enjoy a cabana on your vacation.

This potentially means more money left in your vacation budget to use elsewhere.  And it lowers the barrier of entry for some that might otherwise not be able to afford the cabana.

Prices for CocoCay extras have skyrocketed in recent years as demand as soared.

On the other hand, just because there is an opportunity to bid doesn't mean there's actually a cabana to bid for.

Just like cabins, Royal Caribbean utilizes the RoyalUp system as a "back up" when there are unsold options left.

Not only are expensive cabanas potentially stopping people from paying for them outright, but it might lead to them changing their mind later.

In my experience, guests tend to cancel things onboard the ship as the reality of their vacation hits them.

This is especially true on weeklong sailings where the visit to CocoCay is at the end of the cruise.  After racking up big onboard spending through souvenirs, experiences, or the casino, some guests look to cut back by cancelling pricey add-ons they have left.

Or someone might simply have a change of heart as to what their plans are to be, because they lose interest or the weather forecast looks unfavorable.

Whatever the impetus, having a last-minute cancellation means lost revenue for the cruise line and these RoyalUp Cabanas could be the way to slide a paying customer back in.

Summer is right around the corner, and now is when you want to start planning a summer cruise vacation.

It seems a lot of people make the common mistake of waiting too long to start planning a cruise, and that's true of a summer vacation.

According to a survey by The Vacationer, nearly 82% of all American adults intend to travel this summer. Without a doubt, that will encompass cruises to Alaska, Europe, and around the Caribbean.

If you start now, there's enough time left to get in on a good deal and lock in the sort of popular activities most people want out of their cruise.

Here are eight things I would do now to prepare for a summer cruise.

Don't wait any longer to book

If you haven't actually booked a summer cruise, you'll want to do that right now.

You should book a cruise as early as possible, but waiting any longer and you risk really missing out on the cruise you'd want to take.

Cruise ships are booked so well already for 2025, that there's not going to be a lot of choices left if you're still sitting on the sidelines.

My advice is to book now and lock in a reservation before anything else sells out.  

People tend to wait until the last minute to book a cruise, but that's going to leave few options, fewer cabins, and high fares.

With spring break about to conclude, you'll want to get your cruise ship and cabin booked and deposited so you can ensure you get the best choices available.

Caribbean cruise? Prepare for the possibility of a hurricane

If you have a Caribbean cruise, you should also be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane.

A summer cruise in the Caribbean will take place during hurricane season, which begins on June 1 and goes through November 30th.

The reality is most hurricanes hit later in the summer, with the worst months being mid August through mid October.

There's a low chance a hurricane will actually change your cruise, but it could happen.

I'd recommend buying travel insurance for your trip. I think you should have it for any cruise, but it's doubly important with the possibility of a hurricane impacting your plans.

You should also have as flexible plans as you can for your cruise, meaning opt for refundable options where you can.  Shore excursions, hotel reservations, and anything else you reserve before the cruise begins.  You never know if your cruise might get re-routed to avoid tropical weather.

You'll need money for Alaska or Europe

Shore excursions, and pretty much everything, are more expensive in Alaska and Europe than on a Caribbean cruise.

The first time I visited either region on a cruise, there was a bit of sticker shock.

Alaska cruises are quite remote, so the cost of everyday items is simply higher. Plus, access to glaciers and other special areas is limited, and demand drives up the cost.

In Europe, you'll find organized tours tend to cost more than their Western Hemisphere counterparts.

In either case, you could try to save money by doing tours on your own, where planning self-guided exploration would cut down on those costs.

Here are some ideas for how to plan out DIY tours in both Alaska and Europe.

Otherwise, you should plan on dedicating more money to your vacation budget for this summer.

Start booking shore excursions

If you're like me and booked a summer cruise a long time ago, consider this your reminder to start booking shore excursions.

Because I book cruises so far in advance, I neglect to start booking tours until its too late.

Lots of people have gotten the memo about pre-booking tours, and you really need to reserve shore excursions before the cruise begins.  In fact, you should be doing it months early to avoid them selling out.

You might also take into consideration it's much hotter in the afternoon, so if you're planning anything outdoors and requiring a lot of physical activity, to do it in the morning before it gets too hot.

Or you could plan walking around a city in the morning, and then plan to hit the beach by lunch when the sun becomes intolerable.

Here are recommended tours to try in Alaska and Caribbean to start researching.

Now is the best time to book a summer flight

The Points Guy recommends starting searching three months before the dates you want to travel for finding the cheapest prices, which is right about now.

International travel requires booking flights even earlier, about 3-5 months in advance.

Speaking of flights, make sure you don't make one of the top cruise mistakes and fly the same day your cruise begins.

Instead, fly in at least one day before the cruise begins.  For an international flight, I'd recommend two or three days early.

Make a reminder to book shows

One of the top regrets cruisers have is not seeing the amazing shows on Royal Caribbean ships, so set a reminder now to book the shows.

Royal Caribbean typically opens up reservations for shows 30 days before the cruise begins.

Advanced reservations for shows are only available on the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships and it's free to do so on the Cruise Planner site or Royal Caribbean app.

There's no option to make show reservations on older ships because it's not necessary.

Sun protection is essential

You can get sunburned anytime of year, but summer time is when it's easiest for it to occur.

Always remember to pack sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, plus hats, sunglasses and cover ups to protect your skin. (Contains an affiliate link which costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission if you buy something)

Buy cooling items

If your summer cruise is taking you to the Mediterranean, Mexican Riviera, or Caribbean, I'd recommend finding every way to cool down.

Summer temperatures in these regions can easily reach 90 degrees or higher, and being hot and sweaty is not what anyone wants.

Two ideas to consider packing for your summer cruise to help keep you less-sweaty are cooling towels and a handheld fan.

I'd also recommend planning to avoid the pool deck in the afternoon when it's hottest. Instead, stay inside your ship and enjoy trivia, karaoke, or the casino.

Royal Caribbean made a lot of changes to Allure of the Seas with her amplification, but I was surprised they didn't do more.

Allure of the Seas recently completed a major $100M amplification to modernize the 15-year-old vessel. The ship saw significant changes, but I was surprised to see the cruise line keep select features I thought would be updated.

While you can find new, exciting features like waterslides and The Mason Jar bar, the cruise line didn’t change everything on the vessel. Several old restaurants remain onboard, for example, and cabins are still lacking in power outlet availability.

From keeping the Italian restaurant to moving the smoothie bar, these are the 6 things I’m surprised Royal Caribbean didn’t change during Allure of the Seas’ amplification.

I’m surprised Royal Caribbean kept Boardwalk Donuts

Allure of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship with Boardwalk Donuts, a casual donut shop in the ship’s Boardwalk Neighborhood.

Each morning, passengers can indulge in all-you-can-eat donuts free of charge, whether a pink-frosted or classic glazed. Complimentary drinks, like coffee and orange juice, are available at the venue, too.

During Allure’s amplification, Royal Caribbean made significant changes to the Boardwalk Neighborhood. They added an Ultimate Abyss slide and removed Sabor Modern Mexican in favor of Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade.

I thought Boardwalk Donuts might be removed as part of the renovation. Donuts can be found elsewhere onboard, and the venue was never as busy as restaurants like Park Cafe or the Windjammer buffet.

I was surprised, therefore, to see Boardwalk Donuts still present on the Boardwalk. For those in search of a quick, sugary breakfast, it’s a great option.

I can’t believe they kept Samba Grill

Allure of the Seas is one of only two Royal Caribbean ships with Samba Grill, a Brazilian rodizio specialty restaurant. The venue serves all-you-can-eat meat and a selection of Brazilian side dishes and salads. It’s located in the Solarium Bistro in the evenings.

I never expected this restaurant to remain post-amplification; it’s far from the most popular specialty restaurant on Royal Caribbean. Given that the line only added the venue to two ships, I thought they would use Allure's amplification as an opportunity to remove it.

Other Oasis Class ships also serve dinner in the Solarium Bistro, but it’s a complimentary, Mediterranean-inspired menu. I assumed this is what the venue would be used for on Allure of the Seas, too.

Yet I was bewildered to see Samba Grill remains post-amplification. For meat-loving passengers, it’s a unique dining opportunity to enjoy onboard.

I wish Royal Caribbean added destination elevators to the ship

Royal Caribbean has outfitted its newest vessels with destination elevators, so I was hopeful they would add these innovative elevators to Allure of the Seas. The cruise line had even been testing destination elevators on Allure last year, so I assumed they would add them to the ship.

Destination elevators differ from traditional elevators in that instead of selecting a deck once you step inside the elevator, you pick your deck number in the lobby via a touchpad. You’re then assigned an elevator number with other passengers heading to that same deck.

Destination elevators cut down on wait times on cruise ships with thousands of other guests. It also helps prevent elevators from stopping on every floor.

Unfortunately, Allure of the Seas still has traditional elevators, so passengers can expect lengthy waits at busy times of the day.

I’m surprised Vitality Café is now in the pizzeria

When I boarded Allure of the Seas, I headed to the spa to check out the facilities. To my surprise, Vitality Café was no longer there.

Vitality Café is a staple of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships, and it’s a favorite amongst health-conscious cruisers. The café serves a selection of fresh-squeezed juices, smoothies, and protein shakes at an extra cost.

It appears Royal Caribbean is phasing out Vitality Café, as it was not added to Utopia of the Seas, the newest Oasis Class ship.

Nonetheless, I was still surprised to see the venue removed on Allure of the Seas… until I realized it was moved to the pizzeria.

While grabbing a quick slice from Sorrento’s, I noticed a sign for fresh juices and shakes at the pizzeria’s bar. During her amplification, Vitality Café was moved to this area, albeit with a more limited menu.

Sorrento’s seems like a weird spot for a health bar, but I’m glad I can still order my favorite juices and smoothies onboard. The venue is open between 6AM and 3PM each day. At 3PM, the bar in Sorrento's begins serving alcoholic beverages.

I thought my cabin would have more power outlets

Cabins on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are filled to the brim with power outlets, whether traditional plugs or USB hubs.

I knew Allure of the Seas had limited outlets prior to her amplification, but I thought the cabins would be modernized with additional charging sources.

To my disappointment, they were not, and outlets are still extremely limited in the cabin. There are no charging ports by the bed, and only three North-American style plugs are located on the desk.

Read more: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

I naively assumed there would be more charging options in my cabin, so I decided against packing power cubes for my USB cables. I immediately regretted that decision. With such limited outlet availability, charging my electronics has been a headache compared to on the fleet’s newer ships.

Lastly, I thought Giovanni’s Table would be upgraded

Like most Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Allure of the Seas has an Italian specialty restaurant. For a cover charge, guests can dine at Giovanni’s Table, which serves a variety of Italian specialties including pastas, steak, and seafood.

There are three Italian specialty restaurants in Royal Caribbean’s fleet: Giovanni’s Table, Jamie’s Italian, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

Giovanni’s Table is the oldest of the three restaurants. It was added to Allure of the Seas for her initial launch in 2009, and has remained a popular choice for those looking for a more elegant dinner onboard.

Yet I’m surprised they kept the venue during Allure’s amplification. Although there’s nothing wrong with the restaurant, it’s considered older in terms of restaurants on Royal Caribbean. The fleet’s latest ships feature Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. This is the line’s newest rendition of an Italian specialty restaurant, which serves both pizza and pasta.

I expected Giovanni's Table to become Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen during Allure's amplification.

At the end of the day, both restaurants serve a nice meal—I actually prefer Giovanni’s Table to the newer version—but keeping the old restaurant was still a surprise.

Happy weekend! I hope Spring is starting to arrive where you live.  Regardless of the weather, it is time to sit back, relax, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news!

Allure of the Seas is back and with a lot of changes!

Royal Caribbean poured in over $100 million worth of upgrades, fixes, and enhancements for its passengers. This includes new slides, revamped pool deck, new restaurants and more.

The amplified ship restarted cruises this weekend, giving the public its first look at what's new and different.

Royal Caribbean News

• "Above normal" Hurricane season expected for 2025, experts predict
• I ate at every included restaurant on Royal Caribbean cruise. Here’s what I’d do next time
• Royal Caribbean is about to make a big push in a cruise market it overlooked for a decade
• Royal Caribbean CEO rejects private islands are just about passenger spending
• CDC: Layoffs wont affect cruise ship inspections
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO responds to tariff impact on cruise industry
• I cancelled my European shore excursions because I wanted to avoid a common first time mistake
• Celebrity just brought back one of its best ships to the UK

New RCB Video: 6 Things You're Buying On A Cruise That Could Be FREE (Or Cheaper)

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 — 6 Things You're Buying On A Cruise That Could Be FREE (Or Cheaper) — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

How much a Royal Caribbean crew member makes working on a ship

Curious how much Royal Caribbean pays its crew members to work on a ship?

Chris Wong is a casino host, and shared what he's paid every two weeks by the cruise line.

He's candid about his salary on the ship and why his pay fluctuates from pay check to pay check.

CocoCay or stay on the ship?

Royal Caribbean's private island is arguably the best in the entire cruise industry, so why would some people prefer to skip a visit?

It might sound crazy, but some people opt to stay on the ship rather than get off and enjoy a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

While Royal Caribbean designed it to be as all encompassing as possible, there are a few good reasons to think twice about staying onboard.

$30 Orlando shuttle service to the cruise ship: review

Want a cheap and effective way to get to Port Canaveral from Orlando's airport?

Instead of taking a taxi or ride share service, Elizabeth tried out Go Port after hearing so many rave reviews about it.

At about $30 per person each way, it's a really good value.

Royal Caribbean is replacing its comedy club with a casino

On at least two ships, there are changes coming to the entertainment spaces onboard.

Both Utopia and Wonder of the Seas will have their Comedy Club and Crown Lounge space replaced with a non-smoking casino.

The work will take place over the next few months, and dedicate more gambling options for guests.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 560th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt discusses how he almost made a mistake with planning shore excursions for his European cruise, and what he did instead.

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.