Royal Caribbean Blog

There are all sorts of emotions new cruisers experience in the lead up to their first sailing: excitement, anxiety, impatience, and hope. 

When you're new to cruising, you're probably imaging warm sunny days on the beach, visiting incredible places, and making new memories with your family.

Every week I take questions from new cruisers on our YouTube channel and it's clear to me someone that has never cruised before wants to have a fabulous vacation but is also concerned they might be making a big mistake in the process.

I've been cruising for over twenty years, so I don't go through the same set of emotions anymore that a new cruiser does because of my familiarity with the process. My family has pretty much established our cruise routine.

However, I make my share of mistakes along the way.  Most people learn by experience, and it's part of the process sometimes.

I remember the concerns and internal debates I had early on in cruising as I dealt with the various decisions to be made with a cruise vacation.

If you've never been on a cruise before, I want to share the 10 tips I'd tell anyone new to cruise ship travel to avoid some of my early mistakes.

Use a good travel agent

It might sound strange when you hear people still use travel agents, but they're incredible useful for a cruise vacation.

Because of how personalized cruises are, it's not as simple as booking a hotel room. There are so many considerations: inside or balcony room; Traditional or My Time Dining; Refundable or non-refundable cruise fare.

Plus, travel agents have access to special rates and discounts.

As soon as someone tells me they want to try a cruise, I tell them to get with a good travel agent so they can get started on the right foot. Someone brand new to cruising is bound to have lots of questions that pertain to their situation, and a travel agent can answer so many of them.

How do you find such an agent? Ask friends and family for a recommendation. Here is one such recommended travel agency that specializes in Royal Caribbean. 

Choose your cruise ship based on what is important to you

When you start looking at all the ship options, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the choices.  

To narrow it down, take a step back, and think about what things you want on a cruise. 

New ships are flashy and enticing because they're the latest and greatest.  It's just like an iPhone: the newest model gets all the commercials and attention, but the iPhone from 3-4 years ago still works incredibly well and is cheaper to buy.

Opting for a new ship because it's new means you're paying more for it, and if you don't care there's a water park because you'll never go on a slide, maybe you'd be better off with a different ship.

The other thing to think about is not just looking for the cheapest cruise. 

If you shop by price alone, you might get onboard and realize there are no water slides, Broadway shows, or Aquatheater. 

Research before your cruise starts

The more you know about your ship, places you're visiting, and handy tricks, the better your cruise will be.

Being prepared means you'll waste less time and money and set yourself up for a great vacation. To do that, you just need to start researching your trip.

Don't worry, you don't need to spend tons of time doing this.  It's vacation, not an amphibious landing operation.

A very easy way to get started is hop on YouTube and search for your ship or ports you're visiting and just watch a few videos.

We have our own YouTube channel with ship tours, and tons of tips and advice for a great cruise.

Get travel insurance

Technically, you don't need to get travel insurance, but I'd recommend anyone trying a cruise to buy it anyway.

Travel insurance is more than just glorified medical coverage. It protects you in many unforeseen, yet common scenarios.

• Your flight is delayed or cancelled
• Your luggage gets lost
• You lose your job right before the cruise and can't travel
• Bad weather (i.e. hurricane) delays your ship returning on time
• You miss a port of call because of bad weather
• Death in the family

There are many more reasons to get travel insurance.  Even though you probably won't need it, it's worth the peace of mind that comes with it.  

It's such a handy add-on to have that you really ought to get it.

Get your travel documents in order

Did you know you need a passport to cruise? Or that you could travel with just a birth certificate and state issued ID under certain circumstances?

Either before or after you book a cruise, you want to double check you have the right travel documents to travel.  There's no wiggle room if you don't and you will be denied boarding and lose your money if you don't have it.

Besides verifying you have a passport, verify the expiration dates and renew them, if necessary, now. Or if you don't have one, apply for a passport and get the ball rolling on that.

It's a major mistake to wait until close to your cruise only to realize you're missing something or need to renew it.

Be flexible

In all forms of travel, you need to embrace the mantra of being as flexible as you can.

I won't sugar coat it: something is going to go wrong on your trip.  

If you do a little research and plan accordingly, it's probably going to something minor, like it could rain on your beach day in Cozumel.  Or dinner could take way too long one night.  

The secret is to go with the flow.  Some things are just bad luck, like a rainy day or the bar running out of your favorite liquor.

Even if a problem is more man made, my advice is make the best of it. When my kids throw tantrums and wont cooperate, or my excursion is cancelled at the last minute, I have to take a step back and remind myself I'm on a cruise and a bad day here is better than any day at home.

One time I was in St. Thomas and my plans for the day fell through when I couldn't get a ride to the ferry port for our adventure to a nearby island.  

I was fuming because of how incompetent I felt the logistics were, but I paced for a minute and then went to a nearby bar for a drink. My wife and I sat there and drank together, and we ended up laughing it all off because we realized there was no sense in getting irate over it.

While you shouldn't let major problems just go by, don't sweat the small things either.

Check-in as early as you can for your cruise

Everyone wants to get on their ship as early as possible, and it's actually really easy to do.

All you need to do is complete the online check-in within the Royal Caribbean app right when check-in opens at exactly 45 days before your cruise.

Set a calendar reminder to do you check-in and grab a time for everyone in your group.

So many people are unaware and do online check-in later and get check-in times later in the day.

Walk and tour the ship on your first day

No matter if you've never cruised or not, I recommend walking around the ship on the first day to better understand where everything is.

I think inevitably you're going to be excited anyway and want to see as much of the ship as possible, but sometimes people get onboard and run into a bar or area that is appealing and neglect to explore more.

I'd recommend spending a little time after you eat lunch to walk the ship's public areas and see where the major attractions and venues are located.  It will make navigating the ship much easier later.

Be more social than you would at a resort

Another major difference between a cruise and a hotel is how much more social people are on a ship.

If I'm at a hotel, it's rare to ever strike up a conversation with other people staying there.  But on a cruise, there's a more communal feel to the experience.

You don't have to be everyone's best friend, but in elevators, on shore excursions, or at the bar, I find people are much more open to conversation.

I've actually met a few people that are now good friends in this manner. I truly believe this is a matter of us being on a cruise rather than on land.

Don't be afraid to ask for help with a problem

Royal Caribbean wants you to have a great cruise, but if you're not, then say something.

I'll see people post online after their cruise problems they had, but it seems like they didn't say anything about it on the ship.

If you're waiter is slow, talk to the head waiter.  If something is broken in your cabin, tell your stateroom attendant. If you notice an issue with how something is being handled, go to Guest Services to inform them.

New cruisers sometimes have this fear they are being a bother, but I think in many cases alerting a crew member to an issue is warranted.

While you shouldn't complain about the weather to a crew member (yes, some people do this), be sure to ask for help when you need it.  

More sailings through all of February have had their visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico replaced with other plans.

Royal Caribbean canceled another month of visits to Puerto Rico after pier repairs couldn't be completed in January. 

Oasis Class ships haven't called at San Juan since November 2024 because of the ongoing problem with Pier 3-West. Instead, the massive vessels have been routed to other ports. 

Note that the issue hasn't impacted all cruise lines because San Juan has more than one pier for cruise ships. Oasis Class ships are some of the largest in the world, measuring well over 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT). In comparison, Carnival Venezia, which successfully docked in Puerto Rico on Thursday, January 23, comes in at just 135,225 GRT. 

Last week, local media outlet El Vocero reported that the Coast Guard was working on repair efforts, indicating the pier could be fixed and ready to safely welcome guests later in January. The news relieved many who were anxiously awaiting to see whether San Juan would remain on their itineraries. 

However, guests aboard the February 23 cruise on Symphony of the Seas received an email stating they'll skip their scheduled visit to San Juan. 

"Due to ongoing construction at the pier in San Juan, the port authority has advised us that the port will not be ready in time for our visit," the notice reads.

"You will now get to explore the beautiful Labdadee, Haiti. Although we need to skip our visit to Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, you will get the enjoy the charming Falmouth, Jamaica...Thank you for your understanding. We're excited to share these wonderful destinations with you."

Other impacted voyages include the February 9 and February 16 sailings. 

The February 2 cruise remains unchanged because San Juan isn't on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. The 7-night cruise is scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. 

Labadee is one of Royal Caribbean's private destinations

Though not a private island like Perfect Day at CocoCay, the remote area is only available to Royal Caribbean guests. The private beach area is walled off on a peninsula in northern Haiti. It is located 130 miles north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Visits were suspended last year due to civil unrest. However, Royal Caribbean resumed sailings to Labadee in October 2024 after a 7-month hiatus and was met with criticism. 

"The high, hill positions would make it easy to fire down on people at Labadee; it would be difficult to defend for Royal’s security forces," commented David on a Royal Caribbean Blog post.

"As far as the problems being only in Port au Prince, that’s what the media is reporting. No one really knows if it is safe in Cap-Haitian. And Cap-Haitien is not that far [from] Labadee, so that = a no-go for me."

Amy added, "There's no way that Royal Caribbean can repel an attack and protect passengers visiting the island or the cruise ship should it happen. People can be kidnapped, [raped, tortured], taken hostage, and killed."

"It's extremely irresponsible for any cruise line to continue to visit Labadee, Haiti falsely thinking for some reason, that Labadee is completely insulated from the extreme violence in the country, just on the other side of the fence!"

Disappointed guests

It's important to be open to change on a cruise vacation. Weather, medical emergencies, and other unforeseen circumstances can disrupt itineraries. That, however, doesn't mean you can't be disappointed. 

"These are major downgrades of ports…both Falmouth and Nassau suck and I tried to avoid them when initially booking the cruise," wrote wormy1996 on Reddit. 

"[I'm] more upset about St. Maarten, not sure why they are skipping it. I like Labadee but Nassau and Falmouth are both terrible options."

AnswerGuy301 added, "'Charming' Falmouth, Jamaica?! Ha! It’s just a mall in the middle of nowhere."

"This happened [to] us on Symphony over New Year’s. Labadee is fine, but yes, the others are major downgrades. Unfortunate, but we still had a great time," said Educational_Sky_1136.

I've seen plenty of cruise ship cabin hacks, but bringing your own hammock is one of the best yet.

Most cabins on cruise ships are smaller than a typical hotel room, but that's not as important given how much there is to see and do around the ship.

Nonetheless, making your cabin a little more comfortable is something most people strive to do.

One cruiser shared his idea for making the cabin better by bringing a hammock and using it on his balcony.

Robert Loeser posted photos from his recent cruise on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas in a Facebook group of his cabin on deck 7.

He booked cabin 7388, which is a corner aft balcony at the very back of the ship.

This room not only features a large balcony, but his seemingly brilliant idea to bring a hammock with him to use it.

In his post he said, "we bought the hammock for $20 on Amazon. It took 2 minutes to install."

Sure enough, the hammock is listed on Amazon for $21.99 and has fast shipping (link contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but I make a small commission).

He was able to attach it easily to the beams because there are holes in each beam, which was the perfect size for clamping the hammock onto it.

His post generated a lot of intrigue, as many others loved the idea.

Jaclyn Frederick-Atkinson wrote, "I’ve always wondered if I could get away with bringing a hammock!"

"Now that's an amazing balcony," wrote Jamie Brady.

"Im now considering booking back of ship just for those balconies. I've seen so many now," posted Amy Stewart.

Could you hang a hammock on your cruise ship balcony?

Robert's balcony was massive, so there was plenty of space.  But could this work on other balcony cabins?

There's no definitive answer for everyone, as the issue is if your balcony has a spot to tie off the hammock ends.

Other cruisers have reported being able to do so, but it really depends on the specific balcony.

The balcony divider structure usually has a place where you might be able to tie to, but it's another question if it's meant to have any meaningful weight attached to them.

By far it's easier if you book a cabin with a larger balcony space, such as the one Robert has.

You might also be wondering what Royal Caribbean's policy is on it, and I couldn't find a specific rule that allows or forbids a hammock.  

Obviously you're not going to hide a hammock, so the ship's security must have seen it come through. Nonetheless, it's always up to the ship's security team to make spot decisions if there's a concern.

Other creative ideas cruisers have had for their balcony

Bringing a hammock is far from the first idea that to get more use out of their balcony.

We've seen some passengers drag their mattress out to the balcony to sleep outside, sparking a debate if it's a genius or bad idea.

One example was a couple on Allure of the Seas laying on a mattress while enjoying their balcony. Supposedly, the guests decided to move their cabin’s mattresses out to their balcony for some light reading.

Some people think it looks like a fun idea, but others question how dirty the balcony can be and how soiled the mattress can get from just the humidity in the air.

Other ways you can transform your cruise ship cabin

There are plenty of cruise cabin tips you can use, but here are three more that I think make your stateroom feel more like home.

Bring wall magnets

You can put magnets just about anywhere in your cabin, including the ceiling, and it's still one of the best tips I use all the time.

You want to buy the strong magnetic clips that have clips or hooks.

Magnets can help you on cruise ships in so many different ways by keeping belongings off the ground. Storage can be contentious at times, and magnets help keep hats, jackets, swimsuits and other items off the floor, couch, or free of other storage areas.

I like these heavy duty magnets as the ones to bring.

Bring pictures from home

I scoffed the first time I heard this tip, but the more I thought of it, the more I thought it's actually a good idea to bring photos from home to have around your cabin.

I wouldn't bother on a 3-night cruise, but for longer sailings, making your room feel like home is a nice touch.

A twist on this tip is hang photos on your cabin door as a way to decorate the door and get excited about your sailing.

Laundry hamper

I've been taking a laundry hamper with me on cruises and it helps keep the room tidier overall.

For years I just did the mountain of dirty laundry in a corner, but the hamper contains it and just feels nicer.

Royal Caribbean will need a little more time to finish scheduled work on Serenade of the Seas.

Serenade of the Seas was originally built in 2003, and is scheduled for dry dock maintenance in March 2025. Royal Caribbean routinely dry docks its ships approximately every five years to ensure the vessels operate at the highest standards. 

These routine repairs also ensure Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships continue to sail safely. Most often, Royal Caribbean’s ships go into dry dock in Cadiz, Spain before returning to service. 

Guests cruising on the March 9, 2025 sailing onboard Serenade of the Seas received an email from Royal Caribbean that their sailing has been cancelled due to unforeseen repair needs. 

The cruise line stated, “We have discovered that Serenade of the Seas requires additional servicing beyond planned repairs and maintenance, which extends her currently scheduled dry dock period.”

“To ensure that we meet our high standards, and due to the availability at the shipyard, we must advance the dry dock schedule. As a result, we’ll be canceling our upcoming March 9, 2025, sailing,” continued the cruise line.

Serenade of the Seas is currently sailing in the Caribbean with itineraries throughout February 2025. The vessel is scheduled to sail on February 28, 2025 on a 9-night sailing to Panama and Costa Rica from Tampa, Florida. The round-trip sailing ends back in Florida on March 9, 2025.

Now, Serenade of the Seas will head to her dry dock earlier than anticipated. It’s likely that she will embark on a transatlantic sailing to Spain following the conclusion of her February 28, 2025 cruise; however, this has not been confirmed by the cruise line.

The next sailing on Serenade of the Seas after her dry dock is scheduled for April 13, 2025. The 16-night Panama Canal cruise itinerary, which departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and ends in Los Angeles, California, has not been impacted at this time.

Guests affected by the cancelled cruise have been offered three alternative options, along with compensation for the last-minute change. Royal Caribbean has set a deadline of February 5, 2025, for guests to make their selection.

“Thank you for understanding, and we hope you find another cruise with us. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge, we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing,” concluded Royal Caribbean at the bottom of its email.

Alternative Itineraries

In the email to impacted guests, Royal Caribbean expressed its regret for needing to cancel the sailing due to the unforeseen repair needs. However, alternative itineraries were provided for guests to choose during the similar timeframe. 

The email reads, “We’re truly sorry for the impact that this has on your vacation plans. The time and effort you took to plan your cruise is important to us, so we’ve put together some alternate options that we hope will work for you and those in your party.”

In the communication, Royal Caribbean provided impacted guests with other itinerary options to choose from. These include the following sailings on other Royal Caribbean ships:

Enchantment of the Seas (From Tampa, Florida):

•  4-night cruises visiting Cozumel, Mexico (March 6th or March 20th).

•  5-night cruises visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico (March 1st, 10th, 24th, or 29th).

Grandeur of the Seas (From Fort Lauderdale, Florida):

•  5-night cruises visiting Labadee, Haiti, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (March 2nd or 30th).

Voyager of the Seas (From Port Canaveral, Florida):

• 5-night cruise visiting Nassau, Bahamas, and Labadee, Haiti (March 22nd).

Guests that choose to book one of these alternative itineraries will be compensated with onboard credit for the inconvenience.

Royal Caribbean states that guests who choose a 5-night sailing will have their original stateroom category price either protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower).

If guests choose a 4-night sailing, their cruise fare will either be adjusted to the new cruise fare rate or prorated for the change in sailing nights, whichever option results in a lesser fare. Any overage will be refunded to impacted guests.

Guests that were already paid in full that have a newly reduced cruise fare will be provided with a refund for any price difference.

Onboard credit will be allocated to “sweeten the deal” based on cabin category, along with additional credit for each guest in the stateroom:

• $150 USD for Interior

• $200 USD for Ocean View

• $250 USD for Balcony

• $400 USD for Suites

• Plus $50 USD per additional guest in the same stateroom.

Cruisers will also be reimbursed for any non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees that are incurred. This includes flight, train ticket, or rental car fees. Royal Caribbean states they will cover up to $200 USD per guest for domestic changes and up to $400 USD per passenger for international changes. Guests must upload receipts for review and reimbursement.

Additional Options

If the alternative sailings do not work, Royal Caribbean will allow impacted guests to rebook another sailing with the cruise line. Any non-refundable deposit change fees will be waived for these guests.

The cruise line states, “Please know, you’ll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities (where applicable), and other non-cruise fare items. If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference.”

These guests will also receive reimbursement for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees that might be incurred for flights, train tickets, or rental cars. Again, Royal Caribbean will cover up to $200 USD per guest for domestic changes and up to $400 USD per guest for international changes.

Finally, guests that do not want to rebook have the option to cancel fully for a refund. Royal Caribbean stated, “If you can’t find a new itinerary that works for you and choose to cancel, we’ll be sad to see you go, but hope you’ll come back soon.”

“If rebooking doesn’t suit your plans, you can cancel your reservation for a full refund and receive a 20% Future Cruise Credit based on the amount you paid.”

Guests using Future Cruise Credit on the sailing will receive a refund for any new funds paid above the certificate amount and a new certificate will be issued. Those who booked airfare with Royal Caribbean will have flights automatically refunded.

For guests wishing to cancel, Royal Caribbean says no action needs to be taken. Those who do not make a decision by February 5, 2025 will have their reservation cancelled and refunded with Future Cruise Credit issued.

“As we work to complete these updates, you may see no action has been taken after the deadline has passed. Not to worry, we’ll update your booking accordingly,” confirmed the cruise line.

Almost two years since being closed down, Royal Caribbean is ready to bring one of its signature activities back to life.

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for adding incredible attractions on its cruise ships.  The sort of things you'd see and think "I can't believe you can do that on a cruise ship".

One of those was the Skypad, which originally included a bungee trampoline experience with virtual reality that offered a way for passengers to play virtual games in a fun way.

Unfortunately, the cruise line suddenly closed it down in March 2023 and since then, it's remained dormant.

In a statement to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com, Royal Caribbean announced it has a new vision for the Skypad that it's putting on one ship to start.

Available only on Spectrum of the Seas, the new Skypad expedition: Adventure in Space & Underseas is available for passengers to try.

Here's how Royal Caribbean describes it:

During this experience, adventurers can immerse themselves into the vastness of interstellar space and explore the depths of the ocean and vibrant coral reefs through the lens of virtual reality technology. 

Guests put on VR goggles and ear cups that are meant to block out ambient sound, and then watch a film. The different films have pace, sci-fi, and under-water themed episodes. 

There is an additional cost, and is priced at $15 per person. Guests must be at least 6 years old, but kids under 12 need to be accompanied by parents or legal guardians.

You can book the Skypad experience before the cruise begins via the Pre-Cruise Planner or on the Royal Caribbean app. 

At this time, it's only available on Spectrum of the Seas.  Spectrum of the Seas is based in China and sails to the Asia-Pacific region. Spectrum was the first Quantum Ultra-Class ship. That means it had more to do onboard, such as the Skypad.

It's a giant cruise ship, with a size of 168,800 gross tons and a capacity of 4,905 passengers.

I asked if other Royal Caribbean ships with the Skypad would receive it, and as of now it's just Spectrum. 

The ships with a Sky Pad include:

• Independence of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas

It's likely Royal Caribbean is waiting to evaluate how popular the new offering is before rolling it out to other ships, but that's my own speculation.

The best known signature attractions on Royal Caribbean ships

Until the Skypad experience comes to more ships, there's plenty of other things to capture your attention.

While sports courts, rock walls, and mini-golf courses are common, there's a few things you're likely to marvel at on many of their biggest ships.

Ultimate Abyss

Available on the Oasis Class ships, this is a 10 story dry slide on the back of the ship that you're going to notice quickly.

You get into a mat and slide down a dark enclosed slide that features sounds and lights to enhance the thrill.

There's no cost, and it's a fun family ride.

Flowrider

Ever dreamed of learning to surf on a cruise ship?

The Flowrider is available on a lot of ships, and it's a controlled wave you can get on and attempt to surf. They offer boogie boarding as well.

There's no cost to the Flowrider (unless you take a lesson), and you just need to meet the height requirements to participate: 52 inches for boogie boarding and 58 inches for stand up surfing. 

Zip line

Also on Oasis Class ships only is a 82 foot zip line that goes high above the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Once again, no cost to this.

In order to participate, guests must be at least 52 inches tall and weigh no more than 275 pounds; children must also meet minimum weight requirements — 75 pounds or higher — for their own safety. 

Bumper cars

Within the Seaplex on Quantum Class ships is a bumper car attraction you can ride.

There's no cost to it and you hop into a bumper car and slam into as many other people's cars as you can!

Water slides

Royal Caribbean has added water slides to most of its ships, and these are sure to please anyone going down.

Most ships have two or three slides, but Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships actually have an entire water park onboard!

There's no cost to do the water slides, but they do get quite busy. 

Try them on embarkation day for less of a wait.

Sky diving simulator

Also on the Quantum Class ships is Ripcord by iFly, where you can enter an enclosed tube with a giant fan at the bottom to feel what it's like to sky dive.

Every passenger is entitled to one complimentary ride per sailing, but you can buy additional time.

Royal Caribbean provides a special suit to wear, and after a safety demonstration, you're taken into the tube to give it a try.

An instructor is in there with you to assist, and it's a one-minute thrill ride you won't forget.

Observation pod

One more feature on the Quantum Class ships is the North Star.

he North Star is a glass-enclosed observation pod that rises 300 feet above the deck of your ship, offering breathtaking views all around you.

Rides are free if you do it while in port, otherwise there's a cost to do it on a sea day.

No matter how often I cruise, there are certain things about a cruise vacation that I look forward to each time I sail.

I'm privileged enough to be able to cruise a lot each year. While going on a ship that often might reduce some of the overall excitement, once I get within a few days of my next cruise, I start to get excited about what I want to do onboard.

I think part of what makes a cruise so much fun are some of aspects of it that you just can't find elsewhere. Or at least, things I'd never do elsewhere.

As I'm writing this, I'm getting ready to head on my next cruise in a few days.  With that in mind, I came up with a list of things I'm really looking forward to trying, doing, and eating.

A break from the routine

Like any vacation, I think getting away from the usual pace of life is a welcome change.

As soon as I step onboard the ship, I my entire outlook on my day changes. There's no thinking about errands I need to run, bills I have to pay, or grocery shopping.  It's like a magic button is pressed to completely alter how I think about my day.

Having a departure from normalcy is something I get more of on a cruise than on land, and that might be because I feel more connected to home while on land. Sure, there are TVs and I have the internet package, but I'm not paying as close attention to that on a ship.

There's something about waking up in a new place each day, having meals prepared for you, and meeting new people that makes a cruise feel so much more different than "real life".

Ironically, this break from the normalcy is probably what makes re-adjusting to life after a cruise so difficult. You get adjusted to cruise life and then are hit the "post-cruise blues" that much harder.

All sorts of activities

I might not actually go to many of them, but I love peruse all the activities Royal Caribbean offered each day.

The Royal Caribbean app lists what you can do on each day, and they really pack a lot into what you could do. This is especially true if you go on one of the bigger ships.

Someone once described a cruise as "summer camp for adults" and I think that's such an apt description because of there's a printed (and digital) list of what you can do.

All of the activities are optional, but I like having the choice. From trivia to scrapbooking classes, pickleball tournaments, and cocktail seminars, I’m always impressed by the variety of programming available onboard.

I like to browse the schedule to see what jumps out at me, and sometimes I may simply pull up the app once onboard and see what's happening now and find something to do based on that.

Visiting foreign ports

The thing that got my hooked on cruising to begin with was visiting different countries, and that's still a big appeal for me.

Not all my cruises take me somewhere exotic, but I do enjoy the opportunity to visit different places. 

As I've cruised more, I've been able to visit more places and it's an incredible feeling to pull into port and be able to explore.

When I went to Europe last summer and got to visit Spain and France for the first time, I couldn't get enough of it.  I've gone to places I probably would not have on a land trip, and I got to check a number of places off my bucket list.

International cuisine

There's so much great food on a Royal Caribbean ship, but I always gravitate towards the international foods when I eat onboard.

I usually head to the Windjammer buffet for my welcome aboard lunch on embarkation day, and I guarantee you my plate has Indian curry on it.

Royal Caribbean has really good Indian food in the Main Dining Room too, and the options change every day.  My personal favorites are aloo gobi or the chicken korma. 

Sometimes at dinner in the Windjammer, they'll have the Asian stir fry cooking station, which is something I could also eat just about every day.

While I'll eat plenty of other food too, the international foods are something I seek out on every sailing.

Music around the ship

One thing Royal Caribbean does better than other cruise lines is their focus for live music.

No matter which ship you sail on, there's going to be quite a few musicians onboard to perform for you.

There's a pool band, Schooner Bar piano player, violinists, guitar players, and potentially even more on the bigger ships.

Sometimes I like to bring my laptop and enjoy a cellist play music while I work.  Other times I head to the bar to enjoy music I can sing along with. That ability to find live music all day is something very akin to cruising.

Enjoying all the service

When you don't have to cook or clean, I think most people would take that and that's exactly one of the best things about going on a cruise.

The night before we depart for the cruise, I joke with my wife, "this is the last meal for a week we have to plan!" and it's a real sense of relief.

Of course, the stateroom attendant makes a big difference too. It's so nice having someone else tidy up the room and make the bed every day.

Going back home after a cruise and going back to cooking and cleaning is a cruel reality.

Seeing crew members

The crew onboard any ship are always quite friendly, and they add a dimension to my vacation I simply don't get on land.

I enjoy the opportunity to get on any ship and see if there are any crew that I might have met on a previous sailing. If you're new to cruising, this might seem strange, but it happens a lot and it's a welcome opportunity.

Certain crew members stand out for their level of service, and I've gotten to know a few of them over the years. It's great to see their smiling face again, and hear about how things are going for them, both on the ship and back at home with their families.

If you haven't done this yet, I recommend talking with crew members when you have the chance. Many have interesting stories and anecdotes to share, and it's not often you can speak with people from all over the world.

Catching a perfect sunset

No matter how often I cruise, I'm a sucker for a beautiful sunset, and there are no shortage of them on a cruise ship.

It's an incredible sight when you see the sun approaching the horizon and the bold and bright colors start to interact with the ocean below.  

If there aren't many clouds, I'll head up to the pool deck to catch the sunset on most days.  I think the upper pool deck is always best, but if your ship has a helipad, that's a great place too.

Be sure to bring a cocktail or glass of wine with you to fully enjoy the ambiance.

Enjoying time with friends and family

My kids always ask me before any cruise we go on who we know that is also going onboard, and that's because they know cruising with friends is better.

Taking a cruise with loved ones or your pals is a great way to foster the bonds that keep you together.  I'll cruise any day with friends or family, but probably wouldn't do the same on a land vacation because I'd feel much more obliged to be "joined at he hip" with a land trip.

On a ship, there's time to hang out, but also do your own thing without feeling like you're abandoning them.

Plus, going on a cruise where I can see friends is the perfect way to catch up.

Having a few drinks every day

I really don't drink much alcohol at home, but I do enjoy a few drinks on a cruise ship.

Whether I buy a beverage package or take full advantage of my daily Crown & Anchor drink vouchers, I look forward to an evening drink or two.

I'll usually start out with my favorite drinks:

• Lavaflow with Kraken rum
• Bloody Mary with Titos vodka
• Kraken rum and coke
• Belvedere vodka, muddled lime, soda water (Thanks Jeanie and Steve for this one!)
• PB&J Old Fashioned

As the cruise progresses, I also like trying new drinks. Royal Caribbean's Food & Beverage team takes pride in developing new menus that go beyond the stereotypical tropical drinks, and I appreciate that.

A little bit of gambling

I also enjoy going to the casino during my cruise for some entertainment.

Gambling is risky, so always gamble responsibly.  To that point, I bring cash with me that is my limit on what I'm willing to lose.  In fact, I go in expecting to lose all my money so there's no delusions on my end.

I've found Royal Caribbean's casino is like an adult video game arcade. The allure of winning money while being social with friends is a fun aspect of the experience.

My wife and I will usually head down once a day to gamble a bit, and it's part of the fun of going out for the night with dinner and a show.

Getting to work outdoors

The reality is on any cruise I go on, there's a work component to it because of this blog.

To that point, I like I get to change up where my "office" is located.  

Weather permitting, I'll take my laptop and head up to the pool deck, outside promenade deck, or my balcony.  It's nice to get the sea breeze, a little bit of sun, and a general change from my office at home.

If I'm at Perfect Day at CocoCay, I love going to Captain Jack's and working from one of the tables. There's a lot of shade and drink service too!

Celebrity Cruises is not done building its current generation of cruise ship.

Cruise lines build ships in groupings, known as ship classes, and each builds upon the success of the last.

On Tuesday, Celebrity confirmed an order they placed to build their sixth Edge Class ship.

The deal was made with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for delivery of the new ship sometime in 2028.

The cruise line said that while it's the sixth in the Edge Class, it will be more more akin to "Xcel 2" and the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel, which sails later this year.

Xcel is being built with engines designed to use three types of fuel making the ship the line’s first methanol-capable ship pending future alterations. It was not specified if the next ship will also be methanol-capable.

The decision to order another in the Edge Class lineage demonstrates the company's confidence in the product. It can be argued the Edge Class has fundamentally improved the perception of the brand, as well as catapulted the line ahead of other premium brands.

What makes an Edge ship stand out

Ever since Celebrity launched its first Edge Class ship in 2018, it's completely revamped what a cruise ship in its line is all about.

They were designed to be advanced and not a slight iteration beyond what they had done in the past.

Xcel has a capacity of 3,260 passengers at double occupancy, making it a mid-sized contemporary cruise ship.

The most notable difference almost every notices first is the Magic Carpet on the side, which moves vertically along the side of the ship.

Think of it like a multi-purpose venue that can move from deck to deck to perform certain functions. At the lowest deck, it allows passengers to get on tenders.

In the evening, it moves up to become an outdoor restaurant, but during the day it's just an outside bar.

Another first introduced on Edge Class ships was the advent of the infinite veranda.

These have since been copied to Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships, but the idea is the balcony seamlessly integrates into the cabin.

With the push of a button, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall opens, allowing for fresh air and uninterrupted ocean views. Or close the window and allow the balcony space to become indoor space.

At the back of the ship is The Eden.

Think of Eden as a multi-purpose theater, restaurant, and bar rolled into one. You'll find live performances, interactive dining, and wide open ocean views.

In addition, Edge class ships are designed to be "outward-facing", which means they focus on the sea instead of older ship designs that emphasize internal spaces.

Features we can expect on Xcel 2

Celebrity has provided no details beyond the order, but we can make reasonable guesses based on what Xcel is getting.

In addition to some distinctive Edge Class features, there are some differences and enhancements that will make the experience onboard this Edge Class ship different from others.

Xcel will have an expanded Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck with unique cantilevered float pools. 

The expanded Sunset Bar is also on Xcel. It's a multi-level, multi-terraced bar at the aft of the ship.

Grand Plaza was also redesigned with the latter Edge Class ships to provide a better layout.

Celebrity Cruises wants to give power to the people for deciding on the finishing touches to its new cruise ship.

Celebrity Xcel is due out in November 2025, and a new program will allow the public to vote on the things passengers will enjoy onboard.

Traditionally, the choice of a ship's aesthetics, culinary, and programming are decided by teams across the company and vetted through focus groups, executives, and other means of picking the perfect option.

Celebrity wants to give its fans the choice with the Xcel "Dream Makers" program.

The cruise line says anyone will be able to "test, try and vote on new experiences" for Celebrity Xcel. The hope is this will invigorate a ship that is the fifth in the Edge Class with something different.

Celebrity Cruises Chief Marketing and Product Officer Michael Scheiner said they want to involve their guests in the design process, "Celebrity Cruises is known for ground-breaking innovation in ship design and experiences unlike any other at sea, when Xcel launches guests won't have just found their happy place, they'll have helped us build it."

You'll have the final say

Celebrity says its guests will have "the final say" on decisions of what will be added to Celebrity Xcel. 

The way it works is the public will be able to choose through online polls and "and one-of-a-kind experiential in-person events".

To be eligible, you just need to be a resident that is 21 years and older, living in the US, Canada (excluding Quebec), UK, and Australia/New Zealand.

There are three key areas outline where the public has a choice:

• Design
• Culinary
• Entertainment

Specifically, there are seven, new, yet-to-be-revealed experiences, that need the Dream Makers to make a decision on.

Votes will go towards these areas:

• Choosing textiles, managing interior design elements and curating service offerings;
• Picking their favorite dishes and beverages, choosing table settings and shaping dining concepts; and
• Providing input on headline shows, curate props and costumes, select playlists and partake in selections to appoint pivotal entertainment positions onboard.

Want to join the team and be part of this? You just need to head over the Dream Makers website for more information.

New ship has been floated out

Today's announcement coincides with a recent construction milestone for Celebrity Xcel, as the new ship is sitting in water for the first time.

The new cruise ship is under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship was moved into the water and a new Basin so that the next phase of construction can begin.

This means the ship can float without assistance, and the completion of the ship's exterior.

Celebrity Xcel is sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

The lesson of letting the internet decide

I love that Celebrity is involving the public in choosing the look and feel for its new ship, but I can't help but recall an infamous result of a similar endeavor.

In 2016, the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council held a contest to name its newest $300 million Antarctic survey vessel. 

Rather than opt for dignified choices, the internet went for funny over form. The front-runner for the contest based on submissions from the public was R.R.S. Boaty McBoatface.

Funny enough, Royal Caribbean thought it was amusing too and extended an offer to the person that came up with the idea, James Hand, to bring his talents and help Royal Caribbean develop the name for a future ship. 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, said, "Like the rest of the world, we fell in love with the name Boaty McBoatface when we heard it, and we knew immediately that Royal Caribbean could use James Hand’s talent to name our next ship."

Being on vacation isn't an excuse to do anything you want, and sometimes cruise ship passengers are guilty of things that annoy the crew.

Most passengers try to do the right thing and act according to the rules, but there some that do things that leave you scratching your head.

I remember I was waiting in a line for a show in the theater on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship when a passenger walked right past the crew member without waiting in line because they were "a Diamond member".

I was astounded by the audacity of the passenger to flagrantly ignore the crew member. That sort of rudeness, unfortunately, isn't isolated to that one person.

YouTuber Jasyon Judson shared a short video of things that annoy crew members, and I couldn't agree more with the list.

Going to cabin before they open

On any Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll need to wait for your cruise cabin to open before you can access it.

Before they open, crew members are busy cleaning and preparing the cabins for the guests arriving on embarkation day.

Usually you have to wait until 1pm or 1:30pm for cabins to be ready for passengers.  On my Anthem of the Seas cruise in Europe last summer, I had to wait until 2:30pm, but that was unusual.

While the cabins are being prepared, the fire doors are closed to block access to the hallway and there's a large sign warning passengers when cabins will be ready.

Some guests ignore the sign and open the fire door to get into their room.

Aside from the possibility your room is still being cleaned, you're getting in the way of crew members that are working hard to get it all ready.  Passengers walking into their work area is going to hinder what they're doing, even if all you're doing is dropping off carry-on bags.

If you truly want to relieve yourself of carry-on bags, you could buy The Key, which has that option.

It's possible these passengers are used to another cruise line that does allow you to access your room before it's ready, like Celebrity Cruises.

However, it's prohibited on Royal Caribbean.

Bringing own toilet paper or wet wipes

I almost made this mistake until someone told me I'd be creating a problem, rather than solving one.

The toilet paper on a cruise ship is pretty awful. It's single ply, super thin, and has the soft texture of sandpaper.

Bringing your own toilet paper or wet wipes will break Royal Caribbean's toilet system and result in a major delay until it's fixed. One clogged toilet can inconvenience hundreds of passengers because of the nature of the suction plumbing cruise ships have.

Cruise ship plumbing is very sensitive, and it cannot handle things you might flush at home. It's important that you don't flush anything down the toilet aside from the toilet paper that Royal Caribbean provides. 

Moreover, "flushable" wet wipes aren't allowed either to be flushed.  While the wipes might be flushable they are not flushable on the ship and are almost guaranteed to clog the plumbing. That then requires the maintenance crew members to come out and fix it.

Complaining about the weather to Guest Services

I really don't know what someone thinks a crew member can do about it, but some people go to Guest Services to complain about the weather.

I suspect they think the ship's Captain can steer the ship away from clouds or rain and find better weather, but it's not quite that simple.

Cruise ships have a strict schedule to adhere to, and they need to get passengers to the next port of call on time, or deal with far more frustrated guests.

Plus, weather systems are big, and chasing rays of sunshine isn't practical. Not to mention deviating off course wastes fuel.

No matter what the weather, no crew member can do anything about it, so don't bother complaining to them.

Asking crew members to break rules for you

I've witnessed guests being told about a rule, and then asking for the rule to be bent or broken.

A classic example is in the Suite Lounge, when someone is staying in a suite and wants to bring their friend that isn't in a suite into the lounge.

Every suite guest receives a letter in their stateroom informing them in bold letters that this practice is not allowed.

Similarly, some passengers ask crew members to allow their kids that are too short to go on water slides, sneak people into reserved seating, or serve their underage kids alcohol.

Not only will you annoy the crew member with the request, you're putting them at risk to get in trouble or even fired for complying.

Not speaking up if there's a problem

Things break and issues arise on a cruise ship, but the crew can't step in to make it better if you don't say something.

This is actually a pet peeve of mine too, as I'll read about someone's "horrible" cruise experience after they got home, but didn't say anything about it while onboard.

Whether it is a malfunction in the cabin, accident onboard, disagreement with a crew member, or anything else that stops you in your tracks, problems should be addressed onboard and not after the cruise.

If you have a billing discrepancy on your bill, speak to Guest Relations on the ship. If something is not working properly in your cabin, alert your stateroom attendant.

It's no secret that you can get a free cruise if you gamble enough on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but what are the ways to make it easier to earn perks and lose less money?

Ever since I was introduced to the lucrative offers you can get simply by playing in the ship's casino, it's changed how I cruise and I firmly believe saved me money.

Sure, gambling is risky and addictive. And there's a good chance you'll lose a lot of money.  I've never lost sight of that fact, and it's something my wife and I think about when we go into any cruise. Please gamble responsibly.

I find the casino to be a form of entertainment.  I bring a certain amount of cash with me on a sailing that is my gambling budget, and work with that.

While we have fun gambling and trying our luck, the possibility of winning a free cruise is very real and I've taken a number of cruises now that cost me very little.

I'm going on Enchantment of the Seas this week for a 4-night sailing in a balcony for just $170.30 total. To be clear, that $170.30 does not include how much I lost in the casino to earn the "free" cruise, but I'm pretty certain I'm coming out ahead.

A user on the Royal Caribbean sub reddit posted a list of tips he uses to get free cruises, and I thought it was a great assortment of advice for newbie.

Z3Ch0sen0ne is a self-described "unlucky as a....#$%^ when it comes to the casino.  I thought his advice is useful given he's not coming at it from a best case scenario of winning big in the casino.

Both he and his wife have achieved Prime status in the casino, reaching the second level of loyalty status that grants significant benefits.

Here are the 10 casino tips in his post that you might consider taking advantage of on your cruise.

Don't play table games if you want to earn points

He starts off with the sage advice for anyone looking to get as many points as possible of avoiding table games.

"Playing on the tables is probably the worst way to accumulate points. The math is complex and unknown to most people - something to do with time played multiplied by average bet and/or how much money you sit down with and then walk away with."

Instead, he recommends slot machines for their simplicity as well as faster method for earning points.

You'll earn one point for every $5 you wager, and because slot machines are digital, it can precisely track your play.

Convert cash before you cruise

As an Australian, Z3Ch0sen0ne advises anyone going on Royal Caribbean from outside the United States to exchange cash before the cruise.

"If you intend to convert money onboard... don't! You will get ripped 6 ways till Sunday," he claims.

What you want to do is convert your cash before you board the ship.  

If you forget or run out of cash, his other advice is to charge your gambling to your onboard account, "and let your bank handle the exchange rate."

Calling to book is sometimes confusing

Redeeming your instant casino vouchers can be confusing if you reach a person who isn't familiar with the program.

"When you call to book in a cruise with your instant cruise vouchers and get told you can’t do that over the phone. Say ok, hang up and call them again because you’re talking to the wrong person."

Yes, you can combine a casino offer with Next Cruise

Another stumbling block Z3Ch0sen0ne has run into is misinformation about booking with Next Cruise onboard your ship and getting those benefits.

"If you get told you can’t combine a Next Cruise booking and a casino offer (yes I have been told this). Hang up the phone and call again."

My advice is don't even bother calling directly.  Our friends at MEI Travel will book casino bookings for you, as well as regular bookings, with no fees!

Check your offers first, then play

I really like this piece of advice to verify what your goal is before you start gambling.

He recommends going straight to the casino on the first day and scan the QR code at the casino host desk to see which offers they have, and how many points you need to accrue.

"This is your spending limit. I have refused to play at all in the casino on cruises which didn’t have any offers I wanted - because otherwise they win."

Prime is the best status to reach...

Unlike Crown and Anchor Society, where everyone wants to reach the top levels, he doesn't see a point to go past Prime.

"Unless you get a massive windfall and love cruising and have nothing but time on your hands for holidays - Prime is about as good as you can get."

"The Cost/Benefit drops off significantly after prime for losers like me."

...instead, get your spouse to Prime too

Rather than get to Signature or Master, his advice is to get your spouse/partner to Prime status.

He doesn't see the value in just maximizing one of you, "It’s significantly better and cheaper to get yourself and your partner to Prime than it would be to get just one of you to Signature."

You can combine offers

According to Z3Ch0sen0ne, it’s possible to combine Prime offers or instant cruise certificates that coincide with your partners prime offers or instant cruise certificates to get an upgrade to a maximum of a Junior Suite. 

Here is his example:

For instance a 7 night cruise leaving Brisbane in a balcony with $250 freeplay for me and a 7 night cruise leaving Brisbane in an interior room with $100 of freeplay for her can be combined to get a Junior Suite and all of the attached freeplay. 

This can work with interior/interior to get an oceanview, or oceanview/oceanview to get a balcony or balcony/balcony to get a junior suite… so on so forth.

He added that offers must be identical, "the same ship, same date… They don’t have to be identical in terms of the rooms offered to get the upgrade."

Once again, his advice is if you call to combine offers and get told you can't do it, to call back again and talk to someone else.

Try to qualify for prime right after April 1st

To get Prime status in the casino, you need to qualify for it each year.  It's similar to airline or hotel loyalty status. 

The calendar year for Casino Royale begins April 1st and runs through March 31st.  If you accumulate 2,500 points across all your cruises in this time period, you'll get Prime Status for the year.

His advice is if you qualify immediately after the year starts, you can get two years for one.

If you accumulate 2,500 points on the 10th of April 2025, for example, you will get an instant cruise offer... then on the 1st of April 2026 you will "officially" become prime for that year and get a free 7 night cruise offer on Club Royale. 

So if you get all your points in April, you have prime for 24 months. 

If you don't spend in the casino after that, you got 2 free cruises from it (the offers will come 1 year apart) and free drinks in the casino the whole time. You could almost repeat this every 24 months.

I can verify this does work, it just requires you to cruise close to April and benefits those that cruise multiple times per year.

You can look up offers online too

Earlier, Z3Ch0sen0ne posted about going to the casino desk to check casino offers, but another Reddit user shared a hack for finding the offers online without being on a ship.

oOoOsarahOoOo posted the steps how to do it:

1. Try going to the Club Royale offer website
2. Click menu top left of the page
3. Click certificate offer code
4. Enter code (2501C03)

Code break down:

• First two 2 digits = year
• Second two digits= 2 digit for month
• Alpha code= A, C ( C includes longer cruises)
• Last two digits 01-05 =level of offer/ free play For example

January 2025 offer on 7+ day trips with 150.00 free play would look like: 2501c05. Same level with less than 7 day trips 2501a05