Royal Caribbean Blog

With the holiday season right around the corner, you might be looking for the perfect gift ideas for cruisers and travelers alike. Even if you’re a seasoned cruiser, it’s never too early to start shopping for your next cruise.

Those with cruises in the new year should definitely look for deals on travel-related products - from practical cruise gadgets to cabin essentials. In fact, this is my favorite time of the year to stock up on cruise essentials for upcoming travels in the new year.

In the coming weeks, online retailers will be running their biggest sales of the year for Black Friday. Prices on thousands of products will be substantially discounted as Christmas approaches. Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect gift or simply want to stock up on some much-needed cruise gear, now’s the time to shop for some great deals.

Over the last year, our team of Royal Caribbean Blog editors has tested many different cruise items to find the best products for travelers to bring on their next cruise vacation. These top-rated products came highly recommended by many cruise veterans - so we put them to the test.

From casual Caribbean cruises spent at the beach to adventure-packed itineraries through the Norwegian Fjords, our team visited almost every continent by cruise ship this year. Here’s our list of editor-tested and approved cruise products that you should purchase this holiday season. With big savings in the coming weeks, you can rest assured these products come highly recommended by our team of cruise experts.

Note: The products below contain an affiliate link to Amazon. If you purchase from this link, we receive a small commission that costs you nothing extra. This helps support our site. Shop more on our Amazon Storefront.

1. Apple AirTags

One of the most popular travel products in recent years has been the Apple AirTag. These small, versatile tracking devices pair easily with your iPhone (or other Apple products) and provide real-time location information. This pack of four is on sale for Black Friday for 20% off.

Considering I almost always fly to my cruise embarkation port, I pack one of these AirTags in my checked luggage to ensure I can monitor my bag’s location. The AirTag also provides peace of mind once I hand my suitcase to the cruise porters knowing I can track the location if needed.

Link: Apple AirTag 4 Pack

Price: $79.89 (20% off)

2. Magnetic Hooks
 

Considered a cabin essential for many, magnetic hooks are an easy way to optimize the space in your small stateroom. Because cabin walls are magnetic, these easy-to-pack hooks help you stay organized instead of cluttering the vanity or closet in your cabin.

Magnetic hooks have a variety of uses, mostly for hanging smaller or lighter items on your cabin walls. This could include your cruise lanyard, bags, jackets, towels, and more. The magnetic hooks are small enough to pack easily in your suitcase without taking up too much space, too.

I recently used these magnetic hooks on my 15-night Australia cruise, in which my sister and I shared an inside cabin for the duration of the sailing. Although our cabin was spacious enough, we both packed an excessive amount for the 3-week vacation. We used ten different hooks throughout our stateroom to stay organized and it was a game-changer!

Link: Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks,30lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Cabins, Grill (Silver White, Pack of 10) 

Price: $7.60 (37% off)

Link: DIYMAG Magnetic Hooks,100LBS Strong Heavy Duty Neodymium Magnet Hooks with Swivel Carabiner Hook,Great for Your Refrigerator and Other Magnetic Surfaces,Pack of 7

Price: $18.99 (10% off)

3. USB Charging Station

Charging all of your devices on a cruise ship is an age-old struggle for many. Our editors particularly struggle with this, as we all travel with work-essential devices, such as laptops, cameras, phones, and more.

Older ships are especially prone to charging issues, as most cabins only have one or two outlets for everyone in the stateroom to share. To make matters worse, Royal Caribbean recently banned certain outlet extenders.

Because of this, our team has started using USB charging stations onboard, which provide multiple charging ports. This top-rated charging station is on sale for Black Friday and it’s one of our tried-and-true travel products for cruising. I’ve also included a second option with USB-C ports.

Link: Anker Desktop Charger, Fast Charging USB C Charger, 112W Max 6-Port Charging Station, for iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Samsung and More (Cable Not Included).

Price: $35.99 (22% off)

Link: Anker Charger, 60W 6 Port Charging Station, PowerPort 6 Multi USB Charger for iPhone 15/Pro/Pro Max/14/13, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, Galaxy S23/S22/S21, Note 20 Ultra, LG, HTC, and More. 

Price: $19.99 (33% off)

4. Wrinkle Release Spray

One of our team’s favorite products to pack for a cruise is a travel-sized bottle wrinkle release spray. Because steamers and irons aren’t allowed on cruise ships, wrinkle release spray is the next best thing! This handy spray gets out the pesky wrinkles from your clothes, which inevitably seems to happen when packing.

Wrinkly release spray not only combats wrinkles, but also eliminates odors, refreshes your fabric and removes static. The small travel size ensures it won’t take up too much space in your cabin or suitcase, either.

Link: Downy Wrinkle Release Spray, Travel Size Spray, All In One Formula, Removes Wrinkles, Static and Odor Eliminator, Crisp Linen Scent, 3 Fl Oz, Pack of 3. 

Price: $9.99

5. Motion-Sensing Nightlight

Our team of editors almost exclusively cruises in interior cabins. These affordable cabins are perfectly functional, with everything you need for a comfortable stay. However, the one thing these interior cabins lack is natural light, which makes the room feel perpetually dark.

While perfect for napping and sleeping in on sea days, it’s hard to navigate the pitch-black cabin in the dark, especially in the middle of the night. Many cruisers prefer to have this magnetic, motion-sensing nightlight to automatically illuminate the cabin when it detects motion. Because of its small size and versatility, this light is the perfect addition to your inside cabin.

Link: Motion Sensor Light Indoor [Powered Battery Operated Lights] Magnetic Night Light with Rotating Base - for Closet, Bathroom, Hallway, Under Cabinet Lights, Led Stick On Lights Cruise Ship Essential 

Price: $17.99 (25% off)

6. Cruise Luggage Tags

The editorial team at Royal Caribbean Blog is a big fan of these cruise luggage tag holders. In addition, these tags were one of the most popular items purchased from our Amazon Storefront in 2024.

If you’re worried about your luggage tag getting torn or damaged, these luggage tags are the perfect solution. Moreover, these tags help prevent your bag tag from getting lost or ripped off your suitcase, which could cause a prolonged separation from your luggage.

The luggage tags linked below are ones I personally used on my recent cruise - and I was impressed by the quality and durability. Considering it was pouring rain in Sydney, Australia when I boarded Celebrity Solstice, I was pleased to see my luggage tag remain dry and intact. These would make the perfect stocking stuffers for Christmas.

Link: Highwind Luggage Tags for Suitcases - Durable and Waterproof Cruise Accessories, Secure Tags for Suitcases, Ideal for Celebrity Cruise Luggage Tags and Other Cruise Lines - 8 Pack 

Price: $8.99 (18% off)

7. Binoculars

If you’re sailing to a destination focused on wildlife, you should consider packing these highly-rated binoculars for your next sailing. Sailings through beautiful, remote, and scenic areas, such as Alaska, Iceland, Norway, South America, Canada, and New Zealand, will put binoculars to good use.

These are lightweight and compact for travel, making them the perfect addition to your packing list. You’ll be able to see whales, dolphins, seals, and so much more from the comfort of your balcony. These binoculars are the best we’ve tried - and they’re on sale for Black Friday this year.

Link: Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars for Adults and Kids - Large Eyepiece Waterproof Binoculars for Bird Watching - High Powered Easy Focus Binoculars with Low Light Vision for Outdoor Hunting Travel. 

Price: $35.99 (30% off)

7. Travel First-Aid Kit

No one wants to imagine getting sick or injured during their cruise vacation, but it’s always wise to be prepared. Although cruise ships have doctors and fully equipped medical facilities onboard, the cost of using these services can be extremely high. Any visit to the ship’s medical center typically comes with a hefty price tag.

This way, minor injuries or health concerns can often be handled in your stateroom with a simple first-aid kit. Having basic supplies, like band-aids and antiseptic, on hand offers both convenience and immediate access to care when you need it most.

Likewise, over-the-counter medications are notoriously expensive on cruise ships, so it’s a good idea to pack any essentials you might need. For this reason, our editor staff always recommends packing some medicine and first-aid supplies. Personally, I pack a small pharmacy with a variety of over-the-counter medication on every cruise I take.

Link: General Medi Mini First Aid Kit, 110 Piece Small First Aid Kit - Includes Emergency Foil Blanket, Scissors for Travel, Home, Office, Vehicle, Camping, Workplace & Outdoor (Red). 

Price: $8.99 (55% off)

8. Seasickness Medication

When planning for your cruise vacation, it’s always a good idea to pack seasickness medication, even if you don’t think you’ll need it. Rough seas can occur unexpectedly on any itinerary, regardless of the season or destination. Certain regions, such as Alaska, New England, and the North Sea, are more prone to unpredictable weather and choppy waters, but even calmer destinations can occasionally experience turbulence.

Even if you don’t typically experience motion sickness, it’s wise to be prepared for the possibility of rocky seas. Additionally, you might encounter motion sickness during shore excursions, such as taxi rides, ferries, or long bus journeys. As mentioned earlier, purchasing seasickness remedies on board can be extremely expensive, so bringing your own ensures you’re prepared without overspending.

Having medication readily available can quickly alleviate symptoms and help you get back to enjoying your trip. Popular options among cruisers include Bonine and Dramamine, particularly the less drowsy or non-drowsy versions, which are highly effective and easy to pack.

Link: Non-Drowsy Bonine for Motion Sickness Relief, Sea Sickness, Car Sickness, Nausea, & Vomiting - Meclizine HCI 25mg, Travel-Sized - 16ct Raspberry Chewable Tablets (Packaging May Vary). 

Price: $5.94 (26% off)

Link: Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief Less Drowsy Formula, 8 Count (Pack of 1). 

Price: $3.90 (35% off)

9. Travel Laundry Packets

Laundry isn’t fun at home or on vacation! If you’re on a longer cruise, you might be looking for laundry options to refresh your wardrobe. Unless you want to splurge on professional wash, fold, and press services, you’re likely stuck doing your laundry in your cruise cabin. Royal Caribbean doesn’t provide self-service laundry machines either.

Luckily, it’s easy enough to wash your clothes in your cruise cabin though, either in the sink or in the shower. If you need to quickly wash something, these laundry packets are handy to pack for your cruise.

One of the most popular products on our storefront is this travel pack of laundry detergent. In fact, I used these packets exclusively when I sailed on Semester at Sea in college and lived on a ship for 100 days. These packets allowed me to wash my clothes for three months in my cabin sink so I didn’t need to pay $30 per load of laundry.

Link: Tide Sink Packs Laundry Detergent Does 3 Loads (3 packs of 3). 

Price: $6.47 (8% off)

10. Electronics Organizer

Like most people, our editing staff travel with many different devices and electronics. It’s hard to keep track of all the charging cords needed these days! As such, one of my favorite investments for my travel gear has been this electronics organizer.

I am able to keep all of my charging blocks, cords, converters, memory cards, and technology gadgets in one organized location for travel. This is so handy for cruise travel and airline travel, as all of the necessities are neatly kept in a compact case.

In addition, I find this electronics organizer keeps my stateroom less cluttered while onboard. The vanity space in a cruise cabin can get messy very quickly between all of the guests in one stateroom, so I appreciate having my cords neatly kept in the organizer to alleviate some of the mess.

Link: BAGSMART Electronics Organizer Travel Case, Small Cable Organizer Bag for Essentials, Tech Organizer as Accessories, Cord Organizer for Phone, Power Bank, SD Card, Black. 

Price: $13.99 (36% off)

11. Pop-Up Laundry Hamper

One cabin essential that our team has been raving about lately is a pop-up laundry hamper. A mesh hamper fits seamlessly on the bottom of a suitcase and provides a convenient location for all of your dirty clothes.

Is it necessary for your cruise? Not necessarily. Will you appreciate having one during your cruise? Probably.

I used one of these hampers on my 15-night Australia cruise. Instead of having an unorganized closet with dirty clothes all over, we kept everything neatly in one of these mesh pop-up hampers. At the end of our cruise, it was so easy to stuff all of the dirty laundry into one packing cube, which was immediately washed upon returning home.

Link: Handy Laundry Collapsible Mesh Pop Up Hamper with Wide Opening and Side Pocket – Breathable, Sturdy, Foldable, and Space-Saving Design for Clothes and Storage. (Black).

Price: $13.99 (36% off)

12. Compression Packing Cubes

In terms of organization, our editorial staff is obsessed with packing cubes. Multiple editors on the staff rave about the functionality of packing cubes for staying organized and optimizing luggage space. In particular, compression packing cubes are a great investment this holiday season for your upcoming travels.

While regular packing cubes are useful, compression packing cubes allow you to pack more efficiently by saving space. It’s a breeze to unpack in your cabin too, as all you need to do is place the packing cube in your stateroom drawer, shelf, or closet.

Link: BAGSMART 6 Set/4 Set/2 Set Compression Packing Cubes for Travel, Lightweight Vacation Travel Essentials, Travel Accessories for Suitcase Organizer Bags Set, Durable Luggage Organizer Travel Bags

Price: $39.99 (7% off)

13. Portable White Noise Machine

Cruise ships are inherently noisy, especially if your cabin is next to a rowdy neighbor. Early morning announcements and noises around the ship can prevent you from getting a good night’s rest. For this reason, one of my favorite purchases in 2024 for my cruises was this portable white noise machine!

This tiny white noise machine fits in the palm of my hand. The small size makes it easy for travel, even carry-on only cruises! Although small, the sound is mighty to blast through your stateroom and drown out the ruckus. I’ve used it on every single cruise since purchasing and I won’t cruise without it!

Link: White Noise Machine Babelio Mini Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby | 15 Non-looping Sounds | Timer | Easy to Pocket and Travel - White. 

Price: $19.99

14. Before-You-Go Toilet Spray

All that cruise food has to go somewhere! Although not glamorous, our editorial staff loves to pack this Poo-Pourri spray for cabin bathrooms. If you’re sharing the extremely small space, you will appreciate keeping the bathroom smelling clean and fresh!

This travel-sized spray is one of our top-recommended products on Amazon. It’s also one of the most popular purchases from our readers. If you want to keep your cabin from having a stench, consider ordering one of these spray bottles before your next cruise.

Link: Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, Fresh Air, 2 Fl Oz - Jasmine, Fresh Air and Mint. 

Price: $9.21 (8% off)

15. Tide Stain Remover Pen

There’s nothing worse than staining on your favorite cruise shirt while on vacation! Everything from coffee to red wine and chocolate can easily stain a light-colored shirt. Our editors never cruise without packing one of these stain-removing pens in their suitcase to take onboard.

This stain-removing pen is pocket-sized and compact, so it travels easily. You don’t have to worry about it taking up too much room in your cruise cabin either. The pen works almost instantly, lifting stains from your shirts and drying quickly. My husband travels for work and swears by these!

Link: Tide Pen Stain Remover for Clothes, Tide To Go Pen, Instant Stain Remover Pen & Spot Cleaner, Portable & Travel-Friendly, Works on Food & Drink Stains, Fits in Purses & Bags, 3 Count (Pack of 1). 

Price: $6.49 (20% off)

16. Beach Towel Clips

Our editors are big fans of towel clips for cruising to keep your towel perfectly in place while lounging on the beach or relaxing on the top deck of the ship. These clips can be used for multiple purposes, such as hanging up clothes in the shower and clipping curtains together in your stateroom.

The only downside to these clips is the size. The larger size makes them quite functional, but you’ll want to make sure you have enough room in your suitcase for storage. Regardless, these towel clips were one of the most popular purchases on our Amazon Storefront in 2024 - readers love them!

Link: Danmu Beach Towel Clips, Beach Clips, Towel Clips for Beach Chairs Cruise, Heavy Duty Clothes Pins-Keep Your Towel from Blowing Away, Beach Accessories for Vacation Must Haves (Multicolor-8pcs). 

Price: $5.55 (21% off)

Cruises have a unique appeal when it comes to vacationing with little ones. 

There’s no packing and unpacking between destinations, plenty of activities for all ages, and, crucially, opportunities for parents to have some alone time. Unlike other vacations that can feel like nonstop parenting marathons, a family-friendly cruise like those offered by Royal Caribbean allows parents to unwind and recharge.

Royal Caribbean markets itself as the ultimate family-friendly cruise line, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re looking for a more adult-centered experience, there are other cruise lines to explore. But for families, especially those with babies, Royal Caribbean’s setup is ideal. 

Our 7-night sailing on Icon of the Seas was my baby’s first cruise and my first time navigating a vacation with a child in tow. Thankfully, the ship’s thoughtful amenities and the Adventure Ocean program helped make the experience unforgettable.

Adventure Ocean: A game-changer for parents

Over my years of cruising, I’ve come to know and love most of what Royal Caribbean has to offer, but this trip brought me into new territory as I explored their renowned youth program: Adventure Ocean. Specifically designed for families, this program offers activities and babysitting services for children aged 6 months to 12 years, with age-appropriate groupings to ensure every child has a fun experience.

Adventure Ocean’s Royal Babies & Tots (or Adventure Ocean Babies on the Icon of the Seas) is designed for children from 6 months to 36 months. It includes activities and playtime that keep little ones engaged, allowing parents to enjoy some time to themselves. 

For older kids, there are even more options: Aquanauts (ages 3-5), Explorers (ages 6-8), and Voyagers (ages 9-12), each with spaces and programs geared to their interests.

What to love about Adventure Ocean

Adventure Ocean is a fan favorite among families, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not uncommon to hear that parents often find that their children prefer spending time here over accompanying them around the ship. 

Between the vibrant play spaces and the expertly crafted activities, it’s no wonder kids beg to return. From black-light puppet shows to bedtime stories under the stars in Surfside, the programs are entertaining and enriching, making Adventure Ocean a true win-win for parents and children alike.

During our cruise, there were endless activities for kids, including a haunted house experience just for little ones and themed play sessions. These features set Adventure Ocean apart, showcasing Royal Caribbean’s dedication to creating a memorable family-friendly experience.

Babysitting services

For parents of babies, one of the most valuable services is the Adventure Ocean Babies program, available on select Royal Caribbean ships. 

While there is a small hourly fee—$6 per hour until 6 p.m. and $8 per hour from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.—it’s an affordable rate compared to the cost of babysitters on land. Where I live, babysitting can cost upwards of $20 an hour, so this onboard service felt like an amazing deal.

Reservations are required for the baby program due to the need for a safe ratio of caregivers to children. On our sailing, the Icon of the Seas’ baby and toddler room could accommodate ten children during sea days and eight on port days, with multiple staff members in the room at all times. Knowing my baby was in good hands with qualified staff made it easy to relax and enjoy some much-needed time for myself.

Registration for Adventure Ocean Babies

One of the best tips I received was to go directly to Adventure Ocean for registration as soon as we boarded. It’s a small but important step, as registration ensures your little one is on the list for the program and avoids any last-minute hiccups. Additionally, for the Adventure Ocean Babies program, early registration lets you book time slots before they fill up.

After completing the mandatory muster drill, we went straight to the Adventure Ocean area. There were no lines, and we were greeted by a friendly staff member who walked us through the registration process on a tablet. 

The form allowed us to share essential information about our daughter’s eating and sleeping habits, as well as any special needs. We also designated who in our party was allowed to check her out of the program.

One helpful feature we received during registration was a DECT phone. This phone allowed the staff to reach us anytime while we were on the ship, which brought tremendous peace of mind. 

However, it’s worth noting that this phone only works on board, so we were unavailable if we took a shore excursion. We signed an agreement acknowledging a replacement fee if the phone was lost or damaged, ranging from $25 to $300 depending on the condition.

Booking time slots

Once we completed registration, we were ready to book our initial time slots. Initially, families are limited to reserving six hours at a time, with the option to check back after Day 3 to see if additional hours are available. 

Knowing in advance when we wanted baby-free time was helpful, and we used the Cruise Planner to map out activities. This way, we maximized our experience and secured the care slots we needed.

An added bonus we learned about was nursery access for families booked on Royal Caribbean excursions during port days. This option allows parents to use the service even when nursery capacity is limited. 

By reserving spots specifically for families on Royal Caribbean excursions, Royal Caribbean ensures parents can enjoy these special activities without concern for their little ones’ care. While we briefly considered booking a nursery slot on a port day to take an excursion that involved bus transportation (which we wouldn’t do without a car seat), we ultimately decided against it.

Still, this option is fantastic for families with older kids, especially since many excursions have a minimum age limit of around 4 years old. I was surprised that even beach breaks, which seem ideal for small children, were often restricted by age requirements. 

Knowing that parents of toddlers can still enjoy these excursions without worry, thanks to the nursery, is a big plus for families looking to make the most of their trip.

Exploring Adventure Ocean

After completing registration and chatting with the friendly nursery staff, we took a quick tour of Adventure Ocean. The spaces designed for older kids were impressive; it was easy to see why children would love spending time there. 

Because no children were currently present in the nursery, we were allowed to take pictures—something we couldn’t do otherwise, and we appreciated the thoughtfulness behind that policy.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Adventure Ocean Babies room, but I was genuinely pleased with what we found. Right as we entered, a half-wall partition with a door separated the main nursery area from the entrance. This setup kept the space safe and clean by preventing people from walking through unnecessarily. The partitioned area allowed us to handle drop-off and pick-up procedures while still being able to see clearly into the main room.

For added safety, the door leading into the room is locked and can only be opened by staff members from the inside. The room was spacious, clean, and thoughtfully arranged with features for little ones’ enjoyment and comfort. A large playmat in the center, surrounded by toys and a rocking chair, was designed for play and comfort. 

To one side, there was a small table for toddlers, along with a row of lockers for storing any items brought from our stateroom. The bathroom was designed specifically for small children, with pint-sized toilets that even the youngest could use.

Beyond another half-wall, we discovered a quiet area with cribs and a changing station. This part of the room was kept dim, with a low-level sound machine playing softly for children who needed to nap during their stay. It was clear that a lot of thought went into making the space as functional and cozy as possible.

Toy lending bags

One surprise we discovered was the availability of toy lending bags through Adventure Ocean. These bags, available to families with young children, are filled with age-appropriate toys, books, and activities to keep little ones entertained in the cabin or around the ship. It’s an excellent option for parents who don’t want to pack a ton of toys but still want their child to have engaging activities on board.

We picked up a toy bag on the first day, and it included a variety of fun, safe, and clean items like a light-up piano, rattles, squeaky toys, and more—all of which kept our daughter happily occupied during downtime in the cabin. 

Each bag is carefully curated by age group, so parents can feel confident that the toys are suitable and safe. These are not only free to borrow, but you can exchange the bag for a new one as often as you like, so there’s always something fresh and exciting for your child.

This service really added a special touch to our family cruise, and it’s a great example of how Royal Caribbean has thought through the details to make traveling with young kids easier. The toy lending bags allowed us to pack lighter and still have all the entertainment essentials we needed for a relaxing family vacation.

Our first reservation: smooth sailing on a sea day

Our first nursery reservation was scheduled for the second day of the cruise, a full day at sea. We had reserved the 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. slot, hoping to experience the record-breaking water park—something we couldn’t fully enjoy with our baby in tow. We arrived a few minutes early, just in case there was a line.

The check-in process was quick and straightforward, which put us at ease. The staff verified our reservation times and then asked to see our SeaPass card for scanning. 

They provided a small label with our baby’s name, stateroom number, and reservation time, which we were instructed to place on her back. Next, they inquired about her last feeding and diaper change and whether she would need to be fed or put down for a nap while in the nursery.

Parents can leave a prepared bottle or bring formula in pre-portioned containers to be mixed as needed for bottle-fed babies. 

If bottles aren’t labeled, staff will mark them with tape and your child’s name to ensure they’re only used by your baby. Parents are also asked to provide diapers, wipes, and other essentials, such as a favorite toy or pacifier. We even had the option to leave our stroller with them, making it easy to enjoy the water park without extra baggage.

The check-in process took under five minutes, and then we were off. Since our baby attends daycare during the week, she was comfortable in the nursery environment, which resembled our daycare’s setup back home. Thanks to the time change we had experienced the night before, her nap schedule aligned perfectly with our reservation.

One of the conveniences of Royal Caribbean’s nursery is the DECT phone system, which allows parents to stay connected without interrupting their activities. 

Between each water slide ride and exploration of the ship, we made a point to check the phone for missed calls, which gave us great peace of mind. Knowing we could be reached immediately made it easier to relax and enjoy our time together.

When our two-hour session at the water park was over, we made our way back to Adventure Ocean. By then, the nursery was busier, and another family was checking their child in. We learned that the nursery only allows one family in the room at a time, which keeps the space from getting crowded and adds an extra layer of safety for the children.

The pickup process was just as smooth as check-in. After scanning our SeaPass card to confirm we were authorized to pick up our baby, the staff shared a quick overview of her time there. They noticed she loved the bouncer chair and spent a good part of the session happily playing. 

When she began showing sleepy cues, as noted in our registration, they laid her down in one of the cribs, where she napped. This attention to detail and personalized care reassured us that she was in excellent hands.

Since she was still sleeping, they allowed one of us to go into the room to get her. They quickly buzzed me in, and I was able to pick her up from the crib to try to preserve the nap. We really appreciated this, as anyone who has dealt with a sleeping baby knows that waking them early can end badly.

After starting off with a positive experience, we were able to breathe a sigh of relief. Even though our daughter is used to childcare, you never know how they may react in a new environment, and with this room having a larger age range than our home daycare, we weren’t sure if that would impact anything.

Following experiences

Since the next day was Day 3 and we were feeling confident, we called them in the morning to see if there were any extra time slots available. We were in luck! While they didn’t tell us exactly how much time was available, they asked what hours we were looking for. We reserved a dinner slot that night, so we could relax and enjoy the Main Dining Room without feeling rushed.

Later that evening, we also took advantage of some post-dinner time. My husband tried out the thrilling Crowns Edge experience, while I spent some time meeting the Chief Dog Officer, Rover. It was refreshing to share some “grown-up” time together without worrying about our little one.

This experience was very similar to our first, and when we returned, our daughter was napping again. This time, they mentioned they initially tried to put her in a crib, but she had trouble settling. So they placed her in her stroller, rocked it a bit, and she drifted off. The staff even pushed her stroller into the dimly lit crib area, letting us roll her out peacefully, which was a nice touch and something we’d pre-approved as a backup option.

Our third reservation was on Day 4, and it was our first time testing a past bedtime drop-off. Normally, we stick to a strict bedtime routine, but we decided to loosen the reins and go with the flow.

We dropped her off at 7 p.m. so we could catch the 7:30 p.m. adult comedian show. We made sure to do our usual pre-bed routine, including bath time and changing her into pajamas but saved her evening bottle for Adventure Ocean Babies. 

When we picked her up later, we were glad to hear she had settled in, finished her bottle, and fallen asleep in a crib. I managed to transfer her back to our cabin without waking her up—something I’m sure fellow parents can appreciate as a small victory!

Our last reservation was on Day 6 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., so we could catch a favorite show, Love & Marriage. However, I’d mistakenly remembered it as a 2 p.m. reservation and didn’t realize until we showed up at 1:50 p.m. Luckily, since they weren’t at capacity, they extended our reservation, letting us stay until 4 p.m.

Half an hour later, however, our phone rang—alarming us, since it had been practically inactive the entire cruise. The staff informed us that our daughter was crying, and they couldn't soothe her. We immediately left the show and headed over to pick her up.

When we arrived, I found one of the staff holding her, trying to calm her down. It was uncharacteristic of our daughter to be so upset, and I wondered if she might have taken a small tumble since she’s still learning to sit up unassisted. 

They assured me that she was physically fine but was simply unable to self-regulate at that moment. I took her into the hallway to soothe her while the staff helped gather our stroller and diaper bag. Once she calmed down, we returned to our cabin, where she napped and woke up as back as her usual self.

Reflecting on this, I realized she might have been experiencing early signs of separation anxiety, a typical stage for infants. She was also starting to teethe, which has made her a bit more irritable than usual, a pattern we noticed even after returning home.

Overall thoughts

Even though our last session at Adventure Ocean Babies was cut short, I felt relieved knowing she was in capable, caring hands. 

Babies cry—it's how they express themselves. I've seen plenty of adults shed tears on a cruise (especially later in the evening after a few drinks), so it’s all part of the experience! What matters most is how children are responded to, and Royal Caribbean has clearly taken the time to vet their Adventure Ocean staff, prioritizing professionalism and warmth.

Cruising with a baby might seem daunting, but Royal Caribbean’s family-friendly approach and well-designed Adventure Ocean program make it an enjoyable experience for parents and little ones alike. 

Whether you’re a first-time parent cruiser or seasoned sailor, you’ll find that this combination of amenities and thoughtful services allows for a memorable, relaxing trip that everyone in the family can enjoy.

Is it possible to get quality coffee onboard a Royal Caribbean ship? As a caffeine addict, I’ve often found myself disappointed by the coffee offerings throughout the fleet.

I’ll admit it—my standards are high. I grew up in Indonesia, on the island Java is named after. 

I also worked as a barista for two years, learning how to make popular drinks day after day. I've grown used to fresh beans, ground daily and roasted to perfection.

I’ve learned that good coffee doesn’t taste bitter or burned; it has enough depth that you can start identifying fruity, flowery, or even chocolate undertones.

When I started cruising, I quickly realized that I wouldn’t be finding excellent coffee onboard—especially not for free.

The complimentary brewed pots churn out bitter, burned hot drinks, either regular or decaf. 

Cruisers have multiple options for finding coffee onboard

Cruisers looking for a tastier solution to their caffeine fix have two extra-cost options. (Spoiler alert: both of them are Starbucks).

The first option is to purchase directly from the Starbucks booth on many Royal Caribbean ships.

The following ships have Starbucks kiosks onboard:

• Oasis of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas

The second option cruisers have is buying specialty coffee at the bars and cafes onboard, such as Cafe Promenade or Park Cafe.

The specialty coffee served in Royal Caribbean’s cafes is actually identical to Starbucks. They source the same beans, feature the same syrups, and sell almost all of the same coffees, including matcha, chai lattes, and fruit refreshers.

Additionally, these cafes can spike coffee drinks with a shot of alcohol upon request.

Royal Caribbean has several different iterations of cafes across the fleet, such as Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, Cafe @ Two70, Park Cafe, Vitality Cafe, and Splash Away Cafe.

Many complimentary venues have coffee pots and tea stations in the corner, including the AquaDome Market, the Windjammer, and the Solarium Bistro. 

You can also receive complimentary coffee in the Main Dining Room, specialty restaurants, and through room service.

I saved on specialty coffee by purchasing a coffee card package

If you’re like me and know that you’ll have at least two coffee drinks in a day, you can invest in the coffee card.

It's a sort of drink package offering for those that just want espresso drinks.

The card, often called the "coffee package," is a $31 punch card that can be purchased before the cruise online, or on day one at any onboard cafe. Gratuities are automatically added to the card, so the total cost was $36.58.

It features fifteen total punches to be used over the course of the sailing. However, the card is shareable, and multiple orders can be redeemed at a time. If you don’t use all of your punches on the cruise, no worries! It is transferrable to any other Royal Caribbean ship and sailing.

Before my cruise, I tried to research how many punches were charged for each drink, but the information online was conflicting.

When I arrived onboard, I received my physical card, and the limits were listed on the back.

Tall (small) coffees, single espresso shots, and chai lattes are all one card punch. Any large coffees or drinks with two espresso shots are two card punches each.

The coffee card is only redeemable at Royal Caribbean cafes, for specialty coffee drinks. It cannot be used at actual Starbucks locations, on or offboard.

I used the coffee card on my recent Freedom of the Seas cruise

Over the length of my cruise, I ordered iced caramel lattes, chai lattes, cappuccinos with vanilla, iced mochas, and mocha and caramel frappuccinos.

I thought the quantity of drinks on the card was perfect. For a 7-day cruise, I allowed myself two drinks a day—one in the morning, and one after my afternoon nap.

Avid coffee drinkers like myself will enjoy the 15 punches, as well as the convenience of ordering.

I could go to any complimentary cafe to order my drinks. On Freedom of the Seas, this ended up mostly being the Cafe Promenade and the large bar in the center of the Windjammer.

My drinks were always made quickly and accurately, and having them tick off a punch card was faster than swiping a SeaPass every time.

I loved being able to treat myself. Going to a cafe to order coffee is an enjoyable, special experience of its own, and buying the coffee card brought that experience to a cruise ship.

At any time of day, I could walk over to a cafe, place my order, spell out my name for the cup, and wait for them to call my drink.

It felt just like a cafe back home, with the added novelty of being on a cruise ship.

I also liked knowing that I could bring the card along on any future cruises. There was no pressure to over-caffeinate myself by finishing all the drinks in a single sailing. 

If I’d been cruising for only 3 or 4 nights, for example, I could have still bought the coffee card and felt it a good investment.

While the coffee tasted average, I was impressed by the supplies onboard

The coffee was of an average quality, like most Starbucks drinks. 

It had the over-roasted, burnt flavor typical of Starbucks drinks. When masked with a sweet syrup, it was drinkable. 

However, it was definitely better than the complimentary Lavazza coffee Royal Caribbean serves.

I still felt like I was treating myself, instead of forcing down the gross complimentary coffee to get my fix.

The Royal Caribbean cafes also had an impressive selection of non-dairy milk available: almond, soy, and oat milk. I was surprised at the options available because getting non-dairy milk in the Windjammer is usually a long process that ends in finding the last dregs of almond milk at a drink station.

The cafe also never seemed to run out of any milk or syrup—impressive for a water-bound vessel!

When I worked at a cafe, we struggled to get a reliable, consistent supply of syrups, milk, and three different roasts of beans, so I admired Royal Caribbean’s reserve.  

Passengers onboard Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas were told to brace for strong swells as the ship encountered increasingly rough seas during its transatlantic voyage.

The Captain of the 169,300 gross registered ton ship told guests they were going to change directions because of a powerful storm front, which brought 6-7 meter waves and 50-knot winds. He advised passengers to remain seated, as the ship would be changing course and there was a possibility it could list. 

Videos taken from the 14-night transatlantic cruise show powerful waves crashing over the windows of the ship’s lower decks. 

Photo stills from Deborah Sahli

Other images reveal that the Crown & Pub Compass, one of the ship’s popular gathering spots for live music, had suffered significant damage, with alcohol bottles and broken glassware shattered across the floor. 

CruiseMapper shows Odyssey of the Seas' navigational path, including an obvious course diversion resulting from the sudden storm. 

Guests onboard took to Facebook to share their experiences. 

"There's no way we could've avoid[ed] this storm, it's just too big," wrote Michael Ducharme. 

David Naputi added, "You can definitely feel the movement. I’m not the best gauge, but at its worst maybe around a 20-30 degree tilt? (Imagine walking up a [20-degree] slope sideways and then it reverses - [that's] pretty much the intermittent worst of the rocking)." 

Overall, the vibe remains positive, with passengers spending the day indoors gambling or grabbing a drink at Playmakers, indicating the incident wasn't as scary as it might have seemed at first.

"Perfect day for eating and napping! No complaints from me," said Ja Narke.

Still, some guests aren't enjoying the excessive motion, highlighting the importance of coming prepared with seasickness remedies, including over-the-counter medication like Bonine/Dramamine or acupressure bands.

Second transatlantic cruise to be hit with adverse weather

Last week, a powerful squall struck Explorer of the Seas en route to Miami, Florida, injuring several passengers onboard.

The vessel was roughly 750 miles off the coast of Morocco during the incident. Ron Warren, a guest onboard, shared that the ship listed severely for "somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes." Afterward, Explorer was left in shambles, with furniture overturned and glass and merchandise scattered across the floors. 

Guests were ordered to remain in their stateroom while crew accounted for all guests. Medical announcements were also made for passengers who were injured during the list.

The squall delayed Explorer's return to Florida. Due to a medical emergency, the ship was diverted to the Canary Islands, where it also refueled. The vessel is now expected to arrive in Miami on Nov. 17, rather than the 14th as scheduled. 

Odyssey departed from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, on Nov. 3

The Quantum-Ultra Class ship is slated to arrive in New Jersey on Nov. 17 to begin a seasonal stint offering cruises to Florida and The Bahamas. 

This transatlantic repositioning voyage comes as the ship transitions following the conclusion of the European ship's deployment. Odyssey will return to Europe in May, sailing from Civitavecchia to Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

With a packed itinerary, the ship is set to continue providing guests with signature experiences, such as the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, SeaPlex multi-purpose venue, FlowRider surf simulator, and North Star observation capsule, while sailing to stunning European destinations. 

The last morning of your cruise can feel like a confused rush as your vacation comes to an end, but it's a lot easier to manage if you know what to expect.

No matter how long or short your cruise is, the final morning is when you disembark the ship and end your voyage.  Nearly all passengers are on their way home, although some might be extending their vacation in another way.

Getting off a cruise ship is not like checking out of a hotel.  There's a few more logistical hurdles to overcome, and it's far more regimented to keep lines moving.

While the end of the cruise is disappointing, it doesn't have to be a disaster either. You might not be smiling walking off the ship for the final time, but at least you can be content.

What time do I have to depart the cruise ship?

There are two options for walking off your cruise ship on the final morning.

If you put luggage out the night before to have Royal Caribbean deliver your luggage down to the cruise terminal, then you have a luggage number that indicates the earliest time you can disembark and your bags will be ready.

The time associated with each luggage tag is listed on a piece of paper that was left in your cabin along with the luggage tags.  Every sailing is different, so don't assume a particular number will always correlate to the same time.

The time listed is the earliest time you can leave the ship and your bags will be ready.  You could disembark the ship earlier, but you'd be waiting in the cruise terminal for the bags to be delivered.  Alternatively, you can always leave later than that time and pick up your bags.

The other option is to bring your own luggage off the ship with you instead of having it delivered. With this option, you can disembark the ship as soon as local authorities clear the ship.

The exact time a ship will begin allowing passengers off the ship will depend on a variety of factors, but it's usually around 7am. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. 

Regardless of your luggage situation, you can always stay on the ship later than the disembarkation time.  That time is just an indication of the earliest time you can stay on for.

Royal Caribbean's app will ask you a few days before the end of the cruise your disembarkation plans and assign you a disembarkation time as well.  Keep in mind that's the earliest time, not the exact time you need to leave.

So what time can you stay on a Royal Caribbean ship until? Not as late as you'd find at a land-based hotel.

Royal Caribbean asks all passengers to be out of their cabins by 8am on most sailings. The crew needs to turn the ship over and prepare it for the next voyage, and they need all previous passengers off the ship.

By about 9am, you're going to start hearing a lot of announcements encouraging passengers to disembark.  Sooner or later, they'll start paging individuals to leave. 

In my experience, the latest you can stay onboard is about 9:30am without getting in trouble.

What's open and what can you do on the final morning

The last morning of your cruise is a blend of finishing out the first voyage and preparing for the next one.

As soon as you leave your cabin, you'll see crew members working to turn over cabins and prepare them for the next journey.

While a lot of work is being done to prep the ship, there are some areas still operational for passengers.

Coffee and breakfast will be open at select venues on the last morning of the cruise.

You can expect at the very least the Windjammer buffet, Main Dining Room, and the quick service coffee location (Cafe Promenade) to be open.

If your ship has a Coastal Kitchen restaurant for suite guests, that will be open too.

Most other venues are closed, including the pool.

Guest services is open to settle any final billing issues you might have. Keep in mind you have to have a zero dollar balance in order to get off the ship.

What is the earliest flight I should book after the cruise is over?

Ideally, you want to book a flight that gives you enough time to easily disembark your ship and get to the airport and through security without being at the airport for many more hours than you need.

The problem is if you book a flight too early, you risk missing the flight because you couldn't get to the gate in time.

There are a lot of factors why it might take longer to actually disembark your ship, thus delaying your arrival to the airport:

• What time exactly your ship docks
• What time local authorities start the inspection process
• How long the inspection process takes
• How long a line there is to disembark the ship
• Unforeseen circumstances, such as a technical problem or guest blocking exiting the ship

If you look at your Royal Caribbean cruise itinerary, it lists a time your ship arrives back to the terminal. That's an estimate, and not when you can actually walk off the ship.

Plus, the actual disembarkation process may not begin for another hour or two after that time.

The fastest way off a Royal Caribbean ship is to take your own luggage off with you (known as self-assist disembarkation), but you're still at the mercy of when local authorities clear the ship and your ship begins allowing passengers to leave.

Another factor to picking the earliest flight home is how far the airport is from the cruise terminal.  

As a general rule of thumb, I recommend times after 11am. International flights and/or airports an hour or more from the cruise terminal should probably require a flight no earlier than noon.

What every passenger should do before leaving the ship

It will likely seem like you're in a rush to leave your ship, but there are a few important things to do before you disembark.

This may seem obvious, but so many people don't check they took everything out of their cabin with them.  

Double and triple check you have all your belongings.  Once you leave the ship, getting lost items back can be a challenge.

Common items left behind on the ship include children's toys (check under the bed), chargers in wall sockets, and valuables in the safe.

The next thing to do is verify your onboard balance is zeroed out.  If you have a credit card on file, that's pretty much assured.  But if you had a cash account, you'll need to settle up with Guest Services.  They won't let you off the ship until you do.

Speaking of your account, I'd recommend taking one last look to review any charges on there to verify it's all correct.  You want to correct any erroneous charges before you disembark.

If you ordered photo prints, this is your last chance to grab them.  Likewise, if you want to book another cruise at NextCruise, you can do so that final morning.

Be sure to return any pool towels that are still in your room, or you'll risk a $20 per unreturned towel fee.

What happens after you leave the ship?

After walking off the ship and back into the cruise terminal, the experience is somewhat like an airport when you fly home after an international trip.

You'll first make your way to pick up your luggage.  Only luggage that has been called will be available to pick up, and you'll see bags grouped by luggage tag numbers.

There are porters available to help with your luggage.  There is no cost to use the porters services, but they do expect a tip at the end.  Usually a dollar or two per bag is the norm.  

My advice is take advantage of the porters and use them. Not only will it be easier on you if you have a lot of bags, but in some cruise terminals the porters have their own special line for customs.

After retrieving your luggage, your next stop is the clear immigration.

In the U.S., there are two lines: people traveling with passports and people traveling with birth certificates.

In most U.S. ports now there is facial recognition is reserved for those with passports, and it's a fast and efficient process. You simply walk to the machine, it scans your face, and tells you if you're good to go or need to speak with someone.

The birth certificate line is slower because it requires an agent to inspect your documentation manually.

After you clear immigration, you'll depart the cruise terminal.  At this point, you're on your own to find a way home.  

There will be a mix of taxis, shuttle services, ride shares and more to get you home.  You should have a plan in place prior to that morning of how you'll get on your way to avoid complications or unexpected delays.

How to disembark before everyone else

If your goal is to be the first one off your ship and on your way home, then you'll need to have a proper plan of action.

In order to be the first one off a ship at its conclusion, you're going to need to carry your own luggage off.  Self-assist luggage guests have up to an hour head start on those waiting for luggage.

This express departure method will beat most of the crowds that come later, especially those that opted to have breakfast. Plus, there will be less people to contend with in the customs line or waiting for a taxi.

Prior to the final morning, you'll get an estimate of what time your ship expects to start the disembarkation process.  It could be around 6:30 or 7am.

It's a rough guess at the time, but my advice is to get in line at least 30 minutes before that estimate.  You'll be surprised how many other people are already there waiting to walk off the ship too.

Remember, if you opt for this, you'll need to carry all of your own luggage off the ship and there won't be any assistance available with it.  It's ideal for solo travelers, couples, or families without young children.

No two cruises are the same. Even if you are sailing on a similar ship, such as Royal Caribbean's Navigator and Mariner of the Seas, factors like the crew, itinerary, and weather conditions all foster new experiences. 

Within the past year, Jenny Reineck embarked on two solo cruises aboard Mariner and Enchantment of the Seas. Her sailing on Mariner departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, and called at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico, whereas her cruise on Enchantment sailed from Tampa to the Western Caribbean. 

"I had a great time on both of the cruises, but there were some similarities and some differences," Reineck says. 

Similarities

Great service

She begins by talking about the service. From the servers in the Main Dining Room to her cabin steward and the bartenders, "...the crew on [Royal Caribbean was] fantastic, and they [went] above and beyond to make [my] cruise vacation fun."

Those aren't the only crew you'll meet while onboard. Everyone from the Cruise Director to the Casino Host, Loyalty Ambassador, and the Youth Program Director plays a vital role in shaping your cruise experience. 

Speaking of Cruise Directors, "...the passion, excitement, and energy brought by the Cruise Director on both ships was phenomenal." They are often considered the "face of the ship," helping to coordinate onboard events and activities that keep passengers entertained throughout their sailing.

Read more: 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship

Complimentary pizza

Whether you're grabbing pizza from Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, or Sorrento's, indulging in at least one slice of included pizza is a rite of passage on Royal Caribbean cruises. 

When sailing on Mariner, Reineck ventured to Cafe Promenade for pizza, while on Enchantment, she found herself at the Park Cafe in the Solarium. 

"Regardless of where I got it, the pizza tasted the same and was delicious! In fact, the quality of the food in general was very similar across both ships," she remarks. 

Read more: Sorrento's pizza on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

Main Dining Room

Reineck explains how the service, menu options, and food quality were similar in the Main Dining Rooms on Mariner and Enchantment. 

In early 2023, Royal Caribbean introduced new dining room menus to speed up the dinner service. Each night focuses on a certain cuisine, from Italian to Mexican and British. While the rotation of the menus may vary based on the length of your cruise (i.e., a 4-night cruise won't have as many options as longer sailings), the standardized dining experience ensures that guests can expect consistent quality and service no matter which ship they’re on.

That said, Reineck says the main difference between the Main Dining Rooms was her seat: "In both cases, they sat me at a two-person table by myself, but that is where the similarities ended."

"On Mariner, my table was against a wall at the end of a row of tables. It felt more private, but I didn't have a great view. On Enchantment, my table was sandwiched between a bunch of other two-person tables, but I could sit facing the window. While it felt less private, the view was much better," she adds. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Menus 2024

Onboard activities

The onboard activities and entertainment often drive passengers to book a Royal Caribbean cruise compared to competing lines. While older ships lack Broadway-style musicals, the essence of the daily schedule is the same.

"Whether it was trivia in Schooner Bar, a theater show, or the infamous Crazy Quest, ...I noticed that many of the onboard activities that I had enjoyed on Mariner were also going to be happening on Enchantment," she says. 

"This was great because I already knew which activities I wanted to [attend], including the belly flop contest, the world's sexiest man contest, and other fun activities throughout the ship." 

Read more: What's included in a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Stateroom

Whether you want to save money and book the cheapest interior cabin or are in the mood to splurge on a lavish suite, cruise ships have staterooms to meet various needs and preferences. 

On both Mariner and Enchantment, Reineck booked an interior cabin. However, her room on Mariner was different in that it overlooked the Royal Promenade. There was no window, even an interior-facing one, on Enchantment.

"Other than that, the rooms were very similar in size, storage space, bathroom, etc.," Reineck explains. 

"As a solo traveler in a double occupancy room, an inside cabin [had] more than enough space for all of my things, and in both cabins, there were at least two other places to sit down other than the bed." 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabin guide

Differences

Ship layout

Enchantment of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest ships in service. Part of the Vision Class, she debuted in 1997. Not only is she one of the oldest ships in the fleet, but she's also one of the smallest, measuring just shy of 83,000 gross registered tons. In comparison, Icon of the Seas is over 245,000! 

Mariner of the Seas is a little newer, having launched in 2003. As such, she's part of the line's Voyager Class, which was the first to feature the Royal Promenade, a thoroughfare filled with shops, bars, and restaurants. 

Since both vessels belong to different classes, their layouts are different. Different doesn't equal bad or disappointing, though. 

"While I thought I might miss the Royal Promenade, I actually enjoyed some of the ship activities [more] on Enchantment due to the layout of the Centrum," Reineck says. 

"Particularly for things like the balloon drop and the Parade of Nations, the Centrum gives off a 'round the campfire' vibe where we [could] all gather and celebrate together, whereas the Royal Promenade [felt] more like we were all in a long hallway looking at a stage."

She adds that she also enjoyed watching sail away from Mariner's helipad, which was absent on Enchantment. 

Read more: After 12 sailings on Mariner of the Seas, I’m convinced this ship offers the best value Royal Caribbean has to offer

Ship amenities

Since Mariner is larger and part of a newer class, she features more onboard amenities compared to Enchantment, including water slides, a FlowRider surf simulator, an ice skating rink, and an escape room. 

Not only that but Mariner also had a working television screen on the pool deck, which played holiday movies during Reineck's December 2023 sailing. 

"Unfortunately, while I was on Enchamtnent [in April 2024] the big screen on the pool deck was not working, and I missed out on pool deck movies." 

Dining options

While on Mariner, Reineck decided to try Royal Caribbean's Izumi Hibachi. In addition to the interactive Teppanyaki meal, she found that Mariner had more options, such as the hot dog stand on the pool deck. She said she'd have to brave the crowds at Windjammer if she wanted a quick bite to eat on a sea day while on Enchantment. 

However, both ships had a specialty coffee shop where she could fuel up with a cold brew each morning: "...On Mariner, I headed down to Cafe Promenade...whereas on Enchantment, I got it from Cafe Latte-tudes."

"Both cafes had the same food options though, with small items such as ham and cheese sandwiches, chocolate donuts, and cookies." 

Read more: One food item you need to order from each restaurant onboard Enchantment of the Seas

Itinerary and port schedule

With one ship departing from Port Canaveral and the other from Tampa, both had different itineraries. While both visited Cozumel, her sailing on Enchantment also took her to Roatán, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico. In addition to Cozumel, her cruise on Mariner from Port Canaveral only visited one other port of call: Perfect Day at CocoCay.

On Mariner, her schedule included a sea day followed by a port day, another sea day, and another port day. In contrast, her itinerary on Enchantment had a sea day followed by four consecutive port days, then another sea day.

"While I loved all of the ports that we stopped at on Enchantment, four port days in a row can be pretty exhausting, especially when you've been out [on] an all-day excursion," explains Reineck. 

"I enjoyed the schedule I had on Mariner better because the sea days gave me time to recover from my excursions."

Weather

"This may seem obvious, but the weather in December is different than the weather in April," Reineck says, "In fact, on my December cruise on Mariner, my excursion in Cozumel ended up getting canceled because it was too windy, and while I enjoyed my day at CocoCay, there were many moments where I was quite cold."

In comparison, when traveling on Enchantment in April, Reineck expresses how each port was hot and humid. That said, the sun was shining, and she didn't have any excursions canceled due to inclement weather. 

Reineck's experience on Mariner in December proves that cruise ships can be impacted by weather throughout the year, not just during hurricane season. Though her port stop wasn't canceled, the weather conditions shaped her experience. 

Read more: What experienced cruisers do differently during hurricane season

Royal Caribbean has pushed a new update to its website that adds a very useful function to its dining plan.

Last month the cruise line added the functionality to book its Unlimited Dining Package online and pre-reserve restaurants before getting on the ship.

This was a huge improvement, because prior to that feature, passengers had to wait to make reservations once they got on their ship.

It took the cruise line much longer than they originally estimated to roll out the feature, but a year later, the first version was implemented. It's a major upgrade for passengers, because it makes it significantly easier to get reservations instead of running around on embarkation day to make them.

This week, it appears there is a new update that has rolled out to allow anyone with the Unlimited Dining Package to change or add reservations after booking it.

When the online booking feature was released last week, it came with a giant caveat that you could only pre-book restaurants at the time of purchasing the dining package. There was no means to add reservations unless you cancelled and re-booked. This would be a problem for anyone that booked the dining package at a better price than offered today.

With the new update, it appears that issue has been fixed.

Guests can go to their order history and modify their purchase to be able to select restaurants and times.

To do so, go to your sailing and click on your name in the top right and then click Order history.

Find the purchase you made with the Unlimited Dining Package, and then click Modify.

The choice of days and restaurants should appear for you to pre-book restaurants.

A big improvement

Allowing passengers to make dining package reservations before their cruise begins is a huge help, and this new update makes it even easier.

When you can avoid running around the ship on the first day trying to get dining reservations, it's one less "errand" to have and reduces the stress of trying to get things done.

Royal Caribbean has steadily worked on making the first day of the cruise as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, from making check-in and embarkation as smooth and efficient as possible, to reducing things passengers need to stop and do on day one.

"We spent a lot of time researching with guests what their day one experience is," explained Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

Mr. Schneider reported his team found having to wait until the day of the cruise to book reservations generated a great deal of "angst".

The feedback from guests was to make it easier by not having to go to various booths that Royal Caribbean would set up only on day one of the cruise on the Royal Promenade.

Along with the dining package change, some ships now auto-connect the WiFi via the Royal Caribbean app so passengers do not need to visit the Voom desk for assistance.

On Icon of the Seas, there's a new chat feature within the Royal Caribbean app to communicate with Guest Services so you don't have to stand in line. They also added virtual queues to reduce lines.

Other dining packages not supported yet

In case you're wondering, the ability to pre-book restaurants appears to only be available for the Unlimited Dining Package so far.

In our spot checking, there is still not the ability to pre-book restaurants with the three night dining package, or any of the other dining packages.

Considering how the ability to modify or add new reservations took just a few weeks to complete, there's good reason to believe Royal Caribbean will push new updates soon with similar functionality for the shorter duration dining packages.

Should you book the unlimited dining package?

Specialty restaurants are a very popular add-on for any cruise, so is a dining package a good value?

If you think you might want to dine at more than two specialty restaurants during your cruise, a dining package can make a lot of financial sense.

At it's core, the unlimited dining package promises a flat fee to enjoy as many specialty restaurants as you like for a fixed price.

It will absolutely save you money compared to eating at the same amount of restaurants if paying out of pocket. 

A caveat to that flat fee is certain restaurants will still have a surcharge to dine there. This is because the dining package covers up to a certain amount, but certain experiences or restaurants cost more than that, and Royal Caribbean offers a discount if you have the dining package.

As an example, if you bought the unlimited dining package and wanted to dine at these restaurants, you'd pay:

• Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki: $15
• Royal Railway: 
  • Adult $50
  • Child $25
• Chef's Table & Holiday Dinners: $50
• Izumi Omakase: $60
• Empire Supper Club: $130

Another compelling reason to book the dining package might also be based on your opinion of the Main Dining Room.

Some cruisers have an aversion to the ship's complimentary Main Dining Room, based on cuisine, seating, or regimented times.

Lastly, the decision to buy a dining package also depends on which Royal Caribbean ship you are sailing on.

Each ship has a different line-up of specialty restaurants, and some offer many more options than others.

Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships offer the greatest variety of restaurants before you'd have to repeat.  

The line's older and smaller cruise ships have less specialty restaurants. In fact, Enchantment of the Seas only has Chops Grille and Chef's Table as specialty offerings.

Haiti's internal problems continued this week, but that seemingly won't deter Royal Caribbean from stopping at its private beach there.

Royal Caribbean operates a private beach in a remote area of Haiti, and has done so since 1988.

Earlier this week, three planes were hit by gunfire amid gang violence. The result was another in an endless round of travel advisories by the U.S. State Department not to travel to the country.  The Federal Aviation Administration banned flights to the country for 30 days as a result of the gunfire.

Despite these issues, Royal Caribbean hasn't changed its plans to bring cruise ships to its private enclave.

In a statement to a local NBC affiliate in Miami, the cruise line said they will continue to sail there, but are always monitoring the situation.

"The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority. Our Global Security and Intelligence Team continuously monitor the situation in Haiti. Currently, there are no changes to our planned itineraries."

Labadee is in a remote area

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.

The cruise line cancelled visits to Labadee in March in "an abundance of caution," but restarted visits there in early October.

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

In fact, Royal Caribbean re-routed a few ships to Labadee to avoid hurricanes.

What do passengers think?

Like many subjects, Royal Caribbean fans are split on the issue of if it makes sense for ships to continue to stop at Labadee.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, Geezer of the Seas wrote, "Personally,  I think Royal (and any other cruise line with stops in Haiti) is playing with fire."

"An aircraft on a 'slow' landing approach is like shooting fish in a barrel. So, what happens when/if these bad actors come into possession of high performance boats and start busting caps at a cruise ship?"

Reigert2008 added, "I’ve been to Labadeee several times and have always felt safe during the visit, but no one wants to be on the first cruise that has an issue."

"I think it’s reasonable for people to ask questions about these things especially when new events occur."

Smokeybandit retorted that post by pointing out Labadee hasn't been a site of problems, "As you noted, Haiti has had issues forever, yet never any real problems at Labadee."

Southern Dan added, "I am looking forward to my beach day in Labadee in two weeks!"

Opinion: I would welcome a cruise to Labadee, Haiti

I've been cruising to Labadee for years, and if I had a cruise that went there this week, I'd gladly go.

Haiti has had problems for a long time, and the unfortunate truth is the country has struggled for a long time with civil strife, political inability, and lack of infrastructure.

While shooting at an airplane is indeed disturbing, it also occurred in Port-au-Prince, and that's an important distinction.

Labadee is walled off from the rest of the country in a remote area. It can best be described as being in the middle of nowhere.

I think painting with a wide brush in the case of Labadee versus the rest of the country doesn't make sense. After all, Haiti still had a level 4 travel warning last week, and cruise ships and airplanes were visiting the country then. I don't think the country was inherently safer then.

Of course, there's risk in continuing to visit Haiti, but there's risk everywhere. Royal Caribbean know better than anyone the issues of risk management, and putting their ships and customers in harm's way would have a significant effect on their bottom line.  

As the cruise line monitors the situation in and around its private beach operation, until there's a change in the safety of its operation in Labadee, cruise ships should continue stopping there.

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, chances are you've already started checking if this year's Black Friday sale is benefitting you.

Black Friday is a major shopping holiday best known for deep discounts, and Royal Caribbean has its own take on it.  Instead of super cheap electronics, we get lower prices on cruise add-ons. The exact discount will depend on your sailing, but this year's batch of Black Friday offers seem to be generally quite good.

There are a series of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales over the next few weeks, and it's the perfect time to see how much more it would cost to purchase an add-on extra for your vacation. 

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner items applies to purchases made through November 29, 2024.

I went through the various choices to narrow down the top buys you should consider this week, because they will absolutely cost you more money if you wait to book them onboard the ship.

Not only are these deals probably a better price overall than normal, but you stand to save a lot of money compared to people who buy it on the ship.

Unlimited drink package

Perhaps no other add-on for your cruise gets as much attention as Royal Caribbean's drink packages.

All of its drink packages are on sale, and we've seen prices as low as $54.99 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

Anytime we see the Deluxe Beverage Package under $60 per day, that's a tremendous value. You can expect to pay over $100 per day for the same drink package if you wait to buy it on the ship.

There's even a discount on the soda package, which is rarely discounted.

Granted, the exact price of the drink packages varies greatly depending on your sailing. Some people reported seeing deeper savings than others, and Royal Caribbean is also offering added discounts to top tier members of Crown and Anchor Society or senior citizens.

Nevertheless, it's worth re-checking prices again during the Black Friday sale if your eyes glazed over the last time you checked prices.

Internet access

Perhaps the most tried-and-true lower price you can expect any year during Black Friday is a discount on Royal Caribbean's Voom internet packages.

While there's no free Wi-Fi on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it's not as expensive as you might think either.  And the prices you see during this sale are way cheaper than the same price onboard.

Here's an example of Royal Caribbean's onboard Voom prices:

The best discount comes with the multi-device Voom packages, so if everyone in your cabin needs to use the internet, it's cheaper to add additional devices rather than buying everyone their own plan.

One other thing worth noting is Royal Caribbean brought back to the Voom and drink package bundles.  

These packages are convenient, but do the math to ensure they will save you money.  Usually, they will be slightly cheaper if you just need one package.  

But if there are multiple people you want to buy the Voom and a drink package for, it's usually a better deal to buy the drink package and multi-device internet package separately. 

Admission to CocoCay areas

If you ever wanted to visit one of the extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Black Friday is when you want to buy a pass.

I've seen better than average prices for Thrill Waterpark, the Coco Beach Club, and Hideaway Beach.

As a general rule of thumb, I consider these prices to be good "deals" on them:

• Thrill waterpark: Less than $40 per person
• Coco Beach Club: Less than $100 per person
• Hideaway Beach: Less than $50 per person

Coffee card

I was pretty surprised to see a discount on the coffee punch card, because I'm not sure I've ever seen it discounted.

The Cafe Select Coffee Card offers 15 specialty espresso-based coffees that you can use during your cruise. It's redeemable at Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, Cafe@Two70 and pretty much any place that isn't a Starbucks kiosk.

If you're someone that isn't interested in a full drink package, but wants to get an espresso based drink every day, it's a good buy. Plus, you can share the coffee card, unlike the drink packages.

Specialty restaurants

One of my favorite ways to spend extra on things not included with my cruise fare are the specialty restaurants.

The Black Friday sale offers 15% - 30% off individual restaurants, and those savings can add up quickly when you're dining with a group or family.

When you can knock the price down to just $48.99 at 150 Central Park or $37.99 at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen for dinner, it makes for a great excuse to indulge.

Arguably the lunch prices are the best values.  On an upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise I have booked, I could book Giovanni's for just $14.99 per person for lunch! 

If you're wondering, yes, some restaurants do change menus if it's lunch or dinner.

Shore excursions

There's a really good chance if you're going on a cruise, you're going to want to book a shore excursion, and Black Friday is a great time check prices on tours.

Average savings on a shore excursion range between 25% and 30% off, so this can be an excellent time to book a tour.

Not only is booking a shore excursion now a good idea to save money, but many shore excursions sell out.  In my experience, by the time the cruise rolls around, there aren't many options left to those that waited to book onboard.

It's sometimes difficult to know which excursion you really want to book, but my advice is book something now while the prices are lower and decide later. Remember, you can always cancel any purchase made on the Cruise Planner before the cruise begins for a full refund.

Last week, I sailed on Freedom of the Seas for a 7-day Perfect Day and Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Originally launched in 2006, Freedom of the Seas ushered in the Freedom Class. 

Although she was once one of the fleet’s largest ships, Freedom is now dwarfed by the Icon and Oasis Classes.

However, she still boasts plenty of amenities and activities, with 15 total decks and a capacity for 4,635 guests. 

In 2020, Freedom underwent a $116 million Royal Amplification, receiving upgrades to the pool deck, water slides, and new dining venues.

The ship itself holds 1,963 staterooms, and my home for the cruise was located on the 2nd deck. 

This was my second time sailing on Freedom of the Seas, so I decided to switch it up for this cruise.

On my first sailings, I’d booked a guarantee balcony stateroom. For this sailing, I selected a guarantee oceanview cabin.

Selecting the guarantee (GTY) cabin option gave me a cheaper price for both categories because it allowed Royal Caribbean to assign me a leftover room, instead of choosing my own location.

The total cost was $1678.14 (with gratuities) for a 7-day cruise, which comes out to just $239 per night. 

I knew I’d be traveling by myself, but to avoid the solo supplemental fees, I booked with two people in the room, then came alone!

The 7-night sailing departed from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, and called upon Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.

My room for the cruise was located on Deck 2, the lowest stateroom I’ve ever stayed in. I was eager to see if the cabin’s position would change my experience at all.

The front door opened on a clean, cheery stateroom, spanning 159 square feet. The porthole window on the back wall filled the room with natural sunlight.

The decorations and color scheme gave a thoughtful, elegant effect to the cabin. Green and gold patterns covered the walls and curtains while painting and furniture brought out blue accents.

To the left of the front door, I opened the closet. 

Inside sat six white-wire shelves. The shelves were wide and helpful for stacking clothes on, but I didn’t like the spaced-out metal—anything small would fall straight through to the floor.

One shelf held the stateroom safe, while the two bottom shelves were filled with bright orange life jackets. While I was grateful for the clear reminder of Royal Caribbean's commitment to safety, the life jackets took up more space than I would have liked.

However, the closet still had a wide expanse of space and hangers to hang clothes. It was at least two feet deep, and four feet wide, stretching taller than my head.

There was more than enough space for two people to hang their clothing and store shoes and luggage.

Next, I walked towards the cabin’s desk and vanity. The long counter had lots of space to leave documents or spread out makeup. The vanity portion had a ring light mirror, perfect for sitting down and getting ready. 

Read more: 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas

There was one comfortable, blue-patterned chair sitting at the desk. On either side of the vanity, I found three wide drawers. 

The desk portion held plenty of space for all the items I might need over a 7-day cruise. I could store makeup, jewelry, books, snacks, and more without a problem.

Just past the desk sat the mini-fridge—a large but lukewarm cooler—and, above it, the stateroom’s TV. While the TV didn’t have any ultra-modern amenities like Smart TV or AirPlay, it did show 20 free channels, along with a selection of movies at an extra cost.

Opposite the desk area sat the stateroom couch. This sofa was comfortable and useful, but it wasn’t long enough for everyone to sleep on, and it was not a sofa bed. 

While it was comfortable to sit on, I also found it a useful place to store clothes or bags.

Between the couch and the beds, a long curtain was pulled back. When opened, it could divide the entire room in half, allowing some travelers to sleep while their buddies turn on lights in the other area.

I left the bed as a large Royal King, and it quickly became one of the most comfortable areas I’ve ever slept in. The sheets were heavy yet cooling, and the four pillows were long and extremely soft.

The bed also sat right under the porthole window, which could be covered by two sets of curtains, or uncovered for gorgeous ocean views.

I loved being able to wake up and immediately pull back the curtains, bathing the room in bright sunlight and a view of the sea stretching out behind the ship.

Since my stateroom was also located so low on the ship, I felt very close to the water. It was a great reminder of why sea lovers enjoy cruising!

To either side of the bed sat a bedside table.

Each table had its own adjustable lamp with two light levels, and below that, a drawer and a larger shelf space for more storage. 

The table to the right of the bed held the stateroom’s phone, which could be used to call venues on the ship for free or make international calls at an extra charge.

The bathroom is where Freedom of the Seas starts to show her age in comparison to other ships.

Read more: All about Freedom Class cruise ships

The shower was a classic, thin cruise stateroom locker. 

Granted, the area had modern fixtures and great water pressure and temperature. 

But I found myself missing the wider showers, smooth sliding doors, and footstands of newer Royal Caribbean ships.

In any case, the sink was long, with shelving under the counter and shelves above it, which were built into the long mirror. 

The lighting was a warm golden tone, setting off the blues and greens of the stateroom decor.

A disadvantage of staying lower on the ship was the constant noise—I could hear the anchor banging, the waves crashing, and footsteps running ahead. 

It didn't seem to stop, no matter the time of day, but thankfully I am a sound sleeper.

The noise also was exacerbated by the fact that our sailing was experiencing high winds, so not every cruise would experience the same.