Royal Caribbean Blog

A Royal Caribbean passenger was arrested after allegedly beating up another person while on Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas, according to court documents.

Documents obtained by WPLG show Michael White and others assaulted the victim to the point of unconsciousness. He, and another unnamed person, were arrested by Broward County police on Friday after the Liberty of the Seas returned to Port Everglades.

The police report says the victim and a woman asked a group of youths to “stop jumping up and down on the elevator,” which was causing it to sway. This happened last Thursday, while the ship was at sea.

The group started yelling and saying, “B----, who are you talking to?”

BSO Deputy Demetrius Williams wrote in the report, "At this point, (the victim) said he yelled to stop jumping in the elevator, but the kids wouldn’t stop; they kept arguing and fussing at them and calling them names."

The report continues that the elevator stopped on the eighth floor and the victim and the woman decided they needed to exit the elevator immediately, "We got to get out of here."

"The kids did not move when the door opened, so he pushed through the crowd to exit the elevator."

"Once he got out, he said he started getting struck by individuals in the face area, causing him to stagger backward. After staggering backward, he (redacted) fell to the floor and that’s when he started getting kicked. Also, at this point, (the victim) said he blacked out and the next thing he knew, he woke up in a pool of blood on the floor."

The 3,648 passenger Liberty of the Seas was sailing a four-night Bahamas itinerary that departed Port Everglades on Monday, April 14th.

Mr. White is from Siler City, North Carolina and was charged with a felony of aggravated battery causing bodily harm. The co-defendant's name was not listed in Broward court records.

BSO records show he was released from jail on Saturday after posting a $5,000 bond.

A judge ordered Mr. White have no contact with the victim.

Violence on cruise ships: what happens

While Royal Caribbean has not issued any kind of statement or update on the incident, they take security incidents like this very seriously.

A few months ago a man was detained after attempting to break down a cabin door in an altercation with other guests.

A cell phone video captured the moment a man was seen hurling threats and trying to kick down a door aboard Navigator of the Seas. 

In an attempt to subdue him, the disruptive passenger kicked a crew member in the face and punched another.

Eventually, the ship's security team—armed with pepper spray, zip ties, and handcuffs—detained the shirtless guest who had also been spewing profanity and racial comments. 

Unruly guests disrupt the experience for other passengers and risk the safety of guests and crew, which is of paramount importance to cruise lines. 

Incidents like these often result in immediate intervention by the ship's security staff, with offenders facing fines, legal action, and permanent bans from the cruise line, especially when crew members are assaulted. 

In fact, Royal Caribbean will ban passengers for life for far less violent attacks.

I knew I wanted to take a cruise to Northern Europe this summer, but I also wanted to avoid the worst months to go there.

Ever since I took my first cruise in Europe a couple of years ago, I've jumped at the chance to try it again.  This year will be my third year in a row heading overseas to go on a cruise.

I'm booked on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas for two cruises in a row, where I'll visit cities in Northern Europe as well as sail the Norwegian fjords.

When I was picking out my cruises, I knew there were better months than others to sail, and I wanted to avoid the hot and crowded times of the year. 

I think I picked the best time to cruise to Northern Europe that balances weather, prices, and crowds.

Worst time to cruise Northern Europe: May, July and August

There are definitely a few months of the summer cruise season that are probably not the ideal time to cruise around Northern Europe.

I live in Florida and don't need to go anywhere that can be just as hot as where I live.  But that doesn't mean I want it frigid either.

Royal Caribbean sails ships between May and September across Europe, but not all months are created equal and I think the weather is a major factor.

While it won't get as hot as the Mediterranean, there can still be plenty warm months.  Considering I want to do a lot of outdoor activities, I'd prefer it to be comfortable.

On the flip side, I didn't want it to be unnecessarily chilly either.  

When I took a Norwegian fjords cruise in May, it was downright chilly most days and you needed a jacket.

I think the sweet spot for a European cruise is right around mid June.  You're out of the danger of a spring chill hitting, but not quite into the depths of summer.

The summer months have the highest pricing

If you want to save money on a Northern European cruise, the best prices tend to be in the shoulder season.

Another reason I was drawn to June was the pricing, as I found much better prices for a June cruise compared to later in July.

This is because of the family cruise component.  Once you're in July, kids are out of school everywhere and that drives up demand considerably.  

High season ends in mid-August, and while going later may see less crowds, it's also the beginning of seasonal closures and the summer tourism industry drawing to a close.

The two cheapest months to cruise in Northern Europe will be May and September. These months are when school is back in session, and it's also at the very start and end of the season.

Both of my cruises take place in June, and I'll wrap up both cruises at the start of July.

June is the best month for a Northern European cruise

Not only is June a great value, it also offers the most sunlight of the year.

The summer solstice takes place during this time, and that provides more sunlight than any other time of the year.  The more sun you have, the more comfortable the outdoor temperatures can be too. That makes for great viewing late at "night" during the longest days of the year.

Unlike the end of the summer cruise season, in June you don't have to worry about seasonal closures, and the possibility of seeing the midnight sun is a unique advantage.

If you have a clear night, it's well worth staying up until midnight to watch the sun dip and start back up without setting.

One more advantage of June is you can still enjoy beautiful waterfalls with a lot of water coming down from the melting snow still occurring.

Flexibility is so important, regardless of the "best" or "worst" month

You can do all the research in the world and speak to a lot of experts, but ultimately weather and crowds are going to be a variable that you can't control.

I always caution anyone that asks for a recommendation of when to cruise anywhere that just because it was the case in the past, doesn't mean it will occur again.  

More importantly, I'm a firm believer in a cruise is what you make of it.  You can choose to have a great cruise anytime of the year, or allow gripes to "ruin" your vacation.

No temperature or crowd can prevent you from enjoying a stunning view, ancient site, or incredible culinary experience if you don't let it.

Ultimately, I'd choose to cruise any month in Northern Europe over not cruising at all.  You just have to come in with a good plan, prepare for certain possibilities, and be flexible with your plans when the rain, temperature, or crowds don't cooperate.

You can have a great time at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay without spending a fortune.

It's a myth that CocoCay is all about big upcharges and high-cost thrills. Sure, those options exist, but pro cruisers will tell you there is so much more to enjoy beyond that.

Having been many times to this private island, it's clear you can enjoy a day here without blowing through your budget. In fact, you can easily spend absolutely nothing extra and have a great time.

I love having the choice to splurge if I'd like to, but ultimately I can walk off with nothing special booked and still enjoy a day in the water, beach, and plenty of food inbetween.

If you want to stay within your budget, here's what’s included for free, low-cost upgrades that might be worth it, and money-saving tricks you can add into your visit.

Royal Caribbean includes a lot that costs nothing extra

Before you pay for anything extra at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you should know what's included with your cruise fare.

• Oasis Lagoon – the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean
• Beaches -  free beach chairs, umbrellas, and gorgeous ocean views
  • Chill Island
  • South Beach
  • Harbor Beach
• Splashaway Bay & Captain Jill’s Galleon – free water play areas for kids
• Skipper’s Grill, Chill Grill, and Snack Shack – all meals and snacks included
• Beach chairs, towels, and tram transportation – no need to carry anything around

I know what you're thinking, if it's free, how good it could be? And is it going to be super crowded?

The temptation to pay extra because "it's got to be better" is a pretty common notion, but the reality is these included options are really good. 

I wouldn't hesitate to take my family to any of them for the day, and the truth is it's also really good too.

What you don't need to pay for

There are four areas I'd caution you not to pay extra for simply to achieve in your visit.

Beach loungers or hammocks are everywhere, so you really don't need to spend extra admission to another area of the island if this is your concern.

If getting a prime spot is important to you, I'd recommend getting off the ship early.  As long as you get to the island before 10am, you're going to have a pretty easy time picking out chairs, loungers, and umbrellas.

Certainly access to the beaches and pools are another area where you don't need to pay extra.

I think a lot of new cruisers are surprised how much is included for no extra cost, but they don't realize it until they get to the island.

If you're thinking of splurging for a CocoCay cabana or daybed, you really don't need to get one unless you're in a large group.

I've rented plenty of cabanas, but they're not essential.  Nice to have, sure, but don't for a family of four or less, you can skip them.

Lastly, an upgraded lunch is something else you can skip spending on specifically.

While I think the Coco Beach Club restaurant has amazing food, I'd be lying to you if I didn't say the free food at the Snack Shack or Skipper's Grill isn't incredibly satisfying.

Optional extras that might be worth it only if…

If you're on the fence about spending extra for exclusive areas of CocoCay, here's what I would recommend and when to buy it.

Thrill Waterpark

If you're into water slides and love the idea of going on them all day long, then Thrill Waterpark is worth the cost.

By far teens and anyone that really wants a thrill experience is who's going to be attracted to this area.

If you want a chill day, definitely skip paying for admission.

The key is ensuring you're good with spending all day.  It's simply not worth it if you're not going to come for just a couple of hours.

Coco Beach Club

The best way I can describe the appeal of the Coco Beach Club is if you truly value a bougie kind of beach day.

It's gorgeous, uncrowded, and has the best food, but very expensive. Skip unless you're looking for a luxury day and don’t mind the splurge.

Hideaway Beach

Royal Caribbean built this area specifically for anyone that wants a break from the kids and families.

Hideaway Beach delivers on it, but don't confuse it with a quiet experience either.  This adults-only area is more Vegas pool party than calm and quiet.

While you can find some quiet if you're willing to walk as far away from the pool as possible, you're better off saving money for a quiet day by going to the end of South Beach and not spending anything extra.

Up, Up & Away Balloon Ride

It's incredibly scenic, but the chances it actually goes up seems to be quite low.

The balloon requires near perfect weather for it to be able to safely operate, and in my experience, that rarely occurs.

I'd recommend not buying it in advance because you're going to likely plan your day around it and then end up disappointed when it likely gets cancelled.

Best strategy for a budget-friendly day

My recommendation for a low cost day is to embrace these tips.

• Get off the ship early to grab the best beach chairs (no extra cost)
• Use the tram to explore the island without walking (free)
• Start at Oasis Lagoon, then hit Chill Island for beach time
• Eat lunch at Skipper’s or Snack Shack — they’re fast and included
• Head back to the ship mid-afternoon for a second round of food or quiet time onboard

Don't forget your Royal Caribbean drink package works at CocoCay too, so that's added value if you decide to buy it.

What to pack to avoid extra costs

Besides the optional places and experiences you can book for CocoCay, the other area people end up wasting money is on things they forgot to pack.

Packing for a cruise is not easy, but there are a few essentials I'd recommend bringing so you don't have to pay the high prices for them onboard or even on the island.

• Sunscreen
• Hat/sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle
• Waterproof phone case for photos

Also, you don't need to pack towels from home. You can get towels from ship for free, if you don’t lose it.

Royal Caribbean drink packages aren't cheap, but there is a loophole that people that cruise all the time take advantage of.

The cruise line has strict rules in place regarding its beverage packages because of how prevalent drink package cheating was at one point. In fact, Royal Caribbean held out longer than most other lines before lamenting and adding their own restrictions.

The requirement is if you buy the Deluxe Beverage package, which is the one that includes all the alcoholic drinks, that all other adults in the cabin must do so as well. 

That creates problems for adults who don't drink much or at all.

While this seems like a brick wall of red tape, there is a workaround.

The system forces adults to buy the drink package

When you go into the Royal Caribbean app or website to buy a drink package, you'll see quickly the issue.

If you add the Deluxe Beverage Package for one adult, it forces you to buy it for other adults in the same cabin as you.

There is no such rule for the Royal Refreshment Package or the Soda Package. Also, kids aren't required to get a drink package at all if adults in the same cabin do.

For many families, this means mom and dad must buy it if one of them wants it.  

But what if one of the adults prefers not to drink? Or is pregnant? Or has a medical condition?

There's a loophole that can get you out of the problem.

Call Royal Caribbean and explain the issue

While the website doesn't bend on the rule, the cruise line representatives do.

You can call Royal Caribbean at 1-866-562-7625 to tell them one of the adults doesn't want the drink package as well.

They won't let that person completely off the hook, but they will allow that other adult to buy the lower cost Royal Refreshment Package.

This is the non-alcoholic drink package and it's a fraction of the price of the more expensive one. On my upcoming sailing, that's over $30 per day savings.

Technically, it's not an official policy of the cruise line.  So it's possible this wouldn't work.

However, it's been my experience for years they've honored it as long as you're willing to call in and book it.

And you don't have to lie about the reason either.  Royal Caribbean won't ask for proof or documentation, so no need to pretend someone is pregnant or has a terrible medical condition if it's not true.

Simply ask for the Refreshment package instead of the Deluxe package.

Book adults in another cabin

My favorite loophole for the drink package rule is when you have more than one cabin for your family.

Often my family will sail in separate cabins because it's one of my favorite family cruise hacks.  Booking connecting/adjacent rooms gives my wife and I separation from the kids, as well as an extra bathroom and far more privacy for all of us.

I always have my travel agent book me with one kid, and my wife with the other kid.

Royal Caribbean doesn't care who actually sleeps in which cabin once on the cruise. This is all just paperwork.

With this scenario, my wife is in another cabin and I only have to pay for the Deluxe Beverage Package for myself instead of her too.

Don't be temped to try to sneak drinks on instead

Some people see the high prices of a drink package or these rules and decide cheating the system is the next option, but this is a terrible idea.

Sneaking alcohol onboard is playing with fire, and if you're caught, there could be all sorts of consequences beyond simply confiscating what you have.

I'd argue sneaking booze on means you're also relegated to going back to your room constantly for refills. The last thing I want to do when I'm having a good time at a bar, show, or casino is have to get up and walk back to my room to get a drink.

Wait for a good sale and then take advantage of the loophole

The best strategy is to combine this loophole with my drink package money saving tip.

Royal Caribbean runs sales and promos all the time for pre-cruise purchases.  Keep an eye out for one of the sales that discounts drink packages as much as 40% off the onboard price.

Then call in and ask for the drink package, but also ask for the Refreshment package for the other adults who don't want the Deluxe package.

This strategy will save you money in two ways and not get you in trouble with the cruise line.

Cruising is meant to be relaxing and rejuvenating, but nothing derails your vacation quicker than getting sick. No one wants to think about getting sick during their cruise, especially when you’ve spent your hard-earned money and time on a vacation.

Unfortunately, you can still get sick while on traveling. In fact, some might argue that you are more likely to get sick while cruising because you can get run down and exposed to illnesses more easily.

Moreover, sickness seems to spread quickly on cruise ships due to close living quarters. With thousands of people traveling together continuously, cruise ships can become hotspots for germs, bacteria and illness. From the bustling buffets to your crowded shore excursion busses, there are endless opportunities for illness to spread during your cruise.

If you’re wanting to take extra precautions throughout your upcoming cruise, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you minimize your risk of getting sick. Here is how you can protect yourself from getting sick on a cruise to ensure you have a safe, fun and healthy vacation!

Wash your hands often

Washy washy! The best thing you can do on your cruise is wash your hands frequently and diligently with warm water and soap.

Most of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships have hand washing stations at the buffet entrance, making it easy to keep your hands clean while eating. 

Germs can spread quickly when everyone is touching the buffet tongs and serving themselves. Of course, not everyone washes their hands as they should. I’ve seen people get offended by the crew member suggesting they wash their hands or sanitize before eating!

You should also wash your hands often throughout your time onboard, especially after using the bathroom. I prefer packing a bottle of liquid hand soap from the dollar store for the bathroom in my stateroom. I find it much easier to wash my hands thoroughly with liquid soap than with using the standard bar soap provided. 

Don’t forget to rest

From exploring ports of call to afternoon trivia, evening entertainment and late-night deck parties, there are plenty of opportunities to be busy during your vacation. Not to mention, I find that I’m up earlier in the morning when cruising to optimize my limited time in port. 

Surprisingly, it’s pretty easy to get run down while you’re cruising. This is especially true if you've flown a long distance and you're fighting jet lag. While it’s tempting to take full advantage of the non-stop fun, don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s squeezing in an afternoon nap, sleeping in on a sea day, or calling it an early night, giving your body time to recharge will help you feel your best and stay healthy throughout the trip.

Use hand sanitizer or wipes

Germs are everywhere on a cruise ship! From the elevator buttons to the coffee machines and excursion busses, your hands are constantly touching germ-infested surfaces. For this reason, I never leave my cabin without hand sanitizer or wipes - and I am constantly using them to clean my hands when a sink is not available. 

In addition, cruise ships usually have hand sanitizer stations available across the ship. Whether you’re entering the theatre for the headliner production show or grabbing a slice of pizza, you’ll find hand sanitizing stations pretty much everywhere. Take advantage of these as an extra layer of protection.

Bring over the counter medication

Medication onboard a cruise ship is absurdly expensive, even over-the-counter medication. The onboard store will have inflated prices for basic medication, and it can be painful to pay those high prices!

Instead of waiting until you’re sick, you should be proactive and pack a mini pharmacy for your cruise instead. I have a pre-packed pharmacy pouch with a variety of over-the-counter medication for all of my travels that I always take on my trips. At least once each cruise, I have to break open the mini pharmacy for some medication that I’ve packed.

I like to pack a small travel pharmacy with essentials like nighttime cold and flu medicine, allergy relief, seasickness tablets, stomach remedies, and a sleep aid - just in case. In addition, I always bring extra prescription medication in case I experience travel delays or unforeseen circumstances. You never know when you might get delayed returning home, and I wouldn’t want to be stuck without my daily prescription medication.

Limit sharing drinks and food

This one might be obvious, but it's important to remember. The amount of food available is endless on a cruise ship, so there shouldn’t be as much temptation to share your food or drinks. Even still, my family is notorious for taking sample bites of any entree, dessert or snack that looks appetizing.

Instead of sharing, just order your own to limit the spreading of germs. If you decide to share, make sure everyone uses a clean utensil and never share used utensils. It’s always best practice to not share drinks as well, considering you can be contagious before showing obvious illness symptoms.

Wear the proper sunblock

The quintessential cruise day is spent ashore on the beach or lounging in the sun on the pool deck. But, all of that time in the sun can be dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. Getting sunburned on your cruise isn’t just uncomfortable and painful - it can also weaken your immune system. An especially gnarly sunburn can totally ruin your vacation, so be sure to pack sunscreen and apply generously.

It’s recommended to use SPF of 30 or more for the best protection in the sun. You should reapply often, particularly if you’re swimming. I prefer to pack a tinted moisturizer with SPF and wear a long-sleeve swimsuit for extra protection. I also love having a sunscreen stick for quick application on my face, neck and shoulders.

Immunity supplements

Another easy precaution to help your support your immune system is taking daily supplements for vitamin C and zinc. These can help contribute to keeping your immune system healthy while you’re traveling. Some studies show that vitamin C and zinc can also shorten the duration and severity of a cold, so they could be good to have on hand. 

Whether you pack traditional supplements or bring along something like Emergen-C, it’s a simple precaution that could make a difference in staying healthy during your cruise.

Non-slip shoes for wet decks

I learned this one the hard way! During my last cruise, I took a bad tumble in the adults-only Solarium with my flimsy sandals because the floor was wet. My tailbone was bruised for the next few days and my neck was sore from the impact.

Cruise ship decks are notoriously slippery near the pool deck. Be sure to prevent these injuries by wearing non-slip shoes for the wet decks. Walk slowly near the pool and keep your eyes out for warning signs when the floor is wet.

Skip the buffet

One of the biggest breeding grounds for bacteria and germs can be found at the cruise ship buffet. With thousands of passengers dining in the same vicinity and using the same tongs, germs can spread easily and quickly.

Buffets are standard on most cruise ships, but they are also prime zones for cross-contamination. Some people also refuse to wash their hands or sanitize before touching the different tongs. I’ve even seen people refuse to use tongs and touch the food with their bare hands - gross!

If you want to play it extra safe, consider using other dining venues where you have a sit-down meal instead of self-serve. In addition, you can also consider splurging on specialty dining for a more intimate dining experience and fewer crowds, which means less exposure to potentially sick guests. 

Stay hydrated

Cocktails on the pool deck and lounging in the hot sun can quickly lead to dehydration during your cruise. Combine that with the salty foods often served onboard, and you may find yourself needing to drink more water than usual to stay properly hydrated.

It’s important to stay hydrated during your cruise to keep your immune system healthy. I always pack a reusable bottle of water to use in my cabin for easy access to water. In addition, I like to bring hydration packets to add to my bottled water for added electrolytes. I rely on these heavily while traveling and cruising! Personally, I prefer the sugar free Propel or Gatorade hydration packets, but LiquidIV is also a popular choice.

Stay up to date on vaccinations

Before setting sail on your vacation, you should also consult with your doctor to ensure you’re up to date on any routine vaccinations that may be recommended for travel. Every year, I make sure to receive my annual flu shots, along with any other vaccines or boosters that I might need.

If you’re visiting more off-the-beaten-path destinations on your cruise, you might need other vaccinations to stay healthy. This could include yellow fever, typhoid or Hepatitis A. Before cruising to Africa last year, I made sure to visit my doctor and ask about any specific vaccinations I might need. Some destinations might even require proof of vaccination for certain shots, so you will want to confirm your destinations' requirements.

Prepare for bugs

If you’re planning to visit warm, humid climates during your cruise, you should consider packing insect repellent to keep mosquitos away. Mosquitos are more than a nuisance, as they can actually carry dangerous illnesses like Zika or dengue fever. This would be one quick way to ruin your vacation!

Consider whether you’ll be exploring buggy areas during your cruise and plan accordingly. When I’m cruising to destinations where mosquitoes are more common, like my recent cruises to Africa or Bali last year, I make sure to pack a small bottle of insect repellent with DEET. Be sure to pack lightweight clothes and plan for buggy areas.

Practice Safe Food Habits

Trying local food during your cruise is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture. For some foodies, this is a huge highlight of their cruise. However, you should be cautious when trying food or drinks during your time ashore to prevent food borne illness.

It's recommended to avoid raw and undercooked meats and stick to bottled water if you’re not sure about the local water quality. Also, use your best judgement to eat from street vendors. I typically avoid street food for this reason and rely on the food served onboard the ship instead.

Avoid touching your face

This one is easier said than done, but if you can avoid touching your face, this is a small habit that can make a big difference during your cruise. Touching your face can significantly increase the risk of infection for flu and cold viruses.

Make a conscious effort to not touch your face whenever possible while cruising and traveling. This also includes not touching your eyes, nose and mouth. In addition, avoid biting your nails unless you’ve washed your hands.

Seek medication attention when needed

Cruise ships are staffed with medical staff and have modern medical facilities capable of handling a wide range of illnesses and emergencies. However, there are plenty of horror stories of passengers being billed tens of thousands of dollars after visiting the medical center during their cruise.

Because of this, people are hesitant to visit the shipboard doctor when they might need to. Not to mention, people are often worried they might get quarantined during their vacation. These are valid concerns, but you should always seek medical attention when you think you need it. Your health should always come first.

By visiting the doctor, you might be able to get some medical advice or medication to get you on the mend so you can enjoy the most of your vacation. If you wait too long and your health deteriorates, you could really ruin your cruise and rack up an even bigger bill.

Have travel insurance

In the way of medical emergencies, it’s also a good idea to have travel insurance for additional coverage during your cruise. Whether you receive coverage through your credit card or you purchase a policy, having travel insurance can give you access to medical care while traveling. This can also reduce stress knowing you are covered in an unforeseen circumstance. 

In addition, you are more likely to seek medical care when you have travel insurance coverage. For instance, my dad recently pulled a rib muscle during our cruise. Because he has an annual travel insurance policy, he didn’t hesitate to head down to the medical center on our ship to be seen by the doctor. 

He received a prescription medication to help with inflammation and X-rays for diagnosis. The entire visit was $500, but it was all covered by his travel insurance. The medication alleviated his pain quickly and he was on the mend quicker than suffering longer with pain.

No matter if I'm booking a tiny inside room or a mega suite, I always look for cabins in a certain area.

Cruise ships are only getting bigger, and I value being able to quickly get around. Even with improvements to cruise elevators, it's I prefer to pick a cabin near the stairs.

I've found having a cabin near staircases is more efficient and I spend less time waiting on elevators.

Once I started booking cabins near stairs, I realized it was worth it for the convenience and I now look for it every time.

Avoiding long waits for elevators

On my most recent cruise I sailed on a 7-night cruise on Icon of the Seas and stayed in a suite on deck 17 that was right off the forward staircase.

This allowed me to easily walk down to deck 15 and grab food at Aquadome Market for a quick snack or even a meal.  It's actually my favorite restaurant included with your fare on any Royal Caribbean ship, and it was great being so close to it.

Or, I could take the stairs one deck up to the Grove Suite Sun Deck and be able to enjoy one of the best perks of staying in a cruise suite.

I added built-in exercise to my daily routine by taking the stairs, too.

It's so much easier to get around, making it convenient

There's so much happening around the ship that I'll often go back and forth from my cabin to activities and things happening around the ship.

When I've stayed in a cabin all the way forward or at the back of the ship, the walk can feel arduous when you realize you forgot something in the cabin. It's definitely a "first world problem" situation, but the walk back and forth gets old quickly.

I found when I booked a cabin near the stairs, it made so much more convenient to be able to pop in and out of my room.

I like to combine booking a cabin near the stairs on a deck near the area I'll spend most of my time.

As an example, when I sailed on Mariner of the Seas, I booked an inside cabin on deck six because it was right off the Royal Promenade.

I loved being able to walk downstairs and see all the fun happening and then later get back to my room without worrying about an elevator.

When my kids were younger, we booked rooms one or two decks off the Windjammer so it was easy to get snacks and meals every day.

Young kids love going up and down stairs (I think they see it as a kind of challenge), and they seem to want to eat every couple of hours.

Be sure to look at a deck map pick a room

A word of warning: don't just book a cabin near any staircase. You might end up regretting it.

You want to avoid booking a cabin directly under a buffet or public area.

Avoiding a deck below pools, restaurants, or lounges is important because of noise bleed issues. These are notoriously bad cabins to book.

What you want to do is look at a deck plan before you book your cabin, and double check there's at least one deck above or below other staterooms.

You'll find deck plans on the cruise line website, and you can use them to look up staterooms and their locations in relation to stairs and highly trafficked areas.

This one reason I won't book a guarantee cabin

While a guarantee room will save you money, I usually don't book it because it usually ends up with an unsold cabin at the end of the deck.

Royal Caribbean will charge you less money for booking a particular category in exchange for giving up the ability to choose your specific stateroom.

This means once you book, you do not know the exact room assignment. At some point in the weeks leading up to the cruise, Royal Caribbean will assign your stateroom.

There are all sorts of ways you can spend extra and plus up your day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, including one that's back from the dead.

Ever since Royal Caribbean enhanced its Bahamas private island with expanded choices in how to spend your time, it has been a home run with guests who have continuously rate the experience quite highly.

Among the choices of where you can spend your day is Thrill Waterpark, which is an extra cost area that includes waterslides, a wave pool, and more.  It's a very popular spot for families.

A new option has appeared in the Cruise Planner for admission to this area that hasn't been available in many years.

The return of a waterpark pass

Up until this week, Royal Caribbean only offered a full day waterpark admission pass for its guests.

The full day pass includes all day access to the waterpark, and it's been the standard way to get in (in addition to renting a Thrill Waterpark cabana, which also includes admission to the area).

Royal Caribbean has added back the half day waterpark pass to the choices.

The Thrill Waterpark — Half Day Pass is valid for the afternoon only and is listed as providing 3 hours of park time.

There's no indication of what time exactly the half day pass is valid for, but it's significantly cheaper than the full day pass.

For the Utopia of the Seas July 4th sailing, the full day pass is $147.38 and the half day pass is $92.38.  That's a 37% discount. A sale that ended last night brought both prices down to $105.58 and $67.08, respectively.

Royal Caribbean had removed the half day pass years ago

What's surprising about this option coming back is that it had been gone for a long time.

Sometime in 2019, Royal Caribbean pulled the plug on these passes and began removing them as bookable choices.

It was speculated the problem was how to police the half day passes. Royal Caribbean did away with wristbands in favor of the SeaPass card being a virtual admission ticket in.

Since the new pass is only for the afternoon, denying entry until after lunch makes it simpler to ensure only the right people are allowed in at a given time.

Half day passes offer a cheaper way to get slide time

Bringing back half day passes is a more affordable way to get into the waterpark, especially for those on a budget.

Plus, some guests simply want to hit a few slides and not commit all day to the area. This can be true of families with young children, who are limited to the slides they can go on because of height restrictions.

Moreover, it means guests can enjoy other parts of the island.

Royal Caribbean offers a lot to do around CocoCay, including various beaches and pools.  There are even other extra cost areas, such as the adults-only Hideaway Beach or elevated Coco Beach Club.

Having an afternoon only pass could also be a logistical play for the cruise line.

The reality is a lot of passengers begin returning to the ship after lunch, regardless of how much time the ship is docked at CocoCay.

Lines develop quickly for the waterslides at Thrill Waterpark, and it's the main issue with any waterslide.  However, as the day goes on, people start to leave.

By 2pm, wait times for water slides can drop substantially and it's possible Royal Caribbean sees this as an opportunity to let more people into the park at a reduced price.

This provides a win-win scenario for all: Royal Caribbean makes more revenue and guests can take advantage of reduced admission cost.

Is a waterpark pass worth it?

Thrill Waterpark can be a fun day enjoying all the exhilarating slides, but is it a good value?

There are three admission types for Thrill Waterpark:

• Full day pass
• Half day pass
• Thrill Waterpark cabana

Depending on how much you pay, it can greatly dictate the value proposition.

The price of admission varies depending on what ship you are sailing on, as well as when your cruise is set to commence. Like other add-ons, Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing to determine the cost. 

There are eight different slides within the park, plus a wave pool, and an obstacle course pool named Adventure Pool that has lily pads, a rope swing, a rock wall, and more. 

The slides are spread across two towers.

Your admission also includes choice of beach chairs and umbrella. Plus, there's a Snack Shack location within the park.

The half day pass brings the price down, but you've only got a few hours to try it all.

One downside to the half day pass is it's for the afternoon only.  The reality is you won't get every minute out of that pass because you have to be back on the ship.

For example, if the pass is for the afternoon and the all aboard time is 5pm, the reality is you won't be going down a waterslide at 4:59pm.  Through a combination of repeated announcements and a sense of responsibility will mean you'll likely head back to the ship well before 5pm. 

That means the last hour of the day is likely not very useful.

On the other hand, while a full day pass offers much more time, you may run into a different prohibition.

Lines develop quickly for the slides as the day goes on. Ideally, you'll head off the ship early and do as many slides as you can before 10am. But the worst wait times for slides will be between 10am and 2pm, meaning you'll either wait in long lines or end up doing something else. 

Ultimately, Thrill Waterpark is a fun spot for families and if you've never been, the slides are fantastic.  I like there are varying degrees of thrills and they're not all gut-wrenching screamers. 

The key is to track prices and keep an eye out for a good sale that brings the price down. If you can get admission for a lower than average price, it can make the purchase worthwhile.

Ever since Oasis of the Seas began offering cruises in 2009, these massive ships have sailed weeklong cruises.  But Royal Caribbean is going to change all of that, and it's not sitting well with some cruise fans.

The introduction of Utopia of the Seas to the short cruise market when she debuted was unconventional, but since it was just one ship most people overlooked the decision as simply something different to do with that ship.

Royal Caribbean's idea was to use an impressive new ship to offer the best short cruise option in the market and gobble up the lion share of the new to cruise customers. That gets them hooked on cruising, and subsequently a "loyal to Royal" fan in the same way new moms who are given one brand of diapers tend to only use them.

However, that decision has proven very successful, as it drew many new cruisers while being quite profitable too.

With this formula a proven success, the decision was made to have more Oasis Class ships sail these short routes instead of a 7-night cruises.

That shift in strategy unleashed a torrent of feedback from cruisers that lament the idea of short cruises for their lack of port diversity, higher per-night pricing, and unattractiveness to travel to sail to these cruises.

Quickie cruises on big ships

Joining Utopia of the Seas in the short cruise market will be Wonder of the Seas later this year.

Wonder of the Seas will shift to Miami and offer 3- and 4-night cruises that visit just two places: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

That puts Royal Caribbean's two newest Oasis Class ships offering weekend cruises.

Fast forward to winter 2026-2027, more of these ships make the change.

Harmony of the Seas will move to Port Canaveral to offer 4- and 5-night cruises. The five night voyages combine a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Cozumel, Mexico. The four nighters will visit Nassau, Bahamas and CocoCay.

Oasis of the Seas will be based from Fort Lauderdale, and just like Utopia and Wonder, will offer 3- and 4-night cruises out of Port Everglades to The Bahamas, including Royal Caribbean's private island.

Lastly, Allure of the Seas will be based in Miami in winter 2026-2027 and sail a mix of short and weeklong cruises.  It's not quite a full commitment to short cruises, but you'll find a smattering of them.

That really leaves just Symphony of the Seas as the only Oasis Class ship to offer only weeklong cruises from Galveston, Texas.

So if you're in the market for a 7-night cruise from Florida on one of Royal Caribbean's newest ships, that leaves the Icon Class.

Icon of the Seas is sailing out of Miami, and Star of the Seas will start sailing 7-night itineraries from Port Canaveral this summer. 

The third Icon-class ship, Legend of the Seas, will first sail in Europe before offering 7-night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale.

Why cruise fans aren't happy with the plan

Offering more short cruises on big ships may seem like a good play for the market, but some cruisers hate the idea.

When we shared this shift in cruise offerings on YouTube, it generated a lot of comments with many people explaining why they simply don't like it.

"If I'm on a bigger ship, I want at least 7 nights," wrote BethNeutze.

MikeK02048 posted, "For those of us that live a plane ride away from the ports, it makes no sense to book a 3-4 night cruise.  Airfare is too expensive."

shernik1 added, "Many people, myself included, cannot afford the outrageous prices of the Icon ships. I can't believe that Florida, with the most and biggest cruise ports, will have no 7 or more day cruises on Oasis ships."

"So unless Royal has a 7-9 day cruise that meets our needs, we'll be sailing with another cruise line."

For some, this change is an afront to being loyal to the cruise line. BEYONDYOURIQ wrote, "Never forget who supported you for years. Take care of those who took care of you."

"I hate this trend from RCCL. My loyalty and Crown & Anchor status will only carry you so far, Royal," is what RealBkay45 wrote.

"The shorts market is the on-ramp"

Offering short cruises on impressive ships is about bringing more new customers to the market, and that's behind this strategy shift.

In the lead up to the launch of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President CEO Michael Bayley spoke at a conference about the importance of these sailings.

"Please acknowledge and understand that the shorts market is the on-ramp for customers who are new to cruising. It's a way to secure new customers if they end up loving the product."

Maximizing the ports of call

One thing that will change soon is what you can do at these ports on short cruises.

Royal Caribbean is actively working to open its first beach club experience in Nassau, which directly addresses customer complaints about not liking that port.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will open in December 2025 to offer an exclusive retreat to Royal Caribbean passengers.

The club is located near where the cruise ships dock in Nassau, and will have beaches and pools, three swim-up bars, seven beach bars, and more than 40 cabanas.

It's the coup de gras for weekend Bahamas cruises, given the tremendous success of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The hope is while the sailings are short, they offer highly rated ports to compliment award winning ships.

We are just four months from the launch of Star of the Seas, and the ship is quickly taking form as it readies to debut.

This isn't just another new ship, it's the highly-anticipated follow-up to the incredible Icon of the Seas. Icon set a new standard for all cruise ships, and similar to a blockbuster movie, the question is can the sequel measure up.

Royal Caribbean is still working on the ship as it's under construction in Turku, Finland, but photos appeared online showing much progress is being made.

Instagram user aleksandrjackov shared photos from around the ship as it's being worked on.

If you're like me, you're so excited for the new ship to launch and these photos are a glimpse of what's coming.

Building on Icon's success

One thing you'll notice about Star of the Seas is just how much it continues with what worked the first time with Icon of the Seas.

Both ships started construction around the same time, similar to how Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas did two decades ago.

We'll know more once the ship allows the public onboard, but we can expect a number of tweaks and enhancements from Icon.

One thing that's clear from the photos is how much progress has already been made on the ship.

While the Royal Promenade is still being worked on, it has the look of being what we'd expect once it opens.

This is the area of the ship you'll first encounter when you board Star of the Seas.

Compared to other Royal Caribbean ships, the Royal Promenade on Icon is different in size and scope. At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade is longer than a football field,

It's two decks high and also has ocean views with floor-to-ceiling windows.

One change we can't see yet is The Pearl, which Royal Caribbean said would be visually improved.

The Pearl on Icon of the Seas

This three-deck high sphere is a multi-sensory experience built with 3,000 kinetic tiles. 

Expect multi-color rings, which provides richer color that extends throughout the iconic feature of this ship class.

Of course, it's also home to Giovanni's Table and Spotlight Karaoke.

The placement of Giovanni's on the Royal Promenade was a controversial change given they moved it to such a public and loud space.

It's a bold idea, but it does offer a great people watching wine bar that comes with it.

Down on the first level of the Promenade is the English Pub, and it's one of my go-to spots each evening.

The family vacation alternative to Orlando

Star of the Seas isn't just a new cruise ship to make you think twice about other ships, it's being positioned to compete with the family vacation capital.

Royal Caribbean is homeporting Star of the Seas in Port Canaveral, which is less than an hour from the Orlando theme parks.

Success for this new ship is defined as luring new cruisers to try a cruise at the expense of a Disney World or Universal Studios trip.

Cruises offer a better value proposition than land resorts, but it also is packed with lots for families to love.

The new ship has an entire waterpark onboard and will have a revamped family area.

Royal Caribbean is updating the Surfside neighborhood and will tweak its offering to appeal to older school kids.

Plus, the kids club areas are getting freshened up as well.

When you add in the incredible shows and entertainment, Royal Caribbean thinks they have the perfect array of ways to have fun every day of the cruise.

One of the best enhancements Royal Caribbean has made to its pre-cruise planning has been extended.

Specialty dining has long been one of the most popular add-ons for a cruise. Royal Caribbean has invested heavily in offering new cuisines and experiences for its customers to enjoy. Going beyond the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, some cruisers want different dining choices.

Dining packages aren't new, but for the longest time there was a major caveat that you had to wait until you boarded the ship to book restaurant reservations.

Luckily, all that changed last year when Royal Caribbean introduced a way to book individual restaurant times with the Unlimited Dining Package before the cruise began.

However, it left one package unavailable to pre-book.

Royal Caribbean extends functionality to the 3-night dining package

In addition to being able to pre-book restaurants with the Unlimited Dining Package, that option now works with the three night dining package.

Up until now, it was just the Unlimited Dining Package that offered it.

RCB reader Steve Wilson alerted us to the new option, and here's how it works:

Login into Royal Caribbean's website and go to the Cruise Planner for your sailing.

Go to the Dining section, and choose the Unlimited Dining Package.

Click the Reserve button and then select the people you want the package for, and click add to cart.  At this point, you wait for each day's options to open up, with the ability to select times for each restaurant.

Be sure to follow through and make payment for the dining package to lock in your day and times.

You'll have the choice to make reservations for dinner or lunch (when available), and it even indicates which times are available and which are sold out.

Just as before, it appears you cannot pre-reserve restaurants if you have already booked the dining package previously. You could cancel and rebook the dining package, but you'd be subject to the prevailing rates for it.

This new functionality still doesn't work with the Chops Grille + Your Choice option.

In our testing, I also noticed it doesn't yet work with Star of the Seas.

A major improvement for cruisers

With the addition of the three night package to become pre-bookable, it reduces stress for guests looking to lock in their reservations.

Because you couldn’t make any dining reservations until you boarded the ship under the old system, it created anxiety about getting times.

Worse yet, it added an errand to do once onboard the ship.  This often lead to long lines at restaurants with people trying to book reservations.

Embarkation day is busy to begin with, but Royal Caribbean did not want its guests running around the ship on the first day of their vacation doing a task like this. They want them to start off their trip enjoying it all. 

With the ability to pre-reserve restaurants, it makes embarkation day much easier and makes purchasing a dining package much more compelling.

Having seen how helpful the change was with the Unlimited package, the fact the 3 night package can now enjoy this functionality is a big win for cruise fans.

I'm all for eliminating pain points, especially on the first day of the cruise when it feels the most difficult to get into vacation mode because so much is happening.

Unlimited Dining Package vs. 3 Night Dining Package

Which dining package makes more sense to buy?

Both dining packages can save you money compared to trying to book individual restaurants on your own. Think of it like a bulk discount, where Royal Caribbean is incentivizing you to eat at more specialty restaurants in exchange for a reduced price.

The question of which dining package depends largely on your preferences and which ship you are sailing on.

The bigger, newer ships have more specialty restaurant choices. Plus, they also have the newest dining concepts offered. 

While smaller ships may not have as much variety, they still offer dining choices that go beyond the complimentary options.

If you're planning to eat at more than two specialty restaurants on your cruise, there's a good chance a dining package will save you money.

Be aware that both packages have surcharges at certain restaurants that you'll have to pay on top of the dining package price:

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

For ships with the following venues with a la carte pricing, you’ll receive a $20 food credit: 

• English Pub
• Fish & Ships
• Giovanni’s Wine Bar
• Playmakers
• Portside BBQ
• Trellis Bar
• Vintages
• Izumi in the Park: you’ll receive a $10 food credit. 

Children ages 0-5 are complimentary.

The choice to go with the Unlimited Dining Package means you're effectively forgoing the included meals.

I usually consider which specialty restaurants are available on the ship, and how much repetition I'm willing to accept. 

The advantage of the 3 Night Dining Package is you can delve into a few nights out at specialty dining, but still return to the free options.

The Unlimited Dining Package is great for trying every restaurant on the ship, especially if you're new to cruising.