Royal Caribbean Blog

I love to cruise on Royal Caribbean, and in 2024 I got to cruise the most I've ever done in one year.

This year, I've been on a ship for 70 nights (and have another couple days left before the year ends).

Because I live in Florida, it's logistically easier to get on a cruise ship given how close the major ports are to where I live. Nonetheless, I also flew to New York and Europe to go on cruises in order to expand my options.

After so many cruises, you might think things would get rather repetitive, but I relish certain cruising traditions that I feel obliged to do every time.

On nearly every trip, I have some absolute must-dos that I simply can't skip. No matter how much I cruise, these are the six things that never get old.

Go to the Windjammer for my first meal onboard

It just doesn't feel like a Royal Caribbean cruise to me unless I start things off with lunch in the Windjammer buffet.

While I do occasionally hit up a specialty restaurant first (such as when I have a dining package), I still prefer lunch at the ship's buffet.

This is a cruising tradition going back to my very first Royal Caribbean cruise on Explorer of the Seas. I distinctly remember going to the Windjammer with my family and being amazed how much variety there was.

Besides nostalgia, I don't usually eat breakfast, so by the time I get going and on the ship, I'm pretty hungry and ready for a meal.

While the buffet can get busy on embarkation day, I try to go there before noon to beat the worst of the crowds.

With a belly full of food, I'm ready to start any cruise.

Spend my evenings in the pub with great music

When Royal Caribbean Blog readers ask me where to find me on a ship, I always tell them there's a good chance I'll be in the English Pub most nights.

You'll find a pub on nearly all the ships in the fleet, and they play the kind of bar music hits on a guitar that I really enjoy.

Basically, these are songs you likely know all the words to and likely have heard in many bars before.

Pub singers come in all styles, but my favorite this year had to be Kevin Phillip while he performed on Icon of the Seas.  I'd book a cruise if I knew he was performing on it, because of how talented and engaging with the crowd he is.

The rare exception is when I'm on Utopia of the Seas and the Country Trio is playing, and then I'll skip the pub and head up to the Mason Jar bar.

Seek out my favorite foods

Royal Caribbean executives have said the top two reasons most people go on a cruise is for the destinations and the food, and I can certify I love to cruise for the food too.

Depending on the itinerary, ship, and who I'm cruising with, I'll dine at a variety of restaurants on Royal Caribbean that are included and cost extra.

My wife will attest to the fact I go out of my way to find my all-time favorite Royal Caribbean foods.

In no particular order, here's my cruise ship must-eats:

• French onion soup from the Main Dining Room or Coastal Kitchen
• Popcorn
• Sushi from Izumi
• Indian curry from the Windjammer
• Asian stir fry from the cooking station in the Windjammer

These are deeply satisfying foods that I could probably eat every single day. I'm pretty sure on some cruises this year I did eat one of these every day.

There are other foods I love too, but this is the list of what I can find and seek out on pretty much every ship.

Try to plan at least one epic shore excursion

I'm not sure when this started, but one way I like to spice up any cruise I take is to plan a really fun shore excursion.

I think this was born out of visiting a port of call many times over the course of my cruising career, but I try to book a tour, cabana, private boat, or something else that truly stands out.

It's easy to fall into the same routine on cruises, especially as you repeat itineraries.  So as a way to mix it up and also treat my family, I look for ways to do something a little different.

Royal Caribbean is fond of saying their ships are all about making memories for their guests, and I like to apply that mantra to my own plans. My kids may not remember the umpteenth time we sailed on Mariner of the Seas, but they definitely remember when we do something extraordinary.

Some examples from this year include:

• Chartering a catamaran in Bermuda
• Snorkeling in St. John
• Staying in an Airbnb in London

If you want an easy but really fun shore excursion idea, look into chartering a boat. Whether it's a catamaran, fishing boat, or yacht, they are plentiful and never disappoint.

Take a nap

Call me old, call me boring, but I don't care. I love to nap on a cruise.

I don't usually sleep in, but right after lunch on a sea day, I usually feel a knack to lay down and take a break.

It's not only relaxing, but napping allows me to (probably) stay up later if I'm well rested.

Start planning my next cruise

As the cruise starts to wind down and we approach the last day or two of the sailing, I'll begin looking forward to my next sailing.

I think this is a coping mechanism for dealing with the end of a fun vacation, so starting to look at shore excursions or dining plans is a good distraction.

I'll also take this opportunity to see which of our friends or family could potentially join us.  After all, cruising is more fun with friends!

If you love to cruise on Royal Caribbean, you'll want to mark your calendars in 2025 for the top event of the year.

Each year there are compelling cruises to consider booking, but there's one cruise that Royal Caribbean hosts that gets the most attention for good reason.

The President's Cruise is an annual tradition, where Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley sails on a specific sailing with the open invitation for cruise line fans to join him.

It might seem like a strange idea to go on a cruise specifically to be on a ship with the CEO and other cruise fans, but it's essentially a giant celebration of cruising.

Think of it like the Comic-Con of cruising, where people the super fans come out to see and be seen.

When is Royal Caribbean's President's Cruise in 2025?

Let's get right to it: the next President's Cruise is already scheduled for 2025.

It will be held on Utopia of the Seas on the September 22, 2025 sailing. That's a 4-night Bahamas cruise that sails from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

What makes the President's Cruise special?

To understand the appeal of going on a President's Cruise, you have to love cruising on Royal Caribbean. A lot.

The annual event began as a celebration of all things Royal Caribbean and the people that love sailing on the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean is not only one of the biggest cruise lines in the world, it's also incredibly popular. There are passengers that sail with Royal Caribbean dozens of times per year. Some even cruise more than they're on land.

Royal Caribbean has offered a President's Cruise for the past few years, and each year has seemingly been outdone by the previous year with special events, giveaways, and guest stars.

Of course, Mr. Bayley is sailing onboard the ship and there are opportunities to meet him during the sailing. He hosts certain events, and is otherwise around to meet.

A lot of cruisers relish the opportunity to meet him and have a moment to share what they like about the cruise line, as well as hear his thoughts on where the cruise line is headed.

And yes, some will take the chance to bring up issues they see with Royal Caribbean. That's a style he seems to embrace, as Mr. Bayley welcomes feedback.

In addition to Bayley, other top Royal Caribbean executives are onboard as well.  It's basically a who's who of Royal Caribbean's leadership team.

With all those executives onboard, there's extra attention given to just about every facet of the sailing.

And then there are the passengers, many of whom are super cruise line fans.  You won't find a sailing with more top tier Royal Caribbean cruisers that have enormous Crown and Anchor Society point totals.

Special events and surprises

While the President's Cruise is a normal Royal Caribbean sailing, there are a subset of events you can attend that go above and beyond what's typical.

You'll find Q&A sessions that offer behind-the-scenes insights from Royal Caribbean's top brass. There are special performances by musical celebrities, surprise events, and even special shore excursions.

Past musical acts brought on a President's Cruise have included Michael Bolton, Boy George, and Patty LaBelle.

Each day there's usually swag waiting in your cabin that you can't otherwise buy.  Royal Caribbean branded everything, and lots of gifts to bring home.

Why you might be interested

First and foremost, a President's Cruise is going to appeal someone that loves to cruise on Royal Caribbean often.

It's also a one-of-a-kind experience to sail alongside Michael Bayley and other leaders. The access this sort of a cruise provides is really the only opportunity customers have to meet these folks.

Often Mr. Bayley will talk about upcoming ships, innovations, and company plans. 

I think the exclusive events, unique souvenirs, and surprise gifts also factor in highly to consider going. Some of these are published before the cruise commences, but many others are revealed only once the cruise begins.

Then there's the social aspect where the top cruisers get a chance to meet up.

You can meet other die-hard Royal Caribbean fans, and a lot of super cruisers look forward to a President's Cruise like a reunion.

How to book the President's Cruise

Because the September 22, 2025 sailing of Utopia of the Seas is a regular sailing (as opposed to a charter sailing), anyone can book it like any other cruise.

Our preferred travel agency is showing at the time of this article's publishing cabins are still available in all of the four major categories.

An inside cabin starts at $1,213.26 per guest (including taxes and fees).  For two people, the lowest price is $2,426.52. That price would be for a category ZI Interior Stateroom Guarantee, which means Royal Caribbean would pick the cabin assignment.

The cheapest balcony on this sailing is a Central Park View Balcony, which costs $3,372.52 for two people (including taxes and fees).

And if you want to cruise in style, there is still a Two Bedroom AquaTheater Suite that comes with Star Class benefits for $13,572.52 for two guests.

Any Royal Caribbean cruise is likely to sell out sooner or later, so space will be limited and you'll want to book as early as you can before prices go higher and more cabins sell out.

A woman claimed she was on a Royal Caribbean cruise and had an allergic reaction to something she ate, but then refused to pay the high price for medication onboard.

The woman posted a video on TikTok of her swollen face and disdain for the price the cruise ship's medical facility wanted to charge her.

"I've been on the boat for ... not even the full 24 hours and my face is swollen," she said as she took her sunglasses.

She did not say what she ate the triggered the reaction.  She said she said she went to the medical center on her vessel and was told it would cost $390 for Benadryl.

"They do have it, but it costs $390 for them to give me Benadryl," she said.

Cruise ship medical bays have doctors and nurses onboard, and it's effectively a mini urgent care location to treat and triage minor issues.  For major medical issues, the passenger will be taken off the ship to get treatment back on land.

For medical care onboard, they don't accept any insurance.  You have to pay out of pocket and then be reimbursed after the cruise by either your own medical insurance or a travel insurance policy.

Unfortunately, most medical insurance plans don't cover cruise ships because they're outside of their country. 

Luckily for this woman, she said at the end of the video she managed to get Benadryl from another passenger on the ship.

Fierce opinions

The comments for this woman's video exploded with opinions on the matter, as many had differing thoughts of what she should have done in this situation.

Many cruisers talked about how they bring all sorts of over-the-counter medications on vacation with them.

"I take the whole medicine cabinet with me on a cruise because I refuse!," said Deneanne Nicole.

Others recommended asking other passengers, who may have done just that.

"Girl. Go ask folks on the boat. Especially veteran cruisers. They have everything," said Baezivy.

Txfynest recommended, "Go on the Facebook travel group for your boat and ask the group hopefully you’ll be ok till yall port and get something."

Some viewers realized the need to plan ahead as a result of the video, "this is a learning experience for all of us. I need to take meds on my next cruise" gabrielabutcallmegaby commented.

Most of the comments centered around being prepared and bringing the right medications with you, just in case.

In fact, one of the top things cruisers shared they regretted not packing was over-the-counter medication.

No one wants to get sick on vacation, but it happens.

Whether you simply catch a head cold or you have a mild allergic reaction to a bug bite, having a variety of over-the-counter medication can make all the difference. 

The importance of travel insurance

The real debate topic was the importance of travel insurance and how they would have handled the situation.

Toneee22 shared their experience when something similar happened, "I fainted on a cruise was taken 2 the infirmary & my bill came 2 $600. I paid the bill before I left & sent it 2 my insurance company. They reimbursed me $570, so my out of pocket was only the co-pay."

Christina Sanford Hamilton added, "I have travel insurance. Buy it annually and I always take two bags of meds and bathroom stuff."

Travel insurance is technically optional, but it ought to be a must-buy for travelers going on a cruise vacation.

A basic policy from Allianz costs $37 per plan and covers:

• Flight, hotel, and vacation-rental cancellations
• Meal and transportation expenses during delays
• Rental-car insurance
• Medical expenses, including evacuations

The exact cost will depend on how long the trip is, the age of the cruisers, add-on coverages, and other considerations.

Travel insurance also covers you for a last-minute need to cancel a cruise, such as a death in the family or loss of a job.

The best way to compare insurance plans is to go through a travel insurance aggregator. 

My two favorite options are InsureMyTrip.com and TravelInsurance.com. 

Both charge you nothing extra to use their services, so it's free to browse. Plus, they offer ways to compare specific plans from different travel insurance companies against each other.

You probably won't actually need the travel insurance, but if you do, you never want to be in a situation where you're debating getting the health care you need versus the out of pocket costs.

According to a report, a passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was detained for allegedly being violent towards crew members on his ship, and then died shortly after.

Fox 11 reports the passenger is being identified as Michael Virgil, and his family claims he died shortly after being injected "with some sort of sedative."

A video showed the man attempting to break down the door of a cabin, along with threatening other passengers and assaulting two crew members.

The incident took place on Navigator of the Seas as it was about to start a cruise from Los Angeles (San Pedro) to Ensenada, Mexico.

According to the report, Virgil allegedly kicked one Royal Caribbean crew member in the face and punched the other.

Christifer Mikhail told FOX 11, "The gentleman that was drunk said that he was gonna kill us, and then he started chasing us down the hallway."

Mikhail sailed that the crew member who was punched was hit with such force that he "flew a couple feet back."

Several Royal Caribbean security team members were able to eventually detain a tired-out Virgil by using zip ties, handcuffs and either bear or pepper spray, according to the bystander and his video.

Virgil's family says he was injected with a sedative and died within an hour.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the man's passing in a statement to Fox 11, "We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests."

"We offered support to the family and are working with authorities on their investigation."

Virgil’s devastated family told FOX 11 that his shocking outburst was uncharacteristic of the dad, who was on the cruise with his 7-year-old autistic son and his fiancé.

“He didn’t deserve to die over it,” a relative told the station.

FBI investigation has begun

The FBI is now involved in the case and is investigating the fight and death. An autopsy will be performed.

The FBI’s Los Angeles field office issued a statement to USA Today confirming their agency responded as the cruise ship returned to dock on Monday.

The FBI did not have additional specifics to share in regards to how they'll conduct the investigation.

The FBI website describes their jurisdiction on cruise ship incidents as "complicated", "Cruise ship criminal jurisdiction is complicated, and keeping U.S. passengers safe at sea presents unique challenges."

The issue is related to the fact cruise ships are registered in foreign countries and crimes occur in international waters.  Plus, the passengers and crew members may be from foreign countries.

So if there's a crime, other countries may want to investigate it too.

The location of the vessel, the nationality of the suspect or victim, the ownership of the vessel, the points of embarkation and debarkation, and the country where the vessel is registered all determine the FBI’s role and ability to investigate.

Cruisers reactions

News of the incident and the man's subsequent death spread across the internet quickly, with differing opinions on the situation.

On Facebook, many cruisers offered their own speculation as to what could have happened to cause the man to die so quickly.

Michael Snyder posted, "Leaving ugly comments won’t change the facts of this, the guy was out of control but his family he left behind are suffering his loss and very likely embarrassed by his actions no matter what caused them. The people he threatened and assaulted also suffered."

Becca Castro added, "Sad that this happened, sad for his family that was on their with him to witness all this and then deal with this."

Security measures on cruise ships

Royal Caribbean has its own security guide, which is required under the the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act.

Every Royal Caribbean ship is staffed with dedicated security and medical teams to respond to alleged crimes. They are onboard, on duty and available at all times. 

According to Royal Caribbean, crime allegations are reported to law enforcement officials in the next port of call, as well as to the nation where their ships are flagged. 

The company also reports allegations of crime to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Coast Guard (USCG), in compliance with United States laws. 

For a crime such as the man allegedly assaulting with serious bodily injury, US federal law requires Royal Caribbean to report the incident to the FBI by telephone as soon as possible, to the United States Department of Homeland Security electronically and to the USCG in writing. 

A crew member went overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, cruisers have posted online.

Photos have been shared of rescue craft in the ocean near the ship, attempting to locate the person.

UPDATE: The person has been identified as a crew member.

Guests sailing on Vision of the Seas shared updates they received, "it’s certainly a sad day.  We lost a crew member yesterday.  Search went on for about 6-7 hrs, before the Coast Guard could get here and take over," said Gwendolyn Salzman on a Facebook post.

A Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson issued a statement, "We immediately launched a search and rescue effort and are working with authorities. We are also providing support and assistance to our crew’s family during this difficult time. To respect the privacy of our employee, we have no additional details to share."

Original story below.

The incident has occurred near the conclusion of a Southern Caribbean cruise on Vision of the Seas.

Lori Green, who is sailing on Vision of the Seas, posted on Facebook, "Code “OSCAR” (man overboard) just announced on Vision of the Seas.  Search and rescue has been deployed."

Reddit user blazinearth also took a photo of the search efforts, "Sending my thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time."

The report of the passenger overboard occurred around 1pm on Tuesday evening, as the ship was making its way back to Baltimore, Maryland.

At 7pm, a passenger posted on a Facebook page an update that the search is still ongoing, "Still searching for the person who went overboard.  Coast Guard is here now and Captain said at some point the [Coast Guard] will take over the search."

The United States Coast Guard often steps in to help for a man overboard situation. They can run air and naval searches while the cruise ship uses its small craft to assist.

Vision of the Seas is sailing a 12 Night Southern Caribbean cruise that began in Baltimore.

This is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest and smallest cruise ships.

The 1997-built ship offers cruises year-round from Baltimore to Bermuda, The Bahamas, Caribbean and Florida. 

Safety at sea

The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are extremely low.

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.

In addition, there are thick metal or Plexiglas panels or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent people from slipping through. 

When a man overboard situation occurs, the media usually reports on it and it leads some to wonder how it could happen in the first place.

An article from The Points Guy points out cruise ships have railings that are around chest height to ensure passenger safety and to prevent someone from slipping and falling overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to. It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Passengers going overboard are rare

The chances of a cruise ship passenger going overboard are quite low, but it does occasionally happen.

In a report from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), there were 212 identified overboard incidents from cruise ships for either crew members or passengers between 2009 to 2019. 

Of these overboard incidents, only 48 (or 28.2%) individuals were successfully rescued. Around 71.8% of people who go overboard from cruise ships are sadly never recovered or located. 

The CLIA report also shows an overall decline in overboard incidents throughout the 10-year period. The overboard incident rate decreased 64% from 2009 to 2019, with an incidence rate of 0.00004 overboard reports per active lower berth in 2019.

The report states, “When compared with the growth in capacity in the industry over the study years, man overboard incidents continue on a downward trend.” 

An unruly Royal Caribbean passenger terrorized other guests and crew members shortly after departing from California. 

UPDATE: The man was detained and died shortly thereafter.

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

The 139,999 gross registered ton vessel had departed San Pedro, California, and was bound for Ensenada, Mexico when the incident occurred. 

"The gentleman that was drunk said that he was gonna kill us, and then he started chasing us down the hallway," Christifer Mikhail told FOX 11. 

Mikhail was sailing aboard Navigator to celebrate his and his wife's birthdays and anniversary. They were traveling with a dozen family and friends. 

Less than an hour after departing San Pedro, Mikhail tried to return to his stateroom to charge his phone and grab a jacket to watch a movie on the pool deck when he encountered the rowdy guest. 

"I was waiting for them to say cut and come out of the rooms," he remarked, "I was kinda scared [because] I was like, 'Dude, I'm stuck in this hallway [and] everyone else is kind of behind something.'" 

The disruptive passenger kicked a crew member in the face and punched another. Mikhail sailed that the crew member who was punched was hit with such force that he "flew a couple feet back."

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

"[They] kinda acted like [a] SWAT team and set up a barrier and then they attacked, so they just waited for him to kind of run out of energy," Mikhail recalled. 

Though the unidentified passenger was no longer at risk of harming Mikhail, the incident followed him throughout the rest of the cruise, as he had to speak with Royal Caribbean management and the FBI about the ordeal. 

The guest spent the cruise in one of the ship's two jail cells. "He kind of ruined [the vacation] for his family," said Mikhail. 

What happens when guests get violent on cruise ships?

Though Royal Caribbean hasn't issued a statement about the incident, it's safe to assume the passenger will be banned from sailing with the cruise line again. 

Earlier this year, a group of guests sailing aboard Carnival Paradise was banned after an argument turned into a violent fight in the ship's buffet. 

The footage, which Nick Richardson uploaded to YouTube and TikTok, depicts about 10 to 15 passengers screaming, slapping, and tackling one another to the floor. Things escalated even further when guests began throwing chairs. 

In an emailed statement to USA Today, Carnival confirmed the fight took place onboard Carnival Paradise. 

“Carnival Paradise’s security team intervened in an incident that took place on June 6. As is our policy, we will not tolerate such behavior and the guests involved were fined and will not sail on Carnival Cruise Line again," Matt Lupoli said in the statement. 

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. 

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

Navigator of the Seas is a Voyager Class ship that sails out of California year-round

The 3,968-passenger ship offers voyages ranging from 3 to 8 nights. 

The shortest cruises visit Ensenada, Mexico, while the longer ones sail to the Mexican Riviera, calling at ports like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán. 

Read more: What it's like to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's most luxurious and expensive suites now come with a few extra costs.

Star Class is the upper most echelon of Royal Caribbean's suite program, where you get the biggest suites at sea, the services of a Royal Genie, and as much included in your cruise fare as you'll find on the cruise line.

However, the cruise line has changed what's included with the Star Class experience by adding surcharges to six restaurants.

While never a true all-inclusive experience, Star Class includes the most amenities. Guests receive complimentary specialty restaurant dining, a Deluxe beverage package (for all guests 21 and older) or Refreshment package (for anyone not legal to drink), minibar stocked with soda and water, laundry and pressing, and gratuities.

Regarding the complimentary specialty restaurant dining, there's now more added fees that come with it.

While sailing on Utopia of the Seas, our Royal Genie alerted us to extra costs at specialty restaurants to be aware of for cruises booked after November 1:

• Royal Railway: $49.99+18% adults/ $24.99+18% kids surcharge
• Izumi in the Park: $10 credit a day per person (instead of unlimited)
• Playmakers: $20 food credit per day per person (instead of unlimited)
• Chef's Table: $50.00+18% cover charge
• Izumi Omakase: $60.00+18% per person
• Izumi Hibachi: $15.00+18% surcharge

The language on what's included with Star Class on Royal Caribbean's website has also been revised.

Original information

Updated information

To be fair, Star Class has never been truly all-inclusive, and there have been certain experiences that cost extra. These new surcharges add costs on top of a very pricey cruise experience.

Because Star Class cabins are the largest you'll find and include the most options, they're the most expensive.  You can expect the cheapest Star Class cabin on a 3-night cruise to begin at $10,000.

For a 7-night cruise, many Star Class suites cost between $25,000 and $50,000. 

The three-story "Ultimate Family Townhouse" on Icon of the Seas has sold for as much as $80,000.

Should it be included?

Charging extra for some food while paying for the Star Class experience is a hot debated topic among cruise fans.

In the Star Class Cruisers Facebook group, there's a level of frustration when having to pay more for these restaurants.

"So disappointing!," is what Lance Shalit posted. "Just charge me a little extra for the room and make everything included, even downloadable photos."

"That’s absolutely ridiculous. My last Star class sailing, I spent almost $30,000 on 3-night cruise. To get nickel and dimed like that for specialty dining is a dealbreaker," wrote Amanda Mann.

Erin wrote, "one of the best benefits is not being my families vacation genie and not worrying about anything. The cost has increased and with the decrease in benefits, it is no longer justified."

Anna Janke posted, "I just simply don't understand the dining upcharged. When the room is costing tens of thousands of dollars if Royal truly believes they need the extra pennies to cover specialty dining just increase the room price by $500 or so and nobody would probably even notice."

What's appealing about Star Class?

If you've never experienced Star Class, it's essentially the "easy button" for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Available only on the cruise line's newest biggest cruise ships, it's a suite program that blends all-inclusive, butler service, and giant suites.

First and foremost, you'll find the biggest suites in Star Class. These suites can span two or three decks, and have multiple bedrooms, private hot tub, and other impressive amenities not found in other cruise ship cabins.

The Ultimate Family Suite is a great example of the sort of experience found within Star Class, as it includes just about everything a family would want during their cruise.

Movie room, PlayStation 5, hot tub, cozy couch, in-room slide, and stocked mini-bar make this cabin extremely fun.

If opulence is more your style, perhaps the Royal Loft Suite will suit your needs.

You'll find hardwood floors, a baby grand piano, marble furnishings, wet bar on the balcony, and the biggest cruise ship shower I've ever seen.

Regardless of which Star Class cabin you pick, they all come with the services of the Royal Genie.

The Genie is best described as your wish maker. They're not quite a traditional cruise ship suite butler, but they do a lot of the things a butler can do and more.

Genies can arrange just about everything you need on the ship. In many cases, they'll allow you to bypass the line and enjoy everything with no wait.

They can get you in for a FlowRider, laser tag, or Ultimate Abyss session without having to wait in line.  They can book specialty restaurants, have food from specialty restaurants delivered to your suite, and even set up a cocktail party on your balcony.

What makes Star Class so appealing is how easy the cruise becomes to manage and enjoy. Anyone can have a great cruise without staying in Star Class, but this is the way to make it as easy as possible.

Even cruisers who are low maintenance have told me how special being in Star Class can be, and having those extras included made their cruise feel extra special.

Crew members travel very differently than guests aboard crew ships. They have separate dining facilities, fitness centers, laundry rooms, and smaller cabins. Though life at sea for crew members isn't as glamorous as it is for passengers, plenty of rewards come with the job. 

Ella, a dancer in Mamma Mia on Allure of the Seas, had a recent TikTok video offering a glimpse into her windowless cabin go viral, with over 1.4 million views and 44k likes. It sparked curiosity about what life is really like behind the scenes on a cruise ship.

"Have you ever wondered what a crew cabin on a cruise ship looks like?" she asks. 

The dancer shares the cabin with a fellow cast member

Ella and her roommate Samara prioritized making their small space cozy with tons of pictures on the walls, fake plants, and pineapple string lights—fitting as the ship is currently sailing to The Bahamas from Florida. 

"We wanted to really make our cabin look cozy because obviously when you're living here for nine months at a time, you want it to feel as homely as possible," Ella explains. 

The video also shows how Ella and her roommate utilize the cabin's magnetic walls by hanging up small magnetic hooks for their jewelry and shelves for more storage. 

Read more: I stayed in an inside cabin for 5 nights on a cruise ship. The lack of natural light was worse than expected

Because the cabin is windowless, Ella talks about the importance of their sunrise alarm clock: "This is our sunrise alarm clock, which is an absolute lifesaver because we don't have a porthole, so we never see natural light...this turns itself on in the morning, so we at least don't wake up in the pitch black every day." 

Another must-have item is her hanging shoe organizer. It's no surprise that their stateroom isn't the largest. To increase the amount of available floor space, Ella and Samara keep their shoes neatly arranged in the hanging organizer on the back of their door.

"If you are looking to do a cruise ship in the future, a shoe rack on the back of your door is an absolute essential because you are going to need to save that space in your cabin," she remarks. 

They also purchased two matching drawer towers for more storage space since they share a single wardrobe. Though she doesn't give viewers a peek into the closet, she shows her "bits and bobs" drawer where she keeps things like her sunglasses and wallet, and her snack drawer. 

Ella also talks about her recent whiteboard obsession, showing a smaller whiteboard with the roommates' weekly schedule, as well as a larger one with their monthly schedule and a whiteboard with a countdown until she returns home. 

When she posted the video, she had 21 weeks left onboard Allure of the Seas, meaning her contract is scheduled to end around the end of February—assuming she posted the TikTok around the same time it was filmed. 

Whiteboards have become popular cabin door decorations for passengers, too. While they don't serve as practical a purpose as they do for crew members, they can be used to leave messages for other travelers. Some guests will even ask daily questions for others to respond to, such as where you're from, your favorite port of call, and more. 

They also have a coffee corner in their cabin that's home to cute mugs, instant coffee from Trader Joe's, and coffee beans to brew a fresh cup. 

Above their coffee station is a bookshelf piled high with books to read during their downtime. 

At night, Ella transforms the space into a cozy retreat by adjusting the mood lighting. "Here's my bed," she says, "It's so cute and cozy. I've got my LED lights...and I've packed my walls with photos of my family, my friends, [and] my boyfriend." 

There's also a television screen at the foot of each bed with "loads of movies and TV shows to choose from." 

Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas

Tiny yet functional bathroom

Ella doesn't spend much time in the bathroom, claiming it's not very exciting. Overall, it is a standard crew bathroom. It has everything they need, but it's a far cry from a luxury bathroom. 

They have a capsule shower with a curtain instead of a plexiglass door. The sink is also much smaller compared to guest cabins, with counter space noticeably absent. 

One thing she does emphasize is the importance of a filtered shower head "because the water on ships really dries your hair [out]." 

Read more: I paid $830 for a cheap tiny and windowless cabin on Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship launched in 2010

The 225,282 gross registered ton ship will undergo a $100 million-plus renovation in March 2025. 

Once the drydock is complete, the amplified Allure of the Seas will feature a redesigned resort-style pool deck, Ultimate Abyss dry slide, Perfect Storm waterslides, Splashaway Bay, Pesky Parrot Bar, two new specialty restaurants, El Loco Fresh, an escape room, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the Ultimate Panoramic Suite, and revamped Adventure Ocean spaces. 

Following the renovation, Allure of the Seas will remain in Europe for the summer 2025 season, a first since 2015. She'll sail from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) on 7-night cruises to Spain, France, and Italy. 

Royal Caribbean has announced some exciting changes and updates this week.

While there can be big news reveals some days, such as the Royal Beach Club announcement last week, other times we get minor bits of news worth sharing too.

In trying to capture it all, here's a run-through of what's new in Royal Caribbean over the last few days.

Updated casino exclusion program

Royal Caribbean has updated its exclusion program details to make it a bit easier.

The exclusion program allows someone to prevent themselves from gambling in the ship's casino.  Usually it's because that person has a gambling problem and needs a preventative measure in place.

You might be unfamiliar with this option, because the old program was not advertised, and it you did enroll, you would be banned from sailing on all Royal Caribbean ships.  

Under the new program, there's an option for a one year ban or a lifetime ban from the casino.

To request a review of a lifetime ban, the casino requires at least a year to have elapsed before that request can be considered.

Once enrolled, the casino team will refuse your wagers.  If you were somehow able to gamble, you would be ineligible to collect any winnings or recover any losses.

Thanks to Bryan for sharing this update with us.

Royal Beach Club construction photos

With Royal Caribbean revealing the first Royal Beach Club will open in The Bahamas in December 2025, you might be curious how it looks now.

I was sailing on Utopia of the Seas this weekend and have these photos from our visit to Nassau that were taken on December 14.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to open in December 2025 and will come at an extra cost for passengers, providing a day pass to experience pools, food, and games.

It covers 17 acres of land, offering two stunning beaches, three pools, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and an array of dining and drinking options. 

All-inclusive day passes and cabanas for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be available for purchase starting in spring 2025.

Don't forget, this is just one of three beach clubs currently planned.

They've got a Royal Beach Club going to Cozumel, Mexico, and Vanuatu.

Beach clubs are like a "super shore excursion" that aims to offer an elevated beach day experience for passengers who want a beach day with Royal Caribbean's standards in place.

Plus, the beach club will address a decades long problem of poor customer feedback regarding Nassau.

On top of that, Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 to offer the cruise line's third private beach destination.

Beverage change update

Reports began circulating last week that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.

As it turns out, the rumor was half-true.

A post from Royal Caribbean in reply to a disgruntled cruiser explained what the change affects.

"We're sorry for any confusion. Kindly note, this policy does not apply to non-alcoholic beverages, such as canned sodas and bottled water. Only alcoholic drinks."

This means drinks ordered with a drink voucher from the Crown and Anchor Society benefits that begin at the Diamond Level will have to be opened for the guest.  Ditto for cans of beer ordered with a drink package.

So if you order a can of beer, expect it to be opened for you, regardless of if you want it to be opened or not.

Many cruise ship cabins are cramped and compact, but one Royal Caribbean suite is anything but.

During a 3-night getaway on Utopia of the Seas—Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship—I tried something I had never booked before: a Star Class cabin.

Star Class is the highest tier of the cruise line’s lucrative Royal Suite Class. The program offers top-of-the-line benefits for suite passengers on Royal Caribbean’s newer vessels.

Related: A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class on Royal Caribbean

With benefits like an included Deluxe Beverage Package, Ultimate Dining Package, reserved spots at entertainment shows and activities, and all-day access to a private, suites-only neighborhood, Star Class provides a cruise experience unlike any other.

Best of all, though, Star Class passengers can utilize the services of a Royal Genie, a crew member who provides personalized experiences onboard.

Acting as somewhat of a concierge, Royal Genies can escort guests around the ship, plan their cruise schedule, reserve tables at venues, and organize in-room dining experiences, among other services.

It’s no secret that Star Class suites are expensive, but one is usually cheaper than the rest

Unsurprisingly, Star Class suites come with a hefty price tag. You can easily expect to pay around $10,000-20,000 for a Star Class suite on a short cruise, with even steeper prices on 7-night itineraries.

Like any Royal Caribbean cabin, the exact price of a Star Class suite varies based on the time of year you book the cruise, along with the type of Star Class suite booked. The most expensive suites, such as the Ultimate Family Suite and Royal Loft Suite, can cost over $50,000 for a 7-night cruise.

One Star Class cabin, on the other hand, is priced more reasonably—the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite.

On the aft of every Oasis Class cruise ship is the AquaTheater entertainment venue. If you look to either side of the AquaTheater, you’ll see sprawling balconies, which belong to the ship’s AquaTheater suites.

These suites are highly sought-after while cruising on Oasis Class ships, as they offer not only the aforementioned suite benefits, but also access to some of the most impressive balconies onboard.

There are both 1 and 2-bedroom AquaTheater suites onboard these vessels, but only the 2-bedroom suites belong to Star Class. These are almost always the cheapest Star Class suites offered, particularly the cabins on deck 9, which are slightly smaller than those found a deck below.

On my recent Utopia of the Seas cruise, I spent three nights in a 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite. At just over $11,000 with three guests in the cabin, it was the cheapest Star Class cabin available to book onboard.

Take a tour through the coveted 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite

Entering the cabin, you are welcomed by a spacious entryway, complete with a mirror and decorative table.

Immediately upon entering, guests will notice the spacious living room.

A cozy couch and chair make for an excellent lounging space, complete with a coffee table in the middle. The couch can be converted into a double bed when traveling with extra guests.

From the couch, guests can enjoy the living room’s television. For Star Class passengers, a selection of movies are included in their cruise fare.

Under the television is shelving, which features a Lavazza Espresso machine along with additional complimentary beverages.

A mini fridge is found here, too, which comes stocked with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Because the suite includes a Deluxe Beverage Package, you will find Coca-Cola souvenir cups in the cabin as well. These can be used at Coca-Cola Freestyle machines around the ship.

Next up is the dining table, and Star Class guests may find this quite useful during their time onboard. Because room service—including from specialty restaurants—is included, many passengers enjoy meals from the comfort of their cabin.

Lastly, the living room also features floor-to-ceiling closets which include shelving. Because Utopia of the Seas only sails short 3 and 4-night cruises, guests may find there is more storage than necessary. That being said, the closets can still be useful for storing items like luggage and shoes.

Primary Bedroom

The primary bedroom in the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite is spacious and opulent. A king-sized bed dominates the room, with a comfortable ottoman placed at the foot of the bed.

The bed is topped with a luxury pillow top mattress, making it noticeably more plush than those in more basic cabins onboard.

Guests can find nightstands with storage and charging outlets on either side of the bed.

One wall of the bedroom features two large closets and full-length mirrors. Inside the closets is hanging space along with shelving and the cabin’s safe.

On the other side of the room is a vanity and a door directly to the balcony.

Inside the master bedroom is a bathroom.

The bathroom comes with several upgraded features compared to bathrooms in standard cruise cabins, including a bathtub and upgraded toiletries.

Second Bedroom

As the name implies, the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite also features a second bedroom. This room can accommodate four passengers, as it has both a king-sized bed and two twin-sized pullman beds that can be pulled down from the wall. Nightstands and charging outlets are found on each side of the king-sized bed.

One wall of the bedroom is lined with a desk, drawers, closets, and a television. Storage is abundant, as are outlets, with four USB plugs along with two American-style and one European-style outlet along the desk alone.

There are no windows in the second bedroom, which effectively makes it an interior stateroom. Knowing this, passengers can expect to sleep soundly given the room’s pitch black conditions at night.

While the second bedroom doesn’t have its own ensuite bathroom, the suite has a second bathroom near the living room.

This bathroom includes upgraded toiletries, but it does not have a bathtub.

AquaTheater Suite Balcony

Of course, the pièce de résistance of the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite is the wraparound balcony. Even though there are over 1,400 balcony cabins on Utopia of the Seas, few compare to those in AquaTheater suites.

The balcony wraps around the cabin’s exterior, forming a corner of Utopia of the Seas. Nearest to the primary bedroom are two padded lounge chairs.

In the widest balcony space you will find a 6-seat dining table and two reclining pool chairs.

This area looks over the AquaTheater, offering the perfect view for these impressive acrobatic and diving performances.

Another two chairs are placed in this area for optimal viewing.

If you want to try Star Class, the 2-bedroom AquaTheater Suite could be your best bet

Royal Caribbean’s Star Class offers a personalized, all-inclusive cruise experience unlike any other. For those looking to try Star Class on a “budget,” the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite can be a (relatively speaking) cost-effective starting point.

At the end of the day, a Star Class cabin is, unquestionably, a splurge, but the 2-bedroom AquaTheater suite can make that luxury a little more accessible.