Royal Caribbean Blog

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.

Two Royal Caribbean ships had to have a passenger evacuated off the cruise ship for medical reasons.

The US Coast Guard rescued a man experiencing severe abdominal pain from Grandeur of the Seas shortly after the ship began a cruise.

Grandeur of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's oldest cruise ship, and she had departed from Fort Lauderdale to make her way to the Southern Caribbean for a 9-night voyage.

The US Coast Guard Southeast was called in when the 2,440 passenger cruise ship was 40 miles off shore, southeast of Miami.

#Breaking A @USCG Air Station #Miami rescue crew medevaced a 56-year-old male from a cruise ship, 40 miles southeast of Miami, Sat. 

The aircrew transported the individual, who suffered severe abdominal pain to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. #SAR pic.twitter.com/vhey8HT4hm

#Breaking A @USCG Air Station #Miami rescue crew medevaced a 56-year-old male from a cruise ship, 40 miles southeast of Miami, Sat. 

The aircrew transported the individual, who suffered severe abdominal pain to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. #SAR pic.twitter.com/vhey8HT4hm

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) December 14, 2024

A post on X/Twitter showed the rescue efforts after the man was airlifted off the ship.

While medical emergencies may be the last thing cruise-goers want to consider when planning their vacations, the video offers a glimpse into the emergency rescue procedures followed during life-or-death emergencies at sea. 

According to the Coast Guard, the man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami in stable condition.

Grandeur of the Seas then resumed her sailing, heading to Labadee, Haiti.

Another rescue on Radiance of the Seas

On the same day, another Coast Guard unit was requested for assistance on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas.

Radiance was sailing from Tampa, Florida and had also just begun a cruise.  Radiance is sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.

The Coast Guard was alerted when the 2,466 passenger ship was 13 miles west of Anna Maria Island.

The reported issue involved taking a female passenger off the ship, accompanied by her mother & father.

This time, a Coast Guard vessel was dispatched instead of a helicopter.

In a tweet, the Coast Guard said, "The female required higher level care and was transferred to awaiting EMS at Station Cortez."

Following the evacuation, the Royal Caribbean ship resumed her sailing towards the Western Caribbean.

Medical evacuations happen more often than you think

Posts from the US Coast Guard highlight the important work they do in cases of emergencies, and it's a good reminder that health issues can arise anywhere.

Passengers could be taken from a ship for a host of medical issues, such as symptoms of strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, progressive acute illness, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and septic shock. 

Cruise ships are equipped with basic facilities to triage any health issues they encounter until such a time the passenger can be taken off the ship to a full medical facility.

Cruise ship medical centers are probably bigger than you might think, but their function is to offer necessary treatments and if a patient has a more serious condition, get them off the ship so they can receive the full range of treatments they require.

All cruise ships have standards set by the American College of Emergency Physicians in how patients are treated onboard, as well as experience levels, certifications, and skills of the doctors and clinical staff onboard. 

Medical staff varies by ship size, but Royal Caribbean ships typically have at least 2 doctors and 4 nurses onboard.

Medical evacuations are expensive

This pair of medevacs are a good reminder how important travel insurance is for anyone going on a cruise.

Most travel insurance plans include some level of Medical Evacuation & Repatriation coverage.

While the Coast Guard conducted these rescues, sometimes it can be done using an air ambulance, a commercial airline, or other ground transportation vehicles fitted with medical equipment. 

According to the CDC, a medical air evacuation can cost between $25,000 to more than $250,000.

Remember, most primary health insurance plans, such as Medicare or an employer sponsored plan, do not provide coverage outside the United States. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends someone going on a cruise ship have a travel insurance plan that has at least $250,000 in emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. 

Despite having been on 13 Royal Caribbean cruises, I didn’t try the Chef’s Table until my recent sailing on Allure of the Seas.

The Chef’s Table is the ultimate specialty restaurant for foodies. The 6-course meal includes a wine pairing and serves up delicious cuisine that puts the Main Dining Room to shame.

It’s usually pretty expensive, costing around $100 per person. However, my dad and I found a great Black Friday Deal on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner ahead of our last-minute voyage on Allure.

The meal was $165.16 with gratuities, but we applied our $50 onboard credit to lower the price even more. The total per person ended up being $57.58 each!

Part of the appeal of the Chef’s Table is that it is more than just a meal. The experience lasts over two hours and lets you mingle with fellow passengers in an intimate setting.

Read more: I spent four days eating on a mega cruise ship. Here's everything I ate, including some dishes I'd skip

Our evening began in the Library on Deck 11. Our host, Alan, greeted us with champagne while we waited for the other parties to arrive. One couple was late, so rather than holding us hostage in the Library, Alan escorted the arrived parties through the Crown Lounge to a private dining area on Deck 12.

The table was elegantly set with charger plates and beautiful glassware for the wine pairings. The ambiance was sophisticated yet comfortable. There wasn’t a white tablecloth, and the quirky chandelier was made entirely of cutlery—forks, knives, and spoons.

To kick things off, Alan presented each person with drool-worthy bread that he argued was the best bread onboard, beating out 150 Central Park. 

Melted truffle oil butter perfectly accompanied the thyme and lemon bread loaf. Each bite had a burst of flavor, with the herbaceous thyme balancing out the truffle's richness. It had the right hint of saltiness, too. Although I didn’t sample every type of bread on Allure of the Seas, I’d be shocked if anything else on the ship surpassed it.

Then it was time for the real fun as we moved into the actual courses. The first was scallop carpaccio. The thinly sliced scallops were marinated for 24 hours before being served and plated with a delicate yuzu vinaigrette made with honey mustard and ginger.

The vinaigrette stood out the most. The scallops were a little bland, but when paired with the vinaigrette, the flavor of the otherwise mild scallops came out, and I thought the light, citrusy notes of the Pinot Grigio from Italy complemented the freshness of the scallops. 

The second course was one of my favorites. The roasted tomato soup had a smokey depth and was velvety smooth. Topped with a drizzle of crème fraîche, I wish I could have asked for a second bowl! In fact, one of our tablemates begged the chef for the recipe. 

The crispy garlic focaccia "croutons" were more like a side of bread than a traditional crouton. Still, it was perfect for dipping into the rich soup, and I appreciated how they weren't left in the liquid to get soggy. Paired with the soup was a California four-blend wine, which had notes of vanilla and pineapple to help offset the smokiness of the tomatoes. 

The Maine lobster salad fell short of my expectations. Though the fresh, sweet flavors of the wine-poached lobster were on full display, I didn't love the combination of vanilla dressing and hearts of palm. 

That said, I loved enhancing the flavor of the lobster with the provided pesto and citrus sauces. Additionally, Sauvignon Blanc isn't my favorite wine, but I could see why the more earthy wine was chosen to pair with the lobster.

Wanting to try something new, I approached the branzino with an open mind. While I am a seafood lover, I stray away from fish in favor of shrimp, calamari, scallops, and lobster. 

However, as someone who doesn't eat fish, I thought the skin easily peeled away to reveal moist and flaky meat.  Still, though, I couldn't get past the distinct flavor of the branzino, which was too "fishy" for my taste buds. 

If I had to pick two courses to eat on repeat, they'd be the roasted tomato soup and filet mignon. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium, served with creamy truffle potato purée, and drizzled with a rich bordelaise sauce.

I'm not a fan of red wine, so while I tried the Cabernet Sauvignon, I only took a sip. I much prefer light and refreshing white wines to full-bodied reds.

The dessert reminded me of The World served at Wonderland. It's a chocolate lover's heaven, with layers of rich chocolate mousse, silky ganache, and salted caramel ice cream encased in a dark chocolate shell.

The ice cream added a salty contrast to the otherwise chocolate-heavy dessert and paired perfectly with the salted caramel espresso martini. I don't think anyone at the table was disappointed with the dessert. 

The Chef's Table isn't cheap; however, if you're a foodie looking for an unforgettable culinary adventure, it's worth every penny, especially considering the price includes a wine paring. 

The intimate, multi-course dining experience is about more than food; it's also about the artist and craftsmanship behind each dish, with the chef personally guiding you through the process and explaining the work that went into each course. 

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of the articles and news we shared about Royal Caribbean.

The first Royal Beach Club is set to open in December 2025.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for its exclusive beach experience in Nassau, Bahamas and confirmed it will be an all-inclusive experience.

Not only will it have beaches, pools, and great food, it will also have an epic over-the-top family cabana you can rent.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's plan to fix the problem with a very popular cruise port
• Yacht collides with Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• I got seasick on two cruises. Here's what I'll do differently next time
• Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water
• How much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• The best cruise travel gifts from Amazon’s holiday shop
• I eat in the cruise ship buffet often, but so many people overlook the best food option
• Carnival is revamping its private island to better compete with Royal Caribbean's offering
• Taking a cruise from the UK in 2025? You'll need to do something new this year
• Experts share which cruise line and ship are the best, and it's no surprise to us
• Mexico delays huge new tourist tax
• Water leak floods hallway on Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Video: Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

A Royal Caribbean gift card deal was so good, they had to pull it down immediately

You might have missed out on the best cruise discount we've seen in a long time.

Royal Caribbean offered up to 20% off its gift cards, and so many people bought it that the promotion ended more than a week earlier than expected.

It offered up to $400 off gift card purchases, and sales exploded as soon as word began to circulate about the offer.

Royal Caribbean changes policy on how it serves beverages

It appears getting an alcoholic beverage in a can requires it to be opened.

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

This has annoyed some cruisers, who liked being able to collect cans to enjoy later in their cabin.

I booked an inside cabin, but hated how dark it was

Inside cabins can save a lot of money, but they have big downside too.

Everything about Matt's inside cabin on Serenade of the Seas was great, but having no natural light disrupted his morning routine.

He'll make changes on his next cruise to account for this issue.

9 cruise traditions that probably confuse new cruisers

Someone who has never cruised before might be surprised by some of the cruise norms.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. 

The virtual muster drill is still the best change in the cruise industry

Arguably the best change on a cruise ship in recent memory was the eMuster drill.

Implemented in 2021, eMuster has made embarkation day better for crew and guests, while making it easier to convey important information.

Surprisingly, there's still one cruise line that refuses to adopt it.

No matter how much you cruise, there's always a chance you could get seasick on a cruise.

I would tell anyone who has never cruised before not to avoid cruising out of fear of getting seasick, because it's an easily treatable issue. Plus, in the grand scheme of my cruising career, it's been quite rare.

However, winter weather in the tropics has churned up the seas lately and that's resulted in two sailings in a row where I've felt a little seasick.

I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.  The first cruise went to Mexico and the second to The Bahamas, but gusty winds were enough to add some "motion to the ocean" and it set off my stomach.

While hurricane season ended on November 30, that doesn't mean there can't be storms or just strong winds with a front.

When we boarded Utopia of the Seas, there was a video playing in all the cabins explaining the strong winds we expected to encounter, as described by Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.

Sometimes you get a good warning of what's to come, and other times it's more a surprise, like on Serenade when it was calm for the entire cruise, except when we were traveling near Cancun.

Nonetheless, I'll adopt a few strategies for my future cruises to avoid seasickness.

Myth: you don't feel as much movement on larger ships

You might think the biggest cruise ships in the world are immune to being jostled by the wind, but that's definitely not the case.

Some people prefer to sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class or Icon Class ships because they heard the big ships don't move as much.

Being on a bigger ship might have a minimal effect with a casual breeze, but when there are rough seas, any ship can encounter movement.

It's incredible how big Utopia of the Seas is, but that consistent rocking happened onboard too.

Find a spot low and center on the ship

When you start to notice the ship moving a lot, especially when you start swaying a bit as you walk, I think it's a good idea to find a place to minimize the feeling.

The best spot to feel the least movement is somewhere on a low deck and center on the ship. 

There's no doubt it feels worse when you're all the way at the front or back of the ship, especially on a higher deck.

My wife might think this is an excuse to spend more time in the casino, but the ship's casino is almost always around deck 4, and right in the middle.

To really help, you should also find a spot where you can see the horizon. While your ship might be moving, the horizon is a fixed position and focusing on it can help re-adjust your mind.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor walking promenade deck that have chairs facing the ocean. This is a great location for focusing on the horizon.

Stop drinking alcohol

This is easier said than done, but you want to stop anything that might be dehydrating you.

Getting more dehydrated can be a trigger for seasickness, and alcohol is definitely one of those things.

Instead, switch to a carbonated beverage.  Ginger ale is best because it combines carbonation and ginger, both of which are good to settle a stomach.  But a Coke works well too.

Try a natural remedy

Every body reacts differently to getting a little queasy, so I like to start off with a homeopathic approach first.

The most common treatments before you take any medicine are to eat ginger, green apples, or peppermint.

Head to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon.

I might try bringing ginger chews with me to make it more convenient and because I don't love ginger ale.

The other thing that works is sleeping. Taking a nap is one of my favorite cruise activities to begin with, but sleeping off the nausea effects has worked well for me in the past.

If nothing else, you might sleep through the worst of the winds and wake up to calmer seas.

Take a medication

When I was on Serenade of the Seas and started feeling off, I ultimately relied on medication to help ease the effects of being seasick.

The most popular medication is Dramamine, and I always pack Bonine.

There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.

There are side effects to medications, so be sure to do your research. Also, it's ideal anyone taking meds to start the regiment before the cruise begins.

Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.

Don't avoid a cruise because of seasickness

No matter how many times I've gotten seasick, I think it's a low risk and not a reason to not go on a cruise.

Many people go on dozens of cruises without getting sick. In fact, I don't think I got seasick on any of my cruises earlier this year, many of which that went through hurricane season.

If you find yourself feeling motion sick onboard, there are numerous ways to quickly alleviate the discomfort. By being prepared with some of the tips mentioned earlier, you can ensure you're ready to fully enjoy your cruise experience.

One of the most popular cruise ports in the world is also one of the worst rated among cruise passengers, but Royal Caribbean has a plan.

If you think of a warm tropic cruise getaway, The Bahamas is probably what you imagine, and yet cruiser surveys rank it as among the worst places they visit.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley revealed last year that passengers don't love Nassau, Bahamas.

"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said.

Given Nassau's proximity to the United States, you might assume there's not much that can be done about it, as alternatives aren't plenty within a logistical distance.

But Royal Caribbean wants to fix the issues its customers have with the port with a brand new idea that's never been attempted.

Building a better beach day

According to Royal Caribbean's surveys, cruisers found Nassau lacking fresh or innovative things to do. That seemed to be at the heart of the frustration.

Royal Caribbean's plan is to try something completely different that will deliver the high standards the line has already developed on its ships and at its private islands.

New details were revealed this week to showcase the scale of its 17-acre development that is right in the heart of Nassau.

Royal Caribbean bought up land right where cruise ships dock, and that's no accident. They wanted to give the very best product in an extremely convenient location.

Their plan is known as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which is described as the ultimate beach day.

Opening in December 2025, the beach club will charge an admission cost for a super-charged Royal Caribbean excursion.

Available exclusively to Royal Caribbean cruisers, there will be multiple beaches and pools, with different vibes for each area. The three zones - Family Beach, Chill Beach, Party Zone- ensures there is something for everyone.

And because it's all-inclusive, there's nothing to worry about once you arrive. Relax, enjoy food and drink, and get the kind of tropical experience vacationers crave.

What you can do at the Royal Beach Club

Royal Caribbean shared what the property will offer, and it's a mix of beach, pool, and experience.

There's two beaches, three pools, the world's largest swim-up bar, cabanas, and places to get something eat.

At the west end is the Family Zone, where you'll find The Shallow End Pool and Swim-up bar.

This is a zero-entry pool where everyone can walk in and swim, along with the choice to stop by the swim-up bar. This bar has both cocktails and mocktails, so it's great for parents or kids.

There's also beach bars and the Paradise Grill to keep you replenished while enjoying time at the white sand beach.

In the middle is party zone, which has the hard-to-miss Floating Flamingo pool.

The name stands out as much as the venue, which is a two-story swim-up bar that has a DJ to play music all day long.

Royal Caribbean is also offering an extra cost area, known as Party Cove VIP. It's meant to be a celebration spot, where you can have your own exclusive space with elevated service.

Finally, there's Chill Zone on the eastern end of the property, and it's going to be the quiet(er) area of the beach club.

The Deep End pool also has a swim-up bar that serves mocktails and cocktails, and it's right up against the ocean.

Combining ship and shore

None of Royal Caribbean's plans operate in a vacuum, and when you look at the big picture, it becomes apparent they're moving ships and beaches around like a chess board that's close to end game.

When Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December 2025, the cruise line's four best cruise ships will be ready to visit.

Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are giant Oasis Class ships that sail only to The Bahamas, and will operate out of Port Canaveral and Miami.

If short cruises aren't your thing, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have 7-night sailings to take you there too. And that's the two biggest cruise ships in the world that have made headlines on their own for redefining what a cruise vacation is all about.

Basically, Royal Caribbean wants to grab the attention of anyone thinking about taking a cruise vacation (especially people that have never cruised before) and show them there's no question Royal Caribbean has the best options from any cruise line in the world.

It's bold, creative, and novel, and aims to not only solve the puzzle of Nassau, but also set the bar higher for vacations.

The cruise industry had a rough go of it in 2020, but one great change that came out of it was a revamped and substantially better safety drill experience.

All cruise ship passengers are required by maritime law to understand what to do in the case of an emergency, similar to airline passengers that get a safety drill before takeoff.

Known as the muster drill, the process remained the same for decades where passengers stopped what they were doing, lined up outdoors in a single file line, and waited to hear instructions read over a bullhorn or public address system.

Royal Caribbean knew this was not a great way to convey important safety information and that its guests lamented the entire process for how cumbersome and disruptive it was.

In 2021 when cruise ships restarted cruising, a virtual muster drill was implemented for the first time.  It was a concept devised before the industry shutdown, but turned out to be the perfect way way to get safety information while social distancing.

Fast-forward a few years later, and it remains one of the best innovations within the cruise industry.  In fact, Royal Caribbean openly shared the patented process with any cruise line that wanted it.

"It's the easiest process in cruising," wrote Clbengel on Reddit.

"You'll watch a few videos and listen to a sound of the emergency horn on the Royal app. Then once you board, just go to your designated muster station and they'll scan you in as having completed it. You're good to go and officially start your cruise."

Reinventing the muster drill

If you go on a cruise today, every passenger is obliged to know what to do and where to go in an emergency.

Instead of standing around to hear someone tell you, Royal Caribbean wanted a better way.

Traditionally, in the context of a passenger cruise ship, a muster drill is performed at the beginning of the cruise before the cruise ship departs or shortly thereafter. During the muster drill, each individual passenger reports to an assigned muster station—a specific location on the vessel. A crew member then confirms the presence of each passenger expected to be present at the specific location during the muster drill so that all passengers may be accounted for in the event of an actual emergency and a resultant actual muster.

Further, the old muster drill was confusing for some—particularly the elderly and children—both of whom often require additional assistance locating and moving towards assigned muster stations.

For crew members, trying to perform the drill with thousands of guests may create unnecessary confusion or missed opportunities to educate and inform, in light of the ultimate goal.

A group at Royal Caribbean worked on a new idea to get passengers critical information without disrupting everyone's day at the same time.

A digital approach was conceived, and its not only made it easier to give cruisers the information they needed, but it also allowed it to be done individually and monitored.

The change was widely heralded by passengers who loved the change because of how much easier the process became.

Not only that, more passengers were participating than ever before.

Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Marine Operations Greg Purdy shared Royal Caribbean has "extremely high percentage rates for guest participation", which is in part due to training of the crew members to facilitate it, as well as plenty of reminder announcements."

Mr. Purdy went on to say participation rates are higher with eMuster than the old way, "we're fairly aggressive about ensuring that you complete the safety drill prior to sailing. "

"That's actually better than the old traditional drill."

Most importantly, guests get the important information while making the process easier overall, "This has been a real win for the guest and a win for those of our crew that are charged with with safety responsibilities in an emergency."

Other cruise lines followed Royal Caribbean's lead, and while their implementation may vary slightly, the general flow is the same.

One cruise line stubbornly refuses to change

Most cruise lines adopted eMuster, but one mainstream cruise line stubbornly have not and it's baffling why not.

Disney Cruise Line initially made the switch to eMuster, but then quickly reverted in November 2022 back to the in-person safety muster drill.

An email to travel agents said, "We regularly review our processes and have made the decision to reintroduce the in-person assembly drills. All Guests will be required to report to their assigned assembly station in person at the scheduled time on embarkation day."

Even after all these years, they are the notable holdout.

Armstrong2Cernan wrote on Reddit how tiresome the old way is, "Crew members with bullhorns and clip boards calling out for a few passengers who felt they were too important to attend. Kids getting tired and cranky, all still standing chest to back, parents holding smaller children, switching them off to their spouse as they got tired. Waiting, waiting, waiting until finally they bark out a few instructions that you would do if there were an actual emergency. So. Very. Tiring."