Royal Caribbean Blog

When you begin planning your cruise, thoughts of what could go wrong are probably nowhere to be found-- nobody wants to go on a disappointing vacation!

While cruises are a popular vacation choice, if you do not manage your expectations and plan accordingly, you might find yourself wishing that chose something else.

Here are 10 reasons why people leave their cruise ship vacation disappointed and how you can ensure that you have a positive cruise experience! 

They chose the wrong cruise ship 

As of May 2023, Royal Caribbean has 26 ships in their fleet. When the highly-anticipated Icon of the Seas launches in January 2024, this will increase their fleet size to 27. That means that are over two dozen ships for you to choose for your vacation. 

Picking the right ship matters. Do you want a more intimate cruising experience? If so, you will like the environment of smaller ships. They also tend to visit more unique ports of call. 

Note, though, that these ships tend to be older. If having newer amenities is important to you, you should spend some time researching whether Royal Caribbean has revitalized the ship or not. 

Perhaps you want your schedule to be jam-packed with activities. In that case, select one of today's mega ships that feature activities such as surfing and skydiving simulators, ice skating rinks, water slides, and more. 

Related: I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest and oldest cruise ships: here's what it's like to cruise on each

They did not utilize a travel agent 

Whether you have a lot of questions about the cruising industry or are a cruise veteran, booking with a travel agent is the best way to go. 

They are a great resource for any question that you may have, such as ship amenities, cabin select, specialty dining and shore excursion recommendations, and more. 

Outside of the cruise, they can handle other logistical arrangements, too, such as pre-cruise flights and hotels. 

In short, booking with a travel agent will save you time, as you will not have to worry about doing all of the research yourself. 

Related: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

They did not understand what was included in Royal Caribbean's base fare

Your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, unfortunately, is not all-inclusive. It includes unlimited food at certain venues, select beverages, entertainment, accommodations, and transportation between ports. Anything out of that will cost you extra. It is important to keep that in mind when setting your cruise budget. 

These option add-ons include alcoholic and select non-alcoholic beverages, specialty dining experiences, shore excursions, spa treatments, and some onboard activities. 

Royal Caribbean charges for their escape rooms, lessons on the FlowRider surf simulator, Royal Babies & Tots Nursery services, as well as riding the North Star on a sea day. 

Related: Is Royal Caribbean all inclusive? 

They forgot to book cruise add-ons in advance 

Speaking of add-ons, you will want to make sure that you book them in advance! If you wait until you board the ship, not only will you find higher prices, but some experiences (i.e., specialty restaurants) will have limited availability. 

As soon as you place the deposit for your Royal Caribbean cruise, you will gain access to the Cruise Planner, which is where you will book all extras, including internet and drink packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, arcade credits, classes, and more. 

The prices on the Cruise Planner are less than they will be on the ship, as Royal Caribbean often has sales and promotions that make it worthwhile to check the Cruise Planner every so often. You never know when you will find an incredible deal on a drink package or specialty restaurant-- sometimes as much as 40% off onboard pricing. 

Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site

They selected the wrong dining time 

When you book your cruise, you will be prompted to select one of three dining options: early, late, or My Time. The first two are part of the traditional cruise experience, while the latter is the more flexible option. 

If you select the early or late seating, you will be seated at the same time each night of the cruise with the same table mates and wait staff, meaning that they will be able to learn your preferences throughout the trip! 

On the other hand, those that may not want to stick to a set schedule will prefer My Time Dining, which allows passengers to make reservations ahead of time for the Main Dining Room that work well with their onboard and onshore plans.

If you would like, you can also just head to the Main Dining Room once onboard when hunger strikes. Note, though, that you may face a wait if you do this!

With My Time Dining, you will not be seated at the same table each evening, as you are placed wherever there is an opening when you arrive. 

Dining times only apply to the Main Dining Room's dinner service, so you can go to the buffet for dinner at anytime during their dinner hours. Similarly, you will not have to select a time for breakfast because it is first-come, first-served!

Related: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining

They selected the wrong cabin and/or cabin location

Royal Caribbean has a variety of cabin categories, ranging from interior rooms with no natural sunlight to multi-story suites. 

For some, an interior cabin may be the obvious option because they can allocate funds to other vacation expenses. On the other hand, the budget of someone else may mean that they are able to splurge on a suite. 

If you are traveling with a family, consider the benefits of booking two cabins for the extra space, even if this means two inside cabins instead of one balcony. Do you think the extra space and two bathrooms will make your cruise better? Would you be okay stepping over everyone's stuff for a week in a single cabin? 

In addition to the stateroom category, you will need to determine where you want it to be located. If you have a preference, stray from selecting a guarantee cabin, as your room will be automatically assigned by Royal Caribbean closer to sailing based on what is available. 

Are you someone sailing with young children or who likes to return to your cabin earlier in the evening? If so, staterooms that are near popular late-night venues might keep you awake longer than you would like. 

Likewise, cabins near elevator banks are subject to more noise, as they have more people passing by. 

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

They did not expect for there to be large crowds

Cruise ships can hold thousands of passengers at once. In fact, when Icon of the Seas launches, she will have a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600 guests! That being said, there are moments where your cruise will feel crowded, beginning on embarkation day when you arrive at the terminal. 

Once onboard, you may encounter a long line at the buffet, packed elevators, or even a lack of pool chairs on a sea day. 

There are some things that you can do to mitigate how often you will interact with large crowds. You can, for instance, dine outside of peak hours, take the stairs, visit the pool deck in the morning or late afternoon, and venture outside of the area adjacent to the cruise terminal in ports of call. 

They did not familiarize themselves with ship lingo

You will hear the words "aft," "forward," "stern," "bow," "starboard," and "port" while on your cruise vacation. Taking the time to learn what these terms mean prior to embarkation will prevent you from getting lost and frustrated. 

If you hear port port and starboard, know that these are are directional terms used to indicate the left and right side of the ship relative to the bow. This means that, regardless of which way you are physically facing, they never change.

The bow is the ship's forward most part, and the stern is the rear of the ship opposite from the bow. Forward and aft refer to location; forward is the front of the ship and the aft is the rear. 

If you decide not to worry about any of the above terms, at least understand what "ship time" is!

When a cruise itinerary crosses through timezones, the ship keeps the same time of the departure port; it does not matter if the local time is an hour ahead or behind!

Failing to learn and adhere to ship time could result in your missing your ship, even if you thought you had time to get back. 

They did not purchase cruise travel insurance 

When you book your cruise, you will be asked if you want to purchase travel insurance. This provides coverage for things such as travel delays, medical emergencies, and luggage mishaps.

Travel insurance is meant to provide peace of mind in the event that something unfortunate occurs while on your cruise vacation. Pricing is dependent on the total trip cost and ranges from $39 to $1,799! 

If your trip, for instance, costs $2,400, purchasing insurance through Royal Caribbean will cost you $199. 

Royal Caribbean offers one tier of travel insurance that is underwritten by Arch Insurance Company. Note that if you are a resident of New York State, this policy is not available to you. 

Below is what is covered by the policy:

• Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of total trip cost if you can't start or finish your cruise vacation because you're sick or hurt, there's a death in the family or another covered reason.
• Trip Delay: Up to $2,000 ($250 per day) for catch-up expenses
• Missed Connection: Up to $300 if you miss your trip departure for covered reasons by three hours or more. 
• Accident and Sickness Medical: up to $25,000 if you get hurt and $25,000 if you get sick on your cruise vacation.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $50,000 if you need emergency medical transportation during your vacation. 
• Baggage Protection and Delay: Up to $1,500 if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged and up to $500 to buy necessary personal items if your bags are delayed.

You never know when (or if) anything will happen, but if you find yourself in an unlucky situation, you will certainly be disappointed that you opted to save the few hundred dollars and pass on the insurance. 

Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?

They did not research the ports of call in advance 

To make the most out of your time in each port, you should spend time researching what shore excursions are available. You do not want to miss out on any once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. 

If you are sailing to the Caribbean, you might be surprised at what adventurous tours are offered, such as zip lining through jungles, taking an ATV tour of the coast, and more. You do not have to spend each day on the beach (although, there is nothing wrong with that!). 

When you begin searching, You do not have to book anything immediately. If, however, you see a tour that you want to do, it is best to go ahead and make your reservation, as you never know how popular the tour will be with other cruisers; it may sell out closer to the sail date!

You do not want to be scrambling to figure out what you are doing the night before you dock! You may find that certain experiences are sold out, leaving you with whatever is still available. 

Related: Your really dumb cruise ship shore excursion questions answered

Royal Caribbean's stateroom bidding upgrade program is quite popular because it offers the opportunity to get a bigger (and arguably better) cabin for less than if you booked it outright.  But how can you increase your chances to actually win the upgrade?

Among the frequently asked Royal Caribbean cruise questions we get on this site, how to win a Royal Up bid is among the top queries.

At some point before your cruise, you should get an email from Royal Caribbean alerting you to the option to bid for a room upgrade. Depending on which category of room you have booked, there is usually a variety of bigger and more opulent cabin choices to consider.

The allure of getting a nicer stateroom for a fraction of the normal cost tantalizes many guests, and the obvious next question is how to increase the chances of actually winning a Royal Up bid.

How RoyalUp works

When you get the email, you have the option of entering a Royal Up bid yourself or through your travel agent.

This program is similar to a silent auction, where the cruise line sets a minimum bid, and you can go up in price from there.

Any submitted offer is for the entire stay and applies to the first two people on the reservation. If your reservation includes multiple guests (between 2 and 5 passengers), the offer amount submitted will be per guest but only for the first and second guest on the reservation.

As an example, a $500 stateroom upgrade bid (if accepted) would result in a $1,000 charge.

When considering a bid amount, the website rates your bid, although it seems to universally increase your chance tied to the dollar amount. As you might imagine, it will make you think a higher bid is a better bid.

In reality, you have no idea what anyone else bid.  So there is absolutely no way to know how competitive your bid truly is, and whom you are competing against.

Unlike an auction on eBay where you can see the top bid so far, there's no such way with Royal Up.

It's important to remember that Royal Up is a mechanism for the cruise line to sell unsold cruise ship cabins, especially if there's a last minute cancellation.

The most important fact to realize about Royal Up is just because you get a bidding opportunity does not mean there is a cabin available to upgrade to.

While upgrading to unsold cabins is one part of the process, it seems more common for Royal Caribbean to leverage bids when someone cancels a reservation close to the sail date.

In short, RoyalUp is kind of a "black box" where guests don't have any insight into the logic of how winning bids are selected.  In addition, there's no indication when a bid will be selected. It's possible your bid could be active all the way until your ship departs.

It's all luck

In trying to answer the question of how to increase your chances of winning a Royal Up bid, the answer is simply luck.

In my experience trying out RoyalUp myself and talking with many other cruise fans, it's quite clear that there is no consistent strategy to actually winning a bid.

If you're in an inside room and trying to bid to a cabin category that has a lot of availability and less demand, such as an oceanview or balcony, your chances are probably a bit higher at winning a bid since there's more inventory of those types of cabins.

Suites, on the other hand, are tough to win because everyone on the ship dreams of moving up to a suite.  Combine that with the limited suite inventory, and you have a rather low chance at winning.

In comparing winning bids shared by past cruisers, there's even less consistency as to which strategy works best. There are winning bids for a minimum bid amount, as well as winning bids for a maximum amount.

To further validate these observations, I reached out to a few travel agents and asked them what their experience has been with their clients winning a stateroom upgrade bid.

Jenn Greene, a Travel Planner with MEI Travel, called the bidding program "random" when describing it to her clients, "Royal Up is completely random. I let clients know that it’s more like a lottery than a guarantee. And that if you really want it bid high. With ships sailing full, I am seeing less opportunities for clients to bid."

Mindy Breitman, a Travel Advisor for Cruise Planners, also couldn't find any patterns for her clients to benefit from, " I consider it a silent auction - totally random. I had two people on the same exact sailing bid for the same exact category and the same bid amount. One got the Royal up the other didn’t."

Sharla Manglass, a Travel Planner with MEI Travel, looks at a few variables that could swing your chances one way or another, "First- availability of staterooms that will fit your party size on the ship. Not all staterooms will sleep 3 or 4, and there are sometimes even capacity restrictions due to regulations."

"Royal Up success also depends on overall ship capacity. On a recent cruise for myself, the entire ship was sold out, so obviously no bids were accepted, even though we were offered them."

The experiences from these travel agents backs up what many cruise fans have shared over the years as well.

In short, treat Royal Up like a scratch off lotto game: it's fun to give it a try, but you should expect to lose and certainly don't make plans based on you winning.

Royal Caribbean's upcoming Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island has a new president.

On June 15, the company announced that Philip Simon will begin his role as the president of the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island and general manager of Royal Caribbean International Bahamas effective July 1. 

Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer for Royal Caribbean International, said, "Welcoming a leader who is as well-respected and accomplished in The Bahamas as Philip Simon is the start of an exciting chapter."

“With a project as significant as the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island that will introduce a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership, we are committed to maximizing Bahamian participation and building a development that will set new standards in environmental design and operation in The Bahamas. Philip, a resident and native of The Bahamas, has the experience and reputation to ensure that.”

Who is Philip Simon?

Simon is a longtime Bahamian business and land development executive who has a 20-year track record of responsible development and management.

Most recently, he was a managing partner at PMR Bahamas Realty Ltd. (Torch Cay), where he oversaw the company's business in the Bahamas. Prior to that, he was the president of The New Providence Development Company Ltd, and from 2002 to 2010, he served as CEO of The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and managed the company's daily affairs. 

Simon received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Texas Tech University, graduating cum lade. He holds an additional degree in physics and mathematics from The College of The Bahamas, as well as a master's degree n business administration with concentrations in entrepreneurship and finance from the University of Maryland.

Throughout his lifetime, he has served on numerous boards: Bahamas Ferries, the Bahamas Venture Capital Fund, The Regional Management Consultancy Task Force, Civil Society Advisory Group, The Bahamas National Pride Association and The Bahamas Trade Commission. 

Moreover, he is the former chairman of the Self-Starter Youth Entrepreneurial Grant Program, an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Old Fort Bay, and and a former membership officer of YPO Bahamas. 

Currently, he serves as chairman of Junior Achievement Bahamas, as well as deputy chair of The Bahamas Primary School Student of The Year Foundation.

Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island

Scheduled to open in 2025, the Royal Beach Club will be an option for cruise passengers in Nassau. 

Originally announced in in March 2020, the cruise industry halted the development of the project. 

While not a private island like Perfect Day at CocoCay the 17-acre property will be available exclusively to Royal Caribbean cruise passengers. 

Guests who purchase a day pass will be able to relax on one of four beaches: Tranquility Beach, Hideaway Beach, Harbor Beach, and Sapphire Beach. And for those who want an upgraded experience, cabanas will be available to rent. 

The Royal Beach Club will also be home to a swimming pool. Current concept art depicts it as a long and narrow infinity pool with in-water loungers. 

Guests seeking a little bit more action and activity can head over to the water sports center, where they can rent snorkel or scuba gear, kayaks, jet skis, and floating mats for an additional fee. Likewise, inflatable water slides and parasail excursions will be available, too.  

Related: Royal Caribbean beach club in Nassau will open in 2025

First-of-its-kind venture in the Bahamas

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said, "The Bahamas has been a phenomenal partner since the very start, when they became our first port of call more than 50 years ago."

“As we continue to bring millions of visitors to experience attractions throughout Nassau each year, The Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island is the next bold adventure in Royal Caribbean’s commitment to both increasing tourism in The Bahamas and delivering memorable vacations to our guests.”

Once completed, the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will have a public-private partnership, meaning that Bahamians will be able to own up to 49% equity and local businesses can take part in managing the majority of the experience.

Both the construction phase and operation of the Royal Beach Club will create hundreds of jobs. The economic impact is estimated to be around $1 billion over the course of ten years.

Moreover, the 17-acre property is divided between the cruise line and Crown Land, with Royal Caribbean owning 13 and the remaining four being Crown Land.

The Crown Land will be contributed as equity to help make sure that a share of all profits are returned to the Bahamian government and people. 

According to Simon, “I am excited to represent both Royal Caribbean International and the country in what will be a very unique opportunity for all sides, with the new beach club and the tremendous potential for extended growth and partnership for years to come."

Environmental pillars

Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering unforgettable vacations responsibly. Not only do they have a responsibility to take care of the oceans in which they sail, they want to look after their destinations, too. 

The company outlined six key environmental pillars for the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island:

• Zero waste to landfill
• 100% renewable energy by 2030
• No dredging and no overwater cabanas 
• Best-in-class wastewater treatment
• Protecting the island's natural habitat
• Local environmental monitoring 

A milestone in the construction of Royal Caribbean's first Icon Class cruise ship will begin this weekend.

"Icon will depart from the Turku shipyard for the first time ever during the weekend, when Icon's week-long sea trials begin," confirmed Meyer Turku's Facebook page. 

Over the course of the week, certain systems and features will be tested that cannot when she the ship is docked. 

"Thank you to everyone involved in the Icon project! Icon's seaworthiness is the result of the combined expertise of Meyer's top professionals from many different fields."

"Let's wish a good voyage to Icon of the Seas, and prepare to welcome Icon back to the shipyard after her trials!"

The Meyer Turku Facebook page stated that they will post more pictures of Icon of the Seas once she official departs. 

Related: 9 new things about Icon of the Seas I learned during my shipyard tour

What are sea trials?

Sea trials test a cruise ship's navigational and technical systems. This is the final part of a cruise ship construction prior to delivery.

During these tests, everything from the ship's propulsion to navigation and engines are tested. It is imperative that everything be in tip-top shape when the ship officially joins the fleet. 

Sea trials range in duration. Wonder of the Seas', for instance, was only four days. Moreover, sometimes it is common for there to be two different sessions. 

The sea trials are conducted with a combination of shipyard employees, as well as Royal Caribbean crew members.

First ship of her kind

Royal Caribbean has not launched a new class of ship since 2014, making Icon of the Seas that much more exciting.

Not only will she be the largest cruise ship in the world, but she will also feature many firsts for both the cruise line and industry, including the record-breaking Category 6 water park.  

Upon completion, she will be 6% larger than Wonder of the Seas, who currently holds the title for largest cruise ship in the world.

The 250,800 gross ton ship will be nothing short of thrilling, offering something to appeal to everyone!

From relaxing on the revamped pool decks, to catching an exciting show at the AquaDome, spending quality time together in the family-centered Surfside neighborhood, and indulging in brand-new culinary experiences, Icon of the Seas is set to offer the ultimate family vacation. 

"We think it's going to be the best family vacation in the world," said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.

"And all of the energy and time that's gone into creating this ship is just mind blowing."

Related: Why are new cruise ships still being built?

The wait for details on what Royal Caribbean has planned for Utopia of the Seas looks like it will be over soon.

Not much has been said about Utopia of the Seas, which makes Royal Caribbean's tease all that more exciting. 

"This is the one — for everyone.  Stay tuned for #UtopiaoftheSeas revealed — it all happens Tuesday, June 20," the company wrote on Facebook. 

The website has been updated to include a timer counting down to June 20, too. Here, guests are able to sign up for an email update to get more information when it becomes available. 

Following Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, and Wonder of the Seas, this will be the final Oasis Class ship. That is, unless, Royal Caribbean decides to order more in the future. 

The company has not said much about Utopia, which has added to the intrigue of what we can expect.

Measuring 1,188 feet long and over 230,000 gross tons, she will be smaller than the record-breaking Icon of the Seas. At maximum capacity, she will be able to accommodate around 7,000 guests, which is similar to other Oasis Class vessels. 

There has been no official word on where the ship will sail from or specific itineraries. Royal Caribbean has said, though, that she will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Guests interested in sailing on Utopia of the Seas should keep their summer schedule open for next year, as she is scheduled to hit the high seas in summer 2024. 

Here is what we know about the ship so far. 

First LNG-powered Oasis Class ship

Utopia of the Seas will stand out from her sister ships in that she will be the first Oasis Class vessel to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), which is the cleanest fossil fuel that is able to power ships today. 

LNG fuel has the potential to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 30%, sulfur emissions by close to 10)%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by around 85%.

Related: Which Royal Caribbean ships are powered by LNG?

Brand-new dining concept

According to Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider, Utopia of the Seas will feature "...a mixed reality immersive dining experience with a train motif...that's going to blow people away."

Immersive dining has become a trend around the world, and cruise ships are no exception to wanting in on this fad! 

Onboard Princess Cruises' Discovery and Enchanted Princess, for instance, guests will find 360, an immersive and destination-inspired restaurant that features a 7-course menu. The dining venue is enclosed with LED walls that project visuals that carry a storyline and align with each course. 

The unnamed dining experience is still a work in progress. One concept that the company is playing around with is serving each course in a different "destination." 

The first, for instance, might be Grand Central Station in New York, with the second in Oslo, Norway or Lombardy, Italy. 

Related: Royal Caribbean will add new immersive dining experience to Utopia of the Seas

Importance of booking as soon as possible

If you are hoping to snag a good rate, you will want to book your cruise onboard Utopia of the Seas as soon as possible once itineraries open, as you can often find the cheapest cruise fares when new itineraries are released. 

As sailings fill up and there is less availability, rates often increase. Booking early is one way to ensure that you are getting the best price. Plus, you are able to reprice if you find that the fare does drop.  

You are not able to reverse this practice and lock in a rate you saw earlier if you find that the price of your cruise of interest has increased. 

Note, though, that price adjustments do not happen automatically. You will be responsible for checking the website to see if the rate has dropped. Likewise, if you booked with a travel agent, you can contact them. 

If you have your eye on holiday sailing onboard Utopia of the Seas, booking early will ensure that you have the most flexibility regarding stateroom choice. Holiday sailings tend to book up quickly, meaning that you should not wait to book your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's cruise!

Related: When is the best time to book a cruise?

Demand is so strong for Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship that hasn't even begun sailing yet that the line has sold out every single reservation for its most expensive suite ever for the year.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the cruise line's first new ship class in almost a decade, and the company is betting big on its success.

Despite being more than 7 months away from the first sailing in January 2024, it's already seeing record-breaking demand from customers.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about how strong the business is right now, and highlighted an eye-opening statistic about sales for the new ship.

"I think the entire ship is just stunning. And I think we're seeing that in the bookings," he said during a webinar with travel agents on Wednesday.

"The sales for icon are amazing. The the yields are just fantastic. So again, we're very happy with how Icon is playing out."

To exemplify just how much demand there is for Icon, Mr. Bayley talked about how well the most expensive suite onboard the ship is selling.

The three-story "Ultimate Family Townhouse" is located in the Surfside neighborhood for young families.

"I think we mentioned that the Ultimate Townhouse, I think is pretty much sold out completely for 2024 at an average rate of about $78, $80,000 a week."

Bookings for Icon only opened up in October 2022.

This cabin is a 1,772-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse that will be three decks high and sleep up to eight people.

It features an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to the Surfside area.

Icon of the Seas will offer guests a variety of room options spanning across 28 unique categories, offering some of the most spacious rooms Royal Caribbean has ever designed. 

"Icon is going to be the best family vacation in the world,” said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer in a video update from January 2023. "You can’t have an ultimate family vacation without a purpose-built neighborhood for families."

Royal Caribbean has created its first neighborhood on Icon of the Seas dedicated entirely to young families. It's an open-air space at the back of the ship.

Surfside was designed to become an area of the ship where families with kids ages 6 and under can play all-day together, where parents don't need to give up their relaxation time just because their kids want to play.

You'll find a giant aqua park designed for families: Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay splash parks for kids and the Water's Edge pool for parents. 

Surfside neighborhood will also offer family-friendly dining venues. 

Next to Splashaway Bay and next to a deep water pool, you have a grab-and-go eater at Surfside Bites. Then there's Surfside Eatery, which is Royal Caribbean's first buffet just families.  The Lemon Post bar is also a new concept that is the first bar to feature an adult menu and a kids menu. This will serve traditional tropical cocktails, as well as mocktails.

There's also a new specialty restaurant, Pier 7, which is described as a casual Boardwalk eatery.

The 1,198-foot-long mega-ship will be able to accommodate 7,600 guests across its 2,805 staterooms, which will make it the world's largest cruise ship once it debuts.

Icon will be 10 feet longer than Wonder of the Seas, which is currently the world's largest cruise ship.

The first sailing of Icon of the Seas will be a 7-night cruise from Miami on January 27, 2024.

The ship will sail year-round out of Miami in 2024, alternating between Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, with four different routings available for departures between January 2024 and April 2025.

As a budget traveler who loves cruising to Alaska, I’m always looking for ways to save money while visiting the 49th state.

It’s easy to break the budget on an Alaska cruise, as shore excursions tend to be priced significantly higher than those in the Caribbean. Hoping to take a helicopter ride to a glacier? Get ready to shell out $1000. Interested in a kayaking tour? You may spend over $200!

Not wanting to spend thousands on excursions and other cruise add-ons, I took advantage of several money-saving tips on my recent Alaska cruise.

From exploring ports without shore excursions to taking advantage of onboard discounts, it was easy to save money on my Alaska cruise without feeling like I was missing out.

Here are 10 ways I saved money on my Alaska cruise.

I rented a bike in Juneau for $40 instead of paying $200 for a cycling tour

While in Juneau, I wanted to visit Mendenhall Glacier, one of the port’s top attractions. As I was browsing shore excursions in the port, I found a cycling tour to the glacier and was immediately intrigued.

The “Bike & Brew Glacier View” tour in Juneau was priced at $149 and consisted of an 8.5 mile bike ride to the glacier followed by a visit to a local brewery. While it sounded fun, I thought spending $150 to ride a bike was steep.

Instead, I visited Cycle Alaska in downtown Juneau after disembarking the ship, which was only a two minute walk from the dock. There I was able to rent a bicycle for four hours for only $40. My mom decided to rent an e-bike for just $30 more.

Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

From the bike shop, we took off on a 13 mile ride to Mendenhall Glacier. The majority of the ride was on separated bike paths and it was extremely fun to explore on our own without a tour.

Upon arrival at the glacier, we locked our bikes on a rack and walked around the park area, making a stop at the scenic Nugget Falls. From there, we hopped back on our bikes for the 13 mile return trip.

Not only did I save $110 by renting a bike instead of booking a tour, but I had a lot more flexibility in what I could do with my time. Plus, I’m not a fan of organized shore excursions, so I much preferred the self-exploration possible with a bike rental.

I bought souvenirs in port instead of on the ship

I don’t always buy souvenirs when I cruise, but I decided to purchase a few on my recent Alaska cruise. To save money, I bought souvenirs while I was in port instead of in the souvenir shops on my cruise ship.

The first day of my cruise, I boarded the ship’s souvenir shops and found plenty of cute, fashionable Alaska-themed souvenirs. From sweatshirts to mugs, hats, and stuffed animals, there were hundreds of souvenirs to browse onboard the ship.

I decided to hold off on purchasing souvenirs on the ship and instead wait to shop for souvenirs in port.

During our first port day in Ketchikan, I was happy with my decision to avoid purchasing souvenirs on the ship. Ketchikan has dozens of souvenir shops with discounted prices on not just Alaska trinkets, but warm-weather clothing and raincoats.

Unsurprisingly, the prices of souvenirs onboard were inflated compared to what we found in each Alaska cruise port. Buying the souvenirs in port (specifically in Ketchikan, which had the best shops) was a budget-friendly decision I’m glad I made.

Took light rail from Seattle airport to downtown

I flew to Seattle the day before my cruise, and I saved money by taking the light rail downtown instead of calling an Uber or Lyft.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC) is around a 30 minute drive from downtown Seattle, although it can take longer with heavy traffic. Ubers or Lyfts to the city center from the airport usually cost over $50.

Related: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises

I booked a hotel in downtown Seattle the night before the cruise, so I had to travel from the airport to downtown upon arrival. Instead of calling a rideshare service, I decided to take the light rail.

Seattle’s light rail travels from SEA-TAC airport to downtown in just 38 minutes and costs only $3 per person. Our hotel was only a four minute walk from the Westlake station downtown, so taking the light rail was convenient, efficient, and cost-effective.

I did the free version of the North Star observation pod instead of paying

One of the most popular signature activities on Quantum Class cruise ships is the North Star, an observational pod that rises from the pool deck to three hundred feet above sea level.

The views from the North Star are beautiful, especially in a destination like Alaska, so I didn’t want to miss out on this activity while onboard.

Unlike most activities on a Royal Caribbean cruise, the North Star offers both complimentary and extra-cost rides. Complimentary rides are offered when your cruise ship is docked in port, and extra-cost rides are available on sea days.

Related: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

Not wanting to pay $30 to ride the North Star on a sea day, I made it a point to reserve a complementary slot. To do so, you must open the Royal Caribbean app once onboard and reserve a time slot.

Once I got onboard, though, I was shocked to see that all complimentary rides were already sold out! Still determined to ride the North Star, I periodically checked the app throughout the week, and I realized Royal Caribbean was releasing new time slots every day.

Once I saw a slot open, I quickly reserved it and was able to ride the North Star without shelling out $30.

I avoided expensive sit-down restaurants in port

To save money on my Alaska cruise, I ate most of my meals on the ship instead of in port. When I did grab a bite to eat in port, I dined at quick-service casual restaurants instead of sit-down venues.

Alaska has some of the best seafood in the United States, and I usually make it a point to dine at restaurants while visiting each port. On my recent cruise, however, I decided against long meals in port in favor of spending more time exploring town.

While docked in Ketchikan, we grabbed a quick latte and pastry at a local coffee shop instead of spending an hour or two at a restaurant. In Juneau, I bought fish tacos from a food truck instead of a sit-down meal.

It’s not uncommon to spend over $30 per person, per meal at a sit-down restaurant in Alaska cruise ports. Eating smaller snacks and quick meals in port allowed me to save money—I only spent around $10 each day for food in port.

I took advantage of Crown & Anchor Society benefits

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society offers some impressive benefits, including free drinks, discounts on onboard purchases, and exclusive events.

During my 7-night cruise, I took advantage of four benefits:

• 4 free drinks every day
• Diamond Lounge access
• Free play money in the casino
• Extra bingo cards

I visited the Diamond Lounge during my cruise to use the specialty coffee machine, where I was able to make lattes, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks for free.

Of course, the free drinks as a Diamond member easily saved me significant money throughout the cruise. It was a huge benefit to be able to order a cocktail, mocktail, or soda four times a day without worrying about racking up a large bill at the end of the cruise.

Related: Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

Even if you’re not yet a Diamond member, you will still receive coupons for 50% off drinks like wine, beer, soda, and milkshakes. Taking advantage of these coupons will help you save money on your Alaska cruise.

And although spending money on gambling is not, by any means, a money saving tip, I took advantage of the $8 free play I received on a slot machine. I also partook in bingo for the first time on a cruise, where I received 6 extra jackpot cards during the game because of my loyalty status.

While I lost in both the casino and bingo, it was fun to get extra perks through the Crown & Anchor Society to either save money or increase my chances of winning a game.

I booked an interior cabin

Like most of my cruises, I booked an interior cabin on my recent Alaska itinerary. The total cost of my interior cabin was $1856, or $923 per guest.

Related: Take a look inside my inside cabin on my Alaska cruise

While nothing luxurious, booking an interior cabin allowed me to save money on my cruise fare. I booked my cruise just two months before the sail date, so prices were not as low as I would have preferred. To avoid spending several hundred to several thousand dollars more on a balcony or suite, I snagged one of the last interior rooms available.

Booking an interior cabin allowed me to allocate my vacation budget elsewhere.

I packed in a carry-on suitcase to avoid $60 in baggage fees

While packing for an Alaska cruise in a carry-on might seem outrageous, I fit more than I needed in my trusty little suitcase.

I absolutely hate checking a bag when I travel, so I’ve mastered the art of packing for a 7-night cruise in a carry-on. To avoid paying $60 in bag fees, I packed everything I needed in a carry-on for my recent cruise.

To fit so much in a small suitcase, I utilized packing cubes which greatly reduced the surface area of my clothing.

Related: Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing

In addition, I traveled with a backpack as my personal item on the airplane. Inside I was able to fit my laptop, camera gear, toiletries, chargers, and other miscellaneous items. I even had enough space to fit my souvenirs in the bag after the cruise was over!

Packing in a carry-on allows me to travel more efficiently, save money, and ensure my belongings get to the port with me.

Celebrity Ascent will be Celebrity Cruises' fourth Edge Class ship, and it is only a few short months away from hitting the high seas. 

“I am so excited to introduce the world to Celebrity Ascent and continue the legacy of Celebrity’s Edge Series,” remarked Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

“First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like Edge, Apex and Beyond quickly became consumer favorites. Continuously striving to offer travelers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.” 

Here is what guests can look forward to on the newest Edge Class ship, Celebrity Ascent. 

Edge Class favorites

If you have previously sailed on an Edge Class ship, there are numerous venues that you can look forward to seeing onboard. 

First, there will be the Theatre that will be home to imaginative performances that utilize state-of-the-art technology. 

If you would rather enjoy the outdoors, head up to the Rooftop Garden. Dubbed the "ultimate outdoor haven," this is a space to enjoy live music, movies, and infinity float pools. Do not worry-- if you get hungry, it is easy to grab something to eat al fresco at the Rooftop Garden Grill. 

There will also be a return of the spa, luxurious Resort Deck with a large main pool and two-story martini glass shaped hot tubs, adults-only Solarium, Sunset Bar, Magic Carpet, and the Grand Plaza and Martini Bar. 

When it comes to dining, you can expect to find venues like the three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant, as well as Le Petit Chef, which offers a fully immersive dining experience for an extra cost and will feature a never-before-seen show. 

And when you return to your cabin at night, you can rest easy in Celebrity's luxurious and modern accommodations. When booking your cruise, you will have your pick of the Edge Class first Infinite Veranda, as well as other standard cabins. The ship even welcomes the return of AquaClass staterooms for wellbeing-seekers who want to enjoy exclusive amenities.

Brand-new and refreshed dining experiences

When Celebrity Beyond made her debut in 2022, she introduced new dining venues that set her apart from the previous two ships in the class. Likewise, Celebrity Ascent is taking on a similar tactic. Cruising onboard this ship will be different from any other ship in the class!

Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud was first introduced on Celebrity Beyond; however, it will be completely redesigned onboard Celebrity Ascent. Headed by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, Daniel Boulud's second restaurant at sea will offer an intimate fine dining experience that is based upon the Chef's travels. 

The world-class cuisine offered at Eden Restaurant is going to be expanded with a plant-based tasting menu, which will bring guests closer to the earth through seven courses that are crafted with untouched, fresh, and seasonal ingredients.

Fans of high-end bourbons will appreciate the tasting and seminars at Craft Social, while martini fans can rejoice in the expanded martini menu at the Martini Bar.

Here, you can find low-sugar cocktails, as well as some brand-new creations, such as the lychee and passion fruit martini. 

Even the complimentary dining experience is getting a refresh. As with the other Edge Class ships, there will be four main dining options, each with a signature menu and rotating nightly dishes.

On Celebrity Ascent, however, the Cosmopolitan restaurant will be redesigned, with the inspiration coming from the culture of champagne. 

Finally, Blu, the exclusive restaurant dedicated to AquaClass guests, will have an outdoor terrance with the ability to seat 24 guests.

Enhanced entertainment, art and retail offerings​​​

While food is a major aspect of the cruising experience, entertainment is another selling point for many passengers, and there is no lack of things to do onboard Celebrity Ascent. 

First, there will be three brand-new production shows in the Theater, as well as interactive digital experiences in the Club and immersive shows in Eden Bar and Restaurant. Each show will feature world-class dancers, vocalists, musicians, and even specialty artists. 

Plus, the Resort Deck is going to be the center of all your nightlife needs. There will be live performances, music, and even a DJ.

For those who want to try their luck at the casino, you will find that the casino floor has been redesigned and will feature brand-new games. You will find a new layout, design, and slot machines with the latest technology. 

The Art Gallery has also been reimagined, making it so that guests are able to better experience the displayed places, as well as enjoy various auctions and events. 

Last but not least, Celebrity Ascent will be home to the Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus. This is a collection of travel and home accessories that can only be found onboard Celebrity Ascent!

Celebrity Ascent itineraries 

Celebrity Ascent is scheduled to begin her maiden season in Caribbean before making her way across the Atlantic Ocean for a summer European season. This means that you can relax on the beautiful white sands of the Caribbean or enjoy a culturally rich trip, crossing multiple bucket-list destinations off of your list. 

If you would like to be one of the first to sail onboard, you can book a preview sailing. The first departs on November 22, 2023 and is a 4-night cruise to Cozumel. The second is a 3-night Bahamas getaway to Nassau, departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 26, 2023. 

The official maiden voyage is slated to begin on December 3, 2023. This is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata.

Between mid-December 2023 and early April 2024, you can elect to cruise on one of two 7-night Caribbean itineraries: Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman or San Juan, Tortola, and St. Kitts.

Since she will be in the Caribbean over the holidays, perhaps you will enjoy ringing in the New Year onboard this brand-new ship. The Christmas cruise departs on December 24 and sails to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman, while the New Year's cruise is to San Juan, Tortola, and St. Kitts and leaves on December 31. 

While in Europe, you can take the ultimate Mediterranean getaway during the 9-night Italian Riviera and France cruise. If that does not interest you, there is also a 12-night Best of Italy and Greece itinerary, sailing to places like Rome, Naples, Mykonos, and Santorini!

MrBeast, YouTube's most acclaimed entertainment star, boarded Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas for an afternoon of fun.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has amassed 159 million subscribers and over 27,131,438,600 total views. In terms of popularity, only two YouTube channels have more subscribers, and both are brand channels: T-Series and Cocomelon. 

In fact, he is the second YouTube creator in the site's history to surpass 100 million followers. Even his Instagram account is popular, with over 38 million followers. 

In a recent video, he boarded Harmony of the Seas to see what the $1 billion ship has to offer and how it compares to other ships, including a boat that he paid a single dollar for.  

Since published on June 10, the video has gotten over 71 million views! 

Just how popular is MrBeast? 

MrBeast is not just a content creator. He is also a philanthropist who has founded and co-founded numerous different organizations, included the Arbor Day Foundation, which has raised over $23 million dollars. 

In terms of his viewership, about 112 million people watched the Super Bowl LVII. During the average month, MrBeast harbors roughly 41 million views. 

Tim Kasser, a psychologist who studies materialism, conducted a study to prove that if MrBeast were to advertise for any given company or brand, it could cost about half as much as a traditional commercial while reaching a larger audience. 

As of June 2023, his most watched video is titled "$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!" Since it was posted on November 24, 2021, the video has gained over 438 million views. 

That, of course, is nowhere close to the most watched YouTube video of all time, Baby Shark Dance, which has been watched over 12 billion times in the six years since being posted to the social media site. 

Harmony of the Seas

While not the largest cruise ship in the world, Harmony of the Seas currently ranks number third, following Symphony and Wonder of the Seas. 

When Icon of the Seas launches in January 2024, her position will be bumped down to fourth. 

The ship, which measures an astonishing 226,963 gross registered tons, was launched in 2016. Currently, she is sailing from Miami, Florida. In November, she will be repositioned to Galveston, Texas, where she will make 4, 6, 7, and 8-night Western Caribbean cruises through at least April 2025. 

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship, meaning that she is part of one of the most unique classes of ships in the world and is divided into seven different neighborhoods for guests to explore: 

• Royal Promenade 
• Central Park
• Boardwalk 
• Pool and Sports Zone
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Youth Zone
• Entertainment Place

Likewise, she offers passengers numerous different dining -- both complimentary and specialty -- and entertainment options, such as the infamous AquaTheater performances, Wonderland, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, and headliner acts in the Royal Theater. 

Additionally, there are countless activities for guests to enjoy -- think water slides, FlowRider surf simulators, multi-story dry slide, mini-golf, a zip line, and more. It is easy to see why MrBeast wanted to check out this impressive ship. 

In short, there is something for everyone onboard, and there is no possible way that you could be bored while on a Harmony of the Seas cruise. 

MrBeast's maritime adventure 

MrBeast's YouTube video begins by showcasing yachts of various price points, including one that he paid $1 for. 

According to the yacht's previous owner, the storage costs were racking up, and he was spending $18,000 per year to storage it. Shortly after the purchase was made, the ship began to sink! They jumped off the vessel moments before it was submerged under the water. 

After the $1 yacht, he goes on to explore ships worth $1 million, $10 million, $25 million, $50 million, and $300 million dollars. The final ship on the agenda was Harmony of the Seas, which cost a little over $1 billion dollars to build!

"You cannot fathom how massive this ship is," said MrBeast, speaking about the size of Harmony. 

"It is literally a floating city...This boat has waterslides, an indoor mall, a basketball court, and tons of other stuff I can't even name!" 

He and his friends break up to explore different neighborhoods, with Chandler and Nolan heading to the Pool and Sports Zone first. 

After being amazed by the water slides and live music on the pool deck, the duo headed over to play a round of mini-golf.

Next, Chris appears on the Boardwalk: "So I went down a slide [referring to the Ultimate Abyss], and now I'm teleported into like a different world. And you have a carousel?!" 

Not only did he charter the ship for himself and his friends, but he ended the video by bringing 400 of his subscribers onboard to partake in the fun, whether that be hanging out on the pool deck, exploring the Boardwalk, playing games in the arcade, climbing the rock wall, eating at Wonderland, and more. 

Plus, every single subscriber onboard at the time was gifted with a free three-night cruise on Icon of the Seas. 

If they all thought Harmony was impressive, they will be blown away by everything that the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas will offer, including the record-breaking Category 6 Water Park, AquaDome, brand-new dining concepts, and much, much more. 

I often say that it's hard to have a bad cruise on a new cruise ship, and a large reason for that thought process is because of how much you can see and do on a new cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's fleet of cruise ships offers ships of different size and age. There's a good reason to try them all, with the newest ships offering some superb experiences that truly stand out.

Of course, a new cruise ship will come with a premium price.  The newest ships have the most demand because of how intriguing they are to the general public. It leaves some people wondering what exactly a new cruise ships gets you and why you'd want to pay extra to sail on a brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship compared to one that isn't as new.

Regardless of a ship's age, Royal Caribbean does a good job of maintaining its fleet with regular updates and even upgrades to some vessels.

The appeal of the latest and greatest certainly draws in plenty of cruisers, because it represents the very best Royal Caribbean has to offer. When you watch a commercial for Royal Caribbean, inevitably you want to do the same things you see in the commercial, and those are offered on newer ships.

If you've only sailed on older ships, or are simply curious what makes a new ship different from an older ship, there are a few nuances you will notice about a brand new cruise ship when you get onboard.

Updated cabin aesthetics

If you think all cruise ships are the same regardless of age, you have to see the cabin of a new ship.

New cruise ships have much more modern aesthetics, and I'd say the look and feel of a new ship cabin mirrors that of a land based hotel much more than older ships cabins.

Royal Caribbean ship cabins on ships built prior to 2014 seem to have a very traditional maritime look to them, and it seemed like the motif for these staterooms was very much the same whether you were on a Radiance or Voyager Class cruise ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

With the Quantum Class, the look of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin began to change, and since then, it seems Royal Caribbean hasn't been content with delivering the same sort of cabin.

The colors have evolved over the last 10 years, and there's more accents that make your cruise ship cabin look less like a cruise ship cabin.  In my opinion, new ship cabins evoke more of a land resort look to them than older ship cabins did.

Read more: What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?

Smart TVs

Something else you'll notice in your cabin on a new cruise ship are the televisions.

I certainly don't watch a lot of TV while on a cruise, but when I do, the experience is much more enjoyable on a new TV given the feature set and performance you'll get with them.

Newer Royal Caribbean ships have interactive TVs, where you can complete your muster drill experience, order room service, review charges and more.

On the very newest Royal Caribbean ships, the TVs have a means to stream content from your smart device.  This alleviates one of the major pain points guests have had for years of trying to get a movie from their computer or phone on the TV without having to bring an HDMI cable and universal remote.

Plus, the new TVs change channels a heck of a lot quicker.  My pet peeve is using a TV that has a noticeable delay in trying to change channels, which is common with older units.

While the stateroom television isn't a reason to book a cruise or not, it certainly makes it slightly more enjoyable.

More specialty restaurants

There's simply more dining choices on a new cruise ship.

Part of the reason you'll find more dining variety is because the ship is bigger, which means more space onboard for more restaurants.

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has doubled down on specialty dining in particular because of how well-received it has been from guests.  It offers more cuisines and cooking styles than you can find in the complimentary venues, and it allows Royal Caribbean to experiment with new concepts too.

For those that opt to indulge in extra cost restaurants, you'll have many more choices on a new ship than an older ship.

As an example, Icon of the Seas will have more than 40 food and beverage concepts, with 23 of them completely new to Royal Caribbean.

Whether you go to all of those restaurants is secondary to the fact you have the choice to visit, and the sheer variety stands out to guests.

When you sail on an older ship, the amount of dining choices is considerably less.

Read more: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Newer songs in production shows

If you want to tell which decade a cruise ship was launched, watch the production shows and listen for which songs are included.

When Royal Caribbean builds a new cruise ship, they develop new shows for guests onboard.  Inevitably, there are hit songs from the last few years included in the dance numbers.

When I went on Anthem of the Seas earlier this summer, I recall hearing Macklemore's, "Can't Hold Us" as part of a show in Two70.  It's a great hit from 2012, and it instantly sets the age of a ship in your mind.

Newer cruise ships seem to sample newer songs in their shows.

A lot of new cruisers

New cruise ships are built to bring in the crowds, especially those that have never cruised before.

Growth in the cruise industry is predicated on the concept of marketing to people that have never taken a cruise before because that is the largest segment of the population. According to statistics published by Cruise Lines International Association, around 15% of the total US population have ever cruised.

As a result, Royal Caribbean designs new cruise ships to be very intriguing to someone who has never cruised before, and the result is there will probably be a lot of new cruisers onboard.

To be fair, you'll find new cruisers on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  But there seems to be many more newbies on a new ship.

Certainly there will be many families on a new ship because of Royal Caribbean's historic appeal to the family travel market.

Those Royal Caribbean television commercials are made to attract the public to the ship, and often the whizz-bang activities onboard are the sort that compel someone who has never cruised before to try the ship. The Bionic Bar, Ultimate Abyss, and FlowRider all endear themselves to first time cruisers because they are the sort of activities someone might not have imagined you could do on a cruise ship.

More storage space in your cabin

Going back to the rooms on a cruise ship, one big difference with a new ship is how much more storage space there is in your cabin.

When I started cruising, I found storage space to always be at a premium.  But with cruise ships built in the last decade, there has been many more drawers, closets, and nooks added to store all of your belongings.

Instead of rationing shelves, I find even in inside cabins more shelving and drawers than we can possibly use.

This is especially helpful when cruising with kids, as the amount of stuff you have seems to grow exponentially.

Read more: 8 things you should know about your cruise ship cabin

The line's best musical acts

In terms of entertainment on a new cruise ship, the better acts tend to end up on the new ships.

When Royal Caribbean launches a new cruise ship, they will pluck the top rated bands and musicians to sail on the newest ship. This is largely based on guest feedback and reputation these performers have garnered over the years.

To be clear, all the musical acts across the fleet are talented, but the stagemanship the best acts have makes them stand out.

More app features

The Royal Caribbean app is now a must-use part of the cruise experience, and the feature set on a new ship is substantial.

The bottom row of the app has various things you can do in the app, and the newest ships in the fleet can do things like being able to open your stateroom door, augmented reality experiences, and even open your cabin curtains.

Whether you use all these features or not is another question, but it's nice to have them all as an option.

Better suite amenities

If you'd like to stay in a Royal Caribbean suite, you'll find the best suite perks on a new ship.

Royal Caribbean has two tiers of suite benefits, with its new ships offering Royal Suite Class amenities that are aimed at rivaling land resort suite benefits.

The Royal Suite Class has three tiers: Sea Class, Sky Class, and Star Class. They are available only on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Not only are the benefits better on new ships, but the size and layout of suites are arguably superior too.

Because of how lucrative the suite market is for the cruise line, Royal Caribbean has developed larger and more opulent suites that feature multi-deck layouts, in-suite slides, and private jacuzzis.

Read more: 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

A suite on an older ship will still be a lovely experience, but when you try a suite on the newer ships, I think the variety of perks stands out more.

More information

• I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest and oldest cruise ships: here's what it's like to cruise on each
• Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?