Royal Caribbean Blog

Two famous influencers are facing harsh backlash for leaving their two young children unattended during their recent Royal Caribbean cruise.

The couple - Matt and Abby Howard - are known for their online presence, as the two are the hosts of a popular podcast called The Unplanned Podcast. In addition, the couple has a large following on Instagram and TikTok, where they chronicle their lives as parents of two young children to millions of followers. Their children include two sons, a 1-year-old named August and a 2-year-old named Griffin.

The controversy comes after Abby shared on her Instagram story about their recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. The mom of two shared with her 1.3 million followers how she and Matt decided partway through their 5-night cruise to leave their children unattended in their stateroom during dinner.

In the now-deleted Instagram story, Abby said, “So, we ended up taking them for 5 nights and it became apparent that they weren’t enjoying it and therefore we weren’t either.”

“So, THEN we switched our dinner time to AFTER their bedtime and we FaceTimed the [baby] monitors while we ate,” she continued. Further, Abby shared how their baby monitors wouldn’t work onboard Navigator of the Seas unless they were within 10 feet of the device.

Abby stated, “And that worked out muchhhh better for everyone!”

According to online reports, Abby had shared that the parents had tried to leave the children with the onboard childcare services, but their baby was too upset by the ordeal. Moreover, Abby shared in an Instagram story how they tried to reserve slots for their children, but struggled to find availability.

“Our game plan was to play all day with the kids and then let them hang out in the kids club while the adults went to formal dining, as long, nice dinners [are] not a setting designed for them,” Abby said.

“Well, you need to book ahead if your child is under 3 and pretty much all of the dinner slots were already booked before I could get to the nursery (an hour after boarding),” she continued. As a solution, the parents opted to put their children to bed before dinner, relying on their phones to FaceTime a baby monitor to watch the kids.

As a family-friendly cruise line, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas provides nursery care for children under 3 years old for an additional cost. The cruise line states on their website, "If you’re cruising with a baby or a toddler, you’ll be pleased to know that Navigator of the Seas offers an abundance of childcare options for little ones, like the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Program and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery. That’s in addition to convenience-boosting amenities like cribs brought to your stateroom and babysitting services run by qualified, caring professionals."

According to Royal Caribbean’s website, Royal Babies and Tots has an additional cost based on an hourly rate. Parents need to register their children and reserve slots for the nursery, which is fully equipped with staff to supervise young children safely.

Unsurprisingly, the Instagram story has brought the parents under scrutiny for leaving their young children alone in their stateroom to have dinner. The story, which was shared to r/royalcaribbean on Reddit, garnered more than 200 comments. The original post on Reddit was captioned, "Influencers leave their kids in their room unattended… y'all, do NOT DO THIS!!"

Social media users and cruisers alike were outraged by the incident, calling the parents “neglectful,” "insane," and “irresponsible.” Moreover, many questioned how the parents would reach their children in the event of an emergency, such as an onboard fire.

“They could have easily had their dinner brought to their room and ate there. So irresponsible and selfish,” states one commenter.

Another cruiser stated, “I mean, I’ve cruised a lot and there is always something crazy that happens. A rogue wave. A lockdown. Storm. Lost child. The ocean is wild and to leave your 1-year-old and 2-year-old alone on a boat at any time is so so so so so so stupid.”

“If you can’t stay with your kids at all times or have appropriate adults watching them, then don’t bring them!”

Another user shared, “I expected to see a bunch of overreacting, assuming the kids were a bit older. 1 and 2? One is entirely helpless and the other is self-destructive. Yikes.”

“Wow, this is insane. I just took my 2-year-old and 11-month-old on a cruise and I never thought to myself, I should leave them alone in our room,” writes another commenter.

One person commented, “I was thinking that maybe they were older kids since I’m not familiar with these TikTokers. This information makes it so, so much worse.”

Others compared the incident to the story of Madeleine McCann, in which the British parents of the 3-year-old toddler left her unattended in a resort-style apartment to have dinner with their friends nearby. Other children were in the apartment at the time of the incident as well.

Although the parents took turns checking on the kids during dinner, the young Madeline was gone from her bed around 10PM that night - and she remains missing to this day.

“Clearly, they’re too young to know the story of Madeleine McCann. That’s exactly what happened in their case and I am sure those parents regret that choice to go have dinner when the kids are sleeping every single day,” writes one commenter.

Similarly, another person commented, “Dude. No way. Older little kids can leave the room without you stopping them. [For] babies, [it's] basically criminal neglect to leave like that. Madeleine McCann, anyone?”

“I guess they’ve never heard of Madeleine McCann?” commented one user on social media.

Another echoed this sentiment writing, “This seriously reminds me of the Madeleine McCann. Like many years ago, a couple on holiday left their child in the room for dinner and she was kidnapped. I mean that’s a worse case scenario but like literally a billion things can happen."

Abby and Matt have not responded to the criticism publicly, although the couple did remove the story from Abby's Instagram following the backlash. 

Welcome back to this week's comprehensive look at all the recent Royal Caribbean news. It was a big week for the cruise line, so let's dive in!

Royal Caribbean's infamous nine-month world cruise ended this week.

The viral 9-month journey onboard Serenade of the Seas came to an end with a party attended by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley. 

Passengers and crew members returned to Miami, Florida, where it all began. The cruise line's first world cruise visited 60 countries across all seven continents.

Royal Caribbean News

• How much is a balcony room on a cruise?
• Does the size of a cruise ship really matter?
• The 5 smartest moves I made on my European cruise
• Twelve-year-old child dies after falling from balcony on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• Anthem of the Seas vs. Oasis of the Seas
• Greece is adding a new anti-cruise ship tourist tax
• Cruise door decorations ideas & what you need to know
• Royal Caribbean CEO shares when new beach clubs will open in Bahamas, Mexico, and South Pacific
• Royal Caribbean kids club guide
• Royal Caribbean cancels cruise reservations on one of its ships due to lifeboat shortage

New RCB Video: I went on the LEAST POPULAR Europe cruise

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—I went on the LEAST POPULAR Europe cruise—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 544th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt sailed a 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise in Europe and is back to share his review. 

We update our podcast weekly, so subscribe for more updates via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS.

You can also leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so go ahead and check it out! We appreciate your feedback.

Overtourism by cruise ships? Royal Caribbean CEO fights back

Cruise ship ports across Europe have been protesting overtourism, but Royal Caribbean's CEO thinks targeting the cruising industry is misinformed.

While he acknowledged certain concerns tourist areas have, he sought to highlight some of the underestimated benefits cruise ships bring to the tourism industry.

During a Q&A session onboard the Ultimate World Cruise, Bayley argued that "there are some incredibly positive attributes that come from our business." 

I work at Royal Caribbean's private island. Here are11 things that most cruisers don't know

The top two people that oversee Royal Caribbean's private island want you to know some secrets about Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The private island in the Bahamas is free for Royal Caribbean guests to access, so how can you make the most of the experience?

By taking advantage of their advice, you can save time and money while vising CocoCay.

I travel for work, here's the one thing that I do on the first day of every cruise

As a frequent traveler, Calista has learned how to make the most of her cruises.

Since embarkation day can be one of the most stressful and significant days of the sailing, she's developed a key tip to make embarkation day run smoothly.

Calista always does this one thing as soon as she gets onboard a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's ships are packed with lots of activities and entertainment, that include areas just for kids and teens to go without their parents.

The dedicated spaces for kids have grown as Royal Caribbean's ships have gotten bigger, and there's a large emphasis on family-friendly programming.

I've taken my kids on dozens of cruises over the years, and it quickly became our family's preferred way to travel. Without a doubt, there's an art to cruising with kids because like all things with children, you've got to find the right balance of fun, relaxation, and sanity.

While we enjoy family fun with my kids on the ships, the supervised kids clubs in Adventure Ocean, Teen Lounge, and the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery have given a break to all of us. 

How the kids club works on Royal Caribbean

On every Royal Caribbean ship is a supervised area reserved just for kids. Parent's drop them off, and it's a win-win for both kids and parents alike.

You'll need to register your kids once you get onboard by visiting the kids club or nursery. You just need to enter some personal information about your kids, who can pick them up, sign out privileges, and authorization for the cruise line staff to supervise them.

Adventure Ocean is the name of the kids club on Royal Caribbean, and it's open every day of your cruise.  It's not open 24 hours, but its operating hours mean you can count on it being open most of the day and into the late night.

If your kids are at least 3 years old, there's no cost to use Adventure Ocean up until 10pm.  After that, there's an hourly fee.

Adventure Ocean is separated into three groups: Aquanauts (3 to 5 years old), Explorers (6 to 8 years old) and Voyagers (9 to 12/13 years old). This ensures there are age-appropriate activities for everyone.

Sometimes groups will be merged if there aren't a lot of kids checked-in, such as during the morning on a sea day or late at night.

Kids going into Aquanauts need to be fully potty trained, regardless of age. The staff cannot assist with kids using the toilet. 

As many parents know, 3-year-olds are usually in the midst of potty training, so my advice is take them to the restroom before drop off and check in often with them to see if they need to go.  There's no problem with you stopping by to take them to the bathroom and then the child returning to the fun.

Kids under the age of 3 can go to the ship's nursery, which always has an hourly fee. The nursery will care for, feed, and put the child down for a nap while in their care.

Teens have their own area of the ship. Depending on the ship, the minimum age for teens is 12 or 13 years old, and includes anyone up to the age of 17.

Kids club on new ships vs old ships

You should be aware that Royal Caribbean's kids programming varies considerably depending on which ship you're sailing on.

Since about 2019, Royal Caribbean has steadily been upgrading Adventure Ocean and Teens Club with a new approach. Primarily, the differences include:

• Teen club starts at 13 instead of 12
• Adventure Ocean is more free play, rather than organized activities. There are still activities wit staff, but kids have more choice whether to participate or not.
• Addition of craft rooms (AO Workshop)
• Addition of outdoor teen deck space
• More interactive digital entertainment in the clubs

Ships with "Adventure Ocean 2.0" include:

• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Star of the Seas

Other ships have essentially the original Adventure Ocean approach to programming and spaces available.

What are the ages for kids club on Royal Caribbean?

Kids between the ages of 6 months and 17 years old can access Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean program.

Each area is split up by age:

• Royal Babies & Tots: Children 6 months–36 months
• Aquanauts & AO Junior: Children ages 3–5
• Explorers: Children ages 6–8
• Voyagers: Children ages 9–11
• AO Kids (new ships): Children ages 6-12
• Navigators: Children ages 12–14
• Teens: Children ages 15–17
• Social (new ships): ages 13-17

What are the Royal Caribbean kids club hours?

On sea days, Adventure Ocean is typically open 9am - noon; 2pm - 5pm; 7pm - 10pm. After 10pm, Adventure Ocean remains open until perhaps 1am or 2am, but there is an hourly charge for kids that stay past 10pm.

While in port, Adventure Ocean is open continuously while the ship is docked with no breaks.  Once the ship departs port, it resumes the normal sea day schedule.

The nursery hours are fixed every day and open 9am - midnight with a reservation.

The teen club has similar hours to Adventure Ocean, but there is no cost past 10pm.

Special kids club rooms

In recent years, Royal Caribbean has added more than just play areas for kids on their ships. You'll find labs, theaters, and more.

Depending on which ship you sail, there could be additional venues part of Adventure Ocean. These are primarily on the newest and biggest ships. 

All of these rooms are included with your cruise and there's no additional fee.  In many cases, it may only be open for kids checked into their club.

An open play area is an unsupervised room with play toys and climbing toys that is enclosed, with just one entrance. This is where parents can bring their young kids and let them run loose while supervising them.

It's similar to a play are you might see at a fast food restaurant, and it's great for toddlers who can crawl and start to walk and they need to get energy out.

The Adventure Ocean theater doubles as both a movie room and a place for original shows.

Sometimes there are activities held inside the theater for kids signed into kids club, while other times the theater is opened up to parents and kids.

The Science Lab is where Adventure Ocean counselors can take kids to do fun experiments.

Usually it's where kids can build a volcano and watch it "erupt" with the proper combination of chemicals, but it's been used for other activities as well.

Teens usually have an outdoor space for them, in addition to the club. 

On Odyssey of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, there's actually a teen sun deck space for them. Other ships have clubs for teens only.

On the newest Oasis Class ships, there is a Playscape area on the back of the pool deck (Utopia and Wonder of the Seas).

There's no registration or sign ups required, just bring your kids and let them explore and play.  Kids of all ages are welcome, but it leans heavily to favor under 7-year-olds.

Do you have to pay for kids club on Royal Caribbean?

Adventure Ocean and Teens Club is included with your cruise fare, and there is no additional cost. The exception is after 10pm for Adventure Ocean.

After 10pm, there is an hourly rate of $10 per child, per hour.

The nursery always has an hourly cost and costs $6 per child, per hour between 9am and 6pm; $8 per child, per hour between 6pm and midnight.

How the nursery works on Royal Caribbean

Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a nursery, and while it has an extra cost, I've found it to be a tremendous value for parents.

The nursery onboard is for toddlers and infants between 6 months and 36 months old, and you'll need to register your child in order to get a time slot.

Time slots are limited because the nursery has very limited capacity. Royal Caribbean maintains a strict counselor-to-child ratio because young children of this age require far more attention than older kids.

When you register, you'll provide information such as feeding schedule, nap preferences, and more.  Unlike the older kids clubs, the nursery can feed children, change their clothes or diapers and allow them to nap. 

Parents can drop off a bag of supplies, which includes formula, diapers, outfits, and anything else the staff might need.

On most ships, the nursery will limit the amount of hours you reserve in advance to ensure everyone has a chance to book times.  Usually after 2 or 3 days, they'll open time slots up without any restrictions.

While the nursery requires reservations, you can still drop your kid off if they have open slots.  My tip is to call the nursery and ask if they have availability at the moment, and they can advise if there's an opportunity.

Once in the nursery, the kids will interact with the counselors and other kids.  The very young kids might simply be held the entire time, while older kids can play with toys, watch a movie, or play with counselors or other kids.

There is a nap area with cribs. Newer ships have more separation between the cribs and the play area. 

Can the staff contact me if there's a problem?

There are various options for contacting parents if there's an issue, problem, or question about their kids.

Parents that drop children at the nursery will automatically get a phone to carry with them. The dect phone works anywhere on the ship, and it's a way to contact parents or parents contact the nursery.  

At Adventure Ocean Aquanauts/AO Juniors, parents can request a phone. It's not automatically given, but they have some to use for parents who have concerns with their kids.

Otherwise, the staff can always call your stateroom phone and leave a message. In the case of an emergency, you would be paged over the ship's public address system.

Kids club tips and advice

There are a few good bits of advice I can offer after taking my kids on many cruises and using Adventure Ocean.

Read more: 50 cruising with kids tips

Go to the open house on the first day

Held in the afternoon (usually 1pm) on embarkation day, you can register your kids and both parents and kids can explore the kids club.

You can meet the staff, get questions answered, and it's the perfect way for you and your kids to feel more comfortable before the first session later that evening.

You can drop kids off while you are off the ship

It might sound crazy, but you can leave your kids in Adventure Ocean while you are off the ship on a shore excursion or just walking around.

The kids club remains open anytime the ship is in port, and it's a great way to enjoy a more adult-centric shore excursion while your kids get to play in the club.

Why Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for kids

While a lot of cruise lines advertise they're family friendly, Royal Caribbean stands out as the clear best choice for a cruise if you have kids.

For as long as I've been cruising, Royal Caribbean has been a family friendly brand that not only offers things for kids to do, but their parents as well.

I started cruising with I was in my teens, and as I got older, I graduated through various experiences. Now, I'm taking my kids onboard and my parents are the ones sailing with us to be with their grandkids. 

The reason why Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for families is they offer the most for kids on their ships, at a great value, and without compromising the adult experience.

Other cruise lines may seem better for kids, but leave their parents wanting more.  Or the price is unreasonable.

The balance Royal Caribbean has for what they offer for every member of the family stands out to me.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for kids

There is not a Royal Caribbean cruise ship I wouldn't recommend for kids, but there are definitely a few ships that simply offer more.

By picking a ship that has more activities, larger spaces for kids, and more dining choices, you're increasing the chances that they'll have a good time (and you by proxy).

Think of it like choosing a city to visit. If you select a small town, your kids might love it, but there will be a larger variety of options to keep them occupied in a big city.

In choosing the best Royal Caribbean ship for kids, I think you want a ship with these features:

• A nursery
• Updated Adventure Ocean
• Many top deck activities
• Newer cabins that offer more family room configurations
• More restaurants

My top choices for a family with kids to sail on is Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, or Utopia of the Seas.

All three are big ships with the latest and greatest features onboard, tons of activities, and expansive dining choices.  In fact, Icon of the Seas is in a class by itself if you're cruising with young kids because the have an entire area dedicated to children.

If you're on a budget and want to cruise while saving money, I'd recommend Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, or Mariner of the Seas.

All three ships have been recently updated, and they're still "big ships".  However, they're all over 20 years old, and that means the price will be far less than my top 3 ships.

Some guests on an upcoming sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship received an email their cruise has been cancelled because there aren't enough safe lifeboats on the ship.

Guests booked on the September 15 sailing of Rhapsody of the Seas received an email from the cruise line informing them their cruise has been cancelled.

As first reported by Cruise Industry News, Royal Caribbean sent an email that explains reservations have been cancelled because of damage to a lifeboat.

"On our previous sailing, there was damage to one of our tender boats, which also serves as a lifeboat," the email reads.

"This leaves the ship over capacity for the number of available lifeboat seats in the event of an emergency in our next sailing. Unfortunately, this means we’ll be unable to welcome you onboard."

Rhapsody of the Seas is scheduled to sail a 7-night cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Southern Caribbean.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international convention and requirement that all passengers ships have to abide by. It establishes all passengers know what to do in case of an emergency, and it requires that every soul onboard have a seat on a lifeboat.  

Each lifeboat has a finite capacity, and it's a very strict rule. A Captain that tried to sail a passenger vessel out of compliance with SOLAS would likely have their master's license under review as soon as it was discovered.  

As a result of the cancellation, guests booked onboard will receive a full refund.

Royal Caribbean will issue a Future Cruise Credit equal to the total amount paid for the canceled cruise, valid until September 13, 2025. 

Additionally, they will cover non-refundable transportation costs, such as flights or rental cars, that were impacted by the cancellation. Passengers must submit receipts to receive compensation of up to $200 per guest for domestic travel changes or up to $400 per guest for international changes.

Conflicting information

Guests booked on the September 15 sailing reported in a Facebook group dedicated for the sailing conflicting reports of if the cruise is actually cancelled or not.

Carrie Lanford posted, "Just got off the phone with agent and was told entire cruise ship is cancelled."

But Tina Oliver wrote, "I called and the agent said I'm good to go. Sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. I guess I'll just find out on Sunday."

Anna Ulmer added, "I am muster 16 and did not receive an email. I contacted Royal and they confirmed my reservation."

Lyndsey Percle also posted she did not receive a cancellation notice, "We are also Muster 15 and haven’t received any cancellation email."

Lifeboat requirements

The regulations related to cruise ship lifeboats are quite clear.

• Ships must have partially or totally enclosed lifeboats, for 50% of the total capacity of people onboard, at each side (total capacity for 100%).
• Rigid or inflatable life craft must make up at least 25% of the ship’s total capacity.

This means a cruise ship must have lifeboats/rafts for at least 125% of the ship’s total capacity, but often that minimum is exceeded.

SOLAS was implanted right after the Titanic disaster of 1912. The sinking of that ship exposed a major problem with the lack of lifeboats.

As a result, in 1914 SOLAS was drafted a result of that incident.

SOLAS requirements have been updated since then, which include the modern rules for lifeboats.

Packing for an upcoming cruise is perhaps one of the most stressful aspects of planning a cruise vacation. If you’re jetting off to Europe for a cruise, you might be feeling overwhelmed about what exactly you should pack.

Having the right wardrobe for a cruise is crucial or you might be spending the entirety of your vacation feeling unprepared. Without the proper necessities, you might find yourself needing to shop in ports of call, which is wasting both your time and money.

My husband and I recently returned from a European cruise onboard Celebrity Apex, visiting ports of call across Northern Europe. Our itinerary departed from Southhampton, England before setting sail to Belgium and Norway. This particular sailing had three ports of call throughout the Norwegian Fjords throughout the 7-night itinerary.

Before the cruise, we spent three additional nights in London before heading south to the cruise port in Southampton. We stayed in the heart of London and enjoyed a few days of sightseeing before the cruise. I always recommend spending a few days in your departure city, especially for those making the long trek across the pond for a cruise.

Generally speaking, we were quite lucky with weather and sea conditions during this cruise. The weather during our cruise ranged from sunny to cold and rainy, with everything in between. With such varying climates between these three countries, my husband and I had to be strategic about our packing.

My biggest piece of advice is to focus on practicality and versatility when packing for your European cruise. Having layers and versatile pieces in your wardrobe will allow you to save space in your suitcase while also being fully prepared for changing weather conditions.

Moreover, you should prepare for lots of walking during your cruise. We were walking upwards of 15,000 steps each day while sightseeing. In this way, comfortable walking shoes should be at the top of your European cruise packing list. You do not want to deal with painful blisters because you didn’t pack the appropriate walking shows!

Read more: European cruise outfits and packing guide for women

For a European cruise, plan to pack at least one outfit each day. Most European itineraries are very port-intensive with fewer sea days compared to Caribbean sailings. You should also plan for evening outfits to wear onboard the cruise ship to dinners. Finally, prepare for hanging out or walking around the ship with some lounge outfits. These are also perfect for sea days!

Finally, if you’re looking for men’s outfit inspiration for your cruise, I am here to help! Much to the excitement of my husband (can you sense my sarcasm?), I documented everything he wore during our European cruise. While neither of us are fashionistas, I wanted to provide a realistic look for what men could wear for cruise outfits on a European sailing.

This outfit guide will cover the necessities that men should pack for their European cruise. If you’re sailing on a Mediterranean cruise, this outfit guide probably won’t help you too much. The Mediterranean is much warmer than Northern Europe, requiring a very different wardrobe than the one I will show you in this article.

The outfits below work well for men cruising around Northern Europe and the Baltics. This would include sailings that are departing from ports across Northern Europe, like Amsterdam (Netherland), Southampton (England), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), Reykjavik (Iceland) and Stockholm (Sweden).

General Packing Tips

When you begin packing for your European cruise, you will want to keep a few things in mind. First, you should focus on packing layers! Layers provide flexibility and versatility to your cruise wardrobe. This is very important, as packing layers also allows you to prepare for a changing climate.

While it might be cold in the morning, the sun can pop out in the afternoon and bring warm sunshine. When you have layers that work well together, you are providing yourself with more options to stay comfortable in the changing weather.

For this cruise, my husband packed many different layering options in his suitcase. This included short-sleeved shirts, pull-over sweaters, and outdoor jackets. Almost every day of our cruise, he wore some combination of these layers.

Choose jackets and sweatshirts that are neutral-colored and work well with your wardrobe. By choosing more neutral colors, you can wear multiple combinations of your wardrobe throughout the cruise. For my husband, this meant packing black, grey, and tan colored sweaters and jackets for our cruise. A black raincoat was a staple for both of us.

In addition, this mix-and-match strategy allows you to pack less overall. Avoid outfits that you might only wear once, as this is wasting precious real estate in your suitcase. This also holds true for outerwear and shoes. Keep the shoes at home that you only plan to wear to dinner once or twice if you can avoid it.

When packing for your European cruise, you will also need to consider what your daily agenda entails. For example, if you are planning to do any hiking or outdoorsy activities, you will need to plan for this accordingly. Check out your tour descriptions before packing as well; these tours can provide outfit guidelines to keep in mind for your excursion’s agenda.

For instance, if you plan to do any hiking, most excursion descriptions encourage guests to pack hiking shoes. You’ll need to use your best judgment for this, as some hikes might only require tennis shoes.

Finally, try not to overpack. This doesn’t seem to be a problem for my husband as much as it is for me. Most importantly, you will be lugging your suitcase across the pond to board your cruise. This means you need to anticipate hauling your luggage in the airports, train stations, cruise terminals, hotels, and taxis.

Expectations for Weather

Before you start packing for your European cruise, you will want to check out the weather forecast. Although it might seem obvious, the forecast can vary greatly when cruising in Europe. This is especially true in Northern Europe, where the weather can change drastically. You might have sunshine one day and cold rain the following.

The European cruise season runs between April and October, with peak season between May and September. This is because the weather is usually too rainy and cold if you sail in April or October - this is considered the “shoulder season.” You might be able to snag a great deal on cruises in the shoulder season, but be prepared for even colder and rainier weather.

While cruising on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, you could experience rough waves or storms, especially during shoulder season. The summer should bring more sunshine than rain in Northern Europe, but you should be prepared for anything.

Prepare for temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and highs around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Sailings in the shoulder season will have cooler weather while the summer months of June, July, and August will be the warmest months.

Of course, the further north you sail, the cooler the temperatures will be. This means cruises to Iceland, Norway, and the Arctic Circle can bring cold weather - and you should plan accordingly. Other cruises around the Baltics, British Isles, and Scandinavia should have warmer temperatures, although rain and cold temperatures can still be possible.

Even with cooler weather, you can still experience heat waves in this region of Europe. Ports like Le Herve (France), Amsterdam (Netherlands), and Brugge (Belgium) are all destinations where you can plan for warmer temperatures.

During our day in Belgium, the temperatures were around 60 degrees Fahrenheit with sunny skies. The morning was cooler while the afternoon brought warm sunshine. On the other hand, our time in Norway brought more varied temperatures. While it rained all day in Olden when we hiked the glacier, it was warm and sunny in Flam for the railway.

Finally, this region of Norway is notorious for rain. Every cruise that we’ve taken in this region of Europe has at least one or two days where it rains for the entire day. The weather can also change quickly with pop-up storms. For this reason, I always pack a rain jacket and a small umbrella. My husband wore his light rain jacket almost every day of the cruise.

Cruise Essentials Overview

My husband packed just one 50-pound suitcase with a carry-on for this trip. Overall, he wore almost everything in his wardrobe that he packed for our European itinerary. For our cruise, we had a few excursions planned that were taken into consideration when planning.

First, we planned to hike the glacier in Olden, Norway. Although this was advertised as a hike, it was a nicely paved path up to the glacier. We also planned to ride the Flam Railway while docked in Flam, Norway. Finally, our itinerary stopped in Bergen, Norway, and Brugge, Belgium, where we were planning to walk around the cities.

Moreover, my husband is a runner and planned to workout a few days during our cruise. He packed exercise clothes with the anticipation of a few workouts. If you are someone who wants to hit the gym, make sure to pack accordingly and throw some gym shorts and workout shirts into your suitcase.

My husband does not love jeans, so most of his pants are the ABC Classic Pant from Lululemon. He claims these pants are easy to dress up or down - and are extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day. He packed multiple colors of these pants, including black, grey, and khaki.

During the day, my husband wore a combination of these pants with a casual short-sleeve shirt. He layered this outfit with a quarter zip and black rain jacket. This black rain jacket is from 66 North and one of his favorites for outwear! A black rain jacket is perfect for a European cruise as it's both versatile and practical. 

In the evenings, he actually wore similar outfits to his daily attire. Most of the evenings, he swapped his short-sleeved shirt for a polo with his khakis or black pants. He also wore a quarter zip during the cooler evenings onboard.

As for outfits on the ship, my husband kept it casual with joggers and sweatshirts. Since our sailing had two sea days, he wore these casual outfits around the ship. In addition, these more casual outfits were perfect for the mornings for breakfast or watching the fjord sailings from the top deck.

Read more: What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

However, loungewear was minimal for this cruise since we only had two sea days. If your sailing has more sea days, then you will want to consider packing more comfortable outfits to wear around the ship.

Of course, you don’t want to forget a swimsuit either! Although this isn’t your typical Caribbean cruise, there are usually indoor pools and multiple hot tubs onboard to enjoy! One evening after dinner, we hot tubbed while sailing through the fjord. Since the sun doesn’t really set in Norway in the summer, it was a beautiful late-night evening.

I should also note that my husband took advantage of our free laundry voucher onboard Celebrity Apex during this cruise. Because we have Elite Plus loyalty status with the cruise line, we each received two free bags of laundry. This helped provide some fresh outfits and undergarments halfway through the cruise.

With that in mind, here’s exactly what my husband packed for our 7-night European cruise. Below is a list of everything he wore during our sailing to Norway and Belgium.

European cruise packing list for men

Outfits:

• 1 light jacket
• 3 quarter zip jackets
• 5 polos
• 3 sweatshirts
• 1 swimsuit
• 5 pairs of pants
• 1 pair of sweatpants
• 5 t-shirts
• 3 workout shirts
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 2 hats (workout and casual)
• 3 pairs of shoes (2 sneakers and 1 dress boot)
• 12 pairs of underwear
• 15 pairs of socks
• 3 pairs of gym shorts

Accessories:

• Crossbody/fanny pack
• Electronics organizer
• Packing cubes
• Small cosmetic bag

Technology:

• Phone
• iPad
• Wireless headphones
• Laptop
• Smartwatch
• Portable charger
• Charging cords

Daily Necessities:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Face wash
• Moisturizer
• Prescription medication
• Cologne
• Hair gel and powder
• Over-the-counter medication

Travel Needs:

• Valid passport with case
• 3 credit cards (Visa and American Express cards with no foreign transaction fees)
• Local currency (However, we mostly used our credit cards)
• USD in Cash (For tips onboard the cruise)
• ATM debit card

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Royal Caribbean's ships come in various sizes, but how important is the area of the cruise ship?

While the cruise line generally leans towards the larger side, there are significant differences between the ship classes.

Within Royal Caribbean's fleet, the smallest ships are the Vision and Radiance Classes, which carry around 2,400-2,700 passengers.

The medium ships are the Voyager Class; ships with a capacity for 3,800-4,200 passengers.

The bigger ships are the Freedom, Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Classes: mega-ships with a capacity for 4,500 up to 7,500 guests. 

So with over 28 vessels to choose from, how do you decide which ship size is best for you?

The short answer? Size matters when it comes to your cruise ship.

Here's how the size of your cruise ship can affect the entire sailing experience.

Bigger, older ships come with the cheapest price tag

Big cruise ships are popular, but if you can sail on one of the older big ships, the price can be more affordable than you think.

Let's take a lot at some example cruises.

A Western Caribbean Cruise on the Voyager-Class Explorer of the Seas will cost about $889 per person for 7 nights (interior cabin price, sailing out of Miami, Florida, on February 16, 2025).

However, an Icon of the Seas cruise around the same time jumps to $1,194 per person for 7 Nights in the Western Caribbean (sailing out of Miami, Florida, on February 15, 2025).

Read more: Icon of the Seas size comparison

It makes sense that the brand-new, hugely hyped, largest cruise ship in the world would have a more expensive cruise fare.

If we contrast this with a big yet older ship, we'll see some cheaper prices.

A 6-night Freedom of the Seas cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida costs just $664 per person (interior cabin price, sailing on February 23, 2025).

The Freedom Class ship was first launched in 2006 and has the capacity for 4,515 guests.

Personalized service in a smaller ship community

If you're someone who enjoys personalized customer service, a smaller ship might be a great experience for you.

Smaller vessels mean fewer passengers for crew members to keep track of, and they can get to know you throughout a week-long sailing.

On a vessel with less than 3,000 passengers, you'll start to see familiar faces.

Whether it's your stateroom attendant, Main Dining Room wait staff, or the crew member passing out towels, you'll be able to recognize and get to know each other.

Read more: After sailing Royal Caribbean's mega ships, I tried a small ship and here's what I liked about it

Smaller ships tend to feel like a more tight-knit community, with both crew members and guests contributing to a comfortable environment.

However, one downside of a smaller ship is that it's harder to fade away into the crowds or to avoid a particularly annoying group of guests.

Endless entertainment on a large ship

Royal Caribbean mega-ships are renowned for their marvelous entertainment. From Broadway productions to stunning AquaTheater performances, guests have overwhelming options.

Read more: Royal Caribbean head of entertainment reveals how long it takes to create a new show for a cruise ship

The Oasis and Icon Classes, in particular, are packed with constant activities. 

A look at your Cruise Compass will reveal parties at the pool, craft activities, live musicians, game shows, famous comedians, musical productions, figure skating, and so much more.

One downside to this constant entertainment is that it can be hard to decide what to prioritize. Big ships offer endless shows and parties that you'll have to choose between.

For example, Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's latest Oasis Class ship, and "The World's Biggest Weekend," has been marketed as a non-stop party.

Smaller cruise ships visit more varied ports of call

Not every port has the capacity for a big cruise ship, so smaller ships have the benefit of visiting more ports of call.

If you value unique cruise itineraries and experiences, a small ship could have exactly what you're looking for.

They might have fewer activities onboard, but these vessels take you to more unique ports of call, where you can purchase unbelievable tours.

Royal Caribbean's Vision and Radiance Classes travel to exciting destinations, from Grand Bahama and Yucatan, Mexico to Belize and Colón, Panama.

The cruise line's Ultimate World Cruise, for example, took place on Serenade of the Seas, a 2,476-passenger Radiance Class vessel.

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2024)

Smaller ships also don't use tender boats as frequently and have shorter lines for disembarkation.

Ample activities appeal to all ages

For those who enjoy a fast-paced cruise experience, a bigger ship will provide ample activities to enjoy.

Royal Caribbean's mega-ships have it all when it comes to activities onboard. The cruise line has developed a range of options, from rope courses to surf simulators.

Bigger groups, and those traveling with families of multiple generations, will find that a large vessel has something for everyone to try.

If you're looking for an adrenaline-packed cruise experience where you can zip line, ride water slides and dry slides, play mini-golf and arcade games, ice skate, play laser tag, sing karaoke, and gamble at the casino, all on one cruise ship, a mega-ship is the right choice.

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

Comparing alone time vs. large crowds

If you're more introverted, or like getting a quiet space to yourself, choosing a ship can be difficult.

On the one hand, bigger ships often are packed with crowds, from lines for the elevator to limited seating by the pool.

But on the other hand, it's easier to find quiet spaces on a larger ship. 

Spaces like Central Park, the Library, the Outlook, and quiet bars provide the perfect opportunity to get away.

Overall, there's more space to put between yourself and your lovable but tiring travel buddies.

Before deciding which ship to sail on, you'll have to decide which is more important: quiet spaces where you can be alone, or calm public areas with fewer lines?

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A balcony cabin on a cruise ship is the accommodation so many people prefer, but what's the realistic price you can expect to pay?

Of the four basic cruise ship cabin categories, balconies are the most popular because of the extra space and relative affordability they provide.

Unlike suites, there are many more balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean ships, and the price jump to a balcony is far more palatable compared to going up to a suite.

Having access to fresh air and a private veranda is the rationale most people give for booking a balcony in the first place.

The average cost for a balcony is around $2,200 for 2 people

In trying to answer the question of how much a balcony room will cost, I crunched the numbers.

I sampled the price of a balcony across more than 2,000 upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings in 2024 & 2025. These include short weekend cruises, 7-night cruises, and longer voyages.

When finding the average price, the cost of a balcony cabin came out to $1,139 per person or around $2,200 for 2 people.

Since this is an average, you can expect to find plenty of prices that are well above or below our average because cruise cabin prices vary by ship and itinerary.

Even within the same sailing, the price of a balcony can change on a daily basis. Like airline pricing, the timing of your reservation significantly affects the price.

In general, the earlier you book your cruise, the cheaper the price.

There are different balcony cabins

Another factor that will affect the price of a balcony cabin is the exact cabin type.

Royal Caribbean has many subcategories of balcony rooms that are priced differently depending on:

• Location
• Passenger capacity
• Living space square footage
• View

When you choose a balcony cabin, you'll need to consider these options in picking the right cabin choice for you.

Midship balcony rooms with more living space typically cost more than a smaller balcony room towards the front or back of the ship.

Likewise, a balcony cabin that can accommodate more than two passengers will cost more than a standard double room.

Balconies that aren't balconies

When we talk about a balcony room, you probably envision a private veranda to go outside and enjoy. However, there are a few Royal Caribbean cabins called a balcony that don't actually have that.

A virtual balcony is an inside room with a large floor-to-ceiling television screen showing real time views from outside. It's really meant as an upgrade from a standard inside cabin.

On the brand new Icon Class cruise ships, Royal Caribbean added infinite balconies, which have a window that slides down to provide fresh air.

The idea behind the infinite balcony is you can close the window and retain the balcony space as added indoor space.

Lastly, the neighborhood balconies are actual cabins with a real veranda that looks inwards instead of to the ocean. These are on Oasis Class and Icon Class cruise ships, and have views of one of the ship's neighborhoods, such as Central Park, Boardwalk, or Surfside.

This isn't to say you shouldn't book these types of balconies. Rather, understand what you're getting (and not getting) before you book.

How much more is a balcony cabin from an inside room?

The average cost to move up from an inside cabin to balcony runs the gamut of prices depending on the sailing you choose.

In our analysis, there's roughly a $390 per person difference to move up from an inside cabin to a balcony room, but you can expect wild variations in pricing depending on the specific cruise.

What I recommend doing is when you narrow down your search for which cruise to book, evaluate the cost difference and decide if an inside or a balcony cabin is a better deal.

Top reasons to book an inside cabin:

• Cheaper
• You won't spend that much time in the cabin
• (Arguably) Easier to sleep because of the dark

Top reasons to book a balcony cabin:

• Extra living space
• Private veranda
• Fresh air

Guarantee balcony cabins can save money

If you're not picky, booking a guarantee balcony could save you a lot of money on the cost of a balcony.

By choosing a guarantee cabin, you're letting Royal Caribbean assign you a room from the leftover unbooked staterooms. While you might not get the best cabin location on the ship, you'll still get a balcony room and likely save a few hundred dollars along the way.

The amount of money you can save on a cruise by going with a guarantee cabin will vary considerably, but sometimes it can net you significant savings.

The reason to skip booking a guarantee is if you want a specific location.

Some people absolutely want to be midship for convenience and to avoid getting seasick. Others want a great view, such as an aft balcony that looks out the back of the ship.

Watch out for obstructed balconies

Not all balconies are created equally, and some have obstructions to block part of the view.

Obstructed balconies are just like regular balcony cabins, but there is some physical structure blocking part of your view.

Royal Caribbean provides a percentage of how much of the view is blocked. Usually, the obstruction is a lifeboat, pole, or some part of the ship's steel infrastructure.

One advantage of an obstructed balcony is it will be cheaper than a regular balcony room.

You should also be aware it's quite common for a guarantee cabin booking to end up with an obstructed balcony cabin because they're less desirable and thus end up unsold. Ditto if you're thinking of bidding for a stateroom upgrade to a balcony.

How much is a balcony worth to you?

Ultimately, the decision if a balcony cabin is worth it depends on your costs involved, your vacation budget, and how much you value the benefits of a balcony.

Because the prices vary so wildly, I can't offer advice for everyone. However, I do think it's worth always weighing the cost of a balcony and other cabin categories, rather than going into a booking only focused on a balcony room category.

Something else to consider is the destinations your cruise will visit. If you're taking an exotic cruise to a place like Alaska or Norway, the value of a balcony room is higher because of all the scenery.

It seems a lot of people will justify booking a balcony instead of an inside cabin if the price is reasonable. Around $200 per person to move up to a balcony is the range where it's a no brainer to upgrade. Beyond that, it's up to you and your budget.

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Royal Caribbean's private island staff glean a ton of insider knowledge through working every day on the cruise line's island in The Bahamas.

During a webinar, Royal Caribbean Senior Director of Private Destinations, Neva Heaston, and Royal Caribbean Vice President of Private Destinations, Dotan Ben Horin, shared their top secrets for guests visiting the island.

Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island, is a destination just for cruisers on Royal Caribbean ships.

Guests can access the 125-acre island for no additional cost, and there's a lot to experience.

"We provide the perfect balance of thrill and chill," Neva Heaston said, citing the island's waterslides, beaches, pools, and beach games.

The island has something for everyone, so how can you make the most of it?

Here's what its top staff want you to know.

Read more: What to do at CocoCay? 18 things to try on your visit

You don't need to bring much off the ship

According to Ben Horin, one of the best things about Perfect Day at CocoCay is its comfort and simplicity for Royal Caribbean guests.

"It's just comfortable, simple and easy," he said.

You can leave your stateroom with just a towel and SeaPass card and be enjoying a gorgeous beach within 5 minutes.

Visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay doesn't require long security checks, entering a port, or the hassles of hailing a taxi.

"You can be on a gorgeous beach in the Bahamas with shade, with a chair, with a drink, and the only thing that you need to take with you is your slippers and a towel."

And if you do forget to bring a towel, water, or umbrella, those items are provided for free.

Get up early to make the most of your day

Heaston's top piece of advice for cruisers is to wake up early.

"I know it's so painful," she laughed, citing the late-night shows and parties that happen onboard. "But get up early, have your breakfast quickly, and get out to the island."

When your vessel stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the gangway will usually open around 8 or 9 A.M., but guests are free to exit and re-enter at any time.

However, Heaston recommends getting out onto the island as early as possible.

"You're going to have the whole island to yourself," she said.

You'll be able to find the best spots in the pool, to get onto the attractions first, and find perfect seating.

"It's so worth it just to get up a little bit early and to get the most out of your day."

Your beverage and WiFi package work on the island

Ben Horin wants Royal Caribbean cruisers to know that their beverage and WiFi packages will work just fine on CocoCay.

If you've purchased a drink package, whether that includes alcohol or just soda, you'll be able to use it at the bars and shacks on the island.

Simply show your SeaPass card the same way you would on the ship.

As for the WiFi package, if you have access to the VOOM Internet onboard the vessel, your device should connect automatically to the Internet on the island.

You don't have to worry about safety—lifeguards are everywhere

Visitors will be happy to know that there are 200 lifeguards employed at the private island.

Royal Caribbean takes guest safety seriously and has placed hundreds of crew members around the island to watch over playing children and swimming adults.

You'll see them standing guard at the pools, waterparks, and beaches.

Whether adults or children, guests don't have to feel worried about their own safety.

And as for other crew members, over 750 Royal Caribbean staff members live on the island.

It's all about the service, the safety that we want to have for our guests on board," Heaston said.

Try the coconut shrimp at the Hideaway Hut

Inside the adults-only party area Hideaway Beach, you'll find two casual fast-food places: The Hideaway Hut and Slice of Paradise.

Entry to the Hideaway includes access to these eateries.

One such eatery, the Hideaway Hut, is like an upgraded version of the Snack Shack, with extra dishes added to the base menu.

The venue features some tasty food, including great seafood dishes.

Heaston jumped to recommend guests try the coconut shrimp basket.

Read more: Your really dumb Perfect Day at CocoCay questions answered

Plan your day in advance

Another way to make the most of your time on Perfect Day at CocoCay is to plan your day in advance.

Ben Horin recommends guests—especially families with kids—plan their time on the island, the attractions they want to do, and where they want to spend the day.

Choose a home base, as well as the attractions that are a priority for you.

Although the island is small, there are a lot of amenities included. 

"You can experience the whole thing in one day," Ben Horin said, but he recommends a distinct plan to fit it all in.

Read more: 41 Things You Should Know About Perfect Day at CocoCay BEFORE You Go (2024)

You must try the mozzarella sticks 

The mozzarella sticks are a fan favorite on Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Royal Caribbean's management aren't immune to the obsessions.

"I have a small addiction, maybe a large addiction to the Snack Shack," Heaston said, "because of the mozzarella sticks. They are the best ever."

She described the warm, cheesy fried snacks as "full of love" and "deliciously gooey."

Ben Horin agreed with her addiction, saying the two often steal each other's sticks when they share a meal.

Visitors to the island must try mozzarella sticks at the Snack Shack.

Ask for the secret menu item at the Snack Shack

The Snack Shack also has a secret, off-the-menu dish you can ask for.

"If you want the secret chicken sandwich, go check it out at the Snack Shack," Heaston said.

You'll have to ask for the secret sandwich, but it's worth the extra effort.

You can top the crispy chicken sandwich with mozzarella sticks and marinara dipping sauce, and you'll end up with a tasty chicken parmesan sandwich.

Read more: 11 food favorites at CocoCay that never disappoint

You don’t have to spend a cent

Heaston explained that the majority of Perfect Day at CococCay’s amenities come free with the cruise fare.

Hospitality is key to the cruise line, so things like umbrellas, beach access, towels, wheelchairs and strollers, and buffets and snack shops are all complimentary.

"We've got some great children's amenities and attractions like Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galley, and you do not have to go and pay for the waterpark to enjoy those things.”

You can also access the Oasis Lagoon, a massive pool with a swim-up bar, free of charge.

And that’s in addition to the beautiful beaches, tram service, lockers, and countless beach games.

“If you're into playing beach, pool, soccer, pickleball, or volleyball, all of those things are there for us,” Heaston said.

Renting a cabana will level up your experience

Both Ben Horin and Heaston recommended that guests rent a cabana to enhance their Perfect Day at CocoCay experience.

Private cabanas on Perfect Day at CocoCay come with a private cabana for use, complimentary water bottles, sofas and chairs, complimentary food delivery, floating beach mats, lockable storage, charging outlets, and concierge service.

Not only do they provide a private, luxurious experience, but they also come with a personal attendant.

Your cabana attendant is your guide to the island.

"They help you curate your time and give you those tips throughout the day," Heaston said. "It's like having your own buddy to tell you where to go and how to get things. And they're going to make sure that you feel special the entire time."

Plus, families with kids will appreciate that children can play on the sand right in front of the cabana.

"They basically [have] a private beach all for themselves to run around," Ben Horin said.

Ask staff for the hidden picture spots

One secret Heaston and Ben Horin want guests to know is how much work their staff puts into maintaining the landscaping and views on Perfect Day at Cococay.

Ben Horin said they rake the sand every morning so guests "feel like they are the first ones to touch the beach."

Heaston recommended that guests take lots of pictures, and take advantage of the beautiful views.

If you're someone who loves to take pictures, she suggests you ask team members where the best spots are for photos.

"We put a lot of work into [the landscaping]," she said. "So we're so proud and we're so happy that when we see [photos] online."

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Because I travel for work, I've learned tips to make each cruise more efficient.

I go on a cruise about once a month and I've learned that embarkation day can be the most overwhelming and stressful part of the cruise.

The hours that follow after you board the cruise ship are some of the most important ones of the sailing, setting the mood for the rest of your vacation.

My top recommendation is something I do every embarkation day, as soon as I finish going through security and boarding the ship.

Following this tip is a great way to set yourself up for a successful cruise—it ensures you'll never get lost onboard.

I explore the ship from bottom to top

Most of the time, the gangway opens up onto a lower-middle deck, such as deck 5 or 6.

As soon as I get onboard, I start by finding my muster station. 

As long as I've already completed the lessons on the app, I can quickly check and be finished.

It's important to do this step as soon as possible since the ship cannot leave until every guest has completed the muster drill.

As soon as this is done, I begin touring the ship from bottom to top. Skipping the decks that are just staterooms, I explore each passenger deck, looking inside the venues and taking pictures along the way.

This step is crucial to getting my cruise start on the right foot. 

By touring each deck, I remember what the area looks like, so I'll be able to return to it easily.

I'm able to quickly get a feel for the ship's layout, design, and energy.

As an added bonus, all Royal Caribbean ships have beautiful artwork, from sculptures to paintings and photography, that are on display around the ship. Doing a full exploration will allow you to notice each one and connect the dots on the themes of the exhibit.

Exploring the ship doesn't take as long as you'd expect it to, and you'll be surprised by how helpful it is.

Mapping out the ship helps me find events and venues faster

Touring the vessel on embarkation day makes my entire sailing more smooth.

I know where to find activities, events, and venues right away because I've already seen where they're located.

I love knowing my way around already, and blissfully passing those lost souls still studying ship maps.

Read more: 25 things you need to know for your first day on a cruise ship

This tip helps when it comes to navigating mega-ships with multiple neighborhoods, but don't skip this step on small ships, either!

I made the mistake of not fully touring Radiance of the Seas when I sailed on her, and I couldn't figure out where all the nightlife was happening.

My friend and I wandered the ship for a few days, wondering where all the guests and events were.

For an embarrassingly long time, we concluded that everyone was just going to bed early.

It turns out, we'd missed a key area on Deck 6 of Radiance of the Seas that hosts live music, nightclub events, evening karaoke, and Hyperlink events.

We ended up neglecting several days of fun activities and nightlife, all because we didn't fully explore the ship beforehand.

If it's after 1pm, I can tour my stateroom as well

Once the attendants are done cleaning and preparing, your stateroom will be opened around 1:00 or 2:00 P.M. 

If this coincides with your ship tour, it's a great opportunity to peek into your cabin and see how it looks.

By this time, you'll also be feeling tired of lugging your carry-on bags around (unless you purchase The Key, which includes hand delivery of your carry-on luggage).

You'll be able to head into your stateroom, set your bags down, and inspect the area.

When you first get inside, you should make sure everything is functioning properly. Take a look at the lights, air conditioning, TV, and toilet.

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

You should also test your cabin's safe—since it will store your valuables it should be operating smoothly. 

If you have any additional requests, like separating the beds or needing a crib, now is the time to make them with your stateroom attendant.

If anything is broken, embarkation day is a good time to make maintenance requests, because the ship has extra maintenance crew members onboard.

End the tour with lunch and a drink

My favorite routine involves stopping at the Windjammer to grab something to eat.

Your embarkation day plans should be adjustable and easy-going, but you'll usually be onboard between 11:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M.

I usually find that I'm feeling peckish by the time I finish exploring the ship, no matter what time it is.

The Windjammer is a great option for embarkation day lunch because it's open into the late afternoon, and has such a wide selection of dishes. You can choose exactly what you want to eat and how heavy of a meal it is, from a full lunch to a light snack.

If you don't feel like dining at the Windjammer, other complimentary venues are usually open including Cafe Promenade, AquaMarket, Park Cafe, Cafe Latte-tudes, Sorrento's Pizza, or El Loco Fresh.

Specialty venues like Chops Grille, Johnny Rockets, Giovanni's Table, Jamie's Italian, Sabor, and Playmakers also serve meals during this time.

After eating, I'll head over to the pool deck (which is usually near the Windjammer, or just a deck away). 

I stop by a poolside bar to order a Lime and Coconut cocktail or a Mango Lava Flow, and then lounge in the sunshine while the ship begins to pull away from the harbor.

Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

Doing research ahead of a cruise vacation is always a good idea, and it paid off for me in a few ways on my recent cruise to Europe.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas for a 7-night cruise to France and Spain, and I enjoyed the cruise so much more than I anticipated.

The ports my ship visited were far better than I anticipated, especially my stops in Bilbao and La Coruna, Spain.

In looking back at my cruise, I think there are a few "big brain" moves I made that really paid off because it enhanced my trip much more.

If you're thinking about what makes a great vacation, I think it's a cumulative effort of big and small wins that stack up. 

Here are 5 smartest things I did on my European cruise that I will do on every single future cruise I take.

Walked instead of a single tour

While it wasn't my overarching plan to start with, I ended up exploring each port of call I visited on foot rather than take an organized tour or visit a single site and I think that worked out well.

When you're in a port for only a few hours, there's a limited choice of what you can do.  I opted to take in each city by simply walking around and not committing myself to a museum, historical site, or activity.

While I don't think someone who did any of those things made a mistake, I believe taking walking tours of each city gave me a better sense of what each place has to offer, and prepared me to focus on any future visits.

Unlike the Caribbean, European cities have so much to see and do. It can feel overwhelming when you're trying to plot a course, but I'd rather have too many choices than not enough.

I relished the adventure of walking the city streets to see what was around the next corner.  I reveled in stumbling across a Gothic church, incredible food stand, or a scenic vista. 

I think if you're considering what to do in a European city, don't overlook walking around on your own. It's quite manageable, and it adds a sense of adventure to the experience.

Buy eSim card

There's no doubt the best €39.99 I spent on this trip was to get a European eSim card for my phone so I could use my phone like normal.

I purchased the Travel Orange eSim card before my cruise, and then activated as soon as I landed in London. This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use.

Once activated, I had a second line on my phone that could place calls, use the internet, and text.  Not only could I stay in contact with family at home, but it made exploring Europe so much easier.

I was able to quickly use Google Maps to find the closest boulangerie, metro station, cultural site, and more. 

Earlier I wrote about how much I loved exploring each city on foot, and it was really only possible with the fact I could easily get walking directions.  Moreover, having an internet connection in London made it super simple to know which train to take.

While some American cell phone carriers have international roaming plans, I found the eSim card plan simple since all I had to do was scan a QR code and it just worked in every country I visited.

Use Mobile Passport Control app on my return

I forgot where I learned this trick, but prior to my cruise I installed the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app on my phone and it saved me so much time returning to the United States.

This is an app by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and basically it's a digital version of that blue form you usually fill out by hand.

I filled the app out while on my flight home, and then once we landed, I filed it.  When you do this, you then have 4 hours to go through customs.

I don't have Global Entry or anything like that because I don't travel internationally by air nearly enough to warrant it.  

When I go to the line for customs, I told the agent I had the MPC app and he directed me to a different line that had perhaps 4 people in it ahead of me.  

I was able to breeze through customs in a matter of minutes rather than wait in line with everyone else. 

Wore my new shoes before my trip

I knew I needed to buy new shoes for my European cruise because what I wear everyday doesn't have enough cushion for a lot of walking. However, I learned a valuable lesson about comfort.

I bought the shoes, and then heard from Sheri from Cruise Tips TV that her that she emphasized greatly, "if there is just ONE piece of advice you take away from this Mediterranean Cruise Packing List – it is to pack worn-in shoes ONLY."

I immediately took my new sneakers out of the box, put them on and wore them in the days leading up to the trip to run errands.  I wore them to the airport and on the airplane too.

As a result, my feet never bothered me during my trip and I easily logged 10,000 steps every day while in port.

Tried out a free shore excursion

When a reader suggested I try a free walking tour in La Coruna, I was leery, but it turned out to be a great choice.

GuroWalk offers free tours where there is no cost, but you are expected to tip at the end what you think is appropriate for the quality of the experience.

Our guide met myself and four other people for a great walking tour of the city, where he took us to the major historical spots around the city. We visited all sorts of sites and our guide provided context every step of the way.

Sometimes when planning a cruise, you run across a port where none of the popular activities jump out at you as the obvious choice and you find yourself at a loss of what to do.  A free tour like this ended up being a wonderful choice given the circumstances.