Royal Caribbean Blog

It's Day 2 onboard the stunning Odyssey of the Seas. Today was a sea day on the calm Mediterranean as we make our way to The Holy Land!

We have sea days both today and tomorrow before reaching Cyprus for one day and then three full days in Israel.

I’m using these two days to get lots of sleep, take it easy and drink a ton of water. After plenty of wine and cocktails in Paris and Rome, I want to stay a little more hydrated before our big tour days in Israel! 

Our morning started late after Angie and I both slept in. I knew I needed to get some rest after the last five days of traveling and exploring; so, I am very grateful that we have these two sea days to relax before the busy port days come up.

When it comes to these longer itineraries, having a few sea days scattered throughout is essential for me to reset. 

After a restful night’s sleep, we decided to try brunch in the dining room at 11am. This brunch was served until 12:30pm, which was something new to us! Normally, we find the Windjammer to serve the latest breakfast option, usually until 11am on sea days; but we were pleased to find this brunch option available until 12:30pm.

The menu had an assortment of breakfast and lunch options - most of the options I recognized from the normal main dining room breakfast menu.

Angie and I had the French Toast while mom and dad both had omelets. I also enjoyed my morning latte using one of my daily drink vouchers. Everything tasted good to us. 

Bumper Cars

After we finished breakfast, mom suggested we head up to the Seaplex to try out the bumper cars. We thought that would be a fun way to start the day since the line was short. 

As we walked in, we kind of laughed to each other at how everyone was riding in a circle - going rather slowly - instead of actually bumping into each other.

There were only two cars left in the next group so we decided to ride together in the two cars. Angie got behind the wheel, as did my dad, and I brought my camera for blog content.

To start, those little suckers go faster than they appear!

Angie thought it would be a great idea to run into our parents at full speed, which was a horrible idea. She slammed into mom and dad's bumper car in a head-on collision!

Mom and I had the wind knocked out of us and exclaimed some not-so-family-friendly words. I also jammed my knee against the dashboard! I think mom and I took the brunt of the hit since we didn’t have our hands on the wheel to soften the blow.

Here are a few live-action stills from the video I took - mom's face says it all!

After we scolded Angie for her lapse in judgement, she turned into Driving Miss Daisy and we avoided contact with every car until the end of the session. It was a fun experience but also somewhat of a bust given the collision that was entirely preventable!

We laughed about it later but I definitely have a burn from the seatbelt and I am pretty positive I will wake up with a sore neck tomorrow.

Now, it makes sense why everyone was driving in a circle and NOT engaging in lots of bumping.

After we recovered from the bumper car trauma, I decided to go back to the stateroom and finally unpack my suitcase. I always unpack my suitcase and store it under the bed. Regardless of how long a cruise is, I put everything away because I hate living out of a suitcase.

Our suite has tons of space to unpack comfortably with six large drawers and a closet with about 20 hangers and a shoe rack. We also brought a collapsable, mesh hamper to use for dirty clothes and this fits perfectly in the closet. 

Icon of the Seas Reveal

Last night when we returned to our stateroom, we found an invitation to an Icon of the Seas reveal party for loyalty members.

As hard working gals of Royal Caribbean Blog, we knew we would need to check out this event in the Royal Theatre! Upon entering, there were servers with tons of different snack options. I was looking for any free cocktails that might be served (of course), but we got there right as it started so maybe there were some but they ran out.

I enjoyed a chocolate covered mousse ball while Angie had some strawberry whipped dessert as the presentation started.

We watched the first two episodes of Making an Icon and then they released the new episode that unveiled Icon of the Seas! Wow - it looks stunning!

Solarium Afternoon

Once the Icon of the Seas reveal event was finished, we made our way upstairs to the Solarium.

It was unfortunately quite busy in here, but we were able to snag a table and chairs near the side entrance. Mom and dad played cribbage while Angie tried out the Massager Taster event.

Since I am an adjunct instructor (in addition to blogging and my other corporate job), I had to get some grading done for class. I can’t complain about the office view though and the Wi-Fi onboard has been pretty good so far.

Angie came back from the Massage Taster event with her new favorite cocktail - The Lime & Coconut Cocktail!

I was inspired to head to the El Loco Fresh again for a quick snack, which consisted of cheese and chicken quesadillas with sour cream. I absolutely love this little place on the pool deck for lunch and it hit the spot, again!

As the sun was starting to set, we went back to our cabin to get ready for formal night. The sunset tonight was so stunning from our balcony that we had to take some pictures.

I also realized that our balcony has really nice furniture compared to a standard balcony with a plushy seat, back support pillow and padded footrest. I am definitely going to be spending some time tomorrow on the balcony enjoying the calm seas.

Tales of a Lost SeaPass

While heading out the door for dinner, I searched everywhere for my SeaPass card to no avail. I knew I must have left my SeaPass (on a lanyard) in the Solarium during our afternoon visit.

Before going to dinner, I made my way back to our chairs to find that everything was already cleaned up. I asked the gentleman sitting if he had seen my SeaPass, and he said no.

I then made my way to the Solarium Bar and asked the bartenders if anyone had handed in a lost SeaPass card. They said no and to check with the towel attendants, as that’s where left-behind items go on the pool deck and Solarium.

As I rushed to the towel stand, I realized in all my years of cruising that I have NEVER lost my SeaPass card! Walking up to the towel station, I saw a handful of lost and found items. Low and behold, my SeaPass was there in my lanyard.

Although I knew they could just make me a new SeaPass card if the key was really lost, it was a relief to just get it back and move on.

Coastal Kitchen for Dinner

We made reservations yesterday to dine at Coastal Kitchen tonight, as junior suite guests can dine here on a per-availability basis. We were told that reservations can only be made on a daily basis given the number of Pinnacle guests onboard.

I’ve heard from some people that they love Coastal Kitchen because it's a great, elevated dining option for suite guests; on the other hand, I’ve heard from others (like our very own Matt Hochberg) that Coastal Kitchen isn’t necessarily anything special or worth the hype.

After tonight’s experience, I’d have to agree with Matt that Coastal Kitchen isn’t something I’d rave about.

On a positive note, our waitress was very sweet and the dining space is really gorgeous with floor to ceiling windows. It was nice to be in a more intimate dining environment and try something new. However, the food wasn’t anything special even though we had expectations that it would be better than the dining room.

For dinner, dad and I ordered the rib eye steak while Angie ordered a pasta dish and mom ordered a seafood dish. The rib eye was excellent and Angie enjoyed her pasta. Mom wasn’t wowed by her fish or her lobster salad starter either. Dad and I didn't love the potatoes or ratatouille served with the steak and Angie felt her soup starter lacked flavor. 

Dessert consisted of a chocolate bar, cheesecake, creme brulee and apple blossom - most of these are available in the dining room. 

During dinner, the entire room felt a little too quiet and maybe even too stuffy for our liking. For reference, we are a pretty loud family so we don't ever feel like we need to keep it down with the commotion of the main dining room.

Everyone in Coastal Kitchen had their Pinnacle pins on; we joked that we need to order fake Pinnacle pins off Ebay so we can fit in better next time! Our eyes widened as we heard one couple say how they book two separate junior suites for cruises so they can earn four points per night of their cruise - and they’ve taken 62 cruises. Another couple responded, “You’ve ONLY done 62 cruises?”

As my mom stated, perhaps we are just more meat-and-potato folks. We might need to give Coastal Kitchen another try depending on the different menu offerings, but we were unfortunately not super impressed tonight with the experience. 

Tomorrow we are dining at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, which is new to all of us! We’ve dined at the old Giovanni’s Table and Jamie’s Italian, but have not tried the reimagined Giovani’s Kitchen. 

When Royal Caribbean launches Icon of the Seas in late 2023, it intends to deliver, "the most transformational ship the world has ever seen."

After years of speculation, Royal Caribbean revealed details about what its next-gen cruise ship will offer onboard, including our first look at the ship itself.

Icon of the Seas is the first ship in the new Icon Class, which means the design is a fresh start compared to ships the preceded it.

Let's meet Icon of the Seas!

Where will Icon of the Seas be sailing?

Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami beginning January 27, 2024 and offer alternative Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, with every single itinerary visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The ship itself will be delivered at the end of October or early November 2023 and since it is the first ship of a new class, extra testing and adjusting will be required before she can enter service. Combined with the holidays at the end of the year, the first revenue sailing won't take place until late January.

When asked about previous plans for Icon to sail initially from Southampton, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said that was the plan, but things have changed.

How big will Icon of the Seas be?

Icon of the Seas is big!

She has 20 decks and has a capacity at double occupancy of 5,610 passengers, and up to 7,600 passengers if every cabin is maxed out.

She's 1197 feet long.

• 20 total decks (18 guest decks)
• 5,610 guests @ double capacity and 7,600 max guests
• 2,350 crew (bringing ULTIMATE total to 9,950 guests)
• 7 pools, 9 whirlpools
• 6 record-breaking waterslides
• 250,800 GT
• 1,198 feet long

That makes her bigger than the Oasis Class ships, in the sense that Wonder of the Seas measures 1,188 feet in length and has 18 decks.

Eight neighborhoods

Similar to how the Oasis Class ships introduced the concept of neighborhoods to break up the layout of the cruise ship, Icon of the Seas will have neighborhoods too.

There are eight neighborhoods in total:

AquaDome

Located at the top and front of the ship, the AquaDome is an area that is more than just a theater.

The AquaDome has unbeatable ocean views and is fully enclosed, which means the weather plays less of a factor in impeding shows. In the past, the AquaTheater was in the open. Not anymore. Now they can control the weather, lighting, production values, and smoke effects.

The show has the tallest waterfall at sea (55 feet tall), along with flying artists and divers.

In the daytime, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and enjoy views of the waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. 

Central Park

Icon of the Seas will see its own version of Central Park.

Royal Caribbean designed this Central Park to be more lush and livelier.

The open-air neighborhood with thousands of real plants will have dining and live music.

Chill Island

Borrowing the name from Perfect Day at CocoCay, Chill Island is meant to be a next-level pool deck. There are seven pools on board, which also features whirlpools, in-water loungers and breathtaking views. 

Among the seven pools on board, the four in this three-deck slice of paradise include the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; and Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea.

Royal Bay Pool in the new Chill Island neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is the largest pool at sea.

Swim & Tonic is Royal Caribbean’s first swim-up bar at sea. 

You'll also find Chill Island’s serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool on Icon of the Seas that has in-water loungers.

Cloud 17 is an adults-only retreat and home to the dedicated bar, the signature Lime & Coconut.

Royal Promenade

Once again, Royal Caribbean has revamped the Royal Promenade concept.

As you walk onto the ship, you'll be greeted by The Pearl, which is a new space that Royal Caribbean will reveal more details about later.

In the meantime, we've been told the inside of the Pearl has special panels that can produce all sorts of effects.

One thing Royal Caribbean wanted to change with the Royal Promenade was provide more ocean views. Guests will find more windows than ever before in this neighborhood.

On Icon of the Seas, you'll find the ice area on the Royal Promenade, which will be the largest ice area they've built. It will feature "Absolute Zero, where cutting-edge technology and Olympic-level ice skaters merge to bring showstopping entertainment to life."

Surfside

Surfside is the ultimate neighborhood for young families, with places to eat, drink, and play all day!

Surfside neighborhood

With the new Water’s Edge Pool and Splashaway Bay aquapark, Adventure Ocean, and the teen space Social 020, Surfside will be an all-day family hangout.

Grownups can hang back at Water’s Edge pool as the kiddos play at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay, complete with slides, fountains, water cannons, a drench bucket and more.

Water's Edge is not adults-only, but meant to be an oasis for adults while kids enjoy the other pool areas.

Surfide is the first-ever neighborhood dedicated to young families, with places to eat, drink, and play all day. 

Kids can enjoy Adventure Ocean while teens hit up Social 020.

Surfside will also have Baby Bay, Playscape and a carousel.

Suite Neighborhood

If you want to live the suite life, Icon of the Seas will offer the largest Suite Neighborhood to date with three decks of space, including a two-level suite sun deck.

Coastal Kitchen

The Grove is a new dining venue for suite guests, and that's in addition to an expanded two-story Coastal Kitchen. This upgraded pool deck is exclusively for Star & Sky Class Suite guests.

You'll also find suites-only private pool, whirlpool and a new casual Mediterranean dining venue.

Speaking of suites, if you want the biggest cabin possible for a family, check out the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Icon of the Seas will debut the first Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Spanning three levels, the perfect home away from home for families features an in-suite slide, a cinema space, karaoke, a spacious balcony, a private entrance to Surfside neighborhood, and more.

The Hideaway

Royal Caribbean wants The Hideaway to have the same feel of a beach club or Las Vegas pool party, while incorporating beautiful ocean views.

This is also where you'll find the first suspended infinity pool at sea, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel terrace, whirlpools, a variety of seating and dedicated bar.

Thrill Island

How do you outdo having water slides on a cruise ship? You add a water park!

Royal Caribbean wants Icon of the Seas to offer "hair-raising thrills" for guests of all ages onboard.

In Thrill Island, you can discover Category 6 waterpark – the largest waterpark at sea with 6 record-breaking slides – or Crown’s Edge, the ultimate aerial adventure and a new test of bravery.

Category 6 will be the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides featuring the longest, tallest, and fastest slides.

• Frightening Bolt – Tallest waterslide at sea
• Pressure Drop – First free-fall slide at sea
• Storm Chasers – First mat-racing duo at sea
• Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter – First family raft slides at sea

If you're brave enough to try the Crown's Edge. It’s part skywalk, part ropes course, part thrill ride, and an all-out test of courage. At any moment, the floor could collapse and leave you dangling high over the ocean. 

Plus guest favorites like the FlowRider and minigolf return onboard Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas cabins

Icon of the Seas will introduce a number of new cabin types, including a variety of cabins aimed at families.

Surfside Family Suite

Located in the Surfside neighborhood, the Surfside Family Suite can accommodate up to 4 guests.

There’s a cozy kids alcove, which transforms into a living space for all, along with a private balcony and Royal Suite Class perks.

Family Infinite Balcony

Another new type of cabin for families is the Family Infinite Balcony.

With space for up to 6 guests, these are made for larger families.

The spacious room features a separate bunk alcove for kids, a split bathroom design and an infinite balcony – a living space that transforms into an extended open-air escape at the push of a button.

Inside Plus

Royal Caribbean has revamped the interior stateroom with the Inside Plus room.

It features a new intuitive layout and a deluxe closet.

Panoramic Ocean View

Panoramic Ocean View suites and rooms on Icon of the Seas have wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows.

There are also non-suite panoramic ocean view balcony rooms, similar to the infinite verandah concept first introduced on Celebrity Edge.

First LNG powered cruise ship

Icon of the Seas will have the distinction of being the first Royal Caribbean International cruise ship to be powered by a combination of liquified natural gas (LNG) and fuel cell technology.

LNG is the cleanest-burning marine fuel and a substantial improvement over traditional marine heavy fuel.

Icon will also rely on shore-power (where available), fuel cells, and a waste heat capture to repurpose excess engine heat. 

Machine-learning technologies will optimize  the ship's routes for maximum efficiency.

Like other new Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Icon of the Seas will use an air lubrication system that creates microscopic bubbles coating the ship’s hull and reducing friction as the ship sails.

When can you start to book Icon of the Seas?

If you can't wait to book this new ship, mark your calendars for next week.

Icon of the Seas will go on sale to the public on October 25th, and special access on Monday, October 24th for Crown and Anchor members.

It's not quite clear what time, but in past new ship releases, travel agents have had the ability to book cabins before the website. It's a great idea to work with a good travel agent to get everything ready.

Ultimate family vacation

If you noticed a lot for parents and their kids to do onboard, that's no coincidence because Royal Caribbean wants Icon of the Seas to be the ultimate family vacation.

Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez, Associate Vice President of Product Development, thinks putting the family vacation first is a major priority, "One of the things that stands out to me the most about the insights that we've received from our guests is that bonding with family, friends, or whoever you're traveling with always comes to the top."

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider went one step further when he recently said, "Simply put, Icon will be the best family vacation in the world."

"Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation," said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

"Now more than ever, families and friends are prioritizing experiences where they can bond and enjoy their own adventures. We set out to create a vacation that makes all that possible in one place for the thrill-seekers, the chill enthusiasts and everyone in between, without compromise. It’s this first-of-its-kind combination that makes Icon the future of family vacations, and that future is here."

Delayed by a year

For those keeping score at home, Icon of the Seas was initially set to launch in late 2022 but was delayed due to the global health crisis of 2020.

In early 2021, Royal Caribbean pushed back the delivery dates of a number of cruise ships by effectively delaying them for a year.

Originally the three Icon Class ships were to be delivered in 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Delivery of Icon of the Seas shifted to 3rd Quarter 2023, with the other two Icon Class ships to be delivered in 2nd Quarter 2025 and 2026.

Ciao from Roma, Italia! Our next live blog will be coming daily from Europe onboard Odyssey of the Seas.

I’m excited to share that I’ll be cruising for the next 12 nights on a much-anticipated cruise to the Holy Land; this cruise includes three days in Israel, along with stops in Limmasol (Cyprus), Santorini (Greece), Rhodes (Greece) and Chania (Greece)

During our time in Israel, Odyssey will dock overnight for two days in Jerusalem (Ashdod) and finish with one day in Haifa.

This is a special cruise, as it has been on my dad’s bucket list for years. We had to postpone this one many times due to the pandemic, but we are so thrilled to be onboard and heading to Israel!

For this cruise, I’m sailing with Angie, my sister and social media manager for Royal Caribbean Blog. We are also joined by our parents, but we won't make them work too hard during this cruise!

Europe is my absolute favorite place to cruise in the world; the European itineraries are jam-packed with so many destinations rich in culture. This is my eighth time cruising in Europe and my third time onboard a Quantum-class ship.

Traveling to Rome

Cruising in Europe is a great cruise choice for many reasons, but one of my favorites is the opportunity to explore new cities and countries before the cruise departs.

My sister and I traveled from Florida to Paris, France last week to spend a few days in the city of love. We met up with my dear friend, Rosina, whom I actually met at the teen club on a cruise more than 14 years ago! Although I’d been to Paris on a cruise once before, having a full four days to see this incredible city was the perfect start to our cruise vacation.

Yesterday, we flew from Paris to Rome on a cheap EasyJet flight where we met up with my parents at the airport. My parents' flight landed on Tuesday morning, just in time for our cruise to depart on Wednesday.

Personally, I would recommend arriving in an international cruise destination at least two days before. This gives you more time to get adjusted to the time zone and accounts for any potential delays you might encounter. Also, this gives you a full day to explore your cruise departure city!

After meeting up with our jet-lagged parents, we made our way into Rome and enjoyed dinner before visiting the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum and Spanish Steps.

We stayed the night at Crowne Plaza - St. Peters due to its proximity to the city, airport and cruise port. I’d highly recommend staying in this area. 

Getting to the Port

After a restful night’s sleep, we took a private transfer that we arranged on Viator from our hotel to the port city of Civitavecchia.

There are multiple ways to get to the port from Rome, such as train, bus or taxi, but a scheduled transfer was both relaxing and convenient. Our private transfer was booked for $50 each while the hotel was charging $70 each for a large shuttle bus transfer. We saw the lobby filled with fellow cruisers waiting in a long line for the shuttles and taxis. 

The drive to Civitavecchia took about an hour, getting us to the port around 11:00am. Although we were slotted for a 12:00pm boarding time, there was no issue with us getting onboard earlier.

Embarkation was an absolute breeze - much smoother than any embarkation I’ve experienced stateside! Since this cruise is 12 nights, we had to take a self-monitored Covid-19 test and present negative results before boarding. We were not asked to show our vaccination cards when boarding.

Angie and I both brought Covid-19 home tests to Paris and took these at our hotel before flying to Rome. 

Getting Acquainted

Once onboard Odyssey of the Seas, we went straight to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen to schedule dinner, which allows us to use our BOGO diamond specialty dining benefit.

We also made a reservation for Chops Grille for tonight to utilize all of the BOGO deals between the four of us.

Although the benefit states you need to dine on Day 1 or 2, we’ve found that most of the time you can prepay on the first or second day and then dine on a later date.

Since we are staying in a Junior Suite for this cruise, I also went to Coastal Kitchen to make a reservation for tomorrow night. We’ve never dined in Coastal Kitchen before, so we are excited to see what the hype’s about. 

Lunch started at the Solarium Bistro, but everything we tried was cold so we made our way to El Loco Fresh. I haven’t sailed on a ship with this dining option, so I was ready to try it out!

I really enjoyed my chicken burrito and Angie also liked her quesadilla.

We finished the meal with a creamy mudslide cocktail, made with ice cream fresh from the pool deck machine. It was divine!

The Suite Life

You might know me as the cheap cruise expert, but sometimes I do like to splurge. Although we originally booked a cheap inside cabin (per usual), we upgraded our room twice during the pre-cruise process.

We booked our inside cabin right when this itinerary was announced in 2020. Back in February, we repriced our cabins and saved $1,400 on our inside cabin while my parents saved $2,400 on their balcony stateroom. 

Book early and reprice often is always the way to go!

Just a few months ago, I upgraded us to a balcony guarantee for free since the price was slightly less than we paid. When we had the chance to bid on a suite during the Royal Up process, we bid $300 each and were awarded a mid-ship junior suite!

I’m anxious to see if the suite life is worth the price. For this cruise, we are paying right around $100 per person per day before gratuities.

Our room is equally gorgeous as it is spacious. After sailing almost exclusively in inside cabins, it feels like pure luxury.

We have a large balcony, bathtub, walk-in shower, and (the best part of all) a separate area with a toilet and additional sink. Our initial impressions of the stateroom were extremely positive - maybe I need to start upgrading myself more often!

The North Star

After making dinner reservations and finding our stateroom, we headed to Deck 14 for our North Star reservation.

I've heard before to make a reservation on the first day to try North Star - I’m so glad we did! We were able to get a reservation for 3:30pm and this allowed us to see the port and ship from above.

With a small group, we were launched into the air and given some really cool views of the ship and port area. Although I’ve sailed on both Spectrum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas, this was my first time trying the North Star!

Although it was a cool thing to do once, I wouldn’t say it’s an absolute must-do and I don’t know if I would pay to do it. While in port, you aren't able to go off the side of the ship like they are able to do at sea; therefore, the complimentary ride (available during port days) is shorter. 

Right by the launching pad of the North Star was the Lime & Coconut bar. We decided to try the signature ‘Lime & Coconut’ cocktail, served in a little Malibu bucket. The cocktail was sweet with creamy coconut. It was so good that Angie and I ordered a second round!

Chops Grille

Since my dad prefers eating dinner very early, I wasn’t on the top deck to watch our sail away. Instead, we had a 5:45pm reservation at Chops Grille.

I tend to order the same thing every time I dine at Chops Grille - and it’s becoming my new routine to dine there on the first night of every cruise. This allows us to use our BOGO specialty dining benefit and it also keeps me out of the main dining room for the first night.

I’ve learned that Royal Caribbean serves the same Day 1 menu in the main dining room on practically every cruise, regardless of where I sail - and it’s just not my favorite menu. 

Upon entering Chops Grille, we saw a familiar face at the check-in counter, but couldn’t quite put our fingers on it. We asked what ships the gentleman had worked on; he listed a variety of ships but nothing helped ring a bell.

Finally, he listed at the end of his long list “Spectrum of the Seas” and we all perked up. He was our waiter for our last family cruise from Shanghai to Japan in 2019 where we dined in the Silver Lounge each evening. It’s always fun to see familiar faces onboard and reminisce on cruising memories!

For dinner, we enjoyed the thick-cut bacon and crab cakes as starters, followed by creamy wild mushroom soup. Angie doesn’t love steak so she chooses the chicken while the rest of us enjoyed tender fillets and flavorful ribeyes.

We ended dinner with an assortment of desserts, including key lime pie, chocolate cake and red velvet cake. Everything was wonderful and tasted great. The key lime pie is a showstopper in Chops Grille for us!

I ended the evening with a quiet, relaxing night in the cabin working on this blog and editing photos. Tonight’s entertainment was a 50s and 60s Tribute show, which speaks to the general demographic of this itinerary based on my observations.

Angie attended the evening show with my parents and said she enjoyed listening to the music. Our parents have yet to return to their stateroom for the night - how the tables have turned!

Tomorrow is a sea day, which is very much needed after five busy days of exploring, touring and walking all over Paris and Rome. I plan to do a lot of sleeping and napping, along with catching up on some work. 

Stray Observations

One of the biggest observations we all made was the sheer number of guests wearing Pinnacle pins. For those who don’t know, this is the highest tier of loyalty one can reach with Royal Caribbean and these exclusive guests receive an engraved name tag. These are worn with great pride by Pinnacle members - or so I’ve been told!

I’ve truly never seen so many people wearing Pinnacle pins on a cruise. Our server tonight confirmed there is a supposedly a ‘record-breaking’ number of Pinnacle guests onboard, which explains this unique observation.

This could make it difficult for us to get Coastal Kitchen reservations, as Junior Suite guests are lowest priority and can only dine for dinner if there’s availability. 

As I mentioned, the demographics on this cruise are certainly on the older side - a stark contrast from my last cruise on Carnival Ecstasy, which was a wild weekend cruise to Mexico from Mobile, Alabama for Cruise.Blog. 

My parents are in their 60s and we would guess that’s the average age of most cruisers onboard. This tends to be more common based on my experiences in European cruising, especially on the longer itineraries.

My dad tried to order a Miami Vice twice and apparently the ship is out of the strawberry mix! We will see if this continues to be true in the coming days.

Planning a cruise can be just as fun as setting sail, and the best place to start your cruise planning process is on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website.

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner is where you can book add-ons like shore excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants, and internet packages. It’s your go-to place to see what is available on your upcoming cruise.

If you’re new to Royal Caribbean, the Cruise Planner can feel a bit overwhelming at first. Knowing the ins and outs of the Cruise Planner can not only help you find the best add-ons for your cruise vacation, but save you money along the way.

Here’s our Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site.

How do I access the Cruise Planner?

To access the Cruise Planner site, go to Royal Caribbean's website and click "Sign in" on the top right corner. Once you've signed in, you should see a list of your upcoming cruise(s).

Scroll to the cruise you'd like to plan and click "Plan my cruise". This will open the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site.

If you do not see a list of your upcoming cruises, click "Add another cruise" and link your reservation number to your Royal Caribbean account.

What is available to reserve on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site?

Everything from catamaran tours to sushi making classes can be reserved on the Cruise Planner site. Let’s dive in to see what options are available.

Beverage Packages

Royal Caribbean offers three beverage packages available for purchase on the Cruise Planner: the Deluxe Beverage Package, Refreshment Package, and Classic Soda Package.

• The Deluxe Beverage Package includes all alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, specialty coffees, bottled water, fresh squeezed juices, etc.
• The Refreshment Package includes all non-alcoholic beverages.
• The Soda Package includes unlimited soda refills with an included Coca Cola souvenir cup

Related: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

If one person in a cabin purchases a Deluxe Beverage Package, all adults in the room must also purchase the package. That being said, Royal Caribbean often makes an exception to this rule if the second adult in a room does not consume alcohol.

In this case, it’s recommended to call Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819 to explain your situation. The second guest will, most likely, be required to purchase a Refreshment Package in lieu of a Deluxe Beverage Package.

You’ll also find a few other beverage packages available on the Cruise Planner:

• Water Bottle Package (12 or 24 bottles)
• Cafe Select Coffee Card, which entitles guests to 15 espresso-based specialty coffees
• Classic Soda and VOOM One Device, combining a VOOM internet package with the soda package

Spa & Fitness

If you’re planning to treat yourself to a day at the Vitality Spa, consider reserving a treatment on the Cruise Planner prior to your cruise.

You can reserve anything from traditional massage therapies, couples treatments, acupuncture, body therapies, facial treatments, teeth whitening, salon services, and more.

Related: First time cruisers: Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Spa

Royal Caribbean’s Vitality Fitness Center is complimentary for guests, but fitness classes come at an extra charge. You can reserve these classes once onboard or purchase a class package on the Cruise Planner.

Personal training and nutritional consultations are also available to reserve.

The Key

The Key is Royal Caribbean’s VIP access program. It offers guests perks like priority boarding, VIP seating at events, private meals, and special times at onboard activities.

This add-on must be purchased before your cruise and is priced per person, per day. Depending on the sailing, you can find The Key priced anywhere from $20 to $35 per person, per day.

We’ve done several reviews of The Key on Royal Caribbean Blog with varying opinions. If you’re considering The Key, browse through our reviews to learn more about the pros and cons of this VIP service:

• Royal Caribbean’s The Key review
• I tried The Key (again) to see if it’s worth it
• I tried The Key on an Oasis Class ship to see if it’s worth it
• Counterpoint: why we love The Key

Arcade

If you’re cruising with kids, you’ll likely find yourself at the arcade at one point or another during the sailing.

Royal Caribbean’s arcades come at an additional cost, and you can purchase credits while onboard or beforehand in the Cruise Planner.

There are three arcade credit packages available:

• $25 arcade credit
• $50 arcade credit
• $100 arcade credit

Purchasing credits via the Cruise Planner can save money compared to the price onboard. For example, $25 of arcade credit can be purchased for $20, $50 of credit for $40, and $100 of credit for $80.

Shore Excursions

The Shore Excursions tab is where you can browse and purchase tours for your upcoming cruise vacation.

You can filter excursions by activity level, duration, and interest to find the excursion that fits your needs best. While you aren’t required to reserve a Royal Caribbean shore excursion, it’s worth browsing what’s available to get a better understanding of activities available in each cruise port.

For more information on planning shore excursions, check out our best tips & tricks:

• 5 quick and easy tips to finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid
• Guide to picking the perfect Royal Caribbean shore excursion

Dining

The dining tab of the Cruise Planner is where you can (1) purchase dining packages and (2) reserve individual meals at specialty restaurants.

Purchasing a Royal Caribbean dining package can offer a nice value for those hoping to dine at several specialty restaurants. Three packages are offered by Royal Caribbean depending on your cruise length:

1. Unlimited Dining Package (unlimited lunches, snacks, and dinners at specialty restaurants)
2. 3-night Dining Package (3 dinners at specialty restaurants)
3. Chops + 1 Dining Package (1 dinner at Chops Grille and 1 dinner at a second specialty restaurant)

You can also reserve individual meals at specialty restaurants for lunch or dinner on the Cruise Planner. This is recommended only for those not purchasing a dining package.

Related: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Internet

There are two types of internet packages available for purchase on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website:

VOOM SURF & STREAM is the highest speed internet package which supports web browsing and streaming videos on sites like YouTube, Netflix, etc. This package typically costs around $20 per day for one device.

VOOM SURF supports web browsing but does not have the same speed as the stream package. This package is priced around $18 per day for one device.

Onboard Activities

If you’re interested in purchasing a backstage tour of your cruise ship, visit the Onboard Activities tab on the Cruise Planner.

This is where you can book the “All Access Ship Tour,” which brings passengers to crew-only areas of the ship like the galley, engine control room, laundry room, and bridge.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s behind-the-scenes tour: here’s what it’s like

Outside of the behind-the-scenes tour, you may also find activities like a sushi making class available to book.

Photo

If you plan to purchase professional photos taken by Royal Caribbean’s photographers, a photo package will offer a better deal than purchasing each picture individually.

There are several photo packages available to purchase on the Cruise Planner site:

• Photo Package: Up to 50 Prints or Digitals
• Photo Package: 10 Prints or Digitals
• Photo Package: 5 Prints or Digitals
• Private Photo Session

Prices for photo packages can vary, but expect to pay around $140 for 50 prints/digitals, $110 for 10 prints/digitals, and $68 for 5 prints/digitals.

Gifts and Gear

If you’d like to surprise your spouse or kids when they walk into your cabin for the first time, visit the Gifts and Gear tab on the Cruise Planner.

This section is where you can purchase stateroom surprises and decor that will be delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day.

Gifts include chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, birthday cake and decor, happy anniversary decor, and cheese trays with wine.

There are also gifts catering to kids, such as a Royal Caribbean beach towel and beach toys.

How can I make reservations on the Cruise Planner?

Once you find a cruise add-on you’d like to purchase, click the “Reserve” button. You’ll be prompted to select the guest, date, and time for each purchase. You can then add the reservation to your cart.

Payments can be made with either a debit/credit card or onboard credit.

Can I link reservations together to make bookings with friends and family?

If you want to reserve a specialty restaurant or other cruise add-on with friends and family not sailing in your stateroom, be sure to link your reservations together. You can link reservations together with the reservation number and last name of the guest who is in a separate cabin.

Once reservations are linked together, you can purchase and reserve cruise add-ons for those guests in other staterooms. This is helpful when trying to reserve a specific dining time with guests outside your cabin.

Should I book a cruise add-on now or wait for the price to drop?

It’s tempting to “wait it out” before purchasing cruise add-ons like drink packages and shore excursions. No one wants to pay more than necessary, but waiting to book add-ons on the Cruise Planner will, more often than not, end up costing you more money than booking right away.

Everything on the Cruise Planner can be canceled up to 48 hours before your cruise begins. Therefore, if you purchase a shore excursion for $200 and later see the price has dropped to $150, you can cancel and rebook the excursion with no penalty.

It’s better to book add-ons as soon as possible to ensure the price does not increase. The last thing you want to happen is see a drink package price of $65 per day and wait for a lower price only to find out the price increased to $80 per day!

How do I cancel and rebook on the Cruise Planner website?

Canceling and rebooking is easy to do on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site.

In the top right corner of the Cruise Planner, you’ll see your initials in a little circle. Click on this circle and scroll down to “Order History”.

On the Order History page, click on “View Details” on the add-on you’d like to cancel. You’ll then see the option to cancel the purchase and you will be refunded the amount paid.

Interested in more cruise planning inspiration? Check out some of our latest articles:

• 10 Royal Caribbean cruise destinations not to be missed
• Ultimate Alaska cruise guide
• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

Could this finally be the week Royal Caribbean finally pulls back the curtain on its next new cruise ship?

Guests on at least one cruise ship got a tease that Royal Caribbean will provide more information about Icon of the Seas.

Betty Lou posted in an unofficial Icon of the Seas Facebook group a photo of the Monday edition of the Cruise Compass from Anthem of the Seas that indicates more information will be available in just a few days.

"Introducing Icon of the Seas in 3 days" is what the graphic says. Since this is the Monday edition of the Cruise Compass, that would indicate Thursday could be the day.

To be clear, the Cruise Compass makes no promises of anything. It simply teases some sort of information coming in three more days.

There is also a QR code, which brings users to www.royalcaribbean.com/icon. 

Visiting the website, Royal Caribbean says, "On Thursday, October 20th, we’re unveiling our newest class of ship and the world’s greatest vacation — Icon of the Seas".

From here, guests can sign up for an email update when more information is available.

If you look closely, you can also see what appears to be a rendering of the aft of Icon of the Seas in the background of the image.

It's also worth noting the web page's metadata contains the text, "Presenting the largest cruise ship to  ever touch water, Icon of the Seas".

While we don't yet know by which metrics Icon will be the largest, Royal Caribbean has hinted Icon could be larger than the Oasis Class.

Royal Caribbean also posted a new video teaser with new looks at icon of the Seas renderings.

{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/pO7lNKnBZ_k.jpg?itok=S2f1yvGW","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO7lNKnBZ_k","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}

No matter what is announced later this week, it seems Royal Caribbean is going to share more information of some kind.

Icon: a big secret

To say Royal Caribbean has been tight-lipped about Icon of the Seas would be an understatement.

With the ship set to debut likely little more than a year from now (late 2023 is the target date), Royal Caribbean has provided little details about the ship.

There's been no reveal of what the ship even looks like, let alone what features it will have.  There's no official word where the ship will sail from, itineraries, or any other pertinent information.

Royal Caribbean has been keeping the entire project as secretive as possible up to now in order to maintain a competitive edge, as well as to likely drum up intrigue among cruise fans eager to know more.

Icon of the Seas is the first of its kind for Royal Caribbean and the first of a new class of ships. Royal Caribbean has not released a new ship class in over a decade; instead, the company has continued to expand its Oasis-class and Quantum-class ships, including Wonder of the Seas in 2022 and Odyssey of the Seas in 2021.

When does Icon of the Seas launch?

Icon of the Seas is set to debut in late 2023.

There's about 3,000 people working on the ship every day. At its current pace, Icon of the Seas will be 80% complete in December from a construction perspective.

Icon of the Seas will become the cruise line’s first LNG powered ship in its fleet.

LNG powered cruise ships feature dual engines that utilize liquified natural gas to propel the ship. This makes the ships more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The fall temperatures may be dropping, but the Royal Caribbean news from this week is as hot as ever, and we have it all summarized for you in this week's round up!

The price for your next cocktail probably went up by a dollar.

Royal Caribbean has raised the price of a signature cocktail from $13 to $14 per drink, before gratuity. The price used to be $13 per drink.

While the individual Royal Caribbean drink prices have gone up by a dollar, your Royal Caribbean drink package benefits & Diamond drink vouchers have also been increased to match the price change.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is ready to open the world's first renewable energy cruise terminal
• Royal Caribbean updates: Starlink on more ships, construction photos & more
• The ultimate kids cruise packing list
• 15 most commonly asked cruise questions we've been asked in 2022
• Check out our Independence of the Seas live blog

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 472nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt weighs the benefits of going on a short 3-night cruise.

After sailing on Independence of the Seas for the weekend, Matt talks about whether a short cruise is over too quickly.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: What it's like on a cruise ship during a hurricane

{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/iyjhOVfMQyI.jpg?itok=47M8L46h","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyjhOVfMQyI","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}

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 — What it's like on a cruise ship during a hurricane — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What you'll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship

There's nothing wrong with cruising on an older ship, but pretty quickly you'll notice a few things that are different from new ships.

Older ships offer a tremendous value and offer more varied itineraries, but they also have nuances about them that stand out from other ships.

Before you step aboard, here are the biggest changes you'll notice about Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

Why my first European cruise wasn't what I expected

Jenna had traveled to Europe prior to ever taking a cruise, so how would the ship-based trip compare to her other visits?

As soon as she stepped foot in her first European cruise port, her concerns were quickly admonished.

Her European cruise experience wasn’t at all what she expected, and it quickly became her favorite destination to cruise in the world.

Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean

Which family cruise line offers a better cruise experience: Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean?

Sylvia took a cruise on the Disney Wish and Mariner of the Seas during the same week to put the two offers to the test.

Ready to catch up on all of this week's Royal Caribbean news?

Between all the major headlines, Royal Caribbean is busy with a variety of changes and the goal of this website is to keep everyone up to date with what's happening in all aspects of the cruise line.

We combed the internet to share with you all the latest news from this week.

With a fleet of 26 ships, there are always going to be things happening and in an effort to keep everyone up to date, here's a quick run through of the latest news from this week.

Starlink added to two more ships

It looks like two more Royal Caribbean cruise ships have gotten their onboard wifi upgraded to Starlink.

Based on reader reports, Starlink appears to be working on Liberty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Steve Ritter shared photos of the Starlink receivers onboard, and verified that the ship is now offering the internet service as of a few days ago.

Similarly, Jason Percival shared that Enchantment of the Seas now has Starlink active.

This means at least 4 ships now have Starlink active on them:

• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has not provided any timeline of when each ship will get it. They've only said the entire fleet will have it by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

For now, we're reliant on reader reports for confirmation of the switchover.

In case you're wondering, there has not been any update on if the cost of ship internet will change or not. For now, ships with Starlink are still offering the service at the same prices as the older technology.

Royal Caribbean wins Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award

Royal Caribbean won an award in the latest Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

In the "Mega Ships (more than 4,000 passengers)" category, Royal Caribbean edged out MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line for the top honor.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared the news on his Facebook page, "We are so proud to be recognized for the amazing vacations our ships deliver ― they are crafted with all of our guests in mind!"

Galveston construction photo update

Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal is just 26 days from opening, and we have an on-the-ground photo update to share.

Former Royal Caribbean Cruise Director (and now working in their sales department) Abe Hughes shared photos he took of the new terminal on a recent visit.

The $125 million terminal will be the world's first zero-energy cruise terminal.

Icon of the Seas construction photo

Speaking of construction updates, here's a close up photo from a new venue on the Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Nick Weir, tweeted a photo of the ship that shows the front of the ship, with some kind of a venue present.

Mr. Weir's photo seems to point to it being related to entertainment, since the head of the cruise line's entertainment division posted it with the word, "Hmmmm" in the tweet.

New Allure of the Seas walkthrough video tour

{"preview_thumbnail":"/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/SBE5X-7Gp-M.jpg?itok=Wrklufo_","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBE5X-7Gp-M","settings":{"responsive":1,"width":"854","height":"480","autoplay":0},"settings_summary":["Embedded Video (Responsive)."]}

Not necessarily news, but you might be interested to watch our new full walkthrough tour of Allure of the Seas.

Filmed last month, this video tour will show off the entire ship so you can be prepared for it when you board.  Or you can use it as an excuse for a virtual cruise escape!

I think there's a lot of good reasons to sail on Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships, but there are at least a few nuances that you'll quickly notice if you're used to a newer ships.

Older cruise ships is a relative term, as all ships age. Depending on your definition, this could include ships that are 5, 10, or 20 years old.  

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. 

Read more: What was added to each Royal Caribbean ship during its Royal Amplified refurbishment

Some of the best reasons to go on an older cruise ship is to take advantage of the lower prices because older ships tend to command a lower price than newer ones. Some of the best values in cruising can be found on a Radiance, Vision, or Voyager Class cruise ship. 

In addition, older ships tend to be smaller (relatively speaking), and that allows them to get to less-frequently visited ports, especially in Europe.

While the core experience is very much the same across all Royal Caribbean cruise ships, you're going to pick up on a few differences on older ships. These aren't bad things in this list, nor do they mean you shouldn't book an older ship.  This is simply a way to point some differences since new cruisers often are curious about what's different between the ships.

Before you step aboard, here are the biggest changes you'll notice about Royal Caribbean's older cruise ships.

Cabin aesthetics

If you've been on a newer cruise ship and then go on an older ship, the cabin is one of the first places you'll become aware of a ship's age.

Just like how a house built 20 years ago probably has a different look and feel than a house built today, cruise ship cabins on older ships will not have the same modern style as a ship like Wonder of the Seas.

Certainly the wall color, art work, and bed skirts stand out on the older generation of cruise ships.

Starting with the Quantum Class ships and Harmony of the Seas within the Oasis Class, Royal Caribbean adopted a more modern look to its cabin design.

Another major difference with an older ship is the lack of outlets.

Older ships tend to have a couple of outlets at the most to use, whereas new ships have many outlets and even USB plugs you can use in your cabin.

Regardless of which ship you sail on, it's a good idea to pick up a cruise ship outlet expander to ensure you have plenty of outlets.

Old TV models

Whether in your cabin or around the ship, the televisions around the ship will reinforce a ship's age.

Just like when you visit your parents' house, televisions with a wide bezel are something you'll instantly recognize as an older look.

Don't worry, there are no cathode-ray tube (CRT) TV's left on ships, but flat panel televisions have come a long way in their feel.

A few Royal Caribbean cruise ships still don't have pay-per-view or any kind of interactivity within their cabin televisions. This may not matter much since most passengers are not staying in their cabin to watch a movie.

Not only do the newer ships have more channels and movies to watch, but you can review onboard charges via the television and even order room service.

On the oldest ships, you're also going to quickly notice the shower curtains that are there instead of the hard plastic enclosure.

Fewer specialty restaurants

It wasn't too long ago that a cruise ship with two specialty restaurants was pretty much the norm.  Today, a ship with only two specialty restaurants can be eye-opening.

Royal Caribbean upgraded many of its older ships over the last decade to add more specialty dining. The Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships all had new specialty dining venues added during refurbishments.

Of course, the brand new Oasis and Quantum Class ships will still have many more specialty dining options.

If you sail on a Vision Class ship, you can expect the fewest specialty dining choices. Enchantment of the Seas only has Chops Grill and Chef's Table for specialty dining choices.

Fewer app features

The Royal Caribbean app is now a must-use part of the cruise experience, but you'll have less icons to click on older ships.

On the newest ships in the fleet, the app can do things like being able to open your stateroom door, augmented reality experiences, and even open your cabin curtains.

To be fair, even a few Oasis Class ships don't have all these features yet, but you'll definitely not find these options in the older ships.

The good news is the core feature set across the entire fleet encompasses exactly the sort of things you'll want, so you'll be able to do online check-in, manage your onboard spending, and view activities.

No Broadway shows

Royal Caribbean has made a name for itself by offering Broadway shows on some ships, but don't expect to find them on older vessels.

With the exception of Independence of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, the Broadway shows are relegated to the Oasis and Quantum Class ships.

Of course, there will still be evening shows on older ships. These shows include plenty of dancing, singing, and music, but lack a coherent plot across the entire show.

Another thing you may notice in these shows is the music selection is a reflection of the time the ship launched.  Some of the newer acts play up music that was new and popular at the time, but is now considered a classic hit.

The casts in these shows are just as talented as the Broadway casts, and they are fun to see.

No Royal Promenade

If you sail on a Radiance or Vision Class cruise ship, you won't have a Royal Promenade.

Instead, there is a Centrum, which is a large, open area within the ship. A set of elevators runs up the Centrum, and shops, bars, cafe, and more.

You'll find activities throughout the day at the base of the Centrum, such as live music, demonstrations, and even game shows.

If you want to shop, you'll simply need to walk off the Centrum to the shopping district, which is a hallway of ship stores you can browse.

Larger Schooner Bar

The newer the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, the smaller the Schooner Bar footprint has gotten.

On the Vision Class, the Schooner Bar is massive with a much more pronounced nautical theme.

You'll still get a fairly good sized Schooner Bar on the Voyager and Freedom Class ships, but the size is significantly smaller.  The Oasis Class Schooner Bar feels much smaller than the rest of the fleet. 

There's also no ocean views from the Schooner Bar on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships.

If you sail on an older ship, you'll want to take advantage of these larger bars for the great seating and ocean views.

Print photo wall

Souvenir photos taken by the ship's photographers have largely gone digital, but the older ships still print out copies for you to browse.

You'll find in the photo gallery area a wall of printed photos that you need to comb over in order to find your photos. The crew categorize photos by the day they were taken and the location.

On newer ships, you just scan your SeaPass card and all your photos are displayed on the screen, allowing you to print only the photos you want to purchase.

Smaller ship size

This may be the most obvious thing you'll notice, but the ship will likely be smaller on older ships.

As Royal Caribbean has built new ships over the years, they have steadily built bigger and bigger cruise ships.

The good thing about a smaller ship is your "commute time" from one end of the ship to the other is noticeably less. This means if you forget something in your cabin, getting back and forth will feel less like a trek on a small ship.

Abandoned concepts

Mexican restaurants, self-leveling pool tables, and Brazilian steakhouse are all examples of things Royal Caribbean put on its ships and then gave up on in favor of something else.

You may run across a specialty restaurant concept that is only on a handful of ships, such as Sabor or Samba Grill.

The Radiance Class have these lounges with a safari or jungle theme to them that also include bars that rarely actually open.

There are also bars that don't exist on newer ships, such as the Champagne Bar or R-Bar. The bar in the Viking Crown Lounge on Radiance Class ships actually spins slowly at night.

A new standard for environmental stewardship has been set by Royal Caribbean.

Photo by Alex Roberson

Next month, Royal Caribbean's new cruise terminal will open in Galveston, Texas and when it does, it will set change the norm for all other terminals around the world.

The cruise line says by using solar panels, it will be able to generate 100% of its needed energy. This makes the terminal the first LEED Zero Energy facility in the world, and for exclusive use by Royal Caribbean International cruise ships.

The new cruise terminal will be the home of Allure of the Seas when she begins offering cruises in November 2022.

The $125 million, 161,334-square-foot Galveston Cruise Terminal will be able to accommodate up to 630,000 guests per year. 

The opening of the terminal will mark the first time Galveston welcomes Royal Caribbean International’s signature Oasis Class, the world’s largest cruise ships, with the arrival of Allure of the Seas and the first time the company is bringing its frictionless arrival and departure process to Texas.

Sustainable cruise terminal

When you think of a cruise terminal, you think about almost any large building that can accommodate a lot of people in that they are on the power grid. In fact, I bet you don't think about it because you just assume it's like any other building.

In building this new cruise terminal, Royal Caribbean Group approached design strategies that aligned with its wholistic environmental goals, its focus to advance the development of sustainable infrastructure as well as its decarbonization strategy.

Last year, Royal Caribbean Group announced it wanted to get to net zero emissions by 2050 under a program it calls, "Destination Net Zero".

The new cruise terminal in Galveston will be the first in Texas to achieve LEED Gold certification, an industry-leading certification expected to be received within the first two quarters of 2023.

Here's how Royal Caribbean Group reached this goal with the Galveston terminal:

• Improved Sustainability in Construction
  • The project prioritized using materials that produce less carbon based on energy used and the transportation process.
  • During construction, the team has diverted 75% of its waste from landfill.
  • Minimized interior sources of pollution through the installation of materials with low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content, and enhanced air filtration media, focusing on occupant thermal comfort and controllability.
• Renewable Energy and Carbon Reduction
  • The terminal will rely on 30,000 square feet of on-site photovoltaic solar panels, enabling the port’s self-sufficient energy usage. Any remaining energy not used by the terminal will be sent to the local power grid.
  • Carbon emissions are being offset through the purchase of carbon credits.
• Regional and Global Environmental Benefits
  • Materials and construction selection contribute to the reduction of “heat island effect” in the Galveston area, a region that experiences higher temperatures than outlying areas due to an over-stimulated energy grid.
  • Implement strategies to reduce exterior lighting pollution, which may help minimize negative effects to the night-time sky and the surrounding community.
• Community Connectivity
  • By offering bicycle facilities and electric charging stations, the project promotes alternative means of transportation for guests and staff from the surrounding community, reducing transportation-related carbon emissions.
  • As the Port of Galveston increases its Electric Vehicles (EV) charging stations, Royal Caribbean International’s terminal, T10, will supply infrastructure for the future installation of eight EV charging stations within its parking lot.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty celebrated this achievement, "We are focused on innovating across all aspects of our company, especially in our work to advance sustainability in the communities we visit."

"We deeply value both the oceans we sail and the communities we visit and operate in, and the modern design and development features at our terminal in Galveston will work in service of both."

The Galveston terminal is the fourth LEED certified facility, but first to be Gold certified.

Other projects getting LEED certified include:

• Terminal A at PortMiami
• The Springfield, Oregon campus
• The Innovation Lab at Royal Caribbean Group’s corporate headquarters in Miami

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise can bring up endless questions. Which ship should I book? Should I buy a drink package? Which itinerary is best for my family?

While planning a cruise is almost as fun as the cruise itself, it can be challenging to figure out the right answers to these questions, especially for first time cruisers.

Here at Royal Caribbean Blog, we aim to make the cruise planning process as seamless as possible by providing our best tips & tricks for planning a cruise vacation.

One way we do this is through a live broadcast every Monday on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel. During this broadcast, our viewers can ask any questions they have about all things Royal Caribbean.

While we always receive unique questions each week, there are many questions we are asked time and time again. Here are the most frequently asked questions we’ve received about Royal Caribbean cruises this year.

What should I do in Cozumel, Costa Maya, Nassau, etc.?

We’ve been asked countless times for our recommendations on the best things to do in popular cruise ports.

Whether visiting Nassau, Falmouth, Ensenada, or Rome, it’s important to do a little research ahead of your visit to ensure you find the best shore excursion to fit your interests.

We have several helpful guides highlighting ideas of what to do in popular cruise ports:

• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
• Best things to do in Nassau on a cruise
• Ultimate Mexico cruise guide
• 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean
• Top things to do in St. Maarten on your Royal Caribbean cruise
• 40 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, tricks and secrets

These guides should help you have a better understanding of what is offered in popular cruise ports.

Is the Coco Beach Club worth it?

The Coco Beach Club is Royal Caribbean’s exclusive enclave at Perfect Day at CocoCay. It features a private infinity pool, beach access, lunch at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, and comfy seating areas. There are also two types of private cabanas to reserve at the beach club, including the highly coveted over-the-water cabanas.

Related: Coco Beach Club: cost, tips & review

The price of the Coco Beach Club can vary by sailing, but it has recently been priced around $160.99 per person.

What is “worth it” or not is highly subjective. Some guests may have no interest in spending $160.99 per person when there are free activities elsewhere on CocoCay. Others, however, may value the exclusivity of the Coco Beach Club and decide it’s worth it to treat themselves to a more luxurious day.

Consider your travel style and budget before reserving a day pass at the Coco Beach Club. What is “worth it” to one guest may not be worth it to another.

Which ship is best when cruising with kids?

A Royal Caribbean cruise makes for an excellent family vacation. It will be difficult for kids to get bored with activities like water slides, arcades, carousels, rock climbing, and kids programming at their fingertips.

We’re often asked which Royal Caribbean cruise ship is best for kids. While all cruises will offer enough to keep kids busy, not all ships are created equally.

We usually recommend sailing on an Oasis, Quantum, or amplified Freedom or Voyager Class ship when cruising with kids. These ships offer the best of the best of Royal Caribbean’s kid-friendly activities, such as the FlowRider, bumper cars, and zip lines.

Related: Here are the absolute best cruises for families

However, you’ll still find that kids can stay busy on even the smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships. All ships have Adventure Ocean kids programming, a rock climbing wall, and child-friendly activities offered every day of the cruise. 

Should I upgrade my stateroom with RoyalUp?

RoyalUp is Royal Caribbean’s bidding program for cruise ship cabins. It allows passengers to bid on higher category cabins before their cruise. If they win the bid, they’ll be assigned an upgraded stateroom.

Listeners ask us nearly every week on our YouTube live whether or not it’s worth it to upgrade their stateroom with RoyalUp.

More often than not, our answer is the same. If you want to upgrade your cabin, it’s best to contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly. Check how much it would cost outright to upgrade your cabin, and determine if the price is reasonable for your vacation budget.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp guide, tips, and tricks

The problem with RoyalUp is that cabin upgrades are not guaranteed. If you are 100% certain you would like to upgrade from a balcony to a suite, for example, it’s better to upgrade without an uncertain bid.

That being said, some cruisers enjoy the RoyalUp bidding process. It is possible to score a cabin upgrade for a lower cost than upgrading outside RoyalUp. As long as you understand that you may not win an upgrade, there’s no harm in placing a bid.

What does Royal Caribbean do for holidays?

If you’re cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship during a major holiday, you’ll find that there are many special events offered throughout the cruise.

Cruising during Thanksgiving and Christmas means the ship is decorated with festive decor, from inflatable turkeys and pumpkins to a Christmas tree in the Royal Promenade.

Related: How Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas and New Years holidays on its cruise ships

Special activities are offered throughout the day, including gingerbread cookie decorating, holiday movie screenings, holiday crafts, and scavenger hunts.

In addition, there are special menus offered in the Main Dining Room for holiday dinners. You’ll find courses like honey baked ham, oven-roasted turkey, and chestnut truffle risotto on the menu.

You’ll also find special events on days like Halloween, New Year’s, and Super Bowl Sunday. Be sure to pack a costume for Halloween, and don’t miss the celebration in the Royal Promenade to ring in the New Year onboard your cruise!

How does the Unlimited Dining Package work?

There always seems to be confusion with the ins and outs of Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package.

The Unlimited Dining Package is unlimited, meaning you can dine at as many specialty restaurant locations as you’d like onboard. This includes lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Reservations cannot be made in advance with the Unlimited Dining Package. Instead, guests must visit a specialty restaurant on embarkation day and make all dining reservations for the cruise.

You do not have to visit each specialty restaurant individually to make reservations. If you visit Jamie’s Italian to make a reservation, for example, you can make reservations for all other restaurants at the same time.

The only exception to this rule is with Izumi Hibachi. All hibachi reservations must be made by visiting Izumi once onboard. We recommend that you do this as soon as possible, as hibachi tables can fill up quickly.

Related: Royal Caribbean specialty dining packages guide

The Unlimited Dining Package covers both cover charge restaurants and à la carte options. Cover charge dining is offered at most venues, including Italian restaurants, Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Wonderland, and Johnny Rockets. The cover charge is included in the dining package, and you won't have to consider the cost per item on the menu at these venues.

Izumi, Portside BBQ, and Playmakers are à la carte. At Izumi, each guest with a dining package receives a $35 food credit. Portside BBQ and Playmakers offer $20 in food credit per guest.

One exception to the Unlimited Dining Package is at Izumi Hibachi, where an additional $10 surcharge will be added to your bill once onboard.

Related: How to know if you should buy a Royal Caribbean dining package

Alaska cruise tips & tricks

Alaska cruises are some of Royal Caribbean’s most popular itineraries, and we receive countless questions from viewers planning an Alaska cruise.

Whether choosing an Alaska cruise itinerary, picking the best ship for Alaska, or planning which shore excursions to book in each port, there’s a lot to consider.

Luckily, we have plenty of helpful guides for planning the best Alaska cruise:

• Ultimate Alaska cruise guide
• 50 Alaska cruise tips you should use
• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise
• What is the cheapest month for an Alaska cruise?

No matter which ship, itinerary, or time of year you sail to Alaska, you’re guaranteed to see stunning scenery, wildlife, and culture. Both small and big cruise ships sail to Alaska each year, so there’s really something for every type of traveler.

Should I wait until the price goes down on ______ before booking?

Another common question we are asked is if it’s better to purchase a pre-cruise add-on right away or wait to see if the price drops.

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner is where you’ll purchase cruise add-ons like drink packages, dining packages, shore excursions, and internet packages before a cruise.

Let’s say you visit the Cruise Planner website and see a shore excursion listed for $120 per person. It may be tempting to wait and see if the price lowers to $80-100 per person before booking.

This is never a good idea. Why? You’re always able to cancel a Cruise Planner purchase and rebook later on if you notice a price drop. You can cancel and rebook up to 48 hours before your cruise.

Therefore, if you know you want to purchase a cruise add-on, it’s best to purchase right away so the price doesn’t increase while you’re hoping it will decrease!

Should I wait to book my next cruise at Next Cruise?

Next Cruise is a cruise booking office found on every Royal Caribbean ship. It’s where passengers can book a future cruise while onboard their current cruise–and receive several perks for doing so.

If you book a cruise at Next Cruise, you’ll see deposits as low as $100 per person and receive up to $600 in onboard credit on your future cruise.

These perks can make it tempting to wait to book a future cruise until you’re onboard an upcoming sailing, but this is usually not the best idea.

Let’s say your Caribbean cruise is a month away and you’re waiting to book next summer’s Mediterranean cruise once onboard. In that month, the price of the Mediterranean cruise may increase by several hundred dollars, thus negating any “savings” you would receive by booking the cruise onboard.

Therefore, it’s best to book a cruise today instead of waiting weeks or months to book it at Next Cruise. If you’re onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, however, and suddenly get the urge to book a future cruise, there’s no harm in booking the cruise at Next Cruise.

Do both people in the room have to get the Deluxe Beverage Package?

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package offers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. However, Royal Caribbean states the following about the Deluxe Beverage Package policy:

The Deluxe Beverage Package policy requires all guests wishing to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package to do so for ALL guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom.

Related: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

This policy creates a problem for some guests when one person in the stateroom wishes to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package but the other doesn’t consume alcohol.

In this scenario, call Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819 to ask for an exemption on the second guest. In most cases, you will be required to purchase a Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic package) for that guest.

Should I be worried about hurricane season?

You’ve come across an amazing cruise deal, but you’re hesitant to book. Why? The itinerary sails right in the middle of hurricane season!

Many of those new to cruising are concerned about sailing during hurricane season. After all, the idea of sailing through a hurricane does not sound like the best way to spend vacation.

However, it’s important to dispel the myths regarding cruising during hurricane season.

Royal Caribbean will not sail a cruise ship directly into the eye of a hurricane. Itinerary changes, postponed embarkation, or delayed disembarkation may be necessary in order to keep all passengers and crew safe.

Related: What it’s like on a cruise ship when there’s a hurricane

More often than not, you won’t run into any hurricanes when cruising during hurricane season. On the off chance that your cruise happens at the same time a hurricane is approaching the Caribbean, it’s important to remain flexible and realize that your itinerary may change.

What should I wear on formal night?

Many newbie cruisers are concerned with packing the right outfit for formal night.

Formal night is typically offered only once on 3, 4, and 5 night cruises, and twice on 6-10 night cruises. It only applies to dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Before you pack a tuxedo and ball gown, it’s important to realize that formal night is not nearly as glamorous as it once was. Many cruisers choose to wear a nice pair of slacks and a polo, a sundress, or a button-up shirt.

For more information on formal night, check out our guide on what to wear on a cruise formal night. 

Is a suite worth the extra cost?

Many viewers have asked us if they should book one cruise with a suite or spread the money out and book two or more cruises in a lower category cabin.

Whether a suite is worth the extra cost is subjective. Some passengers love the extra space and perks that come with a suite, but others would prefer booking multiple cruises for the same cost as one cruise in a suite.

Related: Is a suite on Royal Caribbean worth it?

If your budget is tight, we recommend booking multiple cruises in a regular category stateroom over just one cruise in a suite. You likely won’t spend much time in your room anyway while onboard, and more days on a cruise ship is always a perk!

However, if budget isn’t an issue and you’re looking to treat yourself, you may find that a suite is worth the extra cost. Priority boarding, extra cabin space, Suite Lounge and Sun Deck access, exclusive dining options, and concierge service can be well worth the extra cost for many cruisers.

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

What tips do you have for solo cruisers?

Sailing solo on a Royal Caribbean cruise may seem daunting at first glance, but it’s actually a lot more common than you might think.

We often receive questions from viewers asking about our advice for planning a solo Royal Caribbean cruise. Here are a few of our best tips:

Consider a studio cabin

A major drawback of cruising solo is paying a single supplement fee for a standard cruise cabin. This means you are charged extra for cruising with just one person in a stateroom. This charge makes up for the lost revenue that a second person would otherwise bring.

However, several Royal Caribbean ships offer solo staterooms that do not come with a single supplement fee. These staterooms are smaller than a standard cruise cabin but can easily lead to large savings on cruise fare.

Participate in group activities

Cruising solo does not mean you have to spend the whole cruise alone. Consider attending onboard activities like drink seminars, wine tastings, and sports tournaments to get to know your fellow passengers.

Related: What I learned from my first solo cruise

Join Facebook groups for your sailings

Prior to your cruise, consider joining a Facebook group for your sailing. Here you can connect with other passengers on your cruise and organize onboard meetups.

For more tips & tricks on cruising solo, check out our guide to solo cruises on Royal Caribbean.

Do I need a passport to cruise?

Planning a cruise but you don’t have a passport? Depending on your sailing, you may not need a passport.

If you’re a U.S. citizen on a cruise beginning and ending at the same port in the U.S., you do not need a passport. Instead, you can provide proof of citizenship via a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government-issued picture ID (such as a driver’s license).

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

While there are some itineraries where passports are not required for U.S. citizens, we still recommend getting a passport before your cruise.

Not having a passport can lead to problems down the line, especially if you encounter any emergencies where you must fly back to the U.S. from a foreign country. Without a passport, you will need to travel to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in a foreign country and apply for a temporary visa to re-enter the United States.

This process is not quick and can be a huge headache. Therefore, we always recommend having a passport before your cruise.