Royal Caribbean Blog

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.

Packing for kids is a lot like any cruise packing list, but any parent will tell you that kids come with their own set of requirements and nuances you don't get when packing for just adults.

There are also some child specific items that you should bring, especially if you are traveling with the youngest of sailors.

We’ve put together the ultimate kids packing list to help make your pre-cruise packing effortless and get you on your way to cruising.

Here’s what to make sure you pack for your next family cruise vacation.

Getting to your cruise  

Traveling with kids, especially younger ones, does call for additional consideration, even before you get on the ship. Whether you are flying or driving straight to the port, there are a few major items that you should pack:  

• Stoller – A stroller is a must have for young kids; however, you may not want to bring your large double stroller from home, as this can be tricky to navigate in the narrow hallways of a cruise ship or some port areas. Many people go for a cheaper umbrella stroller, something light and easy to carry and maneuver.
• Car Seat – While you don’t need one on the ship, some people like to bring theirs for excursions, especially not knowing what is available in port and the likelihood of taxis and buses having them. 
• Cruise paperwork – Like adults, kids need identification for their cruise, so don’t forget their set sail passes along with required ID, vaccine, or covid-testing requirements where needed. 

Travel requirements

Many parents have questions about what is acceptable identification for kids. For US citizens under 16, Royal Caribbean accepts either an original, notarized or certified copy of a birth certificate. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are also acceptable. The cruise line will not accept baptismal papers or hospital certificates of birth as a form of identification. 

Do your research, though, as some cruises require passports, such as those leaving for Alaska from Canada. In this case, a birth certificate won’t do.

Although most cruises no longer require pre-cruise Covid-19 testing, there are a few itineraries, such as Bermuda, Australia and transatlantic/ transpacific sailings, that still require them. It is best to consult the Royal Caribbean website for your specific sailing to see what exactly you need. 

Carry-on items

Once you are on the ship, with all the paperwork out of the way, you should have everything you need until your luggage arrives at your cabin. As with adults, kids need to pack for any activities as well as must haves such as glasses and prescription medication.

Make sure to bring a change of clothes, diapers, and any other immediate needs for your younger kids. A bathing suit, sandals, and a sun hat are all good to have. We can all get a little tired, especially if you travel far, so remember to add anything your kids may like such as their favorite stuffed animal or baby bottles, to help soothe an unhappy traveler.

It can be fun for kids to have their own backpacks to carry a few specialty things, like a toy. Or if they are teens, many want to bring their own phones and tablets. This, along with spending money, should be packed in a carry-on.

Clothes

How much to pack depends on the length and type of cruise. There are no self-service laundry facilities onboard but washing, pressing, and dry-cleaning services are offered (prices vary per item). The cruise line also offers wash and fold specials during sailings whereby guests can fill up a bag for the fixed amount of $34.99 per bag.

It is best to plan clothes for the number of days plus a return home outfit. Two outfits per day is a good rule of thumb (day and night) for adults. So you may want to increase this to at least one extra outfit, especially for younger kids.

Be sure to include:

• Clothes for having fun on the pool deck, such as a bathing suit, sundress, t-shirts and shorts. Tip: Since many kids spend lots of time in the water, it is a good idea to bring extra bathing suits (three at least). No one likes putting a wet bathing suit on.
• Sandals
• Jeans and pants
• Active wear, including running /walking shoes – especially for sports activities
• Pants and a sweater for chillier spots like the ice rink
• Don’t forget socks and underwear
• Pajamas
• Sun hat/ visor
• Packing cubes can be helpful in organizing clothes in your suitcase or for your cabin.

Evening for kids can run the full gamut, depending upon how formal your family wants to be: 

• Pants, jeans or leggings
• Nicer top, collared shirts
• Dresses
• Dress up shoes
• Suit and tie 

For cruises with colder itineraries, consider:

• Shirts and t-shirts for inner layers
• Warm layers, such as fleece pullovers
• Waterproof jacket
• Suitable closed-toe shoes
• Boots for hiking/walking where needed
• Gloves, hat and scarf

Baby specific items

Traveling with younger kids can definitely add more to your packing list. Beyond the standard clothes suggested, consider including:

• Diapers – pack plenty of extra ones, including regular and swim
• Baby and disinfectant wipes
• Rash cream
• Extra plastic bags for wet items
• Light blanket
• Bottles
• Baby food and formula
• Sippy cups

Excursions

Whether it’s a beach day, a bicycle tour, or snorkeling, there are a few things you should probably include for your port days.

Like adults, kids need comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and other items to make the best of their day. Don’t assume you can buy extra diapers when visiting ports.

For general water/ beach outings, consider kid sized/specific items such as : 

• Mask, goggles and snorkel
• Water shoes (where needed)
• Life jackets and flotation devices 
• Waterproof phone carrier
• UV swimsuit (for those who prefer)
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Hat/sunglasses
• Collapsible silicone toys are a fantastic option for saving space in lieu of traditional bulky toys

Comfort items/ miscellaneous

After a busy day of fun, it is nice to take a break and relax in your cabin. Kids will feel better with some of their favorite comfort creatures from home. Cruise lines do provide pack and plays; just make sure to request them as soon as possible, as they are in limited supply. 

Other items to pack:

• A tablet with pre-downloaded movies/ games, as tv is limited onboard
• Bring a few toys, including their favorite stuffed animal
• Coloring supplies
• Books
• A nightlight – especially if you are in an inside cabin
• Many parents prefer a bath for young children. A small blow-up bathtub that can be placed in the shower during a cruise
• You may also want to bring your kid's favorite snack, like fish crackers or cheerios.
  • You can only bring non-perishable items, so no fruits or vegetables.
• Refillable water bottle
• A pack of cards
• Kids' shampoo and conditioner

With your family and all their stuff in a cruise cabin, it is a good idea to think about some organizational and storage techniques. Magnetic hooks and an over the door organizer, as well as ziploc bags for convenient storage, are all good options. 

First aid and medications

While some items can be purchased onboard, it is a good idea to have a ready made first aid kit for easy access during the cruise. The last thing you want to do is spend time running around in port to find something. Don't assume that there will be an adequate supply on the ship. Best to pick them up at the local drugstore pre-cruise; a pharmacist can assist with determining what is best for you.

Here are some common medications/ first aid items to pack:

• Pain and allergy products
• Seasickness meds
• After-burn care (aloe), lip balm (SPF), and bug spray
• Anti-itch cream/ hydrocortisone
• First aid items such as band-aids and anti-bacterial ointment
• Upset stomach medications
• Cold /flu medicine

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

When I boarded a flight for Europe en route to my first European cruise, I was doubtful a cruise would be the best way to travel Europe. While I was certainly excited to cruise around the continent, I didn’t have the highest expectations that cruising Europe would be better than a land-based vacation.

Only spending 8 hours in world-renowned cities? Spending more time on the cruise ship than in port? Navigating around thousands of other passengers in tourist areas? At first glance, the drawbacks seemed to outweigh the benefits.

The moment I stepped foot in my first European cruise port, however, I realized my concerns were totally unnecessary. My European cruise experience wasn’t at all what I initially expected, and it quickly became my favorite destination to cruise in the world: here’s why.

Slow travel versus cruising

Before I worked for Royal Caribbean Blog, most of my travel was done at a slower pace. I would regularly spend a few months living or traveling in different countries around the world, giving me time to truly soak in a region’s culture, cuisine, and language.

There’s no doubt that traveling slowly allows you to gain a better understanding of a place compared to spending just 8-10 hours there on a cruise. I certainly experienced more of Puerto Rico on my two week vacation, as an example, compared to my 8 hour port day.

That being said, even though I still love traveling slowly, I’ve grown to appreciate the more fast-paced nature of traveling via cruise ship.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much you can experience in just a few hours on a port day, and being able to visit several destinations on one cruise gives you a small taste of places you can visit on longer, land-based vacations.

While planning my European cruise vacation, I wanted to keep an open mind, remembering that even though this would not be a “slow travel” type of trip, it would come with its own set of benefits.

Let’s take a look at the expectations versus realities I encountered on my European cruise experience.

Expectation: Europe is better for a land-based vacation

Many of Europe’s most popular cities are not located along the coast, so I was skeptical of cruising as a way to experience Europe’s top attractions.

Spending only 8 hours in Rome? 5 hours in Paris? These cities easily require several days, and I didn’t feel spending such a short amount of time in these destinations would do them any justice.

Related: Western Mediterranean cruise guide

Because of this, I looked for itineraries that had little travel time from port to city. I knew I didn’t want to spend hours in transit on port days, as this can quickly get exhausting.

I ended up picking two itineraries in two very different regions of Europe:

1. A 7-night Spain & France cruise visiting La Rochelle and Le Havre (France) and Bilbao and La Coruna (Spain)
2. A 7-night Greek & Adriatic cruise visiting Mykonos, Chania, and Zakynthos (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), and Split (Croatia)

Despite selecting itineraries visiting both touristy and lesser-known destinations, I couldn’t help but remain skeptical of whether or not this would be the best way to travel Europe.

Reality: Cruising Europe can be a perfect way to see certain cruise ports

While I initially thought I wouldn’t enjoy a European cruise as much as a land-based vacation, I was surprised at how much I loved my experience. I found that many ports were better to visit via cruise ship than independently.

While cruising around Greece, for example, it was hard to miss the crowds of tourists embarking and disembarking ferries. Getting around the Greek Isles requires traveling via boat or constantly flying from island to island.

Traveling via cruise ship meant I could travel to several islands without booking separate ferries that would, undoubtedly, be less comfortable than a Royal Caribbean ship.

On two 7-night cruises, I visited 9 ports in 5 countries. When you count embarkation and disembarkation ports, I experienced 12 unique destinations in Europe, from the bustling metropolis of Athens to the quaint village of Ravenna, Italy.

Related: 30 best European cruise tips

I could never have done this on a land-based vacation in the same amount of time. Catching trains, buses, and ferries from destination to destination would have been exhausting. Being on a cruise ship meant we traveled when I was eating dinner, catching a show, or sleeping.

It was so nice to not have to worry about transportation logistics, which is often a huge pain when taking a land-based vacation.

Expectation: Every port would be a tourist trap

Thousands of passengers disembarking from multiple cruise ships in port each day seemed like it would be the exact opposite of what I was looking for in a vacation.

While I don't mind visiting tourist sites, I much prefer traveling to small towns where I can truly experience a region’s culture. I enjoyed seeing the Colosseum in Rome just as much as sipping an espresso in small town Sicily. I don’t travel just to tick items off a list, but to immerse myself in a destination.

I was worried each cruise port would be way too busy and I would spend the whole day in huge crowds unable to discover even a hint of local culture.

Reality: All ports, even touristy ports, offered authentic experiences

While walking along the quiet streets of Le Havre, France (baguette in hand), I was surprised at how local the city felt. After so many Caribbean cruises filled with ports built specifically for tourists and far too many Señor Frog locations, it was refreshing to feel like I was having a more genuine travel experience.

I didn’t have to worry about navigating huge crowds, worrying about pickpockets, and getting scammed into paying higher prices. My days were simple: walk around town, visit a local coffee shop, enjoy an outdoor lunch, hang out at a park or beach, and chat with locals to learn more about each destination.

My Greek & Adriatic cruise was definitely more touristy than my Spain & France sailing, but I never found the crowds unbearable. If you woke up early and were off the ship by ~8 AM, there were virtually no crowds in any cruise port.

I had the lowest expectations for Mykonos, Greece after realizing how touristy the island could be, but this ended up being one of my favorite ports I visited all summer.

Even though there were three ships in port the day we visited, we disembarked the ship early and were able to explore without a ton of crowds. While the island certainly got busier in the afternoon, it wasn’t hard to escape the crowds by walking further away from the main streets.

Related: Ultimate Greek Isles cruise guide

Exploring the side streets of Mykonos led us to a small, hole-in-the-wall bakery formed in 1420.

Little English was spoken at the bakery, which was a surprise in such a touristy area, and I navigated ordering through a combination of sign language, pointing, and laughing. The result?

One of the best meals I had throughout my vacation that was worlds away from the restaurants nearby where you’re constantly being pushed to purchase overpriced food and drinks.

I never expected to have these types of experiences in touristy cruise ports when I initially booked my cruise, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Expectation: I wouldn’t be able to taste local cuisine

If there’s one thing that makes me excited about exploring a new country or city, it’s food. Whether empanadas in Argentina or pho in Vietnam, food has been an important part of my travels over the past decade.

One of my initial concerns about cruising to Europe is that I wouldn’t be able to try local cuisine due to how many meals I would have on the cruise ship.

Don’t get me wrong... I love dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but eating Greek salad on the ship did not seem as appealing as eating Greek salad at an oceanfront restaurant in Crete.

Reality: I had amazing cuisine every port day

When cruising, you have to make a decision of whether you want to spend money on food in port or head back to the ship for meals you already paid for in your cruise fare.

Even though I could technically get “free” food onboard, I made a point to budget roughly $20 for food in port each day. I couldn’t imagine cruising to Greece and not trying moussaka, visiting Spain and not ordering sangria, and exploring Italy without eating fresh pasta!

Related: Must-eat foods on a cruise to Italy

From spanakopita in Mykonos to tapas in Bilbao, I loved the variety of cuisine I could enjoy when visiting a new port each day.

As a matter of fact, the ratatouille crepe I ordered in La Rochelle was so delicious that I briefly considered packing up and moving to France!

I would cruise to Europe again and again just for the opportunity to try so many cuisines in a short amount of time.

The major benefit of cruising Europe: unpacking only once

Whenever I picture a European vacation, I picture beautiful squares, pretty sunsets, outdoor dinners, and historic monuments. What I always forget about, though, is how terrible it is to carry luggage from place to place while traveling through Europe.

I have not so fond memories of walking around Europe with my large backpack on my back, waiting on the floor of train stations with my luggage, and constantly living out of a bag from city to city. While visiting multiple cities around Europe is always an amazing experience, constantly unpacking and packing my bags gets old quickly.

It was beyond freeing to be able to disembark the cruise ship at a new port with only a few items in our daypack. Whenever we saw a group of flustered tourists walking around Europe’s cobblestone streets with tons of luggage and bags, we were extremely grateful our luggage was on the cruise ship.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

It certainly spoiled us, and we struggled immensely once off the ship and traveling on our own throughout Italy after the cruise! Only having to unpack once was one of the biggest benefits of cruising Europe.

Another reason to cruise Europe: The fantastic value

Cruises always offer a great value for a vacation, and I found this to be especially true in Europe.

My 7-night cruise to Greece, for example, was priced at only $1300 for 2 guests in an interior stateroom including gratuities. This brought the daily cost to only $92 per person, per night.

Related: How much does a Mediterranean cruise cost?

Considering this price included accommodation, food, and transportation to 5 different ports, I thought it offered an unbeatable price compared to doing this itinerary on a land-based vacation.

Even if I had stayed at a cheap hostel and found budget-friendly restaurants each day, I still would have spent a similar amount of money on a land-based vacation with far fewer comforts. I’d much rather stay in a comfortable cruise cabin than a hostel dorm room!

So… do I prefer traveling Europe via cruise ship or taking a land-based vacation?

While I was initially concerned cruising would not be a nice way to travel Europe, it quickly became my favorite region to cruise in the world.

Each cruise port offered so much history, culture, and activities to discover. From dining at outdoor cafes to hiking along gorgeous coastal paths and exploring quaint alleys, every day offered authentic, diverse experiences.

I sometimes find Caribbean cruise ports way too touristy, and it can be difficult to find local culture in between touristy restaurants and souvenir shops. While I’ll take laying on a pristine, white-sand beach over working in the office any day, I found that a European cruise fits my travel style better.

I have to say that I’m still a bit skeptical that a Western Mediterranean cruise would be worth it compared to traveling that region on a land-based vacation. It’s hard for me to justify spending 1-2 hours in transit each way to visit world-class cities like Rome and Florence just to spend only a few hours in the city.

I think I'll just have to plan another European cruise to visit the Western Mediterranean and experience it for myself!

Will I stop planning land-based vacations to Europe? Definitely not. I still love traveling slowly not only in Europe, but anywhere in the world, and it offers a way to immerse myself in new cultures that is impossible to do on a cruise. In fact, I recently spent two weeks traveling Portugal and Spain by bicycle. It doesn’t get much slower than that!

So while I’ll certainly still plan land-based vacations in Europe for more in-depth travel, I’m already looking forward to discovering more coastal destinations in Europe via cruise ship.

Norway? Canary Islands? Sicily? Turkey? Iceland? Count me in.

The cost of a cocktail on your cruise will probably be a bit higher on your next sailing.

Guests sailing on a variety of ships are reporting seeing the average price of a signature cocktail up from $13 to $14 per drink, before gratuity.

The exact cost of a cocktail depends on a few factors, such as the type of liquor, but Royal Caribbean had priced many of its drinks on its menu at $13 per drink for a few years.

For years some ships had cocktails priced at $12, while others had them at $13. Since cruises restarted in 2021, the price stabilized across the fleet at $13.

Certain drink menus are now showing a $14 drink cost on sailings that have departed over the last few days. An automatic 18% gratuity will be added to that cost for drinks purchased a la carte.

In case you're wondering, the price of a beer is listed at $7.49 for domestic beers and $7.99 for imports. Red Stripe will cost you $8.25.

Many wines by the glass are still around $10-14 per glass.

While the individual Royal Caribbean drink prices have gone up by a dollar, your Royal Caribbean drink package benefits have also gone up to match it.

Guests who have gotten letters from Crown and Anchor Society with their Diamond benefits noted their vouchers now cover drinks in value up to $14.

Many cruisers opt to purchase an unlimited drink package to help control drink prices while onboard.  For a flat fee, you can enjoy all the beers, cocktails, juices, sodas, premium coffees and teas, and bottled water you want.

The cost of a Royal Caribbean drink package will vary from sailing to sailing, and ship to ship.

On average, the Deluxe Beverage Package (unlimited alcohol package) will cost somewhere between $65.00 - $90.00 per person, per day for a drink package when purchased onboard.

Read more: How much is the drink package on Royal Caribbean?

While the overall cost a drink package isn't necessarily cheap, a lot of people like the fact a drink package offers fixed costs and convenience of being able to order drinks anytime they see fit, without concern of running up a big bill or being stuck with a drink they do not like.

Still cheaper than a lot of places on land

If paying $14 for your next pina colada sounds like a lot, you may feel a little bit better knowing a cocktail on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is likely cheaper than a lot of other tourist destinations.

Walt Disney World charges anywhere from $17 - $20 for a margarita at its La Cava del Tequila bar in Epcot. A Star Wars-inspired specialty cocktail at Oga’s Cantina in Hollywood Studios will run you $17 or $18 (not counting the Yub Nub $45 cocktail).

If you visit the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City, you'll pay $14.75 for a Classic Caribbean Mojito, and $15 for a Cosmopolitan. 

At the Super Bowl earlier this year, the signature cocktail, "Monday Morning Quarterback," cost $16.

How to save money on drinks during your cruise

While Royal Caribbean's drink packages are quite popular with guests, they do require a moderate amount of drinking every day of your cruise to make the investment worthwhile financially. For those that do not want to drink quite that much every day, there are a number of alternative strategies to the drink package that can still save you some money. 

Bring wine

Did you know that Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring up to two bottles of wine per stateroom on their Royal Caribbean cruise?

Each bottle of wine may be up to 750ml in size and should be brought on in your carry-on luggage. Do not put the wine in your checked luggage.

Wine lovers will be able to bring a couple of bottles of their favorite wine on their cruise at a savings compared to purchasing the wine onboard.  Moreover, bringing your own wine means you will save money on your total bar tab during your cruise.

My favorite aspect of bringing your own wine is if you do not finish the bottle of wine, Royal Caribbean can store the wine for you and deliver it another restaurant at that time.

Look for drink specials onboard

One of the best ways to get a deal on a cocktail is to order the drink of the day.  The drink of the day is a select cocktail that changes every day, which has about a 20% discount on it and is available from most bars onboard.  

You can just ask the bartender or waiter what the drink of the day is and take advantage of those savings.

To find drink specials, consult the Cruise Compass for some advertised deals, as well as walk around bars and look for posted signs.

Get free drinks

Free drinks on Royal Caribbean? Yes. Seriously!

Believe it or not, there are ways to get free drinks on your Royal Caribbean cruise.  Granted, there is no way to effectively drink all day like this, but any free drinks you can get are less drinks you have to buy!

One of the best ways to get free drinks is by being a Crown and Anchor Society member.  Diamond level and above members are eligible for free beverages each day.

All Crown and Anchor Society members will have special coupons pre-loaded on their SeaPass account that provide deals like Buy One, Get one beer, wine or soda by the glass.  In addition, Royal Caribbean holds Crown and Anchor Society events onboard for members, with complimentary cocktails served.

Free champagne can also be found at select events, including art auctions, Captain's Welcome and during holiday celebrations.

Drink in port

There is no question you will save money by drinking at the ports of call you visit compared to onboard.

Bars and restaurants at the ports your Royal Caribbean ship will visit regularly offer cheaper drink prices for beers and cocktails and that can mean big savings if you can wait to enjoy some drinks when on land, compared to on your ship.

Depending on your itinerary, this strategy may be more lucrative than others, but it is a good way to indulge in your favorite mixed drink or cerveza for a lower cost.

The magic of Disney or the epicness of Royal? 5 things to consider when choosing between two of the most popular cruise lines – Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

You’re long overdue for a vacation, but there are so many options for how to spend your precious PTO! With getaways ranging from unique vacation home rentals across the country, cruises across the globe, and even luxurious all-inclusive resorts, the decision can be tough, but let’s be honest here - nothing quite rivals the care-free, thrilling experience that you can only get on a cruise ship. 

Once that you’ve decided you’re ready to hit the high seas, the next decision you have to make is a tricky one – choosing the right cruise.

While any cruise is better than no cruise, you can’t go wrong with the cruise industry’s two prominent leaders – Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line. While Disney is a brand that everyone knows and loves, renowned for world-class guest service and creating magical, family-friendly memories, Royal Caribbean has become synonymous with epic adventures and mind-blowing experiences.

Earlier this summer, I sailed on the Disney Wish and Mariner of the Seas the same week, which gave me the opportunity to compare and contrast the two lines in quick succession.

To help you figure out which cruise is best for you, here are five major things to consider when picking your cruise line.

Wallet economics

For most, budget is the big deciding factor when making most of your vacation decisions.

If you’ve ever been to one of the Disney parks, it should come as no surprise that Disney cruises often come at a premium cost. Until the most recent Disney+ subscriber promotion, discounted rates are extremely limited, almost exclusively to military members and Florida residents.

With that in mind, once you’ve locked in your Disney Cruise Line stateroom, if you do manage to see a better rate, you have to cancel and rebook in most cases. Luckily, you can save money on your Disney cruise with Disney Visa rewards dollars using your Disney Visa credit card or by purchasing discounted Disney gift cards from places like Sam’s Club or Costco.

Alternatively, Royal Caribbean is known for offering great sales during the year, ranging from $550 off + 30% off guests, kids sail free, and more. With that in mind, Royal Caribbean also runs sales on their cruise add-ons like drink packages, wi-fi and more.

Read more: 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Often cruisers get the option to bid on upgrading to a better category room close to the departure date with Royal Caribbean’s Royal Up program. Just like Disney, Royal Caribbean has their own Visa card that offers rewards ranging from onboard credits and stateroom upgrades to cruises.

Read more: Is the Royal Caribbean credit card worth it?

To put this in full perspective, looking at two similar cruises out of Miami, Royal Caribbean offers a 4-night cruise starting at $896 for two adults, whereas Disney is offering a 3-night cruise for two adults starting at $1734. 

When it comes to counting dollars and cents, the undeniable winner is Royal Caribbean.

Sleeping arrangements

One major consideration that often goes overlooked is your stateroom.

The common misconception is that all cruise staterooms are tiny hole-in-the-walls akin to a can of sardines where you all pack in just to sleep.

Wrong!

With the right stateroom, you can create a home on the high seas that keeps everyone happy, and most importantly, comfy!

Cruise staterooms range from budget-friendly, space-efficient inside staterooms, some with virtual portholes to create a faux window to the seas outside, to luxurious suites like the fun-tastic Royal Caribbean Ultimate Family Suite or the extra-magical Disney Cruise Line Funnel Tower Suite.

While actual staterooms available vary ship to ship, on average, Disney Cruise Line takes the win when comparing the size of the most common stateroom types.

For example, an inside stateroom on most Royal Caribbean ships is around 150 square feet, while on most Disney ships, inside staterooms are closer to 170 square feet.

Similarly, ocean view rooms on Royal Caribbean start at 180 square feet compared to Disney’s 204 square feet, with ocean view balcony rooms on Royal Caribbean starting at 188 square feet and Disney’s verandah rooms starting at a stunning 246 square feet.

Although Disney Cruise Line undisputedly boasts the larger rooms, Royal Caribbean is not to be overlooked with its wide variety of room types, including staterooms with a view of their Promenade or Boardwalk area (perfect for people-watching and observing onboard fun right from your interior balcony), a variety of suite class staterooms with upgraded amenities, and the favorite for larger groups – the ultra spacious rooms.

On many Royal Caribbean ships, the ultra spacious ocean view or ocean view balcony staterooms offer a larger stateroom with a separated bunk bed area that’s ideal for adding some privacy and extra space when you’re traveling with a larger crew. The closest option to this on Disney Cruise Line is the deluxe family staterooms. These rooms are slightly larger to accommodate up to five and have a curtain you can pull out to create a partition. 

Another great accommodation for bigger parties is the connecting balcony stateroom category on Royal Caribbean, which allows two staterooms to share a balcony and even a connecting door inside as well, if you’d like. This creates a spacious option for larger parties. With this in mind, both cruise lines offer swanky one- and two- bedroom suites that come with concierge service and extra perks for when you want both space and to treat yourself to luxury on the high seas. 

Read more: What's the best cruise ship cabin for my family?

Obviously, your options for staterooms are plentiful on both cruise lines, and any stateroom is better than being stuck on dry land. That said, there’s no clear winner in this category, so it’s up to you to pick which one better suits your sailing needs.

Forktastic dining options

The food on a cruise is truly the best part. Did you know the average cruiser gains upwards of seven pounds on a cruise? If you go hungry while cruising, that’s truly your own fault. That said, there are some big differences between the dining experience on Royal Caribbean and that of Disney Cruise Line.

Dinner is where Disney Cruise Line truly shines, as they bring the magic and performance art you’re used to seeing at the parks straight into the main dining room.

Once onboard, you’ll receive a dining rotation to let you know which dining room to report to each night for your decadent dinner show. Disney Cruise Line’s dinner is an event in itself, as each dining room and menu is heavily themed, along with some form of entertainment you’ll enjoy while you please your tastebuds.

These shows range anywhere from musical performances like New Orleans-style jazz to singing along with the your favorite Frozen moments to interactive conversations with digital Disney characters like Crush from Finding Nemo and Olaf or watching Ant-Man and The Wasp showcase their latest and greatest technology. 

While Disney truly does dinner like no one else at sea, Royal Caribbean still satisfies your palette with a diverse list of specialty options that varies from ship to ship.

Each night, you can choose to enjoy your evening meal at the Windjammer buffet, sit down to a divine three-course meal in one of the main dining halls, or you can take it up a notch with the heat of hibachi of Izumi or the mind-boggling wonders of molecular gastronomy found in Wonderland, among a myriad of other options, depending on the ship you’re on.

However, when considering dietary options, like vegan and gluten-free for instance, Royal Caribbean doesn’t quite keep up with Disney in this category. All of Disney’s destinations, cruise ships included, truly shine when it comes to special dietary needs. They don’t just give you a few run-of-the-mill dietary friendly options, they craft delicious culinary creations that are on par with everything else they serve.

That’s not to say that you can’t have your dietary needs met on Royal Caribbean, as they also do a great job making sure all diners eat incredibly well, but there truly isn’t a major cruise line that offers the specialty food options that Disney does.

For this particular category, it’s a close call, as Disney wins in the dinner and dietary needs arena, but Royal Caribbean takes the cake for overall dining variety across the ship.

Entertain me!

When choosing a cruise, it’s important to think about what you ideally would like to actually do once you get on the ship.

Are you in need of some intensive rest and relaxation? Maybe you need some dedicated time to really burn some calories or you want to release your inner dare devil? Have you always wanted to try your hand at a blackjack table? Has it been too long since your last live theater show?

With so many things to experience on cruise ships, and with the vast array of options you can find on different ships, knowing what activities and entertainment options you would like can help solidify which cruise line and even which specific ships are perfect for you. 

If you’re looking for rest and relaxation, Disney Cruise Line surprisingly boasts one of the most unique spa experiences at sea – the Rain Forest Room, by Senses Spa.

This is a private area with a limited number entries (purchased separately), offering guests a number of ways to unwind from steam rooms to hot tubs (on most ships), heated tile loungers, rain showers, and more. This is also the most quiet, zen space you’ll ever find on a cruise ship.

If you don’t want to pay extra for the Rain Forest Room but are still looking for a kid-free place to relax, have no fear, there are adult-only pool and hot tub areas across all Disney ships.

While Disney ships do specialize in rest and relaxation, they also have a lot to do on their ships. Every ship has a gym with great equipment, including treadmills overlooking the water and a variety of fitness classes (some included, some cost extra). There are also sports courts, jogging tracks, pools and hot tubs, water slides and so much more.

There’s also incredible entertainment for all ages, ranging from first run movies in a relaxed movie theater setting to stellar entertainment akin to the amazing shows you see in the parks. Depending on the ship, there are classics like Aladdin and The Little Mermaid, as well as unique shows like The Golden Mickeys and Seas the Adventure.

Of course, don’t forget about the character experiences across the ship and the infamous Pirate Night on select cruises where you’ll celebrate your inner scalawag with pirate activities and even fireworks at sea.

If you’re ready for some blood-pumping thrills at sea, Royal Caribbean has dedicated their entire fleet to creating a bolder experience at sea that you’d never even think was possible.

Over the past few years, Royal Caribbean has taken cruising to a whole new level by “amplifying” their fleet of ships with a bevy of new experiences from dining and Broadway-style entertainment to never-before-seen activities. For those who can’t sit still, this ranges from ice skating, rock climbing, Flow Rider simulated surfing, and laser tag to RipCord by iFly simulated skydiving, SkyPad bungee trampoline, escape rooms, and so much more.

Read more: Top 14 best free things to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you’re looking to be entertained, the unique Aqua Theater brings you water shows with spectacular stunts and incredible feats of athleticism like you’ve never seen. Once you’ve dried off, you can head to the indoor theater for classic performances like Grease and Mama Mia!, many ships also feature ice skating shows, or you can check out any number of musical acts at venues across the ship. If you’re looking to test your luck with cards or slots, each ship also boasts a casino, with your choice of games to try.

If you’ve never gambled before, don’t worry, at the start of each cruise, there are classes to teach you how to play.

While there might be a ton of things on the itinerary, there are also great ways to unwind, from adult pool and hot tub areas, to booking your very own spa, mani/pedi, or hair appointment at the Senses Spa, which is the exact same spa you’ll find on Disney Cruise Line as well. 

This particular category is tough one to choose a winner for, depending on what kind of cruise you’re really looking for, but ultimately, if you’re looking to find some zen, Disney Cruise Line takes the gold, but if you’re in the market for thrills and shenanigans, Royal Caribbean is the undisputed champion in that arena.

Private islands & destinations

While a big part of what makes a cruise special is what happens on the ship, the destination ports are a hugely important consideration, as this is a great way to get a bite-sized taste of places and cultures you’ve never experienced.

Disney Cruise Line boasts 5 very lovely ships with itineraries heavy in the Caribbean, as well as Alaska, the Mexican Riviera, the Mediterranean, and a few other locations depending on the time of year, with new itineraries being added on a regular basis.

The tricky part for Disney Cruise Line is that with such a small fleet in comparison to other cruise lines, they are mildly limited on the variety of available ports and destination options. That said, there are still plenty of options to choose from, including their magical private island, Disney’s Castaway Cay.

Castaway Cay is an intimate, Bahamian escape with some really special unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else. For the runners and walkers looking to get some extra steps in, there’s a complimentary, steamy hot 5k course, complete with a finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line.

There’s also a beautiful bike route that cruises by a lookout tower, multiple cabana areas (including the adults-only Serenity Bay), and a massive snorkeling area with special sunken treasures ready for you to come and find them. In the works for 2024 is a brand new Bahamian private island, Disney’s Lighthouse Point. Little has been released about what should be expected at this new location, but it’s sure to be spectacular.

On the other side, Royal Caribbean boasts an astonishing fleet of 25 ships in varying sizes that offer itineraries visiting over 240 destinations in 61 countries, ranging from the Caribbean and Alaska to Asia and Australia, even the upcoming 274-night Ultimate World Cruise, as well as two fabulous, private islands – Labadee, Haiti, and Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Bahamas.

Labadee is absolutely picturesque, with lush, green mountains overlooking a crystalline sea. The coastline is dotted with experiences of all types, from relaxing, private cabanas to epic water slides and aquatic fun, even a roller coaster that will take you on a scenic journey across this totally Instagram-able escape.

Not too far away is the new Perfect Day at Coco Cay, which is no lie, there’s a perfect day awaiting for everyone, no matter your interests. If you’re into high-speed water park fun, there’s Thrill Waterpark featuring Daredevil’s Peak – the tallest water slide in North America. Looking for to soak up some rays in your own private cabana? Check out Coco Beach Club or Chill Island, with incredible snorkeling, private cabanas, and delicious food options.

There’s also Oasis Lagoon for those looking for a party – with the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, a swim up bar and live DJ. There’s truly a little something for everyone at Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

Comparing Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean when it comes to destinations and private islands is a tough call, as they both will take you to amazing places across the world and both offer fun-tastic private locales, Royal Caribbean has more ships departing from more ports with more itineraries across the world, giving you more options to explore on your cruise-cation.

While there are a lot of things to consider when selecting your perfect cruise, any cruise is better than no cruise! Whether it’s the magic of Disney Cruise Line with their classic character experiences and delicious dining room rotation, or the epic adventure of Royal Caribbean featuring giant thrills and endless activities, you’re in for the vacation of a lifetime.

The last day of our cruise on Independence of the Seas takes us to Nassau, Bahamas for a short visit.

It's always odd when you only spend a few hours in a port, and the timing of the port times stand out when we are only in Nassau from 8am to 2pm. It also limits what you can do.

Since we didn't have a ton of time in port, we didn't book any shore excursions.  The plan was to treat it like a sea day and stay onboard.

First and foremost, we all took this opportunity to sleep in after a busy couple days at the beginning of the cruise. 

We managed to roll into the Windjammer at 10am for breakfast, followed by a visit to Cafe Promenade for a morning coffee.

My wife and I took our coffee down to deck 4 and outside to the promenade deck. While it's hot and humid out, if you can sit in the shade with a breeze, it's quite comfortable.

Maybe it was the caffeine, but I started getting an itch to do something and get off the ship for a little bit. So we grabbed our stuff to take a short walk around Nassau.

Your best bet when visiting Nassau is to have some kind of a tour or activity planned, as the area near the pier is a rather large tourist trap of shops and bars. 

Read more: Best things to do in Nassau on a cruise

Just walking off the ship, you could see the progress the port is making to upgrade everything. The pier and port area are in the process of being completely upgraded, which is a multi-year effort.

We started off doing a little bit of window shopping at the various souvenir stores.

We stopped for a drink at my favorite bar, Pirate Republic Brewery.

They had a limited amount of beer today, so I decided to try their hard seltzer since I like Truly. 

It was good, but too much of a seltzer taste compared to Truly, so I think next time I'll stick to whatever beer they have available.

We made our way back to the ship and I got exactly what I wanted out of our visit: a short excuse to walk around port for a bit.

Back in the cabin, I had one thing on my mind now: a nap.

Independence of the Seas departed Nassau right around the time I got up, and I made a quick run to the Windjammer for a late lunch.

My wife went with my oldest daughter to see the Broadway musical, Grease, while I napped/stayed with my youngest daughter in the cabin. I would have enjoyed seeing it, but naps are serious business.

After my nap, I went up to the Diamond Lounge to have a drink and spend a few minutes up there.

One of the many fabulous benefits of being at least Diamond in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society is access to a dedicated lounge for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Guests. It's kind of like their own clubhouse, meeting place, and bar wrapped into one.

On Independence of the Seas, it's located on Deck 14 near the Viking Crown Lounge and it has great views. Plus, there's a nice outdoor part to it as well.

Dinner tonight was at Izumi hibachi, which is always a popular restaurant on almost any ship that has an Izumi location.

Food was great, and the kids enjoyed the experience. If you want to dine at hibachi, you definitely want to make reservations as early as possible. With the dining package, I recommend going immediately after you board the ship to get a reservation.

After dinner, it was back to the pub for music for one last evening.

Overall, we had a great time on Independence of the Seas. Three night cruises always feel like they go by so quickly because of the fact it's only a few days, but it's better to have cruised quickly than not to have cruised at all!

Weather was great, sea conditions perfect, and the ship itself was lovely. The crew members did a great job of taking care of us, and I hope we can do another weekend sailing sooner than later.

This wraps up my live blog here, but Allie will be live blogging in a few days from Odyssey of the Seas in Europe, and I'll be back with another live blog on Allure of the Seas from her new home in Galveston next month!

Thanks for reading and all the wonderful comments!

I hope everyone reading this is having a wonderful Sunday and enjoying some time this weekend with friends, family and some good food too.  Here is a summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this week in one easy-to-read blog post for your convenience!

We have new photos of Icon of the Seas ship construction to share this week!

We're as curious as you to know what this new cruise ship is all about, so RoyalCaribbeanBlog commissioned photos to be taken from the shipyard to see what's new and different.

Not only has the bow been nearly all installed, but a number of top deck designs are starting to take shape. You can view all the Icon of the Seas construction photos and see for yourself!

Royal Caribbean News

• Spotted: Royal Caribbean makes face masks optional for crew members
• Royal Caribbean brings back kids cruise free promotion
• Royal Caribbean offering fall fares as low as $89 per person
• Royal Caribbean cruises in October 2022: What to expect
• Should you book the Izumi pre-fixed sushi option?
• We're live blogging from Independence of the Seas this weekend!
• Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel Review

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 471st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt sums up his Allure of the Seas cruise and answers many more listener emails.

As an addendum to last week's episode, Matt talks about the rest of the sailing and how the hurricane impacted the sailing.

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: I tried the best inside cabin hacks

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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 tried the best inside cabin hacks — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

I tried The Key (again) to see if it's worth it

On a recent 6-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, Jenna purchased The Key to see if the experience was any better or different than in the past.

The Key provides VIP benefits to guests that pay for it, but is it worth it to spend the extra money?

Royal Caribbean advertises plenty of benefits, but are they as good as they sound?

Is Black Friday the best time to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package?

One mantra I see cruise fans repeat is the advice for people to wait for Black Friday to buy their cruise add-ons because they feel the best discounts are offered that week.

The problem with waiting for any one sale is you're putting a lot at risk for a potential discount that may or may not materialize.

Should you wait or book now? Here's a look at the pros and cons of waiting for a Black Friday sale.

Allure of the Seas Guide & Review

Want to know everything about Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas?

Our planning guide will give you all the important information about Allure before you get onboard.

Our first stop on this quick 3-night cruise is Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Independence of the Seas was cleared for guests to disembark around 8am, but that's a bit too early to round up our family, so we planned to walk off the ship at 9am.

Our first stop was the Windjammer for breakfast. It's strange when I don't go to the Windjammer on the first day, because of how much of a usual stop that is for us.

A lot of other people had the same idea because the Windjammer was packed. We had to do a loop around until we found a table.

Breakfast was great, and just what we needed to make it off the ship and keep us sustained until the Snack Shack opened up on CocoCay.

Joining us on the island were guests from Freedom of the Seas, also doing a quick weekend sailing.

Our plan was to grab some seats near Oasis Lagoon and then explore the island. 

First up was Harbor Beach, which I really liked the last time we were here.

Unfortunately, there were too many fish for my preference. Yes, I know the ocean is where fish live, but there lots of minnows and slightly larger fish that kept swimming around so we decided to hit up the beach later.

Next was to the 100% fish-free area of Oasis Lagoon.  The DJ didn't get set up until later in the morning, so it was nice and relaxing to enjoy being in the water before the Spring Break vibes kicked up.

Our "early lunch" was a visit to the Snack Shack to enjoy my favorite "secret sandwich", which consists of the chicken sandwich combined with the mozzarella sticks. 

The kids then explored the various outdoor games available near Breezy Bay. I was surprised how busy this area was.

My kids really enjoyed the soccer ball billiards game. I would have spent more time here had there been more shade.

To cool off, we went to Breezy Bay and the ocean here was the perfect temperature. While I'm sure there were just as many fish around as before, I didn't see them as much so I was able to cool down.

Since it had been 90 minutes, my kids were ready to eat again so we took another break over at Chill Grill to enjoy another lunch.

I really like the make-your-own taco bar so I can create my favorite type of taco salad.

After we ate, the kids wanted to go to Splashaway Bay. I didn't object when I found a comfortable Adirondack chair in the shade to catch a few zzz's.

By about 3pm, everyone started to feel a little tired too, so we got our stuff and went back to the ship to shower, change, and nap.

I had to decide if I was going to nap or power through it, and ultimately decided to get a coffee from Cafe Promenade and stayed awake while my kids napped.

Independence of the Seas set sail right around 4pm or so to start the very short journey to Nassau.

We had dinner reservations for Chops Grill, but since I decided to cut out red meat for health reasons, the menu doesn't excite me much. The family ate at Chops, while I took a detour to grab something to eat at the Windjammer.

It turned out to be Italian night in the Windjammer, and there were so many great choices, including a custom cooking pasta station.

It was a great decision for me, and everyone else got to enjoy a lovely meal at Chops.

After dinner, we went down to Playmakers. The Mets/Padres games was not being shown again, so we streamed the game on a phone. Tonight the internet worked better, with far less buffering than last night.

After a bit we moved up to the pub to enjoy some live music.  

The pub singer's set was cut short due to the 80's dance party on the Royal Promenade, but he had one more set before he was done for the evening.

We wrapped up our evening with a few games in the casino.

Tomorrow is our final day, and we'll be in Nassau.

A three-day weekend on my kids' school calendar is the perfect opportunity to escape for the weekend to the Bahamas on Independence of the Seas!

Since we live in the Orlando area, weekend cruises are an easy sailing to hop on, especially when there's an extra day off of school.

We're sailing on Independence of the Seas for a 3-night cruise that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

We left our home at 10:30am and made the drive over to Port Canaveral. No traffic and an easy hour or so ride to the coast.

The check-in might have been the easiest and fastest check-in and boarding I've had since cruises restarted last year. We rarely stopped walking, and when we did, it was just to verify everything.  The ship was already open and boarding guests when we got to the terminal.

After getting on the ship, we headed to Playmakers for lunch.

We booked the unlimited dining package for this cruise, so one easy way to maximize the package value is to start the cruise with a specialty restaurant lunch.

I was concerned it would be overly busy, but we had no problem getting a table and the food came out nice and quick.

Our waiter was very nice, but he mistakenly told us we could each only eat at Playmakers once per day. Unfortunately, I've heard waiters occasionally say that, but it's simply not the policy.  In short, the unlimited dining package is unlimited, with no quotas or limitations to how many restaurants or times you can dine at a restaurant on any day. I didn't say anything to him, figuring I can cross that bridge if we need to later.

While we waited for the food, I went over to Izumi to book our dinners. If you have a specialty restaurant package, it's a good idea to go ahead and book a reservation once you get onboard. We had no issues getting the restaurants and times we wanted.

Lunch was served quickly and it was very warm.  Wings, burgers and fries...oh my!

Next up was a visit to our muster station to complete the muster drill process. Couldn't have been easier and still so happy to not have to do the old muster drill process!

The staterooms weren't ready until 1:30pm, so my wife and I took time to hang out in the Solarium for a bit and enjoy the beautiful weather.

For this cruise, we booked connecting Promenade View cabins. 

One of my favorite family cruise tactics is to book two connecting cabins, rather than one large room. We get separation from the kids and an extra bathroom.

Since we booked this cruise a few months ago, prices were much cheaper for this category, so an inside cabin is just fine for a quick weekend cruise.

After the rooms were ready, it was back up to the pool deck for some afternoon sun and sailaway.

The weather was absolutely fantastic, and we enjoyed bright sunny skies for our departure, along with a lot of other guests who were ready to party.

Dinner took us to Giovanni's Table.

This is still the "old" Giovanni's Table menu (and not the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen), but just like on Allure of the Seas last week, it was great.

We also were treated to a lovely sunset from our table.

After dinner we grabbed a drink at Boleros, where Michael poured a drink in a very unique way.

This leads me to using the new Starlink internet that is now available on Independence of the Seas. Overall, it works great when browsing the web, checking Facebook and whatnot.

Just like pre-Starlink, it will struggle at times as you wait for something to load. We also tried streaming the Mets/Padres playoff game via both MLB.TV and our cable provider web portal. The live stream held up about 50% of the time, with lots of buffering.  This could be a product of too many people also using the wifi, poor connectivity to the closest router, or something else.

In my experience, there are so many variables on the cruise ship that can affect internet performance that it's difficult to assign blame. 

The good news is the internet is substantially faster than what Independence had before, so there's no question it's an upgrade. We'll see how the rest of the cruise goes with regard to performance.

Back to the cruise fun, we went to the Schooner Bar since the piano player there started up first and there was a big crowd for the show.

We rounded out the night in the pub with live guitar music.

Tomorrow we will be at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Stray Observations

I don't ever recall seeing these wood tables in the Solarium on this, or any ship.

We stopped by Cafe Promenade and noticed they also have the new Starbucks drinks available here. This means if you have a Diamond drink voucher or unlimited drink package, you can get drinks here included (unlike the Starbucks kiosk).

One strange thing about our Promenade View cabin is the telephone is on the desk, and not by the bed.

Back in January, I purchased The Key on my Royal Caribbean cruise to determine if this cruise add-on is worth the extra cost. At the time of my first review on The Key, I determined that the benefits were not worth the price.

Nine months later, it was time to give The Key another try.

On my recent 6-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, I purchased The Key to see if my experience would be different from my first cruise with The Key on Harmony of the Seas.

I sailed on Harmony of the Seas when cruises were sailing with limited capacity, and this meant some of the benefits (priority access to the terminal, private time at onboard activities, etc.) were not as important.

Now that I’ve disembarked Allure of the Seas, let’s dive in and see whether I thought The Key was worth the cost this time around—and if you should purchase The Key on your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Key benefits on Allure of the Seas

Benefits of The Key are subject to change by ship and sailing. These are the benefits I received on Allure of the Seas:

• Early access at the terminal
• Drop off your carry-on luggage in the Main Dining Room on embarkation day; carry-on luggage will be hand delivered to your stateroom
• Exclusive lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille menu
• Private time at onboard activities like rock climbing, FlowRider, etc.
• Priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports
• Seats in the exclusive VIP seating section at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B
• VOOM Surf & Stream package for one device
• Private à la carte breakfast and choice departure on disembarkation day

Related: Royal Caribbean’s The Key review

Cost of The Key

I purchased The Key for $24.99 per person, per day prior to my cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website. I was sailing solo in my stateroom, so I only had to purchase The Key for one guest, bringing the total cost to $149.94 on my 6-night cruise.

When choosing whether to purchase The Key or not, it’s important to take a look at current pricing for VOOM Surf & Stream internet packages. Because The Key includes an internet package for one device, it’s helpful to calculate the price difference between the two pre-cruise add-ons.

At the time I purchased The Key, the VOOM Surf & Stream internet package was offered for $19.99 per day. For only $5 more per day, I found The Key to be a great deal.

This was the lowest price difference I had ever seen between The Key and a regular VOOM Surf & Stream internet package.

Embarkation day benefits with The Key

Most of the best benefits of The Key are found on embarkation day.

Check-in time was slated to begin at 11:00 AM for The Key guests, but I was able to enter the terminal around 10:30 AM. The Key embarkation area was mixed with suite guests, and it offered a shorter line than the regular check-in area.

That being said, my original check-in time slot outside of The Key was 10:30 AM. I probably could have been one of the first in line at the regular check-in area and had a similarly quick embarkation process.

Once in the terminal, we were able to sit in an exclusive area just for The Key guests. After ~15 minutes or so of waiting, it was time to board Allure of the Seas.

Chops Grille lunch

One of my favorite benefits of The Key is the private embarkation day lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille menu.

While the menu offered at embarkation day lunch isn’t the full Chops Grille menu, it features many of the most popular dishes at the restaurant. Menus can change by ship and sailing.

This lunch ended up being one of my favorite meals I had all week on Allure of the Seas. I had never seen a blackened salmon offered at Chops Grille before, and it was beyond delicious.

In addition, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to not enjoy a chocolate lava cake, and I fully savored every bite of my plate of gooey, chocolatey goodness for dessert.

The best benefit of embarkation day lunch, in my opinion, isn’t the food, but the ability to escape the chaos found at other dining venues onboard. The Windjammer, Park Cafe, and other embarkation day lunch spots can get crowded, so dining at a private lunch is a relaxing way to start any cruise vacation.

Luggage delivery

Another fantastic benefit of The Key is that carry-on luggage is hand delivered to your stateroom.

I travel only with a carry-on suitcase and I usually give my suitcase to the porters upon arrival at the terminal, hoping to see it in the hallway outside my room by ~5 PM.

What I appreciate with The Key is that I can bring my carry-on luggage to the Main Dining Room and know it will arrive promptly inside my cabin. In my experience, I’ve received my carry-on luggage several hours earlier with The Key than without.

The Key benefits throughout the cruise

Outside of embarkation day, there are other ways to enjoy benefits of The Key throughout your sailing.

The benefit I used most throughout the cruise was internet access. This is the benefit that makes The Key most worth the cost, especially when the price difference between internet packages and The Key is small.

Another benefit I used several times during my cruise was reserved seating in the Main Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B. Allure of the Seas has spectacular entertainment options, and it was nice to know I had access to some of the best seating in each venue.

The final benefit I enjoyed with The Key was an exclusive, à la carte breakfast on disembarkation day. The final morning of the cruise can be extremely hectic, so it was nice to enjoy a sit-down meal in the Main Dining Room away from the hustle and bustle found elsewhere onboard.

Benefits of The Key that I did not use

One benefit I did not take advantage of was select private times at onboard activities like the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, etc. This benefit would be nice for those looking to try several onboard activities, though, as I noticed long lines for these activities during non-Key times.

Another benefit I did not use was the priority tendering access for those with The Key, as we did not stop at any tender ports on the itinerary.

Was The Key worth it on my recent cruise?

After a week onboard Allure of the Seas, I determined that yes, The Key was worth the extra cost.

My main reason for determining that The Key was worth it was mostly because The Key was only $5 more per day than the VOOM Surf & Stream internet package. As I would be purchasing an internet package anyway, The Key was only $30 extra.

Priority access to the terminal, exclusive seating at entertainment, and private meals on embarkation and disembarkation day were well worth $30.

Would The Key have been worth the cost if it was $15-20 extra per day than the internet package? It’s unlikely.

When I purchased The Key on my Harmony of the Seas cruise back in January, for example, the internet was offered for $19 per day and The Key for $39 per day. For $20 extra per day, The Key was absolutely not worth the cost to me.

Additionally, I had my own cabin on this cruise. If you purchase The Key, everyone in your stateroom older than 6 must purchase it as well. This can easily get expensive, especially if the price difference between The Key and an internet package is significant.

Would I purchase The Key again? I would, but only if I found another deal like I found on my Allure of the Seas cruise. While I wouldn’t shell out $200 extra for The Key over an internet package, I would definitely consider it for $30-50 extra.