Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean will need a little more time to finish scheduled work on Serenade of the Seas.

Serenade of the Seas was originally built in 2003, and is scheduled for dry dock maintenance in March 2025. Royal Caribbean routinely dry docks its ships approximately every five years to ensure the vessels operate at the highest standards. 

These routine repairs also ensure Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships continue to sail safely. Most often, Royal Caribbean’s ships go into dry dock in Cadiz, Spain before returning to service. 

Guests cruising on the March 9, 2025 sailing onboard Serenade of the Seas received an email from Royal Caribbean that their sailing has been cancelled due to unforeseen repair needs. 

The cruise line stated, “We have discovered that Serenade of the Seas requires additional servicing beyond planned repairs and maintenance, which extends her currently scheduled dry dock period.”

“To ensure that we meet our high standards, and due to the availability at the shipyard, we must advance the dry dock schedule. As a result, we’ll be canceling our upcoming March 9, 2025, sailing,” continued the cruise line.

Serenade of the Seas is currently sailing in the Caribbean with itineraries throughout February 2025. The vessel is scheduled to sail on February 28, 2025 on a 9-night sailing to Panama and Costa Rica from Tampa, Florida. The round-trip sailing ends back in Florida on March 9, 2025.

Now, Serenade of the Seas will head to her dry dock earlier than anticipated. It’s likely that she will embark on a transatlantic sailing to Spain following the conclusion of her February 28, 2025 cruise; however, this has not been confirmed by the cruise line.

The next sailing on Serenade of the Seas after her dry dock is scheduled for April 13, 2025. The 16-night Panama Canal cruise itinerary, which departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and ends in Los Angeles, California, has not been impacted at this time.

Guests affected by the cancelled cruise have been offered three alternative options, along with compensation for the last-minute change. Royal Caribbean has set a deadline of February 5, 2025, for guests to make their selection.

“Thank you for understanding, and we hope you find another cruise with us. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge, we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing,” concluded Royal Caribbean at the bottom of its email.

Alternative Itineraries

In the email to impacted guests, Royal Caribbean expressed its regret for needing to cancel the sailing due to the unforeseen repair needs. However, alternative itineraries were provided for guests to choose during the similar timeframe. 

The email reads, “We’re truly sorry for the impact that this has on your vacation plans. The time and effort you took to plan your cruise is important to us, so we’ve put together some alternate options that we hope will work for you and those in your party.”

In the communication, Royal Caribbean provided impacted guests with other itinerary options to choose from. These include the following sailings on other Royal Caribbean ships:

Enchantment of the Seas (From Tampa, Florida):

•  4-night cruises visiting Cozumel, Mexico (March 6th or March 20th).

•  5-night cruises visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico (March 1st, 10th, 24th, or 29th).

Grandeur of the Seas (From Fort Lauderdale, Florida):

•  5-night cruises visiting Labadee, Haiti, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (March 2nd or 30th).

Voyager of the Seas (From Port Canaveral, Florida):

• 5-night cruise visiting Nassau, Bahamas, and Labadee, Haiti (March 22nd).

Guests that choose to book one of these alternative itineraries will be compensated with onboard credit for the inconvenience.

Royal Caribbean states that guests who choose a 5-night sailing will have their original stateroom category price either protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower).

If guests choose a 4-night sailing, their cruise fare will either be adjusted to the new cruise fare rate or prorated for the change in sailing nights, whichever option results in a lesser fare. Any overage will be refunded to impacted guests.

Guests that were already paid in full that have a newly reduced cruise fare will be provided with a refund for any price difference.

Onboard credit will be allocated to “sweeten the deal” based on cabin category, along with additional credit for each guest in the stateroom:

• $150 USD for Interior

• $200 USD for Ocean View

• $250 USD for Balcony

• $400 USD for Suites

• Plus $50 USD per additional guest in the same stateroom.

Cruisers will also be reimbursed for any non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees that are incurred. This includes flight, train ticket, or rental car fees. Royal Caribbean states they will cover up to $200 USD per guest for domestic changes and up to $400 USD per passenger for international changes. Guests must upload receipts for review and reimbursement.

Additional Options

If the alternative sailings do not work, Royal Caribbean will allow impacted guests to rebook another sailing with the cruise line. Any non-refundable deposit change fees will be waived for these guests.

The cruise line states, “Please know, you’ll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities (where applicable), and other non-cruise fare items. If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference.”

These guests will also receive reimbursement for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees that might be incurred for flights, train tickets, or rental cars. Again, Royal Caribbean will cover up to $200 USD per guest for domestic changes and up to $400 USD per guest for international changes.

Finally, guests that do not want to rebook have the option to cancel fully for a refund. Royal Caribbean stated, “If you can’t find a new itinerary that works for you and choose to cancel, we’ll be sad to see you go, but hope you’ll come back soon.”

“If rebooking doesn’t suit your plans, you can cancel your reservation for a full refund and receive a 20% Future Cruise Credit based on the amount you paid.”

Guests using Future Cruise Credit on the sailing will receive a refund for any new funds paid above the certificate amount and a new certificate will be issued. Those who booked airfare with Royal Caribbean will have flights automatically refunded.

For guests wishing to cancel, Royal Caribbean says no action needs to be taken. Those who do not make a decision by February 5, 2025 will have their reservation cancelled and refunded with Future Cruise Credit issued.

“As we work to complete these updates, you may see no action has been taken after the deadline has passed. Not to worry, we’ll update your booking accordingly,” confirmed the cruise line.

Almost two years since being closed down, Royal Caribbean is ready to bring one of its signature activities back to life.

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for adding incredible attractions on its cruise ships.  The sort of things you'd see and think "I can't believe you can do that on a cruise ship".

One of those was the Skypad, which originally included a bungee trampoline experience with virtual reality that offered a way for passengers to play virtual games in a fun way.

Unfortunately, the cruise line suddenly closed it down in March 2023 and since then, it's remained dormant.

In a statement to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com, Royal Caribbean announced it has a new vision for the Skypad that it's putting on one ship to start.

Available only on Spectrum of the Seas, the new Skypad expedition: Adventure in Space & Underseas is available for passengers to try.

Here's how Royal Caribbean describes it:

During this experience, adventurers can immerse themselves into the vastness of interstellar space and explore the depths of the ocean and vibrant coral reefs through the lens of virtual reality technology. 

Guests put on VR goggles and ear cups that are meant to block out ambient sound, and then watch a film. The different films have pace, sci-fi, and under-water themed episodes. 

There is an additional cost, and is priced at $15 per person. Guests must be at least 6 years old, but kids under 12 need to be accompanied by parents or legal guardians.

You can book the Skypad experience before the cruise begins via the Pre-Cruise Planner or on the Royal Caribbean app. 

At this time, it's only available on Spectrum of the Seas.  Spectrum of the Seas is based in China and sails to the Asia-Pacific region. Spectrum was the first Quantum Ultra-Class ship. That means it had more to do onboard, such as the Skypad.

It's a giant cruise ship, with a size of 168,800 gross tons and a capacity of 4,905 passengers.

I asked if other Royal Caribbean ships with the Skypad would receive it, and as of now it's just Spectrum. 

The ships with a Sky Pad include:

• Independence of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas

It's likely Royal Caribbean is waiting to evaluate how popular the new offering is before rolling it out to other ships, but that's my own speculation.

The best known signature attractions on Royal Caribbean ships

Until the Skypad experience comes to more ships, there's plenty of other things to capture your attention.

While sports courts, rock walls, and mini-golf courses are common, there's a few things you're likely to marvel at on many of their biggest ships.

Ultimate Abyss

Available on the Oasis Class ships, this is a 10 story dry slide on the back of the ship that you're going to notice quickly.

You get into a mat and slide down a dark enclosed slide that features sounds and lights to enhance the thrill.

There's no cost, and it's a fun family ride.

Flowrider

Ever dreamed of learning to surf on a cruise ship?

The Flowrider is available on a lot of ships, and it's a controlled wave you can get on and attempt to surf. They offer boogie boarding as well.

There's no cost to the Flowrider (unless you take a lesson), and you just need to meet the height requirements to participate: 52 inches for boogie boarding and 58 inches for stand up surfing. 

Zip line

Also on Oasis Class ships only is a 82 foot zip line that goes high above the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Once again, no cost to this.

In order to participate, guests must be at least 52 inches tall and weigh no more than 275 pounds; children must also meet minimum weight requirements — 75 pounds or higher — for their own safety. 

Bumper cars

Within the Seaplex on Quantum Class ships is a bumper car attraction you can ride.

There's no cost to it and you hop into a bumper car and slam into as many other people's cars as you can!

Water slides

Royal Caribbean has added water slides to most of its ships, and these are sure to please anyone going down.

Most ships have two or three slides, but Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships actually have an entire water park onboard!

There's no cost to do the water slides, but they do get quite busy. 

Try them on embarkation day for less of a wait.

Sky diving simulator

Also on the Quantum Class ships is Ripcord by iFly, where you can enter an enclosed tube with a giant fan at the bottom to feel what it's like to sky dive.

Every passenger is entitled to one complimentary ride per sailing, but you can buy additional time.

Royal Caribbean provides a special suit to wear, and after a safety demonstration, you're taken into the tube to give it a try.

An instructor is in there with you to assist, and it's a one-minute thrill ride you won't forget.

Observation pod

One more feature on the Quantum Class ships is the North Star.

he North Star is a glass-enclosed observation pod that rises 300 feet above the deck of your ship, offering breathtaking views all around you.

Rides are free if you do it while in port, otherwise there's a cost to do it on a sea day.

No matter how often I cruise, there are certain things about a cruise vacation that I look forward to each time I sail.

I'm privileged enough to be able to cruise a lot each year. While going on a ship that often might reduce some of the overall excitement, once I get within a few days of my next cruise, I start to get excited about what I want to do onboard.

I think part of what makes a cruise so much fun are some of aspects of it that you just can't find elsewhere. Or at least, things I'd never do elsewhere.

As I'm writing this, I'm getting ready to head on my next cruise in a few days.  With that in mind, I came up with a list of things I'm really looking forward to trying, doing, and eating.

A break from the routine

Like any vacation, I think getting away from the usual pace of life is a welcome change.

As soon as I step onboard the ship, I my entire outlook on my day changes. There's no thinking about errands I need to run, bills I have to pay, or grocery shopping.  It's like a magic button is pressed to completely alter how I think about my day.

Having a departure from normalcy is something I get more of on a cruise than on land, and that might be because I feel more connected to home while on land. Sure, there are TVs and I have the internet package, but I'm not paying as close attention to that on a ship.

There's something about waking up in a new place each day, having meals prepared for you, and meeting new people that makes a cruise feel so much more different than "real life".

Ironically, this break from the normalcy is probably what makes re-adjusting to life after a cruise so difficult. You get adjusted to cruise life and then are hit the "post-cruise blues" that much harder.

All sorts of activities

I might not actually go to many of them, but I love peruse all the activities Royal Caribbean offered each day.

The Royal Caribbean app lists what you can do on each day, and they really pack a lot into what you could do. This is especially true if you go on one of the bigger ships.

Someone once described a cruise as "summer camp for adults" and I think that's such an apt description because of there's a printed (and digital) list of what you can do.

All of the activities are optional, but I like having the choice. From trivia to scrapbooking classes, pickleball tournaments, and cocktail seminars, I’m always impressed by the variety of programming available onboard.

I like to browse the schedule to see what jumps out at me, and sometimes I may simply pull up the app once onboard and see what's happening now and find something to do based on that.

Visiting foreign ports

The thing that got my hooked on cruising to begin with was visiting different countries, and that's still a big appeal for me.

Not all my cruises take me somewhere exotic, but I do enjoy the opportunity to visit different places. 

As I've cruised more, I've been able to visit more places and it's an incredible feeling to pull into port and be able to explore.

When I went to Europe last summer and got to visit Spain and France for the first time, I couldn't get enough of it.  I've gone to places I probably would not have on a land trip, and I got to check a number of places off my bucket list.

International cuisine

There's so much great food on a Royal Caribbean ship, but I always gravitate towards the international foods when I eat onboard.

I usually head to the Windjammer buffet for my welcome aboard lunch on embarkation day, and I guarantee you my plate has Indian curry on it.

Royal Caribbean has really good Indian food in the Main Dining Room too, and the options change every day.  My personal favorites are aloo gobi or the chicken korma. 

Sometimes at dinner in the Windjammer, they'll have the Asian stir fry cooking station, which is something I could also eat just about every day.

While I'll eat plenty of other food too, the international foods are something I seek out on every sailing.

Music around the ship

One thing Royal Caribbean does better than other cruise lines is their focus for live music.

No matter which ship you sail on, there's going to be quite a few musicians onboard to perform for you.

There's a pool band, Schooner Bar piano player, violinists, guitar players, and potentially even more on the bigger ships.

Sometimes I like to bring my laptop and enjoy a cellist play music while I work.  Other times I head to the bar to enjoy music I can sing along with. That ability to find live music all day is something very akin to cruising.

Enjoying all the service

When you don't have to cook or clean, I think most people would take that and that's exactly one of the best things about going on a cruise.

The night before we depart for the cruise, I joke with my wife, "this is the last meal for a week we have to plan!" and it's a real sense of relief.

Of course, the stateroom attendant makes a big difference too. It's so nice having someone else tidy up the room and make the bed every day.

Going back home after a cruise and going back to cooking and cleaning is a cruel reality.

Seeing crew members

The crew onboard any ship are always quite friendly, and they add a dimension to my vacation I simply don't get on land.

I enjoy the opportunity to get on any ship and see if there are any crew that I might have met on a previous sailing. If you're new to cruising, this might seem strange, but it happens a lot and it's a welcome opportunity.

Certain crew members stand out for their level of service, and I've gotten to know a few of them over the years. It's great to see their smiling face again, and hear about how things are going for them, both on the ship and back at home with their families.

If you haven't done this yet, I recommend talking with crew members when you have the chance. Many have interesting stories and anecdotes to share, and it's not often you can speak with people from all over the world.

Catching a perfect sunset

No matter how often I cruise, I'm a sucker for a beautiful sunset, and there are no shortage of them on a cruise ship.

It's an incredible sight when you see the sun approaching the horizon and the bold and bright colors start to interact with the ocean below.  

If there aren't many clouds, I'll head up to the pool deck to catch the sunset on most days.  I think the upper pool deck is always best, but if your ship has a helipad, that's a great place too.

Be sure to bring a cocktail or glass of wine with you to fully enjoy the ambiance.

Enjoying time with friends and family

My kids always ask me before any cruise we go on who we know that is also going onboard, and that's because they know cruising with friends is better.

Taking a cruise with loved ones or your pals is a great way to foster the bonds that keep you together.  I'll cruise any day with friends or family, but probably wouldn't do the same on a land vacation because I'd feel much more obliged to be "joined at he hip" with a land trip.

On a ship, there's time to hang out, but also do your own thing without feeling like you're abandoning them.

Plus, going on a cruise where I can see friends is the perfect way to catch up.

Having a few drinks every day

I really don't drink much alcohol at home, but I do enjoy a few drinks on a cruise ship.

Whether I buy a beverage package or take full advantage of my daily Crown & Anchor drink vouchers, I look forward to an evening drink or two.

I'll usually start out with my favorite drinks:

• Lavaflow with Kraken rum
• Bloody Mary with Titos vodka
• Kraken rum and coke
• Belvedere vodka, muddled lime, soda water (Thanks Jeanie and Steve for this one!)
• PB&J Old Fashioned

As the cruise progresses, I also like trying new drinks. Royal Caribbean's Food & Beverage team takes pride in developing new menus that go beyond the stereotypical tropical drinks, and I appreciate that.

A little bit of gambling

I also enjoy going to the casino during my cruise for some entertainment.

Gambling is risky, so always gamble responsibly.  To that point, I bring cash with me that is my limit on what I'm willing to lose.  In fact, I go in expecting to lose all my money so there's no delusions on my end.

I've found Royal Caribbean's casino is like an adult video game arcade. The allure of winning money while being social with friends is a fun aspect of the experience.

My wife and I will usually head down once a day to gamble a bit, and it's part of the fun of going out for the night with dinner and a show.

Getting to work outdoors

The reality is on any cruise I go on, there's a work component to it because of this blog.

To that point, I like I get to change up where my "office" is located.  

Weather permitting, I'll take my laptop and head up to the pool deck, outside promenade deck, or my balcony.  It's nice to get the sea breeze, a little bit of sun, and a general change from my office at home.

If I'm at Perfect Day at CocoCay, I love going to Captain Jack's and working from one of the tables. There's a lot of shade and drink service too!

Celebrity Cruises is not done building its current generation of cruise ship.

Cruise lines build ships in groupings, known as ship classes, and each builds upon the success of the last.

On Tuesday, Celebrity confirmed an order they placed to build their sixth Edge Class ship.

The deal was made with Chantiers de l'Atlantique for delivery of the new ship sometime in 2028.

The cruise line said that while it's the sixth in the Edge Class, it will be more more akin to "Xcel 2" and the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel, which sails later this year.

Xcel is being built with engines designed to use three types of fuel making the ship the line’s first methanol-capable ship pending future alterations. It was not specified if the next ship will also be methanol-capable.

The decision to order another in the Edge Class lineage demonstrates the company's confidence in the product. It can be argued the Edge Class has fundamentally improved the perception of the brand, as well as catapulted the line ahead of other premium brands.

What makes an Edge ship stand out

Ever since Celebrity launched its first Edge Class ship in 2018, it's completely revamped what a cruise ship in its line is all about.

They were designed to be advanced and not a slight iteration beyond what they had done in the past.

Xcel has a capacity of 3,260 passengers at double occupancy, making it a mid-sized contemporary cruise ship.

The most notable difference almost every notices first is the Magic Carpet on the side, which moves vertically along the side of the ship.

Think of it like a multi-purpose venue that can move from deck to deck to perform certain functions. At the lowest deck, it allows passengers to get on tenders.

In the evening, it moves up to become an outdoor restaurant, but during the day it's just an outside bar.

Another first introduced on Edge Class ships was the advent of the infinite veranda.

These have since been copied to Royal Caribbean's Icon Class ships, but the idea is the balcony seamlessly integrates into the cabin.

With the push of a button, a floor-to-ceiling glass wall opens, allowing for fresh air and uninterrupted ocean views. Or close the window and allow the balcony space to become indoor space.

At the back of the ship is The Eden.

Think of Eden as a multi-purpose theater, restaurant, and bar rolled into one. You'll find live performances, interactive dining, and wide open ocean views.

In addition, Edge class ships are designed to be "outward-facing", which means they focus on the sea instead of older ship designs that emphasize internal spaces.

Features we can expect on Xcel 2

Celebrity has provided no details beyond the order, but we can make reasonable guesses based on what Xcel is getting.

In addition to some distinctive Edge Class features, there are some differences and enhancements that will make the experience onboard this Edge Class ship different from others.

Xcel will have an expanded Rooftop Garden and Resort Deck with unique cantilevered float pools. 

The expanded Sunset Bar is also on Xcel. It's a multi-level, multi-terraced bar at the aft of the ship.

Grand Plaza was also redesigned with the latter Edge Class ships to provide a better layout.

Celebrity Cruises wants to give power to the people for deciding on the finishing touches to its new cruise ship.

Celebrity Xcel is due out in November 2025, and a new program will allow the public to vote on the things passengers will enjoy onboard.

Traditionally, the choice of a ship's aesthetics, culinary, and programming are decided by teams across the company and vetted through focus groups, executives, and other means of picking the perfect option.

Celebrity wants to give its fans the choice with the Xcel "Dream Makers" program.

The cruise line says anyone will be able to "test, try and vote on new experiences" for Celebrity Xcel. The hope is this will invigorate a ship that is the fifth in the Edge Class with something different.

Celebrity Cruises Chief Marketing and Product Officer Michael Scheiner said they want to involve their guests in the design process, "Celebrity Cruises is known for ground-breaking innovation in ship design and experiences unlike any other at sea, when Xcel launches guests won't have just found their happy place, they'll have helped us build it."

You'll have the final say

Celebrity says its guests will have "the final say" on decisions of what will be added to Celebrity Xcel. 

The way it works is the public will be able to choose through online polls and "and one-of-a-kind experiential in-person events".

To be eligible, you just need to be a resident that is 21 years and older, living in the US, Canada (excluding Quebec), UK, and Australia/New Zealand.

There are three key areas outline where the public has a choice:

• Design
• Culinary
• Entertainment

Specifically, there are seven, new, yet-to-be-revealed experiences, that need the Dream Makers to make a decision on.

Votes will go towards these areas:

• Choosing textiles, managing interior design elements and curating service offerings;
• Picking their favorite dishes and beverages, choosing table settings and shaping dining concepts; and
• Providing input on headline shows, curate props and costumes, select playlists and partake in selections to appoint pivotal entertainment positions onboard.

Want to join the team and be part of this? You just need to head over the Dream Makers website for more information.

New ship has been floated out

Today's announcement coincides with a recent construction milestone for Celebrity Xcel, as the new ship is sitting in water for the first time.

The new cruise ship is under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The ship was moved into the water and a new Basin so that the next phase of construction can begin.

This means the ship can float without assistance, and the completion of the ship's exterior.

Celebrity Xcel is sailing her inaugural season from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season where guests can immerse themselves in the Mediterranean like never before on seven-to 11-night journeys out of Barcelona and Athens, including all new overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.

The lesson of letting the internet decide

I love that Celebrity is involving the public in choosing the look and feel for its new ship, but I can't help but recall an infamous result of a similar endeavor.

In 2016, the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council held a contest to name its newest $300 million Antarctic survey vessel. 

Rather than opt for dignified choices, the internet went for funny over form. The front-runner for the contest based on submissions from the public was R.R.S. Boaty McBoatface.

Funny enough, Royal Caribbean thought it was amusing too and extended an offer to the person that came up with the idea, James Hand, to bring his talents and help Royal Caribbean develop the name for a future ship. 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, said, "Like the rest of the world, we fell in love with the name Boaty McBoatface when we heard it, and we knew immediately that Royal Caribbean could use James Hand’s talent to name our next ship."

Being on vacation isn't an excuse to do anything you want, and sometimes cruise ship passengers are guilty of things that annoy the crew.

Most passengers try to do the right thing and act according to the rules, but there some that do things that leave you scratching your head.

I remember I was waiting in a line for a show in the theater on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship when a passenger walked right past the crew member without waiting in line because they were "a Diamond member".

I was astounded by the audacity of the passenger to flagrantly ignore the crew member. That sort of rudeness, unfortunately, isn't isolated to that one person.

YouTuber Jasyon Judson shared a short video of things that annoy crew members, and I couldn't agree more with the list.

Going to cabin before they open

On any Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll need to wait for your cruise cabin to open before you can access it.

Before they open, crew members are busy cleaning and preparing the cabins for the guests arriving on embarkation day.

Usually you have to wait until 1pm or 1:30pm for cabins to be ready for passengers.  On my Anthem of the Seas cruise in Europe last summer, I had to wait until 2:30pm, but that was unusual.

While the cabins are being prepared, the fire doors are closed to block access to the hallway and there's a large sign warning passengers when cabins will be ready.

Some guests ignore the sign and open the fire door to get into their room.

Aside from the possibility your room is still being cleaned, you're getting in the way of crew members that are working hard to get it all ready.  Passengers walking into their work area is going to hinder what they're doing, even if all you're doing is dropping off carry-on bags.

If you truly want to relieve yourself of carry-on bags, you could buy The Key, which has that option.

It's possible these passengers are used to another cruise line that does allow you to access your room before it's ready, like Celebrity Cruises.

However, it's prohibited on Royal Caribbean.

Bringing own toilet paper or wet wipes

I almost made this mistake until someone told me I'd be creating a problem, rather than solving one.

The toilet paper on a cruise ship is pretty awful. It's single ply, super thin, and has the soft texture of sandpaper.

Bringing your own toilet paper or wet wipes will break Royal Caribbean's toilet system and result in a major delay until it's fixed. One clogged toilet can inconvenience hundreds of passengers because of the nature of the suction plumbing cruise ships have.

Cruise ship plumbing is very sensitive, and it cannot handle things you might flush at home. It's important that you don't flush anything down the toilet aside from the toilet paper that Royal Caribbean provides. 

Moreover, "flushable" wet wipes aren't allowed either to be flushed.  While the wipes might be flushable they are not flushable on the ship and are almost guaranteed to clog the plumbing. That then requires the maintenance crew members to come out and fix it.

Complaining about the weather to Guest Services

I really don't know what someone thinks a crew member can do about it, but some people go to Guest Services to complain about the weather.

I suspect they think the ship's Captain can steer the ship away from clouds or rain and find better weather, but it's not quite that simple.

Cruise ships have a strict schedule to adhere to, and they need to get passengers to the next port of call on time, or deal with far more frustrated guests.

Plus, weather systems are big, and chasing rays of sunshine isn't practical. Not to mention deviating off course wastes fuel.

No matter what the weather, no crew member can do anything about it, so don't bother complaining to them.

Asking crew members to break rules for you

I've witnessed guests being told about a rule, and then asking for the rule to be bent or broken.

A classic example is in the Suite Lounge, when someone is staying in a suite and wants to bring their friend that isn't in a suite into the lounge.

Every suite guest receives a letter in their stateroom informing them in bold letters that this practice is not allowed.

Similarly, some passengers ask crew members to allow their kids that are too short to go on water slides, sneak people into reserved seating, or serve their underage kids alcohol.

Not only will you annoy the crew member with the request, you're putting them at risk to get in trouble or even fired for complying.

Not speaking up if there's a problem

Things break and issues arise on a cruise ship, but the crew can't step in to make it better if you don't say something.

This is actually a pet peeve of mine too, as I'll read about someone's "horrible" cruise experience after they got home, but didn't say anything about it while onboard.

Whether it is a malfunction in the cabin, accident onboard, disagreement with a crew member, or anything else that stops you in your tracks, problems should be addressed onboard and not after the cruise.

If you have a billing discrepancy on your bill, speak to Guest Relations on the ship. If something is not working properly in your cabin, alert your stateroom attendant.

It's no secret that you can get a free cruise if you gamble enough on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but what are the ways to make it easier to earn perks and lose less money?

Ever since I was introduced to the lucrative offers you can get simply by playing in the ship's casino, it's changed how I cruise and I firmly believe saved me money.

Sure, gambling is risky and addictive. And there's a good chance you'll lose a lot of money.  I've never lost sight of that fact, and it's something my wife and I think about when we go into any cruise. Please gamble responsibly.

I find the casino to be a form of entertainment.  I bring a certain amount of cash with me on a sailing that is my gambling budget, and work with that.

While we have fun gambling and trying our luck, the possibility of winning a free cruise is very real and I've taken a number of cruises now that cost me very little.

I'm going on Enchantment of the Seas this week for a 4-night sailing in a balcony for just $170.30 total. To be clear, that $170.30 does not include how much I lost in the casino to earn the "free" cruise, but I'm pretty certain I'm coming out ahead.

A user on the Royal Caribbean sub reddit posted a list of tips he uses to get free cruises, and I thought it was a great assortment of advice for newbie.

Z3Ch0sen0ne is a self-described "unlucky as a....#$%^ when it comes to the casino.  I thought his advice is useful given he's not coming at it from a best case scenario of winning big in the casino.

Both he and his wife have achieved Prime status in the casino, reaching the second level of loyalty status that grants significant benefits.

Here are the 10 casino tips in his post that you might consider taking advantage of on your cruise.

Don't play table games if you want to earn points

He starts off with the sage advice for anyone looking to get as many points as possible of avoiding table games.

"Playing on the tables is probably the worst way to accumulate points. The math is complex and unknown to most people - something to do with time played multiplied by average bet and/or how much money you sit down with and then walk away with."

Instead, he recommends slot machines for their simplicity as well as faster method for earning points.

You'll earn one point for every $5 you wager, and because slot machines are digital, it can precisely track your play.

Convert cash before you cruise

As an Australian, Z3Ch0sen0ne advises anyone going on Royal Caribbean from outside the United States to exchange cash before the cruise.

"If you intend to convert money onboard... don't! You will get ripped 6 ways till Sunday," he claims.

What you want to do is convert your cash before you board the ship.  

If you forget or run out of cash, his other advice is to charge your gambling to your onboard account, "and let your bank handle the exchange rate."

Calling to book is sometimes confusing

Redeeming your instant casino vouchers can be confusing if you reach a person who isn't familiar with the program.

"When you call to book in a cruise with your instant cruise vouchers and get told you can’t do that over the phone. Say ok, hang up and call them again because you’re talking to the wrong person."

Yes, you can combine a casino offer with Next Cruise

Another stumbling block Z3Ch0sen0ne has run into is misinformation about booking with Next Cruise onboard your ship and getting those benefits.

"If you get told you can’t combine a Next Cruise booking and a casino offer (yes I have been told this). Hang up the phone and call again."

My advice is don't even bother calling directly.  Our friends at MEI Travel will book casino bookings for you, as well as regular bookings, with no fees!

Check your offers first, then play

I really like this piece of advice to verify what your goal is before you start gambling.

He recommends going straight to the casino on the first day and scan the QR code at the casino host desk to see which offers they have, and how many points you need to accrue.

"This is your spending limit. I have refused to play at all in the casino on cruises which didn’t have any offers I wanted - because otherwise they win."

Prime is the best status to reach...

Unlike Crown and Anchor Society, where everyone wants to reach the top levels, he doesn't see a point to go past Prime.

"Unless you get a massive windfall and love cruising and have nothing but time on your hands for holidays - Prime is about as good as you can get."

"The Cost/Benefit drops off significantly after prime for losers like me."

...instead, get your spouse to Prime too

Rather than get to Signature or Master, his advice is to get your spouse/partner to Prime status.

He doesn't see the value in just maximizing one of you, "It’s significantly better and cheaper to get yourself and your partner to Prime than it would be to get just one of you to Signature."

You can combine offers

According to Z3Ch0sen0ne, it’s possible to combine Prime offers or instant cruise certificates that coincide with your partners prime offers or instant cruise certificates to get an upgrade to a maximum of a Junior Suite. 

Here is his example:

For instance a 7 night cruise leaving Brisbane in a balcony with $250 freeplay for me and a 7 night cruise leaving Brisbane in an interior room with $100 of freeplay for her can be combined to get a Junior Suite and all of the attached freeplay. 

This can work with interior/interior to get an oceanview, or oceanview/oceanview to get a balcony or balcony/balcony to get a junior suite… so on so forth.

He added that offers must be identical, "the same ship, same date… They don’t have to be identical in terms of the rooms offered to get the upgrade."

Once again, his advice is if you call to combine offers and get told you can't do it, to call back again and talk to someone else.

Try to qualify for prime right after April 1st

To get Prime status in the casino, you need to qualify for it each year.  It's similar to airline or hotel loyalty status. 

The calendar year for Casino Royale begins April 1st and runs through March 31st.  If you accumulate 2,500 points across all your cruises in this time period, you'll get Prime Status for the year.

His advice is if you qualify immediately after the year starts, you can get two years for one.

If you accumulate 2,500 points on the 10th of April 2025, for example, you will get an instant cruise offer... then on the 1st of April 2026 you will "officially" become prime for that year and get a free 7 night cruise offer on Club Royale. 

So if you get all your points in April, you have prime for 24 months. 

If you don't spend in the casino after that, you got 2 free cruises from it (the offers will come 1 year apart) and free drinks in the casino the whole time. You could almost repeat this every 24 months.

I can verify this does work, it just requires you to cruise close to April and benefits those that cruise multiple times per year.

You can look up offers online too

Earlier, Z3Ch0sen0ne posted about going to the casino desk to check casino offers, but another Reddit user shared a hack for finding the offers online without being on a ship.

oOoOsarahOoOo posted the steps how to do it:

1. Try going to the Club Royale offer website
2. Click menu top left of the page
3. Click certificate offer code
4. Enter code (2501C03)

Code break down:

• First two 2 digits = year
• Second two digits= 2 digit for month
• Alpha code= A, C ( C includes longer cruises)
• Last two digits 01-05 =level of offer/ free play For example

January 2025 offer on 7+ day trips with 150.00 free play would look like: 2501c05. Same level with less than 7 day trips 2501a05

Do you get dressed up for formal night on a cruise? There's a good chance a lot of other passengers like to do it as well.

A Royal Caribbean cruise has a different dress code for each evening of the cruise that recommends what to wear to the Main Dining Room.

With more people trying a cruise these days, views on dress codes seem to be changing. 

However, a recent poll of cruise fans indicate at least half still like the idea.

A poll in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group with 1,000 respondents shows 51% of the people said they always get dressed up for formal night on a cruise.

Another 20% said they "occasionally" do, and 11% chose "rarely".

Just 18% of the people that participated in the survey said they never get dressed up for formal night.

The results of this very unscientific poll shows most cruise fans participate in formal night, despite anecdotal trends to the contrary.

"I'm not dressing up. It’s vacation"

There were strong opinions on both sides of the debate whether or not to get dressed up on a cruise.

Alex Swary wrote, "Unless it’s a funeral or a job interview, I’m not dressing up. It’s vacation."

Ro Carson argued formal night adds a flair to the vacation, "Fun to get dressed up and look around and see everyone else the same."

Rather than participate, Dru Filiberto skips the Main Dining Room on formal night, "We don't get dressed up for formal nights anymore, so we don't go to formal nights anymore. We'll eat somewhere else that night rather than go in casual clothes."

Mary Beth Ritchie shared getting dressed up doesn't have to be black tie, "I usually wear black jeans or leggings with a sparkly top."

"Love getting dressed up. It's like we are on a date," wrote Arlene Patterson.

Marina Patey added, "I live in scrubs on the daily so I treat myself to girly clothes!! It adds something special to my vacation."

How formal night got started on a cruise

Cruise lines evolved from ocean liners, and one of the many concepts they carried over were dress codes.

Dressing up for dinner is a way to passengers to take photos and enjoy an evening of elegance.

Billy Hirsch from CruiseHabit says formal night grew out of the classic cruise days, but remains popular, "Travel on passenger ships is now primarily recreational, the snob-appeal in cruise-line marketing combined with the tendency of tradition to live long at sea has meant that more formal dress has remained popular with many guests - though most seem content to don a bathing suit rather than a tuxedo when by the pool."

I think pop culture influenced what vacationers expect on a cruise ship.  On The Love Boat TV series, dressing up for dinner was part of the fun portrayed.  It conveyed how wearing fancy clothes with dinner was not only part of the experience, but a tradition that comes with a cruise vacation.

A lot has changed since the early days of cruising, and much of it has moved to keep up with changing consumer tastes.

Royal Caribbean doesn't even call it formal night on short sailings anymore.  "Dress Your Best" is now the standard on sailings less than 7 nights, but is effectively the same concept without the stuffy name.

Other lines have gone further than that. Norwegian Cruise Line famously made the change by introducing Freestyle Dining.

Celebrity Cruises replaced formal nights with Evening Chic nights, where the dress code is dressier than smart casual but less so than a traditional formal night.

All dress codes are optional

It's important to note that the dress codes really are more recommendations than actual requirements.

Royal Caribbean's website describes all of its dress codes as "suggested attire", and in my experience, you'd really have to show up in a bathing suit to be turned away.

The formal night dress code only applies to the Main Dining Room for dinner. There's no dress code for walking around the ship, and all other restaurants have their own dress code.

Even on formal night, the dress code at specialty restaurants supersedes the Main Dining Room.

The bottom line is you shouldn't feel obligated to wear a suit or gown to dinner. You certainly can, but keep in mind it's discretionary.

What you should wear on formal night

The advice I give anyone who wants to know what to pack for their cruise in terms of formal night is to dress something nicer than you might wear on any other night.

First and foremost, don't worry too much about it.  There's no fashion police on the ship, and since the dress code are suggestions, you have a lot of latitude in what you can wear.

That being said, one thing The Love Boat got right is dressing up is fun, and for a lot of families, formal night is the perfect excuse for something different and a way to get great photos.

There are so few opportunities in life to get dressed up as adults when it's not for a funeral or a wedding.  And both of those situations are all about someone else.

In addition to dressing nicer, Royal Caribbean also provides photo opportunities around the ship.

There's no obligation to stop and take a photo, but you could get a professional photo taken of you and your family with various backdrops.  

You'll find the photographers near the Main Dining Room, and public areas such as the Royal Promenade, Centrum, or Central Park.

There's no cost to take a photo, but if you want to buy a print or digital download, then you'd order one.

I've seen a lot of guests that get dressed up for dinner change into something more casual as soon as dinner and photos are complete, so there's no obligation to stay dressed up all night.

A sea day on a cruise ship is one of the best things about going on a cruise because of how many choices you have in spending your day, but I've seen far too many passengers mess it up with the wrong approach.

Most cruises have at least one sea day where the ship makes its way to the next port, but spends the day out on the ocean.

I used to hate sea days when I first started cruising because I wasn't properly taking advantage of them.  It's a great opportunity to experience everything Royal Caribbean ships have to offer, and that's important when you sail on a ship like Wonder of the Seas or Icon of the Seas that has so many things to do.

Ultimately, it's your choice what the best use of your time is, but I think passengers miss out on benefiting the most from their sea day when they do certain things.

There isn't necessarily right or wrong things to do, but I'd recommend not making these mistakes.

Not checking the weather forecast

Forget everything else in this article, if there's going to rainy or cold (or both) on a sea day, that will greatly impact your plans.

At some point the evening before your sea day, you'll want to look up the weather forecast for the day.

If you bought the internet package, you can check a host of apps that work well for this. The Windy app allows you to tap wherever in the ocean and it’ll tell you the forecast.

The easiest way to get the forecast for "the middle of the ocean" is to look at the digital Cruise Compass.

Each day there's a new Cruise Compass available to view, even if you don't have a WiFi package.  It lists the forecast on the first page.

Overlooking specialty restaurants for lunch

There's nothing wrong with eating at the cruise buffet for lunch, but don't overlook specialty restaurants.

If I'm on a ship with Playmakers Sports Bar, I make it a point to eat there for lunch because it's the perfect sea day meal.

There could be other specialty restaurants open too for lunch, and many cost less for lunch than dinner.

Missing out on fun activities

FOMO is real on a cruise ship, and sometimes there's an event held only once during your sailing.

Not checking the list of activities for what's coming up that day is a mistake as well, especially events before noon. Opportunities to meet the Captain, learn about how the ship works, and other behind-the-scenes events takes place on sea days and in the morning.

There's also going to be the most activities on a sea day, so this is your chance to get in on them. Looking at the full list ahead of time means you don't miss out on a favorite.

The Royal Caribbean app lists it all, and it's the easiest way to quickly see what looks good and you can even add a reminder for it.

Trying to do too much

While I just mentioned all the fun things to do onboard, I think you want to avoid overdoing it too.

It's debatable how relaxing a sea day should be, but I think trying to squeeze too much in may also lead to that feeling you're "burning the candle on both ends."

This is more of a problem on port intensive itineraries in Europe, Asia, or Alaska, where you want to prioritize time on land.  Sea days are a great way to relax and recharge.

Getting sunburned

It's one thing if you get sunburned at the beach, but getting sunburned on a sea day when sunscreen is a short walk back to your cabin is silly.

It happens all the time, but you really should avoid getting sunburned at all costs.

It'll be painful, and it's so easily avoidable. 

If you forgot to pack some, they sell it in the general store onboard. You probably could borrow some from another passenger, if you asked politely.

Not taking seasick medicine

The highest chance of getting seasick is probably on a sea day, so make sure you take medication for it.

It's unlikely you will get seasick, especially if the weather is favorable.  But I recommend new cruisers take a daily seasickness tablet, just to be safe.

Waking up too early

There have been a few days when I got up too early because I was so excited for a day of fun, and then by 11am, I was ready for a long nap.

There isn't anything wrong with napping during  your cruise, but you also don't want to miss out on prime time activities.

If you're normally an early riser, then this is fine.  What I'm talking about are the people who specifically get up early and then crash later.

Going late to the pool

If you value spending your sea day at the pool, don't be late getting there.

When the sun is shining, everyone else on your ship seems to have the same idea and chairs near the pool go quickly.

You don't need to get up at dawn to get a chair, but if being at the pool is important to you, I would plan to be at the pool deck by 10am at the latest.

There's a little more flexibility if you don't mind chairs further away from the actual pool and in the shade.

Wasting money at the spa

If you are going to get a spa treatment during your cruise, it will almost certainly cost less on a port day

Sea days are when everyone else has lots of time, so demand for the spa is highest.

What you should do is skip the spa on a sea day and book it for a port day. 

Remember, it still counts if you go there in the final hours the ship is docked. So you could go right after your shore excursion and take advantage of the port day price specials.

Not partying late the night before

For those that are looking for the right evening to "go hard", then it's the day before a sea day.

Because you can sleep off a hangover, make sure you prioritize the night before a sea day for those antics.

Missing out on an uncrowded casino

One of the top complaints about the casino on any Royal Caribbean cruise is how crowded it can get there.

The casino will be open while your ship is at sea, and it's notably less crowded during the morning and day of a sea day.  

It'll fill back up in the evening, but take advantage of the open machines while the sun in shing in the casino.

Skipping trivia

I think you're missing out if you don't attend a few trivia sessions.

Royal Caribbean offers all kinds of trivia, and you'll find probably one trivia session every couple of hours on a sea day.

My favorites are the Royal Caribbean trivia, geography trivia, and visual trivia. They're different from the norm, and it's a great sea day activity.

Refusing to nap

If your body is tell you to nap, you should do it.

I know it sounds counter-intuitive to enjoying everything the ship has to offer, but you also don't want to crash at 8pm.  Or be half awake for most of the day.

A good power nap of 45 minutes can work wonders for rejuvenating you for more fun that day.

Not exploring the ship

Royal Caribbean ships are really big, so take time to see it all.

Ideally, you can tour the ship on embarkation day, but you probably didn't get to see it all.  Or some areas were closed.  So a sea day is a great time to see the rest of it.

Walk the decks, peek your head into a shop, and generally see what's around the next corner.  

Not taking advantage of the internet package for the day

If you didn't buy an internet package for your entire cruise, you could buy a 24 hour pass and a sea day is a great time to maximize the value.

The 24 hour pass is available to book only when you get onboard, but since you won't have a shore excursion, you can take full advantage of it.

Plus, you could log out and let family use it too.

Don't forget as a Diamond or Diamond Plus member in Crown and Anchor Society, you're entitled to free internet to use as well.

Missing out on a sunset selfie

That perfect sunset to share on Instagram? There's a good chance of it on a sea day.

While beautiful sunsets can happen in port too, at least at sea there won't be any obstacles.

Knocking out any of your must-dos

This list was meant to offer ideas for what to do on a sea day, but it's also a good reminder a sea day is when you should try to do the things you first intended to do.

If you're like me, you picked a cruise ship because you saw certain activities or attractions onboard that you said "I need to do that!".  If so, you'll want to take advantage of the sea day for it.

I've come back from far too many cruises with regret that I didn't get to do the one or two things that I really wanted to try. It's easy to get sidetracked or fall into the trap of "I'll do it later".

Take advantage of a sea day and get whatever you had your heart set on done.

Hope you had a great week and are staying safe out there. Hopefully you had a chance to keep up with what's new with Royal Caribbean this week. But if not, here's a roundup of this week's news.

We will have to wait a few more weeks for the next round of cruise sailings.

Royal Caribbean delayed its spring release of 2026-2027 deployments.

It's not unheard of for deployments to be delayed, as they are complicated and sometimes need more time to coordinate all the plans properly.

Royal Caribbean News

• Beloved Royal Caribbean cruise ship Captain announces retirement
• "Super Mario" takes is 1,000th cruise with Royal Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean wants to pay artists to create works for its new cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean ship delayed returning to Baltimore after medical evacuation
• The US shared a travel warning to a place my cruise is going. Should I worry?
• Answers to cruise cabin questions you're too embarrassed to ask
• 7 Things I instantly regret not bringing that cost less than $10 on a cruise
• Big Ships vs. Small Ships: Is one a better choice?
• My favorite spot to go to at CocoCay has gotten better
• I've cruised for 30 years and tried new things on Royal Caribbean ships, but wouldn't do them all again
• How to save money on internet by not buying everyone an internet package

Video: worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

11 reasons why eating at the buffet instead of the Main Dining Room is better

The buffet on your cruise is more than just a place for a casual meal, it's arguably a better place to eat dinner too.

While the Main Dining Room is beautiful and has terrific service, you might consider eating at the Windjammer instead for the simplicity and speed it offers.

Plus, the Windjammer food variety is impressive, especially if you have picky eaters.

Cruiser liked Carnival better after only cruising with Royal Caribbean

After years of sailing with Royal Caribbean, one cruiser tried Carnival and liked it a lot.

The person detailed their experience on Reddit, sharing what they preferred with Carnival.

"I am SO SO glad we booked! We had been loyal to Royal previously and have Emerald status. We will still do Royal, and eventually want to try Icon [of the Seas], but I feel like my first cruise on Carnival has beat my last two on Royal."

The cruise excursion idea you might have that's really a mistake

I know what you're thinking, and it's actually a bad idea waiting to happen.

Some cruisers will try to fit two different shore excursions into the same day because it looks like they can fit it into their schedule.

The reality is you don't have as much time as you think, and the rigors of trying to do two tours adds up quickly.

What you should know about your cruise room before you arrive

Your cruise ship cabin isn't exactly like a hotel room, so there are important things you should know about it.

From better utilizing your room to things that won't be there, new cruisers might be surprised what's waiting for them in their stateroom.

Check out the important things you should know before you arrive in your cabin about your room.