Royal Caribbean Blog

Today we visited one of the most scenic places I have ever been: Kotor, Montenegro! Nestled in an isolated area on the Bay of Kotor, this small town is known for its medieval Old Town and unbelievable scenery.

From the moment I saw a photo of Kotor on Royal Caribbean’s website, I knew I had to book a cruise to Montenegro. In fact, I made sure to book this itinerary specifically over others because it visited not only the Greek Isles, but also the Balkans.

That decision turned out to be a great one, because today was one of the best port days yet! (Do I say that every day?)

First impressions of Kotor, Montenegro

I did not want to miss the scenic passage into Kotor, so I set my alarm for 5AM this morning. Luckily our clocks were set back one hour the night before, so it wasn't too early. A lot of other passengers must have had the same idea, because when I reached the pool deck around 5:30 there were already plenty of people outside eager to watch Montenegro's gorgeous scenery pass by.

We collected our tender tickets at 7AM and were off the ship by 7:30. The tender ride to Kotor was only around five minutes, offering stunning views of Rhapsody of the Seas surrounded by tall mountain peaks on all sides. The tender boat dropped us off at the pier, which is only a 1-2 minute walk to Kotor's famous Old Town.

It was like we had stepped out of the 21st century and entered medieval Europe. Many buildings and churches were built over 900 years ago, and I felt like I could be in a fairytale. Narrow, cobblestone streets led to public squares, where locals and tourists alike gathered to enjoy breakfast and relax amongst Kotor's surrounding mountains.

I fell in love with the town instantly, and my day was only just beginning!

Hiking to the Castle of San Giovanni

One of the top activities to do in Kotor is to visit the Castle of San Giovanni, located above Kotor’s Old Town and the city walls. Some type of fortification has been located in Kotor since before the 6th century, although the current structure of the castle was built by the Venetians in the 15th century.

The trailhead to the Castle of San Giovanni can be accessed from Old Town with an €8 entrance fee. The hike takes around 40 minutes to reach the top via over 1350 steps!

Luckily, almost the entire hike was in the shade, so it was relatively pleasant even when climbing. The trail had plenty of areas to take a rest, and there were also vendors selling water and snacks. Amazing views were in abundance for the entirety of the trail, but the best views were, of course, at the top.

Exploring more of Kotor’s Old Town

Following the hike, I stopped at a local cafe for a fresh orange juice and “Moscow Cake”, made with cream, cherries, pineapple, and almonds. It was delightful!

One thing you’ll notice when walking around town is the abundance of cats. Cats are a symbol of Kotor, and it was fun to check out a bit of the town's "cat tourism". There are several cat-themed souvenir shops filled with handmade trinkets, magnets, and decor.

We also made a brief visit to the Kotor Cat Museum, which offers photos and information dedicated to the love of cats around the world. It was certainly a unique place. Proceeds at the museum go toward keeping Kotor’s cats fed and happy. A few kittens called the museum home, too, which was definitely very cute!

After so much exploring and hiking, it was time for lunch. There’s quite a bit of Italian influence in Kotor due to Italy’s proximity and presence in the Bay of Kotor throughout history. This influence can be seen in the cuisine as well, with risottos and pastas common on menus in Kotor.

We had lunch at La Catedrale Pasta Bar, where we enjoyed pasta pomodoro and homemade white wine, which was quite refreshing on such a sunny day. One of my favorite parts of a European cruise so far is having a nice sit-down lunch outdoors each day!

Back onboard

Unfortunately the weather was almost to the point of being unbearably hot once afternoon came, and we were quickly getting exhausted. The sun was beyond strong today, and while there were plenty of shady spots in Kotor, there was not much of a breeze! The Old Town of Kotor is small, however, so we felt as if we had seen most of the town in a relatively short amount of time.

We got back onboard around 1:30 and were in desperate need of a nap, both to cool down and catch up on sleep. I'm glad we got off the ship as soon as possible this morning, as we were able to explore the majority of Old Town before it got too hot. Plus, crowds increased significantly in the afternoon. If you have a Mediterranean cruise booked in the future, I'd definitely recommend disembarking the ship early in the morning.

After our "quick" nap (which ended up being about 3 hours), we hung out in the Centrum where we took in the views of Kotor and surrounding area. By late afternoon, clouds started to roll into the bay and temperatures cooled down significantly.

We had dinner tonight in the Windjammer, which proved to be a wonderful place to watch the beginning of sailaway. The Windjammer on Rhapsody of the Seas is located forward instead of aft, so it offered a great view of the helicopter pad and ship as we began the journey to Croatia.

After dinner, we headed upstairs to the pool deck to enjoy more panoramic views of one of the most beautiful sailaways I've ever seen!

We also found a "hidden secret" spot on Rhapsody of the Seas. Located on deck 9 and accessible from the Solarium or via steps near the rock climbing wall is an area of pool chairs with nice views off the ship’s port side. We relaxed here for an hour, taking in the last views of Montenegro before we entered the open seas of the Adriatic.

We spent the rest of the evening in the Solarium and on the pool deck before heading back to our stateroom. Tomorrow we will be in our last port of call: Split: Croatia!

We have a look at some of the changes Royal Caribbean has made or announced over the last week.

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

In addition to starting construction on a new cruise ship and Royal Caribbean's CEO sharing his thoughts on policy changes, here is a look at everything else that happened this week you should know about.

Labadee suite cabanas now available online

It's now easier to book a cabana for suite guests when visiting Royal Caribbean's private destination of Labadee.

Royal Caribbean alerted guests booked in a suite that they can begin reserving cabanas at Barefoot Beach online via the Royal Caribbean cruise planner.

These suites are only available for guests booked in grand suites or higher.

Prior to this change, cabanas were reserved once the ship's suite concierge emailed guests a week before the cruise. The entire process was done offline.

With the update, suite guests can book a Barefoot Beach cabana just like other cabanas at Labadee.

SpaceX Starlink gets FCC approval

Starlink internet service on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship got one step closer to reality this week.

The Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX to provide Starlink satellite internet to vehicles in motion, which includes cruise ships.

A few weeks ago, Royal Caribbean petitioned the FCC to approve Starlink for moving vehicles so that cruise ships could utilize the service, hinting that a deal between Royal Caribbean and Starlink was possible.

As of now, Freedom of the Seas is actively testing Starlink with impressive speeds thus far.

Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented on if a deal with Starlink is going to happen, nor what ships could see the service implemented onboard.

Soda cup change

If you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package, expect a different cup design.

Guests on a few different Royal Caribbean ships have reported a change in the soda cup guests receive with their purchase.

The cups seem to come in either orange or blue color, and don't have the Coca-Cola branding typically seen with other designs.

While a definite change in look, the cup design is not new.

Royal Caribbean first used these cups at Labadee and CocoCay as far back as 2016.

Italian airport transfers

Royal Caribbean has added new transfer options for cruises sailing from Ravenna, Italy.

Due to the distance from Venice to Ravenna, guests will need to arrange transportation both to and from the ship on boarding and departure day either by purchasing a competitively priced transfer through Royal Caribbean International or by making their own private arrangements.

Guests can book these transfers before their cruise by contacting their travel partner or by reaching out to Royal Caribbean.

Additionally, guests may purchase transfers at Venice Marco Polo Airport on boarding day. However, please note that boarding day transfers will have limited availability and are available for purchase on a first come-first served basis.

Pre-Cruise Shuttles:

• Shuttle services will be available from locations in the area including Venice Marco Polo Airport and Venice City Centre (Tronchetto). Guests may select their preferred transfer based on their flights and selected check-in time for boarding the ship.
  • When booking a shuttle, guests will also be advised of the latest possible flight arrival time to board their shuttle.
  • If you are arranging transfers on your own, flights should arrive into Venice no later than 11:35 AM to allow time to arrive to the ship.
• Each shuttle will be boarded at 50% capacity to ensure physical distancing.
• The journey to the ship from Venice, Italy can take up to 3 hours (depending on traffic conditions), so please be sure to dress comfortably and keep travel documents, medications, or any other important items in your carry-on luggage
• Once onboard shuttles departing from Venice, guests will have access to phone charging stations and will be provided with bottled water. Then, about halfway through the journey,  a comfort stop will be made where guests will be able to stretch their legs, use the restroom, and purchase snacks for the remainder of the trip.
  • Please note: Depending on driving conditions, the comfort stop may be skipped depending to ensure all guests arrive to the ship on time.
• Check-in for your sailing will take place at the cruise terminal in Ravenna, Italy.

Post-Cruise Shuttles:

• When booking a shuttle, you’ll be advised of the earliest possible flight departure time to board your shuttle.
• Just like on boarding day, the journey back to Venice, Italy can take up to 3 hours, so don’t forget to dress comfortably!
  • All the same amenities available on the pre-cruise shuttle from Venice – bottled water and the ability to charge your phone – will also be available for guests traveling on the post-cruise shuttle to Venice.

Today is the first and only sea day of my 7-night Greek & Adriatic cruise, and we spent the day relaxing as we left the Ionian Sea and entered the Adriatic.

Our port days the previous three days started super early in the morning, so I took it easy this morning with a chai tea latte from Cafe Latitudes, which I enjoyed in the Centrum while catching up on Royal Caribbean Blog work.

Lunch was in the Windjammer today. I think I prefer the Windjammer to other dining options onboard due to the sheer range of options available. Today's highlights were a pasta bake with spinach and cheese, grilled vegetables, and baklava!

After lunch, I grabbed a coffee in the Diamond Lounge. The Diamond Lounge on Rhapsody of the Seas is in a slightly odd location, as it's in a corner of the Shall We Dance Lounge with barriers that don't reach the ceiling.

However, I feel the views in the Diamond Lounge are far superior than the lounge's location on other ships due to the vast views of the ocean available.

The art auction had just started in the Shall We Dance Lounge. I've never attended the art auction before, and after editing several Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube videos where Matt states he dislikes the art auction, I never had an inkling to go.

The auction's free champagne caught my eye, however, so Lauren and I sat down to watch.

We actually enjoyed ourselves a lot more than we thought we would! While we had no plans to purchase artwork (some were being auctioned for $10,000-20,000!), it was weirdly fun to watch the staff hype up each art piece and raffle off prizes. While I'm not sure I entirely understand why the art gallery and auctions exist on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it was certainly an interesting way to spend an hour.

Following the art auction was a fan-favorite cruise activity: the World's Sexiest Man Competition. It's impossible not to laugh during this competition, as the ship's "sexiest" men battle through a series of physical challenges and interview questions. It's one of those classic cruise ship activities that sound cheesy, but is quite entertaining!

At this point in the afternoon we were sailing alongside the coast of Albania, which was fascinating! I love seeing different countries and landscapes from afar on sea days, especially those I know little about.

I had to catch up on some Royal Caribbean Blog work in the afternoon, so I hung out in my stateroom for a few hours before dinner.

We had our last dinner tonight in the Main Dining Room, as we'll be eating in the Windjammer tomorrow and Izumi on our last night.

I ordered the eggplant parmesan as my main (which I got with a side of spaghetti marinara) and the molten chocolate cake for dessert. Everything in the Main Dining Room has been excellent on Rhapsody of the Seas, and the service from my waiters Marvic and Bayu was great!

We decided to see a show after dinner, as we had not yet seen any production show onboard. We watched a variety show, which started with a musical performance by the ship's orchestra followed by a magician.

Watching a magic show is unexpectedly becoming one of my favorite types of shows to attend on a cruise!  While the magic is impressive, the comedic remarks of the magician add to the performance and make it a fun, family-friendly activity where the whole audience gets involved.

On a side note, the Broadway Melodies theater on this ship is beautiful! I'm loving the more intricate design of an older cruise ship.

We ended the night with a drink at Schooner Bar, which we drank while lounging on the Promenade deck and watching the calmest water I've ever seen pass by.

A sea day was well-appreciated after three busy port days, and we all feel rested for the remainder of our cruise. Tomorrow I will be waking up bright and early for one of the most anticipated moments on this cruise: sailing into the port of Kotor, Montenegro.

Stray observations

Most people I've talked to prior to this cruise seemed to view small cruise ships in a negative way, but I think this type of ship works well for a port-intensive itinerary! I never use most of the features on bigger ships anyway (water slides, zipline, etc.) so my experience on Rhapsody has not been much different than my day-to-day on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship.

Many announcements and events are being translated into Portuguese and Spanish on this cruise, as there are a ton of Brazilians onboard as well as guests from Spanish speaking countries.

The seas have been almost perfect for the entire week so far. A Greek Isles cruise may be a good choice for those prone to seasickness (except for the tender boat rides!).

Guests booked on Quantum of the Seas to Alaska this season will have to forgo scheduled glacier visits.

Royal Caribbean notified guests booked on Quantum of the Seas this season that due to "a speed limitation caused by a technical issue with one of the ship’s engines", planned visits to Dawes Glacier have been cancelled.

Thus far, the August 1, 8, and 15 cruises are impacted.

Dawes Glacier is famous for its 600 foot tall, half-mile wide active icecap. It's one of the major highlights of an Alaska cruise.

Royal Caribbean did not disclose what the engine issue is exactly.

Quantum of the Seas is sailing 7-night Alaska cruises from Seattle.

While the engine issue is not a major problem, it will require itineraries to be adjusted. Primarily, Royal Caribbean has adjusted some arrival and departure times in Alaska and British Columbia.

"As a result, we’ve replaced our visit to Skagway, Alaska with Ketchikan, Alaska on Wednesday, shifted our visit to Sitka, Alaska to Thursday, and we’ll no longer visit Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier on Friday. We’re terribly sorry for any inconvenience caused by this, but the safety and comfort of our guests and crew is always our top priority."

Depending on the itinerary, times and ports of call are being adjusted, such as dropping Skagway or replacing it with Ketchikan.

The cruise line is offering compensation due to the loss of Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier from the itinerary.

• $75 USD for Interior and Ocean View staterooms
• $100 USD for Balcony staterooms
• $200 USD for Suites

If at the end of the cruise you there is a remaining amount left over, it will be refunded to the card on file.

Cruise ship propulsion problems not uncommon

While unsettling, engine problems are not unheard of in the industry.

In just the last few years, both Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas had engine issues that restricted their speeds. Allure in particular had propulsion issues in 2019, 2017, and 2013.

Fellow Quantum Class ship Anthem of the Seas had an issue with her azipod in 2016.

It's important to note that a propulsion problem is not a safety concern for guests sailing.

Reader reaction

No one is ever happy when a scheduled port visit has to be dropped, and cruise fans shared their dismay on the RoyalCaribbeanBlog message boards.

smokeybandit wrote, "I wonder what the decision point was between cancelling a couple cruise to fix the issue vs. taking away one of the most sought after aspects of an Alaskan cruise and handing out OBC to just sail with a busted engine."

Tom Trudnowski thinks dropping a visit to the glacier removes the primary appeal of an Alaska cruise, "the only reason you pretty much book an Alaska cruise, is to cruise the inside passage and see the glaciers, everything else is secondary, if important at all."

D Alt recognized this issue as something that can happen to any sailing, "These things happen. Mechanical equipment needs repair from time to time and they can't always predict when something is going to break down."

Royal Caribbean operates two private islands that offer passengers a curated and exclusive experience where the cruise line manages the entire visit.

While cruise ships can take you to different islands in the Caribbean, they can also stop at pristine places reserved just for cruise ship passengers.

These days it's rare to find an itinerary in the Caribbean that does not include a stop at one of the private islands.  Many Caribbean itineraries will visit either Labadee or Perfect Day at CocoCay, or even sometimes both.

The idea behind both of these places is a controlled, yet relaxing environment, where there's none of the fuss associated with finding a tour or haggling with vendors. Instead, Royal Caribbean sets everything up and admission to either island is included with your cruise fare.

Private destinations have evolved from secluded beach to full-day destination with different things you can do. Just like a cruise ship, Royal Caribbean realized people like to spend their time ashore differently. Some like a party atmosphere, while others want no noise and just the water. 

Which private island is better for you?  What makes them different or are they pretty much the same? 

Let’s take a detailed look at these two beautiful islands.

A brief history

While Labadee is known as a private island, it is actually a peninsula on Haiti’s north coast.  It was the first private destination for Royal Caribbean, who leased the land in 1986. 

CocoCay is actually named Little Stirrup Cay.  It was originally leased by Admiral Cruises in 1985.  When Royal Caribbean acquired Admiral Cruises in 1988, they took over the lease and changed the name. Leases for both islands run until 2050.  It’s a pretty good assumption that they’ll be renewed.

Both destinations were originally tender ports, meaning you had to take a small boat from the ship to the island.  Now they both have a pier that has made visiting there much easier and reliable. A pier allows cruise ships more flexibility with regard to weather conditions, thus meaning less missed calls.

Royal Caribbean invested heavily in a major overhaul in 2019 that saw over $250 million invested to expand the island's offerings with a waterpark with 13 slides; the region’s biggest wave pool; the region’s largest freshwater pool; and a beach club area for an extra cost aimed at those who want an elevated experience.

Climate & Topography

Since both private islands are in the tropics, the climate is very similar. 

It is usually hot and humid most of the year, with the highest temperatures in July.

Although CocoCay is located further north, their temperatures can dip into the 60’s in January.  Both destinations are in the path of a possible hurricane.  

CocoCay is mostly flat while Labadee is surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains. 

Things to do in CocoCay

You can’t miss the advertising Royal Caribbean has been doing for Perfect Day at CocoCay since it’s refurbishment in 2019 and with good reason.  CocoCay has become a must-do destination.  It’s Thrill Waterpark has slides that can rival most theme parks on land.

They have zip lines that stop at various platforms throughout the park and island (1600 feet in all), a tethered helium balloon that lifts you up to 450 feet in the air and Splashaway Bay, a complimentary kids area with slides and water buckets.

CocoCay has the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, Oasis Lagoon, which also has a swim up bar.  For a fee you can rent one of the cabanas that surround the pool or just grab any of the free lounge chairs.  There is also a DJ providing music.

But what if you just want to relax?  Then head to the beach!  South Beach is a more quieter area since it’s further away.  You can upgrade your experience by purchasing a pass to the Coco Beach Club.  There you will also find a beach and the infinity pool. 

One of the most unique things about CocoCay are the floating cabanas.  They can accommodate up to 8 people and include access to the Coco Beach Club.

You’ll have your own private slide into the ocean, a hammock that sits just over the water, a shower, a safe, and a dining area.  What I loved most about it was the ability to play our own music by connecting to the cabanas Bluetooth system. 

They are pretty expensive. The average price I’ve seen for my recent sailings has been $1699 and up, which I guess isn’t bad if you split it up between four couples but for just my husband and I, that price is hard to justify.  But sometimes you can find a deal.  We did last October and were happy that we could finally experience the cabanas.

Food on CocoCay

CocoCay offers a complimentary buffet with everything from burgers to tacos.

I love the Snack Shack that has chicken sandwiches, burgers, mozzarella sticks and funnel cakes.

Captain Jack’s, which is adjacent to the Skippers Grill buffet, has flavored chicken wings and fries for a fee.

Coco Beach Club has a lunch that is more elevated than the complimentary options with lobster and filet mignon. If you have the drink package, it can also be used on both private islands.

Things to do in Labadee

Labadee was the first to introduce over the water cabanas. 

They are more of a simple design and don’t include all of the bells and whistles of the ones on CocoCay.  However, they’re quiet and have more of a secluded feel. They allow access to the ocean via a nearby staircase.

Another option is the hilltop cabanas that are farther away from the beach but have amazing views of the ocean and the ship. There are also beachfront and standard cabanas.

There is one thing Labadee has that the current CocoCay doesn’t, which is a “suites only” area called Barefoot Beach.  It’s definitely more peaceful there and makes for a relaxing day.

Labadee also has thrills of its own.  The Dragon’s Breath zip line starts 500 feet above sea level and plummets you at speeds up to 50 mph 2600 feet to the beach below.  It is the longest over the water zipline in the world.

For a bigger rush, you can zip line head first on Dragon’s Fire’s. Dragon’s Tail is an alpine style coaster that takes you around a mountain and there’s the Dragon’s Splash water slide.  The Arawak Aqua Park is in the ocean itself and has slides and trampolines.  

Labadee also offers tandem parasailing which I really enjoyed.  It takes you up about 400 feet and the views of the mountains are spectacular!

Both islands also have jet skiing, snorkeling and floating beach mats. One thing to keep in mind is that Labadee does not have a freshwater pool.  

Food on Labadee

Buffet dining is available throughout the island.  Again, there is an upgraded buffet at Barefoot Beach for the suite guests that includes lamb and filet mignon.

Similarities between CocoCay & Labadee

While you can pick out a number of ways Labadee and CocoCay are different from each other, they have a lot more in common.

At the heart of both visits is a beach day. You will find multiple beaches to visit, and each beach is included with the cost of your cruise (except for Coco Beach Club for an additional cost and Barefoot Beach for suite guests).

A complimentary lunch is also offered at both, along with certain activities such as hammocks, sports courts, and a splash area for younger kids.

An opportunity to purchase local goods from residents of either The Bahamas or Haiti is also part of the islands experience. Be sure to bring cash if you wish to purchase a souvenir.

And no Royal Caribbean private destination is complete without a few bars to visit. In fact, both CocoCay and Labadee have a swim-up bar you can visit just off the beach.

CocoCay vs Labadee: which island should you pick?

You really can’t go wrong with a visit to either destination.

While CocoCay has been updated with the latest amenities, Labadee has an unmatched natural beauty. Both destinations are a treat to have on any itinerary.

The beaches at both spots are great, although CocoCay's sand tends to be less rockier than Labadee.

If you like variety of things to do, or are a "pool person" more than a "beach person", then you should pick CocoCay. You can still find seclusion and quiet at either South Beach or Chill island, but there's more happening at CocoCay.

If you like a relaxed beach day above all else, than you should pick Labadee. The zip line, alpine coaster, and other tours are enough to satisfy someone who has reached peak serenity.

Ideally, your itinerary includes a visit to both islands. There are a handful of these sailings, and they can be a great vacation choice.

Construction for Royal Caribbean's next Oasis Class cruise ship has reached a major milestone.

At the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the keel was layed for Utopia of the Seas.

A keel-laying ceremony was held for the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered Oasis Class cruise ship.  Utopia will be the second Royal Caribbean cruise ship to be powered by LNG, following Icon of the Seas.

Keel-laying is a very important milestone because it signifies the official start of physical construction.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the importance of this occasion, "The keel laying for Utopia of the Seas represents the first milestone of an incredible ship and the next step toward a bolder, thrilling future for Royal Caribbean and vacations."

"Utopia’s debut in 2024, on the heels of Icon of the Seas setting sail in fall 2023, will build on a new, exciting chapter that is set to redefine family vacations and getaways for all ages in ways we’ll soon reveal."

"Today, we are celebrating with Royal Caribbean International an important tradition and milestone for Utopia of the Seas" said Laurent Castaing, General Manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

"The construction of Utopia is an exciting opportunity for the Chantiers de l’Atlantique teams that are aiming to make this cruise ship one of the most environmentally friendly ships in the world equipped with new generation dual-fuel engines."

Utopia of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class cruise ship, and final Oasis Class ship that they currently have on order. Royal Caribbean has been cagey about confirming they will not order another Oasis Class ship.

Utopia of the Seas is scheduled to enter service in spring 2024.

Royal Caribbean believes having Utopia powered by LNG is an important step forward in its commitment to the environment.

The ship’s LNG technology will join a lineup of the cruise line’s already-established environmentally friendly initiatives on its ships. From shore power connection to waste heat recovery systems, the applications have been developed and continually enhanced as part of Royal Caribbean’s dedication to innovation and making strides toward a clean-energy future.

Some days are absolutely perfect, and today was one of those days! 

Rhapsody of the Seas anchored off the coast of Zakynthos, Greece today. Located in the Ionian Sea, Zakynthos is most known for its landscapes, beaches, and nightlife. Perhaps the most famous spot on the island is Navagio Beach, otherwise known as Shipwreck Beach, which has frequently been named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Zakynthos is a tender port, so you must collect tender tickets prior to leaving the ship. We collected our ticket around 8AM (the ticket spot opened at 7) and we received a ticket for Group 7.

The tender process seemed to be taking pretty long for just Group 1. After 20 minutes of waiting, Group 2 hadn't even been announced yet! We decided to walk to the tender area to gauge how long our wait might be to get off the ship.

We waited with a large group of other passengers, but the group numbers being called in this area were further ahead than what had been announced on the loudspeaker. After around 30 minutes of waiting, we were able to snag 3 spots on a tender boat.

Next time, I'll definitely be sure to get my tender tickets early to avoid any extra wait times!

Arrival in Zakynthos

The tender ride to Zakynthos from the ship was so beautiful it was almost a shore excursion in itself! Just like every other day in Greece so far, the scenery was filled with mountain peaks, charming harbor towns, and some of the most blue water I've ever seen.

After two days of walking all around Mykonos and Crete, we were in the mood for a relaxing day at the beach.

Our goal once we arrived in town was to find some kind of boat tour or beach shuttle that we could book for the day. Luckily, there were a few tour operators on the main street in front of the port offering boat tours to the main sights of Zakynthos.

We decided to book a 5-hour tour that would bring us to the other side of Zakynthos for a boat ride to Shipwreck Beach. The tour was €45 per person, which felt reasonable considering Royal Caribbean was offering the same type of excursion for over $70.

We had an hour to kill before the tour began, so we walked to a nearby bakery to pick up snacks and lunch for the day, as the tour did not include food. Greece is sure to impress when it comes to pastries and breads!

Boat tour in Zakynthos

Our tour group of around 40 people met at the travel agency's office, where we boarded a bus that would bring us to our boat. The bus was an hour long (which I did not realize when I booked the tour), but offered a nice way to see the countryside of Zakynthos.

As we approached the western side of the island, we were rewarded with spectacular views of dramatic cliffs alongside the sea. The bus then descended down a steep, narrow road to a small beach, where we boarded a small boat that would take us to Shipwreck Beach.

Any expectations I had for the tour were quickly exceeded when we began sailing toward the beach. I've never seen a landscape quite like the coastline of Zakynthos, where tiny beaches with crystal blue water could be spotted below huge white, rocky cliffs.

Navagio (Shipwreck) Beach

It took around 20 minutes to reach Shipwreck Beach. Funny enough, Shipwreck Beach was not the highlight of our tour. While beautiful, it was extremely crowded! I would still recommend visiting, but be prepared for crowds. Additionally, most tours only visit the beach from the sea, so you aren't able to view the famous view of the beach from above if that is important to you.

The water was beautiful regardless of the crowds, though, and it was a nice spot to cool down in the Mediterranean sun. We stayed on the island for an hour before continuing the tour.

Once back onboard the boat, we headed to a series of caves located in the island's steep white cliffs. We also stopped for a 15-minute swimming break in the middle of a cove.

My favorite part of the day was the boat ride itself, where we could enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Zakynthos with a nice ocean breeze. I can’t get over how beautiful this country is!

Of all the ports I've visited in Greece this week, I think Zakynthos is best suited for a beach day. Mykonos and Chania seemed fit for simply wandering around town, but the highlights of Zakynthos seem to be in the island's natural wonders. You're also able to rent a private boat for the day, which may be a better option for large groups or those who want to explore on their own itinerary.

Back onboard

Another hour-long bus ride was in order to get back to Zakynthos town after we disembarked the boat on our tour. The tour bus conveniently dropped us off on the pier, so we boarded a tender boat to bring us back to Rhapsody of the Seas.

We got back onboard around 4:45, so quickly got ready for dinner in the Main Dining Room.

One of the main reasons I'm onboard is to film a full video tour of Rhapsody of the Seas for the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel. After dinner, I spent an hour or two walking around the ship filming the ship tour, where I made a few observations about Vision Class ships:

• I quite like the Centrum compared to the Royal Promenade because there are so many views of the ocean everywhere.
• I'm not a huge shopper, so I like how all shopping areas are congregated in one space on the ship (Centrum Shops).
• Rhapsody of the Seas has tons of plaques on the walls from ports she has visited over the past 25 years. It's fascinating to see just how many places this ship has been, and it gives a personal touch to the ship that I haven't experienced on a cruise before.

After filming, I met back up with my siblings for a cocktail in Schooner Bar (my recommendation: the El Floridito). We also briefly went into the Shall We Dance Lounge for an "Adult Game Show", but we weren't loving it so we spent the rest of the evening lounging on the pool deck instead.

After three extremely busy days in Mykonos, Crete, and Zakynthos, we are ready for our first sea day tomorrow as we make our way toward Kotor, Montenegro!

Royal Caribbean kicked off its July 4th sale for pre-cruise purchases with a new offer that runs through the holiday weekend.

The Fourth of July sale applies to new purchases made , June 29, 2022 – Wednesday, July 6, 2022.

The sale includes sailings that depart between July 3, 2022 – April 30, 2023.

It's important to note that just because there is a Cruise Planner sale doesn't mean the prices of items you see has gone down. Cruise add-on prices aren't marketed the same as apparel or electronics, where prices are marked down across the board.

Here is what is included during the sale:

Beverage: Up to 40% off

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: 30% Off onboard prices
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 30% Off onboard prices
• Spring Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• San Benedetto Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• Evian Water Bottles: 40% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: 30% Off onboard prices
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. 
• Refreshment Package: Discount varies by ship. 

Shore Excursions: Up to 25% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.

Internet: Up to 50% Off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship. 
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

Dining: Up to 50% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship. 

Gifts & Gear: Up to 20% Off

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries
• Inky Beach Set
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe)
• Inky Travel Set
• Red Wine and Cheese
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel
• Strawberries with Champagne
• White Wine and Cheese

Photo Packages: Up to 70% Off

• Photo Packages: From 5 - 100 Print and/or Digital Options: Discount varies by ship. 
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: Discount varies by ship. 
• Photo Package: All Digital: Discount varies by ship. 

Casitas: Up to 20% Off

• Casita Packages: 20% Off Onboard Prices

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

More helpful information

• Should you buy pre-cruise purchases now or wait to buy it onboard?
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• How much should I budget for a cruise?

Today is the third day of my 7-night Greek & Adriatic cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas, and it brings us to our second port of call: Chania, Crete.

What is Crete?

Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean, with a population of around 636,000. The island is mostly mountainous, with jagged peaks rising dramatically out of the sea. Dotted along the landscape are valleys, gorges, lakes, rivers, beaches, and caves.

Crete has been influenced by a variety of cultures throughout history, from the Venetians to Ottomans, Arabs, and Byzantines.

The island is also said to be home to the first major European civilization, the Minoans, who called the island home around 5,000 years ago.

First impressions of Chania, Crete

Cruise ships dock near the town of Chania in Crete, located on the northwest coast of the island. A complimentary shuttle is available to bring passengers from port to Chania’s town center.

We did not have any set plans for the day, but were hoping to just wander around Chania to taste local food and relax amongst the town’s history and culture.

I had heard amazing things about Chania’s historic Old Venetian Harbor, built by Venetians in the 14th century as a leading trade center in the Mediterranean sea, so we headed there as soon as we got off the shuttle bus.

The walk to the harbor was as picturesque as it gets, with narrow cobblestone streets filled with cafes, restaurants, flowers, and cats.

It’s easy to see why this area of Chania is named the “Old Venetian Harbor”. Charming buildings painted with a colorful palette of oranges, blues, reds, yellows, and pinks dotted the town.

While I was reminded of Venice while walking through Mykonos yesterday, I actually felt like I was in Venice today in Crete!

We walked along the harbor, which led us to the port’s lighthouse and wonderful views of Crete’s scenery and towns.

Afternoon in the sun

The temperature today felt very warm. While the temperature yesterday in Mykonos was similar, the island’s strong winds created a nice breeze, allowing us to keep relatively cool. Today, however, the sun was extremely strong.

Due to the heat, we stopped for fresh-squeezed juices at a cafe before a delicious Italian meal at Laganon Fresh Pasta. With freshly made pasta noodles and a savory arrabbiata sauce, it was a fantastic, cheap lunch choice (6 euros per dish) in Chania!

After lunch, we continued walking along the harbor, which led us to even more cute alleys and streets to explore. Just like yesterday in Mykonos, Chania was much more crowded in the afternoon compared to the morning, but the crowds were not overwhelming.

Crete is a huge island compared to the other Greek islands on this itinerary. It’s impossible to see the whole island in one day.

I would definitely love to come back for a longer period of time to hike, bike, and climb the island’s steep mountain peaks, but for a short port day it was nice to simply wander around the Venetian Harbor.

Other than walking, shopping, and sitting at local cafes and restaurants, there were not a ton of activities to do in the town of Chania itself. Popular attractions like beaches, caves, and mountains were further away and probably best done with an excursion through Royal Caribbean or an independent provider.

There were several boat tours available to book directly at the harbor, though, with pricing at 15 euros for an hour tour to a nearby island. This is something to consider if you’re hoping for a more adventure-filled day in Chania!

I am perfectly content to relax at a cafe while people watching and enjoying the ocean breeze, so I found the town to be exactly what I wanted. We enjoyed cocktails in a small bar overlooking the harbor to get out of the sun for the remainder of the afternoon.

Our last stop in Chania was to a local bakery to purchase a few snacks to bring back to the ship with us. We were able to board the shuttle bus right away and head back to Rhapsody of the Seas around 4PM.

Back onboard

Today’s strong heat made us pretty tired, so a nap was in order when we returned to our stateroom. Napping in an interior stateroom in pitch-black darkness is the best!

We decided to dine at the Windjammer for dinner tonight as opposed to the Main Dining Room. Having so many port days in a row, along with all the travel we did to get to Greece in the first place, has made us a little exhausted (in the best way possible). The idea of a long sit-down meal did not seem appealing tonight, and I find dinner at the Windjammer to be just as good as the dining room!

Rhapsody of the Seas set sail from Crete as we ate, and I was absolutely amazed by the island’s scenery as we began the journey into the open Mediterranean sea. We relaxed in the Solarium while enjoying our last views of Crete.

While we’ve been pretty tired at night due to full days exploring port, we finally made it out of our stateroom tonight to explore activities and entertainment available on Rhapsody of the Seas.

First up was a trip to Schooner Bar for cocktails and piano entertainment followed by a brief visit to Casino Royale. I also briefly stopped by the theater to watch a bit of “Ballroom Fever”, a signature production show on Rhapsody of the Seas combining various types of ballroom dancing with vocals.

It was finally time to head to bed and get ready for another port of call tomorrow: Zakynthos, Greece. With only one more port day in Greece, I’m already sad to say goodbye to what has quickly become one of my favorite countries in the world!

Will Royal Caribbean ever ban smoking? When will we get more Icon of the Seas details? Can we expect a fuel surcharge?

These were some of the questions Royal Caribbean cruise fans asked President and CEO Michael Bayley during a Q&A session this week.

Royal Caribbean hosts a President's Cruise each year, and there's always an opportunity for the top executive from Royal Caribbean International to take questions from its loyal cruisers.

There's usually an assortment of questions, gripes, suggestions, and compliments included each time, and a few of the questions were intriguing to a wide audience.

In addition to talking about when pre-cruise testing and vaccine requirements might come to an end, Mr. Bayley touched on a few other hot button topics.

Here's what Mr. Bayley had to say when asked some of the top questions.

Will Royal Caribbean ever ban smoking in the casinos?

Royal Caribbean temporarily banned smoking in its casinos earlier this year during the Omicron variant in order to implement a stricter face mask rule, but that rule was rolled back a few months later.

When asked about revising the smoking policy indoors, Mr. Bayley admitted, "smoking in the casinos is a bit of a conundrum."

"The dilemma is that there are many people who do want to smoke in the casino. I know that's not a popular response, but it's it's the truth."

"I'm not judging anyone or anything, but there's a large group of people who do want to smoke in the casino."

He explained, "Every, I would say every couple of years, we do test this and we take one or two or three ships we ban smoking in the casino. And the result is less people go in the casino and that that's the reality of it."

While a full smoking ban in the casino doesn't seem likely, Mr. Bayley said they are looking at ways to create more non-smoking areas, "we're looking at trying to create more smoke free spaces in the casino, which I think will be helpful."

Will Royal Caribbean add fuel surcharges?

While the price of oil is high, Royal Caribbean still has no plans to add a fuel surcharge to cruise guests.

"The fuel fuel bill for Royal Caribbean is, as you can imagine, it's massive and it's gone up by I don't know what the percentages, but it's a huge chunk. It's hundreds of millions of dollars."

"But at the moment, we're not planning on putting a fuel surcharge on."

The cost of West Texas Intermediate oil, a common benchmark, spiked above $120 a barrel at times this year, but has since dropped back to around $110 a barrel. That’s up from around $76 a barrel at the start of the year.

In 2008, the price of West Texas Intermediate peaked at around $146 a barrel. That’s around $192 in today’s dollars, adjusted for inflation.

Mr. Bayley did admit, the issue is still up in the air, "We try to understand what the implications are of a fuel surcharge."

"I'd say we don't know. We've all seen the uncertainty of all of these dynamics. We don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or next week or the week after."

He mentioned the fact Royal Caribbean hedges its fuel quite a bit every year, with 50% of its fuel hedged for this year and a smaller percentage for next year.

When will Royal Caribbean share more information about Icon of the Seas

It seems like everyone can't believe Royal Caribbean hasn't shared more details yet about its next new cruise ship, but everything is still under wraps for a little while longer.

Icon of the Seas is set to debut in late 2023, and Mr. Bayley was asked when they will share more information about the ship, "We are launching Icon of the Seas starting this September."

"By launching, I mean, we are we are starting to communicate. We have a whole planning program of communication, social media, marketing, TV, radio, you name it."

He echoed previous comments about how impressive this new class of ship will be, "It is the next generation of Royal Caribbean ship and we're super proud of the work we've been working on for five years."

"It follows a normal formula of tradition, evolution, revolution."

"So there's much of Icon of the Seas is everything we all love about Royal Caribbean, much of Icon of the Seas is the next generation of thinking for many of the things that we really love about Royal Caribbean."

"And there's a chunk of stuff that we've never done before which is really going to be super cool."

The Pearl

Michael Bayley was pretty good at keeping all the Icon of the Seas details under wraps, until he accidently let slip the name of that mystery sphere we've seen photos of for months.

A guest wanted to know what the "big white ball" was, and Mr. Bayley immediately responded, "the Pearl?"

When someone pointed out he said it, he responded, "I know, but I did it by accident.

Royal Caribbean filed for a trademark for the phrase, "The Pearl" earlier this month.

Will double points promotion return?

One guest wanted to know if Royal Caribbean would ever bring back its double points promotion, which allows guests to get double the usual points per night of the cruise in the Crown and Anchor Society customer loyalty program.

"I'm so tempted to say yes. But I got to tell you our Pinnacle members are not such advocates for the idea."

He then joked, "I know it's very popular and you've got to cling onto it as a memory."

"Unreasonable and unfair" treatment during pandemic

Twice during the session, Mr. Bayley was asked about what it was like during the cruise industry shutdown as a result of Covid.

"I've got to be honest with media, particularly in the beginning of the pandemic... we felt like we couldn't get a break."

"It's like we were responsible for COVID."

"Relentlessly reporting was always, always negative about about the industry and Royal Caribbean. I don't think we ever saw a positive article."

"Even on the crewing situation, where we were working night and day to get our crew home, we just received criticism for the current situation."

He went on to say, "At the beginning of the pandemic...the cruise industry was generally regarded as the bad actor, which I have to tell you was totally unreasonable and unfair."