Royal Caribbean Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

Walked instead of a single tour

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buy eSim card

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

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

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

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

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

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

Use Mobile Passport Control app on my return

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wore my new shoes before my trip

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

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

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

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

Tried out a free shore excursion

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

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

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

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

A 12-year-old passenger fell to his death on the final night of a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas. 

The 226,963 gross registered ton (GRT) ship was en route to Galveston, Texas, after a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise when the pre-teen fell from an interior-facing Central Park balcony cabin. 

Central Park, located on Deck 8, is one of seven neighborhoods onboard the Oasis Class ship and is home to bars, restaurants, and shops. 

Witnesses claim the boy had been playing with friends he had met onboard before going over the stateroom's balcony railing. Supposedly, he was on the cruise with his family to celebrate a birthday.

Royal Caribbean crew tried to resuscitate the passenger; however, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, and he died before Harmony of the Seas arrived in Galveston on September 8. 

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE. 

Outpouring of support 

"My daughter was friends with him and said he was upset today," wrote Sara Tullas in a Harmony of the Seas Facebook group.

"If anyone knows the family, please send them thoughts and prayers...I wish I would have known he was struggling today," she continues. 

Shannon Elizabeth shared similar thoughts, explaining her son had befriended the boy. 

"I haven't been able to really wrap my head around this and the conversations I have had to have with my son really tripped me up," she says.

"My son made friends with this boy and he saw too much of what happened. Just breaks my heart and the fact we were [on] this boat is just wild." 

Because of the incident, boarding for the Sept. 8 voyage was delayed

"Due to an emergency on our previous sailing, our boarding tomorrow will be delayed," read a statement emailed to passengers, "As a result, the terminal will be closed until 12 PM."

Guests were asked to arrive one hour after their pre-selected arrival time but no later than 3:00pm, as all passengers were required to be checked in and onboard by 3:30pm. 

Harmony of the Seas is currently on a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise calling at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship is scheduled to return to Galveston on September 14. 

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

Other similar incidents 

A 16-year-old boy slipped and fell to his death while trying to enter his cabin through a nearby balcony while docked in Labadee, Haiti. 

The Broward Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Laurent Mercer of the Wallis and Futuna Islands in the South Pacific.

"The ship's medical team responded to the pier and attempted CPR, but the [boy] had sustained major head trauma and he was pronounced dead," the Broward Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement. 

Last November, another 16-year-old boy died after falling from his cabin balcony into Central Park while sailing on Allure of the Seas. TMZ reported the passenger was transported to a hospital for treatment but eventually succumbed to his injuries. 

The Oasis Class ship was traveling from Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas when a ship-wide announcement was made asking for blood donors. 

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won't provide any further comment," read a statement issued by Royal Caribbean. 

How different is Anthem of the Seas from Oasis of the Seas?

Both Royal Caribbean ships come from different classes, but are similar in that they've become cruiser favorites. 

Both ships have been known to sail similar itineraries, both offering a host of exciting activities onboard.

So which one is better, and how do the two compare?

The most obvious difference is that the two ships are from different Royal Caribbean classes. Think of it ship classes like car models in how they are grouped together.

Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2009, was the first ship in the famous Oasis Class.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Oasis Class Ships by Age

Anthem of the Seas, in contrast, was released later, in 2015, as the second vessel in the Quantum Class.

Oasis is larger, with the capacity for more passengers

Although Oasis of the Seas was released before Anthem of the Seas, the oldest ship still wins out as more spacious.

Anthem has a capacity for 4,905 passengers, while Oasis of the Seas carries almost 2,000 more guests at 6,780 passengers.

Oasis of the Seas also measures 1,187 feet long to Anthem's 1,141 feet and 225,282 gross tons versus Anthem's 168,666 gross tons.

The Oasis Class as a whole, is one of Royal Caribbean's biggest classes of ships (rivaled only by the Icon Class).

While the Quantum Class features innovative and large ships, Anthem's size doesn't compare to Oasis.

Oasis of the Seas even has distinct neighborhoods to break up a large amount of space. The seven neighborhoods onboard are The Boardwalk, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Royal Promenade, Central Park, Entertainment Place, Youth Zone, and Vitality Spa and Fitness.

Oasis' age isn't necessarily a downside. She was Amplified in 2019, and now has new dining venues, waterslides, and a re-designed pool deck.

Dining venues and bars abound on both ships

Both ships have a variety of options when it comes to dining venues and bars.

Although the two share a few venues, some vary between them.

Anthem of the Seas has the following complimentary dining venues onboard:

• The Main Dining room
• Windjammer
• Seaplex Dog House
• Solarium Bistro
• Cafe @ Two70
• Sorrento's
• Cafe Promenade
• Coastal Kitchen (for suite guests only)

In contrast, Oasis of the Seas has a few more complimentary venues: 

• The Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Buffet
• Solarium Bistro
• Park Cafe
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Vitality Cafe
• Coastal Kitchen (suites only)

If specialty dining is a priority for you, it's important to know that Anthem has fewer options than Oasis of the Seas.

Anthem has the following specialty venues:

• Chops Grille
• Chef's Table
• Jamie's Italian
• Wonderland
• Izumi Sushi
• Johnny Rockets (lunch and dinner)
• La Patisserie

Both ships feature cruiser favorites in the dining arena, such as Chops Grille and Chef's Table.

However, if you're looking for something more unique, venues such as Wonderland and Jamie's Italian put a special spin on the Royal Caribbean dining experience.

Oasis of the Seas has a multitude of specialty dining onboard, making it a great option if you're considering purchasing a specialty dining package onboard.

Oasis has 12 specialty venues:

• 150 Central Park
• Chef’s Table
• Chops Grille
• Giovanni’s Table
• Izumi Sushi & Hibachi
• Johnny Rockets (lunch and dinner)
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Portside BBQ
• Vintages Wine Bar
• Starbucks
• Sugar Beach
• Johnny Rockets

Bars abound on both ships. Nearly every pool area and lounge will have a bar nearby, as well as many of the restaurants. 

Both ships have the popular Bionic Bar, featuring robot bartenders.

There are 14 bars on Anthem of the Seas:

• Schooner Bar
• Music Hall
• Boleros
• Pool bar
• North Star bar
• Solarium Bar
• Casino bar
• Bionic Bar
• Two70 Bar
• Vintages
• Brass & Bock Pub
• Diamond Club
• Suite Lounge
• Sky bar

Oasis of the Seas has 16 bars:

• Casino bar
• Jazz on 4
• Blaze Comedy
• Diamond Club
• Spotlight Karaoke
• Boleros
• Globe & Atlas Pub
• Rising Tide Bar
• Bionic Bar
• Schooner Bar
• Playmakers
• Trellis Bar
• Vintages Wine Bar
• Music Hall
• Solarium Bar
• Wipeout Bar

Anthem features tech-savvy virtual balcony cabins

Because Anthem is a newer ship, she features technological innovations that outshine Oasis of the Seas.

Anthem has dozens of unique stateroom categories.

One innovative stateroom onboard is the virtual balcony, an HD screen that brings a live ocean view to all windowless cabins onboard.

This budget-friendly method gives cruisers the price of an interior cabin, combined with the views of a balcony cabin.

Anthem also has great staterooms for families, and even for solo travelers, such as her studio balcony cabins.

However, Oasis of the Seas has 706 more cabins onboard, with 2796 cabins to Anthem's 2090.

If you're looking at popular sailings on each ship, your preferred stateroom category on Anthem of the Seas could sell out faster. 

Read more: Oasis of the Seas Cabins to Avoid

What activities are available on each ship?

When it comes to activities and pool areas, both ships have a lot to offer.

Anthem of the Seas features the SeaPlex (an indoor sports court), the Ripcord by iFLY skydiving simulator, and the North Star observation capsule.

Oasis of the Seas has gained notoriety for its range of activities. Cruisers can ice skate, play mini-golf, ride on a zipline, use dry and water slides, play laser tag, and ride a carousel while onboard.

Both ships also have multiple pools and hot tubs, as well as the FlowRider surf simulator.

Anthem of the Seas makes for a much better ship for cold-weather sailing, thanks to its indoor facilities and activities.

On the other hand, Oasis of the Seas is a popular ship for Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. Its size ensures that there's no end to the fun onboard.

Both vessels have Broadway musicals but differ in entertainment venues

Both Anthem of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas feature high-quality, non-stop entertainment.

However, the two ships have very different entertainment venues onboard.

Anthem's main entertainment venues are the Royal Theater, Two70, and the Music Hall.

The Royal Theater is a two-deck venue that hosts popular production shows, such as "We Will Rock You," a tribute to Queen's biggest hits.

The two-hour Broadway musical first debuted in London and has toured all over the world.

Two70 is located on Deck 5, covering the entire aft wall with panoramic windows. Six LED screens above the stage are controlled by robots to add to the visual effects.

"Spectra's Cabaret" plays inside the Two70 venue, as well as various trivia, events, and games.

The Music Hall serves as a two-deck venue suitable for live music, nightclub events, and karaoke.

On Oasis of the Seas, the main entertainment venues are the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater, and the Studio B ice-skating rink.

CATS shows in the Royal Theater. The ship’s Broadway musical tells the famous story of a tribe of cats. 

The Royal Theater also hosts comedians, game shows, and guest performers during any Oasis of the Seas sailing.

The outdoor AquaTheater features Aqua80, a thrilling water show with high diving, swimmers, acrobats, and aerialists performing to 80s era music.

Greece just announced a new tax it will add for cruise ship passengers to visit Mykonos and Santorini, Greece.

The nation's Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced the new tax on Sunday. 

During the busy, peak summer months, cruise ship passengers will be taxed a $22 (20 euro) levy.

Mitsotakis explained that the levy seeks to combat over-tourism on these popular islands, and only for the peak season.

"Greece does not have a structural over-tourism problem ... Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with," he explained.

"Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions."

According to Mitsotakis, the cruise fee will be highest in Santorini and Mykonos, being raised every period.

Additionally, the government will begin to limit the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at these islands during peak season.

The new tax will be implemented by the summer of 2025.

Santorini and Mykonos host millions of cruise ship passengers a year

Santorini and Mykonos are the nation's most popular tourist islands, especially for cruise ships.

The volcanic island of Santorini is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, while Mykonos is well-known for its elegant architecture and views.

Santorini saw 800 cruise ships in 2023, with a combined statistic of 1.3 million visitors onboard.

It is the most popular cruise destination in Greece, and during the summer months, hosts over 17,000 cruise ship visitors arrive a day.

For the small island with a population of just 15,500, that number of tourists threatens the local infrastructure.

Beginning in 2025, Santorini will also cap the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to visit at 8,000 per day.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis said that part of the revenue from the cruise ship levy will be returned to local communities to invest in and support local infrastructure.

The Greek government is imposing regulations to combat over-tourism

To regulate the arrival of cruise ships, the Greek government will also impose a digital berth allocation system at ports. The system will spread out ship arrivals to prevent overcrowding from multiple vessels arriving simultaneously.

The allocation will handle popular destinations at peak times, considering criteria such as ship size, environmentally friendly vessels, and the length of the stay on the island. 

To prevent cruisers from rushing between the port and tours, ships staying longer will be prioritized in the system.

Mitsotakis also announced that Greece must protect the environment and tackle water shortages on its popular tourist islands.

New taxes and fees don't just apply to cruisers on the sea—Greece is also raising the lodging tax. 

During the peak tourist months between April and October, hotels and short-term rentals will see an increase in fees and limitations.

Greece's economy relies on tourism, with a revenue of about 20 billion euros in 2023 supported by 31 million tourist arrivals that year.

Despite the economic influence tourism has on the economy, Greece has begun to follow in the footsteps of other cruise ports evaluating the impact of cruise ships on their region.

Especially as cruising gains popularity, and passenger numbers surpass those pre-pandemic, many popular tourist spots are looking at the effects of overtourism.

Protests in Santorini, Venice, and Barcelona have made the news recently, as locals call for limits on tourism.

Royal Caribbean responds to tourism concerns

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, recently responded to concerns about overtourism from cruise ships.

During a Q&A session onboard the Ultimate World Cruise, he explained that cruise ships are often the targets of anti-tourism campaigns because of misinformation.

"Sometimes, cruise ships have a target based upon very little information or misinformation...I think it's incumbent on us to improve as an industry, and as a company, our communication over the impact, both positive and negative, on communities," Bayley said. 

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

"There's always two sides to a coin," he argued. "And... there are some incredibly positive attributes that come from our business." 

Port fees and other additional costs

While a Royal Caribbean cruise fare often includes the basics of dining, accommodations, port stops, and activities, extra costs can also raise your final bill.

Port fees and other taxes, for instance, can be a surprising addition to the final cost of a cruise.

Royal Caribbean recently chose to add fees and taxes to its cruise prices.

Cruisers can't avoid fees like this new Greece tax, as they're imposed by the countries and ports ships visit.

The cruise lines must simply pass these on to the passenger.

Royal Caribbean's viral 274-night world cruise has ended after visiting around 60 countries across seven continents, including Antarctica.

On Tuesday morning, Serenade of the Seas returned to Miami to complete a 9-month journey around the world that visited all 7 continents.

This was Royal Caribbean's first every foray into offering a world cruise, and it was not only successful, but generated a lot of buzz along the way.

Royal Caribbean divided up the world cruise into four segments, with some cruises on the entire journey, and others on shorter portions.

• The Ultimate Americas Cruise
• The Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise
• The Immersive Africa Cruise
• The Ultimate Europe and Beyond Cruise

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley celebrated the completion of the world cruise by joining the ship for its final few days.

"What an amazing voyage these brave travelers have made," he posted on his Facebook page during the final day of the sailing, "Over the past days they have shared their stories, many telling of a true life changing experience and sharing such joy and emotion over new relationships formed and bonds created with fellow travelers and crew.  The Serenade of the Seas has become such a warm friendly community and emotions run deep."

"It has been a true honor to represent the team at Royal Caribbean who curated and led this grand adventure.  We were trusted by so many to deliver such an experience and we did it."

He went on to thank the officers in charge of Serenade during the voyage, "Thank you to our incredible team members ship and shore and to our two Captains Stig and Kjell whose wisdom and seafaring mastery safely guided all around the world safely and securely.  

He also thanked the crew and guests for being a part of the experience, "To our beautiful caring and loving crew who demonstrated their humanity and love to our guests.  To our guests for being such understanding, compassionate adventurers and for trusting Royal Caribbean.  Onwards and Upwards!"

Internet fame

The world cruise rose to fame almost immediately on TikTok, as it generated a great deal of interest from people who couldn't fathom spending almost an entire year on a cruise ship.

The cruise set sail on December 10, 2023 and a series of videos were posted speculating on what might happen during such a long journey.

By the time the ship departed Miami, there were already 9 million views on TikTok for the #RoyalCaribbeanUltimateWorldCruise hashtag.

Later in January 2024, Mr. Bayley was talking to members of the press about the world cruise and admitted they could not have predicted that kind of response, "We had no clue that it would become... there's been 290 million views of some of the TikTok stuff that's gone out in the ultimate cruise."

A world cruise unlike others

One distinguishing factor about Royal Caribbean's world cruise was it set out to be the ultimate world cruise.

Mr. Bayley recalled the planning for it began during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020, "We kind of had this endless discussion about... let's really do something big. So let's do a world cruise because people want to they're going to want to go out and experience things."

"Most world cruises last four months max. So we said, no, let's do the ultimate world cruise."

"The team went off and they created the itinerary and they came back and they said, yeah, it's nine months. So we said, yeah, let's do that."

According to Mr. Bayley, over 800 people booked the entire world cruise, with one of the first tickets for the sailing selling for $750,000 for a suite on Serenade of the Seas.

Read more: Suites on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Another world cruise in the works

If you'd like a chance to sail on a world cruise, Royal Caribbean has plans for another but details aren't available yet.

While onboard the final days of the first world cruise, Mr. Bayley confirmed a second world cruise is being planned.

At a community hall meeting onboard, "The answer is yes, we are going to do another Ultimate World Cruise."

“We’re announcing today that we are going to hold [an] Ultimate World Cruise reunion cruise. And when we have the reunion cruise, we are going to announce the next world cruise."

“And when we announce the next world cruise on the reunion cruise, we will only open it for sale for those people who are on the reunion cruise."

It will be on the September 7, 2025 sailing of Serenade of the Seas to Alaska.

He did admit there were a lot of logistical challenges with pulling off the world cruise, and it wasn't easy.

"Some things haven't gone to plan, specifically with the circumnavigation of Africa, and obviously that would come with a massive cost to the organization."

He also said that while Serenade was a great choice for the world cruise, the next one needs a ship with "more outside staterooms".

Overtourism is a rising issue around the world, but Royal Caribbean's CEO thinks cruise ships are being unfairly targeted.

Cruise ships have long been singled out for overtourism, particularly in Europe. However, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, argues people underestimate the value cruise ships bring to the tourism industry. 

Each year, over 20 million people take a cruise, sailing to countless destinations around the globe, from the Caribbean to Europe, Australia, Asia, Alaska, and Hawaii. 

Recently, many ports have begun to reevaluate the impact of the cruising industry in their communities, especially as passenger numbers break pre-pandemic levels. 

A few weeks ago, for instance, protestors in Amsterdam prevented cruise ships from safely docking in port, demanding an immediate cessation of the "destructive cruise industry." 

During a Q&A session onboard the Ultimate World Cruise, Bayley said cruise ships sometimes become targets of the anti-tourism movement because of misinformation. While acknowledging the concerns, he highlights the positive effects of the industry, stating they're always striving to improve. 

Overtourism fueled by misinformation

Cruising makes up just 2% of all international travel, yet the cruise industry specifically is targeted as contributing to overtourism by transporting hundreds of thousands of guests to destinations and trying to do "something negative" when it comes to the environment. 

In Europe, for instance, Airbnb is a massive driver of tourism in cities like Barcelona, resulting in protests earlier this summer. Guests dining al fresco in Las Ramblas were soaked with water guns, while locals chanted, "Tourists go home," CNN reported. 

By November 2028, Barcelona plans to end short-term rentals by revoking all 10,101 apartment licenses approved as short-term rentals to help ensure residents aren't displaced by "overtourism." 

Additionally, the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth) published 13 proposals to reduce the number of visitors and create a new tourism model, which includes the closure of cruise ship terminals. 

"...sometimes, cruise ships have a target based upon very little information or misinformation...I think it's incumbent on us to improve as an industry, and as a company, our communication over the impact, both positive and negative, on communities," Bayley explains. 

"There's always two sides to a coin," he continues, "And in relation to the impact, there are some incredibly positive attributes that come from our business." 

Many countries' GDP relies heavily on tourism

According to Bayley, the economic value of tourism goes unrecognized.

"In the Caribbean, for example, which is kind of the center of cruise activity...over 50%, pretty much, of all tourists that travel through the Caribbean come on [a] cruise," he says. 

The Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2024 State of the Industry Report revealed the economic contribution from the cruise industry to the economy is "enormous," despite cruising making up a small percentage of international travel. 

In 2022, cruising contributed $138 billion to the global economy. Additionally, the industry supported 1.2 million jobs and $43 billion in wages. 2023's results are expected to be published this month; however, the impact is predicted to be even greater because of the increase in passengers sailing in 2023 compared to 2022. 

Read more: The demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is hot

Crew members from 100+ countries

On any Royal Caribbean vacation, crew members are important because they're not just friendly faces you see throughout your voyage. Their dedication and expertise help transform cruises into memorable experiences, ensuring that every detail of the guest experience, from dining to entertainment to guest relations, is handled with professionalism and care.  

"We have generations...of crew members who work with Royal Caribbean," remarks Bayley, "There [are] many onboard the ship today who've sent their kids to college, have made investments, have built a family life, have taken care of their elders, [and] have lived a good life through their association with the cruise industry and with Royal Caribbean." 

Read more: 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship

Advanced technology

"We've got some of the most incredible technology that we've invested in," says Bayley about Royal Caribbean's environmental initiatives, "[It allows] us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with pretty much any community anyone here lives in." 

The amount of garbage, for example, transferred from cruise ships to landfills is actually tiny thanks to waste management systems. 

He continues to talk about the work that's going into future fuels: "What is the future fuel? Our new ships are what's called 'hybrid ships,' which means they're capable of using traditional marine oil or [liquefied natural gas]." 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships will convert waste to energy

When Royal Caribbean began developing today's newest ships, the future fuel was LNG. 7-10 years later, however, he brings up current concerns about LNG, including slippage, which is when gaseous methane escapes into the atmosphere. 

Still, though, LNG's carbon footprint is significantly lower than that of traditional marine fuels, and the concerns are working on being addressed. 

"We are committed to a bright future. We are putting a lot of time and energy and resources into not only our environmental impact but also as it relates to our impact with tourism," Bayley says. 

Royal Caribbean has contributed to local communities 

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to visit Haiti. Located on the northern peninsula, Labadee offers a stunning blend of natural beauty and adventure—exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. 

The private destination helps contribute to the local economy, with a controlled group of merchants given the right to sell souvenirs to cruise passengers in the secured resort area. 

In addition to revenue from cruise ship guests, Bayley said Royal Caribbean built a local school in the community, helping to educate thousands of children. They also built a freshwater and sewage system in the area. 

Similarly, Nassau's Royal Beach Club is being constructed as a public-private partnership between Royal Caribbean and The Bahamas, allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49% equity in the project. 

This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs for local Bahamians, both during the construction phase and once in operation. Over a decade, the venture is expected to have an economic impact of around $1 billion. 

Greece will begin taxing cruise ship tourists

Greece plans on imposing a 20-euro levy on cruise passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season to help with overtourism, Reuters reported. 

Though the country relies heavily on tourism, some of the most popular destinations have faced challenges with overtourism, which strains the local infrastructure. 

"Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions," said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

There are also plans to regulate the number of cruise ships that arrive at the same time in certain ports to help further balance the economic benefits of tourism while preserving the quality of life for residents. 

Read more: Ultimate Greek Isles cruise guide

UPDATE: The beach club referenced in the South Pacific is a new, unannounced beach club project, and not a Perfect Day island property.

Royal Caribbean just shared a timeline for when its new beach clubs will open to passengers.

Royal Caribbean is currently working on two new beach clubs, rapidly expanding its onshore experiences.

Over the Ultimate World Cruise this past weekend, Royal Caribbean CEO and President Michael Bayley held a question and answer session where he shared the cruise line's plan for when the two new beach clubs in Nassau and Cozumel will open.

The cruise line's next big investments are poised to rival every other cruise line.

The cruise line is also still planning to open a private destination experience in the South Pacific, mimicking the success of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

By 2026, Royal Caribbean will have two exclusive beach clubs on land, with a private destination experience on the way.

According to Michael Bayley, the cruise line is currently working on all three.

Royal Caribbean's CEO announced a timeline for the three projects

"We're aiming to have the Royal Beach Club [in the] Bahamas open towards the end of next year," Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, announced during the Q&A session.

Royal Caribbean's timeline is as follows:

• Royal Beach Club Paradise Island: between October-December 2025
• Royal Beach Club Cozumel: 2026
• Beach Club in South Pacific: 2026 or 2027

Construction has already begun on the Paradise Royal Beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas, Michael Bayley said.

"These projects are underway, and the one in the Bahamas is well underway."

Construction began on the beach club this summer, with photos revealing the ground cleared and building materials being moved in.

The cruise line's goal is to open its first new beach club in the fourth quarter of 2025, between October and December.

As for the Royal Beach Club on the western coast of Cozumel, Mexico—"we're looking at 2026."

Royal Caribbean has hinted that both beach clubs are going to stand out as more than "just another beach" to visit.

Bayley was more vague when it came to the cruise line's third project, a beach club in the South Pacific. 

"Either '26 or '27, we're not sure yet," he said.

Not to be confused with a previously announced private island project, it appears Royal Caribbean has plans for a third beach club somewhere in the South Pacific.

Up until now, nothing has been announced related to it, so this could be a new endeavor that will be formally announced soon.

"We're hoping that all [will] go to plan," Michael Bayley admitted.

"What we've learned in these projects is that, just like anything, they don't go to plan."

However, he wants cruisers to know that the cruise line does have a plan.

Construction has already begun on Royal Beach Club Paradise Island 

Set to open in the fourth quarter of 2025, Royal Caribbean's first beach club aims to solve passenger problems in Nassau, Bahamas.

In 2023, the Nassau Cruise Port saw 4.4 million visitors from cruise ships.

However, Royal Caribbean customers consistently rank as one of the bottom 10% cruise ports.

According to Michael Bayley, the port lacks original, exciting adventures that are unique to the area.

Many passengers describe the shore excursions as uninspiring and rate the port poorly.

When the Royal Beach Club opens on Paradise Island, it will seek to solve customer's dissatisfaction with Nassau.

The Royal Beach Club will open on a 17-acre strip of land across from the cruise ship dock.

Royal Caribbean intends for the club to incorporate Bahamian food and culture while generating hundreds of jobs in the area.

Cruisers can expect to "be welcomed by local architecture that complements the exceptional views of The Bahamas’ turquoise-blue waters and white sand beaches, along with experiences that feature Bahamian fare, island-style barbecues, live music, and local artisans."

The extra-cost, exclusive club will offer access to three pools with swim-up bars, live music, two beaches, and four restaurants.

Additionally, the club will have three distinct zones: a family zone, a party zone, and a chill zone.

Royal Beach Club Cozumel is on track to open in 2026

Royal Caribbean first announced intentions to build a second beach club in March of 2024 and has revealed few details since.

Cruisers are still in the dark as to the name, exact location, and pricing.

However, we do know that sailings to Cozumel are intended to fulfill a need for Royal Caribbean cruises from Galveston, Texas.

Cruises from the growing Texan port need more variety in the Western Caribbean.

A Royal Beach Club in Cozumel will give Royal Caribbean cruisers some new and exciting to do.

The extra-cost, exclusive club will combine great views, beaches, pools, and food.

Full details haven't yet been shared, but the Cozumel Club will have swim-up bars, cabanas, snorkeling, kayaking, restaurants, and street markets.

A new beach club in the South Pacific?

Mr. Bayley slipped in mention of a beach club in the Pacific that has yet to be announced.

While Royal Caribbean has formally announced plans for beach clubs in Mexico and The Bahamas, it has yet to announce a beach club that is likely geared towards the growing cruises from Australia.

Royal Caribbean Blog confirmed the plans are not for the Perfect Day project that was announced in 2019 for the island of Lelepa.  This is in fact a completely different project.

Decorating cruise cabin doors has become a fun and popular tradition among passengers on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Maybe you’re celebrating a special occasion like a milestone birthday, graduation, or anniversary, or perhaps you’re just looking to add a personal touch to your stateroom. Whatever the reason, decorating your cruise cabin door is a great way to make your stateroom easy to spot in the hallway.

However, before you purchase decorations, it’s important to be aware of Royal Caribbean’s rules and policies. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about decorating your stateroom door on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as provide some inspiration to help you get started. 

Please note that we have linked Amazon items in this article containing affiliate links. The affiliate links cost you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Royal Caribbean allows guests to decorate their cabin door

Though Royal Caribbean passengers are permitted to spruce up their stateroom doors, you will want to be considerate of your fellow guests, avoiding anything that could be deemed offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive.

Royal Caribbean’s code of conduct states, “Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes: … placing materials (including signs, banners, decorations, etc.) anywhere on the exterior of the ship, [and] placing materials anywhere on the interior of the ship (including stateroom doors, along corridors, etc.) without the express permission of [the ship's] management or which may be deemed by ship management as inappropriate, or any other illegal or offensive conduct.”

In other words, crew members won't remove lighthearted and tasteful decor, so long as it's confined to your cabin door and not blocking any passageways. 

It's also wise to ensure your decor won't damage the cruise line's property. 

When choosing your cabin door decorations, avoid any that require tape, nails, or adhesives that could harm the finish. Instead, go for magnetic decor, as magnets can be easily placed and removed without leaving any damage.

And as wholesome as the activity is, you shouldn't be personally attached to any decor in case it's stolen. Young children, for instance, may see a cute magnet and think it's okay to grab it from your door. 

If you bought the magnet in port, you'll likely be disappointed when you discover it's missing; it's not easy to replace a unique souvenir bought in Ketchikan, Alaska, or Barcelona, Spain. 

Note that your cabin category doesn't matter. Passengers staying in the smallest interior rooms or lavish suites can personalize their stateroom's door. However, the same rules apply: the decor shouldn't be offensive, blocking passageways, or stuck to the door with potentially harmful adhesives. 

Read more: How to find the cheapest cabins on Royal Caribbean

The benefits of decorating your cruise cabin door

In a thread posted on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum, cruise passengers explain why they love cabin decor. 

"Invariably I will have a morning during a cruise when I will wake up way too early. On that morning I head to Cafe Promenade to grab...a cup of coffee and begin to do my daily walk but rather than use the walking track I walk the halls of each deck. The only reason I do this is to view the various door decorations," said Mike n Ky. 

whitsmom shared, "I like to use it [to] help find our door easier (in the beginning)." 

ScottD talked about the camaraderie that came with his choice of decor. 

"We had a [whiteboard] on our door, supporting our favorite football team who was playing in a big playoff game that day. We had a blast every time we came back to the room and saw different notes added to the board, sometimes in support and sometimes against our team. We loved it," he said. 

What types of decorations are acceptable?

A go-to choice is decor celebrating something specific, whether someone's birthday, graduation, anniversary, or retirement. Cruises, however, are a great vacation option, even if there's nothing monumental to celebrate. 

Are you sailing somewhere new? You can focus your decor on the destination. Perhaps you're a brand-new cruiser and want to honor your first-ever voyage! That's a fun theme for your door, too. Guests may also tailor their decor around holidays like Easter, the 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. 

Families might consider ordering customized magnets with everyone's name, including "Mom," "Dad," etc. These are ideal for families who love cruising and can see themselves on annual (or bi-annual) voyages, as they can be reused. 

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Some of the most universal door decor are those relating to drink packages. With Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package, you can enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks each day of your sailing for a fixed price. And yes, the drink package works ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay!  

Some making the splurge on a package—which often costs over $65 per person, per day—may want to extend a "warning" to those in neighboring cabins. 

Of course, you want to be mindful of your consumption and not disrupt others! While it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy handcrafted cocktails onboard, your enjoyment shouldn't bother guests, especially when they are trying to rest. 

Read more: I spent $600 on Royal Caribbean’s beverage package

Where can I buy cabin door decorations?

Those looking to score last-minute decor should head to Amazon. "Cruise cabin decor" yields over 2,000 results, so there's no shortage of magnets available to purchase for your upcoming cruise. They're affordable, too. 

A 28-piece nautical pack can be bought for around $10. Celebrating a birthday? Look no further than this 27-piece "birthday cruise" pack for $8.99, which includes everything you need to let other passengers know about the occasion. 

A colorful drink package warning costs $8.99. In addition to a bright yellow warning label, the 13-piece pack also includes beverages to add a fun and eye-catching touch to your stateroom door. 

Whiteboards are popular, too. You can use them to leave messages for your friends and family, perhaps letting them know that you left for dinner or went to grab seats on the pool deck. 

They can also be used to engage with other passengers. It's not uncommon to see whiteboards with a "question of the day," asking guests their favorite food, where they're from, how many cruises they've been on, etc. 

Some cruisers opt to make their own decor to add a personalized element, instead of buying pre-made magnets. While this isn't prohibited by Royal Caribbean, you'll want to ensure you attach magnets to the photographs, signs, etc., rather than relying on tape and glue. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins for 5 or more people

Another option for more customized cruise cabin decor is to browse Etsy, an online marketplace where you can find lots of handmade items, ranging from t-shirts to cabin door decorations. Under the "cruise cabin decor" search, you can filter by cruise line, material, color, theme, and more. 

Plus, you can indicate if you want decor that's customizable. Note, though, that many items purchased off Etsy won't ship as fast as those from Amazon, so give yourself plenty of time to place your order before your cruise's departure date. 

Finally, you can purchase cruise cabin decor directly through Royal Caribbean. 

For guests celebrating a birthday, it's easy to surprise the special cruiser with the "Happy Birthday Decorations" package available on the Cruise Planner for $69.99. In addition to a door magnet, you'll receive hanging ceiling decor inside your stateroom, a wire photo cable with clips, and more. 

There's also an anniversary package and "Bon Voyage Decorations" package with festive accessories for those who aren't celebrating anything specific onboard. Both include a magnetic door decoration.

Thank you for joining us for this a look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week. We had plenty to share, so let us jump right in!

Ready to book a 2026 cruise? You'll have to wait a few more months.

You can't book any cruises beyond April 2026 quite yet, but it's likely the cruise line will open more cruises to book in 2026 and 2027 very soon.

Based on historical data, Royal Caribbean typically puts out new cruises twice per year, beginning with new sailings appearing online in November.

Royal Caribbean News:

• Royal Caribbean's 9-month world cruise is about to end and passenger calls it "Bizarre" and "Sad"
• Mexico is adding a new tourist tax
• Royal Caribbean shows by ship
• 9 Best Royal Caribbean Bahamas Excursions
• Guide to Izumi Sushi and Hibachi restaurant (menus)
• 9 outfits you'll want to wear on a cruise to Mexico
• 8 foods you must eat on a Royal Caribbean cruise

New RCB Video: DON'T BOOK A CRUISE Without Knowing These 5 Things

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 — DON'T BOOK A CRUISE Without Knowing These 5 Things — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean tightens rules on kids sail free offer

Royal Caribbean has added a new restriction to its continuing kids sail free offer.

Per its requirements, children under the age of 12 can now sail for free when they stay with two paying adults in the same cabin on a sailing 3 nights or longer that doesn't fall during a blackout date.

New criteria now states that the cruise must be purchased at least 30 days before the sailing date.

Hiding ducks on a cruise ship is a "crazy" and popular trend - whether you like it or not

Why do people hide rubber ducks on their cruise?

The latest sailing trend is a global craze that began with a small start: a 10-year-old named Abby.

Today, the viral movement inspires cruisers to both hide and find ducks all around cruise ships, participating in the thrill of the chase.

5 mistakes I made during my European cruise kept me from making the most of my trip

Matt recently sailed in Europe on a 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise, and shared his regrets of what he did wrong. 

While he had a good time, he also made a few mistakes—from taking public transportation to not grabbing cash sooner.

Cruise scams to watch out for

There's been a recent influx of cruise scammers—here's what you need to know.

A travel agent that frequently books Royal Caribbean cruises has noticed an uptick in the number of problems with scammers.

From imposter accounts on social media to fake phone numbers, scammers have a lot of strategies that can ruin your vacation plans.

The next Royal Caribbean world cruise is in the planning stage. 
 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, has confirmed the cruise line has plans to announce its next world cruise.

In a new TikTok video posted by @brooklyntravelstheworld, Bayley can be seen making the announcement to cruisers onboard the current Ultimate World Cruise. In the video, Bayley shares Royal Caribbean's plans for not only another world cruise, but also a reunion cruise onboard Serenade of the Seas next summer in Alaska.

“The answer is yes, we are going to do another Ultimate World Cruise,” says Bayley in the announcement. In regards to when the next world cruise will happen, Bayley said Royal Caribbean is still working on the details.

“We’re not entirely sure yet. We are still working our way through it,” explains Bayley. However, the Royal Caribbean International President and CEO continues with an additional exciting announcement, elaborating on plans for an Ultimate World Cruise Reunion voyage next summer.

“We’re announcing today that we are going to hold [an] Ultimate World Cruise reunion cruise. And when we have the reunion cruise, we are going to announce the next world cruise,” shares Bayley. Further, the Royal Caribbean CEO explains how guests on the reunion cruise next summer will have exclusive access to make a deposit on a future reservation for the next world cruise. 

“And when we announce the next world cruise on the reunion cruise, we will only open it for sale for those people who are on the reunion cruise,” states Bayley.

Expanding on this announcement, Bayley shares how guests on the reunion cruise will have the first 24 hours to secure their spot on the next world cruise once it goes on sale. In this way, potential world cruisers can ensure they pick the best cabins for the voyage. “Whatever you want to do to make sure it works for you,” says Bayley.

Royal Caribbean's exciting news is received with applause and cheers from the audience onboard Serenade of the Seas. The video also shows Bayley sharing more details about the timeline of the reunion cruise. 

“In one year, pretty much from today, [the reunion] will be in Alaska - because I think you missed Alaska,” explains Bayley.

He also confirms the reunion cruise will also take place on Serenade of the Seas. "So, you’ll be in Alaska and you’ll be on Serenade [of the Seas]. It will be everybody you [formed] relationships with,” shares Bayley. 

Continuing, he says, “It’s a little bit of a part two of the Ultimate World Cruise, because we know circumstances were the way they were.”

Notably, the Ultimate World Cruise was forced to be rerouted multiple times throughout its 9-month voyage, including an alternative route around Africa to avoid the Red Sea conflict. Originally, Serenade of the Seas was scheduled to visit the Middle East before transiting through the Suez Canal. Other ports of call were missed due to weather issues, political conflict and local protests. 

At the conclusion of the TikTok, Bayley shows a trailer officially announcing the Ultimate World Cruise reunion cruise. The video shows clips of famous sights around the world, including the Great Wall of China and Trevi Fountain in Rome. The video states, “But, there's one chapter left. Relive the memories. Reconnect with friends. And go wild on one more shore.”

The announcement video concludes with the unveil of the reunion cruise, which is scheduled for September 7, 2025 onboard Serenade of the Seas.

Bayley already confirmed earlier this year that Royal Caribbean was planning another world cruise, despite the execution being “extremely complicated” and “massively expensive”.

During the President’s Cruise in July 2024, the CEO stated, “First of all, I think the World Cruise has been a fantastic, unbelievable product for Royal Caribbean to launch and operate. I think it has been a great success."

Currently, Serenade of the Seas is sailing on her last world cruise segment from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Miami, Florida. The ship arrived back to the United States on September 3rd to Bayonne, New Jersey for an overnight stay in New York City, marking her stateside return after 9 months of traveling the world.

During this final segment, guests have visited ports in Iceland, Greenland and Canada before heading south to Bermuda and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Serenade of the Seas concludes its first-ever Ultimate World Cruise on Tuesday, September 10 in Miami, Florida.

The Ultimate World Cruise was originally divided into four different segments, including Ultimate Americas, Ultimate Asia Pacific, Immersive Africa and Ultimate Europe and Beyond. Royal Caribbean also offered 17 smaller cruise segments on the Ultimate World Cruise, ranging from 9 to 29 nights across the world.

Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise has created a huge social media following, with many world cruisers going viral on Instagram and TikTok. Currently, many of the social media creators are sharing their final days onboard Serenade of the Seas. 

Serenade of the Seas set sail on December 10, 2023 for its 9-month voyage around the globe. Departing nearly 274 days ago, world cruisers have visited all seven continents and over 55 countries. These included visits to iconic world sights like the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Taj Mahal in India.