Royal Caribbean Blog

Crew members live and work onboard cruise ships, and while many of their cabins are quite small, there are a few bigger ones.

A video shared on TikTok shows what the largest crew cabins are like on Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, including Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Quantum of the Seas. He also shares glimpses of his life as a crew member onboard Royal Caribbean vessels on various social media channels, from TikTok (819k followers) to Instagram (273k followers). 

Though he's currently on Utopia of the Seas, a video shared on his social media in May shows his cabin while working onboard Quantum during the ship's seasonal stint in Alaska. 

Unlike his living quarters while on Utopia, he shares five reasons he loves this massive cabin, from the private, full-sized bathroom to the porthole window. 

#5: Storage space

Cruise ship cabins aren't known for being the most spacious. Crew staterooms are even smaller than standard passenger cabins, meaning they have even less storage space despite living on the ship for months at a time. 

James has been working on Royal Caribbean ships for years and is used to small closets. While he admits it isn't an issue, he appreciated having more space on Quantum. 

"...[small closets are] fine because I don't have a lot of clothes, but just to know I've got the extra space...or [if] I have people come [to] visit me on the ship like my mom just did, it's great to have a place for them to put their clothes, too," he says. 

Read more: Ultimate Cruise Packing List

#4: Full-size bathroom

Sometimes, crew members have to share bathrooms during their contracts. While on Quantum, however, James had his own bathroom. Not only that but it was larger than others he's had in the past!

"You don't have to be in the shower and on the toilet at the same time," he remarks, "They are two separate entities." 

Above the sink, which is also in the bathroom unlike on Utopia of the Seas, there's a huge medicine cabinet with space for toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other toiletries. 

Noticeably missing from the bathroom is the standard glass shower door in passenger staterooms. Instead, crew members are given a shower curtain.

#3: Full-size desk

James compares his desk onboard Quantum to one on a previous contract. "...clearly a massive upgrade," he says. 

In his cabin, the desk takes up nearly one wall, giving him plenty of space to edit videos for his social media channels and unwind by playing video games. 

The desk in his old cruise ship cabin pulled out from the closet, and there wasn't enough floor space to keep the stool out full-time. Instead, he stored it when it wasn't in use to free up floor space. 

#2: Full-size bed

Could you imagine sleeping on a twin-sized bed for months at a time? Typically, that's how cruise ship crew members experience life at sea. In this case, James was surprised that he had a full-sized bed. 

Even better, it wasn't two twin-sized beds pushed together, which is the case in passenger cabins. Guests can elect to have them separated or keep them pushed together, depending on their preferences. 

"Normally, they take two mattresses [and] they squish them together...this is an actual real mattress," he explains. 

His cabin also had a pullman bed, ideal when guests stayed with him while onboard. 

#1: Porthole

Some cruisers refuse to pay extra for balcony cabins, whereas others can't imagine stepping foot on a ship without having access to a private verandah. Crew members don't get to decide whether they have an inside or ocean-view room. Most, however, stay in tiny cabins without any natural light for the duration of their contact. 

On Quantum, James was most pleased with his porthole, allowing him to catch glimpses of Alaska's natural beauty inside his stateroom. 

"Not only do I get sunshine during the day," he says, "but I can stick my phone up to the window and get cell service so I don't have to use the internet....This is the dream, guys." 

Read more: I always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship

Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in May 2025

Following her season in Australia and the South Pacific, Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in May, offering 7-night roundtrip cruises from Seattle, along with one 5-night sailing to Sitka and Victoria, British Columbia. 

The 168,666 gross registered ton vessel is the namesake ship of the Quantum Class, the first to feature innovations like a skydiving simulator, indoor SeaPlex used for roller skating and bumper cars, and the North Star Observation Capsule. 

During Quantum's Alaskan itineraries, guests can lounge on the top decks to take in the stunning views of glaciers and fjords and take advantage of numerous outdoor activities in port, including hiking, kayaking, and whale watching. 

Read more: I went on a 7-night cruise to Alaska

Thinking about booking a cruise, but aren't ready to commit yet? It's now easier to buy yourself more time to think it over.

Royal Caribbean has updated its policy regarding courtesy holds to give guests more time before it expires.

A courtesy hold allows a guest to hold a booking with no deposit.

This hold allows the guest to hold not only the cabin, but also the promotional pricing.

Travel agents were sent an update that indicates as of October 28, 2024, the maximum allowed courtesy hold period has been increased to 5 days. Any booking created before October 28th will be honored under the existing option date policy.

The exact length of time you have under a courtesy hold depends on how far in advance you are booking:

• 0 hold days for sailings departing within 0 to 30 days
• 1 hold day for sailings departing within 31 to 45 days
• 2 hold days for sailings departing within 46 to 90 days
• 5 hold days for sailings departing within 91 days or more

The new five day policy is available if you book on your own or with a travel agent. Here's an example of the five day hold available for a cruise in December 2025:

The cruise line says the change was made to make things simpler, "This change is designed to simplify the booking process across all channels, ensuring that both you, as the advisor, and your guests have access to the most accurate inventory across our fleet."

They also said they hope more time will provide, "a more streamlined booking experience, making your bookings easier to manage, and encouraging your clients to finalize their reservations earlier."

In order to avoid a cancellation, payments need to be made prior to 11:00 PM EDT. If no payment is made window expires, the reservation is automatically cancelled.

Why place a hold instead of making a deposit

There are a few good reasons to place a hold on a cabin before booking a cruise.

Placing a hold locks in the price, which means you have more time to decide to book the cruise.

You not only get to hold the price, but also any promotions that come with the price, such as kids sail free, onboard credit, et al.

All too often, cabins get booked up before someone can decide on if they want to cruise.  This ensures more time to get vacation time approved from work, pet setting, and other considerations you may need to secure before being ready to book.

Another advantage of a hold is you can investigate which add-ons are available to book, such as drink packages, shore excursions, and more.

Unlike a booking, there's no money at play. This means it's easy to lock in a price of a cabin for a short period of time to decide later.

Courtesy hold vs deposit

You might be wondering what the differences and advantages are to placing a hold or a deposit on a sailing.

A courtesy hold requires no money down, but only lasts up to 48 hours before it expires.  

A deposit requires at least a few hundred dollars down, but ensures that cabin is yours until you cancel or if you fail to make final payment date.

Both a courtesy hold and a deposit secure the price and promotions at the time of booking.

If you cancel a hold, there's no penalty or money to be refunded. A cancelled deposit means potentially money to be refunded and/or money lost due to a penalty from a non-refundable deposit type.

You should think of courtesy holds as a way to give yourself more time to think about booking without losing a specific cabin and/or price.  

Deposits ensure the room is yours until final payment date, albeit with certain rules depending on which deposit type you choose (refundable or non-refundable).

If your sailing is already past final payment date, then full payment will be required at the time of booking.  A courtesy hold would still allow you to reserve a room temporarily without money down.

How does Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-Class ship compare to other iterations?

The Oasis Class continues to break records in the cruise industry, providing innovative, action-packed cruise vacations around the world.

Its two newest members, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, share more similarities than any other two ships in the fleet. 

However, Royal Caribbean is constantly seeking to improve, so each vessel has a few different innovations as well. Here's a look at what makes these two ships different.

Read more: Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas

Ship overview

When she first debuted in March of 2022, Wonder of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. She weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry 6,988 passengers at double occupancy. 

Utopia of the Seas, however, beat out Wonder when she launched in July of 2024, and she is now the second-largest cruise ship in the world (after Icon of the Seas).

Utopia measures 236,860 gross registered tons, with a capacity of 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean's newest ship also broke records as the first Oasis-Class ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), making her more sustainable even at such a massive size.

Utopia's innovations don't stop there—she was also the first Royal Caribbean mega-ship to debut offering short cruises right out of the gate.

Utopia currently sails 3 and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Wonder of the Seas also homeports in Port Canaveral, Florida. 

She offers 7-night roundtrip sailings, visiting the Western or Eastern Caribbean. Port stops include St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In 2025, Wonder will shift to Miami, Florida, to also begin offering short weekend cruises to the Bahamas.

Here's a look at the two ship's statistics, compared:

*at double occupancy

Neighborhoods

The Royal Caribbean Oasis Class was one of the first types of mega cruise ships to introduce the idea of floating cities.

One innovative way the cruise line makes guests feel like the ship is an entire city to be explored is by dividing the vessel into neighborhoods.

This unique design provides guests with a variety of atmospheres and themes within specific spaces.

Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature eight distinct neighborhoods:

• The Boardwalk, a nostalgic, family-fun area featuring a carousel, Playmakers, and the AquaTheater.
• Pool & Sports Zone, which features a Caribbean-style pool deck and thrilling water slides.
• Central Park, a lush, open-air garden with thousands of live plants.
• The Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare, complete with shops and entertainment venues.
• Entertainment Place, the center of entertainment, featuring the comedy club, casino, Royal Theatre, and Studio B.
• Youth Zone, home to Adventure Ocean programming, an arcade, and a teen club.
• Vitality Spa & Fitness, Royal Caribbean's spa and fitness center.
• Suite Neighborhood, which was introduced for the first time on Wonder of the Seas.

Read more: Boardwalk vs. Surfside: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's family neighborhood

Dining

Both vessels offer guests a wide array of dining options that cater to all tastes, from elegant steak dinners to sports bars to specialty sushi.

Both ships offer room service (free continental breakfast, with other menu items at an extra cost).

However, Wonder and Utopia do have a few notable differences in the restaurants offered.

Utopia of the Seas has some upgrades to venue locations, as well as venues not available anywhere else in the fleet.

While both ships have Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, the venue on Utopia of the Seas has a brand-new outdoor Gio terrace overlooking the Boardwalk.

Utopia also features Izumi in the Park, which first debuted on Icon of the Seas. 

Not only are Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Izumi in the Park available inside Utopia's Central Park, but the venue also features an exclusive dining experience only offered on Utopia: Izumi omakase.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new chef-driven Japanese restaurant, and it was a food journey that surprised me

Utopia of the Seas also introduced the Spare Tire, a complimentary poolside food truck, and the Royal Railway: Utopia Station.

The Royal Railway is a dining experience only found on Utopia of the Seas, combining high-tech with an immersive setting for a dinner experience unlike any other.

Here's a look at what venues are on each ship: 

*suite guests only

Staterooms

Overall, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas have similar cabins, with a wide variety of upgraded, elegant staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Utopia offers just a little fewer, at 2,830 staterooms.

Both Wonder and Utopia feature neighborhood-view balcony cabins, which overlook either Central Park, the Royal Promenade, or the Boardwalk. 

Both ships also have virtual balcony cabins, which include a floor-to-ceiling screen that projects a live view from outside the ship.

Utopia of the Seas, however, introduced three new cabin categories.

The interior cabins onboard are square rather than rectangular, allowing for more unbroken floor space.

Utopia also debuted with new Sky Junior Suites, which are similar to standard Junior Suites but include upgraded Sky Tier benefits.

The Solarium Suites are exclusive to Utopia of the Seas: two staterooms located above the bridge wings, offering guests sweeping panoramic views next to the Solarium pool area.

Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class is great for guests who want more options than they can experience in one day. Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature marvelous, varied entertainment. 

Activities such as mini golf, water slides, dry slides, casino gambling, surfing, laser tag, and rock climbing abound on both vessels.

Both ships have Royal Caribbean comedians, live performances, ice skating shows, and AquaTheater shows. Neither ship, however, has a Broadway musical onboard.

Many bars and lounges feature live music each night. The two ships, however, do vary in entertainment venues. 

Read more: The best bar scene is only on two of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships

Utopia of the Seas, launching with weekend cruises, offers a more action-packed focus in fewer days. 

Marketed as "The World's Biggest Weekend," Utopia features nonstop parties with a unique twist, such as a frat party, a silent toga party, and the SENSES sunset party. 

Because of this, the ship might appeal more to adults and teens.

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

The first half of Royal Caribbean's deployment plan for a summer European cruise in 2026 is now available to book.

A week after the cruise line revealed its Alaska 2026 cruises, a new batch of sailings for Europe are out as well.

Royal Caribbean is splitting its European deployment into two segments, so expect more ships to be posted in January 2025. 

UPDATE: The cruises are now available to book.

A variety of different itineraries will be offered throughout the region. You can cruise to Northern Europe, Norway, the Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and more!

So far five cruise ships will sail around Europe between April and October 2026, including Harmony of the Seas and Odyssey of the Seas.

Here's a breakdown of which ships will be deployed to Europe and where they will be sailing from:

Harmony of the Seas will arrive in Europe in May, offering cruises from Barcelona, Spain around the Western Mediterranean on 7-night voyages.

Harmony will visit destinations in France, Spain & Italy.

Liberty of the Seas will call Southampton, England home in 2026 and offer cruises of varying lengths that visit Spain, Portugal, Northern Europe, Norway and more.

There are even a couple of 2-night cruises for quick getaways. Most of Liberty's sailings will focus on Northern and Western Europe.

Of particular interest is a 9-Night Solar Eclipse sailing that will put visitors right in the path of a solar eclipse. The total solar eclipse will take place on August 12, 2026.

Odyssey of the Seas is back in Europe again for summer 2026, based out of Civitavecchia, Italy.

The ship will visit destinations in Greece, Italy, and Turkey.

Royal Caribbean will bounce Brilliance of the Seas around Europe, homeporting her in Civitavecchia, Italy, Ravenna, Italy, Barcelona, Spain, and Athens, Greece.

There are a wide variety of itineraries to consider on Brilliance, including visits to the Greek Isles, Adriatic, French Riviera, and more.

Explorer of the Seas will homeport in Ravenna, Italy and sail primarily 7-night Greece & Adriatic cruises.

When will the rest of Europe 2026 cruises be released?

Phase two of the deployment will be coming in a few weeks.

Expect the remaining ships sailing to Europe in 2026 to be revealed the week of January 27, 2025.

Cruise fans may want more exotic itineraries and/or newer ships in Europe, so it's possible Royal Caribbean will mix things up with its remaining deployment plans.

Next deployment delayed

There's been a change in Royal Caribbean's deployment schedule for its next release.

Instead of a release next week, they will combine Summer & Yearlong Caribbean and Northeast cruises and post all of them during the week of November 18, 2024.

Don't read too much into this change. The deployment schedule usually gets altered a couple of times each year.

• Week of November 18, 2024: Summer & Yearlong Caribbean; Northeast April 2026 – April 2027
• Week of January 27, 2025: Europe Cont.
• Week of February 17, 2025: Short Caribbean & West Coast
• Week of March 31, 2025: Australia
• TBD: China & Singapore

What are the best months to take a European cruise?

In general, the best months to cruise the Mediterranean and Greek Isles are May, June, September, and October. While outside of the peak summer season, these months see more favorable weather. Plus, you'll find fewer land-based tourists at popular attractions. 

You are more likely to spend time visiting cities, rather than lounging on the beach like you would if you were taking a cruise to The Bahamas or Caribbean. Walking around ports Rome, Athens, and Barcelona can be uncomfortable in July and August. 

Because of the cooler climate, the summer months see lower temperatures in Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland. You'll also have the most daylight. 

Related: When is the best time to go on a cruise?

More about European cruises:

• 7 tips for a great Royal Caribbean Baltic cruise
• 7 tips for a great Mediterranean cruise
• 7 mistakes & 3 things I did right on my Royal Caribbean Norwegian fjords cruise
• I’ve been on 3 European cruises, and I see people making the same 12 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them
• UK vs. US cruising: What are the main differences?

2025 is set to be an exciting year for Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruises. Four ships will sail in the region from May to September, visiting historic ports and magnificent glaciers throughout the Last Frontier.

If you’re considering an Alaska cruise in 2025, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of each ship sailing to the region. Not all Royal Caribbean cruise ships are created equal, after all. Understanding the key differences between the vessels will help you pick the best ship for your cruise vacation.

Let’s jump in and compare the four Royal Caribbean cruise ships sailing to Alaska in 2025.

Quantum of the Seas

Homeport: Seattle, Washington (Monday departures)
Ports: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Skagway

Quantum of the Seas will return to Alaska in 2025 for her fourth consecutive cruise season in the region, offering 7-night roundtrip itineraries from Seattle. Each week, itineraries visit three Alaska cruise ports along with a stop in Victoria, British Columbia. One shorter, 5-night itinerary is offered in May.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Most itineraries include a scenic sailing to Dawes Glacier. To get there, passengers will transit through the stunning Endicott Arm fjord.

As a Quantum Class ship, Quantum of the Seas boasts Royal Caribbean’s most popular amenities and attractions, making the vessel an excellent choice for families.

Adults will love features like the thermal suite—perfect for staying warm in chilly Alaska—along with technology-focused production shows in the Two70 venue.

Kids, on the other hand, can enjoy thrilling attractions like the indoor skydiving simulator, rock climbing wall, and bumper cars.

Quantum of the Seas is well-appointed with pool options for a cold-weather cruise, too. Aside from an outdoor pool is an indoor pool for guests of all ages, as well as an indoor pool in the adults-only Solarium.

Anthem of the Seas

Homeport: Seattle, Washington (Friday departures)
Ports: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Victoria, Sitka, Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier, Skagway

Anthem of the Seas will make her Alaska debut in 2025, marking the first Alaska cruise season for the vessel. Like Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas will also sail from Seattle on 7-night roundtrip itineraries.

Related: Anthem of the Seas Guide & Review

Itineraries are nearly identical to those offered on Quantum of the Seas. Guests hoping to visit Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier should double check their itinerary choice, however, as not all sailings include a glacier viewing day.

Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas are both Quantum Class vessels, and passengers will notice little variation between the two ships. It’s worth noting that Anthem of the Seas features a Broadway show—We Will Rock You—and offers Johnny Rockets on the pool deck instead of Quantum’s Asian-inspired Noodle Shop.

Serenade of the Seas

Homeport: Vancouver, British Columbia (Sunday departures)
Ports: Inside Passage (Canada), Sitka, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan, Prince Rupert, Icy Strait Point, Haines, Skagway

The third ship sailing to Alaska in 2025 is Serenade of the Seas, departing every Sunday on roundtrip cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia.

Embarking an Alaska cruise in Vancouver gives guests the opportunity to sail through Canada’s Inside Passage. As the ship departs the city, guests can enjoy mountain landscapes surrounding both sides of the ship. This provides a sneak peek into the remarkable scenery yet to come.

Related: All about Radiance Class cruise ships

7-night itineraries on Serenade of the Seas visit four ports along with a visit to Tracy Arm Fjord, home to the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Most port visits are to common destinations like Juneau and Ketchikan, but some itineraries include visits to less-frequented ports, such as Haines, Alaska and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Serenade of the Seas is a Radiance Class cruise ship, which makes her significantly smaller in size and capacity compared to Quantum and Anthem of the Seas.

The core Royal Caribbean features, including the Windjammer buffet, Schooner Bar, and Chops Grille, are still onboard, but there are fewer amenities compared to the fleet’s newer ships.

Related: I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each

Because of this, families may not find as many options for kids onboard. That being said, there are still amenities like a rock climbing wall, mini golf court, and a kid-friendly splash area. The only indoor pool on Serenade of the Seas is found in the adults-only Solarium, but this area is open for family swimming during select hours.

Radiance of the Seas

Homeports: Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska (Friday departures)
Ports: Inside Passage (Canada), Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Hubbard Glacier, Sitka

Those hoping to visit Alaska’s interior before or after their cruise should choose a sailing on Radiance of the Seas. The ship will offer one-way itineraries in 2025, departing from Vancouver and ending in Seward, Alaska (and vice versa).

Of all Royal Caribbean’s Alaska itineraries, those on Radiance of the Seas are the most unique.

Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

Unlike itineraries from Seattle, Radiance of the Seas’ itineraries include four, not three, port stops in Alaska. It’s possible, for example, to visit Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point or Ketchikan on a 7-night cruise. Plus, most itineraries include a scenic glacier viewing day of Hubbard Glacier, and visiting this spectacular destination is only possible on Radiance of the Seas.

Another benefit of one-way cruises is the chance to explore Alaska’s interior. Because cruises start or end in Seward, passengers are just a stone’s throw away from destinations like Denali National Park and Preserve and Talkeetna. Royal Caribbean offers Cruisetours to these destinations, which can be added to the start or end of most one-way itineraries.

Like Serenade of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas lacks Royal Caribbean’s newest amenities and onboard thrills. The layout and experience is similar to that of Serenade, but Radiance has an additional specialty dining venue, with Brazilian cuisine available at Samba Grill.

Deciding between a Quantum Class and Radiance Class ship for Alaska

One of the most important choices a prospective cruiser can make when planning an Alaska cruise is deciding between a Quantum Class and Radiance Class ship. Despite both classes being part of Royal Caribbean’s fleet, they are quite different from one another.

If you value options and convenience, pick a Quantum Class ship

It’s hard to go wrong with a Quantum Class cruise ship. These mega-ships are filled to the brim with restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, pools, and onboard thrills. Whether it’s a game of laser tag in the SeaPlex or a surfing lesson on the FlowRider, these ships provide endless ways to have fun for guests of all ages.

Related: 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship

Beyond thrills, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas offer state-of-the-art amenities. The vessels are more modern than Radiance Class ships, having been launched over ten years after the latter.

Interior cabins, for instance, feature a virtual balcony, which displays a floor-to-ceiling live video feed of the view outside the ship. Passengers won’t want to miss the North Star, either, which is an observation pod that takes guests 300 feet above sea level. There’s no better way to witness Alaska’s beauty onboard!

Because Quantum Class ships depart from Seattle instead of Vancouver, travel times are typically more convenient for American travelers, as there are numerous direct flights to Seattle available from around the United States.

If you value in-depth itineraries and a low-key vibe, sail on a Radiance Class ship

Radiance Class ships may lack the bells and whistles of the Quantum Class ships sailing to Alaska, but that doesn’t mean they should be overlooked. Some passengers prefer the laid-back atmosphere found on these ships, along with the Alaska-intensive itineraries offered.

Calling Serenade and Radiance of the Seas small is relative—at maximum capacity, both ships can accommodate around 2,500 passengers. Unlike Quantum Class ships, you won’t find skydiving simulators and robotic bartenders onboard, but you can rest assured that there are more than enough activities, bars, and restaurants to stay satisfied.

Related: Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?

The main reason to book a Radiance Class ship to Alaska is for the itinerary. Departing from Vancouver on a Radiance Class ship means passengers can enjoy a more in-depth itinerary once in Alaska. For those interested in one-way cruises, a Radiance Class ship is the only option.

Outside of the itinerary, these ships are renowned for their abundance of windows. Over three acres of glass are found throughout both Serenade and Radiance of the Seas, meaning you’re never far from a panoramic view of Alaska’s beauty.

Any ship is sure to provide an excellent Alaska cruise experience

At the end of the day, any of the four ships sailing to Alaska in 2025 will make for a memorable vacation.

Most Alaska itineraries are relatively similar to one another regardless of the ship, so you can visit attractions like Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau or the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway in Skagway regardless of the ship you choose.

Nonetheless, it’s important to know the key differences between Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Radiance of the Seas before choosing one over another. Knowing what to expect helps ensure your vacation is off to a fantastic start once you board the ship on embarkation day and set sail to Alaska.

If and when Royal Caribbean orders a new cruise ship to be built, it probably won't be ready until 2028 or later.

New cruise ships are just about the most exciting thing in the cruise industry because of all the excitement and hype they generate. It's akin to your favorite sports team signing the next big thing to play for them.

Naturally, there's a lot of intrigue surrounding new ships and Wall Street is equally interested to hear about new ship order plans as much as cruise fans.

During the Royal Caribbean Group earnings call on Tuesday, cruise line executives were asked if they were effectively done with any new ships showing up before 2028.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty thought about the question and said he believes all the ships that could be ordered in time for 2027 are probably done, and maybe even into 2028.

"I think for the most part, you certainly have seen all of our orders through 27 and maybe even into 2028," he said in response to the question.

He danced around the question a bit, as he wanted to emphasize the company was focused on slowly growing its fleet, and not seeking any kind of rapid building program.

"I will say that we heavily subscribed to moderate yield growth, moderate capacity growth, and good cost control."

"So on that moderate capacity growth standpoint, we continue to to look to moderately grow our fleet, moderately grow each of our brands."

A new smaller cruise ship

While the question covers every brand within the Royal Caribbean Group family, cruisers may be aware of Royal Caribbean International's not-so-well-kept secret of plans to build a new smaller cruise ship.

Referred to as the Discovery Class, it's a proposed plan to replace Royal Caribbean's aging smaller ships: the Radiance and Vision Class.

With the Vision Class ships approaching 30 years old in age, not only is the timing ripe, but the ships have a notable gap in experience between them and the newer ships that have launched in the last few years.

Officially, nothing has been confirmed or revealed regarding the Discovery Class ships. However, there have been subtle hints.

As recently as August 2024, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about them.

He indicated a new ship class was coming in the next three to four years, and was perhaps the most candid about the idea so far.

"We’re working now on another class of ship called Discovery Class. So, that’s going to be super exciting. That’ll come in about another 3 to 4 years from now," he said in an interview.

Doing the math on that quote, three to four years from now is 2027-2028, which is right around the time period Mr. Liberty indicated could be the new timeframe for a future ship order.

What ships Royal Caribbean has on order right now

There are a number of new cruise ships confirmed and ordered to come out in the next few years.

Star of the Seas is under construction in Finland, and will begin sailing in August 2025.

Star is the second Icon Class cruise ship, and will follow-up on the tremendous success of Icon of the Seas. It will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida and offer 7-night Caribbean cruises.

In 2026, a third Icon Class cruise ship will join the fleet.

There's no name yet for this ship, and we know virtually nothing about it yet. Royal Caribbean's tendency is not to talk about new ships beyond the next new cruise ship.

A fourth Icon Class cruise ship will launch sometime in 2027.

After that, we'll get a new Oasis Class ship in 2028.

Royal Caribbean also has options to build a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship. 

Options are like reserved slots at a shipyard, which means a cruise line can activate that option later and still get the ship in the construction pipeline.

Royal Caribbean thinks its building a private destination with beaches, pools, and a water park will lure more Texas cruisers.

Right now, Royal Caribbean's private destinations are in The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. However, with the launch of Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya, those onboard sailings to the Western Caribbean will have an exciting new option. 

"Perfect Day Mexico is strategically located to deliver exceptional vacation experiences in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean and supports our ambition that every guest on the Royal Caribbean brand will have a 'Perfect Day' on their Caribbean itinerary," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, during the company's Q4 earnings call on Oct. 29. 

"It also allows us to further grow the large and growing Gulf Coast area, including the Texas market, which...has a similar cruise consideration [to Florida] but only half the penetration," he added. 

In 2022, Royal Caribbean opened its brand-new terminal in Galveston, Texas. The $125 million terminal allows the cruise line to deploy Oasis Class ships to Texas, giving cruise enthusiasts access to some of the largest ships in the world without having to travel to South Florida. 

Though not part of Royal Caribbean's released deployment schedules, Terminal 3 can also accommodate Icon Class ships, should they choose to send them to Galveston in the future. 

Galveston is about an hour from Houston, 3.5 hours from Austin, and 4.5 hours from Dallas. Plus, it's also within driving distance of many cities in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge (4.5 hours) and Shreveport (5 hours). 

Expanding the short cruise market

That said, sending new ships to Texas is only part of the bigger picture. "...[H]aving assets like the Royal Beach Club in Cozumel [and] Royal Beach Mexico will allow us to drive...more of the Gulf Coast and other markets that can have an easier flight cruise experience and at a lower cost flight cruise experience," Liberty said. 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, added that with Royal Beach Mexico and the Royal Beach Club in Mexico, the cruise line will be able to offer more shorter cruises from Gulf ports such as Tampa, Galveston, and New Orleans. 

"It really is a great opportunity for us, and we know that that short product really catches with the younger families. And of course, we'll be able to offer...an extraordinary short break from these ports to Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club Cozumel," Bayley remarked. 

This approach mirrors Royal Caribbean's shorter itineraries on Oasis Class ships departing from Florida. The line plans to dominate the short cruise market, especially following the launch of Utopia of the Seas, Royal's newest ship that entered service in July 2024 only offering 3- and 4-night cruises from Port Canaveral to The Bahamas. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will move Wonder of the Seas to offer short cruises

What we know about the private destinations so far

Cozumel's Royal Beach Club was announced in March 2024. Like the Royal Beach Club planned for Paradise Island in The Bahamas, this club will be exclusively available to Royal Caribbean passengers, despite being in a port used by all cruise lines—from Carnival to MSC, Disney, Norwegian, etc. 

It'll open in 2026 and will be an optional extra-cost activity for passengers, meaning it won't be included in the cost of the cruise fare. Admission into the beach club will include access to swim-up bars, rentable poolside cabanas, snorkeling, kayaking, restaurants, and street markets. The price is currently unknown. 

On the other hand, as part of Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day Collection, Perfect Day Mexico will be more akin to CocoCay's private island experience, though it isn't a private island. 

Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently

Instead, following a major transformation of the port of Costa Maya, Perfect Day Mexico will be a private destination available to Royal Caribbean passengers. 

According to the cruise line, the total project will encompass 90 hectares, equivalent to roughly 220 acres or double the size of Perfect Day at CocoCay. That said, not all the land is developable. 

As such, Royal Caribbean is paying special attention to preserving environmentally protected areas, such as nearby mangroves. About 100 acres are in development under the current plan, while the rest will be set aside for conservation.

Once complete, Perfect Day Mexico will have beautiful beaches, an extra-charge beach club (similar to Coco Beach Club at CocoCay), at least one pool, a water park, an adults-only area, a helium balloon, and Mexican food!

Guests don't have to stay within the Perfect Day Mexico complex. There will also be a transportation center for passengers who'd rather book a tour to explore one of the nearby attractions. 

Read more: Sneak peek at what’s confirmed for Royal Caribbean’s enormous beach experience in Mexico

The marketing is definitely working at Royal Caribbean, with more people than ever cruising, especially new cruisers.

Royal Caribbean Group shared the results of its third quarter in 2024 on Tuesday, and one important metric to note is how many people that have never cruised before.

Speaking to Wall Street analysts on a conference call, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty gave an overview of consumer spending and delved into some interesting facts about who is cruising.

Not only is his company seeing incredible growth, but demand is soaring as well.  And that demand is coming more and more from new cruisers.

In the third quarter of 2024, Royal Caribbean Group carried 2.3 million passengers across all of its brands of lines, which include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and SilverSea.

That's more than they had in the same quarter of 2023 when 1.9 million passengers cruised.

"The majority of our guests this year are either new to cruise or new to brand," Mr. Liberty shared in the call.

Before you assume it's just rookie cruisers booking, loyal customers are also booking, "at the same time our loyalty guests are up 20% compared to last year."

Spending big on cruise add-ons

Regardless of who books, a lot of people are then going right in and spending even more money on additional experiences for their cruise.

The cruise fare includes the basics, but there are lots of other options to consider.  Shore excursions, internet access, beverage packages, spa treatments, and more are some of the things people tend to book.

Mr. Liberty explained, "Once booked, guests are quickly engaged with us and buying on board experiences at higher speeds, translating into higher satisfaction rates and higher onboard spend. "

The term "onboard spend" refers to the category of purchases a customer makes that are above and beyond the cruise fare booking.

He indicated more than 70% of customers are purchasing onboard activities before they sail. Compared to a customer that waits to book their cruise extras onboard, Royal Caribbean Group is seeing people that pre-book spending more than double.

Part of their success in getting almost three quarters of their customers to spend extra are the ways they entice their customers.

"Half of our onboard revenue in the third quarter was purchased through our AI driven pre-cruise channels," Mr. Liberty said.

This comes in the form of specialized sales, promotions, and advertisements that target specific customers.  It could be a generic sale, a promotion targeting senior citizens, or opportunistic holiday promotion.

Who is cruising right now

Royal Caribbean Group is seeing a very healthy consumer looking to book cruise vacations, and they're skewing younger and younger.

"American households are wealthier than ever, with continued wage growth and low unemployment driving strong consumer spending," Mr. Liberty declared during the call.

Specifically, they are seeing Millennials, families and active cruisers all excessively booking on both leisure travel and specifically cruise travel.

"Our addressable market is growing and we are attracting more new customers into our vacation ecosystem, particularly younger demographics."

Royal Caribbean's research shows that consumer spending on leisure has grown a lot faster than most other spend categories over the past 12 months, with spend on travel increasing at a faster pace than other leisure categories.

They believe this trend will continue over the next 12 months, with leisure travel spending growing by more than any other leisure category.

Consumers are paying more too

Not only is the business demand strong, but there's a clear indication customers are willing to pay more for it.

Mr. Liberty was candid in discussing the pricing trends his company employs, "the trends show that we continue to be able to elevate demand, elevate pricing each day."

"We continue to see strong volumes [of] the customers willingness to pay more."

Why? Mr. Liberty thinks their product is so compelling and demand for a cruise vacation, in general, is so robust, that it's viewed as a must-do.

"I think that the cruise experience is now considered to be a very mainstream vacation product. And there's still a significant value proposition versus land based vacation."

Do elections matter to cruise bookings?

There was an interesting question asked by one of the analysts if the upcoming U.S. election has any impact on demand for booking a cruise.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley debunked any sense that the election cycle, or who wins, makes a difference to his company's bottom line, "We've gone back and done the analysis over literally decades, and it may be there may be a little bit of volatility during the week of the election, but over when you spread it over a longer period, there's effectively no impact on bookings as a result of elections, no matter which way they go."

Royal Caribbean Group is on a roll with another great quarter, and even better outlook for the days to come.

The company shared its third quarter financial results, which were better than expected.

Net income for the third quarter was $1.1 billion, compared to Net Income of $1.0 billion for the same period in the prior year.  The company also reported total revenues of $4.9 billion.

The driving force behind its strong quarter was higher prices on last-minute cruises, continued high demand for cruise extras, and lower costs due to timing.

Another factor was balance sheet actions taken in the third quarter resulted in lower interest expense and the company's return to its pre-Covid unsecured balance sheet.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty celebrated the robust earnings, "Our exceptional third quarter results and increased full year expectations reflect the robust demand for our differentiated vacation experiences."

He's already looking ahead to 2025 as a year where Royal Caribbean will grow significantly more, "We see elevated demand patterns continuing as we build the business for 2025, and although the yield comparable will be a high bar, our proven formula of moderate capacity growth, moderate yield growth and strong cost discipline is expected to continue to deliver strong financial results."

Third quarter results

There were interesting statistics to come out of Royal Caribbean Group's strong quarter.

In the third quarter, across all of the company's brands, the occupancy rate was 111%. This means cruise ship cabins were not just sold out, but more cabins had more than two people in them. 

Royal Caribbean Group saw higher pricing overall, but European and Alaska cruises saw particularly higher prices. In addition, the company made more money through selling add-ons, such as drink packages, WiFi, shore excursions, and more.

Strong demand is a major factor, as Royal Caribbean Group is actually seeing the demand and pricing environment accelerated since last quarter, exceeding 2023 levels. 

"Consumer spending onboard, as well as pre-cruise purchases, continue to significantly exceed 2023 levels driven by greater participation at higher prices," the company said in a statement.

They believe their success is due to vacationers preferring their new cruise ships, existing ships, and private destinations.

"Support our growth ambitions"

Another important success for the company this quarter was the company's return to its pre-Covid unsecured balance sheet.

A balance sheet refers to a company's assets, liabilities, and owner's equity at a specific point in time.

Royal Caribbean Group has spent many months paying back loans, refinancing loans, and structuring its debt to not hinder the company's operations.

Like all cruise lines, Royal Caribbean Group took on a lot of debt during the 2020 cruise industry shutdown to stay in business through a variety of loans.

Royal Caribbean Group CFO announced, "This quarter, we achieved an important milestone of returning to a fully unsecured capital structure while also reducing cost of capital and recapturing a portion of our Covid-era share dilution."

He went on to say this change allows them to, "further support our growth ambitions and expand capital allocation." That's an important indication for cruise fans who are always eager to see their new plans.

Capital spending is the category of expenses the company refers to when it builds a new cruise ship or builds a new private island.

As an example, the next private beach experience was announced during the third quarter to build Perfect Day Mexico, which will open in 2027.

Black Friday is finally on the horizon, and that means potential savings on cruise fares, drink packages, WiFi and more.

While traditionally a Black Friday sale occurs the day after Thanksgiving, which this year is November 29. Royal Caribbean is joining a large list of retailers and companies that gets in on the sale fever.

The specific promotion plan was inadvertently shared, but suffice to say, Royal Caribbean will likely have a big sale leading right up to the mega sale period between Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Once Royal Caribbean officially announces the Black Friday promotions, there will be all sorts of saving potential.

Sales on fares and extras

Royal Caribbean's exact Black Friday promotions have evolved over the years, but the general plan is usually to offer a combination of cruise fare and Cruise Planner sale.

We've even seen them combine Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales into a weeklong “Cyber Week Sale”. 

While Black Friday sales are standard within the cruise industry, the best offers typically come during Wave Season (the first three months of the calendar year). That being said, you can expect to see some savings during the cruise line’s Cyber Week Sale.

While there will undoubtedly be sales on extra add-ons you can buy for a cruise, Royal Caribbean has not revealed details on those sales or discounts yet.

Typically the Cruise Planner sale occurs in tandem with the new cruise booking sales, and offers discounts on drink packages, shore excursions, The Key, specialty dining and more.

Here's a look at Royal Caribbean's 2023 Black Friday sale on its add-ons for an idea of what might be in store for 2024.

What types of deals are offered on Black Friday?

The exact deal offered on Black Friday can change by year, but you can expect to see both savings on cruise fares and savings on pre-cruise purchases like shore excursions and dining packages.

Last year’s Black Friday sale on cruise fare allowed guests to save up to $750 in instant savings, plus 30% off everyone in the cabin. 

It also had many discounts offered on pre-cruise add-ons, including the following:

• Beverage: Up to 50% off
  • Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
    • 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
  • Classic Soda Package: 35% off onboard prices
    • 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
• Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
• Internet: Up to 55% Off
• The Key: Up to 40% Off
• Specialty Dining: Up to 45% Off
  • Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship.
  • Chops Grille — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
  • Giovanni's Table — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
  • Hooked — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
  • Izumi Hibachi Experience — Lunch: 20% off onboard prices
  • Jamie's Italian Restaurant — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
  • The Mason Jar — Brunch: 40% off onboard prices
  • Lunch at Hot Pot: 40% off onboard prices
  • Lunch at Sabor: 40% off onboard prices
  • Lunch at Wonderland: 40% off onboard prices
• Spa: Up to 30% Off
• Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off
• Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off
• Onboard Activities: Up to 50% off
  • All Access Ship tour: 25% off onboard prices
  • Casitas Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
  • Casitas Port Day: Discount varies by ship.
    • Up to 40% off onboard prices
  • Ocean View Day Bed – Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
  • Ocean View Day Bed – Port Day: 40% off onboard prices
  • North Star Extended Experience: 20% off onboard prices
  • FlowRider: 20% off onboard prices
  • FlowRider Private Lesson: 20% off onboard prices
  • RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience: 20% off onboard prices
  • Escape the Rubicon: 20% off onboard prices
  • Mission Control: Apollo 18: 20% off onboard prices
  • Observatorium: 20% off onboard prices
  • Sprinkle Time Cupcake Decorating Class:
    • Up to 25% off onboard prices
  • Sip.Tour.Brunch.: 25% off onboard prices
  • Cooking Class Guacamole: 15% off onboard prices
  • Introduction to Pickleball Clinic: 40% off onboard prices

When will Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale be announced?

Royal Caribbean typically releases its Cyber Week Sale information once we get closer to Thanksgiving. Last year, the sale for pre-cruise add-ons began November 9 and the sale on cruise fares began Wednesday, November 23.

At the very least, we can expect a sale over the week of Thanksgiving and Black Friday, extending into Cyber Monday.  How early and for how long the deals last will is unknown.

You can still take advantage of a better price on cruise add-ons

If you’ve already purchased add-ons like an internet package or spa service for your upcoming cruise, be sure to check the price of the add-on under the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.

If the price is lower, you can cancel and rebook the add-on with no penalty up to 48 hours before your cruise date.

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.

Coinciding with new itinerary releases

Not only is Black Friday and Cyber Monday a popular time to book a cruise, but they conveniently take place around the same time new 2026-2027 cruises go on sale.

The Northeast, Summer & Yearlong Caribbean sailings will go on sale the week of November 18, 2024. It covers sailings between April 2026 – April 2027.

Royal Caribbean originally had Summer & Yearlong Caribbean and the Northeast sailings coming out separately, but travel agents were advised the deployment schedule has been updated to push the Caribbean deployment back a week and combine it with the Northeast deployment.

Traditionally, new sailings going on sale is the perfect time to get in on the lowest prices before inventory starts to be sold off and prices rise.