Royal Caribbean Blog

From unlimited ice cream on the pool deck to the teen clubs and lucrative loyalty perks, there are plenty of reasons to bring your kids on your next Royal Caribbean cruise. 

As a former cruise kid myself, I am a huge advocate for cruising as a family. The fun is endless onboard for kids, and the quality family time can’t be matched. Also, adding a 3rd or 4th person to a reservation is usually heavily discounted, making it very affordable to cruise as a family.  

While there’s certainly a time and place for childless vacations, taking your kids on a cruise can have a lasting impact on their lives. 

Lifetime Crown & Anchor Status

One of the biggest reasons I would encourage you to take your kids on a cruise is to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor program. This is a lifetime loyalty program that can have huge benefits for your kids down the road. 

When we started to cruise with Royal Caribbean in 2006, my sister and I inherited our parents’ Gold Crown and Anchor status. Taking a family cruise became a yearly tradition for us, one that I eagerly looked forward to each year. My sister and I continued to earn loyalty points for each night at sea, allowing us to slowly work our way through each tier. 

Once we turned 18, we each retained our earned Diamond status. Effectively, we earned this through a combination of inheriting points from our parents and continuing to cruise as a family. 

We still loved to cruise even as my sister and I went to college, which allowed us to earn Diamond+ status in our early 20s. This is something we will carry with us for the rest of our lives!

My Diamond Plus status also transferred to my husband after we got married in 2018. With one phone call to Royal Caribbean, they joined our accounts together.

Moving forward, our C&A points are tied; so even if we cruise without the other, our statuses will always be the same. This has been a huge benefit for us, as the Diamond+ drink vouchers alone save us $800 on a 7 day cruise!

Similar to my experience, I believe our future children would also inherit our Diamond Plus status, creating 3 generations of Crown and Anchor loyalty with Royal Caribbean.

Make Lifelong Friends

Aside from loyalty perks, Royal Caribbean truly creates an awesome environment for kids of all ages. Onboard activities are plentiful, from insane waterslides to ship-wide scavenger hunts. 

There is also a unique opportunity to meet other kids through the Teen Program and Adventure Ocean. This program is an excellent resource to keep your kids entertained throughout your cruise.

As a young cruiser, Royal Caribbean’s Teen Program totally transformed cruising for me. I made friends from all over the world, which was such a unique experience to have as a teenager. I would spend the day with my family and then meet up with my new friends after dinner. On the sea days, we would spend the whole day exploring the ship and having the best time. 

More than 12 years later, I still keep in touch with friends that I met through the teen program. Luckily, social media makes it easy to stay connected through all these years. I’ve actually met up with one friend multiple times since we first met onboard the Explorer of the Seas in 2008. 

Exposure to New Foods and Experiences

Cruising as a kid also offers the opportunity to try many new foods and experiences. 

My parents would encourage us to try something new each night at dinner. In fact, this was the first time I tried caesar salads and steak! My parents emphasized that I could always order something different if I didn’t like what I tried. My sister, who was notoriously picky, expanded her palette immensely because of cruising. 

At a young age, I also started to develop a worldly perspective by experiencing different cultures. We were exposed to so much at a young age by visiting different ports of call. 

Locals and tour guides in each of the ports were always excited to share their culture with us. My parents loved to chat with our wait staff each night at dinner, asking about their families and home countries. I didn’t really experience this type of diversity back home in South Dakota. 

In high school, we started to take cruises with more interesting itineraries. We found that cruising around Europe was a great way to visit numerous new countries without worrying about logistics. Not only did we have really cool experiences in the ports, but we also met so many nice cruisers from all over the world onboard.   

A Lasting Impact 

Cruising played an instrumental role throughout my childhood and into my adult life. I have no doubt that cruising at a young age instilled within me a deep appreciation for travel.

My love for being at sea has followed me through life. In college, I jumped at the opportunity to study abroad by enrolling in a program called Semester at Sea. I spent 105 days traveling the world on a ship, visiting 12 countries and 4 continents. We took classes during sea days and spent 4-6 days in each port. To this day, it’s been the most rewarding and extraordinary experience of my life. 

Some of my biggest life moments have also happened while cruising.

At the ripe age of 16, my lifelong travel dream came true when we cruised around Northern Europe. Our ship docked in Le Havre, France, which is the closest port to Paris. We spent the day touring the City of Love, cruising down the River Seine and gawking all day at the Eiffel Tower. It was just as magical as the movies!

After graduating college, my now-husband and I got engaged on a bridge in Venice while cruising the Mediterranean with both of our families. We went back the following year to visit the bridge again and cruise from Venice to Croatia and Greece for our honeymoon. 

Just this summer, we celebrated my MBA graduation and my husband’s military pilot training completion on an Alaskan cruise. It’s been so special to commemorate these life events at sea. 

I’ve also continued to cruise with my family. In July 2019, we cruised around Japan from China. We have 2 cruises planned for 2022 (fingers crossed!). Even as my sister and I have become adults on our own, we still love to cruise as a family and appreciate the time we can all spend together at sea. 

I’m forever thankful that my parents valued the opportunity for me to travel, learn and experience different cultures throughout my childhood.

The fall temperatures may be dropping, but the Royal Caribbean news from this week is as hot as ever, and we have it all summarized for you in this week's round up!

All eyes are fixed on what will happen at the end of this month when the CDC's Conditional Sailing Order expires, and Royal Caribbean's CEO has an opinion on it.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was asked about the upcoming end to the CSO and what it means for his cruise line going forward.

He was asked to provide the latest information related to the CSO, and he shared his thoughts on what is still very much an unknown situation.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean cancels Australia 2021-2022 cruise season
• Next President's Cruise will be in Alaska 2022
• Royal Caribbean registers new trademarks for possible Southern United States restaurant
• Royal Caribbean is first cruise line to restart cruises from Tampa
• Perfect Day at CocoCay October 2021 photo update
• Royal Caribbean on list of companies possibly under investigation for violating Florida's vaccine passport ban
• What to do in Bermuda on a cruise
• Guide to the CocoCay waterpark
• What it's like to go on a cruise with unvaccinated kids right now
• What to Wear on a Cruise?
• Check out our live blog from Ovation of the Seas
• The best packing for a cruise list

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Cruising with kids is a different kind of experience right now due to the new protocols and rules.

Matt just took his kids on a cruise for the first time since the Delta variant became widespread, and shares his thoughts on what to expect with children on a cruise.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it!

New RCB Video: New Things to Try on Royal Caribbean

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 — New Things to Try on Royal Caribbean — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Wonder of the Seas tour

Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship is going to pack in a lot of really fun things to do, so you may be wondering where everything is.

Wonder of the Seas will debut in March 2022, and already there are a lot of people excited to see and do everything onboard.

Before you step foot on Wonder of the Seas, check out our Wonder of the Seas tour to know where everything is located.

The cruise industry restart has reached the Port of Tampa.

Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas arrived in Tampa on Saturday to begin offering cruises from West Florida, which is the first time a cruise ship has sailed from the Port of Tampa since 2020.

Serenade of the Seas will depart Terminal 6 on Saturday to begin a new cruise season there, having just wrapped up an abbreviated cruise season in Alaska.

Serenade will offer 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa, Florida, starting Oct. 16; and 7-night Caribbean itineraries, beginning December.

Royal Caribbean's return to Tampa is just as ceremonial as it is tangible to the area. Business Research & Economic Advisors estimated that a 3,000-passenger ship generates an average of $334,000 in passenger and crew onshore spending per call in a homeport city. 

Cruises have been able to restart from other ports in Florida, including Port Everglades, PortMiami and Port Canaveral, but this is the first time Tampa has been able to see ships leave.

Photos courtesy Port of Tampa

Later in December, Brilliance of the Seas will return to Tampa to offer 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean cruises beginning on December 16.

What's next for the restart

Four more Royal Caribbean cruises ships will restart operations before the year comes to a close.

Explorer of the Seas is scheduled to restart cruises when she sails from San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning on November 7. Explorer will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean sailings.

Royal Caribbean is especially excited to see Navigator of the Seas return to service, because it means the restart of cruises for the cruise line from the west coast.

Navigator will offer 3-, 4- and 5-night Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico cruises from Los Angeles, beginning November 19.

Grandeur of the Seas will start cruising again when she offers  7- and 14-night Southern Caribbean sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados, starting December 5.

Finally, Enchantment of the Seas will begin cruising again in December, when she sails from Baltimore on December 23, offering 8-night Bahamas sailings, and select 12-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean.

You can see Royal Caribbean's cruise ship restart plans for more deployment information leading into 2022.

Famous for its pink beaches, Bermuda is an island located in the North Atlantic, 650 miles east of North Carolina. It enjoys beautiful weather, with an average temperature in the 70-80s during cruise season.

Bermuda is only 21 miles in length and getting around is easy. Local pink buses and SeaExpress ferries serve the island well.  Many people rent scooters while there but keep in mind that residents drive on the left.  Also available are electric vehicles called a “Twizy” which are earmarked for tourists.

For those visiting on a cruise ship, there are numerous activities including beaches, water activities, sailing, and fishing, as well as world class golfing, food and culture.

For those who want to explore what makes Bermuda unique, here are a few suggestions.

What to do

Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda’s most iconic beach, is located on the picturesque South Shore. With soft white sand and aqua blue waters, it is a great place to swim and play in the waves.

On the eastern side of the beach lies little bays and tidal pools to explore.  On the other end, there is a protected cove, with calm waters. Perfect for families with young swimmers, where they can see lots of local marine life.

All the required amenities are on site including food, washrooms, chairs, and umbrella rentals. The beach is easy to get to by bus and taxi.

Diving and Snorkeling

Thanks to the extensive reef system that encircles the island, there is excellent diving and snorkeling in Bermuda. Many ships have been stranded on the reefs making it the Shipwreck Capital of the Atlantic.  Dive sites like the Mary Celeste, a former civil era ship, is one of the most popular.  Many shipwrecks are in 30-80 feet of depth making them easily accessible to divers.

For snorkeling from a beach, Church Bay along the South Shore features dramatic cliffs leading down to a small bay with plenty of marine life. This is a more secluded spot, so ensure to bring everything needed. Tobacco Bay, on the eastern end of the island, is more sheltered and offers the opportunity to see parrotfish among many local species.

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), located in Hamilton, hosts a number of relics from shipwrecks. They also house one of the world’s largest shell collections and exhibits on the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle.

Hamilton

A great way to travel to Hamilton (the capital of Bermuda) is to take the ferry from the port area. It provides a scenic water view with saltwater breezes.  

Once there, stroll along Front Street, enjoying water views and the colorful colonial style buildings.  There are plenty of great places to visit. Pop into the local shops such as Brown & Co. department store to pick up some local Bermuda perfume and soap.  Browse through jewelry and watch stores, and shop for a true pair of Bermuda shorts.   Visit the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity and its stunning architecture. Delve into local art at the Bermuda National Gallery (free admission) and Bermuda Historical Society Museum to get a taste of the past.

Bermuda has had a long love affair with rum. Bacardi has its headquarters in Hamilton, along with some great local brands such as Gosling’s (making rum since 1806.) For a true Bermudian experience, sample a Dark’n Stormy or a Rum Swizzle while sitting on a patio under the warm sun. Not to miss, is Bermuda's famous seafood chowder which is not surprisingly topped with black rum, and a dash of sherry sauce.

St George’s

It all started in St. George’s. The Sea Venture on its way to Jamestown was marooned on the shores of Bermuda. In 1612, the English established their first settlement at St. George’s.  

Starting from King’s Square, the historic and charming town is best explored on foot. Walk the narrow lanes, visit the museums, St. Peter’s Church, or sample some local food while listening to the Town Crier.  It is worthwhile to visit the nearby Fort St. Catherine, an impressive military defense built in 1614.

Heading back toward Hamilton, a must-see is the Crystal Caves. This magical underground cave system developed over millions of years and was termed by Mark Twain as the most beautiful cave in the world. The guides are amazing in explaining the science behind the crystals along with many humorous anecdotes.  

Dockyard / Port Area

There is plenty to do within walking distance of the ship. Passengers can tour the former colonial era naval base known as Dockyard. The sandy colored, limestone buildings have been beautifully restored and now contain a number of shops and restaurants.

To relax, try some tasty local fare at the Frog and Onion Pub, shop at the Clocktower Mall, and pick up a local rum cake. Check out the Bermuda Arts Centre and handmaid glasswork. Outdoor activities include a small beach at Snorkel Bay and swimming with Dolphins.

Dockyard is also home to Bermuda’s National Museum, which details the country’s 500 year old rich history. One of the best parts of the museum is the former Commissioner’s House located at the top of the hill. The patio vistas are some of the most majestic in Bermuda.

If you want thrills in your private island day on Royal Caribbean, check out Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

With so many slides and pools, you may want to know what is included with a visit to the waterpark, and how to get the most out of your visit. This guide will give you a good overview of what the waterpark offers, as well as tips and tricks for a great day.

Overview

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a private island only Royal Caribbean cruise ships can visit, and one way to spend your day there is to visit the waterpark.

Thrill Waterpark has an additional cost, which means only those that purchase admission can come into the park. Admission to the waterpark is priced per person, and includes full day admission.

Royal Caribbean used to offer a half-day pass, but that is no longer offered. Everyone that wants to come into the park needs to pay for entry, regardless of it they want to ride a slide or not.

Children under age 14 must be accompanied by a ticketed Guest age 14 or older to enter Thrill Waterpark.

To get into the park, you just need your SeaPass card. Scan it as you walk in and you're good to go. No separate admission needed.

There are two entrances to Thrill Waterpark, although nearly everyone uses the main entrance.  The main entrance is located to the right of the arrivals plaza at Perfect Day at CocoCay. There is an additional entrance closer to Oasis Lagoon and Splashaway Bay, primarily meant for a convenient way to get back into the waterpark.

It is made up of three basic areas: Daredevil's Peak, Splash Summit tower, and the pools.

You will find chairs, umbrellas, and picnic tables around each of the water slide towers, as well as near both pools. These chairs and tables are complimentary and first-come, first-reserved.

There are complimentary lockers near the main entrance where you can stash your stuff for the day. Restrooms and a first aid station are also located near the lockers.

Thrill Waterpark cost

The exact cost for Thrill Waterpark admission per person will vary from ship to ship and sailing to sailing. In short, there is no set price for every sailing.

You can purchase admission before the cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website, onboard the ship at the Shore Excursion desk, or even on CocoCay at the entrance.

How much you will pay is determined by demand, time of year, ship you sail on, and other factors.

Prices usually range between $50 and $100 per person, but there is a great deal of fluctuation.

Admission to the waterpark is included with a Thrill Waterpark cabana (more on that further down this post).

What slides are there at Thrill Waterpark?

Royal Caribbean designed Thrill Waterpark to offer fun and thrilling water slides to enjoy.

There are two towers in the waterpark, with slides of varying speeds and intensity.

Daredevil’s Tower stands at 135-feet high and are all body slides that feature the longest, tallest, and fastest rides in the park.

• Daredevil's Peak: 135 feet tall, this is the tallest waterslide in North America (Rider minimum: 48")
• Dueling Demons: Two drop slides launch riders 75 feet from a vertical position (Rider minimum: 48")
• Green Mamba: A 50 foot tall slide with lots of turns (Rider minimum: 48")
• Screeching Serpent: Another 50 foot tall fully vertical speed slide (Rider minimum: 48")
• Manta Raycers: Twin racing slides (Rider minimum: 48")

Splash Summit is the family tower, where you can ride with other members of your group together.

• Sling Shot: Family raft slide. Up to 4 people in a raft that ride up a wall to provide zero gravity sensations (Rider minimum: 48" or 40" with life vest)
• Splash Speedway: Mat slide, where up to 4 people can race down (Rider minimum: 48" or 40" with life vest)
• Twister: Two riders slide down a tube slide (Rider minimum: 48" or 40" with life vest)

There are also two pools at Thrill Waterpark:

• Wave pool: Royal Caribbean says this is the largest wave pool in the Caribbean
• Adventure Pool: A pool with obstacles you can climb, walk, and swing onto. This includes lily pads, rope swings, and even a rock climbing wall (Guests under 48" must wear a life vest at all times)

Dining

All the slides and pools will generate quite an appetite, so Royal Caribbean included a Snack Shack location inside Thrill Waterpark.

Snack Shack is complimentary, and offers hot dogs, salads, burgers, and lots more. The chicken sandwich and mozzarella sticks are must-trys.

In addition, it is very easy to depart the waterpark and get food from elsewhere on the island. Skipper's Grill is the closest option, and offers more variety.

There is also a bar in the waterpark for any cocktails, beers, or non-alcoholic drinks you may want. If you have a drink package purchased from your cruise ship, the benefits work here as well.

Cabanas

In addition to purchasing admission to the park, you could opt to rent a cabana for the day.

CocoCay Cabanas provide a private space to enjoy throughout the day, along with a cabana attendant who can bring food and drinks whenever you need it.

Thrill Waterpark cabanas can accommodate up to 6 guests and offer a lush sectional sofa and 2 resort-style chairs, as well as power outlets. Your Cabana Concierge will provide you with 8 towels and stock your cooler with 8 complimentary water bottles. Additional water bottles will be available for purchase.

Included with your cabana purchase is admission to the waterpark for up to six guests.

Royal Caribbean has placed cabanas in three clusters around the waterpark:

• Near Daredevil's Peak
• Near Family Tower
• Near the wave pool

The price of a cabana usually ranges between $499 - $899. Just like the cost of admission to the water park, the exact price will vary from sailing to sailing.

The reason to book a cabana is to have a dedicated space for your family, as well as the service provided by the attendant.  In many cases, the cost of the cabana becomes negligible when you factor in admission it includes for larger families.

Tips and secrets

1. Don't bring towels from the ship

Save the effort of going to get towels to bring with you to the waterpark.

There is a towel station near the wave pool where you can get towels, as well as exchange them for fresh ones.

If you rent a cabana, towels are provided for you at the cabana.

2. Adults can use the Adventure Pool

While it may look like the Adventure Pool activities are for kids, adults can use them too.

The rope swing is a lot of fun, and you can race your kids on the lily pads.

3. Best times for short slide waits

When your cruise ship is sailing to capacity, there are two good times to beat the lines for the popular slides.

First and foremost, get off the ship early and hit Daredevil's Peak and Sling Shot as fast as you can. Lines for these two slides will always be the longest.

The best times to ride slides with a short wait are:

• Before 11am
• After 3pm

4. Your drink package works here

If you have an unlimited drink package already, then you can use the benefits while in the waterpark (and everywhere else at Perfect Day at CocoCay).

5. Look for chickens

If you hear a rooster, it's not your imagination. 

CocoCay is home to a variety of animals, including wild chickens. They walk around the island, but tend to frequent the waterpark the most.  

Look for them darting in and out of the bushes.

Regardless of which animal you see, please do not feed any of them.

Is Thrill Waterpark worth it?

Royal Caribbean delivers on thrills and fun with Thrill Waterpark, so the decision to go depends on what you want to do and the price.

There are enough waterslides and pool activities to keep you busy all day long during your visit. When the park is full, lines can develop for the popular slides during the day, but you should still have enough time to experience them all.

The wave pool in particular is underrated as a fun activity, and some of the waves get very high in the deep end.

When deciding if it's worth it to go to the waterpark, you have to consider what else there is to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Caribbean packs in a lot of fun on its island, and you can find some really compelling alternatives at the beaches, pools, and beach club.

When Royal Caribbean opens Hideaway Beach in late 2022, there will be another compelling alternative to consider.

If you have only children under the age of 6 or so, you may consider skipping the waterpark and instead taking them to nearby Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon.  Both are complimentary and aimed at younger/smaller children, and still have slides for them to enjoy.

If you have 4 or more people in your group, be sure to price compare buying admission for everyone versus booking a cabana. In many cases, the cabana makes a lot of sense to reserve because it includes admission, as well as the amenities it offers.

Ultimately, if you want to ride a lot of really fun waterslides and splash your way around everything else, Thrill Waterpark delivers it all.

Today is a sea day and the last day onboard Ovation of the Seas. This sailing has been magnificent all around, and while I'm sad to see it coming to an end, I was happy to have one more day onboard.

My morning ritual at sea is grabbing a latte from one of Ovation's many coffee bars, such as Cafe at Two70, La Patisserie, or the Windjammer. I purchased the Cafe Select Coffee Card for this sailing, which is a punch card that can be used for up to 15 espresso-based beverages.

I took my latte to the Windjammer to enjoy chocolate chip pancakes. After breakfast came an early morning hot tub session at the indoor pool. I prefer going to the pool decks really early in the morning before it gets too crowded so I can fully relax.

The outdoor decks were closed for most of the day yesterday due to high seas, so I was happy to see that the decks were open again. I took advantage of the somewhat calmer weather and walked around the running track deck.

The FlowRider was up and running for one of the first times on this sailing. However, the rock climbing wall and North Star remained closed due to the windy weather.

Today's lunch was in American Icon, one of the dining rooms onboard. American Icon features classic americana decor and offers the standard Main Dining Room menu. Since our dinner table is in the Silk venue, it was nice to try out another dining room onboard.

I had never eaten lunch in the Main Dining Room before, but enjoyed the slower pace of a sit-down meal compared to a quick lunch in the Windjammer.

Our lunch included a caprese salad, mozzarella sticks, a hamburger, and lentil chili. For dessert we ordered the Floating Island, which is meringue on a bed of vanilla custard. It was really, really good!

After a long week of exploring and checking out all the fun activities onboard Ovation of the Seas, we were feeling pretty exhausted and decided to take it easy the rest of the day.

The afternoon included attending a virtual concert at Two70, relaxing on the pool deck, and packing our bags for tomorrow's departure.

Dinner tonight was at the Windjammer, which may have been the best meal there yet. Tonight was kabob night and there was a large selection of freshly grilled skewers to choose from. There was also a variety of expertly decorated cakes available tonight to wish guests farewell.

As I packed my suitcase, I could not help but reflect on all the lifelong memories that were made this week. Alaska is an absolutely gorgeous place. Being on a cruise ship meant we were able to sail through scenery completely inaccessible by road and witness the rugged landscape of Alaska through the state’s intricate fjords and passages. 

It is certainly a completely different experience than a Caribbean sailing and one that should be on everyone’s bucket list. While it did rain quite a lot throughout the sailing, it did not take away from my experience in Alaska at all. I’m so grateful my dad and I were able to experience Alaska’s beauty and make such wonderful memories together!

Looking back on this past week, I put together a few final thoughts about this sailing.

Top Port:

My first glimpse of Alaska was Ketchikan and it ended up being my favorite port! The town itself is SO cute and most attractions are conveniently located next to the pier. I enjoyed Ketchikan’s short walking path through the forest and exploring historic Creek Street.

Of course, originally Ovation of the Seas was supposed to go to Sitka instead of Ketchikan. This is one of the reasons to always remain flexible on a cruise. A destination you didn’t even plan to go to may end up being your favorite port of all!

Top Establishment:

The Red Dog Saloon in Juneau was extremely fun, with funky decor throughout the building as well as unique drink options. My dad and I have been talking about how good the Duck Fart Shot was for days!

Top Excursion:

I enjoyed each one of my excursions, but I especially loved going on the White Pass & Yukon Railway in Skagway. This is a must do excursion if your cruise docks in Skagway because the views are out of this world. Watching the landscape change from autumn to winter in just a few minutes really put the grandeur of Alaska’s wilderness to scale. Plus, since the ride is only about two and a half hours, it leaves plenty of time to explore Skagway on your own afterwards. 

Stray Observations:

I noticed some nice outlets near the comfy couches in the back of the Shore Excursions area. Outlets can be hard to come by in public areas onboard, so this is a great option for those who may have work to do on a cruise.

The pools and hot tubs in the Solarium do not open until 9am. As a morning person, I wish they were open a bit earlier. The hot tubs on the pool deck open earlier, though, so there are options for early risers.

The cookies at Cafe Promenade are so good! Today’s cookie offerings included a white chocolate chip raspberry cookie and a sugar free chocolate chip cookie. Yum!

Thank you for following along on this week’s live blog from Ovation of the Seas! Make sure you are subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel so you can be updated when we post new videos, including the upcoming FULL ship tour of Ovation of the Seas.

Live Blog Index

• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 7 - Sea Day
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 6 - Sea Day and Glacier Views
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 5 - Skagway
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Juneau
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - Ketchikan
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation
• Ovation of the Seas 2021 Live Blog - Preview

Wonder of the Seas is packed with lots to see, do, and eat onboard, and you likely want to know where everything is onboard.

Photo by @AdamsAway

Royal Caribbean designed Wonder of the Seas to offer a lot, and be easy to navigate.  Being the biggest cruise ship in the world means it has to be simple for passengers to get around to avoid a negative experience.

All Oasis Class ships are separated by neighborhoods, with each area being visually distinguished from the others. Essentially, after you see one neighborhood, you should be able to quickly get a sense of what is offered there. In fact, Wonder of the Seas is the first Oasis Class ship to have eight neighborhoods instead of seven.

Before you step foot on Wonder of the Seas, here is what each neighborhood has to do, including dining and entertainment.

Boardwalk

Location: Deck 6

The Boardwalk neighborhood is meant to evoke a feeling of the old the seaside piers that dot the coast of England and the nostalgic boardwalks of yesteryear such as Coney Island.

Located on the back of deck 6, it is an outdoor area that has dining and entertainment.

As soon as you walk onto the Boardwalk, you will be greeted by a handcrafted carousel. It is a full-sized, traditional carousel and complimentary to ride day or night.

If you're hungry, you will find lots of great dining choices for guests of all ages.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade takes up one entire side of the Boardwalk, and features as many television as they do beers and food to enjoy while you watch. There's also an arcade with fun games to play between innings or during halftime.

Boardwalk Dog House is where you can grab a hot dog customized just the way you like it and served quickly so you can be on your way.

Sugar Beach candy and ice cream shop is the sweet spot on the Boardwalk with more than 100 types of candies, a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings.

Filling out the nostalgic factor for the Boardwalk is Johnny Rockets restaurant.

You will also find the AquaTheater at the very rear of the Boardwalk, which is an amphitheater-style entertainment space. You can expect movie screenings and game shows by day and stunning aqua acrobatics and high-diving performances by night.

Pool and Sports Zone

Location: Decks 15 & 16

Whatever kind of active fun you are into is sure to be available in the Pool and Sports Zone on Wonder of the Seas. Pools, slides, simulators and hot tubs are all available to enjoy every day of your cruise.

The adults-only Solarium is located at the front of the ship, which is enclosed in glass and offers a relaxed pool and lounging experience.

If you want a little more thrill with your pool fun, check out the Perfect Storm waterslides. The multistory waterslides’ clear sections offer sliders views of Central Park down below.

Kids can also splash to their hearts' content at Splashaway Bay, which has water cannons, slides, drench buckets and more.

Wonder of the Seas has a resort-style Caribbean vibe to the pool deck, centered around the Lime & Coconut.  You can find two poolside bars and live music.

In fact, Wonder of the Seas has the largest poolside movie screen in the Royal Caribbean fleet.

Something else new for Wonder of the Seas is The Vue, which is a new cantilevered bar. The Vue offers panoramic ocean views from high above on the pool deck all day, and after sunset, it shines bright with a colorful mosaic canopy overhead.

If that isn't enough, Royal Caribbean came up with another new concept for the Sports Zone in Wonder Playscape. This is an underwater-themed play area with slides, climbing walls, games, an interactive mural activated by touch and puzzles.

Of course, no Oasis Class cruise ship is complete without signature activities Royal Caribbean always includes: the tallest slide at sea, The Ultimate Abyss; Wonder Dunes mini-golf; the FlowRider surf simulator, twin rock-climbing walls and the ten-decks-high zip line. 

If you're hungry, you will find quite a few options for dining in the Pool and Sports Zone.

• Solarium Bistro
• Windjammer Cafe
• Unnamed specialty restaurant (to be announced later)
• Hooked Seafood
• El Loco Fresh
• Cantina Fresco

Central Park

Location: Deck 8

The outdoor park found on Oasis Class ships is an open-air venue with lots of plants, trees, and shrubs that surround restaurants and retail venues.

There are quite a few specialty restaurants in Central Park, beginning with the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

Royal Caribbean revamped its Italian restaurant with a new menu that also extends into the nearby wine bar. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen is a new take on authentic Italian dishes, including made-to-order pizzas hand tossed front and center, and baked in the new, in-house pizza oven. 

150 Central Park is known for its seasonal menu, while Chops Grille is the cruise line's well-known steakhouse.

At Park Cafe, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and snacks, including the Kummelweck roast beef sandwich.

While in Central Park, you can take a ride on the Rising Tide bar, which moves slowly between Central Park and the Royal Promenade. The bar slowly rises and descends between the two decks, giving guests a great view all along the way.

Right outside Central Park is Music Hall, which is a dance venue that features live musical acts in a club atmosphere.

Royal Promenade

Location: Deck 5

Royal Promenade is like the downtown of Wonder of the Seas.  It is a busy thoroughfare with lots happening around its services, dining, bars, and entertainment.

Spotlight Karaoke is a dedicated venue for everyone that loves to either sing or see others try to sing well-known songs. There are even private karaoke booths if you prefer to sing without the audience to judge.

Boleros is Royal Caribbean's latin-themed bar where you will find music, mojitos, and mexcal.

The English-style pub has the widest selection of beers onboard, as well as a guitarist each evening.

After all that singing and drinking, a slice of pizza hits the spot.  Sorrento's serves up plenty of it most hours of the day and night for no additional cost.

Speaking of no additional cost, Cafe Promenade is where to go to get a cup of coffee or tea, a sandwich, and maybe a cookie.

There is also shopping to be done on the Royal Promenade, where you can pick up souvenirs and duty-free goods. 

You can also book another Royal Caribbean cruise at the NextCruise office, which gets you bonus onboard credit for simply booking something while onboard.

Wonder of the Seas has its own set of robot bartenders at Bionic Bar.  Use tablets to order your favorite cocktail, and a robot arm will shake, stir, and serve it.

You will also find one of the main dining room decks on deck 5. The main dining room is a staple of dining on any cruise ship, and it serves up meals for breakfast and dinner every day (plus lunches on sea days).

Entertainment Place

Location: Deck 4

Whether you are looking for a show, drink, or performance, the Entertainment Place neighborhood is the spot for you.

At the front of the ship is the Royal Theater, home to nightly live entertainment, including shows, comedians, and performers.

Studio B is at the heart of the space. Studio B is an ice skating rink that hosts regular performances (as well as open skate sessions for guests).  It can also be used for a glow-in-the-dark laser tag game.

The signature ice skating show on Wonder of the Seas is 365: The Seasons on Ice, which brings guests on a journey through Earth's changing seasons through figure skating, aerial performances, and lighting and sound effects.

The Attic is where to go to see comedy shows.

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members in the Crown and Anchor Society have a dedicated lounge to enjoy drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and meet other guests.

Since Wonder of the Seas was originally designed for the Chinese cruise market, extra casino space was allocated. The Golden Room is an extra casino room designated for high-roller casino guests, although this space is currently open to everyone. On other Oasis Class ships, this space is a jazz music lounge.

Speaking of gambling, Casino Royale is also found in the Entertainment Place neighborhood. All of your favorite casino games can be found here to try your luck at.

Royal Caribbean's Japanese cuisine restaurant, Izumi, is also found on deck 4. Maki, nigiri, and hand rolls are all available here, in addition to the crowd-pleasing hibachi tables.

Youth Zone

Location: Deck 14

Wonder of the Seas has a lot of great programming for kids and teens to enjoy. Adventure Ocean covers kids as young as 6 months old, and through their teenage years.

Adventure Ocean on Wonder of the Seas follows Royal Caribbean's updated programming and design, including areas like as The Workshop, where kids can participate in craft and science activities. There are also newly designed teen spaces, with both an indoor and outdoor patio for guests aged 13-17.

The age groups each have a dedicated space: AO Babies, ages six months to two years; AO Juniors, ages 3 to 5; and AO Kids, ages 6 to 12.

Vitality Spa and Fitness

Location: Deck 5 & 6

If you are looking to relax and indulge at the same time, the Vitality Spa is the spot for you.

The Vitality Spa includes a Thermal Suite, featuring heated ceramic loungers, saunas and steam rooms; more than 50 facial and body services in various treatment rooms, including the Thai Herbal Poultice Massage, acupuncture and medi-spa services.

In addition, the space offers a beauty salon and barber shop for hairstyling, hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, a clean share and more.

For those that want to get in shape during their cruise, the Vitality Fitness Center offers a wide selection of exercise machines, including the latest cardio and resistance equipment.

Suite Class Neighborhood

Location: Deck 17 & 18

Wonder of the Seas is the first Oasis Class cruise ship to feature an eighth neighborhood, dedicated exclusively to suite guests.

What makes the Suite Class neighborhood different? Royal Suite Class guests have their own plunge pool, bar and plenty of loungers and nooks.

There are also suite favorites including the suites-only restaurant Coastal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge.

Wonder of the Seas also has the biggest Ultimate Family Suite on an Oasis Class ship yet, able to accommodate a family of ten.

Today was bittersweet as we said goodbye to Alaska's gorgeous scenery and entered the open ocean on our way to Seattle.

The second to last day of our sailing is technically a sea day, but has a brief stop to view the Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier from the ship.

Breakfast today was at Cafe at Two70. My favorite area to hang out on a Quantum Class ship is, by far, Two70.

Not much is more relaxing than sipping a coffee in the morning while watching the ship's wake pass through the fjords from Two70’s floor to ceiling windows.

Ovation of the Seas was due to arrive at the glacier around 9:30am, so we grabbed a chair at the indoor pool after breakfast to watch the scenery.

Apparently everyone else had the same idea as us. The pool deck was packed with passengers hoping to find a good spot to view the glacier. Waiters even came around offering hot chocolate and Baileys.

Sailing through the fjord was particularly impressive. Fog and mist covered the peaks and ice began to float along the sides of the ship. A few larger icebergs passed as well.

Unfortunately, due to the amount of ice in the water, we were unable to get super close to Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, but were still able to snap pictures from further away.

The surrounding scenery was so stunning that it didn't even matter to us if we couldn't see the glacier up close!

The rest of the morning was spent at a table in the Windjammer catching our last close-up glimpses of Alaska through our binoculars.

For lunch, we decided to try out something different than usual. Ovation of the Seas has a restaurant offered on only a few Royal Caribbean ships, Fish and Ships.

The restaurant is located on the outdoor pool deck and offers classic fish and chips as well as other options like chicken tenders and fish sandwiches. These options are complimentary, although Fish and Ships also offers options like calamari and lobster which come at an extra cost.

I ordered the fish and chips. It was a nicely sized portion for lunch and I found the meal to be quite tasty! While I think I prefer El Loco Fresh being on the pool deck (who doesn't love tacos?), I enjoyed Fish and Ships and would eat there again.

My dad decided to try lunch at the SeaPlex Doghouse, which offers several types of hot dogs, brats, and sausages to choose from.

There are a variety of toppings available such as sauerkraut, onions, and condiments as well as a couple sides like coleslaw and potato salad.

After lunch and a quick round of airport code trivia, I decided to explore more of the ship and film content for the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel. Having just been on Odyssey of the Seas to film a ship tour, I could not help but compare the two Quantum Class ships.

I think I prefer Odyssey's upgraded SeaPlex with a Playmakers inside to Ovation's SeaPlex. However, I absolutely love the outdoor seating area at the Windjammer on Ovation. I also really like the atmosphere of Vintages, the wine bar onboard. These two areas do not exist on Odyssey of the Seas, which has Giovanni's Wine Bar instead and no outdoor seating at the Windjammer.

Therefore, I find it difficult to “rate” a ship, or pick the “best” Royal Caribbean ship. Each ship offers a variety of venues and amenities that may appeal to different groups of people. Some guests may never care to step foot in a sports bar like Playmakers, but would love a quiet library onboard, and vice versa.

My final stop while exploring Ovation of the Seas was to Vitality Fitness to get a quick workout in before dinner. Following this, the captain closed off all outside decks for the rest of the day due to high winds, and the ship was rocking a lot for the rest of the evening.

Tonight was formal night in the Main Dining Room and it was a bit busier than normal.

Baked Alaska was one of the desserts offered, and since we are on an Alaskan cruise, we had to give it a try. Strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla ice cream wrapped in cake? Yes, please!

The evening called for a drink and live music. I hadn't been to the Music Hall yet on this sailing, so I grabbed a drink there before heading to this evening's show at Two70.

We attended "Jazz & More with the Band" from the Ovation of the Seas orchestra and it was PHENOMENAL. We enjoyed it so much that we stayed for the second show!

I love listening to jazz and the musicians brought so much energy to the performance. They were clearly having a blast, passengers were dancing, and it was all around a good time. I’d say that tonight’s show was the best performance of any kind that I’ve seen on a cruise ship thus far!

After the show, it was time for bed. Tomorrow is a sea day and is the last day of our cruise.

Stray Observations:

The tables are extremely close together in the main dining rooms. Therefore, there is not much privacy since you can hear the conversations of people nearby. This makes things a little awkward when trying to enjoy a private dinner, although it is great if you plan to chat with people at the tables next to you.

There is a really nice, covered seating area outside on the promenade deck, but it is a smoking section. I wish there was a similar area that is not a smoking section. It would be nice to have covered seating outside on deck 5 for non-smokers.

The live music on Ovation of the Seas has been outstanding! While there is great music on all ships, I've been extremely impressed with the musicians on Ovation. The guitarists, piano players, jazz musicians, and singers have amazing talent.

Live Blog Index

• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 6 - Sea Day and Glacier Views
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 5 - Skagway
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Juneau
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 3 - Ketchikan
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 2 - Sea Day
• Ovation of the Seas Live Blog - Day 1 - Embarkation
• Ovation of the Seas 2021 Live Blog - Preview

While cruises have been able to restart in the United States and Europe, Australia will have to wait another year for cruise ships to return.

Royal Caribbean announced on Thursday morning in Australia it has had to cancel its Australia 2021-2022 season.

"A clear pathway for the return of cruising is yet to be established by the Australian Government. As a result, we’ve reviewed our Australia 2021-2022 season."

This affects scheduled Ovation of the Seas sailings from Sydney between December 13, 2021 - March 31, 2022.

Australia still has a cruise ship travel ban that runs through December 17, 2021.

The cruise line said in a statement, "We know this news is disappointing, and we’re sorry for the impact to your holiday plans."

The cruise line added that it is still working with Australian officials to find a way to resume sailings there, "We are proactively engaging with Federal and State governments to recommence cruising in Australia and will provide updates as they come to hand.​"

Guests booked on cancelled sailings have the choice of a 125% future cruise credit that they can use by April 30, 2022, Lift and Shift to a new sailing on the Australian 2022-2023 season, or 100% refund.

The Ovation of the Seas cancellation comes a few months after Royal Caribbean cancelled cruises from Australia on four ships.

Since March 27, 2020, no foreign-flagged cruise ships may enter Australian waters.  The Australian Health Principal Protection Committee reviews the ban regularly.

Cruise Passenger, an Australian site about cruising, quotes sources that say the Australian government has ignored requests for talks for a safe and phased approach to a cruise restart from Cruise Lines International Association Australasia. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mandate over Covid-19 protocols is set to expire at the end of this month, leaving many to wonder what will happen next.

The Conditional Sailing Order (CSO) is a phased approach for cruise lines to follow in order to get ships approved to sail from the United States again. It is set to expire on November 1, 2021 unless extended.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was asked about the upcoming end to the CSO and what it means for his cruise line going forward.

He was asked to provide the latest information related to the CSO, and he shared his thoughts on what is still very much an unknown situation.

"There has been discussion with the CDC and with other government entities that are part of this process," Mr. Bayley explained. "We're waiting to get guidance on what could be the next steps."

Mr. Bayley then offered some ideas of what options might be possible, "One of those next steps could be that the Conditional Sailing Order would just expire, and we would continue as we are voluntarily working with the CDC and operating with various protocols and guidelines that have been recommended."

Mr. Bayley believes the success cruise lines have had in getting back to service has been a result of the work with the CDC, "We've got 15 ships operating and the protocols are really working."

"Everything is operating extremely well, and that really was only possible through a lot of collaboration with the CDC and working with them and other health authorities around the world."

"We don't know what the next step will be. I think what's important is that, there's different ways of doing it, but everybody has the same goal and that is to keep people safe."

He added the CDC has been largely been supportive of what the cruise lines have been doing under the CSO, I think in many of the calls I've been on with the CDC, I think they have a sense of accomplishment that that the cruise industry really now is used somewhat as a gold standard example for other forms of travel and transportation on how things can really operate well."

Protocols

Dovetailing into that conversation is the question of protocols on Royal Caribbean's cruise ships, and when a change may occur there as well.

Related to the CSO, Mr. Bayley added, "I think what's what we're all hoping for is a continuation of an improvement of the environment and a decrease in all of the protocols that are currently in place."

When asked about protocols being changed, he pointed to the fact the stringent protocols are mostly tied to what is happening with Covid-19 case counts around the country.

"The relationship between these protocols...masks, testing vaccines, et cetera, is directly related to what's really going on with COVID and how the in the case of the United States, the CDC views that."

Mr. Bayley provided a possible outlook at protocols changing, "I think what we'll see is as infections decline and continue to to to decline, these things will will change."

He admitted while he is not "a big fan of masks," he said wearing it on the ships "was really no big deal."

"I would pop it on when I was walking through corridors or if I was going to get into an elevator. And most of the time I didn't have it on. I was outside most of the time. You don't have to wear a mask outside plenty of places in spaces where it's not required, so I didn't find it to be too too bothersome."

"I think we just have to try and work within these, these these guidelines that have been offered to us. But I do think it's all going to start stripping away as the environment gets better."

Update on Perfect Day at Lelepa

Mr. Bayley also briefly talked about previously announced plans for a new private island in the South Pacific.

Royal Caribbean announced Perfect Day at Lelepa, which is an island in Vanuatu that would be used to bolster the Australian cruise market.

"That project, we paused, you know, for obvious reasons. But we will plan is to re-engage and restart that project in the coming months."