Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean cruise ships are floating destinations with so many different fun activities onboard, even if it's one of their smaller ships.

There are almost 30 ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet of ships today, but they're not all copies of each other. Every ship has its own array of options, and the smaller and older ships certainly have a different feel from the megaships.

Often someone considering a cruise vacation will hesitate to book a smaller ship out of concern they might be boring or not as impressive. The truth is even the smaller Royal Caribbean ships are still quite large, and they're designed for a big market.

Before you write off a smaller ship, here are my picks for the best things to do on Royal Caribbean's smaller ships that are easily overlooked.

Best things to do on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship

Movie theater

On the Radiance Class cruise ships, there's a dedicated movie theater onboard.

All Royal Caribbean ships show movies by the pool on a big screen, but you're subject to the weather conditions outside. Plus, there are only limited showtimes.

The Cinema on Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas is an enclosed theater with perfect viewing conditions for a movie, with continuously running showtimes.

And just like the pool deck, there's no cost to going to the movie theater.

Intimate lounges and bars

You'll find fantastic bars on the smaller Royal Caribbean ships that have a different feel to them on bigger ships.

There's a Schooner Bar on every Royal Caribbean ship, but you haven't truly experienced the Schooner Bar until you've tried it on a Vision or Radiance Class ship.

The Schooner Bar is massive and features a much more pronounced nautical theme to it. Plus, the layout of the room is so much better than on the bigger ships.

Equally impressive are two bars within the Centrum atrium area.

Vintages Wine bar actually faces the ocean and has beautiful windows to see out of, which adds to the ambiance.

At the base of the Centrum is the R Bar, and it's the perfect lounge to enjoy a drink entertainment. Given the bar and the stage are together, it's an immersive lounge experience.

On the Voyager Class ships, I love the layout of the English pub.  To be honest, it's much better on Mariner and Navigator of the Seas. The other ships have an odd triangle shaped bar layout.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Viking Crown Lounge on the smaller ships.

Royal Caribbean has gone away with this signature lounge on its newest and biggest ships, but the small ships still have it and it's my favorite spot to enjoy a view and a drink from inside.

Hidden viewing deck

My favorite place for sailaway can only be found on the smaller Royal Caribbean ships.

If you're on a Radiance, Voyager, or Freedom Class cruise ship, you can go out to the helipad on the bow of the ship.

Access is available by walking all the way forward on the outside promenade deck, which is either on deck 4 or deck 5.

The views here are incredible, and it's the best spot to watch your ship pull into port or sail out of a port.

More relaxed pool decks

If you want a classic cruise ship pool experience, the pools on smaller ships are where it's at.

The pools on smaller shops are a bit more peaceful in the sense there aren't water slides, splash zones, or multiple pools to contend with.  In short, it doesn't have the hustle of the megaships.

That isn't to say there aren't events, because you'll still find a bellyflop competition and world's sexiest man competition. But I think you'll find the pool deck a bit more chill.

Moreover, I think the Solarium on the Radiance Class ships are the best in the fleet in terms of layout, being completely enclosed, and a great bar scene too.

Rock climbing wall

You won't find the over-the-top zany sports deck activities on big ships, but even the small ships have a rock wall you can climb.

The rock wall is arguably the first "I can't believe they put that on a cruise ship" feature when it first debuted on Voyager of the Seas in 1999, and it's available on even the smallest ships.

Included in your cruise fare, you get strapped in and try your best to climb the wall and reach the top. 

It's fun for kids or adults, and it's a great sea day activity.

Thermal spa

On the Radiance Class ships there is a thermal spa you can purchase a pass to, and it might be your new favorite way to indulge.

You purchase a pass that gives you unlimited access to the thermal spa, which is a calming retreat.

It includes access to heated stone lounge chairs, a dry sauna, a wet sauna, and a rainforest shower room.

Special itineraries and ports

Just as important as the features available onboard the small ships are the places you can visit on them.

The itineraries are far more varied on a smaller cruise ship, giving you the opportunity to visit more exotic and/or interesting places.

Smaller ships can visit the Greek isles and ports along the Adriatic Sea.  They can also take you much further north in Alaska to see more of the Last Frontier.

You'll also routinely find longer sailings offered on small ships.  As an example, the big cruise ships sailing from Galveston, Texas just offer cruises in the Western Caribbean, but Jewel of the Seas has 11 night cruises that go to the ABC islands in the Southern Caribbean.

Similarly, Royal Caribbean bases small ships out of San Juan, Puerto Rico that can visit more ports along the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

If you're looking for something more than the same itineraries, you could find them on a small ship.

Tips for making the most of a cruise on a smaller ship

The first thing you may notice about picking a smaller ship is the price tag, because older ships cost less than megaships.

Comparing the price of Grandeur of the Seas or Brilliance of the Seas to Icon of the Seas, and you'll see a stark difference.  The money saved means you can afford a nicer cabin or even another cruise booking.

If you're someone that usually books a balcony, keep in mind there are far less balconies on older ships, so book them early to ensure yourself of a cabin category you prefer. This is especially true on the Vision Class ships.

If you booked a smaller ship for the itinerary, be sure to focus on your time on land.  Plan out and book in advance great shore excursions so you can maximize the opportunity.

If you want a smaller ship but don't want to compromise on what you love about big ships, the Voyager Class is probably the sweet spot for you.

Walking into the back of the biggest cruise ships in the world, you'll be surprised all of the fun Royal Caribbean was able to include.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships broke records with their size and amenities. Ships in both classes share a lot of similarities, such as modern accommodations, waterslides, ice skating rinks, and shared venues. 

Both Icon and Oasis Class ships also feature distinct neighborhoods, dividing the ships up into themed sections.

The vessels share similar neighborhoods, such as Central Park, the Royal Promenade, and Suite neighborhoods (on Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas).

However, the debut of Icon of the Seas introduced a new neighborhood: Surfside.

Surfside neighborhood was built on the aft of Icon, replacing the location that was the Boardwalk on Oasis-Class ships. 

While both neighborhoods take up the aft of these mega-ships, that's where the similarities end.

What are neighborhoods?

One unique aspect of Royal Caribbean's mega-ships is that each vessel is divided into distinct neighborhoods that offer something for everyone.

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, has stated that neighborhoods make these ships so successful.

"Neighborhoods have been able to pull people together into spaces that they really enjoy," he said. "Everyone has something [they] are excited to do during the day."

Themed areas on a large vessel make it easier for cruisers to find their bearings and to congregate with like-minded individuals who enjoy the same activities.

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

When it comes to booking a cruise ship, it's important to identify which of its neighborhoods interest you.

If you like the sound of a luxuriously exclusive suite neighborhood, booking an Icon Class ship will grant you that experience.

On the other hand, if you love the nostalgia of the Boardwalk, you'll want to sail on an Oasis Class vessel.

Oasis Class ships have the following neighborhoods:

• Boardwalk
• Central Park
• Royal Promenade
• Pool and Sports Zone
• Entertainment Place
• Youth Zone
• Vitality Spa and Fitness
• Suite Neighborhood (on Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas)

Read more: Wonder of the Seas neighborhoods tour

Icon Class ships (Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, thus far) have the following neighborhoods:

• Central Park
• Royal Promenade
• Suite Neighborhood
• AquaDome
• Thrill Island
• The Hideaway
• Chill Island
• Surfside

Boardwalk vs. Surfside

If you've ever walked along a seaside pier or visited an old-fashioned beach boardwalk fair, Boardwalk Neighborhood will instantly invoke those nostalgic sights and smells.

The Boardwalk is decorated in bright colors and centers on the popular Royal Caribbean carousel. 

Children and adults alike will enjoy this handcrafted, colorful ride, which is free to ride all day.

Past the carousel, each Oasis-class ship features the exit to the Ultimate Abyss dry slide.

The 10-story dry slide is the tallest at sea and exits right onto the Boardwalk.

The end of the Boardwalk hosts the ship's AquaTheater, an open-air amphitheater overlooking the stern of the ship. 

In front of the large pool and diving boards, guests can enjoy the spectacular, awe-inspiring feats of Royal Caribbean's AquaShows in front of a stunning ocean view.

Icon Class ships, on the other hand, completely changed the game by replacing the Boardwalk and AquaTheater with the Surfside Neighborhood.

This neighborhood is a brand-new design intended to cater to families with young children.

The only similarity Surfside holds with Boardwalk is that the classic carousel still stands in the middle—but instead of a classic fair carousel, Surfside's is a beachy, pastel-colored design.

The entire layout of the neighborhood prioritizes kids' comfort, with bright colors and fun patterns. 

It is also located close to the ship's Adventure Ocean, 

The AquaTheater on Icon of the Seas was moved forward to the AquaDome neighborhood, highlighting the experience.

Dining and Venues

The Boardwalk is lined with several shops and eateries that match the retro theme.

The venues on the Boardwalk vary from ship-to-ship, but usually include:

• Johnny Rockets, a retro 50's diner
• Sugar Beach, the candy and ice cream shop
• Candy Beach, a shop just for candy
• Boardwalk Doghouse, hot dog stand
• Boardwalk Doughnuts, a donut shop
• Playmakers, sports bar and arcade
• Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar, modern Mexican restaurant and bar
• Cups & Scoops, an ice cream stand
• Starbucks, the specialty coffee shop
• Various retail shops

There aren't many common venues between Boardwalk and Surfside—the only similarity is Sugar Beach, a candy and ice cream shop located within both neighborhoods.

Because the AquaTheater is not located inside the Surfside neighborhood, the Icon-Class area has a lot more space for kid's play and water areas.

Guests will find multiple spaces perfect to entertain children of all ages. 

The Playscape features soft playground shapes. Splashaway Bay is a kid's splash pad, and Water's Edge Pool and Baby Bay are close by.

Surfside also has a designated arcade, which comes at an extra cost to play.

Icon of the Seas features the following venues within Surfside:

• Surfside Eatery, the family buffet 
• Surfside Bites, grab-and-go venue
• Sprinkles, an ice cream shop
• The Lemon Post, a cocktail and mocktail bar
• Pier 7, a specialty eatery
• Sugar Beach, the candy and ice cream shop
• Various retail shops

Read more: I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them

Star of the Seas, the next iteration in the Icon Class, will also have the Surfside neighborhood, but its venues were not revealed at the time of this article.

Staterooms

Both neighborhoods have unique cabins that include a view facing the neighborhood, such as the Boardwalk View, Boardwalk View Balcony on the Boardwalk, and the Surfside Family View Balcony and Surfside Family View Interior in the Surfside neighborhood.

Both neighborhoods also have unique suite categories that feature a view of the area; The Boardwalk offers the AquaTheater Suite and Surfside has the Surfside Family Suite.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse, the Sunset Suite, the Sunset Corner Suite, the Sunset Junior Suite, on Icon of the Seas all have Surfside views as well.

Icon of the Seas' Surfside neighborhood also adds a new cabin category: infinite balcony staterooms.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

One of the best aspects of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program is that you can pass your benefits onto your kids, greatly enhancing the value of a cruise.

Cruising with kids is the core focus of Royal Caribbean.  Their family-focused business is at the heart of what they offer on any of their cruises.

Read more: 7 best cruise ships for kids

I have two kids who have been cruising since they were each six months old, and there's doubt we've saved so much money over the years because of our Crown and Anchor perks.

Royal Caribbean awards points for every cruise you take, and whomever has the most points in the household passes their tier onto others in the household, including minors.

This means a newborn could crawl right into a top tier level of Crown and Anchor Society on their first cruise.

Families that will cruise often will find a lot of benefits when they bring their kids.

Extending program benefits to children

Royal Caribbean will extend your Crown and Anchor Society status to your children, and even spouse, living in the same household as you.

There are a few rules, but it's fairly straightforward.

Anyone under the age of 18 will automatically qualify for the top status among the household.  That means if you have Diamond status, but your spouse only has Platinum, your kids would get Diamond level benefits.

Each child needs their own Crown and Anchor Society account before you can match them.

The "catch" is your kids would get your status, but not your points.

Let's assume you never cruise again, your kids would have zero points but Diamond status. So for them to get to Diamond Plus, they'd have to get enough points on their own to move up to Diamond Plus.

Once the kid turns 18, their accounts are no longer linked with yours and now are individual. They retain their Crown and Anchor Society level and must earn points (and tiers) on their own going forward.

When they are 18 their accounts are no longer linked with yours and now are individual. Their account will now reflect the points actually earned from the cruises they took while linked to your account.

Spouses also get your status

Children aren't the only ones to benefit from your loyalty to Royal Caribbean.

If you get married and you or your spouse has a higher Crown & Anchor tier, you can status match to each other. In addition, partners qualify too.  Royal Caribbean isn't particular about if you're married or not, just that you're declaring you are in a relationship with someone else.

You'll need to call the loyalty program at ‭(800) 526-9723‬ and request your new spouse be added in a relationship with you. Alternatively, you could email [email protected] but I recommend calling for faster service.

Just like the kids, your spouse needs their own membership number.

It can take a few days for the linking to complete.

Once it's linked their points tally will appear to be the same as yours, however if the relationship ever ends their points tally will return to what they have accumulated based on their own cruise history. 

There is a limit to family matching with children

Your kids can get your Crown and Anchor Status up the loyalty program ladder, but not not quite all the way.

If you or your spouse get to Pinnacle Club status, which is the top most tier within Royal Caribbean's program, your kids will remain at Diamond Plus.

Pinnacle Club member tier status can only be earned by an individual, spouse or significant other by one of them accumulating at least 700 Cruise Points or more in the CAS program. That means kids must earn that status on their own.

Spouses, however, still get Pinnacle status if their spouse gets it first.

Onboard benefits for kids

Anyone under the age of 18 has their own subset of benefits that differ slightly from what adults get. These benefits work on every cruise, which makes it advantageous to take advantage on every sailing.

The Youth Member Benefits are as follows: 

Gold

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)

Platinum

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)

Emerald

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)

Diamond

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)
• 4 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

Diamond Plus

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)
• 5 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

Pinnacle Club

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• SURF+STREAM Internet discount equal to parents' benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second FREE
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off (applied at the end of the sailing)
• 6 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

In case you're wondering, no, adults cannot use their kids complimentary drink vouchers for alcoholic beverages for themselves.

Royal Caribbean offers some of the best loyalty program benefits in the industry, so how do you move up the levels faster?

The Crown and Anchor Society offers rewards, discounts, and special events to its members, and it's all based on which tier you're at. 

Similar to hotel or airline offerings, Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program has different tiers based on how many points you have, with points earned based on travel.

Unlike other forms of travel customer loyalty programs, Royal Caribbean's points never expire.  And that means you can move up to a higher level even if you haven't cruised in a few years.

When you reach Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club, Royal Caribbean will give you free drinks every day of your cruise, free internet access, laundry services, and even a free cruise.

If you want to get more points to get to a higher Crown and Anchor level faster, there are a few strategies you can employ.

Read more: How to reach Diamond level quickly

Stay in a suite

Perhaps the easiest way to get more Crown and Anchor points is to book a suite.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra point per night if you book a suite instead of a standard cabin:

• 1 point per night in an inside, oceanview, or balcony cabin
• 2 points per night in a Junior suite or higher

Booking a Junior Suite is often an affordable way to get that extra point, as Junior Suites are not nearly as expensive as the suites that come with full suite benefits.

It's worth noting that Royal Caribbean has begun adding some Junior Suites on their newest ships that have full suite benefits, such as the Sky Junior Suite on Icon of the Seas.

Not only will a suite double the points you will get for every night of the cruise, but they also come with some great benefits to enjoy along the way. I find staying in a suite when you're at a lower Crown and Anchor level is advantageous since there is some overlap between the benefits.

Book a longer cruise

It's simple math: the more you cruise, the more points you earn.  So if you want to accumulate points quicker, book a longer cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers short weekend cruises, week-long sailings, and even cruises that are about two weeks.  Whenever possible, opt for a longer cruise to get more nights in.

Transatlantic cruises are some of the best cruises to rack up Crown and Anchor points because they're usually between 10-14 nights in duration, and priced quite well.  There's less demand for a transatlantic cruise because of the length, number of sea days, and the flight logistics.

If you book a transatlantic cruise and stay in a suite, you could really get a lot of points quickly out of one trip.

The other strategy is to make your cruise longer by not leaving.

Book a back to back cruise, where you book the same ship two times or more in a row. This allows you to sail longer at one time without having to find an exotic itinerary that has the same amount of nights.

Ideally, you'll book a back to back cruise where each sailing has a different itinerary so that you can enjoy different ports on each sailing. However, there's nothing wrong with doing the same itinerary twice. 

This is especially easy with short cruises.  Royal Caribbean's brand new Utopia of the Seas offers 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas.  If you book two sailings in a row, you'll cruise for a week.

Booking a back to back cruise gets you more time on the ship to enjoy what that ship has to offer, and it also stretches your flight value out because you'll be away for more days.

Cruise solo

Besides staying in a suite, if you book a standard cabin by yourself, you'll get an extra point per night too.

Just like staying in a suite, booking a solo cruise gets you more points for every night of your cruise.

The catch is not to book a studio cabin because you won't get an extra point. Select Royal Caribbean ships have cabins designed for solo cruisers, and these would not earn you more Crown and Anchor points faster.

And yes, you can combine the strategies in this post and book a suite by yourself and get 3 points per night.

Booking a suite alone is hands down the fastest path to earning the most Crown and Anchor points. It might seem egregious, but more people do it than you might think.

You cannot buy points

Unlike some other loyalty programs, Royal Caribbean does not allow you to buy points.

There is no mechanism to purchase points without traveling, no matter how few points you need to get to the next tier.

Quite often I'll see posts on the Royal Caribbean message boards asking if they can use a credit card or call the cruise line and buy a point or two.

The only way to earn points in Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program is to sail on a cruise ship.

Avoid bidding for a stateroom upgrade

Be forewarned, if you bid for a stateroom upgrade from a lower category cabin to a suite, you will not get that extra point per night.

Points are based on the cabin you originally booked, so Royal Up will not get you any extra points. 

If you had a balcony or lower category, and then successfully bid to a suite, you would only receive 1 point per night.

Read more: 6 reasons to refuse to upgrade your cabin

Pro tip: Stay in a cabin alone while family is in another cabin

In all my years of cruising, I picked up on a strategy people that cruise a lot to employ in order to get to the highest Crown and Anchor levels.

They'll book one person in a cabin alone to get the extra point, and put the rest of their family in another cabin.

This strategy works best once you hit 340 points so that you'll a “single supplement discount”. With the single supplement discount, instead of paying 200% fare, you’re only charged 150% extra. 

Marcy Miyar employed this strategy by booking Junior Suites alone in order to get to Pinnacle Club status faster.

It's not necessarily a great money saving idea, but the faster you get to the higher tiers, the sooner you get to enjoy their benefits. Once you have the benefits, it opens up a lot of possibilities for maximizing the loyalty program value.

I never advocated for cruising for the sake of status, but it's hard to deny how lucrative it is being a Pinnacle Club member now and that it's added tremendous value to my cruises.

If you take a cruise from Galveston, Texas there's one big difference you should know about on the first day of your cruise.

Galveston is one of the most popular cruise ports, and it is growing quickly in terms of adding new ships.  

However, if you've never cruised from Texas, you might be surprised by the limited drink selections.

Some cruise ports have their nuances, and a Royal Caribbean cruise from Galveston has its own restrictions based on the drinks available.

Limited drinks on embarkation day

The first day of your cruise is always exciting because it signifies your vacation is finally here, and a lot of cruisers like to celebrate with a cocktail or beer.

However, you'll find less drinks on a cruise that departs Galveston on the first day.

Texas has its own set of liquor laws that limit the selection on your ship while you're in port and for the first few hours of the cruise.

The drink menu and liquor brands are limited while in Texas waters dues to rules in place by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

What this means is Royal Caribbean has to buy their liquor from a Texas distributer to be able to serve it on the ship while in Texas waters.  Any liquor served has to be served from a bottle which has the Texas tax paid and it carries a sticker to prove that Texas tax has been paid.

As a result, Royal Caribbean purchased a Texas permit so that it can purchase some of its liquor from a Texas distributor allowing them to serve liquor through the drink package while in Texas waters. 

They effectively have two liquor cabinets for ships homeported in Galveston, one for liquor and beer they bought from a Texas distributor, and another cabinet for liquor and beer they bought from another distributor / wholesaler.  When the ship leaves port and reaches international waters, they lock up all the liquor and beer with Texas stamps and bring out the other liquor and beer.

If this sounds crazy, it's not just Texas that has this kind of a law on the books. Both New York and Alabama have similar laws in place.

The law applies until your ship clears the first 12 nautical miles out to sea. Once the ship has moved into international waters, full bar selection opens up.

There is no restriction on non-alcoholic beverages, including mocktails.

The good news is you can still use your Royal Caribbean drink package on the first day of your cruise.

"In Texas Waters" liquor brands

For the first few hours of your cruise, there is a special menu of beverages you can order from until your ship gets out to sea.

Texas Beverage Menu

SPARKLING WINES

• Chandon, Brut, “Classic” $12
• Ruffino, Prosecco $11

WHITE/ROSÉ

• Beringer, White Zinfandel $8
• Château d'Esclans, Rosé $14
• Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc $12
• Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Sauvignon Blanc $11
• Danzante, Pinot Grigio $10
• Penfolds, Chardonnay, “Koonunga Hill” $10
• Kendall-Jackson, Chardonnay, “Vintner’s Reserve” $11
• Château d'Aussières, Chardonnay “Aussières,” Vin de Pays D’OC $9
• Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Chardonnay $11
• Conundrum $16

RED

• Castle Rock, Pinot Noir, “California Cuvée” $11
• Terrazas de los Andes, Malbec $14
• Robert Mondavi, Private Selection, Merlot $12
• Castle Rock, Cabernet Sauvignon $9
• Château d'Aussières, Cabernet Sauvignon “Aussières,” Vin de Pays D’OC $9
• Kendall-Jackson, Cabernet Sauvignon “Vintner’s Reserve $11
• Torres, Ribera del Duero, “Celeste,” Crianza $11

SPIRITS

• Tito’s Handmade $10.99
• Absolut $10.99
• Grey Goose $13.99
• Bacardi $10.99
• Pusser’s Navy $12.99
• Kraken $9.99
• Malibu $9.99
• Captain Morgan $10.99
• Jose Cuervo Gold $9.99
• Avión Silver $11.99
• Jim Beam $10.99
• Buffalo Trace $10.99
• Templeton Rye $10.99
• Balcones Rye $13.99
• Balcones Straight $13.99
• Dewar’s $9.99
• Seagram’s 7 $9.99
• Crown Royal $10.99
• Glenfiddich $11.99
• Henrick’s $12.99
• Beefeater $10.99
• Aperol $10.99

BEER - $7.49

• Budweiser
• Bud Light
• Coors Light
• Corona Extra
• Stella Artois
• Shiner Bock

"BEYOND “BEER” - $7.49

• Truly Wild Berry
• Hard Seltzer
• White Claw Mango
• Hard Seltzer
• Topo Chico Ranch Water
• Hard Seltzer

ADVENTUROUS FLAVORS - $14

• Bloody Mary: Vodka with Bloody Mary Mix
• Cozumel Sunrise: Cuervo Gold Tequila, Mango, Lime Juice and Grenadine
• Sirena del Mar: Rum, Vodka, Gin and Tequila with Sour Mix and Topped with Coke
• Tiki Tai: Rum, Amaretto, Orange and Pineapple Juices with Grenadine
• Batuque Carioca: Malibu Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao and Pineapple Juice
• Passion Exotica: Aperol, Vodka, Passion Fruit Syrup, Lemon Juice and Sparkling Wine
• Queva-Rita: Tequila Blended with Mango and Margarita Mix
• Caribbean Mule: Absolut Vodka, Coconut Rum, Blended with Goslings Ginger Beer
• Painkiller: Malibu Coconut Rum, Kraken Black Spiced Rum, Orange Juice and Pineapple Juice

VIRGIN DRINKS

• Our Complete Selection of Non-Alcoholic Beverages are Available.

An 18% gratuity will be added to your check.

Carnival has a different policy

If you've cruised with Carnival Cruise Line in the past, you should know Royal Caribbean's policy differs.

Just like Royal Caribbean, Carnival has a limited alcohol selection on day one from Galveston.  Most importantly, the CHEERS! Package does not work at all until the second day of the cruise.

If there's a silver lining, you don't pay for that first day of the package since it doesn't begin until day two.

Carnival's soda package (Bottomless Bubbles), however, will still work on the first day.

Another Texas tax to be aware of before you cruise

One other important law to be familiar with is if you want to bring liquor home with you.

If you buy duty-free liquor during your cruise, upon returning to Galveston you have to pay the TABC taxes on each bottle.   Whether or not you are a resident of Texas, you still have to pay the tax.

There is an area setup right after US Customs in the cruise terminal, and if you declare a bottle of duty-free booze you will be directed to visit the TABC tax collectors.  

It's a few bucks per bottle, but everyone pays even if you are flying out of Houston hours after arriving back into Galveston.  

You need to know some key information before booking your European cruise.

While Caribbean cruises are quite the popular destination, Royal Caribbean cruises also offer great European destinations.

A Royal Caribbean cruise to Europe could include stops at England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Corsica, Greece, or Croatia.

Whether you're looking forward to tasting French wine, touring classic Italian art museums, or winding down in the Aegean Sea, a European cruise offers unique and exciting sightseeing opportunities. 

But before you book your cruise, you should know some details unique to cruising in Europe.

From learning local phrases to the best time to cruise, we'll go over the most important things to know before taking a European cruise.

1. The best time to cruise is during the shoulder season

The summer season is the peak of cruising Europe. 

You'll find that a cruise to the region between May and September will be packed with fellow tourists.

Not only that, but the summer months can get extremely hot, forcing you to conduct tours and explorations in the scorching sun.

If you'd like to avoid hot weather and crammed crowds, you'll want to sail during the off-season.

The two shoulder seasons fall in the fall and spring: between April and May and between September and October.

Read more: The worst months to cruise to Europe

Booking a cruise during these months gets you a lower price and fewer crowds.

The weather also won't be as hot. 

However, if you're sensitive to the cold, you should know that the nights can get chilly in the fall and winter. Pack lots of layers.

2. Shore excursions will feel long and tiring

An often-shared piece of advice for European cruises is to expect a lot of walking. 

A good pair of walking shoes is essential!

Shore excursions can involve a lot of foot travel, whether you're walking the cobblestone streets of an ancient city, touring a museum, or exploring old architecture.

While on a European cruise, you'll quickly learn that the days feel long and tiring. 

As well as preparing for your health, you'll want to plan by not cramming too many tours into one port day.

Since European cruises often visit one or more vibrant, historical cities on each port day, it's easy to want to try everything: visit this museum, see this landmark, or try this specific restaurant.

Pad your schedule with lots of downtime. Don't force yourself to rush around on a port day.

If possible, I'd even recommend not purchasing shore excursions or tours for every port. 

If you have to, make sure they're not all in the early morning! Your body will need lots of time to rest.

Read more: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

3. Fly in to your cruise port at least two days early

Especially if you're flying in from another continent, I recommend arriving at your cruise port as early as possible.

With international flights, extra transit, and the potential for delays along the way, arriving at least a day early will ensure you don't miss your cruise.

Arriving early also gives you more time to recover from intense jetlag.

The jetlag from switching time zones can be one of the most challenging parts of a European cruise: it makes you exhausted all day long, and if you don't recover quickly, it could limit your cruise experience.

Additionally, arriving in your port city early gives you extra time to explore. Whether it's Athens, London, or Barcelona, you'll get some more days on the ground to discover a new, exciting destination.

4. Research your destinations beforehand

Before you set sail on your cruise, it's important to do research beforehand.

Because so many of the countries in Europe are quite old and have so much history, there are so many things to explore.

Don't assume that your tour guides will (or have the time to) tell you everything. 

Before your cruise, research each country you'll be visiting, as well as the specific destinations you're interested in.

For example, when I took a 7-night Mediterranean cruise that stopped at Naples, I checked out a library book about Italy and read up on Pompeii, since I'd be visiting the famous site on a shore excursion.

Investigating before your cruise gives you something to do on the plane, and provides helpful context. 

You'll better understand the sights you visit, as well as local customs and cultures.

Read more: I’ve been on 3 European cruises, and I see people making the same 12 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them

5. Learn the local language

Don't expect everyone in an European country to speak English. 

It's a common language, and of course, the mother tongue in England. However, Europe is a diverse continent, and other countries speak everything from Spanish to Greek and Italian.

I also recommend reading up on a few phrases in the languages local to the countries you'll be visiting.

Even if you're not good at learning new languages, learning just a few words or phrases can go a long way.

Pull up a short YouTube video, and teach yourself "hello" and "thank you."

Also learning to ask if something speaks English is a great way to extend politeness, instead of assuming.

When I was visiting Rome, Italy, I saw a fellow American cruiser walk up to a local bathroom attendant.

Without any greeting, the American jumped into her question in English, leaving the attendant staring at her blankly.

The bathroom attendant refused to respond, and the American had to walk away with her question unanswered.

I find that politely using the local language shows respect for the culture, even if your pronunciation is bad.

Not only will your attempt endear you to shopkeepers and restaurant owners, but you can also take your cruise as an opportunity to learn more.

Who knows, you might leave your European cruise inspired to learn a new language.

Two famous influencers are facing harsh backlash for leaving their two young children unattended during their recent Royal Caribbean cruise.

The couple - Matt and Abby Howard - are known for their online presence, as the two are the hosts of a popular podcast called The Unplanned Podcast. In addition, the couple has a large following on Instagram and TikTok, where they chronicle their lives as parents of two young children to millions of followers. Their children include two sons, a 1-year-old named August and a 2-year-old named Griffin.

The controversy comes after Abby shared on her Instagram story about their recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. The mom of two shared with her 1.3 million followers how she and Matt decided partway through their 5-night cruise to leave their children unattended in their stateroom during dinner.

In the now-deleted Instagram story, Abby said, “So, we ended up taking them for 5 nights and it became apparent that they weren’t enjoying it and therefore we weren’t either.”

“So, THEN we switched our dinner time to AFTER their bedtime and we FaceTimed the [baby] monitors while we ate,” she continued. Further, Abby shared how their baby monitors wouldn’t work onboard Navigator of the Seas unless they were within 10 feet of the device.

Abby stated, “And that worked out muchhhh better for everyone!”

According to online reports, Abby had shared that the parents had tried to leave the children with the onboard childcare services, but their baby was too upset by the ordeal. Moreover, Abby shared in an Instagram story how they tried to reserve slots for their children, but struggled to find availability.

“Our game plan was to play all day with the kids and then let them hang out in the kids club while the adults went to formal dining, as long, nice dinners [are] not a setting designed for them,” Abby said.

“Well, you need to book ahead if your child is under 3 and pretty much all of the dinner slots were already booked before I could get to the nursery (an hour after boarding),” she continued. As a solution, the parents opted to put their children to bed before dinner, relying on their phones to FaceTime a baby monitor to watch the kids.

As a family-friendly cruise line, Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas provides nursery care for children under 3 years old for an additional cost. The cruise line states on their website, "If you’re cruising with a baby or a toddler, you’ll be pleased to know that Navigator of the Seas offers an abundance of childcare options for little ones, like the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Program and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery. That’s in addition to convenience-boosting amenities like cribs brought to your stateroom and babysitting services run by qualified, caring professionals."

According to Royal Caribbean’s website, Royal Babies and Tots has an additional cost based on an hourly rate. Parents need to register their children and reserve slots for the nursery, which is fully equipped with staff to supervise young children safely.

Unsurprisingly, the Instagram story has brought the parents under scrutiny for leaving their young children alone in their stateroom to have dinner. The story, which was shared to r/royalcaribbean on Reddit, garnered more than 200 comments. The original post on Reddit was captioned, "Influencers leave their kids in their room unattended… y'all, do NOT DO THIS!!"

Social media users and cruisers alike were outraged by the incident, calling the parents “neglectful,” "insane," and “irresponsible.” Moreover, many questioned how the parents would reach their children in the event of an emergency, such as an onboard fire.

“They could have easily had their dinner brought to their room and ate there. So irresponsible and selfish,” states one commenter.

Another cruiser stated, “I mean, I’ve cruised a lot and there is always something crazy that happens. A rogue wave. A lockdown. Storm. Lost child. The ocean is wild and to leave your 1-year-old and 2-year-old alone on a boat at any time is so so so so so so stupid.”

“If you can’t stay with your kids at all times or have appropriate adults watching them, then don’t bring them!”

Another user shared, “I expected to see a bunch of overreacting, assuming the kids were a bit older. 1 and 2? One is entirely helpless and the other is self-destructive. Yikes.”

“Wow, this is insane. I just took my 2-year-old and 11-month-old on a cruise and I never thought to myself, I should leave them alone in our room,” writes another commenter.

One person commented, “I was thinking that maybe they were older kids since I’m not familiar with these TikTokers. This information makes it so, so much worse.”

Others compared the incident to the story of Madeleine McCann, in which the British parents of the 3-year-old toddler left her unattended in a resort-style apartment to have dinner with their friends nearby. Other children were in the apartment at the time of the incident as well.

Although the parents took turns checking on the kids during dinner, the young Madeline was gone from her bed around 10PM that night - and she remains missing to this day.

“Clearly, they’re too young to know the story of Madeleine McCann. That’s exactly what happened in their case and I am sure those parents regret that choice to go have dinner when the kids are sleeping every single day,” writes one commenter.

Similarly, another person commented, “Dude. No way. Older little kids can leave the room without you stopping them. [For] babies, [it's] basically criminal neglect to leave like that. Madeleine McCann, anyone?”

“I guess they’ve never heard of Madeleine McCann?” commented one user on social media.

Another echoed this sentiment writing, “This seriously reminds me of the Madeleine McCann. Like many years ago, a couple on holiday left their child in the room for dinner and she was kidnapped. I mean that’s a worse case scenario but like literally a billion things can happen."

Abby and Matt have not responded to the criticism publicly, although the couple did remove the story from Abby's Instagram following the backlash. 

Welcome back to this week's comprehensive look at all the recent Royal Caribbean news. It was a big week for the cruise line, so let's dive in!

Royal Caribbean's infamous nine-month world cruise ended this week.

The viral 9-month journey onboard Serenade of the Seas came to an end with a party attended by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley. 

Passengers and crew members returned to Miami, Florida, where it all began. The cruise line's first world cruise visited 60 countries across all seven continents.

Royal Caribbean News

• How much is a balcony room on a cruise?
• Does the size of a cruise ship really matter?
• The 5 smartest moves I made on my European cruise
• Twelve-year-old child dies after falling from balcony on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• Anthem of the Seas vs. Oasis of the Seas
• Greece is adding a new anti-cruise ship tourist tax
• Cruise door decorations ideas & what you need to know
• Royal Caribbean CEO shares when new beach clubs will open in Bahamas, Mexico, and South Pacific
• Royal Caribbean kids club guide
• Royal Caribbean cancels cruise reservations on one of its ships due to lifeboat shortage

New RCB Video: I went on the LEAST POPULAR Europe cruise

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise!

This week, we are sharing our latest video—I went on the LEAST POPULAR Europe cruise—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 544th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt sailed a 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise in Europe and is back to share his review. 

We update our podcast weekly, so subscribe for more updates via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or RSS.

You can also leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so go ahead and check it out! We appreciate your feedback.

Overtourism by cruise ships? Royal Caribbean CEO fights back

Cruise ship ports across Europe have been protesting overtourism, but Royal Caribbean's CEO thinks targeting the cruising industry is misinformed.

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

During a Q&A session onboard the Ultimate World Cruise, Bayley argued that "there are some incredibly positive attributes that come from our business." 

I work at Royal Caribbean's private island. Here are11 things that most cruisers don't know

The top two people that oversee Royal Caribbean's private island want you to know some secrets about Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The private island in the Bahamas is free for Royal Caribbean guests to access, so how can you make the most of the experience?

By taking advantage of their advice, you can save time and money while vising CocoCay.

I travel for work, here's the one thing that I do on the first day of every cruise

As a frequent traveler, Calista has learned how to make the most of her cruises.

Since embarkation day can be one of the most stressful and significant days of the sailing, she's developed a key tip to make embarkation day run smoothly.

Calista always does this one thing as soon as she gets onboard a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's ships are packed with lots of activities and entertainment, that include areas just for kids and teens to go without their parents.

The dedicated spaces for kids have grown as Royal Caribbean's ships have gotten bigger, and there's a large emphasis on family-friendly programming.

I've taken my kids on dozens of cruises over the years, and it quickly became our family's preferred way to travel. Without a doubt, there's an art to cruising with kids because like all things with children, you've got to find the right balance of fun, relaxation, and sanity.

While we enjoy family fun with my kids on the ships, the supervised kids clubs in Adventure Ocean, Teen Lounge, and the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery have given a break to all of us. 

How the kids club works on Royal Caribbean

On every Royal Caribbean ship is a supervised area reserved just for kids. Parent's drop them off, and it's a win-win for both kids and parents alike.

You'll need to register your kids once you get onboard by visiting the kids club or nursery. You just need to enter some personal information about your kids, who can pick them up, sign out privileges, and authorization for the cruise line staff to supervise them.

Adventure Ocean is the name of the kids club on Royal Caribbean, and it's open every day of your cruise.  It's not open 24 hours, but its operating hours mean you can count on it being open most of the day and into the late night.

If your kids are at least 3 years old, there's no cost to use Adventure Ocean up until 10pm.  After that, there's an hourly fee.

Adventure Ocean is separated into three groups: Aquanauts (3 to 5 years old), Explorers (6 to 8 years old) and Voyagers (9 to 12/13 years old). This ensures there are age-appropriate activities for everyone.

Sometimes groups will be merged if there aren't a lot of kids checked-in, such as during the morning on a sea day or late at night.

Kids going into Aquanauts need to be fully potty trained, regardless of age. The staff cannot assist with kids using the toilet. 

As many parents know, 3-year-olds are usually in the midst of potty training, so my advice is take them to the restroom before drop off and check in often with them to see if they need to go.  There's no problem with you stopping by to take them to the bathroom and then the child returning to the fun.

Kids under the age of 3 can go to the ship's nursery, which always has an hourly fee. The nursery will care for, feed, and put the child down for a nap while in their care.

Teens have their own area of the ship. Depending on the ship, the minimum age for teens is 12 or 13 years old, and includes anyone up to the age of 17.

Kids club on new ships vs old ships

You should be aware that Royal Caribbean's kids programming varies considerably depending on which ship you're sailing on.

Since about 2019, Royal Caribbean has steadily been upgrading Adventure Ocean and Teens Club with a new approach. Primarily, the differences include:

• Teen club starts at 13 instead of 12
• Adventure Ocean is more free play, rather than organized activities. There are still activities wit staff, but kids have more choice whether to participate or not.
• Addition of craft rooms (AO Workshop)
• Addition of outdoor teen deck space
• More interactive digital entertainment in the clubs

Ships with "Adventure Ocean 2.0" include:

• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Star of the Seas

Other ships have essentially the original Adventure Ocean approach to programming and spaces available.

What are the ages for kids club on Royal Caribbean?

Kids between the ages of 6 months and 17 years old can access Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean program.

Each area is split up by age:

• Royal Babies & Tots: Children 6 months–36 months
• Aquanauts & AO Junior: Children ages 3–5
• Explorers: Children ages 6–8
• Voyagers: Children ages 9–11
• AO Kids (new ships): Children ages 6-12
• Navigators: Children ages 12–14
• Teens: Children ages 15–17
• Social (new ships): ages 13-17

What are the Royal Caribbean kids club hours?

On sea days, Adventure Ocean is typically open 9am - noon; 2pm - 5pm; 7pm - 10pm. After 10pm, Adventure Ocean remains open until perhaps 1am or 2am, but there is an hourly charge for kids that stay past 10pm.

While in port, Adventure Ocean is open continuously while the ship is docked with no breaks.  Once the ship departs port, it resumes the normal sea day schedule.

The nursery hours are fixed every day and open 9am - midnight with a reservation.

The teen club has similar hours to Adventure Ocean, but there is no cost past 10pm.

Special kids club rooms

In recent years, Royal Caribbean has added more than just play areas for kids on their ships. You'll find labs, theaters, and more.

Depending on which ship you sail, there could be additional venues part of Adventure Ocean. These are primarily on the newest and biggest ships. 

All of these rooms are included with your cruise and there's no additional fee.  In many cases, it may only be open for kids checked into their club.

An open play area is an unsupervised room with play toys and climbing toys that is enclosed, with just one entrance. This is where parents can bring their young kids and let them run loose while supervising them.

It's similar to a play are you might see at a fast food restaurant, and it's great for toddlers who can crawl and start to walk and they need to get energy out.

The Adventure Ocean theater doubles as both a movie room and a place for original shows.

Sometimes there are activities held inside the theater for kids signed into kids club, while other times the theater is opened up to parents and kids.

The Science Lab is where Adventure Ocean counselors can take kids to do fun experiments.

Usually it's where kids can build a volcano and watch it "erupt" with the proper combination of chemicals, but it's been used for other activities as well.

Teens usually have an outdoor space for them, in addition to the club. 

On Odyssey of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, there's actually a teen sun deck space for them. Other ships have clubs for teens only.

On the newest Oasis Class ships, there is a Playscape area on the back of the pool deck (Utopia and Wonder of the Seas).

There's no registration or sign ups required, just bring your kids and let them explore and play.  Kids of all ages are welcome, but it leans heavily to favor under 7-year-olds.

Do you have to pay for kids club on Royal Caribbean?

Adventure Ocean and Teens Club is included with your cruise fare, and there is no additional cost. The exception is after 10pm for Adventure Ocean.

After 10pm, there is an hourly rate of $10 per child, per hour.

The nursery always has an hourly cost and costs $6 per child, per hour between 9am and 6pm; $8 per child, per hour between 6pm and midnight.

How the nursery works on Royal Caribbean

Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a nursery, and while it has an extra cost, I've found it to be a tremendous value for parents.

The nursery onboard is for toddlers and infants between 6 months and 36 months old, and you'll need to register your child in order to get a time slot.

Time slots are limited because the nursery has very limited capacity. Royal Caribbean maintains a strict counselor-to-child ratio because young children of this age require far more attention than older kids.

When you register, you'll provide information such as feeding schedule, nap preferences, and more.  Unlike the older kids clubs, the nursery can feed children, change their clothes or diapers and allow them to nap. 

Parents can drop off a bag of supplies, which includes formula, diapers, outfits, and anything else the staff might need.

On most ships, the nursery will limit the amount of hours you reserve in advance to ensure everyone has a chance to book times.  Usually after 2 or 3 days, they'll open time slots up without any restrictions.

While the nursery requires reservations, you can still drop your kid off if they have open slots.  My tip is to call the nursery and ask if they have availability at the moment, and they can advise if there's an opportunity.

Once in the nursery, the kids will interact with the counselors and other kids.  The very young kids might simply be held the entire time, while older kids can play with toys, watch a movie, or play with counselors or other kids.

There is a nap area with cribs. Newer ships have more separation between the cribs and the play area. 

Can the staff contact me if there's a problem?

There are various options for contacting parents if there's an issue, problem, or question about their kids.

Parents that drop children at the nursery will automatically get a phone to carry with them. The dect phone works anywhere on the ship, and it's a way to contact parents or parents contact the nursery.  

At Adventure Ocean Aquanauts/AO Juniors, parents can request a phone. It's not automatically given, but they have some to use for parents who have concerns with their kids.

Otherwise, the staff can always call your stateroom phone and leave a message. In the case of an emergency, you would be paged over the ship's public address system.

Kids club tips and advice

There are a few good bits of advice I can offer after taking my kids on many cruises and using Adventure Ocean.

Read more: 50 cruising with kids tips

Go to the open house on the first day

Held in the afternoon (usually 1pm) on embarkation day, you can register your kids and both parents and kids can explore the kids club.

You can meet the staff, get questions answered, and it's the perfect way for you and your kids to feel more comfortable before the first session later that evening.

You can drop kids off while you are off the ship

It might sound crazy, but you can leave your kids in Adventure Ocean while you are off the ship on a shore excursion or just walking around.

The kids club remains open anytime the ship is in port, and it's a great way to enjoy a more adult-centric shore excursion while your kids get to play in the club.

Why Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for kids

While a lot of cruise lines advertise they're family friendly, Royal Caribbean stands out as the clear best choice for a cruise if you have kids.

For as long as I've been cruising, Royal Caribbean has been a family friendly brand that not only offers things for kids to do, but their parents as well.

I started cruising with I was in my teens, and as I got older, I graduated through various experiences. Now, I'm taking my kids onboard and my parents are the ones sailing with us to be with their grandkids. 

The reason why Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for families is they offer the most for kids on their ships, at a great value, and without compromising the adult experience.

Other cruise lines may seem better for kids, but leave their parents wanting more.  Or the price is unreasonable.

The balance Royal Caribbean has for what they offer for every member of the family stands out to me.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for kids

There is not a Royal Caribbean cruise ship I wouldn't recommend for kids, but there are definitely a few ships that simply offer more.

By picking a ship that has more activities, larger spaces for kids, and more dining choices, you're increasing the chances that they'll have a good time (and you by proxy).

Think of it like choosing a city to visit. If you select a small town, your kids might love it, but there will be a larger variety of options to keep them occupied in a big city.

In choosing the best Royal Caribbean ship for kids, I think you want a ship with these features:

• A nursery
• Updated Adventure Ocean
• Many top deck activities
• Newer cabins that offer more family room configurations
• More restaurants

My top choices for a family with kids to sail on is Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, or Utopia of the Seas.

All three are big ships with the latest and greatest features onboard, tons of activities, and expansive dining choices.  In fact, Icon of the Seas is in a class by itself if you're cruising with young kids because the have an entire area dedicated to children.

If you're on a budget and want to cruise while saving money, I'd recommend Independence of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, or Mariner of the Seas.

All three ships have been recently updated, and they're still "big ships".  However, they're all over 20 years old, and that means the price will be far less than my top 3 ships.

Some guests on an upcoming sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship received an email their cruise has been cancelled because there aren't enough safe lifeboats on the ship.

Guests booked on the September 15 sailing of Rhapsody of the Seas received an email from the cruise line informing them their cruise has been cancelled.

As first reported by Cruise Industry News, Royal Caribbean sent an email that explains reservations have been cancelled because of damage to a lifeboat.

"On our previous sailing, there was damage to one of our tender boats, which also serves as a lifeboat," the email reads.

"This leaves the ship over capacity for the number of available lifeboat seats in the event of an emergency in our next sailing. Unfortunately, this means we’ll be unable to welcome you onboard."

Rhapsody of the Seas is scheduled to sail a 7-night cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Southern Caribbean.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international convention and requirement that all passengers ships have to abide by. It establishes all passengers know what to do in case of an emergency, and it requires that every soul onboard have a seat on a lifeboat.  

Each lifeboat has a finite capacity, and it's a very strict rule. A Captain that tried to sail a passenger vessel out of compliance with SOLAS would likely have their master's license under review as soon as it was discovered.  

As a result of the cancellation, guests booked onboard will receive a full refund.

Royal Caribbean will issue a Future Cruise Credit equal to the total amount paid for the canceled cruise, valid until September 13, 2025. 

Additionally, they will cover non-refundable transportation costs, such as flights or rental cars, that were impacted by the cancellation. Passengers must submit receipts to receive compensation of up to $200 per guest for domestic travel changes or up to $400 per guest for international changes.

Conflicting information

Guests booked on the September 15 sailing reported in a Facebook group dedicated for the sailing conflicting reports of if the cruise is actually cancelled or not.

Carrie Lanford posted, "Just got off the phone with agent and was told entire cruise ship is cancelled."

But Tina Oliver wrote, "I called and the agent said I'm good to go. Sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. I guess I'll just find out on Sunday."

Anna Ulmer added, "I am muster 16 and did not receive an email. I contacted Royal and they confirmed my reservation."

Lyndsey Percle also posted she did not receive a cancellation notice, "We are also Muster 15 and haven’t received any cancellation email."

Lifeboat requirements

The regulations related to cruise ship lifeboats are quite clear.

• Ships must have partially or totally enclosed lifeboats, for 50% of the total capacity of people onboard, at each side (total capacity for 100%).
• Rigid or inflatable life craft must make up at least 25% of the ship’s total capacity.

This means a cruise ship must have lifeboats/rafts for at least 125% of the ship’s total capacity, but often that minimum is exceeded.

SOLAS was implanted right after the Titanic disaster of 1912. The sinking of that ship exposed a major problem with the lack of lifeboats.

As a result, in 1914 SOLAS was drafted a result of that incident.

SOLAS requirements have been updated since then, which include the modern rules for lifeboats.