Royal Caribbean Blog

Short cruises or not, Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas offers some of the line's best in class features on a brand new ship.

Utopia has made headlines for being Royal Caribbean's new party ship and for just offering 3- and 4-night cruises, but those tag lines overlook the things that make the ship stand out.

I sailed on a 3-night media preview sailing (full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail. I paid for the revenue sailings), followed by Utopia's first two revenue sailings in order to get a full sense of what the ship is all about. After all, there are so many activities, parties, and events happening around the ship, and I wanted to try as many as possible.

The choice to offer just short cruises to start was met with raised eyebrows by some cruise fans, but Royal Caribbean is adamant this is part of a larger strategy to appeal to first time cruisers.  They want someone who has never cruised before to reconsider their land vacation and go for a cruise instead because of the fact Utopia is brand new and offers a lot.

It's hard not to be intrigued by a ship you can sail on for just the weekend and enjoy waterslides, a train simulator restaurant, late-night parties, and visits to a private island in The Bahamas.

Short cruises with lots to do

Don't expect a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas to be just lounging around the pool and sipping pina coladas. 

While you certainly could do just that, it's clear Royal Caribbean wanted Utopia to be more than a traditional cruise ship because they want to attract untraditional cruisers to give it a try.

The ship is marketed with lots of hype about it being "the world's biggest weekend", and to that effect, there's more ways to splash, party, and eat onboard.

What this translates to is Royal Caribbean has more of each of those things to do onboard, and it's the best versions of each yet. 

The pool deck has been updated with a better Lime and Coconut bar that fits the look of the ship better, along with a giant aquapark, wide-open pools, and an enclosed adults-only Solarium.

The entertainment team worked overtime to come up with all sorts of new parties and events on Utopia, with a clear direction to try to bring more energy to the experience.

You'll find a silent DJ party with togas, an opportunity to play beer pong, Vegas-style pool parties, and late-night DJ experiences. 

Don't worry, there's still plenty of traditional cruise activities, including karaoke, trivia, bingo, and game shows.

And then there's all the dining choices onboard. There's a new pool deck snack location to keep you going without having to go very far with the Spare Tire.

A new chef-driven Japanese restaurant has been added, while the line's Italian specialty restaurant was moved to a stunning location. And then there's the innovative immersive dining experience that makes you feel like you're on a classic train traveling through the Old West.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's immersive train experience

Big and small changes, they all combine to make Utopia stand out from not only other Royal Caribbean ships, but any ship you could go on for just a few days.

My favorite changes

As someone that cruises a lot, I'm always drawn to what's new and different on a cruise ship.  Partly for novelty, and partly because who doesn't enjoy a new shiny thing?

It's clear Royal Caribbean spent a lot of time not only coming up with brand new things to add to Utopia of the Seas, but also re-visiting established features.  While Utopia may be the sixth Oasis Class ship in the fleet, she is anything but a copy-and-paste cruise ship.

Read more: Everything new and different coming to Utopia of the Seas

When you walk onto Utopia of the Seas for the first time, there's a good chance you'll see the first clear winner for favorite change, and that's the Pesky Parrot.

Not only does Pesky Parrot replace an aging Bionic Bar idea, but it brings a new bar that you'll actually want to hang out in to the ship. Cruise ship bars are a lot like being a kid in high school: it's hard for the new ones to compete with the popular ones that everyone already knows.

Before you even try a drink, you'll pick up on it's a fun place to hang out. It's bright, wide open, and so much seating that you can't help but plop down.

There's a variety of specialized pina coladas offered (try the peanut butter one), fun mugs, and the bar was busy every single day I was onboard. 

The hot ticket on Utopia is the Royal Railway, which is a brand new kind of experience that is meant to wow you with how immersive it is.

In short, Royal Caribbean has designed a restaurant that looks and feels like you're on a classic train. It's much more than curtains and paint, there are digital screens, sound effects, vibrating seats, and more that all contribute to make it really feel like you're on a train.

The first show offered on Royal Railway is an Old West journey, but new shows and tastings are promised for the near-future, including a more adult-focused dinner, brunch, and wine tastings.

Speaking of dining experiences I really liked, the omakase dinner was a welcome treat.

Royal Caribbean has done sushi and hibachi for years, but they've expanded to now have a chef-driven Japanese meal.  Seating just six people, it's the kind of meal anyone that loves sushi will relish.

While sushi is the focus, I enjoyed the other courses that went beyond nigiri or sashimi.  It was a culinary experience I liked even more than I expected.

While the high energy pool parties are what you'll see advertised a lot, I thought the decision to have an enclosed Solarium was a great counterweight to the party pool scene.

Utopia is not the first Oasis Class ship to get an enclosed Solarium, but I'm glad they kept it.  Not only does it keep it from getting too hot in the summer (or chilly in the winter), but it means you can be very comfortable and enjoy the best pool views you'll find on the ship.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I also enjoyed tried and true favorites on Utopia.  While the new things may get a lot of the attention, there are lots of well-established Royal Caribbean staples on Utopia.

The Country Trio band at the Mason Jar Bar were a must watch for me every night they performed. Bryan, Jeff, and Josh are truly talented musicians, and a shining example of Royal Caribbean's dedication to live music.

Dinners at 150 Central Park, Playmakers, and Coastal Kitchen did not disappoint in the slightest, and it's why I go there to dine on most cruises.

Of course, the visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay was one in a long string of great days at Royal Caribbean's private island.  It's the reason why the rest of the cruise industry has taken notice of Royal Caribbean's success there.

I stayed in two different, yet purpose built cabins

Across my collective 13 nights on Utopia, I tried two different cabins.

On the first sailing that Royal Caribbean invited me to, I was in an oceanview balcony cabin on deck 10.

While I think the shower in a standard cabin are superior on Icon of the Seas, I love how much storage space there is on Utopia.

There's a ton of storage space in the stateroom, and for a room meant for two people, I think it's a great choice for a room.  It's probably why balcony cabins are so popular due to the fact they have just enough space, a private view, and natural light.

Once my back to back cruise on the first two revenue sailings began, I moved up to a Crown Loft Suite within the Suite Neighborhood area of the ship.

This two story giant suite has two bathrooms and comes with fabulous perks, such as complimentary drinks in the suite lounge, reserved seating at shows, and access to a restaurant just for suite guests.

While a balcony cabin is practical, a suite is simply a splurge. Having all the amenities included, along with significantly more living space is a welcome treat. It's hardly a bargain in terms of price, but I was able to see how the suite experience compared on Utopia.

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

Two things I didn't like about Utopia of the Seas

In looking back, there are probably two aspects of the new ship I think can be improved.

The production shows in the Royal Theater and Studio B theater I thought didn't continue the trend of upping the ante in Royal Caribbean's ever impressive shows.

The performers were extremely talented, but it seemed like neither moved the needle as other productions show have on Royal Caribbean's recent shows, such as The Effectors on Wonder of the Seas or Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas.

Both utilized technology in impressive ways, and I loved a few of the song selections in both shows.

The other qualm I had was at Playmakers, which is an open air sports bar within the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Playmakers is great, but the lack of air conditioning made it less enjoyable than other Playmakers locations.  Considering a majority of the year Florida and The Bahamas deal with stifling humidity, I thought it would have been better indoors.  Or perhaps with walls/windows that can be easily opened if it's comfortable weather outside.

In the case of both these issues I found, there were plenty of passengers who were having a great time.

Utopia of the Seas is the multigenerational escape vacation

The weekend party is what you'll see advertised, but the truth is Utopia of the Seas has parties, just like it has things for kids, their parents, and grandparents.

I was impressed how much there is to do on this ship.  For just a 3-night sailing, I think you're going to have to prioritize activities very quickly because time goes quickly and you simply cannot do it all.  It's why I was happy I opted for going back again on a second sailing.

Royal Caribbean has always been a multigenerational family brand, and that doesn't change with Utopia.  What has changed is how much more they're offering for those that want a party.

Royal Caribbean divulged last week one out of every two customers is a millennial or younger, and there's a clear push to offer these customers more.

But there's also lots for anyone that doesn't want a DJ, champagne gun, or toga in their future. Like a new car, I can appreciate the latest and greatest finishes even if it has features I'll never use.

My top takeaway after over a week onboard is Utopia of the Seas is just like Icon of the Seas in that it offers the very best cruise experience right now. If a weeklong cruise doesn't seem right, then Utopia is your choice.  Otherwise, Icon is waiting with even more exciting things to do.

Karaoke is one of the most popular activities on a cruise ship, and there's a way you can enjoy it without having to wait for a turn.

On Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships that have a Spotlight Karaoke venue, you'll find karaoke sessions throughout the day to attend where you can try singing along to musical hits.

On Icon of the Seas, Spotlight Karaoke has a private karaoke room you can rent, which is great for a small group to enjoy without a big crowd. I wanted to see if this was a great alternative to the typically crowded karaoke sessions.

Spotlight Karaoke is Royal Caribbean's best karaoke venue yet

Karaoke isn't new to Royal Caribbean, but it's traditionally been an event held in a multipurpose venue, which meant there were limited times to do it.

Royal Caribbean has started adding Spotlight Karaoke to its newer ships, including the brand new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

The private karaoke room costs $70

There are private karaoke rooms within Spotlight Karaoke you can rent on a first come, first rented basis.

I did not see an option to pre-book it on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, so we had to wait to get onboard the ship to book it.  Guest Services can book it for you, as can a Royal Genie if you're in Star Class.

This is meant to be a family or group activity, where you rent the space for one hour and have access to the full library of karaoke tunes to sing along to within a private setting.

On a recent Icon of the Seas sailing, my daughter and her friends loved going to karaoke sessions but always got frustrated when the line was long, or if there was adults-only karaoke sessions happening.  

I knew about the private rooms from when they first debuted on Oasis of the Seas in 2019, and asked about renting a spot.  It cost $70 and was for one hour.

You get the private room and then it's DIY in terms of hosting the karaoke session.

The karaoke rooms are located to the side of Spotlight Karaoke

The private karaoke rooms are easily overlooked if you don't know they exist.

On Icon of the Seas, the rooms are behind a door to the left of the venue.  It looks like a door to a crew member area, rather than where you'd find the rooms.

When we arrived for our karaoke session, the karaoke manager met us near the door and we were escorted into the room.

There's a large couch that extends across the back of the room, with the large karaoke screen the focus.  The idea is that everyone in the room can see the lyrics, just like if you were in the main venue.

The manager gave us a tablet, where we could search for songs by artist or title. It was not the most intuitive software I've ever seen, but once she went through the process one time, it was clear how to use it.

The library of songs is vast enough to probably find the songs you're looking for, especially if they're hit songs.  Deep cuts may be an issue, but I assume that would be the case in the main room too.

The room is private, but not soundproof

Besides not having to wait for a turn in karaoke, the other appeal of a private room is you could sing in privacy.  

While being in the room does potentially shield you from others on the ship hearing your attempt to sing, the room is not quite totally soundproof.

The kids went out of the room to test if they could hear the person singing in the private room, and it was definitely audible.  

The good news is if there's karaoke happening in the main room of Spotlight Karaoke, it's unlikely many people would be able to hear what's happening in the private rooms.

We had fun and the kids wanted to do it again

The private karaoke room rental delivered exactly what we wanted: a way to enjoy karaoke with my kid's friends without waiting for a turn in the main room.

The one hour rental is just long enough for everyone to have a turn and get the "karaoke bug" out of their system.  Moreover, as someone who would never get up on the karaoke stage, being able to sing in private was a welcome option.

At $70 for the hour, it's a quite reasonable cost considering you can easily get about 6-8 people in the room (especially if they're kids).  Plus, it was a reasonably priced splurge for the kids to do something fun.

Obviously you don't need to pay money to enjoy karaoke and there are many open sessions that cost nothing extra.  The reason to go with the private room is for those that want a "fastpass" to be able to sing what they want, when they want.  

Our family and friends had a great time trying it, and we rented it again while on Utopia of the Seas a few weeks later.

Can you believe it's the last days of July already? It is the middle of Summer and there is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to catch up from during this week.

Royal Caribbean's sailings are selling faster than ever.

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said that the cruise line's "2024 bookings have consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire second quarter and into July, despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell," he said.

As inventory decreases, staterooms are continuing to sell at increasing prices.

Royal Caribbean faces more cruising demand than ever, as well as an uptick in pre-cruise purchases like WiFi, drink packages, and shore excursions.  

Royal Caribbean News

• Flying to your cruise? 6 things to consider before booking
• Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship class will probably replace older, smaller ships
• "We are just getting started" Royal Caribbean reports $4.1 billion in revenue in second quarter
• Hilarious TikTok shows how much teenage boy can eat on his cruise ship
• Photos show the latest progress on Royal Beach Club in Nassau
• Royal Caribbean surveys customers for a new restaurant idea on its Icon class ships
• Meet Royal Caribbean's new head of entertainment

New RCB video: Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship

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 — Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

$10,000 Luxury Suite on Utopia of the Seas

One of the top suites you can book on Royal Caribbean's newest ship comes with a big price tag and lots of space.

Matt stayed in the Crown Loft Suite with his family on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

It has two levels and two full bathrooms, but it also cost significantly more than a balcony cabin.

Utopia of the Seas sets sail and it's worth trying twice

Guests will have a multitude of activities, shows, and dining choices to choose from on Utopia of the Seas.

There simply won't be enough time to experience everything within the 3- and 4-night sailings the ship currently offers.

Matt booked a "back-to-back" sailing on Utopia, getting more value for his travel and turning a weekend cruise into a full week vacation.

Royal Caribbean will add another cruise ship to Los Angeles

Royal Caribbean just announced that it will deploy another ship to the port of Los Angeles.

Beginning in May 2025, the Quantum-Class will sail 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of California.

Instead of sending Ovation of the Seas to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, the vessel will serve to meet high demand for Royal Caribbean cruises on the West Coast.

I tried the new chef-driven Japanese restaurant and it surprised me

What can you expect from the new Japanese dining experience on Utopia of the Seas?

Matt recently tried Izumi Omakase, high-quality Omakase dining experience created by Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.

The host-guided and chef-driven meal was the perfect high-quality meal for a lover of Japanese food.

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering the best entertainment that rivals New York or Las Vegas, and there's someone new in charge of it all.

Christine Coachman is the Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, and she was promoted to oversee all of the line's entertainment in May.

Taking the reigns of a company that has almost 30 cruise ships with thousands of performers, singers, dancers, and musicians is not a simple task, but Ms. Coachman has been with the company for a long time. She's been at the forefront of Royal Caribbean's entertainment since the '90s.

At a sit down panel interview on Utopia of the Seas last week, Ms. Coachman spoke to Royal Caribbean Blog and other media outlets about her experience, plans for the future, and what Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve.

Coachman is no stranger to Royal Caribbean. "I've been around for quite a while," she said. 

She started in 1990 as a performer on Sovereign of the Seas and has familiarized herself with entertainment on Royal Caribbean ships for the past 34 years.

She explained how a brand-new ship like Utopia of the Seas needed a new approach to entertainment, especially since the vessel is starting by offering 3 and 4-night cruises.

Coachman's vision for future entertainment combines technology with human talent

When asked what she sees for the future of Royal Caribbean's entertainment, Coachman spoke about how much the cruise line has grown over the years.

When she first started on Sovereign of the Seas, she performed in one venue with a cast of 12 performers.

Decades later, on Utopia of the Seas, she now heads up a team of over 200 entertainment staff in 23 venues.

Coachman herself had a hand with Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Broadway shows: "I negotiated every single Broadway contract. So it's very important to me and the brand."

Although Utopia of the Seas is one of the only Oasis Class ships without a Broadway show (besides Wonder of the Seas, which boasts the in-house Effectors 2), Royal Caribbean isn't done producing them.

It will all depend on the demographic and ship's itinerary.

Original shows, like The Effectors, aren't going out of style, either. Coachman called brainstorming and creating these shows "the fun part of the job."

Her team has no lack of creativity, she said.

Moving forward, the cruise line looks toward incorporating modern technology with human talent.

"As an innovative corporation, technology is important in many aspects of what we do."

"But also it's really important to remember the human artistry. Without humans bringing that entertainment to life, what's the point?"

Comedians, for example, continue to be the cruise line's favorite headliners.

Out of 5,400 headliner bookings across the fleet this year, nearly 1,300 are comedians. That's nearly a quarter of all bookings.

Royal Caribbean—and Coachman herself—loves comedy. 

"I always need to find at least one time [to] sneak in the back [of a comedy show] and just laugh and forget about everything for a second," she said.

Utopia offers a taste of Royal Caribbean entertainment

Because Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship offering shorter itineraries, passengers have a lot of entertainment to cram into a few days.

"If you look at the big picture, Utopia is a taste," Christine Coachman said.

Entertainment on the vessel is intended to be "a taste of what you could experience on a longer itinerary."

To offer guests a preview of what longer sailings on Royal Caribbean could look like, the entertainment team worked to create several new parties.

To help prepare for the experience, they even created a new position called "Director of Parties and Nightlife." Ken Rush, former Cruise Director, serves in this position for Utopia.

Coachman called the ship a family experience that is also "one party after another."

First, guests will be immediately greeted by "Hey Utopia, Let's Get This Party Started," on the pool deck, which immediately transitions into the high-energy Sailaway party.

Royal Caribbean has designated crew members to become the Party Squad, a group intended to hype up the crowd and invite participation.

"You can participate or you can watch," Coachman said. She personally enjoys people-watching.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas preview: Sneak peek photos of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship

Utopia of the Seas introduces several new parties to guests as a party of the fast-paced experience.

The Silent Toga party is similar to the SHUSH! Silent party, but with ancient Roman togas for guests to style.

Senses will feature chill house music with projections of sunsets visible from the Royal Caribbean fleet worldwide.

At the Plunge pool party, the Party Squad will bring the hype with water guns that blast champagne into guests' mouths—a fan favorite.

Royal Kappa Chi is the cruise line's first after-party, a frat-themed throwback to college days of beer pong and flip cup.

High-energy, live musicians set the mood 

To help set the fast-paced mood onboard Utopia, Royal Caribbean has hired 29 resident musicians—more than on any other Oasis Class ship.

Cruisers love live music, and high-energy musicians bring the fun.

Coachman had a personal anecdote of experiencing the loud, high-energy fun at the outside Plunge pool party.

"Then I went inside the Royal Promenade and I was listening to the most elegant music from Enchanté, the duo onstage, and it was a complete switch within a matter of 15 minutes."

She remarked that music serves as a great method for setting the mood and appealing to multiple generations at once.

Utopia of the Seas features an eclectic variety of music, with high-class entertainers.

From the live music inside Bolero's to the soundtrack for shows like Aqua 82, the entertainment team works to mix up multiple genres and eras of music.

"The combination helps keep it fresh," Coachman said. 

Read more: New Royal Caribbean cruise ship sets sail. It's a cruise so nice you'll want to sail it twice

Family still has a place in Utopia's perfect weekend party

Royal Caribbean has always been a distinctly family brand, so how will families and kids fit into the new party-heavy Utopia of the Seas?

"There are a lot of parties and entertainment," Coachman explained, "There's a lot that families will want to do together."

However, the entertainment team is also planning for moments when parents want to go have a date night or hit a late-night party.

The Adventure Ocean children's program is ready to accommodate kids for even longer.

Utopia of the Seas introduces several changes to the program, which Royal Caribbean is hoping to extend out to other ships.

Starting on Day One, parents can drop off their kids "all the way up to the moment you drop off your luggage in your room."

Instead of having a longer orientation period, parents can take their children to Adventure Ocean as soon as they step onboard.

Utopia of the Seas has plenty of family moments, but also more opportunities for parents to get away.

Adventure Ocean will stay open until 1:00 A.M., and the team is considering extending that until 2:00 A.M.

For parents with younger kids or those who simply don't want to leave family for more than a few days, a weekend cruise is the perfect chance to get away.

Utopia will provide opportunities for family time, as well as adult get-aways and parties.

Another Royal Caribbean cruise ship is being deployed to the port of Los Angeles.

Starting on May 28th, 2025, Ovation of the Seas will begin sailing 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.

Instead of being deployed to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, Royal Caribbean is moving the 4,905-passenger vessel to the West Coast.

Ovation of the Seas will join Navigator in the California area for the summer of 2025.

Around October 2025, Quantum of the Seas will replace her sister ship in the Los Angeles market.

Based on the port's schedule, Quantum will take her first cruise out of Los Angeles on October 2nd, 2025. 

During a call with investors on Thursday, Royal Caribbean cited high demand in California (rather than low profit in China) as the reason for the move.

The cruise line was previously absent from the Los Angeles cruise market for a decade, not entering the area due to declining profits and partially filled ships.

In 2022, Royal Caribbean finally sent Navigator of the Seas, a Voyager-Class ship, to homeport in Los Angeles.

Sending a larger vessel signifies Royal Caribbean's commitment to the LA market

Although Royal Caribbean previously cited low bookings and profits as the reason for pulling out of Los Angeles, it seems the tides have changed.

Navigator of the Seas, built in 2002, has a capacity for 4,000 passengers, and she isn't large enough to carry all the demand in the area.

Ovation of the Seas carries nearly 1,000 more passengers and signifies that the cruise line is renewing a commitment to the LA market.

"We have strong ambitions to grow the West Coast in the US," Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, announced.

During the 2024 second-quarter earnings call, he informed investors that the cruise line wants to infuse more energy into California.

"It's the sixth largest economy in the world," he said.

In 2022, California reached a population of 39 million, expanding a huge market for the cruise line.

Bayley said that Navigator, which has been on the West Coast for two years, has been "performing exceptionally well."

Bookings are selling quickly, and the cruise line is responding to high demand.

Michael Bayley announced the move during a meeting for travel partners on Utopia of the Seas. The room erupted into applause. 

Adding another ship to the West Coast alongside Navigator and Quantum of the Seas is a strong indication of the cruise line's investment in the area.

Does this mean Royal Caribbean is moving away from China?

During the second quarter earnings call, an investor asked if moving Ovation away from China is a sign that China hasn't been a strong market for the cruise line.

Michael Bayley responded that, on the contrary, the cruise line has "very good market choices to make."

"Our belief in the long-term potential for China has not changed at all," he said.

Spectrum of the Seas, another Quantum-Class ship that started sailing out of Shanghai a few months ago, hasn't disappointed the cruise line.

Read more: All about Quantum Class ships

"It's performing very well and we feel good about the China market."

The 5,622-passenger vessel has been consistently filling sailings since it began sailing out of Shanghai in April of 2024.

Royal Caribbean was the first major cruise line to return to the China cruise market after industry shutdown in 2020.

Spectrum of the Seas was designed for the Asian market, and  Royal Caribbean is quite pleased with her performance in Shanghai.

However, Bayley did inform investors that "it hasn't reached the levels we're seeing in the American market."

Royal Caribbean was faced with a choice: continue investing long-term into China with Ovation of the Seas, or deploy to California and meet high demand there?

Ultimately, the cruise line "made the decision based upon maximizing performance."

However, this doesn't at all indicate a move away from the Chinese market.

In fact, Royal Caribbean is still committed to filling sailing there long-term.

Bayley hinted that guests will see more ships in China very soon. "We're quite committed to the opportunity there," he said. 

"And we'll be announcing in the future more deployments into China."

The demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is higher than ever

Royal Caribbean's bookings and profit in 2024 have been on fire.

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said during the second quarter earnings call that bookings are significantly higher than in the second quarter of last year.

Inventory is flying off the shelves, "despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell."

Read more: "We are just getting started" Royal Caribbean reports $4.1 billion in revenue in second quarter

In the second quarter of 2023, Royal Caribbean carried 1,900,810 guests at 105% occupancy.

In contrast, the second quarter of 2024 saw 2,040,242 guests at over 108% occupancy.

The cruise line hit its profit goals 18 months ahead of time, exemplifying how Royal Caribbean is in high demand this year. 

Sailing and stateroom options are becoming more and more limited, due to the popularity of Royal Caribbean cruises.

For those looking to book a cruise in the upcoming months, booking as early as possible is your best bet.

Booking early is the smartest way to secure lower prices and a specific cabin category.

Prices for 2025 and 2026 will also continue to increase as inventory is selling out further in advance.

Go ahead and place the deposit on your 2025 cruise as soon as possible.

Read more: Royal Caribbean launches a half dozen new 2025 and 2026 itineraries in latest deployment

Air travel is different than cruising, and demands an entirely different set of decisions. 

Flying to your cruise adds another factor to your plans, requiring careful consideration. What airport will you fly into? Should you get a nonrefundable ticket?

Adding a second mode of transportation complicates your travel details, and opens up the possibility for even more to go wrong.

A delayed flight could delay your arrival at the cruise port, or a more expensive ticket could cut into your budget for the vacation.

Before you book your flight, there are a few important aspects to consider—and they're not just doubling-checking the booking dates.

If you're thinking about booking a flight to your cruise port, here are some details you should consider first.

Read more: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos

1. Refundable airfare if your plans aren't certain

A variety of factors could disrupt your travel plans—influencing anything from your cruise date to the passengers flying with you.

Your cruise fare may not be refundable, but you can purchase refundable airfare if your plans are uncertain.

If you're unsure where you're flying, if you'll be able to sail on the cruise, or who's coming with you, refundable airfare is the way to go.

Not all plane tickets are refundable, so you'll have to intentionally plan to make sure you get one.

Tickets that are refundable directly (not in flight credit) often cost more. You'll want to weigh your priorities and your level of certainty about travel plans to decide if this is the best option for you.

Not every airline has refundable fares. 

Southwest, Jetblue, Delta, United, and American Airlines offer refundable tickets for most of their flights.

If you don't want to pay the full price of a refundable plane ticket, some airlines also offer flight credit or points in exchange for a refund.

2. Never book a flight on the same day as the cruise

The most expensive cruise mistake you can make is to book a plane flight on the same day your sailing begins.

The air travel industry experiences frequent delays, and an on-time flight is never promised.

Should your flight arrive late, the cruise ship isn't obligated to wait for you.

If you miss your cruise, that's considered a no-show and the cruise fare won't be refunded, leaving you with an expensive loss and no cruise vacation to enjoy.

Instead, book your flight at least one day before the cruise departs, and plan to stay near the cruise port.

Booking the first flight in the morning also makes it unlikely for you to be delayed, and gives the airline lots of time to re-book you should anything happen.

3. Consider booking international flights through Royal Caribbean

Booking international flights can be a complex, expensive process. 

For an international cruise, you might find yourself needing 2-3 distinct flights to take you to your destination.

Royal Caribbean's flight booking system, Air2Sea, can help with that.

Through Air2Sea, cruisers can purchase air travel that links directly with the cruise booking.

Using Air2Sea is a convenient way to put all your travel information in one place. Additionally, it comes with extra perks like special deals and promotions, as well as 24/7 customer support.

If any unexpected delays or emergencies arise, Royal Caribbean will work to help you. 

Air2Sea offers "assured arrival," meaning that the cruise line will ensure you get on the ship at the next legal port of call should you miss the departure day.

4. Try a better seat for longer flights

As someone who's been on too many international flights to count, they are not easy.

Sitting inside a plane for over 8 hours is a marathon of patience and a test of your ability to plan ahead.

The most memorable flights are the disagreeable ones—where you've been squished between two passengers or seated in the same row as a screaming baby.

A good seat could mean the difference between hours of torture versus hours of relaxation and entertainment.

For longer flights, especially international ones, consider booking a better seat, whether that’s a window seat, or upgrading to business or first class.

If you choose a comfortable seat and more legroom, your body will thank you. 

Instead of arriving at your destination sore, cranky, and tired, you'll land feeling refreshed and ready for your cruise.

For those long flights, prioritizing your comfort is key. 

5. Fly to an alternate airport to save money 

Certain cities are cheaper to fly to than others.

For cruises out of major cities, consider looking for a smaller, nearby city to fly into instead.

Read more: Cheap places in the US to fly to for a cruise

Because smaller airports come with lower fees, airlines price those plane tickets at a lower cost as well.

To save money, consider flying into smaller airports, and then getting transportation to your cruise port. 

For example, if your cruise leaves from Miami, a flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is cheaper than one to Miami (MIA).

If the cruise begins in Vancouver, Canada, a domestic flight into Seattle may cost less.

Additionally, if your flight requires a long layover, choose your layover airport carefully. Ensure that it won't be overcrowded and that there is easy access between gates.

6. Get travel insurance

Flying to your cruise means you're adding even more money, time, and effort into your travel plans.

This huge investment—with the potential for more complications—is the perfect opportunity to purchase travel insurance.

Smart cruisers know that travel insurance covers many scenarios beyond your control, and allow you to get compensated should anything go wrong.

When it comes to flights, travel insurance can cover airline cancellations, lost baggage, and more.

Additionally, your health insurance can be out-of-network when you leave the country, so travel insurance can cover any mishaps like accidents, health problems, or even flight incidents.

Travel insurance gives you that extra peace of mind that you'll need when taking multiple modes of transportation on your cruise.

Royal Caribbean is known for launching mega cruise ships, but it wants to expand new classes into a different market.

While record-breaking mega ships are becoming the norm for the cruise line, larger ships are limited to certain ports. Some ports can't accommodate larger ships due to size restrictions.

Vessels in the Icon, Oasis, and Quantum Class are often prevented from visiting certain ports and must send tender boats out to dock.

Given these limitations, Royal Caribbean wants to expand into the smaller ship market.

On the second quarter earnings call this week, Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, talked about plans for new ships, specifically saying they have to replace their aging fleet.

The next class of smaller cruise ships will replace previous classes, reaching new ports and upgrading the small ship experience.

The next class of small ships will replace aging vessels

Even as it builds astounding, entertainment-packed mega ships, Royal Caribbean is mindful that its smaller vessels are becoming outdated.

"We have ships that are reaching 30-35 years [old]," Jason Liberty said.

"This is not just about what we want to build, it's also [about] replacing ships that will eventually reach their end of life."

Royal Caribbean hasn't launched a smaller ship since 2004, when Jewel of the Seas (a Radiance Class vessel) took her maiden voyage.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Captain talks about new smaller cruise ship plans

Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's oldest vessel, was launched back in 1996. 

Since the early 2000s, Royal Caribbean has made a name for itself with record-breaking ships like the Oasis and Freedom Class. 

Although many of its smaller vessels have been revitalized in the last few years, they still lack the overall technology and stateroom categories the cruise line has developed more recently.

Cruisers have criticized ships like Grandeur of the Seas for their aged, broken-down quality. 

Some complain that the cabins feel dated, with more adventurous cruisers missing exciting amenities like waterslides or surf simulators.

In general, cruise ships begin to age out after 30 years in service, so many of the ships launched before 2000 are reaching the end of their life.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by age — Newest to Oldest

"We're looking at smaller ships that will replace some of those older ships," Liberty said, touching on the cruise line's next project.

He called the business of designing new ships a long-term business.

"In the cruise ship business, you're always thinking longer term, in growth and [new ship] orders, but also your environmental footprint."

Creating new classes takes more than a few years. The Icon Class, for example, was seven years in the making. 

Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean's goal is to be disciplined with its path of growth, thinking long-term, and taking on new ship orders with care.

Small vessels can visit more ports, expanding Royal Caribbean's global reach 

During the earnings call, an investor asked if building smaller vessels would allow Royal Caribbean to reach new markets.

Since smaller ships can enter more ports, this is the case.

However, Jason Liberty explained that it's "less about the sourcing market, it's more about where the ships can go."

In other words, smaller ships at new ports don't necessarily attract cruisers who live near those ports but rather appeal to cruisers who want to go to new destinations.

It's less about where the cruisers come from, and more about where they want to go: "It's about getting them into some of the more unique destinations."

Research has shown that cruisers want to stay with the Royal Caribbean brand while traveling to new destinations. 

The cruise line wants to further diversify its footprint around the world.

Read more: Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?

Royal Caribbean currently sails itineraries to over 270 destinations in 60+ countries, across six continents.

The goal with smaller vessels is to continue to spread out where guests can travel.

According to Liberty, Royal Caribbean wants to stay flexible in delivering the itineraries guests are looking to sail, as well as generating global demand for cruises. 

What we know about Project Discovery

Little has been revealed about "Project Discovery."

Royal Caribbean's next class of smaller vessels could be called the Discovery Class, similar to Project Icon, which named its class and first name directly.

The first ship in the class could be named Discovery of the Seas.

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO: New smaller cruise ship could be announced in 2024

The public is still waiting for details to be finalized for the cruise line to formally announce its plans. 

However, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, has hinted that more information could be released sometime in 2024.

He also implied that the next iteration of the Ultimate World Cruise could be held on these new vessels.

While on the 2024 President's Cruise, Bayley remarked that the line wants to offer more outside cabin categories on its next World Cruise, while also keeping the capability to travel to unique ports.

The Discovery Class could satisfy this need, featuring upgraded oceanview and balcony cabins in a smaller frame.

The Captain of Radiance of the Seas commented that the new class of ship would be around the size of the Radiance Class, which has the capacity for around 2,500-2,700 passengers.

Read more: Royal Caribbean: Building a new smaller cruise ship is "deeply in our consideration"

The Radiance Class is the line's next-to-smallest class, averaging 962 feet long and 90,090 gross tons.

Jewel of the Seas was the last Radiance Class ship to be released, launched in May of 2004.

Over 20 years later, we could have a new ship to replace her.

Royal Caribbean demand is stronger than ever, and the cruise line is targeting more customers from multiple demographics. 

The cruise line held its second quarter earnings call on Thursday, telling investors that cruise sales continue to increase. 

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said that sailing purchases are still on fire.

"2024 bookings have consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire second quarter and into July, despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell," he said.

Cruise bookings are quite a bit higher in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. 

In the second quarter of 2023, Royal Caribbean carried 1,900,810 guests at 105% occupancy.

In contrast, the second quarter of 2024 saw 2,040,242 guests at over 108% occupancy.

Throughout 2024, earning goals have exploded for the company.

Royal Caribbean announced today that the second quarter of 2024 earned $4.1 billion in revenue, and the cruise line is just getting started.

Cruising demand is higher than ever, particularly in North America

Thanks to several factors, demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is stronger than ever.

North American consumers, who represent 80% of the line's purchases, continue to be a robust market.

North American workers have 10% more vacation time than in 2019, and they're spending half of those extra days cruising.

Jason Liberty cited "a resilient economy, low unemployment, stabilized inflation, and record-high household net worth" as influences on the growing amount of bookings.

With more vacation time and the opportunity to relax, cruises are a great option to enjoy multiple destinations and amenities within one experience. 

Royal Caribbean's research shows that consumers are spending more on travel than on any other leisure category.

Consumers prefer to spend their money on experiences, particularly travel and vacation. 

Not only that, but buyers also intend to increase their travel spending over the next 12 months.

According to Liberty, "Cruising remains an attractive value proposition, and cruise purchase intent is high and continues to strengthen."

It doesn't look like spending on sailings is going to slow down anytime soon.

The booking window for cruises continues to expand—consumers are planning their vacations further out.

Royal Caribbean research also shows that cruisers are willing to pay more for the experience, so pricing (and brand revenue, as a result) is increasing for 2025 and 2026.

Cruisers are spending more and more on their sailings, buying more onboard add-ons than last year. 

Pre-cruise add-ons like drink packages, WiFi, and shore excursions are optional, but currently in huge demand.

Guests are buying more add-ons than ever, both earlier before the cruise and at higher speeds.

Read more: When should you buy Royal Caribbean drink package, wifi, tours & other add-ons

According to Liberty, this translates "into higher satisfaction rates and higher onboard spending."

Thanks to higher spending and customer satisfaction, "Our market is growing and we are attracting more customers into our vacation ecosystem."

Guests who enjoy their first cruise with Royal Caribbean are likely to book more and bring friends and family along with them.

1 in 2 cruisers are a millennial or younger

Multiple Royal Caribbean strategies serve to attract multiple demographics to its brand, including a strong number of younger cruisers.

Half of Royal Caribbean cruisers are now millennials or younger, and they're not the only demographic increasing their bookings.

As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, more of that demographic is expected to cruise.

Royal Caribbean's research shows that retirees take 50% more vacations than non-retirees who are still working.

Not only is the baby boomer generation expected to cruise more, but they also serve to draw in the younger generations.

The baby boomer generation currently holds 50% of the United States' wealth but is expected to transfer its wealth over to the younger generations over the next two decades.

One form of wealth transfer is traveling together, with the baby boomers taking their younger family members on cruises.

Jason Liberty said that Royal Caribbean is already profiting "from that active and real-time wealth transfer through multigenerational travel."

Additionally, working generations such as millennials and Gen Z are benefiting from the 10% increase in vacation time.

Read more: Almost 1 in 2 Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers are millennials

Younger generations intend to spend more time and money on travel than any other leisure activity.

Millennials and younger generations continue to make up a percentage of Royal Caribbean cruises "at a faster pace than any other generation," according to Liberty.

Today, one out of every two Royal Caribbean cruisers is a millennial or younger.

Shorter sailings cruising the Caribbean are one draw that serves to hook both new and younger cruisers.

Utopia of the Seas, in particular, a new and hyped Oasis-Class ship, entered the market by offering short Caribbean sailings out of Port Canaveral.

Short Caribbean cruises serve as an "on-ramp" for new cruisers to enter Royal Caribbean, "an important entry point" for those new to cruising or the Royal Caribbean brand, according to Jason Liberty.

Read more: Is a short cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships in the world a crazy idea?

Shorter sailings serve as a cheaper, faster taste of what Royal Caribbean has to offer.

Nearly 70% of guests on a short Caribbean cruise fall in the new cruiser or new to Royal Caribbean category and many of them are younger cruisers.

40% of guests in the younger demographic intend to book a short vacation in the next 12 months.

According to Royal Caribbean's research, 90% of guests who sail a short cruise intend to cruise again, and half of those respondents plan to return for a longer cruise.

"New to cruise customers are up double digits versus last year," Liberty said.

Royal Caribbean Group continued its trend of reporting strong quarterly earnings with its second quarter performance.

Thanks to strong demand and favorable timing of expenses, the company "above expectations" results for the second quarter.

Demand for cruises remains a constant for the company, which cited stronger pricing on close-in demand and continued strength in onboard revenue, as well as favorable timing of expenses, as reasons why results exceeded its expectations.

In a statement to the media, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty celebrated his company's strong performance, "Our momentum continues! We met our financial targets 18 months earlier than expected, have our balance sheet in a strong position, reinstated our dividend, and ... we are just getting started."

"Exceptional demand for our vacation experiences has accelerated our performance by generating significant yield growth over the past several years," added Liberty. 

"As we look forward, we remain intensely focused on driving strong shareholder returns by delivering a lifetime of vacations and taking a greater share of the rapidly growing $1.9 trillion global vacation market. This is underpinned by our formula for future success – disciplined growth and moderate yield growth while controlling our costs."  

Inside the second quarter

Total revenues for the second quarter were $4.1 billion, with a Net Income of $854 million, and Operating cash flow was $1.6 billion.

The average cruise ship sailed in the second quarter at 108% capacity. Occupancy rates over 100% are a good measure because it means there were more than two people in a lot of cabins.

Royal Caribbean is seeing high demand for its products along with high prices remaining in place since the last quarter. 

In fact, booking volumes were higher than the second quarter in 2023 and at record pricing levels. 

The company continues to be in a record booked position for 2024 sailings. Consumer spending onboard, as well as pre-cruise purchases, continue to significantly exceed 2023 levels driven by greater participation at higher prices.

"We have seen strength for all key products and are already taking more bookings for 2025 sailings than 2024," Mr. Liberty commented.

The company was particularly proud of the fact it achieved all three of its financial goals. For the 12 months ending June 30, 2024, the company achieved all three of its Trifecta goals: triple digit Adjusted EBITDA per APCD, ROIC in the teens, and double digit Adjusted EPS.

Loan update

Royal Caribbean Group took out many loans during 2020 and 2021 in order to stay in business, and some of the critical ones are now paid off.

"During the quarter, the company repaid the remaining balance of its ship related debt amortization deferral obtained on its export credit facilities during 2020 and 2021, which removed the remaining restrictions on capital return."

 "Our strong balance sheet allows us to expand capital allocation and reinstate a quarterly dividend, further supporting our goal of creating long-term shareholder value," said Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz.

Royal Caribbean has a new signature dining experience on Utopia of the Seas that offers the highest quality Japanese food you'll find on any of its ships.

Izumi Omakase is the third offering of Japanese cuisine by the cruise line, and it's the creation of Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.  He's been responsible for all the Izumi menus since the restaurant's inception.

There are two seatings per evening in a cozy room tucked between the sushi and hibachi sides of the restaurant.

As someone that dines at Izumi on nearly every sailing I go on, I was curious how different the food would be at Omakase and what exactly the experience entails.

The cost is $129.99 per guest, and it's an eight course meal that includes food and alcohol pairings. If you have the Unlimited Dining Package, there is a $59.99 surcharge.

The restaurant is in the middle of a revamped Izumi

On Utopia of the Seas you'll find Izumi in a brand new location, taking up residency in the middle of the Central Park neighborhood.

In fact, it's the largest Izumi Royal Caribbean has built to date, and includes a traditional sushi restaurant, hibachi tables, and now the Omakase option.

Most of the seating is inside the restaurant, but there are a few sushi tables outside too.

A table for six is an intimate dining experience

The Omakase table is a communal dining experience, where six people are seated together across a rather large wood table.

Similar to Chef's Table, you'll be seated with other passengers you may not know. Where you sit exactly is up to you, as there's no assigned seating.

Your host guides you through the meal

There are two people chiefly responsible for your meal, but the host is who you narrates the experience and explains everything.

Speaking both Japanese and English, each step of the meal is introduced with details of which ingredients are included and what to look for within the dish or drink.

Eight courses of food and drink

The menu has eight courses, and each comes with a drink pairing.

Just like any Royal Caribbean restaurant, they can accommodate dietary restrictions or special needs. As someone who does not eat shellfish, they were able to provide me alternatives for those dishes.  Another guest at my table did not drink alcohol, and was served mocktails instead.

According to Royal Caribbean, omakase private dining experience is not recommended for children and there is no kids pricing.

I was initially worried eight courses would be too much food, but each of the offerings was petite and I think just the right amount of food.

My eight course meal started off with a soup

The ichi course begins with a miso lobster bisque soup that comes with lobster meat and caviar.

Since I don't eat shellfish, my alternate soup was a mushroom soup.

A welcome glass of wine was served chilled with the soup.  This would be the only non-sake drink we'd have during the meal, although the host was adamant you could request other beverages at any point.

Sakura carpaccio was next

Our first batch of raw fish came with the ni course, and this was the first opportunity to taste the higher quality sushi.

Four pieces of sushi-grade fish were plated, and these were "meatier" cuts that tasted better than the sashimi I would usually get at Izumi.

With this course, we were also served our first cup of sake.  Sake is a rice wine, and each course had a different sake pairing to try.

Nigiri sushi was the most familiar course

I think if you imagine what sushi is, then a nigiri roll is probably what you think of.

For the san course, we were served three nigiri rolls along with the sake.

An oyster course followed that was "must-try"

At the shi course, guests were given a single oyster that came with a spicy ponzu sauce.

My tablemates commented the oyster was fantastic and implored the others who were hesitant to eat an oyster to give it a try.

My alternative was a spoonful of diced sashimi served in a spoon.  I think they wanted me to have the same sensation of being able to eat an oyster in that manner.

A tuna ball was a fun twist on sushi

For the go course, I can best describe this as a nigiri tuna roll rolled up into a ball.  

I had never seen this before, but it was akin to a bite-sized sushi roll and certainly made it easier to enjoy the flavors together.

The miso broiled cod was so flavorful

The best thing I ate during the omakase meal might have been during the roku course when I was served the miso broiled black cod.

I never would have imagined how good this tasted, and it was the dish I really wanted to get the recipe so I could make it at home.

This was an extremely tender piece of fish that had a miso glaze on it, and it was my favorite flavor of the evening.

The wagyu beef was a surprise hit

The last course before dessert was the wagyu beef served with pepper and I really liked this more than I thought I would.

Just like the cod, I enjoyed the flavor more than I expected probably because I did not account for the nikiri glaze.

A dessert to wrap it all up

The final course was a chocolate matcha served with a sorbet.

I generally don't eat many desserts on a cruise ship, but it was a sweet way to end the meal.

The whole dining experience took two hours

Our meal began at 6pm and we walked out of the restaurant a little after 8pm, just before the 8:30pm omakase meal was scheduled to begin.

Given this is a chef-driven meal, you have to expect it won't be an "in and out" type meal.  I don't think it felt unnecessary long. In fact, I thought the courses came in quick succession without major gaps at a reasonable pace.

My favorite dish was the miso broiled cod, followed by the "tuna ball".  There was was nothing I didn't like, and maybe the dessert was the only course I didn't care for.

The service was impeccable

I didn't know much of what to expect from an omakase meal, but I assumed the service would be excellent, and I was correct.

Our host was attentive and she made an effort to ensure everyone had everything they needed. Unlike a normal meal where a waiter has a few tables to attend to, she was focused only on us.

Omakase is the perfect meal for Japanese food fans

As someone that loves sushi, I walked away from my first omakase meal very satisfied and I thought it was the perfect meal for someone like me that really enjoys Japanese food.

Unlike hibachi or sushi, the higher price tag makes it more of a luxury to sample now and then. I'd love to try this with a group of friends, perhaps on a group cruise.

I think given the fact we had sake pairings and the notably higher quality food, it was well-worth the cost.  The caveat is you should be someone that loves sushi and is open to trying new things.  The food isn't that adventurous and didn't delve into the types of sushi that I think scare a lot of people away, such as octopus or caviar.

Overall, I thought Izumi omakase was better than I expected and it's the kind of meal worth trying as a special event.