Royal Caribbean Blog

Passengers onboard Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas were told to brace for strong swells as the ship encountered increasingly rough seas during its transatlantic voyage.

The Captain of the 169,300 gross registered ton ship told guests they were going to change directions because of a powerful storm front, which brought 6-7 meter waves and 50-knot winds. He advised passengers to remain seated, as the ship would be changing course and there was a possibility it could list. 

Videos taken from the 14-night transatlantic cruise show powerful waves crashing over the windows of the ship’s lower decks. 

Photo stills from Deborah Sahli

Other images reveal that the Crown & Pub Compass, one of the ship’s popular gathering spots for live music, had suffered significant damage, with alcohol bottles and broken glassware shattered across the floor. 

CruiseMapper shows Odyssey of the Seas' navigational path, including an obvious course diversion resulting from the sudden storm. 

Guests onboard took to Facebook to share their experiences. 

"There's no way we could've avoid[ed] this storm, it's just too big," wrote Michael Ducharme. 

David Naputi added, "You can definitely feel the movement. I’m not the best gauge, but at its worst maybe around a 20-30 degree tilt? (Imagine walking up a [20-degree] slope sideways and then it reverses - [that's] pretty much the intermittent worst of the rocking)." 

Overall, the vibe remains positive, with passengers spending the day indoors gambling or grabbing a drink at Playmakers, indicating the incident wasn't as scary as it might have seemed at first.

"Perfect day for eating and napping! No complaints from me," said Ja Narke.

Still, some guests aren't enjoying the excessive motion, highlighting the importance of coming prepared with seasickness remedies, including over-the-counter medication like Bonine/Dramamine or acupressure bands.

Second transatlantic cruise to be hit with adverse weather

Last week, a powerful squall struck Explorer of the Seas en route to Miami, Florida, injuring several passengers onboard.

The vessel was roughly 750 miles off the coast of Morocco during the incident. Ron Warren, a guest onboard, shared that the ship listed severely for "somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes." Afterward, Explorer was left in shambles, with furniture overturned and glass and merchandise scattered across the floors. 

Guests were ordered to remain in their stateroom while crew accounted for all guests. Medical announcements were also made for passengers who were injured during the list.

The squall delayed Explorer's return to Florida. Due to a medical emergency, the ship was diverted to the Canary Islands, where it also refueled. The vessel is now expected to arrive in Miami on Nov. 17, rather than the 14th as scheduled. 

Odyssey departed from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, on Nov. 3

The Quantum-Ultra Class ship is slated to arrive in New Jersey on Nov. 17 to begin a seasonal stint offering cruises to Florida and The Bahamas. 

This transatlantic repositioning voyage comes as the ship transitions following the conclusion of the European ship's deployment. Odyssey will return to Europe in May, sailing from Civitavecchia to Italy, Greece, and Turkey.

With a packed itinerary, the ship is set to continue providing guests with signature experiences, such as the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, SeaPlex multi-purpose venue, FlowRider surf simulator, and North Star observation capsule, while sailing to stunning European destinations. 

The last morning of your cruise can feel like a confused rush as your vacation comes to an end, but it's a lot easier to manage if you know what to expect.

No matter how long or short your cruise is, the final morning is when you disembark the ship and end your voyage.  Nearly all passengers are on their way home, although some might be extending their vacation in another way.

Getting off a cruise ship is not like checking out of a hotel.  There's a few more logistical hurdles to overcome, and it's far more regimented to keep lines moving.

While the end of the cruise is disappointing, it doesn't have to be a disaster either. You might not be smiling walking off the ship for the final time, but at least you can be content.

What time do I have to depart the cruise ship?

There are two options for walking off your cruise ship on the final morning.

If you put luggage out the night before to have Royal Caribbean deliver your luggage down to the cruise terminal, then you have a luggage number that indicates the earliest time you can disembark and your bags will be ready.

The time associated with each luggage tag is listed on a piece of paper that was left in your cabin along with the luggage tags.  Every sailing is different, so don't assume a particular number will always correlate to the same time.

The time listed is the earliest time you can leave the ship and your bags will be ready.  You could disembark the ship earlier, but you'd be waiting in the cruise terminal for the bags to be delivered.  Alternatively, you can always leave later than that time and pick up your bags.

The other option is to bring your own luggage off the ship with you instead of having it delivered. With this option, you can disembark the ship as soon as local authorities clear the ship.

The exact time a ship will begin allowing passengers off the ship will depend on a variety of factors, but it's usually around 7am. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. 

Regardless of your luggage situation, you can always stay on the ship later than the disembarkation time.  That time is just an indication of the earliest time you can stay on for.

Royal Caribbean's app will ask you a few days before the end of the cruise your disembarkation plans and assign you a disembarkation time as well.  Keep in mind that's the earliest time, not the exact time you need to leave.

So what time can you stay on a Royal Caribbean ship until? Not as late as you'd find at a land-based hotel.

Royal Caribbean asks all passengers to be out of their cabins by 8am on most sailings. The crew needs to turn the ship over and prepare it for the next voyage, and they need all previous passengers off the ship.

By about 9am, you're going to start hearing a lot of announcements encouraging passengers to disembark.  Sooner or later, they'll start paging individuals to leave. 

In my experience, the latest you can stay onboard is about 9:30am without getting in trouble.

What's open and what can you do on the final morning

The last morning of your cruise is a blend of finishing out the first voyage and preparing for the next one.

As soon as you leave your cabin, you'll see crew members working to turn over cabins and prepare them for the next journey.

While a lot of work is being done to prep the ship, there are some areas still operational for passengers.

Coffee and breakfast will be open at select venues on the last morning of the cruise.

You can expect at the very least the Windjammer buffet, Main Dining Room, and the quick service coffee location (Cafe Promenade) to be open.

If your ship has a Coastal Kitchen restaurant for suite guests, that will be open too.

Most other venues are closed, including the pool.

Guest services is open to settle any final billing issues you might have. Keep in mind you have to have a zero dollar balance in order to get off the ship.

What is the earliest flight I should book after the cruise is over?

Ideally, you want to book a flight that gives you enough time to easily disembark your ship and get to the airport and through security without being at the airport for many more hours than you need.

The problem is if you book a flight too early, you risk missing the flight because you couldn't get to the gate in time.

There are a lot of factors why it might take longer to actually disembark your ship, thus delaying your arrival to the airport:

• What time exactly your ship docks
• What time local authorities start the inspection process
• How long the inspection process takes
• How long a line there is to disembark the ship
• Unforeseen circumstances, such as a technical problem or guest blocking exiting the ship

If you look at your Royal Caribbean cruise itinerary, it lists a time your ship arrives back to the terminal. That's an estimate, and not when you can actually walk off the ship.

Plus, the actual disembarkation process may not begin for another hour or two after that time.

The fastest way off a Royal Caribbean ship is to take your own luggage off with you (known as self-assist disembarkation), but you're still at the mercy of when local authorities clear the ship and your ship begins allowing passengers to leave.

Another factor to picking the earliest flight home is how far the airport is from the cruise terminal.  

As a general rule of thumb, I recommend times after 11am. International flights and/or airports an hour or more from the cruise terminal should probably require a flight no earlier than noon.

What every passenger should do before leaving the ship

It will likely seem like you're in a rush to leave your ship, but there are a few important things to do before you disembark.

This may seem obvious, but so many people don't check they took everything out of their cabin with them.  

Double and triple check you have all your belongings.  Once you leave the ship, getting lost items back can be a challenge.

Common items left behind on the ship include children's toys (check under the bed), chargers in wall sockets, and valuables in the safe.

The next thing to do is verify your onboard balance is zeroed out.  If you have a credit card on file, that's pretty much assured.  But if you had a cash account, you'll need to settle up with Guest Services.  They won't let you off the ship until you do.

Speaking of your account, I'd recommend taking one last look to review any charges on there to verify it's all correct.  You want to correct any erroneous charges before you disembark.

If you ordered photo prints, this is your last chance to grab them.  Likewise, if you want to book another cruise at NextCruise, you can do so that final morning.

Be sure to return any pool towels that are still in your room, or you'll risk a $20 per unreturned towel fee.

What happens after you leave the ship?

After walking off the ship and back into the cruise terminal, the experience is somewhat like an airport when you fly home after an international trip.

You'll first make your way to pick up your luggage.  Only luggage that has been called will be available to pick up, and you'll see bags grouped by luggage tag numbers.

There are porters available to help with your luggage.  There is no cost to use the porters services, but they do expect a tip at the end.  Usually a dollar or two per bag is the norm.  

My advice is take advantage of the porters and use them. Not only will it be easier on you if you have a lot of bags, but in some cruise terminals the porters have their own special line for customs.

After retrieving your luggage, your next stop is the clear immigration.

In the U.S., there are two lines: people traveling with passports and people traveling with birth certificates.

In most U.S. ports now there is facial recognition is reserved for those with passports, and it's a fast and efficient process. You simply walk to the machine, it scans your face, and tells you if you're good to go or need to speak with someone.

The birth certificate line is slower because it requires an agent to inspect your documentation manually.

After you clear immigration, you'll depart the cruise terminal.  At this point, you're on your own to find a way home.  

There will be a mix of taxis, shuttle services, ride shares and more to get you home.  You should have a plan in place prior to that morning of how you'll get on your way to avoid complications or unexpected delays.

How to disembark before everyone else

If your goal is to be the first one off your ship and on your way home, then you'll need to have a proper plan of action.

In order to be the first one off a ship at its conclusion, you're going to need to carry your own luggage off.  Self-assist luggage guests have up to an hour head start on those waiting for luggage.

This express departure method will beat most of the crowds that come later, especially those that opted to have breakfast. Plus, there will be less people to contend with in the customs line or waiting for a taxi.

Prior to the final morning, you'll get an estimate of what time your ship expects to start the disembarkation process.  It could be around 6:30 or 7am.

It's a rough guess at the time, but my advice is to get in line at least 30 minutes before that estimate.  You'll be surprised how many other people are already there waiting to walk off the ship too.

Remember, if you opt for this, you'll need to carry all of your own luggage off the ship and there won't be any assistance available with it.  It's ideal for solo travelers, couples, or families without young children.

No two cruises are the same. Even if you are sailing on a similar ship, such as Royal Caribbean's Navigator and Mariner of the Seas, factors like the crew, itinerary, and weather conditions all foster new experiences. 

Within the past year, Jenny Reineck embarked on two solo cruises aboard Mariner and Enchantment of the Seas. Her sailing on Mariner departed from Port Canaveral, Florida, and called at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico, whereas her cruise on Enchantment sailed from Tampa to the Western Caribbean. 

"I had a great time on both of the cruises, but there were some similarities and some differences," Reineck says. 

Similarities

Great service

She begins by talking about the service. From the servers in the Main Dining Room to her cabin steward and the bartenders, "...the crew on [Royal Caribbean was] fantastic, and they [went] above and beyond to make [my] cruise vacation fun."

Those aren't the only crew you'll meet while onboard. Everyone from the Cruise Director to the Casino Host, Loyalty Ambassador, and the Youth Program Director plays a vital role in shaping your cruise experience. 

Speaking of Cruise Directors, "...the passion, excitement, and energy brought by the Cruise Director on both ships was phenomenal." They are often considered the "face of the ship," helping to coordinate onboard events and activities that keep passengers entertained throughout their sailing.

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

Complimentary pizza

Whether you're grabbing pizza from Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, or Sorrento's, indulging in at least one slice of included pizza is a rite of passage on Royal Caribbean cruises. 

When sailing on Mariner, Reineck ventured to Cafe Promenade for pizza, while on Enchantment, she found herself at the Park Cafe in the Solarium. 

"Regardless of where I got it, the pizza tasted the same and was delicious! In fact, the quality of the food in general was very similar across both ships," she remarks. 

Read more: Sorrento's pizza on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

Main Dining Room

Reineck explains how the service, menu options, and food quality were similar in the Main Dining Rooms on Mariner and Enchantment. 

In early 2023, Royal Caribbean introduced new dining room menus to speed up the dinner service. Each night focuses on a certain cuisine, from Italian to Mexican and British. While the rotation of the menus may vary based on the length of your cruise (i.e., a 4-night cruise won't have as many options as longer sailings), the standardized dining experience ensures that guests can expect consistent quality and service no matter which ship they’re on.

That said, Reineck says the main difference between the Main Dining Rooms was her seat: "In both cases, they sat me at a two-person table by myself, but that is where the similarities ended."

"On Mariner, my table was against a wall at the end of a row of tables. It felt more private, but I didn't have a great view. On Enchantment, my table was sandwiched between a bunch of other two-person tables, but I could sit facing the window. While it felt less private, the view was much better," she adds. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean Menus 2024

Onboard activities

The onboard activities and entertainment often drive passengers to book a Royal Caribbean cruise compared to competing lines. While older ships lack Broadway-style musicals, the essence of the daily schedule is the same.

"Whether it was trivia in Schooner Bar, a theater show, or the infamous Crazy Quest, ...I noticed that many of the onboard activities that I had enjoyed on Mariner were also going to be happening on Enchantment," she says. 

"This was great because I already knew which activities I wanted to [attend], including the belly flop contest, the world's sexiest man contest, and other fun activities throughout the ship." 

Read more: What's included in a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Stateroom

Whether you want to save money and book the cheapest interior cabin or are in the mood to splurge on a lavish suite, cruise ships have staterooms to meet various needs and preferences. 

On both Mariner and Enchantment, Reineck booked an interior cabin. However, her room on Mariner was different in that it overlooked the Royal Promenade. There was no window, even an interior-facing one, on Enchantment.

"Other than that, the rooms were very similar in size, storage space, bathroom, etc.," Reineck explains. 

"As a solo traveler in a double occupancy room, an inside cabin [had] more than enough space for all of my things, and in both cabins, there were at least two other places to sit down other than the bed." 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabin guide

Differences

Ship layout

Enchantment of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest ships in service. Part of the Vision Class, she debuted in 1997. Not only is she one of the oldest ships in the fleet, but she's also one of the smallest, measuring just shy of 83,000 gross registered tons. In comparison, Icon of the Seas is over 245,000! 

Mariner of the Seas is a little newer, having launched in 2003. As such, she's part of the line's Voyager Class, which was the first to feature the Royal Promenade, a thoroughfare filled with shops, bars, and restaurants. 

Since both vessels belong to different classes, their layouts are different. Different doesn't equal bad or disappointing, though. 

"While I thought I might miss the Royal Promenade, I actually enjoyed some of the ship activities [more] on Enchantment due to the layout of the Centrum," Reineck says. 

"Particularly for things like the balloon drop and the Parade of Nations, the Centrum gives off a 'round the campfire' vibe where we [could] all gather and celebrate together, whereas the Royal Promenade [felt] more like we were all in a long hallway looking at a stage."

She adds that she also enjoyed watching sail away from Mariner's helipad, which was absent on Enchantment. 

Read more: After 12 sailings on Mariner of the Seas, I’m convinced this ship offers the best value Royal Caribbean has to offer

Ship amenities

Since Mariner is larger and part of a newer class, she features more onboard amenities compared to Enchantment, including water slides, a FlowRider surf simulator, an ice skating rink, and an escape room. 

Not only that but Mariner also had a working television screen on the pool deck, which played holiday movies during Reineck's December 2023 sailing. 

"Unfortunately, while I was on Enchamtnent [in April 2024] the big screen on the pool deck was not working, and I missed out on pool deck movies." 

Dining options

While on Mariner, Reineck decided to try Royal Caribbean's Izumi Hibachi. In addition to the interactive Teppanyaki meal, she found that Mariner had more options, such as the hot dog stand on the pool deck. She said she'd have to brave the crowds at Windjammer if she wanted a quick bite to eat on a sea day while on Enchantment. 

However, both ships had a specialty coffee shop where she could fuel up with a cold brew each morning: "...On Mariner, I headed down to Cafe Promenade...whereas on Enchantment, I got it from Cafe Latte-tudes."

"Both cafes had the same food options though, with small items such as ham and cheese sandwiches, chocolate donuts, and cookies." 

Read more: One food item you need to order from each restaurant onboard Enchantment of the Seas

Itinerary and port schedule

With one ship departing from Port Canaveral and the other from Tampa, both had different itineraries. While both visited Cozumel, her sailing on Enchantment also took her to Roatán, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico. In addition to Cozumel, her cruise on Mariner from Port Canaveral only visited one other port of call: Perfect Day at CocoCay.

On Mariner, her schedule included a sea day followed by a port day, another sea day, and another port day. In contrast, her itinerary on Enchantment had a sea day followed by four consecutive port days, then another sea day.

"While I loved all of the ports that we stopped at on Enchantment, four port days in a row can be pretty exhausting, especially when you've been out [on] an all-day excursion," explains Reineck. 

"I enjoyed the schedule I had on Mariner better because the sea days gave me time to recover from my excursions."

Weather

"This may seem obvious, but the weather in December is different than the weather in April," Reineck says, "In fact, on my December cruise on Mariner, my excursion in Cozumel ended up getting canceled because it was too windy, and while I enjoyed my day at CocoCay, there were many moments where I was quite cold."

In comparison, when traveling on Enchantment in April, Reineck expresses how each port was hot and humid. That said, the sun was shining, and she didn't have any excursions canceled due to inclement weather. 

Reineck's experience on Mariner in December proves that cruise ships can be impacted by weather throughout the year, not just during hurricane season. Though her port stop wasn't canceled, the weather conditions shaped her experience. 

Read more: What experienced cruisers do differently during hurricane season

Royal Caribbean has pushed a new update to its website that adds a very useful function to its dining plan.

Last month the cruise line added the functionality to book its Unlimited Dining Package online and pre-reserve restaurants before getting on the ship.

This was a huge improvement, because prior to that feature, passengers had to wait to make reservations once they got on their ship.

It took the cruise line much longer than they originally estimated to roll out the feature, but a year later, the first version was implemented. It's a major upgrade for passengers, because it makes it significantly easier to get reservations instead of running around on embarkation day to make them.

This week, it appears there is a new update that has rolled out to allow anyone with the Unlimited Dining Package to change or add reservations after booking it.

When the online booking feature was released last week, it came with a giant caveat that you could only pre-book restaurants at the time of purchasing the dining package. There was no means to add reservations unless you cancelled and re-booked. This would be a problem for anyone that booked the dining package at a better price than offered today.

With the new update, it appears that issue has been fixed.

Guests can go to their order history and modify their purchase to be able to select restaurants and times.

To do so, go to your sailing and click on your name in the top right and then click Order history.

Find the purchase you made with the Unlimited Dining Package, and then click Modify.

The choice of days and restaurants should appear for you to pre-book restaurants.

A big improvement

Allowing passengers to make dining package reservations before their cruise begins is a huge help, and this new update makes it even easier.

When you can avoid running around the ship on the first day trying to get dining reservations, it's one less "errand" to have and reduces the stress of trying to get things done.

Royal Caribbean has steadily worked on making the first day of the cruise as relaxing and enjoyable as possible, from making check-in and embarkation as smooth and efficient as possible, to reducing things passengers need to stop and do on day one.

"We spent a lot of time researching with guests what their day one experience is," explained Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

Mr. Schneider reported his team found having to wait until the day of the cruise to book reservations generated a great deal of "angst".

The feedback from guests was to make it easier by not having to go to various booths that Royal Caribbean would set up only on day one of the cruise on the Royal Promenade.

Along with the dining package change, some ships now auto-connect the WiFi via the Royal Caribbean app so passengers do not need to visit the Voom desk for assistance.

On Icon of the Seas, there's a new chat feature within the Royal Caribbean app to communicate with Guest Services so you don't have to stand in line. They also added virtual queues to reduce lines.

Other dining packages not supported yet

In case you're wondering, the ability to pre-book restaurants appears to only be available for the Unlimited Dining Package so far.

In our spot checking, there is still not the ability to pre-book restaurants with the three night dining package, or any of the other dining packages.

Considering how the ability to modify or add new reservations took just a few weeks to complete, there's good reason to believe Royal Caribbean will push new updates soon with similar functionality for the shorter duration dining packages.

Should you book the unlimited dining package?

Specialty restaurants are a very popular add-on for any cruise, so is a dining package a good value?

If you think you might want to dine at more than two specialty restaurants during your cruise, a dining package can make a lot of financial sense.

At it's core, the unlimited dining package promises a flat fee to enjoy as many specialty restaurants as you like for a fixed price.

It will absolutely save you money compared to eating at the same amount of restaurants if paying out of pocket. 

A caveat to that flat fee is certain restaurants will still have a surcharge to dine there. This is because the dining package covers up to a certain amount, but certain experiences or restaurants cost more than that, and Royal Caribbean offers a discount if you have the dining package.

As an example, if you bought the unlimited dining package and wanted to dine at these restaurants, you'd pay:

• Izumi Hibachi/Teppanyaki: $15
• Royal Railway: 
  • Adult $50
  • Child $25
• Chef's Table & Holiday Dinners: $50
• Izumi Omakase: $60
• Empire Supper Club: $130

Another compelling reason to book the dining package might also be based on your opinion of the Main Dining Room.

Some cruisers have an aversion to the ship's complimentary Main Dining Room, based on cuisine, seating, or regimented times.

Lastly, the decision to buy a dining package also depends on which Royal Caribbean ship you are sailing on.

Each ship has a different line-up of specialty restaurants, and some offer many more options than others.

Icon, Oasis and Quantum Class ships offer the greatest variety of restaurants before you'd have to repeat.  

The line's older and smaller cruise ships have less specialty restaurants. In fact, Enchantment of the Seas only has Chops Grille and Chef's Table as specialty offerings.

Haiti's internal problems continued this week, but that seemingly won't deter Royal Caribbean from stopping at its private beach there.

Royal Caribbean operates a private beach in a remote area of Haiti, and has done so since 1988.

Earlier this week, three planes were hit by gunfire amid gang violence. The result was another in an endless round of travel advisories by the U.S. State Department not to travel to the country.  The Federal Aviation Administration banned flights to the country for 30 days as a result of the gunfire.

Despite these issues, Royal Caribbean hasn't changed its plans to bring cruise ships to its private enclave.

In a statement to a local NBC affiliate in Miami, the cruise line said they will continue to sail there, but are always monitoring the situation.

"The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority. Our Global Security and Intelligence Team continuously monitor the situation in Haiti. Currently, there are no changes to our planned itineraries."

Labadee is in a remote area

Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach area, is a walled-off, exclusive beach on a peninsula in northern Haiti. 

It's located 130 miles north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The cruise line cancelled visits to Labadee in March in "an abundance of caution," but restarted visits there in early October.

Since restarting visits, there's been no incidents with the various cruise ships stopping there.

In fact, Royal Caribbean re-routed a few ships to Labadee to avoid hurricanes.

What do passengers think?

Like many subjects, Royal Caribbean fans are split on the issue of if it makes sense for ships to continue to stop at Labadee.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, Geezer of the Seas wrote, "Personally,  I think Royal (and any other cruise line with stops in Haiti) is playing with fire."

"An aircraft on a 'slow' landing approach is like shooting fish in a barrel. So, what happens when/if these bad actors come into possession of high performance boats and start busting caps at a cruise ship?"

Reigert2008 added, "I’ve been to Labadeee several times and have always felt safe during the visit, but no one wants to be on the first cruise that has an issue."

"I think it’s reasonable for people to ask questions about these things especially when new events occur."

Smokeybandit retorted that post by pointing out Labadee hasn't been a site of problems, "As you noted, Haiti has had issues forever, yet never any real problems at Labadee."

Southern Dan added, "I am looking forward to my beach day in Labadee in two weeks!"

Opinion: I would welcome a cruise to Labadee, Haiti

I've been cruising to Labadee for years, and if I had a cruise that went there this week, I'd gladly go.

Haiti has had problems for a long time, and the unfortunate truth is the country has struggled for a long time with civil strife, political inability, and lack of infrastructure.

While shooting at an airplane is indeed disturbing, it also occurred in Port-au-Prince, and that's an important distinction.

Labadee is walled off from the rest of the country in a remote area. It can best be described as being in the middle of nowhere.

I think painting with a wide brush in the case of Labadee versus the rest of the country doesn't make sense. After all, Haiti still had a level 4 travel warning last week, and cruise ships and airplanes were visiting the country then. I don't think the country was inherently safer then.

Of course, there's risk in continuing to visit Haiti, but there's risk everywhere. Royal Caribbean know better than anyone the issues of risk management, and putting their ships and customers in harm's way would have a significant effect on their bottom line.  

As the cruise line monitors the situation in and around its private beach operation, until there's a change in the safety of its operation in Labadee, cruise ships should continue stopping there.

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, chances are you've already started checking if this year's Black Friday sale is benefitting you.

Black Friday is a major shopping holiday best known for deep discounts, and Royal Caribbean has its own take on it.  Instead of super cheap electronics, we get lower prices on cruise add-ons. The exact discount will depend on your sailing, but this year's batch of Black Friday offers seem to be generally quite good.

There are a series of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales over the next few weeks, and it's the perfect time to see how much more it would cost to purchase an add-on extra for your vacation. 

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner items applies to purchases made through November 29, 2024.

I went through the various choices to narrow down the top buys you should consider this week, because they will absolutely cost you more money if you wait to book them onboard the ship.

Not only are these deals probably a better price overall than normal, but you stand to save a lot of money compared to people who buy it on the ship.

Unlimited drink package

Perhaps no other add-on for your cruise gets as much attention as Royal Caribbean's drink packages.

All of its drink packages are on sale, and we've seen prices as low as $54.99 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

Anytime we see the Deluxe Beverage Package under $60 per day, that's a tremendous value. You can expect to pay over $100 per day for the same drink package if you wait to buy it on the ship.

There's even a discount on the soda package, which is rarely discounted.

Granted, the exact price of the drink packages varies greatly depending on your sailing. Some people reported seeing deeper savings than others, and Royal Caribbean is also offering added discounts to top tier members of Crown and Anchor Society or senior citizens.

Nevertheless, it's worth re-checking prices again during the Black Friday sale if your eyes glazed over the last time you checked prices.

Internet access

Perhaps the most tried-and-true lower price you can expect any year during Black Friday is a discount on Royal Caribbean's Voom internet packages.

While there's no free Wi-Fi on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it's not as expensive as you might think either.  And the prices you see during this sale are way cheaper than the same price onboard.

Here's an example of Royal Caribbean's onboard Voom prices:

The best discount comes with the multi-device Voom packages, so if everyone in your cabin needs to use the internet, it's cheaper to add additional devices rather than buying everyone their own plan.

One other thing worth noting is Royal Caribbean brought back to the Voom and drink package bundles.  

These packages are convenient, but do the math to ensure they will save you money.  Usually, they will be slightly cheaper if you just need one package.  

But if there are multiple people you want to buy the Voom and a drink package for, it's usually a better deal to buy the drink package and multi-device internet package separately. 

Admission to CocoCay areas

If you ever wanted to visit one of the extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Black Friday is when you want to buy a pass.

I've seen better than average prices for Thrill Waterpark, the Coco Beach Club, and Hideaway Beach.

As a general rule of thumb, I consider these prices to be good "deals" on them:

• Thrill waterpark: Less than $40 per person
• Coco Beach Club: Less than $100 per person
• Hideaway Beach: Less than $50 per person

Coffee card

I was pretty surprised to see a discount on the coffee punch card, because I'm not sure I've ever seen it discounted.

The Cafe Select Coffee Card offers 15 specialty espresso-based coffees that you can use during your cruise. It's redeemable at Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, Cafe@Two70 and pretty much any place that isn't a Starbucks kiosk.

If you're someone that isn't interested in a full drink package, but wants to get an espresso based drink every day, it's a good buy. Plus, you can share the coffee card, unlike the drink packages.

Specialty restaurants

One of my favorite ways to spend extra on things not included with my cruise fare are the specialty restaurants.

The Black Friday sale offers 15% - 30% off individual restaurants, and those savings can add up quickly when you're dining with a group or family.

When you can knock the price down to just $48.99 at 150 Central Park or $37.99 at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen for dinner, it makes for a great excuse to indulge.

Arguably the lunch prices are the best values.  On an upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise I have booked, I could book Giovanni's for just $14.99 per person for lunch! 

If you're wondering, yes, some restaurants do change menus if it's lunch or dinner.

Shore excursions

There's a really good chance if you're going on a cruise, you're going to want to book a shore excursion, and Black Friday is a great time check prices on tours.

Average savings on a shore excursion range between 25% and 30% off, so this can be an excellent time to book a tour.

Not only is booking a shore excursion now a good idea to save money, but many shore excursions sell out.  In my experience, by the time the cruise rolls around, there aren't many options left to those that waited to book onboard.

It's sometimes difficult to know which excursion you really want to book, but my advice is book something now while the prices are lower and decide later. Remember, you can always cancel any purchase made on the Cruise Planner before the cruise begins for a full refund.

Last week, I sailed on Freedom of the Seas for a 7-day Perfect Day and Eastern Caribbean cruise.

Originally launched in 2006, Freedom of the Seas ushered in the Freedom Class. 

Although she was once one of the fleet’s largest ships, Freedom is now dwarfed by the Icon and Oasis Classes.

However, she still boasts plenty of amenities and activities, with 15 total decks and a capacity for 4,635 guests. 

In 2020, Freedom underwent a $116 million Royal Amplification, receiving upgrades to the pool deck, water slides, and new dining venues.

The ship itself holds 1,963 staterooms, and my home for the cruise was located on the 2nd deck. 

This was my second time sailing on Freedom of the Seas, so I decided to switch it up for this cruise.

On my first sailings, I’d booked a guarantee balcony stateroom. For this sailing, I selected a guarantee oceanview cabin.

Selecting the guarantee (GTY) cabin option gave me a cheaper price for both categories because it allowed Royal Caribbean to assign me a leftover room, instead of choosing my own location.

The total cost was $1678.14 (with gratuities) for a 7-day cruise, which comes out to just $239 per night. 

I knew I’d be traveling by myself, but to avoid the solo supplemental fees, I booked with two people in the room, then came alone!

The 7-night sailing departed from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida, and called upon Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.

My room for the cruise was located on Deck 2, the lowest stateroom I’ve ever stayed in. I was eager to see if the cabin’s position would change my experience at all.

The front door opened on a clean, cheery stateroom, spanning 159 square feet. The porthole window on the back wall filled the room with natural sunlight.

The decorations and color scheme gave a thoughtful, elegant effect to the cabin. Green and gold patterns covered the walls and curtains while painting and furniture brought out blue accents.

To the left of the front door, I opened the closet. 

Inside sat six white-wire shelves. The shelves were wide and helpful for stacking clothes on, but I didn’t like the spaced-out metal—anything small would fall straight through to the floor.

One shelf held the stateroom safe, while the two bottom shelves were filled with bright orange life jackets. While I was grateful for the clear reminder of Royal Caribbean's commitment to safety, the life jackets took up more space than I would have liked.

However, the closet still had a wide expanse of space and hangers to hang clothes. It was at least two feet deep, and four feet wide, stretching taller than my head.

There was more than enough space for two people to hang their clothing and store shoes and luggage.

Next, I walked towards the cabin’s desk and vanity. The long counter had lots of space to leave documents or spread out makeup. The vanity portion had a ring light mirror, perfect for sitting down and getting ready. 

Read more: 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas

There was one comfortable, blue-patterned chair sitting at the desk. On either side of the vanity, I found three wide drawers. 

The desk portion held plenty of space for all the items I might need over a 7-day cruise. I could store makeup, jewelry, books, snacks, and more without a problem.

Just past the desk sat the mini-fridge—a large but lukewarm cooler—and, above it, the stateroom’s TV. While the TV didn’t have any ultra-modern amenities like Smart TV or AirPlay, it did show 20 free channels, along with a selection of movies at an extra cost.

Opposite the desk area sat the stateroom couch. This sofa was comfortable and useful, but it wasn’t long enough for everyone to sleep on, and it was not a sofa bed. 

While it was comfortable to sit on, I also found it a useful place to store clothes or bags.

Between the couch and the beds, a long curtain was pulled back. When opened, it could divide the entire room in half, allowing some travelers to sleep while their buddies turn on lights in the other area.

I left the bed as a large Royal King, and it quickly became one of the most comfortable areas I’ve ever slept in. The sheets were heavy yet cooling, and the four pillows were long and extremely soft.

The bed also sat right under the porthole window, which could be covered by two sets of curtains, or uncovered for gorgeous ocean views.

I loved being able to wake up and immediately pull back the curtains, bathing the room in bright sunlight and a view of the sea stretching out behind the ship.

Since my stateroom was also located so low on the ship, I felt very close to the water. It was a great reminder of why sea lovers enjoy cruising!

To either side of the bed sat a bedside table.

Each table had its own adjustable lamp with two light levels, and below that, a drawer and a larger shelf space for more storage. 

The table to the right of the bed held the stateroom’s phone, which could be used to call venues on the ship for free or make international calls at an extra charge.

The bathroom is where Freedom of the Seas starts to show her age in comparison to other ships.

Read more: All about Freedom Class cruise ships

The shower was a classic, thin cruise stateroom locker. 

Granted, the area had modern fixtures and great water pressure and temperature. 

But I found myself missing the wider showers, smooth sliding doors, and footstands of newer Royal Caribbean ships.

In any case, the sink was long, with shelving under the counter and shelves above it, which were built into the long mirror. 

The lighting was a warm golden tone, setting off the blues and greens of the stateroom decor.

A disadvantage of staying lower on the ship was the constant noise—I could hear the anchor banging, the waves crashing, and footsteps running ahead. 

It didn't seem to stop, no matter the time of day, but thankfully I am a sound sleeper.

The noise also was exacerbated by the fact that our sailing was experiencing high winds, so not every cruise would experience the same. 

Royal Caribbean is the biggest cruise line in the industry, and it attracts millions of passengers every year.

I've taken at least one cruise every month of the year so far, often adding a second or third sailing within the same calendar month. It's an amazing vacation option that has taken me to the Caribbean and Europe, and I've got plenty more planned into next year too.

Though my cruises have been positive overall, things can always go wrong.

Here are the biggest mishaps I've encountered on Royal Caribbean cruises, and how I prepare for them in advance.

Getting seasick can ruin your day, so I bring the right medication

Many first-time cruisers are worried about getting seasick on a cruise ship. I think the chances of it happening are lower than most people assume, but there's definitely the possibility.

Even I occasionally get seasick if the winds are rocking the ship in the right direction.  Earlier this year, I was sailing on Freedom of the Seas and I noticed I started feeling queasy on our sea day and recognized the telltale sign of motion sickness coming on.

The good news is you can combat seasickness quite easily and quickly, but it helps so to have the right things with you.

While there are homeopathic remedies, I prefer to have a supply of over the counter medication at my disposal.

I always pack Bonine chewable tablets with me (link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra).  

When I first started cruising, I would take one a day, beginning the day before my cruise began. As I've cruised more, I don't feel the need to take it daily, but they do work quickly if the symptoms of motion sickness begin while already onboard the ship.

Delays of any size can wreak havoc on travel plans, so I plan my schedule to account for them

Want to know the most costly mistake you can make on your cruise? Trying to fly in the same day your cruise begins.

Whether you're trying to save money on a hotel room or simply aren't aware of the risks, traveling the same day your cruise is scheduled to begin is playing with fire.

Air travel delays are notoriously bad, and they happen all the time.  Because of this, I always pad my travel plans to add more travel time in case of a delay or cancellation.

If you miss the ship because your flight was cancelled or delayed, there's not much recourse to get you on the ship. Certainly travel insurance may pick up the tab on lost cost, but it won't replace the actual relaxing vacation you planned.

I always fly in at least one day before the cruise is set to begin for cruises that depart my own country. If I'm flying internationally, I'd bump that up at least two days before the cruise is set to begin. In fact, I'd recommend more days to not only account for travel delays but also jetlag.

Cabin noise can make sleeping difficult, so I always bring ear plugs

I have a high tolerance for noise, until it interferes with my sleep.

Most of the time, I have few problems with getting a good night sleep on a cruise ship. In fact, I often sleep better on a cruise, especially when I'm in an inside cabin that provides ideal sleeping conditions.

Just in case, I pack a supply of disposable ear plugs in my luggage.

Cabin noise can be the result of many sources, including rattling, other passengers, or music.

When you're awakened mid-sleep and you just want to get back to sleep, I don't have the energy to track down the source every time.  So I'll grab my ear plugs, put them in, and get right back to sleep.

Power plugs can be scarce, so I pack an approved power adaptor

Royal Caribbean has gotten really good about adding enough power outlets in cruise ship cabins with its newer ships, but I always assume there aren't enough outlets in any cabin.

What do I need to plug in? My laptop, phone, wife's phone, smart watch are usually all plugged in at one time or another.  And then when my wife needs to blow dry or straighten her hair, there's more outlets needed. Never mind my kids' devices.

If you're on a cruise ship built before 2010, there's a good chance your cabin will have just two power outlets.

As a result, I pack a power adaptor with me on every sailing I take.

Royal Caribbean recently banned multi-plug outlets, but there are still approved outlet adaptors you can take with you.

I bring a USB hub in my carry-on bag, and it ensures we can keep a few things charging concurrently. (Contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use)

Before my cruise, I start to drink more water to avoid travel stomach

Despite my hundred or so cruises I've taken in my life, my digestive track seems to get triggered by travel quite often.

Grumpy gut is not the result of a bacterial infection, just bad luck with the transition to new foods, dehydration from flying, changes in climate, or something else.

A couple days before the cruise begins, I'll try to drink more water to help keep everything moving.  I feel this especially important on embarkation day of the cruise too, because it's so easy to go right to "I'm on vacation" mode and enjoy cocktails without enough water too.

Water alone won't always work, so I travel with medicine like Pepto Bismol or Imodium to quickly take care of the symptoms. (These are affiliate links that cost you nothing extra, but I get a referral fee if you buy something).

The cruise industry is convenient for people traveling in twos—but what about families of five?

For groups of five or families with three kids, it can be tricky to find proper activities, accommodations, and sailings.

Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line for family holidays, but some of its ships and itineraries are better for families than others.

And once you choose a ship and sailing, you'll still have to figure out the best stateroom configurations for your brood.

Larger families have additional challenges when it comes to planning vacations.

You'll have to work around schedule conflicts between school and employment. 

Families also have a broad range of ages that contribute to a variety of interests, from toddlers preferring pool time to adults who just need a quiet moment at the bar.

Finding the right stateroom is also difficult for a family of five, who need extra space and privacy. Cruise lines make it easy to book rooms for two to four people—add a fifth, and things get more complicated.

Whether you're looking for entertainment that enthralls the whole family or the perfect two-bedroom suite, here are the best cruises for a family of five. 

Wonder of the Seas

For families traveling with multiple age ranges, Wonder of the Seas has something for every generation.

One of the cruise line's biggest ships, Wonder is an Oasis-Class vessel packed with entertainment and activities.

The size of the ship ensures that there's enough space to hold something for everyone.

For the active bodies, the vessel has pools, waterslides, a zip line, a surf simulator, laser tag, ice skating, rock climbing walls, and a 10-story dry slide.

Adults can get away in the Solarium, an 18+ pool area, or enjoy comedy, ice-skating, and diving shows with the whole family.

Plus, Wonder of the Seas has nine complimentary venues and over 12 specialty venues, including the signature Mason Jar Southern cooking.

Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ship—and the largest one in the world—was built with young children and their parents in mind.

The ship's Surfside neighborhood caters specifically to families with young kids with its splash area, water slides, arcade, carousel, and playground.

Read more: Royal Caribbean added a new suite for families on Icon of the Seas that has more space than ever

The neighborhood also features family-centric dining options, like Surfside Eatery, Surfside Bites, and Pier 7.

Surfside neighborhood is also adjacent to Adventure Ocean and multiple family-style suites and cabins.

Icon of the Seas has 28 unique cabin categories, with unique and new designs built especially for families.

Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's debut Oasis-Class vessel, Oasis of the Seas, has a fun, vibrant atmosphere perfect for families.

Much like Wonder of the Seas, the ship is packed with activities for every passenger's taste.

Oasis first launched in 2009 and was amplified in 2019. The amplification added modern amenities, including a Caribbean-style pool deck with a tropical feel. Four distinct pool areas have lots of space for families to spread out. 

Splashaway Bay, a pool area specifically for children, features small slides, water sprayers, and playground-style climbing areas.

Plus, Oasis has three waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, an extra-tall rock climbing wall, a space-themed escape room, Central Park, and the Boardwalk, complete with a carousel.

Utopia of the Seas

Much like her sister vessels in the Oasis Class, Utopia of the Seas has a wide range of activities for all ages to enjoy.

However, another reason families should book a sailing on Utopia is to try a shorter itinerary.

Utopia is the first large Royal Caribbean ship to immediately start offering 3 and 4-night cruises at its debut.

If you struggle to get time off from work, get the children out of school, or coordinate with older kids, a weekend on one of the world's biggest cruise ships has everything you need.

The line's newest cruise ship is packed with novel activities, from an immersive train car dining experience to new parties.

Plus, if you're already a fan of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, Utopia takes its classic features to the next level.

Most popular cabins for 5 people

Once you choose a vessel and itinerary, you'll choose a stateroom category to book the sailing.

When it comes to families of five, this isn't always a straightforward process.

The Royal Caribbean website won't allow you to book a cabin for five people, so you'll have to consult with a travel agent or call the cruise line's customer service.

Picking your stateroom onboard means choosing your home for the length of the cruise, so finding a good fit is key. Plus, families especially need comfortable cabins with lots of space for naps, quality time, and extra showers. 

The following aren't all the possible cabin categories for a group of five, but they're the most popular options with cruisers.

Two connecting staterooms

The easier option, available on all ships in the fleet, is to book two connecting staterooms.

The cost of two separate staterooms can be cheaper than one large family stateroom, and two connecting staterooms ensure that the family is still close together.

Doors between them keep an easy flow and can be left open during the day to create a multiple-bedroom cabin.

Two separate staterooms also include the benefit of two bathrooms—great to prevent arguments over who's showering next.

Families with older children (or adults who need some extra space) will appreciate the separation two connecting cabins provide.

Each cabin needs to have a guest over 21 booked in the room, but that doesn't mean each adult has to sleep in a particular cabin.

You'll find connecting staterooms on all Royal Caribbean ships.

Family interior stateroom

For groups with a certain budget, the "spacious interior" stateroom is the most affordable cabin category that fits five guests.

The family interior stateroom fits up to six guests inside a windowless interior cabin.

Families who want to focus on shore excursions or onboard activities can save money by skipping an oceanview or balcony cabin and booking this category instead.

It is windowless, with two twin beds, two Pullman beds that fold down from the wall, a private bathroom, and a living area with a sofa bed.

You can book a family interior stateroom on Oasis Class, Freedom Class, and Vision Class ships.

Family oceanview stateroom

Families who want to stay together in one cabin can book a family oceanview stateroom.

Also called the "ultra spacious oceanview," this category has the capacity for six guests and requires a minimum of five to book.

Because a larger group is needed to book, this cabin is less likely to sell out quickly, lowering its cost and making the category easier to find onboard.

This cabin features a bright ocean view through a window or set of portholes.

The category usually ranges in size from 265 to 328 square feet and features a king-size bed, additional bunk beds, and a living area with a sofa bed.

You can book a family oceanview stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, Freedom Class, Voyager Class, Radiance Class, and Vision Class vessels.

Royal Loft Suite

Families looking to splurge on the luxurious benefits of a cruise ship suite can find the Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's newer ships.

The high-end suit comes with over 560 square feet of space, Star tier suite benefits, and a large private balcony.

The loft configuration features two distinct floors, giving a maximum of six guests tons of space to spread out.

The high price tag comes with some worthwhile treats. The Royal Loft Suite is available on Royal Caribbean ships in the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Classes.

Ultimate Family Suite

Another luxurious family suite is the Ultimate Family Suite, available on a few Royal Caribbean ships.

This cabin can sleep from five to nine guests and boasts Star-tier benefits.

Families ready to invest in their stateroom experience will appreciate the king-sized bed, two twin beds, four bunk beds, and double pull-out sofa.

The cabin also features plenty of entertainment—you won't even have to step outside for a fun cruise.

The living room features video games, table tennis, Connect 4, and even a slide. 

A wide balcony also features a private Jacuzzi, perfect for parents to enjoy without leaving any sleeping children.

The Ultimate Family Suite is only on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

I’ve cruised to Alaska five times—each on a different route—and I thought one cruise itinerary was far better than the rest.

Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, with over 1.5 million passengers visiting the state this past season. The vast majority of Alaska cruises, and all of Royal Caribbean’s itineraries, depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia.

Itineraries vary from sailing to sailing, but all cruises offer a somewhat similar experience. Virtually all itineraries visit Juneau, with most stopping at ports like Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, too. Yet even though itineraries are similar, the slight differences in each are enough to make them distinguishable from one another.

Related: 10 things to know before you book an Alaska cruise

Having cruised to Alaska five times in the past four years, I’ve found I prefer certain ports and itineraries over others. While I wouldn’t go as far to say there’s a “bad” Alaska cruise itinerary, one of my five cruises to Alaska offered the most spectacular itinerary of them all.

I tried a roundtrip Alaska cruise first, and I was immediately hooked

Back in 2021, I headed to Seattle to board my first Alaska cruise, a 7-night itinerary on Ovation of the Seas. It was my third cruise ever, and my first outside of the Caribbean region. Compared to the tropical Caribbean, I found that Alaska offered a totally unique cruise experience.

During my week onboard, I was astonished by Alaska’s landscapes and historic ports. I marveled at glaciers amongst the state’s narrow fjords, hiked through the Tongass National Forest, and caught a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

Related: Best things to do on an Alaska cruise

Alaska’s plethora of outdoor activities—along with its stunning nature—really opened my eyes to what a cruise could be. I found I preferred the itinerary over Caribbean cruises, and I couldn’t wait to head back the following year.

For my second Alaska cruise, I booked a one-way, port-intensive itinerary

I loved my first Alaska cruise experience so much that I planned to book a second sailing to the Last Frontier. So, when I came across an ultra-cheap Alaska cruise deal the following summer, I booked the itinerary without hesitation.

The second time around, however, I would be trying something new. Instead of a roundtrip cruise from Seattle, I booked a one-way itinerary on one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships, Radiance of the Seas.

Related: I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find: here's how it went

The cruise was set to depart from Vancouver, British Columbia and end in Seward, Alaska. Not only would the itinerary offer an additional port stop in Alaska, but it also included a scenic sailing around Hubbard Glacier. As another plus, ending the cruise in Seward meant I could explore Alaska’s interior after disembarking, whether on a Royal Caribbean Cruisetour or on my own.

All that being said, I still had hesitations. I wondered whether or not the one-way itinerary would be worth the extra travel time. There were no direct flights available from my home airport to Vancouver, and getting home after the cruise would be more challenging, too, as it required a long travel day from Anchorage.

Nonetheless, the itinerary intrigued me, and I figured it would be worth the longer travel times to and from the ship.

Luckily, the one-way itinerary was just as majestic as I hoped it would be

As it turned out, the minor inconveniences of getting to and from the ship were well worth the effort.

The one-way itinerary meant I visited four Alaska cruise ports in one week—Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. I felt this offered a better value than roundtrip cruises from Seattle, which usually only visit three ports in Alaska.

Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

I also loved ending the cruise in Seward, which brought me closer to some of the most famous national parks in the United States. Even though I didn’t have time to spend extra days in Alaska, I loved spending disembarkation day in Anchorage before my flight home. For those interested in exploring Alaska’s interior before or after their cruise, booking a one-way itinerary is a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, our scheduled visit to Hubbard Glacier was canceled due to poor weather. This was, of course, out of our control, but I’m sure visiting the glacier would have made the one-way itinerary even more remarkable.

The next year I cruised to Alaska three more times, but the one-way itinerary remained my favorite

Somewhat unexpectedly, I ended up cruising to Alaska three separate times in the summer of 2023. An early-season cruise deal in May and two family vacations in June brought me back to the state again and again—all on roundtrip itineraries from Seattle.

All three itineraries were relatively similar, stopping at three ports in Alaska along with a visit to Victoria, British Columbia. Two of the cruises included a glacier viewing day, with a Princess Cruises’ itinerary visiting Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.

Related: Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: Which cruise line is better?

Glacier Bay is often considered the crown jewel of Alaska port visits, and the park certainly lived up to the hype. Our ship sailed past multiple glaciers in one day, and National Park Service rangers joined the ship to give lectures about the park. Nevertheless, I found I still preferred cruising to Alaska on a one-way itinerary over these roundtrip sailings.

To me, you can’t beat the chance to start or end your cruise in Southcentral Alaska, providing convenient access to Denali National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park.

Plus, despite my bad luck with the weather, the scheduled visits to Hubbard Glacier are a major drawing point of one-way cruises. This is especially true if cruising on Royal Caribbean; the cruise line does not have access to Glacier Bay, so Hubbard Glacier is a great alternative.

All in all, Alaska’s remote location makes one-way itineraries worth the extra effort

For many cruisers, visiting Alaska is something they will do just once in their lifetime, and truthfully, there’s no right or wrong Alaska cruise route. When I cruised to Alaska for the first time, I was awestruck by the state’s geography, culture, and cuisine. I could have cared less about whether or not I picked the “right” itinerary for the cruise.

Related: Best Alaska cruises for every travel style

So, if you’ve booked an Alaska cruise on a roundtrip itinerary from Seattle, don’t feel as if you’ve made the wrong choice. For most passengers, these itineraries offer a perfect first glimpse into what the state has to offer. In addition, the majority of these cruises are on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships, which offer countless activities, dining options, cabin categories, and entertainment onboard.

Personally, though, after cruising to Alaska five times, I would choose a one-way itinerary for my next sailing. There are downsides, of course, including fewer direct flights to board the ship and the fact that only older ships tend to sail these itineraries.

Despite these drawbacks, I still find one-way itineraries to offer a more in-depth, immersive Alaska cruise experience.