Royal Caribbean Blog

It will now be more expensive to visit Cozumel's Mayan ruins, beaches, and restaurants as the country is adding a Natural Disaster Prevention Fund of $5 per cruise ship passenger.

As first reported by PorEsto, the new tax would apply to guests visiting a port in either Cozumel, Mexico or Costa Maya, Mexico and will be a single payment, regardless of which port they enter first.

It would apply to cruise ship passengers only, and not crew members.

It's not yet clear how the new tax would be implemented in regards to those that already have a 2025 cruise booked.

The goal of the tax is to improve tourism infrastructure. “Seventy percent of the income will be used to improve the tourist infrastructure and the remaining 30 percent will be used to create a Natural Disaster Fund for when storms, rain, and hurricanes impact the area.

The new tax could become a reality in 2025.

From January to October of this year, 3,260,568 passengers have arrived at the three piers of Cozumel, which represents a growth of 16.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

The island of Cozumel is the third-busiest cruise ship port in the world, and is visited by about 1,250 cruise ships each year.

Quintana Roo is located on the eastern portion of the Yucatan peninsula, and two popular cruise ports are within the state.  The other port in Eastern Mexico that Royal Caribbean cruise ships visit, Progreso, is in the state of Yucatan.

Port fees and other extra cruise costs

Port fees and taxes, such as this new tax, are levied on top of the base cruise fare. Royal Caribbean recently made a change to how it advertises its cruise prices by including fees and taxes in their pricing.

As an example, port fees and taxes for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas in 2025 amounted to $325.18, or $162.59 per person.

There's no getting around these fees, as it's levied by the countries ships visit and cruise lines simply pass it onto the passenger.

While the fare you pay for a cruise vacation includes the basics, there are other costs you'll need to account for in the total vacation cost.

Some of the extra charges are what you probably expect, such as souvenirs, a spa treatment, or a shore excursion not being included.

However, there are extra costs that take some cruisers by surprise when they discover them, especially first time cruisers.

Internet access is not included with your cruise fare, and if you want to use Royal Caribbean's WiFi, you'll need to pay $27.99 per day for one device a at a time when purchased on the ship.

You could save a little bit of money off the cost if you pre-paid it before the cruise, as well as if you opted for a multi-device plan.

Another extra cost is room service, which Royal Caribbean began charging for in 2017.

A single $7.95 per order fee is added to any room service order, regardless of how much you order.

An 18% gratuity is added on top of the $7.95 fee for a total cost of around $9.40.

Another common extra cost you'll run into are drinks.

Royal Caribbean includes basic beverages with your cruise fare, you'll need to pay extra if you want a soda, beer, wine, cocktail, or latte. 

You can pay for each drink individually, with a can of soda costing $3.50 each, or a beer at $7.99 each.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink prices list

Gratuities are another extra cost you're going to run into on any cruise.

Each passenger pays a daily gratuity that covers the services of the crew members they interact with the most, and this daily rate is charged automatically unless the guest pre-pays it prior to the cruise.

Royal Caribbean charges $18.00 per day, per person for guests staying in a Junior Suite or below, and $20.50 per day per person for guests staying in a suite.

On a typical seven-night cruise, that's around $500 in fees for a family of four.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a private island just for Royal Caribbean passengers, and there are so many things you can do during your visit. 

This private island is an impressive combination of beaches, pool, thrill experiences and more.

Royal Caribbean sought to deliver the ideal private island experience with its expansive offerings at CocoCay. There's multiple beaches to choose from, a water park, giant freshwater pool, beach club, zip line, and much more.

Odds are your Caribbean cruise will make a stop at CocoCay, so how do you best take advantage of your time there? We came up with the absolute best advice for anyone to maximize their visit.

Before you hit the beach, pool, or slides, here is everything you need to know about Perfect Day at CocoCay!

1. What is Perfect Day at CocoCay?

CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, which means only Royal Caribbean cruise ships can go there.

The island spans 125 acres and if offers a little bit of everything for everyone, such as the beaches, ziplines, pools, adults-only spaces, and lots of food.

Just like any port your cruise ship will visit, your ship docks there and it is up to you if you want to get off and visit.

Basically, the island is one enormous shore excursion run by Royal Caribbean that you do not have to spend any extra money (although you certainly can in some cases) to enjoy a fun day at the beach.

The island is split up into zones, where you can easily navigate the vibe and offerings based on the name. You just need to bring your SeaPass card and a towel, and that's it!

Perfect Day at CocoCay is almost an extension of the cruise ship experience, making it easy for cruise ship passengers to enjoy without the "middle man" of shore excursion and outside vendors you would have to navigate on another island.

2. What's new at Perfect Day at CocoCay?

The latest expansion to the island is a new adults-only area at Hideaway Beach 

Hideaway Beach is meant to be a counter-balance to the family-friendly programming found elsewhere on the island for those who want a break from it.

Hideaway Beach has an admission cost to enter, and is limited to around 2,000 passengers each day.

3. What should you bring with you?

Since Royal Caribbean operates the island, there is a bit less to have to bring than to a regular cruise port.

The most important things you should bring to the CocoCay are:

• SeaPass card
• Cash: Tipping cabana attendants requires cash.
• Sunscreen
• Closed-toe shoes: If you are going on the zip line, these will be needed.
• Beach towels: You can get these from the ship.  If you are in a cabana or Coco Beach Club, towels are provided for you.

It's also a good idea to bring sunglasses, hats, and wear a rashguard to protect yourself from the sun. Most of the year, the sun will be shining and the last thing you want to do is bring home a sunburn from your time there.

Don't forget anything special you may need for kids, such as baby supplies.

I also recommend a good beach bag to carry everything with you on and off the island. 

4. Your drink package works at CocoCay

If you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package for your cruise, you can use the drink package benefits while at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

This means if you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you can enjoy unlimited alcoholic beverages, along with bottled water, sodas and more. Likewise, the Royal Refreshment and Soda Package benefits extend to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Just like on the ship, souvenir cups or drinks served in pineapples/coconuts are not included with your drink package benefits.  If you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you can get a discount on the souvenir cup. Or you can ask for the drink in a regular cup to pay no additional charge.

If you are a Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club guest, your daily drink vouchers are accepted at CocoCay as well!

5. Internet packages work too

If you have a Voom internet package, you will have internet connectivity at Perfect Day at CocoCay.  

WiFi coverage extends across the island, which means you can stay connected and share photos or videos with friends back home. Heck, you can even post updates on our message boards!

6. Best times for shortest water slide lines

Thrill Waterpark is home to Perfect Day at CocoCay's incredible water slides, and as you might imagine, a lot of cruisers are going to want to try them all. 

While lines for the slides are usually quite manageable, here are the best times to try the slides to have a minimal wait:

• Before 11am
• After 3pm

7. Secret menu item at Snack Shack

Snack Shack serves up some great food, but they also have a menu item that is not listed on the printed menu.

If you ask nicely, you can get a chicken parmigiana sandwich that is essentially a cross between the crispy chicken sandwich, mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce. You can order this by asking for the "secret sandwich."

8. Prebook to save money

Whether you want to visit Thrill Waterpark, go for a ride on the Up, Up & Away helium balloon, snorkel or pretty much anything else that will cost extra at Perfect Day at CocoCay, be sure to pre-book it before your cruise.

Royal Caribbean regularly discounts activities and add-ons you can enjoy while at CocoCay, and this means money saved compared to waiting to reserve it once onboard.

Moreover, booking in advance assures you of a spot and protects against something selling out. It is common for the Coco Beach Club, cabanas or the water park to sell out, so book early.

You can view prices and make reservations on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

9. What's included at no extra cost?

There is a lot of attention for the activities that cost extra, but there are a lot of fun things to do that cost absolutely nothing extra.

First and foremost, you can walk around the island without paying extra. Just like any port of call, you can walk off the ship and explore on your own.

Here is a list of things that are included with your cruise fare when you visit Perfect Day at CocoCay:

• Splashaway Bay
• Captain Jill's Galleon
• Skipper's Grill
• Chill Grill
• Snack Shack
• Oasis Lagoon pool (Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels)
• Chill Island (Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels)
• South Beach (Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels)
• Sports Courts
• Fitness Classes
• Freshwater showers
• Tram service
• Beach access wheelchairs

10. Free tram service around the island

Keep an eye out for the complimentary trams that are found around Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Beginning when you walk down the pier, you will find a tram service to take you down the pier to save some steps (you will have plenty at Thrill Waterpark).

Once on the island, there is a complimentary tram service that can take you to all corners of Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

As a bonus, many of the trams are solar powered!

11. If you want a quiet spot, go to Chill Island

If your idea of a fun day is quiet time getting away from it all, head to Chill Island. Chill Island is accessible via the green pathway that is towards the left side when you walk onto Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Once at Chill Island, keep to the left side of the area for pristine ocean views that have no music or the sounds of people at the pool or water park. Instead, you will find only the sound of the ocean waves.

Another good option for a quiet spot is South Beach.

While South Beach has a floating bar and some music playing, it gets far less crowded than anywhere else because it's a longer walk and not as obvious a place to find when walking off the ship.

The further down South Beach you walk, the fewer people you will find.

12. DIY ice cream sandwiches

You will find self-serve soft-serve ice cream machines at Perfect Day, along with chocolate chip cookies. See where I am going with this?

Grab two cookies, dispense ice cream between the two and combine for an awesome dessert.

13. Keep an eye out for chickens, iguanas and birds

This is a fun tidbit, but Perfect Day at CocoCay is home to more than just beautiful views. If you walk enough of the island, it is not uncommon to see wild chickens roaming the grounds, along with iguanas that sometimes get close to the dining areas to see if any scraps of food rolled away.

Seagulls can also be found flying around, so be sure to keep an eye on your food.

Regardless of the animal, please do not feed any of them.

14. Got kids? Don't miss the free slides

It is easy to gravitate towards Thrill Waterpark, but Royal Caribbean provides two water splash areas for kids that cost absolutely nothing extra.

Captain Jill's Galleon and Splashaway Bay are located immediately at the entrance to the island from the pier.

If you have younger kids (elementary school age or younger), you may find these areas a great fit for kids, with seating around both areas for adults to supervise.

Both of the splash zones include small slides, water cannons, geysers and more.  

Children up to 42″ and 200lbs are able to use these areas.

Given there is no cost to go here, and many of the slides in the waterpark have height requirements, families with younger children may prefer Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon.

15. Chairs & umbrellas cost nothing extra

You don't have to worry about hustling to find a spot at CocoCay.

There are chairs and umbrellas in every region of the island, with plenty to go around. If you visited CocoCay in the past, you may recall shade being at a premium, but Royal Caribbean has added a ton more seating and umbrellas to go with it.

The only seating that truly goes quickly are the seats at the swim-up bar in Oasis Lagoon, but it is easy enough to swim up and place an order without a chair.

16. Don't miss the floating bar

Located near South Beach, Royal Caribbean operates a floating bar in the ocean.

It is less of a swim-up bar and more of a wade-up bar, but once you get to it, you climb a short ladder to get onboard the tiki bar and enjoy drinks in the ocean.

The floating bar has a limited selection of drinks, and no blender, so plan on beers or basic mixed drinks.

17. Your SeaPass card works almost everywhere

Just like on the ship, Royal Caribbean designed Perfect Day at CocoCay to be reliant on the SeaPass card instead of cash.

Your SeaPass card will get you into Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, and any shore excursion you book. Don’t worry about losing shore excursion tickets. Everything is loaded to your SeaPass card. 

It is also how you pay for drinks or souvenirs.

18. First visit strategy

Is it your first time to Perfect Day at CocoCay? Here is what you should consider when planning your day.

First and foremost, get up and out to the island as early as you can. By being ashore early, you can beat the crowds that descend later on.

Since there is so much to see and do on the island, it may make sense to try a few places out during your visit, rather than commit to just one.

Keep in mind that you can't do it all in one visit. While you can certainly knock out a few big parts of the island, don't try to visit every inch in one visit. Plan to come back again!

A good idea is to start with the Oasis Lagoon pool first and then hit the beaches after. The pool tends to get busier as the day progresses, so going to Oasis Lagoon earlier means you can enjoy more of the space without as many people.

Once you get your fill of the pool, decide on a beach to visit, or perhaps beach hop to get a sense of what each offers.

Chill Island and South Beach are the two most popular beaches. Chill Island is closer to more activities (and the ship), so if mobility is an issue, it may be a better choice.

Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark, and the Coco Beach Club are extra-cost options, and if you elect to book one of them, plan on spending most of your day there. If you do book one of these, be very certain to get onto the island as early as you can to maximize your time.

I would not recommend booking Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach, and Coco Beach Club for the same day, because there is not enough time to enjoy both options.

19. There is no breakfast on CocoCay

I advocate getting off the ship as early as you can to take advantage of your time there, but make sure you grab something to eat on the ship first.

There is no breakfast option on the island, and food does not open up until the lunch offerings begin later in the morning.

The Coco Beach Club is the one exception, and offers coffee and pastries to its guests.

20. Book a Thrill Waterpark cabana if your family is going to the waterpark

Whether or not you should book a CocoCay cabana for the day is a tough decision usually, unless you are going to the waterpark.

If you have at least 3 or 4 people who want to buy admission to Thrill Waterpark, you should take a hard look at the Thrill Waterpark cabanas.

Not only does a Thrill Waterpark cabana offer a relaxing and private spot for your family to enjoy, but it also includes admission to the waterpark for up to 6 guests into the waterpark.

If you have 4-6 guests, then the decision becomes a near slam dunk to get the cabana, in my opinion, because the extra cost of the cabana will be substantially less since you were going to pay for the waterpark passes.

21. Will it be too cold if I am visiting in December, January, or February?

Generally speaking, the tropics do not experience the same kind of winter temperature swings found further north. It remains mostly temperate, if not warm, throughout the winter months.

That being said, cold fronts can certainly make their way down to the Bahamas, and it is not unheard of for the temperature to drop into the 70s at times.

The good news is the ocean temperature does not change much, and will remain warmer for longer periods of time after the air temperatures drop.  

Oasis Lagoon can be on the chillier side during winter months, but one person's "cold" is another person's "you just have to get used to it".

I have found CocoCay to be more than enjoyable in the winter months, including the swimming options. If you are coming from somewhere that has snow during winter, CocoCay in December through February will feel divine.

22. Is a cabana rental worth it?

If you can afford it, a cabana rental is a great way to splurge during your day.

Cabanas offer privacy, shade, fantastic waiter service, and a "home base" for your family during your day. Your cabana attendant will bring you complimentary food throughout the day, as well as take drink orders.

Of course, cabanas have an extra cost and they are not cheap. Not to mention you may feel a sense of obligation to stay in the cabana to "get your money's worth".

The reason to book a cabana is for the privacy and service it provides. There are plenty of umbrellas and shade around the island, so don't worry about that.   

The more people you have, the more compelling a cabana is to book. If you have 6-8 guests, the price per person makes the choice far more reasonable. If you can split the cost between two families, then you really have a great value.

23. Where should you eat lunch?

One of the unheralded improvements Royal Caribbean made to CocoCay is the upgraded dining choices.

The days of only having burgers and hot dogs are gone (although you can get them still), and there is a wide variety of complimentary food on the island.

The two main areas to eat are Chill Grill and the Snack Shack.

Chill Grill is like the island's Windjammer, with the most variety of food to pick from, along with shaded seating nearby. You will find salads, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and much more. Chill Grill is also where to go to get soft-serve ice cream.

Skipper’s Grill is centrally located and very similar to Chill Grill.

The Snack Shack offers more grab-and-go choices, such as chicken sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, burgers, and even a light Greek salad. Snack Shack is the only restaurant inside Thrill Waterpark.

The Coco Beach Club has its own restaurant and you will not find burgers, hot dogs and other typical island fare here. Instead, there is lobster, steak, grilled fish, ceviche, babaganoush and plenty more to enjoy.

Moreover, you can order unlimited entrees at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, so feel free to try a couple of dishes while you are there.

Captain Jack's is an extra-cost restaurant near the pier, which has wings and fries. Unless you are craving chicken wings and would be disappointed not to get them, you can skip this.

24. Day beds at Coco Beach Club go very quickly

If you bought admission to the Coco Beach Club, plan to get there as early as you can for prime seating.

There are a handful of day beds and in-pool loungers at the infinity pool that are available to whomever claims them first.

While there are plenty of beach lounge chairs and umbrellas to go around, seating around the pool goes very quickly.  So if you want one, plan to arrive early.

25. You can get fresh towels anytime

Bringing pool towels to use on Perfect Day at CocoCay is what most people do, but don't feel like you need to stick with the same towels all day.

There are towel stations strategically located around the island for you to go to and exchange your wet towel for a fresh one.  This is really helpful for kids who love to use their towels early and often.

If you bought admission to the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach, they have their own towels, so don't bother bringing one off the ship.

26. No rash guards on slides

Something you should know about is the lifeguards are pretty strict about not wearing rash guards while going down the water slides in Thrill Waterpark.

You can certainly take off the rash guard and hold it as you go down, and then put it back on, but in my experience, I had to do this every time I went down a slide without a raft in the water park.

Why? Because rash guards (or shirts) cause drag on the slide, and can slow you down to the point you could actually stop.

27. You can snorkel at CocoCay

Whether you bring your own snorkel equipment or rent gear from Royal Caribbean, there is a spot for snorkeling.

You can use your own snorkel gear and not have to pay anything to access the snorkel area. Alternatively, you can rent gear on the island.

There is even a lifeguard on a platform near the deeper part of the snorkeling area, and you will see plenty of marine life, including fish, stingrays and perhaps even a sea turtle.  

There is a plane wreck under water, which attracts marine life too.

28. Excursions available too

If you want to mix in some fun excursions to your day in the sun, you can find a few interesting choices.

The two most popular add-ons are the zip-line and Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon Ride.

The Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon Ride takes you up to 450 feet above the island on a tethered balloon. Not only are the views amazing, but it provides the best photos while visiting.

The Perfect Day CocoCay Zipline takes you across three zip lines around the island, and it is a really fun experience, perfect for anyone who has never zip-lined before.

Keep in mind you need to be at least 48 inches tall, and weigh between 75 lbs and 275 lbs to go on the zip line.

There are also a few other excursions you can book:

• Jet ski rental
• Floating beach mat rental
• Scuba diving
• Kayak rentals

29. Water slide height restrictions

Before you book a pass to Thrill Waterpark, you should know about the minimum height and maximum weight restrictions to ensure there are no unexpected surprises later.

30. Use the signs to easily find your way

While Royal Caribbean provides you with a nice Perfect Day at CocoCay map in your cabin before your visit, I think you can leave the map in the room.

There are lots of signs throughout CocoCay to tell you where to go, and navigating is a lot easier than you might imagine.

When you get to the Arrivals Plaza, the pathways are color-coded:

• Light green: Chill Island
• Orange: Oasis Lagoon, Coco Beach Club
• Light blue: Thrill Waterpark

As you walk around the island, there are directional signs you can refer to as well to get your bearings. In addition, the Royal Caribbean app has a map you can refer to while on the island.

You can also hop on one of the free trams for a tour!

31. Free lockers you can use

Need somewhere to put your stuff? There are free lockers to use around Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Lockers can be found near the entrance to Thrill Waterpark and zip lines, Chill Island (north and south), and near the  helium balloon.

 Lockers are first come, first serve.  

32. Is Perfect Day at CocoCay accessible?

Yes, most of the island is accessible, although there are a few exceptions.

• Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool and the infinity pool at Coco Beach Club have pool lifts
• Wave Pool in Thrill Waterpark is wheelchair accessible
• In Thrill Waterpark, the towers to the slides have stairs
• The tower to the Zip Line has stairs
• Accessible trams are available on regular rotation throughout the island

33. Try the helium balloon ride early in the day

The weather changes a lot, especially at CocoCay, so if you want to ride the Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon Ride, plan to ride it early.

Depending on the winds, the balloon may only go up part of the way, and in general, winds are calmest in the morning.

Your best strategy for taking a ride up with the best chance at it not being delayed/canceled is to book it as early in the morning as you can.  

Royal Caribbean will shut it down if the winds are not favorable, and there's no guarantee it will reopen later.

34. Looking for a party?

If your idea of fun is a drink in hand and splashing around with some tunes, book a pass to Hideaway Beach.

Hideaway Beach has a giant heated pool that has a Las Vegas pool party vibe. A DJ, inflatable beach balls, and a swim-up bar all add to the experience.

Royal Caribbean designed this area to have a lot of energy, so those who want a Spring Break feel any time of the year will want to book a pass to Hideaway Beach.

35. Want live music?

If you prefer live music, head to Captain Jack's, where there is usually a live guitarist performing for part of the day.

The bar even has rope swing seats you can enjoy, and the whole area is covered, which means lots and lots of shade.

There's also a live band that performs at On The Rocks in Hideaway Beach.

36. Try the official drink of the island

The official drink of Perfect Day at CocoCay is known as the Coco Loco, and it is really tasty.

The Coco Loco is the kind of frozen concoction that is sure to put a smile on just about anyone's face.

It comes with rum, but you can get a non-alcoholic version as well for the kids.

37. Life jackets are available for no cost

If your child does not know how to swim, or just is not a very strong swimmer, swim vests are available to use throughout the island.

38. Drones are not allowed

While an aerial shot of the island would be pretty darn sweet, Royal Caribbean prohibits the use of drones at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

You are allowed to bring a drone on the ship to use in other ports, but drones are not to be operated onboard the ship at any time, nor on Royal Caribbean’s private destinations: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas or Labadee, Haiti.

39. Some people actually live on the island

Nearly all of the supplies and personnel you see around CocoCay come from your cruise ship, but there is a contingent of Royal Caribbean employees that live there.

You can see these buildings from the top of the water slide towers, or if you go up on the zip line. They are located behind Thrill Waterpark.

40. Fun facts about CocoCay

Impress your friends and family with these fun facts!

• Daredevil's Peak, at 135 feet high, is the tallest waterslide in North America
• There are 6,000 lounge chairs on the island
• There are 12,000 umbrellas on the island
• Thrill Waterpark has the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean
• Thrill Waterpark also has 13 waterslides – the most anywhere in the Caribbean
• Upgrading the island to Perfect Day at CocoCay cost Royal Caribbean over $250 million

41. Free things to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay

You might notice the extra-charge activities more, but Royal Caribbean has included a lot in your cruise fare when you visit CocoCay.

It costs nothing to walk onto CocoCay, so no excursion tickets are required. You just grab your stuff and head ashore when you're ready.

Once on CocoCay, there are a number of places that you can access for free, starting with the beaches.

There are four beaches you can go to without any cost:

• Chill Island
• Harbor Beach
• South Beach
• Breezy Bay

Each beach has umbrellas, chairs, and lots of space to enjoy.

There are also two splash areas that are perfect for young children that cost nothing extra:

• Splashaway Bay
• Captain Jill’s Galleon

You'll encounter both near the arrivals area, with Captain Jill's Galleon resembling a real-life galleon that kids can climb, slide, and splash around. Kids can use the water cannons on the ship or nearby to splash anyone in the vicinity.

Behind Captain Jill's is Splashaway Bay, which has five waterslides, two drench buckets, geysers, water cannons, fountains, and just about any excuse to get wet.

Both areas are great for younger children.

Oasis Lagoon is home to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, and it covers 33,175 square feet.

There is a swim-up bar in the middle, with lagoons and islands surrounding it. The pool is free to use, but the drinks at the swim-up bar will cost extra (unless you have a drink package).

Lastly, there's plenty of food included during your visit. Lunch at a few different venues is served during most of the day and you can get as much of it as you like:

• Skipper's Grill
• Snack Shack
• Chill Grill

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One travel agent is raising a red flag about common scams she's seen that could ruin your cruise vacation plans.

 Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel and regularly books Royal Caribbean cruises. She's one of the top earners at her agency, and she's run into all sorts of scenarios with her clients.

While most people have no issues, she's noticed an influx lately of bad actors who are causing problems, "With cruising being more popular than ever, we are seeing an uptick in scammers trying to take advantage of travelers."

Consumers should always be vigilant about sharing personal information, as well as deals that seem "too good to be true".

Whether it’s an overly aggressive salesperson on the other end of the phone, or an all-too-friendly Facebook profile, there’s plenty to be wary of.  Here are the most popular scams Jenn is seeing right now. 

Oversharing in cruise groups

While it may be a fun idea to join a group to coordinate with others on your cruise, user beware because scammers are among you.

We recommend finding a Facebook group or roll call thread for your upcoming sailing because of the opportunity to meet new friends and learn more about your specific sailing.  However, you want to keep your guard up in these groups.

Ms. Greene recommends not posting too much information about yourself or your cruise, "It’s ok to make plans to meet up at the bar once onboard, but don’t trust giving your information to others via private messages."

"Before you know it, a scammer has your phone number, email and booking information, which gives them easy access to your vacation plans."

If you think Ms. Greene is exaggerating the concern, a woman recently learned this lesson the hard way when she lost a $15,000 cruise after posting reservation number on social media.

Call the right phone number

This may seem trivial, but scammers pay a lot of money to have their fake phone numbers land on Google searches. 

If you are looking for a contact number for Royal Caribbean, go directly to cruise line website, not the internet search bar.

Ms. Greene shared she's seen an uptick in these problems, "Just recently, cruisers that are booked have almost been scammed by these fake numbers, posing to be the cruise line."

She explained before the phone agent can "help you", they tell you that you owe more money for an embarkation fee, or a deck fee, which are all fake fees. 

"Once you pay them, they will then help you with whatever you may be calling about. When you hang up, they will have taken your money, and have your credit card information - and you still have no resolution to your problem," she explained.

"Free" cruise scam

If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is, including an offer for a free cruise.

Social media is rife with these posts that claim there's a giveaway for a free cruise, airplane ticket, or trip to a resort.

"It’s very common to see posts on Facebook, Instagram or other social media giving away the trip of a lifetime," Ms. Greene explained.  "Usually it’s an impersonation of a major cruise line, offering a free cruise giveaway or telling you that you’ve been specially selected."

She recommends if you are contacted by a cruise line on social media, do not trust it. 

Read more: 4 warning signs a cruise deal is too good to be true

Fake social media accounts

It’s common for scammers to create fake social media accounts based on well-known people in the cruise community, such as Captain Kate from Celebrity Cruises, or Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley.  

For example, you might receive a message that there’s a problem with your cruise booking or that there’s an exclusive offer on a cruise, but at some point, you’ll always be asked for your bank details as scammers try to get your money. 

Ms. Greene added, "it’s highly unlikely that a cruise CEO or Captain is reaching out to users on social media."

How to protect yourself against scams

Hopefully this warning will ensure you think twice in the future, but another safeguard is to work with a trusted travel agent.

A good travel agent can answer any questions you may have along the way. You'll have a direct contact at all times to assist with your plans.

Want to change your dining time? Not sure, if you already prepaid gratuity? Travel agents are always there to help. A good travel agent will never charge a fee, and will help you every step of the way.

Royal Caribbean Blog works exclusively with MEI Travel and cannot say enough about their professionalism and service. 

Americans are spending more on travel than any other leisure category, and going on vacation is more of a need than a luxury.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty told investors during a recent earnings call that his company's research is seeing consumers increasing their travel spend over the next year, even though some Americans are worried about the economy.

"Our research suggests that consumers are spending more on travel than any other leisure category and that they intend to increase their travel spend in the next 12 months."

A study by Forbes indicates that 46% of Americans are somewhat or very likely to adjust their travel plans in one way or another due to inflation.

It's no secret that a Royal Caribbean cruise costs more today than it did a few years ago, and that trend will continue into 2025 and 2026.

Mr. Liberty said Royal Caribbean Group's revenue for the second half of 2024 is 25% higher than it was in 2019, and they're getting more bookings for 2025 than for 2024, and that means the higher pricing trend will continue into 2025 and beyond.

We asked our readers one way they will cut the cost of your cruise vacation this year in order to cope with higher vacation costs. Two trends seemed to emerge from our polling.

Less onboard spending

The most commonly cited strategy by cruisers how they'll save money is by spending less on the options presented onboard.

Royal Caribbean's cruise fare does not include alcoholic beverages, WiFi access, shore excursions, specialty dining, and other add-ons.  

Many people said they would skip out on booking specialty restaurants, internet access, or drink packages.

Sharon Johnson posted, "Going back to my beginning days of cruising in the 80's and 90's. Inside cabin, no drink package, no WiFi."  She added, "this will be different, but affordable."

Stacey Boden wrote, "Cutting back on specialty dining, rethinking drink packages, redeeming RC Credit Card points for onboard credit for gratuities, minimal shore excursions if any."

These add-ons are not cheap, as drink packages regularly cost more than $100 per person, per day if purchased onboard.

Specialty dining costs add up too, even with a dining package.  More than two specialty restaurants will easily exceed $100 a person.

Jim Couch said he wouldn't cut back, but look for better sales, "Not exactly cutting costs but we did pay attention to when Royal Caribbean would have sales and re-purchase at the lower price. Ended up saving about $300 that way from our first booking."

Downsizing to smaller cabins and older cruise ships

Another strategy a lot of people mentioned was booking smaller, less expensive cabins.

Generally speaking, an inside cabin will be cheaper than a higher category cabin, such as a balcony.

Read more: Inside vs Balcony cabins on a cruise ship

Kim Dudzinski wrote, "I’ve started booking interiors, prices have increased so much lately! Now paying for an interior what we used to spend on a balcony. It’s fine though as we rarely use the balcony."

Nicole Amadio added, "Inside cabins, we need two rooms so this saves big time. We are also busy bodies and can’t sit in one spot for too long so I don’t think we would get the use out of a balcony."

Tracie Jolliffe thinks the decision to downgrade her cabin makes a lot of sense beyond the cost, "I actually prefer ocean view over balcony because the one time I tried a balcony I really didn’t use it. I also like the view through the window better than the view through the balcony. Unpopular opinion, but it works for me!"

The other strategy is to skip out on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships because of the premium pricing they command.

New ships include the latest and greatest features the cruise line has conjured up, but the cost is going to be likely higher than a ship that's been in the fleet more than 10 years.

Andy Unwin posted, "Not doing new ships. Older ships are more economical."

Steve Cohen commented, "Cruising from local port instead of flying. Cruising on an older ship instead of new one."

Robin Brook will combine all the strategies mentioned in this article, "Definitely an older smaller ship, which I prefer anyway. While I enjoy indulging, I don't have to drink to have fun. So dumping the drink package. Eating in the main dining room and buffet rather than in a specialty restaurant."

Some of the best values in cruising are on Royal Caribbean's Voyager, Radiance, and Vision Class cruise ships. That's because they regularly offer the lowest prices.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by size

Cruise during off-peak times

The other strategy to save money some people in our poll mentioned was to opt to cruise when there's less demand.

While Royal Caribbean sails year-round, there's an ebb and a flow to demand and there are certain times of the year where you'll usually find better prices because demand drops.

Midge O'Neil-Borsilli wrote, "I am looking at off season weeks and when kids are in school ( no holidays and summer)."

Chaz Iannaci added, "We live in Florida and sail out of Florida mostly. Drive to port. Book aboard ship. Book off season."

Annamarie Meyers posted, "Going off season and not doing specialty dining or cabana on CocoCay."

This strategy works well for anyone who isn't beholden to the school calendar, as the times of year when kids are on vacation is when a lot more families look to sail.

Royal Caribbean ships feature a diverse variety of cuisine, including Japanese-style sushi and hibachi

Izumi Sushi and Hibachi is a popular specialty restaurant found on most, but not all, ships.

For an extra cost, cruisers can enjoy fresh sushi, quality sashimi, or teppanyaki-style cooking, all within an elegant environment with quality service and input from trained chefs.

Read more: How does specialty dining work on Royal Caribbean?

So which Royal Caribbean ships have Izumi? How much does it cost, and how can you book a meal there?

What is Izumi Sushi?

Izumi is a classy, contemporary-style restaurant decorated in dark reds, greys, browns, blacks, and exposed metal. Rice paper and bamboo elements also add to the Japanese ambiance.

Fresh sushi is served in rolls on white and red plates, alongside tasty appetizers and drinks.

Izumi is located on the following ships:

• Adventure of the Seas 
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas 
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas 
• Voyager of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas

Izumi sushi menu

The Izumi sushi menu is the same for lunch and dinner with no price difference. The menu for Izumi sushi is priced a la carte, meaning you pay per dish.

It's important to note Izumi on Quantum Class ships do not offer the entire menu found on other ships because they lack a full kitchen.

The menu lists starters as complimentary, with options such as vegetable fried rice and green salad with ginger dressing. 

There are signature rolls, which come in pieces of 8 and cost $13 total. These include tasty roll such as the Rainbow Roll, a spicy crispy tuna roll, and the crispy Philly roll. 

Chef’s signature rolls come at a higher price ($15 for 8 pieces), and include even higher-grade sushi such as the champagne lobster roll.

The sushi menu also offers an assortment of sashimi and a chef’s sushi selection, each listed at $17 for 8-12 pieces.

Bowls and soups are also available—spicy miso ramen, poke bowls, chicken teriyaki, and more. All of these range in price from $14 to $20.

The dessert options shine: crispy sesame balls for $5, assorted mochi ice cream for $6, green tea ice cream for $5, and chocolate lava cake for $5.

There is also an alternative option where you can pay one price—either separately or as part of a dining package—and get a pre-fixed amount of food included.

The price onboard is $34.99 per adult and $10.99 per child (for children between the ages of 6 and 12). Kids between the ages of 0 to 5 eat free.

The food included in the fixed-price option has varied over the years, but it currently includes:

• 1 small plate (e.g. a small serving like miso soup, tempura, or pork gyoza dumplings)
• 2 large plates (varying between sushi, rolls, or ramen bowls)
• 1 dessert (such as mochi ice cream)

Our team has tried the a la carte and fixed price options, and we recommend sticking with the a la carte options and skipping the fixed price offering because the sushi rolls are half sized with fixed price.

What is Izumi Hibachi?

Select ships also have Izumi Hibachi, a separate, teppanyaki-style area of the restaurant. This popular, fun dining experience features a chef who cooks food in front of the guests, cracking jokes and creating a personalized dining experience.

Sometimes referred to as “Japanese steakhouse,” the dining experience places guests in a communal table for an exciting, funny performance along with their live cooking. 

The hibachi area has three main cooking tables, each with a flat iron grill surface. The tables are surrounded by chairs, with each table seating about eight people.

If you book Izumi Hibachi with a party of less than eight, you can expect to be seated with other cruisers for the night. 

The following ships have Izumi Sushi and Hibachi:

• Allure of the Seas 
• Freedom of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

On Icon Class and Oasis Class ships, Izumi is split into two, with a sushi side and a hibachi side. They are separate, including separate reservations and availability. On other ships, hibachi and the sushi exist in the same large space.

The hibachi side often books up more quickly, because of its limited amount of tables and high demand.

The hibachi experience makes for a fun, unforgettable evening, perfect to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or just your latest cruise.

Izumi hibachi menu

This fixed-price option allows you to choose a variety of proteins for your entree.

Complimentary starters include vegetable fried rice and green salad with ginger dressing.

The classic option costs $45.99 for adults, allowing you to choose between chicken breast, beef tenderloin, and tiger shrimp.

Read more: How much does Royal Caribbean specialty dining cost?

The premier combo, on the other hand, costs $49.99 and offers combinations of meat: beef tenderloin and tiger shrimp, chicken breast and tiger shrimp, New York steak and chicken breast, and sea scallops with lobster.

A choice of dessert also comes with the meal: mochi ice cream, green tea ice cream, chocolate lava cake, or crispy sesame balls.

What is Izumi omakase?

Available only on Utopia of the Seas, Izumi omakase is a chef-driven Japanese dining experience.

The Omakase table is a communal dining experience, where six people are seated together across a rather large wood table. Yes, you will be seated with strangers.

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

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. There is no kids pricing.

Where can I find Izumi in the Park? 

Royal Caribbean’s new ships have a brilliant concept on board: Izumi in the Park.

The specialty venue takes advantage of the beautiful, peaceful Central Park neighborhood located on Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

Izumi is so popular that the cruise line wanted to move it to a more high-traffic area, rather than tucking it in the corners.

Alongside the typical Sushi and Hibachi sections, Izumi in the Park also has sushi to-go options and ice cream bubble cones.

The photogenic space is the perfect easy-to-find, quick, and tasty meal.

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

When is Izumi open?

Izumi sushi is typically open for dinner between 5:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M. Reservations are recommended, especially on larger ships, as the popular venue can fill up fast.

The sushi venue is also open for lunch on select sailings and ships, usually available between noon and 1:30 P.M.

Izumi Hibachi also opens for dinner at 5:00 P.M., but it stays open just a little later to accommodate the longer meals, closing at 9:30.

Izumi in the Park is open for lunch and all the way into the evening, opening at 11:00 A.M. and not closing until 10:00 P.M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the dress code at Izumi?

Royal Caribbean's website advises that attire should be smart-casual.

For women, this can be blouses, skirts, or pants. Men should wear long pants such as jeans or chinos, and lightweight blazers.

Do I need to make reservations?

Reservations are recommended. Cruisers can call the restaurant from their stateroom phones, or simply walk in on embarkation day.

The online Cruise Planner also provides the option to book restaurants before the sailing begins.

Is there a kid's menu?

Yes, Izumi has a kid's menu. It includes smaller ratios of quality sushi, teriyaki, and more.

Newborns to kids aged 5 years old eat free.

Can I use my dining/drink package at Izumi?

Yes, you can use dining packages such as the Ultimate Dining Package or the 3-night dining package. 

Drink packages are also valid at Izumi.

Royal Caribbean offers many cruises to the Bahamas, and each visit is a new opportunity.

With hundreds of tours to choose from, what's the best shore excursion in Nassau?

The capital of the Bahamas is known for its tropical climate, colonial harbor, beautiful beaches, and small neighboring islands.

According to the Nassau Cruise Terminal website, the port hosts 4 million cruise visitors a year.

Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship shore excursion questions answered

Guests visiting the island can choose from a wide range of activities, from ATV adventures to snorkeling to beach breaks. 

You can have a fantastic day in port no matter what excursion you book. 

But certain activities stand out—here are the 9 best Royal Caribbean excursions to book for your day in Nassau.

1. Dolphin Encounter at Blue Lagoon Island

Blue Lagoon Island is located 30 minutes from Nassau Harbor, home to a dolphin program.

This life-changing trip includes an informative orientation and then the opportunity to stand in waist-deep water while meeting friendly, gentle dolphins.

Dolphins are beautiful and very intelligent—interacting with these animals is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will surprise you.

Phones and cameras aren't allowed on the animal platforms, but media staff will capture photos and videos of the experience.

Children between 4 and 12 years old must be accompanied by a ticketed adult to the excursion.

Read more: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

Guests between 13 and 17 years old must have a waiver signed by an adult parent or guardian.

2. Pearl Island Beach Escape

One of our favorite excursions is the Pearl Island Beach Escape.

Pearl Island is a small, private getaway located a short boat ride from the port of Nassau.

On the way to the Island, you can view local architecture and learn the area's history.

At Pearl Island, guests can relax in the sun or shade, play on the white sand beach, go for a swim, snorkel, kayak, or play board games.

The island also has a bar, a small buffet-style restaurant, and an iconic lighthouse that provides a view of the neighboring islands.

This excursion is a great option for people of all ages because you can choose your level of activity while on the island.

Lifeguards also stand guard by the beach.

However, you will have to step up and down from the boat and should be mindful of seasickness while heading to Pearl Island.

3. Scale the Queen's Staircase

Fans of walking and history can tour the Queen's Staircase, a unique part of the island's history.

The 60-step staircase provided a direct route from Fort Fincastle to Nassau City and was carved between 1793 and 1797.

Enslaved Bahamians carved the staircase out of solid limestone.

You can absolutely tour the Queen's Staircase on your own for free, or join a walking tour excursion to hear a tour guide's knowledgeable perspective.

Read more: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

4. Food and Rum Tasting

The Caribbean produces most of the world's rum, and rum serves as one of the island's most popular beverages.

A food and rum tasting tour will take you on a journey of tasting traditional Bahamian dishes such as conch fritters and johnnycakes.

Read more: The cruise ship shore excursion mistake that sounds like a better idea than it really is

While discovering local culinary gems in the island's historical district, you'll wash each dish down with a glass of locally made rum.

5. Experience the luxurious Baha Bay Water Park

The Baha Bay Water Park at Baha Mar won a Tripadvisor's Choice Award in 2024 for its gorgeous beachfront, relaxing island, and luxe waterpark.

Baha Bay access is offered for Baha Mar Resort guests, but Royal Caribbean visitors can purchase a package with lunch included.

The waterpark features more than 30 attractions, including thrilling waterslides, a casino pavilion, and a dueling water coaster.

With the lunch-included Royal Caribbean shore excursion, you'll receive access to world-class dining options.

Guests can also lay back and relax on the Baha Bay beachfront sands.

The beautiful private island is the perfect tropical escape.

6. ATV adventure

While visiting Nassau, you'll notice many tourists enjoying a thrilling ride onboard a motorized all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

If you don't mind getting a little dirty, ATVs are a thrilling way to see the island.

This city tour allows you to follow a guide or explore on your own ATV, viewing famous landmarks and beautiful landscapes.

Depending on the tour, each guest will visit different places, but common spots include the Bahamas Rum Factory, the Caves, Fort Montagu, Queen's Staircase, Fort Fincastle, Fort Charlotte, and John Watling's Distillery.

Guests must have a valid driver's license to drive an ATV, and be at least 12 years old to ride one.

7. Sunken Sculpture snorkeling

Options abound on Nassau for anyone who loves snorkeling, but one shore excursion offers a boat ride to Sun Cay.

Equipment and life jackets will be provided. Guests can swim and stare through the clear waters to explore an underwater sculpture garden and encounter vibrant tropical fish.

After touring the local reefs, return to the white sand beaches of Sun Cay.

The minimum age to participate is 8 years old.

8. Visit the world-famous Atlantis resort

Atlantis Bahamas is located on Paradise Island, so you'll need to purchase a shore excursion or a taxi boat ride to visit.

The stunning oceanside resort features 3,000 hotel rooms over five distinct hotels: The Royal, the Beach, the Coral, the Cove, and the Reef.

Guests can enjoy the 123-acre water park, shops, the Atlantis Casino, celebrity chef restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, or the Madara Spa.

For animal-lovers, the Atlantic also has the world's largest open-air marine habitat.

Read more: 5 cruise ship shore excursions I tried and instantly regretted

Don't forget to plan ahead when it comes to getting back to the ship on time.

9. Enjoy Junkanoo Beach

Another free excursion option is to visit Junkanoo Beach. This is the closest beach to the cruise terminal and makes for a popular beach stop for cruisers.

It also has bathrooms, showers, and changing facilities available, so you don't have to worry about changing before you get off the ship.

After enjoying a day in the hot sun and splashing in the ocean, you'll find several bars and restaurants nearby.

Read more: 8 cruise ship shore excursions our readers tried and instantly regretted

Kids Sail Free is a promotion Royal Caribbean offers from time to time on select sailings that are usually a great vacation discount.  Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free deals as a way to encourage new bookings. 

Royal Caribbean regularly updates the offer on a monthly basis. In this post, we will cover information about the promotion, tips for booking it, and offer answers to frequently asked questions.

For starters, Kids Sail Free is an offer Royal Caribbean offers selectively throughout the year. 

What is Kids Sail Free promotion?

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

The "catch" with a Kids Sail Free deal are the blackout dates that prevent you from booking the promotion.

There are usually many blackout dates associated with any Kids Sail Free offer, which means if your cruise begins on or in any of the blackout dates, the Kids Sail Free offer does not qualify. Not surprisingly, most of the black out dates are over major school holidays in the United States calendar year. 

Here are some sample blackout dates from past Kids Sail Free offers:

• Spring break sailings departing March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025
• Holiday sailings departing December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025
• Alaska Summer sailings departing May 23 – August 29, 2025

Kids Sail Free dates

Last updated December 12, 2024

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in December 2024.

The offer runs on bookings made between December 10 – January 2, 2025 and applies to select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after December 11, 2024.

It provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of the departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guests.

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates November 22 - 29, 2024; December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025; March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025; May 22 – August 29, 2025; November 20 - 28, 2025; December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026; December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027 Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025; May 15 – September 11, 2026; Anthem of the Seas sailings departing November 21 – December 28, 2024 and Chinese New Year on Anthem of the Seas departing January 27, 2025.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

How often does Royal Caribbean offer Kids Sail Free?

There is no pattern to how many times a year or when the offer will become available.

Kids Sail Free is usually available a few times throughout the year. In fact, Royal Caribbean has been offering Kids Sail Free deals far more regularly than ever before.

Is it really free?

Assuming your kids qualify for the deal, their cruise fare cost will be zero.

You are still responsible for paying for the taxes and port fees associated with the children, along with any other charges onboard.  But if you look at the cruise invoice, their cruise fare will be zero. 

Like all guests, a daily gratuity will be charged per passenger, including the kids.

Be sure to check the fine print before booking to understand exactly the full price of the cruise.

When comparing prices, it is critical to compare the exact cabin type to each other. 

Often, people will look at the price of a cabin designed for two people and then increase the amount of people in the cabin to four people, and get a different cabin category.

The easiest cabin category to see how much money Kids Sail Free can save are suites because most suites can accommodate up to 4 people all the time. Not to mention the per-person savings in a suite will be significantly higher than in lower cabins.

Kids Sail For Less

In addition to the Kids Sail Free offer, Royal Caribbean may also offer the Kids Sail For Less offer, which is typically 25-30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.

The primary advantage of Kids Sail For Less is there are no blackout dates associated with Kids Sail For Less.  This means if you have a couple of kids in your stateroom, you receive a discount on them. 

Moreover, Kids Sail For Less often does not have age restrictions in place, so really any guest of any age who is a third guest, fourth guest, fifth guest, et al in the same stateroom as the first two guests can get a discount.

Is Kids Sail Free a lie?

A common question asked is when comparing prices, adding kids to a reservation in order to take advantage of a Kids Sail Free offer ends up increasing the overall price.

The reason why this occurs is when you select a cabin for two passengers, the system assigns you a stateroom designed just for two guests. When you add kids, it selects a different stateroom that is larger in living space so it can accommodate four people.

The vast majority of cabins on a cruise ship can only sleep two people.  Because they are plentiful, there is more supply, and higher supply means lower prices.  

Generally speaking, cabins that can sleep more than two people are fewer in supply.  There are not nearly as many, so they are in demand, they sell out quicker and that demand drives up the rate.  

If you were to compare booking a cabin as if everyone in your party was an adult and then compare that to two adults plus kids, you would see the price difference.  Only then is it apples-to-apples.  

Royal Caribbean has added a new restriction on qualifying for its popular cruise deal for families with kids.

There's nothing new with Royal Caribbean having a kids sail free deal, as they've routinely offered it for many months in a row.  However, there's a new requirement added to the fine print.

Under the terms of the offer, children up to the age of 12 can sail for free when accompanying two paying passengers in the same cabin, provided the following criteria are met:

1. The sailing is 3 nights or longer
2. It doesn't conflict with a listed blackout date that covers many of the major school and religious holidays
3. NEW: The sailing date is departing at least thirty (30) days after the booking date

Prior to this change, a Kids Sail Free offer would have worked for a last minute deal departing less than 30 days after the booking date.

Royal Caribbean has provided no explanation for the new restriction, but it's likely a mechanism to encourage families to book their cruises further in advance.

The cruise line has been steadily working towards disincentivizing last minute bookings because it can usually result in lower fares. Besides the company wanting to make more money, someone booking at the last minute and getting a better price than someone who booked many months or years in advance hurts customers.

Restrictions on the Kids Sail Free offer aren't new. The fine print includes blackout dates around Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, summer, the spring break weeks and Easter week.

In addition, the kids fares still will be subject to taxes, fees and port expenses, which can amount to anywhere from $60 to more than $200 per person, depending on the itinerary.

What is the September 2024 Kids Sail Free offer?

If you want to take the most advantage of the offer, you'll need to book a cruise anytime between September 3 – 30, 2024 and it needs to be on select sailings 3 nights and longer departing at least thirty (30) days.

It cannot be on any sailing that departing on or during these blacked out dates:

• August 2 - 30, 2024
• November 22 - 29, 2024
• December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025
• March 7 - 28, 2025
• April 12 - 24, 2025
• May 22 – August 29, 2025
• November 20 - 28, 2025
• December 18, 2025 – January 6, 2026
• March 6 – April 9, 2026
• Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing July 1 – September 13, 2024 and May 16 – September 12, 2025
• Anthem of the Seas sailings departing November 21 – December 28, 2024
• Chinese New Year on Anthem of the Seas departing January 27, 2025 except for Alaska Summer sailings departing May 23 – August 29, 2025.

The good news is you can combine Kids Sail Free with the BOGO60 offer and the 2025 Kicker offer.

BOGO60 gives you 60% off the cruise fare of the second guest booked in the same stateroom as the first, full fare paying guest, as well as 30% off any additional guests booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guest. 

It's valid on new bookings made September 3 – 30, 2024 and also needs to be on sailings departing at least thirty (30) days after the booking date.

The 2025 Kicker offer adds bonus onboard credit for cruises made just between September 3 – 4, 2024 on sailings departing in 2025 and provides instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked and sailing length as follows: 

• 5 nights or less
  • $25 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $50 USD for Balconies
  • $75 USD for Suites
• 6 nights and longer
  • $50 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $75 USD for Balconies
  • $100 USD for Suites

Will Kids Sail Free actually save me money?

If you can find a sailing that qualifies for Kids Sail Free, then yes, it can really save money.

The difficult thing in trying to calculate the savings is making sure you have the exact same room category when comparing with or without the offer.

Often people will price out a cabin for 2 guests, and then again with 4. 

Read more: Ways I Save Money on Cruises With Family

The vast majority of cabins hold only two people.  Because they are plentiful there can often be lower rates on cabins that can only accommodate two guests.

Generally speaking, most cruise ships only have a small percentage of cabins that can hold more than two. Within those cabins, some only have a capacity of just three guests, while others can accommodate four or five, but there are very few like this available compared to the number of cabins that can accommodate two guests only.

A party of four can't use a cabin meant for only two or three guests so as the number in the party increases there are fewer and fewer cabins that can accommodate them.  

Because there are so few of these cabins relatively speaking they are often in demand.  Anything in demand drives the price up.  Often other families have booked up some or most of them leaving just a handful remaining.  This also increases rates due to the supply and demand nature of the travel industry.

The only way to see the effect of Kids Sail Free is to price a cabin with adults for the number in your group (ages set to 18 or above for everyone) and then do another mock booking with your kids ages applied.   

One of the best things about a Royal Caribbean cruise are the high caliber shows included in your cruise.

The notion of "dinner and a show" is part of the core cruise experience that you'll find on any Royal Caribbean ship.

In the evening, there are signature shows performed during a sailing. Some ships even have multiple theaters where different shows can be seen.

Royal Caribbean has built a reputation within the cruise industry for offering the best entertainment on any ship that can compete with land. Many of the shows are designed to be of the same quality that you'd find in Las Vegas or New York.

In fact, there are Broadway shows on Royal Caribbean that cost nothing extra to see and are the full show.

Depending on which ship you sail on, there are different shows to see. Most shows are performed a few times per cruise so that guests have an opportunity to see them at least once.

Here's a look at the signature stage shows, aqua shows, and Broadway shows available on each Royal Caribbean ship.

Adventure of the Seas

The Lyric Theater: Invitation to Dance

Invitation To Dance is a fusion of Latin and Ballroom dance, beautiful costumes and the excitement and energy of live theater. A sensual and passionate world-class production where Ballroom and Latin dance are reinvented for a diverse global audience.

The Lyric Theater: Can't Stop The Rock

Can't Stop The Rock takes the audience on a musical journey through Rock and Roll from movie soundtracks. Covering everything from Chubby Checker and Connie Francis to Whitney Houston and Prince. Over 40 years of some of the greatest live music.

Studio B: Cool Art... Hot Ice!

Explore the multifaceted world of art by embarking on an odyssey through time and geography. Join Arthur, our main character, as he is pulled into an adventure where art and life fuse as one. Our spectacular ice cast will draw you In, close the door behind, and take you on your own unique adventure.

Allure of the Seas

AquaTheater: OceanAria Aquashow

Graceful divers soar overhead as glittering fountains dance to the song of the ocean. An ancient underwater civilization comes to life in this highly entertaining AquaTheater extravaganza.

Royal Theater: Mamma Mia!

Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise on the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone's having the time of their lives.

Royal Theater: Blue Planet - Home

Using our awesome theatrical technology and featuring one of the most talented casts of performers and artists that we have ever assembled, join Nadia as she journeys from the peaks of the mountaintops to the depths of the ocean on her mission to share her passion. Take a global adventure (without leaving your seat) and be prepared to be awed by soaring vocals, powerful music, amazing acrobatics and future-forward choreography. 

Studio B: BLADES!

Our talented skaters put their best blade forward in BLADES, a dazzling showcase of their very best moves set to their own favorite tunes. The cast has gone rogue, and anything can happen!

Anthem of the Seas

Two70: Spectra's Cabaret

Our Maestro and the Agents of Rhythm invite you to an electric multi-dimensional world where you will be transported into invisible realms. Each night, the portal opens for a limited period of time to a multimedia show brimming with kaleidoscopic sounds, effervescent colors, and dazzling movement. Spectra's Cabaret creates a world seen through the lens of music and technology, all the while exploring the deepest recesses of the heart

Royal Theater: We Will Rock You!

The spectacular Olivier Award-winning musical phenomenon WE WILL ROCK YOU rocked over 6.5 million people in a record-breaking 12 years at London's Dominion Theatre. Written by legendary comedian and author Ben Elton and with a score of killer Queen tunes such as Radio Ga Ga, I Want to Break Free, Bohemian Rhapsody, and of course, We Will Rock You, it's the champion of all musicals.

Royal Theater: The Gift

A musical journey of fantasy and illusion that begins one stormy night with the arrival of a "Magical Gift."

A beautiful production that is sure to delight, inspire, and touch the hearts of all who come to see it.

Brilliance of the Seas

Pacifica Theater: Now & Forever

Join our cast for a high-energy look at contemporary Broadway numbers from shows such as The Producers, Fosse, The Full Monty, Mamma Mia!, and many more.

Enchantment of the Seas

Orpheum Theater: Can't Stop The Rock

Can't Stop The Rock takes the audience on a musical journey through Rock and Roll from movie soundtracks. Covering everything from Chubby Checker and Connie Francis to Whitney Houston and Prince. Over 40 years of some of the greatest movie music.

Orpheum Theater: Stage to Screen

A tribute to the great musicals that have made the successful jump from the Broadway stage to the glittering lights of Hollywood (and vice versa!).

Explorer of the Seas

Palace Theater: Fast Forward

A high-energy show highlighting the most popular movie musicals of the 1980s. With Fame, Footloose, Flashdance, and Saturday Night Fever, audiences are sure to leave energized!

Palace Theater: Spirits of the Seasons

The powerful driving forces of life serve as inspiration to the seasons that can sometimes be gentle, and at other times show all their might. Our skaters become the Season's spirits, displaying playfulness and charm, while changing to awe-inspiring power and might. Come and experience the wind, the snow, the rain, and thunder along with the delightful tease that our skaters have in store for you.

Palace Theater: Wild, Cool & Swingin

Wild, Cool & Swingin is an exciting look at the glamorous cities with the swankest atmospheres that led to the creation of music and dance synonymous with them. Audiences will be treated to the slick Broadway style of New York, the romance of San Francisco, the rhythm and blues of Chicago, the hot Latin Quarter of Miami, and the high life of Las Vegas. There is something for everyone with its broad musical appeal, and the glitz and glamour reflecting these cities at the height of fashion and style.

Freedom of the Seas

Studio B: Freedomlce.com - An Ice Adventure

The Internet has unleashed its power and is enabling awareness to the meaning of freedom around the globe. Take a seat on the "World Wide Web" as our stunning international ice cast takes you on an inspiring journey through freedom and excitement.

Royal Theater: Marquee

Nowhere are the marquees more brightly lit than 42nd Street! As beacons to the best of Broadway with stunning musicals, famous composers, and iconic choreographers. Get treated to the best of Broadway on the open sea - all you have to do is look for the Marquee.

Royal Theater: Once Upon a Time

The nostalgic fairy tales we all heard as children with a fun and new twist, told through music as popular and as timeless as the tales themselves. To get to happily ever after, join our spectacular cast for Once Upon a Time...

Grandeur of the Seas

Palladium Theater: Tango Buenos Aires

Experience the sensual character of Buenos Aires at a live Tango show. Violin, piano, bass, and bandoneon are the instruments that fire the orchestral music and inspire the ardent lyrics that accompany the passionate, yet highly stylized and ritualized dance. The show features various tango styles offering a cultural tour of Argentina's signature artistic form.

Palladium Theater: Broadway Rhythm & Rhyme

Starring the Royal Caribbean Singers & Dancers as they take a trip down Broadway's memory lane with witty and original renditions of classic scores from Broadway stage hits. Whether you love classic or contemporary, you'll feel like you were set down right in the heart of the Great White Way.

Harmony of the Seas

Royal Theater: GREASE

Slick back your hair and pack your poodle skirts. Summer Lovin' is in the air with an all-new, larger-than-life take on Broadway's hit musical, Grease. Including all of the famous songs from the '70s hit movie, you'll follow the romantic twists and turns of Sandy and Danny, two summer loves who navigate the tricky social waters of Rydell High School while keeping their reputations and relationship together.

Royal Theater: Columbus, The Musical!

Meet the other Columbus in Columbus, The Musical! Royal Caribbean's original production tells the tale of Christopher's luckless distant cousin, Marvin. Banished from his father's kingdom, Marvin sets sail on a madcap voyage of discovery in the hopes of claiming his own place in history. Unforeseen romance and a happily ever after story are on the map as Marvin Columbus crashes into his Caribbean destiny.

AquaTheater: The Fine Line

The Fine Line is the AquaTheater redefined with high-flying feats, mind-blowing stunts, and physically demanding acrobatics brought to life by the world's best extreme sports athletes. Designed as a 360-degree immersive entertainment show, revelers will be wishing they had eyes in the back of their head to take in all the action happening around them.

AquaTheater: Big Daddy's Hideaway Heist

Set in a swanky 1950s resort, a crafty burglar has taken off with a bounty of jewels, and the staff of Hideaway Resort must take the audience on a high-flying adventure to solve the crime of the century.

Studio B: 1887: A Journey in Time

Beginning their journey on the frozen River Seine. Juliet and her mysterious time-traveling companion, the Tempus, travel in multiple dimensions to discover the wonders of the world, and of the heart. World-class skaters and breathtaking technology combine in a unique way that is guaranteed to leave you both breathless and emotional. 

Icon of the Seas

Royal Theater: The Effectors: The Origin Story

The newest and most powerful superhero team was introduced to the world by Royal Caribbean... But the question remains, where did they come from? The creators of this spectacular comic book franchise now bring you The Effectors: the Origin Story. Let's find out how it all began.

Royal Theater: Wizard of Oz

Our iconic hero, Dorothy, leads the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto on the most famous journey of all time. From Kansas, over the Rainbow, to Munchkinland, the Emerald, and the Land of Oz, this unlikely team of friends discovers the truth about this strange new world, while also discovering the truth about themselves. The Yellow Brick Road awaits!

AquaTheater: Aqua Action!

A brand new venue for a brand new style of live entertainment. Forget all that has come before, take a deep breath, and watch in awe as Royal Caribbean Productions redefines everything that is possible in live performance. As new and revolutionary technology is combined with the most extreme athletic skill sets ever assembled, the lines between a live-action movie and a live theatrical experience are blurred. 

Absolute Zero: Starburst: Elemental Beauty

Starburst Elemental Beauty pays tribute to the building blocks of all that we are and all that we know: the Periodic Table of the Elements. Everything from Carbon to Neon, to life-sustaining Oxygen, is born from the epic and colossal explosion of giant stars. This brand new spectacular ice production puts you in the front now to witness the explosive power of a Supernova and then takes you on an unforgettable artistic journey through a curated selection of the most beautiful elements. Our biggest, most epic ice show ever!

Independence of the Seas

Royal Theater: Invitation to Dance

Invitation To Dance is a fusion of Latin and Ballroom dance, beautiful costumes and the excitement and energy of live theater. A sensual and passionate world-class production where Ballroom and Latin dance are reinvented for a diverse global audience.

Royal Theater: GREASE

Slick back your hair and pack your poodle skirts. Summer Lovin' is in the air with an all-new, larger-than-life take on Broadway's hit musical, Grease. Including all of the famous songs from the '70s hit movie, you'll follow the romantic twists and turns of Sandy and Danny, two summer loves who navigate the tricky social waters of Rydell High School while keeping their reputations and relationship together.

Studio B: Freeze Frame

Let our Skaters take you on a journey through the most memorable moments of world events. Experience "Slices of Time" from decades past as international newspaper headlines, scenic images of the arts, fashions, cars, artists, dances, and fads of the time travel by. Freeze Frame is truly a fun experience not to be missed!

Jewel of the Seas

Coral Theater: City of Dreams

Take an incredible journey to ancient Atlantis, the exotic East, colorful India, and the elegance of Venice, all combined with recognizable music, extravagant costumes, and cinematic scenery that transports you to these exciting locations. With our amazing cast of singers and dancers, enjoy the unique experience that is 'City of Dreams.'

Coral Theater: West End to Broadway

West End To Broadway celebrates the musical theater productions that have graced both the Broadway and West End Stages. Enjoy classic show tunes by Cole Porter and Andrew Lloyd Weber, alongside contemporary hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Copacabana. West End to Broadway is an extremely classy and entertaining show.

Liberty of the Seas

Platinum Theater: Saturday Night Fever

This musical is based on Nik Cohn's 1975 New York magazine article "Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night" and Norman Wexler's 1977 screenplay it inspired, it focuses on Tony Manero, a Brooklyn youth whose weekend is spent at the local discotheque. There he luxuriates in the admiration of the crowd and a growing relationship with Stephanie Mangano, and can temporarily forget the realities of his life, including a dead-end job in a paint store.

Studio B: Encore!

We will visit and pay tribute to the colorful stages of London's West End, the historical Paris Opera House, St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater, Tokyo's classical Kabuki, the energizing Hollywood Bowl, and a Grand Finale in none other than the entertainment capital of the world—Las Vegas! All this is brought to you by our incredible cast of Royal Caribbean ice skaters.

Mariner of the Seas

Royal Theater: Gallery of Dreams

From Mozart's Austria to 1940s Morocco to the Wild, Wild West, travel around the world and through the ages in this theatrical odyssey. Gallery of Dreams tells the story of a young artist whose sketches become reality as he makes his way through a museum and brings history to vivid life.

Studio B: Ice Under The Big Top

Ladies and Gentlemen, Girls and Boys, Ice Under the Big Top! Watch and be amazed by the skating acrobatics, backstage romances, amusing clowns, snake charmers, and aerial thrills that will delight the adult and child in all of us.

Navigator of the Seas

Studio B: iSkate - Reach for the Stars Ice Show

A dazzling showcase of our skater's very best moves set to their own favorite tunes. This is a superb opportunity for our audiences to see the full set of skills, talent, and bravery that our award-winning, medal-winning, international cast has to offer.

Royal Theater: Showgirl! Past. Present. Future

Our new and totally original mega production Showgirl! Past. Present. Future combines next-generation choreography with incredible vocal performances and cutting-edge lighting and video effects, to deliver an entertainment event that will stimulate the full range of human senses. This incredible dance spectacular takes us on a stunning journey that features one of the most iconic of all entertainers, the beautiful Showgirl. By paying tribute to the past, the present, and the future of this enigmatic and world-famous artist, this remarkable entertainment experience will leave audiences completely awestruck.

Oasis of the Seas

Studio B: Frozen in Time

Loved by children all over the world, Hans Christian Anderson is best known for his fantastic fairy tales, including The Emperor's New Clothes, the Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, and The Snow Queen. Your heart will be touched all over again by this spellbinding pantomime that weaves together the story of his real-life emotions and inspiration, with the timeless and classic creations of his imagination.

Royal Theater: CATS

The new 90-minute performance of the Award-winning musical, "CATS," with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh. This bespoke, custom-tailored version of one of the most famous musicals in the world, was created specifically for Royal Caribbean International and will take audiences on a unique artistic journey.

AquaTheater: Aqua80

Everybody loves the music of the 80s and everybody loves Royal Caribbean's spectacular Aquashows! There is no other show on Earth that will make you feel like this one will. The tempos, the energy, the drama, the action, and the fun. Don't miss it!

Odyssey of the Seas

Two70: The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure

The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure, is powered by our collective imaginations and is told in seven extraordinary chapters. This breathtaking journey reminds us that, in between the front and back covers of a great book, absolutely anything can happen!

Royal Theater: The Effectors

Join the Effectors as they take to the stage to demonstrate their awesome powers, and then come together to battle their archnemesis, Crash, as he tries to take over the world with his army of airborne Drone Soldiers and scary Henchmen. The Effectors is Royal Caribbean Productions' first globally copywritten IP, so come and enjoy the beginning of something BIG! A new Superhero franchise is born!

Royal Theater: Showgirl! Past, Present, Future

Paying tribute to the past, the present, and the future of this enigmatic and famous performer, this new dance spectacular takes us on a stunning journey that features one of the most iconic of all entertainers, the beautiful Showgirl.

Ovation of the Seas

Two70: Spectra's Cabaret

Our Maestro and the Agents of Rhythm invite you to an electric multi-dimensional world where you will be transported into invisible realms. Each night, the portal opens for a limited period of time to a multimedia show brimming with kaleidoscopic sounds, effervescent colors, and dazzling movement. Spectra's Cabaret creates a world seen through the lens of music and technology, all the while exploring the deepest recesses of the heart.

Royal Theater: Live. Love. Legs

This signature combination of incredibly talented artists, high-energy performances, and remarkable beauty delivers an unforgettable theatrical experience. This special collection of next-gen choreography and vocal performances features lavish costumes, jaw-dropping video effects, special music arrangements, and a fabulous group of international artists. Live. Love. Legs rewards the audience with full sensory overload!

Royal Theater: The Beautiful Dream

As goes in the land of dreaming, where secret wants and hidden fears lie deeply tucked in our subconscious, our greatest adventures often await in slumber. 

The Beautiful Dream is a story of a man who is visited by his departed soulmate who has come to help him rediscover his passion for life, and his will to love again. This is the biggest adventure of his life, the confrontation of his secret fears, and the dream of his eventual awakening.

Quantum of the Seas

Two70: Starwater

Starwater, a highly visual production, that fuses video mapping, groundbreaking robotic technology, and live performance artistry. Human emotions are explored as our muse brings together the magic of the stars and the mysteries of the seas. Harnessing the power of Two70's exclusive technical innovations, you won't see a show like this anywhere else in the world.

Royal Theater: Sequins & Feathers

With all its glitz and glamour, dynamics of beauty, music, and textures we celebrate the Showgirl. Bringing together the finest of LA, New York, Paris, and Las Vegas with stunning choreography and the finest performers from across the world.

Royal Theater: Sonic Odyssey

Royal Caribbean Productions presents an original production featuring The Earth Harp, designed and created by William Close, a semi-finalist in Season 7 of America's Got Talent. Sonic Odyssey takes the audience on a one-of-a-kind journey of music and sound, featuring the talented cast of the Royal Theater.

Radiance of the Seas

Aurora Theater: City of Dreams

Take an incredible journey to ancient Atlantis, the exotic East, colorful India, and the elegance of Venice, all combined with recognizable music, extravagant costumes, and cinematic scenery that transports you to these exciting locations. With our amazing cast of singers and dancers, enjoy the unique experience that is 'City of Dreams.'

Rhapsody of the Seas

Broadway Melodies Theater: Ballroom Fever

Ballroom Fever is a stunning production involving emotions that are represented through the many styles of ballroom dance.  Starting with the excitement & desire of the Latin style, the passion & romance of the Tango, the joy & amusement of the Jive, and the peace & serenity of the Waltz.

Broadway Melodies Theater: Pure Country

An ultimate collection of Country songs from your favorite and most recognizable artists. Tonight we will have you tapping your toes and singing along with Your Roval Caribbean Singers & Dancers!

Serenade of the Seas

Tropical Theater: Stage to Screen

A tribute to the great musicals that have made the successful jump from the Broadway stage to the glittering lights of Hollywood (and vice versa!).

Tropical Theater: Vibeology

Vibeology is a musical journey through some of the greatest music and musicians of the past decades. Giving originals a new twist with everything from remixed Elvis to Acapella Beatles, Motown, the 70's, from DJ to VJ this show captures the music that defined an era and pays homage to its Legends with Sting, Santana, and Cher.

Spectrum of the Seas

Two70: The Silk Road

The incredibly rich and diverse cultures, styles, designs, and visuals that are synonymous with the famous trade routes of the ancient Silk Road have been combined and integrated with beyond-state-of-the-art entertainment technology, to create one of the most unique live productions in the world! Two70's highly advanced technology, including 12k video resolution and 36-axis robotics, will now be pushed to its maximum limits, as we once again redefine the boundaries of what is possible in the creative arts.

Royal Theater: The Effectors

The Effectors; Pixel: beautiful, sexy, and confident, Reverb: unpredictable and mischievous, Lume: a sassy and dynamic supergirl, and Captain Viz: the leader of the pack, and always first into the fight, as they individually demonstrate their awesome powers, and then come together to battle their arch-nemesis, Crash, as he tries once again to stop the show and destroy the city of Showville.

Symphony of the Seas

AquaTheater: HiRO

Just when you thought you'd seen it all, Royal Caribbean brings you HiRO. With even more amazing high-flying feats and unexpected stunts, we bring together some of the world's best extreme sport athletes. HiRO redefines the limits of a theatrical production on the high seas. This mind-blowing show combines cutting-edge technology, future-forward choreography, and nighly innovative physicality in a never-seen-before way. It's exciting, jaw-dropping, and unpredictable, with no two shows ever being exactly the same. Get ready, because anything can happen!

Studio B: 1977: A Thrilling Adventure on Ice

Our time-traveling, dimension-hopping hero, the Tempus, is on another amazing adventure! This time the mission is to catch the infamous, Jewel Thief, Black Max. The story starts in London in 1977 and could end up anywhere.

Royal Theater: Hairspray!

Big hair, big dreams, all the right moves, and you've got one of the biggest Broadway hits of our time—Hairspray. Winner of eight Tony Awards and four Lawerence Oliver Awards, including Best New Musical, this feel-good musical is back by popular demand! Break out your bobby socks, because Tracy Turnblad won't stop until she gets her shot at fame dancing on the Corny Collins show. But TV stardom is just the beginning. Hairspray is back, and you can't stop the beat!

Royal Theater: Flight...Dare to Dream

Royal Caribbean's multi-million-dollar original production, spectacularly chronicles the evolution of humanity's endless fascination with flying. We begin in the future at the launch of the world's first aerospace cruiser, as we rocket our entire audience to MARS on its first-ever commercial flight to the red planet. The flight then continues on a unique journey, backwards in time, from one major aerospace "first" to the next. The grand finale is a stunning dramatization of the biggest moment of all, the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk!

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Theater: ALL IN!

All the technology, all the creativity, all the talent, all the design all the sound, all the costumes, all the video, all the lighting, all choreography, all the energy, and all the fun. ALL IN!

Studio B: YOUTOPIA Ice Spectacuar

It's not a typo. It's an ice-skating odyssey through ideal perfection, fantastical times and places, and unbelievable artistry while champion performers leave you in awe with countless spins, jumps, and stunts along the way. Find out what utopia means to you during YOUTOPIA!

AquaTheater: AQUA80too

Following on from the ramous AQUA80 show (on Oasis of the Seas) and responding to hundreds of thousands of requests, the Royal Caribbean Aqua Team are proud to present the sequel—AQUA80too! No other show on earth will make you feel like this one will. The tempos, the energy, the drama, the action and the fun, all rolled up into one.

Vision of the Seas

Masquerade Theater: Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme

Using rhythm, rhyme, words, and music, take a seat next to the greatest composers and lyricists from Broadway. With the classic music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Sondheim, we bring new life into these iconic Broadway scores. It's a trip down Broadway's memory lane.

Masquerade Theater: Boogie Wonderland

Boogie Wonderland delivers the best of disco music with a ton of heart and soul! From artists such as Abba to Earth Wind and Fire, Boogie Wonderland will leave you wanting to spend the rest of the night dancing.

Voyager of the Seas

Royal Theater: Broadway Rhythm and Rhyme

Using rhythm, rhyme, words, and music, take a seat next to the greatest composers and lyricists from Broadway. With the classic music of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Duke Ellington, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Sondheim, we bring new life into these iconic Broadway scores. It's a trip down Broadway's memory lane.

Studio B: Ice Odyssey

The game of Tarot has been capturing our imagination for centuries. Join our fantastic ice cast and experience this game coming to life in a mesmerizing and playful journey that you are not likely to forget. It's an evening of wonderful artistry, mystery, and passion.

Wonder of the Seas

Royal Theater: The Effectors II: Crash & Burn

The original and first-ever show to feature The Effectors on Spectrum of the Seas, was the most technologically advanced production in the history of the cruise industry... until now! The Effectors II: Crash & Burn on Wonder of the Seas, is our bigger, bolder, and even more spectacular sequel, and this time we will take things to a whole new level. Join us once again as The Effectors do battle with their arch-nemesis Crash and his new sidekick Burn. This time it's double the trouble! The question is: Can The Effectors still win? Get ready to, *ahem* Crash & Burn, as you will be amazed at the new world of live-action theater on Wonder of the Seas.

Royal Theater: Voices

Sync up your senses with a show that delivers a dynamic combination of virtual and live performances —in real time. World-class singers and dancers take the stage for a powerful new production in Voices: An Intimate Performance on a Grand Scale. Watch as the all-star ensemble dials up the talent in an emotional show of monumental proportions inside the largest theatrical venue at sea. Increase your connection speed during our newest bespoke production.

AquaTheater: inTENse

From the creative teams that gave us The Fine Line and HiRO (on Harmony of the Seas & Symphony of the Seas), we now experience the incredible skills, the awesome athleticism, and the furious energy of the cast in our new AquaProduction, inTENse!

Studio B: Ice Spectacular: 365

The four seasons of Planet Earth and its 365-day journey around the Sun, provide the perfect backdrop to another incredible Royal Caribbean ice production! (... and there are emojis :-)

Other shows across the fleet

Welcome Aboard Showtime is a generic musical medley show on many ships. It's essentially a mix of music and dancing that has no plot.  It's an opportunity to set the tone for passengers for the rest of the sailing, and it incorporates dance numbers and music in a high-energy experience.

Center Stage combines the talents and skills of musicians onboard the ship, live musicians typically found in venues across the vessel. The show includes musical stylings from jazz and rock to Latin, pop, and swing. It is accompanied by a live orchestra.

Piano Man is an ultimate collection of songs from our favorite and most recognizable artists to ever sit behind the keys. Chart-topping hits from Elton John, Billy Joel, and the legendary Barry Manilow will have you tapping your toes and singing along.

Headliner Showtimes feature talented performers, from comedians to singers and musicians. 

I had a great time on my 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise to France and Spain, but I can't help but reflect on the 5 mistakes I made.

Despite the highlights of my trip, I regretted a few things I would have done differently (and absolutely will do when I return to Europe next year).

I think there's always room for improvement, and some mistakes stood out immediately while others I realized later on probably could have been differently.

It's easy to overthink any vacation, but I would recommend planning your European cruise with these tips in mind.

Taking public transportation from the airport

I love how easy the U.K. has made it to get around London efficiently, but when you have large luggage with you, it's not ideal.

I did my homework and researched a lot of what to do and not to do in London, and one big tip was how to save a lot of money by taking the Underground between Heathrow airport and your hotel in London.

What the tips don't take into account are your luggage, and how cumbersome it is to take with you.  Neither the London Underground nor the trains between London and Southampton have any dedicated space for large luggage.  Moreover, there are Underground stations with stairs and no elevators, so you're lugging the bags up and down stairs.

I was actually quite surprised how little space there was for luggage on the train to Southampton.

I managed to make do because I was traveling alone and with just one piece of suitcase. It would have been a nightmare with my kids and their luggage.

On the way back to London after the cruise concluded, I made the same mistake until I realized the night before I was about to commit the same mistake.  I ended up taking a taxi to the airport instead of the train again, just to avoid the luggage issue.

My advice is to arrange car service between the airport and London, or find a bus service that you can pre-book.  Royal Caribbean offers transfers as well, which I would reserve for the ride back to the airport.

Not prioritizing outdoor activities when weather is good

While I had good weather most of my trip, rain ruined my plans in both Paris and London and it could have been avoided.

When I arrived in Paris for my few hours of touring, instead of going directly to the Eiffel Tower to see it, I went on a food hunt for a great Parisian lunch.

While the croissant was fantastic, I then wasted time waiting for the rain to subside in order to see the Eiffel Tower later.

I had a similar experience in London when I used perfectly sunny weather to sit in a pub when I could have been visiting Covent Garden.  Subsequently, I had to cut my visit to Covent Garden short when I got rained out.

No matter which city or port you are visiting, always take advantage of sunny weather when it's out and save meals, museums, and bars for the end.

Not having a few Euros

It seems like you can charge everything to a credit card in Europe, but having a few Euros on you helps.

While in Bilbao, Spain, I realized I forgot my credit card back on the ship.  I had tap to pay with my American Express card, but no one in Spain seemed to take that card.  

I had U.S. Dollars on me, so I went to a nearby currency exchange store and having 100 Euros made a big difference at bars or cafes where I could use paper currency.

This is especially true with street vendors, and mostly in case of an emergency when having paper currency is a good backup.

Long bus ride shore excursions

In two ports, I took bus rides over 2 hours each way and while I really liked my time in the port, I think it was a mistake.

I'm conflicted in calling these mistakes because I really enjoyed my time in Bordeaux and Paris, but it severely limited my time I could spend there.

Compared to days I spent in Spain when I didn't have to take a bus, the days in France felt so short and I really didn't get to spend as much time there.

This mistake dovetails into my next mistake, but I'd be quite leery of shore excursions with bus rides over an hour because of how limited your time is in port as a result.

Not having an extra day after the cruise to go to Paris

After I reviewed my Paris shore excursion, a lot of readers recommended just seeing Paris after the cruise and I think they're right.

A city of significance like Paris is not something you can quickly tour, and to do it right, you need a couple of days.

It's so easy to get to Paris from London thanks to the Eurostar train, that I should have tacked on a couple of extra days to properly experience it.

Just like London, plan on a couple of days before and after your cruise to have time to see both.