Royal Caribbean Blog

There are certain items that you can pack on a plane but are banned on a cruise ship.

Each mode of transportation comes with its own set of regulations, and your packing list might be different depending on how you're traveling.

Regarding what you can bring on a cruise ship, the rules differ from those of TSA and airlines.

If you're not careful, you could safely pass through airport security only to be stopped before boarding the cruise ship.

Any prohibited items you've packed will be confiscated, and not all of them are returned at the end of the cruise.

To prevent an embarrassing moment and the loss of your items, make sure that you're not bringing these 9 banned things.

Read more: How early should I pack for my cruise?

1. Your pet

If you're going on a cruise, your furry friend will have to stay home.

Airline regulations allow guests to bring small pets on planes, provided they fit inside a zippable carrier.

Most airlines also charge an additional fee for passengers with pets, usually between $100 and $200.

However, Royal Caribbean ships do not permit any pets on board, other than registered service animals.

Royal Caribbean allows assistance dogs onboard when pre-approved by government authorities and with proof of the proper documentation.

However, any pets will have to stay with friends, family, or a sitter.

2. Fresh food

TSA allows you to bring fresh food—such as eggs, meat, seafood, vegetables, and fruit—through security.

While meats must be packaged in ice, and you cannot always bring fresh vegetables, in general, TSA will allow you to pack a considerable meal.

While you may be able to bring a home-cooked meal on a plane, you cannot carry fresh food onto a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean only allows dry, packaged snacks onboard, like cookies, chips, crackers, or energy bars. These packages must be sealed and non-perishable.

Any fresh food will be confiscated, so finish your leftovers before boarding!

Plus, your cruise fare includes access to many great dining venues, so bringing food onboard is the least of your worries.

3. Hard liquor

According to TSA's requirements, you may pack any amount of an alcoholic beverage with 24% alcohol or less in a checked bag.

For alcoholic beverages with more than 24% percent (but less than 70%) alcohol, you're limited to 1.3 gallons (5 liters) per passenger in a checked bag, provided it is inside unopened retail packaging.

For a carry-on bag, you may bring miniature bottles that fit into a quart-sized Ziploc bag.

The requirements are quite different for cruising.

Although you can bring 1 bottle of wine per adult onto a cruise ship, you are not permitted to pack any hard liquor.

If you attempt to bring any hard liquor onboard on embarkation day, it will be confiscated.

Whether you choose to purchase tequila in Mexico or rum in Jamaica, you can, however, purchase liquor at ports of call.

If you do purchase liquor as a souvenir, crew members will take it when you re-enter the ship. They will label and keep the alcohol for you until disembarkation day.

4. Candles

We all want a refreshing fragrance for the cruise ship stateroom or bathroom, but you won't be able to bring a candle on your cruise.

Airplanes permit you to pack solid candles in both checked and carry-on luggage.

Read more: 21 Cruise Cabin Essentials Everyone Should Pack

However, flammable items and heat-producing items are strictly prohibited on a cruise ship. This includes candles and incense.

Any homemade candle or local incense purchases will have to wait until you get home.

5. Clothing irons

Because of the high risk fires present on a cruise ship, you are not permitted to pack or use a clothing iron on a sailing.

They are considered heat-producing items and will be confiscated on embarkation day.

There aren't any irons present in Royal Caribbean staterooms, and self-service laundry isn't an option on a cruise.

However, you can send out laundry for crew members to wash, dry, press, or fold for you.

Laundry prices vary depending on the service you're looking for, but you can pay $35 for a wash and fold special, sending out a small bag of clothes.

Read more: We asked our readers what one thing they regretted packing for their cruise

6. Steamer

Much like irons, steamers are a heat-producing, prohibited item on a cruise ship.

If you're cringing at the idea of paying for laundry services, there are a few hacks our team likes to get the wrinkles out of your outfits.

You can use a Downy Wrinkle Release spray (this is an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but supports this site), which smooths out clothes once you hang to dry.

Packing the right material of clothing also helps; polyester, denim, cotton, and linen tend to wrinkle less.

7. Handcuffs

Whatever your reason for bringing handcuffs along, they won't be permitted on a cruise ship.

While TSA does allow handcuffs, cruise ships do not.

Royal Caribbean bans cruisers from bringing any items that are considered restraining devices, so that includes zip ties, leg cuffs, and leashes.

However, both modes of transportation permit other adult toys, so...

8. Heating pads

Preparing to manage any cramps, aches, or pains?

While TSA permits heating pads in both checked and carry-on baggage, Royal Caribbean does not.

Again, heating pads are considered heat-producing items and will be confiscated from your luggage.

Instead, consider packing Epsom salt or using a warm towel for any aches you experience on the cruise.

9. Electrical extension cord

TSA has no limitations on the kinds of extension cords you can pack on a flight.

However, standard extension cords—including surge protectors—are not allowed on cruise ships. They are a fire hazard.

Instead, you can purchase cruise-safe power strips, or bring along a USB outlet.

Read more: 115 item Ultimate Cruise Packing List (Printable PDF)

Bordeaux is seemingly synonymous with wine, but I found a city with so much to offer beyond le vin.

The first port stop on our Anthem of the Seas 7-night cruise brings us to the city of La Rochelle, which is a couple hours drive from Bordeaux.

One of the conundrums of this particular itinerary is to settle for the small city experience or take the time to see a major draw. 

Since it's my first time in France and I'm not sure the next time I'll be able to visit here, it made sense to me to sign up for the journey to Bordeaux.

Bordeaux is a little more than a 2 hour bus ride from where cruise ships dock in La Rochelle.  When you have an extreme distance like that, booking a shore excursion through the cruise line is the only logical option to avoid being left behind because of a travel delay.

Read more: Why booking my cruise shore excursions in Europe with the cruise line was the best decision

Our tour began at 8am and met at the Royal Theater.  Minutes after Anthem was cleared by the local authorities, our tour was the first to be called to go.

I signed up for the "Bordeaux On Your Own" tour, which provides bus transportation back and forth and that's it.

The bus is your typical coach bus with plenty of air conditioning and a bathroom in the back. I liked there were USB plugs at each set of seats, although the legroom was very minimal.

We were dropped off at the Allées de Tourny right in the middle of Bordeaux. We were told we'd have a little more than 3 hours to explore on our own, and to meet back at a designated time.  C'est ca et au reviour!

I specifically booked this tour because I want to explore the city on my own, as I see fit.

Bordeaux is well known for its wine culture, but wine wasn't my main draw. I like wine, but I'm not a "wine person".  However, I warmed up to the wine scene in the city quite quickly.

Wine or not, the first thing I wanted was a really good French bakery and cafe.  It was still morning, and I had this overwhelming desire to try it.

One of the best things about Europe is how much there is to see.  As soon as I left the bus, I ran right into Basilique Saint-Michel, which is a Gothic church in the center of the city.

On the bus ride over I researched some places to go, and found a coffee shop and boulangerie across the street from each other that were highly recommended.

The Sip Coffee Bar was my first stop, and I had a cup of iced coffee that was served in a beaker.  Cute idea, and the coffee was so much better than what I could get at home.

I then walked across the street to Boulangerie Jocteur, and I was met with an overwhelming choices of breads, pastries, croissants, and more.

It was one of those places I wish I could bring home a box of goodies, but I also did not want to fill up immediately and ruin my appetite for the rest of the day.

I went with a croissant and baguette.  Basic, sure, but I felt I wanted to start with the hits, and the food did not disappoint.  It probably ruined croissants for the rest of my life back home.

With my belly full, I wanted to do some exploring.  The Old Town area of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Perhaps the most iconic landmark is Porte Cailhau, which was a gate built to protect the city in 1496. I only walked by the port, but visitors can also climb to the top of the 35-meter tower for unobstructed views of the city.

I then caught sight of the Garonne river, which has a beautiful walkway along the left bank. It's the kind of waterfront walk where you not only get a great view, but you can see so many sights along the way.

It helped the temperature outside was so comfortable, with highs in the upper 80s and no humidity. As someone that lives in Florida, it's always so refreshing when you can spend time outdoors in the summer and not sweat profusely to the point of hating it.

The "Miroir d'Eau" (water mirror) was a fun stop that's across from the Place de la Bourse monument. It alternates a mirror effect and artificial misting in an extraordinary way. 

By now my mind was telling me my readers would hate on me if I went to Bordeaux and didn't have any wine, so I decided to give it a try.

I wandered the streets of Bordeaux for a bit to find a wine bar.  There are plenty of bistros and cafes, but I didn't want to go to a cafe that had a limited selection.

I eventually ran across Coumé Vaï, which serves wine by the bottle and glass, along with cheese and charcuterie options.

I'm not a wine expert at all, so I asked the woman working behind the counter to recommend a couple of wines to try that were from the region.

She picked out two, and I give it a try.

I really liked the flavor of both, with the first being quite fruity and the second extremely dry. 

If I had more time in Bordeaux, I could see myself enjoying a couple of glasses in the evening to wind down the day. 

For lunch, I wasn't sure where to eat because there were so many delicious restaurants. You could not go down a street without running into one or two restaurants that looked really good. I wished I'd had time to try more places.

This may sound crazy, but I went with an Italian restaurant for lunch.  Being in Europe, the food is good beyond the traditional foods of the host country, and in my research, I found a few intriguing Italian restaurants.  As a pizza snob at home, I was drawn immediately to give it a try.

I ended up at Le Murano, which has a large outdoor terrace.  Eating outside at a small table feels so French, even if it's Italian food.

I ordered a margarita pizza, and it was exactly what I wanted. Great food I can't get at home, with unrivaled scenery. 

I would have loved to have more time to go shopping and venture further south. There are many locally-owned boutiques that sell just about everything.

I was mostly in the Saint-Michel "quartier" of Bordeaux, and it's a very cosmopolitan neighborhood along with its rich history.

I especially enjoyed exploring Bordeaux and simply walking to see what's around the next corner. The food scene, charming history, and independent shops really made Bordeaux stand out beyond the wine it's well-known for.

Certainly wine enthusiasts will love it, but non-drinkers can find lots to see too. 

My visit gave me a new taste for all there is to discover in the famous wine region. I would love to come back and spend more time here.  This is, after all, one of the best reasons to cruise because it gives you a taste of what the world has to offer, and you can always come back for more.

My first sea day on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas took me straight through a body of water well-known for having bad weather and rough seas.

The Bay of Biscay is located west of France in an area and north of Spain, and it's not somewhere you might think as being troublesome until you do some research.

The second day of our 7-night cruise was a sea day, taking us to our first port stop of La Rochelle, France. Before we can get there on day 3, we'd need to traverse the bay.

In the morning, there was a consistent and gentle rocking of the ship.  It was clear the seas had a rolling motion to them, and that resulted in motion onboard.

Motion on a cruise ship is not uncommon and it affects everyone differently.  Some people are thrown off by the slightest movement, while others relish a good pitch and roll to the ocean.

I prefer calm seas, but while the motion was noticeable, it was far from the worst I've experienced.

One of the best strategies for minimizing the sensation of movement on a cruise ship is to go to an area on a low deck and mid ship.  I went down to deck 3 for brunch in the dining room.

Anthem of the Seas does not have a Main Dining Room, but rather, four smaller dining rooms that effectively serve as the same thing.  It's a result of an abandoned concept to reinvent the Main Dining Room that ultimately failed.

Read more: Five times Royal Caribbean changed its mind after announcing something

Brunch is not something you see all the time on Royal Caribbean ships in the Main Dining Room, but it's a treat when they do have it.  Frankly, I don't know the impetus for why they offer it on one sailing or another, but I've seen it before without any consistency. 

In order to embrace the spirit of brunch, I ordered an omelet and a burger. Surprisingly, the burger was my favorite of the two.

After breakfast, the movement was noticeably worse, and I assumed this is where the Bay of Biscay gets its bad reputation.

Luckily, the crossing is only one day (and of course the inevitable return back later in the cruise) and while the seas were rough, the weather was quite comfortable.  Partly cloudy with peeks of sun.

I did not have to take any seasickness medication, as I kept myself busy with events.  There's no shame in taking seasickness medication, as there have been times it's affected me.

Read more: How to prevent seasickness on a cruise

My best advice if you're worried about getting seasick is to be prepared in advance. I always travel with over-the-counter pills I can take to combat it.

My seasickness pills of choice are Bonine.

You could speak to your doctor about getting a prescription for a patch to wear, or preemptively take seasickness medication before the cruise begins and everyday thereafter.

The first event of the day was the Top Tier event, where Royal Caribbean invites anyone with Platinum status or above in Crown and Anchor Society to attend.

It's essentially a big thank you party for being loyal, and I really appreciate they do this to show their appreciation for its customers. It's not an event that will wow you, but if they're going to put on something for guests as recognition, I'll go.  Plus there's free alcohol!

Speaking of Crown and Anchor, I tried something I've never done for my next event.

Cheers with an Officer is a special meal offered for Pinnacle Club guests where there's a special lunch held exclusively for Royal Caribbean's top cruisers.

I had never gone before because I always thought it was too stuffy and I didn't know anyone.  This time, I decided to give it a try, mostly because I'm sailing solo on this cruise and could use some friendly conversation.

I met a fellow Pinnacle Club member, Alice from Wales, who said hello at the Top Tier event and since I'd have someone to converse with, decided to give it a try.

You're seated at a large table with other Pinnacle Club guests and served what is basically the Chops Grille lunch menu. You're also offered glasses of champagne or wine.  All of this is complimentary.

The meal begins with the Captain giving a toast, and we had other officers present to join in.  After the toast, the officers leave and it's a meal with your fellow guests.

Almost everyone was from England at our table, with a couple from Texas and another couple from Germany. As you might imagine at a table full of top cruisers, the conversation was mostly about cruising.

I ordered the salmon and wild mushroom soup.

It was a fun experience, and while I might not go every single time they offer it, I did like the opportunity to talk with other cruisers and have a good conversation with lunch.

After lunch, it was time to get to work on this blog.  There's a 6 hour time difference between France/Spain and the east coast of the United States, so my usual working hours get delayed a bit.

Towards the afternoon, I recorded my YouTube live session from the Solarium.  

I noticed by now the ocean conditions had improved and the motion had subsided considerably. This seems to play right into what people say about the Bay of Biscay, given it can change a lot.

The Bay is Biscay isn’t always rough, and I would not advise anyone to not cruise through it purely on reputation. Most importantly, cruising through the Bay of Biscay is not dangerous.  Royal Caribbean's ships are designed to handle much worse, but the Captain will take necessary actions to avoid any areas that look particularly bad.

For the evening, I decided to hit the casino once more.  It would be a short evening, because I have early morning plans once we reach France.

Looking to earn a free cruise by gambling? Royal Caribbean just made an important policy change.

Royal Caribbean passengers can earn free cruises with enough plays in the casino, but there's been a change to ensure the free cruises given out are actually taken.

Those that gamble a lot on Royal Caribbean cruise ships can qualify for free cruises and other incentives within the Club Royale rewards program.

You earn points every time you play and eventually gain rewards based on your status in the program. 

One of the best benefits offered is a free annual 7-night cruise for members of the program who have received at least 2,500 points. 

Their stateroom category depends on their level in the loyalty program: Prime members earn an interior room, Signature members can stay in a balcony cabin, and Masters get access to a suite.

Read more: I Scored a Free $1200 Room on a Royal Caribbean Cruise by Gambling in the Casino

Although this is a great benefit for passengers, Royal Caribbean wants to prevent people from not showing up for their free cruise.

"No-shows" happen too late for the cruise line to place a paying customer in the cabin, wasting the price of the cruise.

Cruisers booking their complimentary sailing will now pay a deposit

To prevent this loss of income, Royal Caribbean is implementing a new policy for Club Royale members.

In the future, each passenger booking their free annual cruise must pay a $200 deposit.

Casino winners who've been no-shows on past free cruises received an email on August 22nd, 2024, informing them of this change. 

The email reads: “We’re reaching out to let you know that in the past 12 months, you have canceled within two days of sailing or not shown up at the pier for your Casino Reservation(s)."

The email goes on to explain that the policy will become effective on September 5th, 2024.

“Under our new Casino Royale Cruise No-Show & Cancellation Policy, effective September 5, 2024, you will be assessed a $200 USD deposit on all active Casino Reservations, sailing on or after September 5, 2024."

If a Club Royale member does show up to their cruise, the deposit will be converted into a $200 onboard credit.

And if plans change, and they do need to cancel the cruise, the deposit will be refunded as long as they cancel with at least seven day's notice.

If the cruise cancels within seven days before the sailing or does not show up at the pier, they forfeit the deposit. 

What benefits are included in the Club Royale program?

The exact number of points earned from each play varies depending on how much you've gambled, the game, and wins and losses.

As soon as you enter the Club Royale program, you'll be placed in the Choice tier. Rewards for this status include:

• Point Redemption towards onboard expense account credit or as FreePlay in the Casino
• Instant Cruise Rewards Certificates
• $200 credit at Regalia Fine Jewelry and Effy Boutique
• Exclusive Casino Offers
• Access to Club Royale VIP Events

Members who've earned 2,500 points climb to the Prime tier, earning:

• Point Redemption towards onboard expense account credit or as FreePlay in the Casino
• Instant Cruise Rewards Certificates
• $250 credit at Regalia Fine Jewelry and Effy Boutique
• 10% Vitality Spa Discount
• Waived Convenience Fee for Cashless Wagering on SeaPass card
• Complimentary Drinks in Casino Royale
• Discount on VOOM Surf & Stream Internet Wi-Fi Packages
• Exclusive Casino Offers
• Access to Club Royale VIP Events
• Tier Priority Contact Number
• Exclusive Rates for Family and Friends for Additional Staterooms
• Special Offers with Partnership Casinos
• Interior stateroom on the Annual Complimentary Cruise

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

After earning 25,00 points, you'll climb to the Signature level of the reward program, earning additional benefits. These include:

• Point Redemption towards onboard expense account credit or as FreePlay in the Casino
• Instant Cruise Rewards Certificates
• $350 credit at Regalia Fine Jewelry and Effy Boutique
• 15% Vitality Spa Discount
• Waived Convenience Fee for Cashless Wagering on SeaPass card
• Complimentary Drinks in Casino Royale
• Free VOOM Surf & Stream Internet Wi-Fi Package for 1 device
• Exclusive Casino Offers
• Access to Club Royale VIP Events
• Tier Priority Contact Number
• Exclusive Rates for Family and Friends for Additional Staterooms
• Special Offers with Partnership Casinos
• Balcony stateroom on the Annual Complimentary Cruise

Finally, guests who have 100,000+ points in the program reach the Masters tier. They receive the highest amount of perks from the program, such as:

• Point Redemption towards onboard expense account credit or as FreePlay in the Casino
• Instant Cruise Rewards Certificates
• $550 credit at Regalia Fine Jewelry and Effy Boutique
• 20% Vitality Spa Discount
• Waived Convenience Fee for Cashless Wagering on SeaPass card
• Complimentary Drinks in Casino Royale
• Free VOOM Surf & Stream Internet Wi-Fi Package for 2 devices
• Priority Entertainment Access and Dining Reservations
• Onboard Credit
• Priority access at the terminal
• Carry-on bag onboard drop off with priority delivery to stateroom
• Welcome lunch in Main Dining Room featuring Chops Grille menu
• Coastal Kitchen Access
• Flexible departure with à la carte breakfast
• Exclusive Casino Offers
• Access to Club Royale VIP Events
• Tier Priority Contact Number
• Exclusive Rates for Family and Friends for Additional Staterooms
• Special Offers with Partnership Casinos
• Grand Suite stateroom on the Annual Complimentary Cruise

Royal Caribbean will build more of the world's largest cruise ships.

The company confirmed on Tuesday that it has signed an agreement to build a fourth Icon Class ship, with options to build a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship.

The options essentially mean that while Royal Caribbean has not committed to ordering them, the space is allocated within the shipyard if they decide later on to place an order.

The fourth Icon Class cruise ship is expected to be delivered sometime in 2027.

Royal Caribbean did not announce the ship's name or any new features we can expect on the fourth ship yet.

Just like the first three Icon Class ships, the order has been placed with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku. The first Icon Class ship, Icon of the Seas, was delivered in January 2024 and Star of the Seas is expected to enter service in August 2025.

A third unnamed Icon Class ship will be delivered in 2026.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty issued a statement celebrating the order, “Building on the incredible momentum and market response to the launch of Icon of the Seas and the excitement for its sister ship, Star of the Seas, coming in 2025, we’re thrilled to join with Meyer Turku once again to expand our roster of Icon Class ships and continue our future growth plans.

“Since its debut, Icon has changed the game in vacation experiences and exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance.”

The new standard in the cruise industry

Ever since Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024, Icon of the Seas has set a new standard that all other cruise ships are judged against.

While new cruise ships generate hype, Icon of the Seas delivered on it with a number of innovations and accolades beyond her size.

The Icon Class ships have the largest waterpark and ice rink at sea, eight neighborhoods to explore, a food hall, and so much more. 

Icon of the Seas measures an astonishing 250,800 gross registered tons and can carry a maximum of 7,600 passengers. There are 28 different stateroom categories.

Matching other cruise line new ship orders

One trend within the cruise industry is placing new ship orders.

Royal Caribbean joins a number of other lines that placed new cruise ship orders this year, and this has been a big year for orders.

The cruise industry refrained from placing new orders over the last 4 years due to the sizeable debt they accrued related to the cruise industry shutdown of 2020-2021.

Carnival Cruise Line placed an order in July for 3 new ships, which was placed a few months after Carnival ordered two more ships for its Excel Class series of vessels. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings ordered a whopping 8 new ships in April 2024.

No orders yet for its rumored plans

While Royal Caribbean placed an order for more Icon Class ships, it did not order the other ships many have expected.

The Discovery Class of ships is expected to be a new smaller class of cruise ship by Royal Caribbean, with the word "smaller" being a relative term.

Executives have hinted at the project's existence, but nothing has been officially announced or confirmed.

In August 2024, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the plans in an interview he did, "We’re working now on another class of ship called Discovery Class. So, that’s going to be super exciting. That’ll come in about another 3 to 4 years from now."

Rumors have been circling for years about Royal Caribbean’s upcoming plans to build new ships of smaller size. However, the cruise line has not confirmed many details about Project Discovery.

I've spent hundreds of nights on cruise ships, and boarding a Royal Caribbean ship in a seasonal market like Southampton, England is easier than a lot of full time cruise ports in the United States.

Getting on any cruise ship isn't difficult, but some homeports are more difficult than others.

As someone that cruises every month, I've seen just about every embarkation day experience imaginable, and I was pleasantly surprised how easy the process was in Southampton.

I flew to London from my home in Orlando, Florida for a 7-night cruise on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas that will take me to ports in Northern France and Spain.

I spent two days in London before taking the train down to Southampton.  The train is easy and affordable.  It was about €50 for a first class ticket if purchased in advance, and it's just a one hour and 20 minute ride from London's Waterloo station to Southampton Central.

The train is very efficient and fast. England's roads are notorious for traffic delays, and the train is a great alternative. 

One downside to taking the train is the lack of space for luggage. Regular size luggage that you would check on an airplane do not fit in the overhead bins, and the only recourse was for everyone to shove their luggage in the boarding area between the doors. If I was taking my family, I'd probably have to opt for a car service because of how much luggage we typically have.

Once I arrived at Southampton, it was a short 5 minute taxi ride to where Anthem of the Seas was docked.

While boarding was delayed, the process went very smoothly once it got started.

At first, I was surprised there was no special line for suite guests and Pinnacle Club members.  But it really did not matter, as they efficiently moved guests through security and check-in. The claim that Brits love to queue definitely seems to be true!

What made the process smooth was there were multiple points for the staff to check guests in, both before and after security. Even though no one was verifying anyone's check-in time, the crowd wasn't large enough to overwhelm the staff.

It took me probably 10 minutes at the most to get from curb to ship, and most of that was because I seem to always pick the longest security line, every time.

To Royal Caribbean's credit, once onboard the ship, the embarkation day experience was quite consistent.  Muster stations were open to quickly take care of the emuster check-in, and then it was off to lunch.

I opted to lunch at the Windjammer buffet, primarily because I wanted to enjoy my food outdoors. On most Quantum Class ships, there is outdoor seating at the rear of the Windjammer, and I loved the pleasant temperatures and cool breeze.  The high temperature was in the upper 60s and it was partly sunny. That's like summer weather in England.

While the check-in process was super smooth, the one area that baffled me was when staterooms would be ready. Unfortunately, cabins were not ready until 2:30pm.  Usually cabins are ready by 1pm, or 2pm at the very latest.

I'm guessing Anthem was delayed in getting into port and that backed everything up. Luckily, it did not impact the check-in process too much, but cabin attendants needed more time.

I actually went down to check if the rooms were ready at 1:30, 2, and then finally 2:30.  It took to exactly 2:30 for the cabins to be open to guests.

For this cruise, I booked a standard balcony cabin on deck 7. It's pretty much like any balcony cabin I've stayed in on other ships, and I especially like how much storage space and extra outlets Quantum Class cabins have. Back in 2015 when Anthem launched, this was a really big deal.  Now, we all expect it.

One difference you'll notice in this cabin is the electric kettle.  On cruises from the United Kingdom, all cabins have an electric kettle in the cabin by default so passengers can make their own tea.

A quick power nap later and we were off to begin out journey.

On this itinerary, we'll visit four ports of call: La Rochelle, France; Bilbao, Spain; La Coruna, Spain; Le Havre (Paris), France.

I wasn't sure where I wanted to eat dinner tonight, and decided to take the easy option and go to the Windjammer. If I'm being honest, I looked at the Main Dining Room menu and saw no French Onion Soup, so I skipped it.

The Asian stir fry station in the Windjammer alone made it the right choice.

After dinner, it was time to head to the casino for some luck. 

Since I've already attained Prime status in the Casino Royale program, I'm not chasing points on this cruise and decided to play craps.

Table games, such as craps, are fun, but don't pay out points as well as slot machines do.

I ended up playing with the same money I started with for about two hours, and ended up doubling my money. Not a bad start to my cruise!

Tomorrow is a sea day as we head south.

It's about to become easier to book restaurant reservations on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean passengers with the Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) may soon be able to book specialty dining reservations in advance. 

Historically, being unable to make specialty dining reservations until embarkation day was the biggest draw of the UDP. Now, Royal Caribbean is rolling out a feature allowing passengers to make all their reservations before paying for the package through the Cruise Planner. 

Nicole Pantalena first shared the update in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group, saying, "The website now allows you to make all reservations for the UDP at [the] time of purchase!!"

Pantalena clarified that she's on the December 2 sailing on Allure of the Seas, as other users didn't see any changes to their Cruise Planner. She also stated that she couldn't make reservations for the UDP in advance for her Anthem of the Seas cruise next year. 

Adam Balaban commented he was able to access the new reservation portal; however, he is also sailing onboard Allure of the Seas in December, indicating this feature may just be a test on Allure. 

There's no official word on this new feature, nor when other ships may have the option.

Before adding the package to the cart, the new booking portal would allow passengers to make reservations for each day of the cruise, eliminating the need for a courtesy reservation on the first night. 

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

This new feature makes it significantly easier to get reservations instead of running around on embarkation day to make them.

Change announced last year

While brainstorming potential ways to make the embarkation day experience easier, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation, explained that they'd be making all of Royal Caribbean's dining packages reservable through the website, so passengers wouldn't have to worry about making reservations on day one. 

Rather than rushing onboard and heading to a specialty restaurant to confirm their dining plans, guests can make their reservations from the comfort of their homes, allowing them to have the same experience as passengers who book individual reservations. 

Not only does this make embarkation day more relaxing, but it gives cruisers with the UDP more options for dining times, as they're typically stuck choosing leftover reservations. 

In addition to reducing guests' "angst," the change will help improve the flow of traffic in public areas onboard. Schneider's team discovered there's "a lot of heavy lifting" in the Royal Promenade, and by letting passengers make UDP reservations online, that's one less booth they'll have to visit. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will make specialty restaurants reservable pre-cruise if you have a dining package

What is the Ultimate Dining Package?

Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Dining Package lets guests eat at specialty restaurants for brunch, lunch, and dinner each day of their cruise. Instead of booking each reservation separately, it's typically more economical to purchase the UDP, especially if you plan on dining at multiple specialty restaurants throughout your cruise. 

With the UDP, you won't have to worry about paying for restaurants with cover charges, as nearly every eatery is included in the cost. Note that certain restaurants have an upcharge, such as Izumi Hibachi ($15), Chef's Table ($49.99), and Empire Supper Club ($130).  

Some specialty restaurants have á la carte menus, meaning you only pay for what you order, rather than a set charge for a multi-course meal. 

Depending on the restaurant, you'll receive a pre-determined food credit. At Izumi Sushi, for example, you're given $39.99, $20 at Playmaker's, and $10 at Izumi in the Park. 

The UDP doesn't include premium items in the Main Dining Room, the Taste of Royal experience, Celebration Table, or Chops Grille premium cuts. 

Moreover, the price varies based on factors like the length of your cruise, itinerary, and ship. For example, the UDP costs $174.99 per person on my upcoming Vision of the Seas sailing and $302.99 on my Icon cruise in March 2025. 

There's no penalty for canceling and rebooking the package if you notice the price drops before your cruise, similar to the Deluxe Beverage Package.  

When I booked a European cruise, I purposefully planned to arrive a few days early so that I could have a better cruise experience.

Cruise experts will always advocate flying in at least one day before a cruise begins, but that tip is primarily about ensuring a travel delay does not prevent you from missing your cruise.  While this is sage advice, there's one other really good reason to arrive early.

When your cruise goes out of an area with significant cultural and historical significance (sorry Port Canaveral), you'll likely want to explore on land as much as ensuring you don't miss the ship.

My 7-night France and Spain cruise on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas was scheduled to depart on a Sunday, but I flew in Thursday night so I could have a few days in London prior to the cruise beginning.

My primary impetus for coming in two days early was so that I would make the cruise, but the opportunity to see London was just as important. In retrospect, I made a few mistakes along the way that I won't repeat on my next visit.

Not starting with jetlag

Probably the single largest concern I had prior to my trip was being jetlagged and it ruining my cruise.

No matter what strategy you have to fight jetlag, the more time you have to acclimate to local time, the better your chances of jetlag not messing up your ship tour plans.

Unfortunately, sleeping on an airplane wasn't in the cards for me on this trip. I read, listened to music, and watched movies. I attempted — and failed — to fall asleep.

Because I booked this cruise as the primary reason for travel, I was more concerned with being optimized for the cruise, than my time in London.  While I would have been disappointed to miss out on time in London, that was always a bonus for my overall trip.

Because I didn't sleep at all on my flight over, I stayed up all day while in England and then finally went to bed after 36 hours being awake.  It wasn't easy, but I felt like I avoided the worst of the jetlag and the morning of my cruise, I was ready to go.

Even if you break every jetlag advice out there, if you have a few days to sleep it off and get yourself set, you'll have a better cruise.

Mistake: Taking the train from the airport

I did a fair amount of research prior to my trip on how to tackle London, and a lot of the YouTube videos I watched implored to use the train between London Heathrow airport and the city.

I found this to be mistake in the sense going on a train with full-size (and heavy) luggage is cumbersome, difficult, and a giant pain.

Not only are there long distances to pull the luggage around, but there are stairs and platforms to traverse that are not easy with a lot of luggage.

The advice is spot on with how to save money, but it's really meant for someone backpacking or traveling with carry-on luggage.

The only saving grace was I was traveling solo, because if I tried to do this with my family, it would have resulted in a lot of tears of frustration.

If you have big pieces of luggage, my advice is spend extra on an Uber ride, car service, or taxi.

Balancing tourist traps & the real deal

If you read enough articles and videos about what to do in London, there's lots of conjecture about what's worth your time or not, and inevitably I found myself weighing the pros and cons of any activity.

Part of my strategy to avoid not falling asleep on my first day in London was to get out and explore.  I knew sitting in my Airbnb rental would just lead to sleep, so I deliberately got out and walked around.

The biggest issue I found is picking things you want to do and how to see the most without succumbing to heavy tourist traps.

Certainly everyone wants to see Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and the like. The problem is the insane crowds that are there most of the day.

I found it best to take a leisurely walking tour of the area so I could see them, take photos, but not commit to going in for a tour. My rationale is the most notable thing about them is being able to say you saw it and take a photo. What the hallways, portraits, and artifacts found inside are all about is less memorable.

That probably sounds like a cold approach to it, but I wanted to maximize my time and see more. 

I ran across a great tip for an alternative to the hop on, hop off buses.  Those bus tours cost around 40 pounds per person, but instead you can hop on the route number 11 bus for just 1.65 per person and the loop goes by many of the major attractions in Central London.

I also took time to walk along the Thames River on the south bank of the Thames, which gives you great views of the major sights. 

There are inexpensive boat tours you can take, or enjoy a leisurely stroll. The walk between Westminster Bridge and Tower Bridge allows you to see:

• London Eye
• The Shard
• London Bridge, Southwark Bridge, Blackfriars Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Hungerford Bridge & Golden Jubilee Bridges
• Southwark Cathedral
• London County Hall
• Shakespeare’s Globe
• Royal Festival Hall
• Houses of Parliament
• Westminster Abbey
• Tower of London

There's so much to see around London, which is why I found it advantageous to take in sights as I passed by.

Mistake: Not prioritizing outdoor activities when weather is good

The stereotype that it's always cloudy and raining in England is not that far off from the truth, so take advantage of good weather when you can.

I had near perfect weather on the first day I was in London. It was mostly sunny, comfortable temperatures, and a nice breeze.  It was very pleasant to be outside and walk around.

While I did do a lot of walking around the Thames river, I wish I had spent more time prioritizing outdoor activities I thought I could do the next day.

The second day was mostly a rain out, and I don't care how motivated you are to see outdoor sights rain or shine, it's miserable being outside in the rain.

I would recommend having a list of what you want to see and do, and double down on anything outdoors when it's nice out.  Save the museums and shows for rainy days whenever possible.

Mistake: Taking the stairs at Covent Garden station

196 stairs or the elevator, and I thought taking the stairs up wouldn't be so bad.

What was I thinking taking the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator?!

Despite the stairs mistake, Covent Garden is a fun area to go I liked all the different vendors selling all sorts of souvenirs. 

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Royal Caribbean revealed details about its second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.

The follow-up to the wildly successful Icon of the Seas, Star will sail from Port Canaveral in August 2025.

Star of the Seas will have new technological advances and dining upgrades that aim to improve a ship that has resonated with guests on Icon.

Royal Caribbean News

• Protesters in European Port Prevent Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships from Docking
• I spent $856 extra for an obstructed balcony cabin on my cruise. A lifeboat ruined the view, but I would book it again
• How to get free drinks on a cruise
• Our readers shared their RoyalUp winning bids
• The worst part of flying to Europe could easily ruin half your cruise
• 10 things that surprised me after cruising for one year

New RCB Video: 4 splurges to skip lines on a cruise

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

This week, we are sharing our latest video — 4 splurges to skip lines on a cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 543rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! Matt previews his upcoming cruise on Anthem of the Seas, sharing how he's prepared for the European itinerary. 

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

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

Royal Caribbean will soon have something no other cruise line can match

Royal Caribbean's long-term plans involve a strategy to compete with other cruise lines and on-land vacations.

By 2026, the cruise line will have two on-land beach clubs, one in Nassau, Bahamas, and one in Cozumel, Mexico. 

Royal Caribbean intends to provide the best vacation experience by combining great destinations with new ships.

Is Royal Caribbean good? 10 surprising reasons I think Royal Caribbean is worth it

After cruising with Royal Caribbean on 8 sailings over one year, Calista believes the cruise line deserves its reputation for excellence.

Business is booming for Royal Caribbean, and cruisers get great value for their money.

From quality customer service to stunning mega-ships, here are the top 10 reasons she likes Royal Caribbean.

Mistakes when cruising with babies, toddlers, and kids

Traveling with kids changes the dynamics of your cruise, so how can you best adjust?

Matt's been taking his two daughters on cruises since they were small, enough that his 13-year-old daughter now has 400 points in the Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

After taking more than 400 nights of cruises with kids, Matt has learned important lessons about the process.

I took my first cruise one year ago because of a new opportunity, and it was so much more different than I expected.

I felt anxious before my first sailing, unsure of what to expect, despite doing careful research beforehand.

Beginning to cruise came with a lot of surprises, and some hard-learned lessons, whether through personal expenses or wasted time.

Now I've sailed on eight cruises, experiencing unique itineraries and ship classes with the cruise line.

Read more: 15 things that surprised me after my first cruise

After sailing Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Oasis Class, Quantum Class, Freedom Class, Radiance Class, and Vision Class, I've grown comfortable on Royal Caribbean ships.

Each sailing is its own adventure that holds something unexpected—but here are the 10 things I found most surprising about cruising.

It's not hard to find quality food onboard

To bring food onboard for a cruise, cruise lines have to order, load, and cook dishes all onboard a ship, preparing thousands of meals throughout a sailing.

It sounds like a huge endeavor, so I didn't have high expectations regarding the cuisine onboard.

However, I was surprised to see that you can find excellent food while on a cruise ship—dining is one of the most popular aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise!

While not all of the complimentary venues are high-quality, I usually enjoy a meal in the Main Dining Room, and you can always splurge on a specialty restaurant for something more elegant.

I get more comfortable with every cruise

On my first cruise, I was surprised to feel claustrophobic while onboard.

The thought that I was stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean started to overwhelm me since we could only leave on port days or at the end of a cruise.

But as I began to cruise more and more, and I stuck with Royal Caribbean, this feeling of claustrophobia turned into one of comfort.

Each ship felt more and more homelike, as I recognized the familiar Royal Caribbean designs and layouts.

Instead of feeling trapped on the ship, I saw each vessel as a home away from home, a little world I could explore.

Although I was anxious on my first cruise, I quickly realized how safe and comfortable cruise ships can feel.

The cruising community is beyond welcoming

On my cruising journey, I've been pleasantly surprised by how many friendly faces I met along the way.

From conversations made in elevators to shared tables in the Windjammer Buffet, I realized that part of the joy of a cruise is getting to chat with and recognize others onboard.

And when I started joining Hyperlink events or making conversation in the hot tubs, I quickly discovered that it's easy to make friends on a cruise.

Read more: Plan ahead but embrace the unexpected: what first-time cruisers need to know

For someone like myself, who loves meeting new people and learning about other cultures, it's been an unexpected joy on each sailing.

Crew members are committed to quality service

I'm always caught off guard by just how kind, patient, and thoughtful Royal Caribbean's crew members are.

On my first cruise, I was almost uncomfortably surprised by the level of service onboard. 

I have two waiters at my table? The stateroom attendant cleans the room every day?

I've also been able to make unexpected connections with crew members onboard, and I enjoy seeing them go above and beyond to make sure passengers have an amazing time.

I've witnessed waiters folding animals out of napkins for children at their tables and had bartenders make me incredible custom drinks.

It can't be an easy job, but I'm always grateful for interactions with crew members.

Staterooms vary greatly and have a huge influence on your experience

Cruises are very adjustable to a passenger's preferences and budget, and staterooms are a big part of that.

You can opt for the cheapest possible cabin: a small, interior guarantee, or splurge on a huge two-bedroom suite.

However, your stateroom selection has a huge influence on the entire cruise. Since it's your home for the length of the sailing, sometimes it's worth paying more for a better cabin.

For example, the cabin on my Wonder of the Seas cruise was a small, windowless interior room located at the very front of the ship.

Not only did we hear the noise of the anchor banging at night, but I also suffered increased seasickness due to the cabin's position.

Each ship class is distinct, but vessels are remarkably similar within the same class

Royal Caribbean groups its ships into eight separate classes.

Each class varies greatly in terms of size, design, activities, and amenities.

However, ships within the same class feel surprisingly familiar to me.

After sailing on Wonder and Allure of the Seas, getting on Oasis (another Oasis-Class ship) felt like returning home rather than experiencing a new vessel.

I walked around the ship thinking that it felt like a classic Oasis Class experience.

Read more: I'm new to Royal Caribbean and tried 4 different kinds of cruise ships, here's what I like about each

The bigger ships have an overwhelming amount of activities onboard

It still surprises me just how much you can do while on a cruise ship.

Cruise lines seem to compete to see how much they can cram onto one floating vessel.

On Royal Caribbean's Icon, Quantum, and Oasis Classes, in particular, you can find activities for any interest.

These include ice skating, laser tag, zip lining, trivia, chess, waterslides, escape rooms, bumper cars, surfing simulators, sky diving simulators, rock climbing walls, and more.

If you're trying to pack for all of these events, it gets overwhelming quickly!

But the beauty of sailing on a mega-ship is that you can choose to do exactly what interests you.

A lot is included in your fare, but onboard expenses can add up

When I first started cruising, I felt surprised at how much was included in the base cruise fare; dining, stateroom, room service, entertainment, activities, and visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

However, you shouldn't let all of your budget go to the base fare. Onboard expenses like drinks, WiFi, and shopping can quickly add up.

For example, if you're sailing on a 7-day cruise and want to purchase an Internet package for the full week, you're looking at a $140 minimum, for just one device.

Solo cruises are worth it—they're one of my favorite ways to travel

Although I felt frightened to take a cruise alone, I quickly discovered that solo cruises are one of my favorite ways to travel.

As a young woman, cruises feel like a safe way to get around, with security guards and cameras everywhere.

Plus, you get a room to yourself, and the chance to go at your own pace.

And cruising solo doesn't necessarily mean you'll be lonely, it's actually a great way to encourage yourself to meet new people!

Days on shore are short, but you can still have amazing experiences

At first, cruising was a shock to my traveler spirit. 

The ship's itinerary only allows for 8 hours or less at most ports—hardly enough time to fully explore an area!

But with careful research and some amazing tours, I've been able to see once-in-a-lifetime places.

I've visited Mayan ruins, seen classical art in Florence, and touched tropical fish while snorkeling in Mexico. 

And each visit has planted a seed, just in case I ever want to go back for a longer visit.

Read more: 7 surprising things I learned when booking a cruise for the first time