Royal Caribbean Blog

The four most important words for any consumer are "is it worth it", and that applies to cruise ships too.

Each week I answer questions our readers have sent to the RoyalCaribbeanBlog mailbag to answer for the benefit of everyone.

I just booked my first Royal Caribbean cruise, and there are so many tours, packages, and activities I can buy before my cruise begins. Which of these are absolutely worth paying extra for? - Laura S.

Royal Caribbean structures its cruise fare and overall experience to be very modular, and that leaves guests with plenty of addons to consider buying. 

Laura is right that there are lot of choices to consider paying extra for before and during your cruise.

Before your cruise, you can access the Cruise Planner site for the opportunity to purchase many cruise add-ons, which are broken down into a few key categories:

• Shore Excursions
• Beverage Packages
• Specialty Dining
• Spa
• Onboard activities
• WiFi
• Miscellaneous add-ons

The question of which are "absolutely worth paying extra for" boils down to personal preferences in many cases. After all, an unlimited drink package, photo package, or wifi access will all save you money compared to paying for these items individually, but do you want/need all of it?

Generally speaking, purchasing any of these items before your cruise will save you money compared to waiting to buy it onboard.

In fact, the drink package, wifi and even some shore excursions will cost you more if you wait to book onboard the ship.  Some options, like The Key or select photo packages are not available to book on the ship.

Read more: Is it better to book excursions through the cruise ship?

Moreover, waiting to book onboard may run the risk of these options selling out.

At worst, nothing you pre-pay will cost you more compared to onboard. The spa treatments are mostly a wash in terms of saving money compared to booking onboard, but it does allow you to reserve a specific time.

What is definitely worth it to pay extra for?

Assuming you are interested in reaping the benefits, I wanted to share the Royal Caribbean add-ons that I believe will absolutely save you time or money by pre-purchasing, and are indeed worth it. 

Some of these items may not make sense for everyone, like an unlimited drink package if you do not like to drink that much liquor.

Here is a list of my go-to cruise add-ons that I will almost always pre-purchase myself because I think they are worthwhile.

• Unlimited drink package for me and my wife (kids don't need them)
• Wifi package
• Pre-pay gratuities (this is done through your travel agent)
• 3-night or unlimited specialty dining package (depending on the sailing and ship)
• Cabana at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee

Here is a list of things I think are worth buying once, but not every cruise

• Sushi making class
• Stateroom decorations for a special event
• Chef's Table

And here are two add-ons that I do not recommend purchasing

• The Key - I don't think it as lucrative as it sounds, and there are ways to get a lot of similar benefits
• Arcade credits - You will always end up with leftover credits, and thus, wasted money.

My list is not the end-all, be-all of what everyone should or should not purchase.  You have to decide for yourself which add-ons make sense based on the type of cruise you are on, who you are sailing with, and your preferences.

If you are cruising with a group of friends, a drink package may make more sense than if you are doing a getaway cruise over the weekend. Pre-purchasing shore excursions makes more sense in Alaska or Europe than it does in Nassau, Bahamas. A spa appointment is much more important to newlyweds or someone on their anniversary.

Aside from The Key and arcade credits, I think pretty much anything else you could purchase has the potential to save you money compared to buying it onboard the ship.  To me, that is the definition of being "worth it."  They better question is if you will take advantage of the purchase to get the value out of it.

At last, we have a look at the 2022-2023 deployment schedule for the remaining sailings that have yet to be announced.

Royal Caribbean released a few new itineraries for 2022 in November, but there are still many other sailings that have not been announced.

Royal Caribbean posted the new deployment schedule for cruises  to China, the Caribbean, Australia, and many places that will be revealed in the coming months.

• Week of January 25, 2021: China (Phase 1) Fall 2022 — Winter 2023
• Week of February 15, 2021: Northeast Summer 2022 — Winter 2023
• Week of February 22, 2021: Short Caribbean Summer 2022 — Winter 2023
• Week of March 1, 2021: 7-Night & Long Caribbean Winter 2022- 2023
• Week of March 8, 2021: Australia, South Pacific & Hawaii Winter 2022- 2023
• Week of March 29, 2021: Singapore Fall 2022 — Winter 2023
• Week of April 5, 2021: China (Phase 2) Fall 2022 — Winter 2023

All itineraries are subject to change without notice.

What is a deployment schedule?

Royal Caribbean's deployment schedule are the dates when new sailings will go on sale to the public.

The schedule refers to the week that the cruises will go on sale, and not necessarily a specific date. 

This means at some point between Monday and Friday of that week, the new cruises will be loaded into Royal Caribbean's system.

Usually there is a lag with them, and they first appear in the backend, and then on the website.  In some cases cruises are bookable earlier if booked over the phone or with a travel agent, even if they do not appear on the website.

A common mistake is for guests to read the date, and assume that will be the first day the sailings on on sale.

What can you do now while waiting?

If you are interested in booking a new cruise when these new deployments become available to book, you will want to keep track of when they show up for booking.

Royal Caribbean typically allows Crown and Anchor Society members a 24 hour head start on the general public, but since anyone can sign up for Crown and Anchor Society, there is no excuse for waiting.

Talk with your travel agent in the days leading up to the new deployments coming online so you can jump on specific bookings and book them.  

One of the best strategies for the lowest prices is to book a cruise as soon as it goes on sale.  Hard-to-find staterooms are also available during this period, so now is the time to lock in a studio room or a suite.

Planning on booking a cruise in 2022-2023? These posts will help:

• What is the best time to cruise to the Caribbean?
• Tips for taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean cruise
• What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
• Do's & Don'ts of Perfect Day at CocoCay

Royal Caribbean is offering a discount on cruise add-ons, such as drink packages, shore excursions and more, with its new sale.

The Deals on Deck sale runs between February 2 - 9, 2021 and is valid on sailings from May 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021.

Here is what is included during the sale:

BEVERAGE: Up to 45% off 

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: 40% off onboard prices.
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: 45% off onboard prices.
• Dasani Water Cans: 45% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: 40% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: 40% off onboard prices.
• Refreshment Package: 40% off onboard prices.

SHORE EXCURSIONS: Up to 40% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.

INTERNET: Up to 65% off

• •The Key: Up to 35% off. Discount varies by ship.
• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

DINING: Up to 55% off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship. 

ACTIVITIES: Up to 20% off

• All Access Ship Tour (Excludes Grandeur of the Seas)

GIFTS & GEAR: Up to 20% off (Excludes Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas)

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries
• Inky Beach Set
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe)
• Inky Travel Set
• Red Wine and Cheese
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel
• Strawberries with Champagne
• White Wine and Cheese

PHOTO PACKAGES: Up to 70% off

• Photo Packages: From 5 - 100 print and/or digital options: discount varies by ship. (See full terms for exclusions)
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: discount varies by ship. (See full terms for exclusions)

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain provided a new video update where he talked about the current state of affairs related to the global health crisis, as well as addressing cruises resuming.

Mr. Fain has produced a number of video updates during the cruise industry shutdown that are produced for travel agents, but they provide insight for the public.

Towards the end of this new video update, he tackled the question he is most commonly asked: "when cruising will resume in strength?".

His answer is no one yet knows for certain.

"My answer is consistently, I don't know. But more recently, my answer has been, I don't know, but that's the good direction to be going in."

Mr. Fain sees promise in the fact Quantum of the Seas has been able to restart operations successfully in Singapore for a few months, and other cruise lines have been sailing in Europe.

"It's going to take a while and we just need to be patient."

"But it is happening and these early cruises are going to give us information that will help inform how we can operate safely and that's going to give us all confidence in an earlier and safer restart."

Mr. Fain sees the vaccine and new health protocols as a key component to moving towards a restart, and in the short term, protecting crew members who are still working onboard their cruise ships.

"The vaccines and other steps we are taking are also important to protect the crew. In the beginning, it was really very difficult to ensure that the crew members were virus free. But the new vaccines, testing and other steps are giving us the opportunity to protect them as never before."

Despite the obstacles the cruise industry faces, as well as an extremely long shutdown, Mr. Fain believes there is tremendous demand for cruises.

"People clearly have pent up demand and we can't wait to satisfy it."

"Every day we see signs that people want to get out and away. That pressure will help us once we can reopen and restart."

Did you know cruise ships do occasionally get snowed on?

A massive winter storm is moving through the east coast of the United States, and snow is usually inspiration enough to look for a warmer escape.  

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships typically sail to very warm destinations in the winter, but they also offer cruises year round from ports in the Northeastern United States that can experience a wintry mix on embarkation day.

Whether sailing from Bayonne, New Jersey or Baltimore, Maryland, some cruisers have had the "opportunity" to start their cruise with snow, ice, or a mix of both.

Read more: Packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Winter

The good news is any signs of winter on your ship will quickly fade once the ship begins heading south and before you know it, tropical weather is the norm.

If your cruise is departing during winter, this is a good reminder to plan to arrive to your cruise port at least a day ahead of time to avoid weather delays preventing you from making it to your cruise.

Photo by Allison Marie

Photo by Timmie Gibson

Photo by Janine Dee

Photo by Mary Starr Schwarz

Photo by crew member Damir

If all of these photos have you concerned, the good news is encountering snow on your cruise is very unlikely.

Even if your ship does get some snow on embarkation day up north, temperatures quickly warm up as your ship heads south. 

If you happen to sail on Anthem of the Seas from New Jersey, there are two indoor pool areas that allow for swimming regardless of the temperature outside.

Has it ever snowed while you were on a cruise ship? Share your memories or photos in the comments!

Barbados is a Southern Caribbean island known for its beautiful beaches, and it will be the homeport for one cruise ship later this year.

Royal Caribbean announced it will begin offering cruises on Grandeur of the Seas from Bridgetown, Barbados between December 2021 and April 2022, and the island is highlighted not only as a port of embarkation, but a great place for a pre- or post-cruise stay.

Read more: Royal Caribbean will offer cruises from Barbados in December 2021

The island has a well-deserved reputation for its idyllic pink-sand beaches, emerald hills and valleys, and rich Bajan flavor.

If you have a cruise booked from Barbados, here is what you need to know about visiting the island and what to expect.

Getting to Barbados

Unless you live in Barbados, you will need to fly to reach the cruise ship.

Like any destination, you can book airfare on your own, but Royal Caribbean has gone the extra step by securing seats on existing flights to Barbados and added a charter flight from Miami.

The cruise line hopes these added options will give guests the opportunity to find a flight without paying higher prices when booking independently. 

To book a flight to Barbados through Royal Caribbean, you can can contact the Royal Caribbean call center at 844-278-9745 or book through your travel agent.

Flights are available 11 months prior to travel date for all cities. Royal Caribbean is investing in new technologies that will allow our guests to book outside of 11 months for certain cities that will have nonstop flights to Barbados. This new functionality will be available in February 2021 for the U.S.

Interestingly, Royal Caribbean pushed back the departure time for sailings from Barbados until 10pm, so that there is more time for people to fly in for their cruise.

Read more: Why you shouldn't fly to your cruise the same day it begins

At this time, U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Barbados or any of the destinations visited during their cruise.

Arriving in Barbados

Once you arrive to the island, the drive from Barbados airport to the Bridgetown cruise terminal is approximately 30 minutes.

Royal Caribbean will offer transportation between the Barbados airport and the cruise terminal. Please contact reservations at 866-562-7625 or your travel agent to purchase a transfer.

Where to stay in Barbados

Just like the airfare, you can book on your own a hotel or take advantage of booking through Royal Caribbean.

Finding a good hotel or resort is always a balance of price, amenities, and knowing who you are traveling with to find a good fit among all three.

You will find plenty of hotel options on the island, including all inclusive, eco-lodges, luxurious high-class hotels and more.

Here are some good recommendations to start off your research:

• Five star Luxury: Coral Reef Club
• Families: Coconut Court Beach Hotel
• Eco Lodge: Ecolifestyle & Lodge
• Boutique hotel: Sweetfield Manor

Royal Caribbean also highlighted these hotels for travel agents during a recent webinar:

• Turtle Beach Resort
• Sea Breeze Beach House
• South Beach Hotel
• Radisson Aquatica Resort
• Accra Beach Hotel & Spa
• Hilton Barbados Resort

What to do in Barbados

Barbados has a well-deserved reputation for being a beautiful Caribbean destination.  While its beaches are usually the first thing thought of when visiting the island, Barbados has a rich history that also includes a UNESCO World Heritage site, lively street parties, food spots, brightly colored roadside rum shops and more.

Royal Caribbean's choice of offering cruises between December and April coincides with hot temperatures and predictably sunny skies.

Getting around in Barbados is easy enough with taxis, which are abundant on the island. Be sure to agree on a fixed rate before getting in, as taxis on the island are not metered. You could rent a car, but remember that people drive on the left-hand side on the island.

Bathsheba Beach

If you have seen a photo of Barbados, you probably saw Bathsheba Beach. 

It features waves for surfing, a beautiful sandy beach to walk, and cliffs to admire. It is as picturesque as it is fun to visit. 

Keep in mind that Bathsheba Beach is not great for swimming because of the surf and riptide.

St. Nicholas Abbey

Dating back to the 1600s, you can explore the elegant Jacobean facades of St. Nicholas Abbey.

One of the few heritage sites in the Western Hemisphere that dates back as long as the Abbey, there is a museum to explore to get a look at life during the time when sugarcane was first raised in Barbados.

Explore Bridgetown

The downtown area of the capital has lots of shopping along Broad Street, as well as historic sites like the Chamberlain Bridge and the gorgeous neo-Gothic Parliament Buildings, built in the high style of Victorian England.

Hunte’s Gardens

A popular stop for a look at impressive horticulture is Hunte's Gardens, which was designed to be a multi-sensory experience.

Visitors are invited to stroll the winding paths and nurseries, where you can see orchid flowers and emerald-green fern explosions, looming palm boughs and yellow-tipped craboo trees.

Mount Gay distillery

Perhaps the best known export of Barbados (sorry Rihanna) is Mount Gay rum, and you can visit the distillery on the island.

Located just off Brandons Beach in the St Michael area, visitors can take a tour around Mount Gay’s distillery, the oldest commercial distillery in the world.

Oistins Fish Fry

A true Barbados experience involves a stop at Oistins Fish Fry.

On the grill are fresh swordfish, marlin, mahi mahi and lobster, along with live bands spouting a medley of reggaeton and samba, steel drums and Bajan folk.

Every Friday and Saturday night, you will find a street party nearby that really adds to the experience.

There is a new photo of Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship for all of us to look at.

The Meyer Werft shipyard shared a new webcam photo of Odyssey of the Seas docked next to the construction hall.

It has been a little over two months since Odyssey of the Seas was floated out to the harbor, where she has been moored ever since to receive new features installed outdoors.

When she launches, Odyssey will be second Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship.

When will Odyssey of the Seas begin sailing?

Odyssey of the Seas was originally to launch in 2020, but the global health crisis pushed that back by a year.

Then she was to begin sailings in April, but Royal Caribbean cancelled its April 2021 cruises.

As of now, her first sailing is scheduled for May 9, 2021 from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, where she will sail a 12-night cruise to Greece, Turkey and Israel.

How many passengers will Odyssey of the Seas have?

Odyssey of the Seas will be among the largest cruise ships in the world when she launches, but she will not claim the title of the largest.

The 169,000 GT cruise liner has an overall length of 347.1 meters, is 41.4 meters wide and can accommodate more than 5000 passengers.

This means she is smaller than the Oasis Class cruise ships, which currently hold the title for the largest in the world.

Read more: What Is the Biggest Royal Caribbean ship?

When will Odyssey of the Seas be delivered?

Delivery of the cruise ship from the Meyer Werft shipyard to Royal Caribbean is unknown, but will occur sometime in spring 2021.

Before the ship can be delivered, she needs to be moved from the inland shipyard to the North Sea.  This will occur via her conveyance down the Ems River.

After that, the ship will undergo sea trials to test that the systems onboard work.

At that point, a delivery date will be scheduled.

More information: 

• 5 plans Royal Caribbean will and won’t be able to do in 2021
• Beautiful photos of Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship
• New show announced for Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

Many Royal Caribbean fans were happy to hear that the cruise line will offer more time to take advantage of extra customer loyalty points.

Royal Caribbean announced it has extended the Loyalty 2X Points benefit so that it applies to bookings made between now and June 30, 2021 for cruises sailing through September 30, 2022.

Double points means guests earn twice the amount of points per night than usual in the Crown and Anchor Society.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean extends Cruise with Confidence program, but will end Lift & Shift
• Royal Caribbean will still offer Lift & Shift if there are more cancelled cruises
• CDC will require everyone to wear face masks on cruise ships
• Royal Caribbean releases Hawaii and China 2022 cruises
• Port Canaveral predicts cruises could restart in July
• Royal Caribbean will now let guests combine future cruise credits
• Where does the poop go on a cruise ship?
• Canada will require tourists to quarantine in hotels in order to discourage international travel
• New look for Perfect Day at CocoCay dock
• How is Celebrity Cruises different from Royal Caribbean?
• Why do I have to pay gratuities for my toddler?
• Royal Caribbean's Freeport project in the Bahamas is still undecided
• Two Royal Caribbean cruise ships visited Port Canaveral this week
• Why the cliche about cruise ships is totally wrong

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 391st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Jason tells us about his first cruise on Harmony of the Seas.

This week's cruise story is of Jason's first time checking out Harmony of the Seas and what he thought of going on this Oasis Class ship.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

New RCB Video: Wall Street thinks no cruises until late 2021!

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 — Wall Street thinks no cruises until late 2021! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Which Royal Caribbean cruise ship will you never sail on again?

Is there a cruise ship you have sailed on that you just would not go back on again?

Not every ship will necessarily be everyone's cup of tea. Luckily, the fleet of cruise ships is large enough that there is bound to be a good fit for just about anyone.

I reached out to our readers on our Facebook page to ask: is there a cruise ship you’ve been on that you would never go back on again? If so, which one and why?

When cruises restart, passengers onboard will have to wear a mask.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) passed a new order that requires people to wear masks on public transportation.

"Persons must wear masks over the mouth and nose when traveling on conveyances into and within the United States. Persons must also wear masks at transportation hubs as defined in this Order."

The order pertains to forms of travel including aircraft, train, road vehicle, vessel or other means of transport.

The order goes into effect as of February 1, 2021.

It applies within any state, locality, territory, with the exceptions of while eating, drinking, or taking medication, for brief periods.

Children under 2 years old are exempt, as well as a person with a disability who cannot wear a mask, or cannot safely wear a mask, because of the disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Cruise lines must provide adequate notice of the rule and disembarking any person who refuses to comply. Moreover, guests should be made aware that Federal law requires wearing a mask on the conveyance and failure to comply constitutes a violation of Federal law.

The new rules require what the cruise lines have already agreed to do on their own.

The Healthy Sail Panel proposed passengers and crew members wear face masks on cruise ships back in September 2020.

Read more: Royal Caribbean new cruise ship health protocols include masks, social distancing, testing and more

Royal Caribbean specified in its rules face masks will be required on its cruise ships when they return to service, with exceptions similar to what the CDC outlined.

Specifically, Royal Caribbean says guests should wear face masks in nearly all public settings regardless of physical distancing measures but will not be required to wear face masks in their own stateroom.

There are exceptions, however, such as dining venues, where guests can eat and drink without face masks while seated, provided physical distancing is observed. All restaurant seating will be arranged to allow for physical distancing, so guests can eat and drink without face masks while seated, and tables and chairs will be disinfected.

Read more: Where and when will you have to wear a mask on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Also, guests should not wear masks while engaged in activities that may cause the mask to become wet, like when swimming in our pools, or when participating in strenuous activities, such as jogging, running, or fitness classes at the Vitality Spa and Fitness Center.

Face masks will be required at all bars or nightclubs when not seated and actively eating or drinking with your party. 

Crew members will wear masks at all times, and gloves.

It is unclear yet if Royal Caribbean will change any of these protocols based on this new order.

The rationale for the new rule is aimed at ensuring people in close contact are not putting the public health at risk.

"Traveling on multi-person conveyances increases a person’s risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 by bringing persons in close contact with others, often for prolonged periods, and exposing them to frequently touched surfaces.

"Air travel often requires spending time in security lines and crowded airport terminals. Social distancing may be difficult if not impossible on flights. People may not be able to distance themselves by the recommended 6 feet from individuals seated nearby or those standing in or passing through the aircraft’s aisles."

Read more: 5 ways cruise ships have tougher COVID-19 protocols than airplanes

"Travel by bus, train, vessel, and other conveyances used for international, interstate, or intrastate transportation pose similar challenges."

The CDC believes using masks along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched
surfaces, is one of the most effective strategies available for reducing COVID-19 transmission.

More information

• We asked our readers when they think cruises will restart
• Everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean test cruises
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO says decision will be made if covid vaccine will be mandatory to cruise

Have you ever wondered where all the waste on a cruise ship goes?

Once while I was relaxing in my stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, my daughter asked where her poop went after she flushed the toilet and it is actually a good question.

Cruise ships are often described as floating cities, and their waste management is no different than a small municipality.

With thousands of people onboard a ship, there is a need for a sophisticated approach to managing where everything goes once people are done with it, from human waste to recycling to leftover food.

In fact, cruise lines are highly-regulated and work with environmental government agencies to ensure their waste practices are approved. These protocols ensure ships comply with strict requirements set out by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other regional and national authorities with a responsibility to protect the environment. 

Trash

Royal Caribbean touts the fact Symphony of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is actually a zero-landfill ship.  This means the ship can deal with their own waste, ranging all the way from recycling to water filtration.

Cruise ships like Symphony have a designated waste and recycling center. There are separate teams to deal with each incoming recyclable: glass, cardboard, plastic, and metal.

The ship's waste incineration room is manned twenty four hours a day by crew members who differentiate glass based on its color: green, brown and white.

It is then sent for being crushed.

The ship has an incinerator, as well as a compactor for processing plastic waste. The compactor crushes approximately 528 gallons of water bottles.

Once the ship returns to port, it can then transport plastic, aluminum, paper, and glass for recycling through a third party vendor.

In 2018, Royal Caribbean recycled 43.7 million pounds of waste.

Read more: 15 really cool things to do that you can only find on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

Food

If you have been on a cruise ship, you have noticed there is always plenty of uneaten food.  Either food people leave on their plates, or food that is never picked up from the buffet or ordered at a restaurant.

The chefs on Symphony of the Seas segregate food scraps into different buckets, which is then put into a big pipe that leads to the ship’s hydro-processor for incineration.

Incinerating food waste reduces the volume of the leftover food waste, and that reduces the ship's weight and thus, fuel needed by the ship.

Where your poop goes

Time to tackle my daughter's question of where your poop, shower water, and any other wastewater goes.

Cruise ships have a water-treatment system onboard, similar to your hometown. With over 7,000 passengers and crew, Symphony of the Seas generates 210,000 gallons of black water and one million gallons of grey water during a one week cruise. 

All the wastewater onboard is collected and absolutely nothing goes overboard unless it is first run through a treatment plant. 

Water is divided into three categories:

• Grey water: sinks, laundries, and drains
• Black water: galleys and toilets
• Bilge water: oils released from equipment in engine compartments that collect at the bottom of the vessel.

Wastewater is run through the advanced wastewater-purification plant on the ship, which is above the US federal standard for purified water.

When black water enters the integrated treatment system, it first passes into a bioreactor ‘aeration chamber’ which is filled with bacteria that break down organic contaminants dissolved in the wastewater.

The sewage then enters a membrane filtration system to further filter impurities. In the ‘settlement chamber’, dense substances sink to the bottom and the water floats to the top. The residual sludgy material is repeatedly returned for reprocessing. At the end of the cycles the remaining material is disposed of in low-emission incinerators. 

Finally, the clean sewage enters the ‘disinfection chamber’ where any remaining pathogens are sterilized by UV radiation. This leaves clean, safe and bacteria-free water, which is transferred to a storage tank until it can be discharged. 

Believe it or not, this water is near tap-water quality.   The water is either kept on board or discharged overboard when the cruise ship is at sea with a certain distance from land in order to meet the different local and international regulations.  The ability to discharge water depends on where the ship is located, as some oceans and areas prohibit the practice.  

Grey water can be discharged far out to sea after minimal treatment because it rarely includes harmful bacteria. Just like black water, it can only be discharged at sea in areas that are not designated environmentally sensitive regions.