Royal Caribbean Blog

Happy weekend! I hope Spring is starting to arrive where you live.  Regardless of the weather, it is time to sit back, relax, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news!

Allure of the Seas is back and with a lot of changes!

Royal Caribbean poured in over $100 million worth of upgrades, fixes, and enhancements for its passengers. This includes new slides, revamped pool deck, new restaurants and more.

The amplified ship restarted cruises this weekend, giving the public its first look at what's new and different.

Royal Caribbean News

• "Above normal" Hurricane season expected for 2025, experts predict
• I ate at every included restaurant on Royal Caribbean cruise. Here’s what I’d do next time
• Royal Caribbean is about to make a big push in a cruise market it overlooked for a decade
• Royal Caribbean CEO rejects private islands are just about passenger spending
• CDC: Layoffs wont affect cruise ship inspections
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO responds to tariff impact on cruise industry
• I cancelled my European shore excursions because I wanted to avoid a common first time mistake
• Celebrity just brought back one of its best ships to the UK

New RCB Video: 6 Things You're Buying On A Cruise That Could Be FREE (Or Cheaper)

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 — 6 Things You're Buying On A Cruise That Could Be FREE (Or Cheaper) — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

How much a Royal Caribbean crew member makes working on a ship

Curious how much Royal Caribbean pays its crew members to work on a ship?

Chris Wong is a casino host, and shared what he's paid every two weeks by the cruise line.

He's candid about his salary on the ship and why his pay fluctuates from pay check to pay check.

CocoCay or stay on the ship?

Royal Caribbean's private island is arguably the best in the entire cruise industry, so why would some people prefer to skip a visit?

It might sound crazy, but some people opt to stay on the ship rather than get off and enjoy a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

While Royal Caribbean designed it to be as all encompassing as possible, there are a few good reasons to think twice about staying onboard.

$30 Orlando shuttle service to the cruise ship: review

Want a cheap and effective way to get to Port Canaveral from Orlando's airport?

Instead of taking a taxi or ride share service, Elizabeth tried out Go Port after hearing so many rave reviews about it.

At about $30 per person each way, it's a really good value.

Royal Caribbean is replacing its comedy club with a casino

On at least two ships, there are changes coming to the entertainment spaces onboard.

Both Utopia and Wonder of the Seas will have their Comedy Club and Crown Lounge space replaced with a non-smoking casino.

The work will take place over the next few months, and dedicate more gambling options for guests.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 560th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt discusses how he almost made a mistake with planning shore excursions for his European cruise, and what he did instead.

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.

Mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month won't stop cruise ship inspections from continuing.

Earlier this month, news leaked that many workers let go at the Department of Health and Human Services, including people that inspect cruise ships. More than 2,400 employees at the CDC were let go.

Multiple CDC officials said the epidemiologist that lead the agency's outbreak response on cruise ships was included in the layoffs.

The work falls under the Vessel Sanitation Program, who's job it is to prevent and control public health issues.

According to a report by USA Today, a CDC spokesperson confirmed the ship inspections will continue.

"This work has not stopped, as the VSP is primarily staffed by USPHS commissioned officers who were not subject to the reduction in force," is what the spokesperson said.

Specifically, 12 U.S. Public Health Service officers will remain with the program, and they will continue the work.

How the CDC inspects cruise ships

The VSP was created to develop and implement a comprehensive sanitation program in order to minimize the risk of outbreaks on cruise ships and provide the public information on these health issues.

Random inspections of cruise ships occur throughout the year.

A cruise ship is given a rating on a scale of 0-100 once the inspection is complete.

In addition, the Vessel Sanitation Program shares information about incidents onboard ships where more than 3% of passengers or crew report being sick

posts outbreaks on its website if the ship is under the agency’s jurisdiction and 3% or more of the passengers or crew are reporting being sick, such as symptoms of GI illness.

"Cruise lines paid for this staff, yet it needed to be cut?"

Cruise fans were swift to question why the VSP staff had to be impacted at all.

On the Royal Caribbean subreddit, many shared their opinions on the cuts at the CDC and what it means for cruise ships.

"So...Time for more Norovirus?" asked archaego after hearing of the news. "This is just mind boggling. Cruise lines paid for this staff, yet it needed to be cut?"

That comment is based on the fact cruise lines pay fees that fund both the program and the staff. It is not funded with federal tax dollars.

ragingstallion1 posted, "I’d like to think lines would still do everything possible to keep ships clean for PR purposes, but greed will get the best of them."

therin_88 questioned how effective it was in the first place, "You really think the CDC was stopping norovirus outbreaks on ships?"

archaego wrote back, "Its like a front door lock, it keeps honest people honest. Outbreaks will still happen of course, the severity and the ability of the ship to deal with them is impacted by how prepared they are."

I've sailed on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ship in an ongoing effort to find the best free food on Royal Caribbean.

Every ship has certain restaurants that are included in your cruise fare, and I've generally been pleased with all. Not everything is amazing, but you definitely won't go hungry on the ship.

Eating at the "free" restaurants is a great way to stay on budget, as well as take advantage of what the cruise line has to offer. I know specialty dining gets so much attention, but I think Royal Caribbean has upped its included food game, especially with the casual grab and go spots.

It's quite tempting to dine at the specialty spots, but on some cruises I recently took, I opted to eat just at the included restaurants. Part of it was a challenge to myself to see what the food experience is really like without spending extra. But I also really enjoy the food, especially if I'm on a ship that I know has certain options.

Some meals were surprisingly great, others… not so much. Here are my top picks.

Which restaurants are included on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Every Royal Caribbean ship differs slightly in which restaurants are offered, both included and specialty.

There's a lot of carry-over between the ships, but some restaurant concepts only exist on a handful of ships.

Here's a list of the major free venues that apply across most ships, keeping in mind your ship may not have all of them:

• Main Dining Room (MDR)
• Windjammer buffet
• Cafe Promenade/Pearl Cafe/Cafe Latte-Tude
• Park Cafe/Cafe@Two70
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Sorrento's Pizza
• Solarium Bistro
• Aquadome Market
• Coastal Kitchen (suite guests only, but still "included")

What I ate at each restaurant and what I thought

Since you won't find every included restaurant Royal Caribbean offers on any one ship, I thought I'd break this down by restaurant and list the last ship I tried it on.

There's usually a good consistency between ships, but some iterations do vary depending on the ship class.  As an example, the Windjammer's size and stations are vastly different on a Vision Class ship compared to an Oasis Class ship.  

11. Boardwalk Dog House

I want to love Boardwalk Dog House more than I do, but the product falls short of the concept.

As you might imagine, this is a spot to get all sorts of hot dogs and brats.

The meat is fine, but it's everything else where it falls flat.  The buns are hard (previously frozen), and really take away from the food.

The sauerkraut is also strange, and not the same one they serve in the Windjammer. I can't describe it exactly, but it's not as good as the kraut you'd get at almost any hot dog stand you've been to on land.

10. Sorrento’s Pizza

The trope about cruise pizza is it's nothing special, but tastes better the later (and drunker) you are.

Royal Caribbean has upped its pizza game in recent years, and the product is better than it used to be. While I wouldn't go specifically for a meal, it's the perfect snack almost any time of day or night.

My kids swear by Sorrento's, and eat a few slices each day.

The fact it's open late (usually until 2 or 3am), makes it a convenient option.

There's usually three or four varieties of pizza offered: cheese, pepperoni, and something else.

The additional toppings can really vary in how good they are or not.  Carnivore and veggie are top picks.

9. Basecamp

Available only on the Icon Class ships, it's a convenient snack spot near the water slides, Flowrider and everything else at the back of the ship.

It used to be half included, but now the menu has been converted over to fully included.

The pretzel bites are worth a stop here, as they're akin to the microwaved soft pretzels you may have had over the years.  Eat them quickly before they harden back up.

The chicken fingers are also pretty good, and like the rest of the menu, it's the kind of food you'd want to grab when you're feeling peckish.

8. Cafe Promenade

Your ship will have a coffee shop onboard that may have different names (Cafe Latte-Tudes or Pearl Cafe) but the concept is similar across all iterations.

It offers both free and extra cost coffee and tea, as well as snacks.

The best version is Pearl Cafe on Icon Class ships because the quality of the food here is significantly better.

I usually find something to munch on when I'm on other ships too.  

In addition to the premium coffees, I really like the turkey wrap or the roast beef sandwich.

7. Park Cafe

One of the underrated choices for a meal is at Park Cafe (or Cafe@Two 70) that serves snacks and light meals.

I love going here for breakfast on a port day when I want something quick to eat without fuss.  

It's also a great embarkation day lunch spot that's going to be a lot less crowded than the Windjammer.

The best food here is the roast beef sandwich, that is served in au jus and topped with a kimmelweck bun. 

6. Solarium Bistro

The most easily overlooked included restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship, but a fantastic alternative to the Main Dining Room.

It's usually open for all meals, and is one of the best choices for a less crowded breakfast. Because most cruisers don't know about it, it's quiet and still has custom made to order omelets.

There's also lighter and healthier options available.

5. Main Dining Room

I've been a fan of the Main Dining Room ever since my first cruise because I really like having the same table and waiter each night for dinner.

The menu has changed a lot over the years, but I've consistently found a few things to order on any night.

I think there's a good variety of choices to satisfy most palates, and the service has always been impressive. It's not perfect, and I've had nights where I've ended up in the Windjammer after, but more often than not, it hits the spot.

Certainly some nights are better than others.  Italian night, Welcome Aboard, and Mexican night are really good, but I'd skip Caribbean night.

It's also where you'll find an Indian dish every evening, and it's the best kept Royal Caribbean dining secret out there.

My top picks for the Main Dining Room are:

• French onion soup
• Shrimp cocktail
• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Indian curry choices
• Lobster (on second formal night only)
• Roasted beef tenderloin
• Lasagna al forno
• Chili-lime salmon
• Key lime pie

Dinner is the best meal offered, but breakfast is a good choice if you're in the mood for a casual start to your day.

A few dishes were disappointing:

• Turkey dinner
• Stuffed eggplant

4. Windjammer Buffet

The sheer variety of food in the Windjammer means you're probably going to find something to eat, even among the pickiest eaters.

I love the array of international cuisine. Not only is there usually a couple of Indian dishes, but Chinese, Italian, and Greek food.  

I think most people find breakfast to be pretty darn good, and lunch or dinner is more hit or miss depending on which theme there is that evening.

If you're eating at the Windjammer, I'd skip every buffet station and check out what's available at the cooking stations first. At breakfast, it makes customized omelets, and for other meals it could make pasta, stir fry, or some other cuisine. 

The food I'd recommend trying here are:

• Omelet station
• Stir fry station/Mongolian grill
• DIY Burger
• Indian curries

By far the worst food are the scrambled eggs that are served in the buffet tray. They're made from a mix and taste too watery.

I also think the desserts generally look better than they actually taste.

3. El Loco Fresh

The quick service Mexican restaurant is one of the best included restaurants you'll find, and it's the perfect pool deck meal.

There's tacos, burritos, nachos, and build-your-own options too.

The reason I like it so much is because you get to customize it the way you like it.  Grab tortillas and go to town making tacos with the amount of meat and toppings you prefer.

Because quesadillas or tacos are such crowd pleasers, it's one of the most popular options on any ship. 

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how fresh and customizable this is, and how it works for picky eaters too.

The best combo I've come up with is to take the plain tortilla chips that come in a bowl and top them off with every topping available, including a few hot sauces.

2. Coastal Kitchen

I'm including Coastal Kitchen in this list because it's complimentary for suite guests.

Essentially, it's a Main Dining Room for suite guests only (and Pinnacle Club members), that's open for all three meals.

Just like the MDR, some of the food is better than others.

Embarkation day dinner is probably the best menu offered, with a fantastic steak choice.

Plus, there's French onion soup served every day for dinner.

The weakest meal is lunch, and I always skip it.

Be sure to take advantage of breakfast on the final morning too.

1. Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean's first food hall concept, it's one of their best included restaurant ideas that have launched in recent memory.

This became my favorite included restaurant from the moment I tried it. Everything is prepared fresh and there's a certain level of customization to it.

The must try's include:

• Crepes
• Gyro sandwiches
• Mac and cheese

The only food I thought was lacking was at the Asian hall, because it's the same Chinese food you can get at the Windjammer without much difference.

What I would not do again

The only restaurant I've sworn off from eating at again is the Boardwalk Dog House. Every time I eat there, I'm disappointed.

I also wont go to lunch at Coastal Kitchen because the choices there just aren't that good.  Plus, I think El Loco Fresh or Park Cafe would be better options and quicker too.

One other thing I need to stop doing is overlooking Solarium Bistro. I admit I forget it exists because it's in a weird location that I don't walk past a lot.

What I’d do differently on my next cruises

One lesson I learned from eating at the included restaurants is to check the menu ahead of time, and pick the restaurant based on that.

The Main Dining Room is often better than expected, but certain theme dinners are better than others.

Alternating the dining room and Windjammer to provide more variety is a good baseline for many meals.

I also need to consider the smaller included venues more often.  I think my mistake was viewing meals in the context of a sit down meal, meaning I assumed I needed to pick one restaurant to have my meal at.

Instead, I could grab a slice of pizza to tide me over, but then go to El Loco Fresh for more later.  

I've also come around to embracing Coastal Kitchen as a really good choice. For dinner, there's usually something good available to try. Plus, eating here feels like a step up from the Main Dining Room but without the price tag of a specialty restaurant.

In fact, I'd like to start working in Coastal Kitchen when I have the opportunity for dinners. As a Pinnacle in Crown and Anchor Society, I can usually dine there and the French onion soup alone is reason to make a reservation.

When I'm on a port intensive itinerary (like in Europe), embracing the Windjammer is key. After a long day of touring, I just want something easy without fuss.

Ultimately, I'd recommend not overlooking any of these options simply because they're "free".  Specialty dining is wonderful, but you might be surprised how good the included food is, which could also free up money in your vacation budget.

Allure of the Seas just completed her $100M+ amplification, and I’m onboard to check out all of the latest upgrades and enhancements.

Let’s take a look inside the ship to see what has changed!

After 2 months, Allure of the Seas has completed her long-awaited renovation

For years, Allure had been considered the most outdated of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships. Having launched in 2009, the ship had yet to receive any major upgrades to onboard venues and activities.

There were no waterslides, for instance, and several of the ship’s restaurants, like Sabor Modern Mexican, have largely been retired from Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Allure of the Seas was set to receive her amplification in 2020, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Five years later, however, she has finally received her much-anticipated amplification. Here’s everything that has changed on the vessel, both the minor upgrades and major renovations.

The pool deck has completely changed, both in decor and amenities

One of the most notable changes to Allure of the Seas is the Caribbean-style pool deck; it has been totally transformed.

The ship now has three waterslides: the Perfect Storm racing slides and the Supercell, a champagne bowl slide.

These waterslides are a welcome change to the ship, which was the only vessel in the Oasis Class without them.

In addition, Splashaway Bay has replaced the H2O Zone. This aqua park features splash areas, a water dump bucket, and a small slide designed for younger children.

There is no pool nor are there hot tubs in this area—these were removed during the switch to Splashaway Bay.

As a result, two hot tubs were added to the upper pool deck on deck 16, fitting the resort-style vibe.

All bars on Allure of the Seas’ pool deck have been remodeled to The Lime and Coconut. This Caribbean bar features vibrant decor and a selection of fruity, tropical drinks.

Aside from The Lime and Coconut, Caribbean-themed decor is found elsewhere on the pool deck. Colorful seating is placed around the deck, and there are also private cabanas available to rent.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade can be found in the Boardwalk Neighborhood

Royal Caribbean’s beloved sports bar has finally launched on Allure of the Seas.

Replacing Sabor Modern Mexican, Playmakers offers a variety of casual bar food with an extra cost, à la carte menu. Passengers can indulge in fan-favorites like the Pile On Nachos, Buffalo Chicken Crunch Roll, and Truffle Burger.

Read more: Guide to Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Of course, you can’t forget to order the Campfire Cookie, a skillet-baked chocolate chip cookie topped with toasted marshmallows and Nutella.

Royal Caribbean’s all-new tiki bar, Pesky Parrot, is now on the Royal Promenade

When Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas, launched last summer, the cruise line premiered an all-new bar concept for the line: Pesky Parrot.

This bar is designed to transport guests straight to a Caribbean resort. Pesky Parrot combines beach-themed decor with tropical cocktails, whether the Peanut Butter Piña Colada or Tiki ‘Mosa.

Given the success on Utopia of the Seas, it’s no surprise to see Pesky Parrot added to Allure of the Seas on the Royal Promenade. This venue replaces the Champagne Bar, and it was jam-packed on embarkation day.

The Mason Jar offers southern-inspired cuisine, a live country trio, and inventive cocktails

Allure of the Seas is the third Royal Caribbean ship to feature The Mason Jar, and given the venue’s beloved reputation, it’s sure to be a busy spot onboard.

The Mason Jar is divided into two sections: a southern restaurant and a country bar with live music.

The restaurant serves southern favorites for brunch and dinner, whether the Stuffed French Toast or Lobster n’ Crawfish Gumbo, and comes with a cover charge.

The bar is open to all guests regardless of whether or not they dine in the restaurant.

While you can find a variety of drinks available, the menu shines in its bourbon cocktails, such as the Mint Julep and PB&J Old Fashioned.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's best bar scene is at The Mason Jar

On most evenings, a country trio performs in the bar, which absolutely can’t be missed.

Compared to the venue on Wonder and Utopia of the Seas, the bar space on Allure has more seating.

El Loco Fresh serves up Mexican favorites on the pool deck

Although Allure of the Seas removed Sabor Modern Mexican from the Boardwalk Neighborhood, passengers can still find Mexican favorites at El Loco Fresh, Royal Caribbean’s complimentary, grab-and-go Mexican restaurant.

Prior to her amplification, the ship was retrofitted with a temporary El Loco Fresh in the Wipe Out Café. Now, though, the venue has officially changed to El Loco Fresh and is complete with the restaurant’s branding and decor.

The AquaTheater show has been upgraded

With high divers, aerialists, and slackliners, production shows in the AquaTheater are a highlight of any Oasis Class cruise. Royal Caribbean has retired OceanAria, Allure’s old AquaTheater show, for a new one: Aqua80Too.

Also available on Utopia of the Seas, Aqua80Too is the sequel to Aqua80 found on Oasis of the Seas. The show features classic AquaTheater stunts set to the tune of the biggest hits of the 1980s.

Adventure Ocean has been revamped with upgraded kids and teens clubs

Families boarding the amplified Allure of the Seas can look forward to new and improved youth programming facilities in Adventure Ocean.

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean provides childcare for passengers aged 0 to 17, and offers specific venues for each age group. Allure’s existing Adventure Ocean has been retrofitted with the cruise line’s more modern take on the facilities.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Adventure Ocean

New additions include:

• Adventure Ocean Theater, offering movies and a small space for performances and shows
• The Workshop, offering craft and science experiments
• Play Place, an unsupervised play area for young cruisers (parents must be present)
• The Arena, designed for sports and physical activity

Teens have access to an enhanced hangout space, Social298, which offers activities like video games, movies, and music for guests aged 13-17.

The Crown Lounge is now on deck 15

Royal Caribbean’s exclusive lounge for Diamond members and above in the Crown & Anchor Society has been moved to a new location on Allure of the Seas.

Prior to her amplification, Allure’s Crown Lounge was located on decks 11 and 12, and it was one of the biggest locations in the fleet, offering views of the Boardwalk Neighborhood below.

Now, the Crown Lounge is located on deck 15 next to The Mason Jar. The lounge has ample natural light, differentiating itself from the interior, windowless Crown Lounge on most other Oasis Class ships.

Cabins were added to the ship, too

Over 100 new cabins have been added to Allure of the Seas during her amplification.

By moving the Crown Lounge, a large space became available for additional interior cabins on decks 11 and 12. Aside from these rooms, Royal Caribbean added Ultimate Panoramic Suites above the ship’s bridge. These cabins provide 200-degree ocean views through floor-to-ceiling windows and come with exclusive Star Class perks.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Luxury Star Class Suite Review

As far as existing cabins go, no major renovations were made. In my interior cabin, furnishings like the couch did not get replaced or reupholstered, and no new outlets or USB ports were added to the room.

There are three new activities passengers can try

As if there wasn’t enough to do on Allure of the Seas before her amplification, now passengers can try even more activities.

First, the Ultimate Abyss has been added to the ship’s aft. Like with waterslides, Allure of the Seas was previously the only Oasis Class ship without The Ultimate Abyss, a dry slide taking guests from the Sports Deck to the Boardwalk.

This slide is complimentary for guests, and it’s undoubtedly the most thrilling way to get from one place to another onboard.

An escape room was added to the vessel, too. Passengers can test their wits at Mission Control: The Lunar Landing, where they’ll navigate a series of puzzles and clues to “escape” the room before time runs out.

This activity costs $44 per passenger for the 30-minute experience.

Finally, laser tag is now available, and it’s included in guests’ cruise fares.

Vitality Café has been removed from the spa

A change some cruisers may be surprised to see is the removal of Vitality Café.

Prior to amplification, Vitality Café served juices, smoothies, protein shakes, and snacks in the ship’s spa. Aside from a few food items, the venue came with an extra cost.

Now, the area is used for additional seating. Based on deck plans, it appears additional cabins were added behind this area.

The good news is the Vitality Café menu is still available!

You can find it at Sorrento's.

Photo area has been converted

The photo gallery is now fully digital.

Instead of printed photos to peruse, any photos that the ship's photographers take are now easily viewable from a kiosk.

Likewise, the Shore Excursion desk is now digital too and has a refreshed look.

Shaved Ice Bar added

Royal Caribbean added another feature from Utopia of the Seas, with the Shaved Ice Bar.

Located at Wipeout Cafe near the entrance to the Ultimate Abyss, you can purchase flavored shave ice here, including adult beverages that come with alcohol.

New location for Chef's Table

Chef's Table has been moved to deck 4.

It's located in the same area as Izumi, but on the other side.

One of Celebrity Cruises' most luxurious ships is returning to England for its summer season. 

Celebrity Apex, an Edge Class ship that debuted in 2021, began cruising out of Southampton last year. Throughout the summer, she quickly became a favorite for destination-focused sailors who didn't want to sacrifice style or comfort. 

"Guests told us how much they loved the amazing itineraries we offered with our Celebrity Apex sailings last year, so we're excited to homeport this revolutionary ship in Southampton again this summer," said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.

Apex will kickstart the 2025 summer season with a series of immersive sailings to some of Europe’s most captivating destinations, starting with an 11-night cruise on Sunday, April 13, to the Canary Islands and Portugal.

Between April and October, passengers can choose between sailings to the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and other bucket-list worthy ports. 

Sailing out of Southampton also unlocks London as a pre- and post-cruise destination. With easy access to the United Kingdom's capital, guests can extend their vacation by exploring London's iconic landmarks, museums, and world-class culinary scene. 

Not to mention with Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, and Stansted airports all nearby, getting to and from the United Kingdom for a cruise aboard Celebrity Apex is convenient. You'll find extensive flight options from across the globe. 

The 2025 President's Cruise will be held on Celebrity Apex

Hodges Bethge will join thousands of loyal Celebrity cruisers on May 17, 2025, for an 8-night cruise to Norway, calling at ports like Zeebrugge, Belgium; Olden, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Alesund, Norway; and Stavanger, Norway. 

The President's Cruise is an annual sailing hosted by Hodges Bethge, who succeeded Lisa Lutoff-Perlo as President in 2023. All interested guests can attend, so you don't have to hold a certain status within the Captain's Club to book a cabin. It's a great opportunity for Celebrity fans to sail together with exclusive merchandise and special events with executives. 

This year, guests can look forward to culinary events hosted by executive chefs and Celebrity's global culinary ambassador Chef Daniel Boulud, who is responsible for the upscale specialty restaurant Le Voyage on Celebrity Beyond and Ascent. 

The sailing will also feature exclusive entertainment performances and specially curated shore excursions hosted by Hodges Bethge.

Celebrity Apex showcases some of the best amenities Celebrity Cruises offers

From the cantalivered Magic Carpet to the multi-level Eden venue and mouthwatering restaurants, Celebrity Apex is a destination in and of herself. 

In total, Apex boasts 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges for guests to enjoy, including the Fine Cut Steakhouse, famous Martini Bar, and Oceanview Café, featuring some of the best buffet food at sea.

She's also an entertainment hub, with three exclusive stage shows in The Theater, as well as an intimate cabaret show in The Club. The ship's daily schedule is filled with themed experiences and activities, too. 

Not the only Edge Class ship in Europe this summer

Offering captivating itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, Celebrity Ascent will take guests on port-intensive voyages where they can explore the rich history, culture, and cuisine of Europe. 

As the newest ship in Celebrity's award-winning Edge Class (until Xcel launches this winter!), Celebrity Ascent brings even more to love with reimagined venues, new entertainment, and upscale dining options. 

European cruises on Celebrity Ascent depart from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Piraeus (Athens), Greece, from May through October. 

Read more: I Sailed the Greek Islands With Celebrity Cruises and Found the Upscale Cruise Line to Be the Perfect Summer Escape

After being delayed departing for a few days, Allure of the Seas is ready to welcome guests back onboard.

Before that happens, Royal Caribbean informed guests booked on the first sailing back that its first sailing will start a bit later than originally planned.

Passengers booked on the April 11th sailing received an update today that boarding would be delayed by 4 hours.

Allure of the Seas will be boarding in the Port of Barcelona a bit later than originally planned. Due to this delay, all arrival windows have been pushed back by four (4) hours. Please arrive according to your updated arrival time to ensure a smooth boarding process. We’ve sent you an email with further details. See you soon!

No reason was given for the delay, but it's possible because of a last-minute issue with the ship's propulsion that needed to be fixed.

The original plan was for Allure to depart the shipyard on Monday, April 7, but a technician discovered that several propellers had a problem.

It turned out the propellors were in poor condition, and additional work was needed beyond what was originally planned.

Royal Caribbean decided to take the extra time and replace them prior to the ship departing for her summer homeport of Barcelona, Spain.

According to local media, the cost is $2.2 - $3.3 million to make the fix.

The good news is there will not be any push back of Allure's return to service, minus a few hours.

Arrival times for check-in at the cruise terminal will consequently be pushed back 4 hours to adjust for the new time.

Big upgrades for the ship

Royal Caribbean has spent $100+ million on Allure's updates and changes, and it's the first ship to get major upgrades like this since 2020.

Over the past five weeks, Allure of the Seas has been getting a massive renovation to bring her up-to-date with amenities like Playmaker's, the Perfect Storm water slides, Ultimate Abyss, the Mason Jar specialty restaurant, resort-style pool deck, new Ultimate Panoramic Suites, and more. 

The updates were initially scheduled for 2020; however, her much-needed revitalization was indefinitely delayed because of the pandemic. Details regarding the dry dock were finally announced last August. 

Changes include the addition of water slides, the Pesky Parrot Bar, a revamped pool deck, new staterooms, an Ultimate Abyss slide, and many updates around the ship to make it look refreshed.

Key upgrades include:

• Installation of "The Perfect Storm" water slides and the transformation of the H2O Zone into Splashaway Bay for aquatic fun.
• A contemporary, resort-style pool deck featuring Caribbean-inspired décor, new seating, updated hot tubs, and the addition of The Lime & Coconut pool bar.
• A 10-story dry slide offering a thrilling descent to the Boardwalk neighborhood.
• Introduction of the Pesky Parrot tiki bar on the Royal Promenade, replacing the Champagne Bar, and The Mason Jar Southern American specialty restaurant on Deck 15.
• Addition of 30 new cabins, including the Ultimate Panoramic Suite near the ship's bridge, offering 914 square feet of space with 200-degree floor-to-ceiling views.
• Revamped Adventure Ocean kids' club with new spaces like Play Place, AO Theater, Workshop, Arena, and The Hangout, along with a relocated teen club, Social298.
• Laser tag sessions in Studio B, providing interactive gaming experiences for guests. 

Allure of the Seas will re-enter service in April, offering a summer cruise season in the Mediterranean with 7-night voyages.

Following Allure's season in Europe, she'll reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025. Allure will homeport in Port Everglades through October 2026, minus a short stint in Galveston, Texas, in March and April 2026. 

Royal Caribbean built arguably the best cruise line private island experience in the industry, so why would you want to skip it and stay on the ship?

Skipping Perfect Day at CocoCay sounds like sacrilege, and I felt the same way on my most recent visit while sailing on the world's biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

Believe it or not, a lot of people stay on the ship instead of going to the island for a variety of different reasons.  The impetus is less about if CocoCay is worth it or not, rather, it's about balancing needs on the ship and what sort of a day you'd like to have.

It's a surprisingly common dilemma for cruisers, especially those that have visited CocoCay more than once. While Royal Caribbean designed it to be as all encompassing as possible, there are a few good reasons to think twice about staying onboard.

I almost skipped CocoCay, but I’m glad I didn’t, and here’s why.

Should you stay on the ship at CocoCay?

If it seems crazy to skip your CocoCay day, it makes more sense if you consider the advantages of it.

The best reason to stay onboard is the same reason it makes sense to not disembark in any port: the ship is way less crowded.

One of the regrets I had from my Icon of the Seas cruise was I really didn't get to spend much time in the pools and waterslides. I booked so many things to do in the ports we visited, including CocoCay.

Because of how popular CocoCay is, your ship will feel like you have it to yourself if you decided to stay onboard.  Most people don't start returning to the ship until after lunch, so the morning hours are the best time to take advantage of quiet pools and hot tubs.  

Plus, there's no cost to use the waterpark on Icon of the Seas compared to the island's extra cost waterpark.

Another reason to stay onboard is if you've been to CocoCay before.

It might sound jaded, but some people like to go to a port of call and experience it, but the repeat value might not be there. Given how many cruise ships now visit CocoCay on almost every Caribbean itinerary, the chances you've been there before is quite high.

And did you know the spa offers some great deals if you stay onboard? 

There are spa specials every day, but the biggest discounts are reserved for port days.  There's so few customers willing to come to the spa on a port day, that they will often throw in more freebies or extra percentage off for services you book.

Another common reason I hear from cruisers why they stay on the ship is because they simply prefer shade and air conditioning to sun and sand.

I have to admit, I'm one of those people generally, because I hate being hot and sweaty.  

When you visit CocoCay in the summer, it can be stifling outside between the temperatures and humidity. 

Before you write off CocoCay, let's consider the top reasons you shouldn't skip CocoCay.

The hype is real, and Perfect Day lives up to the reason.

There are so many incredible things to do, and so much of it is included in your cruise fare. There are different beaches and pools, and also really good food.

If you have young kids, I think Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon are the perfect spot to hang out and let them splash.

There's volleyball courts, different bars to visit, live music to enjoy, and hammocks to take a nap in.

Plus, we're talking about picturesque Bahamian beaches that are what a lot of people envision with their vacation. You don't need to spend extra to enjoy it.

It's also easy to forget getting off the ship doesn't mean you have to spend all day there.

It’s easy to go for just a couple hours and return to the ship, giving you a taste of what's offered without committing to an entire day.

What I actually did — and why

I ultimately spent my day at CocoCay, but I went with a promise to myself.

We booked a beach cabana for my family to enjoy, thanks to a Black Friday sale that significantly discounted the price. Not only that, it was located in the Coco Beach Club and the food there alone is worth going.

While it's true you don't have to spend extra to have a good time, the fantastic discount made it too good of a deal to pass up.

Plus, it meant we could enjoy a relaxing day without worrying about vying for a beach lounger elsewhere on the island.

It's also my personality to get a bit of "cabin fever" after a sea day. I really enjoy being off the ship for a bit.

But the deal I made with myself was I wasn't going to fall prey to the "I paid a lot for this vacation and we're gonna have a good time, or else" dad trope.

Sure, I got a good price, but that meant my "break even" value point would be lower. When we felt sufficiently relaxed, we'd go back without trying to justify the value to myself.

As it turned out, we spent more time at our cabana than I imagined, and that's because we had very comfortable weather with low humidity and it wasn't that hot out.  Being we cruised over spring break, it meant the weather was much milder than I expected.

If I was going to have stayed onboard, I would have gone back in time and done that in Cozumel instead.

My ideal “half-day” strategy

If you're also teetering on what to do, here's what I'd recommend doing. In fact, I'll do exactly this on my next visit to CocoCay while visiting on the brand new Star of the Seas this summer.

Splitting your day and just going for the morning is a great compromise.

Getting up early and off the ship as close to when the gangway opens means you get to enjoy the cooler temperatures and a far less crowded start to the day.

Usually ships dock quite early, sometimes by 7:30am, so if you can be off the ship by 8am, you'll have your pick of where to go and sit.  There will be hardly anyone around.

In fact, you could head to Oasis Lagoon and grab one of the coveted in-pool loungers that are available on a first-come basis.

No matter where you go, it's going to be much less crowded in and out of the water. If you plan to snorkel, this should be your plan because the water gets cloudier later once people start kicking up sand.

Enjoy your morning, and head back to the ship either before lunch, or right after it. 

If you're back on the ship by 1pm, you could still take advantage of less crowds onboard at the pools and waterslides.  And you'll already have your bathing suit on!

Or, book a spa appointment.  Those port day specials apply in the afternoon too!

I think this is the perfect strategy for anyone that wants to try CocoCay without committing to the a day.

You do you

There isn't a right or wrong answer if you should stay on the ship at CocoCay. It just matters what's more important to you.

I think it's important to weigh your own preferences, and not be swayed by popular opinion.

Skipping CocoCay might seem strange to even consider, but you won't be alone.  There will be other guests around and the many facilities will remain open, including bars, the pool, and Windjammer buffet.

But you should also not look at your CocoCay day in absolutes. Being flexible and going in for just the morning is a great third choice, because you're not locked into an all-day thing.

Even if you’re on the fence, just give it an hour. You might fall in love with it like I did.

It's no secret cruise lines are building and expanding their private island and beaches, but Royal Caribbean Group's CEO doesn't see it as purely a money grab.

Private islands have become a major difference maker for cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, and they are working on building a second one in Mexico, along with beach clubs around the world.

The appeal is undeniable, but Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty thinks the media has gotten it wrong when it comes to the bigger picture involved.

"While there is economic benefit, we're building in these communities. We're creating jobs," he said this week while speaking at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach earlier this week.

His view is the benefits go well beyond simply a money making endeavor, and there are important things missing from the narrative.

Economic growth for local communities

Mr. Liberty isn't denying that private destinations are profitable, but he believes that is not the only story to be told.

With its new projects they are working on, his company is partnering with the local communities to provide value to them too.

He explained, "The economic element of this is not concentrated per se in just the company. It's the broader economic activity that's happening within the area."

"In many cases, we're partnering directly with local citizens."

He's talking about how in places like The Bahamas and Mexico, Royal Caribbean is offering opportunities and incentives to the people living and working nearby to benefit too.

In the case of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, one percent of the annual gross revenue from there will be allocated to a National Investment Fund. 

Additionally, Bahamians will have the opportunity to invest in the project owning up to 49 percent equity, with the remainder held by the cruise line.

Over in Mexico, Royal Caribbean is going to bring its Perfect Day concept to Costa Maya, which is nearby the village of Mahahual.

The entire project will create 3,000 jobs, of which at least 1,000 will be in the construction phase. The rest will be jobs tied to the operation once it opens.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is partnering with Quintana Roo’s Agency for Strategic Projects and the University of Quintana Roo to ensure Perfect Day Mexico has a positive social impact. 

Royal Caribbean has promised environmentally sustainable facilities, including a dedicated water treatment plant and a reverse-osmosis system to provide a self-sustaining drinking water supply.

A recent Wall Street Journal publication talked about the how cruise-owned private islands are becoming more prevalent, "the idea is to keep them [passengers] in these private destinations for a particular amount of time, and to basically keep them spending there and not leave, "said Martha Honey, CEO of Responsible Travel Consulting.

Mr. Liberty explained there's more to these operations than simply the guest experience, "The articles that have been out there, they have just focused on we're building these things...they don't get into the experience we're trying to solve for."

"They don't get into the partnering that we're doing. They're not getting into the supply chain. They're not getting into all the employees that we're hiring."

Bringing more people around the Caribbean

Another benefit to building more private destinations is it brings a greater focus on ships sailing within the Caribbean, and that means more people to visit more islands.

Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., explained there's a net effect to consider as well. His company is looking to grow the amount of passengers sailing the Caribbean from 1.2 million to 2.2 million guests a year by 2026.

"The fact that we're bringing a million more guests to the Caribbean that are going to visit lots of different islands doesn't only mean that Great Stirrup Cay will have a benefit, it also means all the other islands that were that were visiting will have twice as many visitors as well," he explained.

"We think that's part of partnering with the local communities, and we're very proud to do that."

Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, Pierfrancesco Vago, agrees that the media has it all wrong.

"I heard about the news saying the private destination to keep our passenger spending is actually exactly the opposite," he retorted.

"It's a very good example of how we can support a circular economy in so many ways with the local population and obviously with our neighboring islands."

The Wall Street Journal video used MSC's Ocean Cay as an example of how the visit and some amenities are included, but there are extra cost add-ons, such as cabanas or ice cream.

Mr. Vago points out prior to MSC leasing the island, it was an "an industrial site dredging for aragonite."

"We developed that island from being an industrial site to replenish 700,000 plants so we can create the paradise."

Crew members work very hard on cruise ships, but have you ever wondered how much they make?

Chris Wong is a crew member onboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas working in the casino onboard. He also produces in-depth videos about living and working on a cruise ship on his YouTube channel, Chris Wong Vlogs. In fact, he claims in the video he might be one of the world’s most followed casino hosts on YouTube!

To celebrate his recent milestone of achieving 100K subscribers, Wong wanted to provide insight into his current salary working for Royal Caribbean on his channel. He just received a promotion within the company to a senior-level position in the casino while also posting regularly to his YouTube channel with 107K subscribers.

Wong has been working for Royal Caribbean over the last decade and started his YouTube channel a few years after. Although Wong is currently working on Quantum of the Seas, he previously worked in the casino onboard Icon of the Seas, which is Royal Caribbean’s newest and most innovative ship to date.

The video is extremely insightful, especially for those looking to potentially begin a career working on a cruise ship. Throughout the video, Wong shares a transparent look into his personal finances, and explains why he doesn’t plan to leave Royal Caribbean anytime soon.

Wong shows his first paycheck for $2,890.21, followed by a second paycheck for less.

Continuing in his video, Wong shares how Royal Caribbean pays employees on a biweekly basis. This means each crew member is paid twice per month, but not every paycheck for Wong is the same amount.

In the video, Wong shares a glimpse into his actual paycheck from Royal Caribbean. He shows his first paycheck (with sensitive information redacted) with a total net payment of $2,890.21. This paycheck covers the first two weeks of January 2025, as Wong says he filmed the video back in February 2025.

Next, Wong shares his second payment from January 2025. This time, the total net payment was less at only $1,450.09. This brings the total monthly payment to $4,340.30 for Wong in USD.

He has also blurred out the itemized paycheck, which Wong says includes commission, tips and several other factors. Ultimately, Wong says this is a fantastic salary for him, especially considering the rising cost of living and inflation. He states he wouldn’t be able to make this much working back in his home country of the United Kingdom.

In addition, Wong emphasizes that he has very few bills to pay by living onboard. He said he only pays for his cell phone bill and internet usage onboard. Wong states he will occasionally spend money in ports of call. However, he doesn't currently have any large payments, such as a mortgage or car payment.

Why his pay fluctuates so much

Interestingly, Wong’s paychecks appear to vary drastically, as his first paycheck is about $1,440 more than the second paycheck. What is causing this fluctuation? Wong says there are multiple factors at play that contribute to each biweekly paycheck.

While Wong says he can’t provide too much detail for confidentiality reasons, he says the combination of commission, tips and “a bunch of other things” are factored into each paycheck.

Further, Wong emphasizes that casino host salaries can vary across Royal Caribbean’s fleet depending on the ship and itinerary. Currently, Quantum of the Seas is sailing around Australia, although the ship was previously sailing in Alaska and also spent some time in Asia.

According to Wong’s video, he is actually getting paid less working on this ship compared to his time on Icon of the Seas. The biggest reason for this involves the ship’s destination and tipping culture. 

Wong states that crew members usually have the highest earning potential when sailing from the United States to the Caribbean. Because tipping culture is more prevalent in the United States, crew members often get paid more.

In fact, Wong says he was making more as an assistant casino host on Icon of the Seas sailing to the Caribbean than he currently makes in a more senior position on Quantum of the Seas. The most he was paid for one month working as an assistant on Icon of the Seas was closer to $5,000, according to Wong.

In general, he states that crew members typically earn the most when sailing to the Caribbean. However, each position varies onboard and some are paid differently. Realistically, crew members should plan to earn a smaller starting salary when first beginning their career with Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line.

How are crew members paid?

Wong also shared interesting insight regarding how crew members on cruise ships actually receive the money. When you first board for the start of your contract, Wong says you will be set up with a US-based bank account to receive payment. This is how you will receive your paychecks while onboard. 

This account is given for the sole purpose of Royal Caribbean paying employees their salaries. Crew members are not paid to their personal bank accounts. Once he receives his paycheck in this account, he can do whatever he wants with it.

Why Wong isn’t planning to leave Royal Caribbean anytime soon

At the end of his video, Wong shares that many subscribers often inquire about whether the casino host plans to get a land-based job anytime soon. Ultimately, the answer is “no”.

Between his low living expenses, comfortable paychecks and engaged online YouTube audience, Wong is very happy with his current lifestyle. He states he has been able to save so much money by working on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and doesn’t plan to leave in the near future.

In addition, Wong says he would need to restart his career from the bottom if he pursued work back in the United Kingdom. The casino host questions why he would want to leave a comfortable salary onboard to make less money and have more bills to pay on land. 

Of course, Wong clarifies that he misses his family and friends; however, he is very comfortable living and working on the cruise ship. Essentially, Wong is happy with the life he’s built onboard and online. Between the stream of income from YouTube and his salary from Royal Caribbean, he doesn’t plan to leave the ship life for a “normal job” in the United Kingdom.

Wong says he first started his YouTube channel about five years into his Royal Caribbean career when he was still working in the online retail shops. During the pandemic, Wong says he channel really exploded in growth during the pandemic and continues to be a steady source of income for him. Now, he shares in-depth looks at the crew member lifestyle to his thousands of followers. 

Royal Caribbean is almost ready to bring back into service one of its mega ships, but it needs a few more days to solve a propulsion problem.

Local media reports that Allure of the Seas' departure from Cádiz, Spain, has been delayed. To be clear, there's been no announced delay from the cruise line in the start of the first sailing back for Allure of the Seas.

The Oasis Class ship was scheduled to depart from Cádiz on Monday, April 7, before her post-revitalization debut on the 11th. 

However, during her time at Navantia's dry dock, a technician discovered that several propellers on the three azipods, the electronic propulsion systems attached to the ship's hull beneath the waterline, were in poor condition. 

They didn't need to be replaced; however, Royal Caribbean opted to add new propellers to Allure before sending her to Barcelona to start a busy seasonal stint in the Mediterranean — her first since 2015. 

Diario de Cádiz reported that the issues could keep Allure in Cádiz for three extra days. However, Navantia and the auxiliary companies reduced the estimated timeline to a day and a half if there aren't further complications. 

According to Bryan James, a musician onboard, Allure of the Seas just left the dryock this evening, "We are leaving the shipyard and heading to Barcelona! "

Replacing the propellers isn't cheap. While Navantia hasn't released the price, Diario de Cádiz revealed it could cost €2 or €3 million (approximately $2.2 - $3.3 million). This is on top of the $100+ million spent on the scheduled renovation. 

Passengers booked on Allure of the Seas' April 11 cruise to Marseille and Palma de Mallorca haven't been informed of any changes to their itinerary, though this could change depending on when Allure finally departs. 

Allure of the Seas has spent over five weeks in Spain undergoing a massive renovation to bring her up-to-date with amenities like Playmaker's, the Perfect Storm water slides, Ultimate Abyss, the Mason Jar specialty restaurant, resort-style pool deck, new Ultimate Panoramic Suites, and more. 

The updates were initially scheduled for 2020; however, her much-needed revitalization was indefinitely delayed because of the pandemic. Details regarding the dry dock were finally announced last August. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

Over 2,300 contractors — including electricians, carpenters, painters, and plasterers — have been working hard to ensure that every new feature is ready, as reported by The Independent. 

In addition to new amenities, the crew has spent time refreshing existing spaces. For example, over 28,000 bulbs have been replaced in cabins with more energy-efficient LED lighting. 

Moreover, thousands of cracked or worn tiles in the outdoor Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 have been replaced, as well as the mini-golf turf on Deck 15.

Following the scheduled 4-night cruise on Apr. 11 and 5-night cruise on Apr. 15, Allure of the Seas will offer weeklong Mediterranean voyages through October 2025. 

Guests can depart on round-trip itineraries from either Barcelona, Spain, or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; La Spezia, Italy; and Naples, Italy. 

Allure of the Seas will return to North America, offering winter cruises to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.