Royal Caribbean Blog

Adrian Ortega drives a taxi in Cozumel, Mexico and he's seen tourists do just about everything you could imagine, including plenty of mistakes.

Royal Caribbean cruises regularly visit Cozumel, Mexico on so many of their sailings, and with the cruise line poised to open a beach club there soon, even more tourists will be going there.

Cozumel is one of the more well-established Caribbean cruise ports you can visit. It has so many things you could do, and Mr. Ortega shared with me the things tourists should and should not do while they visit.

While having so many choices of what you can do is a good problem to have, it's easy to choose the wrong kind of experience leading to disappointment.

Here's what he recommends anyone visiting Cozumel on a cruise ship should do for a great visit.

Don't rent a scooter

When I asked Adrian what mistakes he sees tourists making, he didn't hesitate to immediately call out renting a scooter as a major potential problem.

As a taxi driver, he drives all around the island of Cozumel, and those scooter rentals have lead to a lot of tragedies.

The issue is a lot of people don't know how to drive them properly, and it leads to many accidents.

He's seen lots of scooters going down the wrong direction on a street, which is not only illegal, but causes accidents.

These accidents cause not only damage to the scooter, but injuries to the tourists involved.  Road rash and more severe injuries are common with these vehicles.

Skip the first tour opportunity you see

Another mistake he sees tourists making are overpaying for tours around the island.

"If they want a tour, maybe don't take the first one, because normally the first one inside the cruise ship, is the highest price," he explained.

There are shore excursions offered by Royal Caribbean that take guests around the island and that will cost a premium to go through the cruise line.

He estimates if a tour offered on the ship or in the port area costs $200 for 3 or 4 hours, that same tour could be had by an independent guide for around $100-130.

How to find reputable tour guides in Cozumel

Adrian's advice of going with a local guide is a good suggestion, but I'm sure many reading this would want to know how to find a good tour guide.

When you walk around Cozumel, there are many drivers offering tours of Cozumel.  It can be daunting to know who to pick.

Adrian's recommendation is to look for a few important details in any driver:

• Make sure the taxi has a taxi license plate or a printed license inside the cab to be a taxi guide
• Make sure the guide can speak English well

"It's going to be uh sure a boring tour because nobody can speak each other," he explained why it's important to work with someone that speaks English well.

If you'd like to contact Adrian, his phone number is +52 987 564 5430. We make no promises or guarantee about Adrian or his work, but you can contact him at your own risk.

His favorite beaches in Cozumel

Which beaches would Adrian recommend to someone spending the day in Cozumel?

He really likes the beaches on the western side of the island because of how sandy their beaches are. They don't have pools or other facilities, but he likes to go for the serenity it has.

"In my opinion, I prefer go there because it's more private for you. You only pay what you eat, what you drink, and you can stay at the beach the whole day."

However, if you want more facilities with your beach day, he prefers Paradise Beach, "Paradise Beach I think is the best beach club in the island."

He also really likes Playa Palancar Beach Club, or Chankanaab.

Where not to go in Cozumel

I asked which places he hears from tourists they didn't like, and he stressed it's important to go to a beach that has the amenities you care about.

He used Skyreef Beach Club as an example because it's great if you want to snorkel, but a bad choice for a sandy beach day because of how rocky it is.

Don't eat at the restaurants near the port

Cozumel has a lot of restaurants, but the ones near the port are usually overpriced.

He says the restaurants downtown are going to be less expensive.  The more you're willing to venture into town, the better the prices.

One issue with eating off the beaten path is going to be the language barrier. He said there's probably less English being spoken there, but as long as you have the basic phrases, you should be fine.

Eat at the better restaurants in town

I asked Adrian for his favorite restaurants in Cozumel.

Adrian's top choices are:

• La Monina
• Casa Mission
• La Mission
• La Choza

Piggybacking on his earlier advice of getting a guide for the day, drivers should know which restaurants are the best and help you with navigating any language barriers that exist there.

"In my opinion, take a tour guide for the whole day. It's going to be a little more expensive, but they know the recommendations of which places are the best go to go and everything."

Try the seafood

Mexican cuisine can be quite varied, so I asked Adrian what food is the best when in Cozumel.

"Seafood," he replied quickly.

Cozumel has a large fishing operation, and the best restaurants source fresh fish in their restaurants.

He's a fan of the fresh caught octopus or sea snails as two foods worth trying while in Cozumel.

Using your cell phone on a cruise ship is a big mistake because of costly roaming fees, but there's a new trend looking to reverse it.

Two of the largest wireless carriers in the United States have announced new plans that cover cruise ships and provide coverage in a similar way to being on land.

Day passes have become very popular for consumers, as they offer an instant option to call, text, or use data in a foreign country without crazy high roaming fees later.

Traditionally cruise ships have not been covered under such plans, and consumers who have used their phone on a cruise have come home to bills in the thousands of dollars.

This year we've seen two new approaches to how you can use your phone at sea without incurring those kind of issues.

It's an interesting new offer that could change how you stay connected on a cruise vacation.

International Day Pass from AT&T

AT&T rolled out a brand new option to cover cruise ships on March 16, with its International Day Pass that covers up to 400 ships, in addition to the 210+ land destinations and select airlines it already covers.

If you try to use your phone at sea, it will cost you $20 per device for 24 hours.

If you happen to be using it on land and on your ship on the same day, then it's $20 per device for 24 hours.

There is no additional line discount, all lines are charged $20/day.

This allows you to use your phone like you would at home.

You can sign up before you leave for this day pass, or if you try to use your phone on the ship, you'll automatically get it added once you try to use your phone at sea.

Cruise Daily Pass from Verizon

Verizon has a $20 per day offer as well, known as Cruise Daily Pass.

It offers unlimited data, talk and text.  The data component is 0.5GB of high speed data, and then unlimited data at 3G speeds for the remainder of the session.

If you disembark the ship during a Cruise Daily Pass session, you’ll pay applicable rates for the country you’re visiting.

Text “CRUISE” to 4004 before or at the start of your cruise to add a daily pass to your line. 

Making it easier to stay connected

Whether someone accidentally leaves their phone on during their cruise or purposefully wants to be able to use their phone on a cruise like they would at home, there are a lot of people on any cruise that would want phone coverage on a cruise ship.

Phone and texting at sea has largely been available for years, albeit at a higher cost.

WiFi calling has made it much cheaper and easier to use, but getting WiFi calling set up is cumbersome for those unfamiliar with the deep settings on their phone.

If you want to briefly use your phone for a few emails, calls or texts, buying a ship WiFi package is overkill and costly.

The flexible alternative: Royal Caribbean's Voom

In lieu of a wireless carrier's plan, you could get an internet package on your Royal Caribbean ship and use that on your phone.

Thanks to WiFi calling features, you will still be able to call or text during your cruise. In my experience, some automated text messages sometimes don't come through when using WiFi calling, but it generally works just fine.

The real advantage of Royal Caribbean's internet packages are the data speeds.

Because Royal Caribbean uses Starlink internet, the data speeds can be just as fast as being at home. It's unlimited data during your cruise, and you can use the internet interchangeably between devices and share access, which is something a wireless day pass won't offer.

I cannot comment on the speeds offered by either AT&T or Verizon, but Voom speeds are quite fast because of the Starlink technology.

A draft of a U.S. government list with over 40 countries facing travel bans was recently made public. Among those on the list are four popular Eastern Caribbean cruise destinations: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. 

The Caribbean countries face potential travel restrictions if their governments don't address unspecific "deficiencies" within 60 days as part of what appears to be President Donald Trump's latest crackdown on migration. 

However, leaders from the listed nations have said they haven't received communication from the United States about the travel ban or their country's governing issues, catching the Caribbean nationals by surprise.

“There’s nothing we’re not afraid to answer to. We have been very transparent. We engage governments in transparency. People know us. What we say in the night, is what we say in the day; our word is our bond,” Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said Monday during a press conference, as reported by the Miami Herald. 

“We are prepared to engage everyone, including the United States, in this matter. So whatever concerns the United States may have, which I do not know of yet, we are prepared to respond.” 

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda and St. Kitts and Nevis also sent diplomatic notes to the State Department requesting confirmation of the reports and seeking clarification.

St. Kitts' government emphasized it has upheld “consistent and open dialogue with the U.S. government" since 2022, particularly about the country's Citizenship By Investment Program, which allows foreign nationals to buy a second citizenship for as little as $100,000, allowing them visa-free access to more than 100 countries. 

St. Kitts isn't the only country that has faced scrutiny over its Citizenship By Investment Program. Other Caribbean nations, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, offer similar programs that have received negative attention under the assumption that they're exploited by criminals who wish to launder their money or hide their identity and assets.

Haiti was also included on the travel ban list, facing potential restrictions due to ongoing political instability and security concerns because of the devastating gang conflict that has forced over 1 million locals from their homes. 

Last year, Royal Caribbean even halted cruises to its private destination in Labadee, Haiti, as a precaution due to the escalating violence. 

Though they restarted cruises to Haiti in late 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned flights to Port-au-Prince through at least Sept. 2025. 

That said, while the reasoning is unclear, one future Celebrity cruise departing on April 28, 2025, had its scheduled visit to Labadee changed to Grand Turk over a month in advance. It's possible the stop was switched due to the dire situation in Haiti. 

"To provide you with a better guest experience, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Labadee, Haiti. Instead, we'll visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, from 8:00am - 6:00pm on Friday, May 2nd," reads an email shared to the r/cruise Reddit thread. 

If Haiti's travel ban goes into effect, it will affect certain visas for tourists and students entering the United States.

An anonymous U.S. official warned that the list is not set in stone and could be subject to changes after further review by the administration.

Should you be worried about your cruise itinerary?

If you have a cruise planned to St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Dominica, or Antigua and Barbuda, the proposed bans are unlikely to have an immediate impact. 

In terms of safety, these Caribbean nations are generally considered safe for tourists. That said, as with any destination, it's always good to stay aware of your surroundings and not let your guard down. 

Tourism is a major part of the local economy, and cruise ports are typically well-monitored. Plus, excursions are designed with safety in mind. However, if you are worried about going off your own, consider booking a tour through Royal Caribbean. 

Existing travel advisories 

Another smart way to stay informed about your travel destination is by checking the U.S. State Department's travel advisories.

For example, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia all currently have a Level 1 Advisory, which means travelers should exercise normal precautions. This indicates that these destinations are generally safe for tourists, and there are no major safety concerns at the moment. 

Haiti, however, has a Level 4 Advisory, indicating that Americans shouldn't travel to the country due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care. That said, Labadee is generally considered safer because it is a private destination operated by Royal Caribbean, with heightened security measures in place. 

I’ve visited 19 countries by cruise ship, but 7 ports were the most beautiful.

As a frequent cruiser, I love crossing cruise ports off my travel wishlist. Whether an idyllic island in Greece or bustling city in Europe, there are hundreds of cruise ports to discover around the world.

Throughout the past 4 years I’ve sailed to nearly 50 cruise ports in 19 countries. I’ve visited world-renowned beaches, ancient landmarks, and rustic mountain towns, but I’ve enjoyed some ports more than others.

A few in particular were more beautiful than the rest, whether due to the port’s natural scenery or historic architecture.

From chilly Alaska to secluded French Polynesia, these are 7 of the most beautiful cruise ports in the world.

Skagway, Alaska

I cruise to Alaska nearly every summer. After visiting 6 ports in the Last Frontier, I’d rank Skagway above the rest.

Truthfully, there’s no such thing as an “ugly” cruise port in Alaska. With vast glaciers, immense mountains, and an abundance of wildlife, the state is unfathomably beautiful.

Still, if I had to pick the most beautiful port of all, it would be Skagway. The former gold-rush town of just over 1,000 residents is located at the end of the Lynn Canal, the deepest fjord in North America.

Related: Local's guide of what to do in Skagway, Alaska

In Skagway, cruisers can choose between active excursions, like a cycling tour through the Taiya River Valley, or a more relaxing choice, such as a ride on the scenic White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

I love Skagway’s options for a low-budget port day, too. It’s possible to experience the town’s beauty without spending extra on shore excursions. I especially love the beginner-friendly hiking trail to Yakutania Point, located less than a mile from the cruise port.

Finally, the sailaway from Skagway is the most spectacular in all of Alaska. The Lynn Canal’s length ensures passengers can enjoy wonderful views even hours after leaving port.

Naples, Italy

Calling Naples “beautiful” could be considered controversial by some cruisers.

Many first-time visitors call the Italian city disorderly and grungy, with graffiti-lined streets and chaotic traffic. I, on the other hand, love everything about it. Naples’ streets are full of culture and history, and the street food scene is completely out-of-this-world.

Related: Must-eat foods on a cruise to Italy

That being said, I wouldn’t call the city itself one of the world’s most beautiful cruise ports, especially from an aesthetic point of view. Instead, it’s the surrounding areas that make it a contender.

While visiting Naples, cruisers can book excursions to Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast, or perhaps take a boat tour to the islands of Capri or Ischia. These destinations offer a quintessential Italian feel, with enchanting small towns like Sorrento providing sprawling vistas of the Mediterranean.

Of all of Italy’s cruise ports, Naples is one I’d return to again and again.

Mo’orea, French Polynesia

The most remote cruise port on my list might just be the most beautiful of all.

Located in the South Pacific, Mo’orea is a French Polynesian island known for its overwater bungalows, crystal clear water, and dreamy white-sand beaches. The volcanic island is surrounded by a shallow reef, which offers dreamlike snorkeling conditions.

Mo’orea’s cuisine is another highlight, blending Asian flavors with French flare. During my visit, I indulged in everything from chocolate crêpes to freshly-caught teriyaki tuna served on a crispy baguette.

Related: 15 countries you didn't know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

The downside of visiting Mo’orea on a cruise ship are the limited itineraries. Royal Caribbean’s ships only call upon the port on infrequent transpacific itineraries, which can be over 20 nights in length.

If you can make the itinerary work, though, the beauty of Mo’orea is hard to beat.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Caribbean may be known for its picture-perfect beaches, but my favorite Caribbean port is beautiful for another reason: its architecture.

San Juan, Puerto Rico is a common port on Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Cruise ships dock directly in Old San Juan, a region of the city with cobblestone streets and Spanish-style buildings. The area, which is over 500 years old, has some of the most beautiful architecture in all of the Caribbean.

I love spending my port day in Old San Juan, walking around the neighborhood’s colorful streets and sipping on piña coladas, a cocktail said to be invented in the city.

Related: How I spent a day in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico

The Castillo San Felipe Del Morro, a 16th century fortress along the coast, cannot be missed, either. The fort costs just $10 to enter, but even just walking around the surrounding grounds offers marvelous ocean views.

Olden, Norway

On a cruise to the Norwegian fjords, I was totally blown away by Norway’s beauty, both in its landscapes and picturesque towns.

It was the quaint village of Olden, however, that impressed me even more than the others.

Located at the end of Norway’s Nordfjord, Olden is nothing short of stunning. Vibrant, green mountains tower over charming farmlands, and numerous waterfalls flow from the snow-capped landscapes above.

Related: 7 mistakes and 3 things I did right on my Norwegian fjords cruise

Cruise ships dock a short walk from Olden’s town center, but the majority of passengers plan nature-based excursions instead.

I opted for a ride up the Loen Skylift, one of the steepest cable cars in the world. At the top were walking trails, a restaurant and cafe, and some of the most jaw-dropping views I’ve ever seen.

For those booking a cruise to Norway, Olden is a must-visit destination.

Sydney, Australia

It’s easy to focus on the ports of call during a cruise vacation, but what about the embarkation port?

Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, and it’s my pick for the most beautiful embarkation port in the world. Royal Caribbean ships depart from Circular Quay in the city’s downtown, sailing through the Sydney Harbour before entering the open ocean.

Related: I tried my first Australia cruise: here are 7 things that surprised me

I first visited Sydney to embark on a South Pacific cruise, and I planned several days of sightseeing before embarkation day. I loved exploring Sydney’s Taronga Zoo and dining outdoors at buzzing public squares. As it was springtime in the city, the streets were lined with thousands of vivid purple flowers blooming on the trees.

Sydney quickly became one of my favorite cities in the world, and embarking from Sydney was the perfect way to kick off an incredible cruise adventure.

Labadee, Haiti

I still remember the first time I visited Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination in Haiti. Anxious to catch a glimpse of the port, I left my windowless inside cabin to head to the pool deck. Once there, I was awestruck by what I saw.

Labadee is located on a mountainous peninsula in northern Haiti, in contrast to the flat geography at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. I’m a sucker for mountains of all kinds, and the lush landscape of Labadee was immediately intriguing.

Related: Labadee, Haiti Do's and Don'ts Guide

Labadee’s mountains form coves with crystal clear water along the peninsula, and the port offers 5 beaches exclusive to Royal Caribbean passengers.

Thrilling attractions are offered at Labadee as well, like a 2,600-foot-long zip line and an alpine coaster, both of which provide unmatched views of the surrounding scenery to visitors.

Despite only visiting Labadee once, I would love to plan another cruise back to the port. The landscapes are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen in all of the Caribbean, and it’s a lovely place for a low-key beach day.

The top two reasons people book a Royal Caribbean cruise are the food and destinations, and I can see why the food is such a draw.

I've been cruising on Royal Caribbean for two decades and I've been on almost 100 sailings so far, which means I've sampled quite a lot of food along the way.

If you think cruise food is limited to buffet trays of mediocre food, you'd be so wrong. Royal Caribbean has been upping its food game for years, even focusing massive effort to upgrade its complimentary pizza.

I've always thought Royal Caribbean's food ranges between "good" and "very good", with a few dishes truly standing out as excellent. I wanted to highlight those terrific dishes so you don't miss out on them.

I came up with 7 foods I've eaten on Royal Caribbean I think everyone should order, including one from its private island in The Bahamas.

Gyros at AquaDome Market

I came up with this list as I cruised on Icon of the Seas and went back to the AquaDome for my upteenth Mediterranean sandwich.

The AquaDome Market is a new food hall concept, and it's been a home run since the new ship launched last year.

I bet a lot of people would point to the crepes as a must-order, but I love the falafel even more.

Available at the Feta stand, it's complimentary and you can customize it anyway you like it.

It's probably easier to eat as a bowl than a sandwich because Royal Caribbean's pita bread is more like a base than a pocket. But I still order the sandwich because I like the texture of the bread brings.

It's light, made fresh on the spot, and doesn't make me feel guilty about eating it.

Beef tenderloin at 150 Central Park

Ever since I tried 150 Central Park many years ago, I've been drawn to its beef tenderloin entree.

150 Central Park is a modern American restaurant that's available only on the Oasis Class ships in the fleet. You'll find a lobster dish, steak, chicken, fish, and more. It has a cover charge to dine here.

I think it's a very strong menu overall, but the must-try option here is the beef tenderloin for two people.

You can order it for yourself, or even cut down the portion for a single person. There's no judgement when you order it from the waiter.

I prefer the steak at 150 Central Park over other restaurants that have a filet mignon, such as Chops Grille or Giovanni's.  I think its flavor stands out just a bit more.

French onion soup from Main Dining Room

I'm going on a limb to say the French onion soup served multiple times a cruise in any Royal Caribbean Main Dining Room is the best version of the soup I've ever had.

There's something about Royal Caribbean's version and their ratio of bread, to cheese, to onions.  Plus, I think their broth is the right amount of salt and flavor to it.

You can also get the same soup at Coastal Kitchen, and I've been known to go up to Coastal Kitchen to get a to-go soup before they close up for the night.

It's the very definition of a comfort food and it always satisfies. I could eat just the broth everyday, it's that good.

Seven cheese pizza from Giovanni's

I can't name seven cheeses, but Royal Caribbean put them in its pizza at its signature Italian specialty restaurant and it's so good.

I shouldn't be surprised how good it is, given the pizza is the creation of the amazing pizza chef Renato Viola. I was hooked the first time I tried it on Odyssey of the Seas, and it's been a must-order ever since.

All Royal Caribbean ships have pizza at Sorrento's or Park Cafe, but the quality of the pizza at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is about five levels ahead of that.

It has a thin crust, light sauce, and the perfect amount of cheese. The slices are so thin, it's easy to eat half the pizza by yourself.

When Royal Caribbean was working on crafting the menu for this restaurant, they spent weeks agonizing over the menu.  As an example, they tried to pick out the perfect San Marzano sauce.  The sauce has no added sugar, and relies on a simple recipe of San Marzano tomatoes, water and herbs.

There are a few other pizzas on the menu as well, and each has its place. I've tried almost all of them at this point, but the seven cheese pizza stands out as my favorite.

Miso broiled cod from Izumi Omakase

Available exclusively on Utopia of the Seas, there's a chef driven Japanese meal you can try and it goes well beyond sushi.

The miso broiled cod was my favorite of the eight courses we were served, and that surprised me given how much I love sushi.

In the roku course is when you get a petite serving of this fish, and it blew me away with how flavorful it was.

This was an extremely tender piece of fish that had a miso glaze on it, and it was my favorite flavor of the evening.

It was the kind of food that I wanted the recipe for so I could make it at home because I didn't want to go months before having it again.

While I also really liked the wagyu beef and the sakura carpaccio, none were as impressive as the cod.

Fried cheesecake from 150 Central Park

I'm going back to 150 Central Park for dessert, because they might have the best dessert on any Royal Caribbean restaurant.

The fried cheesecake is exactly what it sounds like, a piece of cheesecake fried and served to you. You'll get two of these fried balls served to you, but you won't want to share it.

Each one is a rich, creamy cheesecake covered with a crunchy, powdered sugar-coated shell and doused with fresh whipped cream and caramel sauce.

There's an argument that anything fried is going to taste pretty good, I think these are next level tasty.

Mozzarella sticks from the Snack Shack

If your ship makes a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, you need to make a trip to the Snack Shack to try the mozzarella sticks.

Similar to other items on the list, the recipe for this specific version of the food truly stands out.  Royal Caribbean serves mozzarella sticks on its ships, but they don't compare to the CocoCay one at all.

I think it's the breading that makes them so very good. And then when you dip them in the marinara sauce, it always delivers on being the ultimate comfort food.

There's no shortage of beach shore excursions on a Caribbean cruise, but an opportunity to spend it a beachside villa sounded remarkably fun.

While sailing on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, our ship spent the day in Roatan, Honduras. 

Through the cruise line, there are a variety of tours that will take you to Turquoise Bay Dive & Beach Resort.  It is rated 4.6 stars on Google, and is situated along a white sand stretch of sand.  Looked to me like a great option for a beach day.

Truly the thing that sold me on this tour was the fact we'd get our own villa. I've done beach cabanas, but never a true villa and it sounded like a fun way to spend the day.  I value having space, shade, and good service to go with it.

The cost was $1,258.99 and it includes up to six people.  The cost is fixed, so it doesn't matter how many people you have with you. That cost also includes food, drink, and transportation.

My concern about this tour was like any cruise line beach excursion that we'd go to an oversold and super busy beach that didn't deliver on the relaxing vibe advertised.

Royal Caribbean provided roundtrip transportation, taking us to the beach. It's about a 40 minute ride, but the large van we were in was very well air conditioned.

Upon arrival, we were escorted to our villa at the far end of the beach.

Turquoise Bay has many of these villas, which are set back from the ocean and face the water.  It provides the right mix of views and privacy.

There are also over the water bungalows, beach beds, and a few other upgraded options you could book.  Ultimately I chose the villa because it seemed like there was the most space.

Each villa has sliding doors (both screen and glass) that lead into the main room. 

There's two couches, a television, mini-fridge, and even your own private bathroom. There's no air conditioning, but it does have a ceiling fan.

Outside the villa is a dining table and chairs.  There's also a few beach loungers in front of the villa.

There's a dedicated server that will get you food and drink delivered to your villa.

I thought the drink menu was varied enough to suit most needs. It covers the basics you need for day drinking at the beach, along with plenty of non-alcoholic beverages too.

The lunch menu is small, but it has lobster, steak, and shrimp.  

I wish it had a bit more variety of food, especially more non-shellfish choices.  But we found enough to be able to eat, and my kids are pretty darn picky.

Our server was attentive and brought us a fruit platter upon arrival, and kept checking on us.  She even had churros for dessert brought as a surprise.

The great thing about this room was how much space there was, along with privacy.  You could really seclude yourself from the rest of the beach crowd.

The walk to the ocean was a mere few steps, making it easy to get back and forth.

As for the beach itself, it was a beautiful set up and any concerns I had of it being crowded was quickly forgotten.

The beach is quite large, and they spread people around quite nicely.  We had just a few people in the ocean near us, so there was no issue with overcrowding.

I was equally satisfied with the level of service. I never felt like I "lost" my server, and they checked in quite regularly.

Of course, this was not a cheap shore excursion.  Paying $1200 for a villa rental is not inexpensive, but I really felt like it was worth the cost given the quality of the space, and service provided.

The reason to book this villa is if you have a group and want premium seating with lots of privacy and service to go with it.

Without a doubt you can have a great time at Turquoise Bay with just beach chairs and beer in hand, but everyone has different tastes.

Given the villa has sliding glass doors and is totally enclosed, I wish they'd add air conditioning to the units. I think that would really elevate the experience and justify the cost even more.

Anyone looking for a beautiful beach to enjoy in Roatan will enjoy Turquoise Bay, and if you want a VIP type day, the premium villa is a great choice.

Royal Caribbean is making so much good progress on its next new cruise ship, that it's once again bumping up the first sailing.

Star of the Seas will debut in August 2025, but will now have her first sailing August 20.

"We have an updated timeline for the arrival of Star of the Seas at Port Canaveral," Royal Caribbean said in an email to guests booked on the first sailings. "Building such a large and incredible ship is no easy feat, but lucky for us, there are times when we get to embark on our new ship ahead of schedule, and that time is now!"

The plan was for Star of the Seas to debut with a pair of 4-night "showcase cruises" before the official maiden 7-night cruise on August 31, 2025.

Those 4-night cruises will still take place, along with an extra showcase 3-Night Perfect Day Cruise on August 20, 2025.

According to Royal Caribbean, the three showcase sailings will take place before the August 31 sailing.

It's been an interesting game of changing first sailings for Star, which pushed back its inaugural voyage in February 2024, but has since moved up the first sailing two times now.

The initial Star of the Seas inaugural was scheduled for August 17th, 2025, and with this new sailing being added, the ship is even closer to getting back to that original timeline.

Anyone that was booked on the showcase sailings received an email on Tuesday to inform them of the new sailing, and to get first dibs on booking rooms on the new cruises.

Choice to change

If you're booked on either of the 4-night showcase sailings, Royal Caribbean is giving you the choice of staying on them, moving to the new 3-night sailing, or going on all of them.,

As you may have booked your Star of the Seas sailing to be first onboard and may have moved to one of our other two showcase sailing options or both, you’ll now have the opportunity to book the new showcase sailing OR to move your existing booking(s) to the first 3-Night Perfect Day Cruise as of today!

You could also do nothing and remain on either August 23rd or August 27th sailing.

If you want to move up your sailing, Royal Caribbean will make it as easy as possible.

Suite guests will have their same suites held for them as a courtesy, first come, first served. Guests in the Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms will have like-for-like staterooms available to choose from.

Royal Caribbean will transfer your current booking to the new sail date you choose, in the exact same suite or like-for-like stateroom currently booked – at the current prevailing rate.

The cruise fare rate will be adjusted to the current prevailing rate, and if there’s an overpayment on the booking, you’ll be refunded for the difference.

You can expect to receive any refunds, current taxes, fees, and any pre-paid gratuities, tours, and amenities to your original form of payment within 14 business days, though some banking institutions may take longer.

You have until next week to decide

If you want to move reservations, you need to act quickly.

Royal Caribbean is giving everyone about a week and a half to contact the line to make the change. Change requests must be made no later than March 25, 2025.

If you do not make a change by March 25, 2025, anyone booked on the showcase sailings will remain booked on that sailing, and you can still choose to add the new 3-night Star of Seas showcase sailings based on availability.

A brand new Icon Class ship coming this summer

The second in the Icon Class, Star of the Seas is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and has high expectations to follow-up on the success of Icon of the Seas.

Star will share similar dimensions with Icon of the Seas, coming in at approximately 250,800 gross tons. It is expected to accommodate around 5,610 passengers at double occupancy and up to 7,600 at maximum capacity. When factoring in crew members, the total number of people onboard could reach an impressive 10,000.

Once the showcase sailings are complete. the new ship will offer 7-night Caribbean cruises from its homeport in Port Canaveral. Its strategic placement directly competes with the mega theme park market in nearby Orlando, positioning itself as a top-tier vacation alternative.

Designed as a floating family resort, the ship aims to rival—if not surpass—the experience of a theme park vacation. "Icon will be the best family vacation in the world," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer.

The ship will feature an entire area dedicated to families, a massive water park, thrilling attractions, multiple live shows, and more pools than any previous ship. With an abundance of entertainment and experiences, it's shaping up to redefine family cruising.

Royal Caribbean added many new things it's never had on its cruise ships, including a dueling piano bar.

I'm someone that is very loyal to its English pub because I prefer bar songs that are typical of the '80s and '90s, but it's not exactly a place I can enjoy with my kids.

Children are allowed in any Royal Caribbean bar, but my kids simply don't care for this sort of music.  Plus, depending on the guitarist, it can be very un-interactive.

With Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean added a brand new concept that they never had on a ship before with Dueling Pianos.

It's located on the Royal Promenade, and I wanted to give it a few tries to see what it's all about.

How dueling pianos work

The idea is pretty easy to figure out. There are two pianists performing, and each plays off each other.

Unlike the Schooner Bar or pub where you yell out requests, guests fill out small slips of paper with their song request.

The song request has your name, song you're requesting, and any special occasion.

It's a way to let them know any significance of a song or why you're requesting it. It feeds into the schtick of the show.

It's a very interactive show, the each pianist taking turns playing to the bar.  Each side of the bar is divided up into one section for each player, and it's a bit of competition.

Another major difference from other cruise bars is the fact guests get called up a lot.

Someone might be needed to explain a dance, start a conga line, or perform a function like yelling out unofficial lyrics to a song.

Introverts might not love hearing this, but if you sit far enough back, the chances being picked on are quite slim.

Tipping gets your song heard first

Depending on your perspective, the role tips play is either a great idea or not.

The pianists give preference to anyone that tips with their song request. The more you tip, the better chance your song gets played.

Most tips are about $5-10 per request.  If you move up to $20 or more, you're going to get their attention real fast.

A $50 or $100 tip is essentially like a turbo option, where you could literally stop them mid-song with a request. 

The benefit of this system is if you have money to throw around, you can quickly get your songs played. But of course, the "pay to play" system puts other requests towards the back of the queue.

To be fair, the pianists do a great job of balancing paid and free requests. They're not only talented players, but they can read the room quite well.

I love how interactive the shows become

One thing that drew me back to Dueling Pianos was how fun the pianists made the whole show.

On our cruise, we had Sarah Angel and Roel, and they had a great relationship trying to one up each other.

Being a family cruise line, they also welcomed the kids into it all too.

Unofficially, they keep it PG-13 until 11pm.  The jokes are tamer and the music more varied.

After 11, they turn it more adult-focused with "dirty" drink cheersing and songs that might involve profanity.

Like any bar, it's going to be more adult focused than not, but I do appreciate it's inviting to all passengers.

It's really hard to get a seat most shows

If there's proof how popular Dueling Pianos is, it's in the fact seats go very, very quickly.

If you don't show up to the bar at least 30 minutes before the performance begins, you probably aren't getting a seat.

On this cruise, I knew to show up early, but this isn't the bar to walk by and stop in for a couple songs.  

Unlike the pub or Schooner Bar, not only does it make sense to plan around the show times, but it helps to be there at the start of the performance so you get in on the schtick and jokes.

Each show is unique, and the pianists play off the audience's energy.

I've added Dueling Pianos to my must-do list

If I'm sailing on Icon of the Seas (or the upcoming Star of the Seas), there's a good chance I'll be at Dueling Pianos in the evening.

While I still prefer the pub as my go-to spot, Dueling Pianos is a fun experience for groups. I'd love to go here with friends and grab a table for us all to enjoy the show.

There's a good mix of energy, talent, and showmanship that goes into this concept, and I'm glad Royal Caribbean has added it to the mix.

Royal Caribbean is renowned for building some of the world’s biggest cruise ships over the last three decades. Just last year, the cruise line built the brand-new Icon of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world, soon to be followed by her sister-ship Star of the Seas this summer.

I love to cruise, but I prefer booking sailings with unique and interesting itineraries. I also cruise on a budget, normally opting for the cheapest cabins on the smallest, oldest ships. Because Oasis class ships are so massive, the vessels are port restricted and offer limited itineraries to choose from. Not to mention, these massive ships are typically more expensive than other options in the cruise line’s fleet.

Needless to say, I avoided sailing on Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships for many years. The gigantic size didn’t appeal to me, not to mention the itineraries seemed boring compared to other vessels. Instead, I cruised on some of the older vessels or Quantum-class ships with more exciting ports of call.

Last month, my husband and I had the opportunity to cruise with my family and grandparents aboard Utopia of the Seas. The 4-night cruise was modestly priced at $1,400 and included stops in Nassau, Bahamas, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. It wasn’t the most exciting itinerary, but the dates worked well for us, and we could drive to the port. Utopia of the Seas just debuted in July 2024 - we were excited to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship.

Any cruise is a great vacation, but not everything was perfect during our sailing. There were some aspects of Utopia of the Seas that I loved, while other nuisances were frustrating and disappointing.

Royal Caribbean has a long-time history of building megaships

Beginning in 1988 with Sovereign of the Seas, Royal Caribbean set a precedent for building the world’s largest passenger cruise ships. As the first true megaship in the cruise industry, Sovereign of the Seas revolutionized ship design, more than doubling the size of the cruise line’s earlier vessels and paving the way for the future of cruising.

In 2009, Royal Caribbean built Oasis of the Seas as the first in a new ship class. The 225,282 gross ton cruise ship was 40% bigger than anything the cruise line had built before - it was a monumental achievement.

Oasis of the Seas was the first passenger ship to surpass 220,000 gross tons in terms of size. Royal Caribbean also debuted the first neighborhood concept on Oasis of the Seas, which was meant to make navigation easier onboard the massive vessel. New areas and features included an open-aired Central Park, an aft-facing Boardwalk, the first zip line at sea, and the first-ever aqua amphitheater.

It’s easy to see how Oasis class ships shaped the history of cruise design, forcing competitor cruise lines to build bigger ships too. Today, most of the mainstream cruise lines operate their own 200,000+ GT megaships.

When Oasis of the Seas first debuted, I was only 14 years old and in high school. I wanted so badly to sail on this brand-new ship for our annual family cruise, but the cost was too high. As our family focused more on port-intensive and unique itineraries, our interest in Oasis class ships dried up.

Because of their sheer size, port options are limited, and tendering is impossible for this ship class; therefore, itineraries were repetitive.

It wasn’t until 2018 that I sailed on an Oasis class ship, Allure of the Seas, for the first time. I was blown away by the amenities and state-of-the-art technology. I still have fond memories of watching the Mamma Mia musical!

Later, I sailed Harmony of the Seas in February 2022, right after the pandemic. The ship was sailing at half capacity, so we didn’t need to worry about crowds or lines. This was a skewed experience though, and we greatly enjoyed the quieter ambiance onboard.

Although I’ve cruised over 50 times, I have rarely sailed on an Oasis class ship. My husband and I were excited to cruise on Utopia of the Seas for the first time, which would be my husband’s first time on an Oasis class ship!

To start, the price was quite high for a 4-night cruise

I’m always looking for a good deal when I book my cruises. My husband and I decided only a few months prior that we wanted to join my parents and grandparents on this cruise. While they had booked balcony cabins for $1,300 the year before, we ended up paying $1,500 for an interior cabin.

We don’t mind booking a cheap interior stateroom, but it was disappointing to pay more than my parents. Because Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newer ship, demand drives up the prices.

This means we spent $750 per person for a 4-night cruise, or $187 each night. This includes port fees and gratuities for both of us. We also opted to pay slightly more to select our stateroom location instead of reserving a guaranteed cabin.

Our cabin was thoughtfully designed, and we didn’t mind saving money by booking the cheapest stateroom

Sailing on a brand-new cruise ship means your cabin will be the largest and greatest stateroom design. After sailing on older and smaller ships for quite some time, we appreciated the modern amenities incorporated in this design.

First, the stateroom was spacious and didn’t feel too cramped. We loved having a couch for additional seating - something that other competitor cruise lines have slowly phased out.

The bathroom was also thoughtfully designed. It was apparent that Royal Caribbean reduced the width of the sink and vanity to expand the shower size. My husband and I are both tall, so this extra space made all the difference.

We also noticed how many chargers and outlets were available. The vanity featured a row of outlets and USB ports while the nightstands each had an outlet and USB-C port to use. With so many outlets, I didn’t even need to use my outlet extender.

Our cabin on Deck 9 was also very quiet. Utopia of the Seas is so large that we were situated in a block on interior staterooms towards the back of the ship. The stateroom was surrounded by five other interior cabins! I’m always worried about noisy neighbors, and having many different neighbors could make for a noisy cabin. Luckily, this wasn’t the case for us.

Embarkation day was hectic, and I hated having to make so many reservations

After boarding in Port Canaveral, the first task on our agenda was to make reservations for specialty dining and shows. We attempted to make reservations in the weeks leading up to our cruise, but continued to get errors. The app would show availability, but fail when we attempted to actually book anything.

We had a group of eight people traveling together, which made it more difficult to reserve the headliner shows. My mom beelined for the box office after we made it onboard, and was met with hundreds of other people doing the same.

My husband and I were in charge of reserving specialty dining. With our Diamond Plus benefits, we didn’t want to pay beforehand for a reservation and not receive our BOGO perk. There were few options available for Chops Grille and Giovanni’s, but we secured two reservations that fit our schedule.

Unfortunately, my mom didn’t have much luck with reserving the shows. She waited in a long line without success. Instead, I went on the app and found seats available for all of the late-night shows, including the ice show and diving spectacle.

This was one of my least favorite parts of sailing on an Oasis class ship. With so many people onboard trying to see the same shows, you either need a reservation or you wait in a long standby line. This made me appreciate the smaller vessels where you don’t need to fret about reservations. It’s frustrating to pay thousands of dollars and still worry that you won’t be able to see the headliner production shows.

We also hated dealing with crowds and long lines, especially on embarkation day

The first few hours of a cruise are more hectic, as you need to complete your mandatory safety drill and find your stateroom. When these aren’t available until the afternoon, no one has a place to go, and everyone instead wanders around the ship.

I couldn’t believe the sheer number of people crowding into the promenade and the Windjammer! Of course, going to the buffet on the first day of the cruise is one of the worst things you can do for crowding. Everyone heads up to the Windjammer Buffet for lunch on the first day.

Not to mention, Utopia of the Seas offers fresh lobster for lunch on embarkation day. This only entices people further to visit the buffet instead of utilizing other included venues.

Navigating the crowds and stuffy buffet was my least favorite part of the cruise. We were attempting to find a table for my grandma, who uses a walker, and this was a nightmare. Next time, I would even consider booking a specialty dining option for lunch to avoid the crowds.

Sailing on an Oasis class ship means you’ll have more options for dining, which was a highlight for us

This cruise was a special occasion for our family, as we were celebrating my grandpa’s 90th birthday. After a few months of health scares with him, we didn’t know if he would be able to join this cruise.

Because we were celebrating, we decided to splurge and book two evenings at specialty dining. These for-charge restaurants offer an elevated experience with more attentive service, higher quality food, and fewer crowds.

We booked Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen for the first night, and we received our own private table in the back of the restaurant. This was such a nice surprise, especially considering my grandpa is hard of hearing. It was easy to have a conversation with the quieter ambiance. The two-story venue overlooked the ship’s aft - it was one of the most beautiful specialty dining venues I’ve seen on a ship!

The food was fantastic, too. We gorged on burrata salad, truffle pizza, creamy carbonara, tender filet, and fried Nutella ravioli. This was our favorite meal of the cruise!

The following night, we dined at Chops Grille in Central Park. We rarely book two specialty dining meals on a short cruise, but Utopia of the Seas had so many enticing options that we couldn’t resist!

We greatly enjoyed this meal as well, especially when my grandpa gave a touching toast to the table that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The service was very attentive, and the ambiance was quiet and intimate.

Finally, we also wanted to try the Mason Jar - which is Royal Caribbean’s first specialty dining option for brunch. My sister raved about her meal here over the summer, so we booked a brunch slot for the last day. Unfortunately, this was our least favorite of the specialty dining experiences.

We enjoyed some of the entrees, such as the gooey cinnamon roll and the southern burger, while others fell flat, including the chicken and waffles. The cocktails were a highlight though, and I would return just to the bar for the craft drinks on the menu!

Considering we paid nearly $50 per person with gratuity, I would skip this restaurant in the future.

Along with specialty restaurants, Utopia of the Seas features a plethora of complimentary restaurants as well. For instance, we enjoyed the fresh Mexican cuisine at El Loco Fresh and breakfast at Johnny Rockets (although dinner and lunch are not included here).

The entertainment was also spectacular and some of the best I’ve seen at sea

In the last few years, it’s been evident that most cruise lines are cutting back on entertainment to save on costs. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line has cut all of their Broadway shows, while Carnival Cruise Line is relying heavily on game shows for entertainment these days.

I appreciate that Royal Caribbean is still pushing the boundaries and prioritizing entertainment on their newest ships. Two of the standout shows on Utopia of the Seas include Aqua80Too, a high-diving show in the Aquatheatre, and Youtopia, an ice skating spectacle with Olympic-style stunts.

The Aqua80Too show was undoubtedly the highlight, featuring gravity-defying dives, synchronized swimming, and breathtaking performances. The music, production, and overall execution were absolutely spectacular.

The main theatre also features a well-done show called All In. The show incorporated incredible technological effects and lighting, which was memorizing. The music was varied too with some modern hits, which I loved!

My husband and I finished the cruise with a late-night comedian, which is always a lighthearted way to end the night. Both comedians were extremely funny - we laughed so much it brought tears to our eyes!

I loved all of the themed bars and lounges on Utopia of the Seas

Each evening of our cruise, our family gathered before dinner to enjoy happy hour. This is one of my grandpa’s favorite activities of the day — he claims a glass of bourbon each day is his secret to a long life!

There is certainly no shortage of bars or lounges on the ship. In fact, Utopia of the Seas has 23 bars across its various neighborhoods, serving up cocktails, wine, beer, and other spirits. Some of the bars are more exclusive to the brand-new ship, such as the Pesky Parrot, while others are Royal Caribbean staples, like the Schooner Bar.

One of our favorite bars to visit was the Pesky Parrot, which is a new tiki bar specializing in tropical, fruity cocktails with exotic decor. Another favorite spot on the pool deck was the Lime and Coconut bar, where I could enjoy my favorite Lime & Coconut cocktail!

Even with thousands of guests sailing, the bar service was surprisingly fast. We never waited too long for a drink and the bartenders were attentive.

I’m not rushing to book another Oasis class ship, but I would sail again

While we had a great time on our quick getaway cruise with family, my husband and I aren’t in a hurry to book another trip on an Oasis class ship. We still prefer smaller vessels and have recently found ourselves drawn more to Celebrity Cruises. Their Edge class ships strike the perfect balance - innovative, modern, luxurious, and ideally sized - all while sailing to fascinating destinations.

I’m happy to see Royal Caribbean sailing shorter itineraries aboard their newer ships, as most cruise lines used to sail their oldest and smallest ships on these sailings. Royal Caribbean recently announced that most Oasis class ships will be sailing shorter itineraries in the near future!

I would happily book Utopia of the Seas again for a quick getaway cruise, as the ship is more of a destination in itself. There was so much to do, see, and eat that we nearly ran out of time to try it all.

It's going to be easier to skip the crowds with a new shore excursion option from Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean is now offering skip-the-line shore excursions with its Royal Signature Excursion options.

In addition to traditional shore excursions, there are a handful of shore excursions in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe that come with additional amenities.

These tours could include small group sizes, premium transportation, or elevated food options.

The idea is to not only offer great tours, but add a premium level to them for those that value paying more to enjoy a first class experience.

"From dipping their toes into cliffside hot springs in Santorini to sipping crisp champagne as their catamaran glides through crystal clear Caribbean waters — this is where unforgettable begins," is how Royal Caribbean describes the new offering.

Sights and benefits

In any cruise port a ship visits, there's always a bit of shopping guests do between cruise line excursions and things they can do on their own.

Royal Signature Excursions are a new batch of premium choices that cover three key areas: cultural sights, authentic experiences, and all-star benefits.

These tours seek to immerse you in local culture and are work with third-party operators who know the places, the people, the language and the culture.

The way they intend to make it stand out even more is to offer elite touches such as premium transportation, skip-the-line privileges, insightful local guides, intimate small group sizes, gracious service and more.

You can book these elevated tours now

Here's a list of all the Royal Signature Excursions to try:

Caribbean

• PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN
  • Orient Beach, Prosecco & Gourmet Lunch
  • Small Group Brewery & Distillery Tasting Tour with Bites
  • St. Maarten Small Group Island Exploration with Lunch
  • Small Group Open Bar Carnival Immersion & Plane Spotting
  • Small Group Johnny Cake Baking Experience & Guavaberry Sips
  • Anguilla and Meads Bay Beach Day: Bubbly & Lunch
  • Catamaran Sail with Champagne Plus Beach Break & Lunch
  • Small Group America’s Cup Sailing Regatta
  • Small Group Foodie Tour: Flavors of St. Maarten
• BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS & NEVIS
  • Taste of St. Kitts: Wine Sampling, Local Treats & Beach
  • St. Kitts: Power Catamaran, Snorkeling & Unlimited Drinks
  • Ultimate Twin Island Catamaran Sail & Sip with Lunch (Nevis & St. Kitts)
• CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS
  • St. John Beach Escape: Trunk Bay with Snorkeling
  • Ultimate St. John: Kayak & Snorkel
  • St. John by Sea: Catamaran, Champagne & Snorkel
  • Cas Cay Small Group Adventure: Kayak, Hike & Snorkel
  • Flavors of St. Thomas: Small Group Tasting Tour

Alaska

• JUNEAU, ALASKA
  • Small Group Taku Glacier Lodge by Seaplane & 5 Glaciers with Lunch
  • Small Group Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Ride & Dog Sledding
  • Small Group Helicopter Tour to Juneau Icefield
  • Small Group Kayaking Tour & Alaska Wildlife Whale Watching
  • Small Group Tour of Norris Glacier by Floatplane, Paddle & Hike
  • Small Group Whale Watching on Luxury Yacht
  • Taste of Alaska: Orca Point Lodge, Wildlife Quest & Meal
• ICY STRAIT POINT, ALASKA
  • Epic Whale Watching & Seafood Sampling
  • Ultimate Adventure: Small Group Whale Watching & ZipRider
• SITKA, ALASKA
  • Wildlife & Otter Spotting with Alaskan Canapés
  • Wildlife Expedition Cruise, Homestead Adventure & Treats

Europe

• FLORENCE/PISA (LA SPEZIA), ITALY
  • Truffle Hunting and Tuscan Farmhouse Lunch
  • Architectural Wonder: Pisa Guided Tour & Leaning Tower Climb
  • 3 Town Tour: Paradise Gulf by Land & Sea with Lunch
  • History of Florence: Accademia Gallery, Piazza del Duomo & Lunch
  • Explore Cinque Terre: Three Villages & Italian Lunch
  • Cinque Terre Vineyard: Wine Tasting & Scenic Coastline Drive
  • Small Group Adventure: Cinque Terre Villages & Motorboat Tour with Lunch
  • Gulf of La Spezia by Land & Sea: Portovenere and Lerici Small Group
• NAPLES, ITALY
  • Small Group Pasta Making: Sorrento & Gragnano with Lunch
  • Small Group Day Trip to Pompeii, Positano & Sorrento with Lunch
• ROME (CIVITAVECCHIA), ITALY
  • Rome by Tuk Tuk: Small Group Sightseeing Tour
• MYKONOS, GREECE
  • Farmhouse Wine Tasting & Mykonos Walking Tour
  • Day in Delos: Small Group Tour & Mosaic Workshop with Lunch
  • Small Group Mosaic-Making: Expert Handcrafting Workshop
  • Small Group: Luxe Catamaran Day Trip, Greek Lunch & Aegean Swim
• SANTORINI, GREECE
  • Santorini Catamaran & Swim: Small Group Tour & Lunch
  • Santorini Catamaran & Swim: Red Beach and Hot Springs with Lunch
  • Santorini Small Group Kayaking & Seaside Picnic
  • Thirassia Winery Tasting & Blue-Domed Santorini
  • Unforgettable Wine Tour: Stunning Santorini Views, Tasting & Fira
  • Chill & Savor: Perivolos Beach & Gourmet Lunch

How much do these tours cost?

If all of this sounds wonderful, you can expect premium pricing to go with it.

An upcoming sailing on Oasis of the Seas that visits St. Maarten in October had these prices.  This is to give you an example of ballpark prices:

• Small Group Foodie Tour: Flavors of St. Maarten: $148 (originally $199) per guest
• Small Group America's Cup Sailing Regatta: $103.99 (originally $139) per guest
• Catamaran Sail With Champagne plus Beach Break & Lunch: $125.99 (originally $169) per guest
• Anguilla and Meads Bay Beach Day: Bubbly & Lunch: $433.99 (originally $579) per guest
• St. Maarten Small Group Island Exploration with Lunch: $193.99 (originally $259) per guest
• Small Group Brewery & Distillery Tasting Tour with Bites: $148.99 (originally $199) per guest
• Small Group Open Bar Carnival Immersion & Plane Spotting: $73.99 (originally $99) per guest
• Small Group Johnny Cake Baking Experience & Guavaberry Sips: $95.99 (originally $129) per guest

The discounted prices is a reflection of a pre-cruise sale available at the time of this article's publishing.  It's likely the original price is the onboard price you could expect.

The tours do not list exactly how many people constitute a small group.

How to book a Royal Signature Excursion

You can book any of these tours from the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website or the Royal Caribbean app.

There's no difference in booking these tours compared to any other one, with the added filter you can use to find them.