Royal Caribbean Blog

Going on a cruise ship is becoming more popular each year for a family vacation, but there are some traditions of cruising that might seem weird.

As a new cruiser, there are things that people that cruise a lot typically do and it's not what you'd find in other forms of travel. It's part of the appeal of cruise ship travel, because it's not like going to a city or resort on land.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. Remember, it's different, not bad.

Here are some cruise traditions that might confuse someone who has never cruised before.

Door decorating

I doubt anyone going on their first cruise would even think they should pack art supplies for the purpose of making their stateroom door stand out.

Decorating stateroom doors was born out of passengers wanting to share their excitement that they're on vacation and express themselves.

Door decorations can consist of name tags, lights, paper creations and pretty much anything else that can be attached to a door via magnets.

It's also very personal, where people might advertise they are celebrating a special occasion, whom they're traveling with, or show off their artistic prowess.

It's a fun way to share who is cruising and why, and your family can get in on the fun too if you bring the proper materials. Just be sure not to use any adhesives like tape or glue (magnets work best).

Code named events

If you flip through the event schedule on your Royal Caribbean app, you might see a couple of events with strange names.

"Friends of Dorothy" or "Friends of Bill W' may sound like someone got their own personal event listed, but they're actually code words for what the event really is.

Friends of Bill W. is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, named after one of the founders of the organization.

Friends of Dorothy is a meeting for the LGBTQ+ community.

In both cases, they use code words to keep it somewhat anonymous.  These are also self-led events, so there won't be Royal Caribbean staff there to lead them.

No deck 13

On some Royal Caribbean ships you may go into the elevator and notice deck 13 is missing from the buttons.

This is one of those maritime superstitions that continues to today, where the number 13 is considered unlucky.

As an example, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas, doesn't have deck 13.  A brand new cruise ship that launched in 2024 omits number 13 from its layout!

Hiding ducks

Probably the most popular trend right now on a cruise ship is to hide rubber ducks for other passengers to find, and it's not something I've seen anywhere else.

The way it works is passengers purchase rubber ducks before the cruise begins, and then proceed to place them around public areas of the ship so people can find them.

There's usually a tag on it that explains you can keep the duck or re-hide it for someone else to find.

Why do people do it? Because it's something to do, and some people relish in placing them around the ship to bring joy to others that find it.  Others, especially children, love the appeal of going on a "hunt" to find them and coming away with a gift.

Crew member code phrases

This tradition is one crew members use, and it's to communicate problems around the ship without alerting guests.

You might hear announcements over the ship's public address system that use Greek letters along with a location on the ship.

There's a lot of cruise ship lingo to begin with, but these code phrases are a way to quickly convey what's happening to other crew.

You really don't need to know about them, but the first time you hear, "Alpha, alpha, alpha," you might wonder what just happened and why it was said.

Upside down pineapples

We already covered stateroom door decorations, but there's particular door "art" that means more than an affinity for a particular fruit.

If you see an upside down pineapple, it means that the couple is trying to let others know that are looking to swap sexual partners. 

This isn't to be confused with pineapples on clothing or bags, because that's just about fashion.

Truthfully, actually seeing an upside down pineapple on a stateroom door is pretty darn rare and I doubt you'll ever see it. But you should know theoretically it's a thing, and probably not something you'd expect to run across.

Wearing matching t-shirts

A lot of families and groups will wear the same t-shirt on their cruise as a way to celebrate in the fun of the trip and let everyone else know they're part of a group.

On embarkation day especially, you can spot plenty of groups walking onboard in matching colored shirts that have a phrase like, "Getting Nauti" or "Get ship faced" or my favorite, "Yea Bouy!"

In addition, family reunions, birthdays, bachelorette parties and other special occasions see lots of matching shirts.  Some even take the next step and customize the shirt with names or nicknames.

To be fair, I have seen this trend on land in places like theme parks too. 

Flaunting loyalty status

I have yet to ever see Bonvoy or Delta Medallion club member walk around with their loyalty tier adorned to their shirt, but you'll see people doing that on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

It's a literal badge of honor for cruisers with the most loyalty club points to wear pins that indicate they are a Pinnacle Club member, which is the upper most level of Crown and Anchor Society.

It has no bearing on you or your cruise experience, but new cruisers sometimes confuse Pinnacle Club members with crew members because they expect only crew members to have their name on display on a pin.

Dining with strangers

Food is a big draw of going on a cruise, but new cruisers are usually surprised to hear there's a chance they could be sharing a dining table with people they don't know.

Sharing tables is a cruising tradition that goes back decades, and it still happens when you choose a traditional assigned-time seating and you are small group or alone.

Because the dining room has a fixed capacity and a lot of people want to dine each night, seats are limited.

The good news is you can request a table just for your family if this idea seems too weird for your taste.

When Royal Caribbean opens its first beach club experience, it will be unlike anything they've offered to date.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is currently under construction and will be a new kind of experience blending water access, service, and Bahamian flare.

The big Royal Caribbean announcement today was revealing that admission will be an all-inclusive pass with an opening date of December 2025.

Passes and cabana rentals will go on sale starting in the spring of 2025.

Located on 17 acres at the western end of Paradise Island in Nassau, guests will have the choice of spending their day enjoying the pools, beaches, live music, island-style barbecues and more.

What a day pass includes

Unlike a private island day, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island requires an extra cost day pass to get in. We first reported in April 2023 that the beach club would be all-inclusive, and that's so that it can be "the ultimate beach day," according to Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

A day pass will include:

• Access to all amenities
• Water taxi ride between pier and beach club
• All food and beverage, including alcohol
• Beach chairs
• Umbrellas

To access the beach club, you'll need to disembark your cruise ship and walk to the ferry area within the newly revamped Nassau cruise port.

From there, you can take one of the new water taxis to get you to the beach club.

The beach club has beaches and pools, three swim-up bars, seven beach bars, more than 40 cabanas – including the one-of-a-kind
Ultimate Family Cabana with personal attendant service – and more.

One thing you won't find at the beach club are big thrills. 

Unlike the cruise line's private island elsewhere in The Bahamas, there's no waterpark and according to Mr. Schneider, that's because there really isn't space for it and those wanting thrills can find it elsewhere in Nassau.

Royal Caribbean did not share how much admission will cost and/or the cabana rentals.

What you can do at the beach club

There are three zones to choose from when you arrive at the Royal Beach Club.

Party Cove

If you prefer more dancing, singing, and celebrating as part of your beach day, head to Party Cove.

Royal Caribbean is building the world’s largest swim-up bar, called The Floating Flamingo. This is where you'll find a DJ playing lots of music all day long.

You'll also find a VIP space within Party Cove, where you can get personal poolside service and incredible views.

Family Beach

Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line, and the beach club will be an extension of that by offering an entire zone for families to enjoy.

Family Beach is near the The Shallow End zero-entry pool.

You'll also find beach games of all kinds from tug-of-war to paddle ball in this area.

This is also where Royal Caribbean will offer its Ultimate Family Cabana, which is a brand new elevated concept.

While beach cabanas to rent are not a new concept for Royal Caribbean, but this one will have two levels and include a thrilling slide, dedicated whirlpool, frozen drink machine and more.

Chill Beach

Borrowing the name from Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club will have the perfect area to relax and enjoy a day in The Bahamas.

There's the choice of The Deep End pool, or Chill Beach.

This is also where you can find shopping opportunities a the local artisan huts that are staffed by Bahamians. Similarly, there are areas to grab a bite to eat and enjoy food such as grilled shrimp skewers or fire engine fritters.

Exclusive retreat

If the new beach club sounds different, it's because it is.

Cruise lines have traditionally offered either a private island beach day or sold shore excursions operated by third parties. Nothing on this scale has been attempted before.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley thinks this will be appeal to just about everyone, "The Royal Beach Club Collection is designed for every type of family and vacationer to get everything they want out of their ideal beach day – no matter the vibe they’re looking for."

That's important because Royal Caribbean is relying on these beach clubs to be the cornerstone of its bold strategy to attract more new cruisers than ever before.

In short, Royal Caribbean wants to offer more than any other cruise line, and only to its customers.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty talked about the importance of exclusivity during the company's first quarter earnings call this year, "One of the incredible things that we’re seeing out of destinations like Perfect Day — and we’ll see this in the Royal Beach Club in Nassau — is how it’s drawing in new-to-cruise (passengers) and millennials."

"A one of a kind, unique project"

Helping bring this vision to life is Philip Simon, President of Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas.

"To me, this is such a one of a kind, unique project," he said in an exclusive interview with Royal Caribbean Blog.

From day one, Royal Caribbean has designed this beach club to be a partnership with the people of The Bahamas. There's a revenue sharing agreement that gives up to 49% equity. New jobs have been created, and there will be a new tourism levy that will fund reinvesting in the local community. 

"I've never seen anything like it, and I'm not just saying that to kind of pump ourselves up."

"We call it a unicorn type of partnership that we're very proud of."

Mr. Simon believes the final product will show off just how economically and environmentally beneficial the new club will be. 

Royal Caribbean faced public backlash initially when the deal was announced, with critics concerned about the impact developing this land would have.

Mr. Simon said his team has helped improve the 17-acre site, removing derelict buildings, and improving the landscaping. Plus, there are strict environmental policies in place.

In fact, he wants to invite those detractors to see it for themselves, "You will have a product within the heart of downtown Nassau that is just going to be so amazing. So I look forward to next year, and I look forward to sending invites to everybody."

More beach clubs coming soon

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first beach club, but there are two more coming as well.

There are two more beach clubs set to open in the next few years.

The next beach club to open will be in Cozumel, Mexico when Royal Beach Club Cozumel begins operations. That will open sometime in 2026.

The exact site has not been shared, but it will be somewhere on the west coast of Cozumel, and just like Nassau, the exclusive club will combine great views, beaches, pools, and food.

A third beach club will be on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. No name or details have been shared, but it could open in 2026 or 2027.

A yacht accidentally ran into a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Wednesday.

Cruisers on Allure of the Seas witnessed the moment a boat slowly hit the port side of Allure of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean ship was in Nassau, Bahamas at the time of the incident.

Videos of the incident circulated on social media in the aftermath, as multiple passengers filmed the moment the ship collided with the yacht.

Dayanni Devi Bhagwandin posted the video to Facebook of the incident with the caption, "Yacht just crashed into us!".

Vanessa Walden took video immediately after the incident.

"This boat apparently lost power, or something, and drifted into the back of our ship," she said in her video. 

She also pointed out the impact damaged the top portion of the yacht.

Royal Caribbean has not issued a comment on the incident.

Allure of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with a length of 1,187 feet and gross tonnage of 225,282.

Allure of the Seas has a capacity of 6,780 guests and 2,200 crew, bringing her total capacity to 8,930 passengers!

The impact did not appear to do much damage to the ship, and some passengers noted they had no idea anything had happened.

"Didn't feel a thing," wrote Frank Burton in response to the video. 

Keisha Lipford added, "We didn’t either and my son was standing up surfing."

Nassau is a major port of call for craft of all kind, including cruise ships and pleasure craft. It's not unusual to see vessels in close proximity as they navigate the waters.

Incidents of small craft hitting cruise ships is quite rare. There's sophisticated navigational equipment to warn of other craft in the vicinity.

In this case, Allure of the Seas appeared to have been docked while it occurred.

The most recent incident involving a vessel hitting another Royal Caribbean ship occurred in 2022 when a cargo ship hit Mariner of the Seas while docked in Freeport.

It was another slow speed impact, as the cruise ship's stern was contacted by the slow-speed navigating cargo ship Tropic Freedom.

No injuries and only "minimal damage" were reported.

Technically not a collision

If you want to get technical, the impact to Allure of the Seas was not a collision, but an allision.

Commander Don Goldstein, Retired United States Coast Guard, pointed out when one ship is moored and is hit by another vessel, it's considered an allision.

"Only the Coast Guard investigators and lawyers use that word, but it means a moving vessel hits a stationary vessel, dock, etc."

Want free money for your Royal Caribbean cruise? There's a great offer that could save you up to $400 quite easily.

UPDATE: It appears the gift card sale has ended early.

Royal Caribbean is running a sale on gift cards that could save you up to $400 on your next cruise with an exclusive offer for Crown & Anchor Society members.

The limited-time promotion offers a 10% discount on standard gift card purchases; however, members of Royal Caribbean’s loyalty program will receive an additional 10% savings during the sale. This means you could save 20% on gift card purchases with the potential to save $400.

Crown and Anchor Society members can purchase gift cards from this exclusive link to receive the 20% discount on gift card purchases. According to the terms and conditions, purchases must be $350 or more in a single transaction to receive the discount. The 20% discount is automatically applied at checkout when using the link above.

The maximum amount you can purchase from Royal Caribbean’s gift card portal online is $2,000 with one transaction. This would amount to $400 savings in a single purchase with the discount. 

The gift card sale is scheduled to run from December 9, 2024 to December 20, 2024 for gift card purchases. However, the website states that this limited time offer could change at any time without notice. 

Just be warned that you could run into an issue if you try to buy a bunch of cards.

According to the terms and conditions, the promo code that nets you this discount is "valid for single use only. Cannot be combined with any other offer."

One more caveat.  The funds on these gift cards don’t expire, but if the card’s full value hasn’t been used within nine years from the date of purchase, you will need to contact customer service to transfer the remaining funds to a new gift card number.

Gift cards are restricted to purchase and use online in the United States. 

Some members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society have reportedly received emails about the gift card promotion with the link provided. The email states, “’Tis the season to max out the memories. From weekend getaways to longer escapes, everyone on your nice list will have their pick of adventures or onboard favorites with a Royal Caribbean® Gift Card.”

Royal Caribbean gift cards make an ideal holiday gift because they are highly versatile. These gift cards can be used as onboard credit during your cruise or applied directly toward your cruise fare. In essence, they function like a convenient gift certificate. Last year, Royal Caribbean overhauled their gift card program to make them easier to redeem and use. Now, the gift cards can be used on either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises and do not expire.

This could be a great holiday gift for someone else, although there is an option to send it to yourself as a way to save money on your own cruise vacation!

Using Royal Caribbean Gift Cards

Before you buy a card, you should know what you can and cannot use it for.

Royal Caribbean allows you to use its gift cards towards the balance of your cruise fare, or onboard the ship as a kind of onboard credit.

When used before boarding, the gift card goes towards your cruise fare. When used onboard, the gift card will be used as a credit towards onboard purchases. You should note the onboard credit can only be used when onboard currency is USD, which is most sailings outside of China.

The gift cards are easy to use as well with multiple avenues for redemption. You can easily redeem gift cards on Royal Caribbean’s website or by calling the cruise line. Moreover, your travel agent can also help you apply the gift cards to your vacation.

In addition, you must be onboard your cruise to use the gift card as payment towards the onboard expense account. This means you cannot currently use gift cards towards pre-purchases such as drink packages, internet access, shore excursions, specialty dining and more.

Royal Caribbean also states that gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash or quasi-cash. This would include gambling chips, deposits, money orders, traveler’s checks and foreign currency.

Some of Royal Caribbean’s best deals can be found on the cruise line's older cruise ships, but how much money can you expect to save by sailing on an older ship?

Everyone loves finding a great cruise deal, and finding a cheap cruise on a 20 year old cruise ship is more common than finding a deal on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships like Icon of the Seas.

A $2000 interior stateroom on a new ship might be priced at only $1200 on an older ship. You’ll often see savings in the hundreds of dollars when cruising on an older ship. This means you're able to stretch your vacation budget much further, whether that means splurging on a dining package, booking a spa treatment, or planning a luxurious port day.

Let’s take a look at how much you can expect to save by sailing on an older cruise ship.

Old versus new Royal Caribbean ships

Royal Caribbean has 28 cruise ships in its fleet. The oldest, Grandeur of the Seas, launched in 1996 and the newest, Star of the Seas, is currently under construction and set to launch in August 2025.

These ships belong to seven ship classes, which are categorized for their unique layouts, onboard offerings, and size:

• Vision Class
• Radiance Class
• Voyager Class
• Freedom Class
• Oasis Class
• Quantum Class
• Icon Class

Most passengers consider Vision and Radiance Class ships to be older ships, with Voyager and Freedom Classes somewhere in the middle. Oasis, Quantum, and Icon ships are all considered new ships by comparison.

Why sail on an older cruise ship

Older cruise ships lack many of the onboard activities that Royal Caribbean is known for, such as waterslides, Broadway shows, zip lines, and a plethora of specialty dining venues. The adrenaline-filled features you’ll see on Royal Caribbean’s TV commercials are unlikely to be found on the oldest ships in the fleet.

Related: Things you’ll notice when cruising on an older cruise ship

Nonetheless, older and smaller ships still offer a classic cruise experience, bringing guests to beautiful ports around the world while providing Royal Caribbean’s signature cuisine, entertainment, and hospitality.

Cruising on an older ship can offer a more intimate feel than a ship with 6,000 passengers. In addition, the ports you visit tend to be more unique. Whereas newer and bigger ships often visit the same ports over and over, smaller, older ships sail to unique destinations such as Costa Rica, Fiji, and Montenegro.

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

Plus, older cruise ships tend to be priced lower than newer ships in the fleet, with the potential to save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on a cruise vacation.

Putting it to the test: how much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Just how much money can you expect to save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean ship? Unfortunately, there's no set price difference between older and newer ships. Cruise pricing changes day to day based on the demand on any particular ship, itinerary, or stateroom category.

Related: How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget

You’ll usually see a trend of older ships offering lower prices, but occasionally you can come across fantastic deals on newer cruise ships. To determine just how much you can expect to save on an older ship, I priced out cruises in three different locations: Europe, the Caribbean, and Alaska.

In each location, I selected ships of varied ages and sizes to compare the pricing between each. Pricing is based on a 7-night cruise for 2 adults. The cruise fare includes taxes and fees, but does not include gratuities.

European cruise: comparing prices by ship

Traveling to Europe is a dream for many cruisers, and Royal Caribbean sends both old and new cruise ships to Europe each summer season.

Let’s take a look at the prices you can expect to see on different classes of Royal Caribbean ships in Europe. These prices are for a European cruise in June.

Brilliance of the Seas (Radiance Class ship)

• Interior: $1952.76
• Balcony: $3014.76
• Grand Suite: $6075.76

Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class ship)

• Interior: $1932.90
• Balcony: $4230.90
• Grand Suite: $7212.90

Allure of the Seas (Oasis Class ship)

• Interior: $2512.98
• Balcony: $2994.98
• Grand Suite: $9267.98

Thoughts

There isn't much of a price difference for an inside room on Brilliance of the Seas (Vision Class ship) and Explorer of the Seas (Voyager Class ship), but the higher category staterooms see a some separation. While these two ships are older, Explorer of the Seas is a much larger vessel with many of Royal Caribbean’s signature features, such as the Royal Promenade and an ice-skating rink.

Allure of the Seas, as one of the fleet’s largest and will be updated in 2025, so it comes at a higher price than the smaller ships. However, the price difference between Symphony and the two smaller ships is not outrageous, especially if planning to cruise in a balcony cabin.

It’s also worth noting that, while a suite is over $2000 more on Allure of the Seas compared to older ships, you’ll receive many more benefits by cruising in a suite on an Oasis (or Quantum) Class ship. These ships are part of the Royal Suite Class, with benefits including complimentary VOOM internet, private Suite Sun Deck, and meals at Coastal Kitchen, a suites-only restaurant.

Caribbean cruise: comparing prices on Oasis Class ships only

While we tend to categorize Oasis Class cruise ships as new cruise ships, there is a 13 year gap between the oldest Oasis Class ship and the newest. Therefore, you can expect to see lower prices on the two older Oasis Class ships (Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas).

Let’s compare cruise fare pricing on three Oasis Class ships to determine how much of a price difference you can expect in the same ship class. These prices are for a Caribbean cruise in June.

Harmony of the Seas (7-nights)

• Interior: $2066.12
• Ocean view Balcony: $2273.12
• Junior Suite: $6840.12

Oasis of the Seas (6-nights)

• Interior: $2234.94
• Ocean view Balcony: $4599.94
• Junior Suite: $4383.94

Wonder of the Seas (7-nights)

• Interior: $2838.00
• Neighborhood view Balcony: $3557.00
• Junior Suite: $6933.00

Thoughts

Wonder of the Seas has some of the highest cruise fares in the fleet. You can expect to spend several hundred dollars more per person on Wonder of the Seas compared to other Oasis Class ships.

The homeport is a factor in price as well, as typically fares are lower for cruises from Galveston than Florida. In addition, Oasis of the Seas is doing 6- and 8-night cruises only, so it's not exactly the same itinerary for each of these ships.

Nonethless, the price of a Junior Suite is a good example of the pricing you can expect between ship ages.  The newest ship is priced the most compared to Oasis or Harmony.

You can expect to save a few hundred dollars per person on Oasis of the Seas compared to sailing on a new Oasis Class ship like Symphony or Wonder of the Seas.

Conclusion

There’s no denying that cruising on an older Royal Caribbean ship can save you money, but it isn’t so black and white.

As you can see in the examples above, cruise prices do not follow any set rules. Just because a ship is ~20 years older than another ship does not guarantee that you’ll see lower prices in every stateroom category.

Prices change from sailing to sailing and can fluctuate daily. You might be able to snag a suite on an older ship for the price of an interior cabin on a newer ship. On the contrary, however, you might end up paying more for a balcony on an older ship than a newer ship.

It’s typical that you’ll save a couple hundred dollars per person on an older ship compared to a newer ship, especially if you book far in advance. That being said, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of sailing on an older ship versus a newer ship before booking to ensure you don’t end up surprised or disappointed on embarkation day.

More cruise tips & tricks:

• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

If you’re on the hunt for the best cruise products this holiday season, you’ve come to the right place. I consider myself an expert cruiser after taking more than 50 cruises before the age of 30. With the holiday season upon us, now is the perfect time to find great deals on cruising essentials for your upcoming travels.

This year alone, I embarked on eight cruises across the world on four different cruise lines. These bucket-list itineraries whisked me away to five different continents: North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. It was a busy travel year for me, to say the least!.

Whether I was transiting through the airport, boarding trains, or sailing on the open sea, I spent much of my last year traveling. While unconventional for the average 29-year-old, my flexible remote work and role as a cruise writer allow me to travel often

Because of this, my suitcase is never stored away. My cruise cosmetic bag is always packed with travel-sized products, always ready for the next adventure. With my on-the-go lifestyle, I tend to pack the same travel essentials for all of my travels. This is especially true when I pack with just a carry-on, as suitcase space is limited.

In my opinion, not all cruise products are worth the hype. I’ve had a few products that fell short of expectations, which is always disappointing. However, some cruise essentials have changed the game for me and, therefore, I never leave home without them.

After trying dozens of cruise products this year, here are the top cruise products I would recommend purchasing this holiday season. If you choose to purchase from the affiliate links below, we will receive a small commission from your purchase - at no extra expense to you!

1. Magnetic Hooks

One of the most hyped cruise products has to be a set of magnetic hooks. Cruise cabins are often small and lack adequate storage, but magnetic hooks can provide additional space. I wasn’t sure if magnetic hooks would be worthwhile, considering this would be another item to pack away when cruising.

However, I finally ordered a set of magnetic hooks before sailing to Africa last January. If you’ve ever traveled to Africa, you’ll know that packing is difficult. You need to bring many non-standard items on your cruise, such as safari hats, DEET bug spray and scarves for protection.

In preparation for traveling two weeks in Africa, our cabin was quickly stuffed with our belongings. Having these magnetic hooks provided so much more space for us to hang items around the cabin without cluttering the small space.

If you’re looking for the perfect stocking stuffer, or you want to purchase your own set of magnetic hooks, now is the best time! This set of 10 hooks is only $5.85 right now

Link: Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks,30lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Cabins, Grill (Silver White, Pack of 10). 

Price: $5.85 (51% off)

2. Portable White Noise Machine

Cruise ships are inherently noisy. Whether you have a rowdy neighbor or you’re listening to the clunking of a lifeboat, it can be difficult to sleep. As someone who sleeps with white noise every night, I decided to splurge on a potable white noise machine for my cruises.

Before, I was relying on my phone to play white noise through an app, which was draining my battery. Even still, I wasn’t sure if this product would be worthwhile before packing it on my first cruise. Although minimal space was used to pack, the small size didn’t seem like it would have much horsepower to drown out the ship’s noise.

I was pleasantly surprised by how powerful this small machine was. With a variety of 15 looping sounds that can be played, I slept so much better during my cruises. Even on the noisiest of cruises, the white noise machine created a more peaceful environment for restful sleep. Now, I don’t cruise without it!

Link: White Noise Machine Babelio Mini Sound Machine for Adults Kids Baby | 15 Non-looping Sounds | Timer | Easy to Pocket and Travel - White. 

Price: $15.98 (20% off)

3. Foldable, Compact Charging Station

A recent purchase I loved is this compact, magnetized charging station. With Royal Caribbean’s newest restrictions on outlet extenders, I was exploring different ways to charge my devices without breaking the rules. Also, many older cruise ships only have one or two useable outlets, which can be frustrating when trying to charge multiple devices between everyone in the stateroom.

I’ve seen many travelers rave about these charging strands to simplify packing and save space. But, the price had always deterred me from pulling the plug. With a recent Prime Day deal, I decided to splurge on the purchase - now, it’s an essential item for my travels!

The charging stand is designed to charge Apple products, including your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. I’m not one to wirelessly charge my products, but this handy station charges devices quicker than any of my other cords from Amazon.

Additionally, the charging station allows your phone to be propped upwards to display the time like a clock. This is especially helpful for cruisers who want to be able to see the time in their stateroom.

Finally, the charging station is extremely compact and folds easily. Instead of needing to pack multiple chargers and cords, the magnetized charging station is all you should need. Being able to charge multiple devices quickly will be a game changer for your stateroom!

Link: Anker MagGo 3-in-1 iPhone 16 Charging Station, MagSafe-Compatible Wireless Charger Stand, Qi2 Certified 15W Foldable Charger for iPhone 15/14, AirPods, Apple Watch 9 (40W USB-C Charger Included). 

Price: $82.49 (25% off)

4. Compression Packing Cubes

Cruisers have been raving about packing cubes for quite some time now. Although I hopped on the bandwagon for packing cubes, I just ordered my first set of compression packing cubes this year. If you love packing cubes, then you need to purchase a set of compression packing cubes for your upcoming cruises!

Compression packing cubes squish down your clothes to save space in your luggage. With an extra zipper to compress the cube tightly, you can save so much space when traveling. If you prefer traveling with a carry-on, consider opting for compression packing cubes over standard ones.

For instance, I packed my large puffer jacket for a recent cruise to Norway. I was shocked at how much I could compress the coat with my compression packing cube. The cube allowed me to squeeze the coat into my carry-on bag, which I thought would be impossible.

In addition, you can stay organized in your luggage with separate packing cubes for your belongings. As someone who struggles to stay organized, I find that packing cubes allow me to fit everything in my luggage easily and neatly.

Getting settled in your cruise cabin is a breeze with packing cubes, too. You can simply remove the packing cubes from your suitcase and place them in your cabin’s closet, drawers or shelves. At the end of the sailing, you can place the cubes back in your suitcase (with one designated for dirty clothes, of course).

If you like to shop for souvenirs during your cruises, compression packing cubes will allow you to fit more in your suitcase as well. I’m always thankful that I can compress my belongings to make space for new treasures!

Link: BAGSMART 6 Set/4 Set/2 Set Compression Packing Cubes for Travel, Lightweight Vacation Travel Essentials, Travel Accessories for Suitcase Organizer Bags Set, Durable Luggage Organizer Travel Bags

Price: $31.99 (26% off)

5. Luggage Tag Holders

Another very popular item among cruisers is a set of luggage tag holders to attach on your suitcase. Most cruise lines require you to print out baggage tags so the crew members can easily locate your stateroom when delivering luggage.

These holders ensure your luggage tags remain secure and protected during embarkation. To be honest, I never understood the hype around these luggage tag holders and didn’t see the need for many years. I’ve never had issues with my tags falling off or getting damaged.

However, my parents decided to purchase these tags before our recent cruise in Australia - and now I won’t cruise without them! My dad let me borrow one of his tags to place on my suitcase before heading to the cruise terminal. It was pouring rain during embarkation in Sydney, but my luggage tag stayed intact thanks to the holder!

I was so thankful to have a protective covering on my luggage tag, as I saw many others get destroyed during the downpour. My tag was in perfect condition even during the rain and my bag arrived on time to my stateroom. I decided to purchase my own set of cruise luggage tags to use going forward!

Link: Royal Caribbean Cruise Luggage Tag Holder by Cruise On [4 Pack] Fits All Carnival & Royal Caribbean Ships & Tags, Cruise Ship Essentials 2024 & 2025 - Clear Luggage Tags for Cruise Ships. 

Price: $12.99

6. Hanging Cosmetic Bag

One of my all-time favorite travel products is a hanging cosmetic bag to stay organized. Not only do I bring my hanging cosmetic bag on every cruise, I also never travel without it. These hanging cosmetic bags are especially helpful for cruising, though.

Cruise cabins often have tiny bathrooms and limited counter space, making these bags with built-in hooks ideal for hanging on bathroom doors. This keeps your counter and vanity space less cluttered with all of your cosmetics in a convenient location.

There are multiple pockets to store your toiletries in clear pockets, including full-size products if you want. This makes organization a breeze while cruising. Also, if one of your bottles of shampoo decides to leak while in-transit, you won’t have damaged or wet clothes in your suitcase.

I’ve had my hanging cosmetic bag for years now, making it one of the best investments I’ve made for my cruising gear. If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift for the frequent cruiser or traveler in your life, then consider purchasing a hanging cosmetic organizer to simplify their travels.

Link: NISHEL Travel Toiletry Bag for women, Portable Hanging Organizer for Full-Sized Shampoo, Conditioner, Brushes Set, Makeup Accessories, Large Size, Pink. 

Price: $16.99 (39% off)

7. Travel Medicine Kit

Something I never cruise without is my travel pharmacy with a variety of over-the-counter medication. Purchasing medication onboard can be prohibitively expensive due to inflated prices. The medical center is also expensive to visit, so I try to prepare for the worst when cruising with a variety of medication.

Because of this, my small “pharmacy” is always fully stocked for my cruises. Without fail, I use something in my medication kit while cruising. My pharmacy includes Tylenol, Pepto or Tums, NyQuil, DayQuil, Imodium and Afrin. I also pack seasickness medication, antihistimems and sleep aids, along with bandaids and electrolyte packets. It may seem excessive, but I’ve never regretted being prepared.

One practical purchase to make for your upcoming cruise is a variety of OTC medication to pack for your travels. Of course, you could pack your own medication from home or purchase each medication. But, if you’re looking for a variety of medication to bring on your cruise, this kit should have you covered.

Even better, each medication comes individually wrapped, which is perfect to place in your suitcase or purse while cruising. You can’t beat the compactness and convenience for traveling.

Link: Travel Essentials Medicine Variety Pack with Travel RX Kit & Travel Medicine Kit for Travel, Camping, Cruises, 37 Individually Wrapped OTC Medications (2 Pack)

Price: $29.99 (9% off)

Cruise ship buffets are well known for offering a wide variety of food, but it's so easy to grab the first thing you see instead of the best items.

Part of the appeal of a buffet is arguably to load up on just about everything you care for, whether or not the food goes together is secondary.

After all, indulging on a cruise is part of what makes vacation fun.

I've found Royal Caribbean's Windjammer buffet to be a great choice for any meal. While I might not want to eat there for every meal, it always satisfies in a pinch.

Without a doubt, the hidden secret to the Windjammer is to look past the buffet lines and head to the cooking stations towards the back.

Freshly prepared food

It's hard to go wrong with the sheer variety of food around the buffet, but it's all food that was made in a batch.  It's not bad by any means, just not as fresh or customized as you'd like it.

Within the Windjammer are one or two cooking stations on every ship, and this is where I go first.

The cooking stations offer a specialty that a chef will make on the spot, and just the way you want it.

In the morning, this will be an omelet station where you can have your eggs prepared just as you want them. 

Moreover, there's a selection of vegetables and meats you can include in your eggs so you have them just the way like it.

Usually you can place your order and are given a pager to be notified when it's ready.  Most of the time, it's about a 5-10 minute wait.

Not only are the eggs made as you like them, but the taste is so much better than the mass-produced eggs you'll get elsewhere.

For lunch and dinner, the cooking stations shift to a specific food type and it varies each day and meal.

I've seen all sorts of cooking stations across different ships including:

• Asian stir fry
• Pasta
• Fried rice
• Soup

My two favorites are the Asian stir fry and pasta.

On my recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas, they had stir fry on just about every evening for dinner, and I kept going back again and again.  Sure, the rest of the buffet changed things up, but nothing ever quite compared.

Without a doubt, the appeal of these cooking stations is you can customize it exactly the way you want and it's all prepared on the spot. This is especially helpful for vegans or vegetarians.

And best of all, it's included in your cruise cost! It's surprising you can go to the cooking stations as many times as you want for no additional cost.

In my experience, a lot of cruisers head straight to the buffet lines and load up before they even see the cooking stations.  That's partly not their fault because the cooking stations are always in the back.

It's fairly common to hear from a cruiser they were unaware that was even an option. They assumed the stations were meal prep areas for the rest of the buffet.  

Cooking stations address the biggest problem with a buffet

Eating at a buffet is controversial for some people because it feels cheap and there's food quality concerns.

Because the cooking stations are all made when you order it, you don't deal with food that may have been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit.

Plus, the serving size is usually big enough to be considered an entree in and of itself. 

I especially like it when my kids want to go and have chicken fingers, hot dogs, or a burger and I don't have to feel like I'm compromising on my meal.

More Windjammer tips

Ready for a few more Windjammer secrets? Here's my best advice to take full advantage of Royal Caribbean's buffet.

Go there early

The Windjammer is open most hours of the day, but there are definitely peak times where it can feel very crowded.

• Embarkation day lunch
• 8am to 10am every morning

Ideally, you'll go on embarkation day before noon.  Get an early check-in time for your cruise, and then head up in the 11am hour before it gets really crowded.

As for breakfast, you should either try to wake up early and go, or sleep in and make brunch happen instead.

On ships that don't have Coastal Kitchen, there is usually a reserved area for suite guests or Pinnacle Club members for breakfast nearby, so ask a crew member where it's located.

Don't stop at the first station

When you walk in, everyone seems to stop at the first station to get food.

A lot of the food around the Windjammer repeats itself, with the same dish available in the back. Moreover, there's more options in the back and you don't need to go to each station in a linear fashion.

In fact, I think the food in the back is a better selection and far less crowded.

Get your drinks after your food

There's self-service drink stations where you can get water, coffee, and flavored waters, but get them after you have your food.

If you get your drinks first, you're going to have to try to balance the cup, your plate, and the serving tongs.

Take advantage of seating all the way in the back

If you're struggling to find a table, keep heading back.

Most people plop down at the first table they find, so look towards the rear to find more options.

On Royal Caribbean's Radiance and Quantum Class ships, there are outdoor seating areas at the very back that offer fresh air and great views with your meal.

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas has become the standard all other cruise lines compare their beach days to, and it's clear Carnival is taking notice.

Ever since Royal Caribbean overhauled CocoCay, it seemed to leap all the other private islands by going well beyond a beach and BBQ lunch offering.

Carnival announced on Tuesday its plans to upgrade Half Moon Cay, which is shared with Holland America Line.

Just like Royal Caribbean, Carnival is renaming its island.  The new name will be "RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay." You would not be alone in noticing "RelaxAway" rhymes with "Perfect Day".

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said in a statement, "Calling this piece of paradise RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay reinforces our commitment to preserve the attributes that make the destination so appealing as we expand access and welcome more guests to the destination’s crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and lush landscapes."

"Many of our 2026 and beyond itineraries will feature both RelaxAway and Celebration Key, providing guests with complimentary experiences enjoying both idyllic and ultimate beach days."

The new enhancements will begin to be completed by summer 2026 and continue through the end of the year.

What's coming to RelaxAway

Because Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line share visits to the island, the upgrades will be a joint operation.

When the work is done, the island will have an expanded beachfront experience, lunch venues, a variety of bars and, "other features that will reinforce the destination’s natural beauty and tropical appeal."

Another page out of Royal Caribbean's playbook is to add a pier to the island.  This will allow cruise ships to dock instead of tendering to the island.

The newly-constructed pier will be located on the north side, and can accommodate ships as large as Carnival’s Excel class ships. This will be the first time those size ships can visit the island.

When guests walk down the pier, they'll get to the welcome plaza on the island’s south and north sides.

The south side will "receive a refreshing Bahamian touch-up", a new beach club, an updated lunch venue and renovated facilities.

On the newly developed north side, there will be two lunch venues and a variety of island-themed bars. 

There will also be a new tram service to make it easier for guests to get around the island. 

In addition, lounging areas will be expanded, cabanas added and a new shore excursion pier on the north side will connect guests with recreational activities. 

Carnival says all of these upgrades are designed with nature in mind, "including architecture that complements the island’s stunning authenticity."

Expect further details to be revealed in the coming months. 

Private islands are big business

Cruise line private islands are not a new concept, but offering more than just a swath of beach is different.

All the major cruise lines have at least one private destination, and many lines are up to two. Royal Caribbean has CocoCay and Labadee, with a third coming to Mexico.

Private islands make good business sense. They capture more of their customers spending, the capacity and amenities are directly controlled by the cruise line to ensure it matches up with their standards, and it delivers high guest satisfaction rates.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said their private island is at the very top of guest approval rankings, "CocoCay is the number one destination that Royal Caribbean goes to in the world out of 100 global destinations, because it’s a curated experience designed and built to deliver a high-level experience to the customer. At the end of the day that’s all that matters."

With overtourism concerns and votes to limit cruise ships abound, private islands are seen as a safe bet to ensure ships have a good fallback if itineraries need to be altered.

Plus, it's generated extra revenue for the cruise lines.  At a time when all cruise lines are paying back hefty loans incurred during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020-2021, increasing revenue anywhere possible is a smart move.

Carnival isn't just working on Half Moon Cay. They've already announced a $600 million project  to build its private destination at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, which is set to open in 2025.

When you can go on a cruise for cheap, it's difficult to find many faults, but there are some downsides to a low-cost sailing in an inside cabin.

Thanks to an amazing offer from Royal Caribbean's casino, I was able to go on a 5-night cruise to Mexico for just $200 in an inside cabin.

There's no doubt it was a fantastic value, but I missed having a view and easy access to the outdoors more than I expected.

I've been cruising for a couple of decades now, and I've stayed in plenty of inside cabins before. I'm not someone who tried it for the first time and had a kneejerk reaction to it, so I knew what the experience was like.

However, this time around, I found waking up in the morning to pitch black more jarring than in the past.

Because my inside cabin on deck had no windows, the room was pitch black when my alarm would go off in the morning. I felt like my brain didn't connect that it's morning and I kept thinking I was waking up in the middle of the night.

Likewise, if I woke up on my own, I had no idea if it was 2am or 7am.  It's my personal theory the secret to falling back asleep quickly if you wake up at night is not to open your eyes or check your phone, so a few times I probably woke up 10 minutes before my alarm went off and tried to go back to sleep, only to be awoken again by the alarm.

Had I been in an oceanview cabin or balcony, I would have sensed some light coming in the room and been more aware if it was night or day time.

By the end of the 5-night sailing, I knew the next time I stay in an inside cabin I need to make changes.

I think one factor for me was the length of the sailing.  Most (if not all) of my inside cabin experiences have been on short weekend cruises.  

Weekend cruises go by so quickly and there's so much happening that I don't think the lack of light impacts me as much as on a longer sailing.

While I loved how easy it was to fall asleep in the darkness of the room, I lamented every morning re-adjusting to that lack of light.

I'd stumble around getting up, turn on the lights in the cabin and bathroom, and it felt like "deer in headlights" every time.

Of course, once I was awake and had my wits about me, my inside cabin was perfectly acceptable.

It's not spacious, but it offers just enough space for my belongings and there's room at the vanity for my laptop so I can start my work for the day.

In fact, I think the amount of storage space for a ship as small and old as Serenade of the Seas is ample, and it's better than some newer ship inside cabins I've been in.

Three things I'll do differently next time

Since coming home, I started working on how I could make the inside cabin experience better to avoid this issue.

First, I will bring a sunrise alarm clock with me on my cruise.

I probably mocked this device the first time I heard of it, but I think this would be the game changer for my problem.

It's an alarm clock that has a light that will illuminate slowly to let you know there's daylight out.

The sunrise alarm clock I bought has a gradual light, with two alarms and even has noise you can sleep to: birds, running water, white noise, and more. (Link contains an Amazon affiliate link that costs you nothing extra to use, but I get a commission if you buy it)

It also has a sunset feature which will slowly get darker as the evening progresses, but I doubt I'd use that feature since that never bothered me.  Plus, I'm rarely in my cabin past dinner until it's time to sleep.

The second thing I'll bring with me is a nightlight for the bathroom.

I was lucky that this particular cabin had a motion activated light in the ceiling. I had never seen that on any Royal Caribbean ship, and I assume it was added because of the World Cruise.

Some newer Royal Caribbean ships have a standby light in the bathroom, but the one on Serenade was pitch black. 

I'll admit, there are times I've tried to use the facilities without turning a light on so that I could fall back asleep easier, but it doesn't always work out as well as my memory of the bathroom would lead me to believe.

Therefore, a battery operated nightlight is probably the right move to pack as well. (Amazon affiliate link included here)

It's powered by 3 AAA batteries and has LED lights that are activated when motion is detected. The base is magnetic too, so that means you can attach it to any wall or door in your cabin.

Lastly, I'd probably at least consider trying bidding for a stateroom upgrade.

It never crossed my mind to try a Royal Up bid, but I also think I was focused on my super cheap deal. 

Nonetheless, I bet it would have been a low cost to move up to an oceanview cabin. For $50-$100 extra, it probably would have been worth trying to upgrade my cabin.

Of course, there's no guarantee there will be an upgrade option actually available or that your bid will win, but it's a low risk and high reward option.  As long as the bid isn't too outrageous, I feel like it might be the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

There's one extra important step to take before going on a European cruise in 2025 if you're sailing from the United Kingdom.

There's a new requirement for tourists visiting the UK that goes into effect next month and it adds a piece of digital paperwork

As of January 8, 2025, travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will need to obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. European nationals have until April 2, 2025 to start using it.

It applies to tourists, business travelers, and even flight layovers. If you try to go to the UK without a valid ETA, you may face fines or be denied boarding by their airline.

The point of it is to enhance border security through advanced screening.

Essentially, this is a digital travel permission system. Don't confuse it with a visa, as it's meant to streamline border control processes and allows authorities to screen travelers before they arrive.

Do you need to get an ETA?

If you aren't a resident of Ireland or the UK, you're probably going to need to get an ETA.

However, when you need to start getting one depends on where you live.

Residents of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already been using the system as part of a pilot program.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia: The new requirement begins January 8, 2025.

Citizens of European Union countries, along with other eligible European nations: The requirement doesn't begin until April 2, 2025, but since cruises are in the summer, they'll still need to get one for this season.

The following people are exempt from getting one:

• UK and Irish citizens
• Travelers with valid UK visas

How the ETA works

The application fee is £10 ($13 USD), and it's all done online.

Once you do it, you can use it for for two years or until the your passport expires, whichever comes first. That means you can take multiple trips to the UK without re-applying again.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

1. A valid passport: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity for your travel plans.
2. A recent digital photo: The photo must meet UK passport photo requirements.
3. Travel details: Provide the dates and purpose of your trip.
4. A valid debit or credit card: This will be used to pay the £10 application fee.
5. An email address: This is where you’ll receive confirmation of your ETA approval.

The system claims it can take up to 3 days to process, but some people are reporting it taking just a few minutes.

You can apply for an ETA online or through the iPhone or Android apps. 

You just need to have it before you begin your travel to Europe. The airline may ask to see it before you fly.