Royal Caribbean Blog

One of the lesser known activities on Royal Caribbean are the cruise line’s escape rooms, and I tried the newest puzzle room to see if it was worth it.

On several of Royal Caribbean’s ships, guests can reserve a time slot at an escape room, a room in which guests must figure out a series of puzzles in order to “break free” and win the challenge. The activity comes with an extra cost, and the escape room’s theme varies depending on the ship.

Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, debuted a brand-new escape room onboard, and the experience costs $30 for a half hour in the room.

Some passengers may question whether or not it’s worth it to pay extra for an activity on a ship with nearly endless complimentary activities—myself included. I’m always looking to try new activities on Royal Caribbean, though, so I decided to book a time slot on my weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas.

I wanted to see what the escape room was like and whether or not it’s worth paying extra for the short experience.

As an escape room novice, I was skeptical about whether I would enjoy the activity

Two years prior to my Utopia of the Seas cruise, I booked an escape room on Oasis of the Seas. It was my first time trying an escape room, and I remember feeling slightly intimidated around the other guests who appeared to be escape room experts.

I didn’t know where or how to look for clues, and even though my group solved the puzzle before time ran out, I’m not sure I helped in any way whatsoever.

Nevertheless, I wanted to give Royal Caribbean’s escape rooms another try. I thought I would have a better idea of what to do this time around, so I tried to maintain an open mind about the experience.

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to have an escape room, and there are currently seven escape rooms across the fleet

Royal Caribbean is always trying to add new activities and thrills for guests, and escape rooms have been a huge success for the cruise line.

The rooms are designed and implemented by Puzzle Break, the first escape room company founded in the United States. I actually had the chance to speak to Lindsay Morse, the Game Designer for Puzzle Break, while onboard Utopia of the Seas, and her insights gave me a newfound appreciation for these addicting puzzle experiences.

She explained how escape rooms were viewed with curiosity when the company first launched in 2013.

“Back then it was a weird thing. We’d be like, we’re going to lock someone in a room and they’re gonna pay us money, and it’s like…what?!”

Clearly, however, Royal Caribbean saw an opportunity with escape rooms, and the cruise line launched a partnership with Puzzle Break prior to Harmony of the Seas’ launch in 2015. The ship was the first in the fleet to feature an escape room, Escape the Rubicon, and since then, escape rooms have been added to six more ships in the fleet.

Related: 50 things everyone should do on a Royal Caribbean cruise at least once

Currently, you can find an escape room on Harmony of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. An eighth escape room is slotted and ready to install on Icon of the Seas, too.

All escape rooms are unique. Even those that have a similar look to the room, such as the escape room on Mariner and Navigator of the Seas, offer completely different puzzles to solve.

Escape U: Freshman Year is the escape room on Utopia of the Seas

With the launch of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, came another escape room: Escape U: Freshman Year.

Although solving puzzles is fun enough, every escape room on Royal Caribbean follows a storyline. These storylines allow guests to better immerse themselves in the puzzle experience.

Oasis of the Seas, for instance, features an escape room titled Mission Control: Apollo 18. The escape room transports participants back to 1973, as they work together to launch a spacecraft to the moon before time runs out.

“[The escape room] on Oasis was hard to design,” Morse explained. “A lot of research went into it about the Apollo program. All things in that game were related to real life.”

On Utopia of the Seas, however, Escape U tells the story of a group of elite freshman students who, upon entering their classroom, discover that their professor has gone missing. A maximum of twelve participants (the “students”) must then work together as quickly as possible in order to find their professor.

Most of Royal Caribbean’s escape rooms are 60 minutes, but Utopia’s is only 30 minutes

Something you’ll notice when booking the escape room on Utopia of the Seas is that the experience is only 30 minutes long. All of Royal Caribbean’s other escape rooms offer a 60-minute experience.

When I asked about the time difference, Morse explained how Utopia of the Seas’ short, 3 and 4-night cruise itineraries led to the change.

“Often the escape room sells out before people even get onboard,” she said, “so this gets more people to play.”

In addition to the increase in time slots for Escape U, the 30-minute length could be more appealing to passengers on a short itinerary. Every minute of a cruise vacation counts, and with only a few days onboard, committing to a 30-minute experience might be more appealing than spending a whole hour at the escape room.

The time change seems to have worked, because the escape room sold out on the inaugural sailing of Utopia of the Seas.

While I was skeptical, I had nothing to worry about—the escape room was a ton of fun

As a beginner at escape rooms, my hesitations about the activity were unnecessary. The room ended up being a lot more enjoyable than I could have imagined.

Upon arrival at the escape room, myself and eleven other participants received a brief introduction about the room, letting us know that we were students who needed to save our missing professor.

During this time, we all introduced ourselves to the group as well, which helped to break the ice with other passengers.

After the introduction, we entered the room, which was designed like a typical classroom. The timer started, and everyone immediately began to look for clues.

Just like on Oasis of the Seas, several participants took charge over others, and I felt a little lost on what to do. There are no instructions to an escape room; instead, participants must look for clues themselves.

I, of course, do not want to spoil the escape room for those who plan to participate on their Utopia of the Seas cruise. What I will say, though, is that I ended up finding a key clue that allowed us to progress further with the game. I felt quite successful given my subpar performance at my first escape room.

With just 23 seconds left, we completed the puzzle, and managed to “find” our professor. What a relief!

I thought the escape room had an ideal level of difficulty

I'm no professional escape room participant, and I was initially concerned the puzzles would be too complicated to figure out. Yet I found the difficulty level adequate—it was neither too easy nor too difficult.

It’s essential for an escape room to be just complicated enough. If a room is too simple, participants will solve the puzzles in only a few minutes. Yet if the room is made too challenging, it’s likely to lead to frustration.

Speaking with Lindsay Morse after the experience, the game designer explained how tweaks are frequently made to the game prior to launch. Before a room launches on a Royal Caribbean ship, an identical game is set up on land, where test groups first play through the room.

By observing the test groups, game designers can tweak certain elements of the room to increase or decrease the difficulty.

“Most of what we’re looking for is that people have fun, that they’re not frustrated or bored, and that everyone stays engaged the whole time,” she explained.

For $30, I would try other escape rooms on Royal Caribbean

Even though I entered Utopia of the Seas’ escape room feeling skeptical, I left feeling happy I booked the add-on experience. Now that I have done two escape rooms, I have a better idea of how they work, and I’d say $30 was a fair price for the activity.

I actually preferred that it was just a half hour, especially because the cruise was so short. The shorter time allowed me to better fit the activity into my day without feeling like I was missing out on other programming happening onboard.

And even though the ship offers a plethora of complimentary onboard activities—waterslides, rock climbing, and a zip line, to name a few—the escape room offered a unique experience I could not find on other ships.

I love how Puzzle Break designs the rooms to be different on each ship, and now I’m itching to solve the five other escape rooms I have yet to try.

Serenade of the Seas will sail from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama in 2025 and 2026. 

The Radiance Class vessel is set to conclude Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise on September 10, 2024. Afterward, the 90,090 gross registered ton ship will remain in Tampa through March 2025, offering 5- to 9-night cruises to the Caribbean, before relocating to the West Coast for a summer season in Alaska. 

Then, Serenade of the Seas will embark on a 13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Miami on September 19, marking the last time the ship will visit Florida through at least April 2026. 

Effective October 5, Serenade will offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama.

Sailings departing from Cartagena, Colombia will spend a day in Colon, Panama, and vice versa

Similar to many European cruises, all voyages on Serenade of the Seas from Colombia and Panama are "interport" sailings, meaning that guests may choose their embarkation city. 

Unlike Caribbean sailings that depart solely from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral, interport cruises offer flexibility and a broader choice for travelers, allowing guests to determine which city is most convenient or appealing for their departure. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is sailing interport cruises, where passengers may embark in Barcelona, Spain or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Read more: I sailed on a Radiance Class ship

Most itineraries are 7 nights

On October 5, 2025, Serenade will depart from Cartagena, Colombia on a 7-night cruise to Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Colón, Panama before returning to Colombia on October 12. 

Though all itineraries visit at least two of the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) islands, each voyage offers a blend of destinations and experiences. Some, for example, may only visit Bonaire and Curaçao, while others call at Curaçao and Aruba or Aruba and Bonaire. 

Select sailings visit all three: 

• December 12, 2025 from Colón, Panama
• December 14, 2025 from Cartagena, Colombia

On sailings with three ports of call, including Panama or Colombia, the ship will spend three days at sea. 

If you want to sail through the Panama Canal, you will have to book a dedicated Panama Canal cruise

Colón, Panama sits at the entrance to the Panama Canal and is a significant port city for maritime trade. However, it's not located inside the canal. Instead, it serves as a gateway to the canal's operations. 

Sailing through the Panama Canal is a bucket list cruise for many, as it offers a unique opportunity to traverse one of the world's most famous engineering marvels. 

Do not book a sailing to the Southern Caribbean on Serenade of the Seas in hopes of seeing the canal in person—you'll end up disappointed. 

Royal Caribbean offers repositioning cruises through the canal throughout the year, typically in the fall and spring. In 2025, guests may choose from four sailings on two Radiance Class ships: Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. 

• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 13
• 15-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 19
• 13-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida on September 19
• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from San Diego, California to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 4 

Updates to Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor single supplement benefit

WAAAYTOOO took to Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion forum to share an update they received in their recent Crown & Anchor newsletter. 

"Starting August 1, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members with more than 340 points will enjoy a reduced single supplement cruise fare of 125% on all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings," the post reads. 

"We want to make booking these popular voyages even easier. For all other sailings, you will continue to enjoy a reduced single supplement fare of 150%."

Read more: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

This means, for example, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus cruisers would only pay $1,250. Before this update, the fare would have cost $1,500. 

The change only applies to Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus sailors with 340+ cruise points. There's no single supplement benefit for Gold, Platinum, Emerald, or Diamond Crown & Anchor members. 

If you're booked in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, you'll get access to the cruise line's suite lounge. 

Suite guests and Pinnacle Club members are able to access the lounge, which includes complimentary beverages in the evening, snacks throughout the day, a self-service coffee machine, and plush seating.

I'm able to access the lounge either because I'm booked in a suite or because I've attained Pinnacle Club status in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

I like how quiet the suite lounge can be in the daytime, and how much fun it can be meeting other passengers during the happy hour each evening. I also like having access to the food and drink, along with the services of the Suite Concierge.

Here are five things I never do in Royal Caribbean's suite lounge.

Stuff yourself on food

There's snacks to enjoy in the suite lounge three times per day, and the exact variety will vary. By far, the evening hors d'oeuvres are the best choice with skewered meats, charcuterie boards, eggrolls, and more.

They can be tempting, especially because it's "included" and costs nothing to enjoy, but I won't load up my plate unless I'm starving or know I won't be eating for a while. I've made that mistake before and it resulted in ruining my appetite for dinner.

I think dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise is the most celebrated meal of the day, and there's also the best choices around. 

I enjoy going to the suite lounge for a few pre-dinner drinks, especially on ships that have a bar in the suite lounge (such as the Radiance Class ships). It's a great way to meet people and enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages without a drink package.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink package information and tips

After a drink or two, having a snack can be mighty tempting, but I try to limit my consumption and snacking so that I can enjoy the great dinner service offered on the ship.

Have a phone call

The suite lounge isn't a library, but I do think it's important to be respectful of others in the lounge.

Just like on an airplane, train, or cafe, no one wants to hear someone else's phone conversation. 

If I get a phone call, I'll answer and quickly ask them to hang on or I'll call them back so I can step out of the lounge and take the call.  This is easy on the Voyager Class ships that have an outdoor deck to the suite lounge, but sometimes I'll actually walk back to my stateroom or another public area.

Part of the fun of the suite lounge is to have a conversation with someone there, but I do think phone calls tend to be louder.  And if someone has their speakerphone on, then it's just annoying to others to have to hear.

While it hasn't been an issue I've seen, I would always use headphones for any kind of audio while in the lounge. 

Stiff the concierge or bar staff

Tipping on a cruise is a bit of a gray area because it's not that well defined, but you should expect to tip while in the suite lounge.

How much and who you tip really depends on how much interaction you have with the staff.  

If I spend some time in the lounge and get to know the suite concierge, I usually tip that person at the end of the sailing.  The amount depends on how much I ask of them, how long the sailing is, and how well I get to know them.  There isn't a right or wrong amount, they're appreciative of what you can give them.

The sort of things the suite concierge can do for you is escort you off the ship to bypass the line of guests disembarking, fix billing issues, book specialty restaurants, or basically do anything Guest Services can do. On some cruises, I ask a lot of them, and others not so much.  Even if all I do is stop in to get an escort off the ship on disembarkation day, I'll tip them for the help.

Read more: 8 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible on disembarkation day

The other time to tip while in the suite is when you order a drink from the wait staff.

You can get complimentary alcoholic beverages every day in the suite lounge (refer to your welcome letter in your suite for exact hours) and there are waiters to take your drink order.

A dollar or two per drink is the customary tip, although some guests will tip a specific waiter at the end of the sailing.  

Sneak non-suite guests in

It can be tempting to want to bring friends and family into the suite lounge so you can all hang out, but it's against the rules if they aren't also in a suite.

This isn't so much about protecting Royal Caribbean (although it is strictly against the rules), but rather, being considerate of your fellow passengers.

Suite lounges are not big. In fact, many are quite tiny. It's why Royal Caribbean will sometimes restrict the amount of Pinnacle Club members that can access the lounge.

Leave my kids unattended

Don't confuse the suite lounge with the adults-only Solarium, but I still wouldn't let my kids just hang out alone in there either.

I like to take my kids into the suite lounge so we can enjoy time together, plus allow them to enjoy the suite benefits they're entitled to.  It's a good way to introduce them to what to expect, so when they're older, they know how to act.

I love my kids, but I know when left unsupervised, they can sometimes be loud or simply annoy each other and that can get loud.  This goes back to some of the other faux pas' I listed in this post about being respectful of other guests.

I have no problem sending my kids up to the lounge by themselves on a mission to grab a drink or snack, but never to hang out.

What was it like to cruise in the 1980s?

A series of vintage ads and photos show what Royal Caribbean cruises were like before the turn of the century.

Royal Caribbean was founded in 1968 by Norwegian shipping companies.

Song of Norway was the cruise line's first ship, a 550-foot vessel that's tiny in comparison to modern mega-ships.

Royal Caribbean used to have a much stronger focus on its Norwegian background.

In a brochure from July 1986, the cruise line gives cruisers tips on what to expect and how to pack for their vacation.

"Velkommen ombord!" The brochure begins.

Let's take a blast to the past as we outline what a Royal Caribbean cruiser could expect in 1986.

Cruisers dressed casually for the times, wearing breezy tropical outfits. Shorts and dresses were the norm.

However, the evenings were much more formal than modern day.

Read more: Photos show what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s

"Ladies will wear dresses, and the gentlemen, coats and ties half the time, casual wear the rest of the time," reads the Velkommen brochure.

You could expect to see a lot more formal wear onboard.

Instead of using a SeaPass card, staterooms were unlocked with a physical key.

A paper Cruise Compass was available for guests to discover information about the schedule and ports of call.

News about the outside world was also delivered to staterooms daily, featuring world weather, news flashes, and stock quotations.

Cruisers could use their stateroom telephone to call other guests and ship services.

Tipping was recommended but not required.

The rates in USD were as follows: 

• For your dining room waiter: $2.50 a day, per person
• For your cabin steward: $2.50 a day, per person
• For your busboy: $1.25 a day, per person

The brochure recommends handing bar waiters, bellboys, and bartenders their tips as you are served.

The Casino Royale was available on three Royal Caribbean ships: Song of Norway, Song of America, and the Nordic Prince.

The casino had American roulette, blackjack, and electronic slot machines. Guests could bring their own group to play with or ask a hostess to arrange a game.

The Sun Viking did not have a casino, just slot machines and a card room for games.

As for dining, Royal Caribbean cruises in the 80s focused on the Main Dining Room, the outdoor cafe, and room service.

Dinner time had two seatings: 6:30 P.M. and 8:30 P.M.

Similar to now, each night had a different theme for dinner: Italian, French, Caribbean, or American.

In contrast to today, however, the ship's galleys were not able to prepare meals for special diets, such as kosher or salt-free. 

Early birds who woke up early could go up to the outdoor cafe on the lido and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Continental breakfast could also be delivered to guests' staterooms.

For breakfast in the Main Dining Room, cruisers could eat at 7:30 A.M. or 8:45 A.M.

Those who woke up later could enjoy a breakfast buffet at the outdoor cafe, similar to today's Windjammer buffet.

On sea days, a sit-down lunch was served in the Main Dining Room.

A typical lunch in the Main Dining Room included everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to a fisherman's platter to beef Stroganoff.

On port days, lunch became a light buffet with open seating.

The outdoor cafe would serve open-air meals throughout the day: hamburgers, hot dogs, afternoon tea, sandwiches, cookies, and pastries.

At midnight, the dining room would serve a "Midnight Buffet," a gorgeous feast for the eyes and an opportunity for nighttime snacks.

The Captain of the ship would hold a Welcome Aboard Cocktail party on the second night of the sailing.

Each seating in the Main Dining Room was greeted by a speech from the Captain, hor d'oeuvres, and cocktails.

Passengers were encouraged to get really dressed up and socialize!

Entertainment was smaller than it is today, but far from non-existent.

Read more: 11 Old-School photos of Royal Caribbean

On the Song of Norway, the Song of America, and the Nordic Prince, guests could enjoy The RCCL Revue, a Vegas-style, glitter-filled performance with singers and dancers.

On the Sun Viking, professional entertainers and glamorous acts amused that changed from show to show.

On modern-day Royal Caribbean cruises, sailings host a 70 or 80's night onboard.

But back in the 80's, past decades were the theme!

The brochure recommends that guests bring blue jeans for 50's and 60's nights, as well as Country and Western nights.

On one night of each sailing, the nightclub transformed into the Rock 'n' Roll era, complete with bobby socks, poodle skirts, and Angora sweaters.

The Country and Western night was for passengers to wear cowboy boots, suspenders, blue jeans, and bandannas.

Dances included the Cotton Eyed Joe, the Texas Two Step, and the country waltz.

Plus, there was a night to relive the 90s—the 1890s, that is.

"Pack your garters, suspenders, bustles, and spats," the brochure says. 

The evening was called the "gay nineties night," and featured ragtime piano, straw hats, striped blazers, and vaudeville. 

Plus, guests could dress up in masks for a masquerade night, or pirate costumes for pirate's night.

According to the 1986 brochure: "Ladies win their prizes simply by being fetching. Gentlemen win by being fierce."

"Be with us when we hoist the Jolly Roger, and take over the ship."

Passengers could also show off their skills during a passenger talent show!

A ladies' night reversed the genders: women asked men to dance, bought the drinks, and lit the cigarettes.

At specific times, guests were invited to visit the Bridge for free and witness the captain and crew navigate the ship.

Other events included wine and cheese tasting, a white elephant auction, poolside bingo, feature films, and live music.

The ShipShape exercise program encouraged guests to get active onboard.

Every time they joined a ShipShape event, they'd earn "dollars" which could then be spent on merchandise like T-shirts and visors.

Activities included walking the sports deck, dance classes, exercise classes, skeet shooting, and deck games like shuffleboard, ping pong, basketball, and golf.

In the past three years, I’ve cruised on all six of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships, and I’m ranking them from best to worst.

Oasis Class ships have turned heads ever since the first ship, Oasis of the Seas, launched in 2008. She was anything but a traditional cruise ship; for the first time ever, a Royal Caribbean ship was split into distinct neighborhoods.

Whether the family-friendly, open-air Boardwalk at the ship’s aft or two-story Royal Promenade, the Oasis Class truly redefined what a cruise ship could be.

Throughout the past sixteen years, five more Oasis Class ships have launched: Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. After cruising on every Oasis Class ship, I’ve come to favor some more than others. 

All six Oasis Class vessels are more alike than different, but each ship offers varied entertainment, restaurants, and onboard activities. Other touches, such as decor or differences in layout, change from ship to ship, too. Don’t get me wrong—all of my cruise experiences were excellent—but in the end, it was the subtle differences that made me favor one over the other.

Here’s my ranking of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships from best to worst.

Wonder of the Seas

At the top of my list of Oasis Class ships is Wonder of the Seas, which launched in early 2022. The ship’s layout, design features, and restaurants make Wonder my favorite in her class.

Wonder of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to have a slightly different layout from her sister ships. A Suite Neighborhood was added to the upper decks, the Windjammer buffet was expanded to decrease crowding, and the adults-only Solarium was fully enclosed so it could be climate-controlled.

Related: Wonder of the Seas vs other Oasis Class ships

Everything on Wonder of the Seas felt exceptionally modern and well-designed during my week onboard. I loved listening to live country music at The Mason Jar, grabbing a drink from the tropical Lime and Coconut bar on the pool deck, and relaxing in the Solarium without breaking a sweat.

Honestly, the ship is nearly identical to Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Utopia of the Seas, but what makes Wonder of the Seas higher on my list are her itineraries.

Currently, Wonder of the Seas sails 7-night itineraries compared to Utopia’s 3 and 4-night sailings. As someone who does not live within driving distance to a cruise port, I’m more drawn to a longer cruise in order to make the travel time worthwhile.

Of course, not everything on the ship is perfect. I wish Wonder of the Seas featured a Broadway musical, for instance, but in general, I found the cons minimal. If I were given the chance to sail on an Oasis Class ship today, a 7-night itinerary on Wonder of the Seas would be my first choice.

It's worth mentioning that the ship will offer only short cruises starting in August of 2025, but as she stands currently, Wonder of the Seas is my favorite Oasis Class ship.

Utopia of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s newest Oasis Class ship, Utopia of the Seas, aims to provide the “Biggest Weekend” at sea. The ship, which only sails 3 and 4-night itineraries, markets toward cruisers in search of a quick getaway filled with themed parties and nonstop entertainment.

Related: Utopia of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

From the all-new Royal Kappa Chi college-themed party to the Toga Silent Disco, the three days I spent on Utopia of the Seas were anything but boring. And even though I wouldn’t say the party vibe was entirely my vibe, participating in the activities was not a requirement.

On the whole, the ship’s atmosphere did not feel drastically different to that of other Oasis Class ships. If you didn’t attend the evening parties, sailing on the ship mostly felt like cruising on any other ship in the class.

The layout and amenities were nearly identical to Wonder of the Seas, with a Suite Neighborhood and colorful pool deck. I appreciated the addition of a few venues not found on any other Oasis Class ship, including the Pesky Parrot tiki bar and the Royal Railway immersive dining experience.

Newer is usually better when it comes to cruise ships, but in this case, I still prefer the older Wonder of the Seas over Utopia of the Seas. The sticker price of the shiny new vessel is steep, and I can’t justify paying the same price for a 3-night cruise that I could pay for a 7-night cruise on a slightly older Oasis Class ship.

There’s no question that sailing on Utopia of the Seas is fun and that she provides the best-of-the-best Oasis Class features, but I’d still rather book a longer cruise itinerary.

Oasis of the Seas

Among my favorite Oasis Class ships is Oasis of the Seas. Of all of Royal Caribbean's ships, the first Oasis Class ship was perhaps the most influential. While we might now view a park on a cruise ship with normalcy, this certainly wasn’t the case in 2008!

Over the years, as expected, Oasis of the Seas began to show her age. In 2019, she underwent a $165 million amplification, which added waterslides, new restaurants, and a reimagined pool deck.

Related: Oasis of the Seas ship guide: Cabins, itineraries, what to expect

I sailed on Oasis of the Seas after her amplification, and I loved every minute of my experience onboard. I tried out the escape room, rode the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, and sipped on fruity cocktails on the Caribbean-inspired pool deck.

During my cruise, I particularly enjoyed the spacious outdoor sun deck in the Solarium along with Aqua80, the ship’s high-energy AquaTheater show. I also splurged on a pass to the spa’s thermal suite, which surely helped me enjoy my cruise even more.

In short, I didn’t find much at all to complain about on Oasis of the Seas. I prefer the more updated layout of Wonder and Utopia of the Seas, but the amplification of Oasis of the Seas helped the ship feel just as contemporary as the newer ships in the class.

Symphony of the Seas

Near the middle of my ranking is Symphony of the Seas, the fourth Oasis Class ship that launched in 2018. After spending a week onboard the ship last year, I found no major issues with the vessel, and my Western Caribbean vacation was just about perfect.

Related: Top 10 Symphony of the Seas hidden secrets

All things considered, Symphony of the Seas could easily be in my top three favorite Oasis Class ships. I found the ship impeccably clean, and I appreciated the design features throughout, especially the Solarium's Big Wonder art installation that lights up at night.

Additionally, my favorite Italian restaurant on Royal Caribbean—Jamie’s Italian—is found onboard, and I loved watching the ship’s Broadway production of Hairspray.

So why the lower ranking? Ultimately, I prefer the enhanced layout and offerings of Wonder and Utopia, along with the Caribbean pool vibe you can also find on Oasis of the Seas.

I wouldn’t purposely avoid Symphony of the Seas over the three aforementioned ships, but given the chance, it would probably be my fourth choice for an Oasis Class cruise vacation.

Harmony of the Seas

As if the Oasis Class ships couldn’t be game-changing enough, the launch of Harmony of the Seas in 2015 brought an even bigger wow factor to the Oasis Class.

Compared to the two Oasis Class ships built before her—Oasis and Allure—Harmony of the Seas debuted with upgraded activities. She had the first-ever waterslides on an Oasis Class ship along with the Ultimate Abyss dry slide and an escape room.

Related: Harmony of the Seas cruise ship review

In a way, Harmony paved the way for the next three Oasis Class ships, which all share these features, and also inspired the amenities added during Oasis of the Seas’ amplification.

Despite being a cutting-edge ship at the time, Harmony of the Seas ranks fifth on my list. Truthfully, though, she is so similar to Symphony of the Seas that I had to nitpick in order to rank her lower on the list.

Simply put, I prefer Hairspray over Harmony’s Broadway production of Grease, and I would prefer if the ship had a pool in the Solarium as opposed to just jacuzzis.

Obviously, none of these differences are deal breakers. I would never hesitate to sail on the ship again, but I would probably pick the other ships first.

Allure of the Seas

Somewhat unsurprisingly, Allure of the Seas is at the bottom of my list. After trying all six Oasis Class vessels, there’s no doubt that Allure of the Seas is the most in need of a refresh.

Launched in 2009, Allure has yet to receive her Royal Amplification, which will add new activities, dining venues, and bars onboard, as well as renovate existing cabins and public spaces. Due to this, the ship feels somewhat outdated within the fleet, especially when comparing her to her sister ships.

Related: Allure of the Seas cruise ship review

She lacks waterslides, a Splashaway Bay aqua park for kids, and updated Adventure Ocean kids programming. Notably, Allure of the Seas is missing the Ultimate Abyss slide, which travels from the Sports Deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood. Although this means that guests staying in Boardwalk balcony cabins can enjoy a less-obstructed view, it also means there is one less activity to try onboard.

As far as restaurants, Allure of the Seas lacks the cruise line’s newest concepts, including Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen. Instead, you’ll find venues you won’t find on most other Royal Caribbean ships, such as Sabor Mexican restaurant and Samba Grill Brazilian steakhouse.

In addition, the cabins on Allure of the Seas feel more dated than cabins on other Oasis Class ships. There are not as many outlets available throughout the room, and the cabin’s decor and furnishings could use a refurbishment.

Related: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean’s classic Oasis Class features are still there, including a tranquil Central Park, dynamic Boardwalk, and bustling Royal Promenade. In addition, I had no complaints about the ship’s entertainment, which features a Broadway production of Mamma Mia along with ice-skating and AquaTheater shows.

Fortunately, Allure of the Seas is set to receive an amplification in the spring of 2025. Official changes and new venues are yet to be announced, but it can be assumed that she will receive the line’s newest renditions of restaurants and onboard activities. Following her amplification, she will likely be on an even playing field with her sister ships.

Ancient Mayan ruins have been something that has always fascinated me, and I finally had the opportunity to see them myself.

While preparing for a cruise on Radiance of the Seas, I knew that I wanted to see Mayan ruins during the ship’s stops at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. 

Kohunlich is one of many ancient Mayan ruins near Costa Maya, in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico. 

These ruins, in particular, date back to the late classic period of Mayan civilization, roughly between the 7th and 10 centuries CE. 

Seeing them while traveling on a cruise ship seemed so much easier than a land trip, because a land trip would have required much more extensive planning, from purchasing international flights to finding quality lodging to renting transportation to the Mayan ruin sites.

However, on my cruise, it was an easy one-day stop at Costa Maya that took me straight to see these once-in-a-lifetime ancient ruins.

Kohunlich is known for its impressive architecture, including pyramids, temples, plazas, and many well-preserved buildings. 

In particular, the most famous building is the Temple of Masks, which features a row of large masks on the front face of the temple.

Today, Kohunlich is a popular tourist attraction, and it was one of the cheapest Mayan ruin shore excursions that was offered on this cruise. It was $101.99, including transportation, snacks, water, and lunch.

Read more: 8 cruise ship shore excursions our readers tried and instantly regretted

My friend, who joined me on the cruise, purchased the excursion with me, and we both beamed with excitement to see these ancient structures.

When our ship arrived in Costa Maya, the excursion started bright and early in the morning. Although the shore excursion was listed as beginning at 8:30 A.M., we had to meet our group at 8:00 A.M.

After showing our tickets, we received stickers with specific numbers so that we could all gather together as a group.  They called our numbers one by one when they were ready for us to disembark. 

The crew members guided us to the gangway on deck 2, and we could disembark the ship.

After we exited the cruise port, we walked down the pier and were immediately guided into lines for our particular tour.

In front of these lines, three men danced and played drums in traditional Mayan costumes. Cruisers could also go up and take pictures with them!

This was a different shore excursion experience for me, as there were many people all lined up in sections. Although Radiance of the Seas was the only ship in the port, there seemed to be a large crowd of people around us.

However, the port was well-organized, and our tour guide found us by the sticker numbers we placed on our shirts. She called us forward when it was time to enter the bus.

There, we met our guides and bus driver, and they gave us some snacks and water. 

Then we hopped onto the bus and settled in for the 2-hour drive.

While we drove, our tour guide, Kitzia, got on the microphone, introduced herself, and told us stories about the area. 

Kitzia herself was half Mayan and even taught us some words in Maya, a dead language, but still learned conversationally. 

The drive was about two and a half hours with traffic, but the scenery was fascinating as we passed a few towns. 

The main town near the port of Costa Maya is Mahahual, which is right next door, but a striking contrast from the touristy port town we initially saw.

After passing through the town of Mahahual, it was evident that the Port of Costa Maya is a tourist attraction rather than an authentic Mexican town.

As the bus ride progressed, we drove further into the jungle and even passed a nature-preserved swamp, much like Florida’s Everglades. 

There was a bathroom located on the bus, but it did not have any running water, so I found myself wishing I had remembered to bring hand sanitizer.

When we finally arrived at the archaeological site, the bus went down a small, one-lane road to get into the area. 

When we arrived, our tour guide let us know that the area was being remodeled and the entrance to the site was filled with construction equipment. 

They were clearing out more of the jungle to make way for a bigger site, part of a large government project where they are adding a train to visit many Mayan ruins. 

This development will do a lot for Mexico‘s tourism and make it easier to get between Mayan archaeological sites. 

However, when we were visiting, it meant that there were only portapotties and mostly mud at the entrance to the rooms. 

Read more: Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide

We walked in and started taking pictures. We had to be sure to not take any videos because the park charges an extra fee for any videos or “professional filming”. Our tour guide simply said that video would be prohibited and the group could be kicked out if caught filming. 

As we stood in the middle of the pastures, our guide stopped and told us a little more about the buildings that we were seeing: dormitories, a palace, and later on, we approached the temple and ballgame court. 

We were able to walk right up onto the buildings and explore the ruins ourselves. 

I was amazed knowing that we were walking on thousand-year-old structures that had been built by people in this very location. 

One of the larger structures was a former palace, where we could walk up the stairs and stand on the second level. Of course, we had to be careful as the edges were crumbling, but it was still very solid. Most of the buildings were made of limestone and had large wide steps.

Kitzia let us know that the steps were larger because you have to keep looking down when you’re walking on them, making the people bow down to the gods as they entered. 

After exploring those buildings, we walked a little further up the pasture and into the jungle. There we saw the main building and attraction of Kohunlich: the Temple of Masks.

Although there are multiple theories about what this building was for, most resources state that this is a temple to the sun God.

Since the Mayans had a very accurate astrological calendar, this temple helped to mark the seasons with the movement of the sun at its corners.

It also features several masks on the side of the building, faces carved into the structure. These masks are huge and remarkably well preserved, and we could see them clearly even from the first level.  

Beyond the archeological wonders, I always saw many natural wonders at this ruins site, such succulent vines. 

And, although I didn't see them, I heard howler monkeys shrieking!

I appreciated that the hike around the site wasn't too strenuous: people of all ages could join.

I overheard an elderly couple saying that they were grateful they were able to join in on this incredible experience. Although we could walk up onto the buildings, there was no requirement to, and we could also stay on the flat pasture to simply look up at the structures.

It did get hot, especially in the middle of the day, but our guides were consistent in passing out water and finding places to stand in the shade. People could also walk right back to the bus at any time if they needed to. 

After our hike around the site, everyone piled back into the bus, and we rode back to the cruise port. 

We got back around 3:30 P.M., making the entire trip about 7 hours in total. While it was a long day, I think it required less extensive travel planning than if I had planned to do this on my own as part of a land trip.

Overall, it was a remarkable experience and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see thousand-year-old structures. 

And, best of all, we could walk right back onto the cruise ship when it was over, ready to experience adventure at our next destination.

Ready for a cruise to Europe but not sure what to pack? If you’re like me, you might be most worried about what you’ll be wearing. 

Bringing the right wardrobe for a cruise - or any trip for that matter - is crucial. You’ll need to do a little research before setting sail in Europe to pack appropriately. If you embark on a cruise without the proper wardrobe or necessities, you’ll be spending some money in port to purchase whatever you might have left behind!

If you’re overwhelmed with packing for your upcoming trip to Europe, I’m here to help! I just returned from a fabulous 7-night European cruise from Southampton, England. My itinerary had stops in Norway and Belgium with weather that spanned from sunny and warm to cool and rainy.

In addition, my husband and I spent three nights in London before our cruise to explore the city - it’s one of our favorites! Most travelers will spend a few days exploring the embarkation port, or a nearby destination, before sailing on a European itinerary.

If you’re spending the time and money to travel to Europe from North America, I highly recommend adding a few days before or after your cruise to explore. This means you’ll need to pack a little more than you might typically for a 7-night cruise, especially those who are used to Caribbean itineraries.

Keep practicality at the forefront of your packing strategy for Europe. Pack clothes that are both cute and comfortable for long days ashore.

For instance, I can almost guarantee on any European cruise that you will be doing plenty of walking. You can easily hit 15,000 steps each day while cruising in Europe. With so much walking, be sure to pack comfortable shoes that are broken in. You don’t want to deal with painful blisters during your vacation.

In addition, you’ll need to pack outfits and necessities for your time onboard your cruise ship. I typically plan for one outfit each day followed by one evening outfit for the ship. This also includes one or two lounge outfits for sea days.

Please note, if you’re sailing to or around the Mediterranean, you will need a completely different wardrobe than the one I’m about to provide. Mediterranean cruises are much warmer compared to cruises farther north.

Read more: What to wear on a Mediterranean cruise

My outfit and packing guide will focus on necessities and inspiration for Northern Europe. This could include cruises across Northern Europe and the Baltics, such as itineraries from popular embarkation ports like Southampton (England), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Reykjavik (Iceland), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Stockholm (Sweden).

Weather Expectations

The cruise season for Europe starts in April and ends in October. However, cruises around Northern Europe are typically from May to September due to cooler temperatures in the spring and fall. 

As you might guess, sailing around Northern Europe will be inherently cooler than the Mediterranean. Cruising on the North or Baltic Sea means you’ll be experiencing a cooler climate, even in the summer.

Temperatures will be anywhere from 40 degrees F to 70 degrees F on a European sailing. However, cruises in the shoulder season (April/May or September/October) mean you’ll veer towards the cooler temperatures.

Weather in Europe can often be unpredictable. For instance, during our cruise to Norway, it would be cold in the mornings at 40 degrees and warm up to 70 degrees later in the day. The following day could bring cold, rainy weather all day in the 50s.

However, this region of Europe can still experience heat waves, so packing layers is the key. We didn’t necessarily have a heat wave during our cruise, which was in early June. But, we still had a few warm and sunny days.

Moreover, if you’re sailing towards the Arctic Circle on itineraries to Iceland or Norway, you’ll need to prepare for mostly cold and rainy weather. The further north you’re sailing, the cooler you can expect the temperatures.

Finally, European cruises are notoriously rainy. Every cruise I’ve sailed around this region has experienced multiple days of cold weather and rain. The weather can change quickly with spurts of rain throughout the day.

General Cruise Packing Tips

While packing for your European cruise, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. First, focus on packing layers. This will allow you to bundle up when the weather is cool while also being able to shed layers if it warms up.

For instance, choose neutral-colored jackets that you can wear with the majority of what you’re packing. For me, this includes a long black raincoat to wear over a sweater or a denim jacket to pair with a short-sleeved dress or top.

In terms of layered clothes, you should also prioritize packing items that you can mix and match. Again, neutral-colored clothes or capsule items are usually good for this, as you can wear multiple pieces together over the course of your cruise.

The mix-and-match strategy also allows you to pack less overall. If an outfit is a one-and-done, it probably could stay home. The same principle applies to shoes and outerwear to ensure you aren’t wasting precious space in your luggage.

Moreover, make sure you consider your daily activities while in Europe. If you’re visiting churches or holy sites, make sure you pack appropriate clothes that cover your knees or shoulders (if needed). Those doing adrenaline-pumping or active excursions should look for outfit guidelines on tour descriptions. For example, hiking excursions often suggest wearing hiking shoes.

Read more: I’ve been on 3 European cruises, and I see people making the same 12 mistakes: here’s how to avoid them

Finally, aim to pack clothes that are always comfortable. It’s not uncommon to feel bloated by the end of your cruise, and this isn’t the time to try squeezing into your fitted jeans, at least for me! Versatility, comfort, and practicality are all key when choosing the outfits for your European cruise.

Try not to overpack if you can. I struggle with this, especially for colder climate cruises. Remember, you will need to lug your suitcases around from the airport to the cruise terminal. This could also include train stations, taxis, hotels, and more depending on your plans before and after cruising.

Clothing Essentials Overview

For this cruise, I packed one outfit for each day of our cruise - so 7 different daily outfits. Our itinerary included three days in Norway and one day in Belgium. As we cruised further north in Norway, the temperatures dropped.

Our activity schedule included a train ride in Flåm, Norway and a glacier hike in Olden, Norway. As such, one of my outfits was an athletic fit for the hike, including workout leggings, a long-sleeved workout shirt, and appropriate undergarments.

I also packed a dress to wear each evening onboard our cruise, meaning I also packed 7 dresses. Most of these dresses were versatile and comfortable pieces that I could layer with a coat if needed. I also packed practical dresses that I could wear during the day, if needed.

How you choose to dress on your cruise is up to you. Most cruise lines have dress code guidelines that forbid shorts, flip-flops, and swimsuits for restaurants. You should also consider if your cruise has any formal or elegant nights. 

This could include a cocktail dress or even a formal gown if you feel like dressing up. For me, I tend to wear casual and comfortable dresses during my cruises in the evenings. I also try to pack dresses that I can wear during the day, meaning only a few dresses are strictly for evening wear. 

I kept lounge wear minimal for this cruise, as we only had two sea days. I packed a crewneck and short matching set to wear onboard. I typically wore this to breakfast each day before changing for the daily activities. I also packed sweatpants that I wore in our cabin while enjoying the balcony. If you have more sea days, you will need to pack more casual clothes to wear onboard. 

Finally, don't forget a swimsuit! I love this long-sleeve swimsuit from Amazon (this contains an affiliate link) because it's warmer and I don't have to worry about getting sunburnt. 

Without further ado, here’s everything I wore and packed for my 7-night European cruise to Norway and Belgium. This is a breakdown of exactly what I wore during my cruise.

European Cruise Packing List

Outfits:

• 2 pairs of pants (cargo pants and jeans)
• 3 pairs of leggings (casual and workout)
• 3 workout skorts (to wear under dresses or alone)
• 4 long sleeve dresses
• 3 short sleeve dresses
• 2 elegant night dresses
• 2 sweaters
• 2 casual tops
• 1 long sleeve workout top
• 1 black denim jacket
• 1 lounge outfit (matching shorts and crewneck)
• 2 pairs of pajamas
• 1 swimsuit (pack extra if you plan to hot tub more than once or twice)
• 14 days worth of undergarments (I packed extra in case of travel delays)
• Optional: Workout clothes (if you plan to exercise on your cruise, pack accordingly)

Outerwear:

• 3 coats (raincoat, fashion coat, puffer coat - I could have left behind the puffer coat, but it packed easily in a compression packing cube and I wore it onboard. Having a waterproof coat is key)
• 2 hats or warm headbands (in case one gets wet)
• Gloves
• Optional: Scarf (I didn’t wear one this summer, but I did last year when cruising to Iceland and it was colder!)

Shoes:

• Comfortable walking shoes (I packed white tennis shoes and wore them almost every day)
• Waterproof boots
• Dinner shoes (I brought casual platform sandals that could be dressed up or down. I wore these every night)
• Sandals (I packed casual slides to wear around the ship - I wore them with socks)

Accessories:

• Crossbody purse (Mine was used daily for ashore exploration and dinners onboard)
• Daily jewelry (I keep this simple and wore my wedding rings with gold hoops each day)
• Sunglasses
• Umbrella
• Small travel wallet
• Larger purse (I use a small backpack-style purse to hold more for longer travel days)
• Packing cubes
• Jewelry travel case
• Electronics organizer
• Tote or bag to use around the ship
• Hair clips or ties (I use claw clips and scrunchies mostly)

Daily Necessities:

• Sunscreen (I prefer a tinted moisturizer with SPF when cruising, but sunscreen is still important)
• Skincare (I bring travel-size products, including face wash, moisturizer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and eye cream)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Body spray or perfume
• Makeup and makeup remover
• Prescription medication (I pack extra medication in case of emergency or travel delays)
• Over-the-counter medication (My travel pharmacy contains a variety of OTC medication that might be needed, including pain relief, seasickness, cold/flu medication, sleep aid, and allergies)
• Contacts/glasses and solution

Technology:

• Phone
• iPad or tablet with downloaded shows
• Wireless headphones
• Wired headphones (for the plane)
• Smartwatch
• Charging cords
• Portable charger
• Camera (I have a nicer digital camera I bring while traveling)
• Optional: Laptop (I always travel with mine) and e-reader/book

Travel Needs:

• Valid passport (and any necessary visas)
• Travel insurance
• 2 credit cards, including Visa or Mastercard with no foreign transaction fees
• ATM card (in case of an emergency where you need cash)
• Cash or local currency (I don’t deem cash necessary anymore for European travel. Everywhere we went accepted credit cards. But if you like to have cash or want to tip onboard, bring some local currency)

Cruise Items:

• European converter
• Outlet expander
• Magnetic hooks
• Travel-size sound machine
• Hanging cosmetic organizer

Save this blog on Pinterest

Short cruises or not, Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas offers some of the line's best in class features on a brand new ship.

Utopia has made headlines for being Royal Caribbean's new party ship and for just offering 3- and 4-night cruises, but those tag lines overlook the things that make the ship stand out.

I sailed on a 3-night media preview sailing (full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail. I paid for the revenue sailings), followed by Utopia's first two revenue sailings in order to get a full sense of what the ship is all about. After all, there are so many activities, parties, and events happening around the ship, and I wanted to try as many as possible.

The choice to offer just short cruises to start was met with raised eyebrows by some cruise fans, but Royal Caribbean is adamant this is part of a larger strategy to appeal to first time cruisers.  They want someone who has never cruised before to reconsider their land vacation and go for a cruise instead because of the fact Utopia is brand new and offers a lot.

It's hard not to be intrigued by a ship you can sail on for just the weekend and enjoy waterslides, a train simulator restaurant, late-night parties, and visits to a private island in The Bahamas.

Short cruises with lots to do

Don't expect a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas to be just lounging around the pool and sipping pina coladas. 

While you certainly could do just that, it's clear Royal Caribbean wanted Utopia to be more than a traditional cruise ship because they want to attract untraditional cruisers to give it a try.

The ship is marketed with lots of hype about it being "the world's biggest weekend", and to that effect, there's more ways to splash, party, and eat onboard.

What this translates to is Royal Caribbean has more of each of those things to do onboard, and it's the best versions of each yet. 

The pool deck has been updated with a better Lime and Coconut bar that fits the look of the ship better, along with a giant aquapark, wide-open pools, and an enclosed adults-only Solarium.

The entertainment team worked overtime to come up with all sorts of new parties and events on Utopia, with a clear direction to try to bring more energy to the experience.

You'll find a silent DJ party with togas, an opportunity to play beer pong, Vegas-style pool parties, and late-night DJ experiences. 

Don't worry, there's still plenty of traditional cruise activities, including karaoke, trivia, bingo, and game shows.

And then there's all the dining choices onboard. There's a new pool deck snack location to keep you going without having to go very far with the Spare Tire.

A new chef-driven Japanese restaurant has been added, while the line's Italian specialty restaurant was moved to a stunning location. And then there's the innovative immersive dining experience that makes you feel like you're on a classic train traveling through the Old West.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's immersive train experience

Big and small changes, they all combine to make Utopia stand out from not only other Royal Caribbean ships, but any ship you could go on for just a few days.

My favorite changes

As someone that cruises a lot, I'm always drawn to what's new and different on a cruise ship.  Partly for novelty, and partly because who doesn't enjoy a new shiny thing?

It's clear Royal Caribbean spent a lot of time not only coming up with brand new things to add to Utopia of the Seas, but also re-visiting established features.  While Utopia may be the sixth Oasis Class ship in the fleet, she is anything but a copy-and-paste cruise ship.

Read more: Everything new and different coming to Utopia of the Seas

When you walk onto Utopia of the Seas for the first time, there's a good chance you'll see the first clear winner for favorite change, and that's the Pesky Parrot.

Not only does Pesky Parrot replace an aging Bionic Bar idea, but it brings a new bar that you'll actually want to hang out in to the ship. Cruise ship bars are a lot like being a kid in high school: it's hard for the new ones to compete with the popular ones that everyone already knows.

Before you even try a drink, you'll pick up on it's a fun place to hang out. It's bright, wide open, and so much seating that you can't help but plop down.

There's a variety of specialized pina coladas offered (try the peanut butter one), fun mugs, and the bar was busy every single day I was onboard. 

The hot ticket on Utopia is the Royal Railway, which is a brand new kind of experience that is meant to wow you with how immersive it is.

In short, Royal Caribbean has designed a restaurant that looks and feels like you're on a classic train. It's much more than curtains and paint, there are digital screens, sound effects, vibrating seats, and more that all contribute to make it really feel like you're on a train.

The first show offered on Royal Railway is an Old West journey, but new shows and tastings are promised for the near-future, including a more adult-focused dinner, brunch, and wine tastings.

Speaking of dining experiences I really liked, the omakase dinner was a welcome treat.

Royal Caribbean has done sushi and hibachi for years, but they've expanded to now have a chef-driven Japanese meal.  Seating just six people, it's the kind of meal anyone that loves sushi will relish.

While sushi is the focus, I enjoyed the other courses that went beyond nigiri or sashimi.  It was a culinary experience I liked even more than I expected.

While the high energy pool parties are what you'll see advertised a lot, I thought the decision to have an enclosed Solarium was a great counterweight to the party pool scene.

Utopia is not the first Oasis Class ship to get an enclosed Solarium, but I'm glad they kept it.  Not only does it keep it from getting too hot in the summer (or chilly in the winter), but it means you can be very comfortable and enjoy the best pool views you'll find on the ship.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I also enjoyed tried and true favorites on Utopia.  While the new things may get a lot of the attention, there are lots of well-established Royal Caribbean staples on Utopia.

The Country Trio band at the Mason Jar Bar were a must watch for me every night they performed. Bryan, Jeff, and Josh are truly talented musicians, and a shining example of Royal Caribbean's dedication to live music.

Dinners at 150 Central Park, Playmakers, and Coastal Kitchen did not disappoint in the slightest, and it's why I go there to dine on most cruises.

Of course, the visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay was one in a long string of great days at Royal Caribbean's private island.  It's the reason why the rest of the cruise industry has taken notice of Royal Caribbean's success there.

I stayed in two different, yet purpose built cabins

Across my collective 13 nights on Utopia, I tried two different cabins.

On the first sailing that Royal Caribbean invited me to, I was in an oceanview balcony cabin on deck 10.

While I think the shower in a standard cabin are superior on Icon of the Seas, I love how much storage space there is on Utopia.

There's a ton of storage space in the stateroom, and for a room meant for two people, I think it's a great choice for a room.  It's probably why balcony cabins are so popular due to the fact they have just enough space, a private view, and natural light.

Once my back to back cruise on the first two revenue sailings began, I moved up to a Crown Loft Suite within the Suite Neighborhood area of the ship.

This two story giant suite has two bathrooms and comes with fabulous perks, such as complimentary drinks in the suite lounge, reserved seating at shows, and access to a restaurant just for suite guests.

While a balcony cabin is practical, a suite is simply a splurge. Having all the amenities included, along with significantly more living space is a welcome treat. It's hardly a bargain in terms of price, but I was able to see how the suite experience compared on Utopia.

Read more: Guide to Utopia of the Seas cabins and suites

Two things I didn't like about Utopia of the Seas

In looking back, there are probably two aspects of the new ship I think can be improved.

The production shows in the Royal Theater and Studio B theater I thought didn't continue the trend of upping the ante in Royal Caribbean's ever impressive shows.

The performers were extremely talented, but it seemed like neither moved the needle as other productions show have on Royal Caribbean's recent shows, such as The Effectors on Wonder of the Seas or Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas.

Both utilized technology in impressive ways, and I loved a few of the song selections in both shows.

The other qualm I had was at Playmakers, which is an open air sports bar within the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Playmakers is great, but the lack of air conditioning made it less enjoyable than other Playmakers locations.  Considering a majority of the year Florida and The Bahamas deal with stifling humidity, I thought it would have been better indoors.  Or perhaps with walls/windows that can be easily opened if it's comfortable weather outside.

In the case of both these issues I found, there were plenty of passengers who were having a great time.

Utopia of the Seas is the multigenerational escape vacation

The weekend party is what you'll see advertised, but the truth is Utopia of the Seas has parties, just like it has things for kids, their parents, and grandparents.

I was impressed how much there is to do on this ship.  For just a 3-night sailing, I think you're going to have to prioritize activities very quickly because time goes quickly and you simply cannot do it all.  It's why I was happy I opted for going back again on a second sailing.

Royal Caribbean has always been a multigenerational family brand, and that doesn't change with Utopia.  What has changed is how much more they're offering for those that want a party.

Royal Caribbean divulged last week one out of every two customers is a millennial or younger, and there's a clear push to offer these customers more.

But there's also lots for anyone that doesn't want a DJ, champagne gun, or toga in their future. Like a new car, I can appreciate the latest and greatest finishes even if it has features I'll never use.

My top takeaway after over a week onboard is Utopia of the Seas is just like Icon of the Seas in that it offers the very best cruise experience right now. If a weeklong cruise doesn't seem right, then Utopia is your choice.  Otherwise, Icon is waiting with even more exciting things to do.

Karaoke is one of the most popular activities on a cruise ship, and there's a way you can enjoy it without having to wait for a turn.

On Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships that have a Spotlight Karaoke venue, you'll find karaoke sessions throughout the day to attend where you can try singing along to musical hits.

On Icon of the Seas, Spotlight Karaoke has a private karaoke room you can rent, which is great for a small group to enjoy without a big crowd. I wanted to see if this was a great alternative to the typically crowded karaoke sessions.

Spotlight Karaoke is Royal Caribbean's best karaoke venue yet

Karaoke isn't new to Royal Caribbean, but it's traditionally been an event held in a multipurpose venue, which meant there were limited times to do it.

Royal Caribbean has started adding Spotlight Karaoke to its newer ships, including the brand new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

The private karaoke room costs $70

There are private karaoke rooms within Spotlight Karaoke you can rent on a first come, first rented basis.

I did not see an option to pre-book it on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, so we had to wait to get onboard the ship to book it.  Guest Services can book it for you, as can a Royal Genie if you're in Star Class.

This is meant to be a family or group activity, where you rent the space for one hour and have access to the full library of karaoke tunes to sing along to within a private setting.

On a recent Icon of the Seas sailing, my daughter and her friends loved going to karaoke sessions but always got frustrated when the line was long, or if there was adults-only karaoke sessions happening.  

I knew about the private rooms from when they first debuted on Oasis of the Seas in 2019, and asked about renting a spot.  It cost $70 and was for one hour.

You get the private room and then it's DIY in terms of hosting the karaoke session.

The karaoke rooms are located to the side of Spotlight Karaoke

The private karaoke rooms are easily overlooked if you don't know they exist.

On Icon of the Seas, the rooms are behind a door to the left of the venue.  It looks like a door to a crew member area, rather than where you'd find the rooms.

When we arrived for our karaoke session, the karaoke manager met us near the door and we were escorted into the room.

There's a large couch that extends across the back of the room, with the large karaoke screen the focus.  The idea is that everyone in the room can see the lyrics, just like if you were in the main venue.

The manager gave us a tablet, where we could search for songs by artist or title. It was not the most intuitive software I've ever seen, but once she went through the process one time, it was clear how to use it.

The library of songs is vast enough to probably find the songs you're looking for, especially if they're hit songs.  Deep cuts may be an issue, but I assume that would be the case in the main room too.

The room is private, but not soundproof

Besides not having to wait for a turn in karaoke, the other appeal of a private room is you could sing in privacy.  

While being in the room does potentially shield you from others on the ship hearing your attempt to sing, the room is not quite totally soundproof.

The kids went out of the room to test if they could hear the person singing in the private room, and it was definitely audible.  

The good news is if there's karaoke happening in the main room of Spotlight Karaoke, it's unlikely many people would be able to hear what's happening in the private rooms.

We had fun and the kids wanted to do it again

The private karaoke room rental delivered exactly what we wanted: a way to enjoy karaoke with my kid's friends without waiting for a turn in the main room.

The one hour rental is just long enough for everyone to have a turn and get the "karaoke bug" out of their system.  Moreover, as someone who would never get up on the karaoke stage, being able to sing in private was a welcome option.

At $70 for the hour, it's a quite reasonable cost considering you can easily get about 6-8 people in the room (especially if they're kids).  Plus, it was a reasonably priced splurge for the kids to do something fun.

Obviously you don't need to pay money to enjoy karaoke and there are many open sessions that cost nothing extra.  The reason to go with the private room is for those that want a "fastpass" to be able to sing what they want, when they want.  

Our family and friends had a great time trying it, and we rented it again while on Utopia of the Seas a few weeks later.

Can you believe it's the last days of July already? It is the middle of Summer and there is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to catch up from during this week.

Royal Caribbean's sailings are selling faster than ever.

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said that the cruise line's "2024 bookings have consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire second quarter and into July, despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell," he said.

As inventory decreases, staterooms are continuing to sell at increasing prices.

Royal Caribbean faces more cruising demand than ever, as well as an uptick in pre-cruise purchases like WiFi, drink packages, and shore excursions.  

Royal Caribbean News

• Flying to your cruise? 6 things to consider before booking
• Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship class will probably replace older, smaller ships
• "We are just getting started" Royal Caribbean reports $4.1 billion in revenue in second quarter
• Hilarious TikTok shows how much teenage boy can eat on his cruise ship
• Photos show the latest progress on Royal Beach Club in Nassau
• Royal Caribbean surveys customers for a new restaurant idea on its Icon class ships
• Meet Royal Caribbean's new head of entertainment

New RCB video: Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

$10,000 Luxury Suite on Utopia of the Seas

One of the top suites you can book on Royal Caribbean's newest ship comes with a big price tag and lots of space.

Matt stayed in the Crown Loft Suite with his family on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

It has two levels and two full bathrooms, but it also cost significantly more than a balcony cabin.

Utopia of the Seas sets sail and it's worth trying twice

Guests will have a multitude of activities, shows, and dining choices to choose from on Utopia of the Seas.

There simply won't be enough time to experience everything within the 3- and 4-night sailings the ship currently offers.

Matt booked a "back-to-back" sailing on Utopia, getting more value for his travel and turning a weekend cruise into a full week vacation.

Royal Caribbean will add another cruise ship to Los Angeles

Royal Caribbean just announced that it will deploy another ship to the port of Los Angeles.

Beginning in May 2025, the Quantum-Class will sail 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of California.

Instead of sending Ovation of the Seas to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, the vessel will serve to meet high demand for Royal Caribbean cruises on the West Coast.

I tried the new chef-driven Japanese restaurant and it surprised me

What can you expect from the new Japanese dining experience on Utopia of the Seas?

Matt recently tried Izumi Omakase, high-quality Omakase dining experience created by Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.

The host-guided and chef-driven meal was the perfect high-quality meal for a lover of Japanese food.