Royal Caribbean Blog

Just recently, Royal Caribbean Group announced enhanced benefits for their new Loyalty Status Match program. With the updated program, guests receive more equivalent loyalty perks across the cruise line’s three bands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and SilverSea Cruises.

While all three cruise brands are owned by Royal Caribbean Group, each cruise line has its own loyalty program. With status matching, you can receive similar perks regardless of which cruise line you sail with. However, the benefits between the programs are not identical and points earned on each cruise line are separate.

As a Diamond Plus member of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Status, I was ecstatic about this announcement. The newly announced changes would go into effect just a few days before my recent cruise on Celebrity Apex. I couldn't believe how perfect the timing was!

Following the announcement, my husband and I were excited to utilize our new Elite Plus status for the first time. Here was my experience trying out Royal Caribbean’s new Loyalty Status Match program.

With Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society, I receive some very lucrative loyalty perks and benefits

Growing up, my family sailed religiously with Royal Caribbean, allowing me to achieve the second-highest loyalty status with the cruise line. I earned Diamond Plus status back in college and have continued utilizing the loyalty perks ever since.

The status benefits that I use most frequently include the following:

• Balcony discount
• Five free daily drinks up to $15
• Two free days of Internet
• BOGO specialty dining credit
• Diamond Lounge access
• One bag of free laundry
• One free professional photo

These loyalty perks have continued to incentivize me and my family to keep sailing with Royal Caribbean. Not to mention, my husband inherited my Diamond Plus status when we got married, allowing him to receive the same perks as I do.

The daily free drinks alone have saved us thousands of dollars over the years - it’s virtually a free drink package!

Even with these perks, my husband and I were wanting to expand our cruising horizons

Although Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises are sister brands, the two cruise lines are distinct and appeal to different demographics. Celebrity Cruises is considered a premium cruise line compared to the family-friendly, more affordable Royal Caribbean brand.

For me and my husband, Celebrity Cruise’s ships and itineraries have become more appealing to us. Since we do not have kids yet, we appreciated the more upscale, adult-focused experience offered with Celebrity Cruises.

For our yearly summer vacation, we booked a 7-night Norwegian Fjord sailing from England to Norway and Belgium on Celebrity Apex. We wouldn’t have to entirely give up our loyalty perks either, which was a selling point for us!

When we booked our cruise, we originally received Elite status in the cruise line’s loyalty program, known as Captain’s Club. With the new Loyalty Status Match program, my husband and I both received a status bump from Elite to Elite Plus.

Similar to Royal Caribbean, this is the second-highest loyalty status in the Captain’s Club. Since we had already linked our loyalty numbers between Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean, the status change was automatic.

I was relieved to see the new status had already updated on our reservation a few days before we flew to London for our cruise. The boarding pass and SeaPass also reflected our new Elite Plus status - elevating our pre-cruise excitement even more.

We received an overview of Elite Plus perks in our stateroom on boarding day

Upon arrival in our stateroom, we received a letter outlining our Elite Plus benefits that we would receive during our cruise. These perks were similar to our Diamond Plus benefits with benefits for internet, drinks, specialty dining, spa, coffee, and more.

We were most excited to see that Elite Plus benefits included nightly happy hour with unlimited cocktails and free specialty coffees each day! Other benefits we planned to use included the 15% discount on specialty dining, 35% discount on internet, and two free loads of laundry.

Unfortunately, the nightly happy hour with unlimited cocktails excludes embarkation day for an unknown reason. Because of this, we immediately missed having our daily drink vouchers that we receive on Royal Caribbean. Loyalty drink vouchers can be used immediately after you board your cruise, which is always the perfect start to vacation.

On the first day of our cruise, we also purchased an internet package using the Elite Plus discount. The Premium Full Package Wi-Fi included two devices for $268.40 with a 35% discount applied. The loyalty discount saved us $144.53!

I appreciated having a percentage discount with Celebrity Cruises compared to Royal Caribbean’s two free days. For longer itineraries, you can save way more with Captain’s Club compared to Royal Caribbean’s static $52 discount for internet.

One of the best perks was having complimentary specialty coffee each morning!

My husband and I both prefer starting our morning with specialty coffee, like lattes or cappuccinos, compared to standard drip coffee. Considering specialty coffee is upwards of $7 per drink, this can add up quickly on a 7-night cruise between the two of us.

Celebrity cruise ships have a lovely coffee shop called Cafe al Bacio, where you can order specialty coffees. Cafe a Bacio also serves complimentary pastries, cakes, and goodies throughout the day.

The barista confirmed on the first morning that we could have specialty coffee for free with our Elite Plus status. There were seemingly no restrictions or limits, except for alcoholic coffees.

Each morning, we would stop by Cafe al Bacio before starting our day, along with a delicious sticky bun to share. This was a perk that would require a drink voucher with Royal Caribbean, so we appreciated the indulgence each morning!

Although we missed having drink vouchers, the nightly happy hour was a great perk

Before the pandemic, Royal Caribbean provided a nightly happy hour with unlimited cocktails for those with Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle status. After the cruise restart, Royal Caribbean changed how loyalty drinks would be served to mitigate crowding in the Diamond Lounge.

The cruise line updated this benefit to include daily drink vouchers, which could be used for almost every cocktail from any bar throughout the day. There was no longer a specific time frame when the drinks had to be used either. Most would agree this was an enhanced benefit!

On the other hand, Celebrity Cruises still only provides a nightly happy hour from 5pm to 7pm each evening for Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith loyalty members. The perk is nearly identical to Royal Caribbean’s old system.

As such, we planned our days around this nightly happy hour, as we certainly wouldn’t miss out on our free drinks! We only had two sea days with four port stops, meaning most of our time was ashore. Luckily, most of the bars onboard Celebrity Apex participated in the happy hour around the ship.

Read more: Celebrity Cruises Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

We were allowed to order unlimited cocktails from a limited menu, including cocktails like a Manhattan, Apple Martini, Cosmo, Screwdriver, and Sidecar. Other drinks included a selection of beer and wine. Trying the many bars around Celebrity Apex was a highlight of our time onboard!

However, we missed the flexibility of Royal Caribbean’s drink vouchers. While unlimited cocktails during happy hour is definitely a lucrative loyalty perk, I wish Celebrity Cruises would integrate this benefit from Royal Caribbean.

With the 15% specialty dining discount, we splurged on two restaurants during our cruise

One of the bigger perks that comes with Elite Plus status is a 15% discount for specialty dining cover charges. Since Celebrity Apex has some of the best specialty restaurants in the fleet, we were excited to try this benefit.

When we cruise with Royal Caribbean, my husband and I both receive the buy one, get one free specialty dining cover. This is essentially a coupon for 50% off, which we always use! Comparatively, Celebrity Cruises offers 15% off all specialty cover charges, which can be used as many times as you want.

During our cruise, we decided to try dinner at the Rooftop Garden Grill. Although it was freezing outside, the meal was fantastic! The 15% discount saved us around $16.20, with the entire meal costing $91.80.

In addition, my husband is a big fan of sushi and wanted to try Raw on 5. We decided to come here for lunch during our first sea day. My husband loved the oysters and the sushi, while my pork belly was just okay. We saved about $5.40, which isn’t anything to write home about but I will take any discount!

Overall, we typically save more on specialty dining with Royal Caribbean’s BOGO discount compared to Celebrity’s 15% discount. We only saved a little over $20 on this cruise with the discount compared to $100 on Royal Caribbean. However, we were always planning to try a few of Celebrity Apex’s specialty restaurants, so the status bump saved us money!

Although not as lucrative, my husband loved the laundry benefit!

Laundry isn’t necessarily an exciting topic - at home or on vacation. Royal Caribbean provides Diamond Plus guests with one free bag of laundry for each cruise. With this, my husband always sends his laundry to be done with our loyalty perk.

He finds the onboard laundry worthwhile when cruising so he has less to do when we get home. It’s not bad logic, and he is always grateful when we get back home and has less laundry to do than me!

So, you can imagine he was excited to see Celebrity Cruises allocated two free bags of laundry with Elite Plus. He utilized both of his free laundry coupons during our 7-night cruise. One bag of laundry on Celebrity Cruises is $50 for a bag, so this benefit was worth $100 to us!

We only used a few of the benefits, but still saved hundreds of dollars with the new status match program

Overall, we were really impressed with Royal Caribbean’s new status match program. I always appreciate being rewarded for my loyalty. Not to mention, my husband had never set foot on a Celebrity cruise ship and he still received the second highest loyalty status with the program.

We ran out of time to utilize all of the Elite Plus benefits on our cruise, such as the Captain’s Club Continental Breakfast, Wine Tasting, and Private Departure Lounge.

However, we were thrilled to save as much money as we did on our Celebrity Apex cruise. I am already looking to plan future Celebrity cruises to continue taking advantage of these loyalty benefits.

How can you safely explore ports on a solo cruise?

Whether you enjoy traveling alone or have a travel buddy back out at the last minute, solo cruises are a great way to enjoy a peaceful vacation on your own terms.

However, it's normal to feel concerned about your safety.

Traveling to a new place always poses new challenges and requires research to make sure you stay safe while exploring the port. 

Especially if you're a young woman like myself, you may be wondering how to safely exit the cruise ship and tour ports without getting robbed or worse.

While on my second solo cruise, I decided to try group shore excursions.

This month, I traveled to Spain and Italy on a 7-night Oasis of the Seas sailing,

With the chance to see historic cities like Barcelona, Florence, Rome, and Naples, I wanted to ensure that I could explore safely and see all the Mediterranean ports had to offer.

I purchased three Royal Caribbean shore excursions: one in Florence, one in Rome, and the third in Naples, visiting Pompeii.

After taking three different group shore excursions on my own, I discovered they were a great way to enhance my cruise and safely see the world.

1. I didn't have to exit the ship alone

One benefit of purchasing shore excursions through Royal Caribbean was that the tour groups met directly on the ship.

Instead of exiting alone, I just had to walk down a few decks to the Royal Theater.

This was a huge benefit, especially in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy, which are infamous for pickpockets.

No matter where we walked, I was traveling in a larger group who could look out for each other.

Read more: Where to keep Seapass Card, phone, and cash when on a shore excursion?

2. Tour guides ensured I made it to and from my destination

Solo trips can be dangerous because there's no one else to look out for you.

If I'd explored ports on my own, there would be no one who knew where I was going or what time I planned on being back.

In contrast, shore excursions through Royal Caribbean provide tour guides, whose job is to make sure you get to your destination and back to the ship safely.

One of my guides took her responsibility so seriously that she called herself our "mother" for the trip.

Each guide would take note of every person's name and room number, ensuring that they could easily check if anyone was missing.

Not only that, they also provided emergency numbers to the tour guide and the company. 

If I'd gotten lost or in trouble, I had someone to call.

Even when tours gave us free time to explore, we were assigned a meeting place and time, so they would have noticed if I didn't return.

These measures served to ease my anxiety and free my mind to enjoy the historic cities.

3. I could strike up conversations and make friends with my tour group

Group tours also provided the opportunity to meet people and make friends, rather than exploring every city alone.

Whether we were taking the bus to Rome or walking around Pompeii, I found that there was always someone I could talk to or relate to.

This made it less lonely to travel by myself, especially because many of the other cruisers were also from the U.S.

Even while solo traveling in a foreign country, a group tour allowed me to find people who spoke my native tongue.

Safety in numbers applied here. The more people I met and talked to, the more could recognize and look out for me.

And vice versa applies: when I saw cruisers I recognized from my tour, I gave them directions and passed on information from our tour guide.

4. Background information was provided about each location

When you're traveling alone, there's only so much information you can teach yourself.

And while I checked out books and read articles about the destinations I planned to visit, you don't know what you don't know.

As a solo traveler, you don't want to be that person standing in the middle of the street Googling where to go, so my tour guides became an invaluable resource.

Each of my guides hailed from the region we were visiting and took the time to tell us about the history and culture.

They taught us words like "thank you" and "good morning," handed out maps of the cities, and pointed out important landmarks.

In Florence, we received some free time to explore on our own. Before we left, our guide even pointed out the restaurants she recommended we visit.

Getting background information from a knowledgeable local was one of the best ways I enhanced my cruise.

5. Some tours provided water and bathroom access

Another benefit of purchasing shore excursions is that it often becomes an all-in-one price.

When you pay for one, you receive transportation, a tour, and sometimes food, water, and bathroom access.

While my Mediterranean cruise took us to exciting destinations, the cruise ports were often pretty far from the most famous cities. For example, it took us three hours to travel from the cruise port, La Spezia, to Florence, Italy. 

Read more: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid

Having transportation already taken care of really eased my mind.

Additionally, the tour guides ensured we made bathroom stops and told us where to get food or water.

One culture shock I experienced in Europe is that you have to pay to access public restrooms.

However, our tour guides ensured we wouldn't have to. To prevent us from paying, they took us to rest stops or gave us tickets that would exempt us.

This saved me money and lessened the number of places I would have to find and go to alone.

6. The ship waits to depart if we get delayed

Royal Caribbean shore excursions are also great for solo cruisers because the ship is contracted to wait for you if the tour is delayed.

When we were traveling to Florence, our tour was delayed by an hour because of an accident on the road. We didn't get back to the ship until 7:00 P.M.!

I felt better knowing that the crew would have to wait for us before they sailed to our next port.

As a solo traveler, getting left behind in a foreign country by yourself sounds like my worst nightmare!

Staying with a group for my tours ensured that I wouldn't be left alone, and the ship would wait for us if anything happened.

"The World's Biggest Weekend" just got more exciting, as Royal Caribbean released Utopia of the Seas' entertainment lineup. 

From original productions to late-night comedy shows, here's everything you can expect to find on the newest Oasis Class ship, starting with the AquaTheater. 

Aqua80Too is Utopia's high-diving spectacle and it's a sequel to the original Aqua80s show on Oasis of the Seas.

The show is a musical tribute to the decade.

First launched on Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a fan favorite, with an enhanced, indoor theater found on Icon of the Seas. According to the infographic shared by Royal Caribbean, the show will feature 80s hits. 

The ice skating rink is another popular entertainment venue onboard Royal Caribbean ships. In addition to hosting unique skating shows, the rink can be transformed into an arena for game shows and even a nightclub! 

Youtopia is the name of the "fantastical ice skating show" on Utopia of the Seas. While details have yet to be revealed about the new show, past ice skating performances have included high-tech features, including synchronized drones! 

Plenty of entertainment onboard requires audience participation, too, including the ever-popular Crazy Quest, Battle of the Sexes, Family Feud, and Majority Rules. 

Read more: First photos: Inside Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas cruise ship

Utopia of the Seas will not feature a Broadway musical

Royal Caribbean made a name for itself by offering Broadway musicals, ranging from Hairspray on Symphony of the Seas to Grease on Harmony of the Seas and Mamma Mia on Allure of the Seas. 

Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's fourth new build in a row that won't feature a Broadway musical when launched, following Odyssey, Wonder, and Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas is home to The Wizard of Oz, a Royal Caribbean Production version of the classic story, rather than the 2011 musical adaption by Andrew Lloyd Weber.

Instead, guests can enjoy All In!, a high-tech original production in the main theater. 

Though not a Broadway musical, all Royal Caribbean Productions, such as Sonic Odyssey on Quantum of the Seas and Once Upon a Time on Freedom of the Seas, bring world-class performers to the high seas. 

Parties aplenty 

What's a weekend party cruise without an amazing lineup of onboard parties? 

If you're a fan of silent discos, you won't want to miss the event on Utopia of the Seas, as Royal Caribbean claims the Shush! Silent Party will be the largest silent disco in the fleet. Silent Toga! appears to be another silent disco, being described as "[a] toga party with a silent twist."  

Those who prefer poolside action will appreciate the not one, not two, but four pool parties onboard, including the Sail Away Pool Party, Hey Utopia!, Senses Sunset Pool Party, and Plunge Day Pool Party, a Vegas-inspired daytime party. 

Back inside, guests can partake in the Rezolution dance party with "epic light productions" and Royal Kappa Chi, a "throwback collegiate party" for those who may want to relive their college days. 

Adults who want to keep the fun going into the late hours can head over to Red, the late-night club with a live DJ, while the Spotlight Karaoke lounge is a bit more family-friendly for those who want to show off their natural talent. 

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas, including a giant slide and train restaurant

With nine different places to listen to live music, you'll have to hop between venues to hear it all!

During the day, you can take in Caribbean beats on the pool deck. 

The ship really comes alive with music at night, though, ranging from the rock and pop band in the Music Hall to the staple piano entertainer at the Schooner Bar, the guitarist at the Bell & Barley Pub, and the sultry Latin band at Boleros. Central Park boasts live music, too, including a solo pianist and jazz band. 

The Country Crew Trio can be found at the Mason Jar, so even if you don't have a specialty meal booked at the Southern-inspired restaurant, it's worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of country hits and good company! 

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Perhaps the most unique form of entertainment onboard Utopia of the Seas doesn't come cheap 

Looking for the ultimate dining experience on your cruise? Look no further than Royal Railway - Utopia Station, which combines dinner with a show! 

Technology and theatrical elements are meant to trick passengers into thinking they're actually on a train traveling through the Old West, and on your journey, you'll enjoy a delicious menu inspired by the time and region. 

Dining at Utopia Station costs $119.99 per adult and $59.99 per child. Those with an Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) can upgrade for $49.99. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's immersive train car restaurant brings the Old West and Far East to its next new cruise ship

Royal Caribbean has long been the ultimate choice for a family cruise vacation, and for the first time, they want to appeal to those who may be hesitant to book a weeklong cruise with the introduction of Utopia of the Seas. 

The 236,860 gross registered ton (GRT) vessel is just weeks from hitting the high seas, boasting new features that cannot be found on any of the other five Oasis Class ships. 

Historically, new ships enter service sailing weeklong itineraries. Utopia, however, was designed as "The World's Biggest Weekend," offering 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas, including Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Here are 7 brand-new things coming to Utopia of the Seas. 

Solarium Suites

The Solarium Suites aboard Utopia of the Seas are one of more than 20 stateroom categories. Measuring 839 square feet, they feature an infinite verandah design, meaning that instead of walking outside onto your private balcony, you can enjoy the ocean's breeze from the comfort of your cabin with the push of a button. 

Perched atop the bridge's wings at the front of the ship, guests can soak in 280-degree views inside the two new Star Class suites that accommodate up to four passengers. As the name suggests, they're just steps away from the adults-only Solarium, offering a tranquil retreat from the lively pool deck. 

Royal Caribbean's Royal Suite Class comprises three tiers: Sea, Sky, and Star. Those within the Star Class come with the most perks, from priority boarding to a private butler (Royal Genie), access to the suite-only sun deck and restaurant, complimentary beverage and Wi-Fi packages, and so much more. 

With the enhanced benefits comes a hefty price tag. A Solarium Suite onboard the November 3, 2025 sailing costs $3,788 per person, totaling $7,779.50 for a party of two for a 4-night cruise. 

Read more: 4 Ways to Tell If You're Getting a Good Deal on Your Cruise

Royal Railway - Utopia Station

Utopia of the Seas will be home to the only immersive train car dining experience at sea. From the specialty cocktails to the unique menu curated based on the time and region you're "traveling" through, Royal Railway - Utopia Station is more than your standard specialty restaurant. 

The steam on the platform and various effects on the train are meant to trick everyone's senses during their journey. Every seat, for example, is equipped with a "butt-kicker" timed with the story. Additionally, Royal Caribbean is working on incorporating scents into the experience to make it a multi-sensory adventure. 

Don't worry, though—the storyline unfolds in intervals to allow for downtime to enjoy your meal with your travel companions. 

Dining at the brand-new specialty restaurant costs $119.99 per adult and $59.99 per child. Those with an Unlimited Dining Package (UDP) can pay a $49.99 surcharge for the dining experience. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's immersive train car restaurant brings the Old West and Far East to its next new cruise ship

Izumi in the Park

From fresh sushi to a fun teppanyaki experience, Izumi has become a guest favorite across the fleet. For the first time on an Oasis Class ship, Izumi will be located in Central Park, and with six teppanyaki tables, the Izumi aboard Utopia of the Seas will be the largest in the fleet. Plus, the new private Omakase-inspired experience will feature a multi-course meal paired with sake cocktails. 

Guests can also get sushi to-go at Izumi in the Park. Though not a new concept, as it debuted on Icon of the Seas in January 2024, Izumi in the Park on Utopia is an Oasis Class first. 

Whether you're craving a classic roll, hot gyoza, or even a soft-serve bubble cone, you aren't limited to dining at Izumi. Instead, you can take your food to-go and eat on the pool deck, your cabin's balcony, etc. 

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Longest dry slide at sea

After MSC World Europa stole the title of having the longest dry slide at sea, Royal Caribbean tweaked the Ultimate Abyss' design to be nine feet longer than the 250-foot Venom Drop. 

Measuring 259 feet long, Utopia's 10-story Ultimate Abyss will be 43 feet longer than the slides on other Oasis Class ships and about 10 times longer than a London double-decker bus. Moreover, they've incorporated transparent racing windows and zoom booster rollers for a "surprise" exit on the Boardwalk. 

The two slides were manufactured in Germany, while the iconic anglerfish was built in Germany. The latter stands 22 feet tall with 36 teeth. 

Poolside "food truck"

Compared to cruise lines like Carnival, one of the most common critiques Royal Caribbean has received over the years is that they don't have enough fast-casual dining options. 

Though venues like El Loco Fresh have been added to some ships, Royal Caribbean still lacks the variety that Carnival's lido deck offers, including fresh tacos from BlueIguana Cantina, juicy burgers from Guy's Burger Joint, and crispy chicken sandwiches from Big Chicken. 

With the introduction of Utopia of the Seas, they're addressing the feedback by adding a new poolside "food truck" venue called the Spare Tire. Rather than venue to the Windjammer or stick with Mexican fare, guests can enjoy complimentary "handheld favorites" like pulled pork sandwiches, cheeseburger flatbreads, daily rotating desserts, and more without straying far from the pool deck. 

Read more: Things I wish Royal Caribbean would copy from other cruise lines

Pesky Parrot 

Replacing the Bionic Bar, the Royal Promenade is set to get a new Caribbean-themed bar called the Pesky Parrot that will serve tropical libations with rum, tequila, and gin. 

There will be frozen beverages, too. The central location promises it will become a favorite for guests onboard, whether stopping in for a pre-dinner drink or refreshing afternoon cocktail. Though not included with the cost of your cruise fare, Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package can be used here. 

According to Royal Caribbean, Pesky Parrot will feature other "surprises;" however, they haven't been revealed yet. 

Read more: "There will be nothing better on planet Earth": First look at Royal Caribbean's new weekend party cruise ship

Two-story Giovanni's 

Fans of Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar will appreciate the two-story dining venue featuring Gio's Terrazza, an outdoor terrace overlooking the Boardwalk Neighborhood, allowing guests to dine al fresco while enjoying authentic Italian dishes. 

This is an extra-charge venue, meaning you have to pay extra to dine at Giovanni's. The coverage charge for dinner is $54.99 per adult and $14.99 per child; however, lunch is cheaper, costing just $24.99 per adult. 

If you're interested in eating at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen on your upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, you should book your reservation in advance through the Cruise Planner. Not only does utilizing the Cruise Planner allow you to secure your desired dining time, but you can also take advantage of any pre-cruise discounts. 

Read more: How much does Royal Caribbean specialty dining cost?

One of the biggest cruise ports in the world is ready to start letting cruise ships plug in to cut down on air pollution.

PortMiami will begin offering shore power for cruise ships, which is a move to reduce emissions.

Royal Caribbean is poised for that to begin, with two of its ships ready on day one when the shore power becomes available.

Both Icon of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas are able to utilize shore power when it's available, and it appears that could come as soon as this week.

Royal Caribbean Group reported in its 2023 Seastainability Report report, 30 ships have shore power capabilities as of year end.

Cruise expert Stewart Chiron confirmed that shore power is coming to PortMiami.

"Ports catching up to cruise industry with ships that can utilize shore power to significantly reduce emissions," he wrote in a post on X/Twitter.

The advantage of shore power is that cruise ships can plug in and shut off their engines, rather than keeping their engines running during turnaround day when a ship concludes one sailing and begins welcoming new passengers onboard for the next one.

Read more: What happens on Turnaround Day on a Cruise?

Terminals AA, A, B, F, and V are equipped with shore power.

The arrival of shore power comes after Royal Caribbean joined five other cruise lines to bring shore power to PortMiami in 2021.

What is shore power and how does it work?

Think of shore power as a way to power cruise ships instead of relying on the ship's fuel and engines.

Up until now, when a cruise ship is docked at a pier, it keeps its engines on and continues burning fuel while docked. This creates emissions, just like any other fossil fuel burning mode of transportation.

Instead, cruise ships will "hook up" to electricity at the port, so that the engines do not need to operate while the ship is letting passengers off the ship and bringing new ones onboard.

There are a number of advantages for both the cruise lines and the local community.

Cruise lines get to save fuel, which means less cost to the cruise line and potentially higher profits.

Furthermore, Royal Caribbean gets closer to its goal of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

The community endures less air pollution in their skies as a result of the shore power option.

A $125 million investment

Adding shore power to PortMiami was no simple task.

The estimated cost of the Shore Power Program was $125 million, although a portion of that cost came from grants from the Florida Department of Transportation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava celebrated the upgrade to PortMiami, "We continue to implement important initiatives that have kept us ahead of our ambitious goals to reduce emissions, and this new shore power capability will allow our ships to rely on the electrical grid to power our ships while in port."

Royal Caribbean has added pricing for its newest immersive train-inspired specialty restaurant.

The Royal Caribbean mobile app has been updated to list the price of Royal Railway - Utopia Station.

Dining at the brand-new specialty restaurant costs $119.99 per adult and $59.99 per child. 

Those with an Unlimited Dining Package (UDP) can pay a $49.99 surcharge for the dining experience. 

While Royal Railway is not Royal Caribbean's cheapest specialty restaurant, it's unlike any other dining experience Royal Caribbean has offered yet. This new concept incorporates a show element to it through the extensive use of technology to make guests feel like they've been transported to the Old West.

Currently, the price is only listed on the mobile app, and the app does not allow guests to make reservations. 

Read more: How much does Royal Caribbean specialty dining cost?

The immersive nature of the experience, combined with the live show, exclusive cocktails, and unique menu, make Royal Railway - Utopia Station unlike any other specialty restaurant in the fleet

From the moment you step foot on the station's "platform," you’re supposed to believe you could actually be boarding a train. 

The menu was designed with a cohesive theme, similar to Wonderland. Rather than the offerings you'd find at a standard steakhouse or Italian restaurant, you can expect a menu to match the journey. 

The Wild West theme, which is the first of many themes to debut on Utopia of the Seas, will feature a menu that borrowed ideas from classic Western United States fare. 

Royal Caribbean is still working on fully developing it all, but it promises to deliver something truly different from any other cruise ship restaurant.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's immersive train car restaurant brings the Old West and Far East to its next new cruise ship

Royal Caribbean is toying around with more themes

If riding through the Wild West doesn't appeal to you, don't give up hope. Royal Caribbean plans on adding more themes to Royal Railway - Utopia Station. They won't, however, be available when the ship sets sail on July 19. 

According to Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, while the Wild West theme is a "long form" story that's a "lean in family experience, "short form" stories aren't out of the picture. 

What could "short form" stories look like? Think of a whiskey tasting through the Tennessee mountains or wine tasting while flying through the Napa Valley. Of course, these are just ideas; the final product is subject to change! 

Royal Railway isn't the only new restaurant on Utopia of the Seas

No longer are guests lounging on the pool deck limited to the options at El Loco Fresh. Now, passengers can head to the Spare Tire, Royal Caribbean's poolside food truck-inspired restaurant serving "handheld favorites" like pulled pork sandwiches, cheeseburger flatbreads, daily rotating desserts, and more. 

And while not a brand-new concept, Izumi in the Park on Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis Class first. 

Rather than carving out time to dine at Izumi, guests can order classic sushi rolls, hot gyoza, and even soft-serve bubble cones at the to-go window in Central Park. 

Speaking of Izumi, the Izumi on Utopia will be the largest in the fleet, with six teppanyaki tables and a private omakase-inspired dining room! 

Passengers craving Italian fare will appreciate the two-story Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar, which has an outdoor terrace, dubbed "Gio's Terrazza," for the first time!

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Specialty restaurants are an optional cost on a Royal Caribbean cruise to enjoy different cuisines and cooking styles, and it could cost you a nominal fee or hundreds of dollars.

Specialty dining has gotten very popular in recent years, with many cruisers electing to dine only at the extra cost restaurants.

While there's nothing wrong with the food options included in your cruise fare, eating at specialty restaurants gives you a greater variety.  Some cruisers say they eat at specialty restaurants because the food quality is better than at the complimentary restaurants.

Read more: 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

Depending on your ship, the cost to eat at specialty restaurants could be nominal or quite high.  Here's an overview of the specialty dining costs and what to expect when you get onboard.

Specialty restaurant costs

Here is a list of all the Royal Caribbean specialty restaurants and an explanation of the costs to dine there. 

Keep in mind that prices can vary from ship to ship, as well as pre-cruise discounts being offered.

For the a la carte priced restaurants, you can look up Royal Caribbean menus to see exactly how much individual items will cost.

Read more: How does specialty dining work on Royal Caribbean?

150 Central Park

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $69.99 per adult/$14.99 per child

Basecamp

Price structure: A la carte

Cost: Between $7-$11 for the extra cost items. Some menu items are complimentary

Chef's Table

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $109.99 per guest

Chops Grille

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: Dinner: $69.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Lunch: $29.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Empire Supper Club

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $200 per guest

Fish & Ships

Price structure: A la carte

Cost: Between $2 - $10.  Some menu items are complimentary

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: Dinner: $54.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Lunch: $24.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Giovanni's Italian Table

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $49.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Lunch: $24.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Hooked

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: Dinner: $64.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Lunch: $24.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Izumi hibachi

Price structure: Cover charge. Sushi priced a la carte.

Cost: Dinner: $64.99 per adult, $54.99 per child

Lunch: $39.99 per adult, $29.99 per child

Izumi sushi

Price structure: A la carte or fixed price menu

Cost: Fixed price menu is $39.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

A la carte items range in price. Appetizers between $3-$14. Large plates between $14-$22. Desserts between $5-$6.

Costs are the same for lunch and dinner.

Jamie's Italian

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: Dinner: $54.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Lunch: $24.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Johnny Rockets

Price structure: Cover charge or a la carte, depending on the ship.

Most ships are priced with a cover charge for lunch and dinner. A few ships have a walk-up setup with a la carte pricing.

Cost: Breakfast: Complimentary (Oasis Class ships only)

Lunch and dinner: $14.99 per person on ships with cover charge. A la carte items between $2.99 and $11.00.

Mason Jar

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: Dinner: $49.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Brunch: $34.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Pier 7

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: Dinner: $24.99 per adult, Kids under 12 eat free

Brunch: $14.99 per adult, Kids under 12 eat free

Playmakers Sports Bar

Price structure: A la carte

Cost: Between $7.99 and $29.99 per item

Portside BBQ

Price structure: A la carte

Cost: Between $3.99 - $21.99 per item

Sabor

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $24.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Samba Grill

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $44.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Taste of Royal

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $39.99 per adult, $19.99 per child

Wonderland

Price structure: Cover charge

Cost: $59.99 per adult, $14.99 per child

Two ways to save money on specialty dining

The prices listed are if you were to walk up to the restaurant on your Royal Caribbean ship, but you could save a lot of money on the cost with a little advanced planning.

Royal Caribbean offers two ways to pay less than the listed onboard prices, and in my experience, this is always cheaper than booking restaurants onboard the ship.

Specialty Dining Packages

If you're going to eat at more than two specialty restaurants, a Royal Caribbean dining package is the way to go.

Dining packages offer a bulk discount compared to eating at the same amount of restaurants individually.

Royal Caribbean offers a few different dining packages, but the options will vary from ship to ship. Likewise, the price of a dining package will depend on your ship and sailing.

The Unlimited Dining Package allows you to eat at as many cover charge restaurants as you like on your cruise every day, for lunch or dinner. 

The only limitation with this dining package is at a la carte restaurants, where you are limited to one dining at each a la carte restaurant once per person, per day.  When you dine at an a la carte restaurant, you're given a stipend to use towards the value of items on the menu.

Read more: Guide to the Unlimited Dining Package

Royal Caribbean also offers other dining packages, such as the 3-night Dining Package, or Chops + Your Choice (essentially a two restaurant package with one defaulting to Chops Grille).

You can pre-book dining packages on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site.

Pre-book individual restaurants

Another way to save money on specialty dining is to pre-book a specialty restaurant before the cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean regularly offers pre-cruise discounts on specialty restaurants. The exact discount depends on your ship, sailing, and the Royal Caribbean promotion running at that time.  You can expect at worst a 10% discount off the onboard price at most restaurants.

Is specialty dining on Royal Caribbean worth it?

While there is plenty of food included with your cruise fare at no additional cost, specialty restaurants offer food you might not be able to get otherwise onboard.

The cost of specialty dining has gone up significantly in recent years, but for many cruisers, they're on vacation and simply want to splurge. 

Read more: 7 reasons to eat at specialty restaurants instead of the Main Dining Room

You can find good values, especially if you eat a lot and are not picky.  Some of the high end choices, like Chef's Table or Empire Supper Club, will cost a lot for a more intimate experience.

Anyone that wants to dine at specialty restaurants should either pre-book the restaurant or buy a dining package.  Dining packages can slash the price of an extra cost restaurant by as much as half, if you take advantage of what the package offers.

You don't have to pay for specialty dining on a cruise, but if you choose to do so, pre-planning will definitely save you money and make the cost proposition more favorable.

Booking a cruise can sometimes feel like you really have to dig to find the best value for your vacation.

Between the ships, itineraries, cabin types, and embarkation ports, it requires a lot of planning to do it right, and then you have to determine the most affordable option.

Royal Caribbean has new sales every week, and they are a smattering of BOGO deals, percentage off discounts, and freebies.  On the surface, it sounds good, but how do you know it's actually saving you money?

Here's how to know whether or not you're getting a good deal when you book a cruise.

Start tracking prices now to get a baseline

Assuming you know nothing about cruises at all, you might want to start off by simply tracking prices for cruises you're interested in and then seeing how the shift over time.

Cruise prices are specific to the ship and sailing, and it's priced more like airfare than a pair of jeans. The specific sailing on a certain date and vessel could have drastically different prices than the sailing immediately following or preceding it.

If you're more than a year before you'd like to cruise, I'd recommend tracking the price of the cruise for the specific stateroom you want in a spreadsheet or notepad on a daily or weekly basis. 

You'll probably see the most price swings when a new month rolls around, but I've seen prices change daily.

Once you start to get an idea of how much the cruise fare is going to cost, you can start evaluating new offers to determine if it's really making a difference in the cost.

Don't wait too long to pull the trigger on booking a cruise. Just like airfare, as more people book up cabins, prices tend to go up.

You should also leverage a good travel agent to help, because they track a lot of prices for clients on a daily basis. They'll have a good idea of what constitutes a good price for a spring break cruise, or a Christmas sailing.

Read more: The biggest cruise hack you're not doing that has saved me thousands of dollars

Know what 'good deal' means to you

Everyone has their own sense of what's a good deal, so don't get too wrapped up in what others think.  Ultimately, you need to feel good about the price you're getting.

Your vacation budget will be different than someone else, and maybe you are looking to get the best price on a suite, whereas others want an inside cabin. 

I spent $7,000 on a suite because it was a good deal on that type of high-end suite, but some people thought I was crazy to spend that much money on any cruise ship cabin.

Look at a variety of cabin choices across different ships, and start to get an idea of the ballpark you're considering for the cruise cost. Pretty soon you will come up with a number that you're seeing, and a number you'd like to be at before you book.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Determine your personal priorities, and start looking for the right price with that context in mind.

What is a great deal to one cruiser may not be to another, because cruises are about being on vacation - and whether your price is good or bad is about your vacation! 

Factor in the specifics of your situation

Just as where a house is located will largely factor into the price, there are a few major factors that will greatly influence the price of a cruise.

Seasonaility: There can be major differences in a price of a cruise (as well as discount offered) from one week to the next.

High demand weeks will see far less deals than other weeks of the year. In addition, whether school is in session can also play a big part in the total price.

You might see deep discounts offered on a cruise in September, because it's hurricane season in the Caribbean and the shoulder season of Alaska and European cruises.  These bonus sales will absolutely save a lot of money, but you need to be aware of the tradeoff you might have in trying to get time off from work or school.

How close to your sail date: You might find a really good deal on a cruise more than 12 months in advance because Royal Caribbean wants to fill up rooms now for it.

Similarly, there could be a good last-minute deal on a cruise sailing in 6 weeks because of leftover unsold cabins.

There's a reason why Royal Caribbean might want to offer a better deal on one cruise over another, and it's usually due to how many cabins they've been able to sell so far, and what their internal forecasts predict going forward.

Room type: Deal is a relative term, and what makes a good price on one type of stateroom might be completely different from another.

I believe you're far more likely to find a cheap rate on an inside cabin with no windows than a balcony. That doesn't mean you should (or want to) stay in an inside cabin.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room on a cruise ship

Focus on the final price, not the promotion

Royal Caribbean rolls out sales almost every day, and they all sound great until you price things out.

My advice is skip over the name of the sale and what promotion is offered, because it's akin to window dressing. You want to skip right to the final price.

Royal Caribbean offers kids sail free, onboard credit, instant savings and more. They all sound lucrative, but quite often the final price doesn't change much.  Plus, there could be blackout dates that might prevent you from taking advantage of a specific offer.

You can safely skip over the promotion advertised, and plug in the ship and sail date you want and then see the real cost.

Happy Sunday! I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! Hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

Utopia of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean, which means she is officially part of the fleet.

At a ceremony at the shipyard in France, the 18-deck ship was handed over to the cruise line and is now poised to offer cruises next month.

Utopia will offer 3- and 4-night cruises in order to capitalize on the weekend cruise market.

Royal Caribbean News

• First photos inside Utopia of the Seas
• Celebrity Cruises sold two expedition cruise ships in the Galapagos
• What an inside cabin on Independence of the Seas looks like
• The world's largest dry slide is coming to Royal Caribbean’s next cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean Alaska excursions: Recommended tours for each port
• What Is the Biggest Royal Caribbean ship?

New RCB Video: 5 MORE Things You Should NEVER TRUST on Your Cruise

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 — 5 MORE Things You Should NEVER TRUST on Your Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What happens when a cruise is overbooked

An oversold cruise ship is not uncommon, but usually it doesn't result in anyone being unable to cruise.

Earlier this month guests on a Symphony of the Seas sailing were asked if they'd consider changing their cruise because the ship was oversold.

They were offered essentially a full refund and a free cruise if they took the offer.

The biggest cruise ships in the world actually shrink to fit under bridges

In order for an Oasis Class cruise ship to make into New York harbor, the ship actually shrinks.

In a feat of engineering, some of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships can retract their funnels to make them small enough to fit under certain bridges.

Symphony of the Seas is the latest ship to need to do this in order to make it under the Verrazzano Narrows bridge.

I booked a room near the stairs on a low deck and it made my vacation better

I stayed in cabins on a lower deck than usual and near the stairs, and I really liked this location.

In fact, I've started booking cabins that are on a lower deck and near the staircases, and it's made my enjoyment of the cruise far better.

While it may not offer views of a higher deck, the convenience factor is worth it.

While on Independence of the Seas for a five-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise, I stayed in the cheapest cabin available.

Normally when I cruise, I choose to stay in cheaper cabins. My reasoning is that I only need a place to sleep, store my belongings, and get ready for the day. I don’t feel the need to spend more money to stay in a cabin I don't spend much time in!

For this particular cruise, my mom and I chose an interior guarantee cabin. These types of cabins are “guaranteed” because Royal Caribbean selects the interior cabin's location on the ship. Luckily, shortly after booking, we were assigned a cabin towards the aft of the ship. I much prefer having aft cabins because you tend to feel more movement when situated in a forward cabin.

Booking this cruise about a month before the sail date, we ended up paying $2,075 for the two of us. This included pre-paid gratuities.

We were assigned cabin 6447, on deck 6. Our cabin was just one deck above the Royal Promenade, but we were far enough away that we never heard noise from this busy area of the ship.

Cabin 6447 wasn’t located on one side of the ship (starboard or port) and was considered midship. This meant to get to our cabin, we had to go through a separate hallway.

We quickly discovered there was a door we could use that was three cabins down from us that would lead us near the elevator and stairs. We used this door every time we left or came back to our cabin because it was much more convenient than going down the two hallways.

Also, being in this separate hallway away from most of the other cabins, we found that there was little to no hall noise (except for our neighbors who had a loud baby). We were afraid we would hear people coming in and out of the public door near our cabin, but it was never noisy.

Walking into the cabin for the first time, I was instantly struck by how light everything was. I was expecting the cabin to be similar to the ones on Adventure of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas, but I liked that it felt more modern with lighter colors.

The bed was separated into two per my request before the cruise. Each of us had a large nightstand next to our bed, and we had a small light above our heads. There was a switch in the middle of us that controlled all the lights in the cabin.

After reading a Royal Caribbean Blog article about questions to ask your cabin steward, my mom wanted to request a few things from our cabin steward. She requested:

• A mattress topper
• Printed copies of the Cruise Compass
• Additional hangers
• A new bed configuration
• Extra pillows
• Extra towels

My mom requested a new bed configuration because she wanted her bed (on the right) to be pushed against the wall. That way both of us could sleep against a wall. This made the twin bed feel wider, too. I really liked how this configuration created a larger walkway between our beds!

The extra pillows and mattress topper made a huge difference in the quality of sleep my mom got while on our cruise. She had never requested a mattress topper on previous cruises, so I think she will start doing this on future cruises.

Our cabin had a nicely sized couch and a glass table in front of it. We sparingly used this couch, but it was great to have another place to sit if we wanted the option.

There was a light near the couch, but it didn't work. I guess it is nice for decoration!

Across from the couch was the vanity and closet area. This included the TV, outlets, mini cooler, safe, and many drawers. The three large drawers were great for storing our clothes. There was another small drawer behind the chair, but we didn't use it.

The flat-screen TV was able to extend outward and swivel so my mom could watch TV while lying in bed or sitting on the couch.

The vanity had three outlets: Two three-prong outlets and one European outlet. I packed my adapter and I was super thankful I packed it so we could utilize the European outlet.

Next to the closet were two handles that opened up more storage spaces. The bottom drawer held the hair dryer. This drawer was small and couldn't hold much, so we didn't use it. The top drawer included three shelves - one was for the cabin’s safe. These shelves were perfect for our miscellaneous things, like hats, bags, sunscreen, medicine, etc.

Below these shelves was the mini cooler that we used to keep our water bottles cold throughout the cruise.

The closet was large and had three built-in shelves for clothes. There were only 10 hangers for the two of us (and we packed a lot of clothes), so we requested more hangers from our cabin steward. This was much appreciated!

There was someone who complained on the cruise's Facebook group about their air conditioning not working in their cabin, but ours worked great!

Next up, the bathroom. At first glance, the bathroom was updated nicely and offered lots of storage, but we did run into a few problems.

First, our toilet wouldn’t flush twice during our cruise. We had to call our cabin steward to let him know that we tried flushing numerous times with no success. He even told us other cabins around us were having similar problems. Once we reported the issue, it was fixed within an hour.

Also, the heat in the shower was quite confusing. I would turn the handle towards the heat and it would take at least five minutes to get warm. Sometimes, it would be warm and then get cold and then warm again without touching the handle. My mom and I had difficulties trying to get the knob at just the right spot so we could consistently get warm water. When it was warm, it was a pleasant shower experience.

Lastly, a small thing to point out, every time my mom and I wanted to use some toilet paper, the toilet paper would fall off the holder! We realized that we had to place our thumb on the holder so the toilet paper wouldn't fly off.

On newer Royal Caribbean ships, there is a built-in nightlight in the bathroom so when the cabin is pitch black, you can still navigate to the bathroom. However, our cabin on Independence of the Seas did not have this. We did pack a nightlight to use in our cabin and that helped tremendously.

Overall, my mom and I had a comfortable stay in our cozy cabin. Although we had some bathroom issues, this did not ruin our vacation by any means. We never felt the ship moving, and our cabin’s location proved to be ideal since it was located near the Royal Promenade and other lower-deck activities.