Royal Caribbean Blog

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering the best entertainment that rivals New York or Las Vegas, and there's someone new in charge of it all.

Christine Coachman is the Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, and she was promoted to oversee all of the line's entertainment in May.

Taking the reigns of a company that has almost 30 cruise ships with thousands of performers, singers, dancers, and musicians is not a simple task, but Ms. Coachman has been with the company for a long time. She's been at the forefront of Royal Caribbean's entertainment since the '90s.

At a sit down panel interview on Utopia of the Seas last week, Ms. Coachman spoke to Royal Caribbean Blog and other media outlets about her experience, plans for the future, and what Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve.

Coachman is no stranger to Royal Caribbean. "I've been around for quite a while," she said. 

She started in 1990 as a performer on Sovereign of the Seas and has familiarized herself with entertainment on Royal Caribbean ships for the past 34 years.

She explained how a brand-new ship like Utopia of the Seas needed a new approach to entertainment, especially since the vessel is starting by offering 3 and 4-night cruises.

Coachman's vision for future entertainment combines technology with human talent

When asked what she sees for the future of Royal Caribbean's entertainment, Coachman spoke about how much the cruise line has grown over the years.

When she first started on Sovereign of the Seas, she performed in one venue with a cast of 12 performers.

Decades later, on Utopia of the Seas, she now heads up a team of over 200 entertainment staff in 23 venues.

Coachman herself had a hand with Royal Caribbean's record-breaking Broadway shows: "I negotiated every single Broadway contract. So it's very important to me and the brand."

Although Utopia of the Seas is one of the only Oasis Class ships without a Broadway show (besides Wonder of the Seas, which boasts the in-house Effectors 2), Royal Caribbean isn't done producing them.

It will all depend on the demographic and ship's itinerary.

Original shows, like The Effectors, aren't going out of style, either. Coachman called brainstorming and creating these shows "the fun part of the job."

Her team has no lack of creativity, she said.

Moving forward, the cruise line looks toward incorporating modern technology with human talent.

"As an innovative corporation, technology is important in many aspects of what we do."

"But also it's really important to remember the human artistry. Without humans bringing that entertainment to life, what's the point?"

Comedians, for example, continue to be the cruise line's favorite headliners.

Out of 5,400 headliner bookings across the fleet this year, nearly 1,300 are comedians. That's nearly a quarter of all bookings.

Royal Caribbean—and Coachman herself—loves comedy. 

"I always need to find at least one time [to] sneak in the back [of a comedy show] and just laugh and forget about everything for a second," she said.

Utopia offers a taste of Royal Caribbean entertainment

Because Utopia of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship offering shorter itineraries, passengers have a lot of entertainment to cram into a few days.

"If you look at the big picture, Utopia is a taste," Christine Coachman said.

Entertainment on the vessel is intended to be "a taste of what you could experience on a longer itinerary."

To offer guests a preview of what longer sailings on Royal Caribbean could look like, the entertainment team worked to create several new parties.

To help prepare for the experience, they even created a new position called "Director of Parties and Nightlife." Ken Rush, former Cruise Director, serves in this position for Utopia.

Coachman called the ship a family experience that is also "one party after another."

First, guests will be immediately greeted by "Hey Utopia, Let's Get This Party Started," on the pool deck, which immediately transitions into the high-energy Sailaway party.

Royal Caribbean has designated crew members to become the Party Squad, a group intended to hype up the crowd and invite participation.

"You can participate or you can watch," Coachman said. She personally enjoys people-watching.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas preview: Sneak peek photos of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship

Utopia of the Seas introduces several new parties to guests as a party of the fast-paced experience.

The Silent Toga party is similar to the SHUSH! Silent party, but with ancient Roman togas for guests to style.

Senses will feature chill house music with projections of sunsets visible from the Royal Caribbean fleet worldwide.

At the Plunge pool party, the Party Squad will bring the hype with water guns that blast champagne into guests' mouths—a fan favorite.

Royal Kappa Chi is the cruise line's first after-party, a frat-themed throwback to college days of beer pong and flip cup.

High-energy, live musicians set the mood 

To help set the fast-paced mood onboard Utopia, Royal Caribbean has hired 29 resident musicians—more than on any other Oasis Class ship.

Cruisers love live music, and high-energy musicians bring the fun.

Coachman had a personal anecdote of experiencing the loud, high-energy fun at the outside Plunge pool party.

"Then I went inside the Royal Promenade and I was listening to the most elegant music from Enchanté, the duo onstage, and it was a complete switch within a matter of 15 minutes."

She remarked that music serves as a great method for setting the mood and appealing to multiple generations at once.

Utopia of the Seas features an eclectic variety of music, with high-class entertainers.

From the live music inside Bolero's to the soundtrack for shows like Aqua 82, the entertainment team works to mix up multiple genres and eras of music.

"The combination helps keep it fresh," Coachman said. 

Read more: New Royal Caribbean cruise ship sets sail. It's a cruise so nice you'll want to sail it twice

Family still has a place in Utopia's perfect weekend party

Royal Caribbean has always been a distinctly family brand, so how will families and kids fit into the new party-heavy Utopia of the Seas?

"There are a lot of parties and entertainment," Coachman explained, "There's a lot that families will want to do together."

However, the entertainment team is also planning for moments when parents want to go have a date night or hit a late-night party.

The Adventure Ocean children's program is ready to accommodate kids for even longer.

Utopia of the Seas introduces several changes to the program, which Royal Caribbean is hoping to extend out to other ships.

Starting on Day One, parents can drop off their kids "all the way up to the moment you drop off your luggage in your room."

Instead of having a longer orientation period, parents can take their children to Adventure Ocean as soon as they step onboard.

Utopia of the Seas has plenty of family moments, but also more opportunities for parents to get away.

Adventure Ocean will stay open until 1:00 A.M., and the team is considering extending that until 2:00 A.M.

For parents with younger kids or those who simply don't want to leave family for more than a few days, a weekend cruise is the perfect chance to get away.

Utopia will provide opportunities for family time, as well as adult get-aways and parties.

Another Royal Caribbean cruise ship is being deployed to the port of Los Angeles.

Starting on May 28th, 2025, Ovation of the Seas will begin sailing 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.

Instead of being deployed to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, Royal Caribbean is moving the 4,905-passenger vessel to the West Coast.

Ovation of the Seas will join Navigator in the California area for the summer of 2025.

Around October 2025, Quantum of the Seas will replace her sister ship in the Los Angeles market.

Based on the port's schedule, Quantum will take her first cruise out of Los Angeles on October 2nd, 2025. 

During a call with investors on Thursday, Royal Caribbean cited high demand in California (rather than low profit in China) as the reason for the move.

The cruise line was previously absent from the Los Angeles cruise market for a decade, not entering the area due to declining profits and partially filled ships.

In 2022, Royal Caribbean finally sent Navigator of the Seas, a Voyager-Class ship, to homeport in Los Angeles.

Sending a larger vessel signifies Royal Caribbean's commitment to the LA market

Although Royal Caribbean previously cited low bookings and profits as the reason for pulling out of Los Angeles, it seems the tides have changed.

Navigator of the Seas, built in 2002, has a capacity for 4,000 passengers, and she isn't large enough to carry all the demand in the area.

Ovation of the Seas carries nearly 1,000 more passengers and signifies that the cruise line is renewing a commitment to the LA market.

"We have strong ambitions to grow the West Coast in the US," Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, announced.

During the 2024 second-quarter earnings call, he informed investors that the cruise line wants to infuse more energy into California.

"It's the sixth largest economy in the world," he said.

In 2022, California reached a population of 39 million, expanding a huge market for the cruise line.

Bayley said that Navigator, which has been on the West Coast for two years, has been "performing exceptionally well."

Bookings are selling quickly, and the cruise line is responding to high demand.

Michael Bayley announced the move during a meeting for travel partners on Utopia of the Seas. The room erupted into applause. 

Adding another ship to the West Coast alongside Navigator and Quantum of the Seas is a strong indication of the cruise line's investment in the area.

Does this mean Royal Caribbean is moving away from China?

During the second quarter earnings call, an investor asked if moving Ovation away from China is a sign that China hasn't been a strong market for the cruise line.

Michael Bayley responded that, on the contrary, the cruise line has "very good market choices to make."

"Our belief in the long-term potential for China has not changed at all," he said.

Spectrum of the Seas, another Quantum-Class ship that started sailing out of Shanghai a few months ago, hasn't disappointed the cruise line.

Read more: All about Quantum Class ships

"It's performing very well and we feel good about the China market."

The 5,622-passenger vessel has been consistently filling sailings since it began sailing out of Shanghai in April of 2024.

Royal Caribbean was the first major cruise line to return to the China cruise market after industry shutdown in 2020.

Spectrum of the Seas was designed for the Asian market, and  Royal Caribbean is quite pleased with her performance in Shanghai.

However, Bayley did inform investors that "it hasn't reached the levels we're seeing in the American market."

Royal Caribbean was faced with a choice: continue investing long-term into China with Ovation of the Seas, or deploy to California and meet high demand there?

Ultimately, the cruise line "made the decision based upon maximizing performance."

However, this doesn't at all indicate a move away from the Chinese market.

In fact, Royal Caribbean is still committed to filling sailing there long-term.

Bayley hinted that guests will see more ships in China very soon. "We're quite committed to the opportunity there," he said. 

"And we'll be announcing in the future more deployments into China."

The demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is higher than ever

Royal Caribbean's bookings and profit in 2024 have been on fire.

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said during the second quarter earnings call that bookings are significantly higher than in the second quarter of last year.

Inventory is flying off the shelves, "despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell."

Read more: "We are just getting started" Royal Caribbean reports $4.1 billion in revenue in second quarter

In the second quarter of 2023, Royal Caribbean carried 1,900,810 guests at 105% occupancy.

In contrast, the second quarter of 2024 saw 2,040,242 guests at over 108% occupancy.

The cruise line hit its profit goals 18 months ahead of time, exemplifying how Royal Caribbean is in high demand this year. 

Sailing and stateroom options are becoming more and more limited, due to the popularity of Royal Caribbean cruises.

For those looking to book a cruise in the upcoming months, booking as early as possible is your best bet.

Booking early is the smartest way to secure lower prices and a specific cabin category.

Prices for 2025 and 2026 will also continue to increase as inventory is selling out further in advance.

Go ahead and place the deposit on your 2025 cruise as soon as possible.

Read more: Royal Caribbean launches a half dozen new 2025 and 2026 itineraries in latest deployment

Air travel is different than cruising, and demands an entirely different set of decisions. 

Flying to your cruise adds another factor to your plans, requiring careful consideration. What airport will you fly into? Should you get a nonrefundable ticket?

Adding a second mode of transportation complicates your travel details, and opens up the possibility for even more to go wrong.

A delayed flight could delay your arrival at the cruise port, or a more expensive ticket could cut into your budget for the vacation.

Before you book your flight, there are a few important aspects to consider—and they're not just doubling-checking the booking dates.

If you're thinking about booking a flight to your cruise port, here are some details you should consider first.

Read more: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos

1. Refundable airfare if your plans aren't certain

A variety of factors could disrupt your travel plans—influencing anything from your cruise date to the passengers flying with you.

Your cruise fare may not be refundable, but you can purchase refundable airfare if your plans are uncertain.

If you're unsure where you're flying, if you'll be able to sail on the cruise, or who's coming with you, refundable airfare is the way to go.

Not all plane tickets are refundable, so you'll have to intentionally plan to make sure you get one.

Tickets that are refundable directly (not in flight credit) often cost more. You'll want to weigh your priorities and your level of certainty about travel plans to decide if this is the best option for you.

Not every airline has refundable fares. 

Southwest, Jetblue, Delta, United, and American Airlines offer refundable tickets for most of their flights.

If you don't want to pay the full price of a refundable plane ticket, some airlines also offer flight credit or points in exchange for a refund.

2. Never book a flight on the same day as the cruise

The most expensive cruise mistake you can make is to book a plane flight on the same day your sailing begins.

The air travel industry experiences frequent delays, and an on-time flight is never promised.

Should your flight arrive late, the cruise ship isn't obligated to wait for you.

If you miss your cruise, that's considered a no-show and the cruise fare won't be refunded, leaving you with an expensive loss and no cruise vacation to enjoy.

Instead, book your flight at least one day before the cruise departs, and plan to stay near the cruise port.

Booking the first flight in the morning also makes it unlikely for you to be delayed, and gives the airline lots of time to re-book you should anything happen.

3. Consider booking international flights through Royal Caribbean

Booking international flights can be a complex, expensive process. 

For an international cruise, you might find yourself needing 2-3 distinct flights to take you to your destination.

Royal Caribbean's flight booking system, Air2Sea, can help with that.

Through Air2Sea, cruisers can purchase air travel that links directly with the cruise booking.

Using Air2Sea is a convenient way to put all your travel information in one place. Additionally, it comes with extra perks like special deals and promotions, as well as 24/7 customer support.

If any unexpected delays or emergencies arise, Royal Caribbean will work to help you. 

Air2Sea offers "assured arrival," meaning that the cruise line will ensure you get on the ship at the next legal port of call should you miss the departure day.

4. Try a better seat for longer flights

As someone who's been on too many international flights to count, they are not easy.

Sitting inside a plane for over 8 hours is a marathon of patience and a test of your ability to plan ahead.

The most memorable flights are the disagreeable ones—where you've been squished between two passengers or seated in the same row as a screaming baby.

A good seat could mean the difference between hours of torture versus hours of relaxation and entertainment.

For longer flights, especially international ones, consider booking a better seat, whether that’s a window seat, or upgrading to business or first class.

If you choose a comfortable seat and more legroom, your body will thank you. 

Instead of arriving at your destination sore, cranky, and tired, you'll land feeling refreshed and ready for your cruise.

For those long flights, prioritizing your comfort is key. 

5. Fly to an alternate airport to save money 

Certain cities are cheaper to fly to than others.

For cruises out of major cities, consider looking for a smaller, nearby city to fly into instead.

Read more: Cheap places in the US to fly to for a cruise

Because smaller airports come with lower fees, airlines price those plane tickets at a lower cost as well.

To save money, consider flying into smaller airports, and then getting transportation to your cruise port. 

For example, if your cruise leaves from Miami, a flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is cheaper than one to Miami (MIA).

If the cruise begins in Vancouver, Canada, a domestic flight into Seattle may cost less.

Additionally, if your flight requires a long layover, choose your layover airport carefully. Ensure that it won't be overcrowded and that there is easy access between gates.

6. Get travel insurance

Flying to your cruise means you're adding even more money, time, and effort into your travel plans.

This huge investment—with the potential for more complications—is the perfect opportunity to purchase travel insurance.

Smart cruisers know that travel insurance covers many scenarios beyond your control, and allow you to get compensated should anything go wrong.

When it comes to flights, travel insurance can cover airline cancellations, lost baggage, and more.

Additionally, your health insurance can be out-of-network when you leave the country, so travel insurance can cover any mishaps like accidents, health problems, or even flight incidents.

Travel insurance gives you that extra peace of mind that you'll need when taking multiple modes of transportation on your cruise.

Royal Caribbean is known for launching mega cruise ships, but it wants to expand new classes into a different market.

While record-breaking mega ships are becoming the norm for the cruise line, larger ships are limited to certain ports. Some ports can't accommodate larger ships due to size restrictions.

Vessels in the Icon, Oasis, and Quantum Class are often prevented from visiting certain ports and must send tender boats out to dock.

Given these limitations, Royal Caribbean wants to expand into the smaller ship market.

On the second quarter earnings call this week, Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, talked about plans for new ships, specifically saying they have to replace their aging fleet.

The next class of smaller cruise ships will replace previous classes, reaching new ports and upgrading the small ship experience.

The next class of small ships will replace aging vessels

Even as it builds astounding, entertainment-packed mega ships, Royal Caribbean is mindful that its smaller vessels are becoming outdated.

"We have ships that are reaching 30-35 years [old]," Jason Liberty said.

"This is not just about what we want to build, it's also [about] replacing ships that will eventually reach their end of life."

Royal Caribbean hasn't launched a smaller ship since 2004, when Jewel of the Seas (a Radiance Class vessel) took her maiden voyage.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Captain talks about new smaller cruise ship plans

Grandeur of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's oldest vessel, was launched back in 1996. 

Since the early 2000s, Royal Caribbean has made a name for itself with record-breaking ships like the Oasis and Freedom Class. 

Although many of its smaller vessels have been revitalized in the last few years, they still lack the overall technology and stateroom categories the cruise line has developed more recently.

Cruisers have criticized ships like Grandeur of the Seas for their aged, broken-down quality. 

Some complain that the cabins feel dated, with more adventurous cruisers missing exciting amenities like waterslides or surf simulators.

In general, cruise ships begin to age out after 30 years in service, so many of the ships launched before 2000 are reaching the end of their life.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by age — Newest to Oldest

"We're looking at smaller ships that will replace some of those older ships," Liberty said, touching on the cruise line's next project.

He called the business of designing new ships a long-term business.

"In the cruise ship business, you're always thinking longer term, in growth and [new ship] orders, but also your environmental footprint."

Creating new classes takes more than a few years. The Icon Class, for example, was seven years in the making. 

Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean's goal is to be disciplined with its path of growth, thinking long-term, and taking on new ship orders with care.

Small vessels can visit more ports, expanding Royal Caribbean's global reach 

During the earnings call, an investor asked if building smaller vessels would allow Royal Caribbean to reach new markets.

Since smaller ships can enter more ports, this is the case.

However, Jason Liberty explained that it's "less about the sourcing market, it's more about where the ships can go."

In other words, smaller ships at new ports don't necessarily attract cruisers who live near those ports but rather appeal to cruisers who want to go to new destinations.

It's less about where the cruisers come from, and more about where they want to go: "It's about getting them into some of the more unique destinations."

Research has shown that cruisers want to stay with the Royal Caribbean brand while traveling to new destinations. 

The cruise line wants to further diversify its footprint around the world.

Read more: Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?

Royal Caribbean currently sails itineraries to over 270 destinations in 60+ countries, across six continents.

The goal with smaller vessels is to continue to spread out where guests can travel.

According to Liberty, Royal Caribbean wants to stay flexible in delivering the itineraries guests are looking to sail, as well as generating global demand for cruises. 

What we know about Project Discovery

Little has been revealed about "Project Discovery."

Royal Caribbean's next class of smaller vessels could be called the Discovery Class, similar to Project Icon, which named its class and first name directly.

The first ship in the class could be named Discovery of the Seas.

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO: New smaller cruise ship could be announced in 2024

The public is still waiting for details to be finalized for the cruise line to formally announce its plans. 

However, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean President and CEO, has hinted that more information could be released sometime in 2024.

He also implied that the next iteration of the Ultimate World Cruise could be held on these new vessels.

While on the 2024 President's Cruise, Bayley remarked that the line wants to offer more outside cabin categories on its next World Cruise, while also keeping the capability to travel to unique ports.

The Discovery Class could satisfy this need, featuring upgraded oceanview and balcony cabins in a smaller frame.

The Captain of Radiance of the Seas commented that the new class of ship would be around the size of the Radiance Class, which has the capacity for around 2,500-2,700 passengers.

Read more: Royal Caribbean: Building a new smaller cruise ship is "deeply in our consideration"

The Radiance Class is the line's next-to-smallest class, averaging 962 feet long and 90,090 gross tons.

Jewel of the Seas was the last Radiance Class ship to be released, launched in May of 2004.

Over 20 years later, we could have a new ship to replace her.

Royal Caribbean demand is stronger than ever, and the cruise line is targeting more customers from multiple demographics. 

The cruise line held its second quarter earnings call on Thursday, telling investors that cruise sales continue to increase. 

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said that sailing purchases are still on fire.

"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.

Cruise bookings are quite a bit higher in the second quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. 

In the second quarter of 2023, Royal Caribbean carried 1,900,810 guests at 105% occupancy.

In contrast, the second quarter of 2024 saw 2,040,242 guests at over 108% occupancy.

Throughout 2024, earning goals have exploded for the company.

Royal Caribbean announced today that the second quarter of 2024 earned $4.1 billion in revenue, and the cruise line is just getting started.

Cruising demand is higher than ever, particularly in North America

Thanks to several factors, demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is stronger than ever.

North American consumers, who represent 80% of the line's purchases, continue to be a robust market.

North American workers have 10% more vacation time than in 2019, and they're spending half of those extra days cruising.

Jason Liberty cited "a resilient economy, low unemployment, stabilized inflation, and record-high household net worth" as influences on the growing amount of bookings.

With more vacation time and the opportunity to relax, cruises are a great option to enjoy multiple destinations and amenities within one experience. 

Royal Caribbean's research shows that consumers are spending more on travel than on any other leisure category.

Consumers prefer to spend their money on experiences, particularly travel and vacation. 

Not only that, but buyers also intend to increase their travel spending over the next 12 months.

According to Liberty, "Cruising remains an attractive value proposition, and cruise purchase intent is high and continues to strengthen."

It doesn't look like spending on sailings is going to slow down anytime soon.

The booking window for cruises continues to expand—consumers are planning their vacations further out.

Royal Caribbean research also shows that cruisers are willing to pay more for the experience, so pricing (and brand revenue, as a result) is increasing for 2025 and 2026.

Cruisers are spending more and more on their sailings, buying more onboard add-ons than last year. 

Pre-cruise add-ons like drink packages, WiFi, and shore excursions are optional, but currently in huge demand.

Guests are buying more add-ons than ever, both earlier before the cruise and at higher speeds.

Read more: When should you buy Royal Caribbean drink package, wifi, tours & other add-ons

According to Liberty, this translates "into higher satisfaction rates and higher onboard spending."

Thanks to higher spending and customer satisfaction, "Our market is growing and we are attracting more customers into our vacation ecosystem."

Guests who enjoy their first cruise with Royal Caribbean are likely to book more and bring friends and family along with them.

1 in 2 cruisers are a millennial or younger

Multiple Royal Caribbean strategies serve to attract multiple demographics to its brand, including a strong number of younger cruisers.

Half of Royal Caribbean cruisers are now millennials or younger, and they're not the only demographic increasing their bookings.

As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, more of that demographic is expected to cruise.

Royal Caribbean's research shows that retirees take 50% more vacations than non-retirees who are still working.

Not only is the baby boomer generation expected to cruise more, but they also serve to draw in the younger generations.

The baby boomer generation currently holds 50% of the United States' wealth but is expected to transfer its wealth over to the younger generations over the next two decades.

One form of wealth transfer is traveling together, with the baby boomers taking their younger family members on cruises.

Jason Liberty said that Royal Caribbean is already profiting "from that active and real-time wealth transfer through multigenerational travel."

Additionally, working generations such as millennials and Gen Z are benefiting from the 10% increase in vacation time.

Read more: Almost 1 in 2 Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers are millennials

Younger generations intend to spend more time and money on travel than any other leisure activity.

Millennials and younger generations continue to make up a percentage of Royal Caribbean cruises "at a faster pace than any other generation," according to Liberty.

Today, one out of every two Royal Caribbean cruisers is a millennial or younger.

Shorter sailings cruising the Caribbean are one draw that serves to hook both new and younger cruisers.

Utopia of the Seas, in particular, a new and hyped Oasis-Class ship, entered the market by offering short Caribbean sailings out of Port Canaveral.

Short Caribbean cruises serve as an "on-ramp" for new cruisers to enter Royal Caribbean, "an important entry point" for those new to cruising or the Royal Caribbean brand, according to Jason Liberty.

Read more: Is a short cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships in the world a crazy idea?

Shorter sailings serve as a cheaper, faster taste of what Royal Caribbean has to offer.

Nearly 70% of guests on a short Caribbean cruise fall in the new cruiser or new to Royal Caribbean category and many of them are younger cruisers.

40% of guests in the younger demographic intend to book a short vacation in the next 12 months.

According to Royal Caribbean's research, 90% of guests who sail a short cruise intend to cruise again, and half of those respondents plan to return for a longer cruise.

"New to cruise customers are up double digits versus last year," Liberty said.

Royal Caribbean Group continued its trend of reporting strong quarterly earnings with its second quarter performance.

Thanks to strong demand and favorable timing of expenses, the company "above expectations" results for the second quarter.

Demand for cruises remains a constant for the company, which cited stronger pricing on close-in demand and continued strength in onboard revenue, as well as favorable timing of expenses, as reasons why results exceeded its expectations.

In a statement to the media, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty celebrated his company's strong performance, "Our momentum continues! We met our financial targets 18 months earlier than expected, have our balance sheet in a strong position, reinstated our dividend, and ... we are just getting started."

"Exceptional demand for our vacation experiences has accelerated our performance by generating significant yield growth over the past several years," added Liberty. 

"As we look forward, we remain intensely focused on driving strong shareholder returns by delivering a lifetime of vacations and taking a greater share of the rapidly growing $1.9 trillion global vacation market. This is underpinned by our formula for future success – disciplined growth and moderate yield growth while controlling our costs."  

Inside the second quarter

Total revenues for the second quarter were $4.1 billion, with a Net Income of $854 million, and Operating cash flow was $1.6 billion.

The average cruise ship sailed in the second quarter at 108% capacity. Occupancy rates over 100% are a good measure because it means there were more than two people in a lot of cabins.

Royal Caribbean is seeing high demand for its products along with high prices remaining in place since the last quarter. 

In fact, booking volumes were higher than the second quarter in 2023 and at record pricing levels. 

The company continues to be in a record booked position for 2024 sailings. Consumer spending onboard, as well as pre-cruise purchases, continue to significantly exceed 2023 levels driven by greater participation at higher prices.

"We have seen strength for all key products and are already taking more bookings for 2025 sailings than 2024," Mr. Liberty commented.

The company was particularly proud of the fact it achieved all three of its financial goals. For the 12 months ending June 30, 2024, the company achieved all three of its Trifecta goals: triple digit Adjusted EBITDA per APCD, ROIC in the teens, and double digit Adjusted EPS.

Loan update

Royal Caribbean Group took out many loans during 2020 and 2021 in order to stay in business, and some of the critical ones are now paid off.

"During the quarter, the company repaid the remaining balance of its ship related debt amortization deferral obtained on its export credit facilities during 2020 and 2021, which removed the remaining restrictions on capital return."

 "Our strong balance sheet allows us to expand capital allocation and reinstate a quarterly dividend, further supporting our goal of creating long-term shareholder value," said Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz.

Royal Caribbean has a new signature dining experience on Utopia of the Seas that offers the highest quality Japanese food you'll find on any of its ships.

Izumi Omakase is the third offering of Japanese cuisine by the cruise line, and it's the creation of Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.  He's been responsible for all the Izumi menus since the restaurant's inception.

There are two seatings per evening in a cozy room tucked between the sushi and hibachi sides of the restaurant.

As someone that dines at Izumi on nearly every sailing I go on, I was curious how different the food would be at Omakase and what exactly the experience entails.

The cost is $129.99 per guest, and it's an eight course meal that includes food and alcohol pairings. If you have the Unlimited Dining Package, there is a $59.99 surcharge.

The restaurant is in the middle of a revamped Izumi

On Utopia of the Seas you'll find Izumi in a brand new location, taking up residency in the middle of the Central Park neighborhood.

In fact, it's the largest Izumi Royal Caribbean has built to date, and includes a traditional sushi restaurant, hibachi tables, and now the Omakase option.

Most of the seating is inside the restaurant, but there are a few sushi tables outside too.

A table for six is an intimate dining experience

The Omakase table is a communal dining experience, where six people are seated together across a rather large wood table.

Similar to Chef's Table, you'll be seated with other passengers you may not know. Where you sit exactly is up to you, as there's no assigned seating.

Your host guides you through the meal

There are two people chiefly responsible for your meal, but the host is who you narrates the experience and explains everything.

Speaking both Japanese and English, each step of the meal is introduced with details of which ingredients are included and what to look for within the dish or drink.

Eight courses of food and drink

The menu has eight courses, and each comes with a drink pairing.

Just like any Royal Caribbean restaurant, they can accommodate dietary restrictions or special needs. As someone who does not eat shellfish, they were able to provide me alternatives for those dishes.  Another guest at my table did not drink alcohol, and was served mocktails instead.

According to Royal Caribbean, omakase private dining experience is not recommended for children and there is no kids pricing.

I was initially worried eight courses would be too much food, but each of the offerings was petite and I think just the right amount of food.

My eight course meal started off with a soup

The ichi course begins with a miso lobster bisque soup that comes with lobster meat and caviar.

Since I don't eat shellfish, my alternate soup was a mushroom soup.

A welcome glass of wine was served chilled with the soup.  This would be the only non-sake drink we'd have during the meal, although the host was adamant you could request other beverages at any point.

Sakura carpaccio was next

Our first batch of raw fish came with the ni course, and this was the first opportunity to taste the higher quality sushi.

Four pieces of sushi-grade fish were plated, and these were "meatier" cuts that tasted better than the sashimi I would usually get at Izumi.

With this course, we were also served our first cup of sake.  Sake is a rice wine, and each course had a different sake pairing to try.

Nigiri sushi was the most familiar course

I think if you imagine what sushi is, then a nigiri roll is probably what you think of.

For the san course, we were served three nigiri rolls along with the sake.

An oyster course followed that was "must-try"

At the shi course, guests were given a single oyster that came with a spicy ponzu sauce.

My tablemates commented the oyster was fantastic and implored the others who were hesitant to eat an oyster to give it a try.

My alternative was a spoonful of diced sashimi served in a spoon.  I think they wanted me to have the same sensation of being able to eat an oyster in that manner.

A tuna ball was a fun twist on sushi

For the go course, I can best describe this as a nigiri tuna roll rolled up into a ball.  

I had never seen this before, but it was akin to a bite-sized sushi roll and certainly made it easier to enjoy the flavors together.

The miso broiled cod was so flavorful

The best thing I ate during the omakase meal might have been during the roku course when I was served the miso broiled black cod.

I never would have imagined how good this tasted, and it was the dish I really wanted to get the recipe so I could make it at home.

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

The wagyu beef was a surprise hit

The last course before dessert was the wagyu beef served with pepper and I really liked this more than I thought I would.

Just like the cod, I enjoyed the flavor more than I expected probably because I did not account for the nikiri glaze.

A dessert to wrap it all up

The final course was a chocolate matcha served with a sorbet.

I generally don't eat many desserts on a cruise ship, but it was a sweet way to end the meal.

The whole dining experience took two hours

Our meal began at 6pm and we walked out of the restaurant a little after 8pm, just before the 8:30pm omakase meal was scheduled to begin.

Given this is a chef-driven meal, you have to expect it won't be an "in and out" type meal.  I don't think it felt unnecessary long. In fact, I thought the courses came in quick succession without major gaps at a reasonable pace.

My favorite dish was the miso broiled cod, followed by the "tuna ball".  There was was nothing I didn't like, and maybe the dessert was the only course I didn't care for.

The service was impeccable

I didn't know much of what to expect from an omakase meal, but I assumed the service would be excellent, and I was correct.

Our host was attentive and she made an effort to ensure everyone had everything they needed. Unlike a normal meal where a waiter has a few tables to attend to, she was focused only on us.

Omakase is the perfect meal for Japanese food fans

As someone that loves sushi, I walked away from my first omakase meal very satisfied and I thought it was the perfect meal for someone like me that really enjoys Japanese food.

Unlike hibachi or sushi, the higher price tag makes it more of a luxury to sample now and then. I'd love to try this with a group of friends, perhaps on a group cruise.

I think given the fact we had sake pairings and the notably higher quality food, it was well-worth the cost.  The caveat is you should be someone that loves sushi and is open to trying new things.  The food isn't that adventurous and didn't delve into the types of sushi that I think scare a lot of people away, such as octopus or caviar.

Overall, I thought Izumi omakase was better than I expected and it's the kind of meal worth trying as a special event.

Many would agree that one of the highlights of cruising is indulging in all of the delicious cuisine while onboard. While there are specialty dining options on virtually every cruise ship, you can always enjoy unlimited, complimentary food during your sailing. From the buffet to the main dining room, you certainly won’t go hungry while vacationing on a cruise ship.

But, how much would you eat on a cruise if you had the metabolism of a 17-year-old teenager?

A recent viral TikTok from Kyleigh Ryan (@kyleigh.pate) shows just how much a teenage boy can eat in one day on a cruise. The video has been viewed more than 4.7 million times - garnering around 9,000 comments and nearly 500k likes from viewers. Ryan's viral video is likely inspired by the TikTok trend where siblings share what their teenage brothers eat in a day. 

In the video, Ryan chronicles her brother’s meals and snacks throughout his cruise day, meticulously keeping track of everything he ate for the TikTok. As you might imagine, the 17-year-old certainly got his money’s worth just in cruise food.

Ryan captioned the TikTok, “What my 17-year-old brother eats in a day on our cruise.” She also included in the captions that simply making the video made her nauseous. Ryan tagged Royal Caribbean in the video, although she does not specify which ship she is sailing on with her family.

The hilarious TikTok was posted to social media earlier this month, presumably during a family vacation. The tagged location on the TikTok is Galveston, Texas, and appears to be Mariner of the Seas. Of course, it should also be noted that the sentiment of this TikTok is clearly lighthearted and not meant to be shaming or judgmental.

Here’s everything that the 17-year-old enjoyed during his cruise day, in the order shown in the viral video.

Breakfast

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day - and Ryan’s brother certainly started his day with a bang. The beginning of Ryan’s viral TikTok shows her and her brother dining at the Windjammer buffet for breakfast onboard their Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Windjammer is Royal Caribbean’s standard buffet that serves meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the TikTok, Ryan’s brother makes three separate trips to the buffet for his breakfast.

During breakfast, the 17-year-old makes a few trips to the buffet. It looks to be a sea day onboard the ship, as the TikTok never shows the family disembark the ship. More time onboard means more opportunities to indulge in all of the cuisine!

Ryan documents her brother with each trip to and from the Windjammer buffet, which is actually recommended on a cruise to reduce waste, as it’s easy to overload your plate. One can appreciate the teen’s conscientious efforts to not be wasteful!

Here’s what the 17-year-old had for breakfast, according to the viral TikTok:

• 3 slices of French toast
• 2 donuts
• A plate of bacon
• Hashbrowns
• 3 more slices of French toast
• 2 sausage links
• A chocolate croissant
• 1 more donut
• 2 glasses of apple juice

Lunch

Before lunch, Ryan shows a clip of her brother having his first ice cream cone on the pool deck. One of the quintessential treats on a Royal Caribbean is a soft-serve ice cream cone! Although popular with all guests onboard, the soft-serve machine is particularly popular with kids and teens. Who doesn’t want unlimited ice cream on vacation - it’s a kid’s dream!

For lunch, the 17-year-old takes a trip to Sorrento’s onboard. This is Royal Caribbean’s complimentary pizza, serving up fresh slices throughout the day and into the late night. Ryan shows her brother taking three separate trips up to the counter for lunch, in which the teen eats the following:

• 2 slices of pepperoni pizza
• 2 more slices of pepperoni pizza
• 2 final slices of pepperoni pizza

After indulging at Sorrento’s for lunch, the teen heads back to the pool deck. Ryan shows her brother having two more ice cream cones from the soft-serve machine.

Dinner

The TikTok continues by showing the teenager enjoying dinner in the main dining room, presumably with Ryan and their family. On Royal Caribbean ships, the main dining room serves multi-course meals, which are included in each guest’s cruise fare. The main dining room also serves sit-down meals for breakfast and lunch depending on the sailing’s itinerary.

Each evening in the main dining room features a different themed menu. Ryan shows her brother’s dining room order, including the following appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Based on the 17-year-old’s selections shown in the TikTok, it appears to be Italian night in the dining room.

The teenager didn’t hold back with his dining room order, indulging in the following meal for dinner:

• 2 cheddar bread rolls with butter
• 2 glasses of lemonade
• 1 more cheddar roll with butter
• Arancini appetizer
• 2 steaks with baked potato and broccoli
• Chocolate dessert with ice cream
• Lemon tart

Late Night Snack

After dinner, Ryan shows her brother making another trip back to Sorrento’s for a late-night bite of pizza. She captions the ending of her TikTok, “Went back that night because he was hungry again.”

At the end of the TikTok, Ryan shows her brother indulging in four final slices of pizza before calling it a night. To be fair, there is nothing quite like Sorrento’s pizza to end your night on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Response from viewers

Ryan’s viral TikTok has become overwhelmingly popular with viewers on the social media app. The video has surpassed 9,000 comments, mostly with commenters appreciating the teenager’s eating tenacity!

“If I paid for his cruise, he’s the one I’m feeling good about having got my money’s worth!” said the top response in the TikTok’s comment section. This top comment has received over 81.4k likes from other viewers!

Another top response - which has received 32k likes - said, “I ain’t mad at him. He CLEARLY knows how to enjoy a cruise.”

Similarly, many viewers agreed with the sentiment that the 17-year-old is getting his money’s worth. One commenter writes, “Note to self: take my twins on a cruise when they’re 16 to save on groceries” while another responds, “It’s cheaper to take your teenage boys on cruises than grocery shopping these days!”

“I am expecting my 16-year-old to eat our money’s worth on our cruise in December!” responded one user on the viral video. Another user agreed, “Have two teenage boys. Can confirm they eat like this.”

In the same way, another commenter stated, “Just got back from a cruise with my 14-year-old son and he ate 24 slices of pizza and 7 ice cream cones, in addition to breakfast, lunch, and dinner one day. I felt like it was a good value at least lol.”

Another parent chimes in, “As the parent of a teenage boy, I see what our next vacation is gonna be. That alone would justify the cost of the cruise!”

“My 18-year-old ate his weight in soft serve daily on our 8-day cruise. The food he consumed balanced the cost of his room,” writes another commenter. 

Along with these remarks, many of the commenters mention how they are envious of the teen’s metabolism. One of the top comments with 33.6k likes reads, “I have metabolism envy!”

“Cries in bad metabolism,” responds another viewer jokingly.

What food is included on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

All of the food in Ryan’s TikTok is included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise. Each ship features a combination of for-fee specialty dining and complimentary dining options.

To start, all of Royal Caribbean’s ships provide a Windjammer buffet, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. There are multiple buffet stations with a range of cuisine options - everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to Indian curry and Italian pasta.

Moreover, each ship in the fleet has at least one main dining room for dinner and breakfast each day with multi-course meals. The main dining room is a classic, traditional cruise ship dining experience.

You can choose between My Time Dining or set dining time (early or late). In the main dining room, you’ll receive a menu each evening with appetizers, entrees, and desserts to order. Guests can essentially order as much as they want in the dining room.

Royal Caribbean’s ships also typically feature a grab-and-go cafe with snacks, sandwiches, and salads. These quick-service dining options are often named Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, Pearl Cafe, or Cafe Lattitudes, depending on which ship you are sailing on. Sorrento’s is Royal Caribbean’s pizza parlor, which serves pizza throughout the day on your cruise.

Finally, some of Royal Caribbean’s ships also have poolside dining options like El Loco Fresh for Mexican and Boardwalk Dog House for hot dogs. These are also grab-and-go style dining options so you can get a quick bite to eat and eat right on the pool deck.

As for drinks, your Royal Caribbean cruise fare includes basic beverages, excluding alcohol. This includes water, lemonade, tea, juices (not freshly squeezed), drip coffee, tea, milk, and flavored waters.

Specialty dining options are available for a surcharge on Royal Caribbean’s ships. These include restaurants like Chops Grille Steakhouse, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen or Table, Izumi Sushi and Teppanyaki, Jamie’s Italian, Playmakers Sports Bar, and 150 Central Park. Specialty dining experiences are also available for an extra fee, including Chef’s Table, Royal Railway Utopia Station, Wonderland, and Empire Supper Club.

Royal Caribbean has made visible progress in building its new private Beach Club in the Bahamas.

While visiting Nassau, Bahamas on Utopia of the Seas this weekend, our team took photos of the construction work being done on Paradise Island.

On a strip of land previously covered by palm trees and thick sand, excavators are clearing the ground, and trucks bringing in supplies. 

Paradise Island, the narrow strip of land near Nassau's cruise port, will house a 17-acre piece of land dedicated to Royal Caribbean's private club.

Royal Caribbean announced that the Royal Beach Club will open sometime in 2025, with "more details to be revealed in the coming months."

Based on our team's photos, the land has been cleared to begin building.

Where trees, logs, and dirt once stood, now the cleared ground is prepared for what will be multiple structures that make up the beach club.

Although no actual building has begun, construction workers brought in supplies such as steel poles, large water tanks, and packs of metal or wire.

Although it's unclear what purpose these supplies serve, the steel beams could make up foundations for the buildings, and packets of wire perhaps serve as material for constructing fences.

Although the curved white building pictured is not new, its steady presence and open doors could indicate that it serves a purpose in construction, or will become part of the new Beach Club.

Packets of supplies to the right of the white building are also tools for the cruise line to use in building the beach club.

Royal Caribbean is partnering with the Bahamas to build this exclusive club, intending to incorporate the island's vibrant culture into architecture, food, and live music.  

Royal Caribbean announced that cruisers who visit the private club "will be welcomed by local architecture that complements the exceptional views of The Bahamas’ turquoise-blue waters and white sand beaches, along with experiences that feature Bahamian fare, island-style barbecues, live music, and local artisans."

Read more: Royal Caribbean breaks ground on new beach club in Bahamas reserved for its passengers

Further down the island, palm trees remain alongside a possible dock site.

The beach club has been marketed as a world-class destination experience.

Cruisers can expect to pay an extra cost for entrance to the exclusive venue.

Much like the adults-only Hideaway Beach on Perfect Day at CocoCay, guests may pay a single entrance fee to access the area.

Read more: Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island: What you should know before it opens

The entrance fee could include access to the exclusive venue, lunch, and a beach chair.

Royal Caribbean's plans for the Royal Beach Club include a family zone, arrivals area, water sports center, food area, and one or more swimming pools.

In fact, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley confirmed the beach club will have the largest swim up bar in the world.

"Next year we'll be opening the Royal Beach Club in the Bahamas," Mr. Bayley said at a meeting with members of the press on Utopia of the Seas. "We're kind of hoping we're going to have the largest swim up bar in the world. Can you imagine that?"

It's unknown yet exactly what activities will be offered, but there will be various options to consider.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas has many types of cabins and suites, and I booked the inaugural sailing in a Crown Loft Suite with my family.

Suites are never cheap, but they do come with perks that help make the cost more palatable.  They're a luxury, and not about necessarily the best value you can find.

For the first sailing of Royal Caribbean's brand new cruise ship, I wanted a cabin for my family that had enough room for everyone, and most importantly, a second full bathroom. Plus, I wanted to be able to experience the suite amenities on the ship because we often get a lot of questions about what the suite areas are like on a new ship.

The Crown Loft Suite is a two-level suite that offers the mid-tier suite benefits, which includes access to the a private lounge, reserved seating at shows, and concierge services. 

The price is steep compared to regular cabins

A suite on a Royal Caribbean ship will almost certainly cost significantly more than a balcony room, especially on a brand new ship like Utopia of the Seas.

I booked the cabin on the day Royal Caribbean opened bookings up for Utopia, and it cost $10,784.52 for the four of us on the inaugural 3-night cruise.  

To put that in comparison, two people in an oceanview balcony guarantee cabin on the same sailing cost $2223.

At 670 square feet, the Crown Loft Suite is almost four times bigger than a balcony

One big thing you'll notice quickly about a suite is just how much space you get.

That oceanview balcony cabin I compared earlier is nearly 4 times smaller than the Crown Loft Suite, and has one less bathroom.

Cruise ship cabins are notoriously small to begin with, so a suite is one way you could spread out and not feel as cramped.

It also has a big balcony

In addition to the 670 square feet of living space, you get an additional 105 square foot balcony.

The balcony comes with two plus chairs and ottomans, which are great for lounging. There's a small table too, so you can order room service to be delivered right to your balcony.

The extra large balcony space means everyone can fit on it for sailaway, or even have friends come to visit.

No complaints of cramped cabins here

One thing someone new to cruising might notice is how much smaller cruise ship cabins are compared to hotel rooms. With a suite, that's not much of an issue.

The lower level has a living room with couch, large screen television, chairs, and even a dining room table that can seat four.

The couch can be opened up to become a bed, meaning two more people can sleep there.

The suite also has a wet bar

We had a bottle of champagne waiting for us upon entry into the suite as a welcome gift on the wet bar, and it's where you can store all your drinks.

While the suite does not include drinks as part of the cost, if you bring any drinks back to the room, you can store them there.  This is true of the complimentary Crown and Anchor beverages we receive as part of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program benefits.

There's also a complimentary coffee machine you can use.

The TV could pull down toward the king-sized bed

On the upper level is the master bedroom, which overlooks the lower level.

There's a privacy curtain that you can extend to not only section off the master bedroom, but also make it darker.

The television descends from the ceiling and can retract with the push of a button.

The master bathroom is large and has a shower and a tub

Suites have large bathrooms, including a shower and a tub.  This is a favorite feature for many why they upgrade to a suite.

There's only one mirror and sink (some of the bigger suites have two in their master bathroom), but there's enough counter space for two people's toiletries.

The second bathroom makes sharing the cabin much better

I booked this particular suite over other suites because it has a full second bathroom.

Located on the lower level near the entrance, it's great for whomever is sleeping on the lower level.  Or if you're planning to entertain in your suite, another place for guests to use instead of your bathroom.

A closet with more storage space than you need

There's more closet and storage space than you'll find on most cruise ships, and certainly more than enough space for a short weekend cruise.

The master bedroom closet has two sliding doors to provide lots of hangers, in addition to shelves recessed inside the closet.

The closet is also where you'll find the safe.

Next to the closet is a vanity with large mirror.

There were so many USB outlets

Cruise ships have finally gotten the memo that passengers want to be able to easily plug-in their devices without having to buy special adaptors. 

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

Equally impressive is you can control the room television, curtains, and air conditioning from the Royal Caribbean app. There are physical controls too, but I loved being able to open the blinds from my bed with my phone.

Many perks are included with the suite stay

While the suite is impressive, it comes with even better amenities that I think are what justify the cost for a lot of cruisers.

Here's a list of the top Sky Class benefits: 

• Concierge Service
• All Day Access to Coastal Kitchen
• Specialty Bottled Water (upon arrival)
• Complimentary internet access for every person in the suite
• Flexible Arrival Boarding & Priority Departure
• Priority Dining Reservations
• Venues Early Access to Seating in Select Entertainment Venues
• Suite Lounge Access (complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening)
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
• Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

The suite lounge and suite sun deck are the best amenities, given how much value they provide.

I think the suite sun deck on Utopia of the Seas (and Wonder of the Seas) is Royal Caribbean's best suite sun deck on any ship. There's a bar, seating in the sun and shade, and a terrific pool to cool down in.  It's rarely busy, and a favorite spot to do work from.

Moreover, the suite concierge can do a lot, especially pre-cruise. They can book show and dining reservations before you get onboard, and they are very helpful with billing issues.

Sky Class suites come with a complimentary one-device internet package for everyone in the suite, which saves a couple hundred dollars for a family.

Is a Crown Loft Suite worth the price tag?

It's undoubtedly a steep cost to stay in one of these suites, but having a full second bathroom and the array of Sky Class benefits was a lovely way to cruise with my family.

I booked this suite partly because I wanted to have a stateroom with enough space for my family, and partly because I wanted to experience the suite options on Royal Caribbean's newest ship.

The combination of sailing on a brand new ship and on its inaugural voyage meant I was never going to get a low price on the fare, so bargain hunters will likely never see the value in this booking.

Ultimately, I think it's a good choice for a family or friends looking to stay in a cabin with upgraded amenities and a second bathroom.  Plus, the location on deck 18 was very convenient to the ship's Suite Neighborhood.