Royal Caribbean Blog

My Mediterranean cruise was packed with exotic ports, historical sites, classical art, and incredible food. But I made one crucial mistake: not staying longer.

I sailed on a 7-night Oasis of the Seas cruise to Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Spain,  and Florence, Rome, and Naples, Italy.

When I stepped off the tour bus in Florence, Italy, I saw a scene that looked like it was out of an impressionist painting.

Plush green trees and medieval architecture lined the banks of the wide Arno River.

Young people sunbathed on the river bank, reading and smoking cigarettes.

"Places like this really exist?" I wondered.

I longed to join the sunbathers and grab a cappuccino at the cute cafe I saw by the river, but I didn't have enough time.

Instead of getting to eat or walk around, I had to rush straight to my appointed time at the Uffizi Gallery art museum.

After the art museum, the time for the tour was over, and we had to get onto the bus for a two-hour drive straight back to the cruise ship.

"Next time," I promised myself.

I didn't have enough time to explore each port

Traveling by cruise ship barely gave me time to explore each port.

The vessel stopped in each town for about twelve hours.

However, I found that the largest, most famous cities near these ports (such as Florence and Rome) were quite far from where the vessel was docked.

When we visited Florence, it took longer than two hours to get from the port, La Spezia, to the famous Renaissance city.

So much travel time cut into my chance to explore Florence.

I only had three hours to spend there—leaving me wishing I could have tried more food and seen more historical sites.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

A day or more would have been ideal to explore.

The same happened in Rome, but even worse, I booked an afternoon tour of this rich historical city.

It took over an hour to travel from the port city of Civitavecchia to Rome, and we still had to return before the ship left at 8 P.M.

Because I had so little time in each port, I often could only book one tour or visit one museum.

In Naples, Italy, for example, I was torn between seeing the ancient city of Pompeii or visiting the famous Blue Grotto on the coast of Capri.

I could only choose one, and it broke my heart to be so close to these incredible sites and not be able to see them.

For this reason, I should have booked a much longer stay in Europe on either side of my cruise.

Some of my fellow cruisers told me that, after the cruise, they were planning on staying in Spain for a week or traveling around Europe for a month.

I quickly realized that I should have gone this route as well.

One week in Italy and one in Spain would have given me much more time to see all the exciting places I wanted to.

The cruise didn't provide many opportunities to try local food

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I traveled to Italy and still didn't try any local pasta.

Although I ate regional meals as often as I could, the cruise only stopped at each port for such a short amount of time.

I had to manage my schedule carefully. 

Rather than trying the food, I ended up prioritizing seeing historical sites, buying souvenirs, and visiting museums.

Since the cruise ship offered so many complimentary options, I put less effort into finding local cuisine, knowing that I could always eat when I got back on the ship.

While this was a convenient way to find food and save money, I missed out on trying some great local dishes.

Italy is especially famous for many foods, such as pasta, pizza, and lasagna.

While Royal Caribbean's dining staff did serve some of these meals onboard, I knew that it wasn't as authentic.

Because I didn't extend my stay in the Mediterranean past the length of the cruise, I missed out on trying actual local cuisine.

If I'd been able to stay longer on land, I would have been able to try so many more meals.

Staying longer would have given me a chance to recover from jetlag 

It took a Herculean amount of effort to recover from jetlag on this cruise.

With an 8-hour time difference and a 12-hour flight, I was exhausted by the time I arrived in Spain.

I had to force myself to stay awake until the evening so my body clock could adjust to the local time.

Even though I arrived in Spain the day before the cruise embarked, it was not nearly enough time to adjust.

While I made myself stay awake to experience the amazing sites and exciting amenities, I spent most of my cruise exhausted.

Not only was I suffering from jetlag, but the cruise was also packed with port stops: 5 out of the 7 total days were port days.

Each day at port required me to wake up early, get to my tour or go off the ship, and spend a lot of time walking around.

I would come back to the ship with sore legs and aching feet and still want to spend time experiencing the ship's amenities.

Because of this, I never fully adjusted to the local time.

I simply napped when I could, and for the last couple of days, I barely slept at all!

The cruise was so fast-paced that I had less energy to explore in the long run, making it even harder to see everything I wanted to.

Staying in the area for a longer time would have made the long flights worth it, and given me a chance to recover from jetlag and exhaustion.

It would have stretched out my time into a more relaxing pace.

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and enjoying summer! It is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the recent Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean has revealed the new shows and parties on its newest mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas.

The entertainment lineup on this Oasis Class ship has everything from original productions to late-night comedy shows.

Royal Caribbean plans to continue the Oasis Class tradition with an AquaTheater show and an ice skating performance. 

Plus, countless parties and live musicians provide entertainment late into the night.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean releases price for immersive train-inspired restaurant
• Utopia of the Seas shipyard photos show how close Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship is to being ready
• I chose an inside cabin on my recent Oasis of the Seas cruise because it was the cheapest option, and I actually loved how much space it had
• I tried Royal Caribbean's new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars
• How much does Royal Caribbean specialty dining cost?
• I tried going alone on a group shore excursion, and it was a smart way to enhance my Mediterranean cruise
• Royal Caribbean is ready for cruise ships to begin plugging into Miami's new shore power

New RCB Video: I booked CHEAP 4 and 5 night cruises. Was it worth it?

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 — I booked CHEAP 4 and 5 night cruises. Was it worth it? — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 537th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

Matt recently sailed a 5-night Bermuda cruise on Liberty of the Seas with his family and shares everything that surprised him about the sailing.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

A look inside the crew member cabins on Utopia of the Seas

What do the crew member cabins look like on the second biggest cruise ship in the world?

A new video shows exactly what one crew cabin looks like on Utopia of the Seas, and it's definitely small.

While it's a private cabin, it does have a shared bathroom.

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

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, "The World's Biggest Weekend," is meant to appeal to passengers hesitant to book a weeklong cruise, and it's brimming with exciting features.

This vessel is weeks away from beginning guest cruises and Royal Caribbean is starting to reveal several brand-new features that can't be found on any other Oasis Class ship.

From a new category of Suite stateroom to the longest dry slide at sea, here are the new things available on Utopia of the Seas.

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

How can you be sure your cruise vacation is coming at the best value?

Royal Caribbean has tempting sales every week, from BOGO deals to percentages off the price.

These deals may look good on the surface, but it's important to double-check that you're actually getting a good deal.

I took my first solo cruise on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships. After 7 nights, here are the pros and cons of cruising alone

Calista took her first solo cruise on an Oasis Class ship and was surprised at the experience. 

Like every sailing, cruising alone has its pros and cons. 

After spending seven nights onboard Oasis of the Seas for a Mediterranean sailing, here's Calista's review on solo cruising.

A video shared on YouTube shows what crew cabins are like on the world's second-largest cruise ship. 

Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, has worked on numerous ships in the fleet, including Wonder of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, and Odyssey of the Seas. Currently, he's at the shipyard in France gearing up for the launch of their newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. 

When he isn't singing, you can find him playing video games or making videos for his social media channels. On Instagram, he's amassed nearly 200,000 followers, while his TikTok has over 800,000. 

In his most recent YouTube video, he gives viewers a look into the crew accommodations on Royal Caribbean's sixth Oasis Class ship. Despite the small quarters—particularly the shared bathroom—, the video has received positive comments thanking James for sharing. 

@Disneyobsessed23 wrote, "Omg this is so cool man! I am now thinking about working on a cruise ship now!"

"Downside: tiny room.  Upside: it's not shared with another random crew member (like most crew cabins on most ships)," commented @pileofstuff.

Let's look at his single crew cabin onboard Utopia of the Seas. 

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

"I think...the strangest part about being on a ship is the tiny, tiny rooms we have to live in"

Before showing viewers his stateroom, James tries to explain just how small the room is: "Imagine your adult walk-in closet and then cut it in half, and then cut it in half two more times...that's about the size of our rooms." 

Cabins aboard Icon of the Seas were redesigned to maximize limited floor space; however, those on Utopia don't appear to be as modernized. While James doesn't have to share his stateroom with another crew member, the available space is minimal. 

What you see when you enter is pretty much what you get. The single twin-sized bed is directly across from the personal sink and closet. There's not even a nightstand to store the cabin's phone, so it's hung on the wall. The television is affixed to the wall at the foot of the bed, too. 

James' friend and fellow performer Jeff, who is about 6'4" or 6'5", laid in the bed to show just how small it is. To comfortably fit, he says he curls up when he sleeps. 

The Jack-and-Jill bathroom means he shares it with another crew member

Despite sharing the washroom, there's just barely enough space for a toilet and shower. Both crew members have their own sinks in their stateroom, eliminating the need to work one into the bathroom's floor plan. 

Jeff once again serves as a model to showcase the overall size of the shower: "If I just barely go up on my tiptoes, there's the ceiling." 

"You can never get the shower head actually over your head; you have to kneel down," says James. 

Since there's not a ton of floor space, he has to store the stool in his wardrobe

According to James, the only stressor of his crew cabin on Utopia of the Seas is trying to effectively manage the space: "That's why I try to only bring one bag of stuff because if you have anything more than one bag,...there's no room." 

Above the bed, he shows two cabinets and one open-face shelf for more personal items. The latter is where James keeps water bottles, while the cabinets are where he stores his laundry bag. Jeff has a different approach, as he claims he keeps his clean clothes in the concealed cabinets. 

Beside the stateroom's door, there's a small built-in shelving unit that houses the safe, and there are a few hooks on the wall. Since cruise ship cabins have magnetic walls, James could bring more hooks to hang items like hats, lanyards, small bags, etc. 

You can follow along on James' journey on Royal Caribbean's newest party ship on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. According to his Instagram, he'll be onboard Utopia of the Seas until September 9, 2024. 

I went on my first solo cruise to Europe on a mega ship in June on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas for seven nights around the Western Mediterranean.

I booked a 7-night Mediterranean cruise, sailing round-trip from Barcelona, Spain to Palma de Mallorca, Florence, Rome, and Naples, Italy.

Sailing on such a thrilling ship with exotic destinations was the perfect opportunity to choose a cheaper cabin, so I booked an interior guarantee stateroom. 

The total cost of the cruise was $2070.02 (including pre-paid gratuities). 

Since I cruised solo, the price came out to $295 per night.

A few weeks before my cruise, I saw that I'd been assigned room 7452, a windowless inside cabin located far forward on deck 7.

Read more: Should I book a guarantee stateroom on a cruise?

Guarantee staterooms are usually located in less-desirable spots onboard since Royal Caribbean assigns the leftover, unpurchased cabins before the cruise.

However, I ended up loving the position of this cabin.

It was conveniently close to the forward elevators, and being on deck 7, rather than a lower floor, helped me not feel seasick inside.

Royal Caribbean's deck plans indicate that the cabin measures 149 square feet in total.

When I first walked in, I was surprised to discover that the room felt quite spacious. 

To the right of the door was a large couch, which could seat at least three people or expand into a double sofa bed. 

Since I was traveling alone, I left it as a couch, and it made for a great place to leave my bags or clothes for the next day. 

Thanks to the sofa bed, the cabin could sleep four guests in total, so it was a lot of space for one person.

Next to the couch was a large closet, complete with seven shelves, the stateroom's safe, and a large amount of hanging space and hangers.

I loved this space—especially since it was all in one area, making it convenient for me to keep all my clothes and swimsuits in one spot.

It was large enough to hold all my clothes and luggage. I also liked that the hanging space had a sliding door, so I could close it to hide my luggage and dirty laundry. 

To the left of the front door, I found the vanity/desk of the stateroom.

The left side had a set of shelves and a large mirror complete with a ring light.

The right side held the cabin's TV, which displayed over 20 free channels.

Below the TV were a set of three drawers and a mini-fridge, which kept my food so cold that I regretted leaving brownies in there.

The only thing I found inconvenient about the desk area was that there wasn't a chair in front, and the couch was too far away to use it to sit at the desk.

If I wanted to do my makeup at the vanity or otherwise use the desk, I had to stand up.

Past the desk and the couch, I faced the large Royal King bed.

Above the bed were decorations and paintings, and two bedside tables sat on each side.

Each table had an adjustable night light, and the left side held the stateroom's telephone, which I could use to call any services onboard.

The bed was so huge for one person, and I found it very comfortable.

Read more: Everything you wanted to know about Oasis of the Seas

Back to the front of the room, I found the door to the bathroom.

Though it was small, the space was well-organized, and I didn't have any problem using it for all my needs.

I was also very happy to see that the shower had a real door and tube encasing it, instead of a plastic curtain.

While the water pressure and temperature were great, the water spout got easily tangled, and I often had to wrangle it around my body to get the right flow.

The only provided toiletries in the bathroom were a bar of hand soap and a two-in-one hair and body wash. 

While I used the hand soap and had no problem with it, I stayed far away from the body wash, finding it drying and too strongly perfumed.

A cute blue backsplash under the wide mirror continued the Royal Caribbean ocean theme.

Under the sink were a series of shelves, as well as extra towels and toilet paper.

Although the counter was narrow, it ended up being long enough that I had space to store anything I needed.

Above the counter, there were also more shelves. Again, they were a weird shape, running deep rather than wide. I felt like I had to reach my arm far in to grab my products.

Additionally, they each had a small metal bar in front, perhaps to prevent items from falling if the ship rocked.

Despite the strange shapes, I found that the bathroom had plenty of shelves and hooks for all my items.

Even though she's the oldest Oasis Class ship, Oasis of the Seas doesn't feel 15 years old.

The only aspect of the room that felt more aged was the lighting, which seemed dimmer than in other Oasis Class ships I've been on.

However, I was dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the cabin. I found items that I shouldn't have if the room had been thoroughly cleaned, such as tape on the walls and old earrings on the floor.

Altogether, the cabin was great and had more than enough space for me to store all the items I needed for 7 days of travel.

Since the itinerary was very port-heavy and the ship had so many amenities to explore, I didn't spend much time in the cabin.

In fact, there was so much to see that I barely slept at all!

What is it like to cruise solo on one of Royal Caribbean's mega-ships?

While I have cruised alone before, this month was my first time sailing on an Oasis Class ship by myself.

I took a 7-day Mediterranean cruise on Oasis of the Seas, spending my time alone exploring exciting ports like Barcelona, Spain, and Rome, Italy.

The Oasis Class is such a uniquely large and thrilling type of cruise ship that I was curious about what to expect onboard.

Would I feel more lonely in the wide expanse of the vessel?

Or would the increased number of people onboard provide more opportunities for connection?

In the end, I was surprised by just how amazing this cruise turned out to be.

Based on my experience, the pros of a solo cruise far outweigh the cons. 

With proper planning ahead of time, you don't have to feel lonely or bored!

After seven days onboard Oasis of the Seas, here are the top pros and cons of cruising solo.

Read more: 5 things that surprised me about going on my first solo cruise, from enjoying my stateroom to conversing with others

Con: Exploring ports by yourself

One of the biggest downsides to cruising by myself was that I had to explore ports alone.

When you're already visiting a brand-new country with a foreign language and unfamiliar customs, facing all this alone can make the experience even more uncomfortable.

It can be very difficult to have an international flight and travel to a new city all alone.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

It caused me to feel much more aware of my safety and required that I do a lot of research to have a good experience.

I had to find a safe hotel, book it, and check in by myself. I had to carry my own suitcases and find the best tourist sites alone.

Without the support of someone else, the burden fell on me to stay safe and plan my itinerary.

One method I had for combating this responsibility was by booking group tours. 

That way, I had the support of a tour guide and the company of a group of other cruisers.

Pro: Going at your own pace

As someone who loves doing things independently, cruising solo feels extremely freeing.

You have an entire ship to explore, ports to tour, and no one limiting your schedule. 

I love cruising because I get complete control over my itinerary, with no one else comprising my priorities.

I can nap when I choose, visit the museums and historical sites that I want to visit, and eat where I want.

Especially on an Oasis Class ship, with such a wide breadth of activities to choose from, cruising alone made it easier to make time for my favorite things.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Con: Eating alone 

While I have no problem eating alone in my hometown, something about being on a cruise makes it more awkward.

Especially when I dined in the Main Dining Room, people seemed concerned or confused that I was traveling by myself.

Surrounded by big groups and loud families, I felt a little uncomfortable eating at a table alone.

However, being on an Oasis Class ship made this a better experience. 

When I previously cruised solo on Enchantment of the Seas, I felt much more self-conscious.

People even came up to my table and asked me if I was okay.

On Oasis of the Seas, it was easier to blend into the crowd, and I even noticed other cruisers dining alone.

Pro: A room to yourself

One of my favorite aspects of cruising alone was getting a room all to myself.

Especially in those cheaper, smaller interior staterooms, it felt much more spacious with only one person.

Those 149 square feet were all my own.

I could use all the storage in the cabin, hang my clothes using the whole closet, and spread my items out over the room.

Traveling without a partner also meant that I got to shower, nap, and wake up whenever I wanted.

I enjoy ordering room service breakfast, and it can be hard to find space to eat and keep food for 2 in an inside cabin.

By myself, however, I had plenty of room to dine and leave my food on the desk.

Con: Feeling bored

Cruising with a travel buddy means you always have someone to talk to, and a partner to share exciting experiences with.

While sailing alone can be a peaceful experience, it also makes for a slightly boring cruise.

With just me to entertain, I sometimes found myself feeling dull and unsure of what to do next.

However, Oasis of the Seas also made it hard to be completely bored. 

There were always events happening, and more activities than I had the chance to try! 

When I put my mind to it, I could really enjoy the experience alone.

Pro: Meeting new people

Cruising solo forces you to make conversations and attempt to meet new people onboard.

Without bringing a travel buddy of your own, you become inspired to chat with others and make new friends.

When I cruised alone on Enchantment of the Seas, I barely talked to anyone onboard. Families and couples seemed to keep to themselves, not even making conversation in the elevators.

In contrast, Oasis of the Seas almost overwhelmed me with the amount of connections to be made.

People would chat on the elevators, speak to me on group shore excursions, or introduce themselves at the club.

I built relationships with my new buddies in the hot tub and at all the activities onboard.

In the end, I made so many friends that I had to start being intentional about getting time alone!

It hardly felt like a solo cruise at all.

Though Utopia of the Seas is officially one month from embarking on her maiden voyage, there's a lot of work to be done before she can welcome guests onboard. 

Royal Caribbean International has taken to social media to share short reels of Utopia's progress. 

While the vessel has taken shape, countless details need to be finalized, from finishing up the brand-new Solarium Suites to planting tens of thousands of plants in Central Park. 

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

Izumi in the Park is an Oasis Class first onboard Utopia of the Seas. 

Guests can order classic sushi rolls, hot gyoza, and soft-serve bubble cones at the convenient to-go window, for an additional charge. 

Utopia will also have the largest Izumi Hibachi in the fleet, boasting six Teppanyaki tables with the ability to seat 48 passengers. 

The Boardwalk is another Oasis Class staple found on Utopia of the Seas at the aft of the ship on Deck 6. 

When Oasis of the Seas launched in 2009, she was the first cruise ship in the world to feature interior-facing balcony cabins, with staterooms overlooking the Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods. 

In addition to first-of-their-kind cruise ship balconies, the Oasis of the Seas' Boardwalk was the first to feature an outdoor theater called the AquaTheater, where passengers can watch high-diving spectacles into the deepest pools at sea. 

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, while not a new concept, has been redesigned for Utopia of the Seas. 

In addition to being two stories, passengers can dine al fresco on Gio's Terrazza, which overlooks the Boardwalk neighborhood. 

The same space has been used for various purposes on other Oasis Class ships, ranging from Wonderland on Symphony, Wonder, and Harmony of the Seas to a card room on Oasis of the Seas and Chef's Table/the Crown Lounge on Allure of the Seas. 

Though most of the cabin categories on Utopia of the Seas are familiar, the Solarium Suites are a new addition. 

The 839-square-foot suites are perched atop the bridges' wings and feature an infinite verandah design. 

There's a lot to look forward to on the pool deck, too, including the Perfect Storm waterslides. 

At the front of the ship, there's the adults-only Solarium. As you can imagine, the Solarium Suites are just steps from the Solarium, giving passengers easy access to the lounge chairs, whirlpools, and Solarium Bistro. 

The Ultimate Abyss on Utopia of the Seas will be the longest dry slide at sea, coming in at 259 feet long. It will also feature racing windows and zoom booster rollers for a "surprise" exit on the Boardwalk.

The Vue initially debuted on Wonder of the Seas, and it's making a comeback on Utopia of the Seas. Whether you're sailing away from Port Canaveral or enjoying a day at sea, it's the perfect bar to soak up the stunning views. 

The Royal Promenade is a central thoroughfare with a hub of activity, from the Latin-inspired Boleros Bar to the brand-new Pesky Parrot. 

You'll find Sorrento's, the pub, Starbucks, and a few retail shops here, too. 

Finally, Royal Railway - Utopia Station still has a ways to go before guests are able to enjoy the Utopia exclusive specialty restaurant.  

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?