Royal Caribbean Blog

How does sailing out of New Orleans impact your embarkation day experience?

The port you choose to depart from has a major impact on your cruise—and New Orleans, Louisiana, is one of the most unique U.S. cities from which Royal Caribbean sails.

Located just 90 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is a convenient departure point for cruises. Cruises out of New Orleans begin in the Mississippi River, exiting into the Gulf of Mexico hours later.

I sailed out of New Orleans for the first time last month, on a Brilliance of the Seas cruise.

Currently, Brilliance of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship sailing from New Orleans.

My 7-night sailing departed from New Orleans and called upon Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Yucatan (Progreso), Mexico. On the first day of the cruise, I was surprised by how different the departure day was.

Embarkation day felt entirely different from Florida ports like Tampa or Miami, and it wasn’t just because of New Orleans' unique charm.

A cruise out of New Orleans is a great opportunity to explore the city

Pre-cruise, I was surprised to discover just how close the Royal Caribbean terminal is to the center of the city.

Royal Caribbean leaves from the Julia Street Terminal, which is just off Canal Street. The terminal is close to many famous sights; a short walk from the French Quarter, right across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and next door to the Riverwalk Mall.

I spent the day before the sailing in a nearby hotel and wished I'd arrived even earlier in New Orleans.

This distinctive city offers plenty to explore and is conveniently close to the cruise terminal. I didn't expect it to be so easy to see New Orleans after flying in and not having a car!

I spent a day at the Riverwalk Mall, tried café au lait and beignets, and purchased some Nola souvenirs. But if I'd had more time, I could have explored the French Quarter, prioritized hearing live music, and tried more authentic Creole food.

Because I stayed in the Marriot Warehouse Arts District, embarkation day was a breeze. 

The Julia Street Terminal was just a short walk from the hotel, and porters took our bags right away.

We moved swiftly through the terminal and security, with staff efficiently checking our documents.

The embarkation day before the ship departed was a fun experience!

Embarkation day begins with sailing on the Mississippi River

As everyone boarded and began to fill up the ship, we could look outside and see the sights of New Orleans.

The ship’s position on the Mississippi River offered unique views, with the bridge and riverbanks visible on both sides.

As the ship departed, I realized that the first day of a cruise out of New Orleans felt more like a river cruise. The ship sails down the Mississippi River for almost eight hours before the ship reaches the Gulf of Mexico.

Our cruise departed a little later than usual, so it was almost evening by the time we started sailing down the river.

Read more: My $1,800 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas has the worst shower curtain, but the balcony was perfect

However, I could still see the lights and buildings of the city. 

It was fascinating to watch the ship navigate the winding river bends and maneuver around boats and buildings.

Once the cruise ship passed New Orleans, we mostly were seeing industrial plants and refineries. Gray smoke and coal storage facilities lined both sides of the river.

While it was still cool to follow the winding path of the Mississippi River and see the lights from the riverbank, the refineries were a less pleasant sight.

Read more: 6 things I loved and 3 things I hated about my Brilliance of the Seas cruise

After dark fell, and we got tired of looking at factories, we stopped gazing out the windows. At a certain point, the novelty of sailing on a river instead of the ocean began to wear off, and it felt gloomy instead.

I began to miss the ocean’s vast open space and clear night sky when faced with riverbanks and refineries.

Weather can also have a huge impact on your first day

Choosing which ports to visit also means considering the weather for that time of year.

With such an active 2024 hurricane season, it wasn't a surprise that my cruise was affected by the weather.

The Brilliance of the Seas sailing right before mine had to change its itinerary due to Hurricane Rafael.

Although my November 9th cruise had no schedule changes, we were still influenced by some bad weather.

Even though the tropical storm was already weakening in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana still experienced rain and wind.

The storm was approaching New Orleans as our ship departed, causing some bad weather for embarkation day.

Our first night onboard was dark and gloomy—the boat rocked back and forth. The approaching winds were so loud that they whistled through the stateroom all night, making it hard to sleep.

Of course, many people know New Orleans for its vulnerability to hurricanes. Cruise ships are designed with safety in mind, so weather concerns shouldn’t deter you from booking a cruise from this port.

However, it was interesting to see how our sailing was affected by the weather in the region.

If anything, it's important to notice how the time of year and regional weather might influence your cruise.

For future cruises out of New Orleans, I might schedule a sailing in the spring or fall. Winter cruises to the Gulf of Mexico can often be affected by severe weather, such as strong winds or rough seas.

Read more: Ultimate Mexico Cruise Guide

Opening in 2025 is Royal Caribbean's first ever beach club, and it's going to take your beach day to a new level.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is going to open in late 2025, and it's being built on a 17-acre site that is just about the most prime real estate in all of Nassau.

The plan is simple, but the promise is enormous. Offer an unfiltered beach day experience that hits every important factor for any tourist, while making it an unforgettable experience exclusively for Royal Caribbean cruisers only.

While Royal Caribbean has built private island experiences, it's never tried a limited-capacity and extra cost beach offering.  It's a lot like building its own shore excursion that is designed, built, and operated with the cruise line at the helm.

The proposed site masterplan is available online, and it shows a variety of experiences tourists can expect. It's clear they want to offer a little of everything, so no matter how much chill, swim, beach, pool, or adventure you want, there's going to be something for you.

There will be two different beaches

The heart of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a beach day experience, and you'll find two different spots to enjoy the beautiful Bahamian waters.

Located on both ends of the property, you'll find a sprawling beach that features chairs and umbrellas, along with upgraded spots for your day.

Each beach faces the north shore, so it's nothing but the open ocean views in front of you.

There are beach cabanas, hammocks, and bungalows available. Of course, the beach bar is not very far away either.

You'll also find a snack shack at each beach when you need something a bite to eat.

Three pools for another lounge choice

A tropical getaway can include a dip in the ocean or pool, and there are three different pools to choose from.

Each pool has a swim-up bar, and they're big too. This not only spreads people out, but each has its own vibe.  One pool has a DJ and swim-up bar combo, similar to the Hideaway Beach experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Another pool flanks the kids' water play area, and the other pool is located towards the end of the property.

There are also cabanas you can rent near the pools, so you don't have to go far from the fun.

New restaurants

Food is a big draw for any cruise experience, and there will be four different places to eat.

Royal Caribbean hasn't said what exactly the food offerings will be, but there will be "four island-style spots for quick bites and local fare."

One thing is for certain, Royal Caribbean wants to lean into the Bahamian culture as much as they can, so there will be a good mix of familiar and local options.

Artisan market

The sitemap shows there will be shopping opportunities that tie into the people of Nassau.

The artisan huts are in the center of the property, and it's an opportunity to highlight local crafts and businesses.

Fixing a problem cruisers have had for decades

A major reason Royal Caribbean is building its first beach club is to address a need its customers have told them for a long time.

Nassau is one of the most popular cruise ports, with Royal Caribbean pulling in around one million visitors each year. However, it ranks poorly among cruise ship guest surveys.

According to Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, cruise ship passengers have, "come here many times before and there’s nothing new, fresh or innovative."

"There needs to be more product, more experience, more uniqueness, more options."

The result is a beach club that the cruise line thinks will solve problems across the board. It will give tourists the exact beach day experience they want, based on in-depth research.  That will improve the perception cruisers have of Nassau too.

For The Bahamas, they get a piece of the action as well. Royal Caribbean is creating an unique public-private partnership in which Bahamians will own up to 49% equity.

Individual Bahamians will have the opportunity to buy equity in the beach club and benefit from the profits. That's unheard of with a tourist beach day operation.  Certainly no hotel resorts around Paradise Island are offering that opportunity.

On top of all of that, 1% of gross revenue of the beach club will be invested in a new fund to develop other attractions around The Bahamas.

The big question for cruisers is the cost

If looking at the sitemap gets you excited, you're probably equally interested to know how much it will cost you to get in.

Royal Caribbean hasn't said anything about prices yet, and haven't put admission on sale yet. 

Almost certainly the admission cost will have variable pricing, which means the price will fluctuate based on which ship is in port and demand. That assumption is based on the fact that's how Royal Caribbean charges for all of its extra cost add-ons at its private islands.

The projected opening date is sometime between October - December 2025, according to a comment Mr. Bayley made recently.

Before setting sail on your cruise, you’ll first need to pack your suitcases with everything you need for the voyage. Some people get excited about packing for vacation, while others (such as my own mother) get extremely stressed about packing perfectly for their cruise.

Of course, even the most seasoned cruisers forget cruise essentials. Even after I’ve taken 50 cruises in my life, I still find myself occasionally forgetting items in my suitcase! I find that longer itineraries with varied weather are often the most difficult to pack for.

In the end, it’s impossible to pack perfectly, but it’s also important to have everything you might need onboard for a smooth cruise. Forgetting critical items can lead to unexpected costs and inconvenience during your vacation.

Additionally, cruises could be considered more complex to pack for compared to other vacations. For instance, guests need to consider themed parties, evening dress codes, daily attire, adventurous excursion requirements, travel attire, weather predictions, and onboard activities when packing for their cruise.

With the holidays approaching, it’s a great time to start planning for your upcoming travels with many cruise essential items on sale. Whether you’re embarking on your first cruise or you consider yourself a cruise veteran, there might be a few items you didn’t think about packing.

Recently, one cruiser asked followers on Reddit to share their packing regrets as they prepare for an upcoming cruise. The thread was titled, “What is an item you wished you had brought with you on your last cruise?”

The thread was posted by user @djwilliams100, who shared they were embarking on a 16-night cruise this week and wanted to see if they missed something useful to pack. The inquiry prompted hundreds of responses from fellow cruisers.

Many of these easy-to-pack essentials can mean the difference between a smooth vacation and scrambling to the overpriced onboard shops. Even better, many of these items are majorly discounted with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up. As such, it’s the perfect time to stock up before you embark on your next adventure.

Here are the top items that cruisers regretted not packing on their last trip, including why these often-forgotten essentials should be on your packing (and holiday shopping) list.

Please note: We receive a small commission when you purchase from our Amazon links below, at no extra cost to you. You can also check out our Amazon Storefront for other favorite cruise items.

Over-the-Counter Medication

Perhaps one of the most common responses from cruisers, many suggested packing a variety of over-the-counter medication. Getting sick on vacation is a huge bummer, but spending an absurd amount of money to get overpriced medication onboard or visiting the medical clinic for a hefty fee worsens the situation.

Whether you simply catch a head cold or you have a mild allergic reaction to a bug bite, having a variety of over-the-counter medication can make all the difference. Personally, I always pack my always-prepared “traveling pharmacy” with an assortment of medication. On every cruise, I’ve needed to use something in this pharmacy, from Immodium to Benadryl, sleep aids, NyQuil, and more.

“I bring a small OTC pharmacy for every ailment and a first aid kit. No way am I paying hundreds or thousands to visit the ship’s doctor,” proclaimed one cruiser.

Cold and Flu Medication

• Cherry Cough Drops, 160 count for $4.76 (20% off)
• Daytime and Nighttime Combo Pack: Cold & Flu Medication, 48 count for $12.50  
• Max Strength Mucus DM, Expectorant and Cough Suppressant Extended-Release Tablets, 42 Count for $13.47 

One of the top responses reads, “I think I overpacked, but 100% bring medicine cabinet type stuff! We both got cough/cold second to the last day and it came on hard - and we went through all of the medicine and then had to pay 6 dollars for 2 doses at the airport on the way home.”

“I ALWAYS pack Tylenol Cold and Flu. And if we don’t use it, new friends in the cruise having symptoms can use it (I’ve had this happen and people are SUPER grateful),” responded another cruiser.

Similarly, one cruiser agreed, “Definitely take cold meds! My son caught a bug the 2nd day of our cruise and I am thankful that I had the liquid-gels with me.”

“Cough drops and cough syrup. I felt fine except for the nasty cough (COVID test was negative) but everyone looked at me as if I was spreading the plague,” commented another cruiser.

Stomach Relief and Digestive Aid

• Loperamide Hydrochloride Tablets, 2 mg, Anti-Diarrheal, 24 Count for $3.19 (20% off)
• Pepto Bismol Chewable Tablets, 48 count for $8.45
• Stool Softener Laxative, Docusate Sodium 100 mg, Softgels, For Constipation Relief, 100 Count for $3.41 (5% off)

All of the delicious cruise food is a highlight for many, but sometimes your stomach doesn’t agree. Combine this with drinking alcohol and dehydration - and your stomach might not be feeling the best. Many cruisers regretted not bringing enough medication for these symptoms.

“Don't forget Imodium and Pepto because while you can get it onboard the markup is astronomical. And last time I got the runs and was glad I insisted on bringing Imodium,” wrote one responder.

Another replied, “TUMS really came in handy, I was giving out my supply like candy to my food-loving family group.”

“Pepto. It is very effective in helping prevent Montezuma’s Revenge (travelers diarrhea). Always travel with chewable Pepto tablets,” explained one cruiser.

Seasickness Medication

• Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief Less Drowsey Formula, 8 Count. $3.90 (35% off) 
• Non-Drowsy Bonine for Motion Sickness Relief, Travel-Sized - 16ct Raspberry Chewable Tablets. $5.94 (26% off) 

We always recommend cruise passengers consider packing seasickness medication. Rocky seas and rough weather can strike at any time, so it’s best to be prepared.

One commenter stated, “A better selection of seasickness treatments. I've now got ginger candy, sea bands, anti-sickness glasses and some Bonine for my next cruise. Don't want anything to ruin it.”

“Bring some seasick remedies like bonine pills, patches and ginger chews. We don’t get seasick but on high seas day after day it could get nauseous,” agreed one cruiser.

One cruiser even stated, “Motion sickness meds! I’ve been motion sick on one cruise ever and it happened to be the most recent one I went on. I’ve sailed in a hurricane and been fine but this last cruise was horrible…. Sometimes it just hits hard when you’ve never really had it be an issue.”

Insulated Tumbler or Coffee Mug

• 12oz Stainless Steel Insulated Coffee Mug with Handle with Lid, $9.99 (23% off)
• 20oz Tumbler, Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated, $9.99 (23% off)
• Stanley Classic Legendary Camp Mug, $18.99 (17% off) 

Another popular response from cruisers involved forgetting their insulated water bottle, thermos, or coffee mug. Cruise ships provide complimentary drip coffee, but the cups are extremely small and easy to spill. Moreover, insulated cups keep your drinks either hot or cold for extended periods.

In the replies, one of the top responses reads, “Travel coffee cup/water bottle. The coffee cups near the buffet are small and I like a cover on my cup so I can walk around and not spill.”

In response, another cruiser agreed, “Great for coffee, tea and frozen drinks! There's nothing worse than your margarita blowing over on the sundeck because it's in a cheap plastic glass that weighs nothing.”

“Many of my must haves are already mentioned but in addition, my Yeti so I can take my ice and soda everywhere with me all day and evening and it stays fresh,” replied one cruiser.

Binoculars

• Compact HD Binoculars for Adults and Kids High Powered, $29.99 (59% off)

One item you might not think to pack is a set of binoculars. But, many cruisers regretted that they did not pack a set of binoculars during their last cruise. You might spot wildlife from your cruise ship balcony or simply want to get a better look at the scenery during your cruise.

“Binoculars. I usually bring a pair, but I forgot once. If you have a balcony room, it’s nice to sit and stare at the ocean, but occasionally something catches your eye and you want to investigate.”

“We brought some cheap ones on the last cruise on a whim and it was excellent! Even out on the excursions it really added to the experience.”

“Seconding binoculars. We went on an Alaska cruise and didn't have any and feel like we missed out on seeing a lot of wildlife.”

Magnetic Hooks

• Neosmuk Black Magnetic Hooks,30lb+ Heavy Duty Earth Magnets with Hook for Refrigerator, Extra Strong Cruise Hook for Hanging, Magnetic Hanger for Curtain, Grill Black, 10 Pack for $5.93 (24% off)

Cruisers love magnetic hooks, but do you really need them? Many Redditors argued that you should never forget to pack magnetic hooks for your cruise. These would make a great stocking stuffer because of their small size, affordable price, and overall practicality for travel!

“Having magnetic hooks are great as the walls in your room are metal,” commented one person.

Another replied, “Magnet hooks. I hung them outside on the balcony and in the cabin. Excellent for swim suits, lanyards, and other small items.”

“Magnet hooks, especially for longer cruises. Helps organize the room better and perfect for dry stuff,” explained another cruiser.

Dish Soap

• Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap, 7.5 fluid ounce. $1.24 (38% off)

Another cruise essential that many consider a must-pack item is liquid hand soap or dish soap. Don’t feel like you need to do dishes on vacation, as we aren’t suggesting that! Instead, you can have some liquid soap to wash your hands in your stateroom if you prefer liquid soap over the typical bar soap. The soap is versatile for washing other items as well.

“Dish soap. I use it for so many things, washing my jewelry, cleaning my coffee mug, getting out stains. I forgot it on my last cruise,” said one responder. In agreement, another person stated, “Liquid hand soap - most ships have bar soap in the bathroom”

Entertainment and Reading Material

• Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet, 8” HD Display, 32 GB, 30% faster processor, 3GB RAM, wireless charging, (2022 release), Gray. $59.99 (50% off)
• Apple iPad (10th Generation), 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display, 64GB. $259. (26% off)

Although cruise ships have plenty to do, there are still many opportunities for downtime. Many responders regretted not bringing enough personal entertainment for their cruise. Some cruisers might not consider gameshows, bingo, and trivia to be their idea of relaxation. If you’re like me, you might prefer catching up on your favorite show or reading a book you’ve put off for a while.

“I downloaded movies from Netflix so I could unwind at night. It just brought some normalcy to the day. It's nice to be able to download as many as I want,” commented one cruiser.

One responder shared, “I wish I had downloaded more audiobooks and podcasts because the wifi I had did not let me use those apps last I sailed.”

“My tablet! I could have downloaded some movies, books and games,” stated one cruiser.

This year I tried my first Celebrity cruise after over twenty Royal Caribbean cruises, and there were a few things I wish I knew before setting foot onboard.

It’s easy to stick to the status quo when it comes to cruising. Even still, I always aim to try something new on every cruise vacation, whether trying a new-to-me cruise line or simply booking a type of cabin I haven’t booked before.

Exploring something new, of course, comes with learning curves. So when I booked my first-ever Celebrity cruise this past summer—a 7-night Norwegian Fjords itinerary on Celebrity Silhouette—I expected to encounter a few growing pains.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with the cruise line’s atmosphere, dining experience, and onboard activities, but I was excited to see what Celebrity Cruises was all about.

After my week onboard, these are the seven things I wish I knew before I set foot on a Celebrity ship.

Loyalty perks are plentiful, but be sure to read the fine print

Before I set foot on a Celebrity cruise, I made sure to match my loyalty status with Royal Caribbean to Celebrity Cruises. The two lines offer a status matching program, and my Diamond Plus status with Royal Caribbean meant I qualified for Elite Plus, the second highest tier in Celebrity’s Captain’s Club program.

As an Elite Plus member, I received excellent perks during my Celebrity cruise, including free drinks during the ship’s daily happy hour, access to exclusive events, and discounts on extras like specialty dining and wifi packages.

Even with these lucrative perks, I wish I knew to read the fine print of each loyalty benefit. The happy hour, for instance, only offers a very limited menu of beverages, and not every bar onboard participates in the daily event.

Related: Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club loyalty program info, tips & secrets

In addition, while I could receive two complimentary bags of laundry with my status, I didn’t realize the benefit’s stringent limitations. As I was about to send a bag of dirty clothes to the ship’s laundry services on the fifth day of my cruise, I realized the benefit had expired—it was not offered within three days of disembarkation.

If I knew to read the fine print, I would have had a better idea of the ins and outs of each loyalty benefit.

I wish I knew not to wait until the end of the cruise to try new venues

Like most of today’s modern cruise ships, Celebrity Silhouette boasts numerous bars, lounges, entertainment venues, and onboard activities to keep passengers busy during their time onboard.

Throughout my weeklong cruise, however, I found myself sticking to the same venues, whether catching a game at Craft Social—Celebrity Cruises’ sports bar—or enjoying a gorgeous view of Norway from the Sunset Bar.

It wasn’t until the final night of my cruise that I came across the Ensemble Lounge, a low-key, cozy bar offering live music and an elegant cocktail menu.

The Ensemble Lounge was far less busy than venues like the Martini Bar and Café al Bacio, and I was impressed by the performance from the instrumentalist and vocalist.

Related: Celebrity Cruises Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

Almost immediately, I regretted not finding the lounge sooner, and it made me wonder what else I missed out on by sticking to the same familiar lounges all week long.

On my next Celebrity cruise, I’ll be sure to check out more venues around the ship at the start of the cruise rather than the end.

I wish I knew the price was comparable to Royal Caribbean

Celebrity Cruises is a premium cruise line, which is generally considered a step above mass market lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

Knowing this, I expected cruise fares on Celebrity ships to be moderately higher than those on Royal Caribbean. As someone who often cruises on a budget, I wrote Celebrity off as “too expensive” for my travel style.

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

As it turns out, my preconceived notions about Celebrity Cruises’ pricing was completely wrong. I began planning my European cruise, and I was surprised to see Celebrity’s pricing comparable to Royal Caribbean’s.

When I first booked the cruise, I paid just $1,830 for two guests in an interior cabin, which was comparable to the $1,858 I spent on a Royal Caribbean cruise to Europe two years prior. Although I ended up adding a third guest to the cabin and upgrading to a balcony, I was still impressed with Celebrity’s pricing.

I only wish I knew to check Celebrity Cruises’ prices for previous cruise vacations instead of assuming the premium line would be out of my budget.

I wish I knew about all of the live cooking stations at the buffet

One regret from my Celebrity cruise is that I didn’t know about all of the diverse cooking stations at Oceanview Cafe, the cruise line’s signature buffet.

Buffets are a staple on any cruise ship, but Celebrity’s buffet is particularly impressive, offering a wide selection of made-to-order cooking stations. Everything from a panini station to custom pastas and charred-to-order crème brûlées were available on Celebrity Silhouette.

Prior to embarking the ship, I didn’t realize the breadth of stations that would be available. I unknowingly overlooked these stations during my first few buffet meals, and it was only later in the cruise that I realized just how many choices were offered.
Next time, I’ll know to try all of the various stations to better customize my dining experience.

I wish I knew to try more restaurants

Speaking of dining, one of my regrets from my Celebrity cruise was not trying one of the cruise line’s specialty restaurants.

Like most cruise ships, Celebrity Silhouette offers a mix of restaurants that are included in guests’ cruise fares and those that come with an extra charge.

I often treat myself to specialty dining meals when cruising, but I decided against it on my first Celebrity sailing. Having already spent a hefty chunk of change flying to Europe and booking three nights in Amsterdam, I wanted to save money by sticking to included dining venues.

I stuck to this money-saving plan during my week onboard, but I occasionally found myself regretting my choice. It wasn’t until I got onboard that I realized the variety of specialty dining available, from technology-focused meals at Le Petit Chef to outdoor dining at The Porch.

Related: 5 savvy ways I saved money on my first Celebrity cruise

Prior to my cruise, I wish I knew I might want to try these dining options. If I had, I would have budgeted for a few specialty meals or purchased a dining package ahead of time.

I wish I knew there was limited storage in the cabin

I had few complaints about the spacious balcony cabin I booked for my Celebrity Silhouette cruise. Despite the cabin’s slight obstructed view, it was a comfortable place to rest and unwind during my week onboard.

Nonetheless, there was one aspect of my cabin I didn’t love—the storage space.

Related: 30 cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Although older cruise cabins tend to lack features like storage and ample electrical outlets, cabins on ships built after 2010 usually boast more modern features. Celebrity Silhouette was built in 2012, so I assumed there would be adequate storage space in the cabin.

Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the storage space available. While there were three drawers in the cabin’s dresser, the only other storage space—aside from the closet—were two shelves above the bed. I found these shelves too high for easy access.

Sharing the cabin with two relatives, it was difficult to keep our belongings separated and organized. Looking back, I wish I had brought easy-to-pack items like a hanging shoe organizer and magnetic hooks to keep the cabin less cluttered during the week.

Finally, I wish I knew to arrive at activities earlier

Having cruised with Royal Caribbean so many times, I’ve become accustomed to the cruise line’s regularly scheduled programming. Whether the Quest adult game show, Harry Potter trivia, or live guitar music at the pub, most Royal Caribbean cruises offer similar activities.

While onboard my first Celebrity cruise, though, I was pleased to see new-to-me activities when browsing the Cruise Planner. I was intrigued by activities like the Musical Murder Mystery game show and Olympic curling, and I couldn’t wait to try them out.

Yet if I had known beforehand, I would have arrived at onboard activities significantly earlier than I did. When I tried to attend the watercolor painting class, for example, I was turned away due to the activity reaching maximum capacity.

On my next Celebrity cruise, I’ll make it a point to show up to activities at least twenty minutes before they are set to begin.

There's a new stipulation tied to the free cruises Royal Caribbean gives away to its casino players.

Royal Caribbean offers incentive-based cruise giveaways where passengers that earn enough points on a given sailing can qualify for complimentary sailings.

Up until now, the cruises covered the fare of two guests, and passengers had to only pay taxes and fees.

Beginning with the December offers, the Casino Royale program has made some changes to what's included.

What's different is the offer is now cruise for one guest is complimentary, while the second guest discounted. It's essentially a buy one free, second cheap offer.

What's not clear yet is how much is the discounted fare exactly. Since cruise fares vary from sailing to sailing, the exact price could depend.

In reading the terms and conditions, it appears a solo cruiser would still have to pay for the second guest, "Recipients who sail as a single passenger without a guest in a double occupancy stateroom are responsible for the payment of the cruise fare for the second passenger, at the Casino discount rate. The Discount Stateroom Offer is not applicable to single occupancy staterooms.

The new "complimentary for one, discounted for the second" offering only applies to the 2,000 point and lower tiers. The 3,000 point and higher tiers are still listed in the traditional manner.

There's no word why Royal Caribbean has made this change.  There's no doubt Casino Royale's popularity among cruisers has been quite high, and it's arguably the best deal in cruising right now.

A positive change to the casino offers are free cruise offers at just 400 points, which is a significantly lower tier than ever before.

Royal Caribbean recently introduced an 800 point tier, but at 400, it makes the barrier to entry much easier.

Moreover, it appears there are newer ships and dates further out to book at the lower tiers.

How instant cruise reward certificates work

If you gamble in the casino on a Royal Caribbean ship, you can earn points for your play.  All you have to do is have your SeaPass card logged in before you start playing at a machine or table game.

Every Royal Caribbean ship features a casino equipped with table games, slot machines, and video poker. While the selection of games may differ slightly from ship to ship, and the size of the casinos can vary, their overall layout and offerings are generally consistent across the fleet.

Joining Club Royale is simple because every passenger is automatically enrolled, you just need to use your SeaPass card when playing.

For every $5 you wager in the casino, that is roughly equivalent to 1 point. On Video Poker, it's every $10. 10 points per hour playing $10-$15 blackjack.

The more you play and wager, the more points you earn.

There's a sheet at the casino host desk that lists all the cruise offers and point tiers available. You'll see two columns: money off or bonus offer.

The key is to earn enough points for any of the tiers, and make an open booking at NextCruise while you're still onboard.  That enables you to call Casino Royale after the cruise and book one of the sailings.

You need to book an open booking with NextCruise while onboard to be eligible for the bonus offer that's listed in the second column.

Instant certificates are typically valid for redemption within 30 days after your cruise. Sometimes, the casino will provide a physical certificate with a partial list of available cruises delivered to your stateroom. In other instances, the offer may not be available until after your cruise concludes.

Even after you get home, you can verify your instant certificate offer on the Casino Royale website.

Different from a targeted cruise offer

It's important to note the difference between an instant certificate earned from your play onboard versus an offer Royal Caribbean mails to you at home.

After playing in a Royal Caribbean casino, you may receive offers for free cruises. While the cruise line doesn't reveal exactly how these offers are determined, they are generally influenced by the number of points you earned during your last cruise and an assessment by the cruise line's system of your potential value as a guest if offered a complimentary stateroom.

It's impossible to anticipate who will get an offer, and the exact offerings will vary.  No matter what offer you get, you should book quickly because there are limited cabins available on a sailing at the casino rate.

There's no indication yet that these targeted offers have changed similar to the instant certificates.

Cyber Monday has brought a new round of big savings opportunities that piggyback on Black Friday for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The best Cyber Monday deals could be your last chance of the year to bag a bargain find on cruises or add-ons. The shopping weekend officially kicked off on November 29 since Thanksgiving is pretty late this year. Although the sales-friendly holiday marks some of the year's biggest deals, Royal Caribbean has been offering early sales for most of November. While the Cyber Monday offer might just be a rebranded Black Friday offer, it's still when you can find some of our favorite items are on sale right now.

Cyber Monday will undoubtedly offer even more savings opportunities and another chance to get in on discounts before the craziness of the shopping season winds down.

Here's what to expect with Royal Caribbean's Cyber Monday sale. This post will be updated with new Cyber Monday offers as soon as they are revealed.

Royal Caribbean's Biggest Deal Ever

Deal hunters will note that Royal Caribbean is calling its promotion, "Our Biggest Deal Ever".

The Cyber Week Sale combines three promotions into one.

Here's a breakdown of what's being offered. Keep in mind there are terms and conditions that apply, and you should refer to them before booking.

First up is Buy One Guest, Get Second Guest 60% Off & 30% Off on 3/4 Guest. 

That's combinable with a Kids Sail Free deal that runs between November 8 - December 9, 2024 on sailings departing on or after November 9, 2024. As usual, Kids Sail Free comes with a lot of blackout dates and fine print.

Thanksgiving Sailings (Departing between November 22, 2024 – November 29, 2024); (Departing between November 20 - November 28, 2025), Holiday Sailings (Departing December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025); (Departing between December 18, 2025 – January 1, 2026), Spring Break Sailings (Departing between March 7, 2025 – March 28, 2025); (Departing between March 6, 2026 – April 9, 2026), Holy Week/Easter sailings (Departing between April 12, 2025 – April 24, 2025), Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour Sailings (Departing May 16, 2025 – September 12, 2025); Summer sailings (Departing between May 22, 2025 – August 29, 2025); Anthem of the Seas sailings (Departing November 21 – December 28, 2024) and Chinese New Year sailing on Anthem of the Seas (Departing January 27, 2025).

The added bonus promotion for Cyber Monday is the Cyber Week Sale, which adds up to $800 Instant Savings.

Cyber Week Sale is available between November 28 – December 2, 2024, on sailings departing on or after November 29, 2024, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length as follows: 

• 5 nights or less
  • $100 for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $325 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $800 USD for Suites

Cyber Monday sale on pre-cruise add-ons

Royal Caribbean is also offering discounts on some of its cruise extras.

The Cyber Week Sale runs on Cruise Planner and app purchases made between Friday, November 30 - December 11, 2024.

You'll find discounts on cruises that depart between November 13, 2024 – December 31, 2025.

It applies to all of its ships, except for Spectrum of the Seas sailings not from Singapore and group excursions.

• Beverage: Up to 50% off
  • Evian Water Package: 50% off onboard prices
  • Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
    • Kids (12 and below): 50% off Refreshment
  • Classic Soda Package: 35% off onboard prices
    • Kids (12 and below): 50% off Classic Soda
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
    • Interior/Oceanview Stateroom: Additional 5% off Deluxe (excluding Asia and Reposition
      sailings).
    • Seniors (65+): 40% off Deluxe Beverage (excluding Asia and Reposition sailings)
    • Diamond & above CAS members: 40% off Deluxe Beverage (excluding Asia and Reposition)

• Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
  • Wynwood Walls tour: 10% off onboard prices
  • Perfect Day Passes: 50% off onboard prices
  • Perfect Day & Labadee Cabanas: Up to 50% off onboard prices
    • Seniors (65+): 25% off Shorex (excluding Caribbean, Alaska & Europe sailings)
    •  Platinum & above CAS members: 25% off Shorex on Caribbean sailings
• Internet: Up to 55% Off

• Dining: Up to 50% Off
  • Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship
• Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off
  • Photo Packages from 5 - 100 Photos: Discount varies by ship
  • Private Photo Session: 60% off onboard prices
• Onboard Activities: Up to 30% off
  • All Access Ship tour
  • Observatorium
  • Mission Control Apollo 18
  • Escape the Rubicon
  • EscapeU: Freshman Year
  • RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience
  • North Star Extended Experience
  • FlowRider Private Lesson
  • FlowRider Group Lesson 

• Bundles: Black Friday/Cyber Monday Exclusive
  • Perfect Day Bundles
    • Thrill Big Package
    • Chill Big Package
    • Party Big Package
  • Deluxe and Voom
  • Refreshment and Voom
  • Soda and Voom 
• Spa: Up to 30% off
• Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off
  • Strawberries with Champagne: 35% off onboard prices
  • Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: 40% off onboard prices
  • Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries: 40% off onboard prices
  • Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries: 40% off onboard prices
  • Happy Birthday Bright Style: 30% off onboard prices
  • Happy Anniversary Decorations: 35% off onboard prices
  • Bon Voyage Decorations: 30% off onboard prices
  • 9 Chocolate Covered Strawberries: 30% off onboard prices
  • White Wine and Cheese: 35% off onboard prices
  • Red Wine and Cheese: 35% off onboard prices
  • Soft Octopus Travel Set: 25% off onboard prices
  • Royal Caribbean Beach Towel: 40% off onboard prices
  • Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 40% off onboard prices
  • Inky Beach Set: 35% off onboard prices
  • Inky Octopus Family Travel Set: 25% off onboard prices
  • Winter Blanket: 25% off onboard prices
  • Luxury Robe: 35% off onboard prices
  • Alaska Polar Bear Hat: 40% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Water: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Coca Cola: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Diet Coke: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Bud Light: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Truly: 35% off onboard prices
  • Utopia Blue/Pink Towel and Tumbler Set: 25% off onboard prices
  • Icon Blue/Pink Towel and Tumbler Set: 25% off onboard prices

5 of our favorite Cyber Monday deals

It's unlikely we'll see this level of discounts carry forward past Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday, so now is the time to get in on the best prices of the year.

Because there's so much variability with pricing, the actual savings will vary depending on your sailing.  Some people are seeing really low prices, while others not as much. 

Book a new cruise: It's easy to get hung up on the discounts Royal Caribbean has for its add-ons, but booking an actual cruise is a really good idea during Cyber Monday.

You can get up to $800 instant savings, and that's pretty much the most we'll see in a single offer at any time.

I think your best bet is to look forward to a cruise in 2026 or 2027 and start getting something booked now to take advantage of the sale. While you can absolutely start planning a new 2025 cruise, I think having cruises lined up even further out makes a lot of sense.

Drink packages: There's a good chance the lowest price you'll find for a Royal Caribbean drink package will be during this sale.

Prices for a drink package are as low as $54.99 per person, per day. Anytime you can get the Deluxe Beverage Package for less than $60 per day, that's a great price these days.

Remember, Royal Caribbean is charging at least $100 per day for the Deluxe Package onboard its ships, so waiting to book onboard would be a mistake.

Bundles: There are new bundles that Royal Caribbean is (allegedly) only offering for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

These bundles offer combinations of popular add-ons, combining a drink package, admission to an area of CocoCay, and even WiFi.

Internet access: I already loaded up on WiFi plans during Black Friday, but Cyber Monday is a good reminder to take advantage of lower prices on it now.

The advertised discount is "up to 55% off", and I've observed prices for a one device package as cheap as $15.99 per day.

The price range seems to be between $15.99 and $21.99 per day for a one device package, and those savings add up when you consider onboard prices for the same package start at $27.99 and could easily go up from there.

Specialty restaurant lunch: If you want to dip your toe into Royal Caribbean's extra cost restaurants, the sale price on lunch is really good.

I've seen prices during Cyber Monday for just $15.99 for Chops Grille lunch or Giovanni's or Hooked for $14.99 each.

The lunch menu is similar to the dinner menu, and it comes at a fraction of the cost.

You can still take advantage of a better price on cruise add-ons

If you’ve already purchased add-ons like an internet package or spa service for your upcoming cruise, be sure to check the price of the add-on under the Cyber Monday sale.

If the price is lower, you can cancel and rebook the add-on with no penalty up to 48 hours before your cruise date.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Happy Sunday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday with family and friends! There is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to share this week.

Sometimes Royal Caribbean offers a great last-minute deal on an inside cabin, and those rooms are small but functional.

Elizabeth got to hop on a 4-night Bahamas cruise on Allure of the Seas for just $104 per person, per night.

The room won't wow you, but it's exactly what anyone needs for a quick cruise.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean just announced official Black Friday sale — here’s 5 deals I’d shop right now
• Royal Caribbean Black Friday deals 2024: Fresh discounts and latest sales info
• My favorite hack for a cruise ship shore excursion just went on sale for Black Friday
• I went to the controversial cruise ship activity to see if its reputation is as bad as I've read
• Cruise ships are skipping stops in Puerto Rico, and it's not clear when it will get fixed
• When will the San Juan, Puerto Rico pier be fixed? Here's what the Coast Guard said
• Mexico is adding a new tourist tax

New RCB Video: 5 things I unapologetically love to do on a cruise!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video—5 things I unapologetically love to do on a cruise!—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Is Royal Caribbean working on adding a treehouse to its cruise ship or private island?

Rumor has it that Royal Caribbean might be including a treehouse on one of its upcoming cruise ships or private destinations.

On November 19th, the cruise line filed an application to trademark several phrases, including, "Ultimate Family Treehouse." 

While it's unclear what this treehouse could be—or even if the trademark will be used—it could be something to keep an eye on.

Crew member reveals the truth about tipping on a cruise ship, hiding ducks, and more

Should you tip cruise ship crew members? 

Are there other gifts you can bestow as a sign of appreciation?

One Royal Caribbean crew member took to Reddit to explain how you can show your gratitude to hard-working crew members without getting them in trouble. 

Here's what they had to say on gratuities, hiding ducks, and more.

I scored big savings from Royal Caribbean's hidden deal sheet. It's not well advertised, but I saved a lot of money

Calista saved got 60% off on a Freedom of the Seas cruise through Royal Caribbean's secret deals sheet.

Because she booked with a travel agent, she only paid $584 per person for an oceanview cabin.

Discounts like this aren't publicly advertised—here's how to get them.

Everything I Ate On a Royal Caribbean Ship

Elizabeth recently took a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, and her short sailing included a lot of food. While some dishes were cooked to perfection, others ended up tasting disappointing.

Here's everything she ate at the Main Dining Room, Park Café, Samba Grill, Chef's Table, and more.

It’s about to become more expensive to cruise to Mexico thanks to a newly approved tax that will target cruise ship passengers visiting the country. 

Mexico continues to be one of the most commonly visited cruise ports not only in the Caribbean, but also in the world. In fact, the Port of Cozumel, Mexico is the third busiest cruise port by passenger volume with over four million cruisers visiting each year. 

However, the country might also become one of the most expensive cruise destinations to visit with a newly approved immigration fee. Under the new policy, all cruise ship passengers would be charged a hefty $42 per person to enter the country and would take effect in 2025.

The new tax would be considered a “Non-Resident Fee”, which would go into effect for cruises starting in 2025. Moreover, the funds from the immigration tax would mainly support the country’s military rather than improving port facilities and tourism infrastructure. Critics state this undermines the intent of the tax, which is meant to support tourism development in the country.

Historically, cruise ship passengers were exempt from tourism taxes, as guests sleep onboard the ship and some choose not to disembark in the ports of call. Under the new policy, all cruise guests would be charged the $42 fee regardless of whether they go ashore or not.

This $42 tourist fee will be added on top of existing taxes and docking fees. For example, the country already approved a new $5 tax for the National Disaster Prevention Fund, which will apply to cruise passengers visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. The new fee could go into effect in 2025. However, the funds raised by this tax will mostly support tourism infrastructure, along recovery needed from potential hurricanes and other damaging storms.

Cruise Industry’s Response

As anticipated, the new tourist tax is causing uproar in the maritime community with many industry leaders fearing tourism revenue will plummet. For instance, the Mexican Association of Shipping Agents strongly opposes the new tax, stating the new fee could make Mexico uncompetitive for cruise ship tourism in the future.

“If this measure is implemented, it would make Mexican ports of call among the most expensive in the world, severely affecting their competitiveness with other Caribbean destinations,” the association said in a statement.

In addition, the not-for-profit trade organization known as Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which represents 23 different cruise lines, has requested Mexico’s government reconsider the proposed tax. The association wrote a letter to Mexico's president expressing concerns with the new tourism tax. 

In the letter, the organization states it represents North America’s major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. Each cruise line offers a multitude of itineraries to Mexico year round.

Based on a report by the Reportur, the association stated that cruise lines are already considering revising planned itineraries because of anticipated cost increase due to the tourism tax. The FCCA states that the immigration law could deter more 10 million passengers scheduled to visit the country should the change go into effect as planned. 

Future Developments at Risk

Given Mexico’s reliance on tourism, opponents of the tax also warn it could have far-reaching implications, jeopardizing one of the nation’s most critical revenue sources. Along with impacting scheduled cruise itineraries in the future, the association warns that scheduled development investments could be impacted by the decision.

The association advised in the letter (translated from English to Spanish via Google Translate): “This proposed tax could also jeopardize the cruise industry's investments in the country, including billions in planned developments and other projects, intended to help rebuild Acapulco and cultivate new Mexican tourist destinations.”

One notable project is Royal Caribbean’s upcoming Perfect Day Mexico, which is set to be developed in Costa Maya, Mexico. Announced last month, the project is expected to be completed by 2027 and offer an unparalleled experience for cruisers. As such, this new private destination will build on the cruise line’s success with its other “Perfect Day” locations.

Royal Caribbean announced, “Along with Royal Beach Club Cozumel, the recently announced beach experience in Cozumel, Mexico, that opens in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico will be a hallmark of Royal Caribbean vacations that introduces new adventures in the western Caribbean.”

"In 2027, vacationers can set their sights on Mexico’s popular Caribbean coast in Mahahual for what will be a slice of paradise that combines Royal Caribbean’s adrenaline-pumping thrills and ways to chill with the vibrancy and beauty of Mexico,” continued the cruise line.

After cancelling multiple visits to San Juan, Puerto Rico because of a damaged pier, many passengers want to know when cruise ships will be able to visit there again.

Royal Caribbean has been forced to cancel visits to San Juan and re-route ships away because of damage to Pier 3 West.

Ships have been sent to other destinations, including Royal Caribbean's private destination in Labadee, Haiti.  The result has been a lot of outrage by cruisers who got a last-minute itinerary change.

One family spoke with a local news outlet to share their shock at the change. They actually thought it was a joke at first.

Royal Caribbean's giant cruise ships cannot dock in San Juan because the US Coast Guard declared the facility remains closed to cruise ships until further notice.

The damage first occurred in April 2024 when allegedly it was broken after the MSC Meraviglia was involved, however, specific details are not known.

The loss of a dolphin mooring structure just off the main pier is the primary issue, and the Coast Guard is working on it.

Seatrade News said the Coast Guard work is "pending requested satisfactory assessment studies followed by a Coast Guard on-site inspection of the facility."

"Once the satisfactory assessment studies are presented to the Coast Guard, Sector San Juan Prevention port facilities personnel will conduct an on-site inspection of Pier 3 West to corroborate the findings in the assessments and determine whether the operational control may be lifted. To date, the Coast Guard has not received the requested studies, and the operational control remains in effect."

A representative of the Coast Guard went on to say that the agency is working with local authorities to determine if cruise ships can safely use the pier.

On Thursday, the San Juan Cruise Port issued a statement saying it is working "diligently with regulatory agencies to restore service to Pier 3 West."

Royal Caribbean has made it clear the issue is out of their control. Until the damaged pier is repaired and subsequently cleared by the United States Coast Guard, its ships cannot safely go there.

Canceling stops for now

As of now, Royal Caribbean has cancelled visits on two different Symphony of the Seas visits to San Juan.

The December 1 cruise is the latest sailing to have its itinerary changed, and because a ship the size of Symphony of the Seas cannot safely dock, there's no choice but to change itineraries.

Compounding the problem for cruise ship passengers are the ports that replace the original itinerary. 

In the case of Symphony, they dropped San Juan and St. Maarten, and replaced with Labadee and Falmouth, Jamaica.

Visits to Labadee have been mired in controversy because technically the private beach destination is in Haiti. Haiti has experience a recent uptick in violence, with three commercial planes shot at in November. That prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to prohibit U.S. airlines from flying to Haiti for at least 30 days.

That's on top of a U.S. State Department also recommends that Americans do not travel to the country.

However, Labadee is in a remote area, walled off from the country. It's not near any urban centers, and Royal Caribbean has been monitoring the situation carefully.

Moreover, dozens of Royal Caribbean ships have visited Labadee recently with no incidents.

Will your cruise skip San Juan too?

It's too early to tell which other upcoming cruises scheduled to visit San Juan will be impacted.

Royal Caribbean has taken a "wait and see" approach to determining if a change is needed to an itinerary. This could be because the situation is so fluid, if the Coast Guard were to allow ships back in, it's more difficult to change back an itinerary than keep it in place until it's clear a change is needed.

It's disappointing for passengers to be notified of an itinerary change, but the issue is firmly out of Royal Caribbean's hands while the local authorities and the Coast Guard sort it out.

That doesn't mean passengers are okay with these changes. Royal Caribbean Blog member Frank47 posted, "After customers have paid in full for their cruise RC alerts them they will have to divert to Labadie Haiti. That is totally wrong."

A commenter wrote, "My biggest ‘concern’ is that there’s no timeline for fixing this issue. Will it take a week, month, or year to fix? Some expectation setting from Royal would be appreciated."

Royal Caribbean is stuck in the middle of all of this, as the repair work and progress are all being handled by third parties. Properly estimating or being made aware of progress is not as easy as it sounds when you have different companies and government agencies all working together.

If your cruise is scheduled to visit San Juan in the coming weeks or months, there's a chance your itinerary could be changed.  Given the complexity of the work being done and the parties involved, there's no firm timeline to share as of yet.

There's nothing better than securing a great cruise fare, even if staying in an interior cabin. 

I recently returned from a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to CocoCay and Nassau. 

Booking just two weeks in advance as part of a "Going, Going, Gone" sale, the fare was $834.36 for two people in a guaranteed interior stateroom. This breaks down to around $104 per person, per night, including gratuities and port fees. 

I could have reserved a neighborhood balcony for less than $100 more. However, having just returned from an expensive 3-night Disney cruise, I wanted to keep my costs as low as possible.

My dad and I were assigned cabin 8133 in the ship's forward. I appreciated the location, as it was close to Central Park. Even so, I prefer mid-ship staterooms on vessels as large as Allure of the Seas. Still, the location wasn't a deal-breaker by any means—it was nice to step outside and take in the greenery while at sea without wandering far from our "home away from home." 

Typically, cabins in the front of the ship tend to feel more movement. I'm thankful we didn't experience significant motion during our voyage, even though we were near the bow. However, we weren't going far on our short cruise to the Bahamas from Florida. 

The cabin was spacious enough for the two of us, and I liked how the layout maximized every inch of space. My dad remarked how roomy it felt compared to our inside stateroom on Quantum of the Seas earlier this year. 

With Allure approaching her 14th birthday, she isn't the newest ship in the fleet. As such, a few elements felt outdated, such as the radio with two 30-pin dock connectors. Apple replaced these chargers in 2012 with the lightning connector. 

Moreover, I wish there would have been at least one bedside outlet. I had to rely on my portable charger each night, as the other charging options were found exclusively near the vanity. 

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Speaking of outlets, there were far fewer available than on newer ships, with just one European and four standard American plugs. 

There’s usually more flexibility when it comes to charging on newer vessels; however, with my dad just needing to charge his phone, it wasn't an issue. In fact, we never even used the outlets underneath the vanity.

We didn't bring any bottles of wine onboard, but we used the mini-fridge to keep our four complimentary bottles of water cool. I appreciated how the fridge's door was bolted to the cabinet, a feature not found in all cabins. 

As far as the cabin itself, it had everything we needed for a short cruise. The bed was comfortable enough for the 4-night stay, and there was ample closet space to hang our clothes. My dad even overpacked, easily bringing enough clothes for a weeklong sailing. 

Read more: 115-item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

While there were just two empty vanity drawers, the closet's built-in cubbies allowed for additional storage to place things like folded t-shirts, shoes, and jeans. 

The spacious vanity was great for getting ready after spending the day at Thrill Waterpark or Blue Lagoon Island. I could spread out my makeup products and easily locate my mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow brushes that often play hide-and-seek in my bag.

We also loved the full-sized couch as opposed to our single chair on Quantum. Though we both unpacked for the 4-night cruise, the couch quickly became our catch-all spot where we'd throw everything from beach bags to towels. 

It was much more comfortable than the chair on Quantum of the Seas, too. Even with all our miscellaneous stuff on the couch, it was a nice area for the dad to relax and wait while I finished getting ready without having to awkwardly stand around or sit on the bed. 

When we arrived, the beds were placed together, despite our request to have them separated. However, it wasn't an issue. Our cabin steward quickly took care of the situation and separated them as soon as we pointed out the mix-up. 

This made the room feel even more spacious, giving us a dedicated walkway between the beds. It also helped create a sense of personal space.

The bathroom, though compact, was functional. Like the closet, there was built-in shelving to store toiletries. 

However, I didn't use any since I brought my hanging toiletry organizer, keeping everything from hair cream to moisturizer and deodorant organized and easily accessible. It's my favorite travel product and has been used over 13 times since I received it for Christmas last year! 

Whenever I sail on a Royal Caribbean ship, I hope the shower will have two shelves, allowing families additional space to store their toiletries—from different shampoos and conditioners to face washes—and keep them organized. This, however, wasn't the case on Allure of the Seas. 

It's a minor detail, but one that can make a big difference when you're sharing a small space with another person, especially if you travel with full-sized products. 

Staying in a standard cabin meant we weren't provided with upgraded toiletries. Instead, we were provided with a single bar of soap and a shampoo-body wash hybrid in the shower. 

Having recently cruised on ships like Disney Magic and Sun Princess, I've become accustomed to liquid hand soap in the bathroom and regretted not bringing one of my travel-sized goat's milk soap bars, which I bought purposefully for ships like this!

The shower had great water pressure, and I had no issues adjusting the temperature to my liking. There was even a small ledge to make shaving easier. 

Typically, I never use my stateroom's telephone; however, one afternoon, the Chef's Table was calling to provide details about where to meet for our 6:30pm reservation. 

When I picked up, I could hear the crew member speaking, but he couldn't hear me. He hung up and called back, but the issue wasn't fixed. The next time, I decided to let the phone ring and simply listened to the voicemail instead. 

Despite this small inconvenience, our cabin provided everything needed for a comfortable and relaxing cruise. 

Although we spent just $830 on our cruise fare, we splurged on other add-ons to enhance our experience, such as admission to the Thrill Waterpark, a Blue Lagoon Island excursion, two specialty meals, and Wi-Fi—all of which made an otherwise ordinary cruise especially memorable. 

Of course, booking a cruise at the last minute comes with risks. For example, last-minute airfare can be costly, negating the cost savings of the cheaper fare. 

Not only that but some experiences can sell out in advance, so if you are hoping to book a certain excursion or specialty restaurant, you may find that availability is limited or even completely booked by the time you get on board.

Thankfully, we utilized credit card points to save money on airfare and the pre-cruise hotel. If we had paid for them out-of-pocket, our flights from Charlotte to Fort Lauderdale would have totaled over $1,000. 

Moreover, we scored a great discount on our Chef's Table dinner thanks to a Cruise Planner sale the week before our departure. The onboard price is advertised at around $99/person; however, after applying our onboard credit, we only paid $57 each for the 6-course meal, which included wine and espresso martinis with dessert. 

Would I book a last-minute cruise fare again? Absolutely. Because of my job, I can leave home at a moment's notice, and when the opportunity arises to snag such a great deal, I’m all in—even if it's in an inside cabin.