Royal Caribbean Blog

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. 

Recently, I sailed aboard Allure of the Seas on a short 4-night cruise to the Bahamas and enjoyed dining at restaurants like Samba Grill, the Main Dining Room, and even the Chef’s Table for the first time.

I had a great experience dining on Vision of the Seas earlier this year and was curious to see how the food on a ship as large as Allure of the Seas would compare.

Moreover, having branched out to other lines like Celebrity and Princess, I wondered whether Allure would change my opinion on the quality of Royal’s dining. 

Even better, I brought my dad along, who sailed on Allure in 2014. He had memories of the food being amazing, so he was eager to see if it lived up to his recollection.

Overall, the food on Allure of the Seas was pretty good! Some meals were far better than others, with some being mediocre. Here's a breakdown of everything I ate during my 4-night cruise aboard Allure, including a few dishes I'd skip next time.

Of note, I'm not a food critic and am not classically trained in anything cuisine-related. Others may come to their own conclusions, as everyone has different taste buds and preferences.

Embarkation Day Lunch

One of my favorite places to kickstart a cruise is the Park Cafe. Usually, it’s far less overwhelming than the Windjammer, and it’s nice to get a made-to-order salad while relaxing in Central Park ahead of a busy schedule.

I have a tried-and-true salad order that never disappoints: mixed greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, boiled egg, croutons, and honey mustard dressing. Whenever I have a salad from Park Cafe, I’m reminded of how much I enjoy honey mustard dressing but somehow fail to forget the second I disembark.

I also had the signature Kummelweck sandwich with spicy mustard and horseradish. However, the roast beef was too rare for my liking.

Embarkation Day Dinner

Though this was my third time on Allure of the Seas, I had never tried Samba Grill. When strolling around the ship on embarkation day, my dad and I were offered a deal too good to pass up: dinner for two for just $70, or $35 each.

We were thankful we had a lighter lunch since we had an unexpectedly large meal planned for dinner. It was truly a meat overload. However, we definitely felt as though we got our money’s worth.

My favorite meats were the filet mignon, beef ribs, and sirloin. Each was tender and cooked to perfection, and I loved the various sauces—namely the chimichurri—provided to enhance the flavor of the meats. 

The stars of the show, though, were the desserts. The caramel flan and chocolate rum cake were both delicious. My dad even debated asking if we could take an extra rum cake to the room.

If you’re too full to enjoy the heavier desserts, I recommend at least trying the grilled pineapple. It’s a simple yet refreshing way to cleanse your palate after all that meat.

Sorrento’s

Later that night, we snacked on pizza from Sorrento’s, despite saying I wouldn’t eat again until breakfast. Sorrento’s is my least favorite cruise ship pizza; however, it’s hard to resist late-night pizza when the smell fills the Royal Promenade.

That said, after trying Princess Cruises’ pizza last month, Sorrento’s seemed far more mediocre than I remembered. In my opinion, the dough was way too chewy.

Breakfast Day 2

We woke up early on our only sea day, arriving at Johnny Rocket’s about fifteen minutes before it opened at 8:00am. We enjoyed prompt service after being seated. The coffee was piping hot—almost too hot to drink! However, it’s better than the lukewarm alternative.

I ordered the Veggie Lover's scramble without mushrooms. There aren’t a lot of things that I refuse to eat, but mushrooms are one of them. My only complaint is that I wish it had been served with extra cheese. Once I mixed the scramble up, the cheese flavor wasn't as prevalent as I hoped. 

That said, it had a good egg-to-veggie ratio. I didn’t want to feel like I was just eating bell peppers and onions early in the morning!

The environment was perhaps the best part of breakfast. It was peaceful, and dining outside on the Boardwalk before it got hot and crowded was a nice way to start our day at sea.

Lunch Day 2

My dad and I returned to Park Cafe for lunch, wanting to avoid the crowds at the Windjammer. I initially ordered the jerk pork wrap before noticing a Cuban sandwich in the display case after the Kummelweck carving station.

Not wanting to waste food, I tried the wrap before realizing it wasn’t all that good. The rice-to-meat ratio was off, with way too much rice and not enough of the juicy pork I expected.

I also noticed the Poblano pepper soup when I returned to order a Cuban sandwich. Being a fan of the soup served on Mexican night in the Main Dining Room, I gave it a try, and it was the best thing I ate in the Park Cafe while on Allure of the Seas!

The Cuban sandwich was much better than the jerk pork wrap. For a casual lunch on a cruise, it was satisfying.

Sabor

Later that afternoon, we were craving chips and salsa. This isn’t out of the ordinary, as my dad and I are huge fans of spicy foods and love adding different hot sauces to our salsa.

After I finished up some work, he decided he wanted to ask the wait staff at Sabor if we could enjoy chips and salsa without paying the cover charge for the entire meal. They had no issues accommodating our request and even brought freshly chopped habanero peppers to spice up the guacamole and salsa.

This was a highlight of our vacation, as we got to enjoy one of our favorite activities together while sitting on the Boardwalk and taking in the sights of an Oasis Class ship. 

Dinner Day 2

It's practically impossible to go wrong with Royal Caribbean's French Onion Soup. This year, I've had it on Quantum, Vision, and Allure of the Seas, and it has been delicious each time!

The broth is rich and savory; the onions are perfectly caramelized; and the melted cheese topping adds just the right amount of indulgence. Seriously, if you've never tried Royal's French Onion Soup, I beg you to order it on your next cruise. 

Read more: I spent a week on a cruise ship to Alaska, and while the Main Dining Room was disappointing, the specialty restaurants really impressed me

While I thought I was done eating meat, the other entrées didn't sound too appealing. I've tried the seafood linguine twice this year and have been disappointed both times. 

Rather than risking another letdown, I ordered the beef tenderloin, which was cooked to a perfect medium. Not only did I enjoy the cut of meat itself, but the peppercorn sauce added just the right amount of spice without overwhelming the dish. 

Finally, I had the warm apple cobbler for dessert. This is one of my favorite treats, and I never pass up the opportunity to have it when it's on the menu. 

However, I almost decided to mix things up and order the toasted almond cream puffs, but I couldn’t resist the familiar comfort of the apple cobbler.

Read more: Royal Caribbean menus: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more

Breakfast Day 3

Whenever my dad and I cruise together, we limit our time in the Windjammer. Not only do we find the food to hit or miss, but we aren't fans of the hectic environment. It makes for a less-than-ideal dining experience for us. 

As such, we didn't step foot in the Windjammer while on Allure of the Seas. Instead, we enjoyed breakfast at Johnny Rocket's, the Solarium Bistro, and the Main Dining Room. While the Solarium Bistro's food quality is similar, it's much more relaxed than the Windjammer. 

On the morning we arrived in CocoCay, we wanted something quick, so we could head to Thrill Waterpark and knock off as many rides as possible before the crowds built up. 

Typically, I have a lighter breakfast in favor of heavier lunches and dinners; however, I wanted to fuel up for our day in the sun, so I added a waffle to my usual go-to order of eggs, fruit, and a hashbrown patty. 

Lunch Day 3

Though my dad's last visit to CocoCay was in 2010, he spoke about how much he enjoyed the beachside BBQ lunch buffet, so, initially, our plan was to leave Thrill Waterpark and enjoy the offerings at the Chill Grill. However, after walking past Captain Jack's, my dad decided he'd rather try the mango habanero chicken wings. 

While the wings aren't included—priced at $9.95 for ten—we found the extra cost worth it. The wings were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Plus, the mango habanero sauce added the perfect amount of heat and sweetness. We also ordered steak fries for an additional $3. 

Pro tip: try the TLC (tequila, lime, and chipotle) sauce. The chipotle flavor added a smokey richness that paired well with the tangy lime, making for a great dipping sauce that wasn't your average honey mustard or ketchup. 

Dinner Day 3

After a long day of climbing countless flights of stairs, we freshened up and returned to the Main Dining Room for dinner. Tonight's theme was Caribbean—one of my favorites because of the crispy coconut shrimp on the menu. 

That said, I've found that sometimes, they aren't the most generous with the sweet chili dipping sauce. However, I ordered extra, which made a huge difference. 

I tried something new for my entrée: the Caribbean chicken. I was surprised by the portion of juicy chicken breast, ensuring that even the most ravenous guests wouldn't leave hungry.  

The entire dish was flavorful, except for the dry Jamaican fried dumpling. Everything else, from the pineapple and black bean salsa to the rice and sweet plantains, was satisfying. 

The blueberry cobbler wasn't as memorable as the apple cobbler the night before. Still, it was a great sweet treat to wrap up the meal. 

Breakfast Day 4

Our meeting time for our excursion to Blue Lagoon Island wasn't until 10:30am, so we had a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room. While I prefer savory breakfasts, I thought I'd try the French Toast.

It was tasty with a soft, fluffy interior and generously dusted with powdered sugar. However, I still prefer my go-to of eggs. I'm just not a huge fan of sweets in the morning. 

Lunch Day 4

Our 5-hour tour to Blue Lagoon Island included lunch. It was a standard beachside cookout, with burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, and veggie patties. 

I preferred the burger to the BBQ chicken and found the green bean salad pretty tasty! It was served cold with a strong vinegary taste, which everyone might not enjoy. 

Still, when it comes to island meals, it's hard to compete with Perfect Day at CocoCay! From tacos to burgers and plenty of desserts, there's a wider variety available, and you can get as much food as you want! 

Dinner Day 4

While I've been on over 20 cruises, I had never tried the Chef's Table before sailing on Allure of the Seas. In the days leading up to our cruise, I noticed a great deal on the 6-course meal on the Cruise Planner. 

The specialty meal cost $165.16 for two people; however, after applying our $50 in onboard credit, the price per person decreased to just $57 each. 

The thyme and lemon bread was complete with melted truffle oil butter and, as our waiter Allen said, was the best bread on the ship. 

After bread, we dove into the main courses, starting with scallop carpaccio. The thinly sliced scallops were pretty flavorless; however, they allowed the yuzu vinaigrette to shine through. 

To me, the smoked tomato soup was the star of the show. 

It was robust, with a smoky depth that incorporated a whole new dimension to the classic dish, and the drizzle of crème fraîche added a creamy contrast.

Read more: I take over 10 cruises a year as a cruise reporter. I always book a specialty restaurant — even though it costs extra money

The Maine lobster salad brought the fresh, sweet flavors of the lobster front and center. 

I wasn't a huge fan of the vanilla dressing or the hearts of palm, but the tender lobster was far better than any I've ever had in the Main Dining Room. 

My least favorite course was the roasted branzino. Fish isn't something I typically enjoy; however, I was willing to try it during our Chef's Table experience. 

The fish itself was cooked well, being moist and flaky. That said, I couldn't get past the distinct flavor of the branzino, which was too fishy for my liking. One of our table companions suggested I try it with one of the orange slices on the plate, which helped balance the flavor a bit. Still, it wasn’t enough to completely change my opinion of the dish. 

Others who enjoy fish said it was delicious, so I would take my words with a grain of salt. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to food! 

Compartively, the filet mignon was a favorite. The steak was tender and perfectly seared on the outside while juicy and pink in the center. Each bite melted in my mouth and was complemented by the bearnaise sauce! 

I also loved the accompanying truffle mashed potatoes. The potatoes had a smooth texture, with just the right amount of seasoning to balance out the richness of the steak. 

Chocolate lovers will adore The World, featuring layers of rich, chocolate mousse, silky ganache, and a crisp, dark chocolate shell that encases it all. 

Inside the sphere, the salted caramel ice cream adds a salty contrast to the otherwise chocolate-heavy dessert. Even better? It pairs well with the included salted caramel espresso martini! 

Disembarkation Breakfast

We weren't in a rush to get off the ship on disembarkation morning, so we headed to the Main Dining Room for one final meal in the three-story restaurant around 7:40am. 

As expected, I went with eggs and fruit, rather than loading up on sugar before going to the airport. The eggs were far better than those in the Solarium Bistro a few mornings prior, and I was surprised by how fresh the fruit was on the last day of the cruise. 

Royal Caribbean has gotten into the Black Friday season with its official sale for the mega shopping event.

While there have been Black Friday sales over the past few weeks leading up to the actual shopping holiday, the cruise line started its official sale today.

Right now you can save on cruise fares, drink packages, shore excursions and more.

We've shopped Royal Caribbean's offers for weeks, but with the actual Black Friday sale here, I wanted to point out the best deals you can find.

What's different with the Black Friday sale?

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday Sale increases the amount of instant savings offered.

It runs between November 28 – 29, 2024, and applies to 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 savings of
  • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $325 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer, savings of 
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $800 USD for Suites

The instant savings for Black Friday are combinable with their Kids Sail Free and BOGO60 offer that has been running during November.

Royal Caribbean's sale on cruise add-ons runs through November 29, 2024 and applies to select sailings departing November 13, 2024 - December 31, 2025.

We've seen variations on discounts offered, so even if you checked prices earlier, it's worth looking again to see if there's a better deal now.

My favorite Royal Caribbean deals right now

Coco Beach Club: Anyone looking for an elevated day at Royal Caribbean's private island should consider the price of admission to the Coco Beach Club.

I'm seeing prices consistently under $100 per person for admission, which gets you a less-crowded day, access to the heated infinity pool, and a full-service restaurant that serves up some of the best food Royal Caribbean offers.

Considering the Coco Beach Club admission is usually between $100 - $200 per person, this is a good opportunity to lock in a lower price.

The heated infinity pool and club restaurant are my two favorite things about visiting. The heated pool is a great idea if you have a winter cruise coming up in the next few months.

Drink packages: I'd wager the most popular thing you can buy for your cruise has to be a drink package of some kind.

There are a few different kinds of drink packages, and prices seem much lower than they've been at any point this year.

Depending on your sailing, I've seen the Deluxe Beverage Package as cheap as $54.99.  People booked on very long sailings, such as a Panama Canal repositioning cruise, have reported prices less than $50 per day.

Even the coffee card and soda package are discounted, so now is definitely the time to book it.

Hideaway Beach: Another extra cost area of CocoCay is on sale, and it's a great choice for those without kids.

Hideaway Beach prices are back under $50 per person, and that makes it a slam dunk deal, in my opinion.

Available exclusively to passengers at least 18 years old, Hideaway Beach is an area that offers a large beach, heated pool party, and lots of food options. There's also a great outdoor sports bar with live music.

The DJ pool party has been the mega hit of this new expansion, and I think some of the new food choices also stand out as a great plus up.

Book a new cruise: Given the extra savings Royal Caribbean is offering during the actual Black Friday holiday, I think now is the right time to look at cruises for the coming years.

Getting up to $800 off your cruise in a single sale is not common, so while you have your family over for Thanksgiving, it might be the time to look for the right sailing.

Don't forget, Royal Caribbean just added new Alaska cruises and European cruises in 2026, along with Caribbean cruises in 2026-2027.

Internet access: My favorite must-buy during Black Friday is the thing I use on every cruise, and that's a wifi package.

Having unlimited internet during a cruise is a must-do for me, and I'm seeing some of the best prices right now. The cruise line says up to 55% off, and I've seen prices as low as $15.99 per person, per day.

With onboard prices as high as $27.99 per day, this is another great buy pre-cruise.

Discounts vary from sailing to sailing

While the Black Friday sales are exciting, they're not evenly distributed.

The price of a cruise or cruise add-on will depend on the sailing, and some deals are going to be significantly better than others.

In looking at prices for dining, drink packages, excursions, CocoCay experiences, and even onboard gifts, there's a wide range of prices.

If you have multiple cruises booked, be sure to check prices for each sailing.

And yes, you can cancel and rebook any add-on you've already purchased to take advantage of a lower price.  Just be sure to watch your credit card and emails from Royal Caribbean regarding your refunds, because there have been isolated incidents in how they are processing refunds.

If you're looking for a chance to save on a Royal Caribbean cruise, a Black Friday sale might be the perfect opportunity.

Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, which this year is November 29.  Royal Caribbean has sales running over Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

The cruise line has begun rolling out "preview sales", with the actual Black Friday sale beginning November 28. In fact, there will be "offers every week" that extend all the way until Travel Tuesday.

You can expect all sorts of promotions during Black Friday cruise deals and Cyber Monday savings times. Most commonly, there are instant savings and onboard credit offers. Instant savings are deducted directly from your total vacation cost the moment you book.

This post will be updated with new Black Friday offers as soon as they are revealed.

A month of sales

Royal Caribbean began the Black Friday bonanza on November 8, 2024.

The Black Friday Beat the Rush Extension is the fourth Black Friday offer in 2024, and it runs between November 26 – 27, 2024.

We're listing the major bullet points of each sale, but please remember there are terms and conditions, and special rules about combinability with each sale. Refer to them at the time the sale begins.

Before the Black Friday promos hit, the monthly offer for November offers buy one guest, get second guest 60% off & 30% off on third and fourth guests.

That's coupled 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).

There are a series of Black Friday promotions, that began November 8.

The official Black Friday Sale applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made November 28 – 29, 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 USD 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

Expired Black Friday sales

The Black Friday Beat the Rush Sale offers extra instant savings on cruises booked during this period.

The Black Friday Beat the Rush applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made November 22 – 27, 2024, on sailings departing on or after November 23, 2024, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length:

• 5 nights or less
  • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $300 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

The Black Friday Preview Sale adds on extra savings to the November month offer.

The Black Friday Early Access Extension Sale applied to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made November 19 – 21, 2024, on sailings departing on or after November 16, 2024, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length:

• 5 nights or less
  • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $300 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

The Black Friday Early Access offers extra instant savings on cruises booked during this period.

The Black Friday Early Access applied to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made November 15 – 18, 2024, on sailings departing on or after November 16, 2024, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length:

• 5 nights or less
  • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $300 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

The Black Friday Preview Sale Extension applied to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made November 12 – 14, 2024, on sailings departing on or after November 9, 2024, and provides an instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked, sailing length:

• 5 nights or less
  • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $300 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

The Black Friday Preview sale applied to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made 11/8 – 11/11/24 on sailings departing on or after November 9, 2024 and provides an up to $750 instant savings per stateroom varying by stateroom category booked and sailing length.

• 5 nights or less
  • $100 USD for Inside and Ocean View
  • $175 USD for Balconies
  • $300 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer
  • $175 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $250 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

BOGO60 and Kids Sail Free are combinable with each other and Black Friday sales.

What about a Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner purchases?

Just as important as a deal on cruise fares are discounts on add-ons for the sailing.

The deals for purchases made on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site began on November 8.

The sale is valid on purchases made from November 8, 2024 through November 29, 2024 and applies to select sailings departing November 13, 2024 - December 31, 2025. 

• Beverage: Up to 50% off
• Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
• Internet: Up to 55% Off
• Dining: Up to 50% Off
• Spa: Up to 30% Off Select Times
• Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off
• Photo Package: Up to 65% Off
• Onboard Activities: Up to 30% off
• Bundles: Black Friday Exclusive

In short, any of the prices offered during Black Friday are sure to be cheaper than if you waited to book them onboard the ship.  They might even be cheaper than any sales in the coming months.

Top 5 Black Friday deals

Deluxe Beverage Package
Starting at $54.99

Hideaway Beach Day Pass
Starting at $38.99

Coco Beach Club Day Pass
Starting at $113.99

Cafe Select Card
$23.99 per card

VOOM SURF + STREAM Internet Package
Starting at $15.99 for one device

Celebrity Cruises Black Friday sale

Celebrity Cruises will have a similar sale to Royal Caribbean, offering a month of savings for cruises booked from November 8 through December 9.

The second passenger in a cabin can save up to 75% on cruises departing from now through May 10, 2027.

Black Friday savings are not applicable to Galápagos sailings or Alaska cruise-tours on Celebrity Summit departing May 9 through Sept. 5, 2025.

The lowest price for a cruise is often not publicly advertised, so you have to know where to look.

Booking with a travel agent can get you some great benefits, providing great value by helping you find cruises, form groups, schedule activities, and—most of all—get good deals.

I was able to save almost 60% off a Freedom of the Seas cruise I booked through an MEI Travel agent.

I found a cheap price for an October sailing on Freedom of the Seas: an oceanview cabin for just $584 per person.

After the cost of taxes, fees, and port expenses, plus pre-paid gratuities, I ended up paying $1678 total for the 7-night cruise.

The booking was for a guarantee oceanview cabin, departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and offering stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas.

The posted rate on the public Royal Caribbean website was $2759 for the same cruise—$1379 per person. So how did I get such a good deal?

I got a cheaper price by using my travel agent's hidden deals

Discounts like this aren't highly advertised, and many of them are only accessible through a travel agent.

My travel agent had access to Royal Caribbean's hidden deals sheet, which lists discounted sailings across the fleet. These secret deals are provided to travel agencies by the cruise line, and cannot be shared publicly.

You'll have to go directly to a travel agent to find similar discounts.

While browsing the secret deals, I found great discounts on certain cruises and was able to book the Freedom of the Seas one right away.

These rates aren't provided to the general public and are often special rates established between the cruise line and the travel agency.

The posted overall rate for my Freedom of the Seas sailing was approximately $2,759 in total.

That means I saved more than 60% off the public rate by using MEI travel. 

A cheaper overall cruise fare is a great reason to reach out to a travel agent and book a cruise through them.

Compared to a similar Independence of the Seas cruise, I got a much cheaper deal. 

A cruise departing on November 2nd, 2025 from Miami, Florida, costs $1802, or $902 per person.

This similar 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day cruise in an oceanview cabin has a price almost $200 over—and that's before gratuities, purchasing the cruise a year ahead of time.

To get access to these rates, you just need to ask.  When you work with your travel agent, you can ask if there are any special group rates or agency rates available.

In my case, I asked for special rates that existed and then booked those sailings, rather than picking a specific ship and sail date.

The availability of special rates depends on a bit of luck, but it's something you can ask your agent early in the planning process.

Why was the cruise so discounted?

A steep discount can spark suspicion. 

Why was the sailing so cheap? Was there anything wrong with the ship, room, or itinerary?

It's due to a combination of special negotiated rates between the cruise line and the travel consortium, as well as the cruies line wanting to fill unsold staterooms.

This just means fewer rooms on that particular cruise sold and doesn't point to any deficiencies in the ship or itinerary.

The sailing called upon Perfect Day at CocoCay; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and St. Thomas, and it was the perfect vacation to experience everything the Freedom-Class ship had to offer.

However, because I also saved money by booking a guarantee cabin, I ended up getting a less-popular stateroom.

I chose a guaranteed oceanview cabin, meaning that Royal Caribbean promised me the oceanview category or better—but I gave up the ability to choose the stateroom location.

Read more: How to save money on a cruise: 45 expert tips

I ended up with a leftover cabin located low on the ship, on deck 2.

The stateroom had a lovely porthole window, and clean, modern amenities. But I quickly discovered why other cruisers didn't want to book that cabin location.

The stateroom experienced constant noise—from the anchor banging against the side of the ship, feet stomping above me, and adjacent neighbors.

While the cabin was still an enjoyable stay, it was a less desirable location for a cheaper price.

Is it worth booking with a travel agent?

Are the deals and assistance worth booking with a travel agent?

Many first-time cruisers don't know how helpful travel agents can be. They're also usually free to work with! Most good travel agents are paid a commission from the cruise line, so there is no extra cost to use their services.

Travel agents can give you great deals on sailings, and many people aren't even aware of hidden deals like the one I got on my Freedom of the Seas cruise.

Travelers also don't know the many ways a travel agent can assist, such as contacting customer service, organizing large groups, and booking shore excursions.

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

My MEI travel agent booked the cruise and handled the guests, dining times, and gratuities beforehand.

All I had to do before the sailing was scheduling, online check-in, and packing!

She also consistently checked in throughout and after my sailing to ensure all went well. 

If we ran into any issues, our travel agent could work with us, and even call Royal Caribbean customer service and stay on the line for us.

A travel agent is an invaluable resource that provides great deals and insider cruise knowledge—all at no extra cost to you.

Royal Caribbean is facing challenges with the cruise pier in San Juan, Puerto Rico, resulting in unexpected itinerary changes for one of its largest ships.

San Juan is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean with its rich history and vibrant culture; in addition, the capital of Puerto Rico is also used as a homeport for Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean offers many sailings that visit San Juan as a port of call. However, itineraries onboard Symphony of the Seas have been particularly affected by this port issue because of the ship's massive size.

In an email sent to guests booked on the December 1, 2024 sailing onboard Symphony of the Seas, Royal Caribbean explained the situation regarding "technical issues" with San Juan’s cruise pier.  Royal Caribbean 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, Oasis class ships will be unable to dock. 

The cruise line said, “We’ve recently been advised by the port authority in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that due to technical issues with the pier and the work that must be done and cleared by the USCG for accepting a ship our size, we’ll have to adjust our itinerary for our sailing.”

At this time, it’s unclear when the pier - which is located in the heart of San Juan’s old town - will be cleared by authorities to accept larger vessels. Neither Royal Caribbean nor the Port of San Juan have stated when the issue is expected to be fixed. 

Symphony of the Seas is one of the largest ships in the world, measuring 228,081 gross registered tons. Originally, the ship was scheduled to sail on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami on December 1, 2024. Because of the unforeseen port issues in San Juan, the itinerary was adjusted at the last minute. 

Symphony of the Seas was scheduled to visit San Juan, Puerto Rico and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, along one day at Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay. Guests were notified that Symphony of the Seas will instead visit Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti with an adjusted itinerary. However, the ship will also keep its scheduled visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay as planned.

Royal Caribbean stated that guests will receive an automatic refund to their original form of payment for any prepaid excursions booked for San Juan and Philipsburg. Additionally, excursions will also be available to book for the new ports of call in Jamaica and Haiti.

Only Symphony of the Seas has been impacted.

This isn’t the first Royal Caribbean itinerary to be impacted by San Juan’s pier issues. The cruise line was forced to drop San Juan from Symphony of the Seas’ itinerary earlier this month as well. The ship's November 17, 2024 itinerary was originally scheduled to dock in San Juan, St. Maarten and Perfect Day at CocoCay before the adjustment was made. 

In communication sent to passengers, Royal Caribbean stated, “After exploring all options, and to provide you with the best experience, we'll now enjoy visits to our private destination, Labadee, Haiti, and to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, instead. To help make up for these changes, we've added a visit to Nassau, Bahamas!”

It’s also important to note that San Juan, Puerto Rico has two different ports utilized by cruise ships. The current issue is only impacting Royal Caribbean’s largest ships when docking for the day at the Port of San Juan near the old town. The second port in San Juan is found across the harbor, known as Pan American Pier, and is unaffected. This terminal is used as a homeport for ships that are departing from San Juan.

Currently, Rhapsody of the Seas is sailing round-trip itineraries from San Juan and has not experienced any itinerary adjustments. No other Royal Caribbean ships are departing from San Juan in the coming months, although multiple ships are scheduled to visit the city as a port of call. 

Looking forward, Symphony of the Seas is scheduled to visit San Juan again on December 22, 2024. The ship also has more sailings featuring the port into January 2025. The cruise line has not announced any further changes at this time for future itineraries. If the pier remains damaged, Royal Caribbean's Oasis class ships could continue to be impacted for months to come. 

How was the pier in San Juan damaged?

Guests on Royal Caribbean sailings from earlier this year started to report issues with San Juan’s pier in the spring. In April 2024, people started posting online about docking issues in Puerto Rico, supposedly due to damage caused by an MSC cruise ship.

According to guests onboard at the time, Wonder of the Seas was forced to change course due to the damage caused in San Juan in April 2024. Oasis class ships can only dock at the damaged pier due to their size. Therefore, Royal Caribbean is at the mercy of the port to repair the damaged pier in order to resume normal operations.

In April 2024, user @Brooke posted on our site’s forum, “On the Wonder of the Seas and just got diverted from going to San Juan, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. [Now we are] going to St. Maarten and St. Thomas. They said a ship crashed into the port in San Juan. Does anyone have information on that?”

User @Austin commented, “Just to clarify for anyone on a Puerto Rico itinerary on an Oasis class ship, Captain said the [pier] that Oasis ships use is unstable from the MSC ship striking it in Puerto Rico.”

Continuing, the cruiser shared, “They tried to work with the port authority to dock on the east side of the pier instead of the usual west side, but the port authority rejected this option and told them that we cannot dock until the dolphin is repaired (unknown downtime)."

In addition, a headline from elnuevodia, a local news source, confirmed the incident back in April. The headline reads, “MSC Meraviglia cruise ship hits Pier 3 in San Juan”. The article continued to explain how the San Juan Cruise Port was forced to close the west side of the facility until further notice, due to the damage caused by the accident. Neither Royal Caribbean nor the Port of San Juan have confirmed the pier damage by MSC Meraviglia.

Most guests are unhappy with the last-minute itinerary changes.

Impacted guests are understandably upset by the itinerary changes. Last-minute changes to an itinerary are always disappointing, especially when guests book sailings to visit specific destinations. While cruise lines attempt to replace cancelled ports of call, the itinerary updates are not always considered sufficient.

Royal Caribbean expressed to its guests, “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by these changes. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit our private destination and a new port with you!” Even still, impacted passengers are frustrated by the changes.

“I’m pretty upset about it. I was really excited to take my kids to San Juan as they’ve never been and St. Martin looked nice as well. I feel like the ports they switched us too are not on the same level as the ones we had before. Both cruise pricing wise and activity wise,” commented one impacted guest on a Reddit thread.

Royal Caribbean only recently started sailing again to its private island in Haiti, which is being used as a substitute port for San Juan. Although Labadee is a secure, remote and private area operated entirely by Royal Caribbean, the country of Haiti has been in turmoil recently.

Due to civil unrest in the spring and over the summer, Royal Caribbean suspended operations for months "out of an abundance of caution". Citing safety concerns, the cruise line removed Labadee from Caribbean itineraries throughout the spring and summer. Royal Caribbean only returned to Labadee in October 2024, although unrest continues in the country.  

Even after three commercial planes were struck by gunfire in the country’s capital this month, Royal Caribbean confirmed there were no planned changes for itineraries visiting the private destination. Therefore, it's not surprising to see Labadee being used as a replacement port for altered itineraries. 

One guest stated online how they would not be comfortable with Symphony's itinerary changes considering the violent situation in Haiti. The commenter stated, “Man, I’d personally be so upset at the changes; Skip San Juan but keep St. Maarten. I personally wouldn’t feel safe in Haiti right now."

“I'm on this cruise right now. It was a major bummer, but we adapted. We booked our St. Martin excursion through a 3rd party, and they refunded us after notifying them of the last-minute itinerary change,” stated one cruiser that was onboard the impacted November 17 sailing.

Continuing, the poster stated, “As far as the change goes, a lot of people were very upset about the change, but the terms and conditions you agree to when booking a cruise with Royal state that they can change the itinerary for any reason at any time, and without prior warning. Of course they will let you know as soon as possible, as a matter of good business practice.”

“So based on the other comments in this thread, it sounds like this has been a known issue since April, and basically there’s no hope in sight of getting it repaired? We picked this specific itinerary for Puerto Rico and St. Maarten,” exclaimed another cruiser online.

Now is a great time to take advantage of Black Friday sales to save money on shore excursions.

While Royal Caribbean has already discounted shore excursions as part of its Black Friday sale, I've found extra savings on the my go-to beach day idea.

When I'm on a Caribbean cruise and want a beach day, I usually book a day pass to a resort instead of taking a taxi or booking a traditional shore excursion that takes me to the beach.

There are a few sites that you can buy day passes to popular resorts around the Caribbean, and ResortPass.com just announced a new Black Friday discount.

When you book with the ResortPass app (free to download) and use the promo code EARLYBFAPP, you'll save $50 off the purchase of at least $200 or more.

It's not clear when the code expires exactly, but it's available now.

The added discount knocks out the service fee and saves a little bit on top of the overall cost.

Why I love resort day passes

The reason why I prefer getting a day pass is because it offers more amenities than you'll typically find at a traditional beach excursion, and that's so helpful for families.

Websites like ResortForADay.com or ResortPass.com make it simple to enter the island and date that you'll be visiting, and find a list of options.

Some resorts offer all-inclusive, while others are merely access to the facilities and you can optionally pay for food and drink.

Each resort has a per-person cost, and it means you could use their beach, pool, and even other facilities.

I've found in the popular cruise ports many different choices of places to go.  Nassau, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, and other ports have a few places to consider.

It's easy and simple way to book, and in a few clicks you will have a confirmation of the date and resort.

I like that ResortPass offers more than just a day pass. In some cases there are hotel rooms or cabanas you can rent for the day.

On a recent visit to St. Maarten, we booked a cabana at the Morgan Resort.  It includes admission for up to 8 people, and their pool is fantastic.

When we visited St. Kitts, there was a Marriott that included a hotel room.  This meant we could shower, change, and nap in the room. Plus, the air conditioning was a nice break when it got too hot.

The variety of choices is a lovely bonus for those that want more than just access to the beach or pool.

One thing to keep in mind is transportation is not included, so you'll need to arrange that on your own. 

I just walk to the taxi stand in the port and grab a taxi.  On the way back, the resort is able to hail a taxi for you.

Costs for a day pass

Depending which island you visit and how much you want included, the prices for a day pass vary.  However, I find the prices quite reasonable.

A day pass at The Morgan Resort in St. Maarten costs $60 per person, while the cabana is $480. If you're in Nassau, Bahamas, a day pass to Margaritaville Resort costs $132 for adults and $66 for kids, and it includes access to their waterpark too.

Prices depend on a lot of factors, and you could easily find a cheap pass at a no-frills resort for as little as $25.

ResortPass has a fairly flexible cancellation policy. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, bookings for day passes can be canceled up until 11:59 p.m. the night before your reservation, while cabanas, daybeds, and day rooms can be canceled until 10 a.m. the day before your reservation. You can opt for either a refund to your credit card or a ResortPass credit. 

Being able to cancel at the last minute is really helpful if bad weather is forecasted. Remember, Royal Caribbean requires at least 48 hours notice for a refund on a shore excursion.

ResortPass is a good deal for cruisers that want flexibility

I think the ideal ResortPass customer is someone that values having more in their beach day than just the beach.

You get to enjoy resort-level amenities without being a customer, and having the choice of pool and beach, along with chairs, shade, wifi and food or beverage options is a great add-on.

Families will love the choice of beach or pool, and not having to search for food is a godsend. Convenience is the name of the game with a resort day pass.

Of course, going to a public beach is almost certainly going to be cheaper, but you're on your own to figure out everything else beyond the beach. 

Royal Caribbean shore excursions make a beach break a bit simpler to book, but I find I get more value from a day pass, even if I have to coordinate transportation on my own.

Before booking, you'll want to weigh the resort amenities you get for the price and determine if it's the right cost for you.

The ResortPass site (and app) is easy to use, prices are reasonable, and their cancellation policy is fantastic.