Royal Caribbean Blog

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.

Royal Caribbean is known for coming up with some wild ideas, so is a treehouse next?

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has pushed the envelope not just in big ship designs, but also cabins.

When Icon of the Seas launched in 2024, it has a three-deck-high Ultimate Family Townhouse.  That's a generation ahead of the Ultimate Family Suite that first debuted on the Oasis Class ships.

Now we might be on the precipice of the next idea, the Ultimate Family Treehouse.

Royal Caribbean filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a few ideas, including the treehouse.

• Ultimate Family Treehouse
• Ultimate Family Cabana
• Ultimate Family Townhouse
• Ultimate Family Suite
• Ultimate Celebration Cabana

The trademarks for the Townhouse and Suite are well established, but the others are new.

Trademark applications are notoriously vague, and they rarely offer much insight into what the cruise line may offer.

In addition, Royal Caribbean often trademarks names and ends up not using them at all.  It's simply a mechanism for reserving the idea, just in case they decide to act on it later.

For the Ultimate Family Treehouse, it was trademarked on November 19, 2024 and is under the category of "Cruise ship services".

Until Royal Caribbean announces something, we can only dream as to what it could refer to.

The most likely ideas are either a new type of cruise ship cabin on a ship, or a type of accommodation at one of the line's private beaches.

Royal Caribbean recently revealed it's designing a new private destination in Mexico, as well as a beach club concept in Cozumel, Mexico and the South Pacific.

It's possible this treehouse could fit right into the motif of a tropical getaway, where passengers could book an opulent and exotic place to hang out.

Or it could be a new stateroom that includes more of an open-air concept to it.

The Product Development team is usually involved a number of projects at once, and not all of them see the light of day.

Royal Caribbean never comments on trademark applications, so there's no announcement yet.

Ultimately, the treehouse will be something to keep an eye out for to see if it ends up being a project.

Previewing the Ultimate Family Cabana

One of these trademarks is probably going to happen, because it was leaked already.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider shared a glimpse of the project when he spoke with travel agents during a webinar in July 2024.

The project was in reference to the beach club Royal Caribbean is building in Nassau, Bahamas that will open next year.

"We're dreaming of possibly an ultimate family cabana," he said. The concept was to follow in the footsteps of having the Ultimate Family Suite and Ultimate Family Townhouse, which are over-the-top suites that pack in just about everything a family might want in a cruise ship cabin.

That's all he said about it, but in my experience, if Mr. Schneider bothers to talk about something in a remotely public setting, it's usually an indication of an idea that has merit.

Of course, plans change and it may not end up being a thing.

Topping the Ultimate Family Townhouse

Until something gets announced, the most over-the-top cruise ship cabin to date is one giant suite on Icon of the Seas.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse measures 1,772-square-feet and features an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, a karaoke machine and spacious indoor living spaces. 

There's also 751 square feet of outdoor space, divided among two balconies and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to all the Surfside neighborhood attractions. 

When Star of the Seas launches in 2025, the Townhouse will get an "uplift" and "will get really a new look to it."

Feedback from passengers on Icon compelled Royal Caribbean to make changes to the cabin on Star.

Tipping is a controversial topic, especially when it comes to cruise lines, where gratuities are often pre-paid or automatically added to your bill. 

Instead of getting caught up on the monetary aspect, one crew member took to Reddit to share their thoughts on how you can show your appreciation to those working to make your time onboard so memorable.

The crew member, known by their Reddit name SolAreiaLivros, explains how they've worked on ships like Adventure, Allure, and Wonder of the Seas. 

"Your cash tips, no matter how big or small help us (most especially [crew] from 'developing' countries like myself) tremendously. We are paid a livable wage, and well! But every dollar is something extra we can bring back home to our families," they write in the post shared to the r/royalcaribbean thread. 

"But if you prefer not to tip, that is completely okay!! Here are some other ways you can show your appreciation to [the crew members who] made your cruise extra special."

Post-cruise surveys

There's a reason so many crew members talk to guests about the post-cruise surveys. Not only do they allow you to provide feedback on your cruise vacation but you also have the opportunity to shout out hardworking crew members. 

The survey itself is short. In addition to a few brief questions about crew members, you're also asked about the food's quality, shore excursions, the ship's overall maintenance, and entertainment. 

SolAreiaLivros shares that when they're personally mentioned in surveys and reviews, they can earn a day off, a Very Important Crew (VIC) scratch card, a free specialty meal, or stay in a guest cabin for one sailing. 

The VIC card lets them scratch for perks like free internet and room service, a day off, discounts at the crew store, cash, and more. 

Surveys are especially important to crew members like waiters. When their ratings go down, they're at risk of having fewer tables to wait on, resulting in fewer tips. For waiters in specialty restaurants, low ratings could even lead to them being reassigned to the Main Dining Room, which is typically much more stressful and demanding.

"If mentioned enough times, we can get nominated to be [the] Employee of the Month. Winning Employee of the Month has quite a sum of cash prize," they add. 

Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: What you should and shouldn't do

Small notes and letters

Did one crew member go out of their way to deliver an exceptional experience? Don't be afraid to write them a short thank you note before disembarking. 

Whether a bartender who made your drinks perfectly or a fun activity host, taking a moment to show your appreciation with a handwritten note can make a huge difference.

SolAreiaLivros says, "I have personally received small notes folded into fun shapes from guests and I still have them in my wallet to this day. Reading these notes from guests at the end of a long day of work makes all the hard work feel worth it."

Read more: 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship

Remembering the crew member's name

SolAreiaLivros emphasizes how much a simple acknowledgment, like remembering a crew member's name, can mean: "...a guest remembering us and calling us by our names makes us feel seen and appreciated."

"As you all well know, we work onboard without [days off] and days can be really long. You have no idea how a simple thank you can make a crew’s day."

For example, when you see your cabin steward in the hall, address them by their name and ask how they're doing. Similarly, you can greet your Main Dining Room staff each evening by their names.

Collecting cruise ducks

What started as a quirky activity for those who wanted to share their love of cruising has grown into a worldwide craze, with Facebook groups and online forums dedicated to duck hunting on cruise ships. 

However, passengers aren't the only ones who love collecting ducks! "[Crew members who] have little kids back home LOVE collecting ducks," says SolAreiaLivros, "My cousin whose dad also works for Royal [Caribbean] grew up looking forward to receiving new duckies from her dad after every contract."

That said, SolAreiaLivros added that she knew a fellow crew member who was fired because of collecting ducks. If you're cruising and a crew member mentions they have young children at home, consider giving one directly to them. 

Read more: Why some people hate hiding ducks on a cruise ship fad

Be careful with larger gifts

While on the topic of giving gifts to crew members, be aware of things that could get them in trouble, like alcohol and items purchased from the shops onboard. 

"[We cannot] bring home any item from the shops unless we have the receipt," explains SolAreiaLivros, "[If you want to gift something from the store,] find the manager of that department and let them know that you're going to give this certain gift to (insert name of [the] crew [member])."

They add it's best to be done in an area where CCTV is available. However, note that some crew members may reject gifts if they're afraid they'll get in trouble over it. 

Read more: 7 things you should never buy on a cruise ship

The best gift SolAreiaLivros received was a picture of themself and a few guests while working in 150 Central Park, a specialty restaurant on Oasis Class ships. 

"I did not expect [for them to] buy it and gift it to me. It was in that nice 150 [C]entral [P]ark folder with a keychain inside and a note from them wishing me blessed years ahead in my career." In fact, they say they got a promotion two sailings after receiving that present! 

Another gift idea from SolAreiaLivros is laundry detergent. Crew members must buy their own in the crew grocery or in port, so gifting it helps save them money. 

Royal Caribbean gratuities 

Royal Caribbean automatically charges each guest's SeaPass account a gratuity fee each day of the cruise to recognize the service provided by crew members including cabin stewards, head waiters, waiters, and assistant waiters. 

As of November 1, 2024, the daily gratuity amount is $18.50 per guest, per day for guests in standard staterooms (i.e., inside, ocean-view, and balcony cabins, as well as Junior Suites). 

Guests in Grand Suites and above will pay $21.00 per person, per day in gratuities. The daily gratuity amount is the same for all passengers, regardless of age. This means a family of four staying in a balcony stateroom will pay $518 in gratuities during a weeklong cruise, while the same family in a suite can expect to pay $588 for a 7-night cruise. 

Gratuities, or tips, aren't included in Royal Caribbean's base fare. Some passengers prefer to prepay them in advance, as it helps them appropriately budget for their vacation. Plus, guests who prepay their gratuities don't have to worry about increases, as they're grandfathered into the lower rate. 

These automatic gratuities are controversial because they can feel impersonal or mandatory to some passengers, taking away the choice of rewarding exceptional service.

SolAreiaLivros concluded their post by saying they aren't well versed about gratuities, asking respondents to refrain from asking questions about them to avoid misinforming people.

Read more: Gratuities on Royal Caribbean: How tipping works

If there's one activity on a cruise ship I've heard the most negative comments about, it's the art auction.

While some cruisers seem to enjoy the art auctions, it's hard to overlook the lawsuits and negative comments surrounding how the auctions are conducted.

Multiple lawsuits and employee turnover on vessels have given the dealer a less-than-sterling reputation.

According to Bloomberg Business, the company was subject to almost a dozen lawsuits between 2008 and 2016.

On the other hand, some cruisers praise the opportunity to buy art directly during their cruise. They happily purchase artwork that will hang in their home for years to come.

Read more: What should you not buy on a cruise ship?

Are cruise ship art auctions really as bad as people say?

I've never been to an art auction, much less one on a cruise ship, so I decided to find out for myself.

On my recent 7-night Freedom of the Seas cruise, I attended a Park West art auction.

According to the auctioneer's introduction, Park West believes in making art accessible for everyone.

"Park West Gallery strives to create an entertaining, educational, and welcoming atmosphere that ignites a passion for the arts," the company's website reads.

"Park West’s mission is to make the art world accessible, helping its clients build lasting memories through collecting events, educational seminars, and art exhibitions."

The company conducts 200 auctions a week worldwide—everywhere from cruise ships to Hawaii. Park West has been selling artwork on Royal Caribbean (and Celebrity Cruises) ships since 1995.

Park West represents over 400,000 original artists and claims to sell original pieces. Original is defined by the dealer as "any artwork created directly under the control and supervision of the artist."

According to Park West, this includes one-of-a-kind artwork or limited-edition graphic works. 

However, multiple lawsuits against the company allege that the works sold are merely mass-media prints. These reproductions of original paintings are signed and approved by the artists but are far from one-of-a-kind pieces.

The auction welcomed all cruisers, even those there for the free champagne

First, the auctioneer invited everyone to walk around the gallery and gaze at the available artwork.

Cruisers who liked a certain piece could leave a sticky note on the frame, or speak to the art gallery staff directly.

The pieces varied in genre, from colorful sculptures of anthropomorphic dogs to patriotic eagles, and classic portraits of pale women.

I was intrigued by the artworks that cruisers started to pick out as their favorites: once one sticky note appeared, more would be placed on the same piece.

Most attendees, like myself, were only there to observe and drink the free champagne, but a surprising amount filed into chairs to begin bidding.

At least 30 of my fellow cruisers held bid cards and looked ready to buy their favorite artwork. A server came around with a tray of champagne, passing flutes to every guest present.

As the auction began, the auctioneer sprang to life, speeding the process along with that famous droning voice.

At the beginning, he explained that he would clack his gavel against the podium when each artwork sold.

I was shocked to hear the clang nearly every 3 minutes—every piece of artwork sold right away.

The prices ranged from $500 to $1500, and I couldn't discern any metric of value for the artwork. Pieces that were more colorful, simplistic, and blocky sold for thousands of dollars, while the complex, watercolored artwork painted in tiny brushstrokes was less popular.

Park West used more clever sales tactics

The auctioneer's job was clearly to help sell the pieces, so he played up the creativity or unique print of the artwork.

I was hoping to learn more about the modern art scene by attending, but I was disappointed there was little substance beyond the sales pitch.

Besides highlighting Peter Max, a famous pop artist, little context was given about the art pieces and artists.

I noticed that the auctioneer used more sales tactics to sell the artwork. For example, he created a false sense of urgency by promising that artwork would only be sold at a discounted price to the first two attendees who raised their cards, but then inevitably extending the sale to everyone who jumped in.

Founder & CEO Albert Scaglione stated in 2009 that Park West has never misrepresented the value of its art.

“The value is whatever price the seller can find a buyer that will pay for it," he said.

Park West's auctioneer did announce that they encourage buyers to individually appraise the artwork—"Don't just take our word for it!" 

In addition, the auctioneer was honest about costs and any additional fees.

He announced that cruisers who purchased a piece or won one in a raffle still have to pay the cost of shipping for the artwork.

The auctioneer also explained that the frames we saw were not included in the price. Customers could pay for Park West to fit and add a different frame, or simply choose one on their own.

Park West offers 18-month financing for buyers, which, in my opinion, creates a dangerous sense of security.. Cruisers could bid on artwork they can't actually afford, trusting in the ability to spread the payments out over a year and a half.

The auction moved quickly, but as a passive observer, I found myself both bored and horrified

I could hardly believe that cruisers were spending thousands of dollars on seemingly random artworks—and doing so so quickly!

The auction moved quickly, with unique features like a "mystery bid." 

Four artworks were placed backward on stands, and buyers bid at a discounted price to purchase the unseen artwork. All four mystery pieces sold for $1200.

Read more: 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)

Bottom line, cruise ship art auctions are worthwhile for the novel experience, free champagne, and the chance to spend a lot of money on a piece of art.

If you're not looking to purchase an artwork, you'll gain just as much value from independently pursuing the art around the ship. 

Since I didn't purchase any art, I can't speak to the validity of the artwork and sales practices, but I did notice some pushy sales tactics at play.

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.

Royal Caribbean released more of its Caribbean 2026-2027 deployments, including the world's largest cruise ships.

Both Icon of the Seas, and her upcoming sister ship, Star of the Seas, will homeport in Florida for the new itineraries.

Cruisers can now book 7-night Western or Eastern Caribbean cruises on Icon of the Seas, departing from Miami, Florida.

Star of the Seas, which enters service in August of 2025, will continue to sail out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The second Icon-Class ship will offer 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises.

Royal Caribbean News

• My friend got burned by booking non-refundable cruise fare. I now advocate these 5 cruise booking tips
• My $1,800 stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas has the worst shower curtain, but the balcony was perfect
• Two "nightmare issues" in Royal Caribbean's systems have frustrated cruisers for weeks
• The best cruise line rankings are out for 2025 and Royal Caribbean was snubbed
• Royal Caribbean adds new cruises from New York area just in time for Black Friday sale
• I sailed in tiny interior cabins on old Royal Caribbean and Disney ships. I'd only book one again
• 8 changes coming to Star of the Seas

New Video: No One Should Do These Things 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—No One Should Do These Things On A Cruise!—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 550th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Cruise veterans book their sailings as far in advance as possible—but why? And how should you plan your cruises years in advance?

In this episode, Matt explains how and when to book your new 2025 and 2026 cruises.

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

The Black Friday deal I've bought on all my cruises, even though I get it for free

Which Black Friday deals are worth spending on?

As a Pinnacle Club member of the Crown and Anchor Society, Matt doesn't have to spend extra on WiFi, but he still buys it while it's on sale.

Here's why—and how to take advantage of this month's deals.

I cruised for 3 days and 7 days on the same ship, and each sailing was a completely different experience

The length of your cruise is an important factor that affects every aspect of the experience.

Recently, Calista sailed on Freedom of the Seas for 7 nights, after trying a weekend cruise on the same ship.

The two cruises were shockingly different, and one sailing was better.

The lesser-known reservation change you can make up to days before your cruise

Reservations are usually set in stone close to the date of your cruise. However, there's one change most cruisers don't know they can still make.

Royal Caribbean allows you to swap out people on your cruise reservation as late as 72 hours before the first day of the sailing.