Royal Caribbean Blog

We're about a year away from the potential opening of Royal Caribbean's first ever beach club.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is an ambitious new project that will introduce a pay-to-play option for cruise ship passengers in the heart of Nassau, Bahamas.

While visiting Nassau on Saturday, construction progress shows land that's been cleared of the old buildings and looks to be in the prep stages for construction to begin.

Royal Caribbean doesn't provide construction updates with any regularity, but work has been underway for months to get the project moving.

Future Beach Club area in May 2024

Future Beach Club area in September 2024

The cleared ground is prepared for what will be multiple structures that make up the beach club.

Although no actual building has begun, there's not much left to impede that progress.

The narrow strip of land is located near where the cruise ships dock in Nassau, and once complete, will be Royal Caribbean's first beach club that will be open exclusively to its customers.

It's a 17 acre site that will cost extra to access, and be limited to Royal Caribbean cruise ship passengers.

There is no official opening date, but Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said last month he expects the opening to occur between October-December 2025.

One of the goals of the beach club is to address a need among passengers who consistently rank Nassau poorly.

The extra-cost, exclusive club will offer access to three pools with swim-up bars, live music, two beaches, and four restaurants.

Additionally, the club will have three distinct zones: a family zone, a party zone, and a chill zone.

In fact, Mr. Bayley confirmed the beach club will have the largest swim up bar in the world.

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

About 2,000 people will be able to purchase a pass each day. No word yet on how much admission will cost.

After the beach club in Nassau, Royal Caribbean will open a second beach club in Cozumel.

The goal is to offer something no other cruise line can match, with a series of unparalleled experiences around the Caribbean.

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

Royal Caribbean is known for the amazing shows on its cruise ships, but etiquette still applies even if you're in a theater at sea.

While there's clearly a difference between the Aquatheater on Utopia of the Seas and the Winter Garden Theater in Times Square, New York, respecting the performers and your fellow guests is still important.

There are plenty of unwritten rules on a cruise ship, and nearly all of them stem from the same basic concept: be considerate of others.

As I was enjoying Aqua80sToo on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, I couldn't help but notice certain things some people did during the show that could be avoided.

Hold seats

There's a fine line when it comes to reserving seats for friends or family.  If they're behind you in line and a few minutes delayed coming in, I can see that not being a problem.

However, it's when someone tries to hold seats for an extended period of time right up until the beginning of the show that creates an issue.

This is especially true with the very popular shows, such as an Aquatheater show or Broadway performance. Seats are limited and lots of people want to see the show.

Try to have your entire party arrive well before show time to ensure you can all get seats. Someone can always get up and go to the bathroom or grab a drink later.

If you're on an Oasis, Quantum, or Icon Class ship, be sure to get tickets for everyone when show times become reservable.

Leave early to beat the crowd

I know you want to beat the crowd and get in the elevator before they get swamped, but leaving the show early is considered rude.

Leaving while the show is in progress or before the actors have finished their final curtain call is distractive to others and discourteous to the actors.

The expectation is you'll stay for the entire show and curtain call, and then depart.

Leaving the show earlier in the performance can happen, but this is about leaving in the final minutes simply to avoid the crowd out of the theater. In fact, I'll sometimes sit in my seat for a few extra minutes to let the crowd leave and then depart to avoid the crowd.

Talking during the show

Talking loudly during a show is the most clichéd faux pas of them all, but it happens a lot.

There's nothing wrong with whispering something, or sharing a quick giggle. The problem are the people having a full conversation during the show.

You can always excuse yourself to step out of the theater and finish the conversation.

Record during the show

Recording video during a Royal Caribbean show might be the most commonly broken piece of protocol I've noticed. 

Besides the fact there are announcements saying video recording is prohibited, there are three really good reasons not to record a video during the show.

First, your screen is bright in a dark theater and distracting to everyone behind you.

Second, I can tell you from experience you will never watch the video recording later when you get home.

Third, and most importantly, no one else at home wants to watch your video either. Yes, the skill and performance was amazing, but you really had to be there to appreciate it.

I'm certainly one to snap a photo during a show (for blogging purposes), but recording video is a bridge too far.

Vacation isn't a free pass to be rude

You're on vacation, and that comes with a certain attitude of enjoying yourself. But it's also not carte blanche to do whatever you want.

Whether in a show, waiting for an elevator, or sharing a bus during a shore excursion, it's always a good idea to be polite and respectful to others.

Cruises are pretty laid back to begin with, so no on expects country club level behavior.  And the truth is most passengers are quite polite.

However, cruises have their own subset of nuances that are important to note. I find most people want to make sure they're not making a mistake, whether it's about money, time, or etiquette. 

What's the best cabin for a first-time cruiser?

Planning your first cruise feels daunting because of all the decisions you'll have to make.

It can take a considerable amount of time to navigate all the nuances of choosing your first sailing, from picking the ship to the itinerary.

When you book your first cruise, you'll also have to select a stateroom category.

Royal Caribbean ships have countless stateroom categories that allow the cruise line to cater to a variety of passengers.

Icon of the Seas, for example, has 28 unique stateroom categories.

So how do you pick the best cabin for your first cruise?

Your choice will depend on your budget, preferences, and itinerary.

Interior cabins are the cheapest option

If your goal is to find a stateroom that offers a quiet, simple place to sleep, an interior cabin is your best bet.

Interior, or inside cabins, are windowless, small staterooms located in the center of the ship (not against the vessel's sides).

These cabins are the quietest, darkest places to sleep onboard, and as a bonus—usually come at a cheaper price.

Because they are small, and without amenities like a porthole or balcony, these cabins are often the least expensive on any given cruise.

If you'd like to save your budget for drink packages, shore excursions, WiFi, or any other add-ons, interior cabins are a great option.

These are especially a smart choice on port-intensive itineraries, such as a European cruise. Since you'll be busy, and only returning to your cabin to sleep, booking a cheaper, smaller stateroom makes sense. 

Read more: Is it worth booking an inside cabin for a Mediterranean cruise?

Guarantee staterooms give you a better price in any category

If you book your first cruise on the Royal Caribbean website, you'll see two options in the stateroom section.

You can either select your specific cabin or select "We pick."

This is also known as Stateroom GTY, or a guarantee stateroom.

Read more: What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?

With a guarantee stateroom, you can select your preferred cabin category. You'll choose from a suite/deluxe, a balcony, a neighborhood view balcony (on Oasis and Icon Class ships), an oceanview cabin, or an interior.

Royal Caribbean will then assign you an unpurchased cabin within that category. 

In rare cases where your preferred category is sold out, you'll be upgraded to a higher one. Usually, you'll receive your selected category. 

Flexible cruisers who want to save money while staying in their preferred category prefer booking stateroom GTY.

While you can't control the cabin's specific location, you achieve a good deal and a mystery cabin. 

Choose a larger cabin if your cruise has more sea days

While booking an interior cabin is better if you only need a place to return to sleep, the reverse is true on an itinerary with more sea days.

If you're taking a shorter cruise, a sailing with fewer port days, or you just plan on staying on the ship a lot, you might want to consider splurging on your cruise cabin.

Because your cruise ship stateroom becomes your home on the seas, booking a bigger, more luxurious one makes sense if you'll be spending a lot of time onboard.

Royal Caribbean has luxurious cabin categories that can greatly improve your sailing.

First-time cruisers especially, who want to make the most of their experience, should consider booking a balcony or suite stateroom.

A balcony is most popular on an Alaska cruise

If a cruise to the Last Frontier is on your bucket list, a balcony cabin is the most popular stateroom category.

Cruises to Alaska offer breathtaking scenery, including mountains and glacier views. 

Cruising in the region is so popular because of the beautiful, untouched natural panoramas.

However, the weather in Alaska can also get a little chilly, making it difficult for cruisers to go out-of-doors and enjoy the scenery.

Booking a balcony cabin is the best way to enjoy the natural landscapes from a private outdoor space. 

Most balcony cabins are around 180 square feet, providing more room for families to spread out and stay indoors. 

Read more: Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean

Glimpse the suite life in a Junior Suite

Suite cabins are luxurious accommodations onboard Royal Caribbean ships. 

They come with extra amenities like exclusive lounges and restaurants, concierge service, complimentary robes, free VOOM internet, and more.

However, suites also sell the fastest before a cruise. Only a few are available on each ship, and—despite the high price tag—there's a growing demand for suite staterooms.

If you're considering booking a suite cabin, but are unsure of the type or price tag, you don't want to rush a thousand-dollar decision.

Instead, you can book a Junior Suite.

These cabins are a great, affordable preview to the suite life on a cruise ship.

Read more: 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

A Junior Suite doesn't have all the full suite benefits, but it's still a great experience.

Guests staying in a Junior Suite will receive a larger living area, a balcony, luxury bathroom amenities, a bathroom with tub, an in-room coffee machine, priority boarding, and double Crown and Anchor Society points per night.

Booking one of these suites is a great way for new cruisers to glimpse what a Royal Caribbean suite can offer.

Two connecting cabins for families

First-time cruisers traveling with kids or a larger group can book connecting cabins for more room.

Some interior, oceanview, and balcony categories come with connections, where two cruise cabins have a door in between. 

With the door kept open during the day, you can create a multiple-room cabin.

The cost of two separate staterooms is often cheaper than booking four or more guests in one room.

Besides the price benefit, connecting staterooms also provide more space, more privacy, and two bathrooms.

Connecting staterooms are available on all Royal Caribbean ships, so you should have no problem finding one for your big group.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program provides exclusive benefits at sea, but it also entitles members special offers while on land.

Most cruise lines offer loyalty programs, but the Crown & Anchor Society is among the most enticing. With onboard benefits like complimentary drinks, a private lounge, and free wifi at higher tiers, the loyalty program is undeniably useful while on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Most cruisers know they can utilize Crown & Anchor Society benefits onboard, but did you know there are also a variety of benefits to use on land? Even if you’re not on a cruise ship, you may be able to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s partnerships with hotels, car rental services, and airlines to save money on an upcoming vacation.

If you're cruising often and earning loyalty points faster, you could take advantage of your benefits even when you're not cruising.

Here’s a list of Royal Caribbean’s partnerships you should know about in order to make the most of your Crown & Anchor Society benefits.

First, Royal Caribbean’s partnership with MGM Rewards provides perks and savings at select resorts

Planning an upcoming trip to Las Vegas or another casino destination? Don’t forget to take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s partnership with MGM Rewards.

MGM Rewards is the loyalty program of MGM Resorts, and the program allows members to receive perks at select MGM Rewards Destinations. Crown & Anchor Society members can take advantage of a status matching program, entitling them to MGM Rewards benefits even if it’s their first time staying at an MGM Rewards property.

What are the benefits of MGM Rewards?

Three MGM Rewards tiers are available to Crown & Anchor Society members: Sapphire, Pearl, and Gold.

Gold members in the Crown & Anchor Society can match their status to MGM Rewards’ Sapphire status, the lowest tier in the loyalty program. Benefits in this tier include a dedicated reservations line, member-only offers to MGM Rewards Destinations and partners, and discounts on hotel stays, retail stores, entertainment and sporting events, and Avis car rental rates.

Related: How do Royal Caribbean and MGM Resorts shared benefits work?

Platinum members in the Crown & Anchor Society are matched to MGM Rewards’ Pearl status. In addition to receiving all Sapphire Tier perks, Pearl members also receive invitations to member-only events, complimentary tickets to select MGM Rewards concerts in Las Vegas, complimentary self-parking, and no expiration of MGM Rewards Points and Slot Dollars, among other perks.

Those with higher status in the Crown & Anchor Society—Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club—are matched to MGM Rewards’ Gold Tier. In addition to Sapphire and Pearl Tier benefits, Gold benefits also include an expedited reservations line, tier appreciation events, VIP line access to select nightclubs in Las Vegas, a waived resort fee when booking direct, enhanced room upon check-in, and complimentary valet parking at participating locations.

The most lucrative benefits could save Crown & Anchor Society members hundreds of dollars during a stay at an MGM Rewards Destination. Resort fees, for instance, can cost around $50 per night, but the fee is waived for those with Emerald status and above.

A full list of benefits for each tier can be found here.

How do you status match to MGM Rewards from Royal Caribbean?

To match your Crown & Anchor Society status to MGM Rewards, members should first create an MGM Rewards account online.

Once the account has been created, contact MGM Rewards through the Member Services number at 1-866-761-7111. You will be asked to provide your Crown & Anchor Society number, at which point MGM Rewards will confirm the information and match your status to the applicable MGM Rewards tier.

Alternatively, those near an MGM Rewards location can do this step in person.

Where are MGM Rewards Destinations?

The majority of participating MGM Rewards Destinations are in Las Vegas. Crown & Anchor Society members who match their status to MGM Rewards can enjoy benefits at the following Las Vegas hotels and resorts:

• Bellagio
• ARIA
• Vdara
• MGM Grand Las Vegas
• The Signature at MGM Grand
• Mandalay Bay
• Delano Las Vegas
• Park MGM Las Vegas
• NoMad Las Vegas
• New York-New York
• Luxor
• Excalibur

Outside of Las Vegas, other MGM casinos around the United States participate in MGM Rewards:

• Beau Rivage (Biloxi, Mississippi)
• Borgata (Atlantic City, New Jersey)
• Empire City Casino (Yonkers, New York)
• MGM Grand Detroit (Detroit, Michigan)
• MGM National Harbor (Oxon Hill, Maryland)
• MGM Springfield (Springfield, Massachussets)
• MGM Northfield Park (Northfield, Ohio)

A new partnership with Hard Rock International started in 2024

In April 2024, Royal Caribbean announced a new partnership with Hard Rock International. In this partnership, members of Royal Caribbean’s casino loyalty program—Club Royale—can receive benefits through Hard Rock’s Unity loyalty program.

There are four tiers in Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale program: Choice, Prime, Signature, and Masters. Hard Rock International benefits vary by tier, but each level includes, at a minimum, a discount on one hotel room per stay at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino properties in Hollywood and Tampa, Florida.

Choice members receive a 5% discount, Prime receive 10%, Signature receive 15%, and Masters members receive a 20% discount on each stay.

The hotel discount can be applied an unlimited number of times during the qualifying year. The discount does not apply to resort fees at the selected property.

In addition, those with higher status in Club Royale—Signature and Masters members—will appreciate an annual 3-night complimentary stay at a Hard Rock Seminole gaming property in either Hollywood or Tampa.

During the stay, Signature members receive a $300 property credit whereas Masters members receive $600 to spend throughout the stay.

How to earn loyalty in Club Royale to receive perks with Hard Rock International

In order to take advantage of Hard Rock International benefits, Crown & Anchor Society members must first earn status in the Club Royale program.

Status can be earned by gambling in Royal Caribbean’s casinos as long as guests tap their SeaPass card at slot machines or present the card to casino staff at table games. All passengers start at the Choice tier. One Reward Point is earned for every $5 played into slot machines and every $10 spent at Video Poker machines. Points earned on table games vary by the average bet and length of play.

For more detailed information on Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale loyalty program, check out the following article:

• I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

Crown & Anchor Society members also save on Hertz car rentals

If you plan to rent a car on an upcoming trip, consider renting with Hertz to earn perks. Through Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Hertz, Crown & Anchor Society members receive Hertz Gold Plus Rewards status, which allows members to save time through the program’s Skip the Counter and E-Return access.

Additionally, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can earn points toward free rentals and save on base rental rates.

To book a car rental through Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Hertz, Crown & Anchor Society members should use this link.

Lastly, guests in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland can earn Avios airline points when booking Royal Caribbean cruises

This August, Royal Caribbean International announced a brand-new partnership with IAG Loyalty, which allows cruisers booking their next sailing through Royal Caribbean’s U.K., Spain, and Ireland websites to earn Avios points on balcony and suite bookings.

Avios are the currency of several major airlines, which can be used to book flights, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and other experiences. Currently, Avios are the currency of the British Airways Executive Club, Aer Lingus AerClub, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Iberia Plus, and Vueling Club. As part of the Oneworld alliance, however, Avios can also be used to book airfare on a wide range of partner airlines, including American Airlines, Finnair, and Alaska Airlines.

Related: Flying to your cruise? 6 things to consider before booking

Guests will earn 3 Avios for every £1/€1 spent on a Royal Caribbean booking, but only if staying in a balcony or suite cabin. To receive the benefit, passengers must input their frequent flyer number on the confirmation page during the booking process.

Currently, this benefit is only available in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Ireland, so guests in other regions cannot take advantage of this partnership.

Royal Caribbean recently extended status matching benefits to Celebrity Cruises, and I couldn't help but try Celebrity again.

I took my first Celebrity Cruises last year on two of their newest and biggest ships: Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Ascent. I enjoyed my first experiences on the sister brand to Royal Caribbean, but I was disappointed with the infinite balcony experience as well as the general state of entertainment.

That isn't to say I swore off Celebrity, but I was content cruising primarily with Royal Caribbean.

In June 2024, the new status matching was announced that provided greater parity between loyalty tiers among the lines. In fact, Pinnacle Club members were given the same top tier status in Celebrity and that piqued my curiosity.

To my surprise, I received a casino offer from Celebrity's Blue Chip club to get a significant discount if I booked a designated sailing.  Between the offer and the new perks, I had to give it a try.

I picked a cruise on Celebrity Reflection for a 3-night cruise that visited Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay. It seemed like an ideal match given that I would sail on Celebrity but get a Royal Caribbean day.

Going into the cruise, I was curious how closely my second go around would be to my first, and what the CocoCay experience would be like.

A surprisingly busy cruise ship

Celebrity Reflection is far from their newest ship, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do on the ship.

Reflection is the last of the Solstice Class ships, and began offering cruises in 2012. She's 1,017 feet in length and can handle 3,046 passengers.

That makes her roughly the same age as Quantum of the Seas and the has the capacity of a Freedom Class cruise ship.

I found there to be a good mix of venues onboard, from dining to bars, to pools and hot tubs. While Celebrity ships may lack all the signature top deck activities Royal Caribbean is known for, there's plenty to hold my attention around the ship.

Being that this was a weekend cruise, I think a lot of people were treating this sailing as a getaway trip. The pools were busy, the casino busy, and music events popular.

My go to spot on any Celebrity ship is Cafe al Bacio, and clearly everyone else on the ship had the same idea. There was always a crowd there, but I was able to find a spot each time I went by.

Cafe al Bacio is so much more enjoyable than Cafe Promenade because they have waiter service at the tables, that can bring you coffee and snacks.  

Speaking of the snacks, I like the higher quality food offered here as well compared to the snacks at Cafe Promenade. Croissants, cakes, and cookies galore.

Status matching benefits that impress

As a Pinnacle Club member in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, I was granted Zenith status in Celebrity's Captain's Club. This means I got the best benefits Celebrity has to offer.

To be clear, you'll get the status in Captain's Club, but you earn points separately. So you can't cruise on Celebrity to help boost your Crown and Anchor status unless you switch and go all-in.

To get your Captain's Club status, you should call Celebrity before your first cruise to confirm your enrollment. That will get you your Captain’s Club numbers and ensure they "see" your Crown and Anchor status.

I was really impressed when I got an email before the cruise that I got a free Premium drink package, which is a step up from Royal Caribbean's six daily drink vouchers.  That's a tremendous value off the bat.

Just like Royal Caribbean, I also got a free internet package for the duration of the sailing, access to the suite area, and priority embarkation.

When I sailed last year, it was before the status matching change and I was unimpressed with the perks I got at Elite Plus. This new parity between the programs is significantly better.

We got to board the ship in the suite line, and wait to board the ship in the Retreat lounge in Terminal 25 of Port Everglades.

We spent a lot of our evenings hanging out in Michael's Club, which is the suite lounge on the ship. Fun fact, the "Michael" in the lounge's name alludes to Michael Bayley, who was Celebrity's CEO before becoming Royal Caribbean's CEO.

I liked the bar set up in the lounge, along with the fact there are hors d'oeuvres served, self-service non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks from 7am - midnight, and live music on formal night.

No matter which level you're at in Crown and Anchor, it's a real boon to get added benefits on Celebrity off the bat. For those of us at the top tiers of Royal Caribbean, working in a Celebrity cruise is an easy fit.

My favorite policy on Celebrity

You can come up with pros and cons of cruising any cruise line, but I love the fact you can drop your bags off in your cabin immediately upon boarding.

On Royal Caribbean, staterooms don't open until 1 or 2pm, and there's no access to cabins until then.

Celebrity's cabins also don't open up until the same time, but the difference is you can go to your cabin to drop off your belongings and then leave.

Not having to take your carry-on items around (and get your SeaPass card) is fantastic, and it really made a difference in my enjoyment of embarkation day.

Speaking of my stateroom, I ended up in a Concierge Class balcony room.  

I did a last-minute upgrade a few days before the cruise to move up from an inside cabin to a balcony for only $292.

Concierge Class sounds better than it really is, and the only reason I picked it over a standard balcony is it was oddly cheaper. 

For a short weekend cruise, I wouldn't prioritize a cabin upgrade necessarily, but given the cheap price, I decided to pull the trigger on it.

What it's like to visit CocoCay

This is the first year Celebrity has been able to send some of its ships to Perfect Day at CocoCay, and I was curious to see how it compared.

Our ship was docked alongside Allure of the Seas, and as a Royal Caribbean fan, it felt good to step off the gangway and back onto a Royal Caribbean area. It wasn't that I disliked my Celebrity experience, just that it felt familiar again being on the island.

Considering how highly rated Royal Caribbean's private island has been among passengers, it's no surprise Celebrity wanted to get in on the fun.

On the island, there is a mix of crew members working from both ships.  The Celebrity crew members usually have a "X' pin on their shirt to signify which company they work for, but that's about the extent of the differences.

The Celebrity drink package and internet packages work on the island, just like Royal Caribbean's offerings.

We spent our day at Oasis Lagoon enjoying the music, refreshing water, and swim-up bar. It's been my go-to spot on the island since the Perfect Day makeover.

Tame nightlife

Unfortunately the major drawback to Celebrity I experienced last year remained on Reflection: lack of nighttime entertainment.

There are events held at night, but it pales in comparison to what's offered on any Royal Caribbean ship.

After 10pm, the choice of activities dwindles to a handful of choices. On the second night, there were exactly 5 events total to choose from in the Celebrity app. 

I missed having the choice of Schooner Bar, Pub, movies at the pool, karaoke, and the other typical nighttime activities on Royal Caribbean.

The casino became our go-to spot, but if luck isn't on your side, then it's hard to stay there for long.

One way to look at it was that we got to bed earlier than on Royal Caribbean, so we got more sleep and felt less exhausted each morning.

My favorite kind of casino

There's plenty of pros and cons to cruising with Celebrity, but I absolutely love their casino is non-smoking.

While Royal Caribbean's casinos are technically split between smoking and non-smoking, it really means one side is very smoky instead of the less smoky other side.

As a non-smoker, it's a welcome change to have a smokeless casino. It made me want to spend more time there.

It doesn't appear Royal Caribbean has any plans to adopt a non-smoking casino, but I'd love to see that change come over to Royal soon.

I want to try Celebrity outside of the Caribbean

We had a fun weekend on Celebrity, but part of me thinks I really need to experience them in Europe, Alaska, or somewhere else to take advantage of the experience.

I think some of the advantages Celebrity brings to the table are best enjoyed on other itineraries. Or at least, that's my working theory.

Namely sailing on a ship with less passengers, infinite balconies (on the Edge Class ships), and far more varied itineraries than on Royal Caribbean.

In general, I think I'll continue to cruise on Celebrity here and there from an opportunistic standpoint.  However, with the status matching now, I can't help but feel more compelled to take advantage of it.

Royal Caribbean is ready to restart cruises on the world's biggest cruise ship.

In a rare move, the cruise line previously canceled Icon's 7-night sailing that was set to leave on September 28th.

Now, Icon of the Seas is set to return to her scheduled sailings on October 5th, 2024. 

The cruise line informed passengers and travel agents booked on the next sailing they've completed the necessary repairs.

"As you are aware, we were conducting unplanned maintenance onboard Icon of the Seas, and we're happy to share that it's complete!"

On September 23rd, guests and travel agents received word by email that the entire sailing was being canceled due to "unplanned maintenance."

The email did not specify what unplanned issue ended up affecting the ship, or what kind of maintenance was being done.

Icon of the Seas made major headlines as the world's largest cruise ship when she launched this year.

Surpassing Wonder of the Seas in size, length, and gross tonnage, Icon introduced a new class of Royal Caribbean vessels. At maximum occupancy, Icon carries 7,600 guests and 2,350—almost 10,000 people altogether.

The 248,663 gross ton vessel sails 7-night itineraries from Port Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

However, the cruise line informed guests that the ship would need to remain docked for several days for the necessary work to be completed.

"While our crew is working hard to address this as quickly as possible, there is still some work that needs to be done over a few days while the ship is docked," the email read.

Icon resumes sailings on October 5th

Just a week after Icon's unplanned maintenance, Royal Caribbean is confident that the ship is ready to return to the sea.

Guests scheduled on the October 5th sailing received notification that their sailing will proceed as scheduled, leaving from the Port of Miami on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay cruise.

"The ship is ready, our crew have missed our guests, and we are looking forward to resuming our normal itineraries as of our October 5, 2024, sailing," the email read."

Read more: Two Royal Caribbean megaships in drydock at the same time

At this time, sailings are continuing as previously planned.

The planned cruise sails out of Miami and visits St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Thomas, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The cruise line went on to thank guests for being patient: "Thank you for your understanding. We look forward to seeing you soon."

Any further updates about sailings on Icon of the Seas will be sent to passengers.

Refunds for the canceled cruise

Royal Caribbean extended its apologies to guests on the September 28th sailing. 

"We understand the disappointment this news may bring and we're truly sorry for the impact to your vacation plans."

Passengers scheduled on the cruise received a 100% refund, including all additional expenses, such as taxes, fees, gratuities, amenities, pre-paid packages, and shore excursions.

In addition to a full refund, Royal Caribbean also provided guests with a Future Cruise Credit worth 100% of the cruise fare.

Guests can use this Future Cruise Credit within the next 14 business days to purchase another sailing.

Essentially, passengers on the canceled cruise received all their money back, plus the equivalence of the fare to use toward another sailing.

As for passengers who pre-booked their travels, such as airplane flights, passengers who booked directly through Royal Caribbean had their flights automatically refunded.

Passengers who purchased plane flights and transfers separately were reimbursed by Royal Caribbean, up to $200 per guest for domestic travel and $400 USD per guest for international travel.

What was wrong with Icon?

With 18 guest decks and 2,805 staterooms, Icon is built with guest comfort in mind. She features multiple engines, some of which don't all run at once.

This allows to cruise line to rely on multiple venues if one system fails.

Nevertheless, the ship did have to be sent in for repairs, docking at the Grand Bahama shipyard to complete her maintenance.

Royal Caribbean never clarified what the unplanned issue is, but many cruisers speculate that it was some kind of propulsion issue.

Guests onboard the September 21st sailing of Icon reported that the ship began to slow does when repairs were announced.

She also skipped a visit to St. Thomas in order to get back to Miami in time.

Reddit user ArrogantAlmond posted from the ship: "I'm on Icon now, and we just got word that we're skipping St Thomas (which was Wednesday) because the ship has maintenance issues. We have to sail slower, so we need the extra day to get back."

Because propellers control a ship's speed, slower movement could indicate a problem with the vessel's Azipods, or propeller systems.

Propulsion issues aren't unheard for cruise ships.

Earlier this year, a cruise on Radiance of the Seas was canceled due to propulsion problems slowing the ship.

Star of the Seas is sitting in water for the first time.

Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship is being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, and has reached an important construction milestone. It's taken 19 months to reach this milestone, and represents thousands people's collective effort to reach it.

Star of the Seas is the second Icon Class ship, following up the wildly successful Icon of the Seas.

The new ship has been floated out, which means the ship has its dry dock is filled with water and it becomes a wet dock. 

A ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion because this means Star of the Seas is well on her way to enter service.

During the ceremony, there was a shot from a canon that took place in the Meyer Turku shipyard.

At that point, 92 million gallons of water was added to the dry dock, which took overnight to complete. After nine hours, Star of the Seas was successfully floated out and the next phase of work can commence.

Delivery of Star of the Seas should take place in 2025, with her first cruise scheduled for August 31, 2025.

What's different about Star of the Seas?

While Star of the Seas may be the second Icon Class ship, she is not a direct copy of Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has revealed only a few details so far, but we know a few key areas will be updated.

The Surfside family neighborhood will expand its scope to offer more for slightly older kids too. Instead of catering to young children, Surfside will offer more for elementary school aged kids too. That's because Royal Caribbean noticed older kids were hanging out there.

While unconfirmed, it appears Star of the Seas will have a Broadway musical onboard.

Back to the Future The Musical appears to be headed to Star, based on a post on Royal Caribbean's website seeking auditions.

It is adapted from the 1985 film Back to the Future by Robert Zemeckis and Gale. The show features original music, as well as songs featured in the film.

The supper club venue will have a Chicago theme to it on Star of the Seas, which incorporates music, food, and a Chicagoland motif.

Two other restaurants will get updates: Aquadome Market and Pier 7.

Aquadome Market will get updated in some capacity, while retaining its core approach.  Pier 7 will be completely overhauled with a new concept that the cruise line is still working through.

Adventure Ocean will get some updates to be less tech focused, and embrace play more.

The cruise line is also experimenting with facial recognition by offering a handful of cabins that have the ability to open the cabin door with your face.

One other stateroom change is an update to the epic family suite on Star of the Seas, known as the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

This is the most expensive suite ever that covers three floors and has an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating and a white picket fence leading directly to the Surfside area.

Sailing from the Orlando area

Star of the Seas will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, Florida. That's a short drive from the Orlando area.

The new ship will offer seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, starting in August 2025.

Bermuda is a beautiful cruise destination, but not every month is a good time to sail the region.

Bermuda is a popular cruise destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, delicious food, friendly culture, and English-speaking background.

Although many travel materials imply that Bermuda is part of the Caribbean, Bermuda is actually located solo in the Atlantic Ocean (around 650 miles east of North Carolina).

This also means that the weather is different than in the Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean's cruises from the Northeast to Bermuda offer North American guests a convenient escape from wintery North American weather.

The region is well-known and loved for its warm ocean waters and pink sand beaches.

Cruisers love this destination because it's easy to explore, mixing English tradition with a unique local culture.

Because of its distance, itineraries to the archipelago often include an overnight stay.

Royal Caribbean usually sails to the archipelago between April and October, but—as with any destination—certain months are better to sail than others.

The summer months are the busiest time to visit

The high season in Bermuda falls between May and October, when the weather remains warm and breezy, with sunny days to lounge on the beach.

Cruisers love visiting Bermuda when the ocean water is warm. It's the perfect time to enjoy snorkeling, boat tours, jet skiing, kayaking, and beachgoing.

The capital city, Hamilton, throws a huge Bermuda Day party during the Friday before the last Monday in May.

Read more: Why you should take a cruise to Bermuda

Plus, Bermuda's Carnival—a four-day festival of live music, feathered costumes, and dancing—usually falls in June.

Because of these popular time frames, the region is most crowded during the summer months. Not only does this increase the risk of large crowds, but it will also raise cruise and hotel prices between June and September.

The fall can bring hurricanes and bad weather

The hurricane season in Bermuda falls during the summer and fall—from May to November.

Hurricanes are most common during September and October.

Although direct hits to the archipelago are rare, hurricanes threaten to change or even cancel cruise ship itineraries.

For example, Royal Caribbean had to cancel a Liberty of the Seas sailing to Bermuda in August due to Hurricane Ernesto.

A cruise ship is one of the safest places you can be during a hurricane, but not every traveler appreciates their plans changing.

Spending your money on a sailing that might change due to a hurricane is only a good idea if you're able to remain flexible.

Plus, even smaller tropical storms come with their own set of bad weather, like torrential rains and strong winds.

Despite the risk of hurricanes, summertime is the most popular season to cruise to Bermuda.

The winter has colder weather but lower prices

Depending on your preferences, the winter could be a better time to cruise to Bermuda.

December through February are the slowest months in terms of visitors.

These months are great times for an inexpensive, peaceful cruise to the region. Tourism slows during the winter, leading to cheaper prices and fewer crowds.

You'll find cheaper deals on cruises, hotels, airfare, and tours alike.

However, unlike the Caribbean, Bermuda's weather does cool down during the winter months, and Royal Caribbean usually sail to the region from November to April.

You could expect temperatures between the middle 60s and the low 70s, with chilly ocean water. Nevertheless, cruisers will experience less humidity, especially as the months turn to spring.

Read more: Unexpected perks of cruising during the off-season

April and November for example—the shoulder season of the region—offer warmer temperatures at lower dew points.

The shoulder season is in April and November

In general, one of the best times to cruise to any destination is during the region's shoulder season.

The shoulder season happens in the sweet spot of lower cruise fares, fewer cruises, but relatively nice temperatures.

For Bermuda, the shoulder season falls between mid-October and November, and then between late March and April.

April and May are considered Bermuda's early season, and these months see the lowest cruise prices and comfortable, breezy weather. 

Temperatures usually sit in the 70s, with cooler ocean water. If you're sensitive to cold water, an early cruise might not be the best time for beach activities, but there's plenty more to enjoy in Bermuda.

Cruisers can enjoy local celebrations, horseback riding, world-class golf, and famous rum.

These months come with lovely weather—warmer temperatures, balmy ocean breezes, and low humidity.

As a bonus, nature and wildlife lovers should consider sailing to Bermuda during March and April.

Thousands of humpback whales migrate towards Canada during these months, passing by Bermuda. Whale-watchers can find incredible tours—or simply stay on the cruise ship for a great view!

Plus, crowds tend to die down when school is in session, usually between August and May.

Fewer crowds mean lower prices for both cruise sailing and shore excursions, as well as other onboard add-ons.

However, Royal Caribbean doesn't always offer cruises during the entire shoulder season, sometimes beginning its Bermuda season in June and ending it in October. 

How much is a cruise to Bermuda?

Cruise prices also range depending on the season, which requires you to balance your weather preferences with your budget.

Sailings around the shoulder season (October or May) come at cheaper prices than sailings in the peak of summer (July and August).

A 5-night Liberty of the Seas sailing departing from Cape Liberty (New York), for example, varies hundreds of dollars depending on the month.

A May 10-15th sailing in 2025 costs as little as $677 per person (or $135.50 per person, per night).

The beginning of the cruise season to Bermuda is one of the cheapest times to buy a cruise.

In contrast, prices rise over the summer as more travelers start flocking to the region.

A high-season sailing from August 2nd to 7th jumps to $1,007 per person (over $200 per person, per night). 

Nearing the end of the season, a Liberty of the Seas cruise from October 11th to 16th starts at about $813 per person (that's $162 per person, per night).

The ongoing Red Sea crisis continues to impact Royal Caribbean's operations in the Middle East. 

Passengers booked on Voyager of the Seas' October 25, 2025, sailing received confirmation that the 14-night one-way cruise from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Singapore, Singapore, has been canceled. 

"To avoid the continuing unrest in the Red Sea area, and after exploring all options, our upcoming October 20, 2025, Voyager of the Seas sailing has been redeployed," reads an email sent to guests.

It's unclear where Voyager is being redeployed to. However, the 137,276 gross registered ton (GRT) vessel is scheduled to begin sailing from Australia on December 13, 2025, following a 12-night cruise from Singapore to Brisbane departing on December 1. 

She'll remain in Brisbane, Australia through 2026, offering 3- to 9-night cruises to Australia and the South Pacific. 

Alternative options for passengers

Royal Caribbean isn't leaving these guests stranded and provided a few options for those impacted by the canceled voyage. 

"Every aspect of your time with us should be enjoyable, so we’ve put together some alternative options that we hope will work for you and those in your party," the email continues. 

The first is to re-book one of two 7-night itineraries on Voyager of the Seas. 

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

The earlier of the two departs on September 29, 2025, from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, and cruises to Naples, Italy; Sicily (Messina), Italy; Santorini, Greece; Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; and Mykonos, Greece, before disembarking in Athens (Piraeus). 

The second option is a brand-new itinerary on October 20, 2025. This one-way cruise sails from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, to Barcelona, Spain, calling at Naples, Italy; Sicily (Messina), Italy; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy; Cannes, France; and Provence (Marseille), France. 

Passengers who re-book one of these cruises will have their original stateroom price protected at the original rate or reduced to the current fare, whichever is less. Those who already paid their booking in full will receive a refund if the chosen cruise fare is lower.

The second option is to re-book on any other Royal Caribbean International sailing and have the non-refundable deposit change fees waived. With this choice, guests are responsible for paying the difference in price for the cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. 

However, like option 1, passengers who paid their cruise off will receive a refund if their new chosen fare is lower than their original booking. 

The third option lets guests cancel and receive a full refund of any paid portion of the cruise fare, including non-refundable deposits and pre-paid add-ons, to their original form of payment. 

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

If a future cruise credit (FCC) was used, Royal Caribbean will refund any money paid in addition to the certificate amount and issue a new voucher. 

Passengers have until October 22, 2024, to call 888-281-9344 to inform them of their decision. If Royal Caribbean hasn't heard from guests by October 22, their reservation will automatically be canceled and refunded. 

Cruise ships have been affected by the Red Sea crisis since last year

The most notable, perhaps, was Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise. Instead of sailing through the Red Sea, the 2,143-passenger ship was rerouted around Africa after allowing guests to vote on a new itinerary. 

The "Immersive Africa" option was the more port-intensive of the two, whereas the second, "Africa & Greece," had more days at sea to catch up with the originally scheduled ports in Egypt and Greece. 

In the end, "Immersive Africa" won, taking passengers to ports like Pointe Des Galets, Reunion Island; Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Cape Town, South Africa; Walvis Bay, Namibia; and Dakar, Senegal—all to avoid the ongoing geopolitical conflict. 

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean also canceled a cruise aboard Anthem of the Seas scheduled for October 14, 2024. Instead of sailing through the Suez Canal, Anthem is to sail around Africa without any guests onboard. 

Anthem wrapped up her European season on October 2 after a 12-night cruise to the Canary Islands, Portugal, and Spain. Her next sailing isn't scheduled to depart until November 7, cruising from Dubai to Singapore. 

She'll remain in Asia until April 2025, when she'll reposition to Alaska for the summer season. 

Read more: 60 BEST Royal Caribbean tips and tricks

Good etiquette extends to a cruise ship vacation, and there are a few things some cruisers do that are sure to annoy others around them.

Everyone's on vacation, so there's a certain degree of a laid back atmosphere on a cruise. However, vacation isn't an excuse to be inconsiderate of others.

I've cruised enough to notice when certain behaviors irritate others, and it's either the result of ignorance or selfishness. I'm not saying I've never gotten into an elevator and hit the "close door" button because I wanted to get going. We're all a little bit selfish, but I like to think I have never done any of the 10 most annoying habits on a cruise.

You don't need to go on a cruise to make friends, but you can do little things to avoid being that guy. If you've never cruised before, consider this a good list of what not to do.

Smoking where you're not supposed to

Royal Caribbean has designated areas of the ship specifically for smoking or vaping, and everywhere else it's not allowed.

Unfortunately, a few people will sneak smokes in elsewhere, such as on their stateroom balcony or even in public areas around the ship.

Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, theater, bar, lounge, hallway, elevator, and jogging track. Outdoor areas near restricted areas, food venues, and kids play areas and pools will not allow smoking.

In my experience, people vaping indoors is the most commonly occurring example of this.  Almost always they try to be sly about it, exhaling into their shirt, up in the air, or down to the side.

This is one of the few annoying habits on this list that is more than about being inconsiderate, it's flagrantly against Royal Caribbean's rules.

Using your hands at the buffet

I'm always surprised when I see someone use their hands to grab food from the buffet, but it happens.

It might seem innocent, like grabbing a bread roll or cookie.  The issue is mitigating the spread of germs onboard, and using your hands doesn't help with that.

It's unsanitary, and others around you are sure to notice.

Not letting others out of the elevator first

When an elevator arrives at a floor, the people waiting for the elevator should stand aside from the doors to let others out of the elevator first, before getting in.

Unfortunately this lack of elevator etiquette is not limited to cruises. I see it at hotels on land all the time, but it doesn't excuse it.

Not only is it polite to let others out of the elevator first, it benefits you to do so because it frees up space in the car.

Playing music loudly

In today's age of Airpods and noise cancelling headphones, I'm always surprised when someone is playing their music too loudly.

I experience this less at the ship's pool than in cabins. Some people are used to listening to music in their room as they get ready, and I suspect that might be why some passengers play their music too loudly.

Cruise ship staterooms are not very well insulated against noise, and your music will absolutely bleed through the walls.

Likewise, when bringing a speaker to the pool or beach, make sure the volume is not high enough to be heard all around you.

Yelling at someone else

We all have moments where there's an issue and your blood boils and you want to lash out at a family member, friend, or stranger. But yelling and creating a scene isn't the solution.

This is one of those "easier said than done" bits of advice, because when you become frustrated, you're not going to start thinking of blog posts.

Likewise, if another passenger gets on your nerves, my advice is walk away to defuse the situation.  It's simply not worth hashing it out with a stranger and then having to become a spectacle in that moment.

Hogging a pool chair all day

Chair hogs are a real issue that probably rank among the most frustrating parts of a cruise.

My definition of a chair hog is someone that goes out to the pool in the early morning, puts towels or belongings down on chairs to reserve them, and then disappears for a few hours.

A lot of people want to be in or near the pool, especially on sea days. It's fine if you want to wake up early and enjoy time by the pool, but you shouldn't take up chairs if you're not going to be there for an extended period of time.

While I doubt the chair hog problem goes away anytime soon, try not to contribute to making the problem even worse.

Talking loudly during shows

While a Royal Caribbean theater is not as formal or swanky as a Broadway theater in New York, talking during a performance is rude to both your fellow passengers and the cast on stage.

Obviously it's okay to whisper something to someone sitting next to you, but having a full conversation is a faux pas to avoid. Especially at normal speaking volume.

It's perfectly acceptable to excuse yourself to step out of the theater to take a phone call or speak with someone else.

Holding up disembarkation lines

Getting off the cruise ship in the morning is never fun. Your vacation is over, and you're headed back to reality.  So the last thing you want to do is slow the line down disembarking.

There's usually a line to exit the ship, and all that's required is you scan your SeaPass card.  Yet, there's always a number of passengers who either don't have their SeaPass card ready or left in in their cabin.

The SeaPass is needed to scan so the crew knows you've disembarked. So keep your SeaPass with you as you exit the ship, and have it ready to scan when you get close.

Trying to register at kids club at prime time

Royal Caribbean holds an open house for the entire afternoon on embarkation day, and yet there's usually a family that tries to register their kids at Adventure Ocean at check-in later that evening.

The problem is there's just one entrance to the kids club for each age group, and if someone is registering their kids, it blocks the rest of the line.  This means everyone else must wait to sign their kids in while the parent at the front finishes the registration paperwork.

Adventure Ocean registration begins at 1pm on the first day of your cruise, and it's a great time to go and meet the counselors and get everything taken care of so drop off is super quick.

Being disrespectful to crew members

There's never an excuse to be rude to a crew member.

Crew members work extremely hard to make your vacation amazing, and sometimes accidents happen. Or they're there to enforce important rules, regardless if you agree with the rules or not.

Unfortunately, some passengers will completely ignore a crew member, yell at them, or lecture them like a child.

If there's an issue at hand, ask to speak to their manager or go to Guest Services to get it resolved. 

And if a crew member gives you an instruction, it's your obligation to follow it. They didn't make up the rules, they're just reminding you of what you should be doing.