Royal Caribbean Blog

How do two of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships compare to each other?

Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are the two newest Oasis Class ships, and that makes them the biggest vessels packed with lots to do onboard.

You might think the ships are mostly the same, but there's some major differences between the two vessels. Truthfully, the ships are more the same than different.

Here's a look at the key differences.

Ship size

Wonder of the Seas is slightly bigger than Symphony of the Seas, which was a marketing decision more than anything.

By making Wonder "bigger", she gets to assume the mantle of the world's largest cruise ship, and that gets Royal Caribbean more attention.

Here's how they size up:

Dining

Both ships have complimentary and specialty dining choices, but it's the extra-cost restaurants where you will the variations.

In terms of complimentary food, you will find on either ship:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Cafe
• Solarium Bistro
• Park Cafe
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrento’s Pizza
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Vitality Cafe
• Coastal Kitchen (suites only)
• Room service (continental breakfast only)
• Johnny Rockets (breakfast only)

The Windjammer on Wonder of the Seas is arguably better, as it's been moved to deck 15 and is significantly larger and with a better layout.

For the specialty dining, here's what the differences are:

The differences in specialty dining are few, with primarily being a different Italian restaurant in Central Park, and having Mason Jar.

In terms of bars, there are minor differences between the two ships.

Suites

One difference Royal Caribbean made with Wonder of the Seas was having less suites than on Symphony.

Considering how lucrative suites are for the cruise line, as well as how in-demand suites can be for passengers, it seemed a strange decision to change the amount of suite cabins.

Wonder of the Seas has an entire suite neighborhood, which is the first Oasis Class ship with an eight neighborhood. In order to make room for the new amenities suite guests will enjoy, the amount of suites had to be cut back so there could be room for it all.

By adding a private deck area for suite guests, it cut into the amount of suites the ship can have.

There are 188 suites on Symphony of the Seas, while Wonder of the Seas has 174 suites.

Symphony has a few more suite categories that Wonder does not have:

• Villa Suite
• Star Loft Suite
• 2-bedroom Grand Suite

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

Entertainment

Nearly every Royal Caribbean ship differs on entertainment.  The cruise line likes to offer different shows on its ships, although sometimes you'll find a show repeated across multiple vessels.

The show lineup in the main stages are completely different on Wonder and Symphony.

Wonder of the Seas is currently the only Oasis Class ship without a full-length Broadway show onboard. Here's a look at the shows:

Royal Theater

• Wonder
  • Voices
  • The Effectors II
• Symphony
  • Hairspray
  • Flight: Dare to Dream

AquaTheater

• Wonder
  • inTENse
• Symphony
  • HiRo

Studio B

• Wonder
  • 365: The Seasons on Ice
• Symphony
  • 1977

Speaking of these venues, the AquaTheater on Wonder of the Seas is semi-enclosed in glass, which means it's more protected from the wind.

Activities

There's so many activities on both ships.  It's what has made the Oasis Class such a hit with cruisers, but there are notable differences among each.

Wonder of the Seas has Wonder Playscape, which is underwater-themed climbing playground for kids. Kids can explore slides, climbing nets, and games. The Wonder Playscape is connected to the Wonder Dunes mini golf.

The space taken up by Wonder Playscape replaces what would have been a Flowrider, so Wonder only has one Flowrider while Symphony has two.

Both ships have Splashway Bay aquapark, as well as three water slides.

In addition, Wonder of the Seas has Music Hall instead of Dazzles on Symphony of the Seas.

Both venues specialize in live music, but Music Hall tends to have more cover bands.

Symphony of the Seas has a dedicated escape room game.

Cabins

The assortment of standard cabins is the same between Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas (minus the suite differences mentioned earlier in this article).

There are a few things within the staterooms that are different.

The bathroom door on Wonder of the Seas is magnetic, which means it doesn't have that "ka-chunk!" sound the door makes when slamming shut.

The bathroom doors use a magnetic element which pulls shut the the door when it's within about 1/2 -1” from closure. 

There's also many more USB outlets on Wonder of the Seas.

In addition to the USB outlets at your desk, they've finally added USB outlets near the beds.

Something else helpful on Wonder are hooks on the wall. Below the television are a series of hooks that came installed already.

Wall hooks are very helpful in a cabin because you can use them to keep apparel off the ground, and more importantly, free up drawer space.

Bottom line

Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas are very close in look and feel, with a few minor differences.

By far the most notable difference is with the suites, as Wonder has a more expansive offering. If staying in a suite is important to you, then having an entire suite neighborhood would be a nice option.

The shows are different across both ships, which is standard among any Oasis Class ship.

Another difference worth mentioning between Wonder and Symphony is the price.  Generally speaking, Symphony will usually be priced a bit lower than Wonder simply because it's not as new.  Royal Caribbean tends to price newer ships with a premium.

When it came to taking my first solo cruise, I was definitely nervous and unsure what to expect. 

When first I realized I would have the opportunity to travel to the Mediterranean—but I would have to do it alone—I wasn't sure if that would be a good fit for me.

In the end, I knew that some opportunities are worth taking, even if you have to do it alone.

I packed up and traveled the 18 hours to begin a cruise on Enchantment of the Seas, sailing from Athens, Greece, to Barcelona, Spain.

The 7-night cruise was an amazing experience and a chance to see part of the world I’d never experienced before. 

However, cruising alone was a challenge. Not only did I have to be hyper-aware of safety, but it was also a lonely task to travel alone for such a long period of time.

If you’re planning on taking a cruise alone, don’t fear! I developed 7 strategies to make my solo cruise more fun and less lonely. These tips can help you conquer your nerves and make a solo trip even more worth it.

1. Attend cruise ship activities

Royal Caribbean ships offer a variety of events to help cruisers meet each other and have fun. 

Self-guided groups are available on every Royal Caribbean ship for cruisers with every possible interest to meet up. The most common ones I’ve seen are for singles and solo travelers, members of the LGBTQ+ community, members of Alcoholics Anonymous, and groups for various religions. If you keep an eye on the ship’s schedule, you’ll see there’s something for everyone!

These groups are a great opportunity to people and make friends with common interests as you.

However, I will place a warning here: the self-guided groups are usually more sparsely attended. On my cruise, I attended the groups for solo travelers and members of the LGBTQ community but found that they weren’t always full of other people.

My advice is to go frequently, and if you don’t make friends at first, keep trying! There are many available groups, and often they are offered on multiple days over the cruise. 

2. Purchase WiFi for connectivity

This tip may not be for everyone, but it helped me!

Buying WiFi on a cruise is optional, and it also comes with an extra charge. Personally, I did not end up purchasing WiFi for the entire length of the cruise, so I paid about $30 per day on the days I chose to buy it.

Although having WFi can take your attention away from the natural wonders, the ship’s amenities, and many activities onboard, it helped me stay connected on my solo cruise.

Solo traveling has the potential to make you very lonely, as you’re cruising out alone and in a strange place. Staying connected through technology is a great way to alleviate that loneliness.

I was able to use social media, text friends and family, and make phone calls when I was feeling extra lonely.

When used sparingly, and mostly on sea days, it was a great way to stay in touch with my loved ones.

Additionally, having WiFi helps provide entertainment for the boring moments of traveling alone. 

3. Make conversation with crew members

Royal Caribbean’s crew members are there to ensure you have the best possible experience on board, and their kindness can extend beyond a simple “hello.”

I found so much social fulfillment in making conversation with crew members at the dining venues, pool areas, and events. 

Not only did I get the chance to spark up conversation on board, but the crew members I met hailed from all parts of the world and had different journeys to get to the ship. I even got to practice with Indonesian with some staff!

If you take the time to chat with crew members around you, you’ll find that they have advice, stories, and a fascinating perspective into the cruising world. It’s the perfect way to fend off loneliness and have an enriching conversation with a kind stranger.

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

4. Stay busy with activities

Another method I used to keep my mind off my solo status was staying busy and taking advantage of all the activities around me. After all, solo traveling is done for a purpose, and what better way to keep yourself cheerful than reminding yourself why it’s worth it?

Onboard, there are many activities you can attend daily, from trivia games to poolside dance parties, to special casino deals. I would often wander around onboard and find an activity to join in on whenever the need arose.

Making the most of all the fun opportunities around you ensures that you’ll feel fulfilled on a solo trip and remind yourself why it’s all worth it.

5. Plan ahead by bringing entertainment

Bringing entertainment along with you is another great way to amuse yourself and stave off loneliness.

Before my cruise, I downloaded movies and TV shows onto my phone, fun games that I could play even off WiFi, and a number of books onto my Kindle. 

That way, I had all my favorites downloaded for days that I chose not to buy WiFi, or needed some extra activity. 

Planning ahead by bringing entertainment meant that I was never bored, even while sitting alone on many occasions. Having familiar forms of media—whether it’s your favorite songs or an old movie—with you can also be a comforting touch to a lonely cruise.

If you’re someone who’s afraid of sitting alone in public, such as at the dinner table, don’t worry!

On my solo cruise, all I had to do was pull out a book or put in some headphones, and the rest of the world would fade away. I could enjoy a meal or pool chair alone, and no one bothered me or looked at me strangely.

6. Take group tours

I was very grateful that I chose to purchase Royal Caribbean shore excursions on my cruise.

These organized group tours got me face time with other cruisers and brought together a community of travelers interested in one common goal.

I’ve always enjoyed getting to know tour guides on my cruises, so a solo cruise is also a great opportunity to have more time with them!

Other than that, I noticed that other cruisers would make conversation with me as we toured and explored. It was a lovely reminder that I was not completely alone and a fun opportunity to share the sights and sounds with others.

Traveling sometimes is better when you have someone to share it with.

7. Embrace the alone time

Most of all, it’s important to remember that a solo cruise is just that: solo. Instead of spending the majority of your trip fighting off feelings of loneliness and distracting yourself, don’t forget to embrace the time alone.

While it was a challenging cruise, I really enjoyed the peace of solo travel. You can move at your own pace, always have a quiet moment, and do whatever you’re in the mood for. Plus, I loved having hotel rooms and cruise staterooms all to myself!

Ultimately, solo travel is a great way to get to know yourself and spend some peaceful time on a vacation in a new location.

Take advantage of the trip, and embrace it! Set personal goals, try to meditate and journal, and relish in doing some challenging but exciting. 

Whether it's legal where you live or you have a medical license for it, you might be wondering if you can bring marijuana on your next cruise?

You might be surprised to learn that you cannot bring marijuana on a cruise ship, and it's not because the company has an anti-drug view.

Cruise ships operate between many different countries, and the laws of those countries apply to cruise ships that visit them.

So before you pack pot for your cruise, let's review the rules that are in place so you can avoid any problems later.

Can I bring marijuana on a cruise ship?

Regardless of what the law is where you live, the cruise line's policy supersedes it.

You are not allowed to bring marijuana (even for medicinal purposes) on a cruise ship.  In fact, no illegal drugs or illegal substances are allowed onboard.

They're also not allowed to be used on its private islands, inside cruise terminals, at ports of call, or during shore excursions.

This policy even applies if the port of call your ship leaves from has weed as a legal substance in that state.

The rule prohibiting marijuana in any kind is part of the cruise contract that you agree to when you booked the cruise.

Read more: Things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship in an instant

"I didn't see any cruise contract!"

It was there when you booked, but it's your responsibility to actually read it. The contract is a check box you must select when booking a cruise on the website.  Likewise, a travel agent should convey the terms and conditions of going on a cruise when you book it.

Can I bring CBD on a cruise ship?

Royal Caribbean bans any form of marijuana, including its various forms.

The exact wording of the policy states, "marijuana, even in its medicinal form or for medicinal purposes, shall be prohibited."

Even if you possess a medical marijuana card, bringing cannabis or edibles, including those containing CBD, aboard a cruise ship is strictly prohibited.

Why does Royal Caribbean ban marijuana?

The rationale for banning pot is less about the company's views, and simply because of the local laws for the countries they visit.

Depending on which country your ship visits, those nations may have laws in place that address and severely punish drug possession. As a cruise ship passenger, you are a visitor in that country and subject to their laws.

What happens if I'm caught with marijuana on a cruise?

Royal Caribbean's security along with law enforcement do regular screening of baggage during the embarkation process, and throughout the cruise there are security officers that roam the ship. Looking for illegal drug use is one of their duties.

There are all sorts of possibilities if you were caught with marijuana during your cruise.

According to Royal Caribbean's guest conduct policy, it's no slap on the wrist, "Guests found in violation of such laws are subject to arrest and prosecution in the relevant jurisdiction (and perhaps United States or other authorities as well) and may be prevented from boarding or re-boarding the ship."

Based on past incidents, passengers that were caught with the drugs onboard have been arrested. There's plenty of examples of this, such as on Anthem of the Seas while in Bermuda.

A woman was found to have two bags of pot and was arrested by Bermudian authorities and then charged $4,000 in fines before she could fly home.

Carnival Cruise Line just banned a woman for life for bringing CBD gummies in her luggage.

The bottom line is the risk is greater than the benefits of trying to sneak it onboard the ship. Given the hefty penalties you could face if caught, it seems like it's simply not worth it.

My advice is not to bring any.  You might think the chances of you getting caught are low, but why put your entire vacation and family at risk for it?

Can I smoke weed while in port where it's legal?

Let's assume your cruise is taking you to a place where marijuana is legal, is that okay?

Royal Caribbean stipulates on its shore excursions, it's still not allowed at all.

Of course, if you were to go off on your own and do a shore excursion through a third-party or simply walk around, the responsibility falls to you.

First and foremost, you'll have to research what the local laws are for possession and/or smoking it in public. Be sure to look into if there's a venue that offers it, are you allowed to take it outside.

You might find a tour on your own that includes a cannabis visit. For example, there are shore excursions listed on Viator that offer a visit to a weed farm.

Regardless, don't plan to bring any back to the ship at the end of the day.

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship will have one of the most famous soccer players of all time to name the ship.

Royal Caribbean announced that Lionel Messi will be the "official icon of Icon of the Seas". This appears to be a role similar to a ship's Godmother.

As part of a longstanding maritime tradition, Messi will take part in the iconic naming celebration for Icon in January 2024 in Miami. The Icon of Icon will have the honor of bestowing safekeeping onto the new ship, its crew and the millions of families who will create memories of a lifetime on board in the years to come.

This means he will welcome the new ship at an exclusive naming celebration in Miami. The naming ceremony will take place on January 23, 2024.

"I’m thrilled and honored to join the Royal Caribbean family to celebrate the arrival of the game-changing Icon of the Seas," said Lionel Messi, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of Icon. 

"Icon is beyond anything else that’s out there for family vacations, with incredible never-before-seen features, all designed for making memories together."

Royal Caribbean's choice seems to have been in the making for a few months.

In July 2023, the cruise line invited the soccer star onto the bridge of a cruise ship to meet cruise line President and CEO, Michael Bayley.

The next month, Royal Caribbean announced an advertising agreement with Inter Miami CF, which is the club Messi plays for. More details are forthcoming related to Royal Caribbean and Inter Miami CF celebration of the arrival of Icon with the next phase of the partnership.

Who is Lionel Messi?

Photo © Chbm89 | Dreamstime.com

In case you're not familiar with Lionel Messi, he's one of the most well-known soccer stars today and arguably one of the best of all time.

Born in Argentina, he spent most of his career playing for FC Barcelona, where he made a name for himself as one of the top goal scorers.

He rose to fame for his playmaking skills and has won numerous individual awards, including the FIFA Ballon d'Or, which he has won multiple times.

Changing the status quo

As part of the announcement, Mr. Bayley said the choice of Messi to be the ship's Icon was based on the fact that his career matches that of the new ship.

"It’s that ability to make such a widespread impact and change the status quo that the Icon of Icon must personify, and Lionel Messi has proven to be the perfect example of that for years in the world of sports and most recently in introducing a new era of excitement and passion for fútbol in Miami and the U.S."

Icon of the Seas is built with far more family-focused activities than other cruise ships, and it's a brand new type of cruise ship.

Scheduled to begin sailing in January 2024 and already available to book, will feature a water park, kids club, entire portion of the ship for young families, and more dining and entertainment than on any other ship since.

Icon of the Seas will have more cabins to cater to families with higher capacities, thanks in large part to new room designs.

Adults aren't being left out either.  While the kids are busy with all of their activities, there's a jazz club, elevated supper club, adults-only pool and bar, dueling piano bar, and lots more.

What is a cruise ship godmother?

Every cruise ship has a godmother, and it appears Messi will be serve that role.

It's a ceremonial position that is traditionally held by a woman, but in recent years that has changed.  Symphony of the Seas had a Godfamily, and Norwegian Cruise Line had a Godfather for one of its ships.

Other ships have had women hold the role, including renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

The Icon's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it. 

Royal Caribbean's partnership with Ben & Jerry's ice cream is coming to an end.

The cruise line informed travel agents that the line will remove Ben & Jerry's from its cruise ships before the end of the year.

Royal Caribbean has ice cream shops that stocked the Vermont brand ice cream on 13 of its cruise ships.

In an announcement to travel agents, the line said the final date will be December 15, 2023, "Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Shop onboard 13 of our ships will be moo-ving out and making way for something sweeter!"

Replacing Ben & Jerry's will be an in-house brand of ice cream.

"We're excited to announce that our own Ice Cream Parlor will be replacing Ben & Jerry's. We hope your clients saved room for dessert!"

The partnership brings to an end a multi-year deal that has had the ice cream on many of its ships for a long time. Ben & Jerry's cost extra, and was not included in the cruise fare.

Depending on the ship class, you could find Ben & Jerry ice cream as a stand-alone location on the Royal Promenade, or as a section of another venue.

The standalone locations had Ben & Jerry decor, seating, and of course the signature cows nearby.

A change to the sweet cabins

Did you know on Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class cruise ships there was one cabin that was themed to Ben & Jerry's signature cow mascot?

These special cabins had extra perks that came with the room, but they too are already on their way out.

These rooms (cabin 6305) included Suite Lounge access, as well as free ice cream every day.

The cow decor was dropped in 2022, but the benefits remained.  Then in 2023, we received reports that the benefits were also being removed.

What will replace it?

Royal Caribbean has not announced what ice cream will replace it exactly, but it's likely going to be the same sort of ice cream the line has planned for Icon of the Seas.

Sprinkles is the name of the complimentary soft serve ice cream available on the new cruise ship.  

It's not clear what the new venue name will be. Cups & Scoops was one brand available on the original Oasis Class ships, but Sugar Beach has been the name of the dessert shop

The rumor mill is swirling with the possibility of Royal Caribbean eyeing a new resort in Freeport, Bahamas as part of a bigger plan to revamp the harbor.

Prior to the cruise industry shutting down in 2020, Royal Caribbean announced plans for redeveloping Freeport's harbor and create a combination new port and resort.  Those plans fell through during the shutdown.

There's now word of a potential purchase of the Xanadu Beach Hotel in Freeport as part of plans to develop a resort and water park destination, according to The Tribune report.

According to "multiple well-placed sources", Royal Caribbean is in talks with the property owner to buy the line, and that negotiations towards an offer being made by the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean has made no announcement, nor have they confirmed or denied the original report. 

The deal could cover an area of 40-50 acres, which would be tied to redeveloping Freeport's harbor.

One source indicated that the project could be used by sister brand Celebrity Cruises as well.

The Xanadu Beach Hotel was built in 1968 and then purchased by Howard Hughes in 1972. Mr. Hughes lived at the hotel until just before his death in 1976.

It was an escape for Hollywood stars, and included 215 rooms and an 80 slip marina. Stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Lucille Ball visited there.

It closed in 2011.

The original Freeport plan

The original plan for the cruise giant was to purchase the Grand Lucayan resort in Freeport, and tie that to a harbor deal.

Royal Caribbean had about 20 projects on the drawing board prior to the global health crisis, including the Freeport project.

Under the deal announced in 2020, there were to be two locations that included a port terminal and the Grand Lucayan hotel.

The first phase of the Lucaya Property would have been a beachfront destination with a 526-room hotel, shopping village, spa and wellness center, water-based family entertainment including a massive water and adventure theme park, a 40,000-square-foot convention center, adventure activities such as zip lines and off-roading, restaurants and bars, entertainment and lively nightlife. 

The enhancement and expansion of the port terminal, to be called Harbour Village, would have been nine miles west of the Lucaya Property, at the cruise terminal in Freeport Harbor. Here, visitors would have been able to enjoy numerous spaces with multiple shopping and dining venues, beach areas, shore excursions and more. 

The plan was for it to be finished in winter 2022.

Freeport still an option

It remains to be seen if a deal to purchase the Xanadu property will happen, or if a Freeport project in general will continue, but it seemed like the cruise line is still eyeing the possibility.

In March 2023, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told Bahamian media that he was "increasingly optimistic" that its Freeport port project will finally happen.

"I would say we are increasingly optimistic about the timing of that. In the coming months hopefully we will be in a position to make some positive announcement on Freeport."

"Our intent is to bring more capacity into Freeport. The first step, which will be in conjunction with others, is investing in improving the port."

Mr. Bayley said development of a water-based adventure theme park for passengers in close proximity to the port area was still the plan.

Selfies aren't just for influencers anymore. It's actually the important step to do pre-cruise to get on the ship faster.

When the day arrives to get on your cruise ship, the last thing you want to do is waste time in the cruise terminal instead of boarding the ship.  Yet, too many people skip a pivotal step that can move things along quicker.

Royal Caribbean has made its app easy the key to boarding your ship.  Similar to an airline boarding pass, you can do it all via the app. But unlike a flight, cruise ship passengers are asked to take a photo of themselves.

The purpose of taking a photo of your face is so that ship security has a record of it, and you have to do it before embarkation.

The photo is optional in the app, but if you wait to take the photo in the cruise terminal, you'll waste time there and more importantly, take longer to get onboard.

Read more: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips

This might sound like it's not a big deal to take a photo before the cruise, but Royal Caribbean is about to make it far more important.

Why taking a selfie will become more important

It's easy to overlook taking a selfie during the check-in process, but soon you'll definitely want to do it ahead of time.

Royal Caribbean is getting close to introducing a new way to check-in for a cruise that rewards passengers who do everything they need to do before embarkation day.

A new Express Boarding option is being tested in PortMiami on at least one ship, and it's meant to speed up the process for people who do everything they are supposed to in the app ahead of time.

This means you scan your passport, take a selfie, and enter your credit card and emergency contact details.

It might not sound like a big deal to have the fastest way onboard, until you're waiting in a line that you didn't have to wait in.  No one likes waiting in line when others can breeze past them.  

Find the right spot for the photo

One word of advice to avoid having to re-do the photo later is ensure you pick a spot that has a neutral background.

Royal Caribbean doesn't want things in the background, so take the photo in front of that boring hallway in your home instead of in the car or at the office.

Speaking of things that don't belong in the photo, make sure you aren't wearing any hats or sunglasses in your selfie photo.

If you don't do this, you'll have to re-take the photo in the terminal.

How to take selfie

You can take a selfie photo and upload it two ways.

The easiest is through the Royal Caribbean app. You can start the check-in process 45 days prior to your cruise departure date. 

Once you have the option to check-in, you'll see "Check-in now" enabled.  From there, "Travel Info" is the first section to complete.

The selfie photo is available under "Snap a security photo".

Alternatively, you can do the check-in on the Royal Caribbean website.  The problem with the website is you need a way to take a photo and get it to your computer.  There's no doubt taking a photo from your phone while already in the Royal Caribbean app is easier.

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process guide

More tips to speed up embarkation

In addition to taking a selfie, you'll want to to do a few more things.

Be sure to enter all of the information in check-in process so that each section has a green check mark next to it. This means entering your personal information, travel documents, credit card, and emergency contact information.

A day before the cruise, the health questionnaire will become available in the app, and that's the final step in checking in for the cruise.

On boarding day, there are also a few good tips to assist in getting from curb to ship as quick as possible:

• Have your travel documents (passport) in hand
• Take a screenshot of your SetSail pass, just in case the app doesn't work
• Have luggage tags printed and attached to your luggage

Read more: 15 Royal Caribbean boarding process tips for a fast embarkation

A suite on a cruise is expensive, but it's also one of the most sought-after types of cruise cabins because of how enjoyable the experience is.

The price of a suite will vary considerably, with the Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas costing $80,000 per week. That's at least ten times what a balcony cabin would likely cost, but it's also a microcosm of the demand suites get by cruise ship passengers.

The attraction to a book a suite is all about the service and benefits you get by staying in one.  There many types of cruise ship suites, but you can expect a bigger room than standard cabins on cruise vessels, better location onboard, and plenty of extra perks included for the price.

Free wifi, extra restaurants, added service, and less waiting in lines are just a few of the perks available with some suites.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

While a suite is likely not a dollar-for-dollar value, it is compelling enough a proposition that some cruisers jump at the chance to move up to a suite.

If you're debating if a suite is worth it, here are the best reasons to book one instead of a standard cabin.

Less waiting

My favorite benefit to staying in a suite is less lines to deal with during the cruise.

Staying in a suite is the closest thing cruise lines offer to an express line to bypass lines, or at least reduce them. By paying extra, you get added service and shortcuts along the way.

On embarkation day, there will be a special line in almost every port for those staying in a suite. This provides a shorter line to wait in to check-in, and when it's time to board the ship, suite guests get to go first.

Onboard the ship, there can be opportunities for suite guests to bypass lines.  There can be reserved seating in shows, and if you have a Royal Genie, you can forget about waiting in just about any line on the ship.

The saying, "time is money" applies to suite guests, and it's nice to have bypasses along the way.

Exclusive areas on the ship

If you're in a suite, there will be special areas of the ship reserved just for you.

Royal Caribbean does not have a "ship within a ship" concept that other lines have, but there's still a few spots reserved just for suite guests and these alone can be worth the price of a suite.

Every ship has a suite lounge, where you can go anytime to socialize and enjoy complimentary drinks and light snacks at certain times.

You'll also find reserved seating on the pool deck for suite guests, which is immensely beneficial on sea days when the pool is the busiest.

On Royal Caribbean's newest ships, there are entire neighborhoods for suite guests.  Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas both have a section of the ship for the exclusive use of suite passengers.

Bigger cabin

If you think having more space in your room doesn't matter, wait until you see how much more space there is in a suite.

Cruise ship cabins are typically smaller than hotel rooms, but suites will make you feel like you're back at home with the square footage found in them.

Some suites have extra bedrooms, bathrooms, or even a dining room.  The really large suites are incredible to see, because it's hard to fathom just how large these cabins are compared to other rooms.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse measures 1,772 square feet and is three decks high.  Compare that to a balcony cabin on Icon of the Seas that comes in at 204 square feet.

More conventional suites are still quite large. A Grand Suite on Icon measures 431 square feet, which is more than double that of a balcony.

Read more: Icon of the Seas cabins and suites guide

Having that extra space is a major reason why a lot of people book a suite. They want to feel like they can spread out, and if they're sharing the room with others, every extra foot makes a difference.

Concierge services

It's amazing how much better your cruise can be with the help of the suite concierge.

The concierge is there to be a dedicated resource for suite guests. Think of them like Guest Service just for suite guests, but with less lines and more service.

They can assist in making reservations, including pre-cruise.  They can escort you off the ship, get you a tender ride without a wait, and be your aid should a problem arise.

Their job is to make your experience on the ship better, and it's a really nice way to solve problems or simply enhance it all.

Freebies

Depending on the ship you pick, staying in a suite can get you a lot of extras included in your cruise fare that you would otherwise have to pay extra for.

All suites across all ships include free alcoholic beverages in the Suite Lounge each evening, which means there's less of a need to purchase an unlimited drink package.

If you cruise on a Quantum, Oasis, or Icon Class cruise ship, the included perks drastically increase. For Sky Class passengers, you'll get complimentary Wi-Fi access, access to a special restaurant, and room service too.

Star Class guests get pretty much everything included, including any specialty restaurant, extra-cost beverage, and gratuities.

Read more: What is Star Class?

Twice a day cabin service

Royal Caribbean cut back housekeeping to once a day on its cruise ships, but suites still get service twice per day.

Having your cabin attendant service your cabin in the morning and evening is a pleasant benefit, and it means towels get replaced quicker, beds are made if you took a nap, and your room just feels tidier. 

I've grown accustomed to this change in standard cabins by now, but having that twice-a-day service is a really nice benefit.

More loyalty points

If you're looking to move up the ladder of Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program faster, staying in a suite is the best strategy.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra point per night for staying in a suite, so that means two points instead of one (or three, if you're staying solo in a suite).

This is important because the sooner you reach the higher tiers of Crown and Anchor Society, the sooner you'll get to enjoy the best benefits, such as free drinks every day.

Getting to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club really adds significant value to how you cruise, so booking a suite to get there faster might be a really good idea.

Read more: My top 5 favorite Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club perks

Better cabin location

Want to reduce your walking distance when getting around the ship? Stay somewhere with less movement? A suite is the easy button for that.

You'll typically find suites in the most desirable places on the ship so that you can have the best views, stability, and convenience.

To avoid getting seasick on a cruise, you'll want a cabin mid-ship (definitely not at the front), and it's no coincidence that you'll find suites in these areas.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Is a suite on a cruise worth it?

It won't be cheap, but a suite has a lot of nice perks that come with it, and it might make sense for you to spend extra to stay in one.

When you consider what you get for booking a suite instead of a regular cabin, the higher price might make sense if you can take advantage of the added value.

Experts will tell you the best time to book a cruise is as soon as you pick out the right ship and itinerary, but some people still wonder if they're better off waiting to book a cruise later to try to get a better deal.

It's understandable why you might think there's a special or better time to book a cruise, because in other forms of travel there are inside scoops on when is the best time to book. 

The reality is a cruise ship is priced differently, and waiting to book is usually a mistake because of how the industry works.

While there are exceptions and times when a promotion seems lucrative, the best time to book a cruise is when you see a price that fits in your budget and and seems like a good price. If you think it's a good deal, go ahead and pull the trigger on booking it. There's no telling if or when the price may go down.

What is the best day to book a cruise?

There are definitely better days of the week to book a flight, but that's not the case with cruises.

Royal Caribbean does offer "Going, Going, Gone" rates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they tend to be very limited offers on close-in sailings. If you're planning your family vacation, waiting for one of these to roll around isn't a great strategy.

Prices of a cruise can change by the minute, and there isn't any kind of pattern that favors one day over another. While the cruise line's internal pricing logic isn't publicly known, anecdotally, there isn't any reason a price would be less on a certain day.  When it's time to raise or lower the price, it happens in real-time.

Just to confirm this theory, I reached out to a travel agent to get a sense of their experience.  Considering how many cruises they book every day, I wanted to know if there was a better day of the week to book a cruise.

"There isn't a best day of the week to book a cruise, as prices change often," said Sharla Manglass, Travel Planner with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel.

"Some people seem to believe that waiting for Black Friday, WOW, or Kids Sail Free sales will be the best option for them."

What is the best month to book a cruise?

There isn't necessarily one month that's better than another, but cruise lines love to tie sales to major holidays.

The month of November stands out because it has two of the most well-known shopping holidays: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While these sales tend to favor retail sales more, the truth is cruise lines trot out special bonus incentives for those that book a cruise during these days.

In fact, cruise lines get into the "spirit" of Black Friday by starting sales a week or more in advance, so you'll have time in the second half of November to take advantage of the sales.

However, it's a mistake to wait to book a cruise until Black Friday. Instead, book the cruise now.

Royal Caribbean allows price adjustments with no penalty until final payment date, so if you do notice a price drop when Black Friday rolls around, call Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to get the cruise fare adjustment.

Plus, you might find that Black Friday cruise deals are not very different from promotions you’ll see throughout the rest of the year. Unlike retail and technology stores, for example, cruise pricing does not drastically change on Black Friday. You might find that the Black Friday promotion is nearly the same as other promotions during the year.

What is the best time of year to book a cruise?

If you had the inspiration to book a cruise, ideally it would be in the beginning of the year during Wave Season.

“Wave Season” is a cruise industry term for the time of year in which cruise lines tend to offer their best promotions. Wave season traditionally occurs between January and March. The name comes from the fact bookings in this period are what carry the cruise industry for the rest of the year.

Wave season promotions vary based on year, but you might see savings like 60% off a second guest and up to $150 onboard credit to use onboard. If you’re browsing Royal Caribbean’s website during wave season, you should take advantage of the offer to hopefully save some money and get onboard perks.

The other really good time of year to book a cruise is when Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries.

Generally speaking, the best prices for a cruise are when a new sailing is put on sale and all the cabins are open to book. Inventory is at its highest, and prices only go up as rooms get booked.

Cruise itineraries are usually released around two years in advance. The first batch of new cruises go on sale around November and December, and the rest come out in February, March or April.

One way to stay informed about new cruise itineraries is by subscribing to Royal Caribbean’s marketing emails or following Royal Caribbean Blog.

Can I book a cruise at the last minute?

Your best bet is to always book as far in advance as possible, you could try for a last-minute booking instead.

Truthfully, booking a cruise at the last minute is a crapshoot.  If there are any good deals, the choices are going to be limited in terms of dates, ships, and cabin choice.

Equally importantly, you'll have to pay the entire fare at once, because cruises booked less than 90 days before sailing require deposit and the full fare to be paid at the same time.

The bigger issue is there may simply not be a last-minute cruise deal to be had.  Cruise ships are sailing full, and people are booking cruises earlier and in more numbers than ever before. 

However, if you're very flexible with when and where you sail, there could be something out there if you keep your eyes out for price drops. If a cruise is past final payment date and not all rooms have been booked, Royal Caribbean may drop prices in order to encourage more passengers to book the cruise.

It helps a lot if you can drive to your cruise so that you don't have to then figure out last-minute airfare or hotels.

Should you book your next cruise on the ship?

Cruise lines offer additional incentives if you book another cruise once on their ship, but it's not always the best strategy.

If you're on a ship and are suddenly struck with the inspiration to book another cruise, yes, booking onboard is a good idea. You will receive up to $600 in onboard credit  and a lower deposit amount simply for booking a cruise on the ship.

That may sound like a great reason to wait to book onboard, but waiting to book a cruise until you get on a ship is a mistake. Even if you have a cruise coming up in a few weeks or months, it’s almost always better to book a future cruise you are interested in while at home now because the price could go up between now and your sailing, negating the advantage of booking on the ship.

How do I know if I'm getting a good deal when I book?

Good news, we are all one week closer to our next Royal Caribbean cruise!  In case you missed any of the Royal Caribbean fun from this week, here is our weekly round up!

Royal Caribbean’s second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, is now available for booking.

Star will operate out of Port Canaveral, Florida and cruisers can now book 7-night Caribbean sailings beginning on August 17, 2025. 

Prices start at $​​2398 per person for an interior guarantee cabin.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean opens new slide at Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark
• Royal Caribbean announces new photo perk for its loyalty program members
• Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship prices are more expensive than Celebrity's new premium ship
• Video shows Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship barely passed under a bridge
• 7 Best cruise ports in the Caribbean
• Is January a good time for a cruise?
• Vintage photos show how drastically cruise ships have changed during the last century
• I tried the new cocktails coming to Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 519th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, which has a review of Celebrity's newest ship.

Matt and Don sailed on Celebrity Cruise’s brand-new Celebrity Ascent. In this episode, they discuss what makes the Edge Class ship unique. 

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.

Video: Why I Chose a Smaller Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

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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 — Why I Chose a Smaller Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Video shows look around Royal Caribbean's new adults-only beach

Royal Caribbean has made progress on the adults-only beach expansion located on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Called Hideaway Beach, the location will cater to guests 18 and older.

A new video from inside the park, posted by Marissa Abreu, Royal Caribbean’s Director of Design, shows a first look at the progress made.

Hideaway Beach will be a paid add-on for adults seeking a child-free experience, spanning over 8 acres.

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

Every cruise ship has pros and cons, including Royal Caribbean’s older ships.

Jenna recently sailed on Brilliance of the Seas, a Radiance Class ship built in 2002. She provides a balanced perspective on both the positive and the negative aspects of a cruise experience on Brilliance of the Seas.

She loved the ship’s entertainment options, dining experiences, friendly crew, enjoyable excursions, spacious staterooms, and the overall cruise atmosphere.

On the negative side, Jenna experienced issues with the embarkation and disembarkation processes, crowded spaces at certain times, and limited specialty dining options. 

How long does it take to build a cruise ship

The process of building a cruise ship is no overnight feat, so how long does it take exactly?

With Icon of the Seas almost ready for her first sailing, we have a good example of the process and what goes into making an idea into a ship.

From concept, to steel cutting, to float out, and then launch, it's a multi-year process involving tens of thousands of people.

I went on four cruises and found the best way to protect Black hair on vacation

After four cruises, Calista has developed the best method to protect Afro-textured hair while on vacation.

Challenges such as weather, the elements, time limitations, and packing space can make it difficult to care for Black hair while on a cruise.

However, with the help of protective hairstyles, moisturization, and essential haircare products, you can prevent damage and maintain healthy hair during a cruise vacation.