Royal Caribbean Blog

Last fall, I cruised with my family on Celebrity Solstice for a port-intensive repositioning cruise from Sydney to Singapore. The 15-night cruise included fabulous ports of call throughout Australia and Indonesia.

Although I had sailed with Celebrity Cruises before, I had never considered splurging on the cruise line’s more all-inclusive fare, known as the All Included package pricing. Instead, I preferred to book only the cruise fare to save money. As a budget cruiser, spending thousands of extra dollars for drinks and internet access didn’t seem worthwhile.

Not to mention, I already receive daily free cocktails with my Captain’s Club loyalty status. Thanks to Royal Caribbean’s status matching program, Diamond Plus members automatically receive Elite Plus loyalty with Celebrity Cruises.

These perks had always felt more than sufficient for me, including Celebrity’s nightly happy hour with complimentary drinks. Although this is more restrictive than Royal Caribbean’s drink vouchers — which can be used at most bars throughout the day — I never felt the need to purchase a drink package. I would have a hard time drinking consistently on a 15-night cruise to justify this cost, anyway!

However, the opportunity presented itself for me to try Celebrity’s All Included package when booking this cruise. I couldn’t believe how much money I saved - and I already plan to book the package again.

What is Celebrity’s All Included pricing?

All Included is a pricing package offered by Celebrity Cruises that bundles cruise fares with the Classic Beverage Package and Basic Wi-Fi Package. Celebrity states these are the most popular amenities for cruise guests, and the All Included pricing allows cruisers to save money by bundling the two together.

According to the cruise line, the All Included pricing package can save guests anywhere from $200 to $800 per person compared to onboard prices for the same amenities. All guests in the stateroom receive the amenities and All Included is available for most stateroom categories. In this way, you can choose a lower-tier stateroom, such as an inside cabin, and still purchase the All Included pricing package.

Celebrity’s Basic Drink includes cocktails, beers, wines, and classic liquors up to $10 each. This also includes specialty coffee, juice, and bottled water. However, for sailings that depart from Australia, drinks up to $12 are included.

While you can certainly save money with this bundled pricing, it’s important to determine which add-ons you plan to purchase regardless. If you are someone who always purchases the drink package and Wi-Fi access, it might be worthwhile to price out the All Included package. If you only need internet access, paying extra for a drink package you don’t use or value could be a waste of money.

I paid $2,069 for an interior stateroom with the All Included pricing package

Although I had used a travel agent for work-related trips, I had never booked a personal cruise through one. While researching prices for the 15-night sailing on Celebrity’s website, I decided to check with my travel agent, Christina from MEI Travel, to see if she could offer a better rate.

Directly on Celebrity’s website, the cruise was listed at $2,300 per person for a non-refundable interior cabin. This price only included the basic cruise fare without any perks or prepaid gratuities. Much to my surprise, Christina had access to group rates for this sailing with a few cabins available - and the savings were substantial!

She provided a quote of $2,069 per person for a refundable interior cabin with the All Included pricing. I was shocked! Even better, this group rate included gratuities (the agency rates were locked in prior to the cruise line’s package changes). Had we booked the same perks directly online with Celebrity Cruises, we would have paid thousands of dollars more.

Read more: My parents paid more for an obstructed balcony, but our cheaper inside cabin was the better choice

Of course, this was a no-brainer decision and we made a deposit on an interior cabin. The only downside of the cabin was its location in the ship’s aft; however, the savings were enough to justify settling on a less desirable location.

The All Included pricing was such a fantastic deal that my parents canceled their prior reservation to book with the travel agent. They paid $800 more to cruise in an obstructed balcony stateroom. It’s not common these days to pay less and receive more, so we were giddy!

I decided to upgrade my Wi-Fi package - and it was cheaper than I expected

Unlike some cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises does not have a set price for its internet package. Prices vary, but Celebrity’s website shows Premium Wi-Fi is $23.99 per day while Basic Wi-Fi is $20.00 per day.

For our 15-night cruise, I was planning to spend $360 on premium internet access to ensure I had proper connectivity. Because I work remotely while traveling, I rely on strong connectivity to ensure I can finish my work when needed.

The All Included pricing comes with the standard Internet Package. But, you can choose to upgrade your drink and internet package, which is what I decided to do for my Wi-Fi access. I was able to upgrade from Basic Wi-Fi to Premium Wi-Fi for only $59.85, which provided unlimited access for the 15-night sailing. This included a discount with my Elite Plus status, but I needed to call Celebrity Cruises to have that applied.

This was well worth the expense! While aboard our cruise, my internet connectivity was consistently stronger than my sister’s connection on the Basic Wi-Fi package. I was able to stream videos and video conferences without issue. On the other hand, my sister’s devices were always buffering; however, she didn’t mind and appreciated the standard access included in her cruise fare.

I recommend upgrading your internet access to the Premium Wi-Fi package if you need to do any sort of video conferencing or streaming during your cruise. My sister had an important Zoom call during our cruise and she needed to borrow my premium internet to ensure the connectivity was strong enough. If you only need to check emails or browse social media, the basic package will suffice. Those needing faster speeds would benefit from the small uncharge for better connectivity.

Having the drink package enhanced our onboard experience, especially on a longer itinerary

With the All Included pricing, our entire family enjoyed access to the standard beverage package—a first for all of us! We were curious to see what kind of drinks would be included in our package. Because we actually saved money booking the All Included fare with our travel agent, it almost felt like we got the drink package for free.

To start, the onboard experience immediately felt more luxurious. We started our vacation with mojitos on the pool deck during sailaway — perhaps one of the most stunning embarkations I’ve ever experienced.

Sipping our cocktails while cruising by the iconic Sydney Opera House was an unforgettable moment. Even better, I was thrilled to learn that my go-to drink choice was included in the package.

Throughout the cruise, I enjoyed not having to worry about paying for drinks individually or waiting until the Captain’s Club nightly happy hour with its restricted cocktail menu. This made the vacation feel more relaxing and all-inclusive.

Because our itinerary was 15 nights, we had plenty of time onboard to take advantage of the drink package. As our ship sailed closer to the equator and the weather was warmer, we savored refreshing drinks on the pool deck to beat the heat.

We also enjoyed drinks during our nightly dinner in the dining room or specialty dining restaurant. I was excited to learn that specialty coffees were included in the drink package; as such, I indulged in my morning latte before starting the day.

Trying new cocktails without pressure was another perk of the drink package during our cruise. I loved the limoncello spritz in Tuscan Grille - and it has since become one of my go-to drinks. My mom also took advantage of her drink package with the sommelier in the dining room to try different wines and ask about his expertise.

I was worried the standard drink package would be restrictive, but this wasn’t the case at all

Although I had never booked Celebrity’s drink package before, I have tried drink packages with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line. While Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line allow nearly unlimited menu choices with their drink packages, Norwegian Cruise Line had more restrictions on what could be ordered with its standard package.

With this in mind, I was curious to try Celebrity’s drink package for the first time to see whether it would be restrictive or not.

Almost every drink that we ordered was included with the classic drink package, such as mojitos, mudslides, spritzes, martinis, frozen coladas, and Bahama Mamas. It seemed like every drink we ordered was included in our basic package — we started to wonder why anyone would need to upgrade to the premium package when so much was included!

However, it’s important to mention the pricing discrepancy during our sailing. Our cruise departed from Sydney, Australia, and according to the cruise line’s website, this means classic drink packages include drinks up to $12 instead of $10.

There was mass confusion during the first couple of days of our cruise, as the crew members were told that $10 was the drink threshold. Some passengers took this issue to Guest Services and the threshold was increased to $12, per the cruise line’s policy. As such, our cruise might have included more drinks than what is typically allowed and my experience might be skewed because of this.

Another perk of the basic drink package was access to unlimited bottled water

When our sailing departed from Sydney, Australia, the fall weather was crisp and cool. But, as we sailed further north towards the equator, the weather became scorching hot. We were drenched in sweat during our excursions while visiting the Great Barrier Reef, the Australian Outback, and Bali, Indonesia.

With our basic drink package, we were thrilled to learn that bottled water was included! This was a huge perk during our hot sailing. Each morning, we would each ask for one or two bottles of water to pack for our daily adventures.

We were especially happy to have access to this bottled water during our two days in Bali. Considering tap water isn’t typically safe to drink in Bali, we made sure to pack our bottled water from the ship. Not having to worry about water safety or purchasing bottled water was a huge perk of the drink package during our cruise!

Read more: I took my first cruise to Australia. Here are 13 lessons learned, including 4 mistakes I won't make again

However, I’m not sure I would have gotten my money’s worth if I had purchased the drink package separately as an add-on

It’s easy for me to say, “The drink package was absolutely worth it!” when the All Included pricing was actually lower than the cruise fare alone. Had I purchased the standard drink package separately, I don’t think it would have been worthwhile.

Celebrity Cruises charges $107.99 per person per day for the Classic Beverage Package (including gratuities). For a 15-night cruise, this would be $1,619! The cruise line does offer discounts and promotions for their drink package, but this cost is still substantial. In fact, this is almost the amount I paid for the entire cruise!

As a casual drinker who enjoys one or two drinks each day, along with some bottled water and specialty coffee, this cost would be hard to justify. The longer itineraries make it even more difficult to get your money’s worth when you have to drink frequently and consistently to break even. I also don’t enjoy the stress of knowing whether I drank enough to justify the cost of my drink package - vacation is meant to be relaxing, after all!

Even still, I would book the All Included package again if the price was right

For this cruise, the All Included package was an obvious choice. We were able to save money by booking the refundable cruise fare with these perks through our travel agent compared to booking on our own.

When I cruise, I always purchase an internet package and opt for refundable fares to maintain flexibility, which adds to the overall cost. Before this experience, I hadn’t seriously considered the All Included fare, but now I compare both options more closely to assess potential savings.

I’ve already booked another All Included cruise for later this year on Celebrity Millennium, as the price with perks through our travel agent was only slightly higher than the base fare offered directly by the cruise line.

If you’re a budget-conscious traveler, I highly recommend checking with a travel agent about group rates that include perks. You might be surprised at the savings, just like I was!

It pains me when I see cruise passengers making easily avoidable mistakes, but I saw many again when I was on my Utopia of the Seas cruise last week.

I just sailed on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas for a 3-night cruise, and it was a great escape for a few days to some of the best weather I've ever had on a cruise.

This particular ships is so adept at appealing to people that have never been on a cruise ship before, and that's great for the cruise line's bottom line to grow their customer base.

Unfortunately, first time cruisers are among the most likely to commit a cruise ship faux pas, and it was evident on this sailing too.

Before you go on Utopia, make sure you aren't making any of these mistakes.

Not specifying liquors

It's so easy to walk up to a bar and ask for a drink by name, but you ought to do one other thing.

When you order just the drink name, a majority of the time you're going to get well liquor, which is the cheapest brand and those brands tend to have the worst "bite" to them.

Name brand liquors tend to be smoother, or they have a particular flavor that you might prefer.

It's less an issue with a cocktail Royal Caribbean has created for a specific bar, like the PB&J Old Fashioned at the Mason Jar, or the Goalpost Margarita at Playmakers.

What I'm talking about is when you simply ask for a Bloody Mary, Pina Colada, or Margarita.

You should always specify the liquor you want.  If you have a drink package, it's included with the cost. Plus, it will taste better and perhaps be even more potent.

Waiting to go onto CocoCay later in the morning

Since Utopia of the Seas visits Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day of CocoCay every cruise, I thought I should include a CocoCay specific mistake too.

While I'm all for sleeping in on vacation, you really ought to get up early and hit the beach or pool before 10am.

Certain areas of the island will have chairs get taken up quite quickly, especially since there's almost always two ships in port.

Oasis Lagoon in particular seems to run out of chairs first, and Chill Island will only have chairs at the very far end left if you wait too late.

If you bought admission to the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach, there are couches by the pool that are on a first-come, first-served basis.  Those pretty much get gobbled up in the first hour the ship is docked.

Personally, I don't want to have to search for a chair and umbrella. Or relegate us to sharing just one or two chairs because that's all that's left.

Another added bonus of getting off the ship early is during the summer months when afternoon thunderstorms are common.

If you get to the island in the morning, that's usually when you'll find the best weather. It's coolest in the morning hours, and the greatest chance of precipitation is in the afternoon.

Paying fees for cash at table games

When I sat down to play Blackjack in the ship's casino, I saw at least two different people request cash to play from the dealer and they got hit with a 5% fee.

Royal Caribbean charges a fee for cash withdrawals in the casino, unless you're a Prime member or higher in the casino loyalty program.

However, anyone can avoid the fee by going to a slot machine and pulling cash from there.

For some reason, there's no fee when you use the banker feature on a slot machine to get cash. You can then immediately cash out, go to the cashier and exchange it for cash. At that point, you can go to the Blackjack table and try your luck, and you'll be up 5%!

Waiting to buy a drink package on the ship

I doubt people waiting to buy a Royal Caribbean beverage package on the cruise ship ever goes away, but plenty still do it.

If you sit at any bar on embarkation day, sooner or later someone asks the bartender to buy a drink package and they'll end up paying full price.

On Utopia of the Seas, it was $115 per person, per day to buy a drink package on the ship!

That same drink package could have been had for 30% less or more if they had pre-purchased before the cruise began.

If there's even a remote chance you'll want the drink package, always pre-pay to save money.

Ordering typical drinks instead of fun new cocktails

If there's one area Royal Caribbean doesn't get enough credit for, it's their cocktail menus.

I totally understand why pina coladas, margaritas, and daiquiris are so popular because they're essentially ubiquitous with a tropical vacation.

While it's not a mistake to order one, Royal Caribbean has spent a lot of time coming up with fun new cocktails that are way more interesting.

There are so many great choices available, and they all work with a beverage package.

Here are some ones to look out for:

• 1400 - 1400 Bar
• No Joke, Smoke & Coke - Mason Jar
• She's A Geisha - Izumi
• The Urban Garden Martini - 150 Central Park
• Toasted marshmallow old fashioned - Schooner Bar

There's plenty more, but keep an eye out for new ones to try. They might end up being your go-to favorite.

Overlooked Solarium Bistro

I'm guilty of this mistake too, but the best alternative restaurant you're not eating at on Utopia of the Seas (and other ships) is the Solarium Bistro.

Solarium Bistro is complimentary and open for all three meals. It's a combination of buffet and sit down restaurant, and it's probably way less crowded than the Windjammer.

I'd argue Solarium Bistro is the best choice for a more laid back breakfast, and it's usually a ghost town at dinner.

Plus, it has beautiful windows to see the ocean from.

And yes, kids are allowed in this restaurant even thought it's in the adults-only Solarium.

Trying to leave the ship without a SeaPass card

No matter which ship it is, it seems inevitable someone tries to disembark the ship on the last day without their SeaPass card.

Before you can leave the ship at the conclusion of a sailing, you need to scan your SeaPass with the ship's security one last time.  The purpose is to check you out of the ship.

This means you'll need to have your SeaPass with you as you leave.  Unfortunately, there are a few people who don't have it, and it stops the line dead in its tracks.

At this point, security needs to look them up in the system and manually check them out, but this takes some time and it slows down the disembarkation line.  On Royal Caribbean's older ships, this backs up the line and it inconveniences everyone.

Make sure you have everyone's SeaPass card with you when you leave your ship on that final morning.

Packing prohibited items leads to problems later

Something else related to the last day of the cruise is the table of prohibited items I saw for pickup.

Royal Caribbean bans a lot of things from being brought on a cruise ship because they are a danger, risk, or troublesome. 

By far the two most common things people bring on a cruise that are absolutely not allowed are clothing irons and steamers.

On the final morning, there was a table full of them.

But here's the other problem with packing something you're not supposed to have: it holds up your luggage delivery.

When the ship's security sees you packed a prohibited item, your suitcase is held back and you have to go down to security to retrieve your bag.

Make sure you read through all the things you cannot bring on a cruise before you start packing.

Happy Sunday, and I hope you had a great week. It was a busy week of Royal Caribbean fun, and I have a round-up of all of it in this hand-dandy blog post.

Royal Caribbean shared itineraries and details about its new Legend of the Seas cruise ship.

For the first time, Royal Caribbean is bringing its Icon Class to Europe. Bookings are now open to make reservations through April 2027.

The third Icon Class ship will set sail from Barcelona, Spain, in August 2026, launching with seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises. Then in November, the ship will move to Fort Lauderdale for winter cruises.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is deeply discounting its drink packages because of an obscure holiday
• Pair of owls stowaway on transatlantic cruise for two weeks
• I booked a cabana at Coco Beach Club for $1400
• 4 snorkel secrets at Perfect Day at CocoCay
• Royal Caribbean cruisers are combining these two snacks to make one delicious dessert
• I tried out the $200 per person private beach club at CocoCay

New RCB Video: The Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships, Ranked

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 — The Best and Worst Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships, Ranked — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

We've just released the 556th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast. In it, Matt walks through everything announced about Legend of the Seas and what his plans are for trying the ship out.

You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or RSS.

We analyzed price data and the cheapest prices for cruises were a lot earlier than we expected

A lot of people know they should book a cruise early, but when exactly do prices fluctuate?

Due to the dynamic nature of cruise prices, fares will go up and down, but as the cruise date approaches, prices tend to go up quickly.

We went through 13 different cruise ship price data to determine the best time to book your cruise to receive the cheapest price.

"None of em pay taxes!" Trump official calls out cruise ships for not paying taxes

A top U.S. official said the Trump Administration would seek to make cruise ships pay taxes.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested the federal government would order a crackdown on taxes paid by cruise operators.

"None of them pay taxes," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said, adding that "this is going to end."

Utopia of the Seas connecting balcony cabin review

Matt went on a 3-night sailing aboard Utopia of the Seas in a balcony cabin and shared what it's like to stay in this room.

He paid $1,723.54 for a category 4D balcony room instead of a cheaper inside room.

While the room may not have been the cheapest deal ever, it was more comfortable than expected.

Is a short 3-night cruise worth it?

Royal Caribbean is shifting more of its big ships to offer 3-night cruises in order to attract new cruisers, but is it worth it?

They are certainly convenient, and offer people that have never cruised before the chance to try out a cruise vacation without committing to a week.

The downside to a short cruise can be a lack of itinerary variations, and a higher cost than you might think.

I've visited Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay dozens of times since the island was revamped, and I've been to the Coco Beach Club a few times.

On my most recent visit, I booked a cabana instead of just buying passes because of a lucrative Black Friday sale that cut the price down considerably compared to what it usually sells for.

I booked the Coco Beach Club Beach Cabana to use for the entire day our ship was docked at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas.

The cost of one of these cabanas is usually priced over $3,000 for the day, as demand for cabanas has skyrocketed in recent years. But I was able to get it for just $1,448.99.

I picked the beach cabana instead of the overwater cabanas because they are cheaper and I assumed it might not be hot enough in February to spend time in the ocean.  The beach cabana accommodates up to 8 people, and includes passes for each person into the Coco Beach Club.

When my family and friends arrived at Coco Beach Club, check-in for the cabana was easy

Once you walk down the pier, Royal Caribbean offers trams around its island at no cost. This makes getting to the beach club much faster and easier.

The short two minute ride stops near the club's entrance, where you are greeted by the club staff at the entrance.

In order to gain access to the Coco Beach Club, you need a day pass.  Since a cabana rental includes admission, I mentioned we booked a cabana and they welcomed us with a cooling towel and complimentary welcome drink.

At this point a cabana attendant is assigned to you, and escorts you to the cabana.

My cabana was steps from the infinity pool, restaurant, and bathrooms

We were assigned cabana 23, which is the closest one to the restaurant and infinity pool.  The convenient location was fantastic, and I'll request this one every time in the future because of how easy it was to get back and forth.

One advantage of the Beach Cabanas over the over the Overwater Cabanas is how much less walking is involved when leaving the cabana.

Since we preferred the infinity pool over the ocean anyway, and the ocean temperatures were a bit too chilly for our comfort, being mere steps away was lovely.

The pool is heated, so it's the perfect alternative.

Plus, our cabana is the closest one to the main set of rest rooms.

Each cabana has many amenities

I was impressed how much seating this cabana included, beyond of course the array of wonderful things that come with a rental.

There was a large couch inside the cabana, along with two chairs facing the couch.  Then there were four loungers facing the ocean, along with two beach loungers outside the cabana.  

And there's even a hammock that you can use too.

We had four adults and four kids, and there was enough seating for everyone and so many of the choices were quite comfortable.

Cabana rentals include towels for your use, so there was a pile of them available and our cabana attendant would replenish them at any point.

There was also a cooler filled with complimentary bottled water we could use. There's also a mini-fridge full of beers, soft drinks and soft drinks that cost extra (unless you have a drink package).

In the middle of the cabana is a table that doubles as a safe where we could store our wallets, phones, and other valuables. There's more storage space in the closet, which is includes complimentary snorkels to use.

Our cabana attendant was superb

One of my favorite perks of any cabana rental is the attendant that brings you anything you may need.

The cabana attendant can bring more towels and water, as well as deliver food, snacks, and cocktails to the cabana.

After being escorted to the cabana, she explained how everything in the cabana works, patiently answered any questions we had, and offered to bring us anything else we needed.

The only complaint I had was cabana attendants require everyone wear a bracelet during your stay, which is impossible to remove until you get back to the ship and track down scissors. I'd prefer not to wear it until I left my cabana.

She stopped by our cabana periodically to check if we needed anything, but there was an intercom we could use if we needed her attention quicker.

I was able to have lunch delivered to our cabana

The Coco Beach Club food is legendary for how good it is, and it's so convenient having food brought when you have kids and they prefer to take a few bites and then go back to playing.

It was so nice having mozzarella sticks and other snacks delivered when we needed it, as well as having lunch brought to our cabana.

There's a table and chairs you, as well as the cabana table/safe where you can have lunch delivered as part of the service.

The lunch menu is the same as what they serve in the restaurant, which includes filet mignon, lobster, and more.

I spent about more time in the cabana than I expected

I brought my laptop with me off the ship and started off my day working from the comfort of the cabana, which is the best kind of office.

Even after I finished my work, it was nice to play music through the cabana's Bluetooth speaker and hang out with our friends and otherwise relax.

While visiting CocoCay in February meant the ocean water was too chilly for my preference, the benefit was it was quite comfortable to simply be outside. I enjoyed lounging in the chairs, and my wife spent most of the afternoon in the hammock reading her book.

I still prefer the Hideout Cabanas, but with kids this is a great option

My favorite cabanas on CocoCay remain the Hideout Cabanas that are inside the adults-only area because they have their own plunge pool to enjoy.

Since we travel with kids, getting into Hideaway Beach isn't an option.  Luckily, kids are welcome inside the Coco Beach Club.

Compared to the Overwater Cabanas, there's no denying how idyllic those look.  I know our staff loves them because it situates you right on the ocean with amazing views.

The advantage the Beach Cabana has is it's closer to all the facilities, and no less worry about someone going in the ocean accidentally.

Cabana life is wonderful, but I'd only book it again for the right price

The Beach Cabana rental was a great choice for our group as a way to enjoy not only the Coco Beach Club, but fun day together.

Admittedly, the price of this cabana is usually too much to justify. I wouldn't pay $3,000 or more for this cabana.  But with the right sale price, I think it's well worth it for families.  

Considering it can handle up to 8 people, you could easily invite friends and help split the cost.

The convenience of having food and drinks delivered while providing a base for the kids to come and go easily is lovely.  Plus, having the shade it provides is a welcome refuge.

The next time I get a push notification from the Royal Caribbean app of a new sale, I'll definitely check the price of a cabana to see if it's been discounted so we can come back again.

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, is known for its crystal-clear waters, making it the perfect destination for beach and water activities. 

Among the most popular on the island is snorkeling. Whether you're a skilled snorkeler or trying it for the first time, CocoCay's calm waters are perfect for exploring the underwater world. 

As one of the most common activities, it's not unusual to find fellow cruisers posting advice online, so future guests can learn from their experiences. 

Reddit user greenbananas1200 did just that, sharing invaluable snorkeling tips to the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. 

They begin the post by saying, "We went to cococay yesterday and went snorkeling! I did a lot of research before to be prepared and wanted to share some advice we learned."

If you're planning to snorkel at Perfect Day at CocoCay, taking a few tips from seasoned snorkelers can help you make the most of your adventure, and greenbananas1200's post is filled with helpful advice!

Bring your own equipment 

Purchasing your own snorkel gear is more cost-effective in the long run. 

"The snorkel-at-your-leisure excursion is essentially just the equipment rental. We bought snorkel gear at home and brought it (only the mask because we couldn't fit the flippers in our carry-ons). It is worthwhile - I paid only $30 CAD for my set, while rentals were around $40 USD," says greenbananas1200. 

According to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner, the "CocoCay All-Day Snorkeling at Your Leisure" excursion costs $39.58 for an upcoming cruise on Icon of the Seas, with an onboard price of $53.90. 

As greenbananas1200 explained, the excursion isn't an actual tour. Rather, it's just rental equipment for the day. In other words, you won't be guided through the Bahamian waters by an expert! 

Though you could pay $40 for the snorkel gear, it's easy to find equipment on Amazon for less. Plus, you can use it throughout your cruise. 

So, for instance, if you're in CocoCay one day and Nassau the next, you can easily take a cab to a local beach and snorkel without needing to rent more gear or purchase an excursion. You can even store it in your garage for your next tropical getaway. 

ZEEPORTE had an affordable equipment set for just $38.99 that includes a snorkel mask, fins, silicon breathing tube with a dry snorkel top, and a mesh carry bag, making it easy to get your gear from your cruise ship cabin to the beach. 

It also comes in various colors, including lavender, dark blue, grey, red, and yellow. 

Please note that we have linked an Amazon item above, which contains an affiliate link. The affiliate link does not cost you anything extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Wake up early

"We were in line to be the first ones off the ship. I would HIGHLY recommend [it]!" stated greenbananas1200, "There are some mixed reviews on the snorkelling at cococay so I was expecting to only see some tan-coloured fish."

However, because they started their day bright and early, they experienced snorkeling at its best. 

greenbananas1200 continues, "Instead we saw many interesting fish (including one with a long spike on its nose), a small stingray, a large ~5ft spotted eagle ray, a ~3ft fish/shark-looking thing. We saw way more in...cococay than the 2-stop snorkel excursion in Nassau that we paid $90 USD pp for."

CocoCay offers plenty of other activities to enjoy the island's beauty even if you aren't snorkeling, and getting off the ship early is one of the best ways to maximize your time ashore. 

For example, by mid-afternoon, many complimentary chairs and loungers on the beach will have been taken, and the island can feel a bit more crowded. By arriving early, you can snag your ideal spot and relax in peace. 

Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently

Claim a locker

While the ship is never far, you want to take certain essentials ashore, including medication, sunscreen, and flip-flops. However, you may not want to lug everything around all day. Enter CocoCay's complimentary lockers. 

"When you get on cococay, claim a locker," advises greenbananas1200, "They are free but first-come-first-served so get one first that you can use throughout the day to store your gear." 

The lockers are scattered throughout the island and won't cost you anything. To use a locker, you will set a pin that will allow you to open and close it as many times as you need throughout the day. They do fill up early, so don't wait to claim one! 

Snorkel at Chill Island

Perfect Day at CocoCay offers a variety of beaches, including the adults-only Hideaway Beach and the family-friendly South Beach. 

If you're unsure which one to choose, greenbananas1200 suggests heading to Chill Island: "We saw the cool larger animals under the floating platforms/rafts (there are 3-4 of them), so I would recommend looking near those. But be careful, it was actually really scary!"

Chill Island is easy to find. After disembarking the ship and walking onto the island, head straight until you see Captain Jack's. Then, take a left and continue over the bridge. 

Not only is Chill Island great for snorkeling but it's also conveniently located near the Chill Grill, so you won't have to venture far for lunch. It's also where you will find the CocoCay Island Market, perfect for stocking up on last-minute souvenirs. 

Believe it or not, National Margarita Day is a thing and it might be how you get a good price on a Royal Caribbean drink package.

One of the most popular add-on costs for a cruise vacation is a Royal Caribbean drink package because of how convenient it is to have unlimited drinks without concern of running up a high bar bill.

While Royal Caribbean runs sales throughout the year for major holidays like Black Friday, July 4th, and New Years, it also offers discounts for what might seem like silly holidays, including National Margarita Day. Seriously.

The actual "holiday" is on February 22, but Royal Caribbean has added discounts in on Friday, and off the bat cruise fans noticed significant discounts.

Whereas the onboard price for the Deluxe Beverage Package costs typically around $115 per person, per day, some people are seeing discounts as low as $59.99 per person, per day.

"I’m seeing 59.99 for nine night liberty in September," posted Leroyr55 on the Royal Caribbean message boards.

In doing spot checks for some my upcoming cruises, I saw prices ran between $62.99 - $68.99, depending on the ship and sail date.

Royal Caribbean's drink packages use variable pricing, which means the price you pay will vary from ship to ship and sailing to sailing.

The sale applies to purchases made February 21, 2025 - February 24, 2025 and applies to select sailings departing February 25, 2025 - December 31, 2025. 

You can check drink package prices by going into the Royal Caribbean app or logging onto the Royal Caribbean website and heading to the Cruise Planner section.

Located under Beverage Packages, you'll see the options and prices available.

While the Deluxe Beverage Package is quite popular, you can find discounts on other drink packages too.

In my spot checks, the average discount for the Royal Refreshment Package is 20% off, while the Classic Soda Package is running at 30% off.

Given National Margarita Day celebrates an alcoholic beverage, it makes sense why the Deluxe Beverage Package is enjoying the best discount.

The catch: the best discounts are for loyal guests

While there are indeed steep discounts offered, the lowest prices are being offered to top tier members of the Crown and Anchor Society.

Discounts of 40% off are available for guests that are at least Diamond level, which requires 80 points in Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program.

If that's you, then you can expect to save quite a lot on a drink package purchase.

Those that haven't reached Diamond level are still seeing discounts, just not as steep.

JasonOasis posted, "The [Deluxe Beverage Package] for our 4 nighter dropped from $79 per day to $68 per day."

"The 4 nighter was always priced between $79 - $93 per day and I was checking it every week the price never dropped below $79."

dovecruiser says they don't have any status with Royal Caribbean, but are seeing prices "reduced from $100 to $75" for their sailing.

How much you have to drink to break even

If you bought the Deluxe Beverage Package at $65.99 per person, per day, you might want to know about how much you have to drink to make it worth it.

The Deluxe Beverage Package includes a lot of different beverages, such as beer, wine by the glass, liquors, premium coffees, juices, and sodas.  There are so many possible combinations of drinks you could order during your sailing.

Thanks to message board user Grenadyr, there's a drink calculator that makes the "drink math" a lot simpler to figure out.

If you had 3 cocktails, 1 premium coffee, 1 beer, and 1 bottled water per day, you'd pretty much break even.

That's fairly easy to accomplish on a sea day, but port days make it more difficult because you're usually off the ship on a shore excursion. That reduces the amount of hours to take advantage of your drink package benefit.

No matter what discount you see, it's cheaper than booking on the ship

Whether you're a Pinnacle Club member like me, or a Gold status member like my friend Michael Poole, you should buy the drink package before your cruise begins to save money.

Royal Caribbean offers the best price when you pre-purchase, and yet, a lot of people make the mistake of waiting to book it on their ship.

Even if you're on the fence about whether you want it or not, you can always cancel it later.  All pre-cruise purchases are fully refundable if you cancel before the cruise begins.

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

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

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

A weekend cruise is short and seems to ends just as it starts, but they're exactly what many people that have never cruised before tend to book.

According to Royal Caribbean Group executives, the market for people that have never gone on a cruise before has been growing at a rate of 16% year over year.

The company told investors recently that short cruises are an important entry point for new-to-cruise customers, and Utopia of the Seas has been the vector for attracting even more of those customers.

"Caribbean bookings have been strong with Icon and Utopia continuing to perform well above expectations," said Naftali Holtz, Chief Financial Officer for Royal Caribbean Group.

With such focus on a short cruise, I went back on Utopia of the Seas to try it out again.

I took my wife and daughters on a weekend sailing that departed on Friday and returned on Monday, booking connecting balcony rooms.

Here's what you should consider before you decide on a short cruise.

The best thing about a short cruise is you can squeeze it in almost anytime

The saying "better than being at home" holds true for the reasons to book a weekend cruise.

The best thing about a cruise that begins on a Friday and ends on a Monday is the convenience factor.

With the weekend taking up most of the itinerary, you can minimize the amount of days off from school or work you need to take.

In my case, I can have the kids skip work on a Friday, but still make it in for school on Monday morning. For most other people, a weekend cruise means less days out of the office than a week-long one.

There's a good chance the fare for a 3-night cruise will cost less than a 7-night cruise, and that's attractive to most people.

Anyone on a tight budget may gravitate towards a short sailing in order to save money. Granted, the cost per night may be more on a short cruise, but it's still relatively inexpensive.

Plus, that low price tag makes it easier to bring friends and family.  It seems there's always a wedding, quinceanera, or bachelorette party on a weekend sailing.

Also, Royal Caribbean isn't wrong that a short sailing is a great introduction to cruising.

New cruisers are usually tepid about committing to a week on a ship because they're unsure if they'll like this vacation, worried they'll get seasick, or think they'll be bored.

A quick few days is easier to manage, and it's attractive because you get to give a cruise a try without a lot of risk.

To that point, the cruise line is also stacking short cruises with visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas so first-timers have no sea days.

Short cruises are quick and not as cheap as you think

There are a few realities of a short cruise worth considering before you pick it out.

By definition, the nature of this sailing is that it's only a few nights and it will feel like it's over before you know it.

With just a few days onboard combined with a port visit every day, it leaves little time to "see it all" on the ship, and this is compounded by the fact Royal Caribbean has giant Oasis Class ships sailing these short cruises.

Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have more things to do see, eat, and do onboard than you can in a week, let alone a weekend.

I'm lucky enough to have sailed on Utopia a half dozen times, but I hear all the time from people they didn't get to see everything because of how limited their time was aboard.

I feel it takes a day or two to get fully into "cruise mode" where you settle into life on a cruise ship, and that basically means the cruise is over before you know it.

Another issue is the cost. While the overall cruise fare is probably going to be cheaper than a longer one, the per-night cost tends to be much more.

It cost me $1,723.54 for two people in an oceanview balcony cabin. That means I paid $3447.08 for two connecting rooms for my family. That cost is on par with a weeklong cruise on other ships.

As an example, a 3-night Utopia of the Seas in a balcony cabin over July 4th weekend, costs $841.23 per person. But a 7-night cruise on Harmony of the Seas over the same week costs $1659.96 per person.

The per night cost, is actually cheaper on Harmony.  And that difference grows dramatically if you opt for a smaller and older ship doing a 7-night sailing.

Speaking of costs, you've got to factor the cost of flights and transportation into your vacation budget, and those flights might be more expensive than your three nighter.

Ideally, a weekend cruise is best for those that can drive to the port easily.  But if you're going to fly down for it, you'll need to incur the cost of airfare, hotel, rental car, food, and more.  Definitely don't even think about flying down the same day the cruise begins.

One more potential issue with a weekend cruise is you're only ever going to The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean would tout this fact as a plus, given how popular it's private island is among everyone.  While this is true, there's simply no alternatives if you want to mix it up if you're taking a weekend cruise from Florida.

To be fair, there are 3-night cruises that sail from Los Angeles, and four-night cruises from Tampa, or Galveston, and those do offer sailings to Mexico instead. 

A short cruise is worth it, but longer cruises are better

I had a great time on Utopia of the Seas for the weekend, but it greatly helps that I live so close to make it very convenient.

My recommendation for a new cruiser is to go with a 7-night voyage instead so there's a mix of sea days and port days, and you get more variation in where you sail to. Plus, nearly all of Royal Caribbean's cruises around the Caribbean visit Perfect Day at CocoCay too.

However, I know how attractive it is to hop on a cruise ship for the weekend and getaway from it all.  If the numbers from the cruise line are any indication, more and more people are doing just this.

The biggest downside to a short cruise is how quickly it comes to an end, leaving you little time to try to squeeze everything in.

It's refreshing that Royal Caribbean puts some of its biggest and newest cruise ships on 3- and 4-night cruises, but it's a struggle to do everything you wanted to.

Pros and Cons of a short weekend cruise

✅ Low risk option
✅ Cheaper than a week
✅ Less days off work/school

❌ Cruise is over before you know it
❌ Expensive if you add airfare & hotel
❌ No itinerary variation

Nonetheless, it's great to get away for a few days and be on a cruise ship than not.  And for first timers, there's a good chance they experience it, love it, and come back again for more.

If you're going to take a 3-night cruise, plan your time accordingly so you can maximize every minute.

A member of the Trump administration made a bold warning to foreign flagged vessels, including cruise ships, regarding avoiding paying taxes.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick appeared on Fox News on Wednesday talking about how U.S. President Donald Trump wants to abolish the Internal Revenue Service. He then went on a tirade about how cruise ships, super-tankers, and foreign produced alcohol don't pay taxes.

"None of em pay taxes...this is going to end and those taxes are going to be paid," Secretary Lutnick said.

He then pointed out how large ocean going vessels are all flagged in different countries, such as Panama or Liberia, in an effort to avoid federal income tax.

$CCL $RCL | Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said President Trump’s goal is simple—abolish the IRS and “let all the outsiders pay.” He even pointed to cruise lines not paying taxes as an example.pic.twitter.com/2sXbMucD2p

— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) February 20, 2025

The statement instantly sent cruise line stock prices down, with Royal Caribbean Group's stock down about 9% for the day on the Nasdaq exchange.

While no one disputes the fact the ships are foreign flagged, Secretary Lutnick is missing the bigger picture surrounding taxes and what cruise lines pay.

Cruise lines do a pay lots of taxes

Federal income tax is one tax, but there are many others that cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, pay in large amount.

The major cruise lines have their headquarters in the United States.  Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line all have offices in Florida, where they employ thousands of Americans in their offices and across the country. They pay payroll taxes as well as a variety of fees.

Those fees include port fees, with just over 30 million passengers sailing through U.S. ports in a given year. As an example, Alaska alone adds $250-300 per person to a sailing in port fees.

According to Cruise Lines International Association, cruise lines pay nearly $2.5 billion in taxes.

Plus, CLIA points out the halo effect the cruise industry has, which amounted to $65 billion in meaningful economic contributions to the US economy in 2023.

U.S. laws make it impossible to build a cruise ship with a U.S. flag on it

"You ever see a cruise ship with an American flag on the back?" Lutnick said. 

Modern cruise ships simply aren't built in America, because the law has made it nearly impossible.

In 1886, U.S. President Grover Cleveland signed the Passenger Vessel Services Act into law to protect American jobs. Among the regulations this law added, for a ship to qualify to be flagged by the United States, it must be made at a U.S. shipbuilding facility, owned by an American company and staffed by an American crew. All the officers must be U.S. citizens and 70% of the crew must be at least resident aliens (Green card holders).

With that one exception, for the last 50 years, American shipbuilders have not riveted together a single cruise ship that fulfills the requirements set forth in 1886.

The only U.S flagged ships operating within the United States are river and coastal cruise lines that are quite small and extremely expensive. And Norwegian Cruise Line has Pride of America, which operates in Hawaii.

Following World War 2, the United States added strong protectionist legislation meant to preserve the maritime industry, but it actually had the reverse effect. Many shipyards domestically closed, and the few left are only focused on military work that rely on government paid contracts to ensure there is a profit.

You'll find most cruise ships built in shipyards in Europe or Asia.  In fact, all of Royal Caribbean's ships have been built in one shipyard or another in Europe over the years.

According to Commander Don Goldstein, Retired United States Coast Guard, American shipyards are not equipped with the experience building modern cruise ships, nor do they have the capacity or supply chain to assemble cruise ships. 

Even if you wanted to convert a Royal Caribbean ship to a U.S. flagged one, it's impossible once again to U.S. law.

Coast Guard regulations provide that a U.S.-built vessel must be assembled entirely in the United States and all “major components of the hull and superstructure” must be fabricated in the United States.

The Coast Guard's policy through a number of precedents, has determined that a "component" must exceed 1.5 percent of the vessel’s steelweight to be considered "major."

Could additional port fees be the answer?

The comments about the cruise industry prompted speculation about what would realistically happen, if anything.

Vince Ciepiel with Cleveland Research thinks the most plausible "tax" would be to raise port fees for U.S. ports, similar to what Greece and Mexico have alluded to.

"Taking a quick look at port passengers, the U.S. sees just over 30M in passengers travel through U.S. ports (the two largest being Miami over 7M and Port Canaveral near 7M). If the U.S. government were to impose an additional ~$30 fee (not anchored to this guess, we welcome any feedback here) on passengers, that would raise about $1B in tax revenue," he explained.

He believes if that scenario did materialize, the added taxes would be passed along to consumers, "An incremental $1B in price hikes on what is like $40B of ocean cruise industry revenue touching U.S. shores would be equivalent to a 2.5% price hike, which again does not seem that material/could probably easily be passed on to the consumer."

Two furry stowaways made a remarkable journey aboard Allure of the Seas during its recent repositioning voyage, causing quite the stir among passengers.

Guests currently sailing on Allure of the Seas reported that a pair of burrowing owls made themselves at home in the ship’s Central Park neighborhood. The open-aired space became an unlikely sanctuary for the two stowaway owls during the Oasis class ship’s transatlantic voyage from Florida to Spain.

Allure of the Seas is currently sailing a 12-night itinerary from Miami, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. The ship departed from Florida on February 10, 2025 for the ocean crossing. It is assumed the owls made their way onto the ship at this time, likely while the ship was docked in Florida.

After departing from Miami, Allure of the Seas spent ten days crossing the Atlantic with the owls in tow. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Cartagena, Spain on February 20, 2025 for its first port of call. The sailing will conclude in Barcelona, Spain a couple days later on on February 22, 2025. 

Following the transatlantic voyage, Allure of the Seas will begin her extensive renovation over the next two months. The vessel will undergo a $100 million amplification before resuming sailings for the summer in Europe. The ship will be in Spain throughout the spring and is scheduled to depart on her next itinerary on April 11, 2025. 

Guests shared the stowaways on social media

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

Multiple posts online have chronicled the adventures of the two owls on Allure of the Seas, much to the delight of online followers. Many guests shared photos and stories of the burrowing owls on the ship, including updates on the situation for the owl’s safe handling.

One user on Reddit shared, “My parents are currently cruising on Allure [of the Seas] on the transoceanic voyage. Two burrowing owls have stowed away on the cruise to Spain and have caused quite a ruckus.” 

The poster shared, “Unfortunately, the owls have drawn so much attention that they now need to be caught and won't be allowed into Spain until [they're] quarantined and then... Deported?”

According to the user, the two owls made themselves at home in Central Park among the many real-life trees in the neighborhood. However, the owls were apparently exploring other spaces onboard the ship too.

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

“One of the owls has also explored the Solarium and miniature golf course. It's been exciting!” explained the user. 

Another cruiser shared on Reddit about the burrowing owls, “[These fellas] got quite the fanbase on Allure [of the Seas] at the moment. Folks taking pictures while staying at as much of a distance as one can in Central Park. It definitely doesn’t seem to mind the masses of people around.”

The user shared additional updates regarding the owls’ journey across the Atlantic

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

Many online commenters were invested in the owl stowaways and enjoyed the updates from those aboard. The two threads on Reddit received nearly 100 comments and 1,000 upvotes! In one of the threads, the Redditor continuously shared updates on the burrowing owls’ adventures.

“As of midday today, the famed owl of Central Park has been captured and is being fed steak and water. The exact plan is to be determined at the discretion of Spain. Burrowing owls are endangered, which will likely guide his safe future,” they shared.

“This photo was just provided by the hotel director at the coffee chat just now, with the request to forward this message,” reads the image on Reddit.

(Photo shared on Reddit, showing owl in temporary cage on Allure of the Seas)

Indeed, burrowing owls are considered an endangered and threatened species in North America. According to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, burrowing owls are considered endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico. The owls are classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as birds of conservation concern at a national level. In the state of Florida specifically, burrowing owls are considered a threatened species.

Cruiser says wildlife specialists helped determine what to do with the stowaways

(Owl seen onboard Symphony of the Seas in March 2023. Shared on Reddit)

In the most recent update regarding the owls, the user shared that Royal Caribbean reportedly consulted with an owl specialist about carefully and safely handling the owls.

The Redditor shared the following update from a guest onboard Allure of the Seas. "After consultations with an owl specialist, a game plan has been crafted. The 2 owls have been collected. As of this afternoon, one of the 2 captured ones escaped and flew back to [Central Park] and is still evading staff.”

The other captured owl was placed in temporary cages/boxes for its safety. “It was stressful for them and less safe to be in Central Park as much as we enjoyed looking at them. They are now being fed and watered and cared for according to the animal experts’ guidelines,” shared the passenger.

(Photo shared on Reddit from Oasis of the Seas in February 2022)

In addition, the burrowing owls will apparently be offloaded in Spain to be handled by local authorities. Because burrowing owls are not native to Europe, the birds would not be safely relocated in this region of the world.

The passenger shared, “[The owls] will be offloaded in Cartagena where management and the local authorities will process the paperwork. They will then be flown back to Miami where they can safely be released in their native habitat. Owls well that ends well.”

In a recent update on Reddit, another passenger on the ship reported one of the owls is still lingering in Central Park and continues to evade the crew members trying to safely capture the owl.

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

“Your update of this moment is that a crew member with a net is standing very patiently in Central Park hoping the park owl will come into reach. The owl, currently located about 10 feet from my balcony, is not having it.”

This isn’t the first time that owls have found solace in Central Park on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships

(Crew members working to capture owl on Symphony of the Seas in March 2023, shared on Facebook by Florida Fish and Wildlife)

Surprisingly, this wasn’t the first time an owl has made its way onto an Oasis-class ship to cruise. Several passengers shared similar encounters online, suggesting that Allure of the Seas isn’t the only vessel to have hosted a feathered stowaway.

Because Central Park is an open-aired neighborhood on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships, the foliage naturally attracts wildlife. While a cruise ship may seem like an unusual home for an owl, the burrowing owl species typically prefers open, sparsely vegetated areas - a stark contrast to the middle of the ocean!

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “Burrowing owls are small, unusual owls that nest in underground burrows instead of trees. They live in wide-open, sparsely vegetated areas like prairies, deserts, grasslands and agricultural fields.”

(Owly pictured on Oasis of the Seas. Shared on Reddit)

Despite their preference for dry land, these owls have occasionally taken a liking to Royal Caribbean’s ships. One user shared, “We had an owl stowaway on our Oasis cruise back in 2022. Here he is hanging out on a light in Central Park. The crew apparently looked after him. They called him Owly and made sure he had food.”

“He was just traveling the Caribbean so never really attracted that level of attention, but had apparently been on the ship for some time by our cruise. Looks like he could be the same breed at that. Wonder if something about Central Park attracts them?” continued the commenter.

(Owl safely captured by biologist on Symphony of the Seas, shared on Facebook by Florida Fish and Wildlife)

Several other cruisers shared their owl encounters aboard Symphony of the Seas, including sightings from sailings in September 2021 and January 2023. One passenger recalled, “We had an owl on Symphony too! I’m sure it’s a great life for the owls. He did throw up on a lady as she walked underneath him, which led to a lot of shrieking, but it was still cool to see him.”

In March 2023, Royal Caribbean sought assistance from local wildlife authorities to safely remove an owl that had taken up residence in Symphony of the Seas’ Central Park. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Royal Caribbean brought a biologist onboard in Florida on disembarkation day to safely capture the owl with the help of crew members.

(Owl in Central Park on Symphony of the Seas, shared on Facebook by Florida Fish and Wildlife)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife posted on Facebook, "With some of the crew’s help, [the biologist] placed mist nets around the owl’s perch of choice, the exit signs by the door. Two unsuccessful attempts later, the owl was now sitting on the balcony of a 10th story cabin."

"The crew stood below making noise to distract the owl as [our biologist] snuck up and safely netted the owl from the railing! After the amazing rescue, the cute little stowaway was safely assisted with the disembarkation process. He had nothing to claim in customs. Although seemingly in good health even after two weeks at sea, the bird was transported to South Florida Wildlife Center as a precautionary measure," continued the post. 

I really like the food you can find around Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, and there's a clever hack I've begun to embrace.

There are a few different spots around Perfect Day at CocoCay where you can get lunch or just a snack, and it goes well beyond just burgers and hot dogs.

As part of the major makeover the island got when Royal Caribbean poured $250 million into it, they also increased their food game substantially.

Almost immediately, guests started coming up with fun ways to make the food even better, including at the ice cream station.

Once I saw a few people doing this hack, I had to try it out myself.

The Ice Cream Sandwich Hack: How to DIY

At either Skipper's Grill or Chill Grill, there's a soft service ice cream machine. Crew members will serve you as much of it as you like.

There's no cost to the ice cream or anything else in this hack, so let the kids go at it!

It's similar to what you'll find on your cruise ship near the pool, and most people get their ice cream in a cone by default.

However, the hack here is to stop by the dessert station first.

Grab two chocolate chip cookies and then go to the ice cream station and ask them to dispense the ice cream directly onto the cookie.

Put the second cookie on top, and you have your own ice cream sandwich!

It tastes as good as it looks, and I like that the ice cream helps soften up the cookie a bit.

This is a fun and customizable treat, and it's the perfect way to cool down in the Bahamian heat.

Admittedly, it gets messy quickly, especially because the crew member wasn't holding back with the amount of ice cream she served.

While it may not top a Cookiewich (because it's not totally frozen to begin with), it's the next best thing.

You can also re-create this hack back on the cruise ship in the Main Dining Room.

The kids menu has ice cream and chocolate chip cookies as dessert options each night that can be ordered.

A variation on this is to get the ice cream dispensed onto a plate, and then use the cookies to either scoop it up or spoon smaller amounts of ice cream onto the cookie to keep it manageable.

Another idea is to forgo the cookie all together and grab a water cup and have the ice cream poured directly into the cup.  No cone or mess, and you can travel more easily with it.

More sweet treats available at CocoCay

If ice cream isn't your thing, you'll find other fun desserts around CocoCay.

As previously mentioned, there are a few different restaurants included in your cruise fare around the island.

Both Chill Grill Skipper’s Grill have cookies, brownies, and fruit too.  

A real hidden gem among the desserts is at the Snack Shack.

While there's no ice cream at the Snack Shack, they do have funnel cake and it smells as good as it tastes.

Funnel cake is served hot, and it's an ooey gooey mess but so good.

If you happen to buy admission to the Coco Beach Club, I think their rum cake is heavenly.

You'll definitely smell the rum before you taste it, but it's about the best rum cake I've had.

There's also gelato and couple of cakes to sample here too.

More ice cream cruise hacks

This got me thinking about other ways to make the complimentary soft serve work better.

Most ships have an ice cream machine on the pool deck, usually just outside the Windjammer buffet.

If you have a beverage package, bring your Coca-Cola Freestyle cup that comes with your drink package purchase to the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, or anywhere else they serve ice cream.

Order a scoop of vanilla ice cream to put into your cup to create an ice cream float. This works great with Fanta Orange or Coca-Cola.

Another cruiser told me they like to take a scoop of ice cream and add it to their coffee from the Windjammer.

If you want to spice it up, try to make your own version of Affogato, which is an Italian dessert coffee.

You'll need to combine espresso, ice cream, and a shot of liqueur. If you have a drink package, this should be something you can order in the Windjammer and then grab the ice cream too.