Royal Caribbean Blog

Happy December! We cannot believe that we are already one full week into the month – there is so much going on with holiday preparation and shopping and baking!

The second Icon Class cruise ship is coming to Port Canaveral.

Royal Caribbean announced Star of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral when the new ship launches in 2025.

The sister ship to Icon of the Seas, Star's first batch of sailings will go on sale on December 6, 2023.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean Group CEO talks how cruise ships will handle anti-tourism
• I visited Royal Caribbean's next Perfect Day private destination
• 7 things new and different to love about Celebrity Ascent
• I took my first Celebrity Cruise on a new ship. We had a great time, but I missed Royal Caribbean's entertainment
• Is the front or back of cruise ship better?
• How long does it take to board a cruise ship?

Video: I took my first Celebrity Cruise and it was not what I expected!

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After spending decades taking more than 70 Royal Caribbean cruises and reaching Pinnacle status, Matt felt ready to try a cruise on the sister brand, Celebrity Cruises.

Over Thanksgiving, he chose a cruise on the new Celebrity Apex, and was surprised by his experience!

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise!

Check out the link to view our latest video: I took my first Celebrity Cruise and it was not what I expected!

Royal Caribbean takes ownership of the world’s biggest cruise ship

After seven years of preparation, the world’s largest cruise ship is ready to make its debut.

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas was delivered at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, signifying its transfer of ownership.

Icon of the Seas boasts the capacity for 7,600 guests and 2,350 crew members. She is 1,198 feet long and 20 decks tall. 

First time cruise tips for Royal Caribbean

Are you preparing to take your first Royal Caribbean cruise? Or are you even anticipating your first cruise ever? Every cruise line is different, so it’s important to do your research, get prepared, and know what to expect!

We have some new and updated tips to make your first experience a great one.

From proper documentation to prohibited items, here are our top first-time tips for Royal Caribbean cruises. 

5 things I hope Royal Caribbean steals from Celebrity Ascent (and one they shouldn't)

After sailing a combined number of nine nights on Celebrity Cruise ships, Matt now has identified some great features from the Celebrity Ascent that Royal Caribbean should consider adopting.

This new, Edge Class ship was just launched in 2023, and boasts 16 decks, all packed with top-class amenities and entertainment.

However, there is one aspect Royal Caribbean should stay away from: the All Included program. Read about Matt’s experience and inspired ideas for Royal Caribbean and more in his article. 

I stayed in the cheapest, smallest cabin on Enchantment of the Seas for $210 per night

Calista spent only $210 per night to stay in the smallest, cheapest room on Enchantment of the Seas.

She used the guarantee cabin process to receive the cheapest cabin, and was assigned a small, windowless inside stateroom spanning just 142 square feet.

Despite the wear and tear on this older ship, this cabin was no smaller than any of the other cheap, guarantee staterooms she has stayed in on other, newer Royal Caribbean ships. Take a look inside this Vision Class, 1996 cruise cabin. 

Paradise Beach all-inclusive beach pass review

Going to an all-inclusive beach resort is the perfect way to take advantage of a stop in Cozumel, Mexico. In this article, we outline what you can expect from a visit to Paradise Beach.

The resort has three major areas: the pool, the beach, and various amenities, such as restrooms and bars. Including attentive service and great food and drinks, you can pay one price for access to all of these amenities.

The variety of activities and reasonable price make Paradise Beach a great option for couples, families, and groups looking for a fun day with quality service. 

Travel has its challenges, and a rising anti-tourism sentiment is one of them that is affecting cruise ships just as much as land tourists.

As more people than ever are choosing to travel around the world, some popular destinations are pushing back on encouraging more tourists.

Whether it's limiting the amount of cruise ships that can visit in a day, or banning ships from city centers, anti-tourism is one of the top concerns for Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty.

While speaking aboard Celebrity Ascent, Mr. Liberty was asked what he thought was the biggest threat to the cruise industry.

"There are parts of the world that the volume of passengers going to those locations create a local sentiment of anti tourism movement," is what he responded with first.

He was also quick to point out that it's not necessarily cruise ships that evoke that reaction.  He mentioned Airbnb as an example of something else causing elevated tourist numbers.

European cities such as Amsterdam, Barcelona and Venice have recently moved to get rid of cruise ships from their city centers.

Venice banned cruise ships in 2021 and has went as far as to introduce an entrance fee of €3 to €10 to access the city and its islands to reduce the number of visitors.

In Amsterdam, they voted to ban cruise ships from coming into the city after instituting a "discouragement campaign," that did things such as ban outdoor marijuana smoking in the red-light district and put posters around the city that told young British men to "stay away."

Regarding cruise ships, Amsterdam officials argued cruise ships in the city, "do not fit in with the task of combating mass tourism and are not in line with the sustainable ambitions of the city."

A prediction by the World Tourism Organization is by the end of this decade, the flow of international tourists will exceed two billion.

To address it, Mr. Liberty sees a changing gameplan, "we need to be sensitive to make sure that we continue to diversify our destinations. We need to continue to build incredible concepts like the Perfect Days and beach clubs, et cetera across our brands."

He also said the company needs to keep its ear to the ground, "make sure that we're really good listeners in our community, and we build up our communities that support us."

Reducing their carbon footprint

The other threat that Mr. Liberty sees is an environmental one.

"The second thing, which I think is just we all, you know, we're all trying to figure it out, which is how do we decarbonize or how do we get to a net zero emissions basis," he went on to say in his response to the initial question.

Companies around the world are looking for solutions to getting to carbon neutral, and Royal Caribbean Group is no stranger to this task, "we spend hours around the clock trying to figure out how do we solution that. And so we need to make sure that we're set on a path to prepare ourselves to take on alternative fuels as they become available."

The company already has a plan in place to be carbon neutral by 2050, known as "Destination Net Zero".

Announced in 2021, it has two primary goals: get to net zero emissions by 2050 and take delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.

To achieve this, there isn't one thing to do, but a series of steps. As an example, the company has experimented with using biofuels on some of its ships.

Royal Caribbean Group said it plans to continue to use alternative lower carbon fuel as part of its overall plan.

In addition to biofuels, Royal Caribbean Group is building ships that can leverage liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to reduce emissions.

Incredible tailwinds

While those issues that Mr. Liberty brought up are challenges, he sees a very positive outlook for cruising.

He sees a lot of demand for a cruise vacation, "the tailwinds for cruise on the demographic standpoint, secular trend standpoint, population standpoint is really exceptional compared to other forms of travel and other and other forms of where people spend their consumer discretionary dollars."

"The propensity to cruise is at all time highs," he explained.

"As the younger generations come in, as people started having more and more families and multigenerational families, as people have more time, whether that's through retirement, more discretionary funds, and most of all, as we kind of came through Covid, we all really appreciated what we have."

Boarding a cruise ship has become very easy, and while it might have similarities with an airplane, it's not as complicated.

The first day of a cruise is busy with important things to do during the embarkation process, along with a lot of excitement, anticipation, and plenty of exploring along the way.

Those new to cruising might be concerned about how long it will all take, and what to expect when you're welcomed aboard.

This will serve as a guide for what to expect so you know the important steps along the way.

The basics of checking-in

There three basic components to the cruise check-in process: pre-cruise, checking-in, and boarding.

Prior to the cruise beginning, you can complete the online check-in from the Royal Caribbean app.

Download the app and sign into your Royal Caribbean account. If you don't have one, you can create it very easily and then link your reservation to your account.

At 45 days before sailing, you can check-in.  It's a really good idea to do the online check-in because it will save you a lot of time later at the cruise terminal. If you do all the steps, you'll breeze through it later.  In my opinion, it's better to take time at home rather than when your vacation is beginning.

To do online check-in, you'll need your travel documents, a credit card, and be able to take a selfie photo.

If you skip any of the steps, you're just going to have to do it later anyway.

Equally important is to select a check-in time.

Royal Caribbean requires guests to have a check-in time as the window to arrive at the cruise terminal. The earliest times will go fast, so try to get a time as soon as check-in opens 45 days before your cruise sail date.

There's one more step of the check-in process, the health questionnaire, but you cannot complete it until 24 hours before the cruise.  So make a reminder to do that the night before the cruise.

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process

When to arrive

If you're wondering what time to arrive to the cruise terminal, refer to the time window you picked at the check-in process.

This is the time you can check-in, not the time you'll board.  

When you arrive, the port agents may ask you what check-in time you have.  If you arrive too early, you may be directed to wait in an area until it's closer to your time.

The check-in time is an estimate, so don't sweat it if you're late. Royal Caribbean will still admit you, but do your best to pick a time that works for your schedule.

If you arrive on time for your window, it should just be a matter of parking your car and getting in line at the terminal.

What you need to bring to check-in

There's plenty you should bring on a cruise with you, but only a few items that are critical for the check-in process.

You can refer to our packing list for what you should pack overall, but you will need a few things in hand on embarkation day:

• Passport or other travel documentation
• Royal Caribbean app or a printed boarding pass
• Luggage tags printed and attached to your luggage
• A credit card

Be sure to keep these items with you in your carry-on bag, rather than the bags you provide to the porters to be delivered to the ship.

Checking-in

The second step now that it's embarkation day is to actually check-in for the cruise.

As you walk in, a port agent will verify you have what you need and a valid boarding pass.  This isn't when you actually check-in, but a step to ensure if you don't belong there not to waste any more time. It should be less than a minute to verify you're in the right place.

Passing through security is next and this is just like going through airport security.

You'll put your carry-on bags on the screening machine belt, and remove any metal from your pockets.  Don't worry, you can leave your shoes and belt on and it's okay bring liquids. Just make sure not to try to bring any prohibited items, or security will confiscate it.

Read more: What not to bring on a cruise

Going through security could be a few seconds or a few minutes, depending on how long the line is. Security lines rarely exceed a five minute wait.

At this point, you're ready to actually check-in.  Most terminals Royal Caribbean operates from have agents with tablets that will process you, rather than having to walk up to a counter.

The agent will scan your SetSail pass on your app (or paper if you printed it). If you did the pre-cruise check-in earlier, than this is a matter of verifying everything you entered is correct.

Otherwise, the agent will enter the information for you.

If you did everything pre-cruise, this step should take a minute. If you didn't, it could take 5-10 minutes depending on how many people are in your party.

Boarding the Ship

This final phase of boarding a cruise has the widest possible time because of how many factors are in play.

If the ship is ready to board passengers, you could be directed to immediately board. Sometimes they will still send you to be seated so that groups can go up and board as not to overwhelm the gangway.

If the ship has not been cleared to start boarding, then you'll be sent to sit and wait.

A ship might not be ready for boarding to begin for a number of reasons:

• All the passengers from the last sailing have not disembarked yet
• Local authorities have not cleared the ship
• A technical issue preventing boarding

Unfortunately, there's no to know precisely what time a ship will begin boarding. It could vary from sailing to sailing.

If you check-in for your cruise in the late morning or early afternoon, it's probable the ship will have already been boarding passengers prior to your arrival. But a later check-in time means less time onboard on the first day, and likely a more crowded cruise terminal.

Getting to the terminal too early and you might be trading waiting in your hotel for the terminal.

Once it's your turn to board, you'll have to verify your sailing credentials one more time and then you can proceed aboard.

Usually there's an optional photo opportunity to stop at, but you can bypass it if you wish.

The time to get on is very short, and involves walking through a gangway to get there.  Think of it like a longer airport jetway.

Total time could be 10 minutes or up to an hour.

How long will it take to board a cruise ship?

Depending on how much you do pre-cruise and how efficiently the process is running overall, you could go from curb to ship in as little as 10 minutes.  Or it might be closer to an hour.

If you arrive before the ship has started boarding, you can expect at least a half hour. If other travelers aren't prepared or the system is wonky, expect that time window to grow to as much as 45-60 minutes.

In practice, Royal Caribbean has a very efficient boarding process, and it's been our team's collective experience that 10-20 minutes is the norm once you arrive at the terminal.  The key is to complete all the steps in the app pre-cruise to expedite everything.

Royal Caribbean's newest terminals are efficient enough to be able to handle 2,000 passengers an hour at peak times. The cruise line has a goal of getting passengers, 10 minutes from car to bar".

This is largely done thanks to facial recognition software that processes passengers quicker by eliminating paperwork and additional screening time. 

They say imitation is highest form of flattery, so I really hope Celebrity Cruises ends up feeling very flattered in the near future.

I just sailed on a two-night preview sailing on the Celebrity Ascent.

This is the fourth Edge Class cruise ship, and it has a few notable tweaks and additions.  I enjoyed my time exploring Ascent, especially after just sailing on Celebrity Apex and being able to contrast both ships.

Having spent a combined 9 nights across two of Celebrity's best new cruise ships, I couldn't help but swoon over a few things these ships have that you can't find on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

In a combination of jealousy and inspiration, I came up with a list of things from these ships that I think Royal Caribbean should really consider using on their ships. Call it copying, taking inspiration from, or borrowing, I just think they would be a hit on Royal Caribbean.

Disclaimer: Celebrity Cruises invited me to sail on Celebrity Ascent for a quick two-night preview cruise that was open to travel agents and members of the press. I did not pay for this sailing.

Theater stage

Celebrity Ascent has a beautiful protruding stage with a stunning 4K screen behind it, and I think it's such a beautiful way to put on the impressive shows that Royal Caribbean is known for.

The stage comes out into the audience. It's not quite a theater in the round, but it brings the audience so much closer to the singers and dancers.

The screen behind it is my favorite part, because it's so dynamic and helps convey the story being told.

The problem with this type of stage is if you want to put on a traditional musical or play, but Royal Caribbean has not bought the rights to a musical for the last three new cruise ships.  So if they're moving away from that model, why not go for a stage that allows them more creative license?

Bluetooth in sports bar

I wasn't aware of this feature until Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge mentioned it in a townhall event onboard.

In the Craft Social bar, there are many television screens to watch a few different sporting events. It's the de facto sports bar on Celebrity Ascent, and it draws plenty of guests who want to watch their favorite team.

The problem with any sports bar is you can only have one audio feed playing at a time, which means if your team isn't in that game, you can't hear it.

With Ascent, Celebrity has added a new piece of tech to get around the problem.

"We can only have sound in the bar with one game happening, but that might not be the game you want to watch," Ms.Hodges Bethge explained.

"So on the other TVs, we can have the other games going on. And then if you have your own smartphone, your own headphones, you can hook it up to that TV. And so you can listen to the game that you want to listen to."

After hearing this, I immediately thought of Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade because that space is such a home run with guests, but has the same sound problem.

While it might not prevent Philly fans from chanting "Fly, Eagles Fly" after a touchdown, it would mean I could focus on the games I care about.

Late night eats at Oceanview Cafe

Sometimes I want more than pizza as a late night snack.

On Celebrity, they keep the Oceanview Cafe buffet open past the time when dinner service is over.  It has pizza, but it also has a few items to select from too.

You can find salads, pasta, cheeses, and some bread to peruse in addition to pizza.

It was so refreshing having something else to pick from at night, so I wish the Windjammer would adopt this model. Keep one or two stations open so guests have a bit more variety.

Non-smoking casino

Royal Caribbean has experimented with a non-smoking casino in the past, but I really would love for them to go the same route as Celebrity.

The casino Celebrity Ascent is 100% non-smoking, and it makes it so much more enjoyable in and outside of the casino.

Without the residual smell of smoke, I enjoyed my time in the casino much more (even if I pretty much lost any money I gambled in there).  Plus, no smoking in the casino means the smell doesn't creep to surrounding areas, as it inevitably does on Royal Caribbean ships.

The primary reason Royal Caribbean has not made the change is because of revenue concerns.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said in 2022, "Every, I would say every couple of years, we do test this and we take one or two or three ships we ban smoking in the casino. And the result is less people go in the casino and that that's the reality of it."

I don't have access to the numbers, but if Celebrity's bottom line can support a non-smoking casino, I'd love for Royal Caribbean to do the same.

Annex

Celebrity Ascent is the first ship to have a new venue where you can rent it out to watch the big game, sing karaoke, or play virtual sport games with just you and your friends.

The Annex is a private room that you get for two and a half hours at a time.  It's stocked with food and drink, and you have the choice of using it for any sort of activity:

• Golf, baseball, football, and soccer simulator
• Personal karaoke party
• Game day streaming
• Movie night

It's big enough to accommodate up to 15 people and costs $200 - $350 depending if you're in port or not and which activity you want.

Royal Caribbean has private karaoke rooms you can rent on a few of its ships in On Air Karaoke, but the dynamic nature of the Annex is a step above.

I think this will be a popular space on Ascent, and would be a hit on Royal Caribbean as well. I know I would love to use it with my family and friends!

Don't copy: All Included

It's not all roses and rainbows with things different between the two cruise lines, and I hope Royal Caribbean doesn't follow Celebrity's lead with their All Included program.

All Included bundles a base drink package and base WiFi package into the cruise fare. It used to include gratuities too, but Celebrity dropped it because, "it wasn't what they [customers] perceived as the highest value for them in actually selecting Celebrity."

Nonetheless, I was disappointed with the program because of the reality it created.

Because everyone on the ship had a drink package, it seemed the price of individual drinks went up so ensure only those with an extra cost Premium Package could get the higher shelf selections.  

The result was I found drink prices cost more on Celebrity than on Royal Caribbean.  An $11 Michelob Ultra price tag is a great example of this.

With the WiFi, you get a very limited and slow connection included.  That's fine if all you're going to do is text, but I think the reality is people end up wanting to do more. So the result is you're probably going to spend extra to get the higher tier internet package too.

I loved the concept of All Included, but it's implementation left me less impressed and I don't think it's a good fit for Royal Caribbean.

If your cruise ship is visiting Cozumel, Mexico than there's a good chance you're interested in visiting Paradise Beach.

For over a decade, Paradise Beach was one of my top spots to visit while in Cozumel because it offered a white sand beach and pool, at a good price. 

I think most people that are looking for a beach day in any port want somewhere that has good amenities, conveniently located, and is priced reasonably.

There are dozens of beach resorts you can visit in Cozumel, and each has their pros and cons.  It can be overwhelming to find the right one for your family.

When Paradise Beach approached me to partner with this site, I jumped at the chance to go back to a favorite spot and re-visit it to see how it stacks up today and what the all-inclusive access program is all about.

Paradise Beach is a private beach resort that you book on your own (it's not available through Royal Caribbean).

Disclaimer: Paradise Beach invited me to visit on their behalf and provided complimentary access to their beach.  I've been to Paradise Beach around 10 times or more on my own, and my opinions remain my own.

Admission types

Paradise Beach has two ways to enjoy your day there: a la carte or all-inclusive.

The all-inclusive is their most popular option where you pay one price for unlimited food, drink, and pool and beach access.  

The cost of a Paradise Beach all-inclusive pass are:

• Adults: $67 per person
• Teens (12-17): $47 per person
• Kids (5-11): $41 per person
• Infants (0-4): Free

Alternatively, there's an a la carte day pass that costs $10 per person with a minimum consumption of $10 US per person to use our facilities.

Prior to this visit, I had always done the a la carte option because of the flexibility it provided in that my kids rarely "break even" on any all-inclusive pass I've been to in the Caribbean.  Moreover, I like the idea of exploring Cozumel and then when it gets too hot, taking a taxi to Paradise Beach for a beach day to cool off in the afternoon.

However, the all-inclusive option makes it simple and it's clearly what a lot of cruisers are looking for in their visit to Cozumel. 

In addition to both fare types, there are extra add-ons you can purchase: beach bed cabanas, hair braiding, spa massages, and a $18 fun pass that includes all the water inflatables, trampolines, beach floats, and more.

Paradise Beach has offered a special rate just for Royal Caribbean Blog readers!

If you use the promo code RCBLOG, you can save 10% off new bookings made through May 31, 2024 on any trip through December 31, 2024.

What you can do in Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is comprised of three major areas.

When you check-in, you'll be guided to your chairs for the day.  You'll have the choice of whichever chairs are available on a first-come, first-claimed basis. You'll have two waiters assigned to you, who can take any food or drink orders you like.

You can go between the pool and beach as you like, but your assigned waiters are who can assist you.

As you walk in, you'll see the pool first.  The pool at Paradise Beach is massive, and it's also heated.  These are two things you won't find at other Cozumel beach resorts.

The size of the pool is a welcome perk, as there's more than enough space even on the busiest of days. 

There's shallow seating, deeper water, and in-water loungers.

Beyond the pool is the sprawling beach. Lots of sand, loungers, and sea water to enjoy.

Paradise Beach has a reputation for offering many amenities beyond just the beach, and I think the beach inflatables are the most well-known.

These inflatables are a challenge and thrill for guests of all ages, but I think kids tend to gravitate towards them the most.  

It costs $18 per person extra to access the inflatables. When I took my kids one on visit it's when I quickly realized I'm not as limber as I used to be.  Nonetheless, the kids loved climbing, jumping, splashing, and then doing it all over again.

You'll also find a couple of bars around the resort.  While there is not a swim-up bar, there's a bar near the pool, as well as bars with swings at the beach.

There's also bathrooms that the resort prides itself on being clean, as well as changing rooms, and lockers you can rent ($4 each).

Paradise Beach amenities

• Beach access
• Pool access
• Lounge chairs and umbrellas
• All you can eat and drink
• Free high-speed WiFi
• Restrooms
• Changing rooms

Food and drinks at Paradise Beach

I have a pet peeve about going to Mexico and not getting better Mexican food than I can get at home.  So I expect any beach resort in Mexico to have great good choices.

Paradise Beach has a large menu, which means you're going to find a wide selection of Mexican fare.

Tacos, burritos, fajitas, and quesadillas, there's plenty and it was all cooked freshly.

The guacamole was clearly made that day (and not out of a jar), along with salsa that had a good amount of spice to it.

We tried burritos, tacos, fajitas and more.  By far, I think their tacos are the best food item they have.  In fact, there's a taco truck between the pool and beach that cook up fantastic tacos you can order from your waiter or right from the truck.

Paradise Beach also prides itself on its top shelf liquor. You'll find name brand liquors, as well as Mexican beers and more. 

I've been to a number of beach pass resorts in Cozumel where well alcohol is served, and it can best be described as "gasoline" in terms of its smoothness.  No such problem at Paradise Beach!

Comments

I've tried a lot of beach resorts in Cozumel, but Paradise Beach remains at the top of my recommended list because of the variety of options and value offered.

First and foremost, I love their giant pool because of how nice it is and the fact it's heated.  Nearly every other beach resort in Cozumel has a small pool that can be downright frigid in the winter months. 

The pool at Paradise Beach is heated, and I can always find a spot to hang.  The staff will bring you drinks right to the pool's edge, and it's my favorite spot.  Admittedly, I prefer the pool over the beach.

The beach is large enough that you can find a spot for your family, and the sand is quite soft.

I've also recommended Paradise Beach because of their a la carte option, where you can drop in for just a few hours. It's also really nice if you're not a big drinker and can't "break even" on the all-inclusive price.

The downside to the a la carte option is you can't make a reservation, so you have to hope there's room for you.

If there's a downside to visiting here, it's that it's no secret that Paradise Beach exists and it can be busy.  Paradise Beach has a maximum capacity of around 800, and while it may not get close to that number on the day you visit, it certainly won't be a private retreat for your family.

Nonetheless, I think the variety of activities and reasonable price for its all-inclusive option make it a great choice for couples, families, and groups looking for a fun day with great service.

In fact, the waiter service is very good with some waiters having been working at Paradise Beach for many years. The owner has been there since the beginning, and it's clear they want their customers to return over and over again.

Ultimately, I like the variety of ways to spend your day at a reasonable price. Their food quality and drink menu stand out, and the beach's close proximity to where Royal Caribbean's cruise ships dock is convenient.

How does Paradise Beach compare to other popular Cozumel beach passes

Inevitably, everyone wants to know how Paradise Beach compares to the beach days you can find elsewhere on Cozumel.

It's a subjective question, but having been to the top ones, here's how I would rank each versus Paradise Beach.

Nachi Cocom

Nachi Cocom has a far lower limited capacity, which is it's best feature.

However, Nachi's pool is tiny and cold, and their liquor selection limited compared to Paradise.

There's also no floats or other kid-friendly amenities in the ocean that may leave families with less to do.

Mr. Sanchos

Mr. Sanchos has ocean floats and multiple pools with swim-up bars.

On my last visit, their WiFi did not work at all, and I found their food to be subpar. 

How to get to Paradise Beach

It is a short drive from where Royal Caribbean cruise ships dock in Cozumel, perhaps 10 minutes by taxi.

When you exit the Cozumel port, look for the taxi stand and ask to go to Paradise Beach. 

There will be plenty of taxis waiting at Paradise Beach to take you back, and the staff are happy to call you a taxi should there not be on that meets your needs.

Royal Caribbean's second Icon Class cruise ship will call Port Canaveral home.

Star of the Seas will begin sailing in 2025 and offer cruises from the popular Central Florida port, located just an hour from Orlando.

The new bookings will go on sale on December 6, 2023.

Star of the Seas is schedule to debut in summer 2025, although its not clear yet exactly when. Royal Caribbean did not divulge when her first sailings will be.

Star of the Seas will be built around the same design as Icon of the Seas, so it will be approximately 250,800 gross tons and carry roughly 5,610 passengers at double occupancy (two passengers per cabin). With crew, the ship could sail with nearly 10,000 people on board.

Read more: Icon of the Seas guide and features

Following up on the already incredibly successful Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas will be the second ship to launch and her position near Orlando is at the heart of Royal Caribbean's strategy to dominate the family vacation market.

Orlando is one of the top family vacation destinations in the world, and Royal Caribbean executives have said they intend to go after this lucrative market.

"The Icon product, along with Perfect Day, with the kind of experiences that we're offering, with the kind of new accommodations that we have on Icon and the experiences that we have for young families, older families and of course couples and singles and what have you, is really squarely standing shoulder to shoulder with Orlando and those kind of destinations," said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley in 2022 call with investors.

Mr. Bayley sees the Royal Caribbean International brand being more "aggressive" with how it competes with the Orlando attractions, "And what we're beginning to see is us moving certainly the Royal brand into that space far more aggressively."

"We're really focusing on this target market, which is family and of course has many new neighborhoods, including a neighborhood called Surfside, which is absolutely focused on young families and those young families with children six and under travel all year round, because obviously parents can pull their kids out of pre-K."

A game changing ship

Icon of the Seas hasn't started sailing yet, but the market has met it with eager anticipation.

Sales for Icon have blown past the cruise line's expectations, and it's selling faster than any new ship has in the past.

It's about 6% larger than the Oasis Class ships and has two more decks than them too.

The vessel has a groundbreaking indoor AquaTheater beneath an expansive glass dome, a designated area specifically designed for young families, an increased selection of family-centric accommodations (including a unique three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse), a cantilevered infinity pool, and an onboard water park featuring six slides.

Additionally, passengers can enjoy a swim-up bar, an extended suite enclave, and a novel supper club, enhancing the overall experience on board.

It's likely Star of the Seas will have differences, given that Royal Caribbean usually enhances each new cruise ship with changes.  It could be new restaurants, different activities, and almost certainly different shows onboard.

Construction of the new ship began in February 2023 when the keel was laid at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

Royal Caribbean has an order for a third Icon Class ship as well, which has a delivery date in 2026. All three of these ships were ordered and financed prior to 2020.

Does it matter if you pick a cabin on a cruise ship towards the front or back of the ship?

Every ship has many choices of where to pick a cabin, and as you get closer to the sail date, it's likely the rooms mid-ship will sell out first.  Mid-ship cabins tend to be more popular because they're more centrally located and tend to be a better choice for someone who is worried about getting seasick.

Read more: How to beat seasickness on a cruise ship

If given the choice, you might be wondering better off with a cabin more forward or more aft.

What part of ship is best for cruises?

It's a matter of opinion, but there are advantages to picking a cabin in certain parts of the ship.

Cruise ship cabins usually fall into one of three categories: forward, mid, and aft. 

All things being equal, conventional advice is to pick a cruise ship cabin mid-ship so you're equidistant from everything onboard so the distance to get around is minimal.

In addition, mid-ship cabins are ideal for new cruisers because it's the best location to be to minimize the sensation of movement that could make you feel seasick. In addition, having a low cabin helps so you don't feel as much sway.

You may also find a price difference if your cabin is forward, aft, or mid-ship.  Depending on the ship, sometimes the more desirable rooms mid-ship or aft can cost more.

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

Is the back of a cruise ship a good location?

The primary advantage of picking a cabin at the back of a cruise ship is the view you can get.

If you pick a cabin at the very back of the ship, you can enjoy a view of the ship's wake, and these tend to be quite popular with cruise fans.  Not only is it a pretty view, but the balcony can be bigger on the back.

Some special cabins at the very rear corners of a ship might even feature a balcony that wrap around the vessel in an L-shape, giving you views on two sides.

Enjoying a view from the ship's aft can be almost hypnotic because of how alluring the ocean looks when you have nothing in front of you blocking it.

Speaking of views, when your ship is leaving port, having an aft view gives you the best perspective.

Royal Caribbean has caught onto this this trend and announced pricing changes related to aft rooms. Aft facing balconies and Junior Suites are now going to be separated out as new categories.

However, if your room doesn't face backwards and is just a standard room towards the back, you may just end up with the same room as a mid-ship cabin, but with a longer walk.

Movement at the aft is a bit less drastic than a room forward, but still isn’t the most stable place for those who are prone to seasickness.

What are the benefits of being in the front of the cruise ship?

Rooms towards the front tend to be cheaper than other rooms largely because there's less demand for a cabin at the front.

Just like rooms towards the back, it's a longer walk towards the front and most of the signature activities and public areas are further away. 

Plus, the front of the ship gets the most movement of any area. The higher the deck, the more noticeable that rolling and swaying motion tends to feel. That makes it less desirable if someone is worried about motion sickness.

The reason why you might feel more movement at the front is because the front of the ship faces the most wind and direct hits from rolling waves, translating to lots of motion and sea spray. 

Besides a cheaper price, rooms at the very front have a unique perspective.  On many Royal Caribbean ships, you'll find family oceanview cabins at the front that offer significantly more living space without the price of a suite.

Another nice benefit of a front room is it can feel more secluded because there's far less foot traffic.

Celebrity Ascent is the newest cruise ship to debut in the Edge class of ships, and it's name implies it's in a position to move up the ranks of the ships the preceded it.

The fourth in a series of five ships, Ascent is a bit bigger than the first two Edge Class ships (Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Apex).  She's 20 meters longer and a deck taller.

There are 179 more cabins on Ascent than on Edge or Apex.  At double occupancy, Celebrity Ascent has a capacity of 3,260 passengers. The original Edge Class ships had a capacity of 2,918 passengers.

That extra space means the ship has more room to expand certain venues, such as The Retreat suites-only section of the ship and a larger Sunset Bar at the back of the vessel.

There's other touches as well, and, I was curious to know what makes this ship stand out from the rest.  Having just sailed on Celebrity Apex last week, comparing the two ships so closely together was an intriguing opportunity.

Celebrity Ascent will sail to the Caribbean out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Disclaimer: Celebrity Cruises invited me to sail on Celebrity Ascent for a quick two-night preview cruise that was open to travel agents and members of the press. I did not pay for this sailing.

Grand Plaza

As soon as you board Celebrity Ascent, you're going to notice the central hub of activity looks totally different.

The Grand Plaza is the epicenter of everything happening on the ship.  Since the first Edge Class ship, the Grand Plaza has been a focal point for the ship, and with Celebrity Beyond and Ascent, you get a different layout.

The LED chandelier is is more central, which really opens up the space and surrounds the deck with a beautiful glow.

If you loved the martini bar before, the new one is expanded is fully circular too.

Celebrity says it's "loftier" and "airier" and I think I was struck by how much different the layout makes in the feel of the venue compared to Apex.

Another nice change is the addition of World Class Bar to the atrium.

This bar is a fan favorite on other Celebrity ships, and has been included on both Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Ascent. It serves up "bespoke cocktails" with great views of the Grand Plaza.

The Annex

When I boarded Ascent, the Annex wasn't even on my radar, but I think this is the sleeper hit of this new ship.

Brand new to Celebrity, the Annex is a private room you can rent for your family to enjoy.  It's multi-purpose, and allows you to customize the entertainment to your needs.

It has the choice of:

• Golf simulator
• Celebration Lounge
• Personal karaoke party
• Game day streaming
• Movie night deluxe

Essentially, it's a place you can rent to have a special enclave for a party, celebration, or retreat.

The cost depends if you're renting it on a sea day or port day, and which private event theme you pick.  Celebrity says it will cost around $200 - $350 for the private event.

When I cruise with family or friends, I love any opportunity to have a special area for just us, and this seems like a great addition.

Sunset Bar

When I went on Celebrity Apex, everyone told me to check out the Sunset Bar. Clearly that message got back to the cruise line, because the Sunset Bar is larger and beautiful.

Views of the ship's wake have always been a favorite of cruisers, and this Sunset Bar doubles down on those views. This is the bar to go to on a sea day to enjoy a view of the ship's wake, the sun rising and setting, and the ocean breeze inbetween.

The theme is labeled as "international beach club ambiance", but I was getting some Spanish Mediterranean vibes sitting here. 

The extra space really makes it feel like a destination, rather than another bar. I love how much more seating there is, and how the bar doesn't dominate the entire space.

Rooftop Garden area

If I think of Celebrity cruise ship, I usually think of their lawn and garden top decks, and Ascent has an expanded area to enjoy.

You'll find more seating, new private nooks, and two new floating pools that are cantilevered over the side of the ship.

When there's not an event happening here, it's a great spot for "I want to be outside without being at the pool". It's serene, pretty, and I like how the area is arranged.

Rooftop Garden Grill has also been re-arranged, thanks to Ascent being a bit longer. It's less protruding into the garden area, and is the perfect sea day dinner.

The Retreat

If you're lucky enough to stay in a suite, Celebrity has greatly expanded its private suite area.

Known as The Retreat, the indoor space is 25% bigger than on Celebrity Edge or Apex.

Think of The Retreat as a suite neighborhood on an Oasis Class ship multiplied to threefold. 

The indoor space features au d'oeuvres, drinks, and plenty of seating. And it's open 24/7!

The personal concierge team is there to assist those in suites that don't have butler service.  The concierge team is split among four hosts.

Outside is more reserved seating for suite guests than I've ever seen on any Royal Caribbean ship.

The Retreat seating encompasses multiple decks, and has plenty of quiet nooks and crannies. Plus, there's a hot tub too.

You don't need to book a suite to have a great cruise, but it sure is nice to have this space if you do!

The Club

I spent less time in The Club than I would have liked on Celebrity Apex, but I think this space is vastly underrated.

As a Royal Caribbean fan, it reminds me a lot of Music Hall on the Oasis Class ships, but on Celebrity it feels much more open.

New for Ascent is "Smoke and Ivories", which is a musical event that is themed to a 1950s cabaret. It features a piano, hand-to-hand fights, tap solos, passionate duets, and aerial performances.

There was also a really neat augmented reality retro video game where people act as the player in the game in the center of the space to play arcade games like Breakout.

The space may not have a snazzy name, but I like the layout a lot.

Cosmopolitan restaurant

It's a small change, but the Cosmopolitan Main Dining Room restaurant has been re-themed.

Celebrity's Edge Class ships have four different Main Dining Rooms, with each having a unique theme. The core menu is the same across all four, but each restaurant has a few appetizers and entrees that are special to that venue.

On Apex, I enjoyed my dinners in Normandie, and this new space looks equally beautiful.

There's a lot of great specialty dining on Celebrity Ascent that gets a lot of attention, but don't overlook the Main Dining Rooms either.

Other notable changes to Celebrity Ascent

I noticed a few other changes Celebrity made with its fourth Edge Class ship.

The intimate and upscale restaurant Le Voyage has been redesigned, and it features a menu created by Chef Daniel Boulud. 

Fine Cut Steakhouse has an expanded seating space, which is larger than on previous Edge Class ships.

This means the restaurant has been expanded to the edge of the ship so that the restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows on one side.

What is it like to stay in the cheapest stateroom on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas?

I just got back from sailing on a 7-Night Mediterranean cruise, starting in Athens, Greece, and ending in Barcelona, Spain.

Enchantment of the Seas is an older, smaller Vision Class ship, first launched in 1996.

Enchantment was the last Royal Caribbean cruise ship to be lengthened, which is when they cut the ship in half and inserted a new section in the middle. It added 151 new cabins.

She now has 1142 staterooms, with a capacity for 2252 passengers and 852 crew members.

For my cruise, I paid a total of $1471, or $210 per night. With two people on the cruise, we would have split this into $105, but I was taking a solo trip and had to suck up the extra fees because of the single supplement fee solo cruisers have to pay.

The cheapest cabins on Enchantment can be obtained through the guarantee cabin process.

By choosing a guarantee stateroom, you can gain a cheaper price in exchange for the cruise line assigning a cabin to you.

I was assigned a small, windowless inside stateroom spanning just 142 square feet.

Read more: All about Vision Class cruise ships

When I arrived onboard, I saw that my stateroom was in a very low position on the ship’s 11 decks, located down on deck 2.

While this left me in close proximity to my Main Dining Room table on deck 4, I had to use the elevator for almost everything else. 

When I opened the door on embarkation day, I was greeted with a small, clean room. 

One concern with a windowless cabin is a lack of light, since the cabin itself does not have any natural light. As someone who loves lots of light around me, I found that this cabin was well-lit from the room's lighting fixtures.

The stateroom's closet was located at the very front, to the right of the door. It held six shelves and ample hangers, as well as enough floor space for me to leave my suitcases inside the closet for the length of the cruise.

Opposite the closet, I found the door to the bathroom.

It was small, with an even smaller tube-shaped shower. Despite the small size of the shower, I appreciated the rounded glass door and hot, heavy water pressure.

The sink and toilet also remained high-quality for the length of my stay, and I appreciated all the mirrors located above the bathroom sink.

I find that the bathrooms on Royal Caribbean ships really lack counter space next to the sink, so you have to get creative with using shelves, bags, and nearby hooks.

Thankfully, there's always lots of cabinet space located behind the mirrors and shelves underneath the bathroom sink.

After the bathroom, I faced the stateroom's combination desk/vanity. This wide desk features many drawers for storage, a mirror, bright vanity lighting, and to the left, even more shelves and storage. 

In the shelves to the right, I stored my books. I also stored my IDs, valuables, and electronics in the small safe provided.

One thing that I did find strange was that the room was missing the mini fridge cooler located inside most Royal Caribbean staterooms. I found an empty cabinet where this appliance would usually be located. 

Opposite the vanity sat a small, comfortable armchair and the TV above it. 

Although the TV may look like it's at a strange angle, you could still view it from this armchair by adjusting the metal arms to which it was mounted. These adjustable arms ensure that you can turn the TV and still see it from almost everywhere in the stateroom. 

Like most of Royal Caribbean's older ships, this TV was a simple device with a few free channels included. Since I could not stream to it, I mostly used my laptop to watch TV shows or to head up to movie showings on other decks.

Besides this armchair was the large stateroom bed. Since I was traveling alone, I chose to keep the beds joined together. As a solo traveler, this meant the bed felt luxuriously large. 

Two lamps, with shelves underneath them, were on either side of the bed. Although I kept looking throughout the cruise, I never found any electricity ports near the bed, so I had to keep charging my phone at the outlet on the desk. 

On day one, my stateroom attendant introduced himself and offered a few times he could clean the room daily. I chose evening service, so he could come each day when I went to eat dinner at the Main Dining Room.

I loved that he would leave behind these small towel animals each night—every day he left a new type of towel creature! 

For the most part, I found that the ship was high-quality despite its age. The linens stayed clean and fresh, and all the amenities worked perfectly.

The small stateroom even reminded me of the room I stayed on when I cruised on the new, huge Wonder of the Seas.

However, the wear and tear began to show as I stayed throughout my cruise.

This lamp fell apart when I tried to turn it off, and I could never push the bottom piece back in. 

I also noticed that the cabin had fewer artwork and decorations than newer ships I've cruised on. 

On one of my long treks taking the elevator up to the Windjammer, the elevator itself broke down, leaving me stuff inside for a few moments. After this glitch, the elevator was shut down for the day and only reopened when it was fully repaired. 

Despite the wear and tear on this older ship, this cabin was no smaller than any of the other cheap, guarantee staterooms I've stayed in before.

And there are benefits to sailing on a smaller ship: the service was quicker and more attentive. When I ordered room service to this stateroom, staff would answer my call right away, and bring the food within 30 minutes. 

Enchantment of the Seas takes you back to the basics. 

Following the massive success of Royal Caribbean's first private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line is planning to launch a second Perfect Day location in the South Pacific.

Perfect Day at Lelepa is set to launch in the coming years, although no official opening date has been set.  The private destination will be constructed on Lelepa Island in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

During my recent South Pacific cruise itinerary, I jumped on the opportunity to visit Lelepa Island when my ship docked in nearby Port Vila. Although Perfect Day at Lelepa is not yet open—it hasn’t even begun construction—visiting the island gave me a first hand look at what this unique destination may offer cruisers.

From out-of-this-world snorkeling to gorgeous beaches and friendly locals, here are the main insights I gained from my day ashore that you should look forward to.

Like Perfect Day at CocoCay, Perfect Day at Lelepa will be a private destination exclusively for Royal Caribbean cruise passengers

Perfect Day at CocoCay is one of Royal Caribbean’s most popular cruise ports. The private island, located just 140 miles from Miami, features a waterpark, freshwater pool, exclusive beach club, and multiple beaches. Over two million cruise passengers visit the destination each year.

Related: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, tricks, and secrets

Given the popularity of the first Perfect Day destination, Royal Caribbean announced a second Perfect Day destination, Perfect Day at Lelepa, in 2019. Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, which offers thrilling activities like water slides and jet skis, Perfect Day at Lelepa will place more of a focus on the ecological beauty and diverse culture of Vanuatu.

The island will also be the first private cruise destination in the world to achieve carbon neutrality.

According to locals, construction has not yet started for Perfect Day at Lelepa

Following the 2019 announcement of Perfect Day at Lelepa, the cruise line planned to open the destination sometime in 2022. These plans, however, were quickly derailed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Royal Caribbean has not released any new updates about Perfect Day at Lelepa since March 2022, when a few artist renderings were released about what the destination could look like. 

The company’s silence has many loyal cruisers wondering what the current status is with the destination. This is what I was most curious to find out as well.

As soon as my ship docked in Port Vila, I hopped in a taxi for a 30 minute ride to the western side of Efate Island, from where I would board a small boat to Lelepa Island and start my day tour with Lelepa Island Day Tours.

During our short five minute boat ride from Efate to Lelepa Island, I asked the boat’s captain about the private destination, and whether or not construction had begun.

He pointed to the far north side of the island to indicate where the destination would be located, and told me that construction had not yet begun. 

It’s unclear whether the infrastructure and buildings for the Perfect Day at Lelepa are being constructed elsewhere and will be transported to the island at a later date. That being said, if there’s one thing I learned during my time on the island, it’s that the opening date still appears to be very far away.

Lelepa Island’s coastline is dotted with beaches

Unfortunately my day tour to Lelepa Island was unable to visit the part of the island that will become Perfect Day at Lelepa. My tour guide explained that they used to bring visitors to that area of the island, but cannot do so anymore due to the agreement with Royal Caribbean.

Even so, I was able to catch a glimpse of what will become one of the island’s main beaches. While I only saw the beach from a distance, it appeared to be longer than other beaches around the island.

Of the beaches I visited during my day ashore, though, most of the beaches weren’t made of fine sand. Rather, they were composed of small pieces of coral.

While not as comfortable as the soft sand somewhere like Perfect Day at CocoCay, the crystal clear, refreshing water will certainly make visiting Lelepa a perfect beach day for visitors.

Snorkeling opportunities at Perfect Day at Lelepa will be far better than those at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a popular snorkeling spot on any Caribbean cruise, but Perfect Day at Lelepa easily blows the Bahamian island away.

During my visit to Lelepa, I had the opportunity to snorkel amongst some of the most colorful and abundant coral I’ve ever seen. From the moment I put my head under the water, I was left speechless with the variety of marine life in front of me.

As our tour guide put it, “People say the snorkeling here is even better than the Great Barrier Reef.” I have to agree.

If there’s one thing to be excited about with the launch of Perfect Day at Lelepa, it’s the snorkeling opportunities. Bringing your own snorkeling gear ashore is a must. Like at Perfect Day at CocoCay, it’s possible that snorkeling and scuba diving tours may be offered at an additional cost.

The island also offers the ability to visit a large cave as well as a local village

Outside of the beaches, Lelepa Island offers a few more activities for visitors. Of course, it’s unclear whether these options will be offered to guests at Perfect Day at Lelepa, but it’s possible they could become shore excursions.

The first is a visit to Fele’s Cave, an 114 foot high cave with rock drawings up to 3000 years old. These cave paintings show animals, geographic shapes, and a human representation of Chief Roi Mata, a powerful chief of Vanuatu who was believed to have ruled in the 16th century.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when we approached Fele’s Cave during my visit to Lelepa Island, but I was stunned by the cave’s size and the spiritual history it represented for thousands of years.

We also made a visit to Natapao, the main village on Lelepa Island.

One of the most unique aspects of visiting a destination like Vanuatu is experiencing the unique cultures of Melanesia. Visiting the local village was a way to learn more about the local way of life on the island and purchase souvenirs that support the town's economy.

For those looking to experience the island outside of just the beach, these two options make an excellent choice.

Like any new project, locals have mixed feelings about the private destination, but overall thoughts remain positive

Although Royal Caribbean’s marketing puts forth the image that Perfect Day at Lelepa is a remote island, the reality is that Lelepa Island is located just across from Port Vila, the most populous city in Vanuatu.

Despite the island’s proximity to the main economic hub in Vanuatu, though, life remains relatively traditional for the 600 residents calling Lelepa home. With no access to freshwater, locals must visit Efate Island—where Port Vila is located—daily to collect water, and all electricity is provided via generators and solar power.

It goes without saying that a project as monumental as Perfect Day at Lelepa will likely change the lives of many on Lelepa Island. Most locals I spoke with seemed to be in favor of the private destination, as it will provide a significant source of economic generation for the island. Some, however, are of course worried about how it may affect the current way of life.

The island is sure to be successful with the Australian cruise market, but those in North America should also consider a visit

It's likely Perfect Day at Lelepa will quickly become a major selling point for cruisers based in Australia. South Pacific itineraries remain extremely popular in the region, offering a tropical getaway to islands primarily in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Itineraries depart from both Sydney and Brisbane, Australia.

The benefit of visiting one of Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day locations over a traditional cruise port is the private atmosphere. Only Royal Caribbean cruise passengers will be permitted at Perfect Day at Lelepa.

Plus, even though some excursions may be offered at an extra cost, there will be no charge to visit Perfect Day at Lelepa, as it will be included in guests’ cruise fares.

Despite the fact that I could not visit the future destination’s exact location up close, traveling to Lelepa Island gave me an idea of what to expect once Perfect Day at Lelepa launches.

The most spectacular part of my day was the snorkeling—it was the most magnificent coral I’ve ever seen. Aside from exploring underwater, the beaches and pristine nature of Lelepa Island are sure to impress the estimated 800,000 passengers to visit the destination each year.

For more updates on Perfect Day at Lelepa, be sure to subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog newsletter and follow our Facebook page so you can be notified as soon as Royal Caribbean releases new information about this exciting new destination.