Royal Caribbean Blog

Have you ever witnessed a stranger doing something weird, even unexplainable?

People-watching is popular because it can be so rewarding: folks do the strangest things in public! Witnessing these moments reminds us of the unique unpredictability of human beings—and often leaves us feeling a little superior. 

Cruising is no different; cruisers often feel that a cruise brings out the most bizarre human behavior. And on a cruise, you’ll have the most downtime and proximity to observe all the activities around you.

We asked our readers on the Royal Caribbean Blog forum the weirdest thing they’ve seen another cruiser do. Based on the responses we received, they’ve witnessed it all— from family feuds to a ship captain turned biker.

Get ready for a good laugh as we introduce the top 10 weirdest things readers saw other cruisers do.

“Strangest thing I've seen on a Royal ship was a college-aged adult wearing a wild and elaborate Halloween costume walking around the ship normally but completely outside of the Halloween season. Must have lost a bet with his buddies. It was a double-take moment. Did I just see that?”

- Twangster

Royal Caribbean does not have a strict dress code, other than prohibiting bare feet in venues and tank tops from the main dining room or specialty dining venues. It’s always possible that you’ll see some strange costumes or attire!

If you do want to wear a costume without sticking out, Royal Caribbean holds various Halloween events on cruises that sail over the October 31st date, including Halloween decorations, photo opportunities, and a large costume parade. You can expect costumes to be worn everywhere on Halloween Day.

“There was a couple on board with us a few years ago that danced in the Centrum every night. She was always in sparkly/sequined boots, either bunny or cat ears, and hot pants/short shorts with fish nets. He was always in cargo shorts or Demin shorts with a Hawaiian shirt, sometimes the sleeves were missing. Didn't matter the song, they were dancing and had some signature moves."

"They were definitely the stars of the show, whether they knew it or not."

"As we were waiting for our departure group to be called, two ladies were sitting behind us talking about "Sparkly Boots" and wondering if they had participated in 70's night. I turned around and said yes, they did. The lady asked me how I knew who she was talking about and I said the whole ship knew…”

- Kadmgs

If you’re wondering where you can see dancing stars like this fun couple, the Centrum is the large, open area spanning several decks that replaces the Royal Promenade or Esplanade on both Vision Class and Radiance Class ships. 

In addition to being the center of special events, the Centrum includes a main elevator, with bars, dining venues, and lounges overlooking its edge.

“Another strange occurrence is seeing your cruise ship Captain riding a Harley around Labadee. Captain Johnny keeps his personal Harley on board the ship. I was on this sailing when he tweeted this. Saw him riding it around.”

- Twangster

Captain Johnny Faevelen is a well-known character to many Royal Caribbean cruisers, but did you know he brings his personal Harley-Davidson motorcycle on board? For those who witness him riding it, this is definitely an unusual sight. 

For more about Captain Johnny, check out his book, The Captain, which details how he went from a fisherman to captain of one of the world’s largest cruise ships.  

Read more: 5 Royal Caribbean inspirations to prepare for your cruise

“If you were on an Alaskan cruise back in May 2016, and saw a tall, skinny teenage boy eat three plates heaped full of donuts for breakfast in the Windjammer (27 by his count)....yes, we did teach him to eat a decent meal. And no, we weren't eating with him. He finally fessed up long after the cruise.”

- barbeyg

Was this young man acting greedy, or just making the most of his paid fare? The Windjammer Cafe is the all-you-can-eat buffet included with your base fare, the complimentary dining venue with the widest variety of options. 

Your base fare also includes access to the main dining room, a grab-and-go coffee shop, and several quick food venues by the pool.

You will also have access to complimentary food at various venues on Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. 

“A guest busted for shoplifting.  Security searched the cabin, recovered the goods, and put them off at the next port to find their own way home.”  

- Twangster

Shoplifting is certainly included on the list of things that can get you kicked off a cruise ship immediately. And considering the ship is a confined space with security on board, it’s best to keep the law for at least the length of your vacation.  

“We were sitting in the hot tub around sundown and a gentleman proceeded to get in with a full plate of Windjammer food. Mostly I remember him trying to eat what I think was chicken wings and watching pieces of the food falling into the water around him. Needless to say, it was a clear sign that it was time for us to exit and go get ready for dinner. (I can promise you him eating in the hot tub did not trigger a hunger response!)”

- CruizIan

In addition to hot tubs onboard, Royal Caribbean ships also have a main pool and an adults-only, indoor Solarium pool. There are also several kid pools, splash pads, waterslides, and a 40-foot-long surf simulator, the FlowRider.

The pools are open most of the day, with many activities nearby, including live music!

“We had this one gentleman [who would] always wear different color pastel suits with a top hat EVERYDAY. We were doing a Med cruise and it was hot, yet I would see him in France with a baby pink suit and a matching top hat.”

- ClockingOut

You’re never required to dress up, especially in pastel-colored suits. Royal Caribbean’s dress code is mainly casual beach style, smart casual, and formal wear. You can wear beach or casual clothes for most of the day, and switch to a smarter casual in the evening. 

One formal (or dress your best) night will also be on the schedule during your vacation. On this night, you can expect for everyone to dress their best in elegant dresses and collared shirts and dress pants.

“An entire family had too many wines & decided to start fighting each other. Punches were thrown & security broke it up & sent them packing. The Chef felt so bad for the remaining few people that he sent servers to give us 3 free rounds of drinks. This was an epic chefs table experience.”

- Tonyfsu21

The Chef’s Table is an exclusive, private dining experience offered on Royal Caribbean ships to a limited number of guests, usually around 12. 

This experience includes a 5-course meal and wine tasting, with a personal waiter and chef decided to your table. Each serving of food also comes with a carefully selected wine pairing.

The Chef’s Table is an excellent and private experience, so remember not to start any fights if you try it out.

“It was a Christmas cruise and there was a couple in their late 30's to early 40's who wore Christmas pajama onesies all cruise long, day and night. They also had their own "custom" metal "Yeti" style cups and straws that they drank from. Rarely did we go to/through the Centrum and not see them there in their pajamas and drinking from their Yeti's. Needless to say, the Centrum was THE place to people-watch that cruise.”

- Kadmgs

We always recommend bringing a reusable water bottle for your time on board. In addition to a YETI cup, here are some other things worth bringing on a cruise: liquid soap, laundry hamper, luggage tag holders, shampoo and body wash, aspirin, chapstick, AirTags, noise-canceling headphones, air freshener, magnetic hooks, an e-reader, and a nightlight. 

It’s important to remember to bring the essentials because anything you purchase onboard will come at a much steeper price.

Read more: 100 item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

“We were on a Christmas and New Years cruise a few years ago out of Baltimore.....and on boarding day it was snowing.... This was the Grandeur of the Seas.”

- Rob&Ana

Yes, it does snow on cruise ships! While a strange sight, it wouldn’t be impossible to see snow onboard if you’re sailing through a cold, wintery area.

Royal Caribbean ships that sail from the Northeast of the United States, such as in Bayonne, New Jeresy and Baltimore, Maryland, may see snow as they board or disembark at these ports. But this sight is unlikely, and the snow will melt soon as the ship moves quickly south.
 

Have you ever wondered what it's like for crew members to sail onboard an empty ship with no passengers?

It is not uncommon for ships to change home ports to offer a wider variety of itineraries. This is why you will see ships make transatlantic and transpacific voyages throughout the year, so that they are able to offer voyages in different regions of the world, including Alaska, the South Pacific, and Europe. 

Oasis of the Seas recently sailed from Miami, Florida to Cape Liberty, New Jersey, where she will remain until November 2023. She'll return to Florida for a couple of months before crossing the Atlantic Ocean in April 2024 to start her summer season in Europe. 

When Oasis of the Seas repositioned from Miami to Cape Liberty, the ship operated without any guests, meaning that the crew had the entire Oasis Class vessel to themselves for a few days. 

Related: 15 reasons to book a cruise on Oasis of the Seas

Lera, a crew member onboard the ship who has been working with the company for five years, recently posted a YouTube video shedding some light into what these passenger-less days were like. 

Three days without guests

While Oasis of the Seas sailed from Miami to Cape Liberty, crew members got to enjoy the ship's amenities without any guests onboard. Synchro said that it felt like a mini-vacation. 

The first day started with a crew sail away party in the Royal Promenade, but before festivities on the second day could begin, they had to complete a crew drill. 

Once that was over, though, they were treated to a street food festival on the Boardwalk! This event was organized by the HR team, and crew members from different countries prepared their national food for everyone to try. 

According to Synchro, her favorite dishes were those from South Africa, Mexico, and Romania! Some other featured countries were Jamaica, India, and the Philippines. 

Plus, they didn't have to wear their crew uniforms. From what she documented, it looked like a fun event for guests.

They were also able to enjoy the arcade games on the Boardwalk and in the ship's arcade on Deck 15, as well as partake in a game of bingo in the main theater. 

"It's just [those] little that you don't feel that you're on a ship." Synchro said these moments are the most priceless, especially after spending nine months onboard as a crew member. 

Passenger cabin auction

While she did not participate in this, there was an auction for crew members to potentially win a stay in guest cabins.

When the pandemic was ongoing, Synchro said that she spent a lot of time in passenger cabins, so she did not feel like she had to spend money to experience this! She was, however, happy for those that got the opportunity. 

She visited some friends who were staying in cabin 9260, which is a Grand Suite, and were having a mini dance party!

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

After showing viewers around the stateroom, which she considered to be pretty luxurious considering it had a dual sink and bathtub, she stepped out onto the balcony to take in the beautiful sunset and hang out with her friends. 

If you are interested in seeing more crew member content, check out Synchro's YouTube channel. She currently has a little over 7,000 followers and posts a wide variety of videos, including those showcasing her crew accommodations, day in the life vlogs, and more. 

In the past, she has posted other videos of what it's like for crew to be alone onboard a Royal Caribbean ship. In 2021, she gave a tour of Harmony of the Seas when it was empty. 

The price to eat at a few of Royal Caribbean's extra cost restaurants appears to have gone up recently.

Specialty restaurants are an optional add-on passengers can indulge in that is not included with a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Depending on the restaurant, there could be a cover charge to dine there that includes all the food, or a la carte pricing.

Read more: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

It seems some of the restaurants have had price increases this summer that point to a trend in the change.

Across at least 4 restaurants, we've spotted new prices to dine there. 

It's not clear exactly when the prices went up because Royal Caribbean does not announce these sort of changes.  At the very least, it seems prices were raised at some point over the summer.

Of course, the cost of food in general has been going up around the world, and is not just a cruise ship issue. Last year, U.S. consumers saw the largest annual increase in food prices since the 1980s. 

Due to global disruptions to the food supply chain and inflation, food prices have gone up overall, so it's likely these fiscal pressures had an effect on what Royal Caribbean had to charge.

The U.S. Labor Department reported earlier this year restaurant prices outpaced grocery prices on a 12-month basis.

Walt Disney World increased prices across-the-board on countless food & beverage items in late 2022.

During Royal Caribbean Group's first quarter earnings call with investors, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz said inflation was impacting the cost of food, "We continue to actively manage persistent inflation across categories, including food and beverage, airfare, and shoreside human capital."

He added the company was taking measures to find ways to mitigate inflation, and that work was mentioned by Chief Executive Officer Jason Liberty in the second quarter earnings call, "the actions that we took to position ourselves to really kind of outperform and to grow our margins. A lot of all that work really helped absorb the vast majority of -- a pretty significant inflation that we saw across a lot of the items that impact our product."

Here's a look at the recent price increases we've noticed when comparing menus on Wonder and Oasis of the Seas to older copies of the menu we could find elsewhere.

Read more: What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

In comparing prices of food at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade on Wonder of the Seas, it's clear prices have gone up.

Food is served a la carte, and its known for offering bar food that you can enjoy while watching one of the many television screens to catch a game.

All the entrees went up from $9.00 to $11.99.

The wings went up too:

• 12 wings: $10 to $13.99
• 24 wings: $14 to $19.99
• 50 wings: $25 to $29.99

Appetizer prices were increased:

• Pile on nachos: $6 to $8.99
• Poke nachos: $8 to $12.99
• Chicken tenders: $4 to $6.99
• Fries: $3 to $5.99
• Pigskin sliders: $7 to $10.99
• Onion ring tower: $6 to $7.99
• Buffalo chicken crunch roll: $5 to $7.99
• Jalapeno poppers: $5 to $7.99

Old menu

New menu

It is important to note that Playmaker's menu prices hadn't changed since at least 2019.

Portside BBQ

There's only one Portside BBQ, and it is on Oasis of the Seas, and it also had a price jump.

bayportkat on the Cruise Critic message boards posted a photo of the new dinner menu, which indicates the prices changed in the past sailing.

Here's a look at changes for the Portside BBQ dinner menu.

The Signature combo went from 2 cuts for $12.49 and 3 cuts for $15.39 to $16.99 and $21.99, respectively. 

The Pitmaster Special price was changed from $9.99 to $14.99.

• Single cuts: $3.89 to $5.99
• Sides: $2.99 to $3.99
• Pitmaster Faves: $6.49 to $9.49
• Desserts: $2.79 to 3.99

Old menu

New menu

Just like Playmakers, the menu prices at Portside BBQ had not changed since the restaurant opened in 2019.

Mason Jar Brunch

Whereas the other restaurants are priced a la carte, it looks as though the cost for brunch at the Mason Jar on Wonder of the Seas has also gone up.

Last month, Royal Caribbean Blog message board user OCSC Mike reported the normal price had gone up from $24.99 to $34.99. 

This is the onboard price for brunch, and Royal Caribbean usually provides a discount if pre-purchased before the cruise on the Cruise Planner website.

Izumi sushi

In comparing prices on Wonder of the Seas, our team also noticed a price change for sushi at Izumi for its sushi offerings.

All the appetizers have gone up one dollar in cost when comparing today's menu to a menu from earlier this year.

• Vegetable fried rice: $9 to $10
• Shrimp and pork wonton soup: $7 to $8
• Seaweed wakame salad: $7 to $8
• Pork gyoza dumpling: $8 to $9
• Tofu-ginger salad: $7 to $8
• Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna: $13 to $14
• Crispy Chicken Kara-Age: $8 to $9
• Shrimp firecracker spring roll: $9 to $10
• Shrimp & vegetable tempura: $11 to $12

All the signature rolls are now $15, whereas some had been $13 or $14 previously.

Chef's Signature Rolls are now $18. Previously they had been priced between $15 and $17.

Chef's Sushi Selection went from $16 to $17 and the assorted sashimi went from $21 to $22.

Bowls & More

• Beef or Chicken Teriyaki: $17 to $19
• Yaki Udon: $19 to $20
• Tonkotsu Ramen: $13 to $14
• Spicy Miso Ramen: $13 to 14
• Poke Bowl: $17 to $18
• Hibachi Vegetables: $13 to $14

Desert prices at Izumi have not changed.

Old menu

New menu

When you begin thinking about what kind of cruise you want to take, you have to decide if you want one that is port intensive or one with more sea days in between stops. 

Depending on what type of traveler you are, you may find sea days to be boring, especially if you have two or three in a row. Some people would rather spend their vacation time in a new place each day than lounging on the pool deck with a cocktail in hand. 

That is one of the best conveniences of cruising-- you only have to unpack once to visit numerous different places! Why not take advantage of that on a port intensive itinerary? 

Here are 6 reasons to not book a cruise with a lot sea days.

Fewer days at sea means more time to explore different destinations

If you are someone who values the ports over the ship as a destination, you'll want to choose an itinerary with fewer sea days. 

Plus, visiting multiple places on a cruise is more convenient than doing so during a land-based vacation. You will not have to worry about unpacking and repacking your suitcase or lugging it through multiple train stations and airports. 

It's amazing that on a 7-night cruise, you can visit places like Athens, Rhodes, and Mykonos, Greece; Palermo, Italy; and Valencia and Barcelona, Spain.

If you want, you can even find busy itineraries in the Caribbean, too. If this interests you, look at sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico. On a 7-night cruise, you'll visit more exotic destinations than you would on a cruise from Florida, such as Barbados, St. Lucia, and St. Maarten. 

Of course, one of the major drawbacks is that you cannot fully immerse yourself in a new culture in a single day.

You should think of port intensive cruises as a way to get a sample of what each destination has to offer. That way, you can plan an extended trip back in the future and know what to expect!

I recently took my first European cruise, and while I was a bit disappointed to only have a few hours in cities like Rome and Aix-en-Provence, I learned which places I would be willing to return to and which places I'd skip! 

Fewer days at sea means fewer opportunities to feel seasick 

No matter your itinerary, no sailing is guaranteed to avoid all rough seas.

If you are someone who is worried about feeling seasick during your cruise, booking a port intensive itinerary gives you fewer opportunities to be subject to harsh sailing conditions, especially if you are only cruising overnight!

During the day, you will be ashore exploring new and exciting destinations, and at night, you'll only be awake for a little bit since you will want to get a good night's rest to prepare for another long day. 

Other tips to help you beat seasickness include bringing the right motion sickness mediation (i.e., Dramamine or Bonine), selecting a stateroom in the middle of the ship on a lower deck, and staying hydrated. 

In short, you should not be afraid of booking a cruise because you are worried about getting seasick. Booking a port intensive itinerary kills two birds with one stone, meaning that you will have less time onboard and you will be able to cross off more places from your bucket list during a single trip!

Related: How to beat seasickness on a cruise ship

Less time onboard means that you can save money on a cheaper cabin category 

Once you have selected the ship and itinerary you want, you have to decide which Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin is best. On a cruise with a lot of sea days, you might feel the need to splurge on a larger cabin with more outdoor space.

Cruises with more days in port, however, mean that you won't be in your stateroom as much! Rather than spending more money for a balcony or suite, you can allocate it towards fun shore excursions in port. 

All cabins on a Royal Caribbean cruise come with the same basic amenities, including a bed, ensuite bathroom, safe, television, vanity area, and closet. They are all meant to be a comfortable home away from home. 

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

Even if you book an interior to save a little bit of money, it's not like you will not be able to take in the passing scenery. You can always find a place to hang out on the top deck while watching the ship pull in and out of port. 

Revisit destinations you've already been to

You do not have to stay onboard the ship if you have already been to one port of call on your itinerary. 

On port intensive cruises, especially in places like the Caribbean, you are likely to revisit somewhere you have already been. That is not a bad thing, though! On your last visit, it is very unlikely that you got to experience everything that port has to offer.

This time, you can do something different. If, for instance, you went to Maho Beach on your last cruise to St. Maarten, consider doing something a little bit more active, like zip lining from Pelican Peak or doing an ATV tour. 

You don't have to worry about sailing on the newest ship

If you book a cruise on Icon of the Seas or Utopia of the Seas, chances are that you see the ship as a destination, rather than the ports of call. 

Most of the time, the more unique itineraries are offered on smaller ships anyway, simply because not all ports can handle ships as large as Oasis or Symphony of the Seas! 

On a port intensive cruise, you are most likely choosing the itinerary over the ship. You will not need all the onboard thrills, as you will most likely just want to enjoy a nice dinner and perhaps a show before heading to bed. 

When I took my first port intensive European cruise, I found myself to be pretty exhausted by the third day. I didn't want to spend too much time waiting for the evening entertainment. Thankfully, I found a great pianist and was able to relax while listening to live music for a little bit. 

That, however, doesn't mean you can't do both! Royal Caribbean sends an Oasis Class ship to Europe each summer, meaning that you can cruise the Western Mediterranean on one of the largest ships in the world. 

If you are a seasoned cruiser who has visited the ports before, you can take advantage of fewer crowds onboard

On sea days, the pool is the place to be, especially on warmer itineraries to places like the Western Mediterranean and Caribbean. 

When the ship is docked, however, all the onboard amenities tend to be less crowded, as the majority of passengers have either booked shore excursions or are off exploring on their own. 

Let's say you want to cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas and don't want to worry about lines for the Perfect Storm water slides, zip line, or FlowRider. If you stay onboard -- at least for a little while during the hours of operation -- you are more likely to be able to go again and again!

Plus, if you want a prime pool lounger, you won't have to worry about chair hogs! Similarly, the buffet lines at lunch will be minimal. 

On sea days, you are almost guaranteed to have a relatively lengthy wait for either of these, unless you are one of the first in line. This is especially true if there are very few sea days during your sailing, as most passengers will use this time to check those items off of their list. 

You do not have to stay onboard the entire day, either. Book an early morning tour that will get you back hours before sail away. You'll be able to take advantage of both exploring a new place and a relatively empty ship. 

Within the last year, I sailed on two of the most popular cruise lines in the world: Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. While Royal Caribbean is known for its innovative and resort-style mega ships, Carnival Cruise Line is best known for having affordable cruise fares to sail on the cruise line's FUN ships.  

(Left: Royal Caribbean balcony guarantee stateroom on Jewel of the Seas. Right: Standard inside cabin on Carnival Cruise Line's new Carnival Celebration). 

To appeal to a wide demographic, both cruise lines offer a variety of cruise ship cabins to choose from when booking a cruise vacation. Everything from budget-friendly inside cabins to spacious, luxurious suites are available on each cruise line.

Last fall, I sailed on Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration, during one of its inaugural sailings in the Caribbean. This modern cruise ship debuted some of the cruise line’s chicest, most stylish accommodations to date. During my week onboard, I sailed in the cruise line’s standard inside cabin with my sister.  

Similarly, I just returned from sailing on one of Royal Caribbean’s older cruise ships, Jewel of the Seas. During this 12-night European cruise, we opted to upgrade to a balcony guarantee stateroom so we could enjoy the scenery while sailing around Iceland. This vacation was taken with my husband, who prefers to have a balcony if it’s within our budget. 

When comparing these two cabins, there is one stateroom category that I’d choose again in a heartbeat while the other one left a little to be desired. 

As an avid-cruiser for most of my life, I have stayed in all different types of cabins on a variety of cruise ships. Some of these cabins were fantastic, while others left me disappointed and frustrated. Everything from the cabin’s storage to the bathroom size and cabin’s location can play key roles in determining whether a stateroom is one that I would choose again. 

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

Most of the time, you can find me sailing in an inside cabin because I prefer to spend my money on excursions, specialty dining, internet packages and more. Also, choosing a cheaper cabin option usually saves me thousands of dollars compared to other staterooms categories, which means I can cruise more frequently.

However, sometimes I do splurge on a higher-end stateroom. This is usually when I plan to cruise somewhere very scenic, like Iceland, Norway or Alaska. I find there to be great value in booking a balcony so I can marvel at the scenery without needing to leave my room.

One of the most obvious differences was the price between Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line's accommodations.

My balcony guarantee cabin on Royal Caribbean was more expensive in comparison to the inside cabin on Carnival Celebration. 

To start, newer ships tend to be more expensive when the vessel first debuts because the ship is in high demand. With Carnival Celebration just entering its inaugural season, the price was likely inflated compared to a typical 7-night sailing onboard Carnival Celebration.  

(Standard inside cabin on Carnival Celebration)

My inside cabin on Carnival Celebration was $1,300 for the 7-night Caribbean sailing. This was the second sailing for the brand-new cruise ship, which should be noted. However, it was the absolute cheapest cabin available onboard. This adds up to be about $92.85 per person for each day of the Carnival cruise. 

Read more: I always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship. Here's why I actually like these rooms

On the flip side, my balcony guarantee staterooms was right around $3,000 for the 12-night cruise to Iceland. Jewel of the Seas is one of the older vessels in Royal Caribbean’s fleet; however, Iceland is an expensive destination and the cruise was a longer itinerary, which can drive down the price sometimes. At a daily cost, this was $125 per person per day to sail with Royal Caribbean. 

A guaranteed balcony means that you select the category of stateroom you desire, but you do not get to choose your balcony’s location. Once the cruise departure approaches, you are typically assigned a cabin number at random. 

(Balcony on Royal Caribbean)

Had we booked an inside cabin on Jewel of the Seas (which we originally did before upgrading to the balcony), this would have cost $2,700. This adds up to be around $112.50 each day for an inside cabin onboard the same cruise. 

I’d also like to note that these prices do not include gratuities, which are automatically applied each day of your cruise unless you choose to prepay. 

Regardless, it was more expensive to sail with Royal Caribbean even if I had stayed in a comparable inside cabin. This is not surprising, as Carnival Cruise Line is the most affordable cruise line in the industry while Royal Caribbean is almost always more expensive. 

The ship’s age was a key factor in comparing these two staterooms, as Carnival Celebration was brand-new while Jewel of the Seas was worn and tired looking.

It is pretty hard not to be wowed by a brand-new cruise ship. Even as someone who typically sails with Royal Caribbean, staying in a new cabin onboard Carnival Celebration was quite impressive. I was surprised by how thoughtfully designed the inside cabin was, even though it was the cheapest category available onboard. 

First, Carnival Celebration, being the newest ship for the cruise line, featured very stylish and functional staterooms. The cabin was modern with light wood and blue accents. Of course, the carpet, furniture and beds had only been used by a few people before us. Everything felt spick-and-span, as it should!

(Inside Cabin on Carnival Celebration)

We appreciated the little details in our inside cabin with Carnival too, like having a USB plug at our bedside and numerous outlets to use on the vanity. 

On the other hand, our balcony cabin on Jewel of the Seas was nearly 20 years old with little updates made in the last decade. While the decor was certainly dated, there were other aspects of the balcony guarantee cabin that we did not particularly like either. 

(Worn table on Royal Caribbean)

The furniture was certainly worn down in our cabin, as was our balcony. Additionally, the carpet was far past its expiration date, with a few obvious stains throughout. Finally, our balcony itself had very dry wood that looked poorly maintained - I was almost worried about getting splinters!

(Balcony view on Royal Caribbean)

It was pretty clear that Royal Caribbean had not updated these staterooms on Jewel of the Seas in many years - and refurbishment was long overdue. But, we anticipated our cabin to look outdated because of the ship's age and we planned to spend most of our time exploring Iceland. 

Along with price, another obvious difference between Royal Caribbean’s balcony cabin and Carnival’s inside cabin was the size. 

It should come as no surprise that our balcony guarantee with Royal Caribbean was more spacious than the inside cabin with Carnival Cruise Line.

The balcony guarantee on Jewel of the Seas was 180 square feet. This is about 10 square feet bigger than an inside cabin on the same ship. Our balcony was an additional 27 square feet, which is a little larger than a standard balcony onboard due to the location of our cabin as well. Overall, it was pretty spacious and we comfortably moved into the cabin for our 12-night adventure!

Read more: 8 reasons to book a balcony cabin

When comparing to Carnival’s inside cabin, this cozy stateroom was only 162 square feet. The stateroom was noticeably smaller than Royal Caribbean's especially when we noticed there was no place to sit other than our beds. In comparison, our balcony cabin with Royal Caribbean featured a loveseat and a small coffee table. Having this extra place to sit, along with chairs on the balcony, made the cabin feel much more spacious. 

(Inside cabin on Carnival Celebration)

Finally, Carnival’s inside cabin had exposed bunk beds. Even though it was just me and my sister sailing together, this cabin could technically accommodate four people. The unused bunk beds made the space above our beds feel more cramped, as the beds could not be tucked into the ceiling like I’ve seen on other cruise ships. 

Royal Caribbean’s bathroom design was one our least favorite parts of the cabin, while Carnival Cruise Line’s spacious shower was a highlight. 

Let me first set the record straight that a cruise cabin bathroom absolutely does not make or break my overall experience! However, when comparing these two cabins, the bathroom discrepancies really emphasized areas of improvement for Royal Caribbean.

As we had expected, our bathroom on Royal Caribbean was equally as outdated as our stateroom. This meant that we had the dreaded capsule-style showers. My husband is 6’4 and I am 5’11, so these tiny showers are not well suited for taller-than-average cruisers.

(Left: Shower on Royal Caribbean. Right: Shower on Carnival Celebration)

Much to the contrary, our budget-friendly cabin on Carnival featured an unusually large shower for such a tiny cabin. I would guess that our shower in this inside cabin was double to triple the size of our shower with Royal Caribbean. 

(Shower on Carnival Celebration)

The bathroom overall felt more spacious and well-designed on Carnival compared to our balcony cabin with Royal Caribbean. Perhaps this is an industry shift towards more comfortable stateroom bathrooms, but the improved shower situation was a welcomed change for this unusually tall cruise writer. 

The deal breaker for us was the undesirable cabin location onboard Royal Caribbean, which is a huge disadvantage to booking a guaranteed stateroom.

Anytime you book a guaranteed cabin, you take a huge gamble. In all honesty, I started to sail in guarantee cabins more frequently in the early post-pandemic cruising and I think this gave a false perception. 

(Balcony stateroom on Royal Caribbean)

Much to my delight, I never had much of an issue with a bad stateroom location when cruises first restarted after the pandemic; however, I have realized this is no longer the case. People are booking cruises far in advance - thanks to built-up cruise credits - and choosing the best cabin locations.

With ships filling up to capacity for most itineraries these days, guaranteed cabins are pretty much guaranteed to be terribly located onboard. Within the last year, I’ve had some pretty horrible cabin locations when booking guaranteed cabins. 

Back in March, I booked an inside cabin guarantee on Celebrity Silhouette and ended up right next to a Crew Service door. Each morning at 4am, I was woken up by the crew members starting their day and shuffling around the decks. I slept so terribly that I ended up getting sick and rundown by the last night because I was not able to get quality sleep each night. 

(Celebrity Silhouette inside cabin directly next to crew service door)

After this experience, I seriously contemplated whether I wanted to move forward with our upcoming balcony guarantee selection on Jewel of the Seas. However, it was an additional $1,000 to choose a balcony location on our sailing. Unfortunately, most of the cabins were in undesirable locations because the sailing date was approaching, so we opted to take the risk. 

(Room service on Royal Caribbean balcony)

As you can probably guess, we ended up with a horrible balcony location on our Royal Caribbean cruise. Our balcony was obstructed, although it was not categorized as such. This did not bother us, as we had only spent $300 to upgrade. But, we were located directly above one of the music lounges onboard, which greatly impacted our sleep. 

Each evening, our stateroom would thump and shake to the music playing from the live band and singers down below. We had to start planning our evenings around when the music would start and stop at the Safari Club. Some evenings, music played well past midnight and we couldn’t sleep with the loud bass that echoed throughout our cabin. 

(Watching the midnight sun in Iceland off our balcony on Royal Caribbean)

With our inside cabin on Carnival, the mid-ship location was perfect. We were surrounded by staterooms, so there was no source of unwanted noise. I slept perfectly in this pitch-black cabin. 

Gambling with a guarantee stateroom is not in my future cruise plans, especially during highly-anticipated vacations or long cruise itineraries.

When comparing these cabin experiences on Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line, there is an obvious winner in my book. I’d pick the inside cabin on Carnival in a heartbeat, but another guaranteed stateroom with Royal Caribbean is not in my future. 

(Carnival Celebration inside cabin)

Being able to comfortably sleep is a top priority for me when I am on vacation. Getting rundown and aggravated (at the consequences of my own prior decisions, I know) is not how I want to spend vacation. If anything, I need to sleep more than normal because we typically spend our days in port exploring new places.

(Beds and nightstands in Carnival's inside cabin)

I am no longer comfortable risking a bad cabin location to save extra money on a cruise vacation, especially on a longer itinerary. My husband and I both agreed that we would spend the extra money to ensure we could choose our cabin location in the future. In fact, we upgraded our cabin for next summer already because we did not want another terrible guarantee location. 

Even though our cabin on Carnival Celebration was tiny, it had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. We weren’t kept up late with loud music from the bars or lounges. Most importantly, I was able to get restful sleep each evening onboard thanks to our cabin’s prime mid-ship location. Rest and rejuvenation are crucial for a fantastic vacation - and guaranteed cabins simply cannot guarantee any of that. 

More on picking a cruise cabin

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

When Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship starts sailing, it will have its most ambitious and expensive extra-cost restaurant ever.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is being designed from the water line up as a brand new evolution in cruising, and there are plenty of firsts, including 20 unique dining options.

One of the new restaurants on Icon of the Seas will be a high-end specialty restaurant that offers a "taste of old New York" and it wont be cheap.

The cruise line calls it the Empire Supper Club, and this throwback restaurant is unlike any other dining venue on its ships so far. Top quality food along with entertainment in a paced meal is what Royal Caribbean hopes will be a very cool idea that provides another option for those seeking a refined meal.

Icon's most elegant dining establishment is something brand new and has a lot of people curious what we can expect.

Welcome to old New York

The Empire Supper Club looks to be the most elegant restaurant created by Royal Caribbean to date.

Guests will enjoy an eight-course meal, all paired with with cocktails that have been specially created for Royal Caribbean by a world renowned mixologist. Tony Abou-Ganim has worked with James Beard Award-winning chefs, Bellagio and more.

When you eat at the Empire Supper Club, expect an experience, not just dinner.

The venue can only seat 38 people and there will be only one seating per night, which means this will be a hot ticket to get into given its low capacity.

Each meal will take approximately three hours, and there will be a three-piece band playing, which means guests get not just a top quality meal, but entertainment too.

Royal Caribbean hopes it will be a throwback to old New York. Appropriately enough, you'll find the New York-themed restaurant in the part of the ship that is also inspired by the same city, Central Park.

A pricey dinner

While no prices have been listed yet, Royal Caribbean did give a ballpark estimate for how much a meal will cost.

In talking with travel agents recently, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, said she expects the price to be right around $200 per person.

"It'll probably be about $200 a person," she explained in talking about the restaurant. "We haven't landed exactly on the price, but it's going to be worth it because it's going to be a beautiful eight course meal paired with the mixologist, the cocktails and the wines."

Royal Caribbean has plenty of specialty restaurants that have cover charges, but none that have a per-person price tag approaching the Empire Supper Club.

In comparison, here are prices for other specialty restaurants from the upcoming inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas (with a 10% discount off onboard prices):

• Chops Grille: $62.99 per person
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen: $48.99 per person
• Izumi: $35.99 per person
• Hooked: $57.99 per person
• Izumi Hibachi: $57.99 per person

While the price is higher than other restaurants, it's also different from any other specialty restaurant the cruise line has come up with.

While the Chef's Table experience on other ships is also a curated meal experience, The Empire Supper Club is taking things to a new level with the menu and drink pairings.

Royal Caribbean said caviar and wagyu beef would be among the items that we can expect to see on the menu (the full menu has not been released yet).

"Most elevated dining experience we've created"

The high price tag isn't without merit, as Royal Caribbean wanted to come up with something that is substantially different from anything else.

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, spoke about the Empire Supper Club a few months ago and he is excited to bring something so different to guests to try, "Empire Supper Club is what I would say is the most elevated dining experience we've created at Royal Caribbean."

"Food will be paired with cocktails, and then we'll pair it with music as well. So it'll be a full immersive dining experience."

From the sounds of it, this will be an intimate setting.

Just as food and drinks get commonly paired together, Royal Caribbean thinks pairing music to the meal will add to the sensory experience.

As mentioned earlier, the menu isn't set yet, but Mr. D'Souza's team is working on a variety of concepts for the menu, including an elevated oyster course, butterflied Caesar salad, and even testing out a rabbit dish. Don't worry, even if the rabbit course makes it to the menu, Mr. D'Souza said there will be other meat options too to pick from.

"It's really a set menu that allows you with a couple of choices around entrees."

Almost all the ingredients will be American sourced ingredients to match the New York menu they are aiming for.

He used the word "elevated" a lot to describe the meal at Empire Supper Club because of how fundamentally different it will be from other restaurants, "it really is an elevated food experience that's tied together with a really elevated beverage experience."

"It's really challenging us to come up with food and now figure out how to pair it, because you can pair wine easily. But, we're saying how do we pair a cocktail in a really meaningful way so that it's really an experiential combination between the food and the cocktail, and now you're layering music."

Wondering when is the best time to book a cruise? If you do what the top cruise fans do, then you’ll be booking earlier than you might think.

Compared to land vacations, people new to cruising might be surprised how early you can book a cruise and why so many cruise experts recommend booking a cruise months, if not years, in advance.

But is there such a thing as too early? Or too late?

While there’s plenty of advice on sites like this, that ties better prices to earlier booking windows. Then again, booking more than a year out is really hard to plan due to work obligations, family events, vacation schedule and more.

Read more: Pros and Cons of booking a cruise early vs last-minute

The timing of your booking could make a difference in the cost, availability, and overall experience of your cruise.

To help you consider when to book your next cruise, we asked readers what they recommended. Read ahead for three different options, and the reasons why fans have a preferred timeline. 

Read more: First time cruisers: What to know before booking a Royal Caribbean cruise

On our Instagram, we polled readers about which timeline they usually use for booking: more than one year in advance, 6-12 months in advance, or less than six months in advance.

More than one year in advance

41% of viewers, 502 votes to be exact, said they book their cruises more than a year in advance.

On our Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook page, readers expanded on why they prefer that timeline.

John Mavros said he books “always more than a year in advance. Best cabin selection.”

Booking early gives you a wider selection of cabins to choose from, allowing you first pick of the best staterooms. Especially if you have specific preferences or requirements for a room, being one of the first tickets will ensure you have the best availability.

Karen G. Zucker commented: “At least one year in advance.. sometimes two years. We need a handicapped room so we strategically plan!”

If you need a specific type of stateroom, like a handicapped-accessible room, booking early will confirm that one is still open for you. Whether you want a suite, balcony, or a specific location on the ship, early booking increases your chances of getting exactly the cabin you desire.

Readers also said that booking gave them a better price.

“More than a year in advance gets the best deals generally,” Justin Revell commented.

Joy Pralle wrote that she books “more than a year in advance.” and has seen “prices double or even triple when I try to do a mock booking closer to the cruise date.”

Cruise lines often offer rewarding deals and promotions to travelers who book their cruises more in advance. These deals include reduced fares or onboard credits, and can usually save you some money.

Several readers, like Michael Ott, said they book as soon as itineraries open “to get the best price.” 

If you have to make any other travel arrangements to arrive at your cruise ship, this benefit of an improved price will also include those, such as any planes or shuttles you’ll have to take to your cruise line. Purchasing those flights and other rides earlier will get you a better deal. 

For those excited about popular excursions or destinations, booking further in advance will also ensure that you get the best availability for your activities. 

If price or room availability are important factors, and you don’t mind planning a while in advance, booking a year or more ahead could be the best option for you. 

Between 6-12 months in advance

47% of readers, the majority on our poll, voted that they usually book their cruise between 6-12 months ahead of time. 

Brian Fluno said he usually books “between 6-9 months” earlier, and hasn’t had a problem, despite usually booking “prime dates like spring break, Christmas, and New Year’s.”

Booking 6-12 in advance can save some of the earlier availability and allow you to plan ahead while still reserving time for any unexpected changes.

Cruisers traveling in groups might also find that this is the best timeline, as it allows everyone to work around their own schedule, accommodations, and needs.

When it comes to scheduling conflicts, Carlos Varela said they “used to book further out” but now pick this timeline because “price differential refundable/nonrefundable has increased so much we cannot risk losing a deposit because of unanticipated scheduling conflicts.”

If you want to avoid disappointment and losing a deposit, booking 6-12 months ahead is the right time slot.

Jamie Fordham added that this timeline gives her “enough time to save and pay off and plan the rest.”

For Michele Saunders, it depends on the length of the cruise: “Short cruises about 6 months. Something like Alaska—a year to 18 months.”

Adjusting to the length or price of your cruise is always a good option for the best travel experience. To avoid any mishaps, allow yourself more time to plan those longer cruises. 

6-12 months was our most popular option. For planners with busier schedules or those who don’t want to risk losing money in a refund, this is the perfect time to book your cruise.

Read more: When is the best time to book a cruise?

Less than six months

13% of our readers said they plan a little more short-term, booking less than six months before their cruise.

Shakira Liz Estades Pérez wrote: “I'm that type of person who always think everything can change in a while and don't feel comfortable with booking for so many time in advance.”

It can be hard to plan more than six months ahead of time. If you prefer spontaneous travel or have less flexible vacations or paid time off, this may be a more realistic timeline for you.

For a booking this close to the cruise, it takes away more of the pressure around planning for months at a time.

Additionally, if the cruise line has any last-minute deals or cancellations, this would be the time to look for them. Staying flexible and spontaneous could save you money in the end.

Justin Hollon added that airfare deals are usually in the 3-6 month range as well, so keep that in mind if you need other travel arrangements. 

Last-minute bookings also allow you to travel during the off-season, avoiding busier crowds or higher prices. 

More experienced cruisers who are familiar with the cruise industry and booking process will also feel more comfortable booking last minute. 

Planning a cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Thanks for joining us for another weekly look at all of the Royal Caribbean news from this week.  The late-summer heat is still on, and we have plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share from this week.

Fear not, Royal Caribbean will not charge extra for pizza. 

After passionate backlash, Royal Caribbean’s CEO, Michael Bayley, took to Facebook to announce the cruise line will not be charging for Sorrento’s pizza.

Mr. Bayley wrote that 80% of readers responded “no” to an email survey that asked readers whether they would still dine at Sorrento’s pizza if an extra fee was applied.

Mr. Bayley assured readers that the change will not take place: "To calm all our Pizza lovers don’t worry we are not charging for Pizza."

Royal Caribbean News

• Meet Royal Caribbean's new Chief Meteorologist
• Celebrity Cruises just announced more Caribbean cruises that visit Royal Caribbean’s private island
• When will Royal Caribbean release new sailings for 2025?
• Photos Show Why Booking a Balcony Cruise Cabin Is Worth It
• 16 cheap and free things to do on an Alaska cruise to avoid spending hundreds on shore excursions

Royal Caribbean Blog Video: Latest Royal Caribbean News 

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Is charging for pizza on the menu? And an Icon update and changes to the Diamond Lounge.

If you haven’t yet subscribed to our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel, go ahead and check it out for regular cruising updates. 

Our latest video also shows what it’s like at the top: After 70 cruises, I reached Royal Caribbean’s TOP loyalty level!

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

Click here for the 508th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast, to hear one of our listeners, Craig Storm, talk about his first experience trying Royal Caribbean after sailing on several other cruise lines.

We update our podcast weekly, so subscribe for more updates via iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or RSS.

You can also leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so go ahead and check it out! We appreciate your feedback.

The biggest cruise hack that has saved me thousands of dollars

Are you getting the best rate possible for your cruise fare? Saving money on your cruise will allow you to splurge on your cruise, such as purchasing drink packages, excursions, or specialty dining. 

Additionally, getting a good price will allow you to travel more often instead of breaking your bank in one trip.

Depending on when you book your cruise, you may be able to use this surprising hack to save money on your fare.

We asked our readers what one thing they wish they packed for their cruise

No one wants to forget an important item on their cruise. Either you will go without it, and suffer a steeper charge to buy it onboard. 

We asked our readers what item they wished they had packed on their cruise, and made a list of the most important responses.

From travel fans to aloe vera, make sure you’re not missing any essentials when you pack.

I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Adventure of the Seas

What does a night look like inside the cheapest cabin on Adventure of the Seas?

Angie recently chose a guarantee stateroom for her cruise, ensuring a lower-priced room but a random, often less favorable location.

Although clean and tidy, the room was small and windowless. Check out our link for a full cabin tour of the $300-a-night stateroom.

10 genius things cruise ship passengers brought to CocoCay to make it even better

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s private island, where cruisers can have a complimentary island and beach experience.

While crew members will work to make sure your day there is perfect, it doesn’t hurt to come prepared.

Here are 10 items cruisers brought to Perfect Day at CocoCay that made their experience even better.

30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

What should (and shouldn't) you do on the first day of the cruise to ensure you have a great start?

There's lots of good advice out there, so we whittled it down for you.

From arriving at the cruise terminal to making dining reservations, exploring the ship, and finding the best spot for sailaway, here are some of the best do’s and don’ts for the first day of your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean has a new weather expert on staff who's job it is track bad weather and ensure cruise ships aren't near potential problems.

Craig Setzer is the company's new Chief Meteorologist, and as as we know, the only chief meteorologist working in the cruise industry.

Mr. Setzer took on his new role in August, and has over 25 years of experience in the field. He's an Emmy-winning former TV Meteorologist, having worked at CBS News and a few local television stations. In fact, he was CBS' Chief Meteorologist.

He also remains involved with the National Hurricane Center, teaching at World Meteorological Organization workshops, and presenting at American Meteorological Society conferences around the country.

Following his television career, he spent considerable time in providing his expertise in court cases related to marine weather, atmospheric lighting and visibility, storm-related damage and losses, wind drift, and human exposure in extreme conditions. 

Mr. Setzer posted on his Twitter account that working with Royal Caribbean is a dream role, "It’s a dream job utilizing my tropical & marine meteorology experience and allowing me to explore/advance operational maritime science in a way I couldn’t before."

According to Royal Caribbean Group's job posting for the Chief Meteorologist position earlier this year, Mr. Setzer will be responsible for providing expert analysis of weather systems, such as hurricanes, typhoons and any other kind of severe weather that could impact cruise ship sailings.

His guidance to the fleet with weather-related support and guidance is what ensures ships can alter itineraries, or simply take a different route to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for passengers.

Royal Caribbean was the first line to create the role of a meteorologist following a weather-related incident involving a Royal Caribbean ship in 2016.  

Historically, cruise lines used outside vendors to provide them with forecasts. 

After an internal investigation of the unsettling event, the cruise line decided they needed an in-house, dedicated resource.

Since then, the cruise line decided it was time to mitigate the chances of that sort of event from happening again by hiring someone in-house to provide better direction.

Royal Caribbean's first Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet, also came from a television background, and worked in the role from its inception until earlier this year when it was announced he was leaving the position.

Already busy tracking storms

If Mr. Setzer's social media postings are any indication, he's been busy tracking weather events in just the first few weeks on the job.

Hurricane Hilary is headed towards California, and he's been sharing key details about the intensity of the storm and what people can really expect.

He debunked some headlines related to the storm, sharing that he expects the storm to be much weaker by the time it reaches the United States.

"Some folks see this headline, 
...HILARY IS A LARGE AND POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE...
& see the center point cone headed toward California, thinking cat 4 is going to hit California. That's not correct."

"Looking at the forecast details reveal Hilary will be a much weaker but very wet storm by the time it reaches the US. Flooding will be main threat for Calif, AZ, much of the western US."

Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas had her itinerary changed, and Mr. Setzer was involved in that decision.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader YoungFamilyExplorers shared a photo of a letter sent to passengers onboard the cruise ship with the new times in port, and the decision was made with the assistance of the Chief Meteorologist. 

Of course, he's also focused on the Atlantic for tropical storm development.  Hurricanes in the Atlantic are usually where the greatest impact to itineraries occur.

The U.S. government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) originally predicted a "near-normal" year with 12 to 17 named storms for the 2023 hurricane season, with five to nine would become hurricanes.

NOAA increased its forecast on August 10 to a prediction of an "above normal" year for hurricanes, because of record-warm sea surface temperatures.

The new prediction is for 14 to 21 named storms for the season as a whole, of which six to 11 could become hurricanes. Two to five could become major hurricanes, according to NOAA.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs between June 1 and November 30.

When docked at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, crew members both ashore and onboard will work to make sure that your day is, in fact, perfect, but it doesn't hurt to come prepared with a few items that can help elevate your experience at this one-of-a-kind destination. 

Perfect Day at Cococay is designed to be a place anyone can go and have a wonderful time, but are there ways to further enhance your day there?

Past cruisers who are part of the Facebook group "Coco Cay - The Perfect Day" shared some things they brought with them or wish they had while they were there.

Here are 10 genius things you should bring to Royal Caribbean's private island to make it even better.

Please note that we have linked some items on Amazon, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase it. Shop more on our Amazon Storefront! 

Inflatable floats from Amazon

Sure, you can rent $20 mats through Royal Caribbean. Wouldn't it be smarter to just bring your own, though? Not only are they a better investment, as you can use them when docked in other ports of call, during the summer at the pool, or on future trips, but they are also more stylish. 

Nicole Fedoryka wrote, "Used at 4 different places on our cruise last month. Easy to blow up and let air out..."

The key is to make sure that they are inflatable, though. You do not want them to take up too much space in your luggage before you get on the ship. You should also refrain from using them in the ship's pools, as they are already limited in space. 

On Amazon, a 4-pack of inflatable mesh floats is only $21.99. If you want, you can also research inflatable tube floats, if you'd rather sit in a donut-shaped float. 

Baby powder

Did you know that baby powder makes sand fall off of your feet? That's what Debby Smith advised everyone to bring with them ashore. 

Don't put it on before you go in the water, though. Smith recommended applying it after you've finished hanging out in the ocean. 

Kate Zingarelli seconded this item: "[It] also makes getting dressed after swimming easier. After you take off your swimsuit, powder the sticky not quite dry areas. Clothes go on smoothly. Great for helping kids get dressed." 

This is a common household item that many have in a drawer or cabinet in their bathroom already. If you don't, though, a bottle is less than $5 on Amazon. 

Towel clips

Towel clips should be on any upcoming cruiser's packing list. They are great for sea days when there might be a steady breeze blowing throughout the pool deck. 

Being able to use them at CocoCay is just another reason as to why you should get them! They will be useful in keeping your towels secure while you take a refreshing swim, use the restroom, or grab a bite to eat. 

Marshall Upright wrote, "Towel clips to hold the towel on the chair. Amazon 16 for $9." 

You might not need 16, though. If you are a family of four, eight clips will most likely do the job! Plus, at $5.99 smaller pack is even cheaper than $9. 

SPF lip balm

Sunscreen is usually not an overlooked item when packing for a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas. I'll admit, though, that I don't think I have ever packed SPF lip balm!

With how easily I burn, this is something that I am going to start making sure is at the top of my life. 

Unfortunately, Facebook user Katie Foster learned this lesson the hard way, as her lips got burnt on a recent cruise. 

Whether CocoCay is your first or last stop, it is important to protect your skin at every port. If they get swollen, you won't enjoy yourself as much. 

Full-face snorkel mask

"I really debated getting [a mask], said Bill Wyszomirski, "but oh boy was I glad I did. I must've told my wife 4 times afterwards that I was so glad we had our won stuff. Don't regret it one bit." 

Full-face masks mean that you do not have to mess with a breathing tube or goggles; it is just a single piece of equipment!

If you're someone who loves capturing vacation memories, this one is great because it has a GoPro attachment.

While equipment can be rented while ashore, purchasing your own means that it can be used at other points during your vacation or on next year's trip! Like the inflatable beach mats, they are a better deal.

Locking privacy pouch

Like SPF lip balm, this is another item that I wish I had thought about sooner! As someone who travels solo on cruises pretty frequently, I am always worried about my belongings. 

"...we can leave our phones and purse while we [are] in the water or [go] to grab food/drinks," commented Shaunna Pion. 

During some research, I found that there are some bags that just lock without any sort of attachment to secure to your beach chair. 

I stumbled upon a water-resistant pouch with a security tether for only $26.99. It's perfect to protect your phone, cash, SeaPass card, and more. 

Liquid band-aids

Packing your own first-aid supplies is crucial for any trip. It is always smart to have band-aids on hand, especially when you are off the ship visiting a foreign country. 

One commenter reminisced on a time in which she wished she had liquid bandages after her son got injured. Brandi Leigh said that even though she had regular band-aids, she wished that she had liquid ones because standard band-aids kept falling off in the water, and the salt water stung his wound. 

Thankfully, another cruiser onboard had a tube of liquid bandage that she shared, so they could get back to having the best trip possible!

Liquid bandages do not actually adhere to the skin like traditional ones. Instead, the glue-like substance forms a tough protective barrier to seal out water, dirt, and germs. 

A spray fan

The Bahamas can get hot, like hot. The last time I was in CocoCay was over the week of the 4th of July. I was sitting in a shaded area of Chill Island sweating at 10 in the morning! 

Jenna Sprehe says that she had a spray fan to cool down while on the island. 

Even though the ocean and pool are always steps away, sometimes you just want a little mist while eating or reading a book on the beach! You don't always want to submerge yourself in the water. 

Many of them, like this $15 one from Amazon, do require batteries, though! Once you purchase it, you may find yourself needing it again in the future, like at the beach, a ballgame, camping, or waiting in line at a theme park. 

Collapsible folding wagon

If you're flying, you probably will not have the space for this, but those who live within driving distance should consider bring a collapsable folding wagon to CocoCay with them. 

LS McGallagher said, "Saw several people with fold up wagons (like we use for sports games) to lug stuff on/off boat. Seemed like a good idea if you have a lot of stuff."

Even though you will not have to worry about bringing your own beach chairs or umbrellas, there's still a lot of beach stuff that you might want to bring ashore with you. 

You will need towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothing for sure. What about beach toys? Inflatable mats? Snorkel masks? Things can take up room in a standard backpack or beach bag pretty quickly. 

Water shoes

If you are a first-time cruiser, you should come prepared for hot surfaces on the ship, especially on sunny days at sea. "Pool decks are hot," wrote Tina Kupfer-Fisher.

When docked, though, your water shoes can protect your feet on the pier, sand, and pathways when navigating the island. 

If you are spending the day in South Beach, for instance, you will have to walk to the Chill Grill for lunch, unless you are okay with the limited offerings at the Snack Shack. At 12:00pm and 1:00pm, you will not want to be barefoot! 

Don't worry, flip-flops will work just fine if you don't have water shoes. They just tend to be more secure and slip-proof.