Royal Caribbean Blog

The cruise industry is convenient for people traveling in twos—but what about families of five?

For groups of five or families with three kids, it can be tricky to find proper activities, accommodations, and sailings.

Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line for family holidays, but some of its ships and itineraries are better for families than others.

And once you choose a ship and sailing, you'll still have to figure out the best stateroom configurations for your brood.

Larger families have additional challenges when it comes to planning vacations.

You'll have to work around schedule conflicts between school and employment. 

Families also have a broad range of ages that contribute to a variety of interests, from toddlers preferring pool time to adults who just need a quiet moment at the bar.

Finding the right stateroom is also difficult for a family of five, who need extra space and privacy. Cruise lines make it easy to book rooms for two to four people—add a fifth, and things get more complicated.

Whether you're looking for entertainment that enthralls the whole family or the perfect two-bedroom suite, here are the best cruises for a family of five. 

Wonder of the Seas

For families traveling with multiple age ranges, Wonder of the Seas has something for every generation.

One of the cruise line's biggest ships, Wonder is an Oasis-Class vessel packed with entertainment and activities.

The size of the ship ensures that there's enough space to hold something for everyone.

For the active bodies, the vessel has pools, waterslides, a zip line, a surf simulator, laser tag, ice skating, rock climbing walls, and a 10-story dry slide.

Adults can get away in the Solarium, an 18+ pool area, or enjoy comedy, ice-skating, and diving shows with the whole family.

Plus, Wonder of the Seas has nine complimentary venues and over 12 specialty venues, including the signature Mason Jar Southern cooking.

Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ship—and the largest one in the world—was built with young children and their parents in mind.

The ship's Surfside neighborhood caters specifically to families with young kids with its splash area, water slides, arcade, carousel, and playground.

Read more: Royal Caribbean added a new suite for families on Icon of the Seas that has more space than ever

The neighborhood also features family-centric dining options, like Surfside Eatery, Surfside Bites, and Pier 7.

Surfside neighborhood is also adjacent to Adventure Ocean and multiple family-style suites and cabins.

Icon of the Seas has 28 unique cabin categories, with unique and new designs built especially for families.

Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's debut Oasis-Class vessel, Oasis of the Seas, has a fun, vibrant atmosphere perfect for families.

Much like Wonder of the Seas, the ship is packed with activities for every passenger's taste.

Oasis first launched in 2009 and was amplified in 2019. The amplification added modern amenities, including a Caribbean-style pool deck with a tropical feel. Four distinct pool areas have lots of space for families to spread out. 

Splashaway Bay, a pool area specifically for children, features small slides, water sprayers, and playground-style climbing areas.

Plus, Oasis has three waterslides, the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, an extra-tall rock climbing wall, a space-themed escape room, Central Park, and the Boardwalk, complete with a carousel.

Utopia of the Seas

Much like her sister vessels in the Oasis Class, Utopia of the Seas has a wide range of activities for all ages to enjoy.

However, another reason families should book a sailing on Utopia is to try a shorter itinerary.

Utopia is the first large Royal Caribbean ship to immediately start offering 3 and 4-night cruises at its debut.

If you struggle to get time off from work, get the children out of school, or coordinate with older kids, a weekend on one of the world's biggest cruise ships has everything you need.

The line's newest cruise ship is packed with novel activities, from an immersive train car dining experience to new parties.

Plus, if you're already a fan of Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, Utopia takes its classic features to the next level.

Most popular cabins for 5 people

Once you choose a vessel and itinerary, you'll choose a stateroom category to book the sailing.

When it comes to families of five, this isn't always a straightforward process.

The Royal Caribbean website won't allow you to book a cabin for five people, so you'll have to consult with a travel agent or call the cruise line's customer service.

Picking your stateroom onboard means choosing your home for the length of the cruise, so finding a good fit is key. Plus, families especially need comfortable cabins with lots of space for naps, quality time, and extra showers. 

The following aren't all the possible cabin categories for a group of five, but they're the most popular options with cruisers.

Two connecting staterooms

The easier option, available on all ships in the fleet, is to book two connecting staterooms.

The cost of two separate staterooms can be cheaper than one large family stateroom, and two connecting staterooms ensure that the family is still close together.

Doors between them keep an easy flow and can be left open during the day to create a multiple-bedroom cabin.

Two separate staterooms also include the benefit of two bathrooms—great to prevent arguments over who's showering next.

Families with older children (or adults who need some extra space) will appreciate the separation two connecting cabins provide.

Each cabin needs to have a guest over 21 booked in the room, but that doesn't mean each adult has to sleep in a particular cabin.

You'll find connecting staterooms on all Royal Caribbean ships.

Family interior stateroom

For groups with a certain budget, the "spacious interior" stateroom is the most affordable cabin category that fits five guests.

The family interior stateroom fits up to six guests inside a windowless interior cabin.

Families who want to focus on shore excursions or onboard activities can save money by skipping an oceanview or balcony cabin and booking this category instead.

It is windowless, with two twin beds, two Pullman beds that fold down from the wall, a private bathroom, and a living area with a sofa bed.

You can book a family interior stateroom on Oasis Class, Freedom Class, and Vision Class ships.

Family oceanview stateroom

Families who want to stay together in one cabin can book a family oceanview stateroom.

Also called the "ultra spacious oceanview," this category has the capacity for six guests and requires a minimum of five to book.

Because a larger group is needed to book, this cabin is less likely to sell out quickly, lowering its cost and making the category easier to find onboard.

This cabin features a bright ocean view through a window or set of portholes.

The category usually ranges in size from 265 to 328 square feet and features a king-size bed, additional bunk beds, and a living area with a sofa bed.

You can book a family oceanview stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, Freedom Class, Voyager Class, Radiance Class, and Vision Class vessels.

Royal Loft Suite

Families looking to splurge on the luxurious benefits of a cruise ship suite can find the Royal Loft Suite on Royal Caribbean's newer ships.

The high-end suit comes with over 560 square feet of space, Star tier suite benefits, and a large private balcony.

The loft configuration features two distinct floors, giving a maximum of six guests tons of space to spread out.

The high price tag comes with some worthwhile treats. The Royal Loft Suite is available on Royal Caribbean ships in the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Classes.

Ultimate Family Suite

Another luxurious family suite is the Ultimate Family Suite, available on a few Royal Caribbean ships.

This cabin can sleep from five to nine guests and boasts Star-tier benefits.

Families ready to invest in their stateroom experience will appreciate the king-sized bed, two twin beds, four bunk beds, and double pull-out sofa.

The cabin also features plenty of entertainment—you won't even have to step outside for a fun cruise.

The living room features video games, table tennis, Connect 4, and even a slide. 

A wide balcony also features a private Jacuzzi, perfect for parents to enjoy without leaving any sleeping children.

The Ultimate Family Suite is only on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas.

I’ve cruised to Alaska five times—each on a different route—and I thought one cruise itinerary was far better than the rest.

Alaska is one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, with over 1.5 million passengers visiting the state this past season. The vast majority of Alaska cruises, and all of Royal Caribbean’s itineraries, depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia.

Itineraries vary from sailing to sailing, but all cruises offer a somewhat similar experience. Virtually all itineraries visit Juneau, with most stopping at ports like Skagway, Sitka, and Victoria, too. Yet even though itineraries are similar, the slight differences in each are enough to make them distinguishable from one another.

Related: 10 things to know before you book an Alaska cruise

Having cruised to Alaska five times in the past four years, I’ve found I prefer certain ports and itineraries over others. While I wouldn’t go as far to say there’s a “bad” Alaska cruise itinerary, one of my five cruises to Alaska offered the most spectacular itinerary of them all.

I tried a roundtrip Alaska cruise first, and I was immediately hooked

Back in 2021, I headed to Seattle to board my first Alaska cruise, a 7-night itinerary on Ovation of the Seas. It was my third cruise ever, and my first outside of the Caribbean region. Compared to the tropical Caribbean, I found that Alaska offered a totally unique cruise experience.

During my week onboard, I was astonished by Alaska’s landscapes and historic ports. I marveled at glaciers amongst the state’s narrow fjords, hiked through the Tongass National Forest, and caught a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway.

Related: Best things to do on an Alaska cruise

Alaska’s plethora of outdoor activities—along with its stunning nature—really opened my eyes to what a cruise could be. I found I preferred the itinerary over Caribbean cruises, and I couldn’t wait to head back the following year.

For my second Alaska cruise, I booked a one-way, port-intensive itinerary

I loved my first Alaska cruise experience so much that I planned to book a second sailing to the Last Frontier. So, when I came across an ultra-cheap Alaska cruise deal the following summer, I booked the itinerary without hesitation.

The second time around, however, I would be trying something new. Instead of a roundtrip cruise from Seattle, I booked a one-way itinerary on one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships, Radiance of the Seas.

Related: I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find: here's how it went

The cruise was set to depart from Vancouver, British Columbia and end in Seward, Alaska. Not only would the itinerary offer an additional port stop in Alaska, but it also included a scenic sailing around Hubbard Glacier. As another plus, ending the cruise in Seward meant I could explore Alaska’s interior after disembarking, whether on a Royal Caribbean Cruisetour or on my own.

All that being said, I still had hesitations. I wondered whether or not the one-way itinerary would be worth the extra travel time. There were no direct flights available from my home airport to Vancouver, and getting home after the cruise would be more challenging, too, as it required a long travel day from Anchorage.

Nonetheless, the itinerary intrigued me, and I figured it would be worth the longer travel times to and from the ship.

Luckily, the one-way itinerary was just as majestic as I hoped it would be

As it turned out, the minor inconveniences of getting to and from the ship were well worth the effort.

The one-way itinerary meant I visited four Alaska cruise ports in one week—Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and Icy Strait Point. I felt this offered a better value than roundtrip cruises from Seattle, which usually only visit three ports in Alaska.

Related: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

I also loved ending the cruise in Seward, which brought me closer to some of the most famous national parks in the United States. Even though I didn’t have time to spend extra days in Alaska, I loved spending disembarkation day in Anchorage before my flight home. For those interested in exploring Alaska’s interior before or after their cruise, booking a one-way itinerary is a no-brainer.

Unfortunately, our scheduled visit to Hubbard Glacier was canceled due to poor weather. This was, of course, out of our control, but I’m sure visiting the glacier would have made the one-way itinerary even more remarkable.

The next year I cruised to Alaska three more times, but the one-way itinerary remained my favorite

Somewhat unexpectedly, I ended up cruising to Alaska three separate times in the summer of 2023. An early-season cruise deal in May and two family vacations in June brought me back to the state again and again—all on roundtrip itineraries from Seattle.

All three itineraries were relatively similar, stopping at three ports in Alaska along with a visit to Victoria, British Columbia. Two of the cruises included a glacier viewing day, with a Princess Cruises’ itinerary visiting Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve.

Related: Royal Caribbean vs Princess to Alaska: Which cruise line is better?

Glacier Bay is often considered the crown jewel of Alaska port visits, and the park certainly lived up to the hype. Our ship sailed past multiple glaciers in one day, and National Park Service rangers joined the ship to give lectures about the park. Nevertheless, I found I still preferred cruising to Alaska on a one-way itinerary over these roundtrip sailings.

To me, you can’t beat the chance to start or end your cruise in Southcentral Alaska, providing convenient access to Denali National Park & Preserve and Kenai Fjords National Park.

Plus, despite my bad luck with the weather, the scheduled visits to Hubbard Glacier are a major drawing point of one-way cruises. This is especially true if cruising on Royal Caribbean; the cruise line does not have access to Glacier Bay, so Hubbard Glacier is a great alternative.

All in all, Alaska’s remote location makes one-way itineraries worth the extra effort

For many cruisers, visiting Alaska is something they will do just once in their lifetime, and truthfully, there’s no right or wrong Alaska cruise route. When I cruised to Alaska for the first time, I was awestruck by the state’s geography, culture, and cuisine. I could have cared less about whether or not I picked the “right” itinerary for the cruise.

Related: Best Alaska cruises for every travel style

So, if you’ve booked an Alaska cruise on a roundtrip itinerary from Seattle, don’t feel as if you’ve made the wrong choice. For most passengers, these itineraries offer a perfect first glimpse into what the state has to offer. In addition, the majority of these cruises are on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class ships, which offer countless activities, dining options, cabin categories, and entertainment onboard.

Personally, though, after cruising to Alaska five times, I would choose a one-way itinerary for my next sailing. There are downsides, of course, including fewer direct flights to board the ship and the fact that only older ships tend to sail these itineraries.

Despite these drawbacks, I still find one-way itineraries to offer a more in-depth, immersive Alaska cruise experience.

Another busy week of Royal Caribbean fun just wrapped up, but if you missed any of it, I have a concise look at all of it for you in this weekly news round-up!

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday deals are here!

The cruise line kicked off its Black Friday specials early, with all kinds of offers of onboard credit offers, discounts on bookings, cheaper pre-cruise purchases, and more!

Some sailings are seeing deep discounts offered and great prices on add-ons too.

Royal Caribbean News

• These are the 3 top competitors for Royal Caribbean. None are cruise lines
• Royal Caribbean is selling its drink packages for as low as $54.99 per day during its Black Friday sale
• I Took a Royal Caribbean Cruise With My Sister — and It Was the Ultimate Girls Trip
• Fed up with a broken drink holder, cruise passenger takes matters into his own hands
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship stuck in Japan due to propulsion problem
• Party accidentally sets off sprinklers on giant cruise ship flooding deck with water
• The 5 important Royal Caribbean email addresses you should know about
• Royal Caribbean alters cruise ship itineraries to avoid Hurricane Rafael
• Royal Caribbean needs more time to finish maintenance work on one of its cruise ships and will delay its return
• Royal Caribbean new Black Friday bundle deals

New RCB Video: Why I Hate Shore Excursions

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Why I Hate Shore Excursions — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 549th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Is it crazy to spend $12,000 on an Ultimate Family Suite? Matt tried the stateroom so he could give his honest thoughts.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

A Royal Caribbean ship tilted sideways with passengers onboard

Videos posted online show what passengers experienced when Explorer of the Seas was hit by severe weather.

Reports are that Explorer of the Seas was struck by a squall, causing the ship to tilt to one side.

The incident was short-lived, but it caused a lot of damage to the ship's shops and casinos because of falling items.

Royal Caribbean drops suite benefits on select cabins

Royal Caribbean has announced changes to its suite benefits, including some benefits that are being dropped.

Surfside Family Suites will be demoted from Sky Class to Sea Class benefits, while Sunset Junior Suites are moving up to Sky Class. Additionally, Sky Junior Suites will no longer have free WiFi on Icon of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas.

According to the cruise line, it has made these changes to ensure a more consistent experience across the board. 

I took my 6-month-old on a cruise. This is the best ship for a baby, and I want to go on one again

What's it like to sail with a baby, and which ship is the best option?

Nicole has taken over 15 cruises throughout her life, but this October, she took her first cruise with her 6-month-old daughter.

Cruising with a small baby is a completely new approach to travel, and Nicole appreciated all the touches on Icon of the Seas that made the cruise enjoyable.

Freedom of the Seas vs. Newer Ships: Does It Still Hold Up?

Calista recently sailed on Freedom of the Seas after trying Icon and Utopia, creating a stark contrast to the older ship.

Does the Freedom Class still hold up? 

Despite the smaller public spaces and limited dining options, there's still a lot to love about the 18-year-old vessel.

Videos are surfacing online of on Explorer of the Seas, capturing the ship's sudden tilt during a recent squall.

The incident took place on Thursday evening this week while Explorer of the Seas was crossing the Atlantic Ocean.  After visiting Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Explorer of the Seas began her transatlantic journey to Miami, Florida. 

While off the coast of Africa, the ship was hit by a squall - or a sudden, sharp gust of sustained wind. This caused the ship to tilt on its side, wreaking havoc onboard.

A video of the incident is currently going viral on TikTok with more than 4 million views. The video was filmed on the Royal Promenade when Explorer of the Seas was struck by the squall. Over 4k viewers have commented on the TikTok, which has amassed over 143k likes. The video was shared by user @digitalnomodo, also known as Digital Nomad Around The World.

The footage shows Explorer of the Seas tilting significantly during the squall incident, with merchandise spewing across the floor and guests attempting to navigate the tilting promenade. Two guests appear caught off guard as they walk sideways, nearly getting hit by a screen sliding across the floor. Another male guest is seen in the footage clinging to a table for support. 

The viral TikTok continues to show the Royal Promenade turning into chaos with items falling all over the floor. The two guests eventually reach out to hold onto one of the employees to keep their balance. The three people hold hands while the ship rocks. People are also shown walking sideways as the ship tilts during the squall.

The aftermath of the squall is shown at the end of the video, with one woman having a heated discussion with two crew members. It’s unclear what exactly is happening during this encounter, although the woman is seen pointing into one of the stores. Merchandise is scattered across the floor with one of the screens lying atop a table. 

Because the squall struck later in the evening, the Royal Promenade was filled with items for guests to shop, as is common on cruise ships. This likely caused more of a mess, as much of the merchandise was out for display.

Explorer of the Seas had already adjusted her transatlantic crossing due to historic flooding in Valencia, Spain. The itinerary was changed once again due to Tropical Storm Patty in the Atlantic Ocean, causing the ship to visit the Canary Islands instead. When the ship was around 750 miles off the coast of Africa, a squall struck with extreme winds and rough conditions. By definition, squalls involve sudden and sustained gusts of wind, often accompanied by rough seas and dangerous storm conditions. 

The ship steered out of the squall safely thanks to the captain’s quick actions. Guests and crew members were directed to return to their staterooms for accountability counts to ensure everyone was safe. Luckily, all guests and crew were accounted for. Some minor injuries were reported due to the incident, according to guests currently onboard. According to passengers on the ship, some crew members were also injured during the squall. 

A map of the ship’s route on CruiseMapper shows the ship veering quickly before continuing on its transatlantic journey. However, Explorer of the Seas reverted its course shortly after and returned to the Canary Islands for a medical disembarkation.

In an official statement, Royal Caribbean said the ship experienced “sudden movement” when it was hit by an “unexpected wind gust”. Because of the incident, Royal Caribbean confirmed one guest required additional medical attention in Las Palmas, which is the capital city of the Canary Islands and the largest city in Gran Canaria. The cruise line did not specify the severity of the guest’s injuries.

The captain’s decision to return to the Canary Islands is not surprising, as Explorer of the Seas will be spending the next week crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The 12-night itinerary will be delayed returning to Miami, Florida by three days due to the incident.

The sailing departed from Barcelona, Spain on November 2, 2024 for the transatlantic itinerary. The original sailing included stops in Valencia (Spain), Malaga (Spain) and the Azores before six days of sailing to Miami, Florida. The stop in Valencia, Spain was replaced with Cartagena, Spain due to the catastrophic flooding that occurred a few weeks ago.

The ship’s port of call in the Azores was also cancelled due to weather, as Tropical Storm Patty would bring rough seas to the region. The captain instead rerouted the ship to Tenerife in the Canary Islands before beginning the transatlantic crossing.

When the ship encountered the squall, guests onboard described the situation as “terrifying” with many passengers panicking. Because the squall was unexpected, guests were going about their evening onboard the ship. Many passengers were in the theatre for the evening show when the ship started to rock violently.

One guest wrote on Facebook, “We were hit by a surprise squall and the ship listed port side really far and stayed tilted for about somewhere between 5-10 minutes.”

“I am not alone in saying I thought the ship was going over,” commented another passenger online. Another responded, “We were on deck 12, and thought it was going to tip. It was terrifying.”

The captain apparently told guests that wind speeds “basically doubled in intensity within six minutes” during the squall. Because it was an unexpected weather event, the ship could not have prepared for the wind intensity.

Images of the incident were quickly shared online, with many passengers capturing the chaos and damage onboard. The bars onboard Explorer of the Seas were particularly impacted with broken glassware, shattered liquor bottles and spilled liquids.

Passengers on the transatlantic sailing also reported damage to their cabins with one guest describing a scene of broken glassware and shattered wine bottles in their stateroom. However, once all guests and crew members were accounted for, the ship was given an “all clear” and passengers were free to leave their staterooms.

Photos from the incident show the ship’s crew members working hard to clean up the mess and ensure the guests were taken care of. Many praised the hard working crew, along with the ship’s captain for his handling of the incident in keeping everyone safe.

“[The captain] took us out of harm’s way. And I thank him from the bottom of my heart for doing so. Yes, I was scared, probably not as much as others because we were in our cabin when the ship listed, but Captain Frank immediately came on over the intercom to tell us that we were changing course for about 30 minutes to avoid the unexpected squall, and that we were safe,” shared one passenger onboard.

Guests were later told that the ship needed to return to the Canary Islands for the medical emergency, in which the ship would also refuel and get provisions. Because of this, Explorer of the Seas will arrive back in Miami, Florida on November 17, 2024 - three days later than her originally scheduled date of November 14, 2024.

Explorer of the Seas was scheduled to sail on a 10-night Southern Caribbean itinerary on November 14, 2024 after the completion of her transatlantic crossing. That itinerary has now been shortened to a 7-night Southern Caribbean itinerary with the loss of three port stops because of the delay. Guests on the impacted itinerary will receive a prorated refund, along with onboard credit to use during the cruise because of the shortened sailing.

At the time of publication, Explorer of the Seas is sailing on the southern side of Gran Canaria after departing from Las Palmas. The ship will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean before arriving in Miami, Florida for her winter season, sailing itineraries around the Caribbean. Explorer of the Seas is a Voyager class ship that was originally built in 2000. The vessel, measuring 137,000 gross registered tons, has 14 decks. At maximum capacity, the ship can hold 4,290 passengers. 

Not only did Royal Caribbean start its Black Friday sale already, but they added new combination deals you should look at buying.

While the actual Black Friday holiday is still a couple of weeks away, Royal Caribbean decided to get in on the holiday sales early. It launched a Black Friday Early Access sale that will morph into a few other named promotions.

The early consensus among many cruisers so far is the discounts are substantial, especially for drink packages, Wi-Fi access, and even dining packages.

The focus might be on lower prices for cruise add-ons we're used to tracking, but there are a few extras that are new and exclusive to this sale.

Along with the Black Friday sale, Royal Caribbean rolled out new bundles that include a few different extras in one.  Royal Caribbean says they are a Black Friday/Cyber Monday "exclusive", so it might be a limited-time offer.

You can find these located under the "Packages" section of Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

Here's a closer look at what each combo deal offers.

Beverage, WiFi & Excursions

There are three bundles that include some aspect of a visit to Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The Thrill Big Package comes in two forms: for adults or kids, and it includes:

• Drink Package
  • Deluxe Beverage Package for adults
  • Refreshment Package for kids
• VOOM Surf + Stream Internet – 1 Device
• Thrill Waterpark Full Day Pass

Thrill Waterpark is where you'll find all the water slides on CocoCay.  It also has a giant wave pool, and an adventure pool full of aquatic challenges.

For a Utopia of the Seas cruise in December, the price is $107.99 per guest, per day for the adults package, and $56.99 for the non-alcoholic version.

The Chill Big Package also comes in two forms and it includes: 

• Drink Package
  • Deluxe Beverage Package for adults
  • Refreshment Package for kids
• VOOM Surf + Stream Internet – 1 Device
• Coco Beach Club Day Pass

The Coco Beach Club is an elevated beach day offering that has limited capacity, a full sit down restaurant, and a heated infinity pool.  

The idea behind the beach club is to offer a more serene spot, so you won't find music or a DJ here.

Example prices are $118.99 per guest, per day for adults, and $67.99 per guest, per day for kids.

The Party Big Package is only for guests 21 years old or older, and it includes:

• Deluxe Beverage Package
• VOOM Surf + Stream Internet – 1 Device
• Hideaway Beach Day Pass

Hideaway Beach is a new expansion at CocoCay that caters exclusively to adults.

You'll find a beach, heated pool, and DJ spinning tunes all day long.

The price is $107.99 per guest, per day.

Drink package & internet bundles

Royal Caribbean also has combo deals on just a drink package and internet access.

• The Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM 1 Device
• Refreshment Package + VOOM 1 Device
• Classic Soda Package + VOOM 1 Device

Prices will vary depending on your sailing, but it offers a 2-in-1 option.

Triple Taste Tour Package

Available exclusively on Royal Caribbean's smallest and oldest cruise ships, there's a new dining combo offering.

The Triple Taste Tour Package has three exclusive experiences during different days of the sailing.

It's only available to book on Vision and Radiance Class ships.

It includes:

• Dinner at Chops Grille on the first night of your sailing
• Taste of Royal lunch for any sea day
• Sip. Tour. Brunch. is on the last day of your sailing

Chops Grille is one of the most popular specialty restaurants on any Royal Caribbean ship, and it's the cruise line's signature steakhouse.

Taste of Royal is a "best of" meal, where the most popular dishes from a variety of specialty restaurants are served in one meal. 

Sip. Tour. Brunch. is a combo offering in and of itself.  You get to tour the ship's kitchen (known as a galley), and then enjoy unlimited sparkling wine and brunch in the main dining room.

Are these bundles a good deal?

Royal Caribbean makes it easy to book these new bundles and it means less clicking to pick up everything included in them, but will they save you money?

We evaluated the bundles and the cost savings depend on your situation and sailing. Because Royal Caribbean's prices vary from ship to ship and sailing to sailing, the prices for the bundles and the individual add-on components vary considerably.

Moving from the Beverage & WiFi bundles to the Beverage, WiFi & Excursions bundles, you can see an example of how discounted admission is to the CocoCay add-ons.

The Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM 1 Device costs $94.99 on our example cruise, but the Thrill Big Package is just $13 per person, per day more.  On a 3-night cruise, that's $39 extra. The cost for buying Thrill Waterpark admission on its own is $38.99 during the Black Friday sale.

Some cruisers reported cheaper prices if they price out the drink package and Wi-Fi separately, especially when taking advantage of the multi-device discount on a Voom package purchase.

It appears the new packages are savings for one person by themselves.

Before buying a bundle, it's worth seeing how much each bundle component is on its own before purchase. No matter what you choose to buy, purchasing before the cruise is still a better deal than waiting to get on the ship.

The lowest prices of the year on a cruise drink package are here.

Royal Caribbean kicked off its Black Friday preview sale today, which has new discounts for both cruise fares and add-on purchases.

While Black Friday isn't for a few more weeks, Royal Caribbean wants to get in on the sale with discounts now.

There are many aspects of the sale to consider, but the prices for the fun extras passengers can optionally purchase are seeing lower prices and even a few new options.

Perhaps the most popular add-on you can buy for a Royal Caribbean cruise is a drink package, and select sailings are seeing prices as low as $54.99 per person, per day.

Perhaps the absolute lowest price we've seen in a decade is for the Panama Canal repositioning cruise of Radiance of the Seas that begins April 19, 2025.  The Deluxe Beverage Package is only $48.99 per person, per day on that sailing, although that sailing is fifteen nights.

No matter which sailing you pick, it's likely a substantial discount considering Royal Caribbean is regularly charging over $100 per person, per day for the same package when purchased onboard ships. In fact, all purchases made online are cheaper than waiting to book during the sailing.

The Cruise Planner sale runs between November 8, 2024 through November 29, 2024 and applies to select sailings departing November 13, 2024 - December 31, 2025. 

• Beverage: Up to 50% off
  • Evian Water Package: 50% off onboard prices
  • Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
    • Kids (12 and below): 50% off Refreshment
  • Classic Soda Package: 35% off onboard prices
    • Kids (12 and below): 50% off Classic Soda
  • Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
    • Interior/Oceanview Stateroom: Additional 5% off Deluxe (excluding Asia and Reposition
      sailings).
    • Seniors (65+): 40% off Deluxe Beverage (excluding Asia and Reposition sailings).
    • Diamond & above CAS members: 40% off Deluxe Beverage (excluding Asia and Reposition).

• Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off
  • Shorex: Discount varies by ship.
  • Wynwood Walls tour: 10% off onboard prices
  • Perfect Day Passes: 50% off onboard prices
  • Perfect Day & Labadee Cabanas: Up to 50% off onboard prices
    • Seniors (65+): 25% off Shorex (excluding Caribbean, Alaska & Europe sailings).
    • Platinum & above CAS members: 25% off Shorex on Caribbean sailings.
• Internet: Up to 55% Off

• Dining: Up to 50% Off
  • Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off
  • Photo Packages from 5 - 100 Photos: Discount varies by ship.
  • Private Photo Session: 60% off onboard prices 
• Onboard Activities: Up to 30% off
  • All Access Ship tour
  • Observatorium
  • Mission Control Apollo 18
  • Escape the Rubicon
  • EscapeU: Freshman Year
  • RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience
  • North Star Extended Experience
  • FlowRider Private Lesson
  • FlowRider Group Lesson 

• Spa: Up to 30% Off Select Times 
• Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off
  • Strawberries with Champagne: 35% off onboard prices
  • Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: 40% off onboard prices
  • Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries: 40% off onboard prices
  • Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries: 40% off onboard prices
  • Happy Birthday Bright Style: 30% off onboard prices
  • Happy Anniversary Decorations: 35% off onboard prices
  • Bon Voyage Decorations: 30% off onboard prices
  • 9 Chocolate Covered Strawberries: 30% off onboard prices
  • White Wine and Cheese: 35% off onboard prices
  • Red Wine and Cheese: 35% off onboard prices
  • Soft Octopus Travel Set: 25% off onboard prices
  • Royal Caribbean Beach Towel: 40% off onboard prices
  • Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 40% off onboard prices
  • Inky Beach Set: 35% off onboard prices
  • Inky Octopus Family Travel Set: 25% off onboard prices
  • Winter Blanket: 25% off onboard prices
  • Luxury Robe: 35% off onboard prices
  • Alaska Polar Bear Hat: 40% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Water: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Coca Cola: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Diet Coke: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Bud Light: 35% off onboard prices
  • Cooler Bag with Truly: 35% off onboard prices
  • Utopia Blue/Pink Towel and Tumbler Set: 25% off onboard prices
  • Icon Blue/Pink Towel and Tumbler Set: 25% off onboard prices

• Onboard Activities: Up to 30% off
  • All Access Ship tour
  • Observatorium
  • Mission Control Apollo 18
  • Escape the Rubicon
  • EscapeU: Freshman Year
  • RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience
  • North Star Extended Experience
  • FlowRider Private Lesson
  • FlowRider Group Lesson

New bundles

An interesting twist to this year's Black Friday sale is the addition of bundles.

These bundles offer combinations of popular add-ons. These appear to be Black Friday/Cyber Monday exclusive, so it may be a limited-time offering.

Here's a look at what's being offered:

Perfect Day Bundles

These combos include a Deluxe Beverage Package, one device WiFi access, and admission into either Hideaway Beach (Royal Caribbean's adults-only area of Perfect Day at CocoCay), Coco Beach Club, or Thrill Waterpark.

• Thrill Big Package
• Chill Big Package
• Party Big Package

Drink Package + WiFi Bundles

• Deluxe and Voom
• Refreshment and Voom
• Soda and Voom 

You can still take advantage of a better price on cruise add-ons

If you’ve already purchased add-ons like an internet package or spa service for your upcoming cruise, be sure to check the price of the add-on under the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.

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

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

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

Sale begins today on cruise fares too

In addition to the cruise planner extras you can buy, Royal Caribbean is also discounting its fares beginning today.

The Black Friday Preview sale begins today, November 8 through November 11 and offering up to $750 off base fares. 

The Black Friday Preview Sale is combinable with a monthlong offer – BOGO 60% off a second guest and Kids Sail Free, which starts today, November 8. 

BOGO60 applies to new, individual, and named group bookings at prevailing rates made 11/8 – 12/9/24 on sailings departing on or after November 9, 2024, and provides 60% off the cruise fare of the second guest booked in the same stateroom as the first, full fare paying guest, as well as 30% off any additional guests. Savings applied to cruise fare at checkout.

A sudden, powerful squall struck Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas during its transatlantic crossing, causing disarray on the ship and injuring several guests onboard. 

According to guests on the sailing, Explorer of the Seas encountered a squall while sailing off the coast of Africa towards Miami, Florida. A squall is defined as a sharp, sudden increase in wind speed that lasts for minutes. Squalls can form quickly - in a matter of minutes - and cultivate rough seas, heavy rain, and changes in atmospheric pressure.

On the Crown and Anchor Society Facebook page, David Wong posted, “We were suddenly hit by a 55mph squall to the starboard side and the ship was tilted to the port side at a scary angle. We were all instructed to stay in our cabin for head counts and to check if anyone was hurt. I don’t think anyone was seriously injured.”

(Image shared by Jonathan Parrish)

Explorer of the Seas is currently sailing on a 12-night itinerary from Barcelona, Spain to Miami, Florida. After spending her summer sailing in Europe, Explorer of the Seas is on her repositioning voyage for a winter season in the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, the ill-fated voyage has already experienced unexpected changes before the squall incident. Explorer of the Seas was scheduled to visit Valencia (Spain), Malaga (Spain) and the Azores (Portugal) on her original itinerary before crossing the Atlantic. Due to catastrophic flooding that devastated Valencia last week, the ship was diverted to Cartagena, Spain instead.

(Images shared by Jonathan Parrish)

However, that wasn’t the only weather-related diversion for the ship. Because of Tropical Storm Patty in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, Explorer of the Seas had to skip its scheduled port stop in the Azores as well. The cruise ship instead visited Tenerife in the Canary Islands prior to beginning her ocean crossing.

While only about 750 miles off the coast of Morocco, Explorer of the Seas was unexpectedly struck by damaging winds from a squall. The captain allegedly acted quickly to redirect the ship and safely handle the incident. According to Ron Warren online, the ship listed severely for “somewhere between 5 to 10 minutes” during the incident.

The squall left Explorer of the Seas in shambles, as photos of the aftermath are now being shared online. The damage and apparent chaos can be seen around the vessel in many of the photos. Impacted areas including the Promenade, casino, bars, Windjammer and retail shops. 

(Images shared by Jonathan Parrish)

The shocking images show extensive damage across the ship, particularly in the bar areas. Photos show spilled liquor, broken glassware and shattered bottles scattered across the floor. The retail shops onboard show more damage with clothing, perfume, watches and more merchandise spewed around the ship.

More pictures from guests onboard show furniture and decor overturned in the ship’s hallways and common areas. Tables in the ship’s casino are also flipped due to the ship’s steep listing. Even still, many photos show the crew members working tirelessly and swiftly to clean up the damage around the ship.

(Images shared by Jonathan Parrish)

Following the incident, the captain apparently ordered all guests to remain in their cabins so they could properly account for all passengers onboard. Crew members were also ordered to their cabins for accountability purposes. Online, some passengers have shared that medical announcements were made to assist guests who are injured from the incident.

Impacted guests onboard Explorer of the Seas are understandably shaken by the scary incident. “It was horrible. Terrifying. I’ve ever been scared on a cruise ship before, and I’ve done multiple transatlantic. I am not alone in saying I thought the ship was going over,” shared Patty Laushman.

(Explorer of the Seas' location as of November 7, 2024, 20:25 CST)

“This is our first transatlantic, and yes, it was scary, maybe not so much for us because we were in our cabin. But, I thank Captain Frank from the bottom of my heart that he immediately, and literally, steered us out of harm’s way. Broken dishes and knocked- over-tables can be replaced and fixed, but as far as we know, we are all safe,” said Annette Hodges.

Another guest, Madge McLennan, shared how she was in the theatre waiting for a show to begin when the squall hit. She describes people starting to “panic and race for the exit” during the unnerving situation. She also explained how a bottle of wine in their cabin hit the floor and smashed following the heavy winds. 

(Image shared by Jonathan Parrish)

Moreover, Jonathan Parrish shared an image of Explorer’s current navigational path, showing an obvious course diversion due to the squall. “This is the drastic right turn we made due to the winds. Amazing job to the Captain for a quick reaction: turning and slowing" he shared on Facebook. 

According to guests currently onboard, Explorer of the Seas is now diverting back to the Canary Islands. "Captain Frank just announced they turned back due to a medical emergency and they will refuel and get provisions in the Canary Islands He also says that we wont arrive in Miami until [November] 17th, NOT the 14th as scheduled," wrote Kimberly Melton. 

Explorer of the Seas is currently sailing east towards towards Africa based on CruiseMapper's location. This will apparently delay the ship's scheduled return to Miami by three days, based on passenger's reporting. Explorer of the Seas is scheduled to sail on a 10-night Southern Caribbean on November 14, 2024 from Miami, Florida following the ship's transatlantic journey. 

Royal Caribbean has not provided a comment on the incident as of the time of publication.

Have you ever been so bothered by something that you decided to take care of it yourself?

One cruise ship passenger on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas sailed a few weeks ago and noticed a broken cup holder in the ship's theater.  

Reddit user Asorensen1989 originally shared a photo of the broken cup holder, using it as an example of the state of the ship and why Royal Caribbean needs to retire her.

"Having just spent the week on Enchantment of the Seas, I can say, it’s time for her to retire. She’s just done. Everything is worn out and dated. The technology is seriously lacking. The service is great, but they can only make up for so much."

The cup holder was simply an example to prove the person's point.

A different Reddit user Shot_Bread_9657, noted he could make the necessary repairs with the proper materials.  With a cruise already booked on Enchantment coming up, the Reddit user brought the necessary materials from home and fixed it themself.

Photos were shared on Reddit of the repaired cup holder that he decided to work on because no one else did.

"Couldn’t say why- just seemed like a funny, and possibly helpful, thing to do," he wrote in his post.

They posted photos of what they did, and how it was repaired.

First, they packed caulk, sandpaper, epoxy putty, and brushes that they already owned.

"It cost me all of $0...Used a $5 coupon at Michael’s for the paint and lacquer," he explained in the total cost of the project.

He admitted he could have done a better job restoring it with the proper materials, but he wanted to get it back to working condition.

He brought the broken cup holder to his stateroom, where he documented how he repaired it.

Finally, he brought the repaired cup holder back to the theater and returned it to its proper place.

"I’m glad to say I delivered," he wrote triumphantly.

"Can't decide if you should be thanked or disembarked"

The reactions to Shot_Bread_9657's post sparked all sorts of reactions.

One person wrote, "Royal should hire you to be Handyman of the Seas."

Another posted, "You're just a normal passenger? ...I can't decide if you should be thanked or disembarked at the next port. LOL"

Others took the opportunity to note the lack of proper maintenance in the first place that left the cup holder broken for weeks.

"I admire your tenacity. The world needs more of this," Unhappy-Actuator9674 wrote.

Right or wrong?

While I've seen passengers use pieces of paper to level a wobbly table, or attempt to quiet noisy parts of their cabin, this is a new level of proactive work by a passenger.

Whether or not this person's repair work was helpful or not, it's likely against Royal Caribbean's policy to do so.

Within the cruise line's Guest Health, Safety, and Conduct Policy, is a section specifying this sort of behavior is not allowed:

"Additionally, tampering with any of the ship’s equipment, facilities or systems is not permitted."

There are potential safety and policy implications of a passenger attempting repairs. There are potential safety risks associated with unauthorized repairs, even if they seem minor, and it could impact the guest’s and other passengers’ safety.

When a problem is spotted by a guest, they should report it to Guest Services onboard and/or a nearby crew member so they can flag it for the ship's maintenance team to address.

It's questionable if security should have prohibited items such as epoxy putty or caulk from being brought onboard in the first place. While those items are not specifically on Royal Caribbean's prohibited items list, the line exercises a certain degree of discretion as to what can or cannot be brought onboard.

Every passenger's belongings are scanned before being brought onboard. Any suspicious items are flagged by security, confiscated, and returned after the cruise.

Background on cruise ship maintenance

Just like hotels, restaurants, and every place of business on land, things break on cruise ships from time to time, especially from wear and tear.

Every Royal Caribbean cruise ship employs a team of maintenance workers. Their job is to attend to all repairs on the ship, big and small.

Since they are a limited workforce, their attention is relegated to the top priority tasks first. Issues related to guest safety, comfort, and enjoyment are where a ship's maintenance workers go.

You can spot maintenance workers on a Royal Caribbean ship usually by their blue uniforms. When an issue is reported, a crew member is dispatched to work on it.

Not all issues can be fixed while on the ship, either because of the scope of the project or lacking necessary materials.  In some cases, work has to wait for the ship to go into drydock for routine maintenance.

Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas will need a little more time before she's ready to start cruising again.

Every five years (or less), Royal Caribbean sends its cruise ships in for refurbishment to ensure they're properly maintained. Voyager of the Seas is in Cadiz, Spain to undergo scheduled work.

Unfortunately, bad weather around Spain has delayed the work and more time is needed.

Guests booked on the transatlantic sailing returning the ship to the United States received an update their voyage has been pushed back by a day.

"Due to a delay in our current drydock operations caused by adverse weather, Voyager of the Seas will be arriving in Barcelona one (1) day later than we initially planned," an email to booked passengers read.

The ship was originally scheduled to depart Barcelona, Spain on November 10, 2024.

Instead, Voyager will now depart Barcelona on Monday, November 11th.

The change in departure date also means a change to the ship's itinerary. Voyager will skip a visit to Valencia, Spain and instead visit Palma De Mallorca on Tuesday, November 12th. The rest of the itinerary will remain unchanged.

Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean International shore excursions booked for Palma de Mallorca will be rescheduled based on availability, and any excursions booked for Valencia will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment. 

Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to arrive to Port Canaveral, Florida as originally scheduled on November 26, 2024.

Voyager will sail 4- and 5-night winter getaways on a varied lineup of Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises to The Bahamas, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau; Cozumel; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and Labadee.

Compensation for the change

To make it up to passengers, Royal Caribbean is offering some money back.

Royal Caribbean is providing:

• A refund of one (1) day of the Cruise Fare paid as an Onboard Credit.
• A pro-rated refund as an Onboard Credit for your daily packages (Beverage, Dining, VOOM) and pre-paid gratuities.
• All Onboard Credits can be used anywhere onboard, and any remaining refundable amounts at the end of the sailing will be refunded to the card on file up to 14 business days from final disembarkation.

For travel plans that need to be changed, Royal Caribbean will cover any air change fee up to $200 USD for domestic travel and $400 USD for international travel, per person OR one (1) night hotel accommodations, up to $250 USD, per stateroom if needed.

Royal Caribbean will also honor the original amount of nights in the sailing, as it relates to Crown and Anchor Society points.

"You’ll receive loyalty points for the original sail nights, instead of the nights sailed. For this sailing, you’ll still receive 16 nights worth of loyalty points."

Shipyard delays are not unusual

The delay in return to service following scheduled maintenance work is not unheard of.

In most cases, ships undergo their routine work on schedule and return without delay.  But there have been situations where a delay in return to service has occurred.

In early 2019, Navigator of the Seas underwent a highly anticipated Royal Amplification, which would add new water slides, restaurants and experiences onboard.

The $115 million shipwide refurbishment was scheduled to be complete by February 2019, but poor weather conditions at the shipyard in the Bahamas caused delays to the progress of the ship’s outer decks.

A construction crane collapsed on top of Oasis of the Seas while in drydock. 

Royal Caribbean was forced to cancel the next three scheduled sailings that followed in order for the ship to be fully repaired.

Is it disappointing to go on Royal Caribbean’s older, Freedom Class ships, after trying their newer ships?

The cruise line’s smaller vessels, such as the Voyager and Explorer Class, are great for exploring unique ports and exclusive itineraries. 

Its mega-ships, like the Icon and Oasis Class, famously offer an overwhelming amount of onboard activities and amenities.

So where does that leave Royal Caribbean’s medium-sized vessels, like the Freedom Class?

Eighteen years ago, Freedom of the Seas debuted as the very first Freedom Class ship, and the largest cruise ship in the world.

In 2006, the 1,111-foot-long and 156,271 gross-ton vessel stunned guests with its water slides, 15 decks, and 1,963 staterooms.

However, nearly two decades later, Freedom of the Seas has long been dwarfed by six Oasis-class ships—each one larger than the next—and now a new Icon Class of even bigger mega-ships.

Freedom was Amplified in 2020, undergoing a $116 million upgrade that included a new pool deck, water slides, and dining venues. 

How does a cruise on Freedom of the Seas compare to Royal Caribbean’s newest ships?

Coming hot on the heels of my cruises on Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas, I was eager to compare this older vessel.

Freedom feels small and crowded in comparison to bigger ships

I almost felt disappointed when I first walked onboard Freedom. The golden, shiny elevators and the tiled Royal Promenade felt much smaller in comparison to the Oasis and Icon Class.

When compared to the wide open spaces of Icon of the Seas, for example—with a two-level Royal Promenade and huge Pearl staircase—Freedom of the Seas feels tiny.

The public spaces and seating areas looked dingy and crowded. When sailing on ships like Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, I appreciated how much seating and walking areas there were. 

On Freedom, however, I found myself stalled in huge throngs of people and wandering the pool deck trying to find a seat.

The public spaces felt tiny, especially the middle of the Royal Promenade, the elevator spaces, the Windjammer’s aisles, and the pool deck.

While it felt inconvenient, having to deal with more crowds onboard Freedom made me consider the communal nature of cruising.

There is something fun, after all, about squeezing into a packed elevator and exchanging quiet laughter with strangers. 

While the crowds were annoying, they also made the cruise feel more united. I saw the same faces over and over until we began to recognize each other

The cabin had fewer modern amenities

While I enjoyed my oceanview cabin on Freedom of the Seas, I noticed it missed some of the more modern amenities I’ve seen on newer Royal Caribbean ships.

Aspects like more ports around the room (instead of just at the desk) spoiled me by improving my experience on newer ships.

I felt the lack of the modern fixtures in the bathroom. Icon of the Seas, for example, has a large shower area, complete with smooth sliding doors and footstands in the shower.

Standing in Freedom’s astronaut-sized shower, by comparison, felt cramped and dull.

The bathroom was small, with dimming lights and slamming sliding doors. 

I also noticed less creative organizational designs, and less adjustable AC and announcement controls.

However, each aspect of the cabin was still clean and functional. It wasn’t that any part of it was lacking—the most inconvenience I felt was the lack of charging ports all over the stateroom.

My stateroom was still a comfortable, luxurious home at sea.

I needed the complimentary dining options on newer ships

The food onboard Freedom of the Seas was tasty and came with marvelous service, but I missed the complimentary dining options on newer Royal Caribbean ships.

I spent my time dining for free at the Windjammer buffet, the Main Dining Room, Sorrento’s Pizza, El Loco Fresh, and the Café Promenade, but found that I quickly tired of the breakfast options.

Read more: I spent a week on the world's largest cruise ship, the free food was the best of any Royal Caribbean ship

For breakfast, I could head to the Windjammer or the Café Promenade, or order room service—continental breakfast comes free.

But on a 7-day cruise, these options got old. The two venues served mostly the same dishes for breakfast: waffles, hashbrowns, oatmeal, pancakes, fruit, yogurt, and muffins. When I ordered room service, the food looked unappealing, and the fruit was moldy.

More than that, I longed for some new venues to switch up my breakfast scenery. I missed the AquaDome Market on Icon of the Seas, and the Park Cafe on Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean strove to add more complimentary dining on its newer ships, and I really missed that upgrade when I sailed on Freedom.

I didn’t miss the flashier shows and entertainment

Freedom may not have the flashy, unbelievable Aquashows and light performances of newer ships, but the onboard entertainment didn’t lack anything.

Freedom of the Seas has ice shows, live music and comedians, movies, nightclub events, and other production shows.

All of these performances still felt entertaining, even when compared to the marvelous technological wonders on newer ships.

Plus, the smaller nature of the cruise meant the entertainment came from the game shows, trivia nights, and other cruisers.

Instead of attending a flashy robotic performance, the biggest events of the evening would be a live piano player at the Schooner Bar or the finale of the karaoke competition.

This communal entertainment struck a balance amid more exciting shows, like the FreedomIce.com ice skating show and the Once Upon a Time performance.

The sports center was quite action-packed, with a rock climbing wall, basketball court, FlowRider surf simulator, two water slides, and an arcade. Plus, cruisers can experience laser tag and ice skating onboard, just like on the Oasis Class.

Freedom’s onboard activities create a great middle-ground for a more itinerary-intensive cruise. 

When the weather was rainy and windy, there were plenty of indoor cruise activities to enjoy. 

But on a port day, I didn’t feel the need to rush back to the ship to try everything onboard.

Bottom line: Freedom reminds me why I love to cruise

Even though I found myself missing some modern amenities, Freedom of the Seas reminded me of what I truly enjoy about cruising. 

I don’t cruise for the world records, the flashy technology, or the over-the-top activities. As a matter of fact, sailing on a ship with a less hyped-up reputation made for a calmer, more relaxed cruise. 

I cruise Royal Caribbean for its laid-back vacation atmosphere, cheerful service, unlimited food, and communal cruise entertainment.

Freedom of the Seas may not be the cruise line’s newest or biggest, but it was filled with genuine crew and fun-loving cruisers. 

The activities, service, and entertainment held up as quality, despite the ship’s age.