Royal Caribbean Blog

Have you ever wondered what it is like for crew members to eat onboard a cruise ship?

Passengers have a seemingly endless number of dining options, especially on the newer ships. Whether you want more complimentary options or are hoping to splurge on specialty dinners, there is something that will satisfy everyone! 

In August 2023, Bryan James, who was a musician on Wonder of the Seas at the time, shared insight into what crew member life is like on social media while he performed on Wonder of the Seas. 

In the past, he has posted videos about secret crew-only areas, cabin tours, and more. Plus, he has talked about the crew buffet quite a bit!

Where and what do crew members eat?

According to James, every single crew member onboard Wonder of the Seas eats at the crew buffet, which is located below deck.

In one video, he showed what options were available for breakfast. 

"You, of course, have your staples like sausage and eggs," he says, "[but] It's an International crew so lots of rice in the mornings, as well as beans and tomatoes..."

He even showed pastries, pancakes, and a toppings bar! In other words, there's no shortage of options for crew members, either. 

In another TikTok, James showed a crêpe station at the buffet. He he explains it sometimes offers other made-to-order dishes like fried rice or pad thai. 

Regardless, quantity is not the most important thing, it helps that James claims the food is pretty good. There are even some dishes that he would say are amazing. In a separate video, he panned to bibimbap that he would rate 10 out of 10. 

All of the food is free, whether it is breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just dessert! Because of this, James says that it is really easy to overindulge or not think too much about the nutritional value of what he is eating.

What if they get hungry in between meals?

Crew members are able to pick up snacks and other day-to-day essentials at the crew store. Here, crew are able to buy toiletries, detergent, and a wide variety of snacks, ranging from chocolate to Takis, nuts, and more. 

James recalls a time in which this was important during the pandemic when they were not allowed off of the ship for eight months. 

"It was like Christmas morning every single time the store got restocked," he says. 

Crew dining on Icon of the Seas 

Royal Caribbean redesigned the crew buffet for Icon of the Seas, which debuted in January 2024 and surpassed Wonder as the world's largest cruise ship.

Related: Royal Caribbean is adding the best crew member cabins and areas on its next new cruise ship

"The crew can looking forward to in the crew Windjammer a lot of the same options that we serve to our guests," said Rebecca Burns, Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations for Royal Caribbean International, "That was something that was very important to us when developing the menus."

Like onboard older ships, the buffet will have both hot and cold food stations. She will, however, stand out in that she will be the first to feature live cooking stations in the crew buffet.

Plus, the crew will actually be able to look outside at the ocean through the porthole windows. 

Cruise ship cabins usually fall into four main categories, but some ships feature unique variations that set them apart from the standard options.

While most balcony and inside cabins share similar designs, certain ships offer exclusive cabin layouts tailored to fit the ship's specific design. These distinctive cabins have gained popularity among frequent cruisers due to their extra space, special perks, or unique benefits not typically found in standard rooms.

These extraordinary cabin layouts have become sort of a hidden gem, known only to insiders, and they tend to sell out quickly. It's akin to a "secret menu" at a restaurant that attracts those in the know.

Whether you're interested in booking one of these cabins for yourself or simply curious about their offerings, let's explore a few rare cruise ship cabins that stand out from the rest and are in high demand.

Sky Junior Suite

As soon as Royal Caribbean announced an upgraded Junior Suite with better suite perks, it got a lot of attention.

Located in the Suite Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas, this is the first Junior Suite that has Sky Class benefits.

Sky Junior Suite benefits include Suite Neighborhood access, all-day dining at two suites-only restaurants, free wifi, and concierge service.

Sky Junior Suites are only available on Icon Class cruise ships, and there are only 8 of them on each ship.

Ultimate Family Suite

Believe it or not, there is a huge amount of demand for one of Royal Caribbean's most expensive suites.

As an example, the Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas is going for an average price of $80,000 and it's completely sold out of every sailing in 2024.

This cabin is a 1,772-square-foot mega-suite that is three decks high and sleeps up to eight people. There's just one on Icon of the Seas.

It features an in-suite slide, movie-viewing room, karaoke machine, and a "backyard" with a ping pong table, outdoor seating, and a white picket fence leading directly to the Surfside area.

It's super expensive and super in demand.

Solo cabins

On some Royal Caribbean cruise ships, there are a few staterooms meant for someone traveling by themselves.

These studio staterooms are smaller than a traditional cabin, but they have just enough space for one person. Best yet, they do not get charged the single supplement fee.

The single supplement fee is traditionally charged to someone booking a cruise alone because cabin pricing is based on double occupancy.

When Royal Caribbean added these rooms, they designed them to be respective of the ship's business model. This means solo cruisers do not have to pay double the cost of what the cruise should be.

Depending on the ship, there could be as few as two studio rooms or as many as a dozen.

You can view a list of which ships have studio cabins and if you want one, book it early.

Hump balconies

Most balcony cabins across the fleet look the same, but you might be able to get a larger balcony if your room is positioned perfectly.

The so-called "hump" balcony cabins are the rooms on the outwards part of the curvy outline of the ship. If you look at a deck plan, you'll notice around mid-ship, the hull design jets outward. 

On many ships, balcony cabins in these areas are significantly larger than other balcony cabins. And usually, the price is the same.

You'll find hump balcony rooms with massive balconies on Radiance, Voyager, Freedom, Oasis, or Quantum Class ships, but look closely at the deck plan to see which balconies are larger.

Aft balconies

Similar to the aforementioned hump balcony rooms, some ships have rather large balcony rooms on the back of the ship.

There are aft balcony rooms on every Royal Caribbean ship, but some of the rear-facing cabins on Vision Class, Radiance Class, and Freedom Class cruise ships have very large balcony space.

This means you not only get an interesting vantage point to enjoy, but much more living space outdoors.

People who cruise a lot will book up the aft balcony cabins on an Alaska cruise for the viewing opportunities.

Four Bedroom Family Suite

If you have a big family, you might be eyeing one of the biggest suites available on any Royal Caribbean ship.

This is one of the best-kept secrets within the Royal Caribbean fleet, because you can get 4 separate bedrooms and 5 different sleeping areas. And it comes with the Star Class benefits, such as a Royal Genie.

The Four Bedroom Family Suite is available on Symphony, Harmony, and Liberty of the Seas, formerly known as the Presidential Suite on some ships. 

Surprisingly, some cruisers have found that off-season sailings, combined with certain sales and promotions, can make the Villa Suite pretty affordable. Some have found the sailings for as little as $1,000 per person, which is extremely affordable for a Star Class Royal Suite.

Extra large Central Park Balcony rooms

Ever since I learned about the handful of Central Park balcony rooms on Oasis Class ships, I always look to book these first.

There are two Central Park balcony rooms on each deck that have almost double-width balconies for the same cost as other Central Park balcony staterooms.

The cabin numbers are on decks 10, 11, and 12:

• 10229
• 10629
• 11229
• 11629
• 12229
• 12629

Why do these rooms have extra space? There's no actual cabin next door because the area is used by Royal Caribbean for something else.

Having that extra balcony space is a very nice benefit during your sailing.

Family cabins

If you have two or three kids with you, it could be a great idea to try out one of the family oceanview and family inside cabins available on select ships.

While these cabins don't have a balcony, they do offer a ton of living space.

First and foremost, these cabins offer a bedroom for the parents, and either an additional bedroom for the kids, or a nook with bunk beds for the kids.

There are also two bathrooms, which can be a godsend for parents sailing with older kids.

These cabins are typically located at the very front or very rear of the ship and offer a ton of living space, meant to be shared by families of 4 or more guests. 

Family rooms are cheaper than a suite, and in many cases, offer more space.

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I sailed onboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and booked an interior cabin, which was the cheapest available option. 

Measuring 139,999 gross registered tons, Navigator of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when launched in 2002.  

In early 2019, she completed a $115 amplification, adding new dining venues, water slides, activities, and more that are round on newer ships in the fleet. 

Today, Navigator is the only Royal Caribbean ship deployed out of Los Angeles, operating 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruises to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera. 

In mid-June, I went on a 7-night cruise that visited Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta and paid a little over $2,280 for two people to stay in an interior stateroom, including port fees and gratuities. This broke down to $1,140 each, or about $162 per night, per person.

To save a little extra money, I chose a guarantee rate, so I was not assigned my cabin until closer to the sail date. 

Not only was this my first time on Navigator of the Seas, it was my first-ever cruise on a Voyager Class ship! Since this was going to be the oldest Royal Caribbean ship that I had ever sailed on, I was interested to see the condition of cabins that were over twenty-years-old!

The first thing I noticed upon walking into my stateroom was that there was a small loveseat that was not pushed up against one side of the wall. Instead, it stuck out in the already tight walkway of the 160 square foot cabin. I am glad that I had the beds separated, as I feel like the floor space would've been minimal if they were pushed together!

The length of the loveseat exceeded the length of the wall, meaning that even if we wanted to try to rearrange the layout, it would have been impossible. 

Overall, I appreciated the lighter decor compared to the dark greens found in most staterooms on Freedom Class ships. It made the room feel newer than cabins I have stayed in on both Liberty and Freedom of the Seas. 

Beside of each bed was a small nightstand that had a single drawer with additional storage space underneath. 

While there were no outlets beside of the beds, there were two reading lights. Had the beds been pushed together, the nightstands would've been directly underneath them, rather than on the center of the wall.  

The only two American outlets were located on the vanity. There was one additional European plug; however, neither my travel companion nor myself had an adapter. Thankfully, she brought a cruise line approved power strip, so we had access to multiple USB ports through a single outlet. 

Since the plugs are located far away from the bed, I recommend bringing a longer cord, so you are able to use the device from bed! 

The vanity area itself had plenty of storage, with nine drawers and two cabinets "hidden" behind the mirror. Above the television was the safe and another larger cabinet.

Stateroom mini-fridges are hit or miss in that some keep your beverages colder than others. While this was not the strongest mini-fridge I have had while on a cruise, it kept a couple bottles of water cool. 

The bathroom in my inside cabin was exactly what I expected. Although it was dated, it had everything that was necessary.

There were two cups attached to the backsplash, and between the shelves behind the mirror and the large shelf underneath the sink, there was enough space to hold all of our toiletries, makeup, and hair products.

As someone who cruisers frequently, I was not surprised by the size of the shower; however, it was my travel companions first-ever cruise, and she could not get over how small showers are on ships!

In terms of closet space, there were plenty of hangers for both of us to hang everything that needed to be hung. That, coupled with the shelving, meant there was enough space to unpack a week's worth of clothes. Had the safe been in the closet like on other ships, we would have had one less shelf to use. 

My stateroom (#8447) was located on Deck 8 in the forward of the ship. We loved the location because it was not a far walk from the elevator bank.

Plus, it was only three decks above the Royal Promenade, making our morning coffee commute relatively painless! Three decks above us was the pool deck, so we did not have to rely on elevators much at all. 

While I am still a fan of the larger Royal Caribbean ships, I wouldn't hesitate to book another cruise on a Voyager Class ship, especially if the ports of call were places I had never visited before, such as those in the Mexican Riviera! 

Unfortunately a cruise ship passenger fell overboard after allegedly climbing and sitting on a cruise ship railing meant to keep passengers safe.

The Strait Times reported on Monday a guest from Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas fell overboard. The ship's security footage captured the guest  sitting on the ship's railing at about 4 a.m. 

The incident occurred on the last day of a 4-night cruise from Singapore.

The report cited the person is a 64-year-old woman who was traveling with her husband.

The husbands says he woke up in the middle of the night and discovered his wife was not in their cruise cabin. 

After notifying the ship's security, video footage was checked to see that the woman was sitting on the ship's railing.

The outlet also reports the ship's overboard detection system alerted that something or someone had fallen overboard the ship.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement regarding the incident, "the ship and crew immediately reported the incident to local authorities and launched a search and rescue operation."

"The shipboard team is working with local authorities and our Care team is now offering assistance and support to the family."

The danger of being somewhere off limits

The report indicates the woman who fell overboard was a result of being on top of a safety railing, which is not permitted.

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.

Royal Caribbean's guest-conduct policy says, "Sitting, standing, laying or climbing on, over or across any exterior or interior railings or other protective barriers, or tampering with ship's equipment, facilities or systems designed for guest safety is not permitted." 

Breaking the rules can result in being kicked off the ship at the next port.

In past similar incidents, guests have not only been kicked off the ship but also banned for life from the cruise line.

A woman that stood on her balcony railing in 2019 was banned for life.

How cruise ship overboards happen

Media reports of man overboard situations get shared a lot, but if you aren't familiar with cruises, you may not understand how it could happen.

A 2022 article from The Points Guy points out that cruise ship railings are sufficiently high enough on all decks and balconies to ensure someone does not slip and fall overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to," the article's author states.

"It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Not being somewhere you're not supposed to, or doing something you're not supposed to, is key to safety at sea, "Play by the rules and remain in control of your actions, and you don't have to worry about inadvertently falling overboard from a cruise ship."

What happens when someone is overboard?

As is the case with the incident this week on Spectrum of the Seas, the first thing the ship's crew will do is attempt to ascertain when the man overboard situation occurred.

The ship will also contact local authorities to help conduct a search.

In the United States, the Coast Guard is contact, but since this occurred in Asia, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Singapore was the agency Royal Caribbean contacted to assist in the search.

The ship and local authorities will attempt to search an area based on where the person likely hit the water, and where they are likely to be.

While there's a lot of advice shared on the internet about how to take a cruise, some of these tips are rooted in a different time and since then, the experience has evolved.

In many cases, cruise tips last a long time because they simply work. As an example, packing layers for an Alaska cruise remains to this day one of the best Alaska planning tips because it's as true today as it was a decade or two ago.

Other pieces of advice may have changed over years, and some tips just don't apply to today's generation of cruise ships. Thanks to bigger ships that have lessons learned applied to them, there are some cruise tips that aren't necessary anymore.

I wanted to point out a few cruise tips I see shared still that just don't apply to modern cruise ships, especially in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

You need a balcony cabin to be able to enjoy outdoor scenery

When I took my first Alaska cruise, everyone said I needed to book a balcony cabin because it was the best way to enjoy Alaska's beautiful landscape.

The rationale for booking a balcony stems from two arguments.

First, if you don't have access to your balcony, you'll be relegated to public areas that can get crowded, especially on glacier viewing days.

Second, the convenience of being able able to go out to your balcony is wonderful.

Read more: Best cabins to book for an Alaska cruise

A big reason why I don't think a balcony is as critical as it used to be is ships are bigger, and there's more public space than ever to enjoy the views.

Royal Caribbean has steadily put larger ships in Alaska, and I've found plenty of public space to enjoy the views of glaciers, wildlife, and the surroundings.

Moreover, being on a public deck is easier to go from one side of the ship to another if there's something else to see. In fact, I find the pool deck a much better viewing spot on glacier day because of how much easier it is to go from side to side.

In the Caribbean, while the water is certainly quite pretty, the need for a balcony to enjoy the view is significantly lessened.

I won't argue the merits of being able to enjoy your own balcony, because it is very nice to have a private balcony.  But don't book a balcony because you think you'll miss out on seeing the sights otherwise.

Don’t book a cabin near an elevator

No one wants a noisy cabin, so there's often tips about avoiding a cruise ship cabin near the elevator.

In my experience, this is not an issue on any Royal Caribbean ship I've been on to date.

The elevator lobbies on Royal Caribbean are sufficiently far away from the first rooms that I've never heard the "ding" of an elevator arriving, nor have I heard any elevator machine noise.

In fact, I prefer a cabin near an elevator for the convenience it provides.

Being near an elevator lobby makes it faster to get around the ship, especially on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean only has elevators in the forward and middle parts of the ship. On Oasis Class or Quantum Class ships, this means cabins located towards the back of the ship will have a much longer walk.

While there will be more foot traffic near a cabin closer to an elevator than further away, I've rarely found this to be a problem in terms of being disturbed by it.

Basically, I think the convenience of an elevator is more important than the off chance someone is loud walking past your cabin.

Don't rely on cruise ship wifi because it's slow and expensive

Thanks to Royal Caribbean's partnership with Starlink, I think ship wifi is finally turning the corner to becoming far more useful than in the past.

While I'm not sure we will ever see cruise ship internet become free, I do think the cost is far more affordable on Royal Caribbean than some other lines.

I've read cruise tips that suggest skipping wifi all together as a means of saving money and to avoid frustrations, but I think Royal Caribbean's internet plans are far more useful than ever.

It's not perfect yet, and I do think wifi on Alaska cruises in particular are quite painful still due to the mountains interfering with the signal, but on a Caribbean or European cruise, buying a wifi package makes more sense than ever.

Being online doesn't mean you're working.  For a lot of people, being on the internet is a way to keep up with friends and family, and it's as a casual experience similar to reading a magazine or watching TV. 

Ask to have your mini bar emptied

One of the first cruise ship tips I remember reading and applying to my cabin was asking my stateroom attendant to empty the mini bar fridge.

The fridge is tiny, and emptying it means opening up more space to keep bottles of water or other snacks cooled. Plus, it avoids getting accidently charged for a mini bar item I didn't actually consume.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise, the mini bars are now automatically emptied and have been that way for a few years. Instead, there's a form you can fill out to have your stateroom attendant stock your fridge with items you want.

Other cruise lines may still stock their mini bar, but you don't have to worry about this on Royal Caribbean.

More cruise advice

• Cruise tips that make sense until you're on the ship
• 12 things I'd tell anyone new to cruise ship travel
• The 10 commandments of a great cruise ship vacation
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)
• Our best 75 travel tips to make you the world's most savvy cruiser

It's only been two years since Royal Caribbean launched Odyssey of the Seas, yet many seem to forget about this new cruise ship.

Perhaps our perception is clouded by the massive hype around Icon of the Seas, which will be the newest ship debuting for Royal Caribbean in early 2024. This groundbreaking vessel is already making waves in the cruise industry for its unconventional design and unparalleled amenities onboard. 

Not to mention, Royal Caribbean welcomed the brand-new Wonder of the Seas in early 2022, not long after Odyssey of the Seas entered service. This only gave Odyssey of the Seas just a few short months to hold the title as the cruise line’s newest vessel. With delays due to the pandemic, these two cruise ships debuted uncharacteristically close together. 

Odyssey of the Seas is the second ship in the Quantum Ultra-class for Royal Caribbean. The ship is also the final vessel for the Quantum class, which was originally slotted to debut in 2020.

Regardless, you should not write-off Odyssey of the Seas when planning your next cruise. I just sailed on this Quantum Ultra-class ship back in October 2022 for a fabulous 12-night sailing to Israel - and it really blew me away. 

Here are 10 reasons why I think Odyssey of the Seas is absolutely worth your attention. 

Impressive Itineraries

One of the biggest advantages that Odyssey of the Seas has over other new vessels is the impressive itineraries offered. Because the ship spends her summers in Europe sailing from Rome, you can visit some incredibly historic and culture ports. 

Most of the time, if you want to sail on a more unique and port-intensive itinerary, you’ll be looking at sailing on a smaller and older vessel with Royal Caribbean. This is mostly due to size restrictions with Oasis-class ships when it comes to accessibility with ports.

On Odyssey of the Seas, you can sail on itineraries to Israel, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Portugal and Spain during the summer European season. 

You won’t find destinations like this onboard Royal Caribbean’s newest (and upcoming) ships, including Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Each of these will be sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean for the foreseeable future. 

In fact, the sole reason we booked our cruise on Odyssey of the Seas was because of the specific itinerary we wanted to sail on. My family and I had been wanting to do a Holy Land itinerary for years, and we were thrilled to see a newer vessel sailing this type of itinerary.

Odyssey of the Seas offered a 12-night itinerary with two overnights in Israel. This gave us three full days to explore the country, which is unusual for an itinerary. Being able to sail on an exciting itinerary onboard a brand-new ship was invaluable!

Quantum Ultra Class

As mentioned, Odyssey of the Seas is considered a Quantum Ultra Class cruise ship, which is a subset of the Quantum Class for Royal Caribbean. Odyssey of the Seas is the second ship in this class, along with Spectrum of the Seas. 

Unless you plan to sail in Asia on Spectrum of the Seas - which you absolutely should, I can personally say that it’s incredible - sailing on Odyssey of the Seas is your best bet to try out this amplified ship class. 

Quantum Ultra Class ships have a few differences compared to the original Quantum Class ships. The most notable difference is the size of the ships, as the Ultra Class ships are slightly longer and taller. 

Another difference is the addition of the SkyPad to the Sports Deck, which is a circular structure that hangs over the side of the ship with a glass floor walkway, featuring views of the ocean below. Although Royal Caribbean is removing the trampolines from SkyPads in the near future, the structure will remain as an activity venue and is still unique to Ultra Class ships. 

You can also find unified dining rooms on Quantum Ultra Class ships, which is an improved design choice from the earlier Quantum Class ships with separated dining rooms. 

Finally, Quantum Ultra Class ships feature an entire dining venue dedicated to the Teppanyaki restaurant. This is in addition to the specialty restaurant, Izumi Sushi, which has become one of the most popular dining venues for Royal Caribbean. This dedicated space will allow for more guests to enjoy the specialty Asian dining onboard. 

Stylish, functional staterooms

When we sailed on Odyssey of the Seas, I was surprisingly impressed with our stateroom’s design and functionality. Prior to this, I had mostly been sailing on Radiance and and Voyager-class ships, which are around 20 years old now. 

Odyssey of the Seas features Royal Suite classes onboard, which allows cruisers to choose between Star Class, Sky Class and Sea Class. These luxurious staterooms can provide lucrative amenities and spacious accommodations onboard and Royal Suites are only available on Royal Caribbean’s newer ships. 

During our Odyssey of the Seas cruise, my sister and I bid on a Junior Suite during the Royal Up process for just $300 each to upgrade from our inside cabin. We were shocked to see our minimal bid accepted, but we were anxious to try out an entry-level suite on one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

Our stateroom was not just beautiful, but very thoughtfully designed. We had two separate bathroom spaces - one with a large bathtub with a walk-in shower and another space with a separate sink and toilet. This is certainly a modern approach to bathroom design and it was much appreciated when we were both getting ready in the morning. 

New dining options

Like most new cruise ships, you’ll experience the best of the best when it comes to dining onboard. With 17 different dining options onboard, including specialty and complementary choices, you’ll be experiencing some of the best cuisine Royal Caribbean has to offer.

One of the most exciting dining options that debuted on Odyssey of the Seas is the first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar. While Royal Caribbean has always had Giovanni’s Table, the new and reimagined Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen features a younger, fresher and more contemporary design. The cruise line also expanded to include hand-tossed pizzas on the menu. 

Onboard Odyssey of the Seas, you can also enjoy El Loco Fresh, which is one of Royal Caribbean’s newer complimentary dining options. This quick and casual eatery is located on the pool deck and includes Mexican offerings, such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos and nachos. 

After sailing on many older and smaller ships recently, having so many eateries available onboard truly enhanced our 12-night itinerary. Dining at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen was a highlight for us, as the fresh Italian food tasted excellent. Additionally, I grabbed a quick lunch at El Loco Fresh on many days when we returned to the ship and wanted a little something to eat on the pool deck. 

Resort-style pool deck

Unlike other Quantum Class ships, the cruise line opted to remove the indoor pool feature on Odyssey of the Seas. Instead, you’ll find a resort-style pool approach with two outdoor pools. This is all in addition to the adults-only, enclosed Solarium onboard. 

Odyssey of the Seas' pool deck is vibrant and colorful with Caribbean-infused decor all around. The design of the pool deck is fantastic, as the layout breaks up crowding on the top deck with the two outdoor pools separated by a structure in the middle. 

You can also enjoy the hot tubs on the second level, with an infinity-style design, that overlook the lower pool deck. With additional hot tubs on the bottom pool deck, you shouldn’t have trouble finding a hot tub spot during your cruise. 

Another feature of the resort-style pool deck is the multilevel bar venue called Lime and Coconut. This Caribbean-themed bar offers its signature Lime and Coconut drink - one of my absolute favorites.

We enjoyed happy hour while watching the sunset at Lime and Coconut almost every evening, including the unforgettable sunset over Santorini.

Advanced technology

Odyssey of the Seas is one of the most technologically advanced cruise ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. You can find the technical innovation across the ship, including Odyssey of the Sea’s design, artwork, activities and overall guest experience. 

In fact, Odyssey of the Seas is one of two cruise ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet that features the use of digital keys. This is of the perks that comes with being designated as a “smart ship” for the cruise line. This advancement allows guests to open their stateroom doors by opening the Royal Caribbean app and placing their phone against the key reader on the door. No longer will you need to fumble in your bag to find that SeaPass card that has slowly made its way to the bottom of your purse!

Virtual balconies are also available on Odyssey of the Seas if you are looking for an affordable, but unique, stateroom option. This floor-to-ceiling television screen provides live footage of the cruise ship’s outside views.  

Next-generation SeaPlex

Because Odyssey of the Seas is one of two Quantum Ultra Class ships, the popular SeaPlex space received a major facelift. The ship’s SeaPlex is the largest indoor and outdoor activity center that you’ll find at sea. This versatile space is where you can do things like ride bumper cars, play glow-in-the-dark laser tag or partake in a virtual reality game. 

When Odyssey of the Seas was built, Royal Caribbean reworked the design and layout of the SeaPlex. Pods were removed, along with the addition of large screens and new venues added. Inside the SeaPlex, you’ll find the conveniently located Playmaker’s Sports Bar. Odyssey of the Seas was the first ship to combine the two venues into one convenient area. 

Even better, you’ll find 56 television screens in this area to watch all of your favorite sporting events. 

Awe-inspiring entertainment

Sailing on a newer ship, you can also enjoy such a wide variety of entertainment, including fantastic production shows. Onboard Odyssey of the Seas, there are two main production shows for you to enjoy. These include The Book, located in Two70, and Showgirl: Past, Present and Future.

“The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure" is a visually-impressive, highly-technical production located in the outward aft-facing venue called Two70. This show follows the storyline of a librarian who explores different book chapters through music, song and dance. With many different elements and performing styles, The Book is seriously a one-of-a-kind show. I have a hard time describing it other than you simply need to see the show for yourself. 

Showgirl is a flashy production show in the main theater inspired by Las Vegas showgirls. This energetic show features dance styles from all eras of the showgirl-type dance. This upbeat production is a lot of fun to watch.

Another unique venue on Odyssey of the Seas is the Music Hall, where you can find live bands most evenings onboard. It’s probably the closest that you will find to a rock concert onboard a cruise ship!

Endless activities and attractions

Odyssey of the Seas is one of those cruise ships that simply has a little something for everyone when it comes to activities. While you can still enjoy the traditional cruise ship activities, like bingo and trivia, there are other onboard thrills and attractions that are notable. 

For example, the iFly skydiving simulator can be found on Odyssey of the Seas. Although it’s not complimentary, this is one of the few cruise ships in the world where you can partake in a skydiving simulator. 

Additionally, the North Star observation pod is uniquely found on Quantum Class ships. We chose to ride the North Star on our embarkation day while docked in Civitavecchia, Italy. This was my first time riding in the North Star and it was such a fun and unique experience. Rides are complimentary while the ship is docked in port while sea day rides require an additional cost. 

Finally, you can try Zone Zero onboard Odyssey of the Seas. This is an immersive virtual reality experience where you will walk around in the real world while seeing and experience a completely different virtual world. This is something completely unique that you can experience on Odyssey of the Seas. 

Other attractions you can find is the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, bumper cars, SeaPlex activities and Splashaway Bay aqua park area for kids. 

Can you believe it's the last days of July already? It is the middle of Summer and there is a lot of Royal Caribbean news to catch up from during this week.

Royal Caribbean might be considering building a smaller cruise ship.

While they are best known for building the biggest cruise ships in the world, Royal Caribbean is building a new smaller cruise ship is "deeply in our consideration", according to the CEO of the cruise line.

President and CEO Michael Bayley told cruise fans there is a lot of conceptual work going on regarding a new class of smaller ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean Group smashes expectations with second quarter earnings
• Photo shows kids dangerously sitting on cruise ship balcony
• Bahamas raises cruise ship passenger taxes in 2024
• Royal Caribbean is doing better now than it ever has in its history, even after a two year shutdown
• Royal Caribbean will host next Presidents Cruise on Oasis of the Seas in summer 2024
• 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas
• I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here’s how they compare
• Best fall cruises to try
• Best time to cruise to the Bahamas
• New Celebrity cruise ship will have whiskey tasting and plant-based multi-course dinner

New RCB Video: 5 worst things about cruising with Royal Caribbean: should it stop you from booking?

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 5 worst things about cruising with Royal Caribbean: should it stop you from booking? — Plus 1 to break — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 506th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with advice on when to buy those cruise add-ons.

From the drink package to wifi, when is the best time to pre-purchase your cruise add-ons? Matt shares his opinion on when you can get the best price for these extras.

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.

Royal Caribbean wants to raise cruise fares even higher

Even though the price of a cruise is probably higher today than in 2019, Royal Caribbean would love to see prices go even higher.

In comparing the "value gap" between a cruise vacation and land vacation, Royal Caribbean International's CEO Jason Liberty thinks there's more room to narrow that gap.

He wants the value of a land-based vacation and cruise vacation to be much closer.

Icon of the Seas will have a radically different Royal Promenade

When Icon of the Seas launches next year, expect to find a different looking Royal Promenade.

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the seas is longer than a football field, and for the first time, it brings ocean views into the ship's main thoroughfare through floor-to-ceiling windows.

You'll also find The Pearl on the Promenade, which is a three-deck high sphere built with 3,000 kinetic tiles. 

Could Royal Caribbean be looking to restart cruise ship upgrades again in 2024?

Is the Royal Amplified program on its way back?

Nothing has been officially announced, but cruise line executives hinted at upgrades for ships that did not get upgrades during the shutdown of 2020 and 2021.

Food truck concept coming to Utopia of the Seas

The pool deck food game is about to change with a new food truck coming to Utopia of the Seas.

Known as The Spare Tire, guests will find a food truck-style eatery near the main pools.

While we don't have a menu, expect "handheld favorites" to be served up.

Anthem of the Seas Guide & Review

Anthem of the Seas is a popular Royal Caribbean cruise ship because of her innovations and fun itineraries.

If you have a cruise booked on Anthem, here's a full rundown of what to expect onboard!

Why Wonder of the Seas might the perfect cruise ship for a first timer

Know someone that has resisted trying a cruise ship for one reason or another? Wonder of the Seas might be the perfect first cruise ship for them!

Whether they think they'll be bored, overwhelmed, or stuck at sea, Royal Caribbean designed Wonder of the Seas to address all those concerns.

With a gross registered tonnage of 156,271 and maximum passenger capacity of 4,515, Freedom of the Seas is not a small ship by any means. In fact, when launched in 2006, she was the largest cruise ship in the world and the first to feature the FlowRider surf simulator!

Today, she is surpassed by Oasis and (in 2024) Icon Class ships. While you will not find all the bells and whistles on Freedom that you do onboard newer ships, there is still a lot to appreciate about this beloved vessel. 

Here are 10 things you should know before cruising onboard Freedom of the Seas.

Related: What it's like to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas in 2023

Utilize the Cruise Planner ahead of time to take advantage of pre-cruise discounts 

Once you have placed your deposit, you will gain access to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site. This is your go-to place to see everything that is available onboard Freedom of the Seas. 

Here, you will have the option to book shore excursions, drink packages, specialty restaurants, internet packages and more.

You can also decide whether you want to book any for-a-fee activities, such as a FlowRider surf lesson, sushi making class, or All Access Ship Tour. 

By purchasing items and packages in advance, you can take advantage of Royal Caribbean's pre-cruise sales. While the actual discount varies, it is not uncommon to see drink packages marked down anywhere from 20% to 40%. 

If you want until you get on the ship, you will be stuck paying the onboard pricing for everything! 

She underwent a $116 million dollar renovation in 2019, meaning there is more to see and do onboard than before

Freedom of the Seas underwent an extreme bow to stern makeover in 2019. New features, such as the Perfect Storm water slide duo, updated Caribbean resort-style pool deck with The Lime & Coconut Bar, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, and dedicated spaces for kids and teens, were added. 

Other restaurant additions include the complimentary poolside El Loco Fresh, as well as specialty Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. 

Younger children will love the Splashaway Bay aqua park, while teens will appreciate Social033, a teens-only hangout with private outdoor deck. 

Many public areas got a fresh too, including the adults-only Solarium and Boleros.

You will not find any Broadway-style shows on Freedom of the Seas

While Royal Caribbean is known for their entertainment, not all cruise ships have the advertised Broadway-style musicals or water shows with high drivers, aerialists, and dancers. 

From the ice skating show called FreedomIce.com to two Royal Caribbean original productions, headlining acts, and numerous game shows, there's no lack of entertainment options onboard Freedom of the Seas.

The first original production is called Marquee and showcases a collection of Broadway songs with sets that try to replicate the specific show. The second, Once Upon a Time, highlights different fairytales including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, and Little Red Riding Hood. 

Adults can (and should) relax in the cantilevered hot tubs

Freedom of the Seas was the first cruise ship to add cantilevered hot tubs onboard. Now, you can find them on other Freedom Class ships, as well as Oasis Class ships, too. 

In the Solarium, you will find two hot tubs that jet out over the side of the ship. One is located on the port side, while the other is across the ship on the starboard side. 

They are enclosed with glass panels, making it so that you are able to look out at the surroundings while relaxing in the whirlpool. 

Plan on bringing a portable charger or cruise line approved power strip

Like most older cruise ships, Freedom of the Seas' staterooms are not equipped with endless outlets. You will only find two American plugs in standard staterooms located near the desk, meaning that there are no charging options if you want to use your device in bed. 

There is a third European outlet if you have a converter handy. Even so, you may want to be able to charge multiple devices at once, whether that be phones, tablets, or smart watches.

If you have more than two people staying in one room, you will definitely want to ensure that you have a way for everyone to be able to at least charge their phones at the same time. 

Related: I paid $1500 for an inside cabin on the Freedom of the Seas: take a look inside my tiny windowless room

There is a sun deck at the aft of the ship behind the FlowRider that offers great wake views 

I did not venture up to the FlowRider until the final afternoon of my 4-day cruise. To my surprise, I found there to be an empty sun deck at the back of the ship right behind the surf simulator! Sure, the noise from the sports deck was noticeable, but it was not much different than that found at the pool deck. 

If you are unable to find chairs near the pool or simply want to soak in better ocean views with fewer people around while still sitting in the sun, head to the aft of Deck 13. There, you will find a staircase leading down to this area! 

Take time to familiarize yourself with the deck plans ahead of time, especially for shorter sailings

On a similar note, you should always explore the ship as early as possible. You never know what hidden areas you will come across. 

Prior to boarding the ship, take some time to look over the deck plan. Do you know where your cabin is located in proximity to the Windjammer? What about the Royal Promenade and Adventure Ocean? 

When check-in opens, you might want to consider booking an earlier arrival time, as this will give you more time on embarkation day to wander around the ship before the sail away festivities begin. 

Related: 15 ways to speed up the embarkation process and board your cruise ship faster

Through July 2024, you do not have much variety in itineraries

From now until July 2024, Freedom of the Seas is mostly making 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

In December, there is a single 5-night sailing to Mexico in CocoCay, while Royal Caribbean is also offering one 4-night cruise to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in April 2024. 

Starting next summer, she will begin making 6- to 8-night cruises to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. You will be able to visit anywhere from Castries, St. Lucia and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis to Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica. 

If you are sailing soon, you should expect to find a brand-new port area in Nassau 

In May 2023, Nassau opened the first phase of their upgrade cruise port. This cost $300 million and meant not only the addition of new berths to accommodate more ships, but a new port area that no longer immediately exits into the hustle and bustle of Nassau. 

Instead, you can enjoy a leisurely walk through the plaza and browse the local stores, wait in line for a cab to Atlantis, Cable Beach, and Baha Mar at the decided taxi stand, or grab something to drink. There is even a gelato shop!

Related: Nassau, Bahamas opened the first phase of its cruise port revamp. Here's what's new and different

Onboard, you will find five complimentary dining options, ranging from the three-story Main Dining Room to El Loco Fresh for poolside tacos

Food is a major component of any cruise vacation. Some guests like to get their base fare worth and only dine at complimentary venues, while others prefer to splurge on specialty dining. Regardless of your preference, there are plenty of dining options to choose from.

In addition to room service, which is complimentary if you order continental breakfast during certain hours, you have the Main Dining Room, Sorrento's, Windjammer, Café Promenade, and El Loco Fresh.

None of these venues cost you anything extra, and you can eat as much from them as you'd like! 

Specialty restaurants include Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Chef's Table, and Johnny Rockets. 

Despite being shutdown for almost two years, Royal Caribbean is doing so well in 2023 that it's already outpacing its previous high water marks.

Royal Caribbean Group reported incredible results for the second quarter 2023 that demonstrate a common theme: demand for cruises is higher than ever, and people are willing to pay more for it.

The company's resurgence is remarkable considering the low point it found itself in during the global health crisis between 2020 and 2021.

Royal Caribbean had already started the year off with good numbers, but the second quarter really saw the resurgence come full circle.

More people cruising

Royal Caribbean Group CEO started off the earnings call with some incredible numbers, highlighting how strong demand is for cruises.

The company saw positive indicators in May, and the second quarter proved to be even more fruitful than anticipated.

"During the second quarter, we delivered a record 1.9 million memorable vacations at exceptional guest satisfaction scores. We achieved record yields that were 12.9% higher than 2019."

Yields refers to revenue coming in, and that means people paid more for their cruises than in 2019.

2019 is an important statistic to Royal Caribbean, because it represents the previous high water mark for demand and profits.

Perhaps the most important segment of cruisers Royal Caribbean wants to see grow are people that have never cruised before, and they did just that.

"In the second quarter, the percent of guests who were either new to brand or new to cruise surpassed 2019 levels by a wide margin."

Getting people that have never cruised before is important because it's how to grow the customer base since the vast majority of the public has never been on a cruise before.

Not only are they attracting new cruisers, these new cruisers are coming back for more.

"And we have seen post-cruise repeat booking rates nearly double 2019 levels," Mr. Liberty said to illustrate that they are booking more cruises after trying their first cruise.

The higher demand coupled with higher prices than in 2019 is at the heart of why Royal Caribbean wants to continue to raise cruise prices.

Europe is back

Perhaps a surprising fact is how strong demand was for European cruises in the second quarter.

"While the Caribbean remains the standout performer this year, we were particularly pleased with the strength and quality of close in demand for European itineraries," Mr. Liberty said near the beginning of the call.

Essentially, more European consumers looking to book a summer cruise vacation came to Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer, Naftali Holtz, talked about the increase in revenue from Europe, "The better than expected performance has mostly been driven by our European customers, which underscores our nimble and global sourcing model."

Later in the call, Mr. Liberty said Europeans were ready again to travel and spend, "their willingness to spend was very competitive with the North American consumer."

"We expected Europe to be a little bit lighter versus '19 in terms of load factor. And it came roaring back."

"And that's a story of one of the North American consumer just feeling that they needed to for certainly certainly vacation in Europe. But also the European consumer was very much part of that story."

Doing better than ever

If you listen to just what Royal Caribbean Group's CFO had to say about the quarter, it pretty much sums up the demand environment.

The company delivered 17% higher adjusted earnings than they expected to with their prediction in May. Capacity overall was at 105% and net yields up 12.9% comparted to 2019 numbers.

In fact, booking volumes since the last earnings call significantly exceeded 2019 for both North American and European consumers.

So what drove this incredibly high demand?

Mr. Holtz said, "half of the yield growth was driven by new hardware and half driven by a significant increase in rates on like for like hardware, despite being a bit behind on load factors."

This translates to new cruise ships brought in more revenue, and there were higher prices on smaller, older cruise ships.

In addition to more revenue, cost cutting seemed to have an effect too.

"Our operational and commercial teams are doing an exceptional job, driving strong top line growth and maintaining focus on operating expenses to expand margins."

Caribbean and European sailings saw strong demand, and Alaska cruise capacity is up about 60% versus 2019.

Great cruise ships + Great destinations

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the company's new strategy to attract new cruisers by positioning impressive cruise ships on itineraries with well-received ports.

"We've been very thoughtful...about the strategy of putting really outstanding hardware combined with excellent destination into the short product market because it truly is the on ramp for new to cruise and also first to brand."

Read more: Royal Caribbean has a plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations

"Utopia will be the first Oasis-class ship that will be entirely focused on short cruises in the Caribbean, supporting our strategy of competing with land-based vacation alternatives and driving new-to-cruise customers into our vacation ecosystem as we seek to close the value gap,” Liberty said.

"Demand and pricing for Utopia has far exceeded our expectations."

Demand for CocoCay

Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas is certainly doing its part to bring in cruisers.

Mr. Bayley talked about how much customers are clamoring for sailings that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.

"Perfect Day is that, it really is perfect, and it is driving a lot of the demand and people are booking the ships and the itineraries that sail to Perfect Day."

"We see the repeat rates going back to Perfect Day accelerating."

He also mentioned the plan is to open the new adults-only beach area at the end of December of this year, "that'll come online at the literally in December of this year."

Royal Caribbean's cruise prices are higher today than in 2019, and the company wants to raise those prices even more.

Historically, cruise vacations have, in addition to their convenience, been popular because of their value. For one price, you get unlimited food, accommodations, entertainment, and transportation between destinations across the world. 

This price gap between the cost of a cruise vacation and a land vacation grew significantly during the cruise industry shutdown. Since then, cruise fare prices on Royal Caribbean have gone up at the same time demand was also rising.

In the second quarter of 2023, the percentage of guests on Royal Caribbean who were new to the brand or new to cruising in general surpassed 2019 levels. Additionally, those considering future cruises is near an all-time high.

Over the last couple of months, airfare and hotel prices have decreased; the price of a Royal Caribbean cruise, however, has increased.  

Royal Caribbean International's CEO Jason Liberty spoke with CNBC's Seema Mody about the price gap between cruise and land vacations after their Q2 earnings call on July 27. 

"In the earlier part of this year, that value gap was somewhere around 45%. And today, we've closed that value gap by about ten percentage points, so we still think there's a lot of runway that is still there to close," he said. 

This means that the value of a land-based vacation and cruise vacation are becoming more comparable, while you'll still get more bang for your buck on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

The comment surprised one of the panelists on the CNBC show, Tyler Mathisen, who asked Mr. Liberty doesn't he want to maintain a value gap in order to attract customers and keep demand up.

Mr. Liberty responded, "We always want to be as competitive as we possibly can be, but of course, we want that gap to be much smaller."

"We were able to close that gap to about 10-15 points pre-covid, we think there's a lot of opportunity for us to close that gap even further."

Royal Caribbean is known for having dynamic pricing for their cruise add-ons, such as drink packages. This model extends to their cruise fares, too. They change their prices back and forth based on the demand. As they have continued to increase the cost of their cruise fares this year, they have seen that their customers continue to book into 2024. 

In the earnings call with investors on Thursday, he noted that it's clear that Royal Caribbean guests continue to spend more on their overall vacation experience. 

Additionally, customers continue to book cruise add-ons in advance through their online Cruise Planner, which is essentially passengers' go-to place to see what is available on their upcoming cruise.

You can make dining reservations, look at available onboard activities, and even pre-book drink and internet packages, as well as shore excursions. 

"We know that if we can get them to spend a dollar before they get on the ship," Liberty remarked, "we'll get them to spend somewhere around seventy cents on the dollar more when they get on and enjoy their vacation experience."

Royal Caribbean always wants to be as competitive as they can; however, they are striving to really close to value gap between the cost of a cruise and land-based vacation, and they believe that there is room to close it even more than they already have this year. 

"...cruising remains an exceptional value proposition," Liberty said during the Q2 earnings call, "allowing us to outperform broader leisure travel as we seek to further close the gap to land based vacations, drive better revenue and welcome even more happy customers."