Royal Caribbean Blog

Demand is so strong for Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship that hasn't even begun sailing yet that the line has sold out every single reservation for its most expensive suite ever for the year.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is the cruise line's first new ship class in almost a decade, and the company is betting big on its success.

Despite being more than 7 months away from the first sailing in January 2024, it's already seeing record-breaking demand from customers.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about how strong the business is right now, and highlighted an eye-opening statistic about sales for the new ship.

"I think the entire ship is just stunning. And I think we're seeing that in the bookings," he said during a webinar with travel agents on Wednesday.

"The sales for icon are amazing. The the yields are just fantastic. So again, we're very happy with how Icon is playing out."

To exemplify just how much demand there is for Icon, Mr. Bayley talked about how well the most expensive suite onboard the ship is selling.

The three-story "Ultimate Family Townhouse" is located in the Surfside neighborhood for young families.

"I think we mentioned that the Ultimate Townhouse, I think is pretty much sold out completely for 2024 at an average rate of about $78, $80,000 a week."

Bookings for Icon only opened up in October 2022.

This cabin is a 1,772-square-foot Ultimate Family Townhouse that will be three decks high and sleep up to eight people.

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.

Icon of the Seas will offer guests a variety of room options spanning across 28 unique categories, offering some of the most spacious rooms Royal Caribbean has ever designed. 

"Icon is going to be the best family vacation in the world,” said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer in a video update from January 2023. "You can’t have an ultimate family vacation without a purpose-built neighborhood for families."

Royal Caribbean has created its first neighborhood on Icon of the Seas dedicated entirely to young families. It's an open-air space at the back of the ship.

Surfside was designed to become an area of the ship where families with kids ages 6 and under can play all-day together, where parents don't need to give up their relaxation time just because their kids want to play.

You'll find a giant aqua park designed for families: Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay splash parks for kids and the Water's Edge pool for parents. 

Surfside neighborhood will also offer family-friendly dining venues. 

Next to Splashaway Bay and next to a deep water pool, you have a grab-and-go eater at Surfside Bites. Then there's Surfside Eatery, which is Royal Caribbean's first buffet just families.  The Lemon Post bar is also a new concept that is the first bar to feature an adult menu and a kids menu. This will serve traditional tropical cocktails, as well as mocktails.

There's also a new specialty restaurant, Pier 7, which is described as a casual Boardwalk eatery.

The 1,198-foot-long mega-ship will be able to accommodate 7,600 guests across its 2,805 staterooms, which will make it the world's largest cruise ship once it debuts.

Icon will be 10 feet longer than Wonder of the Seas, which is currently the world's largest cruise ship.

The first sailing of Icon of the Seas will be a 7-night cruise from Miami on January 27, 2024.

The ship will sail year-round out of Miami in 2024, alternating between Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, with four different routings available for departures between January 2024 and April 2025.

As a budget traveler who loves cruising to Alaska, I’m always looking for ways to save money while visiting the 49th state.

It’s easy to break the budget on an Alaska cruise, as shore excursions tend to be priced significantly higher than those in the Caribbean. Hoping to take a helicopter ride to a glacier? Get ready to shell out $1000. Interested in a kayaking tour? You may spend over $200!

Not wanting to spend thousands on excursions and other cruise add-ons, I took advantage of several money-saving tips on my recent Alaska cruise.

From exploring ports without shore excursions to taking advantage of onboard discounts, it was easy to save money on my Alaska cruise without feeling like I was missing out.

Here are 10 ways I saved money on my Alaska cruise.

I rented a bike in Juneau for $40 instead of paying $200 for a cycling tour

While in Juneau, I wanted to visit Mendenhall Glacier, one of the port’s top attractions. As I was browsing shore excursions in the port, I found a cycling tour to the glacier and was immediately intrigued.

The “Bike & Brew Glacier View” tour in Juneau was priced at $149 and consisted of an 8.5 mile bike ride to the glacier followed by a visit to a local brewery. While it sounded fun, I thought spending $150 to ride a bike was steep.

Instead, I visited Cycle Alaska in downtown Juneau after disembarking the ship, which was only a two minute walk from the dock. There I was able to rent a bicycle for four hours for only $40. My mom decided to rent an e-bike for just $30 more.

Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

From the bike shop, we took off on a 13 mile ride to Mendenhall Glacier. The majority of the ride was on separated bike paths and it was extremely fun to explore on our own without a tour.

Upon arrival at the glacier, we locked our bikes on a rack and walked around the park area, making a stop at the scenic Nugget Falls. From there, we hopped back on our bikes for the 13 mile return trip.

Not only did I save $110 by renting a bike instead of booking a tour, but I had a lot more flexibility in what I could do with my time. Plus, I’m not a fan of organized shore excursions, so I much preferred the self-exploration possible with a bike rental.

I bought souvenirs in port instead of on the ship

I don’t always buy souvenirs when I cruise, but I decided to purchase a few on my recent Alaska cruise. To save money, I bought souvenirs while I was in port instead of in the souvenir shops on my cruise ship.

The first day of my cruise, I boarded the ship’s souvenir shops and found plenty of cute, fashionable Alaska-themed souvenirs. From sweatshirts to mugs, hats, and stuffed animals, there were hundreds of souvenirs to browse onboard the ship.

I decided to hold off on purchasing souvenirs on the ship and instead wait to shop for souvenirs in port.

During our first port day in Ketchikan, I was happy with my decision to avoid purchasing souvenirs on the ship. Ketchikan has dozens of souvenir shops with discounted prices on not just Alaska trinkets, but warm-weather clothing and raincoats.

Unsurprisingly, the prices of souvenirs onboard were inflated compared to what we found in each Alaska cruise port. Buying the souvenirs in port (specifically in Ketchikan, which had the best shops) was a budget-friendly decision I’m glad I made.

Took light rail from Seattle airport to downtown

I flew to Seattle the day before my cruise, and I saved money by taking the light rail downtown instead of calling an Uber or Lyft.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC) is around a 30 minute drive from downtown Seattle, although it can take longer with heavy traffic. Ubers or Lyfts to the city center from the airport usually cost over $50.

Related: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises

I booked a hotel in downtown Seattle the night before the cruise, so I had to travel from the airport to downtown upon arrival. Instead of calling a rideshare service, I decided to take the light rail.

Seattle’s light rail travels from SEA-TAC airport to downtown in just 38 minutes and costs only $3 per person. Our hotel was only a four minute walk from the Westlake station downtown, so taking the light rail was convenient, efficient, and cost-effective.

I did the free version of the North Star observation pod instead of paying

One of the most popular signature activities on Quantum Class cruise ships is the North Star, an observational pod that rises from the pool deck to three hundred feet above sea level.

The views from the North Star are beautiful, especially in a destination like Alaska, so I didn’t want to miss out on this activity while onboard.

Unlike most activities on a Royal Caribbean cruise, the North Star offers both complimentary and extra-cost rides. Complimentary rides are offered when your cruise ship is docked in port, and extra-cost rides are available on sea days.

Related: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

Not wanting to pay $30 to ride the North Star on a sea day, I made it a point to reserve a complementary slot. To do so, you must open the Royal Caribbean app once onboard and reserve a time slot.

Once I got onboard, though, I was shocked to see that all complimentary rides were already sold out! Still determined to ride the North Star, I periodically checked the app throughout the week, and I realized Royal Caribbean was releasing new time slots every day.

Once I saw a slot open, I quickly reserved it and was able to ride the North Star without shelling out $30.

I avoided expensive sit-down restaurants in port

To save money on my Alaska cruise, I ate most of my meals on the ship instead of in port. When I did grab a bite to eat in port, I dined at quick-service casual restaurants instead of sit-down venues.

Alaska has some of the best seafood in the United States, and I usually make it a point to dine at restaurants while visiting each port. On my recent cruise, however, I decided against long meals in port in favor of spending more time exploring town.

While docked in Ketchikan, we grabbed a quick latte and pastry at a local coffee shop instead of spending an hour or two at a restaurant. In Juneau, I bought fish tacos from a food truck instead of a sit-down meal.

It’s not uncommon to spend over $30 per person, per meal at a sit-down restaurant in Alaska cruise ports. Eating smaller snacks and quick meals in port allowed me to save money—I only spent around $10 each day for food in port.

I took advantage of Crown & Anchor Society benefits

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society offers some impressive benefits, including free drinks, discounts on onboard purchases, and exclusive events.

During my 7-night cruise, I took advantage of four benefits:

• 4 free drinks every day
• Diamond Lounge access
• Free play money in the casino
• Extra bingo cards

I visited the Diamond Lounge during my cruise to use the specialty coffee machine, where I was able to make lattes, cappuccinos, and other specialty drinks for free.

Of course, the free drinks as a Diamond member easily saved me significant money throughout the cruise. It was a huge benefit to be able to order a cocktail, mocktail, or soda four times a day without worrying about racking up a large bill at the end of the cruise.

Related: Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

Even if you’re not yet a Diamond member, you will still receive coupons for 50% off drinks like wine, beer, soda, and milkshakes. Taking advantage of these coupons will help you save money on your Alaska cruise.

And although spending money on gambling is not, by any means, a money saving tip, I took advantage of the $8 free play I received on a slot machine. I also partook in bingo for the first time on a cruise, where I received 6 extra jackpot cards during the game because of my loyalty status.

While I lost in both the casino and bingo, it was fun to get extra perks through the Crown & Anchor Society to either save money or increase my chances of winning a game.

I booked an interior cabin

Like most of my cruises, I booked an interior cabin on my recent Alaska itinerary. The total cost of my interior cabin was $1856, or $923 per guest.

Related: Take a look inside my inside cabin on my Alaska cruise

While nothing luxurious, booking an interior cabin allowed me to save money on my cruise fare. I booked my cruise just two months before the sail date, so prices were not as low as I would have preferred. To avoid spending several hundred to several thousand dollars more on a balcony or suite, I snagged one of the last interior rooms available.

Booking an interior cabin allowed me to allocate my vacation budget elsewhere.

I packed in a carry-on suitcase to avoid $60 in baggage fees

While packing for an Alaska cruise in a carry-on might seem outrageous, I fit more than I needed in my trusty little suitcase.

I absolutely hate checking a bag when I travel, so I’ve mastered the art of packing for a 7-night cruise in a carry-on. To avoid paying $60 in bag fees, I packed everything I needed in a carry-on for my recent cruise.

To fit so much in a small suitcase, I utilized packing cubes which greatly reduced the surface area of my clothing.

Related: Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing

In addition, I traveled with a backpack as my personal item on the airplane. Inside I was able to fit my laptop, camera gear, toiletries, chargers, and other miscellaneous items. I even had enough space to fit my souvenirs in the bag after the cruise was over!

Packing in a carry-on allows me to travel more efficiently, save money, and ensure my belongings get to the port with me.

Celebrity Ascent will be Celebrity Cruises' fourth Edge Class ship, and it is only a few short months away from hitting the high seas. 

“I am so excited to introduce the world to Celebrity Ascent and continue the legacy of Celebrity’s Edge Series,” remarked Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

“First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like Edge, Apex and Beyond quickly became consumer favorites. Continuously striving to offer travelers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.” 

Here is what guests can look forward to on the newest Edge Class ship, Celebrity Ascent. 

Edge Class favorites

If you have previously sailed on an Edge Class ship, there are numerous venues that you can look forward to seeing onboard. 

First, there will be the Theatre that will be home to imaginative performances that utilize state-of-the-art technology. 

If you would rather enjoy the outdoors, head up to the Rooftop Garden. Dubbed the "ultimate outdoor haven," this is a space to enjoy live music, movies, and infinity float pools. Do not worry-- if you get hungry, it is easy to grab something to eat al fresco at the Rooftop Garden Grill. 

There will also be a return of the spa, luxurious Resort Deck with a large main pool and two-story martini glass shaped hot tubs, adults-only Solarium, Sunset Bar, Magic Carpet, and the Grand Plaza and Martini Bar. 

When it comes to dining, you can expect to find venues like the three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant, as well as Le Petit Chef, which offers a fully immersive dining experience for an extra cost and will feature a never-before-seen show. 

And when you return to your cabin at night, you can rest easy in Celebrity's luxurious and modern accommodations. When booking your cruise, you will have your pick of the Edge Class first Infinite Veranda, as well as other standard cabins. The ship even welcomes the return of AquaClass staterooms for wellbeing-seekers who want to enjoy exclusive amenities.

Brand-new and refreshed dining experiences

When Celebrity Beyond made her debut in 2022, she introduced new dining venues that set her apart from the previous two ships in the class. Likewise, Celebrity Ascent is taking on a similar tactic. Cruising onboard this ship will be different from any other ship in the class!

Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud was first introduced on Celebrity Beyond; however, it will be completely redesigned onboard Celebrity Ascent. Headed by KTGY Simeone Deary Design Group, Daniel Boulud's second restaurant at sea will offer an intimate fine dining experience that is based upon the Chef's travels. 

The world-class cuisine offered at Eden Restaurant is going to be expanded with a plant-based tasting menu, which will bring guests closer to the earth through seven courses that are crafted with untouched, fresh, and seasonal ingredients.

Fans of high-end bourbons will appreciate the tasting and seminars at Craft Social, while martini fans can rejoice in the expanded martini menu at the Martini Bar.

Here, you can find low-sugar cocktails, as well as some brand-new creations, such as the lychee and passion fruit martini. 

Even the complimentary dining experience is getting a refresh. As with the other Edge Class ships, there will be four main dining options, each with a signature menu and rotating nightly dishes.

On Celebrity Ascent, however, the Cosmopolitan restaurant will be redesigned, with the inspiration coming from the culture of champagne. 

Finally, Blu, the exclusive restaurant dedicated to AquaClass guests, will have an outdoor terrance with the ability to seat 24 guests.

Enhanced entertainment, art and retail offerings​​​

While food is a major aspect of the cruising experience, entertainment is another selling point for many passengers, and there is no lack of things to do onboard Celebrity Ascent. 

First, there will be three brand-new production shows in the Theater, as well as interactive digital experiences in the Club and immersive shows in Eden Bar and Restaurant. Each show will feature world-class dancers, vocalists, musicians, and even specialty artists. 

Plus, the Resort Deck is going to be the center of all your nightlife needs. There will be live performances, music, and even a DJ.

For those who want to try their luck at the casino, you will find that the casino floor has been redesigned and will feature brand-new games. You will find a new layout, design, and slot machines with the latest technology. 

The Art Gallery has also been reimagined, making it so that guests are able to better experience the displayed places, as well as enjoy various auctions and events. 

Last but not least, Celebrity Ascent will be home to the Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus. This is a collection of travel and home accessories that can only be found onboard Celebrity Ascent!

Celebrity Ascent itineraries 

Celebrity Ascent is scheduled to begin her maiden season in Caribbean before making her way across the Atlantic Ocean for a summer European season. This means that you can relax on the beautiful white sands of the Caribbean or enjoy a culturally rich trip, crossing multiple bucket-list destinations off of your list. 

If you would like to be one of the first to sail onboard, you can book a preview sailing. The first departs on November 22, 2023 and is a 4-night cruise to Cozumel. The second is a 3-night Bahamas getaway to Nassau, departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 26, 2023. 

The official maiden voyage is slated to begin on December 3, 2023. This is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata.

Between mid-December 2023 and early April 2024, you can elect to cruise on one of two 7-night Caribbean itineraries: Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman or San Juan, Tortola, and St. Kitts.

Since she will be in the Caribbean over the holidays, perhaps you will enjoy ringing in the New Year onboard this brand-new ship. The Christmas cruise departs on December 24 and sails to the Bahamas, Mexico, and Grand Cayman, while the New Year's cruise is to San Juan, Tortola, and St. Kitts and leaves on December 31. 

While in Europe, you can take the ultimate Mediterranean getaway during the 9-night Italian Riviera and France cruise. If that does not interest you, there is also a 12-night Best of Italy and Greece itinerary, sailing to places like Rome, Naples, Mykonos, and Santorini!

MrBeast, YouTube's most acclaimed entertainment star, boarded Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas for an afternoon of fun.

MrBeast, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has amassed 159 million subscribers and over 27,131,438,600 total views. In terms of popularity, only two YouTube channels have more subscribers, and both are brand channels: T-Series and Cocomelon. 

In fact, he is the second YouTube creator in the site's history to surpass 100 million followers. Even his Instagram account is popular, with over 38 million followers. 

In a recent video, he boarded Harmony of the Seas to see what the $1 billion ship has to offer and how it compares to other ships, including a boat that he paid a single dollar for.  

Since published on June 10, the video has gotten over 71 million views! 

Just how popular is MrBeast? 

MrBeast is not just a content creator. He is also a philanthropist who has founded and co-founded numerous different organizations, included the Arbor Day Foundation, which has raised over $23 million dollars. 

In terms of his viewership, about 112 million people watched the Super Bowl LVII. During the average month, MrBeast harbors roughly 41 million views. 

Tim Kasser, a psychologist who studies materialism, conducted a study to prove that if MrBeast were to advertise for any given company or brand, it could cost about half as much as a traditional commercial while reaching a larger audience. 

As of June 2023, his most watched video is titled "$456,000 Squid Game in Real Life!" Since it was posted on November 24, 2021, the video has gained over 438 million views. 

That, of course, is nowhere close to the most watched YouTube video of all time, Baby Shark Dance, which has been watched over 12 billion times in the six years since being posted to the social media site. 

Harmony of the Seas

While not the largest cruise ship in the world, Harmony of the Seas currently ranks number third, following Symphony and Wonder of the Seas. 

When Icon of the Seas launches in January 2024, her position will be bumped down to fourth. 

The ship, which measures an astonishing 226,963 gross registered tons, was launched in 2016. Currently, she is sailing from Miami, Florida. In November, she will be repositioned to Galveston, Texas, where she will make 4, 6, 7, and 8-night Western Caribbean cruises through at least April 2025. 

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship, meaning that she is part of one of the most unique classes of ships in the world and is divided into seven different neighborhoods for guests to explore: 

• Royal Promenade 
• Central Park
• Boardwalk 
• Pool and Sports Zone
• Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center
• Youth Zone
• Entertainment Place

Likewise, she offers passengers numerous different dining -- both complimentary and specialty -- and entertainment options, such as the infamous AquaTheater performances, Wonderland, Izumi Hibachi and Sushi, and headliner acts in the Royal Theater. 

Additionally, there are countless activities for guests to enjoy -- think water slides, FlowRider surf simulators, multi-story dry slide, mini-golf, a zip line, and more. It is easy to see why MrBeast wanted to check out this impressive ship. 

In short, there is something for everyone onboard, and there is no possible way that you could be bored while on a Harmony of the Seas cruise. 

MrBeast's maritime adventure 

MrBeast's YouTube video begins by showcasing yachts of various price points, including one that he paid $1 for. 

According to the yacht's previous owner, the storage costs were racking up, and he was spending $18,000 per year to storage it. Shortly after the purchase was made, the ship began to sink! They jumped off the vessel moments before it was submerged under the water. 

After the $1 yacht, he goes on to explore ships worth $1 million, $10 million, $25 million, $50 million, and $300 million dollars. The final ship on the agenda was Harmony of the Seas, which cost a little over $1 billion dollars to build!

"You cannot fathom how massive this ship is," said MrBeast, speaking about the size of Harmony. 

"It is literally a floating city...This boat has waterslides, an indoor mall, a basketball court, and tons of other stuff I can't even name!" 

He and his friends break up to explore different neighborhoods, with Chandler and Nolan heading to the Pool and Sports Zone first. 

After being amazed by the water slides and live music on the pool deck, the duo headed over to play a round of mini-golf.

Next, Chris appears on the Boardwalk: "So I went down a slide [referring to the Ultimate Abyss], and now I'm teleported into like a different world. And you have a carousel?!" 

Not only did he charter the ship for himself and his friends, but he ended the video by bringing 400 of his subscribers onboard to partake in the fun, whether that be hanging out on the pool deck, exploring the Boardwalk, playing games in the arcade, climbing the rock wall, eating at Wonderland, and more. 

Plus, every single subscriber onboard at the time was gifted with a free three-night cruise on Icon of the Seas. 

If they all thought Harmony was impressive, they will be blown away by everything that the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas will offer, including the record-breaking Category 6 Water Park, AquaDome, brand-new dining concepts, and much, much more. 

I often say that it's hard to have a bad cruise on a new cruise ship, and a large reason for that thought process is because of how much you can see and do on a new cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean's fleet of cruise ships offers ships of different size and age. There's a good reason to try them all, with the newest ships offering some superb experiences that truly stand out.

Of course, a new cruise ship will come with a premium price.  The newest ships have the most demand because of how intriguing they are to the general public. It leaves some people wondering what exactly a new cruise ships gets you and why you'd want to pay extra to sail on a brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship compared to one that isn't as new.

Regardless of a ship's age, Royal Caribbean does a good job of maintaining its fleet with regular updates and even upgrades to some vessels.

The appeal of the latest and greatest certainly draws in plenty of cruisers, because it represents the very best Royal Caribbean has to offer. When you watch a commercial for Royal Caribbean, inevitably you want to do the same things you see in the commercial, and those are offered on newer ships.

If you've only sailed on older ships, or are simply curious what makes a new ship different from an older ship, there are a few nuances you will notice about a brand new cruise ship when you get onboard.

Updated cabin aesthetics

If you think all cruise ships are the same regardless of age, you have to see the cabin of a new ship.

New cruise ships have much more modern aesthetics, and I'd say the look and feel of a new ship cabin mirrors that of a land based hotel much more than older ships cabins.

Royal Caribbean ship cabins on ships built prior to 2014 seem to have a very traditional maritime look to them, and it seemed like the motif for these staterooms was very much the same whether you were on a Radiance or Voyager Class cruise ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

With the Quantum Class, the look of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin began to change, and since then, it seems Royal Caribbean hasn't been content with delivering the same sort of cabin.

The colors have evolved over the last 10 years, and there's more accents that make your cruise ship cabin look less like a cruise ship cabin.  In my opinion, new ship cabins evoke more of a land resort look to them than older ship cabins did.

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

Smart TVs

Something else you'll notice in your cabin on a new cruise ship are the televisions.

I certainly don't watch a lot of TV while on a cruise, but when I do, the experience is much more enjoyable on a new TV given the feature set and performance you'll get with them.

Newer Royal Caribbean ships have interactive TVs, where you can complete your muster drill experience, order room service, review charges and more.

On the very newest Royal Caribbean ships, the TVs have a means to stream content from your smart device.  This alleviates one of the major pain points guests have had for years of trying to get a movie from their computer or phone on the TV without having to bring an HDMI cable and universal remote.

Plus, the new TVs change channels a heck of a lot quicker.  My pet peeve is using a TV that has a noticeable delay in trying to change channels, which is common with older units.

While the stateroom television isn't a reason to book a cruise or not, it certainly makes it slightly more enjoyable.

More specialty restaurants

There's simply more dining choices on a new cruise ship.

Part of the reason you'll find more dining variety is because the ship is bigger, which means more space onboard for more restaurants.

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has doubled down on specialty dining in particular because of how well-received it has been from guests.  It offers more cuisines and cooking styles than you can find in the complimentary venues, and it allows Royal Caribbean to experiment with new concepts too.

For those that opt to indulge in extra cost restaurants, you'll have many more choices on a new ship than an older ship.

As an example, Icon of the Seas will have more than 40 food and beverage concepts, with 23 of them completely new to Royal Caribbean.

Whether you go to all of those restaurants is secondary to the fact you have the choice to visit, and the sheer variety stands out to guests.

When you sail on an older ship, the amount of dining choices is considerably less.

Read more: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Newer songs in production shows

If you want to tell which decade a cruise ship was launched, watch the production shows and listen for which songs are included.

When Royal Caribbean builds a new cruise ship, they develop new shows for guests onboard.  Inevitably, there are hit songs from the last few years included in the dance numbers.

When I went on Anthem of the Seas earlier this summer, I recall hearing Macklemore's, "Can't Hold Us" as part of a show in Two70.  It's a great hit from 2012, and it instantly sets the age of a ship in your mind.

Newer cruise ships seem to sample newer songs in their shows.

A lot of new cruisers

New cruise ships are built to bring in the crowds, especially those that have never cruised before.

Growth in the cruise industry is predicated on the concept of marketing to people that have never taken a cruise before because that is the largest segment of the population. According to statistics published by Cruise Lines International Association, around 15% of the total US population have ever cruised.

As a result, Royal Caribbean designs new cruise ships to be very intriguing to someone who has never cruised before, and the result is there will probably be a lot of new cruisers onboard.

To be fair, you'll find new cruisers on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  But there seems to be many more newbies on a new ship.

Certainly there will be many families on a new ship because of Royal Caribbean's historic appeal to the family travel market.

Those Royal Caribbean television commercials are made to attract the public to the ship, and often the whizz-bang activities onboard are the sort that compel someone who has never cruised before to try the ship. The Bionic Bar, Ultimate Abyss, and FlowRider all endear themselves to first time cruisers because they are the sort of activities someone might not have imagined you could do on a cruise ship.

More storage space in your cabin

Going back to the rooms on a cruise ship, one big difference with a new ship is how much more storage space there is in your cabin.

When I started cruising, I found storage space to always be at a premium.  But with cruise ships built in the last decade, there has been many more drawers, closets, and nooks added to store all of your belongings.

Instead of rationing shelves, I find even in inside cabins more shelving and drawers than we can possibly use.

This is especially helpful when cruising with kids, as the amount of stuff you have seems to grow exponentially.

Read more: 8 things you should know about your cruise ship cabin

The line's best musical acts

In terms of entertainment on a new cruise ship, the better acts tend to end up on the new ships.

When Royal Caribbean launches a new cruise ship, they will pluck the top rated bands and musicians to sail on the newest ship. This is largely based on guest feedback and reputation these performers have garnered over the years.

To be clear, all the musical acts across the fleet are talented, but the stagemanship the best acts have makes them stand out.

More app features

The Royal Caribbean app is now a must-use part of the cruise experience, and the feature set on a new ship is substantial.

The bottom row of the app has various things you can do in the app, and the newest ships in the fleet can do things like being able to open your stateroom door, augmented reality experiences, and even open your cabin curtains.

Whether you use all these features or not is another question, but it's nice to have them all as an option.

Better suite amenities

If you'd like to stay in a Royal Caribbean suite, you'll find the best suite perks on a new ship.

Royal Caribbean has two tiers of suite benefits, with its new ships offering Royal Suite Class amenities that are aimed at rivaling land resort suite benefits.

The Royal Suite Class has three tiers: Sea Class, Sky Class, and Star Class. They are available only on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Not only are the benefits better on new ships, but the size and layout of suites are arguably superior too.

Because of how lucrative the suite market is for the cruise line, Royal Caribbean has developed larger and more opulent suites that feature multi-deck layouts, in-suite slides, and private jacuzzis.

Read more: 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

A suite on an older ship will still be a lovely experience, but when you try a suite on the newer ships, I think the variety of perks stands out more.

More information

• I sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest and oldest cruise ships: here's what it's like to cruise on each
• Does it matter how old your cruise ship is?

No matter which Royal Caribbean cruise ship you sail on, there's going to be a few thousands other passengers onboard with you, but that doesn't mean the ship will be crowded all the time and everywhere.

In some cases, a crowd is a good thing. It's nice to have the energy of a crowd for a theater performance, during a sing-a-long in a bar, or as part of the sail away party.

Royal Caribbean designs its ships to distribute guests around so crowding doesn't become problematic.  This is through a combination of placing venues at different ends and decks of the ship, as well as scheduling competing events at the same time.  

While these methods help reduce crowding, it's not going to feel like a private yacht or anything quite that empty.  That's to be expected to some degree on a mass market cruise line, but there's still a few ways to keep crowds to a minimum.

Depending on your cruising style, budget, and energy to seek out alternatives, you can enjoy a Royal Caribbean cruise without nearly as many crowds.

If your goal is to find ways to minimize crowds on your cruise, here are some strategies to side-step the crowds while enjoying your cruise.

Book a suite

If you want to throw money at the problem, staying in a Royal Caribbean suite gives you certain privileges that can assist with avoiding crowds.

Your suite cabin is going to be substantially larger than a standard balcony room, and that gives you private space to enjoy every day. This is especially nice with your suite balcony, which is quite a bit larger than a regular balcony.

Another way staying in a suite can give you an uncrowded experience is access to suite-only areas, such as the suite lounge and suite sun deck.

The suite sun deck is a popular option, because it allows you to enjoy the bright sunny days at sea without having to compete as much for a lounger.

Having your own bar and lounge in the suite lounge really makes a difference too, especially since drinks are complimentary here in the evening.

Looking ahead to Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has dedicated the most space ever for suite guests in an entire neighborhood.

Icon’s expanded Suite neighborhood will include a new Mediterranean restaurant in The Grove, a multideck outdoor area with a pool and hot tub, reserved for suite guests.

Of course, staying in a suite isn't a cheap option, and it may be out of the question for most people's budgets.  But if you can afford one, staying in a suite is one easy way to avoid crowds.

Seek chairs away from the pool

If you want to enjoy time outdoors in a chair or lounger, there are usually lots of seating choices if you don't mind being away from the pool.

While the pool is a focal point for sea day activities, you'll find lots of seating choices on the outer decks if you venture further aft or forward from the middle of the deck.

What I love about getting a lounger away from the pool is it's quieter and a better chance of getting a lounge chair in the shade.

There are also chairs on the promenade deck that wraps around the outside of the ship on deck 4 or 5 (depending on the Royal Caribbean ship class).

Go indoors on sea days

If you value a quiet day on a sea day, head indoors when everyone is outside at the pool.

During the day, the bars are open on sea days and you'd be surprised how uncrowded some of these venues can be in the morning and afternoon.

A bar indoors will be quieter and sparsely crowded because a lot of other guests want to be outdoors to enjoy the sun or activities. If your goal is to read a book, watch a movie, or chat, being in an indoor venue isn't a bad idea at all.

Plus, you'll still find activities held indoors to keep you busy.

Cruise in the shoulder season

While Royal Caribbean ships rarely sail less than full capacity, picking a cruise during the shoulder season can feel less crowded, especially in the ports of call you visit.

The term "shoulder season" refers to the beginning and end of a cruise season when demand is less. Some examples of shoulder season are:

• Alaska: May or September
• Europe: May or September
• Caribbean: January, September or October

These times of the year are when demand is less because of weather or school schedules, and the result is (generally) lower prices and less demand.

While I don't think your cruise ship will be half empty by any means, one advantage of shoulder season cruising is fewer ships in port. That makes shore excursion touring far less crowded, especially in cities or at popular beaches.

Avoid Windjammer on embarkation day

When you board a Royal Caribbean cruise, the first place you may run into a crowd is at the ship's Windjammer buffet restaurant.

A lot of people boarding want to grab lunch before enjoying their first afternoon onboard and that can result in a busy lunch crowd.

Instead, get something to eat at another venue.

Depending on your ship, there's usually a couple of alternatives you could choose from for an embarkation day lunch.

Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Cafe Promenade, or Sorrento's are all complimentary options you could enjoy a lunch at for no extra cost.

In addition, some specialty restaurants are open for lunch on the first day, such as Chop's Grille, Johnny Rockets, Playmaker's Sports Bar, or Giovanni's.

Check a past Cruise Compass to get a sense of restaurant choices and operating hours.

Book with a group and rent out a venue

If you're sailing with a group of friends, you might be able to rent out a venue onboard.

Assuming you all booked with the same travel agent, Royal Caribbean's group department provides certain services, such as the ability to rent out a venue.

You could rent out a bar, specialty restaurant, water slide, or lounge. Depending on the size of your group, this might be something the equity generated by the group could cover partially or entirely in cost.

You'll need to have a group set up with Royal Caribbean's Groups department, but with some advanced planning, this can be a really fun way to enjoy certain venues of a ship without anyone else!

Do activities during dinner time

Want to ride the water slides, climb the rocking wall, or try the Flowrider without any lines? Go during dinner time.

Royal Caribbean usually operates its signature activities into the late afternoon and early evening, and this is one of the best times to go without much of a wait because most other guests are either at dinner or preparing to go to dinner.

Once the clock hits 4pm or so, the pool and sports decks start to empty out considerably because everyone wants to go to dinner. 

In the summer, there's plenty of day light in the early evening, and it's a great time to enjoy these venues that are otherwise super popular other times of the day.

Book a private shore excursion

I mentioned how shoulder season cruising can ensure a less crowded port day, but if you can't do a shoulder season cruise, another good option to avoid crowds is to book a private tour.

No matter which port you visit, there are bound to be private shore excursions you can book through third party operators.

A private tour means it's just for you and your group, so you don't have to worry about a crowded bus or waiting around for a large group to move.

Plus, your private tour will be more nimble than a large group, and that can allow you to get to and from hot spots in port before the larger crowds descend.

A private tour will cost more than a group tour, but if you value avoiding the crowd, a private tour is the way to go.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend and ready to talk a little Royal Caribbean.

Icon of the Seas is coming together nicely, and we have a new photo update of the progress being made.

Under construction in Turku, Finland, Icon of the Seas is looking more and more like a cruise ship (instead of a construction site). If you're like me, you want to see every update possible of what's happening there.

More water slides have been installed, the siding of the ship has been better revealed, and the ship looks to be getting prepared for her upcoming sea trials.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean cruise ship will experiment with new alternative fuel this summer
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO: more new cruisers than we had in 2019
• 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship
• "Near-normal" hurricane season predicted for 2023: What that means for cruise ships
• 6 things to know before you book Wonder of the Seas
• 20 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 501st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, featuring a local's guide to planning an Alaska cruise.

In this episode, Mollie live in Alaska and shares ideas for what to do in each Alaska cruise port.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! 

New RCB Video: Why you should eat at the buffet instead of the dining room

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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 — Why you should eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters

Have you ever wondered what the Captain's quarters look like on a cruise ship?

Being in charge of the cruise ship, the Captain has many responsibilities along with a rather large stateroom.

Captain Kate McCue, the current captain of Celebrity Beyond, showed what her living quarters were like while she was the captain of Celebrity Edge. 

The costly mistake not to make planning a cruise

There are plenty of mistakes someone could make planning a cruise, but we picked one that would really be an expensive oopsie to overlook.

Of all the cruise mistakes to avoid, booking a flight the same day your cruise departs is probably among the worst.

Travel delays could mean a cancelled or delayed flight, and if you miss your cruise embarkation window, there goes your entire vacation cost.

Why I prefer Alaska cruises over the Caribbean

Would you rather take a Caribbean cruise or an Alaska cruise?

Jenna has done many cruises in both regions, but prefers an Alaska cruise because of how different it is from a traditional Caribbean sailing.

Despite the colder weather, she found 8 reasons why an Alaska cruise is her preferred cruise.

You'll meet lots of crew members on your cruise ship vacation, but there are a handful that are the most important to seek out.

The crew are so important because they can really enhance your cruise experience. Most guests have a great cruise regardless of which crew members they interact with, but if I've learned something over all my cruises, it's there are a few crew members that can greatly enhance it.

Read more: 25 times Royal Caribbean crew members wowed cruise ship passengers with excellent service

That isn't to say if you don't meet these crew members you'll be at any kind of a disadvantage.  Rather, think of it like ice cream toppings: they make what is otherwise really good even better.

The next time you're on a cruise, see if you can find these crew members to at least say hello to and put a face to the name. Some may make a big difference, while others may simply be a good resource to be aware of, should the need arise. 

Stateroom attendant

It may seem obvious and obligatory that your stateroom attendant is on this list, but some cruisers don't really interact with their attendants and that's to their detriment.

Your stateroom attendant takes care of your cruise ship cabin every day of your cruise. She or he will visit it once per day to fresh up the room, and they're probably the crew member you'll see the most.

I recommend meeting your cabin attendant on the first day of the cruise so they can be aware of any special requests you may have, such as:

• Extra towels
• Splitting or combining the bed
• Providing ice in the cabin
• Laundry services

They're also the person to get a hold of if there's a maintenance issue with your cabin.

Over my years of cruising, I think the cabin attendant has had the most direct impact on my experience. From making towel animals that impress us, to transforming our kids' mess into organized order, cabin attendants have stood out for how helpful they can be on nearly every cruise.

Hotel Director

It took me years to fully appreciate what the hotel director does, and how they can impact your cruise.

The hotel director is in charge of the hotel operations of the cruise ship.  If you think of your ship has a floating resort, there's the hotel operations, marine operations, and food and beverage. A cruise ship hotel director is in charge of all aspects of the hotel-type operations, including everything related to your cabin and housekeeping.

While you want to start off with your stateroom attendant for nearly every issue, if a problem lingers or the resolution is not up to your liking, be sure to reach out to the hotel director.

You can always call down to Guest Services to get the extension of the hotel director and quickly get in touch with him or her.

Suite Concierge

If you booked a suite (Grand Suite or above), one of the best Royal Caribbean suite perks are the services provided by the suite concierge.

It is the job of the suite concierge to make sure everything is going well, and they are the problem solver for suite guests.

Part guest relations, part dining guide, and part event coordinator, the concierge is empowered to do a lot, especially when problems arise.

In a lot of cases, the concierge may have inside information on changes occurring onboard and know exactly who to reach out to about most situations.

The suite concierge will have regular hours they are available in the Suite Lounge, so be sure to stop in and say hello on the first day to not only meet them, but get a copy of their schedule.

Lead bartender in your favorite bar

Imagine this: You find yourself gravitating towards a certain bar for one reason or another. Maybe it's the live music, maybe it's the menu, or perhaps the atmosphere.  Whatever the rationale, you find yourself spending more time in one bar over another.

Look for a bartender who has a uniform that looks different from everyone else, and that's probably the lead bartender. And if you can't spot them, ask one of your other bartenders for whom it is.

The lead bartender has enough experience to catapult them up above the other bartenders, and these are great mixologists as well as crew members to get to know.

In my experience, the longer a crew member has worked for Royal Caribbean, the more "tricks of the trade" they seem to posses, and that's an asset to you. They can mix drinks better, might know cocktails not listed on the menu that you might want to try, and have enough stories to pass the time when the bar is slow.

Cruise Director

Every cruise director has their own style, but you'd be surprised how helpful a cruise director can be to your sailing.

They're not only the emcee for all the activities onboard, they can also help with other things to do.

One of my favorite TikTok cruise ship hacks I learned about a cruise is to ask the cruise director for an activity you might not see on the schedule.

You can ask the cruise director to add events to the calendar if there's something you think is missing.

An example was when a guest wanted more outdoor deck parties on a recent sailing instead of the one they had on the schedule.  They ended up adding one every day of the cruise as a result of the request.

Casino host

Not everyone gambles, but if you do, be sure to meet the casino host.

The casino host is more than a friendly smile. They are there to answer any and all casino questions you might have.

Royal Caribbean's Casino Royale program is complicated, but there are some seriously good benefits if you can get status with them.

Don't hesitate to stop by the casino host's desk and ask for more information on how the casino loyalty program works, how to play a new game, or what your progress looks like so far.

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

Loyalty Ambassador

I get asked many questions about Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society perks, and the best person to solve these quandaries is the loyalty ambassador.

This crew member's job is to look after every single member of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program, and you'd be surprised how much they can fix for you.

Explaining benefits, changing your preferences, answering frequently asked questions, the loyalty ambassador is the person to meet for these types of issues.

The biggest problem is locating the loyalty ambassador. On some ships, it seems their office is hidden around the ship.  But once you find them, they are a terrific crew member to know.

We have all seen the videos of how crew members live onboard cruise ships. They live in tight quarters and often have to share a room with another member in their department. 

Cruise ships captains, however, live a little bit more luxuriously. A captain oversees all onboard operations to ensure that the ship is safely operating during each and every sailing-- it is not an easy job! 

While captain of Celebrity Edge, Captain Kate McCue posted a TikTok showing what her living quarters looked like. The video, which was published in August 2020, has amassed over one million likes! 

Keep reading to see Captain McCue's living quarters while captain of Celebrity Edge!

Who is Captain Kate McCue?

Captain McCue made history as the first American woman to be named captain of a mega cruise ship. In 2015, she became the commanding officer of Celebrity Summit at only 37-years-old. 

During her time at California State University, she landed an internship with Chiquita Brands International, where she worked on one of their cargo ships and helped to transport bananas between Ecuador and Los Angeles. 

After graduating with her degree in business administration, she moved to Hawaii and worked as a general deckhand on a catamaran. When Captain McCue began to apply for positions with cruise lines, it took her nine months to be offered an entry-level third mate role by Disney Cruise Line. 

In 2003, she moved to Royal Caribbean after being offered the role of second officer, and only one year later, she was promoted to first officer. 

Her dream was to take command of a vessel one day. In order to accomplish this goal, Captain McCue knew that she needed to further her education, and in 2009, she earned her Chief Mate and Master's License from the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies

By 2011, she was working as a staff captain for Royal Caribbean. This position is second-in-command! 

Celebrity Cruises asked Captain McCue to consider applying for a captain’s position in 2015, and she accepted the job of commanding officer for Celebrity Summit, making her the first first female commanding officer of a mega ship in the United States. 

As of June 2023, she is captain of Celebrity Beyond, the cruise line's newest ship that is sister to Celebrity Edge. For those interested in following along on her journey as a cruise ship captain, you can subscribe to one of her social media platforms. On TikTok, for instance, she has around 3.5 million followers on TikTok, as well as a total of 8.6 million likes!

What does the main living space look like?

"Welcome to my humble abode also known as the Captain's Quarters!" says Captain McCue as she began the video and opened the door to her cabin.

There is no shortage of natural light in this stateroom thanks to the amount of windows and infinite veranda. 

Immediately, viewers get a sense of how important Bug Naked, an elf sphynx cat that lives with Captain McCue onboard the ship, is to her! You see a plush bed directly under the infinite veranda, perfect for Bug. 

The room is furnished with a large couch and coffee table, media console, and television. As she continues on with the video, she shows a framed picture of Saint Nicholas on one of the built in shelves. 

"Because we're superstitious," she says, "there's somebody we never travel without; this is our patron saint of seafarers, Saint Nicholas." 

What do the bedroom and bathroom look like?

Overall, the bedroom feels pretty standard for Celebrity Cruises. She shows a king sized bed, night stands, and another television. As soon as she walks into the bathroom, however, you realize that this is no ordinary stateroom. 

There is a double sink, rain shower, and even soaking tub, which is great for Bug! The bathroom even connects directly to the primary entry hallway, as well as the bedroom. 

Let's take a look at the main galley and office

Directly across from the bathroom is the main galley, and yes, there is another television in here! It is also home to Bug's litter box and stroller.  

Despite not having a fully equipped kitchen, Captain McCue's Captain's Quarters does have a full-sized refrigerator that is stocked with water and Bug's cat food. Likewise, the drawers of the galley are packed with snacks, such as gummy bear and candy bars. Plus, there is a large table that is able to seat six guests. 

Connected to the main galley is Captain McCue's office, which in turn is connected directly to the ship's Bridge. 

The Bridge is where the ship is commanded, and it is located at the forward of the ship. This is where the captain and other crew members carry out navigational duties. 

"We have a minimum of three very qualified and licensed officers manning the bridge at all times," said McCue. 

"Three different teams rotate every four hours on and eight hours off....[and] the teams are made up of an officer of the watch, assistant officer of the watch and a quartermaster look out."

How do other crew members live?

Kristine Kugler is currently a dancer onboard Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas, and she posted a video to her YouTube channel in March 2023 showing what her living situation is like. While Captain McCue has her own stateroom, Kugler shares a stateroom with another crew member. 

Depending on the crew member's position onboard, they, too, might be able to have their own cabin, albeit not as luxurious as Captain McCue's. 

Kugler shows a bunk bed, large television, drawers purchased from Amazon for additional storage, closer, and foldable table.  

While the room itself is in no way a spacious suite, Kugler provides the most commentary about the size of the bathroom. "The first time we stepped into these bathrooms, it was definitely a culture shock," she said.

"Because it's a lot tinier than really anything we're used to, and we have to share it with another person."

At the end of the day, the stateroom that a crew member is assigned to is based on their position. Since Captain McCue is the ship's highest responsible officer with decades worth of experience, she has earned the right to one of, if not, the best possible accommodations onboard. 

If you are interested in learning more about Captain McCue, check out her social media pages! She has a TikTok and Instagram and posts content regarding operational duties onboard and ports of call. 

It's one thing to make a mistake on your cruise, but it's quite another if that mistake ends up costing you a lot of money too.

No one wants to make a mistake, but a costly mistake hurts much worse than a mistake that is simply a lesson learned.

On a cruise in 2019, I booked a last-minute hotel in Nassau, Bahamas because I thought it was a great rate at the popular Baha Mar resort.  It turned out to be a very similarly named hotel nearby, and without access to the incredible resort I thought I was going to.  Since it was non-refundable, I wasted a lot of money on that mistake.

While that mistake hurt my wallet, there are worse mistakes a new cruiser could make, such as putting their entire cruise vacation investment in jeopardy.

That got me thinking about the absolute worst mistake someone could make that would cost them the most money if they did it.

I wanted to narrow down the options to something someone could choose to do and think it was a good idea, as opposed to something more subjective. Certainly a Royal Caribbean drink package you never order any drinks for would be costly, but that depends on the person.

In considering the costliest cruise mistake possible, it would have to be something that puts your entire vacation cost at risk.

Booking a flight the same day the cruise ship departs

In considering the possible negative financial ramifications along with the probability of it happening, it's clear to me booking your flight the same day your cruise is set to begin is arguably the costliest mistake.

For a land vacation, anyone would book a flight for to arrive in the city they'll be staying in on the same day of their first night of their hotel stay.  That makes perfect logical sense for a land trip, but it's counterintuitive for a cruise vacation.

Essentially, you're playing with fire by relying on your flight to be on time and not impacted by the typical delays and cancellations the air travel industry encounters often.

Having a tight schedule of landing, collecting your luggage, and then getting to the port leaves little wiggle room for any kind of delay.

Flight delays or cancellations, bad weather near your house, car breakdowns and a variety of other unforeseen possibilities can wreak havoc on your schedule.

The embarkation window on the first day of your cruise is limited, and if you arrive too late, you'll miss your cruise and there's no refunds for a no-show.

That means your entire cruise fare will be lost.

Not only can you not board a cruise ship late, the cut-off time for embarkation is actually a lot earlier than the sail-away time.

Even if you book an early flight, there's no guarantee that flight wont encounter a problem that results in getting you to your destination too late to make the ship.

Royal Caribbean (nor any cruise line) will not refund your money if you miss the cruise due to a travel delay.  Trip insurance might pick up some of the tab, but it will not allow you to actually go on the cruise vacation you planned and dreamed about.

The way to guard against this problem is to book a flight that gets you to your embarkation city at least one day before your cruise sets sail.

By flying in a day early, if your flight is delayed or cancelled, you have another day to make a flight, and the chances of a catastrophic delay happening twice in a row is unlikely.

In addition, flying in early means significantly less stress for everyone. The last thing you want to do is start your vacation worrying every minute until you arrive in your embarkation port that a travel delay could appear. Just the lingering thought of a delay is enough to make your vacation anything but relaxing.

What if I book my flights with the cruise line?

You might think by booking your flight with Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program, you'll be safe if your flight is delayed because the ship will wait for anyone that booked flights with the cruise line.

This is actually a misconception, because even if you arrive late on a flight booked through the cruise line, the ship still will sail without you.

Instead, Royal Caribbean will assist in getting to the ship at another port. That doesn't account for the time you miss onboard the ship.

"The Emergency Travel team will work with you to find alternative flights. In some instances, same day viable flight options may not be available, and in those instances we accommodate you to the next available port where you may legally join the ship."

Note the word "legally" in the Air2Sea policy, because you may not be allowed to join the ship in the next port.

The United States (and other countries) have cabotage laws that prevent foreign-flagged ships to pick up and drop off passengers in any port.

Foreign flagged cruise ships (which are all of Royal Caribbean's ships) are required to make a stop in a foreign port when sailing roundtrip from the United States.

The law is part of the Passenger Vessel Service Act (PVSA) of 1886 is to protect the U.S. Merchant Marine (the licensed (officers) and documented (trades) personnel on the ships) and to protect U.S. shipyards that both build and repair the ships.

In layman's terms, this means Royal Caribbean cannot let you join a ship at a U.S. port if you later will be disembarking at a different U.S. port unless a visit to a distant port such as Aruba is on the itinerary.  

Who to call if you have a problem getting to the ship on embarkation day?

Royal Caribbean has a phone number for emergencies on the day you are set to cruise.

If your travel plans are disrupted and you're unable to make the cruise, you can call Royal Caribbean's Day of Sailing helpline at 800-256-6649 or 305-539-4107 (Int'l).