Thank you for joining us for this a look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week. We had plenty to share, so let us jump right in!

Ready to book a 2026 cruise? You'll have to wait a few more months.

You can't book any cruises beyond April 2026 quite yet, but it's likely the cruise line will open more cruises to book in 2026 and 2027 very soon.

Based on historical data, Royal Caribbean typically puts out new cruises twice per year, beginning with new sailings appearing online in November.

Royal Caribbean News:

• Royal Caribbean's 9-month world cruise is about to end and passenger calls it "Bizarre" and "Sad"
• Mexico is adding a new tourist tax
• Royal Caribbean shows by ship
• 9 Best Royal Caribbean Bahamas Excursions
• Guide to Izumi Sushi and Hibachi restaurant (menus)
• 9 outfits you'll want to wear on a cruise to Mexico
• 8 foods you must eat on a Royal Caribbean cruise

New RCB Video: DON'T BOOK A CRUISE Without Knowing These 5 Things

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 — DON'T BOOK A CRUISE Without Knowing These 5 Things — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean tightens rules on kids sail free offer

Royal Caribbean has added a new restriction to its continuing kids sail free offer.

Per its requirements, children under the age of 12 can now sail for free when they stay with two paying adults in the same cabin on a sailing 3 nights or longer that doesn't fall during a blackout date.

New criteria now states that the cruise must be purchased at least 30 days before the sailing date.

Hiding ducks on a cruise ship is a "crazy" and popular trend - whether you like it or not

Why do people hide rubber ducks on their cruise?

The latest sailing trend is a global craze that began with a small start: a 10-year-old named Abby.

Today, the viral movement inspires cruisers to both hide and find ducks all around cruise ships, participating in the thrill of the chase.

5 mistakes I made during my European cruise kept me from making the most of my trip

Matt recently sailed in Europe on a 7-night Anthem of the Seas cruise, and shared his regrets of what he did wrong. 

While he had a good time, he also made a few mistakes—from taking public transportation to not grabbing cash sooner.

Cruise scams to watch out for

There's been a recent influx of cruise scammers—here's what you need to know.

A travel agent that frequently books Royal Caribbean cruises has noticed an uptick in the number of problems with scammers.

From imposter accounts on social media to fake phone numbers, scammers have a lot of strategies that can ruin your vacation plans.

We hope you enjoy your Labor Day weekend with friends and family! It has been a busy week of Royal Caribbean news and events, and we have a look back at everything that happened this week.

Royal Caribbean placed an order for a fourth Icon Class ship, with the possibility of two more beyond that.

The cruise line confirmed this week that it's ordered a fourth Icon Class ship, set to be delivered in 2027. Star of the Seas, the second Icon Class set, will launch in August 2025, with the third Icon Class ship being delivered in 2026.

No further details have been revealed about the fourth Icon Class ship, but Royal Caribbean also said that it has options to build fifth and sixth ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• Bahamas strikes $600M Deal: Inside the massive shipyard transformation set to dominate cruise repair
• I tried a free shore excursion instead of paying for a Royal Caribbean tour. It was so much better than I expected
• Royal Caribbean updates: Upgraded benefits for top tier members, free internet in Alaska, Beach Club update & more
• Royal Caribbean crew member gets 30 years for secretly filming kids
• I visited Bordeaux for the first time. I found there's so much more to love about the city than its wine
• Royal Caribbean adds new restrictions on free cruises from the casino
• Spotted: Long awaited Royal Caribbean dining package update rolled out
• Boarding my cruise ship in England was easier than most cruises in the United States
• One ocean in Europe is notorious for bad weather and rough seas. There was motion, but it wasn't as bad as I feared
• I spent two days in London before my European cruise. It gave me time to fight jetlag and explore this amazing city
• 3 hours in Paris? Why long bus ride cruise excursions are great and miserable
• Viral TikTok warns cruisers to avoid these three Caribbean shore excursions

New RCB Video: Uncomfortable Truths We Need to Tell You About Royal Caribbean

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 — Uncomfortable Truths We Need to Tell You About Royal Caribbean — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

I took an Anthony Bourdain inspired tour of a city in Spain during my cruise

Looking for a new way to tour your next port of call?

Matt tried an Anthony-Bourdain-inspired tour on his latest visit to Bilbao, Spain. 

His exploration blended culture, history, local customs, and food for a unique and surprising experience.

9 things you can bring on a plane, but not a cruise ship

If you're not careful while packing, you could breeze through airport security but be banned from boarding the cruise ship.

Each mode of transportation is different, and there are some items that are safe to bring on a plane but aren't allowed on a cruise ship.

From handcuffs to irons, there are 9 things you should be wary of bringing.

Icon of the Seas vs. Utopia of the Seas: Comparing Royal Caribbean's newest and biggest cruise ships

Both of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships are also the biggest ships in the world.

They both have a lot in common—from waterpark activities to buffet dining—but each ship comes from a different class.

Some key differences between these two mega ships can affect your next cruise.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Royal Caribbean revealed details about its second Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas.

The follow-up to the wildly successful Icon of the Seas, Star will sail from Port Canaveral in August 2025.

Star of the Seas will have new technological advances and dining upgrades that aim to improve a ship that has resonated with guests on Icon.

Royal Caribbean News

• Protesters in European Port Prevent Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships from Docking
• I spent $856 extra for an obstructed balcony cabin on my cruise. A lifeboat ruined the view, but I would book it again
• How to get free drinks on a cruise
• Our readers shared their RoyalUp winning bids
• The worst part of flying to Europe could easily ruin half your cruise
• 10 things that surprised me after cruising for one year

New RCB Video: 4 splurges to skip lines on a cruise

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 — 4 splurges to skip lines on a cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 543rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! Matt previews his upcoming cruise on Anthem of the Seas, sharing how he's prepared for the European itinerary. 

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

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

Royal Caribbean will soon have something no other cruise line can match

Royal Caribbean's long-term plans involve a strategy to compete with other cruise lines and on-land vacations.

By 2026, the cruise line will have two on-land beach clubs, one in Nassau, Bahamas, and one in Cozumel, Mexico. 

Royal Caribbean intends to provide the best vacation experience by combining great destinations with new ships.

Is Royal Caribbean good? 10 surprising reasons I think Royal Caribbean is worth it

After cruising with Royal Caribbean on 8 sailings over one year, Calista believes the cruise line deserves its reputation for excellence.

Business is booming for Royal Caribbean, and cruisers get great value for their money.

From quality customer service to stunning mega-ships, here are the top 10 reasons she likes Royal Caribbean.

Mistakes when cruising with babies, toddlers, and kids

Traveling with kids changes the dynamics of your cruise, so how can you best adjust?

Matt's been taking his two daughters on cruises since they were small, enough that his 13-year-old daughter now has 400 points in the Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

After taking more than 400 nights of cruises with kids, Matt has learned important lessons about the process.

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

Icon of the Seas has been a big hit so far, but there are a few changes that could make it even better.

While this brand new Royal Caribbean ship does a lot of things right, Stacey found some things she didn't love as much.

She came up with a list of things great about Icon of the Seas, and things that need to change (that no one is talking about).

Royal Caribbean News

• I bought these 5 things just for my European cruise. I think it will make my vacation better and feel better too
• Another Royal Caribbean cruise ship changes plans due to Hurricane Ernesto
• Here's why booking a cruise ship cabin for two is a smart move even for solo cruisers
• I visited 25 Caribbean destinations on a cruise ship. These are the 4 I'd return to and the 3 I'd skip
• How much does a 3 day cruise cost?
• 13 things you'll love about Oasis of the Seas
• I left Royal Caribbean for Celebrity after 20 cruises. Here's why I'm going back to Royal Caribbean next time

New RCB Video: Why Cruise Prices Keep Rising: Royal Caribbean's secrets explained

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 Cruise Prices Keep Rising: Royal Caribbean's secrets explained — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 542nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast, is available where Matt breaks down the latest news of all the changes coming to Allure of the Seas.

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

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

Hurricane Ernesto alters cruise ship itineraries

Hurricane Ernesto, which first hit the Virgin Islands as a tropical storm, strengthened into a hurricane.

It began affecting Royal Caribbean itineraries on Monday, when the cruise line began to re-route ships.

Icon of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas have been re-directed to avoid the path of the hurricane.

5 savvy ways I saved money on my first Celebrity cruise

Jenna sailed a Celebrity ship for the first time this month, and she ended up spending more money than expected on airfare.

To keep in line with her budget, Jenna implemented several money-saving tactics throughout her sailing. 

Instead of wasting money on souvenirs or forgetting to status-match her loyalty earnings, she used these five hacks to save money on her cruise.

Avoiding drama, surviving sharing costs and how to have a great multigenerational Family cruise

Royal Caribbean cruises are meant for the whole family to enjoy, and that can include multiple generations.

But how can you balance the needs of every family member, from young to old?

Matt has discovered that a cruise vacation can keep families making memories together, as long as you plan carefully, book early, and focus on the experience.

8 lessons I learned from every Royal Caribbean cruise I took this year

Calista has been cruising Royal Caribbean for a year now, and each cruise taught her something about the industry.

After cruising eight different ships over five different classes, she's learned a lot about how to have the best cruise experience possible.

From the right stateroom selection to saving money when exploring ports, here are her top 8 lessons.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Royal Caribbean announced $100 million plus updates coming to Allure of the Seas in 2025.

The long-delayed Royal Amplification of Allure of the Seas is expected to cost at least $100 million.

Allure will begin her upgrades in March 2025, and by the time she re-enters service in April 2025, she will have over 35 places to eat, drink, and splash onboard.

Like refurbishments on past ships, Allure will get new restaurants, upgrades, and an overall radical transformation.

Royal Caribbean News

• Passenger went overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship while on Mediterranean cruise, report says
• Royal Caribbean CEO says new ship class coming in 3-4 years
• I toured the $10,000-per-day mega suite on Royal Caribbean’s new ship. Take a look inside the cruise line’s mind-blowing cabin for families
• 15 lessons after trying Royal Caribbean's 274-night world cruise
• Royal Caribbean head of entertainment reveals how long it takes to create a new show for a cruise ship
• 4 Royal Caribbean splurges to skip lines
• How many drinks per day can you have with a drink package?

New RCB Video: 4 Ways to Tell If Your Cruise Deal is Too Good To Be True!

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 — 4 Ways to Tell If Your Cruise Deal is Too Good To Be True! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 541st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and this episode features two special guests.

Two of our RCB writers review their recent cruises with Matt, talking about what it's like to work while on a cruise ship.

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.

5 things to know before sailing on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

Before you set sail on Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-Class ship, there are some important aspects to know.

Each sailing currently lasts three or four nights, so you'll only have a few days to experience everything onboard.

From the Royal Railway to the most underrated entertainment, Matt has discovered the top secrets on Utopia of the Seas.  

Red Flags to Look for on Cruise Shore Excursions

Booking the wrong shore excursions could waste your time, money, or even end in a dangerous experience.

How can you avoid choosing a scam of a tour?

Here are the top red flags to look out for before choosing a shore excursion.

Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

What drives Royal Caribbean to keep making mega-ships, even 15 years after its first? 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, answered this question at a talk on Utopia of the Seas' preview cruise last month.

"This class of ship for Royal Caribbean has been a true game changer," he said, thanks to the neighborhoods onboard and appeal to all ages.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

After spending over a week on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas, Matt thinks the ship's best in class features really make it stand out.

For just short 3- and 4-night sailings, it's impressive how much there is to do onboard.  The ship has some of the best venues that you'll find on any ship, and there's more activities and parties than ever before.

Don't let the weekend party ship marketing fool you, Utopia is a great ship for a lot of reasons.

Royal Caribbean News

• New Caribbean cruises released for 2025
• I tried every Oasis Class cruise ship, here's how I would rank them
• The best things I ate on Utopia of the Seas
• I paid $30 to try the new escape room on Utopia of the Seas and it was worth it
• I had 2 hours to explore 1,000-year-old Mayan ruins. It was a remarkable experience
• Royal Caribbean makes $137 million Alaska port investment, new beach club director
• European cruise outfits and packing guide for women
• A private karaoke room costs $70 and it was a fun splurge for my family

New RCB Video: All the things I HATE about Icon of the Seas

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 — All the things I HATE about Icon of the Seas — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 540th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with a cruise review of Utopia of the Seas.

Matt shares his major takeaways from trying Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

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.

Why Royal Caribbean's cruise prices will keep rising

Demand for booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is so strong right now that the company expects prices to keep going up.

During the company's earnings call with Wall Street analysts, executives said talked about an upward trend in prices going in to 2025 and beyond.

Royal Caribbean sees its customers are willing to not only book more cruises, but book them at higher prices.

Vintage photos show what cruises used to look like

A cruise ship 40 years ago looked different than what we see today.

Photos from Royal Caribbean cruises in the 1980s reveal the experience is similar, but ships had different offerings too.

There was a midnight buffet, glitter-filled performances, Country Western nights, pirate night and more.

Things you should never do in the suite lounge

The suite lounge is reserved for passengers that booked a suite stateroom, and Matt thinks there are some good rules of thumb to follow in there.

Suite guests and Pinnacle Club members are able to access the lounge, which includes complimentary beverages in the evening, snacks throughout the day, a self-service coffee machine, and plush seating.

It's a wonderful perk for anyone staying in a suite, but Matt cautions what not to do in there.

After 90 cruises, these are the 5 best restaurants (one isn't on a ship)

Dinner is arguably the most popular meal on a Royal Caribbean ship, so Matt ranked the top restaurants in the fleet.

There are a lot of choices of where you can eat on your ship, including restaurants that have an extra cost. 

The top restaurants that stood out among all of them include one that isn't even on a Royal Caribbean ship.

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's sailings are selling faster than ever.

Jason Liberty, President and Chief Executive Officer for Royal Caribbean Group, said that the cruise line's "2024 bookings have consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire second quarter and into July, despite the fact that we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell," he said.

As inventory decreases, staterooms are continuing to sell at increasing prices.

Royal Caribbean faces more cruising demand than ever, as well as an uptick in pre-cruise purchases like WiFi, drink packages, and shore excursions.  

Royal Caribbean News

• Flying to your cruise? 6 things to consider before booking
• Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship class will probably replace older, smaller ships
• "We are just getting started" Royal Caribbean reports $4.1 billion in revenue in second quarter
• Hilarious TikTok shows how much teenage boy can eat on his cruise ship
• Photos show the latest progress on Royal Beach Club in Nassau
• Royal Caribbean surveys customers for a new restaurant idea on its Icon class ships
• Meet Royal Caribbean's new head of entertainment

New RCB video: Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship

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 — Everything I ate on the world’s newest cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

$10,000 Luxury Suite on Utopia of the Seas

One of the top suites you can book on Royal Caribbean's newest ship comes with a big price tag and lots of space.

Matt stayed in the Crown Loft Suite with his family on the inaugural sailing of Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

It has two levels and two full bathrooms, but it also cost significantly more than a balcony cabin.

Utopia of the Seas sets sail and it's worth trying twice

Guests will have a multitude of activities, shows, and dining choices to choose from on Utopia of the Seas.

There simply won't be enough time to experience everything within the 3- and 4-night sailings the ship currently offers.

Matt booked a "back-to-back" sailing on Utopia, getting more value for his travel and turning a weekend cruise into a full week vacation.

Royal Caribbean will add another cruise ship to Los Angeles

Royal Caribbean just announced that it will deploy another ship to the port of Los Angeles.

Beginning in May 2025, the Quantum-Class will sail 3, 4, and 5-night cruises out of California.

Instead of sending Ovation of the Seas to Tianjin, China, as previously announced, the vessel will serve to meet high demand for Royal Caribbean cruises on the West Coast.

I tried the new chef-driven Japanese restaurant and it surprised me

What can you expect from the new Japanese dining experience on Utopia of the Seas?

Matt recently tried Izumi Omakase, high-quality Omakase dining experience created by Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.

The host-guided and chef-driven meal was the perfect high-quality meal for a lover of Japanese food.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

Matt tried the newest cruise ship dining experience on Utopia of the Seas: the Royal Railway.

The Wild-West-themed train car hosts a one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment experience.

The unique and visually stunning venue was unlike any other specialty restaurant he'd tried. Royal Caribbean's Royal Railway Utopia Station pushes the envelope of what's possible on a cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean News

• New Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, debuts on Friday
• 5 things Utopia of the Seas does better than other Oasis Class ships
• Celebrity announces date, ship, location for President's Cruise 2025
• Christmas cruise in the UK? Royal Caribbean won't do it, according to CEO
• The best cruise essentials on sale for Amazon Prime Day, and are worth every penny
• Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship promises the 'ultimate' food and drinks that you will love
• Woman on Ultimate World Cruise shares her experience, including pregnancy, divorce, and even deaths
• "There is no magical fuel" Royal Caribbean CEO shares honest thoughts on how to power cruise ships
• What a room on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas looks like

New RCB Video: Everything I loved and hated about the world’s newest cruise ship

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 — Everything I loved and hated about the world’s newest cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Meghan Trainor christens new cruise ship

Meghan Trainor, famous singer-songwriter, American Idol judge, and Godmother of Utopia of the Seas, helped christen the new cruise ship on Monday.

The newest and second biggest cruise ship in the world, which launched on its inaugural cruise this weekend, hosted a launch party with Ms. Trainor present.

She helped break a bottle of champagne against the bow, a tradition meant to bring good luck to the vessel and its passengers.

Curfew for kids on a cruise ship? Royal Caribbean CEO wants to revisit the policy

An increased amount of cruisers are starting to complain about out-of-control kids onboard Royal Caribbean ships.

At a talk on Utopia of the Seas, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International president and CEO, admitted that it could be time for the cruise line to review its policies.

To help adults enjoy a more peaceful vacation, Royal Caribbean will be revisiting its kid's curfew policy and Adventure Ocean activities.

Weekend cruises: Tips for taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean getaway

Looking to save money and PTO hours? 

A 3-night weekend cruise provides the opportunity to take a short but sweet vacation.

To help you decide on a ship, destination, and budget, we've compiled some tips for taking a Royal Caribbean weekend cruise.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

Utopia of the Seas launches in just one week, and we have our first look at what this new Royal Caribbean cruise ship looks like.

Photo by Port Canaveral

Royal Caribbean revealed everything new and different on the ship, which has a renewed focus on dining, expanding Izumi, adding outdoor seating to Giovanni's, and introducing the Spare Tire.

The new Pesky Parrot tiki bar will replace the Bionic Bar, and The Royal Railway will introduce a new train car dining experience to the fleet.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO explains why they won't offer all-inclusive cruises
• Royal Caribbean has no plans to make it more difficult to reach its top-tier loyalty status
• Celebrity Cruises becomes the top cruise line for wine with 18 awards
• Spotted: Has Royal Caribbean Ended BOGO Drink Package offers onboard its cruise ships?
• Utopia of the Seas will have Royal Caribbean’s new elevators that cruise ship passengers will love
• Tropical Storm Beryl forces Royal Caribbean to delay cruise ship return
• Stop bringing these 4 banned things on your Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean will do another World Cruise, despite being "extremely complicated" and "massively expensive”
• Royal Caribbean is testing a way to track your kids on the world's largest cruise ship
• Everything I ate on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas

New RCB Video: Boarding the world’s newest cruise ship: 7 hours on Utopia of the Seas

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 — Boarding the world’s newest cruise ship: 7 hours on Utopia of the Seas — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean's private beach club in Mexico looks stunning

Royal Caribbean's exclusive beach club in Cozumel, Mexico, is set to open in 2026.

Although there's still a lot of progress to be made, we took a look at some sneak peek photos shared in a webinar this week.

New details include great views, with access to 17 acres of beaches, pools, and scenery.

Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's best cruise ship ever

New cruise ships always have a certain amount of hype to them, but Icon of the Seas seems to have earned it all.

After sailing on Icon again, Matt thinks it's easily the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship he's sailed on and raises the standard all other cruise ships are judged against.

From the innovations added, to the superior dining choices, and lack of crowds, Icon of the Seas is Matt's favorite ship.

Royal Caribbean will not give away free Wi-Fi on its cruise ships, CEO says

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International recently explained why WiFi on Royal Caribbean ships is so expensive.

The cruise line doesn't plan on giving away WiFi like hotels on land, and there's a good reason why.

Cruise ships must get their Internet from satellites in space, which costs a lot more to maintain.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 539th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

Does Icon of the Seas still hold up months after her debut? Matt shares his thoughts while onboard Icon with Beci Mahnken from MEI Travel.

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.

Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and are ready to catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

One cruise passenger swears she will be a Royal Caribbean fan for life, thanks to the medical attention she received onboard a cruise ship.

An emergency medical procedure meant one woman's cruise seemed like it would be lost, but Royal Caribbean waived the cancellation terms and offered her a chance to change sailings for a nominal fee.

"I’m so grateful for their kindness and compassion, fully knowing it was saw something they didn’t have to do," she wrote in her summary.

Royal Caribbean News

• Hurricane Beryl's path forces Royal Caribbean to change cruise ship itineraries
• Royal Caribbean celebrates July 4th with discounts up to 35% off cruise ship add-ons
• Cruise lines have changed their prices because of California's new 'Honest Pricing Law'
• Trendy outfit ideas for a summer Mediterranean cruise
• Caribbean cruise outfits for women

New RCB Video: What happens when a cruise is OVERBOOKED

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 — What happens when a cruise is OVERBOOKED — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Meghan Trainor named godmother of new Royal Caribbean ship

Meghan Trainor is about to add godmother to her many titles.

Royal Caribbean announced she will serve as godmother to its newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas.

The cruise line also announced a contest to give away to 52 winners free sailings on the July 15 departure of Utopia on the three-night cruise that will name the new ship.

Steak and lobster are still available in the buffet of the world's largest cruise ship

The embarkation day lunch on Icon of the Seas features a wide selection of food, including filet mignon and lobster tail.

It's unusual for the buffet to offer these premium items, but Icon has been serving it up on embarkation day ever since the ship debuted in January.

As you walk into the Windjammer on embarkation day, there is a selection of freshly grilled filet mignon steaks on the first buffet line. along with lobster and shrimp.

A look at the Icon Loft Suite that costs over $35,000 for a week

What do you get for a suite that costs over $5,000 per night?

The Icon Loft Suite is one of the top suites on Icon of the Seas, and it comes with the best perks available onboard.

Measuring 656 square feet, with a balcony that falls anywhere between 108 and 172 square feet, there's also the Royal Genie services that come with it.