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.

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and enjoying summer! It is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the recent Royal Caribbean news!

There was a fire on Icon of the Seas earlier this week.

The cruise ship was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico when the small fire occurred in a crew member area, resulting in a brief power loss.

Luckily the fire was contained quickly and extinguished without any injuries.

Royal Caribbean News

• Cruise nails ideas to try on your vacation
• Of the 46 cruises I've taken, here are the best five Royal Caribbean ships for adults
• I go on a cruise ship monthly. Here are 8 cruise add-ons I would never buy
• 4 warning signs a cruise deal is too good to be true
• My Biggest Mistake on a Mediterranean Cruise Was Not Extending the Trip

Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package

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 — Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How to Avoid Paying Unexpected Fees on Royal Caribbean

How can you avoid being shocked by extra charges on your final cruise bill?

Your base fare for a Royal Caribbean cruise includes access to a stateroom, most dining venues, and entertainment. It's a key draw of cruising.

However, Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive and certain items cost extra.

Some of these extra fees may surprise you—don't be caught off guard!

2025 President's Cruise Date

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced that next year's President's Cruise will happen on the newest Royal Caribbean ship.

The 2025 President's Cruise will be held on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest addition to the Oasis Class.

The cruise line is inviting passengers to join Mr. Bayley on the September 22, 2025 sailing.

"Unforeseen weather events" are top concern for cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's meteorologist

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line that has meteorologists on staff, tracking the weather and planning ahead for any itinerary changes. 

Craig Setzer, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist, works daily and stays ahead of the curve to protect cruise ships from any inclement weather.

According to Setzer, the biggest concern for cruise ships and their passengers are "unforeseen weather events," events that aren't visible on the forecast.

Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before sailing in the Mediterranean

Calista recently sailed the Mediterranean for her second time, and she learned some important lessons through the experience.

Cruises to the Caribbean are the most well-known, but a Mediterranean cruise provides a great opportunity to see amazing artistic, historical, and natural sites.

If you're looking forward to trying a cruise to this underrated region, there are some essential details you should know first.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 538th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

As Matt goes over listener emails, get the answers to all your burning questions.

Is traditional dining better than My Time? Where can you bring the soda package cup? 

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! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and enjoying summer! It is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the recent Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean has revealed the new shows and parties on its newest mega-ship, Utopia of the Seas.

The entertainment lineup on this Oasis Class ship has everything from original productions to late-night comedy shows.

Royal Caribbean plans to continue the Oasis Class tradition with an AquaTheater show and an ice skating performance. 

Plus, countless parties and live musicians provide entertainment late into the night.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean releases price for immersive train-inspired restaurant
• Utopia of the Seas shipyard photos show how close Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship is to being ready
• I chose an inside cabin on my recent Oasis of the Seas cruise because it was the cheapest option, and I actually loved how much space it had
• I tried Royal Caribbean's new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars
• How much does Royal Caribbean specialty dining cost?
• I tried going alone on a group shore excursion, and it was a smart way to enhance my Mediterranean cruise
• Royal Caribbean is ready for cruise ships to begin plugging into Miami's new shore power

New RCB Video: I booked CHEAP 4 and 5 night cruises. Was it worth it?

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 — I booked CHEAP 4 and 5 night cruises. Was it worth it? — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 537th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

Matt recently sailed a 5-night Bermuda cruise on Liberty of the Seas with his family and shares everything that surprised him about the sailing.

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

A look inside the crew member cabins on Utopia of the Seas

What do the crew member cabins look like on the second biggest cruise ship in the world?

A new video shows exactly what one crew cabin looks like on Utopia of the Seas, and it's definitely small.

While it's a private cabin, it does have a shared bathroom.

7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas, including a giant slide and train restaurant

Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, "The World's Biggest Weekend," is meant to appeal to passengers hesitant to book a weeklong cruise, and it's brimming with exciting features.

This vessel is weeks away from beginning guest cruises and Royal Caribbean is starting to reveal several brand-new features that can't be found on any other Oasis Class ship.

From a new category of Suite stateroom to the longest dry slide at sea, here are the new things available on Utopia of the Seas.

4 Ways to Tell If You're Getting a Good Deal on Your Cruise

How can you be sure your cruise vacation is coming at the best value?

Royal Caribbean has tempting sales every week, from BOGO deals to percentages off the price.

These deals may look good on the surface, but it's important to double-check that you're actually getting a good deal.

I took my first solo cruise on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships. After 7 nights, here are the pros and cons of cruising alone

Calista took her first solo cruise on an Oasis Class ship and was surprised at the experience. 

Like every sailing, cruising alone has its pros and cons. 

After spending seven nights onboard Oasis of the Seas for a Mediterranean sailing, here's Calista's review on solo cruising.

Happy Sunday! I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! Hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

Utopia of the Seas was delivered to Royal Caribbean, which means she is officially part of the fleet.

At a ceremony at the shipyard in France, the 18-deck ship was handed over to the cruise line and is now poised to offer cruises next month.

Utopia will offer 3- and 4-night cruises in order to capitalize on the weekend cruise market.

Royal Caribbean News

• First photos inside Utopia of the Seas
• Celebrity Cruises sold two expedition cruise ships in the Galapagos
• What an inside cabin on Independence of the Seas looks like
• The world's largest dry slide is coming to Royal Caribbean’s next cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean Alaska excursions: Recommended tours for each port
• What Is the Biggest Royal Caribbean ship?

New RCB Video: 5 MORE Things You Should NEVER TRUST on Your 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 — 5 MORE Things You Should NEVER TRUST on Your Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What happens when a cruise is overbooked

An oversold cruise ship is not uncommon, but usually it doesn't result in anyone being unable to cruise.

Earlier this month guests on a Symphony of the Seas sailing were asked if they'd consider changing their cruise because the ship was oversold.

They were offered essentially a full refund and a free cruise if they took the offer.

The biggest cruise ships in the world actually shrink to fit under bridges

In order for an Oasis Class cruise ship to make into New York harbor, the ship actually shrinks.

In a feat of engineering, some of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships can retract their funnels to make them small enough to fit under certain bridges.

Symphony of the Seas is the latest ship to need to do this in order to make it under the Verrazzano Narrows bridge.

I booked a room near the stairs on a low deck and it made my vacation better

I stayed in cabins on a lower deck than usual and near the stairs, and I really liked this location.

In fact, I've started booking cabins that are on a lower deck and near the staircases, and it's made my enjoyment of the cruise far better.

While it may not offer views of a higher deck, the convenience factor is worth it.

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

There are easy ways to save money on cruises with a family, thanks to a few tricks I've learned.

After more than 44 cruises with my kids, Matt has figured out a few ways to save money along the way.

Cruising with the whole family has become more and more popular on Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean News

• How to get from Fort Lauderdale airport to Miami cruises
• Guide to Royal Caribbean's cancellation policy
• I took an overnight Bermuda cruise. The multi-day touring felt long, but the catamaran charter was worth it
• 7 Things Cruisers Wish They Packed for Their Alaska Cruise This Year
• Can I change my room on Royal Caribbean?
• 95 Things You Can Pack For A Cruise in 2024
• How to avoid overeating on a cruise

5 Reasons to CRUISE SOLO (and 1 reason not to)

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — 5 Reasons to CRUISE SOLO (and 1 reason not to) — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Cruiser complains about "obstructed" balcony and sparks Internet backlash

A cruiser who recently sailed on Icon of the Seas took to the Internet to ask if her balcony view should be considered obstructed.

In her viral TikTok, @abbiesnormal asks if the railing below her balcony is considered an obstruction.

Thousands of commenters responded, most of them disagreeing with Abbie's categorization. 

How a Gen Z trend is changing the cruise drink menu

Studies have found that Gen Z is more and more sober-curious, often opting for non-alcoholic beverages.

To meet the shifting remand, the cruise line has begun to adjust its drink menus. 

Here's how Royal Caribbean is catering to the younger demographic.

We asked our readers what one easy thing they do to make their cruise better

Are there any low-effort ways to improve your cruise experience?

We took to the Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook group to ask our readers what one easy thing they do that makes their vacation better.

From ordering room service to using a travel agent, these are the 12 easy things our readers do to make their cruise better.