Happy weekend! We hope you remembered to Spring Forward! Here’s all the Royal Caribbean news this week!

Royal Caribbean has moved up the first sailing of its newest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean is ahead of schedule on Utopia of the Seas and added a new sailing before the original inaugural sailing on July 22, 2024.

Since the Utopia will be arriving at Port Canaveral earlier than expected, the ship will have a new inaugural sailing over the weekend of July 19, 2024.

She will be the first Oasis Class ship to focus on short 3 and 4-night cruises.

Royal Caribbean News

• Five moves Royal Caribbean is making to overhaul its weekend cruise business for the future
• Photos show the secret crew-only areas on Icon of the Seas
• I stayed in the cheapest virtual balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas. Look inside my $137 a night room.
• Royal Caribbean requires cruise ship passengers only app check-in with its app from Vancouver
• "I will be checking under the bed now": Royal Caribbean crew member accused of hiding cameras to spy on guests
• Chops Grille is the best Royal Caribbean extra-cost restaurant, according to a passenger survey
• Royal Caribbean Flowrider: How to surf on a cruise ship
• Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas
• Your Royal Caribbean cruise is probably still going to Labadee despite Haiti’s situation

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 527th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and shares why you might not want to book the cheapest cruise you can find.

Matt shares his advice for planning a visit to Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas.

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

New RCB Video: Simple trick to avoid thousands of dollars in cellphone charges on a 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 — Simple trick to avoid thousands of dollars in cellphone charges on a cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Guide to Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade

Did you know you can find a sports bar and arcade right on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Playmakers Sports Bar is an extra-cost bar and arcade that serves food and drink a la carte.

You can enjoy the games and sports playing at no cost, or pay per dish when it comes to the food and drinks. Popular dishes include the wings and the touchdown sundae. 

The location also serves a variety of craft beers and sports-themed cocktails. 

How to plan a cruise for the first time

Planning your first cruise can be a daunting task. There are a myriad of options for you to navigate, from staterooms to itineraries to ship sizes.

Matt has developed a simple guide for you to get started with planning your cruise.

Start with your budget, then move on to decide the length, type, cruise cabin, and specific booking you'd like.

We also have a brand-new online course to help you plan your cruise like a pro!

Spring break is one of the most lively times to take a cruise. Here are 5 tips my family swears by to make crowded sea days better.

Looking forward to your spring cruise? Be prepared for huge crowds and long lines. 

Matt loves to sail during spring break season, so his family has some strategies to make the crowds a little less overwhelming.

From traditional dining to the suite life, here's how you can avoid those busy sea days.

How long does it take for a cruise ship to get ready for a new group of passengers? Here's what a hotel director has to say.

Have you ever wondered how a cruise ship goes straight from one sailing to the next?

On a recent Anthem of the Seas cruise, hotel director Adrian Gheorghe said that the ship rotates almost 9,000 passengers on a turnaround day.

The cruise ship hospitality staff have to work efficiently to clean each space after the previous passengers and get ready for the new ones.

Click here to read the hotel director's strategy for a turnaround day.

Why I almost always stay in a cruise ship inside cabin

An inside cabin will cost less than a balcony or suite, and it often makes a lot of sense to go with these kinds of rooms.

Inside cabins definitely aren’t for everyone, but Jenna prefers to stay in them for the great savings they provide.

From a quieter cabin to a perfect night’s sleep, she'll never complain about cruising in a cozy inside room.

Welcome to March! We hope you are having a great weekend and are ready to sit back, relax and catch up with all the latest Royal Caribbean news!

There's a big change coming to the Main Dining Room.

Royal Caribbean will add a third dining time to its traditional dinner service, which offers a "middle" seating. The goal is to improve the guest experience for everyone in the dining room, and it promises to offer the most choice and flexibility to dinner yet.

A third dining time addresses the problem passengers had of traditional dining times were too early or too late, but switching to My Time Dining didn't work either.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's 9-month world cruise gets rerouted to Africa to avoid Red Sea
• Royal Caribbean is making more money than it expected. The good and the bad news for cruisers
• Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning
• Travel insurance for a cruise: Why you need it for a Royal Caribbean cruise
• The Airports Near Port Canaveral Cruise Port: How to get to your cruise easily
• A former bartender answers the internet's questions about what it's like to work on a cruise ship

New RCB Video: 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

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 — 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Star of the Seas maiden voyage cancelled

The planned first sailing of Star of the Seas in 2025 has been cancelled.

The August 17th, 2025 sailing has been cancelled "after a review of the work that remains to be done". As a result, the inaugural sailing will be on August 31, 2025.

Guests booked on the cancelled sailing have the choice of being moved to the new sailing, or a different ship, or get a full refund.

10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

Trying a new cruise ship means an opportunity to discover what makes the ship interesting, and inevitably, come away with a few tips and tricks.

Phil Schoen sailed on the brand new Icon of the Seas and was not only impressed, but came up with a list of 10 things he learned while on the new ship that anyone else sailing could benefit from.

From what to pack, to how to maximize the ship's entertainment, Phil shared ten important tips for those going on Icon of the Seas.

A new giant ship is switching to short cruises

There are two notable surprises with Royal Caribbean's 2025-2026 deployments for the Short Caribbean and Los Angeles cruise markets. 

Wonder of the Seas will switch to short three- and four-night sailings out of Miami starting in August 2025.

In addition, Quantum of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles starting in October 2025. Quantum will be the largest Royal Caribbean ship ever to be based in LA.

I tried 4 ship classes since I started cruising. Here's what I like about each

Calista started cruising last year, and has already come up with what she likes about the different types of ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

While the cruise line’s ships all stay true to specific branding and design, each class varies a lot when it comes to layout, amenities, atmosphere, and itinerary options.

Each ship class has benefits to choosing one over the other, and Calista shared what stands out about each to her.

15 things you don't need to bring on a cruise

Of all the things you can bring on a cruise, there's a few items you can definitely leave at home.

No one wants to waste precious luggage space on things they don’t end up using during their vacation.

Whether they are prohibited or just not necessary, we wanted to share a list of things not to bother bringing on your cruise.

Happy Sunday, and I hope you had a great week. It was a busy week of Royal Caribbean fun, and I have a round-up of all of it in this hand-dandy blog post.

It looks like there will be two Royal Caribbean ships based on the West Coast soon.

If rumors are correct, Royal Caribbean is poised to deploy a second cruise ship from Los Angeles, joining Navigator of the Seas, which started sailing from L.A. in 2022.

Cruise schedules for the second half of 2025 show that this ship could be Quantum of the Seas. 

While Royal Caribbean has been absent from the California market for the past ten years, this move shows a renewed commitment to the area.

Royal Caribbean News:

• Royal Caribbean Crown's Edge Review: Worth it or waste of money?
• 8 things Royal Caribbean didn't copy from other cruise ships on Icon of the Seas
• I spent $7,800 for a seven-night cruise on Icon of the Seas. Here's what everything cost, from $700 airfare to $1,000 in onboard expenses
• Photos show the cabin a dog lives in on the world's largest cruise ship
• 4 things I loved and 4 things I hated about Allure of the Seas
• Photos show why taking an Alaska cruise is worth it

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

We've just released the 526th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast. In it, Matt reviews a weekend cruise on Oasis-Class Allure of the Seas.

You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or RSS.

New RCB Video: What you'll want to know about getting free cruises in the casino

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 you'll want to know about getting free cruises in the casino — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Sushi to-go on Icon of the Seas makes it easier than ever to snack beyond the usual

Icon of the Seas has more ways to snack than ever before.

Izumi is Royal Caribbean's designated Japanese cuisine, and with its location in Central Park, the venue is more popular than ever.

Now, Icon of the Seas features a walk-up sushi window in Izumi. 

You can grab a sashimi or nigiri roll, with edamame or seaweed salad, and take the portable container anywhere on the ship!

The worst months to cruise the Caribbean

Warm weather year-round is what makes the Caribbean the most popular cruising destination. Cruisers love visiting those sunny beaches at all times of the year.

But how can you avoid cancellations, those bad rains, and dangerous hurricanes?

Keep track of the worst months to cruise, and plan your sailing accordingly.

Icon of the Seas sought to make boarding day experience less lousy and feel more like vacation

We've all been there before: it's embarkation day, and everyone is racing to get onboard and explore as soon as possible. 

There are many tasks we can give ourselves in the first hours onboard a ship, from booking WiFi to reserving specialty dining.

To make the first day more like a vacation, Royal Caribbean sought to resolve this problem and make day 1 easy.

They've done this by eliminating lines and increasing the amount of preparation you can do before even getting onboard.

15 things cruise lines really do not want you to bring on ships

Packing the wrong item in your cruise luggage could lead to the delay or even cancellation of your beloved vacation.

You never want to bring a banned item onboard, so it's important to plan ahead and know what's restricted.

To keep your boarding day running smoothly, check out the top 15 things cruise lines do not want you to bring onboard. 

From irons to camouflage clothing, here's what you need to know.

Hope you are having a great weekend.  Here is all of this week's Royal Caribbean cruise news.

It's official: Royal Caribbean isn’t done building Oasis Class ships.

The cruise line has placed an order for a seventh Oasis Class ship, set to be delivered in 2028.

Utopia of the Seas, the line’s sixth Oasis Class ship, was just ordered in 2019 and will launch this year.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty stated: "While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this summer, we’re already dreaming up her sister ship and the next installation in the brand’s extremely popular Oasis Class."

These large Oasis Class ships have captured the public imagination and served to deliver great family vacations since their debut in 2009.

Royal Caribbean News:

• How to get from Venice to Ravenna cruise port with the shuttle (and vice versa) 
• Royal Caribbean cancels Freeport shore excursions after reported attack on two women
• Royal Caribbean launches a half dozen new 2025 and 2026 itineraries in latest deployment
• 5 things that surprised me on Icon of the Seas
• I tried the most common seasickness hacks on my cruise. Here's what works best
• Royal Caribbean is letting passengers vote on 9-month world cruise itinerary change
• I'm a new cruiser and tried a weekend cruise on one of the biggest cruise ships
• Passenger on the 9-month world cruise made 860 Valentine's Day cards for all the crew members

New RCB video: This restaurant costs $200 to eat here!

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—This restaurant costs $200 to eat here!— and don’t forget to subscribe here.

What other seniors should know about taking a cruise

Everyone deserves to cruise, no matter their age or mobility needs.

Ken Klingenberg, a 72-year-old who cruises solo with a scooter, collaborated with us to share his top tips for other seniors.

Ken has been cruising for the past 23 years for a total of 41 cruises.

While traveling with a scooter has its disadvantages, he has developed valuable insights from dealing with these limitations.

Top 10 Icon of the Seas hidden secrets

We’ll bet that you read this blog to get Royal Caribbean news—and the best insider tips.

When it comes to Icon of the Seas, we’ve gotten some experience onboard and want to share our secrets so you can have the best cruise possible.

After spending more than 10 days on Icon of the Seas, Matt has compiled the top 10 hidden secrets you should know before sailing on this brand-new ship. 

Passenger died on the world cruise

An elderly passenger sailing on the Ultimate World Cruise passed away this week.

A guest on Serenade of the Seas passed away, although the person was not part of the full Ultimate World Cruise, and had just booked the individual sailing.

I ate at every new restaurant on Icon of the Seas and here's how I would rank them

Where to eat on the Icon of the Seas?

Icon of the Seas has more than 20 dining venues onboard, and some of them are completely new restaurants.

Matt went ahead and tried them all, ranking each one in order of preference. Although food is subjective, here’s a review of all the dining venues on Icon. 

Happy early Valentine's Day! Hope the holiday is filled with chocolate, flowers and a Royal Caribbean cruise! I'm spreading the Royal Caribbean love with our look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week.

Utopia of the Seas will have an immersive train-inspired restaurant, along with a few other new dining concepts.

Launching in July 2024, Utopia will have more than 40 options for drinking and dining. 

Royal Railway – Utopia Station is one of them, and it promises to have a full-fledged dining experience onboard the ship.

Royal Caribbean News

• Australia & South Pacific cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do 
• I paid almost $4,000 for the cheapest Royal Caribbean suite. I couldn't believe how many perks were included 
• Cruise ship passengers forced to evacuate Royal Caribbean's private island early due to bad weather
• I took a 6-night cruise on Adventure of the Seas. Here are 7 reasons why I really like this cruise ship 
• How over 6,000 people are served meals every day on the world's largest cruise ship 
• Icon of the Seas vs other Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• 10 side-by-side photos show Icon of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, at day and night

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 525th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! Matt is back from the first inaugural sailing of Icon of the Seas and shares his thoughts after trying out this brand-new 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.

New RCB Video: Cruise ship worst case scenarios and what to do!

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 — Cruise ship worst case scenarios and what to do!— and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide

All-inclusive drink packages are one of the most popular add-ons for a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The drink packages offer a fixed daily cost, so guests can budget ahead of time and receive unlimited access to drinks.

You might be wondering what you get with a drink package and if it's really worth the additional cost, so we’ve summarized the details of the 2024 Royal Caribbean drink package. 

What it was like on the inaugural Icon of the Seas cruise

An inaugural sailing is unique from other sailings; a combination of “Woodstock and Prom.”

It’s like a giant party, reunion, and celebration, all rolled into one.

After a maiden voyage on Icon of the Seas, Matt can conclude that being among the first to walk onboard is an awesome feeling.

However, there can be hiccups along the way. An inaugural cruise isn’t for someone who wants the ship to be running perfectly.

11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet

There are important do's and don'ts to a cruise ship buffet.

Buffets are great for the convenience and variety they offer, but you want to make sure you're not going against the grain when you dine here.

From not washing your hands to bypassing the made-to-order stations, here are 11 things you should never do at a cruise ship buffet. 

Empire Supper Club review

Is Royal Caribbean’s most expensive restaurant worth a taste?

The high-anticipated Empire Supper Club is a sophisticated specialty venue with an atmosphere of glitz and glamor.

The venue transports you to New York City in the 1930s, featuring a sultry live jazz trio.

The $200 cover price includes an eight-course meal and never-before seen cocktails.

Angie went ahead and tried the Empire Supper Club for the evening, and here’s everything she ate.

Happy weekend! We hope you are in the midst of a wonderful weekend full of things to do to pass the time between cruises.  We have a summary of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news in case you missed any of it!

Royal Caribbean has outdone itself with the innovations on the world's largest cruise ship. 

After sailing on the new biggest cruise ship, Matt shared what he likes and doesn't like about Icon of the Seas.

Subtle changes, such as the pool deck being broken up so it doesn't feel like just another cruise ship pool deck, or adding stairs, escalators, and shortcuts, have improved the enjoyment factor. 

Matt felt impressed by how much Royal Caribbean got right with the first ship in the Icon Class. 

The result has been fantastic—but nothing is ever perfect. 

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean talks record demand, Red Sea attacks, competing with land vacations, & more 
• Royal Caribbean reports another profitable quarter and expects "record earnings" in 2024 
• Wonder vs Enchantment: ranking the best Royal Caribbean ship and the worst
• MrBeast, World's biggest YouTuber, visits Perfect Day at CocoCay ​​
• Odyssey of the Seas review: What it's like to cruise on this ship in 2024 
• I stayed in a 200-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship, where there's a new kind of balcony. Here's what it's like inside. 
• 5 reasons why Royal Caribbean's newest megaship is my favorite yet

Video: Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2024 

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 Day Tips You Need in 2024 — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Mastering your Icon of the Seas cruise with the best tips 

Getting overwhelmed at the thought of planning a cruise on the huge Icon of the Seas? 

Icon is a “white-paper ship,” meaning that she was designed from a completely blank slate, and might have innovative features that confuse new cruisers. 

But don’t let the size intimidate you. After spending a week on the ship, Matt has developed a few tips to help you maximize your time and have the best experience possible. 

From pre-booking shows to tasting the first complimentary food hall, here are our top Icon of the Seas tips to save time, money, and your sanity to have an amazing vacation. 

It could be harder than ever in 2024 to book a cruise

Demand for cruises is higher than ever. 

According to a fourth-quarter earnings call held on February 1st, the highest volume of bookings in the company’s history occurred between the third and fourth quarters. 

Because of this, staterooms are filling up in advance, and cruisers might struggle to find their desired cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship. 

“We have less inventory available to book in 2024 than we did a year ago for 2023 and half as many staterooms left in [the first quarter]," said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

Royal Caribbean Group has had a record-breaking wave season, meaning that both rates and volume are booking significantly ahead of time compared to 2023. 

Within the cruise industry, "wave season," which is often January through March, is when cruise lines tend to run their biggest sales and promotions of the year.  

The 10 Essential Dishes to Eat on Icon of the Seas 

Icon of the Seas has dozens of restaurants and bars to try, so how can you choose the most essential venues and dishes? 

We asked thirteen chefs and food-obsessed executives to share the most memorable plates on Royal Caribbean's newest ship. 

When chefs, senior staff, and executives spent weeks on Icon and time preparing the dining venues, they had time to try many dishes. 

With their expertise, we compiled a list of the top 10 dishes and drinks you need to try on Icon of the Seas. 

I tried the $350 in-pool daybed rental on Icon of the Seas. It was pricey, but you get a prime spot 

Are Icon’s Hideaway Pool daybeds worth $350 for one day?

Located in the very back of the ship on deck 15, The Hideaway is the adults-only area onboard, much like the Solarium on other Royal Caribbean ships. 

Access to this area is complimentary, but guests have the opportunity to rent one of the three daybeds in the Hideaway Pool. 

Angie went ahead and rented a daybed, paying a total of $350 when she purchased it before the cruise. 

The daybed holds a maximum of four guests and includes amenities for four people. These come with a chilled bottle of champagne, four towels, and four water bottles.

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

Icon of the Seas has set sail on its first ever cruise, and it's a big deal.

Photo by Leeann Cris

The world's largest cruise ship departed Miami on Saturday with over 5,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members.

The 20-deck high ship has seven swimming pools, six waterslides, the largest ice arena at sea, 40 restaurants and bars, and a sprawling casino.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO rejects changing to all-inclusive cruise prices
• Did Royal Caribbean's CEO hint Wonder of the Seas could be deployed to Galveston?
• 7 foods not to eat on a cruise
• 5 best cruises for teens
• Royal Caribbean's clever idea using AI to get help on the world's largest cruise ship
• Royal Caribbean CEO: "We built the biggest, baddest ship on the planet"
• Tweaks are being made to Star of the Seas based on Icon's feedback
• Royal Caribbean added a new suite for families on Icon of the Seas that has more space than ever

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 524th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with a preview of Matt's cruise on Icon of the Seas.

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.

New RCB Video: Icon of the Seas walkthrough tour

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 — Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship Tour — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Discovery Class: Royal Caribbean's new smaller cruise ship project

Royal Caribbean has been cagey with details, but it's clear that there is likely a new smaller class of cruise ships coming eventually.

How small? It's still anyone's guess, but the goal appears to be to replace the aging Vision and Radiance Class ships.

Referred to as the Discovery Class, we accrued all the information we know so far about this project.

Hideaway Beach adults-only section

There's a new adults-only beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and it's an impressive expansion.

Hideaway Beach includes a beach, infinity pool, new restaurants and more.  Plus, it's an enclave for adults who want a break from the family activities elsewhere on the island.

Before you buy a pass, here's what to expect and what you should know.

I designed 13 new bar menus for Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas has 13 new bar concepts, and that meant coming up with cocktails to offer in each one.

Alexandra Palmeri is Royal Caribbean's Corporate Manager of Beverage Operations, and her team was tasked with coming up with drinks for each one.

One of the primary goals of creating new bar menus was offering something more than just the typical cruise ship beverage, and the result was 100 new cocktails (65 with alcohol).

Is the world's largest cruise ship crowded? Not as much as you might fear

Icon of the Seas can handle almost 10,000 people when filled to the brim, but it's far less crowded than you might expect.

There's going to be a lot of people on any of its sailings, but Royal Caribbean has designed the ship to offer more activities and ways to keep people moving to mitigate crowding.

While the new ship won't feel like a private yacht by any means, it's also unlikely you will feel packed in as much as you might otherwise believe.

Hope you had a great week and are staying safe out there. Hopefully you had a chance to keep up with what's new with Royal Caribbean this week. But if not, here's a roundup of this week's news.

Just this week, Royal Caribbean made the last-minute decision to swap adults-only venues on Icon of the Seas.

When the cruise line initially announced details of its newest cruise ship, Cloud 17 (located in Chill Island) was the adults-only area.

Cloud 17 was intended to replace the Solarium, traditionally the adults-only area on Royal Caribbean ships.

However, Icon of the Seas has now designated the Hideaway neighborhood as the area for guests 18 and older.

This change was made, in part, to match the new Hideaway Beach on Perfect Day at CocoCay, which will also be an adults-only area.

Royal Caribbean News

• Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide
• Icon of the Seas Suite Neighborhood: What to expect
• Photos show what suites on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas looks like
• Royal Caribbean has an ultra-luxury suite that can cost over $80,000 per week — here's what it looks like
• 9 reasons to stay up late instead of waking up early on a cruise ship
• Oasis of the Seas Cabins to Avoid

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 523rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt shares his first experience on Icon of the Seas.

Matt previewed Icon of the Seas for 7 hours this week, and he’s back to share his initial thoughts on the 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!

Video: One thing I would change to improve every Royal Caribbean restaurant

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 — One thing I would change to improve every Royal Caribbean restaurant — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Photo tour of a balcony cabin on Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas. It has more power outlets than I've seen on any ship

Icon of the Seas has been extensively promoted for its size and innovation over the last year. But little has been shared about the ship’s standard staterooms. 

Once guests set foot on the ship, will they also see improvements made to the typical stateroom categories?

Earlier this week, Allie also got the chance to tour Icon of the Seas for a short sneak peek. She toured a balcony stateroom and felt impressed by the upgrades she saw there.

From increased connectivity to modern designs, see what’s new. 

Royal Caribbean has a $100,000 cup on its new cruise ship that includes a lifetime drink package

Cruise drink packages attract fans who want to party extensively or save money on their beverages.

One souvenir on Icon of the Seas will take the beverage package to a whole new level.

This six-figure gilded chalice costs $100,00 just for the single cup.

However, its purchase also grants you an unlimited Royal Caribbean drink package for life.

Buying this treasure essentially guarantees you’ll never pay for another drink, including cocktails, spirits, liquors, beers, wine by the glass, sodas, water, mocktails, premium coffee and tea, and fresh-squeezed juice.

I stayed in a windowless cabin onboard Odyssey of the Seas that cost $2,300: Here's what my inside stateroom looked like

Angie recently cruised on Odyssey of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships.

For the length of the 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, she stayed in an interior guarantee cabin.

This was the cheapest option for two people, totaling $2,321.

However, she was surprised by the quality and size of the stateroom. She shares the benefits of sailing on these newer ships, such as a better cabin design, amenities, and soundproofing.

I take care of a dog on the world's largest cruise ship. Being the Chief Dog Officer is a dream job

You’ve probably heard about Royal Caribbean’s family mascot by now: an adorable golden retriever named Rover. She lives onboard Icon of the Seas full-time.

But who is in charge of taking care of Rover?

This dream job belongs to Alison Hubble, whose job title is "Rover's Chief of Staff." 

A recent webinar interview with Hubble provided more insight into Rover’s life onboard and her interactions with crew members.

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

It was all about Icon of the Seas this week, as the new ship arrived in Miami and we got our first look all around the new ship!

New features on the ship include a more open Royal Promenade spanning two levels, The Pearl experience, Hideaway infinity pool, a revamped casino layout, and so much more.

Icon of the Seas has a design unlike any other cruise ship and is sure to keep guests engaged all throughout her eight neighborhoods.

Royal Caribbean News

• Photos show world's biggest cruise ship arriving in Florida
• Icon of the Seas Royal Promenade: What to expect
• Icon of the Seas Central Park: What to expect
• Icon of the Seas AquaDome: What to expect
• Icon of the Seas Surfside neighborhood: What to expect
• The 1-item upgrade for a better cruise ship cabin experience (it’s already in your house)

Video: First Look INSIDE Icon of the Seas: Sneak Peak!

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 — First Look INSIDE Icon of the Seas: Sneak Peak — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

World's largest cruise ship will have a family dog that lives on the ship

Royal Caribbean has innovated more than just the design of Icon of the Seas.

In addition to a host of other ‘firsts,’ the ship will also have a family dog living onboard.

Rover is the resident Mascot of Icon of the Seas and will permanently live onboard.

As a nod to Rover’s unique presence, the Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas also features a large statue of a dog. This statue takes the place of the classic car that is traditionally placed in the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships.

First steel cut for Royal Caribbean's third Icon Class cruise ship

In addition to preparations on Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has begun constructing a third Icon Class Ship.

As of yet, this ship is unnamed, and few details have been released. We do know that it is set to be completed in 2026.

The steel-cutting ceremony for the ship’s initial construction was held on January 12 at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Representatives from both Royal Caribbean Group and Meyer Turku attended. 

Royal Caribbean menus 2024: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more

What meals can you expect to be offered on your cruises this year?

We’ve compiled all available menus to share with you.

Royal Caribbean ships have various dining options, from complimentary venues to specialty dining. Each venue has varying menus, and meals can also change from ship to ship.

However, we’ve done our best to provide a complete look at the food available on Royal Caribbean ships in 2024.

Why you need to cruise the Mediterranean in winter with Royal Caribbean

Mediterranean cruises have a well-known charm, but few people take advantage of the itineraries in early winter.

Winter is the off-season for Mediterranean cruises and tourist spots as crowds flock to the Caribbean during the cold winter months. 

However–despite colder weather and occasional wind—a winter cruise is a perfect opportunity to explore the Mediterranean for the first time.

There are many reasons why you should consider Mediterranean sailing in the winter, from cruise deals to calmer crowds in tourist destinations.

Welcome to this week's round-up of all the Royal Caribbean news and happenings.  Hope you are staying warm and are ready to cozy up to the cruise happenings this week.

2024 just started, and this might be the year we get an official confirmation of a new smaller cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley posted on social media that something could be announced this year.

The cruise line has tip-toed around talking about a new ship class, but this is the firmest acknowledgement yet of a rumored new ship class.

Royal Caribbean News

• How much does a cruise ship cost to operate per day?
• Photos show Royal Caribbean's oldest and newest cabins - see how they compare
• I spent 10 days in a 170 square foot windowless cabin for $202 per night: take a look inside my Brilliance of the Seas stateroom
• 5 mistakes I saw people making on my cruise last week

Video: 5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2024

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 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2024 — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Icon of the Seas is coming to Miami this week. Here's when and where you can see it

After much anticipation, Icon of the Seas is finally ready to take guests onboard.

Before that can happen, Icon needs a do a few things first. She will sail to Miami, where Royal Caribbean will host an arrival party on January 10th. Then, she will embark on shakedown and media cruises, which double as a dress rehearsal for staff and a chance for media and travel agents to preview the ship.

On January 27th, she will embark on her 7-night inaugural cruise, sailing from Miami, Florida to Perfect Day at Coco Cay, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts & Nevis. 

8 ways I saved over $2,000 on my recent Royal Caribbean cruise

Although cruising is one of the most affordable forms of travel, you still want to save all the money you can on your next cruise. And the more you put away, the more money you can put towards making another cruise great!

These hacks allowed her to save thousands of dollars on her recent Brilliance of the Seas cruise—a 10-night sailing to the South Pacific from Sydney, Australia.

From the cabin she booked to private shore excursions, here’s how she saved over $2,000 on her cruise.

5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay

Are you finding the frequent stops redundant? There are many reasons why the Perfect Day at CocoCay doesn’t have to be on the private island.

For example, if you enjoy the pool during quiet moments, and don't want to fight with chair hogs to grab a seat, you should consider staying onboard the ship.

If you also want to save money on spa treatments and more, consider staying onboard the ship.

24 Do's and Don'ts for your 2024 cruise

While you make your New Year’s Resolutions and plan for your next vacation, we have all the essential Royal Caribbean news to guide your way forward.

Whether you’re considering a cruise for the first time or are a devout Royal Caribbean cruiser, there are important do’s and don’ts to remember for your next cruise.

To prepare you for your best year of cruising yet, we’ve formulated a list of essential do’s and don’ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2024.