Two furry stowaways made a remarkable journey aboard Allure of the Seas during its recent repositioning voyage, causing quite the stir among passengers.

Guests currently sailing on Allure of the Seas reported that a pair of burrowing owls made themselves at home in the ship’s Central Park neighborhood. The open-aired space became an unlikely sanctuary for the two stowaway owls during the Oasis class ship’s transatlantic voyage from Florida to Spain.

Allure of the Seas is currently sailing a 12-night itinerary from Miami, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. The ship departed from Florida on February 10, 2025 for the ocean crossing. It is assumed the owls made their way onto the ship at this time, likely while the ship was docked in Florida.

After departing from Miami, Allure of the Seas spent ten days crossing the Atlantic with the owls in tow. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Cartagena, Spain on February 20, 2025 for its first port of call. The sailing will conclude in Barcelona, Spain a couple days later on on February 22, 2025. 

Following the transatlantic voyage, Allure of the Seas will begin her extensive renovation over the next two months. The vessel will undergo a $100 million amplification before resuming sailings for the summer in Europe. The ship will be in Spain throughout the spring and is scheduled to depart on her next itinerary on April 11, 2025. 

Guests shared the stowaways on social media

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

Multiple posts online have chronicled the adventures of the two owls on Allure of the Seas, much to the delight of online followers. Many guests shared photos and stories of the burrowing owls on the ship, including updates on the situation for the owl’s safe handling.

One user on Reddit shared, “My parents are currently cruising on Allure [of the Seas] on the transoceanic voyage. Two burrowing owls have stowed away on the cruise to Spain and have caused quite a ruckus.” 

The poster shared, “Unfortunately, the owls have drawn so much attention that they now need to be caught and won't be allowed into Spain until [they're] quarantined and then... Deported?”

According to the user, the two owls made themselves at home in Central Park among the many real-life trees in the neighborhood. However, the owls were apparently exploring other spaces onboard the ship too.

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

“One of the owls has also explored the Solarium and miniature golf course. It's been exciting!” explained the user. 

Another cruiser shared on Reddit about the burrowing owls, “[These fellas] got quite the fanbase on Allure [of the Seas] at the moment. Folks taking pictures while staying at as much of a distance as one can in Central Park. It definitely doesn’t seem to mind the masses of people around.”

The user shared additional updates regarding the owls’ journey across the Atlantic

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

Many online commenters were invested in the owl stowaways and enjoyed the updates from those aboard. The two threads on Reddit received nearly 100 comments and 1,000 upvotes! In one of the threads, the Redditor continuously shared updates on the burrowing owls’ adventures.

“As of midday today, the famed owl of Central Park has been captured and is being fed steak and water. The exact plan is to be determined at the discretion of Spain. Burrowing owls are endangered, which will likely guide his safe future,” they shared.

“This photo was just provided by the hotel director at the coffee chat just now, with the request to forward this message,” reads the image on Reddit.

(Photo shared on Reddit, showing owl in temporary cage on Allure of the Seas)

Indeed, burrowing owls are considered an endangered and threatened species in North America. According to the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network, burrowing owls are considered endangered in Canada and threatened in Mexico. The owls are classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as birds of conservation concern at a national level. In the state of Florida specifically, burrowing owls are considered a threatened species.

Cruiser says wildlife specialists helped determine what to do with the stowaways

(Owl seen onboard Symphony of the Seas in March 2023. Shared on Reddit)

In the most recent update regarding the owls, the user shared that Royal Caribbean reportedly consulted with an owl specialist about carefully and safely handling the owls.

The Redditor shared the following update from a guest onboard Allure of the Seas. "After consultations with an owl specialist, a game plan has been crafted. The 2 owls have been collected. As of this afternoon, one of the 2 captured ones escaped and flew back to [Central Park] and is still evading staff.”

The other captured owl was placed in temporary cages/boxes for its safety. “It was stressful for them and less safe to be in Central Park as much as we enjoyed looking at them. They are now being fed and watered and cared for according to the animal experts’ guidelines,” shared the passenger.

(Photo shared on Reddit from Oasis of the Seas in February 2022)

In addition, the burrowing owls will apparently be offloaded in Spain to be handled by local authorities. Because burrowing owls are not native to Europe, the birds would not be safely relocated in this region of the world.

The passenger shared, “[The owls] will be offloaded in Cartagena where management and the local authorities will process the paperwork. They will then be flown back to Miami where they can safely be released in their native habitat. Owls well that ends well.”

In a recent update on Reddit, another passenger on the ship reported one of the owls is still lingering in Central Park and continues to evade the crew members trying to safely capture the owl.

(Owl on Allure of the Seas, shared on Reddit)

“Your update of this moment is that a crew member with a net is standing very patiently in Central Park hoping the park owl will come into reach. The owl, currently located about 10 feet from my balcony, is not having it.”

This isn’t the first time that owls have found solace in Central Park on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships

(Crew members working to capture owl on Symphony of the Seas in March 2023, shared on Facebook by Florida Fish and Wildlife)

Surprisingly, this wasn’t the first time an owl has made its way onto an Oasis-class ship to cruise. Several passengers shared similar encounters online, suggesting that Allure of the Seas isn’t the only vessel to have hosted a feathered stowaway.

Because Central Park is an open-aired neighborhood on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships, the foliage naturally attracts wildlife. While a cruise ship may seem like an unusual home for an owl, the burrowing owl species typically prefers open, sparsely vegetated areas - a stark contrast to the middle of the ocean!

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, “Burrowing owls are small, unusual owls that nest in underground burrows instead of trees. They live in wide-open, sparsely vegetated areas like prairies, deserts, grasslands and agricultural fields.”

(Owly pictured on Oasis of the Seas. Shared on Reddit)

Despite their preference for dry land, these owls have occasionally taken a liking to Royal Caribbean’s ships. One user shared, “We had an owl stowaway on our Oasis cruise back in 2022. Here he is hanging out on a light in Central Park. The crew apparently looked after him. They called him Owly and made sure he had food.”

“He was just traveling the Caribbean so never really attracted that level of attention, but had apparently been on the ship for some time by our cruise. Looks like he could be the same breed at that. Wonder if something about Central Park attracts them?” continued the commenter.

(Owl safely captured by biologist on Symphony of the Seas, shared on Facebook by Florida Fish and Wildlife)

Several other cruisers shared their owl encounters aboard Symphony of the Seas, including sightings from sailings in September 2021 and January 2023. One passenger recalled, “We had an owl on Symphony too! I’m sure it’s a great life for the owls. He did throw up on a lady as she walked underneath him, which led to a lot of shrieking, but it was still cool to see him.”

In March 2023, Royal Caribbean sought assistance from local wildlife authorities to safely remove an owl that had taken up residence in Symphony of the Seas’ Central Park. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, Royal Caribbean brought a biologist onboard in Florida on disembarkation day to safely capture the owl with the help of crew members.

(Owl in Central Park on Symphony of the Seas, shared on Facebook by Florida Fish and Wildlife)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife posted on Facebook, "With some of the crew’s help, [the biologist] placed mist nets around the owl’s perch of choice, the exit signs by the door. Two unsuccessful attempts later, the owl was now sitting on the balcony of a 10th story cabin."

"The crew stood below making noise to distract the owl as [our biologist] snuck up and safely netted the owl from the railing! After the amazing rescue, the cute little stowaway was safely assisted with the disembarkation process. He had nothing to claim in customs. Although seemingly in good health even after two weeks at sea, the bird was transported to South Florida Wildlife Center as a precautionary measure," continued the post. 

One of the questions we get asked most often is: When is the best time to book a cruise?

With cruise prices continuing to rise, the question has become even more crucial for many prospective cruisers. After all, no one wants to spend more than they need on a cruise vacation.

Like airfare, cruise pricing is dynamic, meaning fares fluctuate based on the basic principles of supply and demand. When demand surges and cabin availability declines, it’s natural for prices to increase. Conversely, an oversupply of cabins can lead to price drops, allowing for last-minute cruise deals, although these are becoming increasingly rare.

Currently, most of Royal Caribbean’s cruises are sailing at full capacity due to overwhelming demand. With fewer cabins available to book on a specific cruise, fares will continue to rise.

While we typically recommend booking your cruise as early as possible, we realize this isn’t always feasible. Depending on your schedule and budget, you might not be able to secure a deposit years in advance.

To better understand the best time to book a cruise, we utilized the historic pricing trends available for Royal Caribbean on Gangwaze. I took a deep dive into the fluctuations of cruise prices to find the optimal time to book your vacation.

Using data on Gangwaze, this pricing analysis looked at 12-month’s worth of data for both inside cabins and balcony cabins for cruising departing in March 2025, which likely includes increased demand for spring break itineraries. This allows us to have a full year of data to analyze historical trending and find meaningful insights. In this way, monthly pricing data from February 2024 to February 2025 was included for March 2025 sailings.

Gangwaze only includes a detailed trending graph without actual numeric values, so estimates were used for the monthly value. We selected 13 different vessels across Royal Caribbean’s fleet, from the largest Oasis class ships to the oldest and smallest Vision class ships.

Here’s what our analysis uncovered, including the best time to book your cruise to receive the cheapest price.

When is the cheapest time to book a cruise? Let’s take a look

There’s no magic formula for when the perfect time is to book a cruise. If only we had a crystal ball to see into the future and determine exactly when to secure a sailing at the best possible price!

This uncertainty can feel even more overwhelming when making a non-refundable deposit, particularly if you’re considering booking a cruise several years in advance. The idea of committing to a trip so far in the future without knowing how prices will fluctuate can make the decision feel daunting.

Because of this uncertainty, some people claim that waiting to book a cruise can be a good strategy to score a last-minute deal. This method was effective in the past, such as cruise lines dropping prices due to lower demand in the post-pandemic era of cruising. For years, this approach worked well, allowing for cruisers to capitalize on discounted last-minute fares.

(Average Interior Cabin Price Trending for March 2025 sailing on Jewel of the Seas)

Another advantage to booking your cruise closer to departure is the added flexibility it offers. Last-minute cruising also allows for more flexibility to ensure the itinerary actually aligns with your schedule, alleviating some risk for unplanned cancellations. Personally, I saved hundreds of dollars booking last-minute cruises in 2022 when sailings were dirt cheap!

On the other hand, many people now recommend booking far in advance as the better option for cruise planning. This strategy allows cruisers to lock in a lower rate with the assumption that prices will continue to rise overtime. Booking early also provides more options for cabin selection and proper budgeting, along with opportunities to either reprice or upgrade your cabin at a reasonable cost.

The numbers don’t lie: If you want to save money on your cruise, booking early is the way to go

To address this question, the initial phase of our analysis focused on examining pricing trends over the past 12 months. By studying historical price fluctuations, we aimed to determine which booking strategy ultimately results in the cheapest cruise fare for guests.

Our research included a detailed review of both balcony and interior cabin pricing across 13 different Royal Caribbean ships. The itineraries were scheduled to sail in March 2025. The objective was to uncover patterns in how cruise fares change over time and identify the most cost-effective booking approach.

The results are clear: if you’re holding out for a last-minute cruise bargain, you might want to reconsider.

According to our analysis, the likelihood of paying a higher fare increases the longer you wait to book your cruise. Reviewing data from a full 12-month period, we found that cruise prices generally trended upward over time, though there were some fluctuations, which we will explore in more detail later. While the data shows some fluctuation overtime, the overall trend indicated that fares steadily climbed as the departure date approached.

Most notably, between February 2024 and February 2025, average cruise fares increased an average of 42% across the 13 ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Regardless of the itinerary or ship class, the trend was consistent across the board.

Balcony staterooms are more susceptible to price increases compared to inside cabins

Diving deeper in our analysis, we wanted to understand if cabin category contributed to price fluctuations in our data. When comparing balcony and interior staterooms, we found that balcony cruise fares had a more significant increase over the 12-month period.

On average, the data revealed that balcony cabins saw a price increase of 47% throughout the year across the 13 ships analyzed. In contrast, interior staterooms increased by only 35% for the same 12-month timeframe. But, the extent of the increase varied depending on the ship class.

Our analysis showed balcony cabins on Vision and Radiance class ships had a significantly higher price increase over the 12-month period. For example, the price for a balcony cabin on Brilliance of the Seas skyrocketed by 161% for one sailing in March 2025! Similarly, balconies on Vision class ships increased by nearly 50% for itineraries in the same month.

On the other hand, the cruise line’s newest and biggest ships have notably more balconies available to book. This leads to more stable pricing with an increase in supply. In this way, we see balcony fares on Oasis, Quantum, and Voyager class ships only had an increase of 32% during the 12-month period.

Because most cruisers prefer booking a balcony stateroom for their vacation, there is usually an increased demand for this stateroom type. However, older and smaller ships have far fewer balcony cabins available, leading to scarcity-driven price increases.

For this reason, Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest vessels have far more balcony staterooms onboard. This strategy lowers the demand with more supply available. Compared to older vessels, there are significantly more balcony staterooms for guests to book on Icon, Oasis, and Quantum class ship.

For instance, the oldest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Grandeur of the Seas, only has 122 balcony staterooms of the 997 cabins onboard. On the other hand, the much newer Odyssey of the Seas offers 1,482 balconies to book among its 1,922 total cabins. This represents a jump from just 12% of cabins being balconies to an impressive 77%.

If you’re wanting to book a balcony cabin on one of Royal Caribbean’s older and smaller ships, you might want to lock in your price sooner rather than later. However, if you’re sailing on a newer cruise ship, you won’t need to stress as much with more balcony stateroom options available.

The lowest cruise fares tend to be available around 10 months before departure

Now that we’ve proven the importance of booking your cruise as early as possible, you might be wondering just how far in advance you should lock in your reservation. In my opinion, this was one of the most insightful and fascinating takeaways from the analysis!

While it’s not a guarantee, our findings suggests that the optimal time to secure the best price is 10 to 12 months before departure. In fact, about half of the itineraries analyzed showed their lowest fares 10 months out from the sailing.

Because of the cruise line’s dynamic pricing, the trends fluctuate substantially over the 12-month period. Most trends show a slight decrease in price from 10 to 12 months, followed by a steady and consistent increase over the next nine months.

Beyond the 9-month mark, prices for both inside and balcony cabins began to rise at a more predictable rate, showing a consistent upward trend as the departure date approached. Prices were often the highest within 1 to 3 months prior to the itinerary’s departure date. This illustrates why last-minute cruise deals have been hard to come by with the last year!

The steepest price hikes typically occurred between 4 and 7 months before sailing. For cruises departing in March 2025, the most significant price jumps were observed between August 2024 and November 2024.

Surprisingly, price increases slowed down as the departure date of March 2025 approached. In the final three months before the sailing date, cruise prices appear to stabilize, with only slight increases leading up to embarkation. This trend remained consistent across all cabin categories and ship classes in our analysis.

(Difference in Average Price by Months from Departure)

Why do we see this pricing stabilization right before departure? A key factor to consider is Royal Caribbean’s final payment deadline, which is usually 90 days before departure date.

After final payment, the cruise line has a better idea of how many guests will be cruising and which cabins are sold for a particular sailing. Less variability and uncertainty leads to steadier pricing and fewer fluctuations in the final months before departure.

If you’ve already booked a cruise before the 10-month mark, consider adding a reminder in your calendar to check if your cruise price has decreased. You can also ask your travel agent to do this for you. Based on our findings, you might be eligible for a reprice at a lower rate. If your sailing prices continue to rise, rest assured you locked in the lowest rate!

The biggest outlier in the dataset was Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas

No analysis is complete without examining the outliers in our dataset. Among the itineraries and ships we analyzed, Icon of the Seas stood out as a clear anomaly. As Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest cruise ship, pricing on Icon of the Seas is less predictable and doesn’t align with the vessels.

When looking at the departure dates in March 2025, prices to sail on Icon of the Seas actually decreased from February 2024 to August 2024. One sailing showed a decrease of 42% in pricing during this timeframe. However, prices started to rise starting in September 2024 and continued increasing until February 2025.

Considering Royal Caribbean experienced record bookings and demand for Icon of the Seas, cruise fares were likely set higher than other ships in the cruise line’s fleet for March 2025 itineraries. When demand started to decline and cabins were not filling as anticipated, Royal Caribbean likely lowered prices to ensure cabins would continue to sell.

Those sailing on Icon of the Seas in the coming months should monitor cruise fares to potentially reprice for additional savings. This could also present an opportunity to upgrade your cabin for an affordable fare,

What other pricing insights can we gather from this data?

Our analysis unveiled other interesting tidbits about Royal Caribbean’s pricing trends over the last year. First, we see that Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are the most expensive, as expected.

However, we were surprised to see Wonder of the Seas was consistently the most expensive cruise ship to book in Royal Caribbean’s fleet for March 2025. The average cruise fare for an interior cabin on Wonder of the Seas was the most expensive in our dataset at $3,741, followed by Icon of the Seas at $2,146 and Symphony of the Seas at $1,899.

On the other hand, Royal Caribbean’s oldest and smallest ships were significantly cheaper. We see Brilliance of the Seas was the cheapest at $884 and Rhapsody of the Seas at $1,033 and Vision of the Seas at $1,098. Those looking to cruise on a budget should prioritize booking a Radiance or Vision class ship.

Read more: How much does a cruise ship cost to operate per day?

Our analysis also shows that some cruise ships had more price fluctuation than others. For instance, Utopia of the Seas had the least amount of price fluctuation, followed by Harmony of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas.

In contrast, Odyssey of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas had the highest volatility in pricing. This is likely due to lower supply with few cabins available, leading to more pricing fluctuation over the 12-month period.

Bottom line: If you’re sailing on an older cruise ship, booking early is crucial to avoid rapid price hikes. This is especially true if you’re wanting to book a balcony cabin. On the other hand, newer ships offer more pricing stability. Booking 10-12 months out still secures the best deal in our findings, with 10 months from departure showing the cheapest time to book your cruise.

I just turned 30-years-old this month, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t taken my fair share of cruises over the last three decades. Last week, I sailed on my 51st cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas. Of course, I have a few more cruises already planned for this year.

Between personal and professional travel, I’ve been lucky enough to cruise more than I ever imagined. I took my first cruise at 4-years-old and continued sailing each year with my family while growing up.

My passion for cruising has only accelerated in the last decade, and I continue to prioritize cruising with my friends, husband, and parents. Whether it’s a quick weekend getaway or an extended voyage to a far-flung destination, each cruise brings something new to appreciate.

As someone who enjoys frequent travel, I’ve learned valuable lessons about maximizing my cruise budget. There are infinite opportunities to splurge on a cruise vacation; spending extra isn’t always necessary.

Here are my best tips for saving and splurging on a cruise vacation from a budget cruiser.

Save: Book an interior cabin

When booking your cruise, you’ll need to decide which cabin category you want to book. You might be tempted to spend thousands of dollars on a suite or balcony cabin, but I don’t think this is always necessary.

I prefer booking an interior cabin most of the time to save money. These budget-friendly cabins have everything you need for a comfortable stay, despite not having a window or balcony. Considering I book many port-intensive sailings, I hardly spend any time in my cabin anyway.

The only time I choose to book a balcony cabin is when I’m sailing on an especially scenic itinerary, such as Alaska, Iceland, and Norway. The views on these stunning sailings are an essential part of the experience!

Splurge: Choose your cabin’s location

For many years, I booked the cheapest cabin available onboard, which was often an interior guarantee cabin. Although you might save some money, you give up any control over choosing your cabin’s location onboard.

After losing the stateroom lottery location multiple times, I’ve sworn off guarantee cabins for the foreseeable future. Whether my cabins were below the pool deck or above the nightclub, many sleepless nights on vacation left my frustrated.

Instead, I splurge on choosing my cabin’s location to ensure my stateroom is in a quiet, convenient, and comfortable location. Not to mention, cruise ships are sailing at almost full capacity, meaning the leftover cabins available for guarantee reservations are often the least desirable ones. This is a gamble that I’m no longer willing to make!

Read more: Cruise ship extra costs worth splurging on

Save: Skip the drink package

One of the most expensive cruise add-ons you can purchase is a drink package. While many travelers consider it a must-have for their cruises, it’s something I rarely choose to purchase for my trips.

After splurging on Royal Caribbean’s drink package for the first time a couple years ago, I quickly realized the investment was not worthwhile. I struggled to drink enough throughout the cruise to break even, and I often felt pressured to keep ordering drinks to justify the cost.

Instead, I’ve started to bring my own wine onboard while cruising to save money. Unless you have the stamina to drink frequently and consistently for your cruise, I’d suggest saving your money and forgoing the drink package. You can often find cheaper drinks in port and take advantage of the option to bring wine onboard, making it an easy way to cut costs without sacrificing enjoyment.

The only exception I make is for Celebrity Cruises’ All Included cruise fare, which bundles a standard drink package and internet package in the price. Last year, I booked a 15-night Australia cruise through my MEI travel agent at a group rate, which included these perks. By choosing this option, I actually saved money compared to booking directly with the cruise line without any extras.

Splurge: Book specialty dining

For many years, I avoided spending extra on specialty dining. I was always impressed with the main dining room food on a cruise and never felt the need to splurge on specialty dining. However, with recent cost-cutting measures affecting the quality and variety of complimentary dining, my perspective has shifted.

Now, I genuinely appreciate the elevated ambiance and dining experience, especially when cruising on longer itineraries. I almost always book specialty dining while cruising and highly recommend others do too.

You might also be surprised to learn that you can negotiate specialty dining prices. On my recent sailings with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, I saved anywhere from 30% to 50% by simply inquiring about a discount.

Cruise lines are eager to fill their specialty restaurants, so you can often see crew members promoting these venues throughout the ship. If you show some interest and insist that you’ll only dine at a discount, you’ll often be offered a lower rate, making it a great way to enjoy an upgraded dining experience without overspending.

Read more: Royal Caribbean loyalty match review

Save: Avoid the spa, casino, and onboard shops

Once you’re onboard a cruise ship, there are constant temptations to spend extra money. Onboard spending is extremely profitable for cruise lines; for instance, Royal Caribbean reported in its 2024 Q4 financial report that consumer spending onboard is significantly higher than 2023 levels, fueled by greater spending at higher prices.

For this reason, I steer clear of the onboard spa, casino, and shops so I am not tempted to spend money. It’s easy to spend extra when you can easily charge everything to your shipboard account.

Cruise ship spas are notoriously overpriced for the services they provide, and casinos make it extremely easy to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars. While onboard shops can be fun to browse, you’ll often find overpriced and poor-quality merchandise available for purchase.

Instead, I prefer spending my time onboard enjoying the included amenities and entertainment to save money. Your cruise will already feature activities, events, and shows at no extra cost. This allows you to have a fantastic vacation without blowing your budget.

Splurge: Interesting and desirable itineraries

While some cruisers prioritize the ship experience itself, others are drawn to cruises for the chance to explore new destinations and immerse themselves in different ports of call. As a world traveler, I am always looking for interesting cruise itineraries to visit new countries and destinations.

If you’re spending your hard-earned money and vacation time to go on a cruise, I recommend booking an itinerary that interests you. Don’t settle for ports of call that aren’t exciting. Unless you have unlimited resources and time, choosing a more desirable itinerary is always worth the extra cost to make the most of your vacation.

Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas has reported a gastrointestinal illness outbreak on its current sailing with nearly 100 sick guests onboard.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Radiance of the Seas reported 89 ill guests onboard its current voyage. Additionally, two crew members are reportedly ill with gastrointestinal symptoms onboard. 

The outbreak was reported to the CDC on February 4, 2025, with 4.1% passengers and 0.2% crew members reporting symptoms of the illness. There are currently 2,164 guests onboard and 910 crew members on the vessel. 

Radiance of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s smallest vessels, accommodating around 2,500 passengers at maximum capacity and measuring 90,090 gross tons.

Most guests on Radiance of the Seas are showing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting - two of the predominant symptoms for gastrointestinal illness. Other common symptoms include muscle aches, headaches, abdominal cramps, or fever.

Radiance of the Seas is currently sailing on a 7-night itinerary to the Western Caribbean. The ship departed from Tampa, Florida on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The itinerary includes stops in Cozumel (Mexico), Roatan (Honduras), Belize City (Belize), and Costa Maya (Mexico). Radiance of the Seas is scheduled to return to Tampa, Florida on February 8, 2025.

Along with these details, the CDC included multiple steps taken by crew members aboard Radiance of the Seas in response to the outbreak. First, the cruise line increased cleaning and disinfection on the ship, based on Royal Caribbean’s outbreak prevention and response protocol.

In addition, the cruise line has collected stool specimens from the gastrointestinal illness cases to be used for testing. This can help identify the cause of the outbreak, which could be norovirus. Ill passengers and crew members have also been isolated to reduce potential illness spread.

Royal Caribbean is consulting with VSP to address the outbreak, which is the Vessel Sanitation Program run by the CDC. Based on the report, VSP is monitoring the situation and reviewing Radiance of the Seas’ sanitation procedures and outbreak response.

Is this an outbreak of norovirus?

At this time, it’s unclear if the gastrointestinal illness outbreak is caused by norovirus. The CDC does not list a causative agent for the outbreak, which is defined as the specific organism responsible for the development of the disease.

However, the CDC states, “Norovirus is often a cause of gastrointestinal illness outbreaks on cruise ships, but we don't always know the cause of the outbreak when we begin an investigation.”

“Finding the agent that caused an outbreak (causative agent) can take time. When an outbreak occurs, people whose symptoms met the case definition are asked to provide stool or vomitus samples. These samples are tested to determine the causative agent. In this outbreak, samples are pending confirmatory testing,” continues the CDC.

Cruise ships are required to report cases of gastrointestinal illnesses to the CDC. The government agency states, “Reporting gastrointestinal illness is important. When passengers and crew tell the medical center onboard about their symptoms, it helps GI illness outbreaks get detected quickly. This allows steps to be taken to limit the spread of illness.”

Outbreaks of norovirus are on the rise across the U.S.

Norovirus cases have been surging over the recent weeks in the United States based on CDC data. The total number of outbreaks reported in the 2024–2025 season exceeds the range recorded during the same period in the 2012–2020 and 2021–2024 seasons.

The CDC reported 91 suspected or confirmed norovirus outbreaks in the United States for the first week of December 2024. This is the highest number recorded for that week since 2012. Outbreaks of norovirus are most common from November to April with millions of people getting sick each year.

No one knows for sure why norovirus cases are surging this season. YaleMedicine states the current strain was once uncommon in the United States, meaning many people lack immunity to the specific strain circulating. Cases normally surge in the winter months when people tend to congregate inside, particularly around the holiday season.

(Number of Suspected or Confirmed Norovirus Outbreaks Reported by NoroSTAT-Participating States Per Week, 2012–2025)

Norovirus is not respiratory, meaning it does not spread by sneezing or coughing. Instead, norovirus spreads by contaminated food, water or surfaces, making it highly contagious. Because of this, proper handwashing with soap and water is the best way to prevent the spread. Most hand sanitizers don’t work well against the virus.

Radiance of the Seas is the sixth vessel to report an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness, according to data provided by the CDC. The following ships have reported outbreaks in 2025, along with the identified causation agent. 

• Royal Caribbean International: Radiance of the Seas (2/1–2/8/2025) – Unknown

• Princess Cruises: Coral Princess (1/20–2/5/2025) – Norovirus

• Viking Ocean Cruises: Viking Mars (1/10–1/24/2025) – Unknown

• Holland America Line: Volendam (1/4–1/25/2025) – Norovirus

• Silversea Cruises: Silver Ray (1/4–1/20/2025) – E. coli

• Sea Cloud Cruises: Sea Cloud Spirit (1/4–1/10/2025) – Presumed Ciguatera

In contrast, 18 outbreaks on cruise ships were reported to the CDC in 2024. Although norovirus is often called the “cruise ship disease,” only 1% of reported outbreaks are associated with cruise ships. Outbreaks are more common on college campuses, hospitals, and nursing homes where people are living in close quarters.

What is Royal Caribbean’s protocol?

All cruise lines are required to have robust protocols to address illness outbreaks. Royal Caribbean’s health protocols are enacted once a certain percentage of guests report symptoms.

In a statement to USA Today, Royal Caribbean stated, “Enhanced measures have been implemented onboard in an abundance of caution to protect the health and comfort of all our guests and crew.”

These protocols include the following:

1. Stopping self-service in buffets if the onboard rate exceeds 1.5%
2. Enhanced acute GI training for onboard medical teams
3. Switching to PDI SaniCloth Prime hospital-grade disinfectant wipes
4. Enhanced crew training on what to do when experiencing acute GI symptoms and how to avoid cross-contamination in food and beverage service areas

This adorable dog has been living on the world's largest cruise ship ever since Icon of the Seas launched one year ago.

Royal Caribbean awarded Rover the coveted title of “Chief Dog Officer” aboard Icon of the Seas. Joining the ship at just six months old, the golden retriever puppy has been living onboard ever since. As one of the most beloved residents on Icon of the Seas, Rover has a very important role: to bring happiness, joy, and love to all guests and crew members onboard.

Icon of the Seas, the biggest ship in the world, accommodates up to 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members - keeping Rover quite busy! Of course, Rover does not have free rein onboard the vessel. She is meticulously cared for by her handler, Alison Hubble. 

Known as Rover’s Chief of Staff, Hubble's only job is caring, training, and handling Rover aboard the ship. The dynamic duo meets many guests both onboard and ashore, as Rover is able to explore some ports of call while living aboard Icon of the Seas.

Even still, having a dog live on a cruise ship is unprecedented. According to USA Today, Royal Caribbean first consulted with animal welfare experts at the American Humane Society before bringing her on the ship. This helped ensure Rover is safe, comfortable, and happy onboard Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean even designed a special cabin onboard for Rover and Alison to live together comfortably. The spacious stateroom includes a built-in crate to maintain Rover's safety. Toys and fluffy beds are available around the cabin for Rover to play and nap - what a sweet life!

In a recent video on social media, Royal Caribbean shared a glimpse into Rover’s busy life on Icon of the Seas, including how she continues to capture the hearts of passengers and crew members alike.

First, Rover shares her favorite spot onboard the world’s largest cruise ship

In her exclusive interview on social media, Rover first shares that her favorite place to hang out onboard Icon of the Seas is Central Park. 

Throughout the clips, Rover can be seen sniffing the many different real plants and trees located in Central Park. Dogs have a strong sense of smell, so Rover likely appreciates discovering the real-life greenery in Central Park and taking in the fresh air.

In her day-in-the-life video, Rover shares, “Central Park is my favorite spot. I call it ‘Central Bark.' I love sniffing all the trees, plants, and fresh air. I get to wag hello to everyone as they walk - and relax in the shade!”

Central Park has become a guest favorite and is a standout venue on Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships. Originally debuting on Oasis-class vessels, Icon of the Seas also features the serene neighborhood. Renowned for its open-air design, Central Park is considered one of the most innovative spaces on Royal Caribbean’s biggest cruise ships.

To keep the plants alive aboard the vessel, Central Park utilizes a sophisticated irrigation and fertilization system to keep the foliage green and lusciously beautiful. For Rover, this offers many exciting opportunities for new smells and lots of sniffing!

Next, the Chief Dog Officer explains some of her key duties while living on Icon of the Seas

Embracing their vision of creating the ultimate family vacation, Royal Caribbean saw the perfect opportunity to introduce a family dog to live at sea.

Having a dog live full-time onboard a cruise ship was an unprecedented move by Royal Caribbean; however, the marketing strategy was extremely well received. Rover has become synonymous with Icon of the Seas, as many passengers eagerly look for her presence.

In her interview, Rover explains, “It’s literally my job to bring positive vibes, have tons of fun, and make people smile!”

Guests are welcome - and encouraged - to playfully pet and interact with Rover during their vacation. She will never turn down a quick belly rub from happy guests onboard! Both passengers and crew find great joy in her furry presence - and Rover takes her job very seriously. 

Rover is also known for playing fetch and exercising around the ship in venues that aren’t in use, including the helipad! With busy days onboard, Rover tries to spend time with both guests and crew members to keep everyone in high spirits. However, Rover often won’t be seen in crowded areas or food areas for her well-being. 

Rover also has exclusive access to the ship’s bridge, where she loves to take naps!

All that playing and exploring can be quite tiring, especially for Rover! The friendly pup has a busy schedule of socializing and napping between interactions. In particular, Rover shares how she loves to take naps while visiting the captain on the ship's bridge. 

“Being Chief Dog Officer means I get to hang out on the bridge with the captain. I usually rest up on my bed in there - taking lots of naps with wag-worthy views,” explains Rover.

The captain can be seen giving Rover lots of love and attention in the clips, playfully petting her, and tossing the ball. Not many pups get to play fetch with sweeping views of the ocean. Rover is even allowed to sit in the most important seat on the ship: the captain’s chair!

Even better, it appears Rover has her own cozy napping spot on the bridge, complete with a big, fluffy pink bed. The wooden dog house is another example of Royal Caribbean’s commitment to Rover’s comfort and safety on Icon of the Seas, even on the ship’s bridge.

With so much love and attention, Rover loves making everyone happy onboard Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean made it clear that Rover is not a service dog, meaning she does not complete tasks for disability purposes. Instead, Rover’s only job onboard is to bring love, joy, and happiness to everyone onboard Icon of the Seas.

During Rover’s interview, she was asked what she loves most about being Icon of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer. She replied, “Paws down, it’s the crew. I love how happy everyone is to see me. I get so many pets and love when they’re around. It’s a dream come true!”

During cruises, Rover is available for meet-and-greets with fellow passengers. She also takes her training sessions seriously, often followed by some well-deserved playtime around the ship.

As Royal Caribbean hoped, Rover is one of the most beloved attractions on Icon of the Seas. Many guests will wait several days for the opportunity to meet her - and some even bring gifts to share with Rover.

Fortunately, Rover isn’t limited to the cruise ship—she gets to explore some ports of call as well!

Even with an atypical life for a dog, Rover has plenty of opportunities to explore the world. She can often be seen running around Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Because this private destination is owned and operated by the cruise line, Rover is allowed to explore and play around the island.  Supposedly, Rover also has permission to go ashore in Miami, Florida - which is Icon of the Seas’ homeport.

During her interview, Rover was asked about her favorite activity on the island. She replied, “I love hitting the beach to run, swim, and roll around in the sand. Phew! Playing fetch is the best. My Chief of Staff throws the ball so far and I get to show everyone how fast I am.”

Rover’s handler shared that she absolutely loves running on the beach at CocoCay and highlighted her impressive swimming skills. For Rover, this is her special day of the week to let loose, run around, and burn off all her energy.

In the clip, Rover is seen enthusiastically playing fetch with her handler on the sandy beach of CocoCay. She is also seen playing in the sand, rolling around, and jumping in the water. After all that playtime in the sun and sand, Rover says she needs to clean off back in her cabin.

Rover explains, “Then, I cool off with a fresh bath before snuggling up for a well-deserved snooze on the ship.” Once she's all clean, Rover's handler says she always needs a nap after playing so much. 

Rover also shared a glimpse into her training schedule while onboard

Like any good canine, Rover loves to earn treats by perfecting her skillset. Along with her handler, Rover keeps busy with training while she’s not out and about on the ship. Rover says her favorite rewards include beef treats, which she earns while practicing some of her newest tricks with her Chief of Staff.

Each day consists of training for Rover, typically in the morning. After morning potty breaks, Rover enjoys playtime and training time to ensure she is up-to-date on her skills. Royal Caribbean needs to keep Rover well-behaved so she continues to be obedient while interacting with passengers and crew members.

In addition, maintaining Rover’s calm disposition is important, as she interacts with many children. This heightens the importance of Rover’s obedience, as she looks to her handler for instructions and commands in these situations.

“I love my yummy beef training treats. I earn them when I’m practicing new skills or keeping old ones sharp. I can do all kinds of commands - and I’m working on really cool tricks, like spinning, rolling over, and cleaning up my toys after I play,” says Rover. In the clip, Rover shows off some of her best tricks for the audience, including the impressive task of cleaning up toys!

Rover also encourages guests to wave to her when they see her onboard, as this is one of her latest skills. Rover exclaims, “If you see me around, give me a wave and I might wave back!”

Of course, Rover can’t wait to meet her new friend, Sailor, on the upcoming Star of the Seas

Although Rover was the first dog to live at sea for Royal Caribbean, she will soon have a new friend joining her. With the August 2025 debut of Star of the Seas - the latest Icon Class ship - Rover will be joined by a new pup, Sailor.

At the end of the interview, Rover shares how she can’t wait to meet her new friend later this year when the ship debuts. Rover states, “I’m super excited to meet my new friend! Sailor will be the Chief Dog Officer on Star of the Seas.”

Read more: Royal Caribbean will have a dog that lives on Star of the Seas

Certain nights of your Royal Caribbean cruise will have a theme to them, and you might want to pack your suitcase accordingly.

Each night of your Royal Caribbean cruise will typically feature a unique theme or attire suggestion. These themed nights create a vibrant, fun atmosphere onboard and help set the tone for the night. Picture a Caribbean-style celebration, a Greek toga party or a throwback to the 80s with music, dancing and costumes.

In addition, one of the most popular themed nights is formal night, known as “Dress Your Best” on Royal Caribbean. On this night, guests are able to dress to the nines with elegant attire. For formal night, you can expect to see evening gowns, cocktail dresses, suits, and tuxedos. 

Themed nights will vary significantly based on your particular ship and itinerary. Longer itineraries will normally have multiple themed nights, while Royal Caribbean’s shorter itineraries might only feature one or two. Certain ships might have specific themed nights or parties that you won't find elsewhere, such as the Toga Party on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. 

According to the cruise line’s website, sailings with four or more nights will have themed nights onboard. Royal Caribbean states that specific themed events, including dates and times, might not be available until you board the ship. You can expect to find the themed nights communicated in the Royal Caribbean app or onboard in the daily Cruise Compass.

Even if you can’t see the themed nights beforehand, we have are a few strategies to help you plan ahead and pack appropriately. Here’s what you can expect for Royal Caribbean’s themed nights onboard your cruise and some of our best tips to plan accordingly.

How can I find the themed nights on Royal Caribbean before my cruise?

Finding the themed nights for your Royal Caribbean cruise ahead of time has never been easier. First, you should check the Royal Caribbean app for information about your sailing a few weeks before your embarkation date. Download the Royal Caribbean app to your phone and login to see your specific sailing.

Around two to three weeks before cruising, you should be able to see specific activities for your cruise. Scroll under the “Daily Planner” section to preview the hourly details and event descriptions. 

Navigate to the dinner time slot, around 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and look for the “Tonight’s Attire” event. You should be able to see the evening theme for each night of your itinerary. You can swipe through every day in the daily planner for a full preview of your cruise.

In addition, if you go under the “Helpful Hints” banner on the home screen, you can typically see the nightly attire displayed here for your cruise. In fact, if you look at your Day 1 overview, Royal Caribbean provides a general outline for what to pack for evening attire. We recommend checking the app before packing for your cruise to ensure you don't miss out on any of these themed evenings onboard!

What if my sailing is further in the future?

If your sailing is still several weeks or months away, you can still use the Royal Caribbean app to get an idea of the themed nights on your itinerary.

By checking your ship’s current sailing, you can see the daily planner and anticipate what to expect for your cruise. This hack works best for ships sailing on routine itineraries, such as Icon of the Seas, but you can still get a good idea of what to expect for each night. 

Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Royal Caribbean app
2. Go to the Profile tab (the icon of a person in the top-right corner)
3. Select the option to ‘Select a different cruise’
4. Scroll down to the bottom where it says ‘Don’t see your cruise?’ and tap ‘Let’s add it now.’
5. Choose ‘Browse Ships’ and select the ship you will be sailing on
6. Select a sailing date that includes either today or the following week
7. Select an itinerary with a duration similar to yours

After this, the Royal Caribbean app will load the itinerary you selected and allow you to browse through the daily planner for events and activities. You should be able to find the current itinerary’s themed nights in this way. Cruise ships operate on a routine schedule usually, so you can likely anticipate similar themes during your cruise.

You could also look online for past Cruise Compasses that were posted online by prior guests. Take a look at our Cruise Compass page, where we try to upload past Cruise Compasses as often as we can from other cruisers. Your itinerary or cruise ship's Facebook page could also be a good resource for this. By looking at older Cruise Compasses, this allows you to get an idea of activities and themed nights on your cruise ship based on earlier sailings.

What themed nights can I expect on Royal Caribbean?

While you might not have the exact themed nights before embarkation, Royal Caribbean tends to have the same themes across its fleet. To be prepared, you should plan to pack a variety of evening attire for your Royal Caribbean cruise.

That said, there’s no need to stress about your outfits! In general, Royal Caribbean’s main dining room leans towards the more casual side these days. Here’s a breakdown of the cruise line’s most popular themed nights, along with descriptions of what to expect for each.

Formal - Dress Your Best

Almost every itinerary will feature at least one formal evening, known as “Dress Your Best” on Royal Caribbean. The cruise line encourages guests to embrace a more glamorous and chic look for these evenings. Formal attire includes cocktail dresses, evening gowns, tuxedoes and suits.

These black-tie outfits are intended to reflect elegance and sophistication. In addition, some itineraries could feature a “Dress Your Best or White Night” attire where guests can choose to wear white or formal wear. 

To help guests prepare, Royal Caribbean provides general guidance on the number of formal nights to expect on its website. The guidelines are based on the length of the cruise, along with the typical schedule you are likely to find onboard. 

• 3-5 Night Cruises - (1) Formal Night: Usually on Day 2
• 6-Night Cruises - (2) Formal Nights: Usually on Day 2 and 5
• 7-Night Cruises - (2) Formal Nights: Usually on Day 2 and 6
• 8-10 Night Cruises - (2) Formal Nights: Days vary
• 11-14 Night Cruises - (3) Formal Nights: Days vary
• 15+ Night Cruises - (3-4) Formal Nights: Days and number vary

Casual

During your cruise, most evenings will feature casual attire in the main dining room. Royal Caribbean encourages guests to wear relaxed, comfortable outfits on these evenings for a laidback atmosphere. In my experience, casual night is very flexible, with most outfits being acceptable as long as they adhere to Royal Caribbean's dress codes.

Casual night is designed to be easygoing - you're on vacation, after all! Casual attire includes jeans, polo shirts, sundresses, and blouses. The cruise line also prohibits shorts for dinner in the dining room, although these are allowed for breakfast and lunch. Additionally, swimwear, tank tops and bare feet are never allowed in the dining room on Royal Caribbean.

Occasionally, casual nights may also include a themed element. For instance, Utopia of the Seas has its famed Toga Night onboard. For the evening, this theme is called “Casual or Toga Night," in which guests have the opportunity to bring out their inner Greek god or goddess with their “most elegant toga to celebrate the occasion." 

Smart Casual

One step above casual wear is smart casual; albeit a very small step. Royal Caribbean describes smart casual attire as elevated typical dinner wear. Smart casual could include collared shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses and pantsuits. The cruise line also encourages jackets, sports coats and blazers as a “nice touch” to outfits.

Again, in my experience, this is loosely followed by Royal Caribbean cruisers onboard, allowing for plenty of outfit flexibility. While some passengers enjoy dressing up a bit more, most opt for attire similar to what they would wear on casual nights.

Tropical / Caribbean Night

Along with casual night, Royal Caribbean’s itineraries will usually feature at least one tropical or Caribbean themed evening. The cruise line describes this as, “Dress casually, but with a tropical twist. This is the reason you brought those floral-patterned shirts!”

If you’re heading to the Caribbean, be sure to pack a Hawaiian shirt or tropical pattern attire for this evening. Tropical night is also common on itineraries outside of the Caribbean, so don’t hesitate to pack Caribbean-themed clothes on other destinations too.

For certain cruises, you might see tropical night paired with Red Night as well. For this theme, guests are encouraged to wear bold and vibrant red outfits - or they can stick to the classic island-inspired attire too. Red Night is more common on Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, such as Utopia of the Seas or Icon of the Seas.

White Night

Another popular theme night on Royal Caribbean is known as White Night. For Royal Caribbean, guests are encouraged to dress in their best white attire for this evening. This could include white collared shirts, linen pants, blouses, polo shirts, or dresses. The more white you can incorporate into your outfit, the better!

As mentioned previously, sometimes Royal Caribbean will pair White Night with Dress Your Best night. This provides an opportunity for cruisers to showcase their elegant white attire on formal night. In addition, there is often a white-out party in the evening where all party-goers don their best white outfits.

This theme has skyrocketed in popularity, with many guests eagerly participating in the white night theme. As such, don’t hesitate to pack your best white outfit!

70s/80s Night

Decade-themed parties are also very popular on Royal Caribbean cruises. These themed nights can be usually coupled with casual nights, in which guests have the choice to be casual or “get groovy” with their outfits.

For this evening, guests have the option to wear retro-inspired outfits for certain decades (usually the 70s or 80s) or stick to casual staples, such jeans and dresses. On this themed night, you can also expect a fun decade-themed party at some point in the night. Don’t be surprised to find the promenade packed with groovy cruisers dancing the night away.

Royal Caribbean will need a little more time to finish scheduled work on Serenade of the Seas.

Serenade of the Seas was originally built in 2003, and is scheduled for dry dock maintenance in March 2025. Royal Caribbean routinely dry docks its ships approximately every five years to ensure the vessels operate at the highest standards. 

These routine repairs also ensure Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships continue to sail safely. Most often, Royal Caribbean’s ships go into dry dock in Cadiz, Spain before returning to service. 

Guests cruising on the March 9, 2025 sailing onboard Serenade of the Seas received an email from Royal Caribbean that their sailing has been cancelled due to unforeseen repair needs. 

The cruise line stated, “We have discovered that Serenade of the Seas requires additional servicing beyond planned repairs and maintenance, which extends her currently scheduled dry dock period.”

“To ensure that we meet our high standards, and due to the availability at the shipyard, we must advance the dry dock schedule. As a result, we’ll be canceling our upcoming March 9, 2025, sailing,” continued the cruise line.

Serenade of the Seas is currently sailing in the Caribbean with itineraries throughout February 2025. The vessel is scheduled to sail on February 28, 2025 on a 9-night sailing to Panama and Costa Rica from Tampa, Florida. The round-trip sailing ends back in Florida on March 9, 2025.

Now, Serenade of the Seas will head to her dry dock earlier than anticipated. It’s likely that she will embark on a transatlantic sailing to Spain following the conclusion of her February 28, 2025 cruise; however, this has not been confirmed by the cruise line.

The next sailing on Serenade of the Seas after her dry dock is scheduled for April 13, 2025. The 16-night Panama Canal cruise itinerary, which departs from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and ends in Los Angeles, California, has not been impacted at this time.

Guests affected by the cancelled cruise have been offered three alternative options, along with compensation for the last-minute change. Royal Caribbean has set a deadline of February 5, 2025, for guests to make their selection.

“Thank you for understanding, and we hope you find another cruise with us. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge, we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing,” concluded Royal Caribbean at the bottom of its email.

Alternative Itineraries

In the email to impacted guests, Royal Caribbean expressed its regret for needing to cancel the sailing due to the unforeseen repair needs. However, alternative itineraries were provided for guests to choose during the similar timeframe. 

The email reads, “We’re truly sorry for the impact that this has on your vacation plans. The time and effort you took to plan your cruise is important to us, so we’ve put together some alternate options that we hope will work for you and those in your party.”

In the communication, Royal Caribbean provided impacted guests with other itinerary options to choose from. These include the following sailings on other Royal Caribbean ships:

Enchantment of the Seas (From Tampa, Florida):

•  4-night cruises visiting Cozumel, Mexico (March 6th or March 20th).

•  5-night cruises visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico (March 1st, 10th, 24th, or 29th).

Grandeur of the Seas (From Fort Lauderdale, Florida):

•  5-night cruises visiting Labadee, Haiti, and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (March 2nd or 30th).

Voyager of the Seas (From Port Canaveral, Florida):

• 5-night cruise visiting Nassau, Bahamas, and Labadee, Haiti (March 22nd).

Guests that choose to book one of these alternative itineraries will be compensated with onboard credit for the inconvenience.

Royal Caribbean states that guests who choose a 5-night sailing will have their original stateroom category price either protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower).

If guests choose a 4-night sailing, their cruise fare will either be adjusted to the new cruise fare rate or prorated for the change in sailing nights, whichever option results in a lesser fare. Any overage will be refunded to impacted guests.

Guests that were already paid in full that have a newly reduced cruise fare will be provided with a refund for any price difference.

Onboard credit will be allocated to “sweeten the deal” based on cabin category, along with additional credit for each guest in the stateroom:

• $150 USD for Interior

• $200 USD for Ocean View

• $250 USD for Balcony

• $400 USD for Suites

• Plus $50 USD per additional guest in the same stateroom.

Cruisers will also be reimbursed for any non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees that are incurred. This includes flight, train ticket, or rental car fees. Royal Caribbean states they will cover up to $200 USD per guest for domestic changes and up to $400 USD per passenger for international changes. Guests must upload receipts for review and reimbursement.

Additional Options

If the alternative sailings do not work, Royal Caribbean will allow impacted guests to rebook another sailing with the cruise line. Any non-refundable deposit change fees will be waived for these guests.

The cruise line states, “Please know, you’ll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities (where applicable), and other non-cruise fare items. If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference.”

These guests will also receive reimbursement for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees that might be incurred for flights, train tickets, or rental cars. Again, Royal Caribbean will cover up to $200 USD per guest for domestic changes and up to $400 USD per guest for international changes.

Finally, guests that do not want to rebook have the option to cancel fully for a refund. Royal Caribbean stated, “If you can’t find a new itinerary that works for you and choose to cancel, we’ll be sad to see you go, but hope you’ll come back soon.”

“If rebooking doesn’t suit your plans, you can cancel your reservation for a full refund and receive a 20% Future Cruise Credit based on the amount you paid.”

Guests using Future Cruise Credit on the sailing will receive a refund for any new funds paid above the certificate amount and a new certificate will be issued. Those who booked airfare with Royal Caribbean will have flights automatically refunded.

For guests wishing to cancel, Royal Caribbean says no action needs to be taken. Those who do not make a decision by February 5, 2025 will have their reservation cancelled and refunded with Future Cruise Credit issued.

“As we work to complete these updates, you may see no action has been taken after the deadline has passed. Not to worry, we’ll update your booking accordingly,” confirmed the cruise line.

One cruiser was surprised how much they enjoyed Carnival after cruising with Royal Caribbean for years.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are two of the most popular mainstream cruise lines in the world. Royal Caribbean is known for building some of the biggest and most advanced cruise ships in the world. On the other hand, Carnival Cruise Line has just started constructing mega cruise ships in the last five years. 

Carnival's focus on fun can be misconstrued as a party-centric experience. For this reason, many cruisers tend to be either loyal to Royal Caribbean or diehard fans of Carnival Cruise Line. As two of the top competitors in the industry, the cruise lines have more in common than you might think. 

Both Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line offer affordable cruise fares onboard their family-friendly vessels. Some argue that Carnival’s newest and most innovative ships in their Excel class rival Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class ships. With many dining choices and plenty of onboard thrills, the two classes are quite similar.

One cruiser recently shared their first-time experience on Carnival Cruise Line after being loyal to Royal Caribbean for years. The user, @Itwo_Inokam, detailed their first impressive Carnival cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee on Reddit in the r/Cruise subreddit.

Carnival Jubilee is the newest and biggest ship in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet. The Excel class vessel was launched in 2023 and holds 6,500 passengers at capacity. Prior to sailing on Carnival Jubilee, the cruiser stated they sailed twice on Allure of the Seas.

In the post, the first-time cruiser shared, "I am SO SO glad we booked! We had been loyal to Royal previously and have Emerald status. We will still do Royal, and eventually want to try Icon [of the Seas], but I feel like my first cruise on Carnival has beat my last two on Royal.”

Here’s why the first-timer’s family cruise with Carnival Cruise Line exceeded expectations after cruising with Royal Caribbean.

One of the most pleasant surprises from cruising with Carnival was the inclusion of so many restaurants onboard

Many cruisers praise Carnival Cruise Line for having a multitude of casual dining options included in their cruise fare. The majority of restaurants on Carnival’s Excel class ships are complimentary, with only a few select specialty options for splurging.

The first-time Carnival cruiser said, “The food was incredible! We ate at Chibang, Cucina del Capitano, and did all of the Street Eats, Guy’s [Burger Joint], Big Chicken, and BlueIguana Cantina.”

The cruiser found some of the complimentary dining options on Carnival were comparable to specialty dining on Royal Caribbean. The first-timer said, “We just can't believe how many choices there were that weren't an up-charge, and all delicious. Some definitely would be considered specialty dining on Royal Caribbean.”

With this, the cruiser found Carnival to be better value for the money. They commented, “Because Carnival includes so much at no up-charge, we came out with a significantly lower bill. Experiences with our kids at dining options that would have been a per-person charge on Royal, weren’t on Carnival.”

Further, the cruiser said they attempted to try all of the food during their cruise, but nearly ran out of time because there were so many options.

“We tried so hard to try everything, and it was just too much. And we were amazed at how good it all was. The type of quality was what you'd expect from specialty dining or an up-charge. Also, even items that were an up-charge like Emeril’s [Bistro] were so cheap for the quality! Same with the seafood station on the lido deck,” concluded the cruiser.

Read more: Royal Caribbean vs Carnival: Which is a better choice?

On prior cruises with Royal Caribbean, the cruiser stated that their main dining room and buffet experiences were somewhat disappointing. The long-time Royal Caribbean cruiser said they have personally noticed a decline in the dining experience, including the Windjammer buffet and main dining room.

The cruiser explained, “It’s so sad - [Royal Caribbean] wasn’t always like it is now. One of my favorite parts of cruising is eating and trying new foods. [Now], you’re pushed into getting the specialty dining because the Windjammer is a miss more than a hit. On our last two [cruises], the dining room was unbelievably slow only to receive warm to cold food.”

Carnival’s Camp Ocean was particularly impressive and accommodating for the first-time cruiser and his kids

Along with Carnival Jubilee’s expansive dining options, the family was especially wowed by the youth programming onboard. With a focus on family fun, Carnival Cruise Line has a well-established childcare program across its fleet, including a state-of-the-art facility on Carnival Jubilee.

In their experience, the cruiser stated, “My kids are 9 and 10, and they were actually mad when we picked them up from [Camp Ocean]. There is a room with over a dozen [Playstation consoles] and they also have structure, and do crafts and other activities with the kids.”

Additionally, the cruiser noted how the interactive staff also enhanced their experience. “My kids were the ones that pointed out how happy [the staff] seemed and they shared the staff played with and amongst the kids, and it made [Camp Ocean] even more fun.”

The family also preferred Carnival’s structure for its youth programming, as the experience aligned better with the family’s needs

Although Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line both provide childcare options onboard their ships, each cruise line takes a slightly different approach. For this family, Carnival’s approach to youth programming was preferred.

“The hours on Carnival’s kids’ club aren’t broken up where you need to find additional activities for kids. You can leave them in there, if they want to stay, as soon as it opens,” the parent explained.

In contrast, the cruiser stated Royal Caribbean had more strict hours for drop-off times on their cruises. ”On Royal Caribbean, you need to get them out for all meals. It closes at 12 and then reopens at 2, I think, and closes again at 5 - and opens back after dinner,” stated the cruiser.

Because they limit screen time and tablet use, the cruiser said filling these gaps during the day on Royal Caribbean can be taxing. To keep their kids entertained on Royal Caribbean, the poster said they often found activities, classes, or events that required an extra cost. This often resulted in the cruiser’s kids not wanting to return to Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean.

Clarifying this perspective, the cruiser stated, “I am not saying that people shouldn't want to spend time with their kids, I'm just sharing that for us, we'd have to find or pay for activities for the kids and they often didn’t want to go back once we picked them up for lunch.”

Because the kids enjoyed their time at Camp Ocean, the cruiser was able to relax more and save money during their Carnival cruise.

The poster shared, “Even though Carnival has classes you can pay for, we didn't need to because they have so many free things for kids, and [Camp Ocean] on Jubilee made the kids want to stay in it so we didn't need to find or pay for as many options for them."

In the end, Carnival’s flexible hours and attentive staff helped facilitate a welcoming and fun environment for the family’s children. Compared to prior experiences with Royal Caribbean, the first-timer preferred Carnival’s childcare for the value.

Along with childcare, the first-time cruiser also loved all of the free activities available for everyone

During their cruise on Carnival Jubilee, the family was also blown away by all of the activities and entertainment available. The cruise line is known for having a lively and energetic atmosphere with nonstop fun from the moment you get onboard. Part of this includes a variety of events while sailing, especially on larger vessels with more guests to entertain.

“The amount of free activities for everyone, but especially the kids, will definitely keep us coming back. The adult entertainment and amount of varied activities was incredible,” shared the cruiser.

During their time on Carnival Jubilee, the cruiser said they enjoyed watching gameshows as a family, including Love & Marriage, Family Feud, and Deal or No Deal. The first-time Carnival cruiser said, “We couldn't keep up with all of the choices and options for shows each evening.”

Read more: Is Carnival Jubilee worth the hype? My honest review

After sailing on Carnival Jubilee, the family has already booked another Carnival cruise

Even though the family was hesitant to venture from Royal Caribbean, the first-time Carnival cruiser was happy with their experience. From the snazzy ship design to the impressive dining experience and Camp Ocean, the family plans to return to Carnival Cruise Line.

As for Carnival’s bad reputation, this first-time cruiser said Carnival doesn’t deserve the bad rap. “I'm sorry to admit that I used to contribute to it and had never even sailed the line. I just believed what others would say…and justify avoiding them even though we hadn't been pleased with Royal on the last two cruises.”

In the end, the family had an overwhelmingly positive experience on Carnival Jubilee. The cruiser stated, “For the affordability and quality, I feel like we more than got our money's worth! If you're on the fence about Carnival, I'd encourage you to try it on a newer ship sailing 7+ days.”

In fact, the poster shared in the comment section that their family has already booked a future sailing with Carnival.

In the comments, many cruisers agreed with the first-time Carnival cruiser

After detailing their first Carnival cruise onboard Carnival Jubilee, the Reddit post resonated with other cruisers. First, one of the most common opinions in the comment section involved the food. Many cruisers preferred Carnival’s complimentary dining compared to Royal Caribbean’s dining options.

“The Windjammer had constant lines to get in. The pizza and burgers were bad - cafe style patties put out on a tray with half stale buns. Nothing like Guy’s [Burger Joint] on Carnival,” shared one Carnival cruiser.

Another responder said, “My wife and I took our honeymoon cruise on Jubilee’s sister ship, Celebration, in 2023 and we had the time of our lives. Service was amazing, so many incredible food options that we didn’t even get to try them all (Big Chicken was our go-to).”

One commenter noted how they felt Carnival’s complimentary food surpassed even some of Royal Caribbean’s specialty dining. The cruiser explained, “Really irritating [Johnny Rockets] was not included, yet I could get Guy’s [Burger Joint] and BlueIguana Cantina, which were pretty darn good (better than the paid-for stuff at Royal), for free."

In particular, Carnival fans agreed that Excel class ships rivaled Royal Caribbean’s newest and biggest ships. One cruiser stated, “The Excel Class ships are really nice. Much closer to the Royal experience, but with far better food. We love doing them but just wish they had better entertainment.”

Another overarching theme in the comment section involved Carnival Cruise Line getting a bad reputation compared to Royal Caribbean. Each cruise line offers a different experience, which can align with some travelers better than others. For some, Royal Caribbean is a better option while others prefer Carnival's experience. 

One responder said, “Glad you enjoyed it. Carnival undeservedly gets a bad rap and it's created by those who have never cruised with them.”

Similarly, another cruiser shared, “So tired of seeing the same lame ‘Walmart of the Seas’ comment. Yes, the average customer base is not the same as Celebrity or Princess, but that’s the point! There’s something for everyone with cruising.”

A medical emergency has delayed the return of a Royal Caribbean ship to its home port.

Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas will be delayed returning to Baltimore, Maryland, due to a medical evacuation. Because of the emergency, Vision of the Seas unexpectedly diverted in San Juan, Puerto Rico to evacuate the passenger before continuing its sailing.

The docking in San Juan has caused Vision of the Seas to be delayed on its current voyage, which will push back the ship’s return by one day to Baltimore. This diversion will also cause the ship's following 12-night itinerary on January 16, 2024 to depart one day later. 

According to guests onboard the current sailing, Vision of the Seas will now return to Baltimore on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 7:00 am. Guests will be able to disembark the vessel at this time. 

The Vision class ship was sailing on a 12-night round-trip itinerary from Baltimore, Maryland to the Caribbean. Ports of call included St. Croix, St. John’s, St. Maarten, Martinique and St. Kitts & Nevis. 

Vision of the Seas departed St. Kitts on January 12, 2024 to begin sailing back to Baltimore, Maryland. The ship was scheduled to have three sea days before returning to Baltimore on Thursday, January 16, 2025. Guests currently aboard Vision of the Seas reported the captain made an announcement in the late afternoon about diverting towards Puerto Rico for an emergency airlift.

(Current location at time of publication for Vision of the Seas. Source: CruiseMapper)

“We are turning around to go to San Juan, Puerto Rico. It's 150 nautical miles from where we are. They're trying to get the coast guard involved and will notify us more once we have more information,” commented one passenger onboard on the Vision of the Seas Facebook page.

Those onboard reported the captain later announced in the evening that the Coast Guard deemed an airlift was not possible. “They just announced that [the] Coast Guard cannot do an airlift, so we have to go all the way to San Juan to get this person off. We should be there tomorrow morning,” shared one guest on Facebook.

Instead of the airlift, Vision of the Seas would sail to San Juan, Puerto Rico to dock and evacuate the passenger. After arriving in San Juan, guests reported the passenger was successfully transferred to the hospital and the ship resumed the sailing almost immediately.

(Photos shared from passenger on Facebook)

“We docked in San Juan at 5:00 am, the passenger and her family were taken off, we are all praying for her!” commented one guest on Facebook. 

Royal Caribbean sent communication to guests on the impacted January 16, 2025 sailing about the delay. The cruise line said, “Due to our previous sailing’s delay in arriving at the Port of Baltimore, our sailing will now take place on Friday, January 17th.” 

Vision of the Seas was originally scheduled to sail on an 8-night itinerary from Baltimore on January 16, 2025. The original itinerary would sail to Charleston (South Carolina), Port Canaveral (Florida), Grand Bahama Island (Bahamas) and Nassau (Bahamas) with three sea days. To make up for the delay, Vision of the Seas will skip its first port of call in Charleston, South Carolina with an additional sea day.

One passenger shared in a post on Reddit, “We received an email stating we are now boarding Friday morning instead of Thursday and an updated itinerary. No more Charleston (sad). Getting pro-rated for the day we will miss and any packages that were purchased in the form of onboard credit for that day.”

In addition to the medical evacuation, Vision of the Seas might need to navigate choppy waters with an Atlantic storm passing through the area. One guest onboard commented, "Captain was trying to go around a storm, but now that we are changing course for the medical evacuation, we may end up having to sail into the weather system.”

Royal Caribbean states that all guests will receive refunds for shore excursions booked in Charleston, South Carolina to the original form of payment. Those with booked flights through Royal Caribbean will automatically be rescheduled. Those with independent airfare will receive $400 USD for international travel and $200 for domestic travel, on a per person basis.

If you’re a frequent cruiser, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in the same cruise routine. Humans are creatures of habit and gravitate towards familiar, comfortable experiences. This can be true even while traveling when you’re already outside of your normal comfort zone!

For one Royal Caribbean cruiser, switching things up during her recent Royal Caribbean cruise was an eye-opening experience. Seasoned cruiser, Patty, recently sailed onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas on a 5-night sailing to the Western Caribbean.

Patty explained that she’s been cruising for over 30 years with her first cruise in 1992 with Norwegian Cruise Line. She has cruised around the world, including a recent sailing to Australia and Bali with her family. In addition, she has cruised to Europe and Asia with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. However, she has visited the Caribbean more times than any other port of call in the world.

During her 5-night sailing, Patty visited Cozumel, Mexico, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. For some cruisers, the ports of call will always be the highlight of any sailing. However, Patty normally finds the onboard experience to be her favorite part of any cruise. From the delectable dining to the onboard activities and show-stopping entertainment, Patty finds herself enjoying the ship as much as she’s exploring ashore.

Looking to expand her cruising horizons, Patty decided to try a few new things instead of sticking to her 30-year cruising routine. Some changes were small while others were more significant. Overall, these new experiences resulted in an “exceptional” Royal Caribbean cruise.

Skipping the buffet and heading straight to the bar

When boarding a cruise ship, embarkation day can be quite hectic. Between busy cruise terminals, muster drill requirements, unpacking your suitcase, and getting settled, some might be surprised by the chaotic nature of embarkation day.

To kick off her vacation on the right foot, Patty decided to head straight to the bar after boarding. It’s not an unusual stop for most vacationers, but Patty shares she often doesn’t have a cocktail until later in the evening when cruising. Normally, she is in a hurry to visit the Windjammer buffet after boarding, along with dropping off carry-on luggage and checking her table location in the Main Dining Room.

Speaking of the Windjammer, Patty decided on the first day of her cruise that she wanted to skip the crazy buffet for lunch. Most cruisers head straight to the buffet on embarkation day, creating long lines. Sometimes, it’s hard even to find a table for lunch during this time!

Instead, Patty decided to visit a new quick-casual dining option on Independence of the Seas: Fish and Ships. As a seafood lover, Patty was eager to try the new-to-her restaurant. The complimentary dining option is only available on Independence of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas.

Located on the pool deck, Patty found there was no one in line at Fish and Ships. This was a welcomed change from the crowded buffet. The menu included a few no-cost options, such as fried shrimp with chips, fish sandwich, fish and chips, and chicken fingers.

Patty was excited to try the fish and chips, along with the breaded shrimp. She found the fish to be very tasty and fried with a thick breading. Although the shrimp was smaller than expected, these were enjoyable as well. Patty’s travel companion was not a seafood fan, so instead, she ordered the chicken tenders with French fries. The tenders were so small, Patty said they seemed mislabeled and should have been called chicken nuggets.

Visiting the sauna and steam room in the spa

After visiting Cozumel more times than she can count, Patty decided to stay aboard Independence of the Seas rather than heading ashore. In addition, the weather was hot and muggy. With this, Patty wanted to experience a quieter cruise ship while most guests decided to go ashore.

Even after cruising for more than three decades, Patty had never been in the spa to visit the sauna or steam room before. Without allocating dedicated time to try the spa’s amenities, it’s always too busy for her to stop by. In addition, some cruise ships charge to visit these spa amenities, so Patty was happy to try both for free.

Unsurprisingly, Patty was the only person in the women’s sauna and steam room. As suspected, most passengers had disembarked for the itinerary’s port of call, especially with only two stops on the sailing. Patty shared that the facilities were clean, as she anticipated, and she appreciated being the only person in the space. “It was calming since I had no idea what I was doing,” she explained.

Although she had some questions, Patty stated the spa had signage with instructions and warnings for passengers. While some might glaze over these, Patty felt it was important to understand the facilities.

First, she decided to try the sauna. The instructions stated to add water to the coals, so Patty did as instructed. The rules also advised that spa visitors should only stay in the sauna for 10 minutes or less. To be safe, Patty shared she only stayed in the sauna for 7 minutes due to being alone and having high blood pressure.

Up next, she ventured over to the steam room in the spa. She described the space as having a single-tile seat to rest on. Unfortunately, the steam room was claustrophobic to Patty because the steam was so thick. Again, she decided to only stay in the steam room for less than 10 minutes - not that she wanted to spend any extra time.

To complete her spa visit, Patty cooled off in the shower. She shared how she enjoyed using the extra-large shower in the spa compared to her interior cabin’s tiny shower. Although she was glad to try the sauna and steam room for the first time, Patty doesn’t necessarily need to visit these facilities again.

Enhancing her interior cabin

Staying in an inside stateroom, Patty wanted to try a few small changes to enhance her cabin experience. After reading a blog post on our site about questions to ask your cabin steward, she learned about the option to ask for mattress toppers. Because cruise beds are often too firm for her liking, Patty wanted to see if the mattress topper would enhance her quality of sleep.

After boarding on the first day of her cruise, Patty asked the cabin steward if she could have a mattress topper added to her bed. She returned that evening to find the mattress topper already on her bed. Patty was pleased with the mattress topper, stating how she slept better on the softened mattress.

To optimize the cabin space, Patty wanted to try another new strategy. Originally, she explained her interior cabin had one nightstand on both sides of the bed. Patty decided to rearrange the cabin so each bed was against the cabin wall, allowing more space between the beds for navigating the room.

By pushing the beds against the wall, Patty was also able to stack pillows along the side of the wall for comfortable side sleeping. This prevents the pillows from falling all over the floor as well, so Patty will continue separating her bed like this in the future.

See more: I stayed in the cheapest, smallest cabin on Independence of the Seas. Look inside my 162-square-foot room

Other small changes included extra pillows and more hangers for the closet to provide more hanging space for her clothes. Finally, Patty requested a paper Cruise Compass to be delivered daily because she doesn’t always enjoy using the Royal Caribbean app.

Luckily, their cabin steward was happy to accommodate these requests and Patty found the small enhancements to make a big difference during her cruise.

Repeat specialty dining visits

When Patty cruises, she typically only visits a specialty dining restaurant once during her sailing. Never before had she thought to revisit the same specialty dining restaurant more than once during the same cruise.

During her time on Independence of the Seas, Patty had onboard credit to spend before the end of the cruise. She opted to try Giovanni’s Table for lunch on the first sea day for only $22.99 compared to $54.99 per person for dinner to save money. 

Patty described the lunch as fantastic, starting with the crispy calamari. She felt the serving size was easily five times the size of what the Main Dining Room would serve. The lightly breaded calamari had a crispy coating and was served with lemon garlic aioli and tomato sauce. In fact, she couldn’t stop talking about how good the heavenly calamari was!

For her main entree, Patty decided to try the fillet mignon after her waiter highly recommended it. She decided to try the fillet with smaller pasta dishes for the sides. Patty said the waiter was right and the steak was incredible, cooked to perfection, and very tender. She argues the fillet is better than what she’s had in Chops Grille Steakhouse on Royal Caribbean.

After a wonderful first visit, they returned to Giovanni’s. On the last day of her cruise, Patty shared how her waiter from lunch was promoting the restaurant. He remembered her and offered to make her a deal to return that night. To her surprise, the waiter offered a BOGO deal for both Patty and her guest to dine for only $54.99 each.

Read more: Everything I ate on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas: Food review and pictures

After a subpar experience in the Main Dining Room, Patty didn’t hesitate to accept the BOGO offer. Normally, she enjoys connecting with the waitstaff in the dining room throughout her cruise, but found this wasn’t the case on her short cruise. She stated, “This was the first time I can ever remember not wanting to be in the Main Dining Room on the last night of a cruise.”

As such, Patty dined at Giovanni’s for the final night of her cruise and ordered nearly the same meal. She couldn’t resist ordering the amazing calamari once more, along with the fantastic fillet.

Trying new breakfast options

When cruising with Royal Caribbean, Patty normally enjoys breakfast in the Windjammer or Main Dining Room. While she’s considered ordering room service before, she had never found the right opportunity to do so.

On this cruise, she wanted to splurge and try Royal Caribbean’s complimentary room service option for breakfast. She ordered her breakfast to be delivered between 9 and 9:30 a.m., hoping her must-have coffee wouldn’t be served lukewarm. Patty also ordered an English muffin and fruit plate for breakfast.

At promptly 8:50 a.m., the room service department rang her cabin to ensure she was awake to receive the order. A few minutes later, the meal was delivered to her stateroom. Patty was delighted to find her coffee was in a carafe and served very hot - just the way she likes it. She anticipated the English muffin might also be served lukewarm, but found it was still warm as well.

Overall, she was very impressed by the experience and found it was a nice way to start the day while her roommate wanted to sleep in. Patty questioned why she had never ordered room service before and will definitely continue doing so in the future!

Another thing Patty wanted to try was the light breakfast in the Diamond Lounge for top-tier loyalty members. She describes how breakfast was served until 10 a.m. on sea days and this particular sailing had very few top-tier loyalty members. Patty was the only person in the lounge for breakfast, so it was quite relaxing.

The lounge served a nice continental breakfast, which included pastries, yogurt, fruit, juice, and specialty coffee. Even better, the lounge featured a beautiful view of the ocean!

Formal night at the buffet

During her sailing on Independence of the Seas, the musical Grease was showing at 7:00 p.m. on formal night. Patty was looking forward to seeing the Broadway musical during her cruise, although the time conflicted with dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Instead, Patty opted to skip the dining room to have dinner in the Windjammer buffet on formal night. This was the first time Patty had ever skipped formal night in the dining room after 30-plus years of cruising. Following the musical, she made her way to the buffet for a late dinner. While she is usually pleased with the Main Dining Room, Patty enjoyed trying something different on formal night.

To start, she was surprised to find that the buffet had a similar theme as the Main Dining Room. The formal night theme in the main dining room was “Savor La France” while the Windjammer theme was “A Taste of France.” Because of this, most of the food being served in the Main Dining Room was also available in the buffet.

One of the highlights of their casual dining experience was finding a nice window seat to enjoy the aft-facing views of the ship. Patty was able to watch the sunset during her dinner in the Windjammer; in comparison, her Main Dining Room table was smack-dab in the middle of the large dining hall, far away from any ocean views. Being able to savor the sunset without battling any crowds made for a memorable dinner.

The Windjammer offered a crepe bar with tasty toppings to try, so Patty opted to try the strawberry and chocolate crepe. Although the food was fine, she likely won’t return to the buffet for formal dinner when given the option. 

In the future, Patty also concludes she probably won’t get dressed up for formal night if she isn’t heading to the dining room anyway. Grabbing buffet food in her gown seemed too casual for formal night, and Patty shared she missed having a longer meal in the dining room.

Other small changes that added to the cruise experience

During this short cruise, Patty challenged herself to do little things differently in hopes of creating some new cruise traditions and routines. You never know unless you try!

Patty is a relatively new diabetic and wanted to see how Royal Caribbean could accommodate her dietary needs. As such, she ordered the low-sugar options in the dining room for dessert. These included vanilla ice cream, coffee pot de creme, coconut cake, and dark chocolate custard.

Of course, Patty found the desserts were not as good as full-sugar desserts. But, she was happy to see options provided as a choice for those trying to watch their weight or needing to monitor their blood sugar. Even as a diabetic, Patty was able to enjoy one of her favorite things about cruising, which is always the food!

In the same way, Patty found Johnny Rockets was accommodating to her dietary requests. She felt guilty ordering a full milkshake because of the sugar content, but she didn’t want to be wasteful. Instead, she inquired about whether she could order a half-size milkshake instead of the full-size. To her surprise, the crew was happy to accommodate the request and the smaller size satisfied her sweet tooth.

Additionally, Patty shared how she sat on the promenade deck one evening after sunset and gazed at the stars. This was a new way to relax while finding a serene place away from other cruisers. It almost felt like having the ship to herself.

Finally, Patty decided on disembarkation day to visit the coffee shop while waiting for their numbers to be called. She was surprised that her Diamond voucher was accepted for the specialty coffee, and felt this was a wonderful way to end her vacation. She never considered this as a possibility, but she was glad she asked about using her voucher before heading home.

“Maybe it's my age, but it's funny how you can get in a rut doing the same routines while cruising. I enjoyed pushing myself to make some changes. They were small, but they added to the overall experience on our Independence of the Seas cruise. Anytime I can cruise with one of my daughters, I’m in,” concluded Patty.