Cruising in a balcony stateroom is a luxury that I don't always want to pay for. However, I splurged for an upgraded room on my 12-night cruise instead of settling for a tiny, windowless cabin - and it made all the difference!

I just returned from a culturally-immersive, whirlwind cruise in Asia aboard Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas. This 12-night repositioning cruise departed from Singapore to far-flung destinations in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. 

This wasn’t my first time sailing on Anthem of the Seas. My husband and I cruised on the same ship back in June 2022 when we visited the Canary Islands, Spain and Portugal. 

I was thrilled to be back on Anthem of the Seas, one of my favorite ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. I’ve always been a fan of the Quantum Class overall - it offers unique itineraries and contemporary features while maintaining a manageable, not-too-overwhelming size.

For this bucket-list itinerary, I traveled with my sister, Angie, and our parents. We had rolled-over cruise credit from multiple cancelled and rescheduled sailings, dating all the way back to 2020. The four of us have been wanting to visit these ports of call, and this cruise on Anthem of the Seas fit our schedules perfectly.

Because of the longer itinerary, my sister and I decided to splurge on a balcony cabin. Having a bit of extra space, both inside the stateroom and on a private veranda, seemed worth the upgrade. 

Typically, my sister and I prefer to save money by booking interior cabins. However, I’ve found that newer ships often have more affordable balconies because there are simply more cabins available to book. Fortunately, when we booked the cruise about 18 months ago, the price for a balcony was surprisingly reasonable.

We ended up in cabin 11268 on Deck 11, while our parents booked the adjoining stateroom next door in 11266. It was our first time trying connecting cabins, and we were curious to see how that setup might enhance the experience.

We paid a nightly rate of $240 per person for the 12-night cruise, which is a little pricey.

Roayl Caribbean only offers this unique itinerary in the fall and spring when the cruise line repositions ships between Asia and Alaska. For this reason, the demand seems to be higher due to the limited number of sailings offered.

For the two of us, we paid $5,776.16 for our balcony cabin, or $2,888 each. This includes port fees and taxes, but we forgot to prepay gratuities. This resulted in an unfortunately unexpected cost of $222 by the end of our cruise! I won’t forget again about prepaying gratuities.

We paid around $240 per person, per night for this sailing, which is definitely higher than what we typically spend on a cruise. In fact, it was nearly double the daily rate we paid for a repositioning cruise just last fall with Celebrity Cruises!

Even so, this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime trip, and we decided the splurge was worth it. This proved to be a smart move, as just a few months later, prices skyrocketed to nearly $10,000 per person with only suites remaining.

Our ship had just completed dry dock, so our cabin was recently refreshed.

Cruise ships receive routine maintenance during dry dock, which occurs every five years or so. When we booked this cruise, we hadn’t realized that Anthem of the Seas would be coming out of a 30-day dry dock in Singapore just before our sailing.

Although I’ve been on many cruises, I’ve never sailed on a ship immediately after dry dock. As such, we were eager to see what was updated or added during this maintenance. According to crew members, all cabins received brand-new beds and carpeting. 

When we boarded in Singapore and made our way to the cabin, we were very impressed with the cabin’s condition. After traveling more than 24 hours to Asia, we couldn’t wait to get settled, unpack our bags, and make this stateroom our home for the next 12 nights.

The balcony stateroom was spacious, modern and well-appointed.

Royal Caribbean debuted Anthem of the Seas in 2015, and we happened to be onboard for her 10th birthday! Despite being a decade old, the ship still feels incredibly fresh, especially in our stateroom.

Our cabin had the feel of something you’d find on one of Royal Caribbean’s latest ships, with its sleek design and contemporary touches. The stateroom was spacious with a thoughtful layout and very little wasted space. For this particular stateroom, our beds were located near the balcony door while the couch and bathroom were closer to the entrance.

The balcony stateroom featured a palette of blue and grey tones, including a blue couch and navy blue accent wall. The geometric light fixtures and textured carpeting added personality to the stateroom without being too distracting. The warm lighting felt inviting and cozy, so it was easy to make ourselves at home.

The layout is better suited for keeping your beds together instead of separate.

Like any cruise cabin, we had the option to keep our beds together in the king configuration or two twin beds. My sister insists on having the beds separated, so we each had our own twin bed. These tiny beds always reminds me of my college dorm room, although the brand-new beds were very comfortable.

Each bed had its own nightstand, but ours were squished together to create one big nightstand. A small bedside lamp was on each side, and my side of the bed had an outlet. I prefer to keep my phone charging during the night, but my phone plug was protruding into my pillow. I know what you’re thinking, first world problems!

This functionality would definitely work better with the beds together, as the nightstand would be directly under the lamp with no spacing issues. Even still, I loved being able to peak out of the balcony each morning when we pulled into new ports of call. I was giddy like Christmas morning when we arrived to Vietnam, and I could watch it all from my bed.

We had plenty of storage to unpack our five suitcases.

We had quite a bit to unpack between our carry-on bags and checked luggage. Thankfully, the cabin had plenty of storage. There were two wardrobe closets in this stateroom: one with hanging space and the other with shelves and drawers. I used one closet with hanging space while my sister unpacked her belongings into the shelving of the other closet. 

Since I brought more clothes, I also took advantage of the drawers built into the vanity. Between the closet space and drawers, everything fit comfortably. We were also able to slide our suitcases under the beds, which helped keep the room clutter-free.

I was impressed with all of the storage available in this cabin. For instance, under the TV, there was a small shelf where we could store smaller belongings. We ended up using this for all of the documents that we received regarding immigration, excursion tickets and daily compasses.

There were multiple outlets and USB ports to keep our devices charged.

For such a big adventure, we had a plethora of devices that needed to be charged daily between the two of us. Cameras, phones, tablets, watches, headphones and more all needed to be charged every night before the following day's adventure. 

I was relieved to find a full charging station built into the cabin vanity, complete with two U.S. outlets and two USB ports. There was also a European outlet, which came in handy with our travel adapter. My sister and I were able to keep all of our devices charged without any issue.

Considering some older ships only have one or two outlets for charging, we appreciated having so many outlets. It’s a small touch, but it’s an important functionality of any cruise cabin.

Having connecting staterooms ended up being a lifesaver.

With my parents in the cabin next to us, we asked our room steward to unlock the connecting doors. He also opened the balcony between the two cabins, so we had one big balcony between our two staterooms.

The connecting rooms were extremely convenient for the four of us traveling together. In particular, my mom ended up sleeping on our couch for a few nights when my dad came down with a nasty cold. She didn’t want to be up all night with him coughing, so she asked our cabin steward to make the couch into a makeshift bed. She was surprised how comfortable the couch was!

Having the connecting rooms allowed for easy access between the two cabins, and my mom ended up sleeping on the couch for nearly half of the cruise. We will definitely look at booking connecting staterooms again in the future.

Our cabin location was convenient and quiet.

Our balcony cabin was located near midship, but closer to the ship’s aft. Located on Deck 11, we found this stateroom to have a central, accessible location. We were near the aft elevators, so we were never too far from our stateroom.

In addition, were only a few decks below the Windjammer buffet. During early mornings before excursions, we were able to quickly grab breakfast and head back to our cabin to get ready.

Most importantly, our cabin was wonderfully quiet - we never heard any noise from the hallway, and our neighbors were completely silent the entire trip. Because our deck was above and below other cabins, we never had to worry about noise from the public venues. There’s nothing worse than being kept awake by a nearby lounge or pool part!

Of course, the balcony was one of the highlights.

Because we normally book inside cabins, it was a luxury to have our own private balcony! The balcony install included two chairs with footrests and a small table to use. During this cruise, we had so much beautiful scenery - from the luscious jungle in the outskirts of Vietnam to the iconic skyline of Hong Kong.

I loved being able to use our balcony throughout this cruise. One morning, I ordered complimentary room service as we arrived into Hong Kong while enjoying my morning breakfast. Later that night, we watched the nightly light show across the bay from our balcony as the ship departed. It was a memory I will never forget.

One of the best surprises about our cabin was being able to share the balcony with the connecting rooms. We hadn’t realized the divider could be removed when you book adjoining cabins, and it made it so much easier - and more fun - to enjoy the space together.

The bathroom was functionally designed, too.

There’s nothing worse than feeling squeezed into a tiny capsule shower on a cruise. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case here. Cruise ship bathrooms have come a long way, and the showers in particular are now much more spacious and comfortable to use.

Like most Royal Caribbean ships, our shower was stocked with the standard 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash combo. For this reason, I always bring my own shower toiletries when cruising. We did receive upgraded amenities because of our loyalty status, but I still preferred using the products I packed from home.

We had no issues with water temperature or pressure in our cabin, but we did hear some complaints from other guests. Some reported having minimal hot water at times, while others experienced very low water pressure in the shower. It may have been tied to the ship’s recent dry dock, but issues like that can definitely impact the overall cabin experience.

Overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to book this cabin again.

For our 12-night cruise, this balcony cabin truly became our home away from home. After long, hot, and humid days exploring culturally-diverse ports across Asia, there was nothing better than coming back to this comfortable and quiet cabin. Whether we were cooling off in the air conditioning, unpacking our souvenirs, or simply relaxing on the couch after a full day of exploring, this stateroom was perfect for us.

I wouldn’t hesitate to book this same cabin again, whether on Anthem of the Seas or any other Quantum Class ship. The layout was thoughtfully designed, the decor was modern, and the location was incredibly convenient for getting around the ship. We also had plenty of storage and connectivity in the stateroom, which is important for longer, port-intensive itineraries.

Having our own balcony was definitely a highlight for this cruise, especially with all of the bucket-list destinations we visited. I don’t think it’s always necessary to splurge on a balcony, but this was certainly worthwhile on this itinerary with unforgettable sights to see.

One of my best finds for my recent cruise was just $1.25 — and I’m already heading back to the Dollar Tree to stock up on more.

Before every cruise, I like to swing by the store for any last-minute items before I start packing my suitcase. Recently, the dollar store has become my top choice for cruise must-haves before any trip — and it never disappoints! 

For this trip, I’d be embarking on a major getaway to Asia with my parents and sister. Our 12-night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas included exotic ports of call throughout Asia, such as Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan.

My flight schedule included 30 hours of travel across three different airports before even setting foot on our cruise ship. Once aboard, we had full-day excursions planned for each port of call to make the most of our time in these far-flung destinations. Needless to say, this was going to be an epic adventure for our family!

As a self-proclaimed germaphobe, I am always paranoid about getting run-down and sick while traveling. Although I travel often, I try my best to stay rested, hydrated, and healthy during my trips. There’s nothing worse than getting sick on your long-awaited trip, and potentially ruining your vacation. 

In this way, I am constantly reaching for hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes to keep my hands clean while traveling. If I can’t wash my hands, I typically reach for a pack of disinfectant wipes as the next best thing. 

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to find a pack of 40 disinfectant wipes to pack for my cruise at the dollar store for only $1.25! It ended up being the smartest item I purchased for trip for many reasons. 

Here’s why you should head to the dollar store before your next cruise to stock up on this must-have item.

Don’t overlook the dollar store.

As cruise prices continue to climb, so do the costs of all your must-have travel essentials. In this way, I am always looking for ways to save money when I can. Even still, I usually enjoy making a quick shopping run or placing a few online orders before a cruise to make sure I’m fully prepared for my trip. The last thing I want is to overpay onboard the ship for something I could have picked up at home for just $1.25.

Last fall, I decided to visit the dollar store for the first time in many years. My small town has a Dollar Tree that I’ve heard friends rave about, so I decided to check it out. I was seriously impressed by the quality and quantity of items available for only $1.25!

While I pictured the store having mostly junk that I didn’t need, I couldn’t believe the selection of travel necessities and cruise staples. Everything from door decorations and magnetic hooks to travel-sized toiletries and on-the-go cleaning supplies was available for just $1.25.

I had an entire shopping spree and spent less than $20 — you can hardly get a fast food meal for less than $20 these days! Now, I always stop at the dollar store before my cruises to stock up, especially on these hand sanitizing wipes!

Sanitizing wipes were a lifesaver during my trip.

Before flying to Singapore for my cruise, I quickly stopped by the dollar store to pick up a few go-to cruise items, such as a pop-up hamper, liquid hand soap, and travel-sized toothpaste. 

While walking through the store, I found a pack of BioPure Hand Wipes with 40 wipes in a resealable package. The product had 5-star reviews online, so it seemed promising. In addition, I found a 2-pack of the same product at Walmart online selling for $14, so this seemed like a great deal. 

I snagged one package before checking out and packed the wipes in my carry-on suitcase. According to the packaging, these wipes contain aloe and vitamin E with a refreshing honey wildflower scent. Supposedly, the product claims to kill 99.9% of germs with an advanced anti-bacterial formula.

I’ll be honest, I was expecting these wipes to be poor quality. For $1.25, my standards were quite low and I didn’t expect much. Truthfully, I wouldn’t have been surprised if these wipes were cheap, thin, and flimsy.

However, I was proven wrong! The resealable pack felt high-quality and the wipes didn’t flake or fall apart when pulling from the package. They were easy to remove, and didn’t leave any sticky feeling on my hands. The lasting scent was a nice touch, too!

 During my long-haul flight through Seoul, I was already reaching for the wipes to clean off the tray table and entertainment screen. Considering how dirty airplanes can be, I think having disinfectants wipes is a must. The tray seemed to have some sticky residue, which is always off-putting on a plane. Luckily, these handy wipes took care of the stain quickly, and I was relieved to have these instead of relying only on hand sanitizer.

Once we boarded the cruise, I kept grabbing for these wipes.

As promised on the packaging, the compact, resealable pack was perfect for traveling. I could easily toss the wipes into my purse or backpack each day without taking up much space. Though slightly larger than typical travel-sized wipes, this pack was still slim and light enough to carry around the ship or on shore excursions. I never left our cruise cabin without throwing the pack into my pool bag.

Even though Anthem of the Seas offered handwashing stations at the entrance to the buffet, I noticed not everyone was using them. Plenty of passengers skipped right past the sinks and headed straight for the serving tongs. 

This made me extra glad I had my wipes handy before every meal. Germs can spread quickly on cruise ships, and I wasn’t about to let poor hygiene practices ruin my vacation.

Some studies even suggest that the physical motion of wiping with disinfecting wipes can be more effective at reducing bacteria on hands than hand sanitizer. Of course, handwashing is always the gold standard, but when it wasn’t available, these wipes were the next best thing. I used them regularly before eating, after touching railings or menus, and any time I needed to refresh my hands.

I packed the wipes in my purse for long days ashore.

While it was helpful to have these wipes onboard the ship, sinks for handwashing are never too far away on a cruise ship. However, this isn’t the case when you’re ashore — and certainly not the case when traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations in Asia.

I kept my pack of wipes in my daily bag during our long days ashore. While I’m not usually overly concerned about sanitation when traveling, this trip was different. It was my first time visiting countries like Vietnam, Taiwan, and South Korea, and I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of restroom facilities or cleanliness. 

I wanted to be prepared for the worst case scenario, and packing these wipes gave me peace of mind.

As expected, there were several times when I walked into a bathroom and realized there was no soap or even running water. In those moments, I was so thankful to have my handy wipes in my bag!

I felt confident my hands were clean enough after using them, and I was more than happy to share them with others when needed. Being able to wipe my hands after browsing handmade goods in Vietnam or handling souvenirs at the street markets in Hong Kong made a big difference for me. I felt more comfortable exploring without worrying about germs.

By the end of the cruise, my trusty $1.25 pack was nearly empty — the sign of a worthwhile purchase!

I already plan to grab a few more before my next adventure.

If you haven’t checked out the dollar store for travel or cruise essentials, I definitely recommend swinging by before your next trip. It wasn’t always on my radar, but I’ve been consistently surprised by the quality and variety of items I’ve found there, especially for the price.

Beyond the sanitizing wipes, I also picked up some fun self-care items for me and my sister to use during our cruise. I packed a cherry blossom body scrub (perfectly fitting for our stop in Japan) and a couple of hydrating face masks to enjoy some affordable, in-cabin spa time. For only $1.25 each, I didn’t feel bad leaving the remaining product with new friends we made onboard.

Of course, I won’t swing by the dollar store without picking up more packs of these sanitizing wipes before my next cruise! 

Cruising is meant to be relaxing and rejuvenating, but nothing derails your vacation quicker than getting sick. No one wants to think about getting sick during their cruise, especially when you’ve spent your hard-earned money and time on a vacation.

Unfortunately, you can still get sick while on traveling. In fact, some might argue that you are more likely to get sick while cruising because you can get run down and exposed to illnesses more easily.

Moreover, sickness seems to spread quickly on cruise ships due to close living quarters. With thousands of people traveling together continuously, cruise ships can become hotspots for germs, bacteria and illness. From the bustling buffets to your crowded shore excursion busses, there are endless opportunities for illness to spread during your cruise.

If you’re wanting to take extra precautions throughout your upcoming cruise, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you minimize your risk of getting sick. Here is how you can protect yourself from getting sick on a cruise to ensure you have a safe, fun and healthy vacation!

Wash your hands often

Washy washy! The best thing you can do on your cruise is wash your hands frequently and diligently with warm water and soap.

Most of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships have hand washing stations at the buffet entrance, making it easy to keep your hands clean while eating. 

Germs can spread quickly when everyone is touching the buffet tongs and serving themselves. Of course, not everyone washes their hands as they should. I’ve seen people get offended by the crew member suggesting they wash their hands or sanitize before eating!

You should also wash your hands often throughout your time onboard, especially after using the bathroom. I prefer packing a bottle of liquid hand soap from the dollar store for the bathroom in my stateroom. I find it much easier to wash my hands thoroughly with liquid soap than with using the standard bar soap provided. 

Don’t forget to rest

From exploring ports of call to afternoon trivia, evening entertainment and late-night deck parties, there are plenty of opportunities to be busy during your vacation. Not to mention, I find that I’m up earlier in the morning when cruising to optimize my limited time in port. 

Surprisingly, it’s pretty easy to get run down while you’re cruising. This is especially true if you've flown a long distance and you're fighting jet lag. While it’s tempting to take full advantage of the non-stop fun, don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Whether it’s squeezing in an afternoon nap, sleeping in on a sea day, or calling it an early night, giving your body time to recharge will help you feel your best and stay healthy throughout the trip.

Use hand sanitizer or wipes

Germs are everywhere on a cruise ship! From the elevator buttons to the coffee machines and excursion busses, your hands are constantly touching germ-infested surfaces. For this reason, I never leave my cabin without hand sanitizer or wipes - and I am constantly using them to clean my hands when a sink is not available. 

In addition, cruise ships usually have hand sanitizer stations available across the ship. Whether you’re entering the theatre for the headliner production show or grabbing a slice of pizza, you’ll find hand sanitizing stations pretty much everywhere. Take advantage of these as an extra layer of protection.

Bring over the counter medication

Medication onboard a cruise ship is absurdly expensive, even over-the-counter medication. The onboard store will have inflated prices for basic medication, and it can be painful to pay those high prices!

Instead of waiting until you’re sick, you should be proactive and pack a mini pharmacy for your cruise instead. I have a pre-packed pharmacy pouch with a variety of over-the-counter medication for all of my travels that I always take on my trips. At least once each cruise, I have to break open the mini pharmacy for some medication that I’ve packed.

I like to pack a small travel pharmacy with essentials like nighttime cold and flu medicine, allergy relief, seasickness tablets, stomach remedies, and a sleep aid - just in case. In addition, I always bring extra prescription medication in case I experience travel delays or unforeseen circumstances. You never know when you might get delayed returning home, and I wouldn’t want to be stuck without my daily prescription medication.

Limit sharing drinks and food

This one might be obvious, but it's important to remember. The amount of food available is endless on a cruise ship, so there shouldn’t be as much temptation to share your food or drinks. Even still, my family is notorious for taking sample bites of any entree, dessert or snack that looks appetizing.

Instead of sharing, just order your own to limit the spreading of germs. If you decide to share, make sure everyone uses a clean utensil and never share used utensils. It’s always best practice to not share drinks as well, considering you can be contagious before showing obvious illness symptoms.

Wear the proper sunblock

The quintessential cruise day is spent ashore on the beach or lounging in the sun on the pool deck. But, all of that time in the sun can be dangerous if you don’t take proper precautions. Getting sunburned on your cruise isn’t just uncomfortable and painful - it can also weaken your immune system. An especially gnarly sunburn can totally ruin your vacation, so be sure to pack sunscreen and apply generously.

It’s recommended to use SPF of 30 or more for the best protection in the sun. You should reapply often, particularly if you’re swimming. I prefer to pack a tinted moisturizer with SPF and wear a long-sleeve swimsuit for extra protection. I also love having a sunscreen stick for quick application on my face, neck and shoulders.

Immunity supplements

Another easy precaution to help your support your immune system is taking daily supplements for vitamin C and zinc. These can help contribute to keeping your immune system healthy while you’re traveling. Some studies show that vitamin C and zinc can also shorten the duration and severity of a cold, so they could be good to have on hand. 

Whether you pack traditional supplements or bring along something like Emergen-C, it’s a simple precaution that could make a difference in staying healthy during your cruise.

Non-slip shoes for wet decks

I learned this one the hard way! During my last cruise, I took a bad tumble in the adults-only Solarium with my flimsy sandals because the floor was wet. My tailbone was bruised for the next few days and my neck was sore from the impact.

Cruise ship decks are notoriously slippery near the pool deck. Be sure to prevent these injuries by wearing non-slip shoes for the wet decks. Walk slowly near the pool and keep your eyes out for warning signs when the floor is wet.

Skip the buffet

One of the biggest breeding grounds for bacteria and germs can be found at the cruise ship buffet. With thousands of passengers dining in the same vicinity and using the same tongs, germs can spread easily and quickly.

Buffets are standard on most cruise ships, but they are also prime zones for cross-contamination. Some people also refuse to wash their hands or sanitize before touching the different tongs. I’ve even seen people refuse to use tongs and touch the food with their bare hands - gross!

If you want to play it extra safe, consider using other dining venues where you have a sit-down meal instead of self-serve. In addition, you can also consider splurging on specialty dining for a more intimate dining experience and fewer crowds, which means less exposure to potentially sick guests. 

Stay hydrated

Cocktails on the pool deck and lounging in the hot sun can quickly lead to dehydration during your cruise. Combine that with the salty foods often served onboard, and you may find yourself needing to drink more water than usual to stay properly hydrated.

It’s important to stay hydrated during your cruise to keep your immune system healthy. I always pack a reusable bottle of water to use in my cabin for easy access to water. In addition, I like to bring hydration packets to add to my bottled water for added electrolytes. I rely on these heavily while traveling and cruising! Personally, I prefer the sugar free Propel or Gatorade hydration packets, but LiquidIV is also a popular choice.

Stay up to date on vaccinations

Before setting sail on your vacation, you should also consult with your doctor to ensure you’re up to date on any routine vaccinations that may be recommended for travel. Every year, I make sure to receive my annual flu shots, along with any other vaccines or boosters that I might need.

If you’re visiting more off-the-beaten-path destinations on your cruise, you might need other vaccinations to stay healthy. This could include yellow fever, typhoid or Hepatitis A. Before cruising to Africa last year, I made sure to visit my doctor and ask about any specific vaccinations I might need. Some destinations might even require proof of vaccination for certain shots, so you will want to confirm your destinations' requirements.

Prepare for bugs

If you’re planning to visit warm, humid climates during your cruise, you should consider packing insect repellent to keep mosquitos away. Mosquitos are more than a nuisance, as they can actually carry dangerous illnesses like Zika or dengue fever. This would be one quick way to ruin your vacation!

Consider whether you’ll be exploring buggy areas during your cruise and plan accordingly. When I’m cruising to destinations where mosquitoes are more common, like my recent cruises to Africa or Bali last year, I make sure to pack a small bottle of insect repellent with DEET. Be sure to pack lightweight clothes and plan for buggy areas.

Practice Safe Food Habits

Trying local food during your cruise is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the culture. For some foodies, this is a huge highlight of their cruise. However, you should be cautious when trying food or drinks during your time ashore to prevent food borne illness.

It's recommended to avoid raw and undercooked meats and stick to bottled water if you’re not sure about the local water quality. Also, use your best judgement to eat from street vendors. I typically avoid street food for this reason and rely on the food served onboard the ship instead.

Avoid touching your face

This one is easier said than done, but if you can avoid touching your face, this is a small habit that can make a big difference during your cruise. Touching your face can significantly increase the risk of infection for flu and cold viruses.

Make a conscious effort to not touch your face whenever possible while cruising and traveling. This also includes not touching your eyes, nose and mouth. In addition, avoid biting your nails unless you’ve washed your hands.

Seek medication attention when needed

Cruise ships are staffed with medical staff and have modern medical facilities capable of handling a wide range of illnesses and emergencies. However, there are plenty of horror stories of passengers being billed tens of thousands of dollars after visiting the medical center during their cruise.

Because of this, people are hesitant to visit the shipboard doctor when they might need to. Not to mention, people are often worried they might get quarantined during their vacation. These are valid concerns, but you should always seek medical attention when you think you need it. Your health should always come first.

By visiting the doctor, you might be able to get some medical advice or medication to get you on the mend so you can enjoy the most of your vacation. If you wait too long and your health deteriorates, you could really ruin your cruise and rack up an even bigger bill.

Have travel insurance

In the way of medical emergencies, it’s also a good idea to have travel insurance for additional coverage during your cruise. Whether you receive coverage through your credit card or you purchase a policy, having travel insurance can give you access to medical care while traveling. This can also reduce stress knowing you are covered in an unforeseen circumstance. 

In addition, you are more likely to seek medical care when you have travel insurance coverage. For instance, my dad recently pulled a rib muscle during our cruise. Because he has an annual travel insurance policy, he didn’t hesitate to head down to the medical center on our ship to be seen by the doctor. 

He received a prescription medication to help with inflammation and X-rays for diagnosis. The entire visit was $500, but it was all covered by his travel insurance. The medication alleviated his pain quickly and he was on the mend quicker than suffering longer with pain.

Indulging in delicious food is often one of the highlights of cruising. From homemade pastries to delectable three course meals each evening, it seems like there is never ending food on a cruise! 

Now, it looks like Royal Caribbean is serving a new breakfast food that is quickly becoming a favorite among cruisers. One cruiser posted on Reddit recently about the cruise line’s new homemade cinnamon rolls, stating the pastry has potential to become “a new cult favorite” on Royal Caribbean.

As a cinnamon roll connoisseur myself, I couldn’t wait to see if my cruise would be serving up the newest pastry. Our family can’t resist a good cinnamon roll, and, not to boast, but I make a pretty fantastic homemade cinnamon roll myself! 

I’m currently sailing on Anthem of the Seas on a repositioning cruise from Singapore to Tokyo, and I was thrilled to see the new cinnamon rolls being served our first morning onboard. My mom and I grabbed one of the cinnamon rolls to try with our morning coffee, as they looked promising and appeared similar to pictures circulating online. 

After one bite, we could tell these cinnamon rolls were unlike any pastry we had tried on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Someone needed to do the hard and important work of reviewing these new cinnamon rolls for the site, and I was happy to volunteer! As a lifelong cinnamon roll enthusiast and baker, I’m here to provide you with an in-depth review of Royal Caribbean’s newest pastry, and whether it's worth the hype. 

For starters, the cinnamon rolls seem to be available everywhere breakfast is served.

Because Anthem of the Seas is a Quantum class ship, there are multiple places to dine for breakfast. In addition to the Windjammer buffet, you can find other cafes and eateries serving breakfast onboard. During my first few days on the ship, I was thrilled to find the new cinnamon rolls being served throughout the ship. 

On our first morning, we found the cinnamon rolls being served in Cafe Promenade. The following morning, the rolls were also available in the Windjammer Cafe for breakfast, served alongside other pastries and muffins. The pastry attendant even offered to warm up the cinnamon roll for us, which was a nice touch! 

Today, we ordered a few of the rolls from Cafe 270 to have with breakfast, though these seemed smaller than the other ones we’ve had.

In addition, some Redditors report the cinnamon rolls are available through room service with continental breakfast. Continental breakfast is complimentary on Royal Caribbean cruises and includes an option to order pastries. I'll be testing this theory later in the cruise, as I love receiving breakfast to my cabin with room service!

In the Reddit thread, other cruisers have also shared the cinnamon rolls are available in Park Cafe and Solarium Bistro on Oasis class ships, along with the Pearl Cafe on Icon class ships. One responder shared they were able to get the cinnamon roll warmed up at Pearl Cafe.

The cinnamon rolls seem to be popular aboard our sailing. Every time I’ve waited in line to order one, there are a few others looking to do the same. But, I've never had an issue ordering one, so they seem to be stocked!

Royal Caribbean’s new cinnamon rolls are modestly sized and lightly frosted, but they’re not overly sweet.

I'll be honest, I was skeptical if the new cinnamon rolls would live up to the buzz they're receiving online. I love a big, gooey and sweet cinnamon roll - so the bar was high. But, after taking one bite, our family was genuinely impressed with the new recipe. The dough tastes homemade, and one crew member confirmed the rolls are baked fresh each morning onboard. 

In my amateur baking experience, homemade dough can be a little dense, and that holds true here. Royal Caribbean’s cinnamon rolls are more dense rather than light and fluffy. But, this isn’t a bad thing. We prefer the denser texture - and the bread still tastes soft and fresh.

In our opinion, the filling leans heavily into the cinnamon flavor. It tastes like the cinnamon is blended with sugar or brown sugar rather than butter, giving it a bold, sweet kick. Each roll is generously swirled, and after just one bite, you can see the rich, dark cinnamon ribbon running through the layers.

Now, the best part… the frosting! I prefer my cinnamon rolls to drown in overly-sweet, melty frosting. I typically make my cinnamon roll frosting with butter, vanilla, milk and powdered sugar for a sweet finish. 

However, Royal Caribbean’s new cinnamon rolls are finished with a light layer of cream cheese frosting. There might be a touch of lemon in the frosting too, making it a little tangy. Personally, I wouldn’t complain if there was more frosting; after all, I don’t think you can never have too much frosting on a cinnamon roll.

That said, Royal Caribbean’s new cinnamon rolls seem sufficiently frosted without being over-the-top. There is also a small dusting of powdered sugar to add a hint of sweetness. The sweet frosting perfectly complements the bold cinnamon filling and yeasty, homemade dough.

The hype is real — the cinnamon rolls are drool-worthy.

After sampling a few cinnamon rolls during the first few days of my cruise, I can confirm the newest pastry is worth the hype! Our entire family agreed the new cinnamon rolls are a huge upgrade from the cruise line’s earlier attempt at cinnamon rolls.

Prior to this new recipe, the cinnamon rolls left a lot to be desired — they were bland, dry and noticeably lacked in flavor. The pastry was lightly glazed at best and hardly resembled a real cinnamon roll. They didn’t taste freshly made, and in all honesty, I’ve yet to come across anyone who actually enjoyed them.

Now, it’s pretty apparent the cinnamon rolls are freshly made each day onboard. Many commenters on Reddit stated the rolls tasted like they were from a bakery, and I agree wholeheartedly!

One commenter shared, “[The cinnamon rolls] were in Windjammer and Pearl Cafe as well, when I was on Icon [of the Seas]. Pearl Cafe even heated them up for me when asked. Very good cinnamon roll!”

Another user shared, “I ordered the continental breakfast and checked (assorted pastry) and this arrived! I was pleasantly surprised. Icing isn’t too sweet, and good ratio of icing to roll. Thanks for the tip on where to find them!”

“Yeah I ordered a pastry plate for room service breakfast on the Wonder last week and confirm it was really good,” stated another cruiser.

One cruiser commented similarly, “I had one at the Windjammer on Odyssey [of the Seas] on Sunday just before departing the ship. It was very tasty!”

“Yeah, I was impressed too! The danishes were pretty good too. Everything else was basic but ok,” said another commenter.

I agree with the hype these cinnamon rolls are receiving - and I can see how they will become a favorite onboard. Honestly, they’re on par with what you’d expect from a local bakery or even homemade straight from the oven. If you’re cruising with Royal Caribbean soon, be sure to try one of these cinnamon rolls for yourself!

Crew members work very hard on cruise ships, but have you ever wondered how much they make?

Chris Wong is a crew member onboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas working in the casino onboard. He also produces in-depth videos about living and working on a cruise ship on his YouTube channel, Chris Wong Vlogs. In fact, he claims in the video he might be one of the world’s most followed casino hosts on YouTube!

To celebrate his recent milestone of achieving 100K subscribers, Wong wanted to provide insight into his current salary working for Royal Caribbean on his channel. He just received a promotion within the company to a senior-level position in the casino while also posting regularly to his YouTube channel with 107K subscribers.

Wong has been working for Royal Caribbean over the last decade and started his YouTube channel a few years after. Although Wong is currently working on Quantum of the Seas, he previously worked in the casino onboard Icon of the Seas, which is Royal Caribbean’s newest and most innovative ship to date.

The video is extremely insightful, especially for those looking to potentially begin a career working on a cruise ship. Throughout the video, Wong shares a transparent look into his personal finances, and explains why he doesn’t plan to leave Royal Caribbean anytime soon.

Wong shows his first paycheck for $2,890.21, followed by a second paycheck for less.

Continuing in his video, Wong shares how Royal Caribbean pays employees on a biweekly basis. This means each crew member is paid twice per month, but not every paycheck for Wong is the same amount.

In the video, Wong shares a glimpse into his actual paycheck from Royal Caribbean. He shows his first paycheck (with sensitive information redacted) with a total net payment of $2,890.21. This paycheck covers the first two weeks of January 2025, as Wong says he filmed the video back in February 2025.

Next, Wong shares his second payment from January 2025. This time, the total net payment was less at only $1,450.09. This brings the total monthly payment to $4,340.30 for Wong in USD.

He has also blurred out the itemized paycheck, which Wong says includes commission, tips and several other factors. Ultimately, Wong says this is a fantastic salary for him, especially considering the rising cost of living and inflation. He states he wouldn’t be able to make this much working back in his home country of the United Kingdom.

In addition, Wong emphasizes that he has very few bills to pay by living onboard. He said he only pays for his cell phone bill and internet usage onboard. Wong states he will occasionally spend money in ports of call. However, he doesn't currently have any large payments, such as a mortgage or car payment.

Why his pay fluctuates so much

Interestingly, Wong’s paychecks appear to vary drastically, as his first paycheck is about $1,440 more than the second paycheck. What is causing this fluctuation? Wong says there are multiple factors at play that contribute to each biweekly paycheck.

While Wong says he can’t provide too much detail for confidentiality reasons, he says the combination of commission, tips and “a bunch of other things” are factored into each paycheck.

Further, Wong emphasizes that casino host salaries can vary across Royal Caribbean’s fleet depending on the ship and itinerary. Currently, Quantum of the Seas is sailing around Australia, although the ship was previously sailing in Alaska and also spent some time in Asia.

According to Wong’s video, he is actually getting paid less working on this ship compared to his time on Icon of the Seas. The biggest reason for this involves the ship’s destination and tipping culture. 

Wong states that crew members usually have the highest earning potential when sailing from the United States to the Caribbean. Because tipping culture is more prevalent in the United States, crew members often get paid more.

In fact, Wong says he was making more as an assistant casino host on Icon of the Seas sailing to the Caribbean than he currently makes in a more senior position on Quantum of the Seas. The most he was paid for one month working as an assistant on Icon of the Seas was closer to $5,000, according to Wong.

In general, he states that crew members typically earn the most when sailing to the Caribbean. However, each position varies onboard and some are paid differently. Realistically, crew members should plan to earn a smaller starting salary when first beginning their career with Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line.

How are crew members paid?

Wong also shared interesting insight regarding how crew members on cruise ships actually receive the money. When you first board for the start of your contract, Wong says you will be set up with a US-based bank account to receive payment. This is how you will receive your paychecks while onboard. 

This account is given for the sole purpose of Royal Caribbean paying employees their salaries. Crew members are not paid to their personal bank accounts. Once he receives his paycheck in this account, he can do whatever he wants with it.

Why Wong isn’t planning to leave Royal Caribbean anytime soon

At the end of his video, Wong shares that many subscribers often inquire about whether the casino host plans to get a land-based job anytime soon. Ultimately, the answer is “no”.

Between his low living expenses, comfortable paychecks and engaged online YouTube audience, Wong is very happy with his current lifestyle. He states he has been able to save so much money by working on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship and doesn’t plan to leave in the near future.

In addition, Wong says he would need to restart his career from the bottom if he pursued work back in the United Kingdom. The casino host questions why he would want to leave a comfortable salary onboard to make less money and have more bills to pay on land. 

Of course, Wong clarifies that he misses his family and friends; however, he is very comfortable living and working on the cruise ship. Essentially, Wong is happy with the life he’s built onboard and online. Between the stream of income from YouTube and his salary from Royal Caribbean, he doesn’t plan to leave the ship life for a “normal job” in the United Kingdom.

Wong says he first started his YouTube channel about five years into his Royal Caribbean career when he was still working in the online retail shops. During the pandemic, Wong says he channel really exploded in growth during the pandemic and continues to be a steady source of income for him. Now, he shares in-depth looks at the crew member lifestyle to his thousands of followers. 

There’s no denying that the cost of cruising has been steadily increasing in the last few years, especially after the pandemic. With growing demand for sailings - especially short weekend getaways - cruise lines have been able to increase prices accordingly. Onboard expenses, including drink packages, internet access, and specialty dining, have also become more expensive.

It’s no secret that cruising on newer ships tends to cost more than sailing on older or smaller vessels. I recently experienced this first hand when booking a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas. I was surprised how quickly the expenses added up!

Even for a quick 4-night sailing, the cost of my recent cruise to the Bahamas was more expensive than I anticipated. When my husband and I set sail last month on the latest Oasis class ship, we spent $2,683 total for the entire vacation.

On a nightly basis, this means we spent around $670.75 each night, or roughly $335.38 per person for each night of the cruise. Here’s a full breakdown of what I spent during my Utopia of the Seas cruise, including travel-related expenses and transportation to the port.

The price of our interior stateroom was $1,539 - which was the cheapest option available

My husband and I decided over the summer that we wanted to join my parents and grandparents on their already-booked cruise for February. Rather than risk getting an undesirable guarantee cabin, we chose to spend a little more to select our stateroom’s location. The last thing we wanted was to end up next to the nightclub or directly beneath the pool!

Since we booked just a few months before departure, our cruise fare was actually higher than what my parents paid for a nicer room. By reserving their cruise more than a year in advance, they secured a balcony stateroom for only $1,300—a price lower than our interior cabin. Gone are the days of getting a killer last-minute deal for a cruise!

We opted to book the cheapest stateroom available, which was an interior cabin on Deck 9. Our selected stateroom was 9464, which was located near the ship’s aft. In fact, this specific stateroom was situated in a designated section of interior staterooms.

Given Utopia’s massive size, some decks have multiple layers of interior staterooms. Our stateroom was surrounded by six other interior cabins, which is different than a typical cabin configuration with only neighboring cabins on either side.

This section of cabins had its own entrance near the elevators, which was quite convenient. We were pleased with our cabin’s location and its design felt modern, spacious, and functional. Best of all, it was exceptionally quiet!

We didn’t mind sailing in this interior cabin, as Utopia of the Seas has an abundance of things to do for activities and entertainment. For such a short cruise, we hardly spent any time in our cabin other than sleeping.

The cost of our cruise fare was $1,539, including prepaid gratuities, taxes, and port fees. This represents 57.36% of the trip’s overall cost, which was expected. I booked this leisure cruise with MEI Travel and received a $50 onboard credit. In addition, my MEI travel agent was able to apply an expired Future Cruise Credit of $135, which we had previously been unable to use due to my husband’s military deployment.

I had a few onboard purchases totaling $101.97, including an Internet package and merchandise in the shops

It’s easy to spend extra money once you’re actually aboard your cruise. The vacation mindset, combined with the convenience of charging everything to your SeaPass card, can quickly lead to a higher-than-expected bill by the end of your cruise! However, additional spending isn’t necessary if you’re on a tight budget, as your cruise fare is fairly inclusive with complimentary dining, entertainment, and amenities.

During this cruise, my husband and I had a number of purchases once we boarded the ship. I ended up spending about $101.97 for onboard purchases, which accounted for 3.80% of our total trip cost.

First, I needed to purchase an internet package to ensure I could receive emails for my remote work. While many cruisers can completely disconnect, that’s not always an option for everyone.

Read more: After years of avoiding Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships, I finally tried one again. Here’s what I loved and hated about it

For our 4-night cruise, the VOOM Surf + Stream package cost $60 in total after applying my Diamond Plus internet credit. This loyalty perk saved me $60, cutting my internet cost in half! When cruising on a shorter sailing, I wait until boarding to book my internet package so I can apply this credit.

In addition, I enjoyed browsing the onboard shops during our cruise aboard Utopia of the Seas. The Royal Promenade was lined with places to shop, and newer cruise ships always have the best merchandise!

On the last night of the cruise, I bought two t-shirts on sale for $30 as a gift to my sister back home. I also couldn’t resist purchasing the cutest collar for $10 to take home for my sweet pup!

We also splurged on specialty dining for three different meals, costing us $235

Utopia of the Seas has more than 20 unique dining options to choose from, including a variety of complimentary and specialty dining. When cruising on a shorter itinerary, you need to prioritize which restaurants you want to try.

My family decided to book specialty dining for dinner during the first two evenings of the cruise. We each have our own BOGO specialty dining credit, which can only be used the first two nights of your cruise.

On the first evening, we dined at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar with our entire family. The experience was fantastic, featuring delicious entrees and attentive service. The ambiance was beautiful too, as the restaurant overlooks the Boardwalk.

For the second specialty dining meal, we reserved a table at Chops Grille. As expected, the meal was excellent with flavorful, tender cuts of premium beef. I especially love the side dishes at Chops Grille, especially the gruyère tater tots.

Later in the cruise, my husband and I decided to try the brand-new Mason Jar restaurant for brunch with my parents. My sister raved about her experience here over the summer, and we received a 30% discount that we couldn’t resist.

Although we enjoyed trying something new during our cruise, the meal itself was underwhelming. The star of the show was the oversized, gooey cinnamon roll - which we all loved! Another highlight was the cocktail menu featuring new crafted beverages to try. Although we wouldn’t return to Mason Jar in the future, it was still fun to experience something different.

Even with our discounts, we still spent $235 for three specialty dining meals during our cruise. This expense represents about 8.72% of our overall trip cost, but it was money well spent!

In addition, we purchased admission to Royal Caribbean’s new adults-only Hideaway Beach for $173

Currently, Utopia of the Seas only sails on 4-night and 3-night itineraries to the Bahamas. Our itinerary featured two port stops, which included visits to Nassau, Bahamas, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. We also had one day at sea to enjoy the ship.

During our visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, my husband and I wanted to try the new adults-only Hideaway Beach. My parents had booked their admission well in advance, paying only $60 total for two of their tickets. By the time we booked Hideaway Beach, the price had jumped to $173 for two tickets. This accounted for 6.45% of our total trip cost.

Pricing for Hideaway Beach varies based on demand; however, the price we paid is definitely on the higher end. For our admission, we paid $86.50 each to visit Hideaway Beach. But, prices can go as high as $100 each!

We enjoyed our experience in Royal Caribbean’s new adults-only area, but I’m not convinced the price we paid was worthwhile. Since I don’t eat seafood, including the popular coconut shrimp or ceviche, I’m not sure I got my money’s worth. My husband had upwards of 20 shrimp though, so he might have broken even!

The other food options available at Hideaway Beach are available elsewhere on Perfect Day at CocoCay. While the service was quick for drinks, I found the pool to be just as crowded as Oasis Lagoon. I was excited to try the new area, but I would only book admission again if the cost was less than $40 each.

We drove to the cruise port and parked at Port Canaveral, costing us $234 in total

I live in the Florida Panhandle, so I was ecstatic to see Royal Caribbean’s latest ship would be sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida. This meant we could skip the hassle of booking flights and instead take the 6-hour drive to Port Canaveral before the sailing. Airfare would have easily increased the cost of this trip by hundreds of dollars!

My husband and I decided to drive to Lake Mary, Florida the night before our cruise departed. We spent the evening visiting extended family and then stayed at a nearby hotel before departure the following morning. We booked The Westin in Lake Mary by using hotel points for the stay, so our visit was completely free. Gas for the trip was around $144, which is significantly cheaper than airfare!

Read more: I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class for the first time. I liked the dining options, but hated the large size

When we arrived at the cruise port, we decided to park directly at the terminal for added convenience. We were charged $90 to park our truck at the cruise port for four nights, which seemed reasonable.

Altogether, our hotel, gas, and parking expenses totaled $234, representing around 8.72% of our trip’s total cost.

Finally, we had to pay our dog sitter around $400 to watch two dogs for five nights

One of the more overlooked expenses for this trip was the cost of in-home dog care. We paid approximately $400 for someone to stay in our home and take care of our two Aussiedoodle pups. Considering this meant we could avoid boarding the dogs, we felt this price was reasonable. I couldn’t put a price tag on someone taking good care of my babies for five nights!

In my experience, it’s very easy to forget about the added cost of pet care when you are planning a vacation. The cost of pet care or boarding can add up quickly, especially for longer trips. If you’re like us, having more than one dog increases the cost even more.

The dog sitter accounted for 14.91% of our trip cost, making it our second-largest expense after the cruise fare itself.

I paid $2,683 in total for my cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas

Because we booked this cruise within a few months of departure, I anticipated that our cruise fare would be more expensive. Not to mention, Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newest ship that just launched last summer. It’s not uncommon to find that newer cruise ships have higher price tags.

In the end, our entire 4-night cruise added up to $2,683. This included the cruise fare, onboard purchases, shore excursions, specialty dining, parking at the port, and transportation to Port Canaveral. The total cost was higher than I would have guessed!

However, I’ve already secured another sailing on Utopia of the Seas for next February, this time booking well in advance. We booked a refundable balcony cabin for a 4-night sailing next year for $1,683, which is only $124 more than our interior stateroom on this trip. Considering the added perk of a private veranda, this upgrade felt like a worthwhile investment!

In January 2024, Royal Caribbean introduced the world’s biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas. Years of planning, designing, and constructing finally came to fruition when Icon of the Seas sailed on her inaugural itinerary from Miami, Florida. It won’t be long until her sister ship, Star of the Seas, debuts later this year.

While Icon of the Seas made huge waves in the cruise industry in 2024, she was met with plenty of pomp and circumstance. Few modern cruise ships have garnered as much attention as Icon did.

However, Icon of the Seas was in the works long before her inaugural sailing. The cruise line said more than seven years of dreaming are behind the inception of its newest ship class. In October 2016, Royal Caribbean and the Meyer Turku shipyard announced the order of a brand-new ship class under the project name “Icon.”

The cruise line also registered a trademark for the name “Icon of the Seas” that same year. The cruise line announced the order of a third Icon class ship in 2019, which we know now will be named Legend of the Seas.

The first steel for Icon of the Seas was cut in June 2021, and construction took place over 900 days in Turku, Finland - or approximately 2.5 years of construction. The ship was delivered to Royal Caribbean in November 2023 before setting sail on her inaugural voyage on January 27, 2024.

As the world’s biggest cruise ship, you can imagine the cost to build Icon of the Seas isn’t cheap. In short, the construction of Icon of the Seas cost an estimated $2 billion USD to build. This makes it one of the most expensive ships ever constructed!

For comparison, Royal Caribbean spent an estimated $1.4 billion USB to build Allure of the Seas, while Celebrity Cruises spent $900 million on Celebrity Beyond. Similarly, Carnival Celebration cost around $1 billion, and Norwegian Cruise Line paid around $850 million for Norwegian Prima.

Royal Caribbean’s investment in the Icon class was monumental. The massive investment reflects the cruise line’s bold vision for Icon of the Seas, including her cutting-edge design and state-of-the-art amenities. Not to mention, the sheer size of the ship clocks in at 250,800 gross tons!

Here’s a deeper look at the design and construction of one of the most groundbreaking cruise ships ever built.

Design and Project Initiative for Icon of the Seas

When Royal Caribbean began designing Icon of the Seas, the cruise line wanted to make history. Between Royal Caribbean’s in-house teams and trusted partners in supply chain, the cruise line was determined to push boundaries with Icon of the Seas.

As a new ship class, Royal Caribbean had a complex journey for the first vessel in its Icon class. The new vessel needed to be the first of its kind, incorporating new elements of innovation that other cruise lines had yet to attempt. Royal Caribbean utilizes an in-house design lab for research, which incorporates virtual reality into the design element.

For instance, the new ship design aimed to incorporate more ocean views, allowing passengers to see the sea while cruising aboard the massive ship.

The cruise line envisioned expansive, multi-deck glass windows to highlight the sea. However, this required reengineering the ship’s structural support to accommodate the weight distribution.

This is how the Pearl - a standout feature in the Royal Promenade - came to life. The steel sphere is at the ship’s center and replaces the bulky port and starboard support beams.

Jay Schneider, the chief product innovation officer for Royal Caribbean Group, states how the Pearl has three different purposes. He explained, “To pull off the full glass façade, that superstructure pressure had to go somewhere. So the Pearl really does three jobs.”

“Yes, it’s an arrival moment. Yes, we think it’s going to be an amazing, awe-inspiring experience for people. And the heavy beams for the superstructure of the ship essentially run through the Pearl. And the Pearl takes on the weight at this point of the ship,” continued Schneider.

However, the purpose of the Pearl is supporting the stress of the ship: “Everybody else creates the same old cruise ships that follow the normal structure.”

Royal Caribbean collaborated with many esteemed design firms to create Icon of the Seas, such as Wilson Butler Architects, 3Deluxe, RTKL, and Skylab Architecture. This includes the intricate deck layouts and integration of technological amenities. Other redesigned spaces on the new ship class included the addition of the AquaDome, Absolute Zero ice-skating arena, and a reimagined Royal Promenade.

Additionally, Royal Caribbean needed to incorporate new technologies aboard Icon of the Seas

With more ships on order, Royal Caribbean needed to act quickly for developmental solutions. However, this isn’t always a smooth process. Testing new technologies that work on land to operate efficiently and properly at sea is a long process. The cruise line is also heavily focused on sustainability.

Royal Caribbean stated in April 2023, “From large-scale systems, including the first waste-to-energy system at sea, to the smallest details like LED lightbulbs, every program and application will play a part in making the world’s best vacation the most sustainable Royal Caribbean International ship yet.”

In particular, the Icon class ships would incorporate new liquified natural gas (LNG) fuel technology to power the ship. Royal Caribbean says the ship has six multi-fuel Wärtsilä engines, which can be fueled by LNG and distillate fuel.

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

Icon of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s first ship powered by LNG. This type of flexible fuel does not use any sulfur, which contributes to acid rain and air pollution, and operates with lower carbon emissions and reduced nitrogen oxides. The cruise line has also introduced the use of fuel cell technology, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

"We believe fuel cells offer very interesting design possibilities," said Harri Kulovaara, Royal Caribbean’s Chief of Ship Design in a 2016 press release.

"As the technology becomes smaller and more efficient, fuel cells become more viable in a significant way to power the ship's hotel functions. We will begin testing those possibilities as soon as we can, and look to maximize their use when Icon class debuts,” explained Kulovaara.

When the Icon class was first announced, Royal Caribbean had already been eyeing the use of fuel cells for more than one decade. The cruise line felt the technology was in a stage of development to justify the investment, banking on future regulatory standards that needed to be developed for the technology to be utilized.

Kulovaara said at the time, ”There is a long lead time for Icon class, and we will use that time to work with Meyer Turku to adapt fuel cell technology for maritime use." Kulovaara said that additional regulatory standards would also need to be developed for the technology.

With Royal Caribbean’s commitment to sustainability, the cruise line needed to invest heavily in LNG technology for Icon class ships. The cruise line states that Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than required by international regulations. In fact, the cruise line is continuing to push towards its ambitious goal of introducing a net-zero ship by 2035.

Constructing Icon Class ships requires a significant workforce and substantial material expenses

A substantial part of Royal Caribbean’s investment went into the extensive labor required to build the Icon class ships. As mentioned, the construction for Icon of the Seas spanned over the course of 2.5 years.

The labor cost to actually build a cruise ship is always substantial, but even more so when you’re building a ship as large as Icon of the Seas. Hundreds of millions of dollars were likely poured into labor costs for building Icon of the Seas.

The entire construction process took place in the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, which has built many of Royal Caribbean’s other ships. Ships are built in blocks and assembled together like Legos. Thousands of workers were required to construct the new massive vessel, which took place almost entirely at the Meyer Turku shipyard.

The process of building Icon of the Seas was long and grueling, taking around 900 days for the ship to be built. For instance, the cruise line shared footage of the AquaDome being placed on the ship. At the time, the cruise line said the “unnamed, 175-metric-ton sphere” took four days of preparation and a day-long transfer by barge before being lifted onto the ship.

Many of the employees worked tirelessly around the clock to ensure the project was completed on time. Royal Caribbean stated that nearly 3,000 people were working every day for the construction of the new ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean unveils changes to make Star of the Seas even better than Icon of the Seas

Examples of labor necessary included engineers, designers, safety officers, welders, electricians, and more to contribute to the construction of Royal Caribbean’s latest ship. Not to mention, Royal Caribbean dealt with the logistical nightmare of constructing its new ship during the pandemic throughout 2020 and 2021.

In November 2023, Royal Caribbean stated, “Thousands involved have since accomplished a series of milestones and never-before-seen feats, like the installation of the single largest glass and steel structure to be lifted onto a cruise ship and engineering more water on board than ever before across seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides and more.”

Materials are also expensive for building a ship, especially with rising costs in recent years.

With a ship as large as Icon of the Seas, there was a significant cost of materials for the cruise line. The shipyard partnered with Metalcolour Group to supply over 250,000 square meters of laminated steel for the construction of the ship. This included materials for wall panels, ceilings, doors, and wet units aboard the ship.

Other necessary materials included components of the six LNG-powered engines, the ship’s interior design, necessary furniture, stateroom amenities, and more. Unfortunately, a small fire broke out at the shipyard in February 2023 aboard Icon of the Seas that also damaged some materials.

Icon of the Seas is home to many different state-of-the-art amenities, which are costly

Just like building a house, outfitting a cruise ship requires an investment in furnishings, amenities, and décor to create a welcoming and immersive environment.

Given the immense size of Icon of the Seas, it’s no surprise that Royal Caribbean likely allocated a significant budget to equip the ship with high-end features and amenities.

Icon of the Seas offers unparalleled luxury with her eight distinct neighborhoods, including the innovative AquaDome. This is the first of its kind, acting as a multifunctional space encased in a striking glass and steel dome.

The Icon class is also packed with state-of-the-art amenities and exhilarating attractions. Each of these required substantial financial investment to bring Royal Caribbean’s vision to life. However, Royal Caribbean knew these enticing features of the ship would help increase demand for the new vessel.

For example, take a look at the ship’s impressive top deck. This is home to Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea and a first for Royal Caribbean. Designing, testing, and constructing such a groundbreaking feature was undoubtedly a costly endeavor, as it set a new industry benchmark.

Beyond the waterpark, Icon of the Seas also introduces several first-of-their-kind experiences, including the world’s first suspended infinity pool, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and obstacle course, and the ever-popular FlowRider surf simulator.

These cutting-edge additions highlight the cruise line’s commitment to innovation and delivering an unparalleled guest experience—an investment that undoubtedly comes with a hefty price tag.

Ultimately, Icon Class ships are some of the most expensive ships to build in the world!

Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship at sea, and Royal Caribbean’s massive investment has paid off. The cruise line has reported unprecedented demand for the new ship, with record-breaking bookings. Royal Caribbean invested an immense amount of resources, including time and money, to design Icon of the Seas.

The success cannot be understated. Royal Caribbean Group reported exceptional financial results in the third quarter of 2024, with total revenue reaching $4.9 billion and a net income of $1.1 billion. The cruise line attributes part of this financial success to the deployment of Icon of the Seas, which has been a key factor in the cruise line’s sky-high demand.

The Icon class has set new benchmarks in the cruise industry, and the sister ships of Icon of the Seas are likely to be just as successful - and expensive - for the cruise line.

Two men from Mexico City were arrested in Miami, Florida after being accused of sexually victimizing a teenage boy during a recent Royal Caribbean cruise.

Jose Prudencio Diaz, age 36, and Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, age 37, were arrested on multiple criminal charges, including lewd and lascivious molestation of a child between the ages of 12 to 16 years old. 

Both individuals were arrested on March 21, 2025 in connection with the alleged assault while disembarking Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas in Miami, Florida.

According to arrest reports from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, as cited by Miami Local 10 News, the two men were traveling together onboard Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas. While in the sauna, both men are accused of sexually victimizing a 14-year-old boy.

In the reports, deputies said that Prudencio Diaz allegedly exposed himself to the teen while in the sauna. The arrest report states that Prudencio Diaz then proceeded to sexually assault the teenager and forced the teenager to touch him inappropriately.

In addition, the arrest report states that Mondragon Leal also exposed himself in front of the teen and forced the minor to perform sexual acts on him. Deputies also state that Mondragon Leal allegedly forced himself sexually on the 14-year-old boy.

When Independence of the Seas returned to PortMiami on Friday, March 21, 2025, both men were arrested in connection with the alleged crimes. According to the arrest report, the incident occurred aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

The arrest reports indicate both men are facing charges of “lewd and lascivious exhibition on a child and lewd and lascivious molestation of a child.” The two individuals are being held without bond in Miami following the arrests. 

Miami 10 Local News also reported that jail records show Mondragon Leal and Prudencio Diaz are on immigration holds. Legally, this means the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested that the local Miami jail hold the individuals in custody beyond their scheduled release so they can take be transferred into federal immigration custody. 

According to Miami 10 Local News, one of the prosecutors said in court, "The defendant, in this case, acting in concert with another defendant, they were both on a cruise. This shows that they tried to target a specific minor, and this could be done again."

In addition, Prudencio Diaz is facing a charge of not disclosing his HIV status with the victim. He is currently being held in the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami, Florida following the arrest.

Further, Mondragon Leal faces a count of child sexual battery and is currently being held in the Metrowest Detention Center in Miami, Florida. At this time, Royal Caribbean has not provided a statement about the incident. 

Currently, Independence of the Seas is sailing on a variety of round-trip itineraries from Miami, Florida to the Caribbean. Over the summer, Independence of the Seas will head to Europe and sail from Southampton, England. 

When the incident occurred, Independence of the Seas was sailing on a 4-night itinerary that departed from Miami, Florida on March 17, 2025. The ship visited ports of call in the Bahamas, including Nassau and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

According to the ship's itinerary, Independence of the Seas was at sea on Thursday, March 20, 2025 - the day the incident reportedly occurred.

Guests scheduled to sail with Celebrity Cruises have been informed that the cruise line is canceling planned visits to one of its private destinations in the Caribbean.

Celebrity Cruises has officially removed Labadee, Haiti from multiple itineraries, opting to replace the port stop with other Caribbean destinations. The decision affects several ships in the cruise line's fleet, and impacted itineraries include sailings throughout 2025 and 2026. 

Most of the impacted itineraries were aboard Celebrity Apex, although cruises on Celebrity Beyond and Celebrity Summit have also been adjusted to remove Haiti. In addition, Celebrity’s website no longer shows cruises with Labadee, Haiti as a destination. This potentially indicates a long-term decision to remove Labadee, Haiti as a Caribbean destination for Celebrity Cruises. 

Labadee, Haiti is a private destination owned and operated by Royal Caribbean in the Caribbean. The resort area is exclusively used by the cruise line and guarded by a private security force. Guests and crew members are not allowed to leave the secure area. Labadee is doubly fenced off from the surrounding area - and the cruise line maintains the private destination is safe and self-contained for tourists.

Even still, Haiti has been crippled by gang violence, political instability, and economic turmoil in the last year. In March 2024, unrest and violence in the country caused Royal Caribbean to temporarily suspend visits to Labadee, Haiti. Sailings did not resume until October 2024 - and the cruise line currently continues to visit the private destination.

Celebrity Cruises did not clarify why port stops in Labadee, Haiti would be removed from itineraries. Instead, the cruise line simply shared the change was made to improve the cruise experience for its guests.

For example, in emails sent to impacted guests on the August 17, 2025, sailing aboard Celebrity Beyond, the cruise line states, “We look forward to welcoming you aboard Celebrity Beyond. Before we set sail, please note this important update to our itinerary. To provide you with a better guest experience, we have made the decision to cancel our visit to Labadee, Haiti.”

Other emails available online show Celebrity Cruises used similar verbiage about the itinerary changes, only citing “to better guest experience” as the reasoning behind the cancellation. The impacted itineraries have been swapping Labadee, Haiti for other ports of call in the Caribbean, including Turks and Caicos, Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic), and George Town (Grand Cayman).

Interestingly, Royal Caribbean - which is owned by the same parent company - has not canceled stops to Labadee. This may suggest that Celebrity's itineraries to Labadee had lower demand, as any safety concerns to the private destination would likely apply to Royal Caribbean ships as well.

In addition, some of these impacted itineraries have additional changes to their sailings. For instance, the January 24, 2026 cruise for Celebrity Apex included an additional stop in Cozumel, Mexico. Similarly, the December 17, 2025 itinerary on Celebrity Summit will add a port stop in Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

Some guests have been vocal about their concerns regarding cruise visits to Labadee, Haiti. With the continued unrest, political instability, and violence in the country, some travelers feel uneasy about visiting the nation at this time. 

In November 2024, user @steverk commented on our site's forum about the evolving situation with Haiti. The cruiser stated, “I think this is out of hand. Whether or not you agree that going to Labadee is a security risk that should not be taken, it is a reasonable position. 3 aircraft have been hit by gunfire in the last week.”

“These direct attacks on Americans are a significant and recent escalation. Many people, who are not comfortable with the situation, are booked on cruises that are past the final payment date. They have only 2 options. Take an uncomfortable risk or cancel the cruise with no refund,” continued the poster.

The United States initially banned flights to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, in November 2024 after gangs opened fire and struck three separate commercial aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration has since extended the flight restriction, prohibiting U.S. flights to Haiti through September 2025.

Additionally, the United States has Haiti listed with a travel advisory of Level 4: Do Not Travel due to “kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and limited health care.”

However, Royal Caribbean maintains that Labadee, Haiti is safe for cruise visitors even amid the country’s turmoil. One guest, @pattycruise - who sailed aboard Explorer of the Seas in November 2024 - noted that many fellow passengers were voicing concerns about stopping in Labadee. Some even raised questions about how visiting a Level 4 advisory country might impact their travel insurance coverage.

To ease the concerns of guests, Royal Caribbean shared letters to passengers emphasizing the safety of Labadee, Haiti. In a letter shared online, the cruise line confirmed, “We are aware of the recent travel advisory in place for Haiti. Please know that the safety and security of our guests is our top priority.”

Royal Caribbean further explained, “In Labadee, we have our own security and controlled access, meaning that only Royal Caribbean employees and guests may enter. Kindly note that the civil unrest taking place in Port-au-Prince is 128 miles south of our private destination, Labadee.”

“The drive, on less-than-ideal road conditions, would take more than six and a half hours from Port-au-Prince to Labadee — equivalent to the drive time between New York City and Pittsburgh, Paris and Geneva, or Plymouth and Hull,” continued the letter to guests.

Royal Caribbean clarified, “Additionally, the U.S. Embassy has recognized Labadee as a cruise-exclusive area with private security, low crime, and a place where only standard precautions are needed. We continue to monitor the situation very closely alongside local authorities and our security team.”

Royal Caribbean is renowned for building some of the world’s biggest cruise ships over the last three decades. Just last year, the cruise line built the brand-new Icon of the Seas as the largest cruise ship in the world, soon to be followed by her sister-ship Star of the Seas this summer.

I love to cruise, but I prefer booking sailings with unique and interesting itineraries. I also cruise on a budget, normally opting for the cheapest cabins on the smallest, oldest ships. Because Oasis class ships are so massive, the vessels are port restricted and offer limited itineraries to choose from. Not to mention, these massive ships are typically more expensive than other options in the cruise line’s fleet.

Needless to say, I avoided sailing on Royal Caribbean’s biggest ships for many years. The gigantic size didn’t appeal to me, not to mention the itineraries seemed boring compared to other vessels. Instead, I cruised on some of the older vessels or Quantum-class ships with more exciting ports of call.

Last month, my husband and I had the opportunity to cruise with my family and grandparents aboard Utopia of the Seas. The 4-night cruise was modestly priced at $1,400 and included stops in Nassau, Bahamas, and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. It wasn’t the most exciting itinerary, but the dates worked well for us, and we could drive to the port. Utopia of the Seas just debuted in July 2024 - we were excited to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest ship.

Any cruise is a great vacation, but not everything was perfect during our sailing. There were some aspects of Utopia of the Seas that I loved, while other nuisances were frustrating and disappointing.

Royal Caribbean has a long-time history of building megaships

Beginning in 1988 with Sovereign of the Seas, Royal Caribbean set a precedent for building the world’s largest passenger cruise ships. As the first true megaship in the cruise industry, Sovereign of the Seas revolutionized ship design, more than doubling the size of the cruise line’s earlier vessels and paving the way for the future of cruising.

In 2009, Royal Caribbean built Oasis of the Seas as the first in a new ship class. The 225,282 gross ton cruise ship was 40% bigger than anything the cruise line had built before - it was a monumental achievement.

Oasis of the Seas was the first passenger ship to surpass 220,000 gross tons in terms of size. Royal Caribbean also debuted the first neighborhood concept on Oasis of the Seas, which was meant to make navigation easier onboard the massive vessel. New areas and features included an open-aired Central Park, an aft-facing Boardwalk, the first zip line at sea, and the first-ever aqua amphitheater.

It’s easy to see how Oasis class ships shaped the history of cruise design, forcing competitor cruise lines to build bigger ships too. Today, most of the mainstream cruise lines operate their own 200,000+ GT megaships.

When Oasis of the Seas first debuted, I was only 14 years old and in high school. I wanted so badly to sail on this brand-new ship for our annual family cruise, but the cost was too high. As our family focused more on port-intensive and unique itineraries, our interest in Oasis class ships dried up.

Because of their sheer size, port options are limited, and tendering is impossible for this ship class; therefore, itineraries were repetitive.

It wasn’t until 2018 that I sailed on an Oasis class ship, Allure of the Seas, for the first time. I was blown away by the amenities and state-of-the-art technology. I still have fond memories of watching the Mamma Mia musical!

Later, I sailed Harmony of the Seas in February 2022, right after the pandemic. The ship was sailing at half capacity, so we didn’t need to worry about crowds or lines. This was a skewed experience though, and we greatly enjoyed the quieter ambiance onboard.

Although I’ve cruised over 50 times, I have rarely sailed on an Oasis class ship. My husband and I were excited to cruise on Utopia of the Seas for the first time, which would be my husband’s first time on an Oasis class ship!

To start, the price was quite high for a 4-night cruise

I’m always looking for a good deal when I book my cruises. My husband and I decided only a few months prior that we wanted to join my parents and grandparents on this cruise. While they had booked balcony cabins for $1,300 the year before, we ended up paying $1,500 for an interior cabin.

We don’t mind booking a cheap interior stateroom, but it was disappointing to pay more than my parents. Because Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s newer ship, demand drives up the prices.

This means we spent $750 per person for a 4-night cruise, or $187 each night. This includes port fees and gratuities for both of us. We also opted to pay slightly more to select our stateroom location instead of reserving a guaranteed cabin.

Our cabin was thoughtfully designed, and we didn’t mind saving money by booking the cheapest stateroom

Sailing on a brand-new cruise ship means your cabin will be the largest and greatest stateroom design. After sailing on older and smaller ships for quite some time, we appreciated the modern amenities incorporated in this design.

First, the stateroom was spacious and didn’t feel too cramped. We loved having a couch for additional seating - something that other competitor cruise lines have slowly phased out.

The bathroom was also thoughtfully designed. It was apparent that Royal Caribbean reduced the width of the sink and vanity to expand the shower size. My husband and I are both tall, so this extra space made all the difference.

We also noticed how many chargers and outlets were available. The vanity featured a row of outlets and USB ports while the nightstands each had an outlet and USB-C port to use. With so many outlets, I didn’t even need to use my outlet extender.

Our cabin on Deck 9 was also very quiet. Utopia of the Seas is so large that we were situated in a block on interior staterooms towards the back of the ship. The stateroom was surrounded by five other interior cabins! I’m always worried about noisy neighbors, and having many different neighbors could make for a noisy cabin. Luckily, this wasn’t the case for us.

Embarkation day was hectic, and I hated having to make so many reservations

After boarding in Port Canaveral, the first task on our agenda was to make reservations for specialty dining and shows. We attempted to make reservations in the weeks leading up to our cruise, but continued to get errors. The app would show availability, but fail when we attempted to actually book anything.

We had a group of eight people traveling together, which made it more difficult to reserve the headliner shows. My mom beelined for the box office after we made it onboard, and was met with hundreds of other people doing the same.

My husband and I were in charge of reserving specialty dining. With our Diamond Plus benefits, we didn’t want to pay beforehand for a reservation and not receive our BOGO perk. There were few options available for Chops Grille and Giovanni’s, but we secured two reservations that fit our schedule.

Unfortunately, my mom didn’t have much luck with reserving the shows. She waited in a long line without success. Instead, I went on the app and found seats available for all of the late-night shows, including the ice show and diving spectacle.

This was one of my least favorite parts of sailing on an Oasis class ship. With so many people onboard trying to see the same shows, you either need a reservation or you wait in a long standby line. This made me appreciate the smaller vessels where you don’t need to fret about reservations. It’s frustrating to pay thousands of dollars and still worry that you won’t be able to see the headliner production shows.

We also hated dealing with crowds and long lines, especially on embarkation day

The first few hours of a cruise are more hectic, as you need to complete your mandatory safety drill and find your stateroom. When these aren’t available until the afternoon, no one has a place to go, and everyone instead wanders around the ship.

I couldn’t believe the sheer number of people crowding into the promenade and the Windjammer! Of course, going to the buffet on the first day of the cruise is one of the worst things you can do for crowding. Everyone heads up to the Windjammer Buffet for lunch on the first day.

Not to mention, Utopia of the Seas offers fresh lobster for lunch on embarkation day. This only entices people further to visit the buffet instead of utilizing other included venues.

Navigating the crowds and stuffy buffet was my least favorite part of the cruise. We were attempting to find a table for my grandma, who uses a walker, and this was a nightmare. Next time, I would even consider booking a specialty dining option for lunch to avoid the crowds.

Sailing on an Oasis class ship means you’ll have more options for dining, which was a highlight for us

This cruise was a special occasion for our family, as we were celebrating my grandpa’s 90th birthday. After a few months of health scares with him, we didn’t know if he would be able to join this cruise.

Because we were celebrating, we decided to splurge and book two evenings at specialty dining. These for-charge restaurants offer an elevated experience with more attentive service, higher quality food, and fewer crowds.

We booked Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen for the first night, and we received our own private table in the back of the restaurant. This was such a nice surprise, especially considering my grandpa is hard of hearing. It was easy to have a conversation with the quieter ambiance. The two-story venue overlooked the ship’s aft - it was one of the most beautiful specialty dining venues I’ve seen on a ship!

The food was fantastic, too. We gorged on burrata salad, truffle pizza, creamy carbonara, tender filet, and fried Nutella ravioli. This was our favorite meal of the cruise!

The following night, we dined at Chops Grille in Central Park. We rarely book two specialty dining meals on a short cruise, but Utopia of the Seas had so many enticing options that we couldn’t resist!

We greatly enjoyed this meal as well, especially when my grandpa gave a touching toast to the table that brought tears to everyone’s eyes. The service was very attentive, and the ambiance was quiet and intimate.

Finally, we also wanted to try the Mason Jar - which is Royal Caribbean’s first specialty dining option for brunch. My sister raved about her meal here over the summer, so we booked a brunch slot for the last day. Unfortunately, this was our least favorite of the specialty dining experiences.

We enjoyed some of the entrees, such as the gooey cinnamon roll and the southern burger, while others fell flat, including the chicken and waffles. The cocktails were a highlight though, and I would return just to the bar for the craft drinks on the menu!

Considering we paid nearly $50 per person with gratuity, I would skip this restaurant in the future.

Along with specialty restaurants, Utopia of the Seas features a plethora of complimentary restaurants as well. For instance, we enjoyed the fresh Mexican cuisine at El Loco Fresh and breakfast at Johnny Rockets (although dinner and lunch are not included here).

The entertainment was also spectacular and some of the best I’ve seen at sea

In the last few years, it’s been evident that most cruise lines are cutting back on entertainment to save on costs. For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line has cut all of their Broadway shows, while Carnival Cruise Line is relying heavily on game shows for entertainment these days.

I appreciate that Royal Caribbean is still pushing the boundaries and prioritizing entertainment on their newest ships. Two of the standout shows on Utopia of the Seas include Aqua80Too, a high-diving show in the Aquatheatre, and Youtopia, an ice skating spectacle with Olympic-style stunts.

The Aqua80Too show was undoubtedly the highlight, featuring gravity-defying dives, synchronized swimming, and breathtaking performances. The music, production, and overall execution were absolutely spectacular.

The main theatre also features a well-done show called All In. The show incorporated incredible technological effects and lighting, which was memorizing. The music was varied too with some modern hits, which I loved!

My husband and I finished the cruise with a late-night comedian, which is always a lighthearted way to end the night. Both comedians were extremely funny - we laughed so much it brought tears to our eyes!

I loved all of the themed bars and lounges on Utopia of the Seas

Each evening of our cruise, our family gathered before dinner to enjoy happy hour. This is one of my grandpa’s favorite activities of the day — he claims a glass of bourbon each day is his secret to a long life!

There is certainly no shortage of bars or lounges on the ship. In fact, Utopia of the Seas has 23 bars across its various neighborhoods, serving up cocktails, wine, beer, and other spirits. Some of the bars are more exclusive to the brand-new ship, such as the Pesky Parrot, while others are Royal Caribbean staples, like the Schooner Bar.

One of our favorite bars to visit was the Pesky Parrot, which is a new tiki bar specializing in tropical, fruity cocktails with exotic decor. Another favorite spot on the pool deck was the Lime and Coconut bar, where I could enjoy my favorite Lime & Coconut cocktail!

Even with thousands of guests sailing, the bar service was surprisingly fast. We never waited too long for a drink and the bartenders were attentive.

I’m not rushing to book another Oasis class ship, but I would sail again

While we had a great time on our quick getaway cruise with family, my husband and I aren’t in a hurry to book another trip on an Oasis class ship. We still prefer smaller vessels and have recently found ourselves drawn more to Celebrity Cruises. Their Edge class ships strike the perfect balance - innovative, modern, luxurious, and ideally sized - all while sailing to fascinating destinations.

I’m happy to see Royal Caribbean sailing shorter itineraries aboard their newer ships, as most cruise lines used to sail their oldest and smallest ships on these sailings. Royal Caribbean recently announced that most Oasis class ships will be sailing shorter itineraries in the near future!

I would happily book Utopia of the Seas again for a quick getaway cruise, as the ship is more of a destination in itself. There was so much to do, see, and eat that we nearly ran out of time to try it all.