Cruise ships are always evolving, including how to power them.

In a world growing more aware of the importance of protecting the environment, cruise lines are holding themselves to a higher standard.

Royal Caribbean has its own net zero carbon emission goals, and its newest cruise ships rely on new fuel sources to power them.  They're even using biofuels on some ships, as well as launching the first waste-to-energy system on a cruise ship.

However, the work isn't complete and the ultimate goal of a clean burning fuel unreached.

At a Q&A session on the 2024 President's Cruise, a passenger named Bridget asked, "What is the top thing Royal Caribbean is working on towards [its] environmental impact?"

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told passengers that the cruise line is committed to sustainability, but can't rely on solutions that don't yet exist.

He was honest about where Royal Caribbean succeeds environmentally and where it needs work.

Royal Caribbean works with the latest research it has at the time 

Michael Bayley explained Royal Caribbean's commitment and mindset regarding the environment.

"Everything that we do is put through that lens of trying to be as sensible as we can buy new ships, for example; Icon, Utopia, Star."

Icon of the Seas launched in January of 2024, Utopia of the Seas will have its first voyage in July of 2024, and Star of the Seas is set to arrive in the summer of 2025.

Royal Caribbean has focused on making its new ships as environmentally friendly as possible in tandem with new research providing information.

The three new ships were all made with hybrid engines and can run on a combination of typical marine fuel and LNG (liquified natural gas).

LNG is considered more environmentally friendly because, according to Mr. Bayley, it's about 24% better in carbon footprint than marine fuel.

"We are committed to making the journey to carbon neutrality," he said.

"Over time, we set goals for 2030."

Read more: Royal Caribbean's next-gen cruise ship will advance goal of creating sustainable cruising

Although LNG is considered better for the environment, it's not perfect.

Liquified natural gas has also been criticized for leaking when it's transferred between tanks.

"When decisions are made on building ships, they're made with the information that's available at the time. And of course, the information at the time when we signed contracts to build ships is different from how it looks today," Michael Bayley said. 

Although Royal Caribbean builds its new ships with the newest technology they're aware of, the information changes from year to year.

Cruise ships can be built in 18-12 months, but they take years to come to fruition. Icon of the Seas, for example, was conceived before 2016 and finally launched in 2024.

With these long timelines, information can change over the years.

"In five years, how we do this is going to look different as well," Mr. Bayley continued.

"There is no magical fuel"

The biggest issue for cruise ship sustainability is fuel. Cruise ships use a massive amount of fuel to power their journeys and amenities onboard.

Michael Bayley touched on this during the Q&A: "The big question is, what is the future fuel for all of this transportation? It's still unknown."

Transportation industries such as cargo ships and airlines are investing in the issue and attempting to find a solution, but there's still not a perfectly sustainable option.

"There is no magical fuel," Mr. Bayley said, and he believes "that's the formula for success in the future."

Five to ten years ago, LNG was viewed as the solution to creating a more sustainable fuel. But now it's not considered the best option.

Read more: Which Royal Caribbean ships are powered by LNG?

Mr. Bayley also addressed other options that are still being developed, such as methanol and fuel cells.

He didn't make a mention of the new biofuel Royal Caribbean has been testing on its ships.

However, none of these options are viable for cruise ships yet. 

The entire marine industry is working on a solution

And before you consider boycotting cruise ships for their lack of sustainable fuel, it's important to consider the big picture.

When it comes to environmental issues, Mr. Bayley pointed out that the whole world "is on the same journey" to carbon neutrality.

Many governments and industries are working on the question of sustainable transportation.

Nearly everything we consume in the Western world has arrived by cargo ship, powered by typical marine fuel.

"80% of everything we consume comes on containers," Mr. Bayley said. "The cars we drive, the clothes we wear, the water we drink."

Typically, these items come by ship or rail, so there's no getting away from the question of carbon-neutral fuel.

Fuel is a big question for the entire marine industry, and Royal Caribbean is committed to figuring out a sustainable answer.

"I can assure you we're committed to that," Mr. Bayley told passengers on the President's Cruise. 

"We are working diligently, not only as a company but [also] within the industry and within the larger sector of the maritime industry, which is vast."

He also urged listeners to check out Royal Caribbean's sustainability report on the website, which describes all of the cruise line's efforts in detail.

Royal Caribbean has more sustainable waste management than cities on land

Royal Caribbean understands its responsibility to the environment and has done an excellent job at managing waste onboard its ships.

Just 7% of the waste onboard Royal Caribbean ships ends up in the landfill. 

The rest is recycled, incinerated, or turned into purified water that can be dumped in the ocean.

"I would challenge any city in Europe or the world to have a better, more advanced technology than we have onboard," Mr. Bayley said.

"Now, if you went home and understood how much of your waste is going into a landfill, I'm going to bet it's a lot more than 7%."

According to the Trash in America report by Frontier Group, 52.6% of trash in the United States is thrown in landfills or otherwise combusted without energy recovery.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships will convert waste to energy

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

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

Photo by Port Canaveral

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

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

Royal Caribbean News

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

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

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Boarding the world’s newest cruise ship: 7 hours on Utopia of the Seas — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean's private beach club in Mexico looks stunning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

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

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

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

The Ultimate World Cruise has garnered a viral amount of attention, and it won't be Royal Caribbean's last.

The 9-month cruise around the world is set to visit 65 countries, more than 150 destinations, and 11 Great Wonders of the World.

The sailing started in December of 2023 and will end on September 10th, 2024.

As of July 11th, the cruise is 213 days into sailing, and Royal Caribbean has already announced its intention for another.

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO, spoke of the world cruise during a Q&A session on the 2024 President's Cruise.

A cruiser named Mel asked if there would ever be another world cruise: "Is it going to be part of Royal Caribbean's offerings going forward?"

Mr. Bayley applauded the cruise as "a fantastic adventure" and explained what it would take for Royal Caribbean to do another.

Read more: I'm going on Royal Caribbean's first world cruise for 274 nights: Why I booked and what I'm expecting

The Ultimate World Cruise has been "a great success"

Michael Bayley started his response by praising the line's first World Cruise.

"First of all, I think the World Cruise has been a fantastic, unbelievable product for Royal Caribbean to launch and operate. I think it has been a great success."

While this wasn't the first world cruise, this is the first time that Royal Caribbean has done one, making it one of the only big and well-known cruise lines to do so.

Mr. Bayley believes the spirit of the World Cruise is similar to that of Royal Caribbean International itself.

"It's like the ultimate adventure to me," he said. "I applaud and admire everybody who took the Ultimate World Cruise. What a fantastic adventure, once in a lifetime."

What makes the World Cruise so exciting is that it sails around the world, taking passengers to every continent on the planet.

The sailing represents excitement, adventure, and exploration—concepts similar to the cruise line's brand.

Royal Caribbean prides itself on onboard thrills, exciting itineraries, and thrilling vacations, appealing to adventurous travelers and committed cruisers.

"You sail around the world for nine months, and you've got all these incredible places," Mr. Bayley said.

For guests who seek to explore the world on a cruise ship, the Ultimate World Cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see 65 countries.

In addition to the excitement ingrained in such a sailing, this year's World Cruise has garnered a significant amount of attention.

Since its departure, the sailing has gone viral on social media, with cruisers onboard depicting their own "reality series" about life onboard.

Even Mel, the cruiser who asked the question on the President's Cruise, described the sailing as "a massive success in terms of branding and marketing."

Read more: Royal Caribbean's 9-month world cruise is getting attention for "drama", but it's nothing new

Royal Caribbean wants to do another one, despite the challenges involved

Despite the great success of the World Cruise, Royal Caribbean found it a challenging endeavor.

"My team thinks it sucks," Michael Bayley joked, "because it's been extremely complicated and massively expensive."

Read more: A passenger on the 9-month cruise is halfway done and lists what they like and don't like about the trip so far

Mel referenced some of the issues the cruise has faced in her question.

"Some things haven't gone to plan, specifically with the circumnavigation of Africa, and obviously that would come with a massive cost to the organization."

After geopolitical issues in the area of the Red Sea, Royal Caribbean chose to circumvent the area and change "Segment 3" of the voyage.

Passengers voted to sail an "Immersive Africa" experience instead, sailing around the continent of Africa before arriving at the Mediterranean Sea.

The Ultimate World Cruise has also been host to flooding onboard, canceled ports in South America, and the unfortunate death of a passenger onboard.

In addition to changing the cruise itinerary, Royal Caribbean also refunded passengers 25% off their Segment 3 cruise fare. Passengers who didn't want to sail the new itinerary could also receive a full refund for the segment.

Because of these issues, cruising has been an expensive labor for the cruise line.

Mr. Bayley said the management team had to debate the idea of another one. However, despite initial hesitation, Royal Caribbean will do another Ultimate World Cruise.

"The question is when?" Mr. Bayley continued. "We don't know when that is."

Another challenge the World Cruise has presented is that the cruise needs to take place on a different ship, Mr. Bayley says.

"The ship that we picked is a great ship, but we need a ship with more outside staterooms."

The World Cruise is currently taking place on Serenade of the Seas, a Radiance class ship that was launched in 2003 and enhanced in 2012.

Serenade has 1,073 guest staterooms in total, with 61 suites, 517 balconies, 246 oceanview rooms, and 249 inside cabins.

The line's newer ships have a higher percentage of balcony staterooms, so Mr. Bayley believes the cruise line should switch to a newer ship for the World Cruise.

However, it's also not practical to put such a comprehensive itinerary on a big ship, so the cruise would have to take place on a newer, but smaller vessel.

Read more: 12 differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships

The next Ultimate World Cruise could be on a new Class

One solution could be for the cruise line to schedule the World Cruise on a Voyager-Class ship.

The Voyager Class is a small class of vessels that debuted in 1999, and runs slightly larger than the Radiance Class.

Not every port can accommodate bigger ships, so a smaller vessel can bring passengers to even more ports worldwide.

However, another option could be to organize it on a new class of ship.

"We're also still working on a new Class of ship," Michael Bayley hinted on the President's Cruise. "So we're trying to figure it out."

Royal Caribbean has hinted at the possibility of creating a new, smaller class of ship.

Calling the idea "Project Discovery," the cruise line wants to update its smaller cruise ships and allow passengers to travel to more ports.

The Captain of Radiance of the Seas commented that the new class of ship would be around the size of the Radiance Class, which have the capacity for around 2,500-2,700 passengers.

When this new line is launched, these ships could be a great option for the Ultimate World Cruise.

They'll be able to travel to more distant ports while also offering a wider selection of cabin categories.

Read more: Why you shouldn't avoid older and smaller cruise ships

While the Royal Caribbean CEO and President didn't give any more details, he ended his comments by assuring cruisers that the World Cruise is here to stay.

"We're going to do another ultimate world cruise, and when we're ready, we'll announce it," he said. "But we need time and we need to find some solutions to make it work for everybody."

Some Royal Caribbean fans have asked for an all-inclusive cruise, but it's not in the cards for the line.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, told passengers on this year's President's Cruise that the cruise line wouldn't offer an all-inclusive pricing.

While on the 2024 President's Cruise, Mr. Bayley took to the stage to answer questions posed by cruisers hailing from all over the world.

One cruiser, Gail from Australia, asked if cruises would switch to blanket pricing.

"I've heard a rumor that the pricing structure for cruising in America is going to be changed to an all-inclusive pricing structure," she said. "Is that correct?"

Mr. Bayley dismissed the rumor and replied that it was not.

Royal Caribbean wants its experience to remain adjustable

An all-inclusive cruise would mean that more aspects of the total cruise experience would be included in the base fare, such as beverage packages, specialty dining, and Wi-Fi.

Mr. Bayley assured cruisers that "Royal Caribbean is not going in that direction."

"I don't think we have any plans to roll it all up into one price," he said.

The cruise line has found from research that the brand needs to give everyone the decision of what they want to be included in their vacation.

"Because of the scale of our brand, we need to give everybody the choice," Mr. Bayley stated.

To appeal to its wide audience of cruisers who hail from all over the world and span many generations, the cruise experience should be adjustable for every individual.

For example, about 52% of Royal Caribbean's guests love the beverage package, but 48% don't.

The average cost of Royal Caribbean's most popular drink package is around $65 to $115 per person per day, depending on the sailing.

If Royal Caribbean switched to all-inclusive pricing, it would force 48% of customers (including families and children) to pay for a drink package they won't use.

Read more: Things I Don't Pay Extra for on Royal Caribbean Cruises To Save Money

Instead, the cruise line wants to focus on an affordable price and value for all cruisers. Then, "If you want to buy stuff, buy it. If you don't, don't."

With the current pricing structure, it's easy for cruisers to simply add the products they want, and not pay for anything they don't want to.

In January 2024, Mr. Bayley said keeping the choice of what extras to buy is better for the cruise line's core customers, "We've learned that unbundling is much easier and better for the guest. It also gets the price point in front of the customer, especially for families. And remember family is our is our real core target market."

"When you unbundle everything, it gives people choice and it pushes the pricing closer to their budget, which is a really important thing for families," he continued.

"We feel like the pricing strategy that we have on the bundling, unbundling is the right path to go."

Gratuities won't be included in the base fare, either

When asked if gratuities would ever be included in the base fare or the cost of services onboard, Mr. Bayley said it wouldn't happen, either. 

He explained that another reason for separating pricing is the different cultures around service.

For much of the world, tipping is not a part of the culture and isn't expected by locals.

In the United States, however, tipping is considered normal, even expected.

Bayley, who's lived in the U.S. for decades, joked, "You're just you're trained to tip for everything. You tip for this, tip for that."

"I'm Americanized, [so] when I go to the UK and I go to the pub with my sister and we have drinks, they bring the change and she puts it in her pocket. And I'm like, what is the matter with you?"

Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: What you should and shouldn't do

While gratuities are required on a Royal Caribbean cruise, they are charged separately from the total fare.

Guests can choose to prepay gratuities before the cruise or to have them added to their onboard account and settled at the end of the cruise.

As of July 2024, the current daily gratuity is $18 per passenger in standard cabins and $20.50 per passenger in Suites (Grand Suite and above).

Instead of including tips within the total cruise fare, Royal Caribbean is transparent about the cost and gives guests the option to decide when to pay it.

The cruiser was referring to the California "Honest Pricing Law"

Royal Caribbean isn't including add-ons in the cruise price, but taxes and fees are now displayed in the total cost.

The cruiser who posed the question implied that cruises in the United States would be changing to a blanket pricing plan.

"I've heard a rumor that the pricing structure for cruising in America is going to be changed to an all-inclusive pricing structure," she said. 

It's possible the reason Gail believed all-inclusive pricing was going to become the norm for U.S. cruisers was the recent pricing law that went into effect.

Senate Bill 478 went into effect on July 1st. 

Also called the "Honest Pricing Law," this bill now requires businesses to include the cost of extra fees within the listed price.

For cruise lines, this means that fares will look a little higher, as they now include the total cost of taxes and fees.

Michael Bayley explained this during the Q&A session: "When we present the price to you, it has to be an all-inclusive price of what you're going to pay for, which means it has to include taxes and fees."

"It's basically a change in the American market. And I think it makes sense, I think."

However, this merely involves including the price of fees. Royal Caribbean still will not have a blanket pricing structure that includes items like the Internet, specialty drinks, gratuities, and spa services.

What's included in my Royal Caribbean cruise fare?

Despite the separate charges, a cruise fare actually includes quite a lot.

Looking at everything that is still included in the base fare, a Royal Caribbean cruise can come at great value.

Amenities that are included in the base fare on every ship include:

• Stateroom accommodations and private bathroom
• Stateroom attendance and daily cleanings (twice a day for suites)
• Dining venues such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer
• Beverages like coffee, tea, juice, and milk
• Room service continental breakfast
• Children's programming at Adventure Ocean
• Teen hangout areas and programming
• Entertainment such as musicals, live comedy, and magic shows  
• Many onboard activities 
• Sports centers and classic activities
• Access to the fitness center
• Pools, hot tubs, and sun decks

Guests also have the option to choose to purchase extra add-ons as part of their vacation. 

These can be purchased on the online Cruise Planner before the cruise or onboard during the cruise. Some amenities require reservations or prior payment, while others do not.

Read more: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included

Cruise amenities that cost extra include:

• Specialty restaurants
• Beverage packages
• Alcoholic drinks
• Specialty coffee
• Gratuities
• Souvenirs
• Spa treatments
• Salon services
• Room service
• Onboard photos
• Shore excursions
• Internet
• Fitness classes
• Select times at Adventure Ocean
• Arcade games
• Casino 
• The Key
• Medical services
• Laundry and dry-cleaning
• Airport or hotel transfers
• Artwork auctions
• Ship-to-shore phone calls

Royal Caribbean has no intention to bundle these amenities into the base cost of a cruise.

Royal Caribbean just revealed everything that will be new and different on Utopia of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's latest iteration in the Oasis Class will sail mainly weekend and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral. The idea is to offer the ultimate weekend vacation.

Despite Utopia being the sixth ship within the Oasis Class, there are still a lot of tweaks, changes, and additions to this ship.

As the newest ship in the fleet, Utopia of the Seas exhibits a lot of changes that prove how the cruise line is always improving its vessels.

The 5,668-passenger ship features an exhilarating display of amenities, from thrilling waterslides to the brand-new immersive train car dining experience.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, introduced Utopia's additions and changes during a webinar today.

Here are the top differences you can expect to find on Utopia of the Seas.

First-ever outdoor seating for Giovanni's

Jay Schneider called Utopia's Giovanni's "the best in the fleet."

Taking the place of a two-story Wonderland on Decks 11 and 12, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar will be the first specialty restaurant to have outdoor seating.

"What we're probably most excited about is our outdoor alfresco," Schneider said.

The outdoor seating will be perched over the Boardwalk.

Double the hibachi and an expanded Izumi

Utopia of the Seas will also have an expanded Izumi, allowing for double the hibachi capacity.

During the webinar, Jay Schneider shared that Izumi "will have double the hibachi, a new omakase, and an expanded sushi experience."

The Izumi in the Park takeout window, first introduced on Icon of the Seas, will also be featured in Central Park.

Guests will be able to grab sushi and ice cream directly from this window.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

The Pesky Parrot is replacing the Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean is ending the Bionic Bar in its Oasis Class ships.

"It was really fun and novel when it came out, [but] the Bionic Bar is ten-plus years old," Schneider explained.

Plus, human bartenders can make nearly 40 times the amount of drinks robotic ones can in the same time period.

Instead, Royal Caribbean has introduced a reimagined tiki bar in a classic Floridan style.

Schneider called it a "really fun, highly interactive, loud, vibrant" experience.

Additionally, there will be a real parrot inside the bar! Guests are encouraged to go inside and meet "Brian the drunk parrot."

Expanding Park Café

Park Café continues to evolve. Royal Caribbean is expanding the complimentary venue's hours and food offerings.

The concept will be blended even closer into Central Park.

Multi-story Lime and Coconut Bar

Royal Caribbean wanted to continue to develop its open decks on Utopia of the Seas.

"Utopia's open deck will be the best in class," Schneider said.

To this end, the Lime and Coconut will be taken to a new level, with a multi-story design and access from both the forward and aft ends. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for its new mega cruise ship

Expanded Sprinkles

Pool-goers love grabbing ice cream cones at Sprinkles, the complimentary ice cream venue located near the pool deck.

On Utopia of the Seas, this area is also getting an upgrade.

The area has an improved, larger design, and Royal Caribbean is introducing sprinkles on the ice cream for the first time.

Finally, Sprinkles will have sprinkles!

The Spare Tire

Based on guest feedback, Royal Caribbean wanted to add more complimentary food close to the pool and the open deck.

On Icon of the Seas, the AquaDome Market was introduced.

In the case of Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribean is adding The Spare Tire, the line's first food-truck-style eatery.

According to Schneider, "In addition to El Loco Fresh, there will be great complimentary food handed out from The Spare Tire right on the open deck."

Extended Ultimate Abyss to remain the largest dry slide at sea

To stake its claim as the largest dry slide at sea, the Ultimate Abyss has been extended 43 feet.

In addition to that, designers have made the slide even more thrilling. 

Passengers will feel like they're flying right into the Boardwalk before they turn at the last minute.

Redesigned Vitality Spa and Salon

Utopia of the Seas will have a reimagined Vitality Spa.

"We've really elevated the design," and Schneider says the cruise line is very excited about it.

The salon area will also have a new design.

Upgraded destination elevators

Cruisers love the destination elevators as a solution to crowding on giant cruise ships.

This computer-assigned alternative ensures that the elevator doesn't stop on every single floor.

The destination elevators were a popular addition on Icon of the Seas, and have been confirmed as available on Utopia as well. 

Solarium suites

Solarium suites are brand-new staterooms coming to Utopia of the Seas, located above the bridge wings on the ship.

Each suite has 270-degree views of the ocean, essentially the same view the captain gets.

Whether at sea or pulling into ports, guests will have that amazing, sweeping sea view from both the bedroom and the main living area.

The Royal Bling store

There will be a Royal Bling store on Utopia, but it won't be its own dedicated space like on Icon of the Seas.

Instead, Royal Bling will be a niche located inside the Effy store.

Icon of the Seas introduced the Royal Bling product as a way to offer special Royal Caribbean jewelry.

The Royal Railway—Utopia Station

Royal Caribbean guests love a classic dinner and a show, or what Jay Schneider likes to call "eatertainment."

To appeal to this desire and bring something unique to Utopia, designers came up with the idea to bring a train car dining experience to the ship.

"What if we put a train on a cruise ship that could take you to more destinations?"

This brand-new dining experience will be a completely immersive adventure.

Guests will receive a real train ticket in their stateroom, which they must bring to the dining venue.

The area has a classic train station platform, with separately numbered dining cars, and real train steam.

Schneider explained that the goal is to blend entertaining performances with amazing culinary dishes.

Passengers will be able to interact with actors dressed up as Wild West characters.

Once the train leaves the station, guests won't be able to "board" their car, so you'll have to show up on time.

Everyone will be called "all aboard," and the train will leave the station, immersing guests in gorgeous Wild West scenery.

Royal Caribbean won't be moving the goal posts back in terms of reaching its highest loyalty tiers.

Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program, the Crown and Anchor Society, has many tiers, and some cruisers are concerned with how many members are now reaching the top tiers.

One point is gained per night of cruising (or double points for suite and solo guests).

To reach the highest tier, the Pinnacle Club level, cruisers need to have 700 points.

Especially now that Royal Caribbean matches loyalty statuses between its three cruise lines, some cruisers believe that there are too many Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members in the fleet.

During a Q&A during this year's President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas, one passenger asked if the cruise line would ever raise requirements to make it more difficult to hit the upper most echelons of the Crown and Anchor Society.

Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, who was fielding questions at the event, answered that there is no plan to do so.

Royal Caribbean will not make it more difficult to reach the top tier of the Crown and Anchor Society 

During the Q&A sessions, Amy Weber from Missouri shared that she and her husband reached Diamond Plus during the President's cruise.

"There's concern about Royal raising the qualification for those loyalty levels going forward," she said.

"What do you know about the plans for the loyalty program modifications?"

Mr. Bayley answered that Royal Caribbean has "no plans to do that."

"We're not planning on doing that," he maintained.

Royal Caribbean's requirements for the Diamond Plus and Pinnacle tiers will remain the same.

Read more: Pathway to Pinnacle: How I reached the top of Royal Caribbean’s Loyalty Program

To reach the Diamond Plus level, cruisers need 175 points. To reach Pinnacle, guests need to have a total of 700 points.

Royal Caribbean will not be changing these numbers.

The only requirements that have changed recently are within the loyalty match program.

If a cruiser has 500 Venetian Society Days, the highest level in the Silversea Cruises loyalty program, they will automatically be granted the Pinnacle Club level in the Crown and Anchor Society.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new loyalty match program. I missed having drink vouchers, but it saved me hundreds of dollars

Are there too many Pinnacle members?

According to Amy Weber, many cruisers are concerned about Royal Caribbean changing the Pinnacle requirements.

This is because some believe there are too many members in the program's highest tiers.

"We have interacted with a lot of other loyal Royal Caribbean cruisers, and I've heard some grumbling about how many Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members there are," she explained.

Michael Bayley also spoke to this point when he answered her question.

"Sometimes we get these comments," he said, "and they're valid comments [but] they're often based upon certain sailings."

Looking at specific sailings packed with more Pinnacle and Diamond Plus members can lead guests to believe that there are an extreme amount of members.

However, Mr. Bayley clarified that on "90% of the sailings, it's just not true."

"You can go on many of our ships many times and there are only a few Pinnacle members sailing with us."

Certain sailings have a higher number of exclusive loyalty cruisers, such as Trans-Atlantic, Trans-Pacific, and President's cruises.

Mr. Bayley pointed out that longer sailings tend to have more Pinnacle members as well. 

"It's logical because as you get to Pinnacle, you're typically getting older." And since older people are usually retiring, they have more time for longer cruises. 

There are no official numbers as to how many Pinnacle members there are, but Mr. Bayley put it into perspective during the Q&A session.

"In the grand scheme of how many people sail with us, next year 7 million guests will sail with Royal Caribbean International. So sometimes it feels like a lot [of Pinnacle members], but it's not."

Michael Bayley says Royal Caribbean is making "extremely positive changes" to loyalty program

As he fielded questions about Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, Mr. Bayley also emphasized the impact the Royal Caribbean Group unification has had.

By unifying all the loyalty programs within the Royal Caribbean Group family, the cruise line is making several changes to the programs.

Mr. Bayley said that he believes these changes are "extremely positive."

"It makes it so much easier for you to move between brands and, depending upon lifestyle choices, you can stay within the family and get all of the benefits you've earned over time."

Some great improvements have been made within the Crown and Anchor Society, and, according to Michael Bayley, "there's a lot more planned over the next few years."

Read more: 8 things you might not know about Royal Caribbean’s CEO

The cruise line is currently investing in new technology to bring it all together.

Within the next few years, cruisers can expect to "feel happier with the loyalty program."

Mr. Bayley said to look forward to improvements in the accessibility of information and the way the Crown and Anchor Society is presented to guests.

What benefits do Pinnacle members get?

The Pinnacle tier of the Crown and Anchor Society features many valuable benefits for its members.

These include:

• 50% off any glass of wine, beer, or soda (2 coupons per sailing)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (2 coupons per sailing, on select ships)
• Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
• 25% Discount on any glass of wine, beer, or soda
• Buy a specialty restaurant dinner and receive one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee beverage (excludes Starbucks)
• Priority waitlist seating request in the Main Dining Room
• 6 Complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Purchase a specialty restaurant dinner cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise and enjoy complimentary dining for the second guest
• 40% Discount on Deluxe Beverage Packages
• Coastal Kitchen access
• $25 off specialty dining on 5+ nights (Oasis & Quantum class only)
• Exclusive daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant
• Free Unlimited surf and stream Internet access for 1 device only for the length of your voyage
• Exclusive Top Tier Event on 5+ night sailings 
• Priority waitlist for Shore Excursions and Vitality Spa services
• Exclusive Backstage Tour on 5+ night sailings
• Crown Lounge access with nightly happy hour
• Priority access and seating at Theater, Ice show, and AquaTheater events
• Cheers with an Officer on 7+ night sailings
• Suite/Concierge Lounge access
• Flexible arrival
• $6 Casino Royale FreePlay
• Buy a bingo package and receive 6 free Jackpot cards
• Robes for use onboard (delivered upon request)
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• $10 Discount on $34.99 wash and fold laundry bag on 5+ nights
• 3 Complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• Stateroom phone discount rate of $2 per minute
• Chef’s Choice on 5+ nights
• Personalized gift/amenity (per household)
• One Free $34.99 wash and fold bag on 5+ Nights
• Upgraded bathroom amenities
• 30% Discount on a single photo, photo package, or photo book
• One (1) free digital or printed photo of your choice
• 15% Discount on Royal Caribbean logo products sold onboard (min. $25 purchase)
• 20% Discounts on any spa service (excludes Medi-Spa services)
• Complimentary add-on spa treatment (excludes Medi-Spa services)
• Milestone recognition beginning at 140 cruise points (Crystal Block)
• Personalized lapel pin
• Discounts on Balcony & Suite Staterooms
• Exclusive access to call center staff members
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200%
• Milestone Cruise Certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a 7-Night Balcony Stateroom for 700 and 1,050 cruise points
• Milestone Cruise Certificate valued at the prevailing rate of a Junior Suite Stateroom for 1,400 and every 350 cruise points thereafter

And the Pinnacle status isn't just for older cruisers, despite the time it takes to reach. 

The tier has specific Youth Member benefits, which include:

• 50% off one scoop of Ice Cream at the Ice Cream Parlor (on select ships)
• Surf and Stream internet discount equal to parents’ benefit
• Buy 1 movie rental in your stateroom and receive the second Free
• Spend $15 in Arcade Credits to get $5 off your onboard expense account, or spend $50 in Arcade Credits to get $25 off 
• 6 Complimentary daily non-alcoholic drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks and Desserted)

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

Why is the Wi-Fi on a cruise ship so expensive?

Royal Caribbean's VOOM WiFi comes at an extra cost, per device, per day.

When asked if the cruise line would ever give it away like land hotels, Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International explained why it's not the same thing.

Speaking during a Q&A during this year's President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas, Mr. Bayley fielded questions from cruisers on a variety of topics.

In addition to celebrity performances, customized shore excursions, and exclusive parties, the President's Cruise also hosted a Q&A session. 

During the Q&A, Brad from Idaho asked why the WiFi on a Royal Caribbean cruise is so expensive.

"The standard seems to be worldwide—hotels, restaurants, everywhere you go has free WiFi. Is there any possibility of [Royal Caribbean] getting free WiFi in the future?"

Free WiFi won't happen because Royal Caribbean pays "a ton of money" for Internet coverage

Mr. Bayley was quick to answer that free WiFi isn't going to happen. 

"Are we going to give free WiFi? No."

However, there's a good reason as to why Royal Caribbean charges so much for Internet on its ships.

"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for WiFi," Mr. Bayley said.

He took the cruiser's example of hotels and restaurants offering free Wi-Fi to explain why cruise ships aren't the same.

Any hotel or venue on land will be plugged into cable or phone line provided internet package that also services thousands or millions of consumers.

Wi-Fi on land relies on underground and undersea cables, which are faster and cheaper than satellites.

Countries like the United States invest lots of money into creating and maintaining the Internet infrastructure and have millions of customers to help support the cost.

Given that large foundation and competition among providers, it makes sense that free WiFi is offered on land.

In contrast, "There is nothing for the oceans. We can't pull a cable with us." 

This means that ships in the ocean must rely on satellites that orbit Earth, a much slower and more expensive method of connection. 

Read more: Is Royal Caribbean WiFi worth it?

Essentially, Royal Caribbean has to enter into contracts with satellite tech companies, and this comes at a huge yearly cost.

"I sign the invoices when they come in [and] every time I see them I'm like, oh my God." Mr. Bayley said he cringes whenever he sees the yearly bill. 

He couldn't remember the exact amount the cruise line pays each year but reiterated that "it's huge."

Starlink satellites have slightly reduced costs

Two years ago, Royal Caribbean began to contract with Elon Musk's SpaceX company to use Starlink satellites for Internet.

Starlink uses mid-level satellites to provide Internet coverage.

"Starlink is a much better technology," Michael Bayley said during the Q&A. "It gives you better coverage, it's much faster, and it is cheaper."

Starlink isn't a lot cheaper than other satellite networks, according to Mr. Bayley, but it is slightly cheaper, and certainly a lot faster.

The Starlink website currently lists a maritime business plan for larger vessels that starts at $1,000 a month. 

All Royal Caribbean cruise ships utilize Starlink internet service at this time.

Read more: I tried Elon Musk's Starlink internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Mr Bayley estimates another five or more years before Internet prices are reduced again, but cruisers cannot expect free Internet access onboard a Royal Caribbean ship.

How fast is the WiFi?

Given the cost of Internet onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, how well does it work?

The VOOM Internet is called the "faster Internet at sea," and is 6x faster than that on other cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's website.

However, factors like the number of guests online and the ship's location can influence the speed of the WiFi.

Freedom, Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships with newer satellite technology tend to have faster speeds.

However, Starlink will slow down if many users are in the same region.

In general, the older ships in the fleet use older technology, so while the Internet still works, it could take some time to load.

Even crew members have to pay for WiFi

Michael Bayley stressed that the Internet fee isn't an unfair price, but rather a "reasonable operating cost." 

Even Royal Caribbean crew members have to pay for WiFi, he said.

The cruise line does subsidize the prices, using different costs for crew members, but the crew is still required to pay.

"We do our best to make it as accessible as we possibly can," Mr. Bayley said.

Crew members are allowed cheaper prices and free periods of the Internet.

Much like guests get access to the Royal Caribbean app, crew members also get access to WhatsApp for free, so they can still stay in touch with family and friends.

Setting sail in style is a challenge during the summer months. You'll want to dress well and comfortably, while also being mindful of the scorching sun.

On a Mediterranean cruise, you can expect the region to run hot and dry during the summer, averaging daily highs of 85º Fahrenheit.

Not only is it important to dress carefully, but you also have a limited amount of space to pack.

For my 7-night Mediterranean cruise, I knew I had to pack light while preparing for the hot temperatures and long days.

Here's what I packed and how I styled it.

What should I pack for a Mediterranean cruise?

I started packing by picking out my shoes, knowing I had to choose carefully because of how much space they take up in my luggage.

They're also unavoidably important for protecting your feet and supporting you during long tours.

I packed one pair of comfortable green sneakers, one pair of white heeled sandals, and one pair of simple brown sandals.

Since I wore the sneakers on the plane and during most of my travels, my shoes didn't take up too much space in my luggage.

To continue my packing process, I selected three simple, summery dresses. Dresses make great cruise outfits for women, especially in the heat. 

They can range from simple to elegant and you're able to dress them up or down depending on your shoes and accessories.

The open, flowy pattern of a dress also makes for cooler wear, and it can double as a swimsuit cover-up.

In addition to these dresses, I packed a white lace cardigan and a brown lace dress. 

Either of these would work as extra layers for indoor areas with air conditioning, or as cover-ups for swimsuits.

Bringing items that have multiple purposes is a great way to save packing space and dress efficiently while traveling.

For my swimsuits, I packed two bikinis and one tankini. 

I tried to choose colors that varied broadly, so I'd be able to put together a variety of different outfits.

Read more: What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

Since I already packed several dresses, I selected just five small tops to wear on the cruise.

I choose a variety of, from tank tops to crop tops to a longer-sleeved shirt.

To go along with these tops, I also packed two scarves, so that I could stack layers on top if I got cold or needed to cover up more.

To layer over my tops, I packed three light jackets: two brown and one white.

These made for great layering pieces, because I could leave them open or button them up, depending on the temperature.

However, I did end up wishing I had brought one slightly heavier jacket to wear in cold areas like the airplane and the Main Dining Room.

I also selected one set of workout clothes, just in case I wanted to go to the gym.

As you might imagine, I never ended up going to the cruise ship's gym. My cruise involved so many long shore excursions and hours of walking that I didn't feel the need to exercise again.

However, the T-shirt still came in use for pajamas.

For pants, I packed three pairs of light, flowy pants. A patterned blue pair served as a more formal option for evenings, while my brown and black pairs had a palazzo cut for warmer weather.

Additionally, I packed one long skirt and two pairs of shorts. The skirt ended up being a great airplane piece, since it was long and covered my legs, but also had enough ventilation that I didn't overheat.

I also found that the shorts were my favorite pieces to wear out in the hot summer weather.

To prepare for the heat and the sun, I also packed two pairs of sunglasses and a hand fan.

The fan was a genius touch: I ended up using it everywhere and got many compliments on the idea. 

In fact, I used it so much that it broke near the end of my cruise, and I immediately went out to buy another!

In addition to my pieces of luggage (a large suitcase and a comfortable backpack), I decided to bring one wide tote bag and one black fanny pack.

The tote bag was large enough to store objects like books and a water bottle, so I could carry it around the pool and to the beach.

The fanny pack made a great shore excursion tool since it could hold my wallet, phone, and power bank safely close to my body.

Outfit guide for a Mediterranean cruise

For day one, I wore shorts to protect myself from the heat and all the movement I'd be doing to board the ship.

I also paired those with one of my light sweaters, since I knew I would be exploring the ship indoors for the rest of the day.

Read more: Best travel clothes for women on shore excursions

On day 2, we visited Palma de Mallorca.

I went to the Cala Mayor beach, so I brought my pink beach hat, along with a long dress. I wore these pieces with my brown sandals.

I wore my swimsuit under the dress so that I could easily change on the sand. 

That night was also formal night, so I changed into my blue pants and paired them with a sheer top and a white distressed bag I'd purchased in Spain.

To match the white elements of the outfit, I wore my white heels to dinner.

Day 3 was a sea day, so I dressed casually in a red tube top I purchased in Spain, paired with the brown palazzo pants.

Armed with my brown tote bag, this was the perfect outfit for wandering the Windjammer and longing at the pool under the sun.

For day 4, I prepared for a shore excursion to Naples by wearing jean shorts and a tank top under my light, longer-sleeved shirt.

I made sure to wear my comfortable sneakers since I knew we'd be doing a lot of walking.

Also, I styled the look with a big gold necklace but later regretted it because the waitress at a restaurant I visited told me to be careful wearing large jewelry, as it could attract thieves and put me in danger.

The cruise ship stopped near Rome, Italy on day 5, so I dressed in a crop top and jean shorts, along with my light white cardigan.

I wore comfortable sneakers again, preparing for a long day of tours.

I also brought a scarf in case I needed to cover up in air conditioning or to enter a religious building.

On our last port day—day 6—I wore a simple black skirt for my tours.

In the evening, I changed into shorts styled with a white top and jacket.

This was my outfit for dinner, karaoke, and going to the ship's nightclub.

On day 7, I styled a pair of pants that I purchased in Italy with a red tank top. 

I again wore a swimsuit under my outfit so that I could go straight to the hot tub.

Read more: Alaska cruise outfits: ideas of what to wear

Hurricane Beryl is moving in on the Caribbean, and Royal Caribbean was one of the first cruise lines to change its itineraries.

Experts predicted the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season would be very active.

As forecasted, the first major hurricane of the season is already a historic storm, arriving earlier in the season than others of its kind. 

Hurricane Beryl is predicted to become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Royal Caribbean currently has three ships in the Southeast Caribbean, where the hurricane's path is scheduled.

Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas have all changed itineraries due to the incoming hurricane. 

Rhapsody of the Seas is currently on a 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise. As of July 1st, Cruise Mapper shows her position at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and her itinerary has not changed. 

Icon of the Seas was scheduled on an Eastern Caribbean sailing, but will visit Mexico instead

Royal Caribbean's newest and largest ship departed from Miami, Florida on June 29th, 2024.

The 248,655 gross-ton vessel was scheduled to visit St. Maarten on July 2nd, and St. Thomas on July 3rd.

Instead, Icon of the Seas will now visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

The ship will then visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and return to Miami on July 6th as planned.

Royal Caribbean let passengers know in an email that the itinerary change was intended to avoid strong winds and high waves on the sea.

Wonder of the Seas will skip two ports and call on Nassau, Bahamas

Wonder of the Seas left from Port Canaveral, Florida on June 30th.

Royal Caribbean has canceled the ship's stops at Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya, Mexico, according to a message board post.

The Oasis-Class vessel will now visit Perfect Day at CocoCay on July 1st and Cozumel, Mexico on July 3rd. 

After these scheduled stops, Wonder of the Seas will go to Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Port Canaveral.

Harmony of the Seas canceled a visit to Roatan, Honduras and moved up her visit to Mexico

Harmony of the Seas, another Oasis-Class ship, is also pivoting her itinerary to avoid the tropical storm.

She departed from Galveston, Texas on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. 

Guests onboard received a letter that they would be skipping a visit to Roatan, Honduras on July 3rd, and moving up the ship's arrival in Mexico.

Harmony of the Seas will now arrive at Cozumel on July 2nd, and visit Costa Maya on July 3rd. 

Royal Caribbean also added a sea day on July 4th.

“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority," the letter read.

"Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather."

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

Hurricane Beryl has been predicted to be "extremely dangerous"

Image taken from the National Hurricane Center's website. Information is subject to change.

according to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Beryl will become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 tropical storm.

This hurricane comes unusually early in the season, already setting historical records.

“Development this far east in late June is unusual, in fact, there have only been a few storms in history that have formed over the central or eastern tropical Atlantic this early in the year,” NHC Forecaster Cangialosi explained. 

On Monday morning, the storm strengthed and poised to hit the Caribbean, threatening Barbados, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada are most at risk of being hit by the core of the storm, according to CNN.

Hurricane Beryl is currently traveling west-northwest with sustained winds at 130 MPH, categorizing it as a major hurricane. 

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

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

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

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

Royal Caribbean News

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

Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How to Avoid Paying Unexpected Fees on Royal Caribbean

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

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

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

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

2025 President's Cruise Date

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

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

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

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

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