Royal Caribbean has changed the itineraries of four cruise ships in preparation for Hurricane Rafael. The intensifying storm is predicted to make landfall later this week as a Category 2.

As of Wednesday morning, Rafael was a Category 2 storm with winds of 110 mph – just 1 mph away from Category 3 status – and 130 miles from Cuba.

Models currently show Hurricane Rafael hitting Western Cuba later tonight, with high winds of over 100 miles an hour.

The hurricane is expected to continue to move toward the Gulf of Mexico and weaken before reaching the United States on Saturday or Sunday.

So far, four ships in the fleet have been affected by the storm: Radiance of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Vision of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas.

Radiance of the Seas left the port of Tampa on November 2nd, with a scheduled 7-day cruise visiting Bimini, Freeport, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Passengers onboard received a notice of the change. 

The email read: "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we've been monitoring inclement weather along our intended path due to a developing storm system forecasted to bring increasingly strong winds across the sea, impacting our planned ports and potentially making them unsafe to visit."

To avoid the hurricane's path, the Radiance-Class vessel will steer into the Western Caribbean instead, visiting Mexico and Honduras.

"As a result, we'll be unable to visit the planned ports of call on our itinerary. To provide you with the most enjoyable sailing experience, we'll now visit some of our popular Western Caribbean destinations - Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize and Costa Maya Mexico!"

Radiance of the Seas will return to Tampa on Saturday, November 9th, as scheduled.

Vision of the Seas is also skipping stops in the Bahamas. The Vision-Class vessel sailed out of Baltimore, Maryland on October 31st.

Her 9-day sailing was scheduled to visit Bermuda, Nassau, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Now, Vision of the Seas will remain in Bermuda for longer, avoiding the Bahamas altogether. 

Port Canaveral has always been added to her itinerary as a new port of call.

Freedom of the Seas also changed her itinerary, but the sailing won't change any ports. Instead, two port days will be swapped.

The Freedom-Class vessel departed on a 6-night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, November 3rd. 

The original sailing called for Freedom to visit Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamacia, and Labadee, Haiti.

Freedom will now call upon Labadee first to divert the ship away from Hurricane Rafael, then Falmouth and Grand Cayman.

Brilliance of the Seas left the port of New Orleans on November 2nd, departing on a 7-day sailing.

Her original itinerary included stops at Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Grand Cayman.

The Radiance-Class ship was scheduled to stop in George Town, Cayman Islands today, November 6th, but will now visit Belize City instead.

"We're terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather - your safety is our top priority," Royal Caribbean said in a letter to guests.

Royal Caribbean's meteorologists are still monitoring the storm

Guest and crew safety are top priority for Royal Caribbean. The cruise line employs a chief meteorologist, Craig Setzer, who monitors hurricanes and other weather events.

Setzer recently posted his own thoughts on Hurricane Rafel to X. 

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

On Saturday morning, Setzer wrote: "While uncertainty about exact details remain (how strong, exactly where), combining weather systems over the next several days will impact Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, & Caymans with exceptionally windy and stormy periods this week."

"The message from the Euro model is for near tropical storm winds (green area) & higher gusts with passing squalls likely." 

"Focus might be on hurricane development potential (which is low at this time), but longer duration tropical storm-like impacts are possible over South Florida/Keys & The Bahamas by early this week, even without a named storm."

Now that the storm has developed into a Hurricane, Setzer has made more updates to his X page.

"Wow," he posted, "Hurricane Rafael's eye coming into view of Key West radar, which is seeing it 240 miles away at a radar beam altitude of 40,000 feet."

"From the radar (and now recon) perspective, there appears to be a double eyewall structure. Maybe, just maybe if an eyewall replacement cycle can happen as the storm is approaching and making landfall in Cuba, the intensity will drop a bit...let's hope this happens."

Planning the perfect girls' trip requires careful preparation. Whether it is a land or sea vacation, a trip with the girls has to accommodate everyone's preferences.

To prevent disagreements or awkwardness, a girls' cruise should meet everyone's needs, from available activities to the food on board.

I've taken three cruises with my sister, Valentine, and we've discovered that the Oasis Class ships make for the perfect trip together.

These Royal Caribbean mega-ships blend entertainment, dining, and activities into a thrilling cruise experience that appeals to all types.

Read more: I've only sailed Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships: Will I be disappointed if I try other ships?

Oasis-Class ships feature unique adventures on giant ships that have it all, such as water slides, AquaTheater performances, dry slides, surf simulators, specialty dining, themed bars, ice skating, laser tag, and rock climbing.

I've sailed on Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas with Val—here's why these ships make for the best cruise.

Short cruises accommodate everyone's schedule

While some cruisers adamantly stick to sailing for 7-nights or longer, my girls' trips wouldn't be possible without shorter sailings.

Multiple Oasis-Class ships, such as Allure of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, currently offer weekend cruises that last 3 or 4 nights.

It may seem like a shorter cruise on a mega ship is a waste of money: you'll never have enough time to experience everything onboard.

However, shorter cruises make it easier for me to travel with my young friends who have jobs or school.

Many young adults simply can't fit trips a week or longer into their schedule. Shorter cruises are also more affordable—it's easier to pay for three nights than seven!—which eases the pressure on your friendship and prevents money from getting in the middle.

I've been able to take two shorter cruises on Oasis-Class ships with my sibling. We sailed on Allure of the Seas for three nights over a weekend, and on Utopia of the Seas for a 4-night weekday cruise.

Read more: How to get the most out of a short sailing on Utopia of the Seas

These miniature sailings made it easier to take a trip together—and prevented us from going too stir-crazy!

The specialty dining is unbeatable

Food brings everyone together. When cruising with friends, specialty dining is one surefire way to spice up your cruise, promising an elegant and adventurous experience.

I've found that the specialty dining on the Oasis-Class ships is like no other.

On one vessel, you can find 15-20 specialty venues that offer excellent food and unique dining experiences. 

Oasis-Class ships feature incredible restaurants like Wonderland, a dining adventure inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and The Royal Railway, a train-based dining experience set in the Wild West.

On my cruises with Val, we dined at Izumi Hibachi, Izumi Sushi, The Mason Jar, Chops Grille, and Wonderland, and each meal was a marvelous, exciting bonding experience.

I still reminisce about some of the meals I've had on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Izumi Hibachi's fried rice, yuzu citrus at Wonderland, and Chops Grille's fatty bacon appetizer.

Oasis-Class ships attract active cruisers

One of the best aspects of cruising is getting to meet a variety of people. A cruise ship becomes a community for the length of the sailing, so it's quite possible to turn strangers into friends by the end of the cruise.

That being said, I've only ever made those exciting new friendships on Oasis-Class vessels. I left my cruises on Wonder of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas with genuine, new connections.

My theory is that the Oasis Class just attracts active, younger cruisers—travelers ready for an exciting vacation full of new connections.

With such a multitude of activities and entertainment onboard, these vessels draw in travelers looking to have a busy and fun time.

With the possibility of making new friends onboard, a girls' trip on board an Oasis-Class ship becomes a thrilling adventure you and your friends can look forward to. Your vacation will be enriched by the company of many other cruisers.

Endless activities to try together or solo

The multitude of activities onboard the Oasis Class vessel are stunning—and they make for a great girls' trip.

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, I've tried activities I never saw myself doing before—much less on a cruise ship! These adventures include:

• escape rooms
• laser tag
• ice skating
• rock climbing
• singing karaoke
• beer pong
• silent discos
• sake-tasting

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

The best part of these ships is that they are so huge, made up of multiple themed neighborhoods. Often, many events will be going on at the same time, allowing you to choose between your favorite activities.

Another reason this makes for a good girls' trip is that you don't have to do everything your friend wants to do. Valentine and I often find ourselves splitting up when the time is right, allowing for a healthy balance of priorities.

If she feels like sleeping in while I head to the gym, it's totally possible to do that! On the other hand, if I want to try dinner at the Windjammer and Val prefers being served in the Main Dining Room, it's easy to meet up later when we've each met our own needs.

The stunning entertainment creates conversation-starters

The only thing worse than not getting a vacation is going on a boring vacation. With Royal Caribbean, the Oasis Class promises the opposite.

The onboard entertainment, from start to finish, will stun you and your travel buddies. 

Valentine and I have seen some jaw-dropping performances on the Oasis Class, and this entertainment has sealed our love of these ships.

Entertainment like live game shows, Broadway performances, AquaTheater shows, and ice skating routines have taken our breath away, and created for new and exciting conversation starters.

How do you think they train to be able to dive from such a high distance? Wasn't the costume design in All-In! so cool? 

Every element invests more excitement into a girls getaway.

How does Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-Class ship compare to other iterations?

The Oasis Class continues to break records in the cruise industry, providing innovative, action-packed cruise vacations around the world.

Its two newest members, Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, share more similarities than any other two ships in the fleet. 

However, Royal Caribbean is constantly seeking to improve, so each vessel has a few different innovations as well. Here's a look at what makes these two ships different.

Read more: Icon of the Seas vs Wonder of the Seas

Ship overview

When she first debuted in March of 2022, Wonder of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world. She weighs 235,600 gross tons and can carry 6,988 passengers at double occupancy. 

Utopia of the Seas, however, beat out Wonder when she launched in July of 2024, and she is now the second-largest cruise ship in the world (after Icon of the Seas).

Utopia measures 236,860 gross registered tons, with a capacity of 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

Royal Caribbean's newest ship also broke records as the first Oasis-Class ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG), making her more sustainable even at such a massive size.

Utopia's innovations don't stop there—she was also the first Royal Caribbean mega-ship to debut offering short cruises right out of the gate.

Utopia currently sails 3 and 4-night cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida, visiting the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Wonder of the Seas also homeports in Port Canaveral, Florida. 

She offers 7-night roundtrip sailings, visiting the Western or Eastern Caribbean. Port stops include St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In 2025, Wonder will shift to Miami, Florida, to also begin offering short weekend cruises to the Bahamas.

Here's a look at the two ship's statistics, compared:

*at double occupancy

Neighborhoods

The Royal Caribbean Oasis Class was one of the first types of mega cruise ships to introduce the idea of floating cities.

One innovative way the cruise line makes guests feel like the ship is an entire city to be explored is by dividing the vessel into neighborhoods.

This unique design provides guests with a variety of atmospheres and themes within specific spaces.

Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature eight distinct neighborhoods:

• The Boardwalk, a nostalgic, family-fun area featuring a carousel, Playmakers, and the AquaTheater.
• Pool & Sports Zone, which features a Caribbean-style pool deck and thrilling water slides.
• Central Park, a lush, open-air garden with thousands of live plants.
• The Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare, complete with shops and entertainment venues.
• Entertainment Place, the center of entertainment, featuring the comedy club, casino, Royal Theatre, and Studio B.
• Youth Zone, home to Adventure Ocean programming, an arcade, and a teen club.
• Vitality Spa & Fitness, Royal Caribbean's spa and fitness center.
• Suite Neighborhood, which was introduced for the first time on Wonder of the Seas.

Read more: Boardwalk vs. Surfside: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's family neighborhood

Dining

Both vessels offer guests a wide array of dining options that cater to all tastes, from elegant steak dinners to sports bars to specialty sushi.

Both ships offer room service (free continental breakfast, with other menu items at an extra cost).

However, Wonder and Utopia do have a few notable differences in the restaurants offered.

Utopia of the Seas has some upgrades to venue locations, as well as venues not available anywhere else in the fleet.

While both ships have Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, the venue on Utopia of the Seas has a brand-new outdoor Gio terrace overlooking the Boardwalk.

Utopia also features Izumi in the Park, which first debuted on Icon of the Seas. 

Not only are Izumi Hibachi and Sushi and Izumi in the Park available inside Utopia's Central Park, but the venue also features an exclusive dining experience only offered on Utopia: Izumi omakase.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's new chef-driven Japanese restaurant, and it was a food journey that surprised me

Utopia of the Seas also introduced the Spare Tire, a complimentary poolside food truck, and the Royal Railway: Utopia Station.

The Royal Railway is a dining experience only found on Utopia of the Seas, combining high-tech with an immersive setting for a dinner experience unlike any other.

Here's a look at what venues are on each ship: 

*suite guests only

Staterooms

Overall, Wonder and Utopia of the Seas have similar cabins, with a wide variety of upgraded, elegant staterooms.

Wonder of the Seas has 2,867 cabins, while Utopia offers just a little fewer, at 2,830 staterooms.

Both Wonder and Utopia feature neighborhood-view balcony cabins, which overlook either Central Park, the Royal Promenade, or the Boardwalk. 

Both ships also have virtual balcony cabins, which include a floor-to-ceiling screen that projects a live view from outside the ship.

Utopia of the Seas, however, introduced three new cabin categories.

The interior cabins onboard are square rather than rectangular, allowing for more unbroken floor space.

Utopia also debuted with new Sky Junior Suites, which are similar to standard Junior Suites but include upgraded Sky Tier benefits.

The Solarium Suites are exclusive to Utopia of the Seas: two staterooms located above the bridge wings, offering guests sweeping panoramic views next to the Solarium pool area.

Entertainment and activities

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class is great for guests who want more options than they can experience in one day. Both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas feature marvelous, varied entertainment. 

Activities such as mini golf, water slides, dry slides, casino gambling, surfing, laser tag, and rock climbing abound on both vessels.

Both ships have Royal Caribbean comedians, live performances, ice skating shows, and AquaTheater shows. Neither ship, however, has a Broadway musical onboard.

Many bars and lounges feature live music each night. The two ships, however, do vary in entertainment venues. 

Read more: The best bar scene is only on two of Royal Caribbean's cruise ships

Utopia of the Seas, launching with weekend cruises, offers a more action-packed focus in fewer days. 

Marketed as "The World's Biggest Weekend," Utopia features nonstop parties with a unique twist, such as a frat party, a silent toga party, and the SENSES sunset party. 

Because of this, the ship might appeal more to adults and teens.

Read more: I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.

Happy (almost) Halloween! I don't have any bad Halloween themed puns to include here, just the latest Royal Caribbean news to catch up on before you hit up the neighborhood for candy.

According to a report, a 66-year-old woman jumped overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

The incident occurred on Allure of the Seas while the ship was in The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Bahamas Defense Force conducted a lengthy search for the woman, but she was not found.

Royal Caribbean News

• Taylor Swift-themed fan cruise sets sail with other Swifties onboard
• What a Royal Caribbean crew member spends her money on in a week
• Royal Caribbean ship stuck in Mexico overnight, delayed return
• The #1 Habit to Break If You Don't Want To Gain Weight On A Cruise
• Unexpected new Royal Caribbean cruises for 2026 with unbelievably unique itineraries
• I listed the 7 must-see attractions on Royal Caribbean's new ship, and the best one makes you think you're on a train
• I Tried Doing Every Activity on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas. It was busy, but I'd absolutely do it again.
• 5 Best and Worst Parts of Working on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship, According to a Crew Member

New Video: Ultimate Guide to Freebies on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Ultimate Guide to Freebies on a Royal Caribbean Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 548th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.

Matt goes over some important cruise etiquette questions. From Main Dining Room planning to speakers, here's what you should know.

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

A giant cruise ship will sail deeper into Alaska than ever before on one-way voyages

Royal Caribbean just released its 2026 Alaska deployments, and one surprising change will allow cruisers to see even more of the region.

Instead of a smaller vessel, the huge Ovation of the Seas will be running open-jaw cruises to the region.

In addition to three other Royal Caribbean vessels sailing to Alaska for 2026, Quantum of the Seas will homeport in Vancouver, Canada, for the summer. 

New Broadway musical coming to Star of the Seas

Star of the Seas' Broadway musical will be a surprising classic: Back to the Future.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the rumors on Monday, posting an official announcement on its social media.

"Blast to the past and introduce the entire fam to Marty McFly’s high-flying adventure, as Back to the Future: The Musical travels straight from Broadway to Star of the Seas, coming summer 2025," the announcement read.

Starbucks-Royal Caribbean partnership: How coffee works onboard the cruise ship

How can you get Starbucks coffee onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

The Starbucks partnership on the cruise line allows guests another avenue for getting their coffee fix while on vacation.

However, Starbucks coffee comes at an extra charge, and ordering at these cafes is different than on land.

The best Royal Caribbean hacks, according to the cruise line's fans

DIY projects and hacks are a key part of any cruise, as they help passengers save money and maximize their time onboard.

Royal Caribbean International asked its followers on X for their best cruise hacks, and received helpful responses.

From bringing takeout containers to reserving add-ons at the right time, here are the fans' best hacks.

Managing Royal Caribbean International is a huge task for CEO and President Michael Bayley.

The cruise line employs nearly 88,700 people, with 28 cruise ships visiting over 300 locations around the world.

It's a massive endeavor, but that doesn't mean that it's all serious!

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, also goes by Bada-bing Bayley. 

Bayley has been with the cruise line for over 40 years, and he brings a clear love and cheerfulness to the job.

He shares openly on social media about his love of Royal Caribbean, from crew member profiles to passenger stories.

If that wasn't enough evidence of his fun-loving personality, Bayley also loves self-admitted "bad dad jokes."

Here's a collection of the best ones he's shared all over the Internet—often to unamused listeners.

Why did the pony ask for a glass of water? Because it was a little horse

Bayley hails from the United Kingdom—Cardiff, Wales, to be exact. The small country borders England, with a population of just over three million.

Bayley attended university in English, graduating from the University of Bournemouth with a degree in business.

When he graduated college, he heard from a friend about a cruise line hiring in the United States.

What do you call a group of men waiting in line for a haircut? A barber-que 

In 1981, Bayley took his first-ever plane flight to the United States and began working with Royal Caribbean International.

His career started with a variety of shipboard and shoreside positions as he received an increasing amount of management responsibility.

Now, Bayley holds decades of experience in the hospitality and cruise industry.

My wife said I should do lunges to stay in shape. That would be a big step forward!

Michael Bayley shares the majority of his "bad dad jokes," on social media. He even started a series he's shared on TikTok and Facebook.

Bayley is rare among other CEOs of huge companies, who usually shy away from sharing a fun or intimate side of life.

However, Bayley often shares personal, hilarious videos, showing viewers what it's like to work for the cruise line, images of his travels, and even household fridge tours.

Why did the bicycle fall over? It was too tired

Bayley publicly shares on social media his genuine love for cruising and sharing fun moments with friends and family. 

He currently resides in Miami, Florida, with his wife and two sons.

His username on Instagram and TikTok is captaincruise guy.

Read more: Who is Royal Caribbean Group's new CEO Jason Liberty

I think my phone is broken! I clicked the home button, but I'm still in the office!

Bayley's very first position at Royal Caribbean was as an assistant purser on the Nordic Prince.

The Nordic Prince, launched in 1971, was the second-ever ship built for Royal Caribbean. 

The vessel was just over 550 feet long, and had a passenger capacity of 741 guests—a far cry from the mega-ships of today!

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

I went to the store to get a dozen bees, but I got thirteen. The guy said, don't worry, that's a free bee

The Nordic Prince sailed mostly in the Caribbean, and Bayley's job onboard was to assist with front desk administration, dealing with details like immigration, customs, crew travel, embarkation, and emergency muster lists.

He speaks fondly of the time he spent in this position. 

According to Bayley, he dealt with lots of crew and passengers at the front desk. 

He especially loved the sirloin steak and french fries served on Saturday night dinner.

What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie? Sofish-ticated!

Bayley's online dad jokes series often features guest stars at various cruising events. 

From new ship launches to President's Day cruises, Royal Caribbean's CEO doesn't miss a chance to make new jokes.

He shared this joke with Boy George of Culture Club when they performed at the 2024 President's Cruise on Oasis of the Seas.

Boy George barely cracked a smile at some of Bayley's corny jokes, but he kept laughing.

I am very afraid of a calendar. Its days are numbered

This particular dad joke was shared to TikTok, featuring Philip Smith, former head of the Bahamas Feeding Network.

The cruise line's commitment to the charity began in 2019, and it continues to donate money and food to the organization.

As of 2023, Royal Caribbean had donated over $500,000 to the Bahamas Feeding Network.

What did the chicken say when it saw lettuce? Chicken caesar salad

In addition to being a CEO and comedian, Michael Bayley is a big foodie. He enjoys the abundance of food available on Royal Caribbean ships. 

Bayley has tried his hand at being a Teppanyaki chef in Izumi Hibachi, and he can often be seen posting Royal Caribbean dining polls on his Facebook page.

His favorite restaurants span all over the world, from Sao Paulo to Hong Kong. 

According to his son, Bayley's best-cooked dish is enchiladas.

How does a French skeleton say hello? Bone-jour!

Michael Bayley was named President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International in December 2014.

Prior to that, he actually worked for the line's sister company, Celebrity Cruises. There, he delivered strong results and built up the company's "Modern Luxury" brand.

In his prior role as Royal Caribbean International's Executive Vice President, Bayley was responsible for developing three of the company's cruise lines to an international business scale: Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. 

After working in that position for four years, he established 11 regional offices around the world, which now generate more than 50 percent of the corporation’s total revenue.

Now, he is the longtime CEO of the world's largest cruise brand—but he can always make time to crack a few jokes.

Cruise ship passengers are all too familiar with the extra costs that come with cruising. But what do crew members pay extra for?

Krista Joselyn is a cruise ship singer onboard Freedom of the Seas.

She performs in onboard shows such as the Welcome Aboard show and Once Upon a Time.

The Freedom Class vessel has about 1,365 crew members onboard, and each employee has the freedom to determine exactly what they spend extra on.

In a recent YouTube video, Krista shared a breakdown of her current weekly expenses as a crew member living onboard.

"A top perk of this job," she says, "is getting to save a lot of the money that you make. We have very limited expenses."

Budgeting is entirely up to each crew member, according to Krista. 

"If you wanted to spend $0, you could."

What's free for crew members?

First, Krista explained the items that she doesn't have to pay for while living onboard.

These include:

• Accommodations
• Living expenses
• Laundry
• Gym memberships
• Crew parties

Crew members don't pay extra for cabins and the resulting water and electricity bills. Living expenses aren't taken out of paychecks, either.

The laundry room is free to use onboard, but Krista does have to bring her own laundry detergent. She buys one big package at Costo, so estimates she only spends about 50 cents a week on laundry.

Crew members can also use the crew gym for free. 

As a matter of fact, cast members are required to log gym hours.

 "As a cast member we are required to do five gym hours per week to keep up stamina for the shows," Krista says.

Krista explains that, back home, she would usually spend anywhere between $10 and $50 a month for a gym membership.

"So it is really nice to have such a beautiful gym to use for free."

Royal Caribbean HR also throws free crew parties weekly. These parties have fun themes like White Night, Beach Party, and School vs. Drool.

According to Krista, alcoholic drinks are provided free of charge, and it's a fun opportunity for cast and crew members to enjoy a night together.

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member shows off daring high dive on cruise ship: "Should be illegal"

What do they spend in a week?

Crew members do get access to a crew mess hall for free, so food isn't a necessary extra fee.

However, Krista says that the menu options and rotation "get a little boring," so she and her boyfriend sometimes splurge on specialty restaurants.

Specialty dining: $50

Crew members can go to the same restaurants cruisers are familiar with onboard: Giovanni's, Chops Grille, Izumi Sushi, Playmakers, and Johnny Rockets.

Krista says they usually get a 20% discount—or more. Even with this discount, specialty food is one of her biggest expenses onboard.

She estimated that she spends about $50 a week on specialty dining.

Water: $3

Bottled water is sold once a week—on sale for $3 a pack.

When it comes to alcoholic drinks, Krista says she saves a lot of money by purchasing liquor from the crew bar and making her own beverages.

However, drinks are very cheap at the crew bar.

According to Krista, you can get a margarita for $4, whereas on land it would be $10. In comparison, passenger bars onboard Freedom of the Seas charge $14 for a margarita.

WiFi: $0

Crew members only get two free hours of WiFi per week, so most crew members pay extra for more time. The WiFi costs $3.99 per hour (depending on the package purchased).

However, Krista invested in a side job so that she wouldn't have to pay extra for more hours of WiFi.

She works an hour or two a week at the WiFi desk onboard. For one hour of work, she received 300 free minutes of WiFi.

Thanks to her job there, she gets between 5 and 10 hours of free Internet each week.

Krista spends about $200 a week onshore

Freedom of the Seas currently sails alternating 7-night itineraries in the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

In a typical week, the vessel visits destinations such as St. Thomas, San Juan, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and Jamacia.

Krista says that excursions in the Caribbean cost more than she expected.

"A lot of the places that we're going to in the Caribbean here are very touristy and so they are just more expensive and so I really did not expect that."

On many port days, Krista does grab lunch off the ship, visit a nearby beach, or splurge on an exciting shore excursion.

On turnaround day, the ship disembarks in Fort Lauderdale. 

Krista and her boyfriend usually head to Publix to purchase groceries, and then a cafe for food and WiFi.

The ship WiFi isn't always strong enough to download everything Krista wants for the week, so she spends her time gathering new music, podcasts, and Netflix shows.

When the ship stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, most activities and dining are free for the crew, so Krista never spends money on Royal Caribbean's private island.

However, if there are particular activities she wants to experience she will splurge, for example, visiting a waterpark in Nassau. It's worth it for a fun day with the crew!

However, there are also some weeks where Krista doesn't get off the ship, so every cruise is different.

Since Krista doesn't have expenses back home (such as rent and bills), she's usually willing to spend a little more money on experiences like excursions.

She only spends $253 total each week

Every week is different, but according to Krista's calculations of an average week, she would only spend about $253 on both onboard and shore expenses.

Krista is aware that her costs of living on a cruise ship as a crew member are less than what she'd spend living on land.

"Every once in a while I get a little nervous for the day that I'm going to have to start paying rent again," she joked.

"[I'll have to] live in a house and deal with all of those adulty things that I haven't had to deal with in my 20s."

A lot of cruises go to the usual places, but Royal Caribbean just added eight cruises with fascinating itineraries.

These one-off wonders are the cruise line's unique twist on repositioning cruises for its ships.

Repositioning cruises, nicknamed "repos" by veterans, are one-way itineraries taken when ships sail across the oceans to change their seasonal homeports.

Cruise ships tend to relocate depending on the season and weather, which requires them to travel across oceans for a longer sailing.

For example, ships sailing in Alaska for the summer cruise season have to relocate for warmer weather in the fall.

Read more: A giant cruise ship will sail deeper into Alaska than ever before on one-way voyages

In the spring, you'll also see cruise ships returning to Alaska from all over the world.

Fans of cheaper and longer cruises love repositioning sailings for the unique opportunities these sailings offer.

They provide cruisers with the chance to sail a new and unique route, usually at a lower price.

The 2026 repositioning cruises include a wide variety of ship types and will visit a number of exceptional ports.

Voyager of the Seas

The first Voyager-Class ship is scheduled for two repositioning cruises in the spring of 2026.

First, it will cruise a round-trip, 8-night South Pacific cruise departing on April 6th, 2026.

She will sail from Brisbane, Australia, with the following itinerary:

• Brisbane, Australia
• Cruising (2 days)
• Mystery Island, Vanuatu
• Noumea, New Caledonia
• Port Vila, Vanuatu
• Cruising (2 days)

After returning to Brisbane, Voyager will embark on a stunning 25-night Transpacific cruise on April 14th. She will sail from Australia to homeport in Seattle, Washington for the Alaska cruise season.

Read more: Australia & South Pacific cruise guide: Best itineraries, planning tips and things to do

Voyager's Transpacific itinerary is as follows:

• Brisbane, Australia
• Cruising (6 days)
• Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Cruising (5 days)
• Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii (2 days)
• Napali Coast (Cruising)
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii
• Hilo, Hawaii
• Cruising (5 days)
• Seattle, Washington

Anthem of the Seas 

Anthem will take two cruises to complete its repositioning from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, for the 2026 Alaska cruise season.

First, she embarks on April 14th for her 18-night Transpacific voyage. 

The itinerary includes:

• Sydney, Australia
• Cruising (2 days)
• Bay Of Islands, New Zealand
• Cruising (4 days)
• Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia
• Moorea, French Polynesia
• Raiatea, French Polynesia
• Cruising (5 days)
• Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii (2 days)

Instead of sailing directly to Vancouver from Australia, Royal Caribbean wanted to add a unique twist and allow cruisers the chance to vacation in Hawaii.

Anthem of the Seas' second cruise leaves on May 1st, 2026. She will sail from Hawaii to Vancouver on an 8-night sailing:

• Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
• Kailua Kona, Hawaii (2 days)
• Cruising (5 days)
• Vancouver, British Columbia

Cruisers uninterested in a long Transpacific cruise could still book this second sailing and experience Hawaii and Canada at the lower prices of a repositioning cruise.

Ovation of the Seas 

Two unique cruises will also be available on Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship.

First, Ovation departs from Singapore on April 17th, sailing a 14-night cruise to Tokyo, Japan.

The unique itinerary will call upon countless exciting ports in Asia:

• Singapore
• Cruising
• Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Vietnam
• Cruising (2 days)
• Hong Kong, China
• Cruising
• Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China
• Cruising 
• Jeju (Seogwipo), South Korea
• Nagasaki, Japan
• Cruising
• Kobe, Japan
• Mt. Fuji (Shimizu), Japan
• Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

After arriving in Tokyo, Ovation will embark on her repositioning cruise to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 

She departs on May 1st, 2026, for a 15-night voyage. On her way to begin the Alaska cruise season, Ovation will call at:

• Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan
• Cruising
• Hakodate, Japan
• Aomori, Japan
• Sapporo (Muroran), Japan
• Cruising (8 days)
• Vancouver, British Columbia (2 days)

Serenade of the Seas

Royal Caribbean recently re-started sailings to Los Angeles, California, after a decade spent taking a break from the area.

Serenade of the Seas will spend the spring of 2026 in Los Angeles, California before repositioning for the Alaska cruise season.

On May 5th, 2026, she will sail a unique, 5-night Pacific Coastal cruise. This sailing includes:

• Los Angeles, California
• Cruising (2 days) 
• Victoria, British Columbia
• Vancouver, British Columbia

When the Alaska weather gets colder, and cruise ships begin to leave the area, Serenade will return to California with another repositioning cruise.

On September 27th, she cruises for 5-nights along the Pacific Coast. 

Serenade's itinerary is as follows:

• Vancouver, British Columbia
• Astoria, Oregon
• Cruising
• San Francisco, California
• Cruising
• San Diego, California

Why sail a repositioning cruise?

Repo cruises allow passengers to visit multiple ports and a lot of the world on a single sailing.

You could cross the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, or visit the coastal cities of Japan. All of these unique port stops take place on one longer cruise, rather than spending more time and money traveling to see different locations.

Plus, repositioning cruises often include many sea days, creating a more laidback schedule even with the frequent ports of call.

Not all repo cruises are long ones. In 2026, Royal Caribbean will offer multiple 5-night repositioning cruises. This allows guests to get a feel for a new cruise line, or for the concept of a repo sailing.

These cruises aren't appealing to everyone. Some passengers despise the idea of spending multiple sea days in the middle of the ocean. Since many of them are multiple weeks long, those who work or attend school have a limited timeline.

Read more: I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a cheap cruise. Here’s what it's really like to spend 10 days at sea

Additionally, these sailings are always one-way, forcing travelers to book one-way flights rather than roundtrip airfare, which is often more expensive.

Due to these constraints, repositioning cruises have cheaper prices than regular sailings. The rate per day will be much lower than typical Royal Caribbean cruises.

What's worth exploring on "The World's Biggest Weekend"?

Utopia of the Seas, just launched this summer, features 18 decks and 2,834 staterooms, with a capacity for 5,668 passengers at double occupancy.

It is the second-largest cruise ship in the world and offers lots for cruisers to experience on short sailings.

The Oasis-Class vessel currently sails three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Its shorter sailings require cruisers to plan their time carefully, choosing the most important amenities to take advantage of.

Amid two casinos, carousels, multiple pools and whirlpools, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, and more, how can you decide which features to spend time on?

Utopia is home to 22 dining venues and 13 bars and lounges, but there are ten onboard attractions, in particular, that you can't afford to miss.

1. Royal Railway ($)

The Royal Railway: Utopia Station is a must-see attraction, especially if you're looking to splurge on a specialty restaurant.

This venue is the only one of its kind in the entire fleet, so it's worth exploring during a sailing on Utopia of the Seas.

The Royal Railway takes a dinner-and-a-show concept to a new level. It's more like an immersive experience than a simple restaurant.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, called the venue a "storytelling platform." 

There's room for multiple stories on the train-car-themed platform, but the vessel currently features a Wild West experience.

The Royal Railway has a flat entrance fee of $74.99 per adult and $24.99 per child. It's also included in the Unlimited Dining Package for a $15 surcharge for adults (no extra cost for kids).

2. Ultimate Abyss

Royal Caribbean's signature dry slide, the recognizable bright purple Ultimate Abyss, is worth trying on Utopia.

While most Oasis Class ships feature the 10-deck slide, Utopia's is 43 feet longer than previous iterations—and is the tallest dry slide at sea.

The Ultimate Abyss spans 259 feet long, offering 10 stories of thrilling drop.

Intrepid guests can queue up to ride a mat down the stainless steel slide.

A glass platform at the launch area shows cruisers just how high the area is—going all the way from the top decks down to the Boardwalk.

A ride down the Ultimate Abyss can reach up to nine miles per hour as it twists and turns!

The Ultimate Abyss is free to ride and has no age limit. However, guests must be at least 44 inches tall and weigh less than 300 pounds.

2. Escape U ($)

Whether or not you're a puzzle aficionado, the escape room on Utopia of the Seas is worth a shot.

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to have escape rooms on its ships, and Escape U: Freshman Year is a brand-new concept for the fleet.

For $30 per person, guests join a team to try to escape from the university-themed room.

Groups of 2-12 guests receive 30 minutes to solve various puzzles and figure out where their missing professor has gone. 

It's neither too easy nor too hard, and passengers of all ages will enjoy putting their minds to this mystery.

3. Perfect Storm waterslides 

The Perfect Storm waterslides on Utopia of the Seas are a thrilling trio of slides designed for guests to have a variety of experiences.

Typhoon is a fast-paced slide with steep drops and rapid turns. Cyclone has another intense ride experience, with tight spirals at a dizzying speed.

Read more: 5 things to know before sailing on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

Supercell has a giant, swirling bowl that spins guests around before dropping them through the center.

The waterslides are free of charge, but guests must be 48 inches tall to ride.

4. Laser tag 

Did you know you can play laser tag on a cruise ship?

Utopia's laser tag takes place in Studio B, which is the ice skating rink that doubles for many other events.

Families and guests of all ages can participate in this fun-filled, fast-paced game. 

Each participant receives a lightweight vest with sensors and a harmless laser gun that shoots infrared beams.

Laser tag is free of charge, but you'll want to book a time slot ahead of time using the Royal Caribbean app. Guests must wear close-toed shoes to participate.

5. Aqua80 Too 

Aqua80 was such a fan-favorite on Oasis of the Seas that Royal Caribbean decided to debut a sequel on its newest Oasis-Class ship.

Aqua80 Too, Utopia's AquaShow, features a live performance by world-class acrobats, athletes, dancers, and divers, all set to a soundtrack of upbeat, familiar hits from the 1980s.

Whether you attend for the nostalgic 80s music, the awe-inspiring feats of athleticism, or the wonderous light shows, this show has something for everyone.

Among all of Utopia's entertainment, it's one of the must-see performances onboard.

6. FlowRider 

The FlowRider is a thrilling surf simulator found on most Royal Caribbean ships.

Powerful jets of water are pumped over its blue vinyl surface to simulate a 40-foot-long wave.

Guests can either bodyboard lying down or stand up surfing on an ocean-like wave of water.

It's an adventurous experience where you can learn to surf on a cruise ship!

The Flowrider area also has lifeguards present and seating all around the pool, so spectators can enjoy the experience.

The FlowRider is free to watch and use, but guests needing extra practice can pay for additional lessons.

7. Izumi Omakase ($)

The chef-led Izumi Omakase is only available on Utopia of the Seas, and it's worth the extra cost.

It's an eight-course communal dining experience. 

Read more: Utopia of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

Each course of dinner is paired with a special drink, and both the host and chef will guide you through it in English and Japanese.

The cost is $129.99 per guest, and there is no kids pricing. It is also included in the Unlimited Dining Package with a $59.99 surcharge.

Utopia of the Seas is also the second Royal Caribbean ship to place Izumi Sushi and Hibachi in Central Park (after Icon of the Seas).

If you love big ships, there's a new way to see more of Alaska than ever before on Royal Caribbean.

Cruisers can now book their 2026 Royal Caribbean sailing to Alaska, and they've changed their lineup by having one of their megaships do open-jaw runs instead of a smaller ship.

Ovation of the Seas is one of four Royal Caribbean ships just announced to sail to Alaska in 2026, and the voyages are open for booking on the Royal Caribbean website or by speaking with a travel agent.

Following in the tradition of previous deployments, Royal Caribbean will send four ships of the fleet to Alaska. 

In addition to Ovation, Royal Caribbean will also deploy Anthem of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas to the Last Frontier.

Read more: I went on a 7-night cruise to Alaska. Here are 16 things that surprised me the most.

Take a look at the 2026 cruises to Alaska

The 2026 Alaska cruises are available to book between May and September 2026.

The most notable change is Ovation of the Seas will sail open-jaw sailings out of Vancouver.

This Quantum-Class mega-ship is scheduled to cruise 7-night Northbound Alaska and Hubbard Glacier itineraries. 

Between May and September of 2026, the vessel will visit ports such as Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Seward, Icy Strait Point, with views of the Hubbard Glacier.

This means you can sail from Vancouver to Seward, or Seward to Vancouver and see more of Alaska than ever before because you can combine the sailing with a Cruisetour.

Cruisetours are pre- and post-land trips you can add-on to a cruise that are operated through Royal Caribbean and can take you to inland places, such as Denali National Park and Preserve and Banff National Park.

New CruiseTours available in summer 2026 include a 9-night Destination Denali CruiseTour, 12-night Kenai Trek and Inland Wildlife CruiseTour and a 13-night Homer Adventure and Interior Wildlife CruiseTour. 

These sort of sailings have traditionally been only offered by much smaller ships.

The change to have a big ship such as Ovation of the Seas is related to a $137 million cruise ship port that is being built in Seward, Alaska that should be ready for the 2026 cruise season.

Anthem of the Seas will sail roundtrip, 7-night voyages out of Seattle, Washington.

Voyager of the Seas will also homeport in Seattle, offering 7-night sailings to popular Alaskan ports.

Both ships will visit popular ports such as Skagway, Juneau, Sitka, and Icy Strait Point. Alaskan sailings out of Seattle also offer cruisers the opportunity to view Dawes Glacier, as long as the weather permits a sighting. 

Itineraries will vary depending on the sailing.

Read more: I cruised on the oldest and newest cruise ships to Alaska: here’s how they compare

Returning to Alaska in 2026, Serenade of the Seas will cruise 7-night roundtrip sailings from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

One notable change is Serenade will visit Prince Rupert, British Columbia, which is located on Kaien Island near the Alaskan panhandle.

Repositioning cruises are also open for booking

Royal Caribbean has also added two repositioning cruises to its 2026 Alaska deployments.

Voyager of the Seas will cruise a 25-night Transpacific itinerary, departing on April 14th from Brisbane, Austrailia. 

The sailing will call at Papeetee, Tahiti; Moorea, French Polynesia; Honolulu, Hawaii; Hailua Kona, Hawaii; and Hilo, Hawaii, before reaching Seattle, Washington.

Anthem of the Seas also offers a repositioning cruise: a 18-night Transpacific sailing departing on April 14th.

The Quantum-Class ship will sail from Sydney, Australia, to New Zealand; Papeetee, Tahiti; Moorea, French Polynesia; Raiatea, French Polynesia; and Honolulu, Hawaii.

What is an open-jaw cruise?

An open-jaw sailing is essentially a one-way cruise that embarks in one port and disembarks in another.

Open-jaw cruises are a popular choice to sail to Alaska because of the beautiful land views the state offers.

Cruisers find that the more remote ports and inland areas of Alaska provide the most authentic view. For those who value the landscapes and wildlife of the Last Frontier, an open-jaw cruise provides more opportunities to sight-see.

These sailings visit more ports than round-trip cruises and allow you to book land tours before or after the cruise in different locations.

However, one-way sailings come with additional logistics questions and often cost more in transportation to and from the cruise ports.

For example, you'll have to book two one-way flights instead of round-trip airfare. These two flights will often be more expensive, in addition to the extra cost of travel to and from the airports.

For example, if your cruise begins or ends in Seward, Alaska, you'll have to account for a 2+ hour drive to the airport.

Another disadvantage of open-jaw sailings is that they require a valid passport. US citizens cannot use a birth certificate or government ID for these sailings.

Book earlier for the best price

Alaskan cruises are more expensive than Caribbean sailings, but you can get a better price by booking early.

Typically, the lowest pricing for an Alaska cruise is found right when itineraries are released.

Especially if you'd like to sail during the peak of the cruising season, with warmer weather (in June and July), you should book your cruise as soon as possible.

Read more: The worst months to cruise to Alaska

The shoulder season (the months of May and September) offers good deals on occasion but worse weather.

Plus, specific cabins can sell out quickly on popular sailings. For example, if you want to book a suite or aft balcony cabin on Serenade of the Seas, you'll need to book as early as possible to ensure your preferred category.

As a rule, placing your initial deposit as soon as you can gets you the best price.

Booking your Alaska cruise:

• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• 50 Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise Tips
• Royal Caribbean Alaska excursions: Recommended tours for each port
• What Is an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise?
• What is the most useful time to cruise to Alaska?
• Best things to do on an Alaska cruise
• Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing

Utopia of the Seas is dubbed as a "non-stop party," so I wanted to see what it was like to try to keep the fun going all day and night.

When Royal Caribbean launched its first Oasis-Class ship with weekend cruises in mind, it wanted the vessel to offer something new and different.

Marketed as a "party ship," Utopia of the Seas offers non-stop activities throughout its short sailings.

It's the perfect combination for cruisers to make the most of their days onboard.

I spent four nights onboard Utopia this month, and I knew I wanted to maximize my short sailing.

For our only sea day onboard, I challenged myself to participate in a cruise ship activity all day long—more than 12 hours straight!

What does a busy day actually look like on Utopia of the Seas? There are so many activities to choose from—but it's more chill than you might expect.

The constant "party" atmosphere on the vessel actually translated into a calmer, chill vibe. No one was required to bring the energy, as staff and party squads made sure that guests were enjoying themselves.

In the end, I had so much fun and ended up being less exhausted than I thought I'd be.

Read more: 5 things to know before sailing on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

9:00 A.M.: Breakfast

I started out with breakfast in the Park Cafe—an elegant, well-lit free cafe in Central Park. 

Breakfast in the Café usually includes fresh fruit, oatmeal, pastries, and more.

I dined on oatmeal with raisins and brown sugar, with a side of fresh grapes and hot coffee.

After breakfast, I hit the cruise ship gym, which was surprisingly busy for a relaxing sailing trip! 

Other cruisers, like me, wanted to take advantage of the quality gym and stay active despite all the tempting food.

However, the gym was gigantic, so I didn't have to worry about overcrowding.

10:30 A.M.: Ice skating

After the gym, I headed straight down to Studio B for a short ice-skating activity.

I reserved a slot ahead of time on the Royal Caribbean app, so the staff gave me a wristband right away. When my wristband color was called, I went down to suit up with a helmet (required for safety) and ice skates.

The rink was a medium-sized, icy square. Skating around on it was fun, but it seemed more directed toward kids.

Struggling children kept falling and skating in front of me, which could make the experience more stressful for beginners.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the experience. How many people can say they've ice skated on a cruise ship? 

11:20 A.M.: Lunch

After I finished ice skating, I'd worked up an appetite. I took the elevator up to the Windjammer, the ship's complimentary buffet.

I always enjoy eating at the Windjammer because of its variety of options. 

For lunch I directed myself towards the available brunch food, choosing hash browns, waffles, and biscuits.

1:00 P.M.: World's Sexiest Man Competition

After showering and meeting with my travel buddy, Val, we returned to the pool deck to watch the World's Sexiest Man Competition. 

Found on most Royal Caribbean ships, this competition is a hilarious, dramatic pageant show featuring several brave cruisers.

After each man flexes, dances, and poses in front of judges, one man in particular is awarded the title of the most attractive of the cruise.

2:00 P.M.: Plunge Party

As the World's Sexiest Man Competition ended, staff transitioned into the Plunge Party, a pool deck dance and music party.

The ship's "party squad"—a group of four dancers who showed up to each event in fun costumes—took the stage and encouraged guests to bop along to the music.

As that went on, Val and I headed to the Solarium to soak up the sun for a while.

5:00 P.M.: Main Dining Room dinner

Before the cruise, I selected a traditional, assigned dining time and received the early slot: 5:00 P.M. dinner.

We went to our assigned table at 5 sharp and were greeted by our friendly waiters.

Dinner started with bread, and then we placed our orders. For my appetizer, I ordered a tasty, hot tomato soup. 

My entree was a delicious crumbed slice of salmon, served with potatoes and asparagus. My waiter recommended the dish to me, and I was glad I ordered it!

Read more: I spent over a week on Royal Caribbean's new Utopia of the Seas. I was impressed by how much was changed for the world's newest cruise ship.

Dessert was a warm, caramel-covered brownie with a side of vanilla ice cream.

6:30 P.M.: Family Karaoke

After dinner, we went to join karaoke in the Spotlight Karaoke venue. For family karaoke, anyone of any age could sign up to choose a song and sing it on stage.

While I didn't join in performing, I always enjoy watching, cheering, and singing along.

On the way out of Karaoke, Val and I stopped to pick up togas (really just extra sheets) for the evening's Silent Toga party.

7:00 P.M.: SENSES Sunset Party

One of the new parties I was most excited to experience on Utopia of the Seas was the SENSES Sunset Party. 

The event is one of the more "Chill-topia" experiences onboard, perfect for sitting down with a drink to enjoy the views.

Just around sunset, the DJ begins to play house music as different views of sunsets from around the world (and around the fleet!) are projected on the screen.

8:00 P.M.: Name That Tune!

Name That Tune was titled a "live game show" in the Cruise Compass, and I noticed it was taking place in the Royal Theater.

The game show was a high-quality, hilarious production hosted by the Cruise Director, Ricky.

In between rounds of the game, Royal Caribbean performers would join a live band to perform popular songs.

Name That Tune far exceeded my expectations—it was like watching Family Feud or Wheel of Fortune live!

9:00 P.M.: Royal Kappa Chi

The Utopia Chapter of Royal Kappa Chi is a throwback to the collegiate days of frat parties, complete with flip cup and beer pong.

The event was held in Studio B, which had too much seating and stage space to accommodate all the ping-pong tables that were set up.

It was hard for all the attendees to find space to join in playing games or dancing, so many just ended up sitting down in chairs and watching the games.

10:45 P.M.: Silent Toga party

Our last event of the night was the Silent Toga Party, held in the Solarium.

I always love joining silent parties, in which every guest is given a headset with multiple music channels.

Royal Caribbean added a new and fun twist to the Silent Party on Utopia by making it a toga party—each guest was welcomed with a sheet and taught how to tie it on.

A common uniform always makes groups feel closer, so I thought this was a fun way to tie together the independent style of a silent party.

After the party, we headed back to the stateroom—tired but satisfied with our busy day.