It's probably going to cost you more than ever if you wait to book your cruise vacation.
Historically, last-minute cruises were a great way to score a cheap family vacation. While there was always a risk involved, the reward was often worth it. However, Royal Caribbean is changing that narrative.
Instead of slashing fares to fill empty cabins, Royal Caribbean is focusing its combating high last-minute demand while trying to prioritize early bookings and build a stronger fan base. This represents a significant change for travelers who have scored big at the last minute.
"We see...an uplift in demand as we get very close in. Not only do we see an uplift in demand, we're also about to raise our pricing during that period of time," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's C.E.O., during Royal Caribbean Group's first quarter earnings call on Tuesday, April 29.
He continued to talk about last-minute bookings driving revenue gains in the first quarter, and that trend is continuing into the second quarter, particularly among loyal cruisers who are big spenders.
While Royal Caribbean's last-minute fares might be higher than you remember, Liberty wants to maintain a high level of price integrity, which helps protect the brand's reputation and long-term revenue goals.
"We are very religious about price integrity," he said, "We've been through different cycles before, and ensuring that we have a high level of price integrity is very important."
Though they also have different promotional tools that help stimulate demand, Liberty wants to focus on making sure that whatever they're putting into the marketplace won't impact the integrity of the brands.
In other words, discounting is done carefully and strategically to avoid frequent price fluctuations that could undermine customer trust or devalue the brand.
Loyal cruisers are spending more
Members of Royal Caribbean Group's loyalty programs accounted for roughly 40% of the company's bookings in 2024. This is good news to the brand, as if you have been on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you're likely to spend more on your next sailing.
According to Liberty, loyal cruisers are likely to book direct and spend 25% more per trip than non-loyalty members.
Plus, cross-brand bookings between Royal Caribbean Group's three brands — Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea — are increasing.
86% of the 2025 cruise inventory is booked
Demand for this year is strong. If you haven't booked your summer vacation, your options are narrowing, and prices are likely climbing.
With limited staterooms left and a high demand for the remaining cabins, waiting could mean settling for less desirable itineraries or higher costs. Worst case scenario? The sailing you've been eyeing sells out.
Looking ahead to 2026, Liberty said the booking window is about one week shorter, which is being driven by close-in demand.
"Our booked position for 2026, at this point, is in line with the same time last year on a volume standpoint...So we obviously have more capacity next year and at higher prices," he said.
Icon of the Seas is known for being the largest cruise ship in the world. Not only is her size record-breaking, but she's also the first cruise ship to have a dog living onboard full-time.
Rover is an adorable golden retriever who has been sailing the high seas since she was a puppy. Known as the "Chief Dog Officer," Rover's duties include meeting passengers, strolling through Central Park, and making visits to the Bridge.
On a recent cruise aboard Icon of the Seas, two families bid for a private session with Rover during the Make-A-Wish auction.
"We got to have the private session [with Rover] by winning the Make a Wish Auction on the second day of the cruise. In case you aren't aware, Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Make a Wish and does special auctions on each cruise for a variety of experiences / perks," Chalker explained on a Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum.
"On Icon of the Seas, a private session with Rover is usually one of the items. We got into a small bidding war with another family, but stopped bidding at $300. The cruise director then offered both our families sessions with Rover if we both made a $300 donation. We quickly agreed."
On Day 6, the family met Rover's handler outside of Spotlight Karaoke, where they were escorted to a private room for 25 minutes.
"Rover had a ton of energy and was sniffing all over the place and loved rolling around and being petted. We got to spend about 25 minutes total with them, asking lots of questions and getting pictures and videos taken with Rover," they continued.
Afterward, Chalker decided to share what they learned about Rover. Here are 19 facts about the cutest dog at sea!
1. Rover is almost two years old
Icon of the Seas' crew went all out for Rover's first birthday party. According to an Instagram reel shared to Rover's official account, she was groomed before her celebration, sporting a party hat and a colorful bandana.
The crew-only area was decorated with balloons and plenty of sweet treats. Rover even got her own dog-friendly cake! Of course, she also received tons of pets and brand-new toys.
Her second birthday is quickly approaching! It's an exciting one because she'll finally be allowed to have plush toys.
2. She joined the ship when she was 6 months old
Rover has been living on Icon of the Seas for most of her life. While she wasn't part of the overseas action in Finland or Spain, she joined the crew in Puerto Rico ahead of the official christening ceremonies in January 2024.
Before boarding Icon, Rover spent time aboard Freedom of the Seas. She needed some experience at sea before joining the world's largest cruise ship!
Thankfully, she has great sea legs and has hardly had any issues during rough weather.
3. Rover's handler has the best job in the world
"Rover's Chief of Staff" is responsible for taking care of her. When Chalker met Rover, her handler had been onboard since Sept. 2024 and was preparing for vacation. Rover's first Chief of Staff was Alison Hubble, who had been with Royal Caribbean for six years before joining Rover's team.
"Another crew member was ‘in-training’ to take over and would be moving into the cabin in the near future," Chalker explains, "This position is highly competitive due to the perks that come with it (i.e. the cabin, the duties, and schedule). It only goes to staff [who] have spent a significant amount of time on Icon and already know and interact with Rover a lot."
4. Royal Caribbean has a partnership with the American Humane Society
Rover's role as Chief Dog Officer was created in consultation with animal welfare experts at the American Humane Society.
Today, the American Humane Society conducts regular visits and inspections to ensure Rover's health and well-being.
5. As such, Rover can only "work" for a set number of hours daily
(Credit: JohnK6404/Royal Caribbean Blog Discussion Board)
The guidelines mandate that she can only work a maximum of two to three hours per day in 20-minute shifts.
These measures ensure Rover has time to relax, enjoy playtime, and receive proper care at sea. "The rest of her day is doing normal 'dog' stuff," Chalker says.
6. She doesn't like big crowds
Measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons with a passenger capacity of 7,600, one might assume that Rover is a social puppy who doesn't mind large crowds.
However, according to Chalker, Rover is quite the opposite. As such, she typically makes unscheduled appearances in quieter areas, like Central Park and the Overlook.
7. Rover is a 3 Stripe Officer
Because of her rank, she gets to live in a special suite with enough space to play and sleep — in one of three different beds! Rover also has plenty of toys and activities available to keep her entertained.
The cabin itself has windows, a spacious living area, a large desk for her handler, a separate bedroom, and a specially designed crate.
8. She spends a lot of time in the crew areas
While one of her primary duties is to bring joy to guests, the crew loves her just as much!
"She regularly visits the bridge and the captain loves her. The crew in general love[s] interacting with her through the day, such as in the crew café area," says Chalker.
"There are certain areas she can also run around, such as the helipad, where she regularly plays fetch."
9. Rover gets off the ship in Miami
Icon of the Seas sails 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, returning to Miami every Saturday.
When Icon is docked in Florida, Rover disembarks for regular vet visits and to see her groomer. Not only that, but she loves going to the beach, outdoor parks, and even the mall!
"She’s sometimes recognized as Rover by people walking around Miami," Chalker adds.
10. She has a few costumes
While Rover doesn't dress up often, she has a Captain's hat, pirate costume, reindeer costume, and various bandanas.
Additionally, when Chalker met Rover, she was wearing a cute skirt that was designed to look like a mermaid tail.
11. Rover loves fetch and tug-of-war
In fact, she loves playing so much that crew members can't say "ball" or "tug" in front of her! Whenever the crew is talking about fetch or tug-of-war, they have the spell the words out.
She gets so excited that she thinks it's time to play and will wait by certain doors since the games are only allowed in specific areas, such as the helipad.
12. She has a special life vest
Cruise ships have enough life vests for all passengers (and dogs)!
Similarly, like all guests, Rover has a muster station to report to in case there's an emergency. According to Chalker, "Her muster station is by the giant dog statue on the Royal Promenade."
13. There's a dedicated pet relief area onboard Icon of the Seas
The area is on Deck 5 along the walking track near the front of the ship and is a comfortable space for Rover to take care of her needs at sea.
Chalker explains that, "It’s got what looks like a raised bed garden planter in it with what looks like wood chips or similar that is a dirt simulant."
14. She loves treats and is typically hand-fed
Rover's Chief of Staff always has a fanny pack on them filled with Rover's food, which is why you might see her nibbling throughout the day. However, she does get other treats, including carrots and bananas.
In fact, she's quite the fan of carrots. One day, her Chief of Staff asked the Galley crew if Rover could have a spare carrot on the floor. They said no and disappeared into the cooler, returning with a clean, full-sized carrot for the pup!
"Rover thought this was the most amazing thing and was strutting around with the carrot in her mouth like a stick or bone for a while (they clearly didn’t want Rover to have to settle for a ‘scrap of carrot’)," explains Chalker.
15. She's smart and responds to hand signals
Before Rover joined Icon of the Seas, she underwent extensive training. For example, not only does she know how to sit on command, but she loves posing and waving for the camera!
During their private session, Chalker got a short video of their family and Rover waving to the camera at the same time.
16. Royal Caribbean allows service animals onboard
Whenever there's a service dog onboard, the Chief of Staff is notified because Rover isn't a fan of smaller dogs, as they're usually aggressive around her.
She's been introduced to the Toto puppet for the onboard production of The Wizard of Oz and was confused because, though it looks like a small dog, it didn't smell, sound, or move like one.
17. Rover has a traditional dog collar
Crew members have special ID tags that are different from standard guest SeaPass cards. Rover, however, wears a traditional dog collar with a tag revealing her name and phone number.
Her Chief of Staff said they want Rover to have a unique crew ID but haven't been able to get one yet.
19. Star of the Seas will also have a Chief Dog Officer
Sailor was born in February and is growing up fast! She's opened her eyes, taken her first steps, learned to play with her friends, and had her teeth start growing in!
While Sailor still must undergo training before she can assume her role as Chief Dog Officer aboard Star of the Seas, she's proving to be just as adorable as Rover!
19. Rover won't stay on Icon forever
While Rover enjoys living her life aboard Icon of the Seas, she's only expected to remain onboard until she's 5 or 6 years old.
Then, she'll be adopted by a loving family to live out the rest of her life in a "normal home environment," rather than at sea visiting ports in the Caribbean.
According to Chalker, there's already a long list of interested adoptees eager to welcome Rover into their homes when she retires.
Royal Caribbean has rules against reserving chairs, but that isn't stopping people from flagrantly taking up chairs.
Chair hogs are a perfect sea day's nightmare because as soon as you get to the pool deck, you realize there's no where to sit.
A cruiser aboard Utopia of the Seas took to Reddit to share their frustration involving chair dogs during a recent sailing.
The post revealed that by 8:30am, all lounge chairs had been "taken" (i.e., claimed with Royal Caribbean's blue pool towels) near the splash pad and three pools.
With over 300 comments, the post quickly gained traction, with some wondering why Royal Caribbean isn't enforcing its time policy, as it's a common problem on ships within the fleet.
"I watched a group of ladies go out at 9 am and put their towels out for the family ( 10 loungers) and use the toppers that say 'No reserving lounge chairs' to secure the towel to the lounger. And a staff member up above watching, doing nothing," wrote pennynv.
"They did not actually use the seats till 1pm. Pissed me off. Some people are so entitled."
Albuwhatwhat added that these people aren't just reserving chairs for fifteen or twenty minutes. They're claiming the seats and going to breakfast or worse, back to bed.
(Credit: LongroddMcHugendong/Reddit)
"Royal staff have policies against this but it just isn’t being enforced. I was on a cruise 3 weeks ago where we went swimming at 9am and only maybe 6 other people were there but every single lounger was 'claimed,'" they explain.
Because of the cruise line's lack of action, others suggested moving the towels yourself
ConsiderationFun7511 added that they've never seen Royal Caribbean enforce its time policy for reserving chairs and have often taken matters into their own hands, saying, "Last cruise I went on, I watched a 'claimed' chair in the solarium be empty for a full hour. Shoes and towel. No one came back to the chair in that time, so I moved the stuff off to the side onto a different chair..."
"Probably 30-40 mins after we’re sitting there, a teen girl and her bf come in - from outside of the solarium- and she aggressively starts asking if I moved her stuff. I said nope, sorry!"
Others chimed in, claiming that it's easy to "mistake" your spot for someone else's when all the towels look the same.
DrPanda82 commented, "Pick the seats you want, move that stuff to the lifeguard desk, enjoy."
"I would toss it all to the side. This isn’t assigned seating. These are not their chairs," added AZMadmax.
One Reddit user suggests that Royal Caribbean should add more cubbies around the pool deck
While chair hogs are obviously frustrating to guests who want to utilize the pool deck on vacation, it's difficult for the crew to keep an eye on every lounge chair, especially on mega-ships like Utopia of the Seas.
Cubbies are often available near waterslides, such as near The Blaster on Navigator of the Seas and the Category 6 Waterpark on Icon.
However, one Reddit user thinks the chair hog situation would improve if there were more places for guests to safely store their belongings, rather than throwing them on the ground.
"I wish the ships had a [cubby] system. You put your glasses, bag, towel, whatever in the [cubby] and the seats are for actively sitting/sunning," says ArtisanGerard.
They added that as long as they're free, they felt like they'd be used. ArtisanGerard even said they would use an open cubby without a door or lock, "not like a chair is [safer]."
Tips for beating chair hogs
If you unfortunately encounter chair hogs during your cruise vacation, consider these tips to make the most of your sea day.
First, though you would think that getting up earlier would secure a prime spot on the pool deck, LongroddMcHugendong's Reddit post reveals that others are thinking the same thing, with most chairs being taken by 8:30am.
Instead, consider staying onboard one port day. With fewer guests on the ship, you can take advantage of relatively empty pools, shorter buffet lines, and more.
Additionally, look for chairs away from the pool. Freedom of the Seas, for example, has a ton of lounge chairs overlooking the ship's wake near the FlowRider.
You could also opt for a later dinner time and enjoy the pools once the majority of passengers return to their cabins to freshen up.
On my recent Wonder of the Seas cruise, my partner and I decided to eat dinner in the Windjammer and enjoy fewer crowds in the hot tubs, and it made for a memorable night, even if we skipped the theater show.
A more expensive option would be to rent a casita, though I think private cabanas are a waste of money. I rented one while on Celebrity Ascent last summer and wasn't impressed.
While the shaded seating area was nice, it was too windy to fully enjoy it. Plus, the "exclusive" food menu wasn't much better than the seafood buffet.
Casitas on sea days can cost as much as $300 or $400, making them a pricey investment.
However, if you enjoy exclusive benefits, booking a suite with access to a private sundeck may meet your needs. In addition to the sundeck, cabins within the Royal Suite Class include an exclusive dining room, priority boarding, and more.
One Royal Caribbean performer lost their job for over 6 months due to a visa disaster.
Lera, an artistic swimmer from Russia who had worked on Royal Caribbean ships for 6 years, lost a contract when she didn't get her visa renewed in time.
While working on cruise ships, she had been sharing behind-the-scenes videos of what it's like to be a crew member on her social media, with her YouTube channel amassing nearly 9,000 subscribers.
Last year, she realized her visa was close to expiring, so she went to the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas during a port day.
"Spoiler alert: This was the worst decision ever," she says in a video shared to her YouTube channel.
Lera booked an appointment for March 25 and brought all the required documentation, including proof of a new contract offer.
She claims this interview was different compared to other ones. She was asked questions about whether she was traveling to the U.S. for personal reasons and exactly how many days she planned to be in the country.
"At the end of the interview, I thought, 'That's it. I'm fine. Everything is good,'" Lera explains. However, she was given a piece of paper and told that her documentation needed to be sent for administrative processing.
She began researching what administrative processing was, learning that it's an extra background check. Still, she never learned why her application was flagged or how long the process would take.
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
"Believe me, I am doing everything legally. I'm working with one of the biggest cruise ship companies in the world. I never break any rules," she remarks.
Unfortunately, her hope quickly faded when she discovered a chat with other foreigners going through similar issues — some had been waiting for years!
"No visa means no contract, no work, no nothing...My whole life is built around my contract"
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
Reading comments about other people who had been waiting 2 to 3 years consumed her, and Lera started to feel down. Because she didn't have a visa, her next contract was canceled.
"I was feeling so sad because everybody in my cast started receiving contracts," she says.
Her husband, Mario, also refused his contract because they didn't want to spend 10 to 11 months without seeing each other.
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
While they want to settle down and have a family, she claims it's different when you're choosing to make that decision versus when you're forced to do it.
The last month of her contract wasn't as happy as expected. Not only was she sailing through Europe, which was a dream, but her parents came on board.
"I was just so exhausted. I was trying to process everything...My whole life is performing on a cruise ship," she confesses.
However, she had accepted her fate by the very end, saying that she remembers telling herself to enjoy her last show.
Once the contract ended, she returned to Russia and spent time with her family, but she spent a lot of time lying in bed and thinking about her next steps.
With time, she began to feel better, celebrating her 30th birthday:
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
"I am healthy. I have my husband. I have my family and friends...I will be okay."
After her birthday, she visited Colombia and kept emailing the Embassy
After six months of waiting, she finally received an email instructing her to return to the Bahamas, but not revealing whether she would receive her visa or not.
Initally, Lera booked an Airbnb for five days. Because of the lengthy process, though, she spent over two weeks in the Bahamas. She couldn't leave because the Embassy had her passport.
"Honestly, those two weeks [were] the worst," she says. Since she wasn't there on vacation, she was constantly anxious.
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
She finally received her passport but was disappointed to learn that she had only been granted one visa. Lera didn't get the visa needed to travel to Miami, Florida, for rehearsals. Royal, however, assured her that everything should be fine.
She got a contract to work aboard Allure of the Seas
Lera was excited to be working aboard Allure of the Seas, an Oasis Class ship that just re-entered service after a $100+ million revitalization. Still, after getting the visa and contract, she felt everything was too good to be true.
With rehearsals scheduled to begin in late February, she started planning her life around her new contract. Her gut feeling was right, as she received an email saying immigration rules had changed, and she couldn't travel to Florida without a tourist visa.
Lera claims she's the "most controlling person ever," yet she had no control over her life.
She felt lucky that Royal wanted to continue working with her
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
Instead of revoking her contract, Royal agreed to let Lera travel straight to Allure. She was supposed to leave at the end of March ahead of Allure's April 11 voyage, but she needed to obtain a Schengen visa.
This added another complicated layer to her already tight travel timeline, especially since she says that right now isn't the best time for Russian citizens to obtain visas. Because she was still in Colombia, she needed to return to Russia to apply.
"I don't know who cursed me. Please, can you lift that curse? I cannot handle this anymore," she half-joked.
After applying for the visa, she was stuck in yet another limbo, waiting for the country to return her passport.
Though they had confirmed her passport had been mailed, they didn't disclose whether she was granted the right visa. Without the Schengen visa, she couldn't work on Allure of the Seas, which is where her husband is working.
In the meantime, she tried to keep herself busy by rehearsing using videos sent to her of the choreography, utilizing her phone and laptop to watch the other casts' movements.
"I'm trying to keep my head high and hoping that I will get the Schengen visa," Lera says.
She doesn't end the video on a negative note
(Credit: YouTube/Lera Synchro)
With hopeful music playing in the background, Lera opens up a package containing her passport. She's shaking and scared.
However, she quickly breaks down into tears when she realizes she got the necessary Schengen visa.
"I did not expect to react like that...I'm going to a ship!" she happily remarks. If you're sailing on Allure of the Seas this summer, keep an eye out for Lera, who is ready to return to work on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship!
Guests patiently awaiting their cruise aboard the new Icon Class ship have a lot to look forward to, as Royal Caribbean released Star of the Seas' entertainment lineup.
From original stage productions to ice skating spectaculars, here's everything you can expect to find on the Star of the Seas, starting with the AquaTheater.
Torque is Star's high-diving spectacle and will feature "the most synchronized swimmers of any AquaTheater show." The aquatic show will also showcase cutting-edge technology, according to the infographic shared by Royal Caribbean.
First launched on Oasis of the Seas, the AquaTheater has become a fan favorite. An enhanced indoor version debuted on Icon of the Seas in January 2024.
Supposedly, Pirates & Mermaids will finally debut on Star of the Seas. The new AquaTheater show was supposed to launch on Icon, but as of April 2025, it has yet to make an appearance. In the family-friendly show, pirate escapades will meet mesmerizing mermaids.
Another favorite entertainment venue is the ice skating rink. Sol, the brand-new show designed for Star of the Seas, will "trace the sun's path from coast to coast...with extreme stunts and out-of-this-world projects," as well as the largest ice skating cast in the fleet.
Royal Caribbean introduced the first ice skating rink at sea aboard Voyager of the Seas in 1999. Like the AquaTheater, the venue got a major upgrade when Icon of the Seas launched. Absolute Zero is now the largest ice rink at sea and was carefully designed to ensure that every seat was strategically positioned for optimal viewing.
Moving onto the Broadway musical, Star of the Seas will be home to Back to the Future: The Musical. This was first revealed in September 2024 after the Royal Caribbean Productions Facebook page posted that it was holding auditions for the musical. Better yet, the musical will be accompanied by the largest orchestra at sea.
Icon of the Seas also received a brand-new musical. However, Royal's adaptation of The Wizard of Oz is an original version of the classic story, rather than the 2011 musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Another new show is coming to the theater aboard Star: Create. According to the infographic, "Artistic creation [will come] to life through dance, visual arts, music, and more in the Royal Theater."
Finally, a new parade will debut in the Royal Promenade. Dubbed "Ocean Odyssey," it'll take the audience on a quest to find the lost Royal Scroll with King Atlantis and his crew.
Plenty of late-night activities
From comedy shows in The Attic to salsa dancing in Boleros, lively shows in Dueling Pianos, and sultry jazz, the evening lineup on Star is impressive.
Overall, it's similar to what you can expect on Icon of the Seas today. You can sip on craft cocktails at 1400 Lobby Bar, listen to electrifying rock and roll tributes in the Music Hall, relax to calming harps in the Overlook, or sing along to your favorite tunes at the Thorn & Thistle Pub.
With so many places to listen to music, you'll have to hop between venues to hear it all — not to mention the unique cocktails available throughout the ship.
Star's construction is moving along so well that Royal Caribbean has bumped up its first voyage not once, but twice!
At first, Royal planned for Star to debut with two 4-night "showcase cruises" ahead of the official inaugural cruise on August 31, 2025. Now, the first sailing is scheduled for August 20, 2025.
The 3-night cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.
One of Celebrity Cruises' most luxurious ships is returning to England for its summer season.
Celebrity Apex, an Edge Class ship that debuted in 2021, began cruising out of Southampton last year. Throughout the summer, she quickly became a favorite for destination-focused sailors who didn't want to sacrifice style or comfort.
"Guests told us how much they loved the amazing itineraries we offered with our Celebrity Apex sailings last year, so we're excited to homeport this revolutionary ship in Southampton again this summer," said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.
Apex will kickstart the 2025 summer season with a series of immersive sailings to some of Europe’s most captivating destinations, starting with an 11-night cruise on Sunday, April 13, to the Canary Islands and Portugal.
Between April and October, passengers can choose between sailings to the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and other bucket-list worthy ports.
Sailing out of Southampton also unlocks London as a pre- and post-cruise destination. With easy access to the United Kingdom's capital, guests can extend their vacation by exploring London's iconic landmarks, museums, and world-class culinary scene.
Not to mention with Heathrow, Gatwick, London City, and Stansted airports all nearby, getting to and from the United Kingdom for a cruise aboard Celebrity Apex is convenient. You'll find extensive flight options from across the globe.
The 2025 President's Cruise will be held on Celebrity Apex
Hodges Bethge will join thousands of loyal Celebrity cruisers on May 17, 2025, for an 8-night cruise to Norway, calling at ports like Zeebrugge, Belgium; Olden, Norway; Geiranger, Norway; Alesund, Norway; and Stavanger, Norway.
The President's Cruise is an annual sailing hosted by Hodges Bethge, who succeeded Lisa Lutoff-Perlo as President in 2023. All interested guests can attend, so you don't have to hold a certain status within the Captain's Club to book a cabin. It's a great opportunity for Celebrity fans to sail together with exclusive merchandise and special events with executives.
This year, guests can look forward to culinary events hosted by executive chefs and Celebrity's global culinary ambassador Chef Daniel Boulud, who is responsible for the upscale specialty restaurant Le Voyage on Celebrity Beyond and Ascent.
The sailing will also feature exclusive entertainment performances and specially curated shore excursions hosted by Hodges Bethge.
Celebrity Apex showcases some of the best amenities Celebrity Cruises offers
From the cantalivered Magic Carpet to the multi-level Eden venue and mouthwatering restaurants, Celebrity Apex is a destination in and of herself.
In total, Apex boasts 29 restaurants, bars, and lounges for guests to enjoy, including the Fine Cut Steakhouse, famous Martini Bar, and Oceanview Café, featuring some of the best buffet food at sea.
She's also an entertainment hub, with three exclusive stage shows in The Theater, as well as an intimate cabaret show in The Club. The ship's daily schedule is filled with themed experiences and activities, too.
Not the only Edge Class ship in Europe this summer
Offering captivating itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and Greek Isles, Celebrity Ascent will take guests on port-intensive voyages where they can explore the rich history, culture, and cuisine of Europe.
As the newest ship in Celebrity's award-winning Edge Class (until Xcel launches this winter!), Celebrity Ascent brings even more to love with reimagined venues, new entertainment, and upscale dining options.
European cruises on Celebrity Ascent depart from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Piraeus (Athens), Greece, from May through October.
Royal Caribbean is almost ready to bring back into service one of its mega ships, but it needs a few more days to solve a propulsion problem.
Local media reports that Allure of the Seas' departure from Cádiz, Spain, has been delayed. To be clear, there's been no announced delay from the cruise line in the start of the first sailing back for Allure of the Seas.
The Oasis Class ship was scheduled to depart from Cádiz on Monday, April 7, before her post-revitalization debut on the 11th.
However, during her time at Navantia's dry dock, a technician discovered that several propellers on the three azipods, the electronic propulsion systems attached to the ship's hull beneath the waterline, were in poor condition.
They didn't need to be replaced; however, Royal Caribbean opted to add new propellers to Allure before sending her to Barcelona to start a busy seasonal stint in the Mediterranean — her first since 2015.
(Credit: CruiseMapper/Screenshot taken at 12:11pm EST on Apr. 9, 2025)
Diario de Cádiz reported that the issues could keep Allure in Cádiz for three extra days. However, Navantia and the auxiliary companies reduced the estimated timeline to a day and a half if there aren't further complications.
According to Bryan James, a musician onboard, Allure of the Seas just left the dryock this evening, "We are leaving the shipyard and heading to Barcelona! "
Replacing the propellers isn't cheap. While Navantia hasn't released the price, Diario de Cádiz revealed it could cost €2 or €3 million (approximately $2.2 - $3.3 million). This is on top of the $100+ million spent on the scheduled renovation.
Passengers booked on Allure of the Seas' April 11 cruise to Marseille and Palma de Mallorca haven't been informed of any changes to their itinerary, though this could change depending on when Allure finally departs.
Allure of the Seas has spent over five weeks in Spain undergoing a massive renovation to bring her up-to-date with amenities like Playmaker's, the Perfect Storm water slides, Ultimate Abyss, the Mason Jar specialty restaurant, resort-style pool deck, new Ultimate Panoramic Suites, and more.
The updates were initially scheduled for 2020; however, her much-needed revitalization was indefinitely delayed because of the pandemic. Details regarding the dry dock were finally announced last August.
Over 2,300 contractors — including electricians, carpenters, painters, and plasterers — have been working hard to ensure that every new feature is ready, as reported by The Independent.
In addition to new amenities, the crew has spent time refreshing existing spaces. For example, over 28,000 bulbs have been replaced in cabins with more energy-efficient LED lighting.
Moreover, thousands of cracked or worn tiles in the outdoor Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 have been replaced, as well as the mini-golf turf on Deck 15.
Following the scheduled 4-night cruise on Apr. 11 and 5-night cruise on Apr. 15, Allure of the Seas will offer weeklong Mediterranean voyages through October 2025.
Guests can depart on round-trip itineraries from either Barcelona, Spain, or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. Ports of call include Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Marseille, France; La Spezia, Italy; and Naples, Italy.
Allure of the Seas will return to North America, offering winter cruises to the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Getting to Port Canaveral from the nearest major airport isn't as convenient as Miami or Fort Lauderdale.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is roughly 45 miles from Port Canaveral, whereas Port Everglades is less than 5 miles from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).
While you can hire an Uber or Lyft to Port Canaveral, the price varies depending on traffic and demand. It's not uncommon to see fares as expensive as $70 to $100 for a one-way ride.
Recently, my partner and I decided to try out Go Port's shuttle service from MCO to Port Canaveral. Since it was only the two of us, we didn’t want to risk spending $200 or more on transportation to and from the cruise ship.
Plus, having pre-arranged transportation meant we wouldn't have any long wait times while the app searched for an available driver.
We booked our round-trip transportation on the website for $59.98 per person, which worked out to about $30 per person each way. This meant we wouldn’t be stuck paying $100 for a one-way ride on embarkation or disembarkation day. Instead, the total cost for transfers to and from Orlando came out to just under $120 for both of us.
Overall, I was pleased with Go Port and would consider using their shuttle service to Port Canaveral in the future, especially if I'm traveling alone or with one other person.
Easy-to-locate check-in deck
My partner and I stayed in Orlando for two nights before our cruise aboard Wonder of the Seas. As such, we took a short Lyft from our hotel across from Universal Studios to MCO on embarkation morning.
After being dropped off at Terminal A, we took the elevator down to the ground transportation area, which is where you'll also find the car rental counters.
It felt strange skipping the usual airport baggage drop-off and security process. However, we walked to the end of the far right hallway near Door A105 and quickly checked in for our shuttle to Port Canaveral.
Instead of choosing a specific shuttle time, passengers are assigned a specific boarding number on a first-come, first-served basis. This system made the process smooth and flexible, as we didn’t have to rush to catch the first bus or feel stuck with a later departure.
Still, we wanted to be at Port Canaveral as soon as possible. While we enjoyed our day at Universal Studios, we we eager to kickstart our week aboard Wonder of the Seas!
We arrived at MCO at 9:45am, with the first shuttle scheduled for 10:00am. As such, we were given boarding number 82. We were also given luggage tags, which helped the driver know the ship the bags were headed to.
Go Port caters to multiple cruise lines, meaning passengers onboard their shuttles could be cruising with Royal Caribbean, Princess, MSC, Carnival, Disney, or Celebrity. Ensuring that luggage tags are secured on all bags placed underneath the bus helps luggage handlers easily sort and deliver the bags to the correct ships.
It was obvious other cruisers also wanted to make their way to Port Canaveral early. While the seating area near the check-in desk was expansive, it was pretty full by 10:00am, though there were a few remaining seats.
I waited for our group to be called while my partner ran to the conveniently located restrooms. Note that while the buses do have restrooms onboard, they are locked during the ride from MCO to Port Canaveral and vice versa.
I didn't get comfortable for long, as boarding for groups 71 through 98 started shortly after 10:00am, less than twenty minutes after checking in and receiving our group number.
I’d recommend staying close to the check-in area, as it might be difficult to hear the Go Port representatives calling boarding numbers if you wander too far. For instance, my partner wouldn't have been able to hear them from the restroom, which is why I stayed in the waiting area.
Efficient boarding process and smooth ride
I was amazed at how fast the boarding process was. Within minutes of being instructed to line up, we were heading out the doors and onto the buses. Luggage handlers quickly loaded everyone's bags onto the shuttles while passengers took their seats and situated their carry-on bags.
By 10:15am, we were pulling out of the airport and en route to Port Canaveral! The buses weren't anything super luxurious, but they were a step-up from public transportation. Instead of hard plastic seats, the coach buses had fabric-cushioned seats.
Additionally, the buses had a two-by-two seating arrangement, and by the time my partner and I were boarding, it was pretty full. We made our way to the back of the bus with our bags and found two seats together.
The ride itself was smooth and shorter than I thought. Since we were sailing aboard Wonder of the Seas, we were dropped off first and bypassed a line of cars. However, your ride time may be slightly longer if sailing on a different cruise line.
Porters were available as soon as we got off the bus, so we didn't have to lug our bags closer to the terminal. This was convenient and saved time, allowing us to head inside and start our cruise check-in process without any hassle.
Disembarkation was just as easy
After an amazing seven days on Wonder, we were faced with the reality that our cruise had come and gone.
Go Port's shuttles to MCO begin at around 7:00am and continue until disembarkation is complete. However, rather than wasting time onboard, we decided to disembark in case there were any long lines for bag drop or security.
The check-in kiosk was right where the bus had dropped us off one week earlier, and though the line was a little longer than when we checked in at MCO, it wasn't unbearable or annoying. I'd assume guests disembarking later might have a longer wait.
Unlike when we were heading to Port Canaveral, we weren't given a boarding number or luggage tags. Instead, everyone funneled onto the shuttles after giving the agents their name. Additionally, MCO is the only stop the bus makes, so all bags are unloaded at the airport upon arrival.
Since the bus was nearly full, we were off minutes after boarding. We arrived at MCO by 8:30am and were through security and in The Club by 9:10am, hours ahead of our 1:00pm flight to Charlotte.
I was happy with Go Port and would use their services again
When we arrived at MCO, my partner checked Uber to see how much a one-way ride would have cost. At $90 before tip, taking an Uber from Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral would have been more expensive than booking with Go Port.
I knew we made the right decision since we would've had to pay for a return ride from Port Canaveral to the airport one week later. Though this wasn't necessarily a budget cruise for us, saving on transportation costs was a nice bonus.
That said, I understand why families of four might be hesitant to pay for Go Port since it would cost around $240; however, I'd argue that the convenience is worth the cost, especially since you won't have to worry about hiring a larger rideshare, and subsequently paying more, for everyone's suitcases.
The check-in process during embarkation and disembarkation was straightforward; the shuttle buses were comfortable; and the overall experience was hassle-free. Everything went as planned with Go Port, making the start and end of our cruise on Wonder of the Seas more enjoyable and less stressful.
One of the worst mistakes new cruisers can make is booking their flights for the day of their cruise's departure.
In a picture-perfect world, that 8:00am flight would depart as scheduled, leaving you with plenty of time to mosey from Fort Lauderdale's airport to Port Everglades. However, the reality of flying is that flights can be unpredictable and chaotic.
One Royal Caribbean cruiser shared their experience of trying to cruise from Fort Lauderdale, only to miss the ship after over 13 hours of delays and giving themself a buffer in case of unforeseen delays and cancellations.
In a post titled "THIS is why you fly in the day before," Reddit user Mamm0nn described the unlucky series of events that caused them to return home earlier than expected.
"On our 3rd flight delay.... total of 5hr 30 minute delay so far.... now getting in at 1AM the date of the cruise," they begin.
The first update to the original post reveals that, after three delays, the original flight was canceled. With no other options, they were going to have to sleep on the airport floor and fly from Chicago to Florida at 5:00am on the morning of departure.
The frustration grew as five delays and two flight cancellations later, they realized they were stuck in Chicago and lost all hope of making their cruise on time.
"UPDATE #2 13 hours at Ohare 5 delays 2 flight cancelations We can't get to Fort Lauderdale out of OHare until tomorrow evening," Mamm0nn continues.
"No cars available to rent to get back to Milwaukee so waiting until 0630 to get a bus back and finish the trip with Uber."
They returned home around 8:00am and slept until noon. However, they didn't stay down in the dumps for too long, as they booked a 4-night cruise out of Los Angeles to achieve the coveted Diamond status before their Greece cruise!
Other users agreed that they always fly to their embarkation port at least one day early
While Charlotte, North Carolina, has multiple daily departures to popular embarkation ports like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, I'd never risk my vacation by flying on the day of my cruise.
Last July, AirHelp released data about the worst airports for flight disruptions. Charlotte ranked #9, with over 25% of flights delayed or canceled. According to AirHelp, the worst airport in the United States is Ronald Reagan National Airport in D.C., where more than 40% of flights are disrupted. As such, it's not uncommon for travelers to face delays, especially during peak travel seasons.
I've been stuck in Charlotte for longer than I'd like to admit. Most recently, I had two flights canceled while trying to get to Tampa for a cruise aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander. Thankfully, I was flying into Florida the day before and wasn't too stressed. Though I arrived a few hours later than planned, I wasn't trying to navigate flight disruptions on embarkation day.
It may be easy to catch another flight to your land destination and lose a day of vacation, but cruise ships operate on tight schedules and won't wait for late passengers.
While travel insurance can help recoup some costs, it's stressful and expensive to try and catch the ship in the next port of call, not to mention that you may lose two or three days onboard that won't be refunded by the cruise line.
One day before isn't enough time for many. Comments on Mamm0nn's post reveal that cruisers are giving themselves even more of a buffer than before.
"I used to fly in the day before. Now I fly in 2 days in advance. This is because the airline screwed me and delayed my luggage and it wouldn’t arrive until the following day when I would have already boarded the ship," explained ItsDeCia.
"So when I arrived following my flight, I basically went straight from the airport to the mall to buy a whole new bag and clothes to put in it. Stressful to say the least."
AnonUserAccount added, "Agreed. I’ve been delayed on my last three trips, twice arriving past midnight (technically the day of the cruise) and once arriving at 8am the day of the cruise (flight from Dallas was cancelled, took the 5am flight the day of the cruise)."
"Yeah, I’ve never been one to cut it close. Our next one, we’re going in 3 days early. We look at it as an opportunity to explore a new city, or visit favorite spots in an old one," wrote 410bore.
Delayed flights aren't the only embarkation day risks
Not only is flying expensive, but it's often riskier than driving. That, however, doesn't mean that driving to your cruise ship is predictable and easy.
"I totally agree. I even drive in the day before. I live in San Antonio and have cruised out of Galveston several times. On our honeymoon cruise, we drove 4+ hours the morning...Our luck, a storm came through that morning and it was a torrential downpour almost the entire drive on top of the freeway," explained Constant_Bandicoot21.
"We made it in time however we were frazzled by the time we got on the ship. We said never again."
myfapaccount_istaken wrote, "I lived in Orlando and would go the night before to Port [Canaveral]. 528 get[s] closed to[o] many times where you [couldn't] turn around and go to the coast in time. I'm on the other coast now, and will drive to Tampa (an hour) the night before and always Miami or FLL the night before. Just so much less stress."
Speaking of traffic, ports like Miami have reported massive delays due to the influx of passengers disembarking and embarking at the same time.
For example, if there are seven or more ships in port, cruisers have reported sitting in upwards of 90 minutes of traffic because there's just one road shared by multiple cruise terminals. As such, whether you're flying or driving, it's crucial to budget time into your arrival plan for unforeseen traffic delays.
Cruising has changed a lot each decade, and some aspects of what it was like to go on a cruise are now reserved to stories from those that experienced it over 40 years ago.
Royal Caribbean has been making history for decades. While many, myself included, weren't alive when Royal Caribbean first set sail, the company has consistently been a pioneer in the cruise industry.
From the launch of Song of Norway in 1970 to the introduction of the world's largest and most innovative cruise ships at sea today, Royal Caribbean has continued to redefine what a cruise vacation should be.
Along with creating bigger and bolder ships, the cruise line has adapted to societal changes and responded to cultural shifts and passenger expectations. As such, many traditions that were once prevalent on their fleet have disappeared to meet the demands of a new generation of cruisers.
Here are some traditions that you will no longer find aboard Royal Caribbean ships.
Casino Night
While Royal Caribbean hasn't gotten rid of casinos, the tradition of Casino Night on two-week cruises, where guests would take on the role of dealers, is no longer offered.
Passengers could see what it was like to be a blackjack dealer or croupier with lowered bet amounts (10 cents per bet) for other guests who wished to try their luck. However, the special event wasn't held in the regular casino. Instead, crew members would set up blackjack tables and wheels of fortune in the Main Lounge.
Today, Royal Caribbean continues to evolve the overall casino experience by introducing non-smoking areas and more electronic gaming options than ever before.
All guests sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise would be given a list with the names and hometowns of all fellow passengers onboard. The booklet would also detail specific information about the crew, including the Captain's and Cruise Director's names, the itinerary, and more.
The souvenir passenger lists would be printed during the sailing and delivered to everyone's cabins. Of course, this would not fly today with heightened privacy and safety concerns.
Believe it or not, I've seen passenger lists from former voyages for sale on eBay!
Masquerade Events
Theme nights are still popular aboard Royal Caribbean ships. However, the old-fashioned masquerade events have disappeared. At the costume gala, guests with the Most Humorous, Most Original, and Most Artistic costumes were awarded prizes.
While, like today, passengers were encouraged to bring costumes from home, crew members could provide materials to have guests create their own on board. Unfortunately, you won't find a slew of 80s-themed clothing available at the last minute for the party in the Royal Promenade.
It also wasn't uncommon for cruise companions, such as dinner tablemates, to decide to participate together.
Ladies Night
Like Casino Night, Ladies Night was offered on two-week cruises. While you might see a "Ladies Pamper Party" advertised in today's Cruise Compass, the two couldn't be more different.
The special event had four rules:
Ladies must ask the gentlemen to dance, and they must not refuse
Ladies must escort the gentlemen to the dance floor and return them to their seats
It's easy to get caught up in the fun of buying souvenirs ashore or onboard. Sometimes, however, cruisers may regret their $15 t-shirt or random necklace.
Royal Caribbean used to host a White Elephant Auction Sale at the end of every cruise. Passengers could bring unwanted goodies to the Main Lounge, and an auctioneer would try to sell them to another guest.
If your item went unsold or didn't beat the price you listed, it would be returned to you.
Skeet Shooting
It's almost unbelievable that guns were once kept on cruise ships for recreational activities.
Still, skeet shooting was offered on Royal Caribbean cruises on sea days. Passengers could shoot clay pigeons off the back of the ship for an extra charge.
Unfortunately, it's now a thing of the past, as the activity was removed from ships due to safety and liability concerns. Not only that, but it's prohibited to throw objects into the ocean today.
Passenger Talent Night was almost like an evening in the Spotlight Karaoke lounge with a broader range of performances.
Guests could sing, dance, perform magic tricks, play a musical instrument, or anything else they were brave enough to confidently do in front of other passengers and crew.
Today, while karaoke remains a favorite activity, Royal Caribbean has shifted towards more structured entertainment, including Broadway-style performances, ice skating shows, game shows hosted by the activities team, and more.
Afternoon Tea
Unless sailing on a premium or upscale line (including Princess and Cunard), you likely won't find afternoon tea on the daily schedule.
However, Royal Caribbean used to offer tea and pastries every afternoon. It was a beloved tradition where guests could relax with a cup of tea and chat with fellow passengers.
While there may not be a dedicated tea service, tea is still included in your cruise fare. You will find tea bags and hot water in venues like the Windjammer and Cafe Promenade.
Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial fan blog written for other fans of Royal Caribbean International. The Royal Caribbean Blog is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International
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