The real cruise planning fun begins after you've placed your deposit. However, even when you think you've planned the perfect getaway, it's worth double-checking a few key details before setting sail. 
 

From small details like arrival times to important travel documentation, there's a lot you should review more than once, even if you think you've covered your bases. 

Royal Caribbean's pricing typically fluctuates in the months leading up to the departure. This means that the price you paid for your cruise, drink package, or other add-on may not be the best available rate. 

A quick check every so often could lead to cost savings that you can put toward another vacation or splurges that you had sidelined. Even if it doesn't save you money, double-checking some things can give you peace of mind and make your vacation experience as stress-free as possible. 

The base fare

For starters, you should continuously check the fare on Royal Caribbean's website up until your final payment date. 

Although Royal Caribbean appears to have begun cracking down on re-pricing, noticing a price drop can be in your favor (and your wallet's). If you notice that the base fare has decreased, you can contact Royal Caribbean to see if you are eligible for a reprice. 

For example, if you paid $1,700 for a balcony cabin on a weeklong Caribbean cruise and discover that the fare dropped to $1,500, you could potentially save $200 on your vacation. 

Read more: My family tried 4 hacks to save time and money on Royal Caribbean that failed, but we learned tips for next time

Pre-cruise add-ons through the Cruise Planner

In addition to checking the cruise fare, you should keep an eye on your desired add-ons, such as drink and internet packages, specialty restaurants, and shore excursions.

The best way to save money on these extras is by purchasing them in advance through the Cruise Planner. However, Royal Caribbean runs various sales and promotions, meaning that the price you paid for the drink package could be different the following week or month. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean makes it easy to cancel and rebook something through the Cruise Planner. 

As such, you must book your add-ons when they're at a reasonable price you feel is justifiable. Afterward, keep an eye on the price so you can cancel and rebook without penalty if a better value comes along. 

Travel documents

Ensuring you have the right travel documentation is about more than avoiding stress at check-in. By planning ahead, you can prevent pricey expedited passport fees — or even worse, losing out on the cost of your entire vacation. 

U.S. travelers don't always need a passport to go on a cruise. If, for example, you're sailing on a round-trip (or closed-loop) cruise from Miami or Port Canaveral, Florida, you can bring a valid birth certificate and government-issued photo ID. 

However, if you're traveling on a one-way cruise (like from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, Canada) or from international ports — think Barcelona, Spain, or Southampton, England — you'll need a valid passport. 

A valid passport means it does not expire for at least 6 months after your cruise's disembarkation date. As an example, if your cruise ends on June 13, 2026, you need a passport that doesn't expire until December 13, 2026, or later. 

Entry/visa requirements

On a similar note, if you are traveling abroad, you should double-check that you understand the country's entry requirements. 

Some countries allow foreign visitors entry with just a passport, while others require travelers to obtain a visa in advance. Requirements can also vary based on your nationality. For example, all U.S. residents must obtain an electronic Vietnam visa in advance. 

If you need to apply for a visa, give yourself plenty of time to account for delays or issues. Another alternative is to use a visa service to help streamline the application process.

Show reservations

Many ships, particularly Oasis and Icon Class vessels, allow passengers to reserve times for popular shows through the Cruise Planner. 

Popular shows, including the AquaTheater, Broadway-style musicals, and ice skating spectacles, fill up quickly, especially during peak sailings. As such, while you can wait until you are on the ship, booking in advance typically gives you the best selection of times. 

If you don't see any times that appeal to you, it pays to recheck the Cruise Planner. You never know when someone else will cancel to avoid dining conflicts or other activities. 

GTY cabin assignment

If you booked a guarantee stateroom to save a few extra dollars, you will want to continuously check the site to see when your cabin's been assigned. 

While you can't change your room assignment, you can start to familiarize yourself with its location. If, for example, you find that you're given a cabin near the front of the ship, you can begin to map out directions to popular venues like the pool deck, dining room, and youth clubs. 

However, remember that with a guaranteed cabin, you have no say over where your room will be located. As such, if you have a specific preference (i.e., no connecting staterooms, a cabin away from the elevators, etc.), you must pay extra to choose your room, rather than rely on luck. 

RoyalUp upgrade offers

If you're lucky, you might be able to score a better stateroom for less money through Royal Caribbean's RoyalUp Program, which allows guests to place bids on higher cabin categories for less than what they would cost outright. 

Those whose bids are accepted could "win" an upgraded stateroom. For example, you could go from a windowless inside cabin to a spacious balcony for $200 more per person. 

Of course, upgrades aren't guaranteed — bids are accepted based on availability and a random algorithm. Still, it's worth checking to see what the minimum bids are. However, you're more likely to win a better cabin if you bid above the minimum. 

Read more: The trick to getting a Royal Up bid accepted (it's all about availability and luck)

Crown & Anchor Society loyalty benefits

Most loyal cruisers know how to maximize their Crown & Anchor loyalty benefits, but it doesn't hurt to review them before your sailing. 

For example, if you're a new Diamond cruiser, you can take advantage of perks like a free professional photograph and a day of VOOM Wi-Fi. 

The four complimentary daily drink vouchers are useful, too. In fact, depending on your drinking habits, you might not even need to debate whether the pricey Deluxe Beverage Package is worth it

Read more: Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society cruise loyalty program info, tips, and secrets

Check-in times

Your best shot at securing your desired arrival time is by marking your calendar for when the check-in window opens. Although the arrival times aren't as strictly enforced as they were in the past, choosing your ideal window eliminates any stress that you might be turned away at the terminal. 

However, if you notice that your desired time isn't available, it doesn't hurt to keep checking to see if it eventually opens up. People occasionally change their plans at the last minute, so you never know what may open if you don't check! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process

Weather

Finally, it’s smart to keep an eye on the weather forecast as your cruise approaches. Knowing what to expect helps you plan what to pack — and you never know when a sudden cold front or storm system may impact your ports of call. 

For example, in late January 2026, a historic nor'easter impacted much of the East Coast, causing ships to divert away from The Bahamas and adjust their itineraries. 

Chances are, many of the guests aboard Carnival Sunshine didn't expect to wake up to a Lido Deck blanketed in snow as they returned to Norfolk, Virginia!

Sailing on one of the world's largest cruise ships is a bucket list vacation for many. However, with all the excitement that comes with record-breaking amenities, dining options, and activities, it's easy for even the most seasoned sailors to become overwhelmed during the planning process. 

In April 2025, my partner and I embarked on a 7-night cruise aboard Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship at the time. Since her debut, Star of the Seas has joined the fleet, and looking ahead, the third ship in the class, Legend of the Seas, is set to launch in July 2026 in Europe. 

With each new class of ship, Royal Caribbean continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible at sea, with the Icon Class vessels being no exception. While there are some similarities to Oasis Class ships, including the open-air Central Park neighborhood, Icon Class ships have new features and layouts that make them entirely unlike anything else afloat. 

Although the sheer scale of these ships can feel overwhelming, a little bit of planning can go a long way. While I'm not saying that you have to create a detailed itinerary and pre-plan every moment of your vacation, crossing a few things off your pre-cruise checklist can make your experience more enjoyable and stress-free before you even set foot on board. 

Here are six things I did before my cruise on one of the world's largest cruise ships to eliminate hassles and make our pricey vacation as stress-free as possible. 

Read more: I went on the world's most family-friendly cruise ship without kids. It was worth the $7,000 price tag for 5 reasons

Reserved all specialty restaurants in advance

As a travel writer who focuses on the cruise industry, I like to distinguish my vacations from work trips. For example, I'll typically stay in windowless interior staterooms when on assignment. On personal vacations, however, I prefer booking balcony cabins. 

Similarly, while I'll typically splurge on at least one specialty meal on work trips, my partner and I opted for an Unlimited Dining Package on our weeklong Icon cruise. As such, we didn't set foot in the Main Dining Room once, not even for breakfast! Pre-purchasing the package allowed us to save money on higher-quality meals — ranging from perfectly cooked filets at Chops to lobster tails at Hooked and sushi at Izumi. 

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean now lets guests with the dining package pre-book their meals through the Cruise Planner. Historically, you had to wait until you were on board, unless you purchased each meal separately. We took advantage of this new feature and secured our preferred dining times for the entire week. This meant we weren't scrambling to finalize our dining plans on embarkation day. 

Read more: I paid $660 to eat just specialty dining on Icon of the Seas

Pre-booked add-ons through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner 

Speaking of the Cruise Planner, we spent countless hours combing through the online booking portal to find good deals on add-ons like the Deluxe Beverage package, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi. 

In the end, I'm happy with what we paid for everything extra. For example, our unlimited drink package came in at $990.92 for two people. Our three excursions in CocoCay, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas were reasonable, too, costing nearly $590 for premium experiences like a small group VIP snorkeling tour, guided ATV adventure, and relaxing adults-only beach escape. 

Had we waited until we were on the ship, we would have paid far more for our cruise add-ons. Although none of the extras were necessary, they enhanced our overall cruise experience and made our vacation on one of the world's largest ships even more memorable. 

Read more: I paid $220 to try Royal Caribbean's new VIP excursion. It was pricey, but it made our beach day much better

Completed online check-in

Royal Caribbean's online check-in process opens 45 days before your departure date. Completing it as soon as possible ensures that you won't run into any problems in the terminal — unless you make a joke in line that you "forgot" your partner's passport (Yeah, that didn't go over well, and I don't recommend trying to be funny about missing travel documents). 

During online check-in, you’ll need to provide details such as your travel documentation and emergency contact information, and set up your onboard spending account

This is also when you will select an arrival appointment. Although the check-in times aren't as strictly enforced as they were post-COVID, it's still wise to select your desired time to avoid any arrival hiccups. The earlier times are generally selected first, so it’s a good idea to set a reminder for when your check-in window officially opens.

Read more: Your embarkation day on a cruise, explained. What happens and what to expect

Flew in the day before embarkation

As much as I love cruising, I can't bring myself to move to Florida — the heat and humidity are too much for me year-round. Plus, Charlotte has been a great place for my partner and me, and we don't have any plans to leave in the foreseeable future!

That said, I fly so often for cruises that I’ve become attached to my airline status. When I wasn't sure if I'd retain my American status, I applied for the Platinum Select Citi credit card to ensure that I wouldn't lose any of my valuable benefits in 2026. 

When flying for a cruise, it's important to arrive at least one day before your departure date. That way, you have a buffer in case of any unexpected delays or cancellations. This may mean taking an extra day off work and spending money on a hotel, but it's better than missing out on your entire cruise! 

Pre-cruise hotels don't have to be anything fancy, either. Before our vacation on Icon of the Seas, I used Hyatt points for a basic stay at the Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral. The complimentary breakfast was a nice perk, and we didn't break the bank on a short overnight stay! 

Rather than feeling stressed in the airport awaiting a morning flight, we woke up knowing that we were a short ride from the cruise terminal and that nothing (minus a life-threatening emergency) could get in the way of us embarking on our long-awaited vacation. 

Read more: I always do 6 things before I book a cruise if I have to fly there

Arranged pre-cruise transportation through Uber

I requested a rideshare the morning before we flew to Miami. This meant that my partner and I knew exactly when we had to be ready, and we did not have to wait for a last-minute ride to be confirmed on embarkation day. 

While you can certainly order an Uber or Lyft, another option would be to consider staying at a hotel with shuttle services. This can offer travelers peace of mind, as you don't have to worry about anything on embarkation day other than arriving at the pre-determined pick-up spot on time!

Read more: Where to stay in Miami before a cruise (with a shuttle)

Stayed flexible

Icon Class ships are massive — they're so large that it's impossible not to question how it stays afloat! 

Although it is natural to want to cross off everything there is to do on board, it is just as important to listen to your body, slow down, and rest. 

During our sailing, we didn't feel bad when we decided to sleep in or retire early. While there was always something to do, we knew our vacation wouldn't be as enjoyable if we didn't take in everything at our own pace. 

Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

Royal Caribbean is making a major change to its pricey beverage packages. 

Effective March 15, 2026, the Coca-Cola® souvenir cup and access to Coca-Cola® Freestyle machines will no longer be included with the Deluxe or Royal Refreshment Packages. 

Guests who would like access to the Coca-Cola® Freestyle machine can purchase a souvenir cup onboard for $4.99. 

Historically, you could pick up a Coca-Cola® souvenir cup on embarkation day as part of the drink packages’ benefits and have unlimited access to the Freestyle machines throughout the voyage. Now, the perk is an optional add-on. 

Soda will still be included in the packages. However, without the souvenir cup, guests will be limited to canned soda and fountain soda served directly from bars, lounges, and dining venues. Consequently, they will no longer have convenient access to the Freestyle machine’s flavor options.

Guests who prefer the variety offered by the Freestyle machines must decide whether the extra $4.99 fee is worth it. For a family of five, this could potentially mean shelling out another $25 — on top of what was already paid for the packages. 

The policy change only impacts the Deluxe and Royal Refreshment Packages, which are, ironically, the cruise line’s more expensive beverage options, costing anywhere from $32 to $115 per person, per day. 

The Classic Soda Package will continue to include the Coca-Cola® souvenir cup and access to the Freestyle machine. However, the souvenir cup cannot be used for unlimited refills on future sailings. Moreover, the drink package includes only one cup. If you lose the souvenir cup during your voyage, you must pay $4.99 to replace it. 

Royal Caribbean's Classic Soda Package costs anywhere from $9.99 to $18 per person, per day. However, if you utilize the Cruise Planner's pre-cruise sales, it's easy to score a deal for less than $15 per day. 

Coca-Cola® Freestyle machines are not available on the following ships: Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, and Vision of the Seas.

Guests who purchase a drink package on or before March 15 will be grandfathered in

(Credit: sdale39/Reddit)

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed to Royal Caribbean Blog that drink package bookings made on or before March 15, 2026, will retain the previous benefits, including a soda cup and unlimited access to the Coca-Cola® Freestyle machines.

"Guests who purchased a Deluxe or Refreshment Package pre‑cruise on or before 03/15/26 will not have to pay for a souvenir cup if they request one. The Classic Soda Package will continue to include a souvenir cup," they clarified. 

What is included in the Royal Caribbean drink package?

While the Coca-Cola® souvenir cup is no longer automatically included with the Deluxe and Royal Refreshment Packages, the packages themselves still offer a wide range of beverages. 

No other changes were made to the Deluxe Beverage Package. As such, the package will continue to include unlimited alcoholic drinks, such as cocktails, liquor, beer, and wine (up to $14 per serving), along with a long list of non-alcoholic options:

• Beers: Domestic, imported, and craft beer brands
• Wine and sparkling wine by the glass
• Canned and fountain soda
• Fresh and bottled juices
• Smoothies and protein shakes
• Specialty coffee and teas (excluding licensed Starbucks® stores)
• Bottled and sparkling water
• CocoLove coconut water
• Red Bull
• Powerade
• Johnny Rockets® Shakes
• Mocktails (including non-alcoholic spirits), non-alcoholic beers, and non-alcoholic wines

The Royal Refreshment Package also covers a solid selection of non-alcoholic options — ranging from mocktails to specialty coffees, bottled water, juices, and standard canned and fountain sodas:

• Canned and fountain soda
• Bottled still water, sparkling water, and CocoLove coconut water
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Smoothies and protein shakes
• Specialty coffees and teas (excluding licensed Starbucks® stores)
• Johnny Rockets® Shakes and Desserted Soda Floats
• Non-alcoholic spirits, wines, and beers (only available to guests of legal drinking age)
• Frozen drinks (e.g., non-alcoholic piña colada)

Both packages also include drinks ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee, Haiti. This means you can sip on a beachside strawberry daiquiri, beer, sparkling water, or crisp Diet Coke at no extra cost (depending on your package). 

Cruisers react to the sudden policy change

Loyal Royal Caribbean fans have taken to social media to share their thoughts about the removal of the Coca-Cola® souvenir cup from the drink packages. 

Overall, many see the move as a reduction in value, claiming that Royal Caribbean is trying to "nickel-and-dime" guests by stripping away small perks that were once standard inclusions. 

"Unbelievably cheap on Royal's part. It will no doubt be wrapped in a bs statement about 'reducing waste,'" one Redditor wrote. 

ArissP added, "Just a way to [eke] out more profit. The cups don’t cost that much to manufacture, so it’s just another way of increasing total profit."

"Oh this makes me so angry. I purchased the refreshment package so we could have that cup and smoothies. My cruise is the 22nd so we'll just miss out," someone else frustratedly commented. 

Not all reactions have been negative, though. A handful of cruisers acknowledged that they don't use the Coca-Cola® Freestyle machines, with the souvenir cups going to waste. 

"So much waste with these things. And on many boats, there just aren't very many freestyle machines, so often, one would not be inclined to make the trek to refill it," said AntifaMiddleMgmt. 

"We have 12 of these at home in a box in the basement. On our next [cruise] this summer, my wife and I weren't even going to bother picking ours up. My kids mostly use them for water at night next to their bed."

azspeedbullet agreed, writing, "Overall i think it is a good change. A ton of cups [don't] get used or only used for the cruise and then thrown into the trash 5 dollars is very reasonable to pay for that cup for those that really need it." 

"I rarely used it. My kid and I had the soda package and 99.9% of the time we just went to the bar to get a soda. My wife and son had an alcohol package. They never used it," SafetyMan35 chimed in. 

Royal Caribbean has even more tropical fun planned for 2027 and 2028. 

The cruise line's newest deployment release adds more island-hopping options to the already packed lineup. Now, cruisers have even more options to choose from — ranging from short sailings aboard Jewel of the Seas to Southern Caribbean adventures on Vision of the Seas. 

Many cruises also highlight Royal Caribbean's upcoming additions to its private destination portfolio, visiting ports like Nassau (for the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island), Cozumel (for the Royal Beach Club Cozumel), and Costa Maya (for Perfect Day Mexico). 

New Royal Caribbean 2027-28 Itineraries

Starting with Jewel of the Seas, the Radiance Class ship will embark on a series of 3 and 4-night voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2027 and 2028. This isn't exactly breaking news, as it was previously revealed that Jewel would offer sailings from Fort Lauderdale in the December 9, 2025, deployment release.

The 90,090-gross-ton vessel will officially relocate from Tampa to Port Everglades in April 2027 for short getaways to The Bahamas. 

Itineraries will visit popular ports of call such as Nassau and the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, along with Bimini, Grand Bahama Island, and Key West. 

Serenade of the Seas will also be based out of Florida, sailing a variety of cruises to the Western Caribbean from Tampa.

She will begin sailing from Western Florida in Oct. 2027, with voyages ranging from 5-night cruises to the Western Caribbean to longer 9-night Eastern Caribbean adventures. 

6-night voyages in 2028 will call at a mix of ports like Roatán, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Progreso, while 8-night sailings will expand the itinerary to include additional destinations such as Belize City and George Town. 

Finally, Vision of the Seas will leave her seasonal homeport of Baltimore for sunny San Juan in Oct. 2027. This continues the trend of having an older ship stationed out of Puerto Rico. 

The Vision Class vessel will primarily offer weeklong cruises to the Southern Caribbean, visiting the picturesque ports of Antigua, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, and St. Thomas. 

However, to kickstart 2028, Vision of the Seas will embark on a 6-night Southern Caribbean sailing to the ABC islands. 

Royal Caribbean Deployment Schedule

Royal Caribbean's 2027 — 2028 deployment release has almost been completed. The next round of sailings is scheduled for the week of March 2, 2026. 

As of now, the cruise line's Oct. 2027 — April 2028 deployments in Australia, China, and Singapore are still unavailable. 

Here's what's available for booking — and what else cruisers have to look forward to:

• NOW OPEN: Alaska (May 2027 — Sept. 2027)
• NOW OPEN: Europe (April 2027 — Oct. 2027)
• NOW OPEN: 7-Night & Short Caribbean (March 2027 — April 2028)
• NOW OPEN: Northeast, California, & Texas (April 2027 — April 2028)
• NOW OPEN: Seasonal Caribbean (April 2027 — April 2028)
• NOW OPEN: Remaining Caribbean (April 2027 — April 2028)
• Week of March 2, 2026: Singapore (October 2027 — April 2028)
• Week of March 16, 2026: Australia (October 2027 — April 2028)
• TBD: China (October 2027 — April 2028)

After booking a solar eclipse cruise, some passengers were worried they wouldn't see the eclipse, but Royal Caribbean has stepped in to clarify and adjust the plans. 

The August 6, 2026, sailing aboard Liberty of the Seas was marketed as a special voyage to witness the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026.

However, according to guests, the original itinerary meant they would only "experience 94-96% [totality], which [would not] even be close to a total eclipse experience."

After receiving complaints, the cruise line adjusted the ship’s route to ensure passengers were positioned directly in the path of totality. The cruise line changed the itinerary for a once-in-a-lifetime sailing.

(Credit: plasmid732/Reddit)

"We're looking forward to welcoming you onboard Liberty of the Seas TOTAL Solar Eclipse & Spanish Flair cruise later this year! As we prepare for our upcoming adventure, we wanted to share an update to our itinerary," the letter sent to booked passengers reads. 

Continuing, it says, "To give everyone the best possible total solar eclipse viewing experience during our sailing, we'll adjust our route after our visit to Gigón, Spain. Instead of stopping in Lisbon, Portugal, we'll head directly to Vigo, Spain, which places us in route to the optimal viewing area."

Cutting Lisbon was an important and necessary change for this special sailing. Had Liberty of the Seas kept the Portuguese port of call on the itinerary, the visit would have been extremely short and largely impractical for guests hoping to explore the city.

Other Changes to Liberty of the Seas' Solar Eclipse Itinerary

(Credit: plasmid732/Reddit)

Axing Lisbon wasn't the only change made to the 9-night European voyage aboard Liberty of the Seas. 

Initially, the Freedom Class ship was scheduled to visit La Coruña on Aug. 11, followed by a day at sea before calls in Lisbon and Vigo. However, the revised itinerary now has the ship sailing directly from Gijón to Vigo, with the solar eclipse viewing taking place at sea on Aug. 12.

Additionally, the visit to La Coruña has been moved to after the eclipse viewing. The reshuffled schedule has allowed the cruise line to add an extra port to the itinerary — Le Havre (Paris), France — on Aug. 15.

"[W]e are now able to offer a more rewarding and unhurried visit to Paris," the letter adds, "In Le Havre, make your way over to Paris and see why it's the European center for excellence in cuisine, architecture, fashion, and the fine arts...Whatever you decide to do, it will be an amazing time, as you will still be on a high with that Solar Eclipse afterglow."

This is the updated solar eclipse 2026 cruise itinerary on Liberty of the Seas:

• Aug. 7, 2026: Southampton, England (Depart 5:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 8, 2026: Cruising
• Aug. 9, 2026: Bilbao, Spain (8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 10, 2026: Gijón, Spain (9:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 11, 2026: Vigo, Spain (10:00 a.m. — 7:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 12, 2026: Solar Eclipse (Cruising)
• Aug. 13, 2026: La Coruña, Spain (7:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 14, 2026: Cruising
• Aug. 15, 2026: Paris (Le Havre), France (8:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m.)
• Aug. 16, 2026: Southampton, England (Arrive 5:30 a.m.)

"Woot Woot! I’m just so glad they listened!"

The change has been met with widespread excitement online. Passengers expressed relief that Royal Caribbean listened to feedback, while other cruise enthusiasts chimed in with excitement over the rare celestial event getting the spotlight it deserved.

"That's actually really awesome and I'm glad to hear the company was receptive to feedback," one Redditor commented. 

Someone else added, "I’m not on this cruise but this is an incredible success story of a massive corporation listening to feedback from their customers. This is something other companies should take note of."

Solar Eclipse Cruise 2026: A Rare Viewing Opportunity at Sea

Witnessing a total solar eclipse is an extremely rare event, and it's even more special if you're at sea!

The total eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026, will be Europe's first total solar eclipse since 1999. As such, destinations along the path of totality are already preparing for a major tourism surge — cruises included. 

Along with Royal Caribbean, cruise lines like Carnival, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Albatros Expeditions, Holland America, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), Princess Cruises, and Virgin Voyages are offering unique itineraries that allow passengers to witness the eclipse from the water.

Read more: Carnival just added a solar eclipse cruise, and it's the hot trend for 2026

While the first days of Odyssey of the Seas' current Bahamian cruise have been marred by snowy conditions in New Jersey, passengers have made the most of the unusual situation. 

Knowing the wintery conditions they’d face, one guest, Leonard, came fully prepared with everything needed to build a snowman — including Kingsford charcoal for the buttons and latex gloves. 

He wasn't the only stranded passenger to embrace the snow. The creations ranged in size from tiny, table-top snowmen to child-height figures. Either way, the playful snowmen helped keep spirits bright when many were anticipating being halfway to The Bahamas. 

For example, Debra Lunt built a miniature snowman on her cruise cabin's balcony, complete with small eyes and a soft smile. 

"Making the best of it on Deck 7!! Meet Hernando!!" added Kelly Ann.

Ashley Langenfeld also shared a picture of her little snowman, saying, "We’ve been having fun with it! Can’t say I had 'build a snowman on a cruise ship' on my bucket list, but I can now cross that one off!"

Joanne E. Shi, another passenger, posted a photo of her small snowman on Facebook. According to her comment, she's staying on Deck 9. 

Others took a different approach. Rather than braving the frigid temperatures, some passengers relaxed indoors, sipping cocktails in Odyssey's Solarium (or SNOWarium, if you will). 

"I’m on the ship right now, drinks are flowing, and the Solarium is perfect! We should be able to depart later tonight if all goes well with the port," explained Chris Slaight. 

Whichever way the current guests are choosing to make the most of their first full day aboard the ship, one thing's certain: being on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship is better than being at work, school, or home!

Why was Odyssey of the Seas stuck in the New York area overnight?

Winter Storm Hernando disrupted thousands of passengers traveling via air and cruise ship, including Odyssey of the Seas.

The Quantum Class ship's departure was delayed on Sunday, February 22, due to "high winds and rough seas."

As such, the thousands of passengers aboard the 167,704 gross-ton vessel woke up to a winter wonderland, rather than the ocean's vast horizon.  

A cruise ship originally destined for a tropical escape to The Bahamas is instead stuck in New Jersey and covered in snow.

Winter Storm Hernando has wreaked havoc in the travel industry, disrupting thousands of passengers traveling via air and cruise ship. 

One such vessel, Odyssey of the Seas, was stuck in port overnight. As the record-breaking winter storm slammed the New York City area, Odyssey was blanketed in snow across the Hudson. 

The Quantum Class ship was originally supposed to depart Bayonne (Cape Liberty), New Jersey, on Sunday, February 22. However, "high winds and rough seas" forced the cruise line to delay its departure. 

Rather than waking up to the ocean's endless horizon, passengers were surprised by the rare sight of snow-covered decks and gray skies. 

Jerel Donovan and Warren Caesar provided photos of what it's like on the cruise ship that's blanketed in white, fluffy snow.

As of 2:35 p.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 23, Cruise Mapper reveals that Odyssey has yet to depart New Jersey and head south toward The Bahamas. 

Odyssey is supposed to call at Port Canaveral, Florida, on Feb. 24, followed by Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. 

However, further itinerary changes could be possible depending on when the ship finally sets sail.

While docked in New Jersey, the onboard shops and casino must remain closed due to local laws and regulations. 

MSC Meraviglia was also stuck in the New York City area overnight, remaining docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal around noon on Feb. 23. 

Meraviglia's itinerary is similar to Odyssey of the Seas in that she is supposed to call at Port Canaveral, Florida, on the 24th, then visit MSC Cruises' private island in The Bahamas on Wednesday. The final stop on the 7-night itinerary is Nassau. 

Unfortunately, passengers on both ships must wait and watch the storm continue to pound the Northeast until they're able to safely depart. 

Earlier on Monday, the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey shared on X that all operations at APM Terminals Elizabeth, Port Newark Container Terminal, Maher Terminals, Port Liberty Bayonne, and New York and Red Hook Barge Terminal were closed due to the severe winter weather.

Over 600,000 homes and businesses have been left without power as the bomb cyclone continues to bring heavy snow and powerful winds to the region, according to The Weather Channel. Hurricane Hunters have even begun flying into the storm to gather data. 

Over 15 inches of snow has accumulated in New York's Central Park so far, marking the city’s heaviest snowstorm in over five years since the pandemic. The last time New York saw higher snowfall totals was during the 17.4-inch storm that lasted from January 31 to February 3, 2021.

Should NYC see another 2.4 inches of snow, Winter Storm Hernando will officially become the city's heaviest snowstorm since January 2016. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for everyone, from thrill seekers to partiers, families, and sun-seeking relaxers. However, if you've never been to the private island before, you might not realize that some of the best areas are those frequently overlooked by guests. 

Bryan James, a former Royal Caribbean entertainer, recently took to social media to share a vlog documenting his recent visit to CocoCay. Since being published, the nine-minute YouTube video has received over 40,000 views, 2,000 likes, and 150 comments.

In this video, James' girlfriend Jaidyn, a dancer aboard Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest Icon Class vessel, explained where crew members like to go when they have free time at the private island.

"This is one of the beaches that's not really on the map, I'd say," she said, talking about Breezy Bay.

"I feel like the main ones are Chill Beach [and] South Beach. [Breezy Bay] is the one that the cast comes to because they don't really advertise it...It's definitely one of the quieter places to be."

"There's a lot going on over here, but not many people, which is nice. I think that's why we come here," she added. 

Chill Island is the first beach most cruisers encounter as they walk along the main pathway around the island. It's also the best snorkeling spot at CocoCay, with calm, clear water, schools of tropical fish, and a sunken shipwreck. For those reasons, Chill Island gets crowded quickly. 

South Beach is another popular spot for guests. While it's further from the arrivals area, it offers a wide stretch of soft sand, tons of lounge chairs, and easy access to nearby bars and dining, including the floating tiki bar. The area also has a lot of sports activities, including a life-sized pool "table" and beach volleyball. 

Read more: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips, tricks, and secrets

Is Breezy Bay worth it? 

Between the two lies Breezy Bay. If you've visited CocoCay before, likely, you've at least walked past Breezy Bay when grabbing the island's famous mozzarella sticks, chicken sandwich, or funnel cake from the Snack Shack. But unlike Chill Island or South Beach, Breezy Bay remains largely untouched by cruise passengers compared to other areas on CocoCay. 

"Personally, I love Breezy Bay because of how close it is to Oasis Lagoon (pool), bathrooms, Snack Shack, Bar, and Chill Grill (Buffet). There are also beach games, basketball, and hammocks in the area," shared Jenn Yazzetti in a public Facebook group. 

Someone else agreed on Reddit, writing, "We did Breezy Bay and loved it for our family (with 3 young kids). We were so close to everything we needed - multiple food options, pool, restrooms. The water was calm and clear and the beach wasn't rocky at all."

When they aren't splurging on admission to the Coco Beach Club, TheSilliestMoose agreed that Breezy Bay at Chill Beach is their favorite "normal" spot at CocoCay. 

Breezy Bay at Chill Island also has some day beds available to rent. For an upcoming cruise on Utopia of the Seas in July 2026, pricing starts at $248.99 when purchased in advance through the Cruise Planner. 

The price includes two floating beach mats, two reserved lounge chairs, a pre-stocked cooler with four water bottles (other drinks are available at an extra charge unless a beverage package has been purchased), and beach towels. A maximum of four guests can use the beach bed, making it a good option for families or small groups who want a little extra comfort during their "perfect" beach day. 

Something else worth mentioning is the bar near Breezy Bay is quite lovely. It has a wooden deck to it, where you can watch people around the beach or the nearby excursions that depart.

There are two downsides to Breezy Bay. First, it's probably the furthest distance from the cruise ship, since it's located on the opposite side of the island from the pier.

The good news is you can take the island's complimentary tram service to get there.

The other issue is the beach and swimming area is partially obstructed by some Coco Beach Club Cabanas.

Not only is the view not pristine, but you cannot swim near the cabanas or you'll be reprimanded by the lifeguards.

You can easily shift down the beach and avoid that, but coming later in the day may be an issue.

That said, you can take advantage of the complimentary lounge chairs if you don't want to shell out any extra money — it isn't a paid-only admission area like Hideaway Beach or the Coco Beach Club. 

In fact, you can split your time ashore easily between Breezy Bay and the Oasis Lagoon pool. The lagoon, which is open to all guests, is not far from the heart of Breezy Bay, making it easy to rotate between fun in the sand and pool all day long. 

Read more: I went to CocoCay for the first time, and here's what I'd do differently

Is there such a thing as being too old to go on a cruise?

While cruise lines have minimum age restrictions, there's no set age when you're banned from setting sail. In fact, cruising is often the preferred way to travel for seniors and retirees, who appreciate the convenience and comfort that ships offer. 

According to the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2025 State of the Industry Report, 81% of Baby Boomers (i.e., those born between 1946 and 1964) are enthusiastic about taking a cruise vacation. The same generation is spending around $157 billion annually on travel. 

That said, seniors face increased health risks while traveling, and the possibility of a life-threatening medical issue occurring at sea increases as you age. 

To better understand the risks and considerations for older cruisers, we spoke with Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance comparison site. In this article, we'll go over their insights into how age can impact travel planning, the types of coverage seniors should purchase, and tips for cruising when you're older. 

Understanding the age requirement for cruise travel

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, do not have a maximum age limit of any kind. As such, choosing a cruise should be a decision made in consultation with a healthcare professional. 

To determine whether it's safe for you to cruise or not, it's important to understand the risks of traveling internationally. If a medical emergency happens in another country, access to care may be limited, and treatment could be costly or more complicated than at home.

"Travel insurance coverage often becomes more important as travelers age. Older cruisers are typically more likely to experience medical issues while traveling, whether it’s a new issue or a pre-existing condition, and medical care while at sea can be costly. This is where travel insurance can help, protecting seniors from unexpected medical costs they could encounter due to injury or illness while on their cruise," Squaremouth explains. 

To that point, older sailors need to find a travel insurance plan that has a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver. A pre-existing medical condition is any medical condition that has been diagnosed, changed, or treated in the last 60-180 days, depending on the plan. Without the waiver, you're responsible for any medical bills or unused trip expenses that are related to the pre-existing health challenges. 

"Timing is very important for any travel insurance benefits, especially for seniors. If you wait too long to buy your policy after booking your trip, you may not be eligible for pre-existing condition coverage, and your medical conditions could be excluded," Squaremouth says. 

To qualify for this coverage, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Buy a policy with pre-existing condition coverage within a specific time frame (typically within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit, depending on the plan)
• Insure 100% of your prepaid trip costs, such as flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and excursions
• Be medically able to travel at the time you buy coverage

It's also important to look at the age requirements, as some providers do enforce age maximums. Squaremouth claims that travel insurance premiums often increase with the traveler's age due to the higher possibility of health-related challenges. As such, it's not uncommon for seniors to pay more for their travel insurance coverage compared to younger travelers, even for the exact same policy.

According to Squaremouth's 2026 Cruise Insurance Cost Report, cruise insurance costs begin to spike after age 50 and peak at age 70. Consequently, travelers over 70 years old can expect to pay 311% more on their cruise insurance policy compared to those under 50.

Does Medicare cover you on a cruise ship?

"Most U.S. health insurance plans, including Medicare, do not cover medical expenses while traveling abroad. This highlights the importance of travel insurance for international cruises, since medical care expenses that occur while cruising would be your responsibility to pay without a travel insurance plan," says Squaremouth. 

"While there are exceptions (e.g., emergency care in a foreign country when closer than a U.S. facility), standard Medicare does not provide comprehensive protection abroad. However, Medicare can cover the costs of treatment on domestic cruises."

Read more: This Medicare mistake leaves seniors uncovered on cruises, experts say

Best cruise travel insurance for seniors

Cruise insurance is absolutely worth it, regardless of your age. When browsing travel insurance plans, Squaremouth recommends that seniors look for a policy that has the following protections and coverage levels:

• Emergency medical coverage of at least $100,000 to cover costs associated with illness and injury while traveling
• Medical evacuation coverage of at least $250,000 to pay for and arrange transport to a proper medical facility if necessary
• Pre‑existing condition coverage if you have existing medical conditions that may cause an issue while traveling
• Primary medical coverage to ensure a faster, more efficient claims process

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical evacuations can cost upward of $250,000. Yet, Squaremouth found that 35% of travelers are underinsured for medical evacuation, buying less than $250,000 in coverage.

For example, Royal Caribbean's standard travel insurance policy only includes up to $25,000 in emergency accident medical coverage and $50,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage — well under the $100,000 and $250,000 recommended by Squaremouth. 

"Medical evacuations off of cruise ships are more common than travelers may think. During my time as Director of Operations at Jet ICU, I led a team of medical evacuation dispatchers and managed account relationships with domestic cruise lines. In my role, I was coordinating at least one medical evacuation per day off of a cruise ship within the Caribbean alone," Chrissy Valdez, Senior Director of Operations at Squaremouth recalls. 

If you are underinsured, you’ll need to cover the remaining cost of an emergency medical evacuation. Without any coverage, you would be fully responsible for the entire expense.

Before buying a policy, it's smart to compare providers and products side-by-side. Squaremouth's website can help you find plans specifically designed for seniors, understand possible age limits, and review how your premium may be impacted by your age so you can select the proper coverage.

Read more: I took my 64-year-old mom on a cruise

Cruise ship restaurants are going well beyond a dining room, buffet, or steakhouse.

The supper clubs available exclusively on Royal Caribbean's Icon Class blend fine dining, crafted cocktails, and live music into a must-see-to-believe "eatertainment" experience.

Unlike traditional specialty restaurants, the supper clubs were designed to blend three pillars — food, beverage, and music — into an elevated, immersive take on "dinner and a show."

"As we thought of experiences that we want to create for Icon Class ships, we really thought about this series of supper clubs and bringing unique and special experiences to each ship that tells the history of great food [and] great cocktails, and ties together the amazing entertainment of live music paired in a very unique and special way," said Linken D'Souza, Senior Vice President, Food & Beverage for Royal Caribbean International. 

Empire Supper Club was the first to debut aboard Icon of the Seas. Along with other record-breaking firsts, the upscale specialty restaurant quickly became a defining feature of the line’s newest class of vessels — despite its $200-per-person price tag. 

However, developing a concept that intertwines a 10-course tasting menu, handcrafted cocktail pairings, and choreographed live music was no small feat.

"Creating the recipes, testing them, checking ingredients, bringing in the ingredients to check, it was a big team effort. So, it took really everyone, from equipment to product development to inventory [to pull it off]," explained Bruce Venter, Royal Caribbean's Senior Executive Chef.

If that does not sound difficult enough, the Royal Caribbean team took it upon themselves to shift to new themes and effectively reimagine the restaurant from the ground up for each Icon Class vessel. 

Empire Supper Club on Icon of the Seas is based on New York City, while the Lincoln Park Supper Club on Star of the Seas transports guests to the windy city of Chicago, Illinois. 

The Lincoln Park Supper Club has an entirely different menu, new music, and an overall themed experience compared to the original supper club on Icon of the Seas — all while adding their own memorable twists. For example, while Chicago is known for having more wind and brass instruments, they added a trumpet to give the music sets another layer of flair. 

"[It delivers on] the notion of 'eatertainment,' but in a whole new way," exclaimed Royal Caribbean's Senior Director of Product Development, Jennifer Goswami.

The upcoming Legend of the Seas will also have an entirely new supper club inspired by the birth of the golden age of cinema. 

"The supper club is a very unique, upscale celebration-type experience in really exquisite surroundings. The atmosphere is really phenomenal. It really gives you a great evening out," said Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 

Each course is paired with a handcrafted cocktail

Pairing cocktails with food isn't as easy as it might sound, Alex Palmeri, Senior Manager of Beverage Operations for Royal Caribbean, explained:

"[It is] a very intense process because you have to make sure you have the right cocktail with the right food, and it's at the right pace. We want these cocktails to be great and crafty." 

The Royal Caribbean team brought in master mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim to ensure that each pairing met the same elevated standard as the fine dining cuisine.

Abou-Ganim loved pairing cocktails with the menus. However, the task wasn't without its challenges. "Sometimes, pairings can be difficult with cocktails," he explained.

"Sometimes, it's not the most obvious. A lot of times, we have to tweak things. You know, we don't always hit a home run, but that is the fun part, kind of the journey getting to that end."

Cocktails are only one aspect of the three-part winning formula

"We've blended what we call 'eatertainment,' where we've got both live music and food together. And that live music and food will be very choreographed, so it'll feel like an intimate yet very luxurious fine dining experience — something we've never done before," said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Chief Production Officer.

Regardless of whether you dine at Empire, Lincoln Park, or Hollywoodland Supper Club, you'll notice that music is integrated into the experience, with songs carefully synchronized with the dishes and cocktails served.

Vanessa Fourla, the Manager of Live Music and Entertainment for Royal Caribbean, said she begins by taking notes on things like the timing, theatrical aspects, instrumentation, volume, intensity, and thickness of the musical texture. After that, they'll spend hours fine-tuning everything until they get what they deem is "an absolutely seamless experience." 

"[A]s we look at the big idea, we also have to look at the very minute details, anything from the menu design to the table and chairs that are in the venue to the venue itself, the lighting levels, the sound levels, the smells that you have. We'll spend hours debating that minutia of detail to make sure that every time our guests enjoy a new experience, they're blown away," added Jay Rosser, Senior Manager of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International.

Hollywoodland on Legend of the Seas is themed after Hollywood, California

For Hollywoodland, Royal Caribbean is centering on the glitz, glamour, and fame of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s in Hollywood. 

While many details are still under wraps, we can expect an exciting new menu that visually showcases the transformation of cinema throughout the years. For example, the meal starts with dishes presented in sepia-like tones, transitions through a series of black-and-white courses, and culminates in a vibrant, colorful explosion.

Guests will also feel like celebrities for the evening, with every aspect (i.e., good food, beverages, and music) designed to make them feel like they're an A-list movie star.