Before they talked any financials, the first comment from Royal Caribbean Group CEO was to condemn the terrorist attacks on Israel. 

Royal Caribbean Group held its quarterly earnings call on Thursday, and while Wall Street was curious about disruptions in the business from the attacks, Jason Liberty was quick to share his support to Israel and its people. 

"Before we begin today," he began, "I would like to first acknowledge the devastating events taking place in the Middle East." 

Liberty strongly proclaimed that the "horrific terrorist attacks" that have claimed "so many innocent lives" have "no place in civilized society." 

He also took a moment to recognize the efforts of the team onboard Rhapsody of the Seas, as they worked with the U.S. Department of State to aid in the evacuation of Americans from Israel. 

As a result of the attacks, some Royal Caribbean Group sailings were disrupted.

"About 1.5% of our capacity in the fourth quarter had planned to visit Israel," said Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

"Most of the impacted deployment was quickly adjusted, including a few sailings that were home porting in Haifa."

There were fewer APCDs, or "available passenger cruise days," due to the cancelation of the rest of the sailings from Israel this cruise season; Rhapsody was scheduled to sail from Haifa to the Greek islands through early November.

What is the effect on demand for 2024?

In 2024, the capacity for sailings to Israel accounts for less than 1.5%, with all of Europe accounting for 15% of their capacity. The vast majority of capacity will be on sailings in North America, whether that's to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, or Canada/New England. 

According to Liberty, the growth that Royal Caribbean has seen has been across all of their markets. 

While the situation in Israel "could potentially weigh on a consumer's psyche...it's not something that [Royal Caribbean] is seeing at this point in time."  

"We're beginning to book for next year. Trends continue to be very strong. But it is, you know, it is early in the European season for us to start calling out that there's no impact from Israel," said Liberty. 

Typically, consumers want to stay within the ecosystem of Royal Caribbean, whether that is on a cruise throughout Europe or one that visits elsewhere in the world. If there is a decrease in demand for European cruises, a consumer will most likely just shift where they want to go, rather than completely abandon the idea of taking a cruise with Royal Caribbean. 

Overall, the demand for cruises has only increased

"The performance of our business continues to accelerate, driven by strong demand and excellent operational execution," remarked Naftali Holtz, Chief Financial Officer at Royal Caribbean Group.

In addition to demand for 2023 and 2024 sailings, Royal Caribbean is seeing folks make bookings into 2025 and 2026. 

"Our visibility in terms of how the consumer is looking at things going forward, at least on a vacation experience on our incredible brands," said Liberty, "is pretty good based off of where the consumer is standing today."

Outside of Europe, cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's private island in The Bahamas, have seen an elevated demand.

This is due in part to brand-new experiences, such as Hideaway Beach, opening to the public, as well as it being a port of call on every itinerary on both new Royal Caribbean ships launching in 2024: Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas. 

A brand-new water slide is set to open at Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark in 2024. 

The Family Flume Water Slide will be able to accommodate groups of 2-4 people at a time and will be part of the Splash Summit Tower, where you can currently find the Sling Shot family raft slide, Splash Speedway mat slide, and Twister tube ride.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Bobby Southard visited Thrill Waterpark last weekend and noticed a new pole. While initially a new ride was just speculation, the addition of the new water slide has been confirmed by Royal Caribbean International.  

"We are very excited to add another amazing addition to Thrill Waterpark for families and friends to enjoy together," said Neva Heaston, Director of Private Destinations for Royal Caribbean International.

The ride, whose name has not been announced yet, will use the same raft as the Sling Shot.  

Royal Caribbean is also working on adding a new staircase for the Splash Speedway, which will provide direct access to the mat races, improving the flow and convenience of Thrill Waterpark since mat riders won't have to mix with raft riders. 

Related: 10 things you didn't know about Perfect Day at CocoCay

What is Thrill Waterpark?

Thrill Waterpark opened as part of Royal Caribbean's $250 million renovation of the island in 2019. It's an extra-cost activity, meaning that it's not included in the cost of your cruise fare. 

You're still able to enjoy the island without purchasing admission to the waterpark, which usually ranges from $89 to $169 per person. It does not include admission to other areas like Coco Beach Club and the adults-only Hideaway Beach. 

If you want, you can splurge on a cabana rental inside of Thrill Waterpark. Included in the cost is admission for up to six guests, as well as a cabana attendant, a lush sectional sofa, two resort-style chairs, power outlets, towels, and complimentary water bottles. 

The price of admission varies depending on what ship you are sailing on, as well as when your cruise is set to commence. Like other add-ons, Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing to determine the cost. 

Currently, there are eight different slides for guests to enjoy. There's also a wave pool, which is the largest one in the Caribbean, and an obstacle course pool named Adventure Pool that has lily pads, a rope swing, a rock wall, and more. 

Daredevil’s Tower is one of the two different towers that's home to five different slides, including  Daredevil’s Peak. This is currently the tallest waterslide in North America at 135 feet high! 

Splash Summit is the other tower where the new ride is being constructed. It will live alongside of the mat racer slides, family raft ride, and tube slide. 

If you do decide to visit Thrill Waterpark, you'll want to try and ride the slides before 11:00am or after 3:00pm for the shortest wait times. You're free to come and go as you please, so you can spend the early morning and later afternoon in the park while still having time to explore the rest of the island and grab a bite to eat at the Chill Grill for lunch. 

The 1990s was the decade when cruising reached the masses, and it's the decade that would see Royal Caribbean launch so many cruise ships that would come to distinguish it to this day.

Royal Caribbean International, which was founded as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in 1968, has some of the world's largest cruise ships at sea today. When they started, however, their first ship only measured around 23,000 gross registered tons!

By 1991, the company had considerably grown and touted a fleet of seven ships, including Monarch of the Seas, who made her grand debut that year. 

To think about the growth of cruise ships throughout the 90s, Monarch of the Seas measured around 73,900 gross registered tons, while Voyager of the Seas, the first-ever Voyager Class ship that launched in 1999, measured over 130,000!

Have you ever wondered what it was like to sail onboard a Royal Caribbean ship in the 90s? TikTok user @tikittytalk posted a promotional video from 1991 that gives a glimpse into what cruising then would have been like. 

Read more: Photos show what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s

The original video is small and grainy, but you get the idea of what it looked  like to cruise in the early 1990s on Royal Caribbean.

The video starts with passengers boarding in San Juan, Puerto Rico

Guests embarking on this specific voyage departed from San Juan on a Sunday evening.

As soon as they stepped foot onboard, they were waited on hand and foot. Crew members wearing white gloves are shown assisting passengers with their carry-on luggage. 

Some onboard amenities weren't that different

On the ship, guests could visit the salon to be pampered. Plus, the narrator states that everyone was "wined and dined virtually around the clock," with the Main Dining Room featuring a different international flavor each night. 

This is pretty similar to today, as Royal Caribbean launched new menus in January 2023 that highlight a different cuisine and cooking style each night, from Caribbean flavors to upscale French cuisine and even Mexican and Asian dishes! 

Aside from that, it's easy to find food (and drinks) around the clock while onboard Royal Caribbean ships. While newer ships have the most complimentary options, you'll always find a Windjammer Marketplace (aka the main buffet) and 24/7 cafe onboard even the oldest vessels, such as Grandeur of the Seas. 

The video then cuts to a cabin attendant preparing a cabin for guests 

Do you remember when Royal Caribbean cabin attendants used to leave nightly chocolates in your stateroom? 

Unfortunately, this, along with twice daily service, is no longer offered. Today, you are asked by your attendant when you'd like your cabin to be attended to. You may tell them in the morning or evening; however, they will not service your stateroom twice anymore.  

Moreover, the video shows this specific cabin attendant dressed as though they're headed to formal night. While cabin stewards are still required to wear a specific uniform, they are much more casual today. 

It is also interesting to think about how most cabins only had a window! Promotional videos today tend to show a balcony or multi-level suite. Back then, however, this was not the case. Suites were not as large, and there were very few, if any, standard balconies onboard. 

Monarch of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's ship that launched in 1991, only about 5% had private balconies onboard. 

In comparison, Wonder of the Seas, who currently holds the title for largest cruise ship in the world, has over 2,000 staterooms, including suites, with balconies onboard, which amounts to roughly 70%. 

Read more: What happened to Royal Caribbean's first cruise ships?

On sea days, you could expect a lot of fitness-related activities to be offered

On the top deck of the ship, Shipshape Aerobics were offered in the morning. According to the narrator, "They [were] a great way to get warmed up for all the activities ahead."

Plus, attending these classes would help you earn Royal Caribbean shipshape dollars, which were good for t-shirts and other prizes! Additionally, they'd have morning walkathons. 

While the fitness center onboard Royal Caribbean ships is known as the Vitality Fitness Center, it was called the Shipshape fitness center in the 90s. Inside, guests could find free weights and access the most popular machines, much like you can do today!

Alternatively, you could start your day with breakfast in the Windjammer Cafe

Whether you wanted to work up an appetite or sleep in, the narrator claims that you could "enjoy a nice leisurely breakfast with friends at the casual but captivating Windjammer Cafe,...which presents a decor that's as refreshing as the meals it serves you."

Today, you will not find indoor waterfalls inside the Windjammer, but that does not mean it still is not a great place to go to enjoy a quick breakfast before heading ashore. 

There weren't any shops or bars lining a single main thoroughfare 

Instead, you could browse through the shops of the Centrum. The popular Royal Promenade wasn't introduced until Voyager of the Seas launched in 1999. Before then, the main hub of the ships was the Centrum, which can still be found onboard some older Royal Caribbean ships today, such as Vision of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas. 

The Centrum onboard Royal Caribbean ships is an open air area that spans several decks of the ship. In the middle, you'll find a set of elevators, and various bars, lounges, shops, and dining venues are spread out on the higher decks overlooking the Centrum. 

The narrator says that you can find anything from designer fashions to elegant fragrances, fine arts, and souvenirs. 

The TikTok ends by talking about developing film

That's right! At one point, you could have film developed while onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. You could even buy cameras and film if you forgot either at home!

Today, you can still buy cameras like Go Pros to use during your trip. However, they're pretty costly. 

Moreover, professional photography services were offered in the 90s, too.

When the Royal Caribbean team was in the process of designing Icon of the Seas, it was important that they cook up dining experiences for every type of traveler. 

Onboard, you'll find over 40 different food and beverage experiences, meaning that every single day and night of your vacation can serve up a different vibe. 

Maybe one night you'll want to splurge on the swanky Empire Supper Club, while the next you'll want to dine under the stars at the complimentary Park Cafe! 

"Our incredible team, they're bringing different types of fare across each neighborhood. I think our guests are going to look at all this variety of dining and beverage as almost an adventure," said Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will offer swanky supper club and food hall on new Icon of the Seas when it launches

In order to curate experiences for everyone, the Royal Caribbean team spent a lot of time planning and testing equipment, recipes, designs, and more 

In addition to consumer research, the Royal Caribbean team spent about two years traveling to top cities for research, including New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Barcelona, and more. 

Linken D'Souza, Vice President of Food and Beverage for Royal Caribbean International said, "In our research, our guests told us they were looking for convenience, choice, and variety, as well as the ability to have lots of different opportunities to dine differently while on vacation. And so on Icon of the Seas, we have over 40 food and beverage venues, with over 20 brand new experiences." 

These vary from easy and simple to those that are sophisticated and classy. "Anything that you want to experience as it relates to dining is available on Icon of the Seas," remarked Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO. 

There were over 100 showcases, which Rebecca Burns, Senior Manager of Restaurant Operations for Royal Caribbean International described as opportunities for the operators to set the stage and tone to see the space, where the ingredients, dishes, and experiences were tested. 

Jennifer Goswami - Director of Product Development for Royal Caribbean International said, "Dining on Icon will be so multifaceted, so we took the best of everything we've learned. And we've really evolved it for Icon."

What does all this mean? There are options for everyone, whether it's an adults-only night out to kid-friendly grab-and-go spaces. 

New dining spots onboard Icon of the Seas

Empire Supper Club

The Empire Supper Club is a super premium dining experience that will feature amazing music, dining, and beverage pairings. This eight-course meal will cost $200 per person and take three hours. With each dish, there will be a small cocktail pairing that matches the ingredients. 

Onboard Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean converted 150 Central Park into the Empire Supper Club to test how well all of the aspects of the experience worked together. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's most expensive specialty restaurant ever will take 3 hours and cost $200 per person

AquaDome Market

Within the AquaDome Market, Royal Caribbean's first-ever food hall, guests will find five food stands with options for all guests, including those who are gluten-free and vegetarians. The five different stands are Feta Mediterranean, Mac's, Toast and Garden, GNGR, and Crème de la Crepe. 

Crème de la Crepe will serve sweet and savory crepes, including yummy breakfast options with eggs and hash browns. GNGR will feature Asian dishes, while Toast and Garden will serve salads and sandwiches. 

Mac and cheese lovers will love the mac and cheese stand, Mac's, where they can order specialty mac and cheese dishes topped with things like pulled pork, broccoli, and more. 

Feta Mediterranean is where you can go to get fresh pitas and Mediterranean bowls. 

Surfside Eatery

Surfside Eatery is one of three brand-new dining experiences within the stay-all-day neighborhood for young families, where you'll also find three water experiences, the first bar for kids and adults, and more. 

Rather than leave the neighborhood to head up to the Windjammer, Surfside Eatery is another complimentary buffet option that's been designed for families! Here, you'll find fun stencil pancakes (i.e., those cut to form smiley faces and more), as well as cookies with different designs!

Pier 7

The casual California specialty restaurant Pier 7 will serve brunch all day long. While mom and dad can enjoy a sit-down meal, kids can dine on their favorites, such as grilled cheese sandwiches. Plus, kids eat for free here! 

Surfside Bites

Those who want a quick snack will appreciate Surfside Bites, where you can go if you want something grab-and-go. This pick-up window will serve handheld options. 

Izumi pick-up window

Speaking up pick-up windows, Icon of the Seas will be the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet to have a grab-and-go Izumi window. Located in Central Park, there is where guests can go to grab sushi, hot gyoza, and soft serve bubble cones for a refreshing afternoon sweet treat! 

Basecamp

Thrill Island is where you'll find the record-breaking Category 6 Water Park. Of course, you will need to be able to fuel yourself, so you don't run out of energy. 

Basecamp, the outdoor, fast-casual eatery located in Thrill Island is where you can grab a quick bite to eat before returning to the Pressure Drop for the second (or third) time.

It's also a place where you can meet up with friends and family to talk about all the surrounding activities. Maybe you're traveling with a multigenerational party. 

A lunch at Basecamp will allow your teenagers to fill in their grandparents on all the exciting things that they've been up to while eating things like waffle chicken nuggets topped with hot honey, smash burgers, crispy shrimp bao buns, and more. 

Pearl Café

Located in the Royal Promenade, Pearl Cafe will feature elevated options compared to the Cafe Promenade found onboard some other ships. Don't worry, though, it'll still be open 24/7, meaning that you'll always be able to grab a complimentary sandwich, ready-made salad, and more at any hour!

You'll also be able to enjoy both complimentary and specialty coffees. 

The Grove

The Grove is an al fresco buffet that will only be available to those staying in Star and Sky Class suites, as it's located in the suites-only area. It's another dining option in addition to Coastal Kitchen; however, it'll be much smaller, with a capacity of only 38 passengers. 

Celebration Table

Celebration Table will be kind of like an elevated Chef's Table. This fully rentable private dining room inside of Hooked Seafood will be able to seat twelve guests. 

There will be four different family-style prix fixe menus to choose from: American, Asian, Seafood, and Italian. You can also personalize and upgrade the selections, too. 

Returning favorites

Onboard Icon of the Seas, there will be many fan favorites available for passengers to enjoy, including Playmakers, El Loco Fresh, Hooked, Sugar Beach, Sorrento's, and Coastal Kitchen. 

However, many returning dining venues will have their own flare compared to other ships in the fleet. You can expect to find new dishes, designs, locations, and more! 

Chops Grille

For the first time, you'll be able to hand-select your cut of meat at Chops Grille thanks to the impressive butcher's display. 

Izumi

Have you ever wanted to enjoy sushi al fresco? Izumi is being relocated to Central Park onboard Icon of the Seas. Plus, there will be more hibachi tables to allow even more guests to enjoy a fun teppanyaki experience. 

Trellis Bar

Also returning to Central Park is the Trellis Bar. This beloved meeting point will, for the first time, have a menu for those who want to enjoy some snacks at the bar. Some potential offerings include beef tartare, mac and cheese poppers, crab cake fritters, steak bites, and crispy truffle fries. 

Park Café

In addition to the legendary Royal Kümmelweck roast beef sandwich, guests can expect to find new breakfast, lunch, and -- yes -- dinner sandwiches, as the Park Café onboard Icon of the Seas will be open later than on other ships in the fleet. Plus, there will be new salads, too.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Located on Deck 6 in the Royal Promenade, the new location of Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar will allow diners to be connected to the action of the main thoroughfare. It will be the first time that Royal Caribbean will feature a specialty restaurant in the Royal Promenade, too!

Main Dining Room

A staple onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, the three-story Main Dining Room onboard Icon of the Seas will have a special kids' menu where they'll be able to see their options, as well as fold and play with it after making their decisions! 

Read more: First look at Royal Caribbean's new main dining room menus

Windjammer

Kids will love the Windjammer as it'll feature a "Kidjammer." In other words, a section of the Windjammer has been designed with children in mind, and they will find yummy treats like cake pops, as well as kid favorites like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chicken fingers. 

A milestone in the construction of Celebrity Cruises' fourth Edge Class cruise ship has begun.

On September 27, Celebrity Ascent departed from Saint-Nazaire, France to begin her sea trials. 

"It’s always a great emotion for anyone who worked on a cruise ship to see it take the sea for the first time," wrote Saint-Nazaire Renversante on Facebook. 

"Today the #CelebrityAscent left for 4 days of sea trials before returning on September 30th to #SaintNazaire. Its delivery and departure are scheduled for early November. We'll keep you informed."

Celebrity Ascent sails the open ocean for the very first time

Over the course of the next few days, Celebrity Ascent will have certain features and systems tested that cannot be done while she's docked. 

Sea trials are an important part of the construction process of any cruise ship, as they allow for certain navigational and technical systems to be tested. It's the final stage of construction prior to the ship being delivered to the cruise line. 

Sea trials range in duration. When Icon of the Seas underwent her first round of sea trials earlier this year, she spent an entire week at sea. Celebrity Ascent, however, is planned to return on September 30 after only four days. 

In addition, sometimes, there can be two different sessions. 

Fourth ship in the cruise line's innovative Edge Class

While Celebrity Ascent is not part of a brand new class of ships like Icon of the Seas, she is part of Celebrity Cruises' most innovative class of ship yet. 

Sister to Celebrity Edge, Apex, and Beyond, the launch of Celebrity Ascent means that guests have more opportunities to sail onboard an Edge Class vessel. 

“First launched in 2018, the Edge Series transformed what cruising could be and its ships like Edge, Apex, and Beyond quickly became consumer favorites," said Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

"Continuously striving to offer travelers a better way to enjoy travel and reach the world around them, we are so proud of what we have built and look forward to welcoming both seasoned and new cruisers alike.” 

Of course, many Edge Class favorites will return, such as the state-of-the-art theater, Rooftop Garden, resort-style pool deck, adults-only Solarium, Sunset Bar, Magic Carpet, the Grand Plaza and Martini Bar, and three-story Eden Bar and Restaurant.

To make this brand-new ship stand out, there will be new and refreshed experiences. In other words, cruising onboard this ship will be different from any other ship in the class!

In terms of dining, guests can expect to find a redesigned Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, a plant-based tasting menu at Eden Restaurant, high-end bourbon tastings at Craft Social, an expanded Martini Bar menu, and a refreshed complimentary Cosmopolitan restaurant. 

Moreover, Blu, the exclusive restaurant dedicated to AquaClass guests, will have an outdoor terrace with the ability to seat 24 guests.

Other aspects of the cruising experience will be enhanced, too, such as the theater's original production shows, the addition of interactive digital experiences in the Club, new immersive shows in Eden Bar and Restaurant, and a redesigned casino that will feature brand-new games. 

Those looking to shop will appreciate the Sunset Collection by Nate Berkus, which is a collection of travel and home accessories that can only be found onboard Celebrity Ascent!

Where will Celebrity Ascent sail to?

Celebrity Ascent is going to begin her maiden season sailing throughout the Caribbean before she embarks on a transatlantic voyage to spend her summer in Europe.

Whether you want to bask in the warm Caribbean sunshine or experience culturally rich European cities, there's the perfect itinerary for you to choose from if you want to sail onboard Celebrity Ascent within the first year of her launch. 

Her maiden voyage is slated to set sail on December 3, 2023. It will be a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise that will visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata.

There's a chance that Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises will be merging their loyalty programs in the future. 

The Captain's Club is the cruise line's program that rewards cruisers for showing loyalty to Celebrity Cruises. After your first cruise with the brand, you'll start earning points to move up the ranks of their program.

During a Captain's Club webinar sent via email on September 26, Celebrity Cruises President Laura Hodges Bethge answered questions sent in from loyal Celebrity fans, including some about Perfect Day at CocoCay, the future of "All Included," vaping in the casino, and potential changes to their loyalty program.

While no definitive answer was provided, members of Celebrity Cruises' Captain's Club and Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society may be able to consolidate their statuses in the future. 

Is Celebrity Cruises considering the possibility of consolidating Royal Caribbean Group loyalty programs?

Andrea Shay, AVP of Loyalty for Celebrity Cruises, took the reign on this question, responding by saying, "I'm so glad that this question came up, and it's something that members are asking for."

"We have some status match between the brands today, but there's such a huge opportunity for us to do more and really take advantage of the connection and us being part of the same family."

According to Shay, the status match doesn't thread the three Royal Caribbean Group brands together, so they're working with their sister brands. Hopefully, more will be revealed in the coming months. 

Celebrity Cruises' current status match program

By status matching, cruisers are able to receive comparable benefits from Celebrity's Captain's Club when sailing onboard Royal Caribbean ships. 

You won't, however, be able to match your status with Royal Caribbean until you become a Select member, which corresponds with the Platinum tier of the Crown & Anchor Society. 

When you become an Elite member, you'll level up to a Diamond Crown & Anchor member. This is the highest tier you will be able to match into. 

Likewise, if you are matching into Celebrity's Captain's Club through the Crown & Anchor Society, Platinum and Emerald members will be able to benefit from Select benefits, while those Diamond and become will get those of an Elite member. 

With the status match program, you don't earn points when sailing on a sister brand. So, for instance, if you are a Diamond Crown & Anchor member through points, sailings on Celebrity Cruises won't help you move towards Diamond Plus status. 

Similarly, you won't earn any Crown & Anchor points if you embark on a 14-night transatlantic cruise onboard a Celebrity ship. 

What kinds of benefits do Elite Captain's Club members get?

To become an Elite member, you'll have to earn 300 points. Earning points is based upon a couple of factors, such as the length of your cruise and cabin category that you sail in:

• Inside or ocean view: 2 points per night
• Veranda: 3 points per night
• Concierge Class and AquaClass: 5 points per night
• Sky Suites and Aqua Sky Suite: 8 points per night
• Celebrity, Signature, Royal, and Sunset Suites: 12 points per night
• Penthouse, Reflection, and Edge Villa: 18 points per night
• Iconic Suite: 24 points per night

This means that it is possible to earn Elite status after three cruises if you book a Penthouse, Reflection, or Edge Villa. 

Elite members get a private continental breakfast, access to private events, priority tender access, 20% off any bottle of wine, 15% discount on drink package or premium drink package, a complimentary cocktail hour from 5-7pm, and more. 

What perks come with Royal Caribbean's Diamond tier?

Once you reach 80 cruise points, you'll become a Diamond member with the Crown & Anchor Society. This is when you begin unlocking some pretty lucrative benefits, such as daily drink vouchers, a free day of internet, a complimentary photo, and more. 

This means that if you are an Elite member with Celebrity thinking about taking your first-ever Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll be eligible for the same perks. 

Note that typically you earn a single cruise point for each night sailed with Royal Caribbean. This means that if you go on a 7-night cruise, you'll get seven cruise points. 

You can earn an  extra point per night by staying in a suite, or double points for traveling solo. Those cruising alone in a suite will earn three cruise points per night. 

It would take 12 week-long cruises to become a Diamond member in standard cabins, or six if you're staying in suites or traveling solo. 

CocoCay, smoking in the casino and more

During the webinar, Laura Hodges Bethge mentioned that adding Perfect Day at CocoCay to Celebrity itineraries was an easy decision.

One thing that loyal guests were asking for was a private destination, and since Celebrity Cruises does not have their own at this point in time, this was the easiest and fastest way to make it happen for their guests. 

With Coco Beach Club and the addition of Hideaway Beach in January 2024, there's something for those seeking either a relaxed day at an exclusive beachfront beach club or for adults wanting a fun day away from children.

Moreover, Zenith members, those who have reached the highest tier of Celebrity's Captain's Club, are able to access The Retreat Lounge effective immediately.

She did note, however, that since this perks was initially pulled back due to volume and capacity issues, there may be times that Zenith members will be offered an annexed space, rather than getting access to The Retreat Lounge.

Finally, while they did a test onboard two ships to see if they would allow smoking in the casino, Celebrity Cruises figured out that the majority of passengers are against this. Therefore, the casino onboard Celebrity ships will remain a no smoking (or vaping) area. 

Even the most organized travelers should make a list of last minute things to do prior to their cruise vacation. You don't want to show up to the port and realize that you left an important document at home!

Plus, it is not as easy to run out and pick up something, like medication, if it were left behind. When you are on the ship, you are not a short drive away from a drug or megastore, such as Target or Walgreens. 

To save yourself the last minute panic, here are 12 last minute things that you should check off of your list before your next cruise vacation. 

1. Pack your passport or birth certificate and government-issued form of identification 

Being denied boarding would surely put a damper on your cruise vacation. Without a passport or birth certificate and government-issued form of identification, you will not be able to set sail. These documents are checked prior to embarkation, so it is crucial that you ensure that they're packed in your carry-on luggage. 

If you are going on a closed-loop cruise, or one that begins and ends in the same U.S. port, you are able to use a birth certificate. Sailings that are one-way or depart from outside of the United States, however, require that you have a valid passport. 

It is important to research what documents your specific cruise requires before you book. If, for instance, you book a last minute cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver thinking that you can sail without a passport, you are sure to be disappointed upon arriving at the cruise terminal. 

Read more: Guide to cruising with a birth certificate

2. Complete the online-check in process

If you have yet to do so, you will want to set aside a couple of minutes to complete Royal Caribbean's online check-in process, so you do not have to worry about it on embarkation day. 

The online check-in process opens 45 days prior to your cruise departure date, and it is recommended that you put a notification on your calendar of the exact date check-in opens, so you can complete it as soon as possible. This will ensure that you get your first pick of arrival times, too. 

To complete the online check-in process, you will need the following things on hand:

• Personal information (i.e., legal name, birthday, and address) for each passenger
• Identification document information for each passenger
• A picture of each passenger (note that there are requirements that the picture has to meet; any selfie won't suffice)
• Crown & Anchor Society membership number
• Credit/debit card to link to your onboard expense account

3. Get your favorite over-the-counter medications

If you are like me, then you probably have a preference when it comes to certain over-the-counter medications. I am a huge fan of Advil Liqui-Gels versus other types of pain relievers, so I always make sure that I have them packed for any vacation! Maybe you prefer Bonine over Dramamine to help cure symptoms of seasickness. 

Inventory is limited on a cruise ship. In other words, you won't find a fully stocked pharmacy onboard. Plus, the prices will be higher than what you would pay if you were to purchase everything beforehand at a store on land. 

The hope is that nobody in your travel party falls ill while on vacation. Life, however, does happen, and it is better to be prepared! This is why you should also make sure that you pack cold and flu medication, like DayQuil or Tylenol Cold + Flu, which will enable you to treat your symptoms at any hour of the day. 

Other first-aid-related items to pack are band-aids, including those intended to specifically treat blisters, cough drops, toothache gel, antacids for heartburn and indigestion relief, and eye drops. 

4. Print your cruise luggage tags 

Once you finish checking in for your Royal Caribbean cruise, you will be able to print your luggage tags. These help crew members know where to drop your suitcases off once they are loaded onto the ship. 

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will be greeted by porters, who will take your larger bags. While they have paper tags that are ready to be filled out, printing your own ahead of time will help streamline the embarkation process. The faster you get through the physical part of check-in, the sooner you will be onboard and officially starting your vacation!

Don't worry, though-- if you don't have plastic luggage tag holders, the porter will have a stapler on hand! They can, however, be purchased on Amazon for around $6 for a pack of four! If you plan on frequently cruising, they are a great investment, as luggage tag holders can be used time and time again on all your future Royal Caribbean sailings. 

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

Please note that we have included a link to an Amazon item above, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase the item through it. 

5. Download the Royal Caribbean app

The Royal Caribbean app will be a useful tool during your vacation, even before it begins! Through the application, you can access your SetSail Pass, which is what is scanned prior to you getting on the ship since you don't get your SeaPass until you are able to access your stateroom. 

Once onboard, the app is where you will find the daily schedule with activities, restaurant times, and more. You can also use it to keep track of your onboard spending, connect to the ship's wi-fi, and book shore excursions and specialty restaurant reservations. 

Downloading the app ahead of time will allow you to get your bearings with it before you get to the cruise terminal.

6. Make any last-minute pre-cruise bookings through Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner 

Passengers are able to access Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website up to 48 hours before their sail date, meaning that if it is the week before your cruise is scheduled to depart, you can still take advantage of booking cruise add-ons from the comfort of your own home! 

While options will be more limited (i.e., you probably won't be able to secure prime-time My Time Dining spots), you will not have to worry about spending time making reservations on embarkation day. 

While those who booked a dining package will have to wait in line, if you are just interested in one specialty restaurant, it would behoove you to book it ahead of time, as the lines can get relatively long on the first day with everyone scrambling to book the rest of their restaurants. 

Plus, onboard pricing will be more expensive! You can typically score a Royal Caribbean drink package for less by purchasing it in advance. Another benefit to doing so prior to your cruise is that you can begin taking advantage of it the second you step on the ship. 

Read more: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

7. If Royal Caribbean's shore excursions don't appeal to you, research options offered by third parties

Hopefully you have your shore excursions lined up in advance. If, however, time slipped away from you, take some time to research each of the ports that you are visiting. Maybe your ideal excursion through Royal Caribbean sold out in advance, and you need to find a backup option through an independent tour operator. 

It is best to have all of this lined up before you board, especially if you are planning on cruising without internet access.

That being said, if you have booked any third-party excursions, make sure that you print out any documents that are needed in advance. You may want to write down the meeting point or phone number of the tour operator, too. 

8. Get cash from your bank

Your SeaPass card will act as your credit card while onboard the ship, meaning that you won't have to worry about keeping your cards or cash on you when making purchases at a bar or merchandise shop. 

While in port, however, you will need to have local currency. Some vendors will not accept credit cards, and even if they do, you might be faced with hefty foreign transaction fees. For that reason, it is always best to have cash on hand to help pay for things like taxis, local restaurants and cafes, museum entrance fees, beach chair rentals, and souvenirs. 

Cruise ships have ATMs onboard; however, they have some fairly expensive fees. If you find yourself in a situation where you need more cash, you can theoretically take money out via the casino by loading money into a slot machine. The amount you select will be charged to your onboard account. Then, you can simply cash out before actually gambling and visit the cashier.

9. Prepare your embarkation carry-on bag

As mentioned earlier, when you arrive at the cruise terminal, your larger bags will be collected by a porter.

This is why it is essential that you have a carry-on bag with you where you can keep your boarding documents (i.e., passports, birth certificates, etc.), as well as any medication, electronics, jewelry, and anything else that you want on your person. You won't have access to your bags until they are delivered later in the afternoon. 

For those traveling with children, pack some toys, light snacks (i.e., crackers or goldfish), books, diapers, and a change of clothes. You will want them to be entertained while you're waiting to finish the physical check-in process, as well as throughout the day before you're able to enter your cabin for an afternoon nap. 

10. Check the weather forecast

One of the most important aspects of pre-cruise planning is making sure that you are packing efficiently! 

The weather is something that's subject to change at any moment. Even if you checked it when you packed a week ago, you will want to check it one more time before heading out the door. Maybe a random cold front will be blowing in during your cruise to The Bahamas or it will be unseasonably rainy in the middle of June on your Alaskan cruise. 

11. Watch a tour of your ship on YouTube

The best way to acquaint yourself with your specific ship ahead of time, especially if it's a new-to-you class of ship that you've never sailed on before, is by watching a tour online. Here at Royal Caribbean Blog, you can find a tour of almost every ship in the fleet on our YouTube channel.

Of course, it is recommended to get a feel for the ship you are booking ahead of time. What if, for instance, you are hoping that it has a certain dining venue or onboard activity? You may be disappointed upon boarding to find that the ship you are on lacks the amenities everyone in your travel party was looking forward to. 

Even if you have done your research, ship tours will often reveal hidden secrets about the ship. Maybe there's a quiet space for you to escape the crowds, such as the shuffleboard alcove off the running track onboard Symphony of the Seas.

12. If you're an e-book user, download books ahead of time

There's nothing quite like catching up on your reading list while sailing on the open ocean. Cruise ships have libraries onboard, but the selection can often be limited. If you are in the middle of a certain series, you are better off either bringing your own copies or downloading them on your e-reader ahead of time, especially if you are foregoing wi-fi. 

If you are traveling with children, you'll want to ensure that you have their toys packed, too. While Royal Caribbean's onboard shops do sell some, the selection is limited to mostly branded options. Plus, they are on the pricier side!

Sometimes, Royal Caribbean has to make the tough decision to cancel a sailing because of weather. 

This happened recently for two cruises onboard Radiance of the Seas due to a problem with the ship's propulsion.

Unlike the mechanical issue that forced Royal Caribbean to cancel the sailings to Alaska, another cancellation has been made due to the weather. 

Those who were scheduled to depart on Vision of the Seas on September 23 were notified that their sailing has been canceled due to Tropical Storm Ophelia. 

Read more: All about Vision Class cruise ships

Royal Caribbean made the decision around 7:30pm EST on September 21. The update reads, "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, we’ve been closely monitoring a developing tropical storm bringing forecasted high winds and inclement weather in and around Baltimore, Maryland."

"Unfortunately, the weather will prevent us from safely conducting our upcoming cruise on Vision of the Seas, and we’ll have to cancel our September 23rd, 2023 sailing."

Nobody wants to hear that their highly-anticipated cruise has been canceled, and while compensation is never enough to heal the disappointment, it is a nice gesture made by the cruise line. 

Those who were supposed to set sail on Vision of the Seas tomorrow will receive a 100% refund, including taxes and fees, pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities, shore excursions and any flights purchased through Royal Caribbean, and pre-purchased Royal Caribbean Travel Protection.

It will be refunded to the payment on file within 14 business days; however, they do say that some banking institutions may take longer.

If a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) was used to pay for the cruise, they will refund any new funds paid above the certificate amount. Plus, they will reinstate the original FCC certificate.

Moreover, everyone will get a 50% FCC to be used towards a future Royal Caribbean sailing that should arrive by September 29, 2023. The new cruise must be booked by December 31, 2023.

The 5-night cruise onboard the 78,340 gross registered ton vessel was scheduled to depart from Baltimore, Maryland and sail to Bermuda for an overnight stay. 

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2023)

Where is Tropical Storm Ophelia 16 headed?

The National Hurricane Center released the newest forces for Tropical Storm Ophelia at 11:00am EST on September 22. Throughout this evening, tropical storm conditions are expected to impact parts of the southeastern and mid-Atlantic coast of the United States.

Swells generated by this storm system will affect the east coast throughout the weekend. Moreover, Tropical Storm Warnings have been put into place for portions of eastern North Carolina, as well as southeastern Virginia.  

Other impacts to Vision of the Seas

The forecasted weather conditions resulted in a cancellation of an entire cruise, rather than an adjusted itinerary as was the case for many cruises during Hurricane Lee.

In fact, Vision of the Seas was one of the ships impacted. Rather than depart Baltimore on September 14th, guests boarded the ship and set sail the following afternoon on September 15th. 

The September 9th sailing was modified, too. The ship returned to Baltimore one day earlier than scheduled. Moreover, rather than sail to Bermuda, guests cruised to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. 

Some cruisers prefer itineraries that visit a lot of ports, claiming the ship is more of a mode of transportation rather than a destination.

Others, however, much prefer itineraries that include more days at sea. Who needs to spend every single day ashore when you have some of the most exciting vacation activities onboard your ship? 

Before you book a cruise, you need to consider whether you are someone who would like to visit more ports or spend more time on the ship.

While there is no inherently wrong answer, you do not want to book an itinerary that you will be unhappy with. It is your vacation, and you deserve to spend it exactly how you want to.

If you are unsure, here are 7 reasons to avoid booking a cruise with a lot of ports. 

Fewer days docked in port means that you have more time to explore everything exciting the ship has to offer

One of the most compelling reasons to spend more days at sea is because you will have more time to explore the ship.

If you are sailing on an Oasis or Icon Class vessel, for instance, there's no way that you will be able to see, do, and eat everything onboard during a port-intensive cruise. 

On these larger ships, it is quite possible that you will exhaust yourself if you spend long days ashore and come back onboard itching to try all the activities, like zip lines, FlowRider surf simulators, water slides, rock climbing walls, and more. 

Who knows, maybe you will feel like taking advantage of a class that is offered, such as cupcake decorating or sushi making. There will be tons of other onboard programming on sea days, too. Port days tend to have less going on since most people are not onboard.

More time onboard means that you have a reason to justify spending money on a nicer stateroom

Sometimes, it is enticing to want to save a pretty penny on your cruise fare and book an interior room. This gives you more money to spend on cruise add-ons, like drink packages, wi-fi, and more. 

If, however, you are spending more time onboard, it is likely that you will also be spending more time in your stateroom.

Perhaps this means you will sleep in just a little bit later on sea days or wake up earlier than you otherwise would to enjoy the sunrise from your personal verandah before enjoying a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room.

Whatever the reason, an itinerary with more sea days is a perfect time to splurge on that dream stateroom that you have always wanted!

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

You can get some much needed R&R

Let's face it, life gets busy. There is no better time to catch up on your rest than on a sea day; just because you have more time on the ship does not mean that you have to be busy every second of it.

With sea days, you do not have to worry about waking up early to get a tender ticket or be the first off the ship to make your shore excursion time. There is a lot more flexibility in that you can decide exactly how you want to spend your day. 

You do not have to waste the day sleeping in your stateroom (unless you want to!).

Maybe this means reading by the pool, watching the ship's wake while you work on the perfect tan, or treating yourself to a pampering day at the spa. Whatever R&R means to you, utilize your sea days to return home feeling refreshed!

Make the most out of your drink package

Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Drink Package is not for everyone. Some like the convenience of not having to worry about racking up a large bar tab, while others cannot fathom drinking that much during a vacation. 

Whatever side of the debate you fall on, you cannot deny that cruises with more sea days are the ideal time to purchase a drink package because you will have more time onboard to utilize the benefits. 

Imagine that you are on a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise with only one day at sea. Five out of the six full days will be spent ashore exploring culturally and historically rich destinations. You will need that one day to recharge!

Plus, you will really only have the evenings to indulge, and you do not want to wake up with a headache because you had one too many drinks the night before knowing that you have a full-day excursion. 

Read more: I spent $600 on Royal Caribbean’s drink package. I had a total of 36 cocktails in one week, and I think it was worth the cost

Opportunity to try more onboard dining, perhaps even splurging on the Ultimate Dining Package 

On European cruises, one of the most exciting aspects is trying the local food. You cannot visit Italy without trying some fresh pizza and pasta! 

With more days at sea, you can take advantage of all the delicious dining options onboard. There's more than just the Main Dining Room and Windjammer! 

With more than one package to choose from, Royal Caribbean's dining packages are a great option for those who want to try as much as possible and save some money along the way.

Maybe you just want to eat in specialty restaurants for three or four nights of your cruise, or maybe you are someone who would rather eat at Playmaker's for lunch everyday before indulging in a delicious steak, Hibachi, or seafood dinner. 

The largest ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet boast so many dining options that it is nearly impossible to try each one during a weeklong vacation, especially if you are eating while ashore. If, however, you are spending less time in port, you will be able to cross more venues off of your list.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

Kids will have more time to enjoy Adventure Ocean programming and make lifelong friends

Royal Caribbean is a family-friendly cruise line, meaning that there's something for everyone to enjoy onboard their ships. Parents (and kids) will love the Adventure Ocean youth programming.

There is nothing better than knowing your kids are having supervised fun while you get to sip on a cocktail and enjoy some much needed adults-only time. 

It is important that you take time on embarkation day to get your kid(s) registered, so you do not have to worry about it later.

This is a great time to meet the staff and take a tour of the facilities that your child will be hanging out in. Plus, if you have any questions, you can get them promptly answered. 

While Adventure Ocean is open while the ship is docked in port, it is unlikely that you'll want to leave your child behind-- it is a family vacation, after all! That being said, you will have less adults-only time, and they will have less time to make friends in Adventure Ocean. 

The casino is open longer on days when the ship is at sea

Do not be surprised when you board the ship on the first day to find the casino closed. In order for it to be open, the ship has to be in International waters. If you are someone who likes to gamble, you will appreciate the longer hours of the casino on sea days.

You can, of course, gamble at night once you have gotten back onboard; however, you do not want to stay up too late and not feel rested for your next day in port. 

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

Why should you avoid booking a cruise with a lot of ports?

In short, a cruise with more sea days offers you more flexibility in how you want to vacation while onboard the ship.

To some, the ports of call are more important. You will have stories about the fun excursions that you did and all the neat places that you were able to visit. Plus, if you are worried about getting seasick, the less time you spend onboard in open waters, the fewer opportunities you will have to feel under the weather. 

The primary reason to consider a sailing with more sea days is if you care more about what is going on onboard. This does not mean that you have to sail on the newest ships, either! Maybe you do not care about mega thrills and will be content hanging out by the pool with a book or playing a few rounds of trivia. 

Avoiding a cruise with a lot of ports means that you think of the ship as a destination, and with everything that you can do, see, and eat onboard Royal Caribbean ships, there's no wonder why they are one of the most popular cruise lines today. 

Read more: 6 compelling reasons to avoid booking cruises with lots of sea days

Welcome our guest writer, Mike Scudiero. Mike is a Royal Caribbean Blog reader who wanted to share his experience trying a Carnival Cruise after years of sailing with Royal Caribbean.

2023 has been the "Year of the Cruise Ship" in my household. Living in Central Florida certainly makes it easier and more affordable to cruise frequently, and we got the “bug” after a post-covid cruise with our kids in 2022.

Since then, we have taken six different Royal Caribbean cruises and have several more planned between now and early 2025. But tempted by attractive pricing and a rare visit to Bimini, we recently took a 3-day cruise on the Carnival Liberty.

Read more: Royal Caribbean vs Carnival: Which is a better choice?

While there were several things we both felt Carnival got right and perhaps stood out in a positive way compared to Royal Caribbean, the overall experience reminded us why we prefer Royal Caribbean and will continue to sail with them almost exclusively. 

Things Carnival got right

Before I point out the reasons Carnival left us frustrated and less likely to cruise with them anytime soon, let me first offer some positive reasons one might choose Carnival over a similar-sized and similar-length cruise with Royal Caribbean. 

Room numbering

While perhaps trivial, we liked that each side of the ship was divided for room number purposes by “odd” and “even.”

No matter which direction you came off the stairs or elevator when heading back to your stateroom, it was easy to look at the signs indicating which way to odd-numbered rooms versus even-numbered ones. 

Room comforts

On this cruise, we opted for the best-priced interior option Carnival had on this sailing. For the age and class of the ship and stateroom, we both felt the beds were more comfortable than a Royal Caribbean bed typically has been on an equivalent sailing.

Also, the mini refrigerator provided was very cold and seemed to be a better option than the coolers provided in Royal Caribbean staterooms, most of which never seem to keep bottled waters cold. 

Towels in room

We appreciated the Carnival method of placing two pool towels in our room up front.

Sure, they will hit you for $25 apiece if you keep them. Still, the idea of having them right there and easily swapped out by the room attendant made this process appear more seamless than on Royal Caribbean ships. 

Stateroom attendant

Even though it was quick, 3-day weekend cruise, our stateroom attendant was highly professional and attentive. He introduced himself on the first night with a firm handshake and asked what, if anything, we needed from him.

I haven’t always found this to be the case with Royal Caribbean, though it certainly seems this is a mileage-may-vary situation from ship to ship, and maybe even cruise line to cruise line.

Some dining options were better

While clearly not an across-the-board situation (more on this below), there were some food offerings that we found much more enjoyable than Royal options.

For example, the Blue Iguana taco bar we felt was tastier than El Loco Fresh. Guy’s Burgers, apparently a staple on all Carnival ships, was one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve had anywhere, let alone at sea. And Pirate Pizza we both agreed was superior to Sorrento’s. All of these options were free and highly enjoyable.

Adults-only pool area

While not necessarily better than the Solarium on Royal Caribbean, we did find the Carnival adults-only pool to be a great option for lounging, and both the pool and hot tubs themselves to be a tick better than the options found on the comparable Royal ships. 

Casino

There were pros and cons with the Carnival casino. On the positive side, the position in the ship – with windows overlooking the water on both sides – was a nice change and even included plenty of casual seating along each side.

A small stage was setup and typically had a guitar player performing each night to keep the vibe up. I liked that the craps table was open early each day and that tier points were visible in the Carnival Hub app minutes after you finished playing, whether at a slot machine or table game. 

The Modern Trio Project (ship violinists)

Lastly, the trio of professional violinists that perform in the main lobby each night should not to be missed on Carnival Liberty.

These talented musicians were amazing to listen to, and we hadn’t seen a performance of that caliber on a Royal Caribbean ship that wasn’t an actual theatre/production show. Hats off to those three folks for keeping everyone entertained for a few hours each night.

Things Carnival got wrong

Suffice to say, there were plenty of nice features and options available on the Carnival Liberty that might be difference-makers for those looking for something different.

That said, we found the shortcomings problematic enough that we missed the Independence of the Seas before even sailing away from Port Canaveral and watching it pass us in the open Atlantic a few hours later. Here are some of the reasons.

Beverage and table bussing service was slower or non-existent

Not only were the bar servers constantly in the weeds, seemingly unable to keep pace with demand, not once the entire cruise, in any bar or pool area, did we have a waiter or waitress come by to take a drink order. And along with that came the piling up of plates and cups on tables.

With Royal Caribbean, we find that we barely finish a drink before there’s a waiter coming to ask if we want another and taking our empty glass away. Not the case at all on Carnival Liberty, at least not this past weekend.

Limit of 15 alcoholic drinks per day and signing for every purchase…and Pepsi

At my age and weight, it’s quite possible for me to drink 15 drinks over the course of a day and not be too drunk to safely make it back to my room. The Carnival drink package that caps you at 15 drinks per day is not a good fit for everyone, and it made me appreciate that while Royal may charge more for their Deluxe Beverage Package, there is no such predetermined limit.

Add to it that Carnival requires you sign a receipt for every drink, even sodas and bottled waters, and it was another check in the box for Royal. If nothing else, the receipt issue slows down the overall service at crowded bars, leaving less time to enjoy your vacation.

Lastly on this section, I am the grandson of a Coca-Cola warehouse supervisor and have grown up with zero use for Pepsi products. Royal wins that battle for me all day, every day over Carnival. If you’re like me and dread the, “Is Pepsi OK?” response from servers when you ask for a Coke some place, Carnival isn’t for you.

Casino downsides

As I noted above, there were several aspects of the Carnival casino that I enjoyed, but there were some definite downsides.

For starters, if you’re an experienced Blackjack player, be aware that the tables on this ship were all using continuous shuffle machines, which adds to the house advantage. They were also paying out 6-5 on natural Blackjacks, another decided blow to the players.

The slot machines do not print out tickets when you cash out. Instead, they add the funds you left in the machine to your ship card, and you have to go to the cashier to cash out. Considering my wife ran down to the casino late on the last night when remembering that she had $100 on her card, it’s easy to see where many might forget, adding to the Carnival casino profit margin.

Stateroom problems

For a ship renovated in 2016, our interior stateroom on Carnival Liberty fell woefully short of our expectations. There was only one outlet in the room, with another tucked up in the ceiling corner above the sink in the bathroom.

Speaking of the bathroom, the décor itself was a stale green theme straight out of a horror movie and had a shower curtain instead of a door.

The deadbolt didn’t work in our room door, leading to some cause for concern safety-wise. And for an 8th floor room, it was rather noisy. Whenever the ship was sailing, we could hear the engine noise in our ears from the bed, as though we were in the bowels of the ship. Add to that the walls and doors seemed to allow for much more hallway noise in your room, and it’s easy to see where Royal just does better by us.

Buffet was subpar, even by mass market cruise ship standards

Look, I get it. The food at any cruise ship buffet is not going to rival a 5-star dining spot. Nonetheless, we found ourselves once again appreciating the comforts of the Windjammer on Royal Caribbean when we went to the Carnival buffet the first night.

The options were extremely limited and the quality regrettable. The next day for breakfast proved no better. It reached a point where we planned our remaining meals around the peculiar hours of Blue Iguana and Guy’s Burgers. 

Why we'll remain Loyal to Royal

For my wife and I and what we desire when cruising, the choice was clear, and we knew it the first night.

Royal Caribbean simply seems a cut above Carnival in most areas and worth whatever reasonable extra cost comes with this choice. From the specialty dining options to the staff service and the comforts of home we feel when on a Royal ship, the positive attributes Royal has make them a clear leader in mass market cruising.

While I try not to deal in absolutes and would not want to say “never again," with several other Royal cruises in my app on the horizon, the things we appreciate about our favorite cruise line are the reasons we will book almost exclusively with them in the years ahead.