When Royal Caribbean resumed cruises following the COVID pandemic, the cruise giant introduced e-muster drills that effectively replaced the traditional, in-person muster drills. While this move has allowed for a more efficient, less crowded process, the creator of the digital e-muster argues the true potential of the invention has yet to be realized. 

Gone are the days when Royal Caribbean passengers had to cram together in designated muster stations while listening to safety demonstrations. With the introduction of e-muster drills, passengers can complete their safety briefing at their convenience without worrying about baking in the warm Florida sun. 

Rather than listen to a crew member relay important safety information, passengers can watch a brief video and listen to the emergency alarm on their mobile app or stateroom television before heading to their assigned muster station to check in with the ship's crew within a specific time frame after embarkation. 

Before sail away, a few more announcements are made over the public address system, and the emergency alarm is sounded. However, guests are not required to report to their muster stations and may continue to lounge by the pool, explore the ship, or unpack. 

The digital approach was conceived before the pandemic to help better inform cruisers about essential information. Ensuring guests absorbed the safety information during traditional muster drills when crammed together like sardines was difficult. 

Not only that but the old muster drill was painstaking for parties with young children and elderly cruisers who often require extra assistance when navigating to their assigned assembly stations. 

The completion of the muster drill is required by maritime law. If you choose to not watch the required videos or show up to your assembly station before sail away, your name and stateroom number will be given to crew members who will track you down. 

In short, don't be that person. The sooner you complete the drill, the sooner you can get back to enjoying the first day of your cruise vacation. 

Read more: Years after Royal Caribbean revolutionized the cruise ship safety drill, it's still the best change in the industry

The e-muster is designed to be 100% digital

Nick Weir, the former Head of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, was the visionary behind the e-muster concept. However, he says there's room for improvement to make the process even more efficient. 

"The use of geolocation technology in combination with personal devices and/or wearables, is actually the main event of my big idea. By installing a network of locator beacons around each muster station (similar to the system that is being used to locate and guide the indoor drone swarms that I introduced to Royal Caribbean’s production shows), guests would be able to participate in the eMuster process without the need for crew participation," he explains in an X post. 

What does this mean? Instead of requiring tons of crew members to be positioned at muster stations on embarkation day, the digital muster system would leverage guests' personal devices to automatically track and confirm their presence. 

The abstract of the patent, which was filed on March 3, 2020, reads: 

"During the period, as each mobile device is sensed within a geographically defined area of a correspondingly assigned muster station, a record of the completion of the muster drill by the passenger associated with the sensed mobile device is recorded in the memory."

"These steps can be performed digitally," Weir continues, "The arrival of a guest at their muster station can be tracked, geolocated and confirmed automatically, without the need for deploying dozens of crew members to do the [time-consuming], repetitive manual work, standing on their feet all day." 

The overall plan still includes one crew member at each station to "tie up any loose ends" and answer questions. First-time cruisers may have extra concerns they want to address before departing, so it makes sense to have a trained crew member available to provide reassurance. However, their presence would likely be phased out as society evolves and technology improves. 

"The function of eMuster—as I intended when I created it—is for it to be a fully digital, fully automated system and fully in line with the norms of modern society," he says. 

Weir adds that there's the possibility of the guests' presence at their muster stations being confirmed using facial recognition. This would benefit passengers without mobile devices or families with younger children. However, this part of the patent needs to be developed.

An unruly Royal Caribbean passenger terrorized other guests and crew members shortly after departing from California. 

UPDATE: The man was detained and died shortly thereafter.

A cell phone video shows a man hurling threats and trying to kick down a door aboard Navigator of the Seas. 

The 139,999 gross registered ton vessel had departed San Pedro, California, and was bound for Ensenada, Mexico when the incident occurred. 

"The gentleman that was drunk said that he was gonna kill us, and then he started chasing us down the hallway," Christifer Mikhail told FOX 11. 

Mikhail was sailing aboard Navigator to celebrate his and his wife's birthdays and anniversary. They were traveling with a dozen family and friends. 

Less than an hour after departing San Pedro, Mikhail tried to return to his stateroom to charge his phone and grab a jacket to watch a movie on the pool deck when he encountered the rowdy guest. 

"I was waiting for them to say cut and come out of the rooms," he remarked, "I was kinda scared [because] I was like, 'Dude, I'm stuck in this hallway [and] everyone else is kind of behind something.'" 

The disruptive passenger kicked a crew member in the face and punched another. Mikhail sailed that the crew member who was punched was hit with such force that he "flew a couple feet back."

Eventually, the ship's security team—armed with pepper spray, zip ties, and handcuffs—was able to subdue the now shirtless guest who had also been spewing profanity and racial comments. 

"[They] kinda acted like [a] SWAT team and set up a barrier and then they attacked, so they just waited for him to kind of run out of energy," Mikhail recalled. 

Though the unidentified passenger was no longer at risk of harming Mikhail, the incident followed him throughout the rest of the cruise, as he had to speak with Royal Caribbean management and the FBI about the ordeal. 

The guest spent the cruise in one of the ship's two jail cells. "He kind of ruined [the vacation] for his family," said Mikhail. 

What happens when guests get violent on cruise ships?

Though Royal Caribbean hasn't issued a statement about the incident, it's safe to assume the passenger will be banned from sailing with the cruise line again. 

Earlier this year, a group of guests sailing aboard Carnival Paradise was banned after an argument turned into a violent fight in the ship's buffet. 

The footage, which Nick Richardson uploaded to YouTube and TikTok, depicts about 10 to 15 passengers screaming, slapping, and tackling one another to the floor. Things escalated even further when guests began throwing chairs. 

In an emailed statement to USA Today, Carnival confirmed the fight took place onboard Carnival Paradise. 

“Carnival Paradise’s security team intervened in an incident that took place on June 6. As is our policy, we will not tolerate such behavior and the guests involved were fined and will not sail on Carnival Cruise Line again," Matt Lupoli said in the statement. 

Incidents like these often result in immediate intervention by the ship's security staff, with offenders facing fines, legal action, and permanent bans from the cruise line, especially when crew members are assaulted. 

Unruly guests disrupt the experience for other passengers and risk the safety of guests and crew, which is of paramount importance to cruise lines. 

Navigator of the Seas is a Voyager Class ship that sails out of California year-round

The 3,968-passenger ship offers voyages ranging from 3 to 8 nights. 

The shortest cruises visit Ensenada, Mexico, while the longer ones sail to the Mexican Riviera, calling at ports like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán. 

Read more: What it's like to cruise on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas

Crew members travel very differently than guests aboard crew ships. They have separate dining facilities, fitness centers, laundry rooms, and smaller cabins. Though life at sea for crew members isn't as glamorous as it is for passengers, plenty of rewards come with the job. 

Ella, a dancer in Mamma Mia on Allure of the Seas, had a recent TikTok video offering a glimpse into her windowless cabin go viral, with over 1.4 million views and 44k likes. It sparked curiosity about what life is really like behind the scenes on a cruise ship.

"Have you ever wondered what a crew cabin on a cruise ship looks like?" she asks. 

The dancer shares the cabin with a fellow cast member

Ella and her roommate Samara prioritized making their small space cozy with tons of pictures on the walls, fake plants, and pineapple string lights—fitting as the ship is currently sailing to The Bahamas from Florida. 

"We wanted to really make our cabin look cozy because obviously when you're living here for nine months at a time, you want it to feel as homely as possible," Ella explains. 

The video also shows how Ella and her roommate utilize the cabin's magnetic walls by hanging up small magnetic hooks for their jewelry and shelves for more storage. 

Read more: I stayed in an inside cabin for 5 nights on a cruise ship. The lack of natural light was worse than expected

Because the cabin is windowless, Ella talks about the importance of their sunrise alarm clock: "This is our sunrise alarm clock, which is an absolute lifesaver because we don't have a porthole, so we never see natural light...this turns itself on in the morning, so we at least don't wake up in the pitch black every day." 

Another must-have item is her hanging shoe organizer. It's no surprise that their stateroom isn't the largest. To increase the amount of available floor space, Ella and Samara keep their shoes neatly arranged in the hanging organizer on the back of their door.

"If you are looking to do a cruise ship in the future, a shoe rack on the back of your door is an absolute essential because you are going to need to save that space in your cabin," she remarks. 

They also purchased two matching drawer towers for more storage space since they share a single wardrobe. Though she doesn't give viewers a peek into the closet, she shows her "bits and bobs" drawer where she keeps things like her sunglasses and wallet, and her snack drawer. 

Ella also talks about her recent whiteboard obsession, showing a smaller whiteboard with the roommates' weekly schedule, as well as a larger one with their monthly schedule and a whiteboard with a countdown until she returns home. 

When she posted the video, she had 21 weeks left onboard Allure of the Seas, meaning her contract is scheduled to end around the end of February—assuming she posted the TikTok around the same time it was filmed. 

Whiteboards have become popular cabin door decorations for passengers, too. While they don't serve as practical a purpose as they do for crew members, they can be used to leave messages for other travelers. Some guests will even ask daily questions for others to respond to, such as where you're from, your favorite port of call, and more. 

They also have a coffee corner in their cabin that's home to cute mugs, instant coffee from Trader Joe's, and coffee beans to brew a fresh cup. 

Above their coffee station is a bookshelf piled high with books to read during their downtime. 

At night, Ella transforms the space into a cozy retreat by adjusting the mood lighting. "Here's my bed," she says, "It's so cute and cozy. I've got my LED lights...and I've packed my walls with photos of my family, my friends, [and] my boyfriend." 

There's also a television screen at the foot of each bed with "loads of movies and TV shows to choose from." 

Read more: Photos show a tiny crew-only cabin on Icon of the Seas

Tiny yet functional bathroom

Ella doesn't spend much time in the bathroom, claiming it's not very exciting. Overall, it is a standard crew bathroom. It has everything they need, but it's a far cry from a luxury bathroom. 

They have a capsule shower with a curtain instead of a plexiglass door. The sink is also much smaller compared to guest cabins, with counter space noticeably absent. 

One thing she does emphasize is the importance of a filtered shower head "because the water on ships really dries your hair [out]." 

Read more: I paid $830 for a cheap tiny and windowless cabin on Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas is an Oasis Class ship launched in 2010

The 225,282 gross registered ton ship will undergo a $100 million-plus renovation in March 2025. 

Once the drydock is complete, the amplified Allure of the Seas will feature a redesigned resort-style pool deck, Ultimate Abyss dry slide, Perfect Storm waterslides, Splashaway Bay, Pesky Parrot Bar, two new specialty restaurants, El Loco Fresh, an escape room, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, the Ultimate Panoramic Suite, and revamped Adventure Ocean spaces. 

Following the renovation, Allure of the Seas will remain in Europe for the summer 2025 season, a first since 2015. She'll sail from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) on 7-night cruises to Spain, France, and Italy. 

Despite having been on 13 Royal Caribbean cruises, I didn’t try the Chef’s Table until my recent sailing on Allure of the Seas.

The Chef’s Table is the ultimate specialty restaurant for foodies. The 6-course meal includes a wine pairing and serves up delicious cuisine that puts the Main Dining Room to shame.

It’s usually pretty expensive, costing around $100 per person. However, my dad and I found a great Black Friday Deal on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner ahead of our last-minute voyage on Allure.

The meal was $165.16 with gratuities, but we applied our $50 onboard credit to lower the price even more. The total per person ended up being $57.58 each!

Part of the appeal of the Chef’s Table is that it is more than just a meal. The experience lasts over two hours and lets you mingle with fellow passengers in an intimate setting.

Read more: I spent four days eating on a mega cruise ship. Here's everything I ate, including some dishes I'd skip

Our evening began in the Library on Deck 11. Our host, Alan, greeted us with champagne while we waited for the other parties to arrive. One couple was late, so rather than holding us hostage in the Library, Alan escorted the arrived parties through the Crown Lounge to a private dining area on Deck 12.

The table was elegantly set with charger plates and beautiful glassware for the wine pairings. The ambiance was sophisticated yet comfortable. There wasn’t a white tablecloth, and the quirky chandelier was made entirely of cutlery—forks, knives, and spoons.

To kick things off, Alan presented each person with drool-worthy bread that he argued was the best bread onboard, beating out 150 Central Park. 

Melted truffle oil butter perfectly accompanied the thyme and lemon bread loaf. Each bite had a burst of flavor, with the herbaceous thyme balancing out the truffle's richness. It had the right hint of saltiness, too. Although I didn’t sample every type of bread on Allure of the Seas, I’d be shocked if anything else on the ship surpassed it.

Then it was time for the real fun as we moved into the actual courses. The first was scallop carpaccio. The thinly sliced scallops were marinated for 24 hours before being served and plated with a delicate yuzu vinaigrette made with honey mustard and ginger.

The vinaigrette stood out the most. The scallops were a little bland, but when paired with the vinaigrette, the flavor of the otherwise mild scallops came out, and I thought the light, citrusy notes of the Pinot Grigio from Italy complemented the freshness of the scallops. 

The second course was one of my favorites. The roasted tomato soup had a smokey depth and was velvety smooth. Topped with a drizzle of crème fraîche, I wish I could have asked for a second bowl! In fact, one of our tablemates begged the chef for the recipe. 

The crispy garlic focaccia "croutons" were more like a side of bread than a traditional crouton. Still, it was perfect for dipping into the rich soup, and I appreciated how they weren't left in the liquid to get soggy. Paired with the soup was a California four-blend wine, which had notes of vanilla and pineapple to help offset the smokiness of the tomatoes. 

The Maine lobster salad fell short of my expectations. Though the fresh, sweet flavors of the wine-poached lobster were on full display, I didn't love the combination of vanilla dressing and hearts of palm. 

That said, I loved enhancing the flavor of the lobster with the provided pesto and citrus sauces. Additionally, Sauvignon Blanc isn't my favorite wine, but I could see why the more earthy wine was chosen to pair with the lobster.

Wanting to try something new, I approached the branzino with an open mind. While I am a seafood lover, I stray away from fish in favor of shrimp, calamari, scallops, and lobster. 

However, as someone who doesn't eat fish, I thought the skin easily peeled away to reveal moist and flaky meat.  Still, though, I couldn't get past the distinct flavor of the branzino, which was too "fishy" for my taste buds. 

If I had to pick two courses to eat on repeat, they'd be the roasted tomato soup and filet mignon. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium, served with creamy truffle potato purée, and drizzled with a rich bordelaise sauce.

I'm not a fan of red wine, so while I tried the Cabernet Sauvignon, I only took a sip. I much prefer light and refreshing white wines to full-bodied reds.

The dessert reminded me of The World served at Wonderland. It's a chocolate lover's heaven, with layers of rich chocolate mousse, silky ganache, and salted caramel ice cream encased in a dark chocolate shell.

The ice cream added a salty contrast to the otherwise chocolate-heavy dessert and paired perfectly with the salted caramel espresso martini. I don't think anyone at the table was disappointed with the dessert. 

The Chef's Table isn't cheap; however, if you're a foodie looking for an unforgettable culinary adventure, it's worth every penny, especially considering the price includes a wine paring. 

The intimate, multi-course dining experience is about more than food; it's also about the artist and craftsmanship behind each dish, with the chef personally guiding you through the process and explaining the work that went into each course. 

With Royal Caribbean's largest ship able to accommodate nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, have you ever wondered how there's always enough water for everyone onboard? 

Icon of the Seas, for example, boasts seven pools, along with a record-breaking waterpark featuring six slides and an indoor AquaTheater home to high-diving performances. On top of that, it's important to remember that guests also need water for everyday activities like showering, flushing toilets, brushing teeth, washing hands, and more.

The company takes immense pride in its state-of-the-art systems that allow ships to create, conserve, and treat every drop of water to ensure a constant, sustainable supply. 

More than 90% of the water on Royal Caribbean ships is created onboard by turning salty seawater into freshwater through reverse osmosis or evaporation. 

Reverse osmosis pushes saltwater through membranes to remove contaminants, while steam evaporation uses the heat from the ship's engine to boil the seawater and leave the salt as a byproduct. 

Public health guidelines then require the new freshwater to be mineralized for flavor before being distributed across the ship. 

Conservation efforts also dictate how water is moved around the ship. For example, they use aeration to create pressure to use less water, rather than forcing water out of faucets and shower heads at high volumes. 

Additionally, water is repurposed wherever possible. For instance, did you know Royal Caribbean ships reuse the condensation from the air conditioning units to do laundry? 

The company also hired a water specialist to oversee Perfect Day at CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark and the private island's irrigation system, which ensures that treated wastewater is used efficiently for landscaping. 

Speaking of wastewater treatment, Royal Caribbean's Advanced Wastewater Purification System treats water to standards twice as strict as many local municipalities. 

It uses bioreactors, UV light, and dissolved air to remove contaminants, so water can be safely returned to the ocean without impacting the fragile ecosystem. 

Royal Caribbean's comprehensive approach to water management highlights the company's dedication to minimizing its environmental impact while maximizing comfort for everyone onboard and ashore, whether on a port-intensive European cruise or a 3-night getaway to CocoCay. 

Commitment to sustainability

In addition to the company's water conservation efforts, Royal Caribbean strives to reduce the amount of food waste onboard its ships, hoping to reduce waste across the fleet by 50% by 2025. 

By focusing on the front end of the food system and addressing many of the main causes of food waste, including inventory management and over-preparation, they've already reported a 24% reduction in food waste.

Other food waste-specific initiatives include developing a proprietary platform to monitor food supply and accurately estimate how much food should be produced, prepped, and ordered on a given day; using artificial intelligence to adjust food production in real-time; introducing a dedicated onboard food waste role; tracking guest demand for specific items and adjusting preparation; and introducing a new food waste awareness captain in crew dining areas. 

Royal Caribbean Group's overarching sustainability goals are referred to as "Destination Net Zero." Everything from the reduction of food waste to water conservation helps the company work toward the delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship. 

Read more: How over 6,000 people are served meals every day on the world's largest cruise ship

Royal Caribbean's gift card sale was so popular that the cruise line had to pull it down just hours after it went live. 

The offer helped cruisers save 10% on gift card purchases, with Crown & Anchor Society members receiving an additional 10% off. 

This meant that if you purchased a $2,000 gift card, C&A Society members would get $400 (or 20%) off, bringing the total to just $1,600. The offer applied to all purchases of $350 or more.

Unfortunately, the promotion was too popular for its own good. The unexpected surge in demand caused the cruise line to halt the sale within hours of its launch. 

Despite being advertised as a limited-time offer running through December 20, 2024, the sale's terms and conditions stated that the deal could change at any time without notice, which is exactly what happened.

Royal Caribbean gift cards are great holiday gifts because of their versatility. Not only can they be used as onboard credit during your cruise, but they can also be applied directly toward your cruise fare. 

Plus, they can be used on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity and don't expire. 

While the link is still valid, the 10% to 20% discounts are no longer automatically applied. If you add a $2,000 gift card to your cart, the price will remain $2,000 without the discount. 

However, it’s still possible to purchase gift cards at their regular price, and they can be used on the balance of a future cruise or towards onboard spending for Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises.

Read more: How to save money on a cruise

"Looks like the gravy train is over"

Less than 24 hours after the offer went live, people began reporting that the deal was already marked as expired, with cruisers expressing their disappointment in a Reddit post shared to the r/royalcaribbean thread. 

wiredtobeweird said, "I’m so sad I had it in my cart and was cruise shopping and finally settled on a cruise and went to buy it and it was gone."

"I think they reached their limit of how many they could sell," added just---chillin.

In another post, one Reddit user shared how they were waiting for their wife to come home to purchase a gift card to use on their honeymoon cruise. "That sucks, could have really helped," GameSyns remarked. 

"Dang it, I was hoping to buy another one tomorrow or within the next few days after moving some money around," commented RyouRusi.

Despite being pulled, some users are hopeful Royal Caribbean will reactivate the promotion

"[H]opefully they bring it back, I'm gonna consistently check for the next couple days. I'll even take the 10%, which I'm not even seeing. so must be a temporary removal I hope," said otbalingit.

RyouRusi shared similar thoughts, indicating they're hopeful because the original terms said there would be a "'code' that '[could] only be used once'." 

"Someone messed something up I feel like. So maybe they'll bring it back in the 'proper' 1 time use form," they added. 

To be clear, it's unclear whether Royal Caribbean will bring back the promotion. This is just speculation from cruisers who are hoping for a second chance to save money. 

However, with some Reddit users sharing they purchased, two, three, four, and even seven gift cards, it's clear that many took advantage of the deal more than once before it was pulled. 

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

Between shore excursions, drink packages, and Wi-Fi, there are tons of ways to rack up a high bill on your Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Cruisers often try to find ways to avoid the high costs of add-ons by smuggling alcohol onboard or bringing a Wi-Fi router. However, Royal Caribbean recently banned a popular item used to help maximize the perks of a single internet package. 

Moving forward, passengers shouldn't be surprised if their travel router is confiscated during embarkation, as the cruise line updated its prohibited items list. 

In addition to items like drugs, guns, and knives, "satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment" are now included under the "cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime" category.

Packing one of these items for your next cruise could result in it being confiscated, wasting your money and luggage space. You're better off purchasing an extra Wi-Fi package or sharing one. 

For many cruisers, the internet packages offered on Royal Caribbean are a major add-on expense. A single Wi-Fi package covers one device, but many passengers use a travel router to extend the connection across multiple devices and allow groups of friends or families to share one package.

Royal Caribbean isn't the first cruise line to list routers on its prohibited items list. Carnival Cruise Line's list also states that "satellite dish[es], routers and other internet related equipment" are not allowed onboard.

Read more: Royal Caribbean will not give away free Wi-Fi on its cruise ships

Royal Caribbean's VOOM internet can cost over $20 per day for one device

Unlike other lines, Royal Caribbean offers just one Wi-Fi package: VOOM Surf + Stream. The actual cost varies based on factors like your ship, sail date, cruise length, and ongoing Cruise Planner sales. 

However, it's not uncommon to see it priced at around $20 per day, meaning you can easily spend over $150 on an internet package for a 7-night cruise. 

You can usually expect to save 30% by adding one or more devices to a single plan, but it's still expensive. For example, on my upcoming Icon of the Cruise sailing in April, the price of two devices is nearly $260. 

Wi-Fi is even expensive for crew members. Earlier this year, Bryan James, an entertainer for Royal Caribbean, revealed that he spends $12 per day on internet for just three hours of connectivity. It's not super fast, either. James added that his download speed was around 1 megabyte per second. 

If you were planning on bringing a Wi-Fi router to extend connectivity to other friends and family members, think again. LadBible first reported that social media accounts claim the routers are being confiscated during embarkation, confirming that the ban is being enforced.

Why are travel routers prohibited? 

Though Royal Caribbean hasn't made an official statement about the ban, the items are listed underneath the "cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime" category. 

Routers and other networking equipment can potentially interfere with the ship’s onboard systems, leading to security risks and connectivity problems for passengers and crew. 

Instead of smuggling a router onboard, consider other options like purchasing additional devices on a single plan or limiting your internet usage to when in port. 

How to get free Wi-Fi on Royal Caribbean ships

Although Wi-Fi is not included in the cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise, there are a few ways to get free (or cheaper) internet onboard.

The first is to work your way up the Crown & Anchor Society ranks to Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club. Once you've earned 80 cruise points, you'll receive one free day of Wi-Fi per cruise. Diamond Plus guests, or those with a minimum of 175 cruise points, get two days. 

While it's not a lot, it can help offset the cost of staying connected during your trip. Instead of splurging on a package, you can use your complimentary internet days at sea and look for free Wi-Fi in port. 

If you are a Pinnacle Club member, you will receive a complimentary VOOM Surf + Stream package for one device, regardless of the length of your cruise.

Another smart way to reduce the price of your internet package is to use onboard credit. While it may not cover the full price, especially on longer cruises, it can still help it can help reduce the overall expense.

Frequent gamblers at Casino Royale could also be eligible for free Wi-Fi. Club Royale is Royal Caribbean’s casino rewards program that enables guests to earn Tier Credits by gambling while onboard. The more you gamble, the more benefits you'll receive.

Read more: I got a free cruise from Royal Caribbean's casino

For example, Prime tier members—those with 2,500 Tier Credits—get a discount on a VOOM Surf + Stream package, while Signature members receive free Wi-Fi on one device. However, to reach the Signature tier, you must accumulate 25,000 Tier Credits. 

Finally, Masters members—gamblers with 100,000+ Tier Credits—receive complimentary internet on two devices. Unlike Crown & Anchor status, tiered membership within Club Royale must be renewed annually. 

While you likely aren't worried about saving money if you're looking at booking a Royal Caribbean suite, one perk of the higher categories is included internet. Guests staying in Grand Suites and above on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships receive a complimentary VOOM Surf + Stream Wi-Fi package. Even better? Each guest in the stateroom receives an internet package for one device, so there's no need to share! 

There's nothing better than securing a great cruise fare, even if staying in an interior cabin. 

I recently returned from a 4-night cruise on Allure of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to CocoCay and Nassau. 

Booking just two weeks in advance as part of a "Going, Going, Gone" sale, the fare was $834.36 for two people in a guaranteed interior stateroom. This breaks down to around $104 per person, per night, including gratuities and port fees. 

I could have reserved a neighborhood balcony for less than $100 more. However, having just returned from an expensive 3-night Disney cruise, I wanted to keep my costs as low as possible.

My dad and I were assigned cabin 8133 in the ship's forward. I appreciated the location, as it was close to Central Park. Even so, I prefer mid-ship staterooms on vessels as large as Allure of the Seas. Still, the location wasn't a deal-breaker by any means—it was nice to step outside and take in the greenery while at sea without wandering far from our "home away from home." 

Typically, cabins in the front of the ship tend to feel more movement. I'm thankful we didn't experience significant motion during our voyage, even though we were near the bow. However, we weren't going far on our short cruise to the Bahamas from Florida. 

The cabin was spacious enough for the two of us, and I liked how the layout maximized every inch of space. My dad remarked how roomy it felt compared to our inside stateroom on Quantum of the Seas earlier this year. 

With Allure approaching her 14th birthday, she isn't the newest ship in the fleet. As such, a few elements felt outdated, such as the radio with two 30-pin dock connectors. Apple replaced these chargers in 2012 with the lightning connector. 

Moreover, I wish there would have been at least one bedside outlet. I had to rely on my portable charger each night, as the other charging options were found exclusively near the vanity. 

Read more: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Speaking of outlets, there were far fewer available than on newer ships, with just one European and four standard American plugs. 

There’s usually more flexibility when it comes to charging on newer vessels; however, with my dad just needing to charge his phone, it wasn't an issue. In fact, we never even used the outlets underneath the vanity.

We didn't bring any bottles of wine onboard, but we used the mini-fridge to keep our four complimentary bottles of water cool. I appreciated how the fridge's door was bolted to the cabinet, a feature not found in all cabins. 

As far as the cabin itself, it had everything we needed for a short cruise. The bed was comfortable enough for the 4-night stay, and there was ample closet space to hang our clothes. My dad even overpacked, easily bringing enough clothes for a weeklong sailing. 

Read more: 115-item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

While there were just two empty vanity drawers, the closet's built-in cubbies allowed for additional storage to place things like folded t-shirts, shoes, and jeans. 

The spacious vanity was great for getting ready after spending the day at Thrill Waterpark or Blue Lagoon Island. I could spread out my makeup products and easily locate my mascara, eyeliner, and eyeshadow brushes that often play hide-and-seek in my bag.

We also loved the full-sized couch as opposed to our single chair on Quantum. Though we both unpacked for the 4-night cruise, the couch quickly became our catch-all spot where we'd throw everything from beach bags to towels. 

It was much more comfortable than the chair on Quantum of the Seas, too. Even with all our miscellaneous stuff on the couch, it was a nice area for the dad to relax and wait while I finished getting ready without having to awkwardly stand around or sit on the bed. 

When we arrived, the beds were placed together, despite our request to have them separated. However, it wasn't an issue. Our cabin steward quickly took care of the situation and separated them as soon as we pointed out the mix-up. 

This made the room feel even more spacious, giving us a dedicated walkway between the beds. It also helped create a sense of personal space.

The bathroom, though compact, was functional. Like the closet, there was built-in shelving to store toiletries. 

However, I didn't use any since I brought my hanging toiletry organizer, keeping everything from hair cream to moisturizer and deodorant organized and easily accessible. It's my favorite travel product and has been used over 13 times since I received it for Christmas last year! 

Whenever I sail on a Royal Caribbean ship, I hope the shower will have two shelves, allowing families additional space to store their toiletries—from different shampoos and conditioners to face washes—and keep them organized. This, however, wasn't the case on Allure of the Seas. 

It's a minor detail, but one that can make a big difference when you're sharing a small space with another person, especially if you travel with full-sized products. 

Staying in a standard cabin meant we weren't provided with upgraded toiletries. Instead, we were provided with a single bar of soap and a shampoo-body wash hybrid in the shower. 

Having recently cruised on ships like Disney Magic and Sun Princess, I've become accustomed to liquid hand soap in the bathroom and regretted not bringing one of my travel-sized goat's milk soap bars, which I bought purposefully for ships like this!

The shower had great water pressure, and I had no issues adjusting the temperature to my liking. There was even a small ledge to make shaving easier. 

Typically, I never use my stateroom's telephone; however, one afternoon, the Chef's Table was calling to provide details about where to meet for our 6:30pm reservation. 

When I picked up, I could hear the crew member speaking, but he couldn't hear me. He hung up and called back, but the issue wasn't fixed. The next time, I decided to let the phone ring and simply listened to the voicemail instead. 

Despite this small inconvenience, our cabin provided everything needed for a comfortable and relaxing cruise. 

Although we spent just $830 on our cruise fare, we splurged on other add-ons to enhance our experience, such as admission to the Thrill Waterpark, a Blue Lagoon Island excursion, two specialty meals, and Wi-Fi—all of which made an otherwise ordinary cruise especially memorable. 

Of course, booking a cruise at the last minute comes with risks. For example, last-minute airfare can be costly, negating the cost savings of the cheaper fare. 

Not only that but some experiences can sell out in advance, so if you are hoping to book a certain excursion or specialty restaurant, you may find that availability is limited or even completely booked by the time you get on board.

Thankfully, we utilized credit card points to save money on airfare and the pre-cruise hotel. If we had paid for them out-of-pocket, our flights from Charlotte to Fort Lauderdale would have totaled over $1,000. 

Moreover, we scored a great discount on our Chef's Table dinner thanks to a Cruise Planner sale the week before our departure. The onboard price is advertised at around $99/person; however, after applying our onboard credit, we only paid $57 each for the 6-course meal, which included wine and espresso martinis with dessert. 

Would I book a last-minute cruise fare again? Absolutely. Because of my job, I can leave home at a moment's notice, and when the opportunity arises to snag such a great deal, I’m all in—even if it's in an inside cabin. 

Recently, I sailed aboard Allure of the Seas on a short 4-night cruise to the Bahamas and enjoyed dining at restaurants like Samba Grill, the Main Dining Room, and even the Chef’s Table for the first time.

I had a great experience dining on Vision of the Seas earlier this year and was curious to see how the food on a ship as large as Allure of the Seas would compare.

Moreover, having branched out to other lines like Celebrity and Princess, I wondered whether Allure would change my opinion on the quality of Royal’s dining. 

Even better, I brought my dad along, who sailed on Allure in 2014. He had memories of the food being amazing, so he was eager to see if it lived up to his recollection.

Overall, the food on Allure of the Seas was pretty good! Some meals were far better than others, with some being mediocre. Here's a breakdown of everything I ate during my 4-night cruise aboard Allure, including a few dishes I'd skip next time.

Of note, I'm not a food critic and am not classically trained in anything cuisine-related. Others may come to their own conclusions, as everyone has different taste buds and preferences.

Embarkation Day Lunch

One of my favorite places to kickstart a cruise is the Park Cafe. Usually, it’s far less overwhelming than the Windjammer, and it’s nice to get a made-to-order salad while relaxing in Central Park ahead of a busy schedule.

I have a tried-and-true salad order that never disappoints: mixed greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, boiled egg, croutons, and honey mustard dressing. Whenever I have a salad from Park Cafe, I’m reminded of how much I enjoy honey mustard dressing but somehow fail to forget the second I disembark.

I also had the signature Kummelweck sandwich with spicy mustard and horseradish. However, the roast beef was too rare for my liking.

Embarkation Day Dinner

Though this was my third time on Allure of the Seas, I had never tried Samba Grill. When strolling around the ship on embarkation day, my dad and I were offered a deal too good to pass up: dinner for two for just $70, or $35 each.

We were thankful we had a lighter lunch since we had an unexpectedly large meal planned for dinner. It was truly a meat overload. However, we definitely felt as though we got our money’s worth.

My favorite meats were the filet mignon, beef ribs, and sirloin. Each was tender and cooked to perfection, and I loved the various sauces—namely the chimichurri—provided to enhance the flavor of the meats. 

The stars of the show, though, were the desserts. The caramel flan and chocolate rum cake were both delicious. My dad even debated asking if we could take an extra rum cake to the room.

If you’re too full to enjoy the heavier desserts, I recommend at least trying the grilled pineapple. It’s a simple yet refreshing way to cleanse your palate after all that meat.

Sorrento’s

Later that night, we snacked on pizza from Sorrento’s, despite saying I wouldn’t eat again until breakfast. Sorrento’s is my least favorite cruise ship pizza; however, it’s hard to resist late-night pizza when the smell fills the Royal Promenade.

That said, after trying Princess Cruises’ pizza last month, Sorrento’s seemed far more mediocre than I remembered. In my opinion, the dough was way too chewy.

Breakfast Day 2

We woke up early on our only sea day, arriving at Johnny Rocket’s about fifteen minutes before it opened at 8:00am. We enjoyed prompt service after being seated. The coffee was piping hot—almost too hot to drink! However, it’s better than the lukewarm alternative.

I ordered the Veggie Lover's scramble without mushrooms. There aren’t a lot of things that I refuse to eat, but mushrooms are one of them. My only complaint is that I wish it had been served with extra cheese. Once I mixed the scramble up, the cheese flavor wasn't as prevalent as I hoped. 

That said, it had a good egg-to-veggie ratio. I didn’t want to feel like I was just eating bell peppers and onions early in the morning!

The environment was perhaps the best part of breakfast. It was peaceful, and dining outside on the Boardwalk before it got hot and crowded was a nice way to start our day at sea.

Lunch Day 2

My dad and I returned to Park Cafe for lunch, wanting to avoid the crowds at the Windjammer. I initially ordered the jerk pork wrap before noticing a Cuban sandwich in the display case after the Kummelweck carving station.

Not wanting to waste food, I tried the wrap before realizing it wasn’t all that good. The rice-to-meat ratio was off, with way too much rice and not enough of the juicy pork I expected.

I also noticed the Poblano pepper soup when I returned to order a Cuban sandwich. Being a fan of the soup served on Mexican night in the Main Dining Room, I gave it a try, and it was the best thing I ate in the Park Cafe while on Allure of the Seas!

The Cuban sandwich was much better than the jerk pork wrap. For a casual lunch on a cruise, it was satisfying.

Sabor

Later that afternoon, we were craving chips and salsa. This isn’t out of the ordinary, as my dad and I are huge fans of spicy foods and love adding different hot sauces to our salsa.

After I finished up some work, he decided he wanted to ask the wait staff at Sabor if we could enjoy chips and salsa without paying the cover charge for the entire meal. They had no issues accommodating our request and even brought freshly chopped habanero peppers to spice up the guacamole and salsa.

This was a highlight of our vacation, as we got to enjoy one of our favorite activities together while sitting on the Boardwalk and taking in the sights of an Oasis Class ship. 

Dinner Day 2

It's practically impossible to go wrong with Royal Caribbean's French Onion Soup. This year, I've had it on Quantum, Vision, and Allure of the Seas, and it has been delicious each time!

The broth is rich and savory; the onions are perfectly caramelized; and the melted cheese topping adds just the right amount of indulgence. Seriously, if you've never tried Royal's French Onion Soup, I beg you to order it on your next cruise. 

Read more: I spent a week on a cruise ship to Alaska, and while the Main Dining Room was disappointing, the specialty restaurants really impressed me

While I thought I was done eating meat, the other entrées didn't sound too appealing. I've tried the seafood linguine twice this year and have been disappointed both times. 

Rather than risking another letdown, I ordered the beef tenderloin, which was cooked to a perfect medium. Not only did I enjoy the cut of meat itself, but the peppercorn sauce added just the right amount of spice without overwhelming the dish. 

Finally, I had the warm apple cobbler for dessert. This is one of my favorite treats, and I never pass up the opportunity to have it when it's on the menu. 

However, I almost decided to mix things up and order the toasted almond cream puffs, but I couldn’t resist the familiar comfort of the apple cobbler.

Read more: Royal Caribbean menus: Main dining room, specialty restaurants & more

Breakfast Day 3

Whenever my dad and I cruise together, we limit our time in the Windjammer. Not only do we find the food to hit or miss, but we aren't fans of the hectic environment. It makes for a less-than-ideal dining experience for us. 

As such, we didn't step foot in the Windjammer while on Allure of the Seas. Instead, we enjoyed breakfast at Johnny Rocket's, the Solarium Bistro, and the Main Dining Room. While the Solarium Bistro's food quality is similar, it's much more relaxed than the Windjammer. 

On the morning we arrived in CocoCay, we wanted something quick, so we could head to Thrill Waterpark and knock off as many rides as possible before the crowds built up. 

Typically, I have a lighter breakfast in favor of heavier lunches and dinners; however, I wanted to fuel up for our day in the sun, so I added a waffle to my usual go-to order of eggs, fruit, and a hashbrown patty. 

Lunch Day 3

Though my dad's last visit to CocoCay was in 2010, he spoke about how much he enjoyed the beachside BBQ lunch buffet, so, initially, our plan was to leave Thrill Waterpark and enjoy the offerings at the Chill Grill. However, after walking past Captain Jack's, my dad decided he'd rather try the mango habanero chicken wings. 

While the wings aren't included—priced at $9.95 for ten—we found the extra cost worth it. The wings were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Plus, the mango habanero sauce added the perfect amount of heat and sweetness. We also ordered steak fries for an additional $3. 

Pro tip: try the TLC (tequila, lime, and chipotle) sauce. The chipotle flavor added a smokey richness that paired well with the tangy lime, making for a great dipping sauce that wasn't your average honey mustard or ketchup. 

Dinner Day 3

After a long day of climbing countless flights of stairs, we freshened up and returned to the Main Dining Room for dinner. Tonight's theme was Caribbean—one of my favorites because of the crispy coconut shrimp on the menu. 

That said, I've found that sometimes, they aren't the most generous with the sweet chili dipping sauce. However, I ordered extra, which made a huge difference. 

I tried something new for my entrée: the Caribbean chicken. I was surprised by the portion of juicy chicken breast, ensuring that even the most ravenous guests wouldn't leave hungry.  

The entire dish was flavorful, except for the dry Jamaican fried dumpling. Everything else, from the pineapple and black bean salsa to the rice and sweet plantains, was satisfying. 

The blueberry cobbler wasn't as memorable as the apple cobbler the night before. Still, it was a great sweet treat to wrap up the meal. 

Breakfast Day 4

Our meeting time for our excursion to Blue Lagoon Island wasn't until 10:30am, so we had a leisurely breakfast in the Main Dining Room. While I prefer savory breakfasts, I thought I'd try the French Toast.

It was tasty with a soft, fluffy interior and generously dusted with powdered sugar. However, I still prefer my go-to of eggs. I'm just not a huge fan of sweets in the morning. 

Lunch Day 4

Our 5-hour tour to Blue Lagoon Island included lunch. It was a standard beachside cookout, with burgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, and veggie patties. 

I preferred the burger to the BBQ chicken and found the green bean salad pretty tasty! It was served cold with a strong vinegary taste, which everyone might not enjoy. 

Still, when it comes to island meals, it's hard to compete with Perfect Day at CocoCay! From tacos to burgers and plenty of desserts, there's a wider variety available, and you can get as much food as you want! 

Dinner Day 4

While I've been on over 20 cruises, I had never tried the Chef's Table before sailing on Allure of the Seas. In the days leading up to our cruise, I noticed a great deal on the 6-course meal on the Cruise Planner. 

The specialty meal cost $165.16 for two people; however, after applying our $50 in onboard credit, the price per person decreased to just $57 each. 

The thyme and lemon bread was complete with melted truffle oil butter and, as our waiter Allen said, was the best bread on the ship. 

After bread, we dove into the main courses, starting with scallop carpaccio. The thinly sliced scallops were pretty flavorless; however, they allowed the yuzu vinaigrette to shine through. 

To me, the smoked tomato soup was the star of the show. 

It was robust, with a smoky depth that incorporated a whole new dimension to the classic dish, and the drizzle of crème fraîche added a creamy contrast.

Read more: I take over 10 cruises a year as a cruise reporter. I always book a specialty restaurant — even though it costs extra money

The Maine lobster salad brought the fresh, sweet flavors of the lobster front and center. 

I wasn't a huge fan of the vanilla dressing or the hearts of palm, but the tender lobster was far better than any I've ever had in the Main Dining Room. 

My least favorite course was the roasted branzino. Fish isn't something I typically enjoy; however, I was willing to try it during our Chef's Table experience. 

The fish itself was cooked well, being moist and flaky. That said, I couldn't get past the distinct flavor of the branzino, which was too fishy for my liking. One of our table companions suggested I try it with one of the orange slices on the plate, which helped balance the flavor a bit. Still, it wasn’t enough to completely change my opinion of the dish. 

Others who enjoy fish said it was delicious, so I would take my words with a grain of salt. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to food! 

Compartively, the filet mignon was a favorite. The steak was tender and perfectly seared on the outside while juicy and pink in the center. Each bite melted in my mouth and was complemented by the bearnaise sauce! 

I also loved the accompanying truffle mashed potatoes. The potatoes had a smooth texture, with just the right amount of seasoning to balance out the richness of the steak. 

Chocolate lovers will adore The World, featuring layers of rich, chocolate mousse, silky ganache, and a crisp, dark chocolate shell that encases it all. 

Inside the sphere, the salted caramel ice cream adds a salty contrast to the otherwise chocolate-heavy dessert. Even better? It pairs well with the included salted caramel espresso martini! 

Disembarkation Breakfast

We weren't in a rush to get off the ship on disembarkation morning, so we headed to the Main Dining Room for one final meal in the three-story restaurant around 7:40am. 

As expected, I went with eggs and fruit, rather than loading up on sugar before going to the airport. The eggs were far better than those in the Solarium Bistro a few mornings prior, and I was surprised by how fresh the fruit was on the last day of the cruise. 

Tipping is a controversial topic, especially when it comes to cruise lines, where gratuities are often pre-paid or automatically added to your bill. 

Instead of getting caught up on the monetary aspect, one crew member took to Reddit to share their thoughts on how you can show your appreciation to those working to make your time onboard so memorable.

The crew member, known by their Reddit name SolAreiaLivros, explains how they've worked on ships like Adventure, Allure, and Wonder of the Seas. 

"Your cash tips, no matter how big or small help us (most especially [crew] from 'developing' countries like myself) tremendously. We are paid a livable wage, and well! But every dollar is something extra we can bring back home to our families," they write in the post shared to the r/royalcaribbean thread. 

"But if you prefer not to tip, that is completely okay!! Here are some other ways you can show your appreciation to [the crew members who] made your cruise extra special."

Post-cruise surveys

There's a reason so many crew members talk to guests about the post-cruise surveys. Not only do they allow you to provide feedback on your cruise vacation but you also have the opportunity to shout out hardworking crew members. 

The survey itself is short. In addition to a few brief questions about crew members, you're also asked about the food's quality, shore excursions, the ship's overall maintenance, and entertainment. 

SolAreiaLivros shares that when they're personally mentioned in surveys and reviews, they can earn a day off, a Very Important Crew (VIC) scratch card, a free specialty meal, or stay in a guest cabin for one sailing. 

The VIC card lets them scratch for perks like free internet and room service, a day off, discounts at the crew store, cash, and more. 

Surveys are especially important to crew members like waiters. When their ratings go down, they're at risk of having fewer tables to wait on, resulting in fewer tips. For waiters in specialty restaurants, low ratings could even lead to them being reassigned to the Main Dining Room, which is typically much more stressful and demanding.

"If mentioned enough times, we can get nominated to be [the] Employee of the Month. Winning Employee of the Month has quite a sum of cash prize," they add. 

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

Small notes and letters

Did one crew member go out of their way to deliver an exceptional experience? Don't be afraid to write them a short thank you note before disembarking. 

Whether a bartender who made your drinks perfectly or a fun activity host, taking a moment to show your appreciation with a handwritten note can make a huge difference.

SolAreiaLivros says, "I have personally received small notes folded into fun shapes from guests and I still have them in my wallet to this day. Reading these notes from guests at the end of a long day of work makes all the hard work feel worth it."

Read more: 7 most important crew members to meet on your cruise ship

Remembering the crew member's name

SolAreiaLivros emphasizes how much a simple acknowledgment, like remembering a crew member's name, can mean: "...a guest remembering us and calling us by our names makes us feel seen and appreciated."

"As you all well know, we work onboard without [days off] and days can be really long. You have no idea how a simple thank you can make a crew’s day."

For example, when you see your cabin steward in the hall, address them by their name and ask how they're doing. Similarly, you can greet your Main Dining Room staff each evening by their names.

Collecting cruise ducks

What started as a quirky activity for those who wanted to share their love of cruising has grown into a worldwide craze, with Facebook groups and online forums dedicated to duck hunting on cruise ships. 

However, passengers aren't the only ones who love collecting ducks! "[Crew members who] have little kids back home LOVE collecting ducks," says SolAreiaLivros, "My cousin whose dad also works for Royal [Caribbean] grew up looking forward to receiving new duckies from her dad after every contract."

That said, SolAreiaLivros added that she knew a fellow crew member who was fired because of collecting ducks. If you're cruising and a crew member mentions they have young children at home, consider giving one directly to them. 

Read more: Why some people hate hiding ducks on a cruise ship fad

Be careful with larger gifts

While on the topic of giving gifts to crew members, be aware of things that could get them in trouble, like alcohol and items purchased from the shops onboard. 

"[We cannot] bring home any item from the shops unless we have the receipt," explains SolAreiaLivros, "[If you want to gift something from the store,] find the manager of that department and let them know that you're going to give this certain gift to (insert name of [the] crew [member])."

They add it's best to be done in an area where CCTV is available. However, note that some crew members may reject gifts if they're afraid they'll get in trouble over it. 

Read more: 7 things you should never buy on a cruise ship

The best gift SolAreiaLivros received was a picture of themself and a few guests while working in 150 Central Park, a specialty restaurant on Oasis Class ships. 

"I did not expect [for them to] buy it and gift it to me. It was in that nice 150 [C]entral [P]ark folder with a keychain inside and a note from them wishing me blessed years ahead in my career." In fact, they say they got a promotion two sailings after receiving that present! 

Another gift idea from SolAreiaLivros is laundry detergent. Crew members must buy their own in the crew grocery or in port, so gifting it helps save them money. 

Royal Caribbean gratuities 

Royal Caribbean automatically charges each guest's SeaPass account a gratuity fee each day of the cruise to recognize the service provided by crew members including cabin stewards, head waiters, waiters, and assistant waiters. 

As of November 1, 2024, the daily gratuity amount is $18.50 per guest, per day for guests in standard staterooms (i.e., inside, ocean-view, and balcony cabins, as well as Junior Suites). 

Guests in Grand Suites and above will pay $21.00 per person, per day in gratuities. The daily gratuity amount is the same for all passengers, regardless of age. This means a family of four staying in a balcony stateroom will pay $518 in gratuities during a weeklong cruise, while the same family in a suite can expect to pay $588 for a 7-night cruise. 

Gratuities, or tips, aren't included in Royal Caribbean's base fare. Some passengers prefer to prepay them in advance, as it helps them appropriately budget for their vacation. Plus, guests who prepay their gratuities don't have to worry about increases, as they're grandfathered into the lower rate. 

These automatic gratuities are controversial because they can feel impersonal or mandatory to some passengers, taking away the choice of rewarding exceptional service.

SolAreiaLivros concluded their post by saying they aren't well versed about gratuities, asking respondents to refrain from asking questions about them to avoid misinforming people.

Read more: Gratuities on Royal Caribbean: How tipping works