Packing for a cruise vacation can be stressful. Some people will put it off until the last minute, while others start planning their outfits as soon as the initial deposit it made. Regardless of when you choose to begin the process, trying to visualize what you want to bring can be difficult. 

TikTok user Alexandra Goeders shared a planning hack for her Royal Caribbean cruise that she claimed was "sooo helpful." 

The eight-second video, which has amassed over 8 million views and 540,000 likes since being posted in February, illustrates how Goeders utilizes the notes app to help plan her outfits. 

"decided to try this hack I saw from @Ashley Lopes," reads the caption, "and it’s sooo helpful for planning out what to bring on vacation! I’m heading to Miami on Saturday and then going on a @Royal Caribbean cruise 🚢 ☀️ perfect timing since it’s supposed to snow here this weekend."

Here is a breakdown of the packing hack just in time for your next cruise!

Related: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

Copy and pasting into the iPhone notes app

In the TikTok video, Goeders shows a screen recording of her phone where she has taken various pictures of herself in a full-length mirror wearing different outfits. 

She holds down the image of herself and copies it, effectively cropping out the background. She then pastes the image into her notes app to help her plan when she will wear each outfit, whether it is for "sports/gym/activities," "casual/beach/pool," or "dinners/shows/dancing." 

Of course, your itinerary might mean that you make some adjustments to the categories. If, for instance, you are sailing to Alaska, you will want to think about what layers you want to bring. You will be less focused with beach and pool attire!

When on the ship, it is easy to refer back to the notes app with the pictures, rather than wasting precious vacation time trying to figure out what you want to wear and trying on different outfits. You also do not want to have to scroll through a photo album trying to remember how you styled a specific outfit. 

While it is helpful for all outfits, thinking ahead to evening wear might be the most important, especially if you want to partake in any of the themes. It would be harder to throw together an outfit for White Night or 70s Disco at the last minute!

Piecing together what you have and figuring out what you need to buy in advance will let you redirect your focus to important check-in and travel logistics as the cruise approaches. 

Related: The worst cruise packing mistakes to avoid

Shrinking the pasted image

When I went to try the hack out myself, I noticed that when I pasted a copied image of myself into the notes app, the image was pretty large, so I had to do some research to figure out how to shrink the image!

Once the copied imaged is pasted, you have to hold down on it until a menu appears with the options "copy," "share," "small images" and "delete." Selecting "small images" will help you be able to use this hack for your next cruise vacation! Otherwise, the images will be too large for you to organize into categories like Goeders did.

Reactions

TikTok users are a fan of Goeders' video. Even Royal Caribbean's official TikTok commented, "Pack smarter, vacay harder." 

User @mommypleaseagain said, "As a person who LOVES lists…. You have just made my heart so happy," while user @jetnerd737 wrote, "I thought I was doing good writing them out day by day for vacations!! Like I’m jaw dropped!! Game changer!!!" 

@katiana_maz commented, "Super helpful when I’m trying to pack light! Someone thought I was crazy when I showed them I did this lol," meaning that even if you are packing for a weeklong cruise in a carry-on, there is nothing wrong with trying to stay organized during the packing process. 

Other helpful packing tips

Bring a carry-on bag

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you will be greeted by a porter who will check in your larger luggage; you will not see it again until later that afternoon. To ensure that you are prepared for embarkation day, make sure that you have a carry-on bag to hold your travel documentation and other valuables, such as electronic devices, medication, jewelry, etc. 

You do not want to accidentally pack your passport in your suitcase! 

Related: 15 things to pack in your cruise carry-on

Do not pack any prohibited items

Read up on what items are prohibited onboard Royal Caribbean ships. If you try and bring something on that is not allowed, it will be confiscated and kept until disembarkation. Sometimes, they will discard the item and provide no compensation. 

Some things -- such as candles, weapons, drugs, and hard liquor -- make sense. Others, however, might slip your mind! You cannot bring steamers or electrical extension cords. 

Related: What can you not bring on a cruise

Use packing cubes or compression travel bags

Packing cubes or compression travel bags will help you organize your suitcase when you are in the middle of packing. Plus, they help you to pack more, which is great if you are limited on space. 

They help make unpacking a breeze when you get on the ship, too. Simply take the cubes out of your suitcase and place them in the dresser and/or closet and get back to doing the fun sail away activities! 

You might think about avoiding booking a cruise during hurricane season, but the lower prices and demand might have you reconsidering.

Going on a cruise during hurricane season can often be a topic of debate. The lower fares mean that you might be able to take your dream vacation for less; however, you risk your voyage being impacted by unfavorable weather. So, is going on a cruise during hurricane season a good idea?

In the past, storms have caused some itineraries to be modified or canceled altogether. That being said, the majority of cruises are able to successfully depart without any issues. 

Here is everything you need to know about taking a cruise during hurricane season and predictions for the 2024 season. 

When is hurricane season? 

The Atlantic hurricane season, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, runs from June 1 through November 30, but the season's peak is primarily between August and October.

And while tropical storms are notoriously unpredictable, there are usually around a dozen or so storms in a given year, with some being stronger and weaker than others. 

The Pacific's season is a little bit different, beginning on May 15 and ending on November 30. 

According to the National Hurricane Center, an average Atlantic hurricane season will produce 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major hurricanes. 

A major hurricane is defined as a Category 3, 4, or 5 on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, meaning that the cyclone reaches a maximum sustained winds of 111 mph (96 knots) or higher. 

"Very active" hurricane season prediction for 2024

On Thursday, April 4 the Colorado State University Tropical Meteorology Project released their first forecasts for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. 

They predict that this season will be "very active" with a total of 23 named storms, 5 of which are projected to be major hurricanes. 

The project team also expects 115 storm days, compared to the average of 69.4 days from 1991-2020.  

Colorado State University predicts that the probability of at least one major hurricane making landfall along the entire United States coastline is 62% during the 2024 Atlantic hurricane system, increasing from the 43% average from 1880 to 2020. 

The increase in activity is due to hurricane-favorite conditions, such as the transition from El Niño to La Nińa and the record-warn sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic. 

Related: Safe at sea: what it’s like on a cruise ship when there’s a hurricane

Will a hurricane affect my cruise?

Royal Caribbean's top priority is the safety of the guests, crew, and ship, and they will never send a ship near a hurricane. To that point, if a storm is predicted to go anywhere near where a ship is scheduled to be, Royal Caribbean will be the first to cancel scheduled port stops or even completely change the itinerary.

While the odds of a storm affecting your cruise are low, you should be mentally prepared for that to occur; cruising during hurricane season means having a certain level of flexibility with your plans. 

If you are scheduled to visit the Eastern Caribbean but a storm arises, Royal Caribbean may drop a port of call or completely switch your itinerary, turning your Eastern cruise into a Western Caribbean one. 

On rare occasions, Royal Caribbean will cancel a cruise if a storm is projected to impact an area where the ship is scheduled to embark and/or disembark. 

Canceling a cruise, though, is usually the last option for Royal Caribbean, and they are more likely to keep a ship out at sea for an extra day or two, and subsequently shorten the next sailing, than outright cancel any given sailing.

If you decide not to go on the cruise at the last minute, you will not receive any compensation from the cruise line. Unless it is flat-out canceled by Royal Caribbean, the ship is still going to depart, and they will deliver a cruise vacation to all passengers, regardless of whether or not the itinerary stays the same. 

Do cruise lines provide any compensation if a sailing is impacted by a storm?

As mentioned, Royal Caribbean will do everything that they can to guarantee a safe voyage, even if it means that the port order is swapped or changed altogether. So long as the embarkation port is not closed, your cruise will almost certainly sail. 

Per the cruise contract that you agreed to when you booked the cruise, no compensation is required to be given if your itinerary changes. That means that if your cruise changes from an Eastern Caribbean cruise to a Western one, you will not be compensated for the change. 

If, however, they have to make the difficult decision to completely cancel the cruise, you will be issued a full refund. It must be Royal Caribbean's decision, though. If you elect not to sail at the last minute, you will lose the money that you paid for the vacation. 

Lower prices

Cruise fares tend to drop significantly in the fall. Not only is this due to the fact that the peak travel season has ended, but it is also to account for the uncertainty that arises when cruising during hurricane season. 

A 4-night Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard Independence of the Seas, for instance, starts at $559 per person for an interior room during July 2024. The same itinerary drops to $300 per person in September. 

In the days leading up to the cruise, you will inevitably keep a closer eye on the news to see if there are any storm developments, which may lead to some pre-cruise anxiety. In the summer, it is unlikely that you will have these worries, even though June and July still technically fall within hurricane season. 

Related: What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

Make sure that you buy travel insurance

Purchasing travel insurance is recommended regardless of when your cruise is; however, it is a no-brainer when it comes to cruising during hurricane season. 

Whether you get travel insurance from Royal Caribbean when booking or from a third-party provider, you will want to ensure the policy covers disruption in case of weather-related events.

You may also want to consider a "Cancel For Any Reason" policy, as most travel insurance policies only kick in if your vacation is interrupted -- think if Royal Caribbean cancels the cruise or an airline cancels your flight. A hurricane forming in the Atlantic and your fear of going is not grounds for travel insurance to kick in.  

If you want the flexibility to cancel your trip before Royal Caribbean does, you will need a policy that includes Cancel For Any Reason. Note, though, that these policies tend to be more expensive! 

Finally, make sure that you purchase the travel insurance as soon as possible, as to file any claims under a travel insurance policy, you have to have bought the policy before the storm was formed and named. If you purchase the policy afterward, you will not be entitled to any compensation. 

Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?

Importance of flying in before the cruise

You should always fly in at least one day prior to your ship's departure. During hurricane season, however, you may opt to fly in even earlier, just to make sure that you are in the vicinity of the ship if there happen to be any disruptions to air traffic due to a storm. 

Even if, for instance, you are flying from the Midwest to Florida, a hurricane in the Western Caribbean can impact flight schedules across the United States. If you wait until the day of, you may find yourself missing the ship! 

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

Come prepared with medication to curb any motion sickness symptoms 

Cruise ships will do their best to avoid the path of a hurricane and chart a course with optimal sea conditions. Plus, modern cruise ships are built with stabilizer fins that help counteract the ocean’s movement, so there is less movement felt. 

That being said, you never know when you will hit a rough patch, whether you are sailing during a hurricane or not! 

When packing for your cruise, make sure that you buy some motion sickness medication, like Bonine or Dramamine. While medication will be available on the ship, having it on hand is best. 

Related: How to avoid getting seasick on a cruise

The day of your cruise has finally arrived! You are pulling up to the terminal and see the ship in the distance, only to be confronted by massive crowds waiting to get on the ship just like you. 

You do not want to spend your precious vacation time waiting inside of the terminal when you could be sipping on a cocktail on the pool deck or getting acquainted with the ship before sail away. 

Boarding early also allows you to enjoy a more leisurely lunch before the Windjammer gets crowded, as well as attend to some check-list things, including confirming dining reservations and signing children up for Adventure Ocean programming. 

If you plan ahead, you might be able to reduce the amount of time spent checking in and get to the fun stuff faster! 

Related: 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

Here are 15 ways to speed up the embarkation process and board your cruise ship faster. 

Arrive a day early

If you do not live within driving distance and are flying to your cruise port, you will want to ensure that you make arrangements to arrive the day before the ship is scheduled to depart.

Aside from any delays or cancellations that could cause you to miss the ship, by being in the vicinity of the ship first thing in the morning, you can secure an early check-in time and have time to relax at your hotel beforehand! 

Reserve a suite

When you book a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you are able to begin reaping the benefits before you even step onboard! The specific perks vary based on the ship and suite category, so it is important that you understand the differences if priority boarding is something you want to look forward to. 

All suites on Vision, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships get priority boarding as a benefit, regardless of whether it is a Junior Suite, Grand Suite, or Owner's Suite. 

Suites onboard Oasis and Quantum Class ships are part of what is referred to as the Royal Suite Class. All suites onboard are divided into three categories -- Sea, Sky, and Star -- that receive different perks. 

Sea Class guests, or those staying in a Junior Suite, do not have any priority boarding boarding benefits. Likewise, Sky Class suite guests are only eligible for flexible arrival. Star Suites are the only suites onboard Oasis and Quantum Class ships that guarantee expedited boarding. 

Print your luggage tags in advance

When you finish the online check-in process, you will be able to print your luggage tags. These tags are what help ensure that your luggage gets delivered to the correct stateroom, and by having them ready, you will spend less time outside of the terminal-- you can simply drop off your bags with a porter and go.

Note: it is customary to tip porters $1 or $2 per bag, so you will want a few small bills on your person!

If you do not have them printed and attached upon arrival, you will have to wait to speak with a porter, who will have to fill out a tag and attach it to your luggage before collecting it. 

To make this process even easier, you can purchase luggage tag holders on Amazon. That way, you do not have to worry about them getting damaged. 

Do not take big bags through security

Speaking of porters, they exist for a reason! Do not try and take your big suitcases with you onboard. While trying to navigate the lines, physical check-in, and security, it is inevitable that these bags will slow you down. 

Moreover, you do not want to have to worry about lugging them around the ship with you until your stateroom is available! You should only bring a manageable carry-on bag with you that has all of your essentials--you will not need all of your belongings the second you board. 

Have your carry-on bag packed and ready

Before you get to the terminal, you will want to make sure that you have a separate carry-on bag packed with your essentials, such as medication, travel documentation, boarding passes, valuable items, and more.

You do not want to be scrambling to pull these items from your luggage at the last minute. That might require pulling out tons of stuff and having to repack it on the sidewalk! 

The carry-on bag is also a great place to pack some items that will keep younger children entertained during the boarding process and let you attend to the logistics without any distractions. This might include some snacks, toys, an iPad, etc. 

Know your stateroom number

If, by chance, you forgot to print your luggage tags, you will have to tell the porter your stateroom number. Instead of lengthening bag drop off even more, have your stateroom number handy. They will use it to fill out a luggage tag and staple it to the big. 

Even if you came prepared with the tags, there is a chance that someone will ask you your stateroom number at another point during the check-in process. 

Plus, once you get onboard, knowing your stateroom number will help you locate your cabin. You will not find yourself in a position where you walked too far forward or on the wrong side of the ship. 

Purchase The Key

The Key is a cruise add-on that guests may purchase to unlock (pun intended) some benefits meant to enhance their cruising experience, such as priority access into the terminal within a specific time frame.

When you get to the terminal, you will be able to wait in an exclusive area just for those who purchased The Key where employees will handle your in-person check-in procedures. When boarding begins, you will be let on first. 

The Key comes with other benefits, too, that may help justify the extra cost, such as a VOOM Surf & Stream internet package. Sometimes, the price difference between purchasing an internet package and The Key is so minimal that the upgrade is worth it. 

Plus, you will also be able to drop off your carry-on luggage in the Main Dining Room and have it delivered to your stateroom, enjoy an exclusive lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille menu and private time at onboard activities, and be one of the first people off with priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports.

Other perks include VIP seats at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B, as well as a private à la carte breakfast and choice departure on disembarkation day. 

Related: I tried The Key (again) to see if it's worth it 

Strive to reach Pinnacle Club

Pinnacle Club is the top tier of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society. To reach this level, you have to amass a whooping 700 cruise points! 

On embarkation day, Pinnacle Club members are able to arrive at the terminal up to an hour before or after their scheduled check-in time. 

Of course, there are other benefits that make reaching such a coveted tier worth the effort, including daily breakfast at a specialty restaurant, milestone certificates for free cruises, and others from lower tiers. 

Even if you are seemingly light years away from reaching Pinnacle Club, you should enroll in the Crown & Anchor Society, as you will start to receive perks after your very first cruise. 

Complete your online check-in in advance 

Weeks before your cruise is scheduled to depart, you will be asked by Royal Caribbean to complete your online check-in. Here, you will input your home address, travel documentation (i.e., passport or birth certificate), emergency contact information, take a security photo, and confirm your date of birth. 

Making sure that this is done in advance will speed up your physical check-in time at the terminal. 

Have all of your documentation readily available

Even though you will submit your travel documentation online, you will still need to present it at the port. Do not waste your time or hold up the line by digging through your carry-on bag for your passport or birth certificate. If it is readily available, you can move through this part of the check-in process quicker. 

This includes your Set Sail pass, too, as it will have to be scanned in order for you to board the ship! You will not get your physical SeaPass card until staterooms become available. 

Cruise with a passport instead of a birth certificate 

While you technically can use a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID to take a closed-loop cruise in the United States, it is recommended that you use a passport.

Having a passport means not only a simpler embarkation and disembarkation process, but it protects you against an unexpected situation that may arise during your cruise vacation, such as a medical emergency in a foreign country. 

When boarding the cruise, the port agents will not have to spend more time verifying your birth certificate, meaning that those with passports will be able to start their vacation a little bit faster. 

Related: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Book private transfers

Making arrangements for a private transfer to the terminal will bring you peace of mind on embarkation day, especially if your cruise port is far from a major city (i.e., Rome to Civitavecchia) or airport. 

You will not have to worry about hiring a ride share service the morning of or hauling your luggage through train stations. You can enjoy your breakfast before your ride shows up at the requested time!

Plus, while cruise line transfers might seem convenient, they are often overpriced, and you will have to wait for the entire bus to fill up before you depart. 

Avoid peak check-in times

If you get to the cruise terminal around noon, do not be surprised to find that a large crowd has already gathered. While most cruise lines have implemented check-in windows to prevent this from happening, you cannot account for those who want to try and get on the ship earlier than they are scheduled to. 

Another way to speed up the time spent in the terminal is to select a later check-in time, as most people want to try and board as soon as they can. Do not, however, push this too far-- you might arrive to find that you missed the final call. 

Keep prohibited items at home

Before you are able to board the ship, you will be required to go through a security process similar to that at an airport. You will have to send your belongings through an x-ray scanner while you walk through a body screener. 

If you bring anything that is strictly prohibited -- like a clothes steamer, iron, alcoholic beverages (outside of one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per person), drugs, candles, etc. -- this will delay your check-in process. Plus, you may even find yourself denied boarding. 

Before you leave home, read up on what is and is not allowed on Royal Caribbean ships and make sure that your packed belongings do not violate their guidelines. 

Finish the e-muster drill before you arrive at the terminal 

While completing the virtual muster drill in advance will not help you get on the ship any faster, it will allow you to spend more time on the ship doing what you want once you get through the boarding process, rather than watching a video regarding safety procedures when you would rather be getting a drink or exploring. 

Do not forget that you will still have to visit your physical muster station, though!

Related: What to expect with Royal Caribbean’s virtual safety drill

This week was filled with exciting updates and developments surrounding Royal Caribbean cruises. 

In addition to updates regarding Utopia of the Seas during the company's budget call, a strong first quarter, and the reopening of the Chinese cruising market, it was announced that the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas is nearing sea trials! Plus, construction is continuing with the adults-only area in Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as the filing of a new trademark.

Here is a rundown of some news that you should be aware of!

Icon of the Seas nearing her sea trials

The launch of the world's largest cruise ship is getting closer and closer. 

According to a Facebook post made by Meyer Turku on May 5, Icon of the Seas is nearing beginning her sea trials, the last major milestone in the construction of the brand-new ship; they are slated to begin in mid-June. 

This step is important, as it helps to ensure that the ship is ready for service and that all operational systems work properly. Moreover, this is often when some of the first pictures of the completed ship are taken. 

"Sea trials are one of the most important milestones on a ship's road to completion," the post says.

"Sea trials are a way to test all of the ships features that cannot be tested while docked, and that every function onboard is working as intended. [They] are also used to make sure the noise and vibration levels are where they should be."

"As the world's largest prototype ship, Icon's early sea trials are important to ensure that all the ship's main equipment such as propulsion equipment, main engines and power plant, thrusters and fin stabilizers are working as they should."

The shipyard did not confirm how long the sea trials will be, as they vary in duration. It is not uncommon for ships to undergo two different sessions! 

Until sea trials begin, construction will continue at the shipyard in Finland, where construction initially began in June 2021. 

When all of the sea trials are complete, there may be some final adjustments that need to be made before the ship is prepared for delivery. As of May 2023, no official delivery date has been announced by Royal Caribbean or Meyer Werft.

Related: Why are new cruise ships still being built?

When Icon of the Seas makes her debut in January 2024, she will become the world's largest cruise ship, surpassing the current title holder: Wonder of the Seas. As the cruise line's first Icon Class ship, she will be one-of-a-kind and offer the ultimate family vacation. 

Onboard, guests will find the world's largest water park at sea, as well as other firsts and upgrades, such as the AquaDome, a revamped Central Park neighborhood, Chill Island, and the brand-new Surfside neighborhood for families with children. 

Icon will be 6% larger than Wonder of the Seas with the ability to hold up to 7,600 passengers. Including crew members, Icon's total capacity will be close to 10,000. 

She will measure 250,800 gross registered tons, 1,198 feet long, and tower 20 decks high. 

In addition to the sheer size of this vessel, it will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to be powered by LNG-fuel. She will have six Wärtsilä main engines that are capable of running on both diesel and natural gas. 

The demand for Icon of the Seas is just as unprecedented as the ship itself! 

"Despite being on sale for only five months," said Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's CEO during an earnings call on May 4, Icon is significantly more booked for her inaugural season at materially higher rates than any other Royal Caribbean ship launch."

Once Icon of the Seas is handed over to Royal Caribbean, she will begin making round-trip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Miami, Florida in January 2024. Her inaugural voyage is slated for January 27. 

Hideaway Beach construction update

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Steve Cohen provided us with some photos of Hideaway Beach's construction.

Back in September 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that they would be building a new adults-only area at Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

In 2019, Perfect Day at CocoCay reopened after a $250 million renovation as the ultimate tropical getaway and included the addition of a brand-new water park featuring the 135-foot Daredevil's Peak water slide. 

Hideaway Beach was the first expansion of Perfect Day at CocoCay since Royal Caribbean launched the luxurious Coco Beach Club in 2020. This, however, was a smaller expansion and only increased the island's capacity by a few hundred guests. Hideaway Beach is expected to be larger.

Little, however, has been revealed about what guests can expect this area to be like. Unlike the Royal Beach Club in Nassau, no mock up plans have been released. 

The pictures provided by Cohen show that a structure is being built adjacent to a lagoon on the interior of the island; however, it is unclear what the structure will be for. Perhaps restroom facilities or some kind of fast-casual dining venue like the Snack Shack-- it is all speculation at this point!

Liberty said, "Icon will join the fleet later this year and will debut in the Caribbean in January 2024, with itineraries that include Perfect Day at CocoCay and its new expansion, Hideaway Beach."

"[Hideaway Beach] will accommodate approximately 2,500 more guests...On average now we're having around 11,000 guests a day in in CocoCay, [and] with Hideaway, we can add another two and a half, 3,000 guests...And that's really for designed to be open in time for Icon of the Seas," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO. 

Royal Caribbean has yet to confirm when Hideaway Beach will officially open and whether or not it will be complimentary or not. It is expected to open in early January around the time that Icon of the Seas sets sail. 

From the pictures, it appears that Hideaway Beach still has a lot of construction ahead of being ready to open to the public! 

Trademark filed for "Cabana Cay"

On April 10, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. filed a trademark application for the name "Cabana Cay." Per the United States Patent and Trademark Office's website, the trademark "is intended to cover the categories of recreation services, namely, resort services."

New trademark applications always spark interest, and with the ongoing construction at Hideaway Beach in CocoCay and the Royal Beach Club in Nassau, it is possible that Cabana Cay is related to one of these things. The name also suggests that it has something to do with cabanas, a feat that Royal Caribbean has worked on perfecting, especially with the addition of the cabanas at the Coco Beach Club. 

The Royal Beach Club was originally announced in March 2020; however, construction was stalled due to the pandemic. In March 2023, Royal Caribbean announced that the 17-acre beach club would officially open in 2025 as a partnership with The Bahamas.

13 out of the 17 acres will be owned by Royal Caribbean, with the remaining 4 acres as Crown Land, meaning that they will be split as equity between the Bahamian government and its people. 

Unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Royal Beach Club will not be a private island. Instead, it will be a private destination on Paradise Island available only to Royal Caribbean cruise line guests. 

The intention of the Royal Beach Club is to increase customer satisfaction in Nassau, as Michael Bayley revealed that the port currently ranks amount the bottom 10% of ports of call in customer feedback. 

It will be an experience that costs extra, meaning that it will not be included in the cost of your cruise fare.

The pass will not be all-inclusive, either. Outside of access to the beach club, lunch, and a beach chair, you will be responsible for paying for any other extras, including alcohol and soda, cabanas, day beds, and water sports. 

On the concept maps of the Royal Beach Club, there are a couple of areas that will be reserved for cabanas, including a "VIP Cabanas" area on the northern shore of Paradise Island facing the open ocean, rather than the cruise port. In addition, there are two other plans for "Beach Cabanas." Outside of what has been revealed on the concept map, as well as the fact that they will be an extra cost, no other information has been provided about these cabanas.  

All speculation aside, it is important to remember trademark filings do indicate any intention Royal Caribbean has. Sometimes, trademarks are filed for future use in the event that they decide to use the name for something. Like when they trademarked "The Star," "The Pearl," "The Jewel," "The Orb," "The Gem," and "The Oyster" at the same time back in 2022!

Additionally, Royal Caribbean Group files all of its trademarks under a single brand on behalf of all of their subsidiary lines, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and SilverSea.

What does trying out one of the biggest cruise ships in the world get that you might not get on a smaller ship?

With about 40% of Americans planning to travel at least once a year, there are some key things that you should take into consideration prior to making the final decision. These include budget, activities, and total value for your money. Nobody wants to spend thousands of dollars of their hard-earned money on a trip that they do not enjoy!

I knew that I wanted to take a cruise in early 2023, and I decided on a 7-night cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas. As a solo traveler, I paid $1,393.20 for the cruise fare and gratuities, which breaks down to just about $200 per night. While not the cheapest cruise vacation, I wanted to experience what one of the largest cruise ships in the world had to offer.

I am no stranger to Oasis Class ships. In fact, this was my fifth time sailing on one. They are my favorite class of ship, so I was hoping to see if Symphony of the Seas lived up to my expectations.

Besides the sheer size of the 228,081 gross registered ton vessel, here are some more reasons why I loved sailing onboard Symphony of the Seas. 

Why book Symphony of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas is filled with seemingly endless dining options and activity choices, making it an ideal vacation for just anyone looking for a mega ship vacation-- it does not matter if you are a young couple or multigenerational family. 

While not the newest Oasis Class ship, Symphony of the Seas proves that Royal Caribbean is constantly striving to improve and make the best even better! She debuted in 2018 as the largest cruise ship in the world and has some key differences that set her apart from her younger counterparts. 

The 6,680-passenger capacity ship, for instance, was the first Oasis Class ship to replace Sabor on the Boardwalk with Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade. 

Additionally, it was the first ship in the entire fleet to receive Hooked Seafood, a specialty restaurant that serves up fresh New England-style seafood for a nominal fee. 

Of course, thanks to Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification program, these venues can now be found on other Oasis Class ships, too. 

Since she is no longer the largest cruise ship, vacations onboard Symphony of the Seas are often cheaper than those on Wonder of the Seas, the ship that was released after Symphony.

Read more: Wonder of the Seas vs. Symphony of the Seas

Plus, between May 2023 and April 2025, there are a wide variety of different itineraries to choose from, ranging from short 3- and 4-night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale and Miami, to 7-night cruises to Florida and the Bahamas from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), and 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises. 

Refreshed adults-only Solarium

I am 23 years old with no children, so when I cruise, I like to be able to have a space to retreat from families. Not only is the Solarium a child-free place, but it is aesthetically a nice place to be. 

Unique to Symphony of the Seas is a one-of-a-kind art installation that is comprised of thousands of dichroic acrylic elements. You will not believe how beautiful it is at night!

Unlike on Harmony of the Seas, which I sailed on back in 2018, I did not have to leave the Solarium to take a dip in the pool. That was a major plus for me! In essence, I never had to spend time on the regular pool deck. Unless, that is, I wanted to take advantage of the other amenities, such as the Perfect Storm waterslides.  

And while all Oasis Class ships have a Solarium Bistro onboard, I found the one on Symphony of the Seas to be particularly nicer. The two-story space shares the top floor with the specialty restaurant Hooked Seafood. It has a much more refined feel, despite the fact that children can technically eat there, and I preferred it over the Windjammer Marketplace!

Unique entertainment options

Royal Caribbean is known for their entertainment options onboard their cruise ships, particularly their newer ones. In total, Symphony of the Seas has four main shows: Hairspray, HiRO, 1977, and Flight: Dare to Dream.

Of course, there's also live music, comedy shows, and more. There was never a moment that I was bored during my cruise. In fact, I found trying to squeeze everything in to be a bit overwhelming (totally worth it, though!). 

I was a bit disappointed to find out that Hairspray was not a full-length Broadway-style production. That being said, the 90-minute show was my favorite! I had previously seen it onboard Oasis of the Seas in 2014 and remember it being hilarious, especially the cast's ability to improv with the technical difficulties.

Thankfully, there were not any issues during this show, but the cast still had an unmatchable energy; it was evident that they loved what they did. 

The best piece of advice I can offer when it comes to shows is to make reservations for all of your "must-sees" as early as possible, especially the AquaTheatre show. You never know if later productions will have to be canceled due to unfavorable sailing conditions. 

More complimentary dining

I am a huge foodie, and going out to eat with friends and family is one of my favorite things to do! Knowing that, you can imagine that the dining options onboard a cruise are important to me. 

I do not mind splurging on specialty restaurants every now and then, but one way I like to make sure that I get my money's worth on any cruise vacation is by eating as much complimentary food as possible. 

In the past, I have been disappointed with the lack of complimentary dining options onboard Royal Caribbean ships. Thanks to the Royal Amplification program, though, many ships have begun to get more options, following in the footsteps of Oasis Class ships. 

Between the Main Dining Room, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, Solarium Bistro, Boardwalk Dog House, Sorrento’s Pizza, Windjammer Marketplace, and Cafe Promenade, I found it easy to rotate between dining options and never get tired of anything. 

El Loco Fresh was my favorite quick-service spot, as I loved being able to build my own tacos and nachos! The array of hot sauces and salsas was great, too. 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of sailing on Symphony of the Seas?

Advantage: Tons to see and do

As I previously mentioned, I was never bored during my cruise. Aside from the numerous entertainment options, there were other onboard activities that I wanted to cross off my list, including zip lining, mini-golf, sliding down the Ultimate Abyss, relaxing in Central Park, and more.

In fact, I did not even have the chance to try everything out, which makes Symphony of the Seas a great vacation option for those who constantly like to think about what is next!

Disadvantage: Limited ports of call

I have been on ten cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean throughout my life, meaning that I have visited many of the same ports over and over and over again. The repetition did not really bother me when I was younger; I was glad to be on a vacation! 

Now, however, I am more focused on cruises with different itineraries. In June, I am going on my first-ever Europe and Mexican Riviera cruises, and I could not be more excited! Every single port of call will be a new place for me.

Due to the size of Symphony of the Seas, it is harder (nay, impossible) for the ship to be able to sail to certain places. You will not, for instance, ever find the ship in Alaska! 

Cabins

Symphony of the Seas has cabins available for all budgets and travel preferences, from affordable interior cabins to the lavish two-story Ultimate Family Suite. 

Related: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Inside cabins

When I sailed on Symphony of the Seas, I stayed in an interior stateroom. While this meant that I did not have any access to natural sunlight, I was able to spend money on other experiences to enhance my overall experience, such as a shore excursion in St. Maarten and lunch at Izumi. 

Most inside cabins are somewhere between 150 and 260 square feet, with the latter being the Family Interior Stateroom that can accommodate up to six guests. 

The cheapest option will be a standard inside room; however, you can also select a virtual balcony stateroom or one with a window that overlooks the interior of the ship, whether that be the Boardwalk, Central Park, or Royal Promenade. 

Ocean view

Ocean view staterooms are a great option for those who want to be able to see outside but who do not necessarily want to pay for a balcony. Like with inside cabins, the largest of these rooms are categorized as "Ultra-Spacious Oceanview" rooms and are 270 square feet. In comparison, the smallest are around 180 square feet. 

Balcony

When booking a balcony stateroom on any Oasis Class ship, it is important to pay attention to what category you are looking at, as there are balconies that overlook Central Park, the Boardwalk, and ocean.

Naturally, the latter will be the most expensive. Plus, at 55 square feet, their balconies are more spacious than the 50 square foot balconies that accompany Central Park and Boardwalk balcony rooms. 

In terms of the inside square footage, however, all standard balcony rooms are around 180 square feet. 

Suites

Suites onboard Symphony of the Seas are divided into three categories that comprise what is known as the Royal Suite Class: Star Class, Sky Class and Sea Class. Suites in the first two categories come with more perks than Junior Suites, the only suite in the Sea Class. 

In total, there are eleven different types of suites to choose from: Junior Suites, one- and two-bedroom Grand Suites, Owner's Suites, one- and two-bedroom AquaTheatre Suites, Crown Loft Suites, Star Loft Suites, as well as a single Royal Loft Suite, Villa Suite, and Ultimate Family Suite. 

Dining

Complimentary

There are ten complimentary dining options available to all guests on the ship, regardless of stateroom:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Marketplace
• Solarium Bistro
• Park Cafe
• Cafe Promenade 
• Sorrento's
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Vitality Cafe
• Room Service (note that outside of the continental breakfast, there is a $7.95 delivery surcharge)

Those staying in suites can access Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; however, Junior Suite guests can only dine here during dinner. 

Specialty

Specialty restaurants offer a more intimate dining experience compared to complimentary options. They, of course, come with an additional surcharge and are not included in the base price of your cruise. Regardless, they are a great way to make your vacation a little more special:

• Chops Grille
• Jaime's Italian
• Wonderland
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi
• Hooked Seafood
• 150 Central Park
• Vintages Wine Bar
• Playmakers
• Johnny Rockets
• Starbucks

Things to do

There's genuinely no shortage of things to do onboard Symphony of the Seas. During the day, you can relax by one of five pools, hang ten on one of two FlowRider surf simulators, zip line above the Boardwalk, play a round of mini-golf or see what game is being played in the Sports Court, or ride down the Ultimate Abyss slide or Perfect Storm waterslide trio. 

Even if you do not want to cool off in the pool, the pool deck is home to many events that you may want to watch, such as the belly flop competition, scuba classes, poolside bingo, and more. It is important to check your Cruise Compass daily to make sure that you do not miss anything!

In addition to the fifteen bars and lounges on the ship, there are so many different entertainment options that will keep your evenings booked solid! From the Broadway-style musical Hairspray, to HiRO, 1977, and the Royal Caribbean Productions original Flight: Dare to Dream.

Children and teens will love Royal Caribbean's award-winning youth programming, whether that be Adventure Ocean for those up to 12 years old or their teen-exclusive lounges.

Every crew member plays an integral part is making sure that you have a memorable vacation, from those who you directly interact each day of your cruise with to those who work behind-the-scenes. 

The responsibilities of crew members, however, often entail more than what you see at the surface, and thanks to social media, we are able to get a more in-depth view as to what working as a crew member onboard a cruise ship is really like. 

Jordan Bauth, a 25-year-old professional figure skater working onboard Wonder of the Seas, documented her week in a recent YouTube video. The video blog spans the course of one week from April 9 to April 16 and shows what she does in addition to skating during the ice shows. 

Jordan's YouTube channel has amassed over 60,000 followers and 8,130,476 views. While she posts a lot of content about her life as a cruise ship crew member, she also enjoys making videos about fitness, health, figure skating, and travel. 

Keep reading to learn more about crew life from Jordan's perspective working in entertainment!

Day 1

Jordan begins the video on turnaround day, when Wonder of the Seas was docked in Port Canaveral and a new set of excited guests boarded the ship. 

Since the two ice skating shows were not until later that evening, she was able to get off of the ship for awhile with some other crew members to run errands, with their first stop being the port to pick up some packages. 

Next, she visited Walmart to pick up some snacks and other necessities. "Our holy grail for turnaround said," she chuckled, "we're ready to spend some money!" 

After what she claimed to be a successful Walmart trip, they made a stop at Starbucks before going to eat at Thai Thai Sushi Bar. 

When they returned to the ship, she had a little bit of downtime before she had to get ready and warm up for the first of two shows. At 6:45pm, she and her fellow cast members met to discuss some notes before hitting the ice. 

"It was so rocky...that was a tough show to do," she said after finishing the first show of the evening. 

It was not until afterwards that she was able to eat dinner, which was some oatmeal with bananas. 

Day 2

The first full day of the cruise started out differently, as she was scheduled to work at the Voom internet desk in the Royal Promenade from 9:00am to 12:00pm.

Immediately after her shift, Jordan had to change into a pirate costume and meet the other cast members for the parade. 

This was followed by lunch before heading to the ice rink at 5:00pm ahead of the warm ups for the 8:30pm and 10:30pm shows. 

"Today's been like a chill yet productive day," she said in the video.

"I did work Wi-Fi from nine to noon, then I went straight to parade at twelve o'clock call, had lunch, and then I edited for a couple of hours and watched an episode of Euphoria." 

Day 3

The third day of the cruise was the first of three in a row where there were no ice shows. With her free time, she hung some LED string lights that she purchased at Walmart on turnaround day. In the video, she got excited talking about how she could change the color of the lights with a small remote! 

After walking around the jogging track soaking up some sea day views, she made her way to the fitness center for a bit, grabbed some lunch, and then returned to her cabin to work on some editing for a few hours and repaint her nails. 

Day 4

On Day 4, Wonder of the Seas was docked in St. Kitts along with Celebrity Apex, Carnival Magic, and Marella Explorer 2. Jordan got off of the ship and went to a nearby resort for a little while to relax. 

This was the only time she would be in St. Kitts during this contract, so she made the most of her time here by lounging in the sun, reading some of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and grabbing a vegetable plate to eat.

Despite not having any shows that day, she had to return to the ship to work All Skates, which is when Studio B is open for guests to skate. 

To prepare, all of the helmets and skates have to be moved out into Studio B. "...we had to set up all of the skate racks; they're quite heavy as you can see," she said, "It's taller than I am by a bit. [We also] set up all the helmets, chairs, and we're waiting to open the doors."  

Afterwards, she went to the crew dining room to eat dinner. 

Day 5

On Day 5, she had more ship-wide responsibilities than the previous day. 

First was the all crew drill, which she claimed gets repetitive. Once the announcement was made, she headed to her muster station to complete the drill and then got off the ship to spend some time in St. Thomas.

She and a few other crew members headed to the Crown Bay Marina to eat at Tickles Dockside Pub. On the way there, they admired the large yachts that were docked. "Just boat shopping," she joked!

At Scoops and Brew, she got an iced latte with almond milk and caramel that she ate with her wrap and fries from Tickles. 

Note: Tickles Dockside Pub is actually right across from Dock D, which is where you can board a short ferry to visit Water Island. 

Jordan had an early all aboard time due to the second "Anchors Away Street Spectacular" parade of the week, and she used her GoPro camera to capture some live footage during the parade, which was full of energy and confetti. 

Afterwards, she headed to the gym and was surprised that the stair master was available! Here, she watched the ship sail away from St. Thomas before doing some pilates and stretching. 

"I had such a good little gym session," she said, "My lower body feels really just tight today, so a nice long stretch was very much needed." 

She returned to her cabin to shower before a 5:30pm meeting and did laundry before going to bed. 

Day 6

On the second to last day of the cruise, Jordan started off the day by showing her breakfast. After three days off from shows, there were two that evening at 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Beforehand, though, she walked around the track outside, made some phone calls, and worked on editing a video. 

"I'm really excited to perform," Jordan said, "because it feels like ages since our last show day." At 6:15pm, she and the other cast members reported to discuss notes. At 11:00pm, she was finally able to eat dinner, and she used some quinoa that she took from lunch to make a salad. 

Day 7

Is any cruise to the Caribbean complete without a stop a Perfect Day at CocoCay? Jordan went to South Beach thinking it would be less crowded than other areas; however, she was surprised to find it just as busy! In fact, she had to walk around for a bit before she was able to find an open chair. 

She was not able to get off first thing because she had a meeting about brand standards. 

While on the island, Jordan was able to enjoy the island's buffet and had half of a portobello mushroom salad, some french fries, and a taco salad. 

"One thing I will never able to comprehend is the size comparison between any oasis class ship and the other ships in the fleet," she remarked on her way back to the ship. 

At 4:00pm, she had to report to understudy rehearsal and then warmed up before the final ice skating show of the cruise, and per usual, she ate her dinner afterwards. 

Jordan ending the vlog by saying, "It's been such an eventful cruise. I'm grateful everyday to be here and loving every second! I appreciate you all for being on this journey with me."

Royal Caribbean is so committed to delivering the best family cruise vacation experience, they're adding a new crew member whose job it is to ensure families are having a great time.

Icon of the Seas will feature next-level experiences designed for specifically for kids, teens, and adults who don't want to miss any of the fun.  

The 250,800 gross ton ship will offer things for the entire family to enjoy together, while also having separate spaces for guests of all ages to have their "alone" time. After a cruise on Icon of the Seas, every family member will have memories of their together their own adventures.

"The brand has evolved, and we've become more and more focused on multigenerational families," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

"And if you see and understand that Icon truly is, we deliver that, and we tick every single box as it relates to the ultimate family vacation."

Admiral Awesome

Icon of the Seas will be the first to welcome Admiral Awesome. The brand-new family fun ambassador will spearhead all family excitement onboard and be the LOL, or leader of laugher. 

Admiral Awesome will host different events, including the Larger-than-Life Family Festival in Surfside, which will be a celebration complete with live music, dancing, and supersized games-- think bowling, ring toss, darts, and more. 

There will also be a Steel Pan Family Jam. This event invites the entire family to join in on the fun and play some instructional instruments. Don't worry-- kid-friendly sheet music will be provided!

Kids will also love the Big Shark Block Party, where they can dance with Admiral Awesome and friends to themed mashups and classics, such as Baby Shark and Baby Beluga. 

Admiral Awesome will not just be full of energy. There has to be a balance; nobody wants their kids worn out at the end of the second day! At night, they will read original bedtime stories under the stars during Once Upon a Bedtime Story.

Surfside, the ultimate stay-all-day neighborhood 

When Icon launches in early 2024, she will be the very first cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet to have an area dedicated to young families: Surfside. Here, parents can sit back, relax, and enjoy a tropical drink or spiked milkshake while the kids stay entertained. They can, of course, join in on the fun, too. 

When hunger inevitably strikes, there will not be any hassle of dragging the kids up to the Windjammer. Instead, the entire family can dine at Surfside Eatery, a buffet dedicated to families that will feature fan-favorite Windjammer offerings. There will also be Surfside Bites, a grab-and-go stop for salty and sweet snacks.

Surfside will also be home to a brand-new specialty restaurant: Pier 7. This casual boardwalk eatery will serve an all-day brunch. 

Before or after lunch, adults (and kids) can grab something to drink from The Lemon Post, which will have a menu of unique drinks for everyone in the bunch. 

Accessing Adventure Ocean, Royal Caribbean's award-winning youth program, will be a breeze, as it will be connected to Surfside. The dedicated youth spaces will feature activities for even the youngest sailors.

Between Splashaway Bay, Baby Bay, Water's Edge, a carousel, the themed events, and dining venues, Surfside is almost like a vacation destination of its own!

Fun for older kids, teens, and adults

Icon of the Seas is going to be the ultimate vacation for all because it does not focus on a single demographic. Instead, it offers a little bit of something for everyone. Adults, for instance, can challenge each other during Laser Tag: The Fight for Atlantis, while older kids and teens will enjoy having dedicated play times just for them.

Onboard, guests will also find the largest ice skating area at sea, Absolute Zero, as well as The Royal Escape Room, which will require everyone to work together to solve the puzzle before the timer runs out. 

Sometimes, older kids and teens do not want to spend their entire vacation with their families. Social 020, a hidden, teens-only venue, is just for them. Here, they will be able to hangout with other guests their age while playing video games, listening to music, or watching movies. 

They will also love all the experiences that Thrill Island has to offer, from the record-breaking Category 6 waterpark to the Lost Dunes mini-golf course, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, the FlowRider surf simulator, and Sports Court.

Category 6 will be the largest waterpark at sea, encompassing over 17,000 square feet of space! Plus, families can enjoy the area together, as it will have first family raft slides at sea: Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter. The best part? All adventures within Category 6 will be complimentary during the hours of operation.

These adrenaline-pumping thrills will appeal to adults, too!

Thrill Island will also feature Desserted, the first milkshake bar in the cruise line's fleet. This extra-charge venue will serve three different types of milkshakes: classic, extravagant, and boozy for the adults!

Everyone will be able to reconvene in the Royal Promenade, a concept that first debuted on Voyager of the Seas in 1999. This will be a central hub for all guests with bars, lounges, restaurants and feature some fan-favorites including Spotlight Karaoke and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.

Family-friendly accommodations

Large families rejoice! 80% of the staterooms onboard Icon of the Seas have been designed for larger families and will feature 14 brand-new categories of rooms to choose from, such as the Family Infinite Balcony.

These staterooms will have include in-room games, a split bathroom concept, and even a separate bunk alcove for children that can be closed off with a curtain for privacy!

It will also be the only ship in the fleet to have the Ultimate Family Townhouse, a three-story suite that is the definition of the ultimate family experience! It will have an in-suite slide, movie theatre, karaoke room, and patio that allows for direct access to the Surfside Neighborhood.

According to Michael Bayley, the average cost of the Ultimate Family Townhouse will be a whopping $75,000 per week!

Those looking to book their next cruise in a suite onboard a Royal Caribbean ship might be wondering about the differences between a Junior Suite and higher tiered suites. 

A Junior Suite is the entry-level suite on all Royal Caribbean vessels, meaning that you will not be able to enjoy the full suite experience. Even though these staterooms have a few additional perks than standard cabins, they can be thought of like larger balcony cabins. 

Here's everything you need to know about staying in a Junior Suite and the associated perks. 

What ships have Junior Suites onboard?

Junior Suites can be found on all Royal Caribbean ships; it does not matter if you are sailing on a Vision Class ship or the world's largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas. Since it is the lowest tier of suite available, there are more onboard than say, for instance, Grand Suites or Owner's Suites. That being said, the number of available Junior Suites will be fewer on older ships.

Vision of the Seas, for instance, has 77 Junior Suites. In comparison, Wonder of the Seas has over 100! 

How big are Junior Suites?

The exact size and layout of Junior Suites varies between classes of ships. In essence, though, they are large cabins that offer more square footage, both inside and on the balcony, than standard balcony cabins.

Most fall somewhere between 240 and 300 square feet with balconies ranging from 50 to 80 square feet. The best way to tell how large the Junior Suite you are looking at will be is to check out the ship's deck plan. 

In most cases, Junior Suites come equipped with a Royal King bed than can be covered into two twin beds that covert upon request, a sitting area with sofa bed, private balcony, larger closet, and en-suite bathroom with a bathtub and larger vanity area. 

What perks come with staying in a Junior Suite?

Unfortunately, staying in a Junior Suite does not grant you access to the full list of suite amenities. 

If you want to utilize the concierge, have priority access to dining reservations and spa bookings, access the suite lounge, or enjoy a private breakfast in a specialty restaurant (or Coastal Kitchen), you will need to consider booking a Grand Suite or above. 

In terms of what comes with a Junior Suite, the primary benefits that you will get are Royal Caribbean bathrobes for onboard use only, a Lavazza espresso machine in your stateroom, luxury bathroom amenities, and priority boarding.

Colored SeaPass card

If you stay in a Junior Suite, your SeaPass will be a different color than the standard blue SeaPass for regular cabins. 

It will be silver for those staying in Junior Suites onboard Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships. Since Oasis and Quantum Ships have the Royal Suite Class onboard, SeaPasses on these ships are determined by what category of suite you are in: Sea, Sky, or Star. 

Junior Suites are the only suites that are part of the Sea Class, which comes with a blue-green SeaPass card. 

Note that colors can vary based on ship and sailing!

Coastal Kitchen

If you are sailing on an Oasis or Quantum Class ship, you will find that there is a dedicated suites-only restaurant called Coastal Kitchen. While those staying in Grand Suites and above can access it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Junior Suite guests can only eat here for dinner based on availability.  

You will want to make sure that you head to Coastal Kitchen on embarkation day to make any reservations. A good tip is to be flexible with your dining times. If you are set on eating at 7:00pm everyday, for instance, you may be disappointed if they say they can only seat you early or late. 

Extra Crown & Anchor loyalty points

Those staying in standard staterooms will get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. For a 4-night vacation, for example, you would earn 4 points, and for a 7-night cruise, you would earn 7. 

Those staying in a Junior Suite, however, will be awarded two points per night, so a 3-night cruise would get you 6 points, while a 7-night would get you 14. 

Staying in a Junior Suite is one way to climb the Crown & Anchor loyalty ladder faster to get rewarded with additional perks, such as daily drink vouchers, free laundry, welcome waters in your cabin, and more. 

What do Junior Suites not include?

Guests staying in Junior Suites will not get the majority of suite benefits that are available to those staying in Grand Suites and above. Here are the benefits those guests receive from staying in a regular suite:

• Pillowtop mattress
• Priority departure 
• Concierge service
• Suite Lounge/Concierge Club access with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails every evening)
• Priority dining, spa, and shore excursion bookings
• Bridge, galley, and backstage tours
• VIP pool deck seating (not available on Vision or Radiance Class)
• Priority tendering 

• Welcome Evian water & fruit 
• Ability to order from the Main Dining Room for in-suite dining (during operating hours)
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Private breakfast and lunch seating (location varies by ship and sailing)
• Departure breakfast 
• Reserved seating for shows 
• Complimentary pressing on first formal night

And, of course, since Junior Suites are in the Sea Class on Oasis and Quantum ships, they will not be eligible for any Star or Sky Class perks. 

The main perk is the additional space. For a family of four staying in one cabin, this would be much more comfortable than one standard balcony!

How much does it cost to stay in a Junior Suite? 

Since Junior Suites are the lowest tier of suite available on Royal Caribbean cruises, they are also the cheapest. If, however, you are trying to cruise on a budget, you may find that they are still relatively expensive compared to other cabin options. 

The cost depends on the ship, time of year, and length of itinerary, and as with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. 

A Junior Suite on a 7-night Greek Isles cruise on Odyssey of the Seas departing in August 2024 starts at $2,423 per person, based on double occupancy. In comparison, an obstructed ocean view balcony is currently being advertised for $1,763 per person.   

A 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Rhapsody of the Seas that also departs in August 2024 starts at $1,393 per person, based on double occupancy, for a Junior Suite. In this case, a balcony is not too much less, as they begin at $1,238 per person! 

There is no set price for a Junior Suite, so if staying in one on your upcoming cruise interests you, take the time to do some research or reach out to a travel agent who can assist you with the booking process.

Sometimes, getting a Junior Suite is worth the cost because the price difference between it and a standard balcony stateroom is minimal.

And while it may not include as many benefits as other higher tiered suites, there are enough perks to (often) justify the up charge, with one of the most important being the double Crown & Anchor points. An extra couple of hundred dollars to help you upgrade to the next tier may well be worth it.

When Icon of the Seas debuts in January 2024, she will be Royal Caribbean's most sustainable ship to date and help push forward the company's goal of creating memorable vacations responsibly. 

"We have a responsibility to our planet to continue to evolve and get our ships to as sustainable as they possibly can be," said Jason Liberty, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. 

"...for us, it's not just to go out and deliver the best vacations in the world, but we need to make sure that we're doing that on a responsible basis."

From cleaner fuels to brand-new technologies meant to manage the water onboard, Icon of the Seas is the culmination of decades of research and innovation and plays an important part in Royal Caribbean's goal to have a net-zero ship by 2035.

This is part of their larger goal of Destination New Zero, or the company's vision for zero net emissions by 2025. In fact, Royal Caribbean recently opened their first net-zero cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas, extending their environmental efforts from their ships to shoreside operations.

"Everything we've learned over the time from energy efficiencies, waste handling techniques, all of that has kind of culminated here of developing a platform that allows us to try new things and also still make sure that we're still delivering the best vacations possible," remarked Nick Ross, Vice President of Environmental, Social, & Governance for Royal Caribbean Group. 

Energy

A major aspect of being environmentally friendly is energy.

Meaghan Geis, Assocate Vice President of Marine Strategy & Safety for Royal Caribbean International said, "...it's not just in the engine room and the fuel that we're burning, but it's just in how we're producing water, how we're utilizing water, how we're better using the waste that already produced onboard to help power other things."

Inside of the ship, for instance, you will find LED lightbulbs, while the exterior of the hull will be painted with a specialized paint. More efficient fuel, however, is one of the primary driving forces of it all. 

"Icon will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to use the LNG fuel," claimed Michale Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

"[It is a] general rule of thumb, just the simple use of LNG versus traditional fuel oil is around 30% better in terms of energy and its footprint, so that's a big step forward."

What is unique about Icon of the Seas is that she is being built in a way that she can adapt to future technologies and the next big fuel source. Moreover, she is going to have a hybrid fuel cell to help power some of the ship. 

When fuel is converted into energy, no pollutants are found in the exhaust-- all that is present is H2O water vapor and CO2, depending on the fuel source. 

"...We also have potential to get maybe even more energy efficiency out of fuel cells if we find the right way to apply them to the shipboard environment" - said Simon Mockler, Senior Director Decarbonization, Newbuilding for Royal Caribbean Group.

In addition, Icon will feature heat recovery systems that capture and reuse heat to be put to use onboard. Cold temperatures from the LNG fuel tanks will help to power the onboard cooling systems, too. 

"We [also] started working on underwater grooming, [or] robotic grooming, [which] is essentially where you are constantly maintaining your ship's hull devoid of any slime of algae." Cleaning the hull weekly will help to limit microorganism growth!

Finally, Icon of the Seas will be shore-power ready. This means that if the destination has the required set up, Icon can plug into local power grid, which will replace the need to use fuel every time ship is docked! In fact, Icon will be one of its first to connect in Miami. 

Onboard waste

Royal Caribbean is committed to keeping solid waste out of the ocean and landfills. The company started their "Save the Waves" program over thirty years ago in 1992.

Since then, many milestones have been reached, including equipping the entirety of tis global fleet with waste management facilities, systems, and processes established to divert waste from local landfill; installing advanced wastewater purification systems across 88% of its fleet; and introducing the industry's first dedicated onboard Environmental Officers, whose job it is to help guarantee that all waste standards are met.

While every ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet is equipped to be landfill free, a new innovative technology will debut on icon called MAPs, or microwave-assisted pyrolysis, which is essentially the first waste to energy plant at sea. 

Moreover, the cruise line has partnered with ports across the globe to ensure that the sorted waste goes to the right place once it is taken off the the ship, whether that is to be recycled, reused, repurposed, or taken to an energy facility. 

In 2019, they began the project Win on Waste, which introduced the Food Operations Excellence Coordinator team member on every ship. Their job is tot think about and manage the processes relating to food waste. In 2022, Royal Caribbean reduced their waste by over 24%!

Water

It is no surprise that there will be more water than ever before on Icon of the Seas. Onboard, guests will find seven different pools spread after five decks, nine whirlpools, and six waterslides at their record-breaking Category 6 water park. 

At 17,010 square feet, Category 6 will be the largest water park at sea! Here, you will be able to ride on six recording breaking slides, including the first family raft slides at sea: Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter. 

In order to accommodate the need for more freshwater, Icon of the Seas is going to be outfitted with larger systems, both evaporators and reverse osmosis systems, that will be able to support to recreational water need. In fact, Icon will produce 93% of freshwater by itself!

Related: How Royal Caribbean is testing a new water park at sea from its headquarters

When will Icon of the Seas set sail?

When Icon of the Seas debuts, she will steal the title of world's largest cruise ship from Wonder of the Seas.

Her maiden voyage is set to depart on January 27, 2024 from Miami, Florida. Guests onboard the first-ever Icon Class cruise will visit Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. 

If you are planning your first cruise, you are probably wondering what the best itinerary length is. 

Most cruises fall somewhere between 3- and 7-nights; however, it is not uncommon to find some that are longer! In fact, Royal Caribbean offers cruises that are 12+ nights long. 

These are often more destination-focused or are repositioning from one departure port to another (i.e., transatlantic cruises).

While shorter cruises do have their advantages, with the most obvious being that the overall cost will be less, the sweet spot for most first-time cruisers tends to be one week. 

This gives you enough time to explore what the ship has to offer without feeling rushed, as well as visit more ports of call. 

No matter how long your first cruise ends up being, you are sure to get off wishing it was longer! 

Related: Best first-time cruises on Royal Caribbean

For those looking for a quick getaway, book a 3- or 4-night cruise

Due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act, which is also known as the Jones Act,, all foreign-flagged ships departing from the United States must include a stop in a foreign country. 

For that reason, the itineraries of 3- and 4-night cruises are often pretty limited. If you are wanting to visit more unique destinations, like the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, or Alaska, you will need to look into a longer cruise. 

Because of their short length, 3- and 4-night cruises tend to be port intensive, meaning they are great options for those who do not  necessarily want to spend a lot of time onboard. You can spend your days exploring new ports and the evenings taking in what the ship has to offer. 

One of the biggest benefits to booking a shorter cruise is that optional packages (i.e., drink and dining packages) are cheaper than on longer sailings because you are paying for fewer days. Paying $70 per night for a Deluxe Beverage Package for 3- or 4-nights seems more reasonable than 7-nights!

Both cruises, however, tend to have more of a party atmosphere, which families might not enjoy. 

Related: Guide to weekend cruises: Tips for taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean cruise

What are the differences between 3- and 4-night cruises?

3-night cruises tend to depart on Friday and return on Monday, making them ideal for those with limited time off since two of your vacation days take place over the weekend! 

On the other hand, 4-night cruises usually take place during the week, or Monday through Friday, so you will most likely have to take an entire week of vacation. 

Additionally, 4-night cruises often include a sea day, which would allow you to experience onboard amenities during the day. It is unlikely that you will want to stay on the ship and relax by the pool if you could spend it on the beach in the Bahamas or Mexico instead!

5- or 6-nights cruises are a good in between

Compared to 3- and 4-night cruises, those that are 5- or 6-nights give you more options when it comes to choosing an appealing itinerary. While you may occasionally find a 4-night cruise that visits a Caribbean port, it is likely only going to be one followed by two days at sea. 

A 4-night cruise from Miami, for instance, might only visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republican or Cozumel, Mexico before returning back to Florida. A similar itinerary on a 5- or 6-night cruise will visit at least two ports of call (think Cozumel and Perfect Day at CocoCay or Grand Cayman), giving you more time to explore new places!

While these will seldom be on the newest ships in the fleet, that does not mean you will be lacking onboard excitement. In 2024, for instance, Voyager of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas are all scheduled to sail 5-night cruises. 

Each ship has a FlowRider surf simulator, waterslides, an ice skating rink, and more. It is enough to see and do in 5-nights without feeling like you missed out on anything! 

Another advantage to longer cruises (those that are 5-nights and longer) is that you have more flexibility with departure ports. You will rarely find a 4-night cruise the departs from Baltimore, Maryland; however, this is where Vision of the Seas will depart from when making roundtrip 5-night cruises to Bermuda in 2023 and 2024. 

7- to 9-nights will give you more time to get your sea legs

You can visit more exciting ports on a longer cruise. Plus, you will be able to experience more of what the ship has to offer. It would be hard to check absolutely everything off of your "must-do" list in only 3-nights, especially if you are taking a short cruise on Allure of the Seas. 

With cruises that are 6- to 9-nights, you are more likely to be able to unpack and settle into your cabin, too. On my first 3-night cruise, I did not even bother to unpack my suitcase! I knew that in a few nights, I would just have to spend time repacking it when I could be doing other things on the ship. 

Moreover, you have more time to get the lay of the land. By the end of the trip, you might feel like a navigational pro! You will not need to look at the deck plan to get from point A to point B like during the first few days. 

If you are hoping to sail on some of Royal Caribbean's newest and most innovative ships, you will have to be prepared to take a 7-night cruise. Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, is currently scheduled to sail roundtrip from Port Canaveral, Florida through at least April 2025. 

Sometimes, you can find shorter cruises on these ships; however, you will have more options when it comes to dates if you are content with a weeklong cruise. Plus, due to the size of these ships, you really do need a full week onboard! 

As mentioned earlier, you will need at least 7-nights to visit more interesting destinations. It is rare, for instance, to find a 5-night Alaska cruise. If you are going to make that kind of trip, you should be committed to seeing as much as possible, anyway! 

10+ nights if you are really focused on the itinerary 

If you are looking at your first cruise to be longer than 10-nights, it is probably because it is destination-focused and visiting ports of call that are less common, especially on today's mega ships. 

You are likely to embrace the sea days and rest up after spending long days exploring. Unlike a 7-night cruise, you may not want to attend dance parties or other high energy evening entertainment. 

Oftentimes, the crowd on these sailings tends to skew older than weeklong ones and can often foster a greater sense of community since you will have longer to get to know your shipmates. 

Plus, if it is an exotic itinerary, a longer cruise might be able to help you justify the cost of travel to get to the embarkation port. In the end, the longer cruise normally provides a better value per day compared to shorter cruises.

If you are worried about motion sickness, just come prepared!

Do not let your fear of getting seasick prevent you from going on the cruise that you want to go on! There are plenty of remedies that will help lessen the severity of this issue, if it arises. 

For over-the-counter medication, there's Bonine and Dramamine.

Today, both brands offer medication whose formula includes meclizine hydrochloride, a synthetic antihistamine that was developed in the early 1950s and is meant to cause less drowsiness than dimenhydrinate. Plus, they also have medications that are more natural whose base is ginger, whether it be ginger root or extract. 

You can also purchase motion sickness patches or bands! 

It is best to do research prior to purchasing any to see what will work best for you. Alternatively, you can speak to your physician to see what they recommend. 

If you wait until you are on the ship, you may find your options to be limited; however, they will have some medication available if you do desperately need it. 

Note that Royal Caribbean Blog makes no warranties with regard to the safety or effectiveness of any anti-nausea medication or natural remedy. You should consult with a physician to get professional medical advice prior to taking any medication, especially if you have existing medical conditions, you're pregnant, or you're already taking other medications. 

Read more: What other cruisers wish they knew before going on their first cruise