Royal Caribbean has released their itineraries for the 2024-2025 Australia cruise season. 

The season will kick off with two repositioning cruises, the first of which will be on Ovation of the Seas and depart from Honolulu, Hawaii on October 13, 2024. Quantum of the Seas will follow suit a few weeks later, departing from Singapore on November 19, 2024. 

Both ships will remain in Australia through April 2025 and will offer cruises ranging from 2- to 14-nights, excluding the 19-night repositioning cruise on Ovation of the Seas, from Brisbane and Sydney.

Below is a breakdown of all the Australia and New Zealand itineraries that Royal Caribbean is offering in 2024 and 2025 that will go on sale to the public on May 4. 

Ovation of the Seas

Great Pacific Crossing

The season begins when Ovation of the Seas sails from Honolulu, Hawaii to Sydney on October 13, 2024. This 19-night cruise will visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Auckland, and Bay of Islands before arriving in Australia.

Sydney Getaway

Ovation of the Seas will make four cruises to nowhere. These 2- and 3-night weekend cruises are great short getaways for those looking for explore the ship, as the do not visit any ports of call. They will depart on November 1 and December 15, 2024, as well as February 20 and March 22, 2025. 

South Pacific Adventure

There will be five South Pacific Adventure cruises that visit Mystery Island, Port Vila, and Noumea and last either 8- or 9-nights. Note that depending on which sailing is chosen, the order of the ports may change.

The 9-night cruises depart on November 4, 2024; February 23, 2025; and April 3, 2025. In fact, this itinerary will be the last before Ovation of the Seas departs Australia at the end of the season on April 12. 

There are also two 8-night versions of this itinerary: January 7 and 15, 2025. 

Sunshine State Sun-Soaker

The 8- and 7-night Sunshine State Sun-Soaker cruises depart on November 13, 2024 and January 23, 2025, respectively. The first will visit Airlie Beach, Cairns, and Willis Island (cruising), with the latter skipping Willis Island due to the shorter itinerary length. 

Escape to the South

Both Escape to the South cruises are 7-nights and will sail to Adelaide and Hobart from Sydney. The first departs on November 21, 2024, with the second leaving a few months later on March 15, 2025.

New Zealand Wonders

The New Zealand Wonders cruise is one of the longest that is offered on Ovation of the Seas during the 2024-2025 season. Each sailing lasts either 10- or 11-nights!

Those on this cruise will visit (in no particular order) Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, and Picton, before returning to Sydney. The 11-night sailing includes an additional stop in Napier.

The New Zealand Wonders cruises departs on November 28, 2024; February 9, 2025; and March 24, 2025. 

South Pacific Splendour

There is only one South Pacific Splendor sailing, and it departs on December 8, 2024. Passengers on this 7-night cruise will get to explore Noumea and Mystery Island, plus five fun days at sea to explore everything the ship has to offer. 

Holiday cruises

Both holiday cruises onboard Ovation of the Seas are 10-nights and sail to New Zealand. 

The first, New Zealand Christmas, departs Sydney on December 18, 2024 and will stop in Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Dunedin, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Milford Sound. 

New Year's in Zealand will leave on December 28, 2024, and you will get to ring in the New Year onboard while visiting Picton, Tauranaga, Auckland, and Bay of Islands. 

South Pacific Explorer

The only South Pacific Explorer cruise sails to Noumea, Mystery Island, and Port Vila. Note, though, that it is an overnight stop in Port Vila! This is the only cruise on Ovation of the Seas during the 2024-2025 Australia season to offer an overnight stay in any port of call. 

The cruise departs on January 30, 2025. 

New Zealand Wanderer

This 11-night cruise combines some of the highlights of both New Zealand holiday cruises, visiting Auckland, Tauranaga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, and Picton. 

Quantum of the Seas

Singapore to Brisbane

Quantum of the Seas moves to Australia a little bit later than Ovation. She will not begin her repositioning trip until November 19, 2024. This 12-night cruise will depart from Singapore and visit Lombok, Darwin, Cairns, and Airlie Beach before reaching her seasonal homeport: Brisbane. 

Sunshine State Sun-Soaker

For the most part, cruises on Quantum of the Seas are shorter than Ovation's. The Sunshine State Sun-Soaker itineraries, for instance, are either 4-, 5-, or 6-nights, compared to Ovation's 7- and 8-night cruises. 

After departing Brisbane, guests will visit a singular port, Airlie Beach. The 5- and 6-night cruises includes an overnight stay. 

The 4-night cruises depart on February 28 and March 10, 2025, while the 5- and 6-night cruises leave Brisbane on December 1, 2024 and January 4, 2025. 

South Pacific Splendour

While there is only one South Pacific Splendor sailing on Ovation of the Seas, this is one of Quantum's most frequent sailings during the 2024-2025 Australia season. 

The 7-night cruises depart on December 6, 2024; January 10, 2025; January 17, 2025; January 24, 2025; February 7, 2025; February 28, 2025; and March 28, 2025. 

Ports of call include a mix of Mystery Island, Noumea, and Port Vila. A total of two stops will be made on each cruise. 

South Pacific Adventure

Both South Pacific Adventure cruises are 8-nights and visit Noumea, Mystery Island, and Port Vila. They depart on December 13, 2024 and February 13, 2025. 

Holiday cruises

Quantum of the Seas' holiday cruises are shorter than Ovation's. The 7-night South Pacific Christmas cruise departs on December 21, 2024 and sails to Port Vila and Mystery Island. 

On December 28, 2024, Quantum of the Seas will depart on the South Pacific NYE cruise and visit Noumea and Mystery Island. 

Brisbane Getaway

There will be three cruises to nowhere. These 2- and 3-night weekend cruises do not visit any ports of call, so they are good for those looking for a short getaway to take advantage of everything the Quantum Class ship has to offer. 

The 2-night cruise departs on February 22, 2025, while the 3-night sailings leave Brisbane on January 31 and March 7, 2025. 

New Zealand Wonders

The 14-night New Zealand Wonders cruise is the longest itinerary for Quantum of the Seas while based in Australia. It will depart on March 14, 2025 and visit Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Dusky Sound, Doubtful Sound, and Milford Sound.  

This is also the only cruise to New Zealand from Brisbane during the 2024-2025 Australia season. 

What can you do while you wait for bookings to open?

With the announcement of new Australia bookings, I is time to get excited and began preparing for your next trip. 

Go ahead and reach out to a travel agent about what cruise you might be interested in. If you are not sure, you can talk about your preferences and interests, and they will help guide you through the decision. 

You can begin to think about how long you want to be gone, as well what what type of cabin you would like to stay in. 

Taking just a few steps ahead of time can save you a lot of stress when bookings open up!

Royal Caribbean Group is committed to delivering unforgettable vacations responsibly, and 2022 marked a milestone moment in the company's advancement of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts. 

On April 20, Royal Caribbean Group released their 15th annual Seastainability Report, which provides an in-depth update on the the company's corporate responsibility strategy and performance across their three fully owned brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. 

“As we advance on our sustainability journey, our strategic priorities remain rooted in creating business value and uplifting our employees, guests and the communities we visit,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

“Through collaboration and innovation, we continue to make great strides on our commitment of delivering great vacation experiences responsibly.”  

Highlights from the report

The annual report summarizes the targets and strategies used by Royal Caribbean Group to work towards their progress of reducing emissions, promoting the safety and wellbeing of its guests and employees, including its commitments to sustainable tourism, protecting the oceans it sails, and inspiring and empowering the communities it visits. 

New short-term target for the reduction of carbon intensity

To aid in Royal Caribbean Group's goal of Destination New Zero, or the company's vision for zero net emissions by 2025, they set a short-term target to reduce their carbon intensity by double digits by 2025 compared to 2019. 

Related: Royal Caribbean Group announces pledge to get to net zero emissions by 2050

New partnership

They signed a new partnership agreement with the Mærsk McKinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping in Copenhagen, Denmark to help develop zero carbon technologies and solutions for the maritime industry. 

Diesel pilot

The first renewable diesel pilot in the United States was completed on Navigator of the Seas. 

New net-zero cruise terminal

The world's first-ever net-zero cruise terminal was opened in Galveston, Texas. This extends Royal Caribbean Group's efforts from their ships to their shoreside operations, too.

The $125 million, 161,334-square-foot terminal can accommodate up to 630,000 guests per year!

Related: What you should know about cruising from Galveston instead of Florida

New diversity council

They created a new Executive Diversity Council to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This was completed one year ahead of schedule!  

Gender pay equity

Royal Caribbean Group confirmed the United States shoreside gender pay equity analysis, which shows that 99.98% of women employees are equally compensated compared to their male employees. 

New kickstarter program

They launched the Royal Caribbean Kickstarter Program to support tourism related  entrepreneurs in The Bahamas through trainings and seed-funding. 

Increased number of sustainable tours

Royal Caribbean Group now offers more than 3,500 sustainable tours certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) around the world. 

Food sourcing

The company is on track to meet their goal of sourcing 90% of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified wild-caught seafood and 75% Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified farm-raised seafood.

Their 2022 progress revealed that 83% of their wild-caught seafood was MSC certified, while 75% of their farm-raised seafood was ASC certified. 

World Wildlife Fund

In 2022, Royal Caribbean Group renewed their partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and committed an additional $5 million to preserve ocean health. This partnership originally began in 2016. 

What are the goals of their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) efforts?

The twenty-two goals are broken up into eleven different categories and have a status of "early stages," "on track," or "complete." 

Emissions reduction

• Achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050: early stages
• Reduce carbon intensity by double digits from 2019 numbers by 2025: on track
• Net-zero cruise ship by 2035: early stages

Water and wastewater management

• Increase or maintain 90% potable water production, as well as reduce the potable water bunkering in vulnerable areas by 2025: on track
• 100% of fleet equipped with Advanced Wastewater Purification systems by 2025: on track
• 100% of fleet equipped with IMO and USCG Certified Systems for ballast water by 2025: on track 

Waste management

• Reduced the solid waste offloaded to landfill by 90% compared to the 2007 baseline: completed ahead of schedule 

Circular economy

• Reduce 100% of single-use plastic by 2025: on track

Sustainable sourcing 

• 100% cage-free eggs for global operations by 2025: on track
• 100% of chicken for U.S. ship operations from Global Animal Partnership Certified suppliers by 2025: on track 
• 100% gestation-crate-free pork for global operations by 2025: on track
• 90% Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified wild-caught seafood and 75% Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified farm-raised seafood by 2025: on track
• Obtain MSC and ASC chain of custody certification for all ships by 2023: on track 

Destination stewardship and community development

• Advance destination stewardship and community development through partnerships, initiatives, and responsible practices by 2025: early stages

Responsible tourism

• 60% certification of RCG global tours to GSTC standards by 2026: on track
• Through the implementation of "Blue Green Promise," support sustainable and resilient ocean communities, employee engagement, and volunteering by 2024: early stages

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

• Formed an Executive Diversity Council that is chaired by the CEO in 2022: complete ahead of schedule
• Annually review gender pay equity for all global employees by 2024: on track
• Implement program to create an inclusive and diverse supply chain by 2024: early stages

Human rights

• Publish updated human rights policy and conduct human rights impact assessments by 2025: on track 

Enterprise risk management

• Integrate ESG risks into enterprise risk management system by 2023: early stages 

Transparency 

• Increase auditability of ESG data and improve climate-related disclosure by 2026: on track

Awards and recognition

The report also outlines various awards and recognition that Royal Caribbean Group received.  

First, they were named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the eighth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. 

They were also recognized on the 2022 Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion list by Disability:In, as well as the American Association of People with Disabilities. 

Third, the company ranked #11 in Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America by Healthiest Employers, and, finally, they were awarded one of the 2022 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor. 

If you are wanting an elevated cruising experience, you might be considering booking a suite on your next Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Royal Caribbean suites provide more than extra living space. They come with a wide range of perks that are meant to maximize the value of your vacation through special privileges and upgraded amenities.

What exactly are the perks of a Royal Caribbean suite? Those in Junior Suites will find that they are not eligible for the full onboard suite experience, which may be why you are considering a Grand Suite. They are the lowest category of suite available that can experience the full list of perks. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the perks you can receive when staying in a Grand Suite. 

What ships have Grand Suites onboard?

First and foremost, can you book a Grand Suite on any cruise? It is a good question to ask, especially since some of Royal Caribbean's newest suites are only available on certain classes and/or ships. 

You will be happy to know that you can find Grand Suites on any ship, whether it is Grandeur of the Seas or the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas. That being said, the number of available suites will be fewer on older ships.

Grandeur, for instance, only has sixteen Grand Suites, two of which are the larger 2-bedroom option. In comparison, Wonder of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has 28. Wonder, however, does not have any 2-bedroom Grand Suites onboard. 

What perks come with staying in a Grand Suite?

Grand Suites on Vision, Voyager, Radiance, and Freedom Class ships come with fewer perks than those on Oasis and Quantum ships. 

On the latter two classes, Royal Caribbean introduced what is known as the Royal Suite Class. Suites onboard these ships are broken up into three different categories -- Sea, Sky, and Star -- that all come with different benefits. 

First, we will go over the benefits available for all guests in Grand Suites, then we will go into the specifics of the perks on Oasis and Quantum ships:

• Royal Caribbean bathrobes (for onboard use only)
• Luxury bathroom amenities 
• Lavazza espresso machine 
• Pillowtop mattress
• Priority boarding and 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
• Extra Crown & Anchor loyalty points

Priority boarding and departure 

Embarkation and disembarkation is already hectic enough. When staying in a Grand Suite, however, you will be eligible for priority boarding and departure.

Since you will be one of the first people onboard, you can enjoy a leisurely lunch in the buffet and have shorter lines for any amenities that are open, like the FlowRider, water slides, etc. 

Concierge service

Even if you have cruised before, never underestimate the benefits of a concierge. It is their job to help make your cruise and suite experience as enjoyable as possible. 

They will help with anything from booking shore excursions and dining reservations at specialty restaurants, to settling billing discrepancies, checking in for your return flight, and escorting you off the ship on disembarkation day. 

Suite Lounge/Concierge Club

In addition to being able to utilize the concierge, you will also have access to a private onboard lounge. Each everything, they will serve cocktails and a selection of hors d’oeuvres for you to enjoy with other suite guests. 

Since the Suite Lounge/Concierge Club is open during the day, it is a great place to escape for a little bit to recharge without returning to your stateroom. 

Priority dining, spa, and shore excursion bookings

If your cruise vacation snuck up on you and you forgot to make reservations in advance, do not worry! Your concierge will be able to assist. 

Is there a specialty restaurant that you would like to eat at? What about an afternoon at the spa on a sea day? Be prepared with this information when your concierge reaches out to you, which will be about a week or so before departure. 

Priority tendering

Is your cruise visiting ports of call that must be accessed via a tender boat? 

Staying in a Grand Suite means that you can bypass the tender line and be one of the first guests off! This will help you make the most out of your day in port. 

Behind-the-scenes tours

Have you ever wanted to get a behind-the-scenes look of a cruise ship?

One perk of staying in a Grand Suite is that you will have access to complimentary backstage tours. While the exact tour will vary, you will most likely be taken to see the bridge, galley, and/or theatre. 

If you have any interest in this, it is worth reaching out to your concierge to see what is available on your sailing. 

VIP pool deck seating

If you are on a Voyager, Freedom, Oasis, or Quantum Class ship, you will have a reserved section of the pool deck that is saved for suite guests. Note, though, that seating is still first-come, first-served.

Reserved seating for shows 

The entertainment offerings onboard Royal Caribbean ships are some of the best at sea. It makes sense that you would want to see as many shows as possible!

You will not have to worry about arriving early and locating a seat, as the main theatre, Studio B, AquaTheatre, and Two70 all have reserved seating for suite guests. 

Ordering from the Main Dining Room menu for in-suite dining

Perhaps you had a long day ashore or you are just wanting a lazy evening in your suite.

You will not have to worry about missing out on the delicious offering in the Main Dining Room since you have the ability to order straight from the menu and have it delivered! 

Complimentary 24-hour room service

Since you can only order from the Main Dining Room menu when it is open, it is likely that you might find yourself caving an in-suite snack outside of their operational hours.

With 24/7 complimentary room service, you can order salads, pasta, quesadillas, burgers, and more whenever you would like without incurring the $7.95 delivery fee and 18% service charge. 

Private breakfast and lunch seating

Start each morning off right with a relaxing breakfast in a specialty restaurant.

Note that the menu is similar to those of the Main Dining Room; however, you will not have to wait for a table or fight the crowds in the Windjammer!

In addition to breakfast, Grand Suite (and above) guests are also offered private seating for lunch. 

Departure breakfast 

While nobody is ever truly ready to leave the ship and return to everyday life, Grand Suite guests are able to transition with a little bit more ease thanks to the private departure breakfast. 

Complimentary pressing on first formal night

If your clothing got wrinkled in your suitcase, you have the chance to get a complimentary pressing on your itinerary's first formal night. 

If you are wanting to maximize your suite benefits, this is a great way to do so, as evening gowns and suits usually cost between $7.50 and $15.00 per item for everyone else on the ship. 

Extra Crown & Anchor loyalty points

Normally, you get one Crown & Anchor loyalty point for each night of the cruise. For a 3-night vacation, you would earn 3 points, for a 7-night cruise, you would earn 7, and so on. 

Those staying in a Grand Suite, however, will get two points per night. A 3-night cruise would get you 6 points, while a 7-night would get you 14. 

If you are hoping to climb the Crown & Anchor loyalty ladder faster, this is one way to do it!

Barefoot Beach

This benefit will only be applicable to those whose itinerary includes a stop in Labadee, Haiti. Here, suite guests can relax on the suites-only Barefoot Beach. 

In addition to having a private beach away from the crowds, you will also have upgraded lunch offerings compared to the other buffets. 

To enhance your experience even more, you could rent one of the cabanas at Barefoot Beach for an extra cost. 

What perks do Grand Suite guests on Oasis and Quantum Class ships receive? 

Onboard Oasis and Quantum Class ships, Grand Suites are considered to be part of the Sky Class tier of the Royal Suite Class. 

They have some of the same benefits as those staying in Grand Suites on other ships, such as the concierge service, priority boarding and departure, reserved seating for shows (although reservations are required), Suite Lounge access with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening, dedicated suites-only sun deck, bathrobes for onboard use, luxury mattress and bathroom amenities, and a Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine.

Note that some benefits that Grand Suite guests have on other ships are not available to those on Quantum and Oasis Class. You cannot, for instance, order from the Main Dining Room menu to enjoy a private in-suite meal. 

Coastal Kitchen

Rather than have private dining in a specialty restaurant, Oasis and Quantum Class ships have an entire restaurant that is only available to suite guests: Coastal Kitchen.

Dining here offers a more intimate experience than elsewhere on the ship. Plus, Grand Suite guests are able to eat here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In theory, they never have to step foot in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer! 

Complimentary internet

You will also get complimentary VOOM, so you do not have to worry about being disconnected or paying extra for a Wi-Fi package!

How much does staying in a Grand Suite cost?

If you are trying to cruise on a budget, staying in a Grand Suite is probably not the most economical choice, as you could devote that money to other experiences, such as shore excursions, specialty dining, etc. 

If, however, you are curious to see how much a Grand Suite costs, it depends on the ship, time of year, and length of itinerary.

As with most cruises, the newer the ship, the most the suite will cost. 

A Grand Suite on a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Wonder of the Seas departing in June 2024 starts at $7,145 per person, based on double occupancy. In comparison, a standard ocean view balcony is currently going for $1,988 per person.  

As of April 2023, Wonder of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest ship and holds the title for the largest cruise ship in the world. Grand Suites on older ships often do not cost as much. In fact, balconies on older ships are far less, too.

Looking at a 7-night Alaska cruise onboard Brilliance of the Seas that also departs in June 2024, an obstructed balcony cabin starts at $1,058, while a one-bedroom Grand Suite starts at $2,646 per person, based on double occupancy. 

Suffice to say, the pricing of a Grand Suite can vary. If booking one interests you, it is best to conduct your own research or reach out to a travel agent who can assist you with the booking process. 

One of the most common questions we're asked is when is the best time to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package so you can get the lowest price.

Once you have booked your Royal Caribbean cruise, you will gain access to the online Cruise Planner, which will allow you to browse potential cruise add-ons that will enhance your vacation experience. 

While there is a lot included in your cruise fare, select non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages do cost extra, so that is something that you will want to keep in mind when thinking about your cruise budget. To help make the cruise feel more inclusive, you may opt to buy a drink package. 

There are three Royal Caribbean drink packages for guests to choose from: the Deluxe Beverage Package, Royal Refreshment Package, and Classic Soda Package. 

When, however, should you purchase a drink package for your upcoming cruise? There are a few things to consider to ensure that you get the best possible price. 

When is the best time to purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package?

Since you have no idea whether the price of the package will increase or decrease, the best time to purchase a package is right now. This will ensure that you lock in the current rate and do not end up paying more. 

As mentioned earlier, if the price does go down, you can simply cancel your current package with no penalty and repurchase it. 

Regardless of what you do, you should not wait until boarding the ship to purchase any add-ons. Even though Royal Caribbean frequently offers a "buy one get one 50%" sale for the Deluxe Beverage Package on the ship, you will almost certainly end up paying more than if you purchased it in advance. 

Depending on when your cruise is, buying the drink package now might allow you to break up paying for different parts of your cruise vacation. If you get the package on the ship, you will have to pay for it at the end, as well as for any other purchases that you make during the trip, souvenir shopping, etc. 

Related: When should you buy Royal Caribbean drink package, wifi, tours & other add-ons

How should I know when to buy a drink package?

You should frequently check the Cruise Planner until you see a price that you feel comfortable paying. Even after you get the package, it is worth checking the Cruise Planner every so often, as the price can drop! 

If that happens, you are able to cancel your old package for a full refund and repurchase it at the lower price. This does, however, take a little bit of time and patience, as you have to remember to check the Cruise Planner. Plus, there is no guarantee that the pricing will change.

You would hate to pass up on a sale to later find that the price increased! You never know if it will drop back to the price you wish you had locked in. 

Are there Royal Caribbean drink package sales?

Royal Caribbean runs sales on its drink packages quite often, and you can usually find a discount available on the Cruise Planner site.

Usually, the drink package sale nets up to 40% off onboard prices, but you'll find a discount somewhere closer to 20-30%.

Moreover, the price can change on a daily basis, so the price you see today could be different tomorrow, or next month, or next year.

The best drink package sale is usually on Black Friday, but that does not mean that there are not other great deals offered throughout the year. 

With any sale, the most important thing you will want to pay attention to is the daily rate. The price of the package during a "buy one get 50% off" sale might be higher (or lower) than what is offered during other promotions. 

As of April 14, the daily rate for a Deluxe Beverage Package onboard Navigator of the Seas is $75.99. When I checked the pricing the other day, it was over $80 per day! 

Right now, the Royal Refreshment Package's is advertised as being 20% the onboard rate, or $27.99 per day. Generally, the discount for the Classic Soda Package stays the same, and you can get it for around $9.00 or $10.00 per day if purchased in advance. 

While not as frequently talked about, the Cafe Select Coffee Card, which gives you 15 espresso-based premium coffees, never goes on sale. It remains the same price whether you get it the day you book or cruise or the week before! For the same Navigator trip, it is $31.00. 

These prices are given just to illustrate what you may find. To see what the daily rate is for your cruise, log in and check your Cruise Planner. 

Deluxe Beverage Package

Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, Royal Caribbean only offers one alcoholic beverage package. You can enjoy just about any non-alcoholic beverage, spirit, cocktail, glass of wine, or beer, so long as it is no more than $14.00. If there is a drink that costs more than $14.00, the difference plus gratuity will be charged to your SeaPass card. 

Below is a list of what is included with the Deluxe Beverage Package:

• Cocktails, spirits, liqueurs
• Beer
• Wine (by the glass)
• Zero-proof cocktails
• Premium coffees & teas
• Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
• Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages + Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Fresh squeezed juices
• 40% discount on wines under $100 and 20% discount on wines over $100

Royal Refreshment Package

The Royal Refreshment Package is the more inclusive non-alcoholic package that, unlike the Deluxe Beverage Package, is available to guests of all ages and is a great option for children and teens that like to drink tea, premium coffee, and fresh squeezed juice. Plus, they will be able to sip on virgin cocktails. 

Every person that purchases this package will be able to enjoy the following:

• Premium coffees and teas
• Bottled still and sparking water
• Fresh squeezed orange juice
• Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
• Zero-proof cocktails
• Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages + Coca-Cola souvenir cup

Classic Soda Package

The Classic Soda Package is the cheapest drink package offered by Royal Caribbean; it is also the most restrictive, including only fountain soda and access to the Freestyle soda machine, as well as a Coca-Cola souvenir cup.  

If you decide to purchase any other drinks, whether it is a bottle of water, glass of wine, or premium coffee, each will be billed to your onboard account to be settled at the end of the cruise. 

How much do Royal Caribbean drink packages cost?

Royal Caribbean uses a variable pricing model for their drink packages, which means that the price per night varies based on ship, itinerary, and sail date. In other words, there is no "set" price for drink packages. 

The published onboard rates for an upcoming cruise onboard Navigator of the Seas are as follows:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $102 per night
• Royal Refreshment Package: $36 per night
• Classic Soda Package: $13.50 per night

In comparison, here are the onboard rates for a cruise onboard Jewel of the Seas:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $90 per night
• Royal Refreshment Package: $36 per night
• Classic Soda Package: $13.50 per night

None of these prices include the added 18% gratuity.

If you plan ahead, it is unlikely that you will ever pay the onboard rate. Let's talk about Cruise Planner sales and why they are so important.

Is a drink package worth it?

With the Cruise Planner sales, you would need to be able to drink around 5-6 beverages per day to breakeven. Depending on what promotion you are able to find, the average could decrease. 

For those who are hesitant about their ability to maintain that average, whether it is because you have a port intensive itinerary or are a light drinker, a lower price means fewer daily drinks to get your money's worth! 

If you drink enough to make it worth the investment, a drink package can certainly save you money.

On the other hand, if you are more concerned with the convenience and being able to pay one price for all of your alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic drinks, the package is wroth the price in other ways! 

It is important to think about whether or not you get free drinks, too. If you are a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, it might not make sense to get a drink package since you have four daily vouchers!

Related: How Royal Caribbean's free drink vouchers for Diamond and higher members works

There is a beach in Labadee, Haiti that you have probably never heard of, even if you have been there multiple times!

It is not Dragon's Beach, Adrenaline Beach, Barefoot Beat, Nellie's Beach, or Columbus Cove. In fact, this beach is not even on the map!

Belly Beach is located a little further south than Columbus Cove; however, it is only accessible by boat if you are a crew member.

Cruise passengers are not able to visit Belly Beach since it is not part of their privately-owned destination; it is located just outside of the boundaries. 

Oasis of the Seas crew member Lera Synchro recently posted a video on her YouTube channel that documented her day spent at Belly Beach. 

Synchro's YouTube channel has amassed over 7,000 followers, who follow her on her adventures as an AquaTheatre performer onboard, including show rehearsals, exploring in Mexico and Jamaica, and what spending Christmas onboard was like. In one video, she even gives viewers a glimpse into the AquaTheatre's pool, which is one of the deepest pools at sea!

Keep reading to see what Belly Beach is like!

What is Labadee?

Labadee is Royal Caribbean's private destination on the northern coast of Haiti. While it is not a private island like Perfect Day at CocoCay, it does promise guests a relaxing (or thrilling) day with other Royal Caribbean passengers. 

You can spend the day on one of four (or five if you are a suite guest) different complimentary beaches, go zip lining over the ocean or parasailing, ride a jet ski, take a nature walk, and more.

For those looking for a more luxurious beach day, you can rent a private cabana at Nellie's Beach. Only those staying in suites can reserve a cabana at Barefoot Beach. 

There is even an artisan market where you can buy souvenirs from locals. Unlike CocoCay, though, they are unable to take your SeaPass card, so be sure you bring some cash with you when you get off the ship!

How do crew members get to Belly Beach?

A small boat docks near the jet ski landing to transport crew members from the privately-owned section of Labadee to Belly Beach, which is a public beach for locals that crew members are able to visit. 

After a short scenic ride with views of the ship and surrounding mountainous landscape, the boat pulls right up to the beach to let Synchro off, and whomever else is on the boat, off. 

She never expressed any concern of making it back to the ship on time, so it is safe to assume that departures are scheduled around the crew's all aboard time. 

What is the beach like?

Compared to Royal Caribbean's beaches, Belly Beach looks like a private oasis! 

On the day Synchro filmed, there was hardly anyone else there. In fact, some of the footage from the beach revealed empty beach chairs, which is often a rarity on cruise line private islands!

Anyone who has visited a private island will tell you to secure a chair as early as possible, especially if you have your heart set on a first or second row seat. The beaches are packed in the afternoon!

She filmed a group of people in the ocean throwing a ball around, while others were seen lounging in the available chairs. She was able to swim freely without bumping into anyone, and from the clips, it did not seem as though there were any water sports available for rent. 

While there was enough seating to accommodate everyone on this particular day, there were not any umbrellas to provide shade. 

Dining options at Belly Beach

There is a restaurant on-site that is situated feet from the ocean; however, since this beach is not owned by Royal Caribbean, all food items are priced a la carte. And even though the restaurant is open-air, it is shaded. 

Synchro showed fresh mango slices, rice, and lobster! Google reviews indicate that you can purchase a whole fish, too. 

What do crew members do during shore leave?

Do crew members get to spend the day ashore like passengers? Not always, as only a certain percentage of the crew in any given department are allowed to get off the ship.

If everyone was able to get off, who would be on the ship to attend to the passengers who opted to spend the day onboard or who return early?

Those who do have time off usually do not have as long in port as guests; however, they make the most of it by visiting local hotspots, eating at restaurants, or going to supermarkets to stock up on non-perishable items and other necessities that may either cost less than the onboard crew store or that are not available. 

They may also want to search for Wi-Fi to connect with loved ones back home. Regardless of how they spend their time ashore, they are always sure to make the most of it. 

Crew only areas onboard the ship

Just as Belly Beach cannot be visited by regular passengers, there are areas onboard the ships that are off limits, too. And thanks to social media, it is easier than ever to see how crew members live during their contracts.

Bryan James, a former guitarist and vocalist in The Mason Jar Bar onboard Wonder of the Seas, posted videos to his TikTok of crew life and currently has a following of over 730,000! He is no longer on Wonder of the Seas, though. His current contract is onboard Celebrity Edge. 

His previous videos show a secret hangout in the ship's funnel, a shop filled with essential items and snacks for purchase, his tiny cabin, the crew laundry room, and even the crew lounge where they have a foosball table. 

If you are interested in learning more about ship life for Royal Caribbean crew members, follow Bryan James' TikTok @bryanjamescruises, as well as Lera Synchro's YouTube @LeraSynchro! 

Related: A look at the secret crew-only areas on the world's biggest cruise ship

If you are looking to take a cruise to Alaska in the next two months, you will want to act quickly.

On April 11 and 12, Royal Caribbean is having a "Going, Going, Gone" sale with fares as low as $269 per person for an interior room on a 7-night Alaska cruise. That breaks down to less than $40 per night before taxes, fees, and gratuities. 

As with any last minute cruise, you are going to have to act fast to secure your booking. Plus, you will have to think about the potential cost of airfare.

Here's a look at the great deals that you can find on Alaska cruises. 

Brilliance of the Seas

Brilliance of the Seas has the most availability, with cruises departing as soon as April 23. All sailings are roundtrip from Vancouver, meaning that you might have better luck securing flight deals. One-way tickets are often more expensive. 

• 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on April 23 is priced at $564 for an interior, $449 for an oceanview, and $629 for a balcony. Regardless of which stateroom you select, there will be an additional $232.65 in taxes and fees added to your fare. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on April 30 is priced at $449 for an oceanview and $599 for a balcony. There are no interior staterooms left for this sailing. Taxes and fees are another $233.42. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 7 is priced at $459 for an oceanview and $699 for a balcony. You will have to pay $231.76 in taxes and fees. 

• 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 14 is priced at $559 for an oceanview stateroom and $749 for a balcony. Again, there are no interior cabins available for this sailing. Expect to pay $226.16 in taxes and fees. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 21 is priced at $519 for an oceanview and $699 for a balcony, with taxes and fees being another $226.16.
• 7-night Alaska Glacier Experience departing on May 28 is priced at $559 for an oceanview and $749 for a balcony. Add another $228.48 in taxes and fees to whichever fare you select. 

Read more: How much does an Alaska cruise cost?

Radiance of the Seas

With only two options, Radiance of the Seas has the fewest cruises during this sale:

• 7-night Northbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier from Vancouver, Canada departing on May 19 starts at $329 for an oceanview and $509 for a balcony. Taxes and fees are an additional $240.86. The cruise concludes in Seward, Alaska. 
• 7-night Southbound Alaska & Hubbard Glacier from Seward, Alaska departing on May 26 is priced at $269 for an interior stateroom, $319 for an oceanview, and $509 for a balcony, with taxes and fees costing $278.06. This one-way cruise ends in Vancouver, Canada. 

Ovation of the Seas

Those looking for availability in June will have to opt for a sailing on Ovation of the Seas from Seattle, Washington. This might be the best option for families with children whose academic years do not conclude until early or mid-June.

Note, though, that these are the most expensive options, as you get to sail roundtrip from Seattle on a newer ship. 

• 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 2 only has balcony cabins available for $1,049 per person. This does not include the $246.42 in taxes and fees. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 9 is priced at $749 for an interior and $1,149 for a balcony, plus $214.85 in taxes. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 16 costs $799 for an interior and $1,199 for a balcony. Taxes are another $242.96. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 23 has balcony staterooms for $1,299 per person. You will have to pay $231.24 in taxes, too. 
• 7-night Alaska Glacier departing on June 30 starts at $849 for an interior and $1,349 for a balcony, with taxes costing an extra $238.91. 

Other deals during the sale

If you are not interested in cruising to Alaska, there are other offering during the "Going, Going, Gone" sale, including sailings to the Greek Isles, Bahamas, Iceland, Ireland, Bermuda, and Mediterranean. 

Most of the cruises depart in May; however, there are a couple that leave in June:

• 4-night Bahamas from Miami, Florida on Freedom of the Seas departing June 2, 5, and 12
• 4-night Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida on Independence of the Seas departing on June 5 and 12
• 12-night Iceland & Ireland from Amsterdam on Jewel of the Seas departing on June 5 and 29
• 12-night Arctic Circle from Amsterdam on Jewel of the Seas departing on June 17
• 7-night Greek Isles from Rome on Odyssey of the Seas departing on June 4
• 7-night Western Mediterranean from Rome on Symphony of the Seas departing on June 1
• 7-night Western Mediterranean from Barcelona on Symphony of the Seas departing on June 4
• 9-night Bermuda & Perfect Day from Baltimore on Vision of the Seas departing on June 8

Unfortunately, this sale does include any cruises later in the summer for families that have yet to plan their summer trip. There is no way to tell if there will be another sale, either. 

In general, cruise pricing tends to favor those that book early, so let this be a lesson! If your schedule does not permit much flexibility, you are better off booking in advance. 

Increased demand for cruises

2022 and 2023 have been successful years for the cruising industry, with many cruise lines breaking their personal booking records!

In fact, Royal Caribbean broke their own record three times in 2022 in less than five weeks. Black Friday of 2022 was the cruise line's single largest booking day.

Other cruise lines are seeing a similar trend. Carnival Cruise Line reported that bookings for the first quarter of 2023 were the highest volume for any quarter in the company's history!

Why you should not always rely on last minute deals

Since the demand for cruise vacations is so high, there is no guarantee that the sailing you are eyeing will have any last minute availability. Many of Royal Caribbean's ships have been sailing at or close to maximum capacity, even outside of peak season. 

Additionally, as shown with the current "Going, Going, Gone" sale, cabin selection will be limited; there are no suites included for any of the Alaska deals, and some are sold out of interior and oceanview, too.

The lowest price may also be for a guarantee cabin, which means that there is no way to tell where it is located until assigned by Royal Caribbean. 

If you want a specific stateroom, you are better off booking in advance to secure the best rate and guarantee that you will get the cabin that you want. 

Booking the cheapest cruise does not mean it is going to be the cruise that you have been envisioning. In addition to potentially not getting the stateroom you want, you may find that certain add-ons have limited availability-- some shore excursions sell out in advance!

Read more: Why booking a last-minute cruise isn't always a great idea

Talk with your travel agent before booking

Last minute sales are great for those with whose lives are able to accommodate the flexibility of taking off on short notice. 

If you see a price listed on a "Going, Going, Gone" deal that you are interested in, ask your travel agent to price it out! 

There is no harm in sending them an email or giving them a call, as you never now what kinds of agency rates and special offers they have!

If you are planning your first cruise, you may be wondering what proper onboard etiquette is like. 

You can relax knowing that many protocols have relaxed, and cruising is neither as formal nor traditional as it used to be. That, however, does not mean that you can act however you want to. 

It is, for instance, important to be polite to fellow passengers and crew members. While that may seem like common knowledge, you would be surprised how many cruisers are rude to those around them. 

Knowing proper ship etiquette will help ensure that you do not feel disrespectful or underdressed, as well as make sure that you are able to contribute to a positive atmosphere. 

Be polite to crew members

Crew members work hard to ensure that you have a great vacation experience. If you pass your stateroom attendant in the hallway, time a moment to strike up a brief conversation by asking them about their day; they will appreciate it. 

If an issue arises that requires a visit to Guest Services, stay calm and level headed. The Guest Services representative will want to help you as best they can, and getting angry will not help the situation. 

Get a new plate when returning to the buffet

While you might think that you are helping the crew members out by reusing your plate at the buffet, it actually is frowned upon. Serving yourself on a used plate could lead to the spread of germs. 

If you want another serving of food, simply leave your dirty dishes at the table. The Windjammer has staff walking around to clear the table in between servings and at the end of the meal. 

Do not be a chair hog

Please do not be one of those people who try and reserve pool chairs for the entire sea day. If you do not plan on using a chair for hours after claiming it, you should not leave your belongings there and prevent people who want to enjoy the pool deck in that moment from doing so. 

Cruisers on select Royal Caribbean vessels have reported that staff members have begun taking measures to prevent guests from saving chairs on the pool deck for a prolonged period of time. After a certain amount of time, they will remove your belongings and leave a note telling you where you can collect them. 

Related: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

Be patient

With thousands of people onboard a cruise ship, you may find yourself having to wait in lines more than you thought, whether it is at Windjammer for breakfast, during the day at the waterslides or FlowRider, or when disembarking the ship.

Do not push and shove others trying to get to the front of the line. Be patient, as everyone is trying to enjoy their vacation, too. 

Wait for people to get off of the elevators before getting on

Regardless of the time of day, cruise ship elevators are usually packed. Before you try and squeeze on, see if anyone is getting off. 

As an alternative, you can take the stairs and bypass the elevators. Not only is this often a quicker way to move about the ship, but it also leaves space on the elevators for those who rely on it. 

Related: Why you should skip the elevator on your cruise

Be mindful when navigating throughout the cabin hallways

If you were trying to sleep, you would not want to hear a loud group of people outside of your stateroom. Even if it is 2:00pm in the afternoon, you do not know who has returned to their cabin for an afternoon nap. Likewise, your neighbor might be someone who enjoys sleeping in or retiring early. 

Avoid blasting music from your stateroom or mingling for too long in the hallways, especially late at night or early in the morning. This can be disruptive to other guests. 

Quiet down when the captain or other personnel are making announcements

Whenever an announcement comes on, it would behoove you to listen to what they have to say. Often, they will be  regarding disembarking in ports of call, weather, onboard activities, etc.

Rather than chatting amongst yourselves, take a moment to pause and listen to what they are saying, as their announcements pertain to making your cruise vacation better!

Maybe it is about show getting cancelled due to weather conditions or the ship being cleared faster than anticipated. 

Do not share your drink package with others

Due to how expensive a drink package can be, it is tempting to want to share your drink package benefits with others. Sharing, however, is strictly prohibited. If you are caught, you risk getting your package revoked without a refund. 

If one person in your stateroom who is of legal drinking age purchases a package, you must get it for every other guest the same age. In other words, drink packages are bought per person, not per room. Sharing is less likely to occur if everyone 21-years-old and older (or 18 depending on the market) has their own drink package. 

Additionally, you should not give drinks to minors. While you will not be kicked off the first time you are caught, you face expulsion from the ship if you continuously disregard their warnings. 

Make sure that you are on time to any reservations that you make, including shore excursions

Out of respect for everyone else, you should always arrive on time to your reservations. 

If you are late to a shore excursion, you will likely be left behind. Even if they do happen to wait, you do not want to be the reason that you kept everyone else waiting. 

Likewise, arriving to onboard reservations is polite to those who might have reservations after yours. Perhaps the specialty restaurant you are dining at is fully booked for the evening, and there is another party dining right after you. And if there is a show that you want to see, you may find that you cannot be seated if you show up late. 

Know your alcohol limits

Purchasing a Royal Caribbean drink package does not give you the excuse to drink until you are belligerent.  

Drinking is often the root of the cause when it comes to issues between passengers. Someone may have had one too many drinks and decide that they want to try and instigate something. The best way to minimize this type of behavior is to limit your alcohol intake. 

Plus, you do not want to be stumbling around the ship and feeling ill while in port the next day. Staying hydrated throughout your cruise is key, especially if you are consuming alcohol. 

Respect the dress code

While you will not be denied service for dressy casually on formal night, you may feel out of place. Don't worry, though. You do not have to pull out a ballgown or tuxedo, but you will want to wear a nice pair of pants and shirt or dress.

This also means that you should dress for the occasion and not wear anything too revealing or that might otherwise be deemed inappropriate around families with children.

You do not have to dress for the themed nights, but it sure does make the cruise more fun!

Related: What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

Do not throw anything overboard

Cruise lines are actively working to decrease their environmental impact. By throwing things into the ocean, you are choosing to disturb a delicate ecosystem. 

If you are caught, you could face a fine or removal from the ship at the next port of call. If you have trash, dispose of it properly in one of the trash bins.

Take responsibility for your children

Royal Caribbean has various rules in place for minors. Those under 18, for instance, have curfews that they should abide by. 

Likewise, children should not be left unattended on the pool deck. Parents, please make sure that you have an eye on your kids at all time! Should they need to use the restroom or get hurt, you should be able to immediately assist them. 

When it comes to the youth clubs, children should be picked up by the designated closing time in the evenings. It is likely that the staff has other duties elsewhere on the ship, or it may one of their only times off. 

Do not remove your daily gratuities to save money

Crew gratuities are an additional fee that you pay on top of your base fare. As of April 2023, guests in standard staterooms (including Junior Suites) pay $16 per person, per day, while those in Grand Suites or above pay $18.50 per person, per day.

They can either be prepaid or added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of the cruise. And while you can go speak to Guest Services to have the amount adjusted or completely removed, you should first speak to them and let them try to resolve the issue. 

Some guests opt to remove them in order to give cash tips to the crew members they interact with; however, this impacts those who work behind-the-scenes and receive a percentage of your daily gratuities. 

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn't do

Be polite to fellow passengers

A little kindness can go a long way! If you find yourself in a situation where tensions are raised, do not try and resolve it yourself; find a crew member and alert of them of what is going on, whether it is a chair hog or someone picking a fight or another reason. 

The last thing you want is to spend any part of your cruise speaking with security!

Everyone is onboard to have a great time. Working together to treat each other with respect will create a better environment for all. 

Wash your hands 

Even though many covid protocols have been relaxed, you should still frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before entering the buffet. At minimum, you should be using the hand sanitizer that is located throughout the ship. 

There are other precautions that you should take, such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow. With thousands of passengers onboard a single vessel, it is easy for illnesses to spread! 

Make sure that you complete the muster drill as soon as possible

Royal Caribbean's muster drill is done primarily through their app, meaning that you will not have to worry about gathering with everyone else onboard the ship at a dedicated time. 

This means that completing the drill is easier than ever. In fact, you can watch the mandatory safety video prior to even boarding the ship!

The only thing you will have to wait to do is visiting your assigned muster station. When you get there, a crew member will scan your Set Sail pass or SeaPass to mark that you have attended. 

The ship cannot set sail until everyone onboard has completed all parts of the drill, so make sure you get yours done as soon as possible!

If you want to smoke, do only in a designated smoking area

In order to facilitate a pleasurable experience for all guests, cruise ships have designated smoking areas onboard. This means that you cannot start smoking a cigarette whenever you want to. 

Smoking on your stateroom balcony, despite being outdoors, is strictly prohibited. If caught, a cleaning fee will be added to your onboard account.  

Common smoking areas include one side of the pool deck, as well as a section of the casino. Note that e-cigarettes can only be used in smoking areas, too. 

Do not try and bring any prohibited items onboard 

There are some prohibited items that are obvious, such as illegal drugs, candles, and fireworks. Others, however, are common household items like clothes steamers and electrical extension cords. 

While showing up with a steamer will not get you kicked off the ship, when your luggage is delivered to your stateroom, you will find a note that says the item was confiscated and can be picked up at disembarkation. 

To avoid this hassle, make sure that you have not packed any items that Royal Caribbean does not allow onboard their ships. 

Moreover, if you show up with anything dangerous or illegal, you may be denied boarding!

Do not leave a big mess for your cabin steward

Your cabin attendant is responsible for making sure that you cabin is clean and tidy throughout the cruise. They will refresh your towels daily, make your bed, empty the trash, deliver important documents, and leave fun towel animals!

It, however, is disrespectful to clutter around your room that interferes with their ability to do their job. 

In fact, if you leave a big mess, they will often clean around it! This is to mainly protect themselves in the event of being accused of taking something from a passenger's cabin. While having things lying about in your cabin is inevitable, try to consolidate the mess. You will also appreciate coming back to a tidier space! 

The Royal Caribbean brand has evolved to become more focused on multigenerational families in order to provide the ultimate family vacation. 

Onboard Icon of the Seas, there are more stateroom options than ever for larger families. In fact, when compared to Oasis Class ships, Icon will have about 55% more rooms able to accommodate three or more people. In other words, 80% of Icon of the Seas' cabins have been designed for larger families. 

Icon's 2,805 staterooms will be comprised of 28 different types of staterooms, including 14 brand-new categories.

"When I think about our accommodations, I think about how we approached the design of all of our new classes of ships," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO.

"We think about it in three different ways: One, traditional. Two, evolutionary. Three, revolutionary. Every single stateroom goes through a refresh of design: furnishings, technology, and really they're all new."

Related: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

Researching, designing, and creating accommodations for everyone

It has taken Royal Caribbean over five years to design and build the staterooms onboard Icon of the Seas, and it all began with research. 

"We did a lot of guest research on the evolution of staterooms, as well as a lot of crew research," said Jennifer Goswami, Director, Product Development, Royal Caribbean International.

"The crews are absolutely the most valuable asset that Royal Caribbean has. They have told us that guests are bringing different types of things to maximize the usage of this space, so we've designed Icon's staterooms to maximize storage, really making sure that seven days feels comfortable"

According to Goswami, "Every detail of the room was carefully scrutinized. We went through how far the charger is, how close the soap is...every part of every stateroom on Icon really was intentionally built."

Plus, guests will be able to control more aspects of their stateroom to make the space work best for them, from the blinds to raising and lowering the infinite balcony, from a touchscreen pad. 

The mockup process for Icon's staterooms was actually started in their home office; they are not built at the shipyard. About 25 cabins are built per day at a factory in Finland that is located about thirty minutes from the shipyard. Essentially, it is a high production factory line of staterooms!

New stateroom categories

In order to satisfy their guests' wants and needs, Royal Caribbean knew that Icon needed a combination of rooms that offered more space, choices, and views. Even if you are staying in an interior or ocean view cabin, you can expect a total refresh of the design; they are more modern and stylish than ever before. 

Not only do the layouts give guests more space, but most of them connect the room experience to the outdoors, whether that is the ocean, Surfside, or Central Park. 

Infinite balconies

Icon of the Seas will be the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature infinite balcony cabins, which will offer a flexible 50 square feet or convertible indoor and outdoor space.

This means that the stateroom will be longer than other balcony cabins and offer guests more usable space, as it will lack the steel barrier that traditional balcony cabins require in order to separate the outdoor from the indoor space. 

"The fact that then you have the ability to sort of lower that infinite balcony and you feel that connection to the outside [is something] that we know our guests know and love form the balcony, but you're able to have that versatility of then making that an interior space," said Claudia Diaz-Gonzales, Associate Vice President, Product Development of Royal Caribbean International. 

In addition to infinite balconies, larger families may choose the family infinite balcony. This will include in-room games, a split bathroom, and even a bunk area for children that can be closed off with a curtain for privacy. Plus, each bunk has their own television!

Suites

The Surfside Suite also focuses on the connecting the family in a way that prioritizes privacy. The stateroom will have a separate nook for children that can be closed off at any point. Plus, it is easy for children to look below them and see the neighborhood that was specifically designed for them! 

Families who would like to splurge a little bit more but still have a view of Surfside might want to consider one of the brand-new Sunset Suites. 

"When it comes to our differentiators on suites on Icon, we have our Sunset Suites...in the aft, and those [have] wraparound balconies. They have the connection to the ocean, [and] you have your sneak peak into Surfside. That is really all about the view," said Krissia Larios, Senior Design Associate, Architectural Design, Newbuilding Royal Caribbean Group.

Another new category of stateroom is directly related to a new feature onboard Icon: the AquaDome. 

The AquaDome Suites were created because of the dome's placement. Guests in these staterooms will enjoy panoramic views from a window that is clocked by the AquaDome itself. 

And, of course, there is the Ultimate Family Townhouse. This three-story suite is the definition of the ultimate family experience onboard any Royal Caribbean ship. It will include an in-suite slide, movie theatre, and patio that allows for direct access to the Surfside Neighborhood. 

More than just new staterooms to look forward to

The upgraded and new staterooms onboard Icon of the Seas will let guests relax, rest, and recharge for all the fun elsewhere on the ship. 

With so much to do, including Thrill Island's record breaking Category 6 Waterpark, the family-focused Surfside Neighborhood, and brand-new bars and nightlife spots, you may rarely find yourself in your cabin! 

While Icon of the Seas is not scheduled to hit the seas until 2024, there is so much to look forward to on what will be the world's largest cruise ship. 

Her maiden voyage will commence on January 27, 2024 and depart from Miami, Florida, and guests will visit Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. 

Royal Caribbean is making significant process with Icon of the Seas' construction. 

In fact, on March 15, the Meyer Turku shipyard confirmed that the first multi-fuel engine was turned on for the first time!

Building a ship this large and technically advanced, however, is sure to come with some challenges, such as designing the water slides for the Category 6 Water Park. 

"We knew we wanted water water everywhere, so we started there," said Jennifer Goswami, Director, Product Development for Royal Caribbean International, "And then we built the rest of the ship around that."

What is Category 6?

Thrill Island will be a brand-new neighborhood dedicated to the most adventurous cruisers and home to the largest water park at sea: Category 6. 

This is not the first new neighborhood on the ship, as families can look forward to Surfside, which will make Icon of the Seas the first cruise ship in the fleet to have an area dedicated to young families.

When done, Category 6 water park will be 17,010 square feet and have six different record breaking slides, including the first family raft slides at sea: Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter. 

Guests will also find the Pressure Drop, the first open free fall slide at sea. While overlooking a 45 degree angle drop, you will have to gain the courage to push yourself over the edge!

And, of course, the Frightening Bolt, the tallest water slide at sea that will have a 46 foot drop and 360 degree loop. Your ride will begin with you inside of a capsule waiting for the trap door to release. 

Did you know, however, that when Royal Caribbean first starting discussing Icon of the Seas, there were only going to be five slides onboard?  

"One of the interesting stories about the design of Icon of the Seas," said Kelly Gonzalez, Senior Vice President, Architectural Design, Newbuilding for Royal Caribbean Group, "is that we actually this idea of doing quite a number of water slides from the very beginning"

"We actually started with five...[and the name] Category 6 came about also with the decision of adding a sixth water slide."

Importance of collaboration

In total, there is 62% more water surface area on Icon of the Seas than any other Royal Caribbean ship. 

Nobody wanted to compromise on the speed or height of the water slides, so the company had to bring in a lot of experts to help design the water park in a way that it would be technically sound. This meant working with designers, architects, and naval architects. 

"Normally, a ship has maybe a couple of hundred tons or so of water in the pools," said Harri Kulovaara, Executive Vice President, Maritime & Newbuilding for Royal Caribbean Group. They are expecting Icon of the Seas to have closer to one thousand tons of water alone!

From the beginning, they knew that they had to be conscious about how much weight the water would add to the ship, as well as the funnel area in respect to wind and wind turbulence, without compromising the delivery date. 

"We had a weight reservation; we had a water reservation. We always have to work within certain boundaries. We make tradeoffs. We study what we think guests are going to love...," said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer for Royal Caribbean International.

"And really it was working closely with all of the partners throughout the company, including our site office, to make sure that we could push the boundary as really far as we could."

Building the water park

It was important that the slides be handled in a way that they could work with the main structural elements and components that were already built into the skeleton of the ship. 

Since the Category 6 water slides will be so complex and large, they are being built separately from the actual ship. Later, the slides will be barged next to the ship and transferred over to the top deck.  

Of course, Royal Caribbean knew that they were taking risks making this as complicated as they did. 

"I think that there will be so many intricacies, so many complex ways of getting everything that we want on the ship, but that is kind of the Royal Caribbean way as well, right?" said Goswami. 

When it is completed, there will be two towers in the open deck area that the slides will commence from, rather than just one. This design aspect allowed the team to create longer and faster slides for guests to enjoy. And more slides means more water!

There is more to the top decks than just the water park, too. It will be a three-deck high play land with different experiences to appeal to different interests. 

Launching in 2024

When Icon of the Seas launches in early 2024, she will become the world's largest cruise ship, surpassing Wonder of the Seas, as well as the cruise line's first new class of ship since 2014. 

Related: 10 things Royal Caribbean got right with Wonder of the Seas

Icon of the Seas will be more than 6% bigger than Wonder of the Seas with the ability to hold up to 7,600 passengers! She will also be stand 20 decks high, measure 1,198 feet long, and weigh 250,800 gross registered tons.

Icon of the Seas' maiden voyage is not scheduled to depart until January 27, 2024 from Miami, Florida. During her first-ever trip, she will sail to Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. 

Throughout 2024 and early 2025, Icon will be sailing round trip from Miami, Florida to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. 

As of March 21, 2023, the two cheapest sail dates are October 26, 2024 and November 16, 2024. Pricing for both begins at $1,271 per person based on double occupancy in an interior stateroom. Some sailings see an interior cabin start at $2,000 per person!

She will be joined by a second unnamed Icon Class ship in late 2025, as well as a third ship in 2026. Construction on the second ship began in February. 

It is official-- Royal Caribbean now holds the world record for the most passengers and crew onboard a transatlantic cruise ship crossing. 

A total of 7,604 people were onboard Symphony of the Seas, including 5,350 guests and 2,224 crew members, as she made her way from Miami, Florida to Barcelona, Spain to begin her seasonal Mediterranean cruises. The cruise lasted a total of 12-nights, departing on March 9 and arriving in Barcelona on March 21.

Before beginning her summer cruises, Symphony of the Seas will undergo basic maintenance at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain. The next scheduled cruise will depart on April 16, 2023 from Barcelona and visit Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Provence (Marseille), France; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Naples / Capri, Italy before returning to Barcelona.

Symphony of the Seas will wrap up her European season on October 29 when she departs Barcelona on a 14-night transatlantic voyage back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. En route, she will dock at Valencia, Spain; Seville (Cádiz), Spain; and Nassau, Bahamas.

That is not the only piece of headline worthy news from Royal Caribbean, either!

Keep reading to learn more about the first engine that was started on Icon of the Seas', a new Royal Caribbean Group board member, as well as a credit card policy changes.

First engine started on the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas

Even though Icon of the Seas is still months away from entering service as the cruise line's first Icon Class ship, getting excited over milestones is one way to make the time pass quicker. On March 15, the Meyer Turku shipyard confirmed that the first multi-fuel engine was turned on for the first time!

Per a social media post that was published directly by the shipyard, "Chef engineer Tuomas Auvien says: 'Icon of the Seas has six Wärtsilä main engines. The first of them (number 2) was started today, Wednesday 3/15 at 11:00 a.m."

"Both diesel and natural gas can be used as fuel in the main engines, Wednesday's start was made with diesel. The first main engine start on a ship largely tells a lot about the ship's readiness. It is a sign that the various departments throughout the yard have achieved something significant. To achieve this milestone, all professional groups are needed, and for that, big thanks to everyone!"

When she makes her grand debut, Icon of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world, surpassing Wonder of the Seas, measuring 250,800 gross tons with the ability to carry nearly 10,000 passengers and crew combined. She will also be the first ship in the fleet to run on LNG-power.

This type of fuel is one of the cleanest-burning marine fuels. When engines are built to use LNG fuel, this helps to reduce a cruise ship’s carbon emissions by approximately 30%.

The maiden voyage is currently scheduled for January 27, 2024 out of Miami, Florida. 

This news comes roughly one month after Royal Caribbean began construction on the second unnamed Icon Class cruise ship at the same shipyard.

Rebecca Yeung joins Royal Caribbean Group's Board of Directors effective March 15

Yeung has about 30 years of global experience in strategy and operations technology, and she is currently the corporate vice president, operations science and advanced technology at FedEx Corporation.

She has been at FedEx Corporation since 1998 and has served in different roles, including marketing, innovation, and technology. Her previous role at the company was the vice president, advanced technology & innovation.

Her current role makes Yeung responsible for advancing FedEx’s innovation and transformation strategy, including scaling robotics and automation technology, autonomous vehicles, decision science, and electromobility.

She brings experience and expertise of working on a board of directors, too, as she also serves on the Board of Directors of Columbus McKinnon.

Richard D. Fain, Chairman of the Board, Royal Caribbean Group, said, “Ms. Yeung brings a valuable combination of skills to our board, as she is well-versed in technology, digitization and business strategy."

Additionally, Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said, “We’re excited to welcome Rebecca Yeung to the Board of Directors as we continue to deliver the world’s best vacations, responsibly."

“We believe her experience in technology, automation and innovation will be a valuable addition to the board as we usher in the next phases of our growth.”

Royal Caribbean changes credit card policy

An email sent out on March 20 indicates that Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises' payment processes will soon be heightened with additional security checks to authenticate credit card submissions.  
 
Effective April 1, 2023, CVV (Credit Verification Value) authentication will be required for all payments related to cruise fare, air travel, and pre-cruise purchases to help assist in fraud prevention mitigate overall risk. 

The payment process will remain unchanged, other than the new requirement to enter CVV at time of payment. Note that personal PIN numbers and CVV are different, as the latter is a unique code that verifies the physical presence of the form of payment at the time of transaction. 

On Visa, MasterCard, and Discover branded cards, the CVV is a 3 digit number located on the back of the card. On American Express cards, the CVV is a 4 digit number that can be found on the front of the card.