A 12-year-old passenger fell to his death on the final night of a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas. 

The 226,963 gross registered ton (GRT) ship was en route to Galveston, Texas, after a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise when the pre-teen fell from an interior-facing Central Park balcony cabin. 

Central Park, located on Deck 8, is one of seven neighborhoods onboard the Oasis Class ship and is home to bars, restaurants, and shops. 

Witnesses claim the boy had been playing with friends he had met onboard before going over the stateroom's balcony railing. Supposedly, he was on the cruise with his family to celebrate a birthday.

Royal Caribbean crew tried to resuscitate the passenger; however, life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, and he died before Harmony of the Seas arrived in Galveston on September 8. 

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the death of one of our guests. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest's family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson told PEOPLE. 

Outpouring of support 

"My daughter was friends with him and said he was upset today," wrote Sara Tullas in a Harmony of the Seas Facebook group.

"If anyone knows the family, please send them thoughts and prayers...I wish I would have known he was struggling today," she continues. 

Shannon Elizabeth shared similar thoughts, explaining her son had befriended the boy. 

"I haven't been able to really wrap my head around this and the conversations I have had to have with my son really tripped me up," she says.

"My son made friends with this boy and he saw too much of what happened. Just breaks my heart and the fact we were [on] this boat is just wild." 

Because of the incident, boarding for the Sept. 8 voyage was delayed

"Due to an emergency on our previous sailing, our boarding tomorrow will be delayed," read a statement emailed to passengers, "As a result, the terminal will be closed until 12 PM."

Guests were asked to arrive one hour after their pre-selected arrival time but no later than 3:00pm, as all passengers were required to be checked in and onboard by 3:30pm. 

Harmony of the Seas is currently on a 6-night Western Caribbean cruise calling at Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship is scheduled to return to Galveston on September 14. 

Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

Other similar incidents 

A 16-year-old boy slipped and fell to his death while trying to enter his cabin through a nearby balcony while docked in Labadee, Haiti. 

The Broward Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as Laurent Mercer of the Wallis and Futuna Islands in the South Pacific.

"The ship's medical team responded to the pier and attempted CPR, but the [boy] had sustained major head trauma and he was pronounced dead," the Broward Medical Examiner's Office said in a statement. 

Last November, another 16-year-old boy died after falling from his cabin balcony into Central Park while sailing on Allure of the Seas. TMZ reported the passenger was transported to a hospital for treatment but eventually succumbed to his injuries. 

The Oasis Class ship was traveling from Port Canaveral to Nassau, Bahamas when a ship-wide announcement was made asking for blood donors. 

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of a guest, and our hearts go out to the family. Out of respect for them, we won't provide any further comment," read a statement issued by Royal Caribbean. 

Overtourism is a rising issue around the world, but Royal Caribbean's CEO thinks cruise ships are being unfairly targeted.

Cruise ships have long been singled out for overtourism, particularly in Europe. However, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean's President and CEO, argues people underestimate the value cruise ships bring to the tourism industry. 

Each year, over 20 million people take a cruise, sailing to countless destinations around the globe, from the Caribbean to Europe, Australia, Asia, Alaska, and Hawaii. 

Recently, many ports have begun to reevaluate the impact of the cruising industry in their communities, especially as passenger numbers break pre-pandemic levels. 

A few weeks ago, for instance, protestors in Amsterdam prevented cruise ships from safely docking in port, demanding an immediate cessation of the "destructive cruise industry." 

During a Q&A session onboard the Ultimate World Cruise, Bayley said cruise ships sometimes become targets of the anti-tourism movement because of misinformation. While acknowledging the concerns, he highlights the positive effects of the industry, stating they're always striving to improve. 

Overtourism fueled by misinformation

Cruising makes up just 2% of all international travel, yet the cruise industry specifically is targeted as contributing to overtourism by transporting hundreds of thousands of guests to destinations and trying to do "something negative" when it comes to the environment. 

In Europe, for instance, Airbnb is a massive driver of tourism in cities like Barcelona, resulting in protests earlier this summer. Guests dining al fresco in Las Ramblas were soaked with water guns, while locals chanted, "Tourists go home," CNN reported. 

By November 2028, Barcelona plans to end short-term rentals by revoking all 10,101 apartment licenses approved as short-term rentals to help ensure residents aren't displaced by "overtourism." 

Additionally, the Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth) published 13 proposals to reduce the number of visitors and create a new tourism model, which includes the closure of cruise ship terminals. 

"...sometimes, cruise ships have a target based upon very little information or misinformation...I think it's incumbent on us to improve as an industry, and as a company, our communication over the impact, both positive and negative, on communities," Bayley explains. 

"There's always two sides to a coin," he continues, "And in relation to the impact, there are some incredibly positive attributes that come from our business." 

Many countries' GDP relies heavily on tourism

According to Bayley, the economic value of tourism goes unrecognized.

"In the Caribbean, for example, which is kind of the center of cruise activity...over 50%, pretty much, of all tourists that travel through the Caribbean come on [a] cruise," he says. 

The Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) 2024 State of the Industry Report revealed the economic contribution from the cruise industry to the economy is "enormous," despite cruising making up a small percentage of international travel. 

In 2022, cruising contributed $138 billion to the global economy. Additionally, the industry supported 1.2 million jobs and $43 billion in wages. 2023's results are expected to be published this month; however, the impact is predicted to be even greater because of the increase in passengers sailing in 2023 compared to 2022. 

Read more: The demand for Royal Caribbean cruises is hot

Crew members from 100+ countries

On any Royal Caribbean vacation, crew members are important because they're not just friendly faces you see throughout your voyage. Their dedication and expertise help transform cruises into memorable experiences, ensuring that every detail of the guest experience, from dining to entertainment to guest relations, is handled with professionalism and care.  

"We have generations...of crew members who work with Royal Caribbean," remarks Bayley, "There [are] many onboard the ship today who've sent their kids to college, have made investments, have built a family life, have taken care of their elders, [and] have lived a good life through their association with the cruise industry and with Royal Caribbean." 

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

Advanced technology

"We've got some of the most incredible technology that we've invested in," says Bayley about Royal Caribbean's environmental initiatives, "[It allows] us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with pretty much any community anyone here lives in." 

The amount of garbage, for example, transferred from cruise ships to landfills is actually tiny thanks to waste management systems. 

He continues to talk about the work that's going into future fuels: "What is the future fuel? Our new ships are what's called 'hybrid ships,' which means they're capable of using traditional marine oil or [liquefied natural gas]." 

Read more: Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships will convert waste to energy

When Royal Caribbean began developing today's newest ships, the future fuel was LNG. 7-10 years later, however, he brings up current concerns about LNG, including slippage, which is when gaseous methane escapes into the atmosphere. 

Still, though, LNG's carbon footprint is significantly lower than that of traditional marine fuels, and the concerns are working on being addressed. 

"We are committed to a bright future. We are putting a lot of time and energy and resources into not only our environmental impact but also as it relates to our impact with tourism," Bayley says. 

Royal Caribbean has contributed to local communities 

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to visit Haiti. Located on the northern peninsula, Labadee offers a stunning blend of natural beauty and adventure—exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. 

The private destination helps contribute to the local economy, with a controlled group of merchants given the right to sell souvenirs to cruise passengers in the secured resort area. 

In addition to revenue from cruise ship guests, Bayley said Royal Caribbean built a local school in the community, helping to educate thousands of children. They also built a freshwater and sewage system in the area. 

Similarly, Nassau's Royal Beach Club is being constructed as a public-private partnership between Royal Caribbean and The Bahamas, allowing Bahamians to hold up to 49% equity in the project. 

This initiative is expected to generate hundreds of jobs for local Bahamians, both during the construction phase and once in operation. Over a decade, the venture is expected to have an economic impact of around $1 billion. 

Greece will begin taxing cruise ship tourists

Greece plans on imposing a 20-euro levy on cruise passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season to help with overtourism, Reuters reported. 

Though the country relies heavily on tourism, some of the most popular destinations have faced challenges with overtourism, which strains the local infrastructure. 

"Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions," said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. 

There are also plans to regulate the number of cruise ships that arrive at the same time in certain ports to help further balance the economic benefits of tourism while preserving the quality of life for residents. 

Read more: Ultimate Greek Isles cruise guide

Decorating cruise cabin doors has become a fun and popular tradition among passengers on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Maybe you’re celebrating a special occasion like a milestone birthday, graduation, or anniversary, or perhaps you’re just looking to add a personal touch to your stateroom. Whatever the reason, decorating your cruise cabin door is a great way to make your stateroom easy to spot in the hallway.

However, before you purchase decorations, it’s important to be aware of Royal Caribbean’s rules and policies. In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about decorating your stateroom door on a Royal Caribbean cruise, as well as provide some inspiration to help you get started. 

Please note that we have linked Amazon items in this article containing affiliate links. The affiliate links cost you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Royal Caribbean allows guests to decorate their cabin door

Though Royal Caribbean passengers are permitted to spruce up their stateroom doors, you will want to be considerate of your fellow guests, avoiding anything that could be deemed offensive, inappropriate, or disruptive.

Royal Caribbean’s code of conduct states, “Inappropriate or abusive behavior is not permitted. This includes: … placing materials (including signs, banners, decorations, etc.) anywhere on the exterior of the ship, [and] placing materials anywhere on the interior of the ship (including stateroom doors, along corridors, etc.) without the express permission of [the ship's] management or which may be deemed by ship management as inappropriate, or any other illegal or offensive conduct.”

In other words, crew members won't remove lighthearted and tasteful decor, so long as it's confined to your cabin door and not blocking any passageways. 

It's also wise to ensure your decor won't damage the cruise line's property. 

When choosing your cabin door decorations, avoid any that require tape, nails, or adhesives that could harm the finish. Instead, go for magnetic decor, as magnets can be easily placed and removed without leaving any damage.

And as wholesome as the activity is, you shouldn't be personally attached to any decor in case it's stolen. Young children, for instance, may see a cute magnet and think it's okay to grab it from your door. 

If you bought the magnet in port, you'll likely be disappointed when you discover it's missing; it's not easy to replace a unique souvenir bought in Ketchikan, Alaska, or Barcelona, Spain. 

Note that your cabin category doesn't matter. Passengers staying in the smallest interior rooms or lavish suites can personalize their stateroom's door. However, the same rules apply: the decor shouldn't be offensive, blocking passageways, or stuck to the door with potentially harmful adhesives. 

Read more: How to find the cheapest cabins on Royal Caribbean

The benefits of decorating your cruise cabin door

In a thread posted on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum, cruise passengers explain why they love cabin decor. 

"Invariably I will have a morning during a cruise when I will wake up way too early. On that morning I head to Cafe Promenade to grab...a cup of coffee and begin to do my daily walk but rather than use the walking track I walk the halls of each deck. The only reason I do this is to view the various door decorations," said Mike n Ky. 

whitsmom shared, "I like to use it [to] help find our door easier (in the beginning)." 

ScottD talked about the camaraderie that came with his choice of decor. 

"We had a [whiteboard] on our door, supporting our favorite football team who was playing in a big playoff game that day. We had a blast every time we came back to the room and saw different notes added to the board, sometimes in support and sometimes against our team. We loved it," he said. 

What types of decorations are acceptable?

A go-to choice is decor celebrating something specific, whether someone's birthday, graduation, anniversary, or retirement. Cruises, however, are a great vacation option, even if there's nothing monumental to celebrate. 

Are you sailing somewhere new? You can focus your decor on the destination. Perhaps you're a brand-new cruiser and want to honor your first-ever voyage! That's a fun theme for your door, too. Guests may also tailor their decor around holidays like Easter, the 4th of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. 

Families might consider ordering customized magnets with everyone's name, including "Mom," "Dad," etc. These are ideal for families who love cruising and can see themselves on annual (or bi-annual) voyages, as they can be reused. 

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

Some of the most universal door decor are those relating to drink packages. With Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package, you can enjoy unlimited alcoholic drinks each day of your sailing for a fixed price. And yes, the drink package works ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay!  

Some making the splurge on a package—which often costs over $65 per person, per day—may want to extend a "warning" to those in neighboring cabins. 

Of course, you want to be mindful of your consumption and not disrupt others! While it's perfectly acceptable to enjoy handcrafted cocktails onboard, your enjoyment shouldn't bother guests, especially when they are trying to rest. 

Read more: I spent $600 on Royal Caribbean’s beverage package

Where can I buy cabin door decorations?

Those looking to score last-minute decor should head to Amazon. "Cruise cabin decor" yields over 2,000 results, so there's no shortage of magnets available to purchase for your upcoming cruise. They're affordable, too. 

A 28-piece nautical pack can be bought for around $10. Celebrating a birthday? Look no further than this 27-piece "birthday cruise" pack for $8.99, which includes everything you need to let other passengers know about the occasion. 

A colorful drink package warning costs $8.99. In addition to a bright yellow warning label, the 13-piece pack also includes beverages to add a fun and eye-catching touch to your stateroom door. 

Whiteboards are popular, too. You can use them to leave messages for your friends and family, perhaps letting them know that you left for dinner or went to grab seats on the pool deck. 

They can also be used to engage with other passengers. It's not uncommon to see whiteboards with a "question of the day," asking guests their favorite food, where they're from, how many cruises they've been on, etc. 

Some cruisers opt to make their own decor to add a personalized element, instead of buying pre-made magnets. While this isn't prohibited by Royal Caribbean, you'll want to ensure you attach magnets to the photographs, signs, etc., rather than relying on tape and glue. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins for 5 or more people

Another option for more customized cruise cabin decor is to browse Etsy, an online marketplace where you can find lots of handmade items, ranging from t-shirts to cabin door decorations. Under the "cruise cabin decor" search, you can filter by cruise line, material, color, theme, and more. 

Plus, you can indicate if you want decor that's customizable. Note, though, that many items purchased off Etsy won't ship as fast as those from Amazon, so give yourself plenty of time to place your order before your cruise's departure date. 

Finally, you can purchase cruise cabin decor directly through Royal Caribbean. 

For guests celebrating a birthday, it's easy to surprise the special cruiser with the "Happy Birthday Decorations" package available on the Cruise Planner for $69.99. In addition to a door magnet, you'll receive hanging ceiling decor inside your stateroom, a wire photo cable with clips, and more. 

There's also an anniversary package and "Bon Voyage Decorations" package with festive accessories for those who aren't celebrating anything specific onboard. Both include a magnetic door decoration.

Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise will end on Tuesday, September 10, and one passenger onboard the 9-month cruise has taken to social media to share their thoughts about returning to land. 

TikTok user Dr. Jenny (@drjennytravels) is one of the most well-known social media stars on the world cruise, and she's spent the last 9 months documenting her time onboard. She has over 164,000 followers and has amassed over 1.9 million likes on her videos. 

With less than one week until Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise concludes, Dr. Jenny shares her feelings about what it's like to see this once-in-a-lifetime experience end. 

In a video shared on September 3, one day before Serenade of the Seas' arrival in New York, she shows suitcases placed in the hallway. 

"Look at this," she begins, "seven days left...and as you can see, look at all the luggage out here." 

The hallway looks like a cruise ship on the night before disembarkation when guests normally place their suitcases outside their cabins to be collected by the ship's crew. While passengers can carry their bags off, many choose to collect them in the terminal to make disembarking easier. 

Though the world cruise hasn't officially ended, Dr. Jenny explains how some passengers opted to use the "Luggage Forward" service to have their bags shipped home. 

Read more: A passenger on the 9-month cruise is halfway done and lists what they like and don't like about the trip so far

"This is just bizarre," says Dr. Jenny, "We have watched...people put their luggage out here as they've come and gone, but now this is...world cruisers. Sad day." 

She tags another TikTok user in the caption, saying she saw crew members load up some of Angie Linderman's (@Angie) bags!

The video ends positively, though, with Dr. Jenny dancing the night away with friends at the Silent Disco to "all the New York songs."

"Just think 7 days is a normal cruise length," reads one of the top comments. 

"😭 There was something so comforting knowing that somewhere out there, people were getting to see the world one stop at a time. I've enjoyed following along and I can't wait to see what comes next!" says another. 

"I'm feeling sad, anxious, and kind of dreading the end of this adventure"

In another video shared on August 10, Dr. Jenny explains her feelings with one month left of the Ultimate World Cruise. 

While she admits to being upset, she's also optimistic, saying there's still one month of cruising, showcasing her glass half-full mentality. 

"Today, we have friends joining us on the Ultimate World Cruise for this next mini-segment from Copenhagen to Amsterdam," she exclaims, "I'm so excited, this is just the kind of energy I need!"

The Ultimate World Cruise began on December 10, 2023

Since departing nearly 274 days ago, Serenade of the Seas has visited over 55 countries and eight world wonders, including the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu, and The Great Barrier Reef. 

The 9-month voyage was divided into four segments, so cruisers who couldn't be on board for the entire cruise could still enjoy parts of the journey: the Ultimate Americas Cruise, the Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise, the Immersive Africa Cruise, and the Ultimate Europe and Beyond Cruise. 

There are just two ports left on the world cruise: Bermuda and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Serenade of the Seas will call at Kings Wharf on September 6, followed by CocoCay on September 9. 

A former Royal Caribbean crew member has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after placing hidden cameras in guests' staterooms and secretly recording young kids. 

Arvin Joseph Mirasol, 34, a cabin steward from the Philippines, was arrested in March after a passenger onboard the 228,081 gross registered ton Symphony of the Seas reported finding a camera in their bathroom. The guest found the concealed camera when she reached under the sink to grab toilet paper. 

Mirasol was arrested when the ship returned to Port Everglades on March 3, when Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection could board the Oasis Class ship and begin their investigation. 

Federal authorities seized his electronic devices and found videos of women undressing, as well as child pornography, dating back to December 2023. One of the videos even captured Mirasol installing a cabin in a guest's bathroom. 

Homeland Security Investigations later identified the children, whose ages range from 2 to 17 years old, according to the United States Justice Department

Mirasol would also hide under guests' beds while they were in the shower, and during a post-Miranda interview, he claimed to pleasure himself while watching the videos. 

Local 10 reported that one video was of a young girl around the age of 10 undressing and showering, with her genitals "clearly visible" and "the focus of the video."

Additionally, authorities said they found multiple voyeurism-related searches on Mirasol's phone, including "teen on bed." 

Charging documents reveal he told federal investigators that he "wants to control it...but can't." 

"We have zero tolerance for this unacceptable behavior. We immediately reported this to law enforcement and terminated the crew member, and we will continue to fully cooperate with authorities," read a statement issued by Royal Caribbean upon Mirasol's arrest. 

"Something out of a nightmare"

People have flocked to social media and online forums to discuss the incident, with most comments condemning Mirasol's behavior. 

"That is something out of a nightmare, imagine finding a pair of eyes under your bed. Nope Nope Nope. I would be so sure I was going to get murdered," wrote ActiveAlarmed7886 on a thread under the r/cruise subreddit. 

"If you're here reading this, don't stop at the headline. Read the story. It just keeps getting worse and worse with each paragraph," added alinroc. 

karenmarie303 said, "What a complete weirdo. I can’t believe he was never caught under the bed. And to get away with being gone at odd times, freako!"

"I thought I was being paranoid by NOT allowing my teen to stay in the room by herself," remarked friendofoldman, "[I] dragged her out of the room to participate...in activities."

For peace of mind, consider bringing a RAVIAD Detector onboard to scan your stateroom

Cabins are supposed to be our home away from home on a cruise ship. Though it's important to never let your guard down, the point of vacation is to relax and enjoy the experience. 

User Bead Pirate shared their go-to detector on a Cruise Critic forum that helps them search for hidden cameras and microphones.

"Amazon has a great hidden camera / microphone detector that runs on a couple AA Batteries for $50 bucks. We throw it in the suitcase whenever we travel land/sea/air does not matter. Takes 2 minutes to scan a room or can do a house in 5 minutes. Great peace of mind...," they explained. 

It's easy to use, too. All you have to do is turn the device on and walk around the perimeter of the cabin and near furniture. 

It's about to become easier to book restaurant reservations on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean passengers with the Ultimate Dining Package (UDP) may soon be able to book specialty dining reservations in advance. 

Historically, being unable to make specialty dining reservations until embarkation day was the biggest draw of the UDP. Now, Royal Caribbean is rolling out a feature allowing passengers to make all their reservations before paying for the package through the Cruise Planner. 

Nicole Pantalena first shared the update in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group, saying, "The website now allows you to make all reservations for the UDP at [the] time of purchase!!"

Pantalena clarified that she's on the December 2 sailing on Allure of the Seas, as other users didn't see any changes to their Cruise Planner. She also stated that she couldn't make reservations for the UDP in advance for her Anthem of the Seas cruise next year. 

Adam Balaban commented he was able to access the new reservation portal; however, he is also sailing onboard Allure of the Seas in December, indicating this feature may just be a test on Allure. 

There's no official word on this new feature, nor when other ships may have the option.

Before adding the package to the cart, the new booking portal would allow passengers to make reservations for each day of the cruise, eliminating the need for a courtesy reservation on the first night. 

Read more: How does specialty dining work on Royal Caribbean?

This new feature makes it significantly easier to get reservations instead of running around on embarkation day to make them.

Change announced last year

While brainstorming potential ways to make the embarkation day experience easier, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation, explained that they'd be making all of Royal Caribbean's dining packages reservable through the website, so passengers wouldn't have to worry about making reservations on day one. 

Rather than rushing onboard and heading to a specialty restaurant to confirm their dining plans, guests can make their reservations from the comfort of their homes, allowing them to have the same experience as passengers who book individual reservations. 

Not only does this make embarkation day more relaxing, but it gives cruisers with the UDP more options for dining times, as they're typically stuck choosing leftover reservations. 

In addition to reducing guests' "angst," the change will help improve the flow of traffic in public areas onboard. Schneider's team discovered there's "a lot of heavy lifting" in the Royal Promenade, and by letting passengers make UDP reservations online, that's one less booth they'll have to visit. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean will make specialty restaurants reservable pre-cruise if you have a dining package

What is the Ultimate Dining Package?

Royal Caribbean's Ultimate Dining Package lets guests eat at specialty restaurants for brunch, lunch, and dinner each day of their cruise. Instead of booking each reservation separately, it's typically more economical to purchase the UDP, especially if you plan on dining at multiple specialty restaurants throughout your cruise. 

With the UDP, you won't have to worry about paying for restaurants with cover charges, as nearly every eatery is included in the cost. Note that certain restaurants have an upcharge, such as Izumi Hibachi ($15), Chef's Table ($49.99), and Empire Supper Club ($130).  

Some specialty restaurants have á la carte menus, meaning you only pay for what you order, rather than a set charge for a multi-course meal. 

Depending on the restaurant, you'll receive a pre-determined food credit. At Izumi Sushi, for example, you're given $39.99, $20 at Playmaker's, and $10 at Izumi in the Park. 

The UDP doesn't include premium items in the Main Dining Room, the Taste of Royal experience, Celebration Table, or Chops Grille premium cuts. 

Moreover, the price varies based on factors like the length of your cruise, itinerary, and ship. For example, the UDP costs $174.99 per person on my upcoming Vision of the Seas sailing and $302.99 on my Icon cruise in March 2025. 

There's no penalty for canceling and rebooking the package if you notice the price drops before your cruise, similar to the Deluxe Beverage Package.  

Dutch environmental protesters have prevented and delayed two Royal Caribbean cruise ships from docking in Amsterdam. 

On August 10, Extinction Rebellion blocked the locks needed for Jewel of the Seas to safely pass through to the port. Instead, the ship was forced to disembark in Ijmuiden about 25 miles from Amsterdam.

The activist group took responsibility for the protest on their website, stating they demanded an immediate cessation of the destructive cruise industry because of the harm it causes to the environment and its impact on human health. 

According to Travel Market Report, they delayed Regent's Seven Seas Mariner by about three hours one day later. 

Most recently, Extinction Rebellion returned and delayed Serenade of the Seas' arrival. Footage shared to their live stream channel shows the 90,090 gross registered ton ship attempting to dock. Unsuccessful, the mooring ropes were retracted before Serenade of the Seas backed out of the port into open water. 

Carlijn van Essen, a spokeswoman for the Port of Amsterdam, confirmed the Radiance Class ship could eventually resume its route, as Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. 

The article continued to explain how police arrived on the scene around 5:00pm to remove eight protestors. They were taken into custody but have been released. A police spokesperson confirmed no arrests were made. 

Serenade of the Seas was initially scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam on August 19. However, amidst the disruptions caused by the environmental group, the ship canceled its call at Bergen, Norway, and headed to Amsterdam on August 18. 

"We are on Serenade OTS anchored in open water today. The port of Bergen Norway was cancelled on the 'Ultimate Fjords Cruise' so we could attempt to get to Amsterdam and dock early," shared Doug_Texas on Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion forum. 

"The climate change protesters are [gluing] themselves to the docks and shutting everything down. Already Jewel OTS was blocked as well as Regent Navigator...This is sad to see"

TikTok user @LittleRatBrain shared footage captured onboard Serenade of the Captain's announcement, in which he explains the goal of arriving before noon and giving passengers an overnight stay. 

Surprisingly, many of the comments support Extinction Rebellion. "I don't blame them," wrote TofuNinja, "It's a beautiful place being ruined by large cruise ships." 

"Much as I enjoy your account, I completely support these protesters," added lolantherosa. 

Katie b said, "I support these protestors. Cruises are disgusting and pollute the ocean."

The protests come a little over one month after the City of Amsterdam announced they'll cap cruise ship visits to just 100 per year (down from 190) starting in 2026. By 2035, the city will end all ocean-going cruise visits. 

According to Cruise Mapper, the next ship scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam is Jewel of the Seas on August 22, with Norwegian Prima arriving the following day at 7:00am local time. 

Anti-tourism protests aren't new in Europe 

Earlier this summer, thousands of protestors marched through Barcelona, soaking vacationers with water guns while they dined al fresco in Las Ramblas. The angry locals were chanting "tourists go home," CNN reported. 

The Assemblea de Barris pel Decreixement Turístic (Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth) has published 13 proposals to reduce the number of visitors and create a new tourism model, including more regulation for tourist accommodations and the closure of cruise ship terminals. 

By November 2028, Barcelona also plans to end short-term rentals to help ensure residents aren't displaced by "overtourism." Reuters reported that the city will revoke all 10,101 apartment licenses approved as short-term rentals. 

In April, a protest took place in the Canary Islands. Locals blamed visitors for increasing the cost of living, pricing them out of their homes, and causing environmental damage. 

Before that, 15,000 people demanded affordable housing while protesting mass tourism in Málaga, as reported by Euronews. 

"Now the city centre is a theme park for tourists,” one of the protestors, Jose, 60, told the news outlet, "What was once ‘El Café Central’ in Málaga’s main square...is an Irish pub full of tourists.”

“I’m not against tourism, but there has to be a limit and control," he says. 

Serenade of the Seas is nearing the end of its 274-day Ultimate World Cruise

Serenade of the Seas set sail from Miami, Florida, on December 10, 2023, on an epic 9-month journey. There's less than one month to go, with the cruise concluding on September 10. 

The cruise was slated to sail to over 150 destinations in 65 countries, visiting 11 Great Wonder of the World including the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and Great Barrier Reef. 

While inclement weather and political disruptions have caused them to adjust the itinerary, most notably to Africa to avoid the Red Sea, it's been a memorable experience for those onboard. 

In addition to changes in the itinerary, the Ultimate World Cruise has seen its fair share of drama, from an unexpected passenger death to a TikTok user-made bingo card with scenarios that could happen onboard (including a pirate takeover, COVID outbreak, and a minor mystery to solve). 

Though nothing's been confirmed regarding dates or ship, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International's President and CEO, said they'd do another Ultimate World Cruise, despite the challenges associated with planning one. 

Read more: A passenger on the 9-month cruise is halfway done and lists what they like and don't like about the trip so far

Serenade of the Seas will sail from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama in 2025 and 2026. 

The Radiance Class vessel is set to conclude Royal Caribbean's first-ever world cruise on September 10, 2024. Afterward, the 90,090 gross registered ton ship will remain in Tampa through March 2025, offering 5- to 9-night cruises to the Caribbean, before relocating to the West Coast for a summer season in Alaska. 

Then, Serenade of the Seas will embark on a 13-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego to Miami on September 19, marking the last time the ship will visit Florida through at least April 2026. 

Effective October 5, Serenade will offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean from Cartagena, Colombia and Colón, Panama.

Sailings departing from Cartagena, Colombia will spend a day in Colon, Panama, and vice versa

Similar to many European cruises, all voyages on Serenade of the Seas from Colombia and Panama are "interport" sailings, meaning that guests may choose their embarkation city. 

Unlike Caribbean sailings that depart solely from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Port Canaveral, interport cruises offer flexibility and a broader choice for travelers, allowing guests to determine which city is most convenient or appealing for their departure. 

Currently, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas is sailing interport cruises, where passengers may embark in Barcelona, Spain or Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. 

Read more: I sailed on a Radiance Class ship

Most itineraries are 7 nights

On October 5, 2025, Serenade will depart from Cartagena, Colombia on a 7-night cruise to Willemstad, Curaçao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Colón, Panama before returning to Colombia on October 12. 

Though all itineraries visit at least two of the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) islands, each voyage offers a blend of destinations and experiences. Some, for example, may only visit Bonaire and Curaçao, while others call at Curaçao and Aruba or Aruba and Bonaire. 

Select sailings visit all three: 

• December 12, 2025 from Colón, Panama
• December 14, 2025 from Cartagena, Colombia

On sailings with three ports of call, including Panama or Colombia, the ship will spend three days at sea. 

If you want to sail through the Panama Canal, you will have to book a dedicated Panama Canal cruise

Colón, Panama sits at the entrance to the Panama Canal and is a significant port city for maritime trade. However, it's not located inside the canal. Instead, it serves as a gateway to the canal's operations. 

Sailing through the Panama Canal is a bucket list cruise for many, as it offers a unique opportunity to traverse one of the world's most famous engineering marvels. 

Do not book a sailing to the Southern Caribbean on Serenade of the Seas in hopes of seeing the canal in person—you'll end up disappointed. 

Royal Caribbean offers repositioning cruises through the canal throughout the year, typically in the fall and spring. In 2025, guests may choose from four sailings on two Radiance Class ships: Serenade of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas. 

• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 13
• 15-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida to Los Angeles, California on April 19
• 13-night Panama Canal cruise on Serenade of the Seas from San Diego, California to Miami, Florida on September 19
• 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Radiance of the Seas from San Diego, California to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 4 

Updates to Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor single supplement benefit

WAAAYTOOO took to Royal Caribbean Blog's discussion forum to share an update they received in their recent Crown & Anchor newsletter. 

"Starting August 1, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members with more than 340 points will enjoy a reduced single supplement cruise fare of 125% on all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings," the post reads. 

"We want to make booking these popular voyages even easier. For all other sailings, you will continue to enjoy a reduced single supplement fare of 150%."

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

This means, for example, if the cruise fare is $1,000 per person, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus cruisers would only pay $1,250. Before this update, the fare would have cost $1,500. 

The change only applies to Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus sailors with 340+ cruise points. There's no single supplement benefit for Gold, Platinum, Emerald, or Diamond Crown & Anchor members. 

Celebrity Cruises received 18 awards at the 2024 Wine Spectator Awards, increasing the cruise line's total to 136 over the last 12 years. 

“We are continually innovating and expanding our beverage offerings to remain at the forefront of trends and meet the preferences of Celebrity guests,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. 

“We are honored to receive continued recognition for our elevated wine program from the experts at Wine Spectator," the world’s leading authority on wine anchored by Wine Spectator magazine, a print publication reaching about 3 million readers worldwide. 

Celebrity Cruises won nine 2024 Awards of Excellence for the 12th year in a row:

• Opus on Celebrity Reflection
• Grand Cuvée on Celebrity Silhouette 
• Grand Epernay on Celebrity Solstice
• Moonlight Sonata on Celebrity Eclipse
• Silhouette on Celebrity Equinox
• Cosmopolitan on Celebrity Summit
• Metropolitan on Celebrity Millennium
• San Marco on Celebrity Constellation
• Trellis on Celebrity Infinity

They also received the 2024 Best of Award of Excellence for Le Voyage on Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond; the 2024 Best of Award of Excellence for Tuscan on Celebrity Ascent and Celebrity Beyond; the 2024 Best of Award of Excellence for Cyprus on Celebrity Apex; the 2024 Award of Excellence for Normandie on Celebrity Edge; and the 2024 Award of Excellence for Fine Cut on Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Apex.

Guests sailing onboard one of Celebrity's ships have a selection of over 500 wines to choose from

Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a novice, Celebrity's trained sommeliers, who are available in every restaurant, are eager to assist, guiding passengers through the extensive list of onboard wines, including Celebrity's private labels. 

Guests may also choose from various wine-focused programs, such as World Wine Tours, Food & Wine Pairing Workshops, and Destination Wine Tours in ports around the globe.  

The World Wine Tour allows you to sample wines from around the world and learn about regional and varietal technicalities, all from the comfort of your ship. Food & Wine Pairing Workshops educate participants on the fundamentals of food and wine chemistry, including how the two interact. 

Destination Wine Tours are for those who want to immerse themselves in wine-producing areas worldwide. Sampling an Italian wine on the ship differs from the experience of visiting a local winery first-hand! 

Pricing varies; however, on my upcoming Celebrity Ascent cruise, the World Wine Tour and Food & Wine Pairing Workshop start at $55 per guest. The Premium Wine Tasting is more expensive, costing $199 per attendee. 

Seven ships have the acclaimed Cellar Masters onboard

On Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity Summit, wine aficionados should explore Cellar Masters, which has a large selection of international wines, all hand-picked by Celebrity sommeliers. 

Cellar Masters was replaced by the Craft Social Bar on Celebrity Equinox. While wines are still available, it's more of a sports bar than a wine bar. 

Both the Classic and Premium Drink Package include wine, but the latter has a more extensive list of wine options

Celebrity's Classic Package is their basic option which includes select beers, spirits, cocktails, liqueurs, frozen drinks, and wines by the glass up to $10 per serving. Though a few wines are available, your selection will be far more limited than if you purchase the Premium Package. 

The Classic Package costs $84.99-$89 per person, per day. Since the Premium Package includes a wider array of beverages, it is more expensive, costing as much as $109 per person, per day. 

However, you can save on your Celebrity drink package by purchasing it in advance through the online Cruise Planner. At the time of writing, for example, the Classic Package was advertised for $67.99 per day on my upcoming Celebrity Ascent cruise. The Premium Package was listed as $79.99 per person, per day. 

If you book a package and later discover the price has dropped due to a pre-cruise sale, you can cancel and rebook for no penalty. You will be refunded the full amount of the original booking. 

Guests who booked Celebrity's All Included fare will receive a Classic Package, as well as Basic Wi-Fi. Both can be upgraded to premium packages through the Cruise Planner or once onboard. You will get a better rate by purchasing the upgrade online, though. 

Your drink package doesn't dictate your ability to participate in one of the onboard wine experiences. They are available to all guests willing to pay extra. Even if you have a package for your cruise, you will have to pay for the wine-focused programs. 

Like with the packages, it's best to reserve your spot for the experiences beforehand, as they tend to sell out as the departure date approaches. If you want until you're onboard, the program you were looking forward to may be sold out.