When I boarded a flight for Europe en route to my first European cruise, I was doubtful a cruise would be the best way to travel Europe. While I was certainly excited to cruise around the continent, I didn’t have the highest expectations that cruising Europe would be better than a land-based vacation.

Only spending 8 hours in world-renowned cities? Spending more time on the cruise ship than in port? Navigating around thousands of other passengers in tourist areas? At first glance, the drawbacks seemed to outweigh the benefits.

The moment I stepped foot in my first European cruise port, however, I realized my concerns were totally unnecessary. My European cruise experience wasn’t at all what I initially expected, and it quickly became my favorite destination to cruise in the world: here’s why.

Slow travel versus cruising

Before I worked for Royal Caribbean Blog, most of my travel was done at a slower pace. I would regularly spend a few months living or traveling in different countries around the world, giving me time to truly soak in a region’s culture, cuisine, and language.

There’s no doubt that traveling slowly allows you to gain a better understanding of a place compared to spending just 8-10 hours there on a cruise. I certainly experienced more of Puerto Rico on my two week vacation, as an example, compared to my 8 hour port day.

That being said, even though I still love traveling slowly, I’ve grown to appreciate the more fast-paced nature of traveling via cruise ship.

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much you can experience in just a few hours on a port day, and being able to visit several destinations on one cruise gives you a small taste of places you can visit on longer, land-based vacations.

While planning my European cruise vacation, I wanted to keep an open mind, remembering that even though this would not be a “slow travel” type of trip, it would come with its own set of benefits.

Let’s take a look at the expectations versus realities I encountered on my European cruise experience.

Expectation: Europe is better for a land-based vacation

Many of Europe’s most popular cities are not located along the coast, so I was skeptical of cruising as a way to experience Europe’s top attractions.

Spending only 8 hours in Rome? 5 hours in Paris? These cities easily require several days, and I didn’t feel spending such a short amount of time in these destinations would do them any justice.

Related: Western Mediterranean cruise guide

Because of this, I looked for itineraries that had little travel time from port to city. I knew I didn’t want to spend hours in transit on port days, as this can quickly get exhausting.

I ended up picking two itineraries in two very different regions of Europe:

1. A 7-night Spain & France cruise visiting La Rochelle and Le Havre (France) and Bilbao and La Coruna (Spain)
2. A 7-night Greek & Adriatic cruise visiting Mykonos, Chania, and Zakynthos (Greece), Kotor (Montenegro), and Split (Croatia)

Despite selecting itineraries visiting both touristy and lesser-known destinations, I couldn’t help but remain skeptical of whether or not this would be the best way to travel Europe.

Reality: Cruising Europe can be a perfect way to see certain cruise ports

While I initially thought I wouldn’t enjoy a European cruise as much as a land-based vacation, I was surprised at how much I loved my experience. I found that many ports were better to visit via cruise ship than independently.

While cruising around Greece, for example, it was hard to miss the crowds of tourists embarking and disembarking ferries. Getting around the Greek Isles requires traveling via boat or constantly flying from island to island.

Traveling via cruise ship meant I could travel to several islands without booking separate ferries that would, undoubtedly, be less comfortable than a Royal Caribbean ship.

On two 7-night cruises, I visited 9 ports in 5 countries. When you count embarkation and disembarkation ports, I experienced 12 unique destinations in Europe, from the bustling metropolis of Athens to the quaint village of Ravenna, Italy.

Related: 30 best European cruise tips

I could never have done this on a land-based vacation in the same amount of time. Catching trains, buses, and ferries from destination to destination would have been exhausting. Being on a cruise ship meant we traveled when I was eating dinner, catching a show, or sleeping.

It was so nice to not have to worry about transportation logistics, which is often a huge pain when taking a land-based vacation.

Expectation: Every port would be a tourist trap

Thousands of passengers disembarking from multiple cruise ships in port each day seemed like it would be the exact opposite of what I was looking for in a vacation.

While I don't mind visiting tourist sites, I much prefer traveling to small towns where I can truly experience a region’s culture. I enjoyed seeing the Colosseum in Rome just as much as sipping an espresso in small town Sicily. I don’t travel just to tick items off a list, but to immerse myself in a destination.

I was worried each cruise port would be way too busy and I would spend the whole day in huge crowds unable to discover even a hint of local culture.

Reality: All ports, even touristy ports, offered authentic experiences

While walking along the quiet streets of Le Havre, France (baguette in hand), I was surprised at how local the city felt. After so many Caribbean cruises filled with ports built specifically for tourists and far too many Señor Frog locations, it was refreshing to feel like I was having a more genuine travel experience.

I didn’t have to worry about navigating huge crowds, worrying about pickpockets, and getting scammed into paying higher prices. My days were simple: walk around town, visit a local coffee shop, enjoy an outdoor lunch, hang out at a park or beach, and chat with locals to learn more about each destination.

My Greek & Adriatic cruise was definitely more touristy than my Spain & France sailing, but I never found the crowds unbearable. If you woke up early and were off the ship by ~8 AM, there were virtually no crowds in any cruise port.

I had the lowest expectations for Mykonos, Greece after realizing how touristy the island could be, but this ended up being one of my favorite ports I visited all summer.

Even though there were three ships in port the day we visited, we disembarked the ship early and were able to explore without a ton of crowds. While the island certainly got busier in the afternoon, it wasn’t hard to escape the crowds by walking further away from the main streets.

Related: Ultimate Greek Isles cruise guide

Exploring the side streets of Mykonos led us to a small, hole-in-the-wall bakery formed in 1420.

Little English was spoken at the bakery, which was a surprise in such a touristy area, and I navigated ordering through a combination of sign language, pointing, and laughing. The result?

One of the best meals I had throughout my vacation that was worlds away from the restaurants nearby where you’re constantly being pushed to purchase overpriced food and drinks.

I never expected to have these types of experiences in touristy cruise ports when I initially booked my cruise, so I was pleasantly surprised.

Expectation: I wouldn’t be able to taste local cuisine

If there’s one thing that makes me excited about exploring a new country or city, it’s food. Whether empanadas in Argentina or pho in Vietnam, food has been an important part of my travels over the past decade.

One of my initial concerns about cruising to Europe is that I wouldn’t be able to try local cuisine due to how many meals I would have on the cruise ship.

Don’t get me wrong... I love dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but eating Greek salad on the ship did not seem as appealing as eating Greek salad at an oceanfront restaurant in Crete.

Reality: I had amazing cuisine every port day

When cruising, you have to make a decision of whether you want to spend money on food in port or head back to the ship for meals you already paid for in your cruise fare.

Even though I could technically get “free” food onboard, I made a point to budget roughly $20 for food in port each day. I couldn’t imagine cruising to Greece and not trying moussaka, visiting Spain and not ordering sangria, and exploring Italy without eating fresh pasta!

Related: Must-eat foods on a cruise to Italy

From spanakopita in Mykonos to tapas in Bilbao, I loved the variety of cuisine I could enjoy when visiting a new port each day.

As a matter of fact, the ratatouille crepe I ordered in La Rochelle was so delicious that I briefly considered packing up and moving to France!

I would cruise to Europe again and again just for the opportunity to try so many cuisines in a short amount of time.

The major benefit of cruising Europe: unpacking only once

Whenever I picture a European vacation, I picture beautiful squares, pretty sunsets, outdoor dinners, and historic monuments. What I always forget about, though, is how terrible it is to carry luggage from place to place while traveling through Europe.

I have not so fond memories of walking around Europe with my large backpack on my back, waiting on the floor of train stations with my luggage, and constantly living out of a bag from city to city. While visiting multiple cities around Europe is always an amazing experience, constantly unpacking and packing my bags gets old quickly.

It was beyond freeing to be able to disembark the cruise ship at a new port with only a few items in our daypack. Whenever we saw a group of flustered tourists walking around Europe’s cobblestone streets with tons of luggage and bags, we were extremely grateful our luggage was on the cruise ship.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

It certainly spoiled us, and we struggled immensely once off the ship and traveling on our own throughout Italy after the cruise! Only having to unpack once was one of the biggest benefits of cruising Europe.

Another reason to cruise Europe: The fantastic value

Cruises always offer a great value for a vacation, and I found this to be especially true in Europe.

My 7-night cruise to Greece, for example, was priced at only $1300 for 2 guests in an interior stateroom including gratuities. This brought the daily cost to only $92 per person, per night.

Related: How much does a Mediterranean cruise cost?

Considering this price included accommodation, food, and transportation to 5 different ports, I thought it offered an unbeatable price compared to doing this itinerary on a land-based vacation.

Even if I had stayed at a cheap hostel and found budget-friendly restaurants each day, I still would have spent a similar amount of money on a land-based vacation with far fewer comforts. I’d much rather stay in a comfortable cruise cabin than a hostel dorm room!

So… do I prefer traveling Europe via cruise ship or taking a land-based vacation?

While I was initially concerned cruising would not be a nice way to travel Europe, it quickly became my favorite region to cruise in the world.

Each cruise port offered so much history, culture, and activities to discover. From dining at outdoor cafes to hiking along gorgeous coastal paths and exploring quaint alleys, every day offered authentic, diverse experiences.

I sometimes find Caribbean cruise ports way too touristy, and it can be difficult to find local culture in between touristy restaurants and souvenir shops. While I’ll take laying on a pristine, white-sand beach over working in the office any day, I found that a European cruise fits my travel style better.

I have to say that I’m still a bit skeptical that a Western Mediterranean cruise would be worth it compared to traveling that region on a land-based vacation. It’s hard for me to justify spending 1-2 hours in transit each way to visit world-class cities like Rome and Florence just to spend only a few hours in the city.

I think I'll just have to plan another European cruise to visit the Western Mediterranean and experience it for myself!

Will I stop planning land-based vacations to Europe? Definitely not. I still love traveling slowly not only in Europe, but anywhere in the world, and it offers a way to immerse myself in new cultures that is impossible to do on a cruise. In fact, I recently spent two weeks traveling Portugal and Spain by bicycle. It doesn’t get much slower than that!

So while I’ll certainly still plan land-based vacations in Europe for more in-depth travel, I’m already looking forward to discovering more coastal destinations in Europe via cruise ship.

Norway? Canary Islands? Sicily? Turkey? Iceland? Count me in.

Back in January, I purchased The Key on my Royal Caribbean cruise to determine if this cruise add-on is worth the extra cost. At the time of my first review on The Key, I determined that the benefits were not worth the price.

Nine months later, it was time to give The Key another try.

On my recent 6-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, I purchased The Key to see if my experience would be different from my first cruise with The Key on Harmony of the Seas.

I sailed on Harmony of the Seas when cruises were sailing with limited capacity, and this meant some of the benefits (priority access to the terminal, private time at onboard activities, etc.) were not as important.

Now that I’ve disembarked Allure of the Seas, let’s dive in and see whether I thought The Key was worth the cost this time around—and if you should purchase The Key on your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Key benefits on Allure of the Seas

Benefits of The Key are subject to change by ship and sailing. These are the benefits I received on Allure of the Seas:

• Early access at the terminal
• Drop off your carry-on luggage in the Main Dining Room on embarkation day; carry-on luggage will be hand delivered to your stateroom
• Exclusive lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille menu
• Private time at onboard activities like rock climbing, FlowRider, etc.
• Priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports
• Seats in the exclusive VIP seating section at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B
• VOOM Surf & Stream package for one device
• Private à la carte breakfast and choice departure on disembarkation day

Related: Royal Caribbean’s The Key review

Cost of The Key

I purchased The Key for $24.99 per person, per day prior to my cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website. I was sailing solo in my stateroom, so I only had to purchase The Key for one guest, bringing the total cost to $149.94 on my 6-night cruise.

When choosing whether to purchase The Key or not, it’s important to take a look at current pricing for VOOM Surf & Stream internet packages. Because The Key includes an internet package for one device, it’s helpful to calculate the price difference between the two pre-cruise add-ons.

At the time I purchased The Key, the VOOM Surf & Stream internet package was offered for $19.99 per day. For only $5 more per day, I found The Key to be a great deal.

This was the lowest price difference I had ever seen between The Key and a regular VOOM Surf & Stream internet package.

Embarkation day benefits with The Key

Most of the best benefits of The Key are found on embarkation day.

Check-in time was slated to begin at 11:00 AM for The Key guests, but I was able to enter the terminal around 10:30 AM. The Key embarkation area was mixed with suite guests, and it offered a shorter line than the regular check-in area.

That being said, my original check-in time slot outside of The Key was 10:30 AM. I probably could have been one of the first in line at the regular check-in area and had a similarly quick embarkation process.

Once in the terminal, we were able to sit in an exclusive area just for The Key guests. After ~15 minutes or so of waiting, it was time to board Allure of the Seas.

Chops Grille lunch

One of my favorite benefits of The Key is the private embarkation day lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille menu.

While the menu offered at embarkation day lunch isn’t the full Chops Grille menu, it features many of the most popular dishes at the restaurant. Menus can change by ship and sailing.

This lunch ended up being one of my favorite meals I had all week on Allure of the Seas. I had never seen a blackened salmon offered at Chops Grille before, and it was beyond delicious.

In addition, I’m pretty sure it’s impossible to not enjoy a chocolate lava cake, and I fully savored every bite of my plate of gooey, chocolatey goodness for dessert.

The best benefit of embarkation day lunch, in my opinion, isn’t the food, but the ability to escape the chaos found at other dining venues onboard. The Windjammer, Park Cafe, and other embarkation day lunch spots can get crowded, so dining at a private lunch is a relaxing way to start any cruise vacation.

Luggage delivery

Another fantastic benefit of The Key is that carry-on luggage is hand delivered to your stateroom.

I travel only with a carry-on suitcase and I usually give my suitcase to the porters upon arrival at the terminal, hoping to see it in the hallway outside my room by ~5 PM.

What I appreciate with The Key is that I can bring my carry-on luggage to the Main Dining Room and know it will arrive promptly inside my cabin. In my experience, I’ve received my carry-on luggage several hours earlier with The Key than without.

The Key benefits throughout the cruise

Outside of embarkation day, there are other ways to enjoy benefits of The Key throughout your sailing.

The benefit I used most throughout the cruise was internet access. This is the benefit that makes The Key most worth the cost, especially when the price difference between internet packages and The Key is small.

Another benefit I used several times during my cruise was reserved seating in the Main Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B. Allure of the Seas has spectacular entertainment options, and it was nice to know I had access to some of the best seating in each venue.

The final benefit I enjoyed with The Key was an exclusive, à la carte breakfast on disembarkation day. The final morning of the cruise can be extremely hectic, so it was nice to enjoy a sit-down meal in the Main Dining Room away from the hustle and bustle found elsewhere onboard.

Benefits of The Key that I did not use

One benefit I did not take advantage of was select private times at onboard activities like the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, etc. This benefit would be nice for those looking to try several onboard activities, though, as I noticed long lines for these activities during non-Key times.

Another benefit I did not use was the priority tendering access for those with The Key, as we did not stop at any tender ports on the itinerary.

Was The Key worth it on my recent cruise?

After a week onboard Allure of the Seas, I determined that yes, The Key was worth the extra cost.

My main reason for determining that The Key was worth it was mostly because The Key was only $5 more per day than the VOOM Surf & Stream internet package. As I would be purchasing an internet package anyway, The Key was only $30 extra.

Priority access to the terminal, exclusive seating at entertainment, and private meals on embarkation and disembarkation day were well worth $30.

Would The Key have been worth the cost if it was $15-20 extra per day than the internet package? It’s unlikely.

When I purchased The Key on my Harmony of the Seas cruise back in January, for example, the internet was offered for $19 per day and The Key for $39 per day. For $20 extra per day, The Key was absolutely not worth the cost to me.

Additionally, I had my own cabin on this cruise. If you purchase The Key, everyone in your stateroom older than 6 must purchase it as well. This can easily get expensive, especially if the price difference between The Key and an internet package is significant.

Would I purchase The Key again? I would, but only if I found another deal like I found on my Allure of the Seas cruise. While I wouldn’t shell out $200 extra for The Key over an internet package, I would definitely consider it for $30-50 extra.

Finding the perfect hotel before a cruise can be challenging, but Fort Lauderdale’s new Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport is a strong contender for the best place to stay before a cruise departing from Port Everglades.

Prior to my recent Allure of the Seas cruise, I spent the night at the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel. When I stay at a pre-cruise hotel, I’m looking for the following requirements before booking:

• Close to the airport and port, but within walking distance to nearby hotels, shopping, and attractions
• New or updated amenities
• Price between $200-300 per night for a standard room

The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel had all of these requirements and then some. Because the hotel opened in fall 2021, it was almost brand new and on the surface looks like a great choice for taking a cruise from Fort Lauderdale.

This review covers our stay at the hotel including our room, dining, and thoughts on Marriott’s amenities and services at their Fort Lauderdale Airport location.

*Disclaimer: Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel invited Royal Caribbean Blog to spend the night and write a review on our experience.

First impressions

I was impressed with how clean and bright the lobby was, and there were plenty of comfy seating areas. The lobby had a trendy ambiance, with the bar and restaurant in the middle of the area. This definitely wasn’t a throw-it-together type of hotel lobby.

I was in a standard room, which had a king bed, desk, television, large wardrobe, and comfy lounge seating. The room did not have a balcony, but floor-to-ceiling windows brought more than enough light into the room.

The room had high ceilings, making it feel large, and there was no shortage of places to plug in your devices.

The Standard 1 King Bed room is priced around $200 on weekdays and $250 on weekends.

Proximity to airport and cruise port

I flew into Fort Lauderdale International Airport and caught a Lyft to the hotel, which was around $10 and took 10 minutes. The hotel also offers complimentary airport shuttles.

There is no self-parking at the hotel. Instead, valet parking is available for $25.

Traveling from the hotel to Port Everglades is a breeze, too, and the drive only takes around 10 minutes. Rideshare service to the port will cost around $13-15.

The hotel also offers a shuttle to the cruise port. Shuttle service is available three times throughout the day (9:55 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM). Shuttles cost $15 per person.

The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport Hotel is a 5-minute walk from Dania Pointe, an outdoor shopping and dining area in Dania Beach.

Being so close to Dania Pointe is convenient, especially for those flying into Fort Lauderdale and wanting to explore without the hassle of ordering an Uber.

I enjoyed walking around Dania Pointe and was even able to pick up some last-minute items I needed for the cruise at TJ Maxx. For those looking to dine outside the hotel, there were plenty of restaurants to choose from including a Brazilian steakhouse, ramen shop, and wine bar.

Dining

The Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport has one in-house restaurant, Radiant 166, which is located in the hotel’s lobby.

The menu was extensive with a balance of standard American fare and international cuisine, from Egyptian street food to Italian flatbreads and pasta. I appreciated the wide range of cuisines available as it wasn’t just a “choose a burger or sandwich” type of restaurant.

We started the meal with a hummus plate and avocado toast, both of which were excellent and made from fully fresh ingredients.

For my main course, I chose the Chicken Alfredo (although I subbed for salmon). Others at the table enjoyed a pepperoni flatbread and a Mediterranean pita dish.

For dessert, we opted for the strawberry and Nutella crêpe. Served with whipped cream and ice cream, it was certainly delicious.

I was impressed with the restaurant overall, and just like any hotel restaurant, it is extremely convenient to dine directly in the hotel. For those tired after a long travel day and not wanting to venture outside the hotel for dinner, it makes a solid option.

There is breakfast available every morning for an extra cost, and snacks and beverages are also available for purchase.

Other amenities

Platinum, Titanium, and Ambassador Elite members of Marriott Bonvoy have access to the hotel’s M Club lounge.

The lounge offers a complimentary buffet breakfast, light snacks throughout the day, and hors d'oeuvres in the evening. A coffee machine is also available for specialty drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.

Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport has an outdoor pool. The pool was quite large with plenty of chairs and comfortable day beds to enjoy. The pool's temperature was fairly chilly, although I thought it felt nice in the Florida humidity!

If you arrive at the hotel early the day before your cruise, this area is the best place to kick off your relaxing vacation as soon as possible.

A gym was also available with cardio and weight machines.

Final thoughts

I’ve stayed at three hotels near Fort Lauderdale’s airport, and this has been my favorite so far for the following reasons:

• It’s basically a brand-new hotel, so you get the benefits of a sparkly clean hotel with new amenities
• Convenient location right by Dania Pointe shopping center
• Close to the airport and cruise terminal

If I had to mention a drawback, it would be that the hotel does not have any suites. They offer rooms with two queen beds, but those hoping for separated bedrooms or living areas will have to look elsewhere.

The price of a standard room at the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Airport was comparable to other hotels I had stayed at in the same area, yet it offered more upgraded amenities and rooms.

I thought it offered the perfect place to get my cruise vacation the day before I boarded Allure of the Seas, and I would definitely book this hotel again on a future cruise departing Fort Lauderdale.

Bonus: hotel day pass

After my Allure of the Seas cruise, my flight from Fort Lauderdale International Airport did not leave until 3:30 PM. Instead of spending 6-7 hours waiting around at the airport, I purchased a $25 day pass to the Marriott Fort Lauderdale Hotel.

The day pass gave me access to the pool and fitness facilities, and it was a much more enjoyable experience than sitting at an airport terminal.

If you have a late flight booked following your cruise, a hotel day pass may be something to consider.

Royal Caribbean has always been a cruise line known for innovation, from creating the Royal Promenade to building the first “Central Park” at sea and, of course, designing the largest cruise ships in the world.

I love everything about cruising with Royal Caribbean, but I can’t help but brainstorm new ideas and features I’d love to see on the fleet’s future cruise ships.

Whether new specialty restaurants, onboard activities, or new cabins, here are 13 changes and upgrades I’d love to see incorporated on Royal Caribbean ships.

Promenade deck pool area

Photo credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

The outdoor Promenade deck is one of my favorite places on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship, especially on ships where the Promenade deck wraps entirely around the ship’s circumference.

The Promenade deck is such valuable real estate, yet it seems Royal Caribbean does not take advantage of this space as much as other cruise lines.

Many cruise lines use this space for comfy seating, hot tubs, pools, outdoor dining, bars, and other hangout spaces. I’d love to see this concept on a Royal Caribbean ship as opposed to just a walking area!

Thai restaurant

Thai cuisine is one of my absolute favorites, but it’s something that’s hard to come by on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Other than the occasional “pad thai” served in the Windjammer, I’ve never seen any other Thai dish offered onboard.

My top wish list for a new specialty restaurant would be a Thai restaurant, although I’m not sure this is ever something that will come to fruition as Royal Caribbean ships already have Izumi onboard for Asian cuisine.

Related: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

While Royal Caribbean caters to a wide population of guests and therefore tends to select cuisines well-known by all age groups (Italian, Mexican, American fare, etc.), more and more people are enjoying cuisines like Korean, Indian, Vietnamese, Thai, etc.

Expanding culinary options might attract more young people and foodies to Royal Caribbean cruises.

Street food stand

Another random item on my wishlist for future Royal Caribbean ships is a “street food” cart that changes locations around the ship.

One of my favorite parts of traveling is tasting local street food, whether elotes in Mexico, falafel in Egypt, or bánh mì in Vietnam, and I think street food has become increasingly popular in recent years.

It would be interesting to see Royal Caribbean take advantage of this trend by introducing some sort of “street food” on their cruise ships. I’m imagining a food cart with easy, made-to-order dishes that moves around the ship each day offering cuisine not found elsewhere onboard.

Food hall/marketplace

Photo credit: Virgin Voyages

If the street food cart is a little too far-fetched, I think there is great potential for a food hall/marketplace option on future Royal Caribbean ships.

Different from a buffet, a food hall consists of made-to-order food stands with diverse cuisines, from noodle bars to Texas-style barbecue and build-your-own salad stations.

Photo credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

This was a concept that first rolled out on Virgin Voyages cruise ships and recently debuted on the Norwegian Prima. Most items at the food halls on these ships are complimentary and it serves as a trendy dining location reminiscent of food truck parks and marketplaces in cities around the world.

I would love to see a food hall on a Royal Caribbean ship!

Solo travelers area

Many cruise passengers cruise solo, and it would be nice to see some sort of exclusive solo cruiser area onboard.

Norwegian Cruise Line, for example, has a solo cruiser-only area with studio cabins and a private Studio Lounge. Solo passengers can enjoy complimentary coffee, espresso, and snacks in the lounge as they get to know fellow solo cruisers.

This would be a nice concept to see on future Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and I would definitely take advantage of it when planning a solo cruise.

Related: What I learned from my first solo cruise

More hammocks

Both Mariner of the Seas and Independence of the Seas have a set of hammocks on the ships’ Sports Courts and I love this feature!

Swinging in a hammock is extremely relaxing, especially when on a cruise ship, and it’s the perfect place to hang out and enjoy an ocean view. More hammocks, please!

World-themed ship

I visited Walt Disney World’s Epcot for the first time last year and enjoyed the global atmosphere of the park. Epcot’s World Showcase consists of 11 distinct areas representing countries around the world, including Canada, France, Morocco, Germany, Norway, and Mexico.

Each of these showcases features dining, shopping, architecture, and attractions themed by the country it represents, and it’s a unique way to “see the world” from one place.

A few months ago while onboard a cruise ship, I was reminiscing about my time in Epcot and thought the global theme could be a really cool idea for a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Because Royal Caribbean has so many restaurants from diverse cuisines already, the ship’s theme could incorporate these restaurants into their own “enclaves” themed by different countries in the world.

More outlets in public areas

It’s very difficult to find an electrical outlet in public areas on Royal Caribbean ships, and when you do, it’s often in an inconvenient location and a European-style outlet.

Many people work remotely nowadays and Royal Caribbean is adding Starlink internet to all of its ships. The combination of these two factors may mean demand for working remotely on a cruise ship will soar.

It would be nice to see more outlets in public spaces onboard, although I’m not totally sure this will happen. After all, Royal Caribbean wants its guests to be enjoying the cruise ship’s amenities (and spending money on drinks, shopping, etc.) instead of being on their laptop all day!

Labels on Windjammer food items

I love eating at the Windjammer on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but I wish they had labels on the items. Some cruise lines have more in-depth labels above each food item listing ingredients and allergy information, and this is really helpful for passengers with dietary restrictions or allergies.

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean's Windjammer Cafe buffet

While I don’t have any food allergies, I am a pescatarian and frequently find myself asking crew members in the Windjammer if they know which ingredients are in a particular food item. I imagine this is a lot worse for those with gluten sensitivities, dairy allergies, etc., so it would be nice to see more labels in the Windjammer and other food locations onboard.

More of The Bamboo Room bar locations

My favorite bar on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship is The Bamboo Room, a Polynesian-inspired tiki bar found only on Navigator and Mariner of the Seas.

The tropical vibes, bossa nova music, and island-themed drinks of The Bamboo Room make it a place I visit time and time again, but unfortunately it's only found on two ships in the fleet.

Related: Check out the signature cocktails at The Bamboo Room on Mariner of the Seas

The vibe of The Bamboo Room perfectly fits the atmosphere I’m looking for on a cruise vacation, and I would be super excited to see more locations on new Royal Caribbean ships or amplifications!

Roller coaster

Photo credit: Carnival Cruise Line

While spending the day at Perfect Day at CocoCay’s Thrill Waterpark last year, I learned the hard way that water slides make me feel extremely claustrophobic.

Sliding in circles in a pitch-black slide with water gushing everywhere? I loved it when I was younger, but now not so much.

That being said, I still love adrenaline-filled activities and would be interested to see some sort of roller coaster ride onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Photo credit: Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival just debuted the BOLT Sea Coaster on the new Carnival Mardi Gras, and this ride looks like a ton of fun. I hope to see a similar feature incorporated on future Royal Caribbean ships!

Language classes

Earlier this year while sailing on Harmony of the Seas, I noticed a few short language classes appeared in the Cruise Compass. I’d never seen this before on a Royal Caribbean ship, so I made sure to attend the 45 minute Spanish class at the Schooner Bar.

I had a ton of fun at the class and would love to see this type of activity offered more often! On my cruise to Greece, for example, it would have been both fun and helpful to attend a short language class so I could have learned basic phrases to use in port.

Movie theater

I recently returned from an Alaska cruise on Radiance of the Seas, and one of my favorite features on the ship was the Cinema.

Every Radiance Class ship has a movie theater onboard which plays free movies several times per day, every day of the cruise. The cinema offered a much better viewing atmosphere than watching a movie on the pool deck, and it was fun to catch a movie on a sea day to pass the time.

While I’m not sure Royal Caribbean will incorporate more movie theaters into their new cruise ships, I certainly enjoyed my experience at the Cinema!

Which features would you love to see on new Royal Caribbean cruise ships? Do you agree with my ideas? Let me know in the comments!

Planning a cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is known for its ancient Mayan ruins and freshwater cenotes, and I wanted to experience the best of both worlds on my recent port day in Cozumel.

I booked the Tulum Ruins & Mayan Cenote tour through Royal Caribbean. This excursion combines a visit to the oceanfront Tulum Archeological site with time to swim at nearby cenotes.

This tour was located on mainland Mexico as opposed to the island of Cozumel, so I knew I was in for an adventure.

Booking options

Because of the ferry involved from the island of Cozumel to mainland Mexico, I booked this excursion directly through Royal Caribbean.

I usually prefer to book smaller tours through independent companies, but I had heard stories of ferries being delayed and causing people to miss the cruise ship.

I figured it was best to book directly through Royal Caribbean for the added protection.

Related: Is it better to book excursions through the cruise ship?

I purchased the Tulum Ruins & Mayan Cenote tour for $101.99 on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website.

Transportation to the mainland

All tours traveling to mainland Mexico from Cozumel met in the ship’s theater at 7:45 AM. Up bright and early, I was expecting to leave shortly after the meeting time, but we didn’t leave the theater until around 8:20 AM.

We boarded the Winjet Fast Ferry to the mainland, and there are two levels: an outdoor deck and an indoor deck with no window views.

I chose to sit indoors and this turned out to be a huge mistake. I had heard stories of the ferry being miserable through choppy waters between Cozumel and the mainland, and these stories are completely true.

The ferry ride was beyond miserable. Multiple people were vomiting around me and I was doing everything in my power to not throw up myself!

I’ve never wanted to kiss the ground more than when I disembarked the ferry on the mainland. Thankfully the non-drowsy Dramamine I took before the ferry saved me and I arrived in Playa del Carmen unscathed.

On the way back, I sat on the top deck so I could keep my eyes on the horizon throughout the whole journey. Being outside was much better than indoors.

Tulum Ruins

Following the 45 minute ferry, our group of 44 passengers boarded a 1 hour bus to the Tulum archaeological site.

The Tulum Archeological Site is the only site in Mexico's Quintana Roo state facing the Caribbean Sea, and the city was once the center of land and sea trade in the region. It is thought to have been constructed between 1200 AD and 1450 AD.

Many temples and buildings are located right on the ocean, leading to spectacular views of ancient history mixed with turquoise Caribbean waters.

Our tour included a wonderful guide, Tony, and it was fascinating to learn about the traditions and culture of those who once called this site home. We were given earpieces to wear so everyone could hear the guide.

The archeological site was not outrageously busy when we visited, and we were given an hour of free time to explore after our ~1 hour tour of the ruins.

I always enjoy visiting archeological sites, and the Tulum Ruins are particularly beautiful as they are right on the water. They were all well-preserved and I appreciated that visitors are neither permitted to climb on the ruins nor walk on the beaches to keep the site in excellent condition.

After exploring on my own, I headed back to the entrance of the archaeological site, where there are souvenir shops and places to eat. Our tour included a small sandwich in the morning, but most guests ordered tacos at the site.

Cenote tour

After around two hours at the Tulum Ruins, we boarded the bus for a quick, 15-minute drive to the second part of our excursion: a cenote tour.

Cenotes are natural sinkholes formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, exposing the groundwater below. The Yucatán Peninsula is said to have over 6,000 cenotes.

These have become popular tourist destinations in recent years, allowing visitors to cool off in the region’s hot temperatures in a natural, tropical oasis.

Our tour brought us to two cenotes. I had never seen a cenote before and they were just as beautiful as I had imagined.

The first cenote was fully exposed to open air and had clear, cold water perfect for swimming. We were provided life jackets as the cenotes are quite deep, and many visitors were cliff jumping into the cenote from above.

The 5-minute walk to the second cenote was beautiful along a path through mangroves.

The second cenote was in a cave, and our group was guided into the cave’s small opening and through an underground pathway to the other side.

Food and drink stands were available throughout the cenote complex, and I ordered a fresh mango and passion fruit juice before starting the long journey back to Cozumel.

What I liked about this tour

I felt this tour had a nice mix of history, natural beauty, and adrenaline. It was interesting to visit mainland Mexico from Cozumel even if it required the choppy ferry ride, and the two destinations we visited were undeniably beautiful.

I loved being able to cool down in the cenotes after walking around the Tulum Ruins in the September humidity, and I’d love to explore more cenotes on future visits to Mexico.

Our driver and two guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the tour.

What I didn’t like

One of the reasons I don’t book Royal Caribbean excursions or large group tours very often is due to how slowly the tours move.

A lot of this excursion was spent waiting around for all guests to finish at the bathrooms, board the bus, arrive at the theater in the morning, etc.

Additionally, while the cenotes were gorgeous and refreshing, our time at the cenotes was very brief. We were only given around 15 minutes to swim at each cenote, and there were a lot of crowds. I felt our time at the ruins was a good length, however.

The ferry was by far the worst part of the day, so if you’re planning this tour it’s imperative to pack motion-sickness medication and sit on the outdoor deck.

Should you book this shore excursion?

While this tour had its downsides, it still offered the quintessential Yucatán vacation experience of visiting ruins and cenotes. The Tulum Ruins are larger and more impressive than anything found on Cozumel, so if you’re interested in visiting Mayan Ruins it’s worth the trip.

Plus, when you look back at the tour in 10 years, you won’t remember the nausea-inducing ferry ride or summer humidity. What you will remember are the fantastic sites, history, and nature you experienced!

If you do select this tour, I’d highly recommend planning more relaxing port days for the rest of your itinerary. This tour is tiring and busy; it lasted 9 hours!

Booking an all-inclusive beach club or catamaran tour for the other port days on your cruise is a good idea to ensure you don’t get too worn out.

I would not recommend trying to do this excursion on your own. Due to lengthy travel time required with the ferry, it’s best to book directly through Royal Caribbean.

More excursion recommendations and reviews:

• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
• Excursion Focus: Chacchoben Ruins in Costa Maya
• Excursion Focus: Pearl Island Beach Escape in Nassau
• Things to do in Cozumel on your Royal Caribbean cruise
• Nachi Cocom Cozumel excursion review
• Ultimate Mexico cruise guide

Costa Maya is one of the busiest cruise ports in Mexico, and we’re always looking for new excursions to try in this small beach town. We recently tried an all-inclusive day pass at Jaime’s at the Blue Reef, a local hotel near the port, to see if the amenities, food, and drinks were worth the admission fee.

The result? A gorgeous beach day complete with spicy tacos, refreshing margaritas, and luxurious pool views.

Let's take a look at our experience at Jaime's at the Blue Reef to help you determine if you should give it a try on your next visit to Costa Maya.

Overview

Jaime’s at the Blue Reef is a 10 minute taxi ride away from the Costa Maya cruise port, and a taxi costs $4 per person each way. It is located in the small beachfront town of Mahahual, Mexico.

Jaime’s at the Blue Reef is a hotel and restaurant offering day passes to cruise ship guests. Capacity is kept low in an effort to provide the best service possible. No more than 28 day passes are sold each day.

All-inclusive day passes at Jaime’s at the Blue Reef include the following amenities:

• Unlimited food and beverages
• Private spot on the beach with padded lounge chairs
• Shaded palapas
• Kayaks, floats, and paddle boards
• Pool access (dependent on availability and adults-only)
• Wi-fi

Day passes at Jaime’s at the Blue Reef often sell out, so it’s important to reserve your booking ahead of time. To reserve a day pass, visit the official website for Jaime’s at the Blue Reef.

At the time of review, the cost of admission was:

• Adults: $57 USD
• 13 to 17: $33 USD
• 6 to 12: $19.95 USD
• 5 & under: Free

After being checked in, a staff member will escort your group to your private, padded lounge chairs and palapa along the beach.

Amenities

Jaime's at the Blue Reef has a calm, clean, and warm beach which is protected from strong currents and seaweed by a barrier in the water.

The water is so calm, clear, and warm that it is almost like swimming in a bathtub, and the sand is soft with no rocks and very little seaweed.

Water sport equipment is available at no extra charge, and many guests (mostly kids) chose to try a kayak or stand up paddle in the protected beach area.

The padded beach loungers are sufficiently shaded from the palapa and coconut trees above.

Jaime’s at the Blue Reef has a small pool located on the roof, although day pass guests should check with the hotel before booking to see if the pool will be available.

When we visited, the pool was only open to adults. There is no shade at the pool, but it offers panoramic views of the ocean, town, and coral reefs in the distance.

Jaime’s at the Blue Reef does not offer services like massages, boat tours, etc., but these activities are offered by other local companies located just a few feet from the hotel. A snorkeling tour may be offered by Jaime’s each day, but it’s best to contact the hotel for availability and pricing.

Guests can enjoy unlimited food and drinks throughout the day at Jaime’s at the Blue Reef, and this offers a great value for those hoping to taste a variety of foods and snacks.

The food menu had both standard Mexican fare (tacos, quesadillas, nachos, ceviche, etc.) and also American fare (hamburgers, onion rings, chicken fingers, etc.).

Jaime's at the Blue Reef has a cocktail and beer menu available along with a selection of non-alcoholic beverages.

Waiters can bring food and drinks to your beach chair or you can sit at the shaded bar and restaurant area.

Comments

I’m not a fan of the immediate port area where cruise ships dock in Costa Maya as it feels very inauthentic, so I always search for things to do in the nearby town of Mahahual instead.

I like how the hotel's location is right in the middle of the town of Mahahual, as it was easy to access, yet I didn't feel "stuck" at a resort with nowhere else to go.

After lunch, I took a walk around Mahahual's Boardwalk. I love this small town and it's always fun to walk around, shop, and chat with locals. This is something I wouldn't be able to do as easily at a more secluded resort, and it was a nice way to break up the day.

Because it was located along the busy beachfront boardwalk, however, there were frequent visits from locals trying to sell souvenirs like sunglasses, jewelry, trinkets, etc. This could be a downside for some guests, although none of the vendors were pushy, so I didn't mind.

Beach & Pool

I appreciated the calm waters at the beach, as I don’t enjoy fighting strong waves or currents. There was virtually no seaweed in the water, too, which was a huge plus.

The beach area had enough space for all guests, although chairs were relatively close together.

The pool was one of my favorite amenities at Jaime’s at the Blue Reef, and although it’s not listed on the hotel’s website as a day pass amenity, it was available when we were in town.

When I went to the pool, there were no other guests there, so I had the entire area to myself. While the pool isn’t very convenient to access (it’s on the roof of the 4-story hotel with no elevator), it’s well worth the trek for gorgeous views of Costa Maya.

Jaime explained that this area permits topless sunbathing, so it’s an adults-only area.

Food & Drink

I wasn’t sure how authentic the food would be at Jaime’s and was a bit skeptical once I saw how many American foods were on the menu. These worries quickly went away, however, with my first bite of guacamole.

I did not expect such a delicious appetizer. There’s no question that the guacamole is made-to-order with fresh avocados, and I could have eaten only chips and guacamole all day and been satisfied!

I also tried two varieties of tacos: fish and vegetable tempura. You can’t go wrong with tacos, and the two hot sauce selections were impressively spicy.

The highlight of the meal came when Jaime, the owner of Jaime’s at the Blue Reef, made a fresh, tropical fish ceviche. Made with white fish, pineapple, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, and black sesame seeds, it was tangy, savory, and sweet at the same time.

With the combination of Mexican and American fare offered, Jaime’s has a crowd-pleasing menu suitable for even the pickiest eaters.

As far as drinks go, I had no complaints and enjoyed a fresh pineapple juice and margarita. Others in our group ordered Modelos, a Tequila Sunrise, and (a few too many) shots of tequila.

Waiter service was relatively quick for both food and drinks, and all staff members were remarkably friendly. They constantly walked around the beach to check if we wanted to order anything else.

Final thoughts

I would definitely visit Jaime’s at the Blue Reef on future trips to Costa Maya. Considering the day pass includes a private, shaded beach chair, beach and pool access, drinks, food, water sports equipment, and wi-fi, I thought it offered a great value.

It wasn’t hard to “break even” on the $57 day pass, especially when considering the price of food and drinks in the immediate Costa Maya cruise port.

It was hard to find any complaints with the day pass, but if I had to pick a downside it would be the location of the pool, as it isn’t convenient to access on the roof. That being said, the pool location was a huge benefit to me as I could relax with stunning beach views.

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive beach day in a convenient, centrally-located area of Mahahual, Jaime’s at the Blue Reef may be the best choice for your day in port.

More all-inclusive day pass reviews:

• Excursion Focus: Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya
• Nachi Cocom 2021 Cozumel excursion review
• Cozumel's Del Mar Latino Beach Club all-inclusive day pass review

We have a look at some changes and updates Royal Caribbean has made or announced over the past few days.

From removing the option to pre-book entertainment to supporting a local school in the South Pacific and announcing itinerary updates, here’s everything you should know about this week.

Royal Caribbean will not bring back option to pre-book entertainment

UPDATE: Entertainment is available to reserve for Quantum and Oasis class ships 30 days before the sailing. 

Royal Caribbean donates educational resources and support to school in Vanuatu

Royal Caribbean is committed to supporting sustainable ocean communities through its Blue Green Promise initiative, and they’ve recently made a donation to a primary school in the South Pacific.

Royal Caribbean has partnered with Amaro Primary School on Lelepa Island, Vanuatu to provide educational resources to students and teachers.

This is the only school on Lelepa Island, home to Royal Caribbean’s future Perfect Day at Lelepa private destination. The school has over 70 students aged 5 to 14.

Related: First look at Perfect Day at Lelepa

Amaro Primary School has received renovation and repair support, computers and printers, teaching resources, and new desks and chairs.

Kathryn Lock, Royal Caribbean International Australia and New Zealand Director of Marketing, explained the importance of supporting local communities in the cruise line’s destinations.

“Around the world, we know we can only be as vibrant as the places we visit. We do all we can to help support the next generation of leaders and empower the communities we visit, from investing in educational resources to supporting conversation, education training, and providing skills training.”

Beyond supporting the school, Royal Caribbean has also provided the island with on-the-ground community support, including employing locals to conduct clean-ups on Lelepa Island’s beaches and installing solar lights in community spaces.

While Perfect Day at Lelepa does not yet have an opening date, it’s clear Royal Caribbean is working diligently with the community to make a positive impact on the lives of those calling Lelepa Island home.

Itinerary changes and updates in anticipation of Hurricane Ian

Hurricane season is at the forefront of several itinerary changes and updates for Royal Caribbean ships, with Hurricane Ian due to make landfall on Florida’s gulf coast on Wednesday.

Port Canaveral's U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) has set the current port conditions to ZULU, indicating that sustained Gale Force winds are predicted to make landfall within 12 hours. Due to this, the port has been temporarily closed.

In addition, Orlando International Airport will be closed at 10:30 AM EDT Wednesday, September 28 and is not expected to reopen until 10:30AM EDT on Friday, September 30.

UPDATED: September 29

The Mariner of the Seas September 29 sailing will now depart Saturday, October 1st and return on October 3rd.

Guests on this sailing have the choice of sailing and getting 3 days of your cruise fare as a refundable onboard credit. Or they can cancel for a 100% refund.

The September 30 sailing of Independence of the Seas out of Port Canaveral will now depart Saturday, October 1st and return as planned on Monday, October 3rd. 

Guests on this sailing have the choice of sailing and getting 2 days of your cruise fare as a refundable onboard credit. Or they can cancel for a 100% refund.

The Harmony of the Seas October 2 sailing from Port Canaveral will go on as planned.

Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas offers passengers nearly endless activities to choose from onboard. As one of the largest cruise ships in the world, it’s easy to overlook some of the ship’s features and amenities.

Knowing the “hidden” spots to discover on Allure of the Seas can make your cruise more enjoyable, whether it means skipping crowds at the Windjammer or relaxing in a quiet spot with an ocean view.

Here’s our list of the top 10 hidden secrets (and one bonus) on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas.

Secret sun deck

While the Solarium is located on deck 15 of Allure of the Seas, a secret outdoor sundeck can be accessed from deck 14.

If you take the forward elevators to deck 14 and walk all the way forward through the hallways, you’ll reach a large, outdoor sun deck that not many passengers know about.

In addition to the large deck space are two bridge wings that jet off the sides of Allure of the Seas. This might just be the best place to watch sailaway and sunsets onboard. Beware of the wind, however, as this part of the ship can get extremely windy!

Small wonders

Hidden all over Allure of the Seas are small wonders, small art pieces that are easily overlooked by those who don’t know they exist.

Small wonders look like a periscope/telescope and rise from the ground to eye-level. If you look through the “eyes” of the sculpture, you’ll find tiny, cool art inside to enjoy.

Finding small wonders is a lot of fun for kids and adults, and there are over twenty of them all over Allure of the Seas.

Hint: If you give up and cannot find them all, Guest Services can provide you with a list of them to help!

Central Park secret deck

Just outside the elevator lobbies on deck 9, aft of Allure of the Seas are two small balconies overlooking Central Park.

Each of these balconies has a table and two chairs, and it’s a relaxing spot to enjoy a drink, play cards, or simply relax with a view. It’s also one of the best spots to get your photo taken with Central Park in the background.

Carnival games

Cruising with kids? Open your Royal Caribbean app, click on the “Games” tab at the bottom of the screen next to the Excursions button, and head to the Boardwalk.

Located across from Sabor Bar on the Boardwalk are three posters that, at first glance, appear to be solely for decoration.

These posters actually lead you to a game within Royal Caribbean’s app, and can be a fun activity for kids to try while onboard.

There are three games to play: Splish Splash Soak, Duck Duck Bear, and Go-Go Gopher. You can activate the game by first selecting the game on Royal Caribbean's app and then pointing your phone at the poster on the Boardwalk.

Shuffleboard and viewing area

Walking all the way through the Boardwalk will lead you to the AquaTheater. If you circle around the AquaTheater, you’ll find a path along the aft of Allure of the Seas.

This viewing area offers not only phenomenal views of the ship’s wake, but you can also play shuffleboard here and look in the ship’s direction for a unique viewpoint of the Boardwalk neighborhood.

If you’re looking for one of the best selfie spots on Allure of the Seas, this is it.

Adirondack chairs

Allure of the Seas has a jogging/running track outdoors that wraps around deck 5 of the ship, but did you know there are seating areas on this deck offering unbeatable views of the ship’s wake?

If you walk all the way to the back of the ship on the running track, you’ll run into several comfortable Adirondack chairs near the railing. This makes for a quiet, peaceful spot to enjoy an ocean view without the crowds you’ll find on the pool deck or in the Solarium.

Aquatheater show viewing area

Did you forget to make reservations for the AquaTheater show and your showtime of choice is fully booked? If so, there’s still a way you can enjoy the show without a reservation.

Deck 7, aft on both the port and starboard sides of the ship is used for rock climbing during the day. At night, however, these decks can be one of the best places to watch AquaTheater shows in the evening, and you won’t need a reservation to watch the show from there.

You can access these decks by walking to the AquaTheater on the Boardwalk and up a flight of stairs (follow the signs for “Rock Climbing Wall”). If you don’t have a reservation, walk all the way aft through the hallways on deck 7. A door is found at the end of the hallway that will take you to the outdoor deck.

Best breakfast spot: Johnny Rockets

If you want one of the best breakfast spots on Allure of the Seas that will not be nearly as crowded as the Windjammer, head to Johnny Rockets on the Boardwalk.

On Allure of the Seas, Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast and offers some great traditional breakfast items, such as pancakes, omelets, French toast, and more.

The best part? It’s free! Johnny Rockets is complimentary for breakfast on Allure of the Seas (lunch and dinner still cost extra).

Embarkation day lunch spots

The Windjammer buffet can get pretty busy on embarkation day since so many guests head there for lunch immediately after boarding Allure of the Seas. Instead of the Windjammer, there are some good alternatives to consider that will be far less crowded.

Sabor, Park Cafe, Boardwalk Dog House, Wipe Out Cafe, and Johnny Rockets are all open on embarkation day on Allure of the Seas and you will find great food without the crowds.

Exit the Amber Theater on deck 5

Whether you’re watching Mamma Mia or the Love & Marriage Game Show, you’ll probably find yourself in the Amber Theater at one point or another on Allure of the Seas.

Imagine this: you just finished seeing another great show in the theater and it’s time to leave. The problem? There’s a huge crowd of people all trying to exit the theater at once and the line doesn’t seem to be moving.

Your best bet is to head up to deck 5 (the upper level of the Amber Theater) and exit on that deck.

Why? Deck 4 (the main entrance) empties into a narrow elevator lobby and the casino, whereas deck 5 opens up into the Royal Promenade. There is physically far more space for guests to exit on deck 5.

BONUS: The best drink you don’t know about: Cucumber Martini

There are so many drinks to try on any Royal Caribbean cruise, but if you are on Allure of the Seas, you should go out of your way to try a drink unique to this class of ships: The Cucumber Martini.

The cucumber martini has reached cult status with many Royal Caribbean fans and is available at two bars onboard: 150 Central Park and the Champagne Bar.

This drink is light, very refreshing, and is also quite tasty!

Planning a cruise on Allure of the Seas? Check out more of our best tips and tricks:

• The Oasis Class features that are only left on Allure of the Seas
• All about Oasis Class cruise ships
• Top 25 free things you can do on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class cruise ships

One of the biggest complaints about Royal Caribbean's Boardwalk balcony cabins is that they are too loud, but is it true?

I’m currently onboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, and I’m staying in a Boardwalk balcony cabin for the week to see if these unique cabins are worth it—or if it’s better to book a different type of cabin.

When I booked this cruise, I was surprised to see a Guarantee Balcony room offered for a lower price than an interior cabin. Booking the cheapest cabin is always a priority, and although I wasn't able to select the exact cabin location, it was too good a deal to pass up.

Related: Should I book a guarantee stateroom on a cruise?

I've called my cozy Boardwalk Balcony cabin home for the past 48 hours, so it's time to answer... are Boardwalk balcony cabins too loud for a relaxing cruise vacation?

What is a Boardwalk Balcony?

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class cruise ships are unique in that they have a split design with open-air space in the middle of the ship. Two distinct neighborhoods are found in the open-air areas of the ship: Central Park and the Boardwalk.

Related: Guide to balcony staterooms on Royal Caribbean

Located in these neighborhoods are restaurants, retail, entertainment, and attractions, but they’re also home to six decks of balcony cabins on each side of the ship.

Unlike traditional ocean view balconies, neighborhood cabins look out toward their respective neighborhoods. In my case, my cabin has a view of the colorful, carnival-themed Boardwalk with a limited ocean view to the right.

I was assigned to a cabin on deck 9 directly over the Boardwalk’s carousel. The cabin is spacious, well-kept, and a wonderful place to call home for the week, but the question remains…

Are Boardwalk Balcony cabins too loud?

Many of the noisiest areas on Allure of the Seas are located either above, below, or adjacent to my cabin.

Above is the Sports Deck, which hosts sports tournaments throughout the day, and the ship’s zip line, which flies a new passenger over the Boardwalk neighborhood every few minutes.

Below you’ll find the hustle and bustle of the Boardwalk. Thousands of passengers pass through the neighborhood on any given day, whether they’re riding the carousel, grabbing an ice cream cone, stopping by the arcade, or dining at one of three restaurants found in the neighborhood.

Related: All about Oasis Class ships

To the right of my balcony is the AquaTheater entertainment venue, which has several showtimes throughout the cruise and countless activities held there throughout the day.

There’s a lot going on on the Boardwalk, but how much can be heard from my room?

Zip lines, sports court, and carousel

The first noise I noticed while taking a rest in my Boardwalk balcony cabin was a carnival-themed song playing at the carousel. If I had to pick the “worst” part of staying in a Boardwalk balcony, this would definitely be it.

The carousel is available to ride for a few hours each day of the cruise, and in the spirit of creating that nostalgic feeling the Boardwalk neighborhood is so famous for, carnival-themed music plays over and over whenever the carousel is open. A bell also rings every time the carousel is about to start, which happens every few minutes.

Listening to the same childlike music and the bell over and over throughout the day got annoying pretty quickly. I’d advise selecting a Boardwalk balcony further away from the carousel as you should hear less noise from the ride throughout the day.

The saving grace is that the carousel doesn’t open until 10AM, meaning you can enjoy peace and quiet on your balcony in the mornings!

Outside of the carousel, I heard noise from a sports competition taking place on the Sports Deck, although these only happen one or two times a day so it wasn’t bothersome.

I thought the zip line would be more annoying considering it flies right over the Boardwalk balcony cabins, but it was much quieter than I thought.

AquaTheater shows and activities

Perhaps the loudest noise from my cabin comes from the AquaTheater. Performances are not quiet, with cheers of the crowd, high-energy music, and announcements blaring noise I could hear not only from my balcony, but from the inside of my cabin as well.

Luckily, performances are only offered a few nights during the cruise and only from around 8 to 11 each night, so the noise wasn’t anything too terrible. I was out of my cabin during most showtimes anyway.

While noise from the AquaTheater shows may seem like a drawback, I find this to be one of the biggest benefits of staying in a Boardwalk balcony. While I chose to see one show in the AquaTheater itself, I could also watch other showtimes directly from the comfort of my balcony.

Some Boardwalk balcony rooms are located almost directly above the AquaTheater, meaning you’ll have a private viewing location for the show comparable to what you’ll see from one of the more expensive AquaTheater suites.

Activities like the World’s Sexiest Man Competition and the Top Tier Event were held at the AquaTheater during the day, and just like the AquaTheater shows, I could hear everything from both my balcony (loud and clear) and inside the cabin (muffled).

Should you book a Boardwalk balcony room?

If you’re looking for privacy, peace, and quiet, a Boardwalk balcony room is probably not the best cabin for you. These rooms bring excellent people watching opportunities and a vibrant atmosphere, but they are hardly as relaxing as an ocean view balcony.

Ocean view balconies are more expensive for a reason—they offer an expansive ocean view, privacy, and little outside noise. If you don’t mind paying a bit more for an ocean view balcony, I’d say it’s certainly worth the upgrade.

If an ocean view balcony cabin is out of your budget, though, and you’re choosing between an interior, ocean view (porthole), or Boardwalk balcony, definitely book the Boardwalk cabin.

Even if the room is noisy, you can't beat the extra space a balcony provides and being able to see the sun from your room. Plus, while the ocean view is limited from a Boardwalk balcony cabin, it is way better than having no ocean view at all!

Personally, despite this being the noisiest cabin I’ve had so far, I would most definitely book a Boardwalk balcony room again, especially if it was offered at a lower price than an interior room.

Do you need help choosing a cruise ship cabin? Check out our best tips & tricks:

• Choosing a cabin for your cruise
• What is the best location on a cruise ship?
• What’s the best cruise ship cabin for my family?
• The rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly