Today was the third and final night of our Bahamas cruise on Freedom of the Seas. We spent the day at Perfect Day at CocoCay while docked next to Mariner of the Seas.

While guests visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay yesterday encountered thunderstorms and rain, we were welcomed onto the island today with sunny skies, light cloud coverage, and a slight breeze.

My parents and I enjoyed a light breakfast in the Windjammer and walked around the running track a few times as Freedom of the Seas docked at CocoCay.

We got off the ship around 8AM and headed to Chill Beach. This is my preferred spot to relax on CocoCay due to the quieter atmosphere and plethora of chairs and umbrellas available. While we initially picked chairs right against the water, it was far too sunny so we decided to move back into the shade.

Next up was a swim at Oasis Lagoon, where we visited the swim up bar and enjoyed a cocktail. The water in both the pool and ocean today was quite chilly!

I had to make a brief stop back to the ship mid-day, and I couldn't believe how empty it was! Nearly everywhere onboard was empty around 11AM.

I headed back to shore around 11:30. It was noticeably more crowded during the afternoon than the morning, but it did not feel too crowded at CocoCay, even though there were probably around 7,000 - 8,000 passengers on the island. If you're looking for that quiet island-feel, though, make sure to get off the ship as soon as the gangway opens.

I wanted to show my parents as much of Perfect Day at CocoCay as possible, so we took the tram to South Beach. Here I grabbed a small lunch of mozzarella sticks from Snack Shack and went to find a shady place to sit.

Unfortunately South Beach does not have nearly as much seating as Chill Beach. All chairs with umbrellas were taken so we opted for a few chairs in the sun. While walking on the beach, I noticed the area of the beach that had been reserved for crew members has been converted into daybeds.

The far end of South Beach has a sandbar far into the water where visitors can walk out to and encounter warm water and great views. It was amazing how far you could walk into the water! I hung out there for a while, which had far warmer water than the main beach.

Next up after South Beach was a trip back to Oasis Lagoon, which had transformed from a quiet pool into a huge party. While it was not as insanely loud as the party at Oasis Lagoon when I visited the island on Wonder of the Seas during college spring break, there was definitely a high-energy party atmosphere!

It seems to be nearly impossible to find chairs near Oasis Lagoon once afternoon hits, but luckily there is a nice grassy area where we were able to lay down our towels.

After much fun in the sun, we got back onboard around 3PM and walked around the promenade deck with some incredible ocean and island views. The sprawling promenade deck is by far my favorite aspect of Freedom of the Seas.

Sailaway was at 5PM and we watched it from the helicopter pad. The helicopter pad is my favorite sailaway spot, and we watched as Mariner of the Seas departed for Port Canaveral, Florida followed by our own departure from Perfect Day at CocoCay.

We had dinner tonight at Izumi Hibachi. I had reserved this dinner ahead of time on the Cruise Planner app and was excited to show my parents what I think is the most fun restaurant in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Unsurprisingly, it ended up being a ton of fun! We were seated with four other guests and our chef put on a fantastic show with jokes, the scrambled egg “snake,” and song and dance. The food was delicious as usual, including the She’s a Geisha cocktail that I just have to get every time I eat at Izumi.

Dinner ended around 7PM and we wanted to catch our final sunset on Freedom of the Seas. We were headed directly west, so the sunset was best viewed from the front of the ship. Therefore we walked to the helicopter pad again where we were rewarded with gorgeous ocean views as we sailed toward Miami.

We then spent some time relaxing on the upper pool deck, shopping for souvenirs, and watching a bit of karaoke.

It was a Perfect Day at CocoCay today, both on the island and onboard the ship, and all too soon it was time to pack our bags and get ready for departure tomorrow. A 3-night cruise definitely feels short, especially when there is no sea day, but it was a wonderful trip overall, filled with exciting days in port and near perfect weather the entire cruise.

Keep an eye out on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel for our upcoming full ship tours of Oasis of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas. Thanks for following along on my live blogs!

Today is the second day of our 3-night Bahamas cruise and we docked in Nassau this morning around 7:30AM. I always love visiting the Bahamas, and I was looking forward to today's shore excursion to the picturesque Pearl Island.

Watching the ship sail into port is always a nice way to start the day, and I watched from the upper pool deck as Freedom of the Seas arrived in Nassau.

It's interesting to look at the western side of Paradise Island when sailing into Nassau. This land is what Royal Caribbean will be turning into the Royal Beach Club, one of the cruise line's upcoming major projects over the next couple years.

Related: What's New & Coming to Royal Caribbean in 2022, 2023, and 2024

A quick breakfast at the Windjammer was in order before getting my daypack ready to go ashore.

Pearl Island

I booked an excursion to Pearl Island, a small island located about a mile northeast of Paradise Island. I booked it through Royal Caribbean directly for around $93. My parents and I disembarked the ship around 8:15, where we met with the tour group and boarded a smaller vessel that would take us to the island.

The ride took around 30 minutes, and we were rewarded with beautiful views of Paradise Island and the large waterfront homes and golf courses along the way.

Our location on the boat right near the door meant we were the among first to be let off, so I quickly walked (ran) to find the best lounge chairs possible on the island. I had read reviews that the island could get crowded (note: it did not) and I wanted to make sure we had a nice shaded area to spend the day.

I picked three chairs under a covered structure with a perfect view of the beach.

A great benefit of an excursion to Pearl Island is that water sports activities are included in your tour price. While the water was a bit too choppy for standup paddles, my mom and I went kayaking around the beach and had a blast! The water was so clean and clear and we lucked out with perfectly sunny weather.

I was pretty shocked how relatively empty the island felt. Pearl Island sells both a regular beach-access day pass and a day pass that includes a snorkel tour on the opposite side of the island. Around half the guests on our boat had booked the snorkeling tour, so they were nowhere to be found at the beach for the first hour or two of the excursion.

Even when they finished snorkeling and when a second boat came to drop off passengers from the Disney Dream ship later in the morning, the island did not feel overly crowded.

Next up were drinks. Drinks (aside from iced tea and water at lunch) are not included in the excursion price at Pearl Island, but I found the prices to be fairly reasonable at $10-12 per cocktail. We ordered three Miami Vices which were extremely refreshing in the warm Caribbean sun.

A buffet lunch is included at Pearl Island, which consisted of Caribbean rice, BBQ chicken, fried grouper, and coleslaw. I thought it was pretty good for being included in the excursion cost.

We spent the next couple hours relaxing at Pearl Island before a nice, breezy ride back to Nassau at 1PM. I will be writing a full, in-depth review of Pearl Island, so be sure to check that out soon. Overall I liked the island even more than I initially thought I would!

Back in Nassau

My parents have never been to Nassau before, so I wanted to give them a short tour of the city. First we grabbed a beer at Pirate Republic Brewing followed by a walk around downtown Nassau.

Next I wanted to show them two places I discovered while wandering around Nassau during my Independence of the Seas cruise in January: the Queen's Staircase and Fort Fincastle.

These landmarks are adjacent to each other and the fort provides a fantastic view of downtown Nassau and the ocean. While the inside of the fort was not open, we walked around the grounds and took in the history and views.

The sun was extremely strong mid-day, so we got back onboard Freedom of the Seas around 3PM and headed to the pool deck.

It seems everyone else headed to the pool deck because it was packed! The atmosphere of a 3-night cruise is a lot different than a longer sailing, but I find the party atmosphere to be a lot of fun.

The lines, though, are crazy… I had to wait 20 minutes in line for a snack at El Loco Fresh!

Evening onboard

As this is a 3-night cruise and it doesn't give us much time to relax on the ship compared to longer sailings, we opted for another quick meal at the Windjammer tonight. This way we could eat quickly and spend the rest of the evening exploring other areas of Freedom of the Seas.

It turns out we stayed in the Windjammer longer than expected because we began sailing away from Nassau as soon as we sat down. We decided to stay for a while to take in the views.

Following dinner was a short round of mini golf and an hour spent watching the sunset from pool chairs on the running track. After such a busy day in port, it was nice to sit back and relax with the ocean view.

It was a bit chilly tonight, so we moved our hangout spot to the Viking Crown Lounge where we grabbed a drink before taking a walk through the Royal Promenade.

We stumbled upon karaoke in Star Lounge and I'm very glad we did. The venue was jam-packed and the karaoke was absolutely hilarious. While the singing was (purposely) not top-notch, the confidence and dance moves of the performers had the whole audience dying of laughter.

Tired from a long day, I went to my stateroom to get ready for another fun port day tomorrow at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Stray observations

I feel like the Viking Crown Lounge is underutilized. There are rarely many people in there, yet it has great views of the ship and ocean. My dad mentioned it would work well as a piano bar and I agree.

I always forget there is a Johnny Rockets on Voyager and Freedom Class ships due to its location on the way to the sports deck.

Embarkation day is always an exciting day, and today I got to board Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas for the first time for a quick 3-night cruise to the Bahamas.

The main objective of this cruise is to explore all that Freedom of the Seas has to offer while filming a full tour of the ship for the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel. However, I'll also be visiting Pearl Island in the Bahamas and trying out my first 3-night cruise, which is the shortest cruise I've been on other than a short non-revenue sailing on Navigator of the Seas.

As Freedom of the Seas visits Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay twice every week, I've seen the ship countless times when visiting those ports on other Royal Caribbean ships. I woke up this morning excited to get onboard and finally see the ship up close.

Embarkation

After disembarking Oasis of the Seas yesterday, I spent the night at an Airbnb in Miami Beach. My parents are joining me on this cruise, so we spent yesterday and this morning walking around South Beach and enjoying delicious food.

When I boarded Oasis of the Seas five days ago, I noticed that no one was checking boarding times. Therefore, even though we had a boarding time of 12PM, I ordered a Lyft to Terminal A at 11AM.

Just like I thought, we were able to board as soon as we got to the terminal with no problem! From arrival at the terminal to walking onboard was around 15-20 minutes.

I'm staying in an interior cabin on this cruise and my parents are in the connecting room. This is my first time experiencing a cruise with connecting staterooms and it's great! My interior room feels so much bigger when I can open a door to my parents' cabin. It's also convenient for coordinating schedules and making plans.

Pool deck fun

The first thing we did once onboard Freedom of the Seas was head to the pool deck. When Freedom was amplified in early 2020, the pool deck was enhanced with the Caribbean resort-style pool deck, which has bright colors and The Lime & Coconut Bar.

I had a classic piña colada from The Lime & Coconut to start the cruise, followed by a small lunch in the Windjammer.

We spent some time relaxing on the pool deck, which quickly got busy as more people embarked the ship. Freedom of the Seas is at nearly full capacity this weekend.

Right before sailaway I decided to climb the rock climbing wall a few times. I made my dad try it, too!

We watched sailaway from the back of the sports court on deck 12. Viewing the Miami skyline while sailing out of port was just as beautiful as last week's departure on Oasis of the Seas, and the sports deck was not very crowded.

After sailaway I took a walk on the Promenade deck, which is my favorite place to be on Voyager and Freedom Class ships. It's the most peaceful place onboard and I especially love hanging out on the helicopter pad.

Evening activities

Tonight's dinner was in the Main Dining Room. I really enjoy eating in the Main Dining Room, but I haven't eaten there much at all since I started cruising last August. I tend to eat at the Windjammer while cruising solo or at specialty dining when with a big group, but it's always nice to have a sit-down meal in the Main Dining Room.

I heard that Royal Caribbean had started to sit multiple parties together at one table, and I wanted to eat with only my parents. Therefore, I went to the dining room as soon as I got onboard to confirm that we could have our own table (I probably should have done this ahead of time but I forgot).

The Main Dining Room crew member told me we had our own private table. However, when we got to the dining room for dinner this was not the case and we found out we would be seated with strangers.

I'm not opposed to eating with other passengers, but I would much rather have a private meal. Luckily, we were able to be seated at a private table in the My Time Dining room.

My meal was really great tonight! I ordered butternut squash soup to start the meal, Indian curry for the main course, and key lime pie for dessert. If I'm being honest, I ate far too much bread earlier in the meal and I was not very hungry by the time the main course came, but it was still delicious.

After dinner my parents and I went to FreedomIce.com: An Ice Adventure, the ice skating show in Studio B. This may have been my favorite ice show yet. It focused mainly on the music and vibe of the 1970s and displaying the concept of "freedom" through costuming and music. The whole show was upbeat and extremely colorful!

As the show ended at 10:30, I called it a night and went back to my stateroom. Tomorrow we are in Nassau where we will be going on an excursion to Pearl Island.

Stray observations

It's funny how "small" Freedom of the Seas feels after my previous three cruises being on Oasis Class ships, even though Freedom of the Seas is still a gigantic vessel.

Full capacity is crazy busy compared to what I am used to! I never knew so many lines could form everywhere.

I haven't received paper Cruise Compasses on Oasis or Freedom this week.

As much as everyone on a cruise hopes for endless days of sun, a slight breeze, and warm temperatures, the truth is that sometimes you will encounter unfavorable weather conditions onboard or in port.

Royal Caribbean works hard to forecast weather conditions in advance and deviate course whenever necessary, but it’s not always possible to avoid rainy conditions. If your cruise ship encounters rain, though, don’t fret!

There are countless ways to spend a rainy day onboard, and here are some of our favorites.

Relax in the Solarium

Royal Caribbean ships, aside from those in the Voyager and Freedom Classes, have a covered Solarium for guests aged 16 and older. On chilly, rainy, or windy days, relaxing in the Solarium provides an escape from the weather outdoors while still allowing you to enjoy time by the pool or jacuzzi.

Related: Everything about Royal Caribbean’s Solarium

Additionally, if you are sailing on a Quantum Class ship (with the exception of Odyssey of the Seas), take advantage of the indoor pool, which is available for all ages. While the pools will be closed if the ship encounters any severe weather like lightning, they will generally remain open during normal rainy days.

Read a book

A classic cruise activity for a rainy day is to find a quiet corner onboard and read a book. Despite the fact that cruise ships are packed with entertainment, activities, music, and lounges, there are always places onboard to get away from the crowds.

Related: Chill spots to get away from the crowd on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship
Here are some of the best places to read a book on a rainy day:

• Two70 (Quantum Class ships)
• “Hidden” seating on the running track (Oasis Class ships)
• Star Lounge (Voyager and Freedom Class ships)
• Library or card room
• Vintages wine bar

If you’re looking for book recommendations, check out our lists of the best reads to bring on your cruise:

• Books to pack in your beach bag
• Cruise reads: Women’s History Month
• Books for Black History Month

See a show

If your rainy day is on a sea day, check the ship’s entertainment schedule to see if there are any matinee performances in venues like the Royal Theater, Two70, or Studio B.

Spending an hour or two in a show is a great way to pass time on a rainy day while being entertained in the process. Plus, by seeing the show in the afternoon instead of in the evening, your evening schedule is opened up for other activities onboard.

Listen to live music

If you encounter a rainy day on your cruise, take a look at the Cruise Compass to see what live music is available throughout the day. From live Spanish guitar at Boleros to jazz in the Royal Promenade, listening to live music can be a cozy, relaxing way to spend your time as the rain passes through.

Grab a drink

Relaxing with a drink in hand is always a fun way to spend time on a cruise, but can be especially nice during a rainy day. There are many places indoors on a cruise ship to grab a drink, plenty of which have large windows looking toward the ocean.

Here are some of the best bars or venues to relax in while waiting for the sun to come back out:

• Viking Crown Lounge (Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class)
• Two70 (Quantum Class)
• Schooner Bar

Related: A look at Royal Caribbean's new fleetwide drink menu

Depending on the ship, you may find covered seating at outdoor bars. The North Star Bar on Quantum Class ships, for example, has a covered seating area at the bar where you can watch the ocean and enjoy the sea breeze while remaining covered.

Go to trivia

Trivia is a fun activity on any Royal Caribbean cruise, but can make an excellent option on a rainy day. There are numerous trivia categories available, from geography to Harry Potter and sports.

Trivia usually only lasts around 30 or 45 minutes and is located indoors, making it a quick activity to do while rain passes through. Plus, you have the opportunity to put your knowledge to the test and maybe even win a prize!

Take a class

While browsing your cruise’s daily schedule in the Royal Caribbean app, you’ll likely see a few unique classes that you might otherwise skip over in favor of relaxing by the pool. A rainy day, however, can be an excellent time to try some of these classes.

Classes may include:

• Scrapbooking
• Card making class
• Italian/Spanish/Portuguese language class
• Zumba class
• Morning stretch
• Seminars

Hang out at the sports bar

Royal Caribbean’s classic sports bar, Playmakers, makes a fantastic hangout spot on a rainy day, where you can cheer on your favorite team while enjoying classic bar food like burgers, wings, and french fries.

The amount of televisions in Playmakers means there is no shortage of games and sports to watch, which you can enjoy while playing bar games like shuffleboard, pool, and Pac-Man.

Related: Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade review

Royal Caribbean ships without Playmakers will usually have a venue available for watching sports, such as in the pub, but there are generally only one or two small TVs there.

Hang out at the SeaPlex

Quantum Class cruise ships may be the best Royal Caribbean ships to sail on through inclement weather, as they were built to sail in all weather conditions while still offering the latest and greatest amenities and activities onboard.

The SeaPlex is a wonderful place to go with kids on a rainy day, as they can get their energy out while running around the sports court, playing basketball, soccer, or going head-to-head with other passengers in bumper cars.

Enjoy a sit-down meal

Whereas dinner on a cruise ship is usually a more formal, sit-down event, most guests tend to favor a casual, quick lunch onboard. Whether grabbing a burrito at El Loco Fresh or heading to the Windjammer, eating lunch on a cruise is often something to do quickly in-between activities.

Related: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

On rainy days, though, consider dining in the Main Dining Room or at a specialty restaurant for lunch. Having a sit-down meal will help pass the time on a rainy day while enjoying a relaxing, multi-course meal.

Go to the arcade (or casino)

All Royal Caribbean ships have an arcade, but it’s not only for kids! From skee-ball to air hockey, there are plenty of games to keep you occupied on a rainy day. The arcade comes at an extra cost, with most games costing between $0.75 and $2.50.

Alternatively, if you would like the chance to win money, head to the casino to pass a few hours on a rainy day.

Book a treatment at the spa

If you look at the weather forecast on your cruise and see a day with unfavorable weather, don’t hesitate to book a treatment at the Vitality Spa. After all, not much is more relaxing than a massage.

If you don’t want to spend extra money on a spa treatment, check if your cruise ship has a complimentary sauna and steam room. Select Royal Caribbean ships (excluding Quantum and Oasis Class ships) have free-of-charge saunas available in the fitness center locker rooms.

If your ship has a thermal suite, you can purchase a pass that allows you to use the facilities at any time, which include a rainforest shower, hot stone loungers, and sauna.

Related: Thermal Suite on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas

Indoor signature activities

While many of Royal Caribbean’s signature activities are located outdoors, such as rock climbing, ziplining, and the FlowRider, there are several indoor activities to enjoy on a rainy day. Depending on the ship, these activities can be enjoyed rain or shine:

• RipCord by iFLY
• Puzzle Break Center (escape room)
• Zone Zero
• Ice skating
• Laser tag

Check the Cruise Compass to see which activities are offered. Some, like the escape room, RipCord by iFLY, and Zone Zero, require reservations.

See a movie

Whether on land or at sea, watching a movie is a nice way to pass time on a rainy or cold day. While all Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor movie screen, there are often indoor movies played as well in venues like the Royal Theater.

In fact, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance Class ships have their own indoor movie theater which plays a variety of movies throughout the day!

Related: All about Radiance Class cruise ships

To see if any movies are playing on your cruise, check out the Cruise Compass or the Royal Caribbean app. Movies are free-of-charge, but get to the theater or cinema early to ensure you get the best seat!

A Mediterranean cruise is a dream itinerary for many cruisers. From exploring the Colosseum to sunbathing on the French Riviera and walking the cobblestone streets of Dubrovnik, plenty of unique adventures await visitors in the Mediterranean.

With proper planning, a Mediterranean cruise can fit both low, modest, and high-end budgets. From interior staterooms on Royal Caribbean’s smaller ships to suites on the newest and largest ships, options are plentiful for planning a Mediterranean cruise no matter your budget.

Therefore, there is no “one price fits all” on a Mediterranean cruise, as the cost can vary drastically in cruise fares, shore excursions, onboard spending, and time of year you sail. If you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise, this guide should help you decide how to make cruising this fantastic region of the world fit into your budget and vacation style.

Mediterranean cruise prices by ship

Royal Caribbean sends both its oldest and newest cruise ships to the Mediterranean during the summer months, offering guests the choice between a traditional cruise experience or a ship filled with the cruise line’s most unique and updated activities and amenities.

Unsurprisingly, Royal Caribbean’s newest ships come at a higher price tag compared to its older ships in the Mediterranean. How much a cruise costs can vary depending if you choose to sail on a larger ship compared to a smaller ship.

Let’s look at a few examples to see how the ship you choose for a European cruise can affect your cruise fare. 

First let’s compare an 8-night Greek Isles cruise on both Rhapsody of the Seas (Vision Class ship) and Odyssey of the Seas (Quantum Class ship). The price listed is the total fare for two adults in an ocean view cabin on a September cruise, including taxes and fees:

• Rhapsody of the Seas: $1658.28 ($207 per night)
• Odyssey of the Seas: $2998.14 ($374 per night)

Next let’s compare a 7-night Western Mediterranean on Brilliance of the Seas (Radiance Class ship) and Symphony of the Seas (Oasis Class ship). The price listed is the total fare for two adults in a balcony cabin on a June cruise, including taxes and fees:

• Brilliance of the Seas: $2254.54 ($322 per night)
• Symphony of the Seas: $3796.34 ($542 per night)

While a smaller ship will come at a lower price tag, it’s never a good idea to pick a cruise solely based on price. Looking into each ship’s amenities, dining options, cabin categories, and onboard activities can help you decide which size ship will suit you best.

Mediterranean cruise prices by month

Just like the ship you book, the month you cruise in the Mediterranean can have an impact on the overall cost of your cruise. In fact, a cruise in May can be several hundred dollars cheaper per person than a cruise in July or August.

Shoulder season in the Mediterranean is found in the months of April, May, September, and October, and this is when you tend to see the lowest cruise fares. As the school year is still in session, there is less demand for Mediterranean cruises, leading to lower prices.

Peak season, on the other hand, is found in the summer months: June, July, and August. While early June may see some lower prices due to the fact that summer travel to Europe is just getting started, expect the highest fares in July and August. At this time of year demand is highest and ships are likely to be near full capacity.

Let’s take a look at just how varied the price of a cruise can be based on the month you sail. First let’s compare the difference in a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Symphony of the Seas in mid-April and mid-July.

The price listed is the total cost for two adults in an ocean view balcony cabin:

• April 16 departure: $2999.48 ($428 per night)
• July 16 departure: $4338.40 ($620 per night)

Such a huge price difference is not always the case, though. Next let’s compare the difference in an 8-night Western Mediterranean cruise on Vision of the Seas in mid-May and mid-July.

The price listed is the total cost for two adults in an interior cabin:

• May 13 departure: $1634.90 ($233 per night)
• July 8 departure: $1729.80 ($247 per night)

As you can see, the price difference between spring and summer can be either drastic or only slightly different. A more drastic price difference will be seen on the most in-demand ships, such as Oasis and Quantum Class ships, whereas a smaller price difference will be seen on older ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.

Does itinerary matter?

Mediterranean cruises generally fit into two categories: Western Mediterranean (Spain, France, and Italy) and Eastern Mediterranean (Greece, the Adriatic, and countries like Cyprus and Israel). You will not see a notable difference in cruise fare from one region of the Mediterranean to another.

That being said, countries in the eastern Mediterranean, such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Turkey, tend to be cheaper destinations to visit, which may influence shore excursion pricing as well as the cost of things like local guides, taxis, food, souvenirs, etc.

Shore excursion prices in the Mediterranean

Remembering to budget for shore excursions is important on a Mediterranean cruise. Those used to cruising in the Caribbean may not put too much thought into planning shore excursions, where choosing what to do can be as simple as picking one beach over another.

In the Mediterranean, though, it’s good to have an idea of what you would like to do in each port and book excursions accordingly. Many Mediterranean ports are easy to explore on your own, which will save you money in the long run, but plenty of cruisers prefer the security and ease of an organized shore excursion.

Here are a few Royal Caribbean excursion ideas along with their prices (these prices are subject to change based on sailing and time of year):

• Essential Rome with the Vatican, Colosseum & St. Peter’s Basilica: $279.00/adult or child
• Barcelona City Sights: $53.75/adult, $44.75/child
• Monaco Hop On Hop Off Bus from Nice: $119.0/adult, $89.00/child
• Best of Mykonos full day adventure: $148.99/adult, $103.99/child
• Mykonos walking tour: $35.99/adult, $17.99/child
• Kotor Bay Catamaran Sail and Beach Break: $121.99/adult or child
• Plantaze Vineyards Wine Tasting (Kotor): $188.99/adult or child
• Dalmatian Coastline & Village Life (Split): $117.99/adult, $92.99/child

Some excursions soley offer transportation to and from certain destinations that are far from where cruise ships dock. For example, cruise ships to Rome actually port in Civitavecchia, which is around 40 minutes from Rome on a high-speed train.

Therefore, Royal Caribbean offers tours that provide transport to and from cities while giving you several hours of free time upon arrival. The “Explore Rome” excursion, as an example, provides round trip transport to Rome from Civitavecchia for $69.95/adult or $54.75/child.

Of course, you do not have to book any excursions and can instead figure out activities and transportation on your own. Alternatively, you can find shore excursions with tour operators outside of Royal Caribbean, which may come at a lower cost and offer a wider selection of tours.

Personal preferences and onboard spending

Outside of picking a ship, itinerary, and booking shore excursions, the total cost of your cruise will ultimately depend on your preferences. From the type of cabin you book to extras like specialty dining and drink packages, the total cost of a cruise vacation can vary widely from person to person, even if they paid the same base cruise fare.

Here are some examples of what you may pay extra for on your Mediterranean cruise:

• Drink packages (alcoholic or nonalcoholic packages) or paying for drinks individually
• Specialty dining
• Onboard activities
• Gratuities
• Spa treatments
• Wifi

For a more in-depth look at what extra costs are not included on a Royal Caribbean cruise, check out our article on the top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included.

It’s possible to cruise the Mediterranean on a budget or splurge for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. No matter what cabin you book, ship you choose, or activities you do in port, though, you’re guaranteed to have a memorable vacation in one of the most beautiful and historic regions of the world.

My last day on Oasis of the Seas is a sea day as we make our way back to Miami.

I started my morning in the Solarium to watch the sunrise. It was extra colorful this morning, and quite a few passengers were outside on the sundeck.

I then grabbed a banana, strawberry, blueberry, and peanut butter smoothie from Vitality Cafe. I'm definitely going to miss having made-to-order smoothies when sailing on non-Oasis Class ships!

This morning I had to catch up on some work for Royal Caribbean Blog, and as it was too early to head to my "wine office" at Vintages, I went to the Card Room.

The Card Room is a little bit of a hidden gem on Oasis of the Seas, with a few sets of tables and chairs and a fantastic view of the Boardwalk and aft. There are several board games and cards available to use free of charge as well, which many passengers took advantage of throughout the morning.

This area of the ship was replaced with Wonderland on Symphony, Harmony, and Wonder of the Seas.

Lunch and pool deck fun

I decided to try something new for lunch and went to Portside BBQ. This is the only barbecue restaurant in Royal Caribbean's fleet, serving up classic comfort food and a variety of meats. It's only available on Oasis of the Seas, so I figured I needed to try it before the cruise was over.

Portside BBQ is a casual, quick service restaurant, but it is not included in your cruise fare. Prices for a full meal range from $10-15, which includes a selection of meat and sides, ranging from pulled pork to brisket and turkey legs.

I am a pescetarian, so I admit I am the worst person to do a full review of a meat-centric barbecue restaurant. However, I still wanted to try Portside BBQ, so I ordered two sides and a dessert.

My sides (mac & cheese and grilled corn on the cob) were definitely tasty, although I thought the portions were a bit small considering each side was $3. The dessert, though, was phenomenal.

I ordered the Chocolate Brookie, a half-brownie, half-chocolate bar that was perfectly chewy, perfectly fudgy, and delightfully sweet. I am kicking myself for waiting until the last day of the cruise to order it! Luckily, each order came with two brookies.

The International Men's Belly Flop Competition was taking place after lunch, and since this is an activity that only recently returned to ships, I was excited to see what all the hype was about.

It may have been the most hilarious event I've seen on a cruise ship yet. A group of around 5 contestants jumped into the pool to try and make the most impressive (yet painful) bellyflop. The pool deck was packed with guests cheering on contestants. The winner was Tony from Mexico and I definitely agreed with the rest of the crowd that his belly flop was extremely impressive.

While on the pool deck, I decided to try a mocktail. I ordered the Lime & Coconut drink from the Lime & Coconut bar without rum, and it was really refreshing and tasty. We are planning to create a list of the top mocktails to try on a Royal Caribbean cruise, so be sure to share your suggestions with us!

Next I decided to use my $6 free play at the casino. I never gamble (I guess living 5 minutes away from dozens of casinos in Nevada does that to you!), but I always like to use my free play money. Unsurprisingly I lost the $6 in a matter of minutes, so unfortunately I didn't win big today.

Cats

Oasis of the Seas is the third Royal Caribbean ship I've been on with a Broadway show, so seeing Cats was definitely on my to-do list for this week. When I sailed on Independence of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas in January, the Broadway shows were modified/canceled due to omicron, so I did not get to watch Grease on either ship.

It turns out I couldn't see Cats today either due to injuries sustained by a few of the main cast members. Instead, a cabaret was performed by select cast members, with a combination of songs from the musical and songs picked by cast members themselves.

While it may not have been the Broadway show, I still really enjoyed the performance and the vocals may have been the best I've heard yet on a cruise. My next cruise on a ship with a Broadway show will be Anthem of the Seas this summer, so hopefully I'll be able to see We Will Rock You once onboard!

Relaxing evening

The show ended around 3:45, where I had a pre-dinner snack from Park Cafe and relaxed on the chairs at the back of the running track.

This is one of my favorite areas on Oasis of the Seas. While I like cruising on Oasis Class ships, I find that there are few places onboard aside from the pool deck where you can sit and enjoy an ocean view. Many venues, bars, and restaurants face inward, and with the lifeboats covering what would be the Promenade deck, it can be hard to find a quiet place to look out at the ocean if you don't have a balcony.

It still amazes me how powerful these cruise ships are and how vast the ocean is! I can easily sit and stare at the ocean for hours.

I had another quick dinner at the Windjammer. To avoid the monotony of another picture of Indian curry, here is a photo of tonight's fabulous dessert selection.

The self service buffet isn't as bad as I thought it would be, but I make sure to use hand sanitizer once I have finished touching the serving spoons and tongs. However, I did see a family avoid washing their hands altogether after one of the sinks wasn't working, so I still don't trust that the self service buffet is totally sanitary...

After dinner, I walked a couple laps on the running track, went to the thermal spa, and went back to the running track to watch tonight's sunset.

Sadly it was time to call it a night and get my bags packed for disembarkation tomorrow. I enjoyed my time on Oasis of the Seas over the past four days as we journeyed through the Caribbean and visited Costa Maya, Mexico. It's rare to see a 4-night cruise on an Oasis Class ship, so it was nice to take advantage of all that this ship has to offer in a short amount of time!

Luckily I don't have long to wait until my next cruise, though, as I will be boarding Freedom of the Seas in just two days!

Stray observations

All over Oasis of the Seas are the "Small Wonders", which are small portholes that reveal a hidden image once inside. For whatever reason, it brings me great joy to find these around the ship and peek at the artwork inside! It's a nice touch onboard Oasis.

I went to Guest Services to ask a question, and when we were talking I mentioned I was going on Freedom of the Seas this Friday. The representative gave me an at-home Covid test free of charge without me even asking! If you are cruising on another Royal Caribbean ship within the next two days of your first cruise, they should provide you with an Abbot BinaxNow Ag Card Home Test.

Today Oasis of the Seas docked in Costa Maya, Mexico for the only port day of our 4-night cruise. From beaches to cycling and eating mouth watering Mexican food, it was a day well spent.

The gangway opened around 8AM, and I disembarked Oasis of the Seas right away so I could start my day before it got too warm. We were docked next to Jewel of the Seas.

I hoped to rent a bicycle, but I was wary of booking in advance because the weather forecast showed thunderstorms. However, the weather appeared sunny with partial clouds in the morning, so I took the chance at a bike ride.

The best day I've ever had in port thus far was when I rented an e-bike in St. Maarten and looped the entire island in one day. Being on a bicycle is so freeing, as there is no need to wait for taxis or worry about how you will get from place to place, so I was looking forward to discovering Mexico by bike.

I rented a bike for the day from a tour operator located adjacent to the Mayan pyramid replica in Costa Maya, located just outside the port. The total cost for a day rental was 300 MXP, or around $15 USD. I was given a pink beach cruiser, and while it wasn't as fancy as the hybrid e-bike I had in St. Maarten, it was perfect for exploring the coastline of Costa Maya.

The only other time I was in Costa Maya, I visited the Chacchoben Mayan ruins, and while it was an awesome day, the tour did not leave any extra time to explore Costa Maya. Therefore, today's plan was to discover the culture and lifestyle of Mahahual, the town next to the Costa Maya cruise port.

Related: Excursion Focus: Chacchoben ruins in Costa Maya

I started with a short ride to the Faro de Mahahual, a lighthouse with a nice view of the port. From there begins a 1/2 mile stretch of a car-free boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, and beach clubs. Called a malecón in Spanish, this is a hub of activity and the perfect place to get a glimpse of Mexican culture.

I rode the length of the boardwalk and continued on, which turned into a gravel road followed by a stretch of sandy road surrounded by both ocean and rainforest. I rode about 6 miles each way on the quiet road, passing popular beach resorts like Maya Chan before turning back to cycle toward the malecón.

I'm lucky I turned around when I did, because as soon as I got back to the boardwalk it started to rain! I sought refuge in the La Dolce Vita cafe, where I had one of the best smoothies ever, made with mango, maracuya (passion fruit), and banana.

Next up was lunch, and I was hoping to taste authentic, non-touristy Mexican food. I decided on La Curvita, a small restaurant on the corner just two blocks off the malecón, where I had a delicious meal of chilaquiles rojos.

If you're looking to have a great meal in port, my top tip is to leave the main tourist street and find a small, hole in the wall restaurant filled with locals. Additionally, if the menu is small and not in English, this is a good sign the food will be authentic and at local prices.

Using these tips, whether in Rome, Thailand, the Bahamas, or Mexico, will usually always result in a fantastic meal.

It rained lightly on and off throughout the rest of the afternoon, but as the humidity was so high it actually felt quite nice! Today was a good reminder to never put too much thought into the weather forecast when cruising to tropical destinations. I expected a day of heavy rain and thunderstorms, but this was not the case at all.

I cycled a bit more around the boardwalk and in the town of Mahahual itself, grabbed an espresso and pastry from La Tartaleta Panadería, dropped off my bicycle, and headed back to Oasis of the Seas.

Just like I expected, renting a bike resulted in an unforgettable day exploring Costa Maya and Mahahual. I was surprised to see just how bike friendly the town is, and I would recommend to anyone interested in a slightly active day to rent a bike!

Once back onboard, I spent some time decompressing in the thermal suite and in my stateroom.

It was Indian night at the Windjammer for dinner and it was super delicious! After dinner, I spent the rest of the evening relaxing in Central Park with an espresso martini while listening to live piano music.

Overall it was a wonderful day in port and onboard. Latin America has always been my favorite region of the world, so I absolutely love cruising to Mexico. Mahahual exceeded my expectations, and I found all the locals to be extremely friendly!

Tomorrow is the last day of our cruise, which will be spent at sea.

Stray observations

I'm not usually a fan of port areas, and the Costa Maya port feels a bit like a Mexico-themed Disneyland. The pool is nice and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy, but it definitely does not feel like you're in Mexico while there. I recommend leaving the port and visiting the malecón in Mahahual instead!

The seaweed in Costa Maya seemed a lot worse than I remembered it being when I briefly visited in September 2021.

If traveling with kids, I would recommend taking a taxi to the malecón and renting a bicycle from there instead of near the cruise port so that you can avoid cycling on roads with cars.

I still really want to try a day at Maya Chan, so I will definitely do this the next time I'm in Costa Maya!

Also, shout out to my stateroom attendant, Mustofa, for being a Royal Caribbean Blog reader!

The second day of my 4-night cruise on Oasis of the Seas is a sea day as we make our way to Costa Maya, Mexico. The weather today was perfect, with near total sunshine and a slight breeze, making for a beautiful day to spend onboard a beautiful ship.

I headed to Central Park as the sun was rising around 7AM and had a quick, casual breakfast at Park Cafe. I was happy to see a specialty coffee station within Park Cafe, as I did not have to brave the Cafe Promenade line for my latte.

Early morning on a cruise ship is my favorite time of day. The ship feels nearly empty before guests wake up, there are no lines anywhere, and a sunrise walk on the pool deck is always wonderful.

The majority of my day was spent filming our upcoming full ship tour of Oasis of the Seas on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel, which will premiere in the next few weeks. As a result, I walked up, down, and around the ship today to explore every nook and cranny onboard.

First up was the Solarium. I love the Solarium's layout on Oasis of the Seas! Not only is it filled with jacuzzis, comfy seating, and a pool, but there is a huge outdoor sundeck area to enjoy.

Solarium Bistro is not open for dinner on this sailing, instead offering a combo breakfast and lunch. Today's hours were from 9:30 to 1PM, so I had a casual buffet lunch there. By lunch time, the Solarium was packed with people.

In fact, it felt as if every person on the cruise headed to the pool deck at the same time! Because I had never cruised prior to last year, I was used to cruising with capacities from around 30-60%. Being on a cruise closer to full capacity is a bit of a shock (there's a line for food?), but it also gives a fun energy and atmosphere to the cruise that wasn't as possible with so few guests.

Puzzle Break Center

Today I also had the opportunity to try the Puzzle Break Center onboard. This is the first cruise I have been on where the escape room was open, so I was excited to try it out as I had never done an escape room before on neither land nor sea. The escape room comes at an extra cost of $20 per person.

Mission Control: Apollo 18 is the Puzzle Break Center on Oasis of the Seas, and players must solve puzzles and challenges to send their rocket off to space before time is up. The room is set up with six launching stations, each of which has three sets of challenges to solve.

There were around twelve passengers in the room and we all worked together to try and break out in time. From finding hidden keys to figuring out interactive patterns and puzzles, it ended up being a lot more fun than I initially thought it would be. Plus, our group solved the escape room with just 4 minutes to spare!

Relaxation and entertainment

Next up was my daily smoothie at Vitality Cafe, this time strawberry banana with peanut butter! I also relaxed a bit in the spa's thermal suite and took an afternoon walk on the pool deck.

I had reservations to see the matinee show of Cats, but when I went down to the theater I was informed the show got changed to the fourth day of the cruise. Instead, I decided to enjoy a glass of wine at Vintages, the wine bar onboard Oasis of the Seas.

Vintages is never very crowded and always has comfy seating, so it's a nice place to go onboard to get away from the crowds. Plus, the venue has a tapas menu and does wine tastings!

I opted for an early dinner at Park Cafe and enjoyed soup and salad, followed by a well-deserved nap in my stateroom. The biggest perk of staying in an interior cabin is definitely how well you sleep when in a room with no windows!

Prior to the ice skating show, I made my first ever visit to the Diamond Club. I did not realize there are complimentary appetizers in the evening in the Diamond Club (I thought only breakfast was served), so this was a nice surprise!

Tonight's ice skating show was Frozen in Time. Ice skating shows are one of my favorite entertainment options on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and while I did not fully grasp the storyline of the show, I was impressed with the talent and set design in Studio B. The costumes at ice skating shows never fail to make me laugh, especially tonight's full body duck costumes worn by the cast!

I watched the sunset from the "secret" chairs at the aft of the running track. As there are only a few chairs there and not many guests know about the area, it was a peaceful way to end a sea day onboard Oasis of the Seas.

The rest of the evening was spent listening to bossa nova and jazz music at Jazz on 4 before calling it a night to get ready for a port day in Costa Maya tomorrow.

Today is the first day of my Western Caribbean cruise on Oasis of the Seas, and I’m live blogging this week to showcase all that this Oasis Class cruise ship has to offer. This is a 4-night cruise with two sea days and one port day in Costa Maya, Mexico.

Oasis of the Seas marks my first time sailing out of Miami and my first cruise as a Diamond member in the Crown & Anchor Society!

While I don’t have any set plans for the week, I’m hoping to experience the activities and venues that make Oasis of the Seas unique, such as Portside BBQ and CATS the Musical.

Embarkation

I arrived in Miami late last night and spent the night at the Holiday Inn & Suites Miami Airport East. Located just across the street from the airport, the Holiday Inn was convenient, clean, and affordable. While not the most exciting location in Miami, it worked well for a 10PM arrival.

The hotel offered a shuttle to the cruise terminal, but I opted to take a Lyft, which came out to be around $22. Upon arrival at the terminal, I was pleased to see relatively few lines. The check-in procedure took around 20 minutes in total.

I did not feel like going to the Windjammer, which was likely packed with people, so I enjoyed a quick lunch at El Loco Fresh while waiting for my cabin to be ready.

Staterooms were ready at 1PM, and I am staying in an inside cabin for this sailing. While the decor looks a bit dated when compared to my cruise last month on Wonder of the Seas, I was pleased to find the room comfortable and quite spacious.

Thermal spa

First up on my agenda today was to use my first Diamond drink voucher. Up until this point, most of the extra money I spent on cruises had been on drinks, and I never enjoyed paying $15 for one cocktail. Therefore, to celebrate achieving Diamond status, I enjoyed my first complimentary drink: a mango banana smoothie from Vitality Cafe.

I had quite a bit of onboard credit, so I decided to try out something new for this cruise: a thermal suite pass at the Vitality Spa. I booked the 4-day pass at the spa’s front desk for $59 (plus 18% gratuity).

The thermal spa, located on Oasis and Quantum Class ships, is a thermal suite featuring hot stone loungers, steam chambers, a dry heat chamber, and rainforest showers. Vitality Spa sells passes that last the entire cruise and there is no limit on how many times you can enjoy the thermal spa, which is open from 8AM to 8:30PM.

After purchasing my pass, I changed into a bathing suite and tested out the thermal spa. I tried all three sauna rooms: the steam room, aromatic steam room, and dry heat chamber. All were fantastic, but my favorite was the aromatic steam room.

I also tested out the rainforest shower, which has four options: rainforest, thunderstorm, waterfall, and ice fog. Each shower type disperses water differently, from the mist of the ice fog shower to the rapid stream of a waterfall.

I spent most of my time in the thermal spa on the hot stone lounger wondering why it took me so long to purchase a thermal spa pass!

Needless to say, I will likely be spending a lot of my time in the thermal spa on this cruise. In fact, laying in the hot stone lounger with my laptop might become my new blogging office…

Dinner and sailaway

I spent the rest of the afternoon onboard relaxing, first on the pool deck and later in my stateroom.

Dinner tonight was at the Windjammer. I am not a huge fan of the Windjammer location on Oasis Class ships, as the area usually feels cramped. I think this is one of the biggest improvements made on Wonder of the Seas, which has the biggest Windjammer in the fleet.

Despite the crowds, though, the Indian curry I had at the Windjammer tonight may have been the best I’ve ever tried on a Royal Caribbean cruise! My dessert did not disappoint either.

As I started cruising last August, this is my first cruise with a self-service buffet. While it is nice being able to pick exactly what you want from the buffet, I definitely prefer the crew serving guests. The stations quickly got messy and it seemed a lot slower than what I was used to.

Sailaway was delayed an hour to 6:30 PM. As this was right in the middle of dinnertime, there were virtually no crowds outside for sailaway and I was able to grab a great spot on the back of the sports deck!

Sailing out of Miami was gorgeous, with the sunset creating a silhouette of downtown and giving the perfect glow to Miami Beach. I had heard great things about sailing out of Miami, and this was certainly one of the most beautiful sailaways I’ve seen yet.

Read more: The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Evening activities

I reserved a spot to see Aqua80s in the AquaTheater tonight. I had heard great things about this AquaTheater show, so excitement was high. Originally I was going to book the show on day 3, but as the AquaTheater performances can often be canceled due to weather conditions, I figured I should try it on the first day just in case.

Plus, even though this is my third cruise on an Oasis Class ship, I had yet to see a full AquaTheater show. I sailed on Harmony of the Seas during the peak of omicron and Wonder of the Seas when the AquaTheater show was not fully ready, so I was definitely eager to see a full AquaTheater performance.

I ended up really enjoying the show, which had a high-energy and upbeat atmosphere. The performers put full effort into the show with diving, slacklining, acrobatics, dancing, and aerialists, and it was a lot of fun to watch.

I called it a night after the AquaTheater show to get well rested for a fun-filled sea day tomorrow while on our way to Mexico.

Stray observations

Because I started cruising right when the industry restarted after the coronavirus shutdown, my experience of cruises has been quite different from what was once considered “normal”. Thus, one thing that confuses me are the amount of chairs and lounging areas in the cruise terminals. Did people sit in these at one point waiting to board the ship? I cannot think of a time when you would ever need to sit in these waiting areas now with the staggered boarding times!

The plants in Central Park seem bigger on Oasis compared to what I saw on Harmony and Wonder. I feel like I am in a park more on this ship than the others.

I’m surprised there are no chairs of any kind on the back of the sports deck by the Ultimate Abyss (outside of the seating at Wipe Out Bar).

I had a 12PM arrival time at the terminal, but no one was checking times when I arrived.

Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ships, but they each belong to a different class, with each ship offering its own set of amenities, dining options, and entertainment.

If you’re looking to book a cruise on the latest and greatest of Royal Caribbean’s ships, both Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are sure to make for a wonderful cruise experience. Both ships fit over five thousand passengers, offer activities for all ages, have no shortage of restaurants and lounges, and visit exciting destinations in the Caribbean and Europe.

While the ships share many similar features, they differ in layout, size, and onboard offerings. Let’s take a look at how Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas compare.

Overview

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Odyssey of the Seas is the 5th ship in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class. She has a maximum capacity of 5,510 guests, length of 1,138 feet, width of 136 feet, and measures 167,704 in gross tonnage. Her maiden voyage was on July 31, 2021.

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Wonder of the Seas is the 5th ship in Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class and is currently the largest cruise ship in the world. She has a maximum capacity of 6,988 guests, length of 1,188 feet, width of 210 feet, and measures 236,857 in gross tonnage. Her maiden voyage was on March 4, 2022.

Layouts

As an Oasis Class ship, Wonder of the Seas is split into distinct neighborhoods. Because Oasis Class ships can accommodate so many guests, it’s important to have a ship layout designed to spread guests around the ship and avoid overcrowding in any one area.

These are the eight neighborhoods on Wonder of the Seas:

• The Boardwalk, an outdoor area in the ship’s aft with a carousel, restaurants, an arcade, candy shop, the AquaTheater, and rock climbing
• Central Park, an outdoor park in the middle of the ship filled with plants, flowers, restaurants, and retail venues
• The Pool and Sports Zone, where guests can enjoy pools, whirlpools, waterslides, and sports activities
• The Royal Promenade, the main thoroughfare on Wonder of the Seas with dining, shopping, bars, guest service areas, and more
• Entertainment Place, home to the casino, ice skating rink, comedy club, and Royal Theater
• Vitality Spa and Fitness, home to the ship’s wellness facilities
• Youth Zone, the hub of Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean programming
• Suite Neighborhood, an enclave just for suite guests with a private lounge, restaurant, and sun deck

Odyssey of the Seas does not have the same neighborhood concept as the Oasis Class, but the ship’s layout can be categorized into a few distinct areas:

• The Via, where guests can enjoy artwork, dining, shopping, Next Cruise, and Two70.
• The Royal Esplanade, a two-story thoroughfare with dining, bars, lounges, shopping, and guest service areas
• The Pool Deck, where guests will find pools, whirlpools, bars, and the North Star
• The Sports/Seaplex, home to sports activities like indoor skydiving, bungee jumping, and bumper cars

Odyssey of the Seas is built more like a traditional cruise ship whereas Wonder of the Seas has a split-layout, where sections of the ship are split down the middle to allow for areas like Central Park and the Boardwalk.

Dining

As the newest ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, both Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas have a large variety of dining options onboard. The following dining venues can be found on either ship:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Cafe
• Solarium Bistro
• Coastal Kitchen
• Cafe Promenade
• Sorrento’s
• Chef’s Table
• El Loco Fresh
• Wonderland
• Chops Grille
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar
• Izumi hibachi (teppanyaki) & sushi
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Starbucks

As Wonder of the Seas is a bigger ship, there are a few more dining options to note that are not found on Odyssey of the Seas:

• The Mason Jar, a southern-inspired restaurant featuring dishes from around the American south with both a brunch and dinner menu
• Park Cafe, a complimentary grab-and-go option for breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries, soups, sandwiches, and salads
• 150 Central Park, a more upscale venue focused on sourcing local ingredients. Menu highlights include the pumpkin bisque, roasted tenderloin, and fried cheesecake
• Johnny Rockets, offering classic American fare including hamburgers and milkshakes
• Boardwalk Dog House, serving up hot dogs, sausages, and bratwurst
• Hooked Seafood, offering a taste of New England through diverse seafood options from clam & crab chowder to the Maine lobster roll

Cruising on Wonder of the Seas gives the opportunity to enjoy outdoor dining venues, with Park Cafe, Chops Grille, and Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen offering both indoor and outdoor seating. Odyssey of the Seas does not have any outdoor dining available aside from El Loco Fresh on the pool deck.

Odyssey of the Seas has a larger hibachi area than Wonder of the Seas, as Teppanyaki (hibachi) is located in a completely different venue than Izumi sushi. This can make getting hibachi reservations easier as there are six cooking stations as opposed to the three found on Wonder of the Seas.

The only dining venue on Odyssey of the Seas that is not found on Wonder of the Seas is Cafe @ Two 70. This is a complimentary grab-and-go restaurant open for breakfast and lunch. Cafe @ Two 70 serves similar food to Park Cafe on Wonder of the Seas, offering bagels, breakfast burritos, salads, soups, quesadillas, and more.

Bars & Lounges

Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas share the following bars and lounges:

• Giovanni’s Wine Bar
• The Lime & Coconut
• English-style pub
• Schooner Bar
• Bionic Bar
• Casino Bar
• Playmakers
• Music Hall
• Boleros
• Solarium Bar

There are several bars and lounges found on Wonder of the Seas and not Odyssey of the Seas:

• The Mason Jar Bar, focusing on moonshine and whiskey drinks inspired by the American south
• Trellis Bar, a small outdoor bar located in Central Park
• Cantina Fresca, a colorful bar connected to El Loco Fresh on the sports deck, specializing in margaritas and aguas frescas
• The Vue, a cantilevered bar in the forward area of the pool deck offering views of the ocean day and night
• Wipe Out Bar, located at the aft of the ship on the sports deck
• Rising Tide Bar, a bar moving up and down through the ship’s Royal Promenade and Central Park neighborhoods
• Spotlight Karaoke, a karaoke venue and bar that also has private rooms to reserve
• The Attic, a comedy club with a selection of comedians each cruise

Entertainment

Whether cruising on Odyssey of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas, guests will certainly not get bored, as each ship offers impressive entertainment options.

Both ships have signature entertainment in the Royal Theater as well as live music found throughout the ship at bars and lounges. As the two ships belong to different classes, though, additional entertainment venues differ.

Odyssey of the Seas is home to Two70, an entertainment venue found only on Quantum Class ships. Offering 270 degree views of the ocean from the ship’s aft, this large venue is a popular hangout spot during the cruise both day and night. Technology is a large aspect of shows at Two70, with robotic video screens and 12k projection mapping enhancing set design.

Odyssey of the Seas offers the following signature productions:

• The Book (Two70)
• The Effectors (Royal Theater)
• Showgirls (Royal Theater)

Wonder of the Seas does not have Two70, but is home to Studio B and the AquaTheater.

Studio B is the ice skating rink onboard, featuring a talented cast of professional figure skaters from around the world. Studio B shows incorporate figure skating with projection mapping and tricks including backflips and aerial performances.

Unique to Oasis Class ships, the AquaTheater is where Royal Caribbean’s aquatic shows are performed. AquaTheater shows combine high diving, slacklining, acrobatics, aeralists, and synchronized swimming for a unique performance at sea.

Wonder of the Seas offers the following signature productions:

• inTENse (AquaTheater)
• Voices (Royal Theater)
• The Effectors II: Crash ‘n’ Burn (Royal Theater)
• 365: Seasons on Ice (Studio B)

Pool deck

The pool decks on Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas share many similarities with each other as they both follow Royal Caribbean’s new Caribbean pool deck design. Colorful seating and decor brings a tropical vibe to the pool deck, which also features the Lime & Coconut Bar and private casitas available to reserve.

Despite similar decor, though, the pool deck layout of an Oasis Class ship differs quite a bit compared to a Quantum Class ship. Wonder of the Seas has a split pool deck design, as the open-air Central Park neighborhood is in the middle of the ship.

There are three outdoor pools on the Wonder of the Seas pool deck and one Splashaway Bay. Odyssey of the Seas has two outdoor pools in addition to Splashaway Bay. Both ships have several jacuzzis on the pool deck and plenty of seating.

Wonder of the Seas has more pool deck seating options available than Odyssey of the Seas, as the ship features a movie screen viewing area complete with padded lounge chairs and benches.

Odyssey of the Seas, as a Quantum Class ship, does not have any water slides and most of the ship’s signature activities are located in the SeaPlex and sports deck area. Wonder of the Seas has the Perfect Storm slides: two racing slides and one champagne bowl slide.

The Solarium on either ship is large, fully enclosed, and more similar than different, offering a pool, several jacuzzis, Solarium bridge wings, comfy seating, and the Solarium Bistro.

Onboard activities 

Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas may offer different signature activities onboard, but both ships provide a wide range of fun for guests of all ages.

Odyssey of the Seas offers the following signature activities:

• The North Star, an observation pod that rises 300 feet above sea level from the pool deck, offering 360 degree views of the ship, ocean, and ports
• RipCord by iFLY, an indoor skydiving simulator
• Zone Zero, a virtual reality zone in which guests walk through and interact with a virtual world
• Sky Pad, a bungee jumping arena with an optional virtual reality feature
• Bumper cars
• Roller skating
• Circus school

Many activities on Odyssey of the Seas are located within the SeaPlex, an indoor sports area with a court for sports like basketball and volleyball, an arcade, and the Playmakers Sports Bar. Signature activities like Zone Zero, bumper cars, roller skating, and circus school are found in the SeaPlex.

Most activities offered on Odyssey of the Seas are included in your cruise fare, although there are a few exceptions. Zone Zero comes at a cost of $18 per person. The North Star and RipCord by iFLY offer both complimentary and extra cost options. To score a complimentary time slot, be sure to reserve a time for the activity on the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you get onboard, as they can fill up quickly.

Wonder of the Seas offers the following signature activities:

• The Ultimate Abyss, a dry slide taking guests from the sports deck to the Boardwalk neighborhood
• The zipline, where guest fly nine decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood
• A carousel
• Wonder Playscape, an underwater-themed playground for children
• Ice skating
• Mini golf
• Sports court (outdoors)
• Water slides

All signature activities on Wonder of the Seas are included in your cruise fare. An escape room is set to be constructed but has not been built yet. 

Both ships offer one FlowRider surf simulator and rock climbing. Two rock climbing walls are found on Wonder of the Seas. In addition, both ships have the revamped Adventure Ocean programming, including a teens-only outdoor deck space.

Odyssey of the Seas itineraries

Odyssey of the Seas splits her time sailing from Ft. Lauderdale and Rome, offering cruises to the Caribbean and southern Mediterranean. She sails from Rome between May and October.

Itinerary highlights for Odyssey of the Seas include:

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean Holiday cruise visiting St. Maarten, San Juan, and Labadee
• 6-night Mexico & Perfect Day cruise visiting Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay
• 6-night Greek Isles cruise visiting Santorini, Mykonos, and Naples
• 12-night Holy Land cruise visiting Limassol, Jerusalem, Haifa, Ephesus (Kusadasi), Athens, and Naples

Wonder of the Seas itineraries

Wonder of the Seas will be homeported in Port Canaveral, Florida starting in November, offering primarily 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises. During the summer of 2022, Wonder of the Seas is sailing 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona and Rome.

Itinerary highlights for Wonder of the Seas include:

• 7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten
• 7-night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, Cozumel, Roatan, and Puerto Costa Maya
• 7-night Western Caribbean cruise visiting Rome, Naples, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, and Florence

Transatlantic cruises are offered on both ships when sailing to and from Europe.

Staterooms

Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas both offer a wide range of stateroom choices, from the most basic interior cabins to lavish loft suites.

As Quantum and Oasis Class ships, both ships offer the Royal Suite Class, which offers an upgraded suite experience for guests. From suite lounge access to exclusive dining at Coastal Kitchen, staying in a suite offers a fantastic cruise experience on either ship.

Wonder of the Seas has a few stateroom categories not available on Odyssey of the Seas, though. As the ship has a split middle section, balcony rooms are available in the Central Park and Boardwalk neighborhoods which look down into their respective neighborhoods. Boardwalk view rooms have a partial ocean view whereas Central Park rooms do not.

Wonder of the Seas also has the Ultimate Family Suite, which features an in-suite slide, jacuzzi, movie/game room, interactive piano staircase, and more.

As Quantum and Oasis Class ships, both ships offer the Royal Suite Class, which offers an upgraded suite experience for guests. From suite lounge access to exclusive dining at Coastal Kitchen and a private sun deck, staying in a suite offers a fantastic cruise experience on either ship.

Wonder of the Seas has the separated Suite Neighborhood onboard, which features Coastal Kitchen, the Suite Lounge, and a private deck with a plunge pool, comfy lounges, and a private bar.

Which ship should I choose?

As the newest ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, you’re guaranteed to have a top-notch cruising experience whether you choose Odyssey of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas. The ships offer many of the same dining venues, lounges, and onboard experiences.

The layout of Oasis Class ships offer a totally different feel to a cruise when compared to other ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. From relaxing with a book in Central Park or hanging out at Playmakers with a sea breeze on the Boardwalk, many cruisers prefer the size of an Oasis Class ship.

Wonder of the Seas offers an unparalleled amount of dining venues and onboard activities, offering some of Royal Caribbean's most kid-friendly activities like mini golf, water slides, ice skating, the Ultimate Abyss, and the zipline. 

Odyssey of the Seas has more of a traditional cruise ship build, as there is no split section in the middle of the ship. Odyssey of the Seas may not be as large as Wonder of the Seas, but some cruisers find they prefer the feel of a Quantum Class ship over Oasis Class.

And while there are fewer entertainment venues on Odyssey of the Seas when compared to Wonder of the Seas, there is certainly no shortage of onboard entertainment. Plus, Odyssey of the Seas has several features not found on Oasis Class ships like bumper cars, the North Star, and RipCord by iFLY, which make for interesting onboard activities for guests of all ages.

Ultimately, both Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas will offer an unforgettable cruise experience, allowing you to enjoy all of Royal Caribbean's newest amenities, dining, and entertainment.

We recommend watching full ship tours of Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas before making your decision, as seeing a full video of the ship can help you decide which ship will work best for your cruise vacation.