Royal Caribbean added its first food hall on Icon of the Seas, but it's gone one step further with it on Star of the Seas.

The second Icon Class cruise ship is very similar to the original, but one of the notable changes are the updates to the Aquadome Market.

This is one of the restaurants included in the cruise fare, and there are five stands that offer a completely different cuisine.

I instantly loved this restaurant on Icon of the Seas, so I was eager to see the changes on Star.

Royal Caribbean invited me to sail as their guest on a special pre-inaugural cruise before any paying passengers arrive, and I made a point to review the changes to Aquadome Market.

Three new options

From the original five food halls, Royal Caribbean swapped out three of them.

Luckily they kept my two favorites: Feta (Mediterranean) and Creme de la Crepe (crepes). 

However, three others were replaced with new concepts. I tried the food at each to see how they compare.

First up is Mai Thai, and Royal Caribbean offers pad thai or rice, along with two protein choices.

Beef Panang Curry or Grilled Lemongrass Chicken are the options, and I was really torn which one to try. I asked the crew member for her recommendation, and she said to try the chicken.

It's served in a bowl with the pad thai on the bottom, chicken on top, and optional spring roll to top it off.

In trying it, I was pleasantly surprised how much flavor this food had. 

I liked it a lot, and was also happy it was unexpectedly spicy.  As someone that prefers spice in their food, especially Asian food, this was a welcome twist.

The only reason I didn't finish it was because I wanted to leave room for the other food to try. Otherwise, I would have happily devoured it all.

The next food stall over is Pig Out BBQ, an American BBQ spot.

I'm not sure how close the menu is to Portside BBQ on Oasis of the Seas, but I was eager to try it. I think Portside BBQ is vastly underrated as a great place, so I had high hopes for Pig Out.

The choice here is to go with a sandwich or Mac & Cheese bowl. I picked the sandwich option.

The two protein choices are BBQ Brisket or pulled pork, and I'm a sucker for brisket so I went with that.

I got really excited about trying this when we got to the toppings. I love to top almost any food I eat with all sorts of veggies, sauces, or whatever.

I added pickles, onions, and topped it off with some sauce.

As I tried the sandwich, I found the BBQ sauce to be very sweet.  No hint of hotness here.  

I think this is the perfect size for a snack.  Most importantly, the brisket was very soft. That's impressive considering Royal Caribbean can't use a traditional smoker and has to rely on an electric cooking option.

Finally, I got to La Cocinita, which has South American staples like hot empanadas and arepas. There are also Cuban sandwiches available.

I wasn't sure which option to get here, so I did the responsible thing: I ordered both.

I've had plenty of empanadas over the years, and always lamented when they were more pastry than protein.  That wasn't the case here.  

The empanada was "meaty", and not very spicy.  Probably too big for a single bite, but satisfying.

Similar to the BBQ sandwich, I liked there were lots of topping choices for the arepas.

Pickled beets, salsa verde, and pretty much whatever they had, I threw on there. 

To be honest, I don't know if I'm supposed to eat an arepa with my hands or a fork, so I kind of did both.  

A new must-try

I thought Royal Caribbean set a high standard with Aquadome Market on Icon, but the choices on Star are so much better.

I'd rank the food I tried in this order of personal preference:

1. Pad thai
2. BBQ brisket sandwich
3. Empanada
4. Arepa

The real conundrum for me is when I return to eat here without the purposes of a review, what would I order. The falafel and gyro at Feta were always one of my must-eats onboard Icon, so now I have to balance that with these new choices.

Not only is Aquadome Market my favorite included restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship, I think it's a must-try spot.

Because everything is freshly prepared, it's one step ahead of the buffets or other quick service options.

Moreover, the additions are much stronger choices than the original lineup. Having a greater variety of food that goes beyond traditional cruise food and leans into regional options is such a welcome choice.

Star of the Seas is here and you're probably wondering what's different about this ship compared to Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean's second Icon Class ship is days away from welcoming aboard its first paying passengers, and the ship has lofty expectations from both them and the cruise line itself.

I'm lucky enough to be invited by Royal Caribbean to come get a first look at Star of the Seas before she begins sailing, and I've kept a careful eye out for what's new or different.

Here's a list of the changes you'll find on Star of the Seas that I've found so far.

All new shows

You can always count on Royal Caribbean to never be content with its entertainment lineup.

Star of the Seas has new shows in each of its three theaters.

By far the headliner show is Back to the Future: The Musical, which is the full Broadway production and included on this ship.

There's also a new high-diving spectacle in the Aquatheater, as well as a new show in Absolute Zero.

I always recommend everyone check out the new shows when they go on a ship, because each show is impressive in its own right.

Kaleidoscopes

Hidden around the ship are what look like whimsical telescopes.

The idea is similar to the Small Wonders on Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas.

So far I've found two, one on the Royal Promenade and the other in Surfside, and each has a different design when you peer through them.

Robot vacuums

A really neat idea is there are a few robot vacuum cleaners on Star of the Seas.

There are two types, with Bob responsible for hard surfaces and Betsy taking up carpets.

I'm used to seeing robots in supermarkets and BJ's stores, but it's fun that Royal Caribbean is getting in on the trend.

I suspect these robots can help augment the hard work crew members do in cleaning up, especially after hours.

New hot tub

Royal Caribbean was able to add a new hot tub on Star of the Seas, near the entrance to Aquadome Market.

The hot tub was originally intended to be on Icon, but the company was concerned about water weight. As it turned out, it wasn't a problem, so they added it to Star of the Seas.

Another pool deck change you'll notice are the bungee chairs on Deck 15 across from Royal Bay pool have been removed.

Instead, there are regular loungers on there.  Some crew members told me those bungee chairs on Icon had too many kids climbing and jumping on them, which likely lead to this change.

Lincoln Park Supper Club

The only new dining spot on Star of the Seas is the Lincoln Park Supper Club.

The supper club on Icon of the Seas was New York based, but this one is going to be Chicago based.

Royal Caribbean found inspiration from Chicago hot spots, from the Chez Paree club to the famed dining spot, The Pump Room.

Dining here will cost you $200 per person, and you'll get a pairing of live jazz music with the food. Each course has a paired cocktail and dish that matches up perfectly with the music.

Meet Sailor

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention there's a new Chief Dog Officer on Star of the Seas.

Sailor is the Golden Retriever that lives on the ship as the family dog.

You can meet Sailor if you're lucky enough to be in the right spot when she walks by for a belly rub.  Usually I've seen her near the Overlook, in Surfside, or even on the Royal Promenade.

Royal Caribbean got a lot of attention when it put a dog on Icon of the Seas, and it's such a lovely idea.

A more colorful Pearl

The Pearl has been upgraded visually.

Instead of a single color light ring in the back of each of those 3500 plus tiles, this version has full multicolor rings.

This allows arguably the top photo spot on the ship to have a much richer color palate.

New bar menus

I've noticed a few menus have gotten updates to at the least the look of them, and a few new cocktails too.

The fleetwide menu has been updated with new drinks and a new look.

Every few years the bar menu changes, and this is the bar menu you'll find in places like Casino Bar, The Overlook, and other bars without a specialized menu.

In the Pub, there's a new menu and each table as a ring toss game to help you pass the time.

I believe the Yuzu the One and Love Story are two new drinks on this menu.

Over at the Lime and Coconut, there's been a change to the lineup to offer more non-alcoholic drinks too.

There are are series of frozen drink machines, and two of them are now non-alcoholic.

In addition, a dedicated painkiller frozen drink dispenser has been added.

The tequila lineup as been improved at El Loco Fresh's Cantina.

You'll find a new Teqkil-ya Zombie drink, as well as higher quality tequilas to choose from.

Upgraded water fun in Surfside

Royal Caribbean said they wanted the kids only neighborhood on Star of the Seas to lean a bit more mature to appeal to slightly older kids.

The changes are subtle, but I think the 7-10 year olds may find more to enjoy in Surfside compared to Icon of the Seas.

Specifically, Splashaway Bay and Playscape received new features and more play activations to appeal to older kids.

In addition, the Water's Edge pool is dropping the idea it could be a haven for parents too, and instead is enhanced to be more kid-friendly. 

This change was done because in reality, kids took this pool over on Icon.

New art

You can also count on any new cruise ship for there to be new art all over the ship.

Royal Caribbean is proud of its artwork, and you'll find lots of it to catch your eye in every hallway, public venue, and bar.

I think the art in the elevator lobbies and on the Royal Promenade might be among the most noticeable, because they're so large.

Changes that I can't tell if they really did change

There are some changes that at one point were supposed to change, but perhaps it's being held back for a future ship.

Pier 7 remains in place. Right after Icon's launch, executives talked about it would be something else on Star.

Personally, I always liked eating at Pier 7 because it offers food you don't usually find elsewhere on the ship.  

There is much more outdoor seating too.

Something else that doesn't appear to have made it to Star are the first facial recognition cabins.

It's my understanding there aren't any cabins yet with that feature.  

Royal Caribbean is ready to double the fun with Star of the Seas.

The brand new ship is Royal Caribbean's newest mega-ship, bringing the total number of operational vessels in Royal Caribbean's fleet to 29.

It's the hotly anticipated follow-up to Icon of the Seas, which launched last year and instantly became a mega hit for the cruise line. Icon wasn't just exciting, it set a new standard for every other cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean invited me to come on a short 3-night sailing to see the new ship and what it's all about.  They flew me to Puerto Rico to meet the ship, and be among the first to get onboard.

In just a couple of hours on Star, I wanted to share a glimpse of what this new ship is like and why you'd want to try it too.

Doubling what Icon did best

It's clear Royal Caribbean didn't want to mess too much with the winning formula that made Icon of the Seas such a success.

Star of the Seas began construction right around the same time as Icon, so their layout and look are very similar.

The difference is in the details, and I quickly picked up on the fact that Star is everything I loved about Icon.

Overall, Star is similar to Icon of the Seas in terms of onboard amenities and size. As such, guests can expect the same record-breaking Category 6 Waterpark, indoor AquaTheater, Crown's Edge ropes course/over-the-water zip line, massive Absolute Zero ice skating rink, and adults-only Hideaway.

It's a bright and colorful ship that is meant to evoke a party atmosphere.  You won't find the words "subdued" or "subtle" on this cruise ship.

Star of the Seas relies on the formula of open spaces, a connection to the water, and great things to do that are certain to make memories.

I loved how beautiful the pool deck is, and how the layout provides so much space for chairs, shade, pools, and bars.

Having an entire waterpark onboard means the ship has more thrills than any other, and that's in addition to the surf simulator, Crown's Edge, or sports area.

My favorite area of the ship remains Central Park because of how beautiful this space is, with so much packed in.

In walking around Central Park, I noticed a lot of new artwork and beautiful designs.  Plus, the Trellis Bar, Izumi sushi window, Bubbles, and Lou's are the perfect nighttime spot for a snack, drink, or both.

Over in Surfside, there's an entire area for kids.

Royal Caribbean says this version should skew to appeal to slightly older kids, but I'll need to wait for more kids to be onboard to truly see how it works.

You'll find tweaks, replacements and a few surprises on Star of the Seas

There are subtle differences that give Star of the Seas a defining personality of her own. 

For example, the Broadway-style show on Icon is the Wizard of Oz, whereas on Star of the Seas, it's Back to the Future: the Musical. 

Moreover, Royal Caribbean made changes to the AquaDome Marketplace food stalls. Pig Out BBQ, Mai Thai, and La Cocinita will effectively replace GNGR, Mac's, and Toast & Garden. 

The supper club also received a refresh. Instead of honoring New York City, the new Lincoln Park Supper Club reflects the spirit of Chicago.

I was surprised when I turned a corner and ran into a group of housekeeping robots, which are a first for the cruise line.

The two types of robots can clean the floors and carpets constantly.  Bob is for the hard surfaces, while Betsy takes care of carpeting.

I found them in the Overlook, but unsure yet how wide spread they will be.

I also noticed what looks like telescopes around the ship in various public areas.

Similar to the Small Wonders feature on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, each one has a different kaleidoscope design to it.

It's a fun sea day activity to try to find them all.

Also noteworthy to cruise fans are the new name tags.

Crew members have a different name tag design compared to any other ship.  I'm not sure if the new design will go fleetwide, or remain an Icon Class look.

The first Star of the Seas cruises begin in August

Measuring over 248,000 gross registered tons, Star of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, tied only with Icon of the Seas. Star comes in at 1,196 feet long and 219 feet wide. At double occupancy, Star of the Seas can accommodate 5,610 guests in 2,805 staterooms. However, at maximum capacity, she can carry over 7,000 passengers. She also has 2,350 crew onboard from countries all over the world. 

Star's maiden voyage is scheduled for August 31, 2025, but construction moved quicker than expected. As such, Star will embark on a series of short preview cruises ahead of the official maiden voyage. The first of these will take place from August 16-20, 2025. It is ironic because when Star of the Seas' bookings were initially released, the maiden voyage was scheduled for August 17. It was later pushed back due to shipyard delays.

Star of the Seas' 7-night maiden voyage on August 31 will cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas' homeport is Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Orlando is one of the top vacation markets in the world, so Royal Caribbean's decision to homeport Star at Port Canaveral makes sense. The location offers travelers easy access to the area's famous theme parks and attractions. Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's first-ever purpose-built ship for the short cruise market, also calls Port Canaveral home.

Cruises on Star of the Seas are available to book through April 2027. There are even a few last-minute cabins on the special showcase cruises. At the time of publication, an interior stateroom on the 4-night Aug. 16 sailing starts at $1,029 per person. The cheapest cruise on Star of the Seas is scheduled for Sept. 14, 2025. The 7-night cruise starts at $1,153 per person in an inside cabin.

All but one sailing is scheduled to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island in The Bahamas. The itinerary for the May 3, 2026, cruise is Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Labadee, Haiti. 

Royal Caribbean is known for being a family cruise line, but which cabin would be the best choice to book?

I've been cruising with my family ever since my first kid was old enough to sail, but there are different needs once you introduce kids into the mix.

Families are often looking for space, privacy, and convenience with their room choice, and if they can not spend a lot for it, then it's a bonus.

Royal Caribbean has a fairly wide range of cruise ship cabins to choose from, even if you're trying to stick to a budget.

Those willing to spend more will find sprawling suites with crazy amenities, but there are also very nice options that will work well in the lower category cabins too.

Here are my top picks for finding the the perfect family-friendly cruise cabin on Royal Caribbean.

1. Budget-friendly cabins

Interior and Ocean View Rooms: These are slightly larger cabins that can sleep up to four people in the cabin.

In addition to the bed that can be combined to form a king or split apart, there are going to be either pullman beds that descend from the ceiling or sofa beds that open up for the extra passenger.

Putting four people in one room will likely be the cheapest option, but it's also going to feel the most cramped. Living space will be at a premium, and all of you will share one bedroom.

Connecting cabins: My favorite configuration for families is to book two connecting staterooms that have a common door between them.

The advantage of connecting cabins is you get twice the space, an extra bathroom, an extra TV, and full separation between each room.  This is a great choice if you're cruising with teens.

Moreover, you can find connecting cabins in a variety of cabin categories, from inside to balcony. 

2. Best mid-range family-friendly cabins

Spacious Ocean View and Balcony Rooms: The advantage of booking a higher category cabin if you're putting all four of you in one room is you get more living space.

Royal Caribbean labels staterooms with the word "spacious" as an indicator it has more square footage, and that means you four people sharing the room comfortably.

Like the inside rooms, it's likely a better price, but a better compromise on the balance of space and value.

Family Ocean View Cabins: Some of the largest cabins you'll find outside of suites are the Family Ocean View Cabins.

Usually located at the very front of the ship, these are massive rooms that often have a separate sleeping room, bunk beds, and more than one bathroom.

The downside to these rooms is they are usually located in the forward area of the ship, which means a longer walk and possibly more motion.

Ultra Spacious Ocean View / Balcony Cabins: Even larger than the family cabins, Ultra Spacious rooms are enormous.

There aren't many of them, but they're designed to accommodate up to 6 passengers. You'll find ultra spacious ocean view rooms on Freedom and Oasis Class ships.

Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies: Royal Caribbean came up with a few new kinds of family staterooms for its Icon Class ships, and each relies on clever layouts.

The Family Infinite Ocean View Balconies has an infinite balcony instead of a standard balcony. This means you can convert the balcony space into an indoor living instead, which is great for young children who want to crawl and walk and have play room.

They can sleep up to six guests too.

Surfside Family View Cabins: These staterooms are located near the Surfside neighborhood, which is an area of the ship designed for young families.

There are Surfside Family View Interior or Balcony rooms, and they can handle three or four people in the room.

The rooms are convenient, as well as being in a family-focused location.

Surfside Family Suite: Royal Caribbean introduced affordable suites that are great for young kids, but also include many more perks.

The idea is having a room where kids and parents share the cabin, without feeling like everyone is on top of each other. Thanks to nooks and clever ideas, it feels like there's more separation than you might expect.

You'll also find a split bathroom and a private balcony accessible via a convertible partition in the bedroom. 

3. Best family-friendly suites

Ultimate Family Suite: If money is no object, go big and try the suite that was made to be second-to-none for families.

This incredible suite has an in-room slide, Lego wall, movie and game room, hot tub, spread across two levels, and has more games and play spaces than I ever thought possible.

Plus, it comes with Star Class perks, including the services of the Royal Genie.  It's an incredible way to vacation as a family.

It's only available on a handful of ships, such as Star of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, and a few others.

Royal Family Suite: Another massive room for families to consider has about 560 square feet of space with two bedrooms.

It can sleep up to 8 people, making it the perfect suite to share with grandparents for multigenerational travel.

Tips for booking a family cruise on Royal Caribbean

No matter which suite you book, there are a few good tricks for ensuring you can get on and maybe save some money too.

First, I'd recommend using a travel agent familiar with Royal Caribbean’s family options.  

Royal Caribbean's website sometimes won't show staterooms that can sleep more than 4 people, and you wouldn't want to miss out because of that.  Travel agents are able to easily book them for you.

I recommend MEI Travel for making it as easy as possible to book a family room.

You should also book your family cruise sooner than later, especially for suites.

Royal Caribbean cruises are in high demand, and the first type of cabins to book up are usually suites and some of the unique cabins that don't have much inventory.

I'd also recommend you look at what's nearby your room before selecting a specific cabin.

Having a room near Adventure Ocean kids club, the pools, Surfside, or an area of the ship you think you'll spend a lot of time in would be smart.

Speaking of room location, always consider its location on the ship and how that may factor into motion sickness.

Certain cruise cabin locations are definitely more prone to motion, and that could be an issue for you.

Lastly, don't overlook simply booking two connecting rooms instead of a bigger, more expensive single room.

I love connecting rooms because they're often some of the best values and it gives everyone the living space they need. You might be surprised how much more economical it is to book two rooms instead of one bigger cabin.

Everyone wants to save money on a cruise, so what are a few things anyone could do right now to do just that?

We share Royal Caribbean money saving tips on this site all the time, but I started to think about what's something you could do right now to potentially reduce your vacation cost.

Many strategies involve things to do onboard the ship or tired to the initial booking.

Whether you have months or weeks before your cruise begins, here are a few strategies I think could net you additional savings.

Change refundable to non-refundable fare

One of the lesser known tricks for saving money is adjusting your fare type.

Royal Caribbean offers refundable and non-refundable deposits when you book a cruise. The basic difference is refundable will cost more, but has the option to cancel without any penalties.

If you went the cautious route, you might consider once you get closer to your cruise if it will save you money to change to non-refundable fare.

It's easy to book it as refundable more than a year in advance, and then forget about the fare type you selected.  Changing it to non-refundable could lower your cruise cost, and hopefully by now, you're certain you are going on the cruise.

This trick doesn't work all the time, but I've been able to save hundreds of dollars on a cruise I know I'm definitely going on by swapping when the numbers work in my favor.

Refundable cruise fare is a safe option, but right before final payment date I'll double check to see if I can save money by going to non-refundable.

Ask your travel agent if it's possible to change to non-refundable fare, and if that would save you money. You need to be before final payment date.

Reprice all your pre-cruise purchases

One of the best tried-and-true money saving Royal Caribbean tips is to check for a price drop on your pre-cruise purchases.

Royal Caribbean allows you to cancel and repurchase any pre-cruise item all the way up to a day or so before the cruise begins.

It's very simple to do this, and I love this strategy because you can take advantage of a price drop on something you bought, such as a drink package, shore excursion, cabana, or Wi-Fi package.

Repricing my Cruise Planner purchases has easily saved me the most money of any tip over the years.  

Heck, you can even use a free price tracker to be notified when there's a better price.

What I'll do is buy up any extra I know I want, and then periodically check to see if there's a lower price later.

If you haven't done this, log onto the Cruise Planner website now and see if the prices have changed. You might be surprised at the savings waiting.

Change to a cheaper category

Booked a balcony but realize you won’t use it much? Downgrading to an ocean view or inside cabin could free up cash for excursions or specialty dining.

Just like booking refundable cruise fare, perhaps you reserved a higher category cabin, but have reconsidered how cost-effective it will be.  Perhaps you're on a very port intensive itinerary, or you're on a cruise with friends and will be out and about all the time?

If you're before the final payment date, you might be able to change staterooms to a cheaper category cabin and net savings there.

Inside cabins have certain virtues to them (besides being cheaper), and repurposing the money saved makes your vacation budget go further.

Rethink tour transportation to port

If you're flying to your cruise port, never assume the flights you booked are the least expensive option.

If you're flying in, set flight alerts for a fare drop.  In addition, considering alternate airports where you could save a lot of money with a slightly longer drive.

Speaking of driving, you might consider prepaying for parking online to save money.  

If you're taking an Uber, compare that cost to hotel shuttles or off-site lots.

Bring your own essentials

Another way to save money on your cruise today is to not pay the cruise line prices for important things later.

There are some cruise essentials everyone seems to need, and I'd recommend buying them early so you can get the lowest possible price.

Things such as a refillable water bottle, lanyard, over-the-counter meds, sunscreen, magnets, and USB outlet extenders are all good to buy now.

Buying these onboard or at the port will mean marked up prices.

One example is the woman that was charged $390 for Benadryl on her cruise, but buying it before the cruise would have been a fraction of that.

I thought spending a week in Denmark between cruises would be the perfect way to explore Europe and enjoy a different kind of trip, but I was constantly reminded how much more I prefer cruising.

I've primarily relied on taking cruises as my primary method of travel for well over a decade. I go on ships about once a month, and it's not just my work but I also greatly enjoy the unpack once and let the world come to me approach.

When I had the chance to go on my first luxury cruise, I opted to spend a week in Copenhagen in a hotel.  It seemed like a great opportunity to truly see the city and immerse myself in the Danish culture and lifestyle.

I quickly realized how much better a value cruising is, and missed not only the onboard experience but also the glimpses it provides.

Food costs alone make cruising a great value

The first indication a cruise was a better value was how quickly my credit card charges started to pile up from food.

While I did get to try some amazing food that I couldn't get back home, it's not cheap.  The Scandinavian countries of Europe are especially expensive to begin with, and then you add meals to the equation and the cost starts to build up.

I debated how to best balance trying the foods that make Copenhagen unique versus trying to save money. 

Unlike a cruise ship, I couldn't fall back on the complimentary options was a way to reduce expenses.  On a cruise ship, there are included restaurants that offer meals, snacks, and drinks with your cruise fare.

Of course, staying in a hotel also means I don't have the means to prepare meals. There's no microwave, oven, or fridge to be able to make a proper meal.

Unpacking once on a cruise is an underrated benefit

The magic of a cruise is you get to unpack once and then see a variety of places.

When I sailed on Independence of the Seas prior to my stay in Denmark, our ship moved between Hamburg, Rotterdam, Oslo, and Copenhagen.

It's so much easier to go to sleep and wake up in a different city, and it's something you can only get with a cruise ship.

During my stay in Copenhagen, I could have seen more of Denmark or the surrounding area, but I would have had to pack up, travel, and then unpack again in the new place before returning to Copenhagen later. 

I considered doing more of a road trip and going around, but it seemed the logistics, costs, and time commitment needed to get around were more than I was willing to try.

Leaving the travel plans to the cruise line and simply walking off the ship to see the place I'm in for the day is definitely my speed.

Getting a glimpse of these places is good enough

Another advantage of a cruise might seem like a negative aspect. Having just 6-8 hours in port might seem like a problem when visiting amazing places, but I think it's the right amount of time for the best options.

I got my first taste of Copenhagen a week earlier when my cruise visited the city, and really liked it.  So when I returned for a week, I thought it would be amazing to explore even further.

While I had more time to see the city's highlights, I realized the saying "less is more" applies to city touring too.

I certainly didn't hate my time in Copenhagen, but I think spending the day is enough to experience the very best the port has to offer. 

As the days passed, I was ready to move onto something else. This reinforced the benefits of cruising and getting just enough time to see things I need to visit.

Cruise ships can get to places that are impractical by car

My Independence of the Seas cruise had also visited the Norwegian fjords, and this was by far my favorite area of Scandinavia to see.

While a big city like Copenhagen has a lot of interesting activities, the natural beauty of the fjords is unmatched.

I think being able to visit a fjord, glacier, or bay is something so special about cruising.

Even in the Caribbean, a cruise ship can get you to places that are difficult to get to otherwise. The most beautiful beaches are accessible via boat, and starting off on a cruise ship that docks nearby helps immensely.

I missed the value and convenience of a cruise ship

I didn't hate my week in Copenhagen, but I was quite happy to board a cruise ship and get back into that style of travel.

Ultimately, I think visiting cities by cruise ship is the right amount of time to see the highlights. I might prefer the ship stays in port a few extra hours, but it's usually good enough.

When you start to account for the costs of living in a city for multiple days along with transportation needs, cruising becomes even more attractive.

In my situation, I was also coming at it from an almost idyllic scenario because it was just me and I didn't have kids, grandparents, or other special needs.  The more people you add to the equation, the more demands it has on catering to everyone's needs.

I'd recommend seeing Copenhagen to anyone as a beautiful city, but preferably as part of a visit for the day on the ship.

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week! 

Royal Caribbean has changed their policy to no longer offer drink package exemptions for those that cannot or do not want alcohol.

As of this week, the cruise line is no longer accepting requests to bypass the “everyone must purchase” rule for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

The change is because too many passengers were abusing the option and sharing drinks with people that didn't have the drink package.

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• "Loyalty that matters": Royal Caribbean doubles down on its customers
• I tried Royal Caribbean’s secret disembarkation hack and it made my cruise so much better
• I always ask my travel agent for 4 things on every cruise I book to make my cruise easier

Video: What happens to the uneaten food on a cruise ship

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — What Happens To The Uneaten Food On Cruise Ship Buffets — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean cancels visits to its private beach in Haiti amid violence

More visits to Labadee were cancelled this week, as the pause to its private beach destination continues.

Royal Caribbean will halt visits to Labadee through at least the end of October 2025.

Concerns regarding the safety because of Haiti's instability prompted the change.

Royal Caribbean is testing making its swim-up bar adults-only

There's been a change on Icon of the Seas to make the Swim & Tonic require adults-only.

Signage appeared on this week's sailing that says you must be at least 18 years old to go into the Swim & Tonic bar, which has a swim-up bar.

The test is to evaluate how well it will work, following up on guest feedback regarding concerns of children impacting the bar experience.

Changes to Royal Caribbean's credit card?

There could be an overhaul coming to the Royal Caribbean credit card soon.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty hinted his company is already evaluating new ideas for the card and how it fits into the customer loyalty program.

There aren't any firm details, but it sounds like the credit card would offer different benefits "very soon".

6 things I'll try first on Star of the Seas

Star of the Seas is just a few weeks away from its first sailing, and Matt has a few areas he is targeting to check out first.

While Star may not be totally different than Icon of the Seas, the new ship has a number of changes from the original Icon Class ship.

Matt shared the six thing he'll be on the lookout for to see how it differs after boarding Star of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has made a change to one of the rules regarding its popular drink packages.

When a passenger purchases the unlimited alcohol package, it requires all other adults in the same stateroom to purchase it too. However, there was a caveat that allowed for someone who is unable or unwilling to drink alcohol to call in and get an exemption.

The cruise line quietly updated its policy to remove that option.

Rumors quickly swirled among passengers of a rule change, and Royal Caribbean Blog has confirmed the cruise line has indeed changed its rules.

According to a Royal Caribbean spokesperson, "Beginning August 1, Royal Caribbean will no longer be able to grant exceptions to our policy that both guests in a stateroom must purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package."

This means guests can no longer call and request to have the other passenger purchase the Royal Refreshment package instead.

To be clear, this rule only applies when someone buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, which is the unlimited alcohol package. There's no similar requirement for the Royal Refreshment Package or Soda package.

Why Royal Caribbean is making the policy change

The policy shift came as a surprise to many cruisers, because it's been in place for years.

Royal Caribbean says it's making the change due to how the exception was being used.

"This change allows us to ensure guests are consuming their beverage package responsibly. Over time, requests for exceptions have increased, and sharing of packages has continued, which led us to implement this policy change," the company spokesperson said.

The exception was in place to offer an alternative to guests who couldn't drink alcohol, such as expectant mothers, people in recovery, and other specific needs.

Evidently more and more people were aware of the option, and that necessitated the change.

One of the biggest problems with the unlimited drink package is when guests share the benefits with someone that doesn't have it, which is strictly against the rules.

The cruise line has determined the level of abuse of the drink package benefits in sharing with those that have circumvented the rules reached a breaking point.

Not the first time drink packages rules had to change

This isn't the first time Royal Caribbean has made policy shifts to its drink packages in order to curb sharing of packages.

When they first introduced an unlimited alcohol package, there were no requirements on all adults needing to buy it too, despite other cruise lines having those rules in place.

Later, Royal Caribbean relented and made the policy change to require if one adult bought the Deluxe Beverage Package then all other adults in the same stateroom must buy it also.

Just like today, that change was made due to too many passengers sharing drink package benefits with those that didn't have the drink package.

Cruisers react

The policy change was noted quickly among social media, where people quickly shared their thoughts on why it needed to happen.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, there was a mix of surprise, lament, and frustration.

JFCruise posted, "I can see them doing this because people might abuse the exception, too.  But what will happen now is that they will see even fewer sales of the package and people just buying as they go."

ZBrady added, "The tricky thing is there are legitimate reasons for only needing one deluxe package, but its basically impossible to have means to 'prove' many of the reasons."

"My response is I will go without a package and do with other promos and leverage any discounts I can get as a Platinum member.", DunwoodyDad wrote.

Top_Turnip4781 posted on the Royal Caribbean sub reddit, "I’m assuming they closed the loophole. People were doing this and still sharing alcohol. Only takes a few to ruin it for everyone."

A poster claiming to be a Royal Caribbean employee said the abuse of the policy became too much, "As others have pointed out it’s unfortunately because selfish people abuse the exemptions (supposed to be reserved for pregnant women, those recovering/recovered from addiction, etc.).

"While I personally support having exemptions, privacy concerns over documentation and physical processing of the requests basically made it an honor system sort of deal, which is where people started abusing it."

Options for cruising without a drink package

Royal Caribbean was quick to add that despite the policy change, guests are still able to purchase a la carte drinks and drink specials will still be widely available throughout the ship.

While drink packages are quite convenient, they're not essential or required to cruise.

With some good planning, you might find a way to enjoy alcoholic beverages on your cruise without buying a beverage package and avoiding a high bar bill.

• Each adult is allowed to bring one bottle of wine onboard on embarkation day, and there's no cost if consumed in your stateroom
• Attaining Prime status in the Royal Caribbean casino loyalty program allows for unlimited complimentary alcoholic beverages in the casino bar
• Once you reach Diamond level in Crown and Anchor Society, guests receive four complimentary drinks per day
• Rarely, there is a 10 drink card offered onboard select sailings that is shareable
• You could choose to do most of your drinking in port, which may have less expensive drink prices
• Booking a suite is a workaround, because Royal Caribbean includes beer, wine, and cocktails during certain hours while in the Suite Lounge

A new cruise tax in Greece has begun, and it means an additional cost for Greek isle cruises.

The tax was first announced last year, but it is now an official policy as of August 1, 2025.

Guests with cruises to Greek ports of call received an email from Royal Caribbean informing them of the change.

"Beginning with sailings that depart on August 1, 2025, a seasonal cruise tax will be implemented across various ports in Greece, including iconic destinations like Mykonos and Santorini," the email read.

The cruise line also explained what this tax is for, "This initiative supports sustainable tourism and helps preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these beloved destinations."

When the tax was announced last year, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said it was to provide additional support to these locations during the peak tourism season, "Greece does not have a structural over-tourism problem ... Some of its destinations have a significant issue during certain weeks or months of the year, which we need to deal with."

"Cruise shipping has burdened Santorini and Mykonos and this is why we are proceeding with interventions."

Here's how the new tax breaks down:

If a passenger chooses stay onboard and not go ashore in these Greek ports, Royal Caribbean will automatically refund their SeaPass account for the applicable amount towards the end of the sailing.

Higher taxes for the two most popular islands

Santorini and Mykonos are the nation's most popular tourist islands, especially for cruise ships.

The volcanic island of Santorini is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, while Mykonos is well-known for its elegant architecture and views.

Santorini saw 800 cruise ships in 2023, with a combined statistic of 1.3 million visitors onboard. While Santorini had 63 peak days for cruise visits in 2023, this was reduced to 48 in 2024.

It is the most popular cruise destination in Greece, and during the summer months, hosts over 17,000 cruise ship visitors arrive a day.

For the small island with a population of just 15,500, that number of tourists threatens the local infrastructure.

Beginning in 2025, Santorini will also cap the number of cruise ship passengers allowed to visit at 8,000 per day.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis said that part of the revenue from the cruise ship levy will be returned to local communities to invest in and support local infrastructure.

A fix for overtourism

To regulate the arrival of cruise ships, the Greek government will also impose a digital berth allocation system at ports. The system will spread out ship arrivals to prevent overcrowding from multiple vessels arriving simultaneously.

The allocation will handle popular destinations at peak times, considering criteria such as ship size, environmentally friendly vessels, and the length of the stay on the island. 

To prevent cruisers from rushing between the port and tours, ships staying longer will be prioritized in the system.

Mitsotakis also announced that Greece must protect the environment and tackle water shortages on its popular tourist islands.

New taxes and fees don't just apply to cruisers on the sea—Greece is also raising the lodging tax. 

During the peak tourist months between April and October, hotels and short-term rentals will see an increase in fees and limitations.

Greece's economy relies on tourism, with a revenue of about 20 billion euros in 2023 supported by 31 million tourist arrivals that year.

Despite the economic influence tourism has on the economy, Greece has begun to follow in the footsteps of other cruise ports evaluating the impact of cruise ships on their region.

Especially as cruising gains popularity, and passenger numbers surpass those pre-pandemic, many popular tourist spots are looking at the effects of overtourism.

Protests in Santorini, Venice, and Barcelona have made the news recently, as locals call for limits on tourism.

Royal Caribbean's new Star of the Seas is almost ready to welcome passengers onboard, and I can't wait to see it myself.

The first official cruise departs Port Canaveral on August 16, followed by a series of short showcase sailings leading up to the official maiden voyage on August 31st.

Star of the Seas is the second Icon Class ship, and it's Royal Caribbean's follow-up to the mega hit that has been Icon of the Seas.

A new ship launch is always exciting, but the sequel to a truly game-changing ship is going to be something not to miss.

When I embark Star of the Seas and start exploring, I've already come up with a six things I'll be looking for to see how this ship stands out from her big sister.

Lincoln Park Supper Club

Royal Caribbean exceeded my expectations when it opened its first supper club on Icon of the Seas, so I can't wait to see its follow-up.

The supper club on Icon had a New York theme, and the one on Star of the Seas will have a Chicago theme to it.

If you haven't tried the Empire Supper Club yet, it's a fine dining experience that combines food, cocktails, and live music. Trust me, it's an experience you don't find on cruise ships.

Each course matches what you're eating and drinking to the music played, and I liked it much more than I expected when I tried it on Icon.

In fact, I went back for a second time because I liked it so much.

I also really like the fact it has a strict dress code, so everyone going in to dine has an elevated look.  Sometimes, it's fun to dress up and look fancy.

I booked a seating on Star so I can check it out for myself and see how this version measures up to the original.

New Aquadome Market

Another follow-up restaurant hit is the complimentary food hall on Star of the Seas.

When Royal Caribbean announced it would open its first food hall, I was sold immediately.  Freshly prepared food that leaned into various regional offerings in a quick service manner sounded like the perfect idea.

Sure enough, Aquadome Market quickly became my favorite restaurant, and it sounds like the version on Star of the Seas could be even better.

Royal Caribbean is keeping a few of the food halls from Icon, but swapping out some others.

• NEW: Pig Out BBQ: Serves smoky pulled pork and beef brisket
• NEW: Mai Thai: Specializes in Southeast Asian favorites like pad Thai and beef panang
• NEW: La Cocinita: Offers South American staples such as empanadas and arepas
• Crème de la Crêpe: Serves sweet and savory French crêpes
• Feta Mediterranean: Features fresh pitas and bowls with Mediterranean flavors

Not only did they add three new halls, but they kept the two best ones from Icon.

Part of the reason I like Aquadome Market so much is it's included in your cruise fare, conveniently located near the pool deck, and it's open late.

You can bet I'll be headed to Aquadome Market on embarkation day for lunch.

Back to the Future: The Musical

I was really surprised when Royal Caribbean confirmed they'd have a full Broadway musical on Star of the Seas, especially a brand new show.

It has been a number of years since Royal Caribbean added a Broadway show to one of its ships and I feared they might have moved past that trend.

So when Back to the Future: The Musical was revealed as the show for Star, I was really excited. Not only was it a new show, but a crowd pleasing musical that even casual theater fans could appreciate.

I don't need to recap what this musical is about because I think everyone has seen the film, but it should be a real hit with guests.

The Wizard of Oz is performed on Icon of the Seas, and I think that quickly impressed a lot of people.  So now with a show that has even more pizzazz, I think it's going to be a hot ticket.

Crowd management

If there's one thing Royal Caribbean really got right with Icon of the Seas, it's the crowd flow.  So I'm hoping it's just as good (if not better) on Star of the Seas.

One of the early takeaways on Icon was that it felt so much less crowded than the Oasis Class ships.

Initially I thought this might have been a fluke on my sailing, but I've been on Icon a few more times and it's incredible a ship that can handle up to 7,000 passengers can feel as uncrowded as it does.

When the ship feels uncrowded, I think it makes a significant difference in how passengers enjoy the experience overall.  It feels less contentious and almost liberating because you're more at ease with everything.

I'm going to pay special attention to a few areas, such as the Royal Promenade and it's improved Pearl.  I also want to see how the change to adults-only at Swim & Tonic impacts the venue, as well as the entire pool deck vibe.

Aquadome show

If there's one must-see on any Royal Caribbean ship, it's their aqua show.

I don't care which ship it is, I'll always make a point to go to the Aquatheater to see the show because it's such a crowd pleaser.

Royal Caribbean has a new show for Star of the Seas, called Torque.

A revved-up aqua show featuring athletic artists, synchronized swimmers, dancers and slackliners for an action-packed show of thrilling stunts, cutting-edge tech and immersive visuals.

When it comes to the aqua shows, it's about taking in the spectacle of talented performers that dance, dive, and balance better than anyone I've ever seen.  Often, it's to some really good music too.

I got chills when I saw the Darth Vader scene in the aqua show on Icon of the Seas, so I can't wait to see how they top that on Star.

What changes (if any) to the cabin

I pay particular attention to my cabin on any cruise ship I sail on, because it's where the most tweaks tend to happen.

With Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas built right around the same time, I'm not certain how much of a difference there will be in the cabin. However, I've noted cabins get updates more easily than public areas.

Whether it's additional storage, new connectivity options, or even just an improvement to the shower, I'm curious to see what Royal Caribbean has lined up for the staterooms on Star.

Star of the Seas begins sailing in August 2025

Beginning with the August 31 sailing, Star of the Seas will sail 7-night cruises to the Caribbean from her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Every sailing includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

You can book a cruise on Star through early 2027, and there are even a few last-minute rooms left on the early showcase sailings.