Ready to catch up on what's happening with Royal Caribbean cruises?

With a fleet of 28 ships, there are always going to be things happening and in an effort to keep everyone up to date, here's a quick run through of the latest news from this week.

Think of these as quick hits of changes and news that you should be aware of that changed in the last few days.

Royal Caribbean backs new Seward cruise port purchase agreement

Image courtesy of The Seward Company

Plans were approved this week for a new $137 million cruise ship port in Seward, Alaska that should be ready for the 2026 cruise season.

The Alaska Railroad board voted to approve the purchase of the soon-to-be-built dock that can handle larger ships.

Royal Caribbean's role is to act as the anchor tenant, which gives Royal Caribbean preferential docking rights.  Other cruise lines can still use the port.

Image courtesy of The Seward Company

Plans are for a 68,000 square foot terminal building, which includes a 150-foot transfer span to connect cruisers to an Alaska Railroad train and other ground transportation.

The 750-foot, two-berth floating dock will be the largest floating pier in the state.

The deal is for 30 years and the vote allows the railroad to enter into agreements with the project developer.

Construction on the terminal is scheduled to begin this autumn after Seward’s cruise season ends.

New environmental director named for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Royal Caribbean appointed Stacy Lubin as director of environment and sustainability for its new beach club project in Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will open next year to offer a 17-acre beachfront experience in Nassau.

Ms. Lubin brings her 20 years of experience to oversee all environmental initiatives for the beach club.

Royal Caribbean has been adamant since the inception of the project for its commitment to protecting the environment, as well as supporting the people of the Bahamas by employing Bahamians.

The company outlined six key environmental pillars for the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island:

• Zero waste to landfill
• 100% renewable energy by 2030
• No dredging and no overwater cabanas 
• Best-in-class wastewater treatment
• Protecting the island's natural habitat
• Local environmental monitoring 

Ms. Lubin will work with The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection to ensure the club’s environmental practices meet both Royal Caribbean standards and local regulations.

Once completed, the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island will have a public-private partnership, meaning that Bahamians will be able to own up to 49% equity and local businesses can take part in managing the majority of the experience.

More Royal Railway reservations available

If you have a cruise in fall 2024, there's a good chance you can now book Royal Caribbean's hottest new restaurant.

Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas appears to have more reservations available to book in September, October and November.  Guests booked on sailings in these months reported being able to reserve a time.

Something else guests noticed is the price has gone up from $79.99 per adult to $119.99 per adult. Royal Caribbean employs dynamic pricing for its restaurants, and it also typically uses prices to help manage demand.

Royal Railway is arguably the most popular restaurant in the fleet right now, as the hype surrounding its launch on the new cruise ship has garnered a lot of demand to book it.

This is the first immersive dining experience Royal Caribbean has developed, and it's a dining experience that simulates a train journey.

There are to full size rail cars guests enter that has booths on both side of the car. Each booth has a large digital display that acts as a virtual window.

Read more: Trying out Royal Railway on Utopia of the Seas

Port of Tampa monitoring Tropical Storm Debby

While Tropical Storm Debby isn't expected to be a major storm, it is still a concern for the Port of Tampa Bay and the cruise ships that sail from there.

A hurricane watch has been issued for parts of Florida because future  Tropical Storm Debby has a chance of further development prior to making landfall this weekend.

In a public statement, the Port of Tampa Bay said they are monitoring the track of the storm for any impact to operations.

"Port Tampa Bay is coordinating closely with federal, state, and local agencies, as well as the maritime community to prepare for and respond to potential impacts of Tropical Depression #4."

According to the port, the United States Coast Guard has set Port Condition YANKEE, indicating the possibility of gale force winds (34-47 knots) entering the Bay in the next 24 hours.

So far the only change to schedule is for Margaritaville at Sea's Islander ship.  Instead of returning to Tampa on Sunday, the ship will be delayed and come back on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. Additionally, the Islander's Aug. 4 departure was rescheduled to Aug. 5. 

There are two Royal Caribbean ships that operate out of Tampa currently.  

Grandeur of the Seas will depart Tampa on Saturday, August 3 to begin a 5-night Western Caribbean sailing.

Enchantment of the Seas will also embark on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing on Saturday as well.

Demand for booking a cruise vacation is so red hot for Royal Caribbean right now that it's likely we'll continue to see an upward trend in cruise prices.

While there is variability in how cruises are priced, Royal Caribbean sees a willingness on behalf of the consumer to not only book more cruises, but pay more for it. The company had to adjust its earnings forecasts because they're getting more bookings than they expected at higher prices.

During Royal Caribbean Group's second quarter earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz cited an example of bookings for Caribbean cruises for the coming few months.

Caribbean cruises in the third quarter will make up 42% of all Royal Caribbean Group sailings, and a lot of people are willing to pay more to go on them, "this product is booked ahead in both rate and volume and the strong yield growth is driven by new hardware and higher pricing on existing ships supported by our private destinations."

Translated from financial jargon, that means Caribbean cruises in the next 3 months have more cabins booked than normal, and the company is making more money already because people are willing to pay higher prices due to an investment in newer cruise ships and itineraries that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Willingness to pay more

The top reason why you should expect Royal Caribbean cruise prices to continue to rise is because customers are demonstrating they will pay higher prices.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2024, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty spoke about this trend during the earnings call, "all the yield improvement that you're seeing in Q3 and Q4 is really being driven by price."

"I think it's a really strong indication that not only the willingness to pay more, but these prices continue to increase as we build and manage demand."

To put it in perspective, Mr. Liberty indicated Royal Caribbean Group's revenue for the second half of 2024 is 25% higher than it was in 2019, which was the previous high water mark for the cruise industry. 

If 2024 looks positive, 2025 looks even better for the company. They're taking more bookings for 2025 than for 2024, and that means the higher pricing trend will continue into 2025 and beyond.

"The strength in the commentary that we talk about on pricing and pricing increasing, it very much applies to 2025 and beyond," Mr. Liberty explained during the earnings call.

"So we feel very good. We're in a very strong book position for 2025, pricing is up and increasing are the trends that we continue to see."

"I think we feel really good about 2025. The pattern show pricing continues to accelerate."

When you combine sky-high onboard spending, prices, and demand, it's a formula for higher prices on average. That probably means less cheap cruise deals on the horizon.

If you're reading all of this and think surely consumers will buck against the higher prices, it's not something Royal Caribbean sees on the horizon.

One Wall Street analyst asked about "pricing sensitivity" from customers because of comments made by land-based hotel operators.  Royal Caribbean rebuffed that notion based on what they're seeing on their end.

Mr. Liberty explained, "the booking window continues to extend, so they're planning further out, their willingness to pay more for these incredible vacation experiences continues to increase."

Part of the reason why he believes cruise bookings are stronger than land vacations is because of the value gap between the two types of vacations, which Mr. Liberty estimates is around 20%.

For consumers, it's a sobering prediction for what the future holds in terms of prices, "the trends that we see is just continued acceleration on the pricing side."

Bargain hunters will need to be agile

While the trend is moving cruise prices higher on average, it's still possible to find an ultra-cheap cruise. 

Royal Caribbean prices its cruises largely based on supply and demand, and there are going to be deals out there, especially on sailings that have less demand.

First and foremost, Royal Caribbean will see the highest prices on its newer ships, such as Utopia of the Seas or Icon of the Seas. That's because new ships always command a higher price because they have the latest and greatest features on them.

Generally speaking, you'll find lower prices on older, smaller ships.  

As an example, try Adventure of the Seas out of Port Canaveral instead of Utopia of the Seas.  Or Freedom of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale instead of Icon of the Seas.

Some of the best cruise deals are on longer sailings that take place while school is in session. Transatlantic crossings remain some of the best deals from a per-night cost basis.  

Transatlantic cruises take place in the spring and fall when cruise ships migrate from North America to Europe and then back again.

Read more: What it's really like to take a transatlantic cruise

The reason they're cheaper is they are longer, usually 10-14 nights, and a lot of families cannot go on vacation for that long a period.  Plus, families can't book them because their kids are in school.

The other strategy for a good cruise deal is a bit of luck.  Sometimes there's a last-minute cruise deal that pops up, and other times there are specific sailings in the coming months or years that are priced lower.  

Spotting these cruise deals can be just plain luck, or you could also rely on a good travel agent that monitors prices during the course of their daily work and can alert you when they spot something good.

Read more: 10 Secrets Royal Caribbean travel agents wish you knew

While I would not expect cruise prices to drop across the board, savvy consumers should be able to find some deals.  

But for the newest ships, don't expect a lot of wiggle room.  It's why booking early is still the best strategy to get the best price possible on these vessels.

As someone that cruises about once per month, I get to eat on Royal Caribbean cruise ships a lot, and dinner is usually a big deal on any sailing.

Some restaurants are included with your cruise fare while others cost extra. I like to go back and forth between what's included and not to not only get a wider variety of food, but also evaluate how each restaurant is. Menus change, and as I try new restaurants, it's good to go back and see how other venues compare.

The cost of a Royal Caribbean restaurants vary from included to hundreds of dollars per person. Luckily, I've had the chance to dine at nearly every restaurant on Royal Caribbean's ships.

I'm not a food critic or trained in evaluating restaurants. I just know what I like, and I go often enough to get a good sense of what seems to stand out, so here are my humble opinions on the top Royal Caribbean restaurants I'd recommend to anyone going on a cruise.

Coco Beach Club restaurant

In terms of food, I have never left the Coco Beach Club restaurant disappointed because the food quality is so good.

Located within the Coco Beach Club section of Perfect Day at CocoCay, the restaurant is included as part of your admission cost to enter the club. Club admission prices vary depending on the sailing, but it can be less than $100 per person or as high as $200 per person.

I think the filet mignon served at the Coco Beach Club restaurant is just as good, if not better, than the steaks you find on Royal Caribbean's ships. 

Friends who eat seafood rave about the grilled Bahamian lobster served, as well as the Coco lobster sandwich.

Usually private island food is nothing exciting, but Royal Caribbean broke the mold with the Coco Beach Club restaurant, and it's just as good as the food I've found on the ships.

150 Central Park

If there's a top quality specialty restaurant that flies under the radar, it's 150 Central Park.

Available on the Oasis Class ships, 150 Central Park is a modern American restaurant that might appear overly fancy, but the cuisine is not only approachable, but fantastic.

I could rave about the entire menu, but there's three items I order every single time I go because they are just so good.

The garlic bread served when you sit is simply amazing, especially if you can manage to snag the middle piece before someone else at your table does. It's not drowning in oil, but has more than enough to make every bite satisfying.

The beef tenderloin for two is large enough you can actually share it with a tablemate, or keep it all to yourself. No judgements.

I think this is the best cut of steak on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship (although the new Iconic cuts at Chops Grille on Icon and Utopia of the Seas might change my opinion on that).

To finish out the meal, the fried cheesecake balls are just about the best comfort food I've found on a cruise ship.

While it doesn't have the widest menu out there, I think 150 Central Park has enough going for it that it warrants not only trying, but eating at every single time you're on an Oasis Class ship.

Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean's first foray into a food hall concept quickly became one of my favorite restaurants to visit, day or night.

Aquadome Market is a series of stalls that serve a specific cuisine.  Each is freshly prepared, and it's perfect for a quick bite or a full meal.

• Crèpes
• Asian
• Mac and Cheese
• Greek pitas and bowls
• Sandwiches and salads

First and foremost, all the food in Aquadome Market is included in your cruise fare. Plus, it's all really good.  Best yet, it's open late, so you can get something other than a sandwich or pizza past 9pm!

I think the crèpes, pitas, and Asian bowls are the best choices available, and every time I happen to be anywhere near deck 15, I'll think twice if I want to stop by for something from the market.

Izumi Hibachi

If there's an award for restaurant I always leave full, satisfied, and entertained, it's Izumi hibachi.

Teppanyaki dining is as popular on Royal Caribbean's cruise ships as it is on land because it combines freshly grilled meats, rice, and vegetables with a show.  

When we eat at hibachi, I know we aren't leaving hungry. There's a lot of food served, and usually by the end the chef is asking if anyone wants third or fourth servings.

There's the choice of many different proteins with your meal: chicken, beef, lobster, shrimp, or scallops.  If that isn't enough food, you can actually order sushi too.

Whenever I'm asked for one specialty restaurant to recommend to try for families, couples, friends, or random people from the internet, my first choice is hibachi because of how well-received it is.

Main Dining Room

In coming up with this list, I wrote down my list on a piece of paper and really struggled with which I would pick for my fifth choice, but it was too difficult to overlook the Main Dining Room. 

The Main Dining Room is an institution on any cruise ship, and while it may not be the flashiest restaurant (and definitely not the newest), there's a reason it remains the top spot for dinner on every single Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

While not every single dish is necessarily my favorite, I can always find a few things each night that I really like. The sheer variety of food served in this restaurant across your cruise is impressive.

Not to mention the service gets just as much praise as the food. There are some seriously talented waiters that truly make an effort to get to know you and want to ensure you have a fabulous meal.

Whenever I go too heavy into specialty restaurants on a cruise, I get a hankering to return to the Main Dining Room because I really enjoy the tradition and ambiance you can only find there.

If you're booked in a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, you'll get access to the cruise line's suite lounge. 

Suite guests and Pinnacle Club members are able to access the lounge, which includes complimentary beverages in the evening, snacks throughout the day, a self-service coffee machine, and plush seating.

I'm able to access the lounge either because I'm booked in a suite or because I've attained Pinnacle Club status in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

I like how quiet the suite lounge can be in the daytime, and how much fun it can be meeting other passengers during the happy hour each evening. I also like having access to the food and drink, along with the services of the Suite Concierge.

Here are five things I never do in Royal Caribbean's suite lounge.

Stuff yourself on food

There's snacks to enjoy in the suite lounge three times per day, and the exact variety will vary. By far, the evening hors d'oeuvres are the best choice with skewered meats, charcuterie boards, eggrolls, and more.

They can be tempting, especially because it's "included" and costs nothing to enjoy, but I won't load up my plate unless I'm starving or know I won't be eating for a while. I've made that mistake before and it resulted in ruining my appetite for dinner.

I think dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise is the most celebrated meal of the day, and there's also the best choices around. 

I enjoy going to the suite lounge for a few pre-dinner drinks, especially on ships that have a bar in the suite lounge (such as the Radiance Class ships). It's a great way to meet people and enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages without a drink package.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink package information and tips

After a drink or two, having a snack can be mighty tempting, but I try to limit my consumption and snacking so that I can enjoy the great dinner service offered on the ship.

Have a phone call

The suite lounge isn't a library, but I do think it's important to be respectful of others in the lounge.

Just like on an airplane, train, or cafe, no one wants to hear someone else's phone conversation. 

If I get a phone call, I'll answer and quickly ask them to hang on or I'll call them back so I can step out of the lounge and take the call.  This is easy on the Voyager Class ships that have an outdoor deck to the suite lounge, but sometimes I'll actually walk back to my stateroom or another public area.

Part of the fun of the suite lounge is to have a conversation with someone there, but I do think phone calls tend to be louder.  And if someone has their speakerphone on, then it's just annoying to others to have to hear.

While it hasn't been an issue I've seen, I would always use headphones for any kind of audio while in the lounge. 

Stiff the concierge or bar staff

Tipping on a cruise is a bit of a gray area because it's not that well defined, but you should expect to tip while in the suite lounge.

How much and who you tip really depends on how much interaction you have with the staff.  

If I spend some time in the lounge and get to know the suite concierge, I usually tip that person at the end of the sailing.  The amount depends on how much I ask of them, how long the sailing is, and how well I get to know them.  There isn't a right or wrong amount, they're appreciative of what you can give them.

The sort of things the suite concierge can do for you is escort you off the ship to bypass the line of guests disembarking, fix billing issues, book specialty restaurants, or basically do anything Guest Services can do. On some cruises, I ask a lot of them, and others not so much.  Even if all I do is stop in to get an escort off the ship on disembarkation day, I'll tip them for the help.

Read more: 8 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible on disembarkation day

The other time to tip while in the suite is when you order a drink from the wait staff.

You can get complimentary alcoholic beverages every day in the suite lounge (refer to your welcome letter in your suite for exact hours) and there are waiters to take your drink order.

A dollar or two per drink is the customary tip, although some guests will tip a specific waiter at the end of the sailing.  

Sneak non-suite guests in

It can be tempting to want to bring friends and family into the suite lounge so you can all hang out, but it's against the rules if they aren't also in a suite.

This isn't so much about protecting Royal Caribbean (although it is strictly against the rules), but rather, being considerate of your fellow passengers.

Suite lounges are not big. In fact, many are quite tiny. It's why Royal Caribbean will sometimes restrict the amount of Pinnacle Club members that can access the lounge.

Leave my kids unattended

Don't confuse the suite lounge with the adults-only Solarium, but I still wouldn't let my kids just hang out alone in there either.

I like to take my kids into the suite lounge so we can enjoy time together, plus allow them to enjoy the suite benefits they're entitled to.  It's a good way to introduce them to what to expect, so when they're older, they know how to act.

I love my kids, but I know when left unsupervised, they can sometimes be loud or simply annoy each other and that can get loud.  This goes back to some of the other faux pas' I listed in this post about being respectful of other guests.

I have no problem sending my kids up to the lounge by themselves on a mission to grab a drink or snack, but never to hang out.

Short cruises or not, Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas offers some of the line's best in class features on a brand new ship.

Utopia has made headlines for being Royal Caribbean's new party ship and for just offering 3- and 4-night cruises, but those tag lines overlook the things that make the ship stand out.

I sailed on a 3-night media preview sailing (full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail. I paid for the revenue sailings), followed by Utopia's first two revenue sailings in order to get a full sense of what the ship is all about. After all, there are so many activities, parties, and events happening around the ship, and I wanted to try as many as possible.

The choice to offer just short cruises to start was met with raised eyebrows by some cruise fans, but Royal Caribbean is adamant this is part of a larger strategy to appeal to first time cruisers.  They want someone who has never cruised before to reconsider their land vacation and go for a cruise instead because of the fact Utopia is brand new and offers a lot.

It's hard not to be intrigued by a ship you can sail on for just the weekend and enjoy waterslides, a train simulator restaurant, late-night parties, and visits to a private island in The Bahamas.

Short cruises with lots to do

Don't expect a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas to be just lounging around the pool and sipping pina coladas. 

While you certainly could do just that, it's clear Royal Caribbean wanted Utopia to be more than a traditional cruise ship because they want to attract untraditional cruisers to give it a try.

The ship is marketed with lots of hype about it being "the world's biggest weekend", and to that effect, there's more ways to splash, party, and eat onboard.

What this translates to is Royal Caribbean has more of each of those things to do onboard, and it's the best versions of each yet. 

The pool deck has been updated with a better Lime and Coconut bar that fits the look of the ship better, along with a giant aquapark, wide-open pools, and an enclosed adults-only Solarium.

The entertainment team worked overtime to come up with all sorts of new parties and events on Utopia, with a clear direction to try to bring more energy to the experience.

You'll find a silent DJ party with togas, an opportunity to play beer pong, Vegas-style pool parties, and late-night DJ experiences. 

Don't worry, there's still plenty of traditional cruise activities, including karaoke, trivia, bingo, and game shows.

And then there's all the dining choices onboard. There's a new pool deck snack location to keep you going without having to go very far with the Spare Tire.

A new chef-driven Japanese restaurant has been added, while the line's Italian specialty restaurant was moved to a stunning location. And then there's the innovative immersive dining experience that makes you feel like you're on a classic train traveling through the Old West.

Read more: I tried Royal Caribbean's immersive train experience

Big and small changes, they all combine to make Utopia stand out from not only other Royal Caribbean ships, but any ship you could go on for just a few days.

My favorite changes

As someone that cruises a lot, I'm always drawn to what's new and different on a cruise ship.  Partly for novelty, and partly because who doesn't enjoy a new shiny thing?

It's clear Royal Caribbean spent a lot of time not only coming up with brand new things to add to Utopia of the Seas, but also re-visiting established features.  While Utopia may be the sixth Oasis Class ship in the fleet, she is anything but a copy-and-paste cruise ship.

Read more: Everything new and different coming to Utopia of the Seas

When you walk onto Utopia of the Seas for the first time, there's a good chance you'll see the first clear winner for favorite change, and that's the Pesky Parrot.

Not only does Pesky Parrot replace an aging Bionic Bar idea, but it brings a new bar that you'll actually want to hang out in to the ship. Cruise ship bars are a lot like being a kid in high school: it's hard for the new ones to compete with the popular ones that everyone already knows.

Before you even try a drink, you'll pick up on it's a fun place to hang out. It's bright, wide open, and so much seating that you can't help but plop down.

There's a variety of specialized pina coladas offered (try the peanut butter one), fun mugs, and the bar was busy every single day I was onboard. 

The hot ticket on Utopia is the Royal Railway, which is a brand new kind of experience that is meant to wow you with how immersive it is.

In short, Royal Caribbean has designed a restaurant that looks and feels like you're on a classic train. It's much more than curtains and paint, there are digital screens, sound effects, vibrating seats, and more that all contribute to make it really feel like you're on a train.

The first show offered on Royal Railway is an Old West journey, but new shows and tastings are promised for the near-future, including a more adult-focused dinner, brunch, and wine tastings.

Speaking of dining experiences I really liked, the omakase dinner was a welcome treat.

Royal Caribbean has done sushi and hibachi for years, but they've expanded to now have a chef-driven Japanese meal.  Seating just six people, it's the kind of meal anyone that loves sushi will relish.

While sushi is the focus, I enjoyed the other courses that went beyond nigiri or sashimi.  It was a culinary experience I liked even more than I expected.

While the high energy pool parties are what you'll see advertised a lot, I thought the decision to have an enclosed Solarium was a great counterweight to the party pool scene.

Utopia is not the first Oasis Class ship to get an enclosed Solarium, but I'm glad they kept it.  Not only does it keep it from getting too hot in the summer (or chilly in the winter), but it means you can be very comfortable and enjoy the best pool views you'll find on the ship.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention I also enjoyed tried and true favorites on Utopia.  While the new things may get a lot of the attention, there are lots of well-established Royal Caribbean staples on Utopia.

The Country Trio band at the Mason Jar Bar were a must watch for me every night they performed. Bryan, Jeff, and Josh are truly talented musicians, and a shining example of Royal Caribbean's dedication to live music.

Dinners at 150 Central Park, Playmakers, and Coastal Kitchen did not disappoint in the slightest, and it's why I go there to dine on most cruises.

Of course, the visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay was one in a long string of great days at Royal Caribbean's private island.  It's the reason why the rest of the cruise industry has taken notice of Royal Caribbean's success there.

I stayed in two different, yet purpose built cabins

Across my collective 13 nights on Utopia, I tried two different cabins.

On the first sailing that Royal Caribbean invited me to, I was in an oceanview balcony cabin on deck 10.

While I think the shower in a standard cabin are superior on Icon of the Seas, I love how much storage space there is on Utopia.

There's a ton of storage space in the stateroom, and for a room meant for two people, I think it's a great choice for a room.  It's probably why balcony cabins are so popular due to the fact they have just enough space, a private view, and natural light.

Once my back to back cruise on the first two revenue sailings began, I moved up to a Crown Loft Suite within the Suite Neighborhood area of the ship.

This two story giant suite has two bathrooms and comes with fabulous perks, such as complimentary drinks in the suite lounge, reserved seating at shows, and access to a restaurant just for suite guests.

While a balcony cabin is practical, a suite is simply a splurge. Having all the amenities included, along with significantly more living space is a welcome treat. It's hardly a bargain in terms of price, but I was able to see how the suite experience compared on Utopia.

Read more: Guide to Utopia of the Seas cabins and suites

Two things I didn't like about Utopia of the Seas

In looking back, there are probably two aspects of the new ship I think can be improved.

The production shows in the Royal Theater and Studio B theater I thought didn't continue the trend of upping the ante in Royal Caribbean's ever impressive shows.

The performers were extremely talented, but it seemed like neither moved the needle as other productions show have on Royal Caribbean's recent shows, such as The Effectors on Wonder of the Seas or Wizard of Oz on Icon of the Seas.

Both utilized technology in impressive ways, and I loved a few of the song selections in both shows.

The other qualm I had was at Playmakers, which is an open air sports bar within the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Playmakers is great, but the lack of air conditioning made it less enjoyable than other Playmakers locations.  Considering a majority of the year Florida and The Bahamas deal with stifling humidity, I thought it would have been better indoors.  Or perhaps with walls/windows that can be easily opened if it's comfortable weather outside.

In the case of both these issues I found, there were plenty of passengers who were having a great time.

Utopia of the Seas is the multigenerational escape vacation

The weekend party is what you'll see advertised, but the truth is Utopia of the Seas has parties, just like it has things for kids, their parents, and grandparents.

I was impressed how much there is to do on this ship.  For just a 3-night sailing, I think you're going to have to prioritize activities very quickly because time goes quickly and you simply cannot do it all.  It's why I was happy I opted for going back again on a second sailing.

Royal Caribbean has always been a multigenerational family brand, and that doesn't change with Utopia.  What has changed is how much more they're offering for those that want a party.

Royal Caribbean divulged last week one out of every two customers is a millennial or younger, and there's a clear push to offer these customers more.

But there's also lots for anyone that doesn't want a DJ, champagne gun, or toga in their future. Like a new car, I can appreciate the latest and greatest finishes even if it has features I'll never use.

My top takeaway after over a week onboard is Utopia of the Seas is just like Icon of the Seas in that it offers the very best cruise experience right now. If a weeklong cruise doesn't seem right, then Utopia is your choice.  Otherwise, Icon is waiting with even more exciting things to do.

Karaoke is one of the most popular activities on a cruise ship, and there's a way you can enjoy it without having to wait for a turn.

On Royal Caribbean's newer cruise ships that have a Spotlight Karaoke venue, you'll find karaoke sessions throughout the day to attend where you can try singing along to musical hits.

On Icon of the Seas, Spotlight Karaoke has a private karaoke room you can rent, which is great for a small group to enjoy without a big crowd. I wanted to see if this was a great alternative to the typically crowded karaoke sessions.

Spotlight Karaoke is Royal Caribbean's best karaoke venue yet

Karaoke isn't new to Royal Caribbean, but it's traditionally been an event held in a multipurpose venue, which meant there were limited times to do it.

Royal Caribbean has started adding Spotlight Karaoke to its newer ships, including the brand new Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.

The private karaoke room costs $70

There are private karaoke rooms within Spotlight Karaoke you can rent on a first come, first rented basis.

I did not see an option to pre-book it on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site, so we had to wait to get onboard the ship to book it.  Guest Services can book it for you, as can a Royal Genie if you're in Star Class.

This is meant to be a family or group activity, where you rent the space for one hour and have access to the full library of karaoke tunes to sing along to within a private setting.

On a recent Icon of the Seas sailing, my daughter and her friends loved going to karaoke sessions but always got frustrated when the line was long, or if there was adults-only karaoke sessions happening.  

I knew about the private rooms from when they first debuted on Oasis of the Seas in 2019, and asked about renting a spot.  It cost $70 and was for one hour.

You get the private room and then it's DIY in terms of hosting the karaoke session.

The karaoke rooms are located to the side of Spotlight Karaoke

The private karaoke rooms are easily overlooked if you don't know they exist.

On Icon of the Seas, the rooms are behind a door to the left of the venue.  It looks like a door to a crew member area, rather than where you'd find the rooms.

When we arrived for our karaoke session, the karaoke manager met us near the door and we were escorted into the room.

There's a large couch that extends across the back of the room, with the large karaoke screen the focus.  The idea is that everyone in the room can see the lyrics, just like if you were in the main venue.

The manager gave us a tablet, where we could search for songs by artist or title. It was not the most intuitive software I've ever seen, but once she went through the process one time, it was clear how to use it.

The library of songs is vast enough to probably find the songs you're looking for, especially if they're hit songs.  Deep cuts may be an issue, but I assume that would be the case in the main room too.

The room is private, but not soundproof

Besides not having to wait for a turn in karaoke, the other appeal of a private room is you could sing in privacy.  

While being in the room does potentially shield you from others on the ship hearing your attempt to sing, the room is not quite totally soundproof.

The kids went out of the room to test if they could hear the person singing in the private room, and it was definitely audible.  

The good news is if there's karaoke happening in the main room of Spotlight Karaoke, it's unlikely many people would be able to hear what's happening in the private rooms.

We had fun and the kids wanted to do it again

The private karaoke room rental delivered exactly what we wanted: a way to enjoy karaoke with my kid's friends without waiting for a turn in the main room.

The one hour rental is just long enough for everyone to have a turn and get the "karaoke bug" out of their system.  Moreover, as someone who would never get up on the karaoke stage, being able to sing in private was a welcome option.

At $70 for the hour, it's a quite reasonable cost considering you can easily get about 6-8 people in the room (especially if they're kids).  Plus, it was a reasonably priced splurge for the kids to do something fun.

Obviously you don't need to pay money to enjoy karaoke and there are many open sessions that cost nothing extra.  The reason to go with the private room is for those that want a "fastpass" to be able to sing what they want, when they want.  

Our family and friends had a great time trying it, and we rented it again while on Utopia of the Seas a few weeks later.

Royal Caribbean Group continued its trend of reporting strong quarterly earnings with its second quarter performance.

Thanks to strong demand and favorable timing of expenses, the company "above expectations" results for the second quarter.

Demand for cruises remains a constant for the company, which cited stronger pricing on close-in demand and continued strength in onboard revenue, as well as favorable timing of expenses, as reasons why results exceeded its expectations.

In a statement to the media, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty celebrated his company's strong performance, "Our momentum continues! We met our financial targets 18 months earlier than expected, have our balance sheet in a strong position, reinstated our dividend, and ... we are just getting started."

"Exceptional demand for our vacation experiences has accelerated our performance by generating significant yield growth over the past several years," added Liberty. 

"As we look forward, we remain intensely focused on driving strong shareholder returns by delivering a lifetime of vacations and taking a greater share of the rapidly growing $1.9 trillion global vacation market. This is underpinned by our formula for future success – disciplined growth and moderate yield growth while controlling our costs."  

Inside the second quarter

Total revenues for the second quarter were $4.1 billion, with a Net Income of $854 million, and Operating cash flow was $1.6 billion.

The average cruise ship sailed in the second quarter at 108% capacity. Occupancy rates over 100% are a good measure because it means there were more than two people in a lot of cabins.

Royal Caribbean is seeing high demand for its products along with high prices remaining in place since the last quarter. 

In fact, booking volumes were higher than the second quarter in 2023 and at record pricing levels. 

The company continues to be in a record booked position for 2024 sailings. Consumer spending onboard, as well as pre-cruise purchases, continue to significantly exceed 2023 levels driven by greater participation at higher prices.

"We have seen strength for all key products and are already taking more bookings for 2025 sailings than 2024," Mr. Liberty commented.

The company was particularly proud of the fact it achieved all three of its financial goals. For the 12 months ending June 30, 2024, the company achieved all three of its Trifecta goals: triple digit Adjusted EBITDA per APCD, ROIC in the teens, and double digit Adjusted EPS.

Loan update

Royal Caribbean Group took out many loans during 2020 and 2021 in order to stay in business, and some of the critical ones are now paid off.

"During the quarter, the company repaid the remaining balance of its ship related debt amortization deferral obtained on its export credit facilities during 2020 and 2021, which removed the remaining restrictions on capital return."

 "Our strong balance sheet allows us to expand capital allocation and reinstate a quarterly dividend, further supporting our goal of creating long-term shareholder value," said Royal Caribbean Group Chief Financial Officer Naftali Holtz.

Royal Caribbean has a new signature dining experience on Utopia of the Seas that offers the highest quality Japanese food you'll find on any of its ships.

Izumi Omakase is the third offering of Japanese cuisine by the cruise line, and it's the creation of Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama.  He's been responsible for all the Izumi menus since the restaurant's inception.

There are two seatings per evening in a cozy room tucked between the sushi and hibachi sides of the restaurant.

As someone that dines at Izumi on nearly every sailing I go on, I was curious how different the food would be at Omakase and what exactly the experience entails.

The cost is $129.99 per guest, and it's an eight course meal that includes food and alcohol pairings. If you have the Unlimited Dining Package, there is a $59.99 surcharge.

The restaurant is in the middle of a revamped Izumi

On Utopia of the Seas you'll find Izumi in a brand new location, taking up residency in the middle of the Central Park neighborhood.

In fact, it's the largest Izumi Royal Caribbean has built to date, and includes a traditional sushi restaurant, hibachi tables, and now the Omakase option.

Most of the seating is inside the restaurant, but there are a few sushi tables outside too.

A table for six is an intimate dining experience

The Omakase table is a communal dining experience, where six people are seated together across a rather large wood table.

Similar to Chef's Table, you'll be seated with other passengers you may not know. Where you sit exactly is up to you, as there's no assigned seating.

Your host guides you through the meal

There are two people chiefly responsible for your meal, but the host is who you narrates the experience and explains everything.

Speaking both Japanese and English, each step of the meal is introduced with details of which ingredients are included and what to look for within the dish or drink.

Eight courses of food and drink

The menu has eight courses, and each comes with a drink pairing.

Just like any Royal Caribbean restaurant, they can accommodate dietary restrictions or special needs. As someone who does not eat shellfish, they were able to provide me alternatives for those dishes.  Another guest at my table did not drink alcohol, and was served mocktails instead.

According to Royal Caribbean, omakase private dining experience is not recommended for children and there is no kids pricing.

I was initially worried eight courses would be too much food, but each of the offerings was petite and I think just the right amount of food.

My eight course meal started off with a soup

The ichi course begins with a miso lobster bisque soup that comes with lobster meat and caviar.

Since I don't eat shellfish, my alternate soup was a mushroom soup.

A welcome glass of wine was served chilled with the soup.  This would be the only non-sake drink we'd have during the meal, although the host was adamant you could request other beverages at any point.

Sakura carpaccio was next

Our first batch of raw fish came with the ni course, and this was the first opportunity to taste the higher quality sushi.

Four pieces of sushi-grade fish were plated, and these were "meatier" cuts that tasted better than the sashimi I would usually get at Izumi.

With this course, we were also served our first cup of sake.  Sake is a rice wine, and each course had a different sake pairing to try.

Nigiri sushi was the most familiar course

I think if you imagine what sushi is, then a nigiri roll is probably what you think of.

For the san course, we were served three nigiri rolls along with the sake.

An oyster course followed that was "must-try"

At the shi course, guests were given a single oyster that came with a spicy ponzu sauce.

My tablemates commented the oyster was fantastic and implored the others who were hesitant to eat an oyster to give it a try.

My alternative was a spoonful of diced sashimi served in a spoon.  I think they wanted me to have the same sensation of being able to eat an oyster in that manner.

A tuna ball was a fun twist on sushi

For the go course, I can best describe this as a nigiri tuna roll rolled up into a ball.  

I had never seen this before, but it was akin to a bite-sized sushi roll and certainly made it easier to enjoy the flavors together.

The miso broiled cod was so flavorful

The best thing I ate during the omakase meal might have been during the roku course when I was served the miso broiled black cod.

I never would have imagined how good this tasted, and it was the dish I really wanted to get the recipe so I could make it at home.

This was an extremely tender piece of fish that had a miso glaze on it, and it was my favorite flavor of the evening.

The wagyu beef was a surprise hit

The last course before dessert was the wagyu beef served with pepper and I really liked this more than I thought I would.

Just like the cod, I enjoyed the flavor more than I expected probably because I did not account for the nikiri glaze.

A dessert to wrap it all up

The final course was a chocolate matcha served with a sorbet.

I generally don't eat many desserts on a cruise ship, but it was a sweet way to end the meal.

The whole dining experience took two hours

Our meal began at 6pm and we walked out of the restaurant a little after 8pm, just before the 8:30pm omakase meal was scheduled to begin.

Given this is a chef-driven meal, you have to expect it won't be an "in and out" type meal.  I don't think it felt unnecessary long. In fact, I thought the courses came in quick succession without major gaps at a reasonable pace.

My favorite dish was the miso broiled cod, followed by the "tuna ball".  There was was nothing I didn't like, and maybe the dessert was the only course I didn't care for.

The service was impeccable

I didn't know much of what to expect from an omakase meal, but I assumed the service would be excellent, and I was correct.

Our host was attentive and she made an effort to ensure everyone had everything they needed. Unlike a normal meal where a waiter has a few tables to attend to, she was focused only on us.

Omakase is the perfect meal for Japanese food fans

As someone that loves sushi, I walked away from my first omakase meal very satisfied and I thought it was the perfect meal for someone like me that really enjoys Japanese food.

Unlike hibachi or sushi, the higher price tag makes it more of a luxury to sample now and then. I'd love to try this with a group of friends, perhaps on a group cruise.

I think given the fact we had sake pairings and the notably higher quality food, it was well-worth the cost.  The caveat is you should be someone that loves sushi and is open to trying new things.  The food isn't that adventurous and didn't delve into the types of sushi that I think scare a lot of people away, such as octopus or caviar.

Overall, I thought Izumi omakase was better than I expected and it's the kind of meal worth trying as a special event.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas has many types of cabins and suites, and I booked the inaugural sailing in a Crown Loft Suite with my family.

Suites are never cheap, but they do come with perks that help make the cost more palatable.  They're a luxury, and not about necessarily the best value you can find.

For the first sailing of Royal Caribbean's brand new cruise ship, I wanted a cabin for my family that had enough room for everyone, and most importantly, a second full bathroom. Plus, I wanted to be able to experience the suite amenities on the ship because we often get a lot of questions about what the suite areas are like on a new ship.

The Crown Loft Suite is a two-level suite that offers the mid-tier suite benefits, which includes access to the a private lounge, reserved seating at shows, and concierge services. 

The price is steep compared to regular cabins

A suite on a Royal Caribbean ship will almost certainly cost significantly more than a balcony room, especially on a brand new ship like Utopia of the Seas.

I booked the cabin on the day Royal Caribbean opened bookings up for Utopia, and it cost $10,784.52 for the four of us on the inaugural 3-night cruise.  

To put that in comparison, two people in an oceanview balcony guarantee cabin on the same sailing cost $2223.

At 670 square feet, the Crown Loft Suite is almost four times bigger than a balcony

One big thing you'll notice quickly about a suite is just how much space you get.

That oceanview balcony cabin I compared earlier is nearly 4 times smaller than the Crown Loft Suite, and has one less bathroom.

Cruise ship cabins are notoriously small to begin with, so a suite is one way you could spread out and not feel as cramped.

It also has a big balcony

In addition to the 670 square feet of living space, you get an additional 105 square foot balcony.

The balcony comes with two plus chairs and ottomans, which are great for lounging. There's a small table too, so you can order room service to be delivered right to your balcony.

The extra large balcony space means everyone can fit on it for sailaway, or even have friends come to visit.

No complaints of cramped cabins here

One thing someone new to cruising might notice is how much smaller cruise ship cabins are compared to hotel rooms. With a suite, that's not much of an issue.

The lower level has a living room with couch, large screen television, chairs, and even a dining room table that can seat four.

The couch can be opened up to become a bed, meaning two more people can sleep there.

The suite also has a wet bar

We had a bottle of champagne waiting for us upon entry into the suite as a welcome gift on the wet bar, and it's where you can store all your drinks.

While the suite does not include drinks as part of the cost, if you bring any drinks back to the room, you can store them there.  This is true of the complimentary Crown and Anchor beverages we receive as part of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program benefits.

There's also a complimentary coffee machine you can use.

The TV could pull down toward the king-sized bed

On the upper level is the master bedroom, which overlooks the lower level.

There's a privacy curtain that you can extend to not only section off the master bedroom, but also make it darker.

The television descends from the ceiling and can retract with the push of a button.

The master bathroom is large and has a shower and a tub

Suites have large bathrooms, including a shower and a tub.  This is a favorite feature for many why they upgrade to a suite.

There's only one mirror and sink (some of the bigger suites have two in their master bathroom), but there's enough counter space for two people's toiletries.

The second bathroom makes sharing the cabin much better

I booked this particular suite over other suites because it has a full second bathroom.

Located on the lower level near the entrance, it's great for whomever is sleeping on the lower level.  Or if you're planning to entertain in your suite, another place for guests to use instead of your bathroom.

A closet with more storage space than you need

There's more closet and storage space than you'll find on most cruise ships, and certainly more than enough space for a short weekend cruise.

The master bedroom closet has two sliding doors to provide lots of hangers, in addition to shelves recessed inside the closet.

The closet is also where you'll find the safe.

Next to the closet is a vanity with large mirror.

There were so many USB outlets

Cruise ships have finally gotten the memo that passengers want to be able to easily plug-in their devices without having to buy special adaptors. 

Read more: 40 essential things to bring on a cruise

Equally impressive is you can control the room television, curtains, and air conditioning from the Royal Caribbean app. There are physical controls too, but I loved being able to open the blinds from my bed with my phone.

Many perks are included with the suite stay

While the suite is impressive, it comes with even better amenities that I think are what justify the cost for a lot of cruisers.

Here's a list of the top Sky Class benefits: 

• Concierge Service
• All Day Access to Coastal Kitchen
• Specialty Bottled Water (upon arrival)
• Complimentary internet access for every person in the suite
• Flexible Arrival Boarding & Priority Departure
• Priority Dining Reservations
• Venues Early Access to Seating in Select Entertainment Venues
• Suite Lounge Access (complimentary hors d’oeuvres and cocktails each evening)
• Access to Suite Sun Deck
• Royal Caribbean Plush Bathrobes for Use Onboard
• Luxury Pillow Top Mattress
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities
• Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine

The suite lounge and suite sun deck are the best amenities, given how much value they provide.

I think the suite sun deck on Utopia of the Seas (and Wonder of the Seas) is Royal Caribbean's best suite sun deck on any ship. There's a bar, seating in the sun and shade, and a terrific pool to cool down in.  It's rarely busy, and a favorite spot to do work from.

Moreover, the suite concierge can do a lot, especially pre-cruise. They can book show and dining reservations before you get onboard, and they are very helpful with billing issues.

Sky Class suites come with a complimentary one-device internet package for everyone in the suite, which saves a couple hundred dollars for a family.

Is a Crown Loft Suite worth the price tag?

It's undoubtedly a steep cost to stay in one of these suites, but having a full second bathroom and the array of Sky Class benefits was a lovely way to cruise with my family.

I booked this suite partly because I wanted to have a stateroom with enough space for my family, and partly because I wanted to experience the suite options on Royal Caribbean's newest ship.

The combination of sailing on a brand new ship and on its inaugural voyage meant I was never going to get a low price on the fare, so bargain hunters will likely never see the value in this booking.

Ultimately, I think it's a good choice for a family or friends looking to stay in a cabin with upgraded amenities and a second bathroom.  Plus, the location on deck 18 was very convenient to the ship's Suite Neighborhood.