Royal Caribbean has announced some exciting changes and updates this week.

While there can be big news reveals some days, such as the Royal Beach Club announcement last week, other times we get minor bits of news worth sharing too.

In trying to capture it all, here's a run-through of what's new in Royal Caribbean over the last few days.

Updated casino exclusion program

Royal Caribbean has updated its exclusion program details to make it a bit easier.

The exclusion program allows someone to prevent themselves from gambling in the ship's casino.  Usually it's because that person has a gambling problem and needs a preventative measure in place.

You might be unfamiliar with this option, because the old program was not advertised, and it you did enroll, you would be banned from sailing on all Royal Caribbean ships.  

Under the new program, there's an option for a one year ban or a lifetime ban from the casino.

To request a review of a lifetime ban, the casino requires at least a year to have elapsed before that request can be considered.

Once enrolled, the casino team will refuse your wagers.  If you were somehow able to gamble, you would be ineligible to collect any winnings or recover any losses.

Thanks to Bryan for sharing this update with us.

Royal Beach Club construction photos

With Royal Caribbean revealing the first Royal Beach Club will open in The Bahamas in December 2025, you might be curious how it looks now.

I was sailing on Utopia of the Seas this weekend and have these photos from our visit to Nassau that were taken on December 14.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is set to open in December 2025 and will come at an extra cost for passengers, providing a day pass to experience pools, food, and games.

It covers 17 acres of land, offering two stunning beaches, three pools, the world’s largest swim-up bar, and an array of dining and drinking options. 

All-inclusive day passes and cabanas for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be available for purchase starting in spring 2025.

Don't forget, this is just one of three beach clubs currently planned.

They've got a Royal Beach Club going to Cozumel, Mexico, and Vanuatu.

Beach clubs are like a "super shore excursion" that aims to offer an elevated beach day experience for passengers who want a beach day with Royal Caribbean's standards in place.

Plus, the beach club will address a decades long problem of poor customer feedback regarding Nassau.

On top of that, Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 to offer the cruise line's third private beach destination.

Beverage change update

Reports began circulating last week that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.

As it turns out, the rumor was half-true.

A post from Royal Caribbean in reply to a disgruntled cruiser explained what the change affects.

"We're sorry for any confusion. Kindly note, this policy does not apply to non-alcoholic beverages, such as canned sodas and bottled water. Only alcoholic drinks."

This means drinks ordered with a drink voucher from the Crown and Anchor Society benefits that begin at the Diamond Level will have to be opened for the guest.  Ditto for cans of beer ordered with a drink package.

So if you order a can of beer, expect it to be opened for you, regardless of if you want it to be opened or not.

Two Royal Caribbean ships had to have a passenger evacuated off the cruise ship for medical reasons.

The US Coast Guard rescued a man experiencing severe abdominal pain from Grandeur of the Seas shortly after the ship began a cruise.

Grandeur of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's oldest cruise ship, and she had departed from Fort Lauderdale to make her way to the Southern Caribbean for a 9-night voyage.

The US Coast Guard Southeast was called in when the 2,440 passenger cruise ship was 40 miles off shore, southeast of Miami.

#Breaking A @USCG Air Station #Miami rescue crew medevaced a 56-year-old male from a cruise ship, 40 miles southeast of Miami, Sat. 

The aircrew transported the individual, who suffered severe abdominal pain to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. #SAR pic.twitter.com/vhey8HT4hm

#Breaking A @USCG Air Station #Miami rescue crew medevaced a 56-year-old male from a cruise ship, 40 miles southeast of Miami, Sat. 

The aircrew transported the individual, who suffered severe abdominal pain to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition. #SAR pic.twitter.com/vhey8HT4hm

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) December 14, 2024

A post on X/Twitter showed the rescue efforts after the man was airlifted off the ship.

While medical emergencies may be the last thing cruise-goers want to consider when planning their vacations, the video offers a glimpse into the emergency rescue procedures followed during life-or-death emergencies at sea. 

According to the Coast Guard, the man was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami in stable condition.

Grandeur of the Seas then resumed her sailing, heading to Labadee, Haiti.

Another rescue on Radiance of the Seas

On the same day, another Coast Guard unit was requested for assistance on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas.

Radiance was sailing from Tampa, Florida and had also just begun a cruise.  Radiance is sailing a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise.

The Coast Guard was alerted when the 2,466 passenger ship was 13 miles west of Anna Maria Island.

The reported issue involved taking a female passenger off the ship, accompanied by her mother & father.

This time, a Coast Guard vessel was dispatched instead of a helicopter.

In a tweet, the Coast Guard said, "The female required higher level care and was transferred to awaiting EMS at Station Cortez."

Following the evacuation, the Royal Caribbean ship resumed her sailing towards the Western Caribbean.

Medical evacuations happen more often than you think

Posts from the US Coast Guard highlight the important work they do in cases of emergencies, and it's a good reminder that health issues can arise anywhere.

Passengers could be taken from a ship for a host of medical issues, such as symptoms of strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure, progressive acute illness, respiratory failure, pneumonia, and septic shock. 

Cruise ships are equipped with basic facilities to triage any health issues they encounter until such a time the passenger can be taken off the ship to a full medical facility.

Cruise ship medical centers are probably bigger than you might think, but their function is to offer necessary treatments and if a patient has a more serious condition, get them off the ship so they can receive the full range of treatments they require.

All cruise ships have standards set by the American College of Emergency Physicians in how patients are treated onboard, as well as experience levels, certifications, and skills of the doctors and clinical staff onboard. 

Medical staff varies by ship size, but Royal Caribbean ships typically have at least 2 doctors and 4 nurses onboard.

Medical evacuations are expensive

This pair of medevacs are a good reminder how important travel insurance is for anyone going on a cruise.

Most travel insurance plans include some level of Medical Evacuation & Repatriation coverage.

While the Coast Guard conducted these rescues, sometimes it can be done using an air ambulance, a commercial airline, or other ground transportation vehicles fitted with medical equipment. 

According to the CDC, a medical air evacuation can cost between $25,000 to more than $250,000.

Remember, most primary health insurance plans, such as Medicare or an employer sponsored plan, do not provide coverage outside the United States. 

Squaremouth, a travel insurance comparison site, recommends someone going on a cruise ship have a travel insurance plan that has at least $250,000 in emergency Medical Evacuation coverage. 

Merry Christmas! The holidays are here, and so is our weekly round up of the articles and news we shared about Royal Caribbean.

The first Royal Beach Club is set to open in December 2025.

Royal Caribbean revealed plans for its exclusive beach experience in Nassau, Bahamas and confirmed it will be an all-inclusive experience.

Not only will it have beaches, pools, and great food, it will also have an epic over-the-top family cabana you can rent.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's plan to fix the problem with a very popular cruise port
• Yacht collides with Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• I got seasick on two cruises. Here's what I'll do differently next time
• Royal Caribbean reveals behind-the-scenes secret to how cruise ships make their own water
• How much can you save by sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• The best cruise travel gifts from Amazon’s holiday shop
• I eat in the cruise ship buffet often, but so many people overlook the best food option
• Carnival is revamping its private island to better compete with Royal Caribbean's offering
• Taking a cruise from the UK in 2025? You'll need to do something new this year
• Experts share which cruise line and ship are the best, and it's no surprise to us
• Mexico delays huge new tourist tax
• Water leak floods hallway on Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Video: Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?!

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 — Cruise try-hard fails: What were they thinking?! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

A Royal Caribbean gift card deal was so good, they had to pull it down immediately

You might have missed out on the best cruise discount we've seen in a long time.

Royal Caribbean offered up to 20% off its gift cards, and so many people bought it that the promotion ended more than a week earlier than expected.

It offered up to $400 off gift card purchases, and sales exploded as soon as word began to circulate about the offer.

Royal Caribbean changes policy on how it serves beverages

It appears getting an alcoholic beverage in a can requires it to be opened.

Reports began circulating that a policy change has been made to require a can of beer to be served opened, rather than closed.

This has annoyed some cruisers, who liked being able to collect cans to enjoy later in their cabin.

I booked an inside cabin, but hated how dark it was

Inside cabins can save a lot of money, but they have big downside too.

Everything about Matt's inside cabin on Serenade of the Seas was great, but having no natural light disrupted his morning routine.

He'll make changes on his next cruise to account for this issue.

9 cruise traditions that probably confuse new cruisers

Someone who has never cruised before might be surprised by some of the cruise norms.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. 

The virtual muster drill is still the best change in the cruise industry

Arguably the best change on a cruise ship in recent memory was the eMuster drill.

Implemented in 2021, eMuster has made embarkation day better for crew and guests, while making it easier to convey important information.

Surprisingly, there's still one cruise line that refuses to adopt it.

No matter how much you cruise, there's always a chance you could get seasick on a cruise.

I would tell anyone who has never cruised before not to avoid cruising out of fear of getting seasick, because it's an easily treatable issue. Plus, in the grand scheme of my cruising career, it's been quite rare.

However, winter weather in the tropics has churned up the seas lately and that's resulted in two sailings in a row where I've felt a little seasick.

I recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas.  The first cruise went to Mexico and the second to The Bahamas, but gusty winds were enough to add some "motion to the ocean" and it set off my stomach.

While hurricane season ended on November 30, that doesn't mean there can't be storms or just strong winds with a front.

When we boarded Utopia of the Seas, there was a video playing in all the cabins explaining the strong winds we expected to encounter, as described by Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer.

Sometimes you get a good warning of what's to come, and other times it's more a surprise, like on Serenade when it was calm for the entire cruise, except when we were traveling near Cancun.

Nonetheless, I'll adopt a few strategies for my future cruises to avoid seasickness.

Myth: you don't feel as much movement on larger ships

You might think the biggest cruise ships in the world are immune to being jostled by the wind, but that's definitely not the case.

Some people prefer to sail on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class or Icon Class ships because they heard the big ships don't move as much.

Being on a bigger ship might have a minimal effect with a casual breeze, but when there are rough seas, any ship can encounter movement.

It's incredible how big Utopia of the Seas is, but that consistent rocking happened onboard too.

Find a spot low and center on the ship

When you start to notice the ship moving a lot, especially when you start swaying a bit as you walk, I think it's a good idea to find a place to minimize the feeling.

The best spot to feel the least movement is somewhere on a low deck and center on the ship. 

There's no doubt it feels worse when you're all the way at the front or back of the ship, especially on a higher deck.

My wife might think this is an excuse to spend more time in the casino, but the ship's casino is almost always around deck 4, and right in the middle.

To really help, you should also find a spot where you can see the horizon. While your ship might be moving, the horizon is a fixed position and focusing on it can help re-adjust your mind.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have an outdoor walking promenade deck that have chairs facing the ocean. This is a great location for focusing on the horizon.

Stop drinking alcohol

This is easier said than done, but you want to stop anything that might be dehydrating you.

Getting more dehydrated can be a trigger for seasickness, and alcohol is definitely one of those things.

Instead, switch to a carbonated beverage.  Ginger ale is best because it combines carbonation and ginger, both of which are good to settle a stomach.  But a Coke works well too.

Try a natural remedy

Every body reacts differently to getting a little queasy, so I like to start off with a homeopathic approach first.

The most common treatments before you take any medicine are to eat ginger, green apples, or peppermint.

Head to the Windjammer and see if you can find green apples, peppermint tea, or even a lemon.

I might try bringing ginger chews with me to make it more convenient and because I don't love ginger ale.

The other thing that works is sleeping. Taking a nap is one of my favorite cruise activities to begin with, but sleeping off the nausea effects has worked well for me in the past.

If nothing else, you might sleep through the worst of the winds and wake up to calmer seas.

Take a medication

When I was on Serenade of the Seas and started feeling off, I ultimately relied on medication to help ease the effects of being seasick.

The most popular medication is Dramamine, and I always pack Bonine.

There are other medications you could take, such as getting a prescription before the cruise from your doctor for scopolamine, which is a patch behind your ear that you wear throughout the cruise. Benadryl also works for some people.

There are side effects to medications, so be sure to do your research. Also, it's ideal anyone taking meds to start the regiment before the cruise begins.

Be sure to bring your own medications with you, because the ship may or may not offer them onboard. And even if they do, I'm betting it's going to be cheaper at home.

Don't avoid a cruise because of seasickness

No matter how many times I've gotten seasick, I think it's a low risk and not a reason to not go on a cruise.

Many people go on dozens of cruises without getting sick. In fact, I don't think I got seasick on any of my cruises earlier this year, many of which that went through hurricane season.

If you find yourself feeling motion sick onboard, there are numerous ways to quickly alleviate the discomfort. By being prepared with some of the tips mentioned earlier, you can ensure you're ready to fully enjoy your cruise experience.

One of the most popular cruise ports in the world is also one of the worst rated among cruise passengers, but Royal Caribbean has a plan.

If you think of a warm tropic cruise getaway, The Bahamas is probably what you imagine, and yet cruiser surveys rank it as among the worst places they visit.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley revealed last year that passengers don't love Nassau, Bahamas.

"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said.

Given Nassau's proximity to the United States, you might assume there's not much that can be done about it, as alternatives aren't plenty within a logistical distance.

But Royal Caribbean wants to fix the issues its customers have with the port with a brand new idea that's never been attempted.

Building a better beach day

According to Royal Caribbean's surveys, cruisers found Nassau lacking fresh or innovative things to do. That seemed to be at the heart of the frustration.

Royal Caribbean's plan is to try something completely different that will deliver the high standards the line has already developed on its ships and at its private islands.

New details were revealed this week to showcase the scale of its 17-acre development that is right in the heart of Nassau.

Royal Caribbean bought up land right where cruise ships dock, and that's no accident. They wanted to give the very best product in an extremely convenient location.

Their plan is known as the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which is described as the ultimate beach day.

Opening in December 2025, the beach club will charge an admission cost for a super-charged Royal Caribbean excursion.

Available exclusively to Royal Caribbean cruisers, there will be multiple beaches and pools, with different vibes for each area. The three zones - Family Beach, Chill Beach, Party Zone- ensures there is something for everyone.

And because it's all-inclusive, there's nothing to worry about once you arrive. Relax, enjoy food and drink, and get the kind of tropical experience vacationers crave.

What you can do at the Royal Beach Club

Royal Caribbean shared what the property will offer, and it's a mix of beach, pool, and experience.

There's two beaches, three pools, the world's largest swim-up bar, cabanas, and places to get something eat.

At the west end is the Family Zone, where you'll find The Shallow End Pool and Swim-up bar.

This is a zero-entry pool where everyone can walk in and swim, along with the choice to stop by the swim-up bar. This bar has both cocktails and mocktails, so it's great for parents or kids.

There's also beach bars and the Paradise Grill to keep you replenished while enjoying time at the white sand beach.

In the middle is party zone, which has the hard-to-miss Floating Flamingo pool.

The name stands out as much as the venue, which is a two-story swim-up bar that has a DJ to play music all day long.

Royal Caribbean is also offering an extra cost area, known as Party Cove VIP. It's meant to be a celebration spot, where you can have your own exclusive space with elevated service.

Finally, there's Chill Zone on the eastern end of the property, and it's going to be the quiet(er) area of the beach club.

The Deep End pool also has a swim-up bar that serves mocktails and cocktails, and it's right up against the ocean.

Combining ship and shore

None of Royal Caribbean's plans operate in a vacuum, and when you look at the big picture, it becomes apparent they're moving ships and beaches around like a chess board that's close to end game.

When Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opens in December 2025, the cruise line's four best cruise ships will be ready to visit.

Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas are giant Oasis Class ships that sail only to The Bahamas, and will operate out of Port Canaveral and Miami.

If short cruises aren't your thing, Star of the Seas and Icon of the Seas have 7-night sailings to take you there too. And that's the two biggest cruise ships in the world that have made headlines on their own for redefining what a cruise vacation is all about.

Basically, Royal Caribbean wants to grab the attention of anyone thinking about taking a cruise vacation (especially people that have never cruised before) and show them there's no question Royal Caribbean has the best options from any cruise line in the world.

It's bold, creative, and novel, and aims to not only solve the puzzle of Nassau, but also set the bar higher for vacations.

The cruise industry had a rough go of it in 2020, but one great change that came out of it was a revamped and substantially better safety drill experience.

All cruise ship passengers are required by maritime law to understand what to do in the case of an emergency, similar to airline passengers that get a safety drill before takeoff.

Known as the muster drill, the process remained the same for decades where passengers stopped what they were doing, lined up outdoors in a single file line, and waited to hear instructions read over a bullhorn or public address system.

Royal Caribbean knew this was not a great way to convey important safety information and that its guests lamented the entire process for how cumbersome and disruptive it was.

In 2021 when cruise ships restarted cruising, a virtual muster drill was implemented for the first time.  It was a concept devised before the industry shutdown, but turned out to be the perfect way way to get safety information while social distancing.

Fast-forward a few years later, and it remains one of the best innovations within the cruise industry.  In fact, Royal Caribbean openly shared the patented process with any cruise line that wanted it.

"It's the easiest process in cruising," wrote Clbengel on Reddit.

"You'll watch a few videos and listen to a sound of the emergency horn on the Royal app. Then once you board, just go to your designated muster station and they'll scan you in as having completed it. You're good to go and officially start your cruise."

Reinventing the muster drill

If you go on a cruise today, every passenger is obliged to know what to do and where to go in an emergency.

Instead of standing around to hear someone tell you, Royal Caribbean wanted a better way.

Traditionally, in the context of a passenger cruise ship, a muster drill is performed at the beginning of the cruise before the cruise ship departs or shortly thereafter. During the muster drill, each individual passenger reports to an assigned muster station—a specific location on the vessel. A crew member then confirms the presence of each passenger expected to be present at the specific location during the muster drill so that all passengers may be accounted for in the event of an actual emergency and a resultant actual muster.

Further, the old muster drill was confusing for some—particularly the elderly and children—both of whom often require additional assistance locating and moving towards assigned muster stations.

For crew members, trying to perform the drill with thousands of guests may create unnecessary confusion or missed opportunities to educate and inform, in light of the ultimate goal.

A group at Royal Caribbean worked on a new idea to get passengers critical information without disrupting everyone's day at the same time.

A digital approach was conceived, and its not only made it easier to give cruisers the information they needed, but it also allowed it to be done individually and monitored.

The change was widely heralded by passengers who loved the change because of how much easier the process became.

Not only that, more passengers were participating than ever before.

Royal Caribbean International's Senior Vice President of Marine Operations Greg Purdy shared Royal Caribbean has "extremely high percentage rates for guest participation", which is in part due to training of the crew members to facilitate it, as well as plenty of reminder announcements."

Mr. Purdy went on to say participation rates are higher with eMuster than the old way, "we're fairly aggressive about ensuring that you complete the safety drill prior to sailing. "

"That's actually better than the old traditional drill."

Most importantly, guests get the important information while making the process easier overall, "This has been a real win for the guest and a win for those of our crew that are charged with with safety responsibilities in an emergency."

Other cruise lines followed Royal Caribbean's lead, and while their implementation may vary slightly, the general flow is the same.

One cruise line stubbornly refuses to change

Most cruise lines adopted eMuster, but one mainstream cruise line stubbornly have not and it's baffling why not.

Disney Cruise Line initially made the switch to eMuster, but then quickly reverted in November 2022 back to the in-person safety muster drill.

An email to travel agents said, "We regularly review our processes and have made the decision to reintroduce the in-person assembly drills. All Guests will be required to report to their assigned assembly station in person at the scheduled time on embarkation day."

Even after all these years, they are the notable holdout.

Armstrong2Cernan wrote on Reddit how tiresome the old way is, "Crew members with bullhorns and clip boards calling out for a few passengers who felt they were too important to attend. Kids getting tired and cranky, all still standing chest to back, parents holding smaller children, switching them off to their spouse as they got tired. Waiting, waiting, waiting until finally they bark out a few instructions that you would do if there were an actual emergency. So. Very. Tiring."

The best cruise line to sail with kids? It's Royal Caribbean because of how much they offer children and families onboard.

From pools, outdoor movie screens, waterslides, and enormous kids clubs, there is no shortage of fun things for children's activities.  There's also rock climbing walls, laser tag, ice skating rinks, carousels, and much more. While primarily it's the new cruise ships that have the most for kids, oldest ships were still designed with family fun in mind. 

The two biggest cruise ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet are poised to become arguably the best ships for families: Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.

Being the world's largest cruise ships means you'll find plenty to do for everyone, not just kids. There's something for mom, grandpa, the older cousins, and your brother's girlfriend. Not an easy task for any vacation choice.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class ships lead the pack as the newest generation of cruise ships with more kid-friendly options than any ship before it.  The Freedom and Voyager Class cruise ships still offer a lot, and at great prices for families.  Lastly, the Radiance and Vision Class ships are the smallest, oldest ships in the fleet and lack the whiz-bang features that usually attract families with young children.

Whether you're looking for "wows", a multitude of things for the kids to do, or just a family vacation that won't break the bank, here's my top picks for the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for young kids: Star of the Seas or Icon of the Seas

If you have little kids, you're going to want to sail on one of the Icon Class ships.

The world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, redefined what a cruise ship can offer young families.

Icon is the top choice in the fleet for anyone with young kids because that's exactly the market the cruise line has doubled down on to attract.

The fact there's an entire neighborhood for parents and their young kids is a compelling reason to choose Icon. Surfside is an open-air section of the ship that has a splash area, kid-friendly water slides, and infinity pool for adults. You will also find in Surfside an arcade, carousel, playground, and lots of family-centric dining choices.

Royal Caribbean positioned Surfside right near Adventure Ocean, so you can easily drop off and pick up your kids without trekking around the ship.

There's also special family cabins and suites in Surfside that are designed to give kids and parents the space they need to enjoy a cruise together.

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

If that's not enough to do on a cruise, there's lots of other activities around the ship, such as the main pools, water slides, minigolf, ice skating, production shows and more.

Icon of the Seas offers weeklong cruises to the Caribbean from her homeport in Miami, and every cruise includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

In 2025, Star of the Seas will start sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida and also sail 7-night Caribbean cruises.

Star will be nearly identical to Icon, with a few notable tweaks. Nonetheless, it's a great ship for young families and considering she'll be based about an hour from Orlando, it's going to be a compelling alternative to a theme park vacation.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families of all ages: Wonder of the Seas

If you want something for everyone, look no further than Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

Wonder of the Seas (as well as the other Oasis Class cruise ships) is not just a giant cruise ship, but it has just about everything kids, teens, and grandma will find enjoyable.

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size

Oasis Class ships are packed with the best offerings Royal Caribbean has, and there's very few activities or amenities found on other ships that you can't find on these vessels.

You've got water slides, a giant aqua park, surf simulator, two rock walls, playscape, and a carousel if you need to burn some energy. Then there's the zip line, ice skating, hot tubs, and 10-story dry slide.

The adults-only solarium pool area is found on every Royal Caribbean ship, but like everything on an Oasis Class ship, the solarium on Wonder is just bigger.

Another great amenity on Wonder of the Seas are the shows. There are three entertainment venues with shows almost every night: AquaTheater, Royal Theater, and Studio B.

You can expect to see comedy shows, ice skating show, diving show and more.

If you're new to cruising, or are traveling with a wide variety of ages, it's hard to go wrong with an Oasis Class cruise ship like Wonder.

If there's a downside to going on Wonder of the Seas, it's that you'll pay more on average for a cruise on Wonder of the Seas compared to other ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes guide & explanation

If your budget is tight, perhaps one of the other ships in this list might be a better fit, but that isn't to say Wonder will cost you an arm and a leg either. Relatively speaking, newer ships tend to cost more.

You can save money on just about every cruise by taking advantage of certain planning tips for getting the lowest price, so there's no excuse for paying top dollar, even for a cruise on Wonder of the Seas.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families with older kids: Odyssey of the Seas

Let's say you have tweens or teen in your family and want to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise that caters more to them than younger children.

Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ships have always been the best choice for families with older children because of the more sophisticated offerings onboard.

Just like Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is the newest ship in its class and has the latest offerings available. Moreover, Odyssey is a very new ship too, which means you're going to find lots to enjoy.

If you have a teen, be sure to start off by showing them the teen club and teen sun deck.  Teens not only have an indoor area for them, but they have a reserved area of the pool deck just for them.

Read more: 6 things you can only do on Odyssey of the Seas

Then there's the SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas, where throughout the day activities are swapped that include bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and more. Parents can "observe" from the nearby Playmakers sports bar located on the upper level of the SeaPlex.

Something to do with your teens would be Zone Zero, an immersive virtual reality experience where you put on a full virtual reality suit.

Everyone will be able to also check out North Star observational pod, which is a glass capsule that takes you 300 feet above the ocean.  

If your teens ever wanted to try skydiving, Odyssey has a sky diving simulator too!

Grandparents and parents will find their enclave in the Solarium, which is as beautiful to look at as it is to relax in and enjoy.

For your evening entertainment, head to Two70, which has performances that incorporate amazing technology at the rear of the ship.  You'll be wowed by how Royal Caribbean has taken traditional stage productions and infused tech enhancements.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families on a budget: Freedom of the Seas

You want to take your family on a fabulous cruise but also need to make every dollar count? Check out Freedom of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean revamped this ship in early 2020, and it offers plenty to do without the price tag newer cruise ships come with.

Freedom is still a "big ship", so there's no compromising on what there is to do onboard. You're going to find a surf simulator, beautiful pool area, aqua park, water slides, rock climbing wall, and much more.

In fact, the resort-style pool deck stands out as a big win for families. Kids can enjoy time at Splashaway Bay aqua park while adults will find serenity at the Solarium. The Lime & Coconut spans 3 decks, which creates a fun party atmosphere onboard.

Freedom has Royal Caribbean's new take on kids club and teen area, just like the newer ships.

Because she's getting older, the average price on Freedom is notably less than ships built in the last 5 years.  However, her age doesn't come with a lot of compromise, because there's a lot still to do for families onboard.

In short, Freedom of the Seas delivers on the promise of something for everyone, but at far less of a cost than newer ships.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families visiting Alaska: Ovation of the Seas

There's simply nothing like an Alaska cruise, and families will love everything Alaska has to offer as well as onboard Ovation of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Alaska on four ships, but I like Ovation the best for families, especially if it's your first Alaska cruise.

Related: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024

Based out of Seattle, you'll be able to find more direct flights to get you onboard and if you're an American, at a lower price than if you flew to a ship departing from Canada.

Once onboard, there is lots to do and most of the activities are indoors. Just like Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation has a North Star, Flowrider, SeaPlex, indoor Solarium and more.

Since Ovation has an indoor pool for guests of all ages (in addition to the Solarium), it's the perfect ship for Alaska.

While Alaska is worthy of dedicating as much time as you can on shore, once you get back to the ship, there's no compromise with things to do aboard.

Best Royal Caribbean ship to take your parents: Brilliance of the Seas

Whether your kids are with your or not, if you are ready to take mom and dad on a cruise too, you might look at a ship that focuses more on the classic cruise experience.

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class ship, which is actually one of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships in the fleet.

Don't let her size fool you, there's still activities onboard to enjoy.  There's still the rock climbing wall and a fun pool deck. If you do bring young kids with you, there's a water slide on the back of the ship too.

The adults-only solarium might be my favorite solarium across the entire fleet. It's enclosed and climate controlled, and has lots of great seating for reading, napping, or both.

Something I've always loved about the Radiance Class are the floor-to-ceiling views, which are perfect for taking in the sunsets and watching your destinations come into view.

In addition to the main dining room, you'll find three great specialty restaurants worthy of a visit.  After dinner, take a show in at the Royal Theater.

So why Brilliance over her sister ships? The upgrades Brilliance received a few years ago stand out from her sister vessels (although Serenade has very similar features). Sailing from Tampa in the winter, there's also a good chance mom and dad are nearby.

Something else you'll love when you invite your parents to sail with you is the price. Quite often the value of Brilliance is unmatched.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers

If you have young kids under the age of 3, there are a subset of Royal Caribbean ships you'll want to book for the better offerings they have for this age group.

Look for ships that have these important features.

Nursery

Not every Royal Caribbean ship has a Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, and it's a difference maker to go on a ship that has one.

The Royal Babies & Tots Nursery has an hourly cost to it, along with limited capacity. They are available for children between the age of 6 and 36 months old.

The fee for this service is $6 per hour between 9 am and 6 pm and $8 per hour from 6 pm until midnight.

The ship's nursery is a boon for parents because the nursery is a place you can drop off your infant or toddler and have someone take care of them for a few hours, allowing you to go to dinner, see a show, and otherwise enjoy the ship.

Heck, you can leave the child in the nursery while you get off the cruise ship in a port of call for a fun shore excursion.

Royal Caribbean ships with Royal Babies & Tots Nursery:

• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

Baby splash zone

Did you know children in a diaper cannot go in the pools or hot tubs on Royal Caribbean?

Babies still in a diaper can, however, go in designated splash zones that are part of Splashaway Bay or the H2O Zone.

Royal Caribbean ships with a baby splash zone:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

The right ships if you have kids

It's important to talk about why Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for families before we pick a ship. Someone new to cruising may not be aware of how Royal Caribbean separates itself from other lines in the family travel market.

Royal Caribbean is known in the cruise industry for building cruise ships that are floating destinations, with lots of amazing things to do onboard.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a supervised kids club, fun activities on the pool deck, and visits to private islands in the Caribbean. Many ships have babysitting for younger children, water slides, surf simulators, bumper cars and more.

Royal Caribbean doesn't put things on its ships just for kids, rather, they design experiences that kids and their parents can enjoy together. FlowRider, bumper cars, carousels, laser tag are all things guests of all age can find fun.

If getting your adrenaline pumping isn't your idea of fun, Royal Caribbean also has Broadway musicals on select ships, parades, ice skating shows, and expansive pool decks.

Arguably as important for parent and child alike is Adventure Ocean. Every day of your cruise there's a kids club where kids can go to meet other kids and play together in a supervised environment. Adventure Ocean isn't just a large room that kids get put in. There's activities, art, games, video games, and books for kids to enjoy. 

Royal Caribbean revised its Adventure Ocean program on its newest ships and a few amplified ships, which revamped the spaces and greatly expanded the offerings.

Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare, with the exception of late night (after 10pm), so your vacation budget won't break.

There's even teen spaces on many ships, including dedicated lounges for teens and tweens to go and find their own enclave. The teens club is less programmed as the younger kids club, but there's still fun activities for them.  In fact, Royal Caribbean will dedicate certain times of the day at the FlowRider or other signature activities just for teens.

If you have toddlers, the nursery program is a fantastic offering for parents and kids alike. The nursery has an additional hourly cost to it, but it provides a safe place for children between 6 - 36 months to go and play, nap, eat, and play some more. For parents to have a place to drop infants off and be able to enjoy dinner and evening entertainment while their baby gets to play and be put down for sleep is a boon.

If all of this sounds great, you might be wondering how much this will cost you.  Royal Caribbean's prices are quite reasonable, with cabins and cruise fares to match nearly any family vacation budget.

Another ace Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve for families are its private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee.

These are ports your ship can visit on a Caribbean itinerary that are run by Royal Caribbean, which means lots of activities, beaches and a freshwater pool (at CocoCay) included with your cruise fare. A visit to either island is a highlight for nearly any family.

Other cruise lines may be more synonymous with kids, but Royal Caribbean's onboard programming stacks up favorably and offers more for children of all ages without compromising on the adult experience. Plus, Royal Caribbean routinely offers a kids sail free deal where children in the same cabin as the adults pay nothing for their cruise fare.

Going on a cruise ship is becoming more popular each year for a family vacation, but there are some traditions of cruising that might seem weird.

As a new cruiser, there are things that people that cruise a lot typically do and it's not what you'd find in other forms of travel. It's part of the appeal of cruise ship travel, because it's not like going to a city or resort on land.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. Remember, it's different, not bad.

Here are some cruise traditions that might confuse someone who has never cruised before.

Door decorating

I doubt anyone going on their first cruise would even think they should pack art supplies for the purpose of making their stateroom door stand out.

Decorating stateroom doors was born out of passengers wanting to share their excitement that they're on vacation and express themselves.

Door decorations can consist of name tags, lights, paper creations and pretty much anything else that can be attached to a door via magnets.

It's also very personal, where people might advertise they are celebrating a special occasion, whom they're traveling with, or show off their artistic prowess.

It's a fun way to share who is cruising and why, and your family can get in on the fun too if you bring the proper materials. Just be sure not to use any adhesives like tape or glue (magnets work best).

Code named events

If you flip through the event schedule on your Royal Caribbean app, you might see a couple of events with strange names.

"Friends of Dorothy" or "Friends of Bill W' may sound like someone got their own personal event listed, but they're actually code words for what the event really is.

Friends of Bill W. is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, named after one of the founders of the organization.

Friends of Dorothy is a meeting for the LGBTQ+ community.

In both cases, they use code words to keep it somewhat anonymous.  These are also self-led events, so there won't be Royal Caribbean staff there to lead them.

No deck 13

On some Royal Caribbean ships you may go into the elevator and notice deck 13 is missing from the buttons.

This is one of those maritime superstitions that continues to today, where the number 13 is considered unlucky.

As an example, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas, doesn't have deck 13.  A brand new cruise ship that launched in 2024 omits number 13 from its layout!

Hiding ducks

Probably the most popular trend right now on a cruise ship is to hide rubber ducks for other passengers to find, and it's not something I've seen anywhere else.

The way it works is passengers purchase rubber ducks before the cruise begins, and then proceed to place them around public areas of the ship so people can find them.

There's usually a tag on it that explains you can keep the duck or re-hide it for someone else to find.

Why do people do it? Because it's something to do, and some people relish in placing them around the ship to bring joy to others that find it.  Others, especially children, love the appeal of going on a "hunt" to find them and coming away with a gift.

Crew member code phrases

This tradition is one crew members use, and it's to communicate problems around the ship without alerting guests.

You might hear announcements over the ship's public address system that use Greek letters along with a location on the ship.

There's a lot of cruise ship lingo to begin with, but these code phrases are a way to quickly convey what's happening to other crew.

You really don't need to know about them, but the first time you hear, "Alpha, alpha, alpha," you might wonder what just happened and why it was said.

Upside down pineapples

We already covered stateroom door decorations, but there's particular door "art" that means more than an affinity for a particular fruit.

If you see an upside down pineapple, it means that the couple is trying to let others know that are looking to swap sexual partners. 

This isn't to be confused with pineapples on clothing or bags, because that's just about fashion.

Truthfully, actually seeing an upside down pineapple on a stateroom door is pretty darn rare and I doubt you'll ever see it. But you should know theoretically it's a thing, and probably not something you'd expect to run across.

Wearing matching t-shirts

A lot of families and groups will wear the same t-shirt on their cruise as a way to celebrate in the fun of the trip and let everyone else know they're part of a group.

On embarkation day especially, you can spot plenty of groups walking onboard in matching colored shirts that have a phrase like, "Getting Nauti" or "Get ship faced" or my favorite, "Yea Bouy!"

In addition, family reunions, birthdays, bachelorette parties and other special occasions see lots of matching shirts.  Some even take the next step and customize the shirt with names or nicknames.

To be fair, I have seen this trend on land in places like theme parks too. 

Flaunting loyalty status

I have yet to ever see Bonvoy or Delta Medallion club member walk around with their loyalty tier adorned to their shirt, but you'll see people doing that on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

It's a literal badge of honor for cruisers with the most loyalty club points to wear pins that indicate they are a Pinnacle Club member, which is the upper most level of Crown and Anchor Society.

It has no bearing on you or your cruise experience, but new cruisers sometimes confuse Pinnacle Club members with crew members because they expect only crew members to have their name on display on a pin.

Dining with strangers

Food is a big draw of going on a cruise, but new cruisers are usually surprised to hear there's a chance they could be sharing a dining table with people they don't know.

Sharing tables is a cruising tradition that goes back decades, and it still happens when you choose a traditional assigned-time seating and you are small group or alone.

Because the dining room has a fixed capacity and a lot of people want to dine each night, seats are limited.

The good news is you can request a table just for your family if this idea seems too weird for your taste.

When Royal Caribbean opens its first beach club experience, it will be unlike anything they've offered to date.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is currently under construction and will be a new kind of experience blending water access, service, and Bahamian flare.

The big Royal Caribbean announcement today was revealing that admission will be an all-inclusive pass with an opening date of December 2025.

Passes and cabana rentals will go on sale starting in the spring of 2025.

Located on 17 acres at the western end of Paradise Island in Nassau, guests will have the choice of spending their day enjoying the pools, beaches, live music, island-style barbecues and more.

What a day pass includes

Unlike a private island day, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island requires an extra cost day pass to get in. We first reported in April 2023 that the beach club would be all-inclusive, and that's so that it can be "the ultimate beach day," according to Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider.

A day pass will include:

• Access to all amenities
• Water taxi ride between pier and beach club
• All food and beverage, including alcohol
• Beach chairs
• Umbrellas

To access the beach club, you'll need to disembark your cruise ship and walk to the ferry area within the newly revamped Nassau cruise port.

From there, you can take one of the new water taxis to get you to the beach club.

The beach club has beaches and pools, three swim-up bars, seven beach bars, more than 40 cabanas – including the one-of-a-kind
Ultimate Family Cabana with personal attendant service – and more.

One thing you won't find at the beach club are big thrills. 

Unlike the cruise line's private island elsewhere in The Bahamas, there's no waterpark and according to Mr. Schneider, that's because there really isn't space for it and those wanting thrills can find it elsewhere in Nassau.

Royal Caribbean did not share how much admission will cost and/or the cabana rentals.

What you can do at the beach club

There are three zones to choose from when you arrive at the Royal Beach Club.

Party Cove

If you prefer more dancing, singing, and celebrating as part of your beach day, head to Party Cove.

Royal Caribbean is building the world’s largest swim-up bar, called The Floating Flamingo. This is where you'll find a DJ playing lots of music all day long.

You'll also find a VIP space within Party Cove, where you can get personal poolside service and incredible views.

Family Beach

Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line, and the beach club will be an extension of that by offering an entire zone for families to enjoy.

Family Beach is near the The Shallow End zero-entry pool.

You'll also find beach games of all kinds from tug-of-war to paddle ball in this area.

This is also where Royal Caribbean will offer its Ultimate Family Cabana, which is a brand new elevated concept.

While beach cabanas to rent are not a new concept for Royal Caribbean, but this one will have two levels and include a thrilling slide, dedicated whirlpool, frozen drink machine and more.

Chill Beach

Borrowing the name from Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club will have the perfect area to relax and enjoy a day in The Bahamas.

There's the choice of The Deep End pool, or Chill Beach.

This is also where you can find shopping opportunities a the local artisan huts that are staffed by Bahamians. Similarly, there are areas to grab a bite to eat and enjoy food such as grilled shrimp skewers or fire engine fritters.

Exclusive retreat

If the new beach club sounds different, it's because it is.

Cruise lines have traditionally offered either a private island beach day or sold shore excursions operated by third parties. Nothing on this scale has been attempted before.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley thinks this will be appeal to just about everyone, "The Royal Beach Club Collection is designed for every type of family and vacationer to get everything they want out of their ideal beach day – no matter the vibe they’re looking for."

That's important because Royal Caribbean is relying on these beach clubs to be the cornerstone of its bold strategy to attract more new cruisers than ever before.

In short, Royal Caribbean wants to offer more than any other cruise line, and only to its customers.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty talked about the importance of exclusivity during the company's first quarter earnings call this year, "One of the incredible things that we’re seeing out of destinations like Perfect Day — and we’ll see this in the Royal Beach Club in Nassau — is how it’s drawing in new-to-cruise (passengers) and millennials."

"A one of a kind, unique project"

Helping bring this vision to life is Philip Simon, President of Royal Caribbean Group Bahamas.

"To me, this is such a one of a kind, unique project," he said in an exclusive interview with Royal Caribbean Blog.

From day one, Royal Caribbean has designed this beach club to be a partnership with the people of The Bahamas. There's a revenue sharing agreement that gives up to 49% equity. New jobs have been created, and there will be a new tourism levy that will fund reinvesting in the local community. 

"I've never seen anything like it, and I'm not just saying that to kind of pump ourselves up."

"We call it a unicorn type of partnership that we're very proud of."

Mr. Simon believes the final product will show off just how economically and environmentally beneficial the new club will be. 

Royal Caribbean faced public backlash initially when the deal was announced, with critics concerned about the impact developing this land would have.

Mr. Simon said his team has helped improve the 17-acre site, removing derelict buildings, and improving the landscaping. Plus, there are strict environmental policies in place.

In fact, he wants to invite those detractors to see it for themselves, "You will have a product within the heart of downtown Nassau that is just going to be so amazing. So I look forward to next year, and I look forward to sending invites to everybody."

More beach clubs coming soon

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first beach club, but there are two more coming as well.

There are two more beach clubs set to open in the next few years.

The next beach club to open will be in Cozumel, Mexico when Royal Beach Club Cozumel begins operations. That will open sometime in 2026.

The exact site has not been shared, but it will be somewhere on the west coast of Cozumel, and just like Nassau, the exclusive club will combine great views, beaches, pools, and food.

A third beach club will be on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific. No name or details have been shared, but it could open in 2026 or 2027.

A yacht accidentally ran into a Royal Caribbean cruise ship on Wednesday.

Cruisers on Allure of the Seas witnessed the moment a boat slowly hit the port side of Allure of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean ship was in Nassau, Bahamas at the time of the incident.

Videos of the incident circulated on social media in the aftermath, as multiple passengers filmed the moment the ship collided with the yacht.

Dayanni Devi Bhagwandin posted the video to Facebook of the incident with the caption, "Yacht just crashed into us!".

Vanessa Walden took video immediately after the incident.

"This boat apparently lost power, or something, and drifted into the back of our ship," she said in her video. 

She also pointed out the impact damaged the top portion of the yacht.

Royal Caribbean has not issued a comment on the incident.

Allure of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world, with a length of 1,187 feet and gross tonnage of 225,282.

Allure of the Seas has a capacity of 6,780 guests and 2,200 crew, bringing her total capacity to 8,930 passengers!

The impact did not appear to do much damage to the ship, and some passengers noted they had no idea anything had happened.

"Didn't feel a thing," wrote Frank Burton in response to the video. 

Keisha Lipford added, "We didn’t either and my son was standing up surfing."

Nassau is a major port of call for craft of all kind, including cruise ships and pleasure craft. It's not unusual to see vessels in close proximity as they navigate the waters.

Incidents of small craft hitting cruise ships is quite rare. There's sophisticated navigational equipment to warn of other craft in the vicinity.

In this case, Allure of the Seas appeared to have been docked while it occurred.

The most recent incident involving a vessel hitting another Royal Caribbean ship occurred in 2022 when a cargo ship hit Mariner of the Seas while docked in Freeport.

It was another slow speed impact, as the cruise ship's stern was contacted by the slow-speed navigating cargo ship Tropic Freedom.

No injuries and only "minimal damage" were reported.

Technically not a collision

If you want to get technical, the impact to Allure of the Seas was not a collision, but an allision.

Commander Don Goldstein, Retired United States Coast Guard, pointed out when one ship is moored and is hit by another vessel, it's considered an allision.

"Only the Coast Guard investigators and lawyers use that word, but it means a moving vessel hits a stationary vessel, dock, etc."