You can check your luggage to have your bags brought onboard a cruise ship, but a lot of cruise passengers skip it.

Unlike checking a bag with the airlines, having your bags brought on the ship has no cost and is far less logistically challenging.

As you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are porters waiting to take your luggage so it can be delivered later to your stateroom.

I take advantage of this service every single time, because bringing your own bags aboard the ship is more trouble than it's worth.

Here's why you should let Royal Caribbean handle your cruise ship luggage instead of hauling it yourself.

Checking your luggage vs bringing a carry-on

I recommend giving the porters any luggage larger than a backpack so it can be taken on the ship for you.

The porters working outside the terminal entrance don't work for the cruise line, but they're quite friendly and technically don't charge a fee.  I say "technically" because there's no cost to check your bags, but a tip is expected.

It's customary to give them a gratuity of $1-$2 per bag.

Royal Caribbean doesn't charge baggage fees nor do they limit you in how many pieces of luggage you can bring onboard the ship. 

"Each guest is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of personal property (including luggage) aboard the vessel," is how the policy is worded.  In all my years of covering Royal Caribbean, I cannot recall an instance where a passenger was denied luggage because they had too much. 

Any luggage you give to the porters needs to be tagged, just like at the airport.  Royal Caribbean provides luggage tags you can print at home and affix to your bag.

If you forget them, the porters can easily attach the tags for you.

What you shouldn't give the porters are any bags that have personal documents or valuables inside. You'll need your passport or birth certificate for check-in later.

Moreover, I'd keep any cash or expensive jewelry, electronics with you in a carry-on bag.

You can bring your luggage onboard, but it's bulky and a pain to deal with

I shake my head when I see a family dragging all their luggage on a ship because it seems like an unnecessary hardship.

Your stateroom isn't ready until about 1pm, so bringing your own bags on the ship means bringing them with you all over until cabins are ready. No, you cannot go drop your bags off at the room earlier (although Celebrity Cruises allows this).

Cruise ship hallways are narrow, and elevators are small. It's busy enough on embarkation day getting around, and I feel the hassle of taking your luggage around just so you can have them an hour or two earlier than if they were delivered doesn't make sense.

Unlike the airlines, there's no cost to check your luggage on a cruise. The gratuity for the porters is a negligible amount of money, and the convenience of not having to deal with them is so worth it.

It's also worth noting you can only bring luggage on the ship yourself that can fit through the security scanners. That giant suitcase likely won't fit, and then you'll have to turn around and give the bag to the porter anyway.

I see too many families with kids trying to take all their luggage up and down decks. It's a completely unnecessary problem to encounter, which is why I'll always gladly hand my luggage to porters when I arrive at the terminal.

How you can store your luggage on a cruise ship

Any bags you check with a porter will be delivered to your stateroom.  

In my experience, bags usually arrive by early to mid afternoon. The only thing that would delay your bags being delivered is if there's something inside that's on the prohibited item list. If that occurs, the bags will be held by security and you'll have to go get it from them.

When your bags arrive to your stateroom, there's enough room to store the luggage inside your cabin.

Most conventional luggage should fit under the bed.  If we have a few pieces of luggage, we'll nest them inside each other and then slide it under the bed.

One thing I'll always do is unpack for my cruise, rather than living out of my suitcase. Cruise ship cabins have a lot storage, even in a small inside room. You'll find drawers and closets to use (including hangers).

I've found it's worth unpacking to make it easier to quickly find clothes I need later.  Plus, it helps with keeping clothes unwrinkled.

You can let Royal Caribbean take your bags off the ship at the end of the cruise too

On the final night of the cruise, you can leave your luggage outside your cabin door and have it delivered to the cruise terminal for you.

I have mixed feelings about whether to use this or not.

On the one hand, it's much easier to let them take your bags off the ship.  If you have mobility issues, kids, or lots of luggage, this is a godsend for how much easier it is to walk off the ship the next morning.

Royal Caribbean will leave luggage tags in your cabin, and there's a number on it. The number corresponds to a certain hour they will be ready to pick up in the terminal.

Read more: What the debarkation process is like on Royal Caribbean

However, putting your luggage out the night before the cruise ends means you have to pack that night, which disrupts your final day.  Plus, you still have to leave essentials and an outfit for the next day for the next morning.

The major compelling reason to carry your luggage off the ship yourself is because it's much faster. 

If you need to be off the ship as early as possible, those carrying their own luggage can disembark any time after it has been cleared by authorities. If you have an early flight home, this is your only recourse.

Personally, I tend to carry my bags off the ship most times so I can be on my way as early as I can. Not only do I want to beat the rush off the ship, but I see the last morning as a "rip the band aid off" kind of situation and would rather be done with it all.

If you do decide to let Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship, be sure to leave anything you'll need for the final evening and next morning out of that bag. Toiletries, valuables, identification, pajamas, and an outfit for the next day should all be taken off the ship by you in a smaller bag.

It's not uncommon to see someone walking off the ship on the last morning of the cruise in their pajamas because they clearly forgot to leave out an outfit.

Sometimes the cost of a Junior Suite is only a few hundred dollars more than a balcony room on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and that leads to the question of if it's worth upgrading or not.

Whether the extra cost is substantially more or not, the real question is are you paying for meaningful perks or just a slightly larger room?

I've sailed in Junior Suites many times, including most recently on an older ship. I've found the extra benefits of a Junior Suite and larger room to be quite useful. Nonetheless, I didn't want to overpay for them either.

Consider your travel style, ship class, and budget before choosing. Let's compare.

Balcony vs. Junior Suite comparison

What you get with a standard balcony cabin

A balcony room is the most popular type of cruise ship cabin because it's truly the middle ground option that is affordable for a lot of families.

With this type of stateroom, you'll have a slightly larger room than an interior cabin and have access to your own outdoor space.  This means you have an outside view from your room, as well as a private verandah to step out to and enjoy the fresh air and views.

Every balcony comes with a fairly standard set of features:

• King size bed (can be split apart)
• Private bathroom
• Sofa/couch
• Vanity seating area

The reason balcony cabins are so popular is because they have the best mix of price and comfort.

You have outside views and access to the outdoors without feeling like you're overspending.  Usually the price difference between an inside to a balcony is a reasonable cost.

Plus, a balcony feels like a major jump in experience from an inside room. Many cruisers swear by staying in a balcony because it adds just enough of a difference to make their room feel less insular, while also adding natural light to enhance it all.

Balcony cabins are especially attractive to first-time cruisers because it's the "goldilocks" cabin. 

What makes a Junior Suite different

The real selling point to a Junior Suite is how much more space you get compared to a balcony room.

The exact size depends on the ship, but you'll quickly notice how much larger these cabins feel. The living area is enormous, and there's a walk-in closet too.

The balcony in a Junior Suite tends to be larger than a standard balcony.

Another important reason some people prefer a Junior Suite is the fact it has a full tub instead of a shower. Lower category staterooms on Royal Caribbean ships have a stand-up shower only.

Another equally important Junior Suite perk are the benefits that come with this room.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra Crown & Anchor point per night, which allows you to reach higher loyalty tiers faster. This is a major reason cruisers will book a category JS room.

You'll also get priority boarding in the cruise terminal, which means you can board with the suite guests.

Space permitting, you'll be able to dine at Coastal Kitchen on Oasis, Icon, and Quantum ships. This is a bonus complimentary restaurant that is exclusive to suite guests.

It's important to remember that despite its name, a Junior Suite isn't a real suite in terms of benefits.  Unless you book a Sky Junior Suite, you don't get the full suite benefits, including:

• No Royal Genie
• No access to the Suite Concierge
• No included W-iFi
• No included drink package
• No suite lounge access
• Breakfast and lunch at Coastal Kitchen are not included

When paying extra for a Junior Suite is absolutely worth it

The longer the sailing, the better the argument to move up to a Junior Suite.

On short cruises, you're going to be likely busy trying to squeeze in as much fun as you can, and so time spent in the stateroom is going to be limited.

On longer cruises, you'll probably spend more time in your room. This is especially true of transatlantic crossings. 

A lot of cruisers will say they move up to a Junior Suite on especially scenic itineraries, such as in Europe or Alaska.

I also think a Junior Suite is helpful when you're sharing a room with more than 2 people.  If you have kids, the extra living space will feel amazing.

Personally, I tend to splurge for a Junior Suites on older ships because the price isn't usually as much. Junior Suites can feel dramatically more comfortable on older ships.

Lastly, if you are prioritizing chasing higher cruise line loyalty, then a Junior Suite makes sense.

When a balcony cabin is the better choice

By default, a balcony is going to be the more economical choice.  So being on a budget may make this the defacto choice.

If your cruising style is that you tend to be out and about and barely use your room other than for showering, sleeping, and changing, then a balcony makes more sense.

You could also make a good argument to take the money needed to upgrade to a Junior Suite and spend it on something else to enhance your cruise, such as a drink package, shore excursion, or specialty dining. If upgrading means sacrificing excursions or drink packages, I'd keep the balcony cabin.

If I had the choice of one of those add-ons or a better room, I'd probably lean towards the add-ons because they can have a major impact in how you enjoy your trip.

One of the top regrets people have about a Junior Suite is not understanding these rooms don't have full suite benefits.

It's a common source of disappointment that despite the name, a Junior Suite isn't actually a real suite. So not having access to the Suite Lounge or other suite perks leads some to wish they hadn't booked one.

My advice after trying both

Balcony cabins are almost always going to be the better value, so it's a question of how much more a Junior Suite will cost.

It's also a question of your own personal needs: extra space, extra loyalty points, and your cruising style.  Some people will deem a Junior Suite far more necessary.

Anytime I've ever booked a Junior Suite, it's been because the price was nominally more than a balcony.  For me, that's a couple hundred dollars at the most more.

I love how much bigger a Junior Suite feels, and the extra Crown & Anchor points are a great perk, but I won't pay top dollar for it either.

I consider Junior Suites an "opportunistic splurge". If I want to celebrate a special occasion, or simply book something nicer, I'll go with a full suite.

I don't think I've ever regretted booking a balcony. The extra space in a Junior Suite matters more than most cruisers expect. But if upgrading means sacrificing excursions or drink packages, I'd keep the balcony cabin.

Happy Mothers Day! All the moms out there deserve a big hug, thank you, and hopefully a new cruise booking too.

Anyone cruising to The Bahamas on May 12 won't be able to have any alcohol, even at Royal Caribbean's private island.

Because of a Bahamian law that suspends liquor sales on election day, any "intoxicating liquor" isn't allowed to be served in the country on that day.

This includes both the Royal Beach Club and even Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean News

• No Royal Caribbean cruise ships will visit its private island this week
• Royal Caribbean just rebranded Air2Sea
• New Royal Caribbean casino $100 booking fee sparked a debate among cruisers
• 5 things I always do at the buffet to make my meal better every time.
• Royal Caribbean has more limits than most cruisers realize. Here are the biggest ones
• I went to Royal Caribbean's two best beach clubs in one weekend. One is worth your money more
• What to know before trying Star Class
• What Royal Caribbean is getting right on its ships this year
• Royal Caribbean asked cruisers for their best tips and here are the best ones

New RCB Video: I Tried A $11,000 Cruise Ship Suite

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—I Tried A $11,000 Cruise Ship Suite—don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!

First look at Royal Caribbean's new beach club

Royal Beach Club Santorini is open, and we have a full review of what you can expect.

Leon from Loyal To Royal was among the first visitors, and discovered what this new shore excursion offers guests.

Unlike the club in The Bahamas, this one offers scenic tours along with a beach day.

I spent $170 on Amazon products for my cruise. Three were worth it

There are lots of products on Amazon marketed as for a cruise, but are they actually useful?

Matt bought 10 of them to try on his recent Utopia of the Seas cruise, and discovered three gems among the bunch.

In fact, the three he bought and loved are now part of his "must-pack for every cruise" list.

I sailed on one of the oldest and smallest Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships. I'd only book one again

How does an old Royal Caribbean ship compare to an old Carnival ship?

Elizabeth went on Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation, and it's clear each ship has a different take on what you can expect.

Both ships are 28 years old and offer a different way to cruise compared to today's newest vessels.

7 things nobody warns you about before an Alaska cruise

Real talk: everyone sells you on the beauty of an Alaska cruise, but there are a few truths you should know about this kind of a sailing.

They won’t tell you that one itinerary is preferred over another, or that you can save money with a few hidden tricks.

Some of these things could help sway your choice in which itinerary to choose.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 607th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Now that we know the approximate capacity of the Discovery Class ships, Matt shares what this means for when they launch.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast! We’d appreciate it.

I've spent almost a month of this year living on a cruise ship, and it's clear Royal Caribbean is doing something right.

I was talking with my team about the cruises I've taken so far in 2026, and it seems like I unintentionally became a case study for Royal Caribbean's current strategy.

I've been on four sailings across three ships (plus an extra on their ultra luxury brand):

• 3-night Utopia cruise
• 7-night Star of the Seas cruise
• 7-night Brilliance of the Seas cruise
• Another 3-night Utopia sailing

Whether I was on an older ship, party itinerary, or brand-new ship, I noticed a clear pattern in what Royal Caribbean is doing especially well right now. I think it's at the heart of why more cruisers keep coming back.

After 20 nights, here's what I've noticed.

Royal Caribbean has mastered the "different vacation for different people" strategy

Regardless of which ship I was on, one truth about going on a Royal Caribbean cruise is how approachable it is for everyone, regardless of age.

A strength of this line is how you can find things to enjoy onboard for pretty much all ages. In fact, many of them are also the sort of activities the whole family can enjoy together.

A great example is the silent disco party. No matter how many times I've cruised, this is one of the most popular activities onboard, and it makes sense given how it works for nearly all ages.

By the same token, these big ships offer enough space to have family activities in one space, adult-focused things in another, and party zone in another place.

Utopia of the Seas is a great example of this strategy.  The pool deck, especially at sailaway, is a hopping party with loud music, dancing, and more energy than I could ever conjure up.

It's not my jam, so I usually spend sailaway on my balcony, on the Suite Sun Deck, or perhaps watching a game at Playmakers.

I love how passengers can find nonstop energy or a calmer atmosphere, and it applies to almost every aspect of the sailing.

They understand short cruises

I think in the past, short cruises felt like "samplers", but now, they feel intentionally designed.

I sailed twice on Utopia of the Seas this year, plus I squeezed in a 4-nighter on Wonder of the Seas in December.  Both of these ships were designed for 3- and 4-night cruises.

It's clear that Royal Caribbean has tested and optimized these weekend sailings to be as smooth as possible and packed with everything you'd want.

Embarkation and disembarkation is super smooth, thanks to a streamlined app and the fact these ships dock quite early. 

Despite the fact it's only a couple of days, there's a condensed entertainment schedule that allows you to see all of the shows that would otherwise be spread across 7-nights.

Moreover, the high-energy atmosphere really makes these cruises feel different. I'm not the center of the party, but I like that a weekend cruise on Utopia fundamentally feels different than my weeklong cruises.

And the real highlight now are the two port stops, thanks to major investments in each.

Perfect Day at CocoCay acts as an extension of the ship, and it's so darn easy to go from ship-to-shore and expand on the fun.

Add to that the new Royal Beach Club in Nassau that finally solved the "there's nothing good to do in Nassau" problem, and you've got a winning combination.

I think the key to success is Royal Caribbean figured out people don't necessarily want a shorter version of a 7-night cruise. They want a completely different kind of vacation.

Loyalty is working, and it's keeping us coming back for more

Royal Caribbean executives have repeatedly talked about repeat guests becoming a bigger percentage of passengers. I certainly see why given how easy it is to book another one.

Between the loyalty program integration, perks, and familiarity of experience, I think that provides tremendous confidence in what we're buying.  Yes, prices have shot up considerably year-over-year, but I'm far more willing to spend on a Royal Caribbean cruise than an equally expensive land vacation alternative with a lot of unknowns.

When I step onboard, the familiarity that comes with being a repeat cruiser reduces stress. It's predictable in a good way.

Truly, the Crown & Anchor benefits are a major factor in coming back to cruise. 

When I took my family to Disneyland Paris, I couldn't believe how much extra I was spending on food and drink compared to a cruise. 

I believe a lot of credit to how seamless it is to cruise over and over, needs to be acknowledged.

Older ships still matter more than people realize

I spent a week on Brilliance of the Seas, and while it lacks so many features on the newer ships, it also accentuates the fact not every great cruise needs water slides or endless neighborhoods.

Being one of the smaller ships, it's so easy to get around a ship with barely 2,000 passengers.  Not only is it easier to navigate, there's a calmer atmosphere, and ocean views everywhere.

Royal Caribbean's smart move may actually be keeping older ships relevant while expanding aggressively into mega ships. We've got a number of years before the Discovery Class ships start becoming relevant, so there's still plenty of lifespan left in older ships.

I love new ships because of everything they pack in, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the simple pleasure of "classic cruising" on a Radiance Class ship.

Proving this point, I'm headed back on another Radiance Class ship next month when I sail to Alaska on Serenade of the Seas.

Technology is finally becoming useful instead of annoying

Royal Caribbean's tech journey hasn't been super smooth, but there's no question it's working well right now onboard its ships.

It may not be perfect, but the app functionality on the ship is something I take for granted now.  From check-in, to activity planning, to messaging, it works efficiently.

When I was in my Star Class suite on Utopia of the Seas, I was able to open the blinds in the living room from my app.  Necessary? No. But I'll definitely take advantage of it when I'm on the couch watching a movie and I want to close the blinds so I can see the movie without glare!

Heck, the muster drill alone being digitized is something I will occasionally remind myself how annoying it used to be when it was all in-person.  Now, it's a minute or two and you're done.

Most notably is how reliable cruise ship Wi-Fi is today. For years, I hated how expensive and slow it was until Royal Caribbean switched to Starlink.

They had a few growing pains getting Starlink optimized onboard, but I don't go on ships anymore worried if the Wi-Fi will work or not on this cruise.

I think the best cruise tech disappears into the background instead of forcing you to use it constantly.

What Royal Caribbean still needs to improve

While they're doing a lot of things right, no one is perfect.  To their credit, they crave guest feedback as a way to get it right.

One issue, especially on short cruises, is show and activity reservation require military precision to get what you want.  

Frankly, I have no idea how people who don't read blogs like this or are totally invested in researching their cruise manage to get any show reservations. It's egalitarian in how it's offered, but it rivals Ticketmaster in how quickly it all sells out.

Another issue is the hyper focus for perfect scores among crew members.

I think Net Promoter Scores are a flawed system because anything less than perfect isn't good enough, and the evidence of that is in how crew are forced to beg for a "10" at every opportunity.

It's becoming far more prevalent now to go to almost any meal and get a spiel from your waiter about the importance of the guest survey. Not only does this skew scores, but it's disruptive and annoying to guests.

I'm also concerned with the trend of focusing more and more on revenue generation above all else.  We have ever expanding casinos that take over entertainment space, new programs that come with an extra cost, and every expansion in CocoCay or Royal Beach Club has a cost.

Of course they are a for-profit company, but I miss the balance of innovation and revenue chasing that used to exist. 

The proof is in how many of us are coming back again

After 20 nights onboard in just a few months, what stood out wasn't one perfect ship or one unforgettable meal. It was how refined Royal Caribbean's overall strategy now feels.

Each sailing I took offered a little something different, but there's a core experience that I think is chugging along quite smoothly.

It's a smart approach to vacation building, and we're now at a point where so much is expected to be flawless in execution.  That's a sign they've reached a point where things are where they should be, for both consumer and company.

Royal Caribbean offers an elite option for someone that wants to pay top dollar for the very best amenities and perks at sea.

Star Class is the subset of suites that come with the most lavish furnishings and front-of-the-line access.  It's the kind of experience where you'll feel like a VIP and get to bypass lines around most of the ship.

As you might expect, this is an expensive option too. Similar to a first class ticket on an airplane, the jump in cost from the cheapest fare to Star Class is substantial.  

I've sailed in different Star Class suites over the years, including the Ultimate Family Suite and Loft Suites.  Each room has its own feel, but the service that comes with each is consistently impressive.

I've justified the cost each time by focusing on how much is included and leveraging the added benefits.  It's a splurge, but it undeniably adds some amazing benefits you simply cannot get otherwise.

With the high price tag, I think anyone that tries Star Class would want to fully maximize the experience so they don't miss out on anything.

After staying in all the Star Class suites, here is what I would recommend to anyone that is looking to give Star Class a try.

It's expensive, so don't try to rationalize the cost

Before you start to crunch the numbers, you have to go in understanding booking Star Class will never make financial sense. It's a splurge that you should look at as a way to treat yourself.

Royal Caribbean includes a lot of extra perks and amenities that help with the cost a little:

• Complimentary beverage package
• Included gratuities
• Complimentary Ultimate Dining Package
• One device internet package for everyone in the cabin
• Complimentary laundry
• Complimentary mini-bar stocked with alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks

Those inclusions represent hundreds of dollars, but some Star Class suites cost as much as $200,000. 

If you're going book Star Class, you have to go in with the understanding it's not a cost-effective booking strategy. Rather, it's a fun way to cruise if you can afford it.

Star Class is available on certain ships only

Royal Caribbean only offers Star Class suites on its newest and biggest ships, so you cannot book it on every ship in the fleet.

It's available on Icon Class, Oasis Class, and Quantum Class ships:

• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Hero of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Legend of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas

The Royal Genie service is the best reason to book Star Class

While you will choose from some truly incredible suites, I think the top reason you should even consider a Star Class cruise is because of the Royal Genie service that comes with the room.

Your Genie isn't a butler, but more like a cross between a butler, concierge, and your best friend that likes to surprise you.

You share your Genie with up to 3 other suites, but trust me, it will feel very personalized.

About a week before your cruise begins, you'll be assigned a Royal Genie via email. You should get a welcome email from them, where they introduce themselves and provide an overview of the coming sailing.

Your Genie will meet you inside the cruise terminal on the first day and escort you onboard the ship.

From this point forward, they are there to assist and make your cruise better. You can message them anytime via WhatsApp, and they will check-in regularly with you.

Most people that are new to Star Class are unsure how to properly use the Genie. They're timid and feel bad asking the Genie for things, but the truth is that's what you're paying them for.  

Your Genie can do so much for you, including:

• Set up parties in your suite
• Reserve seats at any show for you
• Book dining reservations and escort you to your table
• Have any food or drink on the ship delivered to your suite (including specialty dining)
• Arrange for priority elevator rides
• Decorate your suite
• And much more

I found the best strategy is to politely ask for as much as you can. You'll be surprised how willing and able they are to make most requests happen.

By the end of the cruise, I can all but guarantee you'll fall in love with your Genie because of how much they enhanced your cruise.

I would prioritize specialty dining because it's included

Since Royal Caribbean includes a dining package with your Star Class booking, I would plan to indulge in as much specialty dining as you can.

Considering the extra cost specialty dining has, now is the time to really get your money's worth by eating there early and often.

Your Genie will almost certainly make preemptive reservations, but you can ask them to change it as you see fit.

When I stay in Star Class, I'll book lunch reservations too.  Plus, don't hesitate to send food back to the suite. As long as the specialty restaurant is open, they can deliver food to your suite.

When we sailed in Star Class on Utopia of the Seas, my family was too tired after a fun day at the Royal Beach Club so we asked our Genie to have dinner from Giovanni's Italian Kitchen to be delivered to our suite instead of going to the restaurant.

I messaged him our order, and exactly when I requested it to be delivered, room service arrived with the food.

Regardless of where you eat the food, I would plan around the extra cost food and skip eating in the Main Dining Room or Coastal Kitchen.

I've had mixed results with the "Land Genie", so I recommend skipping it

Over the last couple of years, Royal Caribbean introduced a pre-cruise Star Class planning feature that they call a "land Genie".

It's essentially a representative from the cruise line who attempts to coordinate your preferences and upsell you on cabanas and other options leading up to the cruise.  The idea is you tell them everything you want, and they convey it to the Genie so you have less to do in the final days.

In my experience, the land Genie service has been disappointing because on multiple occasions, the Genie has no idea what requests we made to the land Genie.

As a result, I recommend ignoring the land Genies and waiting for the welcome email from the Royal Genie.  At that point, email them all of your requests.

Checking in and boarding your ship is different with Star Class

When you arrive to the cruise terminal, look for the Star Class entrance instead of the regular line to enter. There's usually a purple banner of some kind to mark where to check-in.

In fact, do not give the porters your luggage.  Instead, bring your luggage to the Star Class check-in area because they have special luggage tags and a designated porter that will take your bags onboard.

They will expedite delivery of your luggage to your suite.

After confirming your details, a port agent will escort you through the cruise terminal and check you in.  They will bring you to meet your Genie in the suites boarding area, at which point they will hand you off to them.

Your Genie will then escort you onto the ship. They will take you straight to your suite and give you a printout of the plan you made together.  Keep in mind this plan is a suggestion, and you can change it at anytime as you see fit.

Expect welcome aboard snacks and drinks awaiting you in the suite. It won't be a meal, but something to munch on.  Plus, your fridge will be fully stocked.

How to use the Royal Genie the best way

I'd argue the top reason to book a Star Class suite isn't the cabin, but the Royal Genie service that you get with it.

The first time you have a Genie, it can be confusion how and when to utilize them because the information provided by Royal Caribbean is quite vague. There's no list of things you can ask for, so it's all up to you.

First and foremost, don't be shy about making requests. The genie would be the first to tell you that they're there to make your cruise better, and they want to do anything they can to assist. The worst they'll tell you is they can't do something, but usually have an alternative in mind.

You can also ask the genie for ideas of what to ask for.  Meaning, ask them what fun or special things they've done for other families in the past, especially age-specific things. 

I never knew about having an ice cream party in the suite for my kids until a genie suggested it.

Don't be afraid to say "no" to the genie.  They will come up with lots of ideas for what you can do onboard, but don't feel bad if you have no interest it.  Or you'd rather take advantage of your massive suite.

At a minimum, you should never go to Guest Services if you're in Star Class. Let your genie handle any and all questions or discrepancies you may have.

Tipping in Star Class

One of the top questions people have about being in Star Class is related to gratuities.

According to Royal Caribbean, Star Class includes "Complimentary Gratuities", but the question is how much to tip your genie or room attendant.

In my experience, there's no right or wrong answer of how much extra to tip.  But I definitely do tip extra to both of them.

I'll share my tipping strategy for Star Class, but keep in mind it's just my opinion and other people claim to have tipped more and less than I do.

For the genie, I tip $100 per day (regardless of how many people are in my suite). It's a lot, but once you've tried Star Class, I think you'll see how much they do and how far they go to make your cruise better.

Depending on the length of the cruise, I'll tip my stateroom attendant extra. Somewhere between $50 and $100 extra is usually where I land. It's worth noting in some Star Class suites, we've had two stateroom attendants.

The bottom line about gratuity is they will be appreciative of whatever you can give them. It's not a competition, and whatever you're comfortable with will be satisfactory. You certainly don't have to do anything like I do.

Is Star Class worth it?

If you're looking for the ultimate splurge on a Royal Caribbean cruise, Star Class is the most impressive way to go all out.

Practically everything is included in your cruise fare, and you get to enjoy the best your ship has to offer without much waiting or lines.

Because of the high price tag, it's a luxury that only some will be able to justify. Star Class is never a good value, and you could save a lot of money skipping it and booking something else.

Clearly Royal Caribbean wanted Star Class to appeal to a small segment of cruisers who value service and enormous suites above all else. It was never meant to be something everyone could or should try.

If spending five or six figures on a week-long cruise is something you can afford to do, I believe Star Class is a very fun way to cruise. For these people, the experience and doing something special outweighs the enormous cost.

Every month, Royal Caribbean has a different casino offer for its high roller members, and this month's has a new fee.

Cruisers have noticed that along with its May offer of a complimentary cruise, there's now a booking fee that goes with.

Periodically (and seemingly randomly), Royal Caribbean's Casino Royale program will send to its members offers to sail for free or at a reduced rate.  These are targeted offers for people that gamble a lot on Royal Caribbean ships.

What's different this month is there's now a fee to go along with the "free" cruise offer.

Here's what the booking fee looks like, and why it's generating a lot of chatter among those that like to cruise and gamble.

There's a new $100 casino comp fee

As soon as the new casino offers started rolling into cruisers' accounts, many saw the same thing: a new fee.

The $100 casino comp fee means you'll need to pay $100 for a complimentary cruise, along with the port fees and taxes.

It's a nominal fee for what is otherwise representative of thousands of dollars off a cruise fare, but it's not what cruisers have typically found.

In the example provided by Royal Caribbean Blog reader madkidd00000007, the offer is for a complimentary Balcony or Oceanview cabin for two.  It has a $100 booking fee per stateroom.

The offer is valid to be booked by May 31st for sailings the depart between May 4 and December 31, 2026.

To be fair, this isn't the first time we've seen this fee. A similar fee happened once a few months ago on an offer for two rooms, but it's back again today. 

According to Ampurp85, they were told the fee is to supplement the fact it's a better-than-usual offer.

"The rep says there will now be some offers that have a booking fee. Either because they will offer better rooms or longer cruise dates."

The representative added that in the event of a cancellation, everything but the booking fee is refundable. Moreover, this booking fee will not be on all offers, just certain ones. 

How to get complimentary casino offers

Booking fee or not, you may be curious how to qualify for a "free" cruise.

Truthfully, there isn't a rhyme or reason that can be determined how to consistently receive offers other than playing often in the casino on every sailing you take.

Certainly, reaching higher casino loyalty tiers helps.

While not a hard and fast rule, it seems more offers go out to casino players in the Signature and Masters tier than Prime.  But that doesn't mean those in Choice or Prime don't receive offers as well.

Moreover, if you do get an offer, it's important to play in the casino and spend enough onboard.  It's been a common observation from casino players that any complimentary cruise you take, there's an unwritten expectation that you'll gamble enough on that sailing too. Otherwise, the quantity of future offers may decrease.

How much do you need to gamble? Most cruisers believe you need to earn at least 200 points on a comped cruise.

Casino offers have been changing this year

One theme so far with Casino Royale has been they're not doing the same old predictable things.

Since the new casino calendar year began in April, there have been some big changes to Royal Caribbean's casino program.

The biggest has been for the annual complimentary cruise that is included with the Prime tier and higher.

Instead of having an an exclusion list of which sailings aren't eligible for the annual complimentary sailing, there's now a list of included sailings. All other cruises are not available.

In addition, Casino Royale introduced a variety of program changes related to earning points and tracking points.

The Royal Caribbean app now shows your casino points and status, further integrating casino loyalty with cruise loyalty.

Another key change is Signature level players now receive onboard credit based on the length of their sailing. Previously, Signature players didn’t receive any onboard credit at all.

Royal Caribbean also increased the earning requirement for video poker to $15 per point. That means you now have to wager more money to earn the same number of points.

Lastly, the onboard instant offers seem to have been cut back.  While nothing has been announced by the line, cruisers have noticed the cabin categories offered were lower than before, and the amount of free play was reduced.

Royal Caribbean opened its first beach club in Europe with an exclusive offering for its cruise ship passengers.

Royal Beach Club Santorini opened last week, offering passengers a full-day shore excursion on the popular Greek island.

Leon is a good friend of ours and runs the wildly popular Loyal to Royal Instagram account. He was among the first to try the new beach club and check out what's new and different.

Here is his full review of the new private beach club.

Welcome to the newest Royal Beach Club

The new Royal Beach Club Santorini by Royal Caribbean genuinely surprised me, not just because of how beautiful it is, but because of how different it feels from what I experienced at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in the Bahamas when it first opened last year.

Of course, I expected some differences. 

The Mediterranean has a completely different vibe than the Bahamas. And honestly, that is exactly what makes this beach club work so well. Instead of a high energy, party style destination, this feels like a calm, laid back escape that perfectly matches the vibes of Santorini.

From Odyssey of the Seas to the Royal Beach Club 

Our day started with a tender ride from Odyssey of the Seas to the island. 

From there, everything was seamlessly organized by Royal Caribbean. We hopped on a bus and within about 20 minutes, we arrived at the beach club.

The drive itself was already something special. You travel through the rugged interior of Santorini, surrounded by rocky landscapes, before suddenly arriving at the coast. It is one of those moments where you realize you are somewhere truly unique.

My first impression

The arrival set the tone immediately. 

We were welcomed with a refreshing Greek drink, but without any over the top fanfare. No loud music, no party crowds, just a calm, easygoing atmosphere. 

Once inside, you are free to explore and pick any spot you like. There is no need to reserve seating, no extra tickets, and no long lines. That sense of freedom really stood out to me. It felt effortless from the very beginning.

Greek flavors done right

Around noon, the buffet opened and this is where the experience really comes to life if you love food. 

You will find a wide range of fresh Greek dishes: gyros served in warm pita bread, crisp salads, freshly prepared fish, souvlaki and more. There is truly something for everyone.

And do not skip dessert. The Greek sweets are worth trying, but the real standout for me was the Greek frozen yogurt served at the bar. It is offered in three flavor combinations and incredibly creamy.

Designed for comfort and the heat

One of the smartest design choices is the large, mostly covered terrace. On hot summer days, you can sit comfortably in the shade almost anywhere. There is also a smaller open air section if you prefer to soak up the sun.

The whole space feels light, airy, and fresh, thanks to the color palette and overall design. It is stylish without trying too hard and very much in line with the Santorini aesthetic. From the main terrace, you can walk down to the beach below, a striking black volcanic shoreline lined with loungers and umbrellas.

What I really appreciated is that it never felt overcrowded. Capacity is clearly managed well, so you always have space to relax. Guests come and go throughout the day, which keeps the experience feeling exclusive while still accessible.

How I would compare it to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island

Having visited both beach clubs, the contrast between Santorini and Nassau is clear and intentional. 

The beach club in Nassau leans into that classic Caribbean energy: lively, social, and more focused on a beach party vibe. 

In Santorini, it is the opposite. Everything is about slowing down, enjoying the scenery, and embracing a more relaxed Mediterranean pace. Neither is better. They are just designed for completely different experiences.

Final thoughts

Royal Beach Club Santorini is a fantastic addition to Royal Caribbean’s growing beach club collection. It feels thoughtfully designed for its location, blending seamlessly with the island’s natural beauty and atmosphere. 

Set between the dramatic cliffs of Santorini, it truly feels like a hidden escape. And the best part is that it is easy to combine with exploring the rest of the island, which has so much more to offer.

If you are cruising the Mediterranean, this is exactly the kind of experience you did not know you needed, until you are there.

Check out Loyal to Royal for more Royal Caribbean news, updates, and more!

Whenever I go on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I almost always go to the ship's buffet first.

There are many restaurants on every ship, but the Windjammer buffet is a staple and its wide selection is why I'll eat there on every single cruise I take.

Even though I cruise about once a month, I actually look forward to eating at the buffet because I've found it delivers a mix of fan favorite dishes and a few surprises too.

Plus, the sheer selection of options is perfect for everyone in our family, including the picky eaters. I love the Asian food choices, while my kids go for the chicken fingers and burgers. Everyone gets what they want with very little fuss.

Over the years, I've learned to do five important things every time I eat at the Windjammer, El Loco Fresh, or any other ship buffet to make the meal more enjoyable from the start.

I always wash my hands before I enter

Even though there are fun crew members to remind me, I make it a point to wash my hands before I go to any buffet.

On most ships, there is a handwashing station at the entrance and while no one will force you to stop, you really should wash your hands for your (and everyone's) benefit.

No one wants to get sick on vacation, and a buffet setting more easily spreads germs because of the shared utensils.

There's even hand sanitizer for anyone in a rush, but health experts say handwashing is a safer bet.

I'm frankly surprised how many other passengers walk by hand the handwashing stations, like they didn't see them at all. 

I get it, you're hungry and you "just washed your hands a few minutes ago", but it really is worth stopping and doing it again.

I'll find my family a table first, so we know where to go

It can get very busy in the Windjammer and at other buffets, nearby table seating is limited. That's why the first thing I do is find a table for all of us.

I've learned from experience telling my kids "we'll be in this general area" doesn't work.  It seems like my kids have "Mr. Magoo vision" when they need to find us.

Instead, I'll grab an open table and sit down to reserve it.  Always leave one person at the table, because a random cup or bag alone isn't clear if you reserved the table or forgot your belongings.

Then, as soon as the first person returns with their food, I get up and get my food.

Reserving a table first is important for breakfast or at lunch sea days when the buffets get really busy.

I will look to see all the food choices before I start piling food on my plate

It's a rookie mistake to grab a plate and load up on the first thing you see.

I cannot tell you how many times I've done that, only to discover food I'd much rather have elsewhere at another buffet station.

Then you're left in a situation where you don't want to be totally wasteful and discard a full plate of food.  So you eat some or all of it before getting to the food you really wanted the most.

Take a quick walk around the buffet, and be sure to look for the cooking stations towards the back to see what specials are being offered.

The cooking stations are the hidden gem of the Windjammer

Speaking of cooking stations, you should look for these as a primary target in your food quest.

The Windjammer usually has at least one cooking station that changes what it offers every day for lunch and dinner.

At breakfast, it's an omelet station to cook eggs exactly the way you prefer it.

Later in the day, it could serve custom-made pasta, Asian stir fry, or some other cuisine.  

There's no cost to order food at the cooking stations, and the best thing is it's all freshly prepared.  

If there's outdoor seating, I'll always sit there

Certain types of Royal Caribbean ships have outdoor seating at the back of the Windjammer, and you really should go there to eat your food. This is one of my favorite spots on a ship.

On Radiance, Freedom, and most Quantum Class ships, the Windjammer has outdoor seating towards the very back.

I think there's something so enjoyable with having your food along with the sea breeze and endless ocean views. Plus, most of the seating is covered, so you're safe from rain.

Royal Caribbean has rebranded how you can book a flight along with your cruise.

For years, the cruise line has offered an option to add a flight to your cruise through the Air2Sea program.  Going forward, it will have a new name.

Travel agents were informed of the change on Monday.

Regardless of the name, it's one of the most useful tools for combining cruise and flight together, especially to take advantage of promotional discounts.

Here's what has changed about the program, and why I recommend using it when you're flying internationally.

Introducing Flights by Royal

Without much hoopla, Royal Caribbean confirmed it has changed the name of the Air2Sea program.

"The Royal Caribbean Air2Sea program has recently been renamed to Flights by Royal," a notice read in an update sent to travel agents.

It appears this is purely a name change only, and nothing about Flights by Royal is different from Air2Sea.

Royal Caribbean still advertises three major reasons to book your flight with the cruise line.

First and foremost, it has a Guaranteed Arrival feature. This means if anyone that books a flight with them and has a delayed or cancelled flight, Royal Caribbean has a team available 24/7 to assist in getting you on the ship, even if it means flying you to the next port.

If you booked a flight independently, you wouldn't have that option and would be on the hook for missing the cruise.

In fact, Royal Caribbean advertises if they cannot get you to the ship, you will receive a full flight refund and a future cruise credit
equal to the value of your cruise. Plus, the dedicated support team can also assist with flight rebooking, hotel accommodations, and ground transportation.

Another key benefit is they claim they offer the lowest prices for flights.

"Flights by Royal offers some of the most competitive refundable with fee, or fully non-refundable rates."

Plus, you have the choice of your preferred airlines. Every major global airline is offered on Flights by Royal.

My favorite benefit is the least known perk

While many people are aware you can book a flight with Royal Caribbean and they include the Guaranteed Arrival benefit, less know about the pay later option.

The FLEX Fare is a book now, pay later option. 

The way it works is guests can reserve eligible flights with no money down when selecting a refundable (with fee) fare before their cruise final payment date. 

By taking this option, you can cancel or change your flight without a cancellation or change fee up to the cruise final payment date for the specified sailing. 

These fares also include Guaranteed Arrival protection and continue to deliver strong value in the market.

The majority of flights are eligible for the Flights by Royal FLEX Fare, which will be noted with a "Pay Later" option.

I love this option because it allows you book a cruise and lock in a flight price while still being able to take advantage of a flight price decrease later. Or change your mind without penalty.

Plus, you don't have to pay for your flight up front.

How to book a flight with Flights by Royal

There are three ways to book a flight with this rebranded program.

First, is ask your travel agent. They can do it all for you.

If you prefer, you can book it on your own online from their website.

Once on the website, you'll need your cruise confirmation number and you can view the airline schedules.  From there, you can choose the airline, price and flight times that best fit your trip.

You may also book your flight by calling 844-278-9745. Representatives are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you want to look up prices before booking a cruise, you can browse current prices with a ship and sail date in mind. Flight prices are subject to change and you won't be able to book a flight until you have a cruise confirmation number.

Save up to $250 off flights to Europe and Alaska

If you need another incentive to try Flights by Royal, how about free money?

Royal Caribbean will offer up to $250 per person for flights you combine with Europe, Alaska, and select Repos/Trans sailings departing between March 15, 2026 - November 2, 2026

The flights must be booked between now and June 6, 2026.

Here's how the discount works:

• Alaska itineraries
  • $50 USD per person for Economy and Premium Economy Class seats
  • $100 USD per person for First and Business Class seats
• Europe itineraries
  • $100 USD per person for Economy
  • $150 USD per person for Premium Economy Class seats
  • $250 USD per person for First and Business Class seats
• Alaska Open Jaw itineraries
  • $100 USD per person for all Class seat airfares

Guest must be booked outside of 150 days to sailings for Europe, Repos/Trans and Alaska excluding Open Jaw itinerary sailings. Guests on Alaska Open Jaw itinerary sailings may book inside or outside 150 days to sailing. These offers are applicable to all airlines.