Royal Caribbean just kicked off a new casino year, and with it came a handful of changes to Club Royale that are already getting a lot of attention from frequent cruisers.

April 1st is the start of the casino calendar year, when players can start accruing points to requalify for their status within the casino program.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Craig Hart is a Masters level player, which is the highest tier in the program. Suffice to say, he pays close attention to any change made by Casino Royale.

He believes some of the changes will be welcomed by players, and others perhaps not. It all depends on how gamble.

Players started noticing differences on April 1 when the 2026–2027 casino year officially began and comparing notes almost immediately.

Here’s what actually changed, what it means, and where the biggest impact is for cruise passengers who rely on casino perks.

Helpful change: casino status now shows in the app

One change anyone might notice is in the Royal Caribbean app.

Royal Caribbean has started integrating Club Royale into its mobile app, allowing guests to see their casino tier and (eventually) their offers in one place.

That might not sound like a big deal, but it’s something casino players have wanted for years. Historically, Club Royale has felt like a separate ecosystem, with offers sent via email or buried on the website.

Having status, offers, and notifications within the app brings it closer to how airlines and hotels manage loyalty programs.

However, it's not quite fully operational yet.

Craig reports some users are reporting errors when trying to view offers through the app, even though those same offers are still accessible on Royal Caribbean's website.

Regardless of the soft rollout, Royal Caribbean is trying to unify its casino program with the broader cruise experience. And if they get this right, it could make tracking offers and planning trips a lot easier.

Signature guests get onboard credit

There's been another change for the mid-tier members within the casino loyalty program in terms of onboard perks.

Signature-level members will now receive onboard credit based on the length of their sailing.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• $25 for 3–4 night cruises
• $50 for 5–6 night cruises
• $75 for 7+ night cruises

Previously, Signature players didn’t receive any onboard credit at all.

According to Craig, this change doesn’t completely close the gap with higher tiers like Masters, who still receive more generous perks, but it's a meaningful addition. 

And it aligns with a broader trend we’ve seen from Royal Caribbean of adding smaller, incremental perks rather than making sweeping changes.

He believes this onboard credit won't used towards anything but casino spending. Casino players at the Signature level are the type of player that typically use their OBC to fuel more play.

He thinks it's a nice perk, but it’s not really changing behavior. It just makes the experience feel a little more rewarding.

A big change for video poker players

If there’s one change that's getting the most pushback, it's related to video poker.

Royal Caribbean increased the earning requirement for video poker to $15 per point. That's a significant jump, and it directly affects how quickly players can earn status or qualify for rewards.

What this means is you now have to wager more money to earn the same number of points.

Those that play a lot of video poker don't seem happy with the change because it requires more money to be wagered in order to attain tier progression.

Online complaints have said it reduces efficiency for earning offers, and makes it harder to justify extended play if you're trying to maximize value.

Craig thinks it's a change to bring the game in line with the better odds it has. Video poker typically has a lower house edge than slot machines, meaning players can stretch their bankroll longer. By increasing the points threshold, the company is effectively rebalancing the system.

If you're someone who primarily plays slots, this probably won't affect you much. But if you leaned into video poker as a strategic way to earn status, this is a meaningful change.

Cutback in instant offers?

The biggest change casino players claim to be seeing is related to cruise offers earned onboard a ship.

Frequent casino players have started noticing a reduction in the value of "instant certificates", which are the rewards you earn during a sailing based on how many points you rack up.

These certificates typically offer free or discounted cruise fares, free play, and upgraded cabins at the higher levels.

It appears something has changed compared to expectations from the past experiences.

Starting around March, many reported:

• The cabin categories offered were lower than before
• The amount of free play was reduced
• Overall value per point felt diminished

This kind of adjustment is subtle, but it matters a lot for repeat cruisers who plan their gambling strategy around hitting certain thresholds.

Craig recommends viewing the reward certificates at the start of the cruise at the casino host desk and plan your play accordingly.

Royal Caribbean offers a way to check-in for your cruise via its mobile app, but the question is what benefit do you get by doing so?

If you're used to hotel check-ins, doing so online early doesn't give you much benefit other than requesting certain preferences. In my experience, those preferences (like an early check-in) aren't always granted and it seems like a waste.

When it comes to cruising, the online check-in isn't just helpful, it's downright extremely useful.

You could even snag an express pass to a shorter line on embarkation day by completing all the steps.

Here's how I do my Royal Caribbean online check-in and why you should take advantage of it too.

Royal Caribbean encourages you to use online check-in

Once you get to 45 days until your cruise begins, you can start checking in for the cruise.

You can start checking-in on the app or on the website. The app is by far the preferred method, both in terms of convenience and what the cruise line would like you to use.

Once completed, it's how you'll get your boarding pass that you'll need in the cruise terminal.

It's technically allowed to not do any mobile check-in and instead wait to do it a the cruise terminal. Ten years ago, that would be have been perfectly fine.  But online check-in has a number of advantages.

It might sound like cruise like marketing, but there's absolute truth to the idea doing your mobile check-in will speed things up and get you on the ship faster.

Completing your check-in via the app means far less waiting in the cruise terminal, an earlier check-in time, and getting on the ship quicker.

It's also worth emphasizing using the app is better than the website for online check-in.  The app allows you to hop between check-in steps, such as getting a check-in time and then coming back later to complete the other steps.

The website also lacks the ability to scan your passport, which will take more time to enter everything manually.

Since so much of the cruise planning experience is tied to the app, you're almost at a disadvantage by not using it.

My approach to checking in for a Royal Caribbean cruise

I've come around to relying on the app for my pre-cruise check-in on every sailing.

Back when the mobile check-in was first introduced over a decade ago, it was more of a novelty and not very useful.  Today, it's essential.

At 45 days before your cruise, you can select a check-in time.  This is important so you can be among the first to step aboard and get your vacation started.

Technically, the check-in time begins at midnight, but I'll wait until the next morning because the difference in times if I get it at midnight or 9am the next morning is usually negligible. I'd rather get better sleep.  

I've found that waiting until the next morning might be the difference between an 11am to an 11:30am check-in time, and that isn't a major difference.

That being said, don't wait days or weeks. Get your check-in time ASAP.

I'll come back later and do the rest of the check-in via the app.  When I do, I use the app online (never the website) and I'll scan everyone's passport and take a photo for security. I always add my credit card too.

You really ought to do all those steps (including the photo) so you can qualify for Express Boarding.

Express Boarding is a reward in select ports for those that did everything they needed to do pre-cruise.  It appears as an option within 24 hours of boarding after you finish the health questionnaire in the app.

Basically, this is a line for those that did everything and the cruise line feels good about your boarding status.  You get a special line and involves less stopping and waiting around.

Think of it like a rental car where you can bypass the counter if you have all the information already submitted.  I'm all about saving time and minimizing any waits anytime I can.

Mobile check-in is a time saver

Ultimately, I'll spend a few minutes to get checked-in for my cruise while I'm at home rather than in the cruise terminal.

I can't imagine why anyone would straight up skip it all together because you're just going to have to do it all in the cruise terminal, and likely the counter agent will be the one entering it all.  The gate agent is likely going to be slower typing out the spelling of your last name, weird street name, and copying down phone numbers.

I think the difference between my strategy and others is relying purely on the app, and getting a check-in time first before coming back later to complete the rest.

While you can use the Royal Caribbean website, you lose out on the chance to get Express Boarding.  That alone should be reason enough not to use it.

Lastly, I'd advise against waiting until the last few days before starting any of the check-in. Set a calendar reminder 45 days early and get it taken care of sooner than later.

Happy weekend! I hope Spring is starting to arrive where you live.  Regardless of the weather, it is time to sit back, relax, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news!

Royal Caribbean redeployed one of its biggest ships in 2027.

Symphony of the Seas is switching homeports, shifting from Galveston, Texas to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Guests booked on the Galveston sailings will receive an email with options on how to change to a new sailing.

Royal Caribbean News

• 4 Royal Caribbean mega ships in dry dock at the same time
• MSC copies Royal Caribbean with new beach club in The Bahamas
• Other cruise lines have made policy changes that Royal Caribbean hasn't adopted (yet)
• Silversea just made two changes cruise passengers will love
• I heard a cruise captain explain why ships cancel ports. It changed how I see itinerary changes
• I booked a balcony and a suite on the same ship. The suite is worth the splurge for the special access
• What an Owner's Suite on Star of the Seas looks like
• 15 Things people wish Royal Caribbean would copy from other cruise lines
• Balcony vs Interior room: which is worth it
• I cruise all the time without my husband. It’s unconventional, but it works for us
• The 1 Royal Caribbean dessert that's always worth the cost

New RCB Video: I Got Inside Royal Caribbean’s New Ship While It’s Still Being Built

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 Got Inside Royal Caribbean’s New Ship While It’s Still Being Built — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean will skip all of its glacier visits this summer

Royal Caribbean announced it will skip all of its scheduled visits to a popular Alaska glacier this summer.

Guests booked on any 2026 cruise with a visit to Tracy Arm Fjord received a notice this week that their visit has been re-routed to another place instead.

Instead of seeing Sawyer Glacier, cruise ships will visit Dawes Glacier.

First look at Legend of the Seas construction photos

Our team was invited to get an early look at the brand new Legend of the Seas before anyone else.

There's just a couple months before Legend of the Seas enters service, and this new ship is almost ready.

The third Icon Class ship will have new additions and a few changes from previous ships.

Harmony of the Seas just began major upgrades

Royal Caribbean began work this week on upgrading Harmony of the the Seas.

The Oasis Class ship is one of the biggest ships in the world, and it's in drydock in Cadiz, Spain to get new features.

New staterooms are being added, bars replaced, and a couple new restaurants will be added as well.

How to avoid jet lag with 2 simple steps

After flying to Europe for cruises a few times, the key to avoiding jet lag is not complicated.

I've found by immersing myself in the local time zone and avoiding napping, I can more easily adjust to local time and start maximizing my time abroad.

The first day after landing is rough, but it's worth fighting through the fatigue to enjoy the rest of the trip.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 603rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt shares why a myth about cruising and the limited time in port is totally wrong.

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 sailed on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas four times, and compared what it was like to try a balcony cabin after a week in an Infinite Grand Suite.

The two cruises were just a few months apart, but the room itself wasn't nearly the biggest difference as what you got with the room.

No matter if it's a tiny inside room or a sprawling suite, I find I adjust to my stateroom and take advantage of what it happens to offer. There are pros and cons to any room, so I can usually rationalize the benefits of picking one cabin or another.

In just four months, I sailed twice on Star of the Seas in different staterooms, but what really changed the experience was what came with the suite.

Why I ended up trying both cabin types

The first cruise I took with my family was over Thanksgiving, and I wanted to do something special since it was their first time on the new cruise ship.

I booked an Infinite Grand Suite because it had so much space and came with extra suite class benefits. 

Many of our readers know I'm a Pinnacle Club member and can get access to some suite areas of the ship, but if there are too many other Pinnacles that have a higher point total than me, I could be turned away from it. I wanted to make sure I had access.

On the second cruise over spring break, I decided to save money and book an oceanview balcony instead.

I would be risking the suite benefits access, but I'd be saving a heck of a lot of money.  The cost difference was significant, and I wanted to go with a budget-friendly option.

I think my decision to book one cabin over the other is something a lot of cruisers do. Prioritizing budget or a special occasion and choosing a stateroom based on that.

What my balcony cabin experience was really like

A balcony cabin is one of my default go-to choices on almost any cruise because it's so versatile and an efficient space.

There's more living room than in an inside room, and that private balcony still feels like a big upgrade.

Usually, it doesn't "break the bank" either with the combination of value versus what you get.

What's interesting to me is how I usually look for a balcony cabin first, but I rarely spend much out there.  Between everything happening onboard the ship and the weather factors outside, I don't actually go out there a lot.

I recognize others relish spending time on their balcony.  I certainly don't think they're wrong. 

I probably get more value from the balcony because it has plenty of natural light, and I can easily step outside to gauge the temperature or check out what's nearby.

Infinite Grand Suite was better, but that's not the whole story

Moving up to an Infinite Grand Suite, this is far from one of the largest or most impressive suites on Star of the Seas. But I think Royal Caribbean really offers one of its best uses of living space.

Walking into the Infinite Grand Suite, it felt palatial with how much more living space there was, especially if it's just two people.

You have three main sections: the bedroom, the living room, and the convertible balcony area.

Each section is massive, and because the room is so wide and so long, it really feels like you have lots of room to spread out.

The game-changer here is the infinite balcony.  I used to hate them, but I changed my mind and I think it's a really smart idea.  We keep our window closed the entire cruise and take back the balcony space to make it a secondary living room. It's great for getting work done, reading a book, or lounging somewhere when someone else is sprawling elsewhere.

It's a very nice room, but the real upgrade starts outside the cabin.

The special access that actually made the suite worth it

I think Royal Caribbean has outdone itself with the suite-only amenities on its Icon Class ships.  While suite areas are lovely on other ships, it's been taken to a different level on Star.

I find having access to suite-only areas changes my daily routine.

I'll head up in the morning to the Suite Sun Deck because there is always space, no chair stress.  Plus, having The Grove means I not only have convenient food choices, but it's a darn good selection of food too!

I love to have a pre-dinner cocktail in the Suite Lounge. While I don't think the layout of the Suite Lounge is the best in the fleet, I love when there's an actual bar to sit at and have a conversation with the bartenders or other guests.

Suite guests get complimentary beer, wine, or soft drinks from 11am to 11pm, and a happy hour in the evening.  This is another added reason to book a suite instead of relying on my Pinnacle status.

And of course, having access to the Coastal Kitchen restaurant will spoil you.

I think this might be the biggest differentiator because it offers a fantastic alternative to the Main Dining Room. It's so nice having the choice between the two complimentary venues.

Another great benefit of being in a suite is how much less stress there is with crowd and lines.

On embarkation day, there's a dedicated entrance for suite guests. There is a special line for security and check-in, which means less waiting and getting onboard faster.

At each of the shows, there is reserved seating for suite guests. You still need to make a reservation, but it's great there is a special area to rely on if you're running behind schedule.

Who will feel a suite is absolutely worth it

Suites aren't inexpensive, and there's a notable difference between that and a balcony room.  So to help justify the costs, I'd say certain guests might find more reason to try it.

Certainly repeat cruisers who know the "pain points" of a Royal Caribbean cruise will have a greater appreciation for having suite benefits. A newbie would enjoy it, but a repeat cruiser would find more value.

Of course, anyone that hates crowds or waiting is likely to see reason to try a suite.  Suites have always been the "easy button" for cruisers that prefer to pay for an elevated experience.

And if you'll seek out these special suite-only areas, I think it will maximize the value of a suite.

Royal Caribbean offers the most suite perks on its Icon Class ships. Granted, the cost is the highest for these rooms too, but you do have more to show for it.

I expected a bigger room. What I got instead was a better cruise

A cruise is what you make of it, and I think the added perks of staying in a suite greatly enhanced my experience.

A balcony will give you a great cruise, but a suite will change how you experience it.

I'll continue to book all kinds of staterooms in the future, but I think anytime I sail on an Icon Class ship, I'll want to give a suite a strong second look.

April is seemingly the month for ship upgrades, as Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas arrived in dry dock for a major refit.

One of three cruise ships set to get a Royal Amplification, new venues and changes are going to be added.

After completing a transatlantic crossing in March, Harmony entered the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain a few days ago.

Here's what's happening to the ship today, and what we can expect from the six-week drydock.

Major work already underway

Upgrade work did not waste any time, as Harmony of the Seas is undergoing major work already.

I walked to an area near the shipyard to observe the ship getting work done on nearly all areas, including the top decks.

Different teams are focused on parts and working in tandem.  

The most visible work is at the very front of the ship, above the bridge. This is where the new Ultimate Panoramic Suites will be added.

These spacious suites do not have balconies, but they have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows.

In addition, cranes are lifting large pieces of equipment and replacement structures to higher decks.

A new Caribbean-inspired pool deck will replace the old deck, along with the addition of the Lime & Coconut. These are tropical bars that evoke more of a Caribbean feel than the previous generic pool bars.

At the back of the ship, other teams are deployed working near the Aquatheater.

Remember, not all work done to cruise ships in dry dock are upgrades.  In many cases, routine maintenance work is taking place to keep the ship operating nominally.

New restaurants, bars, and experiences coming to Harmony

The most notable changes coming to Harmony of the Seas will take place inside the vessel.

New bars & dining venues coming to the ship include Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, El Loco Fresh and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse.

A number of new staterooms are being added to the ship, such as 28 cabins on deck 6, 11 and 14. The new ships replace venues such as Vitality Cafe, Wonderland, and the conference center.

The Pesky Parrot will replace the Bionic Bar, which is a welcome change by many cruisers. 

The Bionic Bar was intriguing when it first debuted in 2014, but it hasn't aged well.  The Pesky Parrot is a fun new bar idea that combines a Tiki bar with Caribbean feel. It was first added to Utopia of the Seas.

Another big change will take place on deck 4 with the removal of the Crown Lounge and Attic (comedy club). These spaces are being replaced with an expanded non-smoking casino.

Don't worry, the Crown Lounge will be relocated to partially replace the teen club in the Living Room.

Will Harmony of the Seas get a pool?

One of the unanswered questions about Harmony's upgrades is will it finally get a pool in the adults-only Solarium?

Harmony is the only cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet without a pool in the Solarium, and it's because at the time, the cruise line experimented with a water mister as a way to add more seating but allow guests to cool off.

It's largely been panned by cruisers as a mistake, because even a small pool is more enjoyable.  When Symphony of the Seas debuted a few short years after Harmony, Symphony had a pool in its Solarium area.

Royal Caribbean has not specifically announced a pool will be added, so we'll have to wait and see.

Returning to service in May

Harmony of the Seas will resume cruises in late May with a European cruise season.

The 7-night cruises will sail from Barcelona, Spain to destinations in the Western Mediterranean until late July.

In August, Harmony will transition back to Florida, where she will offer primarily 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral.

One of four cruise ships getting work done this month

Royal Caribbean will have a number of ships in drydock in April, with Harmony one of them.

Four ships will be in dry dock, with three getting major upgrades.

The Royal Amplification program is an initiative to breath new life into aging cruise ships. It aims to bring newer concepts and proven winners to older cruise ships so they can better compare to newer ones.

Ovation of the Seas previously started work this year, with Liberty of the Seas scheduled to start work soon.

I've traveled to Europe every summer for the past four years, and I swear by my strategy for avoiding jet lag.

Jet lag is so frustrating when it hits you, and it can ruin the first few days of any trip. Since I have so much planned for a European trip, the last thing I want to do is be napping all day and awake all night.

I just flew from my home in Florida to Lisbon, Portugal and completed a 13 hour journey across two flights a layover. My problem is even if I purchase lay flat seats, I can never sleep at all on airplanes.

I've adopted a solid strategy to avoid getting jet lagged, but I can't say the first day is a breeze either. 

Nonetheless, I follow two simple rules to avoid jet lag because it sets me up for a great start to my trip in Europe without messing up my sleep schedule.

The mistake most travelers make

After flying all night, you're going to be tired and a nap seems like the obvious first thing to do once you get to Europe, but it's a terrible mistake.

Napping, even for "just a little bit", is a recipe for totally messing up your sleep cycle.

My flights always land in Europe in the morning hours, so taking a nap then would almost certainly set me up for jet lag later.

The problem with napping on day one is it resets your body clock the wrong way. The result will be waking up at 2 or 3am and be wide awake.

I won't lie, it's not easy to avoid a first day nap, but you'll be happy for the rest of the trip you didn't.

The first step is don't go to sleep until local bedtime

As soon as you land, set your phone and watch to local time and don't even think of sleeping until that evening.

This works because it forces your body to sync to local time, instead of perpetuating your body clock's assumption that you're still back home.

This is easily said, but it's not easy. After an overnight flight with little or no sleep, you'll start to drag in the early afternoon.

When I landed in Lisbon, I got a pep of energy from the excitement of arrival and getting all my things over to the hotel.  Heck, i was still feeling good right into lunch.

But then 1 or 2pm hits, and your body catches up. All you can think about is closing your eyes for a nap, even a short one.

I won't sugarcoat it: you're going to feel terrible for a few hours, but it's pain you can handle in order to knock out jet lag before it starts.

The payoff will be you're going to get the best damn sleep of your life that evening, and better yet, feel like a million bucks the next day.

The next step is to keep moving all day to stay awake

The key to surviving my first rule is to keep yourself going, because staying active prevents the crash.

The last thing you want to do is be in your hotel room because that bed is going to start speaking to you.

Instead, drop your things off, take a shower, and then head out to explore.

You want to walk as much as possible, exploring the city and staying outdoors.  You'll still feel tired, but it'll be much more manageable.

You also want to avoid sitting too long. No car, bus or train rides for more than a few minutes.

I recommend starting off with general sightseeing, and definitely make a stop or two at coffee shops.  European cafes are magical, so take advantage of them with caffeine boosts.

At first I resisted an afternoon coffee because it might mess with my sleep, but that's a rule for at home.  When you're staving off jet lag, all rules are off.

If you have the opportunity, sunlight is also your friend. Sunlight helps reset your internal clock a bit.

What my first day in Europe was actually like

My flight landed at 7:50am, so I was against the clock from the start.  My theory was to make it to at least 7pm before going to sleep.

Between deplaning, immigration, and getting your luggage, there's at least an hour or so spent.  Then I got an Uber to take me to my hotel.

I was worried my room wasn't going to be ready because I was arriving to the hotel around 9am, but luckily it was.  While I could have dropped off my luggage, a shower seemed like a great idea.

I left my things in my room, took a quick shower, and changed clothes before heading out.

My plan to keep me moving was a visit to Castelo de São Jorge, plus a meandering about of the city.

I took the local bus and was dropped off at the water front, where I took in my first city sights.  The sun was shining, there were lots of tourists, and I was immersed in the energy of exploring Lisbon.

The walk up to the castle was nearly all uphill. That's painful for my legs, but I doubt anyone has ever fallen asleep walking uphill.

The views from the castle were tremendous, and it was my first "I'm really here" moment.

After touring the castle grounds, I wandered the nearby streets until I found some street food that looked good. I wanted something quick and easy, without spending an hour sitting.  That's why I went with kabob. Hardly a Portuguese specialty, but it's something you find all over Europe.

By mid-afternoon, I was starting to drag and the novelty of being in Europe began to be overtaken by fatigue.

I searched for a coffee shop and found a great spot, where I had two iced coffees.  The first one didn't do much, but by the time I was halfway through my second coffee, I started to really get my second wind.

For the evening, I wanted to keep it practical with an early dinner and in bed no earlier than 7pm.  I actually made it a little bit longer, thanks to some news I had to cover here. 

The hardest part (and why most people fail)

Without a doubt, the temptation of a nap in the afternoon is most people's downfall.

That early afternoon exhaustion leads to people caving because they justify it. "Just a quick nap" turns into hours, and even if you wake up, you're groggy and feel even more tired.

You really have to treat day one as a reset day, not a productive day. Above all else, focus on the discipline of staying awake.

The payoff came on day two

I woke up on the second day right around 9am and it was like I slept at home. I felt refreshed and ready for my adventure to begin.

This meant the next day when I boarded my Silversea cruise ship, I was functional and ready to do everything.

I also didn't waste pre-cruise hotel nights. I had two days in Lisbon, and I got the most out of it rather than sleeping in my hotel.

My primary goal was ensuring I could maximize every minute of my cruise, and I was on the perfect sleep schedule by the time I boarded.

The first day was a drag, but I'm glad I did it

I knew my jet lag strategy before I got on any airplane, and while I wanted to sleep so bad most of my first day in Europe, I was so glad after to not be jet lagged.

The sooner you get on local time, the better.

I also think avoiding alcohol, having coffee in the early afternoon, and being able to check-into my hotel room early helped a lot.

In fact, I really think my hotel room was a big deal because that shower made me feel so much better than all that air travel.

This strategy isn't complicated, but it is uncomfortable for a few hours. It's all worth it on the second day and you're ready to tackle Europe and your cruise.

Passengers hate when a cruise skips a port.

Excursions you spent hours picking out go missed, plans are disrupted, and it feels like part of your vacation is suddenly missing.

And then it happened to me again. Before I even boarded my Silversea cruise this week, we had an itinerary change to drop two ports of call because of weather.

But after sitting through a live Q&A with a cruise ship captain explaining exactly how these decisions are made, I came away seeing itinerary changes very differently.

What I heard wasn’t about convenience, cost, or even just guest satisfaction. It was about avoiding situations that can turn dangerous faster than most people realize.

Weather changes quickly, even when it doesn't look it

While sailing on Silver Ray, Captain Giovani Schiaffino held a special event to explain why we were having a change in plans and more importantly, to illustrate the dangers had we not shifted plans.

One of the biggest misconceptions passengers have is assuming decisions are based on current conditions.

Royal Caribbean Group is always looking much further ahead, even up to a week early.

"We are always… looking ahead," the captain explained. "Four or five days ago… we noticed that there was something building up."

That "something" was a developing low-pressure system in the Atlantic, moving toward the coast of Portugal. Silver Ray was scheduled to start a sailing from Lisbon, and sail north to Porto and Vigo before heading south to the Mediterranean.

Royal Caribbean Group doesn't just rely on one app or report, they have multiple layers of forecasting.

Captain Schiaffino said they have three tiers of forecasts, including government reports, the Weather Reporting Institute, and even third-party sites like Windy.

They're taking into account a constant stream of real-time data from professional forecasting systems to make an informed decision. They're certainly not guessing.

Wind, waves, and what happens next

No one wants it to rain on their cruise, but precipitation isn't going to change cruise plans alone.

What the ship's Captain is worried about is what's happening out in the open ocean.

Captain Schiaffino broke it down into the factors they monitor, "Wind condition, sea state, precipitation… and what are they building in the ocean… storms… swell…"

In our case, the concern was the coming danger associated with strong winds and large waves.

"We have gust of 40 knots of wind and… five, six meters swell," he explained.

To put that in perspective, a six-meter swell is nearly 20 feet. Not only is that a very tall wave, but you get lots of motion.

"The period of the swell… the ship will be going up and down… sometimes the period can be anticipated… delayed… and that’s why the ship is moving too much."

That unpredictable movement is what makes conditions uncomfortable at best, but could be unsafe.

Why not just wait out the storm?

A common question passengers ask is simple: why not go to the port and wait for the weather to pass?

The Captain's answer surprised me because sometimes waiting creates a bigger problem.

"We could… stay 60 hours, 72… we were stuck… for three days," he said.

That would have an enormous ripple effect in the rest of our itinerary. Missing one port, and suddenly you're missing the next one too. The entire itinerary can fall apart.

He also mentioned there's another issue people don't think about, which is the port could close because of bad weather.

"Some ports… get closed for the bad weather… they don’t want to have any responsibility."

Cruise ships can handle bad weather, but the Captain is worried about everyone onboard

Modern cruise ships are built to sustain terrible weather conditions that they'll like never actually sail into. They can handle rough seas, but that doesn't mean they should.

The captain was blunt about this, "Ship is very stable… very solid… but I will avoid… I will be a criminal if I put a ship in six, seven meters swell."

That line stuck with me, because it reframes the entire discussion. This isn't about what the ship can do. It's about what the Captain is willing to risk.

Lots of people are involved with a change in plans

A cruise ship Captain isn't acting like Captain Kirk on instinct.  He involves a lot of people, both onboard and onshore.

It’s a coordinated effort between:

• The ship’s bridge team
• Cruise line operations teams
• Weather experts
• Port authorities

Royal Caribbean Group employs their own Chief Meteorologist, who is one of those key people in provide guidance.

Craig Setzer's primary job is detection and look at the incoming weather to see signs that skipping a port or sailing elsewhere is something to be considered.

Outrunning a storm is another option

A surprising insight from Captain Schiaffino was going faster is another way to avoid bad weather.

"I increased the speed in order to skip the passage of this weather," he said.

That means burning more fuel to stay ahead of the front and minimizing the impact to the ship and guests onboard.

Cruise ships are called "floating hotels", but they're constantly navigating changing conditions.

Why I'll look at itinerary changes differently now

I'll probably still be disappointed anytime a port gets skipped, but having the proper context helps understand it better.

The next time it happens, I won't chalk it up to some gut call, guess, or assumption. I'll know the ship's Captain saw something coming, and took a deeper look along with leveraging a heck of a lot of resources.

And after hearing how those decisions are made, that’s exactly what I would want them to do.

I was recently asked what's one dessert that can't be missed on a Royal Caribbean ship, and it got me thinking about the perfect answer.

Royal Caribbean serves lots of food on its cruise ships, and desserts range from the rich to to he decadent. Plus, they have timeless classics.

Certainly I would never fault someone for having the soft serve ice cream at the pool deck, but I quickly thought of one dessert my family will order every single cruise.

If your ship has Playmakers Sports Bar and Grille, you've got to try the Campfire Cookie for a home run of a treat.

We order a Campfire Cookie at least once a cruise

Royal Caribbean's sports bar has two desserts on its menu, each priced a la carte.

The Campfire Cookie is a warm, gooey treat that needs time to prepare before you can have it.  Usually it's about 15-20 minutes of prep time, which is a good sign because it means it's not mass produced.

It's a freshly baked and served hot chocolate chip cookie topped with marshmallows, but that description doesn't do it justice.

Baked and served in a sizzling skillet, the first layer is a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie. It is topped with a generous layer of toasted marshmallows and served with Nutella and caramel sauce.

It's served with a side of vanilla ice cream and milk shooters. That's right, you're going to want to chug a shot of milk to help with the richness of it.

It's theoretically big enough to share, but good luck on relinquishing control of it to someone else. I find I want to keep eating bite after bite. So while you could share one between two people, I'd recommend ordering one for each of you to avoid the competition.

Why it's better than other desserts

Typical cruise desserts are mass produced and while they are sweet, there's nothing like a hot, baked, fresh dessert.

Each one is prepared when you order it, so you can't get it immediately.  The bake time starts off as a sign something special is coming.

It's also a consistently good dessert, meaning regardless if you order one on Symphony of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, or Star of the Seas, it's really good.

I also think the genius of this dessert is it hits multiple cravings at once: cookie, smore, and ice cream in one.

And yes, it's theoretically shareable because it's large enough. However, in practice, you probably won't want to.

Best time to order it

We've had the Campfire Cookie as both an after dinner dessert, as well as a snack.

If you're already having lunch or dinner at Playmakers, then we will tell our waiter that we intend to order the Campfire Cookie. That way, they can prep it and we just have to tell them we're ready for it and they can time it properly.

I think it's best in the evening, but we've come back aboard the ship after a shore excursion to have one as an afternoon snack.

Regardless of what time of day you order it, there's just enough time to have a drink while you wait.

It's an affordable treat for a great after-dinner stop

Everything on the Playmakers menu is priced a la carte, which means you only pay for what you order.

We will often wrap up dinner at the Main Dining Room and then head to Playmakers just for dessert.  Since it only costs $9, it's a reasonable cost and doesn't require a full cover charge.

It's decadent, and when nothing jumps out from the dessert menu elsewhere, my kids (and wife) will suggest we go get a Campfire Cookie instead.

No reservations are required (or available) at Playmakers, you just have to go there and order it from the waiter.

I've tried so many different Royal Caribbean desserts over the years, but none compare to the Campfire Cookie.

The red velvet cake at Chops Grille, mochi ice cream at Izumi, or Royal Cheesecake at the Main Dining Room are all pretty darn good.  But I don't think any of them are remotely on the same level as this cookie.

If you're going to spend money on one dessert on your cruise, make it this one. Even if you think you’re too full… this is the one time to ignore that feeling.

Playmakers has an over-the-top ice cream sundae too

If marshmallow isn't your thing, I could make a good argument for the other dessert on Playmaker's menu, the Touchdown Sundae.

Served in a football helmet, it's an impressive five scoops of ice cream piled on top of each other with caramel, chocolate syrup,
whipped cream and more! 

Yes, you get to keep the helmet after.

Happy Easter! Whether you are celebrating the beautiful Spring holiday with a luxurious meal, or hunting for eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny, I hope that you are having a relaxing Sunday.

Royal Caribbean revealed its new cruise ship coming next year, Hero of the Seas.

The fourth Icon Class ship is packed with new venues, updates, and a few surprises.

Launching in August 2027, Hero will be based in Miami.

Royal Caribbean News

• 5 subtle changes to coming to Hero of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean just changed the names of the zones at its Bahamas beach club
• Perfect Day Mexico gets green light again after legal fight
• Tampa cruise port plans a massive new terminal expansion to meet demand
• 6 things Royal Caribbean should steal from Celebrity Cruises
• The hidden robots quietly running your Royal Caribbean cruise
• What you need to know about the Royal Caribbean soda cup
• Royal Caribbean Drink Vouchers vs Celebrity Elite Happy Hour
• Experts predict "below average" hurricane season
• Royal Caribbean swaps cruise ships sailing from Europe in latest deployment change

New RCB Video: Hero of the Seas details, rumors and what's new

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 — HERO OF THE SEAS: Details, rumors, and what's new — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

New Royal Caribbean credit card just announced that works across all brands

A new Royal Caribbean credit card was announced this week, and it will introduce new perks to encourage brand loyalty.

The new Royal ONE card comes in two versions, and it will allow guests to earn points they can use towards sailings on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea.

The new cards are about encouraging repeat cruisers to sail more and within the Royal Caribbean Group brands.

Royal Caribbean's new Treehouse Suites costs as much as $200,000 (and people are booking it)

One of the new ideas coming to Hero of the Seas is a three-deck Ultimate Treehouse Suite that costs over $200,000 for a week.

This is an epic suite that has just about everything a family could wish for in a cruise ship cabin, plus incredible theming and every perk available onboard.

It sleeps twelve, spans three decks, and includes a rooftop terrace with a private whirlpool, a two-deck teen area, and a hideout game room.

The worst shore excursions cruisers say they’d never book again

Some shore excursions are downright disappointing, and there's a clear pattern as to which ones were mentioned the most.

Over 500 responses were sent in for which tours cruisers disliked, and large sightseeing tours were by far the most commonly mentioned kind of cruise excursion that were filled with regret.

Nearly all the tours people did not like were ones that sounded great on paper, but didn't deliver on the expectations.

I stopped joining Facebook groups for my cruises

I hate to say it, but cruise ship Facebook groups have become more painful than helpful.

I used to always sign up for them, but they've largely become filled with unnecessary drama, misinformation, and spam.

While I like sharing in the pre-cruise excitement with others, I've stopped signing up for them to avoid the negatives.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 602nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt talks about the Ultimate Family Treehouse proves an idea.

The response to the Ultimate Family Treehouse has generally been intrigue, so Matt thinks it's time to expand this idea to other cabins.

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