The Izumi menu has been updated again following feedback from guests.

Just weeks after Royal Caribbean altered the menu to no longer include vegetables as part of its hibachi meal, it appears the "undo button" has been hit.

Izumi is a specialty restaurant that offers hibachi dining in addition to sushi. It's a very popular choice among cruisers.

However, during the holiday season a new menu listed vegetables were no longer included with the cost.

That meant the hibachi meal only included fried rice and two proteins. Grilled vegetables were available for $5 extra (or as one of the proteins).

The good news is the revised menu includes vegetables once again.

Back on the menu

Laurie Olivieri boarded Utopia of the Seas on Monday and noticed the menu has been changed.

It now says, "All entries come with vegetables and fried rice" above the list of proteins.

Previously, it said "All entries come with fried rice" only.

There's been no change to pricing.

Carol M. was also on Utopia and shared what she heard from a crew member that was preparing her food, "We had lunch at Izumi on Utopia today and every guest got veggies."

"When I asked the chef, he said they got so many complaints, especially from returning cruisers, that they are starting to give everyone veggies again."

"He said they were not serving everyone veggies last week, but it came down from headquarters to bring them back."

The cost to dine at Izumi hibachi is listed at $70 per adult for dinner, and $45 per adult for lunch.  Both meals are the same menu.

You can usually reserve Izumi hibachi for less when pre-booking prior to the start of the cruise. For example, on an upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, the cost is $55.99 per adult for dinner and $35.99 per adult for lunch.

Controversial change

When vegetables were removed suddenly, it caught a lot of cruisers off guard as to why it would have been done in the first place.

"Most ridiculous thing I have ever seen from Royal and they do a lot of crazy things," wrote Jeff Whiting on the Royal Caribbean Blog Facebook page.

Jessica Gomez added, "I would strongly urge [Royal Caribbean] to reconsider this decision. Continued price increases combined with reduced offerings risk alienating loyal customers."

"I usually stand with Royal’s decisions, but this one is just blatant cost cutting and is very disappointing," wrote Chris Barnes.

Why Izumi is so popular

Izumi hibachi is usually sold out on most sailings and it's largely because of how much of a crowd pleaser it is.

It's a fun experience where the chef cooking in front of you puts on a show that adds an entertainment factor. Plus, the menu appeals to even the pickiest of eaters: chicken or beef (along with seafood options).

In addition, hibachi has a fixed cost that includes appetizers, main course, rice, and dessert.

A quick fix

Ultimately, Royal Caribbean made a quick change to remedy the situation.

Guest feedback may have played a role in the menu rollback. Even small tweaks can alter the perception of any venue, leading to brushback.

Going forward, we can expect the veggies back as part of the meal.

The Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a simple solution to a long-standing problem of cruise ship passengers finding a compelling and lovely way to spend the day in Nassau, Bahamas.

This new kind of shore excursion combines the best ideas Royal Caribbean had at its private islands, sprinkled in some new ideas, and built it in one of the best spots you could ever hope for in a tropical getaway.

It's definitely not a private island that's an extension of the ship. Rather, it's a Royal Caribbean built and designed optional excursion that applies what they know cruisers look for in a beach day.

Nassau is one of the most visited cruise ports in the Caribbean, but historically a lot of vacationers treated it like a sea day because the offerings had become stale.

I spoke with Jay Schneider, who is Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer and lead the development effort with the new beach club, about why Royal Caribbean built the new club, "We’ve heard from our guests that they’re looking for new and exciting experiences in Nassau."

"Over the last five to seven years, we’ve been on a mission to develop what we think is the ultimate beach day for them."

This new beach club is the answer people have openly asked for, and it's likely going to be a key differentiator for Royal Caribbean.

Open only to passengers of Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises, guests pay an admission fee to enter the Royal Beach Club. There's dynamic pricing, but you can expect to pay around $100 - $200 per person if you pre-purchase a ticket. The list price onboard is $250 per person.

I paid for my day pass admission about 2 months before the cruise and it cost me $130 for the pass with unlimited alcohol.

I visited for the day while sailing on Utopia of the Seas and found the kind of beach and pool day that eclipsed anything else I've experienced in The Bahamas.

A new kind of day at the beach

I'm no stranger to day passes as a shore excursion. I've been to dozens of day passes around the Caribbean, including Atlantis and the British Colonial.

The difference with the Royal Beach Club is it offers more than any of those do, while adding superior service and convenience.

It appears Royal Caribbean took the best ideas from Perfect Day at CocoCay with Hideaway Beach and Coco Beach Club and used that as its starting point for the new beach club.

Mr. Schneider thinks the finished product sets a new standard, "This is the perfect beach day. I think the design here actually exceeds CocoCay’s — and I’d argue it rivals any beach and pool club on the planet."

Your day pass includes transportation from the ship to the beach club.  The piece of land is close enough to see from your cruise ship, but it's not connected to the cruise port. Instead, you board complimentary water ferries that take you there.

It's a short 5 minute ferry ride over, where you have the choice of stopping at either end of the property.

Royal Beach Club is 17 acres, split into three zones:

• Chill Beach
• Party Cove
• Family Beach

The names allude to the sort of vibe you can expect, but you can go to any of them and there's no adult-only areas.

Your day pass gets you access to any of the chairs and umbrellas, which are first-come, first-reserved. You can also get to any of the pools or hot tubs.

You also get unlimited food, drink, Wi-Fi, and ferry transportation. Towels are provided too, so there's no need to bring any from the ship.

All of the pools are heated, which is one of the best features because the ocean may not be optimal temperature year-round. Having been to unheated pools, it can be quite chilly. If you've been to Oasis Lagoon at CocoCay, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.

One thing you'll notice quickly about the property is it's deceptively large. There's more than enough room to spread out.

You can stay as long as you like with ferries running continuously. 

One note about the ferry service is when you want to depart back to the ship, the ferry will drop you off at the far side of the Nassau cruise port.  

I timed the walk back to the ship, and it was about 15 minutes, including a line to go through security.  It's a lengthy walk and could be problematic during the hotter months with kids. After a long day of fun in the sun and surf, I could envision meltdowns on the long walk back.

Service as good as any cruise

One thing about the experience I was curious about was would it feel like an elevated day.  I was worried with everyone having unlimited food and drink, getting service would be a challenge.

My fears were quickly assuaged as my day progressed. Each area of the beach, pool and walkways has a server that's assigned to that area to get drinks.

If you sit down at a chair, there's a bartender there to take your order.  But if you go to a bar or swim-up bar, there's another group of bartenders there to take your drink order.

This makes it easy to meander and enjoy the entire beach club without being subject to one or two waiters, which is usually how it works at other day pass clubs I've been to in the Caribbean.

I was able to get my drinks quickly and there was a good mix of creative cocktails to sample, as well as tried-and-true favorites.

The only strange issue was at the swim-up bar where the bartenders needed to scan our SeaPass card for every drink. I found this strange considering it's all-inclusive so clearly we all get drinks. All it did was slow everything down (the bartender said it was for inventory management).

There are multiple restaurants in each zone, but it's the same menu at each one.  The idea is to make food service quick and convenient and to reduce trekking around to track down the food you want.

I'm not a food critic, but I think the food menu was good, not great.  I didn't love it as much as the Snack Shack location at Perfect Day, but Royal Caribbean overhauled the menu just days after my visit.

The chicken fingers were easily my favorite food, although they do have a kick to them even without the BBQ sauce.

I also think the chicken wrap and burger were quite satisfying.

Luxury options if you prefer more luxury in your beach day

In addition to the day passes, there are cabanas and day beds you could rent.

Each of them includes admission for a certain amount of people, and it comes with added service as well as private and reserved areas.

I generally like renting a cabana with my family because it offers a home base of operations, dedicated service, and shade.

If you have the budget for it, they are a fabulous way to splurge and elevate your day even further.  Your cabana host will bring you any food and drink you want (same menu as everywhere else), which means you never have to leave your private spot.

There are beach cabanas, pool cabanas, cabanas with views of both, and more. 

In fact, there's even an over-the-top Ultimate Family Cabana that costs $10,000 that looks incredible given how many amenities it has. 

Those with the money to spend, it has a private hot tub, beach area, two levels, frozen drink machine, and more.

A super excursion with everything you'd want for a day by the water

Is the Royal Beach Club worth it? I think so, given how much is included and how well it's all delivered.

I think a lot of families want a captivating spot for fun in the sun, and I think Royal Caribbean really delivered the beach/pool day experience most would want.

When comparing it to other day pass options in Nassau, none include as much or offer nearly as good amenities. 

Plus, the pool and beach set up are picture perfect. It feels like any spot you pick is worthy of a postcard because the views are stunning.

The beauty of the property really stood out to me, as the club delivers on the idyllic tropical setting I think so many people envision when they think about taking a Caribbean cruise.

"The entire site is breathtakingly beautiful — from the big design moments like the floating flamingo bar to the smallest details, including art from local Bahamian artists and even the design of back-of-house buildings," Schneider told me.

Plus, it's very close to where the ships are located. 

It's not a cheap excursion, but considering it's all-inclusive and includes transportation, I think it's worth the cost when you can take advantage of a pre-cruise sale that brings the price down to under $150 per person.

Royal Beach Club tips and advice

If you have the Royal Beach Club booked, here are some tricks and ways to maximize your visit.

Always prebook admission so you can save money. Do not wait to book it before the cruise begins.

It's a good idea to get to the island early. I'd recommend before 10am for pick of almost any spot. 

Don't bring towels. There are complimentary towels at the club, and they're much nicer than the blue ones your ship has.

There are beach wheelchairs and paved areas around, so accessibility should not be an issue.

If you want the quietest spots, head to the very end of either Family Beach or Chill Beach.  The further down the beach you go, it gets very secluded.

There's also complimentary reef-safe sunscreen provided at the towel stations and cabana check-in. No excuse for getting sunburned!

Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.

A woman was charged for defrauding her clients over $50,000, including making fake Royal Caribbean cruise bookings.

Tavia Thomas is alleged to have defrauded families by taking payments for vacations and failing to actually book them.

Thomas faces three counts of third-degree grand larceny, three counts of first-degree scheme to defraud, and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean breaks ground on new Miami cruise terminal
• Quantum of the Seas embarkation delayed by over four hours because of medical emergency
• The Royal Up bid trick (it's all luck and availability)
• 16 Do's and Don'ts of taking a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2026
• Can you cruise with a felony?
• 8 ways to celebrate a birthday on your Royal Caribbean cruise
• Rare look inside a cruise ship captain's living quarters
• The trick to finding cheap cruises is picking the right time
• 10 stylish and casual outfits that are perfect for a cruise and the office

New RCB Video: Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2026

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 — Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2026 — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean rumored to announce new ship class soon

A new report claims a French shipyard is poised to announce plans to build a new Royal Caribbean ship class.

According to the report, it's for a "a class of medium to large tonnage ships for Royal Caribbean."

It's speculated this could refer to the Discovery Class ships.

Royal Caribbean banned new tech gear

There's now a new list of things Royal Caribbean won't let you bring on a cruise ship.

The cruise line's list of banned items that you aren't allowed to bring on a ship now includes more cybersecurity gear.

The changes include things like satellite dishes, routers, and more.

Royal Caribbean recategorizes some cabins on Legend of the Seas

Passengers booked on Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship got emails about a change in room assignments.

Guests booked in certain cabins on Legend of the Seas got a notification that cabins have been recategorized and it's necessitated a change in rooms.

That's lead to some people to be upgraded or moved to a different cabin that can accommodate their party size.

16 best foods on Royal Caribbean

There's lots of great food to try, but Matt has his list of 16 best food that he'll eat every time.

While he admits he's no food critic, these are routinely the kind of food that never disappoints.

French onion soup, crepes, Tomahawk steak, and more made his list. 

When it comes to making a bid to upgrade your Royal Caribbean cabin, there's a mix of strategy and a dash of luck involved.

Cruise ship passengers can choose to bid for a stateroom upgrade through Royal Up for less than it would have cost to have booked the room outright.

The cruise line uses Royal Up to sell unsold cabins, while passengers could get a better room.

The trick to winning a Royal Up bid isn't as simple as putting in the highest possible bid. Based on our experience, there's a few different factors at play.

If you're wondering what it will take to get a room upgrade, here are the tricks other cruisers have found.

First, check if there's actually a room available

The first truth of Royal Up is just because you can place a bid does not mean there's a room available.

Royal Up is used for both selling unsold cabins and guarding against a last-minute cancellation.

What it's really asking is if there was a room available, how much would you bid for it.

Before you get hopes up, I'd recommend making a mock booking for the cruise you're sailing on via Royal Caribbean's website to see if there are actually cabins in that category available.

This is especially important with suites, as they are the most desirable staterooms and have the least inventory.

The closer you are to your sail date, the less likely there are unsold cabins left.

While you're looking at which cabins are left, you could also simply call Royal Caribbean and ask how much to upgrade your cabin "the old fashioned way". Not only could it be for a reasonable price, but there's no guessing or algorithm to contend with.

The room you're already booked in plays a factor

Many cruisers swear the cabin you booked is taken into consideration for which bid is accepted.

A reader wrote, "It's as much the cabin you're currently assigned as it is your bidding."

"If you have a cabin type that will sell easily vs a more expensive cabin, your chances increase. Last two upgrades were from junior suites to higher category suites."

For example, if you're booked in a centrally located balcony, your bid would be more desirable than someone booked in a balcony at the very front of the ship. Or at least, that's what we think.

Part of the reason Royal Caribbean offers stateroom bidding is to maximize the profitability of a sailing. Many people believe the algorithm takes into account:

• How much you originally paid for the cabin
• How much you bid
• How likely and how much it could resell your old cabin

No one really knows how the Royal Up system works, but this rationale seems to hold up given that simply placing a maximum bid doesn't always work.

Try bidding for upgrades on an offseason cruise

I think your highest chance of success with Royal Up is to try it out on a less popular cruise.

If you can take advantage of a shoulder season cruise when there are less families onboard and demand is lower, you might have better luck.

Being on a cruise with higher availability of rooms simply will help your chances.

That isn't to say you can't win an upgrade on a spring break or Christmas cruise, but it's likely Royal Caribbean will sell the cabins conventionally without needing to offer them as an upgrade.

More bid upgrade tips

Many cruisers have shared in their experience, bidding a little more than the minimum has won them a Royal Up.

Going just a few dollars above the minimum price works just as well as max bid.

Plus, in some cases the max bid price will cost more than the stateroom might have cost outright.

Also, keep your hopes in check for that suite.

Reality check: everyone wants a suite, but bidding on a Promenade View cabin is more likely to get accepted because less people are interested in it.

If you book your cruise in an interior room, I think you'll have a better shot at winning a Royal Up when trying for a balcony or lower category room.

Royal Caribbean ships typically have a lot of room categories that offer different views and spaces.  Even just upgrading to a "spacious" room could make your voyage more enjoyable.

Don't rely on Royal Up as your primary room selection strategy

Think of Royal Up like playing the lotto at home: you don't play it expecting to win.  

Instead, book the room you really want and will enjoy for a cruise. You should never depend on winning a Royal Up because the odds are against you with so many other people trying to Royal Up too.

As someone who travels almost every month on Royal Caribbean ships, I get to try a lot of cruise ship food.

Royal Caribbean executives have said that food is one of the top two reasons people book a cruise, and I've found a list of my favorites that I'll order every time I visit.

While I'm no food critic, I think these are dishes that truly stand out as being really darn satisfying.  

Based on my dining experiences and personal tastes, these are the top 15 best Royal Caribbean food if you love to eat.

Tomahawk steak from Chops

If you're a steak lover, you probably should try the Tomahawk steak option.

It's available as one of the premium cuts at the Chops Grille specialty restaurant. That means there's an additional cost on top of the restaurant's cover charge. 

My readers raved about this steak and implored me to try it when I sailed on Icon of the Seas recently. It's a giant piece of high quality steak.

I don't consider myself a steak expert, but I think this is the ultimate steak for anyone that considers themselves one.

World from Wonderland

One of the most different specialty restaurants you'll find is Wonderland, which is loosely based on the Alice in Wonderland tales.

Their dessert is so darn good. It not only tastes good, but looks so cool.

You are served a chocolate globe and then warm chocolate is poured on top of it to melt it all into a gooey and rich dish.

French Onion Soup from Main Dining Room

You don't have to pay extra for all of the best food, because an all-time favorite Royal Caribbean food is the French Onion Soup.

I've had French Onion Soup at a lot of restaurants, but Royal Caribbean's version is verifiably better. I'm not sure exactly why, but they do it right.

It's served piping hot with a fresh layer of melted cheese and just the right mix of onions, broth and bread.  Plus, the soup broth flavor is top notch.

It's also available every night at Coastal Kitchen on the dinner menu there.

There's a DIY version of this soup on some nights in the Windjammer, but it never hits the same way.

Crepes from Aquadome Marketplace

I probably could call out each of the food halls at Aquadome Market as worthy of being on this list, but the Crepes station deserves top honors.

The proof is in the consistently long lines for people waiting to get one.

It's freshly made just the way you want, and the perfect snack or meal.

Brisket from Portside BBQ

One of the most underrated restaurants across Royal Caribbean is Portside BBQ.  I don't know why it isn't on more ships, but it's really good.

Among the choices on the menu, I don't think you can go wrong with the beef brisket.  It's tender, smoked, and almost melts as you eat it.

Ranger Cookie from Cafe Promenade

Whenever I poll cruise fans for their favorite snack on Royal Caribbean, the Ranger Cookie comes up as a winner.

First and foremost, it's chewy and not brittle.  That's a win.  Plus it has a really good sweet flavor to it.

I'm not a huge coconut fan, but these cookies are probably the best quick snack around.

Kummelwick Sandwich from Park Cafe

Ever since I tried my first Kummelwick sandwich on Oasis of the Seas back in 2010, I've been hooked on this snack.

It's a roast beef sandwich served on a Kummelwick roll, and you can choose to have mustard, au jus, and/or horseradish served on it.

I think they've tweaked the sandwich over the years, but it's still a solid "I wasn't hungry, but I want one" kind of snack.

Broiled cod from Izumi Omakase

When I tried the new chef-driven Japanese restaurant on Utopia of the Seas, I expected the sushi to be my favorite food. But I fell in love with the broiled black cod.

Among the courses, this was my favorite for the incredible flavor.

It's really tender and after I finished it I wanted two more (I didn't get them, but I need to get back and have it again).

"Deep dish pizza" bread from Lincoln Park Supper Club

I'm a sucker for a good starter, and Lincoln Park Supper Club was exactly the right choice.

The "Deep dish pizza" bread is essentially a deconstructed pizza.  You are served the bread, and then add the cheese and toppings.

Indian curry from Windjammer

Want to know the most underrated food Royal Caribbean has on all of its ships? Indian curry.

You can get it every day in the Windjammer buffet or at dinner at the Main Dining Room. Each day they offer different varieties. 

I've been eating Indian food on Royal Caribbean since my first cruise and it's consistently one of the most flavorful dishes you'll find and remarkably satisfying.

Spaghetti Bolognese from the Main Dining Room

I know spaghetti and meat sauce isn't an exotic dish or something new you've never tried, but it's still one of my go-to MDR dishes to order.

There's something about their sauce that stands out, but the Spaghetti Bolognese is likely my top comfort food on Royal Caribbean.

Asian stir fry station in the Windjammer

The variety of food served at the cruise ship buffet is amazing, but I'll overlook it all if there's Asian stir fry available.

At one of the cooking stations that are usually at the back of the Windjammer, there is a custom stir fry offered (it's sometimes called Mongolian Grill too). You tell the chef which ingredients to include, as well as the sauce.

It's combined with noodles and a protein and it's the kind of food you can eat over and over again.

Margherita pizza from Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Ever since Royal Caribbean overhauled Giovanni's, I've found so many new favorites.  But I think the margherita pizza is their best option.

It's not that surprising considering the cruise line tapped a master pizza expert to help them craft their pizzas.

Trust me, it's so much better than what you'll get at Sorrento's.

Filet mignon from Coco Beach Club

There are many candidates for the best steak across Royal Caribbean, but I think the best filet mignon isn't even on a cruise ship.

Available at the Coco Beach Club, it's easily the best steak I'll reserve the beach club just to have it.

I'm not good at describing how steak tastes, but compared to the versions at Chops, 150 Central Park, or other restaurants, I'll always prefer the Coco Beach Club version.

Fried cheesecake at 150 Central Park

Fried food usually a solid win for taste, but the fried cheesecake at 150 Central Park is worth the cost of admission alone.

This dessert is so sweet, and they serve you two.  Every time I think "I'll only eat one" but of course, I cannot help but eat them both.

Buddha bowl at Pier 7

Easily overlooked, but Pier 7 on the Icon Class ships has some great food, including the Buddha bowl.

A mix of fresh vegetables, fruit, grains, and a protein, I think it has a great combination of satisfaction while feeling guilt-free.

It appears as Royal Caribbean is changing stateroom assignments and room sizes on its next new cruise ship.

Legend of the Seas will launch in July, and it will be the third Icon Class ship and likely assume the title of world's largest cruise ship along with its sister ships.

Some cruise ship passengers booked on Legend of the Seas received emails that changes have been made to select cabins.

Not every passenger booked on Legend of the Seas got a notification of a room change, but certain cabins are changing the capacity which has led some people to be upgraded or moved to a different cabin that can accommodate their party size.

Here's what we're seeing so far related to this change.

"Royal Caribbean changed my cabin"

Based on what cruisers have posted online, select rooms have been recategorized on Legend of the Seas.

Here's one example of the change:

After a recent accommodations review, we've noticed that some staterooms, including yours, have been recategorized in our system. The great news is we'll relocate you to a like-for-like stateroom in the same category you booked.

In this case, it looks like the cabin they booked was changed to a new room category. The original cabin assignment has changed and the guest will have their reservation moved to a different room of the same category.

The person was booked in cabin 12292, which was a category D5 ocean view balcony with 3 people.  As a result of this change, their new cabin assignment is 8682.

Royal Caribbean utilizes sub categories for its cabins based on location, size, and how many people it can accommodate.

The difference between a category D4 and D5 balcony can sometimes be as simple as how close it is to the center of the ship.

Another example of the change is someone that was booked in a Surfside Family View Balcony.

While we know you originally booked a Surfside Family View Balcony, you'll now receive a complimentary upgrader to an Ocean View Balcony!

In all cases of room changes, there's been no extra charge or price change to the reservation.

So far, the common denominator with this change seems to be all the rooms had three people booked on the original reservation.

Jenn Greene, a travel advisor with MEI Travel, shared four different clients received an email similar to the one listed above and all of them had three people booked in the cabin.

Behind the scenes changes to reservations

Beside the room recategorizations, emails were sent out to other people booked on Legend of the Seas to inform them their reservation would be inaccessible for a couple weeks.

After a recent review, we're doing some behind the scenes maintenance. Kindly note, while we conduct this update, your booking will be unavailable to access on the app and website for about two (2) weeks from today. 

While Royal Caribbean does system maintenance routinely, it's unusual for a reservation to "disappear" for an extended period of time while they work on the backend.

"Rest assured, your reservation remains intact and unchanged," the email said.  

Legend of the Seas begins sailing this summer

The brand new Icon Class ship enters service in July with cruises around the Mediterranean.

While it might be the third Icon Class ship, it will not be a direct copy of Icon or Star of the Seas.

Legend will add an immersive train car restaurant that takes you on a virtual gastronomic tour through Asia and Europe, inspired by the travels of Marco Polo.

In fact, there will be 28 places to eat on this ship, including a revamped AquaDome Market food hall that will have all new food stands, along with a brand-new juice and smoothie bar serving freshly squeezed refreshments.

Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" will be performed aboard as the musical show in the Royal Theater.

The Hollywoodland Supper Club will offer a fancy multi-course menu set to the music of the golden age of Hollywood.

The 7-night Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona and Rome will visit destinations like Marseille, Naples, and Palma de Mallorca.

In November 2026, the ship will move to Fort Lauderdale to offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries. These sailings will visit Aruba, Curaçao, and Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Bookings are open for all of its sailings through April 2027.

The ship boasts six waterslides, seven pools, an entire section of the ship dedicated to young families, as well as a dueling piano bar.

The ship is currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

It's expected to be about the same size as both Icon and Star.  That puts the new ship at about 250,800 gross tons and can accommodate approximately 5,610 passengers at double occupancy or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy.

I think finding the cheapest cruise is all about choosing the right time of year.

There are certainly many factors to how Royal Caribbean prices a cruise, including age of the ship and stateroom category, but the date your sailing take places often has the biggest impact.

Certain times of the year are going to always be cheaper and that's because of demand. Our own research shows higher demand greatly drives up the price, regardless of the ship or cabin type.

If you're chasing lower prices for a cruise, you really ought to focus on when the time of year and departure date as key factors in finding a lower price.

Here are my tips for booking a cruise at the lowest price possible.

When is the cheapest time to cruise?

Regardless of if you want to cruise to the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, or Europe, the lowest prices are always during the shoulder season.

This industry term refers to the months of the year where there's far less demand, usually at the beginning or end of the cruising season in a region.  Hence the term "shoulder" because it augments the higher peak demand in the middle.

For example, you'll typically see lower prices for an Alaska cruise in May or September. Likewise, the Caribbean has lower prices the first two weeks of December.

Each region has its own cadence to when you'll find the shoulder season.  Europe has a longer cruising season than Alaska, and prices in the fall greatly differ from the summer.

The Caribbean is a year-round destination, so it doesn't have a shoulder seasons. Rather, Caribbean demand has peaks and valleys, and one week could be significantly cheaper than the next week.

If you're sold on a shoulder season cruise, there can be a few downsides.

The cheapest times to cruise are almost always when school is in session, which means families would have to pull their kids out of class to take advantage of a lower price.

Another issue can be the weather. Alaska tends to be rainy and colder at the beginning and end of the season. Plus, the lessened demand may see some stores, restaurants, or activities closed until the peak season begins.

What is the cheapest month to cruise?

Here's your shoulder season "cheat sheet" for which months will have the best prices because there's usually less demand.

When comparing the price in these months versus other months, you should see a dip in prices.

• Alaska: May, early June, or September
• Australia & New Zealand: April or November
• Bermuda: May, September, or October
• Canada & New England: May or October
• Caribbean: January, September, October or early December
• Mediterranean: March, April or November

You can include nearly all of hurricane season as a cheaper time of year to go on a cruise, especially mid-August through the end of October. The risk of a tropical storm, oppressive humidity, and school in session all contribute to lower demand.

When is the cheapest time to book a cruise?

One of the oldest pieces of cruise advice is to book early, and I think it's still the best time to book a cruise.

Because of how popular cruises are right now, the chances of a last-minute deal have lessened greatly. That's made booking early even more important.

I recommend booking a cruise at least one year early for three important reasons:

• Best chance at a lower price
• Highest availability of cabins, especially suites
• You can reprice the cruise if there's a price drop later

The closer you get to the sail date, the less cabins there are because other people book the cruise. That in turn drives up the price.

These days, Royal Caribbean prices each sailing individually with a pricing algorithm. In truth, conventional cruise sales are more marketing than actual widespread changes in price.

What this means is you shouldn't wait for a specific sale or time of year to book a cruise, because AI has become so sophisticated that cruise prices don't change based on any single promotion anymore.

It's also why last-minute deals are drying up compared to just a few years ago.

A Royal Caribbean cruise in 2026 is exactly the kind of vacation millions will enjoy, and there are important things to do and avoid on any sailing.

Royal Caribbean is planning a big year with the launch of a new ship, opening of two beach clubs, and likely many more announcements to come in the new year.

I think it's of paramount importance to be prepared with the right tips and advice before you board so you can maximize your cruise vacation.

Here is my list of 16 simple do’s and don’ts to fully enjoy a Royal Caribbean cruise this year.

Don't wait to book a cruise

Prices are only headed up for a 2026 cruise, so you'll want to book sooner than later.

Royal Caribbean Group executives have already told Wall Street analysts they expect to continue a steady climb in prices to match demand.

What this means for consumers is your best bet is to book a cruise now and not wait for a price drop that may never happen.

Book early and lock in the price, along with the cabin category you prefer.

Do take advantage of the Royal Caribbean app before and during your cruise

The key to getting onboard your Royal Caribbean ship faster and then knowing everything that's going on is to use the cruise line's app.

Download it a few months before the cruise so that you can use it to do the online check-in.  This will not only get you an early check-in time, but probably get you access to a faster line too.

I'd go as far to say the Royal Caribbean app is critical to have so you can get things done faster. 

Do book with a travel agent

Travel agents provide a wealth of knowledge and will save you time too.

Because of how personalized a cruise is compared to other vacations, new cruisers will greatly benefit from working with a good travel agent.

They can take advantage of group rates, offer advice on the best ship or accommodations for your family, and be your advocate if there's a billing problem later with Royal Caribbean.

A good travel agent should cost you nothing extra to use, so I'd recommend using one when booking any cruise.

Don't try to save money and fly in the same day your cruise begins

It's tempting to book a flight the same day as your cruise departs, but you're playing with fire if you do that.

A cruise ship will not wait if your flight is delayed or cancelled, and there are no refunds either. While travel insurance would reimburse you, it still doesn't make up for the lost vacation. 

Instead, you want to book a flight at least one day before your cruise begins.  At least two days earlier if it's an overseas flight.

This strategy ensures a travel delay doesn't impact your ability to go on the cruise.

Do purchase travel insurance

The more I cruise, the more value I see in buying a travel insurance policy.

Travel insurance covers so many unforeseen circumstances and is fairly inexpensive (cheaper than many shore excursions), so I think it's a must-buy for all cruisers.

Travel interruptions, lost baggage, weather-related port changes, and injuries are all covered by travel insurance.  But you'd be out of luck getting any compensation without it.

Don't wait to book add-ons once on the ship

There's simply no excuse for waiting to buy a drink package, Wi-Fi package, or any other extra until you get on the ship.

Royal Caribbean discounts those same items if you buy it before the cruise begins, and the savings can be substantial.

Drink packages are especially discounted before the sailing, as are passes to the Royal Beach Club, Hideaway Beach, or other exclusive areas.

Not only will the price be higher onboard, but there's also a much higher chance it will sell out. Because Royal Caribbean has gotten so good at getting the word out there about its app, more people than ever are using it and it's quite common for excursions and dining to get fully booked up.

I recommend logging into the Royal Caribbean site or the app at least a few times before the cruise begins to check prices and see what's available. The sweet spot is around 2-3 months before your cruise is set to begin.

Do online check-in as soon as possible

Royal Caribbean allows you to check-in up to 45 days before your cruise begins, and I'd recommend getting it done ASAP.

Most people prefer an early check-in time at the terminal, and those early time slots go quickly.

Use the Royal Caribbean app to quickly log in and get a check-in time. You can come back later and fill out the rest of the information needed to check-in later.

Definitely do not show up to the cruise terminal without your online check-in complete, because you'll waste time in the terminal doing it there instead.

Don't let the cruise line pick your room unless you're very flexible

You could save a lot of money by letting Royal Caribbean pick your stateroom location, but you need to be clear on what that really means.

That option will get you a guarantee cabin, meaning later you'll be assigned a room based on what's left unsold. That isn't inherently a bad thing, but usually there's a reason those cabins are unsold.

You could end up with a room at the very front or back of the ship that is more susceptible to getting seasick. Or you could get a connecting room with a not-so-noise proof door between you and a strangers cabin.

I don't want to scare anyone, because guarantee cabins aren't necessarily a bad choice. But you give up control of the exact location and some cruisers might not want that.

If you sleep like a rock, don't get seasick, and barely spend any time in your stateroom, then a GTY room could be the right choice for you.

Do expect your cruise to be sold out

I'll see comments from cruisers surprised that the sailing is sold out, but that's pretty much the norm these days.

Cruising has never been so popular and demand for a cruise vacation is at an all-time high. It's not a question of "if" your cruise will sell out, but when.

That might give you pause about the ship feeling crowded. Keep in mind cruise ships are designed with a full capacity in mind, and they do a pretty good job at distributing everyone.

The typical times you'll find crowding is:

• Around the pool deck on a sea day
• Dance parties
• When a show lets out
• The first few hours of embarkation on the first day

You should expect crowds occasionally, but that doesn't mean a bad time either. You can usually find uncrowded areas quickly.

Do the safety drill as soon as you board

You have a few hours to complete the muster process, but I think it's best to knock it out as soon as you're onboard.

The morning of the cruise before you even get to the cruise terminal, watch the safety video and listen to the emergency alarm in the Safety section of the Royal Caribbean app.

One person can do it per cabin and check it off for everyone else in the cabin.

Then when you step aboard, head to your muster station and check-in there.  

Completing the muster drill first means you don't have to worry about it later and there's nothing else to do and you can start enjoying your vacation.

Don't forget to check what the theme nights are

Each evening has an optional theme for dinner, and a lot of families enjoy dressing up and being a part of the fun.

It's totally fine if you don't want to participate, but many like the idea of themed outfits.

You can look up the theme nights before your cruise begins and buy what you need before you board.

Don't choose a dinner time that you'll regret later

When you book a cruise, there are two choices for dinner in the Main Dining Room: traditional and My Time Dining. Each has its pros and cons, but I'd recommend understanding them all fully before making a choice.

The issue with choosing poorly is you risk frustration and disappointment later.

In a nutshell, traditional dinner is always at the same time, but has no waiting or check-in.  However, it may curb your port or ship plans because there's no way to alter the time.

My Time Dining offers the choice of anytime to dine in the evening, but you need to make reservations and pre-plan or risk waiting in a standby line for a table.

Yes, you could change your mind later on the ship if it doesn't work out as you expected, but there will be limited options.

Don't wait to verify your travel documents

Don't wait until the last minute to see if your passport is expired or if your daughter's boyfriend actually has a passport.

Depending on where you're sailing and which country you live in, there are different requirements for proper documentation. In short, if you have valid passports that won't expire within six months, you should be safe to cruise anywhere Royal Caribbean sails.

It's a good idea to pull out everyone's passports now and double check everything and renew them before it's too late.

Do book shore excursions and tours before they sell out

The days of walking off your cruise ship in a port and finding a great tour are less likely because of how easy it is to pre-plan.

Excursions are popular because of how easy they are to do. Book it, show up, and then they take care of the rest.

I'd recommend booking a shore excursion at least 4-6 months before your sailing to ensure you're ahead of the curve when it comes to tours selling out.

I cannot imagine walking off the ship and haggling with tour operators blindly without reviews, photos, and comparisons.

Don't wait to sign kids for Adventure Ocean

The kids club will open for registrations at 1pm on the first day of the cruise and this is the best time to get them set for the fun later.

While you can register kids for Adventure Ocean or teen club at any time, you'll find lines and a slower process if you don't do it during the open house period on embarkation day.

Plus, it's easiest for kids and teens to make friends on the first day because everyone is new and looking to meet others.  After the first day, groups are made and it's a little more socially difficult.

Don't wait until you're home to fix billing problems

Was your stateroom shower busted most of the cruise? Did that charge for a towel you returned not get taken off? Get those issues taken care of while you're still on the ship!

In my experience, it's far easier to get those things sorted out quickly onboard because they have all the information and people necessary to reach in one space. One you're home, the shoreside team will have to coordinate with the ship and that adds delays until they can sort it all out.

I recommend not walking off that ship on the final morning until you're confident your final bill and any issues you wanted addressed are complete.

Welcome to the first week of 2026, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

At just 5 years old, Aydin is the youngest person ever to reach Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty program tier.

While sailing on Star of the Seas, he was recognized by the ship's crew for making it to Pinnacle Club status at a special ceremony.

He's been on enough cruises in his short life to earn 700 points in Crown and Anchor Society.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean passengers impacted by airspace closures after U.S. strike on Venezuela
• New way to buy cruise line merchandise without being on a ship
• You might be able to save up to $400 on a Royal Caribbean cruise with new discount codes
• Our readers say these are their favorite Royal Caribbean cruise ship snacks
• Non-refundable deposits: What are the restrictions and is it worth it?
• 10 New Year's cruise resolutions to make in 2026
• After 14 cruises in 2025, these are the best things I did on Royal Caribbean cruise ships this year
• Inside vs balcony cabin on Wonder of the Seas
• Can you bring alcohol on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Video: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide for 2026 cruises

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: Royal Caribbean Drink Package Guide for 2026 cruises.

Royal Caribbean made a change to the menu at its most popular specialty restaurant

Cruisers have noticed Royal Caribbean recently dropped what's included at Izumi hibachi.

Vegetables are seemingly now not included anymore with the meal, and it's just the proteins and fried rice.

Grilled vegetables are offered either as one of the proteins or for a $5 surcharge.

3 Royal Caribbean rumors that might be confirmed in 2026

With a new year, maybe this is when we'll get confirmation details about three major rumors.

The cruise line always has a number of projects and initiatives in development, but there can be information leaks occasionally.

I hope this is the year we'll get further details on a few key rumors that have been swirling for a long time.

What this strange looking thing on a cruise ship is really for

No, it's not a harpoon. But a lot of cruisers think this is something much more nefarious than it really is.

On Oasis Class ships, the pool deck has a retracted piece of equipment that is often the source of intrigue.

While there are plenty of funny ideas, it's a pretty mundane piece of equipment.

Why are cruises so popular right now?

Cruises have never been more popular, and it's largely because of how attractive they are for a vacation.

By 2028, 42 million people worldwide will go on a cruise and that's up from 34.6 million in 2024.

This rapid growth is fueled by a growing segment of the population that is intrigued to try it out.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 590th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with Matt reminiscing about things he wishes Royal Caribbean would bring back.

Some concepts and features were so good, and yet, they were removed.  He'd love for a few of them to be brought back because they were so darn good.

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.