Royal Caribbean is crowdsourcing names for its next new cruise ship.

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean revealed long-rumored plans to build a new class of cruise ship that is slightly smaller than its current megaships.

Known as the Discovery Class, the first of these will debut in 2029 with two ships confirmed, and options for four additional ships.

Select past cruisers received an email survey this week that asks them questions about this new class, including ship name suggestions. 

Here's what the survey included.

Getting feedback about what people want on these new ships

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Stelli from La Floating Adventures, sent us a screenshot of these questions.

"Royal Caribbean Group recently announced a new class of ships called Discovery Class, designed to mark a new era of vacation experiences visiting the most sought after destinations around the world."

"Based on what you just read, what stands out to you most about this new ship class?"

Email surveys are a powerful tool for Royal Caribbean to collect data from its customers, and the latest survey was focused on the Discovery Class ships.

The cruise line research team spends time getting lots of feedback from guests, including in targeted surveys.

The "most sought after destinations around the world" statement seems to reinforce the idea these new ships are going to sail to places beyond simply the Caribbean.

Exotic destinations, such as Alaska, Asia, and Europe, are where executives have said the Discovery Class will head.

"Discovery Class is a class for Royal Caribbean. It is a class by its name that will go to Asia, it will go to Alaska, it will go to European itineraries," he said during a question and answer event last week.

"That ship will be specifically designed for those types of more exotic experiences."

Royal Caribbean wants ideas for ship names

Another question in the survey asked guests to name the ships.

"Imagine you got to name the first ship in Discovery Class! What are some names you would love to see for this very first ship? Tell us up to 5 names in the space below."

Typically, Royal Caribbean will name the first ship in a class after the class name.  Subsequent ships in the class sometimes have a name that relates to the original name, but not always.

Mr. Bayley recently explained they used to pay for a research company to generate a list of ship names based on analytical data, but that's changed recently.

"Some years ago, we just said, why don't we just, you know, make our own list," he recalled.

"We got a huge number of suggestions from, from our guests... We get names sent to us all the time, and we literally keep a list of names."

From those names, cruise line executives pick out the best ones and try to come to a consensus on the best one.

"We go through this process of either deciding which is the best name and/or doing more research to validate it. And then, and then we go through a process of getting everybody to agree."

Royal Caribbean asked what they expect from the name

If the Shakespearean quote, "What's in a name?" rings true, it certainly does for cruise ships.

The next question asked what guests expect from the ship name.

"Thinking about Royal Caribbean ships more generally, what (if anything) do you expect from the name of the first ship in a new class?"

This question speaks to the legacy of ship names and how branding plays into choosing one name over another.

A ship name will be in use for at least 30 years, so it's got to evoke the right feeling.

What's important to a ship name

The final question asked guests to rank in order of importance factors that go into a ship name.

"Which of the following, if any, matter to you when it comes to the name of a Discovery Class ship?"

• Something entirely new/different
• Connection to exploration or discovery
• Sense of adventure
• Sense of scale or grandeur
• Innovation or new experiences
• Continuity with past ship naming styles
• Connection to destinations or travel

Like the previous question, this is about getting a better understanding of what people expect from a Royal Caribbean ship's name.

Ship names are as much about branding as they are about distinguishing one from another.

Strong ship names like "Icon of the Seas" signify something being special and different from the rest. It not only is easy to remember, but it likely stands out.

The first Discovery Class ship arrives in 2029

The first Discovery Class ship will be built in the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.

It will be ready in the fourth quarter of 2029 for delivery, and be the first new ship class since the Icon Class.

According to Royal Caribbean Group's form 10-Q filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, the new ship will have an approximate passenger count (berths) of 4,300.

That's about 1,300 passengers less than the Icon Class ships.

No matter how often I cruise, the last morning is the worst feeling because it's an abrupt end of vacation.

You would think after over 100 cruises, I would be used to winding down my trip and disembarking the ship. But it's always an early start that seems leave me tired and disappointed the fun has to come to an end.

Royal Caribbean ships usually arrive into port and begin allowing passengers to leave the ship around 7am or so.  Some of the big ships will get in earlier and start the disembarkation sooner.  Regardless, everyone is usually off the ship by about 9 or 9:30am.

While the cruise line gives you options of what time to disembark, I always opt for the earliest time to leave.

From avoiding lines later to getting home sooner, here are 7 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible.

There's less traffic to deal with earlier in the morning

With thousands of guests disembarking the ship, there's bound to be lots of cars trying to get them all on their way.

I've found most of the car traffic coming in and out of the terminal tends to be worse as the morning goes on.  By being one of the first people off the ship, I can usually get in my car or taxi and be on my way quicker.

This is especially true of ports like Cape Liberty and Miami, which are notorious for bad traffic issues.

Not only are you dealing with traffic from people on your ship, but there will be more cars on the road from other ships as well.

Staying onboard is boring

While Royal Caribbean will let you stay on their ship as late as 9am, the truth is there's nothing to do.

Restaurants are open for breakfast, and the cafe will serve coffee. But there aren't any bars or entertainment open.  Even the pools are closed down for cleaning.

Moreover, you have to be out of your cabin by 8am.  

This leaves little to do other than have somewhere to sit and wait.

When you add in the other issues outlined in this article, it seems to me waiting onboard the ship doesn't add much value while the other problems get worse.

There can be long lines to disembark older ships

I've found older ships have longer lines to disembark the ship than newer ones.

This is partly because older ships tend to start the disembarkation process later than the newest ships. It's also because older ships may be docked at older cruise terminals that aren't as adept at processing more passengers.

As an example, anytime I cruise from Tampa, the earliest it seems disembarkation begins isn't until almost 7:30am.  But on Utopia or Star of the Seas, the gangway is open around 6:30am or earlier.

Truly, I think what time a ship begins allowing guests off the ship plays a major role. The sooner Royal Caribbean can get the line moving, the shorter the line gets.

Ride share costs are lower

If you're taking Uber or Lyft from the cruise port, surge pricing can quickly add to the price.

Surge pricing is a function that occurs when demand for a rideshare starts to outpace demand. This happens at concerts, airports, and cruise terminals.

The first people off the ship typically pay less than those disembarking later when many more passengers are trying to get a ride.

Even if it's just a few dollars cheaper, I'll take it.

Avoid lines in parking garage

If you have your own car, the parking garage can get backed up with other cars trying to leave at the same time.

Luckily, most cruise terminal parking garages require payment upon entry (instead of exit), because that reduces backups to exit the building.  However, too many cars trying to exit at the same time can add to traffic trying to back out of parking spots and down the narrow ramps.

I can make an earlier flight so I can get home sooner

If there's an earlier flight that not only gets me home sooner, but avoids waiting around for hours at the airport, I'll opt for that every single time.

Ideally you want a flight that allows you to disembark the ship, get to the airport, and have just enough time to get through security and get sometime to eat without feeling like you live at the airport.

I've found disembarking the ship earlier often opens up a flight option that would minimize my time spent in the airport.

When I was flying home from my Alaska cruise in Vancouver, there was a morning flight we could make if we hustled off the ship. The alternative was to spend all day in the airport waiting around for the next flight.

Make sure you have enough time to make it to the airport and through security before booking an early flight. Part of this equation is knowing what time you can disembark the ship.

Give me more time for security at airport

In general, the airport gets busier as the day goes on, and that's another good reason to get there early.

As the morning goes on, so do the amount of flights departing and that bring is many more passengers.

I've found the line for airport security is much shorter in the 7am hour, than the 8am hour, and so on.

I would much rather get through security and into a chair somewhere to relax, than have to wait in a long security line and worry about how much longer the experience would be.

I recently dined at the Hollywoodland Supper Club on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, which is about as fancy a dinner you're going to find at sea.

I've eaten at plenty of the cruise line's specialty restaurants, but its supper clubs are a new breed of ultra refined dining.  There's just one serving per night, formal dress code is required, and it costs $200 per person.  

Over the course of my three-hour, six course meal at Hollywoodland Supper Club, several things surprised and impressed me that truly stand out from other restaurants onboard Legend of the Seas. Some were things I had never experienced, and others were changes made for this version of the restaurant.

Here are the seven things you'd likely find surprising if you're eating at this restaurant for the first time.

Check-in was surprisingly personal.

We received a phone call to our stateroom earlier in the day telling us to be outside the restaurant about 20-30 minutes before our dining time.

When we arrived, there were other couples and groups ready for dinner as well. Everyone is dressed elegantly, and you can tell quickly this is something different.

As soon as we arrived, a waiter approached us and greeted us by name.  Each waiter is assigned a few tables, and using the ship's photo manifest, is able to figure out who you are before you can introduce yourself.

When the doors opened, instead of walking into the restaurant on our own, our waiter escorted us in. 

It was a small but striking detail that made the experience feel intimate and thoughtful from the start.

The menu had six courses, but there were a few surprises.

Once seated, you're presented an ornate menu that is heavier than a coffee table book.

It lists four appetizers, a main course, and a dessert.  However, there's more than that to be served.

We were served an amuse-bouche to start, which is a single-bite hors d'oeuvre that's designed to surprise you and start the meal.

There was also a palate cleanser, served over dry ice.

For dessert, not only did they bring out both desserts for us to enjoy, but there was a third surprise dessert that was served at the very end.

The food and cocktails matched the evolution of film.

Our waiter explained each course as it was served, as well as the narrative behind the meal.

Hollywoodland celebrates the golden age of movie cinema, beginning with the black and white era of film and moving into color. The food reflects that.

The amuse-bouche was purely black and white, just like the early movies.  Then the bread course is mostly still black, but introduces subdued color.

One of the appetizers is green, because early film technology lacked the full color spectrum and could only do basic colors, such as green.

As the meal progresses, more color is introduced, so by the time you get into the later appetizers and entrees, it's full color.

I thought this was a clever way to include storytelling in the meal experience.

The entire meal took about three hours to complete.

This was my wife's first time trying a supper club, and she was surprised by the fact dinner was three hours long and how it didn't feel like it was that long.

Usually any dinner on a cruise ship that's more than 90 minutes starts to feel like it drags on, but the combination of live entertainment, a seemingly never ending supply of cocktails, and the creative food displays helped hold our attention.

Supper clubs, in general, are a multi-hour event. Royal Caribbean wanted to be true to form with the format with their version.

The new take on salad surprisingly turned out to be both of our favorites.

Of all the food served, I loved Brown Derby Cobb Salad because of how much it surprised me.

Royal Caribbean actually sent a team to Walt Disney World's Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios to sample the best example of the original Cobb Salad that was invented in 1937. The original Brown Derby restaurant burned down in 1987, but Disney's restaurant is a replica and licensed copy.

The version served on Legend of the Seas is a modern interpretation, and I loved how different it was while remaining true to a Cobb salad.

It was the kind of dish I would have liked a few extra to eat another day.

The entertainers took turns for breaks, but it was smartly done.

There are up to four entertainers on the stage at any time during your meal, but they're not up there for all three hours.

Instead, each member of the quartet is brought on stage as the meal begins.  Eventually all four are on stage together, but then one by one, they step away for breaks.

Rather than ending the music temporarily for a break, they strategically will let one or two of them quietly depart while the others keep playing.

This keeps the mood and music going, without abruptly halting the vibe. Moreover, it allows whoever is left on stage time to shine on their own and display more of their talents.

When all four of them are on stage, you recognize the collective talent and it really shines.

I asked for the fish cocktail because it looked too fun.

Each course is paired with a specific cocktail, including the entrees that have their own assigned cocktails.

I ordered the Wagyu beef, but I saw my waiter walking around with a glass fish.  It was meant for the Black Cod dish, but I had to try it because it looked so fun.

My waiter was more than happy to oblige, and he brought one out.  It was a refreshing cucumber based drink, reminding me a lot of the cucumber martini from 150 Central Park.

Never hesitate to ask the crew members if there's something you'd like to try.

Among all the choices of which stateroom to book on the world's largest ship, a balcony is the most common room you'll find.

Decades ago, a balcony was a luxury. Now, they're the most popular cabin and Royal Caribbean has the most inventory of them on its ships, including the brand new Legend of the Seas.

While there's so much to do around this 5,610-guest ship, it's really nice to come back to your room and have your own private area outside to enjoy.

I've been on over 100 cruises, so I've stayed in every single stateroom category. Balcony rooms are undeniably the Goldilocks choice because of their space, size, and amenities.

Royal Caribbean assigned me a mid-ship balcony cabin for the new vessel's complimentary four-night non-revenue test cruise in late June.

Full disclosure: Royal Caribbean invited me to sail on Legend of the Seas and I did not pay for this cruise.

Balcony cabins can be $600 more expensive (per person) than the cheapest inside cabins.

At the time of writing, the least-expensive inside cabins for Legend of the Seas' 2026 itineraries start at about $1,138 per person for a six night cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Falmouth, Jamaica and Labadee, Haiti (the company's private beach destination).

On the same itinerary, a balcony cabin starts at $1,799 per person, or about $300 per person, per day.

Both types of rooms include the same core options. The difference is in the size, layout, and views you get with a balcony.

Having a balcony means having a quiet space on a ship that is known for being busy

Most standard balcony rooms have a square footage of around 40-50 square feet, which is just enough space for two chairs and a small table.

It's not spacious, but there is plenty of room for two people to enjoy being outdoors.

It's great having your own view, anytime you want it, especially for sailaway or when you want to admire the view outside.

It's also calming to have a balcony room because it's your own space that doesn't have party music, other conversations, or people to contend with. It's nice being able to pop outside anytime you like to read, watch the ocean pass by, or just enjoy some solitude.

Some people will leave their balcony door open and lay in their bed to allow the sea breeze and ocean sounds to filter in.

Luckily my bed was near the balcony door, so I had the perfect view each morning.

I was assigned room 7276, and the king size bed was positioned near the balcony door.  

Royal Caribbean alternates its cabin layout with the bed or the couch near the balcony door.  

Since the couch often gets filled up with clutter, I was happy to have the bed near the window instead.

Better yet, there are USB and power outlets on either side of the bed.  I love having my phone charged overnight and then wake up to be able to conveniently check it as I flip between apps and the outside view.

The couch offers more seating, but I'm bad about keeping it clutter-free.

Our room had a rather large couch, which is nice for having somewhere else to sit during the day.

The sofa is firm, and probably could be good for a nap.

My bad cruising habit that I can't stop doing is using my couch as a collection point for clothes, papers, souvenirs, and anything else I bring back to the room.

There is a vanity and sitting area across from the sofa.

I probably spend more time at the vanity than the sofa, which acts as both my office desk and a prep area for my wife.

As a remote worker, I appreciate how many power and USB outlets there are here. In fact, I don't think you need to bring a USB power extender on an Icon Class ship because of how many outlets Royal Caribbean has in these rooms.

You'll also find additional drawers here, along with a hidden mini-refrigerator.

The wire baskets are still the worst thing about this cabin.

A closet and shelves offer additional storage, including closet doors that open up to have vertical space for hanging clothes.

There are shelves with wire baskets below, but I cannot believe Royal Caribbean continues to use these in the third Icon Class ship.

The wire baskets make an incredibly loud and obnoxious screeching sound when they slide in or out, and it's been my top complaint about staterooms since Icon of the Seas first debuted.

Despite lots of complaints, these baskets are still in use.  Some passengers collect the baskets and toss them to the side, but then I run into the issue of clothes (particularly socks) sliding too far back into the cubby area.

The bathroom has the best standard shower at sea.

If the baskets are the worst feature about the room, the shower is the best innovation Royal Caribbean added to these ships.

Royal Caribbean has showers on Legend of the Seas that are quite large, with a sliding open door and a seat inside the shower.

Most cruise ships have narrow tube shaped showers that feel cramped and awkward to use.  But this shower feels far less cramped, and has an adjustable shower head that can go up or down.

Be sure to bring your own toiletries.

Royal Caribbean provides a basic 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, but I think most people will prefer something more specialized.

There's no separate conditioner or body wash, so I'd recommend packing your own to bring onboard.

Since I always fly to my cruise ship at least one day early, I'll buy those toiletries once I arrive to avoid having to fly (and potentially explode) with those kinds of liquids.

Overall, a balcony room is enough for most people's needs

Is a balcony worth spending hundreds of dollars more to enjoy? If having easy access to a private, open-air space with ocean views is important, then yes.

The debate of an inside vs balcony room often boils down to cost versus amenity. You can argue how much you'd actually use the balcony, but there's no denying it's lovely to have it. 

Admittedly, I spent very little time on my balcony on this cruise, but that had a lot to do with the fact it was summer and hot.  Plus, I was busy exploring the new ship.

I think this balcony room is comparable in size to other cruise ship balconies, but I appreciated how many outlets there were and the shower configuration.

I take my kids on at least five cruises every year because it's become the best kind of family vacation, but I've had to re-learn the same lesson a few times.

Each of my kids has been cruising since they were 6 months old, and as they've grown, there have been different challenges to traveling with them.  But as they've matured into teenagers, my wife and I have grown to understand we had to change the cabin arrangements for everyone's sanity.

Family fights, arguing, and constant complaining lead us to change how we book cruises with our kids. It's easy to point to kids being spoiled brats, but there is truth in some separation is a good thing for families.

Now that my kids are entering their teens, I've had to create a rule for our family cruises that ultimately makes everyone happier.

I book separate rooms and bathrooms for us and the kids

The rule about booking cruises started off that we needed to have one bathroom for us, and one bathroom for our girls.

As girls mature, they take longer showers and spend far more time getting ready to go out.  Makeup, hair, styling, admiring, singing, and whatever else they do in there takes up time.

Trying to share a bathroom between two adults and two kids just wasn't working, and it lead to me taking showers at odd times of the day or even going to the ship's fitness center to use the showers there.

So I started having my travel agent price out two connecting rooms or suites that had two full bathrooms.

Sharing a suite with them, like the Icon Loft Suite, proved that even having a second bathroom doesn't work from a privacy standpoint.

The couch in that suite opens up to a bed, but there's not enough physical separation between the master bedroom upstairs and the living room/bedroom for the kids downstairs.

I was fine giving up suites in favor of connecting rooms because it's ultimately cheaper.

I book two rooms near each other

At first, I would book connecting rooms so we had a common door between us to make it convenient for going back and forth.

I don't mind connecting rooms, but you end up with the same room category for both cabins.  So if I book a balcony room for me and my wife, my kids get a balcony room too.

My kids never go out on their balcony.  Most of the time they keep the curtains closed to keep the room dark!

This lead me to a little-known fact that Royal Caribbean will allow you to book a minor in a stateroom by themselves if it's one room across or adjacent to the parents.

This means I can book a balcony room for us, and a less expensive inside room for the kids. It's a financial and logistical win all around.

Some suites could work, but it's expensive

You might be surprised how difficult it is to find a suite that has two separate bedrooms and full bathrooms.

Most suites tend to have just one full bathroom, and fewer have two bedroom areas. 

The best suite for this is the Two Bedroom AquaTheater Suite on the Oasis Class ships, but the price of all Royal Caribbean suites has sky rocketed over the last few years. 

None of the Icon Class ships have this sort of a cabin, so it's really the Ultimate Family Townhouse or nothing. Paying six figures for a suite is well out of my price range.

Booking two cabins to have two bathrooms has avoided so many arguments

The family cruise hack of booking two rooms went from "nice to have" to our family cruise rule to avoid problems.

While my kids will quarrel amongst themselves who gets to shower first when we return from the beach, at least there's no competition with us for it either.

Moreover, having two rooms means we can come back from our evening fun around the ship without waking the others up.

There is one problem with separate cabins and that's enforcing curfew. While we let our oldest daughter roam the ship with her friends, we can't peek in the room easily to see if she's back before her curfew time.

Our best solution thus far has been to send us a photo from inside the cabin when she returns to confirm she's there. 

It would be easier with a connecting room, but the money saved by getting them an inside room is worth the hassle.

I wish there were lower level suites that could accommodate our needs

Royal Caribbean has a variety of suites, but they tend to be rooms that are giant versions of balcony rooms.

I would prefer if they added more two bedroom suites that are within the Owner's Suite or Grand Suite price range.

However, their workaround seems to be adding cabins that have outside connecting doors you can close off to form de-facto suites.

I've seen on newer ships more options to book two or three cabins that have a common hallway or outside door.  Once you close off the outer door, you can keep every cabin door open/ajar and allow for free flow between rooms.

This sort of works, except you have to prop open the main door since every cruise ship cabin door automatically locks after a few seconds.

My family cruise rule keeps everyone happy

Any dad out there would likely agree when you take your family on vacation, you want everyone to have a good time and spare your spouse unnecessary fights among the kids.

I think having a room for the kids and a room for us has proven to be a winning combination.

I look at this way: a cruise should be a fun vacation for everyone, and I'm willing to spend a little bit extra to make it easier on us all.

Royal Caribbean has made two changes to Crown and Anchor Society benefits that cruisers should be aware of.

The cruise line does not update its loyalty program often, but the lineup of benefits are a critical reason many people remain "loyal to Royal".

We've noticed two major changes that have been introduced recently, and I think they could make your cruise better (assuming you qualify for them).

One change was announced via email, and another was spotted by our site readers.

Here's what's new and different in the Crown and Anchor Society benefits.

Priority tendering added for Pinnacle Club members

If you're lucky enough to have made it to the upper most tier of Crown and Anchor, there's a new perk.

Pinnacle Club members now don't have to worry about getting a tender ticket to go ashore.

"We’re introducing a new exclusive benefit for Pinnacle Club members designed to make getting ashore faster and more seamless than ever," the announcement said in an email.

Available on select European sailings, tender tickets are now distributed via the Royal Caribbean app.

• Odyssey of the Seas: Santorini tender port days
• Harmony of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days
• Legend of the Seas: La Spezia tender port days

"With Priority Digitized Tendering, you’re automatically set to head ashore — no lines, no waiting, no extra steps."

On ships where Digitized Tendering is not yet available, Pinnacle priority tendering will not be offered, just yet. However, Royal Caribbean says more ships will be added as the experience expands.

Royal Caribbean recently experimented with offering tendering on an Oasis Class ship for the first time. It was to prepare for an even larger ship, Legend of the Seas, to offer tendering as well.

Traditionally, tender tickets were distributed by hand and required guests to a location to request them.  Making them digital means a more convenient way for everyone to sign up.

Single supplement discount for all Diamond Plus guests now?

UPDATE: The grid update was a misprint, and the benefits grid has been updated once more to add back in the 340 points requirement.

• Previous Verbiage: Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings) from 200% for members that have 340+ Cruise Points.
• Correct & Current Verbiage: Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings) from 200% for members that have 340+ Cruise Points. 

Royal Caribbean had updated its loyalty benefits grid, which temporarily showed a more widely applied discount for those cruising solo.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Mick noticed the change and posted about it on our Royal Caribbean message boards.

The Crown & Anchor Society loyalty benefits grid was updated verbiage that no longer mentions needing 340 points to qualify for the single supplement cruise fare reduction.

However, the change has since been revised further to re-add the 340 cruise point requirement to be able to pay only 1.5 times the cruise fare of one person, instead of two times.

The terms and conditions have not changed for the restrictions on this discount: Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club single members are eligible for a single supplement cruise fare at 150% (125% on Transatlantic, Transpacific, Panama Canal and Canada sailings). This offer is based on availability with certain restrictions. 

This offer is not applicable to Ocean Voyage Packages, Holiday sailings (including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’ s Day, Holy Week, Easter/Spring break, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Golden Week [Asia],Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year ’s), or peak summer months from June 1 through August 15. Not valid on new ships within the first 365 days of service.

The single supplement discount does not apply to studio cabins, which are solo fares from the start.

As soon as I boarded Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas, my first stop was to try their updated food hall.

Ever since Royal Caribbean launched Aquadome Market on Icon of the Seas, I was hooked on this concept of freshly prepared food that you can't otherwise find on the ship. I loved the combination of different food than typical of the line, plus it was available late night too.

With each new Icon Class ship, Royal Caribbean sought to refresh the lineup. Legend of the Seas has five new places to eat, with one being a smoothie bar.

Since Aquadome Market has quickly become my favorite included restaurant, I've been ranking the food halls every time I go to determine my favorites.

Here's how I ranked them all, from my least favorite to my favorite.

Simply Pressed is a new smoothie bar

They don't serve food, but there's a new place to get smoothies and juices on Legend of the Seas.

The drinks here cost extra, but without a Vitality Cafe, having access to a smoothie bar has become important to a lot of cruisers.

There are fresh juices and smoothies you can order, each are 12 oz.

Since these are beverages and not food, I won't rank this stall.  But it's somewhere anyone with a drink package might want to be aware exists before their sailing begins.

I think La Española was my least favorite, but I liked the tapas

There has to be a least favorite in any ranking, and La Española makes it there primarily because the gazpacho was too strange for me.

I love tomatoes, salsa, and hot tomato soup. But cold tomato soup was too strange a taste for my liking, even though I could add croutons and extra veggies in it.  I wanted to love it, but like coleslaw, some foods I just never get a taste for.

The tapas, however, are a stronger option. I really liked the Pan con Tomate with Manchengo because it was a light snack for something less filling.

Adobo serves tacos, and that's always a classic food

I was surprised when Royal Caribbean revealed one of the food stands would have tacos, because El Loco Fresh serves tacos across the deck.  However, these are street tacos instead of the Tex-Mex stuff at El Loco.

Tacos al pastor are arguably more authentic than the basic tacos you'd find in the US. Tacos al pastor feature thinly sliced pork (there's chicken also) marinated in adobo seasoning and stacked on a vertical spit alongside fresh pineapple.

The meat is cooked in the Lebanese shawarma technique, and shavings are stacked in the taco.

Toppings include onion, cilantro, lime, and pineapple. Pineapple is traditionally served with them to balance the marinade of the meat.

I liked these tacos a lot, especially for the different flavors.  Once again, it's going to taste differently (in a good way) from what's at El Loco Fresh.

I found, however, how fresh the tortillas are greatly impact how good the tacos taste.  If the tortillas aren't very freshly prepared, they tend to get harder.  I was sure to ask for a fresh tortilla when I ordered for better results.

I didn't know I was a gumbo fan until I tried Cajun Kitchen

If I had ranked these food halls before I tried them, I'm certain I would have ranked Cajun Kitchen near the bottom.  But it almost became my favorite.

Serving New Orleans gumbo, Cajun Kitchen has one item on its menu and it's very tasty.

You have a choice of chicken, sausage, or shrimp gumbo to go on top of the white rice base.

The rice soaks up a lot of gumbo juice, and you get a very flavorful medley soaked into the rice as you eat it.

Gumbo is a wonderful comfort food, and I think this is a great choice for something filling and easy to eat. 

The new Korean rice bowls won me over as a fan

Seoulmate is not just a creative name for Korean rice bowls, it's also easily my favorite of the new food halls on Legend of the Seas.

Not really knowing what to expect, I asked for the marinated chicken to go along all the toppings available. 

Served with a Korean scallion pancake, this is what I'll order as soon as I board the ship and as a late-night snack every time I sail on Legend.

I love Asian food to begin with, and there are some wonderful flavors when you combine everything.  I loved how light the pancake was as a way to scoop in the food.

I had never tried Kimchi, and it quickly hit the spot. In fact, I think it's what made the rice bowl a great choice.

Creme de la Crepe, the one returning food hall, never disappoints

Every Aquadome Market has a Creme de la Crepe station, and it's because of how insanely popular freshly made crepes continue to be.

Truthfully, this should still be the top ranked food station. But that's like the Tony Awards giving "Phantom of the Opera" the best musical every year because it's a perennial favorite.

There are four types of crepes to choose from, and each is amazing in its own right.

Strawberry Nutella is a top choice, but I wouldn't fault you for choosing "The Classic" of dusted sugar and lemon zest.

This was, to put it plainly, so good.

Aquadome Market instantly catapulted to the top of my must-eat list as soon as I tried it, and that continues here with Legend of the Seas.

I admire Royal Caribbean for branching out and challenging themselves to offer different choices instead of copying the menu from the ship that came before it.

Creme de la Crepe and Adobo are the safest options to consider.  Even the pickiest of eaters should be able to find something because it's all customizable.

Seoulmate works if you're just getting marinated chicken or beef and rice, or if you opt to load it up. It's something I could eat almost everyday.

Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and are ready to catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

The biggest cruise ship in the world has arrived!

Royal Caribbean's Legend of the Seas began sailing this past week, welcoming its first guests onboard.

The brand new ship is the third Icon Class ship, and introduces new dining innovations and new shows too.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean oversold three cruises. Why cruise ships get overbooked
• Will Royal Caribbean cruise from Australia year-round?
• Legend of the Seas cruise ship review
• Royal Caribbean's newest balcony cabin fixes one of the biggest problems for families
• The best changes Royal Caribbean made to Legend of the Seas
• Are you eating sushi the right way? Do's and dont's from a master sushi chef
• Comparing the Legend of the Seas ships
• Liberty of the Seas cruise ship review

New RCB Video: I Cruised On A $2 Billion Ship Before Anyone Else!

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 Cruised On A $2 Billion Ship Before Anyone Else! — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean hinted where the new Discovery Class ships will sail

Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley gave us a hint where Discovery Class ships will sail (and probably won't).

While at a press conference on Legend of the Seas, a question was asked about Royal Caribbean's next new class of ships.

He was cagey with not divulging anything new, but he did give us an idea of where these ships are destined.

7 things Royal Caribbean just said about Europe cruises, new ship plans, and AI changes

Jason Liberty and Michael Bayley answered questions about the future of Royal Caribbean.

Journalists from around the world onboard Legend of the Seas questioned the executives on future plans, use of AI, and even the ship's dog.

Both of them were quite candid in offering answers to questions many of us have been wondering about too.

Eating on a train on a cruise ship: Royal Railway Legend Station

Royal Caribbean's new version of its immersive train restaurant is open, and I was so much more impressed with it.

Available on Legend of the Seas, there's a new show, new theme, and new menu with it too.

Silk Routes offers a different take on the family-friendly first show, and I loved the new food and storytelling.

10 things I loved and hated about my Liberty of the Seas cruise

Liberty of the Seas is updated and back in service, so what's good and bad about this amplified ship?

After spending a week onboard, there are a few things that stand out.  

Some of the changes have been great, while others are head scratchers.

Whether you've never tried sushi before or are new to it all, now is the perfect time to master it and give it a proper try.

Nearly all Royal Caribbean ships have Izumi Japanese restaurant onboard, including the brand new Legend of the Seas. 

From the first time I tried sushi on a Royal Caribbean ship in 2010, I've been hooked on their brand of freshly prepared food. It's become a must-eat when I'm onboard.

However, I know there are lots of people who have never tried it before or are new to it all. Izumi Master Chef Travis Kamiyama created the Izumi brand and works year after year to bring his vision for quality Japanese cuisine to cruise ships.

"People are really interested in the culture, the type of food. Japanese cuisine is very diverse. Sushi is just the tip of the iceberg."

While sailing on Legend of the Seas, I asked him to share the proper way to eat sushi and how to go about trying it if you've never sampled any.

What's the best first sushi to try?

You don't have to start off with raw tuna or salmon as your first entry into sushi.

Chef Travis recommends starting with a fried roll because it's cooked instead of being raw.

"You've got to start out with our crispy Philly or the crispy spicy tuna. It's actually flash fried on the outside, so it's quite friendly."

Another good option is the crispy shrimp roll because it features shrimp tempura, which is a flavor and texture many people already enjoy.

Of course, there's always the tried-and-true California roll. It's not fried, but it appeals a lot to American tastes.

"It's basically the flagship of all the Americanized sushi. It's super friendly because the crab is cooked. As long as you're not allergic to shellfish, it's a great place to start."

Sushi isn't an all-or-nothing experience. You can start with a familiar flavor, and perhaps graduate to something more adventurous later.

How to use chopsticks the right way

Learning to use chopsticks can seem intimidating, but there's a trick that might make it easier.

Chef Travis recommends asking for wooden chopsticks if they're available because they're easier for beginners to grip than reusable plastic ones.

Once you've separated them, don't rub the chopsticks together, "You don't want to do the sharpening... trying to get splinters out because there's none, honestly. That's totally not what Japanese do."

Learning to hold chopsticks requires practice and patience. He says to move the top one up and down, while keeping the other one stable.

"It's going to take practice. Your muscle memory isn't going to be there."

Fortunately, Izumi restaurants also offer chopstick "helpers" that snap onto the sticks to make them much easier to control while you're learning.

Is eating sushi with your hands rude?

Since mastering chopsticks isn't going to happen at once, you might need another way to eat sushi.

"Traditionally in Japan, it's normal to eat sushi with your hands," he said.

Ask your server to leave the warm oshibori towel at your table. The towel allows you to comfortably eat with your fingers while cleaning your hands between bites.

What about using a fork? That should be the last option, "Chopsticks first is ideal. Then hand. Then fork is last."

Using a fork is actually not practical because it often causes the roll to fall apart before it reaches your mouth.

I was using ginger wrong for my entire life

I asked Chef Travis about what ginger was for when it's served with your sushi, and I had no idea I was actually using it incorrectly.

According to Chef Travis, it's not a topping. Instead, it's meant to be a palate cleanser.

Imagine you're eating a sushi sampler featuring tuna, salmon, yellowtail and shrimp. You should be eating the ginger between pieces because that allows each fish to stand on its own.

"You want to try to taste the fish instead of masking it with the ginger."

Should you mix soy sauce and wasabi?

The answer depends on where you're eating.

"If you go to a high-end sushi bar... don't touch it," he said.

At an omakase experience, the sushi is already seasoned exactly as intended.

"They're not going to give you soy sauce anyway."

But since you're probably eating sushi at Izumi, Chef Travis says diners have more flexibility.

You could take some wasabi, put it in the dish, add some soy sauce, mix it up, and then dip it. That's okay."

The key is not to overdo it. You want a little bit, so you don't overwhelm the fish.

What's the biggest mistake people make with soy sauce?

I asked Chef Travis what is the top faux pas people make when eating sushi.

He said too many people dunk the rice directly into the soy sauce, "The thing you want to avoid is to dip the rice in there where it soaks up all the soy sauce."

This causes two problems: it overwhelms the flavor and can cause the rice to fall apart.

He compared it to covering French fries with so much ketchup that you can't taste the potatoes anymore.

Is eating raw fish dangerous?

Some people have been hesitant to try sushi because the idea of eating raw food could make them sick.

Chef Travis explained the fish in sushi is different than the raw seafood from your supermarket, "Sushi grade is very different, and we're very honed into that sourcing. We're very picky."

Sushi restaurants operate under entirely different sourcing standards than grocery store prepared foods.