Summer is right around the corner, and now is when you want to start planning a summer cruise vacation.

It seems a lot of people make the common mistake of waiting too long to start planning a cruise, and that's true of a summer vacation.

According to a survey by The Vacationer, nearly 82% of all American adults intend to travel this summer. Without a doubt, that will encompass cruises to Alaska, Europe, and around the Caribbean.

If you start now, there's enough time left to get in on a good deal and lock in the sort of popular activities most people want out of their cruise.

Here are eight things I would do now to prepare for a summer cruise.

Don't wait any longer to book

If you haven't actually booked a summer cruise, you'll want to do that right now.

You should book a cruise as early as possible, but waiting any longer and you risk really missing out on the cruise you'd want to take.

Cruise ships are booked so well already for 2025, that there's not going to be a lot of choices left if you're still sitting on the sidelines.

My advice is to book now and lock in a reservation before anything else sells out.  

People tend to wait until the last minute to book a cruise, but that's going to leave few options, fewer cabins, and high fares.

With spring break about to conclude, you'll want to get your cruise ship and cabin booked and deposited so you can ensure you get the best choices available.

Caribbean cruise? Prepare for the possibility of a hurricane

If you have a Caribbean cruise, you should also be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane.

A summer cruise in the Caribbean will take place during hurricane season, which begins on June 1 and goes through November 30th.

The reality is most hurricanes hit later in the summer, with the worst months being mid August through mid October.

There's a low chance a hurricane will actually change your cruise, but it could happen.

I'd recommend buying travel insurance for your trip. I think you should have it for any cruise, but it's doubly important with the possibility of a hurricane impacting your plans.

You should also have as flexible plans as you can for your cruise, meaning opt for refundable options where you can.  Shore excursions, hotel reservations, and anything else you reserve before the cruise begins.  You never know if your cruise might get re-routed to avoid tropical weather.

You'll need money for Alaska or Europe

Shore excursions, and pretty much everything, are more expensive in Alaska and Europe than on a Caribbean cruise.

The first time I visited either region on a cruise, there was a bit of sticker shock.

Alaska cruises are quite remote, so the cost of everyday items is simply higher. Plus, access to glaciers and other special areas is limited, and demand drives up the cost.

In Europe, you'll find organized tours tend to cost more than their Western Hemisphere counterparts.

In either case, you could try to save money by doing tours on your own, where planning self-guided exploration would cut down on those costs.

Here are some ideas for how to plan out DIY tours in both Alaska and Europe.

Otherwise, you should plan on dedicating more money to your vacation budget for this summer.

Start booking shore excursions

If you're like me and booked a summer cruise a long time ago, consider this your reminder to start booking shore excursions.

Because I book cruises so far in advance, I neglect to start booking tours until its too late.

Lots of people have gotten the memo about pre-booking tours, and you really need to reserve shore excursions before the cruise begins.  In fact, you should be doing it months early to avoid them selling out.

You might also take into consideration it's much hotter in the afternoon, so if you're planning anything outdoors and requiring a lot of physical activity, to do it in the morning before it gets too hot.

Or you could plan walking around a city in the morning, and then plan to hit the beach by lunch when the sun becomes intolerable.

Here are recommended tours to try in Alaska and Caribbean to start researching.

Now is the best time to book a summer flight

The Points Guy recommends starting searching three months before the dates you want to travel for finding the cheapest prices, which is right about now.

International travel requires booking flights even earlier, about 3-5 months in advance.

Speaking of flights, make sure you don't make one of the top cruise mistakes and fly the same day your cruise begins.

Instead, fly in at least one day before the cruise begins.  For an international flight, I'd recommend two or three days early.

Make a reminder to book shows

One of the top regrets cruisers have is not seeing the amazing shows on Royal Caribbean ships, so set a reminder now to book the shows.

Royal Caribbean typically opens up reservations for shows 30 days before the cruise begins.

Advanced reservations for shows are only available on the Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships and it's free to do so on the Cruise Planner site or Royal Caribbean app.

There's no option to make show reservations on older ships because it's not necessary.

Sun protection is essential

You can get sunburned anytime of year, but summer time is when it's easiest for it to occur.

Always remember to pack sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, plus hats, sunglasses and cover ups to protect your skin. (Contains an affiliate link which costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission if you buy something)

Buy cooling items

If your summer cruise is taking you to the Mediterranean, Mexican Riviera, or Caribbean, I'd recommend finding every way to cool down.

Summer temperatures in these regions can easily reach 90 degrees or higher, and being hot and sweaty is not what anyone wants.

Two ideas to consider packing for your summer cruise to help keep you less-sweaty are cooling towels and a handheld fan.

I'd also recommend planning to avoid the pool deck in the afternoon when it's hottest. Instead, stay inside your ship and enjoy trivia, karaoke, or the casino.

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

Allure of the Seas is back and with a lot of changes!

Royal Caribbean poured in over $100 million worth of upgrades, fixes, and enhancements for its passengers. This includes new slides, revamped pool deck, new restaurants and more.

The amplified ship restarted cruises this weekend, giving the public its first look at what's new and different.

Royal Caribbean News

• "Above normal" Hurricane season expected for 2025, experts predict
• I ate at every included restaurant on Royal Caribbean cruise. Here’s what I’d do next time
• Royal Caribbean is about to make a big push in a cruise market it overlooked for a decade
• Royal Caribbean CEO rejects private islands are just about passenger spending
• CDC: Layoffs wont affect cruise ship inspections
• Royal Caribbean Group CEO responds to tariff impact on cruise industry
• I cancelled my European shore excursions because I wanted to avoid a common first time mistake
• Celebrity just brought back one of its best ships to the UK

New RCB Video: 6 Things You're Buying On A Cruise That Could Be FREE (Or Cheaper)

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 — 6 Things You're Buying On A Cruise That Could Be FREE (Or Cheaper) — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

How much a Royal Caribbean crew member makes working on a ship

Curious how much Royal Caribbean pays its crew members to work on a ship?

Chris Wong is a casino host, and shared what he's paid every two weeks by the cruise line.

He's candid about his salary on the ship and why his pay fluctuates from pay check to pay check.

CocoCay or stay on the ship?

Royal Caribbean's private island is arguably the best in the entire cruise industry, so why would some people prefer to skip a visit?

It might sound crazy, but some people opt to stay on the ship rather than get off and enjoy a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

While Royal Caribbean designed it to be as all encompassing as possible, there are a few good reasons to think twice about staying onboard.

$30 Orlando shuttle service to the cruise ship: review

Want a cheap and effective way to get to Port Canaveral from Orlando's airport?

Instead of taking a taxi or ride share service, Elizabeth tried out Go Port after hearing so many rave reviews about it.

At about $30 per person each way, it's a really good value.

Royal Caribbean is replacing its comedy club with a casino

On at least two ships, there are changes coming to the entertainment spaces onboard.

Both Utopia and Wonder of the Seas will have their Comedy Club and Crown Lounge space replaced with a non-smoking casino.

The work will take place over the next few months, and dedicate more gambling options for guests.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 560th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt discusses how he almost made a mistake with planning shore excursions for his European cruise, and what he did instead.

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

Mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month won't stop cruise ship inspections from continuing.

Earlier this month, news leaked that many workers let go at the Department of Health and Human Services, including people that inspect cruise ships. More than 2,400 employees at the CDC were let go.

Multiple CDC officials said the epidemiologist that lead the agency's outbreak response on cruise ships was included in the layoffs.

The work falls under the Vessel Sanitation Program, who's job it is to prevent and control public health issues.

According to a report by USA Today, a CDC spokesperson confirmed the ship inspections will continue.

"This work has not stopped, as the VSP is primarily staffed by USPHS commissioned officers who were not subject to the reduction in force," is what the spokesperson said.

Specifically, 12 U.S. Public Health Service officers will remain with the program, and they will continue the work.

How the CDC inspects cruise ships

The VSP was created to develop and implement a comprehensive sanitation program in order to minimize the risk of outbreaks on cruise ships and provide the public information on these health issues.

Random inspections of cruise ships occur throughout the year.

A cruise ship is given a rating on a scale of 0-100 once the inspection is complete.

In addition, the Vessel Sanitation Program shares information about incidents onboard ships where more than 3% of passengers or crew report being sick

posts outbreaks on its website if the ship is under the agency’s jurisdiction and 3% or more of the passengers or crew are reporting being sick, such as symptoms of GI illness.

"Cruise lines paid for this staff, yet it needed to be cut?"

Cruise fans were swift to question why the VSP staff had to be impacted at all.

On the Royal Caribbean subreddit, many shared their opinions on the cuts at the CDC and what it means for cruise ships.

"So...Time for more Norovirus?" asked archaego after hearing of the news. "This is just mind boggling. Cruise lines paid for this staff, yet it needed to be cut?"

That comment is based on the fact cruise lines pay fees that fund both the program and the staff. It is not funded with federal tax dollars.

ragingstallion1 posted, "I’d like to think lines would still do everything possible to keep ships clean for PR purposes, but greed will get the best of them."

therin_88 questioned how effective it was in the first place, "You really think the CDC was stopping norovirus outbreaks on ships?"

archaego wrote back, "Its like a front door lock, it keeps honest people honest. Outbreaks will still happen of course, the severity and the ability of the ship to deal with them is impacted by how prepared they are."

I've sailed on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ship in an ongoing effort to find the best free food on Royal Caribbean.

Every ship has certain restaurants that are included in your cruise fare, and I've generally been pleased with all. Not everything is amazing, but you definitely won't go hungry on the ship.

Eating at the "free" restaurants is a great way to stay on budget, as well as take advantage of what the cruise line has to offer. I know specialty dining gets so much attention, but I think Royal Caribbean has upped its included food game, especially with the casual grab and go spots.

It's quite tempting to dine at the specialty spots, but on some cruises I recently took, I opted to eat just at the included restaurants. Part of it was a challenge to myself to see what the food experience is really like without spending extra. But I also really enjoy the food, especially if I'm on a ship that I know has certain options.

Some meals were surprisingly great, others… not so much. Here are my top picks.

Which restaurants are included on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Every Royal Caribbean ship differs slightly in which restaurants are offered, both included and specialty.

There's a lot of carry-over between the ships, but some restaurant concepts only exist on a handful of ships.

Here's a list of the major free venues that apply across most ships, keeping in mind your ship may not have all of them:

• Main Dining Room (MDR)
• Windjammer buffet
• Cafe Promenade/Pearl Cafe/Cafe Latte-Tude
• Park Cafe/Cafe@Two70
• Boardwalk Dog House
• El Loco Fresh
• Sorrento's Pizza
• Solarium Bistro
• Aquadome Market
• Coastal Kitchen (suite guests only, but still "included")

What I ate at each restaurant and what I thought

Since you won't find every included restaurant Royal Caribbean offers on any one ship, I thought I'd break this down by restaurant and list the last ship I tried it on.

There's usually a good consistency between ships, but some iterations do vary depending on the ship class.  As an example, the Windjammer's size and stations are vastly different on a Vision Class ship compared to an Oasis Class ship.  

11. Boardwalk Dog House

I want to love Boardwalk Dog House more than I do, but the product falls short of the concept.

As you might imagine, this is a spot to get all sorts of hot dogs and brats.

The meat is fine, but it's everything else where it falls flat.  The buns are hard (previously frozen), and really take away from the food.

The sauerkraut is also strange, and not the same one they serve in the Windjammer. I can't describe it exactly, but it's not as good as the kraut you'd get at almost any hot dog stand you've been to on land.

10. Sorrento’s Pizza

The trope about cruise pizza is it's nothing special, but tastes better the later (and drunker) you are.

Royal Caribbean has upped its pizza game in recent years, and the product is better than it used to be. While I wouldn't go specifically for a meal, it's the perfect snack almost any time of day or night.

My kids swear by Sorrento's, and eat a few slices each day.

The fact it's open late (usually until 2 or 3am), makes it a convenient option.

There's usually three or four varieties of pizza offered: cheese, pepperoni, and something else.

The additional toppings can really vary in how good they are or not.  Carnivore and veggie are top picks.

9. Basecamp

Available only on the Icon Class ships, it's a convenient snack spot near the water slides, Flowrider and everything else at the back of the ship.

It used to be half included, but now the menu has been converted over to fully included.

The pretzel bites are worth a stop here, as they're akin to the microwaved soft pretzels you may have had over the years.  Eat them quickly before they harden back up.

The chicken fingers are also pretty good, and like the rest of the menu, it's the kind of food you'd want to grab when you're feeling peckish.

8. Cafe Promenade

Your ship will have a coffee shop onboard that may have different names (Cafe Latte-Tudes or Pearl Cafe) but the concept is similar across all iterations.

It offers both free and extra cost coffee and tea, as well as snacks.

The best version is Pearl Cafe on Icon Class ships because the quality of the food here is significantly better.

I usually find something to munch on when I'm on other ships too.  

In addition to the premium coffees, I really like the turkey wrap or the roast beef sandwich.

7. Park Cafe

One of the underrated choices for a meal is at Park Cafe (or Cafe@Two 70) that serves snacks and light meals.

I love going here for breakfast on a port day when I want something quick to eat without fuss.  

It's also a great embarkation day lunch spot that's going to be a lot less crowded than the Windjammer.

The best food here is the roast beef sandwich, that is served in au jus and topped with a kimmelweck bun. 

6. Solarium Bistro

The most easily overlooked included restaurant on any Royal Caribbean ship, but a fantastic alternative to the Main Dining Room.

It's usually open for all meals, and is one of the best choices for a less crowded breakfast. Because most cruisers don't know about it, it's quiet and still has custom made to order omelets.

There's also lighter and healthier options available.

5. Main Dining Room

I've been a fan of the Main Dining Room ever since my first cruise because I really like having the same table and waiter each night for dinner.

The menu has changed a lot over the years, but I've consistently found a few things to order on any night.

I think there's a good variety of choices to satisfy most palates, and the service has always been impressive. It's not perfect, and I've had nights where I've ended up in the Windjammer after, but more often than not, it hits the spot.

Certainly some nights are better than others.  Italian night, Welcome Aboard, and Mexican night are really good, but I'd skip Caribbean night.

It's also where you'll find an Indian dish every evening, and it's the best kept Royal Caribbean dining secret out there.

My top picks for the Main Dining Room are:

• French onion soup
• Shrimp cocktail
• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Indian curry choices
• Lobster (on second formal night only)
• Roasted beef tenderloin
• Lasagna al forno
• Chili-lime salmon
• Key lime pie

Dinner is the best meal offered, but breakfast is a good choice if you're in the mood for a casual start to your day.

A few dishes were disappointing:

• Turkey dinner
• Stuffed eggplant

4. Windjammer Buffet

The sheer variety of food in the Windjammer means you're probably going to find something to eat, even among the pickiest eaters.

I love the array of international cuisine. Not only is there usually a couple of Indian dishes, but Chinese, Italian, and Greek food.  

I think most people find breakfast to be pretty darn good, and lunch or dinner is more hit or miss depending on which theme there is that evening.

If you're eating at the Windjammer, I'd skip every buffet station and check out what's available at the cooking stations first. At breakfast, it makes customized omelets, and for other meals it could make pasta, stir fry, or some other cuisine. 

The food I'd recommend trying here are:

• Omelet station
• Stir fry station/Mongolian grill
• DIY Burger
• Indian curries

By far the worst food are the scrambled eggs that are served in the buffet tray. They're made from a mix and taste too watery.

I also think the desserts generally look better than they actually taste.

3. El Loco Fresh

The quick service Mexican restaurant is one of the best included restaurants you'll find, and it's the perfect pool deck meal.

There's tacos, burritos, nachos, and build-your-own options too.

The reason I like it so much is because you get to customize it the way you like it.  Grab tortillas and go to town making tacos with the amount of meat and toppings you prefer.

Because quesadillas or tacos are such crowd pleasers, it's one of the most popular options on any ship. 

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how fresh and customizable this is, and how it works for picky eaters too.

The best combo I've come up with is to take the plain tortilla chips that come in a bowl and top them off with every topping available, including a few hot sauces.

2. Coastal Kitchen

I'm including Coastal Kitchen in this list because it's complimentary for suite guests.

Essentially, it's a Main Dining Room for suite guests only (and Pinnacle Club members), that's open for all three meals.

Just like the MDR, some of the food is better than others.

Embarkation day dinner is probably the best menu offered, with a fantastic steak choice.

Plus, there's French onion soup served every day for dinner.

The weakest meal is lunch, and I always skip it.

Be sure to take advantage of breakfast on the final morning too.

1. Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean's first food hall concept, it's one of their best included restaurant ideas that have launched in recent memory.

This became my favorite included restaurant from the moment I tried it. Everything is prepared fresh and there's a certain level of customization to it.

The must try's include:

• Crepes
• Gyro sandwiches
• Mac and cheese

The only food I thought was lacking was at the Asian hall, because it's the same Chinese food you can get at the Windjammer without much difference.

What I would not do again

The only restaurant I've sworn off from eating at again is the Boardwalk Dog House. Every time I eat there, I'm disappointed.

I also wont go to lunch at Coastal Kitchen because the choices there just aren't that good.  Plus, I think El Loco Fresh or Park Cafe would be better options and quicker too.

One other thing I need to stop doing is overlooking Solarium Bistro. I admit I forget it exists because it's in a weird location that I don't walk past a lot.

What I’d do differently on my next cruises

One lesson I learned from eating at the included restaurants is to check the menu ahead of time, and pick the restaurant based on that.

The Main Dining Room is often better than expected, but certain theme dinners are better than others.

Alternating the dining room and Windjammer to provide more variety is a good baseline for many meals.

I also need to consider the smaller included venues more often.  I think my mistake was viewing meals in the context of a sit down meal, meaning I assumed I needed to pick one restaurant to have my meal at.

Instead, I could grab a slice of pizza to tide me over, but then go to El Loco Fresh for more later.  

I've also come around to embracing Coastal Kitchen as a really good choice. For dinner, there's usually something good available to try. Plus, eating here feels like a step up from the Main Dining Room but without the price tag of a specialty restaurant.

In fact, I'd like to start working in Coastal Kitchen when I have the opportunity for dinners. As a Pinnacle in Crown and Anchor Society, I can usually dine there and the French onion soup alone is reason to make a reservation.

When I'm on a port intensive itinerary (like in Europe), embracing the Windjammer is key. After a long day of touring, I just want something easy without fuss.

Ultimately, I'd recommend not overlooking any of these options simply because they're "free".  Specialty dining is wonderful, but you might be surprised how good the included food is, which could also free up money in your vacation budget.

After being delayed departing for a few days, Allure of the Seas is ready to welcome guests back onboard.

Before that happens, Royal Caribbean informed guests booked on the first sailing back that its first sailing will start a bit later than originally planned.

Passengers booked on the April 11th sailing received an update today that boarding would be delayed by 4 hours.

Allure of the Seas will be boarding in the Port of Barcelona a bit later than originally planned. Due to this delay, all arrival windows have been pushed back by four (4) hours. Please arrive according to your updated arrival time to ensure a smooth boarding process. We’ve sent you an email with further details. See you soon!

No reason was given for the delay, but it's possible because of a last-minute issue with the ship's propulsion that needed to be fixed.

The original plan was for Allure to depart the shipyard on Monday, April 7, but a technician discovered that several propellers had a problem.

It turned out the propellors were in poor condition, and additional work was needed beyond what was originally planned.

Royal Caribbean decided to take the extra time and replace them prior to the ship departing for her summer homeport of Barcelona, Spain.

According to local media, the cost is $2.2 - $3.3 million to make the fix.

The good news is there will not be any push back of Allure's return to service, minus a few hours.

Arrival times for check-in at the cruise terminal will consequently be pushed back 4 hours to adjust for the new time.

Big upgrades for the ship

Royal Caribbean has spent $100+ million on Allure's updates and changes, and it's the first ship to get major upgrades like this since 2020.

Over the past five weeks, Allure of the Seas has been getting a massive renovation to bring her up-to-date with amenities like Playmaker's, the Perfect Storm water slides, Ultimate Abyss, the Mason Jar specialty restaurant, resort-style pool deck, new Ultimate Panoramic Suites, and more. 

The updates were initially scheduled for 2020; however, her much-needed revitalization was indefinitely delayed because of the pandemic. Details regarding the dry dock were finally announced last August. 

Changes include the addition of water slides, the Pesky Parrot Bar, a revamped pool deck, new staterooms, an Ultimate Abyss slide, and many updates around the ship to make it look refreshed.

Key upgrades include:

• Installation of "The Perfect Storm" water slides and the transformation of the H2O Zone into Splashaway Bay for aquatic fun.
• A contemporary, resort-style pool deck featuring Caribbean-inspired décor, new seating, updated hot tubs, and the addition of The Lime & Coconut pool bar.
• A 10-story dry slide offering a thrilling descent to the Boardwalk neighborhood.
• Introduction of the Pesky Parrot tiki bar on the Royal Promenade, replacing the Champagne Bar, and The Mason Jar Southern American specialty restaurant on Deck 15.
• Addition of 30 new cabins, including the Ultimate Panoramic Suite near the ship's bridge, offering 914 square feet of space with 200-degree floor-to-ceiling views.
• Revamped Adventure Ocean kids' club with new spaces like Play Place, AO Theater, Workshop, Arena, and The Hangout, along with a relocated teen club, Social298.
• Laser tag sessions in Studio B, providing interactive gaming experiences for guests. 

Allure of the Seas will re-enter service in April, offering a summer cruise season in the Mediterranean with 7-night voyages.

Following Allure's season in Europe, she'll reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025. Allure will homeport in Port Everglades through October 2026, minus a short stint in Galveston, Texas, in March and April 2026. 

Royal Caribbean built arguably the best cruise line private island experience in the industry, so why would you want to skip it and stay on the ship?

Skipping Perfect Day at CocoCay sounds like sacrilege, and I felt the same way on my most recent visit while sailing on the world's biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

Believe it or not, a lot of people stay on the ship instead of going to the island for a variety of different reasons.  The impetus is less about if CocoCay is worth it or not, rather, it's about balancing needs on the ship and what sort of a day you'd like to have.

It's a surprisingly common dilemma for cruisers, especially those that have visited CocoCay more than once. While Royal Caribbean designed it to be as all encompassing as possible, there are a few good reasons to think twice about staying onboard.

I almost skipped CocoCay, but I’m glad I didn’t, and here’s why.

Should you stay on the ship at CocoCay?

If it seems crazy to skip your CocoCay day, it makes more sense if you consider the advantages of it.

The best reason to stay onboard is the same reason it makes sense to not disembark in any port: the ship is way less crowded.

One of the regrets I had from my Icon of the Seas cruise was I really didn't get to spend much time in the pools and waterslides. I booked so many things to do in the ports we visited, including CocoCay.

Because of how popular CocoCay is, your ship will feel like you have it to yourself if you decided to stay onboard.  Most people don't start returning to the ship until after lunch, so the morning hours are the best time to take advantage of quiet pools and hot tubs.  

Plus, there's no cost to use the waterpark on Icon of the Seas compared to the island's extra cost waterpark.

Another reason to stay onboard is if you've been to CocoCay before.

It might sound jaded, but some people like to go to a port of call and experience it, but the repeat value might not be there. Given how many cruise ships now visit CocoCay on almost every Caribbean itinerary, the chances you've been there before is quite high.

And did you know the spa offers some great deals if you stay onboard? 

There are spa specials every day, but the biggest discounts are reserved for port days.  There's so few customers willing to come to the spa on a port day, that they will often throw in more freebies or extra percentage off for services you book.

Another common reason I hear from cruisers why they stay on the ship is because they simply prefer shade and air conditioning to sun and sand.

I have to admit, I'm one of those people generally, because I hate being hot and sweaty.  

When you visit CocoCay in the summer, it can be stifling outside between the temperatures and humidity. 

Before you write off CocoCay, let's consider the top reasons you shouldn't skip CocoCay.

The hype is real, and Perfect Day lives up to the reason.

There are so many incredible things to do, and so much of it is included in your cruise fare. There are different beaches and pools, and also really good food.

If you have young kids, I think Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon are the perfect spot to hang out and let them splash.

There's volleyball courts, different bars to visit, live music to enjoy, and hammocks to take a nap in.

Plus, we're talking about picturesque Bahamian beaches that are what a lot of people envision with their vacation. You don't need to spend extra to enjoy it.

It's also easy to forget getting off the ship doesn't mean you have to spend all day there.

It’s easy to go for just a couple hours and return to the ship, giving you a taste of what's offered without committing to an entire day.

What I actually did — and why

I ultimately spent my day at CocoCay, but I went with a promise to myself.

We booked a beach cabana for my family to enjoy, thanks to a Black Friday sale that significantly discounted the price. Not only that, it was located in the Coco Beach Club and the food there alone is worth going.

While it's true you don't have to spend extra to have a good time, the fantastic discount made it too good of a deal to pass up.

Plus, it meant we could enjoy a relaxing day without worrying about vying for a beach lounger elsewhere on the island.

It's also my personality to get a bit of "cabin fever" after a sea day. I really enjoy being off the ship for a bit.

But the deal I made with myself was I wasn't going to fall prey to the "I paid a lot for this vacation and we're gonna have a good time, or else" dad trope.

Sure, I got a good price, but that meant my "break even" value point would be lower. When we felt sufficiently relaxed, we'd go back without trying to justify the value to myself.

As it turned out, we spent more time at our cabana than I imagined, and that's because we had very comfortable weather with low humidity and it wasn't that hot out.  Being we cruised over spring break, it meant the weather was much milder than I expected.

If I was going to have stayed onboard, I would have gone back in time and done that in Cozumel instead.

My ideal “half-day” strategy

If you're also teetering on what to do, here's what I'd recommend doing. In fact, I'll do exactly this on my next visit to CocoCay while visiting on the brand new Star of the Seas this summer.

Splitting your day and just going for the morning is a great compromise.

Getting up early and off the ship as close to when the gangway opens means you get to enjoy the cooler temperatures and a far less crowded start to the day.

Usually ships dock quite early, sometimes by 7:30am, so if you can be off the ship by 8am, you'll have your pick of where to go and sit.  There will be hardly anyone around.

In fact, you could head to Oasis Lagoon and grab one of the coveted in-pool loungers that are available on a first-come basis.

No matter where you go, it's going to be much less crowded in and out of the water. If you plan to snorkel, this should be your plan because the water gets cloudier later once people start kicking up sand.

Enjoy your morning, and head back to the ship either before lunch, or right after it. 

If you're back on the ship by 1pm, you could still take advantage of less crowds onboard at the pools and waterslides.  And you'll already have your bathing suit on!

Or, book a spa appointment.  Those port day specials apply in the afternoon too!

I think this is the perfect strategy for anyone that wants to try CocoCay without committing to the a day.

You do you

There isn't a right or wrong answer if you should stay on the ship at CocoCay. It just matters what's more important to you.

I think it's important to weigh your own preferences, and not be swayed by popular opinion.

Skipping CocoCay might seem strange to even consider, but you won't be alone.  There will be other guests around and the many facilities will remain open, including bars, the pool, and Windjammer buffet.

But you should also not look at your CocoCay day in absolutes. Being flexible and going in for just the morning is a great third choice, because you're not locked into an all-day thing.

Even if you’re on the fence, just give it an hour. You might fall in love with it like I did.

It's no secret cruise lines are building and expanding their private island and beaches, but Royal Caribbean Group's CEO doesn't see it as purely a money grab.

Private islands have become a major difference maker for cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, and they are working on building a second one in Mexico, along with beach clubs around the world.

The appeal is undeniable, but Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty thinks the media has gotten it wrong when it comes to the bigger picture involved.

"While there is economic benefit, we're building in these communities. We're creating jobs," he said this week while speaking at the Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami Beach earlier this week.

His view is the benefits go well beyond simply a money making endeavor, and there are important things missing from the narrative.

Economic growth for local communities

Mr. Liberty isn't denying that private destinations are profitable, but he believes that is not the only story to be told.

With its new projects they are working on, his company is partnering with the local communities to provide value to them too.

He explained, "The economic element of this is not concentrated per se in just the company. It's the broader economic activity that's happening within the area."

"In many cases, we're partnering directly with local citizens."

He's talking about how in places like The Bahamas and Mexico, Royal Caribbean is offering opportunities and incentives to the people living and working nearby to benefit too.

In the case of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, one percent of the annual gross revenue from there will be allocated to a National Investment Fund. 

Additionally, Bahamians will have the opportunity to invest in the project owning up to 49 percent equity, with the remainder held by the cruise line.

Over in Mexico, Royal Caribbean is going to bring its Perfect Day concept to Costa Maya, which is nearby the village of Mahahual.

The entire project will create 3,000 jobs, of which at least 1,000 will be in the construction phase. The rest will be jobs tied to the operation once it opens.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is partnering with Quintana Roo’s Agency for Strategic Projects and the University of Quintana Roo to ensure Perfect Day Mexico has a positive social impact. 

Royal Caribbean has promised environmentally sustainable facilities, including a dedicated water treatment plant and a reverse-osmosis system to provide a self-sustaining drinking water supply.

A recent Wall Street Journal publication talked about the how cruise-owned private islands are becoming more prevalent, "the idea is to keep them [passengers] in these private destinations for a particular amount of time, and to basically keep them spending there and not leave, "said Martha Honey, CEO of Responsible Travel Consulting.

Mr. Liberty explained there's more to these operations than simply the guest experience, "The articles that have been out there, they have just focused on we're building these things...they don't get into the experience we're trying to solve for."

"They don't get into the partnering that we're doing. They're not getting into the supply chain. They're not getting into all the employees that we're hiring."

Bringing more people around the Caribbean

Another benefit to building more private destinations is it brings a greater focus on ships sailing within the Caribbean, and that means more people to visit more islands.

Harry Sommer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., explained there's a net effect to consider as well. His company is looking to grow the amount of passengers sailing the Caribbean from 1.2 million to 2.2 million guests a year by 2026.

"The fact that we're bringing a million more guests to the Caribbean that are going to visit lots of different islands doesn't only mean that Great Stirrup Cay will have a benefit, it also means all the other islands that were that were visiting will have twice as many visitors as well," he explained.

"We think that's part of partnering with the local communities, and we're very proud to do that."

Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, Pierfrancesco Vago, agrees that the media has it all wrong.

"I heard about the news saying the private destination to keep our passenger spending is actually exactly the opposite," he retorted.

"It's a very good example of how we can support a circular economy in so many ways with the local population and obviously with our neighboring islands."

The Wall Street Journal video used MSC's Ocean Cay as an example of how the visit and some amenities are included, but there are extra cost add-ons, such as cabanas or ice cream.

Mr. Vago points out prior to MSC leasing the island, it was an "an industrial site dredging for aragonite."

"We developed that island from being an industrial site to replenish 700,000 plants so we can create the paradise."

Royal Caribbean's homebase is always going to be Florida, but it's ready to bet big with adding more ships in California.

While west coast cruises may never become as popular as their east coast compliment, we're about to see a shift in adding more ships than it's ever had there.

The Australia cruise season is coming to an end, and that signals the migration of cruise ships across the Pacific Ocean.

While many will head to Seattle and Vancouver to begin Alaska cruises, Royal Caribbean is ready to invest more further south.

Welcome to LA, Ovation

Ovation of the Seas will head to Los Angeles soon to start her summer season. 

Up until now, Royal Caribbean has only had one ship in the LA cruise market, and that came after a decade of completely omitting sailings from there.

Navigator of the Seas had been the only ship operating from Los Angeles ever since the cruise industry restarted operations in 2021.  

Ovation will not only add another ship to the California cruise roster, but it's no slouch of a ship either.

This is one of Royal Caribbean's newer and bigger ships. Ovation of the Seas is less than a decade old and is over 30,000 gross larger than Navigator.

The Quantum Class ships first entered service in 2014, and are known for being big ships with innovative features. They have an observation pod, sky diving simulator, robots that are part of a show, and more climate controlled pool space. 

There are even bumper cars on this ship, which are included in the cruise fare and it's a fantastic family activity.

My favorite spot on these ships is the theater at the back, with sweeping views of the ocean called Two70. It's anything but a conventional theater, as there are robot arms and moving platforms that can transform the show immediately. There are some shows that use the roboscreens to project fun and imaginative scenes that are captivating to watch.

When there isn't a show, it's a beautiful lounge for enjoying coffee, reading a book, or talking with friends.

Her arrival for summer 2025 will offer sailings down Baja California, including destinations like Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. 

Fares for these new LA cruises on Ovation of the Seas for her 2025 season start at $309 per person based on double occupancy, for a quick 3-night cruise to Ensenada, Mexico. Five or six night sailings begin at around $600 per person.

More ships are coming soon

Ovation's arrival marks a turning point in Royal Caribbean's attitude towards west coast cruises.

The cruise will bring two more ships to California soon.

Quantum of the Seas will also sail from Los Angeles, and for a short period, become the third ship to operate there at the same time.

Navigator paved the way for Royal Caribbean's return, and business has been so good that they wanted to add more ships.

Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service for Royal Caribbean International, is just as excited as future passengers to have so many ships sailing from the west coast, "As a Los Angeles native, I'm thrilled about this, but what excites me the most is the announcement that Royal Caribbean will have a brand new home port in San Diego starting Fall 2026. San Diego holds a special place in my heart since I went to college there, so I can't wait to go back soon to experience the new adventure for myself."

Beginning in October 2026, Royal Caribbean will homeport a ship in San Diego.

One advantage a cruise from San Diego has over LA is the convenience factor, as the cruise terminal is just 3 miles from the airport. Plus, it's convenient for many residents of Southern California to easily drive to without dealing with notoriously bad LA traffic.

Serenade of the Seas will offer a variety of sailings from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico and the Mexican Riviera.

This many ships operating out of California means more choices in itineraries and ships for consumers.  And it offers those on the west coast far more convenient options.

With the announcement of new tariffs from the United States, the cruise industry is starting to weigh what it means to them.

Speaking at Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami, Florida, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty joined a panel of other CEOs during the keynote "State of the Global Cruise Industry" session to address the geopolitical issues facing cruising.

It's quite early since the policy change was announced, but the question of what new tariffs and visa requirements will have on cruising.

Overall, none of the cruise line CEOs thought the tariffs would have an immediate impact.

Tariff question

One of the first questions addressed was the nature of new tariffs, but all of the cruise line CEOs said there was no direct impact from tariffs at this point.

They collectively shook their head, "no" and then talked about that tariffs will impact consumers.

Carnival CEO Josh Weinstein spoke more candidly about them, "The short answer is no, for various reasons."

"Because of how we could resource a lot locally," Mr. Weinstein said. "And we also go to different places, we're not we're not landlocked, so to speak."

But he did caution that a greater economic impact to cruises is not out of the question, "The uncertainty and the ripple effects absolutely has an impact on the industry.

"The hard part about that is that as of now, the answer is we don't know. And so anytime there's an answer, we don't know, it just takes some time for people to get comfortable with the uncertainty."

He went on to say that part of working with any government is to engage with them, "we listen well, we educate, and it's also one of the powers of our platform is it's flexible."

Ambitions to continue to grow

Mr. Liberty talked about his outlook given the recent economic woes by simply saying, "Current economic noise will not prevent our collective ambitions to grow this industry."

He pointed to the fact that all cruise lines are ordering ships further and further out, demonstrating the strong demand to build new ships.

He also pointed out that new ship growth isn't necessarily for the sake of adding new vessels.

"Because we are also looking further out, some of these ships are getting to 35 to 40 years in age, some of these (new ships) will be net replacement,” Liberty said.

That reality is paramount for Royal Caribbean as the Vision Class ships are approaching that milestone in age.

The cruise line has danced around the topic of replacing them with a new class of cruise ships, but so far there has been no official confirmation.

Destination is an important factor

One of the major topics discussed was the role of destinations, both private and traditional ports.

The moderator of the discussion alluded to recent mainstream media coverage of cruise line private destinations as, "building these to keep the money all to themselves," such as coverage by the Wall Street Journal.

Mr. Liberty dismissed this sort of coverage as missing the broader picture, "They focus on well, you must have a completely captured audience in doing that, they don't get into the experience we're trying to solve for."

What he means is new projects like Perfect Day Mexico and an array of private beach clubs are about making the guest experience better and partnering with local communities to create new jobs for them, and expose the cruise ship passenger to new opportunities.

"We're trying to elevate the experience and making sure that the end to end experience lives up to what our guests are expecting it to be," Mr. Liberty explained.

"The economic element of this is not concentrated per se in just the company. It's the broader economic activity that's happening within the area."

As an example, Royal Caribbean created an equity fund to provide fair market value of the four acres of crown land that the government contributed to the project.

There's also an investment fund to essentially buy shares in the investment fund to buy equity into the fund.

On top of all of that, a new tourism tax that will be part of this project that benefits local Bahamians, where 1% of gross profits are moved into a new tourism levy in perpetuity.

River cruises are about expanding choices for their customers

Mr. Liberty also talked briefly about the news that Celebrity Cruises will launch a river cruise division in 2027.

"We're trying to meet all of our customers, where they are, and the vacation experiences that they're seeking," he said after being asked about plans for this new venture.

Their research indicated customers wanted to try a river cruise to augment their cruise vacations.

"We look at what our guests are doing when they're not with us. One of the things that they tell us that they're looking to do, not as as a substitute for a cruise, but as an additional vacation experience is, is to go on river."

It's an opportunity to serve a need Royal Caribbean Group customers have while retaining business within their own ecosystem.