Another busy week of Royal Caribbean fun just wrapped up, but if you missed any of it, I have a concise look at all of it for you in this weekly news round-up!

Royal Caribbean released its European cruises for the 2025 cruise season.

Six ships will sail around Europe to Norway, the Mediterranean, Spain and more.

Highlighting the season is the return of Allure of the Seas to Europe, along with Odyssey of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean News

• Entertainment lineup coming to Icon of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas finishes sea trials
• Royal Caribbean Hideaway Beach construction update & changes to Coco Beach Club
• Royal Caribbean is sending fewer ships to Europe
• Celebrity Ascent has been delivered
• French shipyard cuts steel for Celebrity Cruises' next new cruise ship
• You'll save money on Royal Caribbean's WiFi internet with this trick
• I spent more than $1500 on a 4-night cruise. Here's what everything cost
• I celebrated Halloween on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, and it's my favorite holiday to spend at sea
• Taylor Swift fans organize group cruise for other Swifties
• 21 best things to do in Bimini, Bahamas

New RCB Video: I spent $1200 extra to stay in this "SUITE" for 7 days

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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 spent $1200 extra to stay in this "SUITE" for 7 days — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 518th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt reviews a three-night cruise on an Oasis Class ship.

Allure of the Seas is starting her run of short cruises, and it begs the question of if it's worth it to go on an Oasis Class ship for just a few days.

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.

I stayed in a $7,000 suite on Allure of the Seas for just 3 nights

Matt jumped at the chance to try the biggest suite on Allure of the Seas, even if it was just for the weekend.

He took his family on a 3-night cruise and booked the Royal Loft Suite, which cost just over $7,000.

This two level mega suite was big on just about everything, including having a jacuzzi on the balcony and the services of the Royal Genie. What was the room like and did he enjoy it?

Why I'm excited to go on a world cruise for 274 nights

Leah and Steve are just a few week away from embarking on Royal Caribbean's first ever world cruise.

The chance to sail around the world seemed too good of an idea to pass up, so they booked the entire transit.

Going on a cruise for such a long time has its own sets of challenges, but the couple are determined to make it work.

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale is here

You can start looking for deep discounts with Royal Caribbean's Black Friday offer.

Some cruisers think this is the best sale of the year, so now is the time to price out all those cruise add-ons.

The sale is active now, and runs through November 24, 2023.

Is a short cruise on an Oasis Class ship a good idea?

Having tried a 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas, Matt wrestled with the notion of if it's worthwhile to book a short cruise.

Oasis Class ships are packed with so many things to do, so will going on a short cruise leave you disappointed?

Matt gave it a try and found some great advantages of picking a weekend cruise on Royal Caribbean's mega ships.

You can buy Royal Caribbean WiFi for your Royal Caribbean cruise, but there's a way to save money if you need it for more than one person.

By pre-purchasing internet access, Royal Caribbean discounts the price on its WiFi packages, but we've noticed a discrepancy in the pricing structure that could save you up to $125.

This trick assumes two things: you are pre-purchasing internet before the cruise, and you need internet for more than one person.

Buying it onboard or for just yourself doesn't work for this trick.

Instead of buying a one device internet plan for each person, buy a multi-device plan for one person to share with others.

When you do the math, it becomes very apparent that there's a big discount right now from Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on multi device plans. Keep in mind this trick may only work while Royal Caribbean's Black Friday offer is active, so act quickly.

When you select who you want to buy a WiFi package for, instead of selecting a one device plan for each person in your group, choose up to a 4 device plan for one person.

Here's a look at the cost savings on an upcoming cruise on Allure of the Seas:

Two devices

$104.97 for a two device plan vs $125.94 for two one device plans

Three devices

$119.97 for a three device plan vs $188.91

Four devices

$125.97 for a four device plan vs $251.88

With the four device plan, you can net 55% off, which is the maximum discount.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader NoobCruise posted about this topic and couldn't believe the cost savings, "If I add the three people on my cruise I will get charged $300+, but if I just sign myself up for wifi and get 3 devices it much cheaper. Why would anyone do it the other way?"

The only downside to sharing an internet package with someone else is remembering to log out of a device so that the next device can log in.  With multi-device plans, it can be confusing which devices are logged in or accidently kicking someone out.

In my opinion, it's a minor issue to deal with in exchange for big savings.

Can you share an internet package?

You might be concerned about sharing an internet package with someone else, but this is allowed under Royal Caribbean's rules.

Internet packages can be shared because they are limited to a certain amount of devices at one time.

With any internet package, after the device limit is reached, a message appears to indicate you need to log out of the other device or force a log out.

Royal Caribbean's drink packages, however, do not allow sharing with other passengers, and this is likely where the assumption that the internet package cannot be shared.

Drink packages don't have a daily limit, whereas the WiFi package has a limit so it cannot be abused.

How to switch devices with a WiFi package

It's very easy to swap devices on your cruise ship.

Once you get onboard the ship, the purchase is preloaded, which means there's no special code to activate it.  Connect to Royal Caribean's WiFi and proceed through the menu to create an account.

Sign in under the passenger that purchased the multi device account. When you do, you'll see a pre-purchased device plan option that you can activate.  You'll know it's the correct one when there's a $0.00 charge at the bottom.

Pick a username and password and that's it.

Then, give the username and password to anyone that needs to have access.

The easiest way to sign out of a device is to open a web browser and go to logoff.com and that should let you know that device is now disconnected from the plan.

You can use an unlimited amount of devices throughout your cruise, but only the amount your plan allows for at one time.

Can I still save if I already bought a WiFi package?

Yes! You can always cancel any Cruise Planner purchase without any penalty, as long as you do it before the cruise begins.

To cancel your original purchase, go into the Cruise Planner and then select Order History from the menu.

Find the purchase you made and click cancel. The refund should come back to your credit card within a few business days.  

Any onboard credit you used for the original purchase will be refunded instantly so you can use it again.

You can then immediately go back and order the internet package using this trick to save the money.

Royal Caribbean's first ever cruise around the world begins in December 2023, and it will be a cruise ship filled with passengers who are ready to globe trot in a new way.

While the concept of a world cruise is nothing new to the cruise industry, this is Royal Caribbean's first foray into this type of cruise.

The Ultimate World Cruise will take 274 nights on Serenade of the Seas that will visit more than 150 destinations in 65 countries and 11 great wonders of the world.

Serenade of the Seas will sail roundtrip from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023 and through Sept. 10, 2024.

When Royal Caribbean first announced it would offer this cruise, many cruisers jumped at the chance to try it.

I wanted to know why a cruise around the world and a sailing that long was appealing, and what compelled them to book.

Leah and Steve are bloggers that booked the entire transit, and they shared why they booked and how they're planning a cruise of this length.

Why we started to consider a world cruise

A while back when I was in my 20s, I heard about a month long cruise that went to all of the religious centers of the world. Not much compared to the Ultimate World Cruise, but I really wanted to do it. At the time, it was beyond my financial resources.

Since then, it has been in the back of my mind to do a really long, epic adventure like that. So when I first saw the Ultimate World Cruise, I knew I was in. I would find some way to pay for it, because it was that important to me. 

My husband Steve thought it would be a great trip, but wasn’t sure that we could afford it. You see, he started saving for retirement late in life and has been trying to make up for lost time over the past decade. I pestered him by sending him a meme – I’m sure you have all seen it. The older couple in a Gondola in Venice, both sprawled out in the boat and sleeping.

The thousand words that this picture explains are all the reasons you shouldn’t wait until you are too old, and too tired to enjoy traveling and seeing the world. He laughed, but still thought retirement accounts would be a better use of our funds. 

Why we decided to book a world cruise

At the beginning of 2022, we were working in different locations. Steve was in Nebraska, and I was in Guam.

Communication between us on this was mostly texts and video chats. He came to visit me in May, and we had plans for him to join me in Guam permanently in a few months. Which he did in August. And less than 24 hours later, he had a heart attack. That minor event changed every plan we had.

Over the next couple of months we just concentrated on getting him the treatment he needed, and getting our heads wrapped around how are lives were going to change.

It took about three months for the dust to settle, and then that meme came up in my feed again. I showed it to him again, and this time he was more receptive to the idea. 

We did some research online. Called Royal Caribbean and they had a separate line set up for the Ultimate World Cruise, which was a good sign. But the folks answering the phone didn’t sound like they really knew the answers to the questions we were asking.

So we researched travel agents, and started working with one from MEI Travel. With her help, we got a better idea of pricing, were able to establish the date for final payment in order to get a 10% discount and spent some more time talking it over. We contacted our travel agent and made arrangements to make the necessary deposits.

Read more: Why first-time cruisers should use a Royal Caribbean travel agent

Then we started working on transfers for the final payments. Neither of us had a single credit card that would accommodate the entire remaining balance, so we had to get creative. And once the decision was made, we haven’t regretted it a bit. The hard part has been the waiting.

What we've done so far to plan for the world cruise

From our earlier research, we knew that to get all of the benefit of doing the full length cruise, we would need to have Platinum status with Crown and Anchor 180 days before the Ultimate Cruise began. Royal Caribbean was including seven excursions to new Wonders of the World as complimentary for everyone with this status.

Neither one of us had sailed with Royal Caribbean before, so we booked Junior Suites for three, five-day cruises out of Galveston in April 2023. The same itinerary for all three sailings.

We paid attention and learned a lot about cruising. We also had a blast, met some great people, and just enjoyed a relaxing vacation. Steve was already retired. His heart attack made it impossible for him to continue doing the kind of work we had done over the past decade or so. I was still working part-time from home, so I had to wait until my project was mostly finished before I could call myself officially retired. 

That was in September, and since then, we are planning, waiting, making plans, changing plans, and getting ready to be gone for most of a year. 

How we are planning for the Ultimate World Cruise voyage

Now that we have a few weeks to go, and I can taste the excitement. 

Since our embarkation day is now right around the corner, pretty much everything we do revolves around getting ready for the Ultimate World Cruise embarkation day. We are treating it like a deployment or overseas job.

We have to make sure we are healthy enough to be without major medical for 9 months. This means passing basic physical requirements. Eye exams – with two pairs of glasses each, in case one breaks. Teeth exams and cleanings. The works.

We’ve already talked to our insurance provider about getting a “vacation” 90 day supply of our medications, so we will be working on that next week. 

We are arranging shipping of some of our bags with Luggage Forward (This is an affiliate link which costs you nothing extra to use, but we make a small commission).

When people ask how you pack for a vacation like this, there are two options as I see it.

1. Pack for a typical 2 week vacation and buy things as you go.
2. Or overpack.

I – am over-packing.

Read more: Ultimate cruise packing list

We are also getting our home set up with a house-sitter. Forwarding our mail. Checking the online requirements for voting. Getting all of our travel documents together, including our vaccination records.

I am pretty pale even on good days, so I have been attempting to get a base tan before we leave. And my dermatologist has provided some additional items to help. There is nothing worse than starting a vacation with a horrible sunburn when you have all sorts of intense activity excursions planned. 

We don’t have any expectations for things to be much different than any other cruise. Other than the length and that some of our fellow passengers will come and go throughout the trip. There is already some level of disappointment due to current events and how those have changed our original itinerary, but it is perfectly understandable given the circumstances. 

Steve and I have often lived in cramped quarters, and already spend a lot of time together, so no concerns there!

What we are expecting of the Ultimate World Cruise

Since this is a first-of-its-kind sailing for Royal Caribbean, I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect, but we are making some assumptions.

Given the cost and length of the Ultimate World Cruise, we think we will be among the youngest of the crowd. I’m 52, and Steve is 59. A bit younger than the standard retired age.  

There probably won’t be a lot of families with young kids. 

We are guessing the number of people doing the full 274 days will be less than half.  There will definitely be a lot of interesting people to meet.

Steve and I will probably have the lowest Crown and Anchor society status when we first board.

One thing we are hoping for is a less busy gym than on our previous sailings. Steve and I both work out at least 6 days per week and on our last three cruises the gym was so crowded it was difficult to get a decent workout in. If we are correct about the general demographics of the Ultimate World Cruise, I think we will have a good shot at it. But I will have to keep you posted once we set sail!

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale has deals on add-on extras for your cruise.

The Black Friday offer has begun, and it could have discounts on pre-purchased cruise packages, with savings of as much as 50% for some items.

Many cruisers look to the Black Friday sale as the most lucrative point in the year to get the best prices.  It can vary how good the sale is, but now is the time to price it out.

While the Black Friday offer for booking a new cruise has yet to appear, Royal Caribbean is getting an early start on discounting its pre-cruise purchases.

Royal Caribbean Black Friday 2023 sale details

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on booking a new cruise offers up to $750 instant savings, plus 30% off everyone in the cabin.

Black Friday Sale applies to new bookings made between November 23 – 24, 2023 on sailings departing on or after December 23, 2023, and provides instant savings of up to $750 USD per stateroom.

Savings amount varies by stateroom category booked and sailing length as follows:

• 5 nights or less
  • $75 USD savings for Interior and Ocean View
  • $150 USD for Balconies
  • $250 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer 
  • $150 USD savings for Interior and Ocean View
  • $225 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

Black Friday Sale is combinable with 30% Off Every Guest and Kids Sail Free as well as with promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Shareholder Benefits, but not combinable with Ultimate World Cruise and Crown and Anchor discounts. 

Cruise Planner sale

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday sale applies to Cruise Planner purchases made between November 9, 2023 and November 24, 2023, and applies to select sailings departing November 13, 2023 — December 31, 2024.

Here is what is included during the sale:

Beverage: Up to 50% off

• Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
  • 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
• Classic Soda Package: 35% off onboard prices
  • 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
• Cafe Select Package: 55% off onboard prices
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Evian Water Package: Discount varies by ship.

Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.
  • Up to 50% off — all PDI sailings except Icon, Utopia, Ultimate World Cruise and Holiday sailings will only receive up to 30% Off shorex offer
  • Up to 30% Off — all other non-PDI sailings

Internet: Up to 55% Off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

VIP Pass: Up to 40% Off

• The Key: Discount varies by ship

Dining: Up to 45% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship.
• Chops Grille — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Giovanni's Table — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Hooked — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Izumi Hibachi Experience — Lunch: 20% off onboard prices
• Jamie's Italian Restaurant — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• The Mason Jar — Brunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Hot Pot: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Sabor: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Sichuan Red: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Wonderland: 40% off onboard prices

Spa: Up to 30% Off

• Spa Packages

Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off

• Strawberries with Champagne: 35% off onboard prices
• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: 45% off onboard prices
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries: 35% off onboard prices
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries: 35% off onboard prices
• Happy Birthday Bright Style: 35% off onboard prices
• Happy Anniversary Decorations: 35% off onboard prices
• Bon Voyage Decorations: 45% off onboard prices
• 9 Chocolate Covered Strawberries: 30% off onboard prices
• White Wine and Cheese: 30% off onboard prices
• Red Wine and Cheese: 30% off onboard prices
• Soft Octopus Travel Set: 30% off onboard prices
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel: 30% off onboard prices
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 30% off onboard prices
• Inky Beach Set: 30% off onboard prices
• Inky Octopus Family Travel Set: 30% off onboard prices
• Winter Blanket: 25% off onboard prices
• Luxury Robe: 40% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Water: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Coca Cola: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Diet Coke: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Bud Light: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Truly: 30% off onboard prices

Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off

• Photo Packages from 5 - 100 Photos: Discount varies by ship
• Private Photo Session: 65% off onboard prices
• Photo Package: All Digital: 65% off onboard prices

Onboard Activities: Up to 50% off

• All Access Ship tour: 25% off onboard prices
• Casitas Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
• Casitas Port Day: Discount varies by ship.
  • Up to 40% off onboard prices
• Ocean View Day Bed – Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
• Ocean View Day Bed – Port Day: 40% off onboard prices
• North Star Extended Experience: 20% off onboard prices
• FlowRider: 20% off onboard prices
• FlowRider Private Lesson: 20% off onboard prices
• RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience: 20% off onboard prices
• Escape the Rubicon: 20% off onboard prices
• Mission Control: Apollo 18: 20% off onboard prices
• Observatorium: 20% off onboard prices
• Sprinkle Time Cupcake Decorating Class:
  • Up to 25% off onboard prices
• Sip.Tour.Brunch.: 25% off onboard prices
• Cooking Class Guacamole: 15% off onboard prices
• Introduction to Pickleball Clinic: 40% off onboard prices

You can still take advantage of a better price on cruise add-ons

If you’ve already purchased add-ons like an internet package or spa service for your upcoming cruise, be sure to check the price of the add-on under the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.

If the price is lower, you can cancel and rebook the add-on with no penalty up to 48 hours before your cruise date.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class cruise ships are among the biggest in the world, but is a 3-night cruise worth it?

When these mega ships were designed, Royal Caribbean wanted to pack them with more to see and do than any other ship before it.  To the point, they offer a floating array of choices and activities.

In late October, Allure of the Seas became the first Oasis Class ship to begin offering regular short cruises, with 3- and 4-night sailings from Port Canaveral.

Next year, Utopia of the Seas will enter service and will begin by offering 3- and 4-night cruises, which is equally unheard of because traditionally new cruise ships start off with 7-night cruises.

This change lead to a lot of questions about what it's like to sail on an Oasis Class ship for just the weekend, and is it worthwhile to do so.

Read more: Guide to weekend cruises

I went on the first 3-night sailing of Allure of the Seas, which began on November 3, to see for myself.

More activities packed into the sailing

One of the top questions people have about going on a short Oasis Class cruise is if all the shows are still available.

Like her sister ships, Allure of the Seas has three primary theaters onboard: the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater, and Studio B ice rink. There's shows in each venue, along with comedy shows, live music, and more.

Royal Caribbean's entertainment team consolidated the show schedule to fit into a 3-night cruise, but the difference between a 3- and 7-night cruise schedule is there will be more than one show each evening.

On a longer cruise, you can afford to skip the first show time and catch it later. With the short cruises, there may be just one evening to see it.  Luckily, there are still multiple show times for each of the shows.

Like other short cruises that Royal Caribbean has offered on other ship classes, you'll find lots of activities throughout the day. The difference is that Allure has more venues than smaller ships, so there's more competing choices.

Read more: How different is a 3-night vs 4-night cruise?

A short cruise is like a trip to a city

At first I also struggled with how to best see everything on such a short cruise, but then I questioned why I had to in the first place.

When I take a trip to New York City, I don't aspire to see every major attraction in Manhattan, let alone the surrounding boroughs. I prioritize a few very important attractions, hope on seeing a couple of others, and understand that I need to come back to do more.

In the same vein, why should we feel compelled to try to see everything on a cruise ship?

If you talk to someone that has taken a 7-night cruise on an Oasis Class ship, they'll probably admit a week wasn't long enough to "do it all", but that didn't stop them from trying it.

A short cruise is fleeting, but this is true on Grandeur of the Seas as much as Allure of the Seas.

It reminded me a lot of going to Walt Disney World, because you could spend a week in that resort and never come close to seeing every ride.  

Wanting to return to have the chance to sail again on cruise isn't a downside, it's an indication that you had a really good time and want more.

Once I came to this realization, I felt much better about going on a ship as big as Allure for just 3-nights.

Where to eat?

Arguably the most difficult choice may be where to eat dinner on a short Allure of the Seas cruise.

Oasis Class ships redefined the cruise experience in so many ways, including how many restaurants could be on one ship. Before Oasis of the Seas was built, if a cruise ship had two specialty restaurants, that was a big deal.  Today, a ship with two specialty restaurants is disappointing.

Negotiating with my family which three meals we would have may have been the toughest aspect of such a short cruise.

Specialty dining has become extremely popular, and when we sail on an Oasis Class ship, we'll lean heavily into the extra cost restaurants because of the sheer variety.

Even though I'm lucky enough to cruise a lot, it wasn't easy being limited to just a few restaurants. Ultimately, we narrowed it down to 150 Central Park, Izumi, and Samba Grill.

I think we made a good choice overall, and when we return again next year for a 3-night cruise, we'll change up which restaurants we visit.

Having too many choice is still better than not enough.

Cheaper out the door price

Something else that jumped out at me with a 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas was the price.

On average, a 3- or 4-night cruise will cost less than a 7-night cruise overall.  Longer sailings may cost less per night, but the "out the door price" is usually cheaper.

This is a really attractive prospect, and it actually lead me to upgrade my cabin choice and try a suite because the cost was a lot less than I was used to.

The suite program on Oasis and Quantum Class ship is significantly better than the rest of the fleet.  By booking a suite on a weekend cruise, I could afford to splurge.

We booked the Royal Loft Suite, which had two levels to it, a giant wrap-around balcony with jacuzzi, and access to the services of the Royal Genie.

We never booked such an opulent suite before this because longer sailings made the price difficult to reach. But with a short cruise, it made more sense.

Even if you don't jump at a suite, it's quite likely you will find lower prices for a cabin on a 3-night Allure of the Seas compared to a 7-night cruise on Oasis of the Seas.

This means more people can try an Oasis Class without the premium price tag associated with a longer cruise.

Short cruises are aimed at new cruisers

Something else to think about is the strategy behind offering short cruises on Royal Caribbean's biggest ships.

Allure of the Seas' debut in this role, followed up by the brand new Utopia of the Seas undertaking it in 2024, is about attracting first-time cruisers.

All cruise lines covet new cruisers, because they are the single largest source of new customers and growth in the cruise industry. It's because the majority of the public has never cruised before, that's who Royal Caribbean wants to attract.

The problem is someone that has never cruised before may be leery of spending a week on any ship, even the brand new Icon of the Seas. So they tend to gravitate towards short cruises to give it a try.

So by offering cruises on their best cruise ships, Royal Caribbean is hoping to convert them into cruise fans with vessels that have all the latest and greatest features.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations

Was a 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas worth it?

Without a doubt, I was glad to go on Allure of the Seas for just the weekend.

I would have certainly preferred to have more time and go on a longer sailing, but that isn't always in the cards. The school calendar and work obligations curtail most people's ability to cruise, and a short cruise is better than no cruise at all.

I like to work in weekend sailings as a way to augment my longer cruises. I don't plan weekend cruises as our primary family vacations, but they are great for "let's get out of the house for a few days".

Going into the cruise, I knew I wasn't going to try everything, and I found myself liberated without that burden. Plus, it gave me a good reason to come back and do it again. I'm never one to shy away from a compelling reason to book another cruise.

We had a really nice time on Allure of the Seas for just 3-nights, and I think this will introduce the Oasis Class ships to a lot more people who will fall in love with cruising.

Work continues on the new adults-only area at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas.

After visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay on November 5th, I was able to get photos of the progress being made on the new expansion that will add an a haven for adults.

Read more: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips and secrets

Hideaway Beach will open in late January 2024 and will be open to only cruise ship passengers that are 18 years old or older.

This area is not included, and the exact cost to enter is priced dynamically based on your sailing and what time of year you're going. 

Here's a look at the changes and updates I saw while visiting this weekend.

Construction photo update

Hideaway Beach will be located on the western side of the island, essentially "behind" Thrill waterpark.

Access on foot is closed off to passengers, but we were able to get photos from the back of Allure of the Seas.

The most visible building under construction is On The Rocks, which is the first sports bar to be added to CocoCay.

Located on the rocky shore, it will be where to go to watch live sports and play games, such as pool and shuffleboard.

Looking further back, I can see the pool for The Hideout is starting to take shape. This is where you'll find poolside cabana with in-water loungers, outdoor shower access, Bluetooth speaker, floating beach mats, resort-style seating, a cooler, sink, mini fridge, charging outlets, ceiling fans, and private lockable storage space.

At the end of CocoCay is more construction work, that looks to be primarily staging for Hideaway Beach construction, along with new buildings going up.

New tram station added

When you walk down the pier, it's apparent they are adding a tram station near the current tram station to take guests to Hideaway Beach.

Royal Caribbean provides tram service around the island at no additional cost so that guests can easily get from point A to point B.

Currently, the new station is hidden behind planters to prevent guests from accessing the area.

Coco Beach Club cabana policy changes

I was also made aware of two changes to the Coco Beach Club cabanas during my visit to the island.

First, is cabana guests must wear wristbands, even when not leaving the cabana. 

The other policy change is for additional guests at a Coco Beach Club Cabana. 

If you want to add more than the 8 people included with a single cabana purchase, there is a charge of $50 per person, plus the purchase of a Coco Beach Club Day Pass per guest, for a maximum of 2 additional people.

Previously, only a Coco Beach Club Day Pass was necessary.

Royal Caribbean will offer its best lineup of shows and entertainment when Icon of the Seas debuts in January 2024.

Icon of the Seas is poised to become not only a popular new cruise ship, but the new standard within the cruise industry that all other new ships are judged against. The gangbuster demand Royal Caribbean has seen already is a strong indication that its new class of cruise ship is a home run.

As the ship wraps up construction, we have a look at the new shows you can expect to find onboard.

Royal Caribbean has traditionally been known for being a leader in the cruise industry from an entertainment standpoint.  Original productions are nothing new for Royal Caribbean, and the company continuously strives to ensure their entertainment is on par with Las Vegas.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir previewed the new shows coming to the ship, "If you’re a fan of full-scale productions on Broadway and the West End or live music and comedy in hot spots like Las Vegas, Icon has it all for every mood and style in one vacation – alongside never-before-seen twists only found on Royal Caribbean."

Here's a breakdown of all the new shows Royal Caribbean has planned for Icon of the Seas.

AquaDome

Within the AquaDome are two new shows.

More than 75 world-class performers are featured in the AquaDome, which is home to the next generation of AquaTheater.

The first is Aqua Action!, which is meant to indulge audiences with a lot high-energy.

This show incorporates Olympic-level high divers, skateboarders, aerialists, slackliners and synchronized swimmers. Plus, the cruise line is excited to introduce new technology, such as a double 3D flying system and robots doubling as diving boards and set creators.

The hope is it will, "blur the lines between live-action movie and theatrical experience."

The second show is Pirates vs. Mermaids, and it's a show geared towards the family that brings fairytale characters to the stage.

You can expect a lighthearted story that appeals to parents and children.

Royal Theater

The signature show on Icon of the Seas is arguably an original stage production of The Wizard of Oz.

Not to be confused with the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, this is Royal Caribbean's take on the classic story with a modern twist to it.

You can expect to see characters in the show "soaring above the audience", along with a revolutionary set design with never-before-seen stage effects, more than 600 costume elements and an original score performed by a new 16-piece orchestra.

Royal Caribbean is also incorporating a show for music lovers, called SHOWBAND! Live. Music. Now.

A total of 16 musicians will take to the stage to offer, "an all-out sensory experience." 

Expect string, woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists to perform in this show.

Absolute Zero

The ice skating rink on Icon of the Seas will be the largest ice rink at sea.  It will have over 2,850 square feet of ice, and two shows in this space.

Starburst: Elemental Beauty is a performance that is an artistic interpretation of the periodic table of elements. The Olympic-level ice cast will dazzle the audience with high-speed choreography and tricks.

Expect bigger tricks because of the new oval-shaped ice arena. Along with the tricks will be digitally mapped backdrops and vibrant lighting displays.

Another ice show is the Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball, and similar to Pirates vs. Mermaids, is designed for families to enjoy.

"Timeless tales will take everyone on a nostalgic ride through their childhood with twists and surprising new details not part of the originals."

More entertainment

There is also more entertainment on Icon of the Seas in other areas of the ship.  Royal Caribbean is well-known for offering live music in many bars and lounges.

50 live musicians and comedians will perform throughout Icon and in more venues, including the new Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues and Dueling Pianos, along with the Schooner Bar and the Point & Feather English pub.

The Comedy Club on Icon will have three comedians a night for adults to enjoy.

The Royal Promenade will feature a reimagined parade for families, Ships Ahoy!. 

Delivery is right around the corner

Icon of the Seas is nearing the finish line for physical construction.

In speaking with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider last week, he estimated the ship is right between 92-94% complete, and delivery of the ship is, "right around the corner."

Delivery doesn't mean the ship is ready, however. 

Once Icon of the Seas is delivered, the ship will head to Cadiz, Spain, where post-delivery work will commence.  This is when aesthetic elements of the ship are added, such as art work, furniture and more.

Speaking of art, Icon of the Seas will feature a "significant art implementation" that is about double the amount of art found on Wonder of the Seas, which is the world's biggest cruise ship today.

We love taking the family on weekend cruises as a quick escape, and when we got the chance to try the Royal Loft Suite on Allure of the Seas, it seemed like a great opportunity.

This is one of the biggest suites on Allure of the Seas and a cabin that has Star Class benefits, which means it has some of the best perks on the ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Suites Guide & Review

Ordinarily, a suite of this size would command a gargantuan price, but Allure of the Seas just shifted to doing short weekend cruises from Port Canaveral and that brought the overall price down to something more affordable.  For my family of 4, the price came out to $7,388.32 for the 3-night cruise.

I booked this cruise right when the itineraries were announced back in March of 2022, and that proved to be a good decision as the prices then were much lower than they later became.

Take a tour of spacious my hotel room at sea complete with two bedrooms, a jacuzzi on the balcony, and some of the best views from any cabin.

My suite was located on deck seventeen, which is deck reserved exclusively for suite cabins.

On this deck there are many other suites, along with the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen, an exclusive restaurant for guests staying in a suite (and Pinnacles too).

The layout of this deck is a "U-shape", and we were located on the aft facing port side.

When I tapped my room key card and opened the door, I walked into the living room.

The Royal Loft Suite has two bedrooms, a dining room, and large living room.  Let's start with the master bedroom.

Given that this suite has a loft configuration, there are two levels, with the master bedroom and bathroom being entirely located on the upper floor.  A staircase is how you access the second floor.

There is a king size bed, tv projector, and more closet space than you can possibly use.

There is no door to the master bedroom, but there is a remote controlled curtain that completely encompasses the upper bedroom to provide privacy and darkness.

The one noticeable feature missing compared to a newer cruise ship are power or USB outlets near the bed. The closest outlets were by the office desk closer to the staircase.

The office desk has a chair, and faces the balcony so you can have a view to enjoy.

Behind the bed is where all the storage space is located.  There are drawers and closets, and there seemed to be much more space than I could possibly fill.

The safe is also located in this area, long with a seating area with mirror.

The master bathroom is also enormous, with a toilet, bidet, two sinks, two showers, and a jacuzzi tub.

The showers have two adjustable heads, along with a rainforest shower.  All three can be used at the same time, or one at a time.

The second bedroom is located on the main floor, near the entrance to the suite.  It can sleep two people, and the beds can be separated if needed.

The second bedroom has its own door, which makes for better privacy for anyone sleeping here.

It also has its own television, along with desk and mirror.

Adjacent to the second bedroom is a full bathroom.

Each shower has upgraded shower toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

In the foyer is a piano, which you can play on your own or use an autoplayer feature.

There's also a library of books you can borrow for the duration of your sailing.

In the living room, you will find chairs, ottomans, sofas, and comfortable seating.

There is also a large television in the living room.

Behind the living room is the dining room, which is a very large table to enjoy meals delivered by room service.

The in-room coffee maker can make a quick cup of coffee anytime you want.

Stepping onto the balcony, there are three doors you can use: two from the living room, and one from the second bedroom.

The Royal Loft Suite has a wrap-around balcony that provides views of the ocean and Sports Deck below.

There is a wet bar outside that you can use, along with another dining table with lots of seats. When having food delivered to the suite, you have the choice of dining indoors or outdoors.

There are two giant loungers on the balcony that face the sports deck.

There are also comfortable loungers that face the ocean.

The "pièce de résistance" of the Royal Loft Suite is the private jacuzzi hot tub on the balcony, which faces the ocean.

The hot tub is available day and night, and is one of very few suites to have this feature.

Another compelling feature of this suite is the Royal Genie services, which provides VIP privileges to everyone staying in the cabin.

Of course, the Royal Loft Suite was far from cheap, but it's designed to offer one of the most luxurious accommodations you can find on Allure of the Seas.

I felt the suite delivered on the promise of a luxurious cabin for our family to enjoy on a short cruise.  We prioritized spending more time in the cabin and taking advantage of what the in-room amenities, along with the Royal Genie services.

If your family wants a lot of space, the absolute best perks, and are willing to spend a lot for it, then the Royal Loft Suite is a great choice for you.

More information:

• My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• What is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?
• A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class
• What is the most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean?
• How to maximize the value of a cruise ship suite

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

The daily gratuity rate is going up for your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

Beginning November 11, 2023, the automatic daily gratuity will go up to $18 per person per day for those staying in Junior Suites or lower cabins. Passengers in suites will pay $20.50 per person per day.

The old rate was $16.00 and $18.50, which was set back in September 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean cancels 2024 Israel cruise season
• The Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas will be a leap forward with new innovations
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship rescues individual who went overboard
• How does one of Norwegian's oldest ships compare to Royal Caribbean's oldest ship
• Why I don't mind sailing on small cruise ships
• I saved $240 on my cruise by letting Royal Caribbean choose my room
• How Royal Caribbean celebrates Halloween on its cruise ships
• Royal Caribbean's new adults-only beach is seeing "gangbuster" demand

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 517th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt reviews his Canada & New England cruise.

Having taken his first cruise to the east coast of Canada, Matt shares what stood out from this sailing.

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.

New RCB Video: Is it possible to cruise too much?

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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 — Is it possible to cruise too much? — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

2025 Alaska cruises

New Alaska cruises are available to book for the 2025 cruise season.

Royal Caribbean opened the new sailings this week, which are spread across four ships: Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, & Radiance of the Seas.

The new Alaska 2025 cruises are available to book between May and September 2025.

Royal Caribbean clarifies loyalty and suite lounge access

Royal Caribbean updated when it would limit the amount of top tier cruisers that could go to its loyalty lounges.

Effective immediately, if there is a sailing with a large amount of top-tier members, some of them may not be able to go to the Crown Lounge between 5pm and 8pm. During those hours, only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members have access. 

During the rest of the day, there would be no restrictions.

7 things that surprised me on my first Canada & New England cruise

Even though Matt has cruised a lot, taking a Canada & New England cruise had its own set of surprises.

From the beautiful landscape, to the terrific dining, and welcoming people, it was a fantastic kind of cruise.

Many parts of the seven-night cruise surprised Matt, such as how gorgeous everywhere we visited is how valuable time was ashore.

What our readers regretted packing for their cruise

Packing for a cruise isn't always the easiest thing, especially with overpacking.

Overpacking your suitcase can be stressful, and it just adds heft to getting to and from the ship.

Our readers shared hundreds of comments on the things they brought on a cruise and instantly regretted.

Royal Caribbean adds new express pass

Look for a new way to speed up the check-in process.

There's a new Express Boarding option being tested on Freedom of the Seas, that will reward those that do all the check-in steps pre-cruise with an easier way to get onboard.

Guests with this option can look for Express Boarding signs inside the Cruise Terminal.

Royal Caribbean will make specialty restaurants reservable pre-cruise if you have a dining package

Royal Caribbean is experimenting with a new way to allow guests that purchase a specialty dining package to make reservations pre-cruise.

The test is being conducted on Wonder of the Seas only, but the expectation is for it to be available across all ships in early 2024.

With this new upgrade, you'll be able to book reservations pre-cruise for specialty restaurants if you buy a dining package.