Cruise ship buffets are well known for offering a wide variety of food, but it's so easy to grab the first thing you see instead of the best items.

Part of the appeal of a buffet is arguably to load up on just about everything you care for, whether or not the food goes together is secondary.

After all, indulging on a cruise is part of what makes vacation fun.

I've found Royal Caribbean's Windjammer buffet to be a great choice for any meal. While I might not want to eat there for every meal, it always satisfies in a pinch.

Without a doubt, the hidden secret to the Windjammer is to look past the buffet lines and head to the cooking stations towards the back.

Freshly prepared food

It's hard to go wrong with the sheer variety of food around the buffet, but it's all food that was made in a batch.  It's not bad by any means, just not as fresh or customized as you'd like it.

Within the Windjammer are one or two cooking stations on every ship, and this is where I go first.

The cooking stations offer a specialty that a chef will make on the spot, and just the way you want it.

In the morning, this will be an omelet station where you can have your eggs prepared just as you want them. 

Moreover, there's a selection of vegetables and meats you can include in your eggs so you have them just the way like it.

Usually you can place your order and are given a pager to be notified when it's ready.  Most of the time, it's about a 5-10 minute wait.

Not only are the eggs made as you like them, but the taste is so much better than the mass-produced eggs you'll get elsewhere.

For lunch and dinner, the cooking stations shift to a specific food type and it varies each day and meal.

I've seen all sorts of cooking stations across different ships including:

• Asian stir fry
• Pasta
• Fried rice
• Soup

My two favorites are the Asian stir fry and pasta.

On my recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas, they had stir fry on just about every evening for dinner, and I kept going back again and again.  Sure, the rest of the buffet changed things up, but nothing ever quite compared.

Without a doubt, the appeal of these cooking stations is you can customize it exactly the way you want and it's all prepared on the spot. This is especially helpful for vegans or vegetarians.

And best of all, it's included in your cruise cost! It's surprising you can go to the cooking stations as many times as you want for no additional cost.

In my experience, a lot of cruisers head straight to the buffet lines and load up before they even see the cooking stations.  That's partly not their fault because the cooking stations are always in the back.

It's fairly common to hear from a cruiser they were unaware that was even an option. They assumed the stations were meal prep areas for the rest of the buffet.  

Cooking stations address the biggest problem with a buffet

Eating at a buffet is controversial for some people because it feels cheap and there's food quality concerns.

Because the cooking stations are all made when you order it, you don't deal with food that may have been sitting under a heat lamp for a bit.

Plus, the serving size is usually big enough to be considered an entree in and of itself. 

I especially like it when my kids want to go and have chicken fingers, hot dogs, or a burger and I don't have to feel like I'm compromising on my meal.

More Windjammer tips

Ready for a few more Windjammer secrets? Here's my best advice to take full advantage of Royal Caribbean's buffet.

Go there early

The Windjammer is open most hours of the day, but there are definitely peak times where it can feel very crowded.

• Embarkation day lunch
• 8am to 10am every morning

Ideally, you'll go on embarkation day before noon.  Get an early check-in time for your cruise, and then head up in the 11am hour before it gets really crowded.

As for breakfast, you should either try to wake up early and go, or sleep in and make brunch happen instead.

On ships that don't have Coastal Kitchen, there is usually a reserved area for suite guests or Pinnacle Club members for breakfast nearby, so ask a crew member where it's located.

Don't stop at the first station

When you walk in, everyone seems to stop at the first station to get food.

A lot of the food around the Windjammer repeats itself, with the same dish available in the back. Moreover, there's more options in the back and you don't need to go to each station in a linear fashion.

In fact, I think the food in the back is a better selection and far less crowded.

Get your drinks after your food

There's self-service drink stations where you can get water, coffee, and flavored waters, but get them after you have your food.

If you get your drinks first, you're going to have to try to balance the cup, your plate, and the serving tongs.

Take advantage of seating all the way in the back

If you're struggling to find a table, keep heading back.

Most people plop down at the first table they find, so look towards the rear to find more options.

On Royal Caribbean's Radiance and Quantum Class ships, there are outdoor seating areas at the very back that offer fresh air and great views with your meal.

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas has become the standard all other cruise lines compare their beach days to, and it's clear Carnival is taking notice.

Ever since Royal Caribbean overhauled CocoCay, it seemed to leap all the other private islands by going well beyond a beach and BBQ lunch offering.

Carnival announced on Tuesday its plans to upgrade Half Moon Cay, which is shared with Holland America Line.

Just like Royal Caribbean, Carnival is renaming its island.  The new name will be "RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay." You would not be alone in noticing "RelaxAway" rhymes with "Perfect Day".

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said in a statement, "Calling this piece of paradise RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay reinforces our commitment to preserve the attributes that make the destination so appealing as we expand access and welcome more guests to the destination’s crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and lush landscapes."

"Many of our 2026 and beyond itineraries will feature both RelaxAway and Celebration Key, providing guests with complimentary experiences enjoying both idyllic and ultimate beach days."

The new enhancements will begin to be completed by summer 2026 and continue through the end of the year.

What's coming to RelaxAway

Because Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line share visits to the island, the upgrades will be a joint operation.

When the work is done, the island will have an expanded beachfront experience, lunch venues, a variety of bars and, "other features that will reinforce the destination’s natural beauty and tropical appeal."

Another page out of Royal Caribbean's playbook is to add a pier to the island.  This will allow cruise ships to dock instead of tendering to the island.

The newly-constructed pier will be located on the north side, and can accommodate ships as large as Carnival’s Excel class ships. This will be the first time those size ships can visit the island.

When guests walk down the pier, they'll get to the welcome plaza on the island’s south and north sides.

The south side will "receive a refreshing Bahamian touch-up", a new beach club, an updated lunch venue and renovated facilities.

On the newly developed north side, there will be two lunch venues and a variety of island-themed bars. 

There will also be a new tram service to make it easier for guests to get around the island. 

In addition, lounging areas will be expanded, cabanas added and a new shore excursion pier on the north side will connect guests with recreational activities. 

Carnival says all of these upgrades are designed with nature in mind, "including architecture that complements the island’s stunning authenticity."

Expect further details to be revealed in the coming months. 

Private islands are big business

Cruise line private islands are not a new concept, but offering more than just a swath of beach is different.

All the major cruise lines have at least one private destination, and many lines are up to two. Royal Caribbean has CocoCay and Labadee, with a third coming to Mexico.

Private islands make good business sense. They capture more of their customers spending, the capacity and amenities are directly controlled by the cruise line to ensure it matches up with their standards, and it delivers high guest satisfaction rates.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said their private island is at the very top of guest approval rankings, "CocoCay is the number one destination that Royal Caribbean goes to in the world out of 100 global destinations, because it’s a curated experience designed and built to deliver a high-level experience to the customer. At the end of the day that’s all that matters."

With overtourism concerns and votes to limit cruise ships abound, private islands are seen as a safe bet to ensure ships have a good fallback if itineraries need to be altered.

Plus, it's generated extra revenue for the cruise lines.  At a time when all cruise lines are paying back hefty loans incurred during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020-2021, increasing revenue anywhere possible is a smart move.

Carnival isn't just working on Half Moon Cay. They've already announced a $600 million project  to build its private destination at Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, which is set to open in 2025.

When you can go on a cruise for cheap, it's difficult to find many faults, but there are some downsides to a low-cost sailing in an inside cabin.

Thanks to an amazing offer from Royal Caribbean's casino, I was able to go on a 5-night cruise to Mexico for just $200 in an inside cabin.

There's no doubt it was a fantastic value, but I missed having a view and easy access to the outdoors more than I expected.

I've been cruising for a couple of decades now, and I've stayed in plenty of inside cabins before. I'm not someone who tried it for the first time and had a kneejerk reaction to it, so I knew what the experience was like.

However, this time around, I found waking up in the morning to pitch black more jarring than in the past.

Because my inside cabin on deck had no windows, the room was pitch black when my alarm would go off in the morning. I felt like my brain didn't connect that it's morning and I kept thinking I was waking up in the middle of the night.

Likewise, if I woke up on my own, I had no idea if it was 2am or 7am.  It's my personal theory the secret to falling back asleep quickly if you wake up at night is not to open your eyes or check your phone, so a few times I probably woke up 10 minutes before my alarm went off and tried to go back to sleep, only to be awoken again by the alarm.

Had I been in an oceanview cabin or balcony, I would have sensed some light coming in the room and been more aware if it was night or day time.

By the end of the 5-night sailing, I knew the next time I stay in an inside cabin I need to make changes.

I think one factor for me was the length of the sailing.  Most (if not all) of my inside cabin experiences have been on short weekend cruises.  

Weekend cruises go by so quickly and there's so much happening that I don't think the lack of light impacts me as much as on a longer sailing.

While I loved how easy it was to fall asleep in the darkness of the room, I lamented every morning re-adjusting to that lack of light.

I'd stumble around getting up, turn on the lights in the cabin and bathroom, and it felt like "deer in headlights" every time.

Of course, once I was awake and had my wits about me, my inside cabin was perfectly acceptable.

It's not spacious, but it offers just enough space for my belongings and there's room at the vanity for my laptop so I can start my work for the day.

In fact, I think the amount of storage space for a ship as small and old as Serenade of the Seas is ample, and it's better than some newer ship inside cabins I've been in.

Three things I'll do differently next time

Since coming home, I started working on how I could make the inside cabin experience better to avoid this issue.

First, I will bring a sunrise alarm clock with me on my cruise.

I probably mocked this device the first time I heard of it, but I think this would be the game changer for my problem.

It's an alarm clock that has a light that will illuminate slowly to let you know there's daylight out.

The sunrise alarm clock I bought has a gradual light, with two alarms and even has noise you can sleep to: birds, running water, white noise, and more. (Link contains an Amazon affiliate link that costs you nothing extra to use, but I get a commission if you buy it)

It also has a sunset feature which will slowly get darker as the evening progresses, but I doubt I'd use that feature since that never bothered me.  Plus, I'm rarely in my cabin past dinner until it's time to sleep.

The second thing I'll bring with me is a nightlight for the bathroom.

I was lucky that this particular cabin had a motion activated light in the ceiling. I had never seen that on any Royal Caribbean ship, and I assume it was added because of the World Cruise.

Some newer Royal Caribbean ships have a standby light in the bathroom, but the one on Serenade was pitch black. 

I'll admit, there are times I've tried to use the facilities without turning a light on so that I could fall back asleep easier, but it doesn't always work out as well as my memory of the bathroom would lead me to believe.

Therefore, a battery operated nightlight is probably the right move to pack as well. (Amazon affiliate link included here)

It's powered by 3 AAA batteries and has LED lights that are activated when motion is detected. The base is magnetic too, so that means you can attach it to any wall or door in your cabin.

Lastly, I'd probably at least consider trying bidding for a stateroom upgrade.

It never crossed my mind to try a Royal Up bid, but I also think I was focused on my super cheap deal. 

Nonetheless, I bet it would have been a low cost to move up to an oceanview cabin. For $50-$100 extra, it probably would have been worth trying to upgrade my cabin.

Of course, there's no guarantee there will be an upgrade option actually available or that your bid will win, but it's a low risk and high reward option.  As long as the bid isn't too outrageous, I feel like it might be the perfect opportunity to give it a try.

There's one extra important step to take before going on a European cruise in 2025 if you're sailing from the United Kingdom.

There's a new requirement for tourists visiting the UK that goes into effect next month and it adds a piece of digital paperwork

As of January 8, 2025, travelers from the United States, Canada, and Australia will need to obtain a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. European nationals have until April 2, 2025 to start using it.

It applies to tourists, business travelers, and even flight layovers. If you try to go to the UK without a valid ETA, you may face fines or be denied boarding by their airline.

The point of it is to enhance border security through advanced screening.

Essentially, this is a digital travel permission system. Don't confuse it with a visa, as it's meant to streamline border control processes and allows authorities to screen travelers before they arrive.

Do you need to get an ETA?

If you aren't a resident of Ireland or the UK, you're probably going to need to get an ETA.

However, when you need to start getting one depends on where you live.

Residents of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have already been using the system as part of a pilot program.

Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia: The new requirement begins January 8, 2025.

Citizens of European Union countries, along with other eligible European nations: The requirement doesn't begin until April 2, 2025, but since cruises are in the summer, they'll still need to get one for this season.

The following people are exempt from getting one:

• UK and Irish citizens
• Travelers with valid UK visas

How the ETA works

The application fee is £10 ($13 USD), and it's all done online.

Once you do it, you can use it for for two years or until the your passport expires, whichever comes first. That means you can take multiple trips to the UK without re-applying again.

Here’s what you’ll need to apply:

1. A valid passport: Ensure your passport has sufficient validity for your travel plans.
2. A recent digital photo: The photo must meet UK passport photo requirements.
3. Travel details: Provide the dates and purpose of your trip.
4. A valid debit or credit card: This will be used to pay the £10 application fee.
5. An email address: This is where you’ll receive confirmation of your ETA approval.

The system claims it can take up to 3 days to process, but some people are reporting it taking just a few minutes.

You can apply for an ETA online or through the iPhone or Android apps. 

You just need to have it before you begin your travel to Europe. The airline may ask to see it before you fly.

Royal Caribbean has three drink packages, and the price is headed up in 2025.

Having unlimited drinks on a cruise is so popular with cruisers that demand is driving prices up each year. It's no surprise given how many people that go on a cruise ship are looking to relax and not worry about bar bills later on. 

They're a popular choice because you can enjoy beers, wine, cocktails, mocktails, and soft drinks for a fixed price, but they aren't cheap either. Demand for drink packages has only sent prices higher over the years, but there are ways to get a better price and ensure you don't overpay.

It's important to understand what the drink package includes for the price, and how to get the best possible deal by finding the lowest prices.

Drink package prices in 2025

Royal Caribbean uses variable pricing for its unlimited drink packages, which means the price will depend on which ship you are sailing on and the sail date.

In general, newer ships have higher prices for drink packages.  Similarly, cruises over a major holiday and/or during a popular time of year for vacations will see higher prices.

In researching 2025 Royal Caribbean drink package prices, here's what you can expect it will cost:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $55 to $115 per person per day
• Royal Refreshment Package: $40 per person per day
• Soda Package: $15.00 per person per day
• Water Package: 12 bottles for $45
• Coffee card: $31 per card

There is also a mandatory 18% gratuity added to the cost of a drink package, which you will see referred to as a service fee when purchasing it.  This gratuity covers any drink you order from a waiter or bartender.

By far, the price of the Deluxe Beverage Package has the widest range of possible prices.  That is largely due to how popular this drink package has become, and with so many different cruises to choose from, the cruise line plays with the price to get top dollar for it.

What is a drink package?

Royal Caribbean has two types of drink packages: unlimited packages and prepaid limited amounts.

The most popular are the unlimited drink packages, which offer a flat cost for as many beverages as a passenger would like in one cruise.

The unlimited drink package benefits are only for the person buying it, and it cannot be shared with anyone else.

The three unlimited drink packages include:

Deluxe Beverage Package

The Deluxe Beverage Package includes all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks per person for the entire duration of a cruise.

It includes:

✅Cocktails, spirits, liqueurs
✅Beer
✅Wine (by the glass)
✅Mocktails
✅Premium coffees & teas
✅Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
✅Coca-Cola souvenir cup
✅Bottled still and sparkling water
✅Fresh squeezed juices

The only drinks not included in the Deluxe Beverage Package are top shelf liquors, wine by the bottle, or Starbucks drinks from a Starbucks kiosk.

Since it includes pretty much every drink, it's also the most expensive package and is the only one that has a rule that requires if one adult buys the Deluxe Beverage Package, then all the other adults in the same stateroom must purchase it also. This is to prevent sharing the drink package benefits with other guests.

There is a workaround to this rule, if you call Royal Caribbean and ask for the other person in the cabin to get the Royal Refreshment package instead.  

Royal Refreshment Package

If you prefer to have unlimited non-alcoholic drinks, then the Royal Refreshment Package is for you.

It includes everything the Deluxe Beverage Package includes, except for alcohol.

❌Cocktails, spirits, liqueurs
❌Beer
❌Wine (by the glass)
✅Mocktails
✅Premium coffees & teas
✅Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
✅Coca-Cola souvenir cup
✅Bottled still and sparkling water
✅Fresh squeezed juices

This drink package is popular with teens, as well as light drinkers.

Soda Package

For anyone that just wants soft drinks, Royal Caribbean has an unlimited soda package.

This package includes just soft drinks by the glass from any bar, restaurant or lounge.  It also includes the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine on ships that have it.

❌Cocktails, spirits, liqueurs
❌Beer
❌Wine (by the glass)
❌Mocktails
❌Premium coffees & teas
✅Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
✅Coca-Cola souvenir cup
❌Bottled still and sparkling water
❌Fresh squeezed juices

It may be a surprise to hear the soda package does not include bottled water.

Bottled water package

While not unlimited, there is the option to buy a supply of 12 bottles of Evian water to be delivered to your stateroom.

For someone that prefers bottled water, this is a more cost effective way to have lots of bottled water for a cruise with the convenience of having it delivered to the cabin.

Another advantage of the bottled water package is you can share the bottles of water with anyone.

Coffee punch card

If you love coffee, you can get a punch card good for that sailing with a set amount of premium coffee based drinks.

You can redeem the coffee from Royal Caribbean coffee locations, such as Cafe Promenade, Cafe @ Two70, or Cafe Latte-tudes.

It does not work at freestanding Starbucks kiosks.

Like the bottled water package, you can share the punch card benefits with others if you wish.

Are there discounts on drink packages?

Royal Caribbean always offers a pre-cruise discount on its drink packages.  In short, you'll save money by buying it before the cruise rather than onboard.

You can find the discounted price in the Cruise Planner section of the Royal Caribbean website, or through the Royal Caribbean app.

There are sales nearly all the time, which means the price fluctuates throughout the year.  The price you see today may be different tomorrow, next week, or next year. 

Your best bet is to buy the drink package as early as possible, and then cancel and rebook it if there is a price drop.  It's a mistake to wait to see if the price drops first before buying, because sometimes the price goes up and never comes back down.

Read more: How to avoid the most common cruise drink package mistakes

The Deluxe Beverage Package price tends to change the most, with there occasionally a discount offered on the Royal Refreshment package.

You should not expect to see any discounts for the Soda package or the limited quantity drink packages, although it's not entirely unheard of either.

Periodically check the Cruise Planner for new prices to see if there's a better discount.

Keep in mind what someone else paid for the drink package has no bearing on what you can expect either. The dynamic nature of pricing and the lack of a price match program makes comparing drink package prices to someone else meaningless.

Members of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society whom are at least Diamond or higher can get an onboard discount for drink package purchases, but it cannot be used online.

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

The online discount tends to be about the same or better than waiting to book onboard with the Crown and Anchor discount, so I don't recommend waiting to use it.

Read more: Best Time to Buy A Royal Caribbean Drink Package

How do you buy a Royal Caribbean drink package?

You can buy a drink package online, onboard the cruise ship, or by phone. No matter how you buy it, you will be charged immediately at the time of purchase the full amount at that point.

I think the easiest way to buy a drink package is online before the cruise begins.  

You can do so by going to the Cruise Planner website and booking it there.  You could book it from the Royal Caribbean app as well, but I find the Cruise Planner site easier to track price changes.

If you prefer, you can call Royal Caribbean by calling 1-800-398-9819 and placing an order with a cruise line representative.

Lastly, you could wait to buy a drink package onboard your cruise ship from any bar or restaurant. There's usually tables set up around the ship on embarkation day advertising the drink package too.

Is a Royal Caribbean drink package worth it?

Drink packages are expensive, but they can save you a lot of money if you are the type of person who can drink enough to make it worthwhile.

The convenience of not having to think about racking up a giant bar bill is enough for some people to warrant buying a drink package. 

Most people try to think if they will drink enough every day of the cruise to save them money compared to if they just bought each drink individually.

The bottled water and coffee card are the easiest drink packages to determine their value.  With the bottled water, you could bring home any unused water so there's little risk in wasting it.  Of course, Royal Caribbean provides complimentary water and coffees and teas, which is satisfactory for most people.

The Refreshment Package is worth it if you can mix in enough beverages every day.  

A $5 latte, $2 bottled water, $7 for a mocktail, and $4 soda adds up every day (plus gratuity), and with an unlimited amount, you could grab extra bottled water, or get a second coffee and really take advantage of the package.

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, the more hard liquor you order, the more the Deluxe Beverage Package makes sense.

If you drink 6-8 cocktails per day, it's worth it to get a drink package. Likewise, if you drink 9-11 beers per day, it could be a good idea too.

That may sound excessive, but people tend to drink differently on vacation than at home.  If you were to order a latte and bloody mary in the morning, two beers by the pool in the afternoon, two glasses of wine at dinner, and then a cocktail or two in the evening, you're pretty much breaking even on the Deluxe Beverage Package.

I think a drink package is worth it if you're remotely in the neighborhood of drinking enough every day, coupled with the convenience of having it all prepaid.

In addition, you can buy a drink package many months before the cruise begins and pay it off on different billing cycle than onboard the ship along with all the other purchases you make onboard.

If you're not planning to drink a lot, skip the drink package and save the money for something else.  You can still have enough of the basic drinks and charge a few drinks here and there without breaking your budget.

Are there any specific brands of alcoholic beverages included or excluded in the Deluxe Beverage Package?

The Deluxe Beverage Package typically includes a wide range of alcoholic beverages, but specific brands may vary by ship and availability. 

Can guests modify or customize their drink package during the cruise, such as upgrading from the Soda Package to the Deluxe Beverage Package?

Guests can usually upgrade their drink package during the cruise, subject to additional charges. 

How does Royal Caribbean handle drink package usage on private islands or ports of call during the cruise?

On private islands, the drink package extends to include beverages at bars and restaurants on the island.

A new set of cruise rankings are out, and it's clear Royal Caribbean is doing something right.

This year's Cruise Critic Best in Cruise Awards have been announced, and Royal Caribbean came away with a few important wins.

This is the 16th annual awards, and it's a reflection of rankings based on Cruise Critic’s editors and best-reviewed cruise lines of the past year "from real cruisers".

While there are different publications that put out awards, Cruise Critic specializes and dedicates more staff than anyone else to cruises exclusively.

There are 9 major categories, and a number of sub categories to give awards out to, and Royal Caribbean took home wins in a few important areas.

Best cruise line and ship

The top award is for Best Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean was the winner.

Cruise Critic chose among the lines based on, "number of awards, innovation, consistency across fleet, consumer feedback and inclusivity."

Between its new ships and highly-rated destinations, Royal Caribbean is referred to as, "a leader in the industry."

Moreover, the editors see a bright future with the launch of new beach clubs and private destinations around the Caribbean.

Another key win for Royal Caribbean was the naming of Icon of the Seas as the Best New Ship of 2024.

Icon of the Seas launched in January 2024 and immediately became a global sensation for evolving the mega ship experience further, and setting a new standard.

Cruise Critic said of the first Icon Class ship, "The world’s largest cruise ship takes Royal Caribbean’s uber-popular, family-friendly vacations to dizzying new heights."

While Royal Caribbean also launched Utopia of the Seas this year, it's clear the new class and innovations on Icon set it apart.

Read more: Icon vs Utopia of the Seas

Icon appeals to a wide range of cruisers, with a growing focus on the family cruise market. It was built to offer more for everyone than any other ship has before.

More wins for Royal Caribbean

Cruise Critic gave Royal Caribbean top honors in a few other categories as well.

Best Suites was a win, based on quality and range of choice in these cabins.

Their editors felt the suites on Royal Caribbean's newer ships especially stood out as being, "especially impressive." In particular they really liked the brand-new Solarium Suites found aboard Utopia of the Seas.

They compared the Solarium Suites to just about any luxury vessel offering.

Royal Caribbean was also the winner for the Best Entertainment category.

"Royal Caribbean continues to consistently push the boundaries of onboard cruise ship entertainment," the editors said in their review.

Piggy-backing on Icon of the Seas' win, the Aquatheater show on the new ship stood out in particular. 

Cruise Critic also said Royal Caribbean had the Best Nightlife of any line.

"There’s simply always something to do," they said in reference to how much is going on after dark.

Part of this win is attributed to Utopia of the Seas being designed to offer the biggest party vibe of any ship since.

Another important win was Royal Caribbean being named as having the Best App.

"You can book shore excursions and dinner reservations well before your sail date, as well as peruse the daily planner and create your own schedule of activities. We love the chat feature that allows you to text fellow cruisers while on the ship’s Wi-Fi, without having to purchase a Wi-Fi package."

Not to be overlooked, Perfect Day at CocoCay was named Best Private Destination.

The award notes, "Perfect Day at CocoCay has set the bar for what a cruise line private destination should be," and it's clear based on how other lines are clearly basing their private island changes on what CocoCay has developed.

Award snubs

It wasn't a full sweep for Royal Caribbean, as the line lost out in a few categories to other lines:

Cruisers' Choice Best Ocean Cruise Line

1. Margaritaville at Sea
2. Virgin Voyages
3. Celebrity Cruises

• Best Cabins: Celebrity Cruises
• Best Dining: Virgin Voyages
• Best Specialty Dining: Celebrity Cruises
• Best for Service: Holland America Line
• Best Value for Money: Carnival Cruise Line
• Best for Families: Disney Cruise Line
• Best for Solo Travelers: Norwegian Cruise Line
• Best for LGBTQ+: Virgin Voyages
• Best for Romance: Princess Cruises
• Best Spa: Norwegian Cruise Line

Awards are meant to be debated among cruise fans and cruise lines alike, so there's bound to be differing opinions.

Did Royal Caribbean make a change to how you are served a can of soda or beer?

Over the weekend, cruisers posted on social media that they were told a new policy is in place related to how bartenders can give out a canned beverage when ordered.

There's been a few posts on Facebook indicating you can no longer order a can of soda with your loyalty benefits and have it served unopened.

When you order a soda on a Royal Caribbean ship at a bar or restaurant, you're served the can and a glass to pour it in, but you could ask for the can to be unopened to have it later.

At select tiers of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, guests are entitled to free drinks every day of their cruise. Diamond members get four free drinks up to $14 each day, Diamond Plus members get five, and Pinnacle Club members get six. 

"Royal has a new policy that our Diamond plus drink vouchers can not be used to take unopened soft drinks or beer away to our rooms," wrote Don Watson in a Facebook group from his cruise on Utopia of the Seas.

In a different group, Doug Brown said the same policy is in place on Freedom of the Seas, "we can no longer have closed loyalty beverages, our 4,5,6 a day now have to be opened at the bar when served."

According to Mr. Brown, he questioned the new policy, "Beverage manager said it was corporate and not up to him."

The vouchers these cruisers are referring to are the complimentary daily drink vouchers that Royal Caribbean gives its top cruisers, beginning at the Diamond level.

Up until now, guests could order unopened cans and bring them back to their cabin to consume later or take off the ship on a shore excursion.

The daily drink vouchers must be used up each day, or they disappear.  For many cruisers, they would use up their vouchers before going to sleep as a way to maximize their benefit.

Since the initial posts about the policy went out on Saturday and Sunday, there have been follow-up posts from cruisers claiming the policy was amended to apply to alcoholic beverages, and not non-alcoholic beverages.  Meaning cans of beer would not be served closed, but cans of soda could be served unopened.

Fleetwide change?

It's not yet clear if this is indeed a fleetwide policy or perhaps a test on certain ships.

For years it's been the practice that you could get cans of soda with your drink vouchers unopened, so if this is indeed a new policy, it potentially alters the value of that benefit.

Bringing back unopened cans of soda would allow for the drinks to be consumed later, taken off the ship on an excursion, or brought elsewhere to be enjoyed.

There's been no official communication to guests of the new policy, if it does indeed exist, and why the change has been made.

Adding to the confusion are the posts from Sunday that perhaps it's changed again.

Debbie Vestal Reis wrote, "Apparently, corporate had a lot of complaints. They have changed to only alcoholic beverages. So, I suppose the only beverages would be beer and wine? The officer on her ship showed her to up to date email."

Another cruiser that is on Enchantment of the Seas added, "we’re on the Enchantment and according to the bar staff as well as the C & A Loyalty Rep, that only applies to alcoholic beverages. The rule was implemented yesterday and changed this morning."

Why the policy changed

A major debate topic surrounds why make Royal Caribbean made the beverage policy change, and there are plenty of opinions.

Many seem to think it's a change born out of a perceived problem with abusing the benefits.

"To many Diamond members and above filling cruise ships utilizing the free drink vouchers. The hope is people won’t use all their drink vouchers each day. However, people are stocking up on soda, juice etc," wrote John Pete.

Miriam Marcotte Cartmell said, "I do not understand the 'why' here since we have had it closed for YEARS. If it is my voucher, what does it matter? I like to take a closed water back to the cabin for my use vs the tap. I am not cheating getting more than amount, so why?"

Dale Joley thinks it's about sharing drinks with others that's the root cause, "That’s not a problem but a solution. Too many people sharing drinks. I don’t have a problem with that."

Whether you are in college or taking your school-aged kids, spring break is a popular time to take a cruise vacation every year.

Spring break is the first major opportunity since the New Year holiday to go on vacation for more than just a weekend, and spring break is a popular time for many families and young people to take a cruise.

A getaway on a spring break cruise is probably more popular with school-aged families than college spring breakers, but you'll find both groups onboard.

What should you know about planning a spring break cruise, and what's different about a cruise this time of year compared to other times? We've got helpful information you should know before you sail.

How busy is a spring break cruise?

Probably the number one question about spring break on a cruise ship is how busy it is onboard.

Certainly more people look to go on a spring break cruise than in the weeks prior or after, but it doesn't mean the onboard experience is a zoo either.

Spring break tends to see increased families with kids.  School is on vacation break so there will be more kids will be vacationing and that includes cruises. After all, Royal Caribbean International is a family cruise line, and there will always be plenty of children onboard, whether it is spring break or not.

When you have more children, you also tend to get more passengers. Ships run higher volume than the double occupancy capacity numbers that are often used to measure ship guest counts.  

So it may seem seem "full" onboard since there are more people than usual on a cruise.

Are there a lot of college kids?

A Royal Caribbean cruise is not the prototypical spring break vacation of choice for the younger crowd, but there are some sailings that see their fair share of them.

Generally speaking, shorter cruises, such as 3 & 4 night sailings, can often see a younger college crowd looking for a party spring break cruise. The 4-night cruises especially tend to attract college groups because they are usually priced lower since they depart on a Monday and return on a Friday.

A short cruise might seem like the obvious choice for college student spring breakers, but a family vacation can also go on longer sailings.

Longer sailings tend to come with a higher price tag, and that can put it beyond a college friendly budget.

How much is a spring break cruise?

Like any cruise throughout the year, the price of spring break cruises will depend on the ship, length, cabin, and itinerary you choose.

The travel industry largely follows supply and demand principals the "in demand" aspect of spring break can lead to higher prices.

Here are some cruise basics if you're new to cruising and trying to wrap your head around a spring break cruise:

• Inside cabins will cost less than balcony staterooms, and balcony rooms will cost less than suites
• Short cruises tend to cost less in total, but longer cruises can be cheaper per night
• Most food and entertainment is included. 
• Alcohol costs extra, but unlimited drinks packages can save money.

Just like pricing out airfare, you need to compare cruise fare prices to get a sense of which sailing will be the best deal for you.  The best strategy is to book your spring break cruise as early as you can. Cruise prices tend to go up over time, so booking earlier will likely net you a better price.

Can I get a free cruise if I bring a group with me?

Yes, Royal Caribbean does offer benefits to the tour conductor (that's you) if you form a group with Royal Caribbean.

You can't just have a bunch of friends book a cruise and then ask Royal Caribbean for credit.  You must instead work with the groups department to create a group, and then be named the leader. Don't worry, this is pretty easy and even easier if you work with a travel agent.

A travel agency can set up a group with Royal Caribbean that can possibly save money, or get you special perks back.  Moreover, the travel agent can handle the logistical issues of payments, price adjustments and answering common questions.

When you organize a group, you're going to need to get 8 rooms booked in your group and then you can qualify for a free berth (passenger).

Bottom line, work with a travel agent to organize a group if you think you might be able to get at least 8 rooms.

Where do spring break cruises go?

Many college spring break cruises will visit destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Spring break occurs mostly in the month of March, as well as April.

The short 3- and 4-night cruises will visit Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

These cruise ships sail out of Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale), Port Canaveral (east of Orlando), or Miami.

Another popular destination is Cozumel. No matter where you go in the Caribbean, expect to find beautiful beaches and plenty of activities.

How to get a deal on a spring break cruise

The best way to get the best value on any cruise is to book it as early as you can while there are lower prices.

As you get closer to spring break, more and more people book cruises and that leaves less capacity, which in turn drives prices up.

If you're on a tight budget, booking a cruise more than a year in advance might get you a spring break for less money than if you wait to just a few weeks before the ship is scheduled to sail.

Another benefit of booking a cruise early is you can reprice it if the price drops before final payment date. Booking early is usually your best option.

Four-day cruises tend to be priced lower than three-day cruises. Longer cruises might cost more overall, but be cheaper per night.

Read more: 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Do I need a passport for a spring break cruise?

U.S. citizens may travel with only a birth certificate together with a government issued photo ID on cruises that begin and end in the United States.

It's a good idea to invest in a passport book, but not necessary.

Regardless, I highly recommend getting a passport to streamline the U.S. Customs process and protect yourself in case of an emergency.

Read more: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Is there a way to know if I'm booked on a college party cruise?

Royal Caribbean will not tell you which groups are booked on a cruise you are sailing on.  There are usually various groups on any sailing, but some people would rather avoid a cruise if there are a lot of college-age kids.

The best strategy is just google your ship name, sail date, and the words "spring break" to see what comes back.

As an example, "Utopia of the Seas March 14, 2024 spring break" would return a result for a group on that week.

Even if you are booked on a cruise with spring breakers, it does not mean your cruise is going to be awful or ruined.  Having sailed on spring breakers an entire week on Mariner of the Seas in 2018, it ended up being a lot of fun. They did their special events, and we did what we liked. One nice thing about Royal Caribbean is that it rarely skews heavily towards one demographic entirely.

Cruisers can breathe a sigh of temporary relief in regards to a new tax that would have gone into effect soon.

The Mexican government approved a new tax last week that would target cruise ship passengers visiting the country. 

However, there's been a temporary reprieve.

Thanks to pressure applied by a number of cruise lines through the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), the new tax won't go into effect as quickly.

According to a statement issued by the FCCA, a meeting on Friday resulted in Mexican officials delaying the implementation of its new Federal Law of Rights tax on cruise passengers from January 1 until July 1, 2025.

The new tax will add a $42 per person to enter the country. That's per sailing, not per port.

Mexico is a major country with many ports of calls that attract cruise ships. Over 10 million passengers are expected in 2025 alone.

When the new tax is added, it would increase the fees cruise passengers pay by 213% more than the average cost at Caribbean ports. The FCCA says it raises,  "serious questions about the competitiveness of Mexican destinations in the global cruise market."

Moreover, it's an unfair tax because of how it targets cruise ship passengers that are in the country for a few hours. 

"A family of four visiting a Mexican cruise port having to pay an additional $168 in fees for just a few hours ashore, while tourists crossing the border by land who visit for seven days or less remain exempt from this tax, will have far reaching impacts."

Historically, cruise ship passengers were exempt from tourism taxes, as guests sleep onboard the ship and some choose not to disembark in the ports of call. Under the new policy, all cruise guests would be charged the $42 fee regardless of whether they go ashore or not.

Not only would the tax be enormous, but it would largely be used to fund Mexico's military, rather than benefiting the ports or people nearby.

'Ripple effects'

This new tax has major implications beyond simply making a cruise more expensive.

The FCCA warns such a hefty tax could deter visitors, alter cruise itineraries, and create economic ripple effects in communities that heavily rely on cruise tourism.

If just 15% of cruise ships dropped calls to Mexico, the result would be a negative economical impact that could undermine the intended purpose of the tax to begin with.

"Even a minimal decrease in cruise traffic would result in millions of dollars in lost revenue for local businesses, tours, and services – offsetting or even surpassing the total tax revenue projected from the measure," the FCCA explained.

By making Mexico one of the most expensive cruise destinations in the world, it could make the country unattractive to lines from stopping there and that could lead to less income, fewer jobs and lower tax revenues for the government.

"The impact of this tax on Mexican tourist destinations will be disastrous," stated the Mexican Association of Cruises. "If implemented, we expect to see a progressive drop in arrivals, which will significantly affect employment for taxi drivers, tour guides, artisans, waiters, restaurateurs, craft store owners, pharmacies, and more.

Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, emphasized the importance of addressing long-term concerns despite the temporary delay. "We thank the Mexican government for listening to our concerns and proposing a delay in the implementation of the tax that will fall mainly on American citizens.

"However, the removal of the in-transit tax exemption – which was provided to our industry over a decade ago for valid reasons that still apply today – was done without our prior input and after the legislation was passed. It is ironic that until this law was abruptly announced the industry was looking to grow business in Mexico, and now the opposite will occur."

Cruise passengers on one Royal Caribbean ship ran into a deluge of water on one coming out of the ceiling.

A guest on Allure of the Seas shared video from this weekend's sailing of water pouring out of the ceiling on one deck.

TikTok user joshuaofrichardson posted a 30 second video of water flooding the hallway, pooling outside stateroom doors.

No explanation was given in the video, but it looks like a water pipe likely burst above one of the ceiling panels, leading to water flowing unabated below.

Just like your house or a hotel, pipes can burst for any number of reasons and without warning.

Every cruise ship has a team of mechanics and maintenance crew members that live onboard the ship to deal with issues like this at any time of day or night.

The video appears to have been taken just minutes after the leak began. There was no mention of which deck this incident occurred on.

In the comments, the video author wrote, "update pipe stopped and leak being fixed and people moved right away to other rooms. RC does things right when nature rumbles."

In a follow-up video, joshuaofrichardson said crew members cleaned up the mess that evening, saying "everything's fine."

He also said any guests that had a cabin affected by the water were moved to another cabin.

He went on to commend Royal Caribbean for taking quick action and helping their customers out, "No loss or damage or anything like that to the people, so that's really great about Royal Caribbean, they do take care of you right away."

Allure of the Seas is sailing a 3-night Bahamas cruise that departed Miami on December 6, with visits scheduled to Nassau, Bahamas and Royal Caribbean's private island.

The 225,282 gross ton ship is one of the largest cruise ships in the world, and despite the leak, the sailing continued on without delay.

Internet reacts to the video

Since the video was posted, there have been over 320,000 views and plenty of comments.

As is such with viral videos of something going wrong, you get all sorts of hot takes from people across the internet.

"I’ve seen this in a movie before didn’t end well," Yodaj6 wrote.

"This is why I’ll NEVER go on a cruise," wrote Gwyn Wolters-Smith.

"omg the way I would be freaking out thinking we were sinking," was posted by Author Katherine Bryant.

Someone who is also sailing on Allure noted the issue wasn't affecting their deck, "I'm on this ship right now and didn't experience this. it must be below us."

Personally, I enjoy the creative comments that some people had to make a joke. Here are the top ones:

• "Why is the carpet all wet Todd? I don’t know Margo!"
• "All I know is Rose better move over this time! There was plenty of room for Jack"
• "on the upside the rugs are clean"

Other recent water incidents

Accidents involving water leaks and sprays occur from time to time, but they're quite rare.

Recently there's been a couple of notable incidents involving sprinkler system malfunctions on Royal Caribbean ships that soaked guests, but did not result in any significant damage to anyone.

During a Halloween sailing on Symphony of the Seas, the ship's sprinkler system went off on the Royal Promenade during a party.

A fog machine was the culprit in activating the sprinklers, and that's because smoke detectors measure the density of particles in the air, fog effects (especially dense fog effects) can 'fool' the detectors and trigger a fire alarm.

On the inaugural sailing of Wonder of the Seas in March 2022, a sprinkler malfunction on the ship’s Royal Promenade also flooded the area.

Once again, the water was contained and cleaned up, but caused a stir among passengers.

The reality is while these incidents are incredible to witness when they happen, they don't put the ship or passengers in any direct harm and it's more of a large nuisance and "oopsie" that gets taken care of quickly.