As we approach the start of a new year, I can't but help look forward to all the new changes coming to Royal Caribbean.

There's always something new happening every year in the cruise industry, but it seems like 2024 is going to be the biggest yet for Royal Caribbean with everything opening and launching.

There's two new cruise ships, a new beach, and changes to the experience onboard.

I picked out five of the most intriguing changes or additions that someone going on a cruise in 2024 will want to be aware of before booking a new cruise.

1. Icon of the Seas launch

2024 will be the year of Icon of the Seas.

There will be plenty of other new cruise ships this year (including another Royal Caribbean one), but none of them will compare to Icon in scope, features, or buzz.

Icon of the Seas will be the first in the Icon Class, and Royal Caribbean's first new cruise ship in a decade.

Being the first in a class means it's an all new kind of cruise ship, with plenty to do and Royal Caribbean has gone all out with its design.  There's more to do than any other cruise ship has offered, and more importantly, it's a big play for the family cruise market.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships have always been family friendly, but Icon will do more to offer families onboard. There are more cabins designed with families in mind, and an entire neighborhood for young children and their parents.

Plus, there's an entire waterpark onboard, along with the award-winning entertainment that Royal Caribbean is well-know for.

More than the ship itself, expect an unparalleled amount of attention for it. Icon starts off the year with his first revenue sailing on January 27, but the red carpet will be rolled out in the weeks leading up the launch.  Even after her first sailing, Royal Caribbean will likely pour on the pomp and circumstance right into the summer when its other new cruise ship enters service.

2. Utopia of the Seas launch

Two new Royal Caribbean cruise ships launching in the same year is not something I can recall happening, but it will happen in 2024!

Utopia of the Seas is likely the last Oasis Class cruise ship, and she will begin cruises in June 2024.

While this will be the sixth Oasis Class ship, Utopia has a few notable changes from her sisters. When it comes to any new ship, Royal Caribbean almost always tends to mix up the entertainment and dining choices to keep it all fresh.

The Ultimate Abyss slide will be the longer than ever so that Utopia can say it has the longest dry slide at sea.  It will be 259 feet tall, which is 43 feet longer than other Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean's first immersive dining restaurant will debut on Utopia, which will rely on mixed reality and have a classic train dining car motif. Located on deck 4, the restaurant will look like a train station where you board a train car for a trip.

Read more: Royal Caribbean shares a glimpse of its first mixed reality restaurant concept

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen moves to a new location that overlooks the Boardwalk neighborhood and even has an outdoor terrace.

Izumi will move to Central Park and offer a walk-up window option for sushi on the go.

There will also be a new bar, called the Pesky Parrot bar. This will be located in the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, effectively replacing Bionic Bar. The Pesky Parrot is a new bar with a Caribbean flair. You'll find fruit-based beverages made with rum, tequila and gin.

The other really big change with Utopia of the Seas is it will enter service with short cruises instead of 7-night sailings.

Traditionally, new cruise ships start their life with offering week-long cruises, but Royal Caribbean wants to offer short cruises on her in order to appeal to the new to cruise crowd.  People that have never cruised tend to book short cruises first, so the hope is having a brand new ship doing 3- and 4-night cruises will stand out ahead of any other short cruise offering.

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

The inaugural sailing of Utopia of the Seas will be July 22, 2024 and will be a 4-night cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

3. New adults-only beach opens

In addition to Icon of the Seas starting service, something else will be new in January.

The next expansion of Perfect Day at CocoCay will open when Hideaway Beach becomes operational.

Hideaway Beach is for guests 18-years-old or older, and it's meant to be a haven for adults that want somewhere just for them. 

Poolside cabanas, a new pizza restaurant, swim-up bar and infinity pool are what Royal Caribbean will add to keep adults in a party mood all day long. 

The Hideaway pool will be the massive freshwater pool where you'll find the DJ located near a swim-up bar. Think Las Vegas pool party.

It will be an extra-cost add-on to consider for adults who want to enjoy a lively atmosphere and no kids.

4. Dining Package change

It's not quite clear when in 2024 this will happen, but it's about to become much easier to book a dining reservation pre-cruise if you have a Royal Caribbean dining package.

In conjunction with the launch of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean will finally allow guests that book a specialty dining package the option to pre-book online.

Up until now, guests that had booked a dining package had to wait until they got onboard the ship to make a reservation, and that created a pain point for them and added stress to the first day of the cruise as they would scramble once onboard to make reservations.

Before you get super excited for it, it's not certain when it will happen. Royal Caribbean executives told us it's "likely" in the first half of 2024.

5. New ships and itineraries in 2024

Every year there are new itineraries and ship homeports, and we found a few notable changes in 2024.

Symphony of the Seas will call the New York City area home for the first time when she begins sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Royal Caribbean made a splash when Oasis of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to sail from the Big Apple, and now it will be Symphony's turn.

Read more: Guide to cruises from New York

Speaking of Oasis Class ships, Oasis of the Seas will sail the Mediterranean in summer 2024. This isn't Oasis' first time in Europe, but it is the first time for Oasis since being amplified. 

Oasis of the Seas will offer7-night Western Mediterranean cruises to France and Italy from Barcelona and Rome.

Rounding out 2024 will be more weekend sailings from Australian shores than ever before. Sailing between November 2024 and April 2025, Royal Caribbean's Australia cruise season will feature a choice of eight 2- to 3-night weekend getaways from both Sydney and Brisbane. 

Which Royal Caribbean change are you most excited about for 2024? Tell us in the comments!

Which staterooms should you avoid booking on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas?

Wonder of the Seas is one of the biggest cruise ships in the world. She is 1,188 feet long and is basically a floating city.

Among the 2,867 staterooms you can stay in on Wonder of the Seas, there are at least a few types you might want to think twice about booking.

Read more: Wonder of the Seas review

While most staterooms are totally fine, there are some rooms that are perhaps located in an area that could be prone to noise, could make you seasick, or are just disappointing.

In an effort to ensure you pick the right stateroom, we scoured the Wonder of the Seas deck plans to find the cabins you definitely don't want to book.

1. Connecting rooms (if you don't need it)

Connecting rooms are a boon for families looking to get more than one cabin with a common door in the middle, but it's a bad idea if you aren't using that door.

You'll find connecting inside, oceanview, and balcony rooms on Wonder of the Seas, but don't book these rooms unless you need the other room.

The problem with these rooms is the connecting door is not as well insulated from noise as a wall would be, and there are many complaints about noise bleed from people who book a connecting room when they don't know the person on the other side.

To be clear, if you need two rooms, connecting cabins are great and you should book them. After all, if the people in the other room are noisy, you can open the door and tell them to quiet down!  But that doesn't work when it's a stranger.

Read more: What is the best location on a cruise ship?

2. Rooms on deck 3 under public venues

If you go to sleep early, you'll avoid to avoid a cabin under or above a public venue.

The oceanview and inside rooms on deck 3 are all underneath either Studio B ice skating rink or Casino Royale.

The problem with having a room in this location is you could have noise bleed to contend with, especially if you're someone who likes to go to sleep early.

There are pros and cons to having a room on the lowest deck of a cruise ship, but ideally, you'll book a cabin that has other cabins above and below it.

3. Cabins towards the bow if you are prone to seasickness

You will want to avoid cabins towards the front of the ship because you are likely to feel the motion of the waves more distinctly.

The front of the ship tends to experience more motion than the center of the ship, and if you're someone who is worried about getting seasick, you'll want to avoid these cabins.

When Calista went on Wonder of the Seas, she had an inside cabin at the very front of the ship and she felt more seasick there than elsewhere on the ship.

It's important to remember everyone's tolerance for motion is different, and booking a cabin at the front will not guarantee anyone gets seasick (nor will booking a midship cabin guarantee you won't get seasick).

While I don't consider cabin location often in terms of whether I'll get seasick or not, it's worth pointing out that cabins closer to the bow are to be avoided if you think that might apply to you.

Read more: 13 things I wish I'd done differently on my first cruise

4. Rooms below the pool

You would be surprised how much noise a cabin below the pool can have, especially in the early morning.

The pool deck on Wonder of the Seas is a hub of activity, with plenty of people up there in the morning, day, and evening. You might expect that to be the case most times of the day, but there are still things happening there in the early morning.

Crew members use the early morning and late evening hours to re-arrange deck chairs. At night, they stack them to ensure they don't go flying around overnight and then set them back up in the early morning. The issue with this is crew members drag the loungers across the deck to get them to where they need to go, and that can result in screeching sounds emanating from the ceiling of your cabin.

To be safe, avoid these cabins on Deck 14:

• 14162 to 14240
• 14562 to 14640

One more note about cabins on deck 14 are the balcony cabins that have a bit of an overhang, which is only a problem if you want your balcony to be sunny.

The deck 14 balconies in this area will likely have more overhead cover.

That means less sun and less rain on the balcony in most cases. Some people like that, others prefer the more open feeling of lower deck balconies.

5. Rooms above the Royal Theater

If you're someone who likes to go to bed early, don't book a cabin directly above the theater.

Newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships do a pretty good job with soundproofing, but if given the choice, avoid cabins on deck six that are directly above the Royal Theater.

This means avoiding these cabins on deck 6:

• 6130 to 6160
• 6135 to 6153
• 6530 to 6560
• 6535 to 6553

6. Obstructed view cabins

Forgetting room location for a moment, if there's one type of cabin I hear the most complaints about it's obstructed view rooms.

There are some cabins on Wonder of the Seas where the view from the window or balcony is partially or even completely obstructed by a lifeboat, machinery, or some other structural element.

I think the reason why I read so many complaints is people are unaware they're booking it, or naive to how much the obstruction will bother them.

Here are the cabins on Wonder of the Seas which have obstructed view:

• 7100 to 7108
• 7500 to 7510
• 7114 to 7126
• 7516 to 7528
• 8100 to 8108
• 8500 to 8510
• 8116 to 8124
• 8516 to 8524
• 8329
• 8729
• 9100 to 9108
• 9500 to 9510
• 9118 to 9124
• 9518 to 9524
• 9329
• 9729
• 10100 to 10108
• 10500 to 10510
• 10124 to 10128
• 10522 to 10528
• 10329
• 10729
• 11100 to 11106
• 11500 to 11506
• 11124 to 11130
• 11524 to 11528
• 11327 & 11329
• 11727 & 11729
• 12327 & 12329
• 12727 & 12729
• 14217
• 14293 to 14299
• 14693 to 14699
• 14323 & 14325
• 14719 to 14725
• 1780

It is worth noting that there is one distinct benefit to booking an obstructed view cabin, and that is it's usually cheaper than an unobstructed view room. However, I find the disappointment many readers have with an obstruction is not worth the aggravation in order to save some money.

7. Central Park balconies near the movie screen

One change Royal Caribbean made with Wonder of the Seas was to add a movie screen to the pool deck, but that screen is viewable from the Central Park balcony cabins below and some people noted it was loud on the balcony as a result.

The issue is people on their balconies can hear the sound from the movie screen above them, and that disturbs some people who would prefer a quiet balcony.

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Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is just about a month away from debuting, but we're getting glimpses of what the new cruise ship looks like.

Icon of the Seas is nearly ready for her first revenue cruise in January, and we're starting to get an idea of what the new ship really looks like based on photos taken by some of the crew members onboard.

The new ship departed the shipyard in Finland and went to Cadiz, Spain where the ship stopped to load provisions and crew members.

There will eventually be 2,350 crew members on Icon of the Seas, and some of them have taken to posting photos and video to social media. You can't blame them for being so excited to share what the ship looks like. Even Royal Caribbean's top executives have posted photos from the new ship.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir has shared a look at the ice skating theater and AquaTheater with his posts on social media.

Mr. Weir is so proud of the talented performers onboard that he shares a look at the hard work that goes into preparing it all.

Icon of the Seas will have a number of new performance venues, including an entire AquaTheater enclosed under the AquaDome. Encompassing more than 33,000 square meters and extending from Deck 14 to 20, the AquaDome neighborhood is home to new dining venues, a lounge, and new staterooms.

Absolute Zero is located at the end of the Royal Promenade and will have two shows performed across the 2,850 square feet of ice.

Crew members that are working on Icon of the Seas have begun sharing photos too.

Andy C. shared photos of the Royal Promenade from an event that took place in the neighborhood recently.

At 362 feet long, the Royal Promenade onboard Icon of the seas is longer than a football field, and for the first time, it incorporates ocean views.

Nearly all of the venues (except The Attic) are fully open on the Royal Promenade, so music can be heard from all over the Royal Promenade and for it to be more enticing for passengers to want to experience it all.

Many Royal Caribbean ships have a Royal Promenade, but this version of the Promenade is easier to get around. You can easily get between deck five and deck six, or head up stairs to Central Park on deck eight. Plus, there's an escalator from the Promenade to get you down to the casino and gangway on port days.

There are many venues around the Promenade, including Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar.

There will also be a Dueling Pianos bar, Sorrento's pizzeria, Point and Feather pub, Spotlight Karaoke, Boleros and Schooner Bar.

Even though there aren't passengers onboard yet, the ship is still celebrating Christmas.

Photos taken show the giant Christmas tree on the Royal Promenade. Royal Caribbean celebrates Christmas on every ship, and this year, crew members get the chance to enjoy it all to themselves.

Located on deck six, Dueling Pianos is Royal Caribbean's first double-pianist bar where the two performers take requests and involve guests in the musical fun.

The location of Dueling Pianos right next to The Attic comedy club on the Royal Promenade is deliberately to bring more entertainment and more energy into to Royal Promenade.

Pearl Cafe is the evolution of the Cafe Promenade concept, that has complimentary casual bistro cafe experience with elevated bistro food.

Pearl Cafe serves freshly toasted croissants, hot chocolate croissants, croissant sandwiches, sweets, and other specialty desserts. 

Royal Caribbean's well-known complimentary pizza will have a tweak that aims to improve the flow and reduce lines.

The plan is to get away from having switchbacks and queues to handle the lines that form for pizza. By giving the space a larger footprint, the hope is lines will be shorter.

The Pearl is the focal point of the Royal Promenade, and it's an architectural marvel that will bring the ship to life, offering different experiences throughout the voyage.

"The Pearl has a lot of different purposes. It's hard to put into context," said Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer for Royal Caribbean International.

"It's a bit art, a bit sculpture, a bit experience, a bit WOW." 

Read more: First look at The Pearl

You can see with the Point and Feather pub a very open layout.

It's worth noting on the second level of the Royal Promenade you can circle it completely, which is something you can't do on other Royal Caribbean ships. 

The ship's ice skating rink is aft, and The Music Hall and Casino Royale are located one deck below.

Video previews

Royal Caribbean has gotten into the swing of sharing glimpses of Icon of the Seas too.

The social media time has already gotten onboard Icon and has been sharing video snippets on Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms.

From sleigh 🎅 to slay 💅 pic.twitter.com/9jcpewf9c1

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) December 23, 2023

Our biggest present yet is on its way. 🎁 pic.twitter.com/Krp0hqdT8E

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) December 25, 2023

The new posts are in anticipation of the transatlantic crossing, when Icon of the Seas will head to Puerto Rico first and then Miami shortly thereafter.

The first revenue cruise of Icon of the Seas is on January 27, 2024 with paying passengers. There will be a series of preview sailings for travel agents and media in the weeks leading up to the start of sailings.

Part 1: Living on #IconoftheSeas 👀 Stay tuned for insider tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and crew POVs that you can only get here. pic.twitter.com/9Rn8qC06qK

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) December 23, 2023

The ship will sail year-round out of Miami in 2024, alternating between Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean itineraries, with four different routings available for departures between January 2024 and April 2025.

You might be surprised at some of the things you cannot bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including clothing irons.

You'll have shirts, dresses, suits, and pants packed in your suitcase, so one of the planning questions you might have for a cruise is related to ensuring those clothes look great when it's time to wear it.

Royal Caribbean does not allow guests to bring irons onboard, and they do not have irons for passengers to use in their cabins (or anywhere).

Irons are a fire hazard, and fire is the biggest threat to cruise ships. Fires on cruise ships are rare, but it's one of the most dangerous problems that could occur, so mitigating the threat is at the heart of many Royal Caribbean policies related to what you can and cannot bring onboard.

While there are not irons available to use in your stateroom, there are still ways to get your clothes looking their finest and adhere to the important rules of what you can and cannot bring onboard.

No irons allowed

You're not allowed to pack, bring, or use an iron on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. And steamers are also not allowed to be brought onboard.

If you try to bring one, it will be confiscated and returned to you after the cruise is over.  The security team screens every piece of luggage coming onboard the ship and they look for irons (and other contraband items).

A lot of passengers are unaware of the rule, and bring irons only to have them taken away.  

When you disembark your ship on the final morning of the sailing, look for a table with all the confiscated items somewhere in the cruise terminal. You'd be surprised at all the things people try to bring on a cruise ship.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

Unlike a hotel room, there are no irons available to use in your stateroom either.  In fact, there are no self-service laundry facilities on Royal Caribbean cruise ships either.

Laundry can be sent out

You cannot iron your own clothes, but you can pay to have Royal Caribbean do it for you.

Every ship has the option for guests to have their clothes washed, folded, pressed, or dry cleaned. There is a per-item fee for this service, but it's the only way to get your clothes washed and/or ironed during your sailing.

The price of Royal Caribbean's laundry services vary based on if you want it washed or dry cleaned, and each item has a specific cost. There's a specific cost for shirts versus underwear versus a jacket.

Royal Caribbean offers a more cost-effective laundry option known as the wash and fold special. 

Ask your stateroom attendant, but there will be an option to fill a small bag with whatever clothes you can fit in there for the flat fee of $35.

This is great to launder shirts, bras, shorts, and other small clothing and have clean clothes to wear again during the cruise.

Read more: Royal Caribbean laundry services on your cruise

Laundry for suite guests

Are you staying in a suite? If so, Royal Caribbean provides complimentary pressing for the first formal night on your cruise.

It's a lesser-known suite benefit, but all you have to do is ask your stateroom attendant about it on the first night of the cruise (usually formal night is on the second night) and they can arrange to have your clothes sent out and then ready for the first formal night.

In addition, if you're staying in a Star Class suite on an Icon, Oasis, or Quantum Class cruise ship, laundry is complimentary every day. 

Star Class guests just need to fill out the form and put their clothes in the provided bag that's found in the closet.  Leave it on the bed, and it will be done for you.

Star Class suites are the most expensive rooms you can book on a Royal Caribbean ship, but they do include free laundry every day and that means you could potentially end the cruise with clean clothes!

DIY solution to ironing

You want to get wrinkles out of your clothes but don't want to pay Royal Caribbean to press it for you? There's another option.

Cruise fans have devised a method for dealing with wrinkles without resorting to laundry services.

The first is to turn on your stateroom shower and get the bathroom steamed up. 

Spray the clothes with Downy Wrinkle Release (contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but supports this site), which you are allowed the bring on the ship.

Then hang the clothes in the bathroom.

Other strategies to battle wrinkles

If you can avoid getting your clothes wrinkled in the first place, then an iron won't be necessary at all.

Here are the strategies our readers have tried over the years that might work for you:

Roll your clothes

This works well for t-shirts or dresses, but if you roll clothes up (rather than folding them), it helps prevents wrinkles.

Rolling clothes can help a lot, but you just can't do it quickly. Each item needs to be ironed, then when rolling make sure the pieces are flat and not creasing anywhere. 

Once you're done and put them in the bag they won't move or make any new creases, so if you're careful it can work really well. The thicker roll helps prevents wrinkles on thin items.

Not only does rolling clothes help with preventing wrinkles, but it's a good packing strategy too.

Unpack as soon as you arrive

Unpack your luggage as soon as your bags are delivered to your cabin and hang everything up.

The sooner you get clothes out of the bag, the better.

Anything that is wrinkled can be sprayed with the Downy Wrinkle Release spray.

Pack the right clothes

Certain clothes are going to be more likely to be wrinkled in the first place, so rethink what you're going to pack for the cruise.

As an example, khakis tend to be my biggest culprit to the wrinkle monster.  Instead of khakis, I'll bring dark blues or blacks. 

Ladies might consider yoga pants aa another good choice for casual clothes that won't get wrinkled.  A reader said she wont wear blouses with elaborate ruffles or peplums or fluttery things.  Those adornments are thin and they will wrinkle and the shower trick even struggles to get ruffle wrinkles out. 

For men, ask your dry cleaner at home to pack dress shirts with tissue paper to help fight wrinkles.

Reuse clothing

If you choose to pay for pressing, pay for formal night clothes so you could reuse the formal night clothes.  

That means bringing bringing two dress shirts, having them pressed on night one, and then alternate your dress shirt wearing just for dinner, so your amount of wear is reduced.  

Embrace the wrinkles if all else fails

At the end of the day, no one on the ship will really care if your clothes are wrinkled. You're not on a ship with your social circles that will hold it against you for decades; you're on a ship for a few nights with people you're likely never to see again.

Plenty of other people on the ship will have wrinkled clothes too, and the ones that pay a lot of money to have their clothes pressed will be in the minority.

It's no secret that Royal Caribbean has had its first world cruise planned for over a year, but social media took notice when the sailing began this week.

Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas departed Miami to begin a 9-month Ultimate World Cruise on December 10, and TikTok has seen a flurry of interest for this kind of a cruise.

The world cruise will take 274-nights and visit every continent in the world, including Antarctica.

So far, there's been over 54.8 million views on the #UltimateWorldCruise tag on TikTok and it's caught the attention of a lot of people.

The interest began with passengers onboard sharing what it's like to live on a cruise ship for almost an entire year.

There's videos of passengers showing off their cabin, and how they're making it feel more like a home given how long they'll stay there.

People watching on TikTok seem quite intrigued by the idea of spending that long on a cruise ship, and it almost seemed like a reality show to viewers.

What is the world 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.

Royal Caribbean first announced the Ultimate World Cruise on Serenade of the Seas in late 2021, and it opened for bookings in early 2022. 

Guests had the option to book the entire 274 night voyage, or hop on for smaller segments.

Because the entire voyage did not sell out, the cruise line opened up smaller segments. This includes seventeen individual itineraries ranging from nine to twenty nine nights.

These itineraries visit everywhere from Antarctica to Australia, Norway, and South Korea.

Why is this world cruise all over TikTok?

World cruises aren't new, but this is the first one that Royal Caribbean has done and being a mainstream cruise line, the attention it's generating may be related to the fact it's more approachable than on smaller lines.

The combination of a new kind of cruise of a well-known cruise line and TikTok's tenacity for generating drama seems to have resonated with viewers.

In viewing all the TikToks posted, creators have seemingly created a real-time view of the cruise and given they'll be on the ship for 9 months, TikTok has become obsessed with what they're calling "a reality show".

“I made an Ultimate World Cruise Bingo card for anyone else who is buckling in for this nine months TikTok reality show,” user @whimsysoul posted right at the start of the cruise.

As is the case with so many things on social media, the spectacle for viewers is more interesting than the subject matter and a lot of comments have speculated on what might happen during the voyage.

So far we've seen a couple videos with people being unaware of the benefits top tier Royal Caribbean cruisers get on any sailing, but nothing substantial.

The buzz generated by the world cruise at its launch points to a lot of excitement surrounding the cruise, as well as a lot of people naive about how cruise ships operate wrapping their minds around going on a cruise for quite that long.  Even as a seasoned cruiser, taking a cruise quite that long is hard to fathom.

Who are the TikTokers on the world cruise ship?

We've found a number of TikTokers posting videos so far, and it varies depending on how often you want updates.

Here's a few of the more regular posters since the world cruise began:

• @aa.kenney
• @iambrandeelake
• @angielinderman
• @brooklynschwetje
• @frugalvagabond
• @madisonschwetje
• @amike_oosthuizen
• @little_rat_brain
• @drjennytravels 
•  @spendingourkidsmoney

How much does the world cruise cost?

At the time Royal Caribbean put the world cruise on sale, the price varied depending on which sailing you chose.

If you wanted the full 274-night trip, prices were between $53,999 per person to $117,599 per person.

Some itineraries were as low as $931 per person and others around $1,881 per person before taxes and fees in an interior room.

The majority of the smaller segment itineraries are priced around $1,200 per person. With taxes and fees added, this brings the average cost to around $3,173 total for two guests in an interior room. With many itineraries between 11-16 nights, the price per day makes the segments a great value.

Where does the world cruise go?

Here's a look at the four main segments of the cruise and where it visits.

Ultimate Americas Cruise 

• 64 nights from Dec. 10, 2023, to Feb. 11, 2024
• 36 destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Los Angeles, California
• 4 Wonders, including Iguazú Falls and Machu Picchu

Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise 

• 87 nights from Feb. 11, 2024, to May 9, 2024
• 40 destinations, including Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; Manila, Philippines; and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• 3 Wonders, including the Great Barrier Reef and the Taj Mahal

Ultimate Middle East and Med Pacific Cruise 

• 63 nights from May 9, 2024, to July 10, 2024
• 44 destinations, including Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Alexandria, Egypt; Rhodes, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; and Provence, France
• 4 Wonders, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Temple of Artemis

Ultimate Europe and Beyond Cruise 

• 63 nights from July 10, 2024, to Sept. 10, 2024
• 40 destinations, including Casablanca, Morocco; Paris, France; Bruges, Belgium; and Nuuk, Greenland
• No Wonders

Just like how food at a baseball game is more than hot dogs or cracker jack, the food choices on a Royal Caribbean cruise go beyond eating at the buffet.

According to an internal Royal Caribbean study, the top two reasons people choose to go on a cruise are for the destinations and food. With that in mind, a cruise ship has to offer more than just a salad bar.

AAA conducted a survey that showed 52% of U.S. adults are likely to consider a cruise vacation in 2023, and that number is likely to grow.

In fact, you might be surprised at the variety of dining choices found on cruise ships today. On the brand new Icon of the Seas, you'll find more than 40 ways to eat and drink, with 20 new and signature ways to eat onboard the ship.

All of those choices are meant to cater to every taste palate, while ensuring adventurous eaters have something to satisfy their needs as well.

If you're new to cruising, here's why the food on Royal Caribbean may very well impress you.

Culinary Delights

Depending on which ship you choose, there could be a great variety of restaurants to choose from, some that are included and others that cost extra.

The complimentary dining usually caters to the widest possible audience, with dishes of varying cuisines. You'll find Italian, French, American, Indian and more in the ship's Main Dining Room.

The Main Dining Room has a themed menu each evening, which was revamped in January 2023.

Specialty restaurant overview

When you think of gourmet dining on Royal Caribbean, inevitably your focus will shift to the specialty restaurants onboard. This is where the line puts its greatest effort in delivering a culinary experience.

Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines, from Italian to Japanese and barbecue.

Each cruise ship has its own set of restaurants. The list of specialty dining venues includes:

• Chef's Table
• Cafe Latte-tudes
• Samba Grill
• Izumi
• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
• Portside BBQ
• Johnny Rockets
• Wonderland
• Fish & Ships
• Sabor
• Chops Grille
• Teppanyaki
• Jamie's Italian
• Room Service
• Cupcake Cupboard
• Hooked Seafood
• Sugar Beach
• Sabor
• Starbucks
• Sichuan Red
• Giovanni's Table
• 150 Central Park
• The Mason Jar
• Desserted
• Pier 7
• Empire Supper Club
• Celebration Table
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Each restaurant has its own cuisine and style to it, which gives guests the choice to dine there.  There's plenty of food included in the cruise fare, but the idea is to give passengers the option of enhancing their cruise with additional variety.

Signature Dishes

At each specialty restaurant, you'll find tantalizing choices, but which meals truly stand out as a must-try?

I hand picked a few notable dishes that stand out as the best choice at the top restaurants.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen

Seven cheese pizza does indeed have seven kinds of cheeses, and the blend is impressive.

Hooked Seafood

The Messy Fish Sandwich is a fried five-ounce piece of cod on a brioche bun, dressed with lots of tasty coleslaw and pickles. Ask for extra napkins.

Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade

Campfire cookie is a freshly baked cookie and covered with roasted marshmallows served piping hot, with a side of ice cream.

150 Central Park

Beef tenderloin for two is sliced tableside with a duo of sauces to try.

Chops Grille

Crispy Goat Cheese Salad might not be one of the steaks on the menu, but it might be the perfect salad combination.

International flavors at sea

Royal Caribbean prides itself by offering global cuisine on its cruise ships, and it's apparent in the menu choices.

The Main Dining Room alone will have food on each night that is inspired by India, Italy, France, and Southeast Asia. With a different theme every night in the Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet, you'll find a great deal of food from around the world.

If you want to go beyond those choices, the specialty restaurants cater to specific global cuisines. There are two different Italian restaurants on Royal Caribbean ships, with Giovanni's focusing on traditional Italian food and Jamie's Italian leveraging celebrity chef Jamie Oliver's modern view of the food.

Izumi sushi is the creation of Master Chef Travis Kamiyama, whose 30 years of experience brings both traditional and signature sushi that caters to the international market.

The Mason Jar has comfort foods that include buttermilk biscuits and jalapeno cornbread served with Cajun and whipped honey butter, lobster n’ crawfish gumbo, crab beignets, fried green tomatoes, charred watermelon salad, shrimp n’ grits, blacked Cajun catfish and beef brisket.

Unique dining experiences

Individual dishes are great, but what about meals that stand out as an event on its own.

Royal Caribbean has offered for years the Chef's Table on all of its ships. It's a limited capacity meal led by the ship's Chef de Cuisine.

You'll sit at a white tablecloth dinner with five exquisite courses, and each is paired with the perfect wine to bring out the flavor on the menu.

Coming to Icon of the Seas is an even more elevated experience, with the Empire Supper Club.

This is where you'll go for an eight-course menu of premium American cuisine, accompanied by live music played during your meal. Each musical number and every cocktail is carefully curated and perfectly paired to complement each course.

Tony Abou-Ganim has worked with James Beard Award-winning chefs, Bellagio and more to come up with the meals and cocktails.

Wonderland is another original Royal Caribbean creation that is loosely based on the magical world of Alice and Wonderland.

The menu is broken down into and inspired by five different natural elements: sun, ice, fire, earth, and sea. Nothing is what it seems, but the result is an array of dishes that might surprise you with how it tastes versus how it looks.

Culinary classes

In addition to sit down meals, there's an opportunity to learn how to make these foods at home.

Some ships offer cooking classes, where you get a hands-on tutorial on how the chef's on a ship make the food you eat in a restaurant.

This includes:

• Sushi making class
• Guacamole making class
• Cupcake decorating class

Behind-the-scenes kitchen tours

It's difficult to explain how much work goes into preparing meals for the thousands of guests and crew members every day on a cruise ship.

The ship's kitchens are a 24/7 operation, and you can get a peek at how it works with an all access tour.

Royal Caribbean offers two types of tours that will take you to the ship's galley, which is where the food is prepared and served.

The "Sip. Tour. Brunch." event is an extra cost experience where guests are taken backstage to the ship's galley, followed by enjoying brunch in the Main Dining Room.

If you want to see more, go for the "All Access Ship Tour" that includes not only a visit to the galley, but also the ship's bridge, engine control room, laundry facilities, and waste management area. It's a tour hour look at how cruise ships work.

Catering to dietary preferences

Whether you prefer to eat a certain way or have special needs, Royal Caribbean offers many choices.

Vegetarian and vegan options

You'll find many dining choices for vegetarian and vegan guests.

The Windjammer buffet has plenty of vegetarian and vegan option for each of its meals. Whether pasta with marinara, a salad, fresh fruit, oatmeal, soup, or avocado toast, you’ll certainly be able to find something to eat.

Indian food is a popular vegetarian alternative, and there is a vegetarian option served at each meal. Plant-based milks are also available on request for cereal and coffee.

In the Main Dining Room, there's even more options there. Each day will have a vegan choice listed.

Read more: Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Royal Caribbean

Allergies and special requests

Royal Caribbean can cater to dietary needs, such as food allergies, gluten-free, kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium.

Lactose-free/soy milk, ensure, and kosher meals are available at no extra charge. Just notify Royal Caribbean at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).

You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected]; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date. E-mails will receive an automated response. We kindly ask that guests do not call Royal Caribbean International suppliers with specific questions.

Beverage experiences

The variety of choices on Royal Caribbean is not limited to food, as there's lots of cocktails, beers, and wines to enjoy.

Certainly the stereotypical "I'm on a vacation" drinks are available, but the cruise line aims to go well beyond those beverages.

Signature cruise ship cocktails

Royal Caribbean's drink menu has come a long way from pina coladas, daiquiris, and mimosas. While you can certainly order those drinks, they've greatly expanded their offerings too.

Here's a few of the top choices you can order to wet your whistle on a cruise.

Mason Jar

PB&J Old Fashioned is made with Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, Kentucky bourbon, strawberry jelly and walnut bitters and served with a mini crustless PB&J as a garnish.

150 Central Park

The Cucumber Martini is made tableside and is a mix of cucumber, basil,Monin lemon grass syrup, sweet and sour mix and Grey Goose Vodka.

Sabor

Grand Sabor Margarita is a real crowd pleaser because it's big on flavor and delivers the exact Mexican cocktail you envision when you order it.

Bamboo Room

The Royal Zombie matches up with the Polynesian-themed bar quite well. It's served in a tall tiki glass, topped with crushed ice, fresh mint and a cherry.

Pool bar

Goombay Smash is inspired by the islands Royal Caribbean's ships have visited for decades as a way of honoring The Bahamas.

Read more: Top 10 cocktails to try on your next Royal Caribbean cruise

Bars and lounges with unique drink menus

Royal Caribbean has stepped up their beverage game over the last few years, with certain bars having different drink menus.

There's a common menu used across the fleet, but select bars and lounges have a special menu to order from.

Wonderland

On Oasis Class ships, Wonderland spans two decks, with its own bar and drinks you can only order at this restaurant. Bartenders use innovative flavors and artisanal ingredients to create whimsical cocktails that are as pretty as they are tasty.

Mason Jar

The bar side of The Mason Jar is designed like a sprawling southern porch, and the drink menu has a focus on bourbon and fresh flavors. 

Schooner Bar

Royal Caribbean updated the Schooner Bar menu in 2023 with new options. The featured drinks have all been updated with suggestions for fun drinks to try.

Planning tips for food enthusiasts

If you're ready to tackle Royal Caribbean's dining scene, you'll want to arm yourself with a few important tips.

Make reservations in advance at specialty restaurants

You're not alone in wanting to get a seat at the hibachi table or Empire Supper Club, so advanced reservations are not just a suggestion, they're a necessity.

Book reservations before your cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.  Don't wait until you get onboard because it's quite common for restaurants to sell out in the months leading up to the cruise.

You can always cancel with no penalty a dining reservation if you change your mind before the cruise, so there's little risk. 

Take advantage of a dining package

If you think you'll eat at more than two meals at a specialty restaurant, you should buy a specialty dining package.

Royal Caribbean offers a few types, including an unlimited option.  No matter which you choose, you'll need to purchase it before the cruise.

With a dining package, you'll need to wait to make reservations until you get on the ship.  As long as your dining times are flexible, the dining package should work out well.

Keep in mind some restaurants are not included with the dining packages, such as Chef's Table or Empire Supper Club. You can still get a discount with a package, but it's not covered in its entirety by the package purchase.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

You can order more than one appetizer or entree

Whether you are dining in the Main Dining Room, Giovanni's, Mason Jar, don't settle for just one entree or one appetizer.  

Royal Caribbean allows passengers to order as much as you want in most cases, which means you are free to try dishes and sample what you want.  Most often passengers act like they do in a land restaurant and only order what they wish to pay for but on a cruise, order as much as you want!

Demand for cruises hasn't been this hot since 2019, and one side effect has been higher cruise fares.

This trend isn't slowing down in 2024, as Royal Caribbean Group told investors at their last earnings call demand for cruises has only gotten higher.

The company reported bookings for 2024 significantly and consistently outpacing 2019 levels. They're seeing ships getting booked up sooner and at higher prices, with their customers booking earlier.

That's great news if you're a shareholder, but for cruisers on a budget or deal seekers, it's tough to find a good deal.

"The demand for booking cruises is as strong as ever!, "Beci Mahnken, president and CEO of MEI-Travel, says. "As travel advisors, we're thrilled to see a steady and growing demand for cruise adventures."

The good news is there are still ways to get a cruise deal, but it will take more effort to uncover them.

Top picks for cruise deals

It's impossible to keep a running list of deals due to the fact prices can change by the minute, but if you're in the market for a deal, here's where I would look.

Alaska

Book a cruise before June 10 or after August 15.

Caribbean

Look for the sailing immediately after the cruise that has New Years Eve/Day, with the exception of a short cruise over Martin Luther King Day.

A cruise between Labor Day and Halloween is another good idea. This is especially true if you're willing to wing it and wait for a last-minute deal.

Europe

Try a cruise in September, October, or November for the lowest prices. If you can book a European cruise on a Vision Class ship after August, you'll almost certainly get a great price.

Another option for Europe is a repositioning cruise between the Caribbean and Europe. Royal Caribbean offers this twice a year in the spring and fall.

Repositioning cruises are cheap because they have few port days and lots of sea days, which makes them less appealing.

Last minute deals

Booking a cruise with less than two months to go is not for everyone, but your best bet is to check Royal Caribbean's Going, Going, Gone sheet every week.

It's not available every week, but posted every Tuesday and if you act quickly, you might find a cheap cruise.

Offseason cruising

The best prices for a cruise are still during months when there's far less demand.

Cruises have peak and off-peak seasons, and the months of January, September, October, and early November are usually safe bets for a lower price.

These months all have one thing in common: school is back in session and the weather isn't as desirable.

As a family cruise line, Royal Caribbean's trends tend to mirror that of the school calendar as families have a major impact on bookings.

In the Caribbean, hurricane season really kicks into effect by the end of August. It's also the peak of the wet season, and that means rain every day.

Read more: Cruising in hurricane season: What you need to know

If you're taking an Alaska cruise, September and October are at the tail end of the cruise season.  Not only is it colder out, but it tends to be rainier as well.

Europe is quite similar, with the peak demand for the region in summer.  By the time August ends, demand starts to dip.

If you can book a cruise during these months, you might find a really lucrative deal, even at the last-minute.  As an example, one of our writers booked a 7-Night Mediterranean cruise, starting in Athens, Greece for just $1471 for a November Mediterranean cruise.

Choose an older ship

While new cruise ships like Icon of the Seas get all the attention, there's absolutely nothing wrong with an older cruise ship.

As ships age, their prices tend to drop. Think of it like the price for a used car as they get older.

You'll find an excellent value on Royal Caribbean's Voyager Class ships, which offer lots to do at a good value.

The Radiance Class and Vision Class ships are smaller, but often have the lowest prices you'll find. What the ships lack in features, they make up for in value.

Book early

If you can't make a fall cruise work, the best tried-and-true strategy is to book a cruise as early as you can.

Generally speaking, the earlier you book, the better the price will be. This is because Royal Caribbean will set the lowest price when a new sailing becomes available, and raise prices as cabins get sold.

Ideally, you can get the lowest price when a new sailing opens for sale.  This occurs twice per year: around November and December and then again in February through April.

The downside to this strategy is you need to make plans up to two years in advance, which is quite difficult for many people.

Not only will you get the lowest price, but you will be able to pick the perfect cabin that you want. Suites and other highly desirable cruise ship cabins sell out quickly.

Read more: The rare cruise ship cabins that everyone wants to book immediately

Keep in mind that if you change your mind, there could be a penalty for cancelling or changing if you book a non-refundable cruise fare.  Royal Caribbean charges $100 per person for changes made with a NRD cabin, but that fee could be cheaper than the refundable cruise fare rate difference. Double check with your travel agent before booking to ensure you understand the deposit rules.

Book with a travel agent

I can't count how many times I thought I found the lowest price for a cruise only to be surprised my travel agent had a better price because of an offer I was unaware of.

Travel agents are more than a glorified booking engine. They work on your behalf to make everything easier for you, including booking a cruise.

One way travel agents can save you more money is because they have access to group rates and consortia rates.  These are specially negotiated prices that aren't publicly advertised, but can booked by anyone that works with an agent.

Travel agencies gobble up cabins and lock in the price. While cabins outside the group climb in price, the group rates remain locked and you could net a much lower price.

"It's heartening to witness so many people embracing the joy of exploring the world by sea, seeking those unforgettable experiences that only cruising can offer," says Mahnken.

I work with MEI Travel to book all of my cruises (disclosure, MEI Travel is a sponsor of this site), and quite often I'll either get a better price or maybe some extra onboard credit. I certainly never pay more than what I can find on the Royal Caribbean website.  Better yet, I get excellent service too.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class cruise ships are an excellent balance of fun things to do onboard and value. They're big enough to include lots of activities, but they don't come with the price tag of newer cruise ships.

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas are two ships within this category of Royal Caribbean cruise ship that appeal to families looking to get a good value for their vacation dollar.

Read more: What I liked (and disliked) about my Liberty of the Seas cruise

I often get questions on how to choose between the two ships, and what you should know about the similarities and differences each has. They're quite similar, but there's just enough variations to make one a better choice over the other depending on your preferences.

It's important to note that Freedom of the Seas received a major upgrade in 2020, while Liberty of the Seas' scheduled upgrade in 2021 was postponed and has yet to happen.  This is going to be a recurring theme in comparing these two ships.

Liberty of the Seas received some updates in 2016, which gave her an edge versus Freedom until its 2020 refurbishment.

Here's a look at Liberty of the Seas vs Freedom of the Seas so you can understand what stands out about each.

Ship size

Technically, Liberty of the Seas is one foot longer than Freedom of the Seas, but you really shouldn't factor that in at all.

Freedom Class cruise ships are 1,111 feet long and they were both the largest cruise ships in the world at the time of their debut.  They've since been eclipsed by larger ships, but they still offer that "big ship" experience many cruisers look for in any vessel.

Here's a look at Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas statistics:

Both cruise ships have just under 4,000 passengers, but Freedom of the Seas has a higher guest count because of her upgrades in 2020.

The ship layout is exactly the same, with a Royal Promenade in the middle of the ship, ice skating rink, surf simulator, and water slides. Both ships are 15 decks high.

Dining

The choices in dining venues diverge a bit between the two cruise ships, as you'll find certain restaurants on each ship.

Here's a breakdown of the complimentary dining venues on both Freedom and Liberty of the Seas.

The primary difference is that Freedom of the Seas has El Loco Fresh, which is a casual Mexican restaurant on the pool deck.

You'll find nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and chips along with a toppings bar at El Loco Fresh.

Freedom of the Seas has another advantage with its specialty dining offerings, as it has newer venues.

In my opinion, the specialty restaurant choices on Freedom of the Seas are superior because it has a greater variety of popular restaurants.

Both ships have an Italian restaurant, but Giovanni's Italian Kitchen is the updated version with a newer menu and more choices, including pizza.

Izumi hibachi is one of the most popular restaurants on any Royal Caribbean ship, as its teppanyaki tables often sells out every voyage.

Playmakers is super popular with cruisers because it offers a true sports bar experience, along with excellent bar food to go with it.

Bars

Because Freedom of the Seas got amplified in 2020, she has a few more bar choices.

At the pool, there's the Lime and Coconut. This is a vibrant multi-deck venue that has a wider selection of drinks and seating choices than you'll find at the pool bars on Liberty of the Seas.

Freedom of the Seas also has Playmakers Sports Bar, which is conveniently located on deck four between the atrium and casino. It replaced what is the photo gallery on Liberty of the Seas.

Playmakers is a fun spot to catch your favorite sporting event, with dozens of big screen televisions and lots of seating. It also has a great a la carte priced menu you can order from, so you have bar food for the game.

If you're on Liberty of the Seas and want to watch sporting events, they have the On Air club.  It doubles as a karaoke bar and de-facto sports bar because it has a few televisions that can show sporting events.  But it's not nearly as expansive as Playmakers, nor does it have food.

The rest of the bar choices is largely similar between the two ships.

Cabins and suites

You will find plenty of the core four cruise ship room categories on both Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, such as inside, oceanview, balcony, and suite cabins.

There are Promenade View cabins on both ships, which have a bay window that looks into the Royal Promenade rather than outside.  While there's no natural light with these rooms, it's great for people watching and offers a bit more space than a conventional interior room.

There are two very popular types of cabins that quickly sell out on most sailings.

A balcony located on the ship's "hump" can be found on either ship.  This refers to the rooms that are located on the outwards part of the ship deck plan, right around the middle.

The reason why these rooms are desirable is because their balcony space tends to be larger than other balcony cabins without a higher price.

Speaking of balconies, the other room type worth looking at is an aft balcony.

Located on the back of the ship, these balcony rooms face the ship's wake and their balcony space can be enormous.

Aft balcony rooms on the lower decks have the most balcony square footage, and it's like having a suite balcony.

Both ships also have family oceanview cabins at the front of the ship, which have bunk beds and an extra bathroom. They may not have a balcony, but they're great choices for families on a budget.

The suite offerings on Freedom and Liberty are more or less the same, but there is one important distinction.  

The cabins are similar, but the suite sun deck choices are different. Freedom of the Seas received the Lime & Coconut bar, which took up the space that used to be reserved for suite guests. Liberty of the Seas still has reserved chairs right in the middle of the pool deck for suite guests only.

The suite lounge has a newer look on Freedom of the Seas.

Entertainment

Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas have the same entertainment venues, but the show line-ups are different.

Liberty of the Seas has a full Broadway show onboard, while Freedom of the Seas does not.  Guests can enjoy Saturday Night Fever, which is shown in its entirety as you would see it in a theater on land.  The show is complimentary.

In the theater on Freedom of the Seas, you'll find musical acts and dance production shows, but nothing with as much plot and familiar music as what Liberty has.

Both ships have an ice skating rink, where you can see ice skating shows at no additional cost.

At the bars and lounges on both ships, there is live music each day. The pool deck has a live band as well as a DJ.  In the evening, the Schooner Bar has a piano player and the English pub has a guitarist.  There are other live musical acts at Boleros and other venues.

Pools & slides

Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas both have multiple pools and whirlpool hot tubs to enjoy, but the aesthetics of both differ along with the top-deck attractions.

Both ships have a common set of activities onboard:

• Main pool
• Solarium adults-only pool
• Splashaway Bay kids aqua park
• Rock climbing wall
• Flowrider surf simulator
• Mini-golf course

Freedom of the Seas' pool deck has a Caribbean vibe to it, while Liberty has the traditional Royal Caribbean pool deck look.

More importantly are the water slides. Both ships have a pair of Perfect Storm racer waterslides, but Liberty of the Seas has a big difference.

In addition to the duo of water slides, Liberty has "Tidal Wave", which is a boomerang style slide where two guests ride in a raft that goes up a near vertical wall to provide a moment of weightlessness before sliding back down.

Read more: The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler

Bottom line

Is Freedom of the Seas or Liberty of the Seas better for you? It really depends on which features are the most important, as well as the itinerary.

The biggest difference between the ships are the dining choices and pool deck experiences. The newer restaurants on Freedom of the Seas represent some of the best concepts the line has come up with in recent years.  That isn't to say the specialty dining on Liberty of the Seas is sub-par by any means.

The itineraries offered might be the most compelling factor to select one over the other.

Freedom of the Seas sails from South Florida year-round and offers cruises to Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In summer 2024, Freedom will start offering longer Caribbean cruises.

Liberty of the Seas mixes up her itineraries, and moves between Florida cruises in the winter, and the Northeast United States in the summer.  Liberty visits Canada, New England, and Bermuda, along with longer sailings to the Bahamas.

The two sister ships are quite similar, and you really have to dig into the details to find a good reason to select one over the other.

If you have a top status with Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, you might be eligible to status match with another cruise line.

Unlike the airline industry, cruise lines don't offer a lot of status matching, but there are situations where it does exist, and it offers cruisers a way to instantly attain perks and benefits with another cruise line despite having never sailed with them in the past.

Because Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises are sister brands under the same corporate umbrella, there is some reciprocity between the two lines.  Plus, there are ways to get benefits with other companies too.

Here are eight things you need to know before applying for a Royal Caribbean status match.

1. You can only get status match with one brand within the company

Royal Caribbean offers a status match with only Celebrity Cruises, but not Silversea Cruises.

The same applies to Celebrity passengers who wish to travel on Royal Caribbean.

Silversea's loyalty program, Venetian Society, is a simpler program that does not have tiers. Likewise, Azamara no longer offers a status match with Royal Caribbean because the company was sold off.

There are other companies that will status match with Royal Caribbean, but that is covered later in this article.

2. You need to have certain status first

Before you can get a matching status with Celebrity, you need to make sure you qualify.

Crown & Anchor Society members who reach the Platinum tier in Crown and Anchor Society are eligible to get status matching in the Captain's Club at Celebrity Cruises.

3. You can't status match to the top tier

Depending on your level in Crown and Anchor Society, that will determine which level you get with Celebrity Cruises.

Platinum & Emerald members qualify to get Select Status in Captain's Club. That will get you benefits such as a 25% discount on internet packages, a 30% discount on photo packages, a 10% discount on spa treatments and priority status for the shore excursion waitlist.

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members will get Elite Status with Celebrity, which gets you unlimited free drinks from the Captain's Club menu each day between 5 and 7 p.m. at most bars and lounges on the ship. It also gets you 30% off Wi-Fi packages, 40% off a digital or print photo package, $200 off The Studio photo packages, and 15% discount on a drink package or a premium drink package upgrade.

On Celebrity's Solstice or Millennium Class ships, being an Elite status member will also get you free access to the steam rooms, saunas and heated loungers in the Persian Garden spa zone on a port day of your choice.

Even if you reach Pinnacle Club with Crown and Anchor Society, you cannot status match to Celebrity's upper most tiers.  The cap is Elite until you cruise enough to earn points on your own.

If you were a Diamond member with Crown and Anchor Society, in order to reach the next tier with Celebrity, you would need to earn at least 750 Captain’s Club points on your own. However, you would continue to receive Elite-level benefits through reciprocity until then. 

4. You're eligible to status match at any time

In short, you are granted a status match that remains with you until you cruise enough to have points to move up to the next level.

Points are only earned on the cruise line being sailed.   You only earn points in each respective program when you sail with that cruise line.  Points can not be added or moved between programs.  

This means even though you get a status with Celebrity, your point total will still be zero.  So you'll need to cruise enough to move up to the next tier.

There is no time limit of when you can status match. 

5. Applying for a status match is easy

Celebrity recommends anyone in Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor program that is not enrolled in Celebrity’s Captain’s Club program should confirm enrollment before booking their cruise.

From experience, I can tell you it's not a problem to status match and then add it to an existing reservation.

In order to status match, you simply need to call Celebrity Cruises to request the status match. The agent on the phone will create a Captain's Club number and then do the matching for you.

6. You can status match with a casino

In addition to status matching with cruise lines, Royal Caribbean has an agreement with MGM Resorts.

For no extra cost, you can link your Crown & Anchor level and immediately take advantage of MGM benefits such as resort fee waivers, discounts on entertainment, and complimentary hotel upgrades.

The tier level you receive with MGM Rewards depends on your tier in the Crown & Anchor Society:

• C&A Gold = Sapphire status with MGM Rewards
• C&A Platinum = Pearl status with MGM Rewards
• C&A Emerald, Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club = Gold status with MGM Rewards

To link your Crown & Anchor Society account with MGM Rewards, first make a free account on the MGM Resorts website. Next, contact an MGM Rewards representative through phone or email.

Let the representative know your Crown & Anchor Society number. They will contact Royal Caribbean to confirm your information and link you to the appropriate tier with MGM rewards.

7. MSC Cruises will status match your Royal Caribbean status

MSC Cruises is one of the few cruise lines that will status match your loyalty status with other rival lines, including Royal Caribbean.

There is no fee to do so but you need to complete the process at least 7-10 days before your first MSC cruise. The application for this is located on the MSC Cruises website and is easy to complete.

MSC will status match Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney, Celebrity, Norwegian and Holland America Line. They'll even status match hotel loyalty programs, including Club Med, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood, Fairmont, Expedia, and RIU.

Depending on your status with Royal Caribbean, the benefits will vary. One of our writers was at Emerald Status and qualified for Gold status with MSC, which got her one free hour in the thermal spa, a welcome back cocktail reception, and a complimentary MSC Voyagers Club drawstring bag. 

One caveat to status matching with MSC Cruises is you may only apply for a status match one time.  So you cannot do it again later if you were to move up through Royal Caribbean's tiers.

8. Virgin Voyages will give benefits to top tier Royal Caribbean cruisers

Diamond, Diamond Plus, Pinnacle Club members in Crown and Anchor Society are able to participate in Virgin Voyages' Experience Match offer.

These cruisers get immediate status in the Virgin Voyages program. As part of this, they are granted Sea-Rovers status, which includes the $100 Bar Tab Bonus through 2024.

Is a Royal Caribbean status match worth it?

Royal Caribbean's reciprocity with Celebrity Cruises makes it a smart choice for any cruiser looking to jump between the two lines and be able to enjoy extra perks.

While it would be better if Royal Caribbean and Celebrity had a joint loyalty program where cruises on either line earned you higher status (which is something the company is considering for the future), it's still great to have something to show for it.

Similarly, the free benefits you can receive with MGM, Virgin, or MSC Cruises means there's no reason not to status match with them either, although you'll want to hold off status matching with MSC until you're sure you wont move up higher anytime soon in Crown and Anchor Society.

The only caveat is you must take action before the cruise to get the status match done so it can be applied to your reservation. If you think about it once on the ship, it's too late.