Rachel and Rebecca share their experience cruising on Liberty of the Seas after needing special wheelchair accessibility on their cruise.
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It's not your imagination, cruise prices are on the increase so now may be the best time to lock in the best price.
January is the start of Wave season, and Royal Caribbean is seeing such strong demand that prices aren't dipping much at all.
Wave season is an industry term for the time of year when cruise lines tend to offer their best promotion. It traditionally takes place between January and March.
A lot of people typically book cruises in the early months of year as a result of wanting to plan their vacations for later, as well as being influenced by cold temperatures now that compel them to think of a tropical cruise vacation.
Like other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean has rolled out new offers since the start of the month, and so many people are booking cruises, that price trends are moving up.
Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, told travel agents on Wednesday during a webinar that demand is so strong for new bookings during Wave season that they're seeing higher prices.
"In the past, when the cruise industry has had a strong wave like we're experiencing now... pricing goes up and we don't see all that dilution in current pricing and we're not seeing that now."
"If anything, we're seeing pricing going up."
This pricing trend reinforces an important cruise planning tip: book early to get the lowest price.
"It allows your client to feel confident that the purchase that they make in the beginning of the year is a better value than if they wait till the end," Ms. Freed added when talking about the prices when booking a cruise early.
To echo the point how strong Wave season has been so far, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared an anecdote during the webinar how well things have been since the start of the year.
"We have been having record booking day after record booking day," Mr. Bayley said when talking about Wave season so far.
"Last week was the biggest booking week in the history of our business. It was absolutely unbelievable and it just seems to be getting better and better."
He also said this bodes well for the rest of the year, but Mr. Bayley feels strongly about how good things will be for Royal Caribbean this year.
"I've got to tell you, I'm turning pretty positive about the year. Obviously, it's just the beginning of the year."
Royal Caribbean's cruise fare pricing is based on supply, and the quicker cabins sell on a particular sailing, generally the higher prices go.
The key to getting the best price is to book your cruise as soon as you know you want to go on the sailing and lock in the cabin you prefer.
In addition to the lower prices, booking well in-advance of a cruise assures you of the ship and stateroom you want to reserve.
Suites and some of the higher in-demand cabins are the first to be reserved, and waiting to book usually results in far fewer choices.
Cruise fares tend to be cheapest the further in advance you book, and despite a few last-minute deals here and there, it’s best to book in advance and lock-in the best price.
Read more: Pros and Cons of booking a cruise early vs last-minute
If you're curious, Royal Caribbean is offering a number of discounts on cruises when booked in January.
The current promotion offers 30% off every guest and Kids Sail Free deals when booking a cruise between January 3 to January 31, 2023.
The deals are good for cruises departing in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and some blackout dates apply.
Throughout January, the line will also run unannounced flash sales that include offers like $550 instant savings and discounts on beverage and dining packages, shore excursions, internet and more.
It's not just Royal Caribbean, because survey data points to a lot of people looking to cruise.
According to a AAA survey, 52% of adults in the United States this year are likely to consider a cruise vacation. That's up from 45% a year ago.
AAA sees the demand jumping because a lot more people are comfortable to travel in 2023 compared to the last couple of years.
Happy weekend! We hope you are enjoying a wonderful and relaxing weekend and managing to stay warm. Now it is time to sit back with a cuppa tea or java, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean cruise news.
Is a Royal Caribbean drink package worth the up-front cost?
Allie tried the deluxe beverage package for the first time on her recent Mariner of the Seas sailing and came away thinking it wasn't the right investment for her.
Here's her experience with why she learned the drink package wasn't a good choice for her.
The 483rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt talks with Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist about his job keeping passengers and crew safe from any kind of bad weather.
Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to employ a full-time meteorologist, and we talk with Mr. Van Fleet about his daily work to stay ahead of the weather.
Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.
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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — I stayed in a $13,000 suite on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.
The chat feature in Royal Caribbean's app is now free!
So how well does it work and what should you know about the chat feature before you use it?
We have a walkthrough of the chat feature and what you should know about it before you start using chat on your next cruise.
Royal Caribbean has the option to let you book another cruise while onboard, but is it worth it?
By booking a cruise on the ship, you can take advantage of extra onboard credit and reduced deposit. It's incentives that are otherwise not available and stackable with Royal Caribbean's regular offers.
Like anything, there are drawbacks to the program, so it's important to know the pros and cons of NextCruise.
We all love to cruise as much as possible, but there are some downsides to cruising often.
This isn't meant to be any kind of pity party, just a way to share an inside look at the realities of going on cruise ships a lot.
From spending less time at home to gaining a few inches on the waistline, here are the top downsides to cruising a lot.
Could Royal Caribbean be letting the general public pick the name for its next cruise ship?
The selection of a cruise ship name is usually an internal process that executives undertake in order to determine the optimal name based on a variety of criteria, but Royal Caribbean may be opening it up in this case.
The cruise line posted on social media an invitation to choose between four names for its next Icon Class cruise ship.
The choices are:
There's even a voting poll on Twitter, along with an informal reaction poll on Facebook.
We want to hear from you! Which is your favorite for our second Icon Class ship? pic.twitter.com/DcLyDg26sW
— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) January 14, 2023
For what it's worth, the only name that is trademarked with the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Royal Caribbean is Star of the Seas, which the cruise line registered on June 14, 2022.
In searching the trademark database, there are no entries for the other three names. That may or may not mean anything.
Trademark registrations are not necessarily indicative of what the company may or may not do.
Read more: 8 things Royal Caribbean trademarked but never did anything with
Of course, the polls on social media may not be a binding choice in which name the cruise line will use. If nothing else, exposing possible names for the ship to the public is a rare occurrence.
Icon of the Seas, the first in the class, is under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Her first sailing is scheduled for January 27, 2024.
The company has orders in place for two more Icon Class ships. The other two Icon Class ships will be in service by 2026.
In speaking with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider in November 2022, he indicated the name for the third Icon Class ship is set, but the second ship was still in the air.
"I'm still taking ideas on Icon two and Icon three. I feel really confident in the name we have for Icon three, it's actually two that we're still working on."
Picking a cruise ship name is no simple task, and Royal Caribbean often juggles dozens of names before settling on one.
Royal Caribbean will commonly register many trademarks for new cruise ship names with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
As an example, in December 2021, the company registered 24 new cruise ship names.
Why so many?
Part of the process is not only reserving names they intend to use, but also names they know they will not use. Because trademarks are a matter of public record, from a competitive advantage standpoint, they'll include other names to prevent tipping their hand in which direction they'll go.
Odyssey of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's innovative cruise ship, is a spectacular experience that combines cutting-edge technology with luxurious amenities and exciting entertainment to create an unforgettable vacation.
The ship has a rock-climbing wall and basketball court. There is also a casino, several restaurants and bars, and a theater that hosts Broadway-style shows.
What makes this ship stand out is the expansive range of activities it provides its guests. Onboard, you can find a variety of high-end restaurants, bars, clubs, and lounges, as well as live music and entertainment. Furthermore, Odyssey of the Seas offers plenty of exciting sports and leisure opportunities such as rock climbing walls, surf simulator and even a sky diving simulator!
You can also stay connected with friends and family while onboard through complimentary Wi-Fi access. There are also various retail outlets where you can find souvenirs to take back home or pick up everyday essentials.
If you’re looking for some rest and relaxation then Odyssey of the Seas has plenty to offer here too. Its Vitality Spa encompasses a variety of treatments from massages to facials for those looking for some pampering during their cruise; alternatively you can lounge at one of their tranquil outdoor pools or enjoy time in one of their hot tubs overlooking the sea.
Odyssey of the Seas debuted in 2021, and her arrival was met with a great deal of enthusiasm as the ship brought with it some really exciting new offerings onboard.
Royal Caribbean designed Odyssey of the Seas with different areas of focus, and unlike other Quantum Class ships, she has some noticeable additions. If you have been on Anthem of the Seas or Ovation of the Seas, you may notice changes the cruise line made to the layout of the ship.
Let's focus on the major areas of the ship to get a better sense of what is onboard:
If you are concerned about crowds, Royal Caribbean designed the ship with enough to do so that there will be enough going on to draw guests away from always wanting to be in the same area. Odyssey has many of her best things to do in the front or aft of the ship, which helps with crowd management.
As with any cruise ship, it is a good idea to walk around the ship once you get onboard to get a better sense of where everything is located. By exploring the ship early, you can get your bearings and be able to navigate the ship better later on.
Royal Caribbean differentiated Odyssey of the Seas in a few ways from her sister Quantum Class ships.
First, it has Playmakers Sports Bar and placed it in the SeaPlex. This is the first ship to combine both venues.
Second, Odyssey does not have an indoor pool like other Quantum Class ships. Instead, Royal Caribbean went with a resort style pool approach, meaning there's two outdoor pools in addition to the enclosed Solarium.
In addition, Odyssey has the new Giovanni's Italian Kitchen specialty restaurant concept.
There are 17 different restaurants on Odyssey of the Seas, along with multiple bars and lounges. Royal Caribbean was certain to include many options so guests had plenty of choice and no single venue became too overcrowded.
The variety of dining venues (paid and complimentary) gives passengers a choice of cuisines, cooking styles, and price.
The complimentary dining venues are included with your cruise fare, and you will be able to find plenty of food at no additional cost for every meal and snacks inbetween. In fact, the complimentary dining is quite good, and should not be overlooked because the food included with your cruise fare is cooked fresh every day and covers a great deal of tastes.
Specialty dining has an additional cost to it, and allows guests to opt into dining at these venues if they prefer. Most venues have a cover charge, where each guest pays a flat fee and all the food is included. A couple of venues have an a la carte menu, where you pay for each item individually.
The reason to go to a specialty restaurant is for a cooking style or cuisine not otherwise available on the ship. Specialty dining is a splurge, and is akin to choosing to go to a restaurant at home instead of having something in your house: there's nothing wrong with the food you have at home, but sometimes it is nice to pay for a meal out.
Specialty dining is not cheap, but there are dining packages you can purchase before the cruise to get a discount on multiple restaurants.
Here is a list of complimentary and specialty dining options on Odyssey of the Seas:
Should you eat at the included restaurants or try a specialty restaurant? It depends on your budget and tastes, but it is nice to mix in a specialty restaurant or two.
Most passengers focus primarily on the complimentary restaurants, such as the Main dining room and Windjammer. The ample snacks and between meal bites at El Loco Fresh and Sorrento's. In short, there is a good variety of food between these venues that will leave you satisfied.
If you are staying in a suite, you should also consider going to Coastal Kitchen, which is only for suite guests and offers a completely different menu from the main dining room. Royal Caribbean fans that cruise a lot in suites swear by how good Coastal Kitchen is, and since it is included with the cost of your suite, you should plan to dine there if you can.
If you would like to dip your toe into specialty dining, consider purchasing a 3-night dining package as a way to get a good deal on a few restaurants. Some of my favorites include Teppanyaki, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, and Playmakers.
Royal Caribbean offers passengers as much to do on Odyssey of the Seas as any cruise ship, and you will quickly find there are lots of really fun things to try.
In fact, it can feel like a floating city with all the activities to consider. Your best bet to keep track of what is offered and when is to read the daily Cruise Compass. Think of the Cruise Compass as a TV Guide for everything planned that day, including hours for all the activities, dining, shows, and live performances.
A copy of the Cruise Compass will be delivered to your stateroom each evening by your stateroom attendant, and you can also view it on the Royal Caribbean app.
Odyssey of the Seas stands out from other cruise ship with a few notable attractions onboard that are sure to get anyone's attention.
While there are traditional cruise ship activities onboard, such as bingo, trivia, and demonstrations, there are also lots of whiz-bang things to do as well:
Most of these activities are completely free to do on Odyssey of the Seas, although Royal Caribbean does charge for some.
You can book certain signature activities ahead of time, either before your cruise on the Royal Caribbean cruise planner website, or via the Royal Caribbean app once you are onboard the ship.
Hours for all activities will be published daily in the Cruise Compass.
Something completely different you should try is Zone Zero, which is an immersive virtual reality experience. At a cost of $18.00 per person, you put on a full VR suit and literally walk around a VR world. That is not to say you sit and explore like a video game; Rather, you physically walk in the real world while seeing a virtual one, where you battle pirates. Incredible stuff.
The North Star is another really fun thing to try out, where the observational pod will take you over 300 feet above sea level to see your ship and whatever is around you. Currently, North Star costs extra if you are on a sea day, but it is complimentary for port day. Schedule it on port days right when they open in the morning or late afternoon before the ship departs to get a free ride at a convenient time.
Ripcord by iFly is another popular activity, where you put on a special suit and enter a wind tunnel to get a sense of what it is like to sky dive.
North Star, Ripcord, and Zone Zero are all bookable via the Royal Caribbean app, but book them as soon as you can because space is very limited.
The SeaPlex is a hub of activity, where you will find lots of different things to do throughout the day and cruise. Bumper cars, pickleball, soccer, basketball, dancing and more will be available. Check your Cruise Compass for times.
Something else different about the SeaPlex is the fact Playmakers sports bar is located inside. Not only can you have a drink or meal while watching the action in the SeaPlex, there are 56 televisions around the bar to catch your favorite team. It is easily the best Playmakers location on any Royal Caribbean ship.
There are two main shows on Odyssey of the Seas, with plenty of other performances to check out.
All shows are under an hour in duration, which means the performances are all at a good length to not leave you overwhelmed.
"Showgirl: Past. Present. Future." is a tribute to the dance style Las Vegas showgirls have made famous for decades. It looks at the style of dance from different eras and presents it in a fast-paced original production that has a lot of energy behind it.
You can find Showgirl performed in the Royal Theater.
"The Book: Seven Chapters, One Adventure" is another original production that loosely tells a story of a librarian who explores the chapters of a book through song, dance, and music. It is difficult to describe this show in writing, but it is certainly a visually impressive production with lots of different elements and performing styles intertwined to create an act you have never seen before.
You can find The Book performed in Two70.
You should absolutely book reservations for Showgirl or The Book to ensure you have a spot for it, as seating is very limited (especially in Two70). There is no cost to make show reservations, and you can book it via the Royal Caribbean app once onboard the ship.
Be sure to also allocate time to see the live music on Odyssey of the Seas. Music Hall has a live band most nights, and it is as close as you can get to a rock concert on a cruise ship.
You will also find live music in other lounges onboard, including Boleros, Schooner Bar, and the Pub. Royal Caribbean puts a lot of pride in their live music onboard, so check out as much as you can.
Odyssey of the Seas has resort-style pool deck that is not otherwise available on other Quantum Class ships, and it is a great layout.
There are two main pools for all guests on Odyssey of the Seas, along with the adults-only Solarium.
The two pools are separated by a structure in the middle, but it helps break up crowding. You will find in-pool loungers, and lots of seating all around the pool deck.
Royal Caribbean integrated the entire pool deck with the Lime and Coconut, which is a multilevel bar venue that evokes a certain level of fun with your pool day.
On the second pool deck, you will find casitas that you can rent for an additional fee, along with hot tubs that overlook the lower pool deck. There are hot tubs on the lower pool deck too.
Pools will be closed occasionally when they need to be cleaned as well if weather or sea conditions make the pools unsafe for swimming. Otherwise, there is usually a pool and hot tub open for use.
The adults-only (age 16 and over) Solarium is a beautiful space, and it is enclosed which means the temperature is far more manageable on hot summer days.
Kids will find Splashaway Bay a fun place to get as wet as possible without actually jumping in a pool. There are water slides, drench buckets, geysers, and just about every other possible way to get soaked.
If you have children under the age of 18, there is an entire area of the ship reserved just for them at Adventure Ocean.
Odyssey of the Seas features the revamped Adventure Ocean that brings a new focus on activities for kids to do together, along with an infusion of some fun technology.
If you are unfamiliar with Adventure Ocean, programming is divided up into age-appropriate groups:
Adventure Ocean is complimentary during the day and evening, up until 10pm. After 10pm, there is an hourly cost per child.
Adventure Ocean is open most of the day, but their hours vary depending on if it is a port day or sea day. On sea days, Adventure Ocean typically opens at 9:00am. It then closes at noon and re-opens at 2pm and remains open until 5pm. The evening session then runs from 7pm to 10pm.
In addition, there is a Nursery for toddlers ages 6 to 36 months. The Nursery always has an hourly charge, but is designed for babies and toddlers.
The teen club is known as Social180, and it is like a clubhouse where teens meet before they participate in an activity there or elsewhere on the ship. Often there are teens-only events, such as bumper cars or FlowRider time.
As with any Royal Caribbean ship, planning ahead of time is very important to ensure you get to do everything you want.
At some point in the future, you will be able to book entertainment and shows ahead of time via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website.
For now, you can only book these activities once onboard the ship via the Royal Caribbean app. So be sure to have the app downloaded and ready to go before you get onboard. You can download the Royal Caribbean app from either the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store.
The app is capable of providing a digital SetSail pass once you complete online check-in. Just like a boarding pass for an airline, you can show the pier agents your SetSail Pass via the app and get onboard.
Make sure you complete the online check-in for your cruise as early as possible to get an early check-in time. Royal Caribbean enforces their check-in times (they didn't use to care about arrival times), so getting an early time is important.
If you're wondering of Odyssey of the Seas is the biggest cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet or the biggest cruise ship in the world, the answer to both questions is "no".
Odyssey of the Seas is a Quantum Ultra class ship, and she comes in at 347.1m long and 41.1m wide and has a gross registered tonnage of 169,300t. While that is no small ship by any means, she is still smaller than any of the Oasis Class ships.
The biggest cruise ship in the world is Symphony of the Seas (soon to be eclipsed by Wonder of the Seas).
Symphony of the Seas measures 228,081 gross tons and is 1,188 feet 1 inch in length (362.12m).
When you read about Odyssey of the Seas, you may hear she is a Quantum Ultra class ship and wonder what makes that different from Quantum Class ships.
In practice, the difference between a Quantum and Quantum Ultra Class ship is less noticeable than the difference between other classes of ships. Think of it more like a sub class of the Quantum Class, rather than a completely different categorization of Royal Caribbean vessel.
Odyssey has the same basic layout and signature activities of a Quantum Class ship, such as the North Star, SeaPlex, Ripcord by iFly, a Royal Esplanade and more.
The real difference is when you look at the layout and additions Royal Caribbean has made compared to her older siblings. Odyssey has been reworked a bit, with a unified main dining room, a SeaPlex that features Playmakers sports bar, and a new resort-style pool deck.
Some other changes you will find on a Quantum Ultra class ship include a SkyPad, the indoor pool is now outdoor, a Teppanyaki restaurant, and a slightly larger size.
Read more: All about Royal Caribbean's ship classes
No, the Central Park area is only found on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships.
There are two main pools on Odyssey of the Seas, and an adults-only Solarium pool.
The main pools have a resort-style theme to it that have in-pool loungers. Something else different is there are hot tubs on the upper pool deck with a see-through side.
There is a smaller version of Splashaway Bay for kids to enjoy. While it is not a pool, there are drench buckets, a kids slide, geysers and plenty of ways to cool off.
No, laser tag is not offered on Odyssey of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean offers laser tag on ships that have a Studio B ice skating rink, so that space can easily be converted over to laser tag when necessary.
Yes, there are robot bartenders on Odyssey of the Seas that can serve you drinks.
The Bionic Bar is located on deck 5 next to the shore excursions desk.
Anyone can order a drink from the Bionic Bar, as it can make alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Just go to the one of the nearby tablets and place an order. You have the choice of selecting from pre-defined drink recipes, or creating your own concoctions.
After submitting your drink order, the robots assemble and serve the drink in the order they came in.
While there is not a dedicated escape room on Odyssey of the Seas, they still offer an escape room game you can play.
Known as "A Royal Mystery" puzzle challenge, it is a game developed by the same company that creates the escape rooms for Royal Caribbean on other ships.
Held in Two70, this is a complimentary escape room game where teams try to solve a series of puzzles based on clues hidden throughout the room to help solve a whodunit murder case.
Guests participating have a set amount of time to comb over the details provided, as well as clues and puzzles they will discover until they can solve the case.
Check the Cruise Compass for when A Royal Mystery will be offered.
Odyssey of the Seas is offering roundtrip cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for winter 2022-2023. There are 6- and 8-night sailings to choose from while the ship sails from Florida.
In summer 2023, Odyssey will transition to offer Mediterranean cruises.
Royal Caribbean provides a number of restaurants that will cost you nothing extra onboard.
In addition, there are specialty restaurants you can dine at that cost extra, but offer cuisines and/or cooking styles not otherwise available onboard.
Read more: Odyssey of the Seas restaurants
Splashaway Bay does offer kids a water slide, but Odyssey of the Seas does not have the Perfect Storm water slides found on other ships for guests of all ages.
Located on deck 14, there are two slides for kids to enjoy in Splashaway Bay, a small traditional slide and a tube slide.
If the winter cold weather has you thinking it might be time to book a cruise, Royal Caribbean has some deals you ought to consider.
Royal Caribbean's Wave season deals began this month, in which the cruise line is offering sales on cruises going through early 2025. Since our readers likely want to get away sooner than 2025, there's also a great array of choices you can find low prices for that depart in the first half of this year as well.
The current promotion offers 30% off every guest and Kids Sail Free deals when booking a cruise between January 3 to January 31, 2023.
In searching for cruises that depart between January and May 2023, I found super low rates on cruises that visit the Caribbean, Alaska, and the Mexican Riviera.
Like any last minute cruise, the "catch" with these deals is you're going to have to act fast to not only book them, but ensure prices for airfare are reasonable as well.
Since now is one of the best times of the year to book a new Royal Caribbean cruise, here's a look at some of the best deals you can book for a winter or spring getaway.
In looking through the cruise deals for sailings in the first half of 2023, here are some of the top picks:
Alaska
It's never too early to start thinking of a cruise to Alaska, and there are some really low rates for the beginning of the Alaska cruise season.
Caribbean
If a warm-weather escape is what you want, there are lots of deals on cruises around the Caribbean.
Mexican Riviera
For our west coast friends, Navigator of the Seas has a lot of great rates left for cruises in January and February 2023.
Sailing from Los Angeles, there are 7-night sailings that visit Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, beginning at $471 per person for the April 28, 2023 sailing.
More deals beyond
These are just some of the cheapest prices I could find for a 7-night cruise that leaves in the next few months.
Royal Caribbean uses this time of year to boost its sales for the rest of the year, so you can find great prices for sailings later in the year, especially the fall.
In general, cruise pricing tends to favor those that book early and there are great rates to be had for cruises not just this year, but over the next few years.
Royal Caribbean is also advising that more deals will be coming this month, including flash deals of $550 instant savings and discounts on beverage and dining packages, shore excursions, internet and more throughout the month.
It's not your imagination, a lot of people are looking at a cruise vacation.
According to a AAA survey, 52% of adults in the United States this year are likely to consider a cruise vacation. That's up from 45% a year ago.
Why are so many people looking to cruise? In short, many travel experts see 2023 as a big bounce back year for travel after the events of the past three years.
Royal Caribbean already saw a record-breaking Black Friday sales event, and AAA believes new cruise ships are enticing a lot of folks to try a cruise.
Ready to book a cruise for this year? There's plenty of options, so here's my advice for sifting through all the options.
It's tempting to sort cruise prices from lowest to highest and harp on the cheapest price you can find, but you'll want to look at the big picture first.
First, look at the choice in cabin because that super low price is almost certainly for an inside cabin. There's nothing wrong with staying in an inside cabin, but some people want more space and a view with their cruise.
You'll also want to see if the price is for a guarantee cabin or not.
A guarantee cabin is when Royal Caribbean assigns your stateroom location, meaning you are unable to select exactly where on the ship your cabin will be. If you aren’t picky about your cabin location, booking a guarantee rate can be a nice way to save money.
If you’d prefer picking your own cabin location, though, expect to pay slightly more per person on the cruise fare.
Read more: What you need to know before booking a cheap cruise
Royal Caribbean has some great cruise fares you can book, but the airlines might not.
Before you book a cruise, you'll want to quickly check airfare prices to ensure you can afford the price to get you to that cheap cruise deal.
If you're looking at a cruise more than 3 months from now, you'll probably be fine in terms of flights. But if you're looking to getaway sooner, last minute flight prices could be a challenge.
Read more: Why booking a last-minute cruise isn't always a great idea
If you see a great price listed for a cruise, your next step should be to ask your travel agent to price it out.
Travel agents can see a host of discounts you might not think of, as well as agency rates and special offers.
Plus, a travel agent may be aware of other deals available based on pricing they've been tracking.
Royal Caribbean's Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet is one of a kind, and this week, we have an exclusive interview talking about how is services benefit the company and passengers alike.
Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...
Royal Caribbean offers passengers the opportunity to book another cruised while onboard a cruise, but is it worth it?
The NextCruise desk is open every day of your cruise, and it's where you can go to book another Royal Caribbean (or even Celebrity Cruise) sailing.
The idea is simple: you're having a great cruise, why not book another? It seems like a good idea because the cruise line has extra incentives for booking.
A lot of readers are curious if it makes sense to book a cruise onboard, or if the offer isn't as lucrative as it sounds.
Here are the reasons why you should book another cruise while you're onboard your next sailing, and why you might want to wait.
The best reason to book a cruise at NextCruise while on a Royal Caribbean cruise is the extra onboard credit you'll get.
The price of a cruise is the same whether you book onboard or at home, but Royal Caribbean will give you extra onboard credit for booking onboard. It's a bonus on top of other promotions the cruise line has, and is one of the best ways to rack up onboard credit.
How much credit? It depends on how long your sailing is and the type of cabin:
You could also book an open booking, which is kind of like a certificate that you can apply to a future reservation.
The amount of onboard credit for an open booking is less than a specific booking you could make, but it's better than nothing!
In short, you're getting free money to spend on your sailing simply by booking another cruise.
Another nice to have benefit of booking a cruise at NextCruise is you'll have to lay out less money initially.
Royal Caribbean allows guests to book a sailing with only $100 per person deposits on select fares.
Once again, the deposit amount depends on the type of cabin you select, but this takes the sting out of the initial reservation cost.
Want to know the easiest way to get a lot of onboard credit? Take advantage of NextCruise while there's another offer by Royal Caribbean so that you can stack the offers.
The extra onboard credit mentioned earlier in this article is combinable with most other Royal Caribbean promotions, such as Kids Sail Free.
It's also combinable with Crown & Anchor exclusive savings.
The NextCruise offer is combinable with most groups, such as a lovely Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise!
Did you know in addition to getting that onboard credit and reduced deposit for yourself, you can also loop in anyone else that you want to sail with?
Royal Caribbean will allow you to book up to three staterooms for yourself, friends, or family on any cruise with the same benefits.
As you may or may not know, suite bookings are non-refundable, but if you book at NextCruise, you get a grace period to change your mind.
If you make a NextCruise booking for a Grand Suite stateroom or higher, changes made during the first 30 days after the NextCruise booking was made are not subject to a change fee, but will remain non-refundable.
This means you can change sailings, or even cancel without incurring the $100 per person change fee that would otherwise be applicable to a non-refundable cruise fare.
Keep in mind after the first 30 days, the change fee is applicable again.
While I don't think this is necessarily a reason to always book a cruise, but sometimes the NextCruise desk runs special extras you can get for booking.
A commonly offered benefit is if you book a cruise at NextCruise early in the sailing (usually the first day or two), you can qualify for a free bottle of champagne or gift bag.
Whether or not something like this is offered on your sailing will vary, but I've seen this as an incentive posted in order to drum up business early in a sailing, when the NextCruise desk is usually not busy.
If all of this sounds great, there's still a very good reason not to wait to book a cruise once you get onboard a ship.
Royal Caribbean's cruise prices fluctuate all the time. The price can change minute-by-minute depending on which cabins get booked.
Remember, cruise fares are dynamic and respond to the company's internal pricing methodology that is largely based on how many rooms are left. The more cabins that get booked up, the less inventory there is for a particular sailing, and that can drive prices up.
The risk you run if you wait to book a cruise until you get onboard, is the price can go up between now and then, which would negate any savings you'd receive from the extra onboard credit offer.
Ideally, you'll visit the NextCruise desk while on a sailing because while on your cruise, you think it would be great to book another vacation. In that scenario, booking at NextCruise makes a lot of sense for all the reasons mentioned earlier in this post.
But, if you're at home and your next cruise vacation is weeks or months away, you should probably book a cruise now and not wait to protect yourself against a price increase.
Sure, the extra onboard credit and reduced deposit are nice, but at the end of the day, I'd rather pay the lowest price for the cruise fare than run the risk the price goes up just so I could net some extra credit.
If you do find yourself at the NextCruise desk, there are a few things to double check before you hand over your credit card to book a cruise.
First and foremost, look at the cruise fare type that you are booking. Specifically, refundable or non-refundable deposit.
I can't stress enough how important it is to be fully aware of the pros and cons of these fares. Almost certainly any quote the NextCruise agent makes will be for a non-refundable cruise fare.
There's nothing wrong with these types of deposits, but you should clearly understand what happens if you want to change the sailing, date, and/or ship and associated fees that come with it.
The next thing to check is your travel agent is listed on the reservation.
If you booked with a travel agent for the sailing you're on, NextCruise should automatically associate the new booking with your agent. Verify that is the case, or if you prefer to keep the reservation to yourself so that you can transfer it to another agency later, you can do that (make sure you complete that process within 30 days of booking).
Also verify you have the right dining choice, traditional or My Time Dining.
Lastly, look at the extra costs, such as travel insurance and gratuities. Sometimes the agent will add them on, but if you already have travel insurance, then you don't need to have that cost there.
In short, don't assume anything. When you get the print out at the desk, verify everything you were told and promised is written down on the sheet.
If you're on your cruise ship and have the inclination to book another sailing, yes, there's no reason not to book with NextCruise because of the incentives offered.
The extra onboard credit and reduced deposit are wonderful benefits to booking.
However, if you're at home, your best bet is to still book a cruise now and lock in the price. Overall, cruise prices tend to go up over time, and the best prices tend to be when booked as early as possible.
Welcome to this week's round-up of all the Royal Caribbean news and happenings. Hope you are staying warm and are ready to cozy up to the cruise happenings this week.
Royal Caribbean revealed the new main dining room menus this week.
Symphony of the Seas is the first ship to roll out the new menus, which will eventually make it fleetwide by the end of the month.
The new menus have a new layout, with a distinct theme for each evening. In addition, there's no longer a subset of menu selections that stays the same every night.
This is Royal Caribbean's first refresh of the dining room menu in over five years, which offers guests new choices alongside fan-favorites that remain on select evenings.
The 482nd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt and Billy share their wishes for changes Royal Caribbean would make in 2023.
Trying to be as practical as possible, this week's episode is about things they want to see change in policies or offerings.
Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.
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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Boarding day cruise ship tips for 2023 — and don’t forget to subscribe here.
Ready for your cruise this year? Here's the top tips for how to tackle any cruise sailing in 2023.
Cruising in 2023 is as "normal" as it's been in quite a while, but there are quite a few good tips to follow for your sailings this year.
From ways to save time, to money, to pitfalls to avoid, these are the do's and dont's for a 2023 cruise.
I love Royal Caribbean, but there's always room for improvement and I think there's a few things other cruise lines do better.
While the grass may not necessarily be greener on the other side of the cruise line fence, these are a few ideas I like that I wouldn't mind seeing Royal Caribbean add to their ships.
We share lots of tips and tricks, but which secrets are our staff's favorites?
Our staff spent a cumulative 270 nights on cruises last year, and we wanted to share the best tips for our readers from our own experience.
The Alaska cruise season is quite short, with just six months to choose the best time to cruise Alaska.
The Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, which happen to be the most temperate times of the year in the 49th state.
The spring and summer months are when nearly all cruise ships visit each year. You'll find many hours of daylight in the summer with long days.
It is hard to top the majestic beauty of rugged glaciers, plethora of unique animal sightings, or huge mountains. Going on a cruise to Alaska is an extremely popular kind of cruise, because it offers an easy way to see so much in a compact amount of time.
Royal Caribbean also sails to Alaska in early May and into late September or even October, where you can find some great deals.
While it is impossible to see and do it all over the course of a one week cruise, Alaska has the power to enchant even brief visitors. So while you are stuck at home, this may be the perfect time to start planning a cruise to The Last Frontier.
There are advantages of cruising in each of the summer months, including when prices will be higher or lower.
Here is your guide for figuring out the best times to visit for your first (or 50th) Alaska cruise.
There are definite ebbs and flows to demand and crowds in the ports you will visit depending on which month you sail.
If you are looking for the months with the lowest crowds in Alaska, try for May or September. These are the "shoulder season" months, which is when the season begins and ends, and is when you will find less people vying for a cruise.
Moreover, going during May or September is also when most kids are still in school, which means families are unable to cruise during this period.
The downside to these months is the weather tends to be the most unpredictable, and that can be an issue with possibly impacting your shore excursions. Most notably helicopter and boat excursions are the most at risk for cancellation.
Since Alaska cruises are so dependent on outdoor activities, your best chance for sunny days can be opposite of when the best time for crowds are each season.
Read more: What is the best month to cruise to Alaska?
The weather in Alaska can, and will, change multiple times per day, but you will find the warmest months to be June, July and August.
The median months will see higher temperatures and longer days for touring, and it represents the limited summer that Alaska enjoys. However, July and August tend to also have higher levels of precipitation.
Here's a look at the average temperatures in Southeast Alaska:
If you do book a cruise during summer, be sure to plan your shore excursions well in advance to avoid tours selling out.
If you are willing to trade warmth for less precipitation, then go for May. In fact, the end of May and early June offers some of the best weather in the region throughout the year.
If you want to see snow on the ground, April or early May is the best month for that.
Most cruise passengers tend to avoid the early season because of the school calendar and cooler weather. By going in the summer months, many people get to enjoy Alaska when things are in full swing and of course the warmer weather.
Read more: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing in Alaska 2022
Alaska is not a cheap cruise, but if you want to save money on your cruise fare, then your best bet is May or September.
For the same reasons May and September feature lower crowds, these months see most often the lowest prices for a cruise because of the combination of colder temperatures and the school calendar.
Read more: What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
Few places allow for viewing of the aurora borealis, and the best time see the Northern Lights is in September.
September is the time of year when the sun sets earlier during the cruise season, which means the sky gets darker and makes for the most ideal viewing conditions.
Of course, temperatures during September will be lower than other times of the year, but the opportunity to see the Northern Lights is a real treat.
As mentioned in this article, not only does September provide the opportunity to see the Northern Lights, but you will also enjoy less crowds and likely lower prices on a cruise.
Read more: Top 10 tips for planning your Alaska cruise
You will see plenty of wildlife during your Alaska cruise throughout the cruise season, including whale watching, sea lions, bears, & birds.
The best months to catch a glimpse of the amazing fauna that call Alaska home are the months of June and July.
Read more: What Is an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise?
Ultimately, there is no perfect time to sail to Alaska, as each month offers its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing when to cruise to Alaska comes down to your preferences.
May has always stood out as a great time to take a cruise. The weather in May is usually mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s.
One of the biggest advantages of cruising in May is that you get to avoid the peak season crowds. The summer months are the busiest time for tourists in Alaska, and the ports and attractions can get overcrowded.
By cruising in May, you can beat the rush and enjoy a more relaxed and peaceful experience. You can also take advantage of the lower rates offered by the cruise lines during the shoulder season, which can help you save money.
Additionally, May is an ideal time to take advantage of the extended daylight hours and enjoy some outdoor activities. Alaska is known for its outdoor adventure opportunities, and the springtime weather is perfect for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. You can take a guided hike through the wilderness or try your hand at fishing in one of Alaska's many rivers.
The weather in June is usually warmer and more stable than May, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the mid-70s. The longer days allow for more time to explore the state's natural beauty, and the scenery is simply stunning. The warm temperatures also make it an ideal time to participate in outdoor activities.
Another reason June is a great month for an Alaska cruise is that the ports are in full swing. The peak season for Alaska tourism starts in June, and the ports are buzzing with activity. The shops, restaurants, and attractions are all open and ready to welcome visitors, offering a wide variety of experiences to choose from. The larger crowds can add to the atmosphere and make for a lively and enjoyable vacation.
Finally, June is an excellent month for a family vacation. With the school year coming to a close, many families take advantage of the opportunity to travel together during the summer months. Alaska offers something for everyone, with activities and experiences that appeal to all ages. Whether you want to hike in the wilderness, go whale watching, or learn about Alaska's history and culture, there is something for everyone.
The weather in July is usually warm and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from the mid-50s to the low 70s. This makes it an ideal time for outdoor activities. The only issue with a July Alaska cruise is the rain, as the state averages around 12 inches of rain in the month of July.
July is also a great month for wildlife sightings in Alaska. The state is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bears, moose, caribou, and whales. In July, the whales are usually in full migration, making it an ideal time for whale watching. Visitors can take a whale watching excursion to see humpback whales, orcas, and other marine life up close. The salmon are also in full run during this time, which attracts bears and eagles, making it an excellent time to spot these animals in their natural habitat.
One downside to July is the price of your cruise will be higher than other months of the year. It's the very peak of the Alaska cruise season, which makes July expensive.
You'll likely encounter the highest chance of rain if you take an Alaska cruise in August, but it's also when you can expect to find the most comfortable outdoor temperatures.
On average, more than half the days in the month of August experience rain. This may seem like a reason to skip an Alaska cruise in August, but it's still a great time to take in lots of activities around the state.
The price of an Alaska cruise in August should be cheaper than June or July, especially if you can take a cruise in the latter half of the month.
Bears in Alaska are still around because they're looking for food, such as berries or salmon. You're also quite likely to see many bald eagles that are also interested in salmon.
Other than May, September is the best month for an Alaska cruise if you're looking for a deal.
The average temperature for an Alaska cruise in September is in the mid-50s and lows in the low-40s. It's also very likely to encounter rain, as September is an even rainier month than August.
With school back in session, demand from families drops each week. The closer you can get to the end of the month, the less you'll pay as a result of lessening demand and cooler temperatures.
If a cruise with fewer crowds is important to you, it might be a good idea to avoid Alaska cruises in June, July, and August. Not only will there likely be more guests onboard during the summer, but in the ports you are visiting as well. If you are looking for a more quiet experience onboard and on shore, consider cruising to Alaska in May or September.
Plus, as prices are cheaper in the shoulder season, it can be an excellent opportunity to upgrade your stateroom category or splurge on add-ons like excursions, dining packages, or beverage packages.
A suite that costs $2000 per person in May may cost upwards of $3300 per person in mid-July. Such a large price difference allows you to enhance your Alaska cruise experience in other ways, whether booking a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour or kayaking through fjords.
However, it’s not necessarily a good idea to pick a cruise based solely on price. While price should definitely be a consideration, it’s important to consider other factors before choosing an Alaska cruise.
If having the highest chance of warm temperatures and sunny days is important to you, cruising to Alaska in the peak summer months is your best bet.
Weather can get fairly warm in June, July, and August, which can make port days more comfortable. It’s not uncommon for the weather to be nice enough for t-shirts in the summer as opposed to the raincoats and down jackets you may have to wear in early spring or fall.
That being said, while the shoulder season in Alaska may lead to cooler temperatures and more rain, packing appropriately will keep you dry and warm when exploring Alaska’s ports.
Additionally, June, July, and August may come with more crowds, but offer several more hours of daylight compared to in the fall. This can be a huge advantage for Alaska cruises in the summer.
More hours of daylight on an Alaska cruise means more time to sightsee, whether in port or when sailing through the Inside Passage. Juneau, for example, sees around 18 hours of daylight in June compared to just 12 in September.
If spotting wildlife is a priority for you on an Alaska cruise, pick your sailing date carefully. June, July, and August are fantastic times to cruise Alaska to view wildlife, as these months bring the highest chances of spotting whales, bears, and salmon.
If you plan to book a whale watching excursion or want to see bears, you may be left disappointed if you cruise to Alaska at the very end of the season.
No matter how much planning you do before selecting your cruise dates, it’s very important to remember that nothing is guaranteed on an Alaska cruise. Sure, it may be more common to view Alaska’s wildlife in the peak of summer, but it’s also possible you’ll see little to no wildlife at all on your cruise, or that you will see a plethora of wildlife in the shoulder season!
Likewise, while weather should be colder during the shoulder seasons of May and September, Alaska’s weather is quite unpredictable. You might be surprised with warm days in September or chilly, rainy days in July! Packing for all seasons is a must when cruising to Alaska.
In addition, sailing in the shoulder season does not necessarily mean there won’t be crowds onboard. While it’s possible the ship will not be sailing at 100% capacity, it’s unlikely you will encounter an empty ship. Plus, Royal Caribbean will adjust prices according to demand, so if a shoulder season cruise is not selling well, prices may drop until more people book the cruise.
Whatever month you choose for your Alaska cruise, though, is sure to bring the opportunity to visit charming towns, explore phenomenal nature, and make memories with family and friends. There’s no right or wrong time to cruise to Alaska, but having an idea of the pros and cons of each season should help decide which time of year works best for you.
What it's like to go on an Alaska cruise in the early season
What it's like to go on an Alaska cruise at the end of the season