If you're like me, you love discovering new cruise tips to maximize your vacation, but some of them just don't work as well as they sound.

There are plenty of tried and true cruise tips that cruisers swear by because of how effective they are: fly in a day early for your cruise, invest in magnets for your cabin, research shore excursions, and book your cruise as early as possible.

I've tried many different so-called secrets, but some of them just aren't as effective as I thought they would be and it was a disappointment.

In retrospect, some cruise tips are more effective based on your personality and travel style. As an example, saving money by booking an inside cabin is a great piece of advice, unless you're claustrophobic or always stay in upscale hotel rooms.

I reviewed the tips and advice I've heard over the years and came up with my list of 8 cruise tips that made sense until I got on the cruise ship.

Avoiding overpacking

A lot of people advocate to avoid overpacking for a cruise vacation, and I think this is rooted in avoiding hefty luggage costs with the airlines than truly benefitting you on a cruise ship.

The travel world has become obsessed with minimalist packing, where you travel with as little luggage as possible.  Perhaps you've heard of cruising with just a carry-on suitcase?

I have to admit I got caught up in this trend and started packing less and less so that I could re-use clothing on the ship. There is some truth to the idea you have to have an entire outfit every night for dinner, plus a daytime outfit.

However, I found packing less clothing gave me more anxiety than satisfaction.

It felt like I was rationing clothes and subsequently justifying to myself I could re-wear that pair of jeans or shirt because, "it's not that dirty yet."

Of course I could use Royal Caribbean's laundry services, but it's pricey and takes a day or longer to get back to you.

Ultimately, I realized minimalist packing is fine for some, especially those flying low cast carriers that want to avoid fees.  But I don't fly Spirit, Frontier, or Breeze.  Heck, I rarely fly to my cruises because I live in Florida.

Moreover, when I do fly, I'm going to inevitably need to pay for one piece of luggage per person travelling. So I'll maximize that suitcase.

Not paying for internet access on the ship

One commonly cited piece of cruise advice is to skip buying an internet package in order to save money.

There's no free WiFi on a cruise ship (beyond using the Royal Caribbean app), and a package for the duration of your cruise will probably cost over $100 per person. So this compels some to advocate not buying internet at all.

While there's no doubt not buying an internet package will save money, I just don't find it practical at all.

Admittedly, I'm a geek and being on the internet is more important to me than perhaps other people.

I think it's only when you don't have internet access at all that you realize how many little things you rely on the internet for, besides email and web browsing.

Texting with family, checking weather forecasts before you leave the ship, and paying bills on time are all little things that are great to have the internet for on a cruise.

Plus, I don't equate internet access with being any more or less relaxed. There are plenty of distractions on a cruise ship beyond the internet, so besides not checking your work email, I think having WiFi provides another form of entertainment in addition to books, magazines, or movies.

I'm all for saving money, but I can't skimp on WiFi.

Skipping shore excursions and staying onboard

Something you hear from a lot of experienced cruisers is to stay on the ship during ports of call in order to take advantage of what's available onboard.

The rationale for this tip is that you could save money on a costly shore excursion, plus there's already plenty of entertainment and activities to do on the ship.  And with so many people off the ship, lines and waits for the top activities are much less, such as waterslides.

There's truth to this recommendation, except I feel cooped up when I'm on the ship instead of exploring or just doing something in port.

I love to cruise because of the amazing places I get to visit, and it seems counterintuitive to skip out on the fun things to do in port.

Granted, if there's a port I've been to a dozen times, I may not feel that compelled to go and walk around.  But whenever I've tried this tip and stayed on the ship, I feel like I'm a dog starring longingly out the window with dreams of going outside.

The workaround for this tip is to do both. Get off the ship early and do something, but get back onboard early and you can still take advantage of less lines.

Eat only at the complimentary restaurants

Another money saving tip you'll run across is to skip the extra cost specialty restaurants and only eat at the included options.

The longer the sailing, the less I agree with this tip because I really like variety in my dining.

While specialty dining does indeed cost more, I'm on vacation and not trying to save money on my lunches at work. Splurging is part of what makes vacation fun.

I do enjoy dinners in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer, but once I get to day 4 or 5 of the cruise, I'm usually ready to change things up just a bit.

Having a few sushi rolls at Izumi, ordering a bowl of pasta at Giovannis, or getting a burger and nachos at Playmakers is a guilty pleasure that I'll go for every time.

Bidding to upgrade your cabin

I love the idea of paying less to get more, but I've stopped bidding for my stateroom upgrades.

If you're very flexible and don't really care where your room is located, then RoyalUp might be fine for you.  But I can't get past a couple of issues with it.

My first problem with RoyalUp is just because there is an option to bid doesn't actually mean there is a room to upgrade to, and I think a lot of new cruisers miss that detail.

The reason why Royal Caribbean offers these bid upgrades is primarily to account for last-minute cancellations.  So the bid you're making is really a backup option if someone decides to cancel.

The more troubling problem with RoyalUp is should your bid be accepted, you can't select where your room is located.

I think it's really important to pick a good cabin location to avoid noise problems, and you lose that ability once RoyalUp takes over.  A winning bid means the cruise line will pick where your cabin is located.

Waiting to book another cruise until you get onboard

You can get extra onboard credit and reduced deposit by booking a cruise on a ship, but I think it's a mistake to wait to book a cruise until your next cruise.

The problem with booking a cruise at NextCruise is if you know in the weeks or months leading up to your cruise which cruise to book.  By waiting until you get onboard the ship to book it, the price may increase to the point it offsets the benefit of getting extra onboard credit.

Royal Caribbean cruise prices are fluid and can change at anytime.  Over the course of days, weeks, or months, the price will almost certainly increase.

My advice is if you know there's a cruise you want to book now, go ahead and contact your travel agent to book it now. 

NextCruise is great for when you're on the ship and are struck with the motivation to suddenly book another cruise. In that case, you should definitely go and book the cruise at NextCruise.

Booking the cheapest cabin

Cutting corners and saving money where you can is definitely a sound financial strategy, but you also have to weigh the pros and cons of going cheap versus enjoying your well-deserved vacation.

It can be difficult to know if you should book the cheapest room on a cruise or spend extra for a nicer cabin.

If you shop by price alone, you may end up with a cruise cabin that you're stuck with for the duration of the cruise. There's nothing inherently wrong with an small inside cruise ship cabin, but it may clash with what you're used to on land.

Cruise ship cabins are typically much smaller than hotel rooms on land, and the smallest rooms on a ship are really small, coming in at less than 300 square feet.  If you're sharing this space with someone else, then the lack of space can really become problematic.

Everyone has a vacation budget, but be realistic about your cabin choice so you don't end up walking into your room and then realize you've made a mistake.

Pack an over-the-door organizer

There are so many good inside cabin hacks out there, but one I tried and won't ever do again is bring an over-the-door organizers.

This is a classic "sounds better than it is" scenario because you go to the dollar store and buy one of these and put it on the back of your cabin door or bathroom door.

The idea is to add more storage options, especially for shoes and toiletries.

I found the thing flops around too much on a cabin door, which lead to things falling out all the time.

Plus, unless you're sailing on a really old cruise ship, I just don't have that kind of a problem with finding storage.  Especially if your cruise is less than a week.

A far better tip is to invest in cruise magnets to help get clutter off the floor, and it works better for my style of cruising.

It looks like Royal Caribbean may be bringing a new cruise ship to the west coast.

Ever since Royal Caribbean started sailing again from Los Angeles in 2021, Navigator of the Seas has been based there to offer sailings.

Based on the updated port schedule, that could soon be changing.

The Ports America Los Angeles website schedule shows Voyager of the Seas will seemingly replace Navigator of the Seas in late 2026.

It's worth noting Royal Caribbean has not made any official announcements about a change yet.  The port schedule is merely a glimpse into what could be changing.

In looking at the schedule Voyager of the Seas arrives to begin cruises October 5, 2026.

Since Los Angeles is presumably Voyager's home port, we can deduce her sailing schedule:

• October 5, 2026: 3 night cruise
• October 8, 2026: 8 night cruise
• October 16, 2026: 5 night cruise
• October 22, 2026: 6 night cruise
• October 30, 2026: 8 night cruise

Navigator remains listed sailing from Los Angeles through November 5, 2026.  After that date, Navigator disappears from the schedule, while continues through at least December 2026.

The port schedule is only published through the end of December 2026.

It's not unusual for cruise ships to be redeployed around the world. No ship remains in the same port forever, as changing market needs compel Royal Caribbean to switch where ships sail from.

Moreover, there can be market needs to change ships. Shifting priorities, demands, and internal research are all reasons a cruise line will position one ship in one market over another.

Other returning ships

Something else worth mentioning in looking at the port schedule is the return of two Quantum Class ships.

Quantum will take her first cruise ever out of Los Angeles on October 2nd, 2025. Quantum will remain in Los Angeles through September 2026. After that date, she disappears from the schedule.

Royal Caribbean had already announced Ovation of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles in summer 2025, with cruises listed through September 23, 2025.

According to the schedule, Ovation of the Seas returns to the west coast and begins sailing from Los Angeles in September 2026.

• September 21, 2026
• September 24, 2026
• September 28, 2026

Ovation's arrival in Los Angeles coincides with the end of her scheduled cruises to Alaska in summer 2026.

Both Quantum and Ovation of the Seas are Quantum Class ships and notably larger ships than Navigator or Voyager.  

Quantum Class ships are designed for warm and cold weather climates. Both ships have a passenger capacity of 4,905 guests. That's about 900 more passengers than Navigator of the Seas.

They measure 1,138 feet in length and have a size of 168,666 gross tons, making them more than 100 feet longer and 30,000 gross tons bigger than Navigator.

A growing cruise market on the west coast

Royal Caribbean had been absent from Los Angeles for a decade, but is now committed to offering more cruises from there.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told investors last summer he sees growth opportunities from LA sailings, "We have strong ambitions to grow the West Coast in the US."

Bayley said that Navigator, which has been on the West Coast for two years, has been "performing exceptionally well."

Bookings are selling quickly, and the cruise line is responding to high demand.

Upcoming deployments

We may know the official answer to how accurate Los Angeles' port schedule is in a few weeks when Royal Caribbean resumes its 2026-2027 deployment announcements.

Royal Caribbean had already announced 2026 Alaska cruises, some of its Europe 2026 cruises, and Summer & Yearlong Caribbean Northeast cruises.

Over the next few weeks, more cruises in 2026 and 2027 will be announced:

• Week of January 27, 2025: Europe 2.0
• Week of February 17, 2025: Short Caribbean & West Coast
• Week of February 24, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean
• Week of March 31, 2025: Australia
• TBD: China & Singapore

If this deployment schedule holds true (sometimes the cruise line delays its deployments), Royal Caribbean would confirm the ship line up for Los Angeles sometime during the week of February 17, 2025.

Welcome to the first week of 2025, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

Ready for your first cruise of the year? There have been updates to what you can't bring on the ship.

In just the past few months, Royal Caribbean updated its list of things you can't bring on a cruise anymore.  And that's in addition to things people commonly pack that are still not allowed.

Before you leave home, make sure you leave these 5 things at home before your cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean News

• 12 Royal Caribbean guests sue cruise line, former crew member over hidden camera in cabins
• 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise destinations you can visit
• I take a dozen cruises every year. Here's the 20 things I do before every sailing begins
• Cruise splurges I made in 2024. Some weren't worth it
• 12 ways Royal Caribbean’s made its app the best in the cruise industry
• I tried the shore excursion that got shut down. The beach was great, but the tour was too expensive
• Real ID deadline is coming in the spring of 2025. How to get one now
• Here's What To Expect From This Year's After-Christmas Sale

Video: I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025

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'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025 — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 553rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with wishes for Royal Caribbean in the new year.

Matt and Billy share their annual tradition of making three wishes each for what they want to see changed within Royal Caribbean.

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.

Man spent $160 per day to reach Diamond status tier in just 30 days

One cruiser decided to get to Diamond status in Crown and Anchor Society in just one month.

The person went from Gold to Diamond in 30 days by booking back-to-back cruises and sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

I tried Royal Caribbean’s luxury Star Class suite for the first time for $11,000

Jenna tried her first Star Class cabin, and while the perks were amazing, she thinks she might enjoy a cruise just as much in an inside cabin.

She sailed in a two bedroom AquaTheater suite on Utopia of the Seas, which came with the services of a Royal Genie, and access to the suite-only areas of the ship.

The price of these suites is a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider how much money can be saved by staying in a lower category cabin.

One of the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships of all time is waiting to be rediscovered

Voyager of the Seas is 25 years old, but it's a great ship that should not be overlooked.

The 137,276-ton cruise ship was a game changer when she debuted.

Matt sailed on Voyager for the first time, and he was impressed by how this mega ship remains a compelling choice.

Kids Sail Free is a promotion Royal Caribbean offers from time to time on select sailings that are usually a great vacation discount.  Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free deals as a way to encourage new bookings. 

Royal Caribbean regularly updates the offer on a monthly basis. In this post, we will cover information about the promotion, tips for booking it, and offer answers to frequently asked questions.

For starters, Kids Sail Free is an offer Royal Caribbean offers selectively throughout the year. 

What is Kids Sail Free promotion?

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

The "catch" with a Kids Sail Free deal are the blackout dates that prevent you from booking the promotion.

There are usually many blackout dates associated with any Kids Sail Free offer, which means if your cruise begins on or in any of the blackout dates, the Kids Sail Free offer does not qualify. Not surprisingly, most of the black out dates are over major school holidays in the United States calendar year. 

Here are some sample blackout dates from past Kids Sail Free offers:

• Spring break sailings departing March 6 – April 9, 2026
• Holiday sailings departing December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027
• November 19 – 27, 2026, December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027

Kids Sail Free dates

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in January 2026.

The offer runs on bookings made January 2, 2026 – February 2, 2026, on select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after January 3, 2026.

It provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of the departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guests.

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates; December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; Chinese New Year February 15 – 18, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; excluding Harmony of the Seas sailing July 26, 2026; Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 15 – September 11, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026, December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027; May 28 – August 20, 2027, Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 14 – September 17, 2027, November 18 – 26, 2027, December 16, 2026 – January 5, 2028, March 3 – 31, 2028, April 7 – 17, 2028.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

How often does Royal Caribbean offer Kids Sail Free?

There is no pattern to how many times a year or when the offer will become available.

Kids Sail Free is usually available a few times throughout the year. In fact, Royal Caribbean has been offering Kids Sail Free deals far more regularly than ever before.

Is it really free?

Assuming your kids qualify for the deal, their cruise fare cost will be zero.

You are still responsible for paying for the taxes and port fees associated with the children, along with any other charges onboard.  But if you look at the cruise invoice, their cruise fare will be zero. 

Like all guests, a daily gratuity will be charged per passenger, including the kids.

Be sure to check the fine print before booking to understand exactly the full price of the cruise.

When comparing prices, it is critical to compare the exact cabin type to each other. 

Often, people will look at the price of a cabin designed for two people and then increase the amount of people in the cabin to four people, and get a different cabin category.

The easiest cabin category to see how much money Kids Sail Free can save are suites because most suites can accommodate up to 4 people all the time. Not to mention the per-person savings in a suite will be significantly higher than in lower cabins.

Kids Sail For Less

In addition to the Kids Sail Free offer, Royal Caribbean may also offer the Kids Sail For Less offer, which is typically 25-30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.

The primary advantage of Kids Sail For Less is there are no blackout dates associated with Kids Sail For Less.  This means if you have a couple of kids in your stateroom, you receive a discount on them. 

Moreover, Kids Sail For Less often does not have age restrictions in place, so really any guest of any age who is a third guest, fourth guest, fifth guest, et al in the same stateroom as the first two guests can get a discount.

Is Kids Sail Free a lie?

A common question asked is when comparing prices, adding kids to a reservation in order to take advantage of a Kids Sail Free offer ends up increasing the overall price.

The reason why this occurs is when you select a cabin for two passengers, the system assigns you a stateroom designed just for two guests. When you add kids, it selects a different stateroom that is larger in living space so it can accommodate four people.

The vast majority of cabins on a cruise ship can only sleep two people.  Because they are plentiful, there is more supply, and higher supply means lower prices.  

Generally speaking, cabins that can sleep more than two people are fewer in supply.  There are not nearly as many, so they are in demand, they sell out quicker and that demand drives up the rate.  

If you were to compare booking a cabin as if everyone in your party was an adult and then compare that to two adults plus kids, you would see the price difference.  Only then is it apples-to-apples.  

It looks like it's actually going to happen this time, and you'll need to get a driver's license that is acceptable to cruise with.

The changeover from a traditional driver's license to a REAL ID has been in the works (and delayed) a few times, but this time it appears the new requirements will go into effect.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security will require every resident of a US state or territory who is 18 years of age and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to go through airport security and board a flight within the United States. 

A passport is, of course, acceptable as well.

REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card.

The reason why this is important is so many Americans fly to get on their cruise ship. 

Your old driver's license will no longer work on or after May 7th. Only a Real ID (or passport) will get you through the Transportation Security Authority's security check in order to to fly domestically.

What is a REAL ID?

Think of a REAL ID as an enhanced driver's license, and without one, you won't be able to get on a plane.

It was passed by Congress as a requirement in 2005 in an effort to standardize identification, such as driver's licenses.

REAL ID driver's licenses don't replace a passport. Rather, they just serve as the new standard for driver's licenses.

It's easy to figure out if you already have one. Check your driver's license or state-issued identification. If it has a gold star in the top right, it's REAL ID compliant. California and Maine have variations on this, but there's still a star.

How to get a REAL ID?

To get an updated form of identification, you'll need to go to wherever you were issued your driver's license in the first place.

Depending on your state, there could be special places for applying for a REAL ID, or you may just need to go to your local driver's license service center or tax collector office.

The exact paperwork needed to apply may vary, but you'll need proof of identity and status as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number and multiple proofs of your current address.

Originals or hard copies of documentation (birth certificate, Social Security card, US passport) are required, with photocopies and screenshots not accepted. Check your state's driver's licensing agency website for more specifics.

You should get a temporary paper ID until the REAL ID arrives in the mail a few weeks later.

The cost should be about the same as renewing your license or non-driving identification card. 

What happens if I don't get a REAL ID?

Unless the deadline gets extended again, you won't be able to fly with just a standard driver's license as of May 7th because you won't make it past airport security checkpoints.

Of course, you could still fly with other acceptable forms of identification: 

• A valid passport
• US Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• Enhanced Driver's License, issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state 

Since many people that cruise have a passport, you could use your passport to fly domestically instead of getting a REAL ID.

Can I cruise with a REAL ID instead of a passport?

You cannot use just a driver's license or REAL ID as the sole form of proof of identification in order to cruise.

Royal Caribbean allows Americans who are sailing from the same port their ship departs and returns to to sail without a passport, but you'll need more than just a REAL ID.

This is referred to as a closed-loop sailing, and nearly all Caribbean cruises departing from mainland U.S. states have cruises that are considered this sort of a sailing.

If you qualify, then you can go on a cruise with just a REAL ID and an original birth certificate.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships visit destinations around the globe, from The Bahamas to Alaska, Europe, Asia, and beyond. A few itineraries, however, are truly remarkable and bucket-list worthy. 

Royal Caribbean's fleet sails to multiple continents every year. Even the most commonly visited ports of call, including Perfect Day at CocoCay, are destinations some travelers dream of visiting at least once. 

A common topic among frequent cruisers is which ports of call leave the most favorable impressions — somewhere that you can't stop thinking about days, months, or even years after your visit. 

According to Royal Caribbean's website, you can book sailings to thirteen different regions, excluding repositioning sailings such as transatlantic and transpacific voyages. 

Some of the most popular include The Bahamas/Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and the Mexican Riviera. However, just because somewhere is sought-after doesn’t mean it's especially memorable. 

With so many places to visit, how do you decide where to book your cruise? What are the bucket list-worthy places someone should absolutely get to at least once in their life?

Here's our round-up of the best cruise destinations to visit on a Royal Caribbean ship — and why they're so unforgettable. 

Perfect Day at CocoCay

This might sound like a sponsored sales pitch, but Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas is really that impressive. Over the years, it's become clear that the blueprint is what every other cruise line has begun using as the standard to measure itself against.

Located in the Berry Islands, Perfect Day at CocoCay is available exclusively for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises passengers. No other lines can visit there. As such, you won't find passengers aboard Carnival, MSC, or Norwegian ships crowding the white-sand beaches. 

At CocoCay, all cruisers can experience the ultimate beach day without any hassle, thought, or planning. Royal Caribbean operates everything, so all you have to do is walk off the ship, find the perfect beach chair, and enjoy everything the island has to offer. 

Since Royal Caribbean designed CocoCay to deliver the perfect beach day experience, they offer a lot of choices to allow guests to customize their visit exactly how they want. There's a massive water park, an adults-only beach, an upscale beach club, a freshwater pool, and more. 

A visit to CocoCay takes out the need to worry about where and when to eat, as the island has multiple complimentary dining venues, including a beachside BBQ buffet and fast-casual snack shack with some of the best mozzarella sticks in the business. 

The one downside to CocoCay is that there aren't really any authentic experiences that immerse you in the culture or history of The Bahamas, but you will almost certainly have the perfect beach day you envisioned — so long as the weather cooperates. 

Cruise to Alaska

Alaska is one of those places that you cannot truly appreciate until you've been there — the calving glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and natural wildlife cannot be replicated anywhere else. 

Like most mainstream cruise lines, Royal Caribbean offers seasonal voyages to Alaska. In 2026, for example, Royal Caribbean will operate Alaska cruises from May through September. 

Many sailings depart from Seattle, Washington; however, some of the best are the one-way Inside Passage cruises from Seward, Alaska, or Vancouver, Canada. However, you're guaranteed breathtaking scenery, regardless of which itinerary you choose. 

Cruising through its fjords and the famous Inside Passage is the best way to experience this natural beauty, explaining why the demand for Alaska sailings is so high. 

The animal viewing is something else that makes an Alaska cruise so remarkable. It's common for cruisers to see whales and bald eagles. The luckiest might even lay eyes on a moose or bear roaming the shoreline. 

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the seafood, either. Salmon, crab, and other locally sourced items are available at the many restaurants in ports like Skagway and Ketchikan. Some excursions also give you the chance to partake in some of the culinary traditions, like salmon bakes in Juneau. 

While you might be hesitant to book a cold-weather cruise, everyone should visit Alaska at least once. Who knows, you may end up falling in love with The Last Frontier! 

Great Barrier Reef

Located on the coast of Queensland, Airlie Beach is a gateway to Australia’s Whitsunday Islands and the famous Great Barrier Reef.

Cruises tender near the town of Airlie Beach, with a walkable main street and several attractions in the town itself, such as the Airlie Beach Lagoon, white sand beaches, cafés, shopping, and other restaurants. That said, most visitors will opt for an excursion to discover the area’s natural beauty. 

Catamaran tours to the Whitsunday Islands, for example, allow tourists to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe on the archipelago of 74 small islands floating off the coast.

If you’re looking for a more unique experience, you should consider a flightseeing tour over the Great Barrier Reef, where you can spot the massive reef and nearby Whitsunday Islands from above.

Cairns (Yorkeys Knob) is another popular port that serves as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. From Cairns, cruisers can easily access snorkeling and diving excursions, scenic tours, and other adventures that highlight the colorful coral formations and marine life.

Read more: I tried my first Australia cruise: here are 7 things that surprised me

Greek Isles

The Greek Isles are as stunning in person as they are in photographs and postcards. Cruise ships are well-suited for visiting the small Greek islands that make up the southern part of the country, where you'll find white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and iconic cliffside villages with whitewashed buildings and their iconic blue domes.

The best part is that each of the islands has something different to appreciate — from the black sand beaches in Santorini to the cobblestone streets of Mykonos and the colorful architecture of Rhodes, each visit gives cruisers something new to look forward to. 

History buffs will love Greece even more since the country has so many ancient sites that are available to visit. In Athens, for example, you can tour the famous Acropolis and marvel at the Parthenon, while Rhodes's medieval Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

However, one of the best parts about a cruise to Greece is the delicious food. Fresh seafood, moussaka, baklava, spanakopita, gyros, pastitsio — the list goes on and on. You can also sample authentic Greek wines, or better yet, visit a local winery! 

The Greek Isles are an ideal cruise destination because you can visit several different destinations without the hassle of ferries, which have a bad reputation for causing seasickness. 

Norwegian Fjords

If the dramatic landscapes are your thing, the Norwegian fjords will not disappoint. Cruises to Norway offer visits to its major cities, such as Oslo and Bergen, along with stops at smaller, picturesque towns where you will find towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery.

The iconic fjords — like Geirangerfjord, Sognefjord, and Hardangerfjord — are known for their breathtaking vistas. Cruise ships can provide the perfect vantage point because they will sail deep into fjords that are otherwise inaccessible by land.

In addition, Norway is full of rich history that adds another inviting element to a Northern European vacation. Ashore, you'll find Viking museums, traditional Norwegian wooden churches, and fishing villages that have preserved their charm for centuries. 

Read more: I visited Norway on a cruise. Our trip would've been better if we had done these 5 things differently

Asia

Royal Caribbean has a major presence in Asia, and you'll find cruises that can take you to China, Japan, Thailand, and beyond. In fact, they have a ship that they purpose-built for the region that has exclusive dining menus, specialty restaurants, and more. 

Their ships sail from China, Japan, and Singapore, with the sailings from the latter standing out as a fabulous choice for North American cruisers, given their variety. 

There's a mix of different cruises to offer something for everyone. Short 3- to 4-night cruises visit Malaysia and Thailand, whereas 10-night Southeast Asia cruises go to popular spots in Vietnam and Thailand.

When you think of Thailand, you’ll likely picture crystal clear beaches, green mountains, colorful temples, and spicy street food. Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, offers all of those attractions and more.

In short, you'll be able to visit the most sought-after destinations across Southeast Asia when sailing from Singapore, but you shouldn't immediately axe China and Japan from your bucket list. These countries offer an interesting contrast between modern innovation and cultural traditions. 

For example, Shanghai is known for its futuristic skylines full of towering skyscrapers, while other ports focus on ancient temples and serene gardens. 

Don't forget about the cuisine, too! Some traditional dishes might be a little adventurous for first-time visitors who are used to "Americanized" Asian food, but it's one of the best ways to experience the local culture. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is betting big on this exotic destination. After 4 cruises here, I can see why

Bermuda

Finally, there are more than two dozen beaches and coves scattered across the island of Bermuda. The most famous is arguably Horseshoe Bay, which is known for its pink sand and turquoise waters. 

In addition to picturesque beaches, Bermuda has amazing snorkeling and diving opportunities. You can even visit shipwrecks that went down in the Bermuda Triangle! 

Thanks to the island's efficient public transportation system, it is easy to explore Bermuda from the Kings Wharf cruise area. An easy bus or ferry ride will take you to the capital of Hamilton, where you can stroll the colorful streets lined with colonial-era buildings. 

Other highlights include Bermuda's crystal caves that have underground chambers filled with sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, as well as world-class golf courses. 

Most Bermuda itineraries depart from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, or Baltimore, Maryland, making visiting this Atlantic paradise convenient for those living in the northeast. Bermuda cruises also pair well with short pre- or post-cruise stays in New York and Baltimore. Both cities have plenty to offer, from famous museums to vibrant nightlife and delicious local cuisine. 

Read more: I took an overnight Bermuda cruise

If you're ready to take a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2025, make sure you leave a few commonly packed items that aren't allowed onboard, at home!

Royal Caribbean has a lengthy list of prohibited items not allowed to be brought on a cruise ship, but in 2025, it's a good reminder that last has been recently updated.

Thanks to changing technology and different trends in travel, there's an occasional need not to bring certain things with you on your trip.

A few things were added to the banned item list last year, and others are still mistakenly brought onboard as a mistake.

Before you leave home, make sure you leave these 5 things at home before your cruise begins.

Outlet extender

Probably the most surprising thing you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise anymore are outlet extenders.

In September 2024, the cruise line banned the very popular travel accessory without warning.

There's never been an official explanation, but I think it has to do with a fire risk. Fire is the most dangerous concern for a cruise ship because of how quickly it can spread.

"Multi-plug outlets" are now no longer allowed onboard, in addition to power strips and surge protectors.

From what we can tell, it seems the key is to ensure any power outlet extender you bring only has one electric outlet.  It can have any number of USB outlets.

As an example, this Anker 6 Port USB Charging Station would be acceptable (contains affiliate link that costs you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link).

A single EU to American power adaptor could also be allowed, since it does not add any new outlets. 

Travel router

Another new addition to the banned list of items is a travel router or other networking device meant to circumvent Royal Caribbean's internet offerings.

Royal Caribbean added "satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment" under the "cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime" category of prohibited items.

Routers and other networking equipment can potentially interfere with the ship’s onboard systems, leading to security risks and connectivity problems for passengers and crew. 

Plus, these items can be used to extend a Voom internet package beyond the amount of devices it was intended to handle.

Clothing irons or steamers

Probably the most commonly packed thing you can't bring on a cruise ship has to be a clothing iron.

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).

These are fire hazards and it will be confiscated quite quickly.

After a cruise is over, there's always a table full of confiscated irons, which means a lot of people aren't aware they aren't allowed on a ship.

Alcohol

Don't bother trying to bring beer or booze on your ship, because it will be confiscated.

Royal Caribbean bans these items and will hold it until the end of the cruise.  You can purchase these items in ports of call or on your ship, but they'll be held back until the end of the voyage.

You are allowed to bring one bottle of wine per adult on embarkation day, however. 

While we're on the topic, no, you should not try to sneak alcohol on your ship either. Not only is it against the rules, but it seems more trouble than it's worth.

You'd have to constantly shuttle back and forth to your room for refills, and the risks outweigh the convenience of simply buying a drink package.

Cooking appliances 

If irons and steamers are the top two most mistakenly packed things on a cruise, cooking appliances are probably second.

You'd be amazed how many rice cookers, instapots, and tea kettles are attempted to be brought on ships.

Regardless of why people want to bring them to use on the ship, they too are fire hazards and not allowed.

Want to know the best secret to going on a cruise ship with kids? Book a cabin for them and one for you.

I know it sounds like that would be expensive, but you'd be surprised how much better a deal it can be to get two connecting cabins instead of trying to book everyone into a single room.

This is one of my favorite family cruise hacks, and I've been using it for years.

We recently sailed on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas for 5-nights and booked two connecting balcony cabins, which cost about $3,000 each. It was a New Year's Eve sailing, so that's why the price is higher than you might expect.

Here's why you should think about booking two cabins instead of one, and one thing I'll do differently after my latest sailing.

Two connecting cabins instead of a suite is usually cheaper

Ever since my kids started getting to an age where a little bit of privacy and separation was nice to have, we've embraced the two cabin idea. It's turned out to be a great decision, especially once we get on the ship and my wife and I get our own space from the kids.

The natural temptation is to book everyone in the same cabin, but that tends to be more problematic on cruise ships than at a hotel.

Cruise ship cabins are generally smaller than hotel rooms, so even before you consider alternative booking strategies, families have less space to contend with.

While Royal Caribbean has developed bigger cabins and cabins that are more family focused over the years (especially on Icon of the Seas), putting everyone in the same cabin usually results in the same two issues: not enough living space to be comfortable and sharing one bathroom.

There are suites that solve this problem by offering a separate bedroom and two bathrooms, but the prices for suites are anything but cheap.

Most suites don't have a second bedroom and/or bathroom, so it's really just the massive suites that work. And that means suites that are among the most expensive.

It's easy to just go for everyone in a single room and hope for the best.  To be fair, I've done that with my family on occasion and while not ideal, it's not the worst experience either.

In my experience, booking two smaller connecting staterooms can be more affordable than a suite and offers exactly what families need: space for everyone.

Having a second bathroom is the best reason to book two staterooms

As my kids have gotten older, demand for the bathroom has gotten far more contentious.

Not only do teens compete for the shower, but when we get back from a shore excursion, there's more fighting over the shower than who gets to ride in the front seat of the car.

In standard cabins, the bathrooms are usually really small.  This is definitely true of older Royal Caribbean ships, such as Voyager of the Seas.  

Space on the counter is really limited, so booking my wife and I along with our four kids in the same room means the bathroom would be a giant mess of toiletries.

Every time I've booked us in a cabin where we share one bathroom, I have almost immediate regret once the fighting begins about who gets to use the bathroom first.

Next time, I'd change how I book my teenagers in the cabin

For a long time I've had my MEI Travel agent book me in one cabin with one kid, and my wife in the cabin with the other kid.

The reason we did this was to be able to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package without incurring the rule that requires all the adults to buy a drink package if one adult buys one.

This strategy was fine when my kids were younger and I bought a beverage package every sailing, but I've stopped buying them as much because of the higher prices.

But the real reason why this booking strategy is becoming an issue is because my kids are spending more time around the ship on their own.

Because my oldest daughter is booked with me in my room, her SeaPass card can only open my cabin.  That's the cabin my wife and I share.  So if she's in the teen club on the ship until midnight and we're in bed, she'll disturb us as she returns to the room before her curfew.

In the future, I'll book the kids in one cabin and my wife and I in the other cabin to avoid this issue.

While it's true minors cannot be booked in a cabin without an adult, Royal Caribbean allows only minors in the room if it's one cabin away from the adults.  It can be one cabin away by connecting or adjacent cabins, or even across the hall.

I usually hunker down at home for New Year's Eve, but this year I wanted to party it up.

Everyone thinks of the ultimate for New Year's Eve party as freezing in Times Square fighting a crowd and wearing an adult diaper, but that sounds like the worst idea to me.  Instead, I looked at how we could combine my favorite way to vacation with ringing in 2025.

Over a year earlier, I booked two cabins on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas so I could spend New Year's Eve somewhere other than home.

It seemed like a great way to avoid the overwhelming nature of going into a city, without compromising on the party atmosphere.

I booked two connecting ocean balcony cabins for my family on a 5-night sailing of Voyager of the Seas that departed Port Canaveral, Florida.  Not only would we be on the ship for New Year's Eve, but we'd get to visit Cozumel, Mexico and Royal Caribbean's private island too.  That gets me beautiful beach days in addition to the party I sought after.

The price for each cabin was $3,200, bringing the total for both rooms at $6408.36.

You have a choice of parties to attend

Royal Caribbean splits up its ship into different party zones, with the idea that you can get different vibes at each.

We had a list of the parties offered delivered to our stateroom, with times that each would occur.

All the parties have no cost to them, so it's just first-come, first-to-party.

By far the most popular party was the Times Square-esque party on the Royal Promenade, which has a giant balloon drop.

Being a family cruise line, there were other options to drop your kids off or party with your kids.  This is a major benefit of celebrating New Year's Eve on a cruise ship, because it's rare to find kid-friendly options at land parties.

There are optional tables you can rent, and it was more expensive than I expected

On the Royal Promenade, there's an option to rent tables for the duration of the party.

You get a reserved table with chairs, along with drink service and complimentary bottle of champagne.

The cost was $800 for the table. While I can appreciate the exclusivity factor and not having to be elbow-to-elbow with others, it seemed like a steep price.

Nonetheless, they sold all of their tables, so clearly there's a market for it.

I decided to forgo paying for a spot, and find our own luck.

We spent our night hopping between parties

My original plan was to check out all the parties, but I ended up closer to the Royal Promenade.

I started out with live music in the Pub, prior to the festivities officially kicking off.

The pub singer played a couple of sets, beginning at 6:30pm. Technically this wasn't one of the New Years Eve parties, but it set the tone.

After his set was done, we ventured out to to the Royal Promenade.

It wasn't busy at all, with just a small crowd around the band that was playing music at the center of it.

In fact, the Promenade never got truly busy until the 11pm hour.  I think most people were doing what I was doing up until then and roaming.

We found a spot in the Schooner Bar, which is one deck below the Royal Promenade.  There was no entertainment here, but there was full bar service and seats. Plus, I could run up to the Royal Promenade quite easily.

Once 11pm, things start to get serious with the party atmosphere.

On the Royal Promenade, the crowd really sets in and for those seeking a typical New Year's Eve celebration, this is what you'll get.

Lots of people together, ready to welcome in the new year.

The ship's entertainment staff is there to count it all down, and right at midnight the balloons are dropped and there's a massive eruption of cheers.

In all, I loved how easy it was to get in and out without any traffic, or real thought into what we needed to do. It was all there to enjoy.

If you want to celebrate New Year's Eve without fuss, I think this is the way to go

There's no doubt spending New Year's Eve on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship was the right play for our family.

Partying on land is great, but it involves much more planning. Plus, I would never want to go to a city and do the ball drop experience. A cruise was the perfect approximation of what it's all about without the hassle.

The downside to booking a New Year's Eve cruise is you'll pay a higher price for a holiday sailing.

Bargain hunters will not find the price of a cruise over a major holiday palatable, but there's plenty of other people willing to pay it. Our ship was completely sold out, and clearly many opted to spend more on a reserved table for the party.

The simplicity of it all is what makes a cruise such an attractive vacation to begin with, and this holds true with a New Year's Eve cruise.