Some guests on an upcoming sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship received an email their cruise has been cancelled because there aren't enough safe lifeboats on the ship.

Guests booked on the September 15 sailing of Rhapsody of the Seas received an email from the cruise line informing them their cruise has been cancelled.

As first reported by Cruise Industry News, Royal Caribbean sent an email that explains reservations have been cancelled because of damage to a lifeboat.

"On our previous sailing, there was damage to one of our tender boats, which also serves as a lifeboat," the email reads.

"This leaves the ship over capacity for the number of available lifeboat seats in the event of an emergency in our next sailing. Unfortunately, this means we’ll be unable to welcome you onboard."

Rhapsody of the Seas is scheduled to sail a 7-night cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico to the Southern Caribbean.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is an international convention and requirement that all passengers ships have to abide by. It establishes all passengers know what to do in case of an emergency, and it requires that every soul onboard have a seat on a lifeboat.  

Each lifeboat has a finite capacity, and it's a very strict rule. A Captain that tried to sail a passenger vessel out of compliance with SOLAS would likely have their master's license under review as soon as it was discovered.  

As a result of the cancellation, guests booked onboard will receive a full refund.

Royal Caribbean will issue a Future Cruise Credit equal to the total amount paid for the canceled cruise, valid until September 13, 2025. 

Additionally, they will cover non-refundable transportation costs, such as flights or rental cars, that were impacted by the cancellation. Passengers must submit receipts to receive compensation of up to $200 per guest for domestic travel changes or up to $400 per guest for international changes.

Conflicting information

Guests booked on the September 15 sailing reported in a Facebook group dedicated for the sailing conflicting reports of if the cruise is actually cancelled or not.

Carrie Lanford posted, "Just got off the phone with agent and was told entire cruise ship is cancelled."

But Tina Oliver wrote, "I called and the agent said I'm good to go. Sounds like the right hand doesn't know what the left is doing. I guess I'll just find out on Sunday."

Anna Ulmer added, "I am muster 16 and did not receive an email. I contacted Royal and they confirmed my reservation."

Lyndsey Percle also posted she did not receive a cancellation notice, "We are also Muster 15 and haven’t received any cancellation email."

Lifeboat requirements

The regulations related to cruise ship lifeboats are quite clear.

• Ships must have partially or totally enclosed lifeboats, for 50% of the total capacity of people onboard, at each side (total capacity for 100%).
• Rigid or inflatable life craft must make up at least 25% of the ship’s total capacity.

This means a cruise ship must have lifeboats/rafts for at least 125% of the ship’s total capacity, but often that minimum is exceeded.

SOLAS was implanted right after the Titanic disaster of 1912. The sinking of that ship exposed a major problem with the lack of lifeboats.

As a result, in 1914 SOLAS was drafted a result of that incident.

SOLAS requirements have been updated since then, which include the modern rules for lifeboats.

A balcony cabin on a cruise ship is the accommodation so many people prefer, but what's the realistic price you can expect to pay?

Of the four basic cruise ship cabin categories, balconies are the most popular because of the extra space and relative affordability they provide.

Unlike suites, there are many more balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean ships, and the price jump to a balcony is far more palatable compared to going up to a suite.

Having access to fresh air and a private veranda is the rationale most people give for booking a balcony in the first place.

The average cost for a balcony is around $2,200 for 2 people

In trying to answer the question of how much a balcony room will cost, I crunched the numbers.

I sampled the price of a balcony across more than 2,000 upcoming Royal Caribbean sailings in 2024 & 2025. These include short weekend cruises, 7-night cruises, and longer voyages.

When finding the average price, the cost of a balcony cabin came out to $1,139 per person or around $2,200 for 2 people.

Since this is an average, you can expect to find plenty of prices that are well above or below our average because cruise cabin prices vary by ship and itinerary.

Even within the same sailing, the price of a balcony can change on a daily basis. Like airline pricing, the timing of your reservation significantly affects the price.

In general, the earlier you book your cruise, the cheaper the price.

There are different balcony cabins

Another factor that will affect the price of a balcony cabin is the exact cabin type.

Royal Caribbean has many subcategories of balcony rooms that are priced differently depending on:

• Location
• Passenger capacity
• Living space square footage
• View

When you choose a balcony cabin, you'll need to consider these options in picking the right cabin choice for you.

Midship balcony rooms with more living space typically cost more than a smaller balcony room towards the front or back of the ship.

Likewise, a balcony cabin that can accommodate more than two passengers will cost more than a standard double room.

Balconies that aren't balconies

When we talk about a balcony room, you probably envision a private veranda to go outside and enjoy. However, there are a few Royal Caribbean cabins called a balcony that don't actually have that.

A virtual balcony is an inside room with a large floor-to-ceiling television screen showing real time views from outside. It's really meant as an upgrade from a standard inside cabin.

On the brand new Icon Class cruise ships, Royal Caribbean added infinite balconies, which have a window that slides down to provide fresh air.

The idea behind the infinite balcony is you can close the window and retain the balcony space as added indoor space.

Lastly, the neighborhood balconies are actual cabins with a real veranda that looks inwards instead of to the ocean. These are on Oasis Class and Icon Class cruise ships, and have views of one of the ship's neighborhoods, such as Central Park, Boardwalk, or Surfside.

This isn't to say you shouldn't book these types of balconies. Rather, understand what you're getting (and not getting) before you book.

How much more is a balcony cabin from an inside room?

The average cost to move up from an inside cabin to balcony runs the gamut of prices depending on the sailing you choose.

In our analysis, there's roughly a $390 per person difference to move up from an inside cabin to a balcony room, but you can expect wild variations in pricing depending on the specific cruise.

What I recommend doing is when you narrow down your search for which cruise to book, evaluate the cost difference and decide if an inside or a balcony cabin is a better deal.

Top reasons to book an inside cabin:

• Cheaper
• You won't spend that much time in the cabin
• (Arguably) Easier to sleep because of the dark

Top reasons to book a balcony cabin:

• Extra living space
• Private veranda
• Fresh air

Guarantee balcony cabins can save money

If you're not picky, booking a guarantee balcony could save you a lot of money on the cost of a balcony.

By choosing a guarantee cabin, you're letting Royal Caribbean assign you a room from the leftover unbooked staterooms. While you might not get the best cabin location on the ship, you'll still get a balcony room and likely save a few hundred dollars along the way.

The amount of money you can save on a cruise by going with a guarantee cabin will vary considerably, but sometimes it can net you significant savings.

The reason to skip booking a guarantee is if you want a specific location.

Some people absolutely want to be midship for convenience and to avoid getting seasick. Others want a great view, such as an aft balcony that looks out the back of the ship.

Watch out for obstructed balconies

Not all balconies are created equally, and some have obstructions to block part of the view.

Obstructed balconies are just like regular balcony cabins, but there is some physical structure blocking part of your view.

Royal Caribbean provides a percentage of how much of the view is blocked. Usually, the obstruction is a lifeboat, pole, or some part of the ship's steel infrastructure.

One advantage of an obstructed balcony is it will be cheaper than a regular balcony room.

You should also be aware it's quite common for a guarantee cabin booking to end up with an obstructed balcony cabin because they're less desirable and thus end up unsold. Ditto if you're thinking of bidding for a stateroom upgrade to a balcony.

How much is a balcony worth to you?

Ultimately, the decision if a balcony cabin is worth it depends on your costs involved, your vacation budget, and how much you value the benefits of a balcony.

Because the prices vary so wildly, I can't offer advice for everyone. However, I do think it's worth always weighing the cost of a balcony and other cabin categories, rather than going into a booking only focused on a balcony room category.

Something else to consider is the destinations your cruise will visit. If you're taking an exotic cruise to a place like Alaska or Norway, the value of a balcony room is higher because of all the scenery.

It seems a lot of people will justify booking a balcony instead of an inside cabin if the price is reasonable. Around $200 per person to move up to a balcony is the range where it's a no brainer to upgrade. Beyond that, it's up to you and your budget.

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Is a balcony worth splurging on for a cruise? Sometimes it can be an obvious choice for the convenient access to fresh air, a great view, and natural light in your cabin.

However, sometimes a balcony can cost a lot more or the itinerary isn't conducive for a balcony cabin.

A balcony cabin is incredibly popular because a lot of people see them as a good blend of space, value, and amenities. It's why you'll find more balcony cabins on newer cruise ships than older ones.  Cruise lines have increased the percentage of balcony cabins on ships quite a bit over the last 15 years.

I've taken almost 100 cruises, and I've sailed around the world, so I've been on quite a few balconies. Here are the pros and cons of private balconies on a cruise.

What to expect in a balcony cabin

No matter which ship or balcony cabin you book, you can expect a stateroom with a private veranda that you can enjoy anytime day or night.

Balcony rooms are also larger than an inside cabin, which means more living space within the cabin itself and the space the balcony provides.

Royal Caribbean's inside cabins are around 149 square feet in side, whereas a balcony room starts at 180 square feet. That may not seem like a lot of extra space on paper, but experiencing it in person gives all the perspective you need.

Verandas come in many sizes, with some being just 40 square feet all the way up to hundreds of square feet in the mega suites.

All balcony cabins include at least two chairs and a table, that you can use to sit or even have room service deliver food out there. Having your morning coffee while sitting on your balcony is something I will never tire of, and something I can never replicate at home.

I'd recommend everyone try this at least once, because eating on your balcony is another fantastic reason to book a balcony.

Some of the larger balconies (especially those on suites), may include loungers instead of chairs.

Balcony cabins offer a lot to love

When you think of a cruise vacation, you probably have the ocean air in mind, and a balcony cabin gives you ample access to it.

It's quite refreshing to be able to open up you balcony any time of day and get the breeze immediately. The connection to the ocean is such a critical component for many on why they enjoy to cruise.

Even when the weather may be a bit chilly, having access to the fresh ocean air is refreshing. 

In addition, enjoying your ship departing and arriving from your balcony is definitely more enjoyable. Since you have a private balcony to enjoy, you don't have to contend with anyone else to get a spot.

Taking a seat in a chair and watching the world go by is a big reason why I enjoy being in a balcony cabin.

Why cruisers book a balcony

When asked if it's worth the extra cost to have a balcony, veteran cruisers talk about the reasons to give one a try.

In an online discussion, journmajor wrote, "Balconies are heaven after a hot day, a cool shower, with a glass of wine and a book before late dinner time. My favorite time of the day."

Julios_on_50th wrote, "I have been on 10 cruises. Always get a balcony. My husband and I use it throughout the day. Early morning coffee, reading in the afternoon, late night cocktail. The balcony is so relaxing."

tipsy_python shared their thoughts on how much more to spend on a balcony, "My opinion on value: $1-$250 more is no brainer, you have to do balcony $251-$500 tempting, probably should $500+ experiencing diminishing returns, gotta consider the alternatives."

Reasons to not book a balcony

If you're wondering what the rationale is to skip a balcony, there are a few good counterarguments.

A balcony stateroom can sometimes cost a lot more than an inside room. That's money you could spend on another cruise or even just a shore excursion. Every dollar adds up.

The amount of people in your cabin could be a factor. Most balconies only have two chairs, so if you have a family of three or four people, you cannot sit outside together.

Something else to think about is the wind effect, especially when the balcony door is open and someone opens the stateroom door to the hallway.  This creates a wind tunnel, and it can tussle all of your belongings.

Lastly, there's the reality of how much time will you actually spend on your balcony? Royal Caribbean ships are designed to have so much going on, and what ends up happening is cruisers spend more time out of their cabin than they originally anticipated.

Is it worth getting a balcony on a cruise?

Spending more to book a balcony can definitely make sense, but there are important factors to consider.

On shorter sailings, where the amount of overall time you have on the cruise limited, you may find a balcony unnecessary since there is not much time to enjoy it.

However, if your cruise is 7-nights or longer, that provides significantly more time to relax and enjoy the private balcony area, especially on sea days.

Part of the decision is to determine what your plans are for the cruise and how much you plan on taking advantage of the room.

Royal Caribbean ships offer an incredible amount of activities, places to dine, and things to do onboard that you may not find much reason to stay in your stateroom, balcony or not. For some cruisers, a cabin is where you sleep, shower, and not much else.

While rock climbing walls, the casino, water slides and other activities are compelling options for some, other guests know they prefer to enjoy the weather from the comfort of their balcony.

Ultimately, a balcony cabin will almost certainly cost more than an oceanview or windowless "inside" cabin, but I think the cost is justified in so many cases.

New cruisers may see a balcony room as a good investment and opportunity to try cruising in an ideal environment.

Someone who been on multiple cruises and wants to book more cruises may look at this conundrum as an opportunity to save money for a future cruise and book an interior stateroom.  Plus, they have already experienced a balcony cabin in the past.

Having access to a balcony and the associated benefits it brings makes the decision to splurge on a balcony worth it.

With so many Royal Caribbean cruise ships in the fleet, it can be confusing to figure out how big each ship is by size.

The biggest Royal Caribbean cruise ships can hold more than 6,000 passengers, making them massive resorts floating on the sea. Big ships are definitely Royal Caribbean's calling card.

Royal Caribbean still has some ships with about 3,000 passengers capacity, and these ships are more intimate and offer a classic cruise experience. While they lack the amount of onboard activities the big ships have, they can reach far flung destinations around the world.

The smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships are ideal for someone who wants a less crowded and relaxed atmosphere.

While the size of a cruise ship is not the end-all be-all statistic that defines a ship from another, it is certainly a metric many people pay attention to, especially from a marketing perspective. In fact, some of the biggest cruise ships in the world are Royal Caribbean ships.

So whether you have a passing interest in knowing how big each ship is in Royal Caribbean's fleet, or want to prove your friend wrong that you know which ship is the biggest, here is a look at all the Royal Caribbean cruise ships ranked from biggest to smallest.

Royal Caribbean ships by size

1. Icon of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 250,800 GRT

Length: 1,198 feet long

Passengers: 5,610 (double occupancy)

2. Star of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GRT

Length: 1,196 feet long

Passengers: 5,610 (double occupancy)

3. Utopia of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 236,860 GRT

Length: 1,188 feet long

Passengers: 5,668 (double occupancy)

4. Wonder of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 236,857 GRT

Length: 1,188 feet long

Beam: 210 feet wide

Passengers: 5,734 (double occupancy)

5. Symphony of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 228,081 GRT

Length: 1,188 feet long

Beam: 215.5 feet wide

Passengers: 5,518 (double occupancy)

6. Harmony of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 226,963 GRT

Length: 1,188 feet long

Beam: 215.5 feet wide

Passengers: 5,479 (double occupancy)

7. Oasis of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 226,838 GT

Length: 1,187 feet long

Beam: 215 feet wide

Passengers: 5,602 (double occupancy)

8. Allure of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 225,282 GRT

Length: 1,187 feet long

Beam: 215 feet wide

Passengers: 5,484 (double occupancy)

9. Spectrum of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 169,379 GRT

Length: 1,139 feet long

Beam: 135 feet wide

Passengers: 4,256 (double occupancy)

10. Odyssey of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 169,300 GT

Length: 1,138 feet long

Beam: 135 feet wide

Passengers: 4,284 (double occupancy)

11. Ovation of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 168,666 GRT

Length: 1,138 feet long

Beam: 136 feet wide

Passengers: 4,180 (double occupancy)

12. Anthem of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 168,666 GRT

Length: 1,141 feet long

Beam: 136 feet wide

Passengers: 4,180 (double occupancy)

13. Quantum of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 168,666 GRT

Length: 1,141 feet long

Beam: 136 feet wide

Passengers: 4,180 (double occupancy)

14. Freedom of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 156,271 GT

Length: 1,111 feet long

Beam: 185 feet wide

Passengers: 3,926 (double occupancy)

15. Liberty of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 154,407 GRT

Length: 1,112 feet long

Beam: 185 feet wide

Passengers: 3,798 (double occupancy)

16. Independence of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 154,407 GRT

Length: 1,112 feet long

Beam: 185 feet wide

Passengers: 3,858 (double occupancy)

17. Navigator of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 139,999 GT

Length: 1,020 feet long

Beam: 161 feet wide

Passengers: 3,388 (double occupancy)

18. Mariner of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 139,863 GRT

Length: 1,020 feet long

Beam: 127 feet wide

Passengers: 3,344 (double occupancy)

19. Explorer of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 137,308 GRT

Length: 1,020 feet long

Beam: 157.5 feet wide

Passengers: 3,286 (double occupancy)

20. Adventure of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 137,276 GRT

Length: 1,020 feet long

Beam: 157 feet wide

Passengers: 3,114 (double occupancy)

21. Voyager of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 137,276 GT

Length: 1,020 feet long

Beam: 157.5 feet wide

Passengers: 3,602 (double occupancy)

22. Radiance of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 90,090 GRT

Length: 962 feet long

Beam: 106 feet wide

Passengers: 2,143  (double occupancy)

23. Brilliance of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 90,090 GRT

Length: 962 feet long

Beam: 106 feet wide

Passengers: 2,142  (double occupancy)

24. Serenade of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 90,090 GRT

Length: 965 feet long

Beam: 106 feet wide

Passengers: 2,143 (double occupancy)

25. Jewel of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 90,090 GRT

Length: 962 feet long

Beam: 106 feet wide

Passengers: 2,191 (double occupancy)

26. Enchantment of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 82,910 GRT

Length: 989 feet long

Beam: 105.6 feet wide

Passengers: 2,252 (double occupancy)

27. Rhapsody of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 78,491 GRT

Length: 915.35 feet long

Beam: 105.6 feet wide 

Passengers: 1,998 (double occupancy) 

28. Vision of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 78,340 GT

Length: 915 feet long

Beam: 105.6 feet wide

Passengers: 2,050 (double occupancy)

29. Grandeur of the Seas

Gross Tonnage: 73,817 GRT

Length: 916 feet long

Beam: 105.6 feet wide

Passengers: 1,992 (double occupancy)

How do you measure how big a cruise ship is?

Cruise ships are measured by their gross tonnage, which can be a confusing metric to understand.

Gross tonnage is a nonlinear measure of a ship's overall internal volume.

What?

Basically, this is a way to measure passenger vessels by volume and not weight. This is the standard way to measure how cruise ships compare to each other because of how designs can vary greatly.

What is Royal Caribbean's biggest ship?

The biggest Royal Caribbean ship is Icon of the Seas, which is also the world's biggest cruise ship.

The maximum capacity for Icon is 7,600, and the ship measures 248,663 gross tons. That means you'll find a giant ship with so much to do onboard. There are new types of cabins, a water park, new neighborhoods, and plenty of activities inbetween.  

Icon of the Seas will remain the biggest cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet even when the second Icon Class ship launches in 2025, Star of the Seas.  

What is the smallest Royal Caribbean ship?

The smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas, and she is also the oldest Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Grandeur is just 73,817 gross tons and has a passenger capacity of 2,446. 

Launched in 1996, Grandeur was originally going to be sold off, but the cruise industry shutdown of 2020 meant she'd stick around a bit longer.

The top deck features one main pool and a few hot tubs. Nearby is the adults-only Solarium, which has another pool and hot tub. There is also a rock climbing wall on the aft of the ship. This is typical of a cruise ship built almost 30 years ago.

Doing research ahead of a cruise vacation is always a good idea, and it paid off for me in a few ways on my recent cruise to Europe.

I sailed on Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas for a 7-night cruise to France and Spain, and I enjoyed the cruise so much more than I anticipated.

The ports my ship visited were far better than I anticipated, especially my stops in Bilbao and La Coruna, Spain.

In looking back at my cruise, I think there are a few "big brain" moves I made that really paid off because it enhanced my trip much more.

If you're thinking about what makes a great vacation, I think it's a cumulative effort of big and small wins that stack up. 

Here are 5 smartest things I did on my European cruise that I will do on every single future cruise I take.

Walked instead of a single tour

While it wasn't my overarching plan to start with, I ended up exploring each port of call I visited on foot rather than take an organized tour or visit a single site and I think that worked out well.

When you're in a port for only a few hours, there's a limited choice of what you can do.  I opted to take in each city by simply walking around and not committing myself to a museum, historical site, or activity.

While I don't think someone who did any of those things made a mistake, I believe taking walking tours of each city gave me a better sense of what each place has to offer, and prepared me to focus on any future visits.

Unlike the Caribbean, European cities have so much to see and do. It can feel overwhelming when you're trying to plot a course, but I'd rather have too many choices than not enough.

I relished the adventure of walking the city streets to see what was around the next corner.  I reveled in stumbling across a Gothic church, incredible food stand, or a scenic vista. 

I think if you're considering what to do in a European city, don't overlook walking around on your own. It's quite manageable, and it adds a sense of adventure to the experience.

Buy eSim card

There's no doubt the best €39.99 I spent on this trip was to get a European eSim card for my phone so I could use my phone like normal.

I purchased the Travel Orange eSim card before my cruise, and then activated as soon as I landed in London. This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use.

Once activated, I had a second line on my phone that could place calls, use the internet, and text.  Not only could I stay in contact with family at home, but it made exploring Europe so much easier.

I was able to quickly use Google Maps to find the closest boulangerie, metro station, cultural site, and more. 

Earlier I wrote about how much I loved exploring each city on foot, and it was really only possible with the fact I could easily get walking directions.  Moreover, having an internet connection in London made it super simple to know which train to take.

While some American cell phone carriers have international roaming plans, I found the eSim card plan simple since all I had to do was scan a QR code and it just worked in every country I visited.

Use Mobile Passport Control app on my return

I forgot where I learned this trick, but prior to my cruise I installed the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app on my phone and it saved me so much time returning to the United States.

This is an app by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and basically it's a digital version of that blue form you usually fill out by hand.

I filled the app out while on my flight home, and then once we landed, I filed it.  When you do this, you then have 4 hours to go through customs.

I don't have Global Entry or anything like that because I don't travel internationally by air nearly enough to warrant it.  

When I go to the line for customs, I told the agent I had the MPC app and he directed me to a different line that had perhaps 4 people in it ahead of me.  

I was able to breeze through customs in a matter of minutes rather than wait in line with everyone else. 

Wore my new shoes before my trip

I knew I needed to buy new shoes for my European cruise because what I wear everyday doesn't have enough cushion for a lot of walking. However, I learned a valuable lesson about comfort.

I bought the shoes, and then heard from Sheri from Cruise Tips TV that her that she emphasized greatly, "if there is just ONE piece of advice you take away from this Mediterranean Cruise Packing List – it is to pack worn-in shoes ONLY."

I immediately took my new sneakers out of the box, put them on and wore them in the days leading up to the trip to run errands.  I wore them to the airport and on the airplane too.

As a result, my feet never bothered me during my trip and I easily logged 10,000 steps every day while in port.

Tried out a free shore excursion

When a reader suggested I try a free walking tour in La Coruna, I was leery, but it turned out to be a great choice.

GuroWalk offers free tours where there is no cost, but you are expected to tip at the end what you think is appropriate for the quality of the experience.

Our guide met myself and four other people for a great walking tour of the city, where he took us to the major historical spots around the city. We visited all sorts of sites and our guide provided context every step of the way.

Sometimes when planning a cruise, you run across a port where none of the popular activities jump out at you as the obvious choice and you find yourself at a loss of what to do.  A free tour like this ended up being a wonderful choice given the circumstances.

Gratuities on a Royal Caribbean cruise are part of the total vacation cost, but they can be confusion, especially for first-time cruisers.

As a cruise ship passenger, you're expected to give tips to crew members during your voyage. Don't worry, this isn't as awkward or formal as it sounds, but understanding how these gratuities work and what they cover will be helpful.

Not only will you need to distribute gratuities, you also need to plan your cruise budget to account for them.

Royal Caribbean, like all major cruise lines, has a system in place to ensure that the hardworking staff members who enhance your vacation receive appropriate compensation. Gratuities are not included in the cruise fare (except for Australians), but they are compulsory.

We provide this guide to help you understand how gratuities work on the cruise, who receives them, how they are charged, and whether you can adjust them.

How much are gratuities on Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean automatically adds a daily charge to each cruise passenger's SeaPass account. 

Each day of your cruise, Royal Caribbean will automatically charge each person's SeaPass account a gratuity.  It's a way to recognize great service onboard that you get from crew members.

The daily gratuities cover these crew members:

• stateroom attendant
• head waiter
• waiter
• assistant waiter

As of November 1, 2024, the daily gratuity amount is $18.50 per guest, per day for those guests in standard accommodations.  Guests in suites will pay $21.00 per person, per day in gratuities.  The daily gratuity amount is the same for all passengers, regardless of age.

Instead of paying them onboard, guests have the choice to pre-pay their gratuities before their cruise to help split up the cost of their cruise vacation.

If you are a My Time Dining guest, you must prepay your gratuities.  

How to pre-pay gratuities

There are two good reasons to prepay gratuities. Some people prefer to have everything paid for before the cruise begins, so they don't have to worry about a big bill at the end of the trip.

The second reason to prepay gratuities is that your price is locked in. If Royal Caribbean were to raise the daily gratuity rates before your sailing, you'd be grandfathered into the old rate.

Pre-paying gratuities is a simple process. If you booked directly with Royal Caribbean, you can pre-pay gratuities by calling 866-562-7625 or logging into Royal Caribbean's website before the sailing.

If you booked with a travel agent, simply let the travel agent know your preference and they can take care of the arrangements.

There are other gratuities too

The daily gratuities only cover some crew members, and there you'll need to tip on other purchases.

If this seems like "double dipping", the reality is these tips are for crew members not covered by the daily gratuities.

Bartenders and drink waiters

If you order beverage onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, such as soda, beer, or wine, you will be charged an automatic 18% gratuity when you receive the bill.

If you bought an unlimited drink package, gratuities for all drinks you order is included with the drink package purchase.  You'll actually get charged a "service fee" when you buy the drink package to cover that.

The gratuity amount is for the service you receive from the wait staff to serve your drink.  The gratuity amount is added to what you purchase and indicated at the bottom of your receipt.

You can add an additional tip on the receipt if you wish. 

Specialty restaurants

The surcharge you pay to dine at a specialty restaurant aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise includes the tip.

There is no need to pay a tip on top of the surcharge amount, unless you would like to.

Spa

The Vitality Spa on Royal Caribbean ships will have gratuity added onto it as well.

Just like drinks, an 18% gratuity is automatically added.

You can tip more, if you like

If you want to tip above and beyond the automatic gratuity, you are always welcome to do so.

This is a discretionary tip, and it is up to you and not expected in all cases.  Even crew members who receive an automatic gratuity can receive additional gratuities if you feel it is warranted.

Some instances where a discretionary tip may be appropriate are for room service deliveries or luggage service by porters.

You can remove the gratuities, but you need to pay them

Royal Caribbean will automatically charge you for every night of the cruise but that does not mean you have to pay it if you are not satisfied with the service. 

You can go to Guest Services at any point in your cruise and have them reduced or removed from your account if you would prefer to tip a different amount.

The option to remove gratuities is a mechanism to rectify poor service, not a cost savings measure. Crew members work very hard every day of your cruise to make it a great vacation, so don't stiff them in order to save money.

Why do I have to tip?

Cruise ship tipping is an old tradition that still hangs on, and it's also a product of American tipping culture.

One benefit to keeping tipping in place is it incentives crew members to go above and beyond with their service. Even if they are a crew member that gets a tip automatically, the service they provide gets reflected in post-cruise surveys. Plus, many guests elect to tip on top of the base amount in the case of excellent service.

By having tips as an additional cost, it's something that doesn't drive up the base cruise fare, which helps advertise lower rates.

In fact, Royal Caribbean has said they won't offer an all inclusive cruise fare that includes gratuities because their internal research shows a majority of customers don't want all-in-one pricing.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said, "We know from our research that we need to give everybody the choice to decide what they do or don't want included in their vacation."

"We feel like the pricing strategy that we have on the bundling, unbundling is the right path to go."

The reality is gratuity on Royal Caribbean is an added fee you're expected to pay. Perhaps in the future tips would be included with the cruise fare, but that has yet to change.

Royal Caribbean's viral 274-night world cruise has ended after visiting around 60 countries across seven continents, including Antarctica.

On Tuesday morning, Serenade of the Seas returned to Miami to complete a 9-month journey around the world that visited all 7 continents.

This was Royal Caribbean's first every foray into offering a world cruise, and it was not only successful, but generated a lot of buzz along the way.

Royal Caribbean divided up the world cruise into four segments, with some cruises on the entire journey, and others on shorter portions.

• The Ultimate Americas Cruise
• The Ultimate Asia Pacific Cruise
• The Immersive Africa Cruise
• The Ultimate Europe and Beyond Cruise

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley celebrated the completion of the world cruise by joining the ship for its final few days.

"What an amazing voyage these brave travelers have made," he posted on his Facebook page during the final day of the sailing, "Over the past days they have shared their stories, many telling of a true life changing experience and sharing such joy and emotion over new relationships formed and bonds created with fellow travelers and crew.  The Serenade of the Seas has become such a warm friendly community and emotions run deep."

"It has been a true honor to represent the team at Royal Caribbean who curated and led this grand adventure.  We were trusted by so many to deliver such an experience and we did it."

He went on to thank the officers in charge of Serenade during the voyage, "Thank you to our incredible team members ship and shore and to our two Captains Stig and Kjell whose wisdom and seafaring mastery safely guided all around the world safely and securely.  

He also thanked the crew and guests for being a part of the experience, "To our beautiful caring and loving crew who demonstrated their humanity and love to our guests.  To our guests for being such understanding, compassionate adventurers and for trusting Royal Caribbean.  Onwards and Upwards!"

Internet fame

The world cruise rose to fame almost immediately on TikTok, as it generated a great deal of interest from people who couldn't fathom spending almost an entire year on a cruise ship.

The cruise set sail on December 10, 2023 and a series of videos were posted speculating on what might happen during such a long journey.

By the time the ship departed Miami, there were already 9 million views on TikTok for the #RoyalCaribbeanUltimateWorldCruise hashtag.

Later in January 2024, Mr. Bayley was talking to members of the press about the world cruise and admitted they could not have predicted that kind of response, "We had no clue that it would become... there's been 290 million views of some of the TikTok stuff that's gone out in the ultimate cruise."

A world cruise unlike others

One distinguishing factor about Royal Caribbean's world cruise was it set out to be the ultimate world cruise.

Mr. Bayley recalled the planning for it began during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020, "We kind of had this endless discussion about... let's really do something big. So let's do a world cruise because people want to they're going to want to go out and experience things."

"Most world cruises last four months max. So we said, no, let's do the ultimate world cruise."

"The team went off and they created the itinerary and they came back and they said, yeah, it's nine months. So we said, yeah, let's do that."

According to Mr. Bayley, over 800 people booked the entire world cruise, with one of the first tickets for the sailing selling for $750,000 for a suite on Serenade of the Seas.

Read more: Suites on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Another world cruise in the works

If you'd like a chance to sail on a world cruise, Royal Caribbean has plans for another but details aren't available yet.

While onboard the final days of the first world cruise, Mr. Bayley confirmed a second world cruise is being planned.

At a community hall meeting onboard, "The answer is yes, we are going to do another Ultimate World Cruise."

“We’re announcing today that we are going to hold [an] Ultimate World Cruise reunion cruise. And when we have the reunion cruise, we are going to announce the next world cruise."

“And when we announce the next world cruise on the reunion cruise, we will only open it for sale for those people who are on the reunion cruise."

It will be on the September 7, 2025 sailing of Serenade of the Seas to Alaska.

He did admit there were a lot of logistical challenges with pulling off the world cruise, and it wasn't easy.

"Some things haven't gone to plan, specifically with the circumnavigation of Africa, and obviously that would come with a massive cost to the organization."

He also said that while Serenade was a great choice for the world cruise, the next one needs a ship with "more outside staterooms".

The work is never done improving its cruise ships, and Royal Caribbean is always working on new ways to enhance their vessels.

Utopia of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, which launched in July 2024, and our readers have noticed at least three new things onboard.

Why make changes to a brand new ship? Royal Caribbean embraces a continuous improvement methodology to its business, and a lot of efforts run concurrently. 

Moreover, adding a new option to an existing ship is a better way to "soft test" the feature before adding it to other ships or even the next new cruise ship that is under construction.

As an example, Express Boarding was first added to Freedom of the Seas so it could be tested before the launch of Icon of the Seas.

Here are three new things Royal Caribbean has added just to Utopia of the Seas.

New way to deposit cash

If you've stood in line at Guest Services on a cruise ship, you probably noticed a lot of people in line are there to pay off their onboard account.

It appears Royal Caribbean wants to make that easier and cut down the Guest Services line with a new kiosk that has popped up on Utopia of the Seas called SeaPay.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader CGTLH shared photos of the kiosk after it was added, and it's essentially a self-service way to add cash to your onboard account.

Guests can scan their SeaPass card and view their account balance.

From there, they can simply deposit cash proactively or pay off their onboard bill.

Just like an ATM machine, you insert cash into the machine and get confirmation of the transaction.

New Utopia of the Seas Starbucks 'Been There' mugs

Utopia of the Seas is the latest cruise ship to be added to the Starbucks cruise ship collection.

The Starbucks "Been There" mugs is a fun way to commemorate a visit to a specific place, and Utopia of the Seas is now available for purchase.

Destiny Armstrong posted photos of the new mugs on sale at the Starbucks kiosk on the ship.

The design of the mug represents signature features of Utopia, and there are actually mugs available on 9 other Royal Caribbean ships.

The price for a mug is $16.95.

Sam Adams Utopias beer

If you're looking for a different kind of beer choice, perhaps this new Sam Adams Utopias is up your alley.

CGTLH posted a photo of the Sam Adams Utopias beer, which is anything but a conventional beer. 

Utopias has always been aged in charred whiskey casks, and this year the Sam Adams brewers expanded the kinds of barrels for more complex flavors.

With a retail price tag of $240 per bottle, and an alcohol level of 28% ABV, Utopias is banned in 15 states.

Utopia of the Seas is the only cruise ship to carry Utopias, and the onboard price is $30 for a 1oz pour, or $55 for a 2oz pour.

Royal Caribbean leads the cruise industry as one of the best cruise lines for kids because its ships are packed with the things families love.

From pools, outdoor movie screens, waterslides, and enormous kids clubs, there is no shortage of fun things for children's activities.  There's also rock climbing walls, laser tag, ice skating rinks, carousels, and much more. While primarily it's the new cruise ships that have the most for kids, oldest ships were still designed with family fun in mind. 

The cruise line's two newest cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, are arguably the best ships for families considering how much there is for guests of all ages. Being the world's largest cruise ships means you'll find plenty to do for everyone, not just kids. There's something for mom, grandpa, the older cousins, and your brother's girlfriend. Not an easy task for any vacation choice.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class ships lead the pack as the newest generation of cruise ships with more kid-friendly options than any ship before it.  The Freedom and Voyager Class cruise ships still offer a lot, and at great prices for families.  Lastly, the Radiance and Vision Class ships are the smallest, oldest ships in the fleet and lack the whiz-bang features that usually attract families with young children.

Whether you're looking for "wows", a multitude of things for the kids to do, or just a family vacation that won't break the bank, here's my top picks for the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for young kids: Icon of the Seas

If you have little kids, you're going to want to sail on the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas.

Icon is the top choice in the fleet for anyone with young kids because that's exactly the market the cruise line has doubled down on to attract.

The fact there's an entire neighborhood for parents and their young kids is a compelling reason to choose Icon. Surfside is an open-air section of the ship that has a splash area, kid-friendly water slides, and infinity pool for adults. You will also find in Surfside an arcade, carousel, playground, and lots of family-centric dining choices.

Royal Caribbean positioned Surfside right near Adventure Ocean, so you can easily drop off and pick up your kids without trekking around the ship.

There's also special family cabins and suites in Surfside that are designed to give kids and parents the space they need to enjoy a cruise together.

Read more: Guide to Icon of the Seas cabins and suites

If that's not enough to do on a cruise, there's lots of other activities around the ship, such as the main pools, water slides, minigolf, ice skating, production shows and more.

Icon of the Seas offers weeklong cruises to the Caribbean from her homeport in Miami, and every cruise includes a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families of all ages: Wonder of the Seas

If you want something for everyone, look no further than Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship.

Wonder of the Seas (as well as the other Oasis Class cruise ships) is not just a giant cruise ship, but it has just about everything kids, teens, and grandma will find enjoyable.

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size

Oasis Class ships are packed with the best offerings Royal Caribbean has, and there's very few activities or amenities found on other ships that you can't find on these vessels.

You've got water slides, a giant aqua park, surf simulator, two rock walls, playscape, and a carousel if you need to burn some energy. Then there's the zip line, ice skating, hot tubs, and 10-story dry slide.

The adults-only solarium pool area is found on every Royal Caribbean ship, but like everything on an Oasis Class ship, the solarium on Wonder is just bigger.

Another great amenity on Wonder of the Seas are the shows. There are three entertainment venues with shows almost every night: AquaTheater, Royal Theater, and Studio B.

You can expect to see comedy shows, ice skating show, diving show and more.

If you're new to cruising, or are traveling with a wide variety of ages, it's hard to go wrong with an Oasis Class cruise ship like Wonder.

If there's a downside to going on Wonder of the Seas, it's that you'll pay more on average for a cruise on Wonder of the Seas compared to other ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes guide & explanation

If your budget is tight, perhaps one of the other ships in this list might be a better fit, but that isn't to say Wonder will cost you an arm and a leg either. Relatively speaking, newer ships tend to cost more.

You can save money on just about every cruise by taking advantage of certain planning tips for getting the lowest price, so there's no excuse for paying top dollar, even for a cruise on Wonder of the Seas.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families with older kids: Odyssey of the Seas

Let's say you have tweens or teen in your family and want to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise that caters more to them than younger children.

Royal Caribbean's Quantum Class ships have always been the best choice for families with older children because of the more sophisticated offerings onboard.

Just like Wonder of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is the newest ship in its class and has the latest offerings available. Moreover, Odyssey is a very new ship too, which means you're going to find lots to enjoy.

If you have a teen, be sure to start off by showing them the teen club and teen sun deck.  Teens not only have an indoor area for them, but they have a reserved area of the pool deck just for them.

Read more: 6 things you can only do on Odyssey of the Seas

Then there's the SeaPlex on Odyssey of the Seas, where throughout the day activities are swapped that include bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and more. Parents can "observe" from the nearby Playmakers sports bar located on the upper level of the SeaPlex.

Something to do with your teens would be Zone Zero, an immersive virtual reality experience where you put on a full virtual reality suit.

Everyone will be able to also check out North Star observational pod, which is a glass capsule that takes you 300 feet above the ocean.  

If your teens ever wanted to try skydiving, Odyssey has a sky diving simulator too!

Grandparents and parents will find their enclave in the Solarium, which is as beautiful to look at as it is to relax in and enjoy.

For your evening entertainment, head to Two70, which has performances that incorporate amazing technology at the rear of the ship.  You'll be wowed by how Royal Caribbean has taken traditional stage productions and infused tech enhancements.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families on a budget: Freedom of the Seas

You want to take your family on a fabulous cruise but also need to make every dollar count? Check out Freedom of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean revamped this ship in early 2020, and it offers plenty to do without the price tag newer cruise ships come with.

Freedom is still a "big ship", so there's no compromising on what there is to do onboard. You're going to find a surf simulator, beautiful pool area, aqua park, water slides, rock climbing wall, and much more.

In fact, the resort-style pool deck stands out as a big win for families. Kids can enjoy time at Splashaway Bay aqua park while adults will find serenity at the Solarium. The Lime & Coconut spans 3 decks, which creates a fun party atmosphere onboard.

Freedom has Royal Caribbean's new take on kids club and teen area, just like the newer ships.

Because she's getting older, the average price on Freedom is notably less than ships built in the last 5 years.  However, her age doesn't come with a lot of compromise, because there's a lot still to do for families onboard.

In short, Freedom of the Seas delivers on the promise of something for everyone, but at far less of a cost than newer ships.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families visiting Alaska: Ovation of the Seas

There's simply nothing like an Alaska cruise, and families will love everything Alaska has to offer as well as onboard Ovation of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Alaska on four ships, but I like Ovation the best for families, especially if it's your first Alaska cruise.

Related: Comparing the Royal Caribbean ships sailing to Alaska in 2024

Based out of Seattle, you'll be able to find more direct flights to get you onboard and if you're an American, at a lower price than if you flew to a ship departing from Canada.

Once onboard, there is lots to do and most of the activities are indoors. Just like Odyssey of the Seas, Ovation has a North Star, Flowrider, SeaPlex, indoor Solarium and more.

Since Ovation has an indoor pool for guests of all ages (in addition to the Solarium), it's the perfect ship for Alaska.

While Alaska is worthy of dedicating as much time as you can on shore, once you get back to the ship, there's no compromise with things to do aboard.

Best Royal Caribbean ship to take your parents: Brilliance of the Seas

Whether your kids are with your or not, if you are ready to take mom and dad on a cruise too, you might look at a ship that focuses more on the classic cruise experience.

Brilliance of the Seas is a Radiance Class ship, which is actually one of Royal Caribbean's smaller ships in the fleet.

Don't let her size fool you, there's still activities onboard to enjoy.  There's still the rock climbing wall and a fun pool deck. If you do bring young kids with you, there's a water slide on the back of the ship too.

The adults-only solarium might be my favorite solarium across the entire fleet. It's enclosed and climate controlled, and has lots of great seating for reading, napping, or both.

Something I've always loved about the Radiance Class are the floor-to-ceiling views, which are perfect for taking in the sunsets and watching your destinations come into view.

In addition to the main dining room, you'll find three great specialty restaurants worthy of a visit.  After dinner, take a show in at the Royal Theater.

So why Brilliance over her sister ships? The upgrades Brilliance received a few years ago stand out from her sister vessels (although Serenade has very similar features). Sailing from Tampa in the winter, there's also a good chance mom and dad are nearby.

Something else you'll love when you invite your parents to sail with you is the price. Quite often the value of Brilliance is unmatched.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers

If you have young kids under the age of 3, there are a subset of Royal Caribbean ships you'll want to book for the better offerings they have for this age group.

Look for ships that have these important features.

Nursery

Not every Royal Caribbean ship has a Royal Babies & Tots Nursery, and it's a difference maker to go on a ship that has one.

The Royal Babies & Tots Nursery has an hourly cost to it, along with limited capacity. They are available for children between the age of 6 and 36 months old.

The fee for this service is $6 per hour between 9 am and 6 pm and $8 per hour from 6 pm until midnight.

The ship's nursery is a boon for parents because the nursery is a place you can drop off your infant or toddler and have someone take care of them for a few hours, allowing you to go to dinner, see a show, and otherwise enjoy the ship.

Heck, you can leave the child in the nursery while you get off the cruise ship in a port of call for a fun shore excursion.

Royal Caribbean ships with Royal Babies & Tots Nursery:

• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

Baby splash zone

Did you know children in a diaper cannot go in the pools or hot tubs on Royal Caribbean?

Babies still in a diaper can, however, go in designated splash zones that are part of Splashaway Bay or the H2O Zone.

Royal Caribbean ships with a baby splash zone:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

The right ships if you have kids

It's important to talk about why Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for families before we pick a ship. Someone new to cruising may not be aware of how Royal Caribbean separates itself from other lines in the family travel market.

Royal Caribbean is known in the cruise industry for building cruise ships that are floating destinations, with lots of amazing things to do onboard.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a supervised kids club, fun activities on the pool deck, and visits to private islands in the Caribbean. Many ships have babysitting for younger children, water slides, surf simulators, bumper cars and more.

Royal Caribbean doesn't put things on its ships just for kids, rather, they design experiences that kids and their parents can enjoy together. FlowRider, bumper cars, carousels, laser tag are all things guests of all age can find fun.

If getting your adrenaline pumping isn't your idea of fun, Royal Caribbean also has Broadway musicals on select ships, parades, ice skating shows, and expansive pool decks.

Arguably as important for parent and child alike is Adventure Ocean. Every day of your cruise there's a kids club where kids can go to meet other kids and play together in a supervised environment. Adventure Ocean isn't just a large room that kids get put in. There's activities, art, games, video games, and books for kids to enjoy. 

Royal Caribbean revised its Adventure Ocean program on its newest ships and a few amplified ships, which revamped the spaces and greatly expanded the offerings.

Adventure Ocean is included in your cruise fare, with the exception of late night (after 10pm), so your vacation budget won't break.

There's even teen spaces on many ships, including dedicated lounges for teens and tweens to go and find their own enclave. The teens club is less programmed as the younger kids club, but there's still fun activities for them.  In fact, Royal Caribbean will dedicate certain times of the day at the FlowRider or other signature activities just for teens.

If you have toddlers, the nursery program is a fantastic offering for parents and kids alike. The nursery has an additional hourly cost to it, but it provides a safe place for children between 6 - 36 months to go and play, nap, eat, and play some more. For parents to have a place to drop infants off and be able to enjoy dinner and evening entertainment while their baby gets to play and be put down for sleep is a boon.

If all of this sounds great, you might be wondering how much this will cost you.  Royal Caribbean's prices are quite reasonable, with cabins and cruise fares to match nearly any family vacation budget.

Another ace Royal Caribbean has up its sleeve for families are its private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee.

These are ports your ship can visit on a Caribbean itinerary that are run by Royal Caribbean, which means lots of activities, beaches and a freshwater pool (at CocoCay) included with your cruise fare. A visit to either island is a highlight for nearly any family.

Other cruise lines may be more synonymous with kids, but Royal Caribbean's onboard programming stacks up favorably and offers more for children of all ages without compromising on the adult experience. Plus, Royal Caribbean routinely offers a kids sail free deal where children in the same cabin as the adults pay nothing for their cruise fare.