Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast Episode - Back on Icon

The internet is great for learning and planning your cruise vacation, but I've stopped using Facebook as a way to learn about my sailing.

There are a number of good things you should do before your cruise begins to plan and prepare for it, but one of them was to join a Facebook group for the sailing.

It's likely someone else from your specific sailing will set up a group so others can join and start discussing the cruise.

In the past, this was a great way to learn about what others are doing, meet other cruisers, and otherwise get excited about the cruise. There can be hundreds of people in one group, especially on Royal Caribbean's biggest ships.

I cruise a lot each year, trying to squeeze in at least one per month.  Last year I took 15 cruises, so I joined plenty of these groups.

Unfortunately, I've noticed a trend in cruise Facebook groups of bad information, trolling, and arguments over very silly things. As a result, I'd think twice before you join a group.

The drama overshadows the help

Facebook groups for cruises used to be such a helpful way for new cruisers to learn about their sailing.

People would join and ask questions about what to do, how to prepare, and what not to miss.  And because it was specific to your sailing, it was easier to get firm answers.

Like a lot of social media, more of the negativity has creeped into them.

Quite often new cruisers ask basic questions, but the answers get heated when they're more subjective responses than objective.

Some of these groups are run by spammers who are looking to sell merchandise to unsuspecting cruisers.

Equally bad are the groups that get created but are completely unmoderated because the admin either stops caring or disappears.

Then there's the bickering about things that end up in name calling, or worse. Arguments about what the actual policy is versus someone's opinion, sharing out dated information, and trying to circumvent rules are all commonplace now in the groups I've been a part of.

Some have become power trips

If you book a particularly popular sailing, the drama gets real quickly.

As an example, Royal Caribbean added a series of short pre-inaugural cruises for Star of the Seas in August. As soon as the announcement was made, a flurry of cruise groups were created for each voyage.

It can quickly become confusing which group to join, and I've seen in past one group hating on another group based on who thinks which one is the "legitimate" group or the one that was started first.

This really only applies to inaugural sailings or a President's Cruise, but I've resisted joining any group until perhaps the last few weeks before the actual sailing begins.

Spam has become a bigger concern

Besides the arguing and misinformation that can often be shared in a Facebook group, it's clear some groups are created with ulterior motives in mind.

Some groups are run by travel agents who are clearly using the group to source new clients with unsolicited sales pitches.

As mentioned before, some groups are run by people overseas usually trying to sell t-shirts or swag related to the sailing.

And even if the group admin isn't bad, there are often people within the group that are working an angle.

A new trend has been the selling of rubber ducks to people in the group. A fake account tries to sell unwanted rubber cruise ducks due to "a change in plans," but there's nothing to be sold. 

Another is the slot pull scam, where someone asks you to pay money to participate in a group slot machine tournament.

Finally, there's the typical Facebook spam from fake accounts that share links with the intention of catfishing you into hacking your account. 

Some aren't bad, but it all depends on who creates it

To be fair, not all Facebook groups for a sailing are like this.

You might still find a group that has "normal people" and the members far less worrisome. It's a crapshoot as to who will join your sailing's group and how knowledgeable they are.

If you're going to join a Facebook group for your sailing, I'd recommend exercising a great deal of caution. Don't take every answer as the gospel truth.  

Take any answer or statement made as something to consider, but go and verify the answer elsewhere.

Roll call threads are an alternative

If you want something else outside of Facebook, I'd recommend a roll call thread.

Well before Facebook groups became a thing, message board communities had well-established communities with roll calls for each sailing.

Cruise Critic pioneered the idea with their roll call forum, even going as far as getting recognition of them by Royal Caribbean on some sailings.

We have our own roll call area within the Royal Caribbean message boards that you can join (or start) a thread for your cruise.

The advantage of a forum is it's far better moderated than Facebook, and there's a history to the members that goes beyond a single sailing.

However, it's unlikely you'll get as many people joining a roll call as a Facebook group. Facebook is so ubiquitous that it has a much larger pool of users to draw from.

I stopped joining Facebook groups for my sailing

Ultimately, I've decided to stop joining the group to avoid the unnecessary drama that comes with it.

Of course, I'm in a different situation than most given my knowledge of cruising. But I hope this article serves as a warning these groups have changed a lot over the years and not to trust everything you read in them.

There's still value in finding a well-moderated group for your sailing with people that bring different experiences and background. Heck, you might even make a new friend before you board.

Just don't get too invested into them.

Two of Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships are undergoing upgrade and maintenance work at the very same time.

It's commonplace for cruise ships to take a break from service every few years to get work done, but having two giants out of commission is a bit unusual.

Allure of the Seas is in Navantia ship yard in Cadiz, Spain, while Anthem of the Seas is in a shipyard in Singapore.

Here's what we know about the work Royal Caribbean has ordered for both ships.

Upgrading Allure of the Seas

The biggest upgrade to any Royal Caribbean ship over the last five years is happening with Allure of the Seas.

Allure of the Seas launched in 2010, instantly capturing the attention of the world alongside Oasis of the Seas. The 225,282 gross registered ton vessel was the largest cruise ship in the world until the launch of Harmony of the Seas

Due to the cruise industry shutdown of 2020, Allure never got upgrades that were originally planned.

Nonetheless, Royal Caribbean is making them on Allure now, and they'll be ready for the ship to resume service in April.

The new features are called a "Royal Amplification", and it goes well beyond a simple drydock refurbishment.

Over $100 million is being spent on upgrades, including:

• Overhaul of pool deck to add resort look
• Pesky Parrot is replacing the Champagne Bar
• New water slides
• Splashaway Bay replaces the H2O Zone
• Addition of the Ultimate Abyss slide
• Mason Jar replaces Teen Club (the club moves to a new location)
• Revamped Adventure Ocean and Teen Club
• Playmakers Sports Bar replaces Sabor Mexican Restaurant
• 30 new cabins added
  • Vitality Cafe has been replaced with cabins
• Addition of an escape room
• Laser tag will be offered on select days

One change to Allure that has just been revealed is there will be a new aqua show onboard.

The fans have been asking — and Allure of the Seas℠ finally delivers a sequel to the fan-favorite show, Aqua80. Sit back and get into the 80s groove. The decade’s biggest hits set the tempo as high divers, slackliners and 3D aerialists deliver the stunts, the energy, the drama, the action and the fun. All rolled into one AquaTheater spectacular — Aqua80Too.

Instead of OceanAria Aquashow, Royal Caribbean will add Aqua80s Too.

This is an aqua show dedicated to the music of the 1980s decade.  It's a copy of the show from Utopia of the Seas, although early reports are it will not have flying performers or a slack line.

Another change that could be forthcoming is the implantation of destination elevators.

The company tested retrofitting destination elevators already on Allure of the Seas last year, and Utopia of the Seas has it onboard. We'll have to wait and see once passengers get onboard.

Allure has been in drydock since February, but should be complete with the work next week before resuming service on April 11.

The ship will sail from Barcelona and Rome (Civitavecchia) on 7-night cruises that visit Spain, France, and Italy.

In the fall, Allure returns to the United States to sail 6- and 8-night Caribbean cruises.

Maintenance work for Anthem of the Seas

On the other side of the world, Anthem of the Seas arrived at Tuas shipyard to begin her scheduled work.

Unlike Allure, Anthem isn't getting a major upgrade. All cruise ships go in for maintenance every 5 years or less, and it's akin to bringing your car in for a tune up.

Anthem arrived at the shipyard March 22, and will remain at the shipyard until mid-April.

Royal Caribbean has not made any announcements of what type of work will happen while Anthem is out of service, and that usually means the ship is going in simply for maintenance work, and not to get major upgrades.

Typically this sort of work sees fixes and replacements for public spaces, such as carpeting, floors, and more.  

A lot of the work is focused on the ship's engines and propulsion systems to ensure they stay in good working order for an additional five years.

Without any official statement, we'll have to wait and see what changes occur onboard once the ship restarts cruises.

Anthem of the Seas is scheduled to resume sailings April 13, 2025 with a 12-night repositioning from Singapore to Japan.

A transpacific sailing is also planned, as the ship will move to Alaska for the summer cruise season.

In the fall, Anthem moves back across the Pacific once again to offer cruises from Australia.

Going on a cruise ship is unlike other kinds of vacations, especially when it comes to preparing and packing for the trip.

In truth, it's easy enough to go on a cruise and plenty of people go on cruises without much planning and have a good time. However, the difference between a "good vacation" and a "great vacation" lies with good prep.

Royal Caribbean cruises are an inviting family vacation choice that packs so much for families to enjoy, both onboard the ship and ashore in the places you'll visit.

While I don't think you need to spend a fortune on a new wardrobe, accessories, and travel add-ons to have a really good cruise, there are some things I'd recommend to anyone going on their first Royal Caribbean cruise to get started. Think of these as a starter pack for your first cruise.

Grab your online shopping cart, as I share the seven things I'd recommend anyone going on a Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time should buy.

Motion sickness remedies

You probably won't get seasick on your cruise, but just in case, it's smart to have things with you to combat it.

A lot of first time cruisers worry about getting seasick, but the reality is the ship won't move as much as you think.  But just like anytime you've ever been motion sick in the past, it was probably a surprise that it happened.

The good news is even if you do get seasick, it's easy to treat.

I'd recommend buying over-the-counter medications that you can take either proactively or once seasickness symptoms begin.

Bonine and Dramamine are the two brands most people buy, and I've used them too.  They work quickly and the only side effect is usually feeling sleepy. (This link contains an affiliate link)

There's also kids formulas that have less of the active ingredient.

Be sure to look at the various forms, especially if you want to drink alcohol.

There are other alternatives, such as seabands or even a prescription from your doctor to take.

I bet this will end up being a waste of money, but it's smart to have some, just in case.

Packable beach bag

It's easy to overlook a beach bag as something you can use on a cruise.

Having a beach bag or small backpack is so helpful getting all your stuff on and off the ship in port.  You'll need to bring towels, identification, books, spare clothing, and electronics with you and a bag is so much easier than pockets.

Plus, you can use this bag when you're going to the pool deck as well.

You don't need to go crazy with buying something expensive, because it's going to accumulate sand and water as you use it. It's merely a vessel to easily organizing all your stuff into one bag.

There are some good and inexpensive beach bags you can buy for your cruise that you'll be able to re-use on many future sailings. (This link contains an affiliate link)

Casual and theme night attire

I think a lot of first time cruisers are concerned with having the right clothing with them for the cruise.

While Royal Caribbean does have dress codes, they're rarely enforced and pretty casual.  However, a lot of families love to get into the spirit of things with the theme night attire.

Every evening there will be a theme night, and it's up to you if you want to dress up for it or not.

Of course, it helps to know before the cruise begins what clothing you'll need. You can figure out the theme nights before you board and then shop appropriately to have the right stuff.

Remember, these themes are optional. So if you see Caribbean night or Red night listed, it's up to you if you want to get matching outfits for the entire family.

If you plan to eat in the Main Dining Room or a specialty restaurant, you will need to pack nicer clothing for those meals. Don't worry, it doesn't have to look like a black tie affair.

There are lots of outfit ideas, but something nicer than what you'd wear to the pool deck is pretty much the minimum.

Sunscreen and aloe vera gel

If you don't have sunscreen, you're asking for a problem later.

Even in the winter months, the Caribbean sun is very strong and there's always a few passengers that are burnt by the second day.

Be sure to bring sunscreen and apply it early and often. I'd recommend re-applying every couple of hours because it washes off easily in the water. 

Sunscreen is a good start, but also buy aloe vera for when the inevitably sunburn occurs. (These links contains an affiliate links)

Aloe vera makes the pain and discomfort that comes with sunburn more bearable, and it's a good backup in case you do get burnt.

Magnetic hooks

Ask anyone that cruises a lot what they always pack, and the answer is probably going to include magnets.

Your cruise ship cabin is a lot smaller than most hotel rooms, and definitely smaller than your bedroom at home.

Storage space can be at a premium on a cruise, but magnetic hooks are so helpful. These magnets can be placed just about anywhere in your room because the walls and ceiling are made of metal.

It's great for keeping clothes off the ground. Plus, you could also get magnets that have clips to help with papers and receipts.

Be sure to get heavy duty magnetic hooks so that it can handle the weight of wet clothes. (These links contains an affiliate links)

Cruise approved outlet extender

Older Royal Caribbean cruise ships (anything built before 2010) don't have nearly as many power outlets as you'll need.

In fact, only the newest ships even have USB outlets onboard, and most are USB-A plugs.

I'd recommend buying an outlet extender, but be sure it's one that is permissible by the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean recently restricted the type of outlet extenders you can bring, and they'll confiscate it if it doesn't adhere to the requirements.

Essentially, you can bring any outlet extender that only has one A/C outlet, but as many USB outlets as you like.  This is one such device I recommend, and is allowed on Royal Caribbean ships. (Yes, another affiliate link!)

Buying a USB hub means you can keep all your devices charged without fighting over outlets.

Travel alarm clock or nightlight

There are no clocks in your cabin, so a travel alarm clock is quite helpful.

I use my phone for an alarm, but it's so much more useful to have a clock you can open one eye and check the time.

This is especially helpful in an inside cabin.  Interior rooms have no natural light, so you'll have no idea if it's 4am or 4pm.

A fun idea is to buy a sunrise alarm clock, because it has a gradual light that mimics the sun rising.  Plus, it even has noise you can sleep to: birds, running water, white noise, and more.

One of the biggest cruise ships in the world is getting some serious new options.

Allure of the Seas is undergoing massive upgrades to add new features, restaurants, and things to do onboard.

Royal Caribbean took the massive Oasis Class ship out of service in order to spend a few weeks working on the ship. The ship is at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.

In total, the work will cost over $100 million.

Spanish site Diaro de Cadiz, shared a video of what the work looks like onboard, and what the cruise line is changing.

The purpose of these upgrades is to better align Allure with the rest of the fleet.  Like hotels on land, cruise ships need regular updates to remain relevant and appealing to passengers.

Changes include the addition of water slides, the Pesky Parrot Bar, a revamped pool deck, new staterooms, an Ultimate Abyss slide, and many updates around the ship to make it look refreshed.

Allure of the Seas will re-enter service in April, offering a summer cruise season in the Mediterranean with 7-night voyages.

Following Allure's season in Europe, she'll reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025. Allure will homeport in Port Everglades through October 2026, minus a short stint in Galveston, Texas, in March and April 2026. 

New water slides

New water slides are being added to Allure, which offer a new thrill onboard.

There were no water slides on Royal Caribbean ships when the Oasis Class ships were first built, but the line has been adding them to all of its big ships ever since.

The Perfect Storm slides are included in the cruise cost.

Speaking of aquatic fun, Splashaway Bay will also be added to replace the H2O Zone onboard.

Resort-style pool deck

The pool deck is getting a new look to make it look more contemporary and fun.

Expect more color to the pool deck, along with refinished surfaces.

This includes not only Caribbean inspired decor, but new seating, updated hot tubs, and the addition of The Lime & Coconut pool bar.

Ultimate Abyss slide

A big thrill will be added to Allure of the Seas with the Ultimate Abyss.

Spanning 10 stories, it's a fun and fast dry slide that whisks guests down to the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Speaking of the Boardwalk, it too is getting refreshed.  A lot of the work in any cruise ship refurbishment is to replace carpeting, flooring, and panels.

In addition, Royal Caribbean is replacing Sabor with Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

New bars

One major change is the addition of the Pesky Parrot bar on Allure.

The Pesky Parrot is a new concept first added to Utopia of the Seas, and it's a tiki bar.  It replaces the Champagne Bar on the Royal Promenade.

In addition, Allure will be getting the Mason Jar added.

It will be added to deck 15, where the teen club used to be.  This is a Southern American specialty restaurant. It's available on Wonder of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, and has one of the best bars in the fleet.

More changes coming to Allure

The scope of the work coming to Allure is quite a lot, including the addition of 30 new cabins to the ship.

One cabin is the Ultimate Panoramic Suite near the ship's bridge. It offers 914 square feet of space and sweeping 200 degree views from wall to wall and floor to ceiling glass windows.

The teen club is getting moved to a new location (and a new name Social298), and Adventure Ocean kids club are getting a refresh too.

A revamped Adventure Ocean space will include:

• Play Place, the AO Theater
• Hands-on art, science and tech at Workshop
• Physical, interactive games at Arena
• The Hangout
• Dedicated programs for babies and younger kids

Laser tag will be held in Studio B at select times, where guests are given laser tag vests and guns to try to outplay the other team.

Cruise vacations aren't necessarily cheap, especially on the new Royal Caribbean ships. 

Depending on when you sail, how many people are going with you, and the specific itinerary you select all contribute to driving up the cost of your cruise fare.

Then there's the price of food, which may increase your vacation budget. Royal Caribbean includes a lot of meals in your vacation, but there's the option to spend more too.

However, there are a few strategies to do Royal Caribbean on a budget and advice you can follow to keep some extra money in your pocket to spend on a fun shore excursion or even a new sailing.

Here are five Royal Caribbean food hacks that will save you money.

Bring a reusable water bottle

You're going to get thirsty on your cruise, even on sailings to not-so-warm destinations.  And if you're headed to the Caribbean, all that heat and humidity will drain you quickly.

You could spend money on buying water by the plastic bottle onboard, but there's an easier option. To save money, bring your own refillable water bottle instead.

There are water stations that cost nothing to use around your ship.  There's always one at Cafe Promenade/Cafe Latte-Tudes/Pearl Cafe that you can use.  

Royal Caribbean won't allow you to directly fill the water bottle, but you can easily use one of the plastic cups to transport it into your cup.

The top favorites among cruisers are the same ones you probably have seen at home: Stanley Cups, Yeti Cups, or Hydroflask are all excellent ideas. (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use). 

If you are bringing one of these cups, I've seen more and more cruisers also getting a water bottle holder with them so you don't have to hold it all the time. This makes taking it around the ship far more convenient.

Not only will bringing a reusable water bottle save you money on paying for water bottles, you will be able to stay hydrated a heck of a lot easier.

You can bring snacks from home

You won't go hungry on a Royal Caribbean ship because of how much is included in your cruise fare, but that doesn't mean your favorite snacks are offered.

It wasn't until I had kids that I saw the value in bringing snacks on my cruise.

It's so convenient to have the snacks my kids like in my cabin.  I'm talking Goldfish crackers, Pringles potato chips, toddler snacks, and more.

The rule is it just has to be a sealed snack bag, so unfortunately, you cannot bring leftovers or fruit with you onboard.

For adults, how about your favorite chocolates, protein bars, nuts, and other handy snacks you might like to have in your room?

One tip is to not bring those snacks off the ship with you.

Many countries have strict rules about taking food off the ship, so keep them to enjoy in your stateroom.

Look for wandering waiters trying to sell you a reservation

Specialty restaurants all cost extra, but there could be a way to enjoy them without paying full price.

This is a "YMMV" type hack, but if you ever spot a restaurant waiter walking around the Royal Promenade, Centrum or near the Windjammer and he or she is offering to make a reservation, you should be prepared with this question:

"Can I get a discount if I book with you right now?"

Their job is to drum up business for new restaurant bookings, so it doesn't hurt to ask for a discount.

They may offer you half off, a free bottle of wine, or some other money saving option.

Sometimes they need to call their manager to ask, but you won't know until you ask.

Typically, I see most of these waiters on embarkation day.  The first day of a cruise is usually the least busy at specialty restaurants, so keep an eye out for them.

Eat at lunch instead of dinner

Another specialty restaurant tip is to consider lunch to save money.

In some cases, the cost of lunch is cheaper than dinner and it's practically the same menu.

Plus, it’s usually less crowded then going for dinner.

A great example of this is Izumi Hibachi, where dinner costs $70 onboard the ship for dinner, but lunch costs $40.  It's the exact same menu and experience.

Giovanni's is usually cheaper too for lunch, and it's menu is nearly identical.  Ditto for Chops Grille or Hooked. 

The Mason Jar has a different brunch menu from dinner, but it's also cheaper for the former than the latter.

Skip dining packages

Don't assume you need a dining package to have great meals on your cruise.

From a pure money saving perspective, you'll find lots of good food in both the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet.

The Windjammer has a lot of international cuisine offered, including fabulous Indian options and even cooking stations.

There is no shortage of really good food on a cruise ship, but a bar on the world's biggest cruise ship has food options not available on any other ship.

The Trellis Bar is the focal point of Central Park on every ship with this neighborhood, but Royal Caribbean tweaked the offering a bit with Icon of the Seas.

While not technically a secret, it's not well known that there are food options you can order at the Trellis Bar on Icon.

In fact, very few bars on Royal Caribbean ships offer food at all.  You can't even get peanuts or pretzels to munch on as you drink.

I remember reading that there would be food at the Trellis Bar on Icon of the Seas, but I overlooked it with so many other options to consider.

Over the last few months, some readers alerted me to the fact that the food was really good here.

Don and Judy Goldstein are purveyors of the Trellis Bar on any ship they visit, and they recommended not only having a glass of wine at this bar, but trying the food.

On my recent sailing, I decided to give it a try.

A small menu, but it's to the point

If you look for the menu when you sit down at the bar, you'll need to spot one hidden among the bar menus.

Most people walk up to the bar, order a drink, and are then on their way.  Tables go quickly, especially in the evening.

There's just 7 items on the menu, but each one hits the important notes.  Better to do a few things well, than a lot of things mediocre.

We ordered five out of the seven items to try for lunch on a sea day.  In fact, I chose to eat here not only for research purposes, but because I lamented repeating other specialty restaurants because I think the ship needs another signature restaurant.

The chicken on the Caesar salad was incredibly moist

I started off with the Caesar salad and impulsively added the chicken on top of it.

What impressed me about this was how juicy the chicken was on this salad. I'm so used to chicken on salads being tough and cold, but this was freshly cooked and sliced right on top.

It was a good omen for the rest of the meal.

The steak bites blew me away

If you order one thing at the Trellis Bar, it should be the steak bites. Run, don't walk, and order them.

We ate a lot of steak at different restaurants around Icon, but the steak bites are next level tasty.

The reason they're so good is they are glazed with sweet Thai chili sauce.  Don't worry, it's not spicy at all.

I shared a plate with my wife, but I instantly regretted not ordering one just for me.  

This is now one of those must-order items every time I sail on Icon.

Mac and cheese bites are the perfect comfort snack

The mac and cheese poppers are the kind of food you don't seek out, but when you see it on the menu, you want it.

The name "poppers" is apt, as these are fried balls of mac and cheese you can easily toss in your mouth to eat.

It's a great sharing appetizer to have, and had we not indulged in every steak bite we could find, we would have eaten more of the poppers.

A really large burger patty made this burger stand out

Why is this burger different from all other burgers on Icon of the Seas?

You can get a burger at so many different places around the ship, including many being free.

At the Trellis Bar, this is dry-aged burger from Chops Grille. The process of dry aging meat is supposed to enhance the beefy flavor of the burger that result from the natural enzymes in the meat breaking down during the aging process.

I'm not an expert on dry aged food, but I can tell you it was a really good burger, and I was more impressed by how big the patty was than anything else.

While the Trellis Bar isn't a pub, I've always had an affinity for a burger and a beer for lunch.

Lunch at the Trellis Bar is an easy to miss treat

There are so many good restaurants on Icon of the Seas, including some fantastic included options.  

While I would never fault someone for eating at Aquadome Market instead, I think the food at Trellis Bar is fantastic too.

I ate here on day six of the sailing, and I think it's perfect for when you get well into the sailing and then start looking for some variety in the food choices.

It might be the perfect food to try to tide yourself over until a meal later, or sit down for a lunch like I did.

Royal Caribbean has cutback a perk from its popular program that gives guests added benefits.

An update was sent to guests that purchased The Key to inform them of a change to the program.

The Key is an extra cost pass guests can purchase to give them extra perks. It has a daily cost and must be purchased prior to the cruise beginning and for the duration of the cruise.

Instead of offering complimentary private time for the FlowRider, guests with The Key will only get a 25% discount on select sports activities throughout the sailing.

You may apply this discount to as many sports activities as you'd like throughout your sailing – including Flowrider Lessons and Private Sessions.

Examples of other sports activities offered on a cruise include Pickleball intro clinics, and private time at the iFly skydiving simulator.

This discount may not be combined with any other pre-cruise/onboard offer for the booking.

According to Royal Caribbean, they believe this is more in line with the existing Key Package benefit of 20% off any Specialty Dining.

"We believe it will provide even greater value and enjoyment to your cruise experience," the email read.

To take advantage of this new discount, reservations for these activities can be made onboard and can be booked at any time of your sailing.

"I find this absolutely ridiculous"

Guests reacted quickly to the change, with many noting the reduction in benefits.

Brock23 posted on the Royal Caribbean message boards, "The only time that we ever used the Flowrider was during the complementary private time. Now they take that away and trying to and get more money from you. 

"Having you book a $500 Flowrider private session. I find this absolutely ridiculous another way they're nickeling and dime everyone that's paying huge amounts of money to go on these boats."

Bcnhot posted on Reddit, "Honestly, I feel a little bit pissed right now, especially because of the way it is written, as if what they are offering is a better deal."

Spam_in_a_can_06 thinks this might benefit some, "Most people with Key didn’t use the open Flowrider because it’s always at odd times. This might be a better deal overall."

MedicalButterscotch is a helpful moderator on the Royal Caribbean subreddit and shared, "Absolutely a downgrade. Don't hesitate to cancel the Key if this sways your decision."

Is it worth buying The Key?

With the change in the Flowrider perk, does it still make sense to get The Key?

The cost of The Key depends on the sailing, but its listed as regularly costing $44.99 per person and must be bought for all guests at least 6 years or older in the cabin when purchased.

The included Flowrider session (and now discounted activity option) was likely never one of the most popular or beneficial perks of The Key.

In my experience, most people buy The Key because it includes:

• Priority embarkation
• Priority disembarkation
• Carry-on luggage assistance
• Includes internet
• Welcome aboard lunch

Because the Flowrider is such a demanding activity and a bit daunting to those who may find it too physically challenging, its inclusion or removal was always going to be somewhat niche.

Regardless of the change, I've said many times I don't see the value of The Key because of how heavy the benefits are on only embarkation day, and the fact many benefits can be attained on your own with the right knowledge.

You can get an early check-in time if you do your online check-in exactly 45 days before the cruise begins.

You could book Chops Grille for lunch on embarkation day and still enjoy a nice welcome aboard lunch.

Whether you have The Key or not, you still need to make reservations for the shows on Oasis and Quantum Class ships.  And the reserved seats aren't always the best seats in the house. They're just a special section, that you're required to be at quite early.

And you can always get a good pre-cruise discount on an internet package. In fact, many times it's cheaper to buy your family a multi-device internet package to share.

Usually the argument to buying the Key is for an "easy button" approach to cruising, especially when there's a good sale on it that is offered at just a little bit more than what an Voom package costs.

It's been over a year since Icon of the Seas arrived and set a new standard for giant cruise ships. 

I went on Icon in the first few months it entered service, but it's been a number of months since I sailed on her.  I had gone on other ships, including the newer Utopia of the Seas. So how would Icon feel a year later, and is would it feel as fresh and innovative as before?

Royal Caribbean introduced a number of firsts on Icon, and it made the ship stand out immediately.

Being the biggest cruise ship in the world will get plenty of attention, with a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers. But there's much more that makes Icon special beyond her dimensions.

There's just about every bright idea, fun activity, and way to relax on Icon. Variety of things to do is something that's always attracted me to big ships, but it's incredible how much more Icon has than even the nearly as large Oasis Class ships.

I took my family back on Icon for a 7-night western Caribbean cruise over spring break. I wanted to see what had changed, how the experience is with a full sailing, and if Icon is still my favorite ship in the fleet.

Crowd management is still incredible

The one thing that struck me on Icon when she came out was how effective crowd management was on the ship, and it still holds up today.

Royal Caribbean knew it needed to distribute crowds well in order to keep this mega ship from feeling overstuffed and unenjoyable. They did a great job with the Oasis Class ships, but Icon is notably better.

With few exceptions crowds simply don't exist on the ship. Sure, when a show lets out or there's a party on the Royal Promenade, you'll see a crowd.  But those are engineered crowds.

Even on the pool deck, which traditionally suffers the worst crowding problems on sea days, is remarkably open.  Not only are there tons of chairs everywhere, but adding more pools than any other ship and spreading them out clearly worked.

I can't promise you'll find a chair in front of Royal Bay pool at noon, but there are going to be chairs nearby.

There's an art to how the activities are programmed, the venues spread out, and the different places you can go.

If there's any concern about going on a ship with 10,000 people feeling too crowded, I don't think you need to worry.

Dueling Pianos is my go to evening entertainment

Among the many new venues introduced on Icon, Dueling Pianos is one of the best.

I had tried Dueling Pianos on the inaugural sailing, and it stood out immediately.  I went back on a few evenings to see how it compared.

The idea is simple: two pianists take requests from the crowd and take turns playing as many as they can.  The thing that makes this more than on-demand piano music is the entertainment factor involved.

Each one adds personality, incorporates the audience, and just makes it really fun.

Roel and Sarah were a terrific duo, and I loved how they infused humor to songs we've all heard dozens of times.

It's also a really good bar to make friends because of how much audience participation there is. The bar regulars will become characters soon enough and you'll wave hello to people you know around the ship.

Great specialty dining, but whish there was one more really good option

I ate well on Icon and got around to as many restaurants as I could, but if there was one deficiency I found, it's that the ship lacks one more really good restaurant.

Specialty dining is a focus on pretty much every ship, and it's popular with guests too.  

For a 7-night cruise, I think it lacks another top level specialty restaurant.

Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, and Izumi are terrific and I ate at each one on the cruise, but it needs one more.

Anecdotally, Hooked seems to be not so popular and because it's so heavy on shellfish, it's also very polarizing. I like Pier 7, but it's almost empty every night and most guests seem to not know it even exists.

Other pay options are more casual, like Playmakers or Trellis Bar. Empire Supper Club is divine, but it's a niche restaurant with a hefty price tag.

Having a restaurant like 150 Central Park, Wonderland, or some new concept would go a long way.

I regret not going to the pool more

We had a lot of fun on Icon of the Seas, but I wish I had more time to enjoy the pools.

In a typical "first world problem", our itinerary was loaded with port stops: three in the western Caribbean, and a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The downside to this schedule was it left us just two sea days, and with everything happening around Icon, I never got around to spending time in the pool.

In retrospect, I should have skipped a beach day in Cozumel and instead hung out on the ship.

I think Royal Caribbean did a great job with the pools, especially the Swim & Tonic and Cloud 17. But with Dueling Pianos, all the shows, great dining choices, and activities, the pools got left out.

Best comedy entertainment on any ship

I really enjoy the adult comedy shows on Royal Caribbean ships, but Icon has the best venue for it yet.

On other ships, the comedy shows are performed either in the Royal Theater or a multi-use venue.  Icon has a purpose-built comedy club, and it's perfect.

The venue has a great layout that is big enough to handle the rampant demand for shows, but also provide both comics and audience alike great angles to enjoy it all.

Plus, we had a fantastic lineup of comedians, including my all-time favorite, Simeon Kirkiles. 

I love how Royal Caribbean invests in live comedy, and the venue on Icon is superb.

Very few changes since last year

One thing I kept an eye out for were any changes Royal Caribbean made since last year, but it's fairly consistent.

I think the biggest change is to make all of Basecamp included in your cruise fare.

Previously, the menu had a lot of extra cost items and a few freebies. Now, it's all included.  Granted, they dropped two items from the menu (fare thee well, cheese curds. We hardly knew you).

The library within Pearl Cafe is also holding on for dear life.  There's only a few books, likely because books were taken without being returned, but it still exists.

I also noticed Rye & Bean doesn't open until 10am, which used to open at 8am a year ago.  It was one of my favorite Icon of the Seas secrets as a less crowded coffee alternative to Pearl Cafe.

The shows are still so good and must-sees

Royal Caribbean did such a good job producing each of the signature shows on Icon of the Seas.

Wizard of Oz, Aqua Action, and Starburst and excellent and worth your time.  I'll even go as far as to say Wizard of Oz is worthy of being put on a stage on land because of the high production value.

I was a bit put off by the shows after the ones on Utopia weren't nearly as good, but I came back for the shows on Icon and was not disappointed.

Disembarkation is the easiest process ever on Icon

It is amazing how smooth, efficient, and fast disembarkation is with a ship as large as Icon.

They got passengers and luggage off incredibly early, making the process so easy.

There were no lines to wait to disembark, and they had called most of the luggage numbers before 8am.

Considering how long it can take on other ships, disembarking Icon is such a breeze.

This was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship is going to arrive even earlier than expected.

A new 3-night showcase sailing was added to the schedule prior to the official inaugural sailing.

This is the second time Royal Caribbean has added a new short sailing before the official maiden voyage on August 31, 2025.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean bans popular electronic device on its private island
• Will a potential U.S. travel ban affect your Caribbean cruise? Here's what we know
• A Royal Caribbean cruise survey asks a simple question. The interpretation started a debate.
• I tried the $100 steak on Icon of the Seas, but it wasn't worth it
• Wireless carriers AT&T and Verizon want to make it easier to use your phone on a cruise ship
• 7 of the most beautiful cruise ports in the world, from someone who's cruised to 19 countries
• My 7 favorite cruise foods across all the cruises I've ever taken
• I spent $1,258 for a private villa at an all-inclusive resort on an island off the coast of Honduras, and was worth every penny
• The new dueling pianos bar is one of my favorite evening hot spots
• Royal Caribbean has a new option for skipping the lines on its cruise tours

New RCB Video: What I Wish Someone Told Me About Old Ships

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 — What I Wish Someone Told Me About Royal Caribbean’s Old Ships — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Family wrongfully denied boarding Royal Caribbean cruise ship

"Heartbroken and devastated" are the words a family used when they couldn't get on a cruise ship because of a mix-up regarding documentation.

A family from North Carolina was booked to sail on a Royal Caribbean ship from Port Canaveral, but were turned away at the cruise terminal.

The issue centered around using a student ID, which is allowed, but the terminal staff wrongly said it wasn't acceptable.

Icon of the Seas ship review

Icon of the Seas has been offering cruises for over a year, and there's so much to love about this ship.

From the incredible entertainment to the innovating changes Royal Caribbean made with this ship, Icon is as close to perfect as a cruise ship gets.

While it comes with premium pricing, Icon of the Seas is the right ship for a lot of people looking to enjoy the very best option out there.

Things you should never do in Mexico, according to a local

Cozumel is one of the most popular cruise ports in the Caribbean, but tourists make a lot of mistakes there.

Adrian drives taxis in Cozumel, and he's seem all sorts of problems that could have been avoided if cruise ship passengers knew the in's and out's of the island.

Not only could these tips save you time, it could also avoid a really bad situation from developing.

I tried a giant Royal Caribbean cruise ship after years of avoiding them

Allie usually chases budget deals, but just tried her first cruise on Oasis Class ship.

Not only do big ships cost more, they also have very unvaried itineraries. Both issues kept her from giving one a try.

She went on Utopia of the Seas for a 4-night cruise with her extended family, and while she had a good time, some issues bothered her.