Could it be the end of the Buy One, Get One discount offered onboard Royal Caribbean cruise ships for the popular drink package?

Nothing has been officially announced as a matter of policy, but on two different ships this week, cruisers reported not seeing the BOGO deal offered when a drink package is purchased onboard.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink packages prices and info

On Enchantment of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas, the flyer for buying a drink package doesn't have a BOGO offer.

Thomas Budzyn wrote on Facebook, "at least on Freedom of the Seas, there is no longer a BOGO sale for the drink package."

Another cruise on Enchantment of the Seas confirmed he was seeing the same thing on Enchantment of the Seas.

Don Goldstein reported on Icon of the Seas he was seeing the same thing, "The bar tender at Overlook on Icon told us that Royal was no longer doing drink package BOGOs purchased onboard."

The BOGO offer essentially gives a 50% discount on the cost of a drink package when buying it for two passengers. It was offered when buying a drink package onboard the ship on the first or second day of the cruise.

To be clear, the pre-cruise discount is still being offered, and this is an observation made just onboard a couple of ships by a few cruisers. 

Without the discount, each drink package purchased onboard a ship would cost at least $100 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

Moreover, Royal Caribbean requires all adults in the same stateroom to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package if at least one adult does so. There is no such rule for the Royal Refreshment or Soda packages.

The reason the rule is in place is to prevent sharing of drink package benefits.

Book online before the cruise to get the best price

Whether or not Royal Caribbean has a BOGO discount on its ships, you're doing yourself a disservice by waiting to book a drink package onboard.

Royal Caribbean regularly offers a substantial discount when a drink package is purchased before the cruise begins. It's common to see 35-45% off the cost of a drink package online.

Depending on the promotion offered, you can usually get the Deluxe Beverage Package for around $60-$80 per person.  It varies from sailing to sailing, but the price offered in the Royal Caribbean app or website is always cheaper than buying it onboard.

Read more: Best time to purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package

For example, on a recent Icon of the Seas sailing, the Deluxe Beverage Package was on sale for $76.99 instead of $110 per person, per day. Royal Caribbean says its 30% off savings.

You can always re-price the drink package when buying it online, all the way up to a few days before your cruise. This allows you to cancel and rebook if the price drops.  Its a significant advantage for consumers.

My recommendation is to never wait to buy the drink package on the ship because of the higher price tag, and now the added risk of the BOGO discount not being available.

How to maximize a drink package purchase

Whether you buy a drink package onboard or online, there are a few easy tips for getting the most out of your beverage package.

Your drink package works at more places than just bars. Besides ordering a drink at the Pub, Schooner Bar, or at the pool, you can also get drinks at specialty restaurants, the Main Dining Room and even Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee.

This not only extends the value of a drink package, but you can sample the special cocktails found at specialty restaurants. Some favorites include the Mason Jar, 150 Central Park, Jamie's Italian and Wonderland.

Ask for top shelf liquor. When you order a drink, don't just ask for the drink by name.  Rather, ask for the drink by name and specify the liquor you want with it.

If you don't do this, you might end up with a generic liquor instead of something better.  Higher-end spirits tend to be smoother and have a better flavor.  Plus, it's included with your drink package, so don't be afraid to ask for a higher quality vodka, tequila, or rum.

Don't overlook other beverages included. While you might be focused on cocktails, beer, and wine, you should also look at the non-alcoholic beverages to get more value out of your drink package. 

Premium coffees, teas, soft drinks, and bottled water are included in the Deluxe Beverage Package and Royal Refreshment package, and you should order these to make it easier to "break even" on a drink package purchase cost.

Stock up on bottled water. My favorite trick for maximizing the drink package is to get extra bottles of water.

Bottled water is super helpful to have around the ship and on shore.  It's a good idea to ask for a bottle of water along with your regular drink order so that you can start stockpiling bottles in your cabin.

Having extra bottles of water provides a convenient way to stay hydrated on your cruise. Plus, you can bring bottled water with you off the cruise ship into port when on a shore excursion.

A clever solution to a traditional problem on cruise ships is coming to Royal Caribbean's next new cruise ship.

Ever since Icon of the Seas launched earlier this year, it earned rave reviews for many changes, including the addition of destination elevators.  And it now appears Utopia of the Seas will have the same feature.

Read more: Utopia of the Seas guide

Giant cruise ships have always had crowding issues, especially when waiting for an elevator. Royal Caribbean tested out a new alternative on Icon of the Seas and it worked quite well.

Bryan James, a musician and crew member on Utopia of the Seas, posted a video confirming the ship will indeed have the new kind of elevators.

"They just upgraded all the elevators on the ship," he said in a YouTube video he posted.

He described it as, "They make it so you don't stop on every single floor that somebody is pressing the button for."

Guests go to a panel in the elevator lobby, and then select which floor they would like to go to.  The computer then assigns you a particular elevator to wait for in the lobby.

When your elevator arrives, there are no buttons to press inside. It already knows which floors it will stop at, based on an optimization for that car to get people to and from.

The result is wait times for an elevator are significantly less, and that's a big deal for cruise ship passengers. Long elevator wait times are a pain point because of how inundated they can become during the day.

On most ships, even if an elevator shows up, it could be already full of people.  And even when it's full, the elevator would stop on every single floor someone has called for one.

Jennifer Goswami, Director Product Development at Royal Caribbean Group, spoke at a recent conference about how well-received destination elevators have become among guests on Icon.

"Elevators, while kind of not always the flashiest of technology, have been an absolute smash hit for Icon," Ms. Goswami stated.

"When you're waiting outside of an elevator for three, four, five minutes, we call them microwave minutes where they feel like the longest minute of your life," she said.

In April 2023, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider, introduced the concept of destination elevators at a presentation and mentioned the Oasis Class ships suffered from long elevator waits, "even with the elevators that we have on the Oasis Class, we still can struggle with lines."

Testing on another Oasis Class ship

Utopia of the Seas may be the first Oasis Class cruise ship with destination elevators, but the line might be considering adding it to other ships too.

Earlier this year, a team from Royal Caribbean Product Development were testing out the Icon-style elevator system on Allure of the Seas.

In April, one elevator lobby was transformed to look like a destination elevator bank from Icon of the Seas. The elevators had temporary letters above each door, to indicate what assignment a passenger would have when requesting an elevator.

Allure is scheduled for a dry dock in February 2025, so it would be an ideal candidate for the upgrade.

More new features coming to Utopia

Ms. Goswami is correct in that elevators are far from the most interesting feature one can look forward to on a cruise ship, so here are a few more notable improvements coming to Utopia of the Seas.

The Royal Railway restaurant is a new immersive dining concept that will debut on Utopia. 

Combining food, visual effects, and theming, Royal Caribbean will have a new kind of restaurant experience that makes you feel like you're in a certain part of the world or in a certain era. It's more than just "another specialty restaurant", in that it aims to make you feel part of a story.

Read more: Royal Railway restaurant preview

If you like thrills, there will be an improved Ultimate Abyss slide on Utopia.

Measuring 259 feet long, Utopia's 10-story Ultimate Abyss will be 43 feet longer than the slides on other Oasis Class ships. There are racing windows and zoom booster rollers for a "surprise" exit on the Boardwalk. 

If you're in the mood for a bite to eat while at the pool, expect a new and easier way to get something.

There will be a "food truck" on Utopia's pool deck, called the Spare Tire. The menu has "handheld favorites" like pulled pork sandwiches, cheeseburger flatbreads, daily rotating desserts.

Read more: 7 new things coming to Utopia of the Seas

There will be new shows and parties on Utopia of the Seas. While she may be the sixth Oasis Class cruise ship, there's a whole new lineup of entertainment.

There will be a new show in each of Utopia's signature venues: Royal Theater, AquaTheater, and Studio B.

If you like to dance, Royal Caribbean is adding the largest silent disco in the fleet to the ship. Silent Toga! appears to be another silent disco, being described as "[a] toga party with a silent twist."  

Those who prefer poolside action will appreciate the not one, not two, but four pool parties onboard, including the Sail Away Pool Party, Hey Utopia!, Senses Sunset Pool Party, and Plunge Day Pool Party, a Vegas-inspired daytime party. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean reveals shows and parties for Utopia of the Seas

Utopia begins sailing in July 2024

Utopia of the Seas will have her inaugural voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida on July 19, 2024.

Utopia will be the first new Royal Caribbean ship to debut with short cruises, instead of 7-night cruises. Her first sailing is a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas, followed by a 4-night cruise.  The pattern then repeats itself indefinitely.

The goal is for this ship to dominate the weekend cruise market. The idea is by offering 3- and 4-night sailings on its newest ship (instead of older vessels), those curious about cruising are more likely to try it and get hooked on Royal Caribbean.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's master plan to offer the best weekend cruises

You have to give credit where credit is due, and Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is worthy of every accolade attributed to it so far.

Icon of the Seas is the world's biggest cruise ship, but size alone doesn't make it necessarily the best. It's the assortment of features, tweaks, and enhancements that really make the new ship stand out from every other Royal Caribbean ship in the fleet.

I sailed on Icon of the Seas last week for the first time since the ship's inaugural voyage in January. I was curious to see now that it's been about six months since her launch, would the novelty have worn off and the ship live up to hype she received earlier this year.

Read more: I took the inaugural cruise on Royal Caribbean's newest ship

After spending 7-nights onboard, I'm convinced Icon is not only still worthy of all the praise, but Royal Caribbean raised the bar yet again for what all other cruise ships are judged against.

Crowd management second to none

It's amazing how a cruise ship that can handle over 7,000 passengers doesn't feel crowded.

When you walk around Icon of the Seas, you'll quickly start to wonder where everyone else is. Our summer sailing had plenty of kids onboard, and that meant the ship was pretty much maxed out to capacity.

Whether you were on the Royal Promenade, around the pool deck, or going to a show, crowds were few and far between. I don't want to make it seem like you have the ship to yourself, but compared to other Royal Caribbean cruise ships, crowds were largely absent.

On other ships, the Promenade is a zoo of people (especially on embarkation day). The pool deck is packed on sea days too.

On Icon, there was much more space to spread people around and it showed.

Royal Caribbean also solved crowding with its destination elevators, which more efficiently assign elevators to passengers. Waiting for an elevator on a cruise ship is a traditional pain point for guests, and Royal Caribbean referred internally to those wait times as, "microwave minutes" because it feels like the longest wait ever.

If you've cruised on other ships and then try the elevators on Icon, I think you'll find the waits pleasantly better.

Read more: Is the world's largest cruise ship crowded? Not as much as you might fear

Shows you'll want to see again

Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for offering the best entertainment at sea, and once again, they lapped the competition with Icon.

While the shows were not totally ready for the maiden voyage, I got to experience all the shows this time around. These shows are the best collection assembled on one ship.

The Wizard of Oz production show in the Royal Theater is by far the best show on a cruise ship that didn't first begin on Broadway.

An adaptation of the beloved 1939 film, Royal Caribbean crafted a show that combines incredible visuals, a talented cast, and songs the audience knows well.  

As someone who values seeing shows with a plot, it was so nice to see Wizard of Oz on Icon and enjoy Royal Caribbean's version.

The other signature shows on Icon include Aqua Action! in the AquaTheater and Starbust in Absolute Zero. While aqua shows and ice performances are not new to Royal Caribbean ships, the versions on Icon of the Seas incorporate the best tricks and lessons learned to date.

I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the live music on Icon, because it blew me away. Musicians onboard will change every few months, but we had an all-star lineup on our sailing Jennifer Hart in the Schooner Bar and Kevin Philip in the Pub were outstanding talents that I went to see every night of the cruise.

The new Dueling Pianos bar is such a fun spot, especially if you can bring a group with you to enjoy. The two pianists feed off guest participation, and there are as much laughs as songs you know the words to.

When you sail on Icon of the Seas and see your first show, it's going to hook you to want to see the rest.

The best included food in the fleet

The eternal cruiser debate of if it's worth it to pay for specialty restaurants is quite different on Icon of the Seas because of the superior food options that are included in your cruise fare.

Other Royal Caribbean cruise ships tend to have a few restaurants included that certainly cover the basics, but there isn't a great deal of variety.

With Icon, many passengers remarked how they skipped paying for extra-cost restaurants because they found the included restaurants so much better than they expected.

Read more: Icon of the Seas restaurant and dining guide

There are a few new restaurant concepts, starting with Aquadome Market. This is Royal Caribbean's first foray into a food hall, and it's a revelation. Five different food cuisines, and a few stay open well into the night offering something other than pizza.

Pearl Cafe has 24-hour grab-and-go snacks that also give you choices of snacks that include healthy and indulgent.

You have enhanced stalwarts of the included food game, such as El Loco Fresh on the pool deck and even a Windjammer buffet that serves steak and lobster.

I think the destination elevators still get the most attention from those who try Icon, but the included food quality has to be a close second.

Read more: What the Food Was Like on Icon of the Seas

Elevated dining worth the $200 price tag

After telling you how good the included food is, I feel obliged to talk about how impressive the Empire Supper Club experience is.

When Royal Caribbean announced Icon of the Seas would have a specialty restaurant that cost $200 per person, it raised a few eyebrows. But Royal Caribbean was adamant this was not going to be just another new restaurant.

Empire Supper Club is a three hour dining adventure that combines food, cocktails, and entertainment. Supper clubs are about enveloping everyone attending in a performance, and I was surprised how much I really liked it all.

The jazz music was beautiful, and every course is paired with a signature cocktail. It was fun to see what would be served next, and the service was personalized given the limited capacity of the venue. There's just one seating each night.

To put it in perspective how much I enjoyed it, I was invited by Royal Caribbean to try it without any cost the first time, and then I turned around and paid to do it again a week later. 

Just like how you might do a fancy night out in a city at a well-known restaurant, I think Empire Supper Club is the sort of night out you could choose to do that you just won't find on another cruise ship.

Icon retains fan favorites

While there are a lot of new innovations, Icon of the Seas still has the "Royal Caribbean DNA" that fans of the line will find familiar.

Early in Icon's development, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said Icon of the Seas will feature a combination of "tradition, evolution and revolution", which means it would stay honest to the company's roots while also adding in new ideas.

Stalwart restaurants such as Sorrento's Pizza, Chops Grille, and the Windjammer buffet are all here and they are arguably the best versions of each.

You'll find Boleros, the Schooner Bar, and the Lime and Coconut, in addition to the new bars.

The Central Park neighborhood is familiar, yet more refined than the Oasis Class version.

There's always room for improvement

I am certain if you asked Royal Caribbean, they would acknowledge there are things that could be better on Icon of the Seas. No cruise ship is perfect, and I certainly have my wish list of improvements.

If you're someone who usually stays in a suite, I think the Oasis Class suite offerings are still better because of they are larger and Icon's suite lounge feels very cramped.

Speaking of cabins, there seems to be less storage space than on Oasis Class ships too. As an example, the choice of baskets instead of drawers seems like a solution to a problem that never existed.

Read more: What a cabin on Icon of the Seas is like

I also think staggered performance times on the Royal Promenade isn't practical. On many nights, the live music in the Schooner Bar, Pub, or Boleros ended far too early because of noise bleed concerns.  Royal Caribbean wanted a lively Royal Promenade with lots of energy, but I think it's a disservice to passengers.

The choice of Absolute Zero having one entrance and exit that flows through Playmakers Sports Bar is another head scratcher.

Whether these issues get sorted out on one of the new Icon Class ships or Icon of the Seas itself, they aren't enough to detract from Icon of the Seas being not only my favorite Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but a generational leap forward within the industry.

Tropical Storm Beryl continues to disrupt cruise ship plans, and this time it's impacting cruises from Galveston, Texas.

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas will be delayed returning to port by one day, meaning the current sailing will be extended by one day and the next sailing shortened by a day.

Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer confirmed the delay due to the arrival of Tropical Storm Beryl to the Texas area, along with the closure of the port.

"Mariner of the Seas will be delayed one day on her arrival," he posted on X/Twitter.

The 139,863 gross-ton, Voyager Class cruise ship is homeported in Galveston, Texas and departed on her current sailing July 4 on a 4-night Western Caribbean itinerary was scheduled to visit Cozumel on July 6.

Beryl reached Category 4 status and impacted many parts of the Caribbean, especially Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It has since weakened to a Category 2 by the time it made landfall Friday on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and is now down to a tropical storm as it moved across the peninsula.

The cruise ship will remain outside of the bad weather as the tropical storm moves inland, "She will stay well south of Beryl & out of the bad weather today and Monday."

Royal Caribbean subsequently informed guests booked on Mariner of the Seas of the change in itinerary. Guests booked on the July 8th sailing will now sail on July 9th.

"Due to Tropical Storm Beryl's track through the Western Caribbean, our previous Mariner of the Seas sailing is delayed in returning to Galveston, Texas. As a result, our sailing will now take place on July 9, 2024."

"Unfortunately, this means we will not be able to visit Costa Maya, Mexico."

Royal Caribbean added they are continuing to monitor the weather, in case any changes are needed.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships always seek to avoid hurricanes and tropical storms, and in this situation where the embarkation port is impacted, there is little choice but to wait the storm out.

Royal Caribbean's changed plans are also reflected in the Port of Galveston shutting down operations.

"The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended vessel operations and is expected to close the port to vessel traffic at 4 p.m. today in advance of tropical storm conditions," said in a statement by the Port of Galveston.

Tropical Storm Beryl Update

The National Weather Service forecast shows Beryl moving NW at 12 mph with 60 mph sustained winds.

As of 10 a.m. Sunday, Beryl was located 195 miles south-southeast of Matagorda and it had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to intensify to a Category 1 hurricane just before landfall near Matagorda Bay Monday morning.

The hurricane impacted the itineraries of several other cruise ships last week, including Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas.

Happy Sunday! I hope you are having a wonderful weekend and are ready to catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from this week!

One cruise passenger swears she will be a Royal Caribbean fan for life, thanks to the medical attention she received onboard a cruise ship.

An emergency medical procedure meant one woman's cruise seemed like it would be lost, but Royal Caribbean waived the cancellation terms and offered her a chance to change sailings for a nominal fee.

"I’m so grateful for their kindness and compassion, fully knowing it was saw something they didn’t have to do," she wrote in her summary.

Royal Caribbean News

• Hurricane Beryl's path forces Royal Caribbean to change cruise ship itineraries
• Royal Caribbean celebrates July 4th with discounts up to 35% off cruise ship add-ons
• Cruise lines have changed their prices because of California's new 'Honest Pricing Law'
• Trendy outfit ideas for a summer Mediterranean cruise
• Caribbean cruise outfits for women

New RCB Video: What happens when a cruise is OVERBOOKED

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 happens when a cruise is OVERBOOKED — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Meghan Trainor named godmother of new Royal Caribbean ship

Meghan Trainor is about to add godmother to her many titles.

Royal Caribbean announced she will serve as godmother to its newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas.

The cruise line also announced a contest to give away to 52 winners free sailings on the July 15 departure of Utopia on the three-night cruise that will name the new ship.

Steak and lobster are still available in the buffet of the world's largest cruise ship

The embarkation day lunch on Icon of the Seas features a wide selection of food, including filet mignon and lobster tail.

It's unusual for the buffet to offer these premium items, but Icon has been serving it up on embarkation day ever since the ship debuted in January.

As you walk into the Windjammer on embarkation day, there is a selection of freshly grilled filet mignon steaks on the first buffet line. along with lobster and shrimp.

A look at the Icon Loft Suite that costs over $35,000 for a week

What do you get for a suite that costs over $5,000 per night?

The Icon Loft Suite is one of the top suites on Icon of the Seas, and it comes with the best perks available onboard.

Measuring 656 square feet, with a balcony that falls anywhere between 108 and 172 square feet, there's also the Royal Genie services that come with it.

The world's biggest cruise ship has extravagant suites that come with the best benefits you'll find at sea.

Icon of the Seas has 8 neighborhoods onboard, including one just for cruise ship suites. 

The Icon Loft Suite is one of the most expensive suites on the ship, and it comes with more living space than a traditional cabin. The price tag gets you Star Class benefits, which includes complimentary specialty dining, a drink package, gratuities, and the services of the Royal Genie.  

It has the best benefits offered by Royal Caribbean, and we got a chance to tour the cabin. Let's take a look inside.

The Icon Loft Suite is located on deck 17

Located within the suite neighborhood, the Icon Loft Suite is in a part of the ship exclusive to those that booked a suite. 

Being within the suite neighborhood means convenient access to the suite pool deck, Coastal Kitchen restaurant, and suite lounge. Having access to these amenities is a highly sought-after perk because of the extra value they represent.

Guests walk into a two level suite

As you walk into the Icon Loft Suite, you'll quickly notice the this is unlike other cruise ship cabins.

Loft suites encompass two levels, and it has a giant floor-to-ceiling window leading to the balcony.

The look of the room is also quite opulent, with tile floors and marble furnishings.

This suite features a large living room and dining area

With an occupancy of up to 4 passengers, being able to spread out is what makes this suite stand out.

There's a dining room table that can seat four people, and it's meant to be a place to enjoy meals delivered to your suite. Room service is included with this suite, and that includes being able to order food from specialty restaurants or the Main Dining Room. Guests staying in this cabin are able to have their meal served in the dining room.

Behind the table is a bar area with coffee maker, glasses, and stocked beverages. The Royal Genie ask prior to the cruise which beverages you'd like to have waiting in your cabin, and that includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Moving further into the suite is the living room, with large couch. The couch opens up into a sofa bed and that's where up to two people can sleep.

There are two floors, with the master bedroom exclusively on the upper level

Having two floors, the master bedroom is on the upper level, including the master bathroom.

Stairs lead to the upper level, where you'll find a king size bed. The bed overlooks the rest of the suite and has views to the windows, providing ocean views.

If you need privacy, a curtain can be extended by manually dragging the curtain. It provides very good darkness for sleeping in.

There are a large set of closets near the stairs.

You'll also find a vanity near the bed, with a television to the side of the bed.

There are outlets and a nightstand on both sides of the bed.

The master bathroom has a giant shower

You'll really notice the extra space in this suite in the master bathroom.

The shower has two showerheads on opposite sides of the shower, with a walk-in door.

The dual sinks ensures there is ample counter space for a couple sharing this cabin.

The balcony is smaller I expected

There are many suites across Royal Caribbean's fleet, and I would characterize the balcony on the smaller side relative to the room category booked.

There's certainly enough space for people staying in this suite, but it feels smaller than I expected.  

However, the ocean views provided are perfect for lounging in one of the provided loungers.

The second full bathroom is the best thing about this suite

On the lower level is a second full bathroom, making it perfect for entertaining friends or sharing the cabin with others.

Having a second shower, sink, and toilet ensures the master bedroom level remains exclusive.

The Royal Genie is my favorite reason to book this suite

When you book a Star Class cabin, you'll get the services of a Royal Genie.

The genie services three cabins on Icon of the Seas, and assists with just about every need their guests might have. Dinner reservations, seats for a show, escorting on and off the ship, and even getting elevators for their guests are just some of the benefits they provide.

Think of a genie as an "easy button" for the cruise, where you don't need to pre-book things and simply inform the genie what you want to do, and they will make it happen.

The Icon Loft Suite combines size and service

If you want a suite with everything, the Icon Loft Suite is an excellent, albeit expensive choice.

You'll never got a great value out of a suite, because they're meant to be splurges that you can indulge and enjoy. Between the extra living space and the perks included with the suite, it's what someone seeking luxury accommodations would love.

The daunting price tag is going to limit who can afford to reserve it, but it's a lovely way to cruise.

Singer, songwriter and now godmother to a cruise ship are the titles for Meghan Trainor.

Utopia of the Seas is a brand new mega cruise ship set to launch in July 2024.

Royal Caribbean announced the news on Friday, revealing one of the final unknown aspects to Utopia.

"We're beyond excited to announce that Meghan Trainor will be the Godmother of Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Utopia of the Seas," the announcement on social media read.

As part of a longstanding maritime tradition, Trainor will take part in the naming celebration for Utopia in July 2024 in Miami. 

The naming ceremony will take place prior to the inaugural voyage on July 19, 2024.

“Utopia of the Seas is where making the most of the weekend and every moment are more than a state a mind, they’re a reality any day of the week. This is the short getaway that’s all about celebrations, celebrating friends, family and the memories you make together,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. 

“Meghan embodies that in every way, from who she is to how she shares her music with the world, making her the perfect godmother to match Utopia’s big weekend energy. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the family and host a party of epic proportions fit for the ultimate short getaway.”

Royal Caribbean is even giving away 52 free passes to see Meghan Trainor perform live at the ship's naming party. Details for the giveaway are included on Royal Caribbean's Instagram page.

Beginning today, Friday, July 5, and until Sunday, July 7, at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fans can enter for their chance to win a pass.

Trainor joins a lineage of celebrities who have been chosen to be named godmother.

What is a cruise ship godmother?

Every cruise ship has a godmother, and it's an important part of maritime tradition.

It's a ceremonial position that is traditionally held by a woman, but in recent years that has changed.  Symphony of the Seas had a Godfamily, and Icon of the Seas had a godfather with Lionel Messi.

Other ships have had women hold the role, including renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

The godmother's job is to give the ship a blessing for the safety of the crew members and passengers who will sail onboard it. 

Who is Meghan Trainor?

Meghan Trainor is a contemporary American singer-songwriter known for her distinctive blend of pop, R&B, and doo-wop influences. 

Her breakthrough came in 2014 with the release of her debut single "All About That Bass," which topped charts worldwide and earned her widespread recognition.

Trainor's debut studio album, "Title," was released in 2015 and included hits like "Lips Are Movin" and "Dear Future Husband." Throughout her career, Trainor has continued to release music that combines nostalgic nods to classic pop with modern sensibilities, carving out a unique niche in the industry.

Beyond her music career, Meghan Trainor has also ventured into television, appearing as a judge on the reality singing competition "The Four: Battle for Stardom" and serving as a guest judge on "RuPaul's Drag Race." Her presence in popular culture extends to collaborations with other artists and contributions to film soundtracks, further solidifying her influence and reach.

Party ship welcomes party seekers

There's a good chance if you're at a party one of Meghan Trainor's songs will be on the playlist, and that's probably part of why Royal Caribbean chose her to be godmother.

The 236,860 gross registered ton (GRT) Utopia of the Seas is just weeks away from hitting the high seas, boasting new features that cannot be found on any of the other five Oasis Class ships. 

Guests onboard the 5,668-passenger vessel can enjoy an exciting array of amenities, from exhilarating waterslides to mesmerizing high-diving shows and the cruise line's first immersive train car dining experience. 

Departing from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Utopia of the Seas will call at CocoCay on July 20 and Nassau on July 21 before returning to Florida and welcoming a new set of passengers onboard for a 4-night cruise.

The ship introduces a new era of cruising, as it's the line's first ship entering service catering to the short cruising market. Rather than reserving older vessels for 3- and 4-night sailings, those loyal to the brand or curious about cruising can experience cutting-edge amenities and world-class entertainment not found on any other short cruise in the world. 

Get ready to celebrate the Fourth of July with a new sale that could save net you big savings over this big holiday.

Royal Caribbean is offering a July 4th sale on pre-cruise purchases, which includes possibly savings on drink packages, Wi-Fi and shore excursions.

The sale runs over the holiday, and applies to purchases made via the Cruise Planner website or by calling Royal Caribbean.

Deal basics

To get this offer, you need to either log into your Royal Caribbean account and go to the Cruise Planner or call Royal Caribbean to purchase a drink package.

The sale is valid for sailings departing July 7, 2024 - July 31, 2025. It's only available to bookings made between July 2, 2024 - July 5, 2024.

Depending on your sailing, there might be better prices now for shore excursions, WiFi packages, drink packages, or specialty dining.

Keep in mind if you buy the Deluxe Beverage Package, if you have multiple guests 21 and older staying in the same stateroom, all adults will be required to purchase their own package. This is done to help reduce the sharing of benefits. 

Celebrity Cruises is also offering its own Fourth of July sale on pre-cruise purchases. It has up to 35% off shore excursions, "and other onboard amenities."

Celebrity's sale runs through July 5, 2024 at11:59 PM EST (“Offer Period”) and applies to guests booked on select sailings departing July 8, 2024 – December 26, 2025, excluding 

• Celebrity Beyond August 24th, September 7th, September 21st
• Celebrity Edge July 26th, August 30th, September 13th
• Celebrity Equinox July 20th, July 30th
• Celebrity Infinity August 3rd, August 17th, August 31st 
• Celebrity Millennium July 14th, July 26th, August 7th
• Celebrity Solstice July 28th, August 18th, August 25th
• Celebrity Summit July 26th, August 2nd, August 30th

Will this offer save me money?

The Fourth of July is usually a big retail holiday, but there's no guarantee the actual price of your drink package, excursion, or spa treatment will be any different.

Royal Caribbean runs promotions throughout the year on its cruise add-ons, and there seems to be sales just about every week.

The Fourth of July is a bigger holiday for sales, and there have been anecdotal evidence of our readers reporting better discounts than usual. So it seems it's one of those sales worth checking for a better price.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

To find the discounted rates, log into the My Cruises section of the Royal Caribbean web site, and navigate to the Cruise Planner section for the sailing you are interested in.

Once logged in, any available discounts will be automatically applied for the sale. Look for prices highlighted in magenta to indicate deeper discounts.

When it comes to Royal Caribbean sales, it's best to ignore the percentage off advertised, and focus on the total price when you add it your cart.

Remember, the pre-cruise price is almost certainly going to be better than the price onboard the ship if you wait to book it once you board the ship.

If the price of the cruise extra is cheaper than what you bought previously, you can cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the drink package again with this discount.

Beverage package purchases made online can be canceled and full refunded at any time, up until about 3 days before your sail date.

Advantage to booking before the cruise

No matter which add-on you want to buy, it's always cheaper to buy it before the cruise begins.

One common mistake cruisers make is waiting to book extras, either because they want to see if the price will continue to drop or they hesitate to book.

The reason waiting to book until closer to your sail date is a mistake is because the price could go up, and then you would end you paying more than you originally saw it listed for online.

If you know you will buy an add-on, you should book it at whatever price you see it for online before your cruise.  Remember, you can always cancel it if you change your mind later, up to 48 hours before your cruise begins.

This locks in the price and protects yourself against a price increase while still being able to take advantage of a price drop.

The biggest cruise ship in the world has made a name for itself in many ways, but it also stands out in a gastronomical way.

Ever since Icon of the Seas first started sailing with paying passengers, the Windjammer buffet on embarkation day served up an upgraded offering.

In addition to the usual buffet fare, there's also been filet mignon, lobster tail, and shrimp.  These delicacies are usually not offered in the buffet due to their higher cost.

On Icon of the Seas' inaugural sailing, the buffet had these items and this was in line with Royal Caribbean's traditional approach to celebrating the maiden voyage of any new cruise ship.  But with other ships, the embarkation day lunch menu would drop those upgraded items after the initial sailing.

I boarded Icon of the Seas for a 7-night Caribbean cruise on June 29, and was pleasantly surprised to see the steak and seafood were still available.

As you walk into the Windjammer on embarkation day, there is a selection of freshly grilled filet mignon steaks on the first buffet line. along with lobster and shrimp.

Further into the buffet, there was more seafood to be found.  Flanked by ice carvings, there's a wider selection of lobster, muscles, shrimp and more.

It's impressive to see this high quality seafood available to guests as part of the included cruise fare.  Moreover, it's unusual in my experience to see that food offered in a buffet setting.

I had heard from other cruisers that Icon was still serving this food, so I was curious if it would still be offered by the time our sailing began.

When the food was first offered on Icon's inaugural, most cruisers assumed it was a one-time offering for the inaugural. I shared photos of it on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group and while impressed, a lot of commenters felt they would not be able to enjoy it too.

The sort of comments I saw were:

"Zero percent chance this presentation makes it to a single revenue sailing."

"That won’t ever be on a normal sailing"

"You'll never see this. Special cruise for sure."

Given the past history, you can't blame folks for being a little pessimistic.

Can you expect steak and lobster tail on your Icon of the Seas cruise? Possibly.

Royal Caribbean has never announced or confirmed the fact Icon of the Seas serves these items is part of a menu change or upgrade for the ship.  It's certainly not offered on the embarkation day buffet lunch on any other ship in the fleet.

I would consider this a bonus for anyone with an Icon of the Seas cruise coming up. Don't bet on it being there, but you might want to reconsider where you go for embarkation day lunch if you do sail on Icon soon to check if it's still being offered.

More food you should look for on Icon of the Seas

While the Windjammer menu isn't among the top marketed new foods on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, there are lots of other good choices to look for while onboard.

The Aquadome Market has been a revelation as a new food hall concept for Royal Caribbean, and it should be a must-eat spot at least once a day.

My favorite of the five booths is Feta, which has Mediterranean cuisine.  The gyros are the favorite of Paul Fortin, Senior Director of Culinary Operations for Royal Caribbean.

The gyros are made on the spot when you order it, and it's the sort of food you don't typically find on a cruise ship.

If there's one specialty restaurant on Icon that flies under the radar, it's Pier 7, and that's largely because it's located in the family area of the ship.  Don't let the nearby carousel and splash zone dissuade you from trying it, because I really liked the food here a lot.

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, talked a lot about how much he likes the Korean fried chicken at Pier 7. I gave it a try when I sailed on the inaugural and already Pier 7 just to be able to eat that again on this current sailing I'm on.

Lastly, I was impressed by the upgraded steak choices at Chops Grille.

There's waygu beef, Porterhouse, and a Tomahawk steak (among other choices).  The extra cost these steaks have serve up the sort of steaks you'd find at a high-end land restaurant.

While having an upcharge for an extra-cost restaurant is not ideal for cruisers, I do think the choices are a great upgrade to the menu.

You'll find cruises advertised all over the internet, television, and even in the mail, but not every offer is as good as it sounds.

There's nothing wrong with trying to get a good deal on a cruise. After all, we all want to save money and if you can really net a fantastic price, then you get the satisfaction of conquering the low price challenge and a great vacation in one.

The problem is there are sometimes deals that look really good, but in reality, are a problem. They could be a scam, or it could be simply setting you up for disappointment. In either case, you'll be upset and wish you could do it over again.

If you run across a really good cruise price and can't believe your luck, keep these lessons in mind.

Free cruise offer mailers

The saying "nothing is free in this world" holds true with cruise bookings too.

Obviously if you earned a free cruise through the casino or maybe you reached Pinnacle Club status with Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, then you are indeed getting what you agreed to.

What I'm referring to here are offers for a free cruise in exchange for something, like attending a seminar or signing up for a vacation club.

They usually come with a free cruise postcard in the mail. It's addressed anonymously with no return address, and of course it's completely unsolicited.

These are notorious for high-sales pressure opportunities to lure you in with the promise of a "free cruise" to get you to buy a timeshare or some other investment. Suffice to say, these are a really bad idea because of the issues associated with false pretenses and getting sucked into a major cost. There are so many stories of victims who sought a free cruise, but ended up with timeshares and travel clubs they never wanted.

The other free cruise we see offered a lot are giveaways, either online or in the mail.

While Royal Caribbean does sometimes offer a free cruise giveaway, they are very limited and it's more likely what you're seeing is a scam.  This is especially true on Facebook, where you see a post advertising if you like a post or join a group, you'll be eligible for a free cruise.

And then there's the old school free cruise giveaway you might have seen at a pizza parlor or other restaurant where you fill out a card and drop it in a box for your chance to win. Not only are you not winning a free cruise, you're signing yourself up for a lifetime of spam calls.

If you see an offer for a free cruise, be extremely skeptical. My advice is completely ignore it, but if you wish to learn more, be sure to ask questions and search the internet for more information about the company or opportunity so you can determine if it's a scam. Never attend a timeshare presentation or travel club in the hopes of receiving a free cruise gift.

A great price on an old ship

I've had so many friends reach out to me and tell me about a great price they got on a Royal Caribbean cruise for their family, and it's largely because they booked an old, small ship.

To be clear, there's nothing wrong with Royal Caribbean's older ships.  They offer classic cruise vacations, and plenty of people enjoy them. But they might be the wrong cruise vacation for you.

Read more: Why you shouldn't avoid older and smaller cruise ships

While it's true some of the lowest cruise prices are often found on Vision or Radiance Class cruise ships, you should be very aware of what you're getting with one of these ships, and more importantly, what you're not.

Older ships lack the bells and whistles found on Royal Caribbean's newer ships.  If you've seen a Royal Caribbean television commercial lately, pretty much all the fun things you see there are not on these ships.

This is primarily a problem for families who may be expecting waterslides and lots of top deck activities to keep their kids (and even parents) occupied.

Read more: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

No matter which Royal Caribbean ship you pick, be sure to look up what features and amenities it has so you're clear on what you can expect onboard.

Not all Royal Caribbean ships have a Broadway show, waterslides, laser tag, or bumper cars. If there's a particular activity you absolutely want on the ship, double check the ship has it before you book. Don't book a cruise purely based on price.

Cruise ship cabin upgrades

Royal Caribbean offers passengers the opportunity to bid for a stateroom upgrade, with the promise you could pay significantly less to move up to a larger cabin.  

When you look at the prices to bid, it can be very tempting to roll the dice on upgrading your cabin, but before you do, you'll want to keep a few things in mind.

When you bid for an upgrade, you're basically telling the cruise line if an unsold cabin is left, you'll take it for that price. Just because you can place a bid, does not mean there's actually a cabin to upgrade to.

More importantly, you're giving up a few things with the upgrade that you might not like later.  

First, you can't pick your cabin location if your bid is selected. This means you might end up with a cabin all the way forward, which might be a problem if you're more susceptible to motion sickness. Or your room might be under a public venue that is really noisy. If you're traveling with friends or family and want to be near each other, there's no way to do RoyalUp and remain near them.

Another reason to think twice before bidding to upgrade your cabin is it's going to cost you money, and that's additional money from what you originally booked.  If your vacation budget is tight, skip the upgrade and save that money for shore excursions, restaurants, or drinks onboard.

Read more: 17 ways people waste money on ships

A very low advertised cruise fare

When you start price shopping for a cruise, it's so easy to find a great rate advertised, but keep in mind there are lots of extra costs that you can expect later.

Travel websites selling cruises usually advertise the base fare, which sounds like a great price.  The problem is that is far from the out the door price.

Many times these prices omit taxes, port fees, and travel insurance.  When you actually get to the point of booking the cruise, you'll notice the final price has gone up much more than what you first saw.

As an example, our staff booked a $99 cruise fare.  While each person did pay $99, they total cost was $486.50, or $234.25 per person.

Read more: 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

The good news is is this practice might be going away. Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines announced due to a new law, they'll be included port fees and taxes in their advertised prices.  

The change goes into effect July 2024, but that doesn't mean third-party websites will do the same.  

When you look at the price of any cruise, be sure to account for these extra costs you're going to have to pay.