I've stayed in different Royal Caribbean suites, and I think anyone trying one for the first time should take advantage of a few important tips.

Suite cabins aren't cheap, but they are impressive in how spacious they are and how many extra perks you get.

Most recently I stayed in an Infinite Grand Suite on Star of the Seas and I focused more on the perks Royal Caribbean offers to its suite guests.  These benefits are both an incentive to book and a reward for spending more on a more expensive room.

None of the suite benefits will make a suite a good value, but that doesn't mean you can't maximize what's included. By utilizing these extras, it certainly makes enjoying the suite go well beyond the room itself.

My week on Star of the Seas was fantastic, but I've found there's a bit of a learning curve to how to get the most out of a suite. Here's what I think first-timers staying in a suite should know.

Reach out to the concierge before the cruise

You should get an email from the suite concierge about a week or so before your cruise (usually 3-5 days prior), and this is a tremendous resource.

This is your open invitation to email them any pre-cruise requests you may have, such as dining.

Since you can now book specialty restaurants when pre-purchasing a dining package, the suite concierge is useful for handling Coastal Kitchen reservations.

If you're in a Sky Class or higher, you're able to dine at Coastal Kitchen for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Reservations are especially important for dinner.

If you're wondering if you can rely just on Coastal Kitchen instead of specialty restaurants, I think most nights you definitely can. Just like the Main Dining Room, the menu rotates at Coastal Kitchen.  Some menus might be more appealing than others.

You could easily alternate between Coastal Kitchen and the Main Dining Room depending on which menu is more appealing.  But don't overlook Coastal Kitchen as one of the best suite amenities.

Speaking of the concierge, any questions or problems you have should be directed to them.  Don't bother going to Guest Services when you have access to them.

Go to the Suite Lounge or Sun Deck as soon as you board

The moment you step aboard your ship, you have access to suite amenities, including the suite areas of the ship.

I'd recommend heading up to the Suite Lounge and/or Suite Sun Deck to start enjoying these venues. Both area areas just for passengers booked in a suite.

I especially love the Suite Sun Deck on the Icon Class ships or Utopia and Wonder of the Seas. They're large, have lots of seating in the shade and out in the sun, and have a bar nearby.

Plus, going to the suite-only areas means a less crowed start to the cruise. Because they're exclusive, it's an enclave you should get to know quickly. 

I've noticed the suite areas are less crowded on the first day or two because other suite guests haven't discovered them yet.

Plan around happy hour

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a Suite Lounge, and you'll want to hang out there in the evening.

The Suite Lounge hosts a happy hour in the evening, usually between 5-8pm (hours vary slightly depending on the ship), where there are hors d'oeuvres and complimentary drinks served.

While free drinks are a good enough reason to come, I think it can be a fun social experience too.

You'll find a lot of other suite guests in the lounge chatting and hanging out.  It can be a good opportunity to meet people and maybe make a new friend.

Regardless of the other passengers there, the bartenders in the Suite Lounge are fun and usually bring a lot of energy and personality. In my experience, bartenders that work in the Suite Lounge usually get promoted to work there because they've demonstrated a great connection with guests.

Look for reserved seating at shows

Whether at the Aquatheater, Royal Theater, or Studio B, there is a special section of seating for suite guests.

You'll still need to make a show reservation ahead of time, but the reserved seating ensures you have seats available if a lot of other people who made reservations rush in first.

The reserved seating may not be in an optimal spot, but I've found it to be a good backup seating option if you cannot find seats together elsewhere in the theater.

Room service is included

If there's one suite benefit I forget about the most, it's the complimentary room service.

Royal Caribbean waives the $7.95 fee that usually comes with room service, so I'd recommend ordering as much or little as you like.

Start off your morning with breakfast on your balcony, have a mid-afternoon snack brought, and maybe order dinner in if you had a long day in port.

Not only can suite guests order room service, they can order off the Main Dining Room menu too.  As long as the Main Dining Room is open when you place the order, you can alternatively order off their menu.

This is a great way to full take advantage of your big suite and have a full meal in your room.

Skip the disembarkation line on the last day

One of my favorite suite perks of all time is the escort off the ship on the final morning.

Suites include priority embarkation and disembarkation, but the walk off the last morning has saved me so much of my own sanity over the years.

There can be a long line to disembark the ship, especially if you want to walk off the ship later in the morning.  

Speak to the Suite Concierge ahead of time, and they'll tell you where and when to go so they can meet you and bypass the entire line and give you a cut right to the front.  It feels almost wrong, but it's included as a benefit so enjoy it!

Tips for suites by ship

I wanted to add a bonus section for secrets and tricks that depend on which ship you're sailing on, because the amenities vary by ship.

On Icon Class ships, the Suite Lounge has a view of the Aquatheater. You can not only watch a show if you're there for dinner on select evenings, but see the cast rehearsing.

The three big ship classes have complimentary beer, wine, water, and soft drinks in the Suite Lounge from 11 AM to 11 PM, which means you can go up there and grab something and be on your way.

Admittedly, the suite perks on a smaller, older ship aren't as robust as the ones on Icon, Quantum, or Oasis Class ships. Nonetheless, a suite is still a great room choice.

While you don't have Coastal Kitchen or a suite sun deck nearly as impressive as the big ships, I think the Suite Lounge is really nice on the smaller ships.  In fact, the Radiance Class lounges have the best bar set up.

Plus, many of the smaller ships have a Suite Lounge with both indoor and outdoor space.

Be sure to take advantage of the reserved pool seating areas for suite guests (look for the gold colored loungers). 

Unfortunately, there's no included Voom packages on smaller ships, so you'll want to pre-book internet access to take advantage of better pricing.

You love to cruise, but you're taking a first-timer with you, so how do you prevent going overboard with cruise overload?

As someone that's cruised a lot, I love to share this fun with friends and family. Often, we'll invite people that we know to cruise with us, and it's either their first time or it's been many years since their last trip.

It's easy to start bombarding them with everything you think they need to know, along with dozens of questions about how to approach dining, port days, and everything inbetween.

The problem is if you go too deep, you risk turning them off to the entire trip. They might look at a cruise as a logistical obstacle course instead of a fun escape.

I think the important thing is to focus on the big picture, so here are my recommendations not to overwhelm a first time cruiser.

You don't have to figure everything out immediately

After you all booked the cruise, don't feel like you need to plan everything out immediately.

You're excited, they're excited, but cruise planning as a group is kind of like dating. You don't want to come on too strong with everything you want to know and do.

My recommendation is to start off the process by getting them booked on the cruise and assist with picking the right cabin, dining time choices, and the basics.

Unless you convinced them to book a last-minute cruise, you'll have months to get to the rest.  

Sure, planning early is the best approach, but let them enjoy the "I just booked a cruise" feeling before breaking out the planning spreadsheet.

Plan dinners, but leave the other meals open

I think dinner is the most important aspect of any group cruise because it's a single time for everyone to meet up and share in their daily activities.

What you don't want to do is plan out your day like a military operation.

You should leave a certain amount of organic discovery to every day. Let them explore and enjoy things as you once did.  

Certainly if they text you to meet up for breakfast or lunch, go for it. But you don't need to plan for it if they'd prefer to sleep in or do their own thing.

Explain the cruise rhythm, not every activity

You can't wait to show them all the fun stuff to do, but you don't want to hit them with a Wikipedia lengthy explanation.

New cruisers usually have certain misconceptions about what a cruise is like, and they'll probably ask you if they'll be bored, feel trapped, or one of the other tropes.

Start off with giving first-timers an overview of how a cruise day flows, such as the mornings, afternoons, and evening.

It's hard to convey how open-ended a cruise is, because you could do a ton of activities one day but nap and sleep off the next day. So I think it's better they understand that the daily rhythm matters more than knowing the schedule.

Shore excursions: suggest, don't assign

Probably the first pre-cruise booking I'd look into are shore excursion plans.

The destinations a cruise ship visits is among the top reasons anyone books a cruise, so it's a logical starting point for planning.

Let them do some research and you do your own, and come back with 1-2 solid options per port instead of a laundry list of ideas. If you've been to the ports of call, then you can offer a suggestion to guide them.

The last thing you want to do is pick it all without taking into account what they're interested in doing. This is especially true in a port like Cozumel, where you could visit the beach, Mayan ruins, shop, or see a museum.

Set expectations about costs early

I think a cruise is a great value, but there are some upfront costs that you don't want to scare them with.

There are probably three big surprises to anyone's vacation budget after you book the cruise

• Drinks
• Internet
• Gratuities

The fact there's no free WiFi is usually a big surprise to newbies because they're used to ubiquitous internet access on land, especially at hotels.

They don't have to buy an internet package, but they should understand it'll cost money and be cheaper to prebook.

The other big cost that can add up quickly are drinks. Some drinks are included, but most cost extra. 

Drink packages are a convenient budget tool, but they have sticker shock.  A drink package for two people on a 7-night cruise can easily cost over $1,000.

I think clarity upfront prevents awkward conversations later.

Give them one "must-do" per day

Another trick to avoiding falling into the trap of overplanning your day is to highlight a single activity and leave the rest to chance.

On port days, this is easy. Pick a shore excursion, tour, or activity you'll do and make that the primary focus.

But on sea days, choose one activity that should be the group event to highlight.

• A show
• A specialty meal
• A sailaway party

Letting the rest be optional discovery not only allows them to feel like you're not dictating what you'll do, but gives them the chance for relaxation or their own contributions to what you've planned.

Resist the urge to make them cruise like you

My last recommendation is my most important: they don't need do what you do on a ship to have a good time. There's a difference between a great cruise and your cruise, and they're not mutually exclusive.

I think first-timers need space to form their own opinions. You can certainly guide them and offer recommendations, but they're not your kids that you're bringing along.

When I've brought a first timer on and showed them the ropes but set them free to have plenty of time to vacation how they like to, it usually results in them feeling in control of their vacation. Plus, they get to lean into the things they prefer.

Having a relaxed approach to planning tends to lead to repeat cruisers. Cruising sells itself when you don’t overmanage it!

In just weeks, Royal Caribbean's new beach club became Nassau's top-rated cruise experience, and it explains why private destinations matter more than ever.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island opened in late December, and it's already a ratings win with cruise ship passengers.

Speaking during an earnings call with Wall Street analysts, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley explained how the new beach club has completely changed how cruise ship passengers view Nassau.

"Within four weeks, the Royal Beach Club has already become the number one top rated experience in the in Nassau for our cruise guests," he said.

That's a tremendous change of fortunes, and exemplifies how private destinations are going to change cruises in the future.

A big hit with cruisers

Mr. Bayley shared some incredible stats to illustrate how popular Royal Beach Club has become in less than a month of operation.

As it opened, they slowly scaled up capacity to ensure, "we've got the product absolutely perfect."

Clearly, they got it right quickly.

According to Mr. Bayley, the Royal Beach Club has, "already outperformed all other products that are available in the market." 

Sure, Royal Beach Club is better than other Nassau shore excursions, but that's almost to be expected. What he said next was more eye opening.

"Our latest results show at about 0.8 of 1%, behind Perfect Day [at CocoCay] for a satisfaction delivery, which means that the [Net Promotor Score] is really stunning."

Up until now, Perfect Day at CocoCay has been the gold standard for guest satisfaction scores by Royal Caribbean guests.  In terms of popularity, Perfect Day is to Royal Caribbean as the iPhone is to Apple.

Mr. Bayley said they want to push the beach club to, "get to exactly the same level of satisfaction as Perfect Day." It seems as they're close.

"We feel like we're going to have a huge success with the product."

A predictable beach day

While beach clubs cost extra to visit, Royal Caribbean sees it as a can't-miss beach day that is sure to extend the fun and level of expectations to their port visit.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider described the new operation in The Bahamas as, "this is the perfect beach day."

He called the beach "breathtakingly beautiful" and pointed to things like adding a heated pool, optimal sight lines of the ocean, and a dedicated team to delivering a great experience.

One key differentiator about a beach club is it's more of a controlled experience for guests compared to a traditional port. Crowds, logistics, and variability are all more predictable for both guests and cruise line.

Part of the reason why Mr. Bayley cited such high guest satisfaction rates is because the experience has been fine tuned to offer consistent guest satisfaction while allowing them to scale experiences without sacrificing quality.

This speaks to one of the top concerns any vacationer has about any shore excursion they take: is it going to be as good as it looks on paper.

Beach clubs are part of a strategy to make better cruises

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is the first beach club to open, and two others will open up this year.

The next one to open will be this summer with Royal Beach Club Santorini in the Greek Isles. At the end of 2026, Royal Beach Club Cozumel will open in Mexico.

All three beach clubs have one thing in common: they're cruise ports that get a lot of cruise ship visits and Royal Caribbean wants to offer something to stand out from every other thing there.

It's no coincidence that Nassau and Cozumel are two ports that will have a beach club, because each "anchors" itineraries in their respective part of the Caribbean.

When the other new beach clubs open this year, the goal is to offer something fresh and new.

Cozumel is a port that is visited on nearly every single Western Caribbean itinerary, and a beach club there provides something new to try. 

In Greece, they think this will be a new way to experience one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean, "everybody's bucket list is to go visit Santorini, and we've crafted just the most amazing day for you," Mr. Schneider explained.

"Santorini is a great location, where we know guests are looking for gorgeous views, great pictures of the blue roofs, excellent Greek food, and the spectacular service Royal Caribbean is known for."

Each of these beach clubs are an "easy button" for cruise ship passengers to pick an excursion without worrying about quality, value, or safety.

By relying on controlled capacity, elevated amenities, and premium experiences, a Royal Beach Club visit is positioned to offer more than "just another beach day".

Happy weekend! We hope you are in the midst of a wonderful weekend full of things to do to pass the time between cruises.  We have a summary of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news in case you missed any of it!

At long last, Royal Caribbean announced it's building the Discovery Class cruise ships.

The announcement was made, but there's no indication yet what the size will be, what features will be onboard, or any other clues about what will make Discovery different.

The first ship will be ready in 2029.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's AI push helps explain why cruises cost more
• Royal Caribbean CEO shoots down rumors of what Discovery Class ships could be
• Judge agrees to review urban development plan semi-related to approving Perfect Day Mexico project
• Winter storm rerouted two ships to have a cruise to nowhere
• Royal Caribbean ship skips private island and shortens port visit because of winds
• Royal Caribbean delays return of cruise ship by a day because of winter storm
• Royal Caribbean opinions that divide cruisers, according to Reddit
• What you gain (and lose) by choosing an older cruise ship
• Drink package vs Diamond Vouchers
• Is a balcony cabin on your cruise worth it? 7 reasons to try one
• 4 things that are different about dinner on a cruise ship in the 80s vs today
• It's been two years since Icon of the Seas debuted. How it went from launch to legend

Video: Royal Caribbean Confirms a New Discovery Class Ship

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 — Royal Caribbean Confirms a New Discovery Class Ship For 2029 — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

First sailing of Legend of the Seas has been moved up

Royal Caribbean added an even earlier first sailing on Legend of the Seas this summer.

For the second time, the inaugural sailing has been changed as a result of the new cruise ship being ready even sooner than expected.

Guests that were booked on the previous first sailing will have the first chance to switch to the new voyage.

4 reasons your cruise will cost more in 2026

Royal Caribbean Group executives said it pretty clearly this week: cruise prices are higher than last year.

A combination of strong demand and strategic pricing have pushed prices higher, and we're now seeing the result in advertised fares.

During an earnings call with analysts, there were four signs that point towards a more expensive cruise in 2026.

Is 3 nights enough time on Utopia of the Seas?

As the newest Oasis Class ship, is it worth it to sail for just 3 nights on Utopia of the Seas?

While your time onboard is limited, it's still one heck of a weekend escape to enjoy the very best Royal Caribbean has to offer.

Truthfully you cannot do everything in that short time span, but there's still a lot of good reasons to go anyway.

Should I use a travel agent to book a cruise?

I think everyone should use a travel agent to book a cruise, especially first timers.

Travel agents can be an incredible resource for planning cruise vacations because of their deep knowledge of the lines, ships, and cabins. 

Plus, they could even save you money with access to special fares.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 594th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, sharing things Matt is annoyed by from other guests.

Unfortunately, some people that go on a cruise do things that are truly irksome and Matt has a list of his personal worst of the worst list.

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Strong winds and big waves from a storm have forced two ships to cancel every port of call on each of their itineraries.

Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas had plans to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, but will miss both ports.

Wonder of the Seas will spend both of its days at sea instead of visiting either port out of concern for weather conditions.

Celebrity Reflection is also sailing a 3-night weekend cruise that was scheduled to visit Key West, Florida and Bimini, Bahamas.

Initially, plans were to salvage the sailing with a shortened visit to Key West. However, those plans had to be scratched at the last minute.

According to a letter distributed to passengers, Reflection will now skip all of its ports and sail a "cruise to nowhere".

Strong winds changing plans

Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer worked with the Captain of Celebrity Reflection to determine changes to the ship's plans.

A faster-than-anticipated storm is to blame for the drastic cruise changes.

"We have been closely monitoring the advancing weather front passing through the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. Initial forecasts indicated that the high winds would not develop until around 2:00pm," the letter to guests said.

"As the system advanced more quickly than expected, the onset of these stronger winds is expected to happen closer to midday. This earlier arrival of adverse conditions would make both our stay in Key West, and our departure unsafe, and we had to cancel our visit."

Plans were for the ship to make it to Bimini the next day, but that too has changed.

"Due to the significant increase in winds on Sunday and the Port of Bimini, Bahamas just advising us that they will be closed tomorrow to maintain port safety, we will need to cancel our call to Bimini and will enjoy a day at sea instead."

As a result, there will be no ports of call for this sailing.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing."

Money offered to make up for the change

Celebrity is offering passengers onboard credit to take the sting out of the change in plans.

Every passenger is being given onboard credit based on their stateroom category:

• Inside Stateroom: $150 USD
• Outside Stateroom: $150 USD
• Veranda Stateroom: $200 USD
• Concierge Class Stateroom: $250 USD
• AquaClass Stateroom: $250 USD
• Suites: $400 USD
• Additional Guests (3rd and 4th): $25 USD per guest

Any pre-paid Celebrity Cruises shore excursions booked for Key West or Bimini will automatically be refunded as an Onboard Credit.

To be clear, cruise lines have no obligation to offer any money back in the case of cancelled ports.

The Celebrity cruise contract that all passengers agree to before booking a cruise stipulates they reserve the right to cancel or change any voyage at any time for any reason.

Carrier may for any reason at any time and without prior notice, cancel, advance, postpone or deviate from any scheduled sailing, port of call, destination, lodging or any activity on or off the Vessel, or substitute another vessel or port of call, destination, lodging or activity.

Moreover, no compensation is inherently expected.

Carrier shall not be liable for any claim whatsoever by Passenger, including but not limited to loss, compensation or refund, by reason of such cancellation, advancement, postponement, substitution or deviation.

Why cruises to nowhere are rare

A cruise ship sailing from the United States and visiting no ports of call is all but impossible, except for extenuating circumstances like bad weather.

The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (PVSA) requires foreign flagged ships that sail from the United States to stop in at least one foreign port.

Nearly every cruise ship operated by cruise lines are foreign flagged, so they are legally required to stop in another country and it's why you don't see a "cruise to nowhere" offered for sale.

Other cruise ships impacted by this storm

Celebrity Reflection is one of many ships to change plans this weekend.

Utopia of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas all had their itineraries radically altered.  In fact, Perfect Day at CocoCay is closed to all ships on Sunday because of strong winds and large waves.

Moreover, cruise ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line are all getting re-routed.

Royal Caribbean's loyalty perks are arguably the best in the industry, but are the drink vouchers good enough to replace a drink package?

I reached Diamond status in Crown and Anchor Society many years ago, and the daily drink vouchers the cruise line offers is an impressive benefit.

Now that I'm a Pinnacle Club member, I get 6 drink vouchers per day to use on any beverage that a drink package would cover.

Having a few complimentary drinks is far from unlimited, but can you rely on them in lieu of spending hundreds of dollars on a beverage package?

The answer is a mixed bag, and greatly depends on your habits.

How exactly do loyalty drink vouchers work?

One of the benefits of reaching Diamond status are daily drink vouchers you can use during your cruise.

The amount of drinks depends on which loyalty tier you are at:

• Diamond: 4 drinks per person, per day
• Diamond Plus: 5 drinks per person, per day
• Pinnacle Club: 6 drinks per person, per day

Yes, even kids get the benefit, although they are limited to non-alcoholic drinks.

When you order a drink, all you need to do is tell the bartender or waiter that you'd like to use your drink voucher when you place the order.

"Hi, I'd like a pina colada and I'd like to use my Diamond drink."

The vouchers are good for that day and it's "use it or lose it".  Once you reach 6am the next day, the voucher total resets. You cannot save vouchers for another day or "borrow" them from future days.

You can redeem your drink vouchers at any bar, restaurant, or lounge. They even work at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee.

Relying on drink vouchers is like having a mini-drink package

When I was on Utopia of the Seas, I skipped buying a drink package and relied purely on the vouchers for my drinking.

I found it was more difficult initially at the start of the cruise to exercise restraint and not go through most of them before dinner. This is because you're excited when you get onboard and in the mood for fun and to start enjoying vacation.

But as the days pass, I find the temptation to drink lessens somewhat as the novelty wears off.

Nonetheless, redeeming my drink vouchers is quite easy and I could go to any bar to enjoy them.

I think there are two ways to think about the drink vouchers: these are the only extra cost drinks you'll get, or you can use them and then pay for a few drinks on top of it because it's still cheaper than a drink package.

As I said earlier in this post, how much of a drinker you are and how you like to indulge greatly influence how quickly you'll go through your vouchers.

I decided to exercise restraint and wait to use my drinks until after dinner. I chose this because I enjoy social drinking a lot more at night when the bars have entertainment. And I didn't want to overdo it earlier in the day.

Admittedly, this is one advantage of a drink package. You don't have to debate where and when to use up your drinks. A beverage package is much more convenient in that way.

After dinner, I headed to the Mason Jar, which is my favorite bar on any Royal Caribbean ship.

The best drink on the menu is the PB&J Old Fashioned, which costs $13 before gratuity.  

I love how tasty they are, and I can easily have a couple to start things off. They're sweet, but not sugary, and it certainly fits the bill when you're at a country bar.

As the evening progressed, we bar hopped and I easily used all of my 6 vouchers before calling it a night.

The next day we were in Nassau, and spent the day at the Royal Beach Club.  Since this is all-inclusive, my drink vouchers were safe and not needed for the entire day.

Our last day of the cruise was docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Drink vouchers work here, just like on the ship. This adds a tremendous amount of value, because I'm far more tempted to want a drink as part of the beach vibe than hanging around the ship.

I went over my daily limit on one day

Not totally unexpectedly, I paid out of pocket for a few drinks during my cruise. 

I would expect this to be more the case if someone had just 4 drinks for the day, but it can happen. When you're enjoying being on a cruise and having a good time with friends, I won't let the good times stop because I'm out of vouchers.

While I did pay for a few drinks out of pocket, I did not spend nearly enough to come close to the cost of a drink package.

I estimated as long as I didn't pay out of pocket for more than 3 or 4 drinks, it was still cheaper than the total cost of a beverage package.

Drink vouchers are the best loyalty perk, but it's limited

My experience with relying on drink vouchers is they're either too few or more than enough, and it all depends on the person.

As an example, my parents are Diamond members and the idea of having 4 alcoholic drinks per day to them is crazy. Suffice to say, it's more than they need.

Plus, drink vouchers can be used for non-alcoholic drinks too, including premium coffee, bottled water, sodas, and more.

However, my friend that affectionally goes by "Big Dawg Ron", can use up his daily drinks before the end of lunch on embarkation day.

On this Utopia cruise, I went in with the mindset I'd limit myself to the drink vouchers and forgo a drink package.  But I bought the drink package already for my upcoming Brilliance of the Seas cruise.

Part of the decision matrix everyone goes through is the price of a drink package.

The daily cost can vary greatly, from as low as the mid $40 per day range to $115 per day when bought onboard.

Drink vouchers are perfect for casual drinkers or someone on a budget. Since they're included as a perk, you can use them or not and there's no value lost.

However, it still requires you to remember to use them and specifically ask the bartender to redeem one.  Many bar staff will notice you have a voucher and ask if you want to use it, but you cannot rely on that.

I find the drink vouchers are a fantastic perk if it matches your natural habits. But if you regularly exceed the allotment, a beverage package can be cheaper and less annoying.

Royal Caribbean has arguably the best private island with Perfect Day at CocoCay, and it's loaded with so much to try.

This is an exclusive place for Royal Caribbean passengers, and there are many ways to relax and optional add-ons to purchase.

I've visited CocoCay over 50 times so far, and explored just about every corner of it to determine the best things to do and how to maximize your visit. 

I love the variety of ways to spend a day within this tropical playground. There are beaches to visit, water park to conquer, cabanas to rent, and lots of food to try.

Admission to the island comes with your cruise fare, but there are certain areas that require an extra cost admission. Most of it is included with your fare.

If you're ready to learn everything you can do, how to make the most of your time, and whether it's something you should be excited about, here’s everything you need to know about Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay.

What is a day at Perfect Day at CocoCay like?

Many Caribbean cruises include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is an island in The Bahamas owned and operated by Royal Caribbean.

Unlike other ports your cruise may visit, this one is just for Royal Caribbean passengers. Your ship pulls up to the pier and docks with up to one other ship.

Expect to be docked at the island for about 8 to 10 hours. You'll get a schedule of times you can disembark and the time to be back onboard by.

You can then walk off the ship and explore at your leisure.

The island is divided up into different zones, with each trying to provide a different vibe or experience. 

It's easy enough to walk around the island, but there is free tram service to take you around if you prefer. I'd estimate you could walk off your ship and to the furthest point in about 15 minutes at a leisurely pace.

The best things to try

It's up to you which area of Perfect Day at CocoCay you want to visit. Aside from an excursion or specific activity you book, you can roam the island as you see fit.

Nearly all the activities involve being in, around, or near the water.  The beach is number one activity, and you'll find a few different beaches to choose from:

• Chill Island: The traditional beach day experience
• South Beach: Beach day meets music, activities nearby, and even a floating bar
• Harbor Beach: An inlet that has little to no waves, great for young swimmers
• Breezy Bay: Another beach option that's convenient to other areas of the island
• Cove Beach: The place to go if you want to get away from everyone else because of it's remote location

There's also a giant freshwater pool at Oasis Lagoon which has a really fun swim-up bar. There's music playing here, and it has more of a pool party vibe to it.  

There are two aquatic play areas for young kids that you won't want to miss if you have children under the age of 8.

Captain Jill's Galleon is a pirate ship themed playground. There are slides, geysers, fountains and plenty of excuses to climb, descend, and get wet.

Right behind that is Splashaway Bay, which is an extra large version of the kids water play area found on many ships. There are even a few kiddie water slides here.

There are so many ways to get absolutely soaked, but luckily there are comfortable Adirondack chairs around it for parents to sit and watch while staying dry.

Thrill Waterpark is home to the giant water slides and wave pool. There's an admission cost, but you'll find all sorts of slides to challenge your sense of excitement.

The waterpark is quite popular with teens, but there's enough here for all members of the family.

If you prefer an upscale beach day, check out the Coco Beach Club.  

The beach club has a limited capacity and elevated features. The chairs are nicer, there's a wonderful sit down lunch offered in its own restaurant.

Another popular option is the adults-only area of Hideaway Beach.  Admission requires you to be at least 18 years old, and there's an enormous temperature-controlled pool, DJ playing music, and a few casual restaurants.

What costs extra and what is included?

It's your choice if you want to spend extra on the optional add-ons for your day at CocoCay.

There's enough included for free by Royal Caribbean that you don't need to pay for other things.

Included for no extra cost

• Oasis Lagoon pool access
• Chill Island beach access
• Breezy Bay beach access (including sports courts & games)
• South Beach beach access (including sports courts & games)
• Harbor Beach beach access
• Cove Beach beach access
• Captain Jack’s (for seating, not food)
• Splashaway Bay
• Captain Jill's Galleon
• Towels (from ship), beach chairs, umbrellas, hammocks
• Buffet-style lunch at Skipper’s Grill and Chill Grill
• Food from Snack Shack
• Tram service
• Lockers
• Beach access wheelchairs

Costs extra

• Thrill Waterpark
• Zipline
• Up Up & Away helium balloon
• Cabanas
• Day Beds
• Snorkel gear
• Jet skis
• Coco Beach Club
• Hideaway Beach
• All bars and self-serve beer stations (Your drink package still works on the island)

Prices for these add-ons vary depending on your sailing. There isn't a standard cost, because Royal Caribbean uses variable pricing based on demand.

Here are some example prices for a visit on Star of the Seas in summer 2026 when pre-purchased before the cruise:

• Hideaway Beach pass: $55.99 per person
• Coco Beach Club pass: $229.99 per person
• Thrill Waterpark day pass: $104.00 per person
• Zipline: $62.99 per person
• Up Up & Away helium balloon: $78.99 per person
• Breezy Bay Full-Day Beach Bed Rental: $549.00 each
• Floating Beach Mat: $15.99 each
• Chill Island Cabanas: $1,449.00 each

Some of these prices are on the lower end of the spectrum, and priced well because of a pre-cruise sale.

Food options

After all the fun you'll have around the island, you're going to want lunch (and a few snacks).

Royal Caribbean includes a lot of food for your CocoCay visit. There are four Snack Shack locations you can visit, and it's a great grab-and-go option. Be sure to try the best mozzarella sticks ever. 

Alternatively Chill Grill and Skipper's Grill have a buffet, including a taco bar. There's also more typical island fare, like burgers, hot dogs, and salads.

If you go to the paid areas (Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, or Thrill Waterpark), there are restaurants in each of those areas too.

My favorite food from food quality perspective is the Coco Beach Club restaurant.  Filet mignon, lobster, fried shrimp, and it's specialty restaurant level good stuff. 

For free food, I really like the taco bar because I can make a taco bowl and load it up with so many toppings. It's the perfect beach day refresh.

There are no shortage of bars, and some are really fun. 

The floating bar in South Beach requires a short swim to reach, but it's worth the effort. Far easier to get to, the swim-up bar in Oasis Lagoon is a party and has lots of shade. If you're more of a beach bar person, try the Wacky Seagull (Chill Island) or Coconut Willie’s Bar (South Beach).

Should you reserve things before your visit?

The free areas require no advanced reservations or bookings. It's all first-come, first-reserved.

But if you want to purchase any of the optional add-ons, I would recommend booking it in advance because they sell out often.

Demand for these activities has been higher because Royal Caribbean has done a better job at marketing them.

Plus, the cost is always cheaper if you pre-book, rather than waiting to book it onboard the ship or even on the island. In fact, I think it's a mistake to wait to book these items because of the elevated risk of it selling out.

You can book anything at Perfect Day at CocoCay before the cruise begins on the Cruise Planner site or in the Royal Caribbean app.

I prefer to use the Cruise Planner site because it's easier to quickly navigate. Log into your Royal Caribbean account and then find your upcoming sailing.

There is a Perfect Day at CocoCay section, and from here you can find every single add-on to purchase.

Recommendations to bring with you

Visiting CocoCay is a lot like any cruise port in that you should bring certain items with you.  

You absolutely need to bring your SeaPass card with you to get on and off the ship. Plus, it's the only way to pay for drinks or add-ons around the island.

Before you head ashore, here's what you should have with you.

• Swimsuit & cover-up
• Shoes (flip flops or water shoes)
  • Closed-toe shoes if you're doing the zip line
• Sunscreen
• SeaPass card
• Towels (provided on ship)
  • If you are in a cabana or Coco Beach Club, towels are provided for you.

Of course, I'd recommend bringing a hat, sunglasses, rash guard, and a beach bag to help make your day more enjoyable.

One thing you definitely don't need to bring is your passport. Leave it on the ship.

Got kids? Here's what to know

Without a doubt, you'll find lots for kids to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Thrill Waterpark is an obvious choice for families, given the water slides are such an inviting option.  You can buy day passes for everyone, or opt for a Thrill Waterpark cabana because it includes admission for up to six people.

Keep in mind there are height requirements for the water slides, ranging between 42 inches and 48 inches.

Families with young children will love the two splash areas that are near the entrance to the island. 

Not only are both free, but it's perfect for kids to run around and get drenched. There are life guards here (and at every pool and beach), so it's a safe environment for them to play and splash.

If you want a family beach day, Harbor Beach is a great choice if you have swimmers that aren't very strong. There aren't big waves at CocoCay top begin with, but the cove here is almost like a pool because of how calm the water is.  

Plus, it's the least crowded beach you're likely to find.

In terms of food, there's no shortage of the usual foods picky eaters love. There's no excuse for your kids being hangry given how much food is offered, and that it's all included.

Hot dogs, burgers, tacos, and more are available at both Skipper's Grill and Chill Grill. 

My top tips for your first visit

Before you head off the ship and start your day, here's my top recommendations for Perfect Day at CocoCay do's and don'ts.

Get off the ship as early as you can: You really should arrive early to claim a spot for your family.

There are lots of chairs and umbrellas, but they do go quickly. The first area to run out of chairs is Oasis Lagoon, followed by Chill Island.

I'd recommend disembarking the ship before 10am to get a shady spot in the area you want.

Bring a waterproof phone case for pool/beach pics: You're going to want to take photos, so I'd recommend a good waterproof case. (This link contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra)

Buy cabanas or passes early: No matter the price, most of the extra cost options around CocoCay will sell out before your cruise begins.

Plan ahead and book your shore excursions beforehand! 

You can always cancel and rebook later if there's a price drop, but waiting to book it is usually a mistake.

Your beverage and WiFi package work on the island: If you bought a Voom internet package or drink package, those benefits work also on CocoCay. It's a huge amunt of added value.

Best times for the water park slides: Lines are worst from mid-morning to about lunch time.  

Try to hit the slides before 10:30am or after 2pm.

Swimming with the pigs is overrated: Trust us, as cute as it sounds, it's a waste of money and you're going to end up surrounded by pig poop.

Swap your wet towels out: There are towel stations around the island, so there's no reason to bring back wet towels.

Is it cheaper to use a travel agent and do travel agents get better deals on cruises?

Travel agents are an incredible resource for planning your first cruise, and yet so many new cruisers miss out on their expertise.

I always use a travel agent to book my cruises, and firmly believe only stand to benefit from using a good travel agent.

Unlike air travel, cruises are very personalized.  Picking the right cruise ship, choosing the right stateroom, deciding when to have dinner, navigating travel insurance and more are all personal decisions that someone who has never cruised before needs to figure out.

A good travel agent is there to not just book a cruise, but be your guide and advocate all the way through the vacation itself. 

If you're trying to figure out if you should use a travel agent to book a cruise, here are my top reasons to try one.

The best agents don't charge you any fees for their services

Let's debunk one myth about travel agents, which is they cost you money to use them.

There are some agencies that have service fees, but most do not. This is because Royal Caribbean pays them a commission for bookings they make, so they're paid in that way.

Moreover, it's in their best interest to treat you right because the way they grow their business (and profits) is to have their clients come back and book more sailings.

Any travel agent you use should not charge you fees to book, service, change, or cancel a cruise.  While Royal Caribbean may charge you change fees (they do that to everyone), the agent should not.

Yes, a travel agent could save you money

A lot of people try a travel agent for one reason: they want to get the best price on a cruise.

The listed price of a cruise is the same if you book with Royal Caribbean or a travel agent, but travel agents sometimes have access to special rates.

Known as group rates, sometimes an agency can negotiate a better price than what you see on the cruise line website because they have a bulk rate set up. 

It's not always the case, but my travel agent routinely surprises me with better-than-expected prices because of group prices.

In addition, a travel agent might have extra booking benefits to offer. There can be bonus onboard credit, complimentary specialty dining, or a free soda package included when you book a cruise.

Perks for booking are a nice bonus, but it's not always offered. What perks travel agents get you when booking cruises depends on the arrangement they have at the time with the cruise line.

At worst, you'll pay no more for using a travel agent. But you might just get a better price.

You're going to have a lot of questions that a travel agent can answer

A lot of people book with a travel agent for the first time because they're chasing the lowest price, but their expertise is why you should really use a travel agent.

Cruises are complicated and there are a lot of decisions you need to make at the time of booking:

• Cruise line
• Itinerary
• Ship
• Stateroom
• Refundable or non-refundable deposit
• Prepay gratuities or not
• My Time Dining or Traditional Dining
• Travel insurance
• Pre-cruise transportation

Sure, you can read all about those things on this blog (thank you!), but a travel agent will make it all easier for you.

Think of it like having a lawyer versus not having one.  You can certainly represent yourself in court, but a lawyer is so much easier.  But unlike a lawyer, a good travel agent costs you nothing extra.

One of the most common problems new cruisers run into are situations they had no idea were a mistake.  Booking the wrong stateroom, choosing a ship that doesn't have the amenities they expected, cruising during the wrong time of year, and more are all situations where a travel agent could have warned them about what they should do instead.

The saying, "you don't know what you don't know" applies very much to a cruise. Cruises aren't difficult, but there are a lot of nuances to figure out.

I find a travel agent makes it all so much easier, whether it's your first cruise or not.

Travel agents can step in if there's a problem

Another you didn't know you needed a travel agent reason is if there's some kind of a problem.

Royal Caribbean isn't perfect, and issues can pop up.  Reservations get accidentally cancelled, ships are redeployed, things break on your sailing, and plenty of other unforeseen circumstances can pop-up. In all of these, a travel agent is the one that will "fight" with the cruise line to get you a resolution.

First and foremost, travel agents are the ones that wait on hold for someone to answer the phone and then pursue a problem.

Unlike you, a travel agent knows how to escalate problems to higher-ups when the solution is unsatisfactory. 

The best agents have resources within the cruise line that can "bend" policies from time to time, when the situation messy.

During hurricane season, a travel agent can assist if you vacation is impacted by changing flight plans or excursions.

They're not just there to book a cruise. Rather, they are "in your corner" until you get home.

They can reprice a cruise so much easier than you can

Want to know my favorite perk of using a travel agent? Taking advantage of a price drop.

Royal Caribbean has a not-so-simply means of repricing a cruise before the final payment date, and there is no doubt repricing is easier for travel agents than someone that books directly.

Travel agents have self-service tools to allow them to reprice a cruise, and if there's a problem, they reach out and speak to their reps to get a resolution.

When people that booked directly try to reprice, I have seen far too many situations where one phone rep doesn't know the rules and gives the guest incorrect information.

Not to mention all I have to do is text my travel agent to reprice and that's it.  They do the work and I do nothing else and do not waste my time on the phone.

Reality check: not all travel agents are the same

Just like there are bad Italian restaurants, not every travel agent is the best.

I recommend using a good travel agent, which means you need to find the right one.

I'm certain someone in the comments will say something like "I used a travel agent and it was terrible." But do you swear off all Italian restaurants after one bad meal? No, you find a great restaurant.

The same logic applies to travel agents. You should ask friends and family for recommendations on who to use.

Since you're wondering, I recommend and use MEI Travel to book all of my Royal Caribbean cruises.  

Full disclosure, MEI Travel is a sponsor of this site. But I have used them for many years before they were ever a sponsor, and I refer my parents and siblings to them when they need to book a cruise, because I trust them that much.

MEI Travel are experts in Royal Caribbean cruises and have agents that have seen just about every crazy situation and gets results.  Plus, they go an extra step and will actually proactively check for price drops so I don't have to (although, I still do anyway)! 

Best yet, MEI Travel does not charge any fees for their services.

How to find a travel agent for a cruise

I've found the best way to find a travel agent is to ask for a recommendation from family or friends that one that they love.

No matter which agent you find, I'd ask the cruise travel agent a few questions before you book anything.

• How long have you sold cruises with Royal Caribbean?
• How many cruises have you taken with Royal Caribbean?
• How will we communicate if I have questions or changes (phone, email, text)?
• What can I expect in response times to questions I have?

Establishing expectations and lines of communication are critical with a travel agent. I find establishing what you and the agent can expect initially reduces the chance of problems later.

If you prefer phone calls over emails, you'll want an agent that's available for phone calls. Some are, and some aren't.

There's a travel agent out there for everyone, but you need to find one that meshes well with your style.

Royal Caribbean finally revealed plans it will build a new set of cruise ships, known as the Discovery Class, but don't believe what you've read online.

Our concept for what a Discovery Class ship might look like

The announcement confirms the ship order and when the first two ships will arrive.  Other than that, there's no other confirmed information.

Not only are cruise fans curious what this new type of cruise ship will look like, but so is Wall Street.

During Royal Caribbean Group's fourth quarter earnings call on Thursday, a question was raised about if the Discovery Class would indeed be smaller.

"[The] industry chatter is that it's going to be much smaller than the Icon, Oasis, and a lot of other ships you've done."

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley answered the question without sharing anything new about the project, however, he did say there's a lot of "inaccurate" information swirling online about it.

A game changer

Mr. Bayley's response primarily danced around the question, as the company is not prepared to reveal any other details yet.

But he did shoot down the notion that the rumor mill has it all right.

"Many of the assumptions that are currently out there in social media, in terms of size, capacity, etc, probably, it's fair to say inaccurate."

He's likely referencing guesses and statements related to the ship's size, destinations, or homeports.

"Just as Icon was introduced and kind of changed the game, Discovery is going to do exactly the same thing," he explained.

"We are really excited with the innovation, creativity and the kind of product that we've now created with Discovery."

But he said more will come soon, "We have a promotional campaign that'll be ready to go soon, and we'll be very excited to visit multiple cities and start talking about Discovery."

Here's what executives have said about Discovery Class ships so far

Nearly everything the public knows about Discovery Class ships stems from statements made by crew members, ship Captains, and even cruise line executives.

Michael Bayley spoke at two different events in 2025 in which is seemingly confirmed a few details about the Discovery Class.  That is, assuming what he said at the time is still part of the plan going forward.

At a trade event on in June 2025, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support & Service was standing next to Mr. Bayley when she confirmed Discovery will be smaller than Icon Class ships.

"The Discovery Class will be a smaller ship than Icon. That much we can tell you."

Mr. Bayley was far more forthcoming in September 2025 on the President's Cruise when he mentioned two key facts about the ship.

First, they hope it will sail to different places. "We want the ship[s] to be able to really focus on...the more exotic itineraries," Bayley said. 

"[Discovery ships] would...come in and start replacing the older hardware that currently operates in many of those itineraries," Bayley added.

Second, he said it would be small enough to fit in the Panama Canal.

"It'll go through the Panama Canal, which we think will be a real positive because it'll be able to go to Alaska in the summer, and it can get back into the Caribbean," Bayley said.

There have been many more rumors and comments shared by ship Captains and other crew members during Q&A events held onboard.

First ship coming in 2029

Royal Caribbean Group placed an order for two new Discovery Class ships, with the option for more in the future.

The first will debut in 2029, followed by a second in 2032. The ships will be built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.

Nothing else substantive was shared as part of the announcement, such as ship size, dimensions, or any other details.

"We are really looking forward to sharing more details about Discovery, but we're not planning on saying much about it today or in the next couple of months," Mr. Bayley said during the earnings call.

It's official: Royal Caribbean will build a new class of cruise ship called the Discovery Class.

Rumors of this class have swirled for years, but Royal Caribbean Group confirmed it will indeed build them in a statement today.

While the plans are now official, details on what we can expect are still quite few and far between.

Nonetheless, it's the first step in moving forward with new cruise ship plans that cruise fans have anticipated for many years.

Here's what we know so far.

First ship coming in 2029

Two Discovery Class ships will be built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, with the first debuting in 2029 and the second in 2032.

Additionally, there are options for four additional ships. 

Options means the ship orders aren't confirmed, but the shipyard will hold spots "in line" for Royal Caribbean so if they later decide to build them, the ships can be constructed without delay.

Unfortunately, that's all the details about these ships that were announced.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty celebrated the announcement in a press release statement, "The Discovery Class represents our continued commitment to shaping the future of vacations. These ships will be a showcase of what's possible when design meets purpose, ultimately bringing the world closer to our guests

"Through our partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique, we are leveraging France's world‑class shipbuilding ecosystem and new technology to, once again, reimagine the industry for decades to come."

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley described the Discovery Class ships as being a "bold new concept," The Discovery Class introduces a bold new concept that puts our guests at the center of it all. It will deliver extraordinary, one-of-a-kind experiences — from cutting edge design to immersive moments — every detail crafted to surprise and delight guests in ways they've never imagined, all while visiting truly breathtaking destinations around the world."

Later in the Royal Caribbean Group's 2025 earnings, Mr. Liberty alluded to the idea these Discovery Class ships would be for far flung destionations.

"With Discovery Class, we're building a new platform with Chantiers de l'Atlantique that will advance next-generation innovation and sustainability while taking our guests to extraordinary destinations around the world."

A 'smaller' cruise ship?

Breadcrumbs of information have leaked out from Royal Caribbean for years about what this new kind of ship would be, and it's always been referred to as being smaller than the Icon or Oasis Class ships.

Cruise ship captains and even Mr. Bayley himself have alluded to the Discovery Class at various times, but never confirmed what we can expect.

"We've been working a lot on the Discovery Class...it takes a lot of work to design a ship," he said during the 2025 President's Cruise.

He also indicated the name of this class is no coincidence. They want these ships to discover new and interesting ports of call. 

"We want the ship[s] to be able to really focus on...the more exotic itineraries," Bayley explained.

While we don't yet have any official size of the ship, Mr. Bayley did say it would be small enough to fit through the Panama Canal.

"It'll go through the Panama Canal, which we think will be a real positive because it'll be able to go to Alaska in the summer, and it can get back into the Caribbean," Bayley said.

To date, the largest vessel to sail through the Panama Canal was Norwegian Bliss. 

Based on that, it's likely that Discovery Class ships won't be larger than 168,000 gross registered tons (GRT) and 1,094 feet long. 

Another ship class to come?

Today's confirmation that Discovery Class ships will be built in France means there's potentially a second ship class also under development.

In September, Royal Caribbean confirmed the order of the fifth Icon Class ship with Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. However, the announcement also alluded to the possibility of another ship class. 

"This multi-year agreement strengthens Royal Caribbean Group's relationship with Meyer Turku, one of the world's largest and most modern shipyards specializing in cruise ships, and readies Royal Caribbean Group for a new, game-changing class of ship beyond Icon," the press release said. 

At the time, we assumed that "game-changing class of ship" was Discovery, but since that's being built in France, clearly there are plans for something else.

Nothing has been confirmed or announced beyond that statement that came out in September, but it appears Royal Caribbean Group is positioning itself to launch the next generation of Royal Caribbean ships in the 2030s.

A pipeline of new ships coming

With today's announcement, Royal Caribbean is poised for a major growth spurt that we haven't seen in quite some time.

Confirmed ship orders now look like this:

• 2026: Legend of the Seas
• 2027: Icon 4
• 2028: Icon 5
• 2028: Oasis 7
• 2029: Discovery 1
• 2032: Discovery 2

Options exist for Icon 6, Icon 7, Discovery 3, Discovery 4, Discovery 5, and Discovery 6.