Ketchikan, Alaska is the town you probably imagined when you booked an Alaska cruise, and there's so much to see and do here.

The scenery in this town does not disappoint, and the combination of native culture and it's gold rush history are the reasons why Royal Caribbean ships visit Ketchikan each year.

There's a good chance your Alaska cruise will include a visit here. The port's deep harbor means you are likely to dock downtown and walk off easily to explore.

There are so many cruise excursions to consider, so we asked locals for their recommendations of what someone on a one-day visit should do while in Ketchikan, and what are the must-sees.

Here are the 13 best things to do in Ketchikan based on our team and friends suggestions.

Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour 

Fishing in Alaska is incredible, and the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour is one of the most highly recommended tours to try once.

You’ll board the Aleutian Ballad, hear amazing stories from real Bering Sea fishermen and see the best eagle show in town.

It's an unforgettable experience that combines food, history, and adventure into one!

Website

Walk along Creek Street

Right off of Main Street is one of the most photographed spots in all of Ketchikan, Creek Street.

This formerly the red light district, but today it's a great free tour you can take walking along the street that follows the water way (hence the name).

You'll find colorful homes, historic totem poles, local art and tourism shops, cafes, restaurants, and the Dolly’s House Museum.  This is also the best spot in town to do any souvenir shopping you'd like.

If you’re looking for a gift for those back home, check out the Fish Creek Company  for quirky Alaskan souvenirs and quality products. 

Most shops stay open while ships are in port, especially with afternoon dockings, so you should still have plenty open while you’re there.

Starting in May, Creek Street is also one of the best places to view the salmon run, with various salmon species surging upstream in the crystal clear water as they head to their spawning zones. 

This run draws an array of eagles, otters, and seals. Visitors can look over the boardwalk railings to see a real-life display of wild Alaska.

Flightseeing tour out to the Misty Fjords

If the weather cooperates, getting up in the air to see Alaska's natural beauty is another must-do.

You'll fly over waterfalls, cliffs and untouched wilderness that you'd never be able to see otherwise.  It's remote and absolutely breathtaking.

Locals rave about how different this sort of a tour is, and it's definitely one to consider if you want to do one excursion that is truly special and feels like Alaska!

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Tongass Historical Museum

The Tongass Historical Museum is one of the best displays of native Alaskan history in Southeast Alaska. Located off of Creek Street, this stop can be combined with the boardwalk to fill up an entire morning. 

The Tongass Historical Museum is partnered with the Totem Heritage Center. Both museums offer an engaging educational experience. However, the Tongass Historical Museum is more centrally located in the downtown area, making it easier to visit when on a time restraint. While a fast visit can last about 20 minutes, if you take your time to appreciate each exhibit, then visitors can easily spend an hour learning here. 

Exhibits cover the long and fascinating history of the inhabitants of Revillagigedo Island (where Ketichand is located). Visitors can learn about Tlingit history and culture, as well as the evolution of the town from a fishing port to the sixth-largest town in Alaska. Be sure to check out their homepage for current exhibits and any special events! 

Rainforest hike

When you visit Ketchikan, you're just steps from the Tongass National Forest. This is a temperate rainforest and the largest national forest in the United States.

There are free tours you can take without booking an excursion.

Just off of 3rd Avenue is the Rainbird Hiking Trail. This 2-mile trail is a popular hiking trail for visitors and offers amazing views of the inlet and town. The trail is rated as moderate on AllTrails, with a 541-foot elevation gain. 

While rocks and roots can make the trail difficult to navigate, the views and scenery make hikers feel like they are deep in the Tongass Forest.

Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show

A fun and lively experience most people that visit Alaska seem to love is the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show.

Alaskan lumberjacks put on a display for you as they chop, saw, climb, and roll tree logs.

Our recommendation is to combine the show with a visit to Harbor House Crab Feast for a truly classic Alaska experience.

The show isn't long enough to be your one activity, so enjoy some great local eats right after the show.

Website

Ketchikan Duck Tour

This is a fun one, especially if you’re looking for something light and easy!

The Duck Tour gives you a quick overview of Ketchikan by land and water, and the splash into the harbor is always a highlight. It’s entertaining, family friendly and very relaxed, more about fun than wildlife.

Website

Try a small group tour that includes a little of everything

One of my favorite tips for any Alaska excursion is to book a small group tour instead of a large one.

The Ketchikan All in One Tour is especially fun because it combines so many local highlights in one easy day.

Website

The Rainforest Walk and Totem Park tour is another great combo

You’ll walk through a beautiful forest, visit totem poles, and learn from a local guide. It doesn’t take up your whole day, which makes it perfect.

It’s easy, relaxing and feels truly authentic.

It’s a peaceful, small group experience into the rainforest where you have a chance to see wildlife like bears, eagles and deer in their natural setting. 

Website

A trolley tour offers a great way to see a little of everything

Ketchikan is one of those ports where people often step off the ship and wonder where to start. The Totem Pole, Wildlife and City Trolley Tour is for anyone that wants to see it all while feeling relaxed, not not rushed or chaotic.

You settle into a classic trolley and take in the sights of a town shaped by fishing and logging, then visit the Saxman Native Village where authentic hand carved totem poles tell powerful stories and master carvers are still at work. I

From there, you head to Herring Cove, a place locals watch closely during salmon season. Bears fishing the creek, bald eagles overhead, seals along the water. When it happens, it is unforgettable!

Ketchikan is one of the best ports to see a bear

For bears, Ketchikan is probably your best chance out of those three ports, especially in the early cruise season.

Most tours will take you out to Herring Cove, and the surrounding areas, where people do sometimes spot bears.

Website

Try whale watching with Captain Jesse

Another recommended tour is Wildlife Viewing and Whale Watching Quest with Captain Jesse. 

You'll go on a small boat, which means fewer people to contend with on your tour and much better views.

Captain Jesse knows these waters well and consistently finds incredible wildlife.

Website

Best places to eat in Ketchikan

Located near the Tongass Historical Museum, head west down Dock Street to the 55North Bakery, one of the best places to grab a coffee and a delicious sweet bakery treat! 

The Alaska Fish House is sure to be a busy lunch spot while in Ketchikan, offering some of the freshest seafood in town. From fish tacos to salmon chowder and Alaskan king crab, this is the place to eat in Ketchikan if you want to try Alaska’s seafood.

If you’re not interested in seafood, Ketchikan offers other types of cuisines. There’s Chico’s Mexican restaurant which, despite its name, is said to have the best pizza in town. 

If you’re in the mood for a burger, don’t hesitate to try Burger Queen, a no-frills restaurant serving up fish and chips, big burgers, and milkshakes. 

Happy Sunday and unofficial start to summer! Temperatures are rising, and so is the pace of cruise news to share with you this week.

Mexico blocked Royal Caribbean's plans to build a new Perfect Day private destination.

Authorities from Mexico's environmental ministry announced they would not approve the submitted plans out of environmental impact concerns.

This means construction of Perfect Day Mexico cannot proceed as planned.

Royal Caribbean News

• New Alaska cruise terminal opening delayed
• Royal Caribbean is turning its cruise ships into floating FIFA World Cup watch parties
• Inside cabin tour on one of Royal Caribbean's smallest and oldest ships
• The best day to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package
• I was on a cruise ship when it temporarily lost power
• I tried Royal Caribbean's new $48 steakhouse brunch
• 8 reasons to try a suite
• I finally reached Diamond status on Royal Caribbean. Now I understand the hype

Video: I Tried a Cheap Cabin on an OLD Cruise 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 — I Tried a Cheap Cabin on an OLD Cruise Ship — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

New Amplified Harmony of the Seas photos

Harmony of the Seas is back in service after an extensive dry dock that added a variety of new features.

Our team was onboard the third Oasis Class ship as it returned to sailing, and we have a look at every new change and upgrade.

There are new restaurants, bars, and even additional staterooms.

US Supreme Court deals bad news to Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines

Four major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, are back at the center of a lawsuit.

The new court ruling re-opens a case that accused the cruise lines of using confiscated American docks in Havana, Cuba.

Royal Caribbean is facing upwards of $100 million if they lose the lawsuit.

Passengers "protested" on a Royal Caribbean ship

After being told their Alaska cruise would not visit a glacier, some passengers staged a protest at the shore excursion desk.

Ovation of the Seas was forced to cancel a visit to Hubbard Glacier.

The news did not sit well, especially after a last-minute homeport change too.

How do you pay your gratuities? Royal Caribbean wants to know

Some cruise passengers got a new survey question about how they pay their gratuities to crew members.

This is a new survey question, and tipping on a cruise has always been a hot button topic among cruisers.

Perhaps the bigger question isn't the survey question itself, but why the cruise line is asking it.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 609th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Matt tried out the new brunch option that was recently added to Chops Grille.

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

Royal Caribbean's plans to build a new private cruise destination in Mexico were denied this week, and we know have the official reasons why.

Plans for Perfect Day Mexico were officially rejected on the grounds of environmental risks and the impact such a project would have on the area.

The project was expected to include massive water slides, pools, beaches, restaurants, bars, and attractions capable of handling thousands of cruise passengers per day.

But a groundswell of public pressure last week came to a head when Mexico's President asked her Environment Minister to review the plans. The next day, the cruise line was informed the proposal wouldn't be approved.

Here's what the official review has to say and why Royal Caribbean's plans were not approved to move forward.

Mangroves were one of the top concerns

According to technical conclusions released by Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), officials felt the there were too many concerns tied to mangroves, coral reefs, groundwater systems, and broader ecosystem impacts in Mahahual.

One of the biggest concerns involved mangroves, which are a protected tree and shrub. Mexico sees them as natural barriers against erosion and are critical for sustaining the coastal ecosystem.

The presence of mangroves within the project area was a specific issue.  Because some are within the proximity of the work being done, it was specifically called out.

In January, a Royal Caribbean executive said it wouldn't develop anything within the conservation area.

"We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area," Jay Schneider said in an interview with El Financiero.

Moreover, Royal Caribbean pointed out current local pollution is causing the mangroves to die out.  The company's plan was to restore the health of all the mangroves, as well as build a new water treatment plant for the community. In addition, they estimated 64.09% of the property would be left undisturbed and undeveloped because it was areas were mangroves and other natural areas were located.

The second factor was they decided to combine all elements of the project together into one large development, instead of evaluating individual parts.  

What this means is the water park, beach club, and cruise pier were lumped into one broader consideration, instead of looking at each proposal individually. They felt the combined environmental effect was too significant to ignore.

SEMARNAT also felt Perfect Day Mexico added risks to the Mesoamerican Reef System, one of the world's largest coral reef networks.

There were also concerns involving groundwater and underground hydrological systems. 

According to the report, there are fears that a project of this size and tourism activity could negatively affect those fragile systems.

"The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) reiterates that environmental decisions are made based on technical, legal, and scientific criteria, prioritizing the protection of ecosystems and the public interest."

The environmental agency also said its review uncovered technical inconsistencies within the environmental documentation tied to the project.

While the statement did not publicly release every detail, officials referenced issues involving environmental risk evaluations and hydrological impacts.

Comments from the public were also a factor

Although the report focused heavily on technical and environmental findings, SEMARNAT also acknowledged the unusually high level of public participation it received.

Between February 23 to March 23, 2026, over 14,000 comments from the public were captured, "related to the possible environmental and social impacts associated with the project."

Perfect Day Mexico got significantly more attention this past week when Greenpeace got involved to drum up opposition to the development plans.

The government’s statement did not directly frame public opposition as the deciding factor, but did acknowledge how many people were involved in sharing their thoughts.

What happens next for Perfect Day Mexico?

This report shuts the door on this specifical Perfect Day Mexico proposal, but it's unlikely this is where the story ends.

Massive projects of this size are bound to go through a back-and-forth process of proposals, clarifications, and adjustments.

Officially, Royal Caribbean has not issued any new statements other than its original comments to share in its disappointment in SEMARNAT’s analysis.

"We are disappointed by SEMARNAT’s decision and respect the role of Mexico’s environmental authorities. Mahahual is a special place that deserves care and protection. We continue to believe in Mexico, and are optimistic in the potential to advance our investment responsibly."

Their statement also pointed to working on finding a way forward.

"Over the coming weeks, we will re-engage stakeholders to move forward in a way that delivers shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico."

Possible options for Royal Caribbean include redesigning the destination, scaling it back, relocating portions of the development, or attempting to address the environmental concerns raised by regulators.

SEMARNAT said they are willing to work towards a sustainable solution, "Mexico promotes sustainable development that harmonizes economic and tourism growth with the protection of the country's ecosystems and natural heritage."

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered bad news for Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines on Thursday when it overturned a lower court decision regarding ship visits to Cuba.

Four cruise lines are part of an ongoing litigation stemming from when the U.S. briefly allowed travel to Cuba again. This includes Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line ‌Holdings, Royal Caribbean Cruises and MSC Cruises.

The U.S. company that built the docks prior to the Cuban revolution in 1959 sued the cruise lines because they used confiscated property, which is against the law under the Helms-Burton Act. This law allows U.S. nationals who owned property in Cuba to sue anyone who "traffics in property which was confiscated by the Cuban Government on or after January 1, 1959."

A lower court sided with the cruise lines, but the Supreme Court has set aside that decision.

Now, there are hundreds of millions of dollars at stake with the lawsuit re-opened.

Why the cruise lines are being sued

Cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean, briefly resumed cruises to Cuba when the U.S. government opened up travel to the Communist country.

Those ships all docked and used the terminal at the Havana Docks, which was built in 1905.

When Fidel Castro came to power, he nationalized and expropriated property held by U.S. companies including Havana Docks. They had previous had a 99-year concession for the construction and operation ‌of piers at the port of Havana, granted in ⁠1934 by Cuba's government.

The company was never paid anything by Cuba for the docks. As a result, the Helms-Burton Act gives companies an option to seek restitution.

The act allows companies to sue both the Cuban government and private companies that do business in Cuba.

The four cruise lines visited Cuba between 2016 to 2019 before travel to the island was once again restricted.

The law had been suspended for years by Presidents on both sides of the aisle as a way to avoid disputes with allies and businesses operating inside the Caribbean island. President Donald Trump re-activated the law during his first term.

Court rules against cruise lines

In 2022, a federal judge imposed judgements against each of the four cruise lines of more than $100 million because they had engaged in trafficking by having their ships dock at the terminal.

The Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw out those judgments last year because the concession given to Havana Docks would have technically expired in 2004, more than a decade before the cruise ships made a visit there.

The 11th Circuit wrote at the time, "When that concession expired in 2004, any property interest that Havana ​Docks had by virtue of that concession ended."

The Supreme Court heard arguments ​in the case in February. On Thursday, the Supreme Court set aside that decision in a 8-1 ruling.

Justice Clarence Thomas wrote the majority opinion. Justice Elena Kagan was the only justice to dissent.

"Havana Docks has shown that the cruise lines used confiscated property in which Havana Docks had a property interest and to which it owns a claim,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote.

To be clear, the Supreme Court's decision doesn't decide the case. Rather, it allows the lawsuit to go forward once again.

In a joint court filing, the companies said it defies common sense that they "should pay hundreds of millions of dollars for following the executive branch's lead in reopening travel to Cuba."

Perhaps no Royal Caribbean cruise add-on is more popular than a drink package, and it seems there might be better day to buy it for a lower price.

The cruise line has employed "dynamic pricing" for years, which means the cost of a drink package can vary from ship to ship, and sailing. And since we know Royal Caribbean uses AI to manage prices, the exact cost could fluctuate from passenger to passenger on a daily basis.

According to new tracking data compiled by All Aboard Deals across 30 Royal Caribbean ships, there has been a notable pattern to how beverage prices ebb and flow.

The Deluxe Beverage Package offers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for the entire sailing while onboard the ship or at one of the cruise line's private destinations.

I think everyone wants to pay the least for a drink package, so I was curious to learn there is a possible methodology to finding the cheapest cost.

What the data found

Their data shows the weekly pricing spike that had consistently landed on Tuesdays suddenly shifted to Wednesdays in late April 2026.

The report tracked 89 days of pricing data between February 13 and May 13, 2026, and found that for nine consecutive weeks, Royal Caribbean routinely increased Deluxe Beverage Package prices every Tuesday before lowering them again by Wednesday morning. Then beginning April 28, the entire cycle moved forward by one day.

Tuesday now appears to be the cheapest day to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package, while Wednesday has become the most expensive.

That may sound like a tiny detail, but the difference can easily add up to more than $100 on a weeklong cruise for two people.

The report identified nine weeks where Tuesday was clearly the expensive day:

• Feb. 24
• Mar. 3
• Mar. 17
• Mar. 24
• Mar. 31
• Apr. 7
• Apr. 14
• Apr. 21

Only one Tuesday during that stretch, March 10, failed to show a meaningful spike.

Then everything changed after April 21.

Instead of Tuesday prices jumping, Wednesdays suddenly became the expensive day across the fleet. The report found three consecutive Wednesday spikes on April 29, May 6, and May 13.

According to the data:

• April 29 Wednesday pricing averaged $82.87 per day versus Tuesday’s $71.54
• May 6 Wednesday pricing averaged $80.71 versus Tuesday’s $70.21
• May 13 Wednesday pricing averaged $80.57 versus Tuesday’s $70.21

You could pay more than $100 more if you bought a drink package on the wrong day

The average Wednesday premium during the new cycle measured roughly $10 to $12 more per person, per day than Tuesday pricing.

That means a couple on a 7-night cruise could potentially pay around $140 to $170 more simply by purchasing on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

More importantly, this data suggests there may also be an internal weekly pricing rhythm that cruisers can use to their advantage.

If the Wednesday pattern continues, cruisers looking for the lowest possible drink package price may want to avoid buying midweek and instead check prices on Tuesdays.

Equally important, the data reinforces how important it is to never assume the current Cruise Planner price is the best price you will see.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to cancel and rebook most Cruise Planner purchases before the sailing, which means many cruisers regularly monitor pricing and re-purchase packages when prices drop.

Instead of randomly checking prices every day, guests may want to focus their attention around Tuesday and Wednesday price movements.

Some ships saw much bigger spikes than others

Something else I found interesting was the discrepancy in which drink package prices would change depending on the ship.

Some ships experienced bigger Wednesday spikes than others. Here's the largest average Wednesday price increases compared to Tuesday:

• Grandeur of the Seas: +$23.20
• Jewel of the Seas: +$22.20
• Navigator of the Seas: +$20.16
• Mariner of the Seas: +$19.92
• Vision of the Seas: +$17.85

Once again, buying the drink package on one day could mean a significantly higher bill than if you bought it a different day.

For a couple sailing seven nights on Grandeur of the Seas, the difference between Tuesday and Wednesday pricing could exceed $320 total.

The report also found several ships that barely participated in the original Tuesday cycle but became major Wednesday movers after the shift.

Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Star of the Seas all showed much stronger Wednesday spikes than they ever did during the Tuesday era.

So what day should you buy a Royal Caribbean drink package?

If this trend holds up, Tuesday now appears to be the best day to buy a Royal Caribbean Deluxe Beverage Package, while skipping buying it on Wednesday.

Of course, that doesn't mean prices can't change at other times.

Royal Caribbean still runs flash sales, holiday promotions, and sailing-specific discounts throughout the year. Major holidays tend to introduce deep savings and make it one of the best times to check for a drink package sale.

My takeaway is Royal Caribbean's AI pricing can follow a pattern, so it's important to never buy it and then forget about it. It may actually be more predictable than I previously considered.

The exact days may change over time, but this dataset suggests Royal Caribbean may be operating on recurring pricing schedules rather than purely random fluctuations.

Nonetheless, you should track prices periodically, and look if there's a better price later. 

A new survey sent to select Royal Caribbean passengers asks them a question about gratuities that we haven't seen asked before.

Royal Caribbean doesn't include gratuities with its cruise fare, as it does with port fees and taxes. It's an extra cost that gets added later on after booking.

Passengers have the choice of how they are charged for it, and if they choose to use the automatic payment method or opt to pay on their own.

A copy of the survey sent to select passengers asks them which tipping methodology they prefer. Like all survey questions, it's not a confirmation of anything, but does show the line is looking to get more feedback on a policy.

How gratuities work on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Every passenger is expected to pay gratuities on their cruise vacation as a thank you to the hard working crew members that take care of them during their voyage.

This has been a tradition for decades, and Royal Caribbean has two options.  You can either pre-pay them before the cruise and they will distributed to the select crew members, or you can be charged daily for them once onboard.

Gratuities cover:

• Stateroom attendant
• Main Dining Room waiter
• Main Dining Room assistant waiter
• Main Dining Room head waiter

Since November 1, 2024, the rate is $18.50 per person for standard cabins, and $21.00 per person for person in suites.

Passengers are allowed to modify the amount once onboard the ship by going to Guest Services onboard at any time prior to the morning of disembarkation.

Of course, passengers can tip anything they wish in addition to the automatic gratuity.

This automatic gratuity does not cover pre-cruise and onboard purchases of beverages and beverage packages, spa and salon, specialty dining and specialty dining packages, room service and mini bar purchases.

Which way do you pay your gratuities?

I've never seen this particular question asked in a post-cruise survey, and it certainly got the attention of a lot of other cruisers too. A Royal Caribbean Blog reader sent me a screenshot of it to include here.

The survey asks passengers, "when it comes to gratuities on this cruise, which of the following best describes what you did?"

• I pre-paid gratuities before my cruise
• Gratuities were automatically charged to my stateroom during my cruise
• I opted out of the automatic gratuities to handle it my preferred way
• I don't recall/prefer not to say

The question is trying to asses which option passengers use, but I'm curious why they're asking it.

Gratuities have been a traditionally polarizing topic among cruise passengers, because they've effectively become an extra fee, rather than an optional consideration.

All the mainstream cruise lines don't include gratuities with their fare, presumably to advertise a lower price.

Virgin Voyages attempted to bundle gratuities with its fare, but in 2025 the line removed them from the fare (for all accommodation categories, including suites) and bringing all fares down by $20 per person, per day.

Virgin said their decision was two fold. First, so guests could see how much crew are actually getting. Second, to compare Virgin Voyages pricing with other premium cruise lines that don’t include gratuities.

A representative from the line said the "feedback was loud and clear".

How you can prepay gratuities

Every guest has the option of prepaying gratuities up to 48 hours prior to the start of the cruise and having it added to their reservation.

The choice is first given to you at the time of booking, but you can change your mind later if you prefer.

If you booked directly with the cruise line, you can call Royal Caribbean to have the change made. If you booked with a travel agent or other third party, contact them to have it added.

If you select My Time Dining for dinner, you'll be forced into prepaying gratuities before the cruise begins. This is because you could have different waiters each night, so for logistical reasons, it's easier to go with automatic gratuity.

Royal Caribbean's plans to build a new private destination on the east coast of Mexico won't happen after Mexican authorities denied plans for it.

Mexican Environment Minister Alicia Barcena confirmed plans for Perfect Day Mexico won't be approved, following a massive backlash from environmental groups concerning the impact the project would have on the area.

"It is not going to be approved," Barcena said at a press conference on Tuesday. She added Royal Caribbean was moving on withdrawing plans for the project.

Royal Caribbean issued a statement on Wednesday to respect the Mexican government's decision, but says it will continue working on a solution that respects the environment and local community.

"We are disappointed by SEMARNAT’s decision and respect the role of Mexico’s environmental authorities. Mahahual is a special place that deserves care and protection. We continue to believe in Mexico, and are optimistic in the potential to advance our investment responsibly."

"Over the coming weeks, we will re-engage stakeholders to move forward in a way that delivers shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico."

The prepared statement by the cruise line appears to indicate they still have an intention to move forward with the project in one form of another. It's simply too early to know exactly what that will look like, but a new proposal will need to be sent to the Mexican government for approval.

What happened to Perfect Day Mexico

In May 2025, Royal Caribbean revealed it had purchased the port of Costa Maya, near the small village of Mahaual, Mexico.

The project would be a new exclusive offering to Royal Caribbean cruise line guests that had beaches, pools, a lazy river, and adults-only area, and water park.

There would have been more than 30 waterslides across five towers, including Jaguar's Peak, a 170-foot-tall slide tower with multiple record breakers like the tallest slides in the Americas and the longest coaster-style waterslide.

Their intention was to redevelop the port and transform it into a new private destination for cruise ship guests. Their plan was to also significantly overhaul and improve the local infrastructure to support such plans.

Moreover, they planned to follow regulatory requirements and minimize environmental impact as the project moved forward. 

In an interview in 2025, Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer, said, "We are not going to touch anything at all in the mangrove conservation area," adding that the mangroves are already dying due to pollution from the municipal water treatment plant.

A petition was launched in 2025 online to stop the project. 

The petition claims the private destination would have been built on protected mangroves. 

At the announcement for the project, Royal Caribbean was adamant they were going to protect the mangroves, "There are mangroves and we're committed to protecting the mangroves that are there."

In fact, Royal Caribbean emphasized the cruise line's plan to restore the mangroves' health by building a new water treatment plant for the Mexican community.

Currently, an incomplete water treatment plant that was built years ago leaks raw sewage into Mahahual’s coastal mangrove forest and the nearby reef.

The company has also recognized the presence of endangered species like the ocelot, margay and white turtle. According to the Environmental Impact Statement it submitted, mitigation measures will be undertaken to “reduce stress and ensure the physical integrity of the individuals.”

Nonetheless, last week environmental group Greenpeace got wind of the project and became suddenly interested in stopping it.

They warned that the region was at a "crucial juncture," noting that the project and its link to expanded cruise tourism could cause ​significant environmental consequences.

Spam bots subsequently took to social media to flood repeated comments on Royal Caribbean and this site's social media channels.

On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was asked about the project and directed that question to Ms. Barcena to oversee it.

"SEMARNAT is conducting a very detailed analysis, but I can already tell you that we are not going to do anything that puts the ecological balance of that area at risk."

"But I want to tell everyone who is concerned about this situation that the government is not going to do anything that would put the ecosystem in that area at risk." 

The next day, Mexico's Environment Minister announced Perfect Day "is not going to be approved." Her comment was shared in a video on social media.

According to local media, Barcena said the decision was based on the area's ecological importance and the need to protect marine and coastal ecosystems associated with the reef.

Greenpeace warns it will "remain vigilant"

Greenpeace celebrated the Mexican government's decision, vowing to track if this idea moves elsewhere within Mexico.

In a statement, the Mexican wing of the organization posted, "Greenpeace Mexico will remain vigilant regarding the possibility of moving the project to another location."

After cruising for 20 years, I experienced my cruise ship losing power temporarily for the first time. While concerning, it wasn't nearly as scary as you might expect.

While I've sailed around hurricanes and been to the ship's medical center, I had never lost power at sea. 

No one expects something like this to happen to them, and I never would have predicted it either. A ship losing power while sailing is quite rare. So when it happened to me while sailing on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas last week, I was more than a bit surprised.

Like any unexpected event, you go through a range of emotions quickly.  But the truth is the constant communication from crew members made the experience far less scary than you'd expect. 

I wanted to share my experience as an example of how dedicated crew members are to keeping passengers safe, and the realities of how much redundancy modern ships are.

The cruise ship lost power right after leaving Mexico

I was sailing on Radiance of the Seas for a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, with a visit to Cozumel, Mexico. This is one of Royal Caribbean's older ships, with an age of 25 years.

We had just departed Cozumel when there was a medical emergency and our Captain told us we'd have to return to Cozumel to disembark the passenger safely and get them additional medical care.

That process went smoothly, but as our ship departed Cozumel, the lights went out.

I was in the casino watching a hockey game and on the phone with my wife when it happened. 

At first, I assumed something had shorted out the power to the casino.  When the lights didn't come back on after a few seconds, it became apparent this wasn't a localized issue.

One thing to note is how much emergency backup lights there are on a ship. You'll notice that in the photos I took, the ship is remarkably bright even on backup power. It's really the decorative and flood lights that are what rely on primary power.

I walked back to the ship's Centrum to discover the power loss was not just in the casino, but across the ship.

There was a sense of disbelief and even some humor.  I didn't detect any panic, as there was enough light around the public areas where you could easily see where you're going.

The Captain made an announcement very quickly to explain the situation

As soon as we lost power, the crew members around us all remained calm and pretty much kept operating as normally as they could. It helped provide a sense this isn't a major problem.

In fact, bartenders were happy to dispense drinks that didn't require power.

I'd estimate in less than 10 minutes the Radiance's Captain came on the public address system to give us an update. He apologized for the problem, and confirmed the ship was experiencing a power loss.

He was quick to note that the Chief Engineer and his staff were already hard at work getting the ship's secondary generator online to restore power.

He assured us it wouldn't take very long, and he would make another announcement once power was back to give us an update.

Just like hearing from your airplane pilot in bad turbulence, it was very reassuring to hear they had a grasp on the situation.

We had enough light, and even the Wi-Fi still worked

I was pleasantly surprised to discover we never lost the ship's Wi-Fi signal during the entire blackout. 

I found it interesting that the satellite internet and all the access points work off emergency power, and it helped I think keep everyone somewhat more relaxed so they didn't feel "alone".

My top worry was how long it would take to restore power, as well as air conditioning. 

Because the Captain gave us a quick update, I was not anxious. Like most other passengers, I just wanted the power back on so we could go about the fun again.

I wandered the ship some more, and the one area where the power loss was most apparent was in the cabins. I had an inside room with no windows and there was no emergency lights in the cabin.

As you might imagine, the ship's elevators didn't operate either.  

I headed up to the pool deck to see what it was like up there, and make a pit stop at Park Cafe to get a slice of pizza before they ran out.

As I ate my slice of pizza, the power came back online and we had power for the rest of the sailing.

The Captain made one more announcement to confirm main power was back online and things would be back to normal. Furthermore, there would be no impact to our timeline of returning to Tampa on time.

It's unlikely I'll ever experience power loss on a cruise ship again, but I was grateful for how quickly things were repaired

In reflecting on my roughly 30-45 minutes without electricity on a cruise, I think the biggest takeaway is how quickly and efficiently the crew worked to get it everything fixed.

Most importantly, the communication by our Captain and the crew members keeping things calm helped considerably.

Even if there was a bit of dark humor shared among passengers during the incident, things never remotely approached any kind of level of concern that I would have become nervous about.

Cruise ships, like Radiance of the Seas, have heavy redundancies in place, such as dual engine rooms and independent power grids.

According to Royal Caribbean's website, "we have plans for a contingency and we move to using the emergency generators.  These are typically located on the upper decks and they have their own fuel supply and are completely independent. 

"The generators can provide emergency lighting, fire detection systems, operate elevators and even provide power to re-start the engines, if necessary." 

"They can also power communication channels - radio, telefax, email, so the ship can continue to communicate with shoreside."

You don't need to worry about losing power on a cruise ship, because it's so rare for it to occur. But if it did, take solace in the fact there are systems in place to get it back quickly.

Royal Caribbean recently launched a new brunch option that I wanted to try because this has historically been an underserved meal option.

The cruise line has offered brunch occasionally in the Main Dining Room, and it does have it at the Mason Jar specialty restaurant. But Chops Grille rolling out a brunch option means the opportunity to try it on every ship in the fleet.

After booking a 4-night cruise on Radiance of the Seas, I reserved brunch on one of our sea days to give it a try.

Lunch is still offered on some days, but Royal Caribbean has now added a brunch option with its own menu.

Booking it pre-cruise, I was able to get a reservation for $48 per person.

Chops Grille brunch menu

At first glance, the brunch menu is quite large.

You start off with the choice of a specialty beverage.  The first round is included, but any additional drinks will cost you extra (unless you have a drink package).

Starters and desserts are served family style, but you can request as many as you like.

The rest of the menu is all a la carte, similar to other meals at Chops Grille.

I was impressed by how much food you could have, especially when you mix and match

I usually over order when I'm on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship because serving sizes are usually smaller than on land. I quickly found myself surrounded by food.

As you're seated, a selection of bakery items are brought to you.  Many of the items are the same ones you could get at Cafe Promenade or the Windjammer, such as the very popular cinnamon roll.

I chose a cappuccino for my beverage, which may seem like a faux pas to brunch aficionados who always opt for a mimosa or Aperol spritz. I needed caffeine, so I stand by my decision.

Next was the avocado toast, which I was disappointed by because the avocado is that prepared stuff that comes out of a bag. 

I then made the always difficult choice of waffles or pancakes, and went with pancakes.

I was pleased to see two freshly made pancakes that even had searing on the edges. Certainly not something off the buffet here.

They were fluffy and very satisfying.  I tried to go healthier and skip the syrup, but that was a mistake and I quickly dunked each piece in it with great enjoyment.

The bowls is the heart of this menu, and I struggled what to order. There were so many good options to consider, but I ultimately went with the Steak & Eggs. How can you go wrong with filet mignon?

The menu says you get filet and fried egg, but my server informed me they didn't have fried egg that day and scrambled egg was the option. Personally, I don't like runny eggs, so this substitution didn't bother me one bit!

As I'd expect from Chops Grille, the steak was fantastic. Having eggs along with it is a nice touch. 

I was very tempted to order a second item from the Hearty Bowls section, but there was already so much food.  There's no way I could have finished it all.

For the sides, I went with the mashed potatoes and arugula and parmigiano salad. Both sounded good because I wanted the potatoes with the steak, and a salad seemed like a good lighter option to delve into.

The salad reminded me of the Giovanni's Italian Kitchen house salad, and I thought it was quite tasty.

Brownie from Chops Grille

"Chocolate Bar" from Park Cafe

To finish my meal, I had the chocolate brownie. I was surprised to see this was straight out of the Park Cafe menu, because I had it earlier in the cruise.

I wanted to love brunch, but the high price and some items disappointed me

I love that Royal Caribbean is trying to offer a quality brunch option, because it's a meal that's largely been underserved despite how popular it is on land.  Nonetheless, I think the price is too high for what's being served.

The main courses look like the real winner here.  You can argue the filet mignon alone is worth $20, given that's how much it costs to order one from the Main Dining Room at dinner.

The steak was top quality, and I really enjoyed it.

But I think there are ways to improve brunch going forward.

First and foremost, I don't think a specialty restaurant should serve food you can get at other complimentary venues. At least two of the main menu items were things I've had elsewhere, and I'm guessing the entire bakery option is also.

To be fair, I doubt anyone but someone like me notices that. 

Regardless, I think they just priced brunch too high.

Brunch cost $47.99, but lunch at Chops Grille was just $21.99. Moreover, the cruise line's dining packages include lunch but brunch has a $30 surcharge applied once on board.

I suspect Royal Caribbean will listen to the feedback from guests and adjust the price moving forward, but in the meantime, it's a pricey meal.

If I could offer one more piece of advice, I think brunch should have a bottomless mimosa or champagne option to go with it. That seems to be a fairly standard practice among brunch options, including Royal Caribbean's Sip. Tour. Brunch. experience.

I'd return to brunch if it was fully included with a dining package. I'm hopeful we'll see tweaks soon.