Cruisers are always trying to figure out what's next for Royal Caribbean, and sometimes its CEO has given us hints along the way.

Michael Bayley has been the President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International since 2014, and he's had an active role in crafting policies, changes, and innovation.

Over the years, I've observed Mr. Bayley immerse himself in projects, and he's never been one to shy away from a microphone when addressing questions or concerns from cruisers.

In fact, he hosts the President's Cruise each year, in which he sails with cruise fans who are eager to ask him a variety of questions on just about every topic.

Many times, he's seemingly shut the door on certain ideas or proposals. To be fair, Royal Caribbean isn't afraid to change its mind, so sometimes a "no" becomes a "yes" later.

Here are six examples of policy changes or ideas that he said Royal Caribbean won't do.

Switch to all-inclusive pricing

When Celebrity Cruises made the jump to including more in its cruise fare, it turned heads because it's something Royal Caribbean fans wondered if it could come to them too.

Celebrity includes a base drink package and internet access in its All Included fare.

When asked in 2024, Mr. Bayley said including those things on Royal Caribbean didn't make sense to his customers. He based this on the fact about half of cruisers don't want a drink package.

"Our research says that around about 50% of the guests don't want a beverage package," he explained.

"Our strategy has always been the unbundling of pricing to give people as much choice as they possibly can."

"We've learned that unbundling is much easier and better for the guest. It also gets the price point in front of the customer, especially for families. And remember family is our is our real core target market."

He went on to explain that cruisers prefer having the choice later to add those things on, rather than paying more up-front for a cruise fare.

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

Include free Wi-Fi access like land resorts

Many resorts and restaurants on land include free Wi-Fi, so why can't Royal Caribbean?

This was the question asked as well on the 2024 President's Cruise, and the simple answer is costs are very different at sea versus on land.

"Are we going to give free WiFi? No."

"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for WiFi," Mr. Bayley said.

Cruise ships use satellite internet access, but Wi-Fi on land relies on underground and undersea cables. Land-based internet is faster and cheaper than satellites.

Royal Caribbean enters into contracts with satellite tech companies, and this comes at a huge yearly cost.

Offer overnight visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay

As soon as Royal Caribbean opened Perfect Day at CocoCay, one of the top questions was how cruisers could spend more time there.  Overnight visits seemed like the perfect solution.

In 2020, Mr. Bayley said they actually considered that idea, but it "became problematic" once the logistics were considered.

He admitted, "Part of the ongoing capital investment in Perfect Day was allowing us to accommodate additional ships so we could have one ship stay overnight."

There are two primary issues related to offering overnight stays at CocoCay.

The first is a lot of crew members and supplies are offloaded every day from the ship. The island doesn't have a supply route otherwise, and those crew members are needed back onboard later.

The reason those crew members are needed back onboard is Royal Caribbean realized their guests love a fun beach day, but like the cadence of being on the ship in the evening.

"[I]t doesn't look like we will be doing overnights because our guests, even with our late-night stays, once they want to come back, they really do want to come back onto the ship and enjoy the fine dining and they want to enjoy the entertainment that we have onboard," Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Relations.

Ban smoking in the casino

During the 2022 President's Cruise, Mr. Bayley was asked about banning smoking in its casinos.

Bayley admitted, "smoking in the casinos is a bit of a conundrum."

"The dilemma is that there are many people who do want to smoke in the casino. I know that's not a popular response, but it's it's the truth."

"I'm not judging anyone or anything, but there's a large group of people who do want to smoke in the casino."

He explained, "Every, I would say every couple of years, we do test this and we take one or two or three ships we ban smoking in the casino. And the result is less people go in the casino and that that's the reality of it."

Banning smoking completely in its casino doesn't seem to be on the table.

To their credit, Royal Caribbean has added new non-smoking casino space on some of its ships, although that's come at the expense of other guest favorite areas.  The cruise line has turned wine bars, comedy clubs, and even one of its English pubs into a casino.

On Utopia of the Seas, they added a non-smoking casino and then subsequently converted the entire original casino into a smoking area

Making it more difficult to become Pinnacle and Diamond Plus

In 2024 on the President's Cruise, one cruiser asked Mr. Bayley about any plans in the future to modify the loyalty program.

"No, we have no plans to to do that," he said.

He said the comments they receive periodically about too many top tier members tend to focus on a minority of sailings.

"Sometimes we get these comments and they're obviously they're valid comments. They're often based upon certain sailings... where we do get peak numbers of Pinnacle and Diamond Plus, but 90% of the sailings, it's just not true."

He was talking about trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific crossings, where you get a lot of Pinnacles and Diamond Plus members.

Include gratuities in the cruise fare

If there was one change I'd love to see Royal Caribbean make, it would be to include gratuities for the hard working crew members in the fare instead of pretending they are somehow optional.

Despite Mr. Bayley being an outspoken supporter of seafarers, his line has no plans to make that change.

During the 2025 President's Cruise, President and CEO Michael Bayley was asked by a passenger if they'd ever consider building it into the cruise fare instead of leaving it up to the guest, especially when some passengers don't pay it.

Mr. Bayley explained that they've "put a lot of thought" into gratuities and how to best handle them.  It's why some countries have it baked in, while others do not.

"The bottom line is, is the model that seems to be genuinely the most productive, effective, and rewarding for the employees is is is the model that we operate today," he said.

He admitted there are pros and cons to each tipping model, but "we think we've got the right system in place."

As cruise prices only seem to be on the rise, there's still one port in Florida I can usually count on a good deal that is often overlooked by new cruisers.

Florida is known as the "capital of cruising" because of the state's historical role as being the place where the most cruise ships are based, as well as the fact new ships usually debut here. 

But hidden among the megaships that dominate the cruise industry is a port that doesn't have any big ships. Yet, it's consistently the best bet for a cheap cruise.

Tampa isn't as busy a homeport as the cities on the east coast of Florida, but there are year-round sailings here as well.

The good news is you can usually find competitive prices, even at the last-minute.  But there is a tradeoff when it comes to the type of ships that sail from here.

If you're on the hunt for a good cruise deal, here's why Tampa might be a good choice.

I've found cheap cruises, even at the last-minute

I booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas on a Monday and sailed on a Thursday and it cost me less than $600 before taxes and fees.

In January 2027, I have another 4-night cruise in a balcony room for just $800 total.

In looking at cruises for next few weeks, there are 4- and 5-night cruises on Radiance of the Seas that start at just $700 per person.

This isn't the first time I've found a great deal on a cruise sailing from Tampa, and it's one of the best reasons to sail from here.

Unlike Royal Caribbean cruises that go out of Port Canaveral or Miami, I've found the best prices routinely offered in Tampa.  

The cruise market there is different, and it tends to attract more people that drive to the ship. In my case, I went on a 4-night long weekend cruise that departed on a Thursday and was back on a Monday.

However, you'll also find longer sailings too.  In the busy winter season, Royal Caribbean has up to three ships based in Tampa, offering 4-7 night cruises.

The problem with Tampa is you're stuck sailing on small, old ships

While you're more likely to find a good deal on a cruise from Tampa, the downside is you won't be sailing on any of Royal Caribbean's newest or biggest ships.

Because of the Sunshine Skyway bridge that blocks access to Tampa Bay, only the smallest cruise ships can safely pass underneath it.

This means you'll only find Radiance or Vision Class ships sailing from Tampa.

Larger ships, such as the Oasis or Icon Class ships are too tall to fit under the bridge. And any proposals for a new cruise terminal are a pipe dream at best right now.

To be clear, there's nothing inherently wrong with one of the smaller ships in the fleet.

These ships offer a "classic cruising experience", which means it relies more on enjoying the voyage and more of a chill atmosphere than you'd find on ships that have much more to do.

Sailing on Radiance of the Seas, there are activities like trivia, live music, shows each evening, and movies shown.  There's even a mini-golf course, rock wall, and a few different specialty restaurants.

But there's no Royal Promenade, laser tag, Aqua show, or the other "wow" features on the newer ships.

I'll book cruises from Tampa because it's convenient and saves me money

If a 7-night cruise on Enchantment of the Seas doesn't excite you because of the ship's age, I think there are a few factors to consider before bypassing Tampa cruises.

Because Tampa's cruise terminal is small, it's also quite an easy process to get in and out. In fact, Tampa offers valet parking at its cruise terminal for just $15 total more than the regular garage price.

Tampa has a major airport, so you can usually find good flight options in, but likely not as pricey as a flight to South Florida.

I'll be honest, if I'm planning my family Spring Break vacation, I will always look to one of the big ships sailing from Port Canaveral first.  However, augmenting my cruises by squeezing in an inexpensive cruise is hard to pass up.

Be sure to research your ship before chasing the lower price

Value seekers are tempted to find the lowest price, but you'll want to pay close attention to what you're trading off for that lower price.

Smaller ships, like the ones that sail from Tampa, are over 20 years old.  The decor and furnishings onboard will look the age.  

Don't worry about the purely the ship's age. Royal Caribbean does a terrific job with the ship's upkeep and maintenance.  They just don't update cabins or furniture to match what you'll find on new ships.

The other thing to look at is what there is for kids to do onboard, especially if you have younger children.

Radiance Class ships don't have Splashaway Bay or water slides.  They do technically have a single waterslide, but it's quite juvenile and really meant for kids under the age of 8 or so.

All Royal Caribbean ships have a kids club onboard, but once again, it's on the small side.

Compared to bigger ships, there isn't as much built-in programming for kids to do on the ships that typically sail from Tampa.  However, there are certainly the basics.

For adults, does it matter to you if there isn't a full Broadway show? Do you need access to newer specialty restaurants?  The Vision Class ships don't even have a pub onboard.

I recommend comparing ships to ensure you're good with what they do offer, as well as what's not onboard.

Passengers booked on Royal Caribbean's Spectrum of the Seas received an email to inform them their sailings are being canceled as the ship gets repositioned for summer 2027.

In emails sent to booked guests this week, the cruise line said Spectrum of the Seas "will be redeployed for our Summer 2027 season" as part of its "ongoing itinerary planning process." 

The cruise line did not specifically say why the change was being made, alluding to the fact there are sometimes scheduling, port agreements, or operational needs that could necessitate it. Nonetheless, anyone booked on Spectrum will need to change plans.

Here's what's changing and what new options are available.

Royal Caribbean changes Spectrum of the Seas plans for 2027 cruises

The letter posted online by Derrick Low is for the February 14, 2027 sailing, with guests being offered several replacement cruise options instead. His original itinerary was scheduled to visit Fukuoka and Kumamoto, Japan.

Spectrum of the Seas has been one of Royal Caribbean’s key ships in the Asia market since launching in 2019. Built specifically for China and surrounding markets, the Quantum Ultra Class ship has spent much of its service operating cruises from Shanghai and Hong Kong with itineraries to Japan and South Korea.

Now there are new plans for where Spectrum will sail in 2027.

Based on the new options, it appears Royal Caribbean is adding back Japanese ports of call.

Last year, Royal Caribbean had to update at least 14 voyages leaving Shanghai between January and April 2026 because they couldn't visit Japanese ports anymore.

That change was because of deteriorating China-Japanese relations over Japan's stance on Taiwan's political status. 

New sailings to choose from on Spectrum of the Seas

According to the notice sent to passengers, guests can choose from several alternate 5-night sailings aboard Spectrum of the Seas departing from Shanghai (Baoshan), China.

The replacement options include:

• September 1, 2026: Fukuoka and Nagasaki, Japan
• October 11, 2026: Kagoshima and Okinawa, Japan
• February 17, 2027: Fukuoka, Japan and Busan, South Korea
• February 22, 2027: Nagasaki and Kagoshima, Japan
• March 24 or April 18, 2027: Nagasaki and Kagoshima, Japan
• June 4, 2027: Fukuoka and Nagasaki, Japan

Royal Caribbean said passengers who rebook onto one of the replacement sailings will receive price protection. Guests will be moved to a like-for-like stateroom category, and the cruise fare will either remain at the original booked rate or be reduced to the current fare if prices are lower.

Taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items are excluded from the fare protection policy.

Any guests that paid in full will be refunded the difference if the replacement cruise costs less than the original sailing.

The letter also mentions onboard credit incentives for affected guests, although the exact amount was not fully visible in the passenger screenshot shared online.

Redeployments are not uncommon

Sometimes Royal Caribbean needs to change its ship plans, so today's announcement is not unheard of when it comes to cruise plans.

The email for this one did not specify exactly why they are making the change, but logistical needs often force the line's hand.

Luckily, this change is being made many months in advance while cruisers have time to make changes.

Spectrum is a very unique ship

Spectrum of the Seas is not just another Quantum Class ship. Royal Caribbean designed it with features and venues specifically tailored toward Asian travelers. 

The ship includes upgraded suite areas, larger shopping offerings, private enclave spaces, and dining concepts that differ from what guests typically find on ships sailing in North America.

The ship also introduced the Ultimate Family Suite concept in Asia. 

Since her debut, Spectrum has served as the premier Royal Caribbean ship in the region.

There are somethings you can do on a cruise ship that seem like a great idea, but you'll probably regret it later.

When I went on on Star of the Seas, I thought it would be fun to put a dry erase board on my cabin door.  It became a regular target for some cruisers who thought it was fun to deface it every day, so I ended up taking it down and tossing it in the trash.

As they say, live and learn.  And there are plenty of other examples of ideas that sound good until you actually try them out.

For instance, I took a bus ride to Bordeaux, France because I didn't think a 90 minute bus ride each way would be that bad.  While I had a great time exploring that city, the commute time was worse than I ever imagined.

To that point, I hear from other cruisers who suggest certain plans on their cruise and I want to immediately stop them before they make a mistake.

I came up with 6 ideas I see often from cruisers that simply sound better than they really are.

Try to do two excursions in the same day

If you want a sure-fire way to overwhelm yourself, try booking two shore excursions on the same day.

It's tempting to try to work in different excursions while in port, but I find it's more trouble than it's worth.

First, there's the paranoia factor that comes with worrying about missing the second tour if your first tour doesn't finish exactly on time. Or the time and distance required to get from the end of your first tour to the second tour.

But more importantly, it's a lot to work into a day. Excursions involve some level of physical exertion, and I find after one tour, I'm ready for a break of some kind. I might want to chill out, go for a walk, or simply explore on my own.

Post-tour fatigue is especially problematic on warm Caribbean cruises, where the heat and humidity will wear you down.

Instead of two tours on the same day, book one and leave a follow-up DIY tour as something you could do if you feel there's enough time and motivation.

Combining CocoCay water park and day pass

If you're thinking of booking a cabana or a day pass to either Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach with a water park admission, you're not going to be able to sufficiently enjoy either.

Having tried all of the extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay, I believe each is best enjoyed when you spend the whole day there.

Considering how costly a day pass, cabana rental, or water park admission can be, I don't think it makes financial sense to try to combine them and feel like you had enough time at any of them to justify the cost.

Pick one and relish the experience it provides. Save the other one for your next visit.

Flying in the same day as your cruise leaves

One of the top faux pas you can make on a cruise is to try to fly in the same day your cruise departs.

You're thinking you could save money by not having to get a hotel room and incidental costs that come with it. 

The problem is you have a narrow window of time to board your ship, and a travel delay could lead you to miss the cruise entirely.  Royal Caribbean will not refund your money because your flight was cancelled or delayed.

Air travel is especially susceptible to delays due to weather, government shutdowns, maintenance issues, and a host of other issues.

Even if you have travel insurance that would cover some of the lost cost, that won't make up for the vacation time you were looking forward to.

Instead, you'll want to arrive at least a day or two before your cruise is set to depart to ensure travel delays won't impact your ability to make it on the ship.

Letting the cruise line pick your stateroom

I love saving money on my cruise reservation, but there are risks with letting Royal Caribbean choose your cabin location.

Guaranteed cabins are an option where you can save money on a particular stateroom category, but your room will be assigned from a pool of unsold cabins later on.

While Royal Caribbean did add a new option to pay money to find your guarantee cabin assignment sooner, but you're still getting a room assigned based on the leftover choices.

In my experience, you're going to end up with a room in a location that you might not be comfortable with.  It could be all the way at the front of the ship or at the back. That means a longer distance to walk to the elevators, as well as feeling more movement from the ocean.

Your balcony might have an obstruction to it from a lifeboat or other piece of equipment that hinders your view.

One of the most common scenarios is you get put in a connecting cabin, which are notorious for noise bleed issues because the connecting door isn't very well insulated.

If you're someone that needs to have a cabin in a specific location or would be disappointed if your view was ruined by an obstruction, I'd recommend booking a specific cabin instead.

Thinking Royal Caribbean's VIP pass will make a big difference

Many long-time readers of this site know I'm not a fan of The Key, and it's because the benefits sound a lot better than they really are.

Advertised as a VIP pass, The Key includes many perks, such as priority boarding, a welcome aboard lunch, carry-on luggage storage, and priority times at certain attractions.

On paper, these sound great.  But in reality, I think you're overpaying for benefits you can mostly get on your own or benefits you probably won't ever use.

For example, priority boarding is lovely, but Royal Caribbean's boarding process very efficiently. If you get an early check-in time, I promise you'll board the ship within a few minutes of those with The Key.

The welcome aboard lunch is food from Chops Grille, which you can order on your own by making a reservation.

The priority times at signature attractions never includes the water slides, and the times given are either early in the morning or late afternoon.  Those are times when demand is quite low for things like the Flowrider or rock climbing wall anyway.

The bottom line is the daily cost adds up, and I think you probably won't get the value out of it.  Instead, book the perks you need on your own.

Booking cruises directly with the cruise line

Unlike other areas of travel, booking your vacation directly with the cruise line is actually a mistake.

When you book a cruise, there's so much more to decide beyond the ship and room you want. Cruising is very personalized, and the itinerary and/or ship you choose affects which destinations you'll visit and which excursions will be available to you.

Plus, the different cabin categories, dining choices, gratuities, and even when to make payments all add additional layers of complexity.

I recommend everyone use a good travel agent to book a cruise because of the personalization factor involved.

To Royal Caribbean's credit, it's very easy to book a cruise on their website or by calling them. But a good travel agent can be such a terrific resource to answer questions, determine the ideal cabin and itinerary, and most importantly: step in when there's a problem.

Moreover, travel agents have access to special group rates and discounts. Agencies negotiate group space at lower rates with the cruise line, which could save you money on your cruise fare.

It's not always the case, but I'm surprised how often I'm able to save money simply because I used a travel agent.

I cannot tell you how many questions about problems or situations I get from cruisers that could have easily been avoided if they had used a good travel agent.

When I took my first cruise 20 years ago, any Caribbean island was interesting.  But I quickly came to understand certain ports are substantially better and worth a trip every time.

When you first visit one of these places, it almost immediately jumps out to you as being different and endearing. I hesitate to say you fall in love with them, but it's along those lines.

Over the years, I've gone to many ports of call around North America and Europe.  A few truly stand out as the places I'd love to go back to in a heartbeat for a variety of reasons.

If you're choosing between itineraries, here are seven places Royal Caribbean ships visit that you should absolutely prioritize visiting at least once.

Tortola

I just visited Tortola for the first time earlier this year, and I can see why it was so highly touted.

Tortola is one of those less frequently visited cruise ports that only smaller ships can get to, so it's not a common port on Royal Caribbean itineraries. Luckily, my Brilliance of the Seas cruise took me there, and I was so glad I got see it.

We took a boat out for the day and sailed to a few different beaches, including Jost Van Dyke and the famous Soggy Dollar Bar. I was worried it would be too touristy, but the ocean water and beach were unmatched.

Beautiful beaches in the Caribbean can seem to be very similar, but when you get to one that truly stands out, you quickly notice the difference.

Plus, I think Tortola has an advantage because it feels so untamed compared to the larger islands.

Juneau

I probably could list all the ports in Alaska, but Juneau always jumps out as my favorite because of how much you can see and do here.

Alaska cruises are marvelous, and I think you'll quickly love the natural beauty of this part of the world.  It's majestic and encapsulates everything you probably assumed about sailing there.

My favorite spot in Juneau is Mendenhall Glacier Park because you can take a leisurely walk to Mendenhall Glacier and enjoy a fantastic view from a nearby waterfall.

Alternatively, there are some great excursions that can take you right to the glacier itself.

St. John

Close in proximity to Tortola, St. John has the best beaches I've ever been to in the world.

It's like a postcard there: the perfect shade of blue ocean water, white sand beach, and the water clarity is like glass. Tortola is similar, but St. John is even less built up than Tortola because the nearly the entire island is a national park.

Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay are the top two beaches, but Honeymoon Beach and a few others are equally stunning.

I dare you not to go here and not think you've stumbled across an Instagram ad for the Caribbean.

You'll need to take a ferry to get to St. John from St. Thomas, but it's my go-to spot every time we are there. I just wish Royal Caribbean would offer longer stays in St. Thomas so I could spend longer in St. John.

Alicante

I went to a few different ports of call in Spain over the years, but Alicante is my favorite of them all.

Located on the coast of the Mediterranean, it encapsulates exactly what you want in a day in Spain. Great food, rich history, and even beautiful beaches.

In fact, I was blown away how nice the beaches were in Alicante.  I was probably a Caribbean beach snob and assumed the Med couldn't compete, but I would pick this beach over a lot others I've been to back west.

Plus, the city has an incredible promenade near the ocean and lots of history to go with its shopping. I debated if I should choose this or Malaga, but I gave the edge to Alicante because I think their beach is better.

Nonetheless, you must try a visit to the southern coast of Spain and experience this part of the world.

Perfect Day at CocoCay

While a cruise line private island isn't an authentic experience, it makes up for that in sheer fun.

Not every place you visit needs to be somewhere with historical significance.  One of the best reasons anyone travels is to have a good time, and I dare you not to have a good time at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean reset what a private island could be like when they revamped their private destination to include so much more.  The result has been the new bar that all other cruise lines are measured against, and secretly try to copy.

There are swim-up bars, a waterpark, adults-only enclave, plenty of beaches, music, dancing, pools, and plenty more.

What I love about CocoCay is how many choices you have in how you can spend your day, and it works for kids, adults, grandparents and more. The genius of this island is how you can have a completely different experience each time you visit.

Aruba

If I had to give one Caribbean island the award for being the best island for offering the total package, it would be Aruba.

No matter where you go in Aruba, you're going to find beautiful beaches and (probably) perfect weather.

Palm Beach and Eagle Beach are sprawling beaches that you'll want to spend all day in, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the water.

It's also where I've done a few different sunset cruises and each has been spectacular.

San Juan

I've visited San Juan, Puerto Rico at least a dozen times, and it has the richest culture and history of any cruise port in the Caribbean.

When your ship docks in Old San Juan, you're instantly immersed in a world that was built 500 years ago and still evokes that spirit.

I love wandering the streets of Old San Juan, because it combines old world charm with the people of Puerto Rico. There's so much vibrancy here, it's hard not to love how it almost feels like you're transported to a different century.

Plus, Puerto Rico's food is vastly underrated.  Mofongo is my top Caribbean comfort food, and there are so many varieties to try.

Royal Caribbean offers complimentary cruises if you gamble enough in its casino, and one cruiser claims he has the winning strategy.

While gambling in a cruise ship casino is often a source of entertainment for many passengers, some treat it like a farm where they can harvest winnings that go beyond money.

The cruise line incentives gambling by offering "free cruises" if you earn enough points on a sailing. These casino comps are a kind of "thank you" for wagering a lot of money, as well as a token of appreciation for continued loyalty.

While I've seen plenty of Royal Caribbean casino strategies, TikTok user Joe (@joe2go_ta) claims he has found the winning formula of gambling enough to get free cruise offers that he spends 6 months a year on ships.

37 back-to-back cruises for "free" from the casino

In his most popular video that has almost a million views, Joe recaps how he can afford to live on a cruise ship for 6 months from those casino comps.

First, he says he begins by gambling enough on a single sailing to reach Prime status within the casino.  This is the second tier of Club Royale's loyalty program, and it includes one complimentary cruise and unlimited drinks in the ship's casino. 

According to Joe, the foundation of the strategy is surprisingly simple: gamble heavily once a year, hit Prime status in Club Royale, and then stop gambling.

"I gamble once a year," he explained in the video. "I spend about $2,000. I get my 2500 points to hit Prime. Once I do that, I don’t go back to the casino."

This part of his strategy is rather surprising, because a lot of cruisers that enjoy the ship's casino tend to gamble on every sailing. He claims the goal is to earn enough casino points during a single cruise to unlock a year’s worth of benefits and future offers.

But he says the real value comes afterward.

According to him, hitting Prime generates three different types of cruise offers: 

• The first is an instant certificate earned while onboard after reaching a certain number of points
• The second is an annual complimentary cruise that comes with Prime status itself
• The third is the steady stream of promotional offers emailed throughout the year

"You get promotional offers weekly or monthly throughout your email," he said.

That combination, he claims, is what allowed him to stack together months of cruises without paying normal cruise fares.

He chooses a specific kind of slot machine to maximize winnings

The most interesting part of his strategy is how he gambles.

Instead of chasing jackpots or high-risk slot machines, he says he exclusively plays "low volatility" slots. Those are machines designed to pay back smaller amounts more frequently instead of offering huge bonus rounds or massive jackpots.

"All I play is low volatility slots," he said. "Slots that pay more money back per spin but don’t have bonuses."

He specifically mentioned slot machines like Black Diamond and Hot Tamales, calling Hot Tamales his preferred game.

His theory is simple and focuses on churning points, rather than chasing highs. You earn points based on how much money you wager, not how much money you win. Therefore, a machine that slowly cycles money back can allow gamblers to continue playing longer while accumulating points.

In other words, the goal is not necessarily to win big. The goal is to stretch gambling bankroll as efficiently as possible while earning enough casino points to trigger lucrative cruise offers later.

It's worth mentioning his strategy isn't foolproof. There is always risk involved with gambling, and there's no guarantee someone will only lose a couple thousand dollars trying to reach Prime status. Some cruisers could lose far more, while others may get lucky and lose less.

He leverages Royal Caribbean's loyalty perks to combine too

"I would not have been able to afford it if I wasn’t Diamond Plus," he admitted.

His casino strategy leverages not only what the casino gives him, but also his repeat cruiser benefits from Royal Caribbean's customer loyalty program.

He says living onboard long-term would have been much harder without Diamond Plus status in Crown & Anchor Society.

Diamond Plus members receive benefits that can dramatically reduce daily onboard spending, including complimentary drinks, free laundry, discounts, and other perks that become especially valuable during back-to-back cruises.

Being kind to crew members is another important recommendation he has

The TikToker also emphasized another part of cruise life that frequent cruisers often mention: relationships with crew members.

"When you’re on the ship, treat your employees well," he said. "Tip them."

He goes as far as offering to pick up basic necessities crew members may need during their contracts. He does so for the crew members he strikes up a friendship with along the way.

According to him, those relationships made long-term cruising feel more personal and enjoyable.

"It’s good to have people that know you by name and treat you like a friend rather than a guest," he explained.

Does his strategy actually work?

After watching his video, his approach to Prime status isn't revolutionary. But his recommendation for how to gamble is a good reminder if you're chasing points.

From my own experience, I can tell you if you hit Prime status on one sailing (2,500 points), yes, you'll qualify for an instant certificate right then and there. And then you'll get another free cruise offer the following April.

However, I would caution anyone before they start to go to the casino host desk and look at the qualifying sailings available for when you reach 2,500 points.  You don't get to choose any cruise. Rather, you have to choose from a subset of sailings.  So make sure those cruises are ones that you'd actually want to sail on.

The other part of his strategy that gives me pause is the reliance on offers that come in the mail or online for additional free sailings. 

In my opinion, that's a giant x-factor, because you're at the mercy of if offers will come to you or not.  It's very much a "feast or famine" experience.

The other thing he doesn't mention about this is the offers you typically get a Prime member tend to be on older, smaller ships.  You're not getting a week on Star of the Seas or even a weekend on Utopia of the Seas. Instead, there are a lot of offers for Enchantment, Grandeur, or Rhapsody of the Seas.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but something to keep in mind.

You can check your luggage to have your bags brought onboard a cruise ship, but a lot of cruise passengers skip it.

Unlike checking a bag with the airlines, having your bags brought on the ship has no cost and is far less logistically challenging.

As you arrive at the cruise terminal, there are porters waiting to take your luggage so it can be delivered later to your stateroom.

I take advantage of this service every single time, because bringing your own bags aboard the ship is more trouble than it's worth.

Here's why you should let Royal Caribbean handle your cruise ship luggage instead of hauling it yourself.

Checking your luggage vs bringing a carry-on

I recommend giving the porters any luggage larger than a backpack so it can be taken on the ship for you.

The porters working outside the terminal entrance don't work for the cruise line, but they're quite friendly and technically don't charge a fee.  I say "technically" because there's no cost to check your bags, but a tip is expected.

It's customary to give them a gratuity of $1-$2 per bag.

Royal Caribbean doesn't charge baggage fees nor do they limit you in how many pieces of luggage you can bring onboard the ship. 

"Each guest is permitted to carry a reasonable amount of personal property (including luggage) aboard the vessel," is how the policy is worded.  In all my years of covering Royal Caribbean, I cannot recall an instance where a passenger was denied luggage because they had too much. 

Any luggage you give to the porters needs to be tagged, just like at the airport.  Royal Caribbean provides luggage tags you can print at home and affix to your bag.

If you forget them, the porters can easily attach the tags for you.

What you shouldn't give the porters are any bags that have personal documents or valuables inside. You'll need your passport or birth certificate for check-in later.

Moreover, I'd keep any cash or expensive jewelry, electronics with you in a carry-on bag.

You can bring your luggage onboard, but it's bulky and a pain to deal with

I shake my head when I see a family dragging all their luggage on a ship because it seems like an unnecessary hardship.

Your stateroom isn't ready until about 1pm, so bringing your own bags on the ship means bringing them with you all over until cabins are ready. No, you cannot go drop your bags off at the room earlier (although Celebrity Cruises allows this).

Cruise ship hallways are narrow, and elevators are small. It's busy enough on embarkation day getting around, and I feel the hassle of taking your luggage around just so you can have them an hour or two earlier than if they were delivered doesn't make sense.

Unlike the airlines, there's no cost to check your luggage on a cruise. The gratuity for the porters is a negligible amount of money, and the convenience of not having to deal with them is so worth it.

It's also worth noting you can only bring luggage on the ship yourself that can fit through the security scanners. That giant suitcase likely won't fit, and then you'll have to turn around and give the bag to the porter anyway.

I see too many families with kids trying to take all their luggage up and down decks. It's a completely unnecessary problem to encounter, which is why I'll always gladly hand my luggage to porters when I arrive at the terminal.

How you can store your luggage on a cruise ship

Any bags you check with a porter will be delivered to your stateroom.  

In my experience, bags usually arrive by early to mid afternoon. The only thing that would delay your bags being delivered is if there's something inside that's on the prohibited item list. If that occurs, the bags will be held by security and you'll have to go get it from them.

When your bags arrive to your stateroom, there's enough room to store the luggage inside your cabin.

Most conventional luggage should fit under the bed.  If we have a few pieces of luggage, we'll nest them inside each other and then slide it under the bed.

One thing I'll always do is unpack for my cruise, rather than living out of my suitcase. Cruise ship cabins have a lot storage, even in a small inside room. You'll find drawers and closets to use (including hangers).

I've found it's worth unpacking to make it easier to quickly find clothes I need later.  Plus, it helps with keeping clothes unwrinkled.

You can let Royal Caribbean take your bags off the ship at the end of the cruise too

On the final night of the cruise, you can leave your luggage outside your cabin door and have it delivered to the cruise terminal for you.

I have mixed feelings about whether to use this or not.

On the one hand, it's much easier to let them take your bags off the ship.  If you have mobility issues, kids, or lots of luggage, this is a godsend for how much easier it is to walk off the ship the next morning.

Royal Caribbean will leave luggage tags in your cabin, and there's a number on it. The number corresponds to a certain hour they will be ready to pick up in the terminal.

Read more: What the debarkation process is like on Royal Caribbean

However, putting your luggage out the night before the cruise ends means you have to pack that night, which disrupts your final day.  Plus, you still have to leave essentials and an outfit for the next day for the next morning.

The major compelling reason to carry your luggage off the ship yourself is because it's much faster. 

If you need to be off the ship as early as possible, those carrying their own luggage can disembark any time after it has been cleared by authorities. If you have an early flight home, this is your only recourse.

Personally, I tend to carry my bags off the ship most times so I can be on my way as early as I can. Not only do I want to beat the rush off the ship, but I see the last morning as a "rip the band aid off" kind of situation and would rather be done with it all.

If you do decide to let Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship, be sure to leave anything you'll need for the final evening and next morning out of that bag. Toiletries, valuables, identification, pajamas, and an outfit for the next day should all be taken off the ship by you in a smaller bag.

It's not uncommon to see someone walking off the ship on the last morning of the cruise in their pajamas because they clearly forgot to leave out an outfit.

Sometimes the cost of a Junior Suite is only a few hundred dollars more than a balcony room on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and that leads to the question of if it's worth upgrading or not.

Whether the extra cost is substantially more or not, the real question is are you paying for meaningful perks or just a slightly larger room?

I've sailed in Junior Suites many times, including most recently on an older ship. I've found the extra benefits of a Junior Suite and larger room to be quite useful. Nonetheless, I didn't want to overpay for them either.

Consider your travel style, ship class, and budget before choosing. Let's compare.

Balcony vs. Junior Suite comparison

What you get with a standard balcony cabin

A balcony room is the most popular type of cruise ship cabin because it's truly the middle ground option that is affordable for a lot of families.

With this type of stateroom, you'll have a slightly larger room than an interior cabin and have access to your own outdoor space.  This means you have an outside view from your room, as well as a private verandah to step out to and enjoy the fresh air and views.

Every balcony comes with a fairly standard set of features:

• King size bed (can be split apart)
• Private bathroom
• Sofa/couch
• Vanity seating area

The reason balcony cabins are so popular is because they have the best mix of price and comfort.

You have outside views and access to the outdoors without feeling like you're overspending.  Usually the price difference between an inside to a balcony is a reasonable cost.

Plus, a balcony feels like a major jump in experience from an inside room. Many cruisers swear by staying in a balcony because it adds just enough of a difference to make their room feel less insular, while also adding natural light to enhance it all.

Balcony cabins are especially attractive to first-time cruisers because it's the "goldilocks" cabin. 

What makes a Junior Suite different

The real selling point to a Junior Suite is how much more space you get compared to a balcony room.

The exact size depends on the ship, but you'll quickly notice how much larger these cabins feel. The living area is enormous, and there's a walk-in closet too.

The balcony in a Junior Suite tends to be larger than a standard balcony.

Another important reason some people prefer a Junior Suite is the fact it has a full tub instead of a shower. Lower category staterooms on Royal Caribbean ships have a stand-up shower only.

Another equally important Junior Suite perk are the benefits that come with this room.

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra Crown & Anchor point per night, which allows you to reach higher loyalty tiers faster. This is a major reason cruisers will book a category JS room.

You'll also get priority boarding in the cruise terminal, which means you can board with the suite guests.

Space permitting, you'll be able to dine at Coastal Kitchen on Oasis, Icon, and Quantum ships. This is a bonus complimentary restaurant that is exclusive to suite guests.

It's important to remember that despite its name, a Junior Suite isn't a real suite in terms of benefits.  Unless you book a Sky Junior Suite, you don't get the full suite benefits, including:

• No Royal Genie
• No access to the Suite Concierge
• No included W-iFi
• No included drink package
• No suite lounge access
• Breakfast and lunch at Coastal Kitchen are not included

When paying extra for a Junior Suite is absolutely worth it

The longer the sailing, the better the argument to move up to a Junior Suite.

On short cruises, you're going to be likely busy trying to squeeze in as much fun as you can, and so time spent in the stateroom is going to be limited.

On longer cruises, you'll probably spend more time in your room. This is especially true of transatlantic crossings. 

A lot of cruisers will say they move up to a Junior Suite on especially scenic itineraries, such as in Europe or Alaska.

I also think a Junior Suite is helpful when you're sharing a room with more than 2 people.  If you have kids, the extra living space will feel amazing.

Personally, I tend to splurge for a Junior Suites on older ships because the price isn't usually as much. Junior Suites can feel dramatically more comfortable on older ships.

Lastly, if you are prioritizing chasing higher cruise line loyalty, then a Junior Suite makes sense.

When a balcony cabin is the better choice

By default, a balcony is going to be the more economical choice.  So being on a budget may make this the defacto choice.

If your cruising style is that you tend to be out and about and barely use your room other than for showering, sleeping, and changing, then a balcony makes more sense.

You could also make a good argument to take the money needed to upgrade to a Junior Suite and spend it on something else to enhance your cruise, such as a drink package, shore excursion, or specialty dining. If upgrading means sacrificing excursions or drink packages, I'd keep the balcony cabin.

If I had the choice of one of those add-ons or a better room, I'd probably lean towards the add-ons because they can have a major impact in how you enjoy your trip.

One of the top regrets people have about a Junior Suite is not understanding these rooms don't have full suite benefits.

It's a common source of disappointment that despite the name, a Junior Suite isn't actually a real suite. So not having access to the Suite Lounge or other suite perks leads some to wish they hadn't booked one.

My advice after trying both

Balcony cabins are almost always going to be the better value, so it's a question of how much more a Junior Suite will cost.

It's also a question of your own personal needs: extra space, extra loyalty points, and your cruising style.  Some people will deem a Junior Suite far more necessary.

Anytime I've ever booked a Junior Suite, it's been because the price was nominally more than a balcony.  For me, that's a couple hundred dollars at the most more.

I love how much bigger a Junior Suite feels, and the extra Crown & Anchor points are a great perk, but I won't pay top dollar for it either.

I consider Junior Suites an "opportunistic splurge". If I want to celebrate a special occasion, or simply book something nicer, I'll go with a full suite.

I don't think I've ever regretted booking a balcony. The extra space in a Junior Suite matters more than most cruisers expect. But if upgrading means sacrificing excursions or drink packages, I'd keep the balcony cabin.

Happy Mothers Day! All the moms out there deserve a big hug, thank you, and hopefully a new cruise booking too.

Anyone cruising to The Bahamas on May 12 won't be able to have any alcohol, even at Royal Caribbean's private island.

Because of a Bahamian law that suspends liquor sales on election day, any "intoxicating liquor" isn't allowed to be served in the country on that day.

This includes both the Royal Beach Club and even Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean News

• No Royal Caribbean cruise ships will visit its private island this week
• Royal Caribbean just rebranded Air2Sea
• New Royal Caribbean casino $100 booking fee sparked a debate among cruisers
• 5 things I always do at the buffet to make my meal better every time.
• Royal Caribbean has more limits than most cruisers realize. Here are the biggest ones
• I went to Royal Caribbean's two best beach clubs in one weekend. One is worth your money more
• What to know before trying Star Class
• What Royal Caribbean is getting right on its ships this year
• Royal Caribbean asked cruisers for their best tips and here are the best ones

New RCB Video: I Tried A $11,000 Cruise Ship Suite

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 $11,000 Cruise Ship Suite—don’t forget to subscribe to our channel!

First look at Royal Caribbean's new beach club

Royal Beach Club Santorini is open, and we have a full review of what you can expect.

Leon from Loyal To Royal was among the first visitors, and discovered what this new shore excursion offers guests.

Unlike the club in The Bahamas, this one offers scenic tours along with a beach day.

I spent $170 on Amazon products for my cruise. Three were worth it

There are lots of products on Amazon marketed as for a cruise, but are they actually useful?

Matt bought 10 of them to try on his recent Utopia of the Seas cruise, and discovered three gems among the bunch.

In fact, the three he bought and loved are now part of his "must-pack for every cruise" list.

I sailed on one of the oldest and smallest Royal Caribbean and Carnival ships. I'd only book one again

How does an old Royal Caribbean ship compare to an old Carnival ship?

Elizabeth went on Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation, and it's clear each ship has a different take on what you can expect.

Both ships are 28 years old and offer a different way to cruise compared to today's newest vessels.

7 things nobody warns you about before an Alaska cruise

Real talk: everyone sells you on the beauty of an Alaska cruise, but there are a few truths you should know about this kind of a sailing.

They won’t tell you that one itinerary is preferred over another, or that you can save money with a few hidden tricks.

Some of these things could help sway your choice in which itinerary to choose.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 607th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available! 

Now that we know the approximate capacity of the Discovery Class ships, Matt shares what this means for when they launch.

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