I thought I knew what to expect from a cruise, but trying an ultra-luxury cruise completely changed my perspective.

I had cruised with Royal Caribbean for 20 years before I tried my first two Silversea sailings, and the experience surprised me more than I expected.

While I had been on Celebrity Cruises, which is a premium cruise line, the experience on Silversea was completely different than anything I had ever had done before.  The approach to cruising on a luxury line is fundamentally different.

I've sailed on Silver Dawn and Silver Ray, with the Ray being the newest ship in the Silversea fleet.  Both ships offer the latest innovations and options you'll find on this brand, and it opened my eyes in a few ways to how different the experience could be from what I was used to on Royal Caribbean.

Thanks to status matching and the ability to earn loyalty points anyway you like, the opportunity to try one of the other lines within the Royal Caribbean Group family is more enticing than ever.  

After spending almost three weeks on Silversea ships, here's what surprised me the most about the experience.

The dress code has been greatly relaxed

Before I stepped foot on a Silversea ship, I knew they had a much more stringent dress code than Royal Caribbean ever had.

However, they have revised their dress code twice and each time it's been relaxed to be less stringent.

As of June 1, after 6pm guests can wear nice jeans (think dark wash, no holes).  Jackets for men are optional every night, even on formal night. You can even wear anything not a proper tennis shoe to dinner.

The idea is it aligns more with a country club feel, and feels less stuffy.  

As a Royal Caribbean cruiser, these are welcome changes. It gives me more options in how to dress up for dinner, and lowers the barrier to trying it. Plus, I think it reflects what society expects.  Even on an ultra-luxury cruise, the reality is "nice jeans" are quite prevalent in how people dress today.

Your loyalty status isn't as important when everything is included

On Royal Caribbean, your loyalty level includes so many perks, but it's far less important on Silversea.

Your Seapass card doesn't have any indication if it's your first Silversea cruise or your fiftieth.  

On the one hand, there's far less included with the Venetian Society. But on the other hand, so much more is included in the cruise fare on Silversea compared to Royal Caribbean.

One major benefit I was glad to have was complimentary laundry as part of my status matching.

Silversea ships have self-service laundry machines, but they cost money and you have to do it yourself.  Because I matched my Pinnacle Club status from Royal Caribbean, I was eligible for as much free dry cleaning as I liked.

This one perk was so helpful so I didn't have to pack as much and could re-use clothing.

The S.A.L.T. program blew me away with how much I loved it

One differentiating factor for Silversea is it's local culinary program.

S.A.L.T. stands for Sea And Land Taste, and both of my ships have a kitchen, bar, and even a restaurant based on this program.

The idea is you can access foods and drinks from the areas your ship visits.  Depending on your itinerary and ports of call you make, the food offerings change.

In Norway, we made venison and a berry compote, but in Spain we made paella. 

On both of my cruises, my preferred evening hang out spot was in the S.A.L.T. Bar because this is where the best mixologists on the ship were located. 

Plus, Silversea added a guitarist while I was on the Ray and it added a much needed form of evening entertainment.

It's a simple concept, but it really makes a difference in how it elevated the total experience and made me feel more connected to the places we were visiting.

Passengers were so willing to include me in their groups

I cruised solo on both my sailings, but I was openly welcomed by other passengers at events and on tours.

I don't expect anything, but I was pleasantly surprised how friendly everyone was.  Perhaps I assumed there might be a stuffy attitude given the luxury cruise status, but it was completely the opposite.

At bars, I struck up conversations with other guests and quickly made new friends.

During a tour, I was invited to sit with one family that quickly became friendly with me.  We ended up touring other cities together, part of the trivia team, and even had dinner a few times.

You can meet fun people on Royal Caribbean ships too, but because of the intimate nature of the ship, it felt easier to make friends too.

There's a learning curve to the butler

Every cabin on Silversea is a suite, and every suite comes with a butler. Admittedly, it's not easy to fully understand what they can do for you.

The butler will introduce themselves to you as soon as you get to your cabin, and while most of their services are fairly obvious, there are a variety of other things butlers can do that are unadvertised.

For example, your butler can unpack all of your luggage for you and then pack it all back again at the end of the cruise.  Many of my fellow passengers had no idea this was a thing, and a few thought it was too weird to have them handle their garments.  Personally, I loved this option!

The butler can also draw a bath for you.  This sounded strange, but after trying it on Silver Dawn, I really enjoyed it.  

Other things my butler was able to do was clean my shoes, deliver fresh popcorn to my room, and even stock my fridge with Dr. Pepper (a soda that I couldn't get elsewhere on the ship).

Learning what the butler can do is part trial and error, and part hearing how other passengers use them.

There are still extra cost restaurants

Despite the fact Silversea is an all-inclusive cruise line, there are a few restaurants that cost extra.

On both ships, the sushi and French restaurants required reservations and had an extra cost to dine there.

Like on Royal Caribbean ships, you can easily subside on the included dining. But if you wanted to splurge, the option is there.

It's a bit surprising that extra cost food exists on Silversea, and they aren't cheap either.

I ate at both Kaiseki and La Dame to try them out.  I liked each for different reasons, but I was quite content with the included places.

There's no app

Silversea doesn't have an app, and that's actually not a problem.

Instead, there's a website you can access via your phone for the daily activities and various messaging options.  But it is strange to travel anywhere and not have an app.

Check-in is perhaps a bit more convoluted than Royal Caribbean's, but it's basic and it works. Moreover, they don't need a fancy app for check-in because you're only competing with a few hundred passengers instead of thousands.

Nonetheless, I was a bit surprised when I went to look for an app and didn't find one.

The food selections are impressive everywhere

If there's one thing Silversea does so much better than Royal Caribbean, it's their food onboard.

From the quality, to the selections, to what's included, everything is a notable step up.  Frankly, I expected this to be the case considering an ultra-luxury cruise should offer higher quality.

You'll notice it immediately when you have embarkation day lunch at the ship's buffet.  You are escorted to your chair, offered to have the daily fresh cooked pasta brought to you, and then navigate a buffet that includes sashimi, shellfish, filet mignon, and more.

Room service has filet mignon as a standard option on the menu to be delivered to your room anytime of day. 

Each of the included restaurants has a wide menu, and the cafes have giant cakes that look as good as they taste.

If you're used to Royal Caribbean's great food, you'll love Silversea's even more.

Crew members go to great lengths to be helpful

I'm constantly amazed how dedicated and resourceful crew members are on any ship I've sailed, and that includes Silversea.

Because Silversea has such a high guest-to-crew member ratio, you will rarely ever have to wait for one to assist.  And they are extremely eager to help you in anyway they can.

Many of them learned my name quite quickly, along with my last order. It really felt like I was in the TV show, "Cheers!" when I walked into various venues by the second or third day, because everyone knew my name.

There are no lines

Good luck finding a crowd, let a lone a line, on Silversea.

Across two cruises, the only time I encountered a line was when we had an itinerary change and suddenly everyone wanted to rebook their tours.

It was refreshing how there was no wait for elevators, nor were there crowds when embarking or disembarking the ship.

While I expected the ship to feel less crowded than Royal Caribbean, I did not expect it to be as uncrowded as it was.

I was invited to dine with the Captain

While on Silver Ray, I received an invitation to dine with the ship's Captain for one evening in the their Main Dining Room.

In all my years of cruising, I've never been invited to dine with the Captain in the Main Dining Room, and it was quite a treat.

Initially, I was worried it would be awkward to carry the conversation for an entire meal with someone I've never met. That proved to be anything but a problem.

Captain Giovani Schiaffino has clearly perfected the art of talking, because he had something to say every minute. I barely got to say anything!

It was so much fun, and a real treat to experience.  I noticed he had other guests dining with him every night at his table, which is a nice touch.

Many suites on the new ships don't have a tub

When I walked into my suite on Silver Ray, I did a double-take when I realized there was a shower instead of a tub.

This didn't bother me, but I was a bit astonished there wasn't one because tubs seem to be synonymous with luxury.

I spoke to the Hotel Director, and she mentioned anecdotally a lot of passengers prefer a shower because it's easier to get in and out.  Considering the average age of a Silversea cruise is older than Royal Caribbean, that kind of makes sense.

Don't worry, the higher tier suites have tubs. It was just my entry-level suite that didn't have one. 

We wanted to celebrate my wife's birthday with our friends and their families, but I didn't want to end up overwhelmed with too much togetherness.  That's why we opted for a cruise instead of a land vacation somewhere.

We would be traveling with an empty nest family, family with kids older than ours, and even one of our friends brought their senior citizen parents. It was a wide range of ages, each with their own food and activity preferences.

I knew we needed something with plenty of dining, activities, and entertainment options. An Alaska cruise was the obvious choice.

We worked with the same travel agent to get us booked on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas.

To our delight, the trip was so much fun because we got to vacation together without overdoing how much time we spent together.

We shared what we were doing in a group chat without expectations

We started a group chat as a way to plan our cruise, but once onboard, it became our "hey, this is what I'm up to if anyone wants to join" messaging center.

There's always a few things going on at any given time while on a Royal Caribbean ship. Trivia, entertainers performing, pools, and the casino are just a few examples.

If one of us was headed to do something, we'd post where we were headed. I never expected anyone to join, but sometimes I'd get a person or two. And sometimes the entire group would show up.

We met up each evening for dinner, then, depending on the entertainment, either stayed together or went in different directions.

Leveraging a group chat was an easy way to always stay in contact.  But a mutual understanding of family time versus group time was also important.

The teens made friends, but we enforced family time

Each family we were traveling with had kids of various ages, but they all were tweens and teens.  As such, they expect a fair amount of independence.

I've cruised long enough to know it's important to give your teens roaming privileges, but also made sure they were back with us for certain activities or meals.

At the very least, dinner every night is a must-do for all of us together.  They're expected to not only dine with us, but be dressed and on time for it.  

Certainly we did all of our shore excursions together, but we also picked a few activities during our cruise that we wanted everyone present. Any good parent can also wield guilt to compel their kids to join in an "optional" trivia or other event.

All of things included on a cruise made it so much easier

Whenever we take land vacations, it seems my wallet is constantly open. From paying for meals and snacks to coughing up credit cards for activities, family fun comes at a steep cost.

On a cruise, much of the food and beverages are included. This includes pools, activities, entertainment, ice cream, pizza, and more.  It means my kids can indulge without it hurting my bottom line.

The fact my kids have their Diamond drink vouchers is a huge value because they can enjoy mocktails and Frappuccinos without it costing me anything. 

We planned some excursions together, but met up in port

The focus of an Alaska cruise is what we do on land, so excursions were very important.

Prior to the cruise, we booked tours and shared our plans.  In Ketchikan, we all booked the same wildlife and waterfall tour. It worked out really well because they put our group in one van, so it felt like a private tour.

In Sitka, part of our group went out on a small marine wildlife tour. I tried to invite more of the group, but the boat was limited in capacity.

We all met up after our tours concluded in Juneau before heading back to the ship.

Just like the ship, we kept things open but without expectations.

We could find places to spread out if we wanted alone time

Even if a trip with friends goes exceedingly well, you're going to want alone time at some point.

Aside from our balcony room, a cruise ship offers lounges, open decks, restaurants, and seating just about everywhere that we could find a place to getaway.

I spent my mornings working at the internet cafe on deck 7 because it allowed me to work and take calls without disturbing my wife in the room.  Moreover, there are comfortable office chairs that were far better than any lounge chair.

Anyone that wanted to find space could find it, which wouldn't be the case if we all rented an Airbnb.

Avoiding feeling "attached at the hip" made this trip a success

During our weeklong adventure, there was enough to keep us all entertained without the issue of feeling like were on top of each other.

There's a fine line between together time and "I need a break", and a cruise works very well to balance this.

We enjoyed our time at sea so much, we're doing it again for New Years Eve with the same families.  I think it will be an even better experience considering we nailed the winning vacation formula to cruise with friends and family.

You can now get Royal Caribbean's first class Royal Genie service on any ship, if you're willing to pay for it.

The Royal Genie is now available on all ships, even its oldest and smallest ships.

Up until recently, you could only get a Genie if you booked a Star Class suite on its newest ships, such as the Icon, Oasis, and Quantum Class ships.  But the company decided to expand the offering to other ships. Over the past year, more ships have gotten the option to purchase a Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie Package is now available across Freedom, Radiance, Voyager, and Vision Class ships globally.

Here's what you get if you're willing to pay the $300 per guest, per day fee to have a Royal Genie.

What's included with the Royal Genie service

Pricing is dynamic based on sailing, ship, and date, but the starting price for a Royal Genie is $300 per person, per day (kids are $200 per day). All guests in the cabin must purchase it if one person buys it.

Having a genie means having VIP services everywhere onboard. Think of it like having practically everything included on the ship, and front-of-the-line access. 

It includes:

• Royal Genie Services: Arranges prime entertainment seating reservations, manages dining and activities reservations, coordinates luxury shopping onboard, plans special celebrations, handles special requests and much more 
• Deluxe Beverage Package (for all guests of legal drinking age)
• Refreshment Package (for all guests below legal drinking age)
• Complimentary Star Class Dining Benefit including à la carte dining and special holiday dinners (Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31, and Valentine’s Dinner)
  The following dining options are excluded from the Star Class Dining benefit:
  • Food items from Starbucks
  • Signature Cuts at Chops Grille (where available)
  • Hibachi (where available) - $15 surcharge
  • Chef’s Table - $50 surcharge
  • Due to space limitations, culinary classes are not included in these amenities, except for SIP-TOUR-BRUNCH                  
  • Playmakers' food is included. The following Playmakers conditions apply:
    • Playmakers Touchdown Sundae, which is a souvenir item, and therefore is available to purchase.
    •  Playmakers Owners Box is a reserved space and of a chargeable nature. Royal Genie Package guests will get priority to reserve the space.          
• Complimentary Room Service 
• VOOM — Powered by Starlink internet, 1 Device per guest in the reservation 
• Complimentary Stateroom Mini Bar Beverages (Coca-Cola canned products) 
• Still & Sparkling Water Bottle Delivery 
• Complimentary Starbucks Beverages 
• VIP Luggage Service (Arrival & Departure) 
• VIP Welcome Food & Beverage Amenity 
• Suite Lounge Access 
• Complimentary Ice Cream at Sugar Beach 
• Reserved Seating in the Main Theater 
• Designated time to FlowRider, Rock Climbing Wall & Ice Skating
• Complimentary Stateroom Movies 
• Malin+Goetz Bath Amenities
• Complimentary Pressing Services
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities

You do not need to booked in a suite to buy the genie service on its older ships. You could be in an inside room and buy the Royal Genie package.

There's no change to how genies are offered on the Icon, Oasis, or Quantum Class ships.

The Royal Genie Package is available for purchase after you book when you access My Royal Cruise and is not for sale onboard. 

Royal Genie Package is non-refundable, both pre-cruise and onboard.

I tried the Royal Genie service. You feel like a VIP, but the in-room options are limited

When Royal Caribbean first began offering Royal Genie's on more ships, I jumped at the opportunity.

I booked it for my family while sailing on Independence of the Seas in Europe. I was curious would the new service measure up to how good the Genie service has been in Star Class suites.

All of the genies are trained in the same way, so there's no "second-class" experience just because you're not sailing in Star Class. Just like other genies, Royal Caribbean recruits genies from exceptional guest service and suite concierge crew members already working in the fleet.

My genie met us on embarkation day and from that point forward, we waited for nothing and anything we needed was a WhatsApp message away.

We could have specialty restaurants deliver food to the room, or get any dining reservation we wanted.

When our ship was late docking in Rotterdam, our genie escorted us past the line of guests waiting to disembark the ship and we walked off first.

The only downside is since you're (probably) not in a suite, the in-cabin benefits of a genie are limited.

When I've had a genie in Star Class, it comes with opulent suites with lots of space so I can enjoy a dining room area, living room, and sprawling balcony.

In smaller cabins, it limits how you can maximize the genie's services.  

I ordered sushi to to the room, but we had to eat it on our laps on the balcony instead of at a table.  It's little nuances like that which could be an issue for some people.

And yes, it's not inexpensive.  For my family of four over eight nights, it cost me $9,600 in total.

While pricey, it's not aimed at every cruiser. It's something Royal Caribbean wants to offer to a more discerning customer that values service above everything else.

I loved having a genie, and think it's the kind of splurge someone that wants to go all-out for a fun over-the-top vacation might buy. 

There are Royal Caribbean ships sailing around the world every day, collecting information that has nothing to do with your vacation.

While you're enjoying a cocktail by the pool or watching a Broadway show, specialized instruments mounted on the ship are measuring ocean temperatures, carbon dioxide levels, weather conditions, and other environmental data that scientists around the world use to better understand Earth's oceans.

It's all part of a program called, OceanScope, which was highlighted as part of Royal Caribbean Group's community impact report.

They've collected data across more than 3 million nautical miles over the last two decades.

Here's how your next cruise vacation may be contributing to ocean science.

What is OceanScope?

Started in 2002, this marine research endeavor is a partnership with:

• The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric and Earth Science
• National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• NASA 

These groups can leverage decades of open-source data to better understand what's happening in the world's oceans.

Sensors are installed aboard four Royal Caribbean Group ships.  As these vessels sail around the world, they automatically collect environmental measurements.

Explorer of the Seas became the first test-bed cruise ship to be outfitted with the instrumentation.

Currently, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Celebrity's Flora and Celebrity Equinox are providing real-time data to scientists as part of OceanScope. Celebrity's Flora joined the program in the summer of 2019.

The ship is essentially acting as a moving research station. The data collected is shared with researchers around the world.

Why cruise ships are perfect for this job

Cruise ships are the ideal research platform because of how much real-world data they have access to.

Cruise ships sail year-round, and don't take any time off between sailings. They often sail the same routes repeatedly, offering the chance to revisit and compare data.

Plus, cruise ships can visit remote areas and operate in all kinds of weather.

That consistency gives researchers long-term datasets that would otherwise be expensive to collect.

Dr. Peter Ortner founded OceanScope, and he says cruise ships are unique in that they can track ocean currents and weather patterns along each route.

What cruise ships measure

Ships equipped can track these things:

• ocean temperature
• atmospheric conditions
• ocean currents
• carbon dioxide
• weather observations

Tracking carbon dioxide in seawater helps researchers understand ocean acidification in the Caribbean.

Seminars are held on a Celebrity ship

Guests on Celebrity Equinox have had the opportunity to hear about this program first-hand.

Celebrity invited OceanScope founder Dr. Peter Ortner aboard Celebrity Equinox to give presentations explaining the program.

The motivation is to help guests better understand what data is being collected, and why it's so helpful to researchers.

Part of a larger effort

I think OceanScope is an interesting and unheralded work that Royal Caribbean Group does in tandem with their vacations.

Most people on a ship are there for a fun time, not realizing the vessel may also be quietly collecting scientific information that helps researchers better understand the oceans it sails through.

The company is doing much more to support the world's oceans, including coral restoration, sea turtle research, Galápagos conservation, beach cleanups, and more.

It's a good reminder that while cruise ships are floating resorts, they also contribute to research long after passengers have returned home.

One of my all-time favorite cruises are Alaska itineraries, and there are a handful of things I'd recommend everyone bring.

I just took my third Alaska cruise, and have spent years researching and recommending to my readers how to plan the perfect Alaska trip.

While I have my own Alaska cruise packing list, I wanted to share the most important things to buy that go beyond any other kind of cruise. These are the essentials that could easily make your trip so much better.

After trying these items out again on my last cruise, here's what you ought to put at the top of your packing list.

Sunglasses

If there's one thing you won't think to bring to Alaska, it's a good pair of polarized sunglasses because you're not anticipating how sunny it will be.

On our Alaska cruise, it was sunny every day.  In fact, we barely had any rain at all.  While the weather for your cruise might not be as good as mine, it's still worth preparing yourself for the sun.

Trust me, you don't want to be left without them and squinting your way through your day. And those cheaply made souvenir sunglasses in various gift ships are always overpriced.

My two favorite brands of inexpensive, yet good quality sunglasses, are Knockarounds and Blenders. They look good, last a long time, and it's not the end of the world if you lose them.

Make sure you get polarized lenses to cut down glare from the water.

Two warm layers

Here's where overpacking comes into play: the clothes you need to keep you warm.

I recommend packing two (three at the most) warm layers to swap between during your cruise.  You can re-use them, so you definitely do not need to pack one for every day of your cruise.

My all-time favorite that I still bring is an L.L.Bean Quilted Sweatshirt.  They don't make it anymore, but you can find similar products that offer a full zip to help regulate how warm or cold you want to be.

I also bring a heavy duty flanel-lined hooded sweatshirt. 

Alternate between the two, or layer them on top of each on glacier day.  Trust me, you don't need to waste the space (or money) on a parka jacket.

A lightweight, hooded waterproof jacket

Since it will probably rain at some point during your cruise, I'd recommend a lightweight rain jacket that is easy to put on anytime you need it.

I've been hauling around this one from Columbia for a few years and it's perfect for Alaska. It's not heavy, so it can go on top of my fleece or just a t-shirt if it's warm outside.

It has a built-in hood so I can wear it when it's drizzling or during a heavy downpour.  

Avoid the rubber rain jackets that are difficult to fold or pack.

Binoculars

Probably any Alaska cruise article you read recommends binoculars, and for good reason.

I thought I didn't need them when I went to Alaska, but the truth is they're very useful. On the day you're sailing into a fjord to visit a glacier, there is so much to see around you and binoculars are essential.

While you can observe a lot with your naked eye, binoculars really make a difference. This is especially true with kids, because younger ones have a hard time focusing on what you're trying to show them.

Regardless of age, there's a curiosity factor too.  Spotting seals, eagles, or a piece of wood that looks like a bear, having binoculars will really help enjoy all that's around you.

Royal Caribbean sells binoculars on their ships, but you're going to overpay for them.   

Vortex binoculars are a great brand that won't cost you a ton, but you don't have to worry about them being too cheap either.

Knit hat and gloves

I threw a knit hat and gloves into my suitcase at the last minute, but I was really glad I did once we arrived at Dawes Glacier.

It was warm enough in the other ports that these weren't necessary, but between the colder temperatures and wind inside Endicott Arm fjord, it got downright chilly.

I'd recommend a knit hat to keep your head warm and retain more heat. I don't know that ear muffs are necessary, but if you're going to be on the helipad all morning, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Slim gloves are also a good idea, but make sure you get ones that work with touch screens. You're going to be using your phone to take a lot of photos, so you want gloves that will work won't require you to take them on and off.

Comfortable water-resistant shoes

I brought water-resistant shoes to Alaska, but they were so uncomfortable I threw them away instead of bringing them home.

I don't think you need to buy waterproof shoes unless you plan to go hiking in the woods. Water-resistant shoes are good enough for dealing with rain.

Once you buy them, wear them around your hometown to break them in. Don't let them sit in the closet until your Alaska cruise approaches.

Seasickness medication

Better to be safe than sorry, I always bring seasickness meds with me on every cruise I take.

Buy a non-drowsy option, like Bonine, and take it as soon as you start to feel a little off.

Even when sailing the Inside Passage, it can get rocky. The chances of rough seas increase if you're cruising from Seattle or Anchorage.

Daypack

You will want to have an easy to carry, yet durable, backpack for when you venture into port.

Our backpack would hold rain jackets, cameras, a reusable water bottle, and the inevitable deluge of souvenirs we'd pick up along the way.

Choose a daypack with a few compartments and ideally made from a water-resistant material. The two bags a lot of cruisers recommend: Waterfly bags or a Columbia nylon backpack. 

T-shirts

Seriously, you're going to wear more t-shirts than you think while in Alaska.

Your cruise ship will be warm enough that a t-shirt and pants is perfect, so you can plan on that as your base clothing choice.

Even in port, I'd wear a t-shirt underneath my fleece and/or rain jacket.  When the sun came out, I was glad to have had a t-shirt.

The opportunity to cruise to Alaska again was really exciting, but the travel required gave me pause.

I live on the east coast, so this trip meant I'd have to fly cross country for a 7-night Alaska cruise on Serenade of the Seas. I love any excuse to cruise, but that flying more than 6 hours each way isn't easy.

Anytime you travel more than 3-4 hours, there are new challenges that emerge.  There are fewer flight options, costs rise, and it becomes an all-day affair.

I think certain itineraries are worth the extra travel effort, especially an Alaska cruise.

So taking my own advice, I booked flights to Vancouver that worked out perfectly.

I think I made the most of this trip by doing a few things smartly.

I booked flights from an airport that had better options

In planning this trip, I wanted to prioritize the easiest and smoothest travel options.

Yes, this meant likely spending more than if I chose a less-convenient flight, but the last thing I want to do is try to save a few bucks in exchange for a longer and more arduous travel day.

Air travel is wonderful when everything goes the way it's supposed to, and to that point, I made sure to book flights that would have the best chances of doing just that.

For my flight from New York City to Vancouver, I booked the earliest flight I could of the day. I prioritized booking the first flight available to avoid a potential problem.

Summer air travel is when thunderstorms and other severe weather typically starts up later in the day. Departing in the morning reduces the chance there will be storms or even turbulence.

Another smart decision I made was to book a hotel at the airport for the night before I departed, because I had early flight.

I booked the Courtyard by Marriott Newark Airport so I wasn't in a rush to make it to Newark, and then enjoy more sleep the day of flying.

Early morning flights are great for on-time performance, but it's never easy to get going and then power through a day with less than normal sleep.

Something else I'm glad I did was I prioritized booking a direct flight over taking a cheaper connecting flight. 

Reducing flight time means less time traveling, and I can get to Vancouver quicker and start enjoying the fun part of the trip.

For my return flight, I picked a noon flight so I had plenty of time to disembark the ship, get to the airport, and get through security without worrying about being able to make my flight. Alternatively, I avoided a late afternoon flight so I wouldn't be sitting around the airport all day.

Friends on my cruise took red-eye flights home, but when I landed back in Newark, I was so glad I was done traveling.

Booking the right flights removes a lot of travel anxiety

After flying to Europe multiple times and now Alaska, it's clear making travel day as easy as possible really makes a difference in enjoying your cruise.

I want to get to the ship and start the fun, not spend more time stuck on an airplane or airport. To that point, I look for the best flight options that minimize how long it takes to get from my home to the ship, and then back again.

In the case of these flights, I booked economy seats to help reduce the cost, because the direct flights were more expensive. I'd rather be in less glamorous seats if it means a quicker trip.

Less connections means less complications, and ultimately, I want my journey back and forth to be as effortless as possible. The last thing I want to do is have a travel disaster ruin the cruise before it begins.

Even seasoned fliers can get rattled when things don't go as expected, so I look for direct flights at optimal times to make things as easy as I can for myself.

I'm glad I went, but it helped things went well

I'm happy to say my flight plans worked about as well as I could have hoped, and I'm glad I made the trip across North America for it.

First and foremost, I had good weather the entire trip (including my travel days).

There was rain on the day I arrived in Vancouver, but it cleared out by the time I landed there. 

The weather in each of my departure cities was clear of any bad weather, making for on time departures from both.

Having on time flights makes any trip seem quite successful, so avoiding afternoon flights in the summer is a good strategy.

I'm glad I flew cross-country in order to get back to Alaska on Serenade of the Seas. But it greatly helps if you can maximize your trip with smart decisions (and a little luck) along the way.

Happy Sunday! I would like to wish all the dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! Hope you get to have a relaxing and fun-filled day with your family!

Legend of the Seas is on its way and almost ready to welcome passengers onboard.

The brand new cruise ship departed its shipyard in Finland, and is headed to make final preparations.

Similar to a new house, Royal Caribbean needs to provision the ship now.

Royal Caribbean News

• Video shows new Royal Caribbean cruise ship barely squeezing under bridge
• A Royal Caribbean guest called their suite "scam" and a "nightmare"
• Man allegedly admits to photographing up passenger's dress on cruise
• 8% off Royal Caribbean gift cards (but beware the fine print)
• US-Iran deal is good news for cruise lines
• 6 things I learned when I sailed solo for the first time on a cruise
• 8 beverage package mistakes I always see people make
• I paid $3400 for a balcony on an Alaska cruise. It lacked privacy, but was much larger than normal
• 7 things I wish I knew before cruising to Alaska
• Conrad Hilton Fort Lauderdale hotel review

New RCB Video: 7 Days In A CONTROVERSIAL Balcony With NO PRIVACY

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 — 7 Days In A CONTROVERSIAL Balcony With NO PRIVACY — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

"Serious dangers": US travel warning for popular cruise port

The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to tourists in The Bahamas, including the islands cruise ships visit.

The new warning claims "serious dangers" associated with renting certain small water craft because of reported attacks against women.

It's an important reminder to be extra cautious about where you rent them from, if at all.

I tried another Alaska cruise after 4 years

I went back to Alaska for the first time in many years, and while the time change was frustrating, the experience was so worth it.

Alaska is one of those places you have to see to believe, and going back was better than even I expected.

Sailing from Vancouver, this 7-night cruise took us to four different ports and each had something special to see.

Royal Caribbean will let suite guests bring friends into its exclusive restaurant

A new change means suite guests can bring friends into their exclusive restaurant.

Royal Caribbean has changed its policy to allow suite guests to pay to bring non-suite guests into Coastal Kitchen.

There's a fee to bring guests, depending on which meal it is.

4 Disappointing Royal Caribbean balcony cabins that you might regret booking

Balcony cabins are the most popular stateroom category, but some rooms aren't as good as others.

Certain balcony rooms have blocked views, noise problems, or something else you might not like.

Consider this a warning so you don't end up disappointed later.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 613th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available with small tweaks to how you cruise.

There are a handful of ships Matt hasn't been on in a few years and would rather go back on sooner than others. 

Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! 

I'd estimate I've purchased a Royal Caribbean unlimited drink package at least 30 times, so I've gotten a lot of practice in maximizing it all.

Cruise drink packages are expensive, but they offer a way budget easily for all the beers, cocktails, sodas, and bottled water onboard while adding significant convenience.

I also believe drink packages are among the most popular add-ons people buy for a Royal Caribbean cruise.  Getting the lowest price and getting the most out of them are probably the most common questions I get from our readers.

When you consider buying the Deluxe Beverage Package for two people on a 7-day cruise can easily cost over $1,000, it should come as no surprise how quickly questions of "is it worth it?" pop up.

The key to understanding the value of a drink package is in how you use it, and unfortunately too many people overspend and misuse their beverage packages.

Here are some of the biggest mistakes people make when they buy a Royal Caribbean drink package.

Buying drink packages on the ship

If you wait to buy a drink package until you're on your ship, you're going to significantly overpay.

The absolute highest price for a drink package is when you buy it onboard because the onboard prices start high, and only offer a BOGO discount to help subsidize the second person's cost.

What you should be doing instead is pre-purchasing the drink package before the cruise begins.

No matter when you buy it before the sailing, the cost of a drink package will always be cheaper if you buy it prior to getting onboard. This is because Royal Caribbean runs a lot of pre-cruise sales that deeply discount the cost.

If you're skeptical why the price would be cheaper before you're on the ship, it's because Royal Caribbean executives want you buying things online. Every pre-cruise dollar spent will usually generate 50% more onboard revenue for that customer later.  It's a psychology thing within marketing.

The bottom line is don't wait to buy a drink package on the ship, because it's going to cost you hundreds of dollars more.

Waiting too long for a sale to buy a drink package

Now that you know not to wait to buy a drink package on the ship, you also don't want to wait to lock in a price.

Even though some people know to pre-buy a drink package, they try to time a sale and this results in them spending more than they expected.

If you know you want to get a drink package, go ahead and pre-purchase now at whatever price you see.  The mistake is waiting for a lower sale price later.

The reason this is a mistake is sometimes the price never comes down, and actually goes up.

I've seen a lot of people who read others got a lower price than them, so they wait to buy it.  And then the price never goes down, but actually increases.

You can cancel and re-price anything before the cruise begins.  Buying it now locks in your price, but allows you to take advantage of a price decrease later. You can cancel and rebook drink packages as many times as you like.

Ordering a drink without specifying the liquor

When you order your favorite cocktail on the ship, be sure to tell the bartender which liquor you want with it.

If you order a "martini", you're going to get well liquor.  This is the cheapest and lowest quality vodka available, but your drink package includes much higher shelf options.

What you want to do is ask for name brand liquors with any drink you order.

Most new cruisers are surprised to know their drink package includes brands like Jose Cuervo, Grey Goose, Captain Morgan, or Gentleman Jack.

It's just the super top shelf liquors that aren't included, and the bartender will usually warn you if you're trying to order something not included with a package.

Not taking advantage of all the other drinks you get

If you buy a Refreshment Package or the Deluxe Beverage Package, it's easy to focus just on the mocktails or cocktails, but the best way to make a drink package worth it is to take advantage of other drinks too.

Both of these packages include premium coffees and teas from Cafe Promenade, Pearl Cafe, or Cafe Lattetudes. These are the Starbucks-style drinks that would otherwise cost $5-8 each.

Plus, you can get sodas, Evian bottled water, energy drinks, and milkshakes.

The booze is probably why most people buy the unlimited alcohol package, but there's a lot more that get with it.  Not only can you get these other choices, but it makes it easier to break even on the daily cost.

Sharing drink package benefits with others

It's strictly forbidden to get someone a beverage who doesn't have a drink package with your package benefits.

The drink package benefits are only for the person that bought it, and sharing your drinks with someone else could result in having your drink package cancelled without a refund.

No matter how clever you think you are to cheat the drink package, the cruise line has seen it all before.

Not ordering bottled water with every drink order

My favorite inclusion with a drink package is bottled water, and I'll start stockpiling them in my stateroom for use later.

Even though the rules technically say you can only order one drink at a time with a beverage package, bartenders never seem to mind giving you a bottle of water along with your beer or cocktail.  This is because they want you to stay hydrated and not get sick.

Rather than ordering a bottle of water one at a time, start asking for a bottle with any drink order you make.  Bring those bottles back to your room, so you have them when you're thirsty in the middle of the night or want to take one off the ship for an excursion.

Missing out on the different drink menus around the ship

Did you know the drink menu is different depending on which bar you're at onboard?

While there is a fleetwide menu available on every ship, many specialty restaurants, lounges, and bars have their own special menu that has cocktails and mocktails you won't find anywhere else.

Royal Caribbean has undertaken a special mission of developing fun new drinks that go beyond the clichéd "boat drinks" people expect.

In addition to pina colada or daiquiri, some bars have toasted marshmallow old fashioned, painchiller, tequil-ya zombie, and much more.

Usually these cocktails are included with a drink package at no cost, so try them all!

A drink package includes gratuity, but I tip an extra dollar

It's not a mistake to rely purely on the included gratuity your drink package includes, but I've found you can get better service with a small tip each time you buy a drink.

Whenever I order a drink, I'll give the bartender an extra dollar bill. Why? Because I get better service with it.

This matters when you're at a crowded bar, because bartenders remember who tipped them and that translates to less waiting for a drink.

There's nothing wrong with not adopting my strategy, but I think it's a smart change to make.

My family of four and a group friends took a cruise to Alaska on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas, which took us to places like Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, and Dawes Glacier.

Even though I've taken two other cruises to Alaska, this was my first in over 4 years. Back then, there were still Covid rules in place.

I was far from a novice on this Alaska cruise, as I've not only been there a couple of times before, but also spent plenty of time researching.

Getting back to Alaska, I was far from a novice.  And yet, I was still surprised by a few important things on my cruise and they are lessons I think almost anyone else headed to Alaska would want to know about.

Here are seven things I didn't expect about the overall experience.

The impact of the World Cup made my vacation more expensive.

I booked my Alaska cruise two years ago, but had no idea back then that the World Cup would play a significant role in my travel plans.

It never crossed my mind, but just like trying to cruise from the same city the Super Bowl is hosted in, hotel and airfare prices will skyrocket.

My cruise departed from Vancouver, Canada, which was one of two Canadian cities selected to host the World Cup. The result was when it came time to book flights and hotel rooms, I paid much more than I expected.

I stayed in the Pan Pacific hotel because it's in the same building as the cruise terminal. At $600 per room, per night, it cost me much more than I expected.

It's a good idea to look at what events are happening in the city you're cruising from to see what kind of impact it might have on demand to get there.

Creek Street in Ketchikan is a tourist trap.

I'll say it: I was disappointed how much Ketchikan was a tourist trap, especially Creek Street.

Creek Street is the picturesque street you've likely seen lots of photos that looks like a throwback to gold rush Alaska. 

While it does look as cute in real life, there's not much here that you won't find everywhere else around town (or in other Alaska towns you visit).

I was disappointed this part of Ketchikan didn't have more to it than more of the same souvenirs you'll see elsewhere. To be fair, all the ports in Alaska are kind of like this. Haines remains the most authentic town that I've visited.

My advice is take your photo of Creek Street, but you can avoid the crowds trying to get into every store because there's not much beyond what you'd find elsewhere in town.

I was impressed by how much Alaskan food offered on my ship.

I'm so used to Royal Caribbean's food that almost anything different grabs my attention.  I was pleasantly surprised to see the ship's chef's leaning into Alaska cuisine as much as they did.

The Windjammer buffet had a variety of different dishes from both Alaska and Canada.  While none of it might be the most authentic version you'll ever have, I give them a lot of credit for trying.

There was an "Alaskan breakfast sandwich" every morning, which was the combination of French toast, bacon and eggs.  

My favorite was the Alaskan salmon chowder soup, which was essentially New England Clam chowder, but salmon substituted for the clams. Plus, they even served it in bread bowls on one afternoon!

The bagel station had Alaskan salmon, Alaskan baked fresh cod, and a giant hoagie sandwich. I don't think the sandwich is related to Alaska, but it was different!

There was even a poutine station on one day, which a number of Canadians onboard seemed impressed by.

I was also very happy to see Alaskan Brewing beers offered onboard, which offered a nice alternative to the usual beers you'd find on Royal Caribbean ships.

A lot of stores closed early, regardless of how late ships were in port

Our itinerary had us in port fairly late for most ports, and yet a lot of shops were closed by 5 or 6pm.

The cruise schedule is well-known by shop owners, so I was surprised how many were closed even though our ship was in port until 8 or 9pm.

This isn't like the hardware store in your hometown.  These are towns that literally make all of their revenue off cruise ship passengers during the cruise season.  So you would expect them to maximize every minute considering how short the season is.

In both Juneau and Ketchikan, a lot of places were closed by the time we got to the early evening. That limits shopping and dining opportunities, and it forces our hand to return to the ship earlier.

If I'm being honest, this phenomenon occurs in other ports I've visited around the world where ships stay late. But those are towns and cities that have year-round tourists, whereas Alaska is more limited, and that's why I was surprised.

Prince Rupert is a sleeper hit.

Due to US maritime law, all Royal Caribbean ships make at least one stop in Canada.  It might look like a technical requirement, but I was fairly impressed by Prince Rupert Island.

This is a quaint town, but it's perfect for walking around and enjoying some time outside.  

We lucked out with amazing weather, so it helped greatly that Canada's rainiest city had no rain.

There's a sunken garden that was perfect for a quick stop, a few different breweries, and lots of scenic walks along the water.

Our cruise focused on Alaska, but don't overlook your time in Canada as well.

You don't need a parka, but glacier day will be chilly.

It's easy to look at an Alaska cruise and fall into the trap of thinking you need clothes fit for the arctic.

It's still summer in Alaska, and I think you can ditch the parka or heavy jackets.

I packed three outer layers on my cruise: a fleece jacket, a heavy hoodie sweatshirt, and a light rain jacket. That's it.

I think that's more than sufficient for the outdoors in any of the ports, even with temperatures that barely exceed 60 degrees.

The one day where you might really get cold is on your glacier visit.  For this day, double or triple down on what you brought.

I wore my fleece and hoodie on top of each other and was warm enough to be outside for long periods. A knit hat and gloves really paid off on glacier day.

Buying disposable hand warmers would probably be a good idea. (Affiliate link that costs you nothing extra to use)

The reality is I don't think it will be as cold as you might think, and we were in t-shirts more often than even I expected.

Excursions are expensive, but you'll regret not doing more.

Alaska shore excursions are much more expensive than in the Caribbean, but you really should bite the bullet and book them anyway.

While you can easily walk around town on your own without spending extra, the best things to see and do require an organized tour to do properly.

I booked a private wildlife tour in Sitka that absolutely blew me away, with both what we saw and how personal the experience was.

Captain Patrick only takes small groups of 6-8 people out on his boat to the spots he knows there are almost always lots of wildlife.

We saw whales, sea otters, bald eagles, and sea lions, and he explained everything about Alaska along the way.  When we couldn't find humpback whales, he extended the tour at no cost to find them.

For most people, Alaska is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, so don't go cheap on the excursions.  Save more for the good ones that will take you to see and do things that are the top of your bucket list.