Royal Caribbean is planning to completely overhaul the port of Costa Maya in Mexico and that's gotten the attention of locals who have concerns.

Earlier this summer, the cruise line revealed plans to construct its biggest private destination yet. In fact, the footprint is as large as the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

The ambitious plans were received with astonishment from the public for all the fun activities, but some people are worried about the impact it will have on the area.

An online petition has collected over 200,000 signatures asking for the project to stop the project.

The creator of the petition claims Perfect Day Mexico will be restrictive and disruptive to the people and environment.

This project directly threatens our rights of access and use of the sea, beaches, and mangroves, our local identity, our way of life, our freedom to live here, and above all, the survival of unique and threatened ecosystems

Royal Caribbean defended its plans, and promises to be transparent and open as it moves forward with the project.

"Careful planning and open dialogue"

The petition caught the attention of Royal Caribbean, as they want to be as open about their plans as possible.

Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider issued a statement to Riviera Maya News that explains their approach and why their plans are not what's being characterized by the online petition.

According to the statement, the development will be "characterized by transparency and a profound respect for the local community and the environment."

It's true the cruise line bought the Port of Costa Maya in July, but it's merely the first step in a journey that will take many years, "Perfect Day Mexico is designed to generate a positive and lasting impact on the economy, the local community, and the environment."

Royal Caribbean is aware of the concerns locals have regarding the impact the project will have on the environment, local resources, and small businesses.

In response, Royal Caribbean said it has been meeting with stakeholders, "Since we recently took on responsibility for managing the port, we have worked closely with employees, local operators, and authorities to listen, identify, and understand their priorities. This collaborative approach ensures the creation of opportunities that benefit everyone."

Environment

In response to the strong concerns about how Perfect Day Mexico could be problematic to the ecosystem in the greater Mahahual area, Royal Caribbean pledged to do everything it can to protect it.

"As part of our ongoing environmental commitment, we will preserve 45 hectares of existing mangroves," the statement said.

Additionally, they promised to ensure natural water flow is not changed, "we will actively participate in restoring water flow throughout the ecosystem and work to reverse existing degradation in aquifer layers, allowing the mangroves to thrive in a healthy natural habitat."

Furthermore, Mr. Schneider stressed construction would not begin until environmental permits are secured and a community meeting has been held, "construction and renovation activities will only begin once we have obtained the necessary environmental permits from the competent authorities."

Another pledge Royal Caribbean has made is to Perfect Day Mexico will be a green operation.

By 2040, the entire area will operate on 100% green energy, "Our commitment to using 100% green energy to supply our site by 2040 is based on a holistic approach to sustainable development that balances economic growth, community inclusion, and environmental protection."

Protecting the sea turtles

Royal Caribbean said it will work with environmental associations to protect native species, including sea turtle nesting sites.

Mr. Schneider said that more than 95% of wastewater generated today in Mahahual is untreated.

According to the company, reef structures will remain untouched, and new waste management systems will be put in place to prevent further contamination.

Royal Caribbean's approach includes:

• A wastewater treatment plant
• A solid waste management facility serving both tourists and residents
• Programs to eliminate single-use plastics

"This new facility will represent a transformative change for the region and reduce its environmental impact."

"We will also collaborate with environmental associations to enhance the area, leaving existing reef structures intact, and implementing sustainable solutions to manage waste and coastal resources. We are committed to protecting native species, including sea turtle nesting sites and coastal flora."

What about small businesses?

In addition to the environment, a number of companies that cater to cruise tourists today are worried about being driven out of business.

Royal Caribbean responded by saying the development will include, "Training programs for local employees, access to educational and healthcare services, as well as the integration of advanced technologies in energy and mobility that will significantly reduce carbon emissions in the area."

He also reiterated that direct and open dialogue with nearby communities will continue throughout the process, calling transparency "a practice that we will continue as part of our commitment."

What Royal Caribbean has planned

It will take two years for Costa Maya to be converted into Perfect Day Mexico, and the cruise port will remain open in the meantime.

The port will continue to allow other cruise lines to stop at the Port of Costa Maya, allowing their passengers to enjoy the excursions and activities around Mahahual.  The actual Perfect Day Mexico property will be exclusive to Royal Caribbean guests (although they are free to do go out and do other tours too).

Over $600 million will be invested in building a water park, beach clubs, a lazy river, shopping areas, and lots of dining. In fact, it will have 30 slides and the longest lazy river in the world.

Perfect Day Mexico is expected to open for Royal Caribbean guests in Fall 2027.

The Lincoln Park Supper Club is a six-course meal on Star of the Seas that pairs cocktails and live music, but is it worth $200 per person?

Themed after the Chicago of the 1930s and 1940s, this is Royal Caribbean's second supper club experience that follows up on the Empire Supper Club that was first added on Icon of the Seas.

When I tried the first supper club, I was skeptical if I'd enjoy it because it sounded like an expensive and long meal. Not only did I enjoy it, I went back for a second time.

With Lincoln Park Supper Club, I wanted to see how similar the experience was and if it felt like more of the same.  As it turned out, I walked away liking this version so much more.

What to know before you book

Lincoln Park Supper Club is a totally different kind of experience from other specialty restaurants on Star of the Seas.

The meal takes about two and a half hours, and includes alcohol with the experience.

The listed price is $200 per person, however guests with the Unlimited Dining Package can dine here for $130.

There are no discounts for guests with the Deluxe Beverage Package or Crown and Anchor status. 

Royal Caribbean has a formal dress code and it's enforced.  Men must wear a jacket, and will be provided one if they don't have one.

It's a very small venue, with a maximum capacity of just 38 people per evening. Tables can accommodate two or four guests, and if you're dining alone there's a good chance you'll be seated with a stranger.

Groups containing more than four guests will need to be seated at separate tables.

Yes, kids can come, but Royal Caribbean says it's "designed for adult guests" and there's no difference in price for children.

It's also required that you show up on time. Doors open 10 minutes before your dining time and the experience starts up quickly.

Lincoln Park Supper Club review

Located on deck eight on Star of the Seas, you'll find the entrance to the Lincoln Park Supper Club near Central Park.

Guests wait in the elevator lobby near the entrance until a waiter comes to escort you inside.  Very quickly you'll notice the elegance and differences from traditional specialty restaurants.

This is an intimate restaurant, and it feels like you're in a club considering how small the venue is.

You'll be given a flute of champagne the start, and then a menu gives you an overview of your evening.

There are three acts to the meal. 

Each of the courses from the first act will be served to you, and then you can order one option from the second (entree) and third (dessert) acts.

Each course comes with a select cocktail, meant to pair perfectly with the food served.

Now let's talk substitutions.  While the menu is fixed, there are alternatives for both food and drink available.

I don't eat shellfish or pork, and the restaurant had no problem serving me courses that either didn't include those foods or a completely different (yet visually similar) alternative. 

They have some flexibility, but don't expect Sorrento's Pizza or something completely different from the menu offerings.

Similarly, if you prefer non-alcoholic cocktails, they can serve those instead.

The meal begins with a jazz trio, consisting of a piano player, bassist, and singer.  Later in the show, a trumpeter joins in (spoiler alert).

Each course is paired with a song, such as Home Sweet Chicago, Maple Leaf Rag, or Quiet Whiskey.

The musical element is wonderful, and it's difficult not to tap your toe as you enjoy it.

Here's a list of all the food we were served to both myself and my dining partner. Neither of us are professional food reviewers, but we're from Connecticut, so that instantly gives us a certain level of esteem (that's a joke, let's move on).

Drink #1: Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut

You'll start the meal off with a flute of champagne and a toast.  Classic and simple.

Starter #1: Amuse-bouche

There are two starters that technically aren't courses, but you'll enjoy them as a lovely start.

The first is inspired by a Chicago seafood restaurant that is served with caviar and edible gold flakes.

Starter #2: "Deep dish pizza" bread

My favorite of the two starters looks like bread, but it's essentially a deconstructed deep-dish pizza. 

The bread is paired with truffle butter and pepperoni and sun-dried tomato spread. Combined together, and it's sort like a pizza in your mouth.

Appetizer #1: Kampachi

I really liked this option, as it has fish, cucumber, soy, and goat cheese. Creatively arranged, it felt like a shame to eat.

Drink #3: Hyde Park Martini

This cocktail is inspired by the Lake House Hotel, which was Chicago's first fine dining hotel that opened in 1835. 

I'm not a huge martini fan, but it had a good mix of being a bit dry and invoking a good flavor.

Appetizer #2: Beetroot

If you're a fan of beets, this is the appetizer for you.

I found each of the beet options here to be less tart than I expected, and I actually ate it all.  We both enjoyed it was creatively made and still tasted good.

Drink #4: Botanist's Elixir

Another homage to Chicago's past, this cocktail is a tribute to Chicago's first supper club, the Winter Garden Cabaret. 

I enjoyed this drink, and it was my favorite up until this point.

Appetizer #3: Steak Tartare

Royal Caribbean came up with a very creative way to shake up a traditional steak tartare.

It's served vertically, and I had to politely take bites rather than gobble up the whole thing in one bite. Soft, tender, and great flavor.

Drink #5: LP Old Fashioned

I wanted to love this drink more, but I'm not a fan of bitters. 

Old fashioned's are back in style, so I recognize this is a "me thing" and I'm sure you'll enjoy this more than I did.

Appetizer #4: Crab Ravioli

Since I don't eat shellfish, I was served a substitute of cheese in my ravioli.

Nonetheless, we both really liked this ravioli. It looked and almost tasted more like a soup, but it had a very rich flavor.

Drink: Lakeshore Fizz

I really liked this drink a lot, as it had good flavor and kick to it.

This cocktail was inspired by another Chicago supper club, the Chez Paree, which was created in 1938. It was best known for being glamorous as well as being a notorious mob hangout.

Palate cleanser

Before the main course, we were served a sorbet that came with dry ice and I was like a little kid as soon as they brought it out.

Main course: Prime Rib

There are four options for your entree: walleye (fish), lamb, wagyu prime rib, or cauliflower. 

Each option is a tribute to The Pump Room, a popular hangout spot for celebrities in Chicago.

My dining partner picked the prime rib, and I sampled a bite of it because it looked so good.

It's accompanied by potatoes and onion, and I would have ordered it had I not wanted some variety in our review.

It's paired with the Southside cocktail.

Main course: Cauliflower steak

I've had plenty of cauliflower steaks on Royal Caribbean, so I was curious to see how this stacked up.

As the vegetarian option, it comes out looking like a menagerie of cauliflower. Like everything on the menu, the presentation is truly impressive.

I prefer to pair a cauliflower steak with a protein to help balance it all, but I was impressed by the taste and texture of it. 

The accompanied cocktail for this was the Chicago Cocktail (seriously, that's the name).

Dessert: Palmer House Brownie

There are two desserts on the menu, so we decided to share. 

Evidently the brownie was invented at the Palmer House in Chicago, and it tasted decadent and delightful. Plus, it has a scoop of vanilla gelato.

I was hesitant to share the bite I promised.

The cocktail is Gold Coast.

Dessert: Grasshopper Pie

A weird name, but this is a peppermint mousse.

Personally, I hate mint and mousse, but my dining partner enjoyed it a lot.

We both really liked the Brandy Alexander cocktail that came with it.  I even got one for myself, because I enjoyed it so much.

It tasted like a White Russian cocktail, and was quite smooth. My favorite of all the cocktails.

Surprise dessert

If we didn't have enough to eat by now, there was one more dessert served.

Chocolate bites were brought out on a piano filled with dry ice, and each chocolate bite had a different filling.

Better than Empire Supper Club

I walked away from the Lincoln Park Supper Club with one important takeaway: I liked this even more than the version on Icon of the Seas.

I thought the music was even better, as I think the addition of the trumpeter mixed things up.  Plus, I greatly preferred the food overall at Lincoln Park.

While the meal did take almost three hours, I never once glanced at my phone to see what time it was. The pacing is perfect, and you're never sitting there wondering when the next thing will happen.

The disappointment comes in that it seems nearly impossible to actually finish every cocktail they serve.  The pacing is quick, and these are full cocktails. Many drinks went back half consumed.

Is the Lincoln Park Supper Club worth the cost?

At $200 per person, this is a very expensive meal, but I think it's absolutely worth paying if you love cocktails, special foods, and want a lovely evening out.

You can make the argument that the amount of cocktails alone justify the cost, given that you can expect to pay between $10-14 for each one at a bar around the ship.

If you're smart and a little lucky, you can pre-book it online and get a lower price.  For my Star of the Seas cruise in November, the price is discounted to $179.99 per person.

Then there's the food, which is truly nothing like you'll find anywhere else on Star of the Seas.

Given that you're getting drinks, food, and live entertainment in one, the Lincoln Park Supper Club is the ultimate date night on Star of the Seas.

It's not meant to be like Chops Grille, where you dine there multiple times.  This is a special restaurant for a special occasion or evening out.

Moreover, the attention to detail makes it feel like something totally different from a specialty restaurant. It's on another level up from what you may have experienced in other venues onboard.

If you're a foodie, want to do something different or special, and enjoy cocktails, Lincoln Park Supper Club is a must-try.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Star of the Seas is here and Matt thinks it's a winning follow-up to the original Icon Class ship.

Royal Caribbean sought to build a ship just as good as Icon of the Seas, but tweak and enhance a few areas.

After 10 nights onboard, our full review has a look at what makes Star of the Seas stand out.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean alters cruise ship itineraries to avoid Hurricane Erin
• Royal Caribbean redeploys cruise ships sailing from Latin America
• Celebrity confirms when they will open bookings for river cruises
• I spent $5,300 on a last-minute cruise on Voyager of the Seas. It was expensive, but I couldn't pass it up
• How to find dining menus on Royal Caribbean's app
• Jason Liberty and Richard Fain reflect on Royal Caribbean's past, present and future
• When to book Star of the Seas for the lowest price, data shows

New RCB Video: A Cruise In A Hurricane Isn’t What You Think

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 — A Cruise In A Hurricane Isn’t What You Think — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean teases Texas with Icon possibility

Did Royal Caribbean's CEO confirm they'll bring an Icon Class ship to a Texas port?

Michael Bayley strongly hinted the cruise line could bring one of its Icon Class ships to Galveston.

A new ship could be coming there as early as the 2027-2028 season.

Royal Caribbean's wearables have a new look and prices

WOW Bands have a new look and price too.

With the launch of Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has revamped its wearables to go along with the ship.

They're functionally the same, but come in new colors and a higher price tag.

Perfect Day at CocoCay vs. Celebration Key

How does Royal Caribbean's game-changing private island in The Bahamas stack up to Carnival's new Celebration Key?

Perfect Day at CocoCay has a waterpark, helium balloon and a giant pool.  Carnival now has its own take on the idea, with freshwater lagoons, beaches, and slides.

Our team took a look at the benefits of each one.

This family suite has the perfect amount of space

What is the new Surfside Family Suite really like to stay in?

Matt had the chance to stay in this room while on Star of the Seas, and he found it quite spacious.

It has separation for families, but it lacks enough storage and an interesting bathroom setup.

Royal Caribbean sought to make Star of the Seas a nearly identical follow-up to Icon of the Seas because why mess with what works?

I went on Star of the Seas interested to see how the second Icon Class ship could possibly match up to the original game changer, Icon of the Seas.

Because of how much hype and praise Icon received, I wanted to see how Star stood out.  

In reality, Star is so similar to Icon that you have to look closely to find differences. That's not a bad thing, because Royal Caribbean got so much of it right the first time.

A new family vacation destination

Photo by AdamsAway

The core experience Royal Caribbean is curating on Star of the Seas is a cruise ship filled with just about every family friendly and memory making option you can think of.

It's clear to me Royal Caribbean wants to build cruise ships that foster experiences that you'll remember for a long time to come. Star of the Seas has shows, activities, dining, and venues that all are sure to capture your attention quickly, and likely compel you to grab a photo so you can remember it and show it off to everyone at home later.

They do this with a lineup of things to do that you just won't find on any other ship.

The Icon Class is built with new innovations that are big and small. You'll be wowed by the six slide water park on the back of the ship that is easily seen as you drive up to the ship, but also appreciate the shorter wait times for elevators thanks to a more efficient programming.

New cruisers don't need to know the differences, because they'll feel right at home shifting from a resort on land to a cruise ship. Star of the Seas is a smooth experience, from check-in to boarding, to dining, and beyond.

So much to experience, being bored isn't an option

Arguably one of the best reasons to pick a brand new giant ship like Star of the Seas is for the sheer amount of different things you can do onboard.

Royal Caribbean includes the most shows, restaurants, bars, and activities on its biggest ships, and you'll find Star of the Seas has something happening almost every minute of the day.

Star's top deck is filled with water slides, pools, bars, and places to hang out. There are two adults-only pools, plus an entire section of the ship dedicated to young families.

The Royal Caribbean app lists activities you can try, including trivia, karaoke, pickleball, guitarists, concerts, street parties, and much more.

Plus, there are three theaters onboard with shows unique to Star of the Seas.

Back to the Future: The Musical is the must-see production onboard, and it's exactly like the Broadway/West End version. A fun musical for the entire family, and included in your cruise fare.

In the AquaTheater is a high dive stunt show, known as Torque.

Think of this like a high energy performance that combines diving boards, acrobatics, music, and swim into one.  

At the ship's ice skating rink, you'll find Sol.  This show highlights incredible skating technique, set to music. 

The shows are equally compelling in different ways, and it's all included in your cruise fare.  But, be sure to make reservations early for them so you're not left out.

The only way to be bored on Star of the Seas is to sit in your cabin and force yourself into a temporary exile.

Star is huge, but easy to navigate

New cruisers might be daunted at how they'll ever find their way around Star of the Seas, but the truth is it's easier than it seems.

Royal Caribbean has become masters of building giant cruise ships that are relatively easy to get around. The secret is in deliberate theming and visual cues.

• AquaDome: An indoor space and theater capped by a large dome, offering immersive entertainment and dining experiences (Deck 15).
• Central Park: Open air park with real trees, shrubs, and flowers that has a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars (Deck 8).
• Thrill Island: All things fun and exciting, with a water park, mini-golf, sports court, and many more activities (Deck 16)
• Chill Island: Most of the pools, whirlpools, and bars for time spent enjoying being in or around the water (Decks 15, 16 & 17)
• Royal Promenade: Two deck high entertainment "street" that has restaurants, bars, and is home to The Pearl (Deck 5 & 6)
• The Hideaway: Adults only enclave for passengers at least 18 years old, with a suspended infinity pool, whirlpools, and a variety of seating options (Deck 16).
• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved area of the ship exclusively for guests booked in a suite.  There's two dedicated restaurants, bar, and sun deck (Deck 16, 17, & 18).
• Surfside: A family-friendly neighborhood with a kids' splash zone, arcade, carousel, and family-friendly restaurants (Deck 6).

Star of the Seas has lots of restaurants, but many cost extra

Royal Caribbean boasts there are over 40 ways to dine and drink on Star of the Seas, but not all of it is included in your cruise fare.

Don't worry, you can go onboard and find lots of choices of where to eat and drink without spending extra. But the temptation to do so will certainly be there.

The cruise industry as a whole as adopted this model of freemium dining. The basics are included, but there are opportunities to spend extra and splurge.

I think the included restaurants on Star of the Seas are some of the best in the fleet. I could eat at Aquadome Market, El Loco Fresh, Pearl Cafe, and Main Dining Room exclusively and be quite content.

In fact, I think the update to Aquadome Market makes it superior to the version on Icon of the Seas.

But if you are willing to spend extra, you'll find lots of fabulous choices.

The only completely new restaurant on Star (compared to Icon) is the Lincoln Park Supper Club. It costs $200 per person, and lasts almost three hours, but I loved this experience so much. It's the ultimate fancy night out.

My favorite restaurant onboard is Izumi, where you can get sushi or indulge in teppanyaki cooking. It's a real crowd pleaser, and somewhere I try to eat on any ship that has it.

Suite guests have their own subsection of the ship that includes two restaurants: Coastal Kitchen and The Grove.

Coastal Kitchen is akin to a suites-only Main Dining Room, whereas The Grove is a convenient buffet on the sun deck.

Star of the Seas is easily one of the best cruise ships because it has just about everything

The reason to choose Star of the Seas for a cruise vacation is it's likely going to offer everything and anything you'd want in a memorable family vacation.

Royal Caribbean seems to understand the family vacation market better than most, and it's really honed in on what families want in any vacation they take: fun things they can do together that will make memories they'll cherish.

There is no shortage of fun things for everyone of every age to enjoy, and so many activities lean into multigenerational appeal.

With a ship as large as Star of the Seas, you might be worried about it being too crowded.  The reality is Royal Caribbean tackled the crowd management issue to the point it's astounding how uncrowded Star of the Seas feels.

Venues, activities, and neighborhoods are so well spread out that it helps keep passengers moving and not all in the same place. 

The only time I ever found a crowd is if there was a dance party of the Royal Promenade, which is designed to create a crowd.

Even the pool deck, a traditionally crowded place on a cruise ship, has open chairs and areas to spread out.  The adults-only areas can feel fuller than others, but it's hardly problematic.

I think the fact there are multiple, smaller pools that are spread out helps keep the pool deck from feeling like most cruise ship pool decks do.  Plus, there are so many loungers and chairs around the pool I cannot fathom there would ever be enough people at once to take them all up, even on busy sea days.

By far the best thing about Star of the Seas crowd management are the destination elevators.

They're smarter elevators that assign an elevator to you, rather than you taking the first available one.

It allows them to move more efficiently and reduce waits. It's easy to learn and very fast. 

Plus, Star of the Seas has some amazing shows and dining.  It seems to tick every box of what you'd want in a cruise ship vacation.

Who should book Star of the Seas

Royal Caribbean markets Star of the Seas as being the world's best family vacation, but it works for many people than just families.

There's no doubt Star is a great ship to bring the kids, your parents, cousins, and siblings on, because it's the perfect multi-generational ship.  There's enough onboard for everyone of every age to find appealing.

But I believe there's enough too for other types of cruisers, including couples, solo travelers, and retirees. Because Star of the Seas embodies the very best that Royal Caribbean has to offer, I think it's a good choice for just about anyone.

I also think it's one of the best ships for someone that has never cruised before.  New cruisers might think a giant ship would be daunting, but in truth, I think it's better to have more choices in what you can do, than not enough.

Plus, new cruisers are sure to find Star of the Seas extremely easy to figure out because it was designed with the best ideas and new concepts.

If there's someone who shouldn't book a Star of the Seas sailings, it's probably someone on a tight budget or a value seeker. Cruises on Star of the Seas aren't cheap, and deals are few and far between compared to older ships in the fleet.

Insider Star of the Seas tips and secrets

I've spent 10 nights so far on Star of the Seas, which has given me an opportunity most people don't have to experience it all.

Here are my best Star of the Seas tips and tricks you should take advantage of.

Book shows before the cruise: The shows will sell out, so book them before the cruise begins.

Reservations are free, and should open up about 30 days or less before the cruise begins. Don't miss out.

How to meet the dog: Everyone wants to meet Sailor, the official family dog of Star of the Seas.

There is no posted schedule, so it's a bit of luck to find her around the ship . The Overlook, jogging track, and mini golf course are all places I've seen Sailor the most frequently

The best deals for drink packages, wifi, and more: It's quite likely you'll want a drink package, internet access, a specialty restaurant reservation or some other extra cost item.

The best prices are before the cruise begins on the Cruise Planner or app. Take advantage of these sales, because they can save up to 40% off the onboard price.

Secret bar menus: A couple of bars have food you can order from too, and it's a great alternative to booking a full specialty restaurant.

Both Giovanni's Wine Bar and the Trellis Bar have food menus, and neither require a reservation to dine there.

Royal Caribbean invested more space on its newest cruise ships for families, including rooms that are design with kids in mind.

I sailed on Star of the Seas for its first voyage with paying passengers, and wanted to try the Surfside Family Suite to see what it's like.

This is a new type of cruise ship stateroom, which was introduced with the Icon of the Seas. Like many other new room types on the Icon Class, these staterooms are designed with kids in mind.

I think Royal Caribbean wanted to do more with their spaces, and offer more room and separation.  Parents love their kids, but they don't want to be spending every minute with them either.

While I was cruising solo, I was interested to see how well this type of cabin would work if I was cruising with my kids.

I paid about $4,400 total for this cruise

I booked my reservation on Star of the Seas the first day the cruise became available, because it's the best strategy to lock in a really good price.

Originally I paid $4744.35 for my Surfside Family Suite with just me in the room, but that price dropped by $271.75 to a new total of $4472.60.

I paid for my cabin and was not compensated or subsidized by Royal Caribbean in any way.

Keep in mind because I'm cruising solo, I have the pay a single supplement fee, and the price would be about the same for two people in the room.

There's a good chance if I had kids, they would be free because of the popular Kids Sail Free deals offered.

The Surfside Family Suite is divided into three areas

The general layout of the Surfside Family Suite is all about giving space but breaking it apart.

I was staying in cabin 9693 on deck 9.

You'll find the main bedroom, kids room, and a balcony.

I was impressed how well the separation works to make each area feel apart.

The kids room is separated by a curtain. On Icon of the Seas, there was a metal door as well, but that is not present on Star of the Seas.

The suite was bigger than expected

Maybe it's the different rooms, but I liked how roomy it all felt in here.

My cabin measured 269 square feet, along with a 53 square foot balcony.

Obviously that's plenty of room for just me, but if I was sharing this room with my kids and wife, I still think we'd find enough space. At least, when my kids were younger.

I think this room is not big enough for my teenagers, but back when they were in elementary school, I think this room would have been great.

The split bathroom reduces waiting, but it's missing a tub

I love that there's a split bathroom in this suite, because it's such a benefit to families.

One bathroom has a shower and sink, while the other one has a sink and toilet.  This means someone showering isn't monopolizing the bathroom (and vice versa).

Disney Cruise Line has gotten many accolades for its split bathroom cabin design on its ships, and I like that Royal Caribbean is leaning into this direction now.

The only observation I have about this configuration is there's no bathtub, which is curious for two reasons.

First, Royal Caribbean suites usually come with bathtubs.  And second, families would especially find bathtubs useful since kids often bathe in them.

I wish there was more storage space

I've generally felt the amount of storage space on Icon Class ships is lacking compared to Quantum or Oasis Class ships, and that trend continues with this suite.

For a room designed for up to four passengers, I think there's a real lack of storage space.

There's also a vanity area near the closet with a few more outlets and two mirrors to use.

There are 3 drawers, 3 shelves and a giant closet.

The drawers each have things in them, such as the hair dryer or room service menus.  And one of the shelves is taken up by the safe.

I had enough space for my belongings, but I doubt my wife and I could easily share the space on a 7-night cruise, let alone with my kids.

The closet is massive, and there are two bins in the kids room.

If I were to redesign this room, I'd add more shelving on the walls.

The kids bed is bigger than I expected

The kids nook has a pullout sofa, and I think this is the smartest area of the suite.

During the day, it's a comfortable sofa to sit on and there's a television facing it.  With two televisions in the room, there's no less fighting about what to watch.

At night, the sofa can be converted to a bed.

Yes, I had the room attendant make it into the bed to see if I could fit in it. 

Surprisingly, I fit in the bed without my feet hanging off the end of it, but I'd probably sleep diagonally on it to prevent that from happening.

Like any sofa bed, it was rigid, but I think I could manage.

The main bedroom has a giant bed

The primary bed in the suite has a king size bed that could be separated into twin beds, if necessary.

There are nightstands on both sides of the bed. Each night stand has a USB-A and USB-C outlet, with one side having an electrical outlet too.

A large TV is found on the wall near the bed, but it swivels out quite nicely. I barely watch TV on a cruise, but it's nice it can be moved.

The balcony isn't massive, but it's a nice outdoor space

For a suite, the balcony isn't that large.  

I don't think it matters as much because this balcony faces into the Surfside neighborhood. Plus, I think the idea was to maximize the indoor space rather than the outdoor space.

My specific cabin was too close to the entrance to Surfside, so it was a bit strange how close my balcony is to people passing by.

I'm not someone to spend a lot of time on my balcony anyway, but it's always nice to have private outdoor space you can use from time to time.

Noise issues were not a problem at all

In case you're wondering, no, the Surfside Family Suites are not noisy at all.

Even during the day time, I rarely heard anything in my room.  I'd take afternoon naps and never hear a thing to disturb me.  And at night, Surfside is very quiet since most of the amenities in this neighborhood are closed.

In fact, it was great for sleeping because with the windows drawn and the lack of direct sunlight into the neighborhood, I was never woken up by the sun.

Changes are coming

It's important to note the perks that come with Surfside Family Suite are changing soon.

For my sailing, I was granted Sky Class suite benefits. However, for sailings on or after May 2, 2026 (regardless of when it was booked), that will come to an end.

After May 2, Surfside Family Suites will be downgraded to Sea Class.

This means they will no longer have access to the Suite Lounge, Suite Concierge services, complimentary internet access, complimentary beverages in the Suite Lounge, and can only dine at Coastal Kitchen restaurant for dinner only (instead of breakfast and lunch).

When the change was announced, Royal Caribbean's only explanation was, "we continuously strive to enhance guest experience onboard and reach alignment of our product offerings across the fleet."

Essentially, this downgrades the perks of this room back to a Junior Suite.

I think the Surfside Family Suite is great for young families, even without the perks

If my kids were under the age of 7 or 8, I wouldn't have hesitated to book a Surfside Family Suite for us.

I love the concept of having a kids nook. They'd love having their own space and TV.  Plus, they can people watch really easily from it.

As a parent, the split bathroom design is a wonderful idea.  Anytime you're sharing a room with more than two people, I think keeping the toilet in a different area makes it more manageable.

I was concerned about noise bleed, but I rarely ever heard anything while inside my room.

The downgraded Sky Class perks are disappointing, but I'm not sure this room truly feels like a suite to begin with.  Plus, when my kids were that young, we rarely took advantage of anything in the Suite Lounge anyway.  

I'm certainly not in favor of less perks while paying the same price (I doubt the prices are going down on these rooms when it transitions to Sea Class), but I think the selling point of this room is the arrangement for families. Unlike a Grand Suite, the perks are secondary to this.

I don't think families with teenagers or adults should book this room with that nook in mind. It's truly meant for young children.

Plus, it still gets twice a day cabin service, and that's a lovely benefit for families to keep the room tidier.

How does Royal Caribbean's top executive measure up to its past CEO?

A special event was held on Royal Caribbean's Star of the Seas last week where Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty sat down for a public chat with his predecessor Richard Fain.

Mr. Liberty started off the event with a playful question: "It was about 20 years ago, almost to the day, that Richard hired me. So how am I doing?"

Without missing a beat, Fain quipped back: "You’re asking that about four years too late."

It drew a laugh from the audience, and set the tone for a reflection on where Royal Caribbean Group is headed.

Mr. Fain plainly said after the answer is in the results.

“If you look at the share price, employee satisfaction, the popularity and ratings on our cruises," Fain said with a smile, "apparently you’re doing a good job."

"It's the people"

Richard Fain lead Royal Caribbean for 33 years, and his legacy encompasses taking the company from cruise line to cruise giant.

Mr. Fain believes the secret to Royal Caribbean's success was never just about ships or flashy innovations. 

"It’s the people, it’s the people, it’s the people," he said. "Royal Caribbean has always attracted, promoted and dealt with the best and that has never left."

Having the right people to make their aspirations work is something Mr. Liberty agreed with.

"We’re surrounded by some of the greatest talent that walks on the planet, not just because they’re talented, but because they’re passionate," Liberty added.

A legacy that began in 1988

Richard Fain began working at Royal Caribbean in 1988, but he never imagined where the company would go and become in the decades since.

Under Mr. Fain's tenure, Royal Caribbean went from a cruise line with a handful of ships to a market leader with dozens of ships all over the world.

"It was hard for me to imagine it today. It’s so different than what we expected. But the one thing that hasn’t changed was to be a cut above and to be more than just a cruise line, but to be part of the vacation market."

Under his leadership, the age of the megaships was introduced and it redefined what a cruise vacation would encompass.

Mr. Liberty gave credit to Fain for the years of dedication that lead Royal Caribbean's growth, "The culture of this company is really rooted in the culture that Richard built. The amount of pride to see his flowers bloom must be exceptional."

More talk of Project Discovery

During the question and answer session, a travel agent asked about plans for a smaller cruise ship design and Mr. Liberty touched on the rumored plans.

Liberty acknowledged that the company is also investing in "Project Discovery," a new class of slightly smaller ships designed to deliver the same signature Royal Caribbean experiences at a more approachable scale.

"There's also an opportunity to build ships that have a lot of the same amenities and activities, but on a slightly smaller platform," he said.

He admitted it's still in the "dream engine" phase, but more to come, "hopefully relatively soon."

Fain added that size has never been the point: "It wasn't a team fixated on large or small. It was a team that could bring magic to whatever size it was."

City tours are in the past

A really interesting discussion centered around their vision for the future.

Mr. Liberty had a bold statement about how people want to explore the world, "The time of city tours, I think, is of the past," he said. 

"The time of experience building with your friends and family is where we are today, and I think where we’re going to be tomorrow."

He's alluding to the idea that going to a city simply to sightsee isn't as engaging from a memory making family vacation as a cruise can be in that regard.

"Vacation experiences have to be something that you want to brag about on social media or things that you’ll build legacies for a lifetime," Liberty added

Royal Caribbean could bring one of the biggest cruise ships in the world to Texas.

Speaking at an event on the newly launched Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley was asked about plans for a ship like Star to sail from Galveston.

Mr. Bayley didn't confirm or announce any plans, but he certainly didn't dismiss the idea either.

A travel agent specifically asked, "when will an Icon class ship be arriving in Galveston, Texas."

Mr. Bayley quickly answered, "We're not going to answer that question. But I can tell you it's coming, baby."

The crowd erupted in applause.

As of now, the Icon Class ships are operating out of Florida.  Icon of the Seas sails from Miami, Star from Port Canaveral, and Legend of the Seas will call Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) home when she begins cruising next year.

At 1,200 feet long and a gross tonnage of 250,800, the Icon Class ships are the biggest in the world. With 20 decks, she can accommodate 7,600 passengers (or 5,600 at double occupancy), plus another 2,350 crew members.

The ship is divided up into 8 neighborhoods and has six water slides, seven pools, and more than 40 places to dine, drink, and have a good time.

Ever since Icon of the Seas debuted, it's become a smash hit with both critics and consumers.

An Icon in Galveston: Inevitability?

Mr. Bayley's comment last week is one of many tips of the hat that strongly point to Royal Caribbean bringing an Icon Class ship to a Texas port.

At a similar event in January 2024, the same question was asked by a travel agent and once again, Mr. Bayley had an interesting response.

"It wasn't an accident that we built that 100 and whatever it was million dollar terminal in Galveston, Texas," he replied when asked about bringing a bigger ship there.

Royal Caribbean opened a brand new cruise terminal at Pier 10 that was designed to handle Oasis or Icon Class ships.

Later in the year, the Port of Galveston made a comment saying they could accommodate an Icon Class ship, "We can handle it" is what Port CEO Rodger Rees said in April 2024.

With Star of the Seas launched, there are at least two more Icon Class ships on order and the option to build an additional two more ships beyond that.

Galveston is also positioned right in the middle of Royal Caribbean's major plans.

The cruise line is on the precipice of building two major port projects in the Western Caribbean that are especially attractive to the Galveston cruise market.

Perfect Day Mexico will open in 2027 and be a crown jewel in Royal Caribbean's private destination lineup.

It adds a great deal of value and incentive to take Western Caribbean cruises since the repeat factor is substantially higher with a Perfect Day product there.

There's also a plan to build a beach club in Cozumel, a commonly visited cruise port located just north of where Perfect Day Mexico is going to be located.

Unlike Perfect Day, the beach club is an optional purchase offered exclusively to Royal Caribbean passengers.  Think of it like an all-inclusive beach shore excursion that's run by Royal Caribbean.

And since cruises from Galveston are all but exclusive to the Western Caribbean, putting a big new ship in that market increases the return on investment for the company.

Executives haven't been shy about saying as much too.

"[Perfect Day Mexico] allows us to further grow the large and growing Gulf Coast area, including the Texas market, which...has a similar cruise consideration [to Florida] but only half the penetration," Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty said in October 2024.

Royal Caribbean has a new look to its wristbands you can optionally wear on its cruise ships.

Known as WOW Bands, cruise ship passengers have had the choice to buy these bracelets for years on select ships as a more convenient alternative to the Seapass card.

Made from silicone, the wristbands have an embedded RFID chip for use to scan to buy a drink, open a stateroom door, or check into an activity.

With the launch of Star of the Seas, Royal Caribbean has updated their look, design, and price.

Sleek new look

There are four new colors to choose from with the updated look.

Blue and green are the two primary colors to consider, but there are two other colors that tie into Inter Miami CF soccer team.

The Miami-based MLS team features Royal Caribbean as its front-of-jersey partner, and the WOW Bands are a way for fans to show their pride.

Inter Miami is best known for its star player, Lionel Messi, who happens to be the Icon (godfather) to Icon of the Seas cruise ship.

Each band has been also updated with a ridged aesthetic to it, which is somewhat reminiscent of certain Apple Watch bands. 

The older WOW Bands were flatter and the silicone was less rigid.

In our early testing, it's made it easier to slide on and off.

No word yet on if or when the new band design will be brought to other ships in the fleet.

New pricing

In addition to the new look comes a higher price tag too.

The WOW Bands on Star of the Seas cost $14.99 each to purchase, although you can re-use them on other ships and sailings in the future.

Prior to this change, a WOW Band cost $9.99 for one.

If you have an older WOW Band, those still work and can continue to be used onboard too.  These new bands are simply a different look and updated version.

You can buy the WOW Band at any time at Guest Services, although they had them for sale in Dueling Pianos on embarkation day to reduce the overall lines at Guest Services.

You can get WOW Bands on these ships:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Anthem of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Icon of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Star of the Seas
• Symphony of the Seas
• Utopia of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Wonder of the Seas

A WOW Band to track your kids

Part of the new WOW Band design on Star of the Seas is the introduction of a tracking wearable.

The "Find My Kid" bands are only purchasable at Adventure Ocean, and it's a new way to know where children are onboard.

Priced also at $14.99 per band, it's a way to track kids between the age of 3-12 years old.

This is a colorful, waterproof wristband specially designed to integrate with the Royal Caribbean app's tracking system.

Here's how it works:

Purchase and Register: Families can stop by the Adventure Ocean to purchase and register the band.

Connect to Wi‑Fi: The parent pairs the band with the “Find My Kid” feature via the Royal Caribbean app. No Wi-Fi package purchase required because the app can use the free option.

Track: Parents can view their child’s location displayed on ship-deck maps within the app, seeing where they are in public areas or near staterooms

The benefit of this band is it makes it simpler to keep tabs on kids while onboard, and it's peace of mind.

For many parents, granting their children a little bit of freedom while on vacation is a welcome change, but being able to know where they are adds a certain level of comfort to it.

Royal Caribbean originally tested this idea out on Icon of the Seas in mid-2024, but it's now available on Star of the Seas exclusively for the time being.

Thanks for joining us for another weekly look at all of the Royal Caribbean news from this week.  The late-summer heat is still on, and we have plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share from this week.

The most popular specialty restaurant in Royal Caribbean isn't a steakhouse anymore.

Their popular Japanese restaurant chain, Izumi, has surpassed Chops Grille for the busiest restaurant in the fleet.

The combination of sushi and teppanyaki dining has catapulted Izumi to the top spot for the first time ever.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean CEO says Icon, Star, and Perfect Day are the best-rated things in cruising today
• Star of the Seas officially starts sailing with paying customers
• Royal Caribbean diverts cruise ship away from Bermuda due to developing tropical storm
• Travel agents complain to Royal Caribbean about free casino offers
• Royal Caribbean adds a way to track your kids on the its newest cruise ship
• I found the best free food hack on Royal Caribbean that changed how I snack
• How much a 7-night Alaska cruise really cost
• 5 reasons you might want a Junior Suite instead of a Grand Suite
• Ovation of the Seas upgrade plans revealed, deck-by-deck
• Diana Ross pulls out as Godmother for new Royal Caribbean cruise ship

New RCB Video: 9 Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips for a Smoother Trip

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 — 9 Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips for a Smoother Trip — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean passenger plans to file lawsuit after water slide partially breaks, injuring him

The cruise ship passenger that was injured after riding a water slide that broke as he was going down is going to sue Royal Caribbean.

He was injured on the “Frightening Bolt” water slide, which is a drop slide on Icon of the Seas.

The man had minor scratches, but immediately after he went down the slide the acrylic glass panel cracked and water began gushing through the hole left in its wake.

Royal Caribbean expands adults-only rule to swim-up bar on its new cruise ship

The Swim & Tonic pool is now officially adults-only.

After running a test on Icon of the Seas, the policy has been added to Star of the Seas too.

This means only guests at least 18 years old are welcome to use the Swim & Tonic pool.

What it's like spending half the year living on a cruise ship

Greg Brockman spent about six months living on a cruise ship, and he shared with us how he did it.

Booking that many cruises to be on a ship for half the year means he leverages deals from the casino, and picks his sailings carefully.

The reality is there are some downsides too from living that long on a ship.

Royal Caribbean replaces Diana Ross as Godmother after she cancels

Diana Ross cancelled her plans to be the Godmother to Star of the Seas, but a replacement has been found.

Space advocate and commercial astronaut Kellie Gerardi was selected to help welcome the new ship into the fleet.

She is well known for bioastronautics and STEM advocacy.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 573rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast, is available where Matt shares his review of his time on Star of the Seas from a short preview sailing.

We update our podcast weekly, so subscribe for more updates via YouTube, iTunes, Google Podcasts, or RSS.

You can also leave us a rating or review on iTunes, so go ahead and check it out! We appreciate your feedback.

Royal Caribbean has tapped an explorer and scientist to be the godmother to Star of the Seas.

Space advocate and commercial astronaut Kellie Gerardi has been named the godmother of Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship.

"Research astronaut and payload specialist Kellie Gerardi will officially bless this incredible ship as Godmother, bringing the spirit of adventure, exploration, and groundbreaking innovation to the world's best family vacation," Royal Caribbean said in an announcement email.

She is well known for bioastronautics and STEM advocacy.

Ms. Gerardi's selection follows the unexpected cancellation by Diana Ross to be the ship's godmother, who withdrew due to unforeseen circumstances.

With Ms. Gerardi in place, she'll sail on the showcase cruise out of Port Canaveral on August 20 on a 3-night cruise to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas.

Who is Kellie Gerardi?

Kellie Gerardi is one of the first 100 women to go into space, and she has been involved in space travel for many years.

She's an American science communicator, former payload specialist, and grew up close to where Star of the Seas is based out from.

She grew up in Jupiter, Florida, and started off her career at Palantir Technologies in mission operations and became the director of human spaceflight operations for the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS).

On November 2, 2023, Gerardi made her suborbital spaceflight aboard Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 05 mission as a payload specialist. She was responsible for conducting key experiments in microgravity, such as fluid dynamics and glucose monitoring.

She's also well known on social media. She has over a million followers on Instagram and hundreds of thousands on TikTok, authored Not Necessarily Rocket Science, and created children’s books like Luna Muna to spark curiosity and representation in science. She was also selected to TIME100 Creators list.

Her selection as godmother is likely because of her commitment to exploration, science, and pushing boundaries.

Her social media feed has a great deal of STEM advocacy, and public outreach empower kids to dream big.

What happened to Diana Ross?

Royal Caribbean had selected Diana Ross to be the godmother, but the famous singer and movie star pulled out at the last minute.

She was named Godmother to the second Icon Class ship in June 2025.

Ross, who has five kids and eight grandchildren, also revealed that her whole family was invited on the cruise.

"That’s really what this ship is all about, joy and family fun," she stated.

Then this week, news broke Ms. Ross was out.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Diana Ross will be unable to appear," a rep for Ross announced earlier this week.

She said later in an interview that her current priorities in life are "health and well-being."

"We are disappointed that Diana Ross is unable to join us to be godmother of Star of the Seas," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement.

Choosing a Godmother

A Godmother is a ceremonial position that all ships have, and different women are chosen for various reasons. The role is often held by renowned athletes, celebrities and royalty.

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

The godfather for Icon of the Seas was soccer megastar Lionel Messi, whereas the godmother for Wonder of the Seas was the result of a contest on TikTok to find the right person.