Royal Caribbean is about to roll out two new credit cards that that are going to be offer more incentives to consumers.

For the first time, the company is introducing a single credit card that works across all three of its cruise brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. The new cards, called Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus, are part of a bigger push the company has had to build customer loyalty.

Instead of earning rewards tied to just one cruise line, this new program is designed to let you earn and redeem across all of them.

The cards are expected to launch in the coming weeks, although an exact date hasn’t been announced yet.

Here's what has been announced and what you can expect with the new cards.

The first tri-branded cruise credit card

Not only is there a new credit card, but it's different how you can use it to redeem rewards.

Instead of being locked into just Royal Caribbean rewards, you'll be able to earn points whether you’re sailing on Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea,  and then use those points across any of those brands.

The company says their goal is to make make rewards more flexible and easier to use as guests move between different lines. This is important given the recent changes to loyalty programs to make earning points between the lines easier.

It further reduces being siloed by brand. Instead, you can mix and match which cruise line you sail on and how you redeem your points.

This new card is designed to follow how people actually cruise today.

There's no word yet when you start applying for the card.  Current cardholders will receive the new terms and conditions and then begin the conversion process automatically. 

Two cards are launching

Royal Caribbean is launching two versions of the card to provide a choice in how they opt to travel.

Royal ONE (no annual fee)

The base version of the card comes with no annual fee and focuses on straightforward rewards:

• 3X points on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea
• 2X points on groceries, gas, and EV charging
• 1X point on all other purchases

It also includes a few travel perks, such as:

• Priority boarding on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruises
• A $100 anniversary reward after qualifying spend
• No foreign transaction fees

This version is clearly aimed at casual cruisers who want to earn rewards without paying a yearly fee.

Royal ONE Plus ($99 annual fee)

The upgraded version of the card adds more earning power and additional perks, especially for frequent cruisers.

• 4X points on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea
• 2X points on groceries, gas, EV charging, plus air, hotel, and dining
• 1X point on all other purchases

Extra benefits include:

• Priority suite boarding across all three brands
• Priority luggage handling (Royal Caribbean and Celebrity)
• A $200 anniversary reward after qualifying spend
• A $120 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit every four years
• No foreign transaction fees

This card carries an annual fee, but it also has more perks and you can earn points more quickly to help justify it.  I think it's aimed at people that love to cruise already and who travel often enough to justify the annual fee.

Here are a few other important differences about these cards:

• The anniversary reward is recurring each year
• Points don't expire
• The old card has a maximum cap on points, but the new card doesn't
• The minimum point redemption will move from 1,000 to 5,000 points

Better rewards

Another improvement over the current credit card is what you convert your points into as you sail.

Points earned with the Royal ONE cards can be used for cruise fare discounts or onboard credits that can be redeemed for:

• Shore excursions
• Beverage packages
• Specialty dining
• Wi-Fi packages
• Onboard experiences

That flexibility is key. It aligns the credit card more closely with how people actually spend money on a cruise. They want rewards that save them money on how they already like to cruise.

What happens to the current Royal Caribbean credit card

If you already have the existing Royal Caribbean credit card, you won't be left behind.

Royal Caribbean Group says current cardholders will be automatically converted to the new Royal ONE card. From there, they’ll have the option to upgrade to the Royal ONE Plus version if they want the additional perks.

Is the new Royal Caribbean Royal ONE card worth it?

Ever since Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty mentioned a new credit card was in the works, plans are revolved around the idea of offering more to loyal cruisers.

When asked about the Royal Caribbean credit card during an earnings call, he said they were working on something better.

"We do have a co-branded credit card. It is tied today to our loyalty program, but not in the way that fits our ambition."

That ambition is evident in how this credit card offers more incentives than before, and it's part of a larger journey of empowering loyal cruisers.

Royal Caribbean Group introduced status matching in 2024, and then added Points Choice so you could earn points no matter which cruise line you sailed on. 

The credit card is the third step, because now you can earn credit card points and not be limited if you use them for a Royal Caribbean, Silversea, or Celebrity Cruise.  And whichever line you choose, you can earn points for that sailing back in the loyalty program of your choice.

That kind of flexibility didn’t exist before in this way.

"I think people want to be recognized," Mr. Liberty explained. "They and not just recognized for their spend today, but recognized for all that they have done in the past."

"And then we need to make sure we're creating an environment across our brands to make sure that in their lifetime of vacation, we have the right vacation experience that is relevant to them, and that they're benefiting from continuing to stay inside our ecosystem."

Both of these cards were made for those who love cruising and sail on Royal Caribbean brand ships pretty much every year.

That's because the reward earning potential is so much higher for booking a cruise and using the card to pay for any extras.

The Royal ONE Plus card certainly is best for anyone that cruises more than once a year, and the annual fee is negated by the $200 anniversary reward (with qualifying spend).

I think the genius of this card is you can earn points and then later decide if you want to redeem the points towards any one of the Royal Caribbean Group brands. That flexibility offers more freedom in how you can jump between lines more easily than in the past.

Of course, for those who don't foresee a cruise vacation in their future or are more immersed in the world of credit card rewards, it may not make sense to add this card to their wallet.

Royal Caribbean is making its next Icon Class ship bigger and bolder, with some serious new changes.

Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon Class ship, will set sail from Miami in August 2027, the cruise line announced on Monday. This will be the biggest cruise ship in the world when she debuts and offer new activities and experiences.

One takeaway from the early announcement is Royal Caribbean wants to offer even more to families to experience together.  While the majority of the ship is similar to other Icon Class ships, the big changes speak to the family cruise vacation.

"With more water, more thrills and more choices for all ages, we’re continuing to build on what our guests love about Royal Caribbean and delivering the experiences families are looking for when vacationing together," said the line's CEO Michael Bayley.

Here’s what guests can expect.

When will Hero of the Seas debut?

The ship will launch in August 2027.

Its homeport will be Miami, Florida.

Bookings open on April 1. 

Royal Caribbean says Crown and Anchor members can book on April 1 and the public can do so on April 2, but it's been our experience bookings are available for everyone on April 1st. The difference is bookings get publicized on April 2nd.

What's new coming to Hero of the Seas?

More pools, with a shift towards lounging

Royal Caribbean is never content with rolling out copies of its ships. They look for opportunities to improve and push forward.

Hero of the Seas will lean more into the "resort at sea" vibe. Don't worry, there's plenty of thrills too.

There will be 9 pools in total, making it the ship with the most at sea.  But the real change is how these pools will be used.

A new pool concept will be Coconut Cove, that has in-water loungers and chill Caribbean bar energy.

The Hideaway (adults-only area) is being upgraded to have a second pool.  Plus, it will have the largest swim-up bar at sea and an in-water DJ booth.

The waterpark is getting a new headline attraction

Category 6 waterpark has been notable for how big it is since debuting on Icon of the Seas, but it's getting even bigger on Hero.

Royal Caribbean is adding its first-ever funnel raft slide at sea. Plus, there will be new twists on the mat-racing Storm Chasers duo.

Both slides are the kind of water slides families can enjoy together, which is something the cruise line has heard its guests prefer over solo body slides.

Dining gets more experiential

Dining is evolving yet again with Hero of the Seas, as the ship will have 28 dining venues.  But the amount of places to eat isn't the whole story.

The New Orleans Parish Supper Club is a jazz experience that combines with a Cajun/Creole tasting menu.

There will be an immersive train car experience on Hero of the Seas. Royal Caribbean neglected to mention what the theme or motif will be yet.

Something else new coming to Hero are hands-on cooking classes in a new venue to be revealed. 

It will be located in the Surfside neighborhood where "families of all ages can learn kitchen skills together, from fun recipes for little ones to more advanced courses focused on chopping and baking."

Introducing the Ultimate Family Treehouse

Royal Caribbean is looking to outdo itself yet again with an over-the-top suite.

The Ultimate Family Treehouse is 3 stories and features a rooftop terrace and private whirlpool, a two-deck teen space, and two main bedrooms each with their own bathroom and balcony.

The suite has direct access to Surfside.

What else can guests expect?

One truth about any new Royal Caribbean ship is the cruise line is never content to let any be carbon copies of each other.

Even when you get past the headline-generating changes for Hero, this new ship will likely bring more of what people already love about the Icon Class.

The Icon Class ships have been developed to be the biggest, boldest ships at sea. Icon of the Seas raised the bar for the entire vacation industry, and Hero of the Seas will refine it.

Instead of trying to outdo itself with entirely new concepts, Royal Caribbean is clearly doubling down on what worked and smoothing out what didn't.

The shift towards shared experiences is a key takeaway. The addition of family raft slides, cooking classes, and more group-friendly activities signals a move away from individual “wow” moments and toward things families can actually do together.

At the same time, Hero doesn’t abandon what made Icon Class successful in the first place. The core formula is still here: a mix of waterpark-style thrills, resort-style relaxation, and a long list of dining and entertainment choices. But instead of reinventing the wheel, Royal Caribbean is fine-tuning it.

For cruisers, that likely means a more predictable experience in a good way. If you liked Icon of the Seas, Hero looks like it will deliver more of what you already enjoy, with fewer trade-offs.

There's another cruise ship debuting first

While Hero of the Seas is grabbing a lot of attention, it's not the next new Royal Caribbean ship in line to arrive.

Legend of the Seas debut this summer as the third ship in the Icon Class. In many ways, Legend will act as the bridge between what guests have already seen on Icon of the Seas and the refinements coming with Hero.

Legend will debut in Europe first, and then come to the United States in November.

This new ship will have a Hollywood-themed supper club, offer brand new shows like America’s Got Talent and Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".

Royal Railway Legend Station will be on the ship to become the first Icon Class ship to offer the immersive train restaurant before Hero.

Let's welcome spring with Royal Caribbean! It was a busy week with Royal Caribbean news, and we have a summary of all of the news from this week to make certain you did not miss any of it.

On Star of the Seas, connecting rooms have a new option for making these rooms perfect, even if you don't know the person on the other side.

Connecting cabins are traditionally cruise rooms we don't recommend, but that has changed.

Matt tried out a set of these staterooms on his spring break cruise, and it's definitely a smart fix.

Royal Caribbean News

• Miami's cruise ship traffic problem is so bad, but there's a new plan to fix it
• Royal Caribbean glitch sends out "Welcome Aboard" emails over and over again
• Cruise ship requests blood donors from guests during middle of the night
• US issues "worldwide caution" alert to travelers
• You could be seated with strangers on a cruise. How to avoid it
• Yes, you can share a Royal Caribbean internet package (and it can save you money)
• I took my family on a spring break cruise. Here are the 6 tips I used to deal with the crowds
• 4 of the most commonly confiscated items on a cruise ship
• What is an Alaska Inside Passage cruise like?
• Celebrity Cruises drink packages explained: costs, perks, and if it’s worth it
• Why many travelers aren't canceling their cruises right now

New RCB Video: 5 Passengers Who Are Banned From Royal Caribbean Forever

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 — 5 Passengers Who Are Banned From Royal Caribbean Forever — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Cruise ship passenger sues Royal Caribbean for $75,000 after slipping and falling

Royal Caribbean is being sued after a passenger slip and fell on a wet floor on one of its ships.

The person fell backward in Central Park on Harmony of the Seas after it rained.

She is seeking $75,000 in a new lawsuit filed against the cruise line.

Royal Caribbean passenger dies during New Zealand cruise

A passenger died on board Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas ship earlier this week.

Anthem was sailing a 12-night New Zealand cruise at the time of the incident.

New Zealand Police are investigating the "sudden death" on behalf of the coroner with no cause of death yet disclosed.

I brought a 12-pack of soda on my Royal Caribbean cruise. Why it was a smart hack

I tried out one of the most popular money saving cruise tips and now I know why everyone does it.

Bringing your own soda on a cruise saves money, especially for casual drinkers.

While it was a hassle to carry it on embarkation day, it paid off during the rest of my sailing.

I ate my way through Royal Caribbean's newest mega ship. These are the 7 dishes I'm still thinking about

After a week on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Matt shared the best of the best food he ate onboard.

One thing new cruise ships always do well is the variety of food, and Star of the Seas did not disappoint.

From burgers to croissants, Matt listed his favorite foods of the cruise that truly stood out.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 601st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt laments the port times in select ports.

Certain ports always seem to have very short hours, and it's frustrating to Matt how it happens so often.

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

There's a chance you would have to sit with other passengers for a meal during your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Sharing a table with other guests is a cruising tradition going back decades, and it's still in use in a few situations.

Some people like the idea of being seated with others because it adds a social aspect to the meal, and it's a way to connect with others.  You rarely encounter such opportunities in today's society outside of cruising.

However, some people would greatly prefer not to deal with making conversation and other pleasantries during their meals.  Or they simply prefer to enjoy time with their own family.

Here's what you should know about being seated with strangers on a cruise ship, and when you can avoid it.

The best chance to sit with other passengers is in the Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the highest chance you'll be seated with someone outside your party is at dinner.

With Traditional Dinner, Royal Caribbean comes up with a seating arrangement to accommodate as many people as possible. There are small and large tables, and it's not uncommon to see a few couples seated together at the same table.

There's no way to know in advance what your table assignment will be, so you'll have to wait until you board the ship to see.  

Dining room table assignments are indicated at the bottom right corner of your SeaPass card, but you can also go to the Main Dining Room on embarkation and ask the staff there to verify for you.

If you have selected My Time Dining for dinner, the choice to be seated at a larger table or wait for a private table will be handled as you check-in.

Breakfast and lunch don't have pre-assigned tables, so you'll be seated on a first-come basis. 

Generally, you don't get asked to sit with other passengers, but if the dining room is busy, they sometimes will. Especially with small groups.

You could ask for a private table, but you may have to wait longer.

How to request a table alone

You can make a request pre-cruise to for a private table at dinner. 

A few weeks before your cruise, send an email to [email protected] asking for a table without anyone else. Provide them with your name, ship name, sail date, and cabin number.

You can also change your table assignment on embarkation day by speaking to the Head Waiter.

As you walk into the Main Dining Room, there's usually a crew member at a kiosk who can assist. It's not a guarantee that they can change it for you, but in my experience they almost always can offer you some kind of an alternative.

If you want to change tables later, that's an option too

If the idea of meeting new people and enjoying a lively dinner conversation sounds great, but the people you're seated with end up being dull or frustrating, you can always change to a different table later.

Ask the Head Waiter or Maître d for a new assignment, and they can usually work with you.  Their goal is for everyone to be happy and enjoy their meals.

You can't avoid sitting with strangers at two restaurants

Nearly every other restaurant doesn't require being seated with strangers, but there are two specialty restaurants where you don't have a choice.

Chef's Table is an intricate multi-course meal, paired with glasses of wine, and it's a special occasion where everyone is seated around the same table.

Because this is an intimate meal, there's just one table and it's limited to just a dozen or so passengers.  Therefore, you'll be seated with others.

The other restaurant with mandatory communal seating is Izumi Hibachi and Izumi Omakase.

Each hibachi table can accommodate around 10-12 guests.  This is very unlike Chef's Table, but because there's such high demand and limited times, you'll be seated with other passengers.

Of course, you could avoid being seated with someone you don't know by buying out the table.  Bring a large group with you and make reservations and you'll circumvent the issue because you're bringing the party!

I've been seated with other passengers for meals during shore excursions

The other situation where you could be seated with other passengers is on a shore excursion where a meal is included.

Tours that take you to a restaurant or home for a meal often have limited seating, so it's not uncommon to have to share a table.

Sitting with people you don't know could be a great social opportunity

Some people that cruise a lot swear by how much fun it is to sit with strangers for a meal.

In every situation where I've had to share a table with others, it's never been an awful experience. At worst, they're quiet and don't talk so I'll talk with just my family.

Plus, sitting with others could be a great idea for solo cruisers who wouldn't mind an opportunity to chat.

If you do share a table, be sure to arrive on time and avoid any controversial topics.  I recommend talking about your cruise and experiences onboard to keep it light.

Every cruise, I watch passengers get stopped before boarding at security for items they had no idea were banned.

Most people make an honest mistake by bringing things that aren't allowed onboard because they're a fire or security hazard. Most of these confiscated items don't get them in trouble, but it does result in a frustrating start to their vacation and the loss of the item until they return.

I know when I pack something for a cruise, I'm counting on having that item.  So getting to taken away would put a dent in my plans.

While Royal Caribbean has a lengthy list of things you can't bring on a cruise, four are clearly the top items that seem to be accidentally brought onboard the most.

The most commonly confiscated item are irons and steamers

If you ever pass by the table of confiscated items to be picked up after a cruise is over, I can pretty much guarantee you'll see mostly clothing irons and steamers.

So many people mistakenly believe they can bring them on a cruise, but they'll be taken away as soon as they're spotted in your bags.

The reason why you can't bring clothing irons or steamers on a cruise is they are a fire hazard.  If left unattended, they could start a fire and that's a risk Royal Caribbean won't take.

Fire is the most dangerous scenario for a cruise ship, so the ship's crew are extra vigilant when it comes to preventing fires.

Since irons and steamers aren't allowed, you'll have to figure out an alternative to getting wrinkles and creases out of your clothes.

There are a few options people rely on as a backup:

• Sending clothes out to be pressed onboard (extra cost)
• Bringing wrinkle release spray
• Leaving clothes in the bathroom while the shower runs to absorb the steam
• Rolling clothes in their suitcase

Each idea has its pros and cons, so you'll need to find the one that works best for your needs.

Beer or liquor isn't allowed to be brought onboard

A few cruise lines allow you to bring beer on embarkation day, but not Royal Caribbean. You cannot bring beer or liquor on your cruise.

In fact, the cruise line has gotten more stringent with checking for these items because people try to sneak it onboard.

You are allowed to bring wine or non-alcoholic drinks on your cruise. However, they might still search your bag if they see something in the bag scan that even resembles booze.

This rule is also enforced when you come back on the ship in a port of call. Cruisers like to buy bottles of liquor to bring home, but it will be taken from you until the cruise is over.

Power strips and other unapproved power adaptors are commonly taken from people

If clothing irons are the most confiscated item, then power strips are probably number two on the list.

You cannot bring a power strip or surge protector on a cruise. That's been a rule for many years, and it's because it's also a fire hazard.

But Royal Caribbean also prohibits bringing multi-plug outlets, which is a more recent change in policy.

The simplest way to know if your power adaptor is allowed on a Royal Caribbean ship is to make sure it only has one A/C outlet. The amount of USB outlets is irrelevant.

I recommend this universal power adaptor that works well for cruise ships and will help you if you end up traveling elsewhere around the world (Link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use).

Appliances

As a general rule, you can't bring kitchen appliances on your ship either.  

I've seen rice cookers, electric kettles, and coffee machines on the confiscated items table because people think they can save money and make certain foods in their cabin.

"Electrical items and electronic equipment not designed for personal grooming" aren't allowed.

If your ship sails from the UK, you can expect an electric tea kettle in your cabin. 

Otherwise, you'll need to book a suite in order to have a coffee machine or electric kettle ready to use in your cabin that has been provided by the cruise line.

I ate so much good food on my Royal Caribbean cruise aboard Star of the Seas. In fact, a few were really fantastic.

Every cruise has a wide variety of food, and I'll admit I often go on cruises purely for the food.  The destinations it visits are great, the shows are wonderful, but all the food brings me back each and every time.  

If there's one area you'll notice an improvement with a new vs old cruise ship, it's the food. Royal Caribbean has steadily upped its food game over the years, and each new ship represents a step forward with new options.

After 7 nights on Star of the Seas for a spring break cruise, here are the seven dishes I ordered that I couldn't get enough of during my voyage.

I ordered the chicken parmigiana at Giovanni's Italian twice, because it was so good

My staple for any Italian restaurant is chicken parmigiana, because it's reliably good and can be used as a barometer for the restaurant as a whole.

We ate at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen twice during our cruise (because we had a dining package), and I ordered this dish twice.

The chicken parm here was huge, had a good mix of sauce and cheese, and the chicken wasn't rubbery, too flat, or tough. 

I ordered a side of spaghetti to go with it, but it came with spaghetti and it was just the right amount to compliment the chicken.

All the food at Giovanni's is freshly prepared, and this is one of many dishes I love with the new menu offered.  Shout out to the margherita pizza, giant meatball, and house salad as being really good too.

I always order the sushi platter at Izumi as one of my dishes

I'm no stranger to Izumi sushi on any ship, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't love the sushi on Star of the Seas too.

When you eat at Izumi, you have the choice of a few different small dishes, entrees, and dessert. Regardless of how many times I eat here, I think I always order at least one sushi platter.

There are two choices: Chef's Sushi Selection and Assorted Sashimi. The difference is nigiri vs sashimi rolls, and depending on my mood, I might pick one over the other.

On this occasion, I went with the Chef's Sushi Selection because the rice seemed like a good idea.

Not only is this a tasty option, but it's also an excellent value for how many rolls you get for the price.

I started ordering a chocolate croissant at Pearl Cafe with my morning coffee

I'm not a breakfast guy. I need have an iced coffee everyday and that's usually it until lunch.

But if we have shore plans, I'll grab something to eat so I'm not hangry at 10:30.  The chocolate croissant from Pearl Cafe looked nice, so I ordered it.  And then I ordered it again every single day the offered it.

Pearl Cafe seems to alternate between two breakfast menus each day, so I could only have the chocolate croissant every other day.

I love the combination of a buttery croissant with the richness of chocolate. 

I've had similar pastries on other European cruises, and Royal Caribbean's version is pretty darn good. Tasty, quick, and the perfect compliment to my coffee.

The internet said the smash burger at Basecamp is the best, but I didn't believe them. They were so right

Last year we asked our readers for the best snacks on Royal Caribbean, and so many people said the smash burger was it.

I was skeptical that it was that good, or that it could be better than the burger at the Windjammer.  

I was so wrong.

Basecamp has quickly become one of the best restaurant ideas to come out of the Icon Class, and I think the smash burger is a great example.

Smash burgers are regular burgers, but pressed into a super hot griddle until it gets a deeply caramelized crispy crust. Add onions, lettuce, pickles, and a tomato, and you get a winner.

I grabbed one for a late-afternoon snack and I was really impressed how good it tasted.  Not only was it better than the Windjammer burgers, but after wolfing one down, I wanted another.

The best steak on Star of the Seas is the filet mignon at Hooked

I recently came around to liking Hooked Seafood again after years of hating on it, and the filet mignon is a top reason why.

You can make arguments for the filet mignon from Chops, Coastal Kitchen, or Giovanni's being the best steak on the ship. But I really think Hooked was the best I had.

It's simple, but it's a generous sized cut of meat and cooked well.

I think I like the seasoning they use primarily as the difference maker. I'm not a "sauce on my steak" guy.

Ultimately, I think this steak doesn't try to do too much, and because it's a decent sized cut, is something I'd order any day.

Shout out for the blackened salmon, which is also quite good!

The Playmakers chicken tenders became my ultimate comfort food

Our cruise went over the NCAA Basketball March Madness tournament, so I found myself spending a lot of time in Playmakers Sports Bar.

The chicken tenders are giant hunks of breaded chicken, and I think it pairs so well with the BBQ sauce you can get to go with them.

Every time I went to Playmakers, I'd order them. Even when I was just there for a drink. It's a solid meal in and of itself, as well as being the kind of snack you can pick at.

Plus, it's served with french fries that are equally addictive to snack on while watching a game and drinking a beer.

While the nachos, burger, and crunch rolls at Playmakers are all quite tasty, I found it was the tenders I wanted to have first, every time.

I had at least 3 or 4 falafel bowls from Aquadome Market, because it was both good and didn't make me feel guilty

It's easier to snack if you can tell yourself it's "healthy", and that's exactly what I did at Aquadome Market.

Royal Caribbean's food hall is my favorite included restaurant, and I think I must have gone up there at least 3 or 4 times during my cruise. It might have been more.

The Feta hall has the option of falafel, chicken, or pork to be used in a pita or bowl.

I used to order the pita bread, but it's nearly impossible to eat without making a giant mess all over yourself.  I switched to the bowl to make it more manageable and then justified having more because there were less carbs.

I'm all for dishes made fresh and customized the way I want it. All veggies, no feta, extra hummus.

I wish they'd make the falafel fresh rather than in batches, but it's still so darn satisfying.

A passenger aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise ship sailing in the South Pacific has died.

As first reported by People and confirmed by the police, a passenger was found dead aboard Anthem of the Seas as the ship was on its way to Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

A police statement confirmed basic details surrounding the death.

"At around 1:45 a.m., Police were notified of a death on board the Anthem of the Seas cruise ship which was arriving from Sydney, Australia."

Police are “making enquiries into the person's death on behalf of the coroner."

The police are now investigating the "sudden death", and no cause of death has yet been disclosed.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident as well, issuing a statement to members of the media.

"We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests. We are supporting authorities in their investigation"

No other details have been shared regarding the person's identity, what may have happened, or any other details surrounding the nature of the death.

Anthem of the Seas is on a 12-night roundtrip New Zealand cruise. The ship's itinerary includes visits to the Bay of Islands, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton (Christchurch), and Dunedin, featuring scenic cruising in Dusky and Milford Sound before returning on April 3, 2026.

Anthem of the Seas is a 168,666 a gross ton vessel, and one of the Quantum Class ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet. It can accommodate up to 4,180 guests and 1,500 crew members.

It debuted in 2015, and is a relatively newer ship.

Royal Caribbean's new cabin design solves the noise problem in connecting rooms.

In March, I went on Star of the Seas for a 7-night cruise to Mexico and Honduras and I paid $2597.34 for each category CB stateroom.

I booked two connecting balcony rooms so that we had separation from my kids and we had two bathrooms, which has become a must-have when cruising with teenagers.

We stayed in cabins 12696 and 12698, which is on deck 12 and a short walk from the aft elevators.

After a few days, I regretted not booking our rooms on a lower deck.  I like to rely on the stairs to quickly get down to the Royal Promenade, but I wish I had a cabin on deck 8 or 9 instead because the walk would have been shorter.

Regardless of deck, I prefer to pick a cabin near the elevators to reduce the walking distance and increase convenience.

I've stayed in connecting rooms before, but there's a major difference with them on Star of the Seas. Instead of a connecting door inside the room, there's now a new feature that I think is pure genius.

Royal Caribbean added a pair of outside doors to solve a problem connecting cabins traditionally had of the interior common door being flimsy and not very soundproof.

The idea with these rooms is you can close off the outside doors and then keep your primary cabin door open or unlocked so you can easily go between each.

The advantage of this approach is if you don't know someone in the other connecting cabin, you don't have an interior door to contend with.  It's a wonderful little fix.

This seemingly solves the reason why connecting rooms were on our list of cabins to avoid on a cruise ship.

Access to the outside door still requires a tap of the RFID Seapass card (or Wow Band), and you can open or close the outer doors anytime you want.

The flexibility to deploy the outside doors or not meant we could keep it simple during the day, but close them at night in case us or the kids needed to pass through the rooms quickly.

Walking into the cabin, it's far from a giant cabin.  This is a standard balcony room with enough room for two passengers to comfortably enjoy it.

The king size bed is found immediately as we pass into the room. Like most Royal Caribbean beds, it can be split apart upon request.

On both sides of the bed is a reading light switch, along with a USB-A outlet.

There is a large closet near the bed, which is where most of the storage space is located.

Royal Caribbean provides hangers for your use, so you don't need to bring any extras with you.

The most controversial thing about this cabin are the wire baskets at the bottom.

Instead of drawers there are these heavy black baskets that screech every time you pull or push them in because they rub against the wood below it.

Frankly, I hate this and don't understand why the baskets were ever approved given how loud they are to slide in and out. Plus, I don't love the idea of my garments being visible from within the basket.

Some of our readers suggested removing the baskets and hiding them under the bed, which is a pretty good idea.

Next to the closet is a full-length mirror, which if you pull it open, reveals the safe.

Kind of a neat idea to hide the safe behind the mirror.

There is a large television across from the bed, which has a few channels to watch.  My favorite is the non-stop Back to the Future movies channel loop. 

Next to the TV are a set of shelves, with an extra USB outlet here. I'm not certain why there's a USB outlet, but it's there.

There is a vanity as you move deeper into the cabin, which also has additional drawers.

The vanity has a mirror and many power outlets. There is a universal AC outlet, along with one USB-A and one USB-C outlet.

Opposite the vanity is a sofa, which ends up being the "place all our junk gets put on".  But theoretically, you could sit or lay on it.

The balcony is accessible via a sliding door, where you'll find two chairs and a table.

Having a balcony room is such a nice plus. It's a wonderful space to enjoy and just large enough for two people to comfortably be out there. 

Back inside the room, the bathroom is small, but the space is used effectively.

The best thing about a bathroom on Star of the Seas is the shower. 

Instead of a tubular shape, Royal Caribbean has a much wider option with sliding door and even a bench. 

Overall, connecting balcony rooms are my favorite option for families that want to cruise together, but not share the same room.

Suites are so much more expensive than connecting rooms. Plus, this new connecting outside door idea is a really smart upgrade for families, or a lovely workaround if you happen to end up in a connecting balcony room and don't know the people in the other room.

Despite higher oil prices, airport delays, and travel disruption, travelers with a cruise booked are largely still planning to take their vacation.

So I asked cruise fans a simple question: Would any of this change your plans?

The answer was almost unanimous. They’re still going.

"Keeping all 9 of my bookings from now through November," posted Simone Amadee on Facebook when questioned if they were reconsidering travel because of recent global events.

Hundreds of others weighed in to say mostly the same thing: they're keeping their travel plans in place.

Long TSA lines, the Iran conflict, and increased airfares have been at the forefront of news in recent weeks, but going on a cruise doesn't seem to be changing in anyone's view yet.

Joline Tate posted, "Royal Caribbean will not take you where there's danger. If a port is dangerous, they will cancel; you won't have to."

Her sentiment was shared by many that life goes on, despite the travel anxiety some may be feeling.

"Unless the cruise line cancels it, I’m going"

The overwhelming response wasn’t hesitation. It was defiance. Despite scary headlines, most travelers are not canceling cruises.

We asked our readers on Facebook if they're feeling any concern about going on a cruise due to recent issues around the United States and abroad.

Over 200 comments were left, and the vast majority were positive and said they were definitely going on their cruise. In our unscientific poll, there were very limited outright cancellations.

The majority of the comments fell into the "I'm still going" category.

"I cruise at the end of July to the Caribbean. I'm making the final payment next week and hoping for the best," added Kelly D'Alessandro.

Many people shared they feel cruises feel insulated from global events. Moreover, Caribbean cruises are seen as low risk.

"I would absolutely go on a cruise if I had one booked and paid for. Probably the safest way to travel today," wrote Kat PS.

It also helps that cruises are booked months in advance, and most itineraries are far from conflict zones. Royal Caribbean doesn't offer any cruises in the Middle East, and their European cruise season is just about to begin.

Plus, there's a strong sense that cruises feel removed from the chaos on land. Once you're onboard, the outside world fades pretty quickly.

Some are concerned, but not canceling

Even though many aren't canceling their cruise, they are monitoring the situation to see if a change is needed.

Flights are probably the top concern among respondents.

• "Keeping all 9 of my bookings… a bit nervous about all of the flights"
• "A bit nervous about all of the flights I have to take but keeping the faith all will go well!"
• "My problem was the air fare was more than the cruise I was about to book"

People aren't canceling cruises, but they are worried about getting there. To that point, some people are pivoting to cruises they can drive to instead of relying on air travel.

A partial government shutdown has strained the Transportation Security Administration, contributing to longer security lines at airports across the country. This has lead to long lines at airports in some cases.

The concern of missing a flight over these delays is at the heart of why some are questioning going overseas for a trip. Both Americans traveling to Europe and Europeans coming to the States are where the comments started to vary.

"Staying in Europe this year, but we've booked most of our holidays at home in UK for the rest of the year," Sandra Harris wrote.

"Europe? Moved mine to next summer," added Ashley H.

People aren't canceling, but they are watching

The bottom line is most people with a cruise booked plan to go on it, but they aren't ignoring the world events either.

People are watching flight prices and airport situations, and they're thinking more carefully about future trips.

The cruise is still happening, it's just everything around it that feels a little uncertain.