A cruise ship visit to Alaska and Norway is an ideal way to get a taste of what each of these beautiful parts of the world has to offer, but how do they compare to each other?

I recently took my first cruise to Norway and very quickly the comparisons to Alaska emerged.  Given both are cold weather cruising destinations, the parallels are obvious.  

However, the more I dug into my Norway cruise, the sooner I saw that while they both are located in the upper latitudes of the globe, they are not as similar a cruising destination as you might expect.

An Alaska cruise and a Norway cruise should be right at the top of your must-do list because of how beautiful these parts of the world are, but they aren't exactly the same.  I found far more differences between the two regions than I anticipated before I ever cruised there.

Between my Alaska cruises and my Norway cruise, there are a few important considerations if you are interested in picking either locale for a cruise ship vacation.

Ideally, you'll book a cruise to both Alaska and Norway so that you can enjoy both for what they excel at, but if you're in the market for only one cruise, here's what you should know.

Getting there

Until transporters from Star Trek are invented, getting to Norway or Alaska for your cruise may sway your decision considerably.

As an American, getting to Alaska for a cruise will always be easier and cheaper than Europe for a Norway cruise.

Flights to Seattle are plentiful across the United States, and while airfare prices are generally higher than ever, a domestic flight to Seattle will always cost less than a flight to the United Kingdom.

Even if you consider an Alaska cruise that begins in Vancouver, it will probably be cheaper than getting to Europe.

Of course, if you live in Europe (or closer to Europe than North America), then a Norway cruise could be quite affordable in terms of flying to where the ship departs from.

Airfare in Europe tends to be quite cheap, especially if you can take one of the various low-cost European carriers, such as EasyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, or Norwegian.

Similar to price, flights will be shorter depending on which embarkation port you live closer to. 

Many savvy travelers will save their credit card points for a European vacation to help take the sting out of airfare.  In fact, investing in a business class flight could also make sense with credit card points.

An Alaska cruise will take me about 5-6 hours to fly to, whereas a flight to London will come in at 8 or 9 hours from Florida.  If you live in the Northeast United States, flight times between New York and Seattle and New York and London aren't that far different.

Ultimately, unless you can drive to Seattle or Southampton, you're probably going to need to fly and it will be a multi-hour ordeal that adds a hefty cost too.

Advantage: Tie

Scenery

On the surface, Alaska and Norway seem to have similar topography and scenery, but I found that not necessarily to be the case.

Fjords can certainly look similar to a glacier inlet that you'd find in Alaska, but I found when you're not in a fjord, Norway isn't as majestic looking as Alaska.

No matter where you are in Alaska, you're going to be nearly surrounded by tall peaks and an open landscape. I was blown away by the beauty of Alaska from my first visit, and the scale of the mountains and countryside around you cannot be properly conveyed until you see it.

In Norway, cities like Haugesund or Bergen don't have those views or towering vistas.  

While the fjords of Gerainger and Olden did resemble the sort of vistas you'd find in Alaska, it was fleeting once your ship left.

That isn't to say Norway isn't beautiful or scenic, because the country is quite lovely and it's quite unspoiled in many areas. In fact, the Scandinavian architecture makes up for what is otherwise quite bland building style of Alaska.

One might even argue the beauty of the fjords while you're in them makes up for whatever mountainous scenery Alaska has elsewhere. Certainly the sail-in for the fjord evoked very similar views that you'd find in a glacier sail-in. 

The difference for me was the impressive and soaring land around you in Alaska really stood out, and I wasn't quite as struck by the immense elevation of Norway compared to Alaska.

Advantage: Alaska

Culture

Where Norway really shines is the rich culture and history of the country.

You'll find small towns and big cities in Norway to visit during your cruise, and there are thousands of years of history you can explore along the way.

Norway's Viking legacy brings all sorts of opportunities to learn and explore, and it's something that extends even to today. Continuing forward to the last couple hundred of years, you'll find art, history, and a culinary tradition that has made Europe appealing for so long as a destination.

Alaska has a long-standing Native American culture that is fascinating to explore, but that's about where Alaska's cultural appeal ends. The Alaska cruise ports tend to be centered around cheesy tourist spots or shopping. 

I didn't find Alaskan cultural appeal to be nearly as strong as Norway.  It's cities are small, and the entire state is sparsely populated.  Don't expect to find high-end restaurants, evocative museums, or a cosmopolitan feel.

This may be one of the appeals of Alaska, that it relies so heavily on its natural beauty as a reason to cruise there, whereas Norway has its natural wonders, along with population centers you can explore in-depth.

Advantage: Norway

Wildlife

This is probably the most simple comparison of the list, because Norway has little to no wildlife you'd be excited to see.

Alaska is known for the amazing animals you can see there: whales, bears, moose, eagles, seals.  There's more than that, but a major highlight of any Alaska cruise are the wildlife spotting opportunities.

Alaska is home to more bears than any other state. There are an estimated 100,000 bald eagles in the world, with around 30,000 calling Alaska home.  The salmon runs are known around the world for how impressive they are.

Norway, however, doesn't have these sort of animal spotting opportunities. The most exotic animals you'll see on a Norway cruise are sheep and goats. 

Advantage: Alaska

Cost

Neither Alaska nor Norway cruises are going to be the cheapest cruise you can find, but both have shoulder seasons when you can find a deal.

The Alaska cruise season runs from May through September, with the months of June through August representing the peak of the season and the highest prices too.

If you take an Alaska cruise in May or September, you can find bargain basement prices for a cruise, especially the sailings from Vancouver.

Read more: The Best Time to Cruise Alaska Month by Month

Likewise, Norway's cruise season also runs from May through September and it's shoulder season will have better prices if you can sail then.

Both Alaska and Norway aren't cheap once you get there.

Food prices especially are much higher than most travelers might expect. Norway is notorious for expensive food, while an Alaska shore excursion is going to be much more expensive than a Caribbean tour.

Advantage: Tie

Which should you choose: Alaska or Norway cruise?

You should really experience both an Alaska cruise and a Norway cruise because while they both have colder temperatures than the Caribbean or Mediterranean, the each are different enough to warrant separate trips.

Of course, it's not as simple as that for everyone to make happen, given the time and costs associated with both cruises.

In reflecting on my Alaska and Norway cruises, I found the natural beauty and wildlife superior in Alaska, while preferring the cities and history that Norway has to offer.

I found myself more impressed with Alaska's looks, but enamored with the old world appeal of Norway (and Europe, in general).

You won't find a shortage of natural beauty in either cruise, and more than likely a hefty price tag to get to either.  But I can all but promise you the journey will be worth it when you get to experience it all yourself.

Just days after Royal Caribbean's last meteorologist announced he left the company, there's a new posting for a replacement.

Royal Caribbean Group posted on their website a new job listing for the position of Chief Meteorologist.

Last week, James Van Fleet announced on social media he is no longer with Royal Caribbean. Mr. Van Fleet was the first Chief Meteorologist for Royal Caribbean and the cruise industry as a whole.

By employing a meteorologist on staff in a full-time capacity, it assists in tracking hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, severe rainstorms and winter storm fronts which may require itinerary deviations.

The job listing for his replacement seeks someone who has at least 15 years of experience forecasting the weather along with substantial media and public speaking experience.

"The position is responsible for drawing upon global resources and ongoing innovations in science, planning and presentation tools to support the business to proactively manage the impact of weather on operations, revenues and profits.  This includes interaction with individual ships as well as with corporate senior executives, guests, and engagement with the media and general public.  This position will primarily focus on the safety and comfort of guests and crew through active weather forecast support and operational recommendations.  Will also serve as the primary liaison with weather service providers, government agencies, and academic institutions."

Here's what is listed for the responsibilities of this potential new hire:

• Responsible for providing expert analysis, as accurately as possible, on the timing, severity, and exact location of dangerous weather systems such as hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, severe rainstorms and winter storm fronts which may require itinerary deviations.
• Relies on prior experience to determine appropriate means of notifying teams of potentially dangerous weather systems.
• Serves as key subject matter expert spokesman for weather situations which are of public interest, including a prominent presence in social media.
• Evaluates weather related technical systems and planning tools for fleet operations and Newbuild projects.
• Liaison with academic institutions and the science community for oceanographic and meteorological data collection and analysis and scientific innovations
• Provides long-term global deployment expertise related to weather patterns and analysis
• Develops and maintains weather training programs and guidance for shipboard teams
• Provides guidance and expertise to support the Energy Performance group for weather-related opportunities for fuel savings.
• Provides weather-related support and guidance to the fleet as needed.
• Identifies and manages metrological training programs, content and education for nautical officers in the fleet
• This position is responsible for the management of fleet weather support services.

The timing of the change in personnel comes on the precipice of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins next week.

Officially the hurricane season runs between June 1 and November 30, although dangerous storms can occasionally form outside those dates.

While the U.S. government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hasn't released its forecast yet for the 2023 season (it's coming on May 25), a few other institutions have posted predictions.

Colorado State University currently forecasts a slightly below-average amount of hurricane activity in 2023. The university's predicted 13 named storms for the season, with six storms becoming hurricanes. Two of those could become major hurricanes.

North Carolina State University predicted 11 to 15 named storms in 2023, with six to eight becoming hurricanes and two to three growing into major hurricanes.

Replacing James Van Fleet

The new job posting follows the departure of the first Chief Meteorologist, James Van Fleet.

Van Fleet's last day was May 1, according to his post.

Mr. Van Fleet confirmed on social media that he is moving on from his position with the cruise line following six and a half years of working at Royal Caribbean.

Van Fleet started with Royal Caribbean in January 2017 and was a very visible face of the cruise line who explained how weather would potentially impact cruise ships.  He would often record forecasts that were transmitted to guests in their staterooms, along with being posted online.

Most guests found Mr. Van Fleet's forecasts helpful during hurricane season when tropical disturbances would wreak havoc in the Caribbean.

"As far as the guests go, I also want to thank you for all your trust over the years as we've moved you around storms and systems so you would have the best vacation experience," he shared in the video he shared on social media.

Prior to working with Royal Caribbean, he worked as a meteorologist for local television channels in both Tampa and Orlando, as well as stations in Texas.

Your thoughts

Is it important to you for Royal Caribbean to have a Chief Meteorologist? Would you like to see Mr. Van Fleet return to the role? 

Share your thoughts on hiring a meteorologist in the comments on this post!

I had a great first European cruise that took me to the Norway, and much of the week-long cruise exceeded my expectations.

But like all things, hindsight is always 20/20, and if I were to do it all over again, I would have made a few changes to what I did on my first Royal Caribbean cruise to Norway.

With any cruise I take, I like to reflect on the decisions I made for how I could improve the experience going forward.  I certainly hope this is not my last cruise to Norway, so the next time I head there, I can apply these lessons.

Some of these mistakes and good choices are also more universal to other types of cruises, whether in Europe or the Caribbean.  So there may be opportunities for everyone to have a better future cruise experience.

The mistakes

Booked The Key

If you've read this site for any length of time, you know I'm not a fan of Royal Caribbean's VIP program, known as The Key.

In short, I think the benefits sound better than they actually are, and you're better off saving your money. 

However, I feel it important to re-visit certain programs, like The Key, because lots of things change with Royal Caribbean. Plus, I thought perhaps it might be a better purchase in Europe than the Caribbean.

Suffice to say, I came away with the exact same conclusion as before because the program is heavily front-loaded, meaning the bulk of the benefits are for the first day of the cruise.  Plus, the benefits that work for the rest of the cruise left me disappointed.

I could spend this entire article writing about my experience with The Key, but I'll sum it up as follows: many benefits you can achieve on your own without paying for The Key every day of your cruise (i.e. anyone can get early check-in if they plan ahead, you can book a Chops Grille lunch on embarkation day on your own, WiFi packages are cheaper on their own, etc) and the exclusive reserved times at popular attractions are always at inopportune times (either dinner time or too early in the morning).

The only reason I'd recommend The Key is if your cruise had a tender port, in which case being able to get priority for tenders could be really helpful.  On this cruise, we docked at each of our ports.

Not booking the electric car tour

I had a great time in Geiranger and found the scenery stunning.  In fact, it was the first port that I was really impressed with the landscape to the point I thought, "this is something I've never seen before".  

I booked a boat tour of the fjord, but I really wish I had booked one of the electric cars instead.

In Geiranger, you can rent a two-person tiny electric car that has a GPS system built in that offers tours of the surrounding area.  They look funny, but it's a super easy way to get around Geiranger.

There's two reasons why I was better off doing something on land, like a car rental.

First, your ship sails into the Geirangerfjord all morning and you don't get to the town of Geiranger until around noon. So as long as you can wake up and look outside before lunch, you'll see the same scenes the boat tours offer.  

The highlight of the fjord is the Seven Sisters waterfall, but it's so close to the town that you can sleep in and still catch it as your ship passes by the waterfall in the final hour of the sail-in.

Even if you do sleep through the entire sail-in and miss the fjord and waterfall, you can see it on the way out after your ship departs Geiranger!

The other reason I wish I had booked the electric car tour is the photo opportunities.

Depending on which length you book, you can drive up the mountain to Flydalsjuvet or Ørnesvingen view points.  These are the photos everyone wants on their Norway cruise.

To be clear, you could rent one of these vehicles on the spot without a reservation, which is what I ended up doing later in the day, but the problem is everyone wants to rent one in the morning and the lines can be long.

When I stumbled upon the rental, it was too late and there were two lines: one for people with reservations and one for people without.  I gave up on the line in the morning because people with reservations got priority.

I came back later in the day (around 4pm) and managed to get 1-hour rental, but I wish I could have done the extended tour to see more.

Booking Olden hike through the cruise line

I'm not a hiker, but I really enjoyed taking a hike to Briksdalsbreen glacier because it was challenging without being too advanced for a novice.

However, I really could have done this tour on my own without a formal tour.

Being my first Norway cruise and European cruise, I was a bit apprehensive about what to expect on my tours, and I relied heavily on Royal Caribbean's shore excursions.  I think a lot of cruisers feel this way when they aren't totally sure about what to do.

I'm fine skipping tours in cities when I know I can easily get around on my own, such as my day in Bergen.  But I wasn't totally confident in getting around Olden on my own, and booking a Royal Caribbean tour is easy.  

The glacier is located in a national park, and it's perhaps a half hour drive from where cruise ships dock in Olden.

Being such a popular activity and within close proximity to the port, there were a lot of transportation options to get there.  

While booking my excursion to Briksdalsbreen was quite easy with Royal Caribbean, I could have probably saved money by booking an independent tour to get me to and from the park.  

Not doing the sky walk excursion

The one time I had serious FOMO (fear of missing out) in terms of things to do on my Norwegian fjords cruise was when I saw photos from the people that did the Loen Skylift.

As I said, I really enjoyed my hike to the Briksdal glacier, but I think I would have rather done the Loen Skylift.

The Loen Skylift is located only 6 kilometers from the Port of Olden and takes you from the fjord to the top of Mt. Hoven (1011 meters) in only five minutes. 

At the top, there are amazing views of Mt. Skåla and Lake Lovatnet in the east, Jostedalsbreen Glacier and Olden in the south, and the Nordfjord in the west.

I could have seen the glacier, plus a lot more.

Relied on local food for lunch

I love being able to explore the places I visit on a cruise, especially the local cuisine.

In fact, whenever possible, I'll eat a meal in the place I'm visiting over back on my ship.  While the food is included back on my Royal Caribbean cruise ship, I like to immerse myself in the local culture if possible,

In the towns of Olden and Geiranger, the food choices were quite limited and I regret planning my lunches there.

If you're visiting a city, there's lots of choices, but some ports are quite small towns and don't have a ton of variety.

Of the food available in both Geiranger and Olden, it was primarily pizza, burgers, and pastries.  There's nothing wrong with those foods, but it's too similar to what I can get back on the ship.

In Olden, I found a cafe serving pomme frites, which I thought would be the same kind of Belgian fries I love eating at home. However, these were just microwaved french fries.

The next time I visit these towns, I'll plan to return to the ship for my meals.

Thinking I needed any cash

If you read my pre-cruise post about what I think I need to do on my European cruise to properly plan, I thought I needed to convert my U.S. dollars to local currency.  Not only was I wrong, but there's absolutely no need for any cash in Norway.

Every single vendor takes credit cards, and cash is almost non-existent.

Many Royal Caribbean Blog readers warned me that changing currency was a waste, so I didn't do it and I'm glad I didn't because I would have come home with foreign currency at a loss from the service fees associated with them.

Whether I was in England or Norway, there was no need for cash. Street vendors, gas stations, and restaurants all took credit cards.

Just make sure your credit card has zero foreign transaction fees.

Picking this particular itinerary

Don't get me wrong, I had a great cruise and visited some amazing places.  But in the grand scheme of Norway cruises, I think there are superior itineraries out there.

If you're looking through itineraries, I would point you towards one that visits places such as Flam or Stavanger instead of Haugesund or even Bergen.

My issue with Bergen was we were there from 7:30am to 2pm.  I hate these morning-only visits because so much is closed in the city before 9am, which means a lot of wasted time. Plus, the best (and warmest) weather arrives in the afternoon when it is time to leave.

Similar to how you can't see all of Alaska in one cruise, I suspect Norway may require at least two cruises to see it all.  But I also found in my planning some of the most notable spots were in ports we didn't visit.

Given the timing, this was the only itinerary I could pick that worked with my travel times.  And as I said, I really enjoyed this cruise and the places I visited.

But if I had the choice, I'd definitely consider other Norwegian fjord itineraries to be able to visit ports further north.

Things I did right

Booking a balcony cabin

It seems like the eternal debate of Interior vs Balcony staterooms won't be settled anytime soon, but I think spending extra for a balcony cabin on my Norwegian fjords cruise was worth the extra cost.

Since I was solo on this cruise, I would have usually skipped a balcony room and gone for an inside room because it wouldn't be necessary in terms of space.  However, being able to see the beautiful scenery from the comfort of my room was such a nice treat.

Given that the high temperatures each day was barely in the 50 degree range, many times I enjoyed sitting on my couch inside my room with a view outside via the glass balcony door.

When something caught my attention, or I simply wanted to peek outside, it was so convenient to go out and get a view from my balcony.

On the Geirangerfjord sail-in, I started out on the pool deck to see everything, but it was quite cold so I went back to my cabin.  Here, I could still get great views from inside my room. Plus, when we came to Seven Sisters waterfall, the ship spun around to ensure everyone got a view.

There's no doubt I could have saved some money by booking an interior cabin, but it also helped I was sailing in the shoulder season and the cost to upgrade wasn't much more to get a balcony.

Haugesund fjord tour

Our first port stop was in Haugesund, and I thought I made a mistake booking a fjord tour that was about 2 hours away by bus from the ship.  It turned out to be a great choice.

I booked the Åkrafjord and Langfoss waterfall excursion through Royal Caribbean, and it took us to Åkrafjord by boat.  With the sun shining, it was absolutely stunning to see.

The boat took us slowly around the fjord and right up to Langfoss waterfall.  We got so close the captain actually extended a bucket to get water from the waterfall for everyone to drink.

It was a picture perfect day, and that could have been enough for a great tour but then we had lunch.

I have to admit, I've found every single shore excursion lunch to be pretty terrible.  Usually it's disappointing, mass produced food that leaves you hungry until you get back to the ship.

On this tour, however, the food was really good.

We had lunch at a farm that was right at the shores of the fjord, and the family that owned this farm for centuries prepared all sorts of locally sourced food that was excellent.

We had salmon, goat cheese, breads, stews, and lots of other great eats. The matriarch of the family explained where each came from, and I was impressed.  

I then took my food to a table on the porch outside with a view of the fjord and I wish I could have brought back some food with me.

Bought European sim card

Being the geek that I am, I wanted to stay in contact even when not on a cruise ship, so I bought a sim card for my phone to use and it proved to be extremely helpful during my trip.

I purchased a e-sim from Orange Travel, which is a sim card provide that covers Europe. It worked in England, Norway, Finland, and many more countries too.

Because it was an e-sim, there was no physical card to use. Just pay for it, scan a QR code, and your phone is ready to go.  It comes with a local phone number and plenty of data to use.

The reason why this sim card was so helpful was when you were in port, you had great coverage to manage your day. Whether it was plugging in directions via Google Maps, messaging friends, or checking social media during some downtime, it was worth every penny.

Unlike Alaska, Norway has incredible cell coverage and it worked really well almost everywhere I went.  There was even cell coverage in the fjords!

Your thoughts

What do you think about the mistakes and successes from my first Norwegian fjords cruise? If you have cruised to or visited Norway, what mistakes do you feel you made? Any questions for those taking or considering a Norway cruise? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

It will probably cost you more going forward to book a suite on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean announced a new deposit program for its largest and opulent cruise ship cabins. It applies to sister company Celebrity Cruises as well.

Beginning June 1, 2023, Royal Caribbean is adjusting the deposit requirement for new suite bookings confirmed on or after this date.

The new suite deposit requirement will be calculated as 10% of the cruise fare per guest and is applicable fleetwide.

If the 10% value is less than the standard deposit amount, the required deposit amount will then revert to the standard deposit amount.

Bookings made prior to June 1st, 2023, will not be changed, even if you change the booking to another ship or sail date.  The only reason your deposit amount will change is if you cancel a booking made before June 1st and make a new booking on or after June 1st.

This policy change will apply to all suite categories, including suite guarantees.  This change will apply to all markets and all sailings.

In addition, Junior Suites will be treated like other suites in terms of bookings and deposits.  

Junior Suites will be nonrefundable for new bookings created on or after June 1, 2023.

At this time, deposit requirements for balcony, oceanview, AquaClass, Concierge Class, Veranda, and interior accommodations will remain unchanged.

How the 10% deposit is calculated

The 10% deposit is calculated based on cruise fare after all applicable discounts and promotions have been applied.

In doing some "back of the napkin" math, this appears to affect someone booking a suite over $2,500 per person because the deposit reverts to the $250 if the 10% is less than $250.

Kids Sail Free

If you're taking advantage of the popular Kids Sail Free promotion, the 10% deposit is calculated off the full booking’s cruise fare split amongst the number of guest in the booking.

If the deposit, on a per person basis, is lower than the per person standard deposit, standard deposit will be collected per person.

For any fifth or more guest that are eligible for Kids Sail Free will be charged the standard deposit amount.

Suite deposit cancellation policy

As of June 1st, 2023, all suite bookings, including Junior Suites, have non-refundable deposits.

As such, the full 10% deposit per person will be withheld upon cancellation. If your clients downgrade from a suite category to a lower category which has a lower cruise fare, the higher deposit will still be held.

What if you upgrade your cabin?

You might be wondering what happens if you book an interior/ocean view/balcony stateroom and later upgrade into a suite.

After June 1st, 2023, your deposit amount will be changed from the standard deposit to 10% of their new cruise fare and they will need to pay any difference at the time of upgrade.

NextCruise bookings

All NextCruise Suite bookings made on or after June 1st, 2023, will require 10% of cruise fare, per-person deposit.

Deposits for Junior Suites will now be nonrefundable deposits only, will no longer be reduced and will be calculated on the new percentage rules.

Why is Royal Caribbean making this change?

In the announcement to travel agents, Royal Caribbean did not explain why it is making this policy change but it almost certainly has to do with demand for suites.

Historically, suite cabins are the most sought-after type of staterooms on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.

Earlier this month, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, mentioned the fact suites always sell out first on most sailings, "We used to kind of put everything out there and all the suites would be sold basically right off the bat. And then you would kind of work your way down to the inside cabins."

Over the last few years, Royal Caribbean has updated the suite booking policy to ensure suites booked were going to people that actually wanted them, rather than people that booked them on speculation and subsequently cancelled them later.

Royal Caribbean made suites non-refundable only a few years ago because of the high demand for them, especially when new sailings were announced.

Prior to the non-refundable fares, suites would be booked up early by cruise fans and later decide if they would sail or not. To deter the practice of dumping suites closer to sailing, Royal Caribbean changed suite fares to non-refundable.

This new change is likely partially aimed at ensuring a likely higher deposit amount dissuades someone from booking up a suite unless they know they really want it.

The other very likely reason for this change is because demand for cruises is so high, they can get more money up front now.

Royal Caribbean is seeing record-breaking demand for cruises right now, and the forecast for the rest of the year appears equally positive.

It caught the company off guard, as Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty noted they had expected a slower first quarter, "The fact that demand for the coming nine months is so much stronger than our already robust expectations says a lot about the strength of the consumer and the strength of our brands."

How strong were these bookings? The company says bookings in the first quarter of 2023 outpaced 2019 levels "by a very wide margin" throughout the entire first quarter and into April.

By increasing the suite deposit amounts, Royal Caribbean can get more money up front and potentially more money if someone cancels later.  For a company swimming in billions of debt while enjoying unparalleled demand, you can see why they may have gone in this direction.

Refundable vs non-refundable cruise fares

Just like non-refundable fares found with airfare, rental cars, and hotels, these rates come at a reduced rate as an incentive to lock in plans.

With a non-refundable fare, guests get a lower price while the cruise line gets more protection against a last-minute cancellation.

Refundable cruise fares cost more than non-refundable, but allow more flexibility when cancelling a cruise.

The exact price difference between a refundable and non-refundable fare can vary depending on the sailing.

Read more: Royal Caribbean refundable versus non-refundable cruise fares

No month is more synonymous with summer cruise vacations than the month of July.

You'll find warm temperatures across all of Royal Caribbean's sailings along with (hopefully) sunny skies.

The month of July is the peak of the summer cruise season, which means families are on summer break and demand for a summer vacation reaches its height. Very likely your ship and the places you visit will have lots of people looking to enjoy a break.

In Europe specifically, July is the month when Europeans go on holiday (along with August), so prepare to see a lot of people wherever you go in ports. Be vigilant about your surroundings, as pickpockets in Europe are common in the summer.

The one region where the month of July is off-season is the Caribbean. Given many ships left the Caribbean to sail Europe or Alaska, there are less ships in the Caribbean.  While that may mean less ships in Caribbean ports of call, there's still plenty of people that will be booked on the ships that are left.

If you have a summer cruise in July, here's what to expect on your sailing.

Ships sailing in July 2023

You'll find Royal Caribbean offering cruises in Alaska, Europe, and the Caribbean.

July is the most popular month for a summer cruise because families don't have to worry about the school calendar, and it's also when the weather is warmest in Alaska and Europe.

Conversely, July represents a very off-peak time in the Caribbean for cruises.  There are less ships sailing to the Caribbean compared to the winter, and it's also quite hot and humid.

July weather on a cruise

July sees some of the hottest temperatures for any of the regions you will be cruising from.

In Europe, heatwaves are not uncommon in July. The Greek islands can see temperatures that get into the 90s, but most of Europe should have high temperatures in the 80s, with overnight lows in the 60s.

Sea conditions in the Mediterranean are quite calm, with smooth sailing expected.  Likewise, July has great weather in terms of low chance of rain. 

In short, expect hot, sunny skies when you are in port or ashore.

Read more: What is the best time to cruise the Mediterranean?

If you are headed to Alaska, you will also enjoy some of the warmest temperatures of the season. July is one of the best months for an Alaska cruise because of the very comfortable outdoor conditions. Temperatures are always all over the place in Alaska, but high temperatures in the 70s or even 80s is not unheard of.

Expect up to 18 hours of sunlight in July. Chances of rain also increase as the summer months go by, so don’t forget to bring all of your rain gear.

Read more: When is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

If you have a Caribbean cruise, I hope you like it hot and humid.

Daily high temperatures in the Caribbean during July will be in the upper 70s to upper 80s, and plenty of humidity. Believe it or not, temperatures don't go much into the 90s because of how the tropics tend to always be around the same temperature throughout the year.

With those toasty temperatures, it will feel perfect for a swim, as the ocean temperatures will be quite warm.

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Expect it to rain every day of your July cruise in the Caribbean, but that doesn't mean an all-day soaker. Thunderstorms roll in and out quickly in the Caribbean, so afternoon downpours are common, but short lived. Plan on outdoor activities but you may need to seek shelter for a few minutes to let the rain pass.

Don't forget, it's hurricane season in the Caribbean, so a tropical storm could cause a change in your itinerary.

Read more: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean

Is July a good month to cruise?

If you want the warmest weather for your cruise, July is the perfect month to take a cruise, especially in Alaska.

The weather in Alaska is always in flux, but generally speaking, you'll find the most comfortable outdoor temperatures in July.  

The optimal weather comes at the price of crowds, as lots of people want to sail this time of year. Demand for a July cruise is among the highest of the year (along with Christmas and Spring Break).  Higher demand means you're not likely to find a deal, especially at the last-minute.

Considering Royal Caribbean cruise ships sail full year-round anyway, what "higher demand" means to you is you'll likely pay more for a July cruise instead of another month, and there will be more ships in port with you.

Not only is demand higher for Royal Caribbean, but other cruise lines as well.  Expect ports full of ships in Alaska and Europe, which means you need to plan ahead better for shore excursions.

Read more: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid

Shore excursions in July tend to sell out much faster than other months because of how many other cruise passengers you are competing with. If you have a July cruise booked, be sure to book your tours as early as possible to avoid missing out.

Read more: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

If you're going to take a Caribbean cruise, expect fewer choices of ships compared to the winter.  This is because the summer is off season for the Caribbean cruise market.

I wouldn't characterize July as a bad month to sail the Caribbean. Less ships means your ports of call wont be as busy. Plus, you don't have to worry about being cold at all.

Of course, July in the Caribbean is the wet season, so it will likely rain at least once a day and be quite humid throughout the day. Nonetheless, the rain showers usually pass quickly, and you can enjoy pool weather morning, afternoon, and night.

More information

• 25 things you need to know for your first day on a cruise ship
• 2022 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Things I've done that I'll never do again on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• 7 things worth checking again on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• 6 things you may not have tried on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Happy weekend! In case you missed any Royal Caribbean news, here is a look at everything that happened this week!

Royal Caribbean is returning to China next year, and will redeploy Anthem of the Seas to Asia.

Spectrum of the Seas will be homeported in Shanghai starting in April 2024. 

In addition, Anthem of the Seas will sail from Singapore in late 2024, which will be the first time Anthem will sail in Asia.  

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean's meteorologist announces he is leaving the cruise line
• I took my first cruise ever and here's what I expected vs what actually happened
• I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise
• I boarded my first European cruise. How different is it from a USA cruise
• Taking a boat to visit an amazing fjord and waterfall in Haugesund
• Fjord and glacier viewings in Geiranger and Olden
• Woman on TikTok shares planning hack for her Royal Caribbean cruise to make packing easier

New RCB Video: 8 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible on disembarkation day

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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 — 8 reasons to get off your ship as early as possible on disembarkation day — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

The best 6 cruise ships for adults

After sailing on 15 Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Jenna has picked the best cruise ships for adults to sail.

While Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line, certain ships may offer a more adult-focused experience than others.

In considering all the options, there are seven ships that would be a great choice for adults sailing without kids.

12 mistakes people make on European cruises

European cruises are among the most popular itineraries Royal Caribbean offers, but navigating the ins and outs of cruising Europe can be challenging for first time travelers to the continent.

We've noticed across our European sailings a handful of very common mistakes first-timers were making on their European voyages.

Whether cramming too many activities into one day or walking around with a painful blister, here are the top 12 mistakes you should avoid on a European cruise.

7 ways to do things differently on your next cruise

There’s a lot to remember on a cruise vacation, including a few things we think you could benefit from changing up.

Doing things slightly differently on a cruise can save you time and stress and make your overall vacation more pleasant.

We picked seven ways to do things differently on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

One of the most annoying things on a cruise are the people that reserve pool chairs without actually using them.

Since enforcement of the rules that are supposed to prevent chair hogs is lackadaisical, here are our best tips for getting around the chair hogs so you can still enjoy time by the pool.

50 Alaska cruise tips & secrets

Have an Alaska cruise coming up? We've compiled the largest list of Alaska cruise tips we can think of into one article!

Here are the fundamentals of planning a cruise to Alaska with some helpful advice you can use when you get there.

Kayla took her first cruise last year and was instantly hooked, but admittedly some aspects of the cruise were different from what she expected.

In fact, she says the experience on a four-night Oasis of the Seas from Miami was even better than she had imagined.

She shared her thoughts on her first cruise and what stood out from her foray into cruising.

Getting onboard

Before embarking on my cruise adventure, I had envisioned a luxurious, stress-free vacation where I could sit back and relax while exploring new destinations. My expectations were high, but I was determined to have a good time.

As I stepped on board the ship, I was immediately struck by its grandeur and elegance. From the spacious cabins to the lavish dining rooms, everything exceeded my expectations.

Will I be bored?

One of my main concerns was that I would feel confined on the ship and we would run out of things to do on sea days. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the abundance of activities available.

Read more: Top untrue myths about a Royal Caribbean cruise

The ship had multiple pools, hot tubs, and water slides, as well as a casino, a theatre, and a variety of restaurants and bars. In the evenings, there were a variety of shows and performances to enjoy, including Broadway-style productions like Cats as well as comedy shows and live music performances.

There was truly something for everyone on board, we actually didn’t have time to experience all the activities this ship had to offer!

Fussy and formal?

Another expectation I had was that the crew would be formal and distant.

I assumed they would be focused on maintaining the ship and catering to the guests' needs, but not much else.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the crew was warm, friendly, and always willing to help. They went out of their way to make sure that every guest had a positive experience, and their enthusiasm was infectious.

Another thing that stood out to me about the onboard experience was the level of service and attention to detail provided by the staff.

Read more: 25 times Royal Caribbean crew members wowed cruise ship passengers with excellent service

From the waitstaff in the restaurants to the housekeeping staff who kept our stateroom tidy, everyone was friendly and accommodating. I felt truly cared for and valued as a guest on board the ship.

Would the food live up to the hype?

One of the things I was most excited about was the food.

I had heard great things about the dining options on board the Oasis of the Seas and was looking forward to trying out the various restaurants.

I was not disappointed.

The food on the ship was exceptional, and I was impressed by the variety of options available. From the casual dining at the Windjammer Cafe to the more formal dining at the main dining room and specialty restaurants, every meal was delicious and expertly prepared.

Would the cabin be too small?

One thing that I was concerned about before the cruise was the size of the cabin.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

I booked an oceanview room and opted for Royal Caribbean to choose my stateroom location to save on some costs. I had heard that cabins on cruise ships were often small and cramped, but I was pleasantly surprised by the size and comfort of our cabin!

Read more: Your really dumb cruise ship cabin questions answered

We lucked out with a room that was larger because of its location being a partial view of the helipad on the ship and nice floor to ceiling sized window.

Labadee

Labadee, Haiti was a highlight of our cruise on the Oasis of the Seas. The island is located on Haiti's northern coast and is leased by Royal Caribbean, which has developed it into a private resort for their cruise ship guests.

The island offers a variety of activities and experiences, and we were excited to explore everything it had to offer. One of the things that we were particularly looking forward to was the beach.

The island has several beaches to choose from, each offering a unique and beautiful setting for relaxing and soaking up the sun. We decided to start our day on the island with a visit to the Dragon's Tail Coaster, which is a thrilling rollercoaster that winds its way through the jungle and offers breathtaking views of the island and the ocean.

The coaster was a lot of fun, and it was a great way to start our day of exploring. After the coaster, we made our way to the beach.

The beach was stunning, with clear water and soft, white sand. We spent the morning relaxing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

As the afternoon approached, we decided to explore some parts of the jungle. They had multiple walking paths and beautiful trees. We felt refreshed being able to explore the island at our own pace and truly take in the scenery.

The passengers where very friendly and a couple offered to take a photo of us with the ship in the background. Because of the awesome passengers alone we were able to get fantastic photos without paying for the additional photo package options. Overall, our day on Labadie was a wonderful and memorable experience.

The island offered a variety of activities and experiences, and we enjoyed exploring everything it had to offer.

From the beautiful beaches to the exciting coaster and historic sites, there was something for everyone on the island. If you're looking for a tropical paradise to explore and relax, Labadee is definitely worth a visit.

Trying a drink package

One of the perks of cruising with Royal Caribbean is their unlimited drink package, which we took full advantage of during our trip.

The Royal Caribbean drink package allows you to enjoy unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your entire cruise, including beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks.

At first, we were a bit hesitant about getting the drink package, as we weren't sure if we would drink enough to make it worth the cost.

Read more: Is the drink package worth it on Royal Caribbean?

However, after doing some research and considering the prices of drinks on board, we decided to go for it. And we're so glad we did!

The drink package made it so easy to enjoy our vacation without worrying about the cost of drinks. We could order whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted, without any additional charge.

We tried a variety of different cocktails and beers throughout the trip, and it was nice to have the freedom to experiment and try new things without worrying about the cost.

Our favorite was the Labadoozie on Labadee!

One of the great things about the drink package is that it includes non-alcoholic beverages as well, which was perfect for when we wanted to take a break from drinking or when we needed a refreshing drink to cool down. We enjoyed everything from soda and juice to smoothies and mocktails, and it was nice to have those options available to us.

Another benefit of the drink package was that it allowed us to enjoy drinks in a variety of different settings throughout the ship. We could grab a cocktail by the pool, enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, or try a new beer at one of the ship's bars. It was nice to have that flexibility and to be able to enjoy drinks in different environments.

Overall, the unlimited drink package was a great addition to our cruise experience. It made it easy and stress-free to enjoy drinks throughout the trip, and we were able to try a variety of different cocktails and beers without worrying about the cost. If you're planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean, we highly recommend considering the drink package - it's definitely worth it!

Bottom line

Our first cruise experience on the Oasis of the Seas was nothing short of amazing.

From the moment we boarded the ship, we were impressed by the level of luxury and attention to detail. The ship was stunning, with beautiful decor and a wide range of amenities and activities to keep us entertained throughout the trip.

We were particularly impressed by the quality of the food and drinks on board. The variety of dining options was impressive, and we enjoyed everything from fine dining to casual cafes and snack bars.

The unlimited drink package was also a great addition to the trip, allowing us to enjoy a variety of different cocktails and beers throughout the ship without worrying about the cost.

The highlight of our trip was definitely the day we spent on Labadie, Haiti. The island was stunning, with beautiful beaches, exciting activities, and a rich history and culture to explore. It was a great opportunity to unwind and relax while also experiencing something new and exciting.

Throughout our trip, the staff on board the ship were friendly and attentive, and we felt well taken care of throughout the entire journey. From the housekeeping staff to the waitstaff in the restaurants and bars, everyone we encountered was welcoming and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience.

Overall, our first cruise experience on the Oasis of the Seas exceeded our expectations in every way. It was a wonderful opportunity to disconnect from our daily lives and enjoy a luxurious and memorable vacation. We highly recommend Royal Caribbean and the Oasis of the Seas to anyone looking for a fantastic cruise experience.

Did you know that if you gamble enough on a Royal Caribbean cruise there is an entirely different set of loyalty rewards you can take advantage of?

I'm by no means advocating you should gamble at all, as it's a risky endeavor.  Please gamble responsibly.

For years I was aware of the Casino Royale program, but never pursued it. My wife and I were not big time gamblers by any means.  On most cruises, we'd each spend $100 per night in the casino just to have something to do to pass the time.

I never even considered trying to get to the next tier of Casino Royale's program until it became clear I had a good shot at getting there.  A few cruises later, I earned enough points to reach the Prime tier in the program, which includes a free cruise, unlimited drinks in the casino, and a few other nice benefits.

For a lot of casual gamblers, you may be unaware of the benefits Casino Royale offers if you can play enough over the course of a year to reach the first status.

While gambling for the sake of achieving benefits isn't a financially smart investment by any means, if you cruise a few times a year already and gamble a few hundred dollars per cruise, there are some seriously lucrative benefits you could enjoy with a little planning.

Thanks to Assaf Ekshtein and Greg Brockman for assistance in ensuring the information is as accurate as possible.

About Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program

Club Royale is Royal Caribbean Casino loyalty program. Club Royale based on collecting point from playing slots machine or table games.

Club Royale has four tiers :

Choice:  0-2499 points – This is the entry level that anyone who place even one round in a slot machine or a table gets.

Prime: 2500 – 24999 points – The prime level gives benefits like internet discount, free drinks in the casino while the casino open (limited to yourself), annual tier free inside cabin cruise that can be used for any 7 night cruise excluding holiday cruises (there are some more restrictions from time to time), and waiver on cash advances in the casino.

Signature: 25000 – 99999 points – The Signature level gives you all the benefits of Prime, plus free internet for one device, ocean view balcony for your annual free cruise.

Master: 100000+ points – Master level gets all the benefits of Signature, plus a grand suite annual free cruise, priority check in, access to access to Coastal Kitchen, free internet for two device, special lunch on the first day, drop of carry on bag, added onboard credit based on length of sailing, and more.

Annual Signature and Masters cruise: The casino, at their discretion, may offer an annual complimentary cruise just for their Top Tier Signature and Masters players. For 2023, there is already a Masters Mediterranean sailing with more possible in the future. 

Unlike Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program which has points that never expire, the Club Royale program works more like airline and hotel loyalty programs, with points that are re-evaluated each year based on passengers' activities.

The Club Royale year runs from April 1st to March 31st of the following year. The tier benefits are valid for the year in which they were reached, as well as the following year.

For example, if a passenger reaches the Prime tier on August 30th, 2023, they will be entitled to all Prime benefits from August 30th, 2023, until March 31st, 2025. Passengers' tiers will be indicated on their cabin card, and once they accumulate the required points, they are immediately entitled to the benefits. If you got to a tier in a middle of the cruise the host can give you sticker with you new tier.

It's important to know the "catch" with the free cruises given out.  First, you still will have to pay taxes, fees and port expenses. Second, the free cruise covers two people in the cabin. Anyone extra in the cabin (such as kids) will have to pay normally.

In addition to the instant cruise certificates, Club Royale can give other offers from time to time based on your last cruise play and other parameters that no one knows.

To see which offers you have, just visit the Club Royale offers site https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com/PlayerLookup.asp enter your last name and reward number (the reward number is you Crown and Anchor number).

How to earn points

Essentially, you earn points based on how much you're gambling.  Unfortunately, the exact math for how many points you earn per dollar spent is variable based on wins and losses.  Dollars spent per point will vary from player to player based on many factors. 

Your points are tracked via your SeaPass card, so be sure you're always using your SeaPass card when gambling at slots machines or table games.

Passengers can check the number of points earned from table games by speaking to the casino host.

Remember, points and benefits are only calculated based on the money you played, and not impacted at all by the money you lost or won.

Slot machines

Every $5 you spend (accumulated) gets you 1 point. On Video Poker, it's every $10.

You can track your number of points in every slot machine while your card is inserted. Please note if you want to know the exact points you will need first to exist (or tap again until the machine button becomes from green to white/blue) and enter again.

Table games

How you earn points at table games is far more vague, and even Royal Caribbean's casino would tell you that you'll earn fewer points at table games compared to slots.  Part of the reason for this is that a slot machine is easier to track since every transaction is digital.

Points are awarded at table games based on the number of hands/time played and the amount of money wagered. However, tracking these points can be challenging, as they are recorded by the pit boss.

It's a good idea to introduce yourself to the casino staff, as they can help ensure the points are accurately recorded each day. 

Note that playing Texas Hold'em cash/tournaments does not earn points.

What do I get for points during my cruise?

As you earn points, you can qualify for short term and long term benefits.

During the sailing you're on, if you earn enough points, you can qualify for free play onboard as well as discounts on a cruise, or even a free cruise.

Using the points you earn on a sailing for free play or redeemed as onboard credit does not impact you tier points or benefits !

Discount/free cruise

By accumulating a certain amount of points in a single cruise, you can get an instant reward certificate during the cruise.

As you might imagine, the more points you have, the better discount/free cruise offers you get .

For example if you accumulate 2500 points in one sailing, you can get a free cruise in an interior cabin and $150 free play; 4800 points will get you a free balcony and $500 free play.

Please note, the exact benefits change from time to time and even from ship to ship, so always check with the casino host first. They will have a sign on their desk with the different options.

If you are not sure that which cruise you want to book, you can always book a “book later” cruise with $200 down payment.

No later than  7 days from the end of the cruise (in some cases it is now 30 days), you need to call the Club Royale number (or use your travel agent) and book the cruise using the Next Cruise certificate and the casino instant certificate.

Free Play/Onboard credit

At the end of the cruise, you can use casino points earned on that sailing as free play or to pay for several things with Royal Caribbean onboard credit.

If you decide to use it for free play, you can go to a slot machine and go to the “Personal Banker” option on the machine.

Note you need to play all the amount you took from free points before you can cash it out , so if you took $20 you need to play $20 and then you can cash out whatever you won at that point.

If you choose to redeem the casino points to used on your on board account, you need to go to the host and ask him on the last night for the same. The casino host can also apply your table points in the same manner.

How I got to Prime and started enjoying benefits

Since I cruise quite a few times per year, a little bit of gambling across all my cruises eventually earned me enough points to pass the 2,500 threshold and earn Prime status.

It occurred on a Wonder of the Seas cruise in December 2022. This meant I qualified for Prime status for the 2023-2024 year, and I got to enjoy onboard benefits immediately.

As soon as the casino host confirmed my yearly points total had reached 2500 points, I was given a sticker to place on my SeaPass card and I could get complimentary drinks in the casino.

The free cruise and other benefits would commence until April 1, 2023 when the 2023-2024 year began.

Even before April 1, I started earning cruise discount vouchers to use on new bookings.  The amounts were commensurate with how much I played, but I was able to get a $100 off and $250 off certificate in my early sailings of the year.

Once April 1 hit, Casino Royale begins the process of issuing your free annual cruise.  The certificate to redeem for a free cruise in an inside room doesn't become available immediately.  It takes a few weeks, but by the end of April, I had my free cruise.

I even got an offer for 15% off room rates at participating MGM Rewards destinations in Las Vegas. Plus, up to a $100 Food & Beverage credit to indulge in during your stay. 

How will this change my cruising habits?

It was never my intent initially to get to Prime status, but I have to admit now that I made it, the benefits are quite nice.

By far the most lucrative benefit for me, besides the free cruise, is the free drinks in the casino.

Combined with my free Diamond Plus daily drink allotment, I stopped purchasing a Royal Caribbean drink package because I had sufficient free drinks to make up for any extras I ended up buying.

Considering how expensive a drink package purchase has gotten, being able to combine 5 free drink vouchers a day from Crown and Anchor Society along with unlimited drinks in the casino is a very attractive proposition.

I haven't redeemed my free cruise yet, but that's one less cruise I have to pay for out of pocket.  

The surprise to me are the limited time offers Casino Royale gives out.  Even $100 off a new booking is a great perk, and it certainly has me rethinking how I book some cruises.

Of course, I've had to remind myself many times that while the Prime benefits in the casino are great, reigning in my gambling is still important. 

Bottom line

It's easy to get carried away with points and casino status, especially if you start eyeing the upper tiers of the program. It makes no economical sense to play in the casino with the notion you'll make money either through your winnings or through casino tier benefits.

I never play with more than I intend to lose, I would advocate not to play simply to earn points. Given the inevitable losses you'll rack up in the casino, the "freebies" you get come at a cost.

If you have the means to afford to gamble and cruise a lot, there's no reason to not at least enroll in Casino Royale and see what happens.

The important thing is to know your limits and not play purely to earn status. There are some very nice benefits, but don't put yourself in an economic bind simply to get free cocktails.

The comped cruises are great if you're a solo cruiser or sailing as a couple. Families will find the free cruises still costing them plenty in extra costs. Then again, every dollar saved in the grand scheme of things is still money they didn't have to spend.

Casino Royale may be the least well-known program among cruisers and there are a few gray areas of how it all works that stifle even the people that gamble the most. 

Personally, the fact I am lucky enough to cruise as often as I do gives me more opportunity than most to earn enough points to make it to Prime. 

Now that I've made it, it's very nice being able to redeem these rewards and enhance my overall cruise experience. If you enjoy gambling in the ship's casino, it makes sense to get to know your casino host and keep track of your points total.  But if gambling seems irresponsible or a poor decision, then skip the program entirely and rely on cruise booking tips and tricks to get a great cruise ship deal.

James Van Fleet is out as Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist.

In a post on social media this morning, Mr. Van Fleet announced as of May 1, he is no longer with Royal Caribbean.

In his short 40 second video, he thanked Royal Caribbean for employing him for 6.5 years and to the guests for trusting him along the way.

"Thank you to Royal Caribbean for the last six and a half years," he said in his announcement. "That was amazing. That was so much fun, I enjoyed every minute of it."

He later tweeted, "I wish them all the best, it was the highlight of my career so far, and am excited for whatever comes next. Let’s stay connected!

The video did not specify why he is leaving Royal Caribbean, nor what his next sort of employment will be.  He only said he'd prefer to remain in Miami.

There's also no indication of who, if anyone, will replace Mr. Van Fleet.

A user on Twitter asked Mr. Van Fleet if Royal Caribbean will no longer have a staff meteorologist, and Mr. Van Fleet responded back "Correct".

A trailblazing legacy

Royal Caribbean Chief Meteorologist James Van Fleet is a former TV weatherman who was the first full-time meteorologist for a cruise line. Despite early ambitions to be a DJ, Mr. Van Fleet tried his hand at the weather after an open position arose at a local TV station.

He worked in weather hot spots like Texas and Oklahoma, where he gained experience forecasting and broadcasting about severe weather. After moving to Florida, Mr. Van Fleet continued his work on hurricanes and storms, providing the experience he would need to work in the cruising industry.

Prior to Mr. Van Fleet's tenure, cruise lines used outside vendors to provide them with forecasts. 

The impetus for bringing on a meteorologist followed a bad storm that caught Anthem of the Seas in 2016 that drew a great deal of negative press coverage.

In 2016, the Anthem of the Seas was caught in some unexpected bad weather at sea while cruising between New Jersey and the Bahamas. With waves over 30 feet and hurricane force winds, the ship sustained minor damage to public areas. Although no one was harmed, it was not an ideal scenario.

Subsequently after the incident, Royal Caribbean decided they needed an in-house, dedicated resource to better monitor the weather.

Working as Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist

Once a part of the cruise line, James Van Fleet was responsible for 18,950 forecasts per year, a stark contrast to the 2000 forecasts he provided in previous positions.

He described the position at Royal Caribbean as his dream job, and it was one that had never existed before in the cruise industry. 

There was no “typical day” in the life of James Van Fleet during his time as Chief Meteorologist. Based in Miami, he spent about half the year working through hurricane and typhoon season, providing forecasts to help predict upcoming storms and reroute ships if necessary.

Related: How Royal Caribbean navigates bad weather with its own meteorologist

Other than time in the office, Mr. Van Fleet would visit weather specialists in Oklahoma or fly on a NOAA hurricane hunter plane to seek out the eye of a storm. Even if the weather was nice in Miami, a storm could be brewing elsewhere.

Unlike forecasting weather on land, forecasting weather at sea came with added challenges. There are many data gaps at sea, as there are not nearly as many weather sensors in the ocean compared to on land.

Plus, not only is the weather moving at sea, but Royal Caribbean’s fleet of ships are moving as well, adding more variables to the forecast.

With 26 ships in the fleet, Mr. Van Fleet was responsible for forecasting weather on the itinerary of all ships, from those in the Caribbean to Alaska, Europe, and beyond. Additionally, he was responsible for monitoring weather at Royal Caribbean’s private destinations in the Bahamas and Haiti, as well as ports where ships refuel, restock food, and have dry docks.

How will Royal Caribbean forecast weather without James Van Fleet?

Cruise ships are equipped with technology to anticipate storms, and officers on the bridge carefully monitor weather systems. This allows them to change course and quickly move vessels away from inclement weather.

Communication was a large part of Van Fleet’s position, and he made a point of visiting officers on all ships to get to know them better. He also hosted a fleetwide call every week to make sure all officers were on the same page.

Related: Cruise FAQ: Weather

Captains and officers will now be working without the assistance of Van Fleet, so they will not have access to his information on upcoming storms and the best course to avoid them. Nonetheless, trained officers can prepare for and foresee any weather approaching.

Many cruisers have enjoyed following Van Fleet on social media for updates about their itinerary’s weather forecast. In fact, he accumulated nearly 28,000 followers on Twitter and over 10,000 on Instagram.

While you can be assured that, even without James Van Fleet, weather will still be forecasted for your sailing, his work at Royal Caribbean will certainly be missed.