Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale has deals on add-on extras for your cruise.

The Black Friday offer has begun, and it could have discounts on pre-purchased cruise packages, with savings of as much as 50% for some items.

Many cruisers look to the Black Friday sale as the most lucrative point in the year to get the best prices.  It can vary how good the sale is, but now is the time to price it out.

While the Black Friday offer for booking a new cruise has yet to appear, Royal Caribbean is getting an early start on discounting its pre-cruise purchases.

Royal Caribbean Black Friday 2023 sale details

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on booking a new cruise offers up to $750 instant savings, plus 30% off everyone in the cabin.

Black Friday Sale applies to new bookings made between November 23 – 24, 2023 on sailings departing on or after December 23, 2023, and provides instant savings of up to $750 USD per stateroom.

Savings amount varies by stateroom category booked and sailing length as follows:

• 5 nights or less
  • $75 USD savings for Interior and Ocean View
  • $150 USD for Balconies
  • $250 USD for Suites
• 6 nights or longer 
  • $150 USD savings for Interior and Ocean View
  • $225 USD for Balconies
  • $750 USD for Suites

Black Friday Sale is combinable with 30% Off Every Guest and Kids Sail Free as well as with promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Shareholder Benefits, but not combinable with Ultimate World Cruise and Crown and Anchor discounts. 

Cruise Planner sale

Royal Caribbean’s Black Friday sale applies to Cruise Planner purchases made between November 9, 2023 and November 24, 2023, and applies to select sailings departing November 13, 2023 — December 31, 2024.

Here is what is included during the sale:

Beverage: Up to 50% off

• Refreshment Package: 35% off onboard prices
  • 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
• Classic Soda Package: 35% off onboard prices
  • 50% off for Kids (12 and younger)
• Cafe Select Package: 55% off onboard prices
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Evian Water Package: Discount varies by ship.

Shore Excursions: Up to 50% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.
  • Up to 50% off — all PDI sailings except Icon, Utopia, Ultimate World Cruise and Holiday sailings will only receive up to 30% Off shorex offer
  • Up to 30% Off — all other non-PDI sailings

Internet: Up to 55% Off

• VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Device(s): Discount varies by ship.

VIP Pass: Up to 40% Off

• The Key: Discount varies by ship

Dining: Up to 45% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 14N sailings: Discount varies by ship.
• Chops Grille — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Giovanni's Table — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Hooked — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Izumi Hibachi Experience — Lunch: 20% off onboard prices
• Jamie's Italian Restaurant — Lunch: 40% off onboard prices
• The Mason Jar — Brunch: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Hot Pot: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Sabor: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Sichuan Red: 40% off onboard prices
• Lunch at Wonderland: 40% off onboard prices

Spa: Up to 30% Off

• Spa Packages

Gifts & Gear: Up to 45% Off

• Strawberries with Champagne: 35% off onboard prices
• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: 45% off onboard prices
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries: 35% off onboard prices
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries: 35% off onboard prices
• Happy Birthday Bright Style: 35% off onboard prices
• Happy Anniversary Decorations: 35% off onboard prices
• Bon Voyage Decorations: 45% off onboard prices
• 9 Chocolate Covered Strawberries: 30% off onboard prices
• White Wine and Cheese: 30% off onboard prices
• Red Wine and Cheese: 30% off onboard prices
• Soft Octopus Travel Set: 30% off onboard prices
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel: 30% off onboard prices
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe): 30% off onboard prices
• Inky Beach Set: 30% off onboard prices
• Inky Octopus Family Travel Set: 30% off onboard prices
• Winter Blanket: 25% off onboard prices
• Luxury Robe: 40% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Water: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Coca Cola: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Diet Coke: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Bud Light: 30% off onboard prices
• Cooler Bag with Truly: 30% off onboard prices

Photo Packages: Up to 65% Off

• Photo Packages from 5 - 100 Photos: Discount varies by ship
• Private Photo Session: 65% off onboard prices
• Photo Package: All Digital: 65% off onboard prices

Onboard Activities: Up to 50% off

• All Access Ship tour: 25% off onboard prices
• Casitas Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
• Casitas Port Day: Discount varies by ship.
  • Up to 40% off onboard prices
• Ocean View Day Bed – Sea Day: 20% off onboard prices
• Ocean View Day Bed – Port Day: 40% off onboard prices
• North Star Extended Experience: 20% off onboard prices
• FlowRider: 20% off onboard prices
• FlowRider Private Lesson: 20% off onboard prices
• RipCord by iFLY Two Minute Experience: 20% off onboard prices
• Escape the Rubicon: 20% off onboard prices
• Mission Control: Apollo 18: 20% off onboard prices
• Observatorium: 20% off onboard prices
• Sprinkle Time Cupcake Decorating Class:
  • Up to 25% off onboard prices
• Sip.Tour.Brunch.: 25% off onboard prices
• Cooking Class Guacamole: 15% off onboard prices
• Introduction to Pickleball Clinic: 40% off onboard prices

You can still take advantage of a better price on cruise add-ons

If you’ve already purchased add-ons like an internet package or spa service for your upcoming cruise, be sure to check the price of the add-on under the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale.

If the price is lower, you can cancel and rebook the add-on with no penalty up to 48 hours before your cruise date.

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class cruise ships are among the biggest in the world, but is a 3-night cruise worth it?

When these mega ships were designed, Royal Caribbean wanted to pack them with more to see and do than any other ship before it.  To the point, they offer a floating array of choices and activities.

In late October, Allure of the Seas became the first Oasis Class ship to begin offering regular short cruises, with 3- and 4-night sailings from Port Canaveral.

Next year, Utopia of the Seas will enter service and will begin by offering 3- and 4-night cruises, which is equally unheard of because traditionally new cruise ships start off with 7-night cruises.

This change lead to a lot of questions about what it's like to sail on an Oasis Class ship for just the weekend, and is it worthwhile to do so.

Read more: Guide to weekend cruises

I went on the first 3-night sailing of Allure of the Seas, which began on November 3, to see for myself.

More activities packed into the sailing

One of the top questions people have about going on a short Oasis Class cruise is if all the shows are still available.

Like her sister ships, Allure of the Seas has three primary theaters onboard: the Royal Theater, the AquaTheater, and Studio B ice rink. There's shows in each venue, along with comedy shows, live music, and more.

Royal Caribbean's entertainment team consolidated the show schedule to fit into a 3-night cruise, but the difference between a 3- and 7-night cruise schedule is there will be more than one show each evening.

On a longer cruise, you can afford to skip the first show time and catch it later. With the short cruises, there may be just one evening to see it.  Luckily, there are still multiple show times for each of the shows.

Like other short cruises that Royal Caribbean has offered on other ship classes, you'll find lots of activities throughout the day. The difference is that Allure has more venues than smaller ships, so there's more competing choices.

Read more: How different is a 3-night vs 4-night cruise?

A short cruise is like a trip to a city

At first I also struggled with how to best see everything on such a short cruise, but then I questioned why I had to in the first place.

When I take a trip to New York City, I don't aspire to see every major attraction in Manhattan, let alone the surrounding boroughs. I prioritize a few very important attractions, hope on seeing a couple of others, and understand that I need to come back to do more.

In the same vein, why should we feel compelled to try to see everything on a cruise ship?

If you talk to someone that has taken a 7-night cruise on an Oasis Class ship, they'll probably admit a week wasn't long enough to "do it all", but that didn't stop them from trying it.

A short cruise is fleeting, but this is true on Grandeur of the Seas as much as Allure of the Seas.

It reminded me a lot of going to Walt Disney World, because you could spend a week in that resort and never come close to seeing every ride.  

Wanting to return to have the chance to sail again on cruise isn't a downside, it's an indication that you had a really good time and want more.

Once I came to this realization, I felt much better about going on a ship as big as Allure for just 3-nights.

Where to eat?

Arguably the most difficult choice may be where to eat dinner on a short Allure of the Seas cruise.

Oasis Class ships redefined the cruise experience in so many ways, including how many restaurants could be on one ship. Before Oasis of the Seas was built, if a cruise ship had two specialty restaurants, that was a big deal.  Today, a ship with two specialty restaurants is disappointing.

Negotiating with my family which three meals we would have may have been the toughest aspect of such a short cruise.

Specialty dining has become extremely popular, and when we sail on an Oasis Class ship, we'll lean heavily into the extra cost restaurants because of the sheer variety.

Even though I'm lucky enough to cruise a lot, it wasn't easy being limited to just a few restaurants. Ultimately, we narrowed it down to 150 Central Park, Izumi, and Samba Grill.

I think we made a good choice overall, and when we return again next year for a 3-night cruise, we'll change up which restaurants we visit.

Having too many choice is still better than not enough.

Cheaper out the door price

Something else that jumped out at me with a 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas was the price.

On average, a 3- or 4-night cruise will cost less than a 7-night cruise overall.  Longer sailings may cost less per night, but the "out the door price" is usually cheaper.

This is a really attractive prospect, and it actually lead me to upgrade my cabin choice and try a suite because the cost was a lot less than I was used to.

The suite program on Oasis and Quantum Class ship is significantly better than the rest of the fleet.  By booking a suite on a weekend cruise, I could afford to splurge.

We booked the Royal Loft Suite, which had two levels to it, a giant wrap-around balcony with jacuzzi, and access to the services of the Royal Genie.

We never booked such an opulent suite before this because longer sailings made the price difficult to reach. But with a short cruise, it made more sense.

Even if you don't jump at a suite, it's quite likely you will find lower prices for a cabin on a 3-night Allure of the Seas compared to a 7-night cruise on Oasis of the Seas.

This means more people can try an Oasis Class without the premium price tag associated with a longer cruise.

Short cruises are aimed at new cruisers

Something else to think about is the strategy behind offering short cruises on Royal Caribbean's biggest ships.

Allure of the Seas' debut in this role, followed up by the brand new Utopia of the Seas undertaking it in 2024, is about attracting first-time cruisers.

All cruise lines covet new cruisers, because they are the single largest source of new customers and growth in the cruise industry. It's because the majority of the public has never cruised before, that's who Royal Caribbean wants to attract.

The problem is someone that has never cruised before may be leery of spending a week on any ship, even the brand new Icon of the Seas. So they tend to gravitate towards short cruises to give it a try.

So by offering cruises on their best cruise ships, Royal Caribbean is hoping to convert them into cruise fans with vessels that have all the latest and greatest features.

Read more: Royal Caribbean's plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations

Was a 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas worth it?

Without a doubt, I was glad to go on Allure of the Seas for just the weekend.

I would have certainly preferred to have more time and go on a longer sailing, but that isn't always in the cards. The school calendar and work obligations curtail most people's ability to cruise, and a short cruise is better than no cruise at all.

I like to work in weekend sailings as a way to augment my longer cruises. I don't plan weekend cruises as our primary family vacations, but they are great for "let's get out of the house for a few days".

Going into the cruise, I knew I wasn't going to try everything, and I found myself liberated without that burden. Plus, it gave me a good reason to come back and do it again. I'm never one to shy away from a compelling reason to book another cruise.

We had a really nice time on Allure of the Seas for just 3-nights, and I think this will introduce the Oasis Class ships to a lot more people who will fall in love with cruising.

Work continues on the new adults-only area at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas.

After visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay on November 5th, I was able to get photos of the progress being made on the new expansion that will add an a haven for adults.

Read more: 41 Perfect Day at CocoCay tips and secrets

Hideaway Beach will open in late January 2024 and will be open to only cruise ship passengers that are 18 years old or older.

This area is not included, and the exact cost to enter is priced dynamically based on your sailing and what time of year you're going. 

Here's a look at the changes and updates I saw while visiting this weekend.

Construction photo update

Hideaway Beach will be located on the western side of the island, essentially "behind" Thrill waterpark.

Access on foot is closed off to passengers, but we were able to get photos from the back of Allure of the Seas.

The most visible building under construction is On The Rocks, which is the first sports bar to be added to CocoCay.

Located on the rocky shore, it will be where to go to watch live sports and play games, such as pool and shuffleboard.

Looking further back, I can see the pool for The Hideout is starting to take shape. This is where you'll find poolside cabana with in-water loungers, outdoor shower access, Bluetooth speaker, floating beach mats, resort-style seating, a cooler, sink, mini fridge, charging outlets, ceiling fans, and private lockable storage space.

At the end of CocoCay is more construction work, that looks to be primarily staging for Hideaway Beach construction, along with new buildings going up.

New tram station added

When you walk down the pier, it's apparent they are adding a tram station near the current tram station to take guests to Hideaway Beach.

Royal Caribbean provides tram service around the island at no additional cost so that guests can easily get from point A to point B.

Currently, the new station is hidden behind planters to prevent guests from accessing the area.

Coco Beach Club cabana policy changes

I was also made aware of two changes to the Coco Beach Club cabanas during my visit to the island.

First, is cabana guests must wear wristbands, even when not leaving the cabana. 

The other policy change is for additional guests at a Coco Beach Club Cabana. 

If you want to add more than the 8 people included with a single cabana purchase, there is a charge of $50 per person, plus the purchase of a Coco Beach Club Day Pass per guest, for a maximum of 2 additional people.

Previously, only a Coco Beach Club Day Pass was necessary.

Royal Caribbean will offer its best lineup of shows and entertainment when Icon of the Seas debuts in January 2024.

Icon of the Seas is poised to become not only a popular new cruise ship, but the new standard within the cruise industry that all other new ships are judged against. The gangbuster demand Royal Caribbean has seen already is a strong indication that its new class of cruise ship is a home run.

As the ship wraps up construction, we have a look at the new shows you can expect to find onboard.

Royal Caribbean has traditionally been known for being a leader in the cruise industry from an entertainment standpoint.  Original productions are nothing new for Royal Caribbean, and the company continuously strives to ensure their entertainment is on par with Las Vegas.

Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Entertainment Nick Weir previewed the new shows coming to the ship, "If you’re a fan of full-scale productions on Broadway and the West End or live music and comedy in hot spots like Las Vegas, Icon has it all for every mood and style in one vacation – alongside never-before-seen twists only found on Royal Caribbean."

Here's a breakdown of all the new shows Royal Caribbean has planned for Icon of the Seas.

AquaDome

Within the AquaDome are two new shows.

More than 75 world-class performers are featured in the AquaDome, which is home to the next generation of AquaTheater.

The first is Aqua Action!, which is meant to indulge audiences with a lot high-energy.

This show incorporates Olympic-level high divers, skateboarders, aerialists, slackliners and synchronized swimmers. Plus, the cruise line is excited to introduce new technology, such as a double 3D flying system and robots doubling as diving boards and set creators.

The hope is it will, "blur the lines between live-action movie and theatrical experience."

The second show is Pirates vs. Mermaids, and it's a show geared towards the family that brings fairytale characters to the stage.

You can expect a lighthearted story that appeals to parents and children.

Royal Theater

The signature show on Icon of the Seas is arguably an original stage production of The Wizard of Oz.

Not to be confused with the Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, this is Royal Caribbean's take on the classic story with a modern twist to it.

You can expect to see characters in the show "soaring above the audience", along with a revolutionary set design with never-before-seen stage effects, more than 600 costume elements and an original score performed by a new 16-piece orchestra.

Royal Caribbean is also incorporating a show for music lovers, called SHOWBAND! Live. Music. Now.

A total of 16 musicians will take to the stage to offer, "an all-out sensory experience." 

Expect string, woodwind, brass and percussion instrumentalists to perform in this show.

Absolute Zero

The ice skating rink on Icon of the Seas will be the largest ice rink at sea.  It will have over 2,850 square feet of ice, and two shows in this space.

Starburst: Elemental Beauty is a performance that is an artistic interpretation of the periodic table of elements. The Olympic-level ice cast will dazzle the audience with high-speed choreography and tricks.

Expect bigger tricks because of the new oval-shaped ice arena. Along with the tricks will be digitally mapped backdrops and vibrant lighting displays.

Another ice show is the Once Upon a Time: The King’s Royal Ball, and similar to Pirates vs. Mermaids, is designed for families to enjoy.

"Timeless tales will take everyone on a nostalgic ride through their childhood with twists and surprising new details not part of the originals."

More entertainment

There is also more entertainment on Icon of the Seas in other areas of the ship.  Royal Caribbean is well-known for offering live music in many bars and lounges.

50 live musicians and comedians will perform throughout Icon and in more venues, including the new Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues and Dueling Pianos, along with the Schooner Bar and the Point & Feather English pub.

The Comedy Club on Icon will have three comedians a night for adults to enjoy.

The Royal Promenade will feature a reimagined parade for families, Ships Ahoy!. 

Delivery is right around the corner

Icon of the Seas is nearing the finish line for physical construction.

In speaking with Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider last week, he estimated the ship is right between 92-94% complete, and delivery of the ship is, "right around the corner."

Delivery doesn't mean the ship is ready, however. 

Once Icon of the Seas is delivered, the ship will head to Cadiz, Spain, where post-delivery work will commence.  This is when aesthetic elements of the ship are added, such as art work, furniture and more.

Speaking of art, Icon of the Seas will feature a "significant art implementation" that is about double the amount of art found on Wonder of the Seas, which is the world's biggest cruise ship today.

We love taking the family on weekend cruises as a quick escape, and when we got the chance to try the Royal Loft Suite on Allure of the Seas, it seemed like a great opportunity.

This is one of the biggest suites on Allure of the Seas and a cabin that has Star Class benefits, which means it has some of the best perks on the ship.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Suites Guide & Review

Ordinarily, a suite of this size would command a gargantuan price, but Allure of the Seas just shifted to doing short weekend cruises from Port Canaveral and that brought the overall price down to something more affordable.  For my family of 4, the price came out to $7,388.32 for the 3-night cruise.

I booked this cruise right when the itineraries were announced back in March of 2022, and that proved to be a good decision as the prices then were much lower than they later became.

Take a tour of spacious my hotel room at sea complete with two bedrooms, a jacuzzi on the balcony, and some of the best views from any cabin.

My suite was located on deck seventeen, which is deck reserved exclusively for suite cabins.

On this deck there are many other suites, along with the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen, an exclusive restaurant for guests staying in a suite (and Pinnacles too).

The layout of this deck is a "U-shape", and we were located on the aft facing port side.

When I tapped my room key card and opened the door, I walked into the living room.

The Royal Loft Suite has two bedrooms, a dining room, and large living room.  Let's start with the master bedroom.

Given that this suite has a loft configuration, there are two levels, with the master bedroom and bathroom being entirely located on the upper floor.  A staircase is how you access the second floor.

There is a king size bed, tv projector, and more closet space than you can possibly use.

There is no door to the master bedroom, but there is a remote controlled curtain that completely encompasses the upper bedroom to provide privacy and darkness.

The one noticeable feature missing compared to a newer cruise ship are power or USB outlets near the bed. The closest outlets were by the office desk closer to the staircase.

The office desk has a chair, and faces the balcony so you can have a view to enjoy.

Behind the bed is where all the storage space is located.  There are drawers and closets, and there seemed to be much more space than I could possibly fill.

The safe is also located in this area, long with a seating area with mirror.

The master bathroom is also enormous, with a toilet, bidet, two sinks, two showers, and a jacuzzi tub.

The showers have two adjustable heads, along with a rainforest shower.  All three can be used at the same time, or one at a time.

The second bedroom is located on the main floor, near the entrance to the suite.  It can sleep two people, and the beds can be separated if needed.

The second bedroom has its own door, which makes for better privacy for anyone sleeping here.

It also has its own television, along with desk and mirror.

Adjacent to the second bedroom is a full bathroom.

Each shower has upgraded shower toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

In the foyer is a piano, which you can play on your own or use an autoplayer feature.

There's also a library of books you can borrow for the duration of your sailing.

In the living room, you will find chairs, ottomans, sofas, and comfortable seating.

There is also a large television in the living room.

Behind the living room is the dining room, which is a very large table to enjoy meals delivered by room service.

The in-room coffee maker can make a quick cup of coffee anytime you want.

Stepping onto the balcony, there are three doors you can use: two from the living room, and one from the second bedroom.

The Royal Loft Suite has a wrap-around balcony that provides views of the ocean and Sports Deck below.

There is a wet bar outside that you can use, along with another dining table with lots of seats. When having food delivered to the suite, you have the choice of dining indoors or outdoors.

There are two giant loungers on the balcony that face the sports deck.

There are also comfortable loungers that face the ocean.

The "pièce de résistance" of the Royal Loft Suite is the private jacuzzi hot tub on the balcony, which faces the ocean.

The hot tub is available day and night, and is one of very few suites to have this feature.

Another compelling feature of this suite is the Royal Genie services, which provides VIP privileges to everyone staying in the cabin.

Of course, the Royal Loft Suite was far from cheap, but it's designed to offer one of the most luxurious accommodations you can find on Allure of the Seas.

I felt the suite delivered on the promise of a luxurious cabin for our family to enjoy on a short cruise.  We prioritized spending more time in the cabin and taking advantage of what the in-room amenities, along with the Royal Genie services.

If your family wants a lot of space, the absolute best perks, and are willing to spend a lot for it, then the Royal Loft Suite is a great choice for you.

More information:

• My advice for someone using a Royal Genie on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• What is the difference between suite concierge and a Royal Genie?
• A beginner's guide to sailing in Star Class
• What is the most expensive suite on Royal Caribbean?
• How to maximize the value of a cruise ship suite

Happy Sunday! Temperatures may be dropping, but there is plenty of Royal Caribbean news to share.  This is your weekly summary of all the Royal Caribbean news from this past week, perfectly fitted for your consumption.

The daily gratuity rate is going up for your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

Beginning November 11, 2023, the automatic daily gratuity will go up to $18 per person per day for those staying in Junior Suites or lower cabins. Passengers in suites will pay $20.50 per person per day.

The old rate was $16.00 and $18.50, which was set back in September 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean cancels 2024 Israel cruise season
• The Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas will be a leap forward with new innovations
• Royal Caribbean cruise ship rescues individual who went overboard
• How does one of Norwegian's oldest ships compare to Royal Caribbean's oldest ship
• Why I don't mind sailing on small cruise ships
• I saved $240 on my cruise by letting Royal Caribbean choose my room
• How Royal Caribbean celebrates Halloween on its cruise ships
• Royal Caribbean's new adults-only beach is seeing "gangbuster" demand

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 517th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is available to enjoy, where Matt reviews his Canada & New England cruise.

Having taken his first cruise to the east coast of Canada, Matt shares what stood out from this sailing.

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

New RCB Video: Is it possible to cruise too much?

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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 — Is it possible to cruise too much? — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

2025 Alaska cruises

New Alaska cruises are available to book for the 2025 cruise season.

Royal Caribbean opened the new sailings this week, which are spread across four ships: Anthem of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, & Radiance of the Seas.

The new Alaska 2025 cruises are available to book between May and September 2025.

Royal Caribbean clarifies loyalty and suite lounge access

Royal Caribbean updated when it would limit the amount of top tier cruisers that could go to its loyalty lounges.

Effective immediately, if there is a sailing with a large amount of top-tier members, some of them may not be able to go to the Crown Lounge between 5pm and 8pm. During those hours, only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members have access. 

During the rest of the day, there would be no restrictions.

7 things that surprised me on my first Canada & New England cruise

Even though Matt has cruised a lot, taking a Canada & New England cruise had its own set of surprises.

From the beautiful landscape, to the terrific dining, and welcoming people, it was a fantastic kind of cruise.

Many parts of the seven-night cruise surprised Matt, such as how gorgeous everywhere we visited is how valuable time was ashore.

What our readers regretted packing for their cruise

Packing for a cruise isn't always the easiest thing, especially with overpacking.

Overpacking your suitcase can be stressful, and it just adds heft to getting to and from the ship.

Our readers shared hundreds of comments on the things they brought on a cruise and instantly regretted.

Royal Caribbean adds new express pass

Look for a new way to speed up the check-in process.

There's a new Express Boarding option being tested on Freedom of the Seas, that will reward those that do all the check-in steps pre-cruise with an easier way to get onboard.

Guests with this option can look for Express Boarding signs inside the Cruise Terminal.

Royal Caribbean will make specialty restaurants reservable pre-cruise if you have a dining package

Royal Caribbean is experimenting with a new way to allow guests that purchase a specialty dining package to make reservations pre-cruise.

The test is being conducted on Wonder of the Seas only, but the expectation is for it to be available across all ships in early 2024.

With this new upgrade, you'll be able to book reservations pre-cruise for specialty restaurants if you buy a dining package.

It looks like Royal Caribbean may have a new way to speed up getting you on the cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean has steadily worked on developing ways to make the check-in and it looks like a new option may be on its way.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Bridgetbien posted a screenshot of a new Express Boarding option that appeared in the Royal Caribbean app.

The pass was available for the November 3 sailing of Freedom of the Seas from Miami.  Miami is also the same homeport that the new Icon of the Seas will use when she debuts in 2024.

Read more: What it's like to cruise on Freedom of the Seas in 2023

After activating the Express Boarding option, the Set Sail pass turned purple. 

Bridgetbien reported they are staying in a balcony cabin and are Gold level in Crown and Anchor Society, so this isn't necessarily a benefit for suite guests or top tier members.

The new feature was activated after Bridgetbien completed the health questionnaire in the app, "We completed the health form and then the app showed confetti and balloons and that first screen popped up."

According to the pass, guests with this option can look for Express Boarding signs inside the Cruise Terminal.

Royal Caribbean has not formally announced this new Express Boarding pass option, and there's no clear indication who can get it or how to get it.  For the time being, it appears to be a limited test.

Not the first express check-in option

If a faster way to check-into your cruise sounds familiar, this isn't the first iteration.

In early 2020, Royal Caribbean began testing an Expedited Arrival option on select ships.

Guests that downloaded the Royal Caribbean app and filled out all the necessary information pre-cruise could qualify for an Expedited Arrival option.

Similar to Walt Disney World's old Fastpass system, guests with Expedited Arrival got to bypass the regular check-in line in the cruise terminal and instead walk through accelerated checkpoints to get onto the ship faster.

The new feature began rolling out to a few ships right before the cruise industry shutdown in 2019.

Following the cruise industry restart in 2021, Expedited Arrival was not seen again.

A long-running effort to make check-in easier

Royal Caribbean has been waging its own battle to make the embarkation day experience easier and faster.

In an industry centered around guest satisfaction and delivering fun, the check-in process has been a thorn in the side of that desire.

Royal Caribbean is fond of referring to its effort of getting passengers on the ship faster as going from "curb to ship".

Royal Caribbean was the first cruise line to implement facial recognition technology as part of the boarding process in select cruise terminals.

In fact, Royal Caribbean announced it would invest in facial recognition back in 2017 when they introduced a slew of new innovations coming to cruises over the next few years.

Prior to the pandemic, Royal Caribbean saw about 70% adoption rate of the cruise line app on a ship that had the app available. Since the restart of operations in 2021, the adoption rate jumped to the mid to upper 90s.

When Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas launches in early 2024, you're going to see a new look to its Royal Promenade that is filled with entertainment, places to chill, and lots to do all around.

Every new Royal Caribbean cruise ship since 2004 have had a Royal Promenade as the main thoroughfare and entryway onto the ship.

With Icon of the Seas, that tradition continues, but the cruise line has grandiose plans to evolve the concept and make it a destination.

It will have full glass views of the ocean for the first time ever in this space, and a host of new venues.

I was invited to come to Royal Caribbean's Miami headquarters to walk through their Innovation Lab and see how cruise line executives are previewing the venues on the Royal Promenade of Icon of the Seas.

Construction is still taking place around Icon of the Seas as it undergoes her second set of sea trials, but mocking things up is actually one of the best ways Royal Caribbean has found to get things right when the ship is ready.

The Innovation Lab is a place where Royal Caribbean constructs life-size replicas of structures, signage, and mock-ups to get a better sense of what their plans on paper will actually look like once built.

The team wanted to answer questions related to what does the Royal Promenade feel like, and how does it operate.

I was walked through the area by Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider, who explained what anyone sailing on Icon of the Seas can expect when they get onboard.

"We do research early on, we brief everybody on what we want based on that research. But having it come to life isn't just a picture on a screen. It's also how are you actually going to experience this product? And those are a lot of the debates we have at this stage."

The hard work to get the Royal Promenade right is already paying off with early walkthroughs of the ship from the shipyard.

Mr. Schneider said this version of the Promenade has "seamless connectivity" to make it easier to get around. This means you can easily get between deck five and deck six, or head up stairs to Central Park on deck eight. Plus, there's an escalator from the Promenade to get you down to the casino and gangway on port days.

The Pearl

As guests walk aboard Icon of the Seas, they'll first be drawn to The Pearl, which Royal Caribbean calls an "arrival moment".

Mr. Schneider says the Pearl encompasses four things, "A gorgeous way to introduce the ship as you walk into it; It's an engineering marvel; It creates gorgeous views and it has an experiential moment inside of it that's different for everyone."

In short, it creates a visual and sense of awe that Royal Caribbean wants to give guests as they first walk in.

But what we didn't know is there's an unique space behind The Pearl that Royal Caribbean has developed.

"Behind the Pearl will be what we're calling kind of a service lounge experience, as well as gorgeous lounge space."

Mr. Schneider said they are still tinkering with exactly how this space will look and act, but it will blend both "high touch services" along with a lounge feel.

Previous renders of this area had multifunctional kiosks, but that idea has been scrapped. Instead, it will be a lounge.

Pearl Cafe

Something else that is new to this area is the giant whale sculpture that will be above Pearl Cafe.

Pearl Cafe is the evolution of the Cafe Promenade concept, that has complimentary casual bistro cafe experience with elevated bistro food.

There will be some extra-cost options in addition to the food included. As an example, there will be Starbucks brewed beverages that you can order, but are also covered by a Royal Caribbean drink package or Diamond drink voucher.

There will be the traditional coffee, water and juice beverage station that is complimentary, along with grab and go food.

"We're tinkering with grab and go, which has come through in our research really strong that our guests are looking for," Mr. Schneider explained.

"It's been one of the core complementary strategies for Icon is more grab and go."

"The idea of more casual access grab and go for guests was something that came through in the creation of Icon's research. And so you'll see, grab and go, you'll see complimentary sandwiches, and then you'll see some us tinkering with some for pay, like elevated dessert options that we think will resonate with people because they actually sell very well elsewhere on the fleet."

Royal Caribbean isn't sure what the food will be, but the ideas is to make it easier to grab something quick that isn't a slice of pizza, or require a trip up the Windjammer.

"They want quick, easy, grab and go options, and we don't have a lot of really quick, easy grab and go options that don't include a Windjammer plate. And so this is in response to that."

1400 Lobby Bar

When you walk onto Icon of the Seas, you'll pass through the 1400 Lobby Bar, which is a brand new concept for the cruise line.

"We internally think this is going to be probably the most home run of a bar that we have," Mr. Schneider said.

He believes it's location at the entrance when you walk in positions it such that it sets the stage for The Pearl, is adjacent to the escalators going down to the casino, and is at the heart of the ship.

The team thinks the 1400 bar will be a gathering place that has very comfortable chairs and provides a relaxed, indoor environment without music playing, "it's really meant to be that you can have a conversation... We're not trying to shout over music somewhere."

Dueling Pianos

A brand new venue for any Royal Caribbean cruise ship is a Dueling Pianos bar.

Located on deck six, this bar features Royal Caribbean's first double-pianist bar where the two performers take requests and involve guests in the musical fun.

There will be two 90-minute shows per night, and the entertainment team is still working out what else will happen here during the rest of the day.

The location of Dueling Pianos right next to The Attic comedy club on the Royal Promenade is deliberately to bring more entertainment and more energy into to Royal Promenade.

Nearly all of the venues (except The Attic) are fully open, so music can be heard from all over the Royal Promenade and for it to be more enticing for passengers to want to experience it all.

With all that music, it's also why there are no Promenade view cabins on Icon of the Seas.  Unlike Oasis Class ships that have cabins facing the Promenade, Royal Caribbean removed them so that they don't have to worry about noise bleed.

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

Thanks to that open layout, there will be bar service from technically the Royal Promenade into the bar while walking past Dueling Pianos.  Great if you want to grab a drink and hear a tune without having to go inside.

To get an idea of layout, Royal Caribbean mocked up a scale rendition of the pianos and the bar, so they could get a sense of how far from the pianos the bar would be located.

Drink menus are still be worked out as well, but there's an idea for a cocktail that includes pop rocks candy.

Potentially called "Snap, Crackle, Pop!", the new cocktail would be one of many new drinks you could try on a cruise. The idea follows up on the fun drinks Royal Caribbean's beverage team created for Wonderland.

Read more: I spent $60 to eat at Royal Caribbean’s most bizarre restaurant. I thought I would hate it, but it was one of the best meals of my cruise.

Lots of programming

Icon of the Seas will be packed with plenty of activities and entertainment, and part of this exercise was to show the thought process that goes into working through an event schedule.

In just considering the Royal Promenade, there's a lot of entertainment, from the Royal Theater, to the ice skating rink, to the dueling pianos, Boleros music, and more.

"If you think of entertainment in the Royal Promenade, this is more than we've ever done on a Royal Promenade before and really gives us really amazing entertainment," Mr. Schneider pointed out.

Sorrento's

Royal Caribbean's well-known complimentary pizza will have one change that aims to make it easier to get a slice.

The plan is to get away from having switchbacks and queues to handle the lines that form for pizza. Instead, they're hoping to improve the flow of guests with a larger footprint so the line can keep moving.

That isn't to say there won't be a line, but that there won't be a large line that requires the crew to set up stanchions to manage the line.

Sorrento's on Icon will also introduce a new beer experience, where crew members can pour you a glass of draft beer.  

A change as small as adding beer to Sorrento's is what Mr. Schneider describes as "little bets", which are essentially ideas that might not make headlines, but they are intended to improve the guest experience overall.

Other examples will include a mobile bar cart near the Flowrider, "Little things like that that you'll continue to see us do that are really meant to meet the needs identified by guests as they want more complimentary grab and go or for-pay grab and go depending on the type of experience."

Replacement for the library

You won't find a library on Icon of the Seas, as on other ships the venue was under utilized.

Instead, Royal Caribbean is experimenting with a take a book, put it back experience.

In Pearl Cafe you will find a pillar with books available to borrow, and evaluate how it performs, "this idea of grab a book in lieu of a library, we thought we'd try it. We'll see how it goes."

Just like the beer at Sorrento's, this is an example of something small Royal Caribbean is experimenting with on Icon.

Beverage center 2.0

The complimentary coffee and water station will look different than from other ships.

On ships today, you find a big carafe of coffee that eventually runs out, and somebody eventually comes over because they have to keep an eye on it and take it.

With the new beverage center, they make it easier to manage and all you have is a dispenser, with the refill functions at behind of house.

"And so the more you can move the guts back of house, the more you can monitor it and have a continual supply of whatever that liquid is for your guests."