After planning a cruise vacation for months or years, the last thing you want to do is come home wishing you had done something you could have done.

Cruise ships are packed with a great deal of things to do, and then there's the fun to be had on shore. It's easy to list it all now, but when you get on the ship time becomes fleeting and you could miss out on a few things on your personal "must-do" list.

Whether you ran out of time, neglected to walk over, or were too timid to give it a shot, there are plenty of things you might regret not doing on a cruise.

I asked our readers what is one thing they regret not trying on a cruise to get a sense of the top things they would love a chance to do over again.

1. Wonderland

Whimsical or weird?

Ben wrote, "I’ve been on Anthem a few times and haven’t tried Wonderland. I heard it’s not everyone’s favorite but I feel I need to try it at least once."

Wonderland is indeed a different kind of restaurant. It's loosely based on the "Alice in Wonderland" story and the food and service are anything but conventional.

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.

2. Ice show

Royal Caribbean's ice skating shows are an impressive feat of skill and poise, but some may overlook it.

Judy Carson wrote, "Going to the ice show. We miss it time and time again."

Admittedly, ice skating may not sound like something you absolutely need to see, but I'm always impressed by these shows because of how well put together they are. The choreography, music, and of course abilities of the skaters really stand out.

3. Zip line

Having done the zip line on Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class ships, I can see why some might sidestep a visit.

Located on the back of the ship on the Sports Deck, they can develop long lines and it's directly in the sun. During the warmer months of the year, it can get very hot out there.

And then there's the chasm below you must traverse during the ride, which may give guests some trepidation about giving it a try.

"The zip line. Hours way too short," is what Jennifer Allred said.  

Steve Welker also lamented not going on it, "Zip line, maybe one day!"

And don't forget about the zip line in Labadee, which is significantly longer than the one on the ships.

Suzanne SG wrote, "I did over 30 cruises and finally did the zip line on Labadee! Why I waited till my 60s is a mystery, but happy I finally did it! Loved it!"

4. Love & Marriage game show

Royal Caribbean's version of the Newlywed Game, the Love & Marriage game show came up on our reader's list of regrets.

"IK missed the Love and Marriage show for the first time in my life," wrote Andrea Toth.

"I regret missing it. It was in the afternoon and I was busy but I did regret not going."

5. Helicopter tour

On his Alaska cruise, Rich Harrington listed not taking a helicopter tour.

Alaska's glaciers are an incredible sight, and the best way to see them is by helicopter or seaplane. They are, however, quite pricey. Usually, the price of a helicopter ride starts at $500 per person.

If you can get past the price, the access these rides give you is unparalleled. You'll fly up and land on a glacier and explore the ice caves or take a dog sled ride.

6. FlowRider

Is surfing your thing? You won't know until you try.

Andrew Maiewski shared, "While I know I would fail miserably at FlowRider surfing. I still have yet to try body boarding, which I kinda want to do."

With the FlowRider, you can try stand-up surfing or boogie boarding, and there's no cost. It's simply first come, first surf.

Read more: I learned how to surf on a weekend cruise. Here is my advice if you want to try it too

7. Booking a balcony cabin in Alaska

Is it worth spending extra for a balcony room on an Alaska cruise?

Connie Jackson seems to think so, "Balcony cabin on my Alaska cruise" is what she listed as a regret.

If you have a balcony cabin in Alaska, you can more easily pop out from your cabin to see the beautiful scenery passing by. It's certainly more convenient than going out to a public deck.

Read more: Best cabins to book for an Alaska cruise

8. Rock climbing

One of Royal Caribbean's signature onboard activities is the rock wall, and it's something I have yet to try either!

Chris Buchner wrote, "Rock climbing!! Did it on my last cruise, and I regret not trying it many cruises ago!"

Sandra Roof added, "My husband finally did the rock wall last week. He's 53 and in great shape. He flew up that wall on the hardest one. The attendant even said he made it look to easy. I was proud of him."

No matter how far up the wall you make it, going up the rock wall is a good test of your own personal endurance and a fun challenge too.

9. Taking it easy

Sometimes the best thing to do on a cruise is nothing at all.

Rebecca Jackson posted, "Slowing down a bit and relaxing."

Getting away from it all is a major draw of any cruise, and with all of the fun activities onboard, it's easy to lose sight of just enjoying time away from the daily routine.

Whether that comes in the form of sitting in a lounger by the pool, taking an afternoon nap, or reading a book, there are plenty of ways to not do much while on a cruise.

10. Diving

A few readers shared they regretted not giving scuba or snorkel dives a try on their cruise.

Both Justin White and Daniella Price wrote they wish they had a chance to try an underwater dive on their cruise.

Royal Caribbean sometimes offers scuba classes onboard so that guests can then work towards their certification, including a dive in one of their upcoming ports.

There's almost always snorkeling or other underwater excursions offered in Caribbean ports as well.

11. Sleeping in

I'm guilty of not getting enough sleep on a cruise, but that's because of how much fun there is to try!

Maxine Bucholtz wrote, "More sleep!!" and I agree it's difficult to find the motivation to sleep when there's so much happening around you.

The FOMO (fear of missing out) is real on a cruise. You'll see a daily list of activities jam packed with things to do, along with exciting ports, and opportunities to go out with friends and family.

However, taking the time to sleep in and relax is important too. It's a good idea to pick a day, set the alarm late, and embrace rolling out of your cabin well into the double-digit times.

12. Karaoke

Mustering the strength to stand in front of a room full of strangers and belt out a tune is not as simple as it sounds.

A few readers had karaoke on their list of regrets, saying they would have liked to give it a try.

You'll find karaoke on almost every night of the cruise, and it's really popular. In fact, even if you want to try it, you'll need to act quickly because so many people do karaoke that it often fills up quickly.

13. Ultimate Abyss

Royal Caribbean's signature dry slide may seem daunting, but a lot of readers regret not giving it a try.

The Ultimate Abyss is 10 stories long and puts you in the dark as you descend through the twists and turns while riding a mat.

On Utopia of the Seas, the Ultimate Abyss slide is even longer and adds a few tweaks.

In addition to it being longer, the slide on Utopia has rollers to bump up your speed as you go along and a section where you're going to be able to see the other rider. 

14. Water slides

Many readers also had the water slides on the ship they were on previously as something they wish they had done.

You'll find water slides on most Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and they are a fun (and free) activity you can try.

As you might imagine, the lines do get long, but they are as fun as they look.

My advice for being able to do the water slides without as long of a wait is to go on embarkation day. Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on bag and go right when you get on the ship. 

Read more: 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise

15. Watching the sunset

Collene Felts listed not watching the sunset from an upper deck as her regret, and I think sunsets at sea are so beautiful to see.

While photos usually come out nice, it just doesn't do it justice.

They're great for a selfie, or to just take in the moment. It's one of those surreal moments to just enjoy life on a cruise ship and take it all in.

16. Booking a suite

A few people regretted not spending more to book a Royal Caribbean suite.

Tim Lott wrote buying a suite as something he wanted to do, and Dayna Richards responded, "We had one of the rear facing suites on Harmony of the Sea. When it came time to disembark, we were escorted past the entire passport line. We were out of there in five minutes. My husband said we will ‘always book a suite from now on. "

Gwendolyn Salzman added, "A suite! But, I could do a couple cruises for the price of one suite. So, I chose the lower priced cabins so I can cruise more often."

Certainly, the perks of a suite are impressive, and it's a lovely way to spend your time while on a cruise. Between the larger living space in your cabin to the services provided by the concierge, the experience will spoil you.

Read more: I cruised in a suite for the first time. Here are 5 things I learned from the experience–and 3 I'd do differently next time

17. Skeet shooting

Whether he meant this in jest or not, R.D. Wheeldon had skeet shooting on his list and he missed out on this activity by about 30 years or so.

Back in the 1970s and 1980s, you could shoot clay pigeons off the back of a cruise ship. That's right, you'd be given a shotgun to shoot targets off the back of a ship.

The practice came to an end at some point in the 80s or 90s, but it was something you could have done back in the day.

Read more: 9 cruise ship activities Royal Caribbean abandoned

18. Skypad

A few readers wish they had the opportunity to try the Skypad before Royal Caribbean closed it.

Greg Brockman wrote, "I wish I had tried SkyPad before it closed."

The Sky Pad was a trampoline where guests put on a virtual reality visor to engage in a game as they jump. 

Once inside, participants bounced up and down on the trampolines with the aid of the bungee cords. As you jumped on the trampoline, you jumped in the game. 

Similar to the FlowRider surf simulator and sky diving simulator, it was meant to offer guests a gravity-defying fun top deck experience.

19. Not buying the drink package

In retrospect, Jennifer Stoeckeler wishes she had bought Royal Caribbean's drink package to help curtail costs, "I regretted not buying the drinks package. So many pretty cocktails. If I went on another I would. Cruising is great!"

A few others had drink packages on their list because it ensures you have a fixed price for all the drinks you care to enjoy onboard.

Royal Caribbean has three primary drink packages to cater to various tastes, and while the cost is high up-front, it is truly unlimited once onboard the ship.

There are a few ways to get a discount on a Royal Caribbean drink package so you don't have to pay top dollar for it.

20. Different drinks

Speaking of drinks, Cheryl Watt wished she tried a wider variety of drinks.

It's easy to fall into the rut of ordering the same familiar drinks on any cruise. Sharon Birmingham combats this by actually having a list of drinks to try when she cruises.

Here's our list of 21 drinks to order if you have a cruise drink package.

21. Back to back cruises

What's better than going on a cruise? Going on two cruises in a row!

Bev Taylor and Chris Gonterman listed a back-to-back cruise as their cruise regret.

When someone says they are doing a back-to-back cruise, it means they are doing multiple cruises in a row on the same ship.

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Royal Caribbean started as a company in 1968, and by the 1980s, had made a name for itself with a small fleet of impressive cruise ships and had become an increasingly popular cruise line.

Song of Norway, Nordic Prince, and Sun Viking had lead the way for the company, and Song of America & Viking Serenade joined the fleet in 1982. By the end of the 80s, the new Sovereign Class would redefine what a cruise ship consisted of as it ushered in the first megaships.

Though the 1970s had concluded optimistically, the 1980s were ushered in by a recession in the United States. The cruising public became more cautious about their disposable vacation income, and the cruise lines began advertising strenuously, anticipating and countering rival company offers. Discounting, free airfare and the necessity to increase onboard revenues emerged as urgent cruising realities of the harsher 1980s.

Despite these challenges, the cruise industry managed to grow in the 1980s and Royal Caribbean found itself right in the middle of a struggle with competitor lines for building ever-increasingly larger ships. Song of America had proven the economies of scale was the future of cruise ships, and it would send Royal Caribbean down the path of building a ship as massive as Sovereign of the Seas.

Read more: What happened to Royal Caribbean's first cruise ships?

As the decade came to a close, Royal Caribbean had positioned itself perfectly for the immense growth the 1990s would bring.

Here's what it was like to cruise on Royal Caribbean in the 1980s.

Before even looking at the onboard experience, cruise ships in the 1980s were smaller than today.

Nordic Prince was 18,346 GT and 552 feet long, whereas Wonder of the Seas is 236,857 GT and 1,188 feet long.

A lot of the marketing material for a cruise in the 1980s was centered around the good times you could have onboard a cruise ship. They were selling what we would call today "a vibe" of being away from it all and enjoying time on a floating oasis.

Similar to today, the pool deck was the epicenter of activity on a cruise ship. A holiday spent tanning and enjoying the warm Caribbean sun was a major selling point.

Of course, dining was an important aspect of a cruise in the 1980s as well. In the marketing material, Royal Caribbean said La Chaine de Rotisseurs (a French international gastronomic society), "thinks our food is consistently superb."

"Our cuisine, in fact, could be one good reason the readers of Travel/Holiday magazine voted our ships among the world's best."

Just like today, ships had their own bakeries onboard. And a cruise in the 1980s still had a midnight buffet in the dining room, which was slowly phased out by the 2000s.

The main dining room was a focal point of dining, as specialty restaurants wouldn't become an option for another decade.

Royal Caribbean wanted to offer the kind of vacation where everything was made available and not as much thinking as a land trip.

They also marketed a cruise as a great way to celebrate, "As tensions disappear at sea, relationships flourish. Which means those starry-eyed couples aren't all newlyweds. Some may be celebrating silver and golden wedding anniversaries. Or even second honeymoons. You'll also find that about a third of our passengers are single."

What was a cruise ship cabin like in the 1980s? Decor style aside, they had a lot in common with a cabin today.

Royal Caribbean staterooms vary in size, in price, and in location. Some are even available with connecting staterooms to accommodate four or five people. Others offer third and fourth Pullman beds.

All cabins had:

• Individual room temperature control
• Private shower and bathroom facilities
• 110-volt/60 cycle U.S. current for hair dryers and shavers
• Three-channel radio
• Reading lights
• A dressing table and full-length mirror
• Plenty of drawer space
• A full-length wardrobe closet
• Wall-to-wall carpeting

 An interesting selling point was the entertaining aspect of having your own room, "Since most accommodations have beds that convert to sofas, you can use your stateroom for more than sleeping. You can use it for entertaining. Passengers very often invite friends to their staterooms to enjoy champagne or drinks before dinner. Or for a bon voyage party before sailing."

In terms of service in a cabin, a lot has changed since the 1980s. Room stewards do the same basic services you can expect today, but the marketing material advertised  more offerings, "Every stateroom has a steward, who performs a little shipboard magic every evening. When you go out for dinner or dancing, you'll leave a pleasant sitting room."

"But when you come back, you'll find a cozy bedroom. With fluffed-up pillows. Turned-down covers. And fresh fruit in the basket on your dressing table. This is the kind of attentive service you'll get every single night.

"And every single day, we'll make your stateroom neater than you left it. We'll also leave clean towels and a bucket of ice. Pick up and return your laundry. Deliver a schedule of activities and coming events, along with ship news and weather forecasts. And provide beverage and snack service, 24 hours a day. "

While the Viking Crown concept is retained in many of Royal Caribbean's ships today, the feature was designed initially for Song of Norway. Royal Caribbean made a name for itself with its signature space, the Viking Crown Lounge.

Entertainment on a cruise in the 1980s included a variety show that had a ventriloquist, comedian, cabaret singer, or big-band era music.

There was also passenger talent night and masquerade night on cruises of this era. On passenger talent night, guests would sing, dance, make magic, or just about anything else they were brave enough to demonstrate for their fellow guests and crew.

Masquerade night is just what it sounds like: it is an old-fashioned costume gala.  Prizes are given for Most Humorous, Most Original and Most Artistic costume.  Guests were encouraged to bring a costume, but the staff could provide necessary materials to build their own onboard.

Once your ship made it to port, it was time for a shore excursion. There were 7-night cruises from Miami that went to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and Cozumel, Mexico.

An Eastern Caribbean itinerary sailed from Miami to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas.

Bermuda runs in 1985 included four days in Bermuda before returning to New York.

If you preferred a longer cruise, Nordic Prince and Sun Viking sailed 10-night cruises from Miami down to the Southern Caribbean, going as far as Barbados.

Longer cruises offered a more traditional cruise experience to get to more exotic ports, and they were still a staple of the industry. Today, 7-night cruises are the norm, and longer sailings tend to be outliers, especially in the Caribbean.

Being the 1980s, ships had certain features that no longer are a thing.  Royal Caribbean advertised access to cable, Telex, and regular news bulletins. There was also a "Chinese laundry".

Skeet shooting off the back of the ship was still offered, where guests were given shotguns to shoot clay pigeons into the ocean.

The core cruise experience is largely the same then as it is today. The primary difference is what's offered onboard ships now, as well as the immense size difference.

Cruising as evolved since its early days, and some fads come and go, while other aspects of cruising remain the same today.

Read more: 10 Ways Cruising Has Changed in the Last 30 Years

Are you looking for information about the latest news, cruise ship information, or offering by Royal Caribbean? You're not alone.

New ships, incidents, and things you can buy for a cruise were among the list of most-Googled things about Royal Caribbean, according to data from Google.

Searches for the popular cruise line rose in January at the start of Wave season and then peaked again in July.

The internet has always been a useful place to get Royal Caribbean news and updates, and interest surrounding a Royal Caribbean cruise nets quite a lot of search traffic.

At Royal Caribbean Group's most recent earnings call, the company reported a doubling in website visits compared to 2019.

In looking at Google's search trends, we get a look at what people are predominately interested in, especially topics that are noteworthy at the time.

Top 10 Royal Caribbean related searches

Google categorizes its search data in two segments: top searches and rising searches.

Top searches are the overall most searched phrases, while rising searches are the things people Google a lot at once, almost always related to something newsworthy.

Think of it like searching for "New York" vs "New Years eve in New York".  The first can be searched throughout the year, but the latter is only relevant in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

Let's look at the rising data, which gives insight into the hottest search trends of the year.  I've omitted queries that are essentially the same phrase, but worded differently:

1. Royal Caribbean cruise man overboard

Just like a car accident on the side of the road, the public can't seem to not be interested when someone jumps or goes overboard from a cruise ship.

Unfortunately there have been a few cruise ship passengers that have gone overboard because of either jumping or doing something they shouldn't do that gets them in a precarious situation.

The media jumps on news related to people going overboard cruise ships because it seems to get attention, probably because people who aren't familiar with cruises may not understand how it could happen.

A 2022 article from The Points Guy points out that cruise ship railings are sufficiently high enough on all decks and balconies to ensure someone does not slip and fall overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to," the article's author states.

"It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Not being somewhere you're not supposed to, or doing something you're not supposed to, is key to safety at sea, "Play by the rules and remain in control of your actions, and you don't have to worry about inadvertently falling overboard from a cruise ship."

2. Royal Caribbean premier pass

Royal Caribbean made an "oopsie" in March when guests were able to book a VIP pass that didn't actually exist.

Royal Caribbean added a new Premier Pass to its website that appeared to be a new extra cost pass. It included WiFi, exclusive tours and more at a bargain price.

Unfortunately, it was too good to be true. 

An email went out a few days later to inform anyone that bought the Premier Pass was a "system glitch" and was never intended to be put on sale in the first place. Any purchases made were cancelled.

An uproar ensued because people wanted the cruise line to stand by the option, especially in cases where the guests cancelled another purchase in lieu of the Premier Pass.

3. Utopia cruise ship Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean's next (and final?) Oasis Class ship will be Utopia of the Seas, and it generated a lot of interest when Royal Caribbean revealed details about the ship.

Utopia of the Seas will debut in summer 2024 and offer 3- and 4-night cruises only, which is a big change for Royal Caribbean.

Typically, new cruise ships start off with 7-night cruises because demand is so high and more lucrative for these cruises.  Older ships usually offer short cruises.

Utopia will instead do short cruises with a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean seems to want to embrace the new to cruise market and target people who have never taken a cruise with a ship that stands out from the competition. The hope is new cruisers that aren't sure they will like a cruise or not tend to go with short cruises, and by giving them one of Royal Caribbean's newest and best ships, it will hook them to this kind of vacation.

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

4. New Royal Caribbean ship 2024

There's actually two new Royal Caribbean cruise ships entering service in 2024, which is a bit unusual.

Icon of the Seas will join the fleet first and sail weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean from Miami. Each cruise also stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

In July, Utopia of the Seas will start offering cruises from Port Canaveral. 

5. Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas

The next new Royal Caribbean cruise ship has garnered a lot of attention, Icon of the Seas.

Icon of the Seas will be the first ship in the Icon Class. She will be 250,600 tons and hold up to 7,600 passengers, both of which are stats that eclipse the current largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas.

Not only is she big, but Royal Caribbean is loading her up with all sorts of new offerings.

Icon will have new types of cabins, a water park, new neighborhoods, and plenty of activities inbetween.  It will also offer a bigger array of dining venues, bars and deck-top attractions than any cruise vessel ever built.

6. Royal Caribbean cruise ship storm

There have been a few tropical storms that have had an impact on Royal Caribbean ships this year.

Hurricane Hillary, Idalia, and Lee all forced the cruise line to change plans to avoid the path of the storm.

Cruising in hurricane season has its challenges, but an itinerary change is usually the worst to come out of it. When there is a tropical disturbance, a lot of people take to Google to figure out if there have been any changes or cancellations to their cruise.

Royal Caribbean's chief meteorologist works with ship captains to chart an optimal course and avoid the worst of any storm.  

7. Royal Caribbean cruise 2024

Most likely if you're searching for a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2024, you're looking to plan a cruise for next year.

One of the best strategies is to book a cruise many months in advance (instead of at the last-minute), so people searching for 2024 cruises is about trying to find the best Royal Caribbean cruise to sail on next year.

As previously mentioned, there are two new Royal Caribbean ships debuting in 2024, and that could also contribute to additional interest in a 2024 cruise.

8. Royal Caribbean drink package 2023

Perhaps no extra-cost add-on is as popular as Royal Caribbean's drink package.

There's three primary drink packages you can buy for a Royal Caribbean cruise, in addition to a water package and coffee card.

Drink packages are very popular because they provide an easy and convenient way to let guests enjoy unlimited drinks without having to worry about paying for each drink.

9. Royal Caribbean cruise 2023

It's not surprising there's interest in a cruise this year as well.

The cruise planning process extends to the months and weeks leading up the actual sailing.

From shore excursions to spa treatments to things to do onboard the ship, you can always learn more about your cruise ship and plan around what to do.

10. Carnival Celebration

Not sure if Google goofed on this to include a Carnival ship with Royal Caribbean results, or a lot of Royal Caribbean fans are simply curious about Carnival's newest ship.

The second in the Excel Class, Celebration can accommodate 6,600 guests.

Cruise ship sustainability has moved a step forward with a successful test of a new kind of fuel.

Royal Caribbean reported it tested a new biofuel alternative on a cruise ship this week that is part of the company's overall environmental strategy.

Symphony of the Seas became the first in the maritime industry to successfully test and use a biofuel blend in Barcelona to reduce the ship's carbon emissions.

Becoming a sustainable company has been an established goal, and a new type of fuel is part of the plan to get to that point. By introducing methods that reduce emissions today, Royal Caribbean Group is ultimately advancing the decarbonization of its operations.

Today, in Barcelona, Symphony of the Seas became the first ship in the maritime industry to successfully test and use a biofuel blend in Barcelona to meet part of her fuel needs.

Royal Caribbean confirmed onboard technical systems met operational standards, without quality or safety concerns, demonstrating the biofuel blend is a reliable "drop in" supply of lower emission energy that ships can use to set sail across Europe and beyond. The tests across Europe also provided valuable data to understand the availability and scalability of biofuel in the region.

Last fall, Navigator of the Seas tested out biofuel when she sailed from Los Angeles, California and became the first a cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port while using renewable diesel fuel.

The test on Navigator was conducted on a three-night cruise to Ensenada, Mexico in October 2022 with one engine powered by 30 tons of biodiesel.  

The test lasted three months.

What is biofuel?

The sustainable biofuel blends tested were produced by purifying renewable raw materials like waste oils and fats and combining them with fuel oil to create an alternative fuel that is cleaner and more sustainable. 

The biofuel blends tested are accredited by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC), a globally recognized organization that ensures sustainability of biofuels and verifies reductions of related emissions.

Biofuel greatly reduces carbon emissions compared to the burning of the fossil fuels used in marine gas oil. It's processed through an oil refinery and is molecularly identical to diesel. 

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty credits the advancement as an important milestone, "Following our successful trial of biofuels this summer, we are one step closer to bringing our vision for net-zero cruising to life. As we strive to protect and promote the vibrant oceans we sail, we are determined to accelerate innovation and improve how we deliver vacation experiences responsibly."

What's the next step?

With Symphony of the Seas departing from the Port of Barcelona and Celebrity Apex departing from the Port of Rotterdam, both ships accomplished multiple sailings using biofuel and contributed critical data on the fuel's capabilities. 

More tests are planned for this fall when they use different types of biofuels on upcoming European sailings.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group said it plans to continue to use alternative lower carbon fuel as part of its overall plan.

In addition to biofuels, Royal Caribbean Group is building ships that can leverage liquefied natural gas, or LNG, to reduce emissions.

Commonly referred to as a transition fuel, LNG results in 95% fewer particulate matter emissions, nearly eliminates sulfur emissions and reduces nitrogen emissions by 85%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20%.

LNG isn't the ultimate solution, but a step in the journey.

Sustainable by 2050

Royal Caribbean Group calls its overarching sustainability goals "Destination Net Zero", and biofuels are one way it intends to get there. 

Announced in 2021, there are two simple goals:

• Delivery of a net zero emissions cruise ship
• A path to net zero emissions by 2050

Destination Net Zero's four-pronged approach includes:

1. Modernization of the cruise company's global brands fleet through the introduction of 13 new energy-efficient and alternatively fueled vessels.
    
2. Continued investment in energy efficiency programs for its fleet, including energy saving technologies, enhanced data systems and digitalization.
    
3. Development of alternative fuel and alternative power solutions.
    
4. Optimized deployment and integration of strategic shore-based supply chains.

Utopia of the Seas was successfully floated out at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas is the latest in the line's Oasis Class of ships.

This important first step in the journey of cruise ship construction occurred over the weekend, where the ship transfers to a "wet dock" to finish construction work.

New ships are first assembled in a dry dock, where blocks of the ship are put together on land. Once the exterior of a vessel is complete, it's ready to move to the ocean.

The process itself took nearly 15 hours, beginning with filling the new ship’s dry dock with more than 46 million gallons of water overnight. Utopia was then moved into an outfitting dock, where it will be completed in summer 2024. Since construction on the next Oasis Class ship started in April 2022, the new vacation has taken shape with more than 74 blocks of steel that have been lifted and assembled into place. 

The float out of any cruise ship is an important milestone in the process of construction.

With Utopia in wet dock, work will continue leading up to her handover to Royal Caribbean. She will remain in her basis until such time she is ready for delivery.

This is the fourth Oasis Class ship built at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Naizaire, France (Wonder, Harmony and Symphony of the Seas).

Utopia of the Seas may be the sixth ship in the Oasis Class, but she's far from a carbon copy of her sister vessels.  While she will have a number of features you can find on other Oasis Class ships, Royal Caribbean has added a few tweaks and additions that make her stand out.

The new ship will have a new tiki bar experience, new dining experiences, immersive dining, and an open deck filled with plenty of activities. The 295-foot-long Ultimate Abyss slide will reclaim the title of "longest dry slide at sea".

Utopia will be the first Oasis class that uses a more environmentally friendly fuel type, Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG.

There's plenty of dining changes to expect on Utopia as well. 

Something brand new to Utopia of the Seas is an immersive dining experience that combines visuals and dining to create something not seen before on Royal Caribbean.

The Royal Railroad will feature a classic train motif that delivers a mixed reality experience. After prototyping the train car experience at Royal Caribbean's Miami headquarters, the team feels confident it will deliver an incredible new option for passengers.

Izumi has been moved up to Central Park, which is a first for the Oasis Class. Izumi will also have a new pickup window which allows quick grab and go offerings for guests.

Park Cafe will have a new evening terrace experience, which the cruise line hopes will invigorate evenings in this neighborhood.

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar has been relocated into the deck 11 and 12 former Wonderland location.

Utopia of the Seas will debut in July 2024 and enter service offering short cruises to The Bahamas from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The 236,860-ton ship will be the second largest ship in the world at the time she launches, right behind equally new Icon of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean will change its traditional playbook by starting off a new cruise ship with just short cruises, which the line hopes will capitalize on the short cruise market.

This is a big change for the line, because traditionally new ships start off with the more lucrative week-long cruise market. Royal Caribbean is flipping the script and putting Utopia in the short market first.

Why the dramatic change? It's all about drawing in new cruisers.

Someone that has never cruised before may be leery of trying a cruise, and hesitant to commit to 7-nights.  Instead, they opt for short cruises.

Traditionally, Royal Caribbean deploys its older and smaller ships to the short cruise market.  While these ships are still great choices for a vacation, there's simply nothing like a new ship.

Royal Caribbean is betting by offering short cruises on a brand new and impressive ship, new cruisers will flock to try it and subsequently book more cruises.

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

Royal Caribbean may be known for their family cruises, but they're adding a new adults-only offering.

Opening in January 2024, Royal Caribbean unveiled details for Hideaway Beach area of Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is reserved just for guests who are at least 18 years old.

It will have an infinity pool, swim-up bar, sports bar, cabanas and new restaurants all in an adults-only enclave. In fact, the cruise line intends for the area to have a "Vegas pool party" vibe.

Royal Caribbean News

• Icon of the Seas has new bookings for world's largest cruise ship
• Who should (and shouldn’t) get the Royal Caribbean credit card
• After 2 cancelled cruises, Royal Caribbean cruise ship will resume sailings
• I made Diamond at 17 years old. Here's why I love cruising with Royal Caribbean
• I went on Royal Caribbean's upgraded and regular Voyager Class cruise ships. Here's what I liked about each.
• Photos reveal progress Royal Caribbean has made building new adults-only expansion

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 512th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt shares how his Independence cruise went.

Matt is back from Independence of the Seas for a quick 3-night cruise ands shares how the first day of the cruise was different than so many other embarkation day experiences he has had.

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.

Video: Why to refuse to upgrade your cruise ship cabin

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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: Why to refuse to upgrade your cruise ship cabin

11 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a cruise ship

You can plan all you want, but some lessons can't be learned until you actually cruise.

Calista took her first ever cruise on Wonder of the Seas and was surprised by many aspects of cruising, especially compared to other forms of travel.

In retrospect, these experiences will benefit her on future cruises, and maybe help you plan your first cruise too!

Why Booking a Suite Cruise Cabin Is Worth It

Is it worth spending extra to stay in a Royal Caribbean suite? A lot of our readers think so, and shared their favorite photos to prove it.

Suites aren't cheap, but they come with a lavish amount of living space, enhanced amenities, and priority service.

We asked readers to share their best photos that explain why they loved their suite rooms, and we received hundreds of entries. 

10 reasons why I didn't want to go on a cruise, but glad I gave it a try

The majority of the public have never been on a cruise before, and perhaps that's because they have a certain trepidation about trying a cruise.

The popularity of cruising has exploded over the last decade, but some people might be skeptical of trying it themselves.

Before stepping foot on a ship, Calista was worried too and avoided cruises for years.  She know sees why all those concerns were unwarranted.

25 examples of crew members wowing passengers

Royal Caribbean's crew members are known for their excellent service and it's very common for them to go above and beyond what's expected.

The more you cruise, the more likely you will run into an exceptional crew member who really cares about an issue or request you have while onboard. 

I asked the RoyalCaribbeanBlog community to share examples of times that Royal Caribbean staff have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service for their family while sailing.

13 ways to get the best cruise deals

Want to save money on a cruise, or do you want to get the lowest possible price on a cruise?

The key to finding a great cruise deal is to know where and when to look.

No matter the time of year, these tricks should get you a great price so you can maximize every dollar of your vacation budget.

Cruise ship shore excursions I instantly regretted

Every now and then I'll take a shore excursion and realize I've made a mistake.

I've usually had good luck with choosing a tour, but occasionally I'll run into one that makes me wish I had chosen something different.

Here are five times I took a cruise ship shore excursion and reconsidered my decision almost immediately.

When Royal Caribbean opens Hideaway Beach in 2024, expect a completely different ambience than anywhere else on the private Bahamian island.

Royal Caribbean unveiled details about its new adults-only escape on Perfect Day at CocoCay, and we have more details as to what this part of the private island will include.

Hideaway Beach will offer an extra-cost add-on to consider for adults who want to enjoy a lively atmosphere and no kids, and it's gotten a lot of interest from cruisers who are looking for something more than CocoCay had in the past.

Poolside cabanas, a new pizza restaurant, swim-up bar and infinity pool are what Royal Caribbean will add to keep adults in a party mood all day long.

Hideaway Beach is for guests 18 years or older and has an admission cost to enter.

The new area will open in January 2024 right around the same time Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, launches.

Royal Caribbean Associate Vice President of Private Destination Development, Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez talked about the vision for Hideaway Beach, and shared some interesting details about the new area.  

Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez has been integral to the development of Perfect Day at CocoCay going back to the 2019 revamp that upgraded all areas of the private island.

Customers wanted an adults-only space

Royal Caribbean heard loud and clear from its customers that they wanted an adults-only area.

"Hideaway Beach was really imagined based on guest feedback," Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez said about why a cruise line known for offering a family cruise experience went in this direction.

After doing a great deal of guest feedback, the consensus was clear, "an adult only space was one of the most requested spaces on the island, one of the most requested attractions."

Guests told the cruise line what they wanted in this sort of a space too, "to have a drink in hand, to listen, to live music and to have just incredible views."

The beach is located on the northwest part of the island, and Royal Caribbean purposefully wanted it away from everything else happening on the island to give it a sense of seclusion.

What to expect in the beach area

Royal Caribbean is charging a fee to enter Hideaway Beach, and the line expects the space to have a capacity of around 1500 to 2000 guests.

"It is meant to take on a large crowd, really kind of keep the party vibe going," Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez said about the volume of people to expect.

One of the tenets of an adults-only area was to ensure everyone could have a drink in hand, if they want one, so there are five bars, which is the the largest concentration of bars on the island.

The beach itself has a goal of being, "one of the most beautiful beaches that you'll ever see in your life," according to Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez.

"I was just there two days ago, and even though it's a construction site right now, I wanted to just go swimming in the beach. But it does include some loungers all over the beach with the complimentary shading and some in-water hammocks and really fun things around the whole neighborhood."

One new venue you wont find anywhere else on Perfect Day at CocoCay is a pizza restaurant.

The only pizza eatery on the private island will be called Slice of Paradise, and it offers complimentary pizza that is not the same as you'll find on the ship.

Pool fun

The Hideaway pool will be the massive freshwater pool where you'll find the DJ located near a swim-up bar.

"It's got the in-water loungers that we all know and love from our Oasis Lagoon, our Coco Beach Club pool experience. There's plenty of seating all around. There's those beautiful landscaped islands that also have in-water seating right in the water."

According to Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez, the Hideaway pool will be heated to 82 degrees year round for guest comfort.

Royal Caribbean added a swim-up bar to Hideaway pool because the swim-up bar at Oasis Lagoon is, "one of the highest rated attractions on the island."

There's actually two levels of swim-up bar at Hideaway pool, "There's some in-water seating and then the other area, which is actually part of Hideaway Bar, it's actually overlooking the ocean."

"So you kind of get these two levels of the bar so you can have a dry and an in-water experience here at the Hideaway bar."

The importance of music

Royal Caribbean heard from its guests that they wanted to relax with a drink in hand along with music, so you'll find that in Hideaway Beach.

"As we talked to our guests, a drink in hand and some live music were at the core of what relaxation actually meant to them and what they were looking for on vacation," Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez disclosed.

"One of the things that that we've learned is that our guests love to interact with that DJ. So we brought them even closer to our guests right adjacent to the swim up bar."

"You'll see some fun interactions between the bartenders and the DJ, maybe some activations. So we're having a lot of fun right now working through what that party looks like and that activation really testing out the the music sets with the DJ."

She confirmed the DJ will remain at Oasis Lagoon, "Oasis Lagoon is much more family oriented, so we're working out what the what the playlist looks like for each of the areas and really developing that Vegas style pool party sort of at Hideaway Beach."

Views from On The Rocks

Another new venue is On The Rocks bar, which was built to offer great views along with equally good drinks.

"It's literally on the iron shore of Perfect Day at CocoCay, right on the rocks, you can soak up the beautiful views of the Caribbean and feel that Caribbean breeze."

The drink menu is still in development, but there will be plenty of classic cocktails, such as frozen margaritas or Mai Tais.

On The Rocks will have also have games, such as pool tables, shuffle boards, and for the first time ever on CocoCay, televisions, so that "it'll be the perfect place to watch your favorite games so you don't miss the action of watching your favorite sports team while you're on Perfect Day at CocoCay."

Lots to eat

As mentioned, there will be a pizza restaurant in Hideaway beach, as well as a new Snack Shack location.

Snack Shack will have the same favorites from elsewhere on the island, plus some new options, "we're actually working on some new menu items that are going to come with Hideaway Beach for the Snack Shack."

The pizza choices are also still under development, but Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez indicated they are experimenting with some new flavors in addition to the usual options.

"We are actually still testing pizza flavor, so I'm excited for all the future testing that is coming. But I think one of the things that's really interesting and it's actually our Bahamian crew members on the island, they actually when they want to celebrate, they actually have a pizza night. And so a lot of the recipes that we're tasting have actually been developed by a lot of our crew members on the island."

A bougie option at the cabanas

If your goal is to have a VIP experience because you believe there are levels to everything, Royal Caribbean has a cabana for you at Hideaway Beach.

"It is truly an escape from the ordinary here on Hideaway Beach and the Hideaway cabanas give you that ultimate VIP feeling."

"Not only do you get your cabana with all of the amenities that we know and love from all of the cabana products that we have on island already, but now you have your own exclusive infinity plunge pool."

The Hideout Cabanas have a heated plunge pool at the front of each cabana.

Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez thinks the views these cabanas offer are unparalleled, "it gives you that kind of breathtaking view of your own private pool right in front the ocean, the beach right in front of you. And then that beautiful ocean right at your fingertips."

"Really. It's a beautiful, amazing view."

She also mentioned the two little bucket seats that come with the cabana actually come right off of and they can be floaties in the pool.

The cabana attendants will not only bring you food and drinks, but Royal Caribbean is working on bottle service.

"So you can feel like you've created your own kind of escape within Hideaway Beach at the Hideout. Or you can connect to the party that's happening because it might be the reason why you came to Hideaway Beach."

Another cabana option are the Hideaway cabanas, which are located directly adjacent to the Hideaway pool.

"These are right in the pool area. They're meant to be really fun party cabanas."

Hideaway Beach vs Coco Beach Club

Hideaway Beach will be the second extra-cost area of Perfect Day at CocoCay, which may lead you to question what the difference is between Hideaway Beach and the Coco Beach Club.

Royal Caribbean says the intention is for Coco Beach Club to remain a high end experience, "it's very serene, quiet, relaxing and luxurious," said Shannae Murray, Royal Caribbean International Sales Training Manager.

Plus, Coco Beach Club is available for guests of all ages, including kids.

On the other hand, Hideaway Beach is a party, "think Las Vegas pool party vibes, DJ dancing, the drinks grab and go food options and again, adults only."

"Hideaway Beach will be perfect for couples, friends traveling together, maybe a bachelor bachelorette party that you're helping to put together."

Coco Beach Club includes one upscale restaurant, whereas Hideaway will have the two casual food spots that we covered when it comes to the bars.

Coco Beach Club has the one central bar, whereas Hideaway Beach has a total of five bars to choose from, including a swim up bar.

And while both venues cost extra, you'll pay less at Hideaway Beach, "The Hideaway Beach entry fee will be less than what you see at Coco Beach Club now."

Ms. Diaz-Gonzalez described the differences between the experiences, "Coco Beach Club is a lot more relaxed. It's about this luxury of being on the beach."

"The food is a lot more upscale. It's a more serene beach...But it really is about listening to the sound of of water and really relaxing on the beach."

"Think of Hideaway Beach it's a much more party atmosphere. It's a lively beach. There's music at all times. That's why you see a lot more bars there. So we expect it to be a much more active experience than what you get at Coco Beach Club."

Royal Caribbean's new adults-only beach at its private island in The Bahamas looks to create the ultimate kid-free escape.

Hideaway Beach will be located on the western side of Perfect Day at CocoCay, behind Thrill Waterpark.

After months of keeping the details under wrap, Royal Caribbean posted details about the area to book on its Cruise Planner site.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley thinks the new expansion will offer a compelling new way to enjoy a day at its private island, "Hideaway Beach is a completely new vibe and experience that vacationers are looking for on Perfect Day at CocoCay."

"Everything from its hidden-like location to the exclusive beach and pools to the private cabanas is designed for adults who want a day just for them."

Royal Caribbean Associate Vice President of Private Destination Development, Claudia Diaz-Gonzalez, indicated the space can accommodate between 1,500 and 2,000 guests.

No specific day has been given when it will open, but Royal Caribbean did say it will open in January 2024 in tandem with the launch of Icon of the Seas.

Pricing & What's included

Like most Royal Caribbean's extra add-on options, there is variable pricing for the club.

Only guests that are 18 years old or older are allowed to enter.

For the inaugural Icon of the Seas sailing, access to Hideaway Beach will cost extra, with prices shown on the Cruise Planner site of $70.99 when pre-purchased . It says the onboard price will be $79.00.

• Icon of the Seas February 24, 2024 sailing, admission price is $52.99 per person ($59 onboard price).
• Wonder of the Seas March 17, 2024 sailing, admission price is $43.99 per person ($49 onboard price).
• Icon of the Seas June 29, 2024 sailing, admission price is $79.99 per person ($89 onboard price).
• Utopia of the Seas July 22, 2024 sailing, admission price is $70.99 per person ($79 onboard price).

There are also cabanas you can purchase, which includes admission to the area.

Royal Caribbean seems to have mimicked the pricing strategy for the nearby Coco Beach Club, which also charges an admission cost to enter.

Once inside Hideaway Beach, guests will find a large temperature-controlled freshwater pool, semi-circle beach, and reserved cabana area.

There will be complimentary in-water hammocks, resort-style loungers, and umbrellas to keep you made in the shade. A DJ will also be featured here to provide a party vibe.

Food and Drink

There are seven bars, including a beach bar and a new venue, known as On The Rocks.

On the Rocks

This al fresco bar along the rocky shore serves up live music, TVs to watch live sports, games like pool and shuffleboard, and memorable ocean views along with refreshing drinks like frozen margaritas and mai tais.

Hideaway Bar

The swim-up bar at Hideaway Pool has with two levels, so that guests can take their drinks poolside or without leaving the water.

Slice of Paradise

This all-new rustic pizza haven with a bar and complimentary food includes fresh-from-the-oven pizzas.

Snack Shack

A staple on Perfect Day at CocoCay, this new location offers the popular menu’s complimentary chicken sandwiches, burgers, fried mozzarella sticks, fresh salads and more, as well as shaded seating, and Adirondack chairs and tables on the sand.

Cabanas

There are two types of cabanas you could rent in Hideaway Beach.

Hideout Cabanas

The Hideout Cabanas are located in area known as, "The Hideout", and it's where you can bring up to 8 guests with you to enjoy a private cabana. Should you have a larger party, there is a charge of $50 per person, plus an additional cost for a Hideaway Beach Full Day Pass, for a maximum of 2 additional people.

Each poolside cabana has 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.

You'll also get access to the infinity plunge pool, exclusively for The Hideout guests.

Cabana guests can enjoy bottle service, along with complimentary food from the Snack Shack or Slice of Paradise.

Hideaway Cabana

Slightly cheaper are the Hideaway Cabana, which does not have access to The Hideout  plunge pool.

A Hideaway Cabana also includes entry to Hideaway Beach for up to 8 adults. Extra passes are $50 per person, plus an additional cost for a Hideaway Beach Full Day Pass, for a maximum of 2 additional people.

Your Hideaway Cabana includes unlimited supply of bottled water, private lockable storage, sink and mini fridge, cooler, ceiling fan, charging outlets, resort-style seating, and floating beach mats.

Cabana guests can enjoy bottle service, along with complimentary food from the Snack Shack or Slice of Paradise.

The Hideout

This nook at one end of Hideaway Beach is meant to offer an exclusive, elevated experience.

In one of 10 Hideout Cabanas, those looking for a more VIP, chill vibe can kick back at a heated infinity-edge plunge pool – exclusive to The Hideout guests – and enjoy the convenience of perks like cabana attendant service, in-water loungers, an outdoor shower and resort-style seating.