Matt is about to take this 100th cruise with Royal Caribbean, so what's the most important thing he's learned after taking all of those cruises?
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Megaship fans will find new reason to try an Alaska cruise.
Royal Caribbean on Wednesday posted its new 2027 cruises to Alaska, which officially kickstarts its new deployments for the 2027-2028 year.
Four ships will offer cruises to Alaska, including two Quantum Class vessels. These are the line's third-largest class of ships and they're barely 10 years old.
Here's the breakdown of which ships are sailing to Alaska and where.
Quantum of the Seas will sail from Seattle, Washington and offer 7-night voyages via the Inside Passage.
Ports include Sitka; Skagway; Victoria, British Columbia; and Juneau.
There is one difference, in that only select Quantum cruises will sail to Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
Anthem of the Seas is positioned to be offer visits deeper into Alaska, as it's sailing one-way sailings from either Vancouver, British Columbia or Seward, Alaska.
The advantage of these "open jaw" routes is the ship can go to places a traditional roundtrip voyage cannot.
Anthem has sailings that visit Hubbard Glacier, as well as offering the option of a cruisetour.
Cruisetours are pre- and post-land trips you can add-on to a cruise that are operated through Royal Caribbean and can take you to inland places, such as Denali National Park and Preserve and Banff National Park.
New CruiseTours available in summer 2027 include a 9-night Destination Denali CruiseTour and a 12-night Mountain Panorama & Alyeska CruiseTour.
Not only do you get to see more of inland Alaska with a CruiseTour, but you can earn Crown and Anchor points too.
Voyager of the Seas will also homeport in Seattle, offering 7-night sailings to popular Alaskan ports.
Similar to Quantum, not all Voyager sailings go to Dawes Glacier. Instead, they offer visits to Ketchikan or Sitka.
Rounding out the deployment is Serenade of the Seas, based in Vancouver.
Serenade will cruise 7-night roundtrip sailings, and select sailings include visits to Tracy Arm Fjord, Icy Strait Point, or Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
You can also book a Pacific Coastal Cruise that goes from San Diego to Vancouver at the very start of the cruise season.
It's a rare 7-night cruise that goes up the West Coast of the United States, with stops in Astoria, Oregon & Seattle, Washington.
The 2027 Alaska cruises are available to book between May and September 2027.
Not all of the sailings include a glacier visit on the itinerary, and I would recommend prioritizing a voyage that includes a glacier visit.
While you certainly can see glaciers in one of your port stops, there's simply nothing like seeing one from the ocean.
The risk with a glacier visit by sea is it's dependent on the weather to be safe enough to transit. It's common for a glacier visit to be cancelled or has to stop far from the glacier because of sea ice or poor visibility.
Nonetheless, I think it's worth trying to book because when the weather cooperates, glaciers are amazing to see from the ship.
If all else fails, be sure to book a shore excursion that takes you to Mendenhall Glacier while in Juneau.
Royal Caribbean typically doesn't offer cruises to Hawaii, except when a ship needs to reposition from Australia to Alaska (and back).
Anthem of the Seas has a 8-night voyage between Oahu and Vancouver on April 29, 2027.
It has an overnight stop in Kailua Kona before heading to Vancouver.
Before that, there's a 16-night Transpacific cruise between Sydney, Australia and Oahu, Hawaii.
This sailing doesn't visit Hawaiian islands, but does offer visits to islands in French Polynesia.
If you want a really long cruise that includes a visit to Hawaii, Quantum of the Seas has a 23-night Transpacific cruise with stops in:
The new 2027 Alaska cruises are available to book beginning today, and getting in on a cruise early is one of the best ways to get the best price.
It's been my experience that some of the best prices, especially for suites, are found when new itineraries are released.
This is especially true if you want to book a summer Alaska cruise in July or August, when it's the peak season.
Plus, specific cabins can sell out quickly on popular sailings. For example, if you want to book a suite or aft balcony cabin on Serenade of the Seas, you'll need to book as early as possible to ensure your preferred category.
As a rule, placing your initial deposit as soon as you can gets you the best price.
Each of my two kids have been cruising since they were six months old, and as they enter their teenage years, I think cruising has been the best experience for them.
Cruise ships are often referred to as "floating cities" and that analogy holds up with raising kids, because learning to navigate cities (and the world) is part of growing up.
As my kids grew older, how they cruised changed and a certain amount of independence started to creep into it all. We like cruising together as a family, but there are times they want to do their own thing (and my wife and I do too).
In observing my kids at home, it's clear their years of cruising truly helped them with important life skills.
I remember the first time I let my kids go on their own to go down to Sorrento's to grab pizza and then come back to the cabin.
Today, that's not a big deal, but as a parent it was scary letting them walk down a few decks and back. But it taught them (and us) how to operate.
They had cruised enough with us at that point to understand where things are located, how to act in public, and what to expect when ordering the food.
Slowly, we introduced little trips and "missions" for them. It gave them fleeting moments of independence to feel grown up, without letting them go completely on their own.
Pizza runs, trips to the ice cream machine, or an arcade trip are all examples of giving them the trust to be on their own and know how it feels.
As they got older, we gave our kids more freedom to do their own thing onboard the ship.
We started off by allowing them to be alone when with friends. I joked as a group, they'd all be too annoying to kidnap.
Giving them more leeway allowed them to enjoy that freedom, but they also understood it was based on trust.
I think giving them spurts of time to be alone on the ship was safer than doing the same thing in public places on land, like a mall or Starbucks.
There's risk with everything, but cruise ships are more self-contained. Nonetheless, the guiding principles of being out without parental supervision is the same.
Because we cruised with them when they were little, we all quickly noticed kids behaving badly on ships.
Most of it is typical teenage antics, like hanging out in elevators, hanging out in stairwells, or packing hot tubs with friends. But we've seen and read about teens who clearly cross the line of bad behavior.
With my kids now around teenage years, they're well aware we do not condone acting running amuck, being obnoxious, or pressing all the buttons in the elevator.
They've earned their freedom, and it comes with expectations and rules meant to keep them safe and not be a problem.
Communication is the most important rule. We have regular check-ins, as well as curfews.
We also told them they're never allowed in anyone else's cabin, nor inviting anyone else into their cabin.
I don't lock down their SeaPass card to charge, but they also know to ask before buying anything.
Luckily, my kids are more interested in simply hanging out with their friends than being loud and problematic. And I'll try to invite friends from home to cruise with us so that they have a built in network of friends that keeps them from feeling lonely.
My kids learned independence on the ship, but they've been exposed to different cultures thanks to cruising.
I've taken my kids around the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe, and there's no question in my mind it's opened their minds to the world beyond their home.
Meeting different people, picking up words in different languages, and simply seeing how the rest of the world works are lessons no school can teach but are just as important.
They meet all sorts of people on the ship from all over the world, but going to cities and villages outside the United States is something that can truly shape someone.
By taking them to different countries, I hope it plants a seed of a love of travel and demonstrates how valuable traveling is.
I think it finally clicked with my oldest daughter on our cruise in Europe when she was talking to a friend she made on the ship. She casually mentioned all the cruises she's taken, and her friend was in astonishment how much she's been able to travel and said how lucky she was.
When a peer says it, it resonates more with teens, and it made me proud as a parent she appreciated all of the cruising.
This week is off to an early start with Royal Caribbean updates and developments that you should know about.
We spotted a few changes that you should know about, plus the cruise line did something no one else has ever done in one particular port.
It's easy to overlook some of these changes, so we've packaged up everything into this quick hit post.
Here is a rundown of some news that you should be aware of!
We reported last week that Royal Caribbean moved up the opening of the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, and I think it's clear why.
One of our readers, Mike Pastore, shared photos of the progress in his Facebook group all about the new beach club.
While sailing on Utopia of the Seas, he took photos of the nearby area to see what's changed.
In just a few weeks, there's been so many more buildings are visible. When I visited the construction site last month, I was told there are over 500 people working every day working.
The official opening date for the beach club is December 21, which is exactly two months from today. However, there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 13, followed by a series of "soft openings".
These soft openings will invite select cruisers to experience the club so the line can test and adjust their operations as needed before welcoming in bigger crowds.
Admission to the new beach club costs extra, which means you have to buy a pass. This is unlike Perfect Day at CocoCay, where everyone on the ship can go ashore and enjoy a variety of included options. Only Royal Caribbean passengers can buy a pass.
Royal Caribbean will release its new Alaska cruises this week, but it's not out quite yet.
According to the deployment schedule for 2027-2028 cruises, Alaska will be released first. It can be confusing when they say sailings will be available "The week of October 20", as some people infer that to mean actually on October 20.
In reality, it can be at any point during the week, but it's almost always later in the week. Typically, on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
Based on early test loads, it appears four ships will be based in Alaska in 2027:
Once the deployment is open, we'll share the full details.
Royal Caribbean's cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas opened in 2022 and just did something no other cruise terminal can tout.
The building is the the first cruise facility to formally achieve both Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Net-Zero Energy and LEED Net-Zero Carbon certifications for its ongoing operations.
This is in addition to the existing LEED Gold certification for the design and construction of GCT.
What this means is the terminal's operations balance out their energy use and carbon emissions over the course of a full year. When you combine that with the building's certification for design and construction, this gives the Galveston facility three separate sustainability achievements in under three years. That's something few large buildings, let alone cruise terminals, have managed to pull off.
So why does this matter? It's an incredible achievement because the Galveston cruise terminal is running efficiently enough using clean or renewable energy sources that the total energy it uses is offset by the energy it produces or saves.
Plus, the carbon footprint from how it's run on a daily basis has been reduced or balanced through measurable, verifiable methods.
The cruise season has restarted in Singapore, with Ovation of the Seas sailing there.
From now through March 2026, Ovation will primarily sail 3- to 5-night cruises, along with some longer 8-night cruises. The ship will visit places such as Penang, Malaysia; Phuket, Thailand, and Bali, Indonesia.
The short 3- or 4-night cruises go to Penang or Phuket. The 5-night sailing combines both, along with an overnight experience.
Those sailing on the 8-night cruise will spend two full days in Celukan Bawang and Benoa in Bali. Plus, there's a visit to Lombok, Indonesia.
Reservations are open now to book these sailings.
Happy Sunday! We are so happy that you stopped by and hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Grab a mug of your favorite hot beverage, sit back, and check out the latest cruise news.
Royal Caribbean has big plans for 2026, and you ought to know what to expect in the coming next year.
Between new ships, new destinations, and new updates, there's going to be a lot happening by the time we reach the end of the year.
I think it will be a transitional year, setting up an even bigger 2027.
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 — The most unpredictable cruise I've ever taken — and don’t forget to subscribe here.
Matt was invited to Royal Caribbean headquarters for a first look at the Royal Railway restaurant that is coming to Legend of the Seas.
The immersive train car experience is unlike any other specialty restaurant.
This is an all new theme that follows the journey of Marco Polo, and it includes food from five different countries.
How does Oasis of the Seas compare to newer ships that have come since?
Matt sailed for 7-nights on the original game changing ship and shared what's great about it, and what he missed from other ships.
Oasis remains a fabulous cruise ship choice, and also has a number of enhancements that still stand out.
We asked our readers what's one thing they regretted not bringing with them on their cruise.
It's common to go on a cruise and either notice they forgot something or quickly realize they should have brought something with them.
Between the ordinary and "I wish I thought of that", we compiled a list of what cruisers wish they brought onboard.
Majesty of the Seas was sold off in 2020, and while it's still intact, it looks to be in general disrepair.
During the cruise industry shutdown, Royal Caribbean found a buyer for Majesty.
But nothing has been done with the ship since.
The 579th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available at all our links.
In this episode, Matt and Beci share what they liked and didn't like about Oasis of the Seas.
Please feel free to subscribe via YouTube, iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.
Balcony cabins are the most popular type of cruise ship room because they offer a mix of additional living space and a private outdoor space.
Having natural light and an outdoor area just for you makes them an attractive option for many cruisers.
Those added benefits come with a higher price when compared to an inside room. Sometimes the cost difference can be substantial.
Let's go over the pros and cons of balcony rooms and consider which option might be best for different kind of cruisers.
First, let's review the advantages of a balcony room over an inside room.
Compared to an inside room, moving up to a balcony will get you a bigger room and the private space of the balcony.
Because cruise ship rooms are usually smaller than hotel rooms you might be used to on land, every square foot of living space matters.
In an inside room you'll often do a shuffle in order to get from one side of the room to another, but that's less an issue with a balcony.
And of course more living space makes a big difference if you're sharing the cabin with other people. Families opting to put 3 or 4 passengers in the same room will appreciate any extra space they can get.
The balcony itself is the top reason to book this type of stateroom, and it's a great perk.
When you have your own balcony, it's your own little retreat to enjoy the views as your ship sails, get a view of sail away, or enjoy outdoor space at your leisure. Plus, you can enjoy the view from inside your room too.
Best of all, you don't have to worry about someone else taking your seat.
Some people swear by booking balcony rooms if they are sensitive to motion sickness.
I've heard from other cruisers that having a balcony makes it easier to acclimate if the motion of the ocean starts to get to them. Being able to see the horizon and get fresh air are two strategies for reducing the effect of seasickness.
While there are plenty of other ways to avoid getting seasick, a balcony room offers a convenient way to readjust yourself should you start to feel off.
All the pros aside, there's still an extra cost associated with upgrading to a balcony. Here are some of the considerations to be mindful of.
One truth of cruising is there is so much to do around your Royal Caribbean ship, so you may end up just using your stateroom as a place to sleep, shower, and change clothes.
If you're going to be out and about enjoying the ship, why spend extra on a balcony room?
Sure, it's nice to have a balcony, but if you aren't in the room to take advantage of it, then you're paying for something you won't really use.
Sometimes the difference in price to move up to a balcony can be a lot.
While I love balcony cabins, I wouldn't pay any price for them. If an interior room is hundreds of dollars cheaper, you can make the argument that money is better spent on other things.
You'll often see the balcony price gap significantly higher on destination focused itineraries, such as Alaska. When demand is higher for balcony rooms because everyone has the notion to get one to enjoy the scenery, it drives up the price.
How much is too much? That depends on your budget, but all the benefits of a balcony stateroom can't make up for a room cost that's too expensive.
Royal Caribbean offers balcony rooms that go beyond an ocean view, and that may not be to your liking.
Some of the bigger Royal Caribbean ships have balconies that face inwards to one of the public areas.
| Balcony Type | Description | Available On |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean View Balcony | The most common type of balcony cabin, facing the ocean with unobstructed sea views. | All ship classes |
| Obstructed Ocean View Balcony | Similar to a standard balcony but with a partially blocked view due to lifeboats or ship structure. | All ship classes |
| Central Park Balcony | Overlooks the lush, garden-like Central Park neighborhood with ambient music and restaurants below. | Oasis, Icon Class ships |
| Boardwalk Balcony | Faces the lively Boardwalk neighborhood with views of the carousel, AquaTheater, and ocean in the distance. | Oasis Class ships |
| Surfside Balcony | Faces into the Surfside neighborhood with views of the carousel, Splashaway Bay, and arcade. | Icon Class ships |
| Infinite Ocean View Balcony | Features a floor-to-ceiling window that slides down at the touch of a button to create an open-air balcony space. | Icon Class ships |
| Suites with Balcony | Part of Royal Suite Class; includes larger balconies and upgraded amenities, from Junior Suites to Royal Loft Suites. | All ship classes |
| Connecting Balcony Rooms | Two adjoining balcony staterooms with a partition that can be opened to create one shared balcony. | All ship classes |
| Sunset Balcony | Located at the back of the ship, these balconies offer a wake view and are often more spacious. | All ship classes (limited availability) |
You still get the same private balcony, but it faces into these areas. Not only can people in these neighborhoods see you, but there are balcony rooms on the opposite side of the ship facing you.
In addition to a lack of privacy, neighborhood balcony rooms can be louder than ocean balconies.
From people taking, to parties, to shows, there will be a certain level of noise that can be heard. The noise issue is really only an issue on the actual balcony, as the stateroom does a good job of muffling the sounds in my experience.
You should also know some ocean balconies might be blocked somehow by an object.
The cruise line calls these obstructed balconies, and it's often the kind of balcony room you might get if you book a guarantee balcony room.
The issue with obstructed view balcony rooms is you don't have a full range of view to see from your balcony. Depending on what percentage your view is blocked, this may or may not be an issue.
Just in case you're thinking to book a balcony to have a convenient place to smoke, that isn't allowed.
Royal Caribbean banned smoking in your cabin or on balcony rooms many years ago. Instead, there are designated smoking areas on the ship.
You'll be charged a $250 cleaning fee if you're caught smoking there.
A balcony room is a great stateroom for almost any cruise, but it's not necessarily a slam dunk choice every time.
If the extra cost to move up to a balcony room isn't too high, I think it's a great room choice for most cruisers. Who wouldn't want a bigger room and easy access to outdoor space?
I'd caution against letting Royal Caribbean pick your balcony room if you're at all concerned about getting an obstructed view or neighborhood balcony. This is more an issue for new cruisers who aren't used to these rooms.
Royal Caribbean has big plans for 2026, some of which will fundamentally shape the future of the cruise industry.
Royal Caribbean is in the midst of a building spree, with new ships and land destinations opening, and 2026 should be a catalyst for moving those plans forward.
Coming on the heels of launching Star of the Seas and its first beach club that will have opened in December 2025, we already have big things to look forward to in the new year.
Here are five big changes that we know about already for Royal Caribbean in 2026 that you should be tracking now.
We will get a brand new Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2026 when Legend of the Seas joins the fleet.
The third Icon Class ship will have its first sailing July 11, 2026, and sail in the Mediterranean for the summer.
Then Legend moves across the Atlantic to call Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) home for the winter, with the first North American sailing November 9th.
A brand new cruise ship is always a big deal because it not only adds a new option, but comes with new changes and innovations.
If you're shopping for a 2026 cruise, it's hard to overlook a new ship because it's the latest and greatest.
Royal Caribbean will feature a number of new offerings:
Expect a lot of fanfare for the launch.
The second Royal Beach Club is set to open in the second half of 2026.
The first will open at the very end of 2025 in Nassau, Bahamas, but then work will shift to get the Royal Beach Club Cozumel open in December 2026.
Cozumel's beach club is all about providing the best day in the beach or pool, with lots of sun, food, and culture too. There are two heated pools, plus a fabulous beach.
All Royal Beach Clubs have an extra cost to go to them. Think of it like a shore excursion that's built and run by Royal Caribbean.
Located about 10 minutes away from where cruise ships dock in Cozumel, you'll be able to access it by bus, taxi and water transportation as well.
There will be a pool with a swim-up bar, along with a side that's toes in the sand that stretches over to the beach.
Full details haven't been released yet, but the cruise line is adamant this will deliver the best beach day.
Royal Caribbean is reinvesting in its fleet by giving three ships the Royal Amplified treatment.
In early 2026, these vessels will go out of service for about a month to get upgraded:
This means there will be restaurants, activities, suites, and even new suites on each ship. The purpose is to bring each of them up to the standard set by newer ships.
The reason to be excited for these changes is it will truly enhance these ships. As newer ships come out, it can feel like older ships fall behind. But amplification work, like this, can make a big difference.
We're crossing our fingers that Royal Caribbean ships will be able to return to Labadee again in 2026.
The cruise line halted all visits to its private beach spot in Haiti since April 2025, and it cancelled future stops until at least May 2026.
The issue is the civil unrest that's been plaguing the country, and the cruise line feels it's best to skip visits until the situation improves.
The change was made "in an abundance of caution" according to the cruise line, but there's no indication if visits will resume.
While this isn't the first time Labadee has been shut down due to problems in the country, it is the longest duration of continuously skipping visits.
If you have a cruise booked that is scheduled to visit Labadee, I would caution there's a chance your stop could be cancelled. Cruises that previously included Labadee have been re-rerouted to places like Turks & Caicos, Grand Cayman, or Cozumel.
However, I'm hopeful we'll see ships going back sometime in 2026.
There will be a new homeport in California when Royal Caribbean starts sailing from San Diego.
Beginning in October 2026, Serenade of the Seas will offer a variety of sailings down to Ensenada, Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. Serenade will also visit La Paz, a new stop for the line.
Up until now, Royal Caribbean has only used Los Angeles (San Pedro) as its homeport in California.
Royal Caribbean announced it will add its second immersive dining experience on its newest Icon Class ship, and we have an early look at what you can expect.
Royal Railway – Legend Station is one of the big changes coming to Legend of the Seas when it launches in 2026. It's the follow-up to the original restaurant first opened on Utopia of the Seas where passengers can dine in a full-size rail car that looks and feels like a real train. This is a specialty restaurant that has a cover charge.
The experience relies on digital screens built into the windows, sophisticated sounds and vibrations, and crew members acting as conductors to weave together a story.
This time, there's a brand new story, destination, and menu to go with it. It's called "Silk Routes", and it traces the journey of famed explorer Marco Polo from China back to Italy.
There are stops in multiple countries, each country representing a course on the menu.
Having tried the Wild West version already, Royal Caribbean invited me for an exclusive first look to test out its new idea at its headquarters in Miami that is still very much in development as they fine tune the final version.
Deep inside its Innovation Lab at the cruise line's headquarters, Royal Caribbean built a scale copy of the train car that will eventually be onboard Legend of the Seas.
Along with about 20 cruise line employees, I got to try out the full meal and see, taste, and hear what passengers may encounter when they get onboard the new ship.
This is still an early version of the restaurant, and the purpose of this test is to not only ensure the effects, crew members, and experience works like it should, but it's also an opportunity to gather feedback.
Royal Caribbean is adamant about taking guest feedback into account for the final product, and a prototype allows them to test and adjust leading right up to the ship's launch.
Silk Routes takes you half way across the world and visits five countries.
Each country corresponds to a course, and the cuisine is representative of those parts of the world.
We had a limited selection of food choices for this trial run, but passengers can expect a full menu when it opens on Legend.
Whether you've been to the first restaurant or not, I think your jaw will drop when the windows open and you're transported to China and each subsequent country.
In fact, I think this is the genius of Silk Routes. Because there are multiple countries and each has its own distinct look, the novelty of looking out the "windows" doesn't get old.
The digital screens rely on high definition computer renderings to portray the landscapes your train is passing by. I saw some seriously amazing vistas, such as Holi in India, Dolomites in northern Italy, or hot air balloons over Turkey. I hope these make it into the final version.
Along the way a conductor is your guide through the journey.
The conductor not only announces which country and region you're passing by, but explains local traditions, significant landmarks, and shares some of the history too.
Your menu has not only what food choices you can pick from, but it has a map to explain where you're going.
Unlike the map from the fictitious Wild West version, this one is rooted in reality. Each region has an explanation of its history and what drew Marco Polo there in the first place.
Besides the part of the world you're visiting, one change you should expect is less schtick with the conductors.
The conductor this time around is here to narrate, not act.
It relies more heavily on great food and great drinks, and you get to enjoy the places your train takes you. Basically, immersion is turned up with Silk Routes.
Where Wild West was very family centric, I think Silk Routes will be more of an experience you'd want to go for to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an evening out doing something special.
That isn't to say kids wouldn't enjoy this too, but don't expect a story telling aspect akin to the Wild West show.
In our preview, we got an idea Royal Caribbean has for the menu when Royal Railway – Legend Station opens.
There's a brand new menu, but don't assume anything shown on this menu will make the final cut. However, the idea is to lean into each region's rich culinary history to offer options from each.
We got to try Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls from China, Potato Chop from India, and more. Keep in mind the food was prepped with a ghost kitchen, so this is simply to give you an idea of the direction Royal Caribbean is leaning towards.
Hoisin Duck Egg Rolls
I hope the Potato Chop and Adana Kebab make the final menu, because they were incredibly tasty.
Potato Chop
Adana Kebab
As a fan of Indian food, I love Royal Caribbean is finally giving us a specialty restaurant that serves curry, biryani, and more.
When the restaurant opens, I'll have a hard time choosing between the various options.
Limone
Speaking of choices, this early version of the menu seems to have many more options to pick than the Wild West menu. I'm all for variety, so I'd love to see that stay on as well.
When Royal Railway opened on Utopia of the Seas, it was instantly sold out and I think the version coming to Legend will be an even hotter ticket.
Not only is this the second version of the restaurant, but it's substantially different in the approach. I think that will get a lot of cruisers wanting to try Silk Routes, whether they've done Wild West or not.
Leaning into an international showcase of food is such a smart idea for Silk Routes, and it's something I think most people want. A greater variety of great food that goes well beyond "just another specialty restaurant."
The immersive factor cannot be understated with Silk Routes. Royal Caribbean designed the train restaurant to be a memory making super machine, and I think anyone dining here will be talking about it well after the check is delivered.
We don't yet know how much Royal Caribbean will charge for Silk Routes or when reservations may open for it. But when you are able to start booking it, I know I'll want to book a reservation.
While onboard Oasis of the Seas, Matt and Beci Mahnken talk about what it's like on Oasis of the Seas when comparing it to newer ships.
Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...
Packing regret is real, and cruisers have all sorts of things they regretted not bringing on a cruise ship.
I've had my fair share of realizations onboard that I wish I had brought something to improve my cruise, as well as simply forgotten an essential.
While remembering to pack pants should be an easy item for your cruise packing checklist, there are other things that may not be as obvious to bring but really do make a difference.
I asked our readers to share one thing they really wish they had packed for a cruise, and a few them truly surprised me.
A number of our readers started off by saying they wish they had packed less clothes.
Overpacking for a cruise is an easy mistake to make, although I tend to overpack many times.
The issue with overpacking is you're lugging around clothes you never actually use. With so many theme nights, shore excursions, and plans for around the ship, it seems like you will need more clothes than you actually need.
I understand why some people feel "less is more" when it comes to packing for a cruise. The experience is far less elegant than you might think. A lot of new cruisers assume the dress code is more enforced and people dress up more than they actually do.
Ultimately, overpacking is only an issue in the sense it contributes to the heft of carrying luggage around, as well as airline luggage fees.
I never thought to bring my own pillow, but some readers say they wish they had brought one along.
Just like a hotel room on land, you never know how comfortable or compatible a pillow will be with your head. But in most cases, pillows are just never going to measure up to your favorite pillow from home.
There's certainly no rule against bringing your own pillow, and if that's what it takes to get a great night sleep, it might be a good idea.
I brought my own pillow on a cruise for a few years until I accidently left it behind at a hotel in Newark Airport and never got it back. As long as you're less forgetful than me, this might be a great tip.
When we cruise, my wife travels with what seems like a portable pharmacy with her, and it's actually quite helpful when we need something.
Readers mentioned wishing they had brough various medications with them to use during the cruise, such as Motrin, Miralax, or even Covid tests.
Bringing your own meds means it's quite convenient and you don't have to leave your cabin when you need it. If you've ever had a hangover, you know how much just getting out of bed is a trek.
While there are some medications you can buy on the ship at the convenience store, there's a limited supply of what's available and the prices will be much higher than you can get at home.
I remember a woman last year that had an allergic reaction but balked when the ship's medical facility wanted to charge her $390 for Benadryl.
Many people commented she should have been traveling with some basic medicine for common situations, and it's great advice.
I read Melissa Inzerillo's comment that she wish she had packed sandals that didn't give her feet blisters, and I think it's a good reminder for us all.
It's tempting to go buy new shoes for your cruise, whether to match your new outfit or more purpose based for an excursion.
Of course, you should go ahead and buy those shoes, but first break them in before your trip!
Wear them around the house, on errands to the store, or generally in short bursts so you can avoid trying to break them in on long days around the ship or in port.
If you're looking for a recommendation for comfy shoes, the Skechers Women's Summits Torre Trainers are highly rated and should blend well with most outfits. (This link contains an affiliate link that costs you nothing extra to use)
If you want to participate in the ice skating onboard, you'll want to pack pants and socks.
It's easy to overlook packing these things if you're headed to a warm destination, but you can't ice skate without them.
Cruise ships with an ice skating rink allow open skating for passengers at certain times, but you absolutely need to have long pants and socks.
Ships with an ice rink include: Icon Class, Oasis Class, Voyager Class, and Freedom Class ships.
A pair of jeans and regular socks should do the trick.
I used to question why anyone would bring food on a cruise ship, but snacks are actually a genius hack.
While there is plenty of food onboard, there is a compelling need to have snacks in your stateroom. I'm talking pretzels, chips, or crackers, and these items aren't generally available around the ship.
Our family will pack Goldfish crackers or Pringles potato chips to have in the room for my kids to nosh on at random times. If you're a fan of protein bars, nuts, or other healthy snacks, these are other good ideas to bring.
It's really a matter of convenience, as well as ensuring you have the kind of quick snack you prefer the most.
The only rule is it has to be prepackaged, so you can't bring mom's meatloaf with you.
If your cruise is headed to Alaska or Norway, you might think it's crazy to pack a bathing suit.
Believe it or not, it can get quite warm in both destinations, and there will be people swimming.
Even if it's not warm enough for the main pool, the hot tubs are always the perfect temperature.
It's a good idea to pack a bathing suit, just in case. Otherwise, you'll have to pay for an expensive new one, or simply fold your arms in disgust that you didn't think to bring it.
Considering how you can shove bathing suits into any corner of your suitcase easily, they are worth bringing no matter how little chance you think there is to use them.