I started booking rooms on lower decks instead (less dependence on elevators, convenient to walk to dining rooms and promenade, a little cheaper)

Unlike hotels on land, you can pick if room is on a higher or lower level of the cruise ship.

The more I've cruised, the less I've cared about which deck my cabin is on, but I definitely stopped paying extra to be on a higher deck.

I cruise on a monthly basis, and that affords me the time to get on ships and my views have definitely changed as to which deck I prefer to be on.

Like many aspects of a cruise, the better option depends on your needs and tastes. But if someone is brand new to a cruise and wants to know if it's better to be on high or low on a cruise ship, I'd recommend a lower one for a few reasons.

I thought having a better view mattered

I always wanted cabins on a high deck when I started cruising because I equated it like a hotel building, where the better view on a higher floor is worth it every time.

What I discovered as I cruised was the view you had wasn't as important as I thought.

One truth of any cabin is I find I spend very little time in it.  Cruise ships have so much to do onboard that I'm drawn away to the activities.

The result is your cruise cabin is usually for sleeping, showering, and changing. That realization was the first step in rethinking where my room would be.

Something else I noticed when I'd visit someone else's cabin is the difference in view between a higher deck and a lower deck really isn't that much different.

Cruise ships are big, but they're not skyscrapers either. I just don't think you're getting that much more elevation to make a significant difference.

Probably the top reason I started to rethink a cabin on a high deck is the dependence you'll have on elevators.

Other than Icon of the Seas, the elevators on all cruise ships get crowded and in-demand quite quickly. 

Waiting for an elevator is a gamble each time if you'll get one soon or end up waiting for what seems like forever.  Royal Caribbean's Product Development team calls this "microwave minutes" because the time you wait in front of a microwave to make food always seems to take forever.

Obviously I can, and have, taken the stairs to bypass the elevator.  But there are situations where that's nearly impossible, like when you get back on the ship after a shore excursion and you're on deck 1 and need to get to your cabin on deck 12. 

I started booking rooms on lower decks instead

That dependence on elevators was probably the impetus to try a cabin on a lower deck.

A few years ago I was sailing on Mariner of the Seas and told me travel agent I'd like a room closer to the Royal Promenade.  I ended up with a cabin on deck 6, just one room up from the Promenade.

It felt strange, but I instantly fell in love with its location.

I was able to walk and take the stairs to the Royal Promenade, Main Dining Room, Theater, Schooner Bar, and Casino without needing to wait for an elevator.

I found it so convenient to be able to get to my room when I needed.

The real benefit of a higher deck cabin is the pool

If there's one good reason to book a room on a higher deck, it's to be close to the pool deck.

Royal Caribbean always has its pool up on the highest decks.  The same is true for the Windjammer buffet, and even the kids club can be found near the pools on nearly all ships.

If you're someone that loves to spend a lot of time around the pool, there's a compelling reason to pick a cabin on a high deck.

When my kids were younger, it was undeniably convenient to have the buffet and Adventure Ocean close by.  When we cruised on Anthem of the Seas and Adventure Ocean is on the same deck as guest cabins on deck 14, it felt like we had such a convenience being there.

Someone that loves to spend most of their day near the pool might find the convenience factor  of being near the pool a good reason to be on a higher deck.

Plus, being on a high deck means you are also closer to specialty restaurants, fun activities, and the jogging track.

Itinerary matters

I would book a cabin on a higher deck if I was sailing to Alaska or the Norwegian fjords.

Part of what makes these itineraries special is the fact you get to sail past waterfalls, glaciers, and into fjords. 

The best place to see the view is up on the pool deck on a high deck.  Being at a higher vantage point truly makes a difference.

In Alaska, so many times you'll be compelled to run up and see what you're passing next.  It's far easier to do this if your cabin is just a deck or two away from the pool.

In the Caribbean, I think it matters less having that view.  

Is it bad to be on a really low deck?

Some cruisers are concerned with being booked in a cabin on the lowest decks, such as a cabin on deck 2.

Rooms on a low deck near the waterline are often the cheapest in price, and that makes some people question why.

You'll only find inside and oceanview cabins on the lowest decks.  Balcony cabins don't usually start appearing until perhaps deck 6. Since there are only small cabins here, they're going to cost less.

Similar to a cabin on a very high deck, you're far more dependent on the elevator on deck 2 to get around the ship.

You're less likely to get seasick on a low deck

This is a generalization, but you're less likely to get motion sick on a lower deck than a higher deck.

The best place to be to minimize the effects of seasickness are on a low deck, midship. 

That isn't to say you're automatically going to get seasick if you book a cabin near the top of the ship.  Rather, if the ship is rocking, the feeling might be less noticeable if your room is closer to a low deck.

If you're sensitive to motion, it might be worse on a high deck, if you're not, then it probably won't be noticeable to you anyway.

There's not as much difference as you'd think

I've spelled out the major considerations, but don't overthink the issue as I don't think being higher or lower on a cruise ship matters as much as new cruisers think it does.

All decks have their reasons to book it or not.  I'd pay more attention to the cabins to avoid booking than the specific deck number. There are definitely better cabin locations to consider than the exact deck.

In some cases, you won't have a choice.  Suites are almost always located at a very high deck, whereas inside cabins tend to be on lower decks.  

What was it like to have been on a cruise ship before they became giant?

Cruise ships have changed a lot over the decades, but the era of the megaship truly did not begin until the late 1980s.

Prior to the launch of Sovereign of the Seas in 1987, cruise ships were plenty big, but not anywhere near the size they are today.

Sovereign of the Seas entered service in 1988 and not only became the world's biggest cruise ship, but revolutionized the industry because of how large she was and all that she offered. It set off a new generation of cruise ship design and extends to today.

Prior to the arrival of Sovereign, Royal Caribbean ships definitely looked different. Granted, everything looked different in the 1970s and 1980s compared to today.

In scouring photos of what it was like on a cruise ship pre-1988, you can see the experience focused primarily on relaxing onboard and the places you could visit.  Aside from fashion choices, I think you'll see more in common with today's cruises than different.

A fun escape to warm climates

The way Royal Caribbean marketed its cruise ships in the first half of its life focused on attracting people to a vacation that was all about warm weather and good times.

The marketing material in the early '80s was all about the places you could see and the different ways you could enjoy your day on ship and on shore.

Cruise ships weren't yet the destination in a sense, so Royal Caribbean played up the adventure you could have on a cruise vacation.

"Long, lazy days of sun, sea, music and entertainment, and just plain R and R," is what one advertisement read.

"Days of cruising from island to island, from Mexican temples to Jamaican gardens, without ever re-packing your toothbrush."

Royal Caribbean had a small fleet of cruise ships prior to the introduction of the Sovereign Class.

Their fleet consisted of:

• Song of Norway
• Song of America
• Nordic Prince
• Sun Viking

You could book a Royal Caribbean cruise for seven, eight, ten, or fourteen nights in length, year-round from Miami.

Cruises back then visited Jamaica, Cozumel, Barbados, and Caracas. Ships departed on Saturday or Sunday, and each ship was designed specifically for the Caribbean market.

Ship life

When you look at vintage photos of cruise ships, I think you can see the roots of many things we take for granted today.

With every new Royal Caribbean ship they built, the line learned important lessons of what its customers were looking for, and one major focus was the pool deck.

Ships featured wide expanses on pool decks, as well as spacious and colorful lounges and dining rooms.

One of the major selling points of a cruise was doing nothing at all and enjoying a break from work.

Of course, there was plenty to do on the ship too.

There was plenty of activities and evening entertainment too. Just like modern cruise ships, there were places to shop, shows onboard, and plenty of food.

In fact, these ships still had a kids club onboard.  

Royal Caribbean has always been a family cruise line, and that's been an attractive option for adults that they can bring their kids and everyone has something to do.

Kids camp included ice cream socials, pizza parties, games, masquerades, and movies.

It was available for kids between the age of 5 to 18 on Song of America.

Cabins were small, but functional

Another consistency between ships of today versus the past are the cabin.

While decor and aesthetics have changed, cruise cabins were small back then, just like today.

New cruisers might be surprised how much smaller a standard cabin is compared to a hotel room. That's largely so that there's more space on the ship for public areas and activities.

You'd find the basics in an inside room on a cruise ship back then, and if you can look past the 1980s styling, it's not that much different from today's rooms.

A fun focus on dining

My favorite thing to look back on is what it was like to go to dinner on a Royal Caribbean cruise pre-1990.

I'm not someone who complains everything was better "back in the day", but I can appreciate the differences to today.

There were two seatings for all three meals in the Main Dining Room:

• Breakfast
  • 7:30am
  • 8:45am
• Lunch
  • 12:00pm
  • 1:30pm
• Dinner
  • 6:30pm
  • 8:30pm

Dinner themes included Italian, French, Caribbean, and "America The Beautiful".

A description of dress codes in a 1981 pamphlet for Song of Norway recommends, "For ladies, cocktail dresses and pantsuits are appropriate for evenings aboard ship and gentlemen are requested to wear jackets and ties in the dining room and lounges after 6:00pm on most evenings."

The Captain's Gala Cocktail Party is when they wanted guests to make a "grand entrance dressed in your most devastating gown or best dinner jacket."

There was also pirate's night as well as a Madcap Masquerade, where guests could dress up as Groucho Marx or Dolly Parton.

And yes, there was a midnight buffet offered in these days. Cruise ships didn't have nearly as many dining choices as they do today, so one evening of the cruise, there would be "a pageant of delicious dishes."

Royal Caribbean actually offered a viewing before the buffet opened, so passengers could take photos.

If you suddenly had the idea to plan a spring break cruise, it's probably too late by now.

As we're just a few weeks away from the start of Spring Break vacations, many families are gearing up to escape to a warm, sunny cruise in the Caribbean.

While there are still some cabins left on select ships, you're probably in for a rude awakening when you get a quote.

"It's expensive and limited availability," is what Sharla Manglass, a travel advisor with MEI Travel, said about spring break options.

She, and many travel agents, are getting swamped with new requests for a spring break cruise. 

Families that are trying to book a cruise with just weeks left until their sail date are running into the reality of the nature of the cruise industry today.  Cruise vacations are seeing record demand that have resulted in higher prices across the board.  

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty told Wall Street analysts recently, "We're seeing really good demand trends from Europe, as well as obviously the U.S."

While Ms. Manglass is happy to price out what's left, she knows before the quote is generated it's probably not what the client is looking for.

"It's not to say there is nothing available, but picky cruisers might not be happy with what is out there." 

She gave an example of what many families are looking for in their quote, "If you have a family of 4 or 5, a single room isn't likely going to be available, nor will connecting rooms."

Compounding the problem is going to be logistical considerations to get to and from the cruise.

"Another consideration is that flights are going to be expensive this late in the game," Ms. Manglass explained. "The cost of both flights as well as paying for a cruise in full at the same time won't work for most people's budget."

Start planning spring break next year instead

If you're locked out of a spring break cruise this year, now is the perfect time to get avoid this problem next year.

"If someone contacted me asking to book a cruise for this year's Spring Break, I’d offer to look, but it might be better to look for the summer or spring break next year."

The single best strategy for getting on the ship you want at a price you like is to book as early as you can.

The mistake new cruisers make is waiting too long to plan a cruise, and the result are few ships and high prices.

Booking a cruise in 2026 now, means you'll have so many more choices in the ship, stateroom, itinerary, and almost certainly lower prices.

With demand so high for cruises, prices are only going up from here.  Booking now locks in the price and gives you much more time to pay it off before the final payment date.

As an example, a cruise booked for March or April 2025 would require full payment of the cruise immediately because it's past the final payment window of 90 days.  So even if you found a spring break cruise for this year, you'd have to shell out the entire cost up front.

But if you booked a 2026 spring break cruise, you could reserve one with just a deposit. Then you could make payments between now and 90 days prior to the sail date, or pay it all later when you reach the final payment date.

Big savings if you book next year's cruise now

An example of the pricing difference if you book this year or next year can be found in looking at Adventure of the Seas.

Adventure sails from Port Canaveral on March 14 in both 2025 and 2026, offering a 6-night Caribbean cruise in both years.

If you tried to book an inside cabin for 4 people in 2025, there are no inside cabins left that can accommodate that size.

For comparison, two adults in an inside cabin on the March 14, 2025 sailing of Adventure of the Seas starts at $2,135 if you book a guarantee cabin or $2,509 if you choose a specific cabin.

Even if you select your own cabin, there are just five rooms left to book and the price goes up if you don't want a room on deck 2. 

However, if you opt for the same cruise on Adventure of the Seas on March 14, 2026, the options are much better.

There are still inside cabins left for 4 people in a single room, plus many other cabin categories.

For that two adults in an inside cabin idea, the price starts at $1,463 if you let Royal Caribbean pick the room location, or $1,657 if you pick the room location.

That's over 50% less to book a spring break next year compared to this year. With that $852 in savings, you could use it to pay for airfare or a host of other vacation costs.

Happy early Valentine's Day! Hope the holiday is filled with chocolate, flowers and a Royal Caribbean cruise! I'm spreading the Royal Caribbean love with our look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week.

Almost 100 people are sick on one Royal Caribbean cruise ship this week.

An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness has been reported on Radiance of the Seas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The issue was reported to the CDC on Tuesday, with symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is adding a new casino to one of its ships in an unusual spot that non-smokers will love
• How do you actually redeem your Royal Caribbean loyalty benefits?
• NCL orders new giant cruise ships to compete with Royal Caribbean
• 14 things to do before a cruise
• Royal Caribbean is giving cruise passengers a report on how much they lost in the casino last year
• The weird thing passengers have to do when Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship is refueled

Video: What it’s REALLY like in Royal Caribbean’s ultra-expensive suites

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 — What it’s REALLY like in Royal Caribbean’s ultra-expensive suites — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How old is too old to go on a cruise?

Is there such thing as being too old to cruise?

Royal Caribbean is a family cruise brand that appeals to all demographics, and seniors are certainly one of the top groups going on a cruise.

Anyone over the age of 60 should take certain precautions before going on a cruise ship, just in case.

The little known bed upgrade you can ask for

If Royal Caribbean's beds are too firm for you, there is an option to fix that.

Some people complain the beds on a cruise are hard, but you can ask your stateroom attendant for a fix.

Between mattress pads and DIY solutions, it could mean a much better night's sleep.

I sailed on two Royal Caribbean ships on the same itinerary, and there was a clear winner

How similar is it when you go on different ships to the same place?

Within a month of both sailings, I went on Voyager of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas to Cozumel, Mexico, doing almost the exact same itinerary.

The experience was remarkably different on each, and it highlights how important choosing the right ship can be.

7 foods that cruisers call Royal Caribbean's best-kept secrets

The food on a cruise is just as exciting as the places I'll visit or things to do onboard.

I think there are a handful of foods on Royal Caribbean that are some of the least-well known, but taste so good.

Maybe you can try one of these underrated finds on your next cruise.

Royal Caribbean might have one of the best cruise line loyalty programs in the entire cruise industry, so you'll want to take maximize all of your benefits.

From my early days of cruising, I was impressed how much you get on your ship after just a few cruises from Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society.

There are discounts offered for drinks, spa treatments, packages, and more.  While the best loyalty benefits are available beginning with the Diamond level, every discount helps.

After you take just one cruise, you automatically qualify to be a member of Crown and Anchor, and that means you can start getting onboard benefits with your next sailing.

You'll earn one point for every night you sail, and the more points you accrue, the higher you move up within Royal Caribbean's program.

It seems most cruisers are aware of the offers, but may not know how to use them all.  Here's an easy explanation of how to use your cruise offers and discounts.

View your list of benefits

Before your can redeem your benefits, you need to know what you have.

Waiting in your stateroom will be a list of every discount you have, and you can refer to this sheet during your sailing. The paper is always on the desk in your cabin.

Everyone has their own set of benefits, including your kids. Minors have similar benefits to adults, with a few tweaks.

If the paper is not there, you can stop by the Loyalty Ambassador's desk onboard to get a list and verify it has you eligible for discounts in their system.

It's your responsibility to be aware of them and know which ones you've already used.

I recommend taking a photo of it so you have a copy to easily refer to, although you could fold it up and keep it in your pocket too.

Examples of what's offered

To give you an idea of what's available, here are a few of the most useful rewards that will be available onboard.

Keep in mind as you move up the levels, benefits stack.  So something you got in Gold, you'd continue to get in Platinum.

Gold

• 50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda (two coupons per sailing)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake (two coupons per sailing, on select ships)
• 25% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• $2 in Free Play at shipboard casinos

Platinum

• 50% discount on any coffee beverage, excluding Starbucks coffee
• $4 in Free Play at shipboard casinos
• 15% discount on any spa service (excluding medi-spa services)
• $5 off $25 dry-clean or press
• 3 free cards when buying a bingo package

Emerald

• 2 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• $6 in Free Play at shipboard casinos

Diamond

• 4 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 1 free day of internet
• 1 free digital or printed photo

Diamond Plus

• 5 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• 2 free days of internet (for 1 device)
• 3 complimentary welcome waters (per adult)
• BOGO specialty restaurant cover charge during the first or second night of your cruise
• Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200% for members that have 340+ cruise points

Pinnacle Club

• 6 complimentary daily drinks up to $14 (excludes Starbucks, Bionic Bar, and Desserted)
• Free cruise at 700 points (and more thereafter)
• Free unlimited internet for 1 device

Most aren't available before the cruise begins

While there are some minor Crown and Anchor benefits you can use before the cruise begins, all the discounts are only redeemable on the ship.

As an example, you cannot "stack" a drink package discount offered by the Diamond Plus tier with the pre-cruise discount Royal Caribbean offers.

There are a few Crown and Anchor discounts available while at home, but I find they rarely get used.

There's a balcony discount that begins at the Platinum level, but it's not combinable with other discounts.  So in practice, it's rarely useful because of the constant sales Royal Caribbean offers that block Crown and Anchor option.

Another so-called benefit is when a new deployment is released, Crown and Anchor members are supposed to get a 24 hour head start on the general public to buy them.

While Royal Caribbean does advertise this, the reality is anyone can book a cruise. 

Crown and Anchor benefits require you to ask for them

Don't worry about the pre-cruise benefits, because the real savings are once you're on the ship.

Essentially, all those discounts you see on the sheet are loaded onto your SeaPass card automatically. Years ago there were paper coupons, but those were discontinued a long time ago.

If you want to use your coupon, you need to ask to use it.  Some crew members will see you have a coupon and may ask if you want to redeem it.  In my experience, this happens less than half the time.

For example, when you order a glass of wine and give the bartender your SeaPass card, you just need to tell that person you want to apply the 50% off glass of wine discount.

You should get a receipt with the discount shown there, but it's a good idea to double check your SeaPass account periodically to verify it's been applied.

It sounds easy enough, but I've found it's somewhat difficult to remember you have them and then ask to use them.

All of your rewards are "use them or lose them", so you can't save them for another cruise (even if you're doing a back to back sailing).

The most valuable Crown and Anchor benefit

Without a doubt, I think the most lucrative reward that Royal Caribbean bestows on its customers are the daily drink vouchers that begin at the Diamond level.

When you reach Diamond level, you're entitled to four complimentary drinks per day across the ship, including alcoholic beverages

You get the four drinks every day, and many people think of it like an almost free drink package.

I'm not aware of any other cruise line that gives away that many extra cost beverages every day of the cruise.

Getting a good night's sleep is important, even on a cruise vacation.

I usually sleep very well on Royal Caribbean ships, but admittedly, I prefer a firm mattress. 

Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to beds, so I'm not surprised when some people claim the beds are too firm to their taste.

Longtime cruisers know there's a special request you can make if you need another option, but you need to know to ask for it.

You can ask for a mattress topper

If your cruise ship cabin bed is too hard, you can ask your stateroom attendant for a mattress topper.

There's a limited supply of these, where the stateroom attendant will place one underneath your bed sheets to provide a little more padding.

While it won't transform your bed into a heavenly fluffy pillow, it might help just a little. Cruisers have described them as a very thick quilt, an egg foam mattress topper, or a mattress pad.

Some ships do actually have a memory foam pad. All ships have different toppers sometimes its an egg crate, sometimes its the nice foam ones.

It's been my experience has been if you find the mattress is too hard, asking for a topper has been worth asking for.

The problem is they can run out, so you'll need to act quickly.

There's only a limited supply, and after the first night on the ship, enough people will complain to probably get one.

There's no cost to ask for one, but you need to act quickly.

You can request a mattress topper before your cruise begins

While I've always waited to ask for a mattress topper once onboard, you could submit the request before the cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean has a special needs form that you can fill out up to 30 days before your cruise begins.  This form is really meant for medical needs, but it allows for a mattress topper too.

Alternatively, you can email [email protected] with the request.

Their response will be something like this:

"Thank you for contacting the Access Department regarding the accommodations for your upcoming cruise.

To accommodate your back conditions, we will provide a two-inch-thick micro-fiber pillow top at no additional cost. This item will be placed in your stateroom on the day of sailing. Please note, we no longer provide egg crate mattresses for sanitary reasons."

You just need to provide your ship name, sail date, and reservation number.

DIY approach

If they run out, you could make your bed a little more comfortable with a spare comforter.

You can ask your stateroom attendant for an extra blanket to put under the sheet, and that will provide a little extra cushion.

It's a good alternative if they run out of toppers by the time you ask.

Bring one from home

Rather than play a game of roulette with which topper you'll get, some cruisers have begun bringing their own.

"You can bring your own on! I recommend getting a space bag and a hand pump so you can make it really small to fit in your luggage," is what pundromeda recommends.

Another cruiser shared their strategy of bringing their own, "We bring our own (2 twins). The room steward is happy to put it on the bed for us. At the end of the cruise, we just roll them up and put them in their own duffle bag. Ready for next cruise."

While I've never brought my own, many cruisers recommend the Klymit sleeping pad as an option. (Link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission if you buy it)

You can also ask for a fan

Something else that might help you sleep better is to ask your stateroom attendant for a fan.

A fan can serve two purposes: cooling you down and providing white noise.

Royal Caribbean won't let you bring appliances on a cruise ship for fire hazard reasons, but they do have fans you can borrow.

There's a limited supply of large standing fans that guests can use for the duration of the cruise.

Alternatively, you could bring a USB powered fan, such as this one. (Link contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra but I make a small commission if you buy it)

Suite guests get softer mattresses

Something else worth noting is if you're in a suite on some ships, you can expect a better mattress.

As part of the Royal Suite Class benefits available on the Oasis, Icon, and Quantum Class cruise ships, Royal Caribbean includes "Luxury Pillow Top Mattress and Linen" in the cabin.

It's available for Sea, Sky, and Star Class rooms.

I went on two different cruise ships that sailed to Mexico, and the experience was remarkably different on each.

Royal Caribbean has almost 30 ships in its fleet, and they're far from carbon copies of each other.

In the last two months, I went on Voyager of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas and these are both cruise ships that started cruising before the turn of the century.

While they're only two years apart in age, what it's like onboard each one differs greatly. Equally important is the price difference too.

Both cruises went to the Western Caribbean visited the same port: Cozumel, Mexico.

For me, there was a clear winner in which I'd prefer to go on again.

I ate in the Main Dining Room for dinner on both ships, but I liked the ambiance better on Voyager

Every night I ate dinner in the Main Dining Room on both ships, and it's a favorite place because of the level of service here.

Some cruisers nit pick about the changes to dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise over recent years, but the dedication the crew members have in the Main Dining Room always impresses me.  You can tell they are working incredibly hard to deliver on excellent service.

On both ships, our table's main waiter brought a smile and hustle to their approach. They may not have always been perfect, but they strived to make it better.

On Voyager of the Seas, our head waiter went above and beyond what I'd expect with his attention to our group.  He ensured the service matched our expectations, and stepped in where needed.

Of course, the menus are exactly the same across all Royal Caribbean ships in the Main Dining Room. The main difference was the look and feel of the venue itself.

The Main Dining Room on Voyager of the Seas is three decks high, whereas Enchantment's is two decks.  

While I like the staircase on Enchantment, I think Voyager's Main Dining Room just looks so much more ornate and spectacular. It's bright, very open, and feels like you're dining in a palace.

I had fun on both ships, but there was much more to do at night on Voyager

Because Voyager of the Seas is so much bigger than Enchantment, there's simply more to do onboard the ship.

During the day, I didn't really care or notice the differences.  Both ships have pools, a rock wall, and various activities happening around the ship.

But at night, I noticed the stark contrast between these cruise ships.

While Enchantment of the Seas has a large Schooner Bar, I much preferred having more of the venues on Voyager.

There's an English Pub on Voyager that has a guitarist each evening, and it was my go-to spot.

Plus, the Royal Promenade just seems like there's more happening compared to a ship with a Centrum.

Small things like a better situated casino bar, more expansive dance area in the Viking Crown Lounge, and live music in the Star Lounge seemed to give Voyager an edge over similar venues on Enchantment.

I much preferred the adults-only area on Enchantment

Without a doubt, Enchantment's adults-only space is significantly better than Voyager of the Seas.

The Solarium is enclosed on Enchantment, so that makes it always the perfect temperature.  The Voyager Class Solariums are not enclosed, so when it was cold and rainy on our sea day, it made the Solarium nearly unusable.

Plus, I really like how large the Solarium is on Enchantment. It felt like there was much more space and more chairs to choose from.

One other advantage the Solarium on Enchantment of the Seas has is the fact there's Park Cafe inside it.

You can get sandwiches, salads, and pizza here.  

There's no restaurant in the Solarium on Voyager.

I stayed in a balcony cabin on both ships, but the shower was much better on Voyager

I booked a balcony cabin on each ship, and the experience was quite similar, with one notable exception.

An ocean view balcony cabin is pretty standard across all Royal Caribbean ships.  Apart from the aesthetics of the room, and how many drawers or cabinets there are, these rooms are more similar than different.

The key exception is the shower, which makes one so much worse than the other.

On Enchantment of the Seas, there is a shower curtain, whereas Voyager of the Seas has plastic tubes.

The problem with the shower curtain is it tends to cling to you while you're in there, and that grosses me out.

I can live with the problem, but I greatly prefer the room on Voyager simply for no shower curtain.

I was surprised how much cheaper Enchantment was

You can't compare these two ships without talking price, especially when cruises cost more and more each year.

I paid $3,004.18 for two people on a 5-night cruise on Voyager of the Seas. This was also over New Year's Eve, so there was definitely a premium for the holiday sailing.

On Enchantment of the Seas, I received the room for free because of a casino offer, so I cannot compare exactly the retail price difference.

While both ships offer a good value compared to newer ships, you are likely to find lower rates on Enchantment. In fact, some dates there are sailings that begin at right around $100 per person, per day.

A cruise on Voyager of the Seas will cost you a bit more, which means those on a tight vacation budget will find a better fit on Enchantment.

Overall, I'd pick Voyager of the Seas again

In the end, though both cruise ships offered enjoyable experiences, the fact Voyager of the Seas had more to do and more places to eat made it my clear winner.

Voyager of the Seas has more specialty restaurants, more theaters and shows, and the caliber of its shows are superior to Enchantment.

Surprisingly, I think I prefer Enchantment's pool deck.  The enclosed Solarium and pool bars are definitely better.

I liked my cruise on Enchantment of the Seas far more than I thought I would, but I prefer a ship to offer me more choices in what I can do.

I don't have a cruise booked on either ship in the future, but if I had the choice for a 4- or 5-night Caribbean cruise, I'd like to book Voyager (if I can't simply book both ships again).

Certain foods on a Royal Caribbean ship are well-known favorites that cruisers come back to time and time again, but what about the unsung heroes?

Royal Caribbean cruisers that have been sailing with the line for a few years know there are certain foods that always hit the spot, but it's usually a surprise to new cruisers.

The Main Dining Room serves lobster on the second formal night, but nearly everyone looks for lobster on the menu.  Beyond the usual favorites, there are a handful of foods I think are fantastic choices most people are unaware of.

Maybe on your next cruise you can check out one of these underrated finds and add it to your list.

Toppings bar at El Loco Fresh

One of the best, yet largely unheralded, improvements Royal Caribbean has made to its pool deck was the addition of El Loco Fresh.

I don't think you'll confuse the tacos, burritos, and quesadillas served here, but the beauty of it is how you can customize your food.

After you get your food from the buffet line, there's a toppings bar where you can load it up exactly the way you want it.

There's pico de gallo, guacamole, jalapenos, and a pretty good variety of hot sauces.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone here for a quick bite, even when I've stayed in Star Class.

Filet and lobster at Coco Beach Club

In coming up with this list, there's a few foods at Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, starting with the Coco Beach Club.

The Coco Beach Club is an extra cost area within Perfect Day at CocoCay that usually costs over $100 per person for a day pass.  That's a high price, but the food might make up for it.

Within the club's sit down restaurant is arguably the best steak and lobster you'll find.

You'll find very large portions that are exactly the kind of lobster or steak you'd imagine when thinking of a great dish.

It's essentially the best surf and turf you'll find across Royal Caribbean.

Secret sandwich

In keeping with our CocoCay faves, since Perfect Day opened, there's been a menu item you have to know to ask for in order to order.

At any of the Snack Shack locations, you can walk up and ask for "the secret sandwich". Given it's name, it has to make this list.

A lot of cruisers know about it now, but it's still something that will turn a few heads when you order it.

It's essentially an amalgamation of two regular menu items: the chicken sandwich and mozzarella sticks, with marinara sauce added on top.

The result is a chicken parmigiana sandwich, and it's really good.  Some people prefer no pickles (because the pickles come with the chicken sandwich), but I kind of like it for the twist on the flavor.

Campfire cookie

If you're looking for an indulgent food that you might overlook, it's by far the dessert at Playmakers Sports Bar.

Imagine a hot skillet that offers spoonful's of marshmallow, ice cream, and cookie together. It's a mess, but probably one of the best desserts Royal Caribbean has ever conjured up.

When you have a chocolate chip cookie with marshmallows on top, it's a great combination.

Because Playmakers is priced a la carte, you can drop in to order just the cookie and only spend $6.  

Mozzarella sticks

One more amazing food on CocoCay has to be the mozzarella sticks.

It's become a meme within our team when someone goes to Perfect Day at CocoCay, to brag about the mozzarella sticks.

While you can get mozzarella sticks on the ship, the ones served at the Snack Shack are a different recipe and they're so darn good.

I think it's the breading that makes it stand out, but we'll order mozzarella sticks with our secret sandwich, every time.

Asian stir fry cooking station

When I walk into the Windjammer, the first place I look are the cooking stations.

I think most cruisers overlook them because they're fixated on the traditional buffet areas. While the food around the buffet is indeed quite good, nothing compares to a freshly prepared dish.

There are a few varieties, but my favorite is the Asian stir fry option. I'll probably forgo food elsewhere in the Windjammer just for this when it's available.

You get to select the vegetables and meat of your choice to be stir fried together with noodles and soy sauce. 

Crepes at Aquadome Market

Royal Caribbean knew it had a hit on its hands when they created their first food hall concept on Icon of the Seas, and the crepe station is by far the runaway winner.

Aquadome Market offers a few types of cuisines to choose from, but the one with the longest line is always the crepe station.

You tell the crew member what you want in the crepe, and they make it on the spot for you.

The result is a delicate and delicious decadent dessert/breakfast/snack. 

Plus it's free!

It looks like Royal Caribbean is doing something different and adding a new casino to one of its cruise ships in an unusual place.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas went in for its regularly scheduled maintenance work in January. The ship, built in 2006, arrived in at a shipyard in Cadiz, Spain for a three-week drydock.

Routine drydocks usually just consist of maintenance work, but it looks like a new idea is coming to Freedom.

Updated deck plans within the Royal Caribbean show the ship's wine bar, Vintages, is being replaced.

In place of Vintages is "Casino Royale Non-Smoking".

Royal Caribbean hasn't formally announced a change.

Vintages was the ship's wine bar, where you could find the widest selection of wines.  All restaurants and bars offer wine, but Vintages had the most types and was a bar best known for its comfortable furniture.

The location of the casino is just one deck above the main casino, with a staircase nearby for convenient trips between the two.

The new non-smoking casino won't be nearly as large as the main casino.  Vintages was a smaller location, and from the deck plans, it's clear that it's roughly the size of two shops.

Adding a non-smoking casino to Freedom of the Seas would follow a trend the line first began implementing on the Oasis Class ships.

In 2023, Royal Caribbean began converting the jazz club to a non-smoking casino.  Wonder of the Seas was the first ship to debut this feature, and the conversion process began on the other Oasis Class ships.

The 3,926-passenger ship is getting ready to resume cruises from Fort Lauderdale in February.

Addressing a problem that's plagued the casino for years

Adding a non-smoking casino has been a strategy to offer a gambling location for those that don't want to deal with second-hand smoke.

Royal Caribbean allows smoking in its casinos. Technically, the rule is for active players, but the casino has ended up being a glorified indoor smoking venue in practice. 

The debate over allowing smoking in the casino has been contentious over the years, with many cruise ship passengers voicing their opinions on the matter and it's left Royal Caribbean in the middle.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley spoke on the subject at an event in 2022, admitting, "smoking in the casinos is a bit of a conundrum."

"The dilemma is that there are many people who do want to smoke in the casino. I know that's not a popular response, but it's it's the truth."

"I'm not judging anyone or anything, but there's a large group of people who do want to smoke in the casino."

While there's a non-smoking side to the casino, the odor of the smoke still travels.

The cruise line has not gone as far as banning smoking in the casino outright, providing a non-smoking alternative venue seems to be their new strategy.

By offering a non-smoking casino on the Royal Promenade, it's likely the company wants to attract gamblers who don't want to be around smoking, back to the casino.

More casino space is good business

Offering more casino space means more opportunities to drive up revenue on a cruise ship.

Gambling in the casino is one of Royal Caribbean's top revenue generating businesses.  It's big business, and more popular than ever.

Royal Caribbean Group lumps casino revenues in with other extra cost items, such as drink packages, shore excursions, wifi, and anything else not included with your cruise fare.

In the second quarter, Royal Caribbean Group reported "onboard and other" revenue was $183,000,000 across all brands. That's $14 million more than the same quarter in 2023.

Anecdotally, many cruise fans have taken notice of the special offers made by the onboard casino in order to take advantage of discounted and complimentary sailings.

Freedom of the Seas returns to service this month

With Freedom finishing up its 3-week dry dock, the ship is ready to start cruising again on February 16.

The drydock work included general maintenance for the ship's propulsion, as well as replacement of carpets, and more.

The ship will begin sailing with a 7-night voyage that visits Nassau, St. Thomas and St. John’s, Antigua.

In May, Freedom of the Seas repositions to Miami,

Can you ever be too old to go on a cruise vacation?

As the peak of the Caribbean cruise season begins, many vacationers are headed to warmer temperatures in the tropics to enjoy a cruise.

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), 17% of all cruise passengers from North America were between the age of 60-69, and 14% were 70 years old or older.

The U.S. Census Bureau says over the past 10 years, the population 65 and over increased 34% to 50.9 million. The government projects there will be 94.7 million senior citizens by 2060.

Seniors make up a large contingent of cruisers because they have the time to get away because so many are retired. However, seniors can face increased health risks while traveling.

While an estimated 200 people die on cruise ships each year, the risks are far greater of a medical issue occurring at sea than passing away.

While a major calamity is unlikely, being prepared is a smart plan for any cruiser of any age.

How old is too old to cruise?

Cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, do not have a maximum age limit of any kind. So the choice to vacation is one a person should be making with their health professional.

Given the popularity of cruise ships with retirees and the elderly, the next question is are there risk factors that should be taken into consideration before booking a cruise?

Stan Sandberg is co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, and shared his advice what anyone over 60 years old should be doing before they go on a cruise ship.

"While travel insurance is a smart purchase for travelers of any age, for Baby Boomers and Seniors (together, the over 60 crowd) travel insurance is essential for traveling the world."

According to Sandberg, seniors may not be aware of what might be covered if a medical problem occurred while outside the country, "It's critical for retirees who are on Medicare to check whether their coverage extends to international travel. Standard Medicare plans typically won't provide coverage when the recipient travels outside of the United States. A travel insurance plan with travel medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation coverage is a necessity for those travelers."

To that point, he believes the most important consideration for a Baby Boomer or Senior Citizen is to find a travel insurance plan with a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver.

"By default, most travel insurance plans will exclude losses resulting from a pre-existing medical condition unless the plan offers a waiver. One of the requirements to qualify for a waiver is that the traveler must purchase their travel insurance within a timeframe ranging from 7 days to 21 days from the date they made the first payment or deposit on the trip."

"Other requirements can include purchasing insurance to cover the entire trip costs. Since the definition of a pre-existing condition and the terms to qualify for a pre-existing condition exclusion waiver can vary between plans and providers, we always recommend reading a plan's detailed terms and conditions before purchasing."

Think about mobility

Something else affecting one's enjoyment on a cruise is your mobility.

Getting around a cruise ship is quite easy, as there are elevators to get between decks, and even special cabins designed for guests who have mobility disabilities and other disabilities that require the features of an accessible stateroom.

These special cabins include ramps at bathroom entries; roll-in showers with fold-down benches; handheld showerheads; and raised toilets. 

You can actually call Royal Caribbean's Accessibility Department at 866-592-7225.

Royal Caribbean won't provide wheelchairs, but you can bring your own and be able to use it during your cruise. Wheelchairs and scooters must be stored and charged in your room.

Tips for cruising safely as a senior

Travel insurance is a must-buy for all cruisers, especially seniors, and there are other good tips to consider if you're going on a cruise ship.

You'll want to not just pack all of your medications, but bring plenty of extra too.

Travel delays can occur, and having more medication than you think you need is a good idea.  In addition, be sure pack all the medical supplies you might need, including band-aids, Ace bandages, and over-the-counter medications.

If you require refrigerated medications, fill out the Royal Caribbean Special Needs Form before your cruise begins.

Be sure to pack proper footwear to use around the ship.  Decks can be slippery, especially on the pool decks. You'll want non-slip shoes of some kind.

Make sure you select shore excursions that realistically align with your physical abilities.  

Read the the physical requirements for any tour before booking it, paying close attention to how much walking is required, if there's uneven terrain, and how strenuous the activity is.

Age shouldn’t stop you from cruising

The saying "age is just a number" applies to cruises as well, but you should be prepared.

Ken Klingenberg is a 72-year-old retired paramedic and loves to cruise. He uses a scooter and thinks taking a cruise vacation is a "godsend" for people with mobility or other issues. 

"You get to this beautiful hotel on the water, and let the crew take you to different places while they feed and entertain you the entire time."

One piece of advice for seniors is to work with a travel agent that specializes in senior travel and/or accessible travel.

Brad Whitaker is over 60 years old, and he thinks cruising is a great way to get out of the same old routine for seniors, "Even if you never leave the ship (which is crazy to think you wouldn’t), there are tons of things to do and none of them are the same. Cruising helps you break your mold and enlarge your variety of life."

Plus, Brad uses cruising as a way to make new friends. The over 60 crowd can appreciate the social atmosphere you'll find around a Royal Caribbean cruise, "My wife and I have always met and made new friends on cruises," Brad said.

"I love asking people if I can take their picture with their camera so I can strike up a conversation! I know it’s an over-60 thing, but I do love doing it! Where else can I meet so many people?"