If you're interested in sailing on part of Royal Caribbean's first world cruise, today is your first chance to book it.

Royal Caribbean is opened up the ability to book part of the epic 274 world cruise, beginning today for Crown and Anchor Society guests and friends and family of our ultimate world cruise guests.

Beginning February 20, these segments will open up for sale to everyone else.

The world cruise will take place on Serenade of the Seas and visit 11 world wonders across more than 60 countries.

Prior to starting the world cruise, Serenade of the Seas will undergo a revitalization in 2022 that include cosmetic updates.

The world cruise has been divided up into 4 segments that you choose from:

• Round the Horn: Americas & Antarctica Expedition: December 10, 2023 – February 11, 2024, 64 Nights, 36 destinations
• Wonders of Asia & the Pacific Expedition: February 11, 2024 – May 9, 2024, 87 Nights, 40 destinations
• Middle East Treasures & Marvels of the Med Expedition: May 9, 2024 – July 10,2024, 63 Nights, 44 destinations
• Capitals of Culture Expedition: July 10, 2024 – September 10, 2024, 63 Nights, 40 destinations

All guests participating in the Ultimate World Cruise, or one of the segments, will receive the an unlimited drink package for each guest, wash and fold laundry service for up to three bags per state room per week, Gratuities and Voom surf and stream for two devices per stateroom.

Exclusively for Crown and Anchor members platinum and above, guests on the Ultimate World Cruise will also receive business class airfare from the guests home, a two-night pre-cruise hotel and gala dinner party at the Intercontinental Miami, premium transportation and seven new world wonders shore excursion.

Royal Caribbean Senior Manager of Onboard Cruise Sales Abundance Boekestein said demand for the world cruise has been incredible, " Our Ultimate World Cruise opened in October and has such a positive response from our guests that we've been holding on to our expeditions to give our ultimate world cruise guests the extra time they were looking for to secure their spots."

World Cruise segment prices

Round the Horn: Americas & Antarctica Expedition

Wonders of Asia & the Pacific Expedition

Middle East Treasures & Marvels of the Med Expedition

Capitals of Culture Expedition

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and are subject to change at any time. All starting prices listed are per person, in USD, cruise only, based on double occupancy and are subject to change at any time.

Which world wonders will each segment visit?

Round the Horn: Americas & Antarctica Expedition: December 10, 2023 – February 11, 2024

Chichen Itza: via Cozumel Dec 13, 2023
Christ the Redeemer: via Rio de Janeiro Dec 31, 2023
Iguazu Falls: via Buenos Aires Jan 5, 2024
Machu Picchu: via Lima Jan 29-30, 2024

Wonders of Asia & the Pacific Expedition: February 11, 2024 – May 9, 2024

Great Barrier Reef: via Airlie Beach and Cairns March 13-14, 2024
Great Wall of China: via Beijing April 7-8, 2024
Taj Mahal: via Cochin May 1, 2024

Middle East Treasures & Marvels of the Med Expedition: May 9, 2024 – July 10, 2024

Petra: via Aqaba May 17, 2024
Pyramids of Giza: via Alexandria May 21-22, 2024
Temple of Artemis: via Ephesus May 28, 2024
Colosseum: via Rome July 1, 2024 

Capitals of Culture Expedition: July 10, 2024 – September 10, 2024

There are no World Wonders visited during this expedition.

Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class cruise ships are known for packing in lots of fun activities onboard a proven ship design.

Once the largest cruise ships in the world, these Royal Caribbean ships can accommodate slightly less than 4,000 passengers at double occupancy. All those passengers can look forward to plenty of specialty restaurant choices, and even Broadway shows on two of the ships, such as "Saturday Night Fever" and "Grease."

While Freedom-class ships are no longer in the top 10 of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships, they remain a great combination of value and things to do. In fact, Royal Caribbean upgraded Freedom and Independence of the Seas as part of its Royal Amplified program.  All Freedom Class ships have received updates over the last few years to add new features and amenities onboard.

Between all of the Royal Caribbean ship classes, here's everything you need to know to help you decide whether the Freedom Class is right for you.

What are the Freedom Class ships?

There are three Freedom Class ships:

• Freedom of the Seas is the first ship of the class and sails from Miami, Florida
• Liberty of the Seas is the second ship of the class and sails from Galveston, Texas
• Independence of the Seas is the third ship of the class and sails from Port Canaveral, Florida

Their gross tonnage ranges between 154 - 156,000 GRT.

What is there to do on Freedom Class ships?

Freedom Class ships are known for all the fun activities on the pool deck, including cantilevered hot tubs, a FlowRider surf simulator, water slides, and a vibrant pool deck.

Freedom of the Seas' $116 million of upgrades in early 2020 added a resort-style Caribbean pool deck, along with its set of water slides.

Independence of the Seas also features new water slides, as well as the Sky Pad virtual reality bungee trampoline experience.

While Liberty of the Seas did not get her dry dock upgrades as originally scheduled in 2020, she did receive pool deck enhancements in 2016 that added a collection of waterslides including the first ever boomerang style slide at sea, Tidal Wave. New as well is Splashaway Bay, an aqua park featuring an interactive kid’s play area with water cannons, geysers and much more. 

There's no shortage of great dining options on the Freedom Class ships. Each has Chops Grille, Johnny Rockets, and Giovanni's Table specialty restaurants.  Freedom of the Seas features an updated version of the Italian restaurant and new menu, known as Giovanni's Italian Table. Independence of the Seas has an expansive Playmakers Sports Bar area to watch the game from, as well as a very large Izumi Hibachi room. Liberty of the Seas is the only ship in the class to have a Mexican cuisine restaurant at Sabor.

If you like shows, Liberty of the Seas features the Broadway show "Saturday Night Fever", and Independence of the Seas has "Grease." All three ships have production shows and featured entertainment as well throughout the cruise.

Each of the ships has an ice skating show in Studio B, along with the opportunity for passengers to skate during designated free skate sessions.

Each of the Freedom Class ships has a nursery for children between 6 - 36 months old, which has an additional fee. 

Freedom Class highlights

• Aqua park
• Rock-Climbing Wall
• Ice-Skating Rink
• Basketball court
• Royal Promenade
• British-Style Pub
• Designer Shopping
• Adults-only Solarium pool area
• Outdoor Movie Screen
• Panoramic staterooms
• Flow Rider Surf Simulator
• Water slides

Differences between the Freedom Class ships

When the Freedom Class ships first debuted, they were virtually indistinguishable from each other, but upgrades and enhancements have added features and amenities available on individual ships.

Freedom of the Seas was the most recent Freedom Class ship to be upgraded, and she is the only one of the three to offer these options:

• Giovanni's Italian Kitchen
• Upgraded Adventure Ocean and teens club area
• Resort-style pool deck

Independence of the Seas was upgraded in 2018 and offers these exclusives over her sister ships:

• Sky Pad
• Grease, the Broadway musical
• Puzzle Break escape room 
• Fish & Ships, a poolside eatery where guests can grab quintessentially British seaside treats.
• Sugar Beach candy shop, a wondrous world of delicious delights, along with a few exciting surprises.

Liberty of the Seas may not have gotten a Royal Amplification, but she still has her own unique features among the class:

• Sabor Mexican restaurant
• Tidal Wave boomerang style slide

Who should sail on a Freedom Class ship?

The Freedom Class ships were designed for families that want a lot of things to do onboard.  These days, another compelling reason to pick a Freedom Class ship is the value they offer.

Since Freedom Class ships are no longer the newest in the Royal Caribbean fleet, the cruise line tends to price them a bit lower than newer and larger ships. Think of it like buying a leftover new car: you get a better price because it's not as new.

Both the Freedom and Voyager Class ships are very close in size, look, and amenities, but the Freedom Class's extra size gives it more room for more fun with plenty of activities.

Forget the age of these ships, there's lots to do for every age, from the sports court, to the ice rink, to the rock wall. These ships feature plenty of live music, a mini-golf course, surf simulators, and more.

These are big ships, and are great for a special occasion, group of friends, or first time cruiser. 

The one area you might prefer to move up to an Oasis Class ship, like Symphony of the Seas, is for the suites. The Freedom-Class cruise ship does not include the Royal Suite Class amenities that offer more included with the suite experience.

Another reason to skip the Freedom Class would be if you prefer smaller size cruise ships.  The Radiance Class or Vision Class ships would be a better choice in that situation.

Freedom Class tips and secrets

The helipad is open any of the Freedom-class vessels, which means you can walk all the forward on the outside deck of deck 4 and access the helipad for great views during sailaway.

Book reservations for all the shows once you get onboard the ship. Reservations for Grease and Saturday Night Fever are available via the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you connect to the ship's wifi. You can also book other show reservations too.

If you have younger children, be sure to sign them up for Adventure Ocean youth program on the first day during the open house in the afternoon.

Don't miss the Viking Crown Lounge for the views.  Located on Deck 14 via the aft elevators, the lounge is a great place to enjoy sweeping views of the ship.

The cruise industry is lashing out at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for their latest guidance against cruise ship travel.

On February 9, the CDC updated the notice to clarify the modifications of CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships Operating in U.S. Waters.

Despite Covid numbers falling precipitously on ships (and on land), the agency continued to urge the public against cruise ship travel for the fully vaccinated because in their view, the chances of getting COVID on a cruise ship is "very high".

In a statement by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the industry rejected this notion and called out the CDC for being "unnecessarily discriminatory against
cruise to maintain that the chances of getting COVID-19 on a cruise “is very high” even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines."

Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have adopted highly effective protocols for passengers and crew members on its ships that that test all persons boarding, have medical, isolation and quarantine facilities on site, implement extensive response plans using only private shoreside resources, and have created an environment where almost every single person is fully vaccinated.

According to CLIA, the result has been has been a dramatic drop in the number of COVID-positive cases, with hospitalizations being extraordinarily rare – in fact 80 times
lower than on land in the U.S. 

This data was backed up by Royal Caribbean Group's CEO Jason Liberty when he said over the last several weeks, cases onboard have been "declining rapidly."

Despite these facts, the CDC continues to maintain even if you are fully vaccinated, the chances of getting COVID on a cruise ship is very high.

"Regrettably, upon initial review, the latest CDC guidance appears out of step with the actual public health conditions on cruise ships and unnecessary in light of societal trends away from more restrictive measures.

"We are confounded by the CDC’s imposition of even more complex and unwarranted measures which ignore empirical evidence that the industry’s protocols have provided a greater level of COVID mitigation than most any other setting.

CLIA says misleading statements by the CDC on the state of Covid on a cruise ship creates confusion for consumers, and creates potential problems within the different sectors of travel the cruise industry operates.

In short, CLIA feels the CDC is targeting the cruise lines in its recommendations, "It seems unnecessarily discriminatory against cruise to maintain that the chances of getting COVID-19 on a cruise “is very high” even if you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines."

CLIA even went as far as to say the CDC's actions against cruise ships are counterproductive to promoting the importance of Covid-19 vaccines to the general public, "This discounts the importance of what the CDC has otherwise promoted as the single most important touchstone for public health and safety."

"The vaccination rate on cruise ships is close to 100%, whereas on land it is only about 63%."

You can read the full CLIA statement here:

Why does the CDC not warn against other travel and entertainment?

Often the CDC has been accused of holding the cruise lines to a double standard when compared to other forms of shoreside travel and entertainment settings (such as restaurants, bars, and theme parks).

On the CDC's website, it now explains that cruise ships are "congregate residential settings" with high risk of COVID-19 transmission among travelers (passengers and crew).

In case you're wondering, this means the CDC thinks examples of "congregate residential settings" are prisons, nursing homes, schools, and shelters.

Source: CDC

"Cruise ships have thousands of travelers living for multiple days (or months for crew) on the same ship—eating, sleeping, and participating in activities together in one location. These factors are not typically found in other shoreside travel and entertainment settings (such as restaurants, bars, theme parks). Data from the pandemic suggest COVID-19 spreads quickly in group settings, including on cruise ships. Hence, CDC developed COVID-19 THN criteria specific to cruise ships to inform the public regarding COVID-19 conditions on cruise ships."

It then went on to pass the buck of saying those other shoreside travel and entertainment settings in the United States are regulated by public health agencies on a state and local level.

With Omicron cases on cruise ships plummeting, Royal Caribbean will not extend its stricter face mask rules and will allow them to end.

In mid-December Royal Caribbean tightened its face mask protocols due to the increase of Covid-19 cases around the world due to the Omicron variant.

Specifically, face masks were required to be worn indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking. This included vaccinated-only zones.

Beginning February 15, 2022, the stricter mask rules will go away and that means guests will not have to wear face masks at venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants, shows and Casino Royale. 

During a webinar with travel agents, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, Vicki Freed, told travel agents the policy was changed yesterday, and beginning February 15, 2022 the stricter mask rules will go away.

"One thing that changed yesterday is we have now announced that in our casinos you will not be required to wear masks and you can smoke again in the smoking areas of the casino," Ms. Freed told travel agents.

Royal Caribbean International Assistant Vice President of Guest Experience, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez, told travel agents protocols will go back to the way they were before the stricter mask rules were added due to Omicron, "After February the 15th, we'll now allow smoking in the casino again. That is actually aligned, with us going back to protocol the way they were before, where you don't have to wear a mask in vaccinated areas."

"We'll go back to the way it was before on Omicron."

"As of right now, we did not push that additional mask restriction and casino smoking out to guests beyond the 15th. So hopefully we're in a good spot."

Masks are NOT required to be worn:

• In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting.
• In the pool or any activity where they may become wet.
• At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants, shows and Casino Royale. NOTE: For cruises departing through February 14, 2022, masks must be worn in vaccinated-only venues
• In your stateroom when you are with your traveling party.
• While visiting our private destinations, unless you are in a crowded setting.
• By any guest under the age of 2.

Masks ARE required to be worn:

• While indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking.
• While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them.

Falling Covid cases on ships

The change in protocols coincides with Covid cases onboard falling back to pre-Omicron levels.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told investors last week that ship cases are significantly lower than the last two months, "In the last several weeks, cases on board our ships have been declining rapidly and we now have returned to exceptionally low pre-Omicron levels."

Over the last seven days, Royal Caribbean Group has averaged only "a handful of positive guest cases per cruise."

Other cruise lines relaxing protocols

Royal Caribbean's announcement comes a day after Norwegian Cruise Line said it would end its Omicron protocols as well.

NCL said beginning March 1, masks will no longer be required while indoors. Instead, they will be recommended.

Another change is NCL will now allow children under 5 years old to sail if they are unvaccinated, beginning on March 5.

In addition, NCL will require its passengers to test once at home before the cruise begins in an effort to speed up the check-in process.

You might be able to save extra money on booking a new cruise or a pre-cruise add-on, such as a drink package, excursion or wifi.

Royal Caribbean's WOW Sale begins today, which offers new discounts on cruise fares and items purchased via the Cruise Planner website.

Whether or not either of these sales saves you money will depend on the ship and sailing you pick, but here's what you should know about the promotion.

WOW Sale

WOW Sale applies to new bookings made between February 9 – 14, 2022.

It offers up to $400 USD Onboard Credit per stateroom on select sailings departing on or after March 9, 2022. 

OBC amounts are per stateroom and determined by category booked and sailing length:

• Sailings 5 nights or less, $50 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $75 for Balconies and $150 for Suites
• Sailings 6 nights or longer, $75 OBC for Interior and Ocean View, $100 for Balconies and $400 for Suites

Onboard credit does not apply to China departures.

Combinability: 30% Off Every Guest, 2022 Kicker, CAS Bonus and FCC Kicker are combinable with each other as well as promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, instant savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Crown and Anchor discounts and Shareholder Benefits. WOW Sale is combinable with 30% Off Every Guest, 2022 Kicker, CAS Bonus and FCC Kicker as well as with promotional OBCs, Next Cruise offers, Instant Savings, restricted discounts (for example, Seniors, Residents, Military), Promo Code driven offers, Free Upgrades, Shareholder Benefits, but not combinable with Ultimate World Cruise and Crown and Anchor discounts. Resident rates apply to select states on select sailings; valid state of residence must be provided at time of booking. 30% Off Every Guest, 2022 Kicker and CAS Bonus is not combinable with any other offer or promotion, including, but not limited to, Ultimate World Cruise, Standard Group, Interline, Travel Agent, Travel Agent Friends and Family, Weekly Sales Events, and Net Rates. FCC Kicker is combinable with all rates and promotions. Promo Code driven offers are based on select ships and sail dates and must be applied at time of booking; limit one promo code per booking.

Offer available to residents of United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and select countries in the Caribbean. 

Cruise Planner WOW Sale

The new sale offers up to 35% off pre-cruise purchases made between February 9 – 16, 2022 on sailings departing between February 13, 2022 – December 31, 2022.

Here is what is included during the sale:

Beverage: Up to 40% off

• Classic Soda Beverage Package: 30% off onboard prices.
• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 35% off onboard prices.
• Spring Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• San Benedetto Water Cans: 40% off onboard prices.
• Evian Water Bottles: 40% off onboard prices.
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship.
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Over 30% off onboard prices.
• Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices.

Shore Excursions: Up to 30% off

• Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship.

Internet: Up to 50% Off

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

Dining: Up to 55% Off

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N – 9N sailings: Discount varies by ship.

Gifts & Gear: Up to 20% Off

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Chocolate Cake & Strawberries
• Happy Birthday Decorations with Vanilla Cake & Strawberries
• Inky Beach Set
• Inky Beach Towel (TicTacToe)
• Inky Travel Set
• Red Wine and Cheese
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel
• Strawberries with Champagne
• White Wine and Cheese

Photo Packages: Up to 70% Off

• Photo Packages: From 5 – 100 Print and/or Digital Options: Discount varies by ship..
• Photo Package: Private Photo Session: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: Picture This Private Studio: Discount varies by ship.
• Photo Package: All Digital: Discount varies by ship.

Spa: Up to 30% Off

• Spa Packages: Discount varies by ship.

Can I save money with this sale?

Each Royal Caribbean sale adds the potential to save money on the cost of these purchases, but the price does not change for every single sailing and item available to purchase.

Some prices may change, but there is not a flat discount applied across all sailings.  Some people will notice better prices, while others may not see any change.

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

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

More helpful information

• Should you buy pre-cruise purchases now or wait to buy it onboard?
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• How much should I budget for a cruise?

Norwegian Cruise Line announced it has relaxed its Covid-19 protocols beginning in March, perhaps signaling a change for the industry.

On Tuesday, Norwegian Cruise Line updated its Sail Safe Health and Safety Program for cruises sailing March 1, 2022 and beyond. In it, it changed its mask and vaccine requirements by reducing how strict they are.

Like Royal Caribbean, NCL had tightened its protocols due to the Omicron variant. 

Here's a look at the major changes NCL announced.

Face masks

Norwegian announced for cruises sailing on or after March 1st will be no longer required to wear face masks onboard.

NCL continues to recommend face mask use, but will not require it indoors.

Sailings through February 28 still require all guests to wear masks onboard while indoors, except when actively eating or drinking. This matches Royal Caribbean's current stricter protocols.

It's important to note that NCL did not require masks while indoors before Omicron because they required all of their passengers to be fully vaccinated. The CDC had a policy if 95% or more guests are vaccinated, there were different mask rules for those ships.

Covid-19 vaccines

Another change is NCL will now allow children under 5 years old to sail if they are unvaccinated, beginning on March 5.

Prior to this change, all passengers had to be fully vaccinated, including children ineligible to be vaccinated.

On NCL's site, it said the change is part of the evolution of the protocols, "As we continue to heed guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prioritize maintaining health and safety, our Sail Safe Program, which requires all guests, ages five and over, to be fully vaccinated at least two weeks before departure and show proof of vaccination at the terminal in order to board the vessel, has evolved to allow children under five to sail while unvaccinated."

Testing

In addition, NCL will require its passengers to test once at home before the cruise begins in an effort to speed up the check-in process.

Previously, NCL required passengers to be tested at home and then again at the terminal.

Tests taken at home need to be completed within two days of embarkation when sailing from U.S. ports and three days when outside the U.S.

Will Royal Caribbean do the same?

Is NCL's change a harbinger of what's to come for Royal Caribbean?

Maybe.

Royal Caribbean still has its stricter Omicron protocols in place through at least February 14.  If those protocols were to lapse, then Royal Caribbean's protocols would fall back to their pre-Omicron protocols that mirror NCL's new policy.

There's good reason to believe protocols are more likely to become less restrictive given the lower rate of Covid-19 cases in society, and on cruise ships.

Last week, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said cases on cruise ships were substantially down from last month, "in the last several weeks, cases on board our ships have been declining rapidly and we now have returned to exceptionally low pre-Omicron levels."

"In fact, over the last seven days, we have averaged only a handful of positive guest cases per cruise."

"With the declining cases, operational challenges are also abating. So, while the variant is not done, it appears that the worst is behind us."

Later in the call, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley said the cruise line would re-evaluate its protocols, "I think what we'll see is as we get into that environment, we'll start, again, working with the CDC. We'll start removing many of the protocols that exist today, and it will become easier and simpler for our customers."

Whether you are in college or taking your school-aged kids, spring break is a popular time to take a cruise vacation every year.

Spring break is the first major opportunity since the New Year holiday to go on vacation for more than just a weekend, and spring break is a popular time for many families and young people to take a cruise.

After all, cruises are usually a good time, so a spring break getaway might just be the ticket for you.

What should you know about planning a spring break cruise, and what's different about a cruise this time of year compared to other times? We've got helpful information you should know before you sail.

How busy is a spring break cruise?

Probably the number one question about spring break on a cruise ship is how busy it is onboard.

Certainly more people look to go on a spring break cruise than in the weeks prior or after, but it doesn't mean the onboard experience is a zoo either.

Spring break tends to see increased families with kids.  School is on vacation break so there will be more kids will be vacationing and that includes cruises. After all, Royal Caribbean International is a family cruise line, and there will always be plenty of children onboard, whether it is spring break or not.

When you have more children, you also tend to get more passengers. Ships run higher volume than the double occupancy capacity numbers that are often used to measure ship guest counts.  

So it may seem seem "full" onboard since there are more people than usual on a cruise.

Are there a lot of college kids?

A Royal Caribbean cruise is not the prototypical spring break vacation of choice for the younger crowd, but there are some sailings that see their fair share of them.

Generally speaking, shorter cruises, such as 3 & 4 night sailings, can often see a younger college crowd looking for a party spring break cruise. The 4-night cruises especially tend to attract college groups because they are usually priced lower since they depart on a Monday and return on a Friday.

A short cruise might seem like the obvious choice for college student spring breakers, but a family vacation can also go on longer sailings.

Longer sailings tend to come with a higher price tag, and that can put it beyond a college friendly budget.

How much is a spring break cruise?

Like any cruise throughout the year, the price of spring break cruises will depend on the ship, length, cabin, and itinerary you choose.

The travel industry largely follows supply and demand principals the "in demand" aspect of spring break can lead to higher prices.

Here are some cruise basics if you're new to cruising and trying to wrap your head around a spring break cruise:

• Inside cabins will cost less than balcony staterooms, and balcony rooms will cost less than suites
• Short cruises tend to cost less in total, but longer cruises can be cheaper per night
• Most food and entertainment is included. 
• Alcohol costs extra, but unlimited drinks packages can save money.

Just like pricing out airfare, you need to compare cruise fare prices to get a sense of which sailing will be the best deal for you.  The best strategy is to book your spring break cruise as early as you can. Cruise prices tend to go up over time, so booking earlier will likely net you a better price.

Can I get a free cruise if I bring a group with me?

Yes, Royal Caribbean does offer benefits to the tour conductor (that's you) if you form a group with Royal Caribbean.

You can't just have a bunch of friends book a cruise and then ask Royal Caribbean for credit.  You must instead work with the groups department to create a group, and then be named the leader. Don't worry, this is pretty easy and even easier if you work with a travel agent.

A travel agency can set up a group with Royal Caribbean that can possibly save money, or get you special perks back.  Moreover, the travel agent can handle the logistical issues of payments, price adjustments and answering common questions.

When you organize a group, you're going to need to get 8 rooms booked in your group and then you can qualify for a free berth (passenger).

Bottom line, work with a travel agent to organize a group if you think you might be able to get at least 8 rooms.

Where do spring break cruises go?

Many college spring break cruises will visit destinations in the Bahamas and Caribbean.

Spring break occurs mostly in the month of March, as well as April.

The short 3- and 4-night cruises will visit Royal Caribbean's private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

These cruise ships sail out of Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale), Port Canaveral (east of Orlando), or Miami.

Another popular destination is Cozumel. No matter where you go in the Caribbean, expect to find beautiful beaches and plenty of activities.

How to get a deal on a spring break cruise

The best way to get the best value on any cruise is to book it as early as you can while there are lower prices.

As you get closer to spring break, more and more people book cruises and that leaves less capacity, which in turn drives prices up.

If you're on a tight budget, booking a cruise more than a year in advance might get you a spring break for less money than if you wait to just a few weeks before the ship is scheduled to sail.

Another benefit of booking a cruise early is you can reprice it if the price drops before final payment date. Booking early is usually your best option.

Four-day cruises tend to be priced lower than three-day cruises. Longer cruises might cost more overall, but be cheaper per night.

Read more: 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Do I need a passport for a spring break cruise?

U.S. citizens may travel with only a birth certificate together with a government issued photo ID on cruises that begin and end in the United States.

It's a good idea to invest in a passport book, but not necessary.

Regardless, I highly recommend getting a passport to streamline the U.S. Customs process and protect yourself in case of an emergency.

Read more: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Is there a way to know if I'm booked on a college party cruise?

Royal Caribbean will not tell you which groups are booked on a cruise you are sailing on.  There are usually various groups on any sailing, but some people would rather avoid a cruise if there are a lot of college-age kids.

The best strategy is just google your ship name, sail date, and the words "spring break" to see what comes back.

As an example, "Freedom of the Seas March 7, 2024 spring break" would return a result for a group on that week.

Even if you are booked on a cruise with spring breakers, it does not mean your cruise is going to be awful or ruined.  Having sailed on spring breakers an entire week on Mariner of the Seas in 2018, it ended up being a lot of fun. They did their special events, and we did what we liked. One nice thing about Royal Caribbean is that it rarely skews heavily towards one demographic entirely.

There's usually a few interesting nuggets of information in Royal Caribbean Group's earnings each quarter, including the fact a lot of people are buying more extras than ever before for their cruise.

Referred to as "onboard spending", this is the revenue from purchases of everything for a cruise on top of the cruise fare, such as shore excursions, drink packages, wifi and more.

Not only is onboard spending up, but it's shocking to the cruise line at just how much is happening.

During Royal Caribbean Group's earnings call on Friday, one Wall Street analyst wanted to know more about the particularly strong spending numbers, and if there was any correlation to lower occupancy.  His thought was less people means shorter lines and that translates to more of an inclination to spend money on experiences.

It's an interesting theory, but executives aren't sure why people are spending more than usual on their cruise vacations to enhance it, but they certainly are happy about it.

"I wish we knew. I can tell you that we've been absolutely delighted and initially very surprised by the onboard spend," said Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley.

"I think when we started operations out of the U.S. back in July, we were initially just shocked. It was really, really positive and it's just continued."

The reference to July is when cruises first resumed in 2021 from the United States and Royal Caribbean saw people were spending more on their cruise than before. That phenomenon has carried over for the last six months.

Mr. Bayley agreed there probably is some truth to the idea lower capacity on cruise ships, "creates a different kind of environment that help people spend more."

He also thinks Royal Caribbean's investment in pre-cruise technology may play a factor in those higher numbers. The company has spent the last 12 months working on improving their back end and front end systems to make the process better for customers.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said people spending more on their cruise is not just suite guests, "Whether it's the consumer that is booking the inside state room or the consumer booking the ultimate family suite as an example, you're seeing them all over index on their historical spend by quite a bit."

Not only that, people aren't just buying drink packages or spa treatments. Rather, they are spreading the money around.

Mr. Liberty said guest spending in the casino, spa, food & beverages, and gift shop are all "outperforming significantly".

Guest spending is the path to profitability

Onboard spending has been a great metric, and something for the cruise company to tout during an otherwise big loss for the quarter.  But it's also how Royal Caribbean will move back into the black.

How important is onboard spend? The rule of thumb Royal Caribbean uses is every dollar of pre cruise spend is worth an incremental 50-cents of onboard spend.

Prior to the pandemic, Royal Caribbean Group would consistently point to onboard spending as the difference maker in a good quarter to a great quarter.

In February 2020 (the last quarter before Covid-19), Royal Caribbean Group reported 2019 was another year of very strong performance that generated over $2 billion in adjusted net income.

In 2019, Royal Caribbean Group generated $3.09 billion in onboard revenues, which was up from $2.7 billion for the year in 2018.

With the company seeing "historical spend" from people cruising these days, it's a positive sign brighter times are likely ahead.

Happy weekend! We hope you are in the midst of a wonderful weekend full of things to do to pass the time between cruises.  We have a summary of all of this week's Royal Caribbean news in case you missed any of it!

Royal Caribbean released its fourth quarter 2021 earnings this week.

Not surprisingly, it was another billion dollar loss, but things look more promising as the year progresses.

Notwithstanding the impact from Omicron, the expectation is to be operating cash flow positive in late spring. 

They expect a Net Loss for the first half of 2022 and a return to profitability in the second half of 2022.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean sees Omicron cases plummet on cruise ships
• Royal Caribbean releases Covid-19 protocols through April 14, 2022, doesn't rule out requiring boosters
• Royal Caribbean sees many Covid-19 protocols going away once cases drop
• Symphony of the Seas restarts cruises after Omicron cancellations
• Royal Caribbean updates: SpaceX, Singapore cancellations & more
• Royal Caribbean adds ability to upload vaccine card proof in app for kids
• 10 Wonder of the Seas frequently asked questions
• How much does an Alaska cruise cost?
• How different is an Alaska cruise vs Caribbean?
• 8 cruise ship activities I'd like to see return this year
• Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to Royal Caribbean
• Celebrity Cruises introduces hotel booking option

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 440th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available and this week, Matt lists the things he thinks is worth spending extra on during a cruise.

What's really worth your money and which extras aren't? Matt has a list of his picks for this week's episode.

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

New RCB Video: Harmony of the Seas full ship tour

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 — Harmony of the Seas 2022 Cruise Ship Tour — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

February 2022 cruises: what to expect

Have a February cruise booked? Here is what to expect onboard.

This article looks at the weather, health protocols, and special events anyone with a February cruise should know about.

Royal Caribbean removes future cruise credit "book by" deadline

Royal Caribbean hopes a new change to future cruise credits will be a positive change for guests.

Royal Caribbean has removed the "book/redeem by" deadline, and FCCs can now be redeemed anytime up until the expiration date listed on the certificate.

Royal Caribbean said the decision was made due to limited options for guests in light of the current global situation.

Health expert shares advice for going on a cruise ship amid Omicron

What should you or shouldn't you do to keep yourself healthy on a cruise right now?

I reached out to Dr. Anthony Harris to share recommendations for best health practices. 

Dr. Harris has a lot of experience with travel recommendations, and shared his thoughts for anyone going on a cruise.