Royal Caribbean Blog

Disney and Royal Caribbean are two of the most family-friendly cruise lines at sea. Both have devout followers, with many arguing that one is better than the other. Recently, one family finally decided to try Royal Caribbean and shared why they'd be hesitant to sail with Disney again. 

Disney Cruise Line is known for its immersive theming, unique rotational dining, and one-of-a-kind character experiences. On the flip side, Royal Caribbean is known for its innovative ships, thrilling attractions, and a wide variety of activities for all travelers. And although both cruise lines cater to families, they offer very distinct vacation experiences. 

Disney, for instance, doesn't have any mega-ships packed with roller coasters, zip lines, or ropes courses sailing out of North America or Europe. The most exciting attraction on its Wish Class ships, including Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny, is the AquaMouse, and even that pales in comparison to the waterslides aboard Icon, Star, and Legend of the Seas. 

"My most recent Disney cruise was in April and we just got off Royal Independence of the Seas yesterday and honestly overall we preferred this for our almost 2 and 4 year olds. I cant even imagine how much better some of the bigger boats would’ve been since they offer even more kid friendly spaces," shared Purple_Grass_5300 on the r/royalcaribbean Reddit thread. 

Continuing on, they said, "Everybody said Disney is known for exceptional staff but the staff on Royal were much more attentive during dining and around the boat in general too. Refills came much faster, they’d even wash my youngests bottle at dinner and give us a fresh bottle of milk on our way out... Everybody was [also] super friendly from other passengers to staff. I feel like they were much more sociable on this cruise than [on] Disney."

The parents also preferred Royal Caribbean's main dining, which is less structured than Disney's formal rotational dining. For starters, Disney doesn't offer a flexible dining option for families, and the meal is usually centered around a themed show or interactive experience. 

"I think the 5pm dining also made it easier since our youngest goes to bed at 630, so being outta there by 6 was a big difference compared to our Disney cruises where dinner always took 1.5hr and one night even took 2hrs on our most recent trip," they explained.

"It was also nice that we literally were the first table in [the] dining room without asking so that made a difference [compared to] Disney where we had a longer walk and couldn’t bring strollers. I liked the option of having my stroller because then it made bringing bottles, wipes, etc much easier too." 

Others in the Reddit thread agreed, arguing that Royal Caribbean offers better value than Disney Cruise Line, with the latter rarely being worth the extra cost. 

"Prefer [Royal Caribbean] over [Disney Cruise Line (DCL)]. DCL is overhyped and overpriced. The food and entertainment [are] better on [Royal Caribbean]," said Icy_Paramedic778. 

Pusheen_The_Limit added, "For spring break we did a back to back Utopia [of the Seas] to the Disney Wish with our 5 y.o., and it was enlightening to compare the experiences so close together."

Here are three other reasons the original Redditor, Purple_Grass_5300, thought Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas was a better fit for their family than Disney Cruise Line. 

Read more: I spent two days in Disneyland Paris and it reminded me how much better a value cruises are

Their kids preferred Splashaway Bay

Splashaway Bay is a popular amenity on many Royal Caribbean ships, providing younger kids with a dedicated area to cool off with slides, water cannons, and other interactive features. 

On Independence of the Seas, Splashaway Bay is located steps from Baby Bay, which is for young children who aren't fully potty trained. Because they aren't allowed in the main pools, this area gives infants and toddlers their own place to splash and play on warm-weather sailings. 

"I preferred [the splash area on Royal Caribbean] for my 4 year old over Disney’s since she loved the 2ft pool and it was close enough to baby zone that I could stand in one spot and see both of them, Purple_Grass_5300 said. 

"Yes Disney’s splash for babies is much bigger but my 2 year old didn’t care and was happily going down the slide over and over. Again this never seemed crowded, for awhile we were the only babies but at most we’d see 4 other little ones."

There were other activities they could enjoy together

Outside of the Splashaway Bay area, Purple_Grass_5300's family spent time at the mini-golf course and the Sky Climber course. Plus, their oldest child got to do karaoke three times!

"The kids fun festival was [also] cute with free face painting and balloon animals," they added. 

They spent more time utilizing the Adventure Ocean facilities

For families with younger children, there's no denying the benefit of sailing on a ship with a top-tier kids' club. Generally speaking, Disney and Royal Caribbean are considered two of the best in the industry, offering age-appropriate programming and dedicated play spaces for no extra charge. 

Based on their experiences, Purple_Grass_5300 thought Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean spaces were more versatile and usable for their family. 

"The living room space was great to kill time and relax a bit with toys that changed up a little each day. The space never seemed crowded, most of the time we’d be the only ones in there and at most there were 3 of us in there. Yes Disney’s toddler room is much fancier but when you compare 1hr a day vs 9am-10pm everyday, it’s a huge difference," they explained. 

Purple_Grass_5300's family also utilized Royal Caribbean's toy-lending program, which allowed them to borrow a bag of toys from the nursery and swap them out during the sailing. 

"Both kids liked them and it helped me pack less knowing we’d have toys on board," they added. 

That said, Purple_Grass_5300 wishes that Royal Caribbean's ships had better technology when it came to the kids' clubs. For instance, Disney can send messages directly to your mobile phone when a child is ready to be picked up. On Independence of the Seas, the kids' club could only call the stateroom phone. 

"It seemed kinda useless for me to use them since they only call your room if your kid needs to be picked up, so my original plan on having the youngest nap while I swam or did slides with my oldest wouldn’t work out. But it was still fine because she loved kids club so I ended up dropping her off there while our youngest napped in the room," they said. 

In the end, they still plan on sailing with Disney for special themed cruises but will likely move solely to Royal Caribbean in the future 

There were some aspects of a Disney cruise that Purple_Grass_5300 missed during their sailing on Independence of the Seas, including the "magic moments, the shows, [and] fireworks." 

However, with children so young, they didn't know what they were missing and were just happy to be on a cruise. Plus, it was easier to get them into bed by 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. each day, which was a huge advantage compared to Disney. 

"Overall, I still plan on doing DCL for Merrytime, Halloween and a Pixar day but afterwards I probably will just stick to Royal for all other cruises," they concluded. 

Royal Caribbean is adding a non-smoking casino to another of its mega ships, replacing other venues.

Symphony of the Seas is one of the biggest ships in the world, and this fall it will get an update to expand its casino. The change will coincide with swapping out a couple of other venues.

In an email to casino players, Royal Caribbean confirmed it will expand the casino space on the ship sometime in Fall 2026.

Since there is no drydock scheduled, it appears the ship is conducting in-service work. This means the ship will continue sailing, but there will be a few weeks of construction while the work is completed.

A guest sailing on Symphony of the Seas this week heard the changes will be complete by September, "We are onboard and they are supposed to do it by September."

This change isn't unique, as the cruise line has made similar changes to most of its other Oasis Class ships.

We expect the Crown Lounge and comedy club to be removed so that the casino space can takeover.  

Comedy Shows will be moved permanently to the Royal Theater instead of having a more intimate club feel.

The Crown Lounge will likely be relocated, which is a dedicated area for Crown and Anchor Society members that are at least Diamond level or above.

On other ships, this space has been moved to Deck 16 to replace the Teen Club.  The Teen Club was renovated on those ships and become smaller.

What's coming next

When the new section of the casino opens, it will offer more space than ever for non-smokers.

When combined with the smoking section, there will be over 29,000 square feet of casino space.

598 slot machines and 38 tables games will be offered onboard.

A push for non-smokers to gamble more

Casinos on cruise ships have become big business for Royal Caribbean. They've systematically expanded the casino on numerous ships over the past few years, indicating the change is part of a strategy to offer more opportunities for passengers to gamble.

This all started with Wonder of the Seas when that cruise ship first entered service.

Wonder was originally destined for China and designed with more gambling spaces.  But a last-minute change kept Wonder in North America, and the cruise line experimented with keeping plans for a non-smoking casino in lieu of a jazz club.

Shortly thereafter, all the Jazz on 4 clubs on other Oasis Class ships were converted to non-smoking casinos. The jazz performers were relocated to Central Park.

More recently, Royal Caribbean replaced a wine bar on Freedom of the Seas and a pub on Radiance of the Seas with non-smoking casinos.

Losing the comedy clubs is a hit to entertainment

While the Crown Lounge will be relocated to a different space, there won't be a dedicated comedy club anymore on Symphony of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean will continue offering comedy shows in the much larger Royal Theater, but it's a far less intimate venue.

Some comedians use "crowd work" to interact with guests and generate funny jokes. Trying to do that in a theater is more difficult since the comedian is further from the audience, and the audience cannot easily see each other.

Trying to solve a problem and make more money

This change on Symphony of the Seas is an attempt to accomplish two goals: generate profit and satisfy its guests needs.

While the original casino on Symphony of the Seas has a non-smoking section, it's part of a larger room. The reality is the smoke from the smoking section permeates across to the non-smoking side, leaving an odor.

While Royal Caribbean is unwilling to ban smoking in the casino, it prefers to add dedicated non-smoking gambling space instead.

The idea is to offer a completely smoke-free area for cruisers, so there's less compromise.

Gambling on Royal Caribbean has gained in popularity over the last few years. Not only has there been a surge in interest among passengers trying to take advantage of the casino loyalty program, but the expanding casino space on other ships clearly indicates the cruise line sees value there.

Legend of the Seas will debut with the line's first two-story casino, and Harmony of the Seas just had its casino expanded to become the biggest in the fleet.

Royal Caribbean doesn't share information regarding how profitable its casinos are, but the expanding casino footprint across the fleet is part of a pattern of actions that wouldn't make sense if it wasn't generating money for them.

I thought I knew what to expect from a cruise, but trying an ultra-luxury cruise completely changed my perspective.

I had cruised with Royal Caribbean for 20 years before I tried my first two Silversea sailings, and the experience surprised me more than I expected.

While I had been on Celebrity Cruises, which is a premium cruise line, the experience on Silversea was completely different than anything I had ever had done before.  The approach to cruising on a luxury line is fundamentally different.

I've sailed on Silver Dawn and Silver Ray, with the Ray being the newest ship in the Silversea fleet.  Both ships offer the latest innovations and options you'll find on this brand, and it opened my eyes in a few ways to how different the experience could be from what I was used to on Royal Caribbean.

Thanks to status matching and the ability to earn loyalty points anyway you like, the opportunity to try one of the other lines within the Royal Caribbean Group family is more enticing than ever.  

After spending almost three weeks on Silversea ships, here's what surprised me the most about the experience.

The dress code has been greatly relaxed

Before I stepped foot on a Silversea ship, I knew they had a much more stringent dress code than Royal Caribbean ever had.

However, they have revised their dress code twice and each time it's been relaxed to be less stringent.

As of June 1, after 6pm guests can wear nice jeans (think dark wash, no holes).  Jackets for men are optional every night, even on formal night. You can even wear anything not a proper tennis shoe to dinner.

The idea is it aligns more with a country club feel, and feels less stuffy.  

As a Royal Caribbean cruiser, these are welcome changes. It gives me more options in how to dress up for dinner, and lowers the barrier to trying it. Plus, I think it reflects what society expects.  Even on an ultra-luxury cruise, the reality is "nice jeans" are quite prevalent in how people dress today.

Your loyalty status isn't as important when everything is included

On Royal Caribbean, your loyalty level includes so many perks, but it's far less important on Silversea.

Your Seapass card doesn't have any indication if it's your first Silversea cruise or your fiftieth.  

On the one hand, there's far less included with the Venetian Society. But on the other hand, so much more is included in the cruise fare on Silversea compared to Royal Caribbean.

One major benefit I was glad to have was complimentary laundry as part of my status matching.

Silversea ships have self-service laundry machines, but they cost money and you have to do it yourself.  Because I matched my Pinnacle Club status from Royal Caribbean, I was eligible for as much free dry cleaning as I liked.

This one perk was so helpful so I didn't have to pack as much and could re-use clothing.

The S.A.L.T. program blew me away with how much I loved it

One differentiating factor for Silversea is it's local culinary program.

S.A.L.T. stands for Sea And Land Taste, and both of my ships have a kitchen, bar, and even a restaurant based on this program.

The idea is you can access foods and drinks from the areas your ship visits.  Depending on your itinerary and ports of call you make, the food offerings change.

In Norway, we made venison and a berry compote, but in Spain we made paella. 

On both of my cruises, my preferred evening hang out spot was in the S.A.L.T. Bar because this is where the best mixologists on the ship were located. 

Plus, Silversea added a guitarist while I was on the Ray and it added a much needed form of evening entertainment.

It's a simple concept, but it really makes a difference in how it elevated the total experience and made me feel more connected to the places we were visiting.

Passengers were so willing to include me in their groups

I cruised solo on both my sailings, but I was openly welcomed by other passengers at events and on tours.

I don't expect anything, but I was pleasantly surprised how friendly everyone was.  Perhaps I assumed there might be a stuffy attitude given the luxury cruise status, but it was completely the opposite.

At bars, I struck up conversations with other guests and quickly made new friends.

During a tour, I was invited to sit with one family that quickly became friendly with me.  We ended up touring other cities together, part of the trivia team, and even had dinner a few times.

You can meet fun people on Royal Caribbean ships too, but because of the intimate nature of the ship, it felt easier to make friends too.

There's a learning curve to the butler

Every cabin on Silversea is a suite, and every suite comes with a butler. Admittedly, it's not easy to fully understand what they can do for you.

The butler will introduce themselves to you as soon as you get to your cabin, and while most of their services are fairly obvious, there are a variety of other things butlers can do that are unadvertised.

For example, your butler can unpack all of your luggage for you and then pack it all back again at the end of the cruise.  Many of my fellow passengers had no idea this was a thing, and a few thought it was too weird to have them handle their garments.  Personally, I loved this option!

The butler can also draw a bath for you.  This sounded strange, but after trying it on Silver Dawn, I really enjoyed it.  

Other things my butler was able to do was clean my shoes, deliver fresh popcorn to my room, and even stock my fridge with Dr. Pepper (a soda that I couldn't get elsewhere on the ship).

Learning what the butler can do is part trial and error, and part hearing how other passengers use them.

There are still extra cost restaurants

Despite the fact Silversea is an all-inclusive cruise line, there are a few restaurants that cost extra.

On both ships, the sushi and French restaurants required reservations and had an extra cost to dine there.

Like on Royal Caribbean ships, you can easily subside on the included dining. But if you wanted to splurge, the option is there.

It's a bit surprising that extra cost food exists on Silversea, and they aren't cheap either.

I ate at both Kaiseki and La Dame to try them out.  I liked each for different reasons, but I was quite content with the included places.

There's no app

Silversea doesn't have an app, and that's actually not a problem.

Instead, there's a website you can access via your phone for the daily activities and various messaging options.  But it is strange to travel anywhere and not have an app.

Check-in is perhaps a bit more convoluted than Royal Caribbean's, but it's basic and it works. Moreover, they don't need a fancy app for check-in because you're only competing with a few hundred passengers instead of thousands.

Nonetheless, I was a bit surprised when I went to look for an app and didn't find one.

The food selections are impressive everywhere

If there's one thing Silversea does so much better than Royal Caribbean, it's their food onboard.

From the quality, to the selections, to what's included, everything is a notable step up.  Frankly, I expected this to be the case considering an ultra-luxury cruise should offer higher quality.

You'll notice it immediately when you have embarkation day lunch at the ship's buffet.  You are escorted to your chair, offered to have the daily fresh cooked pasta brought to you, and then navigate a buffet that includes sashimi, shellfish, filet mignon, and more.

Room service has filet mignon as a standard option on the menu to be delivered to your room anytime of day. 

Each of the included restaurants has a wide menu, and the cafes have giant cakes that look as good as they taste.

If you're used to Royal Caribbean's great food, you'll love Silversea's even more.

Crew members go to great lengths to be helpful

I'm constantly amazed how dedicated and resourceful crew members are on any ship I've sailed, and that includes Silversea.

Because Silversea has such a high guest-to-crew member ratio, you will rarely ever have to wait for one to assist.  And they are extremely eager to help you in anyway they can.

Many of them learned my name quite quickly, along with my last order. It really felt like I was in the TV show, "Cheers!" when I walked into various venues by the second or third day, because everyone knew my name.

There are no lines

Good luck finding a crowd, let a lone a line, on Silversea.

Across two cruises, the only time I encountered a line was when we had an itinerary change and suddenly everyone wanted to rebook their tours.

It was refreshing how there was no wait for elevators, nor were there crowds when embarking or disembarking the ship.

While I expected the ship to feel less crowded than Royal Caribbean, I did not expect it to be as uncrowded as it was.

I was invited to dine with the Captain

While on Silver Ray, I received an invitation to dine with the ship's Captain for one evening in the their Main Dining Room.

In all my years of cruising, I've never been invited to dine with the Captain in the Main Dining Room, and it was quite a treat.

Initially, I was worried it would be awkward to carry the conversation for an entire meal with someone I've never met. That proved to be anything but a problem.

Captain Giovani Schiaffino has clearly perfected the art of talking, because he had something to say every minute. I barely got to say anything!

It was so much fun, and a real treat to experience.  I noticed he had other guests dining with him every night at his table, which is a nice touch.

Many suites on the new ships don't have a tub

When I walked into my suite on Silver Ray, I did a double-take when I realized there was a shower instead of a tub.

This didn't bother me, but I was a bit astonished there wasn't one because tubs seem to be synonymous with luxury.

I spoke to the Hotel Director, and she mentioned anecdotally a lot of passengers prefer a shower because it's easier to get in and out.  Considering the average age of a Silversea cruise is older than Royal Caribbean, that kind of makes sense.

Don't worry, the higher tier suites have tubs. It was just my entry-level suite that didn't have one. 

The summer cruise season is well underway, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Houston has just issued a reminder for passengers to stay safe onboard.

With millions of cruisers set to sail across the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, and beyond this summer, it’s important to remember the safety procedures and precautions to take at sea.

The FBI posted on X and Facebook this week to remind passengers what to do in the case of a crime onboard.

Crimes should be reported to security staff immediately, says the FBI

When a crime occurs on a cruise ship, the investigation looks different than when a crime occurs on land. In their social posts, the FBI urges passengers to report incidents immediately to cruise ship security.

“As summer vacations begin, the FBI reminds you that if you have been a victim of assault with serious bodily injury, kidnapping, [or] sexual assault aboard a cruise ship, report it to security staff immediately. If you are no longer on the cruise, contact your local police and the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.”

The Bureau encourages passengers to report the incident if they are a victim or a witness of a crime. If a passenger wants to report a crime after they disembark, they can report it at tips.fbi.gov, by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or by contacting their local FBI office.

Crimes at sea are quite rare

Although the FBI’s reminder might seem like a cause for concern, crimes on cruise ships are still relatively rare. Cruise ship crimes often make headlines due to their “shock” factor, but crime rates at sea remain infrequent compared to rates on land.

A study from Northeastern University, for example, compared the rates of homicide, assault, and sexual assault within the cruise industry to those rates in the mainland United States.

Statistics from eight cruise lines were studied in the research along with crime rates in U.S. cities with a population between 250,000 and 499,999 people.

When comparing violent crime rates per 100,000 population, the rates of homicide, sexual assault, and aggravated assault were significantly lower on cruise ships.

The average aggravated assault rate for passengers and crew, for instance, was just 2.6 per 100,000 people in the four years studied. The rate on land, on the other hand, was 432.2 cases of aggravated assault per 100,000 people.

Additionally, the Department of Transportation publishes a Cruise Vessel Security & Safety Act (CVSSA) Statistical Compilation each quarter. In Q3 of 2025, a total of 47 alleged incidents were reported to the FBI among seven mass market cruise lines.

The report can be found here.

If a crime does occur at sea, the FBI has jurisdiction in many cases

It’s no secret that cruise ships have their own security personnel and holding cells onboard, but in many cases, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has jurisdiction over the investigation.

When applicable, the FBI investigates offenses and enforces United States law on cruise ships. In most cases, the Bureau has jurisdiction in the following circumstances:

• The crime occurs within maritime jurisdiction of the United States
• The crime is committed by or against a U.S. national
• The crime occurs on a sailing departing from or returning to the United States
• The vessel is wholly or partially owned by a U.S. national or company

U.S. citizens sailing on cruise ship itineraries that do not visit the United States can still contact the FBI to report a crime. Depending on the location of the crime and the nationalities of perpetrators and victims involved, though, the FBI may not have jurisdiction over the case.

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act aims to improve safety

In 2010, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) was signed into law, which aims to improve the safety and security of passengers on cruise ships.

The law applies to cruise ships that carry at least 250 passengers and call upon a U.S. port. According to the law, ships must comply with the following requirements, among others:

• Staterooms and crew cabins must be equipped with security latches and time-sensitive key technology
• The vessel should have technology to capture images of and/or detect passengers who have fallen overboard
• Vessels must maintain a video surveillance system for the purpose of documenting crimes and providing evidence to law enforcement
• Vessels must carry equipment for and conduct training on how to preserve forensic evidence
• Passengers should be provided with a security guide in commonly understood English

The CVSSA does not apply to cruise ships operating outside of the United States, although cruise lines must still follow the regulations and safety standards of the region they are operating in.

Safety is of utmost importance for cruise lines, and the FBI is there to help

By and large, passengers are safer on a cruise ship than they are on land. Cruise ships take meticulous care in keeping up with security and safety standards onboard.

In the early days of cruising, there was a lack of standardized safety regulations on cruise ships. As the years passed, though, it became clear that it was just as important to enforce safety and legal regulations at sea as it was on land.

Today, for example, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the leading cruise trade association in the industry, and CLIA members must adhere to legal requirements for reporting crimes on cruise ships. 59 cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, are members of CLIA.

In the case of a crime onboard, passengers should feel secure and confident that they can report the crime and that it will be investigated in a detailed manner.

Even though cruise ship crimes are still somewhat rare, it’s helpful to know who to contact when you need to report a crime or give a statement. The FBI is available to assist in these situations.

We wanted to celebrate my wife's birthday with our friends and their families, but I didn't want to end up overwhelmed with too much togetherness.  That's why we opted for a cruise instead of a land vacation somewhere.

We would be traveling with an empty nest family, family with kids older than ours, and even one of our friends brought their senior citizen parents. It was a wide range of ages, each with their own food and activity preferences.

I knew we needed something with plenty of dining, activities, and entertainment options. An Alaska cruise was the obvious choice.

We worked with the same travel agent to get us booked on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas.

To our delight, the trip was so much fun because we got to vacation together without overdoing how much time we spent together.

We shared what we were doing in a group chat without expectations

We started a group chat as a way to plan our cruise, but once onboard, it became our "hey, this is what I'm up to if anyone wants to join" messaging center.

There's always a few things going on at any given time while on a Royal Caribbean ship. Trivia, entertainers performing, pools, and the casino are just a few examples.

If one of us was headed to do something, we'd post where we were headed. I never expected anyone to join, but sometimes I'd get a person or two. And sometimes the entire group would show up.

We met up each evening for dinner, then, depending on the entertainment, either stayed together or went in different directions.

Leveraging a group chat was an easy way to always stay in contact.  But a mutual understanding of family time versus group time was also important.

The teens made friends, but we enforced family time

Each family we were traveling with had kids of various ages, but they all were tweens and teens.  As such, they expect a fair amount of independence.

I've cruised long enough to know it's important to give your teens roaming privileges, but also made sure they were back with us for certain activities or meals.

At the very least, dinner every night is a must-do for all of us together.  They're expected to not only dine with us, but be dressed and on time for it.  

Certainly we did all of our shore excursions together, but we also picked a few activities during our cruise that we wanted everyone present. Any good parent can also wield guilt to compel their kids to join in an "optional" trivia or other event.

All of things included on a cruise made it so much easier

Whenever we take land vacations, it seems my wallet is constantly open. From paying for meals and snacks to coughing up credit cards for activities, family fun comes at a steep cost.

On a cruise, much of the food and beverages are included. This includes pools, activities, entertainment, ice cream, pizza, and more.  It means my kids can indulge without it hurting my bottom line.

The fact my kids have their Diamond drink vouchers is a huge value because they can enjoy mocktails and Frappuccinos without it costing me anything. 

We planned some excursions together, but met up in port

The focus of an Alaska cruise is what we do on land, so excursions were very important.

Prior to the cruise, we booked tours and shared our plans.  In Ketchikan, we all booked the same wildlife and waterfall tour. It worked out really well because they put our group in one van, so it felt like a private tour.

In Sitka, part of our group went out on a small marine wildlife tour. I tried to invite more of the group, but the boat was limited in capacity.

We all met up after our tours concluded in Juneau before heading back to the ship.

Just like the ship, we kept things open but without expectations.

We could find places to spread out if we wanted alone time

Even if a trip with friends goes exceedingly well, you're going to want alone time at some point.

Aside from our balcony room, a cruise ship offers lounges, open decks, restaurants, and seating just about everywhere that we could find a place to getaway.

I spent my mornings working at the internet cafe on deck 7 because it allowed me to work and take calls without disturbing my wife in the room.  Moreover, there are comfortable office chairs that were far better than any lounge chair.

Anyone that wanted to find space could find it, which wouldn't be the case if we all rented an Airbnb.

Avoiding feeling "attached at the hip" made this trip a success

During our weeklong adventure, there was enough to keep us all entertained without the issue of feeling like were on top of each other.

There's a fine line between together time and "I need a break", and a cruise works very well to balance this.

We enjoyed our time at sea so much, we're doing it again for New Years Eve with the same families.  I think it will be an even better experience considering we nailed the winning vacation formula to cruise with friends and family.

You can now get Royal Caribbean's first class Royal Genie service on any ship, if you're willing to pay for it.

The Royal Genie is now available on all ships, even its oldest and smallest ships.

Up until recently, you could only get a Genie if you booked a Star Class suite on its newest ships, such as the Icon, Oasis, and Quantum Class ships.  But the company decided to expand the offering to other ships. Over the past year, more ships have gotten the option to purchase a Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie Package is now available across Freedom, Radiance, Voyager, and Vision Class ships globally.

Here's what you get if you're willing to pay the $300 per guest, per day fee to have a Royal Genie.

What's included with the Royal Genie service

Pricing is dynamic based on sailing, ship, and date, but the starting price for a Royal Genie is $300 per person, per day (kids are $200 per day). All guests in the cabin must purchase it if one person buys it.

Having a genie means having VIP services everywhere onboard. Think of it like having practically everything included on the ship, and front-of-the-line access. 

It includes:

• Royal Genie Services: Arranges prime entertainment seating reservations, manages dining and activities reservations, coordinates luxury shopping onboard, plans special celebrations, handles special requests and much more 
• Deluxe Beverage Package (for all guests of legal drinking age)
• Refreshment Package (for all guests below legal drinking age)
• Complimentary Star Class Dining Benefit including à la carte dining and special holiday dinners (Dec 24, Dec 25, Dec 31, and Valentine’s Dinner)
  The following dining options are excluded from the Star Class Dining benefit:
  • Food items from Starbucks
  • Signature Cuts at Chops Grille (where available)
  • Hibachi (where available) - $15 surcharge
  • Chef’s Table - $50 surcharge
  • Due to space limitations, culinary classes are not included in these amenities, except for SIP-TOUR-BRUNCH                  
  • Playmakers' food is included. The following Playmakers conditions apply:
    • Playmakers Touchdown Sundae, which is a souvenir item, and therefore is available to purchase.
    •  Playmakers Owners Box is a reserved space and of a chargeable nature. Royal Genie Package guests will get priority to reserve the space.          
• Complimentary Room Service 
• VOOM — Powered by Starlink internet, 1 Device per guest in the reservation 
• Complimentary Stateroom Mini Bar Beverages (Coca-Cola canned products) 
• Still & Sparkling Water Bottle Delivery 
• Complimentary Starbucks Beverages 
• VIP Luggage Service (Arrival & Departure) 
• VIP Welcome Food & Beverage Amenity 
• Suite Lounge Access 
• Complimentary Ice Cream at Sugar Beach 
• Reserved Seating in the Main Theater 
• Designated time to FlowRider, Rock Climbing Wall & Ice Skating
• Complimentary Stateroom Movies 
• Malin+Goetz Bath Amenities
• Complimentary Pressing Services
• Luxury Bathroom Amenities

You do not need to booked in a suite to buy the genie service on its older ships. You could be in an inside room and buy the Royal Genie package.

There's no change to how genies are offered on the Icon, Oasis, or Quantum Class ships.

The Royal Genie Package is available for purchase after you book when you access My Royal Cruise and is not for sale onboard. 

Royal Genie Package is non-refundable, both pre-cruise and onboard.

I tried the Royal Genie service. You feel like a VIP, but the in-room options are limited

When Royal Caribbean first began offering Royal Genie's on more ships, I jumped at the opportunity.

I booked it for my family while sailing on Independence of the Seas in Europe. I was curious would the new service measure up to how good the Genie service has been in Star Class suites.

All of the genies are trained in the same way, so there's no "second-class" experience just because you're not sailing in Star Class. Just like other genies, Royal Caribbean recruits genies from exceptional guest service and suite concierge crew members already working in the fleet.

My genie met us on embarkation day and from that point forward, we waited for nothing and anything we needed was a WhatsApp message away.

We could have specialty restaurants deliver food to the room, or get any dining reservation we wanted.

When our ship was late docking in Rotterdam, our genie escorted us past the line of guests waiting to disembark the ship and we walked off first.

The only downside is since you're (probably) not in a suite, the in-cabin benefits of a genie are limited.

When I've had a genie in Star Class, it comes with opulent suites with lots of space so I can enjoy a dining room area, living room, and sprawling balcony.

In smaller cabins, it limits how you can maximize the genie's services.  

I ordered sushi to to the room, but we had to eat it on our laps on the balcony instead of at a table.  It's little nuances like that which could be an issue for some people.

And yes, it's not inexpensive.  For my family of four over eight nights, it cost me $9,600 in total.

While pricey, it's not aimed at every cruiser. It's something Royal Caribbean wants to offer to a more discerning customer that values service above everything else.

I loved having a genie, and think it's the kind of splurge someone that wants to go all-out for a fun over-the-top vacation might buy. 

There are Royal Caribbean ships sailing around the world every day, collecting information that has nothing to do with your vacation.

While you're enjoying a cocktail by the pool or watching a Broadway show, specialized instruments mounted on the ship are measuring ocean temperatures, carbon dioxide levels, weather conditions, and other environmental data that scientists around the world use to better understand Earth's oceans.

It's all part of a program called, OceanScope, which was highlighted as part of Royal Caribbean Group's community impact report.

They've collected data across more than 3 million nautical miles over the last two decades.

Here's how your next cruise vacation may be contributing to ocean science.

What is OceanScope?

Started in 2002, this marine research endeavor is a partnership with:

• The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine Atmospheric and Earth Science
• National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
• the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• NASA 

These groups can leverage decades of open-source data to better understand what's happening in the world's oceans.

Sensors are installed aboard four Royal Caribbean Group ships.  As these vessels sail around the world, they automatically collect environmental measurements.

Explorer of the Seas became the first test-bed cruise ship to be outfitted with the instrumentation.

Currently, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Celebrity's Flora and Celebrity Equinox are providing real-time data to scientists as part of OceanScope. Celebrity's Flora joined the program in the summer of 2019.

The ship is essentially acting as a moving research station. The data collected is shared with researchers around the world.

Why cruise ships are perfect for this job

Cruise ships are the ideal research platform because of how much real-world data they have access to.

Cruise ships sail year-round, and don't take any time off between sailings. They often sail the same routes repeatedly, offering the chance to revisit and compare data.

Plus, cruise ships can visit remote areas and operate in all kinds of weather.

That consistency gives researchers long-term datasets that would otherwise be expensive to collect.

Dr. Peter Ortner founded OceanScope, and he says cruise ships are unique in that they can track ocean currents and weather patterns along each route.

What cruise ships measure

Ships equipped can track these things:

• ocean temperature
• atmospheric conditions
• ocean currents
• carbon dioxide
• weather observations

Tracking carbon dioxide in seawater helps researchers understand ocean acidification in the Caribbean.

Seminars are held on a Celebrity ship

Guests on Celebrity Equinox have had the opportunity to hear about this program first-hand.

Celebrity invited OceanScope founder Dr. Peter Ortner aboard Celebrity Equinox to give presentations explaining the program.

The motivation is to help guests better understand what data is being collected, and why it's so helpful to researchers.

Part of a larger effort

I think OceanScope is an interesting and unheralded work that Royal Caribbean Group does in tandem with their vacations.

Most people on a ship are there for a fun time, not realizing the vessel may also be quietly collecting scientific information that helps researchers better understand the oceans it sails through.

The company is doing much more to support the world's oceans, including coral restoration, sea turtle research, Galápagos conservation, beach cleanups, and more.

It's a good reminder that while cruise ships are floating resorts, they also contribute to research long after passengers have returned home.

Liberty of the Seas isn’t Royal Caribbean’s newest vessel, but she did just get a big upgrade.

Recently, I sailed on a five-night voyage aboard the amplified ship, sailing to Hamburg, Germany, and Zeebrugge, Belgium.

Wanting to keep costs low after a pricey pre-cruise stay in London, England, my fiancée and I booked the cheapest available cabin: a standard interior stateroom.

We knew this wasn’t the most scenic itinerary, so staying in a windowless cabin didn’t bother us like it might have on a cruise to Norway or Alaska.

The Category 4V Interior Stateroom came to $1,497.84, or $748.92 per person, including gratuities, when booked around eight months in advance through my MEI travel agent, Christina. 

Between the long port days and jam-packed schedule, we didn't spend much time in our cabin, reinforcing that we didn't need an expensive balcony to enjoy our time onboard. 

In the end, the 162-square-foot cabin was a comfortable — albeit outdated — retreat after long days exploring Germany and Belgium, and enjoying everything the newly amplified Freedom Class ship had to offer.

Liberty of the Seas Interior Room Review + Photos

My fiancée and I stayed in cabin 7459, a standard interior stateroom located toward the aft (or back) of the vessel. 

It was pretty close to the aft elevator bank, which made it easy to run down to Café Promenade for specialty coffees in the morning or hop up to the Windjammer on Deck 11. 

We also appreciated that it was tucked away from the louder public areas, so we didn't have to deal with the thumping of the nightclub's music or late-night promenade parties. 

Moving on, the layout of the 162-square-foot cruise room wasn't anything over the top, and the dated color scheme of yellow-toned wood and dark green accents made it feel like it was from a different era. That said, we found it to be extremely functional and spacious. 

There was one Royal King bed (that could be split into two twin beds), a vanity, built-in dresser drawers, a closet, a safe, a mini-fridge, a flat-screen television, two nightstands, a full-length mirror, a kettle with two mugs, and a spacious loveseat. 

The couch was a major plus, as I love having more seating options in my cruise rooms aside from the beds and vanity chair. Typically, the couch also becomes a catch-all place for miscellaneous items. 

In this case, though, we still had plenty of space to sit down and put on shoes or relax after returning to the cabin. 

Another surprise was the generous storage space. Between the closet with the built-in wire shelves and dresser drawers, there was more than enough room to keep clothing, shoes, and other items organized during the five-night cruise. 

There were also hidden shelves behind the bathroom mirror and the small mirror on the left-hand side of the vanity. This allowed us to keep everything from sunscreen to facial moisturizer and perfume out of sight, making the cabin feel less cluttered. 

Although they were a little beat up, the nightstands were functional and provided convenient bedside storage, including deep drawers and shelves. There was plenty of space to store my medications, current read, water bottle, and more. 

On to the negatives. We tried using the mini-fridge to keep our water bottles and soda cool, though it didn't work as well as we hoped. The beverages were definitely cooler than room temperature, but they were a far cry from ice-cold. 

Moreover, as an older cruise ship, Liberty of the Seas' staterooms aren't outfitted with many charging options. In our stateroom, there were just two standard American outlets, along with a single European plug, all located around the vanity area. 

Unlike newer ships, such as Harmony of the Seas, the older staterooms on Liberty of the Seas don’t have convenient bedside charging options. This means you should come prepared with an extra-long charging cord or portable charger if you like using your phone at night. 

Finally, the cabin's bathroom was small and somewhat dated, but it was perfectly functional for everyday use — there wasn't a clingy shower curtain, hooray!

The shower wasn't my favorite I've ever had, with lackluster shower pressure and finicky temperature controls. That said, one detail I appreciated was the ample shower storage. The two built-in shelves gave us plenty of space for our shampoo, conditioner, face wash, shaving cream, and razors. 

The extra-long sink vanity was nice, too. Rather than leaning into a modern "less is more" approach, the deep countertop was far more practical than stylish. However, it gave us lots of room to spread out our makeup and toiletries without feeling cramped. 

Like other Royal Caribbean cabins, the bathroom on Liberty of the Seas wasn't stocked with toiletries — just the basic Salt + Breeze hair and body wash, along with a single bar of hand soap.

Is an inside cabin on Liberty of the Seas worth it?

Recently, I've started prioritizing comfort over budget on vacation, and splurging on balcony cabins isn't something I'm usually willing to give up. 

However, I'm glad we didn't shell out more money on a balcony cabin on this particular sailing. Because it wasn't a scenic itinerary, we didn't think we'd spend much time in our stateroom — and we were right. 

Beyond sleeping, showering, and getting ready, we weren't in our cabin much at all. I quickly settled into somewhat of a routine, waking up early to grab a specialty coffee before the promenade came to life. 

After that, our days were spent enjoying everything else the ship had to offer, especially the adult-only Solarium, or going ashore. 

The evenings were jam-packed with live music, ice shows, Broadway-style musicals, and more, and by the time 9:00 p.m. rolled around, we were more than ready to hit the hay and recharge.

I'd definitely consider staying in another inside cabin aboard Liberty of the Seas, especially if sailing somewhere less scenic, like the Western Caribbean. 

For instance, with Liberty calling Galveston home through at least April 2028, you could easily get away with booking a cheaper stateroom while still making full use of the ship's colorful pool deck, world-class entertainment, and Caribbean destinations.

The Gulf offers beautiful deep blue ocean hues, but the scenery is fairly consistent compared with itineraries to destinations like Norway or Alaska. As such, opting for a budget-friendly cruise room is a great way to ensure you have a nice allowance for worthwhile add-ons, including specialty restaurants and shore excursions. 

That said, the biggest drawback is that Royal Caribbean didn't update existing cabins during the ship's Royal Amplification in 2026. As such, many details in my inside cabin felt dated and worn. There was a large stain on the couch, and the lack of bedside charging options was frustrating. 

Still, those drawbacks were easy to overlook considering how little time we actually spent inside the cabin — and the value you get by choosing an older cruise ship versus vessels like Utopia of the Seas or Icon of the Seas. 

Would you give up a private balcony for an extra-spacious cruise room with floor-to-ceiling windows?

(Credit: Julie Collier / Facebook)

Recently, Julie Collier did just that on a cruise aboard Ovation of the Seas out of Vancouver, Canada, to Alaska. 

"We were able to snag room 16138 on Ovation for June 12-19 when it opened up a few days before sailing and WOW. With floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the ship, tons of space, a full bathtub, a separate half bath, and incredible views, it’s an unbelievable cabin. We’d book it again in a heartbeat!" she shared on Facebook. 

Sandwiched between two Grand Suites on Deck 16, #16138 is classified as a Category 3M Spacious Ocean View cabin and is anything but your average ocean view cruise room. 

(Credit: Julie Collier / Facebook)

In reality, its generous layout, forward-facing floor-to-ceiling windows, and extra amenities make it feel much more like a suite than a standard cabin. 

16138 is a hidden gem among cookie-cutter cruise cabins

(Credit: Julie Collier / Facebook)

When you walk into the unique stateroom, you're immediately greeted by an abundance of natural light — more so than most standard balcony cabins. 

The wall of floor-to-ceiling windows stretches across the cabin, ensuring you have a view regardless of whether you're lying in bed or getting ready at the vanity. 

These panoramic ocean views are highly sought after on Caribbean cruises. They are even more special on Alaska sailings, though, giving passengers a front-row view of the mountains and glaciers. 

(Credit: Julie Collier / Facebook)

In terms of basic amenities, Collier shows that the cabin is equipped similarly to other staterooms aboard Ovation of the Seas, with a built-in vanity, closet space, a Royal King bed, flat-screen television, and multiple outlets. 

However, in addition to the unique layout and windows, the bathroom further sets this special room apart. Rather than the standard single bathroom with a tiny capsule shower, this stateroom has a large bathroom with a bathtub, along with a separate half bath.

The kind of split bathroom is a huge benefit. Having two separate areas for getting ready helps make mornings and evenings feel less rushed and ensures that everyone has privacy. 

(Credit: Julie Collier / Facebook)

That said, one thing to be wary about is the cabin's location. 

"It’s all the way forward on Deck 16, so we feel more motion with the wind today, but honestly, we felt the motion midship today, too," Collier said. Those who suffer from serious motion sickness may want to consider a standard cabin on a lower mid-ship deck. 

It's also rather close to the Vitality at Sea Fitness Center, which could be another drawback for light sleepers or anyone sensitive to noise.

(Credit: Julie Collier / Facebook)

Still, for many cruisers, the trade-offs are easy to justify when weighed against the cabin's highlights that make this room feel more like a suite — for a fraction of the price. 

About Ovation of the Seas

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class ship that launched in 2016. She measures 168,666 gross tons, 1,141 feet long, and can accommodate 4,234 passengers at double occupancy, according to the cruise line. Ovation is also home to over 1,500 international crew members. 

Throughout summer 2026, Ovation will offer one-way cruises from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seward, Alaska (and vice versa). In September, she'll return to Long Beach, California, where she'll embark on a series of voyages to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera. 

Ovation of the Seas will continue to sail from California on three- to eight-night cruises through at least April 2028.

Highlights include the North Star observation capsule, indoor SeaPlex, RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall, and more. 

Plus, the vessel just underwent a major dry dock and returned to service with a new lineup of amenities, including the Pesky Parrot tiki bar, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen specialty restaurant, full-service Starbucks, Izumi Teppanyaki, an expanded casino, and a new suite lounge on Deck 14. 

During her Royal Amplification, Ovation of the Seas also got over three dozen new cabins, including 16138 on Deck 16. 

One of my all-time favorite cruises are Alaska itineraries, and there are a handful of things I'd recommend everyone bring.

I just took my third Alaska cruise, and have spent years researching and recommending to my readers how to plan the perfect Alaska trip.

While I have my own Alaska cruise packing list, I wanted to share the most important things to buy that go beyond any other kind of cruise. These are the essentials that could easily make your trip so much better.

After trying these items out again on my last cruise, here's what you ought to put at the top of your packing list.

Sunglasses

If there's one thing you won't think to bring to Alaska, it's a good pair of polarized sunglasses because you're not anticipating how sunny it will be.

On our Alaska cruise, it was sunny every day.  In fact, we barely had any rain at all.  While the weather for your cruise might not be as good as mine, it's still worth preparing yourself for the sun.

Trust me, you don't want to be left without them and squinting your way through your day. And those cheaply made souvenir sunglasses in various gift ships are always overpriced.

My two favorite brands of inexpensive, yet good quality sunglasses, are Knockarounds and Blenders. They look good, last a long time, and it's not the end of the world if you lose them.

Make sure you get polarized lenses to cut down glare from the water.

Two warm layers

Here's where overpacking comes into play: the clothes you need to keep you warm.

I recommend packing two (three at the most) warm layers to swap between during your cruise.  You can re-use them, so you definitely do not need to pack one for every day of your cruise.

My all-time favorite that I still bring is an L.L.Bean Quilted Sweatshirt.  They don't make it anymore, but you can find similar products that offer a full zip to help regulate how warm or cold you want to be.

I also bring a heavy duty flanel-lined hooded sweatshirt. 

Alternate between the two, or layer them on top of each on glacier day.  Trust me, you don't need to waste the space (or money) on a parka jacket.

A lightweight, hooded waterproof jacket

Since it will probably rain at some point during your cruise, I'd recommend a lightweight rain jacket that is easy to put on anytime you need it.

I've been hauling around this one from Columbia for a few years and it's perfect for Alaska. It's not heavy, so it can go on top of my fleece or just a t-shirt if it's warm outside.

It has a built-in hood so I can wear it when it's drizzling or during a heavy downpour.  

Avoid the rubber rain jackets that are difficult to fold or pack.

Binoculars

Probably any Alaska cruise article you read recommends binoculars, and for good reason.

I thought I didn't need them when I went to Alaska, but the truth is they're very useful. On the day you're sailing into a fjord to visit a glacier, there is so much to see around you and binoculars are essential.

While you can observe a lot with your naked eye, binoculars really make a difference. This is especially true with kids, because younger ones have a hard time focusing on what you're trying to show them.

Regardless of age, there's a curiosity factor too.  Spotting seals, eagles, or a piece of wood that looks like a bear, having binoculars will really help enjoy all that's around you.

Royal Caribbean sells binoculars on their ships, but you're going to overpay for them.   

Vortex binoculars are a great brand that won't cost you a ton, but you don't have to worry about them being too cheap either.

Knit hat and gloves

I threw a knit hat and gloves into my suitcase at the last minute, but I was really glad I did once we arrived at Dawes Glacier.

It was warm enough in the other ports that these weren't necessary, but between the colder temperatures and wind inside Endicott Arm fjord, it got downright chilly.

I'd recommend a knit hat to keep your head warm and retain more heat. I don't know that ear muffs are necessary, but if you're going to be on the helipad all morning, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Slim gloves are also a good idea, but make sure you get ones that work with touch screens. You're going to be using your phone to take a lot of photos, so you want gloves that will work won't require you to take them on and off.

Comfortable water-resistant shoes

I brought water-resistant shoes to Alaska, but they were so uncomfortable I threw them away instead of bringing them home.

I don't think you need to buy waterproof shoes unless you plan to go hiking in the woods. Water-resistant shoes are good enough for dealing with rain.

Once you buy them, wear them around your hometown to break them in. Don't let them sit in the closet until your Alaska cruise approaches.

Seasickness medication

Better to be safe than sorry, I always bring seasickness meds with me on every cruise I take.

Buy a non-drowsy option, like Bonine, and take it as soon as you start to feel a little off.

Even when sailing the Inside Passage, it can get rocky. The chances of rough seas increase if you're cruising from Seattle or Anchorage.

Daypack

You will want to have an easy to carry, yet durable, backpack for when you venture into port.

Our backpack would hold rain jackets, cameras, a reusable water bottle, and the inevitable deluge of souvenirs we'd pick up along the way.

Choose a daypack with a few compartments and ideally made from a water-resistant material. The two bags a lot of cruisers recommend: Waterfly bags or a Columbia nylon backpack. 

T-shirts

Seriously, you're going to wear more t-shirts than you think while in Alaska.

Your cruise ship will be warm enough that a t-shirt and pants is perfect, so you can plan on that as your base clothing choice.

Even in port, I'd wear a t-shirt underneath my fleece and/or rain jacket.  When the sun came out, I was glad to have had a t-shirt.