We share a lot of cruise updates and advice on Cruise Blog, and this is a weekly roundup of everything you may have missed from this week, including a look at Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ship and our review of Margaritaville at Sea's drink package.
For those busy but who want to stay updated on all the helpful cruise advice we share, this is an easy-to-digest overview of our recent articles.
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Little known cruise bed upgrade that's worth asking for
It's important to prioritize rest between exploring new ports of call and enjoying the ship. However, cruise ship beds aren't always the most comfortable.
While sailing on Wonder of the Seas, Elizabeth tried one of the best cruise cabin hacks she encountered in a while: asking for a mattress topper.
She was skeptical at first; however, by the end of her weeklong cruise, she realized just how much better she slept and would definitely ask for mattress toppers on future sailings.
Read more: Little known cruise bed upgrade that's worth asking for
Cruise ships stuck at sea because of powerful Cyclone Alfred
Several cruise ships are stuck at sea as Cyclone Alfred approaches Queensland, Australia.
Passengers booked on Carnival Luminosa's February 23 and Quantum of the Seas' February 28 sailings were informed their return to Brisbane has been delayed because of Alfred.
Brisbane, Australia's third-most populous city, was last hit by a cyclone in 1974. Current forecasts anticipate Alfred will make landfall in Brisbane by Saturday morning.
Read more: Cruise ships stuck at sea because of powerful Cyclone Alfred
I went on my first cruise as an adult. I enjoyed the food and entertainment more than I thought
The last time Georgia went on a cruise was in 2004 when she was five years old. Needless to say, she doesn't remember very much about it. However, she recently took her first cruise as an adult on Margaritaville at Sea's Islander.
Overall, she enjoyed her time on Islander and was especially impressed by the cruise line's commitment to embracing the Margaritaville brand.
She doesn't think this will be her last cruise, and it definitely won't be her last voyage with Margaritaville at Sea!
Read more: I went on my first cruise as an adult. I enjoyed the food and entertainment more than I thought
Royal Caribbean And Disney's Newest Ships Comparison: Which Is Better
Utopia of the Seas and Disney Wish are two cruise ships geared toward offering great family vacations.
Utopia of the Seas, part of Royal Caribbean's massive Oasis Class, is a floating city for all ages. On the other hand, Disney Wish offers a more magical experience.
Both ships promise an unforgettable family adventure to the Bahamas, but which one is the perfect fit for your next vacation?
Read more: Royal Caribbean And Disney's Newest Ships Comparison: Which Is Better
I paid $1,500 for 4 nights in a 140-square-foot room on a giant Royal Caribbean ship, and I actually loved my little cabin
Allie sailed on Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas.
She booked the cheapest interior cabin available but paid slightly extra to select the specific stateroom location. The best option within her budget was cabin 9464 on Deck 9, costing $1,539, including prepaid gratuities.
Take a look at her 140-square-foot room!
I took a 7-day, $4,200 cruise to the Caribbean. This is exactly where I splurged and saved
As a frequent cruiser, each voyage is about finding the perfect balance between splurging and saving, and Elizabeth did just that on a recent 7-night cruise aboard one of the world's largest cruise ships, Wonder of the Seas.
In total, she spent around $4,200 for her weeklong cruise, including airfare and onboard expenses. As expected, the most expensive part of the voyage was the cruise fare, which came to $2,292.10 or $1,146.05 per person, including taxes, port fees, and prepaid gratuities.
Here's a look at how she spent $4,200 on a 7-night cruise on Wodner of the Seas and how she balanced the splurges with the savings.
Read more: I took a 7-day, $4,200 cruise to the Caribbean. This is exactly where I splurged and saved
How long does it take to build a cruise ship?
Cruise ships aren't built overnight. The average time to build a cruise ship is 12 to 18 months, from when the keel is laid to the maiden voyage welcoming paying guests.
However, the entire process, from its conceptualization to its official launch, can take over 5 years.
Interested to learn more about cruise ship construction and how long it takes to build these engineering feats? Check out our blog below!
Read more: How long does it take to build a cruise ship?
I shopped at Five Below before my cruise. Here's what was worth it
If you’re preparing for an upcoming cruise, you might be looking to stock up on some essentials before setting sail.
Allie hadn't cruised in a few months, so she needed to replenish her cruise essentials before heading to Port Canaveral to board Utopia of the Seas.
Here’s what was worth purchasing at Five Below during her shopping spree.
Read more: I shopped at Five Below before my cruise. Here's what was worth it
I tried Margaritaville at Sea's drink package that costs $81 per day. I loved the cocktail selection but hated that it didn't include coffee
Many cruisers won't sail without a drink package. Rather than paying for each drink individually, drink packages let you pay a daily price for an unlimited or a set number of beverages.
Recently, Elizabeth tried Margaritaville at Sea's only alcoholic drink package: Ultimate Beverage Chill. For her 4-night cruise aboard Margaritaville at Sea's Islander, the package cost $323.96 or $80.99 per day. It included up to fifteen alcoholic drinks daily, as well as unlimited non-alcoholic beverages like soda and bottled water.
Overall, she was impressed by everything the Ultimate Beverage Chill included. Unlike other lines, like Celebrity and Princess which feature different tiers of packages, there wasn't much that cost extra with the Ultimate Beverage Chill package.
What is Royal Caribbean’s biggest ship? (2025)
Royal Caribbean is known for having the largest cruise ships at sea, having held the title since Freedom of the Seas launched in 2006. Since then, their ships have only gotten larger.
Royal Caribbean boasts a fleet of 29 ships with another expected to join the fleet in August. The line's newest ships have more restaurants, activities, and innovative features compared to older vessels.
Ships like Icon of the Seas, the largest ship in the fleet, offer expansive features like multiple neighborhoods, a variety of dining venues, thrilling onboard attractions, and even dedicated spaces for families.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
