Royal Caribbean's nowhere near done with building Icon Class ships. 

The cruise giant announced plans to build a fourth Icon Class ship to be delivered in 2027, with options for a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. 

With 7-night cruises onboard Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas starting at $1,390 per person for an inside stateroom, many may assume that taking a cruise is out of their budget. 

The demand for cruise vacations is so high that the industry has seen a steady increase in pricing over the past few years. Plus, inventory has been selling out further in advance, leading to fewer last-minute deals. 

Tired of visiting the same generic pool and atrium bars on your cruises? Step up your cocktail game by exploring some of the most unique bars at sea. 

From floating bars with panoramic views to futuristic bars with robotic bartenders, each cruise line offers a distinctive drinking experience. While there's nothing wrong with visiting the classic martini bar or your go-to poolside spot, venturing beyond the standard offerings can elevate your cruise. 

My mom has always said, “If you can’t have fun on a cruise, there’s something wrong with you!” Even when a vacation isn’t perfect, I can usually find the positives amidst the few hiccups. But after 47 cruises, I found myself counting down the days until disembarkation. 

Last month, I embarked on my second-ever European cruise. The 7-night voyage departed from Athens (Piraeus), Greece, and sailed to Santorini, Mykonos, Kuşadası, and Naples. 

Though I've cruised throughout Europe, this was my first time sailing to the Greek Isles, and I fell in love with the islands' whitewashed walls, blue domes, and narrow streets. The food was delicious, too! 

This weekly roundup brings you the latest cruise news and tips, ensuring you stay updated on everything you might have missed.

If you’re busy but still want to keep up with our valuable cruise advice, this easy-to-digest summary highlights the recent articles and updates we've shared.

Those attending a comedy show are typically in the mood to laugh. Unfortunately, one passenger onboard MSC Seashore didn't take too kindly to a comedian's jokes during a late-night comedy show, disrupting the entire performance before being escorted out of the theater. 

During a comedy show on a 3-night cruise to The Bahamas, Robert L. Hines, the comedian behind the infamous "Jones BBQ & Foot Massage" YouTube video, offended the wrong passenger. 

A cruise ship bathroom is unlikely to be the highlight of your vacation. However, a disappointing stateroom experience can certainly be the lowlight of your cruise.

Regardless of which stateroom category you book, whether a cheap inside cabin or a luxurious suite, you’ll have a full private bathroom in your cabin. Of course, the more expensive cabins and suites will have the nicest and most spacious bathrooms. Some suites even have more than one bathroom!

Would you eat alone in the cruise ship dining room? 

I've taken five solo cruises and eaten in the Main Dining Room alone on all but one. At first, I was worried the experience would feel awkward, but I soon found it was a great opportunity to meet other passengers and step outside my comfort zone. In fact, eating alone in cruise ship dining rooms is much less scary and intimidating than you might think!