Royal Caribbean

At the start of 2024, Icon of the Seas beat out Wonder of the Seas as the largest ship in the world. Royal Caribbean's mega-ships continue to break records, and just a few months later, Utopia of the Seas debuted as the second-largest ship in the world. 

Determined to compare the industry's biggest cruise ships, I sailed on both Icon and Utopia this year. How different are the two largest ships in the world?

Cruise ships, regardless of size, are like floating cities, packed with amenities and activities catering to diverse travelers. Having sailed on some of the world's newest and largest ships, I've recently begun to explore older ships to see why they remain popular among many cruisers. 

Welcome guest writer Sydney Wall! Sydney graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a degree in English and a concentration in creative writing in 2021. She has always been passionate about traveling and never stops looking for adventure. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's in Accounting from UNC-Chapel Hill and continues to write every opportunity she gets.

I had never been on a cruise before my friend and I decided to journey across the Atlantic from Baltimore to Bermuda. The 5-night stay was rocky, but the fun was never-ending. 

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean added a popular cruise must-have to their list of prohibited items. 

While Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships exemplify the latest innovative designs, passengers sailing on the upcoming Star of the Seas should expect the onboard musical to take them back in time. 

According to Royal Caribbean Productions' Facebook page, the company is holding auditions for Back to the Future: The Musical in London, England. Based on the beloved 1985 film, the musical promises to bring a nostalgic and energetic experience to the ship's entertainment lineup. 

Cruising with Royal Caribbean is an incredible way to enjoy an affordable vacation while visiting multiple destinations on world-class cruise ships. With your base cruise fare, you’ll have so much included, such as lodging, transportation, select food venues, and entertainment.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise on a budget doesn’t mean you have to skimp on luxury. With some extra time and research, you can find great deals and promotions that will save you money. 

You can't bring a multi-plug on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The cruise line made a change to its list of prohibited items on its website, which specifically restricts passengers from bringing "Extension Cords and Multi-Plug Outlets/ Power Strips," Royal Caribbean Blog reported.

The old policy prohibited: "Electrical Extension Cords,  including power strips/surge protected strips". 

Within the past six months, I've sailed on two of Royal Caribbean and Carnival's oldest ships: Vision of the Seas and Carnival Elation. Though both ships launched within two months of each other, they couldn't be more different. From the overall atmosphere to the quality of the dining and cabin experience, one clearly came out on top. 

When people think about cruise ship drink packages, they typically envision morning mimosas, afternoon cocktails by the pool, and fine wine during dinner. Of course, this luxury on a cruise comes at a price, usually at least $60 per day—if not more.