Royal Caribbean

Drink packages are one of the most expensive add-ons, costing hundreds of dollars for a weeklong cruise. Although many cruisers skip them to save money, I find that they're worth the splurge and make my vacation feel more inclusive. 

Recently, my partner and I sailed aboard Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, on a 7-night voyage to the Eastern Caribbean. We both have Diamond status within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, so we get four complimentary drinks per day. 

Although Royal Caribbean began operations in 1968, it wasn't until 1970 that it launched its first purpose-built cruise ship. Even though it would be a modest vessel today, it was completely revolutionary at the time. 

Royal Caribbean continued to build and release more ships, but things really started to set off when the cruise line debuted its ground-breaking Freedom Class. These ships were the largest in the world until 2009, until Royal Caribbean broke their own record by introducing Oasis of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean's biggest ship to sail from Los Angeles has begun its first-ever cruises to the Mexican Riviera. 

Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship launched in 2016, arrived in California last week. After a short 3-night media cruise, she began offering regular voyages to Baja Mexico and the Mexican Riviera. The first was a short getaway to Ensenada and will be followed by a 5-night cruise to Cabo on June 6. 

Before Oviation, Navigator of the Seas was the largest (and newest) ship to be deployed in Los Angeles.

When you first start cruising, it's easy to assume that your base cruise fare is all you need for a fun and relaxing vacation. And for the most part, this can be true! Cruising is a fairly inclusive vacation with dining, entertainment, transportation, and accommodations all bundled into your cruise fare. 

Cruisers have a range of options to start their day, from the buffet to the main dining room and other grab-and-go options. However, one complimentary option that frequently gets overlooked is room service. 

Room service is one of my favorite ways to treat myself to a relaxing morning on any cruise vacation, whether leisurely sipping coffee on a sea day or avoiding the buffet on a busy port day. 

I fell in love with Perfect Day at CocoCay seconds after stepping ashore in January 2023. Since then, I've returned 8 times, exploring the new adults-only beach, waterpark, upscale beach club, and complimentary beaches. 

I didn't think Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day experience could get better — until they revealed details about their upcoming Perfect Day Mexico project set to welcome passengers in 2027. 

For many passengers, the buffet is the first stop to start their morning aboard a cruise ship. However, did you know you can get free room service delivered to your cabin?

Food is readily available on all cruise ships, from the buffet to the Main Dining Room and quick service grab-and-go options. 

While the buffet has endless breakfast options and the MDR's quality is higher with freshly plated meals, one of my favorite ways to kickstart my day on a ship is with room service.

Even after 9 visits, Royal Caribbean's private island remains one of my favorite places to visit on a cruise — and it keeps getting better. 

In 2019, the cruise giant spent millions of dollars renovating CocoCay, transforming it into “Perfect Day at CocoCay,” a resort-style destination packed with new attractions, an upscale beach club, and other upgraded amenities. 

Whether lounging on one of the complimentary beaches or paying for admission to the exclusive waterpark, there's something for everyone. 

Icon of the Seas is one of the most expensive mainstream cruise ships at sea, and during her inaugural year, it wasn't uncommon to see rates as high as $2,000 per person for an interior cabin. 

My partner and I couldn't justify paying those prices for a windowless cabin, so we booked a weeklong cruise over a year in advance for July 2025. However, due to scheduling conflicts, we changed our sail date twice and ended up on a 7-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in April.