Royal Caribbean

Oftentimes, you can find a great value on transatlantic cruises. This, however, means that you have to be committed to spending many days onboard the ship as it sails across the Atlantic Ocean. 

When taking a transatlantic voyage, the ship that you are on is being repositioned from one homeport to another, marking the beginning or end of a specific cruise season. When, for instance, you sail from Florida to Barcelona or Rome, this is because a ship is getting ready to begin her season in Europe. 

Is The Key worth it? This is a controversial question many cruisers wonder when booking a Royal Caribbean cruise.

There are plenty of negative reviews online about The Key. Some say it’s “too pricey for what it is” or “it sounds good in theory but is a waste of money.” On the other hand, some claim The Key is worth the extra cost.

Needless to say, I wanted to see what it was like for myself. Here's what I thought about The Key on my 7-night Western Caribbean cruise onboard Adventure of the Seas. 

One of the best parts about cruising is getting to visit incredible destinations with such ease. Once you’re onboard your cruise ship, you can conveniently visit numerous destinations without needing to unpack and repack your suitcase. The logistics and transportation are all taken care of-- all while enjoying fine cuisine and entertainment along the way.

After 19 cruises with Royal Caribbean, I booked a 7-night Alaska cruise with Princess Cruises, and here’s what I liked better.

Ever since I started cruising, I’ve almost exclusively sailed with Royal Caribbean. Like most cruisers, I tend to stick to the same cruise line in order to rack up loyalty points, which can lead to exclusive benefits like complimentary drinks and private lounge access.

Beautiful sunsets and crystal blue seas are the quintessential views you expect to find on a cruise. For me, seeing the ocean resemble a sheet of glass never gets old - and always leaves me in awe that something so powerful can also be equally as peaceful.

Most of the major cruise lines, like Carnival, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean, have their own private island or destination in the Caribbean. If you’ve sailed with Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line, two of the most popular cruise lines in the world, there’s a good chance that your itinerary included one of the cruise line’s private destinations.

A couple of weeks before your cruise vacation officially begins, you will be able to complete Royal Caribbean's online check-in process. Doing so prior to arriving at the terminal will help speed up the physical check-in, allowing you to board the ship faster! 

As someone who cruises often, I normally find myself booking affordable inside cabin fares. These are often the cheapest accommodations on a cruise ship and provide the basic necessities and a comfortable stay. In fact, I usually pay for the inside cabin guarantee fare, meaning you do not choose the location of your cabin, but instead the cruise line assigns one to you.

Just when you think Royal Caribbean has hit the limits of cruise ship design, they take it a step further.

The cruise line’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas, is set to launch in January 2024 as the world’s largest cruise ship. Boasting record-breaking activities, unbelievable scale, and family-focused design, she will be a force to be reckoned with in the cruise industry.