Royal Caribbean

Cruising has never been pricier, as the soaring demand has driven up fares across the industry. In addition to higher fares, onboard add-ons, including drink packages, specialty restaurants, and shore excursions, have also been subject to price hikes.

Icon of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries in size, amenities, and price. When she launched in January 2024, it wasn't uncommon to find windowless inside cabins advertised for $2,000 per person!

I recently returned from a 7-night cruise aboard the world's largest ship, Icon of the Seas. I had been looking forward to this particular vacation for nearly a year and a half, and though hours of planning helped ensure a memorable experience, there's one mistake I wouldn't make again. 

When I started cruising, I never knew there were ships as big as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class.

I began cruising on smaller vessels such as Freedom of the Seas, Carnival Elation, and Disney Magic. Though I enjoyed every cruise, the smaller ships did not have as much entertainment, and I would sometimes get bored or tired of relaxing by the pool deck.

Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line are two of the most recognizable names in the cruise industry. Both mainstream cruise lines focus on offering affordable, family-friendly vacations across their expansive fleets. However, after sailing on the newest ships from both cruise lines, I’m convinced that one mega-ship stands out as the better choice.

Royal Caribbean is making a bold push into the short-cruise market, and the brand-new Utopia of the Seas is a perfect example of that investment. But, it wasn’t always possible to take a short cruise on a massive, state-of-the-art cruise ship.

For decades, short itineraries were hard to find. Even if you could find a 3-night or 4-night sailing, it was almost guaranteed you’d be cruising on an old, small, and dated cruise ship.

When people think of Royal Caribbean's private island, they often envision the massive waterpark, hot air balloon, overwater cabanas, and zipline. While Perfect Day at CocoCay has a slew of activities for cruisers to enjoy, not all of them are included in the cost of your cruise. 

Royal Caribbean removed one of the free perks of its extra-cost VIP program. 

The Key is an optional add-on that passengers can purchase for exclusive benefits like a private embarkation lunch, reserved seating during theater shows, priority tender access, and more. 

However, an update was sent to guests who bought The Key to let them know one of the best features was dropped. 

Two passengers sailing on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas were arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy. 

Ricardo Daniel Mondragon Leal, 37, and Jose Prudencio Diaz, 36, of Mexico City were arrested in Miami, Florida, on Friday, March 21, on multiple criminal charges, including lewd and lascivious molestation of a child.

If you are on the fence about going on a cruise because of having children, look no further! You can still have adult fun and make time for a massage! Royal Caribbean has a wide range of ships in its fleet, 28 to be exact. With the variety of features on each of their ships, Royal Caribbean certainly has a space for your child, regardless of age.

From being a young child who just enjoys playing and having fun, to the teenagers who just want to get away and be around others their age, there are designated areas for certain age groups.