Royal Caribbean

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.

Royal Caribbean has quietly banned personal speakers from its private island in the Bahamas. 

Passengers on Icon of the Seas' March 15 cruise from Miami, Florida, reported seeing a new tip on the Cruise Compass advising guests not to bring personal speakers ashore on Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

The notice reads, "Glass bottles and personal speakers are not permitted on the island." 

Royal Caribbean is best known for building some of the most innovative cruise ships at sea. For decades, the cruise line has pushed the boundaries, introducing ships bigger and better than anything seen before. These floating cities are packed with restaurants, entertainment, and high-tech thrills.

Even though Royal Caribbean is known for its mega-ships, the cruise line’s fleet includes a wide range of vessels, from the newest and biggest Icon class to older Vision Class ships that feel like a blast from the past.

Miami is home to one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. As such, it's not uncommon for upwards of eight vessels to be in port on the same day, meaning thousands of guests are embarking and disembarking daily. 

This constant flow of travelers has led to significant traffic, especially during peak cruise times when ships like Icon of the Seas or Symphony of the Seas are in port. 

To combat the problem, Royal Caribbean has begun offering complimentary bus shuttles on disembarkation day to help consolidate the flow of passengers and reduce congestion. 

Inside cabins on cruise ships are controversial. Some love them because of their value. Others would rather make budget cuts elsewhere to afford a balcony stateroom. 

Within the past few years, I've stayed in interior cabins on countless cruise ships, including two of the largest in the world: Symphony and Wonder of the Seas. Though nearly identical, the Oasis Class ships have some stark differences, including their staterooms. 

Several cruise ships are stuck at sea as Cyclone Alfred approaches Queensland, Australia. 

Passengers booked on Carnival Luminosa's February 23 sailing were informed their return to Brisbane has been delayed because of Alfred. They were scheduled to return on Thursday, March 6.