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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
A balcony is the most popular cabin on a cruise ship, but you don't want to pay for one if it's going to disappoint you. The last thing you probably want is to wake up each morning looking at a lifeboat, or be kept awake each night by music. Most people imagine their balcony room will have unfettered views of the ocean and be a private retreat to enjoy every day. The reality is not all balcony cabins are created equal, and you could end up with a balcony room that's disappointing.
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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
In: 16 Apr 2025You're ready for a great day at the beach in warm tropical waters with the sun shining, but the Captain announces a change in the itinerary for your cruise ship. Who makes that call? Craig Setzer is Royal Caribbean’s Chief Meteorologist, and it's his job to monitor weather developments around the world to make sure cruise ships are never in danger.
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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
In: 15 Apr 2025When I sailed on the biggest cruise ship in the world, I wasn't expecting a space meant to provide sweeping views to act as a de facto zen spot. One change Royal Caribbean made with Icon of the Seas was not to offer a Solarium, which is the traditional adults-only enclave on other ships. Instead, they went with the Hideaway neighborhood. This offers adults-only space, but with a pool party atmosphere.
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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
In: 15 Apr 2025Your cruise vacation should be plenty fun, including the very start of it. If you're like me, the final couple of days before the cruise is filled with anticipation and excitement for it to finally begin. And I always make sure to do whatever I need to do to ensure it all goes off without a hitch. While I can't anticipate every single possible issue, I've found there's a solid strategy for planning the right start to my cruise that can sidestep the big ones.
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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
It appears a child fell off the pier into the ocean at Royal Caribbean's private island, putting the child between the ship and the pier. A variety of reports from cruise ship passengers visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay for the day indicate the child fell into the water. "At CocoCay today a small child fell in the water between the dock and the Symphony," Henry Yeany posted in an unofficial Facebook group dedicated to Royal Caribbean.
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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
One of the most popular add-on's for Perfect Day at CocoCay now has a new way to score one, potentially for less than full price. Cabanas are among the most highly sought after extras at Royal Caribbean's private island because of how luxurious and amenity-rich they are. Now, you can bid for any unsold or last-minute cancelled cabanas. There have been bidding opportunities for cabins for many years, but it appears they're extending this to cabanas too.
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1 week ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
Summer is right around the corner, and now is when you want to start planning a summer cruise vacation. It seems a lot of people make the common mistake of waiting too long to start planning a cruise, and that's true of a summer vacation. According to a survey by The Vacationer, nearly 82% of all American adults intend to travel this summer. Without a doubt, that will encompass cruises to Alaska, Europe, and around the Caribbean.
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2 weeks ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
After being delayed departing for a few days, Allure of the Seas is ready to welcome guests back onboard. Before that happens, Royal Caribbean informed guests booked on the first sailing back that its first sailing will start a bit later than originally planned. Passengers booked on the April 11th sailing received an update today that boarding would be delayed by 4 hours. Allure of the Seas will be boarding in the Port of Barcelona a bit later than originally planned.
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2 weeks ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
Royal Caribbean built arguably the best cruise line private island experience in the industry, so why would you want to skip it and stay on the ship? Skipping Perfect Day at CocoCay sounds like sacrilege, and I felt the same way on my most recent visit while sailing on the world's biggest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas. Believe it or not, a lot of people stay on the ship instead of going to the island for a variety of different reasons.
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2 weeks ago | 
royalcaribbeanblog.com | Matt Hochberg
It's no secret cruise lines are building and expanding their private island and beaches, but Royal Caribbean Group's CEO doesn't see it as purely a money grab. Private islands have become a major difference maker for cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, and they are working on building a second one in Mexico, along with beach clubs around the world. The appeal is undeniable, but Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty thinks the media has gotten it wrong when it comes to the bigger picture involved.
