Royal Caribbean Blog

Unexpected emergencies arise and prevent people from embarking on their long-awaited cruise, and those who don't purchase travel insurance are often out hundreds or thousands of dollars. One individual, however, took to Reddit to share a feel-good story about her experience with Royal Caribbean's customer service after undergoing emergency surgery. 

Infamousunicornsocks was set to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise in less than one month with her husband of seven years and five-year-old daughter. However, an emergency abdominal surgery and nasojejunal feeding tube placement postponed their plans. 

"Unsure how long I would be in the hospital for, much less how long the Dobhoff [tube] would be in for, I called Royal Caribbean customer service fully expecting to [lose] my entire deposit & cruise price as I didn’t buy the travel insurance," she writes. 

She spoke to a customer service representative who couldn't promise anything without first reviewing her medical documentation. However, within less than 24 hours, she received a call back with an offer to change the sail date for just $100 per person. 

Typically, if you cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise less than 30 days before sailing, you forfeit 100% of the cruise fare, regardless if the sailing is 4 or 10 nights. 

To receive a full refund, you must cancel your cruise 90 or 75 days or more before the first day of sailing. Even then, non-refundable deposits won't be refunded. Guests on shorter sailings (i.e. between 1 and 4 nights) have a longer window, as they can cancel for a refund up to 75 days before the cruise. 

Passengers on sailings 5+ nights must cancel 90 days or more in advance for a full refund, minus the non-refundable deposit. Those canceled between 89 and 75 days before will have to pay a 25% cancelation fee, while those who cancel the cruise 74 to 61 days prior to departure will pay 50% of the total fare. 

"Our sailing has been postponed to this fall and although I’m set to now have the [nasojejunal] feeding tube replaced with a G-J tube directly through my stomach and probably won’t get [to] enjoy much of any food, I’m so grateful for their kindness and compassion, fully knowing it was saw something they didn’t have to do," Infamousunicornsocks shares about their resolution.  

"My hope [is] that by sharing this, the next person going through something similar can be hopeful knowing that they’re dealing with a company that at least tries to help the consumer by listening and being understanding."

While Infamousunicornsocks had a positive experience with Royal Caribbean's customer service, do not neglect to add travel insurance to your upcoming cruise

Travel insurance plans provide financial peace of mind during stressful and unexpected situations, from lost luggage to medical evacuations. 

Policies purchased through Royal Caribbean include six benefits underwritten by Arch Insurance Company: 

• Trip Interruption: Up to 150% of total trip cost if you can't start or finish your cruise vacation because you're sick or hurt, there's a death in the family, or another covered reason.
• Trip Delay: Up to $2,000 ($250 per day) for catch-up expenses
• Missed Connection: Up to $300 if you miss your trip departure for covered reasons by three hours or more. 
• Accident and Sickness Medical: up to $25,000 if you get hurt and $25,000 if you get sick on your cruise vacation.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: Up to $50,000 for emergency medical transportation during your vacation. 
• Baggage Protection and Delay: Up to $1,500 if your bags are lost, stolen, or damaged and up to $500 to buy necessary personal items if your bags are delayed.

Read more: Royal Caribbean will increase price of travel insurance policy

If that's not enough, you can add a "Cancel for Any Reason Credit" for an extra cost by calling 1-888-722-2195 or informing your travel agent. 

Per the policy's contract, "This additional enhancement is offered by Royal Caribbean International as a special service to guests that purchase this cruise ticket Cancellation Penalty Waiver Addendum...Credits are valid for one year from issue date, are not transferable, and have no cash value."

"To be eligible for the credits: 1. The travel protection plan must be purchased prior to having made final payment for the cruise; and 2. Notification of cancellation must be given to Royal Caribbean International prior to the ship's departure."

Alternatively, those who travel frequently—for work or leisure—should look into annual policies, which provide insurance coverage for one year of travel, rather than on a trip-by-trip basis. 

Even if you plan on taking just one cruise this year, annual policies cover all types of trips for one set price, including land-based trips to Europe, road trips along the Pacific Coast Highway, all-inclusive stays in Mexico, domestic flights, and more. Typically, however, the destination must be 100+ miles from home. 

Travel insurance is helpful for situations that occur before and during the sailing

In 2019, Vincent Wasney and his fiancée, Sarah Eberlein, were hit with a $2,500.22 medical bill from onboard treatment that had to be paid out-of-pocket since they did not purchase insurance, as KFF Health News and NPR reported. 

According to the invoice, the general ward admission and observation totaled $2,285.78, with the i-STAT blood test, out-of-facility services, and medication amounted to $97.99, $104.55, and $11.90, respectively.

The couple was traveling on Independence of the Seas on a cruise gifted by their real estate agent after purchasing their first home in Saginaw, Michigan in 2018.

Following three seizures, Wasney was evacuated by a rescue boat and transported to the emergency room at Broward Health Medical Center, where he incurred further debt.

Have you ever put a travel insurance policy to use? Let us know in the comments! 

Are you packing for a Caribbean cruise and not sure what outfits to bring? Are you looking for some cruise outfit inspiration?

Well, I just returned from a five-night Caribbean cruise on Independence of the Seas with my mom, and we are here to show you the outfits we wore during our voyage. Our cruise visited Perfect Day at CocoCay and Cozumel, Mexico.

Of course, you can wear whatever you want on a cruise (within reason). While there is a dress code on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it isn't strictly enforced. Gone are the days of dressing up in your finest ball gown and fanciest tuxedo, though you can still do this if you want. You will often find that people dress casually rather than formally.

My mom and I are certainly no fashion icons, but if we can help make your packing easier by giving you ideas of what to wear, then that is our goal. If you are a woman searching for some cruise outfit ideas, you’ve come to the right place.

Please note that I’ve linked items on Amazon, which contain an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase it. You can shop more on the Royal Caribbean Blog Amazon Storefront.

Embarkation day outfits

On embarkation day, I tend to wear something not too dressy, but also something not too casual like what I wear in my day-to-day (which is usually t-shirts).

I chose to wear a white top with some navy high-waisted shorts. These shorts are actually ones that my grandma wore when she was young. I am also wearing a cross-body bag from Amazon. I love this bag for many reasons, but mainly because I can keep valuables, like my passport and phone, close to me.

My mom wore a casual outfit as well, including a navy top and capris, a light jacket, and tennis shoes. You wouldn't think you’d need a jacket when cruising to the Caribbean, but it is always smart to bring at least one because indoor venues tend to get chilly.

Many cruisers who are vacationing with family and friends like to wear matching t-shirts on embarkation day. This is something I have never partaken in, but it’s a fun way for large groups of family or friends to celebrate the beginning of their vacation.

It's always smart to pack an additional outfit in your carry-on luggage on embarkation day. There have been times when I couldn't change clothes before dinner because my large suitcase hadn't arrived at my cabin yet. On this cruise, we didn't have to worry because our luggage arrived hours before our early dining time.

Dinner outfits

Getting dressed up for dinner during a Royal Caribbean cruise is one of my favorite parts of cruising. Because I work from home, I rarely get the opportunity to dress up, so when I cruise, I take advantage of it.

For three of our dinners, we ate in the Main Dining Room. Every night of the cruise, there was a dress code in the Main Dining Room, including casual, dress to impress (formal), and Caribbean.

On our particular cruise, the dress code was very casual, even in the Main Dining Room. Personally, I wear a dress or jumpsuit every night, and that is acceptable for all of these dress codes. On formal night, I like to wear my nicest outfit. 

Honestly, formal night varies quite a bit, so you can get away with almost anything.

Read more: What to wear to dinner on your Royal Caribbean cruise

On the first night of our cruise in the Main Dining Room, I chose a black floral dress from H&M while my mom sported a dressy black top from Anne Klein with coral pants from Costco.

On night two in the Main Dining Room, I wore a pink ruffle dress from Amazon. My mom wore a burgundy dress from 32 Degrees.

Night three was formal night, and while we decided to dress up, we actually had dinner in the Windjammer buffet. We did this because we didn't want to miss the musical Grease that was showing during our normal dining time.

I wore a blue jumpsuit from Charming Charlie while my mom wore a long black dress, also from Charming Charlie. What a coincidence!

Night four was back in the Main Dining Room. I opted to wear a long green dress from Old Navy while my mom wore a green floral dress from Ross Dress for Less.

On the last night of our cruise, we ate at the specialty restaurant Giovanni’s Table. Specialty restaurants have a different dress code from the Main Dining Room, which is usually smart casual and formal. In my experience, I’ve noticed specialty restaurants are not strict about what you wear. Just try not to wear t-shirts and swimming suits in these venues.

I opted to wear a tropical dress from H&M while my mom wore a red sleeveless top from Express and black faux leather pants from H&M. She wore these pants because they have a stretchy waist, which is essential when you are eating at a specialty restaurant!

Sea day and port day outfits

Our first port of call was Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas. My mom and I decided to splurge on a day pass to the new adults-only area on the island called Hideaway Beach, so this is where we spent our “perfect” day.

This is the swimming suit I wore while on the island. I love this swimming suit because it covers my arms and I don’t have to worry about them getting sunburnt. I also wore high-waisted shorts from Old Navy when getting on the island and coming back to the ship. My mom wore a swimming suit as well, though she barely got in the water. On top of her swimming suit, she wore an Aztec-style dress as a coverup.

Our next (and last) port of call was Cozumel, Mexico. Since we did not have an excursion planned, we decided to walk around the pier area and do some shopping. There are lots of shopping opportunities close to the pier.

This is the romper I wore while out and about in Cozumel. This romper is one of my favorite cruise outfits, though I wish it had pockets. As for shoes, I am wearing my favorite black Birkenstock sandals. These shoes can be dressed up or down, and the material is waterproof and so comfortable. My mom decided to wear a neon athleisure top with some jean shorts from Old Navy and closed-toe shoes from Clarks.

When we weren't docked in port, my mom and I wore casual outfits during our sea days.

I chose to wear a black top from Old Navy along with some high-waisted shorts from Costco. My mom wore a white top along with lightweight, elastic-waisted pants. This is another pair of pants my grandma (her mom) used to wear. We are leaning into the vintage style, especially since high-waisted shorts are back in style.

For this cruise, I packed three pairs of shoes: Birkenstocks, dressy sandals, and tennis shoes. My mom brought five pairs, including various heels and flats, as well as tennis shoes.

Read more: What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

Did we wear all of the cruise outfits we packed?

If you’re curious about how much we packed, it greatly varied between me and my mom.

Since this was a five-day cruise, I felt I could get away with just a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. I was able to successfully pack everything I wanted in just these two items, mainly thanks to packing cubes.

My mom on the other hand packed a 50-pound suitcase and a carry-on suitcase. No matter if it’s a 3-night cruise or a 12-night cruise, she will pack a large suitcase!

She packed around 70 pieces of clothing (including 15 pairs of socks!) while I packed about 25 total. While I wore most of what I packed, my mom found that she could’ve easily packed ⅓ less of what she brought. She admitted that she changed her outfits several times because she felt compelled to wear most of the items she packed!

She also noted that she packed too many dressy tops, jackets, and t-shirts. She only packed three dresses, and she ended up wearing all of them rather than dressy tops and pants. Of the seven jackets she packed, she only wore three or four. I only packed one sweater and one jacket, and that was all I needed.

When it comes to packing, it’s important to minimize the amount of clothes you pack that get easily wrinkled. Remember: Irons and steamers are not allowed onboard.

You should also pack for comfort, especially shoes and pants. You will find that you walk a lot when you are on a cruise (especially on large ships) so comfortable, broke-in shoes are a must. You don't want blisters on your cruise.

Once again, we are not fashion consultants, but hopefully this blog can give you an idea of what cruise outfits to pack for your vacation!

When you book your next Royal Caribbean cruise, prices may appear higher than in the past. 

On July 1, Senate Bill 478, also known as the "Honest Pricing Law," went into effect. Rather than create confusion with different booking systems, cruise lines—including Royal Caribbean—have changed how they advertise cruise fares in the United States. 

Now, the advertised price will include a breakdown of fees to help give consumers more transparency when budgeting for their vacations, regardless of whether they reside in California, Florida, New York, etc. However, it neither impacts the total price of the cruise nor the portion of the fare that's commissionable to travel agents. 

Read more: New law forces Royal Caribbean to change advertised price for cruises

If, for example, you find a 7-night sailing aboard Wonder of the Seas advertised for $1,282 per person, you won't be surprised with added fees later on. Instead, you can estimate how much the fare will cost. In the past, passengers had to prepare for the cruise fare to increase once port fees and taxes were added. 

Though the total price is the same, the $1,282 cruise on Wonder of the Seas may have been advertised at around $1,120 per person in the past, with taxes & fees added once the cabin selection was made. Now, the $325.18—or $162.59 per person—of taxes & fees are included in the price, simplifying the booking process by providing transparency. 

Taxes & fees are included regardless of whether you're sailing to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia, or Asia. With port fees notoriously higher in Alaska, potential cruisers aren't left shocked by the $300+ in fees added to the cruise fare. 

Note, however, that the law doesn't apply to bookings made from Canada. 

A sailing onboard Wonder of the Seas in July 2025, the price starts at $1,672 CAD, with taxes and fees listed as an extra $203 CAD. However, the same sailing on Royal Caribbean's Australian and United Kingdom websites includes taxes and fees. 

Port fees are charges imposed by each port of call to allow the ship to dock which are passed on to passengers 

It doesn't matter whether you're staying in a multi-level suite or a tiny interior stateroom, as everyone onboard pays the same amount in port fees. 

They're a combination of several charges, including the per-passenger fee (head tax), docking fee, and pilot fee, which covers the costs of bringing the local pilot onboard to help guide the ship into port. 

Unlike gratuities, you don't have the option to pay them onboard. Instead, they're part of the cruise fare that must be paid in full by the final payment date. 

Though the new advertised prices include taxes & fees, passengers will still have to budget for gratuities

As of November 2023, the daily gratuity for passengers in standard staterooms (i.e., interior cabins to Junior Suites) is $18.00 per person, per day, and $20.50 per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above.

If you're going on a 7-night cruise in a balcony stateroom, gratuities will amount to $126 per person. Unlike discounted rates for third and fourth guests, they're still subject to the full gratuity rate, so a family of four can expect to pay around $500 in tips for a weeklong sailing. 

This is upsetting to many who are fans of the updated pricing model. 

"Just need to include the gratuities in the headline cost and we'll all understand the basic cruise fare before we start the booking process," Mike Shad commented on a Royal Caribbean Blog post. 

"Good, now we just need gratuities in there too, because that's another $200-$300 that they don't disclose," added Tiffany Miller. 

When it comes to gratuities, passengers have the option to prepay them or have them added to their onboard account during the sailing to be settled at the end of the cruise. If you choose to prepay them, they must be paid in full by the final payment date.

Royal Caribbean isn't the only cruise line impacted

The advertised fares for Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean's upscale sister line, are also subject to California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act, as fares for sailings with Carnival, Virgin Voyages, Princess, and Holland America Line. 

"The prices displayed for Carnival cruises are now inclusive of taxes and fees. The total price has not changed due to this update, and by showing the total price while shopping you can now see the total cost before completing your booking," reads Carnival's website. 

Read more: After 6 Royal Caribbean cruises this year, my wife and I tried Carnival for the first time, and here’s what we liked and didn’t like

Hurricane Beryl is moving in on the Caribbean, and Royal Caribbean was one of the first cruise lines to change its itineraries.

Experts predicted the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season would be very active.

As forecasted, the first major hurricane of the season is already a historic storm, arriving earlier in the season than others of its kind. 

Hurricane Beryl is predicted to become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Royal Caribbean currently has three ships in the Southeast Caribbean, where the hurricane's path is scheduled.

Icon of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas have all changed itineraries due to the incoming hurricane. 

Rhapsody of the Seas is currently on a 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise. As of July 1st, Cruise Mapper shows her position at St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and her itinerary has not changed. 

Icon of the Seas was scheduled on an Eastern Caribbean sailing, but will visit Mexico instead

Royal Caribbean's newest and largest ship departed from Miami, Florida on June 29th, 2024.

The 248,655 gross-ton vessel was scheduled to visit St. Maarten on July 2nd, and St. Thomas on July 3rd.

Instead, Icon of the Seas will now visit Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

The ship will then visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and return to Miami on July 6th as planned.

Royal Caribbean let passengers know in an email that the itinerary change was intended to avoid strong winds and high waves on the sea.

Wonder of the Seas will skip two ports and call on Nassau, Bahamas

Wonder of the Seas left from Port Canaveral, Florida on June 30th.

Royal Caribbean has canceled the ship's stops at Roatan, Honduras, and Costa Maya, Mexico, according to a message board post.

The Oasis-Class vessel will now visit Perfect Day at CocoCay on July 1st and Cozumel, Mexico on July 3rd. 

After these scheduled stops, Wonder of the Seas will go to Nassau, Bahamas before returning to Port Canaveral.

Harmony of the Seas canceled a visit to Roatan, Honduras and moved up her visit to Mexico

Harmony of the Seas, another Oasis-Class ship, is also pivoting her itinerary to avoid the tropical storm.

She departed from Galveston, Texas on a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing. 

Guests onboard received a letter that they would be skipping a visit to Roatan, Honduras on July 3rd, and moving up the ship's arrival in Mexico.

Harmony of the Seas will now arrive at Cozumel on July 2nd, and visit Costa Maya on July 3rd. 

Royal Caribbean also added a sea day on July 4th.

“We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by the weather – your safety is our top priority," the letter read.

"Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather."

Read more: "Unforeseen weather events" are top concern for cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's meteorologist

Hurricane Beryl has been predicted to be "extremely dangerous"

Image taken from the National Hurricane Center's website. Information is subject to change.

according to the National Hurricane Center, Hurricane Beryl will become an "extremely dangerous" Category 4 tropical storm.

This hurricane comes unusually early in the season, already setting historical records.

“Development this far east in late June is unusual, in fact, there have only been a few storms in history that have formed over the central or eastern tropical Atlantic this early in the year,” NHC Forecaster Cangialosi explained. 

On Monday morning, the storm strengthed and poised to hit the Caribbean, threatening Barbados, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago.

St. Vincent, the Grenadines, and Grenada are most at risk of being hit by the core of the storm, according to CNN.

Hurricane Beryl is currently traveling west-northwest with sustained winds at 130 MPH, categorizing it as a major hurricane. 

The biggest cruise ship in the world has made a name for itself in many ways, but it also stands out in a gastronomical way.

Ever since Icon of the Seas first started sailing with paying passengers, the Windjammer buffet on embarkation day served up an upgraded offering.

In addition to the usual buffet fare, there's also been filet mignon, lobster tail, and shrimp.  These delicacies are usually not offered in the buffet due to their higher cost.

On Icon of the Seas' inaugural sailing, the buffet had these items and this was in line with Royal Caribbean's traditional approach to celebrating the maiden voyage of any new cruise ship.  But with other ships, the embarkation day lunch menu would drop those upgraded items after the initial sailing.

I boarded Icon of the Seas for a 7-night Caribbean cruise on June 29, and was pleasantly surprised to see the steak and seafood were still available.

As you walk into the Windjammer on embarkation day, there is a selection of freshly grilled filet mignon steaks on the first buffet line. along with lobster and shrimp.

Further into the buffet, there was more seafood to be found.  Flanked by ice carvings, there's a wider selection of lobster, muscles, shrimp and more.

It's impressive to see this high quality seafood available to guests as part of the included cruise fare.  Moreover, it's unusual in my experience to see that food offered in a buffet setting.

I had heard from other cruisers that Icon was still serving this food, so I was curious if it would still be offered by the time our sailing began.

When the food was first offered on Icon's inaugural, most cruisers assumed it was a one-time offering for the inaugural. I shared photos of it on the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group and while impressed, a lot of commenters felt they would not be able to enjoy it too.

The sort of comments I saw were:

"Zero percent chance this presentation makes it to a single revenue sailing."

"That won’t ever be on a normal sailing"

"You'll never see this. Special cruise for sure."

Given the past history, you can't blame folks for being a little pessimistic.

Can you expect steak and lobster tail on your Icon of the Seas cruise? Possibly.

Royal Caribbean has never announced or confirmed the fact Icon of the Seas serves these items is part of a menu change or upgrade for the ship.  It's certainly not offered on the embarkation day buffet lunch on any other ship in the fleet.

I would consider this a bonus for anyone with an Icon of the Seas cruise coming up. Don't bet on it being there, but you might want to reconsider where you go for embarkation day lunch if you do sail on Icon soon to check if it's still being offered.

More food you should look for on Icon of the Seas

While the Windjammer menu isn't among the top marketed new foods on Royal Caribbean's newest ship, there are lots of other good choices to look for while onboard.

The Aquadome Market has been a revelation as a new food hall concept for Royal Caribbean, and it should be a must-eat spot at least once a day.

My favorite of the five booths is Feta, which has Mediterranean cuisine.  The gyros are the favorite of Paul Fortin, Senior Director of Culinary Operations for Royal Caribbean.

The gyros are made on the spot when you order it, and it's the sort of food you don't typically find on a cruise ship.

If there's one specialty restaurant on Icon that flies under the radar, it's Pier 7, and that's largely because it's located in the family area of the ship.  Don't let the nearby carousel and splash zone dissuade you from trying it, because I really liked the food here a lot.

Royal Caribbean Vice President Food & Beverage, Linken D'Souza, talked a lot about how much he likes the Korean fried chicken at Pier 7. I gave it a try when I sailed on the inaugural and already Pier 7 just to be able to eat that again on this current sailing I'm on.

Lastly, I was impressed by the upgraded steak choices at Chops Grille.

There's waygu beef, Porterhouse, and a Tomahawk steak (among other choices).  The extra cost these steaks have serve up the sort of steaks you'd find at a high-end land restaurant.

While having an upcharge for an extra-cost restaurant is not ideal for cruisers, I do think the choices are a great upgrade to the menu.

Happy Sunday! Hope you are having a relaxing weekend and enjoying summer! It is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the recent Royal Caribbean news!

There was a fire on Icon of the Seas earlier this week.

The cruise ship was docked in Costa Maya, Mexico when the small fire occurred in a crew member area, resulting in a brief power loss.

Luckily the fire was contained quickly and extinguished without any injuries.

Royal Caribbean News

• Cruise nails ideas to try on your vacation
• Of the 46 cruises I've taken, here are the best five Royal Caribbean ships for adults
• I go on a cruise ship monthly. Here are 8 cruise add-ons I would never buy
• 4 warning signs a cruise deal is too good to be true
• My Biggest Mistake on a Mediterranean Cruise Was Not Extending the Trip

Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Ways People Cheat The Royal Caribbean Drink Package — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

How to Avoid Paying Unexpected Fees on Royal Caribbean

How can you avoid being shocked by extra charges on your final cruise bill?

Your base fare for a Royal Caribbean cruise includes access to a stateroom, most dining venues, and entertainment. It's a key draw of cruising.

However, Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive and certain items cost extra.

Some of these extra fees may surprise you—don't be caught off guard!

2025 President's Cruise Date

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley announced that next year's President's Cruise will happen on the newest Royal Caribbean ship.

The 2025 President's Cruise will be held on Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest addition to the Oasis Class.

The cruise line is inviting passengers to join Mr. Bayley on the September 22, 2025 sailing.

"Unforeseen weather events" are top concern for cruise ships, according to Royal Caribbean's meteorologist

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line that has meteorologists on staff, tracking the weather and planning ahead for any itinerary changes. 

Craig Setzer, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist, works daily and stays ahead of the curve to protect cruise ships from any inclement weather.

According to Setzer, the biggest concern for cruise ships and their passengers are "unforeseen weather events," events that aren't visible on the forecast.

Here are 5 things I wish I'd known before sailing in the Mediterranean

Calista recently sailed the Mediterranean for her second time, and she learned some important lessons through the experience.

Cruises to the Caribbean are the most well-known, but a Mediterranean cruise provides a great opportunity to see amazing artistic, historical, and natural sites.

If you're looking forward to trying a cruise to this underrated region, there are some essential details you should know first.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 538th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available.

As Matt goes over listener emails, get the answers to all your burning questions.

Is traditional dining better than My Time? Where can you bring the soda package cup? 

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

You'll find cruises advertised all over the internet, television, and even in the mail, but not every offer is as good as it sounds.

There's nothing wrong with trying to get a good deal on a cruise. After all, we all want to save money and if you can really net a fantastic price, then you get the satisfaction of conquering the low price challenge and a great vacation in one.

The problem is there are sometimes deals that look really good, but in reality, are a problem. They could be a scam, or it could be simply setting you up for disappointment. In either case, you'll be upset and wish you could do it over again.

If you run across a really good cruise price and can't believe your luck, keep these lessons in mind.

Free cruise offer mailers

The saying "nothing is free in this world" holds true with cruise bookings too.

Obviously if you earned a free cruise through the casino or maybe you reached Pinnacle Club status with Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, then you are indeed getting what you agreed to.

What I'm referring to here are offers for a free cruise in exchange for something, like attending a seminar or signing up for a vacation club.

They usually come with a free cruise postcard in the mail. It's addressed anonymously with no return address, and of course it's completely unsolicited.

These are notorious for high-sales pressure opportunities to lure you in with the promise of a "free cruise" to get you to buy a timeshare or some other investment. Suffice to say, these are a really bad idea because of the issues associated with false pretenses and getting sucked into a major cost. There are so many stories of victims who sought a free cruise, but ended up with timeshares and travel clubs they never wanted.

The other free cruise we see offered a lot are giveaways, either online or in the mail.

While Royal Caribbean does sometimes offer a free cruise giveaway, they are very limited and it's more likely what you're seeing is a scam.  This is especially true on Facebook, where you see a post advertising if you like a post or join a group, you'll be eligible for a free cruise.

And then there's the old school free cruise giveaway you might have seen at a pizza parlor or other restaurant where you fill out a card and drop it in a box for your chance to win. Not only are you not winning a free cruise, you're signing yourself up for a lifetime of spam calls.

If you see an offer for a free cruise, be extremely skeptical. My advice is completely ignore it, but if you wish to learn more, be sure to ask questions and search the internet for more information about the company or opportunity so you can determine if it's a scam. Never attend a timeshare presentation or travel club in the hopes of receiving a free cruise gift.

A great price on an old ship

I've had so many friends reach out to me and tell me about a great price they got on a Royal Caribbean cruise for their family, and it's largely because they booked an old, small ship.

To be clear, there's nothing wrong with Royal Caribbean's older ships.  They offer classic cruise vacations, and plenty of people enjoy them. But they might be the wrong cruise vacation for you.

Read more: Why you shouldn't avoid older and smaller cruise ships

While it's true some of the lowest cruise prices are often found on Vision or Radiance Class cruise ships, you should be very aware of what you're getting with one of these ships, and more importantly, what you're not.

Older ships lack the bells and whistles found on Royal Caribbean's newer ships.  If you've seen a Royal Caribbean television commercial lately, pretty much all the fun things you see there are not on these ships.

This is primarily a problem for families who may be expecting waterslides and lots of top deck activities to keep their kids (and even parents) occupied.

Read more: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

No matter which Royal Caribbean ship you pick, be sure to look up what features and amenities it has so you're clear on what you can expect onboard.

Not all Royal Caribbean ships have a Broadway show, waterslides, laser tag, or bumper cars. If there's a particular activity you absolutely want on the ship, double check the ship has it before you book. Don't book a cruise purely based on price.

Cruise ship cabin upgrades

Royal Caribbean offers passengers the opportunity to bid for a stateroom upgrade, with the promise you could pay significantly less to move up to a larger cabin.  

When you look at the prices to bid, it can be very tempting to roll the dice on upgrading your cabin, but before you do, you'll want to keep a few things in mind.

When you bid for an upgrade, you're basically telling the cruise line if an unsold cabin is left, you'll take it for that price. Just because you can place a bid, does not mean there's actually a cabin to upgrade to.

More importantly, you're giving up a few things with the upgrade that you might not like later.  

First, you can't pick your cabin location if your bid is selected. This means you might end up with a cabin all the way forward, which might be a problem if you're more susceptible to motion sickness. Or your room might be under a public venue that is really noisy. If you're traveling with friends or family and want to be near each other, there's no way to do RoyalUp and remain near them.

Another reason to think twice before bidding to upgrade your cabin is it's going to cost you money, and that's additional money from what you originally booked.  If your vacation budget is tight, skip the upgrade and save that money for shore excursions, restaurants, or drinks onboard.

Read more: 17 ways people waste money on ships

A very low advertised cruise fare

When you start price shopping for a cruise, it's so easy to find a great rate advertised, but keep in mind there are lots of extra costs that you can expect later.

Travel websites selling cruises usually advertise the base fare, which sounds like a great price.  The problem is that is far from the out the door price.

Many times these prices omit taxes, port fees, and travel insurance.  When you actually get to the point of booking the cruise, you'll notice the final price has gone up much more than what you first saw.

As an example, our staff booked a $99 cruise fare.  While each person did pay $99, they total cost was $486.50, or $234.25 per person.

Read more: 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

The good news is is this practice might be going away. Royal Caribbean and other cruise lines announced due to a new law, they'll be included port fees and taxes in their advertised prices.  

The change goes into effect July 2024, but that doesn't mean third-party websites will do the same.  

When you look at the price of any cruise, be sure to account for these extra costs you're going to have to pay.

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line with dedicated meteorologists on staff, and that's a major asset during hurricane season.

With experts predicting an above-average season, Royal Caribbean Group Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer works daily to keep cruise ships safe from any nasty weather.

Cruising during hurricane season always comes with the possibility that a storm could impact your vacation.

Mark Sudduth of Hurricane Track interviewed Mr. Setzer on an educational YouTube series called Hurricane U.

Setzer has worked for Royal Caribbean for the past 10 months and has now hired a second meteorologist to assist with weather monitoring.

With his expert knowledge, he's able to track weather events and notify captains if their itinerary needs to change.

Monitoring the weather

Craig Setzer describes weather monitoring as "slow-motion chess."

"You're anticipating, where's the storm going to be? Where's my ship going to be? What am I going to do with my ship?"

If a tropical storm or hurricane ends up moving across multiple itineraries, it becomes challenging, Setzer said.

Experts have to plan to move ships out of the way, and to different ports. Sometimes, the safer ports and destinations end up crowded with vessels as everyone tries to evacuate.

Setzer stays ahead of the curve during hurricane season, looking at the ensemble models every morning.

"You want to get [tropical storms] from the beginning," he said.

Ensemble models use numerical predictions to create a set of forecasts, providing a range of different weather outcomes.

In the cruise industry, Setzer looks at two different types of weather: port weather and voyage weather.

Port weather would affect ships when entering, exiting, or even staying in a port.

And voyage weather predicts where the itinerary needs to go, such as if the wind is too strong for the ship to get into a port, or if they'll need to avoid a tropical cyclone.

There's also a third type of weather event that Setzer has to deal with. He calls them unforeseen weather events.

"Unforeseen weather events"

Craig Setzer said that the biggest concern he deals with in the cruise industry are unforeseen weather events.

These are weather events that aren't well-modeled, especially out in the ocean where there's no radar coverage.

These events can be a microburst of air or a gust front of wind that wasn't visible on the forecast.

Setzer experienced one such incident just a month into his time with Royal Caribbean.

He said he was speaking to a particular captain and trying to get the ship quickly ahead of a high wind front up to 40 knots that was coming through.

Just an hour later, the captain called to show Setzer that the ship was experiencing winds of 65 knots.

"And I'm like, what is happening?" Setzer quoted. "It's ahead of what the forecast was. It's not even near what the forecast was, and it's higher than what the forecast was."

At the time, Setzer thought his job was over and joked, "Well, that was a short stint as a meteorologist for a cruise line."

Thankfully, the captain steered through the wind and the team later determined that it was a gust front that hadn't shown up in the models.

These unforeseen weather events "can also be the most disconcerting," Setzer said because if a big wind hits the ship, the vessel can begin to lean and cause the pools to spill over.

Using AI to predict the weather

As it turns out, AI marks a huge step in the history of weather modeling.

Previously in the maritime industry, "There's a sense of, oh, it was the weather, it happened, what could we do?" Setzer said.

But working at Royal Caribbean, Setzer intends to change that way of thinking.

"Not that [weather] just happens to us, that we can predict it, that we can avoid it, that we can take advantage of it."

He believes that AI can be used for this purpose, helping to learn the biases to adjust and fine-tune weather models.

"I see AI as right on the precipice of a big jump forward in terms of numerical modeling."

How cruise ships remain stable 

How do cruise ships remain stable on the ocean?

Interviewer Mark Sudduth compared movement on the ocean to turbulence in the air. 

"When it comes down to it, turbulence is not welcome in the ocean either," Sudduth said.

There are two types of motion on the sea, Setzer explained. 

The first is synchronous roll, when waves hit the vessel from the side, causing it to rock back and forth.

The second is parametric roll, in which the frequency of the waves causes the ship to bob up and down and perform a rolling motion.

Both of these types of motion can be dangerous, so cruise ships use stabilizers to dampen and avoid it.

Stabilizers are "wing-shaped blades that stick out under the water on the ship. They will turn at an angle to counter the roll."

No matter the type of roll the ship tries to perform, the stabilizers go in the opposite direction to make sure the ship doesn't lean.

"It's amazing," Setzer said, and it's what works to keep everything on the cruise ship balanced, down to the straight pool tables. 

When is the best time to cruise?

Cruising during hurricane season does come with a risk that a tropical storm could disrupt your itinerary.

However, Setzer doesn't discourage cruisers from sailing during hurricane season.

His role at the company exemplifies how Royal Caribbean seeks to keep its passengers safe and informed.

The ships reposition based on good weather for the region.

Plus: "You're not going to be impacted [by a hurricane] on a cruise ship because we're getting away quickly," Setzer said.

"The one thing that might happen is your itinerary might change."

Royal Caribbean's fleet doesn't play it close when it comes to hurricanes. Its ships can and do steer clear, far away from any storms.

Setzer just wants cruisers to remember to be flexible.

Do cruise ships get hit by lightning?

Lightning is another weather phenomenon that cruise ship captains have to be aware of.

When it comes to hurricane season, some tropical storms can also put out lightning.

"That is an issue," Setzer admitted, "our ships do sometimes get hit."

However, to avoid any damage or fires, Royal Caribbean vessels have a good grounding system, with lightning arresters and other tools that redirect the path of lightning.

Much like airplanes, cruise ships can be hit by lightning but have devices that channel the strike.

Thanks to these precautions, usually no damage is done.

The biggest risk with waterspouts

What about waterspouts? Are they a concern for cruise ships?

A waterspout is a spinning column or funnel of air and mist that occurs over a body of water.

Although waterspouts are usually weak, they have the potential to be almost as dangerous as tornados on land.

Craig Setzer said that waterspouts usually last a short duration.

The biggest concern during one is "the deck chairs on the upper decks blowing around."

If they get caught up in the wind of a waterspout, they could create a hazard. 

"It's not the wind, it's the debris in the wind that could cause problems."

Because of this, if the bridge crew sees a waterspout approaching, they inform security and pool staff to evacuate the upper decks and close the pool.

Everyone should stay indoors until the ship passes the waterspout or the event ends.

What can people do to stress less about the weather on a cruise?

Should you be worried about the weather on a cruise?

Setzer believes that it's natural for travelers to feel a little apprehensive during hurricane season.

"It's just human nature that you're going to feel some stress. So accept the fact that you're going to be a little bit anxious."

However, passengers don't have to feel stressed about upcoming weather events.

"I'm watching the weather so you don't have to worry about it," Setzer likes to say.

"If there's something big, we're going to talk about it and we're going to let our guests know."

During his interview, he stressed that Royal Caribbean works to be transparent and keep guests as updated as possible. 

"We tell guests everything that we know. And if we don't know what's happening, we'll say, we're monitoring the situation."

The cruise line always gives hurricanes a wide berth and updates guests if itineraries change as a result.

Read more: Safe at sea: what it’s like on a cruise ship when there’s a hurricane

Setzer said Royal Caribbean will inform guests ahead of time if ports change.

"If we have multiple port misses, then we start doing, refunds and credits," he added.

He recommends that guests don't feel anxious, but prepare to be flexible if they end up going to different ports.

"You may end up going someplace a little different, but I promise it's still going to be a good time."

As someone that cruises for a living, there are a few things I'd never buy for my cruise.

There are many choices in what extras you can purchase for a cruise. Many are aimed at adding convenience, or simply an experience you cannot otherwise enjoy. 

To be clear, I'm not someone who shy's away from spending money on add-ons.  There are many I've come to relish, and some I pick up once in a while.

In my opinion, the items on this list are either cruise add-ons I think overall are not worth it, as well as some that simply do not mesh with my style of cruising.  Consider this a glimpse into my thought process, and perhaps it's something consider before you purchase something in the Cruise Planner.

Arcade credits end up being wasteful

I have two kids, but I never buy the pre-purchased arcade credits prior to the cruise.

Royal Caribbean sells arcade credit packages that save a few dollars off the total price, but my issue with arcade credits is how you actually get to use them.

You won't know which arcade games are actually on the ship until you board, which means your kids might love or hate the options there.  More problematic is the fact quite often there are a subset of arcade games that are out of order.

It's not unusual for a handful of games to be broken, thus reducing the choices available.

The other problem is that all games have different credit requirements, and I've found with the arcade packages you end up with unused credits and it becomes a challenge to use them all.

Instead of buying arcade credit packages, I'll just swipe and play games a la carte.  It ensures I don't have any leftover credits, and there are games to play my kids actually enjoy. Plus, if we run out of time or just never make to the arcade, I'm not worried about losing that arcade credit investment.

Photo packages are restrictive

I think a photo package might be a good purchase for larger families, but it's something I stopped buying.

I have no issue with the photo package value, but I've found we stop taking that many professional photos while we cruise. On an average cruise, if we take two or three photos, it's a miracle.  This is partly because we cruise often enough we aren't worried about getting photos since we can always get another later, and partly because of the long lines in the evening for photos.

The other lesser known detraction of a photo package is someone in your cabin needs to be in the photo for it to be included.  Meaning, if you're traveling with friends or family, unless one person from your cabin is in the photo, that would not be included in the package, even though they are part of your traveling party.

If you're new to cruising or do not cruise very often, a photo package can be a great purchase. But I stopped buying it.

Bus tours are disappointing

Of all the shore excursions you can take, a bus tour is arguably the least worthwhile purchase.

Bus tours sound like it could be a good way to see a port, but you're going to be in a large group and the bus may not stop at the places you want to stop at.  Moreover, the time you have at each stop inevitably is either too short or too long. What if you want to linger longer and explore more? Or completely skip that tourist trap souvenir shop near the scenic view?

Plus, you may not need a bus tour to enjoy your day. You could take a cab, walk and explore on foot, or book a smaller tour without the crowds.

I don't like the idea of animal encounters

My views on the use of animals for purpose of tourist meets has changed, and I don't have any desire to book a tour involving captive animals.

I'm referring to dolphins and other marine wildlife that you can meet in an enclosure.  I have no problem with whale, bear, or other animal watching tours in the wild. 

Besides the crazy high prices charged for these excursions, I find issue with them and won't book any.

The Key isn't as good as it looks

Royal Caribbean's VIP program to get you special benefits for a price simply sounds better than it really is.

I have found repeatedly guests can achieve similar results on their own with a bit of advanced planning, and I think the money is better spent elsewhere.

Priority embarkation on embarkation day? Just get an early check-in time when check-in times become available 45 days before the cruise starts and you'll be among the first to board the ship.

Chops Grille lunch on embarkation day? Book it on your own.

Priority for signature activities? It's always for the less desirable activities (Flowrider, rock wall, etc) and the times are never convenient. It's either early in the morning or around dinner time, and these are times when lines are naturally shorter anyway.

The appeal of The Key is to buy it and then not have to do anything else. It includes WiFi, and sometimes the price is barely more than buying just the WiFi package. But I think the benefits look better on paper than they are in practice.

Casitas are pricey and distant

No one likes to compete for a deck chair on a sea day, but casitas are expensive for what you get.

Beyond the price, I think casitas are located too far away from the actual pool (usually they are on the upper pool deck) and the have no walls, which means there isn't always shade provided.

The price is cheaper on port days, but you probably don't need to worry about finding a seat at the pool on a port day because so many other passengers are off the ship.

I find Up, Up, and away balloon ride to be unreliable

The chances the Up, Up, and away helium balloon ride is actually operational the day you visit Perfect Day at CocoCay are pretty low.

The Up, Up and Away helium balloon takes guests 450 feet above the ground, providing the highest vantage point in The Bahamas. While this sounds really neat, it rarely operates.

The balloon seems to require near perfect weather conditions to operate, and it's quite rare to see it working.

The reason I don't buy it is because you can't count on it, and I'd hate to pass up something else in favor of the balloon.

If you want to try your luck, I'd skip buying it in advance and if you spot the balloon in the air on the day you visit CocoCay, head over and buy a ticket on the spot. There's less disappointment in that scenario.

Watches are notorious for being a poor value

I have yet to buy a watch on a cruise, but stories from other cruisers will likely ensure that never happens.

Many people have a watch addiction, and you'll find plenty of watches in the onboard jewelry stores. The problem is how much they are actually worth.

There are lots of stories of guests feeling bamboozled after buying a watch on a ship.

Just like the art auction, I think you should buy something because you think it will look nice to own, and not primarily for an investment.

The pre-vacation checklist can feel endless, with tasks ranging from documents to packing and purchases.

To add to that list, you also want to look your best during a cruise.

Depending on your preferences, you might want your hair, lashes, and nails done before a cruise.

However, there's a way to shorten this to-do list and simplify the process.

Getting beautiful nails before your cruise doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive.

Here's how I get cute, sturdy cruise nail styles in just a few minutes.

How to do your nails for a cruise

For a convenient and cheap way to do your nails, I highly recommend press-ons.

The nice thing about press-ons is that they range in price, so they can fit any budget.

If you'd like a cheap set, you can find options for as little as $6. If you'd like a more quality set of nails, you can find handmade and custom options for $50 and above.

All you need to apply them are the nails, nail glue, and a nail file.

They can easily fit inside a carry-on bag, or quickly be applied before your cruise.

Press-ons have risen in popularity in recent years, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Rihanna sporting them on vacation.

You can find endless styles of press-ons in stores and online—I purchased mine from Amazon.

First, you'll want to start with a set of press-on nails.

Your pack of nails should come with a nail file and a cuticle pusher.

Your set may also come with a pack of jelly tabs for adhesive.

I don't recommend using these, especially on a cruise. These tabs are designed to come off in water, so washing your hands or going into the pool will cause your nails to fall off.

Instead, purchase a strong nail glue—I like the Kiss or Sassi brands.

To prepare your nails, make sure they are clean and dry, and cut as short as possible.

Use an alcohol wipe to clean them off, and then push back your cuticles.

After this, you'll need to file your nails thoroughly. Filing them gives the nail glue a rough surface to stick to.

The nail file that comes with your press-ons should work fine, but I also like to purchase my own for a stronger hold and finer grit.

After filing, you can start to glue down the nails.

Start from your pinky fingers and do your thumbs last (this gives you enough strength to push down the nails with your thumbs).

Apply a small amount of glue in the middle of the press-on nail, and then spread a thin layer over your real nail. Make sure the glue is distributed evenly, without getting any on your skin.

Let the glue dry for a minute to 30 seconds, and then carefully press the fake nail onto your real one.

Be careful to line it up evenly, because you only have a short amount of time to adjust the angle before the glue dries.

After the nail is applied the way you like, press down on the nail to stick it to your finger.

Continue this process with each hand.

Once all of your nails are applied, try to keep your hands dry for about half an hour. This will give them the chance to set and dry securely.

Depending on how experienced you are, the whole process should take 15-30 minutes.

You can easily apply press-ons while in the packing process, instead of trying to rush to make an appointment with a nail salon before your departure.

Press-on nails don't use many supplies. You don't need a UV light to cure them or an electric nail file. 

They can also be packed up in a bag, and you can apply them at the beginning of your cruise!

Cruise nail ideas

What kind of nails should you do for a cruise?

Nail styles are so fun because you can change the theme depending on the occasion.

Press-on nails are also a great way to do this because they can be applied and removed quickly and easily. 

Even if your cruise is just for a weekend, you can apply these nails in a matter of minutes and remove them when the cruise is over.

The classic patterns for a cruise would involve blue or ocean themes, such as blue swirls or seashell and pearl styles.

However, you can also switch up your style and go as creative as you want.

Tropical flowers, summery fruit, or sea animals would all be cute styles for a cruise.

You could even style your nails based on the cruise's itinerary.

For a Mediterranean cruise, try designs like:

• Blue and white tile
• Classical or Impressionist art 
• Simple French tips

For a Caribbean cruise:

• Beach waves
• Hibiscus flowers
• Sunset colors
• Palm trees and coconuts

For an Alaskan cruise:

• Glow-in-the-dark
• Whale tails
• Mountains and icebergs

For a cruise to Mexico:

• Tequila and lime
• Tropical fruit
• Starfish and sea turtles

For a cruise in Asia:

• Lily pads
• Cherry blossoms
• Cute cartoons like Sanrio characters

For my recent cruise, I went with a light pink and white pearly pattern.

The textured patterns and pearl charms were reminiscent of sea animals and a mermaid theme, while the pink and white took the nails beyond a basic ocean look.

I choose a medium-length almond style, perfect for a cute look while also leaving me lots of room for movement.

I also tried a long coffin style on a recent cruise.

These nails were a cute nude to blue ombre, featuring white hibiscus flowers.

The pattern was cute and stylish, matching the blue and ocean themes all around.

However, these nails were very long. The longer your nails, the less mobility you'll have.

If you're less experienced with wearing long nails, consider what activities you want to do on your cruise before applying them.

If you'd like to be active and have a lot of mobility on your cruise, I recommend purchasing shorter nails.

More press-on nails ideas for cruisers:

• Pink mermaid with pearls
• Starfish in neon pink
• Short square fruit for summer
• Glossy starfish and beach wave design
• Short ocean design tips