Royal Caribbean has announced the expansion of its Artist Discovery Program from ship to shore, giving Bahamian artists the opportunity to bring to life the region’s culture through curated collections and performances. The next edition of the program will offer guests visiting the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island more ways to encounter the beauty of the Bahamas.

“The Artist Discovery Program will ensure we authentically reflect The Bahamas’ enduring creativity and essence at our Royal Beach Club,” said Philip Simon, President, Royal Caribbean Bahamas. “We are excited to give our guests a deeper and immersive taste of The Bahamas by embedding local art at the center of the ultimate vacation experience.”

Opportunities for artists include large-scale murals, dance performances, live music, and expressive sculptures. Artists will be prominently featured throughout the beach club.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be designed to offer an immersive experience of Bahamian art through designated “art districts.” The districts will introduce guests to Bahamian traditions, highlighting natural wonders, festivities, and the country’s beauty.

Both individual and teams of artists living in the Bahamas are invited to apply for consideration with mural, sculpture, musical, or performance submissions. Submissions must be completed by March 28, 2025. Applicants must send five work samples, a CV, and an artist statement to RBCPIArtistDiscoveryProgram@rccl.com to be considered.

The first round of selections will be announced in April, and the final selections will be revealed in May. Final selections will be installed at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island by July 2025, with a grand unveiling in December 2025.

The first of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Collection continues to take shape ahead of its opening this December.

Additional information on the Artist Discovery Program can be found here.

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Royal Caribbean has announced its 2026-2027 schedule of short cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean. 11 ships will offer two to five-night voyages, setting sail from ports in Florida and Texas.

Port calls during the season will include Royal Caribbean’s private Bahamian island Perfect Day at CocoCay; Labadee, Haiti; Nassau, Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Year-Round Sailings

Utopia of the Seas from Port Canaveral

Utopia of the Seas will continue to offer three and four-night cruises from Port Canaveral, visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

Wonder of the Seas from Miami

Wonder of the Seas will head back to Miami for year-round three and four-night cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

Freedom of the Seas from Miami

Freedom of the Seas will sail year-round from Miami on four and five-night cruises to spots including Nassau, Labadee, Bimini, and more.

Summer Voyages

Mariner of the Seas from Galveston

Mariner of the Seas will call the world’s first zero-energy terminal in Galveston home for the summer. Travelers can choose between four and five-night western Caribbean cruises to destinations such as Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Rhapsody of the Seas from Tampa

Rhapsody of the Seas will return to Tampa in the summer for four and five-night cruises to Cozumel and Costa Maya.

Grandeur of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Grandeur of the Seas will spend the summer sailing from Fort Lauderdale on three and four-night cruises. The Royal Caribbean ship will visit destinations across the Bahamas as well as Key West.

Winter Getaways

Liberty of the Seas from Galveston

Come winter 2026-2027, Liberty of the Seas will offer four and five-night western Caribbean cruises. Port calls will include Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Harmony of the Seas from Port Canaveral

After a mini summer season in Europe, Harmony of the Seas will head to Port Canaveral in August and spend the winter and spring operating two to seven-night voyages to destinations including St. Thomas, Jamaica, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau.

Explorer of the Seas from Port Canaveral

Explorer of the Seas will make her return to Port Canaveral for the winter 2026-2027 season on four night eastern Caribbean cruises with visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau. In addition, the ship will offer five-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings to places including Puerto Plata and Cozumel.

Vision of the Seas from Miami

Vision of the Seas will offer three and four-night sailings to spots including Bimini, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Nassau, and Key West.

Oasis of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Oasis of the Seas will operate three and four-night voyages to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau.

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Royal Caribbean has announced the name of its third Icon-class cruise ship: Legend of the Seas.

Starting in July 2026, the ship will operate seven-night voyages in the western Mediterranean from Barcelona. Legend of the Seas will then head across the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2026, making her year-round home at Port Everglades. From Florida, the ship will sail six-night western Caribbean and eight-night southern Caribbean voyages.

“On the heels of celebrating one year of the record-breaking Icon Class and the memories made by vacationers of all ages on Icon, we are thrilled to announce the name of Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Legend of the Seas is the next bold step in this exciting era of vacations and the continuation of the Icon Class legacy, and we look forward to bringing the revolutionary lineup of experiences to more families and adventurers across Europe, the Caribbean and beyond.”

In summer 2026, travelers can visit bucket-list European destinations in France, Italy, and Spain. In the Caribbean later next year, passengers will have the opportunity to explore places including Aruba, Jamaica, and Curaçao. Caribbean sailings will also include visits to Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Legend of the Seas is currently under construction in Turku, Finland. The ship follows the debut of the first Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024. It is currently the largest cruise ship in the world. A second vessel in the class, Star of the Seas, is set to debut in Port Canaveral, Florida this August.

Highlight features of Icon and Star of the Seas that will also be found on Legend of the Seas include:

• Crown’s Edge, a thrilling attraction that’s part skywalk, part ropes course, and part thrill ride
• Category 6, the largest water park at sea
• Royal Bay, the largest swimming pool at sea
• Swim & Tonic swim-up bar
• Adults-only Hideaway neighborhood, featuring a suspended infinity pool
• Surfside family neighborhood
• Three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse

Legend of the Seas will be Royal Caribbean’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas, and feature a proven lineup of industry-leading environmental programs. The ship will advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey towards introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.

The debut lineup of sailings for Legend of the Seas will soon open for booking on Royal Caribbean’s website. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members will have special access to book ahead of the official opening on Thursday, February 20th.

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Royal Caribbean has announced its 2026-2027 California schedule, which includes a new homeport for the line: San Diego.

San Diego

As Royal Caribbean’s first time sailing from San Diego, Serenade of the Seas will bring more getaways to California for the winter 2026-2027 season starting October 2026. Three to seven-night sailings will be available, visiting destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and La Paz — the latter of which is a new destination for Royal Caribbean.

Los Angeles

Quantum of the Seas will be returning to Los Angeles for the summer 2026 season, offering three and four-night cruises to Catalina Island and Ensenada. The ship will also operate seven-night sailings with overnights in Cabo San Lucas.

Ovation of the Seas will return to Los Angeles, offering three, four, and seven-night cruises to destinations including Catalina Island and Ensenada. Seven-night sailings will include overnights in Cabo San Lucas.

Navigator of the Seas will offer seven-night getaways to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.

During the winter 2026-2027 season, Voyager of the Seas will offer six to eight-night cruises with calls to Catalina Island, Ensenada, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. Select itineraries will also offer overnights in Cabo San Lucas.

Booking

Bookings are now open for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members. They’ll open to the public tomorrow, February 13th.

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You’ve probably seen Royal Caribbean’s splashy advertising filled with onboard activities and amenities on TV and across social media. The cruise line has a big presence in the travel space — literally! Royal Caribbean’s fleet incudes many of the largest cruise ships in the world, and is a popular vacation option for couples and families alike. But you may be wondering, “Amongst all those fun activities and restaurants, how much does a Royal Caribbean cruise cost?”

Here, we’re breaking down how much you should expect to pay when taking a cruise on Royal Caribbean International.

How much does a Royal Caribbean cruise cost? (2025)

What is the Royal Caribbean cruise cost for my family?

Unlike a hotel room which has a set nightly price no matter how many people are staying in it, cruises are priced per person. This is because, in addition to accommodations, you’re also getting the benefits of included food, activities, and entertainment with the cruise fare.

To give you a rough idea of the average cost you should expect for the base cruise fare on a Royal Caribbean cruise, here are some estimates based on two people in an interior cabin: $110 to $140 per person, per night. A balcony cabin bumps this estimate up to $170 to $210 per person, per night.

These figures do not include gratuities, shore excursions, travel insurance, or any other extras on the ship. Remember that these are just estimates based on Royal Caribbean’s currently-published cruises, and many are much cheaper or much more expensive than this. It’s also important to keep in mind that the newest, largest ships that you see Royal Caribbean advertise command a premium. We’ll touch on that more below.

The first two passengers in a stateroom generally pay the full published cruise fare, regardless of their age. If there are more than two people in a cabin, the additional guests will be charged a discounted fare. This means that whether you’re traveling as a young family, a friend group, or with your adult children, if everyone is staying in the same cabin the total cost will be cheaper than the full per-person published fare.

Transportation and Travel Insurance

On top of the cruise fare, the other major cost of your vacation is going to be transportation to get to your ship unless you live close to the homeport. Whether you fly, drive, or take a train, make sure to factor in how much getting to the port will cost you when considering your total trip budget.

We also want to touch on travel insurance. Royal Caribbean doesn’t require that its guests have travel insurance, but we recommend that you purchase it anyway. Most health insurance plans don’t cover medical expenses in other countries. This means if there’s an accident or you get sick while on the ship or in port, you’ll have to pay for your medical bills out-of-pocket. Travel insurance also covers things such as lost luggage and trip interruptions.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Costs by Ship

Royal Caribbean’s newest and largest ships command a premium over its smaller, older ones, which is the case with pretty much all cruise lines. Pricing for middle aged vessels should fall somewhere in between, unless they’re operating highly sought-after or rarer itineraries.

There are currently 28 ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The current newest vessels are the Oasis-class ship Utopia of the Seas and Icon-class vessel Icon of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean’s two largest and most expensive ship classes are the aforementioned ones: the Oasis and Icon classes. The Oasis class comprises six ships: Oasis, Allure, Harmony, Symphony, Wonder, and Utopia of the Seas. The Icon class has the largest cruise ship in the world: Icon of the Seas. A second vessel in this class, Star of the Seas, is scheduled to debut in August 2025. Taking a cruise on any of these ships usually commands a premium thanks to their massive size and abundance of entertainment options, restaurants, bars, and activities. You’ll find better deals — though less bells and whistles — on ships like Adventure, Grandeur, Voyager, or Radiance of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Costs by Destination

Some cruising regions and destinations are more coveted and/or expensive to operate in than others. Because of this, another major factor in the cost of your cruise will be the itinerary and length of the voyage.

For example, the Caribbean and Bahamas are easy to get to from a variety of southern and east coast ports and an abundance of cruise lines have ships sailing in that region. The convenience of location and high competition make cruises in that area generally more affordable. In addition, many Americans can easily drive to a port that sails to the Caribbean, making it more budget-friendly since it can eliminate the cost for airfare.

Royal Caribbean cruises to the Mexican Riviera from California can also be a cheaper option thanks to the high numbers of people that live near one of those homeports and a large variety of ships in the area. Similar is true for cruises in Canada/New England and the Mediterranean. And don’t forget that older ships often cost less, which is one of the reasons Royal Caribbean cruises in Canada and New England are a bit more affordable: smaller and older ships generally sail there.

On the flipside, Alaska is an extremely popular cruise destination but also has a very limited cruising season each year. This means these voyages command a premium — especially during the peak months of June through August.

Other less-common Royal Caribbean cruise destinations such as Bermuda and northern Europe cost more because of their limited availability and unique port calls. Transatlantic or transpacific crossings are often cheaper because they lack the convenience of starting and ending in the same port and have a very large number of sea days vs. port days.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Costs by Cabin Type

Once you’ve figured out which ship and itinerary you want to sail, the next factor that greatly impacts the cost of your cruise is the type of stateroom you choose. Just like with most cruise lines, Royal Caribbean has four basic categories that then break down into further specific types of cabins: interior, oceanview, balcony, and suite.

Of course, based on desirability, they are priced least to most expensive in that order. When you’re pricing a cruise, the base starting fare is the cost of an interior cabin. If you’re going for a higher category, you’ll pay more than what you initially see when scrolling through cruise options.

Within these standard categories are many variations. For example, just under half the ships in the fleet feature Studio interior, oceanview, and/or balcony cabins for solo travelers. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis and Icon-class ships feature two-story Loft Suites, and Icon-class ships offer staterooms with separate bedrooms and nooks for kids as well as infinite balcony cabins. Some ships feature various Royal Suite “classes” that offer suite guests perks like access to an exclusive restaurant, luxury stateroom amenities, priority boarding and reservations, and concierge/butler service.

Royal Caribbean is also one of the only cruise lines in the world that offers inward-facing balcony cabins. On its Oasis and Icon-class ships, there are window and balcony cabins that overlook the open-air Central Park, Boardwalk, and Surfside neighborhoods. So when you go to book a balcony cabin on one of these ships, you’ll have to choose whether you want an interior view or an ocean view.

The difference in cost between the stateroom categories varies depending on factors we’ve already discussed, like the particular ship and itinerary that it’s sailing as well as current availability.

Cabin Cost Comparisons

Here are some examples of the differences you might encounter between stateroom categories based on four random sailings (Prices are per person):

Eight-night Southern Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas — January 10-18, 2026

• Interior: $913
• Oceanview: $1,039
• Balcony: $1,155
• Suite: $4,770

Seven-night Alaska Inside Passage on Serenade of the Seas — July 27 to August 3, 2025

• Interior: $1,130
• Oceanview: $1,561
• Balcony: $2,276
• Suite: $5,420

Four-night Bahamas on Wonder of the Seas — November 3-7, 2025

• Interior: $619
• Oceanview: $779
• Balcony: $811
• Suite: $1,627

Seven-night Greece, Cyprus & Turkey on Brilliance of the Seas — July 4-11, 2025

• Interior: $924
• Oceanview: $998
• Balcony: $1,472
• Suite: $1,796

What costs extra on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Once you’ve gotten the cruise fare, transportation to your homeport, and travel insurance out of the way, there are other expenses to keep in mind in terms of your Royal Caribbean cruise cost. While a lot is part of the standard cruise fare, here’s a breakdown on what will cost you extra.

Remember that you can easily have an amazing cruise without purchasing extras. This list is just a guide to show you what’s available if you do decide to spend extra to enhance your experience.

Shore Excursions

If you’re planning to get off the ship in port, you’re going to want an idea of how to spend your time there. One option is to take a shore excursion. While they’re not required and you can certainly do your own thing, they can be a great way to see the highlights of a destination or do a fun activity. If you do want to take shore excursions, be sure to budget for them when considering your overall Royal Caribbean cruise cost. Many cruisers opt for a mix during their cruise vacation. They take excursions in some ports and explore others on their own. Whatever your plan is for a port day, factor that into your vacation cost.

Internet

Aside from the use of the Royal Caribbean app, internet is not free on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The line offers one internet package, called VOOM Surf + Stream. It allows access for basic internet surfing, social media, and email in addition to streaming movies and music. This package works onboard the ship as well as on Royal’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean utilizes dynamic pricing for its internet package, which means the cost varies depending on your specific cruise. But once you book your voyage, you’ll be able to see the price in your cruise planner. You should be able to purchase it for the entire cruise or buy a single-day pass once on board. If you plan to purchase internet, be sure to budget for it prior to sailing.

Gratuities

An automatic daily gratuity of $18.50 per person for a standard cabin ($21 for those staying in suites) is automatically added to your bill at the end of the cruise. This can also be pre-paid ahead of the voyage. These gratuities go towards guest-facing crew members including stateroom attendants and servers in the dining room, as well as behind-the-scenes staff like those who work in the laundry room.

Passengers can visit guest services to remove daily gratuities from their account or adjust the amount given, but this is discouraged. Additional cash tips for crew members who you feel deserve it are also welcomed. You also may want to bring some cash to tip porters and tour guides.

Beverages

Royal Caribbean cruises include basic beverages in the fare like juice, lemonade, milk, drip coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.

Soda, alcoholic drinks, smoothies, specialty beverages, and bottled water come at an additional cost. Here’s an idea of how much drinks cost on Royal Caribbean:

• Beer: $7.50 to $8
• Wine by the glass: $9 to $12
• Mixed drinks: $11
• Specialty cocktails: $14
• Bottled water: $3.50
• Soda, specialty coffees, and energy drinks: $3.50 to $4.50

Instead of paying for drinks a la carte, there are also Royal Caribbean drink packages that you can purchase for a per-day price.

Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages

Royal Caribbean offers the Classic Soda Package, which allows for unlimited fountain soda on the ship and at the line’s private destinations. Current onboard pricing is around $15 per person per day and includes a souvenir cup. Since soda is priced around $3.50, you’d need to drink four to five sodas per day to recoup the costs of this package.

Another non-alcoholic package is the Refreshment Drink Package, which costs around $38 per person, per day. Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for its beverage packages, so the exact price for your sailing may be different. The Refreshment package includes premium coffees and teas, soda, bottled water, fresh juices, non-alcoholic cocktails, and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets. Essentially, all non-alcoholic beverages across the ship.

Alcoholic Drink Package

Finally, there’s the Deluxe Drink Package. This includes everything in the Refreshment Drink Package, plus beer, wine by the glass, and cocktails worth up to $14. There are only a few things that aren’t included in this package, such as room service and mini bar items, drinks in souvenir glasses, and beverages served inside licensed Starbucks stores onboard.

Before making a decision about whether to purchase a drink package, break down how much you actually think you’ll drink on board. Be sure to factor in the time you plan to spend in port and won’t be using your package when deciding whether it will be cost-effective for you.

Do you plan to drink a fair amount on sea days but don’t think you’ll have more than a couple cocktails or beers on port days? Is your itinerary port-intensive? Then, it may be cheaper to go a la carte. If you like the idea of paying a per-day fee to not have to worry about how much you’re spending each time you order a drink, go for the package. If you drink alcohol but your spouse doesn’t, it might be better to go a la carte since if one person purchases the Deluxe Drink Package, everyone of legal drinking age sharing a cabin must also purchase it. Be mindful of the expense and do what makes the most sense for you.

Specialty Dining

Royal Caribbean has a wide variety of specialty restaurants to choose from, especially on its larger ships. Guests can choose from venues like Chops Grille steakhouse, Italian restaurant Giovanni’s, Izumi sushi, and Mexican restaurant Sabor, among others. Some have a per-person flat fee pricing structure, while others offer menu items a la carte.

Some specialty restaurants are also open for lunch, offering a smaller menu at a lower cost. They also welcome kids for a much smaller fee than the charge for adults at dinner. You can find exact prices for each restaurant in your cruise planner after booking the voyage. Take a look at which upcharge venues are on your ship and decide which (if any) you want to try. Then, be sure to include the cost in your overall budget.

Spa & Salon

Other Royal Caribbean cruise costs are the treatments and services available at the spa and salon. These include massages, facials, mani-pedis, haircuts, hair styling, and much more. Prices may vary depending on your cruise, but to give you an idea, a 50-minute Swedish massage starts at $125 and an aroma stone massage starts at $139. A traditional manicure with shellac starts at $55, while a shampoo and style dry for medium-length hair starts at $41.

In addition, most Royal ships also feature a small thermal suite. This is a space within the spa that includes things like a sauna, aromatic showers, a steam room, and heated stone loungers. A seven-day pass for this area starts at $109 per person. Single-day passes may also be available; check your cruise planner for pricing closer to your sail date.

Souvenirs

For many vacationers, a trip isn’t complete without a pin, magnet, or Christmas ornament to commemorate the occasion. You can get these — and much more — at the shops on board your ship. In addition to Royal Caribbean logo and destination-specific merchandise, vessels also have shops where you can purchase things like fine jewelry, perfume, makeup, name-brand clothing, and bottles of liquor.

You also may want to purchase souvenirs in different ports. We recommend setting a souvenir budget slightly higher than what you expect you’ll purchase, then do your best to stick to it.

Miscellaneous

In addition to the things already mentioned, build some wiggle room in your budget for miscellaneous onboard expenses. For example, Utopia of the Seas offers a dinnertime experience called Royal Railway. Guests dine in a “train car” that simulates movement through scenery passing by on LED “windows” — immersed in a show performed by actors that takes place throughout the meal.

Other various Royal Caribbean cruise costs include:

• North Star observation capsule (at select times)
• RipCord by iFly skydive simulator (at select times)
• Crown’s Edge ropes course
• Arcade
• Photos from the photo gallery
• Laundry service
• Room service (except for continental breakfast which is included)
• Bingo
• Casino
• Treats from Sugar Beach or Cupcake Cupboard

Note: These amenities are not available on all vessels; check Royal Caribbean’s website to see your ship’s specific offerings.

Does Royal Caribbean offer any deals or discounts?

Royal Caribbean frequently runs sales and promotions. So, if you’re looking to book a cruise be sure to keep an eye on the line’s website and social media platforms. Some sales revolve around a specific holiday or occasion, such as the after-Christmas sale or Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Others aren’t attached to any particular occasion or time of year.

Members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program also get discounts at certain levels. These may include discounts on actual room categories or on other onboard amenities.

Verdict

With the cruise fare, gratuities, and some on board extras added in, we estimate that you should plan to spend a minimum of $200 to $250 per person, per day on Royal Caribbean if staying in an interior or oceanview cabin. Of course, if you plan to book a balcony cabin or suite, take shore excursions in most ports, purchase a drink package, eat in specialty restaurants, etc., your cost will likely be higher.

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Royal Caribbean International has announced that its upcoming mega ship Star of the Seas is now slated to begin sailing with guests earlier than previously planned.

Usually when there are schedule changes for an upcoming cruise ship, it’s bad news: the canceling of its first cruises due to construction delays. But this time, it’s a happy update. Construction on the second Icon-class ship is going so well that the debut date has been moved up.

An Email to Booked Guests

In an email to guests who are booked on the previous inaugural voyage, the cruise line said “Constructing such a large and amazing ship is challenging, and while delivery can sometimes be delayed, there are other times where we get to sail our new ship earlier. The August 31, 2025 sailing that you booked will still take place as the first full sailing and inaugural with all of the events and goodies.”

Royal Caribbean went on to say that ahead of the first “official” inaugural voyage, it is adding two more of what it is calling “showcase sailings.” They will be short four-night cruises departing on August 23rd and August 27th, stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

The email continued, “we wanted to give you an exclusive opportunity to join us for these new sailings. As you may have booked your Star of the Seas sailing to be the first onboard, you’ll have the opportunity to book either (or BOTH) of the new showcase sailings OR to move your existing booking to one of the new inaugural 4-night Perfect Day Cruises as of January 30, 2025!”

What does this mean?

What this means is that those who have booked onto the original sailing have first dibs on booking either — or both — of the new showcase sailings. They can also choose to move their existing booking to one of the new inaugural four-day sailings starting this Thursday, January 30th. The last option is to do nothing and stay on their originally-booked cruise on August 31st.

Guests who were booked in a suite on the original inaugural cruise will have their same suites held as a courtesy until February 6, 2025. Those who are booked in interior, oceanview, and balcony staterooms will have like-for-like cabins available to choose from.

Those who transfer their booking to one of the new sail dates in the same stateroom as they currently have will pay a prorated cruise fare for the change in sailing nights. This means that Royal Caribbean will adjust the cruise fare to reflect four nights instead of seven. Guests who already prepaid for their cruise will get a refund for three nights’ worth of the cruise fare. This complimentary transfer covers the cruise fare for the new sale dates only.

Change requests must be made by February 6, 2025. Those who don’t make a change will remain booked on the August 31st sailing, but can still choose to add the new showcase cruises based on availability.

Star of the Seas is the second ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class following Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024. When Star debuts this summer, she will be the largest cruise ship in the world at 250,800 gross tons.

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Royal Caribbean has announced the return of its Artist Discovery Program to the Caribbean, calling on artists across the region to showcase their work on the line’s upcoming ship Star of the Seas.

Set to debut in Port Canaveral this August, Star of the Seas will provide a dynamic canvas for up-and-coming artists to capture and share the rich Caribbean spirit onboard with vacationers from all over the world. Local artists across the Caribbean can send their submissions starting today through February 15th here.

Introduced on Icon of the Seas, the program will highlight rising stars among local Caribbean artists featured in Star‘s curated art collection, giving budding artists the opportunity to share their talent.

“We are excited for this next edition of The Artist Discovery Program and can’t wait to be awestruck by visionary artists across the Caribbean. Last year, our first-ever call to artists received an overwhelming response with more than 140 artists across 25 Caribbean countries submitting pieces that told a unique story and captured the allure of the region,” said Jay Schneider, chief product innovation officer, Royal Caribbean International. “Our goal is to connect our guests to the enduring beauty and creativity of the Caribbean, and this immersive program is a pathway to celebrating and exploring local culture while onboard the next Icon of vacations – Star of the Seas.”

How It Works

The program’s next group of artists will be commissioned to paint large-scale murals in four highly visible locations on the ship:

• The Royal Promenade neighborhood representing the heartbeat of the vacation
• The embarkation area which will be among the first spots guests see
• The Suite Sundeck Lobby
• The Suite Sundeck

The murals will join a collection onboard that includes an array of pieces created by local artists and inspired by the Caribbean region.

Every artist will receive a grant from Royal Caribbean, ranging from $20,000 to more than $100,000, to see their vision through. As artists in residence, the winners will work closely with the Royal Caribbean team later this year to bring their concepts to life in Turku, Finland where Star of the Seas is currently under construction.

Artists interested in joining the Artist Discovery Program must submit:

• Five samples of previous original works
• A brief artist statement that helps explain their work, inspiration, and other details regarding the pieces submitted
• A copy of their CV/resume

This year’s selected artists will join the 2023 inaugural cohort that created iconic murals that are featured throughout Icon of the Seas. The artists in-residence include Angelika Wallace-Whitfield in The Bahamas, Phillipe Dodard in Haiti, and Jason Hospedales in Trinidad & Tobago. To date, millions of guests embarking on Icon have had the privilege of experiencing their captivating works of art firsthand, celebrating the essence of The Bahamas.

Star of the Seas will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean voyages. Every sailing will visit Royal Caribbean’s private island Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Future editions of the Artist Discovery Program will be announced at a later date.

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Have you cruised on Icon of the Seas, or are planning to sail Icon or Star of the Seas in the near future? Do you like when cruise ships have large, colorful murals around their public spaces?

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Royal Caribbean has announced plans to add another ‘Perfect Day’ destination to its roster: Perfect Day Mexico. In 2027, cruisers will be able to visit a new Royal Caribbean destination in Mahahual (Costa Maya), a slice of paradise that will combine the line’s adrenaline-pumpkin thrills and ways to chill with the beauty of Mexico.

“Perfect Day at CocoCay has been a gamechanger for both our guests and our business. With travelers prioritizing unique experiences and destinations driving their booking decisions, we’re excited to expand our Perfect Day Collection by creating Perfect Day Mexico to super serve guests who want to explore the Western Caribbean,” added Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Our momentum for reimagining the ultimate vacation experience for guests of all ages continues as we help guests turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations across our brands.”

Along with Royal Beach Club Cozumel, the line’s recently-announced beach experience in Cozumel that opens in 2026, Perfect Day Mexico will introduce new adventures in Mexico. Highlights will include an all-new water park, pools, beaches, restaurants, bars, music, and more — all with a locally-inspired twist.

The new Perfect Day will be a modern, sustainable destination that advances Royal Caribbean’s partnership with the local government and community.

“We are very excited that Royal Caribbean has decided to invest in Mahahual, a land of opportunity and hard-working people,” said Mara Lezama, governor of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. “Under the framework of the Well Being and Development Accord and the new era of tourism, my administration is looking forward to working very closely with the company to ensure a sustainable destination that brings shared prosperity to the region and that our local communities are part of this historic investment. I am sure that guests will be marveled by the beauties that southern Quintana Roo has to offer but most importantly, the kindness of our people.”

Perfect Day Mexico will make a splash in 2027 as the latest in Royal Caribbean’s growing lineup of destination experiences, which includes Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, the latter of which is set to open in 2025. Royal Caribbean also has a private destination in Haiti called Labadee.

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Are you excited about another private Royal Caribbean destination for cruisers? What cruise line would you like to see build either their first — or another — private destination? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

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With the excitement of a new year comes anticipation of brand-new cruise ships. As with most other years, there’s a slew of exciting new vessels coming in 2025. These include Celebrity’s final Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel, Disney’s first purpose-built vessel for Asia, Royal Caribbean’s second Icon-class ship, and more. To help with your vacation planning, here are our picks for the 11 most exciting new cruise ships debuting in 2025.

11 New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2025

Allura

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Oceania Cruises / Allura Class
Size: 67,000 gross tons / 1,200 guests

Allura is the second ship in Oceania Cruises’ Allura class, following the debut of Vista in 2023. Part of a culinary-focused cruise line, Allura will feature many of the same restaurants as Vista. These include Ember serving reimagined American classics, Terrace Cafe, the new Crêperie, and Aquamar Kitchen — which features a menu of healthier options. The vessel will also house an expansive Culinary Center, which will include the new Chef’s Studio where onboard chef instructors will share their expertise.

All 612 of the staterooms on Allura will feature balconies, including six brand-new Concierge Level Solo Veranda staterooms. A variety of suite categories will also be available on the ship, as well as both Veranda and French Veranda cabins.

Other features of Allura include the Artist Loft where guests can take art classes, the Aquamar Spa with a spa sundeck, the Vitality fitness center with complimentary exercise classes, and multiple bars and lounges.

Allura is scheduled to sail in the Mediterranean for her inaugural season. The ship will then head to the Caribbean for the winter 2025-2026 season.

Brilliant Lady

Scheduled debut date: September 2025
Line: Virgin Voyages
Size: 110,000 gross tons / 2,770 guests

The fourth ship in the Virgin Voyages fleet, Brilliant Lady has been patiently waiting for her debut since delivery earlier this year. While most aspects of Brilliant Lady will be similar to her predecessors, some will be different. Notably, she is the first Virgin ship built to be able to transit the Panama Canal. This is due to her width ( the ‘beam’ in maritime terms) and ability to move the lifeboats inward during transit. She will also be the first Virgin Voyages ship to sail in Alaska.

The ship will feature the cabins that guests have come to know and love, including interior (Insider), oceanview (Sea View), and balcony (Sea Terrace) staterooms that feature a hammock. However, new to Brilliant Lady will be a new Sea Terrace category that features two hammocks on the balcony. The suite categories RockStar Quarters and Mega RockStar Quarters will also be available.

Specific details on how similar (or different) dining on board Brilliant Lady will be compared to her sister ships has not yet been announced. The line has said that concepts from its Eat and Drink Festival will be found on board, which included an Asian Night Market and a cocktail treasure hunt across several bars on board. Otherwise, it’s safe to assume that the ship will feature the same restaurants including Razzle Dazzle, Gunbae Korean BBQ, The Galley fast-casual fare, The Wake steakhouse, and more.

Virgin Voyages has also said that it will be introducing new music, comedy, and entertainment options aboard Brilliant Lady. Other features of the vessel will include The Dock aft sundeck and bar complete with daybeds, as well as the adjacent indoor Dock House with comfy seating and a laid-back atmosphere. Virgin’s iconic Scarlet Night and Pajama Party will also be found on Brilliant Lady. Additionally, guests can enoy The Manor nightclub, Redemption Spa, and The Red Room — a transformational entertainment venue.

Brilliant Lady will debut in NYC, offering Canada/New England and Bermuda voyages before homeporting in Miami to operate Caribbean cruises through the winter. In spring 2026, the ship will sail to Mexico and California from Los Angeles before heading up to Seattle to offer Alaska cruises through the summer.

Celebrity Xcel

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Celebrity Cruises / Edge Class
Size: 141,420 gross tons / 3,260 guests

Celebrity Xcel will be the fifth and final ship in Celebrity’s Edge class. It will feature many of the same venues and experiences as the other Edge-class ships, with some slight changes. One such change will be a larger Rooftop Garden, including an expansion over the side of the ship. The Grand Plaza (atrium) has been redesigned to let in more natural light as well. Celebrity has also hinted that there will be more entertainment options and parties on Xcel.

Favorite spots on board will include the multi-level aft Sunset Bar, the Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, a spa with SEA Thermal Suite, and The Retreat ship-within-a-ship complex. Like the two latest Edge-class ships (Beyond and Ascent), it will feature a fine dining restaurant by Chef Daniel Boulud, in addition to all the other favorites. The plant and light-filled multi-purpose venue Eden, complete with a bar, restaurant, and lounge, will also be found on Xcel.

When she sets sail, Celebrity Xcel will cruise from Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Adventure

Scheduled debut date: 2025 (month TBA)
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Global Class
Size: 208,000 gross tons / ~ 6,000 guests

Another one of the new cruise ships debuting in 2025, Disney Adventure will be the first mega ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. It’s also the line’s first purpose-built ship for the Asian market. The vessel will feature Disney Imagination Garden, a central open-air garden complete with Disney character topiaries, interior-facing balcony cabins, an Avengers-themed stage show, and a three-story storybook castle art piece. The space will also include two casual restaurants: Mowgli’s Eatery serving Indian cuisine and Gramma Tala’s Kitchen, offering up dishes inspired by the flavors of the Pacific and Asia.

The ship will also feature Disney Discovery Reef, San Fransokyo Street, and Wayfinder Bay where guests can shop, dine, and be entertained in areas inspired by their favorite Disney characters. Not to mention, there’s Marvel Landing with all-new super hero experiences and Toy Story Place with interactive play areas.

Disney Adventure will sail from Singapore, offering three and four-night cruises to nowhere. These voyages will spend the entire cruise at sea with no ports. As part of this collaboration between Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board, the ship will sail from Marina Bay Cruise Center for at least five years.

Disney Destiny

Scheduled debut date: November 2025
Line / ship class: Disney Cruise Line / Wish Class
Size: 144,000 gross tons / ~ 2,508 guests

Following the launch of Disney Treasure in late 2024, Disney Destiny will be the third vessel in the Triton class along with Disney Wish. These three new DCL ships will bring the total Disney Cruise Line fleet up to 8 vesels. The theme for many spaces on the ship will be heroes and villains, including classic Disney heroes and villains as well as characters from the Marvel Universe. It will feature a Black Panther-inspired Grand Hall (atrium) as well as an all-new lounge inspired by Doctor Strange.

Staterooms on the ship will include the exclusive Destiny Tower Suite — a one-of-a-kind accommodation in the funnel themed to Iron Man. Disney Destiny will also offer Hero Suites inspired by Hercules as well as Incredibles-themed IncrediSuites. Other staterooms will be similar to what Disney guests are used to, with most featuring Disney’s signature split-bathroom concept.

The three rotational main dining rooms on Destiny will feature two returning venues: Worlds of Marvel and 1923. The third restaurant will be the line’s first Lion King-themed dining room, Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King. As guests eat, they’ll enjoy a musical journey through the movie’s soundtrack. Disney Destiny’s confectionery will be themed to Edna Mode from Incredibles, and the ship will also feature two cafes inspired by Megara from Hercules and Merida from Brave.

Other features will include a Haunted Mansion bar and a Pirates of the Caribbean themed bar. The ship’s two upscale specialty restaurants will be Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The AquaMouse water attraction will be on board with a brand-new villains-themed storyline, and an immersive Oceaneer Club for kids with themes including Marvel Super Heroes, Star Wars, Disney Princesses, and more.

Disney Destiny will sail from Fort Lauderdale, offering an inaugural season of four and five-night cruises to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

A Bit More on Disney Treasure

While technically launching in December 2024, most guests likely won’t get the chance to sail on Disney Treasure until 2025. This second ship in the Triton class is themed for adventure and exploration. Disney Treasure will tell stories of adventure not only from classic Disney movies but (for the first time ever) also from widely popular theme park attractions.

Disney Treasure showcases Captain Hook and Peter Pan at the stern. Aladdin and Jasmine on a magic carpet adorn the Grand Hall. The three main dining rooms will include Worlds of Marvel with a second show “Marvel Celebration of Heroes: Groot Remix”, the all-new Plaza de Coco, and 1923. The Haunted Mansion Parlor will replace Hyperspace Lounge and the Skipper Society lounge themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction will replace The Bayou. This ship will also debut a brand-new Moana-inspired show called The Tale of Moana.

Disney Treasure will sail 7-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean out of Port Canaveral.

Luminara

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Size: 46,750 gross tons / 452 guests

Luminara will be the third vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet, following Evrima and Ilma. Design for the all-suite, all-balcony cabins has been inspired by a private yacht. It will feature five restaurants, six bars, a wine vault, and The Ritz-Carlton Spa. An expanded marina will provide guests direct access to the sea.

Among the upper-suite categories will be new accommodations called The Residential Suites. They feature a separate living and dining area, a double vanity bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower, and a walk-in closet. Other suite categories on the ship include the Terrace Suites (the lowest category with its own seating area), the Signature Suites with a small separate living and dining area and a soaking tub, and the large Concierge Suites with a separate living and dining area, double vanity bathroom with soaking tub, and a balcony with al fresco dining area, outdoor shower, and hot tub.

Luminara will spend summer 2025 operating mostly seven-night cruises in the Mediterranean. The ship will spend winter 2025-2026 sailing in Asia.

MSC World America

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: MSC Cruises / World Class
Size: 215,863 gross tons / 5,200 guests

MSC World America will be the second World-class ship for MSC Cruises, following MSC World Europa. Like its name implies, MSC World America will homeport in the U.S., sailing seven-day cruises from Miami to the eastern and western Caribbean. This class of ships is a completey new design for the cruise line.

The mega ship will feature seven districts, including Family Aventura featuring The Harbour outdoor park with a ropes course, an 11-story slide, and a new swinging attraction called the Cliffhanger. Other districts are Aqua Deck with the ship’s two main pools and The Terraces featuring nine restaurants and bars and a comedy club, among others.

MSC World America will also feature a massive MSC Yacht Club. This luxurious ship-within-a-ship is dedicated to guests in Yacht Club accommodations and includes its own sundeck, lounge, and restaurant.

Restaurant and bar highlights on MSC World America will include The Gin Project, Italian restaurant Eataly, Paxos Greek restaurant, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, Emporium coffee bar, Hola! Tacos and Cantina, and the Jean-Phillipe Chocolate Shop and Café.

Accommodation options on MSC World America will be extensive, including the standard interior, oceanview, and balcony cabins; a number of non-Yacht Club suite categories (including one with a hot tub); and Yacht Club accommodations ranging from interiors to Owner’s Suites.

Norwegian Aqua

Scheduled debut date: April 2025
Line / ship class: Norwegian Cruise Line / Prima Plus Class
Size: 156,300 gross tons / 3,571 guests

Norwegian Aqua, the third in NCL’s Prima class, will be 10 percent larger than her predecessors — Norwegian Prima and Viva — and feature some slight differences. Notably, this ship will not feature a go-kart racetrack. Instead, it will include a new thrill ride, the Aqua Slidecoaster. This part hybrid roller coaster and waterslide wraps around the funnel and can reach speeds up to 30 miles per hour.

Aqua will also include the line’s first Thai restaurant, Sukhothai (which is replacing Food Republic from the sister ships). The vessel’s adults-only sundeck Vibe Beach Club, the main pool deck, and the Ocean Boulevard waterfront promenade will be much larger and offer even more outdoor space. The teppanyaki restaurant, Hasuki, and the Metropolitan cocktail bar are also enlarged, the latter of which will now feature a grand piano and entertainment space.

Other highlights of Norwegian Aqua will include The Drop dry slide, an expanded Stadium, and a new Glow Court. Additional dining options include the Indulge Food Hall with its various stations offering a variety of cuisine as well as favorites like Cagney’s and Le Bistro. The ship will also feature Syd Norman’s Pour House, Improv at Sea (with a larger space), and a new production show themed to Prince and his music.

Norwegian Aqua will also feature The Haven, a luxury ship-within-a-ship complex. Alongside the same suite categories on other ships in the NCL fleet, The Haven will also include a brand-new three-bedroom duplex suite. Also on the ship are NCL’s famous studio staterooms for solo travelers, complete with an exclusive lounge.

When she sets sail, Norwegian Aqua will offer 7-day itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida. From August through October of 2025, the ship will position to New York for 5- and 7-day voyages to Bermuda. Then, she will sail Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Miami through April 2026.

Star of the Seas

Scheduled debut date: August 2025
Line / ship class: Royal Caribbean International / Icon Class
Size: 250,800 gross tons / 5,610 guests

Royal Caribbean is continuing its Icon class with the debut of Star of the Seas. This ship will now be the largest cruise ship in the world upon its debut. Like Icon of the Seas, the vessel will feature eight neighborhoods. It will feature many of the same venues and amenities including Category 6 waterpark, Crown’s Edge thrill ride, Absolute Zero ice skating rink, the AquaDome with indoor AquaTheater, and The Hideaway adults-only deck with suspended infinity pool. Star will also feature the family-friendly Surfside neighborhood complete with The Lemon Post family bar and the plant-filled Central Park area.

Unlike Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas won’t feature a New York City-themed supper club. Instead, the Chicago-themed Lincoln Park Supper Club will replace the Empire Supper Club. Other returning dining spots will include Chops Grille, Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, AquaDome Market food hall, and the casual Basecamp.

Further, the ship will have a huge variety of staterooms, including the Surfside Family Suites with a separate room for the kids. Both traditional and infinite balcony cabins will also be available. The massive three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse is complete with an in-suite slide and “backyard” with direct access to the Surfside neighborhood.

While there haven’t been any entertainment announcements yet, the Back to the Future Musical is rumored to be the new signature show.

Star of the Seas will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, Florida.

Star Princess

Scheduled debut date: October 2025
Line / ship class: Princess Cruises / Sphere Class
Size: 178,000 gross tons / 4,300 guests

The second ship in Princess’ Sphere class, Star Princess will offer many of the same features aboard Sun Princess. It will include The Dome, a glass-paneled venue that serves as both a solarium and entertainment space. The ship’s piazza will also feature a glass spherical shape that is visible from the outside of the ship. What Princess calls the “most technically advanced theater at sea,” the Arena, will also be on Star Princess.

Restaurants found on board will include The Butcher’s Block steakhouse, Umai Teppanyaki, Makato Ocean, and returning favorites like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. Spellbound by Magic Castle — a part-dining, part-entertainment experience is also part of the entertainment lineup on Star Princess.

Suites on the ship will include the new Cabana Mini-Suites with private cabanas for the first time in the Princess fleet, Sky Suites which feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a separate seating area, and more. All suites are part of the Sanctuary Collection, which includes access to an exclusive restaurant, lounge, and sundeck with pool. Other accommodations include multiple balcony categories — including one with access to The Sanctuary amenities — plus standard oceanview and interior cabins.

Star Princess will offer two Mediterranean voyages in October 2025 before setting sail for Fort Lauderdale. From Florida, the ship will operate seven and 14-night Caribbean voyages through the winter. It will then reposition to Seattle for a 2026 summer season of sailings to Alaska.

Viking Vesta

Scheduled debut date: July 2025
Line / ship class: Viking / Ocean ship
Size: 54,300 gross tons / 998 guests

Viking Vesta is a continuation of Viking’s now-large fleet of ocean ships. Though, it will be a bit larger than the others that are currently sailing. For reference, Viking’s current ocean ships are just under 48,000 gross tons and carry 930 guests each. Despite the slightly larger size, Viking Vesta will still be nearly identical to the other vessels on the guest-facing side. The larger size is to accommodate new hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Features will include The Nordic Spa with thermal suite and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant. Also on board are the Torshavn bar and music lounge and World Cafe buffet. The outdoor Aquavit Terrace features al fresco dining and an aft infinity pool. The light-filled Wintergarden near the main pool is the venue for daily afternoon tea. The cozy Explorer’s Lounge features floor-to-ceiling windows, and Mamsen’s serves waffles and split pea soup. Viking Vesta also includes a sports deck.

Like all Viking ocean ships, Viking Vesta will offer a nearly all-inclusive cruise experience. Besides accommodations, all dining and non-alcoholic beverages like water and specialty coffee are part of the cruise fare. Other drink inclusions are beer, wine, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. A shore excursion in each port of call, basic WiFi, access to the thermal suite, and room service are also complimentary.

Viking Vesta will sail in the Mediterranean, offering a variety of mostly seven to 21-day voyages. She will sail from various homeports including Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Piraeus (Athens).

Note: Passenger capacity figures are based on double occupancy.

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Do you have plans to sail on any of these new cruise ships debuting in 2025? Which of these ships are you most excited to check out? Drop us an anchor below to share your cruise plans for the new year.

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Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, just set sail. Of course, we had to test out this World’s Biggest Weekend for ourselves, so we hopped onboard the ship’s inaugural 3-day cruise. For this sailing, we booked a guaranteed ocean view balcony cabin. See how it compared to the competition in our Utopia of the Seas balcony room review.

We Stayed in a Utopia of the Seas Balcony Room, and Here’s How It Compares

To lock in a lower rate, we decided to book the guaranteed ocean view balcony room category for this trip. With this option, we did not know the exact location of our room up until a few weeks before our sail date. This can be a great option for those looking to save some money. However, it might not be a good choice if you need a specific room or location, or if you are prone to motion sickness.

It is important to note that even if you choose a traditional balcony layout on Utopia of the Seas, not all balcony rooms have an ocean view. This ship also features Central Park view balcony cabins as well as Boardwalk view balcony cabins. These cabins still have a balcony but face interior towards these neighborhoods rather than outward towards the ocean.

A couple weeks prior to our cruise, we were assigned to cabin 11680. Reviewing the deck plans, this starboard side balcony cabin is a 3D category balcony stateroom. It is located just aft of the midship elevators. According to Royal Caribbean’s website, this room measures 191 square feet with a 50 square foot balcony.

We have sailed on all five previous Oasis class vessels, so we had a good idea what to expect from this Utopia of the Seas balcony room in terms of layout and decor.

Layout of a Utopia of the Seas Balcony Room

Immediately entering our cabin, the bathroom was to the right. Continuing into the room, there was the desk with the sofa across the way. The sofa was flanked by two small closets. The bed was closer to the balcony which is our preferred configuration. It was located on the aft wall facing forward.

This room was almost identical, except a mirror image, of our Wonder of the Seas balcony cabin. The color palette is mostly muted featuring light wood tones with pops of blue and subtle patterns. There are also additional charging outlets around the cabin which is always an added convenience on a cruise ship. 

Inside the Utopia of the Seas Balcony Room

Bathroom

The bathroom in this Utopia of the Seas balcony room was pretty typical for a newer Royal Caribbean ship. Unfortunately though, it did not have the newly configured setup or shower like Icon of the Seas. It still has a contemporary feel with neutral colors and pops of blue, but it maintains the cylindrical-shaped shower with glass door.

Aside from the shower, the bathroom features a strategically designed sink and toilet area with a few small shelves off to one side and some counter space. In terms of storage, it always helps that we bring a hanging shoe organizer where we store many toiletries and other small items.

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas still only provides one dispenser of hair/body wash in the shower unlike more premium lines that include shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

Main Cabin Area

The desk, positioned on the left, has a small elevated shelf as well as several power outlets. There are three 110 V outlets, 2 European outlets, 1 USB outlet, and 1 USB-C outlet. There’s also a series of five adjacent dresser drawers, one of which contained the hair dryer. This is also where you will find the mini-fridge and additional counter space.

The seating area on the right included a somewhat larger sofa but no coffee table. It provided plenty of space for two adults to sit and even stretch out a bit.

The sofa was flanked by a closet on each side. One closet was a full length clothes bar with hangers while the other was half clothes bar and half shelving. This closet also housed the safe and had two underneath drawers for additional storage. Given that Utopia of the Seas is sailing short 3- and 4-day cruises, the closets and dresser drawers provided more than enough storage.

The Royal king bed was on the right (aft) wall. There was a small night stand on each side of the bed. Both sides of the bed had a lamp with a power outlet and USB outlet for easy charging access. Unfortunately though, the USB outlets in our lamps did not work for charging our phones at night.

Overall, the bed in this Utopia of the Seas balcony room provided adequate comfort during our trip. We had no issues falling asleep after our long days and nights on this World’s Biggest Weekend.

Across from the bed was the television as well as some pegs for hanging items like bags or hats.

Balcony

Finally, there was the balcony. At 50 sq. ft., the size of the balcony is what we have come to expect from mega-ships–somewhat cramped. There was just enough room for 2 adjustable upright chairs, 2 small ottomans, and a small round table.

Honestly, given the short duration of this cruise and the number of activities and events occurring, we barely used our balcony all trip. We stepped outside on a few occasions to grab some photos or watch a sail away, but we didn’t spend any time relaxing in this private outdoor space.

Recap of Our Utopia of the Seas Ocean View Balcony Room Review

Similar to our experiences on other Royal Caribbean cruise ships, our Utopia of the Seas balcony room was the perfect mix of size and value, while still providing direct access to ocean views. The accommodations were comfortable and had plenty of storage. Further, the square footage was on par with most contemporary cruise lines. 

Our stateroom had easy access to the stairs and elevators, with the public areas only a few decks below or above us. Plus, with the new smart elevator design on Utopia of the Seas, grabbing an elevator is more convenient than ever.

The décor was simplistic yet inviting, and we welcomed the number of outlets in the cabin. Although, we did miss the upgraded bathroom on Icon of the Seas which had a larger and more rectangular shower setup.

Overall, this stateroom was the right fit for us; however, we suggest you review the cruise line’s website before booking to find the right fit for your travel party. Maybe you are a group of friends looking to party on this weekend sailing and don’t need a balcony room. Or, maybe you are a family looking for a little more space and want to upgrade to a suite. Luckily, Utopia of the Seas features a variety of stateroom options.

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Have you sailed in an Ocean View Balcony room on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship? What is your preferred cabin category when you cruise? Drop us an anchor below with your review of this stateroom category. 

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