Cruises are well-known to offer a great value for travelers, but some bills can add up quickly if guests aren’t careful. While it is easy to be mindful of what one spends onboard, what about when hidden charges show up after returning home?
One Royal Caribbean guest has learned the hard way that such charges can be substantial.
The recent traveler – who has remained anonymous – purchased Royal Caribbean’s onboard internet service, but failed to note that the service does not include cellular network access.
Because the guest did not put their cell phone into airplane mode, their device continued to download updates, access locations, and otherwise work in the background throughout their sailing. Their child also used the phone to watch videos throughout the week-long sailing.
This resulted in $1,300 of roaming charges from the cell phone company, a nasty surprise and an unwelcome shock to the post-cruise budget, according to YouTuber Jayson Judson.
The understandably upset passenger reached out to Royal Caribbean about the bill, but it is outside the cruise line’s control. To be clear, the bill was not from the cruise line, but from the individual’s cell service provider. Royal Caribbean, therefore, is not responsible for the charges in any way.
It is not just aboard Royal Caribbean ships that cell phone roaming charges may add up. A similar, though somewhat less expensive, bill awaited a Carnival cruise passenger in January 2024. In that case as well, the cruise line was not responsible for the extra charges.
Internet Access Onboard Royal Caribbean Ships
Royal Caribbean’s description of its VOOM internet package notes what is included, but does not mention overall cellular access.
“The VOOM Surf + Stream Internet Package lets you message and video chat on messenger services, browse the web, send emails and post on social media, and video chat live. Plus stream your favorite videos, movies, music and shows,”the description reads.
Furthermore, nowhere in the package description is there any mention of airplane mode or the possibility of roaming charges if guests do not switch their phones off active service.
Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Ticket Contract does mention phones briefly, but only with general notes.
“The Cruise Fare does not include … phone calls [or] satellite connection for mobile phones,”Section 3(a) of the contract reads.
Of course, when a guest purchases an add-on service like the cruise line’s VOOM Surf + Stream Internet Package, it does seem reasonable that cell service could be part of the package, even though this is incorrect.
Royal Caribbean WiFi and Phone (Photo Credit: Tigarto)
The cost for the package varies depending on cruise length and the number of devices connected, as is standard with different cruise lines’ internet service offerings.
Our daily lifestyles are more and more interconnected with apps, websites, email, text messages, streaming services, and other digital connectivity these days.
It is easy to forget about that wi-fi lifeline that may add up charges throughout a cruise as the phone automatically seeks to connect to whatever signals are available.
As a cruise ship moves to different countries throughout a sailing, it is easy for an active phone to inadvertently connect to non-network signal sources, accruing the high charges that accompany those connections.
Cruise lines do warn travelers to be sure their mobile devices are set to airplane mode. This may be done via announcements on embarkation day as well as printed notices in onboard newsletters. Cruise line apps may also alert users to switch to airplane mode when logging on.
Such notifications can be easily overlooked, however, especially with how crazy embarkation can be and how exciting it can be on a cruise ship with many different activities each day.
Experienced travelers may set an alert or alarm before their cruise sets sail to remind them to switch to airplane mode.
In a disappointing turn for early-bird passengers who booked a September 2026 cruise on the 142,714-gross-ton Regal Princess, Princess Cruises has announced it has removed the September 5 Southern Caribbean Islander itinerary from its schedule.
Citing changes in their deployment program, which could mean anything from scheduling a chartered voyage to port adjustments to repositioning the vessel, Princess Cruises is automatically refunding all booked passengers. None will be rebooked on another Regal Princess option.
“We sincerely apologize for the disappointment this cancellation causes and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard another Princess cruise in the future,”said the cruise line.
Originally scheduled to sail 14 days to Curacao, Aruba, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Maarten, and Puerto Rico from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, where the ship will be homeporting from April 2026 into 2027, Regal Princess’ voyage was set to conclude on September 19.
Neither the cruise’s previous 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing arriving back in port on September 5 nor the following 7-night Western Caribbean journey departing on September 19 have been adjusted.
This may indicate the 3,560-passenger ship may be undergoing standard maintenance during the freed-up two-week timeframe.
Regal Princess has been dealing with engine issues as of late, cancelling port calls on four cruises between December 8, 2024, and January 19, 2025, for overnights in Roatan, Honduras, to perform essential repairs.
However, with 20 months’ notice, this leaves affected guests ample time to find another cruise, whether with Princess Cruises or another operator visiting similar ports in the Caribbean.
Alternative Voyages
While the cruise line did not rebook dismayed passengers, it did highlight a similar cruise option aboard Regal Princess’ sister ship, Majestic Princess.
The 141,000-gross-ton, 3,560-passenger vessel will conduct a 12-day Southern Caribbean Islander route on November 7, 2026, from New York City to Fort Lauderdale.
The itinerary includes calls in St. Maarten, Curacao, and Aruba but misses Barbados, Dominica, and Puerto Rico in favor of St. Kitts and St. Lucia.
The ship, based in New York City for a brief autumn 2026 stint that sails to New England and Canada for fall foliage adventures, will visit the Caribbean as it repositions to Galveston, Texas, on December 1.
Regal Princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss)
Its subsequent 12-night Southern Caribbean Islander cruise, departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 19, will visit the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Curacao, Aruba, and Cozumel, Mexico. However, the ship ends its journey in Galveston.
Caribbean Princess, which hosts up to 3,140 guests, also offers a 14-night Eastern/Western Caribbean Adventurer option that departs on September 6, 2026, from Port Canaveral in Central Florida.
The 112,894-gross-ton vessel will begin by sailing to Mexico and Honduras to visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan on a 7-day segment cruise that returns to Port Canaveral before its second leg sails to Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic to visit the cruise line’s private destination at Amber Cove.
The rest of the Princess fleet will be in various parts of the world, including the Mediterranean, South Pacific, and Japan. In the US, the cruise line has seven ships positioned in Alaska in September.
Thanks to the quick action of first responders and two Tampa Bay Harbor pilots, a situation that could have easily ended in tragedy got a happy ending.
On January 4, 2025, two people and their dog found themselves caught in a cruise ship’s wake – which ultimately sank their smaller boat and left them clinging to a buoy near Gadsden Point in the Tampa Bay.
It’s unclear which cruise ship was responsible for the disastrous wake, but both Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas were in Florida’s Port Tampa Bay that day.
Michael Stutevoss and Dan Hammer are professional pilots with Tampa Bay Harbor, who were guiding one of the two ships out of the port around sunset when the incident unfolded.
Guests onboard the same ship spotted the duo and their canine companion in distress and notified the crew – but it takes a long time to slow a massive cruise ship.
“Our ship was going very fast when we sighted these people, so by the time we were able to communicate to the crew of the cruise ship and get the ship stopped, we were a good way past the victims in the water,”Hemmer told FOX 13 News.
Acting as quickly as possible, the cruise line deployed its “man overboard” team to search for the stranded boaters while the two pilots contacted the St. Petersburg Sector of the US Coast Guard. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office was also notified.
Shortly after 6 p.m. EST, first responders found the people and their dog clinging onto the buoy about 200 yards away from the debris left behind by their boat.
Watch the moment the stranded boaters were found below:
🚤𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞🚤
On January 4, 2025, at 6:11 p.m., our Aviation and Marine sections, along with HCSO Fire Rescue and the Coast Guard, located two injured individuals and their dog, who were in a boating accident. Their boat hit a wake from a cruise ship near… pic.twitter.com/x0ufMVDzdK
“Our team’s coordinated response with other agencies led to the successful rescue of two people who desperately needed help. We will continue to work together to protect lives on our waterways,”said Sheriff Chad Chronister from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The two passengers suffered unspecified injuries – but they were rescued successfully, along with their dog.
The boaters were able to converse with first responders and confirm they were the only ones in need of rescue. They were then taken to a local hospital to receive treatment.
A Dangerous Rescue
When people are stranded in the open water, there is unfortunately, a lot that can go wrong. In this case, certain factors made the speed of the rescue extra important – with time very much of the essence.
First, the time of day made it more difficult to spot the stranded trio – with the lack of light making it feel a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack. There was a chance that rescuers would not find the people at all, or not see them until it was too late to avoid another accident.
“The sun had already set. It was twilight. They were basically like shadows in the water. Though I was on scene looking for them, I was afraid of running them over as well,” Matthew Riley, who was piloting a smaller cargo ship nearby and got involved in the search, told FOX 13 News.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Docked at Tampa Port (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
Although the weather in Tampa has peaked at a comfortable 73 degrees Fahrenheit thus far in January 2025, the water is still cold enough to lead to hypothermia.
“The water is 64 degrees here. Hypothermia can set in very quickly. Even though we are in Florida, hypothermia can set in,”added Michael Stutevoss, one of the two Tampa Bay Harbor Pilots.
This incident ultimately serves as a grim reminder of how dangerous cruise ships can be to smaller vessels in the wrong circumstances.
Their wakes are particularly dangerous due to their large size and power, which can violently rock – and even capsize – smaller vessels who come too close. And of course, the bigger the cruise ship, the bigger the wake.
The intense rocking caused by the wake may also throw passengers of these smaller vessels off balance or cause injuries to those onboard – which adds to the risk of losing control of their boat while caught in the wake.
Wakes may also extend further than they appear to the naked eye – with more turbulent water hidden beneath the surface that may continue to disturb the depths long after a cruise ship has passed.
Cruisers looking forward to seeing Greece’s “Emerald Island” of Corfu in 2025 won’t find it on the 155,873-gross-ton Norwegian Epic. The cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has removed the destination from its lineup.
This marks the second consecutive year NCL will skip the port during a Mediterranean season. Two new Greek destinations replaced the port during Norwegian Breakaway’s 2024 season.
But all is not lost. The 4,100-guest vessel will be redirected to Katakolon, considered the gateway to ancient Olympia, or Argostoli, the seaside capital of Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian Islands.
On some voyages, the change has resulted in rearranged schedules, such as swapping Santorini and Mykonos calls and adjusting call times.
For instance, a Mykonos call originally scheduled for 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. was changed to 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., while the Santorini call was changed from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
As word spread among passengers on social media that Norwegian Epic would scrap 17 calls beginning with its May 14 sailing through its October 21 voyage in Greece, the cruise line sent affected guests official notice.
“We recognize the importance that destinations play in our guests’ vacation planning and decision-making process,” wrote Norwegian Cruise Line. “Please rest assured that these modifications were made with an optimal guest experience top of mind.”
The letter continued, “While unfortunately changes may arise, please rest assured that we are always working hard to provide you with a smooth and enjoyable journey.”
Shore excursions booked for Corfu through the cruise line have automatically been cancelled with a full refund to the original form of payment. Excursions affected by date and time changes have also automatically been adjusted.
Passengers who booked their independent excursions are advised to contact the provider to cancel and make any necessary adjustments themselves.
New Fees May Have Impacted Decision
NCL did not give a reason for its decision to avoid Corfu again. However, Greece has recently promised to implement new restrictions on cruise ships visiting its most popular island destinations.
In fact, the government approved in December 2024 a €20 fee for all cruise ship passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos, as well as €5 fees in ports like Rhodes and Crete.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also revealed plans to limit the number of ships allowed to dock in its ports during the peak season of May through October.
Additionally, cruise ships will face increased docking fees and a digital berth allocation system to spread out arrivals throughout the day.
Norwegian Epic in Europe (Photo Credit: meunierd)
The decision followed news that the nation was anticipating a final tally of more than 8 million guest arrivals by cruise ship in 2024, a 22 percent increase over 2023. Projections have 2025 also besting that record number.
Corfu, which received its own record-breaking 815,000 cruise passengers in 2024, was included in the government’s plans. Cruise guests who want to visit the island must also pay €5.
Norwegian Epic’s original itineraries, which included calls in Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos, would have had passengers paying €45 to disembark in all three ports during a 9- to 11-day voyage.
The new itineraries, which sail roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, feature 10-night voyages that call on Santorini, Piraeus (Athens), Mykonos, and Katakolon, Greece, as well as La Valletta, Malta; Messina, Sicily; and either Naples (Pisa) or Messina and Livorno (Florence/Pisa) or Salerno (Amalfi Coast), Italy.
By August, the ship will skip Mykonos, Katakolon, and Naples and sail instead to Argostoli and Cannes, Frances. The French port is also a highlight of 11-night itineraries. Nine-night voyages will include stops in Iraklion in lieu of Athens.
As the new year sets sail, it looks like 2024’s tumultuous year for virus outbreaks aboard cruise ships looms large.
Just days into 2025, two cruise ships have already reported virus outbreaks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including Holland America Line and Oceania Cruises.
Holland America Line’s Eurodam, carrying 2,139 passengers and 832 crew members, may have departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on December 30, 2024, in celebratory mode. However, it is returning from its roundtrip voyage on January 8 with illness onboard.
After welcoming in the New Year at sea, guests enjoyed days in the ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao before 86 passengers (4 percent) and eight crew members caught norovirus, as reported to the CDC on January 4, 2025.
Symptoms of this acute gastroenteritis (AGE) include vomiting, along with diarrhea, muscle ache, headache, abdominal cramp, or fever.
While Eurodam was sailing its 9-night Southern Caribbean itinerary, the ship actually launched a 16-night voyage on December 23, returning to Port Everglades on December 30, with some passengers from the first leg that had sailed to Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and the US Virgin Islands remaining on board for an 18-night journey.
This means the outbreak could have begun on the earlier voyage, as the CDC says symptoms may not appear for up to 48 hours and can be spread for 2 weeks or more after a person recovers.
Norovirus is passed to others through contact with contaminated objects or persons, which is why the ship is isolating sick passengers and crew and implementing cleaning and disinfection procedures in accordance with the CDC’s prevention and response plan.
With Eurodam slated to head back to sea on January 8, 2025, at 3 p.m., it is likely passengers excited to embark on its next adventure will have to wait a bit longer, as the vessel will undergo a deeper clean between cruises – a wait worth it considering the next voyage will travel in the Caribbean for 21 nights.
Nautica Also Hit With an Outbreak
Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises’ smaller vessel, Nautica, carrying 639 passengers and 398 crew, is dealing with its own health hurdle.
The ship reported an outbreak to the CDC on January 3, 2025, revealing that 15 guests were experiencing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting due to an unspecified gastrointestinal illness. There are also 16 crew members with the bug.
Passengers aboard Nautica departed from Miami on December 23, 2024, for a lively holiday voyage and are sailing to Los Angeles via a Panama Canal crossing.
They are expected to arrive on January 8 after visiting Caribbean and Pacific Coast ports in the Bahamas, Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Oceania Cruises’ Nautica (Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis)
Cleaning measures have been increased, and the ship is isolating guests and crew members who are experiencing symptoms.
Nautica is scheduled to embark on its highly anticipated 180-day East-to-West World Cruise from Los Angeles following extra cleaning on January 8, 2025.
Guests boarding at 6 p.m. may be delayed as the crew aims to eradicate the virus before sailing 18 nights to Tahiti on its first segment.
These outbreaks are a carryover from last year’s highest incidence of gastrointestinal problems aboard cruise ships in more than a decade, as highlighted by the CDC’s latest data.
The majority of 2024 outbreaks were caused by norovirus, with the virus responsible for illness on five ships from Cunard Line, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises in December alone.
Despite the gloomy figures, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reassures that such incidents are exceedingly rare and affect only a very small percentage of the more than 37 million passengers expected to cruise in 2025.
Guests aboard Carnival Conquest are having a slightly longer cruise than they anticipated, as the vessel has developed a propulsion issue that has made her late in returning to Miami, Florida on Monday, January 6, 2025.
Due to slower sailing speeds the ship will not dock until approximately 10:30 a.m., which will impact travelers’ onward plans after debarkation as well as upcoming guests boarding the ship to begin the next cruise.
“The ship has developed an issue that is limiting its speed. Our engineers are now working hard to address the matter, however, our return to Miami will be later than scheduled,”a letter delivered to guests’ staterooms read.“We know this impacts your plans to return home and apologize for this unexpected delay.”
To help travelers with those onward plans, Carnival Cruise Line will reimburse guests up to $200 per person for expenses related to changing flights. Receipts must be submitted for consideration. If guests booked airfare directly through Carnival Cruise Line, their flights will be adjusted automatically.
Carnival Conquest is finishing a 3-night weekend getaway that departed on Friday, January 3 and visited Nassau. The ship’s next cruise is a 4-night itinerary to visit Princess Cays as well as Nassau.
It must be noted that only the ship’s maximum sailing speed is impacted. All onboard operations – dining, entertainment, navigation, safety features, etc. – are fully functional.
Right now, there is no confirmation of any changes to the next itinerary. Embarking guests will be informed as soon as possible if there is any need to adjust the sailing.
Of course, embarkation will be delayed due to the ship’s later-than-expected arrival. Those details were sent to travelers via text and email to communicate new arrival appointment windows.
“Please delay your Terminal Arrival Appointment by three hours,”the message read.“Since we must allow debarking guests to leave the cruise terminal before accommodating your arrival, guests who arrive prior to their newly assigned time will be asked to return later.”
Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has also confirmed that embarkation will be later than expected.
“[Carnival Conquest] will be arriving a little later than scheduled and we have informed all the guests accordingly to revise their embarkation times,”he said.
It is important that incoming guests follow their delayed embarkation times as requested. Arriving too early may result in being turned away from the cruise terminal, as crowds of embarking guests cannot be accommodated until disembarking travelers have been processed and are able to leave the port area.
Furthermore, parking availability may be much more limited until debarking guests leave the cruise terminal, and extra vehicle traffic will only create more congestion and confusion.
All guests must be checked in at the cruise terminal no later than 5 p.m. for the ship’s departure.
Recent Propulsion Problems
While the propulsion issue for Carnival Conquest is a new development, other Carnival cruise ships have had similar engine difficulties in recent months.
Carnival Liberty, sister ship to Carnival Conquest, developed propulsion issues in late November 2024 that made her very late in returning to New Orleans. Fortunately, those issues were resolved quite easily.
Carnival Vista was not so fortunate, however, as she had propulsion issues in August 2024 that resulted in a cancelled sailing in early September and multiple delays for the ship in October.
Carnival Conquest, lead ship of the Conquest class since her debut in 2002, can welcome 2,980 guests aboard for each sailing. She is homeported year-round from Miami, offering 3- and 4-night Bahamas cruises for quick, easy getaways.
With luck, her current issues will be resolved smoothly and it will be full speed ahead for Carnival Conquest‘s upcoming sailings.
Here comes the bride! Puerto Plata, often hailed as the “Bride of the Atlantic,” is experiencing a very happy new year as it starts 2025 with an increase in cruise ship arrivals.
This January, the northern province in the Dominican Republic, featuring over 60 miles of coastline, is set to welcome a total of 81 cruise ships across its two major ports, Amber Cove and Taíno Bay. This surge in vessels means a surge in passengers anticipated to bolster the local economy.
Said Carlos Athahualpa Paulino, the northern regional director of the Ministry of Tourism, “The positive impact that this generates for the development of Puerto Plata is invaluable, consolidating it as a key pillar in the growth of tourism and the country’s economy.”
Since their openings in 2015 and 2021, respectively, Amber Cove and Taíno Bay have played pivotal roles in Puerto Plata’s emergence as a leading cruise destination.
Amber Cove, owned by Carnival Corporation and located in Maimon Bay just west of Puerto Plata city, will see 27 cruise ship arrivals in 2025 while Taíno Bay, in the heart of the city, will welcome 54 larger passenger vessels.
Puerto Plata saw its first arrivals on January 1, 2025, as Holland America Line’s 2,666-passenger Nieuw Statendam and MSC Cruises’ MSC Seaside, carrying up to 4,132 guests, both arrived on 14-night roundtrip Caribbean voyages from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, respectively.
The vessels were joined bythe 5,282-guest Mardi Gras by Carnival Cruise Line.
Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Equinox, with up to a total of 5,760 passengers, and Costa Cruises’ 3,780-guest Costa Fascinosa arrived the following day, with the latter continuing to additional Dominican Republic ports in Samana, Catalina Island, and La Romana on January 3, 4, and 5, respectively.
On January 3, Puerto Plata hosted Oceania Cruises’ Insignia, Explora Journeys’ Explora II, and Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas simultaneously, welcoming up to 3,584 visitors.
The burgeoning cruise activity in the province is reflective of a broader tourism boom across the Dominican Republic. In 2024, the country reported over 11 million tourists – a record achievement.
This tourism influx has spurred the creation of 949,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributed approximately 26 billion dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounting for nearly 20 percent of the national GDP.
Taino Bay at Puerto Plata Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
New Port Also Seeing Influx
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic’s new Cabo Rojo port, located in the nation’s southwestern province of Pedernales, also celebrated a promising start to the new year. The port welcomed its first ship of 2025 – and its sixth ship to dock since officially opening in January 2024 – on January 2.
The first vessel of the year was Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, bringing 2,593 passengers and 976 crew members.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader highlighted the call on his social media, posting, “I am happy to start the year seeing how the dream of tourism development in the south becomes a reality that benefits the whole region and the country.”
He continued, “We continue working for a future full of opportunities for Pedernales and the entire Dominican Republic.”
The port expects to receive an additional 25 visits from Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and Costa Cruises in 2025. Its next visit will be the 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel on January 7.
The Dominican Republic is also home to cruise ports in Punta Cana and Santo Domingo.
For the second year in a row, Nassau, Bahamas, has set a new record for the annual number of cruise guests visiting the Bahamian port, surpassing the previous high by more than one million passengers.
In 2023, the busiest port in the Bahamas welcomed 4.4 million passengers – surpassing the total of 3.2 million cruisers who visited in 2022 and setting a new annual record.
But the Nassau Cruise Port isn’t done shattering records. Now that the new year has begun, the final numbers have been tallied and port officials have announced that 5.6 million guests stepped onto the sunny shores of the capital of the Bahamas in 2024.
“We are incredibly proud to reach this significant milestone for the second year in a row. This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and collaboration of our talented team, our valued partners, and the Bahamian people,” said Mike Maura, Jr., CEO of Nassau Cruise Port.
While the news is exciting, it’s also not all that surprising to see the cruise port smashing records once again. Nassau already has six operational cruise berths that can accommodate three of Royal Caribbean’s massive Oasis-class ships at once – with each capable of carrying nearly 7,000 passengers per sailing.
On March 12, 2024, the port also welcomed seven ships in one day – setting a new record for the most number of cruise ships that have ever been docked in Nassau at once.
“We could not have reached this point without the unwavering support of our stakeholders, including the Government of The Bahamas, our cruise line partners, local businesses, and the community at large. Together, we are shaping the future of Bahamian tourism, and I am excited to see the continued growth of Nassau Cruise Port as a gateway to The Bahamas and a source of opportunity for all,” continued Maura.
Notably, the growth seen in 2024 has contributed to $2.6 billion in annual tourism revenues, benefiting the local economy and bolstering businesses like retailers, restaurants, tour companies, and even artisans.
The surge in revenue has also led to the creation of more jobs in both established sectors and emerging industries.
Nassau Looks Forward to Continued Growth
If all goes to plan, the upswing Nassau is currently experiencing won’t be slowing down anytime soon. Indeed, the port still has ambitious plans to expand and foster future growth.
“Our success story is far from over. The future promises even more growth for The Bahamas and its residents, and more incredible Authentically Bahamian experiences for our visitors from around the world,”Maura asserted.
The cruise port has been actively working on ways to improve the visitor experience with downtown-centered projects.
Cruise Ships in Nassau, Bahamas
Nassau officials have also been working on plans for enhanced cruise facilities and better guest transportation to areas of interest throughout New Providence, offering more family-friendly recreational experiences, and opening new dining venues – with sustainability always in mind.
The port, which is known as the gateway to the Bahamas, has already been given a more than $300 million upgrade – which was completed in May of 2023.
The four-year project revitalized and expanded the cruise port on Prince George Wharf – adding a new berth in the process, refurbishing and repairing all existing piers, and placing a new focus on cultural expression, entertainment, and the heritage of the historic city.
However, this was only the first phase of a bigger project. The next step is the construction of a $35 million water parkthat has been designed with family fun in mind.
The new venue, which is slated to open at the end of 2025, is expected to create around 350 jobs and increase visitor spending on the island – further boosting the local economy.
Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night is a unique tradition where passengers can dress up for a sophisticated evening. These events are not strictly black-tie affairs, but the atmosphere calls for elevated attire.
Men often wear suits or dinner jackets, while women usually opt for cocktail dresses, pantsuits, or evening gowns. While you can get away with a basic dress or collared polo shirt, it’s fun to embrace the experience and dress up.
Let’s find out the dress codes for this special evening and what you can expect!
Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night is a long-standing cruising tradition where guests are encouraged to wear formal attire for a more elegant evening.
Typically, there are between one and three per cruise, but the number of formal nights will vary depending on the length of the voyage, the ship you are sailing on, and the preferences of management. Basically, formal night itineraries are at the ship’s discretion, but there are some general patterns.
In most cases, Royal Caribbean will host a formal night on the second night of any voyage, but the timing and exact number vary depending on the ship and itinerary. In general, Royal Caribbean cruise ships tend to adhere to the following itinerary for formal nights:
3-5Night Cruises – 1 Formal Night, usually on the second day. Shorter sailings in this range rarely have more than a single event.
6 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights, usually on night two and night five
7 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights, usually on night two and night six
8-10 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights as a minimum, but the number of nights will vary by ship and itinerary
11-14 Night Cruises – 3 Formal Nights, with the exact nights varying by ship and the sailing itinerary
15+ Night Cruises – Usually 3 or 4 Formal Nights, with the days and number varying by the ship and sailing itinerary. Longer cruises can have as many as 6 Formal Nights
Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – 2 Formal Nights, either on days two and five on Western itineraries and days two and six on Eastern itineraries
These events have never been mandatory, but they are an opportunity for passengers to embrace a more refined dress code and more traditional cruising experience. It is also a fun photo opportunity, whether you take your own or use the ship’s professional photographer.
The Roots of Formal Night
Formal Event on Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
The roots of Formal Night stem from the traditional upscale atmosphere of transatlantic ocean liner services, when those traveling in first class were often members of high society looking to indulge and impress while they traveled.
Royal Caribbean looked to keep some of these old-world traditions alive by encouraging guests to adhere to a more formal dress code during certain dinners rather than the casual look most cruise passengers wear during the day.
Royal Caribbean has also partially rebranded Formal Night as “Dress to Impress” nights and diners to encourage participation. This is less formal and intimidating than calling the event Formal Night, so do not feel that the event will be overly stuffy or that everyone will be dressed in tuxedos and gowns.
While the concept of a Formal Night is fairly common across the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean has its own take on it, which is why it is worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with the traditions and rules onboard Royal Caribbean cruises.
Rules for Formal Nights
Atrium of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Joseph Hendrickson)
Keep in mind that formal nights are never mandatory. You will never be forced to participate, and more casual dining options are always available on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
Plus, you won’t be turned away unless you are violating the standard dress code for dining establishments, which means you cannot have bare feet and must be wearing a shirt.
Adhering to a Formal Night dress code is different from simply following the standard dress codes for various dining venues on the ship. Many specialty dining venues will have a formal dress code policy, with many calling for smart casual dining, while included venues usually allow casual attire.
If you are unsure about what you should wear to a specific venue, you can always check the Royal Caribbean International cruise line app, which lists the dress code for each venue on the ship.
This differs from Formal Night events, which are typically hosted in the main dining room and are a cruise tradition that calls for your best black-tie look. However, there are several other acceptable options.
Dress Code for Formal Night
Now that we have provided an overview of Formal Nights or “Dress to Impress” events on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, let’s go through the types of outfits that are appropriate for these events.
Formal Night Dress Code for Men
Formal Evening During Cruise (Photo Credit: Ally Lee)
For men, Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night calls for “smart-casual” attire, but you can dress up beyond that, with quite a few men opting to wear true formal wear to the main dining room where the event is almost always hosted.
A classic Formal Night look is a dark suit paired with a dress shirt and tie. This combination is fairly standard and gives the wearer a polished but comfortable style that fits the occasion.
Again, the dress code for a Formal Night aboard a Royal Caribbean ship tends to be quite flexible, so those looking to keep it a bit more casual can skip the sports jacket and tie and wear a collared dress shirt or polo.
To help you know what type of attire will help you fit in on Formal Night, these are all common and acceptable outfits for men, starting from the most formal to the least:
Full tuxedo
Suit jacket with tie and dress pants
Collared dress shirt and slacks
Polo shirt and slacks
While there is certainly a fair amount of wiggle room for outfits, Royal Caribbean encourages guests to make an effort. Closed-toe shoes are also mandatory, so you cannot wear flip-flops or bare feet. Avoid pool wear, cargo shorts, graphic T-shirts, and jeans.
Formal Night Dress Code for Women
Formal Event on Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
Like male guests, women have a broad range of options for Royal Caribbean Formal Night. From simple cocktail dresses and dressy skirts to full-length evening gowns, you can wear semi-formal attire or opt for the full formal look.
Popular looks include tasteful cocktail dresses, elegant sundresses, nice skirt and blouse combinations, pantsuits, or dressy pants with a fashionable top. For those looking to embrace the event by wearing a more luxurious and formal outfit, a full-length gown would not look out of place.
Basically, you just want to make an effort. Think about what would look appropriate at an office party and what you might consider wearing to a wedding or formal ball.
Another thing to keep in mind is making sure you have appropriate footwear. Dressier styles of flats, heels, and wedges will do the trick.
You want to avoid an overly relaxed look, so save your tank tops, shorts, sandals, and T-shirts for casual dinner nights. For Formal Night, you don’t want to dress like you just came from the pool.
But you will not be turned away if it is clear that you have made an effort. The event is not meant to be intimidating or overly exclusive.At the end of the day, it’s about having fun!
Formal Night Clothing Suggestions for Children
Unless stated otherwise, kids are welcome at Formal Night and Dress to Impress events. The dress code for children is much more relaxed, but parents are still encouraged to have their children wear nice outfits that match the formality of the night.
Boys can wear dress shirts or polos with trousers, while girls often wear dresses. That said, children are not expected to dress as formally as adults, allowing them more flexibility. Like adults, it should just look like some effort was made. This means avoiding pool wear and graphic T-shirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a good idea.
Is Formal Night on Royal Caribbean Mandatory?
Formal Evening on Oasis of the Seas (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
No, Formal Night and Dress to Impress events are never mandatory on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
While Royal Caribbean encourages all guests to participate, they never want anyone to feel intimidated or uncomfortable, so Formal Night is always presented as an optional and fun event that welcomes all passengers.
Guests who prefer to skip the formal wear altogether and embrace a more casual cruising experience can always enjoy dining at other venues while a Formal Night is being hosted.
If a Formal Night is being hosted in the main dining room, passengers will always have the option to visit Windjammer, an included buffet-style restaurant on every Royal Caribbean ship.
For those who do not want to pay extra to dine at a specialty restaurant, Windjammer is a popular alternative. Plus, it has a casual dress code and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it is always an option if you want to keep your cruise casual.
If you don’t mind dressing up but want to avoid participating in a Formal Night event, you can always choose a specialty restaurant, where a smart-casual dress code is typically good enough.
Remember, you can attend a Formal Night event without fully dressing up. Generally, a collared shirt and trousers for men and a dress, skirt, or blouse for women will be acceptable.
Packing for Formal Night
If you want to get the most out of the Royal Caribbean Formal Night experience, you will want to make sure that you plan ahead. Picking out a couple of outfit choices early in your packing process will help give you a few options.
Even if you are unsure if you will attend, it is always a good idea to give yourself the option by packing a more formal outfit. Mixing and matching a few different outfits can also help you maximize your options while minimizing the space you take up in your bags.
A pair of versatile shoes that work with multiple outfitsbut are still dressy enough for a Formal Night is a great way to cut down on unnecessary items. Neutral accessories and darker colors can also help you get away with bringing less but still attending more than one Formal Night.
When it comes to actually packing your preferred outfits, you will want to fold them in your bag carefully. A good tip is placing tissue paper between items, which helps prevent friction and minimizes wrinkles. This is a really good option for more delicate items, like dresses.
Packing cubes can also help separate your clothes and keep them from becoming overly wrinkly.
Getting Your Formal Night Attire Pressed
Cruise Ship Laundry Room
It is also worth noting that Royal Caribbean offers laundry services. If you are worried about your formal clothing becoming wrinkled in your luggage, you can pay for the Dress to Impress Express Press Special, a unique service offered in conjunction with Formal Nights.
For just $17.49, you can fill a bag with as many clothes as you can stuff in. The clothes will then be fully pressed by professionals and returned to your stateroom or suite within 24 hours.
You simply mark on the sheet provided which types of clothes and their quantity have been placed in the bag. The bag is then taken, and your clothes are returned, pressed and ready for you to wear to Formal Night.
Having your clothing laundered is also a good idea for longer cruises where you may want to attend multiple Formal Night events.
Rather than needing several outfits, you can just repeat the same and still have the same formal appearance. Plus, it is surprisingly affordable and even included free of charge for certain suite guests.
Making the Most of Formal Night
Formal Night Photos on Royal Caribbean Cruise (Photo Credit: Solarisys)
At its core, Formal Night is all about enjoying the unique and fun experience. It was not designed to make anyone feel anxious or uncomfortable.
Choose clothing you feel confident and comfortable in. Not only will you enjoy the experience more, but you will also be able to navigate the ship and dining room much more easily.
Another huge draw of a Formal Night is the opportunity to have high-quality photographs taken to remember the occasion.
Royal Caribbean always has professional photographers in attendance. They tend to move from table to table throughout the event, making sure everyone has an opportunity to have the event captured. You will also notice these same photographers tend to be stationed throughout other scenic areas of the ship on Formal Nights.
Whether you’re taking advantage of the onboard photographers for portraits or just snapping your own photos, Formal Nights can offer a truly special backdrop for making memories and embracing a more elegant side of cruising.
When dressing up for the occasion, aim for an outfit that strikes a balance between comfort and style, letting you fully enjoy everything Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night has to offer. Remember, nothing about Formal Night is strict. The crew and organizers will gladly assist you if you have any questions.
Conclusion on Dressing for Royal Caribbean Formal Nights
Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night offers a wonderful chance to embrace the type of elegance that was once a staple of first-class ocean travel.
If you are looking for something a little bit different and an escape from the more casual, poolside atmosphere found on modern cruise ships, enjoying the unique atmosphere of a Royal Caribbean Formal Night can be one of the more memorable things you do during your vacation.
While dressing up is never mandatory, it is a chance to participate in a unique part of the Royal Caribbean cruise tradition. Make the night as formal as you want it to be.
If you do want to attend, make sure you check the schedule for your voyage. Depending on the ship’s itinerary, you may have multiple options, and you could even participate in more than one Formal Night.
