Royal Caribbean International will reposition the 2,476-passenger Serenade of the Seas to Latin America for the 2025-2026 season, starting from October 2025.
The 90,090-gross-ton ship will embark on seven-night southern Caribbean itineraries from Cartagena, Colombia, and Colón, Panama. Ports of call will include the ABC Islands.
“We are happy to return to the region with Serenade of the Seas and fulfill our ongoing commitment to contribute to the market in Latin America,”said Alberto Muñoz, associate vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean at Royal Caribbean International.
Serenade of the Seas (Photo Credit: Diego O. Galeano)
He highlighted the cruise line’s dedication to creating tailored experiences that resonate with the cultural vibrancy of Latin America, emphasizing local flavors, music, and activities.
Roundtrip voyages from Colón launch October 11, 2025, calling on Cartagena; Willemstad, Curacao; and Oranjestad, Aruba; and Kralendijk, Bonaire, and extend through April 26, 2026.
During the day and into the night, guests can enjoy a wide array of bars and dining options, such as the Schooner Bar, known for its live piano music; the Solarium Bar, where tropical drinks are served poolside; and the R Bar, featuring classic cocktails with a throwback vibe.
Culinary experiences are equally diverse, ranging from Chops Grille, specializing in premium cut of meat, to Izumi, offering a taste of Asia with sushi and sashimi. Italian cuisine can be savored at Giovanni’s Table, while the Chef’s Table provides an intimate dining experience with a five-course meal paired with wines.
In addition to dining, the ship features activities that include a rock-climbing wall, a mini-golf course, and movie screenings on the outdoor deck, while guests can unwind in several swimming pools or visit the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center.
A Presence in Latin America
Serenade of the Seas, which first launched in 2003 and completed its most recent renovation in 2022,is following in the wake of Rhapsody of the Seas, which spent its 2023-2024 winter season in Latin America sailing from Colón and Panama City/Fuerte Amador in Panama and Cartagena.
This will be the first time Serenade of the Seas will homeport in the vibrant Caribbean cities, althoughit is spending its 2024 winter sailing in different Latin American destinations. Sailing from Tampa, Florida, the 2024 itineraries will include Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; and Colón.
Photo Credit: Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock.com
While full details of the 2025-2026 itineraries and offerings will be revealed at a later date, Serenade of the Seas continues on the last two months of an extensive 274-day Ultimate World Cruise to 60 countries that completes in Miami on September 10, 2024.
The cruise visited Latin America early in its journey, calling in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico.
The 9-month cruise that launched on December 10, 2023, from PortMiami has gone viral on TikTok with thousands of viewers watching as passengers document their travel, including ship tours, holiday parties, and flooding when the ship encountered rough seas and weather at the start of its voyage.
Others turned the voyage into a modern-day soap opera, highlighting fights, arrests, romances, divorces, and even deaths.
On the second day of Disney Cruise Line’s three-day unveiling event for the new Disney Destiny, the spotlight turned to the ship’s unique entertainment offerings inspired by iconic Disney villains.
The announcement introduced a series of villain-themed venues and interactive experiences that promise to enchant and entertain aboard the upcoming 4,000-passenger ship themed around Heroes and Villains.
Said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager at Disney Cruise Line,“The Disney Destiny is all about celebrating the bold, charismatic, and driven characters at the heart of our favorite stories. And who are our beloved heroes without the antagonists who challenge them to prevail?”
At De Vil’s piano lounge
At De Vil’s piano lounge, guests will encounter a lavish setting inspired by Disney’s live-action “Cruella de Vil” and animated “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.” Reflecting Cruella’s distinctive style, the lounge will feature a red, black, and white color scheme with a Hollywood Regency design.
Live music will be performed on De Vil’s spotted piano, with the “adult-exclusive” lounge open to the ship’s Grand Hall for people-watching as guests enjoy a selection of martinis, cocktails, and wines.
Adjacent to this, the Cask and Cannon pub will transport guests into the world of the “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The pub will be decorated with “treasures” and will offer a variety of rums and custom brews.
A new storyline will also unfold in AquaMouse, the cruise line’s signature water ride. The 760-foot-long attraction on the upper deck.
The show will remind riders of attractions at Disney’s theme parks, featuring storytelling animation, a new original soundtrack exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, and a host of villains from Disney animations, like the Queen of Hearts from “Alice in Wonderland” and Chernabog from “Fantasia.”
Disney Destiny AquaMouse
“We are having a blast creating spaces and entertainment experiences that pay tribute to the villains, anti-heroes and mischief makers who have captivated Disney film and theme park audiences for generations,” said Siske.
Character-Driven Experiences and Venues
Disney Destiny, anticipated to debut in December 2025 at 144,000 gross tons, is drawing inspiration from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters and movies across the ship, from staterooms to dining rooms to water parks to entertainment.
The ship, which will homeport in Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, for an array of sailings to the Caribbean and Disney’ private destinations, will also feature a unique trivia event and dance party themed around Oogie Boogie from “A Nightmare Before Christmas.”
A range of character interactions with villains, such as “Sleeping Beauty’s” Maleficent and “Peter Pan’s” Captain Hook, alongside immersive shows and meet-and-greets, will also be available.
Although not new to Disney Destiny as it will first debut on the new Disney Treasure in December 2024, DCL announced the ship will also have a Haunted Mansion Parlor. Drawing on the classic theme park attractions at Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, the lounge will add a nautical twist. Here, guests can enjoy craft cocktails in a lounge filled with illusions and ghostly encounters.
Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny are part of Disney Cruise Line’s multi-fleet expansion of Triton Class vessels. Each constructed at Germany’s Meyer Werft Shipyard, the fleet includes Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, and will include Disney Adventure in 2025.
Each sister ship offers its own theme and will be powered by liquified natural gas.
MSC Cruises has changed the deployment of MSC Splendida, announcing that the ship will spend winter 2024-25 in South America rather than in Asia, as previously planned.
The cruise line on July 30, 2024 unveiled a 7-night itinerary the 137,936-gross ton ship will sail roundtrip from Santos, Brazil, between December 13, 2024 and March 21, 2025.
Port calls are scheduled at Balneário Camboriú and Itajaí, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Punta Del Este, Uruguay. Guests have the option of embarking the ship in Itajaí rather than Santos. Bookings of the ship’s new itineraries will open for sale on August 1, 2024.
MSC Splendida will become the line’s sixth ship deployed to South America for the season, substantially increasing its capacity in the region. With 1,637 staterooms, the ship can accommodate 3,300 guests in double occupancy and up to 4,363 will all berths occupied.
Other MSC Cruises’ ships deployed to South America include the 2,620-guest MSC Armonia, the 4,842-guest MSC Grandiosa, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia, both accommodating 2,550 guests, and the 4,132-guest MSC Seaview.
All told, cruisers can select from some 120 MSC Cruises’ voyages departing from multiple Brazilian ports during the winter season, including Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Maceió, Itajaí, and Paranaguá,
“We are committed to providing our guests with even more opportunities for unforgettable holidays and the arrival of MSC Splendida, our sixth ship for the 2024/2025 season, in December represents exactly that,” said Adrian Ursilli, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Brazil.
“We are offering Brazilian guests the best in gastronomy, entertainment, diverse leisure and relaxation options, as well as extremely comfortable accommodations, all in a single voyage on different itineraries, departing from Brazil,” added Ursilli.
MSC Splendida is a Fantasia-class ship that entered service in 2008. The ship currently is sailing in the Mediterranean on a series of 9-day itineraries between Trieste and Bari, Italy, and Istanbul.
Ship Was Slated to Sail Voyages From China
MSC Cruises in March 2024 had announced that MSC Splendida would join MSC Bellissima in Asia, sailing from Shanghai, China. MSC Splendida was scheduled to operate from Shenzhen and Xiamen, China, between December 2024 and April 2025. MSC Cruises offered no specific reason for the deployment change.
The 4,500-guest MSC Bellissima began sailing from China in March 2024, making her the first international cruise ship to operate from mainland China in the post-pandemic era. The cruise line deployed the ship to China after a series of voyages from Japan.
MSC Bellissima is slated to remain in China at least through March 2025, and recently was named Asia’s Best Cruise Ship during an Asia Cruise Forum held in Jeju, South Korea.
Guests sailing aboard MSC Splendida have several dining options, including two main dining rooms, La Reggia and Villa Verde. Light fare is offered at La Piazetta, and the Sports Bar serves up burgers and hot dogs. The main buffet, Bora Bora, is located on Deck 14, nearby the ship’s popular Aqua Park.
Specialty dining venues include Santa Fe Tex Mex and an ice cream venue called Bar del Riccio.
The ship also offers the line’s luxury level MSC Yacht Club, the exclusive ship-within-a ship area that provides a variety of suite accommodations and high-end amenities such as butler and concierge services, private lounge, pool, sundeck, and dining areas; premium beverages; WiFi packages, and more.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reported outstanding financial results for the second quarter of 2024, following its April announcement of a massive fleet expansion.
The company watched its future bookings take off following the announcement, with the company’s advance ticket sales reaching a record high of $3.9 billion. This figure is approximately 11 percent higher than the same period in 2023.
Norwegian Aqua Render (Image Credit: Norwegian Cruise Line)
The company reported the news and its record financial results in its latest report, released today, July 31, 2024. It showed the company achieving an 8 percent year-over-year increase in revenue for a record total of $2.4 billion.
The impressive results prompted the company to raise its full-year 2024 earnings plan to 8.2 percent, up from 7.2 percent. It’s the third time Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has updated and increased its 2024 projections.
“2024 continues to be an exceptional year in terms of our financial performance, as evidenced by our strong second-quarter results, which exceeded guidance across the board,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
As of June 30, the company, which owns and operates Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, experienced occupancy rates of nearly 106 percent for the quarter.
Sommer said the expected earnings per share growth to reach 120 percent over 2023, “driven mainly by our ability to capitalize on the robust market demand and ensuring our guests are vacationing better and experiencing more across our brands.”
A Fleet Expansion and Bright Future
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ numbers reflect its ambitious strategy to increase its fleet across all three brands. In April 2024, revealed plans to bring eight new ships across its lines by 2036, spurring an increase in future bookings.
Norwegian Cruise Line will begin its massive expansion next year when Norwegian Aqua, the third ship in the Prima class, joins the fleet. Currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 142,500-gross-ton ship will take 3,100 passengers to destinations across the Caribbean from its home in Port Canaveral and PortMiami.
By 2028, NCL will add a fourth Prima class ship and, pending financing, has plans to introduce four additional 5,000-passenger ships between 2030 and 2036.
Image Credit: Oceania Cruises
For Oceania Cruises, Allura will also arrive in 2025 and serve as the cruise line’s final Allura Class vessel. The 67,000-gross-ton ship is expected to be delivered by Fincantieri and enter service on July 18, 2025.
The 1,200-passenger Allura will homeport in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, and sail the Mediterranean and Northern Europe in the summer months before crossing the Atlantic. There, it is scheduled to feature a one-of-a-kind 4-day roundtrip culinary voyage from New York City ahead of a fall season in New England and Canada.
Oceania will also welcome two additional ships in 2027 and 2029. The unnamed ships will each carry 1,450 passengers and weigh 86,000 gross tons.
Finally, two more ships will arrive for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The two 77,000-gross-ton ships are anticipated for 2026 and 2029.
“This strategic new-ship order across all three of our award-winning brands provides for the steady introduction of cutting-edge vessels into our fleet and solidifies our long-term growth,”said Sommer. “It also allows us to significantly leverage our operating scale.”
Outside of its fleet, the company is also developing a multi-ship pier for Great Stirrup Cay, its private island destination in the Bahamas. The development, expected to be complete in 2025, will cost $150 million and allow the pier to accommodate two of its current and future ships simultaneously.
Norwegian Cruise Line also announced earlier this month that it will begin homeporting its 2,300-passenger Norwegian Jewel in the Port of Philadelphia, opening a new destination to its cruise offerings beginning in 2026. It will be the first cruise ship to sail from Philadelphia since 2011.
The Scottish Port of Aberdeen celebrated a major milestone when it welcomed the largest ship ever to call at the remote destination in its 888-year history, the 3,800-guest Costa Favolosa.
The port, previously called Aberdeen Harbour, was created in 1136 by King David I of Scotland. The facility is even in the Guinness Book of Business Records as the oldest existing business in Great Britain.
The Costa Cruises ship, at 951 feet long (290 meters) called at the port’s year-old South Harbour, which can accommodate ships up to 985 feet long, enhancing Aberdeen’s appeal to cruise lines operating large vessels.
Costa Favolosa Docked in Aberdeen, Scotland (Credit: Port of Aberdeen)
Before South Harbour opened in spring 2023, Aberdeen’s existing North Harbour facility could accommodate ships up to just 558 feet long.
The 113,216-gross ton ship visited the port on July 26, 2024 as one of the 60 cruise ship calls Aberdeen will enjoy during the current season, which runs from May to October. The number represents a 150% increase from calls in 2022.
Costa Favolosa’s guests received a warm welcome from the local population, including performances by the Robert Gordon College Pipe Band and the Alba Bagpipes, along with VisitAberdeenshire’s “Welcome to Aberdeenshire” volunteers, who greeted the cruise arrivals.
“Her arrival is testament to the hard work of many – the port team who delivered the transformational South Harbour, which enables us to welcome ships of this stature, our marine and operational teams, and all our CruiseAberdeenshire partners who have been focused on raising the profile of our amazing region and all it has to offer,” said Marlene Mitchell, Commercial Manager at Port of Aberdeen.
Other tourism officials were on hand to mark the arrival of the mega-ship, and to tout the port’s prospects for continued growth after receiving record cruise calls in 2023 and 2024.
“It’s thrilling to see Port of Aberdeen welcome Costa Favolosa, the largest cruise ship ever to call. The Port’s development of South Harbour is playing a key role in bringing more ships and more planned tourism benefit to the city and to Aberdeenshire as a whole,” said Ian McQuade, chairman of Cruise Britain.
The Port of Aberdeen, located at the mouth of the River Dee with easy access to the North Sea, issued a cruise status report in February 2024 that predicted more than 100 cruise ships will call at the destination by 2027.
Such an increase in calls would mean a major financial windfall for the region since each port call represents £134 ($170) in local spending per cruise guest. That translates into £4.5 million ($5.7 million) for 2024 and would exceed £20 million ($25 million) in 2027, the report indicated.
Other cruise ships that made maiden calls to Aberdeen in July 2024 included Ambassador Cruises’ 1,400-guest Ambience and AIDA Cruises’ 2,000-guest AIDAsol.
Cruise guests arriving in Aberdeen can take advantage of shore excursions that visit key landmarks and focus on local culture. Sightseeing tours features Dunnattar Castle and Castle Fraser, plus Old Town Aberdeen. Walking tours and other activities are offered.
Costa Favolosa Sailing Northern Europe Until September
Costa Favolosa, which entered service in 2010, was at the tail-end of a 22-day Northern Europe cruise sailing roundtrip from Hamburg when she called at Aberdeen. The voyage had already called at four destinations in Iceland, two ports in Greenland, and the Orkney Islands before visiting Aberdeen.
The ship’s final call following Aberdeen was to Leith-Edinburgh before the cruise returned to Hamburg, where the ship will be based until mid-September.
On September 26, 2024, the ship sails a 12-day cruise to Savona, Italy, and begins a series of 2- to 12-day Mediterranean voyages sailing between Savona, Barcelona, and Marseille through mid-November.
Several longer voyages are planned from the Mediterranean ports to South America, and starting in early December 2024, the ship will offer 3- to 8-day sailings between Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and Montevideo, Uruguay, through March 2025. Costa Favolosa will return to the Mediterranean for summer 2025.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed its firm stance on luggage drop off policies and which guests are entitled to that popular benefit.
Internet rumors have persisted that any passenger is able to visit their cabin immediately on embarkation day to drop off their luggage without being stopped, but this is not true.
The luggage drop-off benefit is only open to the higher levels of the cruise line’s Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) loyalty program, as well as travelers who have booked suites or those who have purchased the add-on Faster to the Fun program.
This has been confirmed by Carnival’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, in response to guest comments and inquiries.
“There’s been somebody on a Facebook page [who] has said that you don’t need to be Platinum, you don’t need to be Diamond, you don’t need to have Faster to the Fun, you don’t need to be staying in a suite in order to put your luggage in your cabin. Anybody can do it and nobody checks,”Heald explained.
“That is absolutely wrong. You cannot put your luggage in your cabin until 1:30 unless you are any of those levels – Diamond, Platinum, if you’re staying in a suite, or have Faster to the Fun.”
Heald goes on to note that the discussion has been ongoing with crew members, hotel directors, and executives within Carnival Cruise Line. While such persistent rumors – outright lies about the policy spread through social media – make more work for onboard crew members, it is important to stop this behavior.
“The crew members will be checking on this,”Heald said.“They will be checking and asking to see that you are Diamond, or Platinum, or have FTTF, they’ll have a list. And of course they’ll know if you’re staying in a suite. If you are not, please do not put your carry-on bags in the cabin because you will cause extra work for the crew member who will come and check and then he [or she] has to turn you away.”
Heald notes that this is not a good first impression on embarkation day and certainly not a fun way to start a cruise vacation.
Unfortunately, different social media sites are full of so-called cruise hacks from posters and commenters who claim to absolutely know how policies work or how to circumvent the rules.
A similar situation was brought to light earlier this year with a video supposedly showing how to cheat on water purchases, which resulted in the individuals responsible for the video being banned from Carnival Cruise Line.
Priority Luggage Delivery Returning
In talking about luggage policies, Heald also noted that the priority luggage delivery is now being returned as a perk for Diamond, Platinum, Faster to the Fun, and suite guests.
This means that those select travelers can drop their larger bags with porters before checking in at the cruise terminal, and that luggage will be among the first bags delivered to staterooms onboard.
“We will be able to get your luggage to you quicker than we have been able to do so,”Heald confirmed.“They will make a concerted effort to do this on every ship starting this coming weekend.”
Stateroom on Carnival Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive)
Heald does note that there may be certain unforeseen circumstances that do not make priority luggage delivery possible, such as if there is a US Coast Guard inspection on embarkation day or if there are delays with customs processing.
Of course, all guests – regardless of their loyalty status or what type of stateroom they have booked – can always “self assist” all their bags and bring all their luggage onboard, without turning anything over to porters.
If travelers have the cabin access perk – Diamond, Platinum, Faster to the Fun, and suite guests – they can still drop their bags off in their stateroom even if they bring all their luggage aboard themselves. Guests without that perk would still need to manage their bags onboard until staterooms are open to everyone at 1:30 p.m.
A Quantum-class cruise ship will soon be making an appearance in sunny Southern California.
Royal Caribbean is shaking things up and sending Ovation Of The Seas to homeport in Los Angeles, California, in the summer of 2025, from where she will offer 3 to 6-night cruises throughout Mexico.
The 4,905-guest ship will join a fellow Royal Caribbean vessel – Navigator Of The Seas – which has homeported in the port since 2022.
The Voyager-class ship is currently operating 3 to 4 night cruises to Ensenada, Mexico, and Catalina Island, California, out of Ovation Of The Seas’ future homeport.
The duo will operate simultaneously out of the Port of Los Angeles, which is located in the San Pedro Bay about 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, for the duration of the summer 2025 cruise season.
“The biggest, boldest Baja getaway begins June 2025, when Ovation of the Seas®joins Navigator of the Seas® as the region’s newest star. This Quantum Class headliner is the first of its kind to sail from Los Angeles — with record-breaking memory-making and revolutionary thrills,” said Royal Caribbean.
“You’ve never done Mexico like this before,” concluded the statement.
Indeed,Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships– which include Ovation Of The Seas, Anthem Of The Seas, Spectrum Of The Seas, Odyssey Of The Seas, and Quantum Of The Seas – do offer some unique, innovative amenities.
For example, the 168,666-gross ton vessel and her sisters are home to the North Star, the tallest viewing decks at sea that offer 360-degree views, indoor skydiving experiences, bumper cars at sea, and cocktails crafted by robots.
New California Itineraries For Quantum-Class Ship
Throughout the summer of 2025, Ovation of the Seas will be alternating between three different itineraries that each offer a unique experience in Mexico.
The first voyage, which embarks from San Pedro on June 3, 2025, is a 3-night getaway cruise that calls on Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to port.
The next itinerary is a 5-night cruise that includes an overnightstay in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which gives cruisers more time to enjoy the popular port.
The final itinerary takes this a step further. The 6-night sailing includes the overnight call on Cabo San Lucas, as well as a standard, single-day visit to Ensenada, Mexico.
Ovation of the Seas in New Zealand (Photo Credit: Photos BrianScantlebury / Shutterstock)
Each itinerary is offered eight times between June and September of 2025, giving Californians plenty of opportunities to check out the innovative mega-ship while she’s in town. And of course, all sailings are round-trip out of the San Pedro-based port.
The 1,300-crew vessel will officially conclude her season in Los Angeles on September 23, 2024. She will then take a break from operating revenue sailings until she arrives in Asia in early October.
Indeed, the Royal Caribbean ship is set to homeport in Singapore from October 2025 through March of 2026, from where she will mostly operate shorter 3 to 4-night sailings to destinations throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, China.
Prior to arriving in Los Angeles next year, the 8-year-old vessel will make her way around the world.
She’s currently operating 7-night Alaska cruises out of Seattle, Washington, but will make her way through Hawaii and French Polynesia, Australia, New Zealand, China, and South Korea before visiting SoCal.
Notably, the large cruise ship has a nearly one-month break between her final China-based sailing, which disembarks on May 6, 2025 in Tianjin, and her arrival in Los Angeles.
This provides enough time to sail to her new homeport, but also may be an opportunity for the ship to pay a visit to dry dock for routine maintenance and inspections.
Cruise ships must have their bottom inspected once per year, and two of these inspections must be done in dry dock within a five-year period.
Royal Caribbean International has announced a reduction in the single supplement rate for solo cruisers beginning August 1, 2024, but only for a very select group of travelers and only on some voyages.
While this will be welcome news for those few who may qualify for the savings, it is important to note the conditions so other solo travelers are not hit with unexpected fees.
The new reduced single supplement is a benefit for the cruise line’s loyalty club, the Crown and Anchor Society, and is only available for members at the highest tiers. You can check all the reduced rates right here.
Royal Caribbean Owner’s Suite
“Starting August 1, Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members with more than 340 points will enjoy a reduced single supplement cruise fare of 125% on all Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings,”the announcement read.
The current single supplement rate is 200% for all cruise guests, meaning that anyone booking a solo trip is expected to pay twice what the published fare is listed as.
This is standard practice for many cruise lines, as published prices are based on double occupancy with the expectation that there will be two travelers (or more) in each stateroom.
Previously, guests who have achieved 340+ cruise points already received the benefit of a reduced solo rate to 150%. Now, the further 25% reduction on the highly-coveted transatlantic, transpacific, and Panama Canal sailings is an additional discount. For all other voyages, the discount remains at the 150% rate.
To be clear, while the announcement notes that the new discount is available to Pinnacle Club and Diamond Plus members, it is the overall loyalty points earned that determines who is eligible.
To reach Diamond Plus, for example, travelers only need 175 points – but they will not receive the select 125% fare until they have accrued 340 or more points.
It should also be noted that Royal Caribbean can modify the loyalty program and benefits available at any time, without notice. Travelers interested in taking advantage of this new discount benefit should first confirm that it will apply to their preferred sailing.
Nevertheless, this new discount will be welcome by frequent travelers who may prefer to sail on their own or who may no longer have a partner to share their travels with.
The impacted sailings are infrequent offerings based on ship operational calendars and fleet movements, and often command higher prices due to their popularity and exclusivity.
Other Loyalty Discounts Available
Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor Society member benefits do include a wide range of other discounts, from reduced beverage costs to discounted internet costs to savings on photos, Royal Caribbean logo products, and spa services.
Royal Caribbean Logo on Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Many discounts are also available to travelers who have achieved lower levels of loyalty status, though the more points a traveler earns and the higher they advance in the program, the bigger the discounts and the more options that may be available.
With the recent announcement that all three of Royal Caribbean Group’s cruise lines – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises – will now share a loyalty status match program, this new discount may further entice travelers to move between the lines to try different types of cruise travel.
The solo discount, however, only applies to voyages through Royal Caribbean International, and is not transferrable to either Celebrity Cruises or Silversea Cruises. Those programs have their own benefits, and while travelers will have a status match, the perks available on each cruise line remain distinct.
If you think of dining on cruise ships and think of stuffy, three-course meals with food reminiscent of bad catered wedding buffets, think again.
In recent years, cruise lines have really revamped their dining options and now, foodie travelers can’t get enough of some of the award-winning, celebrity chef-approved eats offered on some of your favorite cruise lines.
However, really getting the most out of your dining experience on a major cruise line will take a little extra effort on your end. Don’t expect to just show up on the ship and have a stellar, rave-worthy meal, three times a day. You’ll need to plan, purchase the right drink and meal packages and go to the right restaurants, at the right times.
Here’s everything you need to know to truly enjoy dining on Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
How to Truly Enjoy Dining on Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian offers a bevy of delicious restaurants, with lots of options that are free-of-charge, as well as specialty options that come with a la carte fees.
The offerings are diverse, providing no shortage of unique dishes, so you can try something new, every day of your cruise. Dining on Norwegian is also extra-easy, thanks to the cruise line’s “Freestyle” dining approach.
Here’s how you can make the most of it.
Make a Reservation (when you need one!)
While some cruise lines may require you to pick a set time and place to dine every day, with reservations galore, Norwegian makes things simple and streamlined. Freestyle dining allows you to eat where you want, when you want.
That said, freestyle dining does come with some downsides. You may end up waiting in line on occasion, if you try to eat at certain, busy times of day.
So, if you do want to make a reservation at one of the main dining rooms, so you can be assured that you’ll get that table, as soon as you walk up to the host’s stand, you can.
You should also make reservations at specialty restaurants, which book up quickly. Plan to make reservations for your specialty restaurant dining experiences before your cruise sets sail, in the Norwegian app or on the website.
Avoid the Crowds
Sometimes, during a cruising experience, crowds are unavoidable. However, if you can avoid them, especially while dining, why wouldn’t you?
It’s a given that most cruise ship buffets will be extra-busy on embarkation day, but NCL’s buffets are also often busy during breakfast. As such, consider dining elsewhere.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Ship (Photo Credit: AlexKuznetsov)
You can get room service on Norwegian, 24/7, but also check out the breakfast options at O’Sheehan’s, the line’s pub, or those at the suite guest-only restaurants, Haven Restaurant. The Observation Lounge also offers some breakfast options on select ships.
Similarly, Norwegian’s specialty restaurants are usually busiest in the evening, as most cruisers save their more formal meals until dinner, so consider visiting the specialty restaurants for lunch instead. This is when you can often find more affordable prices as well.
Don’t Limit Yourself to Just the Complimentary Dining Options
NCL’s ships typically have around five or so complimentary dining options, including the buffet and the main dining room (some ships have up to three main dining rooms).
While this is enough to give you something new to try, each day of most cruises, definitely don’t miss out on the specialty dining options, if you really want to get the most out of your cruise.
Photo Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian’s fleet boasts nearly 30 specialty dining options, so plan to visit at least one or two during your cruise. The extra expense will be well worth it, when you visit some of the line’s most acclaimed restaurants, like Ocean Blue, Cagney’s Steakhouse or Onda by Scarpetta.
If you want to save a little cash, and plan on going to multiple specialty restaurants during your cruise, consider investing in a specialty dining package, which allows you to pre-pay a flat fee for a set number of meals at select specialty restaurants ahead of your cruise. The bigger the package you buy (in terms of number of meals), the less you’ll pay per meal.
How to Truly Enjoy Dining on Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival is known as a fun, family-friendly cruise line where you can cruise for a relatively modest price and have an amazing party, every single day. However, while the focus may be on the fun, don’t overlook the food.
Carnival offers some really spectacular dining options that you won’t want to miss. Here’s how to make the most of them.
Make Tracks for One of the celebrity-endorsed restaurants (at the right time!)
Carnival has done an awesome job of partnering with celebrity chefs and celebrities to create unique restaurant concepts that cruisers have come to love.
There’s Guy’s Burger Joint, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, Emeril’s Bistros at Sea and Shaq’s Big Chicken, to name the most popular. You’ll find Guy’s Burger Joint on every Carnival ship, while the other restaurants are found on select ships.
Emeril’s Bistro on Carnival Cruise Line (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Since these restaurants have gained quite a fan following, they can be busy, so make plans to go to them during, ideally, port days, when other cruisers are off the ship and you won’t have the long wait to get into some of them.
Additionally, take note of these restaurants’ hours. Some close earlier in the day, as is the case with Guy’s Burger Joint, so you’ll want to plan accordingly.
If You Like to Party, Buy a Drink Package
Carnival cruise ships definitely have a party-like atmosphere, and if you plan to party each day away, save yourself some money by investing in a drink package.
Not only will it make your long afternoons by the pool more enjoyable (and more affordable), but it will also do the same for each and every dining experience.
Carnival Liberty Alchemy Bar
Carnival’s Cheers beverage package will give you 15 alcoholic beverages per person per day, and you’ll have your choice of any and all beer, wine and spirits that come at less than $20 per drink. The package starts at $70 per person per day.
Take Advantage of All the Freebies
There are certain food freebies that you can find on Carnival, beyond just what’s on offer at the many complimentary restaurants (which includes favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint!).
For example, cookies and milk before bed? Free via room service. Room service breakfast is also free. You can also order a cheese plate in the main dining room to take back to your room for free, for later noshing.
If you don’t want to buy a drinks package, you can bring a bottle of wine onto the ship (one bottle per person) for free. During afternoons, you can find free sandwiches, pastries and similar light bites at the Javablue Café.
Guy’s Burger Joint on Carnival Mardi Gras
Additionally, do keep in mind that, if you’re dining in the main dining room, you’re not limited to just ordering one appetizer, one entrée and one dessert. You can order multiple appetizers and desserts, as well as two entrées per person.
It’s a great way to try a few different menu items and all for free (if you do order more than two entrées, there’s a $5 fee per each extra after the first two).
You can also ask for smaller portions of these multiple menu items, if you’re positive you won’t eat everything you’re ordering and you don’t want to waste food.
Check Out the Special Dining Experiences (that, yes, you can sometimes get for free!)
Carnival offers a bevy of specialty dining experiences for a fee, like The Chef’s Table experience, wherein a select group of cruisers enjoy a chef-led dinner, and the Green Eggs and Ham breakfast for families, with visits from Dr. Seuss characters.
These are enjoyable experiences worth a splurge, but don’t overlook the free special dining experiences that you can find in the main dining rooms.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Most cruise itineraries include a special Brunch at Sea meal, on sea days, and others also include an afternoon tea, also on sea days. Carnival also hosts either one or two Cruise Elegant dinners in the main dining room, each cruise, during which a slightly fancier menu is offered and cruisers are asked to wear their nicest attire. If you’ve never attended such an event on a cruise ship before, these are a can’t-miss.
How to Truly Enjoy Dining on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s dining options get a lot of love from the cruising industry, especially on the cruise line’s newer ships that offer a jaw-dropping number of restaurants, both complimentary and specialty.
In fact, some of these newer ships might have so many restaurants that you could never experience them all in just one cruise (as is the case with Icon of the Seas, with more than 40 restaurants and bars, or Utopia of the Seas, with more than 20 restaurants alone).
With so many options, how do you make sure you have the best time possible?
Get Those Reservations and Dining Packages ahead of Time
Royal Caribbean has several dining programs and packages, unlike some other cruise lines that may just give you an option between reserved dining and non-reserved dining. Whichever you pick, though, you need to do it in advance.
There’s My Time Dining, which allows you to reserve your table, but you can pick a different reservation time every day. That way, you’re not stuck making your way to the main dining room, every single day at the same time, leaving you more flexibility in your plans.
Then, there’s My Family Time Dining, which allows families with small children to get into the dining room first, so the kids can eat quickly. Then, after they’re done, parents stick around for a longer meal while Adventure Ocean staff take the kiddos away for an evening of play.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Wagner Santos de Almeida)
For specialty restaurants, though, you will need specific reservations, and you can make those starting 90 days ahead of your sail date. (You can make reservations once you’ve boarded the ship, too, but you might not have as many options.)
If you want a specialty restaurant package, to pay a flat fee for a set number of meals, you can purchase either a three-restaurant package that allows you to dine at three different restaurants, three times during your cruise, or you can purchase an unlimited specialty dining package that allows you to eat at a specialty restaurant every night of your trip.
You’ll also be able to eat at any specialty restaurant during lunch on sea days, and you’ll get discounts on bottles of wine at meals.
Additionally, if you want to save a little cash, look for specialty dining specials, like reduced menu prices. Royal Caribbean sometimes offers these on embarkation day.
Go to the Right Restaurants, at the Right Times
If you want to avoid the crowds that flock to the buffet and the main dining rooms, consider eating in the main dining rooms for breakfast or lunch, and then eating at the buffet during sea days or at dinnertime. These are the times when both are the least crowded.
Cruise Ship Buffet on Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
If you want an uncrowded breakfast and don’t fancy the main dining room, consider stopping into the Solarium Bistro. It also has a buffet, but it’s adults-only, so may be preferrable to the actual buffet. If you’re a suite guest, you can likewise grab breakfast at Coastal Kitchen. Johnny Rockets also serves breakfast on select ships.
Make Reservations Based on the Main Dining Room’s Menus
There’s a little bit of overlap between what’s served in the main dining room for dinner, and what’s served in the buffet for dinner.
Spectrum of the Seas Dining Room (Photo Credit: I Love Drones)
With that in mind, if there are certain days that the main dining room’s menu doesn’t look quite so appetizing to you (because the main dining room menus change every day!), opt to make your specialty restaurant reservations for those nights.
Otherwise, you could end up looking for another meal elsewhere and not really liking your options. You can find main dining room menus in Royal Caribbean’s app or online.
