Celebrity Cruises has quietly updated the Gratuity Program page of its Frequently Asked Questions with increased rates to begin as of Tuesday, July 11, 2023.
The automatic gratuities for all staterooms will be increased, which marks the second increase in less than a year. Prior to these recent increases, gratuities aboard Celebrity Cruises had remained constant since November 2020.
Gratuity Rates Going Up
Celebrity Cruises will be raising automatic gratuity rates for all staterooms for every sailing that departs on or after July 11, 2023. All rates are per person, per day, vary depending on the type of stateroom, and are listed in US dollars (USD).
The increased rates will be $18 for inside, ocean view, and veranda staterooms; $18.50 for Concierge Class and AquaClass staterooms; and $23 for guests in The Retreat.
Photo Credit: Steve Heap / Shutterstock
Confirmed bookings at the cruise line’s “All Included” or “Always Included” rates that already have paid for gratuities in those packages will not have any increase, regardless of sailing date, but the new gratuity rates will apply for all new bookings.
Previous rates were $17.50, $18, and $21 for the respective stateroom categories. This new increase represents a change of just roughly 3% for inside, ocean view, veranda, Concierge, and AquaClass staterooms, but is a more significant 9.5% increase for staterooms in The Retreat.
Gratuities are automatically added to guests’ SeaPass accounts during the cruise. Should travelers encounter a problem or prefer to pay in cash and wish to adjust their gratuities, they can do so onboard at the Guest Relations desk.
Second Increase in Less Than a Year
These new increases are the second time Celebrity Cruises has raised gratuity rates in just nine months. The rates were increased in mid-October 2022, at that time raising up from $15.50 for standard staterooms, $16 for Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $19 for The Retreat.
This means that in less than a year, gratuities have risen more than 16% for standard rooms, 15% for Concierge and AquaClass, and 21% for The Retreat.
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
All cruise lines have been raising gratuity rates in the past year, but the greater frequency of increases is concerning and puts an added financial burden on travelers who have budgeted carefully for a vacation only to find higher than expected onboard expenses, including gratuities.
The increase may not be much, but when added to other increases associated with a cruise vacation – airfare, port parking fees, shore tours, port taxes, etc. – it can be significant.
Of course, if guests pre-pay their gratuities, they are not usually subjected to the higher rates, regardless of when those rates are increased compared to the sailing date of the cruise.
Celebrity Cruises does have a note on the bottom of their Gratuity Program FAQ that states, “Gratuity amounts are subject to change” – a note that first appeared only after the October 2022 increase.
Related Cruise Lines – Are Increases to Come?
Celebrity Cruises is part of the Royal Caribbean Group, which also includes Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises. At this time, neither of those related cruise lines have indicated any gratuity increase, but such changes may be coming.
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock
Royal Caribbean International last increased gratuity rates in September 2022, while Silversea Cruises already includes gratuity rates in the base fare and no additional charges are added to guests’ accounts during sailing.
Furthermore, once one cruise line raises gratuities, other lines generally follow suit within the next few months, even from different corporations.
It is likely that travelers may see gratuity rate increases from Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and others later this year.
Any large ship, like a cargo ship or container ship, will consume a significant amount of fuel, and cruise ships are no exception. But how much fuel do cruise ships use? Why do cruise ships need to use so much fuel? If these are questions you commonly have onboard your cruise, you’ve come to the right place to find answers.
Keep reading to learn everything about cruise ship fuel consumption and more.
Cruise Ship Fuel Consumption: How Much Fuel Does a Cruise Ship Use?
Cruise ships consume a large quantity of fuel, but the exact amount depends on several factors. A large cruise ship, on average, uses as much as 250 tons every day, which is more than 80,000 gallons, much more than most people will use in their lifetime.
Smaller cruise ships may have a little less fuel usage, at around 150 tons per day, which is still a significant amount. This leads to the question: if cruise ship fuel consumption is so high, how much fuel can cruise ships hold?
How Much Fuel Do Cruise Ships Hold?
To consume the large amounts of fuel that they do, cruise ships need to be able to hold a lot of fuel – a very large amount.
Cruise ships hold various amounts of fuel, depending on their size. A large cruise ship can be up to 1,100 feet long and carry as much as two million gallons of fuel, while a smaller cruise ship can typically hold around 130,000 gallons.
Now that you know about cruise ship fuel consumption and how much fuel cruise ships hold, let’s talk about the reason for cruise ship fuel consumption to be so high.
Why Do Cruise Ships Consume So Much Fuel?
Several factors affect cruise ship fuel consumption. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant ones.
Speed
Speed is one of the top factors in cruise ship fuel consumption. Similarly to how your car consumes more fuel the faster it goes, cruise ships burn more fuel when they go fast. This is due to the power needed to drive the ship forward.
Cruise Ship Wake (Photo Credit: Tony Steinberg / Shutterstock)
To try to mitigate this, cruise ships often travel at a leisurely pace well below their maximum capability. The faster the cruise liner goes, the more power is needed to drive it forward. So when the ship stays at a leisurely pace, less power is needed to maintain that pace.
Distance
It goes without saying that the farther a vessel travels, the higher its fuel consumption. In fact, a ship may burn an entire gallon of fuel for every 30 to 60 feet it travels!
Ship’s Engine and Design
A cruise ship’s engine and design contribute to its fuel consumption. Cruise ships use either diesel engines, gas turbines, and diesel-electric.
Diesel engines are the traditional type of engines used, but a diesel engine typically consumes a lot of fuel. Moreover, a larger vessel needs larger engines, which will consume more fuel.
Photo Credit: Ihor Koptilin / Shutterstock
Beyond that, much like cars, the design of the cruise liner also dictates how much fuel will be consumed. When a cruise ship is being designed, they consider how the water will affect the ship and consequently affect fuel consumption.
Size
Finally, the size of the ship plays a huge role in fuel consumption. The bigger the ship, the more fuel it needs to run. This is mainly due to the amount of fuel a large ship needs to stay afloat compared to a smaller ship.
Cruise Ship Fuel Consumption FAQ
How long does it take to refuel a cruise ship?
The length of time it takes to refuel a cruise ship depends mainly on the size of the ship and its fuel tank. Other factors that play a role include the capacity and capability of the refueling barge. That said, on average, refueling a cruise can be done at about 110 tons of fuel per hour.
Does weather impact fuel consumption?
The weather can have an impact on fuel consumption in several ways. For example, if a ship needs to speed up to avoid a storm, it will consume more fuel. Don’t worry; the cruise line considers this possibility!
Summary: Cruise Ship Fuel Consumption
Cruise ships consume a lot of fuel, and it makes sense why. Any ship transporting thousands of people and operating as a mini city requires significant power. That said, cruise lines are always aware of their ships’ fuel usage and fuel efficiency and finding ways to improve them, such as using LNG to power cruise ships.
When you think of a cruise, you probably think of all of the activities you’ll do onboard the ship, as well as activities you’ll do at all the ports. With this line of thinking, your stateroom might be secondary. After all, you might only be spending time there sleeping, right?
On the contrary, your cruise ship cabin can greatly affect your onboard experience, even if you don’t anticipate spending a lot of time in your room. That’s why you must pick the best cruise ship cabin to ensure that your trip goes well.
What are the best rooms on a cruise ship? We’re here to help. Keep reading to discover the best rooms on a cruise ship to help you find the room that will make your cruise an enjoyable experience all around.
When some people think of the best room on a cruise ship, they may automatically think of a room with an ocean view at the top of the ship. However, this isn’t the case for everyone, and you should consider the total features of the room before choosing.
When choosing the best room for a cruise ship, there are several factors that you should consider, such as the noise, seasickness, how many people are cruising with you, your budget, and even what type of view you want.
With all of these factors in mind, you can better evaluate your options for cruise cabins to find the best one for your needs. Let’s take a look at the best rooms on a cruise ship.
Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship
Different staterooms on a cruise ship have different features, and it’s important that you consider each one to find a room that best aligns with the goals of your trip and your needs. Without further ado, here are the best rooms on a cruise ship based on different needs.
If You Want an Ocean View
An ocean view room is one of the best rooms on a cruise ship, no matter where on the ship it is located.
If you want some sunlight as well as a glimpse of the ocean, this is a great option that costs less than rooms with a balcony but still provides you with a wonderful cruising experience.
Ocean View Cabin (Photo Credit: A. Kiro / Shutterstock)
Better yet, you can get both an ocean view and a large deck to enjoy it from in the cabin at the back of the ship, called the aft.
The aft of the ship provides some of the best-uninterrupted ocean views a cruise ship has to offer, as well as a quieter place to enjoy these views from a large deck.
If You Want to Be Near All of the Action
As mentioned, many people embark on a cruise less to spend time relaxing in their rooms and more to take advantage of the amenities on the cruise ship. If this is your goal, one main factor that you’ll want to consider is how close your room is to the amenities on the ship.
Check out your chosen ship’s map before choosing your cruise cabin. It’s a good idea to know where the attractions are – such as the specialty restaurants, pool, and spa – and how close your room may be to them.
Cruise Ship Stateroom (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel / Shutterstock)
In general, if you plan on spending a lot of time at these attractions, it’s best to book a room near them – whether that be on the same floor or just the same side of the ship.
However, booking on the same side of the ship may be easier to move around and take less time to get to rather than having to walk 15 minutes across the ship.
However, be aware that you should avoid cabins directly above or below noisy areas, especially if you want a good night’s rest!
If You Want a Quieter Space
If you plan on your cruise being a peaceful experience, you’ll want to seek a cabin on the quietest side of the ship. This tends to be the aft or the rear of the ship.
Cruise Ship Balcony View (Photo Credit: ODIN Daniel / Shutterstock)
The aft is away from the hustle and bustle of midship, where all the action tends to happen. You’ll also get a beautiful ocean view and often more space than in other ship cabins.
If You Get Seasick
Seasickness is one reason why, even if you only plan on being in your cabin to sleep, you should prioritize choosing a cabin that’s most comfortable for your needs.
If you’re prone to seasickness, you may want to stay away from the cabins on the top deck, as attractive as they might seem. The best cruise cabin to book would be near ocean level at the ship’s center, known as mid-ship.
While ocean-level rooms aren’t considered the most luxurious options, the closer you get to water-level, the less rocking you’ll feel on the ship. Plus, these rooms are your best chance at seeing wildlife out on the ocean!
If You Want Room for Your Family
Connecting cabins are a great option if you’re traveling with a group and want to stay close, but all want your own space.
Photo Copyright: Emrys Thakkar
Connecting cabins are a great option for families, especially ones with older children. They’re also great if you’re traveling with a group of friends.
These types of cabins are available on most cruise lines these days, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding this option.
If You Want Access to Fresh Air
Objectively, balcony suites are often thought of as being the best rooms on a cruise ship. There’s nothing better than being able to breathe in that fresh sea air.
When choosing a veranda stateroom, you should consider the following factors, the direction the ship is facing, the deck level the cabin is on, and potentially obstructed views. You’ll also want to consider the size of the balcony, and whether it could fit everyone in your party.
If You Want a Lot of Space
The one thing about cabins on cruise ships is that they’re all quite small. There are definitely circumstances where you would want a larger cabin, such as if you do want to spend a lot of time in your room, or if you’re cruising with kids.
If this is the case, opting for the largest suites on cruise ships is the best room choice. These suites will provide ample space for your stay and ensure that you don’t feel cooped up in your cabin.
Photo: Royal Caribbean
Here are some notable large suites on major cruise lines, some of them being considered the best suites on the cruise ship:
The Ultimate Family Suite on Royal Caribbean ships: A two-story suite with all of the games your kids could dream of, from an air hockey table to a tennis table.
Specialty cabins on Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival has several specialty cabins with more space than their other cabins, including the Havana suites with additional outdoor space and the Family Harbor suites with separate space for kids.
3-bedroom Garden Villa on Norwegian Cruise Line: This suite is one of the most luxurious suites you’ll find on any cruise ship. It includes space for up to 8 guests and a private terrace.
If you want to spend your budget on activities
Bigger staterooms mean more money spent on the room and potentially less spent on activities, especially if you’re cruising on a budget.
If you’d rather save money for all the fun activities you’ll be doing, the best room on a cruise ship for you may be the most affordable one.
Carnival Cruise Line Inside Stateroom
These are usually inside cabins, which are also a good choice for single cruisers, and those who will spend most of their time around the vessel.
Best Rooms on a Cruise Ship FAQ
What is the best room position on a cruise ship?
The best room position on a cruise ship depends on several factors. For example, if you get seasick, you want to be as close to the pivot point as possible to feel the least amount of movement. However, choose a room on the aft if you want the most space and the best view.
What is the best deck to choose on a cruise ship?
The best deck on a cruise ship largely depends on your preferences. However, as a general rule of thumb, the higher the deck, the better the view. You’ll also get the most panoramic view at the top of the ship.
Is it worth getting a room with a balcony?
Although rooms with balconies are more expensive, they are definitely worth it if you’re looking for more space and fresh air in your cabin with a seating area.
The Verdict: The Best Room on a Cruise Ship
There are several contenders for the best room on a cruise ship – it all depends on what you’re looking for in a cabin and for your overall vacation.
When choosing your cabin, it’s important to consider how much time you’ll spend in your cabin, what activities you’ll be doing throughout your cruise, and how important it is to have an ocean view. This will help you decide on the best room for you to get maximum enjoyment from your cruise!
The Queen Mary 2, currently on a seven-night westbound transatlantic crossing, has experienced an unexpected delay in its arrival to New York City due to a medical emergency onboard. The ocean-liner diverted its course to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where it arrived on June 30.
The vessel is arriving in New York City with a six-hour delay. Cunard has informed guests due to embark on the ship for the upcoming voyage that efforts have been made to ensure they are comfortable while waiting to check in.
Unfortunate Medical Emergency Causes Delay
The Queen Mary 2 was initially scheduled to arrive at the New York City pilot station on the morning of June 30. However, a medical emergency involving a crew member necessitated a diversion to Halifax, Canada.
The medical evacuation could not be performed by helicopter due to heavy fog, leading to the change in course. As a result, the ship is expected to arrive at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal around 3 PM.
Queen Mary 2 in New York (Photo Credit: ATGImages / Shutterstock)
In response to this unforeseen situation, Cunard, the cruise line operating the Queen Mary 2, promptly communicated with guests due to board the ship for the upcoming cruise.
An email detailing the situation and the measures taken to ensure their comfort during the delay was sent out. The email read:“Following a medical emergency which required a diversion to Halifax, Queen Mary 2’s arrival into New York has been delayed by approximately 6 hours.”
“As you will not be able to embark at the original time, the pre-arranged transfer will be taking you to a conference facility at the New York Hilton Midtown, where there will be comfortable seating, light bites, refreshments, and a representative on hand to answer any queries that you might have.”
In the event of a medical emergency, cruise ships like the Queen Mary 2 have standard procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all onboard.
Queen Mary 2 (Photo Credit: Andy Glenn / Shutterstock)
This includes diverting the ship’s course if necessary to access medical facilities, as in this instance. While the delay will inconvenience some guests and cause them to rebook flights and other travel arrangements, Cunard has done everything possible to ensure the patient’s well-being.
Following Cruise Departure
The Queen Mary 2 is currently the only ocean liner in the world; at 149,215 gross tons, she can accommodate 2,695 guests. The ship had just completed a seven-night transatlantic crossing, which began on June 23 in Southampton, England, and concludes in New York City on June 30.
The upcoming cruise, a seven-night Independence Day Celebration, will sail today, June 30, although departure may be slightly delayed due to the medical emergency.
The itinerary includes stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on July 2; Boston, Massachusetts, on July 4; Newport, Rhode Island, on July 6; and concludes in New York City on July 7.
In light of the delay, Cunard has taken several steps to ensure the comfort and convenience of guests waiting to embark on Queen Mary 2.
The cruise line has arranged for a transfer from the New York Hilton Midtown to the ship at the revised embarkation time, which is anticipated to be approximately 6 hours later than the original time.
Guests can either stay at the hotel or explore the city and return ahead of the new embarkation time. Cunard has assured that all luggage will be stored safely and loaded onto the ship.
In addition, as a gesture of goodwill due to the delayed embarkation, Cunard has placed a credit of $25 per guest in their onboard accounts for them to spend during the cruise.
MSC Cruises has reached out to booked guests and travel agents with a notification that the cruise line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, will be closed from April 7 through May 22, 2024.
As a result, various MSC ships are having their itineraries modified with new ports of call, and some sailings are even being cancelled or extended to accommodate the closure.
Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve to Be Updated
MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, is closing for more than six weeks for updates, according to communications the cruise line has sent to booked guests and impacted travel agents. While the closure is only temporary, the extensive time frame is affecting many cruises on different MSC ships.
“Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be temporarily closed to MSC Cruises Guests from 4/7/2024 to 5/22/2024 in order to make necessary guest experience enhancements and support the island’s future growth plans,”the email read.
Cruises aboard MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, MSC Divina, and MSC Meraviglia are all impacted, though different cruises are being adjusted in different ways.
For some sailings, alternative ports of call are being substituted for Ocean Cay. Depending on the ship, sailing date, and cruise length, travelers may be visiting Nassau or Freeport in The Bahamas instead. Some longer sailings will be scheduled for Isla Roatan in Honduras as well.
The nature of the “guest experience enhancements” has not been revealed. Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve first welcomed guests in December 2019, and of course, was not visited during the industry-wide pandemic shutdown from mid-March 2020 until reopening to guests in the summer of 2021.
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
Because Ocean Cay is one of the newest private island destinations and has not been welcoming guests for long, the closure can seem unexpected. MSC Cruises has likely gotten a great deal of feedback from the past two years of sailings, however, and can now make upgrades and improvements that guests will most enjoy.
Options for Impacted Cruises
Guests on one of the dozens of sailings impacted by the closure have several options to choose from. Many sailings are adjusted with new itineraries, and guests can remain on those altered cruises that will now not be visiting Ocean Cay. No action is required if guests choose to stay on the booked cruise.
Travelers can also opt to move to any comparable MSC Cruises summer 2024 sailing, of the same length and accommodation type, between April 1 and October 31, 2024, without penalties.
Photo Credit: Conrad Schutt
The best price will be honored – either the price of the original sailing or the new cruise, whichever is lower. Because Ocean Cay will only be closed for a few weeks, this gives guests the opportunity to reschedule their sailing to still visit the popular island.
A second option is to switch to any other MSC Cruises voyage, on any ship or date. There will be no change fees, but prevailing cruise rates will apply and guests will need to pay the current price for the new cruise (minus the funds from the transferred cruise). Third, guests can simply cancel their cruise vacation for a full refund, with no penalties.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Some guests will also find their cruises completely cancelled or extended to a different length as all of these sailings – more than 35 in total – are adjusted. Passengers on extended cruises will not have any price increase for the extra length of their cruise.
Booked guests should note that MSC Cruises is currently working on updating all existing bookings, and the amended bookings will not be available to access until July 5, 2023.
This gives travelers ample time to consider their options and choose how best to adjust their travel plans, as guests have until July 31, 2023, to decide.
Turkish line Miray Cruises has altered its controversial three-year world voyage by replacing the ship that originally was intended to operate the sailing. In recent months, the company had battled public perceptions that the vessel was not deemed seaworthy.
Newly-Acquired Vessel to Operate Three-Year Cruise
Miray Cruises, the Istanbul-based line that announced the launch of its Life at Sea Cruises subsidiary early this year with the industry’s first three-year world cruise, revealed on June 29 that it has acquired a different ship to operate the voyage.
The company’s Gemini is being replaced with a newly acquired ship, Lara, in a move Miray Cruises said was prompted by overwhelming demand for the cruise. Gemini carries 1,074 guests, while Lara can accommodate 1,266 guests.
While Lara will undertake the world cruise, departing on November 1 and visiting 148 countries on seven continents, Gemini will continue her existing series of Greek Islands sailings.
Miray Cruises vowed that guests, who will pay fares from $2,500 per month to live on the ship for three years, will enjoy a neighborhood-type atmosphere with a sense of community. The voyage was attractive to working professionals, as the ship was to provide remote work facilities.
“We are beyond excited to introduce the beautiful MV Lara for this incredible, history-making, three-year voyage,” said Kendra Holmes, CEO of Miray Cruises.
“Our fleet is expanding due to the unprecedented demand for our long-duration circumnavigation voyages to responsibly explore every corner of our planet. Our residents are changing their lives for this opportunity, and we are honored to be a part of their personal journeys,” she added.
Line Coped With Controversy Over Ship’s Seaworthiness
Bookings for the world voyage opened on March 1, but the cruise line was soon faced with controversy when a former senior-level employee of the line revealed Gemini was found to be unseaworthy by an engineer.
However, Holmes has stated that Gemini had received her Passenger Ship Safety Certificate as required under Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) policies. The former employee, along with several of the company’s executives, including managing director Mike Petterson, left the company in recent months.
Image Credit: Miray Cruises
Possibly spooked by the idea of a non-seaworthy Gemini, some booked guests requested refunds, and Miray Cruises, as of June 29, was still accepting reservation inquiries for the world voyage aboard Lara.
“Seeing such an overwhelming interest in our itinerary and unique ports where we will always be in summer is truly thrilling. This is evidence of the allure of our extended world cruise concept and the exceptional experiences that await our residents aboard MV Lara,” said Ethem Bayramoglu, COO of Miray Cruises.
Ship Offers Refreshed Cabins, Business Center
The 42,289-gross-ton Lara, which was built in 1988, will offer redesigned staterooms, a business center with offices, a cigar and wine bar, and other onboard destinations. A 24-hour on-call hospital with medical visits included in the cruise fare also will be available.
MV Lara Cruise Ship
Guests can avail themselves of learning and enrichment lectures onboard, and can join volunteer and philanthropic initiatives during the cruise, which will travel some 130,000 miles and call at 382 ports.
Port calls will feature 13 UNESCO World Heritage sites and Wonders of the World, with multiple days spent in each port for comprehensive exploration opportunities.
In the run-up to Lara’s departure from Istanbul, Miray Cruises will hold a series of events and celebrations in Turkey for all booked residents. The festivities will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic.
In the world of cruising, the heart and soul of every voyage are the dedicated crew members who work tirelessly to bring the best vacation experiences to life. Royal Caribbean International has consistently recognized this fact and has taken a significant step towards enhancing the work-life balance of its crew members.
The cruise line unveiled the creation of a dedicated crew neighborhood onboard its new ship, Icon of the Seas, in a new episode of its ‘Making an Icon’ series.
A New Standard for Crew Accommodation
Icon of the Seas is set to redefine the standards of crew accommodation in the cruise industry. The ship will be home to 2,350 crew members, each of whom plays a crucial role in delivering the vacation experiences that Royal Caribbean is known for.
The cruise line lifted the veil on the development of the crew areas onboard Icon of the Seas in the tenth episode of its ‘Making an Icon’ series, a series which has shown every step of the design and construction of the upcoming world’s largest cruise ship.
Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, emphasized the crew’s importance in delivering the ultimate cruise experience:“Building Icon of the Seas and putting all these amazing neighborhoods and wow moments on there., that’s really the beginning of the experience. But in order to deliver on that experience, it will require what makes Royal Caribbean so special. Which is our crew.”
The design process for the crew’s neighborhood was a collaborative effort involving the crew members themselves. A comprehensive survey was conducted to understand the needs and preferences of the crew members regarding their living and working spaces. The feedback received was instrumental in shaping the final design of the neighborhood.
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
Michael Bayley, President of Royal Caribbean International, highlighted the importance of the crew accommodation. He said: “One of the things that we’ve done with Icon is put a lot of design focus on the crew accommodation. As a former crew member, I think it’s an incredibly important space.”
The cruise line even went as far as designing crew cabins and overhauling the plans as crew members did not enjoy the first designs. It resulted in the crew members from different positions and nationalities sitting down with architects and designing their spaces.
Amenities and Facilities
The crew neighborhood on Icon of the Seas will feature a range of amenities and facilities designed to promote relaxation, socialization, and a sense of community among the crew members.
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
These include an indoor and outdoor pub, a gym, a barber shop, and a new type of accommodation known as the L-shaped stateroom. This innovative room design, patented for its unique layout, was developed based on the crew’s desire for more privacy, storage, and space.
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
In addition, the crew will have access to a clubhouse with a coffee shop and lounge area, a gaming room, a barbershop, and a store. The crew’s dining area, the Windjammer, will feature live cooking stations and offer ocean views, providing a dining experience that mirrors that of the guests.
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
The ship will also feature a multi-function room that can be transformed for celebrations or training, ensuring the crew has a dedicated space for professional development and leisure activities.
Bayley emphasized the balance between functionality, practicality, comfort, and design in creating these spaces: “There’s a degree of practicality that has to be applied for all of our crew spaces because we have a lot of crew. So you’ve gotta find that balance between functionality, practicality, and comfort and design. And I think we found that with Icon.”
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
Improving Work-Life Balance of Crew Members.
Creating the crew neighborhood on Icon of the Seas is a significant step towards improving the work-life balance of cruise ship crew members, who typically stay onboard from two to eight months at a time.
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
By involving the crew in the design process and focusing on their needs and preferences, Royal Caribbean has set a new standard for crew accommodation in the cruise industry. Icon of the Seas promises to offer an unparalleled vacation experience for its guests and a comfortable and enjoyable living and working environment for its crew.
Icon of the Seas Crew Neighborhood
Icon of the Seas is to be the world’s largest cruise ship. She has recently completed the first round of sea trials and is now undergoing further tests and outfitting at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The ship’s maiden voyage from Miami, Florida, is scheduled for January 27, 2024. Cruises onboard Icon of the Seas sail to the Eastern or Western Caribbean with ports of call, including the Bahamas, Mexico, Honduras, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas.
Deck parties and themed events can be an exciting highlight of any cruise, but how can guests pack along the appropriate outfits and accessories if they aren’t sure which parties will be held onboard? Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has shared a complete list of which parties are held on which ships in the Carnival fleet, giving guests the opportunity to join in with fun and flair.
Complete Updated Carnival Cruise Theme Party List
Carnival Cruise Line’s ships are known as the “Fun Ships” for many reasons, including the energetic parties thrown on board. These events, which happen on every single sailing, including music, group dances, costumes, prizes, and more, and many guests enjoy knowing what parties are planned for their cruise so they can pack fun clothes or accessories to join in.
Every cruise has 2-5 of these amazing parties. The exact parties depend on the ship and its facilities or decorative theme, as well as the length of the cruise. Some itineraries even include special destination parties.
Carnival Cruise Line Deck Party
Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has announced the complete list of themed parties in response to multiple gust inquiries. “I know so many of you ask all the time about this because you enjoy taking part and sometimes dressing accordingly,”Heald explained.
The parties on every Carnival Cruise ship are as follows:
Carnival Breeze: Motown Party, 80’s Rock and Glow Party, 70’s Farewell Party
Carnival Conquest: Rock the Promenade Party, Motown Party, Mega Deck Party
Carnival Celebration: 80’s Rock and Glow Party, White Hot Party, Motown Showdown, Evolution
Carnival Dream: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow Party, Motown Showdown, 90’s Party
Carnival Elation: 70’s Party, Silent Disco, Mega Deck Party, 80’s Party
Carnival Freedom: Motown Party, Fun Farewell Party, Mega Deck Party, Rock and Glow Party
Carnival Glory: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Silent White Disco, Motown Party
Carnival Horizon: White Night Party, Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow Party, Latin Party
Carnival Liberty: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Party
Carnival Legend: Mega Deck Party, Rock and Glow Party, Rock and Glow Party, Motown Music Trivia Party, 90’s Music Trivia Party
Carnival Luminosa: 80’s Rock and Glow, Electric White Night, Great Alaskan Bash
Mardi Gras: 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, 90’s Music Party, Tiki Fest
Carnival Magic: Motown Party, White Hot Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent Disco
Carnival Miracle: The Great Alaska Bash and Northern Lights, Getaway Island Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, Farewell Party, Mega Deck Party
Carnival Panorama: Motown Showdown, 80’s Rock and Glow, Mega Deck Party, Silent night Disco, White Party, Farewell Party
Carnival Paradise: Motown Showdown / Divas, 80’s Rock and Glow Party, Decades Farewell Party, Silent White Night Party
Carnival Pride: Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow, 80’s Party, White Night Party, 50’s Sock Hop Party
Carnival Radiance: Motown Party, Mega Deck Party, 80’s Rock and Glow Party, White Party
Carnival Spirit: 80’s Rock and Glow, Electric White Night, Great Alaskan Bash
Carnival Splendor: 80’s Rock and Glow, 90’s Party, Superhero Party, White Hot Party, Island Night
Carnival Sunrise: 80’s Rock and Glow Party, 70’s & Motown, Farewell Party
Carnival Sunshine: Rock The Promenade, Motown Trivia Party, Rock and Glow Party, 90’s Music Trivia Party, Mega Deck Party
Carnival Valor: Motown Party, 90’s Music Party, 80’s Rock and Glow
Carnival Venezia: 80’s Party, White Hot Party, Italian Street Party
Carnival Vista: Motown Party, 80’s Night, White Night, Mega Deck Party
Joining the Parties
Depending on the style of party, space availability, and weather conditions, most of these themed parties take place either in each ship’s atrium or on the open Lido deck.
The music parties, in particular, are generally held in the atrium where the sound system is better and more guests can view as well as join in from different decks in the vertical space.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
The exact days, times, and locations of each party are published in each cruise’s Fun Times newsletter and are available in the Carnival Hub app.
About the Themes
Many of the party themes are self-explanatory – 80’s and 90’s themes, for example, focus on the music and outrageous fashions of those iconic decades. The “white” parties often use black lights or other special lighting and invite all guests to wear white. The “Mega Deck Party” on so many ships is a larger, more boisterous event where different party favors such as beads or thunder sticks are given out.
The “Rock and Glow” parties are always a guest favorite, so be sure to pack neon gear and other flamboyant colors and prints to make the most of the theme, and get a glow necklace or foam stick as part of the fun.
Royal Caribbean has contacted guests booked on Freedom of the Seas sailings in December 2024 and January 2025 to inform them that their cruise has now been cancelled due to dry dock scheduling.
This will be a blow to travelers looking forward to their Christmas and New Year getaway, but the cruise line is offering some compensation for the loss of what would have been a very merry sailing.
Freedom of the Seas Cruises Cancelled
Guests planning a special holiday getaway aboard Freedom of the Seas in 2024 and 2025 are now disappointed to learn that their cruise has been cancelled. The cruise line has sent out letters to impacted guests with options. Instead, the ship will be undergoing dry dock at that time for maintenance and upgrades.
“We’re continuously working to improve our ships and the many amenities they have to offer. We’re taking Freedom of the Seas into dry dock for routine maintenance and exciting improvements,”the notification email for the December 21 cruise explained. “Unfortunately, this means your upcoming December 21st, 2024 cruise has been cancelled.”
The nature of the “exciting improvements” has not been detailed, and the 156,271-gross-ton cruise ship has not been updated since it received the “Royal Amplification.”
Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock)
This $116 million (USD) upgrade in early 2020 added Playmakers Sports Bar, the Perfect Storm slides, and the Studio B Ice rink can now transition into a laser tag arena or a nightclub, amongst various other enhancements to the 17-year-old cruise ship.
In late 2024, the ship is scheduled to be homeported from Fort Lauderdale, offering 6-8 night Caribbean sailings, many of which will also call on the cruise line’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The fact that there are only four short six to eight-night sailings for Freedom of the Seas between November 2024 and February 2025 suggests that the ship might be undergoing a considerably longer dry dock period than initially anticipated.
There is one cruise scheduled to sail on December 29, but after that, no cruises are available through February 16, 2025. Keep in mind, this could also point to a series of charters for the January-February window.
Alternative Sailings Offered
Royal Caribbean has outlined some alternate options for the guests in the notification email to alleviate the disappointment of the cancelled cruises. There are two primary alternatives: rebooking other itineraries in 2024 and 2025 or re-booking any other Royal Caribbean International sailing.
Guests have the option to choose from a selection of 2024 or 2025 itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, onboard Freedom of the Seas or Oasis of the Seas.
Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock
The proposed itineraries include a variety of 7-night and 8-night trips sailing to destinations such as the Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Maarten, Aruba, Curacao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Surprisingly, Royal Caribbean is not offering a Christmas Holiday cruise as an alternative on other ships.
For the replacement cruises, Royal Caribbean assures guests that their original stateroom category price will either be protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate. Furthermore, guests will receive a refund for the difference if the booking was already paid in full and the cruise fare rate decreases.
Guests who choose to sail on any other Royal Caribbean cruises will be responsible for any price differences, including cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. Royal will waive any non-refundable deposit change fees.
Refunds Available
Besides the option to rebook, Royal Caribbean International has also made provisions for full refunds. According to the email, guests who cannot find a suitable new itinerary and choose to cancel will receive a full refund of any paid portion of the cruise fare. This includes non-refundable deposits and any pre-paid amenities.
Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock
Moreover, if guests have booked airfare through Royal Caribbean International, it will be automatically refunded. For guests who have arranged their own transportation and have incurred non-refundable change fees, the cruise line offers to cover up to $200 per guest for domestic changes or up to $400 per guest for international changes.
Guests who had used a Future Cruise Credit for the cancelled cruise will have any new funds paid above the FCC amount refunded and the original FCC reinstated.
Despite the regrettable situation, Royal Caribbean is trying to rectify it and minimize the impact on its guests. Guests wishing to choose from the options provided must contact Royal Caribbean or their Travel Advisor. Guests who do not make contact by this date will have their reservation cancelled.
While the cancellation of the Freedom of the Seas holiday cruise is unfortunate, it appears that Royal Caribbean is planning something special for the Freedom-class cruise ship. Changes that could affect sisterships Independence of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas at a later date.
