Carnival Cruise Line is raising gratuity rates for all stateroom types effective April 2, 2026.
Guests can pre-pay gratuities on any booked cruise before April 2 to lock in the lower rate no matter when they set sail.
The adult price for the Bottomless Bubbles package is also increasing at the same time, with the same pre-pay option.
Carnival Cruise Line has begun reaching out to booked guests and travel agents to alert them to an upcoming price change. As of April 2, 2026, gratuity rates will be increased for all stateroom types, but guests who pre-pay before that date can take advantage of the current (lower!) pricing no matter when their cruise sets sail.
Furthermore, the adult price for the Bottomless Bubbles unlimited soda package will also be increasing from April 2, but guests to pre-pay for the package can still enjoy the lower rate if they make their purchase before April 2.
“We are writing to let you know that we will be changing the price for Bottomless Bubbles (for adults only – there is no price change for children) and adjusting the onboard gratuity guidelines, effective April 2, 2026,”the email notification confirmed.
“However, we will honor the existing price for both if purchased prior to the adjustment.”
The current pricing for Carnival Cruise Line gratuities, if paid prior to April ,2 is as follows:
$16 per person, per day for standard staterooms
$18 per person, per day for suites
Each rate will be going up by $1 per person per day on April 2, an increase of 6.25% and 5.55%, respectively. This will make the standard stateroom gratuity $17 per person, per day and suites will be $19 per person, per day.
For Bottomless Bubbles, the price for adults is increasing from $9.50 per adult per day to $11.99 per adult per day, an increase of $2.49 per day, or 26%.
Carnival Sensation Atrium Bar (Photo Credit: Rob Bixby)
There is still a 20% service charge for the Bottomless Bubbles package as well. While that percentage has not increased, overall it is an additional fifty cents higher on the new price.
Guests who wish to pre-pay for either their gratuities or the Bottomless Bubbles package can do so via the Carnival website for their individual booking, or by reaching out to their travel agent.
Not the First Line to Increase Gratuities
Carnival Cruise Line is not the first cruise line to increase gratuity rates in 2026. Just yesterday, February 1, Margaritaville at Sea increased its mandatory gratuities, effective immediately. Their rate is now $22 per person, per day, and cannot be adjusted or removed from guests’ accounts.
Carnival Cruise Line does still permit guests to adjust gratuities at their discretion.
The increase from Carnival Cruise Line is not unexpected, as the last time the line increased gratuity rates was April 1, 2023. It is actually quite unusual for a cruise line to go three years without a change in gratuity rates.
Carnival did increase the mandatory added “service charge” from 18% to 20% in late 2025. That fee is added to drink packages, individual drink purchases, specialty dining charges, and other types of onboard services, but it is not considered a gratuity.
Will Other Cruise Lines Raise Gratuities?
It is highly likely that other cruise lines will now begin raising their own gratuity rates, depending on what their current rates are and how they compare across similar lines in the industry.
For example, at just $16 per person, per day in standard staterooms, Disney Cruise Line now has one of the lowest gratuity rates of the major cruise lines, though it did increase rates in January 2025 from the previous $14.50 daily rate.
Cruise lines regularly review different prices, rates, and charges, and will adjust accordingly if needed. Pre-paying gratuities is a good way for guests to ensure they have the lowest cost, because while it’s not certain what cruise lines may raise rates when, what is certain is that gratuity rates do not go down.
A gastrointestinal outbreak has sickened 21 guests and crew aboard Seven Seas Mariner.
This is the first reported illness outbreak for 2026, but the cause has not yet been confirmed.
The ship was sailing from Miami to Hawaii during the outbreak and has already continued on its next itinerary.
Cruise ships are often called “petri dishes” and other derogatory names due to the tremendous crowds of thousands of guests in the same spaces, but illness outbreaks aren’t confined just to the world’s largest ships.
A gastrointestinal outbreak has been reported aboard Seven Seas Mariner, a luxury ship from Regent Seven Seas Cruises with just 1,089 guests and crew aboard. The outbreak is the first reported in 2026 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak happened on the ship’s most recent sailing, a journey from Miami, Florida to Honolulu, Hawaii. Seven Seas Mariner set sail from the Sunshine State on Sunday, January 11, 2026 and transited through the Panama Canal, visited multiple ports in Central America and Mexico, and moved on to Hawaii, arriving in Honolulu on Sunday, February 1.
A total of 21 guests out of the 631 passengers onboard reported diarrhea, while six of the 458 crew members also reported the illness. At this time, the causative agent has not been identified.
Outbreaks in US waters must be reported to the CDC whenever more than 3% of either guests or crew report gastrointestinal symptoms.
While this outbreak onboard Seven Seas Mariner has impacted just 1.3% of the luxury ship’s crew, a total of 3.3% of guests reported symptoms, necessitating the report.
Because the sailing has been a lengthy one, however, it is important to note that individual illness reports may not be simultaneous. Reports made to the CDC cover the total number of cases reported during a single voyage, and it is possible that just a few individuals were sick at any one time during the sailing.
Seven Seas Mariner has already continued sailing in Hawaii as part of a longer overall itinerary. The 154-night roundtrip world cruise sailing from Miami will now head for unique destinations in French Polynesia and the South Pacific, New Zealand, Australia, Asia, India, and Africa before eventually returning to Florida in mid-June.
Guests can book just individual segments of these types of long voyages, which is why the report has already been made to the CDC.
Response to the Outbreak
Once gastrointestinal cases were identified on board, Regent Seven Seas took immediate action to minimize the potential spread of a contagious illness.
This includes standard response measures such as increasing cleaning and disinfection in all public areas, particularly high-contact surfaces such as railings and elevators.
CDC Facility (Photo Credit: Tada Images)
Guests and crew members reporting symptoms were isolated, and samples were collected to be tested to confirm the causative agent. That testing has not yet been completed.
Guests onboard would also have been encouraged to use proper handwashing techniques, particularly after using the restroom and before meals, to minimize any contagion. The CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) is monitoring the situation in case further steps may be necessary.
First Outbreak of the Year
The outbreak aboard Seven Seas Mariner is the first one reported in 2026, but it undoubtedly won’t be the last. In 2025, a total of 23 outbreaks were reported across all cruise lines and vessels of all sizes.
The most recent to have impacted a Regent Seven Seas vessel was aboard Seven Seas Explorer at the end of April and into mid-May 2025, with 24 guests and crew members affected. No causative agent was ever determined in that outbreak.
The Seven Seas Explorer outbreak was the only incident noted aboard a Regent Seven Seas ship in 2025, but other lines impacted by outbreaks include Sea Cloud Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, and more.
MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra will undergo renovations in late 2026 through early 2027.
Both 92,409-gross-ton vessels will add the luxury “ship-within-a-ship” MSC Yacht Club concept.
Once completed, all Musica-class vessels and 19 ships in the MSC Cruises’ fleet will have Yacht Clubs.
Fans of MSC Cruises’ luxury Yacht Club will soon see the “ship-within-a-ship” concept expand to two more vessels by 2027.
The cruise line announced on February 2, 2026, that it will add its MSC Yacht Club to both MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, completing the rollout of the premium enclave across the entire Musica class.
The upgrades will be carried out as part of scheduled refurbishments, with the 92,409-gross-ton MSC Musica receiving its Yacht Club installation in late 2026 ahead of its South American deployment.
MSC Orchestra, also 92,409 gross tons, will follow in the first quarter of 2027, in time for a Mediterranean season sailing from Bari, Italy.
With the additions, all four Musica-class ships, including MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica, will feature the Yacht Club. The move brings one of MSC Cruises’ most popular offerings to smaller, more traditional cruise rather than just its newer mega-vessels.
Once completed, the MSC Yacht Club will be available on 19 ships across the fleet. The concept provides passengers with expansive suites with 24-hour butler and a dedicated concierge service, and exclusive private dining and venues.
“MSC Cruises is always looking for new ways to enhance the onboard experience, striving to create exceptional and elevated concepts to ensure that guests will remember their cruise as the ultimate vacation experience,” said the cruise line in a statement.
“With the addition of MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra, the MSC Yacht Club will now be available across 19 ships fleetwide, further expanding its appeal to guests seeking a premium and effortlessly luxurious way to travel,”the company added.
MSC Yacht Cub
While the Musica-class ships are smaller than MSC Cruises’ newest vessels like MSC World America, which has the largest Yacht Club, the cruise line is working to bring consistency across ship sizes.
MSC Cruises did not specify the total number of Yacht Club suites that will be added to each ship or whether other public spaces will be modified as part of the refurbishments. Further details are expected closer to the opening of Yacht Club sales for both vessels, coming soon.
Currently, MSC Musica and MSC Orchestra each accommodate 3,223 passengers.
Upcoming for Musica and Orchestra
The MSC Yacht Club additions are closely tied to upcoming deployments for both ships, giving guests access to premium experiences across multiple regions and sailing dates.
MSC Musica will operate in South America from November 2026 through April 2027. During the season, the ship will offer itineraries focused on Brazilian ports, as well as a series of 8- and 9-night sailings over Christmas and New Year.
MSC Yacht Club Top Sail Lounge
The voyages will call on Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo and Punta del Este, Uruguay. The season will conclude with a 16-night transatlantic crossing, departing Santos, Brazil, on April 1, 2027, and arriving in Genoa, Italy.
MSC Orchestra’s Yacht Club debut will take place shortly after. Beginning March 13, 2027, the ship will sail from Bari, through April 24, operating Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.
These sailings will include calls in Turkey, with scheduled stops in Izmir and Istanbul, along with ports in Greece, such as Piraeus and Corfu.
Onboard, Yacht Club guests have access to a suite-only restaurant, lounge, and sun deck, separate from the ship’s main public areas. Accommodations include upgraded suites designed to offer more space than standard staterooms, along with expanded in-room services.
Additional inclusions for Yacht Club passengers include daily in-suite refreshments, unpacking and packing services, and access to premium bath amenities. Private shopping appointments in onboard boutiques outside regular hours may also be arranged, along with customized shore excursions and private transportation in select ports.
The Yacht Club is expected to be added to the upcoming World-class ships currently scheduled to debut through 2031.
MSC Cruises delayed MSC Meraviglia’s Brooklyn departure by a day, departing on February 2 instead of February 1, 2026.
The delay resulted in reworked call dates and times in Port Canaveral and Nassau, Bahamas.
The cruise line also scrapped a call to its private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Winter weather has struck again.
Passengers booked on MSC Meraviglia were notified onboard that their cruise from Brooklyn, New York, would be delayed and its itinerary adjusted due to severe winter weather along the ship’s departure.
In a letter dated February 1, 2026, MSC Cruises said deteriorating conditions prompted the cruise line to postpone the 171,598-gross-ton ship’s February 1 departure and make multiple schedule changes to prioritize safety.
The ship ultimately departed New York at 10 a.m. on February 2, 2026, a day later than planned.
“Due to the predicted weather conditions along our departure route, we have proactively decided to delay our departure to tomorrow at 10 a.m. to ensure the safety and comfort of all our guests and crew,” MSC Cruises said in its letter, delivered to passengers on embarkation day.
Weather reports said February 1 would have extreme cold with a small chance of light snow, but the more serious conditions would be wind-related, causing rough seas with strong waves along the east coast.
The National Weather Service was monitoring a coastal low-pressure system and warned of possible flooding just one week after Winter Storm Fern brought heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the region.
The weather-related delay also triggered changes to the ship’s ports of call. MSC Cruises said the late departure meant the vessel would no longer arrive in Port Canaveral on February 3, as originally scheduled.
As a result, MSC Meraviglia will spend the day at sea and arrive at the popular Florida port on February 4. However, the late arrival results in an earlier call, providing guests with one extra hour in port.
Lighthouse Bay Beach (Photo Credit: Catie Kovelman / Cruise Hive)
The bad news? Guests will now miss a call in Ocean Cay, the cruise line’s private island destination in the Bahamas.
The 4,488-passenger vessel will resume her original schedule by February 5, with an extra 30 minutes in Nassau, Bahamas, followed by two sea days before returning to New York on February 8.
What the Changes Mean for MSC Meraviglia Guests
MSC Cruises apologized for the changes, especially the loss of visiting Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, and said all shore excursions booked through the cruise line would be fully refunded to guests’ onboard accounts.
“We understand that any unexpected changes to your itinerary can be disappoint and we want to assure you that this decision was made with your safety as our top priority,” said the cruise line.
“Although this adjustment is due to circumstances beyond our control, we want to express our sincere appreciation for your understanding and patience,” it continued.
While guests were allowed to remain onboard during the embarkation delay, the cruise line said some services were limited on February 1.
According to the notice, dining and entertainment remained available, but retail shops stayed closed until after departure in accordance with local regulations.
Just days before the revised sailing, the company had warned passengers booked on MSC Meraviglia’sJanuary 25 departure from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal to expect travel delays and hazardous conditions due to Winter Storm Fern.
At the time, the cruise line indicated while the storm was unlikely to affect the scheduled arrival or departure of the ship, the weather could create delays for passengers trying to reach the terminal.
These winter weather-related issues won’t affect MSC Meraviglia in 2026-27, as the ship will homeport in Miami instead of Brooklyn for the winter season.
Celebrity Reflection unexpectedly enjoyed a cruise to nowhere over the weekend.
Both Key West and Bimini were cancelled due to rough weather and no alternative ports were available.
The ship returned to Fort Lauderdale for debarkation on Monday as planned.
Ports of call are a big part of any cruise vacation, but sometimes Mother Nature conspires against certain itineraries and no visits are possible. This happened with the most recent sailing of Celebrity Reflection, as every port of call needed to be cancelled for the January 30, 2026 weekend cruise.
These types of extreme modifications to a cruise itinerary are typically a last-minute decision made by necessity, and guests weren’t notified of the changes until they were onboard the Solstice Class ship.
“As previously shared by our Captain, along with Chief Meteorologist Craig Setzer, we have been closely monitoring the advancing weather front passing through the Florida Keys and the Bahamas,”the letter delivered to guests explained.
The weather front had been expected to impact the region late on Saturday afternoon, January 31. Celebrity Reflection was initially scheduled to visit Key West, Florida, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day. The storm moved more quickly than expected, however.
“This earlier arrival of adverse conditions would make both our stay in Key West, and our departure unsafe, and we had to cancel our visit,”the letter confirmed.
Celebrity Reflection Letter
Weather Underground’s historical data shows that winds in Key West began rising before 9 a.m. on Saturday and remained steady at 15-20 miles per hour throughout the day, with gusts as high as 33 mph while Celebrity Reflection would have been docked.
These strong winds could have caused too much tension on the ship’s mooring lines, potentially causing a break that would set the ship adrift. Furthermore, dock and gangway conditions can be unsafe in such high winds.
Following the change to Key West, Celebrity Reflection also had to cancel the visit to Bimini that had been planned for Sunday, February 1 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Port of Bimini closed the port for safety due to high winds, and instead, the cruise ship remained at sea for another day.
This means that both port visits on the 3-night sailing had to be cancelled, and instead, Celebrity Reflection had a rare cruise to nowhere.
The ship did return safely to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale as planned on Monday, February 2, with no delay for debarkation. At this time, there are no confirmed changes for the next sailing, a 4-night Bahamas sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
If there are any changes needed over the next few days, guests will be notified onboard.
Why Don’t Cruises Sail to Nowhere?
Many guests choose cruise travel because of the convenience of visiting multiple destinations without needing interim transportation between different islands and even different countries.
It can be frustrating and disappointing when ports of call are changed or cancelled, but the safety of the ship, its crew, and every guest onboard is the cruise line’s first priority.
Because of US legislation, however, cruise ships are not legally permitted to sail cruises to nowhere from US homeports. The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 requires that cruise ships visit a foreign port of call on every voyage or else the cruise line could face significant fines.
Celebrity Reflection can welcome 3,046 guests and could be fined for every guest onboard for this one weekend sailing. The cruise line can appeal the fines; however, as special circumstances do warrant exceptions, fines may be reduced or eliminated based on the individual situation. Any fines are not passed along to cruise guests.
Carnival Sunshine is adjusting her itinerary to avoid rough sea weather for her February 1, 2026 sailing.
The ship will skip Bimini and the visits to both Nassau and Celebration Key have been adjusted.
Cold weather is impacting the onboard experience but crew members are working to keep the ship warm.
It isn’t always bad weather at a homeport or port of call that can impact a cruise itinerary. Guests boarding Carnival Sunshine in Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday, February 1 for a 6-night Bahamas cruise were notified that due to rough seas, their sailing route has to be adjusted. This has caused an itinerary change and a missed port visit.
“With help from our Fleet Operations Center, we have been closely monitoring the winter storm that is affecting the region. The storm is producing strong winds and waves off the east coast, conditions that will impact our voyage plan,”the letter delivered to guests explained.
“As we sail south, we will take a route that will keep us away from the most unfavorable sea conditions, traveling at speeds that will help to keep everyone more comfortable.”
Carnival Sunshine Itinerary Change Letter
Carnival Sunshine still departed Norfolk at 6 p.m. Sunday as planned. Satellite tracking Monday morning confirms the ship is hugging the eastern seaboard rather than sailing further out to sea.
Along the ship’s normal route, Windy.com reports wind speeds reaching 30-35 miles per hour. By remaining closer to the coast, winds are somewhat slower at 20-25 mph, and expected to slow further as the storm system continues to move offshore.
Bimini Port Visit Cancelled
Carnival Sunshine is sailing at just 14 knots (16 mph) rather than her typical top cruising speed of 21 knots (24 mph). While it is common for cruise ships to slow down during days at sea to provide a more comfortable experience, this much slower speed also means the ship’s itinerary is impacted.
“Because we must make these adjustments, it will be necessary to modify our original itinerary to a two-port voyage,”the cruise line confirmed.
Now, Carnival Sunshine will visit Nassau on Wednesday, February 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While this is the same day as the original itinerary, the ship will now be arriving two hours earlier than previously scheduled to give guests more time to explore and enjoy Nassau.
The second port visit will be Celebration Key on Thursday, February 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Originally, Carnival Sunshine was scheduled to visit Carnival Cruise Line’s private destination on Grand Bahama on Tuesday, February 3 from 12-7 p.m.
Unfortunately, the visit to Bimini that had been planned for Thursday, February 5 is completely cancelled.
Any shore tours purchased through Carnival Cruise Line for Bimini will be cancelled automatically and refunded to guests’ onboard accounts. Tours for Celebration Key will be moved from Tuesday to Thursday and adjusted time-wise as necessary.
Guests Urged to Be Cautious
Because Carnival Sunshine is still sailing through rough waters, guests are being urged to be careful when moving about the ship. Using handrails on stairs is especially important, as the ship’s movement could easily throw even the most sure-footed cruiser off balance.
Furthermore, the crew is aware that the ship can seem cold and is working to help it feel more like the tropical vacation guests expect.
“We are committed to doing everything possible to provide you with a fun and enjoyable voyage this week and are working to warm things up onboard,”the letter noted.“In the meantime, dress in layers to help you stay comfortable.”
Guests onboard have noted that the heat on the ship seems inconsistent in different areas.
“It’s very cold in the upper levels/common areas. But the ship DOES have heat, it just doesn’t stay in with doors constantly opening. As long as you keep the heat on in your room and ask for some blue blankets, you’ll be comfy,”one guest explained.
Crew members are keeping open areas as closed off as possible to try and keep heat in the indoor public areas, but frequently opening doors does tend to let the heat out and make the ship seem colder.
It can certainly be frustrating for guests who expect a tropical vacation to instead be dealing with colder-than-expected conditions onboard. The average temperature in Nassau for early February is 75 degrees Fahrenheit, yet in Norfolk it is 50 degrees. On Monday morning, February 2, 2026, the temperature in Norfolk was just 27 degrees, well below typical averages.
All cruise lines do their best in different types of inclement weather. The safety of the ship and everyone aboard is the first priority, followed by comfort to create a great cruise experience.
Guests who may not be having the greatest experience should still remain patient with crew members who are doing all they can to ensure a fun and memorable vacation, even if there may not be quite as much “sunshine” onboard Carnival Sunshine as everyone would have hoped.
Royal Caribbean’s current largest cruise ships are in the Icon-class, at 248,663 gross tons (they are also the largest cruise ships in the world overall), and its smallest cruise ship is Grandeur of the Seas, at 73,817 gross tons.
Each Royal Caribbean ship, though, comes with its perks, and you may find that you prefer smaller ships to bigger ships, or vice versa.
Here are all the current Royal Caribbean cruise ships by size, so you can compare and contrast your options as you book your next cruise. And just a heads up that this list will change even further when the new Legend of the Seas arrives!
Icon of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
The lead ship of the Icon class and the newest ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Icon of the Seas, is not just the largest ship for the cruise line to date, but also the current largest cruise ship in the world.
As has been the case with so many other Royal Caribbean cruise ships before it, Icon of the Seas set records not just for size, but also for unique features.
In addition to featuring the largest waterpark at sea, with some ground-breaking first-at-sea water slides, the ship also boasts the largest pool at sea. It provides more than 40 dining and drinking options.
Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
Guest Capacity: 5,610
Length: 1,196 feet
Width: 219 feet
Star of the Seas
Star of the Seas Departing Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
Star of the Seas is another giant cruise ship that is jointly the world’s largest, with Icon of the Seas. The vessel was constructed at the popular Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland and is part of the Icon-class. The ship was finally delivered to Royal Caribbean in July 2025, and following a series of early preview cruises, Star of the Sea departed on its inaugural voyage out of Port Canaveral on August 31.
So why is Star of the Seas so big? The ship features eight neighborhoods, with each offering a different experience. There are more than 30 cabin categories, 13 complimentary dining venues, 14 specialty dining venues, six kids’ spaces, 18 bars, and many other amenities.
Gross Tonnage: 248,663 GT
Guest Capacity: 5,610
Length: 1,196 feet
Width: 219 feet
Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas (Credit: Royal Caribbean)
Utopia of the Seas debuted right around the same time as Icon of the Seas, and it takes second place among Royal Caribbean’s largest ships.
The ship is the latest in the Oasis Plus Class, and, interestingly, even though it’s technically smaller than Icon of the Seas by gross tonnage, it actually has a greater passenger capacity, just due to how the staterooms and suites are split up across both ships.
There are many similarities between Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, but Utopia of the Seas still manages to stand apart in a few key ways.
For example, this ship introduced the Royal Railway, a new dining concept for Royal Caribbean, that features a dining car-esque environment.
Gross Tonnage: 236,473 GT
Guest Capacity: 5,668
Length: 1,188 feet
Wonder of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Bruce Alan Bennett)
Wonder of the Seas is a similar Oasis-class ship. The vessel is slightly smaller than Utopia of the Seas, but can ultimately hold more overall passengers at double occupancy, due to stateroom and suite configuration.
This ship offers lots to love, including 40-plus restaurants, bars, and lounges; Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate Abyss slide (now featured on multiple ships), the tallest dry slide at sea; and nearly 3,000 different staterooms and suites to choose from when booking.
Gross Tonnage: 235,600
Guest Capacity: 5,734
Length: 1,188 feet
Symphony of the Seas
Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov / Shutterstock
Symphony of the Seas took its maiden voyage in 2018 and held the title of largest cruise ship in the world for multiple years, before Wonder of the Seas surpassed her.
The ship’s highlights include the Ultimate Family Suite, a Royal Caribbean-exclusive feature; that Ultimate Abyss dry slide, the longest in the world; and The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Otherwise, the ship includes a wide array of restaurants and bars and lounges, as well as all the amenities that Royal Caribbean fans have come to expect on the line’s newer ships, such as seven neighborhoods, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators and more.
Gross Tonnage: 230,000
Guest Capacity: 5,518
Length: 1,188 feet
Harmony of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas (Photo Credit: Roger ARPS)
Harmony of the Seas was also the largest cruise ship in the world when it first debuted, in early 2016. This was the ship to introduce the Ultimate Abyss Slide. It also features a large waterpark and multiple waterslides, as well as an ice-skating ring, surfing simulators and zip lines.
The ship has plenty of dining and drinking options, just like its Oasis-class sister ships. However, one unique feature you’ll find on this ship but not necessarily on some of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships, is the Bionic Bar, with its robotic bartenders.
Gross Tonnage: 226,960
Guest Capacity: 5,480
Length: 1,188 feet
Allure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas Docked in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
Debuting in 2010, Allure of the Seas was Royal Caribbean’s second Oasis-class ship, and she continued on offering all of the industry-rocking elements that Oasis of the Seas introduced just a year before. As such, Allure of the Seas offers the seven-neighborhood layout that’s become standard on Royal Caribbean ships.
Royal Caribbean also boasted about this ship’s environmental friendliness when it debuted. For example, Allure of the Seas features an advanced wastewater purification system that treats more than half a million gallons of water per day. It also features an advanced emissions purification system that removes 98% of the ship’s sulfur emissions from the environment.
Gross Tonnage: 225,282
Guest Capacity: 5,400
Length: 1,187 feet
Oasis of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas Size (Photo Credit: Palephotography)
The first Oasis-class ship, Oasis of the Seas changed the cruising industry and Royal Caribbean forever, when it debuted in 2009. It set the standard for Royal Caribbean’s future and shook up the cruising world like no other vessel had before, and no other vessel has to date, thus far, except for maybe Icon of the Seas.
This is in part thanks to the unique seven-neighborhood layout that Oasis of the Seas introduced, with similar activities and environments grouped together in the neighborhoods dubbed Central Park, The Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Boardwalk, Royal Promenade, Youth Zone, and Entertainment Place.
The ship also featured the first park at sea, with the Central Park neighborhood.
Gross Tonnage: 220,900
Guest Capacity: 5,400
Length: 1,181 feet
Spectrum of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Nate Hovee)
The next-largest Royal Caribbean ship is actually a fair amount smaller, by about 50,000 GT or so. Still, Spectrum of the Seas is nothing to ignore.
This Quantum Ultra-class ship still provides plenty of staterooms and suites, restaurants, bars and lounges and highlights like the North Star ride and skydiving experience by iFLY.
Interestingly, though, while Spectrum of the Seas is much smaller than Oasis of the Seas, it is also much newer. In fact, Spectrum of the Seas set sail for the first time in 2019, a decade after Oasis of the Seas’s launch.
Gross Tonnage: 168,800
Guest Capacity: 4,245
Length: 1,139 feet
Anthem of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas Docked in Southampton (Photo Credit: Skyshark Media)
A member of the Quantum class, Anthem of the Seas launched in April 2015. While definitely not the first Quantum-class ship, Anthem of the Seas still offered a range of exciting features when it debuted.
Particular highlights include Two70, a multi-level common space that features 270-degree sea views and massive glass walls; the SeaPlex indoor entertainment space with activities like bumper cars; the Music Hall live music venue; the North Star capsule ride; and the RipCord by iFLY surfing simulator.
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Guest Capacity: 4,180
Length: 1,142 feet
Ovation of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Zilcheqs)
Ovation of the Seas is actually newer than Anthem of the Seas, debuting in 2016, though she is smaller — not by gross tonnage, but just by one little foot of length, a difference you’ll hardly notice. Otherwise, this ship is very similar to the other Quantum-class ships.
Ovation of the Seas features the RipCord by iFLY surfing simulator, North Star capsule experience, Two70 common space and SeaPlex entertainment venue. It also offers just over 2,000 staterooms and suites, spread out over 14 guest decks.
Gross Tonnage: 168,666
Guest Capacity: 4,180
Length: 1,141 feet
Quantum of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas in Alaska (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
The lead ship in the Quantum class, Quantum of the Seas, introduced many of these standout features that you’ll find on the other Quantum-class ships, such as the SeaPlex space, Two70, North Star, and skydiving simulator. It was also the first ship to feature the bionic bartenders.
Quantum of the Seas took its maiden voyage in 2014. It’s only slightly smaller by gross tonnage than its sister ships, and the same length as Ovation of the Seas.
Gross Tonnage: 167,800
Guest Capacity: 4,180
Length: 1,141 feet
Odyssey of the Seas
Odyssey of the Seas (Photo Credit: Aerial-motion / Shutterstock)
However, one thing that Odyssey of the Seas did have, uniquely, when she was rolled out in 2020, was a new hull design featuring the ship’s name in big letters, something that can now be seen on other Royal Caribbean ships.
Compared to Spectrum of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas is just a bit smaller, with room for about 50 passengers fewer.
Gross Tonnage: 167,704
Guest Capacity: 4,198
Length: 1,138 feet
Liberty of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas Cruise Ship Docked in Bermuda (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
When you get down to Liberty of the Seas, you’re starting to get into some of the older Royal Caribbean ships that may not offer all the same features and amenities you’ll get with the Quantum-class ships and newer.
Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially if you like a more low-key, less crowded cruise, keeping the focus on your port days and relaxation more than on on-ship bells and whistles.
Delivered in 2007, Liberty of the Seas is a Freedom-class ship. While it is more than a dozen years older than Odyssey of the Seas, it’s only slightly smaller, at less than 10,000 GT smaller, and holding only about 400 fewer passengers.
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Guest Capacity: 3,798
Length: 1,112 feet
Freedom of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas (Photo Credit: Wangkun Jia)
Another Freedom-class ship (as you probably could’ve guessed by the name), Freedom of the Seas was the largest Royal Caribbean ship when it first set sail in 2006. Compared to other, newer ships, though, Freedom of the Seas today offers far fewer amenities, including fewer restaurants, bars and lounges.
Still, this ship has been updated over time. Now, if you take a Freedom of the Seas cruise, you’ll see newer additions such as The Lime & Coconut resort-style pool and bar areas, as well as the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Gross Tonnage: 160,000
Guest Capacity: 3,634
Length: 1,112 feet
Independence of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas (Photo Credit: Roberto Sorin)
While Independence of the Seas is the newest Freedom-class ship, built in 2008, it’s also the smallest. That said, it’s not tiny by any means. When compared to the world’s overall cruise ships, Independence of the Seas still ranks within the 40 largest cruise ships, from all cruise lines.
Like other Royal Caribbean cruise ships of this age, Independence of the Seas has received various renovations. It was most recently overhauled in 2018.
Gross Tonnage: 154,407
Guest Capacity: 3,858
Length: 1,112 feet
Navigator of the Seas
Photo Credit: ATGImages / Shutterstock
Navigator of the Seas is a member of Royal Caribbean’s Voyager class. While it is the largest ship in this class, though, it isn’t the newest. Launching in 2002, the ship is about 12,000 GT smaller than Independence of the Seas, and can carry about 700 fewer people.
Over its 14 guest decks, this ship offers over 10 dining options, as well as over 10 bars and lounges. Newer features that have been added since the ship’s initial launch include the Lime & Coconut resort-style bar area, as well as El Loco Fresh.
Gross Tonnage: 142,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Voyager of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Port Canaveral)
The lead ship for the Voyager class, when Voyager of the Seas debuted in 1999 (more than 25 years ago!), it featured a few landmark amenities that would make Royal Caribbean stand out.
In fact, some of these features can still be found on Royal Caribbean ships today, namely the ice-skating rink (the first at sea) and the rock climbing walls.
Voyager of the Seas is still pretty small compared to today’s latest and greatest from Royal Caribbean, though, with relatively fewer amenities, restaurants, bars and lounges. That said, if you like a smaller ship with less crowds, this ship may be just up your alley.
Gross Tonnage: 142,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Mariner of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks)
Newer than Voyager of the Seas, but still smaller, Mariner of the Seas joined the Royal Caribbean fleet in 2003. It most recently received some renovations in 2018, though, so there are touches and amenities that are relatively modern.
The refurbishment was expensive, costing $120 million and increasing the ship’s size. Newly added amenities and features include the Sky Pad, multiple waterslides and updated restaurants.
Gross Tonnage: 138,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Adventure of the Seas
Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock.com
Another Voyager-class ship, Adventure of the Seas, initially debuted in 2001. Like Mariner of the Seas, it also underwent dry dock renovations in 2018, bringing this ship up to more contemporary standards. Both Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas are the same size.
Aboard Adventure of the Seas, you’ll find, across the 14 guest decks, more than 1,500 staterooms and suites, just under 10 dining options, 10 bars and lounges and highlight amenities like the FlowRider surfing simulator and the Perfect Storm trio of waterslides.
Gross Tonnage: 138,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Explorer of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas (Photo Credit: Nancy Pauwels)
The second Voyager-class ship and setting sail on the high seas for the first time in 2000, Explorer of the Seas has, like the other ships in this class, been updated to feature newer, more modern amenities. For example, the FlowRider surfing simulator was added, as was an ice rink.
Still, this ship is on the small side, measuring in at exactly the same size as both Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.
Gross Tonnage: 138,000
Guest Capacity: 3,114
Length: 1,020 feet
Radiance of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas (Photo Credit: Just dance)
A member of the Radiance class, Radiance of the Seas is significantly smaller than Explorer of the Seas. It’s nearly 50,000 GT smaller and holds a thousand fewer people.
As such, while these ships are right next to one another in the ranking of Royal Caribbean’s ships from largest to smallest, you’ll notice a big difference if you go from cruising on one to the other.
Despite this, Royal Caribbean manages to pack a lot of fun onto this ship’s small footprint. You’ll find 11 dining options, 11 bars and lounges and highlight entertainment-related features such as a rock climbing wall and miniature golf.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,100
Length: 1,050 feet
Brilliance of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Benson Truong)
Brilliance of the Seas measures in at the same gross tonnage as sister ship Radiance of the Seas, but it’s about 100 feet shorter. Despite this, Brilliance of the Seas can actually hold more guests than Radiance.
This ship first set sail for Royal Caribbean in July 2002, and, across its 12 guest decks, features eight restaurants, 11 bars and lounges and amenities such as a rock-climbing wall and multiple pools.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,188
Length: 965 feet
Serenade of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas Cruise (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Serenade of the Seas is newer than Brilliance of the Seas, as it entered service in 2003, but, while it’s the same gross tonnage and length, it has a lesser guest capacity, equal to that of Radiance of the Seas.
Serenade of the Seas features 12 guest decks, eight restaurants, 11 bars and lounges and amenities like a spa and sports court. It also was used for Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, which lasted nearly an entire year over 2023–2024, and visited seven continents, eight world wonders, 65 countries and more than 150 destinations.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,100
Length: 965 feet
Jewel of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas (Photo Credit: Studio Porto Sabbia)
She may be small, but out of all the Radiance-class ships, Jewel of the Seas is the newest, officially making her debut in May 2002. The ship was refurbished in 2016.
Jewel of the Seas features 12 guest decks, seven dining options, 11 bars and lounges and both a mini golf course and rock-climbing wall. There are just over a thousand staterooms and suites to house the ship’s maximum 2,100 guests.
Gross Tonnage: 90,090
Guest Capacity: 2,100
Length: 962 feet
Enchantment of the Seas
Photo Credit: Tiffany Marie Green / Shutterstock
Enchantment of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s smallest and oldest class of ships: the Vision class. Enchantment of the Seas debuted in 1997.
This ship is the largest of its class, but it’s still significantly smaller than the smallest Radiance-class ship, Jewel of the Seas, at about 10,000 GT less. However, Enchantment manages to hold its own in terms of guest capacity, with nearly the same capacity as Jewel, with only about a 150-person difference.
Gross Tonnage: 80,700
Guest Capacity: 1,950
Length: 919 feet
Rhapsody of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
This was the second Vision-class cruise ship, also debuting in 1997, like Enchantment of the Seas. Rhapsody of the Seas, though, is just slightly smaller.
This cruise ship features 12 total decks (with fewer guest decks) and eight dining options, alongside five bars and lounges. Amenities and similar features are mostly limited to pools, a rock climbing wall, the theater, the casino, and the fitness center.
Gross Tonnage: 78,490
Guest Capacity: 1,996
Length: 919 feet
Vision of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock)
Vision of the Seas is actually newer than both Enchantment of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas, debuting in 1998. The ship is fairly similar, though, measuring the same as Rhapsody.
This cruise ship features just 10 guest decks and just over a thousand staterooms, with eight dining options, six bars and lounges and a handful of amenities like a rock climbing wall, theater, casino and pools.
Gross Tonnage: 78,490
Guest Capacity: 1,996
Length: 919 feet
Grandeur of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
This is the smallest ship that Royal Caribbean is currently operating. It’s also the oldest ship in the Vision class, debuting in 1996, which likewise makes it the oldest ship that Royal Caribbean currently uses overall.
With only a select number of restaurants and bars, and fewer than a thousand staterooms and suites, this ship is limited in what it offers — but that’s exactly what some cruisers prefer. Amenities and other features include the spa, rock-climbing wall, an arcade, two pools, and six whirlpools.
Gross Tonnage: 74,137
Guest Capacity: 1,950
Length: 919 feet
What is Royall Caribbean’s Smallest Cruise Ship in 2026?
Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Leonard Zhukovsky)
Royal Caribbean’s smallest and oldest ship, Grandeur of the Seas, stands in very stark contrast. This is cruising from decades past. It’s low-key, un-rushed and unworried. For some cruisers, this is exactly what they want, and they’re fine with cruising on an older ship if that’s what they get.
For a more relaxed cruise where all you really have to worry about is getting a good deck chair, small, older ships like this deliver. Just note that if you’re traveling with kids or those who feel the need to pack their travel itineraries to the brim, they might be a little bored.
Additionally, even with its older age, Grandeur of the Seas still manages to carry that fun and friendly Royal Caribbean spirit — the factor that some may say is the most important of all when booking any cruise.
The Ever-Changing Fleet
Royal Caribbean is constantly evolving with new ships on order and updating current ones. Keep a close eye on this page as the fleet changes.
Upcoming ships that should be on your radar include the next two Icon-class ships, including Legend of the Seas, currently under construction at Meyer Turku andset to debut in July 2026.
Following Legend of the Seas, a 4th Icon-class ship will arrive in 2027, and then a 5th in 2028. Also on order are a 7th Oasis-class cruise ship and the newly announced two Discovery-class vessels.
Margaritaville at Sea has raised gratuity rates fleetwide, effective from Sunday, February 1, 2026.
At $22 per person, per night for standard staterooms, the new rates are the highest in the industry.
The cruise line does not permit guests to adjust or remove the gratuities from their accounts.
In a surprise move, the relatively new boutique cruise line Margaritaville at Sea has raised daily gratuity rates higher than all other lines in the industry.
The rate change was not announced or advertised, but was noticed by booked guests and confirmed on the cruise line’s website. The daily gratuity rates are now as follows:
$22 per person, per night for staterooms (previously $20)
$25 per person, per night for suites (previously $24)
The change appears to have been implemented from February 1, 2026. This is consistent with an annual review of the charges, as the most recent prior changes for the line’s gratuities were implemented on February 1, 2025.
Margaritaville at Sea does note that “100% of guest-paid gratuities go directly to support our crew,” an issue that has been of some debate on other cruise lines.
Most cruise lines are less-than-transparent about exactly how gratuities are distributed, but Margaritaville at Sea offers more information about their policies and how gratuities are managed.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Photo Credit: Feng Cheng)
“Gratuities (charged per guest, per night) and service charges (applied to optional onboard services like spa treatments) help support the entire crew who make your cruise exceptional,”the cruise line explains.
“Our crew works together as one team to deliver unforgettable hospitality. That’s why these charges are fixed and applied to all guests, including our littlest parakeet cruisers.”
Because these charges are “fixed” they are not optional and cannot be adjusted or removed from guests’ accounts. Additional tipping, however, is always at each individual guest’s discretion.
How Do Gratuities Compare?
The current daily gratuity rate for Margaritaville at Sea is now significantly higher than that of other major and better-known cruise lines. Current rates aboard the most popular lines for standard staterooms (other than suites) are as follows, in USD and quoted per person, per day:
Carnival Cruise Line – $16
Royal Caribbean – $18.50
Disney Cruise Line – $16
Norwegian Cruise Line – $20
Celebrity Cruises – $18
Holland America Line – $17
Princess Cruises – $16
MSC Cruises – $14.50
This makes Margaritaville at Sea’s daily gratuity rate for standard staterooms 10% higher than Norwegian Cruise Line, the next highest rate, and a whopping 52% higher than MSC Cruises, which is among the lowest daily gratuity rates.
Of course, gratuity rates are subject to change at any time. Occasionally, guests who pre-pay gratuities at the time of booking can lock in lower rates that will not be changed should gratuities increase before they set sail.
Cruise Hive Cruise Line Gratuities Comparison Tool
It is possible that other cruise lines will soon increase their own gratuities, as this is the time of year when such changes are common. Once one cruise line notes an increase, other lines are likely to follow, especially if they have not increased these charges in a year or more.
The last time Carnival Cruise Line raised gratuities, for example, was April 1, 2023 (not an April Fool’s joke!), so it is very likely a new increase may be coming soon. Likewise, Royal Caribbean’s standard gratuities last increased on November 1, 2024.
Is Margaritaville at Sea Worth the Higher Gratuities?
While tipping culture and gratuities can be a contentious topic even for cruisers, most guests agree that cruise line crew members work very hard to ensure everyone has a spectacular vacation.
Margaritaville at Sea is a relatively new cruise line, only having entered the market in 2022. It has already made a name for itself with its vibrant ships, carefree beach themes, and, of course, its signature theming around the late Jimmy Buffett’s hit songs.
As for the cost of its gratuities, the cruise line’s hospitality is widely renowned and offers some luxury elements other cruise lines have long since discontinued, such as twice-daily stateroom service.
Whether that cost is worthwhile is a matter of individual preference for travelers – share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
Nassau, Bahamas, has broken its annual passenger record for the third time in 2025.
The port welcomed an estimated 6.1 million cruise guests, exceeding the high of 5.6 million guests in 2024.
Looking at the overall, the Bahamas welcomed an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors, the majority of which came from cruise tourism.
Nassau, Bahamas, is batting three for three. For the third year in a row, Nassau has set a new cruise passenger record.
In 2025, the world’s busiest transit cruise port welcomed an estimated 6.1 million passengers across nearly 1,600 ship calls.
“This milestone year for tourism underscores the critical role Nassau Cruise Port continues to play as the primary gateway for visitors to The Bahamas,” said Mike Maura, Jr. CEO & Director of Nassau Cruise Port.
“Welcoming more than six million cruise passengers in a single year reflects the confidence of our cruise partners, the strength of the destination, and the impact of ongoing investments to enhance the passenger experience and operational efficiency at the port,” Maura continued.
This total represents an approximate 9.5% increase over the previous year. In 2024, the port welcomed around 5.6 million cruise guests across 1,445 ship calls, which was a new record at the time.
2023 was also a record-breaking year, with Nassau welcoming an estimated 4.4 million passengers. This was an improvement upon 3.2 million guests in 2022.
Port Upgrades Pay Off
Port authorities have been working hard to secure Nassau’s spot as a top cruise destination and put $300 million into revitalizing the port, which launched in its upgraded form in May of 2023.
This project included six new and expanded berths capable of accommodating the largest ships in the world, with vessels like Royal Caribbean’s Icon-class ships capable of bringing up to 7,600 guests to the port in one go.
Cruise Ships Docked in Nassau, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Sven Hansche)
Additional enhancements have been made to the downtown area, such as adding more and better shopping and dining options, and rolling out free Wi-Fi for visitors in 2024.
These improvements have definitely paid off, with the cruise port breaking records for the largest number of passengers to visit the port in one day on at least two separate occasions in 2025.
Six ships visited Nassau on March 11, 2025, shattering the daily passenger record by bringing a whopping 30,538 passengers to the port. This record was once again blown out of the water on April 8, 2025, when 31,011 cruise guests visited Nassau in one day.
Five ships were in the port that day, including Liberty of the Seas, Utopia of the Seas, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Celebration, and Disney Dream.
More Growth in the Bahamas
As the capital of the Bahamas, Nassau plays a big role in the country’s booming tourism industry. Like Nassau, the Bahamas also set a new visitor record encompassing guests coming by sea and plane, reaching a whopping 12.5 million.
Cruise tourism was the primary driver behind the growth, accounting for 86.5% of the total arrivals. This amounts to more than 10.6 million cruise passenger arrivals.
“In 2025, The Bahamas welcomed an unprecedented 12.5 million visitors, the highest total arrivals ever recorded,”Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, told Parliament.
“Visitor arrivals grew 11.4 per cent year-over-year, surpassing 2024’s record and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 72 per cent,” Cooper highlighted.
In addition to Nassau, Bahamian destinations like Grand Bahama, Bimini, the Berry Islands, and Eleuthera showed significant growth. These popular ports are all home to private cruise destinations.
Notably, the Berry Islands are home to Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Great Stirrup Cay. Eleuthera is where guests can visit Princess Cruises’ Princess Cays and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Carnival’s new Celebration Key is on Grand Bahama, while the adults-only Virgin Voyages has a private beach club on Bimini.
It’s also worth mentioning that MSC Ocean Cay is another popular stop just for MSC Cruises guests. The 95-acre private island is located within the Bimini chain of islands in the western Bahamas.
