HX Announces Extensive Expansion of Camping and Kayaking in Antarctica
This Antarctic season, HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), the world’s oldest expedition cruise company, is launching an extensive expansion of its camping and kayaking activities in Antarctica, significantly increasing capacity across the fleet. Starting in October 2025, HX will offer more guests the opportunity to kayak and camp in Antarctica than ever before, with a 188% increase in kayaking capacity and double the camping spots. All of this is achieved while upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and operating fully within IAATO guidelines, of which HX is a founding member.
“We’re not just adding more spots, we’re reimagining how guests experience Antarctica,” said Karin Strand, VP of Expeditions Development, who has completed more than 150 expeditions to Antarctica and designed the new offering programme. With over 20 years of experience in Antarctic travel, HX continues to lead the category in both scale and innovation.
“With expanded kayaking and camping capacity, plus greater flexibility and access, we’re giving more guests the chance to experience the polar regions in a truly personal and meaningful way. It’s about making these once-in-a-lifetime moments available to everyone on board, while delivering them in small, intimate and responsibly managed groups. Whether you’re gliding past icebergs on your kayak or sleeping under the stars, we’re here to help you write your own Antarctic story. And importantly, all experiences are designed in harmony with nature and in strict adherence to the environmental regulations that govern human activity in Antarctica.”
What’s New for the 2025/26 Antarctica Season?
188% increase in kayaking capacity across the fleet – up to 92 guests
Camping capacity doubled – up to 60 guests
Solo travellers welcome – no partner needed for kayaking or camping
New: Discovery Kayaks – solo, inflatable, self-guided paddling with no language requirement • An industry first, custom-designed with NRS (US) and Escape Watersports (UK) • Combines innovative design and top-tier performance
New: Bivvy Bag Camping – lightweight, low-impact overnight under the stars • Closest experience to true polar expedition camping • Custom-built Scandinavian gear, HX-tested
New expanded activity options – includes: • Two kayaking styles • Two camping formats • Snowshoeing • Polar plunges • Extended hikes*
HX’s enhanced offering isn’t just about quantity – it’s about smarter, more inclusive, and more diverse adventures. From calm solo paddles to more deep dive guided excursions, HX is now offering seven distinct activity options across its fleet, including two kayaking styles, two camping styles, polar plunges, extended hikes, and snowshoeing.
Two Ways to Camp in Antarctica:
Bivvy Bag Camping (New!): Sleep out in the open under the Antarctic sky in new lightweight, weather-ready bivvy bags, the closest experience to true polar expedition camping. With custom-built gear fit for polar conditions (HX-tested in Scandinavia for the harshest conditions), this raw and rugged adventure lets guests connect directly with the ice, the silence, and the stars. Capacity: up to 60 guests. Price: EUR 350 pp
2-Person Tent Camping: Traditional low-impact polar camping in high-performance expedition tents. A great option for those who want to share the experience with a companion, while staying sheltered from the elements. Capacity: 30 guests (2 per tent). Price: EUR 429 pp
All necessary gear is provided for both camping options, including either a bivvy bag or tent kit, insulated sleeping mats, a sleeping bag with liner, and a head torch. Guests are advised to bring their own warm, layered clothing, thermal socks (plus spares), gloves, a hat, neck covering, water bottle, and a camera to capture the experience. Camping is typically offered once per five-day voyage. On longer itineraries, a second night on the ice may be possible, subject to weather and conditions.
Two Ways to Kayak in Antarctica:
Discovery Kayaks (Inflatable – New!): Inflatable, self-guided kayaks featuring a lightweight, durable, and modern design that offers a close-to-the-water experience. They are ideal for calm conditions and intimate exploration. Guests paddle independently at their own pace within a dedicated area, with safety boats monitoring throughout. Solo travellers are welcome to paddle alone, and no English is required.Capacity: 60 guests. Price: EUR 129 pp
Sea Explorer Kayaks (Hard Shell – Expanded Capacity): Hard-shell sea kayaks, guided by two expedition experts, designed for longer-range paddling and enhanced control in dynamic Antarctic conditions. Engineered for range, stability, and the ability to slice through Antarctic silence, these sleek, expedition-grade kayaks are ideal for more technical outings. Each kayak is paired for the ultimate shared experience with a friend or companion. Capacity: 32 guests. Price: EUR 199 pp
For the 2025/2026 Antarctica season, all kayaking and camping bookings will be managed onboard by the Expedition Team, allowing real-time flexibility based on weather, itinerary, and guest preferences. The previous lottery system will be removed, with a first-come, first-served system used on most sailings. A pre-booking system is in development for future seasons. All activities are weather and itinerary dependent. In the event of a cancellation, HX will make every effort to reschedule. If rescheduling is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
“Experiencing Antarctica must come with responsibility,” Strand concludes. “Every step we take is guided by the principles of sustainable tourism. We work within the framework of IAATO guidelines to ensure our presence leaves no trace – minimising impact, respecting wildlife, and preserving the pristine beauty of the polar environment for generations to come.”
HX is proud to now offer its largest and most diverse kayaking and camping programme in Antarctica. With new gear, upgraded programmes, and smarter operations, the brand continues to lead the category not just in scale, but in ambition and innovation.
The MS Volendam may be the oldest ship in the Holland America Line fleet, but she’s still a favourite for those who love a classic cruise experience. With her smaller size and laid-back atmosphere, she offers a more peaceful, traditional voyage that many seasoned cruisers appreciate.
But being an older ship, she comes with a few quirks, especially when it comes to cabin layouts.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the stateroom options, including the best choices and the ones you might want to steer clear of. I’ve used the Volendam deck plans and real guest feedback to put this together.
MS Volendam Cabin Types
There are three main cabin types you can choose from on MS Volendam. These each have subtypes of cabins within them…
Inside – Large
Ocean View – Large, Lanai, Partial Sea View Large, Fully Obstructed View Large, and Porthole Large
Suites – Vista, Neptune or Pinnacle
Let’s take more of a closer look at each of these cabin types, so you can get an idea of which one is the best for you…
Interior Staterooms on MS Volendam
MS Volendam has just one type of Inside cabin that you can book:
Room
Sleeps
Size
Large
2-4 people
Approx. 160-180 sq. ft.
As they are with any cruise ship, Interior cabins are always going to be the cheapest option. They’re great if you’re on a budget and plan on spending most of your time outside of your cabin, exploring everything that MS Volendam has to offer.
While there is only one official classification of Inside Stateroom on MS Volendam (other ships in the fleet have both Standard and Large options), that doesn’t mean they’re all the same.
Some of the staterooms are Triples, with a sofa bed included for a third guest. And some are Quad rooms, which have a sofa bed and a pull-down bed, sleeping a maximum of four.
The Triple rooms are split across the first and second decks (Dolphin Deck and Main Deck), while the Quad rooms are all on the Main Deck. There are some Inside Staterooms on higher decks, but these are all for two people only.
I often like to cruise in the cheapest inside stateroom with my children, so these would be the rooms to go for on this ship – but if you’re looking for the cheapest family cruise, Holland America probably isn’t the cruise line for you. It’s a more premium option.
Ocean View Staterooms on MS Volendam
The Ocean View Staterooms on board MS Volendam are:
Room
Sleeps
Size
Large
2-4 people
200-255 sq. ft.
Lanai
2 people
200-255 sq. ft.
Large with Partial Sea View
2 people
200-255 sq. ft.
Large with Fully Obstructed View
2 people
200-255 sq. ft.
Large with Porthole
2-4 people
200-255 sq. ft.
The next step up from an Interior Stateroom, Ocean View Staterooms have a window that lets you see out over the ocean. This is the most popular type of cabin on board Volendam.
The window is nice and large in most of the staterooms, and lets a lot of bright, natural light into the room. It’s also handy if you just want to check what you should be wearing before you head out of your cabin for the day.
Take a look at this video to see what you can expect from a Sew View room:
Porthole Rooms
A handful of Ocean View staterooms near the front of the ship on the Dolphin Deck and Main Deck, the lowest passenger decks on the ship, are a little different. These have smaller portholes instead. You won’t get much of a view, but you will get some natural light.
Lanai Rooms
And the Lanai rooms are different again. There are just 21 of these on the ship, and instead of a large window, they have sliding doors leading right onto the promenade that loops all the way round the ship.
Don’t worry, these have one-way glass so that you can see out, but nobody can see into your room from the promenade deck.
Obstructed View Rooms
Some of the Ocean View staterooms have either a partially obstructed or fully obstructed view. There are two staterooms at the aft of the ship on the Navigation Deck, where there’s a staircase leading right up to the Lido Deck, which partially blocks the view from the windows. Other rooms on the Lower Promenade Deck have views partially or fully blocked by structural beams on the ship.
The rooms with restricted views and the rooms with portholes are cheaper, as you’d hope. They’re a good choice if you don’t care about the view but just want the natural light.
Again, there are some that sleep families, with options for three or four guests. And again, those for four people have a sofa bed and a Pullman bed. The Lanai rooms, the Partial Sea View rooms and the Porthole rooms only sleep two guests, though.
One of the biggest differences between the R-Class ships, like Volendam and Zaandam, compared to the more modern ships in the Holland America fleet is a lack of Verandah Staterooms on these older ships.
That’s not to say there are no rooms with a balcony – but they are all classed as suites. In reality, a lot of the Vista Suites on MS Volendam are a similar size to a typical Verandah Stateroom on the more modern ships.
So if you were looking for a regular Verandah Stateroom, you’re unfortunately going to be disappointed on MS Volendam.
Suites on MS Volendam
The different types of Suite on MS Volendam are:
Room
Sleeps
Size
Vista Suite
2-3 people
290 sq. ft.
Neptune Suite
2-4 people
390 sq. ft.
Pinnacle Suite
2-4 people
1,130 sq. ft.
There are three types of suites on MS Volendam. She doesn’t have any Signature Suites like you would find on some of the more modern ships in the fleet. Signature Suites typically bridge the gap between Vista Suites and Neptune Suites.
Vista Suites
Vista Suites are very much an entry-level into the suite class with Holland America – they’re essentially just a Balcony Stateroom that you would find on other ships, but with one or two additional benefits.
This video (complete with dramatic music!) shows what you can expect from a Vista Suite on this ship…
Neptune Suites
Neptune Suites are larger again, and they have a lot more additional benefits. Just a heads up if you were checking the Holland America Volendam deck plans yourself – Neptune Suites are marked as sleeping up to three guests, but their sofa beds are bigger and can accommodate two smaller guests. So you can comfortably fit four people in one.
Pinnacle Suite
The lone Pinnacle Suite on the ship is the best accommodation on board. It’s extremely spacious (with a Verandah that’s bigger than some of the actual staterooms on the ship) and has an oversized whirlpool bath too. Again, a sofa bed large enough for two guests is included if you want to enjoy this suite with your family.
If you like the idea of a suite but aren’t sure which to choose, then you should be sure to compare the different perks that you get with each. Take a look at my Holland America Line Suite Benefits Guide to find out more.
Special Cabin Types on MS Volendam
Beyond the standard selection of staterooms on MS Volendam, there are a few more choices you can make.
Accessible Rooms
Almost all cruise ships have accessible stateroom and suite options – designed for guests with additional accessibility needs. And MS Volendam is no different.
On MS Volendam, the accessible rooms are split into two categories – Ambulatory Accessible and Fully Accessible.
Ambulatory Accessible rooms are those which aren’t designed for wheelchair users, but have small modifications to handle other accessibility needs for guests. On MS Volendam, these rooms include:
9 Ocean View Staterooms (including some with obstructed views)
3 Interior Staterooms
Fully Accessible rooms are suitable for wheelchair users, with widened doorways and a roll-in shower. These include:
1 Neptune Suite
4 Vista Suites
4 Ocean View Staterooms (including 2 with porthole views)
Connecting Rooms
While there are some staterooms on MS Volendam that are suitable for 3 or 4 guests, the additional beds aren’t the biggest. They’re fine if you’re travelling with younger children, but for teenagers or other adults, they will be a little cramped.
But there is another option – there are connecting cabins that guests can book if they want two staterooms side-by-side. These have a doorway between them, which is normally locked. If your party has booked both rooms, you can ask for the door to be unlocked, giving all guests access to both rooms.
Connecting rooms are available for Ocean View Staterooms only on MS Volendam.
A Note on Spa Rooms…
You might’ve heard about Spa cabins on Holland America ships – these are special cabins and suites that are situated close to the spa, and that have extra spa-themed features in the rooms themselves.
Unfortunately, those rooms aren’t available on R-Class ships. If you love the idea of a relaxing spa-retreat-themed cruise, consider booking one of the newer Holland America ships instead.
How to Choose the Best Room
There are a lot of different decisions that factor into picking the best cabin for your cruise, and as you can tell, there are many different stateroom options on MS Volendam to choose from too!
I’ve created a checklist to tell you what you should be looking for when you choose your room. All you need to do is pop your email address and name into the form below and it’ll be sent straight to your inbox.
MS Volendam Cabin Grades
When choosing the best room on Volendam, one thing that you’ll need to get your head around is the cabin grades.
Every cruise ship labels rooms with a cabin grade – this is usually one or two letters at the start of the room number, which tell you what kind of room it is.
Different cruise lines have systems that vary slightly, but with Holland America, you just need to know what the letters stand for – that tells you the type of room. Then the digits afterwards will tell you what deck you are on, and specifically which room you’re in.
The cabins all have a four-digit number, and the first number tells you which deck you’re on.
Dolphin Deck – 1800-1964
Main Deck – 2500-2715
Lower Promenade Deck – 3300-3431
Verandah Deck – 6100-6228
Navigation Deck – 7001-7088
The Promenade Deck, Upper Promenade Deck, Lido Deck and Sports Deck don’t have any staterooms to book.
Here’s a rundown of the different grades of cabins on MS Volendam:
Cabin Grade
Type
PS
Pinnacle Suite
SA, SB
Neptune Suite
A, AA, B, BB, BC
Vista Suite
CA
Lanai Ocean View Stateroom with sliding doors to promenade
C, D, DA, DD, E, EE, F, FF
Ocean View Stateroom
G
Ocean View Stateroom – Porthole View
H
Ocean View Stateroom – Partially Obstructed View
HH
Ocean View Stateroom – Fully Obstructed View
I, J, K, L, M, MM, N
Interior Stateroom
The Worst Cabins on MS Volendam
Now, before we get to the best cabins on this ship, let’s take a look at some rooms that you may wish to avoid. It’s not that these are always bad, but depending on your circumstances, you may wish to steer clear of these rooms…
1. Cabins That Could Make You Seasick
7058 to 7086
Some people are more prone to getting seasick than others, and most cruise passengers never need to worry about it. However, if you are one of the unlucky ones who suffer, there are certain staterooms you should avoid that can make things worse.
Those are mainly the staterooms towards the aft of the Navigation Deck. Basically, with seasickness, you want to avoid being on higher decks, and you want to be as central as possible – the higher you are, and the further towards the front or rear of the ship, the more you’ll feel the motion.
The Navigation Deck hosts the Bridge right at the front of the ship, so it’s only really the aft you need to worry about.
If you do suffer from seasickness, choose a mid-ship cabin on a lower deck.
You might assume that, because MS Volendam is a smaller ship, it’s not a massive issue. Yet while it’s true you don’t have rooms on the 10th deck, you have to bear in mind that as a small ship, you will feel more of the motion everywhere on board.
2. Connecting Staterooms If You Don’t Use Them
Various
On any cruise ship, connecting staterooms are handy for families and larger groups. Even more so on MS Volendam, where there aren’t as many standard staterooms that sleep multiple guests.
But that’s not the reason to avoid booking them if you don’t need them. True, someone else might make better use of them, but there’s an even more practical reason why you should avoid them if you won’t be booking the adjacent room too.
Cruise ship staterooms are made from a metal frame, which offers a decent level of soundproofing. Cut a door into it – even a closed one – and that soundproofing is partially compromised.
The door may stay locked, but you’ll likely hear your neighbours, especially if they’re loud. Which also means they may hear you.
If you value your privacy, book a non-connecting room instead.
3. Obstructed Ocean View Staterooms
Any G, H or HH stateroom
This really depends on whether the view is important to you or if you just like the idea of having some natural light.
The G-grade cabins have portholes, which really don’t offer much of a view at all, especially as they’re so much closer to the waterline.
H staterooms aren’t too bad – your view is only partially blocked by steel support beams. But HH rooms have a fully blocked view by those beams.
If you want a view without the cost of a suite, you’re best choosing any Ocean View cabin beginning with C, D, DA, DD, E, EE, F or FF instead.
4. Rooms Directly Below the Swimming Pools
7005 to 7029
If you’re someone who enjoys a lie-in every morning, you may wish to avoid the Neptune Suites directly below the Lido Deck.
You won’t hear the noise at night here. But what you may well hear is the sound of people grabbing a lounger first thing in the morning.
And not just reserving a lounger, but dragging it along the decked floor – and that is a sound that will carry right through your ceiling.
If you appreciate a lazy morning, and you don’t want early risers on the pool deck waking you up, book a room elsewhere on the ship.
Ideally, when choosing your cabin, you don’t want one that is opposite the elevator area.
It’s not super-noisy, but it does mean there’s a lot more foot traffic coming past your room – and that can generate a bit of volume, especially late at night.
Again, with the size of Volendam, it’s never a huge issue since there aren’t thousands of cabins, but things will be a little quieter slightly further from the elevators.
It’s less of an issue towards the front of the Navigation Deck – as this is where the Pinnacle Suite and Neptune Suites are located, there are fewer rooms and so less foot traffic.
6. Noisy Interior Cabins
M and MM cabins, 1923 to 1947
When browsing the reviews of MS Volendam and her almost-identical twin MS Zaandam, most of the feedback is generally really positive. But one recurring issue was the noise coming from the engines when you book an Interior room on the lowest deck.
Being close to the engines can be noisy, especially the closer you are to the centre of the ship – hence why Interior Staterooms tend to have more problems with it. It’s better to book a higher deck if you’re concerned about the noise or vibrations of the engines.
The Best Cabins on MS Volendam
So those are the worst cabins you could book on MS Volendam – depending on you and your travelling party. What about the best? Which are the real gems of the ship that are always worth your consideration? Let’s take a look…
1. Unobstructed Aft-View Staterooms
2702, 2713, 2715, 3429
The most sought-after views on most cruise ships are those over the wake at the aft of the ship. As you’re sailing, you get to see the churning waters you leave behind, and you have the benefit of shelter as the ship moves in the opposite direction.
On MS Volendam, those views aren’t as amazing simply because these rooms are on lower decks, but it’s still cool to look out over the wake, and they’re definitely preferable to other Ocean View staterooms on the same decks.
2. Pinnacle Suite
PS7001
No list of the best accommodations on MS Volendam would be complete without a mention of the Pinnacle Suite, the largest suite on the ship by a significant distance.
As a guide, you could fit as many as six Interior Staterooms inside the Pinnacle Suite, and that’s just the indoor space – the balcony is also twice the size of the smaller Interior Staterooms too.,
It’s not just about space, though – the amenities and the perks you get for booking this suite are what really make it special. Relax in a whirlpool bath, enjoy a complimentary Mimosa each morning in your suite with breakfast, and skip past lines almost everywhere on the ship – you’ll really get the VIP treatment.
It is, of course, extremely expensive compared to other staterooms and suites, so it’s not for everyone. But if you have the budget available and want to treat yourself, it’s a fine choice.
3. Navigation Deck Aft Staterooms If You Smoke
7050 to 7086
On most cruise ships these days, you are very limited in where you can smoke. It’s banned in your stateroom (including on the balcony) and in most public areas of the ship. On MS Volendam, there are two smoking areas – the casino, if you’re playing, and the Sea View Bar on Deck 8.
If you’re a smoker (which includes e-cigs), it can be inconvenient to trek halfway across the ship when you want to smoke. But there are some staterooms situated just one deck below the Sea View Bar, so it’s only a short walk to the staircase or the elevator and you’re in a comfortable, sheltered smoking space.
Don’t worry if you’re a non-smoker and you book one of these rooms – it doesn’t tend to drift down, since it is an open-air bar – the wind will carry the smoke away. That makes these rooms a good choice for smokers, but not a bad choice for non-smokers.
Unless you get seasick, as these are some of the cabins I’d suggest avoiding for that reason, too.
The Best Deck on MS Volendam
There is no simple answer for the best deck on MS Volendam. Typically, most people prefer a deck with staterooms above and below, ideally higher up the ship. The only deck surrounded by staterooms above and below on Volendam is the Main Deck, which is low on the ship.
This makes it great for anyone who might suffer from seasickness, but it does hamper the view. You could argue that the Navigation Deck is the best deck, since this hosts the best suites on the ship.
But really, most people across any deck won’t have many problems at all with sound coming through the floor or ceiling and so are likely to be fine.
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Final Thoughts
The MS Volendam is definitely a unique cruise ship. While officially a ‘twin’ sister of MS Zaandam, it’s only Volendam that has the Lanai rooms opening directly onto the promenade.
And these rooms, just like all the others on the ship, are definitely dependent on your taste for accommodation. Yes, I’ve listed them as one of the ‘worst’ rooms, but it’s all opinion-based. You might love the idea of being able to get straight onto the promenade from your room.
The ship is old, and so not as modern as some others, but I wouldn’t say any of the rooms are bad. Most reviews are really positive and people love the small-ship atmosphere. And with this guide, you can just make sure you get the best choice of cabin for the kind of cruise you enjoy.
Check out the Volendam deck plans to learn more, or some of these other useful resources:
There are a couple of Facebook pages, rather than groups, for MS Volendam, but they are small and have little activity. If you want to try Facebook for answers to your questions, I’d stick to the main Holland America group, which is very active.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I recently spent four nights aboard Explora II on a cruise around Spain and France.
I’m often asked if I have a favourite cruise line and so far, my answer has always been no. But, I’m a firm believer that there’s a perfect cruise for everyone – and in Explora Journeys, I may have found mine.
But, while I did fall in love with the ship, there is one thing that may be a deal breaker for me. So read on, and I’ll give you my full review of Explora Journeys.
Note: My husband and I were invited aboard as guests of Explora Journeys, but all of the opinions in this review are mine, and as always, the cruise line has no control over the content.
Embarkation
We embarked Explora II in Barcelona at MSC Cruises’ new terminal, which just opened earlier in the year.
(In case you didn’t know, Explora Journeys is an ultra-luxury cruise line that’s owned by the MSC Group. They also own MSC Cruises, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and several other transport and logistics operations)
The new terminal is absolutely stunning – so modern it looks almost futuristic!
Check-in time was 12pm until 5pm. We arrived at 12pm and expected a queue but to our surprise the terminal was empty, so we walked straight up to the desk and before long we were on the ship!
We were greeted with a glass of Champagne and asked to head to the muster station to quickly scan our cards before reaching our cabin.
Accommodation
Explora II is an all-suite ship, and every room has a balcony. We had an Ocean Terrace Suite, and it was incredible.
The decor was modern and luxurious, yet very homely. The room had a huge bed, even bigger and TV and a large balcony too. In fact, everything was just on a larger scale than you would usually get in a cruise ship cabin.
I particularly loved the balcony which had a comfy sofa and a dining table.
There was a fully stocked mini-bar which was filled with our choices of drinks according to a survey I had filled in before the cruise – including a wonderful bottle of rose wine.
There was also a bottle of Champagne on ice. We didn’t drink it right away, but the ice bucket remained topped up each day until we did!
For a closer look at the room, please take a look at this room tour video that I made…
Dining
The food was certainly one of the highlights of the cruise. Everything was the perfect mix of healthy and delicious.
Explora II has four restaurants, all of which are included in your cruise fare. There’s a steakhouse, an Asian restaurant, a French bistro and a Mediterranean restaurant. There’s also the buffet, or you can choose to dine in your suite or on your balcony.
There is also one speciality restaurant, Anthology, but with so many included options available, we didn’t feel the need to try it.
On the first morning, we ordered room service breakfast, and it was incredible. The phone rang to make sure we were awake, and then a few minutes later, a crew member arrived with a huge tray of breakfast items. He set it all up on the balcony for us. It was probably the best breakfast experience I’ve ever had – a real ‘pinch me moment’!
I follow a vegan diet and my husband is vegetarian. We both found that there were plenty of options and we really enjoyed every meal. Everything is labelled clearly on the menus, with no need to ask for a special menu – which I love!
In the buffet, there is no allergen labeling, but that’s not an issue at all, as each station has a crew member there who is ready and waiting to answer any questions about the ingredients.
If you enjoy sushi, I highly recommend that you try not only the sushi bar that’s with the Emporium Marketplace buffet, but also the sushi lunch as Sakura.
Drinks
Drinks are included with Explora Journeys cruises and they are always flowing. It’s really hard to ever get to the bottom of a glass – crew members always seem to appear at just the right moment to ask if you would like anything else!
Even as you relax by the pool, waiters will appear regularly to offer drinks — a lovely touch when you’re used to queuing at the bar.
The cocktail menu was huge and there was a great choice of mocktails as well.
Onboard Activities
Explora II has five pools including an infinity pool at the aft, a large swimming pool with a retractable roof and an adults only pool. There are also five large whirlpools.
Around the ship there are plenty of sun loungers, daybeds and cabanas. Each comes with a fluffy towel – and they’re absolutely huge! We never struggled to find a great spot to relax, even on a sea day.
I loved spending time in the Wellness Area. It has a sauna, steam room, salt room, hydrotherapy pool, experience showers and heated beds. It’s complimentary to use, and you don’t need to book.
Explora Journeys has a real focus on wellness, which is also evident with the fitness facilities. There’s a large fitness centre indoors as well as an additional fitness area up on the top deck where you’ll find more stationery bikes, rowing machines and weights areas.
There’s also a large sports court where you can play pickleball, tennis and basketball. Fitness classes are included at no extra charge.
I left the cruise feeling healthier than when I arrived, which was a great feeling!
Evening Entertainment
As Explora Journeys is an ultra-luxury cruise line, I expected that there might not be much in terms of evening entertainment, but I was wrong!
We loved the Sky Bar, which had a live DJ and an Ibiza-style vibe. It’s a great spot to enjoy sunset or sailaway views.
The Astern Lounge always had something going on, like music quizzes, silent discos or ballroom dancing. Who said ultra-luxury crusing was boring?
Then there’s the Explora Lounge which has some fantastic live music acts. It’s also the place to go for solo traveller cocktail parties and LGBTQ+ gatherings. There’s also ‘Club Soda’ at 7.30pm which is a celebration of an alcohol-free lifestyle – this sounds much more appealing than a ‘friends of Bill W’ meeting in the morning that you’ll find on most cruise ship schedules!
The ship also has a good sized casino, with a great selection of tables and slots. And on certain evenings you can watch a movie under the stars on the big screen by the pool.
Ports & Excursions
Explora Journeys itineraries often include longer stays in each port with late departures over overnight calls. This lets you experience each destination in a much more comprehensive way than you can when you have to be back on board in the mid afternoon.
We called at Ibiza and the all aboard time wasn’t until 3am! That meant that we could experience the Ibiza nightlife before getting back to the ship after midnight and ordering room service in bed!
Sometimes, the ships will visit two ports in a day, such as Genoa from 8 am until 3 pm, and then Portofino from 6 pm until 11 pm. This is great for those who like an action-packed itinerary, as well as those who just want to get off the ship and take a walk somewhere new after dinner.
We took an excursion to Cassis which included a boat trip along the coast to admire the scenery which was stunningly beautiful.
Service
Explora Journeys has a guest-to-crew ratio of 1.25 to , which enables the crew members to provide an exceptional level of service. Wherever you turn, there’s a crew member ready and waiting to assist you in any way they can.
They even bring icy flannels around to help you cool off on a hot day!
Because of the high number of crew members in relation to guest numbers, they have time to chat and get to know you. They also remember what drink you had yesterday and ask if you would like it again!
Explora II is a medium-sized ship. She’s roughly the same size as MSC Armonia, which is MSC Cruises’ smallest ship. However, while MSC Armonia accommodates 2,065 guests, Explora II has just 922.
Having twice as much space per person – and nearly twice as many crew – means that everything just feels so relaxed on board. There are no crowds, and you never have to queue for anything.
Atmosphere
I think it’s important to find a cruise line that matches your vibe, and for me, Explora Journeys gets it just right.
The Explora Journeys philosophy is ‘feel good, look good, be comfortable’. And I love that!
There are no formal nights and no strict dress codes. You’re welcome to wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Most guests opt for smart casual, but if you want to wear a tuxedo or shorts, you can!
The only real requirement is no sportswear, flip flops or baseball caps in the dining rooms during the evening.
Most of the guests on our cruise were from the United States, with the rest being from the UK, Canada and Australia. The demographic was mostly couples aged 40 to 70, although there were also a good number of solo travellers, families and groups.
Family Facilities
Although we took this cruise without the children, I was very impressed by the family facilities and will definitely consider bringing them next time.
There is a kids club for ages 6 to 17 which looks lovely and has games consoles, table football, board games and a pool table. It has organised activities at certain times, and at other times children are able to just go in and entertain themselves.
Children will also enjoy the swimming pools and sports court.
Of course, every child is different, and some parents will prefer a ship with waterslides, zip lines, rock climbing, arcades and go kart tracks. However, after taking my children on all kinds of cruises, my experience is that they’re just as happy to swim, play football, read books and play Xbox with new friends. I know that they would love this ship.
There are no children’s menus, which may be a concern if you have fussy eaters like we do. However, you can order whatever you want and the chef will prepare it. That means they will gladly run down to the buffet and bring pizza to your table in the French restaurant, or rustle up a plate of cheesy pasta without a fuss.
The one thing that I find disappointing about Explora Journeys is the lack of affordable family accommodation…
Kids under 2 sail free, and children aged 2-17 get a 50% discount when booked as the 3rd or 4th guest in a suite, which is fantastic!
However, the entry-level accommodation of Ocean Terrace Suites only sleep three guests. For a family of four, you would need to book a Penthouse or a Residence, and these cost considerably more – more than double, in fact.
Even with the highest level of accomodations, the third and fourth guests are required to share a double sofa bed – something which may not be practical if you have older children of different genders.
The other option would be to book two interconnecting rooms, but that would mean forfeiting the 50% discount for the children.
Pricing and Inclusions
Explora Journeys isn’t cheap – but that’s the point.
Fares typically start at around £2,600 per person for a 7-night cruise.
That’s double the price of a standard cruise… but you’re getting a true luxury escape with virtually everything included.
When you factor in how much your bill usually is at the end of your cruise, and that it could be virtually zero instead, there may not be much difference in the total cost of your holiday.
Here’s what you get:
All suite accommodation – Every room has an ocean view, private terrace and massive bathroom
Unlimited premium drinks – Cocktails, champagne, barista coffee, green juice – it’s all included.
Multiple dining venues – No surcharges for the steakhouse, sushi bar, or anything else.
In-suite dining 24/7 – No charge for room service, even for full meals
Wi-Fi – Proper Wi-Fi, not just “check your email if you’re lucky” speeds.
Gratuities – Tipping is covered
Access to Wellness Area of the spa – Most cruise lines charge extra for this
Shuttle services from ports to city centres – No need to pay or arrange your own taxi
You also get slower, more immersive itineraries, with longer port stays and overnight calls.
My New Favourite Cruise Line
Our Explora Journeys cruise was truly magical. We cherished every moment and didn’t want it to end. I think it’s fair to say that after taking almost 50 cruises, I have finally found my favourite cruise line!
We would love to bring the children on our next cruise, although as that would mean booking two rooms and paying double, we may have to keep this one as an adults-only trip for a special occasion.
That said, there are some fantastic itineraries in August and I do also have my eye on a special Christmas sailing in the Middle East!
To learn more about Explora Journeys you can visit ExploraJourneys.com. For expert help with planning your holiday, I recommend that you speak to the experts at Panache Cruises, who will be happy to assist.
As well as giving you dedicated support through every step of your booking, they also offer a price match guarantee plus exclusive discounts.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
When it comes to cruising giants, Royal Caribbean International and Carnival Cruise Line dominate the seas.
While both are part of massive parent companies with multiple brands, these two names are the stars of the show – and often the top choice for first-time cruisers and seasoned travellers alike.
They may seem similar at first glance, offering fun-filled holidays to sun-soaked destinations, but there are some key differences in style, atmosphere, and onboard experience that could make one a much better fit for you.
So, here’s the ultimate face-off between Royal Caribbean and Carnival, to help you decide which cruise line truly floats your boat.
Ships
The Royal Caribbean and Carnival fleets are the largest in the world. Carnival’s is marginally bigger, with 29 ships currently sailing for the cruise line. Royal Caribbean is just behind with 28 ships; however, both cruise lines have several more on order.
Royal Caribbean Ships
Royal Caribbean has eight classes of ships:
Icon Class – the biggest cruise ships in the world accommodating up to 7,600 guests
Oasis Class – six mega ships that can accommodate around 6,800 guests
Quantum Ultra Class – two modern ships accommodating 5,500 guests
Quantum Class – three ships accommodating 4,900 guests
Freedom Class – three ships accommodating 4,400 to 4,900 guests
Radiance Class – four ships accommodating 2,500 guests
Voyager Class – five ships accommodating 4,000 guests
Vision Class – four ships accommodating 2,400 to 2,700 guests
The oldest ship in the fleet is Grandeur of the Seas, which first launched back in 1996. The newest ship is Utopia of the Seas, which launched in July 2024.
Carnival has nine different classes of cruise ships:
Excel Class – three ships that can carry around 5,300 guests
Venice Class – two ships accommodating 4,200 guests
Vista Class – three ships accommodating 4,000 guests
Dream Class – three ships accommodating 3,700 guests
Splendor Class – one ship accommodating 3,000 guests
Conquest Class – five ships accommodating 3,000 guests
Spirit Class – five ships accommodating around 2,200 guests
Sunshine Class – three ships accommodating 3,000 guests
Fantasy Class – two ships accommodating 2,100 guests
The oldest ship currently sailing for Carnival is the Carnival Sunshine, which first launched as Carnival Destiny in 1996. The newest ship is Carnival Jubilee of the Excel Class, which launched at the very end of 2023.
In terms of the size of the fleet and of the ships specifically, there’s very little to choose between Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
The smallest ships and the oldest ships are very similar, and it’s only when looking at the biggest ships that Royal Caribbean has an edge – but you certainly couldn’t ever accuse Carnival’s Excel Class of not being “big enough”.
Destinations
The destinations that both cruise lines sail to are very similar, with only a few minor differences. As you’d expect, the Caribbean and Bahamas are the most prominent regions for both lines, but there are plenty of options around the world for guests further afield or who want to explore other destinations.
Here’s a look at all of the cruises you can book with both Royal Caribbean and Carnival.
Royal Caribbean
Carnival
Alaska
96
19
Australia & New Zealand
29
36
Bermuda
7
7
Canada & New England
8
1
Caribbean & Bahamas
47
254
East Asia
36
1
Europe
107
24
Hawaii
7
9
Mexico & Latin America
8
40
Middle East & South Asia
3
0
Pacific Northwest
4
0
Panama Canal
5
24
South Pacific
14
24
Transatlantic
22
9
Transpacific
5
5
Note: Royal Caribbean’s data is a little misleading in the Caribbean since that’s the number of itineraries, not dates – there are hundreds of sailings repeating the same itineraries.
Royal Caribbean Destinations
When cruising with Royal Caribbean, you certainly aren’t short of choice for destination and for embarkation port – there are 35 places you can sail from, most of those being in North America. The biggest embarkation ports for the cruise line are in Florida (Miami, Port Canaveral, and Fort Lauderdale).
The cruise line does offer cruises from the UK with one ship stationed there each summer. In 2024, that was Anthem of the Seas, and now in 2025 it’s Independence of the Seas. In 2026, it will be Liberty of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean does have two private island destinations that guests can visit around the Bahamas and Caribbean, including Labadee and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Carnival Destinations
The choice of embarkation ports for Carnival is a little more limited than Royal Caribbean, although there are still plenty of options – there are 21 ports you can sail from, again mostly based in the US. The same Miami ports are popular, although Carnival also offers more cruises from Galveston.
Carnival doesn’t have a ship homeporting in the UK for any length of time. Some cruises from the UK are available, but the ship will move around Europe for the summer, so your options are a little more limited if you’re looking to sail from the UK.
Carnival’s private islands and resorts include Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay, offering a similar range of activities to Royal Caribbean’s islands.
How They Compare
The choice of destinations really isn’t too different between Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I’d suggest that, if you wanted a cruise around Europe, you’ll find better options with Royal Caribbean – not just the UK-based ships, but there are usually ships homeporting in Barcelona and Rome too for the summer.
Carnival, meanwhile, offers slightly more variety for Central America and Mexico. But for a Caribbean cruise, you’ll need to base your decision on something other than the itineraries because both Royal Caribbean and Carnival are all over this region.
Staterooms and Suites
When booking a cruise with either Royal Caribbean or Carnival, you really aren’t short of cabin options. There is a wealth of different staterooms and suites to choose from, even on the smallest ships in the fleet.
You’ll always be able to pick from the standard types of stateroom – inside cabins if you’re on a budget, or oceanview or balcony cabins if you’re happy to pay a little more to get a view of the ocean. Both cruise lines have different perks for booking suite-level accommodation, too.
Royal Caribbean is slightly better than Carnival when it comes to solo passengers, but only a few ships in the fleet have single cabins to book. Usually, you’ll have to pay the full two-person price for a double room instead. On Carnival, that’s always the case.
Royal Caribbean Staterooms and Suites
Here are some of the more unique stateroom and suite options for Royal Caribbean:
Virtual Balcony Staterooms
On some of the newer Royal Caribbean ships, you’re able to book a Virtual Balcony Stateroom if you’re not able to afford the full price of a balcony stateroom. These are inside rooms, but on one wall, there’s a digital screen that projects a live view of the view from the ship.
While it’s not the same as having natural light to wake up to, it is useful if you want to keep track of the time of day, since interior staterooms are so dark when you have the lights switched off.
Interior Balcony Staterooms
On the Oasis-class ships and the newer Icon-class ships, it’s possible to book a balcony stateroom that doesn’t have a view of the ocean. Instead, these rooms face inwards, with the balcony above either the Central Park or Boardwalk areas of the ship that run through the centre.
The benefit of these rooms is that you still have your own space to enjoy with fresh air, and you aren’t paying as much – an oceanview balcony is always more expensive. The downside is that it’s not as private, since you’re facing other staterooms across the ship.
Ultimate Family Accommodations
Royal Caribbean has always catered well for families, but the Ultimate Family accommodation options on select Oasis-class, Quantum-class and now Icon-class ships really are something else. It’s like they’ve given some kids the brief of designing their dream suite, and then just built it from their sketches and notes.
Think slides that run from the upstairs to the lower floor, staircases that play musical notes as you climb them, games consoles, popcorn makers, karaoke and so much more. These suites truly are special.
But then, they would have to be – expect fares of around £20,000 per person, per week.
Carnival Staterooms and Suites
Here are some of the more unique options on a Carnival cruise ship:
Cove Balconies
Most cruise ship balcony staterooms are higher up a ship, but Cove Balcony cabins on a Carnival ship are a little lower – they’re the closest you can safely get to the water. They’re also sheltered, with the sides and bottom half of the railing all being made from solid steel, and a smaller opening. It’s like an alcove rather than a fully exposed balcony, hence the name. These are more affordable balcony options, and they’re good if you really value privacy too.
Cloud 9 Spa Staterooms & Suites
Most of the Carnival fleet offers Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites. These rooms are themed around the spa onboard the ship, and include extra amenities related to relaxation, along with a decor that is soothing. You get a bunch of perks for booking these rooms, too, including exclusive spa packages you can book and free access to the Thermal Suite onboard.
Family Harbor Staterooms & Suites
Family Harbor accommodation options are designed with families in mind, as you’d expect. They have classic nautical theming, but more importantly, you also get to make use of the Family Harbor Lounge close to the rooms, ideal for breakfast or for snacking during the day. The lounge has a selection of board games for families to enjoy, too.
Havana Staterooms & Suites
Choosing a Havana stateroom or suite on a Carnival ship grants you access to the Havana area, an outdoor space that’s quieter and has its own pool and bar. You can book Havana Cabana rooms, which include a secluded private cabana space on the Havana, too.
How They Compare
If you’re just going to book a regular stateroom, there’s not really anything to choose between the two cruise lines. But it’s worth checking out the unique accommodation options on both ships, which can either let you enjoy a balcony experience without paying full price, or a suite with special theming to enhance your cruise.
Food
The food options on both cruise lines are very similar – whatever type of cuisine you enjoy, you’ll be well catered to.
Royal Caribbean Food
Royal Caribbean offers an extensive range of casual and speciality dining options. Alongside the Main Dining Room and the Windjammer buffet restaurant, you’ll have a lot of choice for breakfast, lunch and snacks during the day, while at night you can dine in steakhouses, sushi restaurants, fresh seafood restaurants and more.
Carnival Food
Carnival works in the same way – you have your Main Dining Room, your buffet restaurant, and then a selection of other options for casual and formal dining that you can choose between, including steak, seafood, Asian cuisine and more.
How They Compare
There’s no way to really separate the two cruise lines when it comes to dining. In the past, I would’ve said that the only real differentiator would’ve been that Royal Caribbean had better options for vegans. But in late 2023, Carnival rolled out a new vegan menu across the fleet, and so now there’s not really anything between them.
Onboard Activities
If you like your cruises to be packed with fun activities each day, then both Royal Caribbean and Carnival are excellent choices.
Royal Caribbean Activities
The sheer range of things you can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise is amazing. You’ll never struggle to find something to keep you not just busy, but to genuinely thrill you. With Royal Caribbean, the ships are as much the destination as the places you’ll visit.
Alongside the cruise traditional of art auctions, casino gambling, dance lessons and more, some of the features across the fleet include:
Carnival doesn’t have quite the variety of Royal Caribbean, but it’s still far ahead of most other cruise lines when it comes to onboard activities.
Many ships have thrilling waterslides, or at least a splash zone where younger kids can have an amazing time getting interactive with water. There’s always a video arcade, and a casino for the adults, along with games, workshops and more. Carnival also partners with Build-A-Bear on many ships in the fleet.
In terms of innovative attractions, Carnival has the Skyride on some of the newer ships, which is a pedal-powered ride around the top deck that offers amazing views. And the Excel Class has Bolt, the first Roller Coaster at Sea – so if you like thrills, you’ll love this.
How They Compare
While Royal Caribbean has slightly more to offer during the day on the latest ships, Carnival is still excellent. It might come down to whether you’re more excited by a roller coaster at sea, or by a surfing or skydiving simulator.
Remember that, on both cruise lines, only the newest and biggest ships offer all of these activities. You’ll need to check each ship individually to see what’s on offer, and the older ships don’t have anywhere near the facilities of the newest ones.
Entertainment
The two cruise lines take a slightly different approach to entertainment, giving you a clear choice when deciding between them.
Royal Caribbean Entertainment
Royal Caribbean’s entertainment includes a mix of live theatre shows, musical performances (including intimate ‘gigs’ in bars), comedy and more. The theatre shows are particularly special, since the cruise line licenses big Broadway spectaculars. If you want to see shows like Grease, We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!, and more, then Royal Caribbean is the cruise line to pick.
Carnival Entertainment
Carnival does have live theatre shows, but they are not the big-name musicals you already know and love elsewhere. That doesn’t diminish their quality, though, and while you may not be familiar with the stories, you’ll have a fantastic time.
What Carnival does license is big game shows, turning them into interactive games that the family can join in with. The two big ones are Family Feud and Deal or No Deal, and led by the talented Cruise Directors onboard, you’ll love seeing guests win fabulous prizes or even taking part yourself.
How They Compare
The quality of the singers, bands, comedians and other entertainers on each cruise line is pretty much on a par, so it comes down to whether you really want to see musicals that you already know, or if you like the idea of taking part in famous game shows.
Kids Facilities
With two cruise lines so tailored to families, there have to be great facilities just for the kids, and neither cruise line disappoints.
Royal Caribbean Kids’ Facilities
The Adventure Ocean kids’ clubs on Royal Caribbean are packed with educational, fun activities. Guests are split into age-appropriate groups, so the teens are stuck with younger children, and they each have their own spaces suited to their age range. Kids will love trying experiments in the Adventure Science Lab, getting creative in the Imagination Studio, or watching a movie in the kids-only Adventure Theater.
Carnival Kids’ Facilities
Carnival has a partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to bring many favourite Seuss experiences into the kids’ clubs and throughout the cruise, including meet-and-greets and parades. Camp Ocean also has loads of activities for kids to enjoy, while Circle C (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) cater to the teens in your group, with chilled hangout spaces, karaoke parties and even the Carnival prom.
How They Compare
There’s little between the cruise lines for kids’ facilities – both are excellent. If your kids love Thing 1 and Thing 2 and the Cat in the Hat, then perhaps Carnival has the edge; otherwise, the experiences are broadly similar across both cruise lines.
Cruiser Demographics
The two cruise lines have some crossover with demographics, but there are a few key differences.
Royal Caribbean Demographics
Royal Caribbean guests tend to be families, mostly with parents in their 30s or 40s, but you will get some younger families too, though Royal’s pricing can sometimes exclude some younger parents. There will be a lot of couples too, and some solo travellers and groups of friends, but the latest ships in the fleet are definitely family-oriented.
Carnival Demographics
Carnival has a similar demographic to Royal Caribbean, although cruise fares on some of the smaller ships can sometimes be well suited to younger families as well. There are also plenty of adults who enjoy a Carnival cruise without children, and the cruise line has a bit of a reputation for party-lovers. During Spring Break, the ships can get pretty rowdy.
Despite the lack of single rooms, a lot of solo guests do enjoy a Carnival cruise too, especially those who’ve been loyal to the cruise line for a long time and like to cruise to meet new people or even meet up with old friends onboard.
Price
The big one – how do the two cruise lines compare on price?
Royal Caribbean Prices
Royal Caribbean cruises are rarely ‘cheap’, but the price will vary greatly depending on your chosen itinerary and especially the ship. Understandably, if you want to try the biggest ships with the best features, you’ll need to pay more.
As a guide, a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas (one of the biggest and best ships in the fleet, but not the very newest) will cost you between £100/$130 and £130/$165 per person, per night for an Inside Stateroom.
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Carnival Prices
Carnival’s cruises appear super-cheap when you’re browsing, but that’s because taxes and fees are only added once you’ve started the booking process. Still, they do offer good value and are typically lower prices than a Royal Caribbean cruise.
A 7-night Caribbean cruise on Carnival Celebration, a ship that’s similar to Wonder of the Seas, though not quite as big, would cost you between £85/$105 and £105/$135 per person, per night for an Inside Cabin with fees included.
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The Verdict
It’s tough to make the call between these two cruise lines. It comes down mainly to whether there are specific features on the ship that you want to try out, or the type of demographic you want to cruise with.
Carnival’s fares can appear much cheaper than Royal Caribbean’s, especially when comparing some of the newer ships, but the difference isn’t huge once you take into account all the fees and taxes when booking. They do tend to be cheaper overall, though.
Most families will have a great time on either cruise line, but if you want the very best daytime activities, then I’d choose Royal Caribbean. If you’re adults who want more of a party cruise, especially for a weekend break, Carnival is likely to cater to you better.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
When booking a cruise, you’ll often see optional extras promising added perks, but it’s not always clear which ones are actually worth the money.
Carnival’s Faster to the Fun is a prime example. It’s hugely popular and usually sells out fast, often before you’ve even made up your mind.
That’s why it’s worth knowing exactly what’s included – so if it becomes available for your cruise, you’ll be ready to decide whether to grab it or give it a miss.
Faster to the Fun Explained
Faster to the Fun is a bolt-on package that you can pay for when you’ve booked a Carnival cruise from select ports (including all the major US ports). It has limited availability and offers guests a range of perks to enhance their cruise experience.
It isn’t aimed at the most loyal Carnival cruise guests, as the perks you get are already included if you reach Diamond or Platinum status in the cruise line’s VIFP loyalty program. Instead, it aims to offer a limited number of guests a better experience for a relatively low fee.
Faster to the Fun Perks
Here are the perks you get if you choose to pay for Faster to the Fun.
1. Priority Check-In
The main perk – and the one that inspired the name of the package – is priority check-in for your cruise.
To be clear, this is not priority boarding – you won’t necessarily get one of the earliest booking windows for boarding the ship. Instead, you might get a later window, but then there will be a priority line for Faster to the Fun guests to speed up the check-in process for you.
So, you aren’t guaranteed to be among the very first people onto the ship, but once you arrive at the port in your allotted time, you should have a faster experience getting through the terminal and onto the ship to begin having fun.
Faster to the Fun has only recently returned, and before it was taken away around the global shutdown of 2020, it did include priority boarding. So it’s not quite as good a perk as it used to be, though it can be helpful if you’re boarding the bigger ships and your allotted boarding time is likely to be busy.
2. Stateroom Access for Bags
Typically, when you board a cruise ship, you have to keep your carry-on luggage with you. Your stateroom won’t be ready until later in the day, so your bag needs to be carried around with you until the room can be accessed.
But with Faster to the Fun, you’re allowed to head to your stateroom and drop off your carry-on bags, even if the room isn’t completely ready for you. You’ll need to speak to the cabin stewards when you get there, so you can make sure you put your bags in a safe place out of their way while they clean, if they aren’t done yet.
Whatever you do, don’t just see a clean stateroom and assume you can drop your bags off without telling anyone, as this guest found out that it can be disastrous:
3. Express Luggage
Once you’ve checked your main luggage at the cruise terminal, the next time you see it will be outside your cabin door later that day.
On larger ships, it can sometimes take quite a while for all bags to be checked (because yes, they will scan the bags for that alcohol you’re trying to sneak onboard, haha) and then delivered to each cabin.
With Faster to the Fun, your suitcases should be prioritised so that yours are some of the first delivered around the ship. This can be handy since you can be unpacked (hopefully) before dinner, and you can then relax and fully enjoy the first night of your cruise.
It works well on most cruises, but it’s not without the occasional problem.
4. Guest Services Priority
At the Guest Services desk, there’s a priority line for Faster to the Fun guests in case you need any help with your cruise.
It won’t save you a huge amount of time in most cases, because it’s rare for the queues at Guest Services to be super-long, but when it’s a little busy, you might save 15 minutes or so – and that can be valuable vacation time.
You also get a priority telephone number, so you shouldn’t be waiting on hold too long if you need to speak to them before you cruise or from the comfort of your cabin.
With this perk, it’s only beneficial if you need to speak to Guest Services, and many people don’t, but it’s nice to have this option.
5. Dining Reservations
Faster to the Fun guests can join suite guests and higher-tier VIFP guests in getting priority reservations for the main dining room and speciality restaurants.
If you choose Your Time Dining for the main dining room, then this doesn’t apply – don’t expect to walk up and be given priority over other guests who are waiting for a table.
But if you prefer a set time, or you plan to dine in several of the speciality restaurants which require a booking, this is a good way of making sure you get the best time to suit you, whether that’s planning around your family or making sure you don’t miss a show because you’re still enjoying dinner.
6. Priority Tender
Most ports that Carnival calls at have a pier, so that the ship can dock and guests can just walk on and off the ship at leisure. But some ports can’t handle large ships docking, and so instead you’ll need to use a tender boat, called a Water Shuttle by Carnival.
Guests who choose to book a Carnival shore excursion will get priority for boarding the water shuttles, but if you’d rather explore on your own, then Faster to the Fun guests get the next priority for a shuttle to take you to the shore after excursion guests.
You won’t get priority for the shuttle back to the ship, though; that’s just on a first-come, first-served basis.
7. Priority Debarkation
Ahead of the last day of your cruise, Faster to the Fun guests are able to choose whether they want an early or late debarkation time, rather than being assigned a slot at random.
There are benefits to both. Obviously, if you choose a later debarkation time, you can enjoy a (little) lie-in and then grab breakfast before you set off. Choose an earlier time, and you can be one of the first off the ship, avoiding the rush and nabbing a taxi to the airport if you need it.
I suppose this is a “Faster from the Fun” perk.
Faster to the Fun Cost
The cost of Faster to the Fun isn’t fixed. It depends on your specific cruise and where you’re sailing from, but as a guide, you should expect to pay between $80 and $150 per cabin – you can’t book it for an individual person.
That’s understandable, really, considering the nature of the perks – you could hardly have one person in a cabin dropping off their own bags while the other person is sitting in the terminal waiting to board and carrying theirs.
You’ll have to check the individual price for your own cruise by logging onto the Faster to the Fun section of the Carnival website, clicking on your embarkation port, and then adding it to your cruise. You can also find it on your online account when you log in to your cruise details.
But if you wanted to buy it as a gift for someone else cruising with Carnival, head to the Carnival website. You’ll need their full name and the sailing date.
Final Word
Whether Faster to the Fun is worth it depends on whether you’re someone who is desperate to be first onboard, and you really don’t want to carry your bags around with you.
The Express Luggage perk is handy, but not super important for most people. Same with the Guest Services priority and the priority Water Shuttle places – you can manage fine without them.
If you’re set on being first off the ship on the last day, too (say you have an earlier afternoon flight), or you want to make sure you get the right dining times, then it may be useful too.
Just remember that you don’t need it once you reach Diamond or Platinum with VIFP, since you get all of these perks and more.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
We were delighted to see Emma Kok perform “Earth Song” by Michael with Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra at the Maastricht Vrijthof town square concert in July 2025.
Launched in 1999, Voyager of the Seaswas a game-changer for Royal Caribbean – the first of the iconic Voyager Class ships and still a fan favourite decades later.
Voyager of the Seas has carried millions of cruisers and, thanks to a massive $97 million Amplification in 2019, she now boasts many of Royal Caribbean’s most exciting features.
Part of that transformation included 72 brand-new staterooms, adding even more variety to the ship’s already impressive accommodation lineup.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through all the cabin options – and reveal the best (and worst) rooms to help you choose the perfect spot for your cruise.
How To Choose The Best Cabin
I’ve created a free checklist of what to look out for when choosing a cruise cabin. If you’d like a copy, just leave your email address and it will be with you right away.
Voyager of the Seas Room Categories
Voyager of the Seas is a Voyager-class cruise ship with 15 different cabin types to choose from.
The accommodation can be broken down into four main categories: Inside, Outside, Balcony and Suite. Although there are subtypes within each.
Let’s take a closer look…
Voyager of the Seas Inside Cabins
If you want a Voyager of the Seas interior room, you have three options:
Interior Stateroom – Sleeps up to 2 or 4
Promenade View Interior Stateroom – Sleeps up to 2
Interior with Virtual Balcony – Sleeps up to 2
Voyager of the Seas Outside Cabins
There are four types of Ocean View Voyager of the Seas staterooms:
Ocean View Stateroom – Sleeps up to 2 or 4
Spacious Ocean View Stateroom – Sleeps up to 2 or 4
Spacious Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom – Sleeps up to 4
Ultra Spacious Ocean View Stateroom – Sleeps up to 6
Voyager of the Seas Balcony Cabins
You have two choices for a Voyager of the Seas balcony room:
Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony – Sleeps up to 2 or 4
Spacious Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony – Sleeps up to 2 or 4
Voyager of the Seas Suites
Ocean View Panoramic Suite (no balcony) – Sleeps up to 6
Junior Suite – Sleeps up to 4
Grand Suite (1 bedroom) – Sleeps up to 4
Grand Suite (2 bedrooms) – Sleeps up to 8
Owner’s Suite – Sleeps up to 4
Royal Suite – Sleeps up to 4
Royal Caribbean’s suites come with not only more space, but also a huge list of extra benefits. You can see those here: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks.
For a lot of people, an inside stateroom will be plenty, especially if your priority is just enjoying the destinations you’re sailing to, and you don’t feel like you need much room.
However, if you have the budget for it, there are some staterooms and suites which are much, much bigger.
Voyager of the Seas Room Sizes
The cabin sizes on Voyager of the Seas vary a lot. The largest suites are almost twelve times the size of the smallest staterooms!
There’s also some variation with cabins of the same type. Certain Interior and Ocean View cabins are 60% bigger than others. However, before you get excited about the possibility of booking a huge cabin, many of these are wheelchair-accessible cabins and so they’re only available for the people who need them.
If you do want a large cabin, there are some very big outside staterooms and suites to choose from. The Ultra Spacious Ocean View Stateroom, for example, is absolutely huge with over 300 square feet of space, yet it doesn’t cost that much in comparison to the other stateroom types.
Here are the sizes of Voyager of the Seas rooms, from smallest to largest:
Interior Stateroom – 160 to 256 sq ft
Interior with Virtual Balcony – 160 to 256 sq ft
Ocean View Stateroom – 161 to 276 sq ft
Promenade View Interior Stateroom – 167 sq feet
Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony – 198 sq ft
Spacious Ocean View Stateroom with Balcony – 203 sq ft
Spacious Ocean View Stateroom – 211 sq ft
Junior Suite – 277 sq ft
Spacious Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom – 283 sq ft
Ultra Spacious Ocean View Stateroom – 328 sq ft
Grand Suite (1 Bedroom) – 381 sq ft
Ocean View Panoramic Suite (No Balcony) – 406 sq ft
Owner’s Suite 506 sq ft
Grand Suite (2 Bedroom) – 547 sq ft
Royal Suite – 1260 sq ft
Voyager of the Seas Cabins to Avoid
One of the main reasons why people choose their own cabin number on a cruise is to avoid ending up in one of the worst rooms on the ship.
If you choose a cabin that’s in a noisy location, a long walk from anything or has an obstructed view from the balcony, it can put a real downer on your trip.
Here are the cabins to avoid on Voyager of the Seas…
1. Noisy Cabins on Voyager of the Seas
2330 to 2358, 2630 to 2658: Cabins at the aft end of Deck 2 are the closest to the ship’s engines and so you may experience some engine noise and propeller vibrations in these cabins. They are also beneath the main dining room.
2240: This cabin is right next to the Palace Theatre, so you may expect some noise during performances and rehearsals.
Tip: If you only want one cabin, avoid the cabins with interconnecting doors. Cabin doors are never as soundproof as walls, so you may be able to hear your neighbours.
3540 and 3240: These cabins are located right next to public bathrooms.
3600 to 3616: These cabins are beneath The Tavern bar and so there may be noise until the small hours.
6575, 6577, 6579, 6581, 6583, 6587, 6589, 6591, 6593, 6595 and 6597: These Promenade View Interior Staterooms are located directly above the R Bar. Aside from the fact that people on the promenade on Deck 6 and your neighbours can see right in, these cabins have also been reported as being noisy until after midnight as people gather, chat and sing outside the bar.
1248 to 1305 and 1548 to 1605: These staterooms and suites are located directly beneath the pool areas. This could mean that you can hear some noise from deck chairs being dragged across the floor in the morning. Early risers should have no problems here, though.
2. Cabins That Are a Long Walk from Anything
9465, 9467, 9469, 9471, 9473, 9475, 9477, 9479: These cabins are a really long way from the elevators. All cabins right at the back of the ship are far from the elevators, but this problem is made so much worse on Deck 9, because you have to walk right to the end of the ship and then go back on yourself to reach your cabin!
On the deck plan below, you would have to follow the red line to take you from the nearest elevator to your cabin. This distance is about 500 feet, which is a really long way if you struggle with walking or are carrying a child.
3. Cabins with Obstructed Views
Aft cabin and suites: Aft balconies are the ones right at the back of the ship that look out to where the ship has been. On most cruise ships, aft balconies offer the best views of all. This is not so on Voyager of the Seas!
Due to the design of the ship, the aft cabin balconies aren’t at the rear edge of the ship. There’s an extra area between the balcony and the end of the ship. This means that steel structures partially obstruct your view looking out and completely obstruct your view when you look down.
Whilst the view from the aft balconies seems to be less than ideal, these cabins actually get great reviews online. One advantage of the aft cabins on Voyager of the Seas is that the balconies are much larger than standard balconies on the port and starboard sides.
If you do want to go for an aft balcony, I’d recommend choosing a corner one for the biggest balcony space and the least obstructed view.
This video shows a junior suite located at the aft of Deck 6…
When you book a Royal Caribbean cruise online, you’ll often see two prices, which look like this…
Royal Caribbean usually gives guests the choice to select their room for an extra fee. If you opt not to choose your own room, you’ll be assigned what’s known as a ‘Guarantee Cabin’.
A Guarantee Cabin
A guarantee cabin guarantees that you’ll receive a cabin in that category (e.g. interior stateroom) or higher (if you’re lucky enough to be upgraded).
The benefits of choosing your cabin number:
Choose your preferred location on the ship
Book two cabins next to each other
Avoid undesirable cabins
Booking Multiple Cabins
If you want interconnecting cabins which have a door between them, you will have to pay to pick your own room.
If you just want cabins next door to each other, you can opt to let Royal Caribbean choose your room and request that your cabins be nearby. However, there’s no guarantee that they will be.
Tip: For a family of four, it’s sometimes cheaper to get two interconnecting cabins than to get one cabin that sleeps four.
If you have adjacent balcony cabins, you can ask your stateroom attendant to open the balcony dividers to create one large balcony. You do not need interconnecting rooms to do this. If you’re friendly with your neighbours, the partition can be opened, as long as everybody agrees.
Best Deck on Voyager of the Seas
Many people ask which is the best deck on Voyager of the Seas. In fact, there isn’t one deck that’s the best, but there are three decks that are particularly good if you want a quiet room that’s not too far from the action.
Decks 7, 8 and 9
If you’re looking for a nice quiet room on Voyager of the Seas, you can’t go wrong with Deck 7, Deck 8 or Deck 9. All cabins on these decks only have other cabins above and below them. This creates a buffer from the noise of the public areas.
It also means that you can avoid taking the elevator, as from this midship location you can walk up to the open decks or down to the restaurants and bars.
Best Rooms on Voyager of the Seas
The best cabins on Voyager of the Seas are very much down to personal preference. For some people, the cheapest inside cabins are the best. Others prefer a spacious room with panoramic windows. Whereas for some cruisers, a balcony is an absolute must.
Here are some Voyager of the Seas rooms which you should look out for as they offer something special…
BEST INSIDE: Interior with Virtual Balcony
One of the main drawbacks of booking an Interior Stateroom is the fact that you can feel like you’re missing out on the experience of watching where you’re sailing. But the Interior with Virtual Balcony staterooms go some way to addressing that.
Sure, you’re not getting natural sunlight, but you are still getting an amazing view – and it helps you to at least tell how early/late it is in the day. You get the same view as you would from a Balcony Stateroom, just without the feeling of fresh air.
Take a look at this video to see what this stateroom type looks like…
The only drawback is if you want to cruise with the kids – the Virtual Balcony staterooms can only sleep two guests. If you’re travelling with more than two guests, a Promenade View Interior stateroom will be a better choice.
BEST OUTSIDE: Spacious Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom
The windows in the outside cabins vary in size. On some ships, you’ll have just a small porthole above the bed. On Voyager of the Seas, however, the windows in many of the cabins are very large indeed.
I particularly love the window in this Spacious Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom. There are various Spacious Panoramic Ocean View Staterooms on Voyager of the Seas – they come in different shapes and sizes, so be sure to study the deck plan carefully if you want to find one of the largest ones.
There are two types of balcony staterooms on Voyager of the Seas – standard and spacious. Whilst you may expect the spacious one to be better, and in some ways it is, I just don’t think that the extra space is worth the extra price.
In fact, with the spacious balcony cabin, you get only five square feet more space in your room and four square feet more space on your balcony. That’s not even enough room for an extra chair, so you probably won’t even notice that your room is any bigger.
Be sure to look at the price difference before you make the decision to upgrade to a spacious balcony.
BEST SUITE: Royal Suite
The Royal Suite is the top suite on most Royal Caribbean ships. On Voyager of the Seas, the Royal Suite sleeps up to four people and, at 1260 square feet, it is more than twice the size of any other suite on the ship.
Of course, a photo would never do this suite justice, but take a look at the video below to see what you can expect from the Royal Suite with its private hot tub on the balcony and baby grand piano.
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Voyager of the Seas Versus Other Voyager-Class Ships
Voyager of the Seas was the first Voyager-class ship for the fleet, and it wasn’t long until she was joined by sister ship Explorer of the Seas.
Yet of the two, only Voyager has been through the Amplification program, which added new staterooms and suites, particularly at the front of the ship on Deck 10.
The later ships in the Voyager Class were already slightly different, although the choice of stateroom and suite options is broadly the same. The advice in this guide could apply to those ships almost identically.
Find More Information About Voyager of the Seas Rooms
Facebook is a handy tool for finding out more information on Voyager of the Seas, or connecting with others who are cruising on the ship, or have done so before. I’d recommend these two groups:
It’s also worth looking for Facebook groups for your specific cruise – I found quite a few groups dedicated to different sailing dates. This is a good way to say hi to people you’ll be cruising with before you set sail, and you can read more Royal Caribbean Voyager of the Seas reviews to understand what people think of the ship and the specific staterooms.
Have you cruised on Voyager of the Seas? I’d love to hear your opinions in the comments below.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Launched in 2020, Iona brought a fresh new feel to P&O Cruises – the first new ship since Britannia debuted in 2015. While they share the same proud heritage, these two ships offer very different experiences.
If you’re torn between the two, this guide will help you decide which one suits your cruise style best. From dining and entertainment to design and atmosphere, here are the key differences between Britannia and Iona, so you can book the best ship with confidence.
1. Iona is a Bigger Ship than Britannia
Iona can accommodate 43% more passengers than Iona, with space for 5,200 guests, compared to Britannia’s guest capacity of 3,647.
The following table shows the size differences between Iona and Britannia:
The P&O Iona’s capacity is so much bigger than on Britannia, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Because it’s a bigger ship, you have more to do, but it can mean bigger crowds, too.
2. Iona has No Set Dining Times
When cruising with P&O Cruises on all ships except Iona, guests have the choice of either Club dining or Freedom dining. Iona offers only Freedom dining, which means that there are no set dining times and you will sit at a different table each night.
Club Dining – Choose a set time of 6.30pm or 8.30pm. Sit at the same table with the same waiters throughout your cruise
Freedom Dining – Arrive at the restaurant at any time between 6pm and 9.30pm
Many cruisers prefer the set dining times of Club dining because they have the opportunity to get to know other cruisers over dinner each night and for conversations to progress past the initial stage. However, others enjoy the flexibility of Freedom dining and the chance to meet new people each night.
3. Iona is Better for Cold-Weather Cruises
With its glass-roofed SkyDome, Iona is the ideal ship for cooler weather. The ship also has a four-screen cinema complex offering movie screenings throughout the day.
In contrast, cruisers sailing on Britannia in cold weather may find that the indoor activities are somewhat limited in comparison.
When you look at the itineraries that are on offer on each ship, you can see that Britannia offers more warm-weather itineraries than Iona.
Britannia Itineraries
Britannia cruises from Southampton in the summer, sailing to destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and the Canary Islands. In the winter, she heads transatlantic to offer Caribbean cruises departing from Barbados and St Lucia.
Iona Itineraries
Iona cruises from Southampton all year round, heading to destinations such as Norway, Northern Europe, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands.
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4. Britannia has More Formal Nights than Iona
Whilst Iona does have formal nights, where you can dress up in black tie attire, they are less frequent than on the other P&O Cruises ships. Britannia and the other ships in the fleet have twice as many formal nights as you’ll have when you cruise on Iona.
The table below shows how many formal nights you can expect during your cruise:
Formal nights
Iona
Britannia
2- to 4-night cruises
n/a
1
5- to 7-night cruises
1
2
8- to 10-night cruises
1
3
11- to 14-night cruises
2
4
5. Britannia has No Sea View Cabins
A cabin with a window can be a good, cheaper alternative to a balcony cabin, whilst giving a nice view of the outside that you can’t get with an inside cabin. Yet, rather unusually, outside cabins (also known as sea view) don’t exist on P&O Britannia.
Iona’s sea view cabins are a great choice, because not only do they offer great value for money, they’re also larger than both standard inside and standard balcony cabins.
Another cabin type that you’ll find only on Iona is the conservatory mini suite. These are akin to a larger balcony room, with an extra conservatory-style space that’s ideal for admiring the views while staying out of the cold and wind.
6. Iona has More Dining Venues than Britannia
Iona has 14 restaurants and 19 bars and cafes. This is more than Britannia, which has 11 restaurants and 15 bars and cafes.
Both cruise ships offer plenty of dining options that are included in the price of your cruise, so there’s no need to spend any more money if you don’t want to. However, both ships have plenty of alternative restaurants which are available for an extra charge for a special treat.
The table below shows the dining options on Iona and Britannia:
Restaurant
Type
Iona
Britannia
Beach House
Relaxed
Cover charge – from £7.50
Cover charge – from £7.50
Epicurean
Fine Dining
Cover charge – from £28
Cover charge – from £28
Eric Lanlard’s
Afternoon Tea
Cover charge – from £17.50
Cover charge – from £17.50
Glass House
Wine pairings
A La Carte – mains from £8
A La Carte – mains from £8
Grab and Go
Snacks
Included
Included
Horizon
Buffet
Included
Included
Keel and Cow
Gastro pub
A La Carte – mains from £5.50
n/a
Limelight Club
Live music
Cover charge – from £25
Cover charge – from £25
Main Dining Rooms
Formal dining
Included
Included
Market Cafe
Coffee and cakes
n/a
Cakes from £2.95
Olive Grove
Mediterranean
Included
n/a
Quays
Street food
Included
n/a
Sindhu
Indian
A La Carte – mains from £9
Cover charge – from £20
Taste 260
Pizza and burgers
Included
n/a
Vistas Cafe Bar
Coffee and cakes
Cakes from £2.95
n/a
On Iona, you’ll find The Quays – a vibrant food hall offering street food from all over the world. Here, you can dine indoors, outside or take food away with you. Within The Quays, there are three restaurants:
Hook, Line and Vinegar – A posh fish and chip shop which serves scampi, crab and other fancy seafood delights
The Boardwalk Diner – Serving American BBQ hot dogs, burgers and Southern soul food
Fusion – Offering a variety of Asian-inspired street food
If you love a promenade deck where you can walk all the way around the edge of the ship, then you may be disappointed by Britannia. This ship has no prom deck, although there is a walking track up on Deck 18.
In contrast, Iona has a spectacular wraparound promenade deck on Deck 8. As well as lots of space to walk full laps of the ship, Iona’s promenade deck features six infinity whirlpools, two large whirlpools with aft views, an al fresco dining area and the Sunset Bar.
8. Iona is More Environmentally Friendly than Britannia
Iona is one of the world’s first LNG-powered cruise ships. LNG is liquefied natural gas which is a much cleaner fuel than diesel, which powers cruise ships like Britannia.
LNG engines produce up to 30% less carbon dioxide than diesel equivalents. Using LNG also dramatically cuts nitrogen oxide emissions and almost eliminates sulphur oxide pollution.
9. Iona has Way More Hot Tubs than Britannia
Speaking of whirlpools, if you’ve cruised on Britannia, you’ll know that there are only two hot tubs for public use, with another two in The Retreat, which is a part of the spa that you have to pay extra to enter.
Clearly, two Jacuzzis just isn’t enough for over 3,000 people, but luckily, Iona has a total of 18 whirlpool spas (6 infinity and 12 regular), which should be more than enough for everyone on board.
10. Swimming Nappies Are Allowed on Britannia but Not Iona
Those cruising with babies or toddlers should know that on Iona, children in swimming nappies are not permitted to use the swimming pools. However, there is a small baby pool within the kids’ Splash Zone, which is okay to use.
On Britannia, kids in swimming nappies can use the Lido pool and there is also a splash area next to The Reef Adventure Zone.
Iona has four swimming pools:
Beachcomber pool pool: Outdoor pool on the Panorama Deck
Panorama pool: Outdoor pool on the Panorama Deck, aft
SkyDome pool: Indoor pool on the Lido Deck
Infinity pool: Outdoor pool on the Lido Dec, aft
Britannia has four swimming pools:
Riviera pool – Outdoor pool on the Lido Deck
Lido pool – Outdoor pool on the Lido Deck
Serenity pool – Outdoor pool on the Sun Deck (ADULTS ONLY)
Terrace pool – Outdoor pool on the Sun Deck
The swimming pools on Britannia are very deep – 165cm at the shallow end and 225cm at the deep end. This means that you will be unable to stand up in the pools, even in the shallow end, unless you are over 6 feet tall. The exception to this is the Terrace Pool, which is small and not so deep.
On Iona, the pools are 130cm deep at the shallow end and 140cm deep at the deep end, meaning that most people will be able to stand up. The water level is lowered further when the ship is at sea.
Iona offers a huge choice of entertainment that you won’t find on Britannia, including aerial performances, live DJs and a silent disco. Rather than being limited to the theatre and bars on Iona, you’ll also be entertained in the SkyDome and the Grand Atrium.
Whilst both ships have lots of entertainment options and you’ll never be bored, cruisers in their 20s and 30s will likely prefer the variety of entertainment on offer on Iona.
Final Word
If you were struggling to decide between booking a cruise on Britannia or Iona, I hope that this post has helped you to make your decision.
Both Britannia and Iona are incredible ships and which one is the best depends very much on your individual circumstances. I can’t speak highly enough of my cruise on Britannia. I’ve booked to sail on Iona several times and am looking forward to experiencing the ship for myself as soon as possible.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
While cruise lines continue to redefine luxury, wellness is more than just a day at the spa onboard. Travelers are embracing the idea that there’s no better place to slow down, disconnect and rejuvenate than on an ocean journey.
From sunrise exercise to cleansing menus, the modern-day cruise lifestyle increasingly focuses on individual renewal. As much as people embark on a ship for relaxation or exploration, others find that the vast ocean contains more healing potential for mind and body.
A New Era of Wellness Programming
Contemporary cruise schedules more routinely include wellness-themed experiences aimed at loosening passengers’ everyday sources of stress. Popular inclusions include daily exercise courses, shipboard wellness counselors and special spa areas equipped with hydrotherapy courses and thermal rooms.
Some ships also have mind-body experiences on deck, such as sunrise meditation and guided breathwork sessions in front of open sea horizons. These are not one-time fads; they are part of a bigger movement toward lifestyle cruising where renewal becomes more of a travel focus.
Access to spa and fitness amenities is often tiered, giving guests flexibility to create a routine that matches their energy levels. Cruise lines sometimes partner with wellness brands and nutritional consultants to craft detox-focused menus and juice bars that complement fitness regimens. These elements cater to those seeking a slower pace and a more mindful environment.
The Role of Bet Games and Leisure
Cruise ship gambling is on the rise. From tables and slots to electronic simulations of bet games, there are low-key ways people are partaking in entertainment that complements their wellbeing, yet does not compromise it.
Unlike traditional land casinos, cruise gaming lounges are frequently found in small spaces and subject to international shipboard law. This generally results in a more subdued feel, where betting maximums are regulated and customers rotate between events. Themed tournaments or loyalty incentives are sometimes offered on cruises, promoting fun competition instead of high-roller tension.
Bet games, such as card-style variants and sporting wagering stations, attract a variety of regular players and occasional visitors. Social games of this type frequently thaw ice and can also boost the psychological advantages of play. Wellness isn’t just about reflection and solitude—it can also consist of interaction, laughter and moments of thrill.
Surprising Mental Benefits of Traveling to the Oceans
Time spent on open waters has long been associated with mental clarity. Seafarers and vacationers have noted the unique calm of uninterrupted sea views, rhythmic ship movement and digital disconnection.
Scientific research indicates that time spent near water helps alleviate stress, lowers cortisol levels and improves sleep rhythms. Onboard spaces have been specifically designed to amplify that effect through ambient lighting, salt-rich air and sound environments that mimic the natural timbre of the sea.
Bet games, which are sometimes offered in onboard lounges or virtual portals, provide yet another mental reset. Though not necessarily associated with the classic notion of wellness, their lighthearted games create relaxation through entertainment and strategic play. Their offering satisfies diverse moods, ranging from high-energy exhilaration to low-key diversion.
Moderation has connected casino-style gaming to temporary dopamine increases and can serve as a social release when travelers seek interaction. For night owls or solo cruisers, this type of entertainment balances a lifestyle centered on wellbeing.
Movement and Nutrition at Sea
Physical fitness remains a core component of cruising. Today’s cruise ships have spacious, ocean-view gyms, outdoor running decks, spinning studios and rock climbing walls. These are not afterthoughts but integral features that keep people moving throughout the trip.
Nutrition also plays a key role. In addition to usual dining, most ships offer healthy options that serve vegetarian, gluten-free and low-sodium cuisine. Flexible menu plans enable visitors to maintain specific dietary disciplines despite sampling international cuisine.
Wellness seminars, held by guest practitioners or staff, provide more insight to those who want to learn more about functional fitness, anti-inflammatory cooking or proper posture. This educational component helps travelers take ideas back home long after they have departed the ship.
Sleep and the Rhythms of the Ocean
One of the often-underestimated positives of cruising is enhancing sleep. The rocking motion of the ship, paired with the elimination of everyday distractions, frequently leads to better sleep and more regular sleep patterns.
Nowadays, staterooms are outfitted with blackout curtains, soundproofing and pillow menus to allow travelers to personalize their sleep settings. Specific cruise lines also offer wellness cabins with aromatherapy diffusers, circadian lighting and noise machines mimicking ocean noises.
Better sleep affects mood, digestion and immune functioning, but all are strong physical and mental wellbeing indicators. As more travelers look for restoration, not stimulation, their interest in drifting off under starry skies will continue to escalate.
Cruising’s evolution extends beyond exotic ports and hearty cuisine. With specially crafted wellness options, thoughtfully paced relaxation activities like bet games and water-focused spaces meant for renewal, cruises build a strong case for mental sharpness and physical replenishment. While not a clinical cure, time at sea increasingly forms a floating retreat—a break that goes beyond destination to deliver lasting wellbeing.
