The first time I walked into Eden on Celebrity Edge during her inaugural voyage, I knew right away it would be a very unique experience that could not be found anywhere else. And although some of the original concepts of Eden have been retired, the space has always been inviting and refreshing.
But Celebrity Xcel, due to arrive in November of this year, will be offering another brand-new venue instead of Eden. The multi-deck space at the back of the ship will now occupy an all-new concept called “The Bazaar”.
The Ever-Changing Concept of “The Bazaar”
According to a press release from Celebrity Cruises, every day will offer a completely new feeling and environment in The Bazaar, so no two days are alike.
It will feature shopping, dining, activities, and entertainment that change according to the day’s “festival” or theme. These themes will be inspired by the cultures of the ports in The Bahamas, Mexico, and Caribbean.
“Depending on the festival theme, guests can expand their palate with activities including rum and chocolate pairings and local hot sauce tastings, dive deep into the destination’s culture with experiences like live basket weaving demos, and find one-of-a-kind keepsakes from local vendors such as an authentic Caribbean mask shop, traditional Mexican leather hats, embroidery stations, and more,” a statemen from the cruise line read.
Mosaic, an open kitchen concept, will allow cruise passengers to sample various dishes also inspired by the ports visited by the ship.
Chef’s table
Alongside The Bazaar, Celebrity Xcel will introduce a Chef’s Table and a cooking school also offered at Mosaic.
According to the press release, “Chef’s Studio invites guests to discover their inner chef as they learn to prepare new dishes from each destination they visit. Throughout the sailing, the cooking school repertoire will change to reflect the destination-inspired festival themes, allowing guests to master local favorites and add to their recipe books alongside creating new memories.”
Quick bites will also be available at Spice, where a regular rotation of foods will be available for guests who want something on the go. Spice will also offer floor-to-ceiling windows for great views while enjoying a mean between meals.
Celebrity Cruisers Have a Chance to Submit Ideas
Design on The Bazaar is not quite finalized, and Celebrity Cruises is giving its loyal fans a chance to have a say in the finishing touches.
Through the “Xcel Dream Makers” program, Celebrity Cruises is allowing guests to have a say in the final design and offerings of the ship, including The Bazaar, via online polls and interactive events.
“For The Bazaar, Dream Makers will shape how the festivals come to life, choose entertainment and activities in Market at The Bazaar, select menu items at Mosaic, and more. Those interested in joining Xcel ‘Dream Makers’ can register at www.celebritycruises.com/xceldreammakers,” the statement read.
Celebrity Xcel will be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale for her first season, offering week-long cruises that alternate between destinations in the Bahamas, Mexico, the Cayman Islands, Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.
In the summer of 2026, she will transition to her debut European season, sailing in the Mediterranean on voyages that are from 7- to 11-nights, departing from Barcelona and Athens. These voyages will include unique overnight stays in Madeira, Portugal.
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Dancing on pointe is challenging enough on a warm, well-lit stage, but French ballerina Victoria Dauberville took it to an entirely new level – performing on the bow of a cruise ship in Antarctica.
Photo credit: Victoria Dauberville / Mathieu Forget
In a breathtaking display of artistry and endurance, Dauberville danced atop the bulbous bow of Ponant’s Le Boréal while surrounded by the icy, unforgiving waters of the Southern Ocean.
Captured by her boyfriend and photographer, Mathieu Forget, the performance quickly went viral, amassing 3.6 million views on TikTok and an astonishing 9.5 million views on Instagram.
The stunning visuals were so unbelievable that many social media users questioned if the footage was AI-generated.
However, additional videos posted by the couple proved the performance was very real, showing exactly how Dauberville was transported to the bow via a rigid inflatable boat (RIB).
For context, the Antarctic Peninsula, where Ponant’s Le Boréal operates, has an average temperature of 28°F (-2°C).
Performing en pointe on the exposed bow of a ship in below-freezing temperatures is a feat few would even dream of attempting.
However, Dauberville and Forget meticulously planned and trained for the moment, even preparing during a previous visit to South Georgia.
“We knew the conditions would be challenging, but we also knew that if we could pull it off, it would be spectacular,”
Mathieu Forget
A collaborative effort with Ponant’s crew
The performance was not just a spontaneous act – it required the full cooperation of the ship’s crew, who strategically positioned Le Boréal to provide the perfect backdrop of Antarctic ice and ocean.
Le Boréal, a luxury expedition cruise ship, is purpose-built for Antarctic voyages.
Weighing 10,944 gross tons and carrying up to 264 guests, the ship is known for its ice-strengthened hull and upscale design.
Dauberville’s dance not only showcased her remarkable talent but also highlighted the unique experiences offered by Antarctic cruises.
Ponant, a French luxury expedition cruise line, offers Antarctic voyages on three other sister ships – Le Lyrial, L’Austral, and Le Soléal – for those looking to explore this remote and pristine region.
More than just a performance, Dauberville’s dance is a powerful reminder that passion knows no boundaries – even at the literal ends of the earth.
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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.
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Wondering what happens when someone jumps off a cruise ship? Well, you’ll be glad to know that, fortunately, this isn’t very common!
It’s almost impossible to simply ‘fall’ from a cruise ship as the railings are quite high. Most of the time, people who go overboard either intentionally jumped or were doing something irresponsible, like climbing over a balcony.
So what happens when someone jumps off a cruise ship? Let’s find out…
Jumping off a cruise ship on purpose – here’s what happens
If a passenger jumps off of a cruise ship, the ship will stop as soon as it’s alerted and make a turn to begin searching for them in the water. This can take several hours and often requires the help of passengers looking from their balconies as well as nearby cruise ships and vessels.
The crew will plot their location at the time of the fall and navigate back to the place it’s believed that the passenger has gone overboard.
Cruise ships are fitted with CCTV cameras which can help, but these aren’t continually monitored. Specialist sensors are also becoming more popular. Many cruise ships are fitted with V-MOB sensors which will automatically alert the crew at the bridge of any ‘man overboard’ incident.
If you see someone jump or fall overboard, you should immediately throw a life ring toward them. Even if they cannot reach it, it will help to mark the spot where they fell.
In the video below, Emma Cruises explains in detail the procedure that happens when someone goes overboard. She includes her own first-hand experience of the procedure when someone went overboard on her Norwegian Cruise Line sailing.
Why people jump from cruise ships
An average of 25 people each year jump from cruise ships, for multiple reasons. These could include:
Committing suicide
Foolish pranks
Alcohol and/or drug-related incidents
Climbing on balconies or railings
An attempt to rescue someone who has fallen
In 2024, 19 people fell overboard out of 36 million passengers who cruised that year. This gives you a 1 in 1.9 million chance of ever falling overboard when cruising. Those who do fall, are usually intentionally jumping or are falling as a result of reckless behaviour.
Recent ship jumping incidents
There were several incidents of someone going overboard in 2024, but it’s not clear in each whether they were purposefully jumping or if they fell after acting in a dangerous manner.
In early 2024 there were a couple of incidents of people jumping from a cruise ship. It’s not super-common but it does happen.
Going a little further back, in June 2023, a woman went overboard from Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, reportedly after climbing a railing to sit on it for a photo.
Thankfully, because it was daytime and there were people who witnessed the incident, the ship was able to turn around and locate her. She was rescued from the water by the ship’s pilot boat, and brought back onboard.
Survival rates for jumping from a cruise ship
The survival rate after jumping off a cruise ship varies but is low – certainly no better than around 25%. Many things can influence this rate including the speed of the ship, the location, the time of day and the season.
A case of someone surviving their ordeal is taken from 2015 when a 22-year-old man fell overboard off the coast of Mexico. He was rescued by a Disney cruise ship after passengers spotted him in the water.
The man had been in the water for about five hours after falling from Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas early in the morning. After the rescue, the man was taken to a local hospital and was in good condition before flying back to the U.S.
And more recently, in February 2024, a passenger fell overboard from MSC Bellissima in Japan, but was rescued alive from the waters and survived.
Despite these stories, those who survive are incredibly lucky to have been rescued and made it to shore unscathed. Commenting on the impact falls from a cruise ship can have on a person, Cozumel Port Captain Alfonso Rodríguez said: “Most people that experience that kind of fall break their neck. It’s like hitting concrete.”
Sea survival expert, Mike Tipton, a professor from the University of Portsmouth and co-author of Essentials of Sea Survival, calculates most cruise ship falls sadly result in death.
He advises that, if you survive the initial fall, “the best thing you can do in the first few minutes of immersion is try to rest, relax, float,” he says, suggesting that restricting movement and conserving energy is the best strategy to increase your survival odds.
Factors affecting the survival rate of jumping from a cruise ship
Survival rates of jumping from a cruise ship can be impacted by a number of things:
Whether the passenger was injured upon impact
Which deck the passenger fell from
The location of the ship
The speed of the ship
The time of day
The temperature of the water
The height of the waves
The time it takes to raise the alarm
Whether the passenger can swim
Whether the passenger is intoxicated
If a person jumps off the top deck of a cruise ship into freezing cold and rough seas in the dead of night, the chance of them being found is very slim. But for someone jumping off a lower deck into warm, flat water with witnesses, the chance of being rescued is much higher.
It can take a cruise ship a long time to slow down, sometimes up to a mile in distance. During this time the passenger can suffer terrible consequences, that’s if they have even survived the fall in the first place.
A person who has jumped from a cruise ship could hit something during the fall, or the impact of the water itself could result in a quick death. There’s also a risk of getting pulled under the ship into its propellors, hypothermia due to the shock of cold water and drowning due to large waves.
The height of the ship itself can be a factor in the cause of death. Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world, measures a staggering 20 decks high. Jumping from extreme heights has an incredible impact, with enormous forces putting stress on your body including torn muscles, ruptured eardrums and even death on impact.
If no one is around when the passenger goes overboard, then the disappearance may not be noticed or reported for several hours. Normal procedures allow for ships to track their location once notified so they can return to the spot where the passenger fell.
However, if hours have passed since, there’s no way to tell where this location could be. The sooner the crew are told, the better the chances are of someone being found.
Going overboard at night also has its issues as visibility is limited and the temperatures at sea drop. While flares and spotlights can be used in these circumstances, it’s often more difficult to locate someone in the water in the dark.
The seasons and weather such as rough seas, thunderstorms, rain, and fog, also hinder the chances of locating missing passengers.
So, will you die if you fall off a cruise ship, or jump off cruise ship balconies intentionally? There’s a high risk – which is why you need to be sensible.
Legal issues around jumping from a cruise ship
While there are no laws as such to make it illegal to jump from a cruise ship, those who survive often face legal action for their reckless behaviour and, depending on the circumstances, may be banned from cruising ever again.
Chris Gray Faust, senior editor at CruiseCritic.com is quoted in a CNTraveler article as emphasising “cruise lines want passengers to be safe, and they focus a great deal on helping to ensure that.”
He goes on to say that “it’s worth keeping in mind that the incidence of passengers falling overboard is incredibly low […] Travellers should always be sure to stay alert, be cautious, and follow safety precautions, as they would on any vacation – whether at sea or on land.”
The guy who jumped off a cruise ship for Instagram fame
A few years ago, there were a lot of ‘man jumps off cruise ship’ headlines as 27-year-old Nick Naydev jumped 100 feet from Symphony of the Seas into shark-infested waters while the ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas.
You can see the jump, and Nick’s comments on his stunt, in this video…
Speaking in 2019, Nick recalls, “I remember hitting the water, the impact was pretty big cause it was pretty high up and it impacted my tailbone and my neck pretty hard. Luckily it wasn’t anything serious. The previous night we were drinking quite a bit, so I was still feeling the effects of the alcohol […] I hope I don’t inspire anybody to do this because it is very dangerous, and I hope they don’t think this is a joke.”
As a result of the incident, Nick and his fellow passengers were banned from cruising with Royal Caribbean for life and the cruise line contacted local authorities to remove the group from the ship immediately after the incident.
The bottom line
A small number of people do jump from cruise ships each year. But, in the cases where this happens, procedures and policies are in place to try to retrieve the passenger who went overboard. Sadly, these rescue missions fail more often than they succeed.
Jumping off a cruise ship is always a bad idea. If you do survive the fall, you’re likely to face serious injuries, legal consequences and a lifetime ban from cruising.
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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.
There could be many reasons for seeking out the best cruises for singles over 40. Searching for solace and relaxation after a divorce? Or just want to time away by yourself? Looking to meet new friends with shared interests? Plotting a romantic fling or true love on the seven seas?
No matter the reason, cruises are a great option for solo travellers over the age of 40.
The thought of cruising solo might seem daunting at first, but the ships offer thought-out plans, daily programmes and evening entertainment to keep you occupied. Not to mention visiting multiple destinations in one trip without having to keep packing up your suitcase!
The average age of a cruiser is 45, so you’re sure to be amongst passengers your own age. One of the main benefits of a cruise is that they take the hassle away of researching places to stay, eat and drink while travelling as it’s all there for you on your ship.
Read on to find out the best cruise lines to choose if you’re over 40 and planning a singles cruise.
There are plenty of cruises perfect for singles over 40!
While any cruise is well suited for this demographic, there are some organised group cruises for singles. These are ideal for finding friendship and romance at sea.
However, you don’t need a dedicated singles-only cruise – sometimes it’s better to choose a regular cruise. You’ll still get a lot of arranged events where you can meet other singles in your age group. Singles-only cruises are good, but not the only option.
Some people may be considering a singles cruise as an easy way to hook up with fellow guests. With social spaces such as bars and restaurants, as well as nightclubs, there are lots of places on a cruise ship you can meet a love interest. Take a look at the best cruises for singles to hook up to read more.
In general, whether you’re seeking platonic or romantic relationships or just a passing travel partner, all cruises will welcome you aboard as a solo traveller over 40.
The best cruise lines for singles over 40
Here are the best cruise lines to choose as a 40+ single traveller:
1. Royal Caribbean
Energetic and fun, Royal Caribbean cruises bring you plenty to keep you occupied and then some. Surfing and sky-diving simulators, dodgems, rock-climbing walls, zip lines, laser tag, escape rooms, circus schools and more are the ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of a busy life 40-somethings can often get caught up in. It also means there’s a good chance to be a big kid again!
Life onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise as a 40-year-old needn’t be all fun and frolics. If you prefer relaxation, there’s also an adult-only Solarium on every ship in the fleet, as well as and a range of bars, lounges and a casino for grown-ups to hang out and socialise.
Single cabins feature on selected Royal Caribbean ships, with a mixture of inside, balcony and virtual balcony staterooms, which include no single supplements. It’s a good idea to book these as soon as you know you’re planning a cruise with Royal Caribbean as they can get booked up very quickly!
2. AmaWaterways
Another option for active solo cruisers is a river cruise with AmaWaterways. Instead of cruising the ocean, this cruise line features ports along European waterways such as the Rhine, Seine and the Danube.
With a smaller guest capacity, there isn’t as much to do on the ship, and you will find yourself bumping into the same people – but that makes for great mingling opportunities!
Not only can you cruise right into the heart of the destinations you visit with AmaWaterways – think Budapest, Cologne, and Paris – but you can enjoy cycling along the riverbanks and enjoying food and drink-themed tours that will ensure you fully experience the regions you visit.
With a great price point and service, the cruise line is a top choice for those over 40 travelling alone and seeking an active and busy holiday experience.
When it comes to luxury cruises for solo travellers aged 40 and over, Silversea is one of the best options.
Bringing fellow passengers onboard with similar views and interests, guests can enjoy smaller ships where activities are adult-oriented and offer educational benefits. Just one of the ways Silversea creates this is with their resident photographers who offer tutorials on wildlife and nature photography, as well as how to edit digital images in the onboard lab.
Each cruise offers a program centred around a certain field of interest, so you already have a great talking point with other passengers to break the ice.
Be aware that aren’t any solo cabins on Silversea cruise ships. Instead, solo travellers will pay between 25 and 75% supplement charge, so it’s wise to keep an eye out for promotions or deals where this might be waived!
4. Norwegian Cruise Line
One of the best solo cruise lines overall is Norwegian Cruise Line. It was the first major cruise company to create studio cabins specifically for single cruisers as well as the exclusive Studio Lounge only for solo travellers.
These solo cabins offer a chic décor set in 100-feet of space and can be found on board Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway and Pride of America.
As well as the Studio Lounge where solo travellers can enjoy their own space to drink, have a snack and meet other travelling singles, there are many other spaces where guests can mingle including the varying bars, lounges and adult-only areas for events and live music that runs right into the early hours of the morning.
From 2024, there are more NCL solo cabins than ever before. The cruise line has said that, because they’re so popular, they want to expand the number of cabins available to single travellers.
5. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Another luxury cruise line to consider is Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Though the demographic for customers is closer to 60 years, sorter and 7-night sailings still bring a younger audience in their 40s and 50s, so choose your itinerary carefully.
Despite this, the cruise line is proud of the emphasis it places on creating an environment and community for solo travellers to feel welcome. Dedicated hosts, butlers and concierge will ensure you have all you need both in your suite and around the ship. They will also plan activities for singles including gathering at dinner or over cocktails and excursions, so you needn’t worry about going ashore along.
The cruise line consistently offers discounts for solo travellers too, with up to 75% saving on single supplements in some cases. Regent Seven Seas Cruises are the most inclusive cruise line at sea including Wi-Fi, alcoholic drinks, shore excursions and gratuities in your package. So although the cruises can seem very expensive, they offer great value for what you get.
6. Holland America Line
With over forty activities available purely for solo travellers to meet one another during a cruise, Holland America Line is rightly prepared for the mingling and ice-breaking a singles cruiser might be craving.
This cruise line is one of the top choices for those travelling alone and the cocktails, games, team trivia, and line dancing planned into the sailing speak for themselves.
Guests who love live music will enjoy the range of musical events and shows on offer during their Holland America cruise. Dance the night away at the B.B. King’s Blues Clue or rock out in the Rolling Stone Rock Room, created in collaboration with Rolling Stone magazine.
For a more chilled vibe, you can test your kitchen skills in America’s Test Kitchen with demonstrations or enjoy some yoga and book club with the Oprah Magazine-branding activities. There’s certainly a wide range of activities to keep you active and likely to meet new friends onboard.
Only selected ships in the Holland America Line fleet offer solo cabins, including the biggest and newest ships in the fleet: Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. So, it’s best to book as soon as you can to ensure you don’t miss out on securing your very own room, supplement free!
To conclude
It’s always wise to book your stateroom early, no matter which cruise line you choose. Solo staterooms, or studios as they’re often called, are in high demand and are usually the first options to sell out. Keeping an eye on which cruise lines are offering reduced or 0% single supplements is key to making sure you can save some money on your overall cost too.
There are so many cruise lines to choose from when it comes to cruising as a solo traveller, and more cruise lines are working to cater to these groups more widely.
The best recommendation is to go for a cruise line that is appealing to what you would like out of your cruise.
Luxury and educational activities? Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises are perfect!
Looking for an energetic and active cruise, both on the ship and ashore? Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and AmaWaterways are for you!
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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.
Royal Caribbean is a cruise line known for having the biggest ships in the world, and some of the most technologically advanced ones too. But the fleet contains some older ships that are also still very popular, including Radiance of the Seas.
Of course, with over 20 years of cruising under her belt, the ship has hosted around a million passengers over the years. Many of those guests will have enjoyed an incredible cruise, but for others, they may have booked the wrong cabin for them and had their experience slightly soured.
To help you avoid that mistake, this guide will take you through the best and worst cabins on Radiance of the Seas, so you get the perfect cruise for your tastes.
How to Choose the Best Cabin
Some things to look out for are specific to a ship, while others are tips for all cruise ships. To help, I’ve made a free checklist of everything to look out for when booking a cabin, regardless of the ship you’re on. Leave your details here if you want a copy, and I’ll send it right over.
The Different Rooms on Radiance of the Seas
To understand the best rooms and the cabins to avoid on Radiance of the Seas, it’s best to start by looking at all the cabins onboard. There are 1,061 rooms in total, which includes 64 Suites.
Of all the rooms on the ship, 54% have a balcony, which is pretty consistent with most of the ships in the fleet – the smaller and older Vision-class ships stand out for having a much lower percentage, though.
In total, Radiance of the Seas has 16 different cabin types, although some of these are only marginal differences. Here’s the list in full, including sizes and where you’ll find them:
Room
Type
Max. guests
Decks
Average Size (sq ft)
Average Balcony Size (sq ft)
Interior
Inside
4
2-4, 7-10
170
N/A
Interior Accessible
Inside
3
3-4
258
N/A
Studio Interior
Inside
1
4
108
N/A
Ocean View
Ocean View
4
2-4
170
N/A
Connecting Oceanview
Ocean View
4
3-4, 7
170
N/A
Spacious Ocean View
Ocean View
2
7-8
170
N/A
Ultra Spacious Ocean View
Ocean View
6
7-8
265
N/A
Ocean View Balcony
Balcony
4
7-10
179
20-41
Connecting Ocean View Balcony
Balcony
2
7-10
179
41
Spacious Ocean View Balcony
Balcony
5
7-10
204
41
Junior Suite
Suite
4
10
299
66
Junior Suite Accessible
Suite
4
10
362
86
Grand Suite – 1 Bedroom
Suite
4
10
385
106
Owner’s Suite – 1 Bedroom
Suite
4
10
532
57
Owner’s Suite – 2 Bedroom
Suite
8
7-10
584
151
Royal Suite
Suite
4
10
952
172
Radiance of the Seas Room Sizes
One thing that’s important to note is that the room sizes in the table above are averages. While most rooms will be right, there may be some that are a little larger than others.
It’s a good idea to browse the Radiance of the Seas deck plans on the Royal Caribbean website, because then you can see all of the rooms to scale – and maybe grab yourself a room with a little more space.
Accessible Cabins on Radiance of the Seas
The Accessible cabins on Radiance of the Seas are those that have been adapted for wheelchair users. This means they’ll have slightly wider doors, and a wet room instead of a traditional bathroom, with supports.
What’s unusual is that, according to the official list of cabins on Radiance of the Seas, you’re limited to just Interior Accessible or Junior Suite Accessible.
But that’s not actually the case. There are Ocean View and Balcony Staterooms that are accessible too – you just need to find them on the deck plans.
A strange little quirk of the Radiance of the Seas deck plans, but not the only one…
Radiance of the Seas Cabins to Avoid
While there are no real ‘bad’ rooms on Radiance of the Seas, there are some that might be best avoided, depending on your personal preferences. So this is a list of the cabins you might want to avoid on the ship.
1. Obstructed View Balcony Cabins
Balcony Cabins 7050 to 7090, 7550 to 7590, 7110 to 7150, 7610 to 7650
On many cruise ships, some of the ocean view or balcony cabins that you can book will be advertised as having a restricted view. It is often the lifeboats that are the cause, but it can also be steel railings (due to high winds) or other objects in your view.
Typically, to make up for the partially ruined view, you pay less for these rooms – so it’s a good value option for cruisers who don’t mind not having an unspoilt balcony or window view.
Radiance of the Seas, officially, doesn’t have any obstructed view cabins. However, those Balcony Staterooms I’ve listed all have a partially-blocked view due to an overhang that covers the lifeboats on the deck below.
What’s weird is that, on sister ship Jewel of the Seas (with the same layout), the deck plans make a note that the view is obstructed. And on Brilliance of the Seas, another sister ship, the cabins are officially labelled as having an obstructed view (and so you pay less!).
So, don’t book these cabins if you can avoid it on Radiance of the Seas. You’ll pay the same as you would for an unobstructed view, which is a bit cheeky of the cruise line.
2. Cabins Below the Pool Deck
1028 to 1052, 1528 to 1552
A common problem on cruise ships is the noise that can carry through the floor or the ceiling. And one of those problematic spaces is on Deck 10, situated right underneath the pool deck.
Specifically, it’s the sound of deck chairs being scraped across the wooden deck that can often wake guests in the early hours. If you enjoy a lie-in, consider avoiding this part of the ship directly underneath the pool areas.
3. Cabins Above the Theatre & Bars
Most of Deck 7
Another potentially noisy spot is Deck 7, since on the deck below you’ve got the Theatre and several of the ship’s bars. So this is less of a problem if your priority is a lie-in, but if you like an early night, you might find the evening noise runs a little long and is a little loud.
That’s my second recommendation for avoiding rooms on Deck 7 – if you want a good balcony view and a peaceful night, then definitely skip these rooms.
4. A Loud Owner’s Suite
1054
This is one very specific suite on the ship, but it comes from a Reddit thread I discovered. This Owner’s Suite is in an unusual mid-ship position, right next to the Centrum area.
This means that there’s often a lot of late-night noise coming through the cabin walls, which can be very loud. The headboard of the bed also shares a wall with an elevator shaft which can be noisy too.
If you want an Owner’s Suite, try one of the others in quieter parts of the ship.
5. Small Studio Interior Cabins
While it’s great that Radiance of the Seas offers single cabins for solo travellers, think carefully before you book one. The size of these cabins is pretty small and even on your own, they can feel a bit cramped.
Take a look at this video before booking to see if you would be comfortable with the size of this room…
If the price is good and it removes all single supplement fares, then it’s probably worth it. If not, consider booking a regular interior cabin and paying a little extra – you’ll get almost double the space.
6. Connecting Cabins
There are plenty of options for connected cabins on the Radiance of the Seas, but if you’re not planning to book both of the linked cabins, it might be a good idea to steer clear of them.
The door that connects these cabins is thinner than a regular cabin wall. So, even when it’s shut and locked, you might catch some of the sounds from the neighbouring room.
Typically, this isn’t much of an issue unless your neighbours are being loud. But if they are, especially when you’re attempting to catch some shut-eye, it can get pretty annoying – and let’s face it, who wants their sleep disrupted?
7. Smaller Cabins for Families
A lot of the Interior and Ocean View cabins can sleep up to four guests, but when those sofa beds and pull-down beds are in use, they become very cramped, very quickly.
If you’re travelling with more than three people on Radiance of the Seas, I would recommend you either book an Ultra Spacious Ocean View, or you choose a suite.
The balcony staterooms on Radiance of the Seas are already good choices, since they’re pretty roomy, but the Spacious Balcony Staterooms just feel that bit more special with the extra square footage.
Take a look at this video to see how large it is…
And the best of those are at the rear of the ship with an aft view. Aft views are always popular on cruise ships – you’re sheltered from any wind and being able to look out over the ship’s wake is pleasant.
These rooms do cost a bit more than a regular Balcony Stateroom but if you want to make the most of your balcony, they’re a great choice.
2. Interior Staterooms
Radiance of the Seas is a little dated in places, and she is an older ship. So when I recommend the Interior Staterooms as some of the best on the ship, it’s not because they’re stunning, or because they’re packed with the latest tech like you might find in modern Royal Caribbean interior rooms.
But, they are a decent size – not big, but there are many smaller cabins on other cruise ships. And they’re a good price too. If you’re on a budget then the interior rooms are a really solid choice, especially if you want a good sleep – being in total darkness with no window can be very soothing.
Here’s a video of this room type so you can see how spacious it is…
3. Royal Suite
The Royal Suite is expensive, and for most people it’ll be well outside their budget. But you can’t mention the best staterooms and suites on Radiance of the Seas and not include it.
Compared to the rest of the rooms on the ship, it’s huge, and yet it isn’t designed to be crammed full of people. It’s all about enjoying luxurious space, with a balcony that’s bigger than hundreds of the actual staterooms on the rest of the ship! Plus you can take advantage of some great suite perks too.
What is the Best Deck on Radiance of the Seas?
The best decks on Radiance of the Seas are decks 8 and 9. Here you’ll find some of the better accommodation options, and you’ll be surrounded by cabins above and below, which helps to minimise the noise levels.
The best room on Radiance of the Seas is the Royal Suite – it’s huge and has a very large balcony. The Owner’s Suites and Grand Suites are other good options. For guests who can’t afford a suite, the Spacious Balcony Staterooms are the best choice.
Choose Your Own Room or Go For the ‘Guarantee’ Option?
When you book a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’re typically presented with two options – let the cruise line decide your room for you, or pay an extra fee to select your exact room. You’ll be shown two prices:
If you are happy for Royal Caribbean to choose your room then you still get to decide what type of room you want – Inside, Ocean View etc. – but the cruise line picks exactly which one. This is called a ‘guarantee’ cabin.
Benefits of choosing your cabin number:
Choose your preferred location on the ship
Book two cabins next to each other
Avoid undesirable cabins
If you don’t really mind which cabin you’re assigned to, then just pay the lower fee and let Royal Caribbean decide where to put you. But if you want to avoid those noisy locations, it’s best to pay a bit more and choose your cabin number.
Find More Information About Radiance of the Seas Cabins
I’ve spent a lot of time researching this guide, using Facebook groups and forums. If you want to spend a bit more time digging even deeper, then check these out:
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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.
Miami’s Art Deco District is an iconic blend of historic charm and modern glamour, especially when the sun sets and the neon lights bring the area to life. For those seeking a luxurious escape, there’s no better way to explore the magic of the Miami Art Deco District at night than from behind the wheel of a premium vehicle. Imagine gliding through Ocean Drive in a Rolls Royce Cullinan rental, the epitome of sophistication, as the vibrant energy of South Beach surrounds you.
Begin Your Night in Style
Your journey into Miami’s lavish nightlife begins with selecting the perfect ride. A luxury car offers a seamless and opulent start to your adventure. Whether you choose a sleek sports car or a statement-making Rolls Royce, your vehicle sets the tone for an unforgettable evening. Picture yourself stepping out of your car onto the glowing streets of South Beach, where the Art Deco facades shimmer under the glow of neon lights.
The Art Deco District: A Feast for the Eyes
The Art Deco District is a masterpiece of 20th-century design. Located in the heart of Miami Beach, this historic area boasts over 800 preserved buildings, each a testament to the glamour and elegance of the 1920s and 1930s. At night, these architectural gems are illuminated in hues of pink, blue, and green, creating an enchanting backdrop for your drive. Cruising through this district feels like stepping into a bygone era, where elegance and innovation converged.
Ocean Drive: The Beating Heart of Miami Nights
No visit to the Art Deco District is complete without a drive down Ocean Drive. This world-famous street is the perfect combination of old-world charm and modern luxury. As you roll down the palm-lined avenue, the buzz of Miami’s nightlife surrounds you. Cafes, bars, and restaurants spill onto the sidewalks, their vibrant ambiance inviting you to stop and soak it all in. In your Rolls Royce Cullinan rental, you’ll feel like a celebrity navigating the heart of Miami’s electric energy.
Exclusive Stops Along the Way
While driving through the district, make time for a few curated stops. Lummus Park, with its palm trees swaying under the night sky, offers a picturesque spot for a stroll or a quick photo op. For a touch of sophistication, visit one of the rooftop lounges overlooking the ocean. Pair your evening with a fine cocktail or champagne as you take in breathtaking views of the skyline and the shimmering Atlantic.
Luxury Meets Art and History
The beauty of the Art Deco District is in its ability to marry history with luxury. Each building tells a story of Miami’s golden era, and as you explore, you’ll notice the intricate details that make this area so unique—from porthole windows to terrazzo floors. Driving through the district in a luxury vehicle enhances this experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in its timeless allure.
A Night Drive Like No Other
Miami at night is a sensory feast, and the Art Deco District is its crown jewel. The blend of glowing lights, live music, and ocean breezes creates an atmosphere that is both lively and romantic. The district’s vibrant culture is best experienced on four wheels, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. With a luxury car rental Fort Lauderdale FL, you can effortlessly transition from Miami’s high-energy streets to the serene coastal roads.
Elevate Your Experience
To make your evening truly unforgettable, indulge in the ultimate luxury experience by renting a Rolls Royce Cullinan. This prestigious SUV combines unparalleled comfort with cutting-edge technology, ensuring that your journey through the Art Deco District is as smooth as it is stylish. With its commanding presence and lavish interior, the Cullinan is more than just a car; it’s a statement.
The Perfect Night Awaits
Whether you’re a visitor or a local, exploring the Miami Art Deco District at night is an experience like no other. The combination of historic beauty, modern luxury, and the vibrant Miami atmosphere creates a night to remember. Start your adventure with the perfect car, soak in the sights, and let the magic of the district take your breath away. As you drive under the glow of neon lights and along palm-lined streets, you’ll discover why Miami’s Art Deco District remains a symbol of timeless elegance and unforgettable glamour.
What’s better than a cruise holiday? How about a cruise holiday where you’re also earning rewards to put towards your next holiday? A lot of cruise lines have a loyalty scheme, and with P&O Cruises that’s called the Peninsular Club.
Let’s dive into a rundown of what the club is, and the P&O Peninsular Club benefits you’ll enjoy at each different level.
What is the Peninsular Club?
The Peninsular Club is P&O Cruises’ loyalty and rewards club. You’ll join automatically after spending 15 nights onboard a P&O Cruises ship, earning more points every time you cruise. Depending on your total, you will be in one of the six tiers and enjoy certain rewards on your next sailing.
For every night you spend onboard a P&O Cruises ship, you’ll get 10 loyalty points. This means that you’ll join the club once you’ve completed 15 nights of sailing. However, to be clear, you only join the club once your cruise is completed.
So, if you’ve enjoyed two 7-night cruises, and you book a third, you won’t suddenly start getting rewards after the first night. You’ll have to wait for your fourth cruise for them to kick in.
Your points never expire, so you don’t need to rush to build them up. Also, all members of your cruising party can accumulate points, including children. Younger guests even get a free gift when they sail once they’ve reached the first tier, which is a nice little treat to keep them loyal to P&O.
Peninsular Club Tiers
Here’s a list of the different P&O loyalty tiers, and how many points are needed to qualify for each:
Peninsular Club Tier
Points Required
Nights On Board
Pacific Tier
150-500
15 – 50
Atlantic Tier
501-1,000
51 – 100
Mediterranean Tier
1,001-2,000
101 – 200
Caribbean Tier
2001+ points
201+
Baltic Tier
2501+ points plus 80-200 nights on board within the last 3 years
251+
Liguarian Tier
2501+ points plus 201+ nights on board within the last 3 years
251+
Next, let’s take a look at the Peninsular Club perks that you get in each tier…
Pacific Tier
The first tier is the Pacific Tier and you get a few nice perks to lure you into the Peninsula Club program.
Here’s what you get with the Pacific Tier:
Peninsular Club Magazine sent to your home
A dedicated hotline for booking your cruise
Exclusive 5% discount on selected cruises
5% onboard spend discount (with some exclusions)
Dedicated loyalty manager onboard
Gifts for any guests under 17
The rewards at this level aren’t particularly amazing, although a 5% cruise discount is useful. They can’t offer too much though because of how many guests have sailed for 15 nights with the cruise line – this isn’t a very exclusive tier.
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Atlantic Tier
Next up is the Atlantic tier, for those who have spent more than 50 nights at sea. If you like to do 14-night cruises like I do, you can get to this tier fairly quickly. This is the tier I’m in.
With the Atlantic Tier, you get all the benefits of the Pacific Tier, as well as:
Extra 2.5% discount on onboard spend (total 7.5% discount)
A glass of Champagne on arrival for your cruise
A lapel pin
The Atlantic Tier ashore benefits are identical to the Pacific Tier, but onboard you do get a little bit extra with the additional discount on whatever you spend onboard. Plus, a free glass of Champagne is a nice touch.
Mediterranean Tier
Do you have your eye on some souvenir slippers, then this is the loyalty level that you’ll need to get them…
With the Mediterranean Tier, you get all the benefits of the Atlantic Tier, as well as:
Extra 1% onboard spend discount (total 8.5%)
Cocktail party on cruises of 8 nights or more
P&O Cruises slippers
It’s not a huge amount extra considering to get to this tier you need to have cruised for over 100 nights, but remember that these are free extras on top of your holiday, and if you’ve chosen to cruise for 100 nights with P&O then you must be enjoying it.
Caribbean Tier
To get into the Caribbean Tier of the Peninsular Club loyalty scheme you need to have cruised for over 200 nights with P&O Cruises.
The Caribbean Tier has all the benefits of the prior three tiers, as well as:
10% discount on bespoke P&O Cruises travel insurance
Priority booking, so you can make sure you get your favourite cabin
An annual gift sent to your home
Priority arrival time allocation – get on the ship first
Priority check-in when you arrive
A welcome aboard reception
An extra 1.5% discount on onboard spend (total 10%)
A complimentary half-bottle of Champagne (one per cabin)
An officer-hosted fine dining event on cruises of 8 nights or more
There’s a lot more to this tier, with some fantastic benefits including that all-important priority booking and priority check-in. You’ll have no trouble securing the cabin of your choice for your cruise holidays, and on embarkation day there will be a lot less waiting around.
And yes, to be clear, you do still get the glass of Champagne when you board as well as the half-bottle in your cabin. You get the half-bottle in your cabin on the first formal night, not on embarkation night.
Baltic Tier
Things get a little more complicated with the last two tiers because to qualify you don’t just need points. As well as the 2501+ Peninsular Club points for the Baltic Tier, you must also have spent between 80 and 200 nights on a P&O Cruise within the prior three years before your next sailing date.
So, say you were booking a cruise for 1st July 2025. If you’ve got 2501 or more points and you’ve sailed for more than 80 nights between 1st July 2022 and 30th June 2025, then you’d qualify. If not, you’d drop down to the Caribbean Tier.
The Baltic Tier perks include all prior perks, as well as:
Priority disembarkation
Priority to book seats on Caribbean fly-cruise flights
50% discount on machine-washable laundry
With the pause in cruising, there have been fewer people in the Baltic Tier since it was harder to accumulate the number of cruising nights. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter because the extra perks aren’t that great. P&O Cruises ships have free launderettes and if you’re getting an Intercruises Cruise Connect coach home then the priority disembarkation won’t matter either.
Ligurian Tier
The most exclusive of the Peninsular Club tiers, this is reserved for only the most loyal guests who have 2501 or more points and who have cruised for 200 nights or more within three years of their sailing date.
The benefits of the Ligurian Tier, as well as all prior perks, include:
Invitations to inaugural events
Use of a Hospitality Lounge at the home port
The earliest embarkation timeslots
Early access to your cabin
Complimentary formal attire pressing
The Ligurian Tier is pretty exciting because you’ll get invitations to see the new ships before anyone else. Plus, you’ll always be first on board the ship, which can give you an extra half a day of holiday!
To enter the Ligurian Tier you’ll need to spend over 18% of your life on board a P&O Cruises ship. Now, that would be the life, wouldn’t it?
How Do You Join the Peninsular Club?
You don’t need to do anything to join the Peninsular Club with P&O Cruises. As soon as you’ve cruised for 15 nights or more with the cruise line, you’ll automatically become a member. It will be linked to the passenger account that you have with the cruise line.
Remember that you don’t become a member until the end of your cruise when your 15th night takes place. Even if your 15th night with P&O is at the start of a longer cruise, you’ll need to wait until that cruise is complete for you to be enrolled and to start enjoying the benefits.
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How To Find Out How Many Peninsular Club Points You Have
You can find out how many Peninsular Club points you have at any time by logging onto your online account. As well as managing any bookings, you can use this online account to track your Peninsular Club tier and see how many nights you are from the next level up.
If you don’t want to log onto your account or you want to check at sea without using internet access, then you can speak to the onboard loyalty manager who will be happy to help you.
Loyalty & Cruise Sales Desk
Can You Use P&O Cruises Peninsular Club Points With Other Cruise Lines?
There are no official partnerships between P&O Cruises’ Peninsular Club and other cruise lines. It used to be that you could accumulate points on both P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises and they would be shared between them, helping you rise further up the tiers faster. However, that has since ended.
The one exception is with MSC Cruises. They don’t have any official affiliation with P&O Cruises and the Peninsular Club, but they do have an interesting policy called Status Match. This is something that’s more common in elite airlines, but MSC Cruises have adopted it for cruising.
With the MSC Cruises Status Match policy, you can join MSC’s Voyager Club and based on your existing Peninsular Club level will be assigned an appropriate matching level, entitling you to their benefits when you cruise.
It’s a neat way for MSC Cruises to encourage loyal cruise passengers from other cruise lines to try an MSC sailing and see if they prefer it.
Don’t expect much if you’re in the Pacific Tier with P&O, but if you’re in the Caribbean Tier or above then you would qualify for MSC Voyagers Gold or Diamond with a number of good perks.
You can find out your P&O Peninsular Club number by logging into your account on the P&O Cruises website and heading to the My Account section. You can also call P&O Cruises if you don’t want to login.
The Bottom Line
A lot of the rewards that come with the P&O Peninsular Club, particularly at lower levels, aren’t the most thrilling. But they are free, and you’re not having to do anything beyond keep enjoying your normal P&O Cruises holidays.
The tiers and rewards probably aren’t going to make you book more cruise holidays than you would do anyway, but they might convince you to stick with P&O Cruises instead of varying your cruise line. And if that’s something you’re happy to do, then you will get some nice perks to make your holiday that little bit extra special.
Are you in the Peninsular Club? Leave a comment letting me know, especially if you’ve made it all the way to the Baltic or Ligurian tiers!
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.
Visa requirements for cruise holidays can be pretty complicated. You’ll probably be visiting several different countries during your cruise, and the visa rules for cruise passengers are sometimes different than for people who are arriving by land or transiting through airports.
This guide to the visa requirements for British passport holders will show you what visas you need for your cruise and how to obtain them.
Visa requirements can change at any time. It’s recommended that you check the visa requirements for every country that you’ll enter during your cruise on the UK government website.
Do UK Cruise Ship Passengers Need Visas?
UK passport holders may require a visa when visiting certain destinations on a cruise ship. Even if you do not get off the ship, you may still need a visa to be allowed to embark. It’s important to check the visa requirements for each country carefully.
So, here’s an overview of the visa requirements for each country at the time of writing, as well as where you can go to get the latest information…
North America
USA Cruises
UK citizens travelling to or transiting through the United States for a cruise must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before arrival. As the United Kingdom is part of the USA’s Visa Waiver Program, a full visa isn’t needed, but UK passport holders must obtain an ESTA for cruises that involve entry into the US.
If you plan to be in the United States at all, even very briefly, then you need an ESTA. You will need an Esta for transiting through the United States to reach your cruise departure port even if you don’t leave the airport.
As Alaska is part of the United States of America, UK citizens travelling to Alaska on a cruise must obtain an ESTA. The United Kingdom is part of the USA’s Visa Waiver Program, so a full visa isn’t needed, but UK passport holders must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before arrival.
Bahamas Cruises
British citizens do not need a visa to travel to the Bahamas. However, if your visit the United States at any point during your cruise holiday, including transiting through a US airport, then you must obtain an ESTA before travel.
Bermuda Cruises
British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Bermuda on a cruise. However, if you plan to visit the United States at any point then you must obtain an ESTA for entry into the US.
Canada Cruises
UK citizens flying into Canada must obtain an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization). However, if you arrive at a Canadian port by cruise ship then an eTA or visa is not usually required.
UK citizens don’t usually require a visa for a Caribbean cruise. However, if you fly via the US or visit any US ports of call during your cruise then you will require an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
Cuba Cruises
British tourists entering Cuba must obtain a tourist card. This is a paper card that you must keep with your passport. US law prevents anyone from travelling directly from the United States to Cuba for tourism purposes.
You can apply for a Cuba visa online via your travel agent or contact the Cuban Embassy for more information.
Mexico Cruises
Citizens of the United Kingdom can enter Mexico without a visa. If travelling to Mexico on a cruise ship, you must only visit the surrounding area and must leave on the same ship to continue the journey.
Asia
Cambodia Cruises
UK citizens require a visa to cruise to Cambodia, even if staying on board the ship. Electronic visas obtained online are only valid to enter Cambodia by air or land.
Anyone visiting China on a cruise must ensure that they have the right visa for China. Depending on your cruise itinerary, you may need a single or double entry visa. It’s important that you provide full details of your cruise itinerary when applying for a visa for China.
All visa applicants between the age of 14 and 70 must apply for a Chinese visa in person at a Visa application centre.
Hong Kong Cruises
UK passport holders do not usually need a visa to cruise to Hong Kong. However, if you intend to visit mainland China before or after your cruise then you will need to obtain a visa for China.
India Cruises
Anyone who doesn’t hold an Indian passport must obtain a visa to visit India on a cruise. If you do not have an Indian visa, then it may be possible to remain on board the ship in Indian ports of call.
Visas for travel to India can take several months to process. The application can be tricky to complete and you must ensure that you select the right type of visa, as the wrong visa could result in you being blacklisted for travel.
UK nationals must apply for a visa to enter Myanmar (Burma) on a cruise. You cannot use an electronic eVisa to enter Myanmar by sea. You should contact your travel agent or cruise line to arrange the visa.
Oman Cruises
British passport holders may require a visa to enter Oman. For cruise passengers, this is usually arranged by the cruise line. If you visit Oman for one day only, the visa is usually free of charge, but if the ship is in Oman for 48 hours or more then there may be a charge.
All cruise passengers must obtain an electronic ETA visa before arrival in to Sri Lanka. The visa is free of charge but must be obtained at least 48 hours in advance. If you do not have the required visa then you must remain on the ship in Sri Lankan ports.
UK citizens travelling to the UAE on a cruise will receive a visa upon arrival in the United Arab Emirates free of charge.
Australasia
Australia Cruises
British citizens must obtain a visa to visit Australia on a cruise. This applies to guests embarking or debarking in Australia, visiting a port of call in Australia or transiting through Australia to start a cruise elsewhere.
There are several types of visas for Australia including the ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), the eVisitor visa and the Transit visa. You can get help in choosing the right one for your cruise by using the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website.
New Zealand Cruises
UK citizens visiting New Zealand on a cruise must have a visa. If you do not have a visa, then you will be denied boarding. Remaining on the cruise ship is not an option.
List of Countries You Can Cruise To Without A Visa
UK citizens can cruise to any of the following countries without the need for a visa:
Egypt
Fiji
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Madagascar
Malaysia
Mauritius
New Caledonia
Nicaragua
Reunion Island
Seychelles
Singapore
South Africa
Thailand
Turkey
Vietnam
You can also cruise to any country in geographical Europe without the need for a visa.
What if Your Visa is Refused?
Visas can be refused for all kinds of reasons, such as ticking the wrong box or even using the wrong colour of ink. To make sure that you have the best chance of getting your visa approved, you should be careful to read all of the questions thoroughly before filling out the application.
Be sure to apply for your visa in plenty of time so that you have time to try again if your visa is refused.
Can You Stay On the Ship Instead of Getting a Visa?
If you don’t have the necessary visa for your cruise, some countries will allow you to remain on the ship when it docks. However, some countries insist that visas are checked before boarding, so, depending on the rules, you may be denied boarding altogether.
The Bottom Line
So, do cruise ship passengers need visas? Well, the visa requirements for cruises are complicated. Luckily, there are many countries that allow UK citizens entry without a visa. Any time that you travel outside of Europe, you should check the latest visa requirements via an official government website, your cruise line or your travel agent.
Make sure that you do your research when it comes to which visas you need for your cruise, so that you won’t be left disappointed by not being able to visit any of the places that you want to.
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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 you cruise with Royal Caribbean, a lot is included already – your accommodation, your entertainment, and a lot of the food options are covered in your fare.
Drinks are one of the bigger expenses not covered, though. You’ll need to pay for these separately. And a lot of people prefer to book a drinks package, rather than have to pay for each drink individually.
The drinks package prices can be quite high though. So, how do you take advantage of the best Royal Caribbean drinks package promotions, and how do you save? Let’s take a look.
Royal Caribbean Drinks Package Pricing
Royal Caribbean has five drinks packages, and the pricing can be confusing as it will often vary depending on your ship, itinerary, and sailing date. The main drinks package is the Deluxe Beverage Package, which costs anywhere from $50 to $115 per day.
This is the drinks package which includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The other drinks packages are for non-alcoholic drinks only.
As you can see, the three packages that offer unlimited drinks don’t always have set pricing, so it can be confusing if you’re a Royal Caribbean newbie.
The Deluxe Beverage Package is different because it doesn’t have a ‘set’ price. The price will change depending on the cruise.
For example, here’s the Deluxe Beverage Package on a 7-night cruise on Enchantment of the Seas, showing that it is $71.99 per day, reduced from $90 per day:
And here’s the same package for the inaugural cruise on Icon of the Seas, showing the price as $91.99 per day, reduced from $115 per day:
The Refreshment and Classic Soda packages do have set daily prices, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay those, since they can often be included in a promotion.
So, how do you get the best price for your drinks package?
Royal Caribbean Drinks Package Promotions
There are several ways that you can take advantage of the best prices for your Royal Caribbean drinks package. Timing matters, because the best offers will only be available for a short while.
1. Book Before You Cruise
The first tip is always to book your beverage package before you sail – if you book in advance, you can expect to save around 20% of the cost, at least.
If you wait until you board your cruise, you’ll only have the first day in which you can book a drinks package – otherwise, you won’t be able to and you’ll be paying for drinks individually, which could be a lot more expensive depending on how much you drink.
Booking in advance secures the package for you and means you get a decent discount already. But there are better offers available than just 20% off.
2. Look Out For Offers
Every now and then, Royal Caribbean will run promotions to give even bigger discounts on your drinks package.
The sale periods vary – sometimes they’re seasonal, whereas at other times they might be random.
Common Royal Caribbean Drink Package Promo periods include:
Black Friday (and the week leading up to it)
Halloween
4th July
If you’re not based in the US, it’s best just to check in on the cruise planner every couple of weeks, to see if there’s a sale on.
It’s important to note that the offers won’t always be the same. In 2022, for example, the package was reduced by 35% for Halloween but the Black Friday promotion wasn’t as good – and a lot of people were left disappointed.
On very rare occasions, you might be able to secure Royal Caribbean’s 40% off drinks package discount. This isn’t common, so if you see your drinks package discounted by 40%, book it quickly!
35% off is typically the best that most people see, and only during sale periods.
Tip: Don’t rely on just the percentage discounts. Sometimes the full price will be inflated, so a higher percentage discount might actually be a worse deal.
So if you see a good price, you shouldn’t be tempted to wait and try to get it lower – it may be a good plan to snap it up. Especially when you consider this next tip…
3. Purchase & Cancel
One of the best bits of advice from past Royal Caribbean guests is to book your drinks package as soon as you can, and then cancel and re-book if you see a special offer for it.
You can track the offers in the cruise planner for your cruise – just make sure you log in and check periodically. That way, you’ll spot if there is an offer, and you can cancel your existing beverage package and then rebook it immediately for the new price.
There is one important point though – refunds for existing beverage package bookings will take 7-10 days to process, so only cancel your beverage package if you have the funds to rebook it immediately, without the refund.
Otherwise, you might cancel it, wait to get the money back, and then find that the price has gone even higher when you go to book it again.
4. Cheat The System
There is a way to cheat the Royal Caribbean system to get the best possible price for the Deluxe Beverage Package. But it is a cheat, and if you are caught, you could end up paying a lot more.
Officially, if you want to book the Deluxe Beverage Package, then all adults sharing your stateroom have to book the same package. You can’t have one adult on the Deluxe package, and one on the Refreshment package. If you book online, it won’t let you do that.
However – you can call Royal Caribbean and ask to have different packages. You’ll need to explain why your partner/roommate doesn’t drink, though don’t expect to have to give a life story, or medical evidence.
Just be prepared for them to ask the reason, and then they should permit you to book different packages in the same stateroom.
Then, you could be the one to go and grab drinks from the bar, and share them with your partner.
If you’re caught though, your drinks package will be voided without a refund – so you’ll have lost your money and you’ll have to pay individually for any more drinks you have on your cruise.
Personally, I wouldn’t risk it. And speaking of risk…
5. Risk Boarding Day Offers
Sometimes, the best offers may not be available before you cruise, but might only be an option when you board. On some cruises, you might be able to get a ‘Buy One, Get One Half Price’ discount when you board your cruise.
Now, that half price will be half the full price you pay, so it’s not as good a deal as it sounds, but it is still better than saving just 20% on two people.
Here’s an example:
Say the price quoted for your cruise is $115 per person, per day for 7 days
If you book in advance, you’ll save 20% each – so you’ll pay $92 per person, per day
For the total cruise, that’s $92 x 2 people x 7 days = $1,288
If you wait til you board and there is a buy-one-get-one-half-price offer, you’ll pay $115 x 7 for one person, and then $57.5 x 7 for the second person
That’s a total cost of $805 for guest one, and $402.5 for guest two – a total of $1,207.50
You’d save $80.50 this way, but the offer might not be available, so it’s a big risk
If the offer isn’t available, you’d have to pay full price – $1,610 for the week
It’s up to you, but personally, I would play it safer and book before you cruise – the $80 saving isn’t worth risking over $300 if the promotion isn’t available.
Final Thoughts
It can be tricky getting the best promotion prices for your Royal Caribbean drinks package. But just make sure you check the cruise planner every now and then, and you’ll see if there are any amazing offers that are worth cancelling your existing package and rebooking.
But also consider firstly, do you need the drinks package? Or would you save by buying drinks individually anyway? After all, the package is often more expensive than the cruise itself…
If you’re not sure, I suggest grabbing a copy of my drink package calculator to work out how much the drink package is worth based on what you plan to drink.
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.
