Labadee-Haiti-1024x512.jpg

Private Cruise Destination Off Limits

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNewsRoyal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has announced that it is pausing all visits to its private resort destination of Labadee in Haiti, due to ongoing unrest and rising crime in the country.

Aerial view of Labadee, Haiti

The news comes just one day after the cruise line started cancelling excursion tours at the island, but until now the intention was to continue sailing to the destination.

Now, the cruise line has informed all guests onboard cruises due to call at Labadee that the itinerary will be changed, whilst reaching out to future cruise passengers to also notify them that, for now, Labadee will not be visited.

Port visits to Labadee will be suspended for 7 days originally, with 3 days advance notice due to be given if the suspension continues.

In many cases, Labadee is being swapped out for Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s other private destination in the Bahamas.

The changes are due to unrest in Haiti, including a recent prison break which saw around 4,000 prisoners escape into Haiti.

Labadee is some distance from those prison breaks – around 128 miles away on the northern side of the island country. And the resort is private, with security and fencing to keep it separate from the main country.

However, as the situation continues to escalate in Haiti, the cruise line has decided that it is safest to avoid the port in the short term, with a view to returning once the situation calms down.

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Large cruise ship sailing on blue Caribbean water, illustrating the Disney cruise vs Royal Caribbean choice

Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean: Which Is Best for Your Family in 2026?

by Choosing a cruiseCruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsDisneyRoyal Caribbean

Disney cruise vs Royal Caribbean comes down to three things: budget, the ages of your children, and the kind of vacation you want. Disney Cruise Line charges more but delivers polished service, character experiences and arguably the best kids’ clubs at sea. Royal Caribbean is usually much cheaper and packs its giant ships with thrill rides, ice shows and far more itinerary choice.

Both lines have changed a lot recently. Disney has added three ships since 2024 (Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny and the huge Disney Adventure in Singapore). Royal Caribbean now has three Icon class ships and has opened a beach club in Nassau. This guide compares the two side by side as of late 2026 so you can choose the one that fits your family.

Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean at a Glance

Category Disney Cruise Line Royal Caribbean
Fleet size (late 2026) 8 ships Around 28 ships
Newest ships Disney Destiny (Nov 2025), Disney Adventure (Mar 2026) Star of the Seas (2025), Legend of the Seas (Jul 2026)
Typical price Premium, often much higher per night Mainstream, frequent sales
Kids’ clubs Nursery 6 months to 3 years; Oceaneer Club 3 to 10; Edge 11 to 14; Vibe 14 to 17 Nursery 6 to 36 months on many ships; Adventure Ocean 3 to 11 or 12; teen club up to 17
Main dining Rotational dining with the same servers, set seatings Set or flexible “My Time” dining
Drinks Soda included; no drinks package Soda extra; several drinks packages sold
Casino No Yes
Private destinations Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, Labadee
Best for Disney fans, families with children under 11 Thrill seekers, teens, budget-conscious families

Ships and Fleets in 2026

Disney sails a small fleet of eight ships. Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are the older, more intimate ships. The Wish class is Disney’s modern core: Disney Wish (2022), Disney Treasure (late 2024) and Disney Destiny, which began sailing from Fort Lauderdale in November 2025 with a heroes-and-villains theme. The newest addition is Disney Adventure, Disney’s largest ship so far, which started sailing from Singapore in March 2026. That makes Disney a real option for families in Asia for the first time.

Disney is still growing. Disney Believe, a fourth Wish class ship, is scheduled to sail from Fort Lauderdale in December 2027. Disney Imagination is due to launch in Tokyo in 2029 under a Japanese brand, and three more ships are planned up to 2031. For a full rundown of every ship, see our guide to Disney cruise ships from newest to oldest.

Royal Caribbean works on a different scale. Its fleet is more than three times larger, and its biggest ships carry around 5,600 guests at double occupancy (more when every berth is filled). Icon of the Seas sails from Miami and Star of the Seas from Port Canaveral. Legend of the Seas debuted in the Mediterranean in July 2026 and then moves to Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean sailings. Smaller Voyager, Radiance and Vision class ships reach Alaska, Europe and the southern Caribbean.

Price and What Is Included

Price is the biggest difference between the two lines. For a comparable cabin on a similar Bahamas or Caribbean route, Disney regularly costs far more per night than Royal Caribbean. On short Bahamas sailings in school vacation periods it can be close to double. In a 2026 side-by-side comparison, Royal Caribbean Blog paid roughly $781 per night for a verandah stateroom on Disney Destiny, against about $542 per night for an Icon of the Seas stateroom. The total vacation spend ended up much closer once drinks packages and extras were added on the Royal Caribbean side.

That last point matters. Disney’s fare covers soft drinks from the beverage stations, room service and every main dining meal. Royal Caribbean includes main dining, the buffet and several casual venues. Soda, specialty coffee, most specialty restaurants and some attractions cost extra, and drinks packages are priced per person per day. Neither line includes Wi-Fi as standard.

  • Disney: higher fare, fewer surprises on the final bill, no drinks package, and adults can bring a limited amount of their own alcohol on board.
  • Royal Caribbean: lower fare, more paid add-ons, drinks packages that suit heavy drinkers, and frequent sales, especially on weekday and shoulder-season sailings.

Staterooms

Disney staterooms are designed with families in mind. Most standard cabins have a split bathroom, with a toilet and sink in one room and a shower or bath with a second sink in another. That makes getting four people ready for dinner much easier.

Royal Caribbean has far more cabin variety, from small inside rooms to multi-level loft suites. The Icon class has “neighborhood” balconies that overlook Central Park or the inside promenades rather than the sea. Bathrooms are usually a single room. On the other hand, Royal Caribbean’s suite program (Star, Sky and Sea Class) offers a more luxurious perk ladder than Disney’s Concierge level on most ships.

Children playing in a sunny outdoor swimming pool, the kind of family fun that shapes the Disney vs Royal Caribbean choice
Pools and splash areas are a big part of the Disney vs Royal Caribbean decision for families. Photo: Anggie AW on Pexels

Kids’ Clubs and Family Facilities

This is where Disney earns much of its reputation. The Oceaneer Club for ages 3 to 10 is built around Marvel, Star Wars, Frozen and other Disney worlds. It is free and usually open from morning until midnight. Older children move to Edge (11 to 14) and Vibe (14 to 17), and the Wish class ships add a lounge called Hideaway for 18 to 20 year olds. The It’s a Small World Nursery takes babies from 6 months to 3 years for an hourly fee.

Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean is free for potty-trained children aged 3 and over until 10pm. After that, an hourly late-night fee applies. Children are grouped by age (3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 11, with combined “AO Kids” rooms on newer ships), and teen clubs cover ages 12 or 13 to 17. Many ships have the Royal Babies and Tots nursery for 6 to 36 months, also charged by the hour. Most families find Disney’s clubs more immersive.

The picture flips for older kids. Royal Caribbean’s water parks, surf simulators, climbing walls, laser tag and go-kart style attractions (on some ships) give teens much more to do. If you have a teenager, our guide to the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids of each age helps you pick the right ship.

Food and Dining

Disney uses rotational dining. Each night you eat in a different themed main restaurant, and your serving team moves with you. Seating times are fixed, so you lose some flexibility, but the servers quickly learn your children’s names and preferences. Adults-only specialty dining (Palo, and Enchanté on the Wish class) is excellent but can book up fast.

Royal Caribbean offers more choice and flexibility. You can choose set dining or flexible My Time Dining, and the larger ships have a long list of casual and specialty venues, from Italian and steakhouse to sushi and teppanyaki. Unlike Disney’s specialty rooms, these are family-friendly.

Entertainment and Activities

Disney’s entertainment is theatrical and story-led. Expect full-length Broadway-style musicals based on Disney films, deck parties, Pirate Night fireworks on many sailings, and constant character meet-and-greets. There is no casino. On the Wish class ships, the AquaMouse water coaster is the main thrill attraction.

Royal Caribbean leans into spectacle and adrenaline. Depending on the ship, you might find ice-skating shows, high-diving AquaTheater performances, Broadway musicals, the Category 6 water park on the Icon class, FlowRider surf simulators, zip lines and a casino.

Adult-Only Areas

Both lines take adult time seriously. Disney ships have an adults-only pool area (Quiet Cove), adults-only specialty restaurants, adult lounges and a separate adults-only beach on its private islands. Royal Caribbean has the adults-only Solarium on most ships, and the Icon class adds the Hideaway, a beach-club-style pool area for adults. With casinos and a bigger bar scene, Royal Caribbean generally feels livelier after dark.

White sand beach with clear turquoise water and palm trees in the Bahamas
Private island beach days are a highlight on both Disney and Royal Caribbean Bahamas cruises. Photo: Karine MALFART MOREL on Pexels

Private Islands: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay vs Perfect Day at CocoCay

Disney has two private destinations in the Bahamas. Castaway Cay is its long-standing island, with family beaches, a separate adults-only beach (Serenity Bay), water play areas and character appearances. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point opened on Eleuthera in June 2024. It focuses on natural beaches, Bahamian culture and nature trails, and the ship docks at a long pier, so you do not need a tender. Food and soft drinks are included on both islands.

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay is much busier and more high-energy. It has a large waterslide park, a big freshwater pool with a swim-up bar, and a paid adults-only Hideaway Beach. Some attractions cost extra, while basic food is included. Royal Caribbean also opened Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau in December 2025 as an all-inclusive day pass, and more destinations are planned in Cozumel, Vanuatu and Mexico. Compare every option in our roundup of the best cruise line private islands and who owns them.

Which Should You Pick? Disney or Royal Caribbean

Choose Disney Cruise Line if

  • Your children are roughly 3 to 10 and love Disney characters and films.
  • You want consistent service, rotational dining and a split bathroom.
  • Theater-quality shows matter more to you than thrill rides.
  • You would rather pay more up front and keep onboard extras low.
  • You prefer a ship with no casino.

Choose Royal Caribbean if

  • You have tweens or teenagers who want slides, surfing and climbing.
  • Budget is a priority or you want to stretch to a bigger cabin.
  • You want more itineraries, including Alaska, Europe and longer Caribbean routes.
  • You are traveling as a multigenerational group with different interests.
  • You like a drinks package, a casino or late-night bars.

One practical tip: price both lines for the exact same week and cabin type, then add the extras you will really use (drinks, Wi-Fi, specialty dining, gratuities). Once you add those, the gap between the final bills is often smaller than the headline fares suggest.

FAQs

Which is more expensive, Royal Caribbean or Disney cruise?

Disney is usually the more expensive of the two. For a similar cabin and itinerary, Disney fares often cost noticeably more per night, sometimes close to double. Disney’s fare does include soft drinks and room service, which narrows the gap a little, but Royal Caribbean almost always comes out cheaper overall.

What’s the difference between a Disney cruise and a regular cruise?

A Disney cruise is built around Disney characters, stories and Broadway-style shows. It uses rotational dining, where your servers move with you between themed restaurants, and it has no casino. Most staterooms have a split bathroom, and the adults-only spaces are kept firmly separate from the family areas. Mainstream lines such as Royal Caribbean put more emphasis on thrill attractions, nightlife, casinos and lower fares.

Is Disney or Royal Caribbean better for teenagers?

Most teens prefer Royal Caribbean, especially on the Oasis and Icon class ships, because of the waterslides, FlowRider surf simulators, climbing walls and bigger teen spaces. Disney does have dedicated tween and teen clubs (Edge and Vibe), but its strengths are aimed at younger children.

Is Disney or Royal Caribbean better for toddlers?

Disney tends to suit families with toddlers and young children best. Its themed kids’ clubs, character meet-and-greets, split bathrooms and gentler private islands work well for little ones. Both lines run a paid nursery for children from 6 months to 3 years.

Can you bring alcohol on a Disney cruise?

Yes. Disney lets adults bring a limited amount of alcohol on board at embarkation and at ports of call, packed in carry-on bags. Royal Caribbean is stricter and allows only a couple of bottles of wine or champagne per cabin on embarkation day. Check each line’s current policy before you pack, because the rules do change.

Bright cruise ship cabin with a made bed and sea view window, the kind of room to compare when avoiding bad cabins

Celebrity Cruises Cabins to Avoid: Ship-by-Ship Guide (2026)

by Celebrity CruisesCruise LinesCruise NewsCruise Tips

The Celebrity Cruises cabins to avoid are mostly about location, not category: rooms directly under the pool deck or buffet, above or below late-night venues, next to elevator lobbies, and balconies partly blocked by lifeboats. On Edge class ships, the Infinite Veranda design also splits opinion, and some passengers find the premium for Concierge Class hard to justify. Pick a midship cabin sandwiched between other cabin decks and most of these problems disappear.

Below you will find the general rules that apply across the whole fleet, then ship-by-ship tips for the three main classes, so you can check your own sailing on Celebrity Eclipse, Apex, Equinox, Millennium or any other ship before you pay a deposit.

Celebrity Cruises Cabins to Avoid: The Quick List

Cabin type or location Main drawback Who should still consider it
Directly under the pool deck or Oceanview Café Early-morning chair setup and late-night cleaning noise Heavy sleepers who want to be close to the buffet
Above or below theatres, lounges and nightclubs Music and bass until late Night owls who are rarely in the room before midnight
Beside elevator banks, stairwells and crew doors Corridor traffic, chimes and service carts Travellers with limited mobility who value a short walk
Obstructed or partially obstructed balconies Lifeboats or equipment block part of the view Budget-minded cruisers who mainly want fresh air
High forward cabins Most pitching in rough seas Calm-water itineraries and people who never get seasick
Low aft cabins Vibration and hum during manoeuvring and docking Those who love a wake view and do not mind the occasional rumble
Connecting cabins (when you only need one) Sound passes through the connecting door Families or groups booking both sides
Concierge Class Price premium for perks that may not matter to you Guests who will use priority boarding, extra amenities and in-room service

Noisy Locations to Watch on Every Celebrity Ship

Cabins under the pool deck and buffet

On every Celebrity class, the top cabin deck sits directly below the main pool area and the Oceanview Café. Crew start dragging loungers into position early, especially on sea days, and the buffet is cleaned late at night. If you are a light sleeper, check the deck plan for what is above your cabin, not just what is on your own deck.

Cabins near entertainment venues

The lowest passenger decks on Celebrity ships tend to sit next to or beneath public spaces such as the theatre, casino and bars. Aft cabins on some Edge class decks sit near Eden, a multi-level venue that hosts live performances in the evening. A cabin that looks perfectly placed for a quick walk to dinner can be the one that hears the bass line at 11pm.

Elevator lobbies, stairwells and service doors

The first few cabins in from a lift lobby or crew door get the most footfall, chatter and trolley noise. Moving just five or six doors along a corridor usually solves this without changing your category or price.

Balconies and Views That Disappoint

Obstructed and partially obstructed views

Celebrity labels many of these cabins clearly, but they can still catch you out when you book a guarantee fare. On Solstice class ships, the lowest balcony deck sits above the lifeboats, and some cabins in the 2C and 2D categories are listed as partially obstructed or obstructed. Edge class ships have a similar issue on their lowest cabin deck. On Millennium class ships, a handful of Concierge cabins on decks 8 and 9 of Celebrity Summit, for example, have views partly blocked by window-cleaning equipment. Always look up the exact cabin number on the deck plan or ask your travel agent before confirming.

Deluxe Porthole balconies

Some Edge class categories pair a balcony with a porthole-style opening rather than a full open view. They are often cheaper and quirky in a good way, but if a wide, unobstructed sea view is why you are paying for a balcony, look elsewhere.

Edge class Infinite Verandas

Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel use the Infinite Veranda design. Instead of a separate outdoor balcony, the veranda is part of the room, and the top half of the window lowers at the touch of a button. You gain interior space, but you do not get a fully separate outdoor area. Cabins can also feel warm and humid in the Caribbean when the window is down, and drawing the inner doors closed for privacy reduces the feeling of space. If sitting outside with a coffee is a non-negotiable for you, a traditional balcony on a Solstice or Millennium class ship, or an Edge class suite, may suit you better.

Empty cruise ship balcony with two chairs overlooking open sea, illustrating why balcony views matter when choosing a cabin
A clear balcony view is worth checking on the deck plan before you book. Photo: Diego F. Parra on Pexels

Cabin Classes That Are Not Always Worth the Upgrade

Concierge Class

Concierge Class gives you a standard-sized balcony cabin with extras such as priority boarding and departure, upgraded amenities and a dedicated concierge desk. Celebrity has also tweaked the perks over time; read about how Celebrity swapped Concierge Class canapés for free room service. If you will not use these benefits, the extra cost may be better spent on a drinks package or shore excursions.

Aqua Class

Aqua Class includes spa-focused perks and access to the Blu restaurant. For spa lovers and anyone who wants a quieter, healthier dining room every night, it can be excellent value. If you rarely visit the spa and prefer to rotate between restaurants, you are paying for benefits you will not use.

Small and awkward inside cabins

Inside cabins are the cheapest way to sail Celebrity, but layouts vary. Some interior rooms are notably compact, and three-person configurations with a pull-down bed or sofa bed leave very little floor space. Some inside cabins are also connecting rooms. If you are sharing with a third person, compare the square footage on Celebrity’s website before booking.

Cabins That Can Make Seasickness Worse

Motion is felt most at the front of the ship and on higher decks. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a midship cabin on a lower to middle deck. This matters most on longer ocean crossings, Alaska and northern Europe itineraries, and repositioning cruises, and much less on calm Caribbean routes.

Find Your Ship: Celebrity Cabins to Avoid by Ship

Look up your ship below, then read the tips for its class further down this page.

Ship Class Main cabins to check before booking
Celebrity Solstice Solstice Balconies directly above the lifeboats; cabins under the pool deck and Oceanview Café
Celebrity Equinox Solstice Obstructed balconies above the lifeboats; lower-deck cabins near the theatre and casino
Celebrity Eclipse Solstice Obstructed balconies above the lifeboats; cabins under the Sky Observation Lounge
Celebrity Silhouette and Reflection Solstice Same as Solstice; check refreshed venues on the current deck plan
Celebrity Millennium Millennium Concierge cabins with window-cleaning gear; lower-deck cabins near the theatre
Celebrity Infinity Millennium Partially obstructed Concierge cabins; odd-shaped aft corner balconies
Celebrity Summit and Constellation Millennium Same as Millennium and Infinity
Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel Edge Lowest cabin deck by the lifeboats; cabins by the Magic Carpet; Infinite Verandas
Celebrity Flora Galapagos expedition Few bad options on this 100-guest ship; see below

Ship-by-Ship Tips for Each Celebrity Class

Most searches for Celebrity Cruises cabins to avoid are really about one specific ship. Because ships in the same class share near-identical layouts, the tips for one ship mostly apply to its sisters. Check your exact ship’s current deck plan, though, because refurbishments can change venues and add cabins.

Edge class: Celebrity Edge, Apex, Beyond, Ascent and Xcel

Celebrity Xcel, the fifth Edge class ship, was delivered in October 2025 and sails from Fort Lauderdale, and a sixth sister is planned. For Celebrity Apex cabins to avoid and its sisters, the main things to watch are:

  • Cabins on the lowest cabin deck where lifeboats partly block the view.
  • Rooms beside the Magic Carpet’s resting positions on the side of the ship, which can affect privacy and views.
  • Aft cabins near Eden, which hosts evening entertainment.
  • The top cabin deck under the pool deck and Oceanview Café.
  • Infinite Verandas, if you want a true outdoor balcony.

Mid-height decks with cabins above and below are generally the quietest choice.

Solstice class: Celebrity Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette and Reflection

For Celebrity Eclipse cabins to avoid and the same advice on Equinox, Solstice, Silhouette and Reflection:

  • Partially obstructed and obstructed balconies on the deck directly above the lifeboats.
  • Lower-deck cabins near the theatre, casino and atrium.
  • Cabins under the pool deck, the Oceanview Café and the Sky Observation Lounge.
  • High forward cabins on rough-water itineraries.

Celebrity Reflection is getting a major modernisation in early 2027, with new venues and extra cabins reported, ahead of a Caribbean season from Fort Lauderdale. Other Solstice class ships have also been refreshed with new venues, so double-check what now sits above or below your cabin.

Millennium class: Celebrity Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation

These are the smallest and oldest ocean ships in the fleet, which many regulars like for their intimate feel. Cabins tend to be a little smaller than on newer ships. Watch for Concierge cabins with partial obstructions from window-cleaning equipment, irregularly shaped balconies on some aft corners, and lower-deck cabins close to the theatre and lounges. As always, midship cabins between other cabin decks are the safest bet.

Traveller studying a printed ship map at a table, representing checking a cruise deck plan before choosing a cabin
Checking what sits above and below your cabin is the simplest way to avoid noise. Photo: Lara Jameson on Pexels

What About Galapagos and River Ships?

Celebrity Xpedition and Celebrity Xploration left the fleet in January 2025 after being sold, so older advice about their cabins no longer applies. Celebrity Flora, a 100-guest expedition ship, remains in the Galapagos year-round, and its small number of suites means there are few genuinely bad options. Celebrity has also announced river cruising on the Rhine and Danube, with its first river ships, Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker, due in 2027.

How to Avoid a Bad Cabin When Booking

  1. Read the deck plan in three layers. Check your own deck, the deck above and the deck below.
  2. Think twice about guarantee fares. You choose a category, not a cabin, so you could land next to a lift or under the buffet.
  3. Search your cabin number online. Cruise forums often have photos and comments for individual cabins.
  4. Ask for a move early. If a cabin is problematic, contact Celebrity or your agent well before sailing, when more cabins are available.
  5. Compare prices across classes. Sometimes an Edge class suite or a traditional balcony on an older ship costs little more than an Infinite Veranda. Our guide to cruise deals for 2027 can help you spot value.

The same approach works on other lines too, as our breakdown of the best and worst cabins on P&O Cruises’ Arvia shows. You can check official deck plans and cabin sizes on the Celebrity Cruises website.

If you are thinking about a spa-focused upgrade, see our breakdown of Celebrity AquaClass perks and costs to decide whether it is worth paying extra.

FAQs

What are the worst cabins on Celebrity Cruises?

The cabins most often regretted are those under the pool deck or buffet, near late-night venues, beside elevator lobbies, and balconies with lifeboat obstructions. Concierge Class can also disappoint if you will not use its perks.

Which Celebrity Eclipse cabins should I avoid?

On Celebrity Eclipse and other Solstice class ships, avoid obstructed balconies above the lifeboats, cabins under the pool deck and Oceanview Café, and lower-deck cabins near the theatre and casino.

Which Celebrity Apex cabins should I avoid?

On Celebrity Apex and the other Edge class ships, watch out for lifeboat-obstructed rooms on the lowest cabin deck, cabins next to the Magic Carpet, aft cabins near Eden and the deck under the pool. Avoid Infinite Verandas if you want a true outdoor balcony.

What is the best room on a Celebrity cruise ship?

For most passengers, a midship balcony cabin on a middle deck, with cabins above and below, offers the best balance of quiet, stability and value. Suites in The Retreat are the top choice if your budget allows.

Which Celebrity Solstice cabins should I avoid?

On Celebrity Solstice, avoid the partially obstructed balconies on the deck directly above the lifeboats, cabins under the pool deck and Oceanview Café, and lower-deck cabins near the theatre and casino if you are a light sleeper. The same advice applies to its sisters Equinox, Eclipse, Silhouette and Reflection.

Which Celebrity Equinox cabins should I avoid?

Celebrity Equinox is a Solstice-class ship, so the cabins to avoid are the obstructed balconies above the lifeboats, cabins below the pool deck and buffet, and cabins close to the theatre and atrium. Midship cabins on a deck with cabins above and below are the quietest.

Which Celebrity Infinity and Millennium cabins should I avoid?

On the Millennium-class ships (Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation), watch for Concierge cabins partly obstructed by window-cleaning equipment, irregular aft corner balconies, and lower-deck cabins near the theatre and lounges. Cabins on these older ships are also slightly smaller than on newer Celebrity ships.

Are there cabins to avoid on Celebrity Flora?

Very few. Celebrity Flora carries only about 100 guests in suites, so there are no obstructed or noisy categories in the usual sense. Guests prone to seasickness may prefer a lower, midship suite in the Galapagos swell.

Are Infinite Verandas worth it?

They suit people who want more indoor space and only occasional fresh air. If you like sitting outside, a traditional balcony on a Solstice or Millennium class ship may be a better fit.

Ship-for-sale.jpg

Cruise Ships Listed For Sale (Here’s How Much They Cost)

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsNews

When you choose to book a cruise on one of the oldest ships in a cruise line’s fleet – you’re taking a risk. 

While older cruise ships will always be safe and sound, you might spot some worn furnishings that are unlikely to be replaced. But that’s not the main issue. Far from it.

Many older cruise ships are listed for sale.

A sleek new cruise ship anchored in calm blue waters with a bright 'FOR SALE' sign displayed prominently on its upper deck, under a clear sky.

But despite this, cruise lines are still taking bookings for cruises that don’t depart for another two years or more. Will these cruises actually depart? Who knows. If they don’t, then your booking will be transferred to a newer, better ship. So you won’t lose out.

Here are the cruise ships that are listed for sale right now (with prices).

1. Marella Discovery (Formerly Splendour of the Seas)

Asking Price: $130,000,000

Marella Discovery

Marella Discovery, originally known as Splendor of the Seas, was a shining addition to the cruise world in 1996 when she first launched for Royal Caribbean as the first ship in its Vision Class.

Accommodating 2,074 guests, Marella Discovery boasts an array of features that blend thrill and relaxation. She offers a rock climbing wall and two pools, a fully-equipped fitness centre, jogging track, and a tranquil spa and beauty salon.

Currently, despite being listed for sale, Marella Discovery continues to sail and itineraries are available to book up to October 2025.

If you do have a cruise booked on this ship, don’t worry. Marella Cruises has four more ships available for you, including the almost identical Marella Discovery 2. So your cruise is unlikely to be affected much if the sale goes through before then.

The ship suffered a fire in 2023 which resulted in the cancellation of two cruises. But repairs were carried out and there have been no known issues since.

This 27-year-old cruise ship has been very well maintained and is very popular with couples and families alike. And if a buyer does come along with the required $130 million, she’s likely to sail for many more years to come.

2. P&O Oriana (Now MV Piano Land)

Asking Price: $45,000,000

The P&O Oriana cruise ship, with its distinctive blue funnel and British flag design on the bow, cruising on the open sea under a clear blue sky.

Oriana first set sail for P&O Cruises in 1995. She was sold in 2019 and has since sailed as MV Piano Land for the Chinese cruise line Astro Ocean.

This ship has been a favourite for many British cruise enthusiasts over the years, but now could be yours for the relatively low price of $45 million. That’s less than half the price of Marella Discovery.

So, is this ship a real bargain?  Or has she not been looked after quite as well since heading over to China?

Oriana had a maximum guest capacity of 1,928. When she launched, she was the largest passenger vessel to have ever been built in Germany. The 12 decks host a variety of features, including a cinema, ballroom, casino, spa, tennis court and an impressive four-deck-high atrium that features a 12-metre waterfall.

3. Majesty of the Seas (Now Majesty for Seajets)

Asking Price: $45,000,000

Royal Caribbean's 'Majesty of the Seas' cruise ship, easily identified by its name on the hull, cuts through the blue waters, topped with green-striped decks under a partly cloudy sky.

Majesty of the Sea launched in 1992 for Royal Caribbean International. The ship last sailed just before the global shutdown in March 2020. She was purchased by the Greek ferry operator Seajets in early 2021 and has been laid up in Greece since then.

Originally part of the RCCL Sovereign class, Majesty of the Seas can accommodate 2,744 guests. Features included two swimming pools, four hot tubs, a poolside movie screen, a casino, a basketball court, a rock-climbing wall and a kids’ water play area.

It’s currently unknown what Seajets’ plans are for this ship. The company has acquired eight cruise ships of different types and sizes, many of which are now for sale.

But, despite this, Seajets has recently started hiring for marketing, sales and commercial roles, causing some to speculate that the company may be about to launch its own cruise line.

Perhaps the plan by businessman Marios Iliopoulos, owner of Seajets, was to buy up old ships when they are cheap, keep the best ones and sell the others for a profit?

After all, he did manage to double his money by buying Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Magellan for $3.4 million when the company went bust and then selling it for scrap. 

4. P&O Oceana (Now Queen of the Oceans for Seajets)

Asking Price: $79,000,000

P&O Oceana

Oceana was an incredibly popular P&O Cruises ship from 2002 to 2020. The ship was first launched for Princess Cruises as Ocean Princess in 2000, before being transferred to sister-company P&O Cruises just two years later.

Another ship that never sailed again after the global shutdown, Oceana was the first of the eight cruise ships purchased by the Greek ferry company, Seajets. She’s been laid up in Greece ever since and we do not know if she will sail again for Seajets, or perhaps sail for another cruise line.

Capable of hosting up to 2,272 passengers, this ship has 11 passenger-accessible decks. At the centre of the ship is a magnificent atrium, complete with palm trees, marble staircase and gleaming glass lifts. There are four swimming pools, six whirlpools and a sports court which is housed inside the ship’s funnel.

5. Costa Magica (Now Mykonos Magic for Seajets)

Asking Price: On Request

The Costa Magica cruise ship embarks on a voyage, its white and yellow colors standing out against a dramatic sky with a faint rainbow visible in the distance.

Mykonos Magic is another ship that Seajets has picked up, but this ship almost had a very different journey. She started life as the Costa Magica, launching for Costa Cruises in 2004 and successfully sailing for the cruise line for almost 20 years.

Then, in 2021, it was announced that Costa Magica would transfer to sister brand Carnival Cruise Line, and be rebranded as a Carnival ship with a makeover and new name. But then one year later, the decision was reversed and it was decided that Costa Luminosa would instead transfer to the Carnival fleet.

Costa Magica then sailed for Costa for 9 more months before being sold to Seajets. She has a passenger capacity of 2,718 and 13 decks, with four swimming pools and five hot tubs, along with a sports court and multiple restaurant spaces.

6. Holland America Veendam (Now Aegean Majesty for Seajets)

Asking Price: $39,000,000

The Holland America Veendam cruise ship, featuring its dark hull and white superstructure, glides by a coastline bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun.

The last of the Seajets ships up for sale is Aegean Majesty, which formerly sailed for Holland America Line as the MS Veendam. She was first built in 1996 and completed 24 years of cruising for her parent brand before the global shutdown.

She then never resumed cruising, as Seajets purchased her in July of 2020 along with her sister ship Maasdam. Later that year, while diced in Corinth, she broke her moorings and was grounded on a sandbank, though she was later refloated without any damage.

She has a maximum passenger capacity of 1,350, and while she is a smaller ship she does have plenty of good facilities including an attractive pool deck with whirlpools, a basketball court and a spacious theatre.

7. Holland America Maasdam (Now Renaissance for Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres)

Asking Price: $67,000,000

The Holland America Maasdam cruise ship with the new name Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres displayed on its classic navy blue hull and white superstructure

The ship now named Renaissance was the former MS Maasdam for Holland America Line. She launched in 1992 and enjoyed almost thirty years of service for the cruise line, but along with her sister ship Veendam, she was sold as the global shutdown took hold.

She also went to Seajets, but she was since sold on again to the new startup cruise line Compagnie Francaise de Croisiers (CFC). She was then given a $10 million refurbishment, which also reduced her passenger capacity from 1,258 to 1,100.

Clearly, CFC thinks that it can turn a profit following the investment, with an asking price of almost $30 million more than the former Veendam. She is still currently sailing for the cruise line, and offers stylish restaurants and bars, a spa with thermal suite, and several pools.

8. AIDAvita (Now Blue Dream Melody for Blue Dream Cruises)

Asking Price: $50,000,000

The AIDAvita cruise ship docked at port, with its distinctive eye-catching blue wave design along the hull, as passengers gather on the decks against a backdrop of a mountainous coastline.

The second ship ever built for German cruise line AIDA Cruises, the former AIDAvita is now sailing as the Blue Dream Melody for Chinese company Blue Dream International. She first launched in 2002 and sailed for AIDA until 2023, when she was sold to an unnamed buyer.

She was rechristened Avitak and was laid up in Tallinn, Estonia. But then just a few months later in January 2024, she was purchased by Blue Dream International.

It’s unclear if this 1,266-passenger ship is now being sold on again just a short time later, or if the sale just hasn’t fully gone through, but it is listed as available. 

9. Blue Dream Star for Blue Dream Cruises

Asking Price: $46,000,000

The Blue Dream Star cruise ship of Blue Dream Cruises, showcasing its vibrant blue hull and white superstructure, makes its way along a calm river flanked by greenery.

Blue Dream Star has quite the storied history as a passenger ship. She was originally launched as the Olympia Explorer in 2001, but then had her name shortened to Explorer where she served in the Semester at Sea programme, where students in American universities sail on the ship for a semester to learn as they travel the world.

The ship then entered service for Celestyal Cruises but only for one year, with her three-year contract terminated early.

She was sold in 2016 to Diamond Cruises International, a Chinese cruise line, and was rechristened as the Glory Sea. But then, due to unpaid crew wages, the ship was arrested and sold off at auction – Blue Dream International bought her in 2020, and then began sailing her in 2023 from Shanghai.

The ship has a capacity of 836, one swimming pool, 8 lounges and bars and 2 restaurants.

10. Oceania Regatta or Insignia

Asking Price: $150,000,000

The Oceania Regatta cruise ship sails gracefully near a city waterfront during dusk, its lights beginning to twinkle against the settling evening sky.

It’s unclear which of these two ships is currently on sale, since they are identical twins that were both built in the same year for the same cruise line. Perhaps both are, but under one listing? Both ships were originally launched in 1998 for Renaissance Cruises as R One (Insignia) and R Two (Regatta). 

Regatta was leased to Cruiseinvest in 2002 where, confusingly, she was christened as Insignia. She then moved to Oceania in 2003 and became Regatta, with R One joining a year later and becoming the new Insignia. Regatta has sailed for Oceania ever since – Insignia was leased to Hapag-Lloyd for two years in 2012 before returning to Oceania.

These luxury ships accommodate 824 passengers at max (698 at double occupancy) and they each have a teak pool deck with whirlpools. There are several restaurants onboard, a premium spa area and several bars on each.

11. Norwegian Majesty (Now Crown Iris for Mano Maritime)

Asking Price: $15,000,000

Promotional image of the Crown Iris cruise ship, labeled 'THE NEXT GENERATION' with a backdrop of clear blue skies and mountains, symbolizing the newest addition to the Mano Cruise fleet.

The MS Crown Iris may appear to be something of a bargain at ‘just’ $15 million, but she’s had quite the history, too.

She was first launched in 1992 for Majesty Cruise Line as the Royal Majesty, being christened by Liza Minnelli. Three years into service, she ran aground near Nantucket Island due to faults from the crew, and while no one was hurt, damages and lost revenue amounted to $7 million.

When Majesty Cruise Line closed in 1997, she was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line and became Norwegian Majesty. She was lengthened by 110 feet when she was remodelled. She was later sold to Louis Cruise Lines in 2008, but completed one more year of service for NCL under charter.

As Louis Majesty, the ship was hit by three rogue waves in 2009, killing two people and injuring several others.

She was chartered to Thomson Cruises in 2012, and in 2013 suffered another incident when a lifeboat fell during a safety drill, killing three crew members. She has also since sailed for Celestyal Cruises before Mano Maritime purchased her in 2018.

The ship can accommodate 1,460 passengers at double occupancy or 1,970 in total. She has 11 decks and a number of family-friendly features, including two pools, a water slide and a splash pool for kids.

Final Word

Those are some notable ships that are up for sale. Maybe you’re rich and considering starting a cruise line, and one of these takes your fancy?

In all seriousness, just be aware that if you do book a cruise on these ships, there’s a chance plans could change if it is sold, though ship sales can take some time – so don’t assume that it means that your voyage is immediately cancelled.

And maybe one day, I’ll arrange a whip-round of everyone who visits my website and we’ll buy a ship together!

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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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Titanic 2 May Be Happening After All… Australian Billionaire Revives The Project

by Cruise NewsNewsTitanic

Clive Palmer, an Australian billionaire who announced over 10 years ago that he intended to build a fully working replica of the Titanic for cruises, has now revived the project and claimed that it will be happening.

Titanic 2 render

Palmer, a former member of parliament in Australia who made his fortune in the mining industry, had previously announced that he wanted to build Titanic II to the same specifications as the original ship, with some minor modifications.

He is the chairman of Blue Star Line, a cruise line based in Brisbane that shares a similar name to White Star Line, the company that built and operated the first Titanic.

Speaking at the Sydney Opera House, Palmer set out his plans for the new ship, but did not specify a timeline for when it would be built.

He confirmed that three new partners had joined the project – Deltamarin, a ship design firm from Finland; V. Ships, a ship management services company; and Tillberg Design, an interior design company from Switzerland.

The Titanic II will measure 56,000 gross tons, which is around 10,000 more than the original Titanic, but otherwise the specifications are similar – she will be one foot shorter than the original ship, and have the exact same guest capacity of 2,435.

She will, of course, have enough lifeboats for everyone onboard.

Titanic II is envisaged to sail transatlantic cruises between New York and Southampton, as the original ship would’ve, but also more global voyages as well.

She will have a bridge that is identical to the original Titanic, but with much more modern technology onboard including contemporary safety and navigation systems. But the ship will rely on diesel engines instead of cleaner, modern fuel types, and she will have four smoke stacks like the original ship.

We are very pleased to announce that after unforeseen global delays, we have re-engaged with partners to bring the dream of Titanic ll to life. Let the journey begin.

Clive Palmer, chairman of Blue Star Line

Few other details were confirmed about the ship, but she will have first class, second class and third class accommodation options, and it’s estimated she will cost between $500 million and $1 billion.

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This 3-Storey Cruise Ship Suite Costs $80K Per Week!

by Choosing a cruiseCruise LinesCruise NewsRoyal Caribbean

Icon of the Seas might be the biggest cruise ship in the world, but the main reason that’s exciting is the fantastic accommodations and features she packs into all that space.

And none of the staterooms or suites on Icon of the Seas is more unique and thrilling than the Ultimate Family Townhouse. This takes the Ultimate Family Suite concept debuted on some of the Oasis-class ships to a whole other level – literally.

Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas

Let me explain why that’s a bad pun, and why the Ultimate Family Townhouse is one of the best family suites at sea – but also why it’s not for everyone.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a family suite available to book on Icon of the Seas. It is a three-storey suite situated at the after corner of the ship, sleeping up to 8 guests in incredible luxury.

The Ultimate Family Suite accommodations first debuted with the two-storey Ultimate Family Suite on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.

With the Ultimate Family Townhouse, Icon of the Seas has added a third storey (there’s your “other level” pun) and is packed with great features for adults and kids alike.

The suite is massive!

The Ultimate Family Townhouse has 1,772 square feet of interior space, as well as three balcony areas – a main level balcony off the living room (410 square feet), a second balcony off the master bedroom (90 square feet) and a backyard area (251 square feet).

To put that into context, an Interior Stateroom on the same ship measures 156 square feet – so the Ultimate Family Townhouse has 11 times the interior space, along with three outdoor spaces – two of which are bigger than the Interior Stateroom in total.

And if you just totalled up the balcony and backyard space alone, that’s over 750 square feet – bigger than most of the other suites on the ship with their balconies included. This really is a massive suite.

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is situated on Decks 7, 8 and 9 of Icon of the Seas, so it’s around the middle of the decks on the ship. You can find it on the Icon of the Seas deck plans – the information for it is listed under Deck 8, as that’s where the main living space is.

Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas

Here’s what you get for your money…

The Ultimate Family Townhouse consists of two bedrooms, a cinema room, a living room and an outdoor backyard. There’s a balcony off the master bedroom and another off the living room, and a slide connecting the upper floor with the main living space.

That just scratches the surface through. This is a suite that is packed with entertainment for the whole family. The living area includes a spacious living room and a dining room, which has an interactive gaming table. The sofa in this room is a double sofa bed, which is useful if you’re travelling with a party larger than 4.

Inside the cinema room, as well as a giant TV you’ll find your own popcorn machine and karaoke machine, and there’s comfy seating including a monster-themed daybed.

The master bedroom has a king-size bed and its own master bathroom with twin vanity and two shower heads, while the kids’ room has bunk beds and its own TV and games, and its own bathroom including a bath. So they can get that one messy and leave yours looking pristine.

Down the steps into the backyard, you’ll find a ping pong table and some cosy seats, along with a white picket fence which opens straight into the Surfside neighbourhood on the ship, so you’ve got easy access to the splash areas and many of the best family-friendly features on the ship.

Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas

There’s even your own mailbox – perfect for picking up any notes from your Royal Genie (more on that below). It’s also just really picturesque – your own idyllic private entrance to one of the most exciting parts of the ship.

You get some extra perks too

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is classed as a Star Class suite under the Royal Suites Program with Royal Caribbean. This means guests get extra benefits including the services of a Royal Genie, free drinks, free WiFi and more.

There are a lot of perks that you get as part of your cruise fare. The Royal Genie is one of the most notable ones – these are essentially the butlers of Royal Caribbean, but with a less formal name.

But the other perks shouldn’t be discounted. Free drinks packages and WiFi help to justify a small part of the additional cost, while your typical gratuities are included too – although, not those of your Royal Genie, which are extra.

Let’s talk about the cost…

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is one of the most expensive suites at sea – expect it to cost around £17,500 / $20,000 for a week. That’s the per-person cost too – although you may get discounts for booking up to the maximum 8 guests. Expect to pay around £70,000 / $80,000 for the suite in total.

That’s a lot of money for a one-week cruise. Bear in mind that you can get an Interior Stateroom on the same ship for around £950/$1000 per person; you’re paying 20x more if you decide you want the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Or to put it another way, that’s 20 cruises at the ‘normal’ Icon of the Seas rooms prices, versus one cruise in an Ultimate Family Townhouse. I know which I’d choose!

So, is the Ultimate Family Townhouse worth it?

Whether the Ultimate Family Townhouse is worth it depends entirely on your budget. It’s out of reach for most passengers who’ll book a cruise on Icon of the Seas due to its high cost, but for some guests, it could be the perfect base for your family vacation.

You do get a lot of extra benefits included, but you also get those in some of the other suites on the ship – many of which are a quarter of the price of the Ultimate Family Townhouse.

Ultimately (sorry), it’ll come down to your own situation and budget. For the average cruiser, it would probably be better to spend the money on multiple cruises. But for the lucky few with the money to spend, it’s definitely a suite that’ll provide some magical moments for your kids (and for you, too).

It’s not the only Icon of the Seas family suite, either, so you do have other options if you want suite perks without paying the high prices for this one!

Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas

Final Word

The Ultimate Family Townhouse is a suite worthy of the biggest ship in the world – it’s massive, it’s fun-packed, and it’s innovative too.

It’s not indicative of the entire ship, though – it’s pretty exclusive, thanks to its high price point, while Icon of the Seas is very much about everyone having an incredible cruise, no matter whether you choose the best suites or an Interior Stateroom.

Anyone who books the Ultimate Family Townhouse will have one of the best holidays ever, but you don’t need to book the Ultimate Family Townhouse to have an incredible time on Icon of the Seas.

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What Smokers Need To Know Before Taking A Cruise For The First Time

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsFirst time cruisers

Smoking on cruise ships is a contentious topic and one that’s often debated in Facebook groups and forums. But, the fact is that smokers are always welcome on board. That said, there are a few things you’ll need to know to make sure you don’t break any rules or upset anyone.

smoking on cruise

1. You Can Smoke On Every Cruise Ship

All cruise ships allow smoking on board. While many people would relish the idea of a non-smoking cruise ship, in reality, every cruise ship has at least one smoking area.

With 13% of US adults regularly smoking cigarettes and 5% vaping electronic cigarettes, banning smoking from cruise ships altogether wouldn’t be practical or profitable for cruise lines in the modern day.

smoking

2. You Can Only Smoke in Certain Places Onboard

Smoking on cruise ships is only permitted in designated areas. Cruise ship smoking areas are usually tucked out of the way and are pretty easy for non-smokers to avoid.

When you board your cruise ship, you’ll receive a copy of the deck plan which highlights useful areas such as smoking areas, toilets and lifts.

Most smoking areas are outdoors, but there’s usually a covered area to shelter from the rain. Some cruise lines also allow smoking indoors in smoking rooms, cigar bars or in the casino.

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3. Some Cruise Lines Allow Smoking on Your Balcony

The question ‘Can you smoke on a cruise ship balcony?’ is often asked by smokers and non-smokers alike.

Some smokers dislike the idea of having to walk to the smoking area first thing in the morning or last thing at night. Whereas non-smokers worry about the possibility of second-hand smoke drifting onto their balcony from the one next door or below.

Of course, there’s also the issue of safety as on balconies there are no staff members around to ensure that cigarettes are properly extinguished. There are also fears that some inconsiderate smokers may throw cigarette ends overboard and pollute the ocean.

For these reasons, smoking is banned on most cruise ship balconies. The only cruise line allowing smoking for the foreseeable future on private balconies is Costa Cruises. You can smoke on a balcony on a Fred. Olsen cruise ship but only until 1st April 2025 when the policy will change.

smoking on cruise ship balcony

4. Some Cruise Lines Allow Smoking in the Casino

Smoking in cruise ship casinos varies by cruise line, by ship and even by the day of the week. Some ships have smoking areas or smoking rooms within the casino, some allow smoking throughout the casino and some ban it altogether.

Scroll down to see a table showing which cruise lines allow smoking in casinos. Please note though, that if mask mandates are in place, there may be a temporary ban on indoor smoking.

smoking in casino

When I cruised on MSC Preziosa, I noticed that most people
in the casino seemed to be smoking and it did put me off staying in there too
long. At the roulette table, the etiquette seemed to be that players would
offer a cigarette to each person at the table before lighting up themselves.

Here’s Where Can You Smoke on a Cruise Ship

This table shows where smoking is allowed with each cruise line. Most information is given about each cruise line smoking policy below the table.

Cruise line Outdoor smoking areas? Indoor smoking lounges? Smoking in casino? Smoking on balconies? Smoking in your cabin?
Carnival YES YES YES NO NO
Celebrity Cruises YES NO NO NO NO
Costa Cruises YES YES NO YES vaping only
Cunard YES Cigars and pipes only NO NO NO
Disney Cruise Line YES NO NO NO NO
Holland America Line YES NO Selected ships on designated nights NO NO
Marella Cruises YES NO NO NO NO
MSC Cruises YES YES YES NO NO
Norwegian Cruise Line YES Cigars only Yes (except for cigars and pipes) Only for guests staying in Garden Villas NO
P&O Cruises YES NO NO NO NO
Princess Cruises YES YES At designated slot machines only. Not at table games NO NO
Royal Caribbean YES Cigars and pipes only on selected ships Depends on departure country NO NO

Prefer to Vape?

The general rule regarding electronic cigarettes on cruise ships is that they are treated in the same way as cigarettes and so vaping is only permitted in designated smoking areas. There are three cruise lines – Costa Cruises, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises, which allow e-cigs to be vaped in cabins.

Read more: Vaping On A Cruise Ship? What You Must Know!

It’s important to note that electronic cigarettes are illegal in many countries including the United Arab Emirates, India and much of South America and Southeast Asia. You should check before you travel as you may have to leave your e-cigarette on the ship. Punishment for possession ranges from confiscation to a fine or even up to ten years in prison.

Be Careful To Bring The Right Lighter!

Cigarette lighters are allowed on cruise ships. However, torch lighters that emit a powerful, concentrated flame are not allowed on most ships. Similarly, novelty lighters that look like guns are also not allowed.

What Happens if You Get Caught Smoking Somewhere You Shouldn’t…

If you get caught smoking on a cruise outside of the designated areas then you will first receive a warning. If you repeat the offence then you may be kicked off the ship. If you’re caught smoking in your stateroom you may have to pay a cleaning fee.

Fire is one of the biggest threats to a cruise ship, so you should only ever smoke in the designated smoking areas.

Suggested read: How To Get Away With Smoking On A Cruise Ship

What Should You Do if You See Someone Smoking on a Cruise?

If you see someone smoking on a cruise ship outside of the smoking area then you can either ask them not to do it, or tell a crew member.

It may be that the person is unaware that they should not be smoking, so they may be grateful for your tip-off. However, they may have chosen to break the rules and may not relish being reprimanded.

If you’d prefer to avoid confrontation, then you can tell a nearby crew member or telephone guest services. That way, the smoker needn’t ever know that it was you who reported them.

No Smoking Cruise Ships

At the moment, there is no such thing as a no-smoking cruise ship. However, if you are determined to avoid smoke, you most certainly can. All you have to do is look up where the smoking areas are and avoid them.

Cruise Line Smoking Policies 2024

Here are links to the latest smoking and vaping policies for each cruise line…

Celebrity Cruises Smoking Policy

Celebrity Cruises only allows smoking in designated outdoor smoking areas. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes, pipes and cigars.

Carnival Cruise Smoking Policy

Carnival Cruise Line limits smoking to specific exterior deck
areas and designated casino and nightclub spaces that can be monitored. Cigars
and pipes may only be smoked in outdoor smoking areas.

Costa Cruises Smoking Policy

Costa Cruises allow smoking only in designated indoor areas which are marked as ‘cigar lounges’ and designated outdoor smoking points. Smoking cigarettes and tobacco are not permitted in cabins but electronic cigarettes are allowed in cabins. Smoking is allowed on private balconies.

Cunard Smoking Policy

The smoking of cigarettes and electronic cigarettes is
permitted only in designated outdoor smoking areas. Pipes and cigars are also
allowed at any time of day in Churchill’s lounge, but cigarettes are prohibited
here.

Disney Cruise Line Smoking Policy

Disney Cruise Line allows smoking and vaping only in
designated outdoor smoking areas.

Holland America Smoking Policy

Holland America Line allows smoking only in designated
outdoor smoking areas. Some ships (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Amsterdam,
Maasdam, Volendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam and Veendam) also allow smoking in the
casino, but only on certain nights and only whilst playing. Electronic
cigarettes may be vaped in staterooms.

Marella Smoking Policy

Marella cruise ships only allow smoking in designated areas
of the open deck. The same rule applies to e-cigarettes.

MSC Cruises Smoking Policy

Smoking is permitted only in designated indoor and outdoor
smoking areas and in the casino.

Norwegian Cruise Line Smoking Policy

Smoking is permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas. Most ships (all except Norwegian Sky, Sun, Star and Pride of America), have a cigar lounge where cigars are welcome. Nothing but cigars and pipes may be smoked in these areas.

Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Encore have a designated smoking room within the casino where people can smoke whilst playing.

On other ships, smoking is allowed throughout the casino. Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed in the casino.

Whilst smoking is not generally allowed in cabins or on balconies, guests staying in Garden Villas are allowed to smoke in their private garden and on their private sun decks.

P&O Cruises Smoking Policy

Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor smoking
areas. These locations are not published as they change depending on the
weather or cleaning processes.

Princess Cruises Smoking Policy

Princess Cruises allow smoking in designated areas which
include outdoor smoking areas, cigar lounges and a section of the nightclub. In
the casino, smoking is allowed only whilst playing designated machines and not
at table games. The casino will have one or more non-smoking nights on each
cruise. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in cabins (but not on balconies)
and within the smoking areas.

Royal Caribbean Smoking Policy

On Royal Caribbean cruises, smoking is permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas. The rules about smoking in the casino varies for different regions of the world. On cruises departing from China and Hong Kong, smoking is allowed throughout the casino. On cruises departing from the UK and Australia, smoking is not allowed in the casino. On all other cruises, the casino will have a designated smoking area. 

Cigars are not allowed in the casino, only in designated outdoor smoking areas. Freedom-class and Voyager-class ships feature cigar bars where cigars and pipes are allowed, but no other types of smoking.

Final Word

So, can you smoke on cruise ships? Yes, but only in very specific places. Usually, you can’t smoke on your balcony or in any of the restaurants, but there are very limited places indoors and outdoors where you can use cigarettes or vapes.

It’s important that you follow the rules because you can get in a lot of trouble if you keep flaunting them. One strike will probably just get you told to extinguish your cigarette but keep pushing your luck and you might be more severely punished.

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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.

Read more about me

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Cruise Ship Balcony Rooms Are NOT Safe for Toddlers

by Baby & toddlerCruise LinesCruise News

If you’re planning a cruise with your toddler, then one of the biggest concerns is their safety. And if you’re constantly worrying about your little one, you’re simply not going to have fun.

I’ve been cruising since my son was six months old and I’ve done it plenty of times with toddlers in tow. So I know exactly how you feel.

Toddler on P&O Britannia

I’m not saying you can’t have a cabin with a balcony with young children. But if you do, you’ll have to be as vigilant as a hawk. So, read on and I’ll help you decide which is the best stateroom to choose for your family.

What Are Cruise Ship Balconies Like?

Cruise ship balconies are usually pretty small, with just enough space for two chairs and sometimes, if you’re lucky, a little table or footstool. The side is made of glass that comes up to waist height, and if you look down, the drop will be between four and 20 storeys, either into the sea, or onto a promenade deck.

cruise ship balconies on Iona
Balconies on Iona

People do go overboard from cruise ship balconies several times per year, and it’s almost always fatal. It’s important to note, though, that these instances are pretty much always caused by passengers who jump on purpose, or are doing something silly, like climbing.

You can’t fall off a cruise ship balcony by accident. But If you’re standing up holding a toddler near the edge, or letting them climb up on furniture, then the risk of them falling overboard is very real.

me on balcony

What Parents Need to Be Aware Of

Cruise lines go to great lengths to ensure the safety of their guests, but their measures are not foolproof. And as you’ll know, toddlers, are as nifty as they come.

Here are the things that you need to know about cruise ship balcony rooms, so you know what to expect if you book one…

1. The height of balcony rails

Waist-heigh glass barriers may seem impossible. But that’s not always the case, and you should never assume that your child won’t be able to climb over. Toddlers are very curious as you’ll know, and they may find a foothold somewhere that you haven’t spotted.

my daughter on the balcony
The height of balcony railings

While most modern cruise ships have balcony barriers made of glass, some do have either solid metal or metal railings. The solid metal balcony fronts usually have a ledge that a child could use to step up, and the metal bars of a railing make them the easiest to climb.

solif-fronted balconies
Solid-fronted balconies on Nieuw Statendam

2. Balcony furniture

A chair or a table may seem like an exciting climbing frame to our little explorers. But once a child has that added height, it becomes all to easy for them to go overboard.

You can ask your cabin steward to remove the furniture from your balcony, but this isn’t always possible. On our cruise on P&O Cruises Iona, we tried to bring the chairs in from the balcony, but they were simply too wide to fit through the door.

balcony furniture on Iona cruise ship
Our large balcony on Iona

3. Balcony doors

Cruise cabins usually have glass doors that open onto the balcony. Most have a lock at the top of the door that’s tough for a toddler to reach unless they get creative with a chair.

However, the locks aren’t always at the top, sometimes they’re much lower. As you can see in this photo that I took onboard MSC Virtuosa, my six-year-old was able to open the balcony door lock with ease.

Child opening balcony on MSC Virtuosa
Balcony door on MSC Virtuosa

The Golden Rule

There’s a golden rule you’ve got to stick to when you’re cruising with your little ones. Never, ever leave a young child unattended with access to a balcony. Even if you use the bathroom, make sure that there’s another adult watching your child so they can’t sneak out there.

Of course, the exact age at which you can trust your child to behave sensibly on a balcony depends on the child. I could trust my eight-year-old daughter not to do anything dangerous with 100% confidence. But when I remind my six-year-old son not to climb on the balcony footstool, he’ll likely forget five minutes later and do it anyway.

Baby and toddler on a cruise
Cruising with a baby and toddler

Other Areas of Cruise Ships That Can Be Dangerous For Toddlers

Aside from your cabin, there are several public areas that could prove to be hazardous for your child. It’s important to be aware of these and take necessary precautions.

1. Railings in Public Areas

Out on deck, the barriers are usually chest height to an adult and made of glass. Sometimes, they’re over head height. This makes them impossible to climb, unless there’s furniture involved.

However, many older cruise ships also have horizontal metal railing instead of glass, making it much easier for small adventurers to climb.

Railings on Bolette
Promenade deck on Bolette

River cruise ships are probably the most dangerous, with metal guardrails only reaching an adult’s waist height. These would be very easy to climb, and this is one of the reasons why most river cruise lines do not allow children under five on board.

balcony on a river cruise ship
Our balcony on A-Rosa Sena

You may remember the horror story when a grandfather accidentally dropped his grandchild through an 11th-storey window on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in 2019. He lifted the 18-month-old toddler up to what he believed was a wall of glass, but it was actually an open window. The child fell through his hands and sadly died.

2. Swimming Pools

Most cruise ships don’t allow toddlers who aren’t yet toiletry trained to use the pools. But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t dangerous to young kids.

When my son was two, he was walking around the edge of a very deep swimming pool on P&O Cruises’ Britannia. I was walking right behind him. In the blink of an eye, he dove head-first into the water and immediately sank down to the bottom. I had no idea that a child would sink so fast! 

My toddler on Britannia
My toddler on Britannia

Frantically, I reached down and plunged my whole arm into the water to grab his ankle and haul him out.

Luckily, my son was absolutely fine and somehow not upset at all. But I was very shaken, and also felt very lucky that he was underwater for just a couple of seconds.

Depending on the cruise line, the pools on your ship may or may not have lifeguards. But even if they do, the pools are often very busy, so you should always keep a very close eye on your toddler near the water.

3. Bars and Restaurants

Your little one might think it’s all fun and games at the bars and restaurants on a cruise ship, but it could be a recipe for danger. People come and go, toting trays laden with food and drink. One unexpected toddler dash could lead to someone tripping and spilling a hot drink or smashing a glass in the vicinity of your child.

While you’re enjoying your food and drinks, it’s vital that you don’t let your children run around. Be sure to pack some tabletop toys and activities that will keep them entertained between courses.

Toddler on a cruise with her drink

4. Stairs

The stairs on cruise ships can be incredibly dangerous for little ones. The problem is that they often have gaps in between each step. While these gaps may be small to an adult, they could be huge to a toddler, so they could fall through.

Kids on a river cruise ship
The stairs on A-Rosa Sena

As each deck is quite heigh, a flight of stairs may have 15 or more steps, and they’re sometimes made of marble, crystal or other materials that won’t give a soft landing.

5. Elevators

Ready for another tale from my accident-prone son?

A couple of years ago we were in the elevator on an MSC Cruise ship when he let out an almighty shriek. As the elevator doors opened, his finger had got sucked into the side and trapped.

We frantically pressed the button to close the doors in an attempt to free his finger, but they didn’t move. All that was left to do was to pull his finger out with force. Luckily, it wasn’t too badly damaged, but it was red and swollen for a few days. It could have been much worse. 

Cruise ship elevators

6. Falling out of bed

Most cruise lines allow you to borrow a travel cot for your baby. But once they’re over a year old, you may find that they’re simply to big for it, or they try to climb out, which can be dangerous.

At that point, you’ll have to put them in a full-size bed. So it’s important to know what kind of beds are in the room when you book. Your best option would be a sofa bed.

kids asleep on sofa bed
A double sofa bed on Azura

If they’re likely to fall out you should bring your own bed guard from home, tuck a pool noodle under the sheet, or place some spare pillows on the floor. Alternatively, you could bring an inflatable ‘Ready-Bed’ for them to sleep on the floor.

Some cabins have Pullman beds that come down from the ceiling. These sometimes have age restrictions, but not always. When we cruised on MSC Virtuosa, our two-year-old slept up on the top bunk.

That bed had a large guard rail, but not all do. Here’s an example of what extra beds may look like on a cruise…

Iona sofa bed
Sofa bed on Iona

If, when you arrive, you’re at all concerned about the safety of where your toddler sleeps, you should be sure to let your stateroom attendant know.

Should You Book A Balcony Stateroom With A Toddler?

Cruise ship balcony staterooms do have their advantages for parents with young kids. It’s a private space where you can relax while your kids nap, with the fresh air from the sea making you feel alive.

But, if you feel that you wouldn’t be able to relax with a balcony, then an ocean view stateroom might be a better bet. As well as being safer, they’re more affordable and come with enough room and amenities for a comfortable stay.

The lure of a balcony stateroom can feel strong, but remember, the child’s safety comes first. Logically, an Ocean View stateroom might just hit that right balance of budget and safety.

Ocean View stateroom with kids

My Recommendation

When it comes to cruising with kids, it’s all about ensuring they have a memorable time while staying safe. If you’re torn about which type of room to book, then make sure you read my article about why I (almost) always choose an inside cabins for a family cruise. 

Choose your accommodation wisely, keep a keen eye on your kids, and you’re good to go. After all, a safe cruise is a happy cruise. And as a parent, that’s all we truly want.

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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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Cruise ship docked in a harbor, illustrating a guide to the best way to book a cruise

The Best Way to Book a Cruise: Direct, Agent, Online or by Phone

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsMoney saving tips

The best way to book a cruise for most people is to check the price and cabins on the cruise line’s own website, then get a quote from a reputable cruise-specialist travel agent or a large online cruise agency. Base fares are often identical everywhere, so the winner is whoever adds the most value through onboard credit, upgrades, service and financial protection. Experienced cruisers who know exactly what they want can book direct online in minutes.

This guide compares every way to book a cruise: online, by phone, in person, through an agent and through cashback sites. It also gives a step-by-step guide to booking a cruise online and explains how your money is protected in both the US and the UK.

Can you book a cruise online?

Yes. Every major cruise line, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Princess, Celebrity, Disney, P&O Cruises and Cunard, lets you search sailings, choose a specific cabin and pay a deposit online. Online travel agencies and cruise-specialist sites do the same across many lines at once. Booking online is quick and you can see the deck plans as you choose. The downside is that you are on your own if something is unclear, such as cabin noise, connecting rooms or flight timings.

The best way to book a cruise: every method compared

Booking method Best for Pros Cons
Direct with the cruise line, online Repeat cruisers who know the ship and cabin they want Live cabin selection, loyalty benefits applied automatically, easy to manage in the line’s app Few extra perks, only one line’s ships, no one on your side if there’s a dispute
Direct with the cruise line, by phone Complex requests, such as accessible or connecting cabins A human can hold cabins and explain fare rules, and some lines give you a named contact Sales staff only sell their own line, and wait times vary
Online travel agency (e.g. Expedia, CruiseDirect, Cruise.com, Costco Travel) Comparing many lines and dates quickly Side-by-side comparison, frequent extra onboard credit, rewards or gift cards Service is usually by call center, and changes can be slower
High-street or independent travel agent First-timers and people who want face-to-face help Personal advice, package building (flights, hotels, transfers), help when things go wrong Cruise knowledge varies, and some branches favor partner lines
Cruise specialist or home-based agent Most cruisers, especially for luxury, expedition and fly-cruise trips Deep product knowledge, group-rate space, added perks, price-drop monitoring Quality varies, so check credentials and reviews
Cashback site or quote-comparison service (e.g. CruiseCompete) Price-focused bookers who are happy to shop around Agents compete for your booking, or you get cashback on top Cashback can take months and is not guaranteed, and you deal with an agent you don’t know

Booking direct vs using a travel agent

This is the question most people are really asking. Cruise lines pay agents a commission, so using an agent rarely costs you more. Because many lines restrict public discounting, the base fare is often the same everywhere. That leaves extras, service and convenience as the real differences, and that is what decides the best way to book a cruise for you.

When booking direct makes sense

  • You are loyal to one line and want your past-guest benefits applied without fuss.
  • You have already picked the ship, sailing and cabin.
  • You want to manage everything yourself in the line’s app, including dining, excursions and drinks packages.
  • A direct-only promotion is running. Check the small print, because agents can often book the same deal.

When a travel agent is the better choice

  • It is your first cruise, or you are choosing between several lines.
  • You are booking a fly-cruise, a group trip or a multi-cabin family cruise.
  • You want extra onboard credit, prepaid gratuities or upgrades on top of the cruise line’s offer.
  • You want someone to track price drops and claim the difference before final payment.
  • You would like an advocate if your itinerary changes or a flight is cancelled.

Many booking “rules” you’ll hear, such as always booking at the last minute or never using an agent, are worth questioning. Our article on cruise booking tips and when to ignore them covers the common ones.

Person comparing holiday options on a laptop with a notebook and coffee
Comparing the same cabin on two or three sites takes minutes and can reveal extra perks. Photo: Leeloo The First on Pexels

How to book a cruise online: step by step

  1. Set your must-haves. Decide your dates, budget, departure port, cruise length and who is travelling. If you haven’t chosen a line yet, narrow it down to two or three before you start comparing prices.
  2. Search the cruise line’s site first. This shows you real cabin availability, the fare types (refundable or non-refundable deposit, with or without drinks packages) and the final payment date.
  3. Choose your cabin on the deck plan. Check what is above and below it. A cabin under the pool deck or a nightclub can be noisy. Midship, lower decks feel less motion.
  4. Get one or two competing quotes. Ask an agent or online agency to price the same ship, date, cabin category and fare type, then compare perks like for like.
  5. Read the fare rules. Look at the deposit amount, whether it is refundable, the final payment deadline, cancellation charges and name-change rules.
  6. Enter names exactly as on passports. Mismatches can cause problems with flights and at the port.
  7. Pay the deposit by credit card. This gives you extra protection (see below).
  8. Buy travel insurance straight away. Cover for cancellation starts when you buy the policy, not when you sail. See our cruise insurance buyer’s guide.
  9. Watch the price until final payment. Most lines will adjust your fare or give onboard credit if the price drops, though the rules vary by line and fare type.
  10. Complete online check-in. Lines typically open online check-in weeks before sailing. Upload documents and choose an arrival time.

Best sites to book a cruise

No single site always has the best price. Different sites suit different needs:

  • Cruise line websites are the most accurate source for cabin inventory and loyalty pricing.
  • Large US online agencies, such as CruiseDirect, Cruise.com, Cruises.com and Expedia, are good for broad comparison and frequent onboard credit promotions.
  • Warehouse and membership travel, such as Costco Travel, adds shop credit or gift cards that can be worth a significant amount on longer sailings.
  • Quote services, such as CruiseCompete, let several agents bid for the same sailing.
  • UK cruise specialists that are ABTA members (and ATOL-licensed for fly-cruises) are the UK equivalent and often add drinks packages or onboard spending money.

For many people, the best way to book a cruise is to combine these: research on the cruise line site, then book wherever the total value is highest. These are examples, not endorsements. Offers change weekly, so compare the total value: fare, taxes and fees, gratuities, onboard credit and any cashback.

What to look for in a cruise travel agent

  • Credentials: In the US, look for CLIA membership or certification and, where relevant, state seller-of-travel registration. In the UK, check ABTA membership and an ATOL number for any package that includes flights.
  • Cruise focus: Ask how many cruises they book each year and which lines they know best.
  • Transparency: They should spell out every perk in writing and say who provides it, the agency or the cruise line.
  • After-sales service: Ask whether they monitor price drops and who you contact if something goes wrong while you are away.
  • No pressure: A good agent will compare lines honestly rather than steer you towards one supplier.
Hand holding a credit card over a laptop keyboard while paying for a trip
Paying by credit card adds an extra layer of protection to a cruise booking. Photo: Tim Samuel on Pexels

Cruise booking protection in the US and UK

Financial protection is often overlooked when people book a cruise, yet it matters when you pay a deposit a year or more before sailing.

If you book in the US

  • Pay by credit card. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute charges for services that are not delivered. That gives you a chargeback route if a seller fails.
  • Use an established seller. Choose CLIA-affiliated agencies or the cruise line itself, and be wary of prices far below what the cruise line shows.
  • Insure the trip. Travel insurance with supplier-default cover protects your prepaid costs. Many policies require you to buy it within a set time after your deposit.

If you book in the UK

  • ATOL covers most fly-cruise packages sold by UK companies. If the company fails, you get a refund or a flight home. Cruise-only bookings from UK ports fall outside ATOL.
  • ABTA membership provides financial protection for many cruise-only bookings, and ABTA members follow a code of conduct.
  • Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act makes your card provider jointly liable for purchases between £100 and £30,000. This applies even if you only paid the deposit on the card. The protection can be weaker when you pay through some intermediaries, so ask before paying.
  • Booking flights and the cruise separately usually means no package protection if a flight is cancelled and you miss embarkation.

The cheapest way to book a cruise

  • Book 6 to 12 months ahead for the best mix of price and cabin choice. Lines often open sailings 12 to 18 months out.
  • Use wave season. From late December to March, lines often stack upgrades, drinks packages and reduced deposits.
  • Compare perks, not just fares. A slightly higher fare with prepaid gratuities and onboard credit can be the better deal.
  • Be flexible. Shoulder seasons, repositioning cruises and guarantee cabins are usually cheaper.
  • Stack savings carefully. Past-guest discounts, resident or military rates and agency perks can sometimes be combined.

For more ways to save, read our insider guide to getting cheap cruises.

If you are considering a discount agency, our roundup of Vacations To Go reviews covers how it works and what cruisers praise and complain about.

FAQs

Is it cheaper to book a cruise directly through the cruise line?

Not usually. Cruise fares are often the same whether you book direct or through an agent, because most cruise lines restrict discounting. Where they differ is in the extras: agents and online agencies often add onboard credit, prepaid gratuities or cashback, which can make them cheaper overall.

Is it better to book a cruise directly or through an agent?

Booking direct suits experienced cruisers who know which ship and cabin they want. A cruise-specialist agent is usually better for first-timers, fly-cruises, groups and anyone who wants help comparing lines or sorting out problems. Agents are generally paid by the cruise line, so their help rarely costs you extra.

What is the best website to book a cruise through?

There is no single best site. Use the cruise line’s own website to check cabin availability and the base fare. Then compare that price, including perks, against one or two large online agencies such as CruiseDirect, Cruise.com, Expedia or Costco Travel in the US, or ABTA-member cruise specialists in the UK.

What is the most cost-effective way to book a cruise?

Book 6 to 12 months ahead, or during wave season (January to March), when perks peak. Compare the total value rather than the headline fare, and pay by credit card. Keep watching the price until final payment, because most lines will adjust your fare or give onboard credit if it drops.

Can you book a cruise over the phone?

Yes. Every major cruise line and most agencies take phone bookings. Phoning is useful for complicated requests such as connecting cabins, accessible staterooms or group bookings, and you can ask for a named contact for any later changes.

silver-dawn-1.jpg

Silversea Is Owned By Royal Caribbean. Here’s What That Means For You

by Cruise LinesCruise NewsCruise TipsSilversea

Silversea is one of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines. The standards of service on a Silversea ship are arguably unrivalled, with every guest feeling like they’re a truly special VIP from the moment they step on board.

Silver Dawn

So it may surprise you when you find out who owns the cruise line – although when you look at it from a perspective of success, it’s actually no surprise at all. 

Silversea is part of one of the biggest and most successful ocean cruise companies in existence – let’s take a look at the line’s current ownership and history.

Silversea Was Acquired By The Royal Caribbean Group

Silversea Cruises is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group, and has been since July 2020. It was the most recent cruise line to be acquired by the group, which already owned various cruise lines including its flagship Royal Caribbean International brand.

While the brand ‘Silversea Cruises’ is owned by the Royal Caribbean Group company, you could argue that the cruise line is owned by various different investment groups, since it is publicly traded. 

Capital Research & Management is the largest shareholder in the Royal Caribbean Group, owning over 16% across multiple subsidiaries.

The Royal Caribbean group owns three cruise lines outright – as well as Silversea, it owns Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean. The company retains a 50% share in TUI Cruises, having sold half of the cruise line. And it currently owns two defunct cruise brands – Pullmanter and CDF.

The group did previously own Azamara as well, but sold that cruise line to Sycamore Partners in 2021.

In terms of net worth, the group is one of the most valuable in travel. As of November 2023, the net worth of the Royal Caribbean Group was $21.85 billion – around $7 billion more than Carnival.

The CEO Of Silversea Cruises

Roberto Martinoli is the President and CEO of Silversea Cruises. He has been with the company since 2016 and oversaw the cruise line’s acquisition by the Royal Caribbean Group. Originally from Italy, he has also studied in the US before embarking on a career in cruise.

Roberto Martinoli
Roberto Martinoli

Prior to his role at Silversea, Martinoli held senior positions with Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines and Costa Crociere.

Silversea was founded in Monaco as a joint venture between the Vlasov Group of Monaco and the Lefebvre family in Italy. The cruise line still has its headquarters in Monaco.

The cruise line’s parent company, the Royal Caribbean group, does have its headquarters in the US but it is registered in Liberia.

Silversea cruise ship

Silversea Cruises History

Silversea Cruises was founded in 1994 by two groups – the Lefebvre Family of Rome and the Vlasov Group of Monaco. The two had worked together previously as the owners of Sitmar Cruises. They were based in Monaco but did add a US sales office.

They were the first cruise line to run with a marketing strategy around all-inclusive cruises, giving guests a fare that included drinks, tips, shore excursions and more.

Silversea cruise guests

Growth In The Fleet

Silversea was founded with one ship, the Silver Cloud, but this was quickly followed by the Silver Wind in 1995. It was then another five years before two more ships joined the fleet, the Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper.

Silver Cloud
Silver Cloud

The fleet has expanded slowly since. The next ship to join was Silver Spirit in 2009, before the company purchased Canodros S.A., a tourism company based in Ecuador. This led to the formation of Silversea Expeditions, and the launch of Silver Explorer and Silver Galapagos. Silver Discoverer became the third Expeditions ship in 2014.

Since then, the Silver Muse, Silver Moon and Silver Dawn have launched. The newest Silversea ship, Silver Nova, set sail in July 2023.

Silver Nova
Silver Nova

Read more: List of Silversea Cruise Ships

Acquisition By Royal Caribbean

In 2018, Royal Caribbean made an offer to purchase two-thirds of Silversea for a cost of $1 billion. At the time, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, the son of co-founder Antonio, was the sole owner. The deal was agreed upon, and Silversea ordered three new ships.

Then in 2020, the Royal Caribbean Group bought the rest of the shares and took the cruise line into full ownership in the group.

In 2022, Silversea bought the Crystal Endeavor ship from the now-defunct cruise line Crystal Cruises. The ship cost $275 million and has been renamed Silver Endeavor.

What To Know Before Buying Shares

Silversea Cruises does not have its own stock, but you are able to buy shares in the parent company Royal Caribbean Group (listed as RCL on the New York Stock Exchange). This is one of the highest-price cruise line stocks you could buy.

Interestingly, there are currently no benefits to owning stock if you were to then sail on a Silversea cruise. Usually, when you’re a shareholder in a cruise company, you are entitled to an onboard credit allowance on every sailing you book.

And indeed, that same offer applies to Royal Caribbean Group shareholders when they sail with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises. If you own 100 shares in the group, you can enjoy up to $250 to spend on-board on every Royal or Celebrity cruise that you take.

But despite being a part of the same corporation, that benefit has not yet been extended to Silversea sailings. When questioned, the Chief Commercial Officer of the cruise line confirmed that they are looking into ways to partner with their sister cruise brands more and that one of those could be in the shareholder benefits offered.

Bear that in mind if you were hoping to buy shares in the Royal Caribbean Group in order to earn free onboard spend on your Silversea cruises – as it stands, you won’t be entitled to it. Though it is potentially a nice perk just to say you’re part of the Silversea ownership, one of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Shareholder Benefits Explained

How To Buy Shares

If you want to buy shares in Silversea Cruises, you’ll instead need to purchase Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) stock. You can’t buy shares in the individual cruise line, only the parent company. Use a stockbroker – either in person or online – to make your purchase.

It’s up to you whether you work with a stockbroker in person, or you just log onto a platform on your laptop or smartphone to buy the shares yourself. Stockbrokers charge higher fees but can offer financial advice, whereas you take the risk on entirely yourself if you just use an online platform.

I can’t advise you which is the best, but I personally chose to buy my RCL shares through an online investing platform called etoro. I chose this one because it is one of the most popular platforms with 20 million registered users and has great reviews and low fees.

I’ve been very happy with my share-buying experience and found it really easy to do.

(eToro is a multi-asset investment platform. The value of your investments may go up or down. Your capital is at risk.)

Read more: Should you invest in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd?

To Conclude

Silversea Cruises isn’t just one of the most luxurious cruise lines in the world, but it’s part of arguably one of the two biggest cruise companies in existence too. The Royal Caribbean Group may now only hold three brands, but they are some of the very best names in mainstream, premium and luxury cruising.

If you want, you can invest your own money to become a part-owner if you buy stocks. Just remember that trading stocks and shares is a risk, and you could lose all your money if things worked out really badly.

And while at the moment you wouldn’t get any benefits on a Silversea cruise as a shareholder, you would if you decided to try a Royal Caribbean or Celebrity cruise instead.

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Don’t miss the latest Silversea offers…

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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.

Read more about me

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