Ever wondered what happens on a nude cruise? Even if you’ve no interest in trying one yourself, most of us are at least curious as to what they involve.
According to one nudism cruise guest, there are actually several rules that must be followed to make sure that everyone onboard has a safe and happy experience.
Here’s a look at the rules for nude cruises – how many of these surprise you?
1. No Taking Photos Of Others (But Phones Are Allowed)
Nudism is not the same as exhibitionism, and many people on a nude cruise aren’t trying to show off – instead they are just enjoying the feeling of being free, and not having to wear clothes when they don’t want to.
This means that you have to be very respectful, and make sure you don’t take photos of anyone else without their knowledge or permission – not just as the main subject, but in the background of your photos as well.
You’re fine to have your phone with you (though most people tend to leave their phone in their cabin). You just can’t be snapping pics of other nude passengers.
2. Towels On Every Surface
Hygiene is very important on a nudism cruise, and pretty much everyone onboard respects these rules. After all, health and safety is crucial when you don’t have the protective layers of clothing to stop you from spreading germs.
So, according to the passenger on the recent nudism cruise, most people have very high standards of hygiene and there aren’t any ‘smells’ to worry about.
But more importantly, everyone always abides by the rule that towels have to be placed on any surface where you’re going to sit. Nobody on a nudism cruise wants to sit on an unprotected chair or sun lounger, and so there is an abundance of towels around every public area.
Everyone is bought in, too. It’s not like guests have to be asked to follow the rules – they are all willing, not just to prevent them from leaving any germs behind but also to stop germs on the surfaces from being picked up too.
3. Shoes Around The Ship
While nudism cruises are clothing-optional, one item of clothing that must be worn at almost any time are shoes or sandals. You can’t wander around the ship bare-foot at all.
This is another safety requirement. There could be broken glass on the floors if someone has accidentally dropped a drink, or there might be some other rough materials which could damage your feet.
And if you’ve ever tried to walk on the sun deck of a cruise ship barefoot on a hot day, you’ll appreciate just how necessary shoes are to protect your feet from the heat of the floor!
You’re welcome to take your shoes or sandals off while sitting down or lounging in the pool, but just as with a regular cruise, as soon as you move, you need to put them back on.
4. Clothing Required In Restaurants
Nudism cruises are not complete free-for-alls and there are certain parts of the ship where you’ll be asked to wear clothes, including most of the sit-down restaurants.
For that reason, nude cruises tend to be more nude during the day, and then at night there’s more of a mix of people who are fully clothed, partially clothed, or nude.
There are plenty of evening venues where clothing is still optional, including the buffet restaurants and the bars and nightclubs.
But if you want to enjoy a more formal dining experience, you’ll need to get dressed, even if you then remove your clothing again as soon as the meal is over.
5. No Nudity In Port
While a nude cruise is all about being free to enjoy yourself without wearing clothing, that only applies when you’re out at sea – you can’t board the ship or step off at port while naked.
That wouldn’t be fair for the people working at the port, for reasons of decency – you don’t know who will be there and whether they are OK with seeing people undressed.
So, you’ll board the cruise fully dressed and then once you reach a safe distance from the shore – typically around 30 minutes after you’ve set sail – you’ll hear an announcement from the captain asking you to get dressed. And it’ll be the same when sailing into port as well.
The good news is that, when you’re on an organised nude cruise, you will be able to enjoy some nudist shore excursions as well. But you’ll need to be dressed when disembarking and while you take your coach to reach the resort or nudist beach where the excursion is taking place.
A nudism cruise is all about allowing guests to be naked if they want to be – but there’s no rule that says you have to be. If you don’t feel comfortable at any time, you’re perfectly welcome to get dressed and enjoy every aspect of the cruise.
It’s not super-common, because nude cruises aren’t cheap. They are specially chartered sailings, and so the fares are higher than a regular cruise. The only reason to book one is if you want to enjoy the nudist side of cruising.
Still, be aware that people are allowed to wear clothes if they want to.
7. Hiding Excitement
Not so much a rule, but good advice for anyone who’s considering a nude cruise.
Nudism cruises are not sex cruises, which are completely different. As such, it would be frowned upon for anyone to get visibly ‘excited’ while on a nudism cruise – speaking about the men in particular.
You would be expected to make efforts to hide anything like that, just like you would if you were clothed. Nudism is not about looking at other people, but about feeling comfortable in your own skin.
The nudist passenger did say that this isn’t something nudists think about a lot. It doesn’t come up very often, shall I say! But it is one of the more common questions non-nudists ask.
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Final Word
A nudism cruise is all about people who want to try the nudist lifestyle and be comfortable among others – so having a set of clear rules is important to make sure that everyone is respectful of each other, and understands the boundaries that are expected.
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.
If you’re looking for a luxury cruise, you’ve almost certainly considered Oceania Cruises.
For good reason too – Oceania Cruises is known for providing a fantastic, premium experience, and whichever ship you end up on, you can be sure of a refined and relaxed atmosphere. With hundreds of destinations available, you’re able to explore most of the globe on board an Oceania ship.
While each cruise will differ, and we’d encourage you to check the specifics of any cruise you’re currently considering, as a rule of thumb, here’s what you can expect to be included in your Oceania Cruises price:
Gourmet dining at several onboard restaurants
Soft drinks, bottled water, speciality coffees, teas, and juices
Free fitness classes and fitness centre access
24-hour room service
In-room minibar with soft drinks (replenished on a daily basis)
Complimentary shuttle service from the ship to many city centres
Enrichment programs, including lectures, classes, and workshops
Unlimited WiFi
simplyMORE™ package
That simplyMORE package is the real game-changer for Oceania. While technically described as a ‘special offer’ by the cruise line, it’s currently included on all cruises – though this might change in future.
With the simplyMORE package, you get everything above PLUS the following:
Free airfare
Free gratuities
Free transfers from the airport to the ship
Shore excursion credit – up to $1,600 per stateroom (depending on how long your cruise is)
Free Champagnes, wines and beers during lunch and dinner
It’s a little confusing, because Oceania claims that the simplyMORE package also includes unlimited WiFi and unlimited speciality restaurant dining, but those were already included anyway.
Now, let’s take a closer look at exactly what you get for your money…
1. Food
Oceania Cruises includes a variety of gourmet dining options in its onboard restaurants as standard, so whichever cruise you’re on, you’ll have a great choice of where to eat, and the cuisine that suits you.
One of the hallmarks of Oceania Cruises is its exceptional culinary offerings, curated by renowned chefs.
Guests can dine at multiple onboard restaurants without any additional charge, enjoying a diverse array of international cuisines, from Italian delicacies at Toscana to French-inspired dishes at Jacques. The Grand Dining Room also offers exquisite meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Oceania Cruises prides itself on offering an unparalleled dining experience that rivals the finest restaurants on land.
The emphasis is on freshness and quality, with menus designed by acclaimed chefs like Jacques Pépin. Each dish is carefully crafted to provide an unforgettable dining experience, making every meal a highlight of the cruise.
There is one exception, which is La Reserve – a private dining experience for groups of up to 10 guests. This one does have a charge, which varies, but expect to pay between $250 and $400 per person (before gratuity).
Yes – all speciality restaurants are included!
One of the things that makes Oceania Cruises stand out is that their speciality restaurants are included, so you don’t need to worry about being charged an additional fee to eat at speciality restaurants on board.
Reservations may be required, especially for popular venues, but the meals themselves are part of the cruise package.
The inclusion of speciality restaurants in the cruise fare means you’re able to enjoy diverse culinary delights, from Asian fusion at Red Ginger to the classic American steakhouse experience at Polo Grill. This inclusive approach ensures that dining remains a central, worry-free pleasure of your experience.
2. Drinks
Oceania Cruises includes a range of non-alcoholic beverages in your cruise fare, including soft drinks, bottled water, speciality coffees, teas, and juices.
Plus as part of the simplyMORE package, you’ll also get a House Select beverage package included, which means you can enjoy a wide selection of beers, wines and Champagnes – but only during lunch and dinner.
If you want to enjoy these drinks when relaxing by the pool, or you’re interested in cocktails or spirits, you’ll need to pay for them individually or upgrade to the Prestige Select beverage package for $30 per person, per day.
3. Tips / Gratuities
You don’t have to worry about paying daily gratuities on your Oceania cruise – with the simplyMORE package, they’re included. Normally they would cost between $18 and $23 per person, per day depending on your accommodation choice, but now they’re included.
There is a 20% gratuity that’s added to any drinks you buy, any spa treatments, or to La Reserve dining reservations.
It only applies to anything you need to pay for – so the drinks that are included in the House Select beverage package don’t incur the fee, those gratuities are covered.
And if you upgrade to the Prestige Select drinks package, then you won’t pay the gratuity on any of those drinks.
But whenever you’re paying a fee onboard – for an individual drink outside your package, or for spa treatments, then 20% extra will be added on top of the advertised price.
4. WiFi
Oceania Cruises offers complimentary unlimited internet access, so you can stay connected with family and friends, keep up with work and browse the web during your voyage.
The WiFi service is accessible throughout the ship, including in staterooms and public areas, so you’re able to use your devices whenever and wherever you need to.
5. Airfare
Oceania Cruises offers deals that include round-trip airfare from select gateway cities, ensuring that you can easily and affordably travel from your home to the destination where you get on board.
These airfare-included packages simplify the travel planning process, so you’re able to book your entire journey with one provider.
6. Transfers
Many cruise lines offer transfers at an additional cost, but with their simplyMORE™ package, Oceania Cruises offer transfers from the airport to the ship at no extra cost.
Inclusion of transfers will help ensure you have a smooth start and end to the cruise, and eliminate the stress and hassle of arranging separate transportation.
7. Shore Excursions
With Oceania Cruises’ simply MORE™ package, you’ll receive up to $1,400 shore excursion credit per stateroom. This gives you the flexibility to choose whichever shore excursions you’d like. The amount you get depends on the length of your cruise:
7-9 days = $400
10-13 days = $600
14-18 days = $800
19-24 days = $1,000
25-30 days = $1,200
31+ days = $1,400
Oceania Cruises offers a range of fantastic shore excursions, so guests are free to use their shore excursion credit on whichever tours and activities they would like. One thing is for certain — Oceania Cruises offer an immersive destination experience on every itinerary!
Not everything is included though…
Some items and services are not included in the standard fare on Oceania Cruises, such as spa treatments, wellness services, some shore excursions, travel insurance, and some speciality activities and classes.
By offering all of the above as extras, Oceania Cruises provides total transparency and value for money, allowing you to choose the things that are important to you.
In addition, there may also be high-end experiences for an extra cost, such as premium dining events, premium wines and spirits, and personalised excursions.
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Final word
When you’re sailing with Oceania Cruises, it’s clear that there’s definitely more included than not. You could easily cruise without paying a penny extra, provided you’re happy sticking to non-alcoholic drinks in between meals and you don’t need extras like spa treatments.
And if you do want those extras or that drinks package upgrade, you know that there’s not a huge amount extra to budget for on the run-up to your cruise.
Oceania manages to offer a luxury cruise experience that is still good value – and so is definitely worth considering for your next cruise getaway.
If you are interested in cruising with Oceania, I recommend speaking to the luxury cruise experts at Panache Cruises who will be happy to help you plan your trip.
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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.
Booking a Princess cruise holiday isn’t as simple as picking a date, picking a room and then paying. There’s an added layer of complexity thanks to the different cruise fare options available, and choosing the right one for you is important.
They each impact what’s covered by your fare, and you need to make sure that you understand exactly what the price of the cruise is paying for, and how much extra you’re going to need to budget to pay for everything.
So, in this guide, I’ll take you through what you get with your Princess Cruises fare, what you need to pay extra for, and make it as easy as possible for you to work out how expensive your cruise will actually be.
Standard Vs Plus Vs Premier – An Overview
Exactly what you get included in your cruise depends on whether you choose a standard fare, or you upgrade to Plus or Premier.
Plus and Premier are packages that offer a wide range of extras for a set fee. Plus costs £50 ($60) per person, per day, while Premier costs £65 ($80) per person, per day.
Each cover your tips, a drinks package, WiFi internet access and more, with potential savings of up to 69% compared to buying everything separately.
However, you might not use everything within a package. If you’re not someone who drinks alcohol, or you don’t plan to use the WiFi, it’s important to price up what each element costs and decide whether it’s cheaper for you to upgrade to one of those fares, or stay with Standard and then add on the extras individually.
What’s Included in a Princess Cruise and What Costs Extra..?
1. Accommodation
Regardless of which cruise fare you choose to pay for, your accommodation is always included. Whether you choose Standard, Plus or Premier has no impact on the stateroom or suite you book.
You’ve got five main options when you book a room with Princess Cruises:
Interior – rooms without a window, always the cheapest option
Oceanview – rooms with a window
Balcony – rooms that have their own private balcony
Mini Suite – larger than a Balcony with a small number of extra perks
Suite – the biggest rooms, with a longer list of extras
You also have the option of choosing a guarantee cabin, where Princess Cruises will pick your cabin for you, or you can pay a little extra to choose the exact cabin you want.
Picking a guarantee cabin can save money, but risks you getting the worst cabins in your chosen class – an Interior room that’s a long walk from anything, or a Balcony stateroom with an obstructed view, for example.
If you pay extra for a Mini Suite, you’ll get a few extra benefits:
A separate sitting area with sofa bed and coffee table
A curtain to separate the sofa bed sitting area from the main bed
An extra TV
An enhanced bathroom with bathtub and massage shower
A luxury mattress topper and better pillows
Up to four chairs on the balcony (compared to the standard two)
A glass of sparkling wine when you board
If you pay for a Suite, you get a much longer list of perks. The best features include priority boarding and disembarkation, welcome Champagne, an upgraded room service menu and reserved dining areas.
On a Princess cruise, you’ll always be able to eat for free. You get to enjoy all your meals in the Main Dining Room, or you can eat casually at the buffet restaurant whenever it’s open.
There’s also an International Cafe serving lighter bites, and you can enjoy snack items from a poolside venue too, and none of these cost any extra.
There are some Premium Dessert options served in the Main Dining Room which cost extra – these are extra to the regular desserts.
If you’re a Plus guest you can enjoy two of these every day (surely that’s enough?) while Premier guests get as many as they want.
Then there are paid-for dining venues available too. These are split into two categories – Casual Dining, and Speciality Dining.
Casual Dining includes a range of different relaxed venues, such as Alfredo’s pizza, the Salty Dog Pub and more. These all have either a la carte pricing or a fixed fee, but they aren’t super-expensive – fixed-fee dining is $14.99 per person.
If you choose the Standard package, you’ll always have to pay for these. On the Plus package, you get two Casual Dining meals included in your cruise. On the Premier package, they’re completely unlimited.
Speciality Dining venues are more formal restaurants onboard, serving a range of cuisine. These cost more – typically around $29 per person for dinner.
Standard and Plus guests always have to pay for these, whereas Premier fare guests can enjoy two speciality meals during their cruise at no extra charge – the only exception is at the Chef’s Table Lumiere which is considered fine dining, and so will always cost extra.
Cruise Fare
Main Dining Room, Buffet, International Cafe
Casual Dining
Speciality Dining
Standard
Always included
Charged
Charged
Plus
Always included
2 included, then charged
Charged
Premier
Always included
Always included
2 included, then charged
3. Drinks
On a Princess cruise, you get eight different types of drink included as standard – tap water, lemonade, ice tea, hot tea, standard coffee, hot chocolate, milk, and fruit juice.
But you can’t get all of those from the bars – some are only available for free in the buffet, and some only at breakfast.
The rest of the day, you’re going to have to pay for your drinks. Expect to pay in the region of $7 for a beer, $10+ for a glass of wine or a cocktail, and $2.50 for a fountain soft drink, to give you an idea of how much you’re likely to spend onboard.
Like most cruise lines, you can also choose to pay for a drinks package. There are four you can choose from:
Drinks Package
Daily Cost
What It Includes
Premier Beverage Package
$84.99 per day + 18% service charge = $100.29 per day
All drinks up to a value of $20
Plus Beverage Package
$64.99 per day + 18% service charge = $76.69 per day
All drinks up to a value of $15
Zero-Alcohol Beverage Package
$29.99 per day + 18% service charge = $35.39 per day
Wide range of non-alcoholic drinks
Classic Soda Package
$14.99 per day + 18% service charge = $17.69 per day
Limited range of non-alcoholic drinks
If you choose the Standard fare, you can pick any drinks package if you want one – but you don’t have to. Remember that you can’t have a drinks package for just a few days, you need to pay for it for the duration of your cruise.
If you book your cruise with the Plus package, you get the Plus Beverage Package included. And the same with the Premier cruise fare – you get the Premier Beverage Package included.
Here’s what’s weird – the Plus and Premier packages are cheaper than buying the drinks packages separately!
There’s no catch – it literally makes zero sense to buy a Plus or Premier Beverage Package. If you want them, then buy the Plus or Premier cruise fare.
There are only two reasons that the prices could be weird in this way:
It’s an oversight by Princess Cruises (unlikely, as it’s been like this for a while)
Having the drinks package prices this much higher means they can claim bigger percentage savings for the Plus and Premier cruise fares
The Plus fare is advertised as saving you 57% instead of buying each bit separately.
The Premier fare apparently saves you 69%. But those percentages would be a little bit lower if the drinks packages cost less than the cruise fare packages.
A bit sneaky? Maybe.
Regardless – you need to work out whether a drinks package is right for you, and then budget for the package you want or for the drinks you’ll buy individually. My drinks package calculator can help you work it out.
4. Room Service & Ocean Now
Princess Cruises offer a room service menu with a wide range of food items you can enjoy. There’s a great breakfast selection, and plenty of snacks and simple food items served throughout the rest of the day.
There’s a $5 delivery fee every time you use room service, although this is waived if you’ve paid for the Plus or Premier cruise fares.
Princess also does something cool called OceanNow, which is essentially room service but for almost anywhere on the ship.
You might be sat by the pool, or in a bar, or in the theatre and decide you’re feeling peckish – just use the app on your phone and you can order food to be delivered to you.
If you want to use this, you’ll need to pay a one-off activation fee of $15 for your cruise but this is again waived if you’ve gone for the Plus or Premier cruise fare.
5. Entertainment
Princess Cruises offers a range of entertainment during your cruise, from Movies under the Stars on the pool deck to immersive theatre shows, live comedy, bar singers and so much more.
And it’s all included at no extra cost – you’re welcome to enjoy the entertainment in any of the venues no matter which fare you’ve chosen for your cruise.
However, there is one little catch. If you’ve paid for the Premier cruise fare, you get to enjoy reserved seating in the theatre for any production shows, meaning you’re guaranteed to get one of the best seats. Otherwise, you’ll need to queue up and hope you get a good seat.
6. Activities
There are a lot of activities available during your cruise with Princess, including organised sports games, leisurely swimming in the pool, fitness classes, cookery classes, casino gaming, shopping and more.
Some of these – the sports, the pool etc. are free and can be enjoyed as much as you want to, but most of the activities require you to spend your own money. You don’t get a casino budget as part of your cruise fare, unfortunately!
The only impact on activities from the cruise fares comes with the fitness classes. Plus fare guests get two free classes per cruise, while Premier fare guests can enjoy unlimited fitness classes.
7. Kids’ Clubs
Princess Cruises has a range of kids’ clubs that offer exciting activities throughout the day, and guests are welcome to use these at no additional charge.
Infants and toddlers under 3 must be accompanied by parents, but children aged 3 to 7 can stay in The Treehouse, while those aged 8 to 12 can enjoy The Lodge. There are also dedicated teen lounges too.
These are open into the evening, but then at night from 10 pm there is a charge for babysitting, and only for kids aged 3 to 12. It costs $5 per hour, per child.
8. Service Charges
There are two types of service charge that you’ll need to pay on your Princess cruise. The first are the daily gratuities, which cost between $16 and $18 per person, per day depending on which class of stateroom you have booked.
They’re included in the fare if you’ve chosen Plus or Premier fare packages, but anyone with a Standard cruise fare has to pay the gratuities separately.
The other charges are a set rate of 18% applied to any purchases of speciality dining, drinks, drinks packages, spa services and a couple of other features onboard.
If you get the Plus or Premier packages then the service charge is covered for anything included, but you’d need to pay it for anything you buy on top of that – so if you booked Premier, you wouldn’t pay the 18% service charge on the two included speciality dining meals, but you would pay it on any further speciality dining meals you paid for.
9. WiFi
WiFi is another feature which isn’t included on a Standard cruise fare, but that you do get if you pay for the Plus or Premier fare.
It costs from $24.99 per day for one device, but you can also get a four-device plan for $44.99 per day. The speeds are the same, it just affects how many devices you can connect.
The Plus cruise fare gets you the one device package included, while the Premier cruise fare includes a four-device WiFi package for your cruise.
10. Laundry
If you’re on a longer cruise, you might want to use the laundry services instead of packing enough outfits for every single day. Princess gives you two options, and neither are included in the fare – so make sure you budget for laundry if you plan on using it.
The self-serve laundry facilities are the cheapest option, but they take more effort. It costs $3 for a washload, $3 for drying, and you can buy detergent for $1.50.
If you’d rather have your laundry done for you, you can pay for the service instead. You’ll pay by the item, with the option for laundering or for dry cleaning. Expect to pay between $1 and $4.50 per item for washing and pressing, and between $2.75 and $11.50 for dry cleaning.
11. Flights and Transfers
The advertised cruise fares for Princess on their website won’t include your flights by default, but you can add them on through the cruise line if you prefer. If you do, you’ll also get your overseas transfers included too.
You don’t have to use the cruise line’s flights though. If you book via a travel agent, they’ll typically price flights separately and get you a better deal, or you can always book your own.
Just make sure you don’t forget to budget for (or book) your transfers from the airport to the cruise port, and leave plenty of time too. If your cruise port is more than half a day away, travel the night before and pay extra for a hotel so that you definitely don’t miss the ship.
Cruising from a port in your own country, like Southampton for UK guests?
Factor in cruise parking costs, or the cost of your coach or train to get to the port as well when putting together your cruise budget, as that won’t be included in the fare.
12. Shore Excursions
One last thing that you won’t get included in your fare – even if you book a Premier fare – is shore excursions.
If you want to go on tours when you’re in port, you’ll need to pay for them – either via the cruise line, or with a third party if you want to save money.
You don’t always have to. Some ports are walkable or there may be free shuttle buses to get you into the main town. Just be careful if you aren’t on a cruise line excursion – you have to make it back to the ship in time or you will be left behind.
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To Conclude
There you have it – everything you get included with your cruise fare with Princess, whether you choose Standard, Plus, or Premier, and all the extras you’ll need to pay for.
It can be tough working out what the best deal is for you, so try to work out what you would want to pay extra for, and then see if either the Plus or Premier fare offers better value. They definitely do if you want one of the drinks packages, but not everyone drinks enough to justify that cost.
At least now you know everything that will cost more, and it should be much easier to work out how much a Princess cruise will actually cost you.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
One quirk of cruising that you may or may not have experienced before (depending on your choice of cruise line, and how sharp your eyes are) is the way that many people like to hide ducks onboard.
It’s a huge community – thousands of people love to hide ducks around public areas of ships, or hunt for them. Often, they’ll come with a tag attached mentioning a social media group where you can post about your find, and then either keep the duck, or hide it again for someone else.
I know it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s a ton of fun, and so I spoke to Kelly May, AKA “The Duck Lady” from Cruising Quackers to learn more about the hobby and her passion for it.
Not a new phenomenon
Kelly described to me how it was in the build-up to a cruise that she first discovered the rubber duck trend, rather than when she was onboard.
She joined a Facebook group for the specific sailing in 2022 and was reading through the posts of people who were going to be onboard, and found someone posting about their plans to hide ducks onboard.
While this was new to Kelly, she did some digging and found that it’s something people have been doing for over 20 years…
“After doing a bit of research, I learned that people hide rubber ducks on cruise ships simply as a random act of kindness to make strangers smile. It has been going on for decades (someone reported finding one as far back as 1999), but has gained popularity with the rise of social media. In fact, there are a multitude of FB groups dedicated to the hobby, and over half a million duck hunters and hiders worldwide.“
Kelly was hooked before she’d even cruised, and quickly found a bundle of 30 ducks to pack into her carry-on bag to put to good use when she boarded.
That first cruise…
Kelly boarded the ship and had the perfect opportunity almost immediately – the first full day was a sea day. She filled her pockets with ducks and set off to have some fun.
.”..the ducks instantly brought out the silly child within us. We giggled at how we were trying to be so stealthy. Looking nonchalant while making sure the coast was clear, and with what we thought was the deftness of a magician, we used our best sleight of hand to hide our first duck in a plant.
Then we retreated to a table nearby to see what would happen.
Within minutes, a young boy of about 4 or 5 came running across the piazza, holding a rubber treasure in his hands, running towards his mom and yelling, “DUCK!”. The look of sheer joy on his face was priceless.“
From that point on, Kelly knew that ducks were going to play a huge part in her cruising future, and she said that while Alaska itself was amazing, it was the moments of “ducky delight” that really made the trip so unforgettable.
Convincing the reluctant
While Kelly took to the hobby very quickly, her husband wasn’t quite so sure at first. Describing it as “the silliest thing he ever heard”, he was far from convinced.
Kelly, husband Dave, and Captain Heikki Laakkonen onboard Sky Princess
But Kelly got him to join in on their next cruise, taking turns hiding the ducks on the ship. They witnessed a group of ladies getting excited over one of the ducks they found, and then saw a delighted toddler playing with their own new ducky friend, looking absolutely delighted.
It wasn’t until they were chatting with some other guests later in the day that Kelly knew she’d completely won her husband over, though.
“Later that day, we were in a lounge, talking to some newfound friends when Dave mentioned hiding ducks. The group came alive! Everyone wanted a duck. My husband, who had initially thought the idea was silly, was now enthusiastically sharing the joy of duck hiding with our new friends. He had become a full-fledged ‘Quackpot,’ spreading happiness and laughter wherever he went.
Seeing him transform from a skeptic to a passionate duck hider was heartwarming. It reminded me that sometimes the simplest, silliest things can bring the most joy and connection. Now, hiding ducks has become a special adventure we share, creating unforgettable memories together.“
The power of a duck
It may seem like a trivial or silly activity, to hide ducks or to give them out. But as many cruise guests know, it’s a lot of fun and can actually be a great way to boost someone’s mood, cheering people up with a little bit of light-hearted happiness.
And Kelly told me about one of the more memorable reactions to the ducks that she could remember:
“One time we were disembarking at a port, and we saw a young woman in the elevator bay with her parents. She was lying in a padded wheelchair, mostly staring blankly into the air. My husband asked her folks if it would be okay to give her a duck, to which they happily replied, “YES.”
My husband handed her a duck, and her smile grew HUGE. In that instant, we watched as this seemingly absent young woman became animated and full of life. She held up her prize and gleefully yelled, “DUCK!” showing it to every person she passed by.
It was one of the most touching moments we’ve ever experienced. The pure joy and excitement that little duck brought to her were truly heartwarming. Her parents’ eyes welled up with tears, and we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotion too.“
Cruising Quackers – born from a passion
Kelly enjoyed two cruises of hiding ducks before deciding she wanted something to show off her love for the hobby. And while there were plenty of t-shirts she could’ve ordered, they weren’t her style. So she designed her own shirt instead.
This sparked a lot of interest onboard, with strangers asking where they could get one. So Kelly made the design available online and it sold out immediately. She designed a few more shirts, and they were equally popular.
So, Kelly realised she had a business opportunity, and Cruising Quackers was born. Her website is dedicated to selling a range of apparel and accessories that duck-hiding fans can wear during their cruises.
It includes a wide range of clothing, including blouses, Hawaiian shirts, hoodies, t-shirts and even socks, and plenty of accessory options too such as tumblers, messenger bags, door signs and duck-themed shoes.
Plus, there had to be ducks available to buy too. And there are hundreds of styles available, ideal for hiding on cruises and spreading joy to other passengers.
“I often get ideas from fellow Quackers during our duck exchanges and through feedback in our Facebook group. Seeing what brings joy to others sparks my creativity. I also stay attuned to trends and themes in the cruising world and beyond, which helps me design products that resonate with our audience.
Moreover, my own experiences and adventures play a big role… For example, our ‘Cruising Quackers Duck Detective Agency’ T-shirt was inspired by watching two brothers on a duck hunt on the Lido deck calling themselves Duck Detectives.”
Kelly has several items that are among her favourites, including the “Get Lucky, Find a Ducky” t-shirt and the “Ahoy Ducky” tumbler, but her absolute favourite design is the Ducky Royal Blue Hawaiian, which features on her own blouse, her husband’s Hawaiian shirt, and several accessories she uses every day.
Hiding ducks – tips and tales
Kelly describes how each duck-hiding mission begins with the first step, which is choosing the right ducks for the cruise. Depending on the holiday or destination, she’ll select ducks that are themed and relevant among her batch, and then add tags that are personalised.
Then, when onboard, it’s time to hide the ducks. Kelly avoids shops, pools, hot tubs and bathrooms to prevent misunderstandings or accidents, instead focussing on places like elevators, stairwells, arcades, kiosks, gyms or other public areas that are eye-catching.
“We often start our mission during quieter times, like late nights or early mornings, when there are fewer people around. This makes it easier to hide the ducks without being spotted. As we explore the ship, we carry a few ducks with us, ready to seize any opportunity to hide them.“
Duck Hiding Tips!
Kelly offers these key tips and tricks for first-time duck hiders to help them get started:
1. Start small
Begin with a manageable number of ducks, like 20 or 30. This way, you won’t feel overwhelmed, and you’ll get a feel for how the process works.
2. Personalise your tags
You can buy tags and fill them out by hand, or you can use free, customizable tags from the files section of the Cruising Quackers group.
Make sure your tags include essential information like “Keep or Hide, You Decide,” “#CruisingQuackers,” and “No shops, Pools, Hot tubs or bathrooms, Public areas only.”
You can also add your name, sailing date, ship name, and hometown for a personal touch.
3. Choose Your Hiding Spots Wisely
Avoid shopping areas, pools, hot tubs, and bathrooms to prevent misunderstandings or accidents. Don’t place your ducks anywhere that would be a safety issue to retrieve.
Stick to public spaces like small ledges, visible spots, or areas that blend with the ship’s decor. Elevators, stairwells, arcades, signage, kiosks, customer service desks, open areas, and gyms are great places to consider. You don’t have to make them overly hard to find; the joy is in the discovery.
4. Enjoy the Reactions
Watching people find the ducks is the best part. Whether it’s a child’s delight or an adult’s surprise, the joy and excitement make all the planning and effort worthwhile.
5. Engage with the Community
Join the Cruising Quackers Facebook group to share your experiences, get tips, and connect with other duck enthusiasts. You’ll find a supportive and fun community ready to help and inspire you.
6. Have Fun
Remember, the main goal is to spread joy and have a great time. Enjoy the process, and don’t worry too much about being perfect.
7. Keep an Eye Out
While you’re hiding ducks, also keep an eye out for ducks hidden by others. It’s a fun way to see how creative other Quackers can be and adds to the excitement.
8. Post Your Finds
If you find a duck, decide whether to keep it or rehide it. Take a photo and share it in the Cruising Quackers group with the tag information. This helps track the ducks and adds to the communal fun.
The duck-hiding community now, and in the future
Kelly has watched the duck-hiding community grow a lot since she first became interested, with even the cruise lines getting involved.
Royal Caribbean has held its own duck hunt, Effy Jewelry stores onboard ships sometimes hide ducks that can be returned for a prize, and John Heald even got his own custom duck made.
In March 2025 there’ll be the first ever Quack-tastic Duckers Cruise that will feature many of the most renowned duck enthusiasts from the world of cruise, with events including duck exchanges, classes on blinging ducks and more.
Kelly describes how, on every cruise, she arrangers her own duck exchange on the first sea day to swap stories and ducks, where she’ll also give out a Taste of Quack gift bag to newbies containing three ducks along with tags.
A duck exchange on a cruise
She’s gained the nickname of “The Duck Lady” thanks to her iconic clothing and clogs, and the community spirit she’s helped to build. It’s a nickname that she “absolutely loves” and she has made many cruise friends thanks to the hobby.
“One memorable exchange happened on a cruise to the Caribbean. I met a lovely couple from Australia who had traveled all the way just for the ducking fun. They brought beautifully hand-painted ducks, each one a tiny work of art. We instantly clicked and spent the rest of the cruise sharing meals, exploring ports, and of course, hiding more ducks together.“
She even uses ducks to thank the medical staff who look after her father, saying how they can brighten up their day and show some personalised gratitude for their hard work.
As for the future?
Kelly predicts even more innovation and imagination in the way ducks are designed, including with 3D printing, crocheted ducks, and even more ideas for painted or blinged ducks.
Kelly is happy to be involved in the community, helping people to get more creative. And she sees the duck trend spreading beyond cruises too – we’re already seeing events like rubber duck races, or cheerleading ducks or ducks placed on Jeeps. It’s only going to get bigger and bigger!
A huge thank you to Kelly May for taking the time to be interviewed. You can visit Cruising Quackers to order clothing, accessories and rubber ducks. Most products are available for customers in the UK, US and Canada, though rubber ducks are only available in the US due to shipping costs for now.
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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.
Carnival drinks packages are super popular, but as well as the perks, there are some pitfalls. Before you cruise, be sure that you know this essential info to avoid any hidden charges.
1. Purchase the Cheers package before your cruise to save 10%
When planning your Carnival cruise, it’s a good idea to purchase the Cheers drink package in advance. Doing so will net you a $5 per day discount compared to purchasing it onboard. It’s a no-brainer!
Buy on website
Buy on ship
6 days or more
$70.74
$76.64
5 days or less
$82.54
$88.44
2. Compare the cost of a drink package vs. paying for individual drinks
Before opting for any package, do the math. Consider how many drinks you might consume daily and compare that with the cost of the package.
Sometimes, if you’re a light drinker or particular about your drink choices, paying as you go might be more economical.
You can see Carnival’s drinks menus and prices here. But if that sounds like too much hard work, just use my free drink package calculator. It’ll do the sums for you.
3. If you don’t drink alcohol, don’t get the Cheers package
The Cheers package is best suited for those who enjoy both alcoholic and speciality non-alcoholic beverages. If you mostly drink sodas, the Bottomless Bubbles package will probably be a better fit.
It’s virtually impossible to get your money’s worth from the Cheers package if you don’t drink alcohol.
4. Don’t worry about the gratuity!
The cost of Carnival’s drink packages used to be advertised without the gratuity, so they looked a lot cheaper – the lowest price was from $59.95 per day.
However, laws changed in early 2024 which meant that cruise lines could get in trouble advertising prices without extra fees included in certain US states. For ease, they just decided to update all of their prices to include the gratuity.
So the prices above are the prices you’ll pay – there are no extra fees on top that you need to worry about, like there would’ve been previously.
5. Be aware of local taxes when in US waters
When you use the Cheers package while the ship is docked or in US waters, local state taxes may apply. This is usually an extra 10% on the price of each drink whether you have the package or not, so you’ll want to be mindful of this while budgeting.
6. Don’t go crazy on the first night if you’re sailing from Texas or New York
For cruises departing from Texas or New York, the Cheers package isn’t activated until the second day. So, pace yourself on the first night, as any drinks consumed will be charged individually.
Sure, have some drinks and a good time. But know that if you decide to drink 15 beers on the first night, your bill will be about $120. And that’s a lot more than the package.
7. Discuss with the people in your stateroom before you buy
If you want the Cheers package, then every adult in the same stateroom must purchase the same package. It’s crucial to discuss with your roommates and ensure everyone is on board with the idea before purchasing.
8. Don’t share drinks
Sharing is caring, but not when it comes to the Cheers package. Sharing drinks can lead to potential penalties, including the possible deactivation of your drink package without a refund.
9. Know exactly what’s included in your package
The Cheers package includes:
Cocktails
Spirits
Beer by the glass
Wine by the glass
Sodas
Zero-proof frozen cocktails
Energy drinks
Milkshakes
Smoothies
Juices
Specialty coffees
Hot tea
Bottled water (500ml)
Other non-alcoholic bottled drinks
The Bottomless Bubbles package includes:
Fountain soda by the glass (16 oz)
Juice by the glass (10 oz)
If you order anything except for these drinks, you’ll have to pay for it. I’ll explain some of these that you may not have thought of further along in this guide.
10. Ask your room attendant to empty your mini bar
When you first board your Carnival cruise, you may be tempted to dive into the mini bar in your room. But, it’s important to know that the Cheers package doesn’t cover mini bar items. These drinks and snacks come at an additional cost, and they can quickly add up.
To avoid the temptation and any accidental extra charges, consider asking your room attendant to empty the mini bar on your arrival day. This will not only provide clarity on what drinks are covered under your package but also give you extra storage space in your cabin refrigerator. This comes in handy, especially if you’ve brought along beverages, like the allowable 12-pack of soft drinks or your bottle of wine.
11. Try Carnival’s unique speciality cocktails
Carnival offers a range of speciality cocktails unique to the cruise line. With the Cheers package, make it a point to try them out. It’s a fun way to enhance your cruising experience. And if you don’t like one, it doesn’t matter, you don’t have to finish it!
Carnival ships have some really cool cocktail bars like the Alchemy Bar on Carnival Celebration or the Amari Bar on Carnival Venezia. So your cruise is the perfect time to try a cocktail that you’ve never had before. Like this pineapple rum negroni?
12. Order wine by the glass
Wine is only included in the Cheers package if you buy it by the glass. So don’t order a bottle and don’t use the self-service wine machines either as these will be chargeable.
13. Take advantage of the 25% discount on spirits, wine, or champagne over $20.00 and bottled wines
On some cruise ships, if you order a drink that costs more than the package limit you’ll have to pay for the whole drink. Luckily, that’s not the case with Carnival cruises.
If you’re looking to indulge in a high-end spirit or wine, the Cheers package offers a 25% discount for any beverage priced over $20. This is a great way to enjoy luxury drinks at a reduced price.
14. Don’t order fishbowls
Fishbowls or shared cocktails are not included in the Cheers package. Ordering one would mean paying for it separately, so it’s best to avoid them if you want to make the most of your package.
15. Avoid beverages sold in souvenir glasses
Drinks served in souvenir glasses come with an additional charge, even if the drink itself is included in the Cheers package. To avoid surprise costs, stick to standard glassware.
16. Know how to get around the 15-drink limit
If you have the Cheers package, Carnival limits you to 15 alcoholic drinks in any 24-hour period (6 am until 6 am). For most people, this isn’t a problem. But if you start the day with breakfast mimosas and move on to easy-to-drink beverages like bottles of beer, you may find that you want more than 15.
To prevent guests from consuming too much, Carnival’s system means that it’s not possible for them to serve you any more alcohol once you’ve had your 15 drinks – even if you pay for it.
But what if you want more than that? Well, one method that’s discussed on cruise forums is to wait until you get close to the limit, and then buy one of the larger drinks that’s not included in the package. This could be a bottle of wine, bucket of beers or a fishbowl.
17. Drink as many non-alcoholic beverages as you like
One of the benefits of the Cheers package is that non-alcoholic drinks are unlimited. This includes sodas, mocktails, and speciality coffees, allowing you to hydrate and enjoy a variety without worrying about additional charges.
18. Bring your own wine and soft drinks
Carnival allows each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne and/or 12 cans or cartons of soft drinks onboard. Even if you have the drink package, it can be a good idea to do this.
Remember, that the mini bar in your room isn’t included in the package. So if you want to enjoy a drink on your balcony or while getting ready to head out for the evening, it can be nice to grab something from the fridge in your room without having to go out and line up at a bar.
19. Ask the bartender or server for clarification on drink package rules you’re not sure
If you’re ever uncertain about what’s included in your package or have questions about specific drinks, don’t hesitate to ask the onboard staff. They’re there to help and ensure you have a fantastic cruising experience.
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See the latest Carnival cruise offers…
The bottom line
If you’re savvy, a drink package can be the perfect way to enjoy as many drinks as you want on your cruise, while saving money. But, as you’ve seen, there are a few things to be aware of.
If you’re still not sure whether a drink package is a good idea, be sure to grab my Carnival drink package calculator before deciding whether to buy it or not…
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
I just returned from a whirlwind trip through the Mekong Delta, and let me tell you, it was incredible! I took the Mekong Princess Cruise stretching towards the horizon, bustling floating markets, and serene boat rides along hidden canals. The whole place has this laid-back vibe that seeps right into your soul.
I spent three days and two nights on a 5-star RV Mekong Princess cruise. The ship is more like a boutique hotel on water. It cleverly blends French colonial design with hints of Khmer culture. You can imagine them as intricate carvings that whispered of ancient temples, offset by the clean lines of European architecture.
Whether you are a seasoned adventurer or just looking for a relaxing escape, the Mekong Delta has something for you. Buckle up, because I am about to share all my travel tips, hidden gems, and maybe a few hilarious mishaps along the way.
How much does it cost?
To have this perfect trip, it took me days and nights to go through reviews about Mekong River cruises. Finally, I got my 3-day trip for just US $1032 per pax for a super luxurious suite called Saigon Suite.
Each cruise package includes a transfer from your hotel to the cruise port, in-suite accommodation, dining, entertainment onboard, and offboard excursions. However, please note that massage service and champagne will be excluded from the package. For those who feel more than three days are needed, there are different itineraries lasting from 4 to 8 days for you to explore.
You may wonder, “How can it be so cheap?”. The tip is to book a Mekong Princess cruise tour at www.bestpricetravel.com. With a discounted promotion of 35% off, there are five cabin classes with the lowest price of US $731.
How do I get to the Mekong Princess Cruise?
To reach the anchor point, we must be at the cruise port at 05 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Ward 13, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. If you want to be picked up, please give your hotel address, and the driver will be there. You need to get ready between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to avoid being late for the embarkation time. As you are at the port, an electric cart will transfer you to the ship.
What is the 3-day-2-night cruise like?
We will explore rustic sights, uncover hidden gems, and delve into the local experiences that make the Mekong Delta unique. So buckle up, because we are finding out what will await you on the 3-day, 2-night cruise from Saigon to Can Tho.
Day 1: Saigon Port – Mekong Delta – Sunset Canape
Once I got on the Mekong Princess Cruise, everyone fully gathered at the Ramvong Lounge. The crew started with a warm greeting and provided us with information and safety instructions.
As the cruise departed, we had our first lunch onboard. Seating a maximum of 30 guests, the Indochine restaurant fosters a friendly and personalized atmosphere. The restaurant offers a combination of buffet-style and a-la-carte meals, focusing on the advantages of Western food. I tried Ham baguette with Raisins and banana cakes, and they were extraordinary.
We then took a room tour around the Saigon Suite. It has an area of 24 m2 and is decorated with Vietnamese influence. Our room has the theme of Empress Nam Phuong, the last empress consort of Vietnam. The suite has sophisticated facilities and two twin-sized beds, suitable for two friends. I also loved the en-suite bathroom, as it was airy and had a window with a view of the majestic riverscape.
In the afternoon, we sailed through the Saigon River, Soai Rap River, Nuoc Man Canal, Vam Co River, and the Cho Gao Canal to reach the ‘Mighty Mekong River’. While passing the Cho Gao Canal, I was very excited. Instead of cars and trucks, I was dodging rustic wooden boats. It was a beautiful chaos, a microcosm of everything the Mekong Delta represents.
After spending all afternoon onboard, I checked out the gym, and it was beyond my expectations. Although there was not so much equipment, it was all high-quality. I could work out while gazing out at the ever-changing Mekong Delta scenery.
At twilight, we had a sunset canape and port talk. At the Ramvong Lounge, the host briefly informed us about the second day’s program. Then, we had a traditional Vietnamese ‘a la carte dinner. This was my first time attending such a royal-style dinner with dishes perfect for even the most discerning palates.
Day 2: Tan Phong Island – Can Tho
We started our second day with a colorful breakfast. Fresh fruits and dried sweets were used as toppings for cereals and yogurt. You can also mix them with bread and jam. If you need a nutritious meal with high protein, just order an English breakfast. It would include bacon and some bread.
Our first outdoor activity was to get on sampans through a channel lined with mangroves to visit Tan Phong Island. This island has a tradition of making coconut products like candy, oil, souvenirs, and kitchen utensils. I like those items because they are environmentally friendly and tasty. We enjoyed the yummy sweets while acknowledging the history of coconut candy and how to make it.
After the workshop, we boarded a small boat to go to a narrow creek highlighted with Nipah palm lines. As we went ashore, we got on a unique ride with the grand name Lambro 555 called ‘Xe Loi”. We moved to a local village to see the making of wood to build houses and the raising of cocks for fighting – a typical culture in Western Vietnam. Looking at how these cocks were specially raised made me want to see their fights very much.
Our morning ended, and we returned to the small boat, where the staff refreshed us with fresh coconut water and unique fruits like pineapples. As we got on the ship after the long walk on the dirty road, the crew staff carefully helped us clean our shoes.
In the afternoon, the cruise sailed through an untouched area with little tourism to reach the riverside capital of the Mekong Delta – Can Tho City. We went to the Ramvong Lounge for complimentary drinks while enjoying the picturesque sunset. There was also a spa with professional staff who could help you heal your spiritual mind and body immediately.
After a tasteful dinner, we boarded a sampan to visit Ninh Kieu night market. Ninh Kieu is like two markets in one. One side is a shopper’s paradise overflowing with colorful clothes, handcrafted souvenirs, and sparkling jewelry. The other half is dotted with dozens of mobile stalls serving steaming plates of local specialties.
Day 3: Cai Rang Floating Market – Disembarkation
It was our final day, and we needed to wake up early to enjoy the bustling life of the famous market here. We started with a continental breakfast filled with colorful fruits, cheese, bread, and jam. I think the cruise should diversify breakfast dishes instead of serving these sweets.
At about 7:30, we boarded the sampan to arrive at the Cai Rang floating market. Plenty of boats were selling individual fruits, breakfast, and coffee. Some people approached our boat to offer the products. Life here was so unique and exciting! I even saw entire families live on their boats.
We then landed and had a market tour before visiting the ‘Hu tieu’ manufacturer – a typical west side food. At the factory, I could see colorful Hu Tieu with different flavors. Our final destination for this trip was Zi Huang Pagoda with a greeting ‘Lion dance’ performance. The architecture reflects Chinese influences, with intricate carvings and upside-down roofs decorated with dragon statues. Stepping through the grand entrance, you’ll immerse yourself in a world of spiritual symbolism and cultural heritage.
In a nutshell
The Mekong Delta has woven its magic spell on me. The bustling water life and fresh fruits made me yearn to live here forever. Also, thanks to BestPrice Travel, we experienced 5-star services on a Mekong River Cruise at an affordable price. If you want an adventure that will challenge your senses and touch your soul, look no further than the Mekong Delta.
Carnival onboard credit (OBC) is money loaded onto your Sail & Sign account that pays for extras on your cruise, such as gratuities, specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, Wi-Fi and drinks. It cannot be put toward your cruise fare, taxes or port fees, and most promotional credit is non-refundable, so any balance left at the end of the sailing is simply lost. The smartest move is to point it at costs you would pay anyway, starting with daily gratuities.
Below we explain the different kinds of Carnival onboard credit, the main ways to earn it in 2026, where it works best, what it will not cover, and how to keep track of your balance so none of it goes to waste.
What Is Carnival Onboard Credit?
Onboard credit is a dollar amount attached to an individual booking and applied to your shipboard account, which Carnival calls Sail & Sign. Every purchase you make on the ship, from a cappuccino to a massage, is charged to that account. When credit is present, those charges are paid from the credit first and only the remainder lands on your credit card or cash deposit.
OBC is tied to the stateroom or guest it was issued to. Carnival’s promotional terms describe most offers as non-transferable, and they state that the credit may not be applied to cruise fare, required cruise fees and expenses, or government taxes and fees. In other words, OBC is for spending once your trip is paid for, not for lowering the price of the trip itself.
Refundable vs Non-Refundable OBC
Not all credit behaves the same way, and knowing which type you hold changes how you should spend it.
Bought by you, friends or family at carnival.com/cruise-cash
No
Forfeited (Carnival calls it “use it or lose it”)
Refundable funds
Your own cash deposit, Carnival gift cards applied onboard
Yes, or returned as a new gift card
Refunded; unused gift card value is mailed back as a new card
Your account generally applies non-refundable credit to charges before refundable money, which works in your favour. If you are unsure which bucket your credit sits in, Guest Services can show you a breakdown of your balance.
How to Get Carnival Onboard Credit
There are more routes to OBC than most first-time cruisers realise. These are the main ones for Carnival sailings in 2026.
Booking promotions. Carnival’s sales often include “up to” a set amount of onboard credit, with larger amounts usually reserved for balconies and suites. Compare these offers when you shop our roundup of the best cruise deals for 2027.
Travel agents. Many agencies add their own OBC on top of Carnival’s offer. It costs nothing to ask an agent what they can include before you book direct.
Lowest Price Guarantee. If you find a lower Carnival-advertised price for the same cruise and submit a claim within 48 hours of booking, Carnival’s terms say the difference is paid as non-refundable onboard credit.
Carnival Rewards milestones. Carnival Rewards replaced the VIFP Club on 1 September 2026. Under the new programme, onboard credit is part of the milestone rewards tied to days sailed (50 days, 100 days and every 100 days after), and members can also redeem points toward things like excursions, spa treatments and specialty dining.
Future Cruise and rebooking offers. Booking your next sailing while onboard, or through the post-cruise rebooking window, frequently comes with a small OBC bonus per stateroom.
Shareholder benefit. Owners of at least 100 shares of Carnival Corporation can claim OBC per stateroom: $50 on sailings of six days or fewer, $100 on seven to 13 days and $250 on 14 days or more. Claims must be submitted ahead of the cruise, and this credit has its own restrictions, so read the current rules on the Carnival Corporation website.
Cruise Cash and gift cards. You or others can buy Cruise Cash in $25 to $100 amounts up to two days before debarkation. Carnival gift cards can pay toward your fare or be added to your onboard account, and buying them at a discount is one of the easiest ways to stretch your budget. Our guide on how to buy discounted Carnival gift cards explains where to look and the pitfalls to avoid.
Casino offers. Regular casino players sometimes receive mailed offers that include free or discounted cruises and onboard credit. These are targeted, so there is no guarantee you will qualify.
Specialty dining is one of the most popular ways to spend onboard credit. Photo: Phát Trương on Pexels
The Best Ways to Use Carnival Onboard Credit
The golden rule is simple: spend your credit on things you were going to buy anyway. That turns OBC into real savings rather than an excuse to buy extras you did not need.
1. Gratuities (the safest bet)
Carnival adds a daily gratuity to every guest’s account. For sailings departing on or after 2 April 2026, the rate is $17 per person per day in interior, ocean view and balcony staterooms, and $19 per person per day in suites. For two people on a seven-night balcony cruise, that is $238 before you buy a single drink. If you have not prepaid gratuities, most promotional OBC will cover them automatically as they post, which makes this the most reliable way to use credit in full.
2. Specialty dining
Steakhouse dinners, sushi, teppanyaki and Italian specialty restaurants all charge to Sail & Sign, as do many à la carte venues. A single specialty dinner for two can absorb a typical promotional credit in one evening.
3. Spa treatments and thermal suites
Massages, facials and thermal suite passes can be paid with OBC. If you are weighing up whether to book a spa cabin for the extra perks, read our look at whether Carnival Cloud 9 Spa rooms are worth it before you spend.
4. Shore excursions
Carnival-booked excursions can be paid for with onboard credit. Some guests prefer to pre-book online so popular tours do not sell out and then let the credit offset the charge once onboard; check how your particular credit applies before you sail.
5. Drinks and drink packages
Bar tabs, specialty coffees and soft drink packages all draw on OBC. Bottomless Bubbles rose to $11.99 per day for adults in 2026, plus the service charge, so a soda package can eat through credit quickly on longer sailings.
6. Wi-Fi, photos and laundry
Internet plans, professional photo packages and laundry services can usually be charged to your account, so they are good homes for any credit left late in the cruise. On a few older ships with coin-operated launderettes, laundry may not be payable this way.
7. Onboard shops
The ship’s boutiques accept Sail & Sign charges, so leftover credit on the final night can go toward souvenirs, sundries or toiletries you would otherwise buy at home. Prices are not always better than on land, so treat this as a last resort.
What Carnival Onboard Credit Cannot Be Used For
Your cruise fare, taxes, port fees or required cruise fees. Carnival’s promotional terms rule these out.
Cash. Promotional OBC and Cruise Cash have no cash value and cannot be withdrawn at Guest Services.
Future cruises. Credit is valid for one sailing only and does not roll over.
Casino cash-outs. Rules depend on the type of credit. Some credit, including shareholder OBC, cannot be used in the casino, and where play is allowed you can only cash out winnings, not the credit itself. Ask the casino host before you sit down.
Gratuities, in some cases. Shareholder credit is reported to exclude gratuity charges, and specialty products such as Cruise Cash Bar or Cruise Cash Photo only cover their own category.
Onshore spending. Anything you buy in port with your own card is outside your Sail & Sign account.
Checking your balance in the app early in the cruise helps you spot missing credit. Photo: FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫ on Pexels
How to Check Your Onboard Credit Balance
Before you sail, your OBC should appear in your booking details on carnival.com, often in the invoice or booking summary for each stateroom. Once onboard, open the Carnival HUB app, connect to the ship’s network and look for your Sail & Sign account or charges section, which lists purchases and credits applied. You can also visit Guest Services or an onboard kiosk for a printed statement that separates refundable and non-refundable amounts.
It is worth checking on the first day. If an expected travel agent or promotional credit is missing, it is far easier to sort out early in the cruise than on the last night.
What Happens to Unused Carnival Onboard Credit?
Non-refundable OBC and Cruise Cash are forfeited when the cruise ends. There is no refund, no transfer to a cabinmate in another stateroom and no carry-over to your next booking. Refundable money, such as a cash deposit, is returned, and leftover value from Carnival gift cards applied onboard is typically sent back as a new gift card.
A useful habit that most guides skip: on the second-to-last day, check your balance against the gratuities still to post. Because gratuities are charged daily, you can work out exactly how much credit remains after the final day’s tips and then spend only the true surplus, rather than guessing and either leaving money behind or overshooting onto your card.
If you are expecting a large credit, read our guide on whether to prepay Carnival gratuities before you decide, because onboard credit generally can’t be used to prepay them.
FAQs
Can you use onboard credit for gratuities on Carnival?
Yes, most promotional Carnival onboard credit covers the daily gratuities if you have not prepaid them. Shareholder credit is a common exception, so check the type of credit you have.
How do I get onboard credit with Carnival?
The main sources are booking promotions, travel agent offers, the Lowest Price Guarantee, Carnival Rewards milestones, Future Cruise rebooking offers, the Carnival Corporation shareholder benefit and purchased Cruise Cash.
Can you use Carnival onboard credit in the casino?
It depends on the credit type. Some credit cannot be used in the casino at all, and where it can, only winnings can be cashed out. Confirm with the casino host first.
How many Carnival shares do I need to get onboard credit?
You need at least 100 shares of Carnival Corporation. The benefit is $50 for cruises of six days or fewer, $100 for seven to 13 days and $250 for 14 days or more, per stateroom.
Does Carnival onboard credit expire?
Yes. Non-refundable OBC is only valid for the sailing it was issued for and is forfeited at the end of the cruise.
Traveling the world is always at the top of our to-do list. Seeing all the sights, experiencing the wonders of the world, and experiencing new things are the best ways to spend those all-important holiday days. There’s nothing like exploring a new country to invoke a new lust for life.
However, seeing everything you want to see could take a bit of time. Flights and other forms of travel can be time-consuming, but there is a great way to see everything you want to see all at once.
Best activities to do on a cruise
Cruises can be a great way to explore a particular country or part of the world. Most of the traveling happens at night so you can wake up in a new place.
Check out the pool
Although the ocean might surround you for much of your time on a cruise, you rarely get to enjoy it. This might be a shame for most, but it’s more than made up for by the sheer number of pools most cruise ships have.
Of course, the pools will differ depending on the ship you’re traveling on, but they’re all going to give you the taste of relaxation that you’re after. There is usually a kid’s pool with slides and water features. And then the more grown up pool for adults to swim in or hang out whilst enjoying the water.
See what games there are in the arcade
When gaming at home, you might be on sites like BonusFinder Canada to get the best gaming deals. But there’s no need to game online on a cruise, as you’ll typically find a casino on board.
If you’re looking to while away a few hours before dinner or fancy a quick game before bed, you can always hop along to the casino. There are always many games to choose from, so you know you’ll be able to find something you enjoy.
There could also be a kid’s arcade that you can check out. Arcades aren’t just for kids; anyone can enjoy a game of air hockey or Mario Kart on a cruise! It’s a great way to get your favorite entertainment while on board a cruise ship.
Enjoy the entertainment
One of the best things about cruise ships is all the entertainment opportunities. There are shows on every night to keep you entertained in the evening. There are also opportunities to get involved with activities on a cruise ship during the day.
You could take a dancing lesson on deck or try out a water polo activity in the water. There are always numerous forms of entertainment to get involved with and keep you occupied at sea.
Many cruise ships will have shopping malls and cinema rooms that you can enjoy yourself in, too. If you get an overcast day or you’ve had your fill of the sun deck, you can cozy up and check out the newest releases.
Relax and unwind in the spa
While this might not apply to all cruise ships, most do have access to a spa. Nothing could be more relaxing than getting a mani-pedi or a massage while sailing out in the open ocean.
You don’t need to worry about your manicure chipping or your haircut not looking its best. Simply make an appointment at the spa and feel like yourself again.
And it’s not just for beauty treatments. A sauna or steam room has many health benefits – especially if you’ve had a glass of wine or two the previous evening!
Try out some water sports activities
Being out at sea and having access to pools means lots of room for water-based activities. Whether it’s something as small as a diving lesson or as big as learning to surf on the wave machine in the pool, there’s plenty of time to learn a new skill, so you might as well use it!
Another great way to pass the time on a cruise is to plan your adventures once you get to the next destination. You don’t always get a lot of time at each stop, so it’s imperative to ensure you have a game plan to fit everything in.
Even small things like where the best restaurants are can be helpful when you’re making a plan. You might also want to know whether they shut for a siesta hour!
There are so many activities to try out on a cruise, but what’s at the top of your list?
Here are some important and unusual cruise tips you might not find on any other list. Cruise lines won’t tell you these.
Unusual Cruise Tips
A good travel agent might but it would not be negligent of them to keep these tips to themselves. Only the most trusted of friends will let you in on these tips, if they know about them.
Be careful flossing
Or just skip it unless you’re on a really long cruise. Either that or bring along an emergency dental care kit if you have anything other than original teeth in your head. Crowns, bridgework, fillings, all love to jump out of your mouth at sea. Yes, the ship’s medical center can help but do see #3 below for more information.
It is going to cost more than you thought
This is nothing to be scared of but to say a cruise is “all-inclusive” is stretching it a bit. While we have done cruises and not spent any money onboard (one cruise and it was tough) We have also spent more on ‘extras’ than the cruise fare. Passing up onboard spending can mean losing out on some rich experiences through shore excursions, spa treatments and other optional elements.
Travel Insurance Reimburses You
Nobody mentions this and while it is in the written details of your policy a trip to the medical center is going to cost you up front, then reimbursed later. Be sure to get receipts, the names of those providing assistance and keep a journal of your experience. Travel insurance is almost always secondary coverage. That’s also good to know if considering the travel protection provided by your credit card, when it is used to buy travel; also secondary coverage.
Some Extras Are Hard To Avoid
The big one is “gratuities” which are conveniently charged to passenger onboard accounts every day, for their convenience. This can be a good thing if that’s what you want to have happen. In fact, on many lines you can pre-pay this amount before boarding. If you think that a gratuity is a show of appreciation for a job well done, think again. These things go on your bill automatically which kind of spoils the fun of it all.
Behave, You Can Get Kicked Off The Ship
Cruise lines, more specifically, the Captain (aka “master of the vessel”) have the right to put you off the ship at the next port without a refund or way back home if you misbehave. That could mean something as innocent as an argument with a fellow gambler in the casino. Fact check: ‘walking the plank’ never was an option on a cruise vacation.
Kids Can buy Booze
If they try hard enough, your teenage children can find a way to get it on the ship. One popular method is paying double price for a bucket of beer, in cash, to an adult looking for slot-machine money. Another is buying it ashore in Mexico where the legal drinking age is “whoever has money” then sneak it back on the ship, also easy to do. My simple rule when we had teens “Don’t do anything that would require me to talk to security or identify your body” That aside, a cruise truly does have something for everyone; even angst-filled teens.
The Critical First Night Kids Meeting
This is critical, especially with those teens. The first night decides the social order and defines who hangs out with who in supplement to any informal hookups they may have made up to that point. Missing this important social opportunity dooms your kids to being outsiders and robs them of the chance to be cool; akin to losing a limb for adults.
Actually, Any Cruise Can Be A Booze Cruise
While we’re on the subject, short cruise sailings have a bad rap for being the binge-drinkers itinerary of choice. I’ve seen those same sloppy drunks on just about every ship I have ever sailed on. One cruise line is not necessarily better than another in this area.
Tell The Captain “Thank You”
You will hear him referred to as “the Master of the vessel” and that is exactly what he is; the top dog. If you see him walking about the ship, make eye contact and if the opportunity presents itself, shake his hand and thank him for the marvelous ship you are sailing on.
It’s Tempting But Don’t Bring Your Own Toilet Paper
Using vacuum systems to dispose of human waste is a bit tricky. Think of going to the drive-in bank teller and the vacuum tubes used to collect and give money. It’s basically the same system on a cruise ship and only toilet paper made especially for use with the system will do. Unfortunately, this toilet paper is not part of the Charmin Ultra Soft Boutique Collection. Bringing your own might seem like a good idea until you get the bill for repairing the toilet system you broke.
Plan Your Trip?
Need help planning a trip? Check out these helpful links:
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Royal Caribbean has seven active ship classes: Icon, Oasis, Quantum (including Quantum Ultra), Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision. Ships in the same class share a hull design, size and most of their signature features, so knowing the Royal Caribbean ship classes is the quickest way to narrow down which ship suits you. An eighth class, Discovery, is on order for late 2029.
Below, each class is explained: its ships, build years, size, signature features and who it suits. If you only want every ship ranked by gross tonnage, see our Royal Caribbean ships by size comparison chart instead.
Royal Caribbean ship classes at a glance
The table below summarizes the classes from largest to smallest. Guest numbers are at double occupancy (two per cabin); ships can carry more when third and fourth berths are filled. Gross tonnage (GT) measures internal volume, not weight, and figures vary slightly between sources and after refits.
Class
Ships in service
Years built
Approx. GT
Guests (double occ.)
Best known for
Icon
3 (+4 on order)
2024-2026
248,000-250,800
about 5,610
Category 6 waterpark, AquaDome, Surfside family area
Oasis
6 (+1 on order)
2009-2024
225,000-236,000
about 5,480-5,730
Central Park, Boardwalk, AquaTheater, Ultimate Abyss
Quantum / Quantum Ultra
5
2014-2021
167,000-169,400
about 4,180-4,250
North Star, RipCord by iFLY, SeaPlex, Two70
Freedom
3
2006-2008
154,000-156,300
about 3,800-3,930
Long Royal Promenade, FlowRider, ice rink
Voyager
5
1999-2003
137,000-140,000
about 3,100-3,600
The original Royal Promenade, ice skating
Radiance
4
2001-2004
about 90,000
about 2,140-2,190
Floor-to-ceiling glass, exterior glass elevators
Vision
4
1996-1998
74,000-83,000
about 2,000-2,250
Classic, smaller-ship feel, Centrum atrium
In short, newer classes are bigger and carry more headline attractions; older, smaller classes trade thrill rides for shorter lines and access to smaller ports.
Icon class (2024 onwards)
Ships: Icon of the Seas (January 2024), Star of the Seas (August 2025) and Legend of the Seas (July 2026). Hero of the Seas is due in 2027, with three more unnamed Icon-class ships planned for 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Size: roughly 248,000-250,800 GT, about 5,610 guests at double occupancy and up to around 7,600 when every berth is full. These are the largest cruise ships in the world, and the first Royal Caribbean ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Signature features: Category 6, the biggest waterpark at sea; the glass AquaDome with its own aqua show; Surfside, a neighborhood built for young families; Thrill Island with the Crown’s Edge ropes course; and the Hideaway adults-only pool area with an infinity pool hanging over the stern.
Who it suits: multigenerational groups and families who want everything on one ship and are happy to pay for it. Expect top-of-range fares and busy decks. If you are weighing up whether the hype is justified, read our take on whether the biggest cruise ship in the world is worth it.
Oasis class (2009-2024)
Ships: Oasis of the Seas (2009), Allure of the Seas (2010), Harmony of the Seas (2016), Symphony of the Seas (2018), Wonder of the Seas (2022) and Utopia of the Seas (2024). A seventh Oasis-class ship is scheduled for 2028.
Size: about 225,000-236,000 GT and roughly 5,480-5,730 guests at double occupancy. Each new Oasis ship has grown a little, so Wonder and Utopia are the largest in the class while Oasis and Allure are the smallest.
Signature features: the neighborhood layout pioneered here, including Central Park (an open-air garden with real plants), the Boardwalk with its carousel, and the AquaTheater for high-diving shows. Most also have the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, the Perfect Storm waterslides, FlowRider surf simulators and Broadway-style musicals.
Who it suits: almost everyone. Oasis class offers most of the big-ship experience at prices that are usually lower than Icon class.
Pool decks on the bigger ship classes are lively from morning to sunset. Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Quantum and Quantum Ultra class (2014-2021)
Ships: Quantum of the Seas (2014), Anthem of the Seas (2015) and Ovation of the Seas (2016) form the original Quantum class. Spectrum of the Seas (2019) and Odyssey of the Seas (2021) are Quantum Ultra, a slightly stretched version with extra cabins and some different venues.
Size: about 167,000-169,400 GT and 4,180-4,250 guests at double occupancy.
Signature features: the North Star, a glass capsule on an arm that lifts guests about 300 feet above sea level; RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulators; SeaPlex, an indoor activity area with bumper cars; and Two70, a lounge with panoramic windows and digital projections. Much of it is indoors, so Quantum ships often sail Alaska, Asia and Australia.
Who it suits: tech-minded travelers, couples and families who want modern ships without Oasis-level crowds, and anyone cruising in cooler climates. There is no Royal Promenade.
Freedom class (2006-2008)
Ships: Freedom of the Seas (2006), Liberty of the Seas (2007) and Independence of the Seas (2008).
Size: about 154,000-156,300 GT and roughly 3,800-3,930 guests at double occupancy.
Signature features: a longer version of the Royal Promenade shopping and dining street, an ice rink, rock climbing walls, FlowRider surf simulators and, following Royal Amplified upgrades, the Perfect Storm waterslides and splash areas for small children.
Who it suits: families and groups who want plenty to do at lower fares than the newest ships. Freedom-class ships often sail shorter Caribbean itineraries from Florida and Texas.
Voyager class (1999-2003)
Ships: Voyager of the Seas (1999), Explorer of the Seas (2000), Adventure of the Seas (2001), Navigator of the Seas (2002) and Mariner of the Seas (2003).
Size: about 137,000-140,000 GT and around 3,100-3,600 guests at double occupancy.
Signature features: this is the class that introduced the Royal Promenade, the ice rink and the rock climbing wall to cruising. Navigator and Mariner have been heavily refreshed with waterslides and new dining.
Who it suits: value-focused cruisers who still want a big-ship feel, especially on three- to five-night trips from the US West Coast and Florida.
Radiance class (2001-2004)
Ships: Radiance of the Seas (2001), Brilliance of the Seas (2002), Serenade of the Seas (2003) and Jewel of the Seas (2004).
Size: about 90,000 GT and around 2,140-2,190 guests at double occupancy.
Signature features: acres of glass, including floor-to-ceiling windows, glass elevators on the outside of the ship and a glass-roofed Solarium pool.
Who it suits: couples, older travelers and anyone who cares more about the destination than onboard thrills. Radiance ships often sail Alaska, the Panama Canal, Europe and long voyages; Serenade of the Seas sailed the 274-night Ultimate World Cruise in 2023-24.
Smaller ships can reach ports the giants cannot. Photo: DeLuca G on Pexels
Vision class (1996-1998)
Ships: Grandeur of the Seas (1996), Rhapsody of the Seas (1997), Enchantment of the Seas (1997) and Vision of the Seas (1998). All four remain in Royal Caribbean’s fleet list as of late 2026. The two other original Vision-class ships, Legend and Splendour of the Seas, were sold years ago and now sail for UK line Marella Cruises.
Size: about 74,000-83,000 GT and roughly 2,000-2,250 guests at double occupancy. Enchantment of the Seas is the largest because it was lengthened with a new mid-section in 2005.
Signature features: a multi-deck Centrum atrium, lots of glass, a Solarium, rock climbing walls and the traditional main theater. There are no big waterparks or thrill rides.
Who it suits: budget-minded cruisers, first-timers who want something manageable, and anyone choosing a cruise for the itinerary. Vision-class ships tend to run the more unusual routes, including Bermuda, Canada and New England, and Southern Caribbean voyages.
Royal Caribbean ships newest to oldest
Here is the fleet in launch order, with each ship’s class, following Royal Caribbean’s own ships-by-age list.
Legend of the Seas (2026) – Icon
Star of the Seas (2025) – Icon
Utopia of the Seas (2024) – Oasis
Icon of the Seas (2024) – Icon
Wonder of the Seas (2022) – Oasis
Odyssey of the Seas (2021) – Quantum Ultra
Spectrum of the Seas (2019) – Quantum Ultra
Symphony of the Seas (2018) – Oasis
Harmony of the Seas (2016) – Oasis
Ovation of the Seas (2016) – Quantum
Anthem of the Seas (2015) – Quantum
Quantum of the Seas (2014) – Quantum
Allure of the Seas (2010) – Oasis
Oasis of the Seas (2009) – Oasis
Independence of the Seas (2008) – Freedom
Liberty of the Seas (2007) – Freedom
Freedom of the Seas (2006) – Freedom
Jewel of the Seas (2004) – Radiance
Mariner of the Seas (2003) – Voyager
Serenade of the Seas (2003) – Radiance
Navigator of the Seas (2002) – Voyager
Brilliance of the Seas (2002) – Radiance
Adventure of the Seas (2001) – Voyager
Radiance of the Seas (2001) – Radiance
Explorer of the Seas (2000) – Voyager
Voyager of the Seas (1999) – Voyager
Vision of the Seas (1998) – Vision
Enchantment of the Seas (1997) – Vision
Rhapsody of the Seas (1997) – Vision
Grandeur of the Seas (1996) – Vision
Build year is only part of the story. Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified program has added waterslides, new restaurants and refreshed bars to many Voyager, Freedom and early Oasis ships, so a refitted older ship can feel more up to date than its age suggests. Check when a ship was last refurbished before you book.
Newest Royal Caribbean ships coming soon
Hero of the Seas – the fourth Icon-class ship, due in 2027.
Oasis 7 – a seventh, as yet unnamed Oasis-class ship, due in 2028.
Icon 5, 6 and 7 – planned for 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Discovery class – a brand-new class ordered from Chantiers de l’Atlantique in France in January 2026. The first ship is due in late 2029 and the second in 2032. Company filings point to up to about 4,300 guests at double occupancy; Royal Caribbean has not yet revealed names or onboard features.
How to choose the right Royal Caribbean ship class
Ships within a class are nearly identical in size, so the real decision is which class fits your trip:
Traveling with young children? Icon and Oasis class have the most for kids, from splash zones to dedicated family areas. Our guide to the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids of each age goes into detail.
Want thrills but smaller crowds? Look at Quantum Ultra or a Royal Amplified Voyager or Freedom ship.
Going to Alaska or northern Europe? Quantum and Radiance classes, with their indoor spaces and big windows, are built for cooler weather and scenery.
Itinerary first, ship second? Radiance and Vision classes cover longer, more varied routes and usually cost less per night.
Short getaway on a budget? Voyager and Freedom ships offer a lot of ship for the money on three- and four-night sailings.
One thing many guides miss: the class tells you the hardware, but the itinerary decides how much of it you will use. On a port-heavy week you may spend little time on board, so paying extra for an Icon-class ship makes most sense on sailings with several sea days or a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. For the full ship-by-ship size ranking, including length and tonnage for every vessel, use our Royal Caribbean ship size comparison chart.
If you’re weighing up a Vision or Radiance class sailing, see our guide to the oldest Royal Caribbean ships and which are still worth booking.
If an onboard surf simulator is on your wish list, read our guide to the Royal Caribbean FlowRider to see which ships have one and what the rules are.
FAQs
How many ship classes does Royal Caribbean have?
Royal Caribbean has seven active ship classes: Icon, Oasis, Quantum (including Quantum Ultra), Freedom, Voyager, Radiance and Vision. An eighth, Discovery class, is due from late 2029.
What is the best Royal Caribbean ship class?
There is no single best class. Icon and Oasis suit families who want the most activities, Quantum suits cooler destinations and tech-minded travelers, and Radiance or Vision suit cruisers who put the itinerary and value first.
What is the newest Royal Caribbean ship?
Legend of the Seas, the third Icon-class ship, is the newest Royal Caribbean ship. It entered service in July 2026. Hero of the Seas is next, due in 2027.
Which Royal Caribbean ship class is the largest?
Icon class is the largest, at roughly 248,000-250,800 gross tons and about 5,610 guests at double occupancy. Oasis class is a close second. See our Royal Caribbean ships by size comparison chart for the full ranking.
What is the smallest Royal Caribbean ship class?
Vision class is the smallest, at about 74,000-83,000 gross tons and roughly 2,000-2,250 guests. Grandeur of the Seas, from 1996, is the smallest and oldest ship in the fleet.
