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Royal caribbean introduces hotel booking engine, royal caribbean hotels.

New System, Powered By Priceline, Has Thousands of Hotel Options for Pre- and Post-cruise Adventures

MIAMI, March 16, 2022 – Today, Royal Caribbean International launched a hotel booking engine to make it easy for vacationers to opt in for additional days of adventure before or after their cruise. Royal Caribbean Hotels , powered by Priceline, offers exclusive rates with thousands of hotels in every Royal Caribbean departure and arrival port, including those in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific as well as North, South and Central America.

Adventure seekers who have booked a Royal Caribbean cruise can seamlessly arrange hotel accommodations that are pre-filtered based on the number of travelers in their group, the sailing’s departure or arrival city, and dates. Options can also be further customized by preferences, such as the hotel rating, amenities and specific location within the city. Whether planning a long-awaited vacation or an impromptu getaway, Royal Caribbean Hotels minimizes travelers’ time spent planning to maximize every moment of their memorable vacation.

Royal Caribbean Hotels is now available to vacationers living in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and their travel advisors. For more details about the cruise line’s new hotel booking engine, visit Royal Caribbean’s website . Travel partners can gain access on Cruising Power.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International , owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay , the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 19 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

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Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas , the ultimate vacation for travelers of all ages. Across eight distinct neighborhoods – a Royal Caribbean first – there’s a variety of brand-new experiences and returning favorites, such as the new Suite Neighborhood; Wonder Playscape, an interactive, outdoor play area for kids; southern restaurant and bar The Mason Jar, and the cantilevered Vue Bar. The signature adventures in store include The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; the FlowRider surf simulator; and more.

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Do Pre-cruise Promotional Discounts Ever Change?

By Cruisegoer , June 27, 2023 in Royal Caribbean International

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I haven't sailed with Royal in a bit so I'm just curious if the discounts on Beverage or Dining Packages or even Shore Excursions and Internet fluctuate (i.e. Larger Promotional Discounts offered depending on holidays, general sales, etc)? Right now it seems everything is around a 20% discount which pretty much reflects the discount I'm offered as a Diamond level C&A member.

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12 minutes ago, Cruisegoer said: Hello,   I haven't sailed with Royal in a bit so I'm just curious if the discounts on Beverage or Dining Packages or even Shore Excursions and Internet fluctuate (i.e. Larger Promotional Discounts offered depending on holidays, general sales, etc)? Right now it seems everything is around a 20% discount which pretty much reflects the discount I'm offered as a Diamond level C&A member.

To me they change and a couple days later change again. Lunch was stuck on 15% off .. went to 10% off and  now stuck there but base price went up. Excursions were as low as 35% off last black friday.

Sorry, I dont k know how you came up with 20% off. Lol I have  nothing booked at 20% off. Which items are you asking about?

They mark them up so they can mark them down - the end price you pay never really changes more than a buck or two once you actually purchase one 😇

The Scurvy Pirate

Some items rotate between two price points.  Others don't change at all (or go up).  The only time the price really changes is around black friday/cyber monday.  You might luck out every now and then with a slightly lower price, or a technical error (when they ran the deluxe beverage for $17/day or Izumi Hibachi at $28/pp).  What people will say is if you like the price, buy it.  If it goes down (or you get a black friday or other sale) you can always repurcahse and then cancel your old order.  I will say there were at least 3 times where I was waiting to purchase and then the prices jumped up and never went back down.  For example the unlimited dining package was between $180-$200 every other week.  I decided to buy it on the next drop to $180 and the price jumped to $320 and has never come back down. I don't know that we have ever heard someone complain about buying too soon (but I am sure I will now...).  Until such time as RCI makes a cruise planner purchase non-refundable, you should buy now and look for lower prices later if you really want the product.

1 hour ago, firefly333 said: To me they change and a couple days later change again. Lunch was stuck on 15% off .. went to 10% off and  now stuck there but base price went up. Excursions were as low as 35% off last black friday.   Sorry, I dont k know how you came up with 20% off. Lol I have  nothing booked at 20% off. Which items are you asking about?

Look at the Diamond level benefits for beverage (adult) purchase discounts (20%), that's what I'm being offered as the discount in "Plan My Cruise" off the Deluxe Beverage Package.  3 Night Dining package is also 20% off, Unlimited Dining is only 15% off, some shore excursions showing as only 10% pre-cruise savings.

27 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said: Some items rotate between two price points.  Others don't change at all (or go up).  The only time the price really changes is around black friday/cyber monday.  You might luck out every now and then with a slightly lower price, or a technical error (when they ran the deluxe beverage for $17/day or Izumi Hibachi at $28/pp).  What people will say is if you like the price, buy it.  If it goes down (or you get a black friday or other sale) you can always repurcahse and then cancel your old order.  I will say there were at least 3 times where I was waiting to purchase and then the prices jumped up and never went back down.  For example the unlimited dining package was between $180-$200 every other week.  I decided to buy it on the next drop to $180 and the price jumped to $320 and has never come back down. I don't know that we have ever heard someone complain about buying too soon (but I am sure I will now...).  Until such time as RCI makes a cruise planner purchase non-refundable, you should buy now and look for lower prices later if you really want the product.

You're talking about total cost $180-200-320 not per day correct? Right now it would be $400pp on my 5 night.

Everything about Royal seems to be dynamic and I've seen prices change for both cruises and cruise planner items in a 24-hour period. One thing is for sure: it seems like Tuesdays are the worst days to book a cruise, price always goes up and/or their "promo" ends. I haven't been as religious checking the cruise planner but it'd be interesting if that was on a cadence, too.  

Constantly.  Relentlessly. Indubitably.

taglovestocruise

55 minutes ago, Cruisegoer said: You're talking about total cost $180-200-320 not per day correct? Right now it would be $400pp on my 5 night.

A 5 night dining package should be under $200 pp.  A five night UBP would be about $500 total.

Another_Critic

21 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said: Constantly.  Relentlessly. Indubitably.

The new slogan?  R elentlessly. C onstantly. I ndubitably.  

An alternative to R eally C onsistently I nconsistent ?

Pay no attention to the percentages off.  Just look at the bottom-line price.

15 minutes ago, KelJ said: Pay no attention to the percentages off.  Just look at the bottom-line price.

It's $400 pp.

25 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said: A 5 night dining package should be under $200 pp.  A five night UBP would be about $500 total.

When did you last cruise and purchase a Deluxe Beverage Package? Prices went up big time in the last year, I think $80 per day is about average (it used to be $60ish).

4 hours ago, Cruisegoer said: Hello,   I haven't sailed with Royal in a bit so I'm just curious if the discounts on Beverage or Dining Packages or even Shore Excursions and Internet fluctuate (i.e. Larger Promotional Discounts offered depending on holidays, general sales, etc)? Right now it seems everything is around a 20% discount which pretty much reflects the discount I'm offered as a Diamond level C&A member.

I eyeball the prices every day for changes.  I've gotten significant savings on internet and Coco Beach Club by watching the prices. I simply rebook at the new price and cancel the higher priced one.  No issues doing that.  

On 6/27/2023 at 1:33 PM, Another_Critic said: The new slogan?  R elentlessly. C onstantly. I ndubitably.     An alternative to R eally C onsistently I nconsistent ?

Thank you!  I didn't even see what I had done!  😄  

On 6/27/2023 at 11:22 AM, firefly333 said: To me they change and a couple days later change again. Lunch was stuck on 15% off .. went to 10% off and  now stuck there but base price went up. Excursions were as low as 35% off last black friday.   Sorry, I dont k know how you came up with 20% off. Lol I have  nothing booked at 20% off. Which items are you asking about?

They really rise as you get closer to your sail.  My suggestion is book and if prices drop get them repriced.  Many of the refreshments and internet package costs for my family are hundreds of $ more.

July 4th CP sale started today. You may or may not find something.

I don't buy the DBP or UDP... or very much in general but these sales haven't resulted in any overly exciting savings for my future Wonder cruises when I glance at them. Internet goes from $20.99 to $19.99, individual dining doesn't change at all, DBP goes down like $6/day or so, etc.

Mostly only looking at internet for my next cruise before we become D+ and start using our 4 free days/credit since my wife and I are OK sharing once account. Maybe it will be a couple bucks cheaper on Black Friday. Will also book a specialty meal or two.

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What’s the best Caribbean cruise line for me?

Jul 15, 2024 • 9 min read

Whether you're a family of four or a solo adventure junkie, the Caribbean has a cruise for you. Walter Bibikow / Getty Images.

It feels like just about everyone is headed on a cruise ship, and for good reason. There’s a real appeal to embarking on a getaway where your travel plans are already sorted; you only have to unpack once and arrive each morning in an exciting port of call.

Plus, new ships are rolling out incredible bells and whistles that push the limits of fun at sea (think indoor skydiving, roller coasters, and go-karts). At the same time, the cruise industry has shifted towards sustainable efforts that have emerged as fundamental to modern cruising. 

Recent statistics from CLIA (the official Cruise Line International Association) show an increase of nearly two million passengers in 2023 (totaling 31.7 million) compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019.

And there’s no more popular cruising region than the Caribbean , where upwards of 37 cruise lines with 154 ships rove the idyllic paradise of islands. With so many options, sorting out which ship and itinerary fits you best can be confusing. 

Here’s a handy guide to help determine which cruises are best for you, along with tips and advice to ensure you’re setting yourself up for a smooth sail. 

What Caribbean cruise is best for me?

Sailing for adventure.

Whether you're into ziplining through the rainforest, scuba diving one of the world’s largest coral reefs or swimming at the base of a waterfall, cruises throughout the Caribbean offer excellent opportunities for adventure.

Cruise ports known for high-octane activities include St-Martin (known for its superb scuba diving), Belize (cave-tubing and ziplining throughout rainforest treetops) and St Lucia (the Sapphire Falls Hike). 

Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Holland America have cruises that frequent these ports.

Best ships for families

Look for larger ships with kid-friendly pools, expansive kids' clubs and family-friendly entertainment. Royal Caribbean’s fleet features action-packed decks great for families with water slides, laser tag and mini golf. 

Disney Cruise Line’s fleet sails extensively throughout the Caribbean to ports that span from Cozumel , Mexico, to Willemstad , Curaçao. The line’s most common Caribbean offerings are shorter 3- and 4-night itineraries that are perfect for families looking for a short trip.

Cruise lines with private islands operate predominantly in the Bahamas , including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. These stops are great family destinations as they feature enclosed, private environments with kids' activities and the ease of charging everything to your sea pass card.  

Singles at sea

Cruises can be an excellent place for singles to mix and mingle. A standard cruise stateroom rate is usually calculated at a minimum two-adult rate. Singles wishing to book a standard stateroom are typically charged a single supplement fee ranging from 50% - 100% of their base fare. 

As the demand for single cruise accommodations grows, new ship builds include solo staterooms, both interior and with balconies. Look to Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Norwegian Cruise Lines for some of the best accommodations for solo travelers. 

Most relaxing getaways

The most relaxing cruises sailing through the Caribbean tend to be the smaller ships focusing on a more “resort at sea” vibe. The higher-end ships with all-inclusive rates offer the luxury of seamless vacations. Windstar, Seabourn and Viking are the best lines for a relaxing cruise.

On these ships you’ll find daily activities that swap dance parties and poolside games for fitness-oriented activities like yoga and strength training classes, lectures on upcoming ports and ample lounge chairs to soak up the sun by the pool.

From your first step onboard, all your food and drinks (except for certain vintage wines and spirits), activities and sometimes your port excursions are included in your rate. 

Itineraries like the Viking Ocean Cruises’ West Indies Explorer sail a 10-day itinerary roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico, with stops that include Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Kitts, Saint Kitts & Nevis and Roseau, Dominica. Rates for Viking Ocean Cruises include one shore excursion per port.

Best parties at sea

As the classic notion of cruising sunsets – goodbye white glove service, shuffleboard, Baked Alaska – a new era of fun is afloat.

Large ships are built to maximize fun, whether you're hopping pool parties, dancing the night away at late-night discos or cheering your team at rousing sports bars. Special interest cruises are also an excellent option for the most immersive fun at sea, whether that’s a full ship charter rock concert like the Rock Legends Cruise , a trip dedicated to Golden Girls fans , or an LGBTQ+ charter like VACAYA . 

Favorite lines that feature an upbeat party vibe include Margaritaville at Sea (particularly on their new Islander), Virgin Voyages and Norwegian Cruise Line.

A quick getaway

You’ll find cruise lines are leaning into shorter itineraries that offer weekend getaways to nearby ports in the Caribbean. Most of these sailings are roundtrip from Florida’s top cruise ports: Miami , Fort Lauderdale and Orlando (Port Canaveral). These are often 3- and 4-night sailings featuring a stop in The Bahamas or Bermuda . 

The vibe onboard is often more upbeat and celebratory, as guests do their best to maximize their limited time at sea. 

A few favorite lines for this style of travel include Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean (who is launching Utopia of the Seas this summer as its first-ever large-scale ship that will exclusively sail short getaways) and Disney Cruise Line.

An extended journey through the Caribbean

Smaller cruise lines offer longer, extensive itineraries throughout the Caribbean; smaller ships can port far off the beaten path at more remote destinations. Itineraries like Seabourn’s “25-Day Captivating Antillean Treasures” sail to some of the lesser trafficked parts of the Caribbean including Marigot, St. Martin; Carambola Beach, Saint Kitts and Nevis; and Sopers Hole (Frenchmans Cay), BVI. Lines like Silversea, Windstar Cruises and Azamara are favorites that route to these idyllic destinations. 

When should I go on my cruise?

There are sailings throughout the Caribbean year-round, with high season running from November through April. This period is known for its optimal sailing conditions and weather. 

You’ll find cheaper sailings during the hurricane season, typically July through September, though you risk the chance of your trip being canceled or rerouted to avoid inclement weather. 

Holiday sailings (particularly during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve) are also excellent times to sail as cruise lines curate impressive decor and holiday-themed activities.

How do I know if my cruise line is operating sustainably? 

Conservation efforts have become a vital tenet of the future of cruising, with the industry gearing towards carbon-zero sailings by 2050 . Efforts underway include ship engines that run cleaner on alternative fuels, advanced wastewater systems that can better clean sewage water and exhaust gas cleaning systems to improve air quality at sea and in port. 

Friends of the Earth’s Cruise Ship Report Card is a great resource to assess a ship’s sustainability efforts. 

A few lines at the forefront of sustainable sailing include Ponant, Disney Cruise Line and Hurtigruten. Ponant recently became the first maritime cruise line to receive Green Globe certification, which recognizes the line’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.  The line has shifted away from heavy fuel oil and installed catalytic systems to reduce atmospheric emissions.

Disney Cruise Line aims to operate with carbon emissions at net zero by 2030, in part by shifting to alternative fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrotreated vegetable oil. 

Hurtigruten is currently developing a zero-emission propulsion ship, which is aiming to be unveiled by 2030. 

There are still a large number of travelers who oppose the notion of cruise ships for not only their impact on the environment, but on local economies as well. Groups like Friends of the Earth , CLIA and Oceana are excellent organizations devoted to regulating the cruise industry.  

Need to know before you go

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when you’re booking a Caribbean cruise. 

Book in advance...

Cruise lines offer better rates further from your sailing date, often making sailings available to book more than a year out. The earlier you book, the better the selection of staterooms to choose from. 

Or take advantage of last minute deals

Cruise Plum is our go-to with a comprehensive overview of discounted inventories if you're angling for a last-minute getaway. 

Opt for third-party travel insurance for hurricane season protection

Travel insurance is the best way to ensure smooth sailings on your Caribbean cruise. Typical cruise insurance rates hover around 5 to 10% of your total trip cost. 

Don’t just opt into the cruise line’s designated insurance option; shop around on a platform like Squaremouth for the most value. 

Look for a plan specific to cruise travel, with coverage that includes compensation for delays, cancellations (particularly helpful during hurricane season), emergency medical, and the premium option of canceling for any reason (CFAR). 

Be hurricane-aware

Hurricane season in the Caribbean is typically July through September. The outlook for the 2024 season from NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal season with the potential range of 8-13 hurricanes with winds of at least 74 mph. 

Cruise lines work expeditiously to avoid sailing into the path of any major tropical storm or hurricane, often rerouting or shortening itineraries as threats arise. Cruises rarely encounter major storms as they’re able to chart the course of the weather and route accordingly. 

In the event you encounter a major storm while at sea, head to the middle of the ship where you’ll feel the rolling of the ship less, take over-the-counter aids like Dramamine or Bonine and keep your eyes on the horizon for stability balance.

You don’t necessarily need a passport 

Passports are not required for closed-loop sailings that begin and end at a US port. All you need is a boarding pass, a government photo ID (if you’re 16 years or older) and a certified birth certificate or certificate of US naturalization. 

However, keep in mind that you might not be able to disembark the ship at certain ports (those ports include Barbados , Martinique and St-Barthélemy ).

Third-party excursions can be a better value play

If you want to stretch your dollar further, consider booking with local tour operators before arriving at each port. It’s important to note that third-party excursions are the best when they’re morning-only activities. 

The ship won’t wait for you if you’re late returning from a third-party excursion. For full-day excursions, consider the line’s offerings, as the ship will wait for you, and there’s nothing worse than missing the boat.

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All-Star Lineup Welcomes Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

Photo: Dori Saltzman

The travel industry’s “world’s biggest weekend” got off to a rollicking start at the inaugural of Royal Caribbean International’s newest Oasis-class ship – and the second largest ship at sea – Utopia of the Seas.

“This is one hell of a ship,” Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, said shortly before Joseph Simmons, better known as Reverend Run, founding member of the hip-hop group Run-DMC, joined Utopia’s DJ for an a 30-minute-plus set of classic rap, hip-hop, and 80s hits that had the entire crowd dancing despite the scorching heat.

Utopia of the Seas, which sails from Port Canaveral, is the first all-new cruise ship dedicated entirely to the three- and four-night cruise market – thus its moniker “world’s biggest weekend.”

But Bayley told the crowd, “It’s not about the size. It’s because you can make the most of every single minute in more ways than ever before.”

Utopia features 40 ways to dine, drink, and party, including a new Caribbean tiki bar – The Pesky Parrot – as well as themed parties, two casinos, numerous pools, and entertainment that spans ice, water, and stage.

For Utopia’s party-themed inaugural, Royal Caribbean kept the speeches to a minimum with only Bayley and Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, taking to the stage to thank numerous people at Royal Caribbean Group and International, as well as key figures at shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Port Canaveral.

Per tradition, a rabbi and priest gave their blessings. Royal Caribbean also stuck to its tradition of escorting key players to the AquaTheater stage with bagpipers, but then turned that tradition on its head when three rock bagpipers came on stage to perform Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance,” right before Utopia’s Godmother GRAMMY-aware winning singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor came to the stage to name the ship and perform “All About that Base.”

The only snag in the entire proceedings saw the bottle of Champagne break somewhere no one was able to see.

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Sea Cloud Cruises has appointed its first-ever manager, sales services and reservations for North America.

Not even two years out from its launch Riverside Luxury Cruises is quickly building a reputation for excellence.

The Iconic Explorations program, offers free pre- or post-land tours on 85 sailings in Alaska and Europe in 2025.

Construction on Aman at Sea’s first-ever motor yacht officially got underway with the keel laying at a shipyard in Italy.

Every cruise line with dedicated areas for kids and teens.

The National Audubon Society has selected HX as its partner for 10 voyages in the Galapagos, Antarctica, and Alaska.

Royal Caribbean shares a bold statement on cruise pricing

C ruise pricing just got a little more transparent as Royal Caribbean and Carnival both now show the full price of a cruise including taxes and fees on their websites.

That change reflected a California law that required cruise lines to show the complete price, and it was impractical for either cruise company to show different prices in different states.

That change does not affect the price of your cruise; it just provides transparency. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean are simply showing the fare you pay at checkout.

Related: Royal Caribbean makes a major beverage package change

You can't opt not to pay your port taxes and fees. Even if you choose never to leave the ship, the cruise line must pay those fees to its destinations for every passenger.

Neither Royal Caribbean nor Carnival includes daily gratuities in their published prices. That's because those fees are technically optional, even though they will be added each day unless you specifically make a change at Guest Services.

Some passengers, however, would like to see Royal Caribbean make a different change to its pricing. They want the cruise line to copy what it offers on its Celebrity Cruises brand: offer an all-inclusive price that includes a drink package and internet.

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Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley commented on that possibility in response to a question during his annual President's Cruise on Allure of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean has a clear pricing plan   

Cruisers who are going to buy internet and a drink package often prefer an all-included price. The benefit is that when they book the cabin and the add-ons together, they can pay for all of it over time, up until the day that the final payment is due. If a passenger instead books a cabin and then later requests the add-ons, they must pay for the add-ons immediately and in full.

Bayley was asked about all-inclusive prices by "Gail from Alaska" during an open question-and-answer session during the President's Cruise, Royal Caribbean Blog reported. (The blog is unaffiliated with the company.)

"I've heard a rumor that the pricing structure for cruising in America is going to be changed to an all-inclusive pricing structure. Is that correct?" she asked.

Bayley was quick to shoot down the idea that the cruise planned to make that change.

"Royal Caribbean is not going in that direction," he said. "I don't think we have any plans to roll it all up into one price." 

Bayley added that due to the scale of the Royal Caribbean brand, it makes more sense for the company to give its customers choices.

Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise.

Royal Caribbean has been setting records

In many ways, Bayley could justify not making changes because there's no reason to fix what isn't broken. Royal Caribbean, and its sister brands, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, have been performing quite well.

Royal Caribbean Group Chief Executive Jason Liberty talked about that during the cruise line's first-quarter earnings call .

"The first quarter was tremendous, sending us well on our path to a year that is significantly better than we expected just a few months back," he said. "Wave season combined with a record-breaking introduction of the revolutionary Icon of the Seas resulted in consistently robust bookings at much higher prices than 2023."

ALSO READ: Top travel agents share how to get the best price on your cruise

The company expects its success to continue.

"This strong booking and pricing environment across all key itineraries coupled with continued strength in onboard spend led to higher revenue in the first quarter and a further improvement in full-year yield expectations," Liberty added. 

Booking "has consistently outpaced last year throughout the entire first quarter and through April, even though we have significantly fewer staterooms left to sell, leading to higher pricing for all of our key products," he said.

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These 10 amenities make Royal Caribbean Group's new ultra-luxury cruise ship worth its $4,550-a-week price

• I spent five nights on Silversea's new ultra-luxury cruise ship, Silver Ray . 
• Fares in 2024 start at $4,550 per person for a seven-day cruise.
• My favorite amenities on Silver Ray included a sauna with ocean views and a fun cooking class.

The hardest part about your Silver Ray cruise could be deciding what you want to indulge in first.

Silversea, Royal Caribbean Group's most luxurious cruise line, recently welcomed its 12th ship, the 728-guest Silver Ray. But as with any new floating five-star hotel , the cost to sail won't be ultra-cheap, with weeklong cruises starting at a whopping $4,550 per person in 2024.

I might've scoffed at this cost before boarding Silversea's second Nova Class vessel . But after experiencing all it has to offer on a complimentary five-night test cruise in mid-June, the price tag now makes more sense — and might even be justifiable.

Take a look at my 10 favorite amenities on Silver Ray , all of which shed some light on its steep fare.

1. The butler-delivered caviar you can eat on your couch while wearing pajamas

Room service isn't always free on mass-market cruise ships .

On Silver Ray, not only are the hot dogs and hamburgers delivered to your suite complimentary — but caviar is, too.

Simply call the room service line or ask your butler for caviar, and before you know it, a tin of the expensive fish eggs will be presented at your door.

You don't want to know how pretentious and insufferable I felt as I shoveled the tiny pearly bites into my mouth while lounging on the couch.

It wasn't the best caviar I've ever had (it's one of Calvisius' cheapest options). But it definitely added the unnecessary, theatrical, and extravagant touch I had been seeking on a $650-a-day cruise.

2. The sushi lunch

Dinner at Silver Ray's Japanese restaurant, Kaiseki, costs $80 per person. But it's complimentary during lunch, making it a great place to gorge on free sushi, sashimi, beef-filled bao buns, and ramen.

Alcohol is complimentary on Silversea, too. So feel free to have a glass of sake and Japanese beer with your raw fish feast.

Like the caviar, the sushi quality wasn’t comparable to Michelin-rated omakase restaurants.

The scallop nigiri in my sushi and sashimi combo tasted more lightly poached than raw, the uni was served on unevenly cut cucumbers, and the octopus in the octopus roll was too chewy.

But complaints aside, the portions were gracious, the fish quality was acceptable, and the rolls were diverse. The spicy tuna roll had the perfect allium punch, while the vegetarian one stood its ground among the raw fish. It was far better than I expected for a cruise ship lunch.

Best of all, it was complimentary. And while it didn't change my life, it certainly satisfied my craving.

3. The upscale café without the upscale prices

Many popular cruise ships have an onboard Starbucks. Silver Ray goes one step further with a café comparable to your overpriced neighborhood coffee shop (and this one won't make you pay extra for oat milk).

At the centrally located Arts Cafe, guests can order latte art-topped espresso drinks and uncommon tea varieties — all served with Mepra spoons that cost $40 each.

If you're a fan of cucumber sandwiches and cakes, the Art Cafe is also a great place to grab a mid-day snack or host an impromptu afternoon tea.

4. The entertaining cooking class

Silversea's SALT — an acronym for "sea and land taste" — program weaves cuisines local to the ship's destination into the cruise.

At SALT Lab, this takes the form of a complimentary cooking class.

You might think, 'I'm on vacation — I don't want to cook!'

I hear you. But SALT Lab is nothing like cooking at home.

For starters, the instructor and their assistant do all the cleaning and prepare all your mise en place for you. And I guarantee they're funnier, wittier, and more lighthearted than your partner who yells at you for not following the recipe.

All you have to do is listen to their instructions, assemble, cook, and eat.

5. The restaurant showcasing dishes from the itinerary

SALT isn't just a cooking class. It's a lifestyle. (Just kidding — but not really.)

Silver Ray offers SALT cooking classes, SALT shore excursions, a $180 SALT Chef's Table dinner, a SALT Bar, and a SALT Kitchen.

If you hate repeating meals, the latter could be your savior. Half of its menu changes almost daily according to the ship's destination. So, if you didn't have time to explore a port's cuisine, you could go to SALT Kitchen instead.

When Silver Ray was docked in Lisbon, the restaurant had options like roasted pork loin with a Portuguese red bell pepper sauce, and travesseiros, a popular dessert from nearby Sintra, Portugal.

6. The half-restaurant, half-jazz bar

Silver Note is where you go to chow down on small plates of beef tenderloin and octopus tentacles while being serenaded by live jazz vocalists and pianists. If you can overlook the purple and red spotlights that give the venue a cheap dive bar feel, you'll be delighted by Silver Note's talented performers, tapas-style food, and fun plating.

The plates were pre-warmed, the lobster tail was perfectly cooked, and the musicians were world-class. I ate alone and stayed for about two hours, fully engaged by the impressive vocalist.

7. The spa’s view

Access to spa facilities like saunas is often complimentary on high-end cruises .

Silver Ray's was admittedly bare-boned, with only three rooms (a steam room, sauna, and thermal pool). But you'll quickly forget about the lack of options when you see the ocean views inside the pool and sauna.

The latter is a great place to balance your yin (peacefully staring at the passing waves) with your yang (feeling like you're about to have a heat stroke).

Unfortunately, the steam room doesn't have any views. However, it does offer complimentary scented scrubs that will leave you with baby-soft skin.

8. The pool

You're probably wondering how an amenity as commonplace as a pool could be so special.

There is, in fact, nothing spectacular about the pool itself. What is special, however, is its placement toward the starboard-side edge of the ship, giving swimmers a photogenic view of Silver Ray's surroundings instead of sunbathers' toes.

Don't worry, fellow loungers. We get a perk, too.

No need to walk to the pool bar to refill your piña colada. The waitstaff will do it for you.

9. The elevators

Before Silver Ray, I would've scoffed if you had told me one of my favorite amenities on a cruise ship would be the elevators. But alas, it seems not all of them are created equal.

On most cruise ships, the elevators are located at the center of the vessel and flanked by corridors on either side.

Like the pool, all six of Silver Ray's elevators are located by the edge of the ship — half port side, half starboard side — and lined with glass walls, giving riders sweeping views of the ship's surroundings.

Not to be dramatic, but I've never seen a more beautiful elevator.

Once inside, travelers can select their desired floor on the touchscreen.

The screen's floor descriptions are updated on port days to indicate where guests must disembark. It's a small but convenient touch I've yet to see on other cruises, saving travelers the panicked "where do I get off this ship?" question.

10. The tablet-phone-TV connectivity

The best part about my Deluxe Veranda suite wasn't the walk-in closet or balcony. It was the seamless connectivity between my phone, the in-room tablet, and the TV.

Silver Ray's cabins have portable touchscreen tablets that function as a vacation guidebook, daily scheduler, and suite control center.

The TV has the same functions, for when you're sitting on the couch and too lazy to retrieve the tablet. Or, if you're not in your cabin, your mobile Silversea profile has the same options.

As someone who religiously studies menus before going to a restaurant, I loved having every onboard restaurant's menu at my fingertips.

But the real winning feature was the "sleep" setting. No more hitting your knee on furniture as you navigate back to bed after turning the lights off. The sleep setting slowly dims the suite's light fixtures, giving guests plenty of time to saunter back to bed before everything goes dark.

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