royal caribbean greek cruise reviews

'I never thought I'd go on a cruise. Here's my honest verdict after 10 days at sea.'

When I told my friends that my new husband and I were going on a cruise for our honeymoon, I fully expected their responses.

But aren't cruises for old people?

Do you even get to leave the boat?

Are cruises safe right now with COVID on the rise again?

All very good questions, and ones I wanted to answer myself when Royal Caribbean offered us the chance to take their all-inclusive nine night voyage to the Greek Islands on the Odyssey of the Seas in May 2022.

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Firstly, yes - for some there is an undeniable stigma around cruising, and that stems from a few things. After the Ruby Princess incident in 2020 and in the wake of the pandemic, people are understandably hesitant to travel in confinement with thousands of other people on a boat. And to that I would say: fair. 

Then there's the perception that cruises only cater to specific people, namely not young ones. I was also in this camp, as someone who's travelled widely and always been pretty intrepid. 

My partner and I have driven a campervan through the California desert, traversed the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast via public transport (not advised), and had any number of adventures off the beaten track. All a world away from the casinos, discos and kids' clubs that cruises might conjure up in your head. (You're not wrong, by the way, but stay with me.)

Here's everything I learnt about cruising on my honeymoon, and, to my surprise, why I would definitely do it again.

The hard work is done for you.

After our wedding, we were tired. Tired of planning, tired of logistics, tired of dishing out eye-watering amounts of money to different suppliers. The beauty of a cruise, as I discovered, is that once you've booked your trip, the itinerary is taken care of and you just have to... show up. And I know - to some, that may sound a little lazy. But not if you've spent the last two years dreaming about a holiday where you barely have to lift a finger.

Our Royal Caribbean cruise ticked off some of the best of the Med, starting and ending in Rome and stopping along the way in Naples (the gateway to Amalfi), Santorini, Mykonos, Turkey's scenic port city of Kusadasi, Rhodes and Crete.

On a packed trip like this one, the itinerary will generally allow for one day of sightseeing at each stop - you depart the boat at the port and return when you're done exploring, before sunset. Unfortunately, this means you miss out on the local nightlife, which is a downside that is balanced by all the on-board entertainment that happens after nightfall.

On board the ship you can easily book in to a number of pre-arranged tours, for an additional fee. These are especially handy in places like Turkey where there is some road travel involved in reaching key destinations like Ephesus (a minibus takes you there safely and a guide can help fill in the historical blanks), but whether you book a tour or simply wander freely and take it all in is up to you.

We opted for a mix - we jumped onto a guided tour of the ancient Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes, as well as Pompeii because #history, but decided to do Santorini ourselves so we could spend the day shopping at the endless markets on the cliff-side, eating grilled octopus, and drinking cocktails. (FYI, on this very laidback holiday, the closest we came to a newlywed fight was when he forced us to walk down the mountain to get back to the tender boats instead of lining up for the cable car, and I'm still mad about it).

It cuts out wasted travel time.

On a self-guided Euro trip, if you wanted to get to several cities or countries you'd have to include travel days in your tally which eat up precious holiday time. In Greece, this would not only mean air travel but also buses, taxis, ferries and charter boats. The beauty of doing this via a cruise is that the travel happens at night while you're sleeping. We literally went to bed in Santorini and woke up in Mykonos.

We showed our passports once, when boarding the ship in Rome, and didn't have to get them out again. Not waiting in lines at airports with other tired, angry travellers to get to your next location = bliss.

You can choose your own adventure.

On a holiday like this one, how much you get out of it is up to you. There is zero judgement from fellow travellers on what you do with your days - I saw families making the most of the facilities on-board and sojourning for short shore expeditions with their young kids, and I saw seasoned cruisers heading out for all-day hikes with bucket hats and maps in hand. 

My husband and I took it at our own pace - some of the highlights for me were the free time during our tour of Amalfi, browsing the upscale boutiques and incredible vistas of Positano (I had the best cannoli of my life there) and lunch in Sorrento taking in the seaside opulence and the sweeping Italian coastline - we ate at one of the oldest family-run hotels in Europe perched on the cliffside; I was told you come for the lunch and the free views. They didn't disappoint.

We also loved exploring the less touristy spots, like Chania (Crete) where we took a $6 return shuttle to the Old Market - a bustling shopping and dining precinct on the water that gets compared to Venice. I'm not sure we would have ever made it to Chania if it wasn't on the cruise agenda, and now we'll definitely be going back.

Health and safety are a priority.

There are obvious and very valid concerns around the safety of this type of travel when COVID is still hanging around. When we boarded our cruise, we had to show a negative Rat test - these needed to be overseen by a licensed testing facility and cost around 30 euro, or 50 dollars. 

Safe in the knowledge that everyone on the cruise was in the same boat (sorry), it was up to us whether we chose to wear a mask on board. Most didn't, but some people wore them at the buffet and during performances at the various theatres. All staff wore masks at all times, and there were sanitising dispensers absolutely everywhere. Tables at the restaurants were sanitised constantly. Additionally, all passengers had to wash their hands at washing stations before meals. Yes, it felt a little like kindergarten, but it added some extra peace of mind re: germs.

There were also COVID testing facilities on the boat, should anyone want to rule out a diagnosis.

There's (actually) something for everyone.

When I think of a cruise, the first thing that comes to mind is activities. Loads of activities. And the Odyssey of the Seas has... all of them. From a surf simulator to an indoor skydiving facility, bumper cars to laser tag, a walking track, climbing wall, games arcade, day spa, adults-only pool retreat and a decked-out gym with plenty of free classes from yoga to cycling. Not to mention the North Star viewing deck, which is the highest observation deck at sea in the world and offers 360 views of the boat and the surrounding ocean. 

On the entertainment front, it's everything you could imagine: there's a fully fledged casino and several theatres (all entertainment is included and you can go to the shows as many times as you like; we went to two musicals and a magic show) and an old-fashioned music hall offering pool, karaoke nights and themed trivia around the clock. On the retail front you'll find jewellery stores, merch shops, and a man playing showtunes on a piano while you browse. Very boujie.

By the way, if you're looking to book a cruise closer to home in 2022, the above features are indicative of what's to come on board the two Quantum Class ships that Royal Caribbean will bring to Australia this year. Ovation of the Seas will sail from Sydney in October, and Quantum of the Seas will depart from Brisbane in November, offering cruises around Australia, the South Pacific and New Zealand.

The food is *chef's kiss*.

We ate like we'd never eaten before, dividing our time between the stacked buffet and the 20 restaurants on board, 13 of which were included with our stay. Seven speciality restaurants offer different cuisines depending on what you fancy, like gourmet Italian, an American steakhouse, and an Alice in Wonderland themed dining experience that specialises in culinary trickery, Heston Blumenthal style.

There were also countless bars including one completely manned by robots (yes, really) and another offering live music and sunset cocktails.

Have you ever had a robot arm deliver you a freshly made mojito? Oh, you haven't? Weird.

It's really bloody fun.

So yeah, there's a lot to do, but you can also do very little. Between all this I still found loads of time to chill by the pool reading my book and drinking margaritas while my partner did... whatever it is men do to relax. But I can safely say there was not one dull moment. 

When I look back on my favourite vacations, the best ones had a mix of soul-nourishing travel experiences and relaxing downtime, and this trip provided that balance. I surprised myself with just how much I enjoyed and made use of the conveniences of the boat, once I leaned in to the big, OTT energy of it all. 

Yes, at times it's a bit like Vegas on the water (with lots of American tourists), and if you embrace it with an open mind, then it's literally impossible not to have a good time. Because they all are, and it's infectious.

If you're after travel that's simplified, stress free, and a little bit surreal, this might be the holiday for you. 

Mamamia  travelled as a guest of Royal Caribbean. All opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own.

Tamara is Mamamia's Head of Lifestyle. For more, follow her on  Instagram .

Royal Caribbean 9 Night Greek Isles Cruise  sailing on Sep 28 2022 on board Odyssey of the Seas from Rome starting at $2,083. Ports of call include Naples/Capri, Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Ephesus and Chania.

Feature image: Supplied.

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Best Greece cruises: Top 5 ships sailing the Greek isles

From ancient mythology to wine and olives, there's a lot to love about Greece . There's something magical about the contrast between the deep-blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the ancient ruins and white buildings found on the Greek islands.

The best Greece cruises offer a well-rounded mix of islands and key Greece destinations: Athens for its ruins, Santorini for its blue-roofed churches, Mykonos for its shopping and nightlife, and Rhodes for its palace and charming cobblestone streets. You might even luck out and snag a visit to places like Turkey or Montenegro, too.

If you're not sure which ships to consider, here's a list of the best cruises to Greece for different kinds of travelers.

Note: Prices were accurate at the time of publication; they're subject to change without notice.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Best Greek isles cruises for families: Disney Dream

Disney Cruise Line is ideal for families. If a Disney cruise to Greece with kids sounds appealing, Disney Dream is the ship that will take you there.

The vessel isn't the line's newest, but it's also not the oldest, and you'll still find plenty to do on board. The 2,500-passenger ship's small size means it's easy to learn your way around. Even better, Disney Dream is typically more affordable than the line's newest vessels.

Dream offers jaw-dropping entertainment and daily character appearances, which means your children likely won't be bored on the ship. Its magical kids clubs feature a replica of Andy's room from "Toy Story" and the Millennium Falcon's cockpit from "Star Wars." (Expect surprise visits from R2-D2 or a squad of stormtroopers.)

Also, Greece is wrapped in tons of ancient history to spark your family's imagination. For example, in Athens, you might choose to take a guided tour of the Acropolis, followed by a "day in the life of an archaeologist" experience, where you'll search for treasures in a faux archaeological dig.

If the kids prefer something sportier, they might enjoy an excursion that takes visitors to the Panathenaic Stadium for a tour and a talk about the first Olympic games of the modern era.

Disney Dream sails five-, seven- and nine-night voyages from $322 per person, per night, for a windowless inside cabin. Some itineraries sail round-trip from Rome, while others cruise one-way between Rome and Barcelona with calls on Athens, Mykonos and other ports in Greece.

Related: Best cruise lines for families

Best adults-only Greece cruises for party animals: Resilient Lady

If you enjoy a lively megaship party atmosphere but you don't want an environment that's overrun with kids, Virgin Voyages ' Resilient Lady will likely be the best Greece cruise option for you.

Although Virgin's Greece itineraries are pretty standard, its onboard experience is what sets it apart in the region.

The adults-only ship combines a casual vibe with a ramped-up nightlife. You'll find passengers dressed like mermaids, crew dressed like drag queens and performers that more accurately represent a cross-section of real life than those whom you'll find on most other lines' vessels.

As part of what just might be the best entertainment at sea , nighttime shows run the gamut from lounge singers and seemingly impromptu atrium dance parties to secret below-deck visits to the "crew bar" for a drink. There's also Scarlet Night — a rave-like pool-deck dance party where everyone wears red.

If that's not wild enough for you, there's also an app that lets you order Champagne to wherever you are on board, free fitness classes that encourage you to dress up in your '80s best and even a tattoo parlor so you can make some bad decisions.

Resilient Lady sails seven-, 10- and 11-night cruises from Athens, starting at $145 per person, per night, for an inside cabin. The voyages feature a mix of stops in Greece (including Santorini and Rhodes and an overnight in Mykonos), Croatia, Turkey and Montenegro, depending on the specific itinerary you choose.

Related: The best adults-only cruises to try if you can't stand being around kids on vacation

Best budget-friendly Greece cruises: Rhapsody of the Seas

Want to check out Greece but have limited funds? Although you'll have to factor in potentially expensive flights to Europe to board, a voyage on Royal Caribbean 's Explorer of the Seas could be right up your alley.

The vessel is one of Royal Caribbean's oldest ships — it debuted in 2000 — but that doesn't mean you won't find fun onboard activities such as trivia, pool games, nightly theater performances, game shows, dancing and live music.

The best part if you're on a budget is the price. You can snag sailings of six, seven or eight nights from just $85 per person, per night, for an inside cabin. These cruises sail either between Rome and Athens or between Barcelona and Athens, or round-trip from Ravenna (the port for Bologna, Italy). Voyages include calls on Athens, Santorini and Mykonos, as well as ports in Cyprus and Turkey.

Related: How to get a deal on a cruise

Best small-ship luxury Greece cruises: Windstar's Wind Star

Windstar Cruises ' namesake, Wind Star, is a 148-passenger masted sailing yacht that offers a special Greek islands experience because it calls on some of the area's smaller ports in addition to Athens.

The ship is great for sailing aficionados. Because of its small size, it can visit smaller ports that larger vessels can't access. (Think Monemvasia, a town carved into rock, and Gythion, where you'll find caves and lovely beaches.)

Also, Wind Star is an upscale ship, which means you'll find elevated dining and service on board. All cabins offer at least one window. When you purchase an all-inclusive fare, Wi-Fi, gratuities and alcohol are rolled into the price.

Among other itineraries, the vessel sails weeklong cruises between Athens and Rome that call on Monemvasia and Gythion in Greece, as well as several ports in Italy. Rates start from $300 per person, per night, for an outside cabin.

Related: The best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Best locally based Greek isles cruises: Celestyal Journey

Celestyal Cruises is a line you don't hear about too often, but it's based in Greece, which means it has a unique perspective on Greek island sailings.

If you're looking for a cruise vacation that's full of local Greek flair, check out the brand's Celestyal Journey. The ship isn't new, but it's new to the line. Following an extensive refurbishment, and its Celestyal debut in late 2023, it's the youngest member of the line's fleet.

Holding about 1,200 passengers, Celestyal Journey is small enough that you'll still receive a personalized experience but large enough to offer a multitude of onboard amenities. Enjoy yourself at the spa and fitness center, eight bars, seven restaurants, a chef's table experience and two pools. The ship offers 630 cabins, including 149 balcony cabins, 120 junior suites and 28 full-fledged suite accommodations.

Itineraries offered by Celestyal Journey range from four to 28 nights, departing from either Athens or Thessaloniki. Most voyages include calls on well-known Greek ports like Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos, while longer sailings also venture to places in Turkey and Montenegro. Prices start from $89 per person, per night, for an inside cabin.

Bottom line

The best cruises to Greece combine a mix of fascinating destinations with a ship that fits your budget and travel style. If you're still unsure which cruise to choose, check with a knowledgeable cruise travel agent who can help you sort through the options.

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Royal Caribbean Cruise to Greece - Greece Forum

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My question is: Has anyone experienced this while cruising? Also, will the seas really be that rough mid to end of May? Should I look into a different time of year?

Unfortunately, my travel agent is advocating for a land tour that spends more than one day in each city in case we encounter any cancellations, etc.

Thank you for your help!

What may appear to be a "fabulous itinerary" may well mean that you stop at a different island every day but you will have minimum time there.

Have see cruise ships making lightning stops when we were staying in Santorini and Rhodes .

The majority of passengers went off on organized trips and would not have had any time to explore places on their own. Next thing,- they are back on the ship and sailing off to the next port.

I have been on a couple of cruises and they are fine but don't expect to see Greece properly.

Regarding weather, yes at some ports you do have to use tender and I have been on a cruise that could not stop somewhere due to weather but that was in March.

May is probably less likely to suffer poor weather but Iwould consider alternative options for visiting Greece for the reasons I have already mentioned.

The reason a ship may not be able to tender passengers ashore is the Meltemi wind, which blows in the summer, can make the sea too rough for transferring from the cruise ship to small boats. When we stopped at Santorini in early July we anchored then moved to a different location and anchored again before it was considered safe to tender. Even though we spent some time doing this we still had time to get off, get another small boat to Oia , walk around there, get a bus to Fira , walk around there, enjoy a meal and drinks then walk down the steps to get back to the ship. This gave us enough time to realise we would like to go back there sometime in the future.

If you decide to book the cruise you are aware of the fact you may not be able to get onshore at all ports so keep this in mind, but I wouldn't let a travel agent put me off a holiday I had specifically chosen.

If you want any more info about our cruise experience I'm happy to share.

There were no issues with tendering except back then it was done by cabin class so we were last off the ship in tender ports. That was a long time ago.

We also ended up on a Greek island cruise in Sept 2015. We specifically chose that cruise because it only had 2 Greek ports but the ship got diverted due to violence and needed to find 4 days of alternate ports. Again no problem with tendering and a few of the tender islands now have cruise ship docks.

We have used cruising for new areas like Croatia. Again for us it gives us an opportunity to have some experience so we can decide if we want to commit to a specific destination sometime in the future.

By the way since then we have done DIY trips to Greece at least a dozen times. See it works

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Review of the Royal Caribbean Cruise: 7 Night Greece & Croatia Cruise

Rick and I are no strangers to cruising, but most of our cruising has taken place in the Caribbean as we head to the Bahamas or Mexico. We’ve been discussing cruising in different places and an opportunity presented itself this summer.

Unfortunately, Go Ahead Tours canceled a trip we were planning with our friends to Croatia two months before the trip was scheduled to go, so we had the time off work but nowhere to spend it. I still had Croatia on my mind so I started looking up if we could do it on our own or still visit it.

We were getting our money back from Go Ahead and then we thought about cruising as it’s relatively affordable and I happened to find this 7 Night Greece & Croatia Cruise through Royal Caribbean – who we normally cruise with – and over the dates we had off already. The cruise was set to depart from Venice, Italy (really Ravenna which is two hours away) on Sunday, July 2 and return to Italy on Sunday, July 9. We already had June 29 – July 10 off. Perfect!

We decided to spend a day and a half in Venice before the cruise as we’ve learned it’s always better to get there early than have something happen to your flights and freak out about missing the boat!

So, here’s what we thought of our first European cruising adventure with Royal Caribbean.

Cruise itinerary

• Day 1: Venice, Italy (Ravenna port)
• Day 2: Split, Croatia
• Day 3: Cruising
• Day 4: Athens, Greece
• Day 5: Santorini, Greece
• Day 6: Kefalonia, Greece (Originally it was Olympia)
• Day 7: Cruising
• Day 8: Venice, Italy (Ravenna)

The itinerary was perfect for what we were looking for as it included a stop in Croatia! I’ve wanted to visit Greece over the years but I wasn’t sure about my comfort level with planning a full trip in Greece on our own. This was a great way to visit iconic travel destinations in Greece without worrying about transportation or accommodations.

We booked several shore excursions during our cruise but did leave our last stop open just for wandering and enjoying the port city. We booked our excursions through Royal Caribbean, but many were operated by third-party vendors.

Our tickets for our excursions were in our stateroom when we arrived on the ship and most of the check-ins take place in the theater. The only one we didn’t meet on-board was our first excursion in Split.

Split by Open Air Sightseeing Bus with Walking Tour

This tour was fantastic and the most affordable! I will say the pictures of the tour were a bit misleading as it said we’d get views above the city, which we did not, but whatever.

It started with a bus tour of the more modern parts of Split before dropping us off at the Riva, waterfront walkway, for a walking tour of the city and Diocletian’s Palace. Our guide was great and is a Split local and talked about the changes the city’s gone through as well as regular life, such as pointing out the square where his parents met.

The only thing I wish we had known was that the bus pulled up right in front of the ship. We got off the ship and wandered to the parking lot where we saw buses but that’s not what we needed to do. We literally could have just walked off the ship at the meeting time and gotten right on board.

• Tour time: 10:15 a.m.
• Tour duration: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Price: $158 (for two people)

Explore Athens and Ancient Acropolis

I had no interest in waiting in long lines to get tickets for the Acropolis or figuring out how to get there on our own, which was a good decision as we actually dock in Pireaus and have to drive to get to Athens.

This was a pretty good tour as we were picked up right from the ship and then took a bus tour of Athens before heading to the Acropolis. Our tour guide was great and shared the history of the sites we were visiting and guided us to the top of the Acropolis.

We did have like 30 minutes to explore on our own and I really wish we had had more time to really appreciate the historic landmarks, read all the signs, and just enjoy our time there. I felt rushed and would have liked a bit more time, but it is what it is.

After our exploration it was back on the bus to head back to the ship. We had debated staying in Athens on our own just to see more but we were also hot and tired and decided to take the bus back to the ship. I think if we do this itinerary again we’ll look up how to get a cab back to the ports so we can spend more time in Athens.

• Tour time: 8:30 a.m.
• Tour duration: 4 hours and 15 min
• Price: $238 (for two people)

Selfie Tour of the Best of Santorini

The name of the tour was kind of cringe, but we forged ahead as I thought we’d get a neat photography tour of Santorini and this was the most disappointing excursion we booked as it was not really a photography or even selfie tour.

We took a tender boat to Santorini and then boarded a bus and drove to Oia and on the way one of the guides handed out selfie sticks… Okay… And then our guide led us to the drop-off point and Oia and told us where to go.

For what we paid, we might as well have booked the simple Oia tour and saved money. I expected a guided tour of the city and “hidden” spots to snag the best photos. I’m still glad we got to visit Oia as it’s cute, but honestly, Rick and I snapped a few pictures and then went to a wine bar to escape the crowds.

Oia is small with narrow alleys and the crowds were ridiculous. We had like an hour at this stop to take pictures and you’re waiting at least 5-10 minutes to get a good spot to get some photos.

I’d love to return to Oia but stay at a hotel there to fully enjoy the city and wait for the cruise crowds to head back to the ships, and then enjoy a gorgeous sunset!

This tour included stops in Oia and Fira and we really loved our time in Fira! The tour does state that you have to get back to the ship on your own, but many people apparently didn’t read the tour description. You can either pay six euros and take a cable car down to the port and board a tender boat there, or there is the Donkey Trail which you can walk that also leads you back to the port and tender boats.

Rick and I opted to walk the Donkey Trail and it is steep and the trail is rocky, so if you want to walk it, wear good shoes with good traction or tread!

• Tour time: 8:15 am
• Duration: 4 hours 15 min
• Price: $278 (for two people)

Check-in & check-out & transportation

Rick and I were both surprised at how much more streamlined the boarding process was in Italy compared to our times getting on cruises in Florida. Once we got off the bus, we got in a line for security. They scanned our boarding passes, checked our carry-on bags, asked us a few health-related questions, and then we were good to get on the ship and get to our room.

Check-out was also easy, at least for us, as we opt to carry our own bags off the ship. So, we bypass the whole bag collection and waiting for your group to be called to disembark. We did have to visit guest services to let them know how we wanted to get off the ship and how we were getting back to the airport, but otherwise we docked at 6:30 a.m. and walked off the ship at 6:45 with our own bags and met our driver right there at the dock.

We had booked bus transportation from Venice to Ravenna via Royal Caribbean and it was pretty easy to figure out, it was just a lot of waiting around. We arrived at the Tronchetto around 10:30 a.m., waited at least an hour and a half, in the sun, before boarding our bus. It is a two-hour drive from Venice to Ravenna (without traffic). The bus ride did include one stop for bathrooms and it cost about €1.50.

We did book a private car to get us back to Venice for our flight home as we have had issues in the past with the group transportation back to the airport. Like, one time we sat on the bust for over an hour before leaving for the airport and we had a flight to catch! We weren’t chancing that with an international flight so we booked our own car service back to Marco Polo airport.

The Explorer of the Seas

We were on the Explorer of the Seas for this cruise and you could tell the ship was older but it was still well-maintained. It had all the same amenities and dining and bars we expected to find, such as the theater, lounges, casino, pool deck, and dining.

It felt exactly like the other ships we’ve sailed on in the Caribbean.

Accommodations

We have learned to spring for a stateroom with a balcony when we cruise and we definitely wanted one for this adventure as we pulled into the different ports. Our room was spacious enough for our needs and had a Queen-sized bed, couch, desk, closet, and bathroom.

The bedding was cozy but I think the pillows could have been a bit better, but we made do. For how often we were in our room, it worked for the two of us. When we were in our room we were most often on the balcony, enjoying a drink and the exceptional views of the Greek islands.

Housekeeping

Our attendant, Iwayan, was fantastic! He took great care of our room, provided us with anything we needed (like a corkscrew to open our wine), and was often around to let us back into our room if we were carrying souvenirs or cocktails back to our room.

He also checked in with us on the first day on-board to ask what time we would like our room cleaned and so we got to pick 9:30 a.m. as we knew we’d be out of the room by that time each day.

Dining & bars

The ship had the typical dining options we expect onboard a Royal Caribbean ship, such as:

• The Windjammer (buffet)
• The Promenade (pizza, sandwiches, light bites)
• The dining room (which we did not visit during this trip)
• Specialty restaurants (which we also did not visit)

We opted to just eat at the Windjammer buffet so we could eat on our own schedule. I know, we’re boring like that.

We did visit plenty of the bars though! We both loved the British pub, the Schooner Bar, and The R, plus we visited the pool bars a few times while soaking up the sun. Each bar has its own menu of specialty drinks, plus they all serve the cocktail of the day, and you can get standard bar drinks too.

We mostly stuck with prosecco but we did try a few specialty cocktails. I absolutely loved the rum punch at The R and ordered two of those and I also made some return trips to the British pub to get this beer-based cocktail that had jam and honey.

We also made sure to bring our own wine on board as you’re allowed to bring one bottle of wine per person on the ship. We feel this is a great way to save money at the bars and not buy a full drinks package. But, we also do have Diamond status so we also get four drink coupons each every day. So that also makes it easier to not buy a drinks package when we cruise.

Diamond Lounge

Royal Caribbean changed up its loyalty rewards program a bit. Rick and I have Diamond status and that used to mean that we could make great use of the Diamond Lounge for its happy hour where it was all-you-could-drink from 4-8. Now, your SeaPass card is loaded with four drink coupons to use throughout the day.

So, this was the first cruise we’ve been on where the Diamond Lounge is kind of dead. I think we only ever saw at most five other people in the lounge with us at any given time. We did pop in a few mornings to get some breakfast, served from 7-10 a.m., and enjoyed the breakfast breads and pastries, fresh fruit, and yogurt parfaits, plus some lattes!

We still visited the Diamond Lounge in the evening as it offered a great and quiet place to relax, have a glass of prosecco, and watch the sunset.

Entertainment

We enjoyed the entertainment on the show and felt the cruise directors and entertainers were engaging. We checked out the ice skating show, battle of the sexes, trivia nights, the comedians, the dancing shows, live music, and so much more.

We really love the audience participation games, like Battle of the Sexes, The Newlywed Game, and so on as every single show is different. I’d seen a few online reviews that said the entertainment wasn’t good on this ship but I would disagree. Sure, it’s your standard cruise entertainment, but it wasn’t bad by any means.

Since we had two days at sea, Rick and I knew we’d be paying a visit to the spa! I booked a 100-minute hot stone massage and Rick chose a traditional 100-minute Swedish massage treatment.

Both of our treatments were fantastic and we’re so glad we waited until the last day of the trip and last day at sea to book our appointments. It was the perfect way to tend the trip and relax after days of walking and exploring.

It’s good to note that gratuities are already included in your fee for any massage treatment!

With our Diamond status we do get one free day of internet, which worked wonders on on our last day to check in for our flight home. But, I will say the internet is not great. I would not be happy if I paid almost $30 per day for it. I could not use the internet in our room and had to go to a main area to be able to check in on the United app.

It worked okay out about on the ship but it became super slow, like I was having flashbacks to the internet of 1999 as soon as we were in our room.

Royal Caribbean app

You definitely want to download the Royal Caribbean app before your trip so you can view the ship’s deck maps, activities, and discover what’s open for eating and drinking. It also loads your booked activities so we knew what time we had to be ready to go for our excursions and where to meet.

All in, we had a great experience with our first European cruise! We love this type of travel, cruising and guided tours, as it allows us to get a taste of certain travel destinations and understand if we want to come back or we’ve seen it and are ready for new adventures.

We weren’t sure what to expect with Royal Caribbean in Europe, but honestly, it felt the exact same as departing from Florida. So, if you’ve cruised before it’ll feel so familiar.

Now that we’ve done it, I’m already looking up other options for future European cruises as we really enjoyed our experience!

What other destinations do you recommend we check out on a European cruise? Let us know your favorite cruising destinations in the comments below!

Hey, I'm Stephanie! I'm a copywriter living in beautiful Denver with my husband Rick, and our dog Rocco. I love traveling, writing, reading, and being outside as much as possible - unless I'm on the couch binge watching Stranger Things with a glass of wine! Thanks for reading and being a part of the adventure with Back to the Passport! ❤️

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Glad you had a great European cruise. 😊

Check out a Baltic itineary for your next European cruise adventure. It’s a great way to visit Northern Europe!

A cruise to Norway and around Iceland is also filled with amazing scenery. Highly recommend!

Do they speak English on the excursions in the foreign countries(Greece, Croatia etc)? On board- are there any announcements in English from the captain or the activity planner?

Hey Julie, yes to both! They do offer excursions in other languages but they also have English-speaking options and it will be clearly labeled what language the tour is in. And all the announcements are made in English, plus a few other languages. The Cruise Compass (the printed schedule of the day’s activities) is also in English.

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Caribbean cruise line reroutes ships, cancels stop at island port due to violence, turmoil

• Published: Apr. 25, 2024, 12:11 p.m.

Royal Caribbean International has canceled stops at its private beach in Haiti through September as a result of the violence plaguing the island nation, a private fan blog, citing messages to travelers, reports. AP

• Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean has cancelled stops at its private port of Labadee through the summer because of simmering violence in Haiti.

In March, the cruise line canceled stops at the private beach area through May, but this week Royal Caribbean reworked cruise schedules through the summer and into September, a post on the Royal Caribbean Blog said.

“Guests booked on cruises in the summer and early fall are getting notifications from Royal Caribbean that their visits to Labadee have been canceled,” the blog said. “On Tuesday (April 23), cruisers began to share updates they received from Royal Caribbean that their itineraries have been updated to drop Labadee and replace it with another port or a sea day.”

Labadee is a beach area on a peninsula in northern Haiti near Cap-Haitien used exclusively by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line has its own security force at the site, which is walled off from the rest of the country.

The 260-acre site has been leased by Royal Caribbean since the 1980s. It is about a six-hour drive from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and thus far has not seen any incidents of violence, the blog said.

More than 2,500 people were killed or injured in gang violence from January to March across Haiti, a more than 50% increase from the same period last year, according to a report Friday by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti. The vast majority of violence is in Port-au-Prince .

Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s former capital, has been spared much of the violence and is going through a bit of a resurgence, The Associated Press said . Business owners, anxious parents and even historic state ceremonies have been relocating there, and that began even before gangs started attacking key government infrastructure in Port-au-Prince in late February.

Royal Caribbean International had no formal announcements of the changes posted to its website. Royal Caribbean Blog is an unofficial site for fans of the cruise line and is not affiliated with Royal Caribbean International.

But it cited chatter and messages from cruise ticket holders about changes to their itinerary that showed stops at Labadee were being canceled and replaced with either an extra day of cruising at sea or stops in alternate ports.

A notice from the cruise line, reposted on the blog, informed guests about the change in travel plans, without explicitly mentioning the violence.

“Due to the continuing situation in Haiti, we’ll now visit Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, instead of Labadee, Haiti,” the notice reads. “We’re sorry for the change – your safety is our top priority. Nevertheless, we’re excited to visit a new port with you!”

Grand Turk is the capital island in the Turks and Caicos archipelago north of Haiti.

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I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

• I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.
• For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.
• I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas . At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world , but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas .

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas .

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

I booked a mid-tier room — a step above interior staterooms , which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony , and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website , so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

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New Greek Resorts, Golden Visa Countries And More Travel News

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5 New Greek Hotels For Summer

W ith summer fast approaching, there are recently opened hotels and resorts in Greece to consider. From popular escapes such as Mykonos and Santorini to the lesser-known islands across the Aegean chain, here are five new Greek hotels worth checking out —and into.

10 Incredible Cruise Ship Features

For many years, the trend in cruise ship design has been that “bigger is better”—with vessels such as Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas setting new passenger records. But many cruise lines are also competing by offering innovative features to the high seas. From kart racing on multi-level courses to multiscreen movie theaters, here are some of the most incredible activities on cruise ships right now.

Disney World Earns Its First Michelin Star

Victoria and Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort—which has been a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star restaurant since 2018—added a new star to its constellation this month: It became the first Disney restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star . Located at the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World, Victoria and Albert’s is known for its opulent Victorian era-inspired meals. A prix-fixe dinner is $295 per guest, with optional wine pairings starting at $155 per person. Unlike the rest of the theme park, a formal dress code is encouraged for all diners, who must be 10 years of age or older.

Golden visas—which grant residency and/or citizenship through an investment—may be disappearing from Europe, but many EU countries are now luring travelers with digital nomad visas, which grant travelers the legal right to work remotely for an extended period. Italy recently became the latest country to offer the visa and here are other EU countries with digital nomad visas .

America’s Best Airlines 2024

The personal-finance website WalletHub recently announced its annual ranking of the best U.S. airlines . The study evaluates the nine largest national airlines and one regional carrier across a range of criteria, including safety, on-time records and overall service. This year, Alaska Airlines was named the best airline in America, beating out Delta, which ranked first in 2022 and 2023. The survey also ranked U.S. carriers based on reliability and comfort.

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7 Night Greece & Adriatic Cruise

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DISCOVER ADVENTURE ON EVERY DECK

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Day 1: athens, greece.

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5 best Royal Caribbean ships for kids

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Royal Caribbean is unarguably one of the best cruise lines for kids. But that doesn’t mean all its ships are equally good for kids of all ages and interests.

Every ship in Royal Caribbean ’s fleet has kid-friendly attractions, such as pools, an outdoor movie screen, a rock-climbing wall and a kids club with age-appropriate activities. The line’s oldest and smallest ships don’t offer much more than that — while the newest and biggest ships in the fleet have many more amusements. These include splash parks and waterslides, ice skating rinks, bumper cars, zip lines, laser tag and fast casual restaurants serving Mexican food and Johnny Rockets burgers and milkshakes.

Royal Caribbean excels at offering something for everyone on its ships. It’s hard to find an age group that wouldn’t find something to love about the line’s newest ships, such as Wonder of the Seas (the current world’s largest ship) or Icon of the Seas (which will steal the title when it debuts in January 2024).

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

As a quick guide, the line’s Vision- and Radiance-class ships have the fewest kid-friendly attractions. Voyager- and Freedom-class ships offer a sweet spot of plenty of family fun with a more manageable size. Oasis- and Icon-class ships are giant megaships packed with restaurants, shows and amusements aimed at kids and families, while Quantum-class ships offer a more sophisticated and high-tech approach to big-ship family fun.

But if we absolutely had to choose the best Royal Caribbean ships for kids, here are the ships we’d pick.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for babies and toddlers: Freedom of the Seas

I cruised with a 1-year-old to Alaska on Rhapsody of the Seas, one of Royal’s oldest and smallest ships, and it wasn’t my best cruise by a long shot. If you’re planning to cruise with little kids, my advice is to start with a short, warm-weather sailing on a ship that caters to the youngest cruisers.

On Royal Caribbean, that means picking a ship that has both a Royal Babies & Tots nursery and a Baby Splash Zone (because kids in swim diapers are not allowed in the main pool and water play areas). For my money, I’d go with Freedom of the Seas. It has both of those baby staples and plenty of restaurants and activities for the adults to enjoy as well. Your preschooler may enjoy the parades down the Royal Promenade followed by a scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. (Freedom is one of six Royal Caribbean ships with their own Ben & Jerry’s outlet.)

However, Freedom is not as huge as an Oasis-class ship (which have great offerings for the 3-and-under diapered set), so you’ll have less FOMO when you’re stuck in the cabin after early bedtime. And the halls aren’t quite as long when your new walker decides the best activity on the ship is pushing something up and down the cabin hallways. (Yes, I’ve been there, done that.)

Related: The 6 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Plus, Freedom of the Seas sails mainly short three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean’s private island. If your kids are like mine, beaches are fascinating places to play, and CocoCay has a calm bay, pirate ship-themed play area, splash park and a shallow-entry pool perfect for babies and toddlers. Plus, conveniently located complimentary barbecues and tram services make it easier for parents to manage a day at the beach with their kiddos.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for little kids (ages 3-7): Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s newest ship Icon of the Seas isn’t debuting until January 2024, but I’m already positive it’s the best in the fleet for younger kids. That’s because Royal Caribbean has built the entire ship to target young families .

The line has created a happy place for parents and kids under the age of 7 or so. It’s called Surfside and is an open-air space located at the back of the ship. It will feature a splash area with junior waterslides for kids and an infinity pool for adults. It will also have a beach-themed carousel, dry playground, arcade, multiple family-friendly restaurants (so you don’t have to go far when hunger strikes) and a mommy-and-me cocktail/mocktail bar.

This Deck 7 neighborhood is also a hop, skip and a jump away from the Adventure Ocean kids club on Deck 6.

Related: The best cruise ships for kids

Even better for all those little legs, Surfside will be surrounded by family-themed cabins and suites, many with separate sleeping areas for kids and adults. You won’t have to carry your tuckered-out tyke far when they’re ready for naptime in the cabin.

Because Icon of the Seas is a larger, reimagined version of Royal Caribbean’s beloved Oasis-class ships, families with young children can also enjoy ice skating and acrobatic diving shows, tons of family-friendly dining around the ship and top-deck attractions such as pools and minigolf.

Icon of the Seas will sail family-favorite weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean from the port of Miami . Each cruise also stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for older kids (ages 8-12): Wonder of the Seas

I took my daughter on Wonder of the Seas for her eighth birthday, and I can attest that Wonder (and its Oasis-class siblings) are ideal for older kids. These megaships have so much going on, your kids will never be bored. Or, as soon as they’re finished with one activity, they have several more to turn to next.

Some of the Wonder of the Seas activities have age or size limits, which is why littler kids can’t fully appreciate all it has to offer. For example, my daughter could go rock climbing, play in the splash park and multiple pools, ride the waterslides and the 10-decks-long dry slide. But she was just slightly too short and light to boogie board on the FlowRider or try the zip line. The minimum height requirements are usually 48 or 52 inches.

Related: Why Wonder of the Seas is awesome for families

The Studio B ice skating show and original musical “Effectors II” are perfect for older kids. My daughter was especially wowed by the slackliners, aerialists, dancers and divers we saw at the AquaTheater. Kids ages 8 to 12 may also enjoy Wonder’s escape room, sports court, minigolf course, carousel, promenade parades and arcade.

And let’s not forget about the many fast casual dining venues on the ship. My daughter would have dined on hot dogs and milkshakes at Johnny Rockets every day if I were willing to pay for it. She also enjoyed quesadillas at El Loco Fresh near all the fun top-deck attractions, the Campfire Cookie dessert at Playmakers and browsing the selections at the buffet. Other kid-friendly venues that got her thumbs up included the new-on-Wonder Mason Jar southern-themed specialty restaurant and pizza at both the free Sorrento’s and the extra-fee Giovanni’s.

Wonder of the Seas mainly sails seven-night Caribbean cruises, which is a perfect vacation length for this age group. Book those school-vacation weeks early as they’re popular dates.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for tweens and teens: Odyssey of the Seas

Tweens and teens would certainly enjoy all of the ships already mentioned, but sometimes they’re looking for a vacation that’s a little cooler and perhaps more high-tech. That’s why Odyssey of the Seas is our pick for the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for middle and high school kids.

Odyssey of the Seas and its Quantum-class sister ships have some cool attractions not found on other Royal Caribbean vessels. Teens will love trying the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator and bouncing on the Sky Pad VR bungee trampoline. At the ship’s SeaPlex, they can get active with indoor basketball, table tennis and bumper cars, or get their game on at the arcade or virtual-reality play space. If they work up an appetite, they can grab burgers at Playmakers nearby.

The ship also features Two70, a cool hangout by day (grab a bite at the cafe and curl up somewhere away from parents to check your social media feeds) and a high-tech performance venue at night. The NorthStar is a sightseeing pod that rises high above the ship on a mechanical arm; teens can snap a selfie while up there.

Related: The 5 best cruises for teens

Social 180 is the tween and teen hangout on Odyssey of the Seas, and it’s extra cool given that it has both an indoor lounge and an outdoor patio. Plus, the ship has plenty of teen-friendly Royal Caribbean fan favorites, such as the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, laser tag and outdoor movies.

Tweens and teens may also be ready to appreciate Royal Caribbean’s diverse array of specialty restaurants including sushi at Izumi, steaks at Chops Grille and Italian at Giovanni’s. Plus, they can grab quick bites at El Loco Fresh and Sorrento’s.

Odyssey of the Seas sails a mix of weeklong and longer Caribbean sailings, as well as Greek Islands and Holy Land cruises. This gives families more options for more adventurous travel with teens who are ready to handle longer trips or flights to Europe.

Best Royal Caribbean ship for families heading to Alaska: Quantum of the Seas

Because most of our family picks are for ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas, it seemed like an oversight to leave out Alaska. Alaska is an amazing destination for a family vacation with kids, and Royal Caribbean bases four ships up north every summer. But some are better for families than others.

Our top pick for families sailing to Alaska is Quantum of the Seas (though nearly identical Quantum-class sister ship Ovation of the Seas is a close second). Quantum sails seven-night round-trip cruises from the accessible port of Seattle, perfect for families that can’t take more than a week’s vacation and don’t want to spend the time and money flying to Alaska to board a ship.

Related: The best Alaska cruise for every type of traveler

Quantum of the Seas has many of the same amenities as the aforementioned Odyssey of the Seas, which are ideal for Alaska. Indoor activities like kids clubs, the sky diving simulator and SeaPlex will always be usable even if the northern weather gets chilly or rainy. The North Star sightseeing ride is much more appealing when you can take in Alaska’s stunning scenery rather than mere stretches of Caribbean sea. Two70 makes for an equally attractive indoor observation lounge when the ship is cruising through fjords and by glaciers.

Quantum of the Seas get the nod from Ovation because it has two activities Ovation lacks: an escape room and laser tag.

Bottom line

It’s hard to go wrong with any Royal Caribbean cruise ship when you’re planning a family vacation. The bigger the ship, the more amazing kid attractions you’ll find on board. I’d recommend sticking with Voyager class and newer ships when traveling with kids, but even the smaller ships have kids clubs, pools and other family-friendly activities.

So when all is said and done, the best Royal Caribbean ship for kids is likely whichever ship in the fleet your family happens to be on!

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.