the royal caribbean cruise jobs

Welcome aboard

Select your brand and explore our open jobs on land or at sea

We are Passionate

We deliver unforgettable vacations to guests who trust us with life’s greatest moments.

Discover why our crew is the reason our guests keep coming back for more.

We are Innovative

We build the best ships, and even better careers, all while doing the right thing.

We are elevated by technology and are always looking beyond the horizon.

We are Unstoppable

Together we make the impossible, possible.

We open the world to our employees. We travel most of the known world, and our crew is there every step of the way.

We are Propelled by People

Our employees and crew are the driving force behind our success.

They are the heart of our organization. They are the ones that propel us forward.

Become a valued member of our expanding family today.

Discover firsthand what makes Royal Caribbean a great place to work by watching this video. Hear Security Officer Sharon and Reshma Security Staff share their experiences and passion for being part of our team.

Elevate your career: join our elite sommelier team!

Meet Jelena, our Cellarmaster, and March, our extraordinary Sommelier, as they share their remarkable journeys and profound dedication to our team.

Elevate your culinary journey by becoming a valued member of our exceptional culinary team!

Embark on a journey with Celebrity Cruises and meet our exceptional team members who bring culinary excellence to the high seas. Konstantinos, our visionary executive chef; Ornella, our dedicated assistant pastry chef; and Atziri, our executive chef pastry & bakery on Celebrity Cruises, as they share, showcase the passion and dedication that define our cruise experience.

Work with our amazing culinary team!

Thinking about joining Royal Caribbean? Watch this video to hear Executive Sous Chef Omar and CDP3 Pastry Cook Manisha share why they love working with us. Join our growing family at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

Ready to embark on this exciting journey? Join our ever-growing family today at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com.

Dive into the vibrant world of our passionate team with an exclusive video. Listen to Chef de Rang Roberto and Commis de Rang Aleksandra as they reveal the exceptional qualities that make working with us truly extraordinary.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of our crew onboard?

Roberta, Bartender on Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, shares a few highlights of her job. Thank you for your hard work, Roberta! You’re an amazing teammate.

Exploring a career with Celebrity Cruises?

Experience the essence of what makes Celebrity Cruises an exceptional workplace in this captivating video. Join Melanie, our Deputy Chief Security Officer, as she shares her personal journey and unwavering passion for being a part of our team. Join our growing family today. Discover more at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

Embark on a journey with us and become a valued member of our Food & Beverage team!

Experience the passion and enthusiasm of our team firsthand by watching this video. Listen to Waiter Jizelle and Restaurant Attendant Aleena as they reveal what makes working with us so special. Ready to embark on this journey with us? Join our expanding family today at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

Step aboard and become a vital part of our esteemed marine engineering team!

Curious about life aboard our Celebrity Cruises crew? Get an inside look from our dedicated engineers who’ve shared some captivating highlights of their job. Embark on your journey with our expanding family today at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

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Welcome aboard

Select your brand and explore our open jobs on land or at sea

We are Passionate

We deliver unforgettable vacations to guests who trust us with life’s greatest moments.

Discover why our crew is the reason our guests keep coming back for more.

We are Innovative

We build the best ships, and even better careers, all while doing the right thing.

We are elevated by technology and are always looking beyond the horizon.

We are Unstoppable

Together we make the impossible, possible.

We open the world to our employees. We travel most of the known world, and our crew is there every step of the way.

We are Propelled by People

Our employees and crew are the driving force behind our success.

They are the heart of our organization. They are the ones that propel us forward.

Become a valued member of our expanding family today.

Discover firsthand what makes Royal Caribbean a great place to work by watching this video. Hear Security Officer Sharon and Reshma Security Staff share their experiences and passion for being part of our team.

Elevate your career: join our elite sommelier team!

Meet Jelena, our Cellarmaster, and March, our extraordinary Sommelier, as they share their remarkable journeys and profound dedication to our team.

Elevate your culinary journey by becoming a valued member of our exceptional culinary team!

Embark on a journey with Celebrity Cruises and meet our exceptional team members who bring culinary excellence to the high seas. Konstantinos, our visionary executive chef; Ornella, our dedicated assistant pastry chef; and Atziri, our executive chef pastry & bakery on Celebrity Cruises, as they share, showcase the passion and dedication that define our cruise experience.

Work with our amazing culinary team!

Thinking about joining Royal Caribbean? Watch this video to hear Executive Sous Chef Omar and CDP3 Pastry Cook Manisha share why they love working with us. Join our growing family at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

Ready to embark on this exciting journey? Join our ever-growing family today at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com.

Dive into the vibrant world of our passionate team with an exclusive video. Listen to Chef de Rang Roberto and Commis de Rang Aleksandra as they reveal the exceptional qualities that make working with us truly extraordinary.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be part of our crew onboard?

Roberta, Bartender on Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, shares a few highlights of her job. Thank you for your hard work, Roberta! You’re an amazing teammate.

Exploring a career with Celebrity Cruises?

Experience the essence of what makes Celebrity Cruises an exceptional workplace in this captivating video. Join Melanie, our Deputy Chief Security Officer, as she shares her personal journey and unwavering passion for being a part of our team. Join our growing family today. Discover more at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

Embark on a journey with us and become a valued member of our Food & Beverage team!

Experience the passion and enthusiasm of our team firsthand by watching this video. Listen to Waiter Jizelle and Restaurant Attendant Aleena as they reveal what makes working with us so special. Ready to embark on this journey with us? Join our expanding family today at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

Step aboard and become a vital part of our esteemed marine engineering team!

Curious about life aboard our Celebrity Cruises crew? Get an inside look from our dedicated engineers who’ve shared some captivating highlights of their job. Embark on your journey with our expanding family today at careers.royalcaribbeangroup.com. #IAMRCG #PropelledbyPeople

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Jobs with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean International is a Norwegian-American company that is based in Miami, Florida. It is the second-largest cruise line in the world and its family of companies includes:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Celebrity Cruises
• Pullmantur Cruises
• Azamara Club Cruises
• CDF Croisieres de France

The company also owns a 50 percent share of TUI Cruises .

View Royal Caribbean Cruises' Company Profile Don't miss out on the job you want! Join CruiseJobFinder

Royal Caribbean owns an impressive fleet of cruise ships, including the following:

• Allure of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Adventure of the Seas
• Voyager of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Mariner of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Radiance of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Vision of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Rhapsody of the Seas
• Splendour of the Seas
• Enchantment of the Seas
• Legend of the Seas
• Majesty of the Seas
• Monarch of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas
• Anthem of teh Seas
• Ovation of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Destinations

Royal Caribbean cruise ships visit the following destinations:

• Australia/New Zealand
• Canada/New England
• Dubai/Emirates
• Panama Canal
• South America

Onboard Experience

Life on board a Royal Caribbean cruise ship includes delicious meals, shopping, a fitness center, spa, and a casino. Guests can also enjoy bars and lounges on board. Special programs for children are available.

Working for Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International hires thousands of people to work for the company in various capacities. The following are some examples of the types of jobs that this leader in the cruise industry is looking to fill on a regular basis:

Land-based Employment

• Analyst, Revenue Management
• Certified Vacation Planner
• Commodity Manager - Print/Media
• Compliance Manager
• Cruise Representative
• Direct Marketing Manager
• External Tools Specialist
• Inside Sales Representative
• Interactive Developer
• Manager, Azamara Strategic Business Development
• Marketing Campaign Analyst
• Organizational Development Consultant
• Paralegal, Compliance and Ethics
• Reservations Operations Supervisor
• Sr. Digital Strategist - Media Manager

Shipboard Jobs

• Assistant Food Manager
• Broadcast Operator/Assistant
• Chef de Partie
• Chief Housekeeper
• Chief Officer
• Deck Supervisor (Food and Beverage Supervisor)
• Environmental Officer
• Guest Relations Manager
• Housekeeping Supervisor
• International Host/Hostess
• Jr. Payroll Purser
• Pastry Chef
• Personal Concierge
• Shore Excursion Manager
• Training and Development Manager

RCCL hires advertises for all kinds of jobs - this is but a short list of job titles. You just need to know where and when to look.

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Headliner Entertainment

Join our dazzling line-up of world-class stars, headliner entertainment categories.

Please note that you must be 18 years of age or older to be hired. Our headliners must have ample experience in their craft with a fully developed show of at least 45-50 minutes in length, and a strong ability to engage with the audience.

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The Entertainment Team helps ensure that our guests enjoy their stay on board as much as their time in port. They embrace the challenge of being in the spotlight or working behind the scenes to deliver world-class productions in the different performance venues on board; and also take charge of activities and events designed to create an atmosphere of fun and excitement aboard our ships for guests of all ages. Previous entertainment or guest activities experience in a four- or five-star cruise ship, hotel, resort, restaurant, or lounge is required to join this team.

Royal Caribbean recruiting up to 10K workers in 2024 to meet record cruise demand

R oyal Caribbean is looking to recruit as many as 10,000 workers worldwide this year to staff its ships and private destinations as demand for ocean cruises hits fresh records.

The number of people taking cruises hit an all-time high in 2023, and with the surge in demand and larger vessels, labor needs are growing.

Tourism boards and port operators from around the world said Royal Caribbean — which already has a workforce of close to 100,000 — is looking to hire worldwide.

The company confirmed to Reuters that it’s anticipating hiring around 10,000 workers this year.

According to the company’s annual filing, its sea-based workforce last year — which comprises of staffers on its cruise ships — totaled about 88,700 employees, 6% lower than the year prior.

The giant’s land-based workforce, meanwhile — which is comprised primarily of port operations and corporate office roles — including at its private destinations consisted of approximately 9,500 full-time employees in 2023, up 17% from the year prior.

“The recruiting strategy follows the business strategy of moderate capacity growth,” a company spokesperson told Reuters.

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) in April was reportedly approached by Royal Caribbean in regards to recruitment and hiring, a request it hadn’t received in the past, said Natasha Chalwell, BVI Port Authority marketing director.

But the cruise giant isn’t only focused on the Caribbean: The company also approached West Africa’s Gambia Tourism Board in April with an interest in hiring more workers, a spokesperson said.

For reference, Royal Caribbean currently employs about 700 workers from the nation, which is the smallest on mainland Africa.

Royal Caribbean’s influx in hiring comes at a time when it’s adding three new ships to its fleet, the company rep added.

Earlier this year, the company debuted the world’s largest cruise ship, dubbed Icon of the Seas .

The $2 billion behemoth reportedly  lived up to the over-the-top  hype surrounding its launch, which included buzz that it spans 20 stories and boasts eight distinct neighborhoods.

Icon of the Seas can accommodate nearly 10,000 passengers and crew at full capacity, who are invited to enjoy a 17,000-square-foot on-board water park or book an upscale reservation at the 38-seat Empire Supper Club, an eight-course dinner complete with cocktail pairings and live jazz. 

All the while, the gargantuan ship is sailing on week-long itinteraries from Miami to Caribbean destinations like Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis and Cozumel, Mexico, among others.

Come July, Utopia of the Seas is scheduled to sail every Friday and Monday from Port Canaveral, Fla., to Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. 

The forthcoming ship can accommodate 5,668 guests at capacity and offers 21 dining options, five pools, a zip line, ice-skating rink, basketball court and two rock-climbing walls.

Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, meanwhile, is anticipated to set sail in the summer of 2025.

The company’s website touts the ship as having “over 40 ways to dine and drink,” plus “six record-breaking waterslides” and “seven splashy pools.”

Royal Caribbean said its bookings hit a record in the first quarter of 2024, boosting quarterly revenue to $3.73 billion, up 29%.

At the same time, the Miami-based company’s stock price has doubled over the past year to hit a new record.

Royal Caribbean is hiring 10,000 workers in 2024 to keep up with high cruise demands

• Updated: May. 08, 2024, 1:25 p.m. |
• Published: May. 08, 2024, 1:05 p.m.

Royal Caribbean is hiring 10,000 workers in 2024 to keep up with a surging demand in cruise travel, according to a report from Reuters. TNS

• Katherine Rodriguez | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Royal Caribbean is hiring 10,000 workers in 2024 to keep up with surging demand in cruise travel, according to a report from Reuters.

Tourists taking cruises hit a record in 2023, and there is no signs that tourism is slowing.

Therefore, Royal Caribbean is trying to bolster its labor force this year as it brings on three new ships.

The cruise liner is asking several partner universities in the Caribbean to shore up short-term courses and certifications so more people can be qualified to work at sea.

Royal Caribbean is also in talks with port authorities in St. Maarten, the British Virgin Islands and the Gambia Tourism Board to drum up support for additional staff.

Royal Caribbean’s hiring spree comes as the cruise liner has hit some snafus with some of its itineraries and ships so far this year.

Royal Caribbean canceled a cruise to Alaska after passengers had already boarded due to a malfunction with the ship.

The cruise liner also stopped ships from docking at a private island port in Haiti due to ongoing violence in the region.

This decision by Royal Caribbean to change the itinerary on that cruise came after the U.S. issued a warning to tourists to avoid traveling to Haiti at this time due to an increase in gang-related violence.

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Royal Caribbean Group

2025 hotel operations rotational program | miami, fl (august 2025 start).

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2025 Hotel Operations Rotational Program

What we’re looking for:

Grad Dates : December 2024 grads or May 2025

Location : Miami, FL (Port of Miami office) & Shipboard Rotation (3 months)

Format : In Person Monday – Thursday and remote on Friday’s

Start Dates : August 2025

About the program : Royal Caribbean International’s Hotel Operations Rotational Program is a two-year rotational program sponsored by the Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations and based in Miami, Florida. The program is designed to build future leaders for the Hotel Operations Organization. You will be hired as an Analyst with the opportunity to rotate through our corporate shoreside and shipboard areas of Hotel Operations: Onboard Revenue, Entertainment, Guest Experience, Private Destinations, Housekeeping and Food & Beverage. Participants will spend time rotating through four of these functional areas, becoming familiar with the core functions that drive the operations and the variables that impact our guest experience while understanding what makes our cruises so special. All the while, you will gain exposure to the C-suite, key decision makers in the brands, and gain unparalleled cross-departmental knowledge that will position you for an accelerated career path in Hotel Operations. Upon completion of the program, you will have the opportunity to assume a Sr. Analyst role at RCL.

Rotational Preview :

Hotel Operations – As a Rotational Analyst on the Hotel Operations team, you will become familiar with the drivers of a guest’s vacation experience. Additionally, you will understand the crew experience and become familiar with the Royal Caribbean International brand standards. Alongside Hotel Operations leaders, the Analyst will liaise closely with all corporate and operational groups to ensure that each ship is always fully supported. This includes Hotel Operations (F&B, Onboard Revenue, Entertainment & Cruise Programs, Guest Services, Housekeeping), Marine Operations, Global Marine Operations, IT, Human Resources, Marketing, Accounting, Internal Audit, Safety & Environment, Corporate Communications, Land Operations, Revenue Management, Deployment, Legal and Customer Service. The Rotational Analyst will work closely with the shipboard leadership and the greater team to use data and operational feedback to constantly review results and trends to make the necessary adjustments.

Hotel Performance – The Onboard Revenue Operations rotation would support the Onboard Revenue teams (Shipboard and Shoreside) ensuring they have all the right tools and processes in place to track and achieve over $1B annual revenue target across all revenue areas, including Beverage, Casino, Spa, Photo, Art, Retail, Internet, Amenities, and any other new business opportunities. It is critical for the candidate to retrieve large volume of data from different systems, analyze data, and identify opportunities to improve financial performance. Effective written and verbal communication of this information is critical to the success of this position.

Food & Beverage (F&B) – This role is a key driver for analyzing current food waste onboard by product preparation, guest consumption, and/or production. This role is an opportunity to streamline procedures in the fleet and present data that can save exponential dollars to the fleet through deep analysis. In addition, this role is responsible for presentations, development of company standards, and initiating data that presents cost save analysis to culinary department.

Entertainment – This role will provide support within the Entertainment and Cruise Director’s division fleetwide. This role will research, develop and analyze entertainment and guest activity programming to include but not limited to sports, family activities, adult activities, youth program, live music, and strategic partners and license agreements. This position will also support newbuild development, competitive reports, new product launches, guest satisfaction metrics analysis and budget/capital endeavors.

Life at Sea – The Rotational Program will include up to two 3-month rotations onboard our ships. Life onboard is extremely fast paced and action packed. As an analyst onboard our ships, you can expect a full schedule that would provide insight as to what it is like to live and work onboard one of our ships as well to learn our corporate initiatives impact our guest’s and crew’s experience.

What we are looking for:

• Undergraduate degree in Business, Hospitality or Hotel Administration or related field
• Must graduate December 2024 or May 2025
• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency required
• GPA of 3.5 or higher is preferred and proven leadership skills either in school or professional experience
• Desire and willingness to work onboard our ships for up to 3 months during the program
• High level of critical thinking
• Ability to be adaptable and comfortable in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to think strategically, while managing the details
• Ability to anticipate

It is the policy of the Company to ensure equal employment and promotion opportunity to qualified candidates without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, sexuality, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. RCL and each of its subsidiaries prohibit and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment.

Join us at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., where great vacations begin with great employees!

RCL is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

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Royal Caribbean set to resume cruises out of Baltimore nearly 2 months after Key Bridge collapse

Vision of the seas voyage will mark the first cruise from the port since the francis scott key bridge collapsed.

Baltimore is going to have to work hard to attract shippers back to our terminals: Louis Campion

Maryland Motor Truck Association President and CEO Louis Campion on the recovery and impact to the trucking industry from the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.

Royal Caribbean International plans to resume cruises out of Baltimore, Maryland, later this month, now that the channel in and out of the busy port was reopened on Tuesday to a depth of up to 45 feet.

The news comes nearly two months after the container ship Dali crashed into a support of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, sending the structure smashing into the Patapsco River below, and on top of the vessel.

On Monday, crews used explosives to break apart the largest remaining piece of the bridge resting on top of the Dali, causing the mangled metal to fall into the water. Crews were expected to assess the remaining bridge debris near the grounded ship before re-floating the vessel and moving it out of the channel.

Enough of the structure has been removed to resume shipments in and out of Port Baltimore, and on Monday, the U.S. Coast Guard reopened the Fort McHenry limited access channel to an available depth of 45 feet for commercial vessels daily, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE POSES ‘TEMPORARY RISK’ TO LOCAL, STATE ECONOMIES: MOODY'S

The Royal Caribbean cruise liner Vision of the Seas, seen here sailing off the coast of France, is slated to depart from Baltimore, Md., on May 25. (Gerard Bottino/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images / Getty Images)

The Port of Baltimore shared the news on Facebook, saying the channel has a horizontal clearance of 350 feet and a vertical clearance of 214 feet because of power lines above, though the depth and width may increase as salvage operations continue in the area.

Still, transit in the channel remains at the discretion of the Coast Guard, based on weather conditions and salvage operations.

The reopening means cruise ships like Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas are resuming operations.

ECONOMIC IMPACT FROM BALTIMORE BRIDGE COLLAPSE WILL BE LONG-LASTING, TRADE GROUP WARNS

Salvage personnel work to clear wreckage after the cargo ship Dali crashed into and collapsed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, April 2, in Baltimore, Md.  (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images / Getty Images)

On May 25, the Vision of the Seas will depart Baltimore for a five-night voyage to Bermuda.

"Royal Caribbean International looks forward to returning to the Port of Baltimore once again," a spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told Fox News Digital. "Vision of the Seas will set sail on a five-night itinerary as planned on Saturday, May 25, after completing its previously scheduled drydock in The Bahamas."

In a social media post, the Port of Baltimore expressed excitement over the return of cruise ships in and out of the city.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CANCELS LABADEE, HAITI PORT STOPS OUT OF ‘ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION’

The remains of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge stick out of the Patapsco River. (Michael A. McCoy for The Washington Post via Getty Images / Getty Images)

"This marks the first cruise departing Baltimore since the Key Bridge incident," the post read. "Are you as excited as we are? If you’ve never cruised before from Baltimore, come find out why it’s the best cruise port on the East Coast. Baltimore is back!"

Another cruise company, Carnival Cruise Line, also offers voyages out of Baltimore Harbor. After the Key Bridge collapsed, the company moved the Carnival Legend’s operations to Norfolk, Virginia, to allow rescue and remediation efforts to continue at the scene of the disaster.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON FOX BUSINESS

Fox News Digital reached out to Carnival to find out whether the company plans to resume operations out of Baltimore, but did not immediately hear back.

Cruise ships to return to Baltimore two months after bridge collapse

Royal Caribbean and Carnival temporarily relocated to Norfolk after the Key Bridge collapse in March.

Cruises will soon set sail from Baltimore again, resuming operations two months after a cargo ship took down the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

In an X post on Wednesday, the Port of Baltimore revealed that Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas would leave on May 25 for a five-night trip to Bermuda. It will be the first cruise from a major carrier that leaves from Baltimore since the deadly bridge collapse on March 26.

The cruise line confirmed the news, saying in a statement it “looks forward to returning to the Port of Baltimore once again.”

Three major cruise lines sail from Baltimore, though only two had ships based at the port during the spring. No cruise ships were in port when the accident happened. After some scrambling , Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line both moved their Baltimore-based operations to Norfolk.

Carnival said in a statement that it plans to sail the Pride from Norfolk on May 19. That ship is expected to finish the cruise in Baltimore a week later. Because of those plans, the cruise line is encouraging guests to make their way to Baltimore ahead of the trip, and take a free, Carnival-provided bus more than 200 miles to Norfolk.

The ship is scheduled to leave Baltimore for a 14-day Greenland and Canada itinerary on May 26 before resuming seven-day Bahamas or Caribbean cruises.

“We remain in close contact with local, state and federal officials regarding the return of our operations at the Port of Baltimore,” Carnival said. The port said Wednesday it could only confirm Royal Caribbean’s schedule.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have any Baltimore sailings scheduled until September. American Cruise Lines, a smaller company that operates river and coastal cruises, was able to start operating Chesapeake Bay trips from Baltimore earlier this month.

More than 444,000 people cruised out of Baltimore’s port last year, according to a news release issued by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s office.

Baltimore bridge collapse

How it happened: Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo ship . The container ship lost power shortly before hitting the bridge, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said. Video shows the bridge collapse in under 40 seconds.

Victims: Divers have recovered the bodies of two construction workers , officials said. They were fathers, husbands and hard workers . A mayday call from the ship prompted first responders to shut down traffic on the four-lane bridge, saving lives.

Economic impact: The collapse of the bridge severed ocean links to the Port of Baltimore, which provides about 20,000 jobs to the area . See how the collapse will disrupt the supply of cars, coal and other goods .

Rebuilding: The bridge, built in the 1970s , will probably take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars to rebuild , experts said.

Protect Your Trip »

Icon of the seas: the best dining, amenities and more on royal caribbean's new ship.

This family-friendly megaship features plenty of activities, entertainment and restaurants.

Icon of the Seas

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Key Takeaways

• Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, with 18 passenger-accessible decks, eight different neighborhoods and 2,805 staterooms.
• Think of Icon of the Seas as an all-in-one adventure vacation contained on a ship. Young families and energetic travelers will enjoy it most.
• Itineraries originate from Miami , sail to destinations around the Caribbean and include a stop at Royal Caribbean's private island , Perfect Day at CocoCay.

If you have any degree of interest in traveling or cruising, chances are you've heard the buzz around Icon of the Seas. Another record-breaking ship by Royal Caribbean International , Icon of the Seas debuted on Jan. 27, 2024, as the largest cruise ship in the world. It is epic in every sense, featuring 18 cruiser-accessible decks and stretching 1,196 feet from bow to stern.

With greatest-of-all-time soccer player Lionel Messi as the ship's godfather, the Icon of the Seas is truly iconic. Messi brought the entire Inter Miami team along for the opening ceremony and the big reveal of the team's new Royal Caribbean-sponsored jerseys. I was fortunate enough to attend this star-studded ceremony as part of the press preview sailing in the days leading up to the ship's grand debut to the public. It was everything I thought it would be and more, and nobody could have been more appropriate than Messi to send this ship on her maiden voyage.

Boarding a ship of this size can seem overwhelming, but not when you understand the layout. Icon of the Seas is broken up into eight distinct neighborhoods: AquaDome, Central Park, Thrill Island, Chill Island, Royal Promenade, The Hideaway, Suite Neighborhood and Surfside, a neighborhood built for young families looking for nonstop fun and kid-approved eats and treats.

In addition to these public areas, there are 2,805 staterooms spread across 12 decks. Icon of the Seas' capacity maxes out at 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew members, but with the plethora of public spaces and variety of things to do and see, you can choose your own adventure without encountering more crowds than you want to.

Find your perfect cruise

Skye Sherman

Icon of the Seas itinerary

During its inaugural 2024-2025 cruising season, Icon of the Seas offers seven-night eastern or western Caribbean adventures from Miami, stopping at a variety of tropical destinations. All sailings include a stop at Royal Caribbean's award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas . Other destinations include Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis ; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico .

During the 2025-2026 cruising season, new destinations will include Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic ; San Juan, Puerto Rico ; Labadee, Haiti; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (part of the U.S. Virgin Islands ). All sailings will originate from Miami.

No matter your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you'll visit beautiful places – but you can expect to feel torn about spending any time off the ship, because it's just that jampacked with things to do.

Who should sail on Icon of the Seas?

Icon of the Seas appeals not so much to a demographic as to a psychographic; you're going to need to be someone who likes to live life in all caps. Royal Caribbean set out to create "the world's best vacation" contained on a ship, so Icon of the Seas is for anyone who would enjoy the combination of a beach trip, a resort stay, a water park adventure and island-hopping.

Fun-loving travelers and families with kids of varying ages will do best on this ship; it feels a little bit like Disney World with over-the-top everything and a truly massive sprawl. Older travelers who prefer a more quiet, refined experience may want to opt for a less kid-friendly ship. Still, even couples without children will find plenty of fun adult-friendly things to do and romantic places to tuck in.

The Royal Promenade can be quite loud and buzzy, but simply relocating to another onboard neighborhood can completely shift the vibe. Also, keep in mind that the ship really is huge, and walking from end to end can be a hike, so those with limited mobility or endurance might want to look into a smaller ship.

Icon of the Seas prices are high in its opening season, but cruisers with big dreams and small budgets can expect rates to drop by the time the next ship in the series debuts.

The stateroom

With a ship this overstimulating, it's imperative that your stateroom is a haven. Luckily, Icon of the Seas offers peaceful rooms, many of which feature ocean or Central Park neighborhood views. Cruise ship accommodations are stereotypically compact – even cramped – but the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows in Icon of the Seas' cabins (with the exception of the windowless interior rooms) lend an airy, open feel. The cabin layouts are also optimized to provide the maximum amount of storage, floor space and comfort.

Stateroom decor is mildly nautical- and tropical-themed, with calming hues that mimic the scenery outside your window (think blues, beiges and whites). High-tech elements include smart TVs, LED mirrors and the ability to control many aspects of your room from an app.

My husband and I stayed in an Ocean View Large Balcony Stateroom, a 204-square-foot refuge from the hustle and bustle of the ship (the balcony adds another 65 to 70 square feet). This room type can sleep up to four people with a sofa bed for one or two; the room also features twin beds that convert to a king bed for couples.

My husband is 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and we were comfortable in our room, even though our quarters included a large bed, a bathroom, a sofa and a desk. We loved sitting on our private balcony and watching the deep blues of the Atlantic Ocean flow by.

If money is no object, the Ultimate Family Townhouse – an over-the-top eight-guest, three-story pad with a private whirlpool on the balcony, three bathrooms, a slide that connects the second and main levels, an in-suite cinema, a dining room and a kitchenette – looks epic. But keep in mind, it costs nearly $100,000 for the week.

The Sunset Corner Suites (about one-fifth of the cost of the Ultimate Family Townhouse, but still expensive) are also pretty sweet, with a wraparound balcony and a bed facing the sea.

Luckily, not all rooms break the bank; with four main stateroom categories (suite, balcony, ocean view and inside) and 28 subcategories, there's something for everyone.

Best amenities on Icon of the Seas

It's almost impossible to run out of things to do aboard Icon of the Seas.

For thrill-seekers, the largest water park at sea – Category 6 – features the Frightening Bolt (the tallest waterslide on a ship) and the Pressure Drop (the first open freefall waterslide on a cruise vessel).

If you've tired of the seven swimming pools, six waterslides, laser tag, mini-golf, rock climbing wall, escape room, sports courts, outdoor decks, theater, spa and all-day programming, simply take a stroll down the Royal Promenade for Las Vegas -style people-watching. The Royal Promenade has 15 restaurants, bars and lounges, as well as a Starbucks that seems to have a line no matter what time you go. The neighborhood feels a bit like a shopping mall … if a shopping mall had floor-to-ceiling ocean views made possible by the world's largest kinetic art sculpture.

The Pearl, a feat of engineering, is one of the most unique aspects of the ship's design. This art piece is actually a load-bearing structure supporting three decks, but it looks and feels like an interactive art experience designed solely for the enjoyment of guests. The multisensory immersive structure has 3,000 kinetic panels and moody ever-changing lighting. It is one of the first things guests will see when they walk on board, as it stretches from the Royal Promenade up to Central Park.

My husband and I spent most of our time at the FlowRider surf simulator – his favorite amenity – but we made sure to leave time for Taylor Swift trivia at Spotlight Karaoke and the superhuman stunts of the Aqua Theater show, a must on any Icon of the Seas voyage. The ship even has a massive ice arena called Absolute Zero for ice skating (the 20-minute sessions are complimentary) and impressive shows.

We also loved lounging in The Overlook Bar & Pods, an area at the very front of the ship (behind the AquaDome) that features two levels of floor-to-ceiling wraparound windows. It felt airy and open, which can't be said about many cruise ship interiors.

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Best dining venues on Icon of the Seas

There are more dining options aboard Icon of the Seas than you can fit in on a seven-night cruise – but you can give it the old college try. Thirteen of the dining venues are complimentary, while 14 are specialty restaurants (which cost extra; fees vary). There are also 18 bars and lounges.

The best meal we experienced on the ship was at the Chops Grille specialty eatery. When we spotted Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty and a group of bigwigs at a table next to us, we knew we were in the right place. We loved sitting outside and enjoying the breezes of Central Park while we chowed down, but you can eat indoors for an elegant steakhouse experience and a view of the open kitchen and butcher's display, which shows off specialty cuts like high-grade wagyu and bone-in tomahawks.

While I'd never turn down a swanky steak dinner, grabbing quick poolside bites at El Loco Fresh and indulging in some food hall-style grazing at AquaDome Market were equally enjoyable. We also had no complaints eating several meals at Windjammer, the classic complimentary cruise ship buffet.

Even though we don't have children, we stopped into Surfside Bites for a very kid-friendly meal, complete with soft serve ice cream cones from Sprinkles (because no cruise is complete without soft serve). We didn't try anything from the open-air, lemonade stand-inspired Lemon Post bar, but its menu of cocktails and mocktails looked delicious.

And since you're on vacation, be sure to check out the milkshake bar Desserted, where the sugary creations are as photo-worthy as they are decadent. They're worth the upcharge.

Best excursions on Icon of the Seas

Depending on what's on your Icon of the Seas itinerary, you may be able to book activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, tropical jungle adventures, visits to Mayan ruins, volcano hikes, rainforest zip lining, relaxing beach days or cultural immersion tours.

Note that Royal Caribbean features the same options on many of its other Caribbean cruises; none of the excursions on offer are exclusive to Icon of the Seas.

Because our press preview sailing only visited Perfect Day at CocoCay, we did not experience any of the shore excursions. Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas was plenty of fun, even though we didn't plan anything in advance.

If we had made plans, we would have liked to check out the Up, Up and Away tethered hot air balloon, which wasn't running that day, and the overwater cabanas at Coco Beach Club, which were all booked. Thrill Waterpark (which features the tallest waterslide in North America), Oasis Lagoon (the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean) and the adults-only Hideaway Beach are other highlights of Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Overall impressions of Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean seems to be focused on superlatives. It has the biggest, best, tallest, largest and most of everything – especially when it comes to Icon of the Seas. If you like jampacked, adventurous vacations that squeeze a lot of adventure and relaxation into one memorable week, Icon of the Seas is probably for you.

While I love seeing Royal Caribbean push the limits of what cruises can be, the ship may almost be too big for some. It's an all-out Vegas-esque vessel that feels more like a floating city; you will probably forget (more than once) that you're not on dry land.

That's not necessarily a bad thing – if Icon of the Seas looks fun to you, it probably will be – but my husband and I tend to gravitate more toward authentic, immersive, on-the-ground cultural experiences when we travel. While Icon of the Seas is a lot of things, it's not that. We had a fantastic time and have already started planning a future Royal Caribbean cruise with a group of friends and family, but we also sympathize with the anticruisers of the world. Vacationing does not a traveler make.

Still, the shows are entertaining, the service is attentive, the music is jamming, and the architecture and design are incredibly impressive. I have no real complaints and suspect that most cruisers will have the time of their lives on Icon of the Seas – exactly as the minds at Royal Caribbean envisioned when they dreamed up this iconic ship.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Skye Sherman has been cruising since childhood, when her parents took her on her first cruise through the Caribbean. She has sailed various ocean cruise lines, gone off the grid for a six-day riverboat expedition deep into the Amazon River and even planned a European river cruise with 48 of her closest family and friends. She's a fourth-generation Floridian and hopes to visit every country in the world during her lifetime. She covers travel and lifestyle topics for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Newest Royal Caribbean Ships
• Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival
• The Largest Cruise Ships in the World
• The Best New Cruise Ships
• The Best Cruise Insurance

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Royal Caribbean Cruises

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Cruise ship operations to resume from Baltimore later this month, port confirms

Cruises from Baltimore will resume later this month.

Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas will leave from the city on May 25. That will mark the first cruise ship to do so since the March collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge , the Port of Baltimore said in a Facebook post .

Vision of the Seas will sail a round-trip cruise to Bermuda, according to CruiseMapper . Royal Caribbean previously moved the ship’s operations to Norfolk, Virginia in the wake of the bridge collapse.

“Royal Caribbean International looks forward to returning to the Port of Baltimore once again,” a spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. “Vision of the Seas will set sail on a 5-night itinerary as planned on Saturday, May 25 after completing its previously scheduled drydock in the Bahamas.”

Carnival Cruise Line also expects to return this month.

Carnival will embark guests on Carnival Pride’s May 19 cruise in Norfolk, but anticipates it will end the trip in Baltimore.

“We are encouraging our guests to register for our complimentary bus service between Baltimore and Norfolk for the sailing's embarkation,” spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in an emailed statement. “We remain in close contact with local, state and federal officials regarding the return of our operations at the Port of Baltimore.”

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].