5 big changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023

New internet speeds, ship construction, and island expansions are just some of the changes Royal Caribbean has lined up for 2023.

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[donaldgreger]

Your presentations and info are much more valuable then posting a picture of yourself and having the weekend cruisers "gush" over a photo of one self. You are a real pro and that brings professional cruise journalism to the audience.

[scottbrader-kdvyy]

My wife and I are less than two weeks away from our first cruise to celebrate our 35th anniversary on Mariner. The excitement just keeps building every day!!!

[LostInSpice]

Three thousand more capacity to Coco Cay? When does it cease being a "private island" and end up being just another crowded port that happens to be controlled by Royal Caribbean? It's already crowded when two large ships are in. If this takes pressure off of everything and allows the crowds to spread out that's great, but I wouldn't be surprised if they tender in a third ship at times because they "have the capacity."

[dancingqueen]

I was hoping that Royal Caribbean would add more sailings from Boston, every time I go to a welcome back when they take questions I always ask for more sailings from Boston…

[TripleAM]

Thank you so much for the details! I am going on two cruises this year and I'm one that is not excited about this menu change. I love the classics because I can always depend on those if the rest of the menu wasn't appealing. I totally understand why the change, but I'm going to miss seeing my usual classics daily. I guess if I see them on a day, I'll order two! HAHA! I've never had any issues with the MDR with food quality and service. It's always beyond our expectations and they always go above and beyond in service! I have to admit that our group is always guilty of taking 2 hours but it's only because we love to take our time dining/drinking and talking to each other. It's the only time we are all together in a nice setting and can talk about our day as well as other topics. 75 minutes for a 3 course meal (or more) is too much of a rush.. more like eat and get out. That's more like the Windjammer atmosphere. I guess I'll see in February on Navigator but I hope I'm not disappointed by this.

[ZezeDouglas]

It's been 11 years since I've been on a cruise. I bought a house and had a child so life took over plus flaky people. But I made the step and put down a deposit for the Icon for Nov 2024, just me and my daughter and I am excited 😊

[michaelsang]

The new menu “Sucks”. Was on Symphony in December, boarding Oasis on 5th not looking forward to the Main Dining that’s truly disappointing, last cruise we went to Windjammer especially on Caribbean night. We maybe doing that on most nights during this 10 day cruise. Unfortunately we are already booked on 14 cruises in the coming year, we looking at alternative cruise lines, that is the msg or feedback to RCL. “Cut the portions but not the options”

[ClareDreyer]

Looking forward to an updated main dining room menu! We are doing a 12 night TA in April followed by a b2b 8 night to cruise Norway!

[johnnyshivers]

I'm pretty let down about the lobster night. that was a highlight of the MDR meals. I get it, it's an expensive dish item, BUT that's kinda what the whole point of doing this as a vacation spot as a pose to going and buying dinners separately at a resort. Only getting one lobster per guest and having to pay for the additional ones is pretty cheap all things considering.

[richscary]

Great info as always! I am also extremely excited for more ICON info... We will also be on the maiden voyage and actually got a peek at our cabin on this clip! Please keep feeding our ICON apatite!

[bethnewman]

I am concerned about them doing away with the Classics menu. The NY strip steak and the Roasted chicken breast are two consistent gluten free menu items. To have those disappear will decrease options for cruisers who have to eat gluten free.

[ProfGlitch]

the MDR menu changes have nothing at all to do with "lowering dinner duration" or any such garbage; it is COMPLETELY about greed. RCL wants to spend less money on a "free" offering.

[d.barlow]

Just back from a cruise on Symphony. The new menu is a total disaster. We were very unhappy with it. Of the 5 nights we ate in the main dining room, we left unsatisfied at least 4 of them. Very poor options for those younger than 16 as well. They will not bring two plates during one course any longer. So if you want two appetizers, you have to finish your first one, first. Which means you're eating alone while others have finished their first plate, and they are waiting on you to finish. Very odd and poorly thought through. If you want steak with your tiny little lobster tail, you have to eat your lobster tail first and then they'll bring you a steak. Oh, and the "new, improved" lobster tail of which you get one, a total miss. It is TINY and very unsatisfying. The head waiter actually argued with us when my wife refused her first lobster tail which was not prepared properly and would not come out of tail shell cleanly. It was a total joke. We were pretty unhappy with the change and this will be a major consideration for us before booking on RC again. The dining and menu has take a major step backwards. This was our 7th RC cruise and we're ready to look at other options for 2023. Dining used to be one of the highlights of a cruise. That's no longer the case for us on RC. Very sad.

[pebblesles]

I enjoy your vlogs immensely and truly helped with my first cruise back for New Years. Although it’s not 2023 but I’m excited about the Icon of seas & Symphony of Seas coming to New Jersey. I’m looking forward to the Oasis of Seas sailing 😍🥰

[dd-ddco]

Stop sugarcoating this, Royal is just shortchanging cruisers in the name of a "better quality menu. We know it's about cost-cutting, this bs is so obvious. You are so reluctant to say anything negative about Royal.

[TVHouseHistorian]

I’m on the Harmony right now, and the new MDR menu could not be more horrible. The menu is very limited, and there is nothing available that appeals to more adventurous palates. The food we received last night in the MDR was very poorly-plated, and very room-temperature. The fare (also quality) was tantamount to what you could expect at your local bar at home.

Don’t even get me started on the debacle they call “My Time Dining.” It was mobbed by everyone and their grandmother, and very disorganized.

As for the Windjammer specifically, there was a time when you could decide to eat ONLY in the Windjammer, and it would have been filled with unusual flavors and recipes. Not anymore. Now it’s no different than Hometown Buffet or Golden Corral - lots of plain Jane casseroles, plain chicken, plain beef, hotdogs and hamburgers. If you ask me, Princess and Norwegian are doing far better than Royal in the included food department right now. The food adventure is a big part of the cruise experience for me, and as such, I have the feeling this will be my final cruise with Royal until they get their act together.

[yesherestherj]

The around the world tour looks so appealing I can’t wait to see how that goes

[tanyajones]

❤❤❤I really enjoy watching and being informed with your Blogs and Videos especially this one being that 2023 will be my very first Royal Caribbean Cruise on Wonder of The Seas. Thank You Matt

[lilryry]

Excited to be going on our first cruise in March! We are surprising my son who will be turning 7 and has been begging since he started seeing the new ship commercials! This is our test run to see how we like it before booking it in 2024! Independence of the Seas to Bahamas 😁

[davva]

I will miss the classics menu. I was on Harmony December 2021 and ate in the dining room every night apart from one (due to an excursion). Without the classics I dont think I would have eaten in there anywhere near as often. I can be a bit picky so having a couple of consistent dishes I know I will like makes it easier for me. I can see why they would want to narrow the menu a bit to speed up service but I still think they should leave a chicken and steak dish on as a consistent option. Without it I would be hitting the buffet at least half the time.