13 Changes I’d Love to See on Future Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships

I sail a lot, and I listen a lot. Families want more shade and shorter lines. Adults want true quiet and better pools. Everyone wants clear food labels, faster Wi‑Fi, and simpler days from pier to pillow.

Royal Caribbean has done big things lately, like bigger waterparks on Icon Class, family zones that keep growing, and fleet upgrades through Royal Amplified. Private beach clubs are coming online, and greener tech is gaining steam. These ideas build on that progress and focus on practical changes that make sea days smoother, more fun, and better value.

If you cruise Japan or Asia routes, you also want more time ashore and clearer planning tools. Many readers even search for “10 japanese cities to visit” while building port plans. Let’s make ship days smarter so shore days get better too.

Desirable changes for future Royal Caribbean ships

Photo by Brian Cook

Royal Caribbean continues to refresh ships with bolder thrills and new venues. The company has confirmed more upgrades across marquee vessels, which is a good sign that feedback is shaping what comes next. For context on recent enhancements and upcoming overhauls, the official press center outlines new experiences and refreshed spaces across several ships. See the announcement here: ROYAL CARIBBEAN WILL AMP UP MEMORY-MAKING. Enthusiast coverage also tracks these changes and what guests can expect onboard in the near term, like expanded venues and updated attractions, as covered by Royal Caribbean just announced major upgrades.

Below are the 13 requests I hear most from guests in 2025, along with simple ways to make them real.

Bigger Thrills and Calmer Spaces for Every Type of Cruiser

Big slides and surf simulators are great, but comfort matters too. The next round of ships should push family fun forward, then match it with quiet zones that actually stay calm. Icon Class shows what is possible. Now let’s tune it for lines, shade, and safety.

A next-level waterpark that adds shade, shorter lines, and lifeguards

• Taller body slides and a drop slide for thrill seekers.
• A proper lazy river with light current, safe for kids and relaxing for adults.
• Toddler splash pads with soft surfaces, shade canopies, and mini slides.

Comfort changes matter as much as height. Add more shaded seating with misters, towel pick-up at each entrance, non-slip decking, and more lifeguards where lines meet splash zones. Clear height and weight rules should sit at queue starts, not halfway through.

Use the app for a virtual queue or time slot system during peak hours. Guests can ride, then return for their window instead of standing in the sun. This keeps families happier, spreads crowds, and improves safety because team members focus on operations, not crowd control.

Family neighborhoods that feel complete and real adults-only sanctuaries

Give families a true hub. Picture a space with soft play for little kids, STEM labs for grade schoolers, a creative studio, and a teen lounge that feels like a modern hangout. Add stroller parking, bottle warmers, and restrooms with changing tables nearby. Install soundproof doors and separate walkways so noise stays inside the play areas.

For adults, build a larger quiet pool with full bar service, shade, calm music, and comfortable seating. Keep lighting soft at night, with hot tubs that remain a chill zone after dark. If the venue says adults-only, keep it that way without awkward conversations.

Larger pools with quiet zones and smarter lounger layouts

Sea days should not feel like a squeeze. Main pools need more width, a deeper section, and longer ledges for in-water lounging. Add a true quiet pool, no splash play and no blaring speakers. Tiered seating with side tables, more umbrellas, and cushioned chairs make hours by the pool feel easy.

A clear chair policy in the app can help too. If a lounger goes unattended for a set time, staff gets an alert. That opens space without drama. On windy days, clear wind screens on high decks make the pool usable while the ship is moving.

Food and Drink Upgrades That Raise the Bar Without Raising Stress

Choice matters. Clear labels matter more. And late-night food is a must after shows and swims. The goal is good flavor, less waiting, and fewer questions at the buffet.

More included dining variety with global flavors and late-night eats

Rotate themes in the main dining room, with options from Japan, Mexico, India, Italy, and the Mediterranean. A street-food corner could serve fresh buns, skewers, bao, and simple curries. Add grab-and-go bowls with proteins and greens for quick lunches.

Late-night food should not be just pizza. Offer tacos, noodles, and pizza by the slice after 11 p.m. Post daily menus in the app with clear photos and estimated waits. This spreads crowds, especially before and after shows.

Clear allergy-safe, vegan, and halal labels that guests can trust

Bold, easy-to-spot icons help everyone. Mark top allergens and cross-contact risks. Train staff on cross-contamination, and set aside a dedicated prep zone for the top eight allergens. Offer gluten-free bread toasted apart, dairy-free desserts that taste good, and soy-free options for sauces and dressings.

Add an allergy filter in the app that remembers profiles, including halal, vegan, and vegetarian. Guests can scan buffets and see safe items flagged in real time.

Smart specialty bundles, fair kids pricing, and better drink value

Specialty venues can be a treat without a math headache. Build flexible bundles that mix two or three restaurants at a set discount. Offer kids pricing under 12 and a teen tasting menu with smaller portions at lower cost.

A mid-tier drink package with mocktails, specialty coffee, and fresh juices would meet demand for lower alcohol intake. Add refill credits that roll to the next day, which reduces waste and guest frustration.

Example bundle ideas:

Refill stations for water, juice, and coffee that cut lines and waste

Place bottle-friendly refill taps on every pool deck, near theaters, and outside gyms. Add touchless coffee machines at breakfast and late night to free up staff and speed service. Sell reusable cups with quick-scan refills and clear hygiene signage so guests feel confident about cleanliness.

Smarter Tech and Cabins That Just Work

Fast Wi‑Fi, a helpful app, and cabins designed for how we travel today make a huge difference. These are baseline needs now, not premium perks.

More public electrical outlets: Add more outlets in public areas to accommodate a growing number of devices and remote workers.

Scatter outlets and USB‑C ports across lounges, promenades, and pool decks. Add pop-up charging hubs at tables and near windows, with cable organizers. A few quiet corners with work height seating help remote workers, students, and photographers charge and focus without hunting for power.

Faster Wi‑Fi everywhere with fair pricing and family plans

Wi‑Fi should support video calls and streaming shipwide, including cabins, theaters, and pool decks. Offer tiered plans, a family bundle for multiple devices, and 24-hour passes for port days. For far cabins, add extenders to maintain signal strength. Clear pricing and stable speeds cut guest stress and support real work when needed.

For route planning and inspiration, Royal Caribbean highlights regional offerings here: Japan Cruises: Discover the Best of Japan and broader Cruise to Asia. Smarter Wi‑Fi keeps those resources at your fingertips while onboard.

An app with live wait times, mobile ordering, and digital keys

The app can help you skip lines and plan smarter. Add live waits for dining, slides, shows, and Guest Services. Enable mobile ordering for snacks and coffee with pickup windows. Include digital room keys for everyone in the cabin, muster completion status, and map-based wayfinding with deck filters. Push alerts could notify guests when a quiet chair opens in a flagged zone or when a show has extra seats.

Staterooms with USB‑C, more storage, blackout curtains, and quiet-13 changes id love to see on future royal caribbean cruise ships

Cabins should match how people pack and sleep. Add multiple USB‑C ports by each bed, a desk power hub, and a wireless charging pad. Under-bed drawers, more hooks, and luggage-height closets use space well. Real blackout curtains help with naps and jet lag. Better door seals and soft-close hardware cut hallway noise.

Smoother boarding, luggage tracking, and better crowd flow design

Boarding day sets the tone. Scan-and-go boarding with timed arrival lanes keeps the pier calm. Luggage tracking in the app shows progress from curb to cabin. Onboard, smarter elevator logic at peak times and one-way foot traffic around pool decks reduce bottlenecks. Place clear signs at chokepoints so guests do not double back.

If you like to keep tabs on what is already changing across the fleet, this coverage gives a good snapshot of confirmed upgrades and timing: Five changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2026.

Greener Ships and Better Shore Days

Cleaner ships and smarter port days help guests and the places we visit. Long term, these wins make cruises more relaxing and more responsible. 13 changes id love to see on future royal caribbean cruise ships

Cleaner fuel, shore power, and onboard recycling that actually works-13 changes id love to see on future royal caribbean cruise ships

Expand shore power hookups where ports support it. Keep investing in advanced wastewater treatment and cleaner fuels on routes that allow supply. Onboard, add clear in-cabin recycling bins and visible sorting stations near dining areas. Short staff-led moments at activities, like a trivia question about waste sorting, can nudge behavior without lectures.

Longer port days, easier tenders, and fair beach club value-13 changes id love to see on future royal caribbean cruise ships

More late stays and a few overnights can change the feel of a voyage. Sunset in port is a different memory than a sprint back to the gangway. For tender ports, set priority windows in the app, add shaded waiting areas, and pass out cold water on hot days.

Private beach clubs, like the new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, can shine with more included food options, shaded loungers, and family pricing tiers. When sailings include Japan or wider Asia routes, guests often plan with lists like “10 japanese cities to visit,” which means longer calls and curated shore plans help families see more with less rush. If a sailing includes Tokyo, Kobe for Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, or Okinawa, longer days make it easier to enjoy local food, cultural sites, and kid-friendly stops without racing the clock.

For inspiration on where those itineraries can take you in Japan, browse official options here: Japan Cruises: Discover the Best of Japan. For wider regional planning, compare ports across Cruise to Asia.

Final thoughts-13 changes id love to see on future royal caribbean cruise ships

These 13 upgrades bring real wins: less waiting, better food choices with clear labels, cleaner ships, stronger Wi‑Fi, and calm spaces to relax. They build on what Royal Caribbean already does well, like big thrills and varied dining, while smoothing out pain points guests talk about every week.

What is your top wish for future ships? Drop it in the comments, then share this post with your cruise group. Here is to more shade by the pool, fewer lines, and the kind of sea days that feel easy from sunrise to last slice.