Royal Caribbean is quietly rolling out a handful of changes that cruisers will want to know about. Perhaps the most novel is a pilot program aboard Utopia of the Seas that lets guests purchase scratch-off lottery-style tickets directly through the Royal Caribbean app — no trip to the casino cashier required. Winnings of $2,000 or less are automatically deposited to a guest's onboard account; anything above that threshold requires a visit to the Casino cashier and the completion of a tax form. Notably, purchases do not earn casino loyalty points.
On the entertainment side, guests sailing Legend of the Seas have a new way to pass the time in their staterooms: YouTube and Prime Video are now accessible directly through the in-room television without needing to log into a separate account. An internet package is still required, but the integration skips the usual casting hassle. Royal Caribbean has experimented with smart TV options before, but this setup is more seamless than past attempts.
Travelers with European cruises on the calendar can breathe easier on the visa front. The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) — a pre-travel authorization requirement for Americans visiting Europe — no longer has an official launch date after the EU pushed back its previously announced late-2026 target. The new launch date will be announced several months in advance of ETIAS going live, meaning it's unlikely to affect anyone sailing to Europe through the end of this year or into 2027.
Finally, Captain Kate McCue has stepped down from her position at Four Seasons Yachts. She had left Celebrity Cruises to join the luxury yacht brand, but announced via Instagram that she is resigning to spend more time with family following the unexpected death of her mother in June. McCue is widely recognized as the first American female cruise ship captain, a title she earned during her decade with Celebrity Cruises.
Reporting and additional details courtesy of Royal Caribbean Blog.
