When we booked our family cruise on Royal Caribbean’s brand-new Star of the Seas, we knew it would be an unforgettable trip. What we didn’t expect was how much adventure and flexibility it would bring!
We sailed from Orlando (Port Canaveral) on September 28th, during hurricane season, and while our original itinerary was supposed to take us through the Eastern Caribbean, Mother Nature had other plans. Due to storms, the captain rerouted us to the Western Caribbean, and we ended up exploring Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel instead.
At first, I was pretty disappointed — and so was everyone else in our Facebook cruise group. Because of the itinerary changes, guests with Royal Caribbean’s travel insurance were allowed to cancel, and many with free casino offers did too. The silver lining? The ship wasn’t at full capacity, which ended up being a huge perk for us. What started with frustration turned into an incredible surprise — the weather was beautiful, each port had its own charm, and exploring a brand-new ship with the kids made every day feel like a new adventure.
🌀 Cruising During Hurricane Season
Cruising during hurricane season might sound risky, but for families like ours, it turned out to be one of the best times to cruise. We sailed in late September, right in the middle of what’s technically hurricane season, and while we were prepared for changes, the experience ended up being smooth, sunny, and surprisingly affordable.
Our Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas itinerary was originally set for the Eastern Caribbean, but due to storms, we were rerouted to the Western Caribbean. While we were disappointed to trade the Caribbean islands and CocoCay for Mexico and Honduras, we were glad we did because we had phenomenal weather.
We explored Costa Maya, Roatán, and Cozumel with calm seas and clear skies most days. The captain and crew kept us updated with daily announcements, and the whole process felt safe and seamless.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it safe to cruise during hurricane season?”—the answer is yes, as long as you stay flexible and trust the cruise line’s expertise. Ships are built to navigate around storms, and the cruise lines monitor weather patterns constantly. Trust me, you would rather be on an island with great weather than somewhere windy and rainy.
Another big perk? September cruises are often the cheapest time to cruise the Caribbean. Prices drop significantly after summer break, crowds are smaller, and families can find incredible deals on newer ships. For us, that meant extra room in the budget for excursions and fun onboard activities for the kids.
Pros & Cons of booking a September Caribbean cruise:
- Pros:
- Cheapest prices of the year – you can get some phenomenal deals. We also found a lot of people will cancel last minute if there is an itinerary change, which gives you better odds for securing a Royal Up Bid.
- Smaller crowds – With kids back in school, ships and ports are less crowded, making it easier to enjoy pools, excursions, and onboard dining.
- Newer Ships Debuted – Many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, debut new ships in late summer or fall—like our Star of the Seas sailing.
- Cons:
- Hurricane season risk – just go knowing the itinerary might change. The cruise line will keep you safe and will aim for the best weather.
- Potential for rougher seas – on the newer, larger ships like Star of the Seas, you don’t notice the rocking of the boat as much compared to smaller ships.
- Schools in Session – With school back in session, it can be harder to take time off.
In the end, our September Caribbean cruise taught us that a little flexibility goes a long way—and that sometimes, the best adventures happen when you go with the flow.
🏖️ Western Caribbean Ports of Call
Costa Maya, Mexico
Costa Maya has never been my favorite port, it’s a man-made stop that can feel a bit staged compared to more authentic destinations. At the port they offer pools for use if you buy food or drinks and there are a bunch of little shops. If you plan to explore beyond the port, be ready for a long, bumpy ride through the remote rainforest. It’s not a place that I would feel comfortable grabbing a taxi, so on this trip we opted for a Royal Caribbean excurison.
We booked the Ichkabal Mayan Ruins with an Expert Guide, a newer site that’s only recently opened to the public. What made it special is that you can still climb to the top of the ruins, offering incredible views and a true sense of discovery. [Read our full Ichkabal Mayan Ruins experience here.]
![[Read our full Ichkabal Mayan Ruins experience here.]](https://eveofadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Ichkabal-in-Mexico.jpg){kind=link}
At the Ichkabal Mayan Ruins you are allowed to climb to the top of the ruins, which was amazing to see over the tree canopy.
Roatán, Honduras
Roatán ended up being the hidden gem of our cruise. For our group of eight, we booked a 3rd party private van through Rony’s Tours, which turned out to be an excellent choice. Our driver stayed with us all day, giving us the freedom to explore and the peace of mind of always having a ride back to the ship. The roundtrip transportation cost $20 per person.
He recommended Paradise Resort at West Bay Beach, where a $25 per person day pass included beach chairs, access to the pool, and clean restrooms. It was absolutely worth it, the kids spent hours happily running between the ocean and pool. We grabbed a large pizza from the on-site restaurant (reasonably priced and perfect for sharing), while my husband and friend hired a local boat right from the beach for a snorkeling trip.
It was the most relaxing and carefree day of our trip — beautiful water, great service, and zero stress. I’d go back to Roatán in a heartbeat.
We pre-reserved a van for 8 through Rony’s Tours which was only $20/per person roundtrip to West Bay Beach.
Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel was scorching hot and incredibly busy, with five other cruise ships docked that day. Because our itinerary changed at the last minute, many of the shore excursions were either sold out or unavailable. I’ve also learned that most of Cozumel’s more adventurous excursions have an age minimum of eight, which can make things tricky when traveling with a six-year-old.
So, we decided to let our two kids enjoy a fun day at Adventure Ocean while my husband and I joined Royal Caribbean’s 3 Reef Snorkel Excursion. The three snorkel sites were all close to the port, and we had plenty of time in the water at each stop. If you’re a fan of snorkeling, this excursion is absolutely worth it — clear water, colorful coral, and tons of marine life.
Cozumel’s snorkeling was amazing with a diverse offering of bright coral and colorful fish. We even saw a nurse shark!
âš“ Our Oceanview Infinite Balcony Cabin
We stayed in an Oceanview Infinite Balcony, and although I was unsure about it at first since we usually prefer traditional balconies, it quickly won me over. The room felt bright and open, and the “infinite” window-to-balcony setup let us press a button to bring in the ocean breeze. The balcony area is about ten feet deep and made with waterproof materials, which made it perfect for drying swimsuits. I recommend packing magnetic hooks to hang them up and help them dry faster.
A roll-down blackout shade covers the windows, and there is also a curtain that can close off the balcony area. Our kids loved using that space as their own little fort.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offered an incredible view and made it feel like we were surrounded by the sea. The only small downside was not being able to look straight down because of a water-drain lip, but it didn’t stop us from spotting two dolphin pods gliding by.
At the entrance of the room there is a touchpad, which lets you control the lighting and window shades with a touch of a button. It’s fun to play with as they have different setting for morning, evening, and night time.
Also, if you enjoy Back to the Future movies, there is a free channel dedicated to playing them on repeat.
I thought I’d miss a traditional balcony for drying swimsuits, but with a few hooks, the waterproof “balcony” area worked perfectly. Suits dried quickly, and the kids loved using the space (and curtain) as their own little fort.
For families, the space worked surprisingly well. Storage was smartly designed, and there was enough room for everyone to unpack and unwind without feeling cramped.
Pro Tip: Pack magnetic hooks to help organize swimsuits and hats.
🌊 Kid Favorites: Pools, Slides, and Splash Fun
One thing is certain—the Star of the Seas knows how to entertain families. Between the sprawling pool decks, splash zones, and thrilling water slides, our kids never wanted to come inside.
There are dedicated family areas, shallow pools for younger kids, and even a swim-up bar for adults to sneak in a break.
There are 7 pools on Star of the Seas, each with its own vibe, so we had a blast hopping between them throughout the week.
The water slides were a big hit, especially the two group slides where up to four people could ride together. Our eight-year-old went nonstop, but our six-year-old was just under the height limit. There isn’t much nearby for younger kids except lounge chairs, so plan ahead if you have little ones.
Lines were longest during the middle of the day or when the main pool was closed for maintenance, sometimes over 20 minutes. Go early in the morning or around dinnertime, and you can often walk right on with little wait.
There are also two dry slides that were perfect for younger kids to loop through again and again. One is near the Lime and the Coconut bar, and another in the Surfside area, though that one was closed during our sailing.
Tip for Parents: Bring water shoes and extra swim diapers if you have little ones—pool decks can get warm under the sun.
🎮 Adventure Ocean & Arcade Fun
The Adventure Ocean kids club (AO) ended up being our biggest disappointment. On the first night, our kids were so excited to check it out — the space was huge with separate areas for crafts, games, and sports, and the age group (6–12) meant they could stay together with friends. But when we picked them up later that evening, their enthusiasm had faded. They said it was loud, crowded, and hard to join the activities they wanted. The staff mentioned they could have up to 100 kids at once, which definitely explained the chaos.
After that first day, it took some convincing to get them to go back. Even on port days, when we assumed it would be quiet, there were still around 25 kids there. The staff do take the kids to meals, but they’re strict about what they can eat — you have to list every approved item. For example, if your child likes ranch with their pizza, you’ll need to specifically write that down, or they won’t serve it.
On the flip side, the arcade became a family favorite. Between air hockey, racing games, and claw machines, it turned into our nightly hangout spot. It can get pricey, though, so I recommend pre-purchasing an arcade package before your trip. If you’re Platinum or above in Royal Caribbean’s rewards program, you’ll also get a $25 bonus when spending $50 — but keep in mind that it applies per SeaPass card, not per family. You can track spending through the app to avoid surprises at checkout.
Royal Caribbean’s WowBands are a total game-changer for families! These colorful wristbands replace the traditional SeaPass card for most onboard activities — your kids can use them to open the stateroom door, check in at Adventure Ocean, make purchases, and even be located through the Royal Caribbean app if you’ve enabled tracking. It’s a fun, hands-free way for kids to feel independent while you get extra peace of mind. Just remember: you’ll still need the physical SeaPass card to get on and off the ship at ports.
🍽️ Food Highlights
The food onboard Star of the Seas was one of the absolute highlights of our trip and truly worth the upgraded cost for this ship. There’s something delicious available at every hour of the day, whether you want a quick bite, a family meal, or a late-night treat. Our favorite spot was the AquaDome Marketplace, where you can grab made-to-order crêpes, brisket mac and cheese, Mediterranean bowls, and more. It quickly became our nightly tradition to stop by for a sweet crêpe before heading to bed.
The main dining room felt elegant and inviting, accommodating families and larger groups with ease. The three-tiered layout was similar to other Royal Caribbean ships, but the service and presentation stood out.
For those looking to splurge a little, the specialty restaurants were a treat, each offering stunning ocean views—except for Izumi, the sushi and hibachi restaurant. We dined there one night and chose an indoor table, which we wouldn’t do again. The hibachi grills were just a few feet away, and the noise made it hard to enjoy a relaxing dinner. If you dine at Izumi, definitely request an outdoor table in the tranquil Central Park area—it’s peaceful, beautiful, and a completely different experience.
There are two soft-serve ice cream stations on board, and for an extra treat, Desserted serves over-the-top specialty milkshakes starting at $12.
If your kids love options, the Windjammer Café is an easy win, plus, there’s always pizza, fruit, and ice cream nearby.
🌅 Entertainment & Evening Fun
The entertainment on Star of the Seas was incredible and full of surprises. The Back to the Future musical quickly became a family favorite — we were blown away by the production and are still trying to figure out how they made the car move in the final scene. It was so fun heading back to our stateroom afterward to watch the movie and compare the two.
The ice skating show, SOL, was another standout. The performers were unbelievably talented, combining extreme skating with dramatic storytelling that had everyone cheering. When SOL wasn’t running, the ice rink transformed into a Laser Tag arena, which ended up being one of our favorite family activities. Running around together and seeing our scores afterward made for such a fun memory.
The AquaTheatre show, TORQUE, was one we were excited about, but it didn’t quite live up to the others. We actually enjoyed the Mermaids and Pirates kids show more, and the water fountain performance during the Crown & Anchor Top Tier Event was even better than TORQUE.
The adults-only Comedy Show sold out almost immediately, so book it early if you plan to go. We missed it since our kids didn’t want to visit Adventure Ocean, but we heard from others it was hilarious.
The casino was large and lively, though we noticed table game minimums were much higher than on smaller ships. The non-smoking section in the back was a nice touch, offering enough space without feeling smoky, but it does fill up quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing the upcoming two-level casino on the Legend of the Seas.
And that was just the beginning! We also went ice skating, rock climbing, joined parades, caught balloon drops, danced at the silent disco, played pickleball, and took part in scavenger hunts. There’s truly something for everyone onboard — boredom isn’t an option!
The Back to the Future musical and SOL were hands-down our favorites. Just be sure to pre-book your show reservations in the app as soon as they open (the first of the month before your cruise) to snag the best times.
đźš— Disembarkation Day in Orlando
Disembarkation day doesn’t have to mean the end of the adventure — we found a fun and relaxing way to make the most of those extra hours before our flight home. Our cruise docked at Port Canaveral in the early morning and though we stayed on as long as possible, we were kicked off by 9 am. Our flights didn’t leave Orlando until 5 pm, so we had a full day to fill.
Instead of waiting at the airport, we decided to rent a car, which turned out to be cheaper than booking a shuttle for four people. Most car rental companies near the port offer easy pickup and drop-off options, and it gave us a place to safely store our luggage while we explored.
We headed just a few minutes away to Jetty Park Beach, a great family-friendly spot that’s perfect for a few hours of sunshine and sand before a flight. The kids loved splashing in the waves and hunting for seashells, even though the surf was a little rough and the wind kicked up at times. The beach has convenient outdoor showers and bathrooms for changing.
After a few hours of play, we rinsed off, changed back into travel clothes, and grabbed lunch nearby before heading to the airport to drop off the car. It was the perfect way to end our trip — relaxed, easy, and full of those last little vacation moments that make you wish the day would never end.
Pro Tip: Rent your car a few weeks in advance to lock in the best price and ensure availability, especially if your cruise ends on a weekend when many ships are in port.
đź’ˇ What We Learned from This Cruise
- Flexibility is key during hurricane season—and sometimes detours lead to unexpected favorites.
- Pack for comfort and quick drying—the humidity means swimsuits never stay dry for long!
- Let the kids lead—some of our best moments came from following their curiosity.
🌟 Would We Cruise During Hurricane Season Again?
Absolutely. The weather didn’t stop the fun, and the smaller crowds made the trip feel relaxed and easygoing. For families, the key is embracing the unknown, because sometimes the best memories are the ones you never planned.
We learned that flexibility really is the magic ingredient when cruising in September. Sure, our itinerary changed, but in exchange we re-discovered Roatán — one of our new favorite ports — and had nearly perfect weather all week. The crew handled every adjustment smoothly, keeping everyone informed and confident, which made us feel safe even when plans shifted.
Another perk was how peaceful the ship felt. With fewer travelers onboard, it was easier to find lounge chairs by the pool, grab dinner without waiting, and book shows and activities last-minute. The kids had extra space to splash, explore, and enjoy the ship without the usual crowds.
If you’re considering cruising during hurricane season, we’d say go for it — just pack a flexible attitude, a sense of adventure, and maybe a few extra swimsuits for all those sunny, unexpected beach days. Sometimes the best adventures happen when the original plan blows off course.
🧠Final Thoughts: The Eve of Adventure at Sea
Every trip starts with that moment of anticipation—the bags packed, the kids buzzing with excitement, and the unknown waiting just beyond the horizon. Sailing on the Star of the Seas reminded us that the joy of travel isn’t just in where you go, but how you experience it together.
The eve of adventure doesn’t just happen before the trip—it lives in every laugh, splash, and sunset along the way. 🌅🚢
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