It was surprisingly smooth, but it came with its own rhythm. We packed up early, cleared our first stateroom, and headed down to the Music Hall — the designated holding area for back-to-back guests. Royal Caribbean had coffee and juice waiting for us, which helped take the edge off the early start. New SeaPass cards in hand, we waited with a small crowd of fellow re-embarkers.
One of the most unique aspects of this trip was that it wasn’t just one cruise — it was two, back to back. And that meant one thing we’d never done before: re-embarkation day.
Around 10 a.m., we were escorted off the ship as a group, walked through customs, scanned our passports, and — just like that — walked right back onto the ship. No security line, no waiting. By 10:15, we were back onboard and officially starting the second half of our journey.
Pro tip: If you’re doing a back-to-back, try to book the same room for both sailings. We didn’t, and had to switch rooms mid-cruise. Not the end of the world, but not ideal either.
Now back onboard early, we made the most of it. We headed straight to the pool deck and scored the only daybeds in front of the North Star Bar. These are usually claimed fast, but being among the first onboard gave us a huge advantage. We posted up for the day — drinks in hand, feet in the water, kids running wild.
It was the Fourth of July, and the vibe was pure energy. The ship filled quickly with families, many of them clearly here for the holiday week. The pool scene buzzed with excitement, music, and hot dogs.
Shivani and Nate snuck away for naps, Max checked into Adventure Ocean, and I relocated to Vintages to sip a bold red and listen to an audiobook.
Later that night, Shivani turned in early and Nate faded out, but Max and I made it to the balloon drop at 11 p.m. on the Royal Promenade. Max was cranky and tired but still made it through the balloon drop. We walked back to the room tired, smiling, and carrying more balloons than we needed.
At Sea Again
The next morning was calm. Max joined a Gaga ball tournament while Shivani enjoyed a “ladies pampering” session at the Music Hall. I walked two miles around the top deck, Corona in hand. Don’t judge, it’s a sea day. We later got hustled by the arcade claw machine for $20 (we didn’t even come close) and snagged a SeaPlex Xbox slot after an hour’s wait. You have to book those at the SeaPlex front desk.
Eventually both kids made their way into Adventure Ocean and I found myself back at Vintages. One heads-up for parents: kids aren’t allowed at the bar, even in international waters.
Formal night came with family photos and a piano performance at the Schooner Bar. Funny, talented, and cash-friendly — bring some bills for requests. If you’re short on cash, the casino will make change… but be careful. I asked for change and left $100 down after “just one hand” of 3-card poker.
Cabo Adventures
Cabo is always an experience, but it’s also a tender port, which means you need to take smaller boats from the ship to the shore. That adds a layer of excitement — or seasickness, depending on your constitution. There were two other cruise ships docked alongside us, including Navigator of the Seas, so it was a busy day in port.
After lunch at Jamie’s Italian (a solid choice, especially with kids — and yes, we brought them), we caught the tender and headed into town. The ride itself was a bit choppy, but fun in its own way. If you’re prone to seasickness, brace yourself — but if not, it’s actually a scenic and enjoyable start to your Cabo visit.
Once ashore, we wandered around town, browsed a few shops, and soaked in the local energy. But honestly? If we did it again, we’d head straight to the beach and save the shopping for the second day. This was an overnight port. Day 1 was best for the beach.
Eventually we made our way to Medano Beach, where we found Tamara Beach Club — a nice spot that turned out to be perfect. For $40, we got two chairs, towels, a bathroom, and full waiter service. Worth every peso. We spent another $100 on food and drinks — not cheap, but reasonable for a beachfront setup with all the essentials covered. The ocean at Medano is on the rougher side, but the kids had a blast playing in the waves and building sandcastles in the sand.
We stayed until the beach club closed at 6 p.m., and by then we were sun-drenched, happy, and maybe a little sandy in places we didn’t plan for.
Dinner ashore was casual but satisfying — one of those places you find just by walking around and trusting your instincts. The nighttime tender back to the ship was peaceful, even a little magical — the lights of the ship glowing in the water, the sounds of the city fading behind us.
And then, of course, there was the lobster.
One of the best meals of the trip came in Cabo: I ordered a whole grilled lobster that completely reset the bar for cruise ship seafood. Fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. It was the kind of meal that makes you consider staying ashore just a little longer… or booking another Cabo cruise entirely.
The Lobster Saga
The next day, back at sea, was slow and sweet. The kids roller-skated, then we had lunch in the main dining room. Shivani and the boys rested while I chilled in Two70. That evening, I tried the fried lobster tail from Fish & Ships. It was okay — lobster is always good, fried food is always fun, but frying lobster feels like gilding the lily. Try it once for the experience. But if you’re a lobster purist, seek out something simpler.
And speaking of lobster — the Cabo lobster from the night before was the clear winner in the lobster showdown.
A Special Anniversary Dinner
To celebrate our anniversary, Shivani and I booked the Chef’s Table. It’s not a Michelin-starred meal, but it’s absolutely worth doing. Five courses, wine pairings, and a personal chef who explained every dish to the table. Great service, great pacing, and a romantic way to mark the occasion.
Entertainment & Nightlife: Fourth of July Vibes, Live Music, and the Case of the Missing Popcorn
Cruising is all about balance — adventure, downtime, family chaos, and the occasional after-dinner cocktail with live music playing in the background. On this leg of the trip, the entertainment was less about the big productions and more about spontaneous moments and quirky surprises.
We were onboard for the Fourth of July, and the energy was turned up across the ship. The balloon drop on the Royal Promenade was one of the more memorable moments.
We also caught some excellent live performances throughout the week. The guitarist at the pub remembered us from the first cruise and even played a song request we didn’t hear the first time around — a thoughtful touch. And the piano player at the Schooner Bar was both hilarious and musically sharp — definitely worth bringing cash for requests.
Now let’s talk about the outdoor movies. Great setup. Pool loungers, ocean breeze, big screen under the stars. But there’s one glaring omission: no popcorn. Not in a kiosk, not on a cart, not even hidden near the Windjammer. It is a small but important detail to go without.
The Final Day
On our final day, we grabbed a quiet breakfast at the Solarium Bistro — much less chaotic than the Windjammer. Max played Xbox again, Nate visited Adventure Ocean, and I returned to the Solarium for some last-minute sun.
A funny detail to end on: the buffet only had heavy salad dressings. No balsamic vinaigrette. No Italian. Just ranch, Caesar, and blue cheese. On a ship with dozens of cuisines and clever logistics, this seemed like an oddly specific blind spot.
As we pack up to disembark, I can’t help but reflect on how full this second leg felt. From poolside movies to Xbox slots and balloon drops, we had more of everything: more fun, more chaos, more sun, more kids, and more laughs.
It’s not just a vacation — it’s a collection of stories we’ll be retelling for years.
Until next time.
Two Sided Cruising 