Royal Caribbean App Floods Users With Message Notifications
Cruise passengers hoping to use Royal Caribbean’s app to manage their next cruise instead found themselves the unwitting participants in a tech testing spree.
Beginning the morning of May 29, 2025, mobile users started receiving a series of repeated push notifications from the Royal Caribbean app, all reading some variation of the “test segment.”
None of the alerts were tied to any cruise news or urgent itinerary updates. They just kept coming – fast and frequent. And users noticed.
Reddit’s Royal Caribbean community quickly lit up with passengers sharing screenshots, tracking how many messages they received.
“I’m up to 26 so far,” one user posted. “Let’s take a bet – how high will the numbers go?” joked another.
By midday, dozens of app users reported receiving between 15 and 40 notifications. No one was sure if it was a tech mishap or something else. But one user put it bluntly: “Someone’s getting fired.”
Royal Caribbean has responded and acknowledged the alerts on X (formerly Twitter). The cruise line posted, “Our IT teams are aware of a series of test notifications inadvertently sent out through the RCI mobile app, and they are working to resolve the issue. We’re sorry for any inconvenience.”
However, the cruise line’s Royal App did launch a new iOS update, 1.66.3, in the morning the alerts went haywire.
Recent updates have introduced features like the “VacayMarket,” an in-app marketplace, and the “Spend to Save Challenge.” The latest version ironically focuses on bug fixes, as well as app speed and usability.
While many assumed it was a mistake, some users couldn’t resist teasing the company.
“Sir, the 5th notification has hit the server,” wrote one Redditor, channeling an action movie vibe.
Others jokingly asked whether this was some hidden promotion or prelude to a new loyalty tier: “Introducing Royal Caribbean’s Push Club – get 50 notifications and earn free Wi-Fi.”
No Outage Reported
Despite the volume of alerts, Royal Caribbean’s mobile platform appeared to remain fully functional when its 1.66.3 iOS update went live.
According to Downdetector.com, which tracks app outages in real-time, there was no spike in reported issues.
Some users pointed to similar incidents from companies like Delta and Starbucks in the past, noting that internal tools sometimes get pushed live by mistake.
“Feels like someone deployed staging code to production – classic slip,” one user said.
Another added, “This is either a mistake or they’re beta testing a new A/B feature… in public. On accident.”
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Although some users were clearly frustrated, most appeared to take the situation in stride.
“Royal Caribbean just sent more push notifications in one hour than my spouse has texts in a week,” joked one.
A few users called for some lighthearted compensation. “I think this deserves at least a drink package discount. Or a free keychain. Something,” shared another.
All kidding aside, the Royal App is an essential tool for cruise passengers and offers a range of features to enhance the onboard experience.
The app allows users to check in for their cruise, view daily itineraries, make dining and excursion reservations, and track onboard expenses.
Nearly 2 million guests have downloaded the app on Google Play and the Apple App Store, with a 4.6 and 4.8 rating, respectively.