It's being widely reported Captain James MacDonald passed away.

Cruise ship Captains are a select few, and people that cruise a lot certainly have their favorites based on personality.

On April 30, it was reported from passengers on Harmony of the Seas that Captain MacDonald had to depart the ship in order to seek medical attention in Cozumel, Mexico.

The ship had to make an unscheduled stop in Cozumel, where Captain MacDonald disembarked. Guests were informed via the ship’s public address.

On Thursday, various reports came that Captain MacDonald had passed away. On Radiance of the Seas, the ship made an announcement and blew the ship's whistle as a mark of respect to Captain MacDonald.

An internal email in the company confirmed the passing of Captain MacDonald while in a hospital in Miami.

"A valued team member for 34 years, Capt James was an exceptional leader known for his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our company. His contributions have left a lasting impact on our team and the company as a whole."

"Over the years he was instrumental in the development of thousands of our crew including many sailing Captains. He was also key to leading our success in Texas cruising where he will be missed by crew and guests alike."

All Royal Caribbean ships will fly their flags at half mast on Friday, May 17 in honor of his passing.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers shared photos of the flags at half mast.

Oasis of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas

Remembering Captain James

Cruisers shared their memories of Captain James across social media, recalling fond memories.

Shirley Arredondo posted on Facebook, "My husband and I sailed with Captain James during Hurricane Harvey on the Liberty of the seas and we absolutely fell in love with him. He was funny and loved to walk around and talk to everybody."

Michael Gould added, "Maybe others will remember this: during his daily announcements, he’d always make a point to say, we’re doing a great job staying healthy, washin’ those hands, keep it up! My wife and I often use that line. I’m in healthcare and she’s a teacher; it’s both useful and always makes us smile about happy memories onboard."

"Captain, thanks for the smooth seas and fond memories. You’ll do a great job watching over the fleet from above."

Kevin Kuehlwein wrote on Facebook, "Seemed very down to earth and was very good at his job. May he rest in peace."

Doug White shared his memories of him, "Captain James was a special guy; he was the Captain of the Jewel when I became the Mayer, and he had the upmost respect for everyone that he dealt with. I remember a lot of great times with Captain James on the Jewel including gatherings in his cabin for cocktails then going on the bridge to top the evening. He will be sorely missed."

Nicole Pugliese wrote, "This is so sad to hear. We had the privilege of sailing with Captain James on the Liberty and he very quickly became our favorite for his laid back demeanor and great sense of humor."

The Captain from Texas

Most cruisers knew Captain James as representing Texas.  He was quite often in command of ships that were based in Galveston.

He joined Royal Caribbean in 1990 and was the first captain of Radiance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas.

Most recently Captain James was the Master of Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas while the ships were based in Texas.

I go on a Royal Caribbean cruise just about once a month, and it provides me with the privilege of experiencing so many different ways to enjoy a cruise.

Whether I'm on the newest and biggest cruise ship in the world, or enjoying a classic cruising experience on a smaller, older vessel, it remains my favorite way to travel and see the world.

On any cruise I go on, there's always a majority of cruisers who are brand new to cruising.  Or it's their second or third sailing ever, with large gaps of time between each voyage.

New cruisers are fun to talk to, because I get to see their approach to Royal Caribbean, and what they like to do.  I try especially hard not to have a jaded "been there, done that" attitude towards cruising, and new cruisers reinforce what makes a cruise a fun choice for a vacation.

Read more: 5 things people that cruise a lot would tell first time cruisers if they could

But someone new to cruising could easily overlook some of the best activities that are totally underrated.

I thought of five things to do on a cruise that are worth considering that I see newbies missing far too often.

Eating beyond the buffet

While I love the cruise ship buffet, there are often so many other great alternatives to explore for breakfast or lunch.

The Windjammer is a staple, and I'll go there at least once every cruise.  But new cruisers often overlook the other choices they have.

Considering the Windjammer can get very busy, it's a good idea to embrace alternatives.  Depending on the ship you're on, there can be other complimentary choices at Solarium Bistro, Aquadome Market, Park Cafe, Sorrento's, or Cafe Promenade.

If your ship has them, my top three alternatives are:

• Solarium Bistro
• Aquadome Market
• Park Cafe

Use the Windjammer as a backup, and try out these other places.  You might find your new favorite restaurant.

Staying onboard in port

If your cruise has a port stop you just cannot find a fun shore excursion that really jumps out at you, consider staying on the ship. On port intensive cruises, a day off from touring may sound like the perfect day.

By staying on the ship, you'll be able to take advantage of a significantly less busy ship.  This is the perfect time to hit the water slides, pools, and hot tubs because there will be barely any other passengers around.

When you choose to sail on one of Royal Caribbean's biggest ships that are packed with so many cool things to do, be sure to make time for them all without the crowds.

Read more: 5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay

Pickleball

While I've never played pickleball, it's become a smash hit among veteran cruisers.

Royal Caribbean has been known for offering lots of activities on its ships, and pickleball has joined the ranks of the rock climbing wall, FlowRider, and ice skating.

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, ping pong, and badminton. 

You can find pickleball games ready to go on the ship's sports court in the morning hours. Refer to the Royal Caribbean app for specific hours. There's usually an open play session every morning, where the equipment is provided for you, and it's first-come, first served for court space.

There's no cost to playing pickleball, and it's a fun opportunity to meet other people.

Top Tier event

This tip is really for someone that has taken a few cruises, but there may be large gaps between sailings. Maybe you went as a kid and are now trying it again as an adult.

If you're at least Platinum tier (30 cruise points) in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society, you can on attend the Top Tier event on sailings 5 nights or longer.

At the top tier event, you will get a speech from the Captain, Hotel Director, and Cruise Director, while enjoying a complimentary glass of champagne. They recognize new Pinnacle members and top cruisers onboard.

The free booze is a nice touch, especially if you don't have a drink package.

But the real value in the event is the cruise line takes time to thank you for your patronage, and the speeches by the ship's Captain and Hotel Director can provide interesting anecdotes and insight into what's happening on the ship and within the fleet.

It's a quick event, usually 30 minutes long, and you could leave at any time if you were utterly bored.

Take a behind-the-scenes tour

Royal Caribbean offers behind-the-scenes tours that have an extra cost, but are really worth it.

Referred to as the "All Access Tour", you can book it before your cruise on the Royal Caribbean website.

The All Access Tour is a 2-hour walking tour of many areas of the ship, and costs extra. It's eye opening how much work occurs to keep the ship functional and optimal.

You'll visit areas such as the ship's kitchen (referred to as a galley), the bridge, engine room, theater, and more.

This tour showcases how much a ship is more like a floating city than hotel, and it's really interesting to see it all.

Planning a cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Cruises are go for restart in the Port of Baltimore.

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore occurred on March 26 when the cargo ship Dali smashed into the bridge. 

The collision brought down the 1.6-mile long steel structure, killed six construction workers on the bridge and severed access to critical shipping routes in and out of the Port of Baltimore.

According to the Port of Baltimore, cruises will be able to resume beginning with a Royal Caribbean ship.

"Get ready…the Port of Baltimore is ready to cruise once again! Royal Caribbean International's Vision of the Seas will depart on May 25th for a fantastic 5-night voyage from Baltimore to Bermuda," is what the port shared on their social media channel on Wednesday.

"This marks the first cruise departing Baltimore since the Key Bridge incident."

The May 25th sailing is a 5-night cruise that spends two days in Bermuda, with a sea day before and after.

Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas sails out of Maryland, offering cruises to the Bahamas, Southern Caribbean, Bermuda, and Canada/New England. Other cruise lines, such as Norwegian and Carnival, sail from Baltimore, too. 

What happened to the Key Bridge?

On March 26, a cargo ship, weighing about 213 million pounds, had lost engine and electrical power shortly before hitting the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

A 24-page report by the National Transportation Safety Board explains the ship had a pair of catastrophic electrical failures minutes before the crash.

According to the report, the two power outages occurred three ships’ lengths from the bridge and were triggered by the tripping of two critical circuit breakers, which caused several pumps required for the ship’s single propeller and its single rudder to stop working. The emergency generator was not configured to power the ship.

An NTSB preliminary report does not conclude a probable cause. Those findings will be part of a final report that could take investigators up to two years to complete.

Meer moments after the collision, the bridge collapsed, sending vehicles and people into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge were killed in the disaster.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore indicated the bridge's collapse has had a substantial effect on the region's infrastructure. The wreckage of the bridge has clogged the port, a major shipping channel for the sugar and automotive industries. In addition, the Key Bridge was a critical thoroughfare, with 30,000 commuters relying on it every day.

Officials have vowed to rebuild the bridge – but the exact cost remains unclear. A spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute has estimated the bridge alone could be worth more than $1.2 billion.

Royal Caribbean will have a big musical act for anyone sailing on its annual President's Cruise.

The cruise line hosts a sailing each year where it invites its fans to sail and enjoy a cruise together, along with top executives.

The 2024 President's Cruise is going to be held on the June 23, 2024 Oasis of the Seas sailing from Barcelona, Spain.

It usually hosts a big musical act for one of the many events held onboard, and for the 2024 sailing, the '80s band Culture Club was announced on Tuesday as the top performer.

Culture Club is best known for songs such as, "Karma Chameleon", "I'll tumble 4 ya", and  "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me".

Last year's cruise included a live performance by ten-time Grammy winner Chaka Khan. 

They're one of the top bands of the 1980s decade, and have sold more than 50 million records.

On past President's Cruises, the featured musical act performs on one or two occasions in a specific venue. Tickets are given to Top Tier Crown and Anchor Society guests onboard, but the concert is televised to be seen anywhere else on the ship.

The 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise will depart from Barcelona, Spain and visit Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Florence/Pisa (La Spezia), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; and Naples / Capri, Italy. 

What is the President's Cruise?

The President's Cruise is not a charter sailing, but is in fact a a regular sailing that was chosen by the cruise line as its President's Cruise. Anyone can book the cruise, and it's a celebration of Royal Caribbean for its biggest fans.

The cruise is hosted by Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley. 

Royal Caribbean's website describes it as, "The annual President’s Cruise is one of the most spectacular Royal Caribbean adventures. Set sail with President & CEO Michael Bayley on a special voyage filled with surprises and unique moments at every turn. We’re talking celebrity guest entertainment, customised shore excursions, exclusive parties, unforgettable events and so much more. No matter where in the world the President’s Cruise takes you, once-in-a-lifetime memories are always on the itinerary."

Essentially, it is a fun celebration of the cruise line for all loyal guests.

Additionally, there are usually surprises on the sailing, like giveaways, special events and commemorative opportunities.

Some of the most loyal Royal Caribbean fans can be found onboard President's Cruises, making them a kind of reunion amongst fans. 

What Oasis of the Seas offers

Oasis of the Seas is the namesake ship of the Oasis Class, which has held the world record for the largest cruise ships in the world since her inaugural cruise in December 2009. The title for largest cruise ship class in the world will be taken by the highly-anticipated Icon of the Seas in January 2024. 

Oasis Class ships are some of the best for large family vacations, as they offer an extensive amount of amenities and activities to appeal to travelers of all ages. 

She was the first ship in the world to feature interior facing balconies, as well as the beloved neighborhood concept. For the first time, guests could book balconies that overlooked the ship's Boardwalk and Central Park neighborhoods for less than a traditional oceanfront balcony. 

Additionally, she was the first to introduce the one-of-a-kind AquaTheater. Located in the aft of the ship in the Boardwalk neighborhood, this entrainment venue is home to high diving spectaculars the feature dancers, acrobats, and, of course, divers who take the plunge into the deepest pool at sea. 

In 2019, she underwent the cruise line's Royal Amplification program, receiving $165 million in enhancements, including the Ultimate Abyss, Perfect Storm waterslides, upgraded Caribbean-style pool deck, and new dining venues, one of which -- Portside BBQ -- is exclusive to Oasis of the Seas. This specialty restaurant serves a variety of barbecued meats and comfort food. 

Expect a change in how you see Royal Caribbean prices in the future.

California's new consumer protection law will change how Royal Caribbean advertises its cruise fares in the United States going forward.

Beginning July 1, 2024, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will include taxes and fees as part of the advertised price that were previously left out until the checkout process.

The California legislature passed the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) in 2023, and was signed into law by the Governor.

The change in the law is meant provide consumers with a clear price upfront, rather than leave them surprised by additional fees later on during the booking process.  By making it the same across the United States, Royal Caribbean feels it will reduce confusion, "Treating California differently than the rest of the United States could
have created confusion and introduced unnecessary complexity."

The change is simply meant to enhance transparency. It neither impacts the total price of the cruise nor the portion of the fare that's commissionable to travel agents.

Silversea Cruises will not need to make any changes, because its prices already include all required taxes, fees, and port expenses.

This change was sent in an email to travel agents by Royal Caribbean to inform them of the policy change that will impact both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Carnival Corporation announced a similar change in April for its brands of cruise ships that include Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Cunard North America.

For example, if Royal Caribbean's website advertises a fare today that's $646, the fees will be broken disclosed and added to the total the final stage of the booking process. In this example, the Taxes and Fees amount to $201.48. 

The idea is to not surprise consumers at checkout, especially with some port fees amounting to hundreds of dollars per person. 

The changes take place as of July 1, 2024.

What are port fees?

Port fees are charges imposed by each port of call to allow the ship to dock, and these fees are passed on to passengers by the cruise line. Regardless of whether you're staying in a luxurious two-bedroom suite or a standard inside cabin, everyone onboard pays the same amount. 

Unlike gratuities, port fees are included in your total cruise fare and must be paid in full by the final payment deadline.

Typically, these fees are a combination of several charges, including the per-passenger (head tax) fee, docking fee, and pilot fee. The pilot fee covers the costs associated with the local harbor pilot who guides the cruise ship into port. The head tax helps offset the expenses of guests using local infrastructure. 

Lastly, the docking fee is what the local authorities charge the cruise line for the right to dock and for the services required.

No changes to commissions

Royal Caribbean also added that the calculation of your commissionable earnings will not be altered.

This means there's no change to how travel agents make money either.

A rare sight for a great deal of the population took place when the evening skies were illuminated by the northern lights over this past weekend.

The Aurora Borealis lights were able to be seen thanks to a G5 geomagnetic storm that made its way towards Earth.

The lights were seen across many latitudes, and even on cruise ships.

Just like people all over the world, our readers on cruise ships snapped photos of the lights and it was a dazzling view.

Here's a look at 8 of the best pictures captured by stargazers sailing on Royal Caribbean ships.

Ovation of the Seas

It's appropriate to start with a photo of the Aurora Borealis on a ship visiting Alaska.

This photo was taken on Ovation of the Seas during her Alaska sailing.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise guide

Brilliance of the Seas

This photo was taken on Brilliance of the Seas, and shows the "dancing" view the lights can take.

When a geomagnetic storm occurs, it's because high-energy particles from the sun interact with Earth's magnetic field.

Usually, the northern lights are not visible at lower latitudes. Usually, you need to be in the "auroral zone," the area within an approximately 1,550-mile (2,500 kilometers) radius of the North Pole.

The lights were visible from a number of cruise ships, providing an incredible viewing opportunity since cruise ships are in the open ocean with no land to obstruct the view.

Solar storms happen when the sun shoots powerful explosions of highly energized and magnetic plasma called coronal mass ejections toward Earth.

The bright colors of the northern lights are dictated by the chemical composition of Earth's atmosphere. 

Some of the dominant colors seen in aurorae are red, a hue produced by the nitrogen molecules, and green, which is produced by oxygen molecules.

Quantum of the Seas

Another photo of the northern lights from Quantum of the Seas contrasts the lights with the beautiful Alaska scenery.

Anthem of the Seas

The Aurora Borealis is usually visible near the poles, but it's uncommon to see them in areas that are closer to the equator, which is why the lights were such a treat to be seen in other places over the weekend.

The lights were seen in parts of China, Europe and the United States.

Friday and Saturday's storms expanded sightings of the Southern Lights into New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Argentina.

Grandeur of the Seas

The best viewing opportunities were Friday and Saturday, but experts say the effects of the geomagnetic storm started to pass.

Explorer of the Seas

Nick Weir is out at Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean announced a shakeup within its Entertainment division on Monday with the announcement of a new leader in the division.

Effective immediately, Christine Coachman is the Vice President, Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International.

She replaces Nick Weir, who has left the company after 10 years with the company.

A spokesperson wished Mr. Weir well, "We thank Nick for his contributions over the years and wish him all the best."

An internal announcement by Royal Caribbean Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, Sean Treacy, confirmed the switch.

"Please join me in congratulating Christine Coachman on her new role as Vice President, Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, effective today," the announcement read.

"Drawing from nearly 35 years-experience at Royal Caribbean, Christi will now lead the team responsible for bringing to life the best entertainment at sea. She will oversee the cruise line’s onboard entertainment and guest activities programming, as well as Royal Caribbean Productions, the industry’s only in-house department that creates, produces and manages the largest entertainment operation at sea."

He added, "I am excited to work even more closely with Christi as we continue to lead the industry in innovating the entertainment experience at sea."

Mr. Weir has been at the helm of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean since 2013.

He joined Royal Caribbean with more than 25 years of experience in both the entertainment and cruise industries. He came from an entertainment family, with his mother an accomplished cruise entertainer and his father was a pioneering Cruise Director.

Prior to working with Royal Caribbean, he owned and operated an entertainment consulting company with projects that included television and live event production services, speech and script writing, entertainment program analysis and solution development, charity event/live auction production, corporate video production, cruise industry start-up projects and Cruise Director services.

Mr. Weir had been at the forefront of so many of Royal Caribbean's Entertainment projects. He had recently talked about a 10 year plan for the cruise line to incorporate robotics into more shows and guest experiences.

Meet Christine Coachman

Ms. Coachman takes over the Entertainment division, and brings plenty of experience to the role.

She began her career as a dancer and went on to perform in many shows, events and conventions around the world before she joined the Entertainment Department at Royal Caribbean. 

She has written, cast and produced numerous productions for the cruise line and was previously responsible for the daily operation of front and back of house on board for all Produced Entertainment, including the fully licensed Broadway and West End Musicals, Signature Theater Productions, World Class Ice Productions, Spectacular Aquatic Shows and Two70 shows. 

She also managed the line's extensive Entertainment Studios in North Miami. 

Nick Weir's legacy

Following his departure on Monday, Mr. Weir leaves behind a decade of industry changes.

His most recent accomplishments can be seen on Royal Caribbean's blockbuster Icon of the Seas, which features variety of new shows and venues.

With Icon, the AquaTheater was moved indoors and expanded within the new AquaDome neighborhood. Plus, the ice skating rink was converted from square to oval shaped.  In both cases, this was done to address performance needs and open up more possibilities.

Under Weir, Royal Caribbean developed a variety of original productions, such as Columbus the Musical, Effectors, Flight, Aqua 80s, and many more.

Mr. Weir also holds a few patents that are part of the Royal Caribbean cruise experience.

Weir is listed as a patent author for the eMuster process that allows guests to conduct much of the mandatory maritime safety drill digitally.

He also patented show elements, such as the Water-based Pyrotechnic Illusion.

He was also fascinated by drones, as is evident in their utilization in Royal Caribbean's latest shows, as well as for the recent re-launch of Spectrum of the Seas in Asia.

How does this change impact cruises for guests?

We don't have details yet on what the future of the Entertainment division will look like, but in the short term, don't expect any noticeable changes onboard.

Entertainment on ships sailing follows a set pattern, and shows rarely change on ships. The hiring of new casts, execution of productions in place now, and scheduling will all continue as normal.

It's also likely plans for getting all the shows on Icon of the Seas fully operational as well as the show line-up for Utopia of the Seas are in place already.

The earliest possibility for a shift could come with Star of the Seas next year, as well as notable ship overhauls.  Allure of the Seas is scheduled for a major refurbishment in 2025 and when sister ship Oasis of the Seas had similar work done, new shows were added at that time.

From a few dollars to hundreds, there are easy ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise if you know what to do.

While a Royal Caribbean cruise is largely considered an affordable vacation, the overall cost can go up quickly if you're not careful. You can avoid overspending by following some of the best money-saving tricks.

Users on the Royal Caribbean sub Reddit were asked to share all the ways they save money on Royal Caribbean, no matter how miniscule the difference.

Here are the 18 things you can do to save money on how to save money. We also have our list of Royal Caribbean tips and tricks that cover every aspect of a cruise. 

1. Stick to the free restaurants

One of the most repeated tips to save money on any Royal Caribbean cruise was to eat the restaurants included in your cruise fare.

Royal Caribbean offers restaurants that cost nothing extra to dine at, as well as restaurants that cost extra. The choice is yours, and a lot of cruises assume they need to eat at the specialty restaurants because of how much the cruise line advertises them.

Read more: How does Royal Caribbean dining work?

The reality is the food offered at the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, and other spots are very good. There's certainly more than enough food to keep you satisfied, and considering how much the cruise fare costs up-front, it makes sense to lean heavily into the restaurants rather than spending more on additional restaurants.

Specialty restaurants can offer either higher quality food, or cuisines not otherwise available in the free restaurants.  But if you can avoid the temptation to dine at them, you could save a lot of money quite easily.

2. Book an inside room instead of a balcony or suite

Another super easy tip to save money is cut back on your cabin.

There are four basic types of staterooms on any cruise: inside, oceanview, balcony, and suites. Generally speaking, the price goes up as you move up to each category.

An inside room is going to almost certainly be the cheapest option, and it gets you everything you need without a hefty price.

No matter how much more moving up to a balcony would be, the money saved by staying in an inside cabin could be a real difference maker. Similar-reason-5200 wrote, "let's be honest you aren't spending much time in there," and there's a lot of truth to that statement.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room

There's so much happening around the ship and in the ports of call you visit, that a lot of times the cabin ends up being somewhere to sleep, shower, and change and then you're elsewhere.

TrekJaneway added, "I don’t really spend time in my room, so all I need is a place with a bed and a shower, and I’m good."

Read more: Where is the best place to stay on a cruise ship?

3. Don't be lured into buying jewelry or watches

A lot of people think the jewelry deals offered on the ship simply aren't great.

The Invicta watches are one notorious type of jewelry that some cruisers question the value of. You'll likely see lots of sales and advertisements on the ship for those and other pieces, and by not indulging, you could save a lot.

4. Bring your own over-the-counter medication

You never know if you'll catch a cold, eat something that doesn't agree with you, or get seasick, so be prepared.

JanieLFB shared her tip that she will buy a travel-sized options before the cruise begins, "I went to my local drugstore and bought small packets of generic drugs." This little trick could save you money considering how much Royal Caribbean charges for the same drugs onboard. 

It's a good idea to bring these essentials to keep in your cabin:

• Cold medicine
• Seasickness medication
• Headache medicine
• Sunburn treatment
• Upset stomach and diarrhea medicine

Bringing your own medication ensures you not only don't waste money on the same overpriced meds on the ship, but you also get the brand, dosage, and type of delivery method you prefer.

Read more: Ultimate cruise packing list

5. Skip a drink package

A lot of people on Reddit advocated not buying a Royal Caribbean drink package.

Similar to the argument about the food included, these people felt a drink package just costs too much money and the drinks included with the cruise are sufficient (assuming you don't want alcohol).

Some also felt the drink packages require too much drinking to "break even" on them, and you're better off paying for drinks you really want individually.

Read more: 6 alternatives to a Royal Caribbean drink package

And definitely don't try to cheat the drink package either.

6. Bring your own wine or champagne

One easy way to save money on alcohol on your cruise is to bring your own wine or champagne.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per adult on embarkation day.

You can also bring 12 bottles of non-alcoholic drinks per stateroom.

Read more: Food or drinks you're allowed to bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise

7. Wait until midnight on the first day to book a WiFi package

User Illustrious-Gur-6775 had a great way to get back about $20 on your internet package.

Instead of buying it for the entire cruise, wait until midnight on the first day and then activate it.  The rationale is you will be able to use your cellular connection until the ship leaves, and then it's only 7 hours until midnight. 

By waiting to midnight, you'll pay a pro-rated rate for the remainder of the cruise, minus day one.

8. Get free WiFi in port

Instead of buying Royal Caribbean's internet service, you could just find free WiFi spots in the ports you visit.

There's usually a bar, restaurant, or shop that advertises free WiFi while you're in that establishment, and it's good enough for checking your email, catching up on social media, and otherwise getting connected for a brief period.

If being online isn't a priority for you during your cruise, relying on free internet hotspots while in port could save you over a hundred dollars on Royal Caribbean's service.

Don't forget that you can still use the Royal Caribbean app without a WiFi package, including the chat feature.

9. Drink alcohol in port

Just like WiFi, booze are probably cheaper in port too.

It's not difficult to find bars in the ports your ship visit, and there's a good chance the price is going to be less than what Royal Caribbean offers, especially in the Caribbean.

You'll need to price it accordingly, but you might save money getting your drink on in port instead of buying drinks on the ship.

10. Order the drink of the day

Another way to save money on your bar bill is rely on the drink of the day special.

Every day there will be one cocktail that is $3 or $4 cheaper than usual. It's listed in the Cruise Compass, as well as noted on a sign in many bars.

If you're not picky about your drinks, the savings can add up quickly.

Read more: Drink prices on Royal Caribbean

11. Use any loyalty offers first

Even after just one cruise, Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society provides discount coupons you can use.  The catch is you have to remember to ask to use them.

Read more: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor perks

Each person gets an assortment of discounts they can use, such as half off a glass of wine, 25% off any coffee beverage, or discounts on Royal Caribbean logo merchandise.

You'll get a letter in your cabin with the exact list of offers each guests has. Then, you just need to ask the crew member at the bar, shop, or spa to redeem the discount when ordering.

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

12. Skip the casino

Another commonly cited way to save money is not risking any in the ship's casino.

The casino is a huge revenue maker for any cruise line, and while you could theoretically win money here, it's just easier to not go in and spend money there in the first place.

A few Reddit users said to skip the casino as an easy way to save money. You can't lose if you don't play.

13. Look for sales leading up to your cruise

While some of these tips advocate skipping the extra cost packages, if you do buy them, you'll want to re-price them again and again.

Royal Caribbean runs sales almost every day, so you should periodically check for new discounts.

14. Set a budget for each day while on vacation

One way to limit overspending while on your cruise is have a daily budget.

Reddit user tdybr07 shared one example, "For example: plan $100/day spending money per day including sea days. This helps you with spending money on the ship, (shops, casinos, specialty dining or whatever you decide) as well as in ports."

This is a smart method of ensuring you don't go "swipe happy" and come home after your cruise to a giant bill.

15. Prepay gratuities, beverage packages and excursions

This will allow you to get on the ship and know that you won’t be charged additional charges unless you make any purchases on the ship.

illuminated0ne wrote, "if you do buy anything from Royal Caribbean, make a note of the price and keep checking back. The prices change all the time, if you see it cheaper, you can just cancel and rebook for a savings."

There's no penalty for cancelling and rebooking a Cruise Planner purchase. It just requires you to take the time to double check the price.

16. Look for a good travel agent that has special rates

Some people think booking a cruise directly with Royal Caribbean will save them money, but they're so wrong.

A good travel agent has access to special rates and offers.  Plus, there's no cost to using a good travel agent because Royal Caribbean pays them a commission, not you.

I've lost count how many times I research the cruise I want to book and then contact my travel agent to book, only to be told by them they have a better rate, thanks to a group rate.

wholefvno added to anyone that didn't love their first travel agent, "Travel agents cost nothing and can give you a more personalized experience and good advice. If you had a bad experience, try another one. Some are good at customer service, some are bad."

17. Cruise in the off-season

If you can book a cruise during the shoulder season, you will save so much money compared to peak season.  It's one of the top tips offered on Reddit to get a cheaper cruise.

Jane_Marie_CA wrote to try booking a cruise, "Far away from school breaks and holidays," as a strategy to get lower prices.

As an example, her April 28 sailing on Harmony of the Seas was $2,000 cheaper than the same cruise in summer.

Royal Caribbean’s off-season prices can typically be found during these dates:

• January (excluding MLK weekend)
• February (excluding President’s Day weekend)
• May
• September
• October
• First two weeks of November
• First two weeks of December

Of course, the downside to off-season is there's a reason it's less popular. It could be because it's in the middle of hurricane season or during a month prone to colder temperatures.

18. You don't have to get off the ship in port

Don't feel obliged to get off the ship and spend money on a shore excursion that doesn't excite you.

"If I don't see an excursion that excites me, I don't spend the money," wrote Jane_Marie_CA.

Not only will you save money by not paying for a tour, but you'll get to enjoy a relatively emptier ship while others are in port.

Read more: 5 best reasons to stay onboard the ship while in Perfect Day at CocoCay

Can you change or upgrade your room on a Royal Caribbean cruise if you're past the final payment date?

It seems as though when you reach the final payment date for your sailing, everything is more or less "written in stone" for the purposes of your reservation. You'd incur penalties for changing or cancelling your cruise reservation, but are you definitely stuck with the cabin selection you've made?

There's plenty of reasons why you'd want to change cabins, such as wanting to splurge for a bigger cabin.  Or perhaps you changed your mind about the room location or general category.

On one cruise I took, I had booked our family in a standard balcony cabin and then a few months later, I got a bonus at work and wanted to take advantage of the cash flow by getting a nicer room.

There are a few recourses you have if you're past final payment and want to change cabins, but they are limited.

Bid for a cabin upgrade

Royal Caribbean offers a way to upgrade your cruise ship cabin by bidding for it.

The RoyalUp program offers the option to place a bid for select cabins that cost more than what you have already booked. 

It's a blind bidding program, which means you place a bid based on a range of possible prices.  You don't know what anyone else bid, nor if there are actually any cabins available to upgrade to. Royal Caribbean uses RoyalUp to net additional revenue from passengers willing to spend more than they had already, as well as fill cabins that are cancelled at the last-minute.

Read more: RoyalUp tips & tricks

Once you make a bid, it's binding if your bid was selected by the cruise line. You can always withdraw the bid before a decision is made, but if Royal Caribbean approves it, you're locked in.

Moreover, you have no choice in the new cabin location you're upgrading to.

The best thing about RoyalUp is it's easy to do, you can place a bid right up to the last few days before the cruise begins, and some people really do get a great deal on a cabin upgrade.

The downside to bidding for a cabin upgrade is it's all a guessing game as to what to bid, or if there's actually any cabins to move up to. 

In my experience, there is no rhyme or reason what to bid to win an upgrade.

There's one other catch with RoyalUp, and that is if you booked a standard cabin and win the bid to move up to a suite, you won't get double Crown and Anchor Society points.

Call and upgrade your cabin

While not as exciting as placing a bid, you can still upgrade your cabin after final payment date (assuming there's an available cabin left).

While Royal Caribbean makes it seem like you cannot change your reservation once you reach final payment date, in practice, they will usually allow an upgrade past the final payment date if you're willing to spend more money.

What most people do in this scenario is they go to the Royal Caribbean website and make a mock booking to see which staterooms are still unsold.  If there's one that looks good, you can then back out of the booking process and contact the cruise line to upgrade to it.

If the higher category cabin is the same price or cheaper than you paid, you can move up to it for no additional cost.

The easiest way to conduct a cabin upgrade in this manner is to use your travel agent to make it all happen.

Prices for Royal Caribbean cruises fluctuate all the time, even after final payment date.  In some cases, there can be a nominal extra cost to move your room up after the final payment date.  This is sometimes because other guests cancelled their reservation at the final payment date, which created a surplus of cabin inventory.

One thing to keep in mind is there are absolutely no refunds or any money back. Even if you upgrade to a bigger cabin and the cost is less than you paid originally, you won't be able to get money back once you're past final payment date. 

In addition, upgrading in this manner may cost you substantially more. Last-minute rates can often be quite high compared to booking a cruise many months before the sail date.

You should also be aware by upgrading, you may lose any booking incentives given at time of original booking, and have to go with current promotion.

Of course, this option depends on there being unsold cabins left. In many cases, a sailing will be completely sold out in the final weeks prior to the sailing. Nearly all cruises sail completely full.

The real advantage to upgrading in this manner instead of RoyalUp is it's straightforward and there's no guessing if you'll be able to upgrade or not. On the other hand, bidding might be cheaper.

Bottom line

Yes, you can pay to upgrade your room even after the final payment date, but there are a few catches.

The easiest option is to call and upgrade your room to a higher category. You will be subject to the prevailing rate for the cabin you want to upgrade to, and sometimes it’s minimal, some time it’s a lot more.

You are definitely not able to cancel, get a refund, or downgrade your cabin without incurring penalties.

Alternatively, you try for a cabin upgrade by bidding for it.  There's no telling what anyone else already bid, or if there's even a room to upgrade to.  But bidding for a better cabin is simple, and you'll probably pay less if your bid actually wins.

Which option is best? The choice depends on your appetite for luck, and how much of a budget you have to spend on a bigger cabin.