Royal Caribbean Blog

Crew members on Royal Caribbean cruise ships work incredibly hard to provide an excellent vacation, and there are so many examples of times someone's vacation has been improved thanks to the crew.

The more you cruise, the more likely you will run into an exceptional crew member who really cares about an issue or request you have while onboard. Royal Caribbean's internal credo is "Passionate Friendly Committed" and that mantra applies to the crew's attention to guests.

To that point, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley posted on Facebook this week, "Our crewmembers are undoubtedly the greatest in the industry!" and took the time to thank the hard working crew members.

"Thank you to our entire crew, who are the faces of the unforgettable vacations that our guests expect!"

Mr. Bayley's words a reminder of how much impact a crew member can have on a vacation, and it got me thinking about examples of when crew really step up.

I asked the RoyalCaribbeanBlog community to share examples of times that Royal Caribbean staff have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service for their family while sailing.

On the Harmony in August debarkation day Coastal Kitchen was packed and breakfast coming out delayed. By the time we finished the concierges were done with their 3rd and final escort downstairs. I asked if there were any more and was told no, they were done. No worries, we gathered our things and made our way to wait for elevator. The concierges came out and said they would make an exception and do one more! We were whisked off in lightening speed. Very very kind, in no way did they have to do that. 

Neesa

On Liberty a week ago, we went to Johnny Rocket’s for our autistic son’s 31st birthday.   Our waiter figured it out, discreetly checked with us, and came out with a piece of cake with a candle in it.  He and another waiter sang happy birthday.  I’m not sure where he got the piece of cake, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t there at Johnny Rocket’s. 

teddy

My wife loves chocolate croissants. At some point during our 7 nights on Indy in July, I think she mentioned it to the server who puts out the Diamond Lounge breakfast pastries because we hadn't seen any all trip in any of the locations we would normally find them. 

I went up to get coffee from the machine on one of the last mornings and there was a covered plate sitting on the concierge's desk. The server finally came across some chocolate croissants, remembered, and set aside about 5 of them for my wife. Small gesture but definitely above & beyond to me given that we had barely spoken to him. It's not like he was our stateroom attendant and we had gotten to know him over the course of a week.

OCSC Mike

Our stateroom attendant on Allure for our 2 bedroom Grand Suite made sure one in our travel party got the bodywash and conditioner she liked. On every cruise I have been on there is always a crew member who remembers me and what I like.

Ampurp85

Our stateroom attendant on Voyager let us use his hotspot from his international sim card when in port to download some maps because the onboard internet sucked in the Baltics this summer.

MLH

On symphony at Jamie's my then 4 year old wanted mac and cheese. They didn't have on the menu so I asked her to pick something else. Our waiter said not to worry and went to get a bowl of it from Chops!

Marlena

My last cruise there was a bar server on the pool deck that would find me everyday no matter where I lounged and gave me great service the rest of the day! 

Jerseygirl98

I think for me it's any crew member that makes me feel special. I've experienced this with a Head Waiter on Jewel, Waiter team on Freedom and a Bartender on Oasis. They took the time to get to know me/spend time with me, to spoil me with extras and of course make my experience even better.  Maybe that's my love language. I appreciate that more. 

D Alt

I love red velvet cake. My waiter made sure I had it every night. He went to Chops and got it for me. I will never forget his act of kindness.

Sweety

Darla Fox  went above and beyond as a pub singer.  She was engaging and entertaining and understood what her job was.  She made it a point to learn requested songs for our group and would come back later in the cruise and play them for us.  She made an effort to get to know her audience and interacted with them more than I've seen any other entertainer on a cruise ship ever do.  

AshleyDillo

A concierge (Dudley), currently on Mariner, who went way out of his way to ensure there were gluten free appetizers for my wife in the suite lounge.

smokeybandit

Every night for dessert, my youngest wanted chocolate chip cookies for dessert.  I don’t know what it was about those cookies, but he was obsessed with them.  Our server Amilia and another server were assigned to cover the unexpected large party.  Amilia came over to take our dessert order, and of course my youngest orders cookies.  A few minutes later, she comes back to tell us that they’re out of cookies in Coastal Kitchen, but not to worry, she called down the Main Dining Room galley and they’re going to send up some fresh ones. Fifteen minutes now, and Amilia comes flying out of the back, all of our desserts in hand.  She then proceeds to apologize to us for the wait and ran down there herself to get one order of cookies for a 7 year old.  We apologized to her and told her she didn’t have to do that, we could have just run to the Windjammer or the MDR or even ordered them to the cabin from room service!  Without batting an eye, she just matter of factly stated, “There’s no way I was going to let him leave on his last night without his cookies.”  

USCG Teacher

While dining in Giovanni's on Allure back in 2019, the waiter ran over to Chops to grab a specific brand of wine we discovered and enjoyed that was not on hand at Giovanni's. My wife still asks for it by name on every Royal cruise now!

JohnK6404

Were at Izumi's and we asked if they had Yummy Yummy sauce to the waitress, most places have it at their Hibachi.  She went in the back and came back with sauce that one of the cooks made by looking the recipe on his phone, made the meal so much better.  Next we had Jamie's booked before we board, but till it was coming up on the night realized that was the 2nd formal night in the dinning room, which means that was lobster night and would miss it.  Was a little bummed, the waiter always asked if he would see us the next night, but told him we would be going to Jamie's and bummed we were missing lobster night.  We are sitting there our apps come that we ordered and then our main dish comes out.  A few minutes later our waiter comes back with 4 lobster tails and said the head waiter sent these up for us. 

dustfsu

In 2010 the first year Bud Light Lime was available towards the end of the cruise the pub ran out. Our server disappeared after taking our order and he came back maybe 10 minutes later( an unusually long time) walking down the promenade. He appeared a bit sweaty and then apologized.  He had gone to 5 different bars looking for the beer.

constable145

On Oasis and I requested a memory foam topper to go on top of the hard bed.  I was told they had no such thing.  The stateroom attendant inquired of any special requests.  I mentioned having had a memory foam mattress on Oasis in May and how I could not sleep comfortably on the regular mattress.  When we moved into our new cabin my side of the bed was quite comfy, great for my back.   The attendant inquired if all was well and he showed me how he doctored my side of the bed with mattress pads and blankets.  He was one of the nicest attendants I ever met.

Pattycruise

When we have been fortunate/able to eat in Coastal Kitchen on our sailings, there is a black truffle butter pasta that I weep over. It's not even the pasta itself as much as it is the sauce. I said something to our server the first night we were dining there and then, the chefs came out at one point and made their way over to our table and I let them know how much i enjoyed it, that it is my favorite dish in all of Coastal Kitchen and that i could now die happy, having been reunited with my favorite dish on the seas. For the remaining nights of the cruise, I had black truffle butter pasta for dinner.

asquared17

Cruising with my in-laws, there was a night after Coco Cay when the kids were too tired for the Main Dining Room. So our wait staff sent our usual desserts to be delivered by the in-laws. I was wowed!

BowTieBrigade

After getting the first towel animal, I left a cute note saying I wanted to keep it, success in used to royal breaking them down the next morning. For the rest of the 8-night cruise we had towel animals every night. This is our fifth cruise and we've never had animals every night. It's a small thing but coming back every night to see an adorable animal on the bed waiting for me had me smiling every night.

Crimson Cruiser

Daughter, 7 at the time, decided to try the climbing wall.  She did ok but just could not get past one point and was frustrated.  Next time she came to try again, one of the (female) sports staff put on the harness and climbed alongside her, pointing out where to put the foot or where to grab, and eventually literally pushing my daughter's bottom up to help through the challenging spot.

roundabout

I happened to see a chef walking towards Jaime’s on the Anthem right before opening time. I quickly mentioned to her (Chef Sharon) how much I loved the food. She then brought me into the closed restaurant and had her entire kitchen staff come out to meet me. That was an amazing experience to see the smiles and appreciation from those who work ‘back of house’.

BrianB

I did two cruises on Navigator in fairly quick succession this last year.  I apparently spent far too much time in the Schooner Bar because not only did the bartenders remember me, and called me by name, but they remembered how to make the 'Kat-tini' that I had showed them how to make in November.  Wow!

BeachGal

I love the towel animals! And love that Royal committed to continuing delivering them. In an article I read about Royal continuing them they said they deliver them every other night, but the stateroom attendants have discretion to provide them more frequently based on request or "guest enjoyment", so your thank you note likely played into getting them every night.

Jack805

My husband had taken his tux to be altered before we left and somehow his tux shirt did not get back into the suit bag. Out of desperation I asked the concierges if they still have shirts onboard from when they rented them out while knowing that my chance was about .00032343% of that happening.  It turns out that she knew the tailor on the ship and called him. Within 15 minutes he met us in our cabin, measured my husband for a shirt and left.  Within 15 additional minutes he returned with a tux shirt that fit my husband freshly pressed and ready to wear.

AlohaLivin

We mention to our waiter's and our head waiter on our last two cruises, that we love Indian curry dishes.  They have brought us a fantastic dish every night with dinner...Most of the time from the crew mess.

Psycho and Barb

What are some examples of times that Royal Caribbean staff have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional customer service for you or your family?

Cruise ships are massive ocean going vessels packed with lots to do, so how fast can they really go?

To move a ship as large as Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class cruise ships requires a combination of power generation and efficiency. After all, the easier something is to get going, the less energy required overall.

If you have seen a modern cruise ship up close, they are quite large and can move from port to port, and even continent to continent.

Here's everything you may have wondered about cruise ships and their speeds.

How fast can a cruise ship travel?

Depending on the exact ship, cruise ships can get up to a good speed given the need.

Cruise ship speeds are measured in knots, and one knot is 1.15078 miles per hour on land.

Royal Caribbean says its cruise ships go as fast as 18 to 20 knots, depending on the specific ship and itinerary travelled. This is equivalent to 20 to 23 miles per hour on land.

But how fast can they get up to if they needed? During her sea trials in 2016, Harmony of the Seas' top speed was in excess of 25 knots, making her the fastest cruise ship in Royal Caribbean's fleet at the time.

The reality is ships never approach their top speed because it's just not good for fuel consumption.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain explained that it makes more sense to cruise at a lower speed, "We would never go at that speed."

"The real objective is to go 18 or 19 knots much more efficiently, (and) the thing that makes it able to do that also makes it faster."

According to Fain, the fastest speed that other Royal Caribbean ships is under 25 knots.

In order to measure a ship's top speed, they calculate an average that takes into consideration going with and against the waves in the ocean. The weather plays a major role in how fast a ship could travel, just like how an airplane's top speed can depend on how strong of a tail or headwind it encounters.

Similarly, a ship's displacement, condition of the hull and propeller, or draft can all factor into a ship's top speed.

How cruise ships can go faster

Looking at a massive cruise ship, it looks to be challenge to move the ships at almost any normal speed, so how do they do it?

The secret in managing speed versus fuel efficiency is in the ship's engineering.

Over the years, cruise ship design has seen improvements of the hull design and other design tweaks meant to allow the ship to move at faster speeds. As an example, Harmony of the Seas is 20% more efficient than Oasis or Allure of the Seas, thanks to improvements in hydrodynamic design, a new type of engine and product enhancements

One example of using science to help ships be faster is via the installation of an air bubble system under the hull. Tiny bubbles stick to the bottom of the ship's hull so the ship literally is sailing on a cushion of air.

This air lubrication system allows the ship to float on air, with millions of tiny bubbles created under the hull to reduce drag and increase fuel efficiency. 

Essentially, every improvement means cruise ships can go faster with the same fuel use or the same speed with less energy.

What is the fastest cruise ship in the world?

Because Royal Caribbean cruise ships are meant to be pleasure vessel (as opposed to ocean liners that are designed to get passengers from one port to another), speed is not a major objective for these ships.

But fast speeds are still needed in the case of an onboard emergency, or to outrun bad weather.

By most accounts, the fastest ship is/was Cunard's Queen Mary 2, with a top speed of 30 knots, or 35 mph.  She was just a tad slower than sister vessel Queen Elizabeth 2, which ad a reported top speed of 32 knots.

Instead of the diesel-electric configuration found on many ships, Queen Mary 2 uses an integrated electric propulsion to achieve her faster-than-average speeds.

Beyond those Cunard ships, many contemporary cruise ships clock in right around Harmony of the Seas' top speed of around 25 knots.

Why do cruise ships travel at a slower speed?

Not only do cruise ships rarely travel at their fastest speed, but they often go much slower.

There can be many reasons why a cruise ship slows down, and it's not just to save fuel. Certainly fuel consumption can play a major role in determining what speed to travel at, but other conditions can dictate a slower speed.

One common reason is a short distance between ports of call. Cruise ships are scheduled to arrive in port at a certain time, and each hour they spend in port costs the company money in docking fees. As a result, a ship will reduce speed so they arrive exactly at the time they are scheduled to dock, and not earlier.

On sea days, it is common for a ship to slow down to follow favorable weather so passengers can enjoy the sunshine. This is especially the case when the distance to the next port is short.

Sometimes, the Captain will even slow a ship down to everyone can see a sunset or other passing scenery.

In some places around the world, government regulations require cruise ships to travel at a slow speed. 

Of all the mistakes a first-time cruiser could make, some are very easy to avoid because they are likely the easiest to identify as a pitfall.

I've shared lots of advice on how to avoid cruise mistakes over the years and most of these mistakes are the sort of problems new cruisers would have no idea exist until it's too late.

But there are plenty of mistakes that don't require years of cruise experience to identify as a fault.

I've certainly overlooked these mistakes as a given, but it's important to remember that plenty of people new to cruises try this sort of vacation every day, which means it's important to cover these topics too.

Consider this a refresher for what not to do in order to cover all your bases and not succumb to an easy first-time cruiser mistake.

Not knowing what time to be on the ship

The last thing you want to do is be late and your cruise ship to leave you behind. To that point, Royal Caribbean posts the time you need to be on the ship in multiple places and communicates it over the public address system.

To begin with, you'll need to be onboard the ship on the first day of the cruise (known as embarkation day) by a certain time in order to make the cruise.

Whether your travel plans to get you to the cruise ship are delayed, or you simply get busy in town, all passengers need to be onboard the ship by the all aboard time in order to be admitted to the cruise.

Often most passengers are competing to get the earliest check-in time for their cruise, but you'd be surprised how many guests get onboard in the final hour before the ship's gangway is disconnected.

The exact time you must be onboard by depends on the itinerary, but it's usually in the mid to late afternoon.

Similarly, you'll need to be back on the ship by a certain time in each port of call your cruise ship visits during your voyage.

Cruise ships remain docked in a port for a set amount of time and must leave by a certain time to ensure they can stick the planned schedule.

It's quite easy to avoid making this mistake, because times are posted in multiple places.

On the first day of the cruise, pick a time for check-in via the Royal Caribbean app and then get to the terminal at that time. It's okay if you're a little late (life happens), but there is a finite amount of time to get to the terminal before they will deny you boarding because the ship needs to leave.

On days your ship is in port, the all-aboard time is posted in the Cruise Compass, Royal Caribbean app, and signs near the gangway as you disembark.

Always triple-check whether the all-aboard time is based on the ship's clock or the local time.

Read more: What happens if you miss your cruise ship?

Picking a cruise ship that doesn't have the activity you want onboard

If you're disappointed in the cruise ship you're sailing on because it doesn't have a water slide, show, or activity you really wanted to do, that issue could have been avoided had you looked up information about the ship before booking.

Royal Caribbean has a fleet of over 20 cruise ships, and they are not all the same.

While the television commercials you see will show off a variety of fun things to do, these activities are not on every ship. 

You don't need to spend hours researching to know what each ship offers. Understanding what features a ship has (and doesn't have) is an easy way to avoid regret later.

• Royal Caribbean ship classes guide & explanation
• See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size
• 12 differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Sunburn

After one day on a cruise, you'll start noticing a few people on your cruise walking around with that beet red look to them, and it could have easily been avoided.

Getting a sunburn is never fun, and on a cruise in the tropics, it's quite easy because of how strong the sun is in that part of the world.

When you're on vacation, it's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of the excitement that comes with time away from it all, but you will absolutely regret looking like a lobster later when the after-effects of the sunburn start to kick in.

Nothing ruins your beautiful cruise photos like a giant red sun burn, not to mention how painful it can be to the person who has it.

Be sure to not only pack sunscreen, but apply it early and often. 

Read more: 8 cruise ship tips from a former employee

Not putting phone into airplane mode

When you leave the country, your cell phone goes into roaming mode and that can be incredibly costly.

On a Royal Caribbean ship, you are outside your cell phone company's service area and that is what the cell phone industry refers to as "roaming."  Instead of using your cell provider's network, you use someone else's cell phone tower and network.

In simple terms, this means you'll be charged an arm and a leg to get cell phone access outside the United States.

Instead, just put your phone into airplane mode, which deactivates your phone's cellular antenna.

You can still use the phone while in airplane mode to connect to wifi, take photos, or any of your apps.

Read more: How to use your cell phone on a Royal Caribbean cruise (and not come home to a big bill)

Not knowing about activities

Missing out on a fun activity can be a real downer while on a cruise.

Karaoke, bingo, shows, and demonstrations are available every day of your cruise, but it's up to you to know when it's happening.

It's quite common to hear someone tell someone else about a really fun event they attended and hear the other person profess disdain for being unaware it was happening.

Moreover, some events only happen once onboard. Certain activities may only be offered once or twice, so you'll need to be aware of the schedule to avoid missing out.

All the events of the cruise are listed in the Cruise Compass as well as the Royal Caribbean app. It's a good idea to review the schedule each evening for the following day to ensure you wake up in time for anything you have your heart set on doing. You can even set reminders in the Royal Caribbean app by adding the event to "My Calendar".

It contains important information like the hourly activities, the weather, special happenings, the drink of the day, and information on the ports. 

Read more: 10 Tips to save you time on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Carrying your wallet around onboard

This tip is just about comfort more than anything else, but I really don't know why people carry their wallets around the ship once they are able to get into their staterooms.

Each cabin has a safe you can put valuables, such as a wallet, into to avoid theft or losing it.

In short, there's no reason to have a wallet on you while you're on the ship. Royal Caribbean ships are cashless, so all transactions are done via the SeaPass card. You won't need credit cards or identification in the regular flow of the day.

There are still a few times cash is needed, such as in the casino or when tipping a waiter, but there's less risk in carrying a wad of cash in your pocket rather than the entire content of your wallet.

Considering most men's wallets look more like George Costanza's wallet than a svelte money clip, you'll feel far more at ease with the wallet safely stowed away in the safe.

Packing prohibited items

There's a fairly long list of things you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and there's always plenty of people who try to bring them anyway.

On embarkation day, security will scan every piece of luggage coming onboard and if they find something you shouldn't have, they will hold your bag.

This means your luggage wont be delivered to your cabin and you'll have to wait several more hours for security to contact you. At that point you'll need to meet security and watch them confiscate the prohibited item until the end of the cruise.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

It's very easy to avoid this issue by reviewing the prohibited items before you start packing for your cruise.

Not double-checking you have travel documents before leaving home

If you forget to pack underwear, you can buy more at near the port, but if you forget your travel documents, you won't be able to go on the cruise at all.

Due to government regulations, you absolutely need to have the proper travel documents with you in order to cruise.

Make sure your passport, birth certificates, and other forms of identification are on your cruise packing list. Then when it's time to leave your house, check again that those documents are with you in the right bag.

One more tip is to keep all your travel documents with you during the cruise ship boarding process. Do not pack these items in the luggage you give the porters.

Not difference between port and starboard

There's a fair amount of cruise ship lingo, but two terms you should figure out quickly to make navigation easier for yourself.

When facing the front of the ship, port is the left side and starboard is the right.

An easy trick to remember this is "port" and "left" are both four letter words.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship term glossary

Planning a Royal Caribbean 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
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

Royal Caribbean has not divulged when its new Starlink internet service will become available, but it's clear work is underway on a number of ships to install Starlink.

Ever since Royal Caribbean announced it would switch its ship-based internet service to SpaceX's Starlink service last month, cruise fans have been eager to know when the service might begin.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reached out to Royal Caribbean for a schedule of when each ship would get the new service along with a start date for service, but the cruise line did not provide any such schedule.

A Royal Caribbean spokesperson did not provide a timeline other than saying, "the Starlink technology rollout will start immediately across all Royal Caribbean International ships."

Royal Caribbean Group promised to get Starlink to ships across all three Royal Caribbean Group brands by the end of the first quarter of 2023.

In the meantime, cruise ship passengers are seeing Starlink installation crews around many ships laying the foundation for the new service to start up.

We reported at the beginning of September seeing Starlink added to Independence of the Seas, although the service has not yet become operational as of the writing of this article.

According to readers, more ships are getting work done with teams onboard.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Michael Fenstermaker shared a photo from Allure of the Seas this week.

"There is a team of contractors aboard the Allure of the Seas planning the routing for the installation of cables to support the Starlink antennas," he said in his report.

Wayne Henderson is sailing on Enchantment of the Seas and also spotted a crew onboard.

"I'm currently on Enchantment in Halifax and they are installing the receivers on the forward section," Mr. Henderson said via email.

Over on Liberty of the Seas, Karen Fraser shared photos of the crew installing satellite receivers on that ship.

When will Starlink become available?

The short answer is no one really knows yet outside of Royal Caribbean when Starlink will become available on cruise ships, but the rumor mill has plenty of thoughts.

"They are already installed on the aft section and I was told it'll be operational in about 3 to 4 weeks," is what Mr. Henderson heard on Enchantment of the Seas.

Another reader, Jeff Robinson, is on Independence of the Seas and heard it will be a few more weeks, "Voom is on its last month of contract and when the month is over, Starlink."

Why Starlink on cruise ships matters

If having interenet access on a cruise vacation doesn't get you excited, you might be in the minority.

Just like anywhere on land, having reliable and fast internet access has become a way of life and not just for those looking to do some work while at sea.

Society has become more reliant than ever on having internet access, and on a cruise ship, the internet is the way to stay in contact with the outside world.

Whether texting or calling family, checking on the latest updates on social media, or tracking sports, casual internet use is a major need for a lot of travelers.

And then there's the contingent of vacationers who do have a need to keep up with work while on vacation, or prefer to work remotely from somewhere else.

Up until now, Royal Caribbean's internet service had been hit or miss, depending on the ship you sailed on and the region of the world you visited. All but the newest ships had mediocre to poor internet speeds, and even the new ship internet access was generally slower than internet access on land.

What can guests expect?

Royal Caribbean did not divulge technical details about the Starlink service onboard, such as what kind of speeds guests can expect or how much bandwidth each ship will receive. 

They did say passengers should expect to use streaming services and make video calls once deployed.

Another big question is price.

No pricing has been shared for Starlink, and it remains unknown what price changes, if any, will occur as a result of the switch to Starlink.

When Royal Caribbean tested Starlink on Freedom of the Seas earlier this summer, they did not alter the prices during the trial period.

Read more: I tried Elon Musk's Starlink internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Many readers seem to think prices will go up as a result of the upgrade, but the company has not commented on pricing.

A lot of cruise ship passengers will drive to their port of embarkation, whether with their own vehicle or in a ride share and you might be wondering how to get there.

Cruise ship terminals are usually well-marked and have a reasonable amount of signage to indicate which exit they are located at, but it can be confusing which one is the right terminal.

Even in this age of mobile apps providing GPS directions to just about anywhere, if you don't pinpoint the right spot, you may end up driving in the wrong direction.

In an effort to provide a simple list of cruise ship terminals and associated parking information, here is what you should know about where to go at each of the major cruise ports Royal Caribbean sails from in the United States and what the parking situation is like at each port.

Miami

PortMiami has two possible cruise terminals Royal Caribbean sails from: Terminals A and G, but you'll probably end up sailing from Terminal A.

In fact, Oasis Class ships always sail from Terminal A.

Address

Terminal A: 2000 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Terminal G: 1103 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Driving Directions

From Miami International Airport (7 miles):

• Via Port Tunnel: Take 836 East through the toll. 
• Continue onto FL836 E/I-395 E, then keep right to merge onto MacArthur Causeway.  
• Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs to your pier terminal. 

• Via Port Bridge: Take 836 East through the toll.    
• Exit at US1 N.E. 2nd Avenue/Biscayne Boulevard, proceed straight through one light, and then turn right at the second light onto Biscayne Boulevard (US1). 
• Stay in your left-hand lane and turn left into the Port of Miami on N.E. 5th Street. 
• Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal.    

From Ft. Lauderdale International (26 miles):

• Via Port Tunnel: Take I-95 South to Exit 2D toward I-395 E/Miami Beach. 
• Merge onto MacArthur Causeway. 
• Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs for your pier terminal.

• Via Port Bridge: Take I-95 South to Exit 3B, N.W. 8th Street. 
• Turn left onto 5th Street and continue straight until you reach the Port of Miami entrance. 
• Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal. 

Parking Costs

Royal Caribbean Terminal A Garage rates as of January 15, 2022:

• For sailings 6 days or more – the rate will remain the same - $25 per night
• For sailings 5 nights or less – the new rate will be $28 per night

Other garages and lots:

• Long term (overnight or greater), per vehicle, per space, per day or fraction of $22

Fort Lauderdale

The cruise terminals in Fort Lauderdale are known as Port Everglades, and Royal Caribbean has two terminals it sails from: Terminal 18 and Terminal 29. Generally, most ships sail from Terminal 18.

Passengers should follow the port’s digital signage upon arrival to guide them to the correct terminal.

Address

Terminal 18: 1901 SE 19th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Terminal 29: Port Everglades Terminal 29, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Driving Directions

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport (5 miles):

• Exit the airport and follow signs for I-595 East/Port Everglades. Continue to the last exit on I-595 East and follow the signs to Port Everglades.
• This will automatically take you to the Port Everglades security entrance.
• From there, follow the directional signs for your designated ship's pier terminal.

From Miami International Airport (30 miles):

• Take 836 East to I-95 North.
• Exit I-95 North at 595 East.
• Follow 595 to the end; then follow the Port Everglades signs.

Parking Costs

Rates are $15 USD per day for the regular vehicles and $19 for the oversized vehicles (rates subject to change without notice by the Port Authority).

Orlando

Port Canaveral is the name of the port area that Royal Caribbean markets as Orlando, and it's where you'll find ships sailing primarily out of Terminal 1.

When there are multiple ships, Royal Caribbean will use other terminals as well, such as Terminal 5.

Address

Terminal 1: 9050 Discovery Rd, Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Terminal 5: 9245 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Driving Directions

From Orlando International Airport (MCO):
Approximately 45 minutes west of Port Canaveral.

• Take the North exit from the airport, staying to the right on SR 528 East.
• Take SR 528 East all the way to Port Canaveral.
• Upon approaching the port area, follow the signs indicating Port Canaveral Cruise Terminals B Side.

Parking Costs

• 3 Nights/4 Days - $68.00
• 4 Nights/5 Days - $85.00
• 5 Nights/6 Days - $102.00
• 6 Nights/7 Days - $119.00
• 7 Nights/8 Days - $136.00
• 8 Nights/9 Days - $153.00

Galveston

Royal Caribbean's home port in Texas is in the coastal island of Galveston, where Royal Caribbean is transitioning to a new cruise terminal in November 2022.

Address

Cruise Terminal 2: 2702 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

New cruise terminal: 1028 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

Driving Directions

From Hobby (HOU) Airport:

• Turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59
• Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
• Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
• Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
• The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

From George Bush International Airport (IAH):

• Exit the airport and turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59.
• Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
• Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
• Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
• The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

Parking Costs

There are three parking lots available and can be booked in advance directly from the Port of Galveston’s website.

There are three lots at Cruise Terminal 3: the North Lot, South Lot, and Pier 14 Lot.

Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean sails out of New Jersey instead of New York City. The good news is it's easier to get to without city traffic.

Cape Liberty is in the Port of Bayonne, just a few minutes from Newark International Airport.

There is just one cruise terminal in Cape Liberty, so it's easy to find where to go.

Address

4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Driving Directions

From Newark International Airport (9 miles):

• Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
• Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
• Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
• Follow signs for Route 440 South.
• Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
• Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
• This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
• Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
• Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

From NJ Turnpike north or south:

• Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
• Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
• Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
• Follow signs for Route 440 South.
• Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
• Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
• This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
• Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
• Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

Parking Costs

Parking fees are $25 per day including all taxes for the parking garage at the terminal.

Oversized vehicles, such as campers and RV’s, that occupy more than one space, will be charged double the normal rate.

The height restriction of the garage is 7’ 4”. There is an open lot adjacent to the parking garage to accommodate vehicles with height restrictions.

Tampa

Cruises from Tampa have two possible terminals your ship could sail from: Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.

Luckily, both terminals are adjacent to each other.

Address

Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Driving Directions

From Tampa International Airport (10 miles):

• Exit the Airport and follow signs to I-275 North.
• I-275 merges with I-4 East.
• Take I-4 East to Exit #1 (Ybor City).
• Go south on 21st Street, turn right on Adamo Drive (Hwy 60).
• Turnleft (south) on Channelside Drive.
• Cruise Terminal 3 main entrance is approximately 5 blocks South on Channelside Drive.
• Entrance is on the left at Cumberland Street.
• In the event of a last minute change in pier assignments, signage will indicate the assigned terminal for your particular ship.

Parking Costs

Parking will cost $15 Per Day. 

A valet option has a one time fee of $20 on top of the $15 daily rate. 

Baltimore

Cruises from Baltimore offer a convenient departure for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal.

Address

South Locust Point Cruise Terminal: 2001 E McComas St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Driving Directions

Traveling from the south:

• Follow I-95 North to Exit 55, Key Highway.
• From the ramp, stay straight on East McComas Street.
• The South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance is on the right.

Traveling from the north:

• Follow I-95 South through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel, be sure to be in the right lane when going through the tunnel.
• Take Exit 55, Key Highway.
• Turn left at the traffic light onto East McComas Street.
• Follow the signs to the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance on the right.

Parking Costs

Parking is approximately $15.00 per night.

Seattle

Royal Caribbean sails from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 in Seattle.

Address

2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98119

Driving Directions

From I-5 South:

• Head north on I-5 and follow signs to the Mercer Street Exit
• Take exit 167 (left-side off-ramp) to Mercer Street
• Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North (400 feet)
• Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
• Valley Street bends to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
• Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
• Bend right to Western Avenue (0.22 miles)
• Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
• Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
• Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection) (0.14 miles)
• Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street) (0.35 miles)
• Exit right. Follow signs to Smith Cove Park (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
• Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

From I-5 North:

• Head south on I-5 and follow the signs to the Mercer Street Exit
• Take exit 167 to Mercer Street (right-hand off-ramp)
• Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North ( 400 feet)
• Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
• Valley Street bends  to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
• Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
• Bend right to Western Avenue  (0.22 miles)
• Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
• Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
• Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection)  (0.14 miles)
• Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street)  (0.35 miles)
• Exit right.  Follow signs to “Smith Cove Park” (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
• Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

Parking Costs

General parking is available for $27 per day. Book online at Republic Parking Northwest.

Boston

Royal Caribbean offers seasonal cruises from Boston to Canada and New England from the Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

Address

1 Black Falcon Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Directions

From Logan International Airport (4 miles):

• When exiting Logan Airport, follow signs to enter the Ted Williams Tunnel (toll)
• Take Exit #25 (South Boston) and stay in the right lane
• Turn right onto Congress Street and turn left onto B Street
• At the next signal, turn right onto Seaport Boulevard (changes to Northern Avenue)
• At the end of Northern Avenue, turn right on Tide Street and make an immediate left onto Drydock Avenue
• Follow Drydock Avenue and turn right on Black Falcon Avenue
• There will be signs directing you to ship locations as well as police officers to assist

Parking Costs

Massport offers Cruise Parking at 492 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 (Lot D3). Parking arrangements must be made online prior to arrival here.

Seward, Alaska

If you happen to do an Alaska open-jaw sailing from Seward, Alaska down to Vancouver, here's what to know when it comes to getting to the cruise ship terminal.

Address

Port of Seward
Alaska Railroad Dock
Seward, AK 99664

Directions

From Anchorage Airport (130 miles):

• Take International Airport Road east until you reach Minnesota Drive.
• Take a right on Minnesota Drive and follow the signs to Seward Highway South.
• Once on Seward Highway, you’ll travel approximately 130 miles to Seward.
• Once in Seward, follow the signs to the Alaska Railroad Dock.
• You will also be able to see the ship terminal from the highway on your left as you enter Seward.
• For directions to the Hospitality Center in Anchorage please call (907) 278-8070.

Parking Costs

There is no parking at the terminal. You'll need to contact the City of Seward for parking information.

New Orleans

Royal Caribbean sails from Terminal 2 in New Orleans.

Address

920 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130

Directions

For guests being dropped off, not parking:

• Take I-10 East toward New Orleans.
• Follow signs for Westbank (Business 90) as you approach downtown.
• Exit at Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St. exit.
• Continue to Convention Center Blvd.
• Right on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue to Henderson St.
• Left on Henderson St.
• Continue to Port of New Orleans Place.
• Left on Port of New Orleans Place to cruise terminals.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 east to Exit 11C:

• Stay on I-10 all the way into the city.
• From the left lane, take exit 234C, Business 90 West/Westbank/Claiborne Ave.
• Stay left and take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
• Continue to Exit 11C.
• Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
• Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
• Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
• Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
• Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 west to Exit 11C:

• After passing the Carrollton Ave. exit, take Exit 234A, 90/Superdome, Claiborne Ave., Westbank.
• Stay in one of the left two lanes, under the "Business 90 West / Westbank" sign.
• Take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
• Continue to Exit 11C.
• Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
• Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
• Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
• Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
• Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

Parking Costs

The parking lot is a within a block of the terminal, and shuttle service is provided if needed. P

Parking rates: 4 day parking is $90; 5 days parking is $110; 7 days parking is $150.

Los Angeles

If your Royal Caribbean is sailing from Los Angeles, that means the terminal will be at the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.

Address

100 Swinford St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Directions

From Los Angeles International Airport

• Take the 110 Freeway South towards San Pedro.
• Exit at Harbor Boulevard (same exit as the Vincent Thomas Bridge).
• Stay to the right - Harbor Boulevard (Do not go over the bridge.)
• At the light, cross over the main road, turning right into the "World Cruise Terminal."
• Follow the directions to parking and passenger drop-off.

Parking Costs

Parking is available for $20 a day. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

When your Royal Caribbean cruise begins in San Juan, you will sail out of the Pan American cruise terminal, which is across the bay from Old San Juan.

Address

FW52+9V6, Calle Muelle, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Directions

From Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

• Exit the Airport to San Juan taking the middle lane on Baldorioty Ave.
• This avenue will take you to New and Old San Juan.
• Once you are at the end of the avenue you will find a traffic light.
• On the right you will see the Condado Lagoon and on your left you will see the Yacht Club.
• This is a one-way road.
• Stay in the left lane and follow the signs directing to San Juan or the Convention Centre.
• Keep to your left and make a U-turn whenever possible.
• After the turn, remain on the right hand side and continue forward past the Yacht Club, Sizzlers Restaurant.
• At the corner make a right, continue to the traffic light.
• Make a right hand turn at the next right.
• Follow the road to the entrance of the pier.

Parking costs

No parking available at the terminal. You'll need to find somewhere else to park and then take a taxi or shuttle to the terminal.

Think you're ready to make the change to a suite cabin on your next Royal Caribbean cruise?

The idea of booking a suite comes with nearly as many opulent images to ones mind as it does fear of the larger price tag, but depending on how you like to vacation, trying a suite might not be a bad idea.

Royal Caribbean suites offer more living space, better amenities, and a more inclusive cruise experience.  You'll definitely pay more for it, but the old saying, "you get what you pay for" certainly holds true.

For years, I never booked any suites out of concern the price was too high and the notion I didn't need to stay in a suite. As our family grew and our needs and tastes evolved, so did my attitudes towards staying in a suite.

And to be clear, staying in a suite doesn't always mean you have a giant price tag either. There are lots of cruise fans that will attest to the fact there are plenty of deals out there for a suite.

Depending on how flexible and resourceful you are, not only could you begin to live the suite life as a choice, but you might even get a great price on it too.

In my experience, I've found a lot of cruisers start off in smaller cabins and then graduate to suites over the years. Like me, they find themselves at a crossroad of "should I try a suite?"

The choice to book any cruise ship cabin always comes down to weighing the costs of the room versus how much time you'll actually spend in the cabin enjoying the benefits. Certainly a large suite would provide lovely accommodations, but if you're going to be at the pool deck all day, how much benefit will it provide you?

For anyone on the fence about booking a suite, I've come up with five signs it might be time to give a suite a try.

You might just find this the starting point of a wonderful new way to cruise.

You drink cocktails everyday but a drink package is expensive

Booking a suite won't save you money overall, but it might include something that does help out your bottom line.

It's no secret that Royal Caribbean's drink packages are more expensive today than they were just last year. With the rising cost of drink packages, you might be tempted to book a suite so that you can still indulge but with a fixed cost.

When you stay in a suite, you can enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages in the suite lounge during select hours.

Guests in a Sky Class suite or higher (Oasis or Quantum Class ships) can enjoy complimentary beer and wine between 11am and 11pm while in the suite lounge. From 5pm to 8pm, there's a greater assortment of cocktails and alcoholic beverages available.

On other ships, there is a happy hour in the evening where guests can enjoy the same assortment of cocktails and beers in the evening, usually between 5pm and 8pm.

While not as flexible as a drink package, free drinks in the suite lounge can be just enough for some guests to take advantage of and get their bar bill under control without the need for a pricier package.

In fact, the suite lounge experience is a very compelling argument for booking a suite. Guests that stay in suites a lot will tell you they spend a lot of time in the suite lounge for the many amenities you get, including the free drinks.

Paying to get faster service is worth it to you

If you're the type of person who is willing to pay more to get faster results, then a suite might be up your alley.

When it comes to lines, waiting, or simply your time, there are some people who don't mind throwing money at a problem to make it better.

Suite guests pay more, but they'll often have a dedicated and shorter line at the cruise terminal during the check-in process. When it's time to board the ship, they get onboard first.

The suite concierge also makes it easier on suite guests and can book shows and specialty restaurants before anyone boards the ship.

One of my favorite perks of staying in a suite is the suite concierge will walk you off the ship when the cruise is over, saving a great deal of time waiting in line. This perk alone has been a life saver with my kids.

The debate of time vs money is something everyone will have differing opinions on, but if you are the sort of person that values your time more than your money, then a suite might be the perfect choice.

You've tried a junior suite and want more

Often a cruiser will dip their toe into the waters of suite life by booking a junior suite.

Despite the name, junior suite cabins aren't actually suites and closer to balcony rooms than anything else.  They offer more space and a few perks, but lack the true suite experience.

However, if the limited benefits a junior suite provides is a good first taste of the suite experience, then you might be ready to jump up a full suite.

The price of a junior suite is usually reasonable compared to a balcony, and many people will spot reasonable prices here and there between a balcony vs a junior suite.

So if you sailed in a junior suite and loved it, then you might be ready to level up again and try a suite.

You like feeling special

To be fair, everyone likes feeling special, but some people relish in this feeling more than others.

Between the suite concierge, priority experiences getting on and off the ship, and even just a different color SeaPass card, you're going to quickly feel different when staying in a suite.

Suites offer a lot of benefits that have a singular goal: make you feel extra important on the cruise. Some are for comfort, and some are to save you time, but they all work towards separating you a bit from other guests onboard.

You'll find reserved seating on the pool deck just for suite guests. The suite concierge will know your family's name fairly quickly once you get to the suite lounge. Other guests will ask why your SeaPass card is a different color from theirs when you're at a bar. These are all simple things that will make you feel noticed.

Being in a suite isn't an elitist thing, rather, it's a way to splurge and treat yourself to the finer things in life.

Vacation is an escape from the ordinary, and it's nice now and again to step up to a finer holiday.

You fly first class

Forget how you cruise, if you generally opt for first class seats on an airplane, then a suite might be right for you.

Whether you go for first class or just comfort plus, you're paying a premium to get a better experience on an airplane and that sounds like it could be a sign you're ready for a suite.

A first class airplane ticket won't get you to your destination any faster, but you'll enjoy the trip a heck of a lot more than in coach.  Similarly, a suite on a cruise ship will get you luxurious accommodations that you will enjoy in between port stops, shows onboard, and various activities around the ship.

First class airfare usually includes priority boarding, complimentary beverages once on the aircraft, and a deluxe seating experience. It's easy to draw a lot of parallels to staying in a suite on your cruise.

While once an industrial port, Galveston, Texas has since become one of the busiest cruise ports in the United States, offering year-round sailings to the Caribbean.

With the upcoming completion of Royal Caribbean’s brand new, $125 million cruise terminal in Galveston, cruises from Texas are set to increase in popularity. Not only will the terminal provide a smoother embarkation and disembarkation process, but it will have increased capacity, allowing Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise ships to sail from the port.

More and more cruisers are looking at Galveston for their next cruise embarkation port, but understanding the ins and outs of this port can be a bit tricky. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about planning a cruise from Galveston, from booking flights and hotels to arriving at the port.

In this guide:

• Where is the Port of Galveston?
• Which airport should I fly into for a cruise from Galveston?
• How to get from the airport to the Port of Galveston
• What time should I schedule my return flight after the cruise?
• Parking at the Port of Galveston
• Where to stay the night before your cruise
• Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Galveston?

Where is the Port of Galveston?

Royal Caribbean’s Galveston cruise port is located at 1028 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550.

Which airport should I fly into for a cruise from Galveston?

Passengers arriving by plane to board a cruise in Galveston will fly into one of two Houston airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

IAH is the busiest airport in Houston, serving all major US airlines, and you’ll often find competitive pricing when flying into IAH.

It is the second-largest hub for United Airlines, meaning there are nonstop flights from nearly every major US city and over 70 international destinations.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)

HOU is the smaller of Houston’s airports, but it’s more convenient as it’s located only 7 miles from downtown Houston.

Houston Hobby is primarily served by Southwest Airlines. The vast majority of flights to Houston Hobby will be on Southwest, so if you live near a Southwest hub, you’re likely to find well-priced, nonstop flights to HOU.

Houston Hobby is located closer to the Port of Galveston, so we recommend searching for flights into this airport first. If prices are significantly higher or there are fewer direct options, however, flying into IAH would be the best option.

How to get from the airport to the Port of Galveston

Once you’ve booked a flight to Houston, your next task is figuring out how you’ll travel from the airport to port.

Unfortunately, the airports are located 40 miles (HOU) and 70 miles (IAH) from the Port of Galveston, so getting from the airport to port is not as convenient in Galveston compared to other ports like Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

That being said, there are several recommended ways to reach the port from the airport:

Rideshare service

The most convenient way to reach the Port of Galveston from a Houston airport is through a rideshare service like Lyft.

Lyft is the exclusive rideshare company at the Galveston terminal, so you cannot use Uber.

This option is best for those traveling with larger groups, as the cost of the Lyft is per vehicle and not per person like many shuttle services. Most Lyfts should be able to fit four passengers in addition to the driver. This brings the travel cost per passenger down significantly when compared to booking a shuttle service.

Expect to pay between $50-60 one-way when traveling from Houston Hobby airport to the Port of Galveston and $90-100 one-way when traveling from George Bush Intercontinental airport to the port. Tipping the driver is standard practice.

If you are traveling with large suitcases or have more than four passengers, you’ll want to book a Lyft XL. These are larger vehicles that can better accommodate luggage and higher numbers of passengers. The cost will be a bit higher for this service than a regular-sized vehicle.

Taxi service

Taxi service is also available from both airports in Houston, but the price of a taxi will likely be higher than what you will pay for a rideshare service. Expect to pay at least $125+ one-way from IAH airport and $75+ from HOU airport.

Because the prices of taxis are higher, we recommend using a rideshare service first.

Booking shuttles through Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean offers a shuttle service to and from both the George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports, and this can be one of the most convenient options for travelers.

Royal Caribbean’s round trip shuttle service pricing varies by airport and is priced per person. 

• George Bush Intercontinental: $80 roundtrip
• William P. Hobby: $64 roundtrip

Note: These were the prices I was given for a tentative sailing in October 2022, although prices are subject to change. For the most up to date pricing, contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program.

When traveling with one or two guests, a shuttle service can make sense, but the price can get high when traveling with 3, 4, 5, or more guests. In this scenario, booking a rideshare or taxi service usually has a better price-per-person ratio.

Independent shuttle companies

While booking through the cruise line can be convenient, you’ll find a better shuttle price through independently operated shuttle companies in Galveston.

Several companies offer shuttle service to and from both the IAH and HOU airports:

Galveston Express offers shuttles priced at $60-65 roundtrip from HOU airport and $70-75 roundtrip from IAH airport.

Galveston Limousine offers the lowest prices, at $50 roundtrip from HOU airport and $60 roundtrip from IAH airport.

Island Breeze Shuttle does pricing a bit differently than their competitors. They price their shuttle at $150 roundtrip from HOU airport and $190 roundtrip from IAH, but the pricing is for 2 passengers.

The 3rd and 4th passenger from HOU airport cost $60 and $30, respectively, and the 3rd and 4th passenger from IAH airport cost $85 and $50. Group rates are also available.

Should I rent a car to get to the Port of Galveston?

Some passengers may look into renting a car from the airport in Houston and driving to the Port of Galveston themselves.

However, this is typically not going to be the most convenient nor cost effective option, especially if you’re unable to secure a one-way car rental and have to pay to park the car for a week.

It can’t hurt to check pricing and availability, though, especially if you’re traveling with a large family and would prefer having a private vehicle. It can also be a nice option if you plan to explore more of the Galveston or Houston areas before or after your cruise.

What time should I schedule my return flight after the cruise?

Because Houston’s airports are located 40-70 miles from the Port of Galveston, it’s important to budget enough time to disembark the cruise ship, travel to Houston, check-in for your flight, and go through security.

Even if your cruise itinerary says you will arrive at the Port of Galveston at 6 or 7 in the morning on disembarkation day, you may not disembark until 7:30-9AM.

Following disembarkation, you’ll need to catch a rideshare/taxi service or board a shuttle bus to the airport. Factoring in traffic and any potential delays, it might take longer than you anticipate to travel from the cruise ship to the airport.

Therefore, the earliest we recommend booking a flight home from Galveston/Houston is 1PM or later on disembarkation day.

Parking at the Port of Galveston

If you live within driving distance of Galveston and plan to drive to the port yourself, you’ll find many parking options for the duration of the cruise. Here are some of the most convenient and/or best priced options.

Port of Galveston (official parking)

The Port of Galveston offers official parking at Terminal 3 (Cruise Pier 10), Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal in Galveston. Parking can be booked in advance directly from the Port of Galveston’s website.

There are three lots at Cruise Terminal 3: the North Lot, South Lot, and Pier 14 Lot.

The North Lot is priced at $22 per day whereas the South Lot and Pier 14 Lot are $20/day.

Here are a few examples of what parking costs to expect at the Port of Galveston with taxes & fees added:

Adventure of the Seas 4-night cruise:

• North Lot ($97.26), South Lot ($88.60), Pier 14 Lot ($88.60)

Allure of the Seas 7-night cruise:

• North Lot ($168.71), South Lot ($153.55), Pier 14 Lot ($153.55)

Radiance of the Seas 9-night cruise:

• North Lot ($216.34), South Lot ($196.85), Pier 14 Lot ($196.85)

Independently-owned parking lots

There are several independently owned and operated parking lots near the Port of Galveston. All of these lots, however, are located near the original cruise terminals and not Royal Caribbean’s new Galveston terminal.

Most of these parking lots will be about a 7-10 minute drive from the port (or a 30 minute walk). Because Royal Caribbean’s terminal is brand new, it’s best to call the parking companies to check whether or not they will provide shuttles from the lot to Cruise Terminal 3.

Independently owned lots typically offer nice savings when compared to the port’s official parking lots, although prices may be subject to change with the distance required to reach Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal.

Here are a few of the best rated places to park near the Port of Galveston:

• EZ Cruise Parking
• Galveston Park N Cruise
• Falstaff Cruise Parking
• Discount Cruise Parking

Where to stay the night before your cruise

We always recommend arriving at the cruise port the day before your cruise begins. Unexpected delays and airline cancellations are all too common, so planning to arrive a day ahead of time gives you more wiggle room in case of any mishaps.

Related: Why you shouldn't fly to your cruise the same day it begins

If you arrive in Houston late at night, your best bet is to stay near the airport and catch a shuttle or rideshare service to Galveston the following morning. Be sure to still allow yourself plenty of time to travel between Houston and Galveston in case of traffic or other delays.

If you arrive earlier in the day, however, we recommend traveling to Galveston the day before your cruise and spending the night there instead. This ensures you are already at the cruise port and will not have to travel the morning of your cruise.

Several Royal Caribbean Blog readers have shared their best hotel recommendations in our message boards:

• Baymont by Wyndham Galveston
• Springhill Suites by Marriott Galveston Island
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Galveston Beach

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Galveston?

Allure of the Seas

Allure of the Seas will begin sailing from Galveston in November 2022, and she will be the first Oasis Class cruise ship to ever sail from the port.

Allure of the Seas will offer primarily 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

Harmony of the Seas

Once Allure heads back to Florida in fall 2023, Harmony of the Seas will come to Galveston to offer 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

Liberty of the Seas

Liberty of the Seas, which has sailed from Galveston for many years, will finish her time in Texas in October 2022. Until then, she is offering 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting the ports of Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Belize City, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

Adventure of the Seas

Adventure of the Seas will be offering shorter cruises from Galveston, with 4-night and 5-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries.

4-night cruises have two sea days and one port day in Cozumel, whereas the 5-night cruises have two sea days and two port days: one in Costa Maya and the other in Cozumel.

These cruises will be offered from November 2022 to April 2023.

Voyager of the Seas

Once Adventure of the Seas departs Galveston in spring 2023, Voyager of the Seas will begin offering the same 4 and 5-night itineraries in the Western Caribbean.

A few other sailings are available as well: a 6-night cruise visiting Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya and a 5-night cruise visiting Yucatan (Progreso) and Cozumel.

Radiance of the Seas

Radiance of the Seas will sail from Galveston from January to April 2023, offering varied itineraries which range from 6-10 nights in length.

Depending on the itinerary, you can visit Yucatan (Progreso), Costa Maya, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Belize City, Cartagena, Colón, Roatan, Key West, Nassau, Bimini, Grand Bahama Island, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

A 15-night Panama Canal cruise will also be offered from Galveston, visiting Grand Cayman, Cartagena, Colón, San Juan del Sur, and Puerto Vallarta before ending in Los Angeles, California. 

Grandeur of the Seas

Grandeur of the Seas offers limited 4 and 5-night Western Caribbean cruise itineraries in fall 2022, visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Planning a Royal Caribbean 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?

Thank you for joining us for this a look at all the Royal Caribbean news from this week. We had plenty to share, so let us jump right in!

Royal Caribbean rewards its repeat customers with a variety of benefits, but which Crown & Anchor benefits are the absolute best?

Depending on your cruising style and preferences, all the benefits may not be useful, but there are certainly a few that stand out as must-use nearly every cruise.

You can expect discounts, vouchers, and even freebies just for having sailed with Royal Caribbean in the past.

Royal Caribbean News

• Icon of the Seas looks like it will have a new bow design for Royal Caribbean
• Royal Caribbean cruises in September 2022: What to expect
• When do shore excursions become available to book?
• 50 Alaska cruise tips you should use
• Ultimate Hawaii cruise guide
• Letting the Genie out of the bottle: Asking Royal Caribbean's wish maker the top questions
• Cozumel’s Del Mar Latino Beach Club all-inclusive day pass review

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 467th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Matt reviews his recent sailing on Mariner of the Seas.

Just a few weeks later, Matt returned to Mariner of the Seas for another cruise and shares what his experience was like going solo on Mariner.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Video: Rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly!

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video: Rare cruise ship cabins that get booked very quickly!

I tried the cheapest Royal Caribbean Alaska cabin I could find

What's it like if you go on an Alaska cruise in the smallest, cheapest cabin you can find?

The cruise fare for Radiance of the Seas was listed at $240 per person with $293 in taxes and fees. 

As someone who cruises on a budget and loves visiting Alaska, Jenna took the leap and booked the cruise unsure of what to expect.

I've been on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships: here's what I like about each

After trying each of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship classes, Jenna has her favorites.

Royal Caribbean has six distinct classes of cruise ships, each with their own layouts, amenities, itinerary options, and onboard atmosphere. 

Even though all Royal Caribbean cruise ships share a common cruise line "DNA", they can feel quite different from one another when comparing the ships side by side.

What happens if you're late and miss your cruise ship?

It’s every cruiser’s worst nightmare - arriving late to the port and missing the cruise ship's departure.

Longtime cruisers will tell you they’ve undoubtedly seen instances of cruise ships leaving late passengers behind. If you go up to the top deck at departure time, you might catch a glimpse of passengers running back to the ship.

If there’s one mistake that cruisers should absolutely never make, it’s arriving late to the cruise port. Those who do make this costly mistake will tell you time and time again how important it is to be on time for the ship's scheduled departure. 

One of the things I love most about cruising is the fantastic vacation value it can offer, with accommodation, food, entertainment, and amazing destinations included in the cruise fare. It’s hard to pass up a cheap cruise deal, especially when the cruise visits Alaska.

Back in May, I was browsing Royal Caribbean’s website when I came across a cheap cruise deal to Alaska: a 7-night one-way cruise on Radiance of the Seas.

The cruise fare was listed at $240 per person with $293 in taxes and fees. As someone who cruises on a budget and loves visiting Alaska, I took the leap and booked the cruise unsure of what to expect.

Cruising to Alaska on the cheap? Yes, please!

Expectations

Booking the cheapest cruise you can find often comes with low expectations, but my expectations were set pretty high. I took an Alaska cruise last year, and it remains one of the best vacations I’ve ever had.

The scenery, food, culture, and ports on an Alaska cruise are simply fantastic and it’s definitely my favorite place to cruise in North America.

Things would have to be pretty bad onboard for me not to enjoy my Alaska cruise experience, so I went into the cruise knowing it would likely live up to my expectations.

Plus, I assumed the cruise was offered at such a low price not because the product would not be up to par, but because of low demand at the end of the summer season.

In the spirit of booking the “cheapest Alaska cruise,” I did not book any excursions, dining packages, or drink packages. Alaska cruise ports are all walkable and full of free activities, so I knew I would be able to find enough to do in port without spending hundreds on shore excursions.

Cruise fare, flights, and hotel

When I booked my cruise on Radiance of the Seas, it was the cheapest Alaska cruise on Royal Caribbean’s website. The total cruise fare with taxes & fees for 2 guests in an interior room was $1,118, or $559 per guest.

Gratuities for each guest were $101.50, bringing the total cruise fare to $660.50 per person. At around $94 per day, I felt it was a fantastic deal!

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

Flights & shuttle transfers

Because the cruise started in Vancouver and ended in Seward, I needed to purchase two one-way flights. Flying to Vancouver was $189 and flying from Anchorage was $347, bringing the total flight cost to $536.

Flying roundtrip from my house to either Seattle or Vancouver usually costs between $200 and $300 total, so the one-way flights were definitely more expensive, especially the one from Anchorage, adding a significant amount to the total cost of the cruise.

Additionally, because the cruise ended in Seward, I needed to purchase a shuttle bus to Anchorage for $78.95. This was the cheaper option; the train transfer was $124.95!

Hotel

The last purchase I made before the cruise was a hotel in Vancouver. As it’s recommended to fly to your cruise departure port the day before you sail, I spent $285 USD to spend the night at the Blue Horizon Hotel in downtown Vancouver ($142.50 per person). This was one of the cheapest hotel options I found downtown, with others as high as $400+ per night.

Related: Why you shouldn’t fly to your cruise the same day it begins

I also spent around $10 to get from Vancouver’s airport to downtown via the metro and $15 for an Uber from my house to the airport.

Total cost of my cruise fare, flights, hotel, and transfers: $1,442.95

Arrival & Embarkation

I arrived in Vancouver the night before my cruise and spent about 24 hours in the city before heading to the cruise terminal. Canada Place, Vancouver’s cruise terminal, is located walking distance from many hotels in downtown Vancouver.

I was cruising to Alaska with my friend Reeham from Egypt. I met Reeham in graduate school a few years ago and we’ve remained friends ever since! Reeham and I arrived at the cruise terminal by foot eager to board Radiance of the Seas and start our Alaska vacation.

The embarkation process was extremely easy and we were onboard within 20 minutes of arriving at the terminal.

Radiance of the Seas first impressions

I had never sailed on a Radiance Class cruise ship before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Royal Caribbean has 6 classes of cruise ships, and each has a different layout and size as well as varied onboard dining, activities, and amenities.

One of the first things I noticed was the large Centrum in the middle of Radiance of the Seas. Royal Caribbean is known for their sprawling Royal Promenades inside the ship, but the cruise line’s older cruise ships do not have this feature.

Instead, Radiance of the Seas has a large, 6-story elevator lobby connecting shops, lounges, a coffee shop, and other onboard amenities. I don’t mind the Centrum and feel that it connects the ship’s decks together nicely, although it seemed a bit cramped, even when compared to the more open Centrum area on my recent cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.

Radiance Class ships are known for the amount of windows found throughout the ship, and this is one of the features I ended up loving most about Radiance of the Seas throughout my cruise. No matter where I was onboard, I could relax with a view and enjoy Alaska’s scenery.

Related: 20 Radiance Class cruise ship tips and secrets

The outdoor decks on Radiance of the Seas were really nice as well, although I didn’t expect to spend much time there during an Alaska cruise. Having access to the helicopter pad is always a plus, and the indoor pool area in the Solarium was a beautiful space.

While Radiance of the Seas clearly did not have all the bells and whistles of a newer cruise ship, I thought the ship was perfect for a cruise focusing more on the destinations as opposed to the ship itself.

The vibe onboard

I almost immediately noticed that the vibe on this Alaska cruise would be different from not only Royal Caribbean’s Caribbean cruises, but also my Alaska cruise last year on Ovation of the Seas.

I was told there were only around 100 kids onboard and the average age of passengers was probably in the late 50s-70s. I’d say Reeham and I stuck out in comparison to the average demographic on the ship, and the atmosphere felt very tame throughout our entire cruise.

The relaxed vibe onboard was probably due to a few factors:

1. The school year had just started, so there was a noticeable lack of families and kids.
2. Those passengers and families looking for a more modern, activity-filled cruise will often choose a Quantum Class ship over a Radiance Class ship. Quantum Class ships have activities like bumper cars and the FlowRider which are not available on smaller ships.
3. This was a one-way sailing, so logistics were more difficult and expensive for younger passengers with limited PTO time, leading to a higher age demographic onboard.

I’m not a huge partier, so I didn’t mind the tame atmosphere on the ship. You’ll rarely catch me awake after 11PM and after 12 cruises I still haven’t been to the nightclub, so the older and calmer vibes onboard were fine with me.

Plus, if you really wanted to find a party you could. There was a nightclub/DJ each night at the Starquest Lounge and live music/dancing in the Centrum. Even if it didn’t have the party vibe of a weekend cruise from Miami, there was always something to do in the evenings.

Our cabin

Our cabin was ready around 1:30PM, and we had booked an interior cabin for this cruise. Booking the cheapest cruise to Alaska will almost always mean booking an interior cabin!

While a lot of people may think you have to book a balcony cabin when cruising to Alaska, I’d argue that there are better spaces onboard to watch the scenery than a balcony, which only provides views in one limited direction. I prefer hanging out on the pool deck or a lounge with more panoramic views of the outside.

Related: Choosing a cabin for your cruise

The cabin was room 9009, which was located on deck 9 forward of Radiance of the Seas. The cabin appeared well-maintained and had a nice amount of walking space throughout it. There was a ton of storage, too, with 7 drawers in the vanity, two shelving areas above the TV, one full-sized wardrobe, and one smaller wardrobe with shelves inside.

Because I travel with so much camera gear along with my clothes, I’m always happy when a cruise ship cabin has tons of storage.

Our cabin had two twin beds pushed apart. When traveling with friends, I prefer having the beds pushed apart not only so we get our own space, but it gives the room better walking space. I appreciated that this was done before we arrived as I did not have to track down my stateroom attendant!

The room had four outlets (2 North American style outlets and 2 European), which was more than I expected on a 20+ year old cruise ship. I was glad I packed a European outlet adapter so we could take advantage of all the outlets in the cabin.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

The bathroom in our cabin was a standard cruise ship-sized bathroom and nothing too fancy. The bathroom is where I noticed the ship showing its age, as the light would flicker on and off several times before staying on and the paint was faded in some areas, but that didn’t matter in the long run.

I only had two complaints with our stateroom. First, the walls seemed a lot thinner on Radiance of the Seas compared to other Royal Caribbean ships I’ve sailed on. One morning, in fact, I was woken up by the alarm in the room next to me!

Second, the internet onboard, which was pretty awful in the first place, was often not functional in our stateroom. As someone who has to do a few hours of blogging onboard each day, it was frustrating having to constantly leave the room and try to get better internet elsewhere.

Food & beverage

One of the first things that comes to mind when anyone thinks of the word “cruise” is endless food, so what was the food like on my cheap Alaska cruise?

I’ve never been disappointed by the food on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and I enjoyed every meal I had on Radiance of the Seas. Reeham and I did not dine at any specialty dining venues onboard, choosing only to eat at complimentary venues.

Related: Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Thankfully, Radiance of the Seas has several complimentary venues onboard, including the Windjammer buffet, Park Cafe, Boardwalk Dog House, and the Main Dining Room.

Windjammer

We started most mornings of the cruise at the Windjammer. This is my favorite place to eat breakfast on a Royal Caribbean cruise due to how many options are available. From savory options like made-to-order omelets and bacon to sweets like french toast, cinnamon rolls, and pancakes, I was never disappointed.

My favorite breakfast at the Windjammer is a few slices of french toast topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips. I had this pretty much every morning!

We had a few lunches and dinners at the Windjammer as well. The dinner theme changes every night, and our favorite was Mediterranean night, which had fresh hummus, falafel, lamb kabobs, and other Mediterranean delicacies.

Related: Guide to Royal Caribbean’s Windjammer Cafe buffet

Main Dining Room

One of my favorite meals during the cruise was brunch in the Main Dining Room, where I had one of the best dishes of the cruise: butternut squash risotto. Both breakfast and lunch options were available at brunch, although the special menu was only offered one day of the cruise.

I loved the decor and ambiance in the Main Dining Room, and we ate dinner there 5 out of the 7 nights of our cruise. Dinner would usually take 1-1.5 hours. The French onion soup is by far my favorite item on the menu, but all of the salads, soups, main courses, and desserts were nice as well.

Other dining venues

Outside of the Main Dining Room and Windjammer, I spent most evenings in the Diamond Lounge enjoying complimentary appetizers and small bites. Occasionally I would grab a quick snack from Park Cafe or Caffe Latte-tudes which were free as well.

I was impressed with the food overall and never got tired of visiting the same venues for meals. I’m glad I did not purchase a dining package as this allowed me to save money for a nice, fresh lunch in port each day.

Beverages

As a Diamond member in Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, I receive four free drinks per day of the cruise. This is my favorite benefit of having Diamond status, and I was able to order fresh orange juice, specialty coffees, and cocktails every day!

I only went over my limit twice, adding a total charge of $19 to my account balance.

There were a ton of venues to enjoy a drink, too. My favorite was Starquest and the Diamond Lounge, which are both located on the top deck of Radiance of the Seas. They offered what I think are the best views from the ship, and there were always fewer people there than in other bars and lounges.

Onboard activities

I don’t tend to pack my days onboard full of activities, and most of the time I’m happy to sit back and relax with a coffee and a nice view. That being said, I never felt bored on Radiance of the Seas and there were always activities available whenever I wanted to participate.

The first activity I tried was a movie at the Cinema. Something that makes Radiance Class cruise ships unique is the movie theater, which plays a different movie each day of the cruise! There were five showtimes each day, so it was the perfect thing to do on a chilly day at sea.

We also attended a round of trivia at the Schooner Bar. Trivia is offered several times throughout the day each day of the cruise, and it’s a low-effort activity that can be pretty fun.

Other activities, like bingo, spa seminars, dance classes, etc. were available, although I did not partake in any of these activities.

Music & entertainment

There was always some kind of entertainment or live music every night during the cruise. Guitar music was offered at the pub, piano tunes at Schooner Bar, singers and instrumentalists in the Centrum, and production shows in the Royal Theater.

Related: First time cruisers: Entertainment on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

On our first sea day, I checked out Piano Man in the Royal Theater. The show combined music from Billy Joel, Elton John, and Barry Manilow combined with dancing and singing.

I felt that the show was definitely geared toward an older age demographic, but it was still entertaining to watch. I’m not a huge theater person outside of Royal Caribbean's Broadway shows, so I didn’t attend any other performances throughout the week.

My favorite activity I attended was the Captain’s Corner, where the ship’s captain had a Q&A session to answer guests’ questions about what it’s like to work onboard, how ships navigate the ocean, etc. It was fascinating to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes on a cruise ship!

While Radiance of the Seas may not have a zip line or ice-skating rink, it seemed like there were enough activities onboard to keep kids busy. Adventure Ocean kids programming, a basketball court, mini-golf, and rock climbing were available. There is also a children’s swimming area with a small slide, although this remained closed during our cruise due to the weather.

Related: Here are the absolute best cruises for families

Alaska cruise ports

We stopped at four different ports on our Alaska cruise: Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka, and Skagway. We were in port between 8-10 hours each day, and I felt this was plenty of time to explore without getting bored or feeling like we were in a rush.

Juneau

Pretty much every Alaska cruise itinerary stops in the state’s capital of Juneau, and it’s one of my favorite ports because of how many activities are available. A lot of Juneau’s best attractions must be visited either by car or through a tour, so I knew we would probably spend more money here than in any other ports.

Related: Top 10 things to do in Juneau, Alaska

Radiance of the Seas docked at the dock furthest away from downtown Juneau, and while there was a shuttle available for around $6 roundtrip, we decided to save money and make the 20 minute walk into town.

We initially planned to spend $45 to ride the Goldbelt Tram to the top of Mount Roberts, but as there was a ton of fog on the mountaintop, we decided against it as the view would be severely blocked.

Instead, we found a shuttle bus to and from Mendenhall Glacier for $45. Other tours, like whale watching and helicopter rides, were in the hundreds of dollars, so we figured visiting Mendenhall Glacier would be the most budget-friendly tour option.

The trip was well worth the cost as Mendenhall Glacier is stunning and easily accessible from downtown Juneau. We spent a few hours walking on nature trails around the glacier and taking in the beauty around us. Mendenhall Glacier really is a must-do activity in Juneau.

Related: Local’s guide of what to do in Juneau, Alaska

Once we returned to downtown Juneau, we visited a few local shops and discovered a cool food truck park in the middle of the city. In total, we spent $9 each on fudge and chocolate and $6 on a salmon taco.

Total cost of my day in Juneau: $69

Icy Strait Point

Icy Strait Point is a unique port in that it is privately owned and operated by the Huna, a Tlingit tribe located in the nearby town of Hoonah. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this port and assumed there would be little to do, but I ended up enjoying the day a lot more than I initially expected.

Icy Strait Point is well developed and has many free attractions, including nice walking paths, a museum, and a beach. The natural beauty of Icy Strait Point is pristine, and we spent the morning looking through our binoculars trying to spot whales, bears, and sea otters.

Related: Radiance of the Seas Live Blog - Day 4 - Icy Strait Point

The port is pretty small, however, so Reeham and I decided to walk to the nearby town of Hoonah. Free shuttles are available, but we walked the 40-minute coastal path to town.

While Icy Strait Point is only a port area, Hoonah is where the locals live, and I enjoyed observing local life in a remote town of only 850 people.

We visited a grocery store where jars of salsa were over $8 and bags of beef jerky over $20, watched a free demonstration of locals carving a traditional totem pole, and enjoyed lunch ($15 each) at a local seafood restaurant. There wasn’t too much to do in Hoonah, but it was worth the ~2 hour trip. 

Once back at Icy Strait Point, we enjoyed a bag of mini donuts ($5 each) before walking around a bit more and getting back onboard.

If I visit Icy Strait Point again, I’d probably choose to spend money on a shore excursion for half the day and explore on my own for the other half. We were in Icy Strait Point for the longest time of any ports on the cruise, but I ran out of things to do in the early afternoon. Booking a whale watching tour in addition to walking around on my own would be a nice way to fill up the entire day.

Total cost of my day in Icy Strait Point: $20

Sitka

Sitka, the former capital of Russian Alaska, was the next port on our cruise. Like other ports, we planned to explore freely without a prior plan, and it led to a fun yet busy day in town.

I was impressed with the amount of free activities in Sitka. One of my favorite parts of the day was walking around the Sitka National Historic Park, which had gorgeous rainforest nature trails. The salmon were also running when I was in Alaska, so tons of visitors gathered to watch as the salmon frantically swam upstream.

Related: Top 10 things to do in Sitka, Alaska

I was pretty frightened with all the “WARNING: BEAR” signs around town, though, so I didn’t venture too far on my own!

I also visited the Alaska Raptor Center, a rehabilitation center for injured birds of prey. Admission to the center was $15 which felt fair as I was contributing to a good cause.

We spent most of the day in downtown Sitka exploring local businesses and attractions. In total, we spent $12 each on fish n’ chips, $4 on fudge, $3 on hot chocolates, and $6 on magnets.

Related: Local’s guide of what to do in Sitka, Alaska

My favorite place in town was the Baranof Castle State Historic Site, the location where Russia formally handed off Alaska to the United States. This site is free and the views from the top were beyond beautiful.

Total cost of my day in Sitka: $37

Skagway

Our last port of call brought us to Skagway, Alaska, the town most known for Alaska’s Gold Rush.

Last year I spent $100 to ride the White Pass & Yukon Railroad from Skagway. I would 100% recommend doing this while in port, but as I had done it already, I decided to simply walk around town without a plan.

Skagway is probably the most picturesque town we visited on this cruise, and I could spend hours walking up and down the town’s streets, which are lined with historic saloons, museums, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

Related: Local’s guide of what to do in Skagway, Alaska

Our first stop was to a few souvenir shops where we spent $5 on postcards and stamps to mail to friends and family back home.

We also made a pit stop to my favorite place to eat in Skagway, Klondike Doughboy. Specializing in Alaskan fry bread, Reeham and I shared a cinnamon-sugar fried dough for $7.

As I mentioned, Reeham is from Egypt and she abruptly stopped in her tracks in front of a jewelry shop when she saw a variety of Egyptian souvenirs and decor inside the shop.

The shop was owned by an Egyptian, and in true Egyptian culture, he invited Reeham and I inside to chat. Mohamed, the shop owner, and Reeham enjoyed talking to a fellow Egyptian in a town as remote as Skagway, and we stayed in the shop for a while to learn more about local life in Alaska.

Mohamed treated us to lunch and we treated him (and us!) to ice cream ($15) before getting back onboard Radiance of the Seas.

Total cost of my day in Skagway: $27

Related: Top 10 things to do in Skagway, Alaska

Weather

When I cruised to Alaska in October last year, we encountered awful weather. It basically did not stop raining the entire week!

Because this cruise was at the end of August and into September, I did not expect the weather to be nice this year, either, but I was pleasantly surprised by the weather conditions.

While we encountered some rain on and off most days of the cruise, there was usually only a light sprinkle with a couple rare downpours. We saw the sun nearly every day and in Skagway we did not have any rain whatsoever!

Related: What is the best time to cruise to Alaska?

Weather is unpredictable anywhere in the world, but especially in Alaska, so I think we lucked out on this cruise. I even took off my jacket a few times to walk around in just a long sleeve shirt and remained comfortable.

Last sea day & disembarkation

The last full day of our Alaska cruise was supposed to include a visit to Hubbard Glacier, but unfortunately we were unable to approach the glacier due to low visibility.

Bad weather was the theme of the day, and we encountered the roughest waters I’ve experienced yet on a cruise. I spent most of the day feeling seasick and laying in bed, which was definitely not fun!

As evening approached, however, Reeham and I began to feel better and were able to enjoy our last night onboard before disembarking the next morning in Seward.

We arrived in Seward early on disembarkation day and took a 3 hour shuttle bus to downtown Anchorage. We still had ten hours before our flight once we arrived in Anchorage, so I was pleased to discover that the city has a complimentary building with luggage storage, tables and chairs, and a free airport shuttle available.

Soon enough, it was time to say goodbye to Alaska’s beauty and return home.

Total cost: was it really the cheapest Alaska cruise?

While I may have booked the “cheapest Alaska cruise” based on cruise fare price, the extra add-ons (one-way flights, shuttles, etc.) added a significant cost to the cruise.

Alaska cruise costs (per person):

• Pre-cruise purchases (cruise fare, hotel, flights, etc.): $1442.95
• Purchases in port: $153
• Onboard purchases: $19

Total cost of my Alaska cruise: $1614.95

Looking back, I probably could have booked a more expensive cruise fare on a newer ship from Seattle and still saved money due to cheaper flights and other transportation expenses.

If you’re truly looking to save the most amount of money possible, definitely research flight costs and shuttles before booking an Alaska cruise!

I had no idea a shuttle would cost $80 one-way to reach Anchorage from Seward, for example, and this could easily get way more expensive when cruising with a large family.

That being said, I definitely saved hundreds of dollars by not booking excursions and instead choosing to explore ports freely on my own. I didn’t feel we missed out on anything by not booking excursions.

However, I’ve already been to Alaska and will cruise to Alaska again in the future. If you’re only going to visit Alaska once, I’d book at least 1-2 excursions, such as whale watching and the White Pass & Yukon Railroad train, in order to make the most out of Alaska’s attractions.

I was happy to end the cruise in southcentral Alaska as it allowed me to explore Anchorage (and I even saw the peak of Denali from downtown!).

In the end, I made some amazing memories with my friend Reeham and we were able to explore four unique Alaska cruise ports and discover more of Alaska’s culture, cuisine, and nature.

Alaska cruises remain my favorite cruise itineraries in North America and I’ll never get tired of relaxing onboard with a scenic view out the window.

Cruising to Alaska on a budget can be done, and while I’m not entirely sure this ended up being the cheapest cruise overall, it was certainly an incredible experience, and I’m already looking forward to returning to Alaska!

Planning an Alaska cruise? Check out our guides for more tips & tricks:

• Top 50 tips for planning your Alaska cruise
• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise
• Tips for taking an Alaska cruise on a budget
• Top ways to avoid crowds on an Alaska cruise

Planning for a cruise ship vacation means picking out fun and interesting tours while in the ports of call you visit, but when do excursions become available to book?

Periodically I answer questions RoyalCaribbeanBlog readers have sent to the RoyalCaribbeanBlog mailbag to answer for the benefit of everyone.

My family and I are booked on an Alaskan cruise for next August. I am starting to look into planning all of the details of our trip and wanted to know how far in advance Royal usually releases shore excursions for your cruise. Right now I see a few options but not a ton. When do  I need to really start checking in and looking for excursions? Thanks in advance for your help! - Katie L.

When I received Katie's question, I realized I've been getting this question asked a lot lately and wanted to share the answer for everyone curious when tours become available to book.

One of the best mantras for cruise planning is book as early as you can in order to get the lowest price. Cruise fares tend to be lower the sooner you book.

Not only does booking a cruise early lock in a good price, but you can also get the perfect cruise ship cabin for your family.

Read more: What's the best cruise ship cabin for my family?

If you book a cruise 9, 12, or 16 months in advance, you may find very few (if any) cruise add-ons to buy.

Read more: When should you buy Royal Caribbean drink package, wifi, tours & other add-ons

If you're like Katie and wondering when shore excursions will appear to book via Royal Caribbean's website, the short answer is "it depends".

Royal Caribbean doesn't have a set time frame when it loads in shore excursions to the Cruise Planner. This is no minimum number of days when tours get loaded, so it's up to the guest to keep checking back periodically.

If that answer doesn't sit well with you, I don't blame you. 

My best advice is to check back for shore excursions in the cruise planner around six months prior to your sail date because there's usually a good chance excursions will be added by that point.

Moreover, even if you check back at six months but shore excursions were added many weeks earlier than that, it shouldn't matter in terms of you being able to get the tour you want.

While Royal Caribbean shore excursions can sell out, most people are not booking up excursions half a year before they sail. In my opinion, there's minimal risk by checking back about six months before you sail for tours. Unlike check-in times on embarkation day, there won't be a rush to book things on the first day it becomes available.

If you still don't see tours by the six month timeframe, then check back more regularly as you're more likely to see them added than not. 

There can be any sort of behind-the-scenes reason why shore excursions aren't available to book yet, but they'll eventually make it in.

Read more: What to do if Royal Caribbean's shore excursions are sold out

Book on your own anytime

Regardless of when Royal Caribbean loads in shore excursions, you can always book your own tours via independent operators likely much sooner than six months before your sail date.

There's pros and cons of booking a third-party shore excursion, but you might consider browsing these in the interim just to have something ready.

Read more: 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Most tour operators will allow bookings much further in advance than six months, especially for high-demand locations, such as Alaska cruises.

Not only will booking on your own give you a head start on Royal Caribbean's offerings, you may a greater variety of choices and perhaps a better price.

Does Royal Caribbean add more shore excursions closer to cruise date?

In addition to waiting for shore excursion to become available, a lot of people want to know if more tours will be added to the lineup.

It's not uncommon to see someone browse shore excursion options on the Royal Caribbean cruise planner site and find the choices limited. When browsing tours many months before the cruise, will there be more tours added by the cruise line?

Royal Caribbean sometimes adds new tours , especially if you checked tours more than a year before your sailing is scheduled to begin.

In addition, if a guest cancels a tour, suddenly a previously sold out excursion is bookable again.

If you read the first part of this article and made a note to check for new tours around six months prior to the cruise, then be sure to keep checking for new tours in the months leading up to your cruise because it's not unheard of for new tours to be added.

Does Royal Caribbean hold back spots on excursions booked online?

Another scenario you might encounter is the exact tour you wanted to do is no longer available to book because it sold out. Will more spots become available either online or onboard the ship?

In my experience, it's not that Royal Caribbean holds back spots as it is they can add capacity.

Sometimes the Shore Excursion department is able to book additional slots (tours) with their local operators.

More commonly, people cancel their reservations and then an excursion becomes bookable again. In either case, the end-user will never know which scenario has occurred.

If you keep checking online and the tour never re-opens for bookings, you could asked to be placed on a waiting list once onboard the ship.

Wait lists are something the shore excursion desk can assist you with once you get on the cruise ship. I've had fairly good luck with wait lists, but there's no guarantee.

More mailbag questions:

• Will a Royal Caribbean sale actually save me any money?
• What's worth paying extra for on a cruise?
• What is the earliest flight I should book after the cruise?