Spring break is one of the most popular times of year to take a family cruise vacation. Kids are out of school, and it's not too hot and humid in the Caribbean yet.
This year, I'm taking my kids back on a spring break cruise on we're sailing for a week on Icon of the Seas, the biggest cruise ship in the world. That big size means there will be thousands of other passengers with us, as the ship can handle up to 7,000 passengers if they sell every bed onboard.
Even though it's spring break, you won't find the Panama City Beach vibe that would be reminiscent of "MTV Spring Break" in the past. Royal Caribbean is a family cruise line, and while there are going to be thousands of kids, it won't be as crazy as you might otherwise assume.
Nonetheless, spring break cruises are not only going to be sold out, but quite busy. And with the great weather, there's going to be competition onboard and onshore for all the fun.
Here are some of the tips I've used to navigate the unavoidable crowds on a spring break cruise.
Take advantage of being early or late
One my top tips for crowds on any cruise is to avoid peak times for the things you want to do.
You'll find any Royal Caribbean ship is much quieter early in the morning and late at night, especially around the pool deck.
There's a definite flow to passengers and where they go throughout the day. The Royal Promenade is usually quiet in the daytime, but gets busy at night. The pool deck inversely is busy in the afternoon but deserted at night.
It's best to head to the pool or hot tubs early in the morning to beat the crowds that will descend later. If you can get to the pool before 9am to get a chair, you'll find plenty of choices.
Don't overlook the pool at night. Once 4pm hits, the pool starts to clear out with everyone going to dinner.
Thanks to daylight saving time, the sun is out longer and you can still get a few hours of fun in the sun in the pool with significantly less people around. Or, just go for a night swim and enjoy a nearly empty pool or hot tub.
The fitness center is best to hit up in the afternoon or evening. It seems everyone wants to get their morning workout in, so either go extremely early or wait them out and go later in the day when crowds are thinner.
This early or late strategy works at the Windjammer buffet too.
Try to go right when it opens in the morning, or later in the dining period to avoid long lines.
Use Royal Caribbean's app to pre-reserve
If it all possible, pre-book everything you need before the cruise begins.
The Royal Caribbean app allows you to book shows, dining, excursions, and more before the cruise begins.
On its biggest ships, being able to book show times and assure yourself of a spot is paramount.
You can use the app to book dining and entertainment in advance so you don't miss out on popular experiences.
Pick less crowded alternatives to eat
Crowds for meals can be avoided if you're willing to eat at different places.
The peak times for meals on any ship are:
- Breakfast: 9-10:30 AM
- Lunch: 12-1 PM
- Dinner: 6-7:30 PM
Most ships have good alternatives that go beyond the buffet or Main Dining Room.
On Icon of the Seas, I'm planning to take advantage of a few great venues. Aquadome Market is the food hall and it's legitimately one of my favorite places to eat on a cruise ship. The Mediterranean stall is my go-to snack spot.
Then there are great grab-and-go packaged snacks at Pearl Cafe that my kids will eat, and I like taking them up to the pool deck too.
If you need your morning coffee, go to Rye and Bean instead of Pearl Cafe for a much shorter line.
On other Royal Caribbean ships, similar alternative venues include Solarium Bistro, Park Cafe, or Cafe@Two70.
Try the water slides on a port day
Easily the most popular activity on your cruise ship during a spring break cruise will be the water slides.
Instead of waiting in a gargantuan line, I'd recommend picking a port day to hit the slides.
Either identify a day you'll stay on the ship instead of doing a shore excursion, or make shore excursion plans that get you back onboard early and you'll find the lines much shorter for the water slides.
Icon of the Seas has a massive 6 slide waterpark onboard, and my kids will definitely want to hit that up at some point. If they want dad to come along, it won't be on a sea day.
If your port day plans are already slammed, try to go when people are at dinner as an alternative. The pool deck clears out closer to 5pm.
Plan shore excursions wisely
The spring break crowds will extend to the places your ship visits too, as this is the peak of the Caribbean cruise season with many ships in port.
You'll want to pre-book shore excursions prior to ever stepping foot on your ship. Tours and day passes sell out, so don't leave it to the last minute.
Speaking of tours, I'd recommend researching private or small-group excursions so you can find options that won't be oversold.
If exploring a port on your own, leave early to beat the rush or wait until later when crowds start to thin out.
Piggybacking on the water slide tip earlier, don't be afraid to skip an excursion and stay on the ship instead. Staying on the ship during port days allows you to enjoy amenities with fewer people around.
Book a longer cruise if you want less kids
If you're looking to take a spring break cruise and want to lessen the amount of families onboard, I'd look at a longer sailing.
Royal Caribbean has always been a family cruise line, so there's going to be a lot of kids on any cruise. But there are less on longer voyages.
Certainly any cruise less than 6 nights will have many more families onboard. In fact, the 4-night Bahamas cruises are typically the ones college kids book.
So try a 7-night or longer sailing to lessen the college party factor.
If you can find something even longer than 7 nights, you'll probably see a shift in the age demographic to something older.
Seek chairs near the ocean, away from the pool
I think a lot of people will say they want to have a view of the ocean, a gentle breeze, and somewhere to sit, and it does not need to be at the pool.
There are great spots with few crowds around the ship, if you know where to look.
On Icon of the Seas, there is fabulous seating outside of the 1400 Bar on the promenade deck.
Many Royal Caribbean ships have chairs on the outdoor deck that's on deck 4 or 5 and if you see more than five people here, that's a lot.
If you still want to be near the pool, I'd recommend chairs on the upper pool deck.
Every Royal Caribbean ship has two decks to the pool area, and the upper deck is always less crowded. Moreover, if you walk further back or forward, there's many more chairs.
These are great spots to read, take a nap, or enjoy the ocean air.
Throw money at the problem and book a suite
I'm not going to lie, sometimes money solves problems, and the suite perks could be your ticket to less crowds.
Suites will cost much more than a standard cabin, but they get you priority boarding and access to reserved areas other passengers cannot go.
This is so helpful with the pool deck, as there's reserved seating in the suite area on Royal Caribbean ships. While you will have to still compete with your fellow suite guests, there's far fewer of them.
On the big ships, there's an exclusive restaurant, Coastal Kitchen, which will ensure you don't have to battle the crowds for meals elsewhere on the ship.
To be clear, you don't have to spend thousands more in order to have less crowds. It's simply an "easy button" if you have the means for it.
