Cruise vacations aren't necessarily cheap, especially on the new Royal Caribbean ships.
Depending on when you sail, how many people are going with you, and the specific itinerary you select all contribute to driving up the cost of your cruise fare.
Then there's the price of food, which may increase your vacation budget. Royal Caribbean includes a lot of meals in your vacation, but there's the option to spend more too.
However, there are a few strategies to do Royal Caribbean on a budget and advice you can follow to keep some extra money in your pocket to spend on a fun shore excursion or even a new sailing.
Here are five Royal Caribbean food hacks that will save you money.
Bring a reusable water bottle
You're going to get thirsty on your cruise, even on sailings to not-so-warm destinations. And if you're headed to the Caribbean, all that heat and humidity will drain you quickly.
You could spend money on buying water by the plastic bottle onboard, but there's an easier option. To save money, bring your own refillable water bottle instead.
There are water stations that cost nothing to use around your ship. There's always one at Cafe Promenade/Cafe Latte-Tudes/Pearl Cafe that you can use.
Royal Caribbean won't allow you to directly fill the water bottle, but you can easily use one of the plastic cups to transport it into your cup.
The top favorites among cruisers are the same ones you probably have seen at home: Stanley Cups, Yeti Cups, or Hydroflask are all excellent ideas. (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use).
If you are bringing one of these cups, I've seen more and more cruisers also getting a water bottle holder with them so you don't have to hold it all the time. This makes taking it around the ship far more convenient.
Not only will bringing a reusable water bottle save you money on paying for water bottles, you will be able to stay hydrated a heck of a lot easier.
You can bring snacks from home
You won't go hungry on a Royal Caribbean ship because of how much is included in your cruise fare, but that doesn't mean your favorite snacks are offered.
It wasn't until I had kids that I saw the value in bringing snacks on my cruise.
It's so convenient to have the snacks my kids like in my cabin. I'm talking Goldfish crackers, Pringles potato chips, toddler snacks, and more.
The rule is it just has to be a sealed snack bag, so unfortunately, you cannot bring leftovers or fruit with you onboard.
For adults, how about your favorite chocolates, protein bars, nuts, and other handy snacks you might like to have in your room?
One tip is to not bring those snacks off the ship with you.
Many countries have strict rules about taking food off the ship, so keep them to enjoy in your stateroom.
Look for wandering waiters trying to sell you a reservation
Specialty restaurants all cost extra, but there could be a way to enjoy them without paying full price.
This is a "YMMV" type hack, but if you ever spot a restaurant waiter walking around the Royal Promenade, Centrum or near the Windjammer and he or she is offering to make a reservation, you should be prepared with this question:
"Can I get a discount if I book with you right now?"
Their job is to drum up business for new restaurant bookings, so it doesn't hurt to ask for a discount.
They may offer you half off, a free bottle of wine, or some other money saving option.
Sometimes they need to call their manager to ask, but you won't know until you ask.
Typically, I see most of these waiters on embarkation day. The first day of a cruise is usually the least busy at specialty restaurants, so keep an eye out for them.
Eat at lunch instead of dinner
Another specialty restaurant tip is to consider lunch to save money.
In some cases, the cost of lunch is cheaper than dinner and it's practically the same menu.
Plus, it’s usually less crowded then going for dinner.
A great example of this is Izumi Hibachi, where dinner costs $70 onboard the ship for dinner, but lunch costs $40. It's the exact same menu and experience.
Giovanni's is usually cheaper too for lunch, and it's menu is nearly identical. Ditto for Chops Grille or Hooked.
The Mason Jar has a different brunch menu from dinner, but it's also cheaper for the former than the latter.
Skip dining packages
Don't assume you need a dining package to have great meals on your cruise.
From a pure money saving perspective, you'll find lots of good food in both the Main Dining Room or Windjammer buffet.
The Windjammer has a lot of international cuisine offered, including fabulous Indian options and even cooking stations.
