Simple changes can have a major impact on making your cruise vacation better.
Having sailed on almost 100 cruises, I've found doing things slightly differently improves the efficiency or value you get from the experience.
Think of it like learning a new shortcut on your drive home from work. Shaving a few minutes isn't a big deal, but it gets you there faster.
Plus, these little tricks could save you money or reduce the stress of a cruise.
I came up with a list of 9 ideas to do things differently on your next Royal Caribbean cruise.
Walk to the further gangway
When your ship is docked in port, there's almost always two gangways open at the middle and forward sections of the ship.
Most people go for the first gangway they encounter, but I've found the line to get back on the ship is almost always far less crowded on the gangway further down the pier.
The truth is this tip is less about the wait on the gangway as it is for the elevators.
After you scan back onto the ship and go through security, you have to wait for an elevator. Wait times for an elevator can get pretty high when everyone is coming back to the ship in the afternoon, and it's always worst at the first entrance back onto the ship.
It's worth the extra steps if you can hop right onto an elevator and get to your room (or the pool) faster.
Apply sunscreen before you disembark the ship
Getting sunburned is such an easily avoidable problem, and yet, it happens all too often because people don't apply soon enough.
It's amazing how quickly you can get sunburned, even when just walking off the ship and down the pier. That sun can beat down on your neck, head, and shoulders, and leave you with a red burn before you even get to to the beach.
Even if you do avoid a burn off the bat, you're supposed to apply sunscreen at least 15-20 minutes before diving in the water.
If your kids are like mine, they'll want to go right in and not wait.
Instead, apply the sunscreen in your cabin before you depart for your shore excursion.
Pick up beach towels at the gangway instead of the pool deck
I never remember to pick up towels for my time ashore the day before, so inevitably I'd be the one to go in the opposite direction to get towels from the pool deck on an already busy morning trying to get everyone ready to disembark the ship.
Royal Caribbean seems to have figured out there's a lot of people like me doing this, and they started putting towel pick up locations right near the gangway.
You'll almost always find a towel station right before the gangway location. They're usually near the staircase when you reach the gangway deck. Occasionally it's on the Royal Promenade, like on Icon of the Seas.
To be fair, there's a slight chance there won't be one, but I've seen them consistently offered on Caribbean sailings near the gangway for quite some time.
This is so much more convenient than going up to the pool deck.
Plus, on your way back on the ship, they're in the same spot near the gangway taking towel returns!
Of course, another idea is to check out towels the day before your port day and have them ready to go, but that requires more forethought than I'm capable of while on vacation!
Get a theft-proof bag
I've always been "that guy" that puts his wallet and other valuables in my pockets, but I had to change that when I went to Europe.
Pickpocketing is a problem in some European countries (and elsewhere), so experts recommend getting an anti-theft backpack.
I never liked the idea of these because they look too much like fanny packs, but fashion sense aside, they really do work well.
I went with the Wander Plus Anti Theft Travel Bag (this is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission but there's no extra cost to you) because it can be worn as a crossbody bag or as a sling bag. No embarrassing '90s vibes here.
These bags work because there are hidden/well concealed openings and zippers that aren't as inviting to a pick pocketer as your pant pocket.
Pick pocketers are looking for easy prey, not to undertake a Mission: Impossible endeavor. They want to get in and out quickly, so an anti-theft bag has enough protection to cause them to probably look elsewhere.
I'd put your phone, SeaPass card, cash, credit card, and pretty much anything else valuable in the bag while you're ashore.
Get to shows early, even if you have a reservation
Royal Caribbean provides free reservations you can make for shows on its big ships, but you shouldn't roll in at the last minute.
Where you sit in the theater makes a difference, so I'd recommend arriving to the theater at least 30 minutes before show time to ensure you get the best seats.
This is especially important at the Broadway shows available on certain Royal Caribbean ships. There's no cost for the seats up front, so why not get the prime location?
There's bar service offered before the show begins, so take advantage of a drink or two while you wait.
Eat lunch on embarkation day at a specialty restaurant
It seems everyone has the same idea when they board the ship: head to the buffet for lunch.
Rather than compete with everyone, a more relaxing alternative is to book a specialty restaurant.
Depending on your ship, the options will vary, but there's usually one or two specialty restaurants open on the first afternoon. Chops Grille is almost always the standard offering.
I've eaten at Giovanni's a few times on embarkation day when checking out Utopia of the Seas, and it's so nice to start off with a seated meal that puts me in "cruise mode" with that level of service right off the bat.
An ancillary benefit of eating lunch is it's usually cheaper. You can experience the exact same, or similar, menu as dinner, but at a lower cost.
Stay on the ship on a port day (or hurry back early) for low crowds at the pool
The Flowrider, water slides, pools, and sports courts are so much emptier on a port day.
Most people on your cruise ship will be off the ship doing something on shore. But all those fun ship activities are open while your ship is docked.
It’s possible to ride waterslides with no wait on port days, climb the rock climbing wall several times in a row, and slide down the Ultimate Abyss without waiting in a long line.
Trying activities on a port day doesn’t mean you have to skip going ashore, either. Even if you spend the majority of your day in port, you can do an activity immediately after getting back onboard.
I'd still recommend trying a fun port activity, but if you're on a longer sailing with multiple stops, you might consider staying onboard one day.
Tip a waiter in cash when you order a drink
While I agree tip culture has gotten out of hand, I still thinking tipping a dollar when you order a drink is a smart idea for speedier service.
While it's true your drink package includes gratuity, and if you order a drink individually without a package you're charged 18% gratuity, tipping a dollar for each drink ordered makes a difference in how quickly they come back to you.
When I cruise, I keep bunch of dollar bills in my pocket to tip when I order a drink. Not only do I think the crew members deserve a little something extra, but I've noticed it makes a difference when you want speedy refills.
Bars get busy, especially at night or by the pool deck. But a little extra tipping usually gets the bartender to come to you first.
Order the free breakfast room service
While room service has a service charge, you can have a continental breakfast option that costs nothing extra.
Continental breakfast items, such as pastries, fruit, coffee, and juice are complimentary and can be delivered to your stateroom free of charge.
It's fun to have a casual start to your morning with a table of light food and coffee in your cabin, especially if you have a balcony cabin.
There are door hanger order sheets with the included continental breakfast menu on one side and room service breakfast menu on the other. You choose what items you want then hang it on the door before you go to sleep. The earliest delivery time is 6 or 6:30, and they give you a wake up call before delivery.
This is a fun way to start your morning and no need to compete with everyone else at the buffet!
