Royal Caribbean Blog

One of the most common questions we're asked is when is the best time to buy a Royal Caribbean drink package so you can get the lowest price.

Once you have booked your Royal Caribbean cruise, you will gain access to the online Cruise Planner, which will allow you to browse potential cruise add-ons that will enhance your vacation experience. 

While there is a lot included in your cruise fare, select non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages do cost extra, so that is something that you will want to keep in mind when thinking about your cruise budget. To help make the cruise feel more inclusive, you may opt to buy a drink package. 

There are three Royal Caribbean drink packages for guests to choose from: the Deluxe Beverage Package, Royal Refreshment Package, and Classic Soda Package. 

When, however, should you purchase a drink package for your upcoming cruise? There are a few things to consider to ensure that you get the best possible price. 

When is the best time to purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package?

Since you have no idea whether the price of the package will increase or decrease, the best time to purchase a package is right now. This will ensure that you lock in the current rate and do not end up paying more. 

As mentioned earlier, if the price does go down, you can simply cancel your current package with no penalty and repurchase it. 

Regardless of what you do, you should not wait until boarding the ship to purchase any add-ons. Even though Royal Caribbean frequently offers a "buy one get one 50%" sale for the Deluxe Beverage Package on the ship, you will almost certainly end up paying more than if you purchased it in advance. 

Depending on when your cruise is, buying the drink package now might allow you to break up paying for different parts of your cruise vacation. If you get the package on the ship, you will have to pay for it at the end, as well as for any other purchases that you make during the trip, souvenir shopping, etc. 

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

How should I know when to buy a drink package?

You should frequently check the Cruise Planner until you see a price that you feel comfortable paying. Even after you get the package, it is worth checking the Cruise Planner every so often, as the price can drop! 

If that happens, you are able to cancel your old package for a full refund and repurchase it at the lower price. This does, however, take a little bit of time and patience, as you have to remember to check the Cruise Planner. Plus, there is no guarantee that the pricing will change.

You would hate to pass up on a sale to later find that the price increased! You never know if it will drop back to the price you wish you had locked in. 

Are there Royal Caribbean drink package sales?

Royal Caribbean runs sales on its drink packages quite often, and you can usually find a discount available on the Cruise Planner site.

Usually, the drink package sale nets up to 40% off onboard prices, but you'll find a discount somewhere closer to 20-30%.

Moreover, the price can change on a daily basis, so the price you see today could be different tomorrow, or next month, or next year.

The best drink package sale is usually on Black Friday, but that does not mean that there are not other great deals offered throughout the year. 

With any sale, the most important thing you will want to pay attention to is the daily rate. The price of the package during a "buy one get 50% off" sale might be higher (or lower) than what is offered during other promotions. 

As of April 14, the daily rate for a Deluxe Beverage Package onboard Navigator of the Seas is $75.99. When I checked the pricing the other day, it was over $80 per day! 

Right now, the Royal Refreshment Package's is advertised as being 20% the onboard rate, or $27.99 per day. Generally, the discount for the Classic Soda Package stays the same, and you can get it for around $9.00 or $10.00 per day if purchased in advance. 

While not as frequently talked about, the Cafe Select Coffee Card, which gives you 15 espresso-based premium coffees, never goes on sale. It remains the same price whether you get it the day you book or cruise or the week before! For the same Navigator trip, it is $31.00. 

These prices are given just to illustrate what you may find. To see what the daily rate is for your cruise, log in and check your Cruise Planner. 

Deluxe Beverage Package

Unlike other mainstream cruise lines, Royal Caribbean only offers one alcoholic beverage package. You can enjoy just about any non-alcoholic beverage, spirit, cocktail, glass of wine, or beer, so long as it is no more than $14.00. If there is a drink that costs more than $14.00, the difference plus gratuity will be charged to your SeaPass card. 

Below is a list of what is included with the Deluxe Beverage Package:

• Cocktails, spirits, liqueurs
• Beer
• Wine (by the glass)
• Zero-proof cocktails
• Premium coffees & teas
• Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
• Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages + Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Fresh squeezed juices
• 40% discount on wines under $100 and 20% discount on wines over $100

Royal Refreshment Package

The Royal Refreshment Package is the more inclusive non-alcoholic package that, unlike the Deluxe Beverage Package, is available to guests of all ages and is a great option for children and teens that like to drink tea, premium coffee, and fresh squeezed juice. Plus, they will be able to sip on virgin cocktails. 

Every person that purchases this package will be able to enjoy the following:

• Premium coffees and teas
• Bottled still and sparking water
• Fresh squeezed orange juice
• Johnny Rockets Milkshakes
• Zero-proof cocktails
• Fountain sodas / Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages + Coca-Cola souvenir cup

Classic Soda Package

The Classic Soda Package is the cheapest drink package offered by Royal Caribbean; it is also the most restrictive, including only fountain soda and access to the Freestyle soda machine, as well as a Coca-Cola souvenir cup.  

If you decide to purchase any other drinks, whether it is a bottle of water, glass of wine, or premium coffee, each will be billed to your onboard account to be settled at the end of the cruise. 

How much do Royal Caribbean drink packages cost?

Royal Caribbean uses a variable pricing model for their drink packages, which means that the price per night varies based on ship, itinerary, and sail date. In other words, there is no "set" price for drink packages. 

The published onboard rates for an upcoming cruise onboard Navigator of the Seas are as follows:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $102 per night
• Royal Refreshment Package: $36 per night
• Classic Soda Package: $13.50 per night

In comparison, here are the onboard rates for a cruise onboard Jewel of the Seas:

• Deluxe Beverage Package: $90 per night
• Royal Refreshment Package: $36 per night
• Classic Soda Package: $13.50 per night

None of these prices include the added 18% gratuity.

If you plan ahead, it is unlikely that you will ever pay the onboard rate. Let's talk about Cruise Planner sales and why they are so important.

Is a drink package worth it?

With the Cruise Planner sales, you would need to be able to drink around 5-6 beverages per day to breakeven. Depending on what promotion you are able to find, the average could decrease. 

For those who are hesitant about their ability to maintain that average, whether it is because you have a port intensive itinerary or are a light drinker, a lower price means fewer daily drinks to get your money's worth! 

If you drink enough to make it worth the investment, a drink package can certainly save you money.

On the other hand, if you are more concerned with the convenience and being able to pay one price for all of your alcoholic and/or non-alcoholic drinks, the package is wroth the price in other ways! 

It is important to think about whether or not you get free drinks, too. If you are a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, it might not make sense to get a drink package since you have four daily vouchers!

Related: How Royal Caribbean's free drink vouchers for Diamond and higher members works

I get asked all the time which Royal Caribbean cruise ship is my favorite, and while there are lots of good reasons to pick different ships, I think Mariner of the Seas is without question the best value in the fleet today.

This week I'm sailing on Mariner of the Seas for the 12th time. I didn't even know I had sailed on her quite that many times until I looked up my cruise history, and I think a big reason I keep coming back is worth the ship has for how I like to cruise.

While I might enjoy a ship that has more onboard activities like Wonder of the Seas, or a ship with more for my kids to do like Odyssey of the Seas, Mariner seems to balance what you get for your the money spent quite well.

Of course, value is an extremely subjective proposition, but here's why I think the onboard experience balanced with the price is worth considering every time for budget cruisers.

Cruise ship value

When I think about the value you get as a consumer on any cruise ship, I think about the cost of the cruise versus what you get to see, do, and eat onboard the ship.

On the extreme ends, a brand new cruise ship, like Wonder of the Seas, is on average going to have the higher price tag because it's a new ship and Royal Caribbean charges a premium for its newest vessels.  

Of course, Wonder of the Seas also packs in the absolute newest (and arguably best) things to do. In fact, there's a ton to do onboard.

On the other end of the spectrum is probably a Vision Class ship, such as Grandeur of the Seas.  

Grandeur is the oldest ship in the fleet and also doesn't have as many whizz-bang features and amenities as Wonder.  But it tends to be priced substantially less as well.

The Voyager Class ships (of which Mariner of the Seas is one) benefits from being having a big ship feel, but is old enough now that the prices are much lower than newer ships.

Generally speaking, as a ship ages and newer ships enter the fleet, the average price tends to cost less than in years past. Essentially, the price for Mariner of the Seas today is probably less than it was years ago.

When I consider a cruise on Mariner of the Seas, I see a great price without compromising too much on what you can do onboard.

Amplification was a game changer for Mariner

I liked Mariner of the Seas before she was upgraded, but Royal Caribbean's Royal Amplification program hit a home run with the changes they made to Mariner.

In 2017, Royal Caribbean announced a ship upgrade program that would new amenities to many of its existing ships, including Mariner of the Seas.

The goal of the program was to add new pool deck attractions, bars, and dining options. By making these upgrades, it would offer more for guests to enjoy, provide added incentive to book an older ship, and generate additional revenue for the cruise line.

Mariner of the Seas received $120 million in upgrades:

• Sky Pad bungee trampoline experience
• The Perfect Storm waterslides 
• Laser Tag: Battle for Planet Z
• Escape Room: The Observatorium
• The Bamboo Room
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
• Jamie’s Italian specialty restaurant
• Izumi Hibachi and Sushi specialty restaurant

In retrospect, Mariner got one of the best upgrades across the fleet. While I think Oasis of the Seas probably came out with the overall best upgrades and I prefer the water slides that Navigator of the Seas got, Mariner is no slouch with its additions.

Activities all day and night

One thing I like about Mariner of the Seas is the variety of activities onboard.

The sports deck has a FlowRider, water slides, climbing structure, hammocks, and even (a now defunct) SkyPad. There's also a great mini-golf course on the front of the ship.

From a family perspective, I wish it had a Splashaway Bay area for the kids, but as long as the kids can get wet and splash, they're content with any pool.

Adding escape rooms has proven to be a real hit with guests, and I've done the escape room twice on Mariner (it had been sufficiently long enough between visits that I forgot almost all the sequences) and it's a real challenge!

In the evening, I think this is where the layout of Mariner and venues really shine. The pub and Schooner Bar are, in my opinion, the best size and layout for these venues because it's big enough to have a crowd for the live music without becoming immense.

Ditto for Boleros, especially with the changeover to turn the other half into Starbucks. I never liked having half of Boleros on the other side of the Centrum and disconnected from the music.

Royal Caribbean traditionalists will also love the Viking Crown Lounge on deck 14. Fantastic views, and Ellington's is a great venue for late-night dance parties.

Dining favorites

One of Royal Caribbean's goals was to bring new dining choices to its ships with the Royal Amplification program, and I really like the choices Mariner has now.

I could spend half this article waxing poetically about the virtues of Izumi hibachi because of how satisfying it is to dine here each and every time.

Teppanyaki dining has been incredibly popular and the venue on Mariner is quite large, as they tried to include as many hibachi tables as possible. Based on how often Izumi sells out, I'd say it was the right move.

Of course Mariner has Chops Grille, and it has Jamie's Italian.  While I think Jamie's Italian has lost top billing among Italian cuisine on Royal Caribbean ships from the revamped Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, I never leave Jamie's hungry.

And then there's the Bamboo Room, which is a tiki lounge on the Royal Promenade and it's only available on Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.

Maybe I'm a sucker for a tiki bar, but I really enjoy having drinks here with friends and just hanging out. Plus, they have a fun and different drink menu from other bars.

A look at Mariner of the Seas pricing

If all of this sounds good, let's look at the prices for Mariner of the Seas that exemplify the value.

The price for any Royal Caribbean cruise will vary from sailing to sailing depending on how many cabins have been booked, time of year, and other factors, but it's rare to not see cheap rates when planning ahead.

Prices for a Mariner of the Seas 2024 cruise start as low as $290 per person when the ship is based in Galveston, Texas.

If you're looking a cruise sooner than 2024, there are still lots of deals for a 2023 cruise. An 8-night Bermuda cruise starts at $605 per person, and there's lots of 4-6 night Caribbean cruises with good prices too.

Varied itineraries

While based in Port Canaveral, you won't find cookie-cutter itineraries on Mariner of the Seas.

The ship is sailing a variety of short, medium, and a few longer itineraries.  Usually in the Caribbean you find either 3- or 4-night Bahamas cruises or 7-night sailings.  Mariner isn't doing those for the time being.

There are 8-night cruises to Bermuda, 5-night cruises to Mexico, 6-night cruises to Labadee and CocoCay, and 8-night Southern Caribbean cruises.

The more you cruise the Caribbean, the more you want to change up the places you visit.  I appreciate Mariner of the Seas has those kinds of options.

Some of the best values on a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found on transatlantic itineraries, but what is it really like to spend nearly two weeks at sea?

A repositioning cruise is an itinerary that repositions a ship from one homeport to another, and it's quite different from a regular cruise itinerary. These sailings typically feature a large number of sea days while traveling between continents. They are also longer than most cruises—usually between eleven and eighteen nights.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Josh Crothers recently sailed on a 12-night Symphony of the Seas cruise from Miami to Barcelona. The itinerary included ten days at sea, and he’s sharing his repositioning cruise experience with us today.

We asked him how his experience differed from a regular Royal Caribbean cruise, whether or not he felt stir crazy onboard with so many sea days, and how much he paid for his sailing across the pond.

Let’s dive in and learn more about these unique Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Josh found an incredible deal on his transatlantic cruise, which gave him the impetus to book the sailing.

“The price was amazing. I paid less than $1,100 for an oceanview balcony cabin solo. I have more than 340 Crown & Anchor Society Points, so I was able to use that discount as well,” he explained.

Related: Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program info, tips & secrets

Spending $1,100 for a 12-night cruise brings the price per night to only $91, which provides an excellent value on a two week vacation in a balcony cabin. It also includes accommodation, food, drinks, activities, and entertainment!

Additionally, Josh was able to use airline miles for his flight to Miami to board the cruise and his flight home from Barcelona after the cruise, which saved him hundreds of dollars.

When crossing from the United States to Europe, you pass through many time zones. We asked Josh how Royal Caribbean handled the time zone changes onboard.

“We had six time changes during our cruise, moving one hour ahead on days three, four, six, seven, eight, and ten,” Josh said. “Day three coincided with the change from Standard Time to Daylight Savings time for a net of moving five hours ahead.”

On his transatlantic cruise, the time changes occurred at noon, which meant it went from 11:59AM to 1PM! The ship’s captain explained how the reason for the midday time zone change was for the crew members.

A westbound transatlantic cruise sees the time change at 2AM each night, giving passengers an extra hour of sleep. On an eastbound transatlantic, however, changing the time forward at 2AM would result in crew members losing an hour of sleep at every time zone change.

Josh’s transatlantic cruise had ten sea days and two port days. With so many days at sea and so few port days, we were curious if Josh felt bored when crossing the Atlantic.

“I love sea days,” Josh shared. “This cruise had ten sea days straight, so it was an excellent opportunity to relax and recharge without the hustle and bustle of getting ready to go ashore each morning. I looked at this cruise to relax and recharge. A routine was developed during the sea days, and I quite enjoyed that.”

Josh explained his daily schedule as follows:

• Woke up with the Cruise Director’s announcement at 9:30AM
• Lounged around his cabin until lunchtime
• Ate lunch at the Windjammer or Dog House
• Post-lunch afternoon nap or worked on personal projects
• Dinner at the Windjammer followed by a trip to the casino
• Drinks at Vintages until 10PM
• Drinks at the pub until closing time at 1AM
• Go back to the cabin or visit the casino a second time

With so many dining venues on Symphony of the Seas, Josh was able to eat at a variety of restaurants, from the Windjammer to specialty restaurants, and this helped combat the monotony of spending so many days at sea in a row.

In addition, Josh’s Symphony of the Seas cruise visited two ports in Spain: Valencia and Málaga. He had been to Valencia on a prior cruise, so he stayed onboard while there. In Málaga, however, Josh booked a city tour shore excursion from Royal Caribbean.

“It was very walking intensive and we had a pretty good tour guide,” he mentioned. “It was a good, solid look at Málaga.”

Most cruisers assume transatlantic cruises will have an older passenger demographic onboard with few kids and families. Josh mentioned how this was not the case on his Symphony of the Seas cruise.

“There were kids onboard, more than was expected for sure,” he said. “I believe the estimate was about 500 kids onboard.”

Because Symphony of the Seas caters heavily to families, it’s understandable that there were many kids onboard. With a zip line, ice skating rink, rock climbing, and surfing simulator, there are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained with so many days at sea.

Josh noted that there was a pretty even mix of retirees and families, and that all age groups were represented onboard. The ship had a mix of both Americans and Europeans, and there were many solo passengers onboard as well.

Most cruisers have never booked a transatlantic sailing before. We asked Josh what the major differences are between a 7-night cruise and a transatlantic cruise.

The first difference Josh mentioned is that you have more time onboard.

“You don’t feel rushed to do everything and see everything,” he explained. “You have time to fully experience the ship and all it has to offer.”

The second difference was perhaps the most notable difference. With much more time onboard, a transatlantic cruise gives you the chance to get to know your fellow passengers and crew members better than on a short sailing.

“You just have more time to develop those relationships. There’s more time to talk and get to know one another, more time to get to know the bartenders and stateroom attendants. The more we got to know each other, the better the service got. And you meet and make more friends just because you have time to get to know them more!”

Josh’s third difference was that there are more sea days to relax and recharge. Most 7-night cruises only have two or three sea days, so having ten sea days on a 12-night cruise leads to much more time spent onboard. Of course, while this may work for some passengers, others may prefer a more port-intensive itinerary.

With so much time at sea, though, you have the ability to completely relax without worrying about getting off the ship and planning days in port. By the time the cruise is over, you can expect to feel completely recharged.

Finally, we asked Josh whether or not he would recommend a transatlantic cruise to others, and if he could share any advice for those planning a repositioning cruise.

Josh said he would absolutely recommend a transatlantic cruise, but that he prefers a westbound itinerary (Europe to the US) over an eastbound sailing (the US to Europe). The reason he prefers this is because if you fly to Europe and spend a few long, busy days sightseeing, you can relax off the exhaustion on the cruise back to Florida.

“I think flying [to Europe] a few days early to explore and experience Europe—and then cruise home—is a more pleasant experience,” he mentioned.

Josh’s biggest piece of advice for those planning a transatlantic cruise is to not try to cram activities into every day. He advises spreading out your activities and relaxing to ensure you don’t get burned out on such a long itinerary.

Have you ever booked a transatlantic or transpacific cruise with Royal Caribbean? If so, how was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!

Happy weekend! I hope Spring is starting to arrive where you live.  Regardless of the weather, it is time to sit back, relax, and check out the latest in Royal Caribbean news!

New details about Royal Caribbean's new beach club in The Bahamas were revealed exclusively to RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com.

The Royal Beach Club in Nassau will be an all-inclusive experience, which will have a limited capacity.

It will also be a first-of-its-kind collaboration with the people of the Bahamas to ensure they can profit from the revenues.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean confirms investigating a potential new private island in The Bahamas
• Royal Caribbean updates passenger cruise contract: Covid policies, legal jurisdiction and more
• Royal Caribbean CEO: Nassau ranks in bottom 10% of customer satisfaction
• Royal Caribbean adds new shorter World Cruise segments to book
• What's different on Mariner of the Seas since her dry dock
• 75 travel tips to make you the world's most savvy cruiser
• The crew member only beach at Labadee and it's where no passengers can go
• Deal alert: Alaska cruises starting at $269

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 495th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with tips on how to have a stress-free cruise.

Matt shares six ways he recently employed a strategy to reduce stress on his cruise.

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.

New RCB Video: We tried EVERY cabin on our Royal Caribbean cruise!

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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 — We tried EVERY cabin on our Royal Caribbean cruise! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean will add new immersive dining experience to Utopia of the Seas

When Utopia of the Seas launches next year, she'll have a new restaurant never before offered on Royal Caribbean.

There's no name announced for it yet, but it's being described as "an immersive train dining experience."

The restaurant will rely on mixed reality, which means it will have a blend of physical and digital worlds.

21 of the Best Main Dining Room Tips

We love the Main Dining Room, but there are a few tried-and-true tips you should follow to have the best experience possible.

We recommend knowing the ins and outs of the Main Dining Room before your cruise begins to avoid surprises once you get onboard.

These secrets should ensure you have a great meal, every time!

All about Royal Caribbean onboard credit

Royal Caribbean onboard credit is something nearly every cruise ship passenger gets, but how do you use it and what are other ways to get it?

This form of "free cash" often given as an incentive to book a cruise can be very helpful, so we wanted to share the best ways to use your Royal Caribbean onboard credit.

From spending it on gratuities to doubling up your onboard credit, there's plenty of ways to maximize it all!

Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas finished a multiweek dry dock earlier this month, but what exactly has changed?

Every five years or so, cruise ships are temporarily taken out of service so that they can go in for maintenance work.

Unlike a Royal Amplification, Royal Caribbean doesn't discuss the details of a dry dock, which leaves many cruisers wondering what's new or different about the ship once it returns to service.

I boarded Mariner of the Seas today and walked around the ship to see what noticeable changes are present for anyone else sailing on her.

Dry dock vs Amplification

Depending on the cruise line's plan, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship could get a number of enhancements and changes. Or, it could simply go in for maintenance without real changes the average guest would notice.

There are two terms for these kind of services: refurbishment and amplification.

A refurbishment is when a ship is taken to dry dock for a shorter period of time to do primarily cosmetic changes and maintenance work.

During an amplification, the same cosmetic and maintenance work is done, but there are also enhancements made to the ship, such as adding new restaurants, activities, bars and more.

When Mariner of the Seas went in for dry dock in 2018, she had a $120 million Amplification, but this time around in 2023, it was a dry dock.

Mariner of the Seas updates and changes

I walked around Mariner of the Seas to see what's new, different, or generally noticeable.

First and foremost, the outside of the ship has a new paint job.

During a dry dock, the ship is taken out of the water so that not only can its engines, propellors, and other systems be attended to, but the hull can be repainted.  All that sea water and humid air from the ocean takes a toll on the aesthetics of the ship.

Speaking of the hull, Royal Caribbean also took the opportunity to fix a hole in the aft of the ship that occurred when a cargo vessel drifted into Mariner while in Freeport, Bahamas.

In April 2022, a cargo vessel made contact with the ship while Mariner of the Seas was docked in Freeport.

A small, superficial gash was left near the jogging track on the back of the ship and it was temporarily covered up with some steel. 

During the dry dock, this is now completely fixed.

Another change Royal Caribbean made to Mariner of the Seas (and every other ship that has a SkyPad) was to remove the trampolines and supporting equipment for the SkyPad.

Last month, Royal Caribbean announced it was getting rid of the SkyPad on all of its ships.

The SkyPad structure is still there, but the area is now being used for various complimentary activities such as bean bag toss and dance classes.

The SkyPad was also re-painted.

Both pool decks on 11 and 12 were re-surfaced.

Not directly related to the refurbishment, but the pool chairs have signs on them about not reserving them all day.

We've seen this on other cruise ships in the fleet as an attempt to prevent the chair hog problem, which has been an issue for many years.

The door on deck 13 to the sports deck was replaced. It used to be a heavy door with a handle and is now a sliding automatic door.

The water slides were re-painted.

The ending area where you splash in when the ride is also remodeled.

Speaking of aquatic fun, the FlowRider received a new pump.

Underneath the ship is where most of the maintenance occurred, with the ship's azipods, engines and other critical systems serviced.

One incredibly small change was the aft stairwell had their wallpaper replaced.

There were no changes to the cabins, and also no carpeting was replaced on the ship.

Since dry dock, Mariner of the Seas has been experimenting with a complimentary lunch open to all guests in the main dining room on deck 3.

The goal is to alleviate pressure on the Windjammer buffet, but from what I've heard from crew members, it's still a test and not a fleetwide policy.

First-time cruisers make the same mistakes over and over again, and we’re here to help you avoid them.

It’s understandable to make mistakes when planning a Royal Caribbean cruise. Although planning a cruise may seem simple at first glance, there’s more planning involved than you might initially think. From booking the right ship to packing and planning shore excursions, there’s a lot to remember when preparing for a cruise vacation.

No one is a professional cruiser off the bat, but over time the cruise process becomes second nature. The Royal Caribbean Blog staff has collectively taken hundreds of cruises, and we’re sharing our best tips for booking, planning, and enjoying a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here are 75 of our best cruise tips to make you the world’s most savvy cruiser.

Booking a Cruise Tips

1. Book with a travel agent

Yes, travel agents still exist, and they are an invaluable resource when planning a cruise vacation.

We always recommend booking a cruise with a travel agent. Not only will they save you time, but they could potentially save you money as well! Travel agents are available to answer any questions you may have before, during, and after your cruise, and a good travel agent will cost you nothing extra.

Related: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

2. Purchase travel insurance before your cruise

It’s always better to have travel insurance when you need it rather than not have travel insurance when you want it.

Before a Royal Caribbean cruise, make sure to purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance can protect your trip in case of any unexpected delays as well as provide coverage in medical emergencies.

Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?

If you cruise or travel frequently, you may want to consider purchasing an annual plan. The price of an annual plan can pay off after just a few trips, making it a great investment for frequent travelers.

3. Expand your itinerary choices

It’s easy to fall into the routine of sailing to the same cruise ports over and over. If you're a frequent cruiser that lives in Florida, you’ve probably cruised to Nassau, Cozumel, and St. Thomas more times than you can count.

Instead of traveling to the same ports time and time again, consider branching out in your cruise itineraries. Instead of a Caribbean cruise, look for itineraries to Alaska or Europe. If you live on the west coast, try a cruise from Los Angeles instead of flying to Florida.

You may just find a new favorite cruise port by trying new, exciting itineraries.

4. Sailing on an older ship is almost always cheaper

Most of the best deals you can find on a cruise are on older ships. The latest and greatest Royal Caribbean ships are usually priced several hundred dollars more per person, per cabin.

If you’re looking to snag a great cruise deal, consider sailing on a Vision, Radiance, or Voyager Class cruise ship. Before booking an older cruise ship, though, remember to research the ship’s amenities, cabins, and activities.

Related: Pros and cons of sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship

Booking a 20+ year old cruise ship to save money could lead to disappointment later on if you expect activities like waterslides, Broadway shows, and zip lines onboard.

5. Book your cruise far in advance…

The cheapest cruise fares are usually found on recently released itineraries. Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries around two seasons before the sail date, and this is when you can find some of the best deals.

If you can plan cruises far in advance, you have the potential to save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.

6. Or, look for last-minute cruise deals

Although you’ll usually find the best cruise deals when booking far in advance, you can occasionally come across fantastic last-minute deals that can save you money.

Most last-minute cruise deals pop up after a sailing’s final payment date—75 or 90 days before the cruise begins. If the sailing has a significant amount of cabins yet to be booked, the cruise line will lower prices to attract higher demand.

Flexibility is key when searching for last-minute cruise deals, though, as you can never predict the ship, itinerary, and embarkation port of the cheapest last-minute deal.

Related: Ultimate Guide to last-minute cruise deals

7. Cruise during the off-season to save money

Cruises in the peak season—which varies by destination—will be more expensive than those during the off-season. If your schedule is flexible, booking during the off-season or shoulder season can save you money.

Peak season in Alaska, for example, runs from mid-June to mid-August, and this is when cruise fares are highest. During shoulder season in May and September, however, you can see sailings priced hundreds of dollars cheaper per person.

That being said, a destination’s off-season is typically the off-season for a reason, whether it's during the middle of hurricane season or during a month prone to colder temperatures.

8. Book a guarantee stateroom

If you want to save money while booking your cruise, choose a guarantee cabin. Booking a guarantee cabin is when you don’t select the exact location of your stateroom. Instead, Royal Caribbean assigns you a stateroom location based on availability closer to sailing.

Related: I saved $100 by letting Royal Caribbean choose my cruise ship cabin location, and I would let them do it again

If you’re flexible with cabin location, booking a guarantee stateroom can save hundreds of dollars.

9. Reprice your cruise before final payment date

Residents of most countries, including the United States, can reprice a Royal Caribbean cruise until final payment date. This means that if you booked a cruise a year in advance and see that the price has dropped a few months before your cruise, you can pay the new, lower price.

Repricing your cruise has the potential to save you hundreds (or perhaps even thousands) of dollars. You can look for price drops by searching Royal Caribbean’s website or by asking your travel agent to periodically check for lower prices.

10. Prepay gratuities before you set sail

Gratuities are service charges that are split amongst crew members on a Royal Caribbean cruise. At the time of writing, gratuities cost $16 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person, per day for those in Grand Suites and above.

You can choose to prepay gratuities when you book your cruise or you can wait until you’re onboard. If you wait until you’re onboard to pay gratuities, you will see a daily charge posted to your SeaPass account.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn’t do

In most cases, we recommend paying gratuities in advance, as it’s better to have the bulk of your vacation paid for before you board the cruise. Those with a significant amount of onboard credit, though, may prefer to wait until they get onboard to pay gratuities as the amount will subtract from their onboard credit amount.

Cruise Planning Tips

11. Book cruise add-ons ahead of time

Planning to book extras like shore excursions, dining packages, and spa treatments? Be sure to book cruise add-ons ahead of time to save money.

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website is where you can book pre-cruise add-ons from the time you book up to 48 hours before your cruise begins. You’ll always find a cheaper price by booking in advance compared to booking on the ship.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner website

12. Book your flights wisely

Flying to your cruise port? Follow these tips to avoid any mishaps during your travel day:

• Fly the day before your cruise to allow extra wiggle room for flight delays and cancellations 
• Book direct flights whenever possible
• If you can’t find a direct flight, don’t book an extremely short layover. You don’t want to risk missing your connection due to your first flight being delayed!
• Book your return flight no earlier than 12PM on disembarkation day to allow enough time to get to the airport after your cruise ends

13. Watch a ship tour of your cruise ship

Regardless of which ship you’re sailing on, you can find detailed walkthrough tours of the vessel on YouTube. Watching a full ship tour of your cruise ship is the best way to understand what’s offered onboard, from dining to entertainment and cabins.

You can find a list of Royal Caribbean ship tours here.

14. Book entertainment before your cruise

Select Royal Caribbean ships allow you to book certain entertainment productions in advance. To check if you can pre-book entertainment, visit the Cruise Planner website and click on the Entertainment Tab.

Any shows available to book in advance will populate on this page. If you don’t see any shows available, check closer to your sail date. Like all production shows, making reservations online is complimentary.

Cruise Packing Tips

15. Never wear brand new shoes

A pre-cruise shopping trip can be fun, but don’t go overboard with buying new shoes before a cruise. While that new pair of heels may go perfectly with your new dress, your feet may not agree.

We advise against wearing brand new shoes on a cruise, as this may result in painful blisters during your vacation. Instead, make sure to break in any new shoes before the start of your vacation to ensure you won’t face any issues while onboard.

16. Bring tennis shoes

While you might imagine yourself spending the entire cruise in flip flops, don’t forget to bring a pair of tennis shoes onboard. Not only are tennis shoes comfortable to wear while traveling to and from your cruise, but they’re helpful onboard and in port as well.

You’ll need closed-toed shoes to participate in several activities onboard, such as laser tag, the zip line, and basketball, and tennis shoes are the best option for active footwear.

Plus, you may incur a lot more walking than you’re used to while on a cruise. In some ports, you might find yourself walking well over 10,000 steps in just a few hours while sightseeing. Remember to pack comfortable shoes in order to avoid discomfort.

17. Use a 4-wheel, hard-shell suitcase

4-wheel suitcases are easier to roll than the 2-wheel equivalents, and this can be beneficial when walking through the airport or cruise terminal.

In addition, using a hard-shell suitcase is recommended due to its water-resistant shell and its ability to protect fragile items better than a soft-shell suitcase.

18. Use packing cubes to save space

Luggage space is at a premium when packing for a cruise, especially if you’re packing with only a carry-on! To save space, we recommend using packing cubes.

Related: I packed for a 7-night cruise with just a carry-on and personal item

Packing cubes can better condense your clothing, which allows you to pack more items in a small amount of space. They can also help organize your clothing, as you can have a separate packing cube for shirts, pants, and swimsuits.

19. Plan two outfits per day

A general rule of thumb on a cruise is that you’ll want to pack two outfits per day. Daytime clothes usually consist of a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops, which are perfect for spending the day at the pool or beach.

By late afternoon, most guests head back to their cabins to get ready for dinner. This is when you’ll want to change into a more chic (yet comfortable) outfit. Dresses, slacks, collared shirts, and blouses are a few examples of what to wear in the evening on a cruise ship.

Related: What to wear on a cruise formal night

20. You can wear the same clothes more than once

There’s no shame in wearing the same outfits more than once on a cruise. With thousands of other passengers onboard, it’s unlikely anyone will notice if you wear the same shirt, pants, or dress more than one time.

Even if they did notice, who cares? You’re on vacation and can wear whatever clothing item you see fit!

21. Bring your own toiletries

Unlike hotels, which typically provide quality shampoo and conditioner, Royal Caribbean ships provide a “2 in 1” hair and body wash. While there’s no harm in using this, it’s not of the highest quality. Therefore, we recommend bringing your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash onboard the ship. 

The exception to this rule is with suites, which are stocked with Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

22. Remember beach accessories

If you plan to visit a beach on your cruise, you may want to bring beach accessories.

Snorkel masks, goggles, water shoes, beach toys, and a beach bag are just some of the accessories you can bring to the beach on a Royal Caribbean cruise. And while many ports will offer snorkel rentals, if you plan to snorkel in more than one port, it’s more cost effective to bring your own gear.

Keep in mind you cannot use floating devices—like pool noodles and rafts—on your cruise ship, but you can most likely use them at the beach in your ports of call.

23. The ship provides towels

Don’t waste half of your suitcase space by packing an oversized beach towel. Royal Caribbean ships provide beach towels free of charge, and you can take them with you in port.

To check out a towel for the day, head to the pool deck, scan your SeaPass card, and take a towel. At the end of the day, remember to return your towel (place it in the bin and scan your SeaPass card to signal the return). If you forget to return or lose a towel, you’ll incur a $25 per towel fee at the end of your cruise.

24. Research what to pack for an Alaska cruise

Trade your tank tops for a rain jacket and flip flops for boots—packing for an Alaska cruise is totally different than packing for the warm, tropical weather in the Caribbean.

Packing for an Alaska cruise is all about layers: a base layer, warm layer, and waterproof layer. Weather is unpredictable in Alaska, so you want to make sure you’re prepared for warm days, cold days, and rainy days!

In addition to clothing, you’ll also want to pack accessories like a pair of binoculars and waterproof daypack. In order to enjoy Alaska to the fullest, rain or shine, you should prepare for all types of weather scenarios.

For more information on what to pack for an Alaska cruise, check out these two articles:

• Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing
• What should you bring on an Alaska cruise?

25. Don’t pack prohibited items

Before packing your suitcase, take a look through Royal Caribbean’s list of prohibited items. Items like irons, CBD oil, and extension cords are not allowed onboard and they will be confiscated at the cruise terminal.

Related: What can you not bring on a cruise

26. Bring a reusable water bottle

It’s extremely important to stay hydrated on a cruise both onboard and in port, and one of the best ways to stay hydrated is by packing a reusable water bottle.

While there are no water bottle refill stations on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, you can get a cup of ice water and pour it into your reusable bottle. Using a reusable bottle helps cut down on plastic waste and, if it’s an insulated bottle, keeps your beverage cooler longer.

Cruise Check-In Tips

27. Check-in online 45 days before your cruise

Royal Caribbean’s online check-in opens 45 days before your cruise begins, and we recommend checking in as early as possible. You can check in on either the Royal Caribbean website or Royal Caribbean app, although we find the process easier on the app.

Related: Royal Caribbean check-in process

When you complete the online check-in, you will select an arrival time, which is when you can arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. The earlier you complete online check-in, the better chance you have at selecting an early check-in time (around 10:30 or 11AM).

28. Select an early check-in time

One of our favorite cruise tips is to select an early check-in time for a cruise. Selecting an early check-in time allows you to start your vacation hours earlier than other passengers. When those with late check-in times are arriving at the cruise terminal, you’ve already eaten lunch, walked around the ship, and visited your cabin!

Related: 11 reasons to get as early a check in time as possible for your cruise

Not only that, but arriving early allows you to take advantage of an emptier cruise ship, especially if you plan to hit the pools and waterslides on embarkation day. 

29. Ensure you have the proper documentation to cruise far in advance

Before booking a cruise, take time to read through this list of necessary documentation for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Depending on your citizenship, cruise location, and itinerary, the documentation required to board can vary.

It’s all too common that passengers book a cruise only to realize their passport is expired! Understanding what documents are required—and having access to those documents—is critical.

Embarkation Day Tips

30. Use Uber/Lyft to get to the cruise terminal

Instead of booking a shuttle to the cruise terminal from your airport or hotel, use a rideshare service instead. Most shuttle services charge per person. If you’re traveling with a group of four from the airport to port and the shuttle is $20 each, you’ll spend $80 total.

Meanwhile, you could reserve an Uber or Lyft for only $20-25 total, as these services are priced per car instead of per passenger.

31. Use the porters

When you arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, drop off your luggage with the porters. Porters will transfer your luggage from the terminal onto the ship, and it’s much easier to leave your luggage with porters rather than carry it onboard yourself.

We recommend using the porters for your heaviest luggage and bringing only a carry-on onboard with you. It’s customary to tip $1 to $2 per bag you give to the porters.

32. Pack a swimsuit on embarkation day

One of the best things to do on the first day of your cruise is use the pools and waterslides.

Not many passengers know they can use the ship’s pools as soon as they board the ship—even more leave their swimsuit in their checked baggage. This makes the pools much less crowded on embarkation day compared to later on in the sailing.

If you’re hoping to ride the waterslides with little to no wait or enjoy a nearly empty pool, make sure to pack a swimsuit in your carry-on and head to the pool as soon as you board the ship.

33. Bring your own wine and non-alcoholic beverages onboard

Did you know you can bring select amounts of wine and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Each adult can bring one 750ml bottle of wine on embarkation day, along with up to 12 standard (17oz) cans, bottles, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages like water and soda.

34. Sign your kids up for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day

If you’re cruising with kids, it’s a good idea to register them for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean’s child programming is complimentary, but all kids must be registered before they attend a session.

Related: 50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets

Adventure Ocean registration usually opens around 12:30PM or 1PM on embarkation day, and getting to Adventure Ocean early means you can register your kids without waiting in a long line.

35. Keep your passport/identification documents in your carry-on bag

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you can hand your luggage off to the porters, but make sure to keep any important items and documents in your carry-on bag.

Most importantly, make sure your identification documents are with you as you enter the cruise terminal. If you accidentally put your passport in your checked baggage and give it to the porters, it will be a major hassle to find your bag and obtain your identification documents later on.

36. Avoid lunch at the Windjammer

Royal Caribbean’s signature buffet is a madhouse on embarkation day. As thousands of hungry passengers board the ship, the vast majority of them immediately head to the Windjammer. This leads to crowds and chaos—not the best way to start your vacation.

Instead, consider alternative dining options for lunch. Maybe you want to splurge on a specialty restaurant or perhaps dine at one of the many other complimentary options available like Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, or Boardwalk Dog House.

37. Find the best spot to watch sailaway

Sailaway is when your ship sails away from port, and it’s always an exciting time on any cruise vacation. Depending on your ship, the “best” spot to watch sailaway can vary.

If you’re on a Radiance, Voyager, or Freedom Class ship, head to the helicopter pad for sailaway. Quantum and Oasis Class ships, on the other hand, offer the best views from the sports deck or Solarium bridge wings.

Related: The best spot for sailaway on every Royal Caribbean cruise ship

38. Meet your stateroom attendant

Your stateroom attendant will clean your room once per day on your cruise, and we recommend meeting them on embarkation day. When you meet your stateroom attendant, you can establish rapport and make any special requests, such as separating the bed in your room.

You’ll see your stateroom attendant in the hallway nearly every day of your cruise, and getting to know them can help enhance their service on your cruise vacation.

39. Complete your muster drill ASAP

Before a cruise ship departs on embarkation day, every passenger must complete a muster drill. This safety drill ensures every passenger knows what to do and where to go in an emergency.

Luckily, Royal Caribbean has an electronic muster drill, the majority of which can be completed on the Royal Caribbean app. The eMuster drill has three parts:

• Watch a life jacket safety video on the Royal Caribbean app (or stateroom television)
• Listen to the emergency horn signal on the Royal Caribbean app (or stateroom television)
• Go to your muster station in person on the ship to confirm with a crew member that you have completed the muster drill

By completing your muster drill as soon as possible, you can officially start your cruise vacation without worrying about any other required tasks.

Cruise Cabin Tips

40. Bring an outlet extender

Cruise ship cabins–particularly on ships built before 2010–have limited outlets available, and extension cords are not permitted on a cruise ship. If you need to charge multiple electronics daily, it can be a hassle to charge one device at a time

Therefore, If you need to charge several electronics daily and/or are sharing a room with multiple people, we recommend packing a USB hub.

41. Store luggage under the bed

Cruise cabins are small, and the best place to store your luggage is under the bed.

Most cruise ship beds have ample space underneath—enough to fit most suitcases. We advise unpacking your suitcase on embarkation day and immediately putting the suitcase back under the bed to save space.

42. Bring magnetic hooks

Another way to save space and organize your cruise cabin is to pack magnetic hooks. Your cruise cabin’s walls are magnetic, and placing magnetic hooks on the walls allows you to hang accessories like jackets, towels, and purses.

Magnetic hooks do not take up much room in your luggage and can come in handy in any cabin, but especially on older cruise ships which may have far less storage compared to new ships.

Related: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

43. Bring a pop-up laundry hamper

A common issue many cruisers experience is not having anywhere to put dirty clothes in their cabin. This typically results in the passengers throwing dirty clothes onto a chair or corner of their cabin, taking up valuable space and making the room look messy.

Instead of throwing your clothes on the floor, pack a pop-up laundry hamper. These hampers can be purchased for only a few dollars from Amazon or even the dollar store, and they fit nicely into a suitcase.

Money Saving Cruise Tips

44. Look for cheaper spa prices on the ship while in port

Your cruise ship’s spa may have specials on port days where you can get a certain percentage off a treatment. On the first day of your cruise, head to the spa and ask about any specials, especially if you plan to stay onboard on a port day anyway!

45. Bring all toiletries you might need onboard

Forgot your sunscreen or aloe vera? You can find these items onboard, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for them.

You should pack any toiletries you need (or think you might need) on a cruise instead of purchasing toiletries onboard. These items are priced very high on a Royal Caribbean cruise; you’ll probably spend 2-3x as much for the item as you would back home.

46. Order the drink of the day to save money

There is a “Drink of the Day” each day of your cruise, and these drinks—usually a fruity cocktail—are several dollars cheaper than other cocktails.

To find out the drink of the day, ask a bartender. Additionally, some bars have a sign at the bar listing the daily drink special. Not only can you try a new drink, but you’ll save a few dollars compared to a regular menu item.

47. Drink in port instead of onboard

Drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise are expensive. If you want to save money on drinks, drink in port instead of onboard!

You can almost always find cheaper drinks in port compared to on the ship, and as another plus, you can check out a local bar in your port of call. You may even get the chance to try a cocktail or type of liquor not available onboard.

There’s also the opportunity to book an all-inclusive day pass during a port day. If you want an all-inclusive feel without spending $70+ per day on a drink package, book a day pass to a resort in port. Depending on the day pass, you can expect to spend between $50-100 per person for unlimited food, drinks, and beach access.

48. Take advantage of Crown & Anchor Society offers

Members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society receive special onboard offers during their cruise. From discounts on specialty coffee and wine to access to exclusive events, you should take advantage of as many benefits as you can.

Related: 11 of our favorite under-the-radar Crown & Anchor Society perks

Benefits vary based on your tier level in the Crown & Anchor Society. You can find out which perks you’ll have access to by referencing the onboard offers letter placed on your stateroom’s desk on embarkation day.

49. Turn your phone on airplane mode

Avoid expensive roaming charges by putting your phone on airplane mode as soon as your cruise departs on embarkation day. Using cellphone data while on a cruise will incur expensive charges even if you have an international plan.

Instead, connect to the ship’s wifi or, if you have international coverage, use your phone’s data in port. No one wants to come home to a huge cell phone bill, so always remember to put your phone on airplane mode!

50. Reserve complimentary activities on the first day

Cruising on a Quantum Class ship? If so, you’re probably excited to try out RipCord by iFLY, the ship’s skydiving simulator, and the North Star, a 360 degree observational pod.

If you want to try these activities for free, you want to reserve a time as soon as you get onboard your cruise ship.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

For cruises to most regions of the world, both a complimentary and extra cost option of these activities are offered. While the extra cost option includes a longer experience, the complimentary option will suit most guests’ needs.

To reserve these free activities ASAP, connect to the Royal Caribbean wifi once onboard and open the Royal Caribbean app (you don’t need an internet package to access the app). Find the activity on the app’s daily calendar and reserve a complimentary slot.

51. Multiple people can share an internet package

Royal Caribbean’s internet packages cost around $20 per device, per day, but did you know they can be shared?

Multiple guests can use a one device internet package provided they aren’t using the package at the same time. To do so, guests can share the login information on the internet account.

If Guest 1 is using the internet and Guest 2 signs in to the internet on their phone, Guest 1 will be logged out of the internet. Guests can continuously log in and out of the internet on their devices so that only one person is using the package at any given time.

52. Bring your own drinks onboard

Guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise can bring a limited number of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages onboard. Drinks are only able to be brought onboard on embarkation day and they should be placed in your carry-on luggage.

Each adult may bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne. Guests can also bring up to 12 standard 17 oz. cans, bottles, or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages per stateroom such as soda, water, and juice.

Cruise Dining Tips

53. Book a dining package to save money on specialty restaurants

Although Royal Caribbean offers an extensive array of complimentary food, many passengers enjoy the cuisine and cooking styles of the cruise line’s specialty restaurants.

Whether Japanese, Italian, or American fare, most specialty meals will cost around $50 per person for dinner. If you plan to eat at specialty restaurants at least three times during your cruise, you’ll want to book a dining package to save money.

Related: The Ultimate Guide to Royal Caribbean's Unlimited Dining Package

Dining package options can vary by cruise length, but most sailings will offer a 3-night, 5-night, and Unlimited Dining Package. While prices differ, you can expect to spend around $112 for a 3-night package and $260 for an unlimited package.

Over the course of several specialty meals, you could save quite a bit of money by purchasing a dining package.

54. Make restaurant reservations right when you get onboard

Unlike booking individual restaurant reservations before your cruise on the Cruise Planner, passengers with Royal Caribbean dining packages must wait until they board the ship on embarkation day to make specialty dining reservations.

If you booked a dining package, be sure to make dining reservations as soon as you get onboard. You can make dining reservations for all restaurants at the same time; simply go to any specialty restaurant onboard and make reservations with the hostess.

If you plan to dine at Izumi Hibachi, it’s best to go directly to Izumi once onboard, as hibachi reservations cannot always be made at different restaurants.

55. Book specialty restaurants for lunch

One way to save money on Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants is by dining at a specialty restaurant for lunch instead of dinner. Many specialty restaurants offer a similar menu (if not the same) for lunch and dinner, but lunch prices are often half the price of dinner.

Look for lunch deals at any of Royal Caribbean’s Italian restaurants, Chops Grille, and Hooked Seafood prior to your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site.

56. Make dietary requests before you board

Royal Caribbean takes dietary restrictions into account when planning menus and onboard food offerings. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated onboard with little to no stress, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, keto, etc.

Nonetheless, if you have a dietary restriction–especially if it’s a severe allergy–it’s best to let Royal Caribbean know in advance. You can find out more about dietary restrictions and how to contact Royal Caribbean for special dietary requests here.

57. Try new foods

One of the best dining tips for a Royal Caribbean cruise is to try new foods. Unlike on land, you can order and try as many new dishes as you’d like on a cruise at no extra cost.

Because of this, there’s no harm in trying something new. If you don’t end up liking the dish, you can simply order something else. More often than not, however, you might find a new favorite dish while dining on a cruise!

58. Look at the menus in advance

If you’re torn on where to eat dinner during your cruise, take a look at the Main Dining Room’s menus in advance. You can view the menus in advance on the Dining tab of the Royal Caribbean app.

Related: New Main Dining Room menus

On this tab, you can look at menus for each night of your cruise to see which appetizers, main courses, and desserts are available on any particular day. If the menu for a certain night doesn’t appeal to your tastes, consider eating at the Windjammer or reserving a specialty restaurant instead.

Shore excursion tips

59. Book sought-after excursions far in advance

Dreaming of a whale watching tour in Alaska or visit to Pompeii? If so, you’ll want to book these excursions as soon as possible to avoid them selling out.

Popular shore excursions can and do sell out far in advance. If there’s a bucket-list activity you’re dreaming of experiencing in a port of call, it’s best to book the tour as soon as you can.

When booking through Royal Caribbean, you can cancel a shore excursion up to 48 hours before your cruise begins, so if you change your mind later on you can get a full refund.

60. Remember that you don’t have to book an excursion

Many first time cruisers think they have to book an excursion in every cruise port, but you are always able to explore on your own without a tour.

Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

Whether you take a taxi to a local beach, visit a museum, or simply walk around the port area, most ports have enough to do and see without spending extra on a tour.

61. Go to the beach

A budget-friendly way to spend a port day is by going to the beach. Although you probably won't enjoy a sunny beach day in Alaska, most cruise ports offer stunning beaches, whether a pink sand beach in Bermuda or black sand beach in Hawaii.

Before your cruise, research how to visit the best beaches in your port of call. Some beaches may be easily walkable from the cruise port, such as Junkanoo Beach in Nassau, whereas others will require a taxi or shore excursion.

Related: 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean

62. Use Tripadvisor or Viator to find things to do in port

You aren’t required to book shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean; many cruisers prefer booking excursions through independent tour operators. By booking with a locally-run tour operator in your port of call, you can usually save money and have a wider selection of options.

One great way to find shore excursions outside of the cruise line is by searching Tripadvisor or Viator. To find excursions, type your port of call in the search bar to populate a list of things to do and excursions to book in the destination.

63. Call your bank before using a debit/credit card in port

Depending on your bank, you might have to provide notice of any upcoming international travel. This helps avoid your account being locked if your bank notices a charge made in another country.

You can give your bank notice through most banking apps or websites or you can call your bank directly to provide information on your travel plans.

64. Be aware of your surroundings

It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings while traveling to avoid misplacing items—far too many travelers become distracted while traveling and lose their belongings.

Whether accidentally leaving your purse at a restaurant or being pickpocketed in a crowded museum, losing your belongings is never a fun way to spend vacation. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings to avoid any mishaps, especially when traveling in busy areas.

65. Taste local cuisine in your ports of call

One of the most fun ways to spend a port day is by tasting local cuisine in your ports of call. Whether your cruise docks in France, Australia, or Costa Rica, there is always fresh, flavorful cuisine to try.

Always take time to grab food at a local restaurant while on shore, even if it means just grabbing a croissant or scoop of gelato as you stroll through town. Even though there's unlimited food onboard, spending a few dollars on local cuisine can enhance your experience in port.

66. Learn a few phrases in the local language of your cruise port

Cruising to Mexico? Italy? Japan? Regardless of your cruise destination, we recommend learning a few basic phrases in the local language of your cruise ports.

Learning how to say words like hello, please, thank you, and goodbye can help tremendously when communicating with locals while in port. Even if English is widely spoken in a certain port, knowing a few phrases in the local language can go a long way in the overall friendliness you experience while traveling.

67. Download Google Maps offline on your phone

If you’re planning self-guided port days and don’t have international phone service, you should download offline maps on Google Maps. Google Maps allows you to download maps in advance so you can find directions and local attractions with no cell phone data.

Having maps downloaded can lessen the chance of getting lost while in port, and it may even help you find interesting things to do in the surrounding area.

Miscellaneous Cruise Tips

68. Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Instead of waiting for the elevator—which will, most likely, be crowded—take the stairs!

Not only does taking the stairs instead of the elevator save time, but it helps keep you active on a cruise vacation. Indulging is the name of the game on a cruise, and taking the stairs can help burn a few extra calories during your sailing.

69. Use the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards

If you’re searching for first-hand information from other savvy cruisers, join our message boards at RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com. You can search the board for information on your cruise ship, dining options, shore excursions, and booking tips, among other topics.

Plus, you can find a roll call for your upcoming cruise on the message boards, which allows you to connect with other passengers on your sailing before your cruise even begins!

70. Join a Facebook group for your sailing

In addition to the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards, you can join groups for your cruise on Facebook. Many cruisers like joining Facebook groups before their cruise in order to connect with other passengers and have a space to share questions and comments about their upcoming vacation.

71. Stay flexible

If there’s one tip to follow on this list, it’s to stay flexible on a cruise vacation. Even though most cruises go to plan, there’s always a possibility for an itinerary change, medical emergency, or canceled shore excursion.

If the unexpected happens on a cruise, the worst thing to do is let it ruin your cruise vacation. Instead of having your day ruined when the winds are too strong to dock in port, find something fun to do onboard instead, such as participating in a game show or listening to live music.

If a hurricane changes your cruise itinerary, look for interesting shore excursions in your new ports of call instead of complaining. It’s always better to remain flexible to avoid feeling disappointed!

72. Bring cash with you onboard

Although payments are made electronically on a cruise ship, we still recommend bringing a small amount of cash with you onboard.

If you plan to give extra tips to crew members onboard, you should break your money into smaller bills. Having $1 and $5 bills on hand makes tipping easy, whether you’re tipping the porter at the cruise terminal or a bartender.

Related: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn’t do

Additionally, having cash is recommended for port days, especially in the Caribbean. You may encounter taxis and businesses that do not accept cards, so carrying $100-200 with you on each port day is recommended.

73. Don’t worry too much about feeling seasick

Feeling seasick is a major concern for first-time cruisers, but it’s not nearly as common as you might think.

Royal Caribbean ships are huge vessels and are equipped with stabilizers that help keep the ship as steady as possible. Although you can still encounter strong winds and high seas, you won’t feel the motion nearly as much as you would on a small sailboat!

Related: How to prevent seasickness on a cruise

If you do feel seasick, there are plenty of easy remedies to combat seasickness. Natural remedies include eating green apples and ginger, but medication like Dramamine can also cut down on the effects of seasickness.

74. Get the best seats at the theater

Royal Caribbean’s impressive entertainment shows are included in your cruise fare, and our top recommendation for watching the shows is to get the best seats in the theater.

For Royal Caribbean’s most popular productions, such as Broadway shows and AquaTheater shows, many passengers show up to the theater early. If you arrive 30-40 minutes prior to the show, you have a good chance at finding seats near the front of the theater for the best views.

75. Book a day pass at a hotel if you have a late flight

If you disembark your cruise ship at 8AM but your flight doesn’t leave until 4PM, it can be tough to figure out the best way to spend your day. One of our favorite things to do whenever we have a late flight is to purchase a day pass to a hotel in our disembarkation port.

Booking a day pass to a hotel gives you a place to drop off your luggage, but you also receive access to the hotel’s pool and sundeck. Going for a swim and lounging in a pool chair is, more often than not, much more enjoyable than sitting in a busy airport terminal.

You can find hotels and resorts with day passes through Resort Pass, and options are available in most popular cruise ports.

Could Royal Caribbean be in the very early phases of developing a new private island experience in The Bahamas?

Royal Caribbean has a private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, but is a second destination something the line would pursue? 

A Bahamas newspaper reported a team from Royal Caribbean was sent to Rum Cay to look into the island as a potential new destination for cruise ships.

When questioned about it, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley confirmed the report.

"It’s true."

"Our perspective us that you can never have enough great product. We are constantly looking for any opportunity where we can create a customer experience that we think the customers will love. We were approached about a potential opportunity, and sent a team to look at that opportunity."

While it sounds exciting that this may be the first step in a new endeavor, Mr. Bayley was quick to temper expectations, as the cruise line looks at new places all the time, but it's not necessarily an indication of anything more than a passing glance.

"We send teams around the world constantly looking for opportunities. I wouldn’t read too much into it.'"

We were approached, looked and it’s a great space. It was a look and evaluation. We have to look at things. Everything comes with pros and cons."

Mr. Bayley did not say if there are any plans to go beyond an initial scouting mission at Rum Cay, nor did he talk about any kind of negotiations starting.

Royal Caribbean's interest in another Bahamian private destination should come as no surprise considering how popular Perfect Day at CocoCay has been since opening.

Not only has CocoCay ranked favorably among cruise ship passengers, but it has been a revenue generating machine for the cruise line.

Mr. Bayley talked about how popular the island has been with passengers, "CocoCay is the number one destination that Royal Caribbean goes to in the world out of 100 global destinations, because it’s a curated experience designed and built to deliver a high-level experience to the customer."

"At the end of the day that’s all that matters."

In February 2023, Royal Caribbean Group talked about demand for Perfect Day itineraries.

“The demand for that product [Perfect Day at CocoCay] is exceptionally high. The demand not only is there from a volume perspective, but the rate is there and that rate has been going up again in a very healthy way," said Mr. Bayley.

Royal Caribbean Group estimates around 2.5 to 3 million guests will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay in 2023.

It’s no secret that prices for these add-ons have gone up since the restart of the cruising industry in 2021, but Bayley explained how “we’ve seen a great demand and a lot of resilience as the prices go up. So it’s a hit and it’s very successful.”

Rum Cay

Rum Cay measures 30 square miles and is approximately 283 miles southeast of New Providence.

It's sparsely populated and is mainly flat, but has a few rolling hills rising to about 120 feet. 

The report claims Royal Caribbean looked at a 375-450 parcel in the island’s north-west corner right by the sea that was recently appraised. 

It is understood the site is part of a larger 1,000-acre tract that had previously been caught-up in the multiple land disputes that have afflicted the island, but it is thought all title issues and legal battles have now been resolved.

Prior to the cruise industry shutdown in 2020, Royal Caribbean said it intended to build a portfolio of Perfect Day destinations around the world to follow up on first iteration at CocoCay.

Back in 2019, the line said it would open five "Perfect Day" private islands over the next five years.

One such destination is Perfect Day at Lelepa, which is located in the South Pacific. 

Update on Freeport

Royal Caribbean's other plans to build a new port in Freeport, Bahamas may also be still happening.

According to The Tribune, Mr. Bayley was "increasingly optimistic" that its Freeport port project will finally happen.

"That’s still going through its process."

"I would say we are increasingly optimistic about the timing of that. In the coming months hopefully we will be in a position to make some positive announcement on Freeport."

"Our intent is to bring more capacity into Freeport. The first step, which will be in conjunction with others, is investing in improving the port."

The exact plans have likely changed for Freeport, but Mr. Bayley said development of a water-based adventure theme park for passengers in close proximity to the port area was still the plan.

Did you get Royal Caribbean onboard credit on your next cruise, but now sure how to spend it?

Onboard credit is essentially free "cruise cash", but there was not only restrictions on how you can use it, but a few ways to make your credits go further.

Spending it wisely is a good idea to ensure it helps maximize your vacation experience, especially if you have a lot of it.

How does onboard credit work?

Think of onboard credit as free money you get to spend while on your cruise.

Royal Caribbean's ships are cashless, which means all your transactions occur via your SeaPass account. When you buy something onboard, you scan your SeaPass card and the cost is debited against your account.

Onboard credit is money the cruise line places in your account that goes against any purchases you make during the cruise.  

When a guest receives onboard credit, their SeaPass account is credited with that amount of money to offset any onboard purchases, such as shore excursions, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, drink purchases and anything else you can charge to your SeaPass account.

Once onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, a guest's SeaPass account will receive a credit that corresponds to the onboard credit value they were promised.

A common misconception is you can take onboard credit and apply it towards a specific purchase.  Your onboard credit is applied against any and all onboard purchases you make in general. So there is no need to worry about ensuring you use it for one purchase or another.

How to get Royal Caribbean Onboard Credit (OBC)

There are a lot of ways to get onboard credit, but you may not have access to all means of getting onboard credit. Regardless, it is important to understand all the possible manners available.

The simplest answer on how to get onboard credit is you have to be given onboard credit from someone else, either Royal Caribbean or another entity.  

Let us explore the possibilities.

Booking promotion

The most common way guests receive onboard credit is to receive it from Royal Caribbean as part of a deal to book a cruise.

Royal Caribbean regularly offers onboard credit as an incentive to get guests to book a cruise.

These are typically periodic promotions, where the amount of onboard credit you receive is tied to the stateroom category you book, as well as the exact promotion offered. Some promotions will offer more onboard credit than others.

The amount of onboard credit will vary from promotion to promotion and it is important to read the deal's rules and conditions. There can be hundreds of dollars of onboard credit offered, including up to $500 per cabin.

This may not be the most lucrative source of onboard credit, but it is regularly the simplest way of getting some.

Booking onboard

If you happen to be on a Royal Caribbean cruise and cannot wait to reserve space on another sailing, then take advantage of Royal Caribbean's onboard booking bonus.

Royal Caribbean incentives its guests to re-book another cruise while still onboard by offering them extra onboard credit on top of whatever promotion is currently running.

Guests can visit the NextCruise office and get up to $500 in onboard credit to spend on their current sailing or defer it to an upcoming sailing.

The onboard credit you get at the NextCruise office is free money, because Royal Caribbean is rewarding you for reserving another sailing and is one of the best, and most lucrative means of getting a lot  of onboard credit.

Book with a travel agent

We love using travel agents to book our Royal Caribbean cruises for the wonderful value they provide in terms of service, but travel agents are also a great source of onboard credit.

In general, many travel agents offer their own booking bonus for working with them.

The amount of onboard credit a travel agent can give you on top of whatever Royal Caribbean is offering will vary greatly, and depends on the agency size and the stateroom category you book.

Onboard credit is one way travel agents differentiate themselves from one another and take steps to earn business.

Royal Caribbean Visa credit card

Royal Caribbean has its own branded Visa credit card, which allows guests to earn points that can be redeemed for onboard credit on future cruises (as well as other rewards too).

Each purchase you make with the card earns you points, and as you save those points, you can redeem them for onboard credit.

As an example, the Royal Caribbean card will net a guest $100 in onboard credit for 10,000 points.

Price drops

Sometimes Royal Caribbean will give onboard credit if the price you paid for a cruise is now cheaper than when you paid.

Royal Caribbean Group shareholder

If you own at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock at the time of sailing, you can get onboard credit.

The benefit is only available for the stateroom in which the shareholder (with a minimum of 100 shares) is sailing. 

• $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights
• $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 13 nights
• $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less

There is no limit on how many times you may take advantage of this discount, but it is one benefit per sailing.

Active or retired military members

From time to time, Royal Caribbean offers active and retired military personnel onboard credits.

It usually applies to those who are active or retired from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves or Canadian National Defense.

A Royal Caribbean mistake

No one is perfect, certainly not Royal Caribbean, and while you probably will not like the mistake itself, the silver lining is often Royal Caribbean offers guests onboard credit as a means of making it up to them.

Incidents like poor service, billing inaccuracies and other frustrations are often handled with onboard credit (in addition to remedying the situation as best they can).

The exact amount of onboard credit will depend on the nature of the incident.

Cancelled cruise

In a lot of cases, Royal Caribbean will try to make up for a cancelled cruise with onboard credit.

Hurricanes, a health crisis, maintenance issues and a variety of other possibilities can lead to Royal Caribbean cancelling a cruise.

In order to smooth things over with guests, the cruise line may offer onboard credit for a new sailing in order to make up for the disappointment of having to cancel the original sailing.

Royal Caribbean gift certificate

It's not well-known, but Royal Caribbean sells gift certificates and the value gets applied as an onboard credit.

Before you run out and buy one, I don't recommend buying them because of the complicated redemption rules. They don't work as easily as traditional gift cards.

However, gift certificates are truly the only way to give someone else onboard credit without being a travel agent.

How is onboard credit different from a future cruise credit?

While onboard credit and future cruise credits might sound the same, they apply to different aspects of your cruise booking.

An onboard credit is for spending on purchases made on your cruise while you're actually sailing, whereas a future cruise credit is for booking another cruise.

The two are not interchangeable, and you cannot use future cruise credits as spending money on a cruise as you would onboard credit. Moreover, you cannot convert Future Cruise Credit into Onboard Credit.

What happens if I don't spend all my onboard credit?

If you have unused non-refundable onboard credit because you didn't spend it all, you lose it. Nearly all onboard credit is non-refundable because it's a gift from the cruise line or a travel agent in a "use it or lose it" scenario.

You cannot roll over the onboard credit to another cruise.

Sometimes guests will get refundable onboard credit, usually as the result of cancelling a purchase while onboard a cruise (i.e. shore excursion). In this scenario, unused onboard credit will be refunded back to your credit card.

It's a good idea to check with guest services while still onboard your cruise for which type you have. Never assume it's refundable.

What are the best ways to spend your Royal Caribbean onboard credit?

Spa

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Splurge and treat yourself with a spa treatment!

Royal Caribbean's Vitality Spa isn't cheap, but onboard credit is a great way to use your free money on something that you can instantly enjoy.  

For a lot of cruisers, going to the spa is an essential way to relax and enjoy time away from work, school, and the daily routine.

Shore excursions

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Your ship will many ports of call during your cruise, so onboard credit might be the ticket to a fun day on shore.

There's usually a multitude of tours you can consider, and onboard credit can be spent before the cruise or once onboard. My advice is to book shore excursions before your cruise because many tend to sell out.

Gratuities

Bookable: Onboard only

Gratuity on a Royal Caribbean cruise is compulsory and you'll either pay it before your cruise or automatically every day of the sailing.

The automatic daily gratuity charge is $16.00 per day, per person in standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $18.50 per day per person for suites.

These gratuities cover your stateroom attendant, and dining room staff, and it's important way to thank their hard work.

If you elect for the automatic gratuity, each night of your cruise there will be an automatic charge on your SeaPass account per person. Your onboard credit will be offset against your total spending onboard, including the gratuities.

Specialty dining

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Royal Caribbean's specialty restaurants are a great way to enjoy top-notch dining, but they come with an extra cost.

The cost of a specialty restaurant differs depending on the restaurant.  Most have a cover charge, but there are a few a la carte restaurants.

As an example, Giovanni's Table for lunch comes in at $25 per person, whereas Chef's Table dinner is about $100 per person.

Another way to use your onboard credit is to buy a specialty dining package, which includes a set amount of specialty restaurant meals for a fixed price.

If you're planning to eat at more than 2 specialty restaurants, a dining package makes a lot of sense to buy instead.

Extra cost onboard activities

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Not every fun thing to do on your Royal Caribbean cruise is included in your cruise fare.

North Star:  $25
iFly skydiving simulator: $55
Behind the scenes ship tour: $49 to $129
Escape room: $20
Private Flowrider lessons: $69 to $500
Fitness classes:$12
Cooking classes: $35 to $70
Video games in arcade: $1 to $3 per game

Laundry

Bookable: Onboard only

You're going to amass a pile of dirty laundry during the cruise, so why not get some or all of it cleaned for you?

Royal Caribbean offers full-service laundry options for an additional cost:

• Wash & Press
• Pressing only
• Steaming only
• Dry Clean & Press

Souvenirs

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Whether you want a Royal Caribbean brand shirt or a pair of designer sunglasses, you can find a great array of choices onboard to buy.

Some souvenirs are cheap, while others can be hundreds of dollars.  The Royal Caribbean branded items tend to be much less expensive than the designer items.

There's also lots of toys and kid-focused items you can purchase, and when your kids start begging for a must-have gift, this could be the perfect time to use your onboard credit.

Look for sales advertised in the Cruise Compass as ways to possibly save money on something to bring home later.

Drinks

Bookable: Onboard only

Individual drinks can be ordered at any bar, lounge, and restaurant.  After all, few things are as synonymous with being on vacation as a fruity drink!

Royal Caribbean includes some drinks in your cruise, such as water, tea, coffee, juices, and milk. But anything with alcohol will cost extra.

Instead of paying for each drink individually, you could use your onboard credit towards a Royal Caribbean drink package. They have a large up-front cost, but if you can drink enough during your cruise, a drink package can save you a lot of money.

Adventure Ocean after hours care

Bookable: Onboard only

Adventure Ocean is complimentary until 10pm, at which point there is an hourly charge.

As a parent, I find the cost worth every penny so that I can enjoy more time without the kids!

If you have a toddler or infant, the nursey has an hourly charge anytime of $6 during the day and $8 at night. 

Wifi

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Staying connected for pleasure or work (or both) is a necessity for many, and you have to buy an internet package if you want access to the full internet.

You don't need an internet package to use the Royal Caribbean app or the chat feature in the app, but anything else will need a wifi package.

Royal Caribbean sells a few different internet packages, both before the cruise and while onboard.  Keep in mind that a wifi package will be cheaper if you pre-purchase before the sailing on the Cruise Planner site.

Photos

Bookable: Pre-cruise and onboard

Every evening there will be photo opportunities to get professional photos taken, and the price of a single photo starts at $19.99.

Photo packages allow guests to take home a select amount of photos taken onboard their Royal Caribbean ship. One photo package covers all guests in your stateroom.

Whether you buy a single photo or an entire package, your onboard credit can be used towards it.

Casino

Bookable: Onboard only

You can't directly apply onboard credit to a game in the casino, but you can charge your SeaPass account. Those charges can, in turn, be offset against your onboard credit.

How do I know if I have a Royal Caribbean onboard credit?

Prior to the cruise, you may see onboard credit listed in your account that you can use on Cruise Planner purchases. Keep in mind not all onboard credit is spendable before the cruise.

A good way to get a sense of how much onboard credit you should be getting is to ask your travel agent.  Royal Caribbean will list onboard credits you are entitled to in the invoice for the cruise when you book.

On the ship, your onboard credit will automatically appear on your account, typically two or three days into your sailing.

If all else fails, once you get onboard your cruise ship, you can go to Guest Services and inquire how much you have.

Can you cash out onboard credit?

Yes, but it's kind of a cruise hack.

Guest services will not issue your onboard credit back to you as cash, but the casino will.

You can go to the casino cashier and get a cash advance against your SeaPass account, which is a charge like anything else you buy onboard.  That charge will be rectified against your onboard credit. Keep in mind the casino charges you 5% on every cash advance you make (unless you are Prime or higher in Casino Royale).

There is a workaround, where any money you take out as a cash advance from a slot machine does not accrue the 5% charge for some reason.

Ask the casino cashier for instructions on how to make a cash advance from the slot machines.

Can you pay gratuities with onboard credit Royal Caribbean?

If you go with the automatic gratuities that get charged each evening of your cruise, yes, your onboard credits will be deducted against the gratuities you are assessed (and anything else you charge).

It's a common misconception you can apply your onboard credit directly towards gratuities.  The automatic gratuity is a charge like anything else you buy, so if you spend nothing else on your cruise, then your onboard credit will be applied towards your total expenses.

Can you use onboard credit in the casino?

You cannot directly access the onboard credit, but you can get a cash advance from your SeaPass account.

This charge will be an expense on your final bill, which any onboard credits you have will be deducted against.

The casino will charge you a 5% fee (unless you are Prime or higher in Casino Royale), unless you make the charge at a slot machine. Slot machines do not have a fee when withdrawing money from your SeaPass account.

How to use onboard credit in the Cruise Planner

When you add any pre-cruise purchase in the Cruise Planner to your shopping cart, there is an option to redeem onboard credit.

Remember, not all types of onboard credit may be available for use in the Cruise Planner. Onboard credits offered by a travel agent are not usually available until you get on the ship.

When you checkout, in addition to entering your credit card information, you have the option to apply some or all of your onboard credit to the purchase.

Don't worry, if you change your mind later and want to cancel your Cruise Planner purchase, the onboard credits will instantly become available again to use.

Enjoying meals in the Main Dining Room is a traditional part of a cruise vacation, but there are a few tips and tricks you should follow to have the best experience possible.

Many passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise enjoy meals in the Main Dining Room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This complimentary venue is where you can enjoy three-course meals throughout your sailing, and it’s a nostalgic part of cruising for most cruisers.

We recommend knowing the ins and outs of the Main Dining Room before your cruise begins. Knowing how the Main Dining Room works can help you avoid any surprises while onboard, allowing you to fully appreciate the dining experience.

From browsing menus in advance to notifying Royal Caribbean of dietary restrictions, here are 21 tips for the best cruise ship Main Dining Room experience.

Know what’s included in the Main Dining Room

The Main Dining Room is included in your cruise fare on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but there are just a few items that cost extra.

Complimentary drinks include water, coffee, tea, juice, and lemonade. Soda, specialty coffees, mocktails, and alcoholic beverages come with an extra cost. If you have a drink package, however, you can utilize it in the Main Dining Room in addition to bars and lounges onboard.

As far as food, you’ll pay extra for three premium selections:

• Chops Grille Filet Mignon: $19.99
• Surf & Turf: $34.99
• Extra lobsters on formal nights: $16.99/lobster (one lobster dish is complimentary for each guest)

With so many complimentary food items on the menu, there’s really no need to purchase a premium selection from the Main Dining Room, but it’s always an option.

Prepare to order all courses at once

When your waiter comes to take your order in the Main Dining Room, be prepared to order all three courses at once. Many first-time cruisers are surprised when they realize they have to order their appetizer, main course, and dessert at the same time, leaving them scrambling to quickly select their courses.

Of course, if you’re not ready to place your order, your waiter can come back in a few minutes. Additionally, if you later decide to order an extra appetizer or change your mind on dessert, just let the waiter know.

Order more than one appetizer, main course, and dessert

One of the best parts about dining on a cruise ship is the opportunity to order as many dishes as you’d like. While we don’t advise ordering 3 appetizers, 5 main courses, and 6 desserts, there’s no harm in ordering more than one of each course.

Related: I tried Royal Caribbean's new Main Dining Room menus, and here's what I thought

Portions in the Main Dining Room are typically a bit smaller than what you might find at a restaurant on land, so many passengers like to order more than one item, especially when it comes to appetizers.

If you can’t choose between the French onion soup and a side salad, why not both? Likewise, don’t waste your time deciding between the key lime pie or carrot cake when you can easily order one of each!

Don’t be afraid to try new foods

Another plus of being able to order more than one item is the ability to try new foods and cuisines. While dining at a restaurant on land, many people are nervous to try something new in case they don’t like it, thus wasting money.

Eating in the Main Dining Room, on the other hand, means you can order that spicy Indian curry or pesto pasta with no regrets. If you don’t like it, you can always order something else, but if you do like it, then you’ve just found a new favorite food!

Know how the Main Dining Room menu works

Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room dinner menu changes every night, although cruise itineraries over 10 nights see repeated menus. Each menu has a theme, such as Mexican night and Italian night, and menu items are influenced by the theme.

The dinner menu features appetizers, main courses, and desserts. At the top of the menu is the chef’s recommendation for each course, but you can mix and match items from anywhere on the menu.

Related: 7 cruise ship Main Dining Room rules to follow — Plus one to break

Lunch in the Main Dining Room is served on sea days only. The menu changes from day to day, but it does not follow a set theme. Like dinner, the lunch menu offers appetizers, main courses, and desserts. On some itineraries, a standard lunch menu may be replaced with a brunch menu with both breakfast and lunch dishes.

Breakfast, like dinner, is served every day in the Main Dining Room. The menu features classic American breakfast cuisine including pancakes, french toast, and omelets. 

Check the menus in advance

Royal Caribbean posts its daily Main Dining Room menus on the Royal Caribbean app, and we recommend browsing the menus in advance. Looking at the menus ahead of time helps you decide whether or not you want to eat in the Main Dining Room on a particular evening.

If nothing on the menu appeals to you, you may choose to eat in the Windjammer or at a specialty evening that night instead. Likewise, you won’t want to book specialty dining reservations on the evening in which the Main Dining Room serves your favorite type of cuisine.

Know the difference between Traditional Dining and My Time Dining

Royal Caribbean offers two choices for dining in the Main Dining Room: Traditional Dining and My Time Dining. You select your choice when booking a cruise.

Traditional dining is when you are assigned the same table and waiters for the duration of the cruise. You can choose early (around 5:30PM) or late seating (around 8PM) for the meal, and you will dine at the same time every day.

Related: How to change your dining time on a Royal Caribbean cruise

My Time Dining gives you more flexibility in dining times. You will not have an assigned time, table, or waiter. Rather, you can make reservations for each day in advance or show up to the Main Dining Room at any time during dinner hours.

For more information on the two dining options, check out our guide on Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining.

You can show up later than your scheduled dining time, but you might have to wait

Many cruisers, especially those with early dining, may occasionally run late to dinner. If you have a 5:30PM dining time but stay in port until 6PM, you'll miss your dining time, but you can still have dinner in the Main Dining Room.

If you miss your dining time by more than 15-20 minutes, go to the My Time Dining area of the Main Dining Room, which is usually on a separate floor than traditional dining. Wait in line for a table and you will be seated for a regular sit-down dinner.

You should note, though, that you will not be seated at the same dining table you have for traditional dining. Your waiters will be different as well.

Make My Time Dining reservations in advance

While My Time Dining may offer flexibility to dine whenever you’d like, we still recommend making reservations in advance. You can make dining reservations for each evening of your cruise and the time can change from day to day.

Making reservations is not necessary, but if you do not make reservations, you will have to wait in line for an available table. Waiting in line is not fun for anyone, and making reservations in advance means you can show up at your dining time and be seated right away.

The menu's themed cuisine nights are flexible

Although Royal Caribbean’s dinner menus are named French Night and Mediterranean Night, they are loosely based on a destination’s cuisine. On French Night, you can still find seafood linguine, butternut squash soup, curried lamb, and a warm apple cobbler.

Mexican Night brings dishes like enchiladas and carne asada, but you can also order spaghetti bolognese, grilled chicken breast, escargot, and toffee cheesecake.

Therefore, don’t overlook the Main Dining Room menu even if the night’s theme is not your favorite cuisine. There is more than enough variety outside the themed cuisine to satisfy most passengers.

Let your waiter know your preferences

Waiters in the Main Dining Room are highly attentive, and they can handle most requests with ease. If you would like two bread bowls instead of one each night, they can accommodate that request for you. Or, if you know you want a cup of coffee each evening with dessert, let them know and they will bring it to you each evening without asking.

Letting your waiter know your dining preferences on the first night of your cruise helps ensure your dining experience matches your needs throughout the sailing.

Notify Royal Caribbean of dietary restrictions in advance

Royal Caribbean can accommodate dietary restrictions, but you should provide notice to the cruise line in advance (view instructions here).

Providing notice is only required for strict dietary restrictions such as food allergies, gluten-free, Kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available in the Main Dining Room each evening, so there is no need to notify Royal Caribbean for these dietary restrictions.

Related: Eating gluten free on Royal Caribbean cruise ships

Go to the Main Dining Room for breakfast and lunch

The Main Dining Room is open for dinner each evening, but it’s also open for breakfast every morning and for lunch on sea days. Many passengers enjoy dining in the Main Dining Room for breakfast and lunch due to its quieter, more comfortable atmosphere when compared to other venues onboard.

Skip the busy Windjammer in the morning for a sit-down meal of pancakes, breakfast burritos, and fresh squeezed orange juice. Or, instead of waiting in a long line at El Loco Fresh for lunch, head to the Main Dining Room for a more relaxed environment.

Hours for breakfast and lunch can vary by sailing, with some offering brunch in lieu of two separate meals. Check the Royal Caribbean app for your sailing’s meal times. 

You can change your table assignment

If you have traditional dining, your Main Dining Room table assignment will be listed on your SeaPass card. We recommend heading to the Main Dining Room on embarkation day to check your table location and size.

If you would prefer to sit by a window but your table is in the middle of the room, ask a crew member at the Main Dining Room entrance if your table can be switched. Likewise, if you would prefer a table for two instead of sitting with other passengers, notify the crew members of this preference as well.

Bring your own wine to dinner

Royal Caribbean allows each adult to bring one 750ml bottle of wine onboard, and you can bring this wine to the Main Dining Room for dinner. A small corkage fee may be applied to open the bottle, but bringing your own wine will save money in the long run.

Plus, you can bring your favorite type of wine, which may not be available onboard.

Dress appropriately for formal nights

Many first-time cruisers are intimidated by formal nights on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but don’t worry: there’s no need to pack a tuxedo or ball gown for formal night. Wearing a collared shirt and slacks is totally acceptable for men, and many women choose to wear a light sundress or blouse in lieu of a floor-length gown.

Related: What to wear on a cruise formal night

It’s unlikely that you’ll be turned away for wearing jeans and a t-shirt on formal night, but we advise dressing appropriately. If you would prefer to skip formal night altogether, you can always visit the Windjammer or a specialty restaurant instead.

Check the Kids Menu for more options

Guests of any age can order off the Kids Menu in the Main Dining Room. The menu does not change from day to day, but offers classic kid-friendly dishes like hamburgers, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, and spaghetti.

If nothing on the regular menu sounds appealing, you’re always welcome to order a dish from the Kids Menu. Likewise, kids can order from the standard Main Dining Room menu in lieu of the Kids Menu.

Drop kids off at Adventure Ocean before dinner

Enjoying a nice sit-down meal can be difficult when cruising with young children. If you’re traveling with kids, consider bringing them to the Windjammer for a quick dinner before dropping them off at Adventure Ocean.

Related: 50 best cruising with kids tips & secrets

After dropping them off, head to the Main Dining Room for a more relaxed sit-down meal. More often than not, your kids will prefer a quick dinner before having fun at Adventure Ocean anyway, so you can dine guilt-free.

You don’t have to eat with other passengers

Many first-time cruisers assume you have to dine at large tables with strangers while on a Royal Caribbean cruise, but this isn’t always the case. Dining with other passengers can be a great way to make new friends onboard, but it’s certainly not as intimate as dining with just your travel party.

Royal Caribbean usually assigns guests to their own table, but your table may occasionally be shared with other passengers. If you don’t want to dine with others, simply head to the Main Dining Room on embarkation day and confirm your table assignment.

If your dining reservation is at a table with other passengers, a crew member can change the table information so that it’s only you and your travel party.

Avoid controversial topics with table mates

If you are sharing a table with other passengers, do everything possible to avoid controversial topics. Discussing politics, religion, and controversial current events is a big no-no when dining in the Main Dining Room.

No one wants to feel uncomfortable or start a fight with other passengers, so keep discussions with table mates civil.

Always be friendly to your waiters

Our last tip for the best cruise ship Main Dining Room experience is to always be friendly to your waiters.

Royal Caribbean crew members work diligently every day of their contracts to provide the best experience for guests, including in the Main Dining Room. It’s important to be polite to crew members even when something goes wrong.

If you asked for your steak medium rare but it comes out well done, politely inform your waiter rather than throw a fit. Or, if your waiter forgets to bring you another glass of wine, remind them about it without being rude.

Your waiters do everything possible to make the Main Dining Room experience as enjoyable as possible, and being friendly can enhance your experience even more.

When Royal Caribbean's new beach club opens in The Bahamas in 2025, its intent is to offer something for both cruise ship passengers and the people of The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley spoke to the Bahamian press on Wednesday about the cruise line's new plans. He specifically addressed why the beach club not only benefits the cruise line, but locals as well.

In 2025, Royal Caribbean will open its first Royal Beach Club, which is an extra-cost all-inclusive beach on Paradise Island, just across the waterway from where Royal Caribbean's ships dock their ships in Nassau.

It will be a limited capacity area, and a shore excursion option that will be open exclusively to Royal Caribbean ship passengers.

There will be pools, beaches, dining experiences, and live entertainment too.

"The model for this project is a world class model for public private partnerships," Mr. Bayley said. "There is nothing in the Bahamian tourism sector of this quality. Forty nine percent of this entity will be owned by Bahamians."

The new beach club is part of an overall strategy to bring more cruise ship tourists than ever before to The Bahamas. Mr. Bayley shared the cruise line's overall strategy and how the beach club fits in, "We are building ships and bringing them to the Bahamas and Nassau. We are bringing the capacity. In Nassau we bring around one million tourists a year and nearly three million visitors a year to the country."

"By 2027 in Nassau, it will be 2.5 million. The Beach Club is obviously not capable of holding all of the visitors we bring. It can hold on average 2,750 guests per day.

"By 2027 we will be bringing 7,000 guests per day to Nassau. Sixty percent of the additional capacity coming cannot go there. That means there will be plenty of tourists for Bay Street and elsewhere. "

Passengers don't love Nassau

Mr. Bayley was also open about how cruise ship passengers perceived visiting Nassau, saying it ranks among the bottom 10% of ports in feedback.

Royal Caribbean surveys its customers regularly about the places they visit on a cruise in order to ascertain trends.

"Nassau is in the bottom ten percent,” he said.

Why so low? Part of the answer is there aren't enticing options.

According to Mr. Bayley, cruise ship passengers have, "come here many times before and there’s nothing new, fresh or innovative. Secondly, there needs to be more product, more experience, more uniqueness, more options."

"We want to improve the experience of our guests. We can’t keep selling experiences to people who say we love going to Perfect Day, it’s fantastic, we want to go back, but the Nassau thing, can you guys stop going there? We can’t do that, so yeah, we want to be a part of the solution."

In case you're wondering, Perfect Day at CocoCay ranks as the number one destination among Royal Caribbean guests.

"CocoCay is the number one destination that Royal Caribbean goes to in the world out of 100 global destinations, because it’s a curated experience designed and built to deliver a high-level experience to the customer. At the end of the day that’s all that matters."

In the case of Nassau, Royal Caribbean sees an opportunity to improve and make the destination more appealing, "We get data from every single cruise every single time from every single customer. If one person says they don’t like something, fine. When we look at the trend data and we see that a lot of people are not enjoying their experiences, what do we do? We change it. We renew it. We invigorate it to try to remove obstacles to their satisfaction."

Partnering with the Bahamas

Royal Caribbean is adamant the beach club is not just about benefiting the cruise line. It's been designed to be financially beneficial to Bahamians too.

"Forty nine percent of this entity will be owned by Bahamians," said Bayley.

"With regards to employment, everyone who works there will be Bahamian except four to five persons who will be brand managers ensuring everything is up to Royal Caribbean standards."

"We are looking for a Bahamian to be the president of the Royal Caribbean Beach Club and any construction activity will heavily involve Bahamian companies."

The beach club's benefits for the people of the Bahamas includes:

• First public-private tourism development that gives Bahamians the opportunity to own up to 49% of the beach club
• The land contributed by the Government will provide benefits to The Bahamas for generations to come in the form of equity
• Individual Bahamians will have the opportunity to buy equity in the beach club and benefit from the profits
• Local businesses and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to manage and participate in the vast majority of the beach club
• Hundreds of jobs will be created during construction and through operations, either directly or indirectly through new partnerships
• 1% of gross revenue of the beach club will be invested in a new fund to develop other attractions around The Bahamas
• Growth of the number of guests Royal Caribbean brings to Nassau

Earlier this week Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer Jay Schneider echoed Mr. Bayley's comments of just how good this project will be for both sides, "We look at the totality of kind of the structure that we created with the government and the kind of net new employment opportunities and job creation and profit creation for  the government and individuals and the money that we're putting back into the Bahamas is really something that nobody's ever done before, for sure, for the Bahamas. And it's rare to see worldwide."

"We think this is a home run for the Bahamas."