Royal Caribbean Blog

A cruise vacation offers one of the best values you can get right now compared to almost any trip.

Whether you are sailing to the Caribbean, Alaska, or Europe, cruise ships are among the best priced vacation options because of everything you get included with your cruise fare.

Even Royal Caribbean recognizes how good of a deal a cruise is these days. Last month, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty talked about the value proposition a  cruise vacation enjoys, "The value gap between a cruise and land based vacation during the pandemic expanded quite a bit."

"We're still at a significant value to what it would cost for you to have anything close to a similar experience on land."

A big component of what makes a cruise so darn enticing is everything that comes with it, including some fun activities.

Royal Caribbean has built a reputation over the years as the cruise line to go to when you want to enjoy lots to do on a ship. The cruise line is known for being a leader in "I can't believe they put that on a cruise ship."

So in the spirit of sharing that value, here's a list of some free things you can do on Royal Caribbean cruise ships so that you can make sure you enjoy all of it on your next cruise.

Go rock climbing

Royal Caribbean first made a name for itself in onboard activities when they added a rock climbing wall to its cruise ships.

Now a staple of any Royal Caribbean ship, the rock wall is an opportunity to challenge yourself to get to the top of the wall.

There are even multiple courses on each wall that provide varying degrees of difficulty so you can keep increasing the stakes to reach the top.

Play mini-golf

I can't think of another family-friendly activity not involving water that resonates so well as mini-golf.

Most Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a mini-golf course, where you can play 9 or more holes as often as you like.  Some ships even have the course traverse two decks, adding more to the experience.

Just like mini-golf on land, the choice of keeping score or keeping it casual is up to you.

Sing karaoke

Usually if you go to a karaoke bar on land, there's an expectation of a drink minimum, but not on Royal Caribbean.

Karaoke is one of the most popular evening activities, where you can see who has real skills, who thinks they have real skills, and who is clearly on stage just to have a good time.

You'll find  karaoke held almost every night (some ships have a dedicated karaoke lounge), and the song library are usually extensive enough to find something you know.

Don't hesitate if you think you might want to sing, because the sign up list tends to fill up fast.

If you have kids, look for special family and teen karaoke sessions, where the crowds can be more tolerable.

Try the water slides

For a long time, Royal Caribbean didn't really have water slides on their ships, but that's changed quite quickly.

Royal Caribbean offers water slides on most ships (although the Quantum Class notably doesn't have any), and these slides are open every day of your cruise to enjoy.

It's easy to label water slides as something for the kids, but adults will find these equally fun.

Learn to surf

If your Royal Caribbean ship has a FlowRider, you might try your hand at stand-up surfing.

Available on a first-come, first-served basis, the FlowRider is another signature activity on most Royal Caribbean ships where waves are simulated using powerful water jets.

To be honest, the mastering the FlowRider is more akin to skate boarding than perhaps surfing, but it's still a terrific physical challenge and something you can do over and over again (provided you wait in line for another turn).

Enjoy live music every night

Royal Caribbean's live musical entertainment is second-to-none in the cruise industry.

Every night you'll find plenty of live musical acts, including a guitarist, piano bar player, and live bands.

Much of this live music is meant to get the crowd into the experience, whether singing along or dancing to the music. 

A lot of cruisers will bar hop to check out the various live acts each evening. Sometimes one performer is so good that you want to spend all evening enjoying it.

Challenge your noggin at trivia

An underrated cruise ship activity are daily trivia sessions.

On any day of the cruise, Royal Caribbean will host all sorts of trivia sessions on a variety of topics. They can be general trivia, geography, music, favorite movies and more.

While there are cheap prizes if you win, the real fun of trivia is competing against other guests to see who know more on the topic.

On longer sailings, Royal Caribbean organizes progressive trivia, where each trivia session counts towards an overall score.

See Broadway show

Select Royal Caribbean ships offer Broadway shows that are the exact show you would have seen on The Great White Way, and included in your cruise fare.

The musicals available on Royal Caribbean include Mama Mia, Hairspray, Grease and more!

There  is no cost to making advanced reservations, and you certainly could wait to get a seat onboard if you so choose.

On other Royal Caribbean ships that don't have a Broadway show, there's still musical and dance acts that perform in the theater. While these lack the plot of a full show, they still incorporate a great deal of musical melodies you're likely to know.

Watch a new release movie

You can watch classics and recently released films on the ship's movie screen.

These movie screens are giant, and you can pull up a chair from just about anywhere on the pool deck to watch it with your family. Many cruisers opt to stay in the pool and watch the movie while floating.

On Radiance Class ships, there is actually a dedicated movie theater with movies throughout the day.

Bungee jump

Combine virtual reality and a bungee experience and you get the SkyPad.

The SkyPad straps guests into bungee chords, where you can bounce up and down with an optional VR helmet on to provide the sensation of moving through an augmented reality world.

Ice skate

On Royal Caribbean ships that have an ice skating rink, guests can put on a pair of ice skates and hit the ice rink during their sailing.

Check the Cruise Compass for open skate sessions during your sailing.  Royal Caribbean will provide you with complimentary ice skate and safety equipment rentals.  Just be sure to pack long pants and socks.

Ride the carousel

Guests of any age (that means you) can enjoy a ride on the carousel in the Boardwalk for no additional cost.

The carousel is just plain fun for kids and adults. Eighteen figures are suspended from stainless steel poles along with one ADA accessible chariot are rideable.

Be sure to also check out the carousel at night because like the fairs of the past, nighttime is when these rides really shine when they are all lit up.

Sky dive (safely)

The Quantum Class ships offers every guest one time in the  iFly by RipCord "indoor" skydiving simulator.

RipCord by iFly is a skydiving simulator that will be a first for cruise ships.  Rather than descend from 10,000 feet in the sky, RipCord allows guests to get the sensation of skydiving without the incredible risk.

Set in a recirculating indoor vertical wind tunnel, guests can feel like they're falling from the heavens in a safe environment.  You wear the gear and goggles as if you were jumping out of an airplane, so it's as authentic an experience as you can get without the airplane.  Trained instructors are with you the whole time in a totally controlled environment.

Try a zip line

On Oasis class ships, guests can soar 9 decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood, stretching 82 feet from end to end.

Passengers must be at least 52" tall to participate and weigh a maximum of 275 pound, also must at least weigh 75 pounds.

The zip line is free and guests must sign a waiver.

Weekend in the Bahamas

If your cruise happens to visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, it's hard to overlook the value of what a day here gets you as part of the cruise.

Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas is more than just a plot of sand with an umbrella nearby. There's multiple beaches, a pool, and lots of food to keep you busy at no additional cost.

So many cruises from the United States now visit CocoCay, and that means you get an entire day to take advantage of what you can do there.

The "Perfect Day" moniker may be a marketing tool, but there's real truth to how much fun you can have while visiting. In fact, so much of the experiences found at CocoCay are included with your cruise fare.

Cruising in 2023 is mostly back to normal following the pandemic-induced changes implemented across the industry in 2021 and 2022. Pre-cruise testing has been almost entirely abolished, ships are sailing at full capacity, and new ships are being constructed.

Nonetheless, there are still a few new changes–as well as evergreen advice–to be aware of before you cruise in 2023. Remaining flexible with policy changes, purchasing travel insurance, and arriving at your embarkation port the day before your cruise begins are all just as important in 2023 as they were in previous years.

Here’s our list of the top 23 Do’s and Don’ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023.

1. DO remain flexible

Flexibility is key when it comes to planning a Royal Caribbean cruise. Itinerary changes, ship changes, and unexpected weather conditions can alter your vacation plans.

Whether you miss a port due to a storm, a show gets canceled, or your favorite specialty restaurant is fully booked, it’s important to remain flexible.

Keeping an open mind when changes occur is essential to avoid a small change ruining your vacation. If your port stop in Mexico gets canceled, for example, consider splurging on something onboard (a spa treatment, perhaps?) instead of sulking in a pool chair.

Staying flexible ensures you can still have an enjoyable vacation even if unexpected changes occur.

2. DO book refundable cruise fare

If you’re planning a cruise in 2023, be sure to book a refundable cruise fare, especially if the sailing is far in advance.

Refundable cruise fares allow you to receive a full refund of any deposit/money paid towards your vacation prior to final payment date. If you put down a $500 deposit on a cruise, for example, but later have to cancel the reservation, you’ll receive the deposit back with no penalty.

Related: Royal Caribbean refundable versus non-refundable cruise fares

Non-refundable fares, on the contrary, do not provide a full refund of your deposit. Instead, you’ll receive a future cruise credit in the amount of the deposit paid minus a $100 per person service fee on the canceled cruise.

3. DO purchase travel insurance

If you have a cruise booked in 2023, make sure to purchase travel insurance beforehand. Good travel insurance plans will cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay coverage, baggage delays, emergency medical coverage, onboard medical expenses, and other unexpected scenarios.

While it’s always recommended to purchase travel insurance before a vacation, it’s especially helpful on a cruise, as the onboard medical center is not covered under most insurance plans that work at home.

Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?

4. DO the online check-in as soon as it’s available

Royal Caribbean’s online check-in opens 45 days before your departure date, and we recommend completing the process as soon as possible.

Checking in on the Royal Caribbean app or website allows you to get ahead of the game in preparation for embarkation day. You’ll provide your documentation information, photo, emergency contact information, etc.

Most importantly, you’ll select a check-in time which indicates when you can arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. The earlier you check-in, the higher chance you’ll have at scoring an early check-in time.

5. DO book with a travel agent

If you’re booking a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2023, be sure to book with a travel agent. Travel agents act as your own personal expert on Royal Caribbean cruises.

Not only can they provide helpful information and resources throughout the booking process, but they have access to Royal Caribbean’s best deals and offers. Plus, a good travel agent will not charge any fees for their services as they get paid a commission through Royal Caribbean.

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

6. DO know what’s new for Royal Caribbean in 2023

Royal Caribbean is constantly innovating and building new projects, and there are several new offerings coming to the cruise line in 2023.

First is Hideaway Beach, an adults-only area of Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is set to open in late 2023. We’ll also see the launch of a new Main Dining Room menu, construction finished on Icon of the Seas, and the launch of Royal Caribbean’s first world cruise in December 2023.

Related: What's New and Coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023 & 2024

7. DO remember to do the muster drill

Royal Caribbean introduced their new eMuster safety drill in 2021, which allows guests to review safety information at their own time on the Royal Caribbean app prior to setting sail.

After completing the first two steps on the app, guests must visit their assembly station once onboard, where a crew member will verify you completed the briefing.

Everyone onboard must complete the muster drill before the ship can leave. Therefore, be sure to do this as soon as possible once onboard to avoid being the passenger preventing the ship from leaving!

8. DO confirm necessary documentation

One common mistake far too many first time cruisers make is not understanding which documentation is required to board a Royal Caribbean cruise.

We recommend having a passport for every member of your travel party. If you do not have a passport but are sailing on a closed-loop cruise from the United States, you’ll need the following documents:

• State-issued ID
• Official birth certificate

All required documentation can be found on Royal Caribbean’s website here.

9. DO double check for any remaining Covid protocols and requirements

Compared to a year ago, Royal Caribbean’s Covid protocols and requirements are extremely relaxed. In fact, only a few sailings still require a pre-cruise Covid test:

• Cruises from the US and Caribbean that visit Colombia
• Transatlantic cruises
• Cruises from Australia

Protocols are always subject to change, though, so it’s a good idea to keep up to date on any potential pre-cruise testing requirements for your sailing.

10. DO apply or renew your passport ASAP

While passport processing times are not as long as in 2021 or 2022, it can still take several weeks to receive a new or renewed passport.

We recommend that you apply for a passport/renew your passport with plenty of time to spare. Current processing times are 6 to 9 weeks for new passports (3 to 5 weeks expedited) and 4-5 weeks for passport renewals. These estimates do not include mailing times.

11. DON’T be surprised by last-minute policy changes

While it’s unlikely that Royal Caribbean will reimplement Covid-specific policies like social distancing and mask requirements, it’s always a possibility.

If a new variant or Covid numbers raise alarm, there’s potential for the Covid protocols used in 2021 and 2022 to return on cruises in 2023. This is unlikely to occur, but remaining flexible in case of any changes is recommended.

12. DO book refundable hotels and airfare

Just like cruise fare, we always recommend booking refundable rates on pre-cruise purchases like airfare and hotel stays.

Refundable rates only cost slightly more than the non-refundable options, but provide flexibility in case of any expected situations like canceling your cruise or changing the day and time of your flight.

13. DON’T fly to your cruise port the same day it begins

One of the most rookie mistakes you can make while planning a Royal Caribbean cruise is to fly to your embarkation port the same day your cruise begins.

Weather and air travel is extremely unpredictable. Thunderstorms, staffing problems, tight connections, and hazardous winter conditions can easily cause you to miss a flight. Booking your flight the day before your cruise begins provides a little extra wiggle room in case of any travel mishaps.

14. DON’T wait to book pre-cruise purchases on the Cruise Planner

In the past year, Royal Caribbean has raised prices on many of the cruise line’s most popular pre-cruise purchases. From drink packages to specialty restaurants and shore excursions, expect higher prices in 2023.

The Coco Beach Club at Perfect Day at CocoCay, for example, sold day passes for as little as $88 in early 2022. Today, on the other hand, you’ll likely see prices closer to $200!

Related: Coco Beach Club: cost, tips & review

Because of these price increases, we recommend booking pre-cruise add-ons as soon as possible. This ensures you can lock in the lowest price possible. Plus, if you see that the price of a pre-cruise add-on decreased, you can easily cancel and rebook the purchase with no penalty.

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

15. DON’T overlook the new Main Dining Room menu

One of the most controversial changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023 is the cruise line’s new Main Dining Room menu. This new menu will feature a themed cuisine each night and will stop offering the same classic dishes previously offered each evening.

Naturally, any change Royal Caribbean announces is met with criticism, and there seems to be a divide between cruisers excited about the new menu versus those against the change.

Related: Royal Caribbean will introduce new main dining room menu in January

Before criticizing the new menu, make sure to give it a try on your 2023 Royal Caribbean cruise. Several new dishes–such as the spaghetti all’arrabbiata or the chipotle-lime-crusted salmon–may end up being your new go-to items.

16. DON’T be surprised by Royal Caribbean policy changes

Speaking of the new Main Dining Room menu, don’t be surprised if Royal Caribbean announces more changes in 2023.

Any current offerings and policies are always subject to change. 2022, for example, saw many policy changes, including:

• Diamond Plus no longer allowed in Concierge Club
• Daily drink vouchers changed from resetting at midnight to resetting at 5AM
• À la carte restaurants can only be visited once per day with Unlimited Dining Package

Looking back at these changes in 2022, it’s possible that additional policies may change, be added, or be removed in 2023.

17. DO consider packing for a cruise in a carry-on

Lost luggage is one of the worst mishaps that can happen en route to a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you’re sailing on a short cruise–or are a light packer–consider bringing a carry-on bag to your cruise instead of checking in large suitcases at the airport.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

You can fit a surprising number of clothes in a carry-on suitcase, and you can always do laundry halfway through your cruise if you run out of clean clothes. Plus–best of all–you won’t have to worry about your luggage going missing while traveling to the cruise port.

18. DO expect higher prices than last year

Following the restart of the cruise industry in 2021, cruise fares were lower due to less demand, which continued into 2022. In 2023, though, don’t expect to find cruise fare prices as low as the previous two years.

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

Luckily, there are still many ways to cruise on a budget, including staying in a lower category cabin, sticking to complimentary dining options, and exploring on your own in port versus booking an excursion.

Related: How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget

19. DO look for last-minute cruise deals

While cruise fares are higher than last year, you’ll still have the chance to find fantastic last-minute cruise deals. Last-minute deals can be found year round, but are most commonly found during non-peak times of the year.

Less busy months for cruises, such as January, September, and October, see less demand, thus opening up the possibility for last-minute deals. 

If you’re looking to cruise on the cheap in 2023, make sure you know the ins and outs of finding last-minute deals:

• How to get last-minute cruise deals
• Why January is the best time for last-minute cruises
• Why booking a last-minute cruise isn’t always a great idea

20. DON'T expect less crowded ships

A year ago cruises were still operating at limited capacity, and it wasn’t uncommon to feel as if you had the entire ship to yourself. Nowadays, however, this is not the case, and you can expect Royal Caribbean ships to operate near 100% capacity throughout 2023.

21. DON’T overlook Royal Caribbean’s older ships

If you’re planning a cruise in 2023 but aren’t sure which ship to pick, don’t overlook the older ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Older ships, while not as big and modern as the newest ships, offer their own set of benefits.

Whether cheaper cruise fares, more unique itineraries, or a relaxed atmosphere onboard, there are many reasons to book a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s older ships.

For more tips and information about sailing on older Royal Caribbean cruise ships, start here:

• Pros and cons of sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship
• 12 differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships

22. DO expect ships in new ports

Several Royal Caribbean ships have been deployed to new homeports in 2023 whereas others will be cruising to new destinations for the very first time.

Harmony of the Seas, for example, will be homeported in Miami for the first time, whereas Brilliance of the Seas will offer cruises to Alaska.

Likewise, Wonder of the Seas will offer Caribbean cruises throughout the summer, a first for the ship as she spent her inaugural summer season in Europe in 2022.

23. DO understand the new à la carte dining change

Royal Caribbean added a daily limit to the Unlimited Dining Package at à la carte restaurants, and this is something to be aware of as you cruise in 2023.

For restaurants with à la carte pricing, each guest with an Unlimited Dining Package will receive a $20 food credit which can only be used once per day.

This means you cannot dine at Playmakers for lunch and dinner on the same day and have both meals be covered with your dining package. You can, however, dine at two separate à la carte restaurants on the same day (Playmakers for lunch and Portside BBQ for dinner), and have both of these included in your dining package.

Alaska cruises from Seattle visit many of the 49th state’s most beautiful destinations while offering all the comforts found in a cruise vacation. The city makes a convenient start point for embarking on a much-anticipated adventure.

From spending the day exploring historic ports to enjoying wonderful dining and entertainment each evening onboard, it’s easy to see why Alaska cruises are so popular.

If you’re considering booking an Alaska cruise from Seattle, here’s everything you need to know.

Where do Alaska cruises go from Seattle?

Seattle is a gateway to Alaska cruises, and you’ll have the opportunity to visit remarkable, stunning ports on a weeklong cruise. You’ll typically find between 3-4 ports and a scenic glacier viewing day on a 7-night Alaska cruise from Seattle.

Ports may include Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, and Tracy Arm Fjord. Most port stops are between 7-10 hours.

All Alaska cruises from Seattle must also include a port stop in a country outside of the United States. Because of this, you’ll find a port stop in Victoria, British Columbia on each Alaska cruise itinerary from Seattle.

How long are Alaska cruises from Seattle?

Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruises from Seattle are 7-night roundtrip sailings. This provides enough time to travel to the Inside Passage, visit 3-4 ports in Alaska, and travel back to Seattle.

Some cruise lines may offer longer sailings from Seattle, such as 10-14 day cruises visiting more ports and glaciers, but this is not offered on Royal Caribbean.

Where is the Seattle cruise port located?

Royal Caribbean ships depart from Pier 91 in Seattle, which is located three miles from downtown and sixteen miles from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

The address of Pier 91 is Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91, 2001 West Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98199.

Related: Guide to Seattle cruise port for Alaska cruises

Alaska cruises on other cruise lines may leave from other ports in the Seattle area. Therefore, it’s important to check which Seattle cruise port your ship departs from if you’re sailing on a line other than Royal Caribbean.

Which cruise ships sail from Seattle to Alaska?

Two Royal Caribbean ships sail from Seattle to Alaska each summer, with Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas offering Alaska cruises each season. These large, modern Quantum Class cruise ships are perfect for any passenger due to the variety of dining options, activities, and cabin categories you’ll find onboard.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

Outside of Royal Caribbean, you’ll find Alaska cruises from Seattle on many popular cruise lines including Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, and Norwegian.

Is it better to book an Alaska cruise from Seattle or Vancouver?

Most Alaska cruises depart from either Seattle, Washington or Vancouver, British Columbia. Deciding which port to leave from is one of the first decisions you’ll make when planning an Alaska cruise.

Seattle is convenient for most passengers from the United States, with direct flights offered to Seattle from around the country. While Vancouver still offers many direct flights to and from the United States, most cruisers find it easier to travel to Seattle.

Cruising from Vancouver, though, allows for more port stops in Alaska. Because of the Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), roundtrip cruises from Seattle to Alaska must include a foreign port stop, so visiting Canada is required on these sailings.

If you’re cruising from Vancouver, you won’t need to stop in Victoria, British Columbia, and this allows for another port day in Alaska instead.

One benefit of cruising to Alaska from Seattle is that Royal Caribbean sends its newer, bigger cruise ships to the city each summer season. Activities like bumper cars, indoor skydiving, surfing simulators, and the latest and greatest of entertainment, bars, and dining are available on these newer ships.

How to prepare for an Alaska cruise from Seattle

Arrive in Seattle the day before your cruise begins

If you’re flying to Seattle before your cruise, be sure to arrive the day before embarkation day. Flying can be unpredictable, and allotting wiggle room in the case of any airline delays or cancellations is recommended.

Plus, by arriving in Seattle a day early, you’ll have more time to enjoy the city’s attractions. Whether admiring skyline views from the Space Needle or eating your way through Pike Place Market, there are plenty of ways to keep busy in Seattle before your cruise begins.

Know what to pack for an Alaska cruise

Packing for an Alaska cruise is totally different than packing for a tropical vacation in the Bahamas. Knowing what to pack can keep you from freezing in port, getting soaked in the rain, or even feeling too warm in the peak of Alaska’s summer.

Our best advice is to pack layers for an Alaska cruise. Having a base layer, warm layer, and waterproof layer ensures you are covered for a wide range of weather conditions.

Related: Alaska cruise packing list: What to pack for your sailing

In addition to clothing, you’ll also want to pack accessories such as a waterproof daypack, binoculars, sunglasses, and bug spray. 

Book shore excursions far in advance

It’s common to book shore excursions on an Alaska cruise, and with high demand there’s always a chance that an excursion will sell out. Therefore, if there’s an excursion you really want to experience on a cruise to Alaska, be sure to book the tour far in advance.

You can choose to book an Alaska shore excursion directly through the cruise line or through an independent tour company. Both come with their own pros and cons; a tour booked through Royal Caribbean may offer added protection, although it usually comes at a higher price.

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

It’s also important to note that booking an excursion on an Alaska cruise is not a requirement. Alaska cruise ports offer many options for free and low-cost sightseeing, from walking around historic towns to tasting local cuisine and hiking in the mountains.

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

Research the best time of year to visit Alaska before booking your cruise

If you cruise to Alaska in late September and expect sunny skies, warm temperatures, and 18 hours of daylight, you’re going to end up disappointed. Likewise, if you’re hoping to find a cheap cruise deal to Alaska in the peak of summer, your chances are slim.

Depending on the month you sail, Alaska cruises can vary greatly in terms of weather, crowds, wildlife viewing opportunities, daylight hours, and cost.

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

The cheapest months to cruise Alaska are in the shoulder season of April, May, and September, although these months don’t always bring the best weather. The busiest times to cruise Alaska are in June, July, and August, so you should expect more crowds during this time of year.

Planning an Alaska cruise from Seattle? Check out more of our top tips & tricks:

• 50 Alaska cruise tips you should use
• How to choose the right Alaska cruise itinerary
• How far in advance to book an Alaska cruise
• When should I book my Alaska shore excursion?
• Best things to do on an Alaska cruise

If you're between the age of 18 and 25, there's now more activities for you to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship than before.

Royal Caribbean has quietly unveiled a new activities program aimed at an age group that has traditionally found itself on the periphery of things to do on a cruise ship.

The new activities are referred to as the Hyperlink program, and they aim to bridge cruise ship activities following the teen club age to the more common adult offerings.

Speaking to travel agents on Wonder of the Seas last week, Royal Caribbean Director of Entertainment Activities & Media Operations, Ken Rush, talked briefly about the new option.

"We have been doing we've been doing a trial on the Symphony of the Seas of what we're calling the Hyperlink program, which is going to be a new program for the 18 to 25 year olds. So we're doing that right now and it's coming."

Since then, the program has been spotted in the Cruise Compass of other ships across the fleet, including Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.

It's not clear yet which ships offer it or not.

Addressing a need

For many young adults on a cruise, they see a gap in programming that appeals to them once they are too old for the teen club.

Royal Caribbean limits the teen club to passengers 17 years and younger, which means anyone between the age of 18-20 is found in a middle ground of being too old for the teen club, but not old enough to drink.

Examples of events

In looking through the Royal Caribbean app, we can see examples of the events the Hyperlink program includes.

Similar to the teen events, there are now special events listed that cater only to guests between the age of 18-25.

It appears the goal is to gather passengers of this age so they can meet and spend time together with the intention of fostering new friendships.

Just like other events, there's no pre-registration needed. Guests of this age can simply show up at the selected time and location.

Royal Caribbean's activities staff curate the event, just like other events onboard.

More for millennials

There are an estimated 80 million millennials in the United States, making them the largest generation currently.

The Hyperlink program is aimed at guests at the younger end of the spectrum, as the millennial generation spans anyone born between 1980 and 2000.

An estimated 32% of millennials have already taken a cruise in the last five years, and Millennials seem to like the idea that cruises are transportation and accommodation in one. The appeal of leaving your bags unpacked the entire trip has caught on, and cruise lines are highlighting this as they expand their offerings.

While millennials may not make up the majority of cruise passengers right now, getting them on board will become increasingly more important as they get older.

When your cruise ship comes into port, how much time will it take to get off the ship?

Cruise ships travel the world, with stops in many ports along the way. Whether it's the last day of your cruise or just a scheduled visit somewhere, the disembarkation process can be different depending on a few factors.

There's crowds to contend with, along with the logistics of getting passengers and belongings off the ship, local authorities, and more.

If you're to cruising, you want to know how long does it take to get off the cruise ship. Let's break down everything you need to know about debarking a cruise ship so you know exactly what to expect.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship while visiting in port?

On a day your cruise ship visits a port of call, the disembarkation process depends on a few factors.

Before anyone can get off a cruise ship, the country you are visiting needs to clear the ship. Usually a maritime entity will board the ship and do some kind of an inspection to verify the paperwork is accurate and all regulations are being followed.

This must be done at every port of call, even private islands operated by the cruise lines.

How long it takes local authorities to clear a ship depends and can be a few minutes or closer to an hour.

Once the ship is good to proceed the next question is your ship docking at a pier or shuttling guests off via tenders?

The fastest option is if your ship can dock at a pier.  Once the ship is tied up and local authorities clear the ship, guests can walk off the ship just as fast as they can pass through security to indicate they've checked out for the day.

Tender boats have a limited capacity and it takes time to load them up and then subsequently unload them later. The result is usually a wait onboard the ship for a spot on a tender, followed by a wait for the tender to proceed to shore.

No matter which method you have to disembark the ship, you'll need to scan your SeaPass card to show you're off the ship. This is done to have an accurate guest head count for later in the day to know if all passengers are onboard.

Keep in mind any minors need to have an adult present when disembarking the ship, including teenagers. If you want to meet your teens later on shore, they will need an adult with them to disembark the ship. If not, they'll be denied disembarkation.

So how long does the whole process take? Once the gangway is open for disembarkation, the real wait is simply how many other people are ahead of you.

When the gangway is open early in the morning, there's rarely a backup of guests to get off the ship (unless it's a tender stop).

If your ship is docked at a pier, expect the disembarkation process to only take a few minutes from when you get down to the gangway area.  In most cases, the longest time required  is the time needed to walk down the pier once off the ship.

If your ship is tendering, you're at the mercy of how many tenders are available, distance from shore, and demand from fellow guests. It could be 10-15 minutes or as long as an hour. 

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship when the cruise is over?

The process for getting off your cruise ship and going home when the cruise is over has a few more steps you should be aware of.

Royal Caribbean will publish a time your ship is due back into port, but this is only the time the ship docks.  Not the time guests can actually walk off the ship.

Just like a port call, your cruise ship will first need to get clearance from local authorities. Sometimes this is a mere formality and sometimes the inspection takes a while longer. There's no way to know in advance what to expect.

In order to prevent a mass exodus at the same time, Royal Caribbean divides up its passengers by groups. 

Once the ship is cleared, the first people allowed off the ship will be anyone taking their own luggage off the ship. 

Known as self-debark or "walking off the ship on your own", you are responsible for taking all your belongings off the ship and getting them through the cruise terminal.

The longest wait for this is from other people wanting to be among the first to walk off the ship, and there can sometimes be a line of guests waiting to walk off the ship in the morning. This is especially true for weekend cruises when locals are eager to get off the ship and back to work in time.

The good news is the time to walk off the ship is fairly quick once the line starts moving.  As long as there's no delay in the cruise terminal backing up the line, you should be able to walk off the ship in a matter of minutes since all you'll need to do is scan your SeaPass card to indicate you are off the ship.

I've found the longest waits can be for elevators in the morning of the last day of the cruise, rather than a wait to walk off the ship.

If you chose to have Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship for you, then you'll need to wait for your group number to be called.

The group numbers correspond to your luggage tag number. When a number is called, it means all the luggage for that number are ready to be picked up in the cruise terminal.

You could walk off the ship before your luggage tag number is called, but you'll simply end up waiting in the cruise terminal for all the luggage to be brought out. Plus, you'll create a crowd and that causes issues for everyone else.

Once your number is called, then you proceed to the gangway area and scan your SeaPass card as you leave the ship.

The time needed to walk off the ship is usually pretty steady, especially at Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship terminals. This includes:

• Port Canaveral: Terminal 1
• PortMiami: Terminal A
• Port Everglades: Terminal 18
• Galveston: Terminal 3

Don't worry if your cruise comes back to another terminal, things will likely still move quick enough.

The biggest issue with knowing how long it will take to walk off the ship are factors no one can truly know in advance:

• How many other guests will try to get off the ship at the same time as you?
• How long it will take authorities to clear the ship?
• Will there be any logistical issues encountered that slow the process?

It could take a few minutes or an hour to walk off the ship once it's over.

The entire process will take a few hours to get every single passenger off the ship when the cruise is over. Usually the last guests are walking off the ship in the 9:00am hour.

Suite guests

If you're staying in a Royal Caribbean suite, the disembarkation process can be faster than for other guests.

The suite concierge can provide expedited disembarkation, which means they will escort you and other suite guests off the ship at a pre-arranged time and bypass some of the line.

In my experience, this means the concierge will walk you past some or all of the line leading up to the check-point where you scan your SeaPass card.  This can save a lot of time, if the check-out line is backed up.

Similarly, a Royal Genie will provide the same service for their guests, albeit just for Star Class passengers. This includes a dedicated elevator and better luggage support on the final morning.

What's earliest time you can walk off if you take your own luggage?

Self assist early walk off is the first to leave the ship after clearance from local authorities. 

The issue here is what time the ship gets cleared, and there's no definitive way to know in advance.

In a lot of cases, it can begin around 7:00am. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later.

Do not assume the time listed for your ship to dock at the pier is the time you can actually walk off the ship.

Top ways to get off the ship fastest when your cruise is over

If your goal is to be able to get off your cruise ship fastest when it's over, here are some tried-and-true methods that work for a lot of people.

Walk off with your own luggage

If you can take your own luggage off the ship, then you can disembark just as soon as the ship is cleared. This puts you more in control of your own destiny.

You can even start lining up for disembarkation before the ship is cleared to ensure you're among the first off the vessel.

Of course, this means you have to lug all your belongings out of your room, down the hall, and into an elevator.  Then you have to be able to physically carry everything without any assistance off the ship. Solo cruisers and couples may be able to do this, but families usually find it impossible.

Have a passport

If you have a passport, you'll be able to get through the cruise terminal much faster than if you have just a birth certificate.

Most Royal Caribbean terminals now have facial recognition for guests with a passport. It's the fastest way to get on your way.

Stay in a suite

The suite concierge provides so many benefits, and priority disembarkation can be worth its weight in gold if getting off the ship with a minimal wait is important to you.

When long lines develop for walking off, the concierge can shave off a lot of time with their ability to cut the line.

You'll need to stay in a Grand Suite or higher for this benefit, and suites are far from inexpensive.

Purchase The Key

A benefit of being a guest that purchases Royal Caribbean's VIP program, The Key, is you'll get a special luggage tag.

You won't get to cut the line, but you will be assured your luggage is among the first delivered to the cruise terminal.

The Royal Caribbean Blog staff collectively spent over 270 nights on Royal Caribbean ships in 2022. From sunny Aruba to chilly Alaska, we’ve traveled around the world this year to share our best tips and tricks with you.

While the cruising experience is mostly back to normal for 2023, 2022 brought trial, error, and lessons learned to the cruising experience. Shifting from nearly empty ships in 2021 to busy cruises in 2022 was an adjustment for our staff, and it was more important than ever to research and plan our cruises well before boarding.

I was curious to hear which cruising advice was most helpful to our staff members in 2022, so I asked them about which tips they used (and lessons they learned) while cruising this year. Here’s what they said.

Be prepared for full capacity

A year ago, not all Royal Caribbean ships had returned to service yet, and the ones that had returned to service were operating at limited capacity. It wasn’t uncommon to see capacity as low as 25% in the early part of 2022.

Today most sailings are operating at 100% capacity, and writer Haley Mills mentioned how it’s important to prepare yourself for busy ships.

“I think just overall be prepared for full capacity,” Haley mentioned. “The Windjammer is going to have lines at peak times. Pools are going to be crowded on sea days.”

Busy ships can be fun, though, and you’ll find a much more exciting atmosphere onboard than when ships were sailing at low capacities. Everything from game shows to lounges and pool deck parties are, arguably, much more fun with high capacity compared to low capacity.

Book the stateroom you want instead of using RoyalUp

Another tip from writer Marcy Miyar is to book the stateroom you originally wanted instead of hoping to win a RoyalUp bid.

Many cruisers took advantage of RoyalUp when capacities were still low. Because there were fewer guests onboard, there was a higher chance of winning a RoyalUp bid for an upgraded stateroom category.

Related: Royal Caribbean’s RoyalUp guide, tips, and tricks

Nowadays, however, this is not the case. Marcy explained how, due to higher capacity onboard, it’s more difficult to win a RoyalUp bid than it was when ships were operating at lower capacity.

“Don’t rely on RoyalUp to get a better cabin category at a discounted price. Just book the room you want.”

Always research ships and ports

One of our major tips at Royal Caribbean Blog is to research your ship and itinerary before booking (or setting sail) on your cruise. Not all Royal Caribbean ships and ports are equal, so it’s important to know the ins and outs of your particular cruise.

Staff member Haley likes to do this by watching YouTube videos about her ship.

“I like to watch YouTube walkthroughs of the ships I’m going on so that I have a pretty good map in my head of where everything is,” she explained. “It keeps me from feeling overwhelmed once I’m onboard.”

Haley also mentioned how doing research on ports can be helpful during your cruise planning process.

“When it comes to ports, especially somewhere I’ve never been, I read reviews of excursions and weigh my options to determine if it’s better to book something through Royal Caribbean or if the port is better explored on foot. Researching the port ahead of time gives me an idea not only on what to do or where to go, but on safety and how to save money.”

Planning a port day? Here are our best tips and tricks:

• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port
• 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own

Join the Facebook group for your sailing

Prior to your cruise, check Facebook (or the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards) to see if there’s a group for your upcoming sailing. Facebook groups allow you to connect with others on your same cruise, opening up the opportunity for new friendships and connections.

Haley recommends joining a Facebook group before your cruise, especially if you’re cruising solo.

“By the time you get to embarkation day, you’ve already got some people to talk to onboard, and maybe a couple events planned. We planned a pub crawl for the first sea day on Symphony and ended up making several lifetime travel friends!”

Plan for flight delays

Before you book a flight for your cruise, make sure the flight itinerary allocates plenty of wiggle room for potential delays, missed connections, or cancellations.

“I had too many instances of flight issues last year and I am grateful I never missed a cruise because of it,” Allie Hubers said. “I would allocate even more travel time than you think.”

Related: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos

One of Allie’s main travel tips is to consider booking the earliest flight of the day before your cruise instead of the last flight. This can lessen the chance of a delay, as delays commonly occur as the day goes on and early flights are delayed, causing a ripple effect for those later in the day.

Writer Chantal McPhee also pointed out the importance of arriving in your cruise embarkation port early.

“Fly in at least a day early, but give yourself even more time for places like Europe. Between jet lag and long flights, an extra day to catch up is nice.”

Use a good travel agent

Another of our top suggestions at Royal Caribbean Blog is to utilize a travel agent when booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, and Chantal mentioned how her travel agent was invaluable while planning a European cruise.

“Ours suggested the most idyllic hotel in Barcelona and gave me some great advice on excursions. At first I did not consider going to Pompeii when visiting Naples, and it ended up being my favorite thing we did all cruise. I made memories I will never forget!”

Travel agents can help not only with booking your cruise, but by providing valuable information throughout the entire process. For more information on choosing a travel agent, check out the top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation.

Bring a Covid test just in case you start feeling sick

Even though pre-cruise testing is no longer required for most sailings, packing an at-home Covid test can still be a good idea.

“Bring a Covid test just in case you start feeling sick,” mentioned Angie Vognild. Having an at-home Covid test on hand can be helpful on the chance you feel ill onboard without requiring the hassle of contacting the onboard medical team.

If you’re set on a specialty restaurant reservation, book it ahead of time in the Cruise Planner

Marcy and her husband typically book the 3-night dining package when they cruise. As with any dining package, you’re unable to reserve restaurants and dining times until after you board the cruise.

“The number one ‘issue’ for me this year has been securing dining reservation times,” Marcy explained. “We have to wait until we’re onboard to book our restaurants and have found the times we want already taken.”

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

Not being able to reserve specialty restaurants until embarkation day is one of the biggest disadvantages of booking a dining package versus reserving restaurants individually ahead of your cruise.

While you can save money with a dining package compared to booking each meal individually, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to book your preferred restaurants and times if many other passengers have reserved a particular restaurant.

“I would suggest if someone has their heart set on a particular restaurant and time,” Marcy said, “they should secure it in the Cruise Planner ahead of time or be prepared to be flexible with the dining times.”

Wait out for an Alaska cruise deal

Matt Hochberg always advocates booking a cruise far in advance, but he mentioned how “there were a lot of intriguing last-minute Alaska cruise deals last year beginning with August sailings.”

Royal Caribbean Blog video editor Jenna took advantage of one of these deals by booking the cheapest Alaska cruise she could find, and it paid off with a budget-friendly, bucket-list trip.

Related: I tried the cheapest Alaska cruise I could find: here’s how it went

“If you’re very flexible on when you can sail and can find cheap flights to Seattle (maybe credit card points to burn),” Matt said, “waiting out an Alaska deal for the latter half of the season could net you a really great deal."

Book excursions ahead of time

Allie explained the importance of booking excursions ahead of time, which came in handy on her recent Holy Land cruise on Odyssey of the Seas.

“For our Israel cruise, anyone on a Royal Caribbean excursion had priority for immigration, so they booked up quickly before we even boarded.”

Having a Royal Caribbean excursion booked in Israel ended up being a great decision, as Allie and her family were able to get through immigration much quicker than those who had booked independent tours.

She explained how certain ports are more popular for Royal Caribbean excursions than others.

“The added convenience, safety, and guarantee to return to the ship drove up demand for RCL sponsored tours for Israel. This was also the case for Santorini; RCL excursions had priority tendering so they were popular. Booking early ensures you can get your first choice.”

If you’re considering booking Royal Caribbean excursions–especially in a port where excursions tend to sell out–we recommend booking as early as possible.

Welcome to the first week of 2022, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

New internet speeds, ship construction, and island expansions are just some of the changes Royal Caribbean has lined up for 2023.

The new year means a variety of initiatives and projects will become reality this year, and it's important you're aware of these big changes.

Check out our list of 5 changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023.

Royal Caribbean News

• What does tender mean on a cruise ship?
• The 10 best-selling cruise ship products our readers couldn’t stop buying in 2022
• How I kept from gaining weight on my cruise
• Best Miami hotels near the cruise port
• Ultimate Guide to Puerto Plata cruise port

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 481st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, recorded live while onboard Wonder of the Seas.

Matt and Beci sum up the final group cruise of 2022, and talk about the fun they had onboard.

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: A look at the secret crew-only areas on cruise ships

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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 — A look at the secret crew-only areas on cruise ships — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

12 things I'd tell anyone new to cruise ship travel

A cruise vacation is unlike other kinds of vacation, which is a compliment and an advisory of what to expect.

No doubt a first cruise brings with it all sorts of emotions and expectations, so in planning a cruise, Matt has a list of things every new cruiser should know.

Hopefully these 12 tips for a new traveler will help anyone avoid some early mistakes.

2023 Cruise Planning Guide

Ready to jump head-first into planning a Royal Caribbean cruise?

There's so much to tackle when you start looking at any cruise vacation, so we've come up with the perfect jumping-off point of information and advice for anyone planning a cruise.

Consider this a "Royal Caribbean 101" approach to cruise planning.

What a $13,000 suite on Wonder of the Seas looks like

Have you ever wanted to see what one of the biggest suites on Wonder of the Seas looks like?

I recently stayed in a two bedroom AquaTheater suite on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which came out to cost around $13,000.

Take a tour of spacious my hotel room at sea complete with views of the ocean and two bedrooms.

There's so many great travel products out there, so how do you know which ones are truly the best? 

It seems like every year there's more gadgets, devices, and useful tools you can bring on a cruise, from carry-on bags, to chargers, to appliances. Suffice to say, there's a lot to choose from.

I polled the Royal Caribbean Blog readers in our wonderful message board community to get a sense of which of these products they cannot go on a cruise without.

Please note that I linked to each item on Amazon which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but I make a small commission if you purchase it.

If you’re looking to boost your travel arsenal before heading off on your first cruise of 2023, consider one of these reader favorites.

Anker 6 Port USB Charging Station

$24.99 at Amazon

Did you know that Royal Caribbean will confiscate surge protectors or power strips?

If your family is anything like mine, you'll have plenty of electronics that need to be charged during your cruise and a USB hub is critical.

A USB hub will take up one electrical outlet in your cabin, while providing six new USB outlets you can use to keep everything charging at once.

Royal Caribbean Luggage Tag Holders

$11.99 at Amazon

When you print your Royal Caribbean luggage tags, you'll need to attach them to your luggage.  Since they are made out of paper, it's easy for them to rip or get accidently torn off.

Plastic sleeves will ensure it is far less likely for your luggage tags to get ripped off, and they're re-useable for many cruises to come.

Wyze Luxury Night Lights

$22 at Amazon

If you've ever tried to get out of bed at night in your Royal Caribbean cruise cabin once all the lights are out, you know how dark the room can get (especially if you're an inside cabin).

Battery operated night nights mean you can easily get around the room without keeping a light on that makes it more difficult to fall asleep (or have to turn one on that blinds you).

Plus, these are motion-activated. So the light is off unless you need it.

GREATMAG Magnetic Hooks

$11.99 at Amazon

One of the best tips for your cabin is to buy magnetic hooks to use for adding additional storage in your room.

Your cabin walls are metallic, which means you place magnetic hooks just about anywhere.

Storage space on Royal Caribbean ships is notoriously low, and magnetic hooks provide convenient ways to hang clothes and accessories.

Poo-Pouri Spray

$12.53 at Amazon

We're keeping it real: everyone goes to the bathroom eventually and if you're sharing a cabin with just about anyone, you'll want to cover up the evidence.

Whether family or friends they are cruising with, our readers pack a bottle of Poo-Pouri to ensure their cabin bathroom is inviting for all.

Liquid IV

$24.99 at Amazon

I had never even heard of this item, but a few readers really recommend packing something like Liquid IV to stay hydrated onboard.

The product is a daily electrolyte drink mix that promises to keep you hydrated faster than water alone, and has a better taste than plain water.  

Hyc00 Travel Duffel Bag

$22.99 at Amazon

Our readers really like taking a carry-on bag with them that they can re-use at any point during the cruise.

A "catch all" or "carry on" bag allows them to keep travel documents and essentials with them on embarkation day, and it can double as a carry-on bag for their flight to the cruise.

Ziploc bags

$10.84 at Amazon

Between the magnetic hooks and ziploc bags, these two items would win the most popular travel product our readers loved.

Ziploc bags have so many uses on a cruise. It can keep clothes dry, protect your phone, serve as a travel mechanism for snacks, store wet clothes, and so much more.

Pinzon Premium Packing Cubes

$26.99 at Amazon

I had to include packing cubes on this list, even if I don't personally use them.

Our readers love the idea of packing cubes because it helps make the packing, unpacking, and re-packing during a cruise simpler.

Apple AirTag 4-Pack

$99 at Amazon

Ever since I tried AirTags out on a cruise, I can see why our readers love these things.

Our readers loved adding these small devices to their checked baggage to keep track of where their belongings were during the boarding process. It was even more helpful when flying to their cruise.

More information

• I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they
• The best travel tech gadgets for a cruise ship vacation
• The Ultimate Cruise Packing List
• What not to bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Cruises are a time to splurge on food and drinks that we normally wouldn’t have at home, whether endless soft serve ice cream on the pool deck or three course meals in the Main Dining Room.

While I usually splurge on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I recently had an 8-night back-to-back sailing on Independence of the Seas and I wanted to watch my weight. Plus, one day after we disembarked Independence of the Seas we would board Wonder of the Seas for the Royal Caribbean Blog group cruise. I was determined to fit into my dresses for that cruise!

I am prone to putting on weight fast. It's not unusual for me to gain 8-12 pounds on a weeklong cruise. I knew keeping a healthy diet would be a challenge onboard with all the tempting, delicious food and cocktails available, but I had a goal I was committed to reach.

Eating healthy onboard

I decided to eat most of my meals in the Windjammer as I figured there would be more selections there than the Main Dining Room. Having dinner in the Main Dining Room with the bread basket in front of me for two hours would be too hard to resist!

My motto as I entered each meal was to make healthy choices. Breakfasts were very simple, mostly consisting of cereal with banana slices and occasionally a slice of bread. We went to the Main Dining Room one morning for breakfast where I had a veggie omelet with mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, and spinach.

I even ordered my cereal from room service a couple mornings; there's no reason why I can't enjoy breakfast on my balcony! I did, however, pass up the vanilla lattes I usually like to have on cruise mornings. Instead, I opted for Earl Grey tea with no milk and Splenda.

I enjoyed pre-dinner snacks of raw vegetables and chicken skewers in the Diamond Lounge. For dinner, I started with a raspberry vinaigrette salad, roasted broccoli, carrots, and usually a meat from the carving station (turkey or beef).

For dessert, I opted for pieces of cantaloupe and watermelon.

I drank a lot of water

Another healthy choice I made on my cruise was to drink a lot of water. I brought a Royal Caribbean tumbler onboard with me (the one that you get with a soda package). I measured how much liquid it would hold before my trip so I could keep track of how much water I consumed. 

The tumbler was easy to keep filled as there is always water available. My go-to places for water refills were Cafe Promenade and Sorrento’s. 

Before my cruise, I also researched lower calorie cocktails if I wanted to indulge, but I ended up just sticking to water. Our concierge even suggested brewing some flavored tea and putting it over ice for more variety!

Exercising onboard

I start every morning at home with a 5K run around my neighborhood, so on the ship, I visited the jogging track every other day for my 3.1 mile run. I always went running on the track pre-dawn to see an amazing sunrise and to hopefully get most of my run finished before the crowds showed up.

I have a love/hate relationship with the jogging track. Even though the run/walk lanes are clearly marked, there’s always a slow-moving group that takes up the entire track—or worse yet—walks the wrong way around it. I try to remember to pack my patience!

Treadmills make me dizzy, so I'm not a huge fan of going to the gym, although I did do a little bit of the step machine one morning. 

Speaking of steps, I took the stairs EVERYWHERE. I'm proud to say that I didn’t see the inside of an elevator for 8 days! One day we got off the ship twice at Perfect Day at CocoCay to meet up with friends that were on the ship next to us and I took the stairs from Deck 1 to 14 twice in an hour!

Not all exercises have to be regimented, and part of exercising onboard is making it fun. I had a blast jumping in the Sky Pad, and one morning I did the sky climber since the rock climbing wall wasn’t open yet. There was also basketball, soccer, and open time on the ice rink available. You’d be surprised how much of a workout you can get doing those activities!

Something else that worked for me was to keep a journal of what I ate, how much water I drank, and which exercises I did each day. Time gets away from me on a cruise and it’s easy for me to forget what I ate and if I need to make adjustments on the next meal or the next day. 

Did it work?

My goal after 8 nights on Independence of the Seas was to see the same number on the scale when I got home as when I left. I was extremely surprised to find out that I actually lost a pound and a half.

It felt great to be able to wear those dresses I had been determined to fit into on the group cruise. While on the Wonder of the Seas group cruise, I splurged on specialty restaurants and cocktails on the brand new ship. It’s all about balance!

Warm sunny days, savory food at every turn, and family memories. Taking your first cruise has high hopes for a great vacation experience.

When you're new to cruising, there's all sorts of emotions you may be feeling, including excitement, anxiety, impatience, and hope. 

In talking with new cruisers I'm reminded of the highs and lows pre-vacation planning brings from when I first started cruising.

Now, with over twenty years of cruising experience under my belt, I go into almost any cruise with a sort of "auto pilot" sense to the planning process.  My brain is tuned to what to expect and what to do next in a variety of scenarios.

Of course, I made plenty of rookie cruise mistakes along the way as I got to this point. Everyone learns along the way in becoming a veteran cruiser.

I know what it’s like to just be starting out and have a mind filled with questions, anxieties, and concerns.

So, if you’re new to cruise ships and looking for advice to help you prepare, here are 12 tips that I’d tell a new traveler to help them avoid some of my early mistakes:

1. Don't worry

It may feel daunting when you look at all the things to consider when booking a cruise: 

• Which cabin to choose?
• How to pick the right ship?
• What is the best shore excursion?
• When should I book my flights?
• Which hotel should I stay at before my cruise?

It's easy to feel overwhelmed seconds after you decide on taking a cruise, but you're very capable of handling this kind of a trip.

By virtue of the fact you're asking these questions, you're already many steps ahead of most other cruisers that will be on your ship.

Unfortunately, most people on a cruise ship book the ship and then that's about it.  They may buy a drink package or internet plan before their cruise because of a Royal Caribbean marketing email, but a lot of people simply show up for the vacation. This sets them up for more pitfalls than you because you're already asking the right questions.

A cruise ship vacation is designed to be very approachable, so even if you do no research in advance, you'll still probably have a good time onboard. The fact so much is included compared to a land vacation makes it easier to plan around.

You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does (myself included). But that’s just part of the experience.

The good news is by being on this site and learning about cruises, you're already going to side-step a few common pitfalls and at the end of the cruise, you're very likely to come away loving the experience and wanting another trip!

2. Use a good travel agent

Before you book any cruise, find a really good travel agent to work with.

Yes, travel agents are still a thing, and they are invaluable when it comes to cruise ship travel, especially for those new to cruising.

Note that I included the word "good", as not all travel agents are created equal.

A good travel agent has a great deal of experience with the cruise line you are sailing on, and knows the ins and outs of the experience. They've "been there, done that" and have a host of satisfied clients that swear by their travel agent.

You might be thinking "booking a cruise can't be that hard", and you're right. But the booking process is just the starting point for where a good agent comes into play.

As a new cruiser, you're going to have a lot of questions.  Certainly articles on this site can help answer some, but many questions you have will be personal and related to your situation.

• Can you save more money by booking two cabins instead of one?
• How much more will it be to add another person to the reservation in a few months?
• What happens if Royal Caribbean accidentally cancels your tour or even your entire cruise?
• What's the difference between refundable and non-refundable cruise fare?

Basically, you don't know yet all the questions you will have between now and your cruise beginning. A good travel agent is there to help you along the way.

They'll save you so much time, and maybe some money too.

If it matters, I always use a travel agent to book my cruises.

How do you find such an agent? Ask friends and family for a recommendation. Here is one such recommended travel agency that specializes in Royal Caribbean. 

3. Learn as much as you can before you get onboard

"Knowledge is power" isn't just something we tell our kids so they'll study harder in school. It's a fact when it comes to travel.

The more you know about your ship and itinerary, the better prepared you'll be and less likely to waste your time or money along the way.

If there's a regret I hear from new cruisers the most, it's they wish they knew about something before they ever went on their first cruise.

Some easy ways to learn about your cruise are:

• Read an old Cruise Compass
• Pre-purchase some of the extra add-ons before your cruise 
• Learn about dress codes

4. Choose your cruise ship based on what is important to you

There are so many cruise ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, so when choosing the right one, prioritize what you care about.

The TV commercials show all these fun things you can do onboard, but do you need waterslides, surf simulators, or observation pods?

Are you looking for water slides? Skip the Vision class. Need a full Broadway show? Liberty of the Seas has it, but not Freedom of the Seas. Want a nursery for your toddler? Don't book Explorer of the Seas.

Don't feel like you have to book the ship that has the most to do onboard just because it has everything. You may find a great choice in other ships too because it has just what you need.

5. Pack light

I admit that I still struggle with this, but overpacking is so tempting when it comes to a cruise.

The fear of getting onboard a cruise ship only to realize you forgot something really important is an all too real concern.

I think all too often people pack for “just in case” and “what if” instead of the reality of the trip.

While it can be tempting to bring more than you need “just in case,” remember this: you can wear clothing more than once, such as pants or shorts. Plus, you can send clothes out to be dry cleaned and it won't be terribly expensive.

Pack light and you'll have less to carry, saving you the hassle and stress of lugging suitcases around the airport.

Read more: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List

6. Get travel insurance

Whether you’re a cruise veteran or a brand new cruiser, don’t leave home without making sure you’re protected in case something goes wrong. 

Between lost luggage, broken bones, medical emergencies, deaths in the family, and a host of other unexpected problems, life gets in the way.

To ensure you’re protected, buy travel insurance.

I never go on a cruise without it because I know just how quickly things can go sideways.

You never know what might happen. Make sure you’re protected. It will also give you peace of mind and help you travel with confidence.

7. Go with the flow

No matter how well you plan your cruise, something will go awry. You can plan out every day, but you’ll rush around and be unhappy if there are any glitches in your well-curated schedule.

And there will be hiccups. And glitches. And all kinds of inconveniences, both major and minor. 

I think it's a good idea to plan ahead and look forward to certain activities, but you should also be prepared to sometimes adopt a "que sera sera" approach if things don't go your way.

Is it raining the day you wanted to go swimming? The performance you booked cancelled? Restaurant you wanted booked up? You'll still have a good time doing something else.

Don't let an inconvenience or cancellation ruin your entire cruise. Shrug your shoulders and look for something else you can do to make up for it.

If you run into a true game-stopping issue, leverage that really good travel agent I implored you to book with and they can get on top of it too.

8. Take a tour of the ship on the first day

We have full walkthrough tours of Royal Caribbean cruise ships on our YouTube channel that you can watch over and over again, but it's so helpful to get your bearings once onboard.

It can be helpful to get a lay of the land shortly after you board so that you can truly understand where your cabin is located relative to the amenities, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that appeal to you. 

After you board your ship, head to the pool deck and work your way down the ship, deck by deck, walking the main public areas on those decks. 

This is a great way to quickly acclimate yourself to the ship layout and set yourself up for a great start.

9. Do the online check-in as early as you can

Your time is everything on vacation. Once you clock out of work and head to your cruise, the amount of vacation time starts to tick away, so don't waste any of it in the cruise terminal.

Royal Caribbean provides a super easy way to do online check-in before the cruise.

Check-in begins up to 45 days before the cruise sail date, so the first thing you'll want to do is download and install the Royal Caribbean app now.

At the 45 day window, grab a check-in time immediately. You can come back to the rest of the check-in later, if you prefer.

Then at some point before the cruise, finish everything in the online check-in. Yes, including taking a selfie photo.

The more time you spend at home doing the check-in, the less you'll spend in the cruise terminal. That means more time on the ship.

10. Remember everyone is in the same boat ship

Sometime very different about a cruise than a land vacation is how much more talkative and friendly cruise ship passengers are than what you're used to on land.

In an elevator, on a shore excursion, at the blackjack table, you'll run into other guests and it's easy to ignore them, but you never know who you may meet on a cruise. Just like you, they're probably new to cruising too. And if they aren't, you may be able to learn a lot from them.

I'm no social butterfly, but simply saying, "hello" is a great first step. You don't have to make friends with everyone you meet, but people that cruise a lot will tell you the fellow passengers they meet are often a real highlight of the cruise.

This applies to crew members too!

Crew members are working onboard, but are people too! Many love to get to know their guests and have plenty of interesting and amusing stories to share.

Don't be afraid to take a minute and talk to your stateroom attendant, waiter, bartender, NextCruise agent, or trivia host. They come from all over the world, and I've found the more crew members I meet, the more respect I have for what they do.  Plus, you learn all sorts of things about the places they've visited, the countries they call home, and fun insight into the cruise experience.

11. Talk to someone if there's a problem

The RoyalCaribbeanBlog message boards are filled with people that come back from a cruise and complain about an issue that they could have gotten fixed onboard.

If something is not as expected or disappointing, do not just accept it. Instead, speak up while onboard and nicely inform crew members of the issue, and ask how it can be resolved.

If something is disappointing you, or not as expected, you should seek out a crew member to remedy the problem.

Whether it is a broken fixture in your stateroom, another guest causing a problem, or a medical concern, don't just suck it up and let it ruin your cruise.

Crew members are there to make your cruise fantastic, and they will do what they can to address your concerns. Even if you think there probably is no chance they can do something, you never know the lengths crew will go to enhance your trip.

12. Get your travel documentation set

A common rookie mistake is not checking that you have all the right documentation for a cruise.

If you don't have a passport, be sure to get one. If you do have a passport, double check the expiration date that it will not expire before your cruise ends.

Make sure you booked the cruise under your legal name, which matches what your passport has listed.

Not only should you ask this question, but ask it well in advance of your cruise. All too often, people dig out their passports or birth certificates only to realize it is too late to change things.

Read more: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

More cruise advice

• 2023 Royal Caribbean Cruise Planning Guide
• Picking a Cruise Line and Ship
• 25 best Royal Caribbean tips, tricks & hidden secrets
• 5 Costly lessons learned on a cruise (and how to avoid them!)
• 15 really cool things to do that you can only find on Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• Top things to do after booking a Royal Caribbean cruise