Royal Caribbean Blog

Explore the hidden benefits of cruising outside peak travel periods, such as fewer crowds, better deals, and unique itineraries.

You can take a cruise vacation throughout the year, but there are some great advantages to going during a less busy time.

According to Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, he expects cruise prices to go up over the next few years, which means finding a lower fare cost will become more difficult.

One strategy to go on a cruise while spending less is to book a cruise in the off season or shoulder season.

I always book a few Caribbean cruises in September or October because there are lower prices. The combination of peak hurricane season and kids restarting school brings a welcome price dip after the busy summer season.

All forms of travel see ebbs and flows, and going when others cannot travel is a top strategy for getting a better deal.

No matter where in the world you want to take a cruise, you'll find times of the year when demand wanes and that's good for consumers.

Here's a look at the hidden benefits of cruising outside peak travel periods.

When are off season cruises?

Depending on which region of the world you want to take a cruise, there are a few months to target for off peak demand.

One common thread among all off season times is the fact that school is in session. Family cruising is a big component to cruise demand.  Even if the kids aren't going on the cruise, a lot of parents skip vacations because they are unwilling to pull them out for a trip.

The shoulder season and off peak times to cruise by region are:

• Caribbean: September and October, January, May
• Alaska: May or September
• Europe: April, May, September, October
• Australia: October, November, March, and April

Read more: When is the best time to go on a cruise?

In the Caribbean, cruising during hurricane season (especially after August) is a double edged sword.  On the one hand, you'll get better prices than earlier in the summer. However, you run a higher your itinerary being modified or completely changed because of a tropical storm.

Don't worry, your ship will avoid the worst of any storm, if there is a hurricane present. Royal Caribbean actually has its own meteorologist on staff to provide expert guidance of where ships should go if there are any weather issues.

Better deals

If you take a cruise during any of these months, there's consistently lower prices. It's even when you might be able to find a last minute cruise deal.

In general, pricing tends to be lower for an off season cruise because less people want to sail.  It could be because of school or work schedules, or cooler temperatures.

If you're very flexible, you could watch Royal Caribbean's Going, Going, Gone rates for a super last minute deal.  I find consistently every year great prices on Alaska cruises in September or European cruises in October and November. However, it requires you to be nimble in the booking process.

When you compare the price of a summer season sailing vs one earlier or later, it could save you hundreds of dollars.

As an example, a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska on Anthem of the Seas September 5, 2025 starts at $811 per person, whereas the same cruise on July 11, 2025 starts at $1235 per person.

That's $2,469.68 for two people in July vs $1,621.88 in September. And that's just for an inside cabin, which will cost more since a lot of people prefer a balcony on an Alaska cruise.

You'll often find Kids Sail Free deals on a cruise during these lower demand times, which can really rack up savings for families.

Off season cruising has other financial benefits beyond the cruise fare.

There's a good chance your flights will be cheaper too, as peak summer pricing affects airfare just as much as cruise fare. Ditto for hotels for a pre- or post-cruise stay.

If you happen to go during the tail end of a season (September in Alaska or Europe), you may find deals on end of season merchandise too.

Smaller crowds

I love going to Alaska in May or Europe in September because of how uncrowded the places your ship visits will be.

While saving money is indeed a great reason to pick an off season cruise, I think the lower crowd numbers is the best reason.

What you'll discover during the shoulder seasons is there are fewer ships, as well as fewer land tourists to contend with. This means less people in your port, and shorter waits for museums, natural wonders, tours, and more.

In Alaska it's very apparent the difference between a cruise in June vs July when you walk into a port like Sitka or Skagway and notice far fewer tourists.

With smaller crowds, you can do more with less wait and my satisfaction rate with the experience is much better.

Unique itineraries

Another advantage of going on a cruise at the very beginning or very end of the cruise season are the special sailings you can book.

Seasonal cruise markets have to move ships into position, and then return them at the conclusion of their time there.  This means cruise lines will offer repositioning cruises that begin in one region, and end in a different one.

You could sail from Australia to Hawaii, or Hawaii to Vancouver.  There are also transatlantic crossings that feel like the classic ocean liner voyages of the past.

These cruises visit ports not usually included on a typical sailing, and in some cases it's the only opportunity to go to these places on a cruise ship.

Plus, repositioning cruises are longer cruises, which means they tend to be cheaper per night than other cruises and it's a great way to earn more loyalty program points.

Happy Sunday, and welcome back to an edition of our Royal Caribbean news round-up. We'll summarize all the latest news from the cruise line, so just sit back, relax, and read on.

Royal Caribbean has quietly updated its banned item list to include something many people bring on a cruise.

The list has many items you'd expect to find on the list, such as weapons or illegal drugs, but the latest change is a headscratcher.

The inclusion of multi-outlet plugs on the list means keeping devices charged in a cabin on older cruise ships will be more of a challenge going forward.

Royal Caribbean News

• See the massive record-breaking 367-ton dome Royal Caribbean added to its next megaship
• I stayed in the cheapest cabin on Vision of the Seas.
• Royal Caribbean luggage tags & holders you must have
• Hidden Gems: Lesser-Known Features on Royal Caribbean's Smaller Ships
• Boardwalk vs. Surfside: What to expect in Royal Caribbean's family neighborhood
• Strange Texas law could limit your drinks on the first day of your cruise
• How Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society works for kids and teens
• 5 things to know before taking a European cruise
• The secrets to achieving Diamond status quickly on Royal Caribbean
• Best cruises to maximize Crown & Anchor loyalty benefits

New RCB Video: 5 things to avoid on Royal Caribbean (and what to do instead)

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—5 things to avoid on Royal Caribbean (and what to do instead)—and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Influencers left kids alone in cruise ship cabin sparks controversy

Two famous social media influencers recently sparked outrage after leaving their children alone in a cruise ship cabin.

While onboard Navigator of the Seas, Matt, and Abby Howard posted that they left their 1 and 2-year-old children unattended during dinner.

The Internet had a lot to say regarding the matter.

What cruisers are doing instead of buying a drink package

Drink packages have never been more expensive, and cruisers are starting to look for other options.

Deluxe drink packages are a popular add-on, but prices are regularly rising to over $100 a day, per person. 

Many cruisers are moving on to other, less expensive ways of purchasing alcoholic and specialty drinks onboard.

How to earn Crown & Anchor Society points faster

Looking to move up in the loyalty society levels?

Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society provides some great benefits for its loyal cruisers, and there are strategies one can use to earn more points.

From staying in a suite to cruising solo, you can move up the loyalty ladder faster with a few tricks.

Cruise mistakes you’ll only make once

There's a good chance these cruise mistakes are so bad, that if you ever made them, you'd never do it again.

Among the many things you could do differently on a cruise vacation, a handful stand out as major oopsies.

You can easily avoid these mistakes by knowing what to do instead.

Royal Caribbean's loyalty program offers some of the best benefits in the cruise industry, but you can only utilize them while on a cruise.

As much as you might want to cruise frequently, vacationing is a luxury, and it can be hard to find time to plan your next sailing.

So while on those infrequent cruises, how can you best maximize your Crown and Anchor Society benefits? 

The program offers great value at every level: you can expect to receive discounts, vouchers, and even free cruises as part of your rewards.

Specific cruises will offer the best value for loyalty members who want to utilize their benefits.

If you'd like your next sailing to use all the advantages available from the Crown and Anchor Society, certain cruise ships, itineraries, and ship classes will help you maximize your experience.

Icon and Oasis Class ships offer more ways to redeem

When booking your cruise, you'll want to think about the amount of opportunities you'll have to redeem your reward vouchers and discounts.

Depending on your tier of the loyalty program, you'll get discounts on drinks, complimentary specialty beverages, free casino plays, and even BOGO dinners at specialty restaurants.

Every tier of the Crown and Anchor Society receives:

• 50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda
• 25% off any coffee beverage
• 10% off any wine, beer, or soda by the glass

Ships with more venues will offer more opportunities and varied choices when it comes to redeeming these coupons, so Royal Caribbean's mega-ships (such as its Oasis and Icon Class) are your best bet for maximizing these benefits. Plus, kids get these benefits too.

From the amount of casino machines to bars onboard, everything about these ships offers more ways to cash in.

Read more: How to earn Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society points faster

Icon of the Seas, for example, has 14 specialty restaurants and 18 bars and lounges—offering a wide selection of menus and themes.

Throughout the length of your cruise, you could redeem complimentary daily drinks at an assortment of bars.

Use drink vouchers on a stop at a private island

Those drink vouchers turn into complimentary daily drinks once you reach the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle tiers of the Crown and Anchor Society.

And since drink discounts and packages also apply while on Royal Caribbean's private destinations, booking a cruise that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, Haiti will grant you extra time to take advantage.

Since most discounts only apply on the ship, you might be tempted to stay onboard during port days to make the most of free WiFi and drinks.

However, stopping off at a Royal Caribbean private destination allows you to still use both while enjoying beautiful beaches and luxurious cabanas.

Booking a sailing that stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee, Haiti is a great way to maximize even more benefits.

Read more: What being a Pinnacle member means to me

Get discounts when you book a balcony or suite

The Crown and Anchor Society also offers discounts to its members who are booking balcony cabins or suites, so look at upgrading when you book your next cruise.

Starting at 30 points, cruisers can get discounts when booking balcony and suite staterooms.

While spending more on a cabin might not sound like a good deal, you'll be rewarding yourself with more luxurious accommodations while also taking advantage of loyalty offers.

Not only that, but cruisers also receive an increased discount for making a reservation more than six months ahead.

Royal Caribbean tends to reward guests for booking further ahead of time, so booking a balcony or suite stateroom far in the future will give you extra deals.

Consider the Crown Lounge onboard 

Royal Caribbean has a dedicated area on all of its ships just for passengers that have reached at least Diamond level.

Access to the Crown Lounge is included in benefits for the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle tiers.

Open 24/7, this exclusive area features complimentary food, coffee, access to the Diamond concierge, and nightly happy hours.

To ensure that you're making the most of this benefit, you can research the Crown Lounge onboard specific Royal Caribbean ships.

Cruisers like to discuss their preferred size, layout, and style of the Crown Lounge, so look for a ship that best suits your preferences.

Some members prefer a bigger lounge, where they can spread out and enjoy some peace and quiet.

Others visit the exclusive venue for the social aspect, enjoying meeting other loyal Royal cruises, so they look for a more intimate experience.

Whatever your tastes, look for a specific ship to meet those needs.

Book an Alaska, Asia, or Europe sailing for your free cruise

The highest tier of the Crown and Anchor Society is rewarded with a free cruise.

Once passengers reach 700 points, they receive a free 7-night cruise in a balcony cabin (at the prevailing rate of a Caribbean cruise). Once they reach 1,400 points, the 7-night cruise is upgraded to a Junior Suite.

A free cruise sounds like a dream come true.

Royal Caribbean does not allow guests to book this sailing on a brand-new ship (it must be more than a year old), so you'll want to maximize these benefits by booking more expensive itineraries. 

The cruise line visits destinations like Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, France, Spain, Greece, Singapore, and Japan—all of which can be booked on your yearly free cruise.

Read more: I planned out 6 years of cruises so I could reach Royal Caribbean's highest loyalty tier

However, the free sailing doesn't include taxes, fees, or transportation, so you'd still have to pay for travel to and from the cruise port.

Use package discounts on shorter cruises

3-5 night sailings are a great opportunity to save money on WiFi and drink packages—with fewer days onboard, the daily packages cost even less.

When purchased onboard Diamond Plus members get 30% off deluxe drink packages, while Pinnacle members get 40% off.

Gold, Platinum, and Emerald members get discounts on Internet packages purchased onboard, while Diamond guests get one free day of internet access.

Diamond Plus cruisers earn two free days of Surf & Stream internet package per sailing, and Pinnacle Club members get a free Internet package for the length of the cruise.

Royal Caribbean just finished installing an architectural and engineering feat onto its new cruise ship.

The AquaDome is one of the signature areas onboard Star of the Seas, which will be one of the biggest cruise ships in the world.

The ship is being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where Icon of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas were also built.

The installation of Star of the Seas's AquaDome made history as the largest glass and steel structure ever lifted and installed onto a cruise ship, a Herculean task that took 80 hours to complete.

Photo by Niko Alakoski.

The multiple-day process took months of planning for a single feat of huge proportions.

Now, its completion marks the beginning of the next phase of construction. 

Royal Caribbean can start to bring it all to life, building out neighborhood restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.

Star of the Seas will debut in August 2025, out of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Even lifting the dome off the ground was a massive undertaking. 

Photo by Niko Alakoski.

Royal Caribbean had to build a custom, 155-ton rig to move the dome into place.

1,640 feet (500 meters) of suspension cables connected the rig to the dome. These cables are longer than the height of the Empire State Building!

To complete the lift, the shipyard had to rely on the wind to stay calm. If wind speeds reached 10 miles per hour (or 16 kilometers per hour), the entire operation would come to a halt.

In the end, the dome traveled over 1,200 feet (366+ meters) in the air and rested on top of the vessel.

Workers completed 6 hours of precise welding and other work to fully attach the dome.

The dome was first built alongside Star of the Seas, a process that allowed it to be constructed in tandem with ship construction.

This strategy is commonly used in cruise ship building to complete multiple facets of the process at the same time.

Read more: Royal Caribbean unveils changes to make Star of the Seas even better than Icon of the Seas

Cabins, ship blocks, neighborhoods, and other features are often built elsewhere, then assembled and added later at the shipyard.

The AquaDome is 82 feet (25 meters) tall, 164 feet (50 meters) wide, and weighs 367 tons (332 tonnes). 

The dome has 12 modules that were assembled over 8 months, composed of 673 glass panels and 712 aluminum panels.

But installing the dome is just the beginning. 

Next, the cruise line will work to bring the AquaDome to life.

Construction must add all the interior pieces, such as lighting, bars, lounges, restaurants, sculptures, seating, the central waterfall, and the AquaTheater.

The innovative, beautiful space will serve as a peaceful gathering place during the day and a lively, entertaining spot at night.

Once the AquaDome is complete, guests will experience 220-degree ocean views, restaurants, bars, nightlife, stunning entertainment, and a 55-foot-tall waterfall.

The AquaDome was first introduced on Icon of the Seas as a completely new neighborhood concept that was built on the AquaTheater in Oasis-Class ships.

Located atop decks 15 and 16, the neighborhood includes innovative features like the brand-new AquaTheater and the cruise line's first AquaDome Market.

Photo by Mediascope Productions.

Construction on Star of the Seas began in February of 2023 when steel was first cut in the shipyard.

Once construction is complete, Star of the Seas will sail to Port Canaveral, Florida.

The ship was originally scheduled to be delivered in mid-August of 2025, but delays in production and construction forced the cruise line to push back her original inaugural sailing.

Photo by Mediascope Productions.

The inaugural sailing will now take place on August 31st, 2025.

Cruisers can expect Star of the Seas to stay around the same dimensions as Icon of the Seas.

Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President and Chief Product Innovation Officer has stated that the ship's attractions are more important than the total size. 

"That's never been a focus for us," he said. "The world's best family vacation was never about size for us. It still isn't."

That places the cruise ship at around 250,800 gross tons total, with a capacity for 5,610 passengers (or up to 7,600 passengers at maximum occupancy).

The Icon Class has been specifically marketed to draw in the family vacation market, especially appealing to families with younger children.

The cruise line has already ordered another Icon Class ship, due to be delivered in 2026. No further details have been revealed about Icon 3.

Recently, I sailed on my first-ever Vision Class cruise ship and stayed in the cheapest stateroom possible: a standard interior cabin. 

Costing just $1,396.76, my friend and I jumped at the opportunity to book a 5-night cruise to Bermuda from Baltimore, Maryland. Not only was this our first time visiting the beautiful island of Bermuda, but it was her first cruise in general! 

My travel agent assigned us Cabin 3543, a category 2V interior stateroom located in the forward of the ship, extremely close to the elevator bank. 

I remembered my motion sickness patches at the last minute, and I'm glad I didn't leave home without them! Since we weren't in the middle of the ship, we felt quite a bit of movement from our cabin. In general, our sailing was quite rocky, with the Solarium pool being closed for the first two days! 

We boarded a little later than usual embarkation day, enjoying a quick lunch in the Windjammer before making our way to our stateroom to drop off our carry-on bags. 

Overall, I was impressed by the size of the cabin. I assumed since Vision of the Seas is an older ship, the cabin would feel tight and cramped. To my surprise, it felt more spacious than some interior cabins I've had on newer vessels, namely Symphony of the Seas and Carnival Celebration!

Though certain aspects of the cabin certainly felt dated, I wouldn't go as far as saying it felt like it was a 26-year-old ship. However, you may think otherwise if you're used to sailing exclusively on Oasis Class ships. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

In particular, there wasn't a mini-fridge. While not a huge deal, I was disappointed that I didn't have a place to chill my wine. 

In retrospect, we could have asked our cabin steward for ice; however, I'm so used to having a mini-fridge in my cruise ship cabins that I forgot this was an option. Hindsight is 2020, though. 

Read more: 16 things to ask your cruise ship cabin attendant

Personally, I found the storage space to be pretty average, especially for an older vessel. We didn't struggle to comfortably unpack for our 5-night cruise, and my suitcase weighed over 40 pounds! 

There was just one closet, but it came stocked with more than enough hangers for our clothing. 

I'm thankful for the amount of floor space, too. My suitcase was a little too large to fit underneath the bed, so I had to keep it in the closet during the cruise. 

Had the floor space been tight, I would have had to squeeze it between the loveseat and my bed, and that became my favorite spot to store my shoes for easy access. 

That said, while the closet lacked built-in shelves, there were enough drawers to help keep our stuff organized. 

Read more: 115 item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

However, one of the drawers in the nightstand lacked a proper back. We were afraid if we stored anything that it might accidentally slide out. 

Moreover, the top drawer of my nightstand had issues staying shut—though this could have been caused in part by the choppy seas. 

On a positive note, I appreciated how there wasn't anything taking up space on the nightstands. This became a catch-all place for our books, water bottles, glasses, etc.

Each bed had a wall light placed directly above our heads. I didn't use mine too often, but my friend utilized it nearly every evening to read before bed. 

I appreciated the small light, as I could fall asleep unbothered while my friend was winding down from the day's adventure. If the overhead light had been on, I'm sure I would have had more issues drifting off. 

I've stayed in a few inside cabins—mostly on Carnival Cruise Line—without a small couch, and I hate having to sit on the bed in my dirty clothes. Thankfully, that wasn't a concern in my stateroom on Vision of the Seas. 

Throughout the 5-night cruise, the couch became another catch-all place. Truthfully, we were too lazy to put our souvenir bags and raincoats away, so they found a home on the small loveseat before being packed away in our suitcases. 

Read more: 15 Royal Caribbean boarding process tips for a fast embarkation

The vanity area was standard. There were two hidden compartments behind the mirrors that we used to store jewelry, sunscreen, and other miscellaneous things. For an older ship, the lighting was pretty good, too. 

As expected, there were limited outlets in our cabin, with just two American and two European plugs near the desk. Perhaps this is one area where I'm more fond of Carnival's older ships, as many have been outfitted with extra charing options near the bed, whether an American outlet or USB plug. 

Still, it wasn't an issue, as I brought three (not two!) European power adapters, so we could take advantage of all four available outlets. 

Above the television was a cabinet that housed the safe, which is where I immediately put my passport, wallet, and other important valuables on embarkation day. 

Read more: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?

The vanity area was also where the cabin's telephone and thermostat were found. 

On embarkation day, I was worried we'd have issues with the temperature, as the room stayed relatively warm, even after we set sail. Within a few hours, the room had cooled down substantially, though. 

In addition to the absent mini-fridge and lack of outlets, the cabin's true age was evident in the tiny bathroom. Although it served its purpose, I really, really (did I say really?) despise clingy shower curtains.

I have no complaints about the showerhead or pressure. In fact, when comparing my experience on Carnival Elation to Vision of the Seas, well, there's no comparison! 

The showerhead on Carnival Elation was, for lack of better words, completely and utterly disgusting. It desperately needed to be replaced months before I stepped on board. 

Not only that, but the showerhead broke during my cruise! The small piece that attached the showerhead to the rod fell off. It took over a day before it was fixed, so whenever we showered, water went everywhere! 

Read more: 4 things I loved about Carnival Elation (and 4 I didn’t)

Since the bathroom was slightly more compact than those on newer ships, there wasn't as much storage. 

That said, between my hanging toiletries organizer and my friend's ability to pack light, we didn't need to use the cubbies beside the mirror! 

Read more: 7 bathroom hacks to use in your cruise ship cabin

Overall, our inside cabin was the perfect home away from home during our short getaway to Bermuda

All in all, it was your standard interior stateroom. It was functional and practical, allowing us to cruise on a budget and splurge on a fun shipwreck snorkeling excursion in Bermuda, as well as a specialty meal at Izumi. 

I would have preferred a location that was more midship or closer to the aft, as we spent the majority of our time in the Solarium (which, yes, is located in the back of the ship on Vision of the Seas!). Those are just minor complaints, though. 

Being on Deck 3 meant we were close to many important venues, such as the Main Dining Room on Deck 4, the Casino on Deck 5, and—most importantly—Cafe Latte-tudes on Deck 6. Since we had the Cafe Select Coffee Card, Cafe Latte-tudes was our first stop every morning while onboard. 

Read more: 2024 Royal Caribbean Drink Package Prices, Tips, Pros & Cons

Would I book another interior cabin on Vision of the Seas? Absolutely! In fact, I was a bit hesitant to sail on such an old ship, loving the variety of dining options and Broadway-style entertainment on newer vessels. 

However, the experience completely surprised me. Everything from the dining to the relaxed Solarium and friendly staff made me understand why these small ships remain a beloved favorite within the fleet.

Drink packages are such a popular cruise add-on, but they've also never been more expensive. This has lead to a growing trend of cruisers opting out of them and looking for other options.

You can expect to pay at least $100 per person, per day for a Royal Caribbean drink package if you buy it on your ship. And while there are discounts off that price if you buy it before the sailing begins, it still represents a major upfront cost.

For a 7-night cruise on the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, the Deluxe Beverage costs $85.99 per person, per day if purchased on the Cruise Planner site. That comes out to $601.93 per person or $1,420.44 for a couple after adding gratuities, as all adults in a cabin need to buy a drink package if one does.

"Price of the deluxe package is absolutely out of control," wrote Stuart Etheridge on a Facebook post discussing the drink packages.

Brian Levor added, "With the package around $700 per person for a week, or single measured shots on the rocks $14+20%, it's just not worth it to me."

With such a high cost, some cruisers are seeking alternative strategies for enjoying drinks on board without overspending.

Here's what people that cruise a lot are doing instead of buying a costly beverage package.

Relying on rewards drinks

Those lucky enough to have cruised a lot already fall back on their daily drink vouchers.

If you reach Diamond level in Crown and Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean gives you 4 drink vouchers per day to use at any bar, lounge, or restaurant.

If you do the math and assume you'll use each of the vouchers for a drink worth $13 each, you'll save about $50 per day on drinks by relying on them exclusively.

Tony Diaz posted in the Royal Caribbean Dining Facebook group, "Use my 5 diamond drinks," and it echoed what a lot of other people said.

Ron Williams wrote, "I’m Diamond Plus, so I don’t get a drink package."

Michalena Vitucci also doesn't see a need to buy a drink package because of the vouchers, "Diamond points so never needed a drink package .. between my husband and I that’s 8 free drinks a day so we never needed to look into other options."

While the Diamond drink vouchers are indeed a fantastic benefit, the downside to this strategy is it won't help new cruisers at all.

In order to make it to Diamond, you need to have at least 80 cruise points.

Drink for free in the casino

A growing trend among cruisers is qualifying for the Prime status in Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program.

To reach prime, you'll need to accumulate 2500 points between April 1 and March 31. Once you do, you can enjoy unlimited drinks at the casino bar on any Royal Caribbean ship. It even comes with a free cruise too.

While you can only get free drinks at one bar, it provides a tremendous cost savings opportunity considering it will work on any cruise you take while you still have Prime status.

Veteran cruisers that are also Diamond members love to combine the casino drinks with their aforementioned Diamond drinks to truly get the best value from their loyalty.

The downside to the free drinks in the casino is you first need to gamble enough to qualify.  Each casino point is equivalent to about $5 wagered, so there's a higher barrier to entry. Plus, gambling is addictive and despite the rules, the casino on Royal Caribbean ships tends to become a defacto smoker's lounge.

Pay as you go

Instead of a costly drink package, many cruisers are opting to pay as they go.

Drinks can be purchased on a Royal Caribbean cruise a la carte, and it's what everyone did prior to the introduction of drink packages.

The advantage of paying for each individual drink is if you're not much of a drinker.  Charging two or three drinks per day to your SeaPass card is going to be cheaper overall than a beverage package.

Plus, you can take advantage of drink specials and even the occasional free drink around the ship.

"I only have 1 drink per day typically. I’m not a big drinker and prefer water or iced tea," wrote Jeannie Grant.

Kevin Lewis added, "If I really want to have a couple drinks it's not gonna add up as much as the drink package." He also pointed out drinking at bars in the ports of call the ship visits is cheaper.

There's also a psychological effect of not having a drink package, as explained by Ken Kerby, "[I'll] drink less since I won’t be trying to make the most of what I already paid for."

The problem with paying as you go instead of a drink package is that your bar tab can quickly grow out of control if you get carried away.

Hope for a drink card to be offered

On some sailings, Royal Caribbean will offer a drink card that can only be purchased onboard the ship.

The drink card is a punch card that you can buy for a flat fee and it includes 10 drinks per card. It has the same allowances as a drink package, with drinks up to $13/$14 value on beer, wine, soda, or cocktails.

 Plus, you can share the drink card with other guests (unlike the drink package).

"On the Wonder last week you could get a card for 10 alcohol drinks for $90 or $106 with gratuities," wrote Amy Greive.

The problem with a drink card is there is no way to know if it will be offered on your cruise at all. That's because the ship's revenue department will offer it if alcohol sales are not meeting the goal for that voyage.

If it is offered, it's usually towards the end of the cruise.  This makes it impossible to plan or budget for prior to it showing up.

BYOB drinks

A smart idea for any cruiser is to bring non-alcoholic beverages with them onboard, as Royal Caribbean allows up to 12 bottles/cans of water, juice, or soft drinks.

Not only can you bring your own drinks, you could also bring water drink mixes to enhance the flavor of the water included with your cruise fare. (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use).

Amy Burch wrote, "I bring those Mio flavor water enhancers to add to both tap water and lemonade on the ship."

You're also allowed to bring one bottle of wine per adult on the ship, providing a great alternative for light drinkers.

Book a suite

Royal Caribbean includes beer, wine, and cocktails during certain hours while in the Suite Lounge.

If you're booked in a Grand Suite or higher, Royal Caribbean includes admission to the Suite Lounge, where you can enjoy a happy hour selection of drinks, every day of the cruise.

Depending on the Royal Caribbean ship class you sail on, the hours vary for when you can get free drinks in the lounge.

• Icon & Oasis Class ships: Beer and wine available 11am to 11pm; Happy hour with all drinks for 3 hours in the evening
• All other ships: Happy hour with all drinks for 3 hours in the evening. Hours vary by ship.

The problem with this strategy is it's only available for a few hours each evening, and only in the Suite Lounge.  It's not convenient if you're elsewhere on the ship and/or outside of the time window.

Leave those power strips, surge protectors, and multi-outlets at home.

Royal Caribbean cruisers might be surprised to see additions to the items prohibited onboard.

Royal Caribbean updated its prohibited items list. While you won't be surprised to see things like guns, drugs, or knives on the list, the cruise line also restricts some unexpected items.

Cruise ships have different requirements than planes and other forms of travel, so paying attention to each cruise line's policies is key.

Packing a banned item on your next cruise could result in it being confiscated, wasting your money and luggage space.

The cruise line posts banned items on its website, but not every traveler reads them carefully or follows the list to the letter.

To prevent issues on embarkation day, Royal Caribbean has further updated and expanded the list of prohibited items. 

Now the cruise line bans an item many cruisers bring along to get extra space for their electronics to charge.

Multi-plug outlets are now forbidden

Previously, the website listed electrical extension cords, including power strips or surge-protected strips, as banned items.

They've now added "multi-plug outlets" to the list, "Extension Cords and Multi-Plug Outlets/ Power Strips" is what the website lists as prohibited.

Read more: 15 things you don't need to bring on a cruise

The line doesn't exactly specify what constitutes a "multi-plug outlet", and it stands to reason multi-plug USB adaptors are still permissible.

Many cruise ship staterooms, especially on older vessels, tend to lack enough outlets to charge every device, especially for families traveling together.

Our team recommends this USB hub as a good alternative. (Contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use)

Cruisers may find that the new rule limits their ability to charge and use electronics like phones, tablets, e-readers, electric shavers, hair dryers, and cameras.

Why are power strips prohibited?

Power strips and extension cords are a risk to cruise ships because if they overload, they could cause electrical damage or start a fire.

These items are listed on the new list in a section titled "flammable items."

"All items with open flames or heating elements are strictly prohibited, with the exception of hair curling irons and hair dryers which are permitted onboard," the section states.

Fire is the top threat to cruise ships as it can spread quickly in a confined space.

These items include:

• Candles
• Clothing Irons
• Travel Steamer
• Hot Plates
• Incense & Burners
• Tea Cup Immersion Heaters
• Aerosols (except for personal care toiletries)
• Fuels, including cooking fuels and any flammable liquids
• Gasoline
• Gas Torches
• Lighter Fluid
• Flares
• Flammable Paints
• Turpentine & Paint Thinner
• Realistic Replicas of Incendiaries
• Hookahs & Water Hookah Pipes
• Car batteries
• Hoverboards

Updates to the website list more examples of banned items

Royal Caribbean also expanded its banned list to include expanded examples of prohibited items.

The sharp objects section, for instance, now mentions not just knives and scissors, but also box cutters, ice picks, meat cleavers, utility knives, razor blades (shaving safety razors are still allowed), sabers, swords, and fencing foils.

Recreational diving knives are also still allowed but must be held in the custody of the Chief Security Officer.

Read more: 9 things you can bring on a plane, but not a cruise ship

A note also explains that personal grooming items like nail scissors and clippers are permitted onboard.

Prohibited chemicals include chlorine, spray paint, bleach, tear gas, transformers, spillable batteries, small compressed gas cartridges, and fire extinguishers.

Despite the high-risk fire presents on a cruise ship, you don't need to bring your own fire extinguisher onboard!

Updates to the website also added a new section, "tools," listing items from commonplace supplies like hammers, drills, saws, wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers, to surprisingly obscure items, like cattle prods, axes, and hatchets.

The cruise line especially wants to be sure that guests don't bring any dangerous items.

Any types of firearms or weapons are prohibited, such as rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, replicas of guns, BB guns, paintball guns, flare guns, ammunition, spear guns, pellet guns, and starter pistols.

The website doesn't mention toys or unrealistic replicas, like Nerf guns.

Royal Caribbean also doesn't want guests bringing explosives such as fireworks, dynamite, hand grenades, or gunpowder.

The list also prohibits self-defense items, including:

• Billy Clubs
• Black Jacks
• Brass Knuckles
• Kubatons
• Mace / Pepper Spray
• Martial Arts Weapons
• Night Sticks
• Nunchakus
• Stun Guns / Shocking Devices
• Throwing Stars
• Handcuffs
• Bows & Arrows

If you're looking for the sweet spot of Royal Caribbean loyalty program perks, it's right at the Diamond level.

At the Diamond level, you qualify for four free drinks per day of your cruise, and that is very lucrative. For a lot of cruisers, the complimentary drink vouchers are a defacto drink package and can save hundreds of dollars on every cruise.  

Plus, there's also a free day of WiFi, access to the Crown Lounge, and more that comes with being a Diamond member.

Royal Caribbean gives all of its repeat cruisers discounts, special offers, and even freebies to reward their allegiance to the cruise line. By far, the most lucrative benefits begin when you reach the Diamond tier, which requires 80 cruise points.

Read more: Best cruises to maximize your Crown & Anchor perks

Every cruise point represents a night on a ship, although there are some ways to get more points quicker. If you want to get to Diamond as fast as possible, there are a few good strategies to get you there beyond simply booking a bunch of cruises.

Book suites instead of regular cabins

Royal Caribbean will give you an extra cruise point per night if you book any suite, including Junior Suites.

Moving up from one point per night to two points will cut the number of nights you need to cruise in order to reach Diamond, and it's the simplest approach.

Staying in a suite means you can bring your family with you as per normal, but instead of a lower category cabin, you move up to a suite.

As you might guess, staying in a suite will cost you more money. However, if you're flexible, I've found the price difference to move up to Junior Suite or Grand Suite is not as egregiously expensive as you might think.

One thing to watch out for is RoyalUp, which allows you to bid for a stateroom upgrade.

If you win a bid to move up from a lower category cabin (i.e. balcony) to a suite, you will not get double points.

Go on a cruise solo

You can also earn an extra cruise point per night if you happen to cruise alone in a cabin.

Because cruise ship cabins are sold on a double occupancy basis, Royal Caribbean will give solo cruisers more points because they're effectively paying for a second person due to the single supplement fee.

There are two things to look out for when cruising solo in order to get that extra point.

First, studio cabins don't qualify for the extra point. These are cruise ship rooms specifically designed for solo travelers. As such, they don't have the single supplement fee or the double points.

Second, to get that extra point, you need to book the original reservation as a solo cruiser. This means you cannot book the cruise with someone else on the reservation and then later drop them or have them not show up for the cruise at all while still booked.

It used to not matter, but Royal Caribbean began enforcing that rule recently.

Combine the two strategies

If you really want to get to Diamond status as fast as possible, then I'd recommend booking a suite as a solo cruiser.

When you stay in a suite by yourself, you'll earn 3 points per night. This is the most points you can earn per night on any cruise.

If you were to employ this strategy on a 7-night cruise, you would earn 21 points from that sailing.

Taking it one step further, you could book two cabins for your family and book one adult in one cabin solo. This way you can accrue 3 points per night while still going on a cruise with your family.

Alternatively, you could book two separate standard cabins and at least earn double points for one of the adults.

In either scenario, make sure the adult with the most Crown and Anchor points is the one booked in the cabin alone.

In case you're wondering, the cruise line doesn't care where you sleep, so you can book two rooms, but sleep together in the same room.

How much money can Diamond status save you?

While the four free drinks per day are probably the best benefit you can get from being a Diamond member, there are many more great perks too.

The four free drinks you get add up to $56 per day. And don't forget, that's per person because everyone in your immediate family gets the same status.

The free day of WiFi access is equivalent to the $29.99 cost for a 24-hour pass.

You'll also get $6 of free play in the casino. You never know, that could end up generating a lot more money for you, but let's assume $6.

There are a number of coupons to apply to drinks. You'll need to specify them when you order, but it adds up.

• 50% off any two glasses of wine, beer or soda when purchased together: $7 x 2 = $14
• 50% off any two Johnny Rockets Milkshakes: $4.50
• 20% off any glass of wine, beer or soda: $1.38
• Receive one free non-alcoholic specialty coffee with the purchase of one Specialty Restaurant dinner: $8.95

Finally, there are shopping and service discounts you can get by being a Diamond member.

• 20% off any Spa Service (excluding Medi-Spa): $19.80 (60 minute Swedish massage)
• 15% off RCCL Logo Products (must spend $25): $3.75
• One free Photo: $19.99
• 10% off a Photo Package or Photobook: $19.90
• $5 off a $25 Dry Clean or Press: $5
• $10 off a $34.99 Wash & Fold Laundry Bag (5+ night sailings): $10
• Receive a discounted Stateroom Phone rate of $2 per minute: $5.95 per minute savings x 2 = $11.90

If you took advantage of every single Diamond discount given to you on a sailing, you could save $175.17 per person. Not every benefit will likely be used, but there are at least a few that most people should be able to take advantage of on every sailing.

Stepping stone to the top tiers

Once you make it to Diamond, I think you'll find it a gateway tier to the best perks Royal Caribbean can offer.

Many cruisers point to attaining Diamond status as a key milestone in their cruising journey because of the benefits it adds.

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Royal Caribbean luggage tags ensure that your luggage arrives safely at your stateroom door on embarkation day.

On embarkation day, you can drop off your larger luggage to be delivered to your stateroom.

Just like checking larger bags at the airport, you'll want to label and drop them off at the right stop.

On Royal Caribbean cruises, luggage tags identify your bags to the porters and crew onboard.

They identify you, your stateroom, and your Crown and Anchor status.

Your cruise ship luggage tags should be attached before you even arrive at the terminal for your sailing.

So how do you get your luggage tags and attach them?

What information should be on them?

This guide will present all the luggage tags and holders you need for your next Royal Caribbean cruise.

Please note that we have linked Amazon items in this post through an affiliate link. The affiliate link costs you nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog will make a small commission if you purchase the item through the link. 

Where can I find my luggage tags?

Your luggage tags will be sent to you before embarkation day so that you can print them ahead of time.

Before your sailing (usually after the final payment is made), you'll receive your electronic cruise documents via email. If you don’t get an email, you can find you eDocs on your account on the Royal webpage.

These eDocs include your ship, sail date and information, stateroom, deck number, and directions to the cruise port. 

On the last page, the eDocs will have your luggage tags, already programmed with your stateroom and Crown and Anchor Society level.

You can also find your tags on the Royal Caribbean Website.

After logging in, click on the Upcoming Cruises tab. Find your desired cruise, then press the toggle button that says More details. Under this toggle, you'll find a printable PDF titled Luggage Tags.

You'll want to download and print as many of this PDF as you need to attach to your luggage. 

Read more: Where do I get my Royal Caribbean luggage tags?

Printing your luggage tags out in advance saves you time at port, especially if there are crowds or lines.

If you don't have a printer at home, many pharmacies offer printing services, or you can try your local library for a free option.

How do I attach the luggage tags?

To attach the printed luggage tag, fold the tag along the lines three times. The logo should be facing out, and you'll need to print your full name in the section indicated.

After folding, staple the tag twice or tape it to attach it to the handle in the areas indicated.

If you're staying at a hotel the night before your cruise, you'll have to remember to pack tape or a mini-stapler.

Make sure you have several copies to label each bag you're taking along—even your cruise carry-on bag.

You should never pack valuables, medication, or boarding documents in your checked bag.

You should also still attach any personal ID or labels, like a name tag or airline luggage tag before you leave home.

When you arrive at the terminal, simply hand off your bags to the porters outside. 

They'll take your bags onto the ship, where they will be sorted and later delivered to your stateroom. Don't forget to tip!

Should I purchase a luggage tag holder?

Luggage tag holders aren't necessary for crew members to deliver your luggage, but they make embarkation day go a lot smoother.

Since luggage tags are made of regular printer paper, they could easily rip or fall off.

If this happens, your luggage will be placed in a room with other unidentified bags, and you'll have to go to Guest Services to claim your bags.

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

To prevent this from happening, however, you could also purchase a luggage tag holder.

Most luggage tag holders are made from plastic and have a metal ring that attaches to the bag.

You'll place the paper tags inside the clear, waterproof holders, and they'll 

fasten more securely than tape or staples.

I highly recommend purchasing luggage tag holders—they can ease your mind when it comes to the possibility of losing your luggage. 

I use these tags from Amazon.

When you do purchase your luggage tag holders, make sure they're for Royal Caribbean specifically. Some cruise lines have different-sized luggage tags.

Also, you won't have to think about bringing along tape or a mini stapler to attach your tags on embarkation day.

All you need are the holders and a writing utensil to fill in your name.

For bonus security, you could also bring along regular luggage tags with your name, address, and contact information, for any air travel or delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forget to print my luggage tags?

If you forget to print out your luggage tag before the cruise, you can still get some on embarkation day.

When you arrive at the terminal, you'll see porters standing outside a drop-off area for luggage.

Greet the porter, and tell them your stateroom number. They will have generic tags that they can label with your cabin and name, and then take your luggage.

Printing your luggage tags out in advance saves you time at port, especially if there are crowds or lines.

However, you won't be in trouble if you forget to.

What happens if the tag falls off?

If your luggage tag does rip or fall off in transit, don't worry. 

Crew members will place your bags in a room with other unidentified luggage.

When you've waited a reasonable amount of time for your bags, you can go to Guest Services to identify and claim them.

What about on departure day?

You'll also notice your stateroom attendant leave luggage tags for disembarkation day.

However, this process is different than on embarkation day—and not always required.

You'll only need to use these luggage tags if you've selected luggage assistance.

You'll be assigned a particular number and time when you can disembark the ship, matching you with your checked luggage.

There are a few common, but avoidable, mistakes that new cruisers tend to make and I bet if you ever did them, you'd never make the same one again.

There are so many lists of travel mistakes people make during the cruise, from minor gaffes to major problems.

As an example, getting sun burned is something that happens to the best of us, no matter how many times you swear it will never happen again.

However, I think there are a few blunders that if you made them, you'd almost certainly never make again.

Fly in same day your cruise sets sail

The worst mistake you can make is never making it to your cruise ship at all because you were delayed arriving.

A lot of travelers will fly to the city their cruise ship departs from, but unfortunately flights get cancelled or delayed. If that happens to you and you miss the ship, you paid for a cruise you won't actually go on.

The boarding window on the first day is limited, and the ship will not wait for you if your flight plans cause you to be late.

Moreover, you're not entitled to a refund from the cruise line because of that situation.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, twangster illustrated how recently two separate groups  at the Seattle airport missed their cruise because they tried to fly in the same day it began.

"Yesterday as I was in the process of working with a gate agent to find new alternatives for a delayed Seattle flight I saw two separate groups explaining to other gate agents they are going on an Alaskan cruise and now they were going to miss their cruise.  There was nothing the gate agents could do, there was no alternative flights to put them on. "

What you should do to avoid this mistake is never fly in the same day your cruise begins.  

Always plan to arrive at least one day before your cruise so that a travel delay doesn't mean you can't make the ship. If you're flying overseas for a cruise, I'd make it at least two days before the cruise.

Yes, there's the added cost of an extra hotel night, but the peace of mind it comes with is completely worth it.

Overpaying for things onboard

It's eye opening how much more cruise add-ons cost once onboard the ship versus if you pre-purchased them at home.

Whether it's a shore excursion, drink package, or WiFi plan, it all costs more onboard.

The best example is the Royal Caribbean drink package, which routinely costs more than $100 per person, per day when purchased on the ship.  At home, it's regularly $20-$30 cheaper per person, per day.

Read more: Drink package guide and advice

Internet packages are another easy place to save money, because there are no discounts once you get onboard.

I bought a 1 device internet package for my upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise, I would only pay $23.99 per day, saving $4 per day. 

There are sales and discounts on pre-cruise purchases all the time, which means you could easily save hundreds of dollars if you bought it before the cruise.

Even if you're late to the game and check to buy these things just a few days before your cruise begins, you will save money instead of buying it onboard.

Being late back to the ship

Every time I've seen a video of a cruise ship passenger frantically running back to the cruise ship because they're late, I always swear it won't ever be me.

Your cruise ship is in port for a set few hours, and the all aboard time is a set time for you to be back onboard. Or else.

The cruise ship might wait a few minutes, but the Captain has to adhere to their schedule and depart on time. There's very little wiggle room for delays.

Passengers returning late could be from a variety of reasons: lost track of time, traffic delays, injury, got lost. Regardless, if you venture off the ship on your own, then it's your responsibility to make it back to the ship on time.

If you go on a Royal Caribbean shore excursion that was purchased through the cruise line, then the ship will wait for that tour.

I wouldn't go as far as to say not to venture off the ship without a cruise line excursion, but you do need to manage your time.

I recommend planning to arrive back to the ship about 2 hours before the all aboard time. That way, if there is some crazy delay, you'll likely be back with time to spare.

Not putting phone into airplane mode

The silent cruise mistake you won't know about until you get home is probably in your pocket.

Everyone has a cell phone, and if you bring your phone onboard without putting it into airplane mode, you can bet you'll end up with a giant bill.

A woman in the UK went on a Caribbean cruise and ended up with a £1186.59 bill because her phone was roaming for the entire trip.

When your phone is out of it's normal operational area, it tries to use other carrier's networks, and that comes with very high roaming rates.

Even if you aren't actively using your phone, you could get a big bill because most phones use the network even while idle to check for updates or messages.

There's a very simple way to avoid this costly cruise mistake, and that's to put your phone into airplane mode as soon as you get onboard.

Once your phone is in airplane mode, it cannot use other cellular networks (but you can still use WiFi).

Needing travel insurance when you don't have it

No matter how cautious you are, eventually everyone gets sick, hurt, or encounters unforeseen circumstances.

There are all sorts of reasons you might need to cancel your cruise at the last minute: sudden onset of an illness, loss of employment, major accident, death of a family member, and more. 

Once you're past the final payment date, there are major penalties for canceling your cruise. If you want to cancel just a few days before the cruise, there's not going to be any money returned to you, other than port fees and taxes.

Travel insurance is an affordable add-on cost that protects you against many common reasons people want to cancel a cruise. 

You can buy it through Royal Caribbean, through your travel agent, or even shop for it on your own.