Royal Caribbean Blog

The plan for a $300 million cruise destination in Freeport, Bahamas may need to be adjusted given the major changes in the cruise industry.

The Bahamas tourism and aviation minister told Tribune Business that the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort and redevelopment of Freeport is still a go, but the deal will need to be adjusted from what was originally planned.

Dionisio D’Aguilar said the Royal Caribbean joint venture, Holistica, "still seem to be interested" in the redevelopment, but need to restructure the terms of the deal because of the major blow to the cruise industry COVID-19 and associated shutdown have had on the cruise industry.

Holistica is a new company formed between Royal Caribbean and ITM Group that seeks to develop cruise ports around the world.

“It may not be the deal we had prior to March 3, but to say it’s not going anywhere would be an incorrect conclusion. They [the Holistica partners] still seem very interested, and you have a wiling seller and a willing buyer negotiating terms. The willingness is still there.”

Mr. D’Aguilar did not disclose details on the ongoing negotiations between the government and Holistica.

In early March, Royal Caribbean announced a multi-phase project that will redevelop the Freeport cruise ship terminal to bring a new world-class destination with a one-of-a-kind hotel, convention center, water adventure park and more.

He did say that Royal Caribbean and ITM may be adjusting their valuation and projections given COVID-19’s continued devastating impact on the cruise business and tourism in general.

"Obviously August 2020 is not the same as February 2020, so obviously you are going to change some terms to take into consideration the facts have changed. It’s very unfortunate, but it is what it is."

Mr D’Aguilar also conceded that talks on the Freeport Harbour component of the deal, which are taking place between IBM/Royal Caribbean and the Hutchison Whampoa-controlled Freeport Harbour Company, “need to be concluded”, although he added: “I’m advised it’s moving in the right direction.”

#With the Bahamian economy shut down for four to five of the past six months, the minister said Royal Caribbean/ITM’s construction start still remains delayed by around six months.

St. Kitts and Nevis announced on Monday it will allow two Royal Caribbean cruise ships to stop at St. Kitts.

Vision of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas will be able to harbour at Port Zante.

Lindsay Grant, Minister of Tourism, said each crew member will be given an RT-PCR test upon arrival and quarantine for 14 days on their vessels. When all crew members receive a negative test at the end of their quarantine, they will be allowed to disembark while observing social distancing and mask-wearing safety measures.

There are currently zero active cases of COVID-19 on the island.

"The health and the safety of our citizens, residents, and of our visitors remains our number one priority […] We have taken all the necessary health and safety protocols to ensure that St Kitts and Nevis remains safe." Minister Grant noted. "This assistance represents the true nature of our people to support others in a time of need," he added.

While this blog focuses on Royal Caribbean, you might be wondering what makes this cruise line from others and what the major differences are between each one.

There are a number of cruise lines to choose from, and each cruise line offers their own style and approach to what a cruise vacation is all about.

Types of cruise lines

Before you can pick one cruise line, you should know there are a few categories of cruise lines to consider.

Just like there are different types of automobiles (compacts, luxury, SUVs, et al), there are different types of cruise lines that target different demographics and prices.

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney and Norwegian are just a few of the mass-market cruise lines that appeal to all ages, and offer contemporary pricing that is affordable by most people. These cruise lines will see a good mix of ages, and offer activities and things to do for the young and old, and will sail to destinations around the world, although primarily focus on the major cruise markets, such as the Caribbean or Europe.

Premium cruise lines offer an elevated experience, and tend to offer a "plussed" version of what the mass-market cruise lines have onboard. Princess, Celebrity, Holland America or Oceania are good examples of these types of cruise lines, and they are still generally large ships with upgraded amenities. In addition, they may offer longer and/or more varied itineraries.

Luxury cruise lines offer a more intimate cruise experience on substantially smaller vessels that focus on the individual experience. These cruise lines are all about offering a personalized experience on ships that do not rely on whizzbang features.  This includes SilverSea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and others. Some luxury cruise lines are known as expedition lines, which means they offer luxurious cruises to far off destinations that most cruise lines could never go to due to ship size or distance.

There are still other cruise lines that straddle the line between these major categories. The major differences between each of these cruise lines is primarily price, size of the ships, and where it sails.

How to pick a cruise line

When picking between the cruise lines, you want to determine what they offer (and don't offer) to ensure it matches with what you want in a vacation.

While it is true that most cruise lines have more in common than not, there are some substantial differences when it comes to the onboard experience overall. Cruise lines may market themselves as offering something for everyone, but each line has its own strengths that can sway the decision depending on the person.

The decision of which cruise line to pick usually boils down to three major factors: price, where it sails, and what the ship offers.

Picking a cruise line is less important as picking the right ship for you.  Most cruise lines have quite a few ships in their fleet, and they are not carbon copies of each other.

If you take Royal Caribbean International for example, they have 26 ships in their fleet that are of various sizes and pricing and stateroom options that run the gamut of choices. Whether you are cruising as a family, looking for an empty nester getaway or spring break college vacation, there is something to be found for each group.

Ultimately, each cruise line has its own DNA to its approach to cruising.  Disney Cruise Line will offer a heavy focus on family cruising and incorporation of the brand's library of films. Carnival Cruise Line is about offering a party at sea. Celebrity Cruise Line likes to offer an upscale experience to contemporary cruising. Norwegian Cruise Line bucks the trend of cruise tradition and takes a freestyle approach to their vacations.

If you are looking for cruise ships that pack a lot into the onboard experience, where the ship is the destination, then the mainstream cruise lines and premium cruise lines are great choices.

If you are looking to splurge and want to see the world at the same time, a luxury cruise line will take you there and personalize the trip along the way.

Which cruise line should I choose?

First and foremost, determine your budget, as no choice will matter if you cannot afford it.

If you are new to cruising and do not know what to expect, a mainstream cruise line is usually a good starting point. There is enough variety between the ships in the major cruise lines to cater to most needs. If you have kids, this is where you want to be.

If you like the finer things in life, and are willing to pay for them, a luxury cruise line will offer the kind of pampering and exotic destinations that will be sure to impress friends back at the country club.

Think of the premium cruise lines as a mix of fun things to do on the ship, along with an upgraded experience. 

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer.  Cruises are an exciting adventure, and you will find your preferred approach to it and which cruise line works best. It is rare to make a terrible decision in cruise line, so embrace the opportunity and give a couple a try.

Two of Royal Caribbean's biggest cruise ships were spotted in Southampton over the weekend, giving locals in the area a glimpse of these popular ships.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader Sarah Lynn stopped by the Port of Southampton to take a few photos of these ships.

Sarah went on a ferry that toured the cruise ships anchored off the South Coast of England, and took photos of the ships for all of us to enjoy.

A few Royal Caribbean ships have been positioned off the southern coast of England, and make periodic stops in Southampton for resupply.

It is noteworthy to mention that Anthem of the Seas just completed a refurbishment in Damen Shiprepair Brest in Brest, France.

Anthem was due for routine maintenance that focused on preventative upkeep work.

There are no major aesthetic upgrades to Anthem of the Seas announced, so this is purely a traditional dry dock to take care of "under the hood" work, such as painting and engine work.

Welcome to this week's edition of the Royal Caribbean post round-up, where we summarize all of the Royal Caribbean news and information from this week into one handy-dandy post! There is plenty of great content to enjoy, so sit back, relax, and enjoy this week's round-up!

Royal Caribbean provided a business update this week in conjunction with announcing its second quarter 2020 financial results.

The cruise giant reported a $1.6 billion loss for the quarter, compared to a $472.8 million income last year at the same time.

Royal Caribbean's estimated monthly cash burn is about $250 million to $290 million per month during a prolonged suspension of operations. 

Royal Caribbean Group indicated 2021 cruise bookings are trending well and is within historical ranges.

Royal Caribbean News

• Royal Caribbean is considering extending Future Cruise Credits.
• Here's a look at where Royal Caribbean cruising is right now, and what's to come next.
• The CDC has begun posting comments from the public on cruises resuming.
• Here's all the health policies Royal Caribbean has confirmed or hinted once cruises resumes.
• Here are the crew members to find if you have a problem onboard your cruise.
• Bahamas wants cruises to return to Nassau, not just private islands
• Check out our Royal Caribbean FAQ.
• Odyssey of the Seas lifeboats have been delivered to shipyard.
• Royal Caribbean Group announced it has gotten a loan facility for $700 million.
• Royal Caribbean is planning its future without any federal assistance for a bailout.
• Royal Caribbean thinks a lot of people want to go on a cruise next year.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 367th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, where Pacale talks about a memorable cruise on Jewel of the Seas.

Pascale sailed on Jewel of the Seas in 2004 during a hurricane, and shares how the storm did not ruin what ended up being a really fun cruise vacation.

Please subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! 

You might have to take a COVID-19 test to go on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the future

Royal Caribbean's CEO said the cruise line is thinking about using rapid testing for guests in order to go on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley indicated testing of guests is "very likely" to occur.

Mr. Bailey said that while the recommendations of the  Healthy Sail Panel of health experts are not available yet, he did say testing will be part of their recommendations.

While you will likely have a great time on a cruise without running into any problems, occasionally something happens that needs attention of someone who can quickly remedy the issue.

Just like when at a resort, casino or theme park on land, cruise ship guests can sometimes run into a problem.  Rather than just chalking it up to bad luck, you can (and should) let Royal Caribbean know about the problem to get it rectified. 

You should start with the front-line crew member you have easy access to first, but if things are not moving, then it may be time to escalate.The key is knowing who to contact onboard to get things solved, so here are some important people you can reach out to during the cruise for results.

Head Waiter

When you are in the dining rooms, the woman or man who can make special requests happen is the head waiter (sometimes known as the Maître D). 

Your waiter can handle most requests, so be sure to start with him or her, but if it requires special coordination between the dining room staff, galley or even other departments, the head waiter can step in and assist.

Often the head waiter will visit your table during the meal to introduce themselves, but you can always ask your waiter to speak to the head waiter to address other issues.

Suite Concierge

If you are staying in a suite stateroom, you absolutely want to get to know the concierge early during your cruise.

It is the job of the suite concierge to make sure everything is going well, and they are the problem solver for suite guests.

Part guest relations, part dining guide, and part event coordinator, the concierge is empowered to do a lot, especially when problems arise. In a lot of cases, the concierge may have inside information on changes occurring onboard and know exactly who to reach out to about most situations.

The suite concierge will have regular hours they are available in the Suite Lounge, so be sure to stop in and say hello on the first day to not only meet them, but get a copy of their schedule.

Hotel Director

The hotel operations is a massive component to a cruise ship, and at the top of the chain is the hotel director.

A cruise ship hotel director is in charge of all aspects of the hotel-type operations, including everything related to your cabin and housekeeping.

The reason to reach out to the hotel director is for something your stateroom attendant cannot easily handle, such as mechanical issues that are not resolved quick enough or even issues with other guests.

While you want to start off with your stateroom attendant for nearly every issue, if a problem lingers or the resolution is not up to your liking, be sure to reach out to the hotel director.

You can always call down to Guest Services to get the extension of the hotel director and quickly get in touch with him or her.

Cruise Director

You might wonder why you would need to get a hold of the cruise director, but if you are anything like me, you do not want to miss out on any of the fun activities onboard.

The Cruise Director manages the activity and sports staff onboard, and she or he are the person that can answer questions about scheduling, as well as who to talk to about special requests.

With so many things to do on a cruise, it is easy to miss out on something. It is a good idea to speak to the cruise director if an activity is not running well, or if you want to inquire about an event you had on another cruise.  Heck, if your group wants a space to do an activity, the cruise director may be able to assist in getting space for you.

Guest Services

When in doubt, the catch-all is to contact Guest Services for any issues you run into.

You would be surprised how many issues Guest Services can directly assist with, but if they cannot, they will put you in contact with someone who can.

Do not hesitate to reach out, even just to ask if what you are seeing is a problem or not. Don't be shy that you are asking a "dumb question" or are being a bother. They are there to help, and odds are they have seen it all by this point.

Guest Services is your go-to call during late or early hours, when other crew members may otherwise be unavailable.

Don't forget your travel agent

If you think the job of a travel agent ends once you get on the cruise ship, you are very mistaken.

Travel agents can be a great resource while you are on a cruise to answer questions, especially if you are seeing a discrepency between what you expect and what the crew onboard are telling you.

Missing onboard credits, stateroom assignment information, gratuities and more are problems your travel agent can address with the shoreside team while you enjoy your cruise.

A quick email to your travel agent to clarify something is a great tool to keep in your back pocket if the need arises.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has begun posting comments from the public on how cruises should restart again.

Since July 24, the CDC has been asking for feedback from the general public on cruise lines resuming passenger operations.

As of the writing of this post, over 900 comments submitted to the federal agency have been shared on the regulations.gov site.

Each submission has the submitter's name, along with their comments.

Strong opinions on cruising

If you take the time to browse the comments, you will find submissions that are a few sentences to many pages long.

Most of the comments seem to be in favor of cruises returning to service, and suggest new policies to keep guests safe.

"We cruisers are more than ready to resume cruising so PLEASE provide for cruising to resume! Fewer passengers, stringent cleaning procedures and no buffet lines would help." - Leelana Orr

"Covid test before you cruise. bring proof you're all clear. Temp checks when entering ships. Even cruise to ships private islands would be fine." - Elizabeth Dunai

"I have read some information via various news sources about the joint venture of Royal Caribbean & Norwegian cruise lines to develop a document of new safety protocols & processes. While not all encompassing, these new protocols & processes for keeping guests & crew safe, ultimate sanitation, etc., has made me feel confident that the cruise lines are taking Covid 19 very seriously." - Donna Gilleece

Many guest have also urged a more realistic approach to cruises that cannot eliminate all risk.

"The industry needs to be allowed to reopen and the public needs to be empowered to make decisions regarding their health and wellbeing when traveling." - Zdravko Galinec

"Truthfully the cruise ships are far more cleaner than Walmart . Please allow them to reopen even if it is at reduced capacity" - Julie Ozsoy  

Some that submitted comments urged more caution in any kind of return.

"In my opinion, cruise ships are a Covid-19 petri dish and should not be allowed to operate until a vaccine is developed or the virus infection rate significantly diminishes." - Greg Walker

And then there are a lot of comments from people who believe the CDC have overstepped their authority.

"I have worked as a federal employee for over 20 years in HealthCare and am appalled by your total abuse of power." - Robin Divers

"The cruise industry has taken a disgraceful public relations denouncement from the CDC. This is unjustified and unfair." - Anita Weiss

"Let us decide if we are comfortable, not the government. It's an abuse of a non-enumerated power." - Gerald Gleason

There is still time to submit your comments

You can submit comments online or via the mail.

To complete it online, visit the Federal Register's E-Rulemaking Portal by going to the U.S. Federal Register's website.

Be sure to use the Document ID to search for this page: CDC-2020-0087-0001.

Over the last few months, Royal Caribbean has talked, announced and even hinted at a variety of things that it will do once cruises resume to keep guests safe.

While the entirety of their new health policies and procedures will be forthcoming with the release of the Healthy Sail Panel recommendations later this month, there have been some indication of what to expect through various statements and comments.

Here is a look at the confirmed and strongly hinted at changes we can expect to be part of Royal Caribbean's recommendations.

Confirmed: Social distancing

A few different Royal Caribbean executives have stated at least initially, there will be reduced capacity on cruise ships in order to promote social distancing.

As of right now, reducing guest capacity is not expected to be permanent.

In addition, other forms of social distancing are being explored, including reduced capacity at dining and other public venues, staggered embarkation and check-in and the addition of more options for entertainment such as additional show times to allow for social distancing.

More: Royal Caribbean will add social distancing on its cruise ships

Hinted: Testing

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley said COVID-19 testing of guests is very likely to occur.

"Testing is part of the thinking that we have not yet reached a point in our protocols where we're ready to publish and release for for discussion," Mr. Bailey started, "But it's very likely that testing will occur."

The statement did not include if guests, crew, or everyone on the ship would be tested, but that is likely to be part of the Healthy Sail Panel's recommendations when they are published.

Confirmed: Muster 2.0

A new electronic muster drill is one of the new initiatives that blends tech innovations with guest policies, and it will allow guests to conduct the mandatory safety drill in a social distance-approved manner.

Known as Muster 2.0, guests will be able to complete the muster drill via mobile devices instead of standing in a line at the muster station.

Within a 4 hour window, guests can review safety information in the mobile app or interactive stateroom TV. Then they just have to visit the assembly station to complete the process.

More: Top 10 questions about Royal Caribbean's new Muster 2.0

Confirmed: New Chief Medical Officer

With all the changes Royal Caribbean expects to add, there is going to be a need to implement and monitor these new policies effectively. To that point, Royal Caribbean has created its public health czar by creating a brand new role.

Dr. Calvin Johnson has been hired to be Royal Caribbean's Global Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer.

This new role will tackle the needs of the global health and wellness policy, manage its public health and clinical practice, and determine the strategic plans and operations of its global healthcare organization.

In addition, Dr. Johnson will  collaborate with the Healthy Sail Panel to ensure the company establishes and implements its protocols and recommendations. 

Confirmed: Enhanced sanitization

Cruise ships had already been aggressive with onboard sanitization, but expect a higher level of attention to this need once ships resume sailing.

Royal Caribbean has said guests can expect enhanced health and safety standards that will come out of the panel's work, such as enhanced embarkation screening, temperature screenings at the pier, and testing options for guests and crew.

Confirmed: Modified buffet

It looked like early on that the Windjammer buffet would be removed, or completely reworked, but Royal Caribbean has said the buffet will exist, albeit with some tweaks.

Royal Caribbean Global Vice President Culinary, Dining & Beverage, Linken D'Souza confirmed the buffet will remain.

"But rest assured, the buffet will exist. There may be some small modifications that allow us to ensure that we have a really great, healthy return to service. But your favorites and what you're used to at the Windjammer will still be there."

"So I'll I'll put that to rest. We will absolutely have a Windjammer with all of your favorites in a very similar fashion to what you've had previously and maybe some different service steps to ensure healthy service."

Many more health protocols by the end of August

While this list gives a preview of a few changes to expect, the vast bulk of changes are forthcoming when the Healthy Sail Panel releases its recommendations.

The first set of recommendations should be delivered to Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line by the end of August 2020.

According to Royal Caribbean, this will be a pretty good outline of what changes the cruise line should implement.

While there may be no Royal Caribbean cruises to sail on, you can still enjoy some of the very same onboard entertainment from the comfort of your home.

Royal Caribbean's entertainment team is putting together a collection of popular onboard acts, including American acapella group MO5AIC, British ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, duo Gold Art, acrobats from the Ukraine and more.

Royal Caribbean is calling it the "Very Virtual Variety Show", and hosting the live performance will be Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Royal Caribbean International, Nick Weir.

"Anyone who thought that that just kind of misses the environment, misses cruising and in particular misses the entertainment at Royal Caribbean International, we're going to do something special," Mr. Weir said about the the idea behind the show.

"Kind of a bit of a cross between a podcast, and a talk show, and a variety show. And it's all very virtual and it's going to be great fun."

You can catch the event live on Royal Caribbean's Facebook page on Friday, August 14 at 5 p.m. EDT.

This is another online event held by Royal Caribbean during the global cruise shutdown. In June, Royal Caribbean streamed a virtual concert performance that was traditionally shown in Two70 on its Quantum Class ships.

The Virtual Concert featured Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns. High resolution video footage of that performance was captured on five 4K cameras to create a truly unique, immersive experience.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise is no simple task, and you might have questions about what to expect.

From what to pack, to what happens onboard the ship, to picking the right cabin, there's a lot to consider when planning your cruise.

We've written thousands of articles helping everyone find the right cruise for them.  To make it even easier to find the information you're looking for, we've also added this easy-to-navigate page to get you the information you need.

Popular topics

Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions below to easily find the answers you need.

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🏖️ Perfect Day at CocoCay

🛏️ RoyalUp stateroom upgrade bidding program

🚢 How to pick a cruise ship

🛋️ Cruise ship cabin guide

🧳 Cruise packing list

❤️ Crown & Anchor Society

🚌 Embarkation day

Checking-in for a Royal Caribbean cruise

When the day arrives to start your cruise, there's a lot of excitement and things to do.

Royal Caribbean wants you to complete as much of the check-in process before the cruise begins to expedite the process. This means taking the time while at home to get it all done so you spend less time in the terminal.

• How early can I board my cruise?
• 15 Royal Caribbean boarding process tips for a fast embarkation
• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• What to expect with Royal Caribbean’s virtual safety drill
• Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips
• Should you use the porters to take your luggage on your cruise ship?

Booking a cruise

When should I book a cruise?

If you want to get the best possible price on your cruise, then you should try to book as soon as you can.

Ideally, you can take advantage of lower prices by booking a cruise 12, 18 or even 24 months in advance so that you can find the best cabin selection and lowest prices.

Once a sailing is open for booking, you may reserve a cabin at any point all the way until the week of the sailing.  Of course, capacity is limited and options will dwindle while prices rise over time.

How do I get the best deal on a cruise?

There are a few good strategies for getting the best price on a cruise and spend less overall.

Cruising on the cheap means looking beyond the obvious choices for a cruise. Here are a few good ways to save money:

• Cruise on ships that aren't brand new
• Pick a sailing at very start or end of the season
• Book many months in advance
• Book guarantee room

I also recommend working with a good travel agent to not only find the best pricing, but to help answer common questions and concerns. A good travel agent should cost you nothing to use, and they are very helpful in scenarios you never even imagined.

The ships

Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

While this is a common question, the best cruise ship depends on what you want and like for your cruise.

Each ship offers different activities, amenities, entertainment and special features. The key is finding the ship that offers the right combination of these that appeal to you, while also sailing to the places you would like to visit.

Some important considerations you should look at in any ship is what it offers in:

• Kids Programming
• Signature activities (waterslides, Broadway shows, thrill attractions, open spaces, et al)
• Where it is sailing

What are the different classes of Royal Caribbean ships?

Royal Caribbean categorizes its cruise ships into classes, similar to auto manufacturers creating different models of cars.

There are eight different Royal Caribbean ship classes, and within each class there can be a differentiating options and add-ons that make ships different from each other.

The Oasis Class ships are the largest ships in the world, while the Quantum Class offer some of the latest innovations with a large size as well.

The Freedom and Voyager Class ships are a generation older, but are still large cruise ships that have recently been upgraded as part of the Royal Amplified program.

The Radiance and Vision Class ships combine a small size with many activities that have been added over the years. These are stylish ships that offer a refined and fun cruise atmosphere.

Majesty & Empress of the Seas are the oldest ships in the fleet, but they offer a more intimate setting than other larger classes.

Packing

What should I pack for my Royal Caribbean cruise?

We all know that feeling... you are getting ready for your vacation, but you cannot shake that feeling that you are forgetting something.

You should begin with personal items that you will need during your cruise, such as medications and prescription medicine.  It is a good idea to pack extra medicine in case of a travel delay getting home.

Onboard the ship, you will need outfits and clothes for when you're onboard, on shore, in the pool, and out to dinner. If you are cruising to the Caribbean, Mexico or other warm weather destinations, bring a hat for protection from the sun. If your cruise vacation will take you to Alaska, Canada & New England or Northern Europe, be sure to pack a jacket and several sweaters.

Be sure to pack a bathing suit, but you will not need towels as you can borrow them from the cruise line anytime you want.

What are dress codes?

The dress code rules for Royal Caribbean provide dress suggestions for the three types of dress codes onboard: casual, smart casual and formal.

• Casual: You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch.
• Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed. 
• Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion.

In practice, dress codes are infrequently enforced by the main dining room staff. 

If you are asking does everyone dress up to that extent, the answer is a resounding no. If you walk the Royal Promenade or around the Centrum of a Royal Caribbean ship around dinner time on formal night, you will spot plenty of people dressed to these specifications, but many opt for a more casual (but still dressed up) approach. Collared shirts with no jacket or tie for men, or blouses and skirts or leggings for ladies is common as well.

There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion.

Dining

What dining options are included on my cruise?

Every Royal Caribbean ship offers a combination of complimentary and extra-cost dining choices. Keep in mind there is a great variety of complimentary dining choices that will cost you nothing extra.

Full meals for breakfast, lunch (on sea days) and dinner are available in the main dining room, as well as the Windjammer buffet.  Depending on the ship, there are also complimentary grab-and-go dining choices you can go to for a snack or even a meal.

You also have the choice of specialty restaurants that cost extra, but offer different cuisines and atmosphere not available elsewhere on the ship.

What if I have special dietary requirements?

Royal Caribbean is very accommodating when it comes to guests who have special dietary needs. The cruise line can handle a number of requests, such as food allergies, Gluten-free, Kosher, Low-fat, and Low-sodium.

Vegetarian Meals (including Indian-style vegetarian) are available on all menus in the Dining Room and Windjammer Cafe every day. Guests do not need to make a special request for these meals.

Lactose-free/soy milk, Ensure, and kosher meals are available no extra charge. All you have to do is notify Royal Caribbean at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).

For any and all dietary requests, contact your travel agent or Certified Vacation Planner and request that the remark be noted in your reservation details. If you made your reservation online at royalcaribbean.com you may add your request to the "update personal information." section. You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected]; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date. E-mails will receive an automated response. 

Drinks

What drinks are included with my cruise?

Royal Caribbean provides all its guests on all its cruise ships a few different drinks throughout the day that are included in your cruise fare.   These drinks include

• tap water
• milk
• tea
• coffee (regular and decaf)
• lemonade
• iced tea
• flavored waters
• juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed)
• Hot chocolate (via instant packets)

These drinks are available throughout your cruise at a number of locations, so there will always be somewhere to get something to drink for free.

Other beverages, such as beer, wine, soda, espresso and bottled water cost extra.

Is a Royal Caribbean drink package worth it?

A very popular choice for guests who want to enjoy unlimited extra-cost beverages for a fixed cost is to buy a drink package.

There is no denying that a drink package has the potential to save money, but it depends on how you maximize its value.

If you can drink enough every day of the cruise, want to sample a wide variety of beverages, and like the convenience it offers, then a Royal Caribbean drink package is definitely worth it.

You do not need to get a drink package, but for many guests, the ability to lock in the price of a drink package and enjoy unlimited drinks without concern of spending too much is a very popular incentive.

Costs

What is included in my cruise fare?

A cruise remains a really good vacation value, especially when you factor in meals and entertainment.  Over the years, Royal Caribbean has realized some of its guests prefer to add onto the core experience, and began offering more options to tack onto their vacation.

Your cruse fare includes some basics:

• Entertainment & Nightlife
  • Broadway shows
  • Live music and comedy shows
  • Aqua shows and ice-skating shows
  • Parades and parties on the Royal Promenade
  • Comedy and live jazz club
  • Nightclubs, karaoke and sing-along piano bars
  • Lounge games and contests, such as trivia, Battle of the Sexes and more
• Signature Activities
  • FlowRider® surf simulator
  • Rock Climbing Wall
  • Quantum Class
    • RipCord® by iFLY® skydiving simulator
    • North Star observation capsule
    • SeaPlex play space with bumper cars, roller skating, trapeze school, video games and more
  • Oasis Class
    • Zip Line
  • Multi-level waterslides and slides on select ships
• Meals, beverages & room service
  • Main dining room
  • Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in various venues throughout each ship
  • Windjammer casual buffet on every ship, open for every meal
  • Variety of juices, teas, coffees, soft drinks and water throughout the ship and with meals
• Kids & Teens
  • Adventure Ocean Youth Program
  • DreamWorks Experience
  • Fuel teen club
  • Teen lounge area with movies, games and live DJ
• Fitness Center & Sports Activities
  • State-of-the-art fitness center
  • Table tennis
  • Full-size basketball and sports court
  • Group fitness classes, such as sunrise stretch, fab abs, dancing, meditation and more
  • Seminars on topics like weight loss, reflexology, stargazing and more
  • Deck Games — Volleyball, pool games, tug of war and other active challenges
  • Running / jogging track
• Pools & Outdoor amenities
  • Outdoor poolside movies
  • Adults-only Solarium
  • Multiple whirlpools
  • Traditional swimming pools plus beach ambience areas and sports zones
  • H2O Zone and Splashaway Bay for kids

Royal Caribbean cruises are not all inclusive, but you can certainly go your entire cruise without spending anything extra.  

Royal Caribbean has designed its ships to be "modular", where you can choose to add certain extras if you prefer.

Are shows included on Royal Caribbean?

The stage shows, and so much of the live entertainment onboard, is included with your cruise fare.

Royal Caribbean is known for its Broadway shows, as well as original productions found in various theaters around the ship. These are all included in your cruise fare.

Other activities and events, such as trivia, game shows and dance classes are also included.

Sometimes Royal Caribbean may offer an experience or backstage tour that costs extra, but these are not required to experience the performances.

Important rules

What you aren't allowed to bring onboard

You should be aware there are some important rules about what you cannot bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

For the safety and well-being of all guests, certain items are prohibited from being brought onboard.

Prohibited items that may not be brought on your cruise include:

• Firearms & Ammunition, including realistic replicas.
• Sharp Objects, including all knives and scissors. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Scissors with blade length less than 4 inches are allowed.)
• Illegal Drugs & Substances
• CBD Oil / CBD Products
• Candles, Incense, Coffee Makers, Clothes Irons, Travel Steamers & Hot Plates. (Items that generate heat or produce an open flame. This includes heating pads, clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense and any other item that may create a fire hazard. NOTE: The only exception to this policy are curling irons and hair straighteners. Matches and normal lighteners are allowed onboard. However ""torch lighters"" and novelty lighters that look like guns are not allowed onboard. Torch lighters emit a powerful concentrated flame, and therefore are prohibited.
• Hoverboards
• Martial Arts, Self Defense, and Sports Gear, including handcuffs, pepper spray, night sticks.
• Flammable Liquids and Explosives, including lighter fluid and fireworks.
• Hookahs & Water Hookah Pipes.
• HAM Radios
• Baby Monitors
• Electrical Extension Cords
• Dangerous Chemicals, including bleach and paint.
• Perishable Food & Meat Products
• Alcoholic Beverages (except two bottles of wine on embarkation day)

These and other similar items will be confiscated upon being found. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, flammable liquids, explosives, and dangerous chemicals will not be returned.

You cannot share drink packages

Let me be perfectly clear: it is absolutely forbidden to share the Royal Caribbean drink package benefits with anyone else. Period.

Royal Caribbean warns that guests who share a drink with someone who does not have a drink package can risk having their drink package benefits revoked with no refund.  

The package is intended for only the guest who buys the package.  If you want to buy a drink for someone else, you can do so and pay for it individually along side your drink package transaction.

Kids

What's available for kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

The heart of Royal Caribbean offerings for kids is the Adventure Ocean program, which offers supervised programming for children of nearly any age.

Nurseries are available on most ships for toddlers 6 months to 36 months old, where parents can drop children off throughout the day and evening. Use of the nursery comes at an hourly charge. Young children can enjoy soft play areas and age-appropriate toys, as well as cribs and cots for napping or sleeping.

For children 3 years old through 11 years old, Adventure Ocean is available for no additional cost every day of your cruise. There's a lot for kids to do here and the programs specialize for each age group.  It's a mix of learning, play time and socializing.

Kids are checked in and out by parents and it's fully supervised by Royal Caribbean staff. The requirement for children to participate is to be at least 3 years old and be fully potty trained.  There are after hours programs offered as well in Adventure Ocean for an hourly fee if parents want their kids to have supervision later into the evening.

The teens club is for older kids through 17 years old, which is about empowering teens to do their own thing but still offer activities and fun events to help introduce everyone.

There are teen-only spots onboard the ship where they can come and go as they please. Each day there are teen only events planned in the Cruise Planner, where teens can have dedicated time to enjoy special activities. 

WiFi

Is internet access available on Royal Caribbean?

All Royal Caribbean ships offer internet at sea access for an additional cost.

Royal Caribbean calls its internet service "Voom", and it relies on satellite technology for staying connected.

Depending on the ship, the actual speeds and performance will vary. On Oasis and Quantum class ships, you can easily stream video from services like Hulu or Netflix, or engage in Facetime and Skype video calls.

Some other ships, notably Royal Caribbean ships that spend time outside the United States, the speeds may not be quite as fast, but fleetwide, the Voom service is significantly better than onboard internet available through other cruise lines.

How much does WiFi cost?

The cost of a Wi-Fi internet package varies depending on the number of devices and the service package purchased. 

Royal Caribbean offers unlimited plans that can be purchased onboard the ship or pre-purchased prior to the cruise. 

Without a doubt, you will save money by pre-purchasing your Voom internet package via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

Prices begin at $15.99 per device, per day for 1 device on the Surf (slower) access plan, and $19.99 per device, per day for 1 device on the Surf & Stream (faster) access plan.

Still have a question?

If you still have a question, or are unsure about something mentioned here, be sure to ask a question on our message boards!