Royal Caribbean Blog

Whether you have money burning a hole in your pocket, or you enjoy day dreaming about spending oodles of cash, we have a look at the kind of things you can spend plenty on during a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean offers things to see and do at every price, including the super expensive.  I have picked five of the priciest things you can do on a Royal Caribbean cruise in today's brand new RoyalCaribbeanBlog video!

And if you love this video, we have lots of other great cruise videos to watch on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: Which of these super splurges would you want to buy?

Royal Caribbean informed guests on five sailings in 2021 that their cruises have been cancelled in order to provide extra time for the ship's scheduled dry dock next year.

The cruise line confirmed that five sailings are being cancelled, beginning with the February 14, 2021 sail date.

An extended dry dock is necessary in order to perform the upgrades and enhancements the ship will receive as part of Royal Caribbean's more than $1 billion Royal Amplified fleet modernization effort.

Guests on the affected sailings received emails to inform them of their options, which include being rebooked on other Liberty of the Seas sailings later in 2021, or Jewel of the Seas during the same time period. Alternatively, guests may choose to re-book on a different Royal Caribbean International sailing or cancel the cruise all together.

Royal Caribbean has not announced what changes and upgrades are coming to Liberty of the Seas yet.

Royal Caribbean recently updated its app to make it easier for guests to return to edit their information after checking-in online to help qualify for Expedited Arrival.

One of the most useful offerings in select embarkation ports is Expedited Arrival, which moves guests quicker through the check-in process in the cruise terminal.

In the past, once a guest completed online check-in, it was difficult to get back to update the information.

With the 1.23.0 release, Royal Caribbean added a new link below the SetSail Pass to easily get back and update information.

Here is how to get Expedited Arrival for your next sailing:

1. Create a guest account with Royal Caribbean before the cruise.

2. Download the Royal Caribbean app from either the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store.

3. Begin check-in and make sure you do a few steps:

a. Fill out all the questions in the short form provided.
b. Scan your passport with the app (do not manually enter the passport information).
c. Take a security selfie photo. Make sure you do not have a hat on or sunglasses, and have as muted a background as possible.

The app is available on the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store.

When Royal Caribbean spent $165 million in upgrades to Oasis of the Seas, along with new water slides, restaurants and activities, the ship debuted a much enhanced and upgraded retail offer.

In coordination with Starboard Cruise Services, eight retail areas on three decks were refurbished and expanded across more than 7,000sq ft. These cover key categories including fine watches & jewellery, fashion jewellery, beauty & fragrance, a destination shop, branded merchandise, apparel and leather, plus a dedicated John Hardy location.

Among the retail highlights is What Goes Around Comes Around, featuring curated luxury brands from around the world, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Gucci.

The destination-inspired Island Market aims to bring “the spirit of the Caribbean” to life. Encouraging discovery, the space’s vibrant props and colourful cards tell the stories of the talents behind brands such as Debbie Katz with coastal-inspired beachwear; Tagua, a colourful modern jewellery line; and Marcela Cofre, known for crafting colourful glass designs and jewellery.

In fine watches, the Swiss timepieces offer includes Hublot, TAG Heuer, Breitling and Longines, among others.

The first dedicated John Hardy shop in the Royal Caribbean fleet features the jeweller’s handcrafted collections inspired by Balinese jewellery-making traditions. Adding an experiential twist, John Hardy’s Sail to Bali is a hands-on workshop where guests learn the eight-step Balinese jewellery-making traditions that John Hardy employs.

Guests can save up to 30% off pre-cruise purchases via the cruise line's Cruise Planner website.

The Sale Before You Sail is available between January 8, 2020 and January 15, 2020 and applies to select sailings departing January 17, 2020 – July 31, 2020, except Spectrum of the Seas.

It includes:

BEVERAGE

• Classic Soda Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
• Deluxe Beverage Package: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings + SC)
• Deluxe Beverage Package + VOOM Surf & Stream 1 Device: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings + SC)
• Refreshment Package: 30% off onboard prices: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings + SC)
• Water Packages - 12 & 24 bottles: 40% off onboard prices: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, VI & SC)

Shore Excursions

•  Shore Excursions: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)

Internet

•  The Key: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, MJ & SC)
• VOOM Surf & Stream Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Devices(s): Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)
• VOOM Surf Voyage Package 1, 2, 3, 4 Devices. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)

DINING

• Unlimited Dining Package on 3N - 9N sailings. Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, MJ, & SC)

ACTIVITIES

• All Access Ship Tour: 10% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings & SC)

GIFTS & GEAR

• Anniversary Decorations with Champagne: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Chocolate Covered Strawberries: 20% off onboard prices (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Happy Anniversary Decorations:20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Happy Birthday Decorations: 20% off onboard prices.. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Happy Birthday Chocolate Cake and Strawberries: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Happy Birthday Vanilla Cake and Strawberries: (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Royal Caribbean Beach Towel:20% off onboard prices.(Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)
• Strawberries with Champagne: 20% off onboard prices. (Excludes Charter Sailings, QN, SC & VY)

PHOTO PACKAGES

• All Digital + Prints: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings AD, AN, EX, GR, HM, ID, JW, LB, MA, MJ, NE, NV, OA, OV, OY, QN, RD, SC, SY, VI & VY)
• All Digital: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, GR, JW, MJ, NE, OY, RD, SC & VI)
• All Prints: Discount varies by ship. (Excludes Charter Sailings, AD, AN, EX, HM, ID, LB, MA, NV, SY & VY)

SPA & FITNESS

• New! Spa & Fitness: 30% off onboard prices. (Only on HM Sailings)

To check if your sailing has this new offer available, log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean's web site look for any available offers. Keep in mind that not all sailings may see the sale applicable, nor are all offers significantly cheaper than previously posted.

If you spot a better discount on something you already pre-purchased, you should be able to cancel the purchase and then re-purchase the same item under this promotion.

There are no changes to Royal Caribbean's cruise schedule following a magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Tuesday morning.

The cruise line confirmed on Twitter that were have been no changes to scheduled cruises to or from Puerto Rico.

Hi, Corvin. We're set to sail or visit Puerto Rico but if any changes are made we'll make sure to advise our guests right away. -Mari

— Royal Caribbean (@RoyalCaribbean) January 7, 2020

The U.S. Geological Survey said the shaking began about 4:24 a.m. and was followed by intense aftershocks, including a 6.0-magnitude shock wave that was also felt across the U.S. territory.

If there is an area of Royal Caribbean that garners a lot of questions, it is about the cruise line's drink packages.

There is a tremendous amount of value potentially with a beverage package, and quite often people are curious how to maximize a drink package purchase and make it work for them.

Many cruisers ask questions such as...

"Is a drink package on Royal Caribbean worth it?"
"How much is drink package on Royal Caribbean?"
"How does drink package work on Royal Caribbean?"
"Can Royal Caribbean drink packages be shared?"

These are real questions we are asked, so here are the answers to some other beverage package questions we often get asked.

What is a Royal Caribbean drink package?

A drink package offers a prepaid, fixed price for unlimited drinks during a Royal Caribbean cruise.

There are three types of beverage packages offered by the cruise line: Deluxe Beverage Package (unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages), Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic beverages) and the Classic Soda Package (soft drinks only).

Prices for a beverage package are as follows (prices before gratuity or VAT):

• Deluxe: $63-70 per person, per day
• Refreshment: $29 per person, per day
• Classic Soda: $12.99 per person, per day

The  Deluxe Beverage Package includes any single beverage item with a value of up to $12:

• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Cocktails
• Spirits
• Liquor
• Beer
• Wine by the glass
• Milkshakes at Johnny Rockets (only available while dining at Johnny Rockets)

The Refreshment Package includes:

• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup
• Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails)
• Bottled still and sparkling water
• Premium coffees and teas
• Fresh-squeezed juices
• Milkshakes at Johnny Rockets (only available while dining at Johnny Rockets)

The Classic Soda package includes

• Fountain soda and refills at any venue
• Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages
• Coca-Cola souvenir cup

How do I purchase a Royal Caribbean beverage package?

Guests can purchase a drink package before the cruise via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website, or by calling 1-800-398-9819 up to two days prior to the cruise.

Alternatively, the drink package can be purchased onboard the ship.

You will save money by purchasing the drink package prior to your cruise, because Royal Caribbean often discounts the drink packages compared to the onboard price.

Can I order multiple drinks at a time with Royal Caribbean's drink packages?

No, drinks ordered with a Royal Caribbean all-inclusive beverage packages must be ordered one at a time. 

If multiple guests each have a beverage package, then drinks can be ordered in tandem, but the cruise line requires one drink per order to prevent abuse of the beverage packages.

Are gratuities included in the Royal Caribbean beverage package cost?

At the time of purchase, a service charge is added to the drink package cost.  This 18% gratuity covers all drink package purchases made onboard the ship, so no additional cost is required by the guest when ordering a beverage.

Guests may optionally pay an additional gratuity when ordering a drink at their discretion.

How do I cancel my Royal Caribbean beverage package?

You can cancel the drink package up to 2 days prior to your cruise easily via the Cruise Planner site.

Once logged into your sailing, click Order History at the top right of the page and then find the drink package you purchased and click cancel.

If you decide to cancel the drink package onboard the ship, usually Royal Caribbean will allow it, but not always.  You will need to go to Guest Services onboard and ask to cancel and refund the drink package.  Keep in mind that if they do cancel your drink package purchase, any drinks you purchased will be charged to your SeaPass account individually.  

How am I identified as having purchased a beverage package?

The bottom right corner of your SeaPass card will either be stamped with text, or have a sticker affixed to it that indicates you have a drink package.

Regardless of the sticker or text, each order will need to be scanned by the bartender/waiter to verify drink package status.

If you have a WOWBand, the bartender/waiter can scan that and verify drink package status as well.

Are beverage packages available on all sailings?

A drink package is available on most sailings that are two or more days, with the exception of 2- or 3-day sailings from Southampton, England.

Does everyone in my stateroom need to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package?

Yes,  if one person in a cabin purchases the Deluxe Beverage Package, all others in the cabin aged 21 and over must purchase a package. If the other adult(s) in the room do not consume alcohol for any reason, you can call Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819 and ask for an exemption.

There is no such rule required for the Refreshment Package or the Soda Package.

What happens if the drink I want is more than $12?

If you exceed a drink order threshold, you will pay the difference.  This applies to the menu price of the drink, as gratuity is included with your drink package.

Keep in mind that most drinks are within the drink package threshold, and only a few top shelf liquors are excluded. In short, you need to go out of your way to try to exceed the limit.

Can guests purchase the all-inclusive beverage packages for selected days?

No, guests cannot "cherry pick" days to have the drink package. Once purchased, it is good for the duration of the cruise.

Onboard, the all-inclusive packages are available for purchase throughout the voyage with at least 4 days remaining. Must be purchased for the duration of the cruise; prorated price based on date of purchase. 

Is there a daily limit for drinks with the Deluxe Beverage Package?

No, there is not any daily limit with Royal Caribbean drink packages.

Where can I use my Deluxe Beverage Package?

Royal Caribbean's drink packages are honored at all bars, lounges and restaurants on your cruise.  This includes the main dining room and Windjammer Café.

The drink packages also work at the cruise line's private islands of Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee.

Room service and minibar are not included. 

Can I use my beverage packages when I get onboard my cruise?

Absolutely! If purchased before the cruise or even in the cruise terminal, the drink package benefits are available immediately.

Can I use my beverage package at Labadee? Or Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Yes, drink packages purchased for onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise are honored at either destination.

There is no additional charge to use your beverage packages on the island, so it is added value for anyone visiting.

Can I use my drink package at Starbucks kiosks onboard?

No, drink packages are not honored at any Starbucks kiosk onboard.

It is important to note that the Deluxe Beverage Package and Refreshment Package do include premium coffees at Cafe Promenade or Cafe Latte-Tudes.

Happy 2020! We are celebrating the new year with a new Royal Caribbean Blog video, previewing what will be new in 2020 on Royal Caribbean.

There are a lot of big changes coming to Royal Caribbean this year and there is bound to be a lot of excitement about a new ship, big upgrades to the fleet, Coco Beach Club's opening and more.  Take a look ahead with us in our latest YouTube video!

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single episode!

Taking a cruise to the Southern Caribbean offers the opportunity to visit some of the most exotic and beautiful islands. While all Caribbean islands share a common theme when it comes to tackling itinerary planning, there are some unique elements to a Southern Caribbean cruise.

When planning a visit to this region, you will often find less developed islands that are far more unique than other Caribbean destinations.

Before hitting the Southern Caribbean, here are some good tips having a great vacation.

It is going to be hot

When you see photos of islands such as Aruba, Bonaire, St. Kitts or Barbados, they look incredibly beautiful, but what you do not see in these photos are the high temperatures.

The Southern Caribbean is going to be hot year-round, and unlike more northerly islands, cold fronts do not make it down to impact the temperatures. This means you can expect temperatures routinely above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

With high temperatures comes the need to pack plenty of sunscreen, UV Sun Protection Clothing, sunglasses and drink plenty of water. I would also recommend packing extra outfits so when you return from a sweaty shore excursion, you can change into something else.

Islands are more specialized

Unlike other Caribbean islands, you will find smaller and less developed islands in the Southern Caribbean. This means there is not an overwhelming amount of choices of shore excursions, and places a greater emphasis on the importance of planning your shore activities.

Some islands, such as Antigua, Bonaire or St. Lucia have limited choices in what to do, so be sure to book shore excursions ahead of time, rather than walking off the ship to discover something to do.

Many cruisers who are used to ports that offer expansive downtown areas and an army of locals offering things to do, are surprised to discover limited activities and popular choices selling out.

Flying to San Juan 101

Many cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, offer the bulk of their Southern Caribbean sailings from the homeport of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Here are some basics to know about sailing from San Juan.

• Book airfare early: Prices for flights to San Juan are far more limited than other homeports in the United States, so plan to book airfare early and jump on a good deal. While some low-cost carriers may offer deals later, flights sell out quickly (especially for convenient times).
• Airfare prices wont be cheap: If you are expecting bargain prices for your flights, think again. Due to the airlines not offering as many flights to Puerto Rico as in the past, and the lack of direct flights to the island, you will not find bargain basement prices on airfare. Quite often the cheaper cruise fares from San Juan are offset by the higher airfare prices.
• Hotels cheaper outside Old San Juan: Since you will likely (and should) fly into San Juan at least a day before the cruise, you should know that prices for hotels are significantly cheaper if you are willing to stay outside of Old San Juan.

Port intensive itineraries that feature longer stays

It is not uncommon to go on a seven night Southern Caribbean cruise that features just one or two sea days, and that means a lot of port stops in a row. Moreover, since the islands are so close to each other, many Royal Caribbean cruises tend to offer later stays in port.

While having more time in a port of call is almost always a good thing, the added time to enjoy all there is to see and do can make dinner back on the ship tough to schedule. With departure times regularly past 7pm, you may find dinner in the main dining room or specialty restaurants difficult to plan.

Before booking dinner at any restaurant onboard your ship, look at your itinerary times and cross reference that with what your plans are for each island. If you are going to be spending time enjoying the evening hours on shore, you will either have to eat dinner on the island, or plan on a late dinner back onboard.

It is okay to stay onboard

Following up on the port intensive itinerary tip earlier, you should know it is okay to skip an island visit and stay onboard the ship to enjoy a relaxed day.

With the possibility of four or five island stops in one sailing, it is easy to become exhausted from running around each port in consecutive days.  If none of the activities stand out, or the idea of your third beach day in a row seems like overkill, sleep-in and then enjoy having the ship seemingly to yourself while others are out exploring.

Take advantage of shopping opportunities

Despite the internet offering the ease to buy pretty much anything, Southern Caribbean islands do offer certain accoutrements otherwise unavailable.

The islands of Curaçao, St. Maarten or Bonaire, are well-known for Dutch goods, such as cheese or Dutch tin-glazed earthenware.

French islands, including Martinique or St. Martin, offer luxury goods as well.

Book excursions early

Since Southern Caribbean islands lack the variety of activities found elsewhere in the Caribbean, excursions tend to sell out quicker than usual.

Rather than waiting to book something onboard your ship, be sure to reserve a shore excursion as early as you can before the cruise. This is especially true to all-inclusive day passes, as well as guided tours.

When booking any excursion, be certain you can cancel and get a full refund if you change your mind later. All Royal Caribbean excursions are fully refundable up until 48 hours prior to the activity.

Royal Beach Club in Antigua

Something to keep an eye on for the future is Royal Caribbean's first Royal Beach Club, which will open in Antigua in 2021.

The Royal Beach Club at Fort James will combine Antigua's famous beaches with the cruise line’s signature service and amenities. Guests can take in the island’s exceptional views from private cabanas or plunge into a stunning pool and swim up to the bar to order a classic rum punch.

Though Royal does not expect to release specific designs for the Antigua destination for several months, the company expects to offer regional fare, island-style BBQs and live music, along with unforgettable experiences, including such thrills as wave runners, paddle boarding, snorkeling, a family splash pad and stunning pool with swim-up bar.         

Your thoughts

What are your tips for someone cruising to the Southern Caribbean? Any questions for those taking or considering a Southern Caribbean cruise? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Worried that you might get sea sick or catch a virus on a cruise? Many first time cruisers have that concern, but with a few easy steps, you can remain healthy and having a great time onboard!

Unfortunately cruise ships are often the subject of the media's attention when there is a rare case of an illness onboard, but the reality is according to the Centers for Disease Control, between between 2008 and 2014 approximately 18/100ths of one percent of cruisers became ill on a cruise ship.  That’s 0.18%. 

The idea that a cruise ship is some sort of magnet for easily spreadable diseases is just plain wrong. Royal Caribbean spends a great deal of time and effort to thoroughly sanitize their cruise ships, and illness outbreak is rarer than anywhere on land.

Follow these steps to help keep you and your family healthy, safe, and having a fabulous time onboard!

Prevent getting seasick

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships are massive vessels that are not easily jostled to a point where you can get queasy easily.

There are some easy to follow steps for lowering the chances you would get seasick in the first place, as well as easy remedies. If you ask cruisers that go on a lot of sailings, they will tell you concern over getting seasick is pretty low on their worry list.

Wash your hands (again and again)

You will hear the cruise line tell you to wash your hands over and over again (heck, they produced an ear worm song about it), and it is because washing your hands before meals and after using the restrooms is the best way to stay healthy onboard.

Whenever possible, take the time to stop and wash your hands, especially before eating. Many illnesses are spread by physical contact, so be sure to take a few seconds and wash thoroughly with warm water.

One thing I like to do is buy a bottle of liquid soap (this link contains an affiliate link) to keep in my stateroom bathroom to make washing hands easier.

Stay hydrated

In this age of drink packages, it is very easy to skip drinking enough water. Combined with warm temperatures in the Caribbean or Mediterranean, and dehydration becomes a large threat.

Meal time is always a good point to take a break from alcoholic beverages and have a glass of water (or two). Keep in mind that most drink packages include bottled water.

The bottom line is you want to keep up with drinking water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Water helps cleanse your body and keep you feeling your best.

Get enough sleep

Nothing weakens your immune system faster than not getting enough sleep. Royal Caribbean offers so much to see and do on their cruise ships, so it is easy to "burn the candle at both ends" and try to wake up early and stay up late to do it all.

Make sure you take naps or sleep-in now and then to ensure your body has time to recover from all the fun from the day before.

Pack sunscreen

If there is one mistake many first timers overlook it is packing (and subsequently applying) sunscreen while on their cruise. Getting a sun burn will put a real damper on your fun.

It is easy to neglect to bring any sunscreen, so buy some at home (and save money compared to buying it on the ship). Whenever you are outdoors in the morning or afternoon, be sure to apply sunscreen and re-apply every few hours.

Be sure to get a sunscreen that has a high-SPF, and invest in a reef safe sunscreen (link contains affiliate link) to avoid being denied entry to some beaches.

Use your knuckle or elbow

When touching any common surface, like a button, be sure to use your knuckle or even an elbow instead of your finger.  This simple tactic will signficantly help avoid coming in contact with a virus.

Be sure to use the automatic door openers at public restrooms when going in or out of them. While they are labeled for handicap use, anyone can (and should) use them to activate doors and avoid touching door handles. If you do have to touch a door handle, grab a paper towel before doing so.