Royal Caribbean Blog

I love to take my family on cruises, and have been doing so ever since my first child was six months old.

After more than 44 cruises as a family, I've quickly learned a few tricks to saving money along the way.  Family vacations don't have to be expensive, especially if you know where to cut corners.

With Royal Caribbean leaning more into the family vacation market (especially with the launch of Icon of the Seas), taking your kids on a cruise is becoming even more popular.

If you're like me, you'll want to save every dollar you can so that you can pay for another cruise in the future (or splurge on a fun upgrade).

Read more: What is the best way to spend an extra $1,000 on a cruise?

Here are my list of easy ways I save money and expand our family vacation budget.

Skip the dining package for my kids

While my wife and I love to indulge in specialty dining on a cruise, my kids are fine with the included food and that's a big saving.

Not spending extra on specialty dining for the kids is as much about being frugal as it is being practical.  My youngest daughter only really wants to eat quesadillas, pasta with butter, and cheese pizza.  All of that she can get for no extra cost.

Depending on the restaurant, we will either feed her before or after the meal so she can sit with us during the meal.  Packing a drawing pad and colored pencils is a great way for them to pass the time.  It's also perfectly acceptable for the kids to run down to Sorrento's and bring back a pizza. 

There are exceptions to this rule, such as Izumi Hibachi, but if your kids are as picky as mine, don't overlook the complimentary dining choices.

Turn off the kids charging privileges

I trust my kids not to go on a spending spree onboard, but mistakes happen.  To simplify things, I'll go to Guest Services and turn off their charging privileges to avoid a future problem.

There are lots of extra costs on a cruise, from the arcade, to sodas, to souvenirs and they can all add up.

I always periodically check my onboard accounts to make sure there are no erroneous charges, and removing the kids' ability to charge is a good fail safe.

Take advantage of the included activities

Every Royal Caribbean cruise ship has a lot of fun activities included in the cruise fare, and it's a great idea to point my kids in that direction first.

There are pools, hot tubs, rock climbing walls, trivia contests, and live shows on every ship.  Plus, the newer ships have water slides, kids aqua park, bumper cars and more.

My kids really love laser tag, bumper cars, water slides, and miniature golf.

I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the value Adventure Ocean presents.  It's included in your cruise fare, and you get the peace of mind as a parent of enjoying supervised programming that appeals to the kids.

Two cabins instead of a suite

My favorite cruise hack for families is to book two connecting rooms instead of one larger cabin.

Read more: 45 easy ways how to save money on a cruise

I think most families that look to book a cruise default to looking for one cabin that fits everyone.  This often leads to booking a suite, especially if you have more than 4 people in your cabin.

Instead, we book two smaller connecting rooms many times. It provides a cheaper price than a suite, and it gives us separation from the kids.  Plus, we get a second bathroom!

Of course, I do book suites with my family, but if I want to save money, I'll go for two cabins.

Using the free chat instead of buying an internet package

A very common concern if you have older kids is how to be able to message them onboard without paying for an internet package.

While buying everyone a WiFi package is an easy choice, it can be very expensive.

Instead, we'll leverage the Royal Caribbean app because it has a free chat feature.

If your kids are under 13 years old, they're not allowed to have a Royal Caribbean account.  In that situation, we'll log them into one of our accounts and we can still message them even if we are effectively messaging ourself.

A cruiser that complained on TikTok that her balcony railing "obstructs" her view received a lot of backlash for her hot take.

Abbie, who goes by the username @abbiesnormal, first posted a video in February about her cruise on Icon of the Seas.

The viral video, taken at night, shows the balcony view of a dark ocean from the world's largest cruise ship.

"Should this rail be considered an obstruction on my balcony?" The caption questions.

Users commented that it wasn't, disagreeing strongly.

"Have you lost your mind?" one TikToker asked.

Read more: I spent $2800 for 7 nights in a 157-square-foot room on the world's largest cruise ship. Take a look inside my tiny cabin

According to Abbie, a railing beneath the balcony blocks the ocean view

To better show the view, Abbie posted another video, filmed during the day. 

This TikTok has gone viral, with over 1.5 million views, and is captioned with a similar question: "Should this be considered an obstructed view balcony?

In her viral TikTok, Abbie explains that there is a rail beneath the balcony.

"You should be able to see all the way down to the ocean, but you can't [because] it's obstructed about a foot or so."

She pans down below the balcony view to reveal a railing that runs along the bottom of the deck.

"[The] 12th floor has this [rail] all the way around," she wrote in another TikTok.

Since Icon of the Seas is such a new ship, the TikToker explained that she didn't know what to expect from the cabin's balcony view.

Read more: Icon of the Seas cabins to avoid

According to a later video Abbie posted, she was booked in cabin 12608, on deck 12, which is classified as an Ocean View Balcony Stateroom.

Abbie disagrees with this classification, wondering if the cabin should be categorized as an obstructed balcony view instead. 

The railing appears to be support for the machine that cleans the balconies.

Although the ocean can still be seen clearly, Abbie explained that the railing at the bottom "messes up the way the ocean looks at night."

Since she had to stand up to get a 100% clear view of the ocean, she took to the Internet to ask if this would be considered an obstructed balcony view.

Over 7,000 comments later, the Internet seemed to come to a consensus.

Commenters opposed Abbie's opinion, attempting to convince her that the view was unobstructed

Most TikTokers disagreed with Abbie, using the comment section to tell her it was not an obstructed balcony view.

"No, it's unobstructed looking out, not down," commented user eileen000009.

"The expectation is that you're enjoying the view and the water in front of you but not below you."

Because the railing is below the balcony view, not directly in front of it, many commenters felt that the view was not obstructed.

"This is like asking if a flower box is obstructing the view of a window," The_J3NN wrote.

"No," Ash said, "You can still see the entire ocean. You're acceptable."

Other comments criticized Abbie for complaining about the balcony view at all.

"[You're] lucky enough to be on a cruise and still complain about a 3-inch wide rail," 1999_Ford_Ranger commented.

Another user remarked that they couldn't believe anyone could complain about the view, calling Abbie a "Karen."

Other comments asked if the viral video was a joke or satire.

Abbie responded to many of the comments, defending herself and explaining that the rail blocked her view of the ocean at night.

Abbie posted multiple TikToks displaying the view of the stateroom, even comparing it to a different balcony cabin

She also followed up with a third TikTok about the stateroom, comparing it to a previous balcony cabin she stayed in on Ovation of the Seas.

This last TikTok was a response to a comment disagreeing with her assessment of the Icon of the Seas balcony view.

"You are high," the commenter criticized.

In response, Abbie posted a still photo from inside her Ovation of the Seas stateroom, taken on an Alaska sailing.

The video shows a balcony view with no white rail at the bottom.

"Notice how there's no foot wide white block holding a rail outside the bottom of my balcony," her caption reads.

The proof didn't seem to help her case, as many of the comments still disagreed with her.

"I see what you're talking about but it's really not that serious..." xklaudx said.

Others even joked that other small objects were blocking her view on the Ovation balcony.

"Those chairs are obstructing the view... you should toss [them] overboard," one commenter wrote.

Per Royal Caribbean's standards, the cabin has an unobstructed view

So, is the cabin considered to have an obstructed ocean view?

On cruise ships, certain cabins are categorized as obstructed due to the location of the stateroom on the ship.

Usually, the obstruction is a lifeboat or part of the ship's structure, i.e., an object that blocks the cabin's view but cannot be moved.

Obstructed cabins are considered a separate cabin category, listed at a slightly lower cruise fare.

Passengers who stay in them still receive a similar oceanview, and the same amenities as in standard staterooms.

Royal Caribbean's website states that an obstruction is "something that blocks a proportion of the direct outward view from a stateroom."

"This is typically due to the position of lifeboats or the outer structure of the ship."

You can view the deck plans on the Royal Caribbean website to determine if a stateroom has an obstructed view.

Based on this definition, and the Royal Caribbean deck plans, Abbie's ocean view balcony is not considered obstructed.

Because the outward view of the ship is not blocked, and the rail is only visible when looking downward, she has an unobstructed view.

What are the things people who went to Alaska on a cruise wish they brought with them?

With the Alaska cruise season in full swing, many people are excited to have a great cruise, but worry about what they need. If you're unfamiliar with the beautiful region, packing can still pose a challenge.

To pack the right items and clothing for a cruise, you have to understand the climate and the time frame in which you are cruising.

Read more: Alaska cruise packing list

In the Alaska Royal Caribbean Cruises Facebook group, user Lindsey Parks asks for advice from other cruisers who've recently sailed to Alaska. "For anyone who has gone [on an Alaskan cruise] recently (like within the last week), what's something you learned you should have packed?" she wrote.

Other Facebook users jumped to her assistance, sharing items they wish they'd packed, or items they were grateful they brought.

To help fellow cruisers prepare for their upcoming Alaskan voyage, we've compiled a list of the 7 top items people wish they'd packed. 

Please note that we’ve linked items on Amazon in this article, which contain an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase the item through the link. Shop more on our Amazon Storefront.

1. A rain jacket

Although Alaska's weather improves in the spring and summer months, rain is always a possibility.

July and August are usually the wettest months, but it could rain at any time during a summer cruise.

Cruisers commented that they wished they had a rain jacket or poncho to protect them from the downpour.

The big attraction of an Alaska cruise lies in the access to beautiful natural wonders, unique wildlife, and real-life glaciers.

All of these attractions require you to be outside to see them, and on a cruise, you're limited to a few hours to explore.

If you're looking forward to certain natural attractions, packing a rain jacket or umbrella will ensure that you will see them, rain or shine.

Read more: I went on a 7-night cruise to Alaska. Here are 16 things that surprised me the most.

Our pick

Our recommendation is to pack a waterproof rain jacket. For women, they could pick up the Columbia Arcadia Ii Jacket. For men, try the Glennaker Rain Jacket by Columbia.

If you have kids, try the Columbia Boys' Rain Jacket or the Girls' Switchback li Jacket.

2. Waterproof shoes

Along those same lines, many Facebook users commented that they should have packed waterproof sneakers or hiking shoes.

They would be helpful for "even just going through the town," Kimberly Helfant wrote.  "Icy Strait Point was rainy and muddy."

Icy Strait Point is a Native-owned private cruise port, with popular shore excursions.

From whale-watching tours to gondola rides, there are many popular shore excursions to experience there.

Cruisers will find themselves walking a lot while at this port, starting with disembarking off the ship and continuing into museums or following their shore excursion groups.

Having the right footwear will enhance your stamina for the entirety of the port day and save you from getting wet socks! 

Our pick

Sperry makes really good boots you can wear anywhere in Alaska, such as the Women's Saltwater Lux Boot and Men's Cold Bay Chukka Boot.

3. Moisture-wicking socks

Multiple commenters said they wished they'd packed moisture-wicking socks, winter socks, or more pairs of warm socks.

On an Alaskan cruise, where hikes and walks are popular methods of viewing the scenery, lots of quality pairs of socks will be essential.

Read more: I packed for my Alaska cruise in a carry-on suitcase. Here's what I packed and how you can do it too.

Good-quality, warm socks work together with your sneakers or hiking shoes to control odors and reduce the risk of blisters.

Moisture-wicking socks also help your feet stay warm because they won't get cold and damp. 

This keeps away infection and ensures that you won't get sick on a cold hike.

Our pick

The Fox River Wick Dry Explorer Socks came highly recommended by other cruisers because they wick moisture away from your skin so you're able to stay warmer longer.

4. Warm leggings

BJ Cannon wished she packed "warmer leggings, not the thin ones."

For those used to living in warmer weather, packing for a colder destination can be a challenge.

You might assume "leggings" just means thin, workout clothing.

Read more: We asked our readers what one thing they wish they packed for their cruise

In reality, you should look for warm, thick fleece or wool leggings. These will properly trap the heat, and work as great layering pieces.

For especially cold days, wear warm leggings under a pair of jeans or snow pants, and you'll feel nice and toasty.

Our pick

Try the Hixiaohe Women's Casual Sherpa Fleece Lined Warm Leggings for something to pack on your Alaska cruise.

5. Binoculars

Amy Ehrhardt commented that she should have packed binoculars, "especially for whale-watching excursions."

A pair of good binoculars can ensure that you don't miss any of the beautiful sights of nature throughout the cruise.

Read more: What to bring on a cruise to Alaska? 8 things you'll want to take with you

They also allow you to sightsee even from the deck of a cruise ship.

You might not be able to see bald eagles, bears, whales, or the details of an icy glacier with the naked eye, but a pair of binoculars will bring them all into sharp focus.

There are so many exotic attractions to spot, so pack binoculars to ensure that you can see them clearly, even from the deck of the cruise ship. 

Our pick

For most people, an inexpensive but good quality pair of binoculars makes sense, such as the Occer 12x25 Compact Binoculars.

6. A sweater

"I found the ship to be colder than I expected," Christine Stalker said.

"The main dining room was particularly cold—I needed a sweater over my sleeveless dress on formal nights."

While you might not expect a summer cruise to Alaska to be cold enough for hoodies or sweaters, don't forget about the climate of the cruise ship.

Cruise ships are unique in that you'll spend plenty of time indoors on your vacation—in a cabin, at dining venues, and watching shows in theaters—but won't be able to control the temperature.

The air conditioning on cruise ships can run colder than some passengers would prefer, so it's important to stay prepared.

Especially if you're planning on bringing lighter clothes, such as tank tops or sleeveless dresses, pack a light jacket or sweater, just in case you start feeling chilly.

Our pick

Try bringing a light fleece jacket that you could easily wear around your Alaska ports, or on the ship.

7. Magnetic hooks

An Alaskan voyage calls for lots of big items, like coats, hats, and gloves.

Hanging these items up on the steel walls of your cabin can save a considerable amount of space.

Kanetha Hysinger Foster commented that she used magnetic hooks "to hang coats, lanyards, binoculars, etc."

Read more: 24 Alaska cruise tips to follow in 2024

When you might be low in space in a small cruise cabin, using hooks to hang your things is a great way to store them in easy reach. 

Our pick

Make sure you pick magnetic hooks that can hold a little bit of weight, such as magnetic hooks with swivel carabiners.

Happy Sunday! It is getting hot outside, and the Royal Caribbean news this week is equally heated.

Royal Caribbean launched an industry-first loyalty status match program for cruises.

Members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society, Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club and Silversea’s Venetian Society will attain equivalent tier status on any one of its brands to enjoy reciprocal benefits no matter which brand they sail with.

For example, a Diamond member of the Crown and Anchor Society will become an Elite Captain's Club member, and a Venetian Society with 250 VS days.

Royal Caribbean News

• Woman loses $15,000 cruise after posting reservation number on social media
• Can I cruise without a passport? I would think twice before trying
• Does check-in open at midnight? And 5 other Royal Caribbean check-in questions
• Passenger goes overboard on Icon of the Seas, world’s largest cruise ship

Things You Should NEVER TRUST on Your Cruise

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 — Things You Should NEVER TRUST on Your Cruise — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

9 Things To Do As Soon As You Board A Cruise Ship

Your first hours onboard are some of the most important of your cruise vacation. They set the tone for the remainder of your sailing.

To ensure a smooth cruise, you'll want to start with a few important tasks.

Missing an item on this to-do list could ruin an ideal cruise, or even prevent the ship from embarking.

A performer on a mega cruise ship reveals what working at sea is really like

What is it like to work, live, and perform on one of the largest cruise ships at sea?

We interviewed Kristine Kugler, an Elite Dancer in the Theater Cast onboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas.

She shared what it's like to be a crew member onboard a cruise ship with Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 536th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, reviewing a cruise on Freedom of the Seas in 2024.

Matt took his first cruise redeeming a casino credit, sailing for 4 nights on Freedom of the Seas. 

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Why savvy travelers prefer staying on the cruise ship during port days

Experienced cruisers know the benefit of staying onboard the cruise ship and skipping a port day.

Many cruisers book a sailing for the destinations (and the food), but cruise ships also have a massive amount of attractions onboard.

Here are 7 reasons savvy travelers stay onboard the cruise ship.

Do you need a passport to go on a cruise? The answer depends, and could be yes and no.

Before you book that cruise you're eyeing and leave for your trip, it's important to make sure all of your documents are cleared for travel.

Can you cruise without a passport? What kind of birth certificate is required? Will an enhanced driver's license do?

You might be able to go on the cruise without needing a passport, but there are certain requirements to be able to do so. 

U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport and with just a birth certificate and photo ID, but only on certain cruises. It gets confusing for someone new to cruising.

Just because you can cruise without a passport doesn't mean you should, and there's plenty of misinformation out there about the identification needed to cruise.

Take this post as your informative guide to cruising without a passport—and if it's a recommended method.

Can I cruise without a passport?

United States citizens can cruise without a passport on certain sailings.

As proof of citizenship, they need to bring a state-certified, United States birth certificate, issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where they were born.

Additionally, cruisers aged 16 and older need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID that denotes the correct photo, name, and date of birth.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) are also taken as proof of citizenship and accepted in place of a birth certificate.

However, very few states currently offer enhanced driver's licenses, so don't assume that yours qualifies as proof of citizenship.

The only states that currently issue enhanced driver's licenses are Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

All documentation must have the same name, match the identification on the reservation, and be valid for the dates of the cruise. 

Guests who do not bring the required documentation will be denied boarding.

Read more: Guide to cruising with a birth certificate

Where can I cruise without a passport?

United States citizens can cruise without a passport, but only on specific sailings.

The only itineraries where U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport are closed-loop sailings departing from United States home ports.

Closed-loop sailings are round-trip cruises that embark and disembark from the same U.S. port. 

A one-way cruise that embarks from a U.S. port but disembarks in a different U.S. port does not qualify.

These ports must be in the U.S., and include the following:

• Baltimore
• Boston
• Cape Liberty
• Fort Lauderdale
• Galveston
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• New Orleans
• Port Canaveral
• San Diego
• San Juan
• Seattle
• Seward
• Tampa

United States citizens on these closed-loop cruises are required to travel with proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID.

Should I cruise without a passport?

Even though US citizens can cruise without a passport, we don't recommend it.

If you have a cruise coming up, I would think twice before trying to board with just a birth certificate and identification.

A passport is the very best option for any method of travel, including cruises.

Royal Caribbean's website also recommends that cruisers try to bring along a passport, writing: "A passport is the hassle-free, gold standard for traveling between countries."

A passport must be valid for at least six months after the last day of the cruise (it shouldn't expire anytime close to the date of travel).

The name on the passport must also match the name on the cruise reservation.

If you're planning a cruise, it's not too late to go ahead and renew or apply for a passport.

Even for guests who aren't required to, Royal Caribbean and veteran cruisers alike recommend that you travel with a passport.

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

The U.S. Department of State also recommends that everyone taking a cruise out of the United States have a passport in case of emergency, such as a medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

Why is it better to cruise with a passport?

Using a passport opens up the number of itineraries you can cruise on, and makes the process of boarding and disembarking through customs and immigration much faster.

Not only that, but a passport protects you in case of any travel issues or emergencies while exploring a foreign port.

Traveling to any foreign country (even on a closed-loop cruise) places you in the position of possibly needing a passport.

If you miss the cruise ship and are left at port or require emergency transportation back to the U.S., you'll be left in a stressful situation without a passport.

Read more: Will a cruise ship wait for me if I'm running late at a port stop? Here's what a captain has to say.

Both immigration at foreign ports and air travel back to the U.S. will require a passport. 

In the case of an emergency, you'll first have to travel to a U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain a passport, further delaying your trip and increasing travel expenses.

A vacation could quickly turn into a nightmare if you become stranded in a foreign country without a passport.

Not only that but disembarking the ship once the cruise is over becomes much less of a hassle with a passport.

When cruisers exit the ship into the cruise terminal, there are separate lines for passengers with U.S. passports and passengers with birth certificates.

Cruisers traveling with a U.S. passport merely have to take a photo for security and facial recognition. The process takes less than two minutes, and there are usually multiple lines to choose from.

In contrast, cruisers with a birth certificate are delegated to just one or two lines, where they must wait for a security officer to thoroughly look over their documentation. This process takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.

In case of emergency, it's much better to travel with a passport to speed up the travel process and open up a wider selection of cruise itineraries and international ports.

Once you get onboard a cruise ship, every moment counts.

First-timers especially need to be mindful of their next steps—whether it's your first cruise, your first vacation with Royal Caribbean, or your first time onboard a particular ship.

When you first step up the gangway, there will be an overwhelming amount of new sights and sounds.

The following hours will be some of the most important of your cruise, setting the tone for the entire vacation.

If you don't do some things within your first few hours onboard, you'll risk ruining your ideal cruise.

A mistake during embarkation day could delay the ship from leaving port or cause you to lose your place at a specialty dining venue.

From meeting your stateroom attendant to completing the muster drill, here are the top 9 things you should do as soon as you board a cruise ship.

Read more: 25 things you need to know for your first day on a cruise ship

1. Find your muster station

Royal Caribbean's e-muster allows you to complete the majority of the safety process online.

Anytime before boarding on embarkation day, you can navigate to the safety section on the Royal Caribbean's app to view the muster drill lessons.

First, watch a short video on how to put on the lifejacket. Then, listen to the sound clip of the emergency horn sound, which shows you how to identify it.

The last step happens in person, once you get onboard the cruise ship.

As soon as you can, locate your muster station, which will be assigned according to your stateroom location and indicated on the SetSail pass. You can also see the location of the muster station on the app.

At the muster station, you and your party will check in with a crew member.

They will scan your SetSail or SeaPass to ensure that you've completed the e-muster drill.

Read more: Royal Caribbean: "we have no intention of moving back" to old muster drill

After this, you're finished with the muster drill!

This is an essential step to do as soon as possible because the vessel cannot leave until every passenger has completed the muster drill.

2. Explore the ship

This is one of my favorite tips for orienting yourself to a new cruise ship.

Especially on Royal Caribbean's larger vessels, such as the Oasis Class and above, you should get the lay of the land right away.

Start by exploring different neighborhoods, or simply travel the decks from bottom to top and bow to stern.

This will make your entire cruise go more smoothly. You'll know where to find activities and venues right away, and you won't become one of those lost souls staring desperately at the maps in front of the elevators.

This is something I make an effort to do as soon as I get on board and finish the e-muster.

In fact, on the one cruise I did not tour the ship right away, I later found out that I missed an entire section of the ship—the part that held Schooner Bar!

I ended up neglecting several days of fun activities and nightlife, all because I hadn't explored the ship beforehand.

Read more: I've never been on a cruise, but spent a week researching what I need to know. My top 11 important lessons I think I learned

3. Eat lunch

If you're ready for a bite to eat when you get onboard, there are plenty of dining venues to try.

For complimentary lunch, more cruisers prefer the Windjammer, which has a varied buffet of food and drink options.

There's certain to be a dish for everyone, but it will get crowded around lunchtime on embarkation day.

For less-crowded complimentary venues, you can look for Park Cafe, Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, Sorrento's Pizza, or El Loco Fresh.

Guests who have purchased The Key can dine in the Main Dining Room, where they'll receive a free specialty lunch from Chops Grille.

Some specialty restaurants onboard will also have their doors open for lunch on embarkation day.

You won't need to make reservations beforehand, so these venues will be first-come, first-served.

You can dine at Playmakers, Sabor, Johnny Rockets, Giovanni's Table, Jamie's Italian, and Chops Grille.

4. Check on your stateroom 

When I get onboard a cruise ship one of the first things I do is check on the status of my stateroom.

Not only do you get to tour the room while it's all clean and fresh, but you also can set down your carry-on bags instead of lugging them all over the ship.

It's also worth going to your stateroom to check when it will be open.

Since staterooms are usually being cleaned from the last cruise of passengers, they aren't open right away on embarkation day.

A sign will inform guests when they can expect to access their staterooms; usually around 1:00 or 1:30 P.M.

Once the staterooms are open, you can grab your SeaPass card outside the door and use it to enter. 

Just like at the airport, when you go straight to the gate to confirm its existence, checking on your stateroom is an essential task when you first get onboard a cruise ship.

5. Change your clothes

Now that you've entered your clean stateroom, you'll also have a chance to change out of your travel clothes.

I usually wear long pants and sneakers for the boarding process, when I expect to be on my feet for at up to an hour.

But once I get onboard and the vacation has truly started, I want to change into shorts and sandals right away.

Those travel clothes can get sweaty and dirty, and start to feel uncomfortable onboard the cruise ship.

Since your larger luggage usually won't be delivered at this point (bags arrive later in the afternoon), this is one reason why we recommend you pack a change of clothes and a swimsuit in your carry-on bag.

Read more: 15 things to pack in your cruise carry-on

6. Meet your stateroom attendant

On your first day of the cruise, you should also make it a priority to meet your stateroom attendant.

Your cabin attendant is responsible for cleaning and restocking your stateroom once a day (twice for suites). 

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

Typically, they will stop by your stateroom on embarkation day to try to introduce themselves. 

They will ask what time you prefer to get your room cleaned, usually a morning or afternoon time slot.

I find this to be a key moment for embarkation day—you'll want to choose a time that works for your schedule.

Read more: Why you should get your cruise cabin serviced in the evening instead of the morning

Don't forget to also learn their name, so you can properly thank them for the work they'll do.

7. Make reservations

If you've purchased a specialty dining package, such as a 3-Night Dining or Unlimited Dining Package, you'll need to make your venue reservations once you get onboard.

You can go to any specialty restaurant to request your reservations. 

Just keep in mind your top picks and the times you'd prefer to dine.

We recommend doing this as soon as you board the cruise ship so that it's early enough to get your desired reservations.

Specialty restaurants can fill up fast, especially on Royal Caribbean's larger ships.

When I sailed on Wonder of the Seas, I rushed to book specialty dining as soon as I boarded and still had to be put on a waitlist for Izumi Hibachi.

Royal Caribbean has announced that guests will soon be able to book specialty dining through the online Cruise Planner. 

At the time of this article, that has not yet been made available.

8. Switch on airplane mode

Now that you're onboard, don't forget to switch your phone to airplane mode.

If you've purchased VOOM WiFi, this is a great time to log in and get your devices set up.

If not, you can connect to free ship WiFi which allows you to access the Royal Caribbean app.

Either way, you'll need to keep your phone on airplane mode as the ship begins to sail away from land. 

Keeping your phone on a cellular network will rack up insane roaming charges. 

9. Join the sailaway party

With all your logistics taken care of, it's time for the cruise vacation to begin!

Royal Caribbean ships will have a sailaway party as the ship begins to leave shore.

You can find information on the Royal Caribbean app or your Cruise Compass, but it usually takes place in the early afternoon on the pool deck.

A live DJ will play music, while crew members encourage everyone to dance and party.

Nearby bars will be open, with waiters taking drink orders around the deck.

It's an infectious moment of fun and the perfect way to set the tone for your cruise vacation. 

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

Consider this a warning to any cruiser not to share your cruise documents online.

A Carnival cruise line passenger shared on social media that her $15,000 cruise was unexpectedly canceled just two days before the sail date. While this happened to a Carnival cruiser, it could have just as easily happened to someone going on Royal Caribbean.

While emergencies happen, hearing that the online system canceled the reservation is a much rarer way to lose your vacation.

Tiffany Banks, a naturopathic doctor and mother of four from Lexington, Kentucky, posts to TikTok under the username @thathippiedoc.

On May 12th, she took to the social media site to share her story and call out Carnival Cruises.

While this didn't happen to a Royal Caribbean cruiser, it turns out that Banks made a crucial mistake that anyone could have made.

This one slip-up led to the cancellation of a cruise the family had been looking forward to for over a year.

As first reported by Cruise Radio, Banks shared online that she had booked the largest stateroom, the Presidential Excel Suite, on Carnival Celebration. 

The cabin cost a total of $12,000, and the family invested over $15,000 into their cruise vacation, including excursions and WiFi.

Although they'd had the cabin booked for over a year, she discovered that the reservation was gone when she received an email that her shore excursions had been canceled.

Since she had just booked their Internet package that morning—and was planning to fly to Miami the next day—Banks had no intention of canceling the cruise.

She immediately called Carnival to resolve the issue.

After spending two and a half hours on the phone, she learned that the online reservation had been canceled.

A lead at Carnival offered her compensation in the form of two interior rooms on the same cruise.

Banks was livid that she would not be receiving any refund: "I just can't even fathom how they think that's right."

She declined to accept the two interior rooms, as they are the cheapest onboard. 

This is in stark contrast to the original suite the family booked, which is the most expensive stateroom on the Carnival Celebration.

Banks' original TikTok, posted on May 12th, has over 160,000 views and hundreds of comments.

Most of the commenters support Banks in criticizing the cruise line and their lack of a refund.

User TC commented: "If the room was just canceled, it should still be available. Are they double-booking those rooms?"

User Jerica also believes there's something corrupt about the booking.

"It was canceled and immediately booked by someone else? Definitely fishy!!!"

Carnival told Banks that the room was booked within 3 hours after the initial cancellation.

"I find it interesting that they would send you a notification about the excursion cancellation but nothing about the trip cancellation. They know they are in the wrong," commented SimplyAmber. 

Banks also replied to comments suggesting she hire a lawyer to sue the cruise line.

"We are looking for an attorney," she wrote.

Cruise fares are usually not refunded as late as two days before the cruise.

After a guest makes their final payment, cancellation penalties apply.

Per Carnival's cancellation policy, cruises canceled 15 days or less before the sailing have a 100% cancellation penalty.

No refund applies 15 days before the cruise.

Passengers agree to the cancellation policy when they book the cruise, so be sure that you know what your cruise line's rules are before making that final payment.

At first, Banks assumed the cruise was canceled due to a glitch in Carnival's computer system. 

However, she shared in a TikTok posted on May 14th that the cruise line informed her she'd been a victim of a form of identity theft.

Banks's husband had shared the booking number on Facebook, and someone created a profile on the Carnival website.

After adding the booking number and name, this anonymous user was able to cancel the cruise.

Despite Carnival telling Banks that she had been a victim of identity theft, they still did not offer a refund for the cruise.

Instead, she stated that Carnival offered her $10,404 in future cruise credit, as long as she posted on social media that the company positively resolved the situation.

She declined, saying that she has no interest in booking another sailing with Carnival.

Banks continues to fault Carnival for this cancellation, saying that not sharing the booking number "is not something that every single traveler knows."

She even stated that Carnival encourages guests to post a cruise countdown tracker.

Commenters surmised that, instead of posting the sharable cruise countdown, Banks screenshotted the email itself and shared it to Facebook without removing the confirmation number.

The comments on the rest of Banks' TikToks became more critical after she revealed that her husband had posted the booking number. 

"I don't think Carnival owes anything," annamarie4568 wrote.

"You can't post your booking info. This could happen on any cruise line, that is how you add your cruise."

"It's unfortunate, but you have to accept some of the blame here," commented Ruthie, "It would be like posting your credit card number and someone using it. I'd definitely pursue this legally though to at least force Carnival to update their processes to protect their customers."

"This is like posting your Credit card number or SSN," Southern_Lady_Talk added. "I would feel more empathy for her if she took more responsibility for how this happened."

However, some commenters continued to side with Banks, saying that Carnival should still refund the amount of the cruise.

"It doesn’t matter if the booking number was posted. She called as soon as she got the cancellation email and said it wasn’t her and they refused to do anything for her," user Paige wrote.

Heather added her perspective as a frequent cruiser: "The fact that it is that easy to cancel someone’s booking makes me very hesitant to book another cruise."

Since the flights were already booked, Banks and her family still flew down to Miami.

They went to the port to see if they could find a resolution in person but discovered that they weren't on the ship manifest.

Despite having the initial booking confirmation, boarding passes, and payment summary, the cruise was canceled for good.

"We had to leave," Banks said in a follow-up video that she captioned with the hashtags '#carnivalsucks' and '#dreamcrushers.'

To try and salvage their remaining vacation time, the family reserved an Airbnb and spent a few days in Florida. 

They visited Discovery Cove to swim with dolphins and rented a cabana.

Banks said the experience was fantastic and "better than Carnival."

As for the experience with Carnival, Banks said that "this has been [an] emotional roller coaster. At this point, there is no resolution."

While some commenters suggested she try a different cruise line, Banks replied that the experience had been so disappointing, the family would not be going on another cruise.

Starting June 5, Royal Caribbean Group's new Loyalty Status Match program will allow members of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Silversea's programs to enjoy reciprocal status regardless of which brand they sail with. 

With more than 50 ships sailing to nearly 1,000 destinations across the globe, shared status means that you can enjoy the perks and privileges equivalent to your tier status no matter where your travels take you. 

"We strive to provide guests with experiences within our portfolio of brands that meet them for all of life’s moments,” said Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. 

“Each of our differentiated brands have passionate fans who take pride in the status they’ve achieved through repeat sailings. In a first for the cruise industry, our new Loyalty Status Match program rewards guests traveling across our brands, and this is one more step in our journey of transforming a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations."

Whether you're a Pinnacle Club member within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society or have accumulated 350 Venetian Society days within Silversea's program, you'll enjoy the same recognition across all three brands. 

Seamless Status Recognition and Effortless Tier Matching

Members of the Crown & Anchor Society, Captain’s Club, and Venetian Society qualify for a one-for-one status match across all three brands after enrolling in each of the brand programs, as loyalty status and tiers remain equal across the board. 

If, for instance, you're a Diamond Crown & Anchor member, you'll automatically become an Elite Captain's Club member and Venetian Society member with 250 VS Days once all of the accounts have been connected. 

Guests currently enrolled in two or three of the loyalty programs (i.e., Crown & Anchor and Captain's Club or Captain's Club and Venetian Society) will have their status automatically matched within seven days. There's no need to sit on hold with customer service to receive your appropriate loyalty status. 

If you aren't enrolled in one or more of the programs, you'll have to enroll before your status is matched. Once enrollment has been completed, your status will automatically be matched within seven days. 

When sailing on each sister brand within the Royal Caribbean Group, passengers can enjoy the onboard benefits offered for their tier status within the line's respective loyalty program

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have had a status match program for a while; however, the highest tiers guests could match into were Diamond and Elite, respectively. 

Now, passengers holding the highest status within each program can match into the corresponding tier across all three brands. This is a huge upgrade, especially for those who hold top-tier status, as Pinnacle Club members can now hold Zenith status within Celebrity's Captain's Club and vice versa. 

What guests shouldn't expect, however, is equal benefits. Rather than daily drink coupons, for instance, Celebrity's Captain's Club has a daily happy hour with complimentary drinks. Moreover, whereas Celebrity offers a complimentary bag of laundry for Elite cruisers and above, only Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members are eligible for a free bag when sailing on voyagers that are 5+ nights. 

Read more: I reached Diamond status with Royal Caribbean: here's why this loyalty tier matters

Though cruisers won't get equal benefits, the higher their status, the more perks they will receive when cruising on sister brands. Elite Plus members, for instance, will now receive Diamond Plus benefits when sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's ships, including the brand-new Icon of the Seas. 

To become an Elite Plus member within Celebrity's Captain's Club, you must have 750 Captain's Club points, which are earned based on the category of room you sail in, as well as the duration of your cruise. 

Instead of four daily drink coupons per day, they'll get five. Additionally, they'll get a 30% discount on the Deluxe Beverage Package and two free days of Surf + Steam Wi-Fi. 

When cruising onboard one of Celebrity's upscale ships, Diamond Plus members will have access to exclusive amenities like a 15% discount on the cover charge at specialty restaurants, 240 complimentary minutes of premium Wi-Fi, and two free bags of laundry, that weren't attainable with the previous status match. 

Unlike Celebrity's Captain's Club, Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society has a more streamlined earning process process. All cruisers earn one point per night onboard, with those in suites or sailing solo earning two per night. 

Some benefits are still excluded

Certain loyalty benefits are reserved for members who attain the status based on accumulated points and nights sailed within each brand, meaning those who match into the tier aren't eligible for certain perks, as points are earned at the individual level and cannot be combined.

Moreover, the Status Match program doesn't apply to status held with other cruise lines, such as Carnival, MSC, or Norwegian. 

Crown & Anchor Society:

• Complimentary Pinnacle Club milestone cruises
• Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club amenities
• Single supplement cruise fare reduction
• Cheers with an Officer onboard event
• Milestone recognition (Crystal Block)
• Upgraded bathroom amenities
• Pinnacle Club milestone kits
• Chef’s Choice amenity

Captain’s Club:

• Complimentary Zenith cruises
• Zenith milestone kits
• WWF® donations
• Retreat Lounge access when not staying in the Retreat (Status match members will only be permitted to access the Retreat Lounge when not staying in the Retreat based on availability and at the sole discretion of Celebrity Cruises)

Venetian Society:

• “Sail with Us” referral offer prior to your first Silversea voyage
• Complimentary cruises
• Milestone recognition during the Venetian Society Party

What do you need to do before getting onboard a cruise ship?

Boarding a Royal Caribbean ship is different from other boarding processes, like on an airplane.

You're not just getting ready to ride a mode of transportation, but also entering your home for the length of the cruise.

There are a lot of moving pieces to ensure that passengers get on safely and quickly.

In general, you can expect embarkation day to go smoothly, and run a lot quicker than at an airport.

However, that doesn't mean it doesn't take preparation and effort to embark on your cruise.

If you're concerned about what to expect, this guide serves as your walkthrough of the entire boarding process.

From your online check-in to stepping onto the gangway, here's how embarkation day works.

Read more: How long does it take to board a cruise ship?

Check-in online

About 45 days before your cruise, check-in will open online.

Royal Caribbean’s app and website provide an efficient guide to checking in online. 

Similar to how airlines provide online check-in, you can prepare for your cruise completely online.

Simply create an account on the app or website, and use your information to prepare for the cruise.

Check-in will involve entering identifying information, scanning your passport or ID, and taking a security photo. 

You will also add an emergency contact (someone who is not traveling with you) and a payment method for any onboard expenses.

Online check-in closes 48 hours before embarkation day. 

You can still check in at the terminal, but it is ultimately quicker and easier for you to complete it online.

Choose an arrival time

Once check-in is completed, you can choose an arrival time to enter the terminal.

The arrival times will be listed in half-hour slots, usually ranging from 10:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.

These arrival times are first-come, first-served, so the earlier you check-in, the more time slots will be available.

Most cruisers prefer to select the earliest time slot offered, as it gets them onto the ship faster.

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

Complete the health questionnaire

The health questionnaire, also known as the wellness check, will open on the app the day before the cruise.

A notification will pop up on the screen, and you can open up the wellness check by clicking on it.

These health questions vary depending on the requirements of the port you’re sailing from, but you should be sure to answer them truthfully.

Being dishonest can delay your boarding process or expose others to disease.

The questions at North American ports usually involve some variation of the following:

• Will you be 23 or more weeks pregnant at any point in your cruise?
• Have you experienced any of these symptoms within the past 24 hours: Fever Chills, Muscle Aches, Fatigue, Sore Throat, Nasal Congestion, Runny Nose, Cough, Difficulty Breathing, New Loss of Taste or Smell, Nausea, Vomiting, or Diarrhea?

After completing the wellness check, you'll have access to your SetSail pass, the digital pass that allows you to enter the ship on embarkation day.

From here, you can add it to your Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, or Samsung Pay for quick access.

If you are completing check-in on the Royal Caribbean website, you can also print out your Set Sail Pass.

Arrive at the port and hand off your luggage

Now you've reached embarkation day!

In preparation for smooth boarding, we recommend getting to the cruise port the night before your cruise.

That way, any traffic or delayed flights won't affect your expensive vacation.

As you reach the cruise port, remember to check which terminal your ship is located at. Royal Caribbean uses 1-2 different terminals, depending on the port.

When you arrive at the terminal, you will see porters outside accepting luggage.

If your bags already have printed luggage tags on them, you can simply hand them off.

If not, the porter will be able to add luggage tags that tell staff where to deliver your suitcases.

Porter services are free, but passengers are expected to tip $1-5 per bag.

After handing off your larger luggage, make sure that you have your travel documents readily available.

This will ensure a speedy boarding process when you enter the terminal.

Enter the cruise terminal and go through security

Next, enter the cruise terminal to begin boarding. Make sure that you enter the right queue for your stateroom—usually, there is a separate line for suites and a standard line.

After entering these lines, you will go through a series of security checks.

The number of security checkpoints varies depending on the terminal. 

At each one, they will usually check your passport or ID and your SetSail pass (located on your phone or printed).

Next, passengers go through a security scan. This operates much like the TSA checkpoints at an airport, but it is a little less intense.

You won't have to take off your shoes or take out liquids.

Simply send your carry-on bags through the X-ray scanner and walk through the magnetometer.

After this security check-in, you'll go through one less documentation checkpoint.

Here, staff will take another security photo of you if the one on the app seems outdated.

After this, you'll be good to board the ship!

Complete the e-muster

After you board the cruise ship, don't run off for a cocktail immediately.

Every passenger has to complete a safety drill, called a muster drill before the ship can leave.

The first part of this muster drill can be completed on the app anytime on embarkation day.

You'll watch a tutorial on how to put on a lifejacket and listen to a sample of the emergency horn.

For the second part of the muster drill, you'll need to find your muster station and check in with the staff there.

You can find your muster station on the app or your SetSail Pass.

If you have any further questions, Royal Caribbean staff will be everywhere onboard, ready and able to help you.

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Have you ever wanted to know what working on a cruise ship is like?

Kristine Kugler, an Elite Dancer in the Theater Cast onboard Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, has been with the company for about two years. 

Ovation of the Seas is a Quantum Class ship initially launched in 2016. Now, the 168,666 gross registered ton vessel splits its time between Alaska and Australia/New Zealand before sailing year-round from Asia beginning in April 2026. 

From live music in the lounges to high-tech shows in Two70 and original production shows in the main theater, there's plenty of entertainment for guests to enjoy. 

Kugler also shares her experiences on her YouTube and Instagram accounts.

In an interview with Kugler, which has been edited for length and clarity, we spoke about what it's like to be a crew member on a cruise ship. 

Kugler grew up in Florida and always wanted to be a performer

I am originally from Miami, FL [and had] always wanted to work on cruise ships from sailing with my family at a young age, so I geared my dance training towards this professional route. 

I started dancing when I was 2 1/2 and continued competing in dance throughout my high school years. In university, I studied Business Management & Entrepreneurship, while simultaneously training at a dance academy to keep up with my artistry and technique.

Auditions for parts on a cruise ship are competitive

It is very difficult and can often take many auditions to be considered for a contract. I auditioned for Royal Caribbean for the first time at 18 and received a contract when I auditioned at 22! 

The audition is physically and mentally challenging because we have to quickly learn the choreography and perform it in front of the panel of judges. 

The casting directors are also always looking for what you can personally bring to the table, as well as your attitude during the audition! 

It can also be difficult because they are not only looking at your technique and style as a dancer, but your [appearance] and height to fit in with what they are looking for in specific shows on certain ships.

Her job is more than just performing in shows

An average week is different on every ship and itinerary! We are currently sailing in Alaska on 7-day cruises, so we can expect to perform two shows a night for two nights of the cruise! 

On the first day of the cruise, we participate in the muster drill, which entails giving guests their safety briefing when they first arrive on the ship. We also have one mandatory dance class weekly from a volunteer cast member, so it’s something new every week! 

We can also expect 1-2 safety drills to ensure we are proficient in our safety duties. Other responsibilities we can expect in our weekly schedule are to spotlight shows in the 270 theater, dressing room cleaning, cabin inspections, and tech runs on show days.

Working on a cruise ship means seeing the world

My favorite things about the job are the people onboard and the travel. I have met some incredible fellow crew members from all over the world and listened to stories about people’s home countries and childhoods that are so different from how I grew up. Yet, we have many similarities that caused us to end up on this ship together!

Through this career, I have been able to sail around the Caribbean, Mediterranean, New Zealand, Alaska, and more places around the world. It’s created a strong motivation to see as much of the world as I can in my lifetime. 

I am so blessed to have a career that not only continually inspires me, but also pays me to have experiences I never would have before. 

Kugler loves the opportunities being a cast member provides

The greatest benefit to being a performer on a ship is to have a career I am passionate about. We have worked our bodies and so much time during our childhoods to work on improving our craft as a dancer. Being on a Royal Caribbean contract feels like a full-circle reward for all our hard work. 

Another huge benefit is our time off to explore destinations around the world. We spend so much time perfecting our shows throughout the rehearsal and installation period that once we get settled into the routine of performing shows, we have lots of free time to ourselves. 

Since we perform shows at night, we can often explore a port during the day before we have to be back for our shows. I understand that is not a perk many other crew members get, so I take full advantage when we are given a day off.

Time off is spent reading and working on social media

During my time off, I am usually filming or editing a video! I have a YouTube channel where I share videos of the behind-the-scenes of the shows, living my life on the ship, and my travels every week! 

I am also an avid reader who has an endless list of books I want to dive into! Spending time on these hobbies never lets me get bored on the ship.