Royal Caribbean Blog

Cruise vacations aren't cheap, but what is the average cost of a 3 day cruise cost?

Prices will vary, but a quick 3-nighter could be the perfect option for those on a budget or looking to getaway quickly.

Royal Caribbean offers 3-night cruises for as little as $400 per person, but there's a catch. You're going to need to be flexible to get rates that low.

A really good last minute deal might come in closer to $500 for two people, but you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for a 3-day cruise as a median price.

Prices vary greatly depending on a ship's size and age, the stateroom category you chose, and the sailing date.

Because the cruise is only a few days, you'll spend less on onboard expenses and shore excursions because there's simply less time on the ship.

What's the average cost of a 3-night cruise?

The price of any cruise can vary greatly from one sailing to another. 

The brand new Utopia of the Seas, which is dubbed as Royal Caribbean's weekend party ship has 3-night cruises that are as low as $603 per person. 

Here's a list of the average cruise cost for short cruises between 2025 and 2027:

• Utopia of the Seas: $644 per person
• Wonder of the Seas: $486 per person
• Ovation of the Seas: $300 per person
• Navigator of the Seas: $272 per person
• Jewel of the Seas: $304 per person

This is for the base price of the cruise fare only. That price can increase or decrease depending on cabin category, time of year, the popularity of the sailing, and the ship you choose.

You'll notice 3 day cruises from California are much cheaper than Florida, and that's because those are two very different cruise markets.  California cruises aren't nearly as tropical, despite going to Baja Mexico.  Florida cruises are also easier to get to for most Americans since it's on the east coast.

A 3-night cruise on an older ship will probably cost less than a newer ship, but both will cost more during Spring Break than the third week of January. In short, there are a lot of factors that determine the price of a cruise.

Additionally, while 3-night cruises are cheaper than week-long sailings, a cruise over the weekend tends to cost more than a 4-night cruise during the week. Why? Weekend cruises are generally more popular.

This base cruise fare for a 3-night cruise includes accommodations, meals and snacks at complimentary venues, Adventure Ocean children's programs, entertainment and activities, complimentary drinks, and access to ship amenities such as pools, hot tubs, and fitness centers.

Prices in the U.S. now include all taxes and fees (such as port fees), but exclude the cost of gratuities, add-ons, and your other transportation.

The ship's size and age also impact the cost

You'll want to start planning your weekend cruise by choosing a ship to sail on.

As a general rule, newer and bigger ships have more amenities but come at a higher cost.

For example, the cheapest 3-night Bahamas and Perfect Day weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas costs $603 per person. That's if you choose an interior room in November 2025, coming out to $201 per night, per person.

In contrast, a Bahamas weekend cruise on Jewel of the Seas, a much smaller Radiance class ship, costs $295 per person in September 2025. For an interior stateroom, you'd be paying around $98 per person, per night.

The activities, restaurant choices, and amount for kids to do could not be more different between Utopia and Jewel.

Before you book a weekend cruise simply based on price, be sure that you'll enjoy all the ship has to offer.

You should choose a vessel based on the itinerary, amenities, and entertainment you appreciate.

Stateroom category has the biggest influence on price

Your cabin category will be one of the biggest influences on your final price tag.

It's one of the aspects that make cruising so adjustable to each budget. Whether you'd like to save money by choosing a smaller room or splurge on a suite, the category is completely your choice.

When booking a cruise, you'll want to carefully decide which has the most value to you: are you looking to save money for shore excursions at port, or do you want to splurge on a lavish suite?

Your choice can mean the difference between thousands of dollars.

Looking at a 3-night Bahamas sailing on Liberty of the Seas in December 2025 costs $338 per person in an interior cabin.

The cheapest cabin, an interior room is a smaller space with no windows.

Upgrading to a balcony room on this sailing takes you up to $571 per person, while a Junior Suite starts at $846 per person.

For the biggest leap in price, the huge Royal Suite comes in at $3,103 per person.

Sailing during peak season and holidays raises your cruise fare

Cruise fares also vary depending on the time and season.

The most expensive sailings will fall during holidays, 3-day weekends, spring and summer break, and the weeks from Christmas to New Year's.

On dates like these, when adults are off work and children have a break from school, supply and demand tend to affect the price.

Cruising during peak dates like these can increase your cruise fare to nearly double what the same sailing might cost in the low season.

To save money on your 3-day cruise, you'll want to cruise during the shoulder season.

Each region has a different season in which you'll find the lowest fares and fewer crowds. 

Additionally, if you're planning a cruise further in advance, it's still better to purchase the sailing as early as possible.

Prices increase as the sailing date gets closer, and from one year to the next.

Add-ons are your choice, but they increase the final bill

In addition to the cruise fare, you have the opportunity to add on optional amenities.

Since Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive, it's up to you whether you'd like to purchase add-ons like WiFi, drink packages, specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, and souvenirs. 

Prices on these cruise add-ons vary depending on the item and sailing, but they are typically cheaper for shorter cruises.

Though drink packages and spa treatments can be pricey, you'll find that the cost is less for your shorter, weekend cruise.

Royal Caribbean keeps its cruises non-inclusive so that cruisers can choose which add-ons to purchase based on their preferences.

Your overall base is cheaper overall, and you won't end up paying for anything you don't want.

Royal Caribbean Group shared with investors that the average cruisers spent between $90-100 per person, per day on cruise add-ons.

You'll also have to pay for transportation to and from the cruise port

Additional travel (before and after the cruise) is another factor to include in your cruise budget.

Getting to and from your cruise port will be your responsibility; another added expense.

When planning for your cruise, include in your budget the cost of flights, taxis, and baggage if you need to fly to the cruise port, or gas, parking, and tolls if you need to drive.

It's important to consider how and when you'll travel to the cruise port before purchasing the cruise.

We always recommend arriving at the embarkation port a day early, in case any travel delays occur. This will require you to find lodging or book a hotel room the night before embarkation day—another added cost.

Read more: I tried my first 3-night cruise, here's how it went

Royal Caribbean is among the cruise lines already changing their plans due to Hurricane Ernesto.

Royal Caribbean has begun re-routing a number of ships to avoid the path of the hurricane.  

Ernesto was first a tropical storm affecting the U.S. Virgin Islands on Wednesday, but has now strengthened to a hurricane.

"We’re terribly sorry for the last-minute change caused by weather," a letter from the cruise lines to guests booked on Icon of the Seas read informing them of the change.

"Your safety is our top priority. Please know, being onboard is one of the safest places because we are faster and can move out of the way of any inclement weather."

Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship, and is one of the first cruise ships to change plans due to Ernesto.

The original plan was for Icon to visit the Eastern Caribbean cruise ports of  St. Thomas, St. Kitts and then the Bahamas. Instead, Icon will switch to a Western Caribbean itinerary and visit: Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan, Honduras.

In addition, guests will have an additional two hours to enjoy at the private island of Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.

A second Royal Caribbean cruise ship has also had to change itineraries due to Ernesto.

Rhapsody of the Seas is sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico and will reverse its itinerary to avoid the storm.

Rhapsody will start the cruise by going to Barbados instead of St. Croix.  She'll return to St. Croix on Saturday, August 17th.

Ernesto's formation coincides as we are nearing the peak of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

It started out as Invest 98L, and then became Potential Tropical Cyclone Five. As it moved moved over the warm waters of the tropical Atlantic Ocean it became better organized and eventually became what is now Hurricane Ernesto.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Hurricane Ernesto is located about 180 miles northwest of Grand Turk Island and about 765 miles south-southwest of Bermuda. It's moving off to the northwest at 16 mph and has maximum sustained winds of 75 mph with higher gusts.

It should become a Category 3 hurricane by Friday.

The storm is likely headed towards Bermuda next.

How Royal Caribbean plans changes

When there's bad weather in the world, Royal Caribbean will always monitor it to ensure their ships avoid it.

Along with Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, the ship's Captain makes the decision for the best course of action.

Tropical Storm Ernesto may not be a weather event for the mainland United States, but it's enough of a threat to change ship plans.

Mr. Setzer posted on Twitter/X on Monday, "Thanks to a deepening upper trough near the east coast, the US mainland threat from what will become Ernesto is very low. The exact details of impacts to the northeast Caribbean are a little less certain but a hurricane strike is unlikely there. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Bermuda around week's end."

In the case of Icon of the Seas, the letter explained changing from an Eastern Caribbean to a Western Caribbean itinerary made the most sense, "Along with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer, we’ve been monitoring inclement weather along our intended path. Due to the adverse weather, we’ve modified our itinerary to provide you with the most enjoyable sailing experience."

Radical itinerary changes are not ideal for passengers given the original plans they booked, but avoiding the path of a tropical storm is the right decision every time.

One thing I really love about a cruise is when you can share the experience with friends and family, and it's one of the best kind of vacations when you're accounting for different ages.

When I've taken a land vacation with my extended family, it seems inevitably some people end up "doing their own thing" because what others are doing isn't to their liking.  And that usually means more separation from everyone because of distances involved.

I find a cruise vacation lends itself more towards being together, and even when you're not, you're never too far away.  Royal Caribbean is in that sweet spot for large families because they have lots for kids, parents, grandparents and weird uncles to enjoy.  It doesn't lean too heavy into one particular demographic.

I don't necessarily want a vacation where my entire family feels like we're "joined at the hip", but it's still important to feel like we spent time together.

Regardless of which type of vacation you pick, it's not easy balancing the needs of every family member and everyone coming home satisfied at the end of the trip.

Planning a multigenerational cruise

I think it's important early on to get buy in from everyone involved.

When you're picking the cruise ship, dates, itinerary, and travel arrangements, you want to make sure everyone is on the same page.

One of the top challenges of planning a family trip is not defaulting into the "travel czar" for everyone.  You don't want the family thinking one person has taken over the trip planning and it's become "their trip".

While some degree of decision making will ultimately need to be made by one person, the more you can include others in the decision making process, the better it ends up going.

Cruises are great because families have options for staterooms, depending on their budget.

Read more: Ways I Save Money on Cruises With Family

An easy idea to make this work is to start the planning process the next time your family is together.  Christmas, Thanksgiving, someone's birthday, or any time you can have the principles in the same room makes for simpler choices and less passive aggressive texts later.

Everyone's family dynamic is different, but the more inclusion you start off with, the better you are later.

Work with a travel agent

You know what starts more arguments among family members? Money.

Everyone has grandiose visions of that perfect family trip, but handling money is not pretty. You don't want to be the "bad guy" reminding everyone to pay, and you definitely do not want to be a middle man for taking payments.

My advice is loop a travel agent in as soon as you want to book so they can deal with collecting payments and making other arrangements.

Not only can a good travel agent ensure everyone is paid up and there's no confusion about who owes who money, but they could be a great asset as well.

If you book enough cabins, you might qualify for a group discount.  Even if you don't, travel agents have access to special rates that could save everyone money.

Read more: 10 secrets Royal Caribbean travel agents wish you knew

Plus, travel agents are there to take care of any problems anyone encounters with the cruise line.

One you think a multigenerational trip is possible, I'd contact a travel agent to get the ball rolling.  

Read more: 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise ships for Kids

Plan on time together at least once a day

One secret to a great multi-gen cruise is not planning out every minute of every day.  

Some of your family will be up at dawn, and others will emerge around lunch.  Don't worry about trying to be together all the time.

Instead, plan on having one time per day you are together, and I think dinner is the perfect opportunity.

Not only will everyone be awake for dinner, but it's the perfect time to see everyone and talk about what everyone did.  Plus, the Main Dining Room is conducive to handling large groups.

Beyond that one time together a day rule, make it clear there's no hard feelings for what happens the rest of the day. It's their vacation as much as yours, and sometimes you want to do your own thing.

To help avoid drama later on related to "I didn't know you were doing that", a group text is a good idea (along with paying for an internet package for at least one person per family).

Read more: Royal Caribbean wifi guide

Book shore excursions early

Once you have a cruise booked, I think the next thing to tackle are shore excursions.

It's not easy finding tours that work for everyone, but you'll want to start on it before some of them start to sell out.

Beach days are the simplest and most popular choice for a multigenerational trip, so that's always an easy starting point (especially in the Caribbean).

Read more: 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean

No matter which tour you pick, it's also good to split the costs evenly. If someone wants to pay for the entire family, that's fantastic, but if not, plan on everyone paying for their share so that there's no arguments later who paid for what.

Going back to the first tip, you'll also want to get buy in for which shore excursions you pick. It's not a big deal if some family members do their own thing, but I find a tour I do with everyone feels a lot more special.

Focus on what will make memories

After you get home and the trip is over, the most important takeaway will be the memories you make.

What that means is having first experiences that create family bonding moments with memories. The sort of things that happen that everyone talks about for years later because it was funny, loving, or just a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A lot of families elect to buy matching t-shirts for the trip. Not only is it something to wear together on the first day of the cruise, but you can wear it for months or years later.  It's like a rock concert shirt that commemorates that you were there.

Beyond souvenirs, focus on things you can all do together. While there's no guarantee going to the CocoCay waterpark or singing karaoke will make a memory you'll think about for the rest of your life, it's more likely than just not doing anything at all.

I've rented a yacht in St. Thomas on one trip and while not cheap, it's been a tour we've talked about a lot over the years because we had an epic day.

When I cruise with my parents, I've noticed they much prefer big family dinners where we can all sit together and share stories. 

Mixing in different opportunities to foster memories is a good priority for any multigenerational trip.

The biggest cruise ship in the world has gotten a lot of attention, but there are a few things that also stand out about Royal Caribbean's mega ship.

Stacey Boden is a loyal Royal Caribbean cruiser who recently sailed on Icon of the Seas. During her sailing, she noticed some aspects she felt no one else is talking about. Stacey took some time to write this guest post entry about what she loved and what she disliked on the world's largest cruise ship.

My spouse and I have been on a total of 6 cruises, all on Royal Caribbean, since May 2017. 

Initially, we started out going on an annual cruise. In 2019, we canceled 2 sailings we had booked due to expecting and having our first child. We resumed cruising in June 2022.

In 2023, we began scheduling sailings twice a year and we are hoping to scale up to three sailings a year soon. 

I noticed several things that I loved and some things I didn't love as much on our recent Icon of the Seas sailing. These are some things that I haven't heard anyone else mention yet.  

Things I loved: the accessibility

I noticed on Icon some features that make the ship more accessible to everyone. 

The addition of the shower bench

I am sure anyone who has ever attempted to shave their legs in the shower in a non-suite stateroom welcomes this change. In cabin bathrooms on Icon of the Seas, showers are now equipped with a sizable bench for guests to rest or sit on. 

In addition, this feature could be helpful to individuals who are older or with invisible physical disabilities such as dysautonomia who may not require wheelchair use or accessibility but who may need to occasionally sit down in the shower. 

This makes it possible without the use of an added shower chair.

Hands-free doors

Many of the doors to public restrooms throughout the ship have hands-free door openers. 

This feature is helpful for a few reasons including cutting down on "touch points" that spread germs, preventing guests from having to open heavy doors, and also for individuals who may utilize a wheelchair or electric scooter. 

The handicapped stalls within the restroom additionally have these door openers as well as touchless door locks. 

Family restrooms

Icon of the Seas has several family restrooms, and families with young children are not the only ones who benefit from these restrooms. 

These bathrooms are also great for situations such as a family member assisting an individual with disabilities or members of the LGBTQIA+ community who may not be comfortable using a different, gendered restroom.

Smoking areas

No longer is the smoking area something you accidentally walk through on the pool deck. 

It seems the smoking area has been moved to an area that can only be accessed toward the back of the Cloud 17 area. 

Additionally, the new ventilation system in the casino was fantastic for clearing away the smoke. This sailing was the first time I could actually tolerate being in the casino.

Things I wish existed on Icon of the Seas

There were a few things on Icon of the Seas that I wished existed or that I wished Royal Caribbean would bring back.

Shaded area in Hideaway Pool

I am an individual who has been known to get a sunburn at the mere thought of going outside. 

My spouse and I went to the Hideaway pool one morning as soon as it opened and hung out at the far-left side. 

At that time of day, we had approximately 45 minutes until the sun peaked out from the side of the ship and the little bit of shade was now gone. I would love it if there was some sort of way to introduce the option for shade in this area. 

Regular old body slides

Category 6 waterpark has 6 water slides. Two are family raft slides, which can accommodate 2-4 riders in a raft. 

One of them is a speed slide. This style of slide is a body slide where riders are sent down a steep, free fall plunge to the ground. 

Two are mat racers, in which the rider rides a mat face-first down the slide. 

The final slide is a drop-launch capsule in which the floor drops out from underneath the rider into the slide. I personally would have preferred a feet-first body slide without a steep drop as I am not very adventurous.  

Floor display for elevators

My spouse mentioned this next one and I agree. 

The addition of the destination elevators — panels where guests can select which floor they're headed to and then hop on a specific elevator — has been fantastic. 

However, it is really difficult to figure out how long you will be waiting for the elevator. It would be great to still have a display with what floor the elevator was on or even for the display pads to give individuals an idea of an approximate wait time. 

Cocktail drink mixes

Sometime since our last cruise Royal Caribbean stopped using the Sunsational/Island Oasis drink mixes for cocktails. These mixes come in a carton and are used for fruit drinks such as pina coladas and margaritas. 

Instead, bartenders are now using a brand called Finest Call, which comes in plastic bottles. My personal opinion is that this brand isn't as good. 

Anything food and drink related is very subjective, however, I felt that this new drink mix was missing a lot of the flavor I had come to know and love from the previous brands Royal used.  

Shorter spa services

I would have been more willing to purchase spa services if they offered shorter services costing less. 

For example, I would love to see a 1-day thermal suite option or 30-minute massage services. The shortest massages are about 50 minutes long, and they cost from $179-$399.

Just as Utopia of the Seas has proven an appetite for shorter sailings that may cost less overall but more per day, I think that there is an untapped market for shorter services or upgrades that cost less overall but may cost more per minute. This could extend beyond the spa and extend to half-day casita rentals and more. 

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 announced $100 million plus updates coming to Allure of the Seas in 2025.

The long-delayed Royal Amplification of Allure of the Seas is expected to cost at least $100 million.

Allure will begin her upgrades in March 2025, and by the time she re-enters service in April 2025, she will have over 35 places to eat, drink, and splash onboard.

Like refurbishments on past ships, Allure will get new restaurants, upgrades, and an overall radical transformation.

Royal Caribbean News

• Passenger went overboard from Royal Caribbean cruise ship while on Mediterranean cruise, report says
• Royal Caribbean CEO says new ship class coming in 3-4 years
• I toured the $10,000-per-day mega suite on Royal Caribbean’s new ship. Take a look inside the cruise line’s mind-blowing cabin for families
• 15 lessons after trying Royal Caribbean's 274-night world cruise
• Royal Caribbean head of entertainment reveals how long it takes to create a new show for a cruise ship
• 4 Royal Caribbean splurges to skip lines
• How many drinks per day can you have with a drink package?

New RCB Video: 4 Ways to Tell If Your Cruise Deal is Too Good To Be True!

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 — 4 Ways to Tell If Your Cruise Deal is Too Good To Be True! — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 541st episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, and this episode features two special guests.

Two of our RCB writers review their recent cruises with Matt, talking about what it's like to work while on a cruise ship.

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.

5 things to know before sailing on Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas

Before you set sail on Royal Caribbean's newest Oasis-Class ship, there are some important aspects to know.

Each sailing currently lasts three or four nights, so you'll only have a few days to experience everything onboard.

From the Royal Railway to the most underrated entertainment, Matt has discovered the top secrets on Utopia of the Seas.  

Red Flags to Look for on Cruise Shore Excursions

Booking the wrong shore excursions could waste your time, money, or even end in a dangerous experience.

How can you avoid choosing a scam of a tour?

Here are the top red flags to look out for before choosing a shore excursion.

Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

What drives Royal Caribbean to keep making mega-ships, even 15 years after its first? 

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO, answered this question at a talk on Utopia of the Seas' preview cruise last month.

"This class of ship for Royal Caribbean has been a true game changer," he said, thanks to the neighborhoods onboard and appeal to all ages.

Royal Caribbean's drink packages offer unlimited beverages during a cruise, but the question is how much can you practically consume every day.

The premise of a drink package is pay a flat fee to enjoy as many cocktails, beers, glasses of wine, coffees, and bottles of water as you like during your cruise.  Drink packages have become incredibly popular with cruisers, and the average price has steadily gone up over the years.

Read more: Everything you need to know about a Royal Caribbean drink package

One user on the Royal Caribbean subreddit was curious how much others were truly drinking every day to make that cost worthwhile.

"Those who get the drink package, how many alcoholic drinks do y'all end up consuming per day and do you drink every day?" the thread asked.

Over 200 responses followed, with cruisers sharing their experiences with Royal Caribbean's drink packages.

Drink counts

The responses to the Reddit thread ran the gamut of possible responses, with some people claiming to have consumed easily over 100 drinks over the course of one sailing.

cat_mom_dot_com answered with her count depending on how into drinking their day was, "20 to 30 on the hardcore days. 5 to 10 on the lowkey days."

Warm-Refridgerator242 explained being on vacation is a different approach than being at home, "I would say I end up having between 10 and 15 drinks a day and I don't typically drink besides on cruises. It can sound like a lot but when you wake up around 8 am and you're up until night you'll end up having a good amount of drinks!"

They added that the appeal of the drink package is the convenience of not worrying about a bar bill later, "I definitely recommend it overall, it's nice being able to get a drink and not worry about if you like it or not because you can always order another. Plus the convenience factor of not having to sign every receipt is nice."

Many of the answers came in between 10-20 drinks per day, with many people saying not every drink contained alcohol. The Deluxe Beverage Package and the Royal Refreshment Package both include bottled water, premium coffee & teas, juices, sodas and other soft drinks.

DoctorHathaway explained how the drink package works beyond alcohol, "I do about 12 alcoholic drinks a day. I also drink about 2 specialty coffees, a bunch of fountain drinks (mostly flavored seltzers), and I usually grab about 4-6 bottles of water from the bar."

If the drink counts sound high, many were quick to point out that the potency of Royal Caribbean's drinks did not seem very high. Many people said the bartenders measure the amount of liquor dispensed and that resulted in drinks not being as potent as you might expect.

"It’s worth it for the convenience"

The overwhelming consensus among those that responded in the thread was no matter how much they consumed per day, the drink package value was worthwhile.

When you buy a drink package, the cost includes the drinks and gratuity, along with the ability to sample drinks.  There's no penalty for not finishing drinks.

Ginsengii shared that while they did not drink a lot, the freedom it provided was worth the cost, "I don’t think my husband and I will “get our money’s worth” in terms of literal cost per drink, but to me, it’s worth it for the convenience. "

"I’m someone who would hem and haw over spending the extra money on a second drink at dinner or skip out on the mimosa at breakfast if I had to make the decision to pay for it in the moment. By buying the package, I am able to fully relax and not worry about costs because everything is prepaid."

"It might not make total sense, but it works for me."

Practical-Money-7982 talked about how having a drink package changes how they cruise, "For me the package is always worth it no matter how much I drink."

"I have more fun when I'm drinking as I have trouble loosening up. If I don't buy the package I will not drink at all because I'll have to justify $15/drink which I will not be able to."

The break even point

While there were some flaunting daily drink counts, many were also looking at how much they had to drink to make the drink package cost worthwhile.  

Justifying the drink package price was about determining how much they had to drink each day to end up spending the same amount if they paid for drinks on their own.  Royal Caribbean drink prices are about $7.99 for a beer, $10-$14 per cocktail, and $3.50 for a soda.

Royal Caribbean uses dynamic pricing for its drink packages, so the price varies from sailing to sailing.  And there are pre-cruise discounts if you buy before the cruise begins.

Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean drink package?

OhWhatsHisName calculated it was very easy to get your drink package value back without going too heavy into alcoholic drinks, "I can get fancy coffees in the morning, milkshakes and other fruity drinks throughout the day, bottled waters for excursions, etc. so factor those in, then to break even for the alcoholic drinks that's not even 5 a day, so that's 2 alcoholic drinks at lunch, 3 at dinner, which is very easily hit."

Jane_Marie_CA also found 3-10 cocktails a day combined with juices, soda, iced lattes, and smoothies made the package a good buy, "my break even point is somewhere between 4-5 cocktails a day when I factor my non booze consumption."

Some felt it wasn't worth it

While most of the people in the thread celebrated the virtues of a drink package, others lamented the purchase and couldn't justify it.

Gat0rJesus felt having the drink package made them drink more than they would otherwise, "We got it and had to drink far more than normal to make it worth it."

MaroonCanuck added, "The sheer caloric intake of some of these posts 15-20 drinks a day. Oh my heart hurts."

For a few people, the up front cost made them think twice, "Average 8-10. It was fun. Prob won't do it again, though. Will just pay out of pocket or bring some on board," BrushYourFeet said.

A cruise ship passenger may have gone overboard from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, reports online say.

According to a post on Reddit, guests aboard Explorer of the Seas were awoken to rescue efforts at 5am on Friday.

"They turned the ship about and launched multiple boats and had spotlights looking into the ocean. I could hear high pitch sounds coming from the distance. I fear someone may have gone overboard," wrote Aramedlig.

Later in the thread, the same user posted, "Confirmed it is a man overboard. They just made an announcement."

Explorer of the Seas is sailing a 7-Night Greece & Croatia itinerary that set sail from Ravenna, Italy.  According to the report, the ship was between Dbrovnik and Zadar, Croatia when the incident occurred.

Another Reddit user on the same sailing added more details regarding the rescue efforts. 

"They have several local ships on either side and about 6 of the onboard fast rescue launches out," wrote Harleys-for-all.

"We've formed a line in the sea about 2 miles wide and are slowly combing the area."

User lesleyanne_b shared a photo of the rescue efforts, "They’re still actively searching. High speed rescue ship and two tenders, with Croatian ship supporting on starboard side."

Kilo_watt added, "Croatian Coast Guard and Air Force are helping. Our port of call to Zadar today has been canceled."

Screenshot care of Marine Traffic

Based on the ship's path, it's clear it engaged in a series of movements in an effort to locate the passenger.

According to a report by the Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija, the person in question is, "a young citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland."

Explorer of the Seas is a large cruise ship, capable of carrying 4,290 passengers at maximum capacity, along with 1,185 crew members. She is 1,020 feet long and 157.5 feet wide.

The first sailing of Explorer of the Seas took place on October 28, 2000.

Onboard safety precautions

The chances of falling overboard on a cruise ship are extremely low.

Deck railings on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which comply Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA) of 2010.

In addition, there are thick metal or Plexiglas panels or metal bars are positioned under the railings to prevent people from slipping through. 

When a man overboard situation occurs, the media usually reports on it and it leads some to wonder how it could happen in the first place.

An article from The Points Guy points out cruise ships have railings that are around chest height to ensure passenger safety and to prevent someone from slipping and falling overboard.

"The only way you risk a fall is if you're standing on furniture to peer over the side or climbing somewhere you're not supposed to. It's not possible for you to trip over a door frame or slip on a wet deck and fall off of a vessel."

Passengers going overboard are rare

The chances of a cruise ship passenger going overboard are quite low, but it does occasionally happen.

In a report from Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), there were 212 identified overboard incidents from cruise ships for either crew members or passengers between 2009 to 2019. 

Of these overboard incidents, only 48 (or 28.2%) individuals were successfully rescued. Around 71.8% of people who go overboard from cruise ships are sadly never recovered or located. 

The CLIA report also shows an overall decline in overboard incidents throughout the 10-year period. The overboard incident rate decreased 64% from 2009 to 2019, with an incidence rate of 0.00004 overboard reports per active lower berth in 2019.

The report states, “When compared with the growth in capacity in the industry over the study years, man overboard incidents continue on a downward trend.” 

Royal Caribbean cruise ships offer a cabin for any budget, but there is one suite that shines above all others, both in amenities and price: the Ultimate Family Suite.

As a family-focused cruise line, Royal Caribbean is no stranger to kid-friendly activities onboard its vessels. Whether waterslides, zip lines, or laser tag, there are countless ways to keep kids (and adults!) entertained onboard.

The vast majority of families book interior, ocean view, and balcony cabins, as these staterooms provide all the necessary amenities at a reasonable price point. Yet what if you could bring family-friendly fun into your cruise cabin?

The Ultimate Family Suite does just that, and this two-story, colorful cabin offers a truly unique experience in the cruise industry. The mind-blowing cabin is available on just four ships—Symphony, Wonder, Icon, and Utopia of the Seas. 

Royal Caribbean Blog had the chance to tour the cabin on a recent Utopia of the Seas cruise.

Staying in the Ultimate Family Suite isn’t cheap—prices average around $10,000 per night

With an in-cabin slide, private jacuzzi, cozy movie room, and gorgeous ocean views, the Ultimate Family Suite on Utopia of the Seas is one of the most expensive cabins on Royal Caribbean, second only to the slightly larger Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas.

Prices vary from sailing to sailing, but on average, guests can expect to pay between $20,000 and $50,000 for a 3 or 4-night sailing on Utopia of the Seas.

With two adults and two kids in the cabin, a 4-night cruise in April came out to $37,332 for the cabin, whereas a cruise in late February was priced at a whopping $59,124. “Budget” sailings can occasionally be found, with a 3-night cruise in August priced at just $22,948.

The suite can accommodate up to nine passengers, and guests enjoy Star Class benefits

If a $59,000 cruise gave you a jump scare, I do have some good news—up to nine guests* can stay in the Ultimate Family Suite. The more guests in the cabin, the lower the price per passenger.

The 4-night cruise in late February, for example, costs $14,781 per person with four guests in the cabin. If nine guests (four adults and six kids) stayed in the suite instead, the price per person is just $6,866 per person, or $61,796 total.

Related: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

While not everyone wants to sail with nine passengers in a single stateroom, it can be a great option for larger travel parties. Additionally, the Ultimate Family Suite shares a connecting door with a Crown Loft Suite, which can accommodate an additional four passengers.

Plus, not only does the price include lodging in the opulent cabin, but passengers also receive Royal Caribbean’s Star Class benefits.

Star Class is the highest tier of the cruise line’s Royal Suite Class, and comes with impressive perks like a personal Royal Genie, access to exclusive suite areas, and complimentary internet, drink, and dining packages.

Let’s jump in and take a look inside the Ultimate Family Suite

Whether you’re planning a cruise in the Ultimate Family Suite or adding the room to your wishlist, it’s helpful to know the ins and outs of this remarkable cabin.

Colorful signage, along with a hopscotch carpet, welcome guests to the Ultimate Family Suite. Even before walking through the doors, it’s clear you’re about to enter somewhere special.

The entryway leads to the suite’s dining table, which also functions as a digital play area. Screens provide endless entertainment, with digital coloring apps and card games available with the touch of a button.

There are eight separate game areas at the table, which can also be switched off in order to transform the screens into a regular table.

If you’d prefer screen-free play, opt for the drawing board behind the table instead. Alternatively, the cabin’s Lego wall near the entryway is sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike.

The pièce de résistance of the suite, of course, is the massive two-story living room.

Colorful and vibrant, just this single room sets the Ultimate Family Suite apart from any other cabin on the ship.

A spacious television area comes complete with two lounge chairs along with a sofa, which can be converted into a bed for those traveling with a large party.

Don’t forget about the cozy nook next to the television, either, which features adorable fruit-shaped pillows.

I’d be remiss not to mention the Ultimate Family Suite’s in-cabin slide, which takes guests from the second to first floor.

There is no other cabin on the ship with its own slide, making it an extra-unique feature of the stateroom. After all, why take the stairs when you can slide downstairs instead?

If the slide weren’t cool enough, there’s also a hidden cranny behind the slide with pillows, a giant Connect 4 game, and a suspended chair.

Undoubtedly, though, the best hideaway for kids in the Ultimate Family Suite is the movie room.

With two TVs, a mini bar, and giant couch, there’s really no reason to ever leave the cabin and venture elsewhere onboard.

If a regular couch is too lame for the kids, they can watch a movie from the room’s shark-themed nook instead.

The last room downstairs is the spare bedroom.

Whereas the second floor features the master bedroom and kids room, the downstairs room is meant for extra guests, whether traveling with grandparents, additional kids, or a second family altogether.

The room features a king-sized bed along with a chair, desk, closets, and drawers for storage. A bathroom—the third in the cabin—is downstairs, too, which has a double vanity and shower.

Now let’s head upstairs, and no, we can’t take the slide to the second floor.

Still in the theme of making the Ultimate Family Suite as fun as possible, Royal Caribbean created a piano staircase. When walking up or down, each footstep creates a note, making a song as guests travel between floors.

Luckily, the sound can be switched off if you’re worried about the constant noise.

The stairs lead to the master bedroom. Unlike the spare room downstairs, the master bedroom is not separated from the rest of the cabin by a wall.

Although this makes the room less private, a curtain can separate the bedroom from the living room below. Plus, it means parents can enjoy sprawling views from the cabin’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

Being a suite, the master bedroom (along with the other rooms) comes with upgraded amenities compared to standard cabins on Utopia of the Seas, including mattresses and linens.

Aside from the bed, the master bedroom also features a lounge chair, desk, and four closets. A mini fridge is inside one of the closets, providing a convenient way to enjoy a refreshment without the need to go downstairs.

The master bedroom has its own bathroom with a dual vanity and large shower, which offers a rainforest shower head along with adjustable shower wands and jets along the shower’s walls.

The bathroom, like the others in the Ultimate Family Suite, comes equipped with Malin + Goetz body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion.

A door separates the master bedroom from the kids room next door. The door can be opened regularly or, as another option, tiny cruisers can crawl through the door’s miniature opening from one room to the next.

The space-themed kids room features four twin beds, each of which has a set of outlets and a television.

One of the bottom beds functions as a couch, but it can be converted to a bed if needed.

The kids room has its own bathroom, too. Unlike the other bathrooms in the suite, you'll find a bathtub.

Now let’s check out the Ultimate Family Suite’s stunning outdoor space. To get there, we’ll take the slide.

There are regular cruise ship balconies… and then there’s the Ultimate Family Suite’s balcony.

The balcony offers an unobstructed view of the ocean along with an 8-person dining table and climbing area for kids. Perhaps the most dreamy feature of all is the balcony’s private jacuzzi—a major upgrade compared to sharing jacuzzis with other guests on the pool deck.

All in all, the Ultimate Family Suite is definitely a splurge. As someone who typically books the cheapest interior cabins when I cruise, my short tour was probably the closest I’ll get to staying in this cabin myself.

For many passengers, just the thought of spending $10,000 a night on a cruise cabin seems outrageous. Other guests, on the other hand, book the suite as a special, once-in-a-lifetime type of cruise experience.

Related: 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

Regardless of where you fall on the book-it-or-not debate, there’s no denying that the Ultimate Family Suite offers a unique cabin experience. There’s no suite quite like it anywhere else in the cruise industry, and its innovative features certainly provide an unmatched, unforgettable experience for families.

*Note: Royal Caribbean's website states up to ten guests can stay in the suite, but when checking prices, a reservation agent stated the cabin can only accommodate nine guests

What is it like to live on a cruise ship for 9 months straight?

Passengers on Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise have experienced 239 days of sailing on Serenade of the Seas since December 2023.

The 9-month cruise around the world is set to visit 65 countries, more than 150 destinations, and 11 Great Wonders of the World before it ends in September 2024.

The cruise has been a success for Royal Caribbean, to the point that the cruise line plans to do another.

But what is it really like onboard the viral cruise?

Reddit user Bruin144 previously shared a photo a day to the Royal Caribbean subreddit, updating social media on the world cruise adventures.

After an unexpected family emergency caused him to leave the cruise, he posted a reflection on the past 8 months of the world cruise.

"I think RCL has done a great job on this cruise. I also think it has been a learning experience both for the company & the employees involved in the cruise," he wrote.

Here are his top 15 lessons learned from sailing on the Ultimate World Cruise. 

1. Most of the cruisers are very wealthy

The vast majority of people on the full world cruise are rich," Bruin144 said.

“Not a little rich either—like founder of a successful company, invented a lucrative widget, or successful surgeon rich."

He guessed most of the cruisers have an average net worth of 7 figures or above.

Many of the passengers had never even operated a washing machine or dryer before.

Despite that economic privilege, he doesn’t consider Royal Caribbean a luxury brand. Once you manage those expectations, he said, you’ll have a great time. 

2. Economic disparities will be obvious on and off the ship

As a piece of advice for anyone considering taking the next World Cruise: "If class disparity bothers you a lot, then long term cruising may not be for you."

Because passengers are quite wealthy, you'll notice a huge economic disparity.

Plus, visiting over 65 world nations will open your eyes to a variety of lifestyles and cultures.

Bruin144's post said, "The world cruise was definitely an eye opener on both ends of the economic scale." 

3. Invest in a relationship with crew members

“Be nice to your cabin steward,” Bruin144 advised.

Over 9 months and many passengers, they’ll have a lot of cabins to clean.

Bruin144 and his travel partner asked their cabin steward to not clean on Sundays to give them an extra break.

They also tipped and didn’t ask for other things, such as keeping ice in the ice bucket.

4. When it comes to drinks, find a specific bar and bartender you like 

Serenade of the Seas has 12 bars onboard.

Rather than having a drink at multiple locations in a day, Bruin144 recommends finding one bartender and bartenders you like, and going there for all your drinks.

He recommends tipping the staff as well—he gave a large tip once a week on average.

5. Stress and exhaustion can turn anyone into a crank

While some TikTokers on the Ultimate World Cruise complained that they encountered rude passengers, Bruin144 had a different perspective.

The rich guests onboard weren’t necessarily rude because of their economic status—many were very nice.

But, he pointed out that “anyone when stressed or tired” can be a jerk. “This applies to me,” he confessed. 

Despite the long-term nature of a World Cruise, it still counts as a form of travel. Travel can be stressful, exhausting, and annoying. 

6. Ports weren’t scheduled perfectly

There were some port days that Bruin144 would have scheduled differently.

For example, the ship docked in a remote industrial area an hour away from Saigon, then only spent a few hours in the major city of Singapore.

He ended up wishing they’d skipped a few of the Southeast Asian ports to do an overnight in Singapore.

Read more: I'm going on Royal Caribbean's first world cruise for 274 nights: Why I booked and what I'm expecting

7. The cruise only provides a short taste of destinations

Since the World Cruise only stopped at ports for a short period of time, Bruin144 compared it to the movie “If it’s Tuesday it must be Belgium”—in which a group of Americans sees a whirlwind of 9 countries in 18 days.

“Many people skip going ashore in some ports or only go for a short time,” he said.

Additionally, he came to really enjoy sea days, and even back-to-back days spent at sea.

8. However, it was a chance to discover places for a future visit

Although not every place was a hit, the Ultimate World was a great opportunity to discover locations Bruin144 might want to revisit.

In the comments, he shared that he would like to visit Japan, Moʻoreʻa & Australia in the future.

Throughout the cruise, Bruin144 wrote, “Several places truly expanded my view of the world.”

“Watching Central India roll by from a train for 6 hours was genuinely a thought-provoking experience.”

9. Give yourself a goal or mission to complete for the length of the cruise

For their cruise, Bruin144 and his travel buddy made it a goal to buy and mail a postcard from a local post office in as many places as possible.

They ended up sending them to a family member who collects postcards.

Since he likes trains, Bruin144 also rode metros, streetcars, and trains in many areas.

That was a way to have fun and help get around the cities!

10. Don’t collect too many souvenirs

While a normal week-long cruise might seem like the perfect time to buy tons of souvenirs and collectibles, that doesn’t work on a long-term sailing.

Some cruisers tend to buy stuff at every port they visit.

But buying too many items can rapidly fill the cabin you’re spending several months in!

We collect refrigerator magnets and nothing else,” Bruin144 wrote.

11. Be healthy and prepared before going on the cruise

If you’re going to be sailing a cruise that visits so many destinations, you’ll need to be able to walk to properly enjoy sights and tours.

Bruin144 recommends that future cruisers “Take six months (or a year) before the cruise, reduce your weight, and do whatever you need to do so you can walk at least a couple of miles in high heat & humidity.”

If you have any health issues or pending surgeries, get those done before boarding the ship.

12. It’s also important to care for your health on the cruise—don’t treat it like just another vacation

On a typical cruise, you might be tempted to live it up to the fullest—eat, drink, and party as much as you want.

But on a world cruise, you aren’t on a typical vacation, you’re learning to live on a ship.

You’ll need to “learn to control your eating and drinking in the face of unlimited availability.”

13. Only take ashore what you absolutely need to

Especially if you don’t blend in with the locals, be sure that you’re not bringing any indispensable items off the ship.

On port days, Bruin144 only brings local cash, US bills, his SeaPass card, a small wallet, and only one ID.

He keeps his other ID and credit cards safe, back in the stateroom.

14. Royal Caribbean shore excursions are safer, but not always varied

When the ship is only in port for a short time, Royal Caribbean shore excursions are a good option because the ship is contracted to wait for you before leaving.

However, they can be more expensive when bought through the cruise line.

Most of them also consist of the same formula: “going somewhere on a bus with a driver & a moderately English proficient guide.”

During these bus rides, which can last over an hour, some of the guides will talk the entire time.

“So you get an in-depth view of their country’s history, the guide’s view on politics and/or a history of colonialism or their abuela’s recipe for fish stew.”

This formula may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

15. Learn to spot the tour guide scams

Sometimes, local tour guides change the advertised itinerary, Bruin144 said.

Instead of taking guests to the intended destination, they’ll try to bring the group to their cousin’s tapestry factory for shopping.

“You need to learn to incite buswide revolts and insist on going to the item on the itinerary or back to the ship.”

If you believe that time is money, there are ways to spend extra to bypass waits on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

A cruise vacation usually includes shows, activities, shore excursions, and lots of other fun onboard.  However, there are thousands of other passengers who also want to do the same thing.

Sometimes there are short waits, while other times, long lines develop for the very popular activities. You could plan ahead and arrive early, book certain things in advance, or hope for the best.  Or you could throw money at the problem.

Spending more money isn't always the solution and you can have a great cruise without spending more money on add-ons.  But for some people, it's worth it to have a more convenient experience. 

If you value time over money, here are four upgrades you could pay for to wait less and skip lines on your Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Key

Perhaps the most popular way to skip a few lines on your cruise is to buy Royal Caribbean's VIP pass, known as The Key.

The Key is an optional purchase to be made before the cruise begins, where guests get extra 1its.  

Benefits of The Key include priority embarkation, special reserved times at signature top deck attractions, tendering priority, and more.

Buying The Key should save you time with a shorter wait to board the cruise ship, as well as disembarking it.  Guests that buy The Key can also enjoy times at specific attractions on their ship, like the rock climbing wall or Flowrider.

The downside to The Key is you have to buy it for everyone in your group above the age of 6 and you have to pay a daily fee for every day of your cruise. Plus, most of the best benefits are just on embarkation day.

However, The Key is the most affordable option on this list and it will shave off some time.

Book a Suite

Another way to bypass a few lines is to stay in a suite instead of a lower category stateroom.

Royal Caribbean has two tiers of suite experiences: the Royal Suite Class on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships; and the rest of the fleet. There are more lucrative benefits if you're on a ship with Royal Suite Class benefits.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites overview

There are a few ways staying in a suite can benefit you by skipping lines.

First, you'll get priority embarkation and disembarkation.  When you arrive to the cruise port, there will be a special line just for suite guests and that is almost always shorter than the regular line. Moreover, you'll board the ship first (if they have not started the embarkation process yet).

Priority disembarkation is my favorite suite benefit, as the suite concierge will escort you off the ship and cut through the usually long line on that final morning. This single benefit has saved me a lot of time and my family's sanity trying to get off the ship after the cruise is over.

Suite guests also have reserved seating at shows to enjoy. It's not always the best place to sit, but they are indeed reserved spots for suite guests (as well as top tier Crown and Anchor members). 

While suite guests do not get any special times at signature attractions like those that have The Key, there is reserved seating for suite guests on the pool deck.  Pool deck chairs go quickly, so it's a nice way to not have to be as competitive for a pool chair.

Some of the suite benefits sound similar to The Key, but with a suite you also get an opulent and expansive cabin.

It's also worth mentioning the suite benefits on Royal Caribbean's newer ships are more lucrative than on their older ships.

Read more: Differences between a suite and a balcony

Use a Royal Genie

If you really want to eliminate as many lines as possible, then you should book a Star Class suite.

Star Class is the exclusive top tier of Royal Caribbean's suite program, and guests in these cabins not only get the largest suites on the ship, they also get the service of the Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie is the "easy button" for your cruise, and they can get you access to just about anything without waits.

Not only do you have the regular suite benefits mentioned earlier, but your Genie escorts you onboard the ship at the cruise terminal and is there to get you pretty much anything you want.

You can completely bypass lines for shows, ice skating, laser tag, elevators, and even getting back on the ship.  You just message your Genie with Whatsapp and they'll help you out.

Genies cannot quite bypass every single line (i.e. water slides are still on your own), but it's truly the best choice for anyone that absolutely wants to avoid lines or waits on their cruise and money is not an object.

As you might imagine, a Star Class suite is not cheap.  Often the price for these suites cost five figures, with some of the top suites actually exceeding $80,000.

Private shore excursions

If there's one kind of waiting on a cruise that I personally detest the most, it's waits for a group shore excursion. 

Shore excursions are a lot of fun, but group excursions tend to epitomize the saying, "hurry up and wait". I like to explore things at my pace, and while group shore excursions are quite affordable, I prefer to do things on my own in certain ports.

Booking a private shore excursion could alleviate waits by allowing you to get going and stop and start when you want to.

You could book a private sightseeing tour, or charter a catamaran. There are even Royal Caribbean private excursions you can book through the Private Journeys department.

The downside to a private excursion is the cost.  You'll probably pay much more per person than on a group tour.

A free upgrade: Express Boarding

While everything in our list costs extra, there's an easy way to skip at least one line on your cruise and that's with Express Boarding.

If you happen to sail on a ship that supports Express Boarding, Royal Caribbean will reward you with a faster way to get onto the ship for free.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Express Boarding Review

If you complete all the steps of the check-in process via the Royal Caribbean app, you should get Express Boarding on your SetSail pass automatically.

You'll need to use the app to enter all your information, scan your passport, take a selfie, and answer the health questionnaire the day before the cruise begins.

Read more: Royal Caribbean boarding process walkthrough

It's only available at certain ports and ships, but it's free!