A Royal Caribbean cruise is one of the best vacations you can take. However, there are plenty of interesting (and sometimes frustrating) policies that can catch both first-time and veteran sailors off guard.

For example, gratuities aren't included in your cruise fare. Although this seems like common knowledge, many cruisers are taken aback when they see the daily service charge automatically added to their SeaPass account.

And that is just the beginning.

From strict drink package rules to restrictive cabin categories and sneaky loyalty benefit redemption policies, here are the biggest Royal Caribbean limitations you should know about.

The Unlimited Dining Package isn't totally unlimited

The Unlimited Dining Package is easily the best way to explore the ship's finer culinary experiences, including Chops Grille, Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, and Izumi Sushi.

However, the $20 daily credit is non-refundable and can only be used once per day. This means guests are limited to just one à la carte specialty restaurant per day of their cruise. These include Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, Portside BBQ, and Fish & Ships.

In other words, you can't have fried shrimp and hand-cut fries from Fish & Ships for lunch and an ooey-gooey Campfire Cookie for a late-night dessert at Playmakers. You would have to opt for one of the two, saving the other for another day.

Even with the dining packages, several premium experiences come with an extra charge

In addition to the once-per-day à la carte specialty restaurant restriction, some higher-end experiences are excluded from Royal Caribbean's specialty dining packages.

If you want to eat at Izumi Hibachi, Izumi Omakase, The Chef's Table, the Royal Railway restaurants, or the upscale supper clubs, you'll have to pay an additional fee — even if you have the Unlimited Dining Package:

Izumi Hibachi: $15

Izumi Omakase: $60

Royal Railway: Adult, $50 / Child, $25

The Chef's Table: $50

Empire Supper Club / Lincoln Supper Club: $130

The same applies to upgraded offerings at included specialty restaurants, such as the Chops Grille Fine Cuts menu, which carries a separate surcharge.

The Freestyle soda cup is no longer included with the two priciest drink packages

As of March 15, 2026, Royal Caribbean's Coca-Cola Freestyle soda cups are no longer included with the Royal Refreshment and Deluxe Beverage Packages — they're only included with the Classic Soda Package.

Although guests may still order unlimited soda from bars, lounges, and restaurants, those who would like access to the Freestyle machine must purchase a souvenir cup onboard for $4.99.

One thing to note is that Royal Caribbean soda cups are programmed for your specific voyage, so you can't reuse them on future sailings.

Drink packages can't be shared

Speaking of drink packages, Royal Caribbean strictly prohibits passengers from sharing them. To prevent this, they require all passengers over the drinking age to purchase their own package if one person in the stateroom gets the Deluxe Beverage Package.

If you are caught sharing a drink package, the cruise line can immediately cancel the package without issuing a refund. They can also charge you for every drink you've consumed.

Although sharing drink packages may seem like an easy way to save a few hundred bucks during your cruise, the risks far outweigh the rewards.

Crown & Anchor discounts can't be redeemed pre-cruise

Royal Caribbean has the best loyalty program at sea. Full stop. As you climb the ranks of the Crown & Anchor Society, you'll earn perks like daily complimentary drinks, free Wi-Fi, BOGO specialty dining, and more.

However, there's an important catch: the benefits can't be applied to any pre-cruise sales before you board. In other words, if you are eligible for one complimentary day of VOOM Wi-Fi, you must wait until you are onboard the ship to redeem it.

This essentially means you can't combine your Crown & Anchor perks with the pre-cruise sales through the Cruise Planner. You can either pre-purchase your add-ons or wait until you're on the ship to book your BOGO specialty meal or activate your discounted internet plan.

Cabanas have strict capacity limits

Renting a private cabana is a great way to level up your day ashore at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island or Perfect Day at CocoCay. That said, cabanas have strict capacity limits, so only a set number of guests can use them at any one time.

Certain cabanas also include admission to extra-charge areas, such as the Royal Beach Club, adult-only Hideaway Beach, upscale Coco Beach Club, or Thrill Waterpark. Capacity limits help ensure that these spaces never become overcrowded or compromise the sense of exclusivity they are designed to provide.

For example, a cabana at Thrill Waterpark may start at around $850 and include admission for up to six guests. Similarly, the Coco Beach Club's overwater cabanas can accommodate a maximum of eight guests per day.

Read more: I rented a $1,400 cabana at Royal Caribbean's private island

Booking a guarantee cabin means you completely forfeit the ability to choose your stateroom's location

Booking a guarantee (GTY) stateroom is an easy way to save money on your cruise fare. Instead of selecting your exact cabin, you let Royal Caribbean do it for you at a lower price.

Although you are guaranteed a room on the ship within your chosen category — such as inside, neighborhood balcony, or suite — you are not guaranteed a specific cabin or location.

This means you could be randomly assigned to a connecting stateroom or placed in a cabin near a noisy crew access point.

Royal Genie services don't work at Perfect Day at CocoCay

One of the best perks of Royal Caribbean's Star Class suites is the Royal Genie, a crew member who serves as a personal concierge, butler, and magic maker.

They will help with everything from making specialty dining reservations to booking excursions and even being your personal escort on and off the ship — except at CocoCay.  

This is because there are no Star Class benefits on the island itself. However, that doesn't mean they can't help you plan an epic day ashore before you disembark.

Casino cash advances are allowed, but they can be cut off

In recent years, many veteran cruisers, myself included, would tell you that an easy hack to get cash on the ship while avoiding the pesky ATM fees is to withdraw from the casino.

However, Royal Caribbean has begun cracking down on this. Now, casino cash allowances come with a gambling requirement — along with a $3 convenience fee. If you don't gamble most of what you pull out, you may not be allowed to continue charging to your SeaPass account in the casino.

"We just did a cruise where [we] put in $200, but the slots were so tight that we stopped playing at $180. When we went back later on the cruise, we were not allowed to use our room account," alfaeric shared on the Royal Caribbean Blog discussion forum. 

Planning a cruise with a friend is exciting, but there are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid if you're sharing a cabin together.

Cruise cabins are notoriously small, and you'll quickly learn that sharing a stateroom with a friend means living in very close quarters. Although this makes for fun late-night chats and quality bonding time, there are definitely some quirks to consider when planning your cruise.

I’ve been lucky enough to cruise around the world with some of my best friends, whether in Alaska, the South Pacific, the Mediterranean, or even the Arctic Circle. I cherish the memories we've made together, but in the process I've learned a few tips for rooming together.

Things like keeping the room tidy and splitting the beds are essential, and it's also important to plan some alone time throughout your vacation.

Here are the 8 mistakes I avoid making when planning a cruise and sharing a cabin with a friend.

Not discussing your budget

If you’re planning to share a cabin with a friend, be sure to discuss your budget before doing anything else. You don’t want to get into a situation where one of you wants to book a suite, but the other only budgeted for an interior cabin!

Budgeting goes beyond just the cabin category, too. You’ll also want to discuss your budgets for add-ons like drink packages, specialty dining, and shore excursions. If one friend wants a Deluxe Beverage Package, the other person in the cabin will be required to purchase one, too.

Read more: How much is a Royal Caribbean cruise?

I’ve cruised with friends who sailed on tight budgets, but also with those who budgeted extra for cruise add-ons. Each experience was fun, but I found the cruise was more enjoyable when we had a similar budget to each other.

When I sailed to Alaska with my friend Reeham, we had an amazing time exploring the state’s scenic ports.

As a PhD student, though, her budget was much lower than mine. We were more limited in excursion options and add-ons due to her budget constraints.

Luckily I expected this beforehand, but a similar situation could prove problematic if there is a drastic budget difference between two friends.

Doing everything together

Just because you’re cruising with a friend doesn’t mean you have to do everything together. It’s important to respect each other’s boundaries, and it’s normal to want alone time here and there.

It could be as simple as a solo trip to the gym, or you might want to split up on a port day so you can try activities that best match your individual interests.

A few years ago, for instance, I sailed through the Mediterranean with my friend Samantha. She had been to Barcelona several times before, so opted to stay onboard during our port day. I didn’t mind, as it gave me ample time to wander around the city on my own. The alone time was nice for both of us, and we were recharged to enjoy time together once I got back on the ship.

Read more: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

On another occasion, I planned a strenuous hike during a port day in Stavanger, Norway. My idea of “fun” wasn’t the same as my cabinmate’s, so he opted to walk around the city center while I spent the day hiking.

You're going to spend a lot of time with each other during the cruise, so having some alone time is recommended.

Living on totally different schedules

Before sharing a cabin with a friend, consider whether your schedules are compatible.

I’m a morning person through and through. I love waking up early on a cruise to catch the sunrise and watch my ship pull into port. At night, you’re unlikely to find me partying in the ship’s nightclub.

I find that sharing a cabin works best if you and your friend have similar schedules. If you’re a morning person, you don’t want to be stuck waiting hours for your friend to wake up so you can disembark the ship in port.

If you're a night owl, on the other hand, you could get annoyed if you're woken up at dawn when your cabinmate is starting their day.

Before sharing a cabin with a friend, consider your habits to determine if it’s really the best choice.

Not splitting the beds

Don’t forget to split your cabin’s bed into two twin-sized beds. In addition to the benefit of having your own bed, you’ll also appreciate the expanded walking space in the middle of the room.

Read more: 16 things to do as soon as you get to your cruise cabin

If you’re lucky, your cabin might already be arranged with two beds on embarkation day. If not, simply ask your stateroom attendant to split the bed. They’ll get it done as soon as possible, and it’s well worth the effort.

Forgetting USB hubs for charging devices

Power outlets can be hard to come by in cruise cabins, and especially on older ships. With two people in the cabin, it’s crucial to pack items to maximize your room’s charging capacity.

Whenever I cruise with a friend, I make sure that both of us pack a USB hub and a European power adapter. This way we each have enough ports to charge items like phones, laptops, cameras, smartwatches, and e-readers.

Read more: 7 Items to buy your first time on a Royal Caribbean cruise

If you’re sailing on a brand new ship like Utopia of the Seas or Star of the Seas, you might find it unnecessary to pack these items. If your ship was built before 2014, though, packing USB hubs and adapters is essential.

Not cleaning up clutter in your room

Cruise cabins are tiny, and they can quickly appear messy. Whether it’s piles of dirty clothes on the floor, a jumbled mess of cords near the outlets, or bottles of toiletries crowding the sink, it’s challenging to keep your cabin clutter-free.

If you’re sharing a cabin with a friend, make sure you’re on the same page when it comes to tidying up. Although your stateroom attendant will service your room each day, they don’t typically organize your personal belongings.

I’ll be honest—I don’t always keep my room clutter-free on a cruise. Luckily, most of the friends I’ve sailed with don’t either. Even still, I’m extra cognizant of keeping my belongings somewhat organized when sharing a cabin so I don’t inconvenience my cabinmate with a mess.

Sharing an internet package

Royal Caribbean’s internet packages are priced per device, but it’s still possible to “share” a 1-device package with a friend. The kicker? You can’t both use the internet at the same time.

On several cruises, I’ve allowed my friends to use my internet package when I’m not using it. In theory, sharing the package is easy. I give them my login information, and once they log in on their phone, I get kicked off on mine.

Read more: Royal Caribbean WiFi: Guide to Internet at sea

In practice, though, sharing an internet package gets annoying quickly. Constantly logging in and out of the Wi-Fi is cumbersome, and sharing can also lead to tension if one person is “hogging” the internet.

I recommend purchasing your own internet package when cruising with a friend. Not only can you communicate more easily while onboard, but it gives you complete freedom to use the Wi-Fi as you so choose.

Not communicating with each other

Finally, speaking of communicating, make sure to stay in touch with your friend when going about the ship. You’re unlikely to spend every second together onboard, and it’s surprisingly easy to lose track of each other amongst a sea of other passengers.

Fortunately, it’s never been easier to stay in touch on the ship. If you both have internet packages, turn on your Wi-Fi settings so you can text and call each other with no extra charge. Alternatively, apps like Messenger and WhatsApp work well for texts, audio calls, and video calls.

You can chat for free within Royal Caribbean’s app without an internet package, although notifications can be finicky at best. There have been several times when a friend has messaged me within the Royal Caribbean app, but I didn't see the message until much later.

Read more: How to communicate with someone on a cruise

If you both have iPhones, you might find that iMessage works without an internet package so long as you’re connected to the free version of the ship’s internet.

Of course, old-school methods of communication work, too. Consider using sticky notes or a dry-erase board in the room to let your friend know where to find you.

Royal Caribbean offers a way to check-in for your cruise via its mobile app, but the question is what benefit do you get by doing so?

If you're used to hotel check-ins, doing so online early doesn't give you much benefit other than requesting certain preferences. In my experience, those preferences (like an early check-in) aren't always granted and it seems like a waste.

When it comes to cruising, the online check-in isn't just helpful, it's downright extremely useful.

You could even snag an express pass to a shorter line on embarkation day by completing all the steps.

Here's how I do my Royal Caribbean online check-in and why you should take advantage of it too.

Royal Caribbean encourages you to use online check-in

Once you get to 45 days until your cruise begins, you can start checking in for the cruise.

You can start checking-in on the app or on the website. The app is by far the preferred method, both in terms of convenience and what the cruise line would like you to use.

Once completed, it's how you'll get your boarding pass that you'll need in the cruise terminal.

It's technically allowed to not do any mobile check-in and instead wait to do it a the cruise terminal. Ten years ago, that would be have been perfectly fine.  But online check-in has a number of advantages.

It might sound like cruise like marketing, but there's absolute truth to the idea doing your mobile check-in will speed things up and get you on the ship faster.

Completing your check-in via the app means far less waiting in the cruise terminal, an earlier check-in time, and getting on the ship quicker.

It's also worth emphasizing using the app is better than the website for online check-in.  The app allows you to hop between check-in steps, such as getting a check-in time and then coming back later to complete the other steps.

The website also lacks the ability to scan your passport, which will take more time to enter everything manually.

Since so much of the cruise planning experience is tied to the app, you're almost at a disadvantage by not using it.

My approach to checking in for a Royal Caribbean cruise

I've come around to relying on the app for my pre-cruise check-in on every sailing.

Back when the mobile check-in was first introduced over a decade ago, it was more of a novelty and not very useful.  Today, it's essential.

At 45 days before your cruise, you can select a check-in time.  This is important so you can be among the first to step aboard and get your vacation started.

Technically, the check-in time begins at midnight, but I'll wait until the next morning because the difference in times if I get it at midnight or 9am the next morning is usually negligible. I'd rather get better sleep.  

I've found that waiting until the next morning might be the difference between an 11am to an 11:30am check-in time, and that isn't a major difference.

That being said, don't wait days or weeks. Get your check-in time ASAP.

I'll come back later and do the rest of the check-in via the app.  When I do, I use the app online (never the website) and I'll scan everyone's passport and take a photo for security. I always add my credit card too.

You really ought to do all those steps (including the photo) so you can qualify for Express Boarding.

Express Boarding is a reward in select ports for those that did everything they needed to do pre-cruise.  It appears as an option within 24 hours of boarding after you finish the health questionnaire in the app.

Basically, this is a line for those that did everything and the cruise line feels good about your boarding status.  You get a special line and involves less stopping and waiting around.

Think of it like a rental car where you can bypass the counter if you have all the information already submitted.  I'm all about saving time and minimizing any waits anytime I can.

Mobile check-in is a time saver

Ultimately, I'll spend a few minutes to get checked-in for my cruise while I'm at home rather than in the cruise terminal.

I can't imagine why anyone would straight up skip it all together because you're just going to have to do it all in the cruise terminal, and likely the counter agent will be the one entering it all.  The gate agent is likely going to be slower typing out the spelling of your last name, weird street name, and copying down phone numbers.

I think the difference between my strategy and others is relying purely on the app, and getting a check-in time first before coming back later to complete the rest.

While you can use the Royal Caribbean website, you lose out on the chance to get Express Boarding.  That alone should be reason enough not to use it.

Lastly, I'd advise against waiting until the last few days before starting any of the check-in. Set a calendar reminder 45 days early and get it taken care of sooner than later.

Everyone says to join a cruise Facebook group. I wish I hadn't.

I love sharing information, meeting new people, and staying informed, but I stopped joining Facebook groups for my sailings.

As groups have risen in popularity, so have the problems.  What used to be infrequent annoyances have become far more commonplace, and it's the sort of things that turn me off from bothering to go about it.

I cruise a monthly basis, so I run across lots of groups. If I'm on a big ship, it's not uncommon for there to be hundreds of people in there.

I hate to paint with a wide brush, because there are lots of people who use Facebook to learn from others, share their own experiences, and generally help get excited about an awesome vacation that's coming up.

The drama, misinformation, and spam are why I don't recommend joining Facebook groups anymore for a cruise.

Know-it-alls, judging others, and drama is a big turnoff

Squabbles over silly issues usually crop up, even before the cruise begins.

A simple question about dress codes, where to find information, or other "cruise 101" posts conjure up responses that are plain nasty.

While the correct answer usually gets shared, it's mired with trolling messages and personal attacks.  Some people get annoyed anyone would ask a question that cannot be searched on Google first.  

Then there are the sarcastic and joke responses.  The people writing it think they're funny, but humor doesn't travel well in written form without being able to hear the inflection. That results in nasty comments back (because they think they're being attacked), or even someone thinking the joke response is the correct answer.

My personal pet peeve are the "weather pearl clutchers". These are the people that look at a 21 day weather forecast and start freaking out because there's any chance of rain. They bring the doom and gloom and bring down the vibe quickly.

All of it bogs down the usefulness of being in a Facebook group, and all it takes is one bored person to quickly set the wrong tone for everyone.

Some travel agents use Facebook groups to drum up business

The amount of unsolicited sales pitches in Facebook groups is a quickly growing problem.

Some travel agents will create a group as a means of gathering potential future sales leads. They lock down sharing links that might conflict with their own business interests, and share lots of posts offering to book future cruises.

I have no problem with someone marketing themselves and trying to grow their business, but a Facebook group that passes itself off as a place for everyone to meet isn't the place for that. 

Absentee group admins foster chaos

If a travel agent that rules their group with an iron fist is bad, a group with no admin at the helm is even worse.

Facebook has a bad spam problem, and if you start a public group for a sailing, you can start a countdown on an egg timer before someone will post advertising a taxi service, shore excursion in Roatan, or t-shirts to buy.

Beyond the spam, arguments grow out of control and problem makers are left unchecked.

Misinformation spreads fast, and it's tiring to try to help

Even if there's a benevolent group admin that does a good job at rooting out the worst offenders, incorrect info can still run wild.

On a recent sailing, someone asked which cruise terminal we were boarding from in San Juan, Puerto Rico and I saw a couple of people insisting it was the wrong port.

I certainly don't want to go into any group and try to correct everyone. And I don't think anyone wants to be "that guy" that responds to every post and risks being seen as annoying or a know-it-all.

On the one hand, I hate to see people lead astray with the wrong info. But on the other hand, I have no interest in trying to correct everyone, especially people that think they're providing the right answer.

This is especially true of dress codes, because they're quite subjective and open for interpretation.  Royal Caribbean doesn't really enforce dress codes much, so the result is a wide gap in personal preference.

Despite higher oil prices, airport delays, and travel disruption, travelers with a cruise booked are largely still planning to take their vacation.

So I asked cruise fans a simple question: Would any of this change your plans?

The answer was almost unanimous. They’re still going.

"Keeping all 9 of my bookings from now through November," posted Simone Amadee on Facebook when questioned if they were reconsidering travel because of recent global events.

Hundreds of others weighed in to say mostly the same thing: they're keeping their travel plans in place.

Long TSA lines, the Iran conflict, and increased airfares have been at the forefront of news in recent weeks, but going on a cruise doesn't seem to be changing in anyone's view yet.

Joline Tate posted, "Royal Caribbean will not take you where there's danger. If a port is dangerous, they will cancel; you won't have to."

Her sentiment was shared by many that life goes on, despite the travel anxiety some may be feeling.

"Unless the cruise line cancels it, I’m going"

The overwhelming response wasn’t hesitation. It was defiance. Despite scary headlines, most travelers are not canceling cruises.

We asked our readers on Facebook if they're feeling any concern about going on a cruise due to recent issues around the United States and abroad.

Over 200 comments were left, and the vast majority were positive and said they were definitely going on their cruise. In our unscientific poll, there were very limited outright cancellations.

The majority of the comments fell into the "I'm still going" category.

"I cruise at the end of July to the Caribbean. I'm making the final payment next week and hoping for the best," added Kelly D'Alessandro.

Many people shared they feel cruises feel insulated from global events. Moreover, Caribbean cruises are seen as low risk.

"I would absolutely go on a cruise if I had one booked and paid for. Probably the safest way to travel today," wrote Kat PS.

It also helps that cruises are booked months in advance, and most itineraries are far from conflict zones. Royal Caribbean doesn't offer any cruises in the Middle East, and their European cruise season is just about to begin.

Plus, there's a strong sense that cruises feel removed from the chaos on land. Once you're onboard, the outside world fades pretty quickly.

Some are concerned, but not canceling

Even though many aren't canceling their cruise, they are monitoring the situation to see if a change is needed.

Flights are probably the top concern among respondents.

• "Keeping all 9 of my bookings… a bit nervous about all of the flights"
• "A bit nervous about all of the flights I have to take but keeping the faith all will go well!"
• "My problem was the air fare was more than the cruise I was about to book"

People aren't canceling cruises, but they are worried about getting there. To that point, some people are pivoting to cruises they can drive to instead of relying on air travel.

A partial government shutdown has strained the Transportation Security Administration, contributing to longer security lines at airports across the country. This has lead to long lines at airports in some cases.

The concern of missing a flight over these delays is at the heart of why some are questioning going overseas for a trip. Both Americans traveling to Europe and Europeans coming to the States are where the comments started to vary.

"Staying in Europe this year, but we've booked most of our holidays at home in UK for the rest of the year," Sandra Harris wrote.

"Europe? Moved mine to next summer," added Ashley H.

People aren't canceling, but they are watching

The bottom line is most people with a cruise booked plan to go on it, but they aren't ignoring the world events either.

People are watching flight prices and airport situations, and they're thinking more carefully about future trips.

The cruise is still happening, it's just everything around it that feels a little uncertain.

Spring break is one of the most popular times of year to take a cruise. The weather is mild, and many kids across the country are off school, making it extra convenient.

I've been taking my kids on a spring break cruise ever for the past 9 years, and it's a wonderful experience because as they get old, it becomes more challenging to find times when we all can travel together.

The catch with any spring break cruise is how many other kids are doing the same thing.  While Royal Caribbean ships always sail full, there many more families on a spring break cruise and that means more people onboard because those third and fourth beds are filled up.

On Star of the Seas, we had over 10,000 people onboard the ship our 7-night Western Caribbean cruise when you combine passengers with crew members. Needless to say, the cruise ship was busy.

Here are some of the tips we used to navigate the unavoidable crowds.

Go to the pool early

Perhaps no other place on your cruise ship will be as crowded as the pool deck on a sea day.

My best advice is to go up to the pool early before everyone else does.  Star of the Seas has seven pools and ten whirlpools onboard, so it's probably the best cruise ship at distributing crowds.

Our strategy was to go to the pool before 10am and get our time in early.  Most people roll up to the pool deck in the late morning, with the peak crowds extending through early afternoon.

But if you go up before 10am, you'll have no problem finding open chairs.  Chair hogs are a notorious problem on any cruise ship, so getting a chair in the morning is critical.

Not only does this strategy get you a chair, but you can also enjoy a much less crowded pool.  

My theory is to enjoy the pool in the morning, then leave at lunch and enjoy an afternoon nap back in my cabin.

Pre-book shows in the app

Royal Caribbean allows you to pre-book shows, and it's an absolute must-do on a spring break cruise.

According to the cruise line, show reservations open up on the first day of the month before the sailing. That's not totally accurate, but it's a good ballpark of when to start looking for them.

We pre-booked all of our shows, so we didn't have to wait in line to see it. There's no cost to pre-book shows, but that also means a lot of people will book show reservations just to have them and they go quickly.

I'd prioritize show tickets for Torque and the comedy shows, because they have the smallest theaters.  Back to the Future: The Musical is also a must-see.

Speaking of Torque, I always recommend booking the aqua shows for the first sailing because too much movement can cancel a show.  By picking an early show, you ensure you can either see it while conditions are ripe, or have more chances to see it later if your viewing is cancelled.

Take advantage of a port day for the water park

Star of the Seas has an entire water park, so the best time to ride all the slides with as little wait as possible is on a port day.

Pick a port that you'll stay on the ship and hit the water slides. Just like my pool deck strategy, go in the morning when the slides first open and enjoy virtually no lines.

Once you get to lunch time, people start returning to the ship and lines for the water slides can build quickly.

Another smart strategy is to bring your bathing suit on embarkation day and go on the slides as soon as you board. 

Few other people will have their bathing suit because they packed it away in their checked luggage, so lines tend to be lower on the first day until about mid-afternoon.

Prepare to splurge for a suite if having a less crowded pool deck is important to you

Paying extra for a suite on top of the premium pricing a new ship like Star of the Seas enjoys can sting, but if you're looking for the "easy button", the extra expense may be worth it.

Suite guests get access to the Suite Neighborhood onboard, which includes its own private pool deck, lounge, and restaurant.

The Grove is the name of the suite sun deck area on Icon Class ships, which has its own pool, hot tub, and lots of loungers.

I was able to access this area because I'm a Pinnacle Club member, and having an enclave from the main pool area provided a wonderful relief from crowds.  There were still lots of people taking advantage of this area, but it's far more manageable.

I would never advocate booking a suite because it's a good value. But there are some people that would prefer to pay extra to avoid crowds, and this is the option for them.

You'll need to book a Grand Suite or any other Sky or Star Class suite to get the full benefits. Traditional Junior Suites (and Surfside Family Suites later this year) only have partial suite benefits, and the pool area isn't one of them.

Make dining reservations early

Just as important as your show reservations are ensuring you have a place to eat each night.

I witnessed numerous times someone asking for a table without a reservation, only to be told there's nothing left for that day.

Royal Caribbean has made it very easy to prebook specialty restaurants, even with the dining package, thanks to the Royal Caribbean app. I made all my reservations before the cruise began and was grateful I didn't have to worry about finding a place to eat onboard.

If you're eating at the Main Dining Room, you can pre-book your My Time Dining spots too.  Personally, I'd recommend Traditional Dining to make it even easier.

If you decide to book something onboard, make that decision early. Book reservations on the first day because all the restaurants were overbooked by the time we got to day three or four of the cruise.

Hit the gym on port days

I found the gym gets overcrowded on sea days, so it's better to go on any port day.

Hit the gym before your excursion early and you'll find the fitness center is so much less crowded.  I went on the morning we were in Perfect Day at CocoCay, and there were maybe 10 people total to contend with.

You check the weather forecast before your cruise and suddenly your excitement turns into dread: rain every day.

While it looks like your Caribbean vacation is about to be washed out before it even begins, the truth is it probably won't. That scary-looking forecast doesn't mean it will rain all day, or even for every long. In fact, it's more likely the rain will miss you and end up with plenty of sunshine.

The thing most people don’t realize is Caribbean weather forecasts are famously misleading. 

Before you panic, here's some reassurance why that "rain forecast for the entire cruise" rant is probably not as bad as it looks.

Why Caribbean forecasts almost always show rain

Weather forecasting relies on models, and the models in the Caribbean are not nearly as sophisticated or well-developed as those in the United States.

Part of the reason for this is because there are less weather stations around the Caribbean. Many countries don't have the financial resources to buy a radar station and that means there's far less weather radar information to feed into models.

I'm not saying the weather forecasts are useless, but don't take them as the gospel truth for what to expect.

Rain is common in the tropics

As someone that lives in Florida, I know that when there's rain in the forecast, it's rarely an all-day affair.

When you get into the warm months of the year, rain storms tend to pop-up and develop as the day goes on. Warm ocean water + humidity = pop-up storms.

That means you start off the day sunny, see clouds in the afternoon, and experience a quick downpour.  Or not at all.  Tropical rain storms are usually small cells that move quickly and may hit one beach, but not another.

Even if the forecast is accurate that it will rain, it's doubtful the rain will last very long. Sometimes it's a few minutes, sometimes an hour or so.  But most of the day is likely to be rain-free.

That forecast is a percentage chance, not a guarantee

Something else you should look at in any weather forecast is the percentage chance of rain.

It may list rain every day of your cruise, but that doesn't mean it's a guarantee. Often the percentage listed is far less than 100%, and that means forecasters aren't really sure.  They see the potential for precipitation, but it's unclear when or where exactly it will rain and for how long.

So meteorologists use a percentage in their forecast to handicap the likelihood of rain. Even a 70% or higher chance or rain may result in no rain at all.

Weather apps show rain icons even if the chance is small. A 30–40% chance of rain may mean a short shower somewhere nearby.

This is one of those situations as a cruiser you need to have a "glass is half full" approach and hope for the best.

Why cruise ships are good at avoiding bad weather

On sea days, you have the best chance to avoid the worst rain.

Cruise ship Captains can reroute around large storm systems. That's not to say they'll avoid every rain cell, but they will seek a better route if there's a big system out there. In fact, Royal Caribbean has its own meteorologist to help predict bad weather and keep ships away from it.

In the case of a hurricane, Royal Caribbean could re-arrange ports or change itineraries.  They won't do that for a regular rain storm, but it's important to know major storms have contingency plans.

How to read a cruise weather forecast correctly

Before you text your family your "cruise is ruined", here's what I'd look at in any forecast.

Start by looking at hourly forecasts, not daily icons. If your ship is going to depart by mid afternoon, you could miss the worst of the rain.

Next, check precipitation percentage, not just symbols. They're estimates and anything less than 50% is probably not worth changing any plans around.

Lastly, even if it does rain, expect short bursts of rain, not constant storms.

Prepare for rain, but expect sunshine

My advice is understand that, yes, it could rain. But it probably won't be a washout.

Plan for a fun time ashore and enjoy your day.  However, if it does rain, don't let it stop you in your tracks.

Heck, if there's no lighting, hop in the pool or ocean and embrace being wet while you're already wet!

If you have plans on land, packing rain ponchos might be prudent. Or just duck under cover and let it all pass.

If your cruise is going to Alaska, the weather changes so quickly there that rain is likely. But it usually moves on soon enough.

While there are many things people will complain about on a Royal Caribbean cruise, some are opinions you can safely ignore.

The internet is a great resource for learning about just about anything, including a cruise vacation. It can also help a lot with finding the right cruise, shore excursion, or activity onboard. Heck, this entire website is built around that premise.

I like to read through others' experiences on cruises, but there are some things you probably shouldn't make a buying decision off of because you read a negative experience online.

Some subjects are simply too subjective, and a cruise is so personalized. Unlike a review that criticizes Enchantment of the Seas for not having nearly as much to do for families as a newer ship, a dismal review one person have may have more to do with that person's likes and dislikes than an objective viewpoint.

Before you make any rash decisions, here are five complaints about cruises I wouldn't take to heart.

How comfortable the beds are on a cruise ship

Let's start with an easy topic that is so subjective, you may as well stop reading as soon as you see the topic: beds.

There are all sorts of complaints that Royal Caribbean's mattresses are too firm, too soft, too lumpy, or simply not what they prefer in bedding.

This is why the entire mattress industry has been built around different firmness levels. Everyone will never agree on what's the right level of firmness.

Personally, I prefer a firmer mattress, and I sleep well on Royal Caribbean ships. So clearly they work for what I prefer, but there are others that have a different feeling.

Don't forget you can ask for a mattress topper to help make it softer.

Ultimately, don't freak out if you see someone complaining about the comfort level of the beds. It might not be the as wonderful to sleep on as your luxury mattress at home, but it does the job.

Cruise ship reviews

If I had to pick one kind of complaint you should never use as the basis for any decision, it's cruise reviews.

You'll find plenty of negative reviews on Facebook and Reddit talking about how some ship is horrible, but I've been on those ships and I scratch my head how they had such a worse experience than I did.

The issue is a cruise ship has so many ways you can experience it.  For example, you could stay in your cabin all cruise and only order room service, but someone else could spend all day in the casino. 

There's simply too much variation on what you can do on a cruise ship to use a review as the basis for booking or not booking it.

Most often, bad cruise ship reviews stem from unrealistic or uninformed expectations. People writing cruise ship reviews aren't trained reviewers: they're dads that thought a ship should have free WiFi and less trivia events because "that's what it's like at Marriott".

What one person considers a deal-breaker, might be exactly what another cruiser loves about the vacation. Add in variables like weather, itinerary changes, and individual service interactions, and two people on the same cruise can walk away with totally opposite impressions.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships are not copies of each other.  Even within the same ship class, you'll find stark differences between each vessel. 

There's nothing wrong with reading ship reviews to see specifics that people liked or didn't like. Online reviews tend to reflect personal preferences more than an objective measure of how good a cruise actually is.

The stage shows around the ship

Royal Caribbean is known for their entertainment as being a differentiating factor from other cruise lines. Specifically, they're a market leader in the onboard shows.  But that doesn't mean everyone loves them all.

A great example of why show reviews shouldn't be taken as the gospel truth is the Broadway show, "Cats" on Oasis of the Seas. Perhaps no other show has such divided views among fans that either despise the show or love it.

I've told readers I can't stand magicians, jugglers, or ventriloquists because they're all the same and bore me.  But I know there are lots of people that love these shows too.

I try to go into every show I've never seen with an open mind, and I think you should give a show a try. You might love a show that gets lambasted by someone else. 

All those food reviews

Nothing is more synonymous with subjective than food reviews. After all, the word "taste" is used for both review and experience.

I would guess the top complaint among all cruisers is centered around food on a Royal Caribbean cruise. 

I could write about how much I loved a particular restaurant and there will be plenty of readers who claim it's a terrible restaurant, they have better food at home, or they didn't like the food at all.

To be fair, I slammed the specialty restaurant Hooked for years, but then tried it again and liked it much more than I ever expected. 

If you're a classically trained chef and know how lobster thermidor should be served, bravo, I defer to your opinion. But since I think most of us are just people eating on a cruise, food reviews are just someone's random opinion.

I like to give any restaurant a chance because it might be my new favorite. Pier 7 is another good example of a restaurant others panned, but I really liked because I gave it a try.

How crowded a ship felt

A study by the University of Tokyo looked at how people judge how crowded a place is, and it found that people perceive how crowded a space feels largely based on the gap between the speed they want to move and the speed they’re actually able to move in a crowd.

This boils down to everyone has a different definition of how crowded is too crowded.

I won't pretend Royal Caribbean ships aren't crowded at times, or that you can easily get a pool chair at noon on a sea day. Those are valid complaints and definitely things I've experienced.

The difference is crowds ebb and flow, and I certainly wouldn't say it's a poor experience when it happens.  Unless you have your own private ship, there's going to be crowding of some kind.

You could argue a crowd means energy, which is important if you want a party atmosphere or are looking to socialize.

So reading "my ship was crowded" doesn't really mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of what makes that ship a fun vacation or not.

If you're wondering when you can book shows on Royal Caribbean, the answer depends on your ship, sailing date, and when reservations open in the Royal Caribbean app.

The problem is shows aren't available to book immediately. Royal Caribbean opens reservations for its shows much closer to the sail date.

Without a reservation, you will have to wait in the standby line for the show. That isn't inherently a problem, but it requires you to show up earlier and there's a risk of not making it in.

If you have the option to make a show reservation, here's when and how to book them so you can see all the performances onboard.

Royal Caribbean's policy isn't always accurate

The official policy is you can book a show on a ship a month before your cruise, but in practice, it's not always the case.

"Show reservations open on the first day of the month before sailing," is what the cruise line has on its website.

That means if you had a cruise in July, shows would be available to book on June 1st.

In my experience, show reservations don't always open exactly then. More often, there are discrepancies for when shows actually become available, and that's likely why you searched the internet to find an answer to this question.

I recommend starting to look for show reservations up to 60 days before your cruise is scheduled to set sail, because there's no consistency when Royal Caribbean actually opens up reservations to book.

Furthermore, there's no notification function to alert you that shows are open to book. It requires you to proactively log in and check to see if show reservations are available yet.

This is why a lot of cruisers will join a roll call for their cruise so that they can crowd-source when one person spots shows open to book.

Only Icon, Oasis and Quantum class ships require pre-reservations.  Other ships don't offer reservations because it's not needed.

Reservations can be made online up to 4 days before the sail date. After that, you'll need to wait to make a show reservation onboard.

New ships are even less predictable when shows are available to book

Royal Caribbean is consistently inconsistent with opening show reservations online, but it's worse with a new ship.

Legend of the Seas launches this summer and will offer a brand new musical onboard, Roald Dahl’s "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory."

There seems to be an extra lag factor with opening reservations on any new ship because apparently the onboard process of loading everything associated with a new ship requires extra time.

How to pre-book show tickets

Once reservations are open, it's free and easy to make a reservation.

You can use the Royal Caribbean app or My Royal Cruise website to book them by going to the Entertainment section.

Each show will appear, and from there you can select a show time.

There's no cost to make a pre-show reservation.  Reservations are available on a first-come, first-booked basis.

If you're staying in Star Class, you don't need to make show reservations because your Royal Genie will arrange seating for you.

If you bought The Key, you still need to make a reservation for the show.  The difference is there will be a section of seats held back for guests who bought The Key up until a few minutes before showtime.

If you're sailing with friends or family and want to book them tickets, all you need is is their reservation number and the last name of the primary guest.

When you go to make a reservation, there's an option to add other passengers.

What if all the shows are sold out?

If you missed the chance to book a show, you're not out of luck to actually see the shows.

Periodically check back if more reservations are available. It's unlikely, but sometimes more shows are added or people cancel their reservations.

Once you board the ship, I would recommend going to the box office on your ship. You can ask a crew member where it's located, but there are usually extra tickets held back to be offered onboard.

Likewise, the Royal Caribbean app once connected to the ship Wi-Fi may be able to access those extra seats.

Let's assume none of those tips worked, now what should you do? Get in the standby line!

Every show has a standby line, which begins letting people in once you're about 15-20 minutes before the show is scheduled to start.

The reality is people book up show reservations early because it's free and they want to get reservations just to have them.  But once they're on the ship, they're busy, tired, and distracted.  So there are a lot of no-shows to performances.

In my experience, if you can get in the standby line at least 30 minutes before the scheduled performance, there's a good chance you'll make it in.

When I took my first Royal Caribbean cruise 20 years ago, I was blown away by how much there was to do on one ship.

My first sailing on Explorer of the Seas was impressive, but it was nothing compared to the new wows I would experience as I tried newer and bigger ships. That's in essence why I fell in love with Royal Caribbean: their dedication to pushing boundaries, innovation, and going well beyond other vacations.

As I've cruised more ships across the fleet, I've found that each one has its own unique character and things you will want to try.  Even after two decades of cruising, I'm still amazed by some of the things you can do onboard, including dining, thrills, and entertainment.

When someone new to Royal Caribbean asks for recommendations, these are the five things I tell them to do and the two I advise skipping.

Picking an Icon Class ship is a great entry point

If there's something Royal Caribbean has done recently to live up to the hype, it's launch the Icon of the Seas and Star of the Seas.

These are the biggest cruise ships in the world, and they are the perfect fit for a first-time cruiser because they offer the latest and greatest things Royal Caribbean can offer anywhere.

When you're new to the brand, you may not be aware yet of everything available. Plus, you've got to discover your own cruising style. I think an Icon Class ship is the perfect entry point because it has just about everything, and it's the sort of experience you won't come home disappointed with.

These ships have so many pools, a Broadway show, sprawling areas for kids, well-designed guest flow, and more activities than you can possibly squeeze into a week.

Other ships in the fleet have their own compelling reasons to book, but an Icon Class ship is as close to a sure-fire way to start your cruising vacations the right way.

See a Broadway show or high-diving performance

If there's one thing Royal Caribbean does better than any other cruise line, it's their entertainment.  I think you should absolutely make a point to see Broadway musicals, ice-skating shows, and AquaTheater performances because they're all top-tier.

On their bigger ships, you'll find lots of shows to see and I think these are some of the best crowd pleasers around. Plus they're all included with your cruise fare!

The Broadway musicals are especially impressive, such as Mamma Mia, Back to the Future, or Hairspray. It's incredible you can see a full show that would ordinarily cost hundreds of dollars on land but for no additional cost at sea.

Just as impressive are the shows in the AquaTheater, which feature high divers, slack liners, dancers, and aerialists. It's an incredible display that is difficult to describe in text, but I promise you'll walk away wowed by the spectacle.

If your ship has an ice skating rink, the ice shows in there are also quite good. Many of the skaters are former competitors on the national stage, and they can pull off very impressive feats.

All of the production shows are designed for families to enjoy together, and it's the perfect amount of culture to squeeze into your vacation.

Stop by different bars to enjoy the live music

Another homerun on any Royal Caribbean ship is the live entertainment each evening.

Various bars will have entertainment for you to enjoy:

• Schooner Bar: Piano player
• Pub: Guitarist
• Lou's Jazz Club: Jazz band
• Mason Jar: Country band
• Central Park: Harpist or jazz band
• Dueling Pianos: piano players
• Boleros: Band

It's so much fun bar hopping each evening to see the live performers here and enjoy a set or two.

Royal Caribbean invests heavily in live entertainment as a way to get you to come into the bar, and it's a great way to round out your evening.

Every performer has their own style, so I'd recommend sampling each one on your ship to find the right mix for you.

In most cases, it's songs you know the words to, and it pairs well with a cocktail, beer, or glass of wine.

Make a reservation at one of my favorite specialty restaurants

These days, Royal Caribbean has a lot of specialty restaurants, but a few stand out as must-eats.

I tell new cruisers they should have a mix of complimentary and specialty restaurants. Don't do just the included dining, but don't go all-in on specialty dining either. Two or three extra cost venues is a good introduction to see what you like best.

To be fair, not every specialty restaurant is worth dining at, so I'd recommend sticking to the very best ones.

My top specialty dining picks are Izumi Hibachi, 150 Central Park, and Playmakers. There are others, but those are solid starting points.

To be clear, there are others I like too. It's hard to go wrong with Chops Grille or Giovanni's because they're consistently satisfying.  I mean, how can you go wrong with a steakhouse or Italian food?

And be sure to pre-book a reservation to save money because it will cost you much more if you wait to book a reservation on the ship.  

Spend the day at Perfect Day at CocoCay

I think Royal Caribbean has built the best private island experience with Perfect Day at CocoCay.

This is so much more than a beach for cruise ship passengers.  The cruise line revamped and upgraded the island to offer just about everything you'd want in a beach day.

There are different beaches, each with their own vibe. You'll find a giant freshwater pool in the middle of the island.  A water park offers thrill seekers more than they can handle, and there's even an adults-only area if you need a break from family fun.

If your cruise ship is scheduled to visit CocoCay, you'll get a lot of marketing materials hyping it up.  I promise this island lives up to that hype because of how much there is to do. Plus, a lot of it is included in your cruise fare!

I recommend skipping the magic shows

I raved about the entertainment on Royal Caribbean earlier, but I'd recommend skipping the magic shows, jugglers, or ventriloquists.

In my "sorry, not sorry" part of this article, I think these are consistently the least entertaining shows.  Maybe kids of a certain age might enjoy them, but I think they're the sort of ho-hum, eye-roll inducing, and cliched performances that you'll quickly lament not having spent your time doing almost anything else onboard.

My issue with these shows is less the show itself and more that you want to take advantage of every minute you're onboard a ship. Simply put, there are much better choices for things to do than spending your time at these lackluster magic acts.

Swap out beach break shore excursions for a resort day pass

The ports of call your ship visits are just as important as the ship itself.  Most people book a cruise because of the places it will visit, but I'd warn against booking a tour that takes you to a beach with the cruise line.

The problem with "beach break" excursions is you're basically paying for a bus to take you back and forth along with a giant crowd of people.

Instead, I'd recommend booking a day pass to a resort. There are many providers that sell them, such as ResortForADay.com.

The advantage of a day pass is you can depart the ship when you want, instead of waiting for your tour to be called and going with a large group.  Sure, you need to pay for a taxi, but a taxi is more convenient and might even be cheaper.

Plus, a day pass to a resort includes not only access to a beach, but pools, restaurants, drinks and more. 

You gain more control, reduce the risk of overcrowding, and likely get more included by opting for a day pass instead.