Jenna DeLaurentis

Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions answered

In:

03 May 2023

Planning your first cruise? If so, you probably have a long list of questions about dining on a cruise ship. What food is included? Can you eat as much as you want? How many restaurants are on a cruise ship?

What seems like basic knowledge to frequent cruisers can cause confusion for first-time cruisers. So much confusion, unsurprisingly, leads to a lot of questions about dining on a cruise ship.

Here at Royal Caribbean Blog, we hear the same questions about cruise ship dining over and over again. They’re not inherently “dumb” questions, but some first-time cruisers may feel embarrassed to ask so many questions about dining onboard.

To make your first cruise experience stress-free, we’re answering 17 of your really dumb cruise ship dining questions.

What is the Main Dining Room on Royal Caribbean?

The Main Dining Room is the name of Royal Caribbean’s traditional sit-down restaurant. This is the largest dining venue on any Royal Caribbean ship—it spans multiple decks and serves thousands of passengers each day.

While dining in the Main Dining Room you’re presented with a menu with appetizers, main courses, and desserts. You can order as many items as you please, whether you want multiple appetizers or three slices of pie!

Everything in the Main Dining Room is complimentary aside from a few extra cost items, which are listed at the bottom of the menu. These include lobster and steak from Chops Grille, Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse.

The Main Dining Room is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are served every day whereas lunch is available on sea days only. The breakfast and lunch menu may be combined into a brunch menu on sea days.

What is the Windjammer on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

The Windjammer is the name of the main buffet on a Royal Caribbean cruise. This venue is where you’ll find the widest selection of food onboard, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. The Windjammer is included in your cruise fare.

All meals at the Windjammer should offer enough variety to satisfy all passengers. Breakfast offers both traditional American fare—pancakes, bagels, eggs, and hash browns—along with a selection of international cuisine like fried rice and Indian curry.

Dinner in the Windjammer has a theme each evening, although you’ll still find classic options like hamburgers, pizza, and pasta. One night may offer Caribbean cuisine like jerk chicken and plantains whereas another evening may feature Italian, Mexican, or Chinese dishes.

Are there limits to how much you can eat at the buffet?

There are no limits to how much you can eat at the buffet on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Feel free to indulge in eight slices of pizza, five desserts, and a plate of french fries… there’s no one stopping you!

You should, however, grab a new plate each time you visit the buffet station, as using the same plate multiple times is a health hazard.

What are specialty restaurants and how much do they cost?

Specialty restaurants are restaurants that are not included in your cruise fare. Unlike the Main Dining Room or Windjammer, dining at these restaurants incurs an additional fee.

Dining at specialty restaurants is completely optional, but many passengers enjoy the cooking styles and selection of cuisine at these venues. Specialty restaurants offer everything from sushi and hibachi at Izumi to Italian pasta and pizza at Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen.

Compared to the complimentary venues onboard, specialty restaurants may offer a more intimate atmosphere as well, making them perfect for celebrating special occasions or a date night.

The cost of Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants varies from venue to venue, but you can expect to pay around $25 for lunch and $50-60 for dinner. More casual restaurants, such as Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, offer lower prices and are priced à la carte.

What food is free on Royal Caribbean?

The majority of food on a Royal Caribbean cruise is free—it’s easy to go an entire cruise without spending anything extra on food. With the exception of the Main Dining Room, the majority of complimentary food venues are quick grab and go spots.

Here is a complete list of complimentary food venues on Royal Caribbean:

Windjammer: Royal Caribbean’s main buffet
Mini Bites: grab and go casual fare (only on Harmony of the Seas)
El Loco Fresh: Mexican fare served buffet style
Dog House: hotdog stand
Splashaway Cafe: casual pool deck fare (only on Spectrum of the Seas)
Solarium Bistro: a more relaxed buffet compared to the Windjammer with Mediterranean cuisine served for dinner
Cafe Promenade: grab and go snacks served all day, such as muffins, sandwiches, and cookies
Sorrento’s Pizza: pizza slices served (almost) all day
Coastal Kitchen: complimentary restaurant only for suite guests on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships
The Cafe at Two70: grab and go soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and snacks on Quantum Class ships
Park Cafe: grab and go soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries, and snacks on Vision, Radiance, and Oasis Class ships
Vitality Cafe: health-focused snacks (protein shakes and smoothies cost extra)
Main Dining Room: Royal Caribbean’s traditional sit-down dining restaurant
Surfside Eatery: kid-friendly dining on Icon of the Seas
Fish & Ships: only select items are complimentary on Ovation of the Seas
Johnny Rockets: complimentary for breakfast only on Oasis Class ships

How do I know which restaurants are on my ship?

Every Royal Caribbean ship offers different food venues, with some restaurants overlapping on all ships and others only available on one or two ships in the fleet.

The easiest way to find out which food venues are on your Royal Caribbean cruise ship is to check the Royal Caribbean app. By downloading the Royal Caribbean app and linking your cruise reservation to your account, you can view the dining venues on your ship.

To do so, click on the dining tab in the lower left corner of the app. From there, you can view every venue on your ship and whether or not they are included in your cruise fare.

You can also view the menu for most restaurants as well as operating hours.

Can I bring food on a cruise?

All guests are permitted to bring non-perishable food on a Royal Caribbean cruise. This includes packaged goods like cookies, chips, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, and candy, as well as pre-packed baby food.

You are not allowed to bring perishable food like fruits, vegetables, meat products, and homemade goods.

There is more than enough food to keep you satisfied on a Royal Caribbean cruise, so we don’t usually recommend packing anything extra. That being said, parents with young kids may want to bring their child’s favorite snacks to have on hand in the room or on a shore excursion.

Can I look at the dining room menus in advance?

You can look at Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room menus in advance on the dining tab in the Royal Caribbean app.

As the dinner menu changes each evening, knowing what’s offered on a particular day can help you plan your vacation. If you’re planning to book a specialty restaurant, for example, you may want to book the restaurant on a day when the Main Dining Room menu isn’t as appealing to your tastes.

Traditional Dining vs My Time Dining: what’s the difference?

Dinner in the Main Dining Room comes with two options: traditional dining or My Time Dining.

Traditional dining is when you eat at the same time each evening at the same table and with the same waiters. This option is best for those who prefer a set dinner schedule and who don’t need flexibility with their dining time.

My Time Dining, on the other hand, allows you to dine at a time most convenient for your schedule. You can show up to the dining room and wait for an available table or make a reservation for the evening in advance. With My Time Dining, there’s no need to eat at a set time each night, although you will not have the same tables nor the same waiters throughout the cruise.

You will select your preferred dining style (traditional dining or My Time Dining) when you book your cruise.

How do I make dining reservations?

Dining reservations are required for select venues on Royal Caribbean, including My Time Dining in the dining room and at specialty restaurants.

To make My Time Dining reservations, visit Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner to select a time for each evening. If you do not make reservations, you can always show up to the dining room at any time during dinner service, but you may have to wait in a line.

Specialty dining reservations can be reserved in the Cruise Planner as well.

What time is dinner on Royal Caribbean?

Dinner times may vary slightly depending on your cruise itinerary, but it's typically held from around 5:30PM to 9PM on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

There are two traditional dining times, which are usually around 5:30PM and 8:30PM. Passengers can choose the time that works best for their dining preference (early or late seating).

My Time Dining opens later than traditional dining; it is open from around 6:45PM to 9PM each day.

How long does dinner last on Royal Caribbean?

You should expect dinner in the Main Dining Room to last between 75 minutes and 90 minutes, although it may be shorter or longer depending on your group size, number of dishes ordered, and speed of service.

Dinner at specialty restaurants lasts roughly the same amount of time as dinner in the Main Dining Room. Casual venues like the Windjammer offer much quicker service—it’s possible to be in and out in 15 minutes!

Do I have to sit with strangers at dinner on a cruise?

In the past, it was common to be seated with other passengers in the Main Dining Room. Due to space constraints, you could be assigned to a table with several other travel parties.

While this still happens today, you have much more flexibility when it comes to having your own table. Most of the time, you’ll be seated at your own private table. If you are assigned to a table with other passengers, simply request your own table and Royal Caribbean will accommodate you.

Some passengers still enjoy sitting with other travel parties in the Main Dining Room, though, as it allows them to connect with other guests during their sailing.

Is room service free on Royal Caribbean?

Room service is not free on a Royal Caribbean cruise, albeit with one exception.

Royal Caribbean’s room service menu incurs a $7.95 per order fee plus 18% gratuity. This means that, regardless of how much you order, you will be charged one set amount.

Free room service is only offered on the continental breakfast menu, which serves cold items like yogurt, bagels, and muffins, but not pancakes, eggs, and bacon. You will not incur a fee for ordering continental breakfast, although tipping the crew member who delivers the food is recommended.

What is the dress code on Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean’s dress code is relatively casual, with formal wear only suggested on formal nights, which occur one to three times during your sailing depending on the cruise’s length.

You can dine at casual venues like the Windjammer and El Loco Fresh in swimsuit cover-ups, shorts, tank tops, and flip-flops. Generally speaking, as long as you’re not wearing only a bathing suit, you’re in the clear.

For dinner in the dining room and at specialty restaurants, dressing smart casual is recommended. Think of smart casual as a nice pair of slacks, blouses, collared shirts, and dresses.

Royal Caribbean suggests wearing formal wear on formal night, including suits and ties, cocktail dresses, and evening gowns, but it’s not required. This suggestion is only for dinner in the Main Dining Room, meaning you can dress casual and dine in other venues that evening instead.

Plus, the dress code is not strictly enforced on formal night, so there’s no need to dress in a black-tie look. While we advise dressing nicely for formal night, you can wear the same semi-formal outfits on formal night as you would wear any other night in the dining room.

Can kids order from the adults menu? And can adults order from the kids menu?

The Main Dining Room has both a standard menu and a kids menu, but passengers can order from whichever menu they prefer.

The kids menu is limited but offers a selection of kid-friendly favorites such as mac and cheese, pizza, and burgers. It stays the same throughout the entire cruise. The regular dinner menu, of course, has more diverse options and changes each day of the sailing.

Kids can order from the standard menu if they would like to try a wider range of food. Adults, on the contrary, are free to order from the kids menu if they don’t see anything they want on the regular menu.

How does Royal Caribbean handle dietary restrictions?

Royal Caribbean can accommodate most dietary restrictions onboard.

The Main Dining Room menu specifies if a dish is vegan or has no sugar added. A vegan appetizer, main course, and dessert is offered each evening in the dining room along with several more vegetarian options. Vegans and vegetarians do not have to notify Royal Caribbean of their dietary needs in advance.

Those with other dietary restrictions, such as severe allergies, gluten-free, and Kosher, should send Royal Caribbean an email more than 45 days prior to their cruise. Notifying Royal Caribbean of your allergies will help ensure that your dietary needs are met.

You can email Royal Caribbean at [email protected]. In the email, include the guests’ names, booking number, ship name, and sail date.

Your really dumb cruise ship dining questions answered

Best hotels near the Cape Liberty/Bayonne cruise port

In:

Cape Liberty

03 May 2023

Royal Caribbean’s cruise port in Cape Liberty, New Jersey offers cruises year round, sailing to destinations in the Caribbean, Canada, and Bermuda. If you’re flying to New York City before a cruise from Cape Liberty, you’ll want to arrive the night before your cruise begins and book a pre-cruise hotel.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest city in the United States has an overwhelming amount of hotel options. Some cruisers prefer to stay near the cruise port in New Jersey whereas others enjoy spending the night across the river in Manhattan.

To make your cruise planning process easier, we’re sharing our list of some of the most recommended hotels to book before your cruise.

Where to stay in New York/New Jersey before your cruise

Near Newark Liberty International Airport

If you are flying into Newark and do not have plans to sightsee in New York, your best bet is to spend the night near the airport. As a major airport, there are countless hotels located just a few minutes drive away from the arrivals area.

We especially recommend staying near the airport if your flight arrives in the afternoon or evening. It can be tempting to book a luxury hotel in Manhattan the night before your cruise, but after a long day of flying, your future self will be grateful your hotel is just a 5 minute drive away from the airport!

Related: Guide to cruises from New York

Staying near the airport does not typically lead to the most exciting evening before your cruise begins. Most of these hotels are not located near the most exciting restaurants and attractions, although the convenience makes staying near the airport a great choice for many cruisers.

Manhattan

New York City is one of the most fascinating, bustling cities in the world. It’s understandable that many cruise passengers enjoy sightseeing in the city before their cruise begins. If you plan to explore New York before your cruise, we recommend staying in Manhattan.

Spending the night in Manhattan means you can easily enjoy the city’s atmosphere, whether attending a Broadway show, visiting museums, or strolling through Central Park. Plus, you will be within walking distance to a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shopping while in the city.

Of course, staying in Manhattan makes it more difficult to reach the Cape Liberty cruise terminal on embarkation day. Therefore, we only recommend staying in Manhattan if you arrive early the day before your cruise or spend a few days in the city before the start of the sailing.

If your flight doesn’t get into Newark until 10PM the night before your cruise, for example, you won’t reap any of the benefits of staying in Manhattan. In this case, it’s more convenient (and more cost effective) to stay near the airport instead.

Downtown Jersey City

If you’re looking for a more interesting place to stay near Cape Liberty but would rather not travel into New York City, consider spending the night in Jersey City. Not only is Jersey City closer to the cruise port than Manhattan, but it still offers a wide array of restaurants and things to do the night before your cruise.

If you’re traveling to Cape Liberty from the west—whether Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Upstate New York—Jersey City is a convenient place to stay en route to the cruise terminal.

Near LGA/JFK

Although New York City has three major airports, we always recommend flying into Newark before a Royal Caribbean cruise from Cape Liberty. Newark Liberty International Airport is located just a 15-20 minute drive from Cape Liberty.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA), on the contrary, are around an hour’s drive away and require crossing bridges into and out of Manhattan. Nonetheless, many cruisers fly into JFK and LGA before a cruise from Cape Liberty, whether due to flight prices or having more direct route options.

If you fly into LGA or JFK, you have a wide selection of hotels to book for the night before your cruise. If you arrive late, you might prefer staying near the airport and making the trek to New Jersey on embarkation morning.

If you arrive early, however, you could stay in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens, or travel closer to Cape Liberty to avoid the hour’s drive on embarkation day.

Here are our top ten recommended hotels:

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Jersey City

Average nightly price: $200 to $475
Address: 455 Washington Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07310
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Jersey City is located in downtown New Jersey and has a beautiful view of the New York City skyline. It’s only a 20 minute drive from Cape Liberty, making transportation to the cruise terminal convenient on embarkation day.

Hotel amenities include an on-site restaurant and fitness center. The hotel has both junior and standard suite rooms available with one or two beds—some rooms have a sofa bed as well.

For those interested in visiting Manhattan, the DoubleTree is located a five minute walk from the Newport Station in Jersey City, from where you can take the PATH train to Manhattan.

Hyatt House Jersey City

Average nightly price: $260 to $425
Address: 1 Exchange Pl, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Another hotel option in Jersey City is the Hyatt House Jersey City. Staying across the Hudson River from Manhattan offers a great value in a pre-cruise stay, and the hotel is located a one minute walk away from the Exchange Place station, which takes you to Manhattan on the PATH train in under ten minutes.

In addition, staying at the Hyatt House makes transportation to the cruise port easier on embarkation day—it takes just 25 minutes and doesn’t require crossing any of the city’s bridges.

Amenities at the Hyatt House Jersey City include free breakfast, free wifi, digital check-in, an on-site restaurant, and a fitness center. RoofTop at Exchange Place, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, offers stunning news of New York City’s skyline from across the Hudson River.

Both standard rooms and suites are available to book. Studio and one bedroom suites include a sofa bed, separate living and sleeping area, and a kitchen.

Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City

Average nightly price: $230 to $420
Address: 21 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

The Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City is located along the Hudson River Waterfront

Hotel amenities include a 24 hour complimentary coffee station, fitness center, and free wifi.

The Sonesta Simply Suites Jersey City offers both studio and one Bedroom Suites, some of which have a view of New York City’s skyline. Studio suites fit up to two guests whereas one bedroom suites can fit up to four guests. All rooms feature a full kitchen, television, desk, and premium movie channels.

Home2Suites by Hilton Newark Airport

Average nightly price: $150 to $230
Address: 620 Rte 1 and 9 S, Newark, NJ 07114
Location: Near Newark Liberty International Airport

If you want to stay near the Newark airport, the Home2Suites by Hilton Newark Airport hotel is a great option. Located just five minutes from the airport, it offers a convenient place to spend the night after a long day traveling.

Amenities at the Home2Suites include free breakfast, free wifi, a fitness center, and airport shuttle. Both king and queen bed suites are available along with connecting rooms for use when traveling with a larger group.

Having complimentary breakfast available at the hotel is a plus for many cruisers, as they can enjoy breakfast before heading to the cruise port. The Cape Liberty port is located just eight miles from the hotel.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Newark Airport

Average nightly price: $220 to $300
Address: 95 International Blvd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Location: Near Newark Liberty International Airport

The Embassy Suites, like the Home2Suites, is located just a few minutes away from Newark Liberty International Airport. This hotel is an excellent choice for those arriving in New Jersey earlier in the afternoon. In addition to a place to rest after a flight, the Embassy Suites offers several additional amenities for a more enjoyable stay.

Amenities at the Embassy Suites include free made-to-order breakfast, free wifi, an airport shuttle, indoor pool, fitness center, complimentary evening reception, and an on-site restaurant. The restaurant, The Local Kitchen, serves American fare and is perfect for guests in search of a nice sit-down dinner without needing to leave their hotel.

Rooms at the Embassy Suites have a separate living room area along with a sofa bed, microwave, refrigerator, and work space.

Residence Inn by Marriott Newark Elizabeth/Liberty International Airport

Average nightly price: $200 to $325
Address: 83 International Blvd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Location: Near Newark Liberty International Airport

If you’d prefer to stay at a Marriott property near the Newark airport, look no further than the Residence Inn by Marriott Newark Elizabeth/Liberty International Airport. The property is located just ten minutes from the airport and twenty minutes from the cruise port.

Hotel amenities include a free airport shuttle, complimentary American and hot breakfast, fitness center, convenience store, and free wifi.

All rooms at the Residence Inn are suites; studio, one bedroom, and two bedroom suites are available with queen bed(s) and a sofa bed. Rooms feature a dining table, couch, desk, full kitchen, and television.

InterContinental New York Times Square

Average nightly price: $430 to $570
Address: 300 W 44th St, New York, NY 10036
Location: Times Square, Manhattan, New York

Arriving in New York with plenty of time to spare before your cruise begins? If so, consider staying near Times Square for easy access to the city’s top attractions during your stay.

The InterContinental New York Times Square may not be the most budget-friendly hotel on this list, but it’s hard to beat the location for a pre or post-cruise stay in Manhattan. It’s located just a four minute walk away from Times Square, and a forty minute drive from the Cape Liberty cruise port.

A wide selection of rooms are available, which feature views of midtown Manhattan. Most rooms accommodate two guests, although junior suites are also available which can accommodate four guests.

The hotel features a fitness center and on-site restaurant, although most guests staying at the hotel will spend the majority of their time exploring the city.

Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square

Average nightly price: $300 to $500
Address: 312 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Location: Midtown Manhattan

Another excellent hotel option in Times Square is the Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square. Like the InterContinental, this hotel is in the hustle and bustle of New York City’s Theater District, and is a forty minute drive from the Cape Liberty Cruise Port.

Hotel amenities include free breakfast, free wifi, a fitness center, and connecting rooms. While the hotel does not have an on-site restaurant, it’s within walking distance to hundreds of restaurants in the city.

Conrad New York Downtown

Average nightly price: $400 to $570
Address: 102 North End Ave, New York, NY 10282
Location: Battery Park, Manhattan, New York

If you want to stay in Manhattan but would prefer to avoid the chaos in Times Square, consider a stay at the Conrad New York Downtown in Lower Manhattan.

The Conrad is within walking distance to attractions like Battery Park, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and Rockefeller Park. It’s located a thirty minute drive away from the cruise port, which can, of course, vary based on city traffic.

Amenities at the Conrad New York Downtown include free wifi, an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and room service.

Hyatt House New York/Chelsea

Average nightly price: $300 to $500
Address: 815 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Location: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York

The Hyatt House New York/Chelsea is located in the heart of Manhattan, just a short walk from tourist destinations like the Empire State Building and Madison Square Park. Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood is famous for its art galleries, but it’s also where you’ll find popular attractions such as The High Line park and Chelsea Market.

Because of this, staying at the Hyatt House makes for an exciting pre-cruise stay, whether you arrive the day before your cruise or spend several days in the city before setting sail.

The hotel’s amenities include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, fitness center, free wifi, rooftop terrace, and digital check-in. Both suites and standard guest rooms are available, all of which offer floor-to-ceiling windows looking out towards the city.

How to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean

In:

Money Saving

01 May 2023

Staying connected is important for most passengers on a cruise, but shelling out hundreds of dollars for wifi is not always an option. Although Royal Caribbean does not give free wifi to every passenger, there are a few ways to get free wifi onboard.

It’s no secret that wifi on a cruise is expensive. You should expect to pay around $20 per day for Royal Caribbean’s wifi package, and that's only for use on one device at a time. For a 7-night cruise, this means spending a whopping $140 to access the internet.

Because you cannot use cellular data on a cruise ship without racking up a costly bill, many passengers purchase wifi for their cruise to stay connected. For most guests, buying an internet package is just another mandatory cost on a cruise vacation, but what if I told you there's a way to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean?

There are a few ways to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean, but whether or not you can access free internet depends on several factors. From leveraging your loyalty perks to booking a suite, here are five ways to get free wifi on your cruise.

Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle status

Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program offers some impressive benefits, including free drinks, a private lounge, and access to exclusive events, but it also offers free internet.

Free internet access is a benefit for top-tier members in the Crown & Anchor Society, and is reserved for Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club members.

Diamond guests, those with 80-174 cruise points, receive one free day of internet per cruise. Diamond Plus guests, with 175-699 cruise points, receive two free days of internet per cruise.

The free internet can be accessed for 24 and 48 hours respectively, meaning if you log in to the wifi at 4PM on day two, you can use the wifi until 3:59PM on day three or four.

Passengers who are Pinnacle Club members, with over 700 loyalty points, receive a free Surf & Stream internet package for one device. Offering free wifi to Pinnacle Club members is another way Royal Caribbean rewards its top-tier members, and this perk can easily save cruisers thousands of dollars over time.

Even if you’re not a Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club member, you can still save money on Royal Caribbean’s wifi packages through the Crown & Anchor Society. Passengers in lower tiers—Gold, Platinum, and Emerald—receive discounts on internet packages at 10% for Gold and 15% for Platinum and Emerald.

Use onboard credit to pay for a wifi package

If you have onboard credit for your upcoming cruise, why not purchase a wifi package?

Onboard credit is free “cash” used to make purchases on a Royal Caribbean cruise. You can receive onboard credit several ways, but most commonly when booking a cruise during a Royal Caribbean promotion and/or booking through a travel agent.

You can spend onboard credit before your cruise begins on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website on add-ons like drink packages, specialty dining, and spa services. If you don’t spend onboard credit before the cruise begins, it will be loaded to your SeaPass account upon boarding your cruise ship.

If you’re hoping to purchase a wifi package without spending your own money, use onboard credit to reserve the package in advance. To do so, visit Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website and add an internet package to your cart.

Once at checkout, you can redeem onboard credit to pay for the internet package. If your onboard credit is not enough to cover the entire wifi package, you will pay the difference with a credit card.

Gamble enough in the casino

Do you visit the casino every day on a Royal Caribbean cruise? If so, there’s a chance you could qualify for free wifi.

Club Royale is Royal Caribbean’s casino rewards program, in which guests earn points—called Tier Credits— in the program by gambling at the casino. The program is free to join, and as a guest moves up the program, they will qualify for free wifi.

The program has four tiers:

Choice: 1 - 2,499 Tier Credits
Prime: 2,500 - 24,999 Tier Credits
Signature: 25,000 - 99,999 Tier Credits
Masters: 100,000+ Tier Credits

Members in the Prime tier qualify for a discount on a VOOM Surf & Stream internet package. Those in the Signature tier receive complimentary wifi on one device, whereas Masters members receive free internet on two devices.

Club Royale reward points are earned by spending money at the casino. Guests earn 1 Tier Credit for every $5 coin in at slot machines and 1 Tier Credit for every $10 coin in on video poker machines. Tier Credits earned on table games vary based on the game, average bet, and length of play.

It’s not cost effective to gamble solely as a way to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean, but for those who gamble frequently while onboard, receiving free wifi is a nice benefit.

Stay in a high category suite

If you booked a suite for your upcoming cruise, you may receive free wifi as a suite perk.

Guests staying in Grand Suites and above on Quantum, Oasis, and Icon Class ships receive a complimentary VOOM Surf & Stream wifi package. Each guest in the cabin receives an internet package for one device.

Suites on these ships are part of the Royal Suite Class, Royal Caribbean’s most exclusive suite program. Unfortunately, free internet is not offered to guests in Junior Suites or those in Grand Suites and above on Vision, Radiance, Voyager, and Freedom Class ships.

Guests staying in suites on older Royal Caribbean cruise ships must pay for wifi themselves or use one of these tips to obtain free wifi another way.

Free wifi in port instead

If all else fails and you don’t want to spend money on wifi for your cruise, you can always find free wifi in port. Regardless of the port, it’s usually relatively easy to find places with free wifi.

One of the easiest ways to find free wifi in port is by visiting a coffee shop, restaurant, or bar in the immediate port area. These establishments cater to tourists, meaning they often provide free wifi if you purchase a drink or meal. Many businesses will have a sign on the shop or restaurant’s exterior indicating that they offer free wifi to customers.

Depending on the destination, you may also be able to use your cellular coverage as normal while in port. If you’re cruising to Alaska, for example, your regular US phone coverage will work while visiting Alaska cruise ports.

Additionally, if your phone service includes international coverage, you can turn off airplane mode in port and use data roaming at no extra cost.

Because your cruise ship is usually docked between 8-10 hours at a time, this should provide enough time to find and use free wifi or cell phone data before getting back onboard.

BONUS: Use Royal Caribbean’s free chat feature in the app

If the primary reason you’re considering purchasing internet for your cruise is to keep in touch with your travel party onboard, use the Royal Caribbean app instead.

Royal Caribbean’s app has a chat feature that is completely free to use, and it allows you to message other passengers on your sailing. Whether coordinating dinner plans with your travel party or letting your spouse know you’re heading back to the cabin, the app is a useful tool for communication.

In order to use the app, be sure to download the Royal Caribbean app prior to your sailing. Once onboard, connect to Royal Caribbean’s wifi—and no, you don’t need a wifi package in order to access the app.

Once you open the app, click on the chat icon in the top right corner. From there, you can begin messaging others onboard. To message another guest, you must add the guest’s stateroom number (or reservation number) and their birthday. Doing so connects your accounts together, permitting you to message each other.

Using the chat feature on the Royal Caribbean app is a free workaround to staying connected without purchasing a wifi package.

How to get free Wi-Fi on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Royal Caribbean formal night: What to wear

In:

Dress Codes

29 Apr 2023

Cruise ship formal nights are often a cause for concern for many first time cruisers. Worries over what to pack and what clothing is and is not allowed can be stressful.

And while formal night may stir up images of guests dressed to the nines, this is rarely the case once you get onboard. In reality, there is a lot of flexibility when it comes to what to wear for formal night on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

What is formal night?

Formal night only applies only to the Main Dining Room on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Specialty dining and other venues have their own separate dress codes, although they are usually pretty similar to a formal night dress code.

Royal Caribbean states the following about the formal night dress code:

"Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy."

From reading this, it may seem like a tuxedo and evening gown are the standard outfits that most passengers will be wearing on formal night. In reality, though, this is rarely the case.

While you will likely spot a few guests in tuxedos and ball gowns, most guests will be in a formal outfit that is a lot more casual. Women may be dressed in a cocktail or sundress and men in a button-up shirt and dress pants.

Formal night dress code for men

Collared shirts, slacks, and dress shirts are typical options for men on formal night. The most “casual” yet acceptable outfit for men on formal night is a polo shirt and slacks.

A dress shirt and slacks is the most common option. Suit jackets and ties are not required, although many guests will choose to wear them. Guests looking to dress up even more can wear a tuxedo, but again, this is relatively uncommon.

Formal night dress code for women

Women have quite a few more options than men when it comes to outfits for formal night. Acceptable attire for women includes cocktail dresses, sundresses, skirts, blouses, dress pants, dressy rompers, and more elegant attire like evening gowns.

Women should pack dress shoes like flats, heels, wedges, or dressy sandals to wear on formal night.

Can I wear jeans on formal night?

You can get away with wearing jeans to the Main Dining Room on formal night. However, it’s a good idea to make sure the jeans are fairly nice and do not have any holes or rips in them. A dark-washed jean will look more formal, although you will likely not be turned away with any type of jean.

Clothes you should not wear on formal night

Passengers should not wear casual clothing such as shorts, casual t-shirts, flip-flops, swimsuits, and tank tops. As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want to wear the clothes you would wear to the pool deck or walking around port on a cruise ship formal night.

Do I have to participate in formal night?

You do not have to participate in formal night on a cruise, but your dining options in the evening will be more limited. Since formal night is so flexible, though, it’s easy to participate even by wearing an outfit as casual as khakis and a polo shirt.

Most specialty restaurants also require a semi-formal dress code. A good dinner option for those who aren’t interested in dressing up for formal night is the Windjammer, as casual clothing is always permitted there.

How many formal nights will there be on my cruise?

The number of formal nights on a cruise varies by ship length. Shorter sailings will usually have only one formal night whereas longer sailings will have 2, 3, or 4 formal nights. Royal Caribbean lists the amount of formal nights per cruise on their website, although the amount of formal nights is ultimately at the ship’s discretion:

3/4/5 night cruises - 1 formal night
6 and 7 night cruises - 2 formal nights
8 to 10 night cruises - 2 formal nights
11 to 14 night cruises - 3 formal nights
15 + night cruises - 3 or 4 formal nights

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Royal Caribbean formal night what to wear

12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise

In:

Windjammer

26 Apr 2023

Food is an important part of any Royal Caribbean cruise, and most passengers enjoy meals in both the buffet and dining room during their sailing.

Royal Caribbean's Windjammer buffet and Main Dining Room are extremely popular places to grab a bite to eat on a cruise, but like other dining venues onboard, each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The buffet is casual and hosts a wide range of food options, whereas the Main Dining Room offers a more traditional sit-down restaurant experience.

While onboard your Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s likely you’ll find yourself deciding between the buffet and dining room for most meals. To help make this decision easier, here are 12 reasons to eat at the buffet instead of the dining room on your cruise.

Quicker service

One of the complaints most frequently heard about the Main Dining Room is that the service is too slow, leading to a longer meal than anticipated. Although a “long” meal can vary greatly from person to person, you can expect dinner in the Main Dining Room to last around 75-90 minutes.

You can have dinner in the buffet, on the contrary, in under fifteen minutes. If you aren’t in the mood for a long meal and would rather get in and out as quickly as possible, the buffet is, undoubtedly, the better option.

Even breakfast and lunch in the Main Dining Room will last longer than eating those meals in the Windjammer. Generally speaking, if you’re impatient or in a rush, avoid the dining room and opt for a quick-service meal option.

More options

The most variety of food on a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found at the buffet. One of the biggest surprises for first time cruisers is the amount of variety available at any given meal.

From pasta to burgers, tacos, and curries, there’s always something for everyone to enjoy at the Windjammer. While breakfast usually offers the same type of food each day, you will always find something new to enjoy for lunch and dinner.

The Main Dining Room menu changes each day for lunch and dinner as well, but the options are still much more limited compared to the buffet. For dinner, you can expect to see six appetizers, seven main courses, and six desserts on the dining room menu.

The Windjammer, on the other hand, allows you to mix and match from dozens of options, creating limitless meal possibilities.

Same food as the Main Dining Room

Oftentimes, the Windjammer buffet has many of the same food offerings as the Main Dining Room.

In fact, this has become more and more common ever since the new Main Dining Room menus launched, each having a nightly theme. Several of the courses offered during Mexican night in the dining room, for example, may also be found at the Windjammer.

Therefore, you’re not entirely missing out on the food in the Main Dining Room by eating in the buffet. Plus, on top of the overlap with dining room courses, you’ll have a vast selection of other dishes available.

No dress code

One of the main reasons cruisers dine in the buffet instead of the dining room, especially on formal nights, is the lack of a dress code.

Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room dress code is relatively lax, but you shouldn’t show up to dinner in the same outfit you’d wear to the gym. Most passengers choose to dress semi-nicely for dinner in the dining room, wearing collared shirts, slacks, and sundresses.

On formal night, it’s common to see guests wearing suits, gowns, and high heels, although dressing so elegantly is not entirely necessary. In fact, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be turned away from the dining room for wearing jeans and a t-shirt on formal night.

Nonetheless, many passengers choose to dine at the Windjammer instead of the Main Dining Room for the more relaxed dress code. It’s perfectly acceptable to dine at the Windjammer in a swimsuit cover-up, athletic shorts, and ripped tank top.

For many guests, dealing with the hassle of getting ready for a sit-down dinner feels like a chore on vacation.

Eat as much as you want

When it comes to dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise, passengers indulge in more food than they would at home. Whether three desserts at dinner or a second plate of cinnamon rolls at breakfast, there’s nothing wrong with eating more on a cruise compared to your normal diet.

No matter which venue you dine at for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can eat as much (or as little) as you want. Dining in the buffet, however, makes eating as much as you want easier than in the Main Dining Room.

When ordering at a sit-down restaurant, it’s hard to know the portion size for each dish. As a result, you may end up with too little or too much food than you’d like. This results in you either wasting food or wanting to order another dish, but not wanting to wait for another plate to arrive at your table.

When eating in the buffet, you know exactly how much you’re putting on your plate at one time. If you’re not feeling hungry, hit up the salad station for a lighter meal. Or, if you’re still hungry after your first plate, head back to the buffet station for a second helping.

There’s more control over how much you eat in the buffet compared to the Main Dining Room on a cruise.

There’s still a bar

kentucky-summer-trellis-bar-drink-package

Planning to enjoy wine, cocktails, or beer with dinner? The Windjammer, like the Main Dining Room, serves alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Royal Caribbean’s buffet has a standalone bar where you can order drinks, and if you have a drink package, your package will work here as well. There’s no need to sit down for a lengthy meal in order to enjoy a drink with dinner.

Put in your drink order, grab your food at the buffet, and sit down with your drink and meal within just a few minutes.

Amazing views

The buffets on Royal Caribbean cruise ships are located on the upper decks and have floor-to-ceiling windows looking out towards the ocean. Grabbing a table by the windows and dining with beautiful views of the ocean or cruise port is a wonderful way to enjoy a meal.

Some ships even have an outdoor seating area of the Windjammer, where you can enjoy your meal as you watch your ship sail from port to port. When traveling through scenic areas, this alone is enough of a reason to skip the Main Dining Room and head to the buffet instead!

While some tables in the dining room have outdoor views by a window, the vast majority of tables are located further inside the room. Therefore, most passengers in the dining room have no way to enjoy an ocean view during their meal.

Too tired from port

Despite the fact that cruises should be relaxing, some port days can be exhausting! Whether you spent the day lounging under the warm Caribbean sun or riding an ATV through the jungle, you can easily feel tired after a day in port.

And when you feel tired, the idea of getting showered, dressed, and ready for dinner seems unappealing. The good news, of course, is that you’re under no obligation to eat in the Main Dining Room!

After a busy port day, dine at the buffet instead for a quick, casual meal. There’s no need to further exhaust yourself by getting ready for a formal sit-down dinner.

Great for picky eaters

Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room offers several options for picky eaters, especially if you look at the Kids Menu, which serves items like spaghetti and chicken fingers.

Beyond the Kids Menu, many appetizers and main courses may not appeal to the pickiest of eaters. Escargot, lamb curry, and chicken marsala are certainly excellent dishes, but they could be a nightmare for those in search of more basic options.

Fortunately, the Windjammer is a haven for picky eaters. No matter the meal, you’re sure to find dishes perfect for picky eaters, such as pizza, hamburgers, and mac and cheese. Passengers won’t have to worry about leaving their comfort zone for a meal, as they can easily find familiar dishes at the buffet.

Of course, there is a huge selection of more adventurous cuisine at the Windjammer as well for non-picky eaters. From spicy Indian cuisine to tropical fruits, dining at the buffet allows you to taste a plethora of new dishes throughout your cruise.

Arrive whenever you want

The Main Dining Room adheres to a stricter schedule compared to the buffet on a Royal Caribbean cruise. If you selected traditional dining when booking your cruise, your dinner is at a set time each evening.

Even if you selected My Time Dining, which allows you to show up to the dining room at any time during dinner hours, you may still face rigidity in regards to the time you dine. With My Time Dining, you can make reservations for a set time in advance each evening, or you can show up and wait in a line until a table is ready.

For passengers who need more flexibility in dining times, dinner in the Main Dining Room can be too structured. Even if you show up to My Time Dining without a reservation, there’s a chance you’ll be waiting in line longer than you’d like.

If you dine at the buffet, though, you can arrive and eat at whatever time is most convenient, provided the Windjammer is open. There’s no need to make reservations or wait in a lengthy line. Simply show up, grab a plate, and enjoy your meal!

Frees up your evening

A long dinner can mess with your plans for the evening. If you want to see a show at 7PM, hit up the Solarium for sunset, or ride the waterslides with no lines, you may not want to be tied down to a set dinner schedule.

By eating at the buffet, you can quickly eat and continue the evening’s activities. There’s no need to sit down for one or two hours each evening when you could enjoy more exciting attractions around the ship!

You’re cruising with kids

If you’re cruising with young kids, eating in the Windjammer as opposed to the Main Dining Room can make your meals pass by much more smoothly. There’s no need to worry about your kids crying and screaming during an otherwise quiet meal or keeping them occupied when waiting for each course to arrive.

The buffet is a much more casual environment, meaning you can quickly feed your kids with (hopefully) a smaller chance of temper tantrums along the way.

Some parents prefer bringing their kids to the Windjammer for dinner before dropping them off at Adventure Ocean for supervised programming. Once the kids are dropped off, the parents can head to the Main Dining Room for a more tranquil meal.

22 unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren't prepared for

In:

First Time Cruisers

22 Apr 2023

A cruise vacation may involve cocktails on the pool deck, white sand beaches, and impressive entertainment, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

While cruising is an excellent way to vacation, it can come with a number of unexpected problems. If you’re new to cruising, you may daydream about a perfect, stress-free vacation, but there are a few painful, unexpected, and downright gross problems you might encounter.

From diarrhea to sunburn and copious amounts of sweating, here are the top 22 unpleasant cruise ship problems you aren’t prepared for.

Heartburn and acid reflux

Whenever I’m on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I find myself dealing with heartburn more often than usual. While you can certainly find healthy foods onboard, most passengers indulge on more fatty and fried foods than they normally would.

This can quickly lead to uncomfortable heartburn that leaves you feeling miserable.

To counteract this problem, I recommend packing TUMS or other antacid products. You could also lay off the 2AM slices of pizza at Sorrento’s and third helping of fried shrimp at dinner, although this will take significantly more willpower!

Diarrhea

Another unfortunate problem many cruisers face while onboard is diarrhea. The sudden change of diet combined with new types of food and long hours traveling can wreak havoc on your digestive system.

This problem can get even worse if you eat questionable street food or drink contaminated water in a foreign country.

My best tip is to pack anti-diarrhea medication for your cruise, as you never know when or if you will experience diarrhea. If your stomach is making… suspicious noises when getting ready for a port day, bring a roll of toilet paper in your bag just in case!

Constipation

On the other end of the spectrum is constipation, which is another problem many cruisers face while onboard. Again, the sudden change in lifestyle in diet on a cruise can confuse your digestive system, leaving you feeling miserable and constipated.

It’s advised to eat fiber-rich foods while on a cruise to prevent constipation, including whole grains, beans, and fruits. And, before loading your plate with quesadillas and steak, add a few vegetables, too, and be sure to stay hydrated.

Sunburn

By day two of a cruise, it’s almost guaranteed to see a large number of bright red, sunburned passengers on your ship. No one wants to get sunburned on a cruise, and while some passengers are more prone to sunburns than others, it’s extremely important to prevent burning as much as possible.

Depending on your cruise destination, the sun could be a lot stronger than what you’re used to at home, especially if you’re traveling from a cold climate to a tropical climate. Always remember to apply (and reapply) sunscreen generously both onboard and in port to prevent sunburn.

Personally, I’ve had terrible experiences with spray sunscreen which have resulted in extremely painful sunburns. Because of this, I always advise packing sunscreen lotion over the spray variety.

It’s also recommended to pack aloe vera for a cruise. Sunscreen or not, sunburns can still happen, and aloe vera is much more affordable at your local drugstore compared to the price on your cruise ship.

Sweating

There’s nothing pleasant about sweating, but unfortunately, it’s a common occurrence on a cruise vacation. While you might not sweat much while cruising to the Arctic or Alaska, it’s likely you’ll be very sweaty on a warm weather cruise.

Whether cruising to the Caribbean, Europe, South Pacific, or Southeast Asia, you can encounter uncomfortably warm temperatures onboard and in port. If you’re not used to these temperatures, your body will overcompensate for the temperature, leading to intense sweating.

While it’s a bit embarrassing to walk around with sweat stains on your armpits and back, it’s an unfortunate reality of being on a cruise!

Bloating

Food is an enjoyable and important aspect of any cruise vacation, from sushi rolls at Izumi to molten chocolate cake in the Main Dining Room. Sadly, indulging in delicious cuisine while onboard can lead to bloating, a problem no passenger wants to deal with.

Combat bloating by eating more slowly, chewing food properly before swallowing, and increasing physical activity while onboard. It’s also a good idea to drink water and avoid foods that typically cause you to bloat, such as dairy products or bread.

Not only is bloating uncomfortable, but it can destroy your plans of wearing that cute, tight dress on formal night!

Blisters

Most passengers find themselves walking more on a cruise compared to their day-to-day life at home. Cruise ships are big, and walking up, down, and around the ship results in thousands of steps!

Not only that, but many ports and shore excursions require more walking than you’re used to. If you’re cruising to Europe, for example, you may walk several miles each day, whether sightseeing in Rome or strolling through Santorini.

Although walking is, of course, beneficial for your health, it can result in painful blisters, particularly when wearing new shoes.

Due to this, we recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes that you have worn many times before. Even though wearing a brand-new pair of shoes may sound like a nice idea, breaking in the shoes can lead to uncomfortable blisters.

Chafing

You may also experience chafing with the increased amount of walking on a cruise.

Chafing is an irritation of your skin that occurs when skin rubs against skin or clothing. This most commonly happens when walking in shorts, skirts, or dresses, as your thighs might continuously rub against each other.

Many cruisers enjoy traveling with anti-chafing shorts, which are breathable, lightweight slip shorts to wear under clothing. You can also apply a skin lubricant to your thighs in order to decrease friction when walking.

Limited time in port

Serenade of the Seas docked in Skagway, Alaska

If you’ve never cruised before, it can be an adjustment to plan your day based on your cruise ship’s schedule. Whereas on a land-based vacation you are in control of your schedule, on a cruise you must adhere to the hours your ship is in each port.

Most cruise ships stay in port between 8-10 hours, which gives ample time to experience a destination’s highlights. Nonetheless, it does not provide as much time as you would have when traveling independently, and often results in checking the time over and over again to ensure you make it back to the ship before it departs.

Nevertheless, a major advantage of a cruise is being able to experience multiple diverse places in one vacation. For many cruisers, this is a good enough trade off for the limited time in each port.

Busy ports

While your cruise ship’s brochure may showcase images of empty beaches and quiet ports, the reality is that the ports you visit on a cruise can be extremely busy. Some cruise ports, such as Nassau and Cozumel, can easily have over four or five ships in port on any given day.

Given that each ship houses several thousand passengers, there could be upwards of 20,000 passengers in port during the day! This leads to crowds when exiting the ship and walking on the pier, as well as crowds in restaurants, shopping districts, and beaches nearest to the port.

The good news, however, is that you can almost always find hidden gems in any cruise port. Generally, the majority of cruise passengers stay within a close distance to the port or take part in organized shore excursions.

Doing research ahead of time on less crowded areas in your ports of call can lead to unspoiled beaches and authentic restaurants that won’t have you competing with heaps of other passengers for space.

Chair hogs

If there’s one complaint we hear time and time again about going on a cruise, it’s chair hogs.

Chair hogs are passengers who reserve a pool chair early in the morning by placing a towel, shoe, or other item on the chair. Instead of staying by the pool, though, they do not return for a long period of time. This results in the chair being unavailable to other passengers who want to enjoy the pool deck.

Although cruise lines are starting to reinforce their policies against chair hogs, it’s still a common issue to encounter while onboard, especially on sea days.

Hangovers

While another round of shots may sound like a good idea at 1AM, you might find yourself regretting the decision the following morning.

It’s common to enjoy alcoholic beverages on a Royal Caribbean cruise. With so many unique bars and cocktails to choose from, most passengers drink significantly more alcohol on a cruise compared to at home.

Unfortunately, the increase in alcohol consumption also leads to a higher chance of hangovers. A bad hangover can ruin any plans for the day, whether you intended to go snorkeling, hiking, or sunbathing.

Although you’re free to enjoy drinks throughout your cruise vacation, remember to pace yourself (and drink water!) to avoid feeling terrible later on.

Norovirus

Just like in any other public space, there’s always a possibility of norovirus spreading on a cruise ship. This contagious virus leads to vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, and can quickly ruin any cruise vacation.

Norovirus is found in the stool or vomit of those infected with the virus. When infected people do not adequately wash their hands after coming in contact with the virus, it can rapidly spread through contaminated food, liquids, and objects.

I always recommend carrying around a small bottle of hand sanitizer onboard to use after touching heavily used items, such as the tongs at the buffet or staircase railings.

Luckily, norovirus is far less common on cruise ships than you might think. In most cases, you have nothing to worry about, although taking precautions by frequently washing your hands is helpful.

Other germs

Outside of norovirus, cruise ships can harbor a plethora of other germs. With thousands of passengers on a cruise ship at the same time, illnesses like the flu and common cold can spread from one passenger to another.

Just like with norovirus, taking precautions to wash your hands frequently can help prevent coming into contact with illnesses. Additionally, coughing and sneezing into your elbow instead of your hand prevents spreading germs to other passengers.

We never advise boarding a cruise ship if you’re feeling ill, and it’s always a good idea to purchase travel insurance for a cruise so you’re protected in the case of unexpected illness.

Crowded pools

Speaking of chair hogs, a crowded pool deck is another unpleasant cruise ship problem you aren’t prepared for.

On any given day, your cruise ship pool deck could be packed with other passengers, although this is most common on sea days. Around 10 or 11AM, passengers finish breakfast and start heading to the pool deck. By noon, it’s common to find the pool deck exceptionally crowded.

If your idea of a relaxing day by the pool involves a quiet, serene experience, you’ll likely be disappointed. Even though all Royal Caribbean cruise ships have multiple pools and hot tubs, you’re unlikely to find any of them empty in the middle of the day.

My best advice for those in search of fewer crowds is to head to the pool deck in the early morning or late evening each day. At these times, there are very few other passengers enjoying these amenities.

Cheap toilet paper

If you’re used to soft toilet paper at home, you’re in for a rude awakening on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

The toilet paper on a cruise ship is far from luxurious—the paper is so thin that you can almost see through it! To help avoid disasters in the cruise ship plumbing system, cruise lines stock bathrooms with thin, easily flushable toilet paper.

Those accustomed to thicker toilet paper may experience an unpleasant experience in their cruise cabin’s bathroom, especially if experiencing other problems like diarrhea or norovirus! Yikes!

Lines

Waiting in line is an unpleasant experience on a cruise, but it’s something you will encounter every day while onboard.

Lines are common at popular dining venues, such as El Loco Fresh, and for activities like the FlowRider, laser tag, and waterslides. Lines typically move relatively quickly, but it's always annoying to wait in long lines on your vacation!

Our best advice to minimize time waiting in lines is to visit venues when they are less busy. If you’re hoping to climb the rock climbing wall, head there at the beginning of the morning session or for the afternoon session on a port day.

Likewise, if you don’t want to wait in line for dinner in the Main Dining Room, be sure to make My Time Dining reservations in advance or select traditional dining.

Any time wasted in line is, after all, precious vacation time wasted!

Seasickness

Feeling seasick on a cruise is not as common as you might think, but it still happens.

As your cruise ship moves from port to port, it can occasionally experience rough seas. While some bodies of water and climates are more prone to high seas than others, you might experience seasickness on any cruise vacation.

Fortunately, it’s easy to combat feelings of seasickness on a cruise. Packing motion sickness medication like Dramamine offers an easy fix, although you can also rely on natural remedies like eating green apples and ginger.

In addition, you may want to select a cruise cabin less prone to motion. Cabins located mid-ship and those on lower decks usually feel less motion than those in the very forward or aft of the ship.

Expensive prices on essentials

Forgot your sunscreen or phone charger at home? These items are sold on your cruise ship, but they aren’t budget friendly.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships sell toiletries and electronic items onboard, but the prices are much higher than what you’ll find in a store on land. A single toothbrush that costs $1 at home can cost over $5 onboard, as an example, and there will be far fewer options available.

In addition to the higher prices are the limited operating hours for stores onboard. Due to regulations, cruise ship stores can only open when the ship is in international waters. Stores selling necessities are closed on embarkation day and port days.

If you find yourself in need of an item like Ibuprofen or aloe vera while your ship is docked, you’re out of luck.

Itinerary changes

Everyone wishes for a perfect vacation, but traveling is unpredictable.

Royal Caribbean has the power to change your cruise itinerary (and ship) at any moment. If you booked a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, an approaching hurricane can cause the itinerary to shift to a Western Caribbean cruise.

Weather conditions can also affect whether or not your cruise ship can dock in a particular port. If winds are too strong, the weather could prevent your ship from docking in port, resulting in an extra day at sea.

It’s always important to stay flexible on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Ultimately, Royal Caribbean cannot control the weather, and it’s better to remain flexible rather than declare your vacation ruined!

Missing the ship

One of the absolute worst problems that happens on a cruise is missing your cruise ship while in port!

No matter the cruise, you might see passengers sprinting on the pier to reach their cruise ship before it sails away. Occasionally, passengers will not make it back in time, leaving them stranded in port while all their belongings remain on the ship!

Being responsible ensures you will make it back to the ship with plenty of time to spare. You should always take note of any time zone changes and avoid traveling too far from the cruise port. We recommend getting back onboard around an hour before all aboard time just in case of any unexpected delays when traveling back to your ship.

Weight gain

Unlimited soft serve ice cream? Five appetizers at dinner? Thirteen piña coladas on the pool deck? Yes, please!

There’s no harm in indulging on a cruise, but you should prepare yourself for the potential weight gain. Many cruisers gain a couple pounds on a cruise, although there are a few ways to combat this unpleasant problem.

First, take the stairs instead of the elevator. Taking the stairs not only helps you burn extra calories, but you won’t have to waste time waiting for the elevator to arrive.

You may also want to make healthy choices for at least one meal a day. Instead of a greasy cheeseburger for lunch, why not hit up the soup and salad bar? Or, if another three-course meal in the dining room seems overwhelming, opt for a smaller meal at the Windjammer instead.

Lastly, look for active activities and shore excursions. Instead of trivia, participate in a sports competition on the sports court, try out the surfing simulator, or make a few laps on the running track.

Staying active and making healthy choices not only prevents you from gaining extra weight, but it also helps avoid several of the other unpleasant problems on this list, such as constipation and diarrhea.

22 unpleasant cruise problems you aren't prepared for

Your really dumb cruise ship cabin questions answered

In:

Staterooms

21 Apr 2023

There’s no such thing as a dumb question, but occasionally we receive a question about cruise ship cabins that makes us scratch our heads. Whether asking if crew members sleep onboard or if it’s easy to fall off your balcony, we’ve received a handful of amusing questions over the years.

It’s understandable that first time cruisers have many questions about their cabin. After all, cruise cabins differ greatly from hotel rooms in size, amenities, service, and cabin categories.

Consider the questions in this post as your personal “Cruise Ship Cabins for Dummies.” We swear you’ll feel smarter and more confident about booking a cruise cabin after you’ve read it.

What is a stateroom on a cruise ship?

A stateroom on a cruise ship is another word for your cabin—the two words are used interchangeably. In a cruise stateroom you’ll find a bed, bathroom, couch or chair, desk, and vanity. The biggest suites may include additional features such as a jacuzzi, espresso maker, and multiple bedrooms.

There are four main cabin categories on a Royal Caribbean cruise:

Interior: a small room with no window, balcony, or porthole to the outside
Oceanview: a room with a porthole looking out to the ocean
Balcony: a cabin with a private balcony
Suite: an upgraded room with a larger space and added perks

Every passenger onboard must select a stateroom category when booking a cruise. Balcony cabins are among the most popular, although interior and oceanview rooms are great for those on a budget. Suites, on the other hand, are the most expensive, but offer a much more luxurious cruise experience.

How big are cruise ship cabins?

The size of a cruise ship cabin varies based on the type of cabin and ship you book. Older ships tend to have smaller cabins whereas newer ships feature the largest, most spacious rooms and suites. Some ships may also have 'spacious' cabins available in each category, such as spacious oceanview cabins, which provide more square footage space.

In addition, accessible rooms are significantly larger than standard cabins, but are designed for guests with disabilities. These rooms range from 159 to 298 square feet.

You can expect to see the following cabin sizes on Royal Caribbean, although exact size will differ by ship and stateroom type:

Interior: 136-172 square feet
Oceanview: 170-182 square feet
Balcony: 179-204 square foot room, 40-50 square foot balcony

The size of a Royal Caribbean suite can vary drastically by the type of suite you book. Junior Suites start at 243 square feet (with a 74 square foot balcony) on Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships. The fleet’s newest ships, on the other hand, feature two-story suites with over 1,000 square feet of living space!

To find the exact size of your cruise cabin, search Royal Caribbean’s website for a deck plan of your ship.

How many people can stay in a cruise ship cabin?

Most Royal Caribbean cruise cabins accommodate between two and four guests. To accommodate over two guests, your cabin will have a sofa bed, pullman bed(s), or bunk beds. A limited number of family staterooms may be available on your ship, which can accommodate up to five or six guests.

Not all cabins can accommodate more than two guests, though, so it’s important to book early if you need more than two guests in the room. Before doing so, however, check the price of two connecting rooms instead of cramming all guests into one room.

Connecting cabins have a door in between the two rooms, allowing you to access both cabins without stepping into the hallway. Occasionally, putting two guests in each connecting cabin is the same price (or even less) as booking all four guests in one room. Plus, you get much more living space.

Does an oceanview cabin have a balcony?

Oceanview cabins on Royal Caribbean cruise ships do not have a balcony. Instead, they have a private porthole facing the ocean. If you want a balcony cabin, you must book a balcony room or suite.

Despite the lack of a balcony, many passengers enjoy cruising in oceanview cabins. The porthole brings natural light and views to the cabin at a reasonable price, and it's certainly an upgrade from a tiny, windowless interior room.

How big is a cruise ship cabin bed?

Most Royal Caribbean cruise cabins have a king size bed, although in reality the bed is made from two twin beds placed together. You can choose to have your beds separated or together depending on your travel party. If you need your beds separated, call housekeeping once onboard to request the change.

Studio cabins—staterooms for just one solo guest—have either a twin size or full size bed. Studio cabins on Radiance and Voyager Class ships have a twin size bed whereas the solo rooms on Quantum and Oasis Class ships have a full size bed. These rooms are smaller than standard cabins, resulting in a smaller bed.

Is there a hair dryer in the room?

All Royal Caribbean cruise cabins come with a hair dryer, although it may not be as powerful as the hair dryer you have at home. You can usually find the hair dryer in one of your cruise cabin drawers. Guests who prefer to bring their own hair dryer can do so as well.

How do I get more towels?

Your stateroom attendant will replenish your bath towels each day when they come to clean your cabin. If you need more towels, you have two options:

Ask your stateroom attendant for extra towels when you see him or her in the hallway
Call housekeeping and request that additional towels be brought to your cabin

If you know you will need additional towels every day of the cruise, let your stateroom attendant know on embarkation day so they know to bring extra whenever they clean your cabin.

When does my stateroom attendant clean my cabin?

Most cabins are cleaned once per day by a stateroom attendant onboard. If you’re staying in a suite, your cabin will be cleaned twice per day.

You can choose to have your cabin serviced in either the morning or evening. Housekeeping service usually takes less than fifteen minutes, during which your stateroom attendant picks up the cabin and replenishes toiletries and towels.

Why didn’t my room get cleaned?

On the inside of your cabin door is a two-sided magnet. One side of the magnet has the words Out catching thrills: Please make up my room. The other side says Sleeping off the adventure: Please do not disturb.

Putting this magnet on the outside of your cabin door lets your stateroom attendant know when they are able to clean your cabin. Occasionally, guests may forget to switch the magnet from do not disturb, so their stateroom attendant will not enter the cabin.

If this happens to you, you can always call housekeeping (within cleaning hours) in order to have your room serviced. Or, if you see your stateroom attendant in the hallway, ask them if they are able to clean your room.

Is there a TV in the room?

All Royal Caribbean cruise cabins have a TV. On the TV guests can watch 29 channels, including BBC World News, FOX News, MSNBC, Sky News (Europe and Australia only), ESPN, and ESPN 2.

Exact channel offerings depend on the particular ship and its location. If sailing through remote areas, the channels may encounter outages.

In addition to major news outlets, you will find a channel providing information on your sailing, which includes a live stream from the ship’s bridge and a map of your itinerary.

Some ships also allow guests to order movies on demand for an extra charge as well as check your SeaPass account, view safety and security information, and view the room service menu.

This is available on Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Voyager of the Seas.

Do I have to share a bathroom with other passengers?

Thankfully, cruise ships are not hostels (phew!), so you will not have to share a bathroom with other passengers. Every cabin on a Royal Caribbean cruise has a private bathroom, where you’ll find a toilet, sink, and shower. Suite category cabins also have a bathtub.

What is that spaceship sound?

If you hear a “WHOOOOSH” sound every so often on a Royal Caribbean cruise, don’t be alarmed… it’s just the toilet!

Royal Caribbean’s toilets use a suction system to minimize the water needed to flush. As a result—just like on an airplane—flushing your cruise cabin’s toilet can be loud. It’s so loud, in fact, that you can hear the flushing noise from the cabins around you!

Should I be scared about falling off the balcony?

Junior Suite balcony on Anthem of the Seas

A common fear of first time cruisers is that they will accidentally fall off their balcony into the ocean below, but this is extremely unlikely. The railings on Royal Caribbean’s balcony cabins are around four feet tall, meaning it’s practically impossible to accidentally fall off.

While stories of passengers falling off balconies on cruise ships occasionally appear in the news, these situations are almost always the result of someone purposely climbing on the balcony railing.

Additionally, balcony doors have a manual lock located high on the door frame. If you’re cruising with kids, using this lock prevents children from accessing the balcony on their own.

Can other ships see into my cabin while docked in port?

If you have a balcony or oceanview room on your cruise, take extra caution when docked next to other ships in port. If your cabin faces the ship docked next to yours, the passengers on that ship can see onto your balcony and, if your curtains are open, into your cabin!

Before getting changed or walking around your cabin without wearing clothes, double check to make sure no one can see into your cabin from outside!

Do crew members sleep onboard?

Perhaps the silliest question we’re asked about cruise ship cabins is whether or not crew members sleep onboard. Of course they sleep onboard! Where else would they go while in the middle of the ocean?

There are specific areas onboard reserved just for crew members, including crew cabins, a crew buffet, crew gym, and crew bar. These spaces are usually on the bottom decks of the ship.

Crew cabins are not designed in the same way as guest cabins. They are much smaller and many crew members share a room. Guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise cannot access crew areas, including the cabins.

Cheap places in the US to fly to for a cruise

In:

Planning

20 Apr 2023

Finding a cheap flight deal is almost as exciting as finding a cheap cruise deal, especially when the flight brings you to your cruise embarkation port. It’s cheaper to fly to certain cities than others, though, and we’re sharing the cheapest US destinations to fly to before a cruise.

Flight deal company Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) recently published a report of the US destinations with the most flight deals. They compiled data from cities with over 300,000 people and ranked airports by the amount of flight deals they had sent to Going members within the past six months.

5 of the 10 destinations on their list just so happened to be popular cruise ports, including New York, Fort Lauderdale, and Los Angeles.

For the millions of passengers who fly to their cruise port each year, finding affordable flights is high priority, and here are the cheapest places in the US to fly to for a cruise.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa may be a smaller cruise port, but the city’s airport has direct flights to over 75 cities in the United States. This makes the port easily accessible from most major cities, with 13 airlines flying to and from the airport.

As another plus, Tampa International Airport (TPA) is a hub for Silver Airways, a low-cost airline with direct flights from several cities in the southeast including Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans. Additionally, Frontier, Spirit, and Breeze Airways—three low-cost carriers—serve a number of flights from Tampa.

Even if you don’t book a flight on a budget airline, you can come across some impressive flight deals to Tampa. A few of Going’s recent flight deals to Tampa have included an $88 roundtrip flight from Richmond to Tampa and a $158 roundtrip flight from Detroit to Tampa.

Where can you cruise to from Tampa?

Everything from short 4-night cruises to 2 week itineraries are offered from Tampa.

Most 4-night cruises visit either Cozumel, Mexico or both Key West, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas, although some may visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Progreso, Mexico.

5-night itineraries visit two ports with two days at sea. Ports include Key West, Nassau, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Progreso.

Weeklong cruises can travel further from Tampa to visit between 3 and 4 ports in the Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, and Southern Caribbean, with some traveling as far south as Costa Rica!

The longest itineraries, over 12 nights, are repositioning cruises, during which a ship transfers homeports from one city to another. It’s common to see ships repositioning from Tampa to Los Angeles or Boston prior to the summer cruise season, and they typically offer a fantastic value.

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Tampa?

Cruise ships arriving and departing Tampa must pass under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and this limits the size of cruise ships that can sail from Tampa.

Royal Caribbean can only offer cruises from Tampa on Vision and Radiance Class cruise ships, as their smaller size allows the ships to safely pass under the bridge.

You shouldn't let an older, smaller cruise ship deter you from cruising from Tampa. Many passengers love sailing on an older ship due to the more relaxed atmosphere onboard, more affordable prices, and ability to fit into unique ports.

Currently, cruises from Tampa are offered on Enchantment of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas.

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts is a seasonal cruise port, with Royal Caribbean cruises only offered in the fall, usually from September through early November.

However, the itinerary options and cheap flights to Boston make it an enticing option for a cruise embarkation port. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) offers direct flights to and from 87 cities in the United States.

13 domestic airlines serve the airport—it’s a hub airport for Delta Air Lines and Cape Air—and a focus city for JetBlue. This means deals to the city are common, especially during the fall months which are outside the peak summer season.

Some of the deals Going has found to Boston include a $147 roundtrip flight from Savannah to Boston and an $87 roundtrip flight from Washington, DC to Boston.

Where can you cruise to from Boston?

Boston’s location in the northeast makes the Caribbean a far reach—it would require several days at sea each way. Instead, cruises from Boston primarily serve the northeast and Canada cruise market.

While an occasional 4 or 5-night cruise may depart from Boston, the majority of cruises from the city are 7-night Canada cruises. These sailings visit three or four ports in the northeast of the United States and Canada, which vary between:

Portland, Maine
Saint John, New Brunswick
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Bar Harbor, Maine
Sydney, Nova Scotia

A major appeal of a Canada and New England cruise is the opportunity to see the gorgeous fall foliage of the region. Beyond just the picturesque scenery, however, are quaint towns with delightful cuisine and intriguing history.

Whether kayaking in the Bay of Fundy, tasting lobster rolls in Portland, or visiting breweries in Halifax, you’re sure to find something interesting to experience on a cruise to Canada and New England.

Or try something even more unique: a cruise to Greenland

In search of one of Royal Caribbean’s most unique cruise itineraries? Wave goodbye to busy Boston and set sail for the Arctic.

While uncommon, Royal Caribbean occasionally offers cruise itineraries to Greenland from Boston. Currently available to book is a 15-night Greenland cruise, which visits some seriously unique ports.

En route to Greenland, Grandeur of the Seas will make port stops in Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Once in the Arctic, she calls upon Nanortalik, Qaqortoq, and Nuuk, and the final port stop is a day in St. John’s, Newfoundland before returning to Boston.

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Boston?

Royal Caribbean homeports one ship in Boston each fall season. For the fall of 2023, Serenade of the Seas will be based in Boston whereas 2024 will bring Grandeur of the Seas to the city.

As a Radiance Class and Vision Class ship respectively, the two ships offer a traditional cruising experience perfect for the quiet, unique ports visited on itineraries from Boston.

While they may lack the bells and whistles like waterslides, surfing simulators, and Broadway shows, they still offer everything you need in a cruise vacation, including comfortable cabins, an adults-only Solarium, and a selection of complimentary and specialty dining venues.

Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Two of the busiest cruise ports in the country are easily accessible with a wide selection of affordable direct flights. Due to the close proximity of Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), the two airports compete with each other for passenger traffic, which helps bring amazing flight deals to the region.

Fort Lauderdale’s airport has direct flights to over 88 destinations in the US and is served by over 15 domestic airlines. As a focus city for Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, and Allegiant, as well as a hub airport for Silver Airways, it’s common to find cheap flights to the airport on both budget and full service airlines.

If you’re flying American Airlines, you’ll find a range of deals to the airline’s hub at Miami International Airport. Outside of American Airlines, 8 other domestic airlines serve 78 nonstop routes to and from US destinations, and it’s a focus city for budget airlines Frontier and Spirit.

On average, Going has sent subscribers 9 deals per month to South Florida, which have included a $178 roundtrip flight from San Diego to Fort Lauderdale and a $98 roundtrip flight from New York to Fort Lauderdale.

Related: Guide to cruises from Miami

Where can you cruise to from Miami and Fort Lauderdale?

South Florida is the hub of the cruising industry—its proximity to the Caribbean makes it a short sail away from the nearby Bahamas or more distant Aruba.

A quick search for cruise itineraries from Miami and Fort Lauderdale brings up nearly endless itinerary options, including:

3-night Bahamas & Perfect Day cruise visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas
7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, San Juan, and St. Thomas
8-night Southern Caribbean cruise visiting Curacao, Aruba, and Perfect Day at CocoCay
15-night Transatlantic cruise visiting Perfect Day at CocoCay, Tenerife, Seville, Lisbon, and Vigo
14-night Panama Canal cruise visiting Cozumel, the Cayman Islands, Cartagena, Panama Canal, Puntarenas, and Huatulco

Whether you’re searching for a weekend getaway or longer, more in-depth itinerary, you’re sure to find a cruise that fits your needs sailing from Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Miami/Fort Lauderdale?

Miami and Fort Lauderdale offer cruises year round, with the widest selection of ships available to book during the winter months. Throughout the year, you can find cruises on every class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, from the fleet’s smallest ships to its newest and biggest cruise ships.

In fact, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas, will set sail from Miami starting in January 2024. With a waterpark, indoor AquaTheater, exclusive suites-only neighborhood, and upgraded, family-focused amenities, Icon of the Seas will be a gamechanger for the cruising industry not just in South Florida, but in the world.

You can currently book cruise itineraries from South Florida on over 15 Royal Caribbean cruise ships. Because there are so many options available, remember to do thorough research into which cruise ship will fit your needs best. Consider the ship’s size, amenities, dining options, cabin categories, and entertainment before booking to ensure you don’t end up disappointed with the ship once onboard.

Los Angeles, California

Getting to cruise ports on the east coast is a trek for west coast cruisers. Luckily, Royal Caribbean restarted cruises from Los Angeles in 2021, and flight deals to the Los Angeles metropolitan area are frequent and cheap.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the second busiest airport in the United States, with direct flights to a whopping 113 domestic destinations. 14 domestic airlines serve the airport and it's a hub for four airlines: United, American, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.

In addition to LAX, however, are several other airports in the Los Angeles area, including Long Beach Airport (LGB) and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR). This provides extra competition in the region, which results in lower prices across the board.

Going has sent subscribers an average of 12 flight deals per month to Los Angeles. Flight deals included a $78 roundtrip flight from Las Vegas to Long Beach and a $138 roundtrip flight from Chicago to Los Angeles.

Where can you cruise to from Los Angeles?

Royal Caribbean’s itineraries from Los Angeles are more limited than those in the Caribbean due to the fewer number of cruise ports available. Whereas the Caribbean has dozens of cruise ports, the west coast only has a handful, most of which are in Mexico.

There are three main cruise itineraries from Los Angeles:

3-night weekend cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico with one sea day
4-night cruise visiting Ensenada, Mexico and Catalina island with one sea day
7-night Mexican Riviera cruise visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta

Related: Mexican Riviera cruise guide

Occasionally you can also find repositioning cruises to and from Los Angeles. While en route to Alaska for the summer season, some ships may offer a 5 or 6-night Pacific Coastal cruise visiting ports such as Santa Barbara, California and Astoria, Oregon.

Longer repositioning itineraries include Panama Canal cruises, which depart Los Angeles on the way to Florida. These itineraries visit ports in the Caribbean and Central America, including Cabo San Lucas, San Juan del Sur, and Cartagena.

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from Los Angeles?

Navigator of the Seas is the only Royal Caribbean ship based in Los Angeles. Although the ship launched in 2002, she was recently refurbished in 2019 to include many of the cruise line’s top features and amenities, including a Caribbean resort-style pool deck, waterslides, and updated dining venues.

As a Voyager Class cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas can hold 4,000 passengers, making her neither the biggest nor smallest of Royal Caribbean’s cruise ships. Many cruisers enjoy the size of a Voyager Class vessel as it offers a nice blend between a traditional and modern cruising experience.

Occasional itineraries along the Pacific Coast and Panama Canal are offered on Radiance Class cruise ships. You can currently book these itineraries on Brilliance of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas.

New York City, New York

It’s easy to find cheap flight deals to New York City’s three major airports. JFK offers direct flights to 70 domestic destinations whereas LaGuardia (LGA) flies to 81 and Newark (EWR) to 93 US cities. Many major US airlines have a hub in New York City as well, including United at EWR, American at LGA, and Delta at JFK.

The sheer number of flight options available to and from New York City make flight deals frequent. Going consistently sends cheap deals to the Big Apple, and you can almost certainly find a cheap deal from most major domestic airports in the United States.

If you’re cruising from New York City, the most convenient airport option is Newark Liberty International Airport, as it is the closest to Royal Caribbean’s terminal in Cape Liberty, New Jersey.

Where can you cruise to from New York?

Cruises from New York sail year round. Depending on the season, you can cruise to the Caribbean, Bermuda, or the northeast and Canada. Transatlantic cruises are also offered in late spring in preparation for the European cruise season.

Related: Guide to cruises from New York

During the winter months, cruises depart Cape Liberty en route to sunshine and warmer temperatures in the Bahamas and Caribbean. Most itineraries are 7-night cruises visiting Cape Canaveral, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Nassau, although longer itineraries may visit ports in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Bermuda cruises are offered from May to October. These 5-night itineraries include two days at sea and two days in Bermuda with an overnight visit.

If you’re cruising from New York in the fall, you can also cruise to the northeast and Canada. 9-night itineraries from Cape Liberty to the northeast include port stops in Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, Halifax, and Saint John.

Occasionally, one-way fall foliage itineraries may be offered as well. These 10-night cruises travel one-way from Cape Liberty to Quebec City (and vice versa) during the peak fall foliage season. Ports on these itineraries include Boston, Saint John, Charlottetown, and Saguenay.

Which Royal Caribbean ships sail from New York?

You can currently book cruises from New York on 7 Royal Caribbean cruise ships: Anthem of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas.

Exact ships can vary by season and year, but you will find a wide variety of Royal Caribbean vessels sailing from New York, including some of the fleet’s newest, most modern ships.

How to find cheap flights for other cruise ports

If you would prefer to cruise from a cruise port not mentioned on this list, there are still ways to find cheap flight deals. Whether you’re flying to Houston, London, or Singapore, here are our top tips for finding a cheap flight for your cruise vacation:

Track flight prices on Google Flights

Google Flights has a tracking tool in which you can be notified when a flight price drops or increases to a city on a particular date. If you’re eyeing flight prices to Barcelona, for instance, consider tracking the flight so you can be notified whenever the price changes.

Subscribe to a flight deal newsletter

If you’d prefer to be notified about flight deals rather than search for them yourself, consider subscribing to a flight deal newsletter. Going, for example, finds deals from your chosen US airport and sends an alert when cheap deals arise.

The company has three subscription models: Limited, Premium, and Elite. Each model comes with its own deal notifications, from low frequency economy class deals to high frequency business and first class deals.

Check nearby airports

Another way to find cheap flight deals is by checking prices at all airports in your destination. If you’re cruising from Los Angeles, search for flights not only to LAX, but also to Burbank, Long Beach, and Orange County. You may find cheaper flights and better itineraries when expanding your search coverage.

I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a cheap cruise. Here’s what it's really like to spend 10 days at sea

In:

Planning

17 Apr 2023

Some of the best values on a Royal Caribbean cruise can be found on transatlantic itineraries, but what is it really like to spend nearly two weeks at sea?

A repositioning cruise is an itinerary that repositions a ship from one homeport to another, and it's quite different from a regular cruise itinerary. These sailings typically feature a large number of sea days while traveling between continents. They are also longer than most cruises—usually between eleven and eighteen nights.

Royal Caribbean Blog reader Josh Crothers recently sailed on a 12-night Symphony of the Seas cruise from Miami to Barcelona. The itinerary included ten days at sea, and he’s sharing his repositioning cruise experience with us today.

We asked him how his experience differed from a regular Royal Caribbean cruise, whether or not he felt stir crazy onboard with so many sea days, and how much he paid for his sailing across the pond.

Let’s dive in and learn more about these unique Royal Caribbean cruise itineraries.

Josh found an incredible deal on his transatlantic cruise, which gave him the impetus to book the sailing.

“The price was amazing. I paid less than $1,100 for an oceanview balcony cabin solo. I have more than 340 Crown & Anchor Society Points, so I was able to use that discount as well,” he explained.

Spending $1,100 for a 12-night cruise brings the price per night to only $91, which provides an excellent value on a two week vacation in a balcony cabin. It also includes accommodation, food, drinks, activities, and entertainment!

Additionally, Josh was able to use airline miles for his flight to Miami to board the cruise and his flight home from Barcelona after the cruise, which saved him hundreds of dollars.

When crossing from the United States to Europe, you pass through many time zones. We asked Josh how Royal Caribbean handled the time zone changes onboard.

“We had six time changes during our cruise, moving one hour ahead on days three, four, six, seven, eight, and ten,” Josh said. “Day three coincided with the change from Standard Time to Daylight Savings time for a net of moving five hours ahead.”

On his transatlantic cruise, the time changes occurred at noon, which meant it went from 11:59AM to 1PM! The ship’s captain explained how the reason for the midday time zone change was for the crew members.

A westbound transatlantic cruise sees the time change at 2AM each night, giving passengers an extra hour of sleep. On an eastbound transatlantic, however, changing the time forward at 2AM would result in crew members losing an hour of sleep at every time zone change.

Josh’s transatlantic cruise had ten sea days and two port days. With so many days at sea and so few port days, we were curious if Josh felt bored when crossing the Atlantic.

“I love sea days,” Josh shared. “This cruise had ten sea days straight, so it was an excellent opportunity to relax and recharge without the hustle and bustle of getting ready to go ashore each morning. I looked at this cruise to relax and recharge. A routine was developed during the sea days, and I quite enjoyed that.”

Josh explained his daily schedule as follows:

Woke up with the Cruise Director’s announcement at 9:30AM
Lounged around his cabin until lunchtime
Ate lunch at the Windjammer or Dog House
Post-lunch afternoon nap or worked on personal projects
Dinner at the Windjammer followed by a trip to the casino
Drinks at Vintages until 10PM
Drinks at the pub until closing time at 1AM
Go back to the cabin or visit the casino a second time

With so many dining venues on Symphony of the Seas, Josh was able to eat at a variety of restaurants, from the Windjammer to specialty restaurants, and this helped combat the monotony of spending so many days at sea in a row.

In addition, Josh’s Symphony of the Seas cruise visited two ports in Spain: Valencia and Málaga. He had been to Valencia on a prior cruise, so he stayed onboard while there. In Málaga, however, Josh booked a city tour shore excursion from Royal Caribbean.

“It was very walking intensive and we had a pretty good tour guide,” he mentioned. “It was a good, solid look at Málaga.”

Most cruisers assume transatlantic cruises will have an older passenger demographic onboard with few kids and families. Josh mentioned how this was not the case on his Symphony of the Seas cruise.

“There were kids onboard, more than was expected for sure,” he said. “I believe the estimate was about 500 kids onboard.”

Because Symphony of the Seas caters heavily to families, it’s understandable that there were many kids onboard. With a zip line, ice skating rink, rock climbing, and surfing simulator, there are plenty of ways to keep kids entertained with so many days at sea.

Josh noted that there was a pretty even mix of retirees and families, and that all age groups were represented onboard. The ship had a mix of both Americans and Europeans, and there were many solo passengers onboard as well.

Most cruisers have never booked a transatlantic sailing before. We asked Josh what the major differences are between a 7-night cruise and a transatlantic cruise.

The first difference Josh mentioned is that you have more time onboard.

“You don’t feel rushed to do everything and see everything,” he explained. “You have time to fully experience the ship and all it has to offer.”

The second difference was perhaps the most notable difference. With much more time onboard, a transatlantic cruise gives you the chance to get to know your fellow passengers and crew members better than on a short sailing.

“You just have more time to develop those relationships. There’s more time to talk and get to know one another, more time to get to know the bartenders and stateroom attendants. The more we got to know each other, the better the service got. And you meet and make more friends just because you have time to get to know them more!”

Josh’s third difference was that there are more sea days to relax and recharge. Most 7-night cruises only have two or three sea days, so having ten sea days on a 12-night cruise leads to much more time spent onboard. Of course, while this may work for some passengers, others may prefer a more port-intensive itinerary.

With so much time at sea, though, you have the ability to completely relax without worrying about getting off the ship and planning days in port. By the time the cruise is over, you can expect to feel completely recharged.

Finally, we asked Josh whether or not he would recommend a transatlantic cruise to others, and if he could share any advice for those planning a repositioning cruise.

Josh said he would absolutely recommend a transatlantic cruise, but that he prefers a westbound itinerary (Europe to the US) over an eastbound sailing (the US to Europe). The reason he prefers this is because if you fly to Europe and spend a few long, busy days sightseeing, you can relax off the exhaustion on the cruise back to Florida.

“I think flying [to Europe] a few days early to explore and experience Europe—and then cruise home—is a more pleasant experience,” he mentioned.

Josh’s biggest piece of advice for those planning a transatlantic cruise is to not try to cram activities into every day. He advises spreading out your activities and relaxing to ensure you don’t get burned out on such a long itinerary.

Have you ever booked a transatlantic or transpacific cruise with Royal Caribbean? If so, how was your experience? Let us know in the comments below!

I crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a cheap cruise. Here's what it's really like to spend 10 days at sea

Our best 75 travel tips to make you the world's most savvy cruiser

In:

First Time Cruisers

14 Apr 2023

First-time cruisers make the same mistakes over and over again, and we’re here to help you avoid them.

Cruise ship passenger leaving Adventure of the Seas

It’s understandable to make mistakes when planning a Royal Caribbean cruise. Although planning a cruise may seem simple at first glance, there’s more planning involved than you might initially think. From booking the right ship to packing and planning shore excursions, there’s a lot to remember when preparing for a cruise vacation.

No one is a professional cruiser off the bat, but over time the cruise process becomes second nature. The Royal Caribbean Blog staff has collectively taken hundreds of cruises, and we’re sharing our best tips for booking, planning, and enjoying a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here are 75 of our best cruise tips to make you the world’s most savvy cruiser.

Booking a Cruise Tips

1. Book with a travel agent

Yes, travel agents still exist, and they are an invaluable resource when planning a cruise vacation.

We always recommend booking a cruise with a travel agent. Not only will they save you time, but they could potentially save you money as well! Travel agents are available to answer any questions you may have before, during, and after your cruise, and a good travel agent will cost you nothing extra.

2. Purchase travel insurance before your cruise

It’s always better to have travel insurance when you need it rather than not have travel insurance when you want it.

Before a Royal Caribbean cruise, make sure to purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance can protect your trip in case of any unexpected delays as well as provide coverage in medical emergencies.

If you cruise or travel frequently, you may want to consider purchasing an annual plan. The price of an annual plan can pay off after just a few trips, making it a great investment for frequent travelers.

3. Expand your itinerary choices

It’s easy to fall into the routine of sailing to the same cruise ports over and over. If you're a frequent cruiser that lives in Florida, you’ve probably cruised to Nassau, Cozumel, and St. Thomas more times than you can count.

Instead of traveling to the same ports time and time again, consider branching out in your cruise itineraries. Instead of a Caribbean cruise, look for itineraries to Alaska or Europe. If you live on the west coast, try a cruise from Los Angeles instead of flying to Florida.

You may just find a new favorite cruise port by trying new, exciting itineraries.

4. Sailing on an older ship is almost always cheaper

Most of the best deals you can find on a cruise are on older ships. The latest and greatest Royal Caribbean ships are usually priced several hundred dollars more per person, per cabin.

If you’re looking to snag a great cruise deal, consider sailing on a Vision, Radiance, or Voyager Class cruise ship. Before booking an older cruise ship, though, remember to research the ship’s amenities, cabins, and activities.

Booking a 20+ year old cruise ship to save money could lead to disappointment later on if you expect activities like waterslides, Broadway shows, and zip lines onboard.

5. Book your cruise far in advance…

The cheapest cruise fares are usually found on recently released itineraries. Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries around two seasons before the sail date, and this is when you can find some of the best deals.

If you can plan cruises far in advance, you have the potential to save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.

6. Or, look for last-minute cruise deals

Although you’ll usually find the best cruise deals when booking far in advance, you can occasionally come across fantastic last-minute deals that can save you money.

Most last-minute cruise deals pop up after a sailing’s final payment date—75 or 90 days before the cruise begins. If the sailing has a significant amount of cabins yet to be booked, the cruise line will lower prices to attract higher demand.

Flexibility is key when searching for last-minute cruise deals, though, as you can never predict the ship, itinerary, and embarkation port of the cheapest last-minute deal.

7. Cruise during the off-season to save money

Cruises in the peak season—which varies by destination—will be more expensive than those during the off-season. If your schedule is flexible, booking during the off-season or shoulder season can save you money.

Peak season in Alaska, for example, runs from mid-June to mid-August, and this is when cruise fares are highest. During shoulder season in May and September, however, you can see sailings priced hundreds of dollars cheaper per person.

That being said, a destination’s off-season is typically the off-season for a reason, whether it's during the middle of hurricane season or during a month prone to colder temperatures.

8. Book a guarantee stateroom

If you want to save money while booking your cruise, choose a guarantee cabin. Booking a guarantee cabin is when you don’t select the exact location of your stateroom. Instead, Royal Caribbean assigns you a stateroom location based on availability closer to sailing.

If you’re flexible with cabin location, booking a guarantee stateroom can save hundreds of dollars.

9. Reprice your cruise before final payment date

Residents of most countries, including the United States, can reprice a Royal Caribbean cruise until final payment date. This means that if you booked a cruise a year in advance and see that the price has dropped a few months before your cruise, you can pay the new, lower price.

Repricing your cruise has the potential to save you hundreds (or perhaps even thousands) of dollars. You can look for price drops by searching Royal Caribbean’s website or by asking your travel agent to periodically check for lower prices.

10. Prepay gratuities before you set sail

Gratuities are service charges that are split amongst crew members on a Royal Caribbean cruise. At the time of writing, gratuities cost $16 per person, per day for guests in standard cabins and $18.50 per person, per day for those in Grand Suites and above.

You can choose to prepay gratuities when you book your cruise or you can wait until you’re onboard. If you wait until you’re onboard to pay gratuities, you will see a daily charge posted to your SeaPass account.

In most cases, we recommend paying gratuities in advance, as it’s better to have the bulk of your vacation paid for before you board the cruise. Those with a significant amount of onboard credit, though, may prefer to wait until they get onboard to pay gratuities as the amount will subtract from their onboard credit amount.

Cruise Planning Tips

kentucky-summer-trellis-bar-drink-package-2

11. Book cruise add-ons ahead of time

Planning to book extras like shore excursions, dining packages, and spa treatments? Be sure to book cruise add-ons ahead of time to save money.

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner website is where you can book pre-cruise add-ons from the time you book up to 48 hours before your cruise begins. You’ll always find a cheaper price by booking in advance compared to booking on the ship.

12. Book your flights wisely

Flying to your cruise port? Follow these tips to avoid any mishaps during your travel day:

Fly the day before your cruise to allow extra wiggle room for flight delays and cancellations
Book direct flights whenever possible
If you can’t find a direct flight, don’t book an extremely short layover. You don’t want to risk missing your connection due to your first flight being delayed!
Book your return flight no earlier than 12PM on disembarkation day to allow enough time to get to the airport after your cruise ends

13. Watch a ship tour of your cruise ship

Regardless of which ship you’re sailing on, you can find detailed walkthrough tours of the vessel on YouTube. Watching a full ship tour of your cruise ship is the best way to understand what’s offered onboard, from dining to entertainment and cabins.

You can find a list of Royal Caribbean ship tours here.

14. Book entertainment before your cruise

Select Royal Caribbean ships allow you to book certain entertainment productions in advance. To check if you can pre-book entertainment, visit the Cruise Planner website and click on the Entertainment Tab.

Any shows available to book in advance will populate on this page. If you don’t see any shows available, check closer to your sail date. Like all production shows, making reservations online is complimentary.

Cruise Packing Tips

15. Never wear brand new shoes

A pre-cruise shopping trip can be fun, but don’t go overboard with buying new shoes before a cruise. While that new pair of heels may go perfectly with your new dress, your feet may not agree.

We advise against wearing brand new shoes on a cruise, as this may result in painful blisters during your vacation. Instead, make sure to break in any new shoes before the start of your vacation to ensure you won’t face any issues while onboard.

16. Bring tennis shoes

While you might imagine yourself spending the entire cruise in flip flops, don’t forget to bring a pair of tennis shoes onboard. Not only are tennis shoes comfortable to wear while traveling to and from your cruise, but they’re helpful onboard and in port as well.

You’ll need closed-toed shoes to participate in several activities onboard, such as laser tag, the zip line, and basketball, and tennis shoes are the best option for active footwear.

Plus, you may incur a lot more walking than you’re used to while on a cruise. In some ports, you might find yourself walking well over 10,000 steps in just a few hours while sightseeing. Remember to pack comfortable shoes in order to avoid discomfort.

17. Use a 4-wheel, hard-shell suitcase

4-wheel suitcases are easier to roll than the 2-wheel equivalents, and this can be beneficial when walking through the airport or cruise terminal.

In addition, using a hard-shell suitcase is recommended due to its water-resistant shell and its ability to protect fragile items better than a soft-shell suitcase.

18. Use packing cubes to save space

Luggage space is at a premium when packing for a cruise, especially if you’re packing with only a carry-on! To save space, we recommend using packing cubes.

Packing cubes can better condense your clothing, which allows you to pack more items in a small amount of space. They can also help organize your clothing, as you can have a separate packing cube for shirts, pants, and swimsuits.

19. Plan two outfits per day

A general rule of thumb on a cruise is that you’ll want to pack two outfits per day. Daytime clothes usually consist of a t-shirt, shorts, and flip flops, which are perfect for spending the day at the pool or beach.

By late afternoon, most guests head back to their cabins to get ready for dinner. This is when you’ll want to change into a more chic (yet comfortable) outfit. Dresses, slacks, collared shirts, and blouses are a few examples of what to wear in the evening on a cruise ship.

20. You can wear the same clothes more than once

There’s no shame in wearing the same outfits more than once on a cruise. With thousands of other passengers onboard, it’s unlikely anyone will notice if you wear the same shirt, pants, or dress more than one time.

Even if they did notice, who cares? You’re on vacation and can wear whatever clothing item you see fit!

21. Bring your own toiletries

Unlike hotels, which typically provide quality shampoo and conditioner, Royal Caribbean ships provide a “2 in 1” hair and body wash. While there’s no harm in using this, it’s not of the highest quality. Therefore, we recommend bringing your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash onboard the ship.

The exception to this rule is with suites, which are stocked with Malin + Goetz shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.

22. Remember beach accessories

If you plan to visit a beach on your cruise, you may want to bring beach accessories.

Snorkel masks, goggles, water shoes, beach toys, and a beach bag are just some of the accessories you can bring to the beach on a Royal Caribbean cruise. And while many ports will offer snorkel rentals, if you plan to snorkel in more than one port, it’s more cost effective to bring your own gear.

Keep in mind you cannot use floating devices—like pool noodles and rafts—on your cruise ship, but you can most likely use them at the beach in your ports of call.

23. The ship provides towels

Don’t waste half of your suitcase space by packing an oversized beach towel. Royal Caribbean ships provide beach towels free of charge, and you can take them with you in port.

To check out a towel for the day, head to the pool deck, scan your SeaPass card, and take a towel. At the end of the day, remember to return your towel (place it in the bin and scan your SeaPass card to signal the return). If you forget to return or lose a towel, you’ll incur a $25 per towel fee at the end of your cruise.

24. Research what to pack for an Alaska cruise

Trade your tank tops for a rain jacket and flip flops for boots—packing for an Alaska cruise is totally different than packing for the warm, tropical weather in the Caribbean.

Packing for an Alaska cruise is all about layers: a base layer, warm layer, and waterproof layer. Weather is unpredictable in Alaska, so you want to make sure you’re prepared for warm days, cold days, and rainy days!

In addition to clothing, you’ll also want to pack accessories like a pair of binoculars and waterproof daypack. In order to enjoy Alaska to the fullest, rain or shine, you should prepare for all types of weather scenarios.

For more information on what to pack for an Alaska cruise, check out these two articles:

25. Don’t pack prohibited items

Before packing your suitcase, take a look through Royal Caribbean’s list of prohibited items. Items like irons, CBD oil, and extension cords are not allowed onboard and they will be confiscated at the cruise terminal.

26. Bring a reusable water bottle

It’s extremely important to stay hydrated on a cruise both onboard and in port, and one of the best ways to stay hydrated is by packing a reusable water bottle.

While there are no water bottle refill stations on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, you can get a cup of ice water and pour it into your reusable bottle. Using a reusable bottle helps cut down on plastic waste and, if it’s an insulated bottle, keeps your beverage cooler longer.

Cruise Check-In Tips

Allure of the Seas in Galveston cruise terminal

27. Check-in online 45 days before your cruise

Royal Caribbean’s online check-in opens 45 days before your cruise begins, and we recommend checking in as early as possible. You can check in on either the Royal Caribbean website or Royal Caribbean app, although we find the process easier on the app.

When you complete the online check-in, you will select an arrival time, which is when you can arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day. The earlier you complete online check-in, the better chance you have at selecting an early check-in time (around 10:30 or 11AM).

28. Select an early check-in time

One of our favorite cruise tips is to select an early check-in time for a cruise. Selecting an early check-in time allows you to start your vacation hours earlier than other passengers. When those with late check-in times are arriving at the cruise terminal, you’ve already eaten lunch, walked around the ship, and visited your cabin!

Not only that, but arriving early allows you to take advantage of an emptier cruise ship, especially if you plan to hit the pools and waterslides on embarkation day.

29. Ensure you have the proper documentation to cruise far in advance

Before booking a cruise, take time to read through this list of necessary documentation for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Depending on your citizenship, cruise location, and itinerary, the documentation required to board can vary.

It’s all too common that passengers book a cruise only to realize their passport is expired! Understanding what documents are required—and having access to those documents—is critical.

Embarkation Day Tips

30. Use Uber/Lyft to get to the cruise terminal

Instead of booking a shuttle to the cruise terminal from your airport or hotel, use a rideshare service instead. Most shuttle services charge per person. If you’re traveling with a group of four from the airport to port and the shuttle is $20 each, you’ll spend $80 total.

Meanwhile, you could reserve an Uber or Lyft for only $20-25 total, as these services are priced per car instead of per passenger.

31. Use the porters

When you arrive at the cruise terminal on embarkation day, drop off your luggage with the porters. Porters will transfer your luggage from the terminal onto the ship, and it’s much easier to leave your luggage with porters rather than carry it onboard yourself.

We recommend using the porters for your heaviest luggage and bringing only a carry-on onboard with you. It’s customary to tip $1 to $2 per bag you give to the porters.

32. Pack a swimsuit on embarkation day

One of the best things to do on the first day of your cruise is use the pools and waterslides.

Not many passengers know they can use the ship’s pools as soon as they board the ship—even more leave their swimsuit in their checked baggage. This makes the pools much less crowded on embarkation day compared to later on in the sailing.

If you’re hoping to ride the waterslides with little to no wait or enjoy a nearly empty pool, make sure to pack a swimsuit in your carry-on and head to the pool as soon as you board the ship.

33. Bring your own wine and non-alcoholic beverages onboard

Did you know you can bring select amounts of wine and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Each adult can bring one 750ml bottle of wine on embarkation day, along with up to 12 standard (17oz) cans, bottles, or cartons of non-alcoholic beverages like water and soda.

34. Sign your kids up for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day

If you’re cruising with kids, it’s a good idea to register them for Adventure Ocean on embarkation day. Royal Caribbean’s child programming is complimentary, but all kids must be registered before they attend a session.

Adventure Ocean registration usually opens around 12:30PM or 1PM on embarkation day, and getting to Adventure Ocean early means you can register your kids without waiting in a long line.

35. Keep your passport/identification documents in your carry-on bag

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, you can hand your luggage off to the porters, but make sure to keep any important items and documents in your carry-on bag.

Most importantly, make sure your identification documents are with you as you enter the cruise terminal. If you accidentally put your passport in your checked baggage and give it to the porters, it will be a major hassle to find your bag and obtain your identification documents later on.

36. Avoid lunch at the Windjammer

Royal Caribbean’s signature buffet is a madhouse on embarkation day. As thousands of hungry passengers board the ship, the vast majority of them immediately head to the Windjammer. This leads to crowds and chaos—not the best way to start your vacation.

Instead, consider alternative dining options for lunch. Maybe you want to splurge on a specialty restaurant or perhaps dine at one of the many other complimentary options available like Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh, or Boardwalk Dog House.

37. Find the best spot to watch sailaway

Sailaway is when your ship sails away from port, and it’s always an exciting time on any cruise vacation. Depending on your ship, the “best” spot to watch sailaway can vary.

If you’re on a Radiance, Voyager, or Freedom Class ship, head to the helicopter pad for sailaway. Quantum and Oasis Class ships, on the other hand, offer the best views from the sports deck or Solarium bridge wings.

38. Meet your stateroom attendant

Your stateroom attendant will clean your room once per day on your cruise, and we recommend meeting them on embarkation day. When you meet your stateroom attendant, you can establish rapport and make any special requests, such as separating the bed in your room.

You’ll see your stateroom attendant in the hallway nearly every day of your cruise, and getting to know them can help enhance their service on your cruise vacation.

39. Complete your muster drill ASAP

Before a cruise ship departs on embarkation day, every passenger must complete a muster drill. This safety drill ensures every passenger knows what to do and where to go in an emergency.

Luckily, Royal Caribbean has an electronic muster drill, the majority of which can be completed on the Royal Caribbean app. The eMuster drill has three parts:

Watch a life jacket safety video on the Royal Caribbean app (or stateroom television)
Listen to the emergency horn signal on the Royal Caribbean app (or stateroom television)
Go to your muster station in person on the ship to confirm with a crew member that you have completed the muster drill

By completing your muster drill as soon as possible, you can officially start your cruise vacation without worrying about any other required tasks.

Cruise Cabin Tips

40. Bring an outlet extender

Cruise ship cabins–particularly on ships built before 2010–have limited outlets available, and extension cords are not permitted on a cruise ship. If you need to charge multiple electronics daily, it can be a hassle to charge one device at a time

Therefore, If you need to charge several electronics daily and/or are sharing a room with multiple people, we recommend packing a USB hub.

41. Store luggage under the bed

Cruise cabins are small, and the best place to store your luggage is under the bed.

Most cruise ship beds have ample space underneath—enough to fit most suitcases. We advise unpacking your suitcase on embarkation day and immediately putting the suitcase back under the bed to save space.

42. Bring magnetic hooks

Another way to save space and organize your cruise cabin is to pack magnetic hooks. Your cruise cabin’s walls are magnetic, and placing magnetic hooks on the walls allows you to hang accessories like jackets, towels, and purses.

Magnetic hooks do not take up much room in your luggage and can come in handy in any cabin, but especially on older cruise ships which may have far less storage compared to new ships.

43. Bring a pop-up laundry hamper

A common issue many cruisers experience is not having anywhere to put dirty clothes in their cabin. This typically results in the passengers throwing dirty clothes onto a chair or corner of their cabin, taking up valuable space and making the room look messy.

Instead of throwing your clothes on the floor, pack a pop-up laundry hamper. These hampers can be purchased for only a few dollars from Amazon or even the dollar store, and they fit nicely into a suitcase.

Money Saving Cruise Tips

44. Look for cheaper spa prices on the ship while in port

Your cruise ship’s spa may have specials on port days where you can get a certain percentage off a treatment. On the first day of your cruise, head to the spa and ask about any specials, especially if you plan to stay onboard on a port day anyway!

45. Bring all toiletries you might need onboard

Forgot your sunscreen or aloe vera? You can find these items onboard, but you’ll pay a pretty penny for them.

You should pack any toiletries you need (or think you might need) on a cruise instead of purchasing toiletries onboard. These items are priced very high on a Royal Caribbean cruise; you’ll probably spend 2-3x as much for the item as you would back home.

46. Order the drink of the day to save money

There is a “Drink of the Day” each day of your cruise, and these drinks—usually a fruity cocktail—are several dollars cheaper than other cocktails.

To find out the drink of the day, ask a bartender. Additionally, some bars have a sign at the bar listing the daily drink special. Not only can you try a new drink, but you’ll save a few dollars compared to a regular menu item.

47. Drink in port instead of onboard

Drinks on a Royal Caribbean cruise are expensive. If you want to save money on drinks, drink in port instead of onboard!

You can almost always find cheaper drinks in port compared to on the ship, and as another plus, you can check out a local bar in your port of call. You may even get the chance to try a cocktail or type of liquor not available onboard.

There’s also the opportunity to book an all-inclusive day pass during a port day. If you want an all-inclusive feel without spending $70+ per day on a drink package, book a day pass to a resort in port. Depending on the day pass, you can expect to spend between $50-100 per person for unlimited food, drinks, and beach access.

48. Take advantage of Crown & Anchor Society offers

Members of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society receive special onboard offers during their cruise. From discounts on specialty coffee and wine to access to exclusive events, you should take advantage of as many benefits as you can.

Benefits vary based on your tier level in the Crown & Anchor Society. You can find out which perks you’ll have access to by referencing the onboard offers letter placed on your stateroom’s desk on embarkation day.

49. Turn your phone on airplane mode

Avoid expensive roaming charges by putting your phone on airplane mode as soon as your cruise departs on embarkation day. Using cellphone data while on a cruise will incur expensive charges even if you have an international plan.

Instead, connect to the ship’s wifi or, if you have international coverage, use your phone’s data in port. No one wants to come home to a huge cell phone bill, so always remember to put your phone on airplane mode!

50. Reserve complimentary activities on the first day

Cruising on a Quantum Class ship? If so, you’re probably excited to try out RipCord by iFLY, the ship’s skydiving simulator, and the North Star, a 360 degree observational pod.

If you want to try these activities for free, you want to reserve a time as soon as you get onboard your cruise ship.

Related: All about Quantum Class ships

For cruises to most regions of the world, both a complimentary and extra cost option of these activities are offered. While the extra cost option includes a longer experience, the complimentary option will suit most guests’ needs.

To reserve these free activities ASAP, connect to the Royal Caribbean wifi once onboard and open the Royal Caribbean app (you don’t need an internet package to access the app). Find the activity on the app’s daily calendar and reserve a complimentary slot.

51. Multiple people can share an internet package

Royal Caribbean’s internet packages cost around $20 per device, per day, but did you know they can be shared?

Multiple guests can use a one device internet package provided they aren’t using the package at the same time. To do so, guests can share the login information on the internet account.

If Guest 1 is using the internet and Guest 2 signs in to the internet on their phone, Guest 1 will be logged out of the internet. Guests can continuously log in and out of the internet on their devices so that only one person is using the package at any given time.

52. Bring your own drinks onboard

Guests on a Royal Caribbean cruise can bring a limited number of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages onboard. Drinks are only able to be brought onboard on embarkation day and they should be placed in your carry-on luggage.

Each adult may bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne. Guests can also bring up to 12 standard 17 oz. cans, bottles, or cartons of nonalcoholic beverages per stateroom such as soda, water, and juice.

Cruise Dining Tips

53. Book a dining package to save money on specialty restaurants

Although Royal Caribbean offers an extensive array of complimentary food, many passengers enjoy the cuisine and cooking styles of the cruise line’s specialty restaurants.

Whether Japanese, Italian, or American fare, most specialty meals will cost around $50 per person for dinner. If you plan to eat at specialty restaurants at least three times during your cruise, you’ll want to book a dining package to save money.

Dining package options can vary by cruise length, but most sailings will offer a 3-night, 5-night, and Unlimited Dining Package. While prices differ, you can expect to spend around $112 for a 3-night package and $260 for an unlimited package.

Over the course of several specialty meals, you could save quite a bit of money by purchasing a dining package.

54. Make restaurant reservations right when you get onboard

Unlike booking individual restaurant reservations before your cruise on the Cruise Planner, passengers with Royal Caribbean dining packages must wait until they board the ship on embarkation day to make specialty dining reservations.

If you booked a dining package, be sure to make dining reservations as soon as you get onboard. You can make dining reservations for all restaurants at the same time; simply go to any specialty restaurant onboard and make reservations with the hostess.

If you plan to dine at Izumi Hibachi, it’s best to go directly to Izumi once onboard, as hibachi reservations cannot always be made at different restaurants.

55. Book specialty restaurants for lunch

One way to save money on Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurants is by dining at a specialty restaurant for lunch instead of dinner. Many specialty restaurants offer a similar menu (if not the same) for lunch and dinner, but lunch prices are often half the price of dinner.

Look for lunch deals at any of Royal Caribbean’s Italian restaurants, Chops Grille, and Hooked Seafood prior to your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner site.

56. Make dietary requests before you board

Royal Caribbean takes dietary restrictions into account when planning menus and onboard food offerings. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated onboard with little to no stress, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, keto, etc.

Nonetheless, if you have a dietary restriction–especially if it’s a severe allergy–it’s best to let Royal Caribbean know in advance. You can find out more about dietary restrictions and how to contact Royal Caribbean for special dietary requests here.

57. Try new foods

One of the best dining tips for a Royal Caribbean cruise is to try new foods. Unlike on land, you can order and try as many new dishes as you’d like on a cruise at no extra cost.

Because of this, there’s no harm in trying something new. If you don’t end up liking the dish, you can simply order something else. More often than not, however, you might find a new favorite dish while dining on a cruise!

58. Look at the menus in advance

If you’re torn on where to eat dinner during your cruise, take a look at the Main Dining Room’s menus in advance. You can view the menus in advance on the Dining tab of the Royal Caribbean app.

Related: New Main Dining Room menus

On this tab, you can look at menus for each night of your cruise to see which appetizers, main courses, and desserts are available on any particular day. If the menu for a certain night doesn’t appeal to your tastes, consider eating at the Windjammer or reserving a specialty restaurant instead.

Shore excursion tips

59. Book sought-after excursions far in advance

Dreaming of a whale watching tour in Alaska or visit to Pompeii? If so, you’ll want to book these excursions as soon as possible to avoid them selling out.

Popular shore excursions can and do sell out far in advance. If there’s a bucket-list activity you’re dreaming of experiencing in a port of call, it’s best to book the tour as soon as you can.

When booking through Royal Caribbean, you can cancel a shore excursion up to 48 hours before your cruise begins, so if you change your mind later on you can get a full refund.

60. Remember that you don’t have to book an excursion

Many first time cruisers think they have to book an excursion in every cruise port, but you are always able to explore on your own without a tour.

Whether you take a taxi to a local beach, visit a museum, or simply walk around the port area, most ports have enough to do and see without spending extra on a tour.

61. Go to the beach

A budget-friendly way to spend a port day is by going to the beach. Although you probably won't enjoy a sunny beach day in Alaska, most cruise ports offer stunning beaches, whether a pink sand beach in Bermuda or black sand beach in Hawaii.

Before your cruise, research how to visit the best beaches in your port of call. Some beaches may be easily walkable from the cruise port, such as Junkanoo Beach in Nassau, whereas others will require a taxi or shore excursion.

62. Use Tripadvisor or Viator to find things to do in port

You aren’t required to book shore excursions directly through Royal Caribbean; many cruisers prefer booking excursions through independent tour operators. By booking with a locally-run tour operator in your port of call, you can usually save money and have a wider selection of options.

One great way to find shore excursions outside of the cruise line is by searching Tripadvisor or Viator. To find excursions, type your port of call in the search bar to populate a list of things to do and excursions to book in the destination.

63. Call your bank before using a debit/credit card in port

Depending on your bank, you might have to provide notice of any upcoming international travel. This helps avoid your account being locked if your bank notices a charge made in another country.

You can give your bank notice through most banking apps or websites or you can call your bank directly to provide information on your travel plans.

64. Be aware of your surroundings

It’s always important to be aware of your surroundings while traveling to avoid misplacing items—far too many travelers become distracted while traveling and lose their belongings.

Whether accidentally leaving your purse at a restaurant or being pickpocketed in a crowded museum, losing your belongings is never a fun way to spend vacation. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings to avoid any mishaps, especially when traveling in busy areas.

65. Taste local cuisine in your ports of call

One of the most fun ways to spend a port day is by tasting local cuisine in your ports of call. Whether your cruise docks in France, Australia, or Costa Rica, there is always fresh, flavorful cuisine to try.

Always take time to grab food at a local restaurant while on shore, even if it means just grabbing a croissant or scoop of gelato as you stroll through town. Even though there's unlimited food onboard, spending a few dollars on local cuisine can enhance your experience in port.

66. Learn a few phrases in the local language of your cruise port

Cruising to Mexico? Italy? Japan? Regardless of your cruise destination, we recommend learning a few basic phrases in the local language of your cruise ports.

Learning how to say words like hello, please, thank you, and goodbye can help tremendously when communicating with locals while in port. Even if English is widely spoken in a certain port, knowing a few phrases in the local language can go a long way in the overall friendliness you experience while traveling.

67. Download Google Maps offline on your phone

If you’re planning self-guided port days and don’t have international phone service, you should download offline maps on Google Maps. Google Maps allows you to download maps in advance so you can find directions and local attractions with no cell phone data.

Having maps downloaded can lessen the chance of getting lost while in port, and it may even help you find interesting things to do in the surrounding area.

Miscellaneous Cruise Tips

Serenade and Mariner of the Seas docked in Cozumel

68. Take the stairs instead of the elevator

Instead of waiting for the elevator—which will, most likely, be crowded—take the stairs!

Not only does taking the stairs instead of the elevator save time, but it helps keep you active on a cruise vacation. Indulging is the name of the game on a cruise, and taking the stairs can help burn a few extra calories during your sailing.

69. Use the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards

If you’re searching for first-hand information from other savvy cruisers, join our message boards at RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com. You can search the board for information on your cruise ship, dining options, shore excursions, and booking tips, among other topics.

Plus, you can find a roll call for your upcoming cruise on the message boards, which allows you to connect with other passengers on your sailing before your cruise even begins!

70. Join a Facebook group for your sailing

In addition to the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards, you can join groups for your cruise on Facebook. Many cruisers like joining Facebook groups before their cruise in order to connect with other passengers and have a space to share questions and comments about their upcoming vacation.

71. Stay flexible

If there’s one tip to follow on this list, it’s to stay flexible on a cruise vacation. Even though most cruises go to plan, there’s always a possibility for an itinerary change, medical emergency, or canceled shore excursion.

If the unexpected happens on a cruise, the worst thing to do is let it ruin your cruise vacation. Instead of having your day ruined when the winds are too strong to dock in port, find something fun to do onboard instead, such as participating in a game show or listening to live music.

If a hurricane changes your cruise itinerary, look for interesting shore excursions in your new ports of call instead of complaining. It’s always better to remain flexible to avoid feeling disappointed!

72. Bring cash with you onboard

Although payments are made electronically on a cruise ship, we still recommend bringing a small amount of cash with you onboard.

If you plan to give extra tips to crew members onboard, you should break your money into smaller bills. Having $1 and $5 bills on hand makes tipping easy, whether you’re tipping the porter at the cruise terminal or a bartender.

Additionally, having cash is recommended for port days, especially in the Caribbean. You may encounter taxis and businesses that do not accept cards, so carrying $100-200 with you on each port day is recommended.

73. Don’t worry too much about feeling seasick

Feeling seasick is a major concern for first-time cruisers, but it’s not nearly as common as you might think.

Royal Caribbean ships are huge vessels and are equipped with stabilizers that help keep the ship as steady as possible. Although you can still encounter strong winds and high seas, you won’t feel the motion nearly as much as you would on a small sailboat!

If you do feel seasick, there are plenty of easy remedies to combat seasickness. Natural remedies include eating green apples and ginger, but medication like Dramamine can also cut down on the effects of seasickness.

74. Get the best seats at the theater

Royal Caribbean’s impressive entertainment shows are included in your cruise fare, and our top recommendation for watching the shows is to get the best seats in the theater.

For Royal Caribbean’s most popular productions, such as Broadway shows and AquaTheater shows, many passengers show up to the theater early. If you arrive 30-40 minutes prior to the show, you have a good chance at finding seats near the front of the theater for the best views.

75. Book a day pass at a hotel if you have a late flight

If you disembark your cruise ship at 8AM but your flight doesn’t leave until 4PM, it can be tough to figure out the best way to spend your day. One of our favorite things to do whenever we have a late flight is to purchase a day pass to a hotel in our disembarkation port.

Booking a day pass to a hotel gives you a place to drop off your luggage, but you also receive access to the hotel’s pool and sundeck. Going for a swim and lounging in a pool chair is, more often than not, much more enjoyable than sitting in a busy airport terminal.

You can find hotels and resorts with day passes through Resort Pass, and options are available in most popular cruise ports.

75 travel tips to make you the world's most savvy cruiser

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