Royal Caribbean cruises are bookable through early 2026, but when will more cruises in 2026 and 2027 be available to book?

Summer 2026 cruises are not open to book yet, along with anything beyond April 2026.

While it may seem strange to book vacations more than 2 years in advance, booking a cruise that far ahead can net some of the best prices.

Booking a cruise early could get you a great room, a competitive rate, or a booking on a rare itinerary that could sell out quickly.

Whatever the reason, here's what you should know about when to expect Royal Caribbean to post new cruises for sale.

Royal Caribbean puts new sailings on sale twice per year

While nothing has officially been announced by Royal Caribbean as to when 2026 cruises will go on sale, based on historical data, it usually occurs on a set schedule.

Royal Caribbean typically has two release cycles: in the fall and again in the spring.

For the last few years, Royal Caribbean has posted their new sailings around:

• November to early December
• February through April

They've stuck to this pattern, even during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020.

Example deployment schedule from last year

Prior to the actual sailings going on sale, Royal Caribbean will post a deployment schedule, which specifies the week (but not day) of release for each block of itineraries. These blocks are grouped by cruise length and region. 

One trick some cruisers have come up with is to follow what sister brand Celebrity Cruises does, as Celebrity is usually ahead of Royal Caribbean in posting new deployments by about a month.

Which new sailings will be released first?

There's no way to know for certain which itineraries will be released in November or December of this year, but based on the pattern from the last few years, it seems like there's a likelihood of certain regions getting posted first.

In 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, Royal Caribbean opened up new bookings for three regions in November and December:

• Alaska
• Europe
• 7-night Summer Caribbean

In 2023, the first new deployment release came the week of October 30, and then continued through the week of December 4, 2023 (skipping the Thanksgiving holiday week).

The rest of the new itineraries were released in the spring.

It is very important to remember that this is what the cruise line has done in the past, and they may change everything up this year. But since the question of when new bookings will be released is such a common question, this is the best information we have at our disposal. 

Which new sailings will be released in the spring?

After the winter holidays are over, Royal Caribbean gears up to release new itineraries for the rest of the schedule in the spring.

In 2023, new itineraries were posted as early as the week of February 13, 2023. In 2022, the first new itineraries were posted the week of February 21. In 2021, it was posted during the week of February 15.

Just like the fall, you'll get one batch of itineraries posted per week and the process can take all the way until April or May to fully complete.

In the spring, you'll get the bulk of the new itineraries released that fill in the gaps left from the fall.

Short Caribbean cruises, cruises from New York and Baltimore, and long Caribbean cruises are the notable sailings that get posted in the spring.  Australia cruises are also released this time of year.

Why you want to book a 2026 or 2027 cruise as soon as possible

One of the best strategies to get the lowest price on your cruise is to book a cruise early, even two years early.

It may seem crazy to some to book a cruise quite that far in advance, but there are some really good benefits to placing a deposit that early.

At a very basic level, cruise lines increase the price of a sailing as the ship sells out. By booking early, inventory is at its highest, and that usually nets you some of the best prices (especially for suites). 

If you live in certain countries, you're allowed to re-price your cabin and take advantage of a price drop up until the final payment date. This includes the United States and Canada, but there are others too.

Beyond the cost of a cruise, another good reason to book early is to get a specific cabin.

Read more: What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?

There are certain types of cruise ship cabins that sell out quickly, and booking early is almost always the only way to get them.  Suites are usually the first type of cabin category to sell out because there are so few suites onboard.

Keep in mind that suites always have always non-refundable cruise fare, so there's a bit of a risk if you aren't totally certain what your vacation plans will be in two years or more.

Moreover, there could be a specific location you want, such as an aft balcony and once again, booking early can get you the best room location.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

The other really important reason to book so early is because you may want to cruise over a holiday.

Holiday sailings are always competitive. This includes spring break, Christmas, summer, and New Years. If you want to take a cruise during these times of year, you will want to snag a cabin because prices will almost certainly only go up.

When I'm asked, "How far in advance should I book a cruise?", my answer is always as early as you can.  Certainly when new itineraries are published is the ideal time.

The likely plan

At the risk of jinxing the pattern that's been in play for years, the information in this article is my best guess of what we can expect.

Once a deployment schedule is released, I will post a new article with the information on this site, so until then, our fingers are crossed that it will line up as expected.

While there's no way to be absolutely certain of when Royal Caribbean will release new summer cruises, I hope this article gives you a frame of reference of what to expect.

Planning a cruise? Start here:

• 8 cruise tips for first-time Royal Caribbean cruisers
• What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare
• 5 quick and easy tips for finding a great shore excursion on your own
• Food on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?

The hottest trend in cruising today isn't a new bar, beach, or waterslide; it's hiding rubber ducks.

What began as a small group of people looking to share their enthusiasm about going on a cruise has grown into a global phenomenon with at least a few people on every Royal Caribbean hiding ducks and many others seeking them out.

It's almost like an oral tradition passed down through social media, where someone goes on a cruise and sees others hiding and seeking rubber ducks, thinks its a fun idea, and then subsequently tries it on their next cruise.

The appeal of this activity is hard to describe until you see it in action on a cruise ship.

Essentially, some guests take it upon themselves to purchase small rubber ducks and then hide them around the ship for others to find. Some ducks are purposefully not-so-well-hidden, while others are truly placed in odd spots.

The idea is to provide a "thrill of the hunt" for other guests, primarily children. Parents seem to get into the spirit of it as well.

While sailing on 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise in Europe on Anthem of the Seas, it became clear to me hiding ducks on a cruise ship is not just an American thing. It's gone global.

Loz Griffin posted in the Facebook group for my sailing, "Is anyone hiding ducks on this cruise. We are. And we have LOADS. Can't wait."

That sparked over a dozen other people to respond they would be participating too, and for the duration of the sailing, most of the posts were seemingly about people either hiding ducks or looking for clues as to where their kids could find a hidden duck.

Lisa Hunke shared how it started for her, "My husband thought I was out of my mind when I was getting my ducks ready for our Icon cruise this past February."

"He ended up hiding more of them than I did and was always on the look out for hidden ones."

Why do people hide rubber ducks?

Hiding rubber ducks on a cruise is a relatively new trend in cruising, and it seems it began on Facebook.

The Facebook group "Cruising Ducks™ -Original group" claims it began with a 10 year old girl named Abby.

The idea was to give Abby something fun to do during her sailing, "a cute and entertaining way  to have a blast on cruises and to brighten others days."

This particular group not only encouraged the hiding of ducks, but for those that found the duck to share a photo of their duck in the group so that everyone could see the journey the duck had made.

As of the writing of this article, the Facebook group has over 280,000 members.

Inside the group, there's inspiration for others to find creative looking ducks. Some people go beyond traditional cheap plastic ducks, and hide ornate ducks.

Jheri Mauai shared a photo of the 250 bedazzled ducks that will be hidden soon on a cruise ship.

One man actually prints his own ducks, creating glow-in-the-dark, giant, and very creative ducks.

"Cris the Cruising Duck Man" is his online moniker, and he shares his latest creations.

I sailed with Cris on Icon and Liberty of the Seas earlier this year, and he has a backpack full of ducks he keeps with him to hide.

When questioned why someone would hide a duck in the first place, Rense Dunn responded, "for the kids if you see their faces when they find them. Priceless!"

Pam Mull added, "[it's] just for fun. Everyone enjoys finding them and reading the tags & seeing where they come from."

Not everyone loves the fad

While most people seem indifferent to hiding ducks at worst, there are some cruisers that really despise the trend.

The issue some people have with hiding ducks is where they get hidden, such as in-between plants that get rustled in the process.  Or someone hiding a duck in non-public space, such a restaurant.

Mike Simmons commented, "When I see one, or 5, or 20; now they're my ducks and they love to be re-hidden in the various garbage cans."

Laurie Bridges shared two issues with hiding ducks, "I do not like seeing the tiny ducks in places that small children can find them, as they're a choking hazard."

"It's also pretty disgusting to see one that has a tag attached that advertises a couple looking for others with whom to swing/swap. Yes, we've actually seen that."

How to find ducks on your cruise

The basics are simple, walk around public areas of your cruise ship and keep an eye out for a bright yellow rubber duck.

Most people attach a card to each duck they hide, as a kind of "calling card" to not only identify who hid it, but provide the rules because there's a good chance someone will find it without knowing about this new activity.

If someone stumbles across a duck, they can then either keep them, or re-hide for someone else to find.

Passengers like to hide ducks among plants, on top of signs, or in crevices. 

In my experience, most of the ducks get hidden towards the beginning of the cruise, so if you or your family are hunting for them, seek them out early, especially on a sea day.

Another strategy is to join the Facebook group for your particular Royal Caribbean sailing, as those that hide ducks tend to announce when they're releasing their flock.

Some people will ask in the group about if there are more ducks hidden and for clues as well.  Younger children can sometimes struggle with finding them, so clues can help.

How to hide ducks on your cruise

If this sounds like just the kind of fun you want to try, getting started is pretty easy.

Most people buy a batch of ducks on Amazon, such as this batch of 100 ducks that come with name tags and rubber bands. (Note: this link contains an affiliate link, which means we make a commission but costs you nothing extra!)

Then it's up to you how involved you want to be with sharing this experience.  You could join your sailing's Facebook group or even the Cruising Ducks group.

There are some basic guidelines people that hide ducks tend to follow. Avoid areas where they could blow overboard, as well as pools, hot tubs or inside stores or restaurants. 

It will now be more expensive to visit Cozumel's Mayan ruins, beaches, and restaurants as the country is adding a Natural Disaster Prevention Fund of $5 per cruise ship passenger.

As first reported by PorEsto, the new tax would apply to guests visiting a port in either Cozumel, Mexico or Costa Maya, Mexico and will be a single payment, regardless of which port they enter first.

It would apply to cruise ship passengers only, and not crew members.

It's not yet clear how the new tax would be implemented in regards to those that already have a 2025 cruise booked.

The goal of the tax is to improve tourism infrastructure. “Seventy percent of the income will be used to improve the tourist infrastructure and the remaining 30 percent will be used to create a Natural Disaster Fund for when storms, rain, and hurricanes impact the area.

The new tax could become a reality in 2025.

From January to October of this year, 3,260,568 passengers have arrived at the three piers of Cozumel, which represents a growth of 16.5 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

The island of Cozumel is the third-busiest cruise ship port in the world, and is visited by about 1,250 cruise ships each year.

Quintana Roo is located on the eastern portion of the Yucatan peninsula, and two popular cruise ports are within the state.  The other port in Eastern Mexico that Royal Caribbean cruise ships visit, Progreso, is in the state of Yucatan.

Port fees and other extra cruise costs

Port fees and taxes, such as this new tax, are levied on top of the base cruise fare. Royal Caribbean recently made a change to how it advertises its cruise prices by including fees and taxes in their pricing.

As an example, port fees and taxes for a 7-night cruise on Wonder of the Seas in 2025 amounted to $325.18, or $162.59 per person.

There's no getting around these fees, as it's levied by the countries ships visit and cruise lines simply pass it onto the passenger.

While the fare you pay for a cruise vacation includes the basics, there are other costs you'll need to account for in the total vacation cost.

Some of the extra charges are what you probably expect, such as souvenirs, a spa treatment, or a shore excursion not being included.

However, there are extra costs that take some cruisers by surprise when they discover them, especially first time cruisers.

Internet access is not included with your cruise fare, and if you want to use Royal Caribbean's WiFi, you'll need to pay $27.99 per day for one device a at a time when purchased on the ship.

You could save a little bit of money off the cost if you pre-paid it before the cruise, as well as if you opted for a multi-device plan.

Another extra cost is room service, which Royal Caribbean began charging for in 2017.

A single $7.95 per order fee is added to any room service order, regardless of how much you order.

An 18% gratuity is added on top of the $7.95 fee for a total cost of around $9.40.

Another common extra cost you'll run into are drinks.

Royal Caribbean includes basic beverages with your cruise fare, you'll need to pay extra if you want a soda, beer, wine, cocktail, or latte. 

You can pay for each drink individually, with a can of soda costing $3.50 each, or a beer at $7.99 each.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink prices list

Gratuities are another extra cost you're going to run into on any cruise.

Each passenger pays a daily gratuity that covers the services of the crew members they interact with the most, and this daily rate is charged automatically unless the guest pre-pays it prior to the cruise.

Royal Caribbean charges $18.00 per day, per person for guests staying in a Junior Suite or below, and $20.50 per day per person for guests staying in a suite.

On a typical seven-night cruise, that's around $500 in fees for a family of four.

The best location for a cabin on a cruise ship is a top question often asked.

It seems simple, but the answer is far more subjective because of how personal in nature the options are.

Depending on your preferences, the perfect cruise ship cabin might be completely different from someone else. This is because we value different aspects of a cabin, as well as how we approach the cruise experience. The debate of whether a balcony cabin is worth it is a microcosm of the issue.

You'll find a huge range of cabins all around the ship and at all sorts of prices, from the affordable and outrageous to the petite and sprawling. And quite often, the room you'll end up booking is somewhere in between.

Believe it or not, it's actually easier to answer the question of which cabins are a mistake to book rather than which cabins are truly the best.

But since this question comes up so often, here are the best cabins to book for most people and why they might be the right choice for you.

1. Midship

As a general rule of thumb, a cabin in the middle of the ship is a winner for most people.

Midship cabins are a great choice because they offer a centralized convenience to the rest of the ship, especially the elevators.  On Royal Caribbean's bigger ships, distance to the nearest elevator can be a major consideration.

Equally important is the fact a midship cabin will feel less movement than a cabin closer to the end of the ship (especially the front).

Avoiding seasickness on a cruise is a top concern of a lot of first-time cruisers, and one tried-and-true strategy is to book a room midship to minimize the sensation of movement. A midship cabin won't be immune to all sensations of movement, but it helps.

Speaking of seasickness, you not only want to be midship, but also on a lower deck too.

2. Aft balcony

The more I cruised, the more I started hearing from veteran cruisers about the virtues of booking a balcony on the back of the ship.

An aft balcony is a balcony that overlooks the back of the ship, but why are these rooms so desirable?

In short, aft balcony rooms offer a different perspective than a balcony on the side of the ship and a lot of people find this view more relaxing. Plus, the balcony itself is usually wider, offering a better angle.

On many Royal Caribbean ships, the size of an aft balcony can be gargantuan compared to a balcony on the side of the ship. 

If there's a downside to an aft balcony it's the distance back to elevators.

3. Hump balcony

You might do a double-take when you first hear about these kinds of balcony rooms, but it's a real thing.

The so-called "hump" balcony cabins are the rooms on the outwards part of the curvy outline of the ship. If you look at a deck plan, you'll notice around mid-ship, the hull design jets outward. 

Essentially, you pay the same price as a regular balcony but get extra space.

Plus, hump balcony rooms are usually midship, which double up on the benefits mentioned earlier about a midship room.

You'll find hump balcony rooms with massive balconies on Radiance, Voyager, Freedom, Oasis or Quantum Class ships, but look closely at the deck plan to see which balconies are larger.

4. Cheap cabins

For a lot of people, the best cabin is located wherever the price is right.

Cruises aren't free, so every dollar you can save on your vacation is a dollar you can spend on another cruise. For many cruisers, finding the cheapest cabin available for a good deal is the right choice for them.

Finding a bargain room is almost certainly going to get you an inside cabin somewhere, but the cost savings usually resonate enough. After all, a lot of cruisers spend very little time in their cabin because of all the fun to be had around the ship and in the ports of call. So why invest money in a space you're not going to spend a lot of time in necessarily.

It's important to understand booking the cheapest room could have consequences if luck is not on your side, such as a room on an extreme end of the ship, noise bleed issues from surrounding cabins, or very small living space.

5. Connecting cabins

If you're cruising with kids, I cannot understate enough the benefits of connecting cabins instead of one large cabin.

Connecting cabins are rooms that have a common inside door between them, which allows you to have two full cabins, along with separation between the two of them. Plus, each room has its own bathroom.

Booking two connecting cabins is a great way to get privacy, space for everyone, and an extra bathroom. 

You'd be surprised how affordable two connecting rooms can be versus booking a single larger room to fit 4 or 5 people.

The downside to connecting cabins is they are a terrible choice if you aren't booking both rooms. The common door between the rooms is not as sound proof as the walls, so it is very easy to hear what's happening in the other room.

If you're not booking both connecting rooms, avoid booking a connecting cabin.

What about suites?

You might be wondering why there aren't any suites on my list. There are two reasons why it's not here, but could still be a great choice.

First and foremost, the locations we talked about could include suites too. There are suites located midship, on the aft, and even suites that can connect with another room. So the rationale explained earlier in this post holds true whether if you are in an inside room or a suite.

And then of course there's the price tag a suite commands. 

It's easy to assume booking a suite is like pushing the easy button for a cruise vacation. While I'm not denying there are a lot of great benefits you get for booking a suite, the significantly higher price tag makes it a challenge for many to afford.

In short, you don't need to book a suite to have a great room on a cruise.

Picking the best room on a cruise

There is no single option for everyone that is "the best." Rather, the best cabin for anyone is relative to their preferences, budget, and tastes.

Royal Caribbean provides a great deal of staterooms to choose between on any cruise, that run the gamut of price, location, and amenities.

When it comes to picking the best stateroom, you will have to weigh these considerations:

• Budget
• Cabin location
• Stateroom type and size

First and foremost, how much you can spend on a room will dictate largely your choices. If you are cruising on a slim budget, suites and perhaps even balcony rooms are going to be out of the question. If you have more to spend, then you will have more choices.

Perhaps the toughest decision is what type of stateroom to pick. There are good arguments to be made for every type of room, from inside rooms to balconies to suites.

An inside room will save you a lot of money, and makes a lot of sense since the ship has so much to see and do that you likely will not be spending much time in the room. You could spend a little bit more and get an oceanview room and gain some natural light. Or perhaps you go for a balcony room, which provides a private area to step outside and enjoy the ocean breeze as you see fit. And of course, a suite means having the ultimate in luxury onboard, and being in a room that nice, you will find good reasons to enjoy time in there.

Choosing the right room for you is about how you like to cruise, and what you are looking to do onboard. Shorter cruises mean you will likely be running around trying to see and do everything, so investing a ton in an expensive room may not make financial sense. On longer sailings, having a larger room means more space to spread out and enjoy napping, reading, or watching the world go by.

Deciding if a balcony room is worth the price is something many cruisers have to consider with each booking. Ultimately, it depends on your budget and how much more it would cost to move up to a balcony room (or suite) from a lower category.

The importance of location

Where your room is located plays a factor in determining what the best location is on a cruise ship.

The primary concern for most people when choosing a room is noise bleed. The good news is that most rooms on Royal Caribbean do a good job at blocking out most noise, but no stateroom is soundproof.

A good rule of thumb when choosing a room is picking one that has no public spaces directly one deck above or one deck below it.

When choosing a room, you will need to look at whether it's on a higher deck versus a lower deck, as well as midship versus forward or aft.

In general, the most popular spot to be on a cruise ship is midship on a higher deck because these rooms are centrally located. Moreover, cabins towards the middle of the ship have the reputation of providing a smoother ride when the ocean is rough. The sensation of movement due to the ocean is perceived differently by everyone, but it is worth noting.

Staying on a lower deck has the advantage of being closer to popular common areas, such as the Royal Promenade, theaters, and dining rooms. This means less dependency on elevators.

A room on a higher deck provides more desirable views, as well as being closer in proximity to the pool deck. On warm weather sailings, this may be a very convenient choice.

Which is the best side of a cruise ship to be on?

Many readers are curious about which side of the ship they should pick for the room, and I believe it does not matter at all.

First and foremost, there is no set side that is always going to face one particular direction in port or at sea. It varies depending on a variety of factors, and none of them are going to be known until you are onboard. Moreover, there is plenty to see in all directions when it comes to most sailings.

When docked, the crew can tie up a ship on either side. This means that one side does not consistently have better views when in port.

Ultimately, where your room is located on the ship (midship versus forward or aft) is an arguably more important consideration than the side of the ship.

Room upgrades and guarantees

If all of this has made sense up until now, here are two other stateroom options that may change up your decision, while potentially saving you money.

Bidding for a room upgrade

Royal Caribbean offers guests on most sailings the opportunity to bid for a stateroom upgrade through RoyalUp.

RoyalUp asks guests to provide a blind bid for a stateroom upgrade on the chance the room is available. Once a bid is made, Royal Caribbean will consider it until such time that there is an upgrade opportunity. 

The advantage of upgrading your room via RoyalUp is that you could move up to a higher, more desirable room, for less than booking it outright. However, there is no way to know if there is even an upgrade opportunity (the program is used quite often by the cruise line as a backup in case someone cancels at the last minute) and there is no way to know if your bid is "good enough" to win.

If your RoyalUp bid is accepted, Royal Caribbean will assign your room automatically, leaving little to no choice in its location.

Guarantee cabins

If you want to save money on a cabin and are not particular about the exact location, then a guarantee cabin assignment might be the choice for you.

Booking a stateroom guarantee means Royal Caribbean will pick the exact room assignment for you while guaranteeing you will get that room category or higher.

So if you booked a balcony guarantee, you would be assured of getting at least a stateroom with a private balcony somewhere on the ship, with the exact room assignment coming later. Guarantee rooms could potentially provide a higher room category, although this is a rare occurrence.

For guests who do not care that much where exactly on the ship their room is located, a guarantee room booking can save a lot of money on the cruise fare.

Choosing the right balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise involves understanding the different categories and what each one offers.

When booking a balcony stateroom on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s essential to know how the room categories differ. 

Here is what you need to know about these balcony room to know the difference between them all.

1D vs 2D vs 5D vs 7D

When you decide to book a balcony stateroom, you will see a variety of category numbers: 1D, 4D, 1A, 1E, 2F, etc. There are sixteen sub-categories of balcony staterooms across Royal Caribbean's fleet (not including suites or interior balcony rooms).

Categories like 1D, 2D, and 5D indicate the room's location and size, with lower numbers typically signifying more desirable rooms closer to mid-ship and with more square footage. As the number increases, rooms are often further from mid-ship and may have less space, resulting in lower prices.

The differences can be very subtle from one category to another, but the price tends to drop as the number climbs (i.e. a 7D tends to be cheaper than a 1D).

Another difference between staterooms is the capacity of the cabin. Rooms that accommodate more guests may cost more, but it's the only way to have three and four passengers in the room. 

Location on the ship is another key factor because mid-ship rooms are highly desirable for those concerned about seasickness or who prefer convenience to the elevators.

Other balcony categories

In addition to balcony staterooms that have the letter "D" in the category, there are other categories of balcony staterooms that may be on the same ship.

• A : Ultra Spacious Ocean View with Large Balcony
• C: Ocean view with Large Balcony
• E: Obstructed Ocean View Balcony
• F: Studio Ocean View Balcony
• X: Ocean View Balcony Guarantee

Oasis Class ships

Quantum Class

Freedom Class

Voyager Class

Radiance Class

Vision Class

Which room should I book?

Now that you understand what the categories mean, you might be wondering which category is the right choice for your family.

First and foremost, you will be limited by the room capacity, so if you want a room that can handle 3 or 4 guests, then any category that can only sleep up to 2 guests is out of the question.  Similarly, rooms that can accommodate 4 guests may be "overkill" for what you need.

The other two considerations are price and location.

The location of a cabin is arguably the next most important consideration, as where your room is on the ship (mid-ship, aft, forward, or somewhere inbetween) is an important consideration for some. 

If you are concerned about getting seasick, or prefer convenience to the elevators, then a room mid-ship should be your choice.

Lastly, price moves a lot of guests one way or another. Those higher balcony room numbers (6D and 7D) are going to cost you less, but expect a longer walk down the hall. The obstructed view rooms will save you money as well, but you will not have full view out of your balcony.

Ultimately, the rooms left to book and budget tend to dictate which room categories are really under consideration. Knowing how Royal Caribbean has categorized its rooms provides better insight into picking the right choice for you.

Perfect Day at CocoCay is a private island just for Royal Caribbean passengers, and there are so many things you can do during your visit. 

This private island is an impressive combination of beaches, pool, thrill experiences and more.

Royal Caribbean sought to deliver the ideal private island experience with its expansive offerings at CocoCay. There's multiple beaches to choose from, a water park, giant freshwater pool, beach club, zip line, and much more.

Odds are your Caribbean cruise will make a stop at CocoCay, so how do you best take advantage of your time there? We came up with the absolute best advice for anyone to maximize their visit.

Before you hit the beach, pool, or slides, here is everything you need to know about Perfect Day at CocoCay!

1. What is Perfect Day at CocoCay?

CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas, which means only Royal Caribbean cruise ships can go there.

The island spans 125 acres and if offers a little bit of everything for everyone, such as the beaches, ziplines, pools, adults-only spaces, and lots of food.

Just like any port your cruise ship will visit, your ship docks there and it is up to you if you want to get off and visit.

Basically, the island is one enormous shore excursion run by Royal Caribbean that you do not have to spend any extra money (although you certainly can in some cases) to enjoy a fun day at the beach.

The island is split up into zones, where you can easily navigate the vibe and offerings based on the name. You just need to bring your SeaPass card and a towel, and that's it!

Perfect Day at CocoCay is almost an extension of the cruise ship experience, making it easy for cruise ship passengers to enjoy without the "middle man" of shore excursion and outside vendors you would have to navigate on another island.

2. What's new at Perfect Day at CocoCay?

Royal Caribbean opened a new adults-only area at Hideaway Beach in 2024.

Hideaway Beach is meant to be a counter-balance to the family-friendly programming found elsewhere on the island for those who want a break from it.

Hideaway Beach has an admission cost to enter, and is limited to around 2,000 passengers each day.

3. What should you bring with you?

Since Royal Caribbean operates the island, there is a bit less to have to bring than to a regular cruise port.

The most important things you should bring to the CocoCay are:

• SeaPass card
• Cash: Tipping cabana attendants requires cash.
• Sunscreen
• Closed-toe shoes: If you are going on the zip line, these will be needed.
• Beach towels: You can get these from the ship.  If you are in a cabana or Coco Beach Club, towels are provided for you.

It's also a good idea to bring sunglasses, hats, and wear a rashguard to protect yourself from the sun. Most of the year, the sun will be shining and the last thing you want to do is bring home a sunburn from your time there.

Don't forget anything special you may need for kids, such as baby supplies.

I also recommend a good beach bag to carry everything with you on and off the island. 

4. Your drink package works at CocoCay

If you purchase a Royal Caribbean drink package for your cruise, you can use the drink package benefits while at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

This means if you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you can enjoy unlimited alcoholic beverages, along with bottled water, sodas and more. Likewise, the Royal Refreshment and Soda Package benefits extend to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Just like on the ship, souvenir cups or drinks served in pineapples/coconuts are not included with your drink package benefits.  If you have the Deluxe Beverage Package, you can get a discount on the souvenir cup. Or you can ask for the drink in a regular cup to pay no additional charge.

If you are a Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club guest, your daily drink vouchers are accepted at CocoCay as well!

5. Internet packages work too

If you have a Voom internet package, you will have internet connectivity at Perfect Day at CocoCay.  

WiFi coverage extends across the island, which means you can stay connected and share photos or videos with friends back home. Heck, you can even post updates on our message boards!

6. Best times for shortest water slide lines

Thrill Waterpark is home to Perfect Day at CocoCay's incredible water slides, and as you might imagine, a lot of cruisers are going to want to try them all. 

While lines for the slides are usually quite manageable, here are the best times to try the slides to have a minimal wait:

• Before 11am
• After 3pm

7. Secret menu item at Snack Shack

Snack Shack serves up some great food, but they also have a menu item that is not listed on the printed menu.

If you ask nicely, you can get a chicken parmigiana sandwich that is essentially a cross between the crispy chicken sandwich, mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce. You can order this by asking for the "secret sandwich."

8. Prebook to save money

Whether you want to visit Thrill Waterpark, go for a ride on the Up, Up & Away helium balloon, snorkel or pretty much anything else that will cost extra at Perfect Day at CocoCay, be sure to pre-book it before your cruise.

Royal Caribbean regularly discounts activities and add-ons you can enjoy while at CocoCay, and this means money saved compared to waiting to reserve it once onboard.

Moreover, booking in advance assures you of a spot and protects against something selling out. It is common for the Coco Beach Club, cabanas or the water park to sell out, so book early.

You can view prices and make reservations on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site.

9. What's included at no extra cost?

There is a lot of attention for the activities that cost extra, but there are a lot of fun things to do that cost absolutely nothing extra.

First and foremost, you can walk around the island without paying extra. Just like any port of call, you can walk off the ship and explore on your own.

Here is a list of things that are included with your cruise fare when you visit Perfect Day at CocoCay:

• Splashaway Bay
• Captain Jill's Galleon
• Skipper's Grill
• Chill Grill
• Snack Shack
• Oasis Lagoon pool (Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels)
• Chill Island (Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels)
• South Beach (Beach chairs, umbrellas and towels)
• Sports Courts
• Fitness Classes
• Freshwater showers
• Tram service
• Beach access wheelchairs

10. Free tram service around the island

Keep an eye out for the complimentary trams that are found around Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Beginning when you walk down the pier, you will find a tram service to take you down the pier to save some steps (you will have plenty at Thrill Waterpark).

Once on the island, there is a complimentary tram service that can take you to all corners of Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

As a bonus, many of the trams are solar powered!

11. If you want a quiet spot, go to Chill Island

If your idea of a fun day is quiet time getting away from it all, head to Chill Island. Chill Island is accessible via the green pathway that is towards the left side when you walk onto Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Once at Chill Island, keep to the left side of the area for pristine ocean views that have no music or the sounds of people at the pool or water park. Instead, you will find only the sound of the ocean waves.

Another good option for a quiet spot is South Beach.

While South Beach has a floating bar and some music playing, it gets far less crowded than anywhere else because it's a longer walk and not as obvious a place to find when walking off the ship.

The further down South Beach you walk, the fewer people you will find.

12. DIY ice cream sandwiches

You will find self-serve soft-serve ice cream machines at Perfect Day, along with chocolate chip cookies. See where I am going with this?

Grab two cookies, dispense ice cream between the two and combine for an awesome dessert.

13. Keep an eye out for chickens, iguanas and birds

This is a fun tidbit, but Perfect Day at CocoCay is home to more than just beautiful views. If you walk enough of the island, it is not uncommon to see wild chickens roaming the grounds, along with iguanas that sometimes get close to the dining areas to see if any scraps of food rolled away.

Seagulls can also be found flying around, so be sure to keep an eye on your food.

Regardless of the animal, please do not feed any of them.

14. Got kids? Don't miss the free slides

It is easy to gravitate towards Thrill Waterpark, but Royal Caribbean provides two water splash areas for kids that cost absolutely nothing extra.

Captain Jill's Galleon and Splashaway Bay are located immediately at the entrance to the island from the pier.

If you have younger kids (elementary school age or younger), you may find these areas a great fit for kids, with seating around both areas for adults to supervise.

Both of the splash zones include small slides, water cannons, geysers and more.  

Children up to 42″ and 200lbs are able to use these areas.

Given there is no cost to go here, and many of the slides in the waterpark have height requirements, families with younger children may prefer Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill's Galleon.

15. Chairs & umbrellas cost nothing extra

You don't have to worry about hustling to find a spot at CocoCay.

There are chairs and umbrellas in every region of the island, with plenty to go around. If you visited CocoCay in the past, you may recall shade being at a premium, but Royal Caribbean has added a ton more seating and umbrellas to go with it.

The only seating that truly goes quickly are the seats at the swim-up bar in Oasis Lagoon, but it is easy enough to swim up and place an order without a chair.

16. Don't miss the floating bar

Located near South Beach, Royal Caribbean operates a floating bar in the ocean.

It is less of a swim-up bar and more of a wade-up bar, but once you get to it, you climb a short ladder to get onboard the tiki bar and enjoy drinks in the ocean.

The floating bar has a limited selection of drinks, and no blender, so plan on beers or basic mixed drinks.

17. Your SeaPass card works almost everywhere

Just like on the ship, Royal Caribbean designed Perfect Day at CocoCay to be reliant on the SeaPass card instead of cash.

Your SeaPass card will get you into Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach, Coco Beach Club, and any shore excursion you book. Don’t worry about losing shore excursion tickets. Everything is loaded to your SeaPass card. 

It is also how you pay for drinks or souvenirs.

18. First visit strategy

Is it your first time to Perfect Day at CocoCay? Here is what you should consider when planning your day.

First and foremost, get up and out to the island as early as you can. By being ashore early, you can beat the crowds that descend later on.

Since there is so much to see and do on the island, it may make sense to try a few places out during your visit, rather than commit to just one.

Keep in mind that you can't do it all in one visit. While you can certainly knock out a few big parts of the island, don't try to visit every inch in one visit. Plan to come back again!

A good idea is to start with the Oasis Lagoon pool first and then hit the beaches after. The pool tends to get busier as the day progresses, so going to Oasis Lagoon earlier means you can enjoy more of the space without as many people.

Once you get your fill of the pool, decide on a beach to visit, or perhaps beach hop to get a sense of what each offers.

Chill Island and South Beach are the two most popular beaches. Chill Island is closer to more activities (and the ship), so if mobility is an issue, it may be a better choice.

Hideaway Beach, Thrill Waterpark, and the Coco Beach Club are extra-cost options, and if you elect to book one of them, plan on spending most of your day there. If you do book one of these, be very certain to get onto the island as early as you can to maximize your time.

I would not recommend booking Thrill Waterpark, Hideaway Beach, and Coco Beach Club for the same day, because there is not enough time to enjoy both options.

19. There is no breakfast on CocoCay

I advocate getting off the ship as early as you can to take advantage of your time there, but make sure you grab something to eat on the ship first.

There is no breakfast option on the island, and food does not open up until the lunch offerings begin later in the morning.

The Coco Beach Club is the one exception, and offers coffee and pastries to its guests.

20. Book a Thrill Waterpark cabana if your family is going to the waterpark

Whether or not you should book a CocoCay cabana for the day is a tough decision usually, unless you are going to the waterpark.

If you have at least 3 or 4 people who want to buy admission to Thrill Waterpark, you should take a hard look at the Thrill Waterpark cabanas.

Not only does a Thrill Waterpark cabana offer a relaxing and private spot for your family to enjoy, but it also includes admission to the waterpark for up to 6 guests into the waterpark.

If you have 4-6 guests, then the decision becomes a near slam dunk to get the cabana, in my opinion, because the extra cost of the cabana will be substantially less since you were going to pay for the waterpark passes.

21. Will it be too cold if I am visiting in December, January, or February?

Generally speaking, the tropics do not experience the same kind of winter temperature swings found further north. It remains mostly temperate, if not warm, throughout the winter months.

That being said, cold fronts can certainly make their way down to the Bahamas, and it is not unheard of for the temperature to drop into the 70s at times.

The good news is the ocean temperature does not change much, and will remain warmer for longer periods of time after the air temperatures drop.  

Oasis Lagoon can be on the chillier side during winter months, but one person's "cold" is another person's "you just have to get used to it".

I have found CocoCay to be more than enjoyable in the winter months, including the swimming options. If you are coming from somewhere that has snow during winter, CocoCay in December through February will feel divine.

22. Is a cabana rental worth it?

If you can afford it, a cabana rental is a great way to splurge during your day.

Cabanas offer privacy, shade, fantastic waiter service, and a "home base" for your family during your day. Your cabana attendant will bring you complimentary food throughout the day, as well as take drink orders.

Of course, cabanas have an extra cost and they are not cheap. Not to mention you may feel a sense of obligation to stay in the cabana to "get your money's worth".

The reason to book a cabana is for the privacy and service it provides. There are plenty of umbrellas and shade around the island, so don't worry about that.   

The more people you have, the more compelling a cabana is to book. If you have 6-8 guests, the price per person makes the choice far more reasonable. If you can split the cost between two families, then you really have a great value.

23. Where should you eat lunch?

One of the unheralded improvements Royal Caribbean made to CocoCay is the upgraded dining choices.

The days of only having burgers and hot dogs are gone (although you can get them still), and there is a wide variety of complimentary food on the island.

The two main areas to eat are Chill Grill and the Snack Shack.

Chill Grill is like the island's Windjammer, with the most variety of food to pick from, along with shaded seating nearby. You will find salads, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, and much more. Chill Grill is also where to go to get soft-serve ice cream.

Skipper’s Grill is centrally located and very similar to Chill Grill.

The Snack Shack offers more grab-and-go choices, such as chicken sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, burgers, and even a light Greek salad. Snack Shack is the only restaurant inside Thrill Waterpark.

The Coco Beach Club has its own restaurant and you will not find burgers, hot dogs and other typical island fare here. Instead, there is lobster, steak, grilled fish, ceviche, babaganoush and plenty more to enjoy.

Moreover, you can order unlimited entrees at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, so feel free to try a couple of dishes while you are there.

Captain Jack's is an extra-cost restaurant near the pier, which has wings and fries. Unless you are craving chicken wings and would be disappointed not to get them, you can skip this.

24. Day beds at Coco Beach Club go very quickly

If you bought admission to the Coco Beach Club, plan to get there as early as you can for prime seating.

There are a handful of day beds and in-pool loungers at the infinity pool that are available to whomever claims them first.

While there are plenty of beach lounge chairs and umbrellas to go around, seating around the pool goes very quickly.  So if you want one, plan to arrive early.

25. You can get fresh towels anytime

Bringing pool towels to use on Perfect Day at CocoCay is what most people do, but don't feel like you need to stick with the same towels all day.

There are towel stations strategically located around the island for you to go to and exchange your wet towel for a fresh one.  This is really helpful for kids who love to use their towels early and often.

If you bought admission to the Coco Beach Club or Hideaway Beach, they have their own towels, so don't bother bringing one off the ship.

26. No rash guards on slides

Something you should know about is the lifeguards are pretty strict about not wearing rash guards while going down the water slides in Thrill Waterpark.

You can certainly take off the rash guard and hold it as you go down, and then put it back on, but in my experience, I had to do this every time I went down a slide without a raft in the water park.

Why? Because rash guards (or shirts) cause drag on the slide, and can slow you down to the point you could actually stop.

27. You can snorkel at CocoCay

Whether you bring your own snorkel equipment or rent gear from Royal Caribbean, there is a spot for snorkeling.

You can use your own snorkel gear and not have to pay anything to access the snorkel area. Alternatively, you can rent gear on the island.

There is even a lifeguard on a platform near the deeper part of the snorkeling area, and you will see plenty of marine life, including fish, stingrays and perhaps even a sea turtle.  

There is a plane wreck under water, which attracts marine life too.

28. Excursions available too

If you want to mix in some fun excursions to your day in the sun, you can find a few interesting choices.

The two most popular add-ons are the zip-line and Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon Ride.

The Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon Ride takes you up to 450 feet above the island on a tethered balloon. Not only are the views amazing, but it provides the best photos while visiting.

The Perfect Day CocoCay Zipline takes you across three zip lines around the island, and it is a really fun experience, perfect for anyone who has never zip-lined before.

Keep in mind you need to be at least 48 inches tall, and weigh between 75 lbs and 275 lbs to go on the zip line.

There are also a few other excursions you can book:

• Jet ski rental
• Floating beach mat rental
• Scuba diving
• Kayak rentals

29. Water slide height restrictions

Before you book a pass to Thrill Waterpark, you should know about the minimum height and maximum weight restrictions to ensure there are no unexpected surprises later.

30. Use the signs to easily find your way

While Royal Caribbean provides you with a nice Perfect Day at CocoCay map in your cabin before your visit, I think you can leave the map in the room.

There are lots of signs throughout CocoCay to tell you where to go, and navigating is a lot easier than you might imagine.

When you get to the Arrivals Plaza, the pathways are color-coded:

• Light green: Chill Island
• Orange: Oasis Lagoon, Coco Beach Club
• Light blue: Thrill Waterpark

As you walk around the island, there are directional signs you can refer to as well to get your bearings. In addition, the Royal Caribbean app has a map you can refer to while on the island.

You can also hop on one of the free trams for a tour!

31. Free lockers you can use

Need somewhere to put your stuff? There are free lockers to use around Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Lockers can be found near the entrance to Thrill Waterpark and zip lines, Chill Island (north and south), and near the  helium balloon.

 Lockers are first come, first serve.  

32. Is Perfect Day at CocoCay accessible?

Yes, most of the island is accessible, although there are a few exceptions.

• Oasis Lagoon freshwater pool and the infinity pool at Coco Beach Club have pool lifts
• Wave Pool in Thrill Waterpark is wheelchair accessible
• In Thrill Waterpark, the towers to the slides have stairs
• The tower to the Zip Line has stairs
• Accessible trams are available on regular rotation throughout the island

33. Try the helium balloon ride early in the day

The weather changes a lot, especially at CocoCay, so if you want to ride the Up, Up & Away Helium Balloon Ride, plan to ride it early.

Depending on the winds, the balloon may only go up part of the way, and in general, winds are calmest in the morning.

Your best strategy for taking a ride up with the best chance at it not being delayed/canceled is to book it as early in the morning as you can.  

Royal Caribbean will shut it down if the winds are not favorable, and there's no guarantee it will reopen later.

34. Looking for a party?

If your idea of fun is a drink in hand and splashing around with some tunes, book a pass to Hideaway Beach.

Hideaway Beach has a giant heated pool that has a Las Vegas pool party vibe. A DJ, inflatable beach balls, and a swim-up bar all add to the experience.

Royal Caribbean designed this area to have a lot of energy, so those who want a Spring Break feel any time of the year will want to book a pass to Hideaway Beach.

35. Want live music?

If you prefer live music, head to Captain Jack's, where there is usually a live guitarist performing for part of the day.

The bar even has rope swing seats you can enjoy, and the whole area is covered, which means lots and lots of shade.

There's also a live band that performs at On The Rocks in Hideaway Beach.

36. Try the official drink of the island

The official drink of Perfect Day at CocoCay is known as the Coco Loco, and it is really tasty.

The Coco Loco is the kind of frozen concoction that is sure to put a smile on just about anyone's face.

It comes with rum, but you can get a non-alcoholic version as well for the kids.

37. Life jackets are available for no cost

If your child does not know how to swim, or just is not a very strong swimmer, swim vests are available to use throughout the island.

38. Drones are not allowed

While an aerial shot of the island would be pretty darn sweet, Royal Caribbean prohibits the use of drones at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

You are allowed to bring a drone on the ship to use in other ports, but drones are not to be operated onboard the ship at any time, nor on Royal Caribbean’s private destinations: Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas or Labadee, Haiti.

39. Some people actually live on the island

Nearly all of the supplies and personnel you see around CocoCay come from your cruise ship, but there is a contingent of Royal Caribbean employees that live there.

You can see these buildings from the top of the water slide towers, or if you go up on the zip line. They are located behind Thrill Waterpark.

40. Fun facts about CocoCay

Impress your friends and family with these fun facts!

• Daredevil's Peak, at 135 feet high, is the tallest waterslide in North America
• There are 6,000 lounge chairs on the island
• There are 12,000 umbrellas on the island
• Thrill Waterpark has the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean
• Thrill Waterpark also has 13 waterslides – the most anywhere in the Caribbean
• Upgrading the island to Perfect Day at CocoCay cost Royal Caribbean over $250 million

41. Free things to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay

You might notice the extra-charge activities more, but Royal Caribbean has included a lot in your cruise fare when you visit CocoCay.

It costs nothing to walk onto CocoCay, so no excursion tickets are required. You just grab your stuff and head ashore when you're ready.

Once on CocoCay, there are a number of places that you can access for free, starting with the beaches.

There are four beaches you can go to without any cost:

• Chill Island
• Harbor Beach
• South Beach
• Breezy Bay

Each beach has umbrellas, chairs, and lots of space to enjoy.

There are also two splash areas that are perfect for young children that cost nothing extra:

• Splashaway Bay
• Captain Jill’s Galleon

You'll encounter both near the arrivals area, with Captain Jill's Galleon resembling a real-life galleon that kids can climb, slide, and splash around. Kids can use the water cannons on the ship or nearby to splash anyone in the vicinity.

Behind Captain Jill's is Splashaway Bay, which has five waterslides, two drench buckets, geysers, water cannons, fountains, and just about any excuse to get wet.

Both areas are great for younger children.

Oasis Lagoon is home to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, and it covers 33,175 square feet.

There is a swim-up bar in the middle, with lagoons and islands surrounding it. The pool is free to use, but the drinks at the swim-up bar will cost extra (unless you have a drink package).

Lastly, there's plenty of food included during your visit. Lunch at a few different venues is served during most of the day and you can get as much of it as you like:

• Skipper's Grill
• Snack Shack
• Chill Grill

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One travel agent is raising a red flag about common scams she's seen that could ruin your cruise vacation plans.

 Jenn Greene is a Travel Planner affiliated with MEI Travel and regularly books Royal Caribbean cruises. She's one of the top earners at her agency, and she's run into all sorts of scenarios with her clients.

While most people have no issues, she's noticed an influx lately of bad actors who are causing problems, "With cruising being more popular than ever, we are seeing an uptick in scammers trying to take advantage of travelers."

Consumers should always be vigilant about sharing personal information, as well as deals that seem "too good to be true".

Whether it’s an overly aggressive salesperson on the other end of the phone, or an all-too-friendly Facebook profile, there’s plenty to be wary of.  Here are the most popular scams Jenn is seeing right now. 

Oversharing in cruise groups

While it may be a fun idea to join a group to coordinate with others on your cruise, user beware because scammers are among you.

We recommend finding a Facebook group or roll call thread for your upcoming sailing because of the opportunity to meet new friends and learn more about your specific sailing.  However, you want to keep your guard up in these groups.

Ms. Greene recommends not posting too much information about yourself or your cruise, "It’s ok to make plans to meet up at the bar once onboard, but don’t trust giving your information to others via private messages."

"Before you know it, a scammer has your phone number, email and booking information, which gives them easy access to your vacation plans."

If you think Ms. Greene is exaggerating the concern, a woman recently learned this lesson the hard way when she lost a $15,000 cruise after posting reservation number on social media.

Call the right phone number

This may seem trivial, but scammers pay a lot of money to have their fake phone numbers land on Google searches. 

If you are looking for a contact number for Royal Caribbean, go directly to cruise line website, not the internet search bar.

Ms. Greene shared she's seen an uptick in these problems, "Just recently, cruisers that are booked have almost been scammed by these fake numbers, posing to be the cruise line."

She explained before the phone agent can "help you", they tell you that you owe more money for an embarkation fee, or a deck fee, which are all fake fees. 

"Once you pay them, they will then help you with whatever you may be calling about. When you hang up, they will have taken your money, and have your credit card information - and you still have no resolution to your problem," she explained.

"Free" cruise scam

If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is, including an offer for a free cruise.

Social media is rife with these posts that claim there's a giveaway for a free cruise, airplane ticket, or trip to a resort.

"It’s very common to see posts on Facebook, Instagram or other social media giving away the trip of a lifetime," Ms. Greene explained.  "Usually it’s an impersonation of a major cruise line, offering a free cruise giveaway or telling you that you’ve been specially selected."

She recommends if you are contacted by a cruise line on social media, do not trust it. 

Read more: 4 warning signs a cruise deal is too good to be true

Fake social media accounts

It’s common for scammers to create fake social media accounts based on well-known people in the cruise community, such as Captain Kate from Celebrity Cruises, or Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley.  

For example, you might receive a message that there’s a problem with your cruise booking or that there’s an exclusive offer on a cruise, but at some point, you’ll always be asked for your bank details as scammers try to get your money. 

Ms. Greene added, "it’s highly unlikely that a cruise CEO or Captain is reaching out to users on social media."

How to protect yourself against scams

Hopefully this warning will ensure you think twice in the future, but another safeguard is to work with a trusted travel agent.

A good travel agent can answer any questions you may have along the way. You'll have a direct contact at all times to assist with your plans.

Want to change your dining time? Not sure, if you already prepaid gratuity? Travel agents are always there to help. A good travel agent will never charge a fee, and will help you every step of the way.

Royal Caribbean Blog works exclusively with MEI Travel and cannot say enough about their professionalism and service. 

Americans are spending more on travel than any other leisure category, and going on vacation is more of a need than a luxury.

Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty told investors during a recent earnings call that his company's research is seeing consumers increasing their travel spend over the next year, even though some Americans are worried about the economy.

"Our research suggests that consumers are spending more on travel than any other leisure category and that they intend to increase their travel spend in the next 12 months."

A study by Forbes indicates that 46% of Americans are somewhat or very likely to adjust their travel plans in one way or another due to inflation.

It's no secret that a Royal Caribbean cruise costs more today than it did a few years ago, and that trend will continue into 2025 and 2026.

Mr. Liberty said Royal Caribbean Group's revenue for the second half of 2024 is 25% higher than it was in 2019, and they're getting more bookings for 2025 than for 2024, and that means the higher pricing trend will continue into 2025 and beyond.

We asked our readers one way they will cut the cost of your cruise vacation this year in order to cope with higher vacation costs. Two trends seemed to emerge from our polling.

Less onboard spending

The most commonly cited strategy by cruisers how they'll save money is by spending less on the options presented onboard.

Royal Caribbean's cruise fare does not include alcoholic beverages, WiFi access, shore excursions, specialty dining, and other add-ons.  

Many people said they would skip out on booking specialty restaurants, internet access, or drink packages.

Sharon Johnson posted, "Going back to my beginning days of cruising in the 80's and 90's. Inside cabin, no drink package, no WiFi."  She added, "this will be different, but affordable."

Stacey Boden wrote, "Cutting back on specialty dining, rethinking drink packages, redeeming RC Credit Card points for onboard credit for gratuities, minimal shore excursions if any."

These add-ons are not cheap, as drink packages regularly cost more than $100 per person, per day if purchased onboard.

Specialty dining costs add up too, even with a dining package.  More than two specialty restaurants will easily exceed $100 a person.

Jim Couch said he wouldn't cut back, but look for better sales, "Not exactly cutting costs but we did pay attention to when Royal Caribbean would have sales and re-purchase at the lower price. Ended up saving about $300 that way from our first booking."

Downsizing to smaller cabins and older cruise ships

Another strategy a lot of people mentioned was booking smaller, less expensive cabins.

Generally speaking, an inside cabin will be cheaper than a higher category cabin, such as a balcony.

Read more: Inside vs Balcony cabins on a cruise ship

Kim Dudzinski wrote, "I’ve started booking interiors, prices have increased so much lately! Now paying for an interior what we used to spend on a balcony. It’s fine though as we rarely use the balcony."

Nicole Amadio added, "Inside cabins, we need two rooms so this saves big time. We are also busy bodies and can’t sit in one spot for too long so I don’t think we would get the use out of a balcony."

Tracie Jolliffe thinks the decision to downgrade her cabin makes a lot of sense beyond the cost, "I actually prefer ocean view over balcony because the one time I tried a balcony I really didn’t use it. I also like the view through the window better than the view through the balcony. Unpopular opinion, but it works for me!"

The other strategy is to skip out on Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ships because of the premium pricing they command.

New ships include the latest and greatest features the cruise line has conjured up, but the cost is going to be likely higher than a ship that's been in the fleet more than 10 years.

Andy Unwin posted, "Not doing new ships. Older ships are more economical."

Steve Cohen commented, "Cruising from local port instead of flying. Cruising on an older ship instead of new one."

Robin Brook will combine all the strategies mentioned in this article, "Definitely an older smaller ship, which I prefer anyway. While I enjoy indulging, I don't have to drink to have fun. So dumping the drink package. Eating in the main dining room and buffet rather than in a specialty restaurant."

Some of the best values in cruising are on Royal Caribbean's Voyager, Radiance, and Vision Class cruise ships. That's because they regularly offer the lowest prices.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ships by size

Cruise during off-peak times

The other strategy to save money some people in our poll mentioned was to opt to cruise when there's less demand.

While Royal Caribbean sails year-round, there's an ebb and a flow to demand and there are certain times of the year where you'll usually find better prices because demand drops.

Midge O'Neil-Borsilli wrote, "I am looking at off season weeks and when kids are in school ( no holidays and summer)."

Chaz Iannaci added, "We live in Florida and sail out of Florida mostly. Drive to port. Book aboard ship. Book off season."

Annamarie Meyers posted, "Going off season and not doing specialty dining or cabana on CocoCay."

This strategy works well for anyone who isn't beholden to the school calendar, as the times of year when kids are on vacation is when a lot more families look to sail.

Kids Sail Free is a promotion Royal Caribbean offers from time to time on select sailings that are usually a great vacation discount.  Throughout the year, Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free deals as a way to encourage new bookings. 

Royal Caribbean regularly updates the offer on a monthly basis. In this post, we will cover information about the promotion, tips for booking it, and offer answers to frequently asked questions.

For starters, Kids Sail Free is an offer Royal Caribbean offers selectively throughout the year. 

What is Kids Sail Free promotion?

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

The "catch" with a Kids Sail Free deal are the blackout dates that prevent you from booking the promotion.

There are usually many blackout dates associated with any Kids Sail Free offer, which means if your cruise begins on or in any of the blackout dates, the Kids Sail Free offer does not qualify. Not surprisingly, most of the black out dates are over major school holidays in the United States calendar year. 

Here are some sample blackout dates from past Kids Sail Free offers:

• Spring break sailings departing March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025
• Holiday sailings departing December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025
• Alaska Summer sailings departing May 23 – August 29, 2025

Kids Sail Free dates

Last updated October 28, 2024

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in October and November 2024.

The offer runs on bookings made between applies to select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after October 2, 2024.

It provides $0 cruise fare for additional guest 12 years old and younger as of the departure date booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guests.

Kids Sail Free excludes all sailings departing on or during any of the following dates November 22 - 29, 2024; December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025; March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025; May 22 – August 29, 2025; November 20 - 28, 2025; December 18, 2025 – January 6, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025; Anthem of the Seas sailings departing November 21 – December 28, 2024; Chinese New Year on Anthem of the Seas departing January 27, 2025 except for Alaska Summer sailings departing May 23 – August 29, 2025.

Taxes, fees, and port expenses are additional and apply to all guests.

How often does Royal Caribbean offer Kids Sail Free?

There is no pattern to how many times a year or when the offer will become available.

Kids Sail Free is usually available a few times throughout the year. In fact, Royal Caribbean has been offering Kids Sail Free deals far more regularly than ever before.

Is it really free?

Assuming your kids qualify for the deal, their cruise fare cost will be zero.

You are still responsible for paying for the taxes and port fees associated with the children, along with any other charges onboard.  But if you look at the cruise invoice, their cruise fare will be zero. 

Like all guests, a daily gratuity will be charged per passenger, including the kids.

Be sure to check the fine print before booking to understand exactly the full price of the cruise.

When comparing prices, it is critical to compare the exact cabin type to each other. 

Often, people will look at the price of a cabin designed for two people and then increase the amount of people in the cabin to four people, and get a different cabin category.

The easiest cabin category to see how much money Kids Sail Free can save are suites because most suites can accommodate up to 4 people all the time. Not to mention the per-person savings in a suite will be significantly higher than in lower cabins.

Kids Sail For Less

In addition to the Kids Sail Free offer, Royal Caribbean may also offer the Kids Sail For Less offer, which is typically 25-30% off cruise fare for third guests and higher booked in the same stateroom as the first two qualified guests.

The primary advantage of Kids Sail For Less is there are no blackout dates associated with Kids Sail For Less.  This means if you have a couple of kids in your stateroom, you receive a discount on them. 

Moreover, Kids Sail For Less often does not have age restrictions in place, so really any guest of any age who is a third guest, fourth guest, fifth guest, et al in the same stateroom as the first two guests can get a discount.

Is Kids Sail Free a lie?

A common question asked is when comparing prices, adding kids to a reservation in order to take advantage of a Kids Sail Free offer ends up increasing the overall price.

The reason why this occurs is when you select a cabin for two passengers, the system assigns you a stateroom designed just for two guests. When you add kids, it selects a different stateroom that is larger in living space so it can accommodate four people.

The vast majority of cabins on a cruise ship can only sleep two people.  Because they are plentiful, there is more supply, and higher supply means lower prices.  

Generally speaking, cabins that can sleep more than two people are fewer in supply.  There are not nearly as many, so they are in demand, they sell out quicker and that demand drives up the rate.  

If you were to compare booking a cabin as if everyone in your party was an adult and then compare that to two adults plus kids, you would see the price difference.  Only then is it apples-to-apples.  

Royal Caribbean has added a new restriction on qualifying for its popular cruise deal for families with kids.

There's nothing new with Royal Caribbean having a kids sail free deal, as they've routinely offered it for many months in a row.  However, there's a new requirement added to the fine print.

Under the terms of the offer, children up to the age of 12 can sail for free when accompanying two paying passengers in the same cabin, provided the following criteria are met:

1. The sailing is 3 nights or longer
2. It doesn't conflict with a listed blackout date that covers many of the major school and religious holidays
3. NEW: The sailing date is departing at least thirty (30) days after the booking date

Prior to this change, a Kids Sail Free offer would have worked for a last minute deal departing less than 30 days after the booking date.

Royal Caribbean has provided no explanation for the new restriction, but it's likely a mechanism to encourage families to book their cruises further in advance.

The cruise line has been steadily working towards disincentivizing last minute bookings because it can usually result in lower fares. Besides the company wanting to make more money, someone booking at the last minute and getting a better price than someone who booked many months or years in advance hurts customers.

Restrictions on the Kids Sail Free offer aren't new. The fine print includes blackout dates around Thanksgiving, the winter holidays, summer, the spring break weeks and Easter week.

In addition, the kids fares still will be subject to taxes, fees and port expenses, which can amount to anywhere from $60 to more than $200 per person, depending on the itinerary.

What is the September 2024 Kids Sail Free offer?

If you want to take the most advantage of the offer, you'll need to book a cruise anytime between September 3 – 30, 2024 and it needs to be on select sailings 3 nights and longer departing at least thirty (30) days.

It cannot be on any sailing that departing on or during these blacked out dates:

• August 2 - 30, 2024
• November 22 - 29, 2024
• December 20, 2024 – January 3, 2025
• March 7 - 28, 2025
• April 12 - 24, 2025
• May 22 – August 29, 2025
• November 20 - 28, 2025
• December 18, 2025 – January 6, 2026
• March 6 – April 9, 2026
• Radiance Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing July 1 – September 13, 2024 and May 16 – September 12, 2025
• Anthem of the Seas sailings departing November 21 – December 28, 2024
• Chinese New Year on Anthem of the Seas departing January 27, 2025 except for Alaska Summer sailings departing May 23 – August 29, 2025.

The good news is you can combine Kids Sail Free with the BOGO60 offer and the 2025 Kicker offer.

BOGO60 gives you 60% off the cruise fare of the second guest booked in the same stateroom as the first, full fare paying guest, as well as 30% off any additional guests booked in the same stateroom as the first full fare paying and second guest. 

It's valid on new bookings made September 3 – 30, 2024 and also needs to be on sailings departing at least thirty (30) days after the booking date.

The 2025 Kicker offer adds bonus onboard credit for cruises made just between September 3 – 4, 2024 on sailings departing in 2025 and provides instant savings per stateroom, varying by stateroom category booked and sailing length as follows: 

• 5 nights or less
  • $25 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $50 USD for Balconies
  • $75 USD for Suites
• 6 nights and longer
  • $50 USD for Interior and Ocean View
  • $75 USD for Balconies
  • $100 USD for Suites

Will Kids Sail Free actually save me money?

If you can find a sailing that qualifies for Kids Sail Free, then yes, it can really save money.

The difficult thing in trying to calculate the savings is making sure you have the exact same room category when comparing with or without the offer.

Often people will price out a cabin for 2 guests, and then again with 4. 

Read more: Ways I Save Money on Cruises With Family

The vast majority of cabins hold only two people.  Because they are plentiful there can often be lower rates on cabins that can only accommodate two guests.

Generally speaking, most cruise ships only have a small percentage of cabins that can hold more than two. Within those cabins, some only have a capacity of just three guests, while others can accommodate four or five, but there are very few like this available compared to the number of cabins that can accommodate two guests only.

A party of four can't use a cabin meant for only two or three guests so as the number in the party increases there are fewer and fewer cabins that can accommodate them.  

Because there are so few of these cabins relatively speaking they are often in demand.  Anything in demand drives the price up.  Often other families have booked up some or most of them leaving just a handful remaining.  This also increases rates due to the supply and demand nature of the travel industry.

The only way to see the effect of Kids Sail Free is to price a cabin with adults for the number in your group (ages set to 18 or above for everyone) and then do another mock booking with your kids ages applied.