Since Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas entered service three years ago, I've sailed on her five times and it's easily one of the best cruise ships in the world.

Mega cruise ships are the norm among the mass market lines, but the size isn't everything.

I sailed on Wonder in a few different kinds of cabins, including one of the biggest suites you'll find in the world while at sea.

Being the fifth in the Oasis Class, it's clear a lot of lessons learned have been applied and the ship stands out as a great choice for families that want a wide variety of activities, shows, places to eat, and a fun family vacation vibe.

So many things to do on just one ship

If variety is the spice of life, then Wonder of the Seas is the ghost pepper of cruises.

While Royal Caribbean has a well-deserved reputation for having as many activities as possible on a ship, Wonder of the Seas raised the bar with some of the changes it introduced. They wanted to include more than you could do in a week, and that's a good thing.

Just how big is Wonder of the Seas? It can handle up to 6,988 passengers when totally full.  Luckily like all Oasis Class ships, the layout and scheduling of activities helps distribute passengers.  That isn't to say there wont be lines or crowds, but it's not as bad as you might think on a ship with that many people.

What you'll notice first about Wonder of the Seas is just how many places there are to go, which I think is part of the appeal of a mega ship.  New cruisers are amazed how many areas there are and what's around the next corner.

There are three different theaters onboard with totally different experiences in each: an outdoor AquaTheater, indoor traditional stage theater, and an ice skating rink theater.

The pool deck is filled with lots for families to love. There are multiple pools, three waterslides, hot tubs, and even an adults-only pool for the parents to enjoy.

At the back of the pool deck is the sports deck with a zip line, surf simulator, play area for young kids, sports court, and even a mini-golf course. You could spend an entire day trying to knock out all of those things. 

Be sure to give the Ultimate Abyss a try, which is a 10-deck high slide that takes you down to the Boardwalk neighborhood. Don't worry, it's not as scary as it looks.

That's on top of the traditional cruise activities held around the ship, such as bingo, trivia, demonstrations, karaoke, and game shows.

I found every night so many compelling options to do, and that's why I booked multiple cruises on Wonder. I wanted to try to "see it all", but it just wasn't possible on a 7-night cruise.

How to get around the ship easily

When you board Wonder of the Seas, you'll walk right on to the Royal Promenade, which is one of the eight unique neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods is what Royal Caribbean calls its distinctly themed areas of the ship to help separate the ship and make it easy for passengers to navigate.

• Suite Neighborhood: Reserved for suite guests only with a private lounge, sun deck, world-class dining, and personalized service (Decks 17 & 18)
• Boardwalk: Open-air neighborhood  with a carousel, hot dog stand, candy store, sports bar, and arcade (Deck 6)
• Royal Promenade: Bustling area with shops, bars, and entertainment  (Deck 5)
• Entertainment Place: Where you'll find the main theater, comedy club, ice skating rink, and casino (Deck 4)
• Vitality Spa and Fitness: Spa and fitness center with a gym, salon, barbershop, and thermal suite (Decks 5 and 6)
• Pool and Sports Zone: Waterslides, pools, and sports activities (Decks 15 and 16)
• Central Park: Open air park with real plants, fine dining, boutiques, and a moving bar (Deck 8)
• Youth Zone: Special area for kids and teens with activities, games, and educational fun (Deck 14)

One key difference about Wonder of the Seas compared to the Oasis Class ships that preceded it is that it has a suite neighborhood, which was a new innovation at the time.  

This means if you're booked in a suite, there's an entire area of the ship reserved just for you, including a suite lounge, sun deck, and restaurant.

Once on the ship, I think the neighborhoods make it easy to quickly know where you are and figure out how to get to where you're going.

Lots of restaurants, but many cost extra

There's no chance of going hungry on Wonder of the Seas, as it has more restaurants than you can dine at in one week.

Like all Royal Caribbean ships, there's a mix of restaurants included with your cruise fare that cost nothing extra to eat there as well as other restaurants that have a cost.

Don't worry, you won't have to pay extra in order to stay full.  The Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet serve up three meals a day, while other restaurants have snacks and times when they're serving food too.

Of the included restaurants, don't miss El Loco Fresh. It's located near the pools and has fantastic grab-and-go Mexican food that always hits the spot.

I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention Sorrento's has pizza most hours of the day, and is quite popular for a late-night snack.

The selection of extra cost specialty restaurants is quite impressive, and when I sail on Wonder, I always get a specialty dining package so I can indulge in the various options.

My favorites are Izumi Japanese cuisine, Mason Jar restaurant and bar, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen. 

Many cruisers equally love trying Wonderland, which is loosely themed after the "Alice in Wonderland" story, or Johnny Rockets, which has burgers, shakes, and hot dogs with a 1950's theme to it.

If you are booked in a Grand Suite or higher, be sure to take advantage of the meals you get in Coastal Kitchen.  This is the suites-only restaurant that has breakfast, lunch, and dinner offered.  It's included with your cruise fare and it feels like a specialty restaurant without the price tag.

The best Oasis Class ship?

Compared to the other Oasis Class ships in Royal Caribbean's fleet, it's clear the tweaks, additions, and changes on Wonder of the Seas stand out from the pack.

While Royal Caribbean has continued to tinker with the Oasis Class formula with the even newer Utopia of the Seas, I think Wonder is so close in features to Utopia that you'd truly need to be a super cruiser to notice them.

By far the best change made is the addition of the Suite Neighborhood and the suite sun deck within that area.  I think it's a sun deck you'd actually want to hang out in, and it's conveniently located too.  The sun deck on other ships lack shade and are usually far from the cabins suite guests reside in.

Credit should also be given to the resort style pool deck, which has a feel to it of being better than the older ships. The addition of the Lime and Coconut bar offers creative cocktails to enjoy.  My favorite is the Lime and Coconut drink, which goes down so smooth that you can easily get to three before realizing it.

Royal Caribbean added The Vue bar onto the pool deck, and it's a fun twist on a traditional pool deck bar. As the name implies, it provides wonderful views and a great breeze to go along with its drinks.

Something else families will love is the Playscape within the sports deck.  It replaced a second Flowrider surf simulator, but gives parents of young children exactly what this age group needs: an enclosed space to run around and play and get out all that toddler energy.

If you've never cruised before, then comparing Wonder of the Seas to other ships is irrelevant, so just know you picked a really good ship.  If you have been on one of the other Oasis Class ships, I think you'll love these changes as much as I do.

Big change coming

Royal Caribbean is about the flip the script on Wonder, with a new itinerary.

Wonder of the Seas offers year-round 7-night sailings from Port Canaveral, but those plans will be changing.

Beginning September 1, 2025, Wonder of the Seas shifts to offer short cruises from Miami.

After Wonder moves to Miami, she'll begin offering 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas that include visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

This is a big change, because only offering short Caribbean cruises is meant to attract new cruisers.  Royal Caribbean wants to dominate the short cruise market by offering weekend sailings on its best ships in a bid to attract new cruisers.

Short Caribbean voyages are attractive to those seeking a shorter getaway or who might be new to cruising and cannot commit to the idea of spending a week on a ship. 

What I loved to do on Wonder of the Seas

Cabins have so much storage

Not only do the cabins on Wonder of the Seas have modern touches to them, the amount of storage provided is perfect.

Traditionally cruise ship cabins have limited storage, but I found more closets, drawers, and shelves to use than I expected.

Families will really like how easy it is to put things away and keep the room tidy, which is usually a struggle when I cruise with my kids.

Speaking of cabin design, there's more USB and power outlets than in older cruise ships, which is another boon.

Fun shows every night

If Royal Caribbean has a top strength, it's their ability to produce really good shows that you'll want to see again and again.

On Wonder of the Seas there's probably going to be at least two production shows per night, and it's included in your cruise fare.  Each of these shows has really high production values, and I'd recommend anyone sailing to see them all at least once.

The AquaTheater show and Effectors II are probably my top choices, for how talented the cast is and how they can make the amazing stunts they do look so effortless.

I've seen the aqua show the most across all my sailings, because it's that much fun to see the cast perform.

The sleeper hit is the ice skating show, which might be overlooked because it's ice skating. My kids and I loved the pacing and use of contemporary music.

I also love going to the various bars at night for live music.  Royal Caribbean puts a major focus on live entertainment, and it shows. Jazz performers in Central Park, a guitarist in the pub, or the country band playing at the Mason Jar bar, are all must-sees for me on my sailings.

A suite area I actually want to hang out in

Up until Wonder of the Seas, I never saw the value in spending a lot of time in the suites-only areas, especially the sun deck.

Royal Caribbean fixed the issues and designed an area that's comfortable, offers a lot, and is convenient to get to.  

The fact there's shade and sunny areas of the sun deck makes it so enjoyable to be up there, especially when the hot Caribbean sun makes it very warm.

There's a plunge pool to enjoy too, and it's perfect for lounging.  

Someone that hasn't cruised before may be drawn to booking a suite because they tend to stay in suites in hotels for bonuses that come with those rooms. Similarly, a cruise ship suite is about rewarding guests with added service that make the entire experience easier to enjoy.

Super specialty dining

If you're not at least sampling a few specialty restaurants on Wonder of the Seas, I think you're missing out.

There are a lot of top notch restaurants on this ship, and I could eat at a few of the specialty options every day, because they are that darn good.

Within Central Park are a number of great choices, and I think if you didn't plan on doing specialty dining, you'll quickly be tempted when you walk by them.

Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen are all located here, and the hardest decision is which to eat at first.

Izumi Hibachi is a real crowd pleaser for how much fun it is, I don't think I've ever missed dining at Izumi at least once on all my five cruises on this ship.

Then there's Playmakers Sports Bar in the Boardwalk, and I love going here for a burger at lunch, or late night snacks while I watch a baseball game on the many televisions they have.

What I hated about Wonder of the Seas

Bionic Bar

Royal Caribbean had a moment when it was really into robots, and the Bionic Bar is an example of that trend that has since faded away.

This bar is located right in the middle of the Royal Promenade and has robots that make drinks for you.  Kind of neat, but none of the drinks ever taste that great, and the novelty of the robots making the drink fades quicker than the ice melts in your drink.

The good news is the Bionic Bar was abandoned on Utopia of the Seas, but it remains on Wonder and wastes prime real estate.

Movie screen is really loud

Royal Caribbean added a movie screen to the pool deck, which is a great idea, because other Oasis Class ships lacked such a screen.

The problem is it's located above Central Park, and all that music, dialogue, and noise from the films emanates down into the park, and it's noticeably loud.

No Broadway show

While I really like Effectors II show in the Royal Theater, I wish there was a full Broadway show instead.

Wonder was the first of the Oasis Class ships to buck the trend of including a Broadway show onboard, and I miss it.  I really liked that it had a fully developed plot, great music, and was easily recognizable.

Plus, I felt the Broadway shows added a distinguishing factor to the cruise line to choose Royal Caribbean over the others.

Royal Caribbean's in-house shows are good, but they're not up to the caliber of total entertainment Broadway offers.

Who should book a cruise on Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has been focused on families for years, but Wonder of the Seas is its best offering in this market outside of Icon of the Seas.

The ideal cruiser for this ship is a multi-gen family looking to vacation together, but not necessarily spend every minute together.

You'll find lots for kids of all ages to enjoy. The teen area is quite big and even has an indoor and outdoor deck. Younger kids have the most space Royal Caribbean has dedicated to kids programming. 

Royal Caribbean's kids club is vastly underrated. There's organized events, along with self-led options so kids have the choice in what fun they're into at that moment.

Add in the Boardwalk and Playscape, and parents have an impressive array of options.

My wife and I prefer to sail on Wonder of the Seas because we can find plenty to hold our attention. There's a giant casino, live music at a half dozen bars, dance parties, karaoke, and plenty of pool fun.

The other perfect candidate for Wonder of the Seas is someone that has never cruised before.

Because the ship has the latest and greatest that Royal Caribbean has to offer, I think it's the perfect ship for anyone that has thought about trying a cruise.

I have friends and family that have felt this way for years out of concern that ships are overcrowded, isolated in the ocean, or otherwise bored.

When I hear from new cruisers, many are astounded by how much there was to do onboard. Any fear of not having enough to do or feeling "trapped" are almost always brushed aside after they get home.

Itineraries and pricing

Prices for a 7-night Wonder of the Seas cruise from Port Canaveral start at $1,046 per person for an interior cabin, based on double occupancy. 

Once Wonder begins offering short Bahamas cruises, the cheapest price begins at just $499 for an inside room on a 3-night sailing.

The exact cost of a cruise on Wonder of the Seas will depend on which cabin you book, time of year you sail, and how far in advance you book.

Royal Caribbean made two changes to the amount of onboard credit you get when you book another cruise while on their ship.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a NextCruise office, where you can stop in and book a future sailing.

As of this week, the amount of onboard credit has changed by dropping the offer for longer sailings.

The base onboard credit offer no longer has specific amounts for sailings 10 nights or longer.

• 3-5 night and Repositioning cruises
  • Interior/Ocean View: $25 per cabin
  • Balcony/Junior Suite: $50 per cabin
  • Grand Suite & Above: $150 per cabin
• 6+ nights
  • Interior/Ocean View: $50 per cabin
  • Balcony/Junior Suite: $100 per cabin
  • Grand Suite & Above: $300 per cabin

New NextCruise offer

Old NextCruise offer

With the update, the extra onboard spend now maxes out after a sailing of 6 nights or longer.

Royal Caribbean also made a change to add a "Bonus Savings Offer", where passengers could add extra credits that combine with the core offer.

The bonus offer is a limited-time offer to incentivize new bookings, similar to how the cruise line offers bonus savings on new cruises booked generally as part of a sales promotion.

• 5-nights or Less
  • Interior/Ocean View: $25 per cabin
  • Balcony/Junior Suite: $50 per cabin
  • Grand Suite & Above: $100 per cabin
• 6+ nights
  • Interior/Ocean View: $50 per cabin
  • Balcony/Junior Suite: $100 per cabin
  • Grand Suite & Above: $200 per cabin

NextCruise Bonus Savings apply to Book Now reservations or Book Later reservations converted between January 6, 2025 to February 28, 2025 to Short Caribbean (5 nights or less), Long Caribbean (9+ nights), and 7 night or less Los Angeles sailings departing October 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026.

When you combine the bonus savings and the core offer, there's the potential to earn more onboard credit than would have been possible under the old program that had no bonus offer.

How Royal Caribbean's offer compares to other cruise lines

If you're wondering, here's what other major cruise lines offer when booking a new cruise onboard the ship.

Carnival Cruise Line offers less onboard credit than Royal Caribbean in most cases. 

Their "Welcome Home" program offers price protection, upgrades, 50% off standard deposits, and up to $50 per cabin or up to $100 per suite in onboard credit.

Norwegian Cruise Line has "CruiseNext", where passengers can book a deposit worth $250 or $500.

The $250 CruiseNext deposit can be used as a full deposit for nonsuite categories or as partial payment of suite deposits. The $500 deposits are full deposits for bookings in suites or The Haven.

MSC Cruises' program is more similar to Royal Caribbean in that the amount of onboard credit depends on the length of sailing and what type of cabin you book.

The amount of onboard credit ranges between $20 to $200, and it comes with a $100 per cabin reduced deposit amount, plus double MSC Voyagers Club loyalty points.

Advantage of booking a new cruise onboard a ship

One of the easiest ways to get money off a cruise is to book while on a ship.

For many years, Royal Caribbean has incentivized guests to book another cruise while on their current sailing.

It's a straight forward offer: book while on the ship and you'll pay the same price as what's listed online, but with extra onboard credit on top of any other promotion the cruise line is running.

Another benefit of booking at NextCruise is a reduced deposit, which has not changed with this week's update.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to book a sailing with only $100 per person deposits on select fares.

Once again, the deposit amount depends on the type of cabin you select, but this takes the sting out of the initial reservation cost.

The beauty of NextCruise is you can combine it with other offers that Royal Caribbean is running.

This makes it easy to stack promotions and rack up the greatest savings. You could get a Kids Sail Free deal, a BOGO offer, and add on the NextCruise offer.

The reason not to take advantage of this bonus

If all this onboard credit from NextCruise sounds like the perfect icing on the cake for your next booking, you probably should not wait to book onboard the ship.

Because Royal Caribbean cruise fares change by the minute, waiting to book on the ship could actually cost you more in the long term.

As more cabins are booked up for a given sailing, the price of a sailing will generally rise.

By waiting to book on the ship, the money you'd get from NextCruise might be outweighed by the higher cruise fare, thus negating the benefit you intended.

My advice is to book a cruise is early as you can in order to lock in the price.

The time to book at NextCruise is when you're on your cruise and have the notion to book a new sailing.  In that scenario, you should absolutely take advantage of the bonus credits.

Nobody imagines they will be let down by their cruise ship vacation , but it happens sometimes for possibly avoidable reasons.

Cruises have never been more popular with tens of millions of people trying them out, especially people that have never cruised before.

But if you don't plan things out or manage your expectations, you might be setting yourself up for disappointment later.

These are the 10 reasons why some cruisers come home disappointed and how you can bypass these issues have a great cruise experience!

They pick the wrong cabin location

Cruise ship cabins aren't like hotel rooms in the sense they're not all similar.  In fact, you can make a really poor choice in where your cabin is located, leading to frustration later.

There are many categories of cabins, from spacious suites to tiny inside cabins. In a lot of cases, your vacation budget is the driving factor in which you pick.

But chasing the lowest price room is often a mistake because you end up with a cabin that's too small and lacks amenities you didn't realize you cared about, such as having natural light or fresh air.

This is especially true when you cruise with family and are sharing a cabin with more than one other person. Would spending more to have an extra bathroom make a big difference? Would you be okay stepping over everyone's belongings constantly?

Beyond cabin choice, is where the room is located.

Some rooms should be avoided because of noise bleed issues or because they might be more likely to make you seasick. 

The top downfall here is picking a guarantee cabin, where Royal Caribbean assigns you a room location in exchange for a cheaper price.  I'd recommend as a new cruiser skipping this option and picking the right cabin location that you won't regret every night.

They didn't use a good travel agent

There's no doubt the best way to book a Royal Caribbean cruise is with the help of a good travel agent.

A lot of new cruisers are surprised how useful and still relevant travel agents are when it comes to a cruise, but they truly are.  That's because of how personalized a cruise vacation is, and all the individual decisions you need to make in order to book a cruise.

Plus, travel agents are a tremendously useful resource for answering common questions and solving problems.  Royal Caribbean isn't perfect and they make mistakes.  It's much better to let a travel agent fix them for you.

Plus, they can assist with booking you flights, hotels, and other logistical needs associated with your trip.

I always use a travel agent and I recommend everyone use them too.  My favorite travel agency is MEI Travel, and you'll want to ask family and friends who they use and recommend too.

They chose the wrong cruise ship

There isn't a bad Royal Caribbean cruise ship, but there are definitely better ships for you and your family.

Royal Caribbean has a fleet of almost 30 ships, but picking the right one depends on what you're looking for and need in your trip.

Do you want a ship that has a lot to do for your kids? Or are you traveling without children and prefer to focus on the places you're visiting?  Do you want to book the best service possible in the biggest suites? Or are you looking to save money on your accommodations?

One mistake often made is chasing the cheapest price and ending up on a small, old cruise ship that lacks all of the cool features you see advertised.

But you could make the opposite mistake and book the newest cruise ship because it's the newest cruise ship and find there are far more families (and their kids) onboard.

They did not look into what's included with the cruise fare

Royal Caribbean cruises are not all-inclusive, but I think a lot of people that have never cruised before think it is.

The price you pay for your base fare includes some basics:

• Accommodations
• Unlimited food at certain venues
• Unlimited select beverages
• Entertainment
• Transportation between ports

Everything else will cost extra, and that's important to factor into your vacation budget.

There are extra costs you can optionally buy:

• Beverage packages
• Shore excursions
• Internet access
• Spa services
• Casino gambling
• Certain onboard activities

You'll want to look into what's included with your cruise fare, and what amenities are on your ship so you can take advantage of it.

They forgot to book things that are prone to selling out in advance

Some things will sell out before your cruise begins, and that could really leave you dismayed.

Royal Caribbean gives cruisers the option to book specialty restaurants, shore excursions, or cabana rentals and you will want to book them in advance.  Not only is it cheaper to book pre-cruise, but they have limited availability.

You'll have access to the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you book a cruise, and that's where you can book extras, including internet and drink packages, shore excursions, spa treatments, arcade credits, classes, and more. 

There are sales quite often, and that could mean lower prices.  Moreover, any price you find online will be cheaper than the cost onboard the ship if you wait.

Some of the discounts offered can be as much as 40% off onboard pricing.

They chose the wrong dining time for dinner

You have the choice of three dining options for dinner when you book a cruise: traditional early, traditional late, or My Time Dining (there's actually a third middle dining time too now).

If you select a traditional dinner time, you'll have the same table assignment, waiters, and tablemates every day of the cruise at the same time.

My Time Dining means you get to choose different times to eat dinner, but you'll need to make reservations.  The idea is you can curtail your dinner time to your other plans.

Both have their disadvantages, and that leads to disappointment. 

Having a fixed dinner time means a very rigid schedule each evening, and you may not like your waiters or tablemates.

The flexible dining times puts the onus on you to make reservations, and even with a booked time, there can be lines to get a table.

These dining times only apply to dinner, as other meals are all served first-come, first served.

They hated the crowds and lines

You can't sugar coat it: Royal Caribbean ships are giant ships that have thousands of passengers onboard any sailing. 

The biggest cruise ship in the world, Icon of the Seas, can handle as many as 7,600 guests!

Without a doubt, there will be times where there are lines and crowds, and some new cruisers are unprepared for that reality. Lines develop at the buffet, elevators, on disembarkation day, and even a lack of pool chairs on a sea day.

There are some strategies to counter the crowds, depending how flexible you are. You could choose to have dinner at off-peak hours, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go to the pool in the late afternoon or evening, or carry your own luggage off the ship on the final morning to beat the crowds.

You could also throw money at the problem and book a suite so you can have access to suite-only areas of the ship and the assistance of the suite concierge to mitigate waits.

They didn't purchase travel insurance

I think the single biggest mistake a new cruiser makes is skipping on travel insurance, which covers unforeseen events such as travel delays, medical emergencies, and luggage mishaps.

It's peace of mind, and like all types of insurance, is so useful if you ever need it. The cost of a travel insurance plan depends on the cost of your trip, but it's usually a couple hundred dollars.

For example, if your cruise costs $2,400, purchasing insurance through Royal Caribbean will cost you $199. 

In addition to the travel insurance Royal Caribbean sells, there are a myriad of third-party providers that sell it.  Just like auto or home insurance, there are different coverages and you can select which ones you need.

You never know if a calamity could strike, and your medical insurance probably doesn't cover you when you're outside the United States.  Plus, Royal Caribbean's medical facilities do not take any insurance and will charge you directly.

Besides a medical need, travel insurance kicks in to cover scenarios that most new cruisers never imagine, such as your ship getting stuck at sea and coming back later than scheduled. Or you losing your job right before a vacation and not wanting to travel.

Because a travel insurance plan is relatively inexpensive, you ought to get one to cover your family.  You probably won't ever need it, but if you do, it's a godsend.

They didn't research shore excursions

One of the top reasons someone books a cruise is for the places the ship visits, so don't leave your port plans to chance.

Trying to wing it, or booking the first tour you can find, is often the path to frustration when you realize you could have done things better.

The key is to take some time and plan out each port by looking into the tours offered, as well as what you can do on your own.

Piggybacking on one of the earlier tips in this article, doing research and finding the perfect tour in advance means you can book it before it sells out. Shore excursions seem to be the first thing to sell out on a cruise, especially when you're visiting far-flung destinations like Alaska or Europe.

The last thing you want to do is leave everything until the day you arrive in port and try to decide on the pier what your plans should be.

They didn't learn what certain words and phrases mean

You will probably hear certain words during your cruise that really don't get used anywhere else.

• Aft
• Forward
• Port
• Starboard

These are all directional words to help you better navigate the ship. The reason why these words exist is so that you can know your bearings from anywhere, regardless of the direction you happen to be facing.

The bow is the frontmost part of the ship, while the stern is located at the rear, opposite the bow. The terms "forward" and "aft" describe locations on the ship: "forward" refers to the front, and "aft" refers to the back.

Another really important term is "ship time", because it can mean the difference between being on time for returning to your ship or not while in port.

When your ship traverses time zones, the local time may change but not necessarily the time on your ship.

You'll hear people say, "stick to ship time", and that means to ignore local time and keep your phones and watches synched to the ship's time.

There are rules about what you can and cannot bring on a cruise ship, including water.

Royal Caribbean has specific rules about what you can and cannot bring onboard with you, and there are limits to things like bringing water.

More travelers are bringing water bottles with them on their cruise. There's a heightened awareness of the importance of staying hydrated in our lives, and that leads many to want to know how much water they can bring with them on a cruise.  Or if they can refill a water bottle.

Before you pack for your cruise, don't ignore the rules about how much water you can bring, and be sure to investigate what alternative options you have for having enough water for your needs.

Royal Caribbean’s official policy on bringing water

Royal Caribbean allows its passengers to bring water on a cruise, but only on one day of the sailing and in a limited quantity.

The cruise line does not distinguish between water or soft drinks, but does allow some non-alcoholic drinks to be brought:

Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day.  Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom.

This means you can bring up to 12 bottles of water with you on embarkation day only.

Moreover, it needs to be carried onboard and not put into your luggage that you give to porters to be delivered to your cabin.

Why? Because all bags are scanned in an X-Ray machine, and if they see bottles, the security team many not be able to distinguish between bottles of water or bottles of liquor. In that case, they'll hold your luggage back and you'll need to go to security and have them open it up and check it out.

You can also bring a water bottle to use and refill

Instead of plastic bottles, you're allowed to also bring your favorite water bottle onboard.

Whether you prefer a Hydroflask or Yeti cup or Stanley cup, they're all allowed onboard (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use).  There's one important caveat.

You cannot directly refill your water bottle at one of the ship's refillable water stations because of health concerns.  

Cups should never be re-used for refills because that cup was in contact with your mouth, and that's how illnesses can be spread.  Instead, Royal Caribbean provides plastic cups you can use to easily grab and fill.

In the case of a water bottle, you'd have to get the water from a plastic cup, and then pour the water into your water bottle from there.

Any bar or food service location will give you a glass of iced water. You can pour into your own sports bottle.

You don't need to bring water for a CPAP machine

If you have the need for a CPAP machine on your cruise, Royal Caribbean will provide water for you without the need for you to bring any.

The key is to fill out an online form for your CPAP requests.

There's no fee for the cruise line to provide you with the distilled water.

Royal Caribbean can provide the distilled water and an extension cord, at no extra cost. These items will be placed in your stateroom on the day of sailing.

Be sure to carry your CPAP/BIPAP machine onboard with your carry-on luggage. Don't check it in with the porters.

Alternatives to bringing your own water

If carrying your own water onboard seems like more hassle than it's worth, there are other options for you.

First and foremost, there is complimentary tap water in staterooms, dining rooms, and buffet areas.

It's perfectly safe to drink the water on a cruise ship straight from the tap, including the water that comes out of your bathroom sink.

All the water on your ship is rigorously distilled or purified according to sanitation standards approved by the U.S. Public Health Service.

The water is regularly desalinated, treated, filtered, and tested to confirm the water quality. It's probably cleaner than the tap water you get at home.

Read more: 8 Royal Caribbean cruise questions guests are too embarrassed to ask

If you prefer spring water, Royal Caribbean sells bottled water packages.

Packages of 12 Evian water bottles are sold that you can pre-purchase from the Royal Caribbean app or its Cruise Planner website.

The water will be delivered to your stateroom, and you can even share it with others. Plus, there's no heft on your part to worry about getting it to the ship.

The standard price for a 12 water bottle package is $45.

Another option is to buy an unlimited drink package, which also includes bottled water.

Both the Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package include bottled water during your sailing, and there's no limit to it either.  Plus, you get other drinks to enjoy too as part of the cost.

Plenty of water, whether you bring your own or not

The bottom line is you can stay hydrated on your Royal Caribbean cruise whether you bring your own or not.

Packing water to bring on your cruise means you could save money on a costly drink package, and provide the exact brand and type of bottled water you prefer.

Remember that there's a limit on the amount of water you can bring, even if in practice, crew members sometimes don't get too concerned with the exact amount brought onboard.

Royal Caribbean's water policy is simple, but don't overlook the fact there's lots of water you can drink on the ship at no cost.

In fact, one really useful cruise hack is to bring water drink mixes to enhance the flavor of the water included with your cruise fare (Contains an affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use). 

Plan ahead and review the cruise line rules to avoid surprises on embarkation day.

If you're like me, you love discovering new cruise tips to maximize your vacation, but some of them just don't work as well as they sound.

There are plenty of tried and true cruise tips that cruisers swear by because of how effective they are: fly in a day early for your cruise, invest in magnets for your cabin, research shore excursions, and book your cruise as early as possible.

I've tried many different so-called secrets, but some of them just aren't as effective as I thought they would be and it was a disappointment.

In retrospect, some cruise tips are more effective based on your personality and travel style. As an example, saving money by booking an inside cabin is a great piece of advice, unless you're claustrophobic or always stay in upscale hotel rooms.

I reviewed the tips and advice I've heard over the years and came up with my list of 8 cruise tips that made sense until I got on the cruise ship.

Avoiding overpacking

A lot of people advocate to avoid overpacking for a cruise vacation, and I think this is rooted in avoiding hefty luggage costs with the airlines than truly benefitting you on a cruise ship.

The travel world has become obsessed with minimalist packing, where you travel with as little luggage as possible.  Perhaps you've heard of cruising with just a carry-on suitcase?

I have to admit I got caught up in this trend and started packing less and less so that I could re-use clothing on the ship. There is some truth to the idea you have to have an entire outfit every night for dinner, plus a daytime outfit.

However, I found packing less clothing gave me more anxiety than satisfaction.

It felt like I was rationing clothes and subsequently justifying to myself I could re-wear that pair of jeans or shirt because, "it's not that dirty yet."

Of course I could use Royal Caribbean's laundry services, but it's pricey and takes a day or longer to get back to you.

Ultimately, I realized minimalist packing is fine for some, especially those flying low cast carriers that want to avoid fees.  But I don't fly Spirit, Frontier, or Breeze.  Heck, I rarely fly to my cruises because I live in Florida.

Moreover, when I do fly, I'm going to inevitably need to pay for one piece of luggage per person travelling. So I'll maximize that suitcase.

Not paying for internet access on the ship

One commonly cited piece of cruise advice is to skip buying an internet package in order to save money.

There's no free WiFi on a cruise ship (beyond using the Royal Caribbean app), and a package for the duration of your cruise will probably cost over $100 per person. So this compels some to advocate not buying internet at all.

While there's no doubt not buying an internet package will save money, I just don't find it practical at all.

Admittedly, I'm a geek and being on the internet is more important to me than perhaps other people.

I think it's only when you don't have internet access at all that you realize how many little things you rely on the internet for, besides email and web browsing.

Texting with family, checking weather forecasts before you leave the ship, and paying bills on time are all little things that are great to have the internet for on a cruise.

Plus, I don't equate internet access with being any more or less relaxed. There are plenty of distractions on a cruise ship beyond the internet, so besides not checking your work email, I think having WiFi provides another form of entertainment in addition to books, magazines, or movies.

I'm all for saving money, but I can't skimp on WiFi.

Skipping shore excursions and staying onboard

Something you hear from a lot of experienced cruisers is to stay on the ship during ports of call in order to take advantage of what's available onboard.

The rationale for this tip is that you could save money on a costly shore excursion, plus there's already plenty of entertainment and activities to do on the ship.  And with so many people off the ship, lines and waits for the top activities are much less, such as waterslides.

There's truth to this recommendation, except I feel cooped up when I'm on the ship instead of exploring or just doing something in port.

I love to cruise because of the amazing places I get to visit, and it seems counterintuitive to skip out on the fun things to do in port.

Granted, if there's a port I've been to a dozen times, I may not feel that compelled to go and walk around.  But whenever I've tried this tip and stayed on the ship, I feel like I'm a dog starring longingly out the window with dreams of going outside.

The workaround for this tip is to do both. Get off the ship early and do something, but get back onboard early and you can still take advantage of less lines.

Eat only at the complimentary restaurants

Another money saving tip you'll run across is to skip the extra cost specialty restaurants and only eat at the included options.

The longer the sailing, the less I agree with this tip because I really like variety in my dining.

While specialty dining does indeed cost more, I'm on vacation and not trying to save money on my lunches at work. Splurging is part of what makes vacation fun.

I do enjoy dinners in the Main Dining Room or Windjammer, but once I get to day 4 or 5 of the cruise, I'm usually ready to change things up just a bit.

Having a few sushi rolls at Izumi, ordering a bowl of pasta at Giovannis, or getting a burger and nachos at Playmakers is a guilty pleasure that I'll go for every time.

Bidding to upgrade your cabin

I love the idea of paying less to get more, but I've stopped bidding for my stateroom upgrades.

If you're very flexible and don't really care where your room is located, then RoyalUp might be fine for you.  But I can't get past a couple of issues with it.

My first problem with RoyalUp is just because there is an option to bid doesn't actually mean there is a room to upgrade to, and I think a lot of new cruisers miss that detail.

The reason why Royal Caribbean offers these bid upgrades is primarily to account for last-minute cancellations.  So the bid you're making is really a backup option if someone decides to cancel.

The more troubling problem with RoyalUp is should your bid be accepted, you can't select where your room is located.

I think it's really important to pick a good cabin location to avoid noise problems, and you lose that ability once RoyalUp takes over.  A winning bid means the cruise line will pick where your cabin is located.

Waiting to book another cruise until you get onboard

You can get extra onboard credit and reduced deposit by booking a cruise on a ship, but I think it's a mistake to wait to book a cruise until your next cruise.

The problem with booking a cruise at NextCruise is if you know in the weeks or months leading up to your cruise which cruise to book.  By waiting until you get onboard the ship to book it, the price may increase to the point it offsets the benefit of getting extra onboard credit.

Royal Caribbean cruise prices are fluid and can change at anytime.  Over the course of days, weeks, or months, the price will almost certainly increase.

My advice is if you know there's a cruise you want to book now, go ahead and contact your travel agent to book it now. 

NextCruise is great for when you're on the ship and are struck with the motivation to suddenly book another cruise. In that case, you should definitely go and book the cruise at NextCruise.

Booking the cheapest cabin

Cutting corners and saving money where you can is definitely a sound financial strategy, but you also have to weigh the pros and cons of going cheap versus enjoying your well-deserved vacation.

It can be difficult to know if you should book the cheapest room on a cruise or spend extra for a nicer cabin.

If you shop by price alone, you may end up with a cruise cabin that you're stuck with for the duration of the cruise. There's nothing inherently wrong with an small inside cruise ship cabin, but it may clash with what you're used to on land.

Cruise ship cabins are typically much smaller than hotel rooms on land, and the smallest rooms on a ship are really small, coming in at less than 300 square feet.  If you're sharing this space with someone else, then the lack of space can really become problematic.

Everyone has a vacation budget, but be realistic about your cabin choice so you don't end up walking into your room and then realize you've made a mistake.

Pack an over-the-door organizer

There are so many good inside cabin hacks out there, but one I tried and won't ever do again is bring an over-the-door organizers.

This is a classic "sounds better than it is" scenario because you go to the dollar store and buy one of these and put it on the back of your cabin door or bathroom door.

The idea is to add more storage options, especially for shoes and toiletries.

I found the thing flops around too much on a cabin door, which lead to things falling out all the time.

Plus, unless you're sailing on a really old cruise ship, I just don't have that kind of a problem with finding storage.  Especially if your cruise is less than a week.

A far better tip is to invest in cruise magnets to help get clutter off the floor, and it works better for my style of cruising.

It looks like Royal Caribbean may be bringing a new cruise ship to the west coast.

Ever since Royal Caribbean started sailing again from Los Angeles in 2021, Navigator of the Seas has been based there to offer sailings.

Based on the updated port schedule, that could soon be changing.

The Ports America Los Angeles website schedule shows Voyager of the Seas will seemingly replace Navigator of the Seas in late 2026.

It's worth noting Royal Caribbean has not made any official announcements about a change yet.  The port schedule is merely a glimpse into what could be changing.

In looking at the schedule Voyager of the Seas arrives to begin cruises October 5, 2026.

Since Los Angeles is presumably Voyager's home port, we can deduce her sailing schedule:

• October 5, 2026: 3 night cruise
• October 8, 2026: 8 night cruise
• October 16, 2026: 5 night cruise
• October 22, 2026: 6 night cruise
• October 30, 2026: 8 night cruise

Navigator remains listed sailing from Los Angeles through November 5, 2026.  After that date, Navigator disappears from the schedule, while continues through at least December 2026.

The port schedule is only published through the end of December 2026.

It's not unusual for cruise ships to be redeployed around the world. No ship remains in the same port forever, as changing market needs compel Royal Caribbean to switch where ships sail from.

Moreover, there can be market needs to change ships. Shifting priorities, demands, and internal research are all reasons a cruise line will position one ship in one market over another.

Other returning ships

Something else worth mentioning in looking at the port schedule is the return of two Quantum Class ships.

Quantum will take her first cruise ever out of Los Angeles on October 2nd, 2025. Quantum will remain in Los Angeles through September 2026. After that date, she disappears from the schedule.

Royal Caribbean had already announced Ovation of the Seas will sail from Los Angeles in summer 2025, with cruises listed through September 23, 2025.

According to the schedule, Ovation of the Seas returns to the west coast and begins sailing from Los Angeles in September 2026.

• September 21, 2026
• September 24, 2026
• September 28, 2026

Ovation's arrival in Los Angeles coincides with the end of her scheduled cruises to Alaska in summer 2026.

Both Quantum and Ovation of the Seas are Quantum Class ships and notably larger ships than Navigator or Voyager.  

Quantum Class ships are designed for warm and cold weather climates. Both ships have a passenger capacity of 4,905 guests. That's about 900 more passengers than Navigator of the Seas.

They measure 1,138 feet in length and have a size of 168,666 gross tons, making them more than 100 feet longer and 30,000 gross tons bigger than Navigator.

A growing cruise market on the west coast

Royal Caribbean had been absent from Los Angeles for a decade, but is now committed to offering more cruises from there.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley told investors last summer he sees growth opportunities from LA sailings, "We have strong ambitions to grow the West Coast in the US."

Bayley said that Navigator, which has been on the West Coast for two years, has been "performing exceptionally well."

Bookings are selling quickly, and the cruise line is responding to high demand.

Upcoming deployments

We may know the official answer to how accurate Los Angeles' port schedule is in a few weeks when Royal Caribbean resumes its 2026-2027 deployment announcements.

Royal Caribbean had already announced 2026 Alaska cruises, some of its Europe 2026 cruises, and Summer & Yearlong Caribbean Northeast cruises.

Over the next few weeks, more cruises in 2026 and 2027 will be announced:

• Week of January 27, 2025: Europe 2.0
• Week of February 17, 2025: Short Caribbean & West Coast
• Week of February 24, 2025: Seasonal Caribbean
• Week of March 31, 2025: Australia
• TBD: China & Singapore

If this deployment schedule holds true (sometimes the cruise line delays its deployments), Royal Caribbean would confirm the ship line up for Los Angeles sometime during the week of February 17, 2025.

Welcome to the first week of 2025, and here is your look at all of the Royal Caribbean news you might have missed in the past week.

Ready for your first cruise of the year? There have been updates to what you can't bring on the ship.

In just the past few months, Royal Caribbean updated its list of things you can't bring on a cruise anymore.  And that's in addition to things people commonly pack that are still not allowed.

Before you leave home, make sure you leave these 5 things at home before your cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean News

• 12 Royal Caribbean guests sue cruise line, former crew member over hidden camera in cabins
• 7 Best Royal Caribbean cruise destinations you can visit
• I take a dozen cruises every year. Here's the 20 things I do before every sailing begins
• Cruise splurges I made in 2024. Some weren't worth it
• 12 ways Royal Caribbean’s made its app the best in the cruise industry
• I tried the shore excursion that got shut down. The beach was great, but the tour was too expensive
• Real ID deadline is coming in the spring of 2025. How to get one now
• Here's What To Expect From This Year's After-Christmas Sale

Video: I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025

Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — I'm not buying these things on my cruise in 2025 — and don’t forget to subscribe to our channel.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 553rd episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, with wishes for Royal Caribbean in the new year.

Matt and Billy share their annual tradition of making three wishes each for what they want to see changed within Royal Caribbean.

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

Man spent $160 per day to reach Diamond status tier in just 30 days

One cruiser decided to get to Diamond status in Crown and Anchor Society in just one month.

The person went from Gold to Diamond in 30 days by booking back-to-back cruises and sailing various routes. 

He started his month-long journey with 21 cruise points. By the end, he had reached Diamond status, accumulating a total of 81 cruise points.

I tried Royal Caribbean’s luxury Star Class suite for the first time for $11,000

Jenna tried her first Star Class cabin, and while the perks were amazing, she thinks she might enjoy a cruise just as much in an inside cabin.

She sailed in a two bedroom AquaTheater suite on Utopia of the Seas, which came with the services of a Royal Genie, and access to the suite-only areas of the ship.

The price of these suites is a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider how much money can be saved by staying in a lower category cabin.

One of the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships of all time is waiting to be rediscovered

Voyager of the Seas is 25 years old, but it's a great ship that should not be overlooked.

The 137,276-ton cruise ship was a game changer when she debuted.

Matt sailed on Voyager for the first time, and he was impressed by how this mega ship remains a compelling choice.

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 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026
• Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025

Kids Sail Free dates

Royal Caribbean is offering Kids Sail Free in March 2025.

The offer runs on bookings made between March 1 – March 31, 2025 and applies to select sailings 3 nights and longer departing on or after March 2, 2025.

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 March 7 - 28, 2025; April 12 - 24, 2025; May 22 – August 29, 2025; November 20 - 28, 2025;  December 18, 2025 – January 5, 2026; March 6 – April 9, 2026; May 21 – September 4, 2026; November 19 – 27, 2026; December 17, 2026 – January 4, 2027; March 5 – April 1, 2027 Alaska Cruise Tour sailings departing May 16 – September 12, 2025; May 15 – September 11, 2026.

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.  

It looks like it's actually going to happen this time, and you'll need to get a driver's license that is acceptable to cruise with.

The changeover from a traditional driver's license to a REAL ID has been in the works (and delayed) a few times, but this time it appears the new requirements will go into effect.

Beginning May 7, 2025, the US Department of Homeland Security will require every resident of a US state or territory who is 18 years of age and older to present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification to go through airport security and board a flight within the United States. 

A passport is, of course, acceptable as well.

REAL IDs are marked by a star on the top of the card.

The reason why this is important is so many Americans fly to get on their cruise ship. 

Your old driver's license will no longer work on or after May 7th. Only a Real ID (or passport) will get you through the Transportation Security Authority's security check in order to to fly domestically.

What is a REAL ID?

Think of a REAL ID as an enhanced driver's license, and without one, you won't be able to get on a plane.

It was passed by Congress as a requirement in 2005 in an effort to standardize identification, such as driver's licenses.

REAL ID driver's licenses don't replace a passport. Rather, they just serve as the new standard for driver's licenses.

It's easy to figure out if you already have one. Check your driver's license or state-issued identification. If it has a gold star in the top right, it's REAL ID compliant. California and Maine have variations on this, but there's still a star.

How to get a REAL ID?

To get an updated form of identification, you'll need to go to wherever you were issued your driver's license in the first place.

Depending on your state, there could be special places for applying for a REAL ID, or you may just need to go to your local driver's license service center or tax collector office.

The exact paperwork needed to apply may vary, but you'll need proof of identity and status as a US resident or citizen, proof of your Social Security number and multiple proofs of your current address.

Originals or hard copies of documentation (birth certificate, Social Security card, US passport) are required, with photocopies and screenshots not accepted. Check your state's driver's licensing agency website for more specifics.

You should get a temporary paper ID until the REAL ID arrives in the mail a few weeks later.

The cost should be about the same as renewing your license or non-driving identification card. 

What happens if I don't get a REAL ID?

Unless the deadline gets extended again, you won't be able to fly with just a standard driver's license as of May 7th because you won't make it past airport security checkpoints.

Of course, you could still fly with other acceptable forms of identification: 

• A valid passport
• US Department of Defense ID
• Permanent resident card
• Border crossing card
• Federally recognized, tribal-issued photo ID
• Enhanced Driver's License, issued by Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont and Washington state 

Since many people that cruise have a passport, you could use your passport to fly domestically instead of getting a REAL ID.

Can I cruise with a REAL ID instead of a passport?

You cannot use just a driver's license or REAL ID as the sole form of proof of identification in order to cruise.

Royal Caribbean allows Americans who are sailing from the same port their ship departs and returns to to sail without a passport, but you'll need more than just a REAL ID.

This is referred to as a closed-loop sailing, and nearly all Caribbean cruises departing from mainland U.S. states have cruises that are considered this sort of a sailing.

If you qualify, then you can go on a cruise with just a REAL ID and an original birth certificate.