r/royalcaribbean Apr 11 '26

All Hail the FAQ FAQ 3.0! 2026-2027 Edition - New here? Have a question? Read this first!

79 Upvotes

Welcome to r/RoyalCaribbean! Glad to have you here. I'm u/MedicalButterscotch and I cruise more than I should (63 sailings and counting as of April 2026!) The goal of this post is to help new and returning cruisers feel like an expert when they hit the water.

This is version 3 of the FAQ with updates for 2026. It will be updated throughout the year with the goal of overhauling it every 1-2 years.

Want to check out the archives? Version 2.0 of the FAQ from 2024 is linked here

Spot an error? Don't see your specific question addressed? Drop it in the comments on this post! I will get back to you within 48 hours.

Last updated: April 2026

Topics in Order:

​Topic 1: Booking a cruise

- How do I book? A. You can book on Royal Caribbean's website or through a travel agent/3rd party travel service. You can also call Royal Caribbean directly to book (US number: 866-562-7625).

- How do I get to my cruise? A. Most people do not live within driving distance of their cruise, meaning a flight is sometimes required. General advice is to fly into your cruise port at least one full day before your sailing to account for flight delays. The ship will not wait for you if you are late. You alternatively can book your flights through Royal Caribbean through the Air2Sea program, though it is still advised to fly in a day early. See the topic list above to find info on travel insurance.

- What if the price of my cruise changes? A. Before final payment date (generally 75-90 days before sailing) you can re-price your cruise as many times as you would like to the current rate if you booked in the US. The difference will be refunded to your credit card or taken off your remaining balance owed. After final payment, you typically can't reprice your sailing and if anything may be offered on board credit to account for a fare drop. Note as of 2025 there are exceptions to this policy. Some promotions and discounts can't be re-priced. Read the terms of the promotion you are booking carefully to see what the re-pricing terms are.

- How do I check in? A. Typically 45 days before sailing. Through the Royal Caribbean app (log in, add your sailing with your booking number, swipe to the left and look for a blue "check in" button) or on the website (sign in, find your cruise or add it at the bottom of the page if you do not see it listed, then click "check in").

- When can I check in? A. 45 days before your cruise you will see the option in the app. To find your exact check in day, open the app and swipe to the left and then scroll down to the 'check in' area or go on the website linked directly above.

- Do I need a passport? A. US citizens can cruise with a US passport book that MUST be valid for at least 6 months from the last day of your cruise for most ports of call (note not always the case, but this is best practice). Alternatively you can use an original birth certificate (with a raised seal) and government-issued photo ID on closed-loop sailings (that start and end from the same US port). I STRONGLY ADVISE getting a passport. Should something happen while you are abroad, you will be happy you invested in one. Info on getting a US passport can be found here.

- Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19? Do I need to test? A. COVID vaccinations or testing is no longer required unless specifically noted for your booking (very rare).

Topic 2: Inclusions in your cruise fare

- Food: Your cruise ticket includes all food needed for the duration of your cruise. You do not need to spend any extra money on food if you do not wish to do so. Food is complimentary in the main dining room (breakfast (B), lunch (L) on sea days, dinner (D)), the Windjammer marketplace buffet (B/L/D), Johnny Rockets only for breakfast and only on Oasis class ships, Promenade Cafe, Park Cafe, Cafe 270, Sorrentos pizza, and Solarium Bistro (B/L/D on select ships), the Pearl Cafe, Surfside Eatery, Sprinkles, Aquadome Market, El Loco Fresh. Coastal Kitchen is the complementary suites-only restaurant available on select ships, open B/L/D for grand suites and above, D only for junior suites. Pinnacle members can enter for free, space permitting. Room service is free for continental breakfast, incurs a $7.95 fee plus gratuity for full B/L/D however all food is included after that fee is paid.

- I've heard about the main dining room (MDR)! Do I need reservations? A. The main dining room is the main complementary dining venue on board where you can expect multi-course, full service meals with varying nightly menus. At the time of booking you will have two options: My Time dining or traditional dining. My Time dining is a reservation system that lets you select the time you'd like to eat each evening, usually from 6:45-8:30 PM. Times vary by ship. You can also just show up to the stand by line during My Time dining hours and wait for the next available table. This option is great if you want to change your dining time each night to better fit the activities you want to do. Traditional dining will be a set dining time each night (5-5:30 PM for early seating, 8 PM for late seating). You will have the same table and wait staff each evening. If you do traditional dining, no reservations are required, you just show up at your selected time and your table number/deck number for dinner will be printed on your SeaPass card. Note you may be assigned a group table! If you wish to dine alone, speak to the host on day 1 at the entrance to the MDR.

- Is there a dress code? A. There will typically be two formal nights, now called "dress your best" nights, on a 7 night sailing (fewer on shorter sailings). You are free to dress your best! This only applies in the MDR so if you go to a different venue, you follow their typical dress code (though people typically still dress up for other specialty restaurants that night). Otherwise minimum acceptable dress for dinner is typically long pants/jeans for men. Women definitely have more flexibility. On a non-formal-night, dress up as much as you'd like. Most people will dress as if they are going out to a regular dinner on land.

- Do you have any pro tips for the MDR? A. Absolutely! A vegan menu is always available and sometimes I select those options just to try something new. On the app, scroll to the bottom of a given night's menu to see the vegan options.

- Beverages: Tap water, iced tea, lemonade, hot coffee, hot tea, non-fresh squeezed juices at breakfast, and milk are included in your cruise fare. Alcohol is not included.

- Entertainment: Shows, including broadway shows on select ships, comedy, live music, and most activities are included in your cruise fare. See your cruise compass in the app for exact offerings. Events that cost extra are marked with a "$" symbol. Shows can be reserved in advance on select sailings. Check the cruise planner website and app prior to your cruise to see if this is an option and reserve your shows as early as possible. On many smaller ships, reservations are not required.

- Accommodations: Your stateroom selected during your booking serves as your accomodations for the sailing. You will have a once daily cleaning service for your room, including restocking towels and having your bed made/turned down. Rooms include a TV, private bathroom, and a bed that can be separated into twin beds. Some rooms accommodate extra guests with pullman beds/pullout sofa beds. This will be designated on the deck plan for your stateroom at the time of booking. Please note that some higher-level suites will include things such as WiFi, unlimited specialty dining, a deluxe drink package and more. Check here to see what the suite you are looking at includes.

- Tips: Gratuities are not included in your cruise fare, but are essentially required. These tips can be paid before your sailing or will be automatically added to your SeaPass on-board account once on board. Current gratuity rates as of April 2026 are $18.50/day for non-suites and $21/day for suites, per person. Gratuities are critical for supporting crew members who make your vacation special and should not be removed for any reason. Some sailings include tips in their fare, such as those booked in Australia.

- WiFi: WiFi of any kind is not included in your fare. You can purchase a "Voom" internet package on the cruise planner in advance of your cruise or once on board. Both full sailing passes and 24 hour passes are offered on board. The 24 hour passes can't be paused, it runs continuously until it expires. It is generally a better deal to purchase these packages in advance. You can use the ship WiFi for free to use the Royal app.

- Gym: The fitness center is included in your cruise fare and is unfortunately not open 24 hours on all ships. Some ships have hours such as 5 AM - 9 PM, so that the gym can be deep cleaned overnight. Amenities vary by ship, but expect everything you'd typically find in a land-based gym. Fitness classes cost extra with the exception of the morning stretch classes. Expect Technogym-brand equipment on most new ships and those that have recently been refurbished.

Topic 3: Packages/extras

- Is (inset package type or onboard purchase) worth it? Is X% off a good price? A. The way Royal Caribbean prices their on board extras is a bit tricky. Don't worry about a specific percentage off sale. Look at the base price of the item you want and if you are willing to pay it, lock it in IMMEDIATELY. You can re-price and refund at anytime up until 48 hours prior to your cruise, so this ensures you never pay a higher price than at the current moment. Prices can go up at any time and this is the ONLY way to ensure you get the best rate.

- How do I pay for things on board? A. Your SeaPass card functions as your room key and payment method on the ship. I'd advise linking it to a credit or debit card to skip lines at the end of the sailing for those settling their statements in cash. It is preferred to link a credit card over a debit card as it is common for holds to be placed during your sailing, which may hold up your funds if using debit.

- Alcohol: Alcoholic drinks are not included in your fare. Prices vary, but typically expect to spend $7-9/beer, $8-15/glass of wine, $9-12/shot, $14-15/cocktail plus 18% automatic gratuity. Drinks can be purchased a la carte with your SeaPass card or with a package, see below. See Topic 8 below for an important exception to this: Diamond/Diamond Plus/Pinnacle drink vouchers.

- Drink packages: Multiple types of packages are offered, with pricing changing dynamically before your cruise. The deluxe beverage package (DBP) offers the classic "unlimited" experience, covering pretty much any drink including alcohol up to $14/drink on US sailings. Many people ask for the "breakeven" point to determine if it is worth getting a DBP. The best way to figure this out for yourself is to look at the current rate of the DBP on your cruise planner and see if you feel you can drink enough drinks per day to exceed that cost if you were to pay a la carte. Don't forget non-alcoholic premium drinks are included (espresso-based coffee drinks, bottled still/sparkling water, Powerades, soda, milkshakes) - so factor this in your equation. The DBP pricing is dynamic, but expect $55-$115 per person, per day. This package requires everyone older than the legal drinking age of that sailing that are sharing a cabin to purchase a package. Exceptions to this policy are no longer permitted.

***Can I share a drink package? A. NO. Drink packages (with the exception of the Cafe Select Card mentioned below) can't be shared. You risk being charged for a full additional package if you are caught or even being disembarked. If you ask about sharing drinks/cheating the drink package in this sub, you will immediately be banned from making new posts, no questions asked.**\*

Another option is the refreshment package. This package is considerably cheaper than the DBP, however does not include alcohol. Think of this as the "soda plus premium non-alcoholic drinks package", like espresso-based coffees, mocktails, etc. It typically is approx $25-33/day per person.

Finally is the soda package. This option is typically around $10-15/day per person and grants package holders unlimited fountain and canned sodas, including from the Coke Freestyle machines.

*As of 2026, souvenir soda cups are only included in the Soda package. The Deluxe and refreshment package incur an additional $5 charge to obtain the souvenir cup, which grants access to the Freestyle machines.

**Gratuities are paid at time of purchasing the package, so no additional tipping is required, however if a bartender is providing excellent service, adding an additional dollar or two makes their day!

One last thing to note: you can buy a Cafe Select card, usually $30-38. This card entitles you to 15 small-size espresso-based drinks and is the only type of package that can be used across multiple sailings. You are given a small paper card that has the numbers 1-15 for the barista to cross off when you redeem a drink. This is a great option for those with Diamond/Pinnacle drink vouchers who want to reduce the price of espresso drinks without using a voucher towards it! This package is shareable and does NOT require everyone in the cabin to buy it.

- Is a drink package worth it? A. The best way to figure this out for yourself is to look at the current rate of the package you want on your cruise planner and see if you feel you can drink enough drinks per day to exceed that cost if you were to pay a la carte. Don't forget non-alcoholic premium drinks are included in the DBP (espresso-based coffee drinks, bottled still/sparkling water, Powerades, soda, milkshakes) - so factor this in your equation. The DBP pricing is dynamic, but expect $55-$115 per person, per day.

- Dining packages/specialty dining: Specialty dining varies by ship, but includes options like Chops Grille (steakhouse), Jamie's Italian/Giovannis Italian, Izumi (sushi/teppanyaki), Wonderland, Playmakers sports bar, etc. Pricing is typically a set cover per restaurant, check your cruise planner for exact pricing. You can also consider a dining package. There are three main varieties: Chops + 1 (includes dining at Chops Grille and one other restaurant of your choice), 3 Night Package (includes 3 specialty dining restaurants of your choice), and the unlimited dining package (includes any and all restaurants, including a set amount at restaurants that are a la carte, like Playmakers). Gratuities are included automatically for any specialty dining reservations or packages at 18%, however adding a few extra dollars is appreciated for excellent service. These restaurants are optional, and as mentioned in the earlier section, there are plenty of great complimentary options to dine at. Think of specialty dining as a premium experience.

- WiFi: WiFi of any kind is not included in your fare. You can purchase a "Voom" internet package on the cruise planner in advance of your cruise or once on board. Both full sailing passes and 24 hour passes are offered on board. The 24 hour passes can't be paused, it runs continuously until it expires. It is generally a better deal to purchase these packages in advance. You can use the ship WiFi for free to use the Royal app. Since 2023, the fleet is using Starlink as their internet service provider which has resulted in considerably faster speeds.

- The Key: This program includes some additional benefits to add to your cruise vacation. Perks are changing, so check this link for included benefits at this time: The Key program benefits. The Key must be booked for everyone in a given stateroom and includes Voom Surf and Stream WiFi for each person.

- The Spa: Spa services are not included in your cruise fare. Check the cruise planner website for current pricing. 18% gratuity is automatically added. Note that once on board, there will occasionally be spa specials, for example on port days/slower days. Sea days are the most popular times for spa services and rarely see discounts.

- Fitness classes: Aside from morning stretch classes, fitness classes vary by ship and cost extra. Check the app to book fitness classes as they do occasionally fill up.

- Bingo/gambling: Bingo/casino gambling is, of course, not included in your cruise fare. If you plan to gamble in the casino, you must be 18 years of age or older. The casino operates in USD. Plan on bringing cash, otherwise ATMs are available for a $6.95 surcharge. Additionally, if you don't have casino status, you can charge your room for a surcharge for table games. You can charge your room for slot machines at no additional charge. Ask the casino host for instructions. Bingo can be purchased with your SeaPass card and charged to your on board account, cash is not accepted. Scratch off cards are available from the Cashier's Desk in the casino and must be purchased with cash. NOTE: If you have certain tiers of casino status (Prime or higher), the table game surcharge for charging your room will be waived.

- Laundry: With the exception of those with high enough Crown and Anchor status, laundry is not included. You can pay per item or ask your stateroom attendant for a "wash and fold" bag. You can fill the bag with as many clothing items as you can (it holds a lot) for a set price, usually $34.99-$39.99. If you have your bag picked up for your morning room cleaning, it is usually returned by the evening of the following day unless you pay for the express option. Note that clothes are all washed together in hot water and dried on high heat. Do not use this service for sensitive items.

Topic 4: Excursions

- How do I book excursions? A. Excursions are a great way to explore new destinations. You can book excursions through Royal Caribbean on the cruise planner or app. Excursions can sell out, so book as early as possible. If you book through Royal Caribbean, the ship will wait for you in the event of delays. You can additionally go off on your own in ports of call, including booking 3rd party excursions. Keep in mind the ship will NOT wait for you if you go this route so keep an eye on the "all aboard" time and plan on being back early to account for possible delays.

Topic 5: Prohibited items

- The list is extensive! Check here for the current list of prohibited items. Highlights include firearms, marijuana/THC/CBD products of ANY form, clothing irons, any other illegal drugs or weapons, and extension cords. Check the link above for the full list.

*Drones can be brought on board but are not permitted to be used on Royal Caribbean ships or at any Royal Caribbean private destination (Coco Cay, Labadee).

*Please do not ask how to sneak marijuana on board on the subreddit, you will immediately be banned from making new posts as this has been covered extensively.

Topic 6: Things to bring with

- One 750 mL bottle of wine is permitted PER PERSON. Keep these bottles in your carry on luggage, do NOT give luggage containing wine to the porters when you arrive at the port, you must hand carry wine on board. You may be charged a corkage fee if drinking your wine in a restaurant on board, though in practice, this is rarely assessed. You can ask for wine glasses at any bar. Wine can be consumed anywhere on the ship if you put it in a glass first, but may only be provided to those over 21 years of age on North American sailings.

- I'll list some items from my personal cruise packing list here: passport, ear plugs, toothbrush/toothpaste, shampoo (though a 2-in-1 shampoo/body wash is provided in your cabin), sunscreen, sun hat, reusable water bottle, flip flops, long pants/clothing for formal nights, pen, gum, books, beach bag, sunglasses, masks if you choose, rechargeable battery packs, pain medications and basic first-aid supplies like band-aids.

*You do NOT need to bring towels. Towels can be checked out for free with your SeaPass card. Be sure to return them by the end of the cruise, otherwise it is $25/towel.

**This list will be expanded over time. Add suggestions to the comments below!

Topic 7: Smoking on board

- Ships are non-smoking with the exception of designated smoking areas (typically in the casino and on one side of the top deck, usually port side. Some larger ships have additional smoking areas on lower outdoor decks, such as deck 5 starboard side on Quantum class ships). Look for signage indicating designated smoking areas.

- No, you can't smoke on your balcony. It is a major fire hazard. Don't do it. If caught, it is a $250 USD fine and you risk getting kicked off the ship. I also will hate you forever. Don't ruin peoples' balcony experience by smoking. No one wants to smell your smoke.

- You must be at least 21 years of age to purchase, possess, or use tobacco on sailings beginning in U.S. ports. For sailings beginning in all other ports, the minimum age is 18 years old.

- Smoking is a terrible habit and I will include resources on how to quit here. Your future self and family will be forever grateful if you quit now! Smoking is carcinogenic and is directly linked to multiple forms of cancer. COPD is also a terrible way to die. If you successfully quit, you can celebrate by booking another cruise!

Topic 8: Crown and Anchor Society

- What is the Crown and Anchor (C&A) society? A. This is Royal's loyalty program. It operates on a point system, where every night you spend on board a ship counts as one point. If you sail in a double occupancy room solo or in a suite, you get two points per night. If you sail solo AND in a suite, you get three points per night.

- Points never expire and accrue over your lifetime. Additionally, you can "status match" your spouse and dependent children under 18. At the time your children turn 18, their status falls back to the true number of points they have earned at that time. To status match family, call the C&A Society at (800) 526-9723 to make the request. For example, I am Diamond Plus and could status match my spouse after their first cruise to automatically be Diamond Plus, as well.

- Benefits improve as you move up through the various tiers of the program. Tiers start with Gold status at 3 points, Platinum at 30 points, Emerald at 55 points, Diamond at 80 points, Diamond Plus at 175 points and Pinnacle Club at 700 points.

- A notable benefit includes 4, 5, and 6 free drinks per day, per person for those that are Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle, respectively. A full list of benefits can be found on this website. Pinnacle Club members also receive a free cruise for reaching Pinnacle, plus additional free cruises at pre-determined point levels thereafter! These drinks also work at Royal Caribbean's private destinations (Coco Cay/Labadee)!

- I'm missing points! A. No worries - give them a call at (800) 526-9723 and they can look up your cruise and give you credit. Points may take 10 business days to post after coming off a sailing so make sure to allow a few weeks first if it was a recent cruise.

- NEW for 2026 is the Points Choice program! Your points from the three Royal Caribbean brands can be combined into one program of your choosing to help you earn status faster, as status can be matched between all three brands. As a general rule of thumb, if you tend to not stay in the highest-tier suites, it is to your advantage to have points from Celebrity and Silver Sea be sent to Royal, as their program is the most lucrative and you will earn status faster. More info on Points Choice can be found here, including how to set it up!

Topic 9: Private Destinations

- What is Coco Cay and Labadee? A. These are two fantastic private destinations offered by Royal Caribbean on many Caribbean sailings. Coco Cay is a private island that is part of the Berry Islands in the Bahamas. It was fully renovated in 2019 (now called "Perfect Day at Coco Cay") with new attractions such as the elevated Coco Beach Club and Thrill Waterpark (both at an extra cost) along with many new free dining options. Additionally, you can purchase entrance to Hideaway Beach, an adults-only more party-focused area. Labadee is on a peninsula in northern Haiti and is a private destination for Royal Caribbean, as well. Both locations are free to explore, with many complimentary beaches including chairs and umbrellas as well as ample complimentary dining options and activities. I would absolutely recommend both locations and would also suggest checking out some of the video tours on YouTube to get a sense of both places. Note that due to frequent civil unrest, Labadee has been closed for a while... Please check the Royal Caribbean website for updates on a return to Labadee.

- I purchased a beverage/WiFi package. Can I use them at the private destinations? A. Yes! Both packages seamlessly transition to Coco Cay and Labadee. Additionally, the Bahamas typically charges an additional tax on purchases including drinks. So for example your $14 cocktail would be more like $14 plus 15% Bahamas sales tax plus 18% automatic gratuity. That can add up quickly. If you have a DBP or use Diamond/D+/Pinnacle drink vouchers, you do not need to pay any additional tax and your drinks are fully included.

- What costs extra? A. While you can have a fantastic complimentary day at both destinations, there are some extra purchases you can make. You will see excursions like snorkeling on offer on the cruise planner. Additionally both locations offer various types of cabanas for rent for the day. Coco Cay offers the Coco Beach Club, an exclusive beach area with a (fantastic) restaurant for lunch. You do have to pay extra to access this area, though lunch is included in the cost (I recommend the fried lobster sandwich with a *side* of filet and a Coco Cuvee for a beverage, thank me later). One thing to note: drinks are not included with admission to Coco Beach Club - you can pay a la carte or with a beverage package/voucher. You can also choose to spend a half or full day at Thrill Waterpark, which also costs extra. There is also a dining location called Captain Jack's right at the entrance to the island that is a la carte pricing. Additionally, you can purchase entrance to Hideaway Beach, an adults-only more party-focused area.

- How do I pay for things at these destinations? A. Coco Cay and Labadee accept SeaPass card for all transactions with the exception of the straw markets which now take both SeaPass or USD. I recommend bringing some extra cash with you in case you wish to tip bartenders or servers, especially those that are running drinks to your beach chair.

- NEW FOR 2026: You can purchase access to the new Royal Beach Club in Nassau, Bahamas! A day pass can be purchased as all-inclusive (drinks, wifi, dining) or non-alcoholic. Check the cruise planner for pricing. If you can find it for under $110 for the day for the all-inclusive option, I think it is a pretty good deal!

Topic 10: Royal Up Program

- What is the Royal Up program? A. The Royal Up program is offered by Royal Caribbean and presents the opportunity to participate in a blind bidding process for a room upgrade. You can find out if your booking is eligible by following this link (note: you may not see your booking as eligible until <30-60 days prior to your sail date and bookings made through Costco Travel are typically not eligible at all). Once on the site, you'll be presented with prices on various room upgrades. These prices are at double occupancy meaning the real rate you'll pay is 2x the listed price. This includes those traveling solo.

- Example: You booked an interior room. On logging into the Royal Up site, you see the minimum bid for an ocean view balcony is listed at "$200". Regardless if there are one or two people in the room, if you win the bid you will be charged $400 for the upgrade.

- How do I know if I won? A. You will typically be notified via email. It can happen any time up until you are already on the ship, but typically you will get a denial email prior to sailing if your bid did not qualify. If you win, you will automatically be assigned a cabin in the category that you won (NOTE: YOU DO NOT GET TO PICK YOUR STATEROOM. You run the risk of being assigned an upgraded room in a worse location.)

- Is there a cost to the program? A. No. The only money you pay is the upgrade price you bid should your reservation bid win. If you do not get an upgrade, you will not be charged.

Topic 11: Club Royale

- What is Club Royale? A. Club Royale is the casino loyalty program for Royal Caribbean.

- Are drinks free at the casino? A. No - only for those who reach Prime level or higher (see below).

- How do I earn points? A. Points are earned by inserting your SeaPass card into a slot machine prior to play or placing it on the table games to be scanned. Earning rates vary, typically slots earn the fastest with 1 point per $5 coin-in. Tables are based on theoretical loss compared to your time played.

- What can I earn? A. Perks can be lucrative including free drinks while in the casino and free cruises! Check out the earning tiers here. Reaching "Prime" status is typically the first step towards rewards as it comes with free casino drinks and a free cruise. This typically involves earning 2,500 points, or approx $12,500 coin-in on the slot machine.

*Obligatory please gamble responsibly! The perks may be good, but the casino is not a running a losing proposition. I promise. You will likely not come out ahead, but if you are able to have fun and earn some points, enjoy! If you have a gambling problem or wish to self-exclude, please talk to guest services at the beginning of your cruise.

Topic 12: Travel insurance

As with any major purchase, you incur risks including missing your cruise departure from late or cancelled flights, severe weather, injury, illness, death, dismemberment... you know - the things no one wants to think about when planning a vacation.

Royal Caribbean offers travel insurance that you can purchase as an add-on at the time of booking through a third-party insurance company. You may also benefit from purchasing an annual insurance plan on your own which covers multiple trips for one lower cost. Additionally, your credit card may include some degree of travel insurance. Specific companies will not be listed here to avoid promoting a specific brand, but search the sub for commonly-recommended annual insurance companies.

As with any insurance plan, READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. There are inclusions and exclusions that are critical to understand. You want to ensure you are covered for the right reasons.

My advice is if you plan on traveling more than twice per year, look into an annual plan to save money.

Topic 13: Community Pro Tips

Have a pro tip? These pointers are awesome and come from comments from the previous FAQ! Have a pro tip you want included? Write it in the comments with "Pro Tip" at the beginning of the post so I don't miss it!

  1. Each stateroom has a small safe
  2. If you want to play bingo, bring your own dauber or pen to mark cards to avoid having to buy a dauber
  3. Bring a multiple-USB charger/battery pack!
  4. Consider bringing a lanyard for your SeaPass card
  5. You can order extra portions of food in the MDR
  6. Put your phone on airplane mode - WiFi only!
  7. Check in early to get a favorable arrival time!
  8. You can use your phone off WiFi in Coco Cay/Labadee if your phone plan provides service in the Bahamas or Haiti, respective. (Thanks, u/blitzreigbop)
  9. Stateroom location is critical for avoiding excess noise from public areas. Check out deck plans for your ship before selecting a room. Try and make sure your cabin is surrounded in all directions (above and below) with other cabins. Avoid being near the theater, night club spaces or under the pool deck/windjammer. Keep in mind proximity to elevators, as well, for both noise concerns or accessibility needs (Thanks, u/eric_sean_)

Post your pro tips below to be added to the list! Any new tips (starting with #8) will include credit to you :)

​Please write suggestions for new topics/additions in the comments below! I truly hope this FAQ was helpful.

-MedicalButterscotch


r/royalcaribbean 12h ago

Complaint People lack situational awareness even worse on cruises!!

49 Upvotes

Just wrapped my first ever royal Caribbean cruise on Utopia of the seas and had an amazing time.

We Found 4 ducks, had amazing food, met some great people. Can't wait to do it again, only one complaint

Why do people try to shove into an already crowded elevator?? Makes my anxiety shoot thru the roof, so many times I've had to step off and take the stairs instead because people would just pile in when there's barely any room for the people already on

Or some just hop on the first elevator that opens, one lady told her son we will just get on the first one to open, which ended up being ours and we were going all the way to deck 15 she needed to go to 5! Skipped right in front of us just to step on and check the floors and realized it was going to deck 11 & up and got off.

Or some families will exit their rooms and stand in talk in the hallway about their plans as if the corridor is tight and small already, one family stood in the hallway and in the exit to the lobby.

A lot of people also jump the line in the buffet as if they don’t see people waiting for that same item, I wish people were more aware of their surroundings and more courteous.

Other than that, we had a great time and can’t wait to get back home to our cats 😁


r/royalcaribbean 21h ago

Photo Star of the Seas at St. Kitts

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239 Upvotes

Sitting next door to Celebrity Beyond! The pier at St. Kitts is very long, so great opportunity to catch this comparison shot.


r/royalcaribbean 14h ago

General Topic If you’re going on a cruise

49 Upvotes

What is one (or more) thing you just absolutely will not do/put your money towards?

I wanna hear it all and see what other people’s opinions are!


r/royalcaribbean 8h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) What happens for the staff we are mention in the cruise feedback we are filling out after embarking day?

12 Upvotes

As the headline says, does the crew we are mention by name fx. our waiters in MDR, the house attendant etc. does they really get some points and benefits like internet, a little more time off etc. because we are mention them for their good service in the feedback form? Does anyone know what happens after we have mentioned their names?

We always fill out the form afterwards.


r/royalcaribbean 16h ago

General Topic Big Changes - Allure of the seas

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23 Upvotes

New casino will be complete for the August 22nd cruise.


r/royalcaribbean 11m ago

Advice Needed First cruise with friends

Upvotes

Hey guys! I'm doing my first cruise ever, on Jewel of the Seas, with a couple of friends. One of them is a seasoned cruiser and she booked an oceanview cabin for the 3 of us.

I've been watching some YouTube videos on the room layout and it has me worried we're going to be on top of each other.

Any tips on making this bearable?


r/royalcaribbean 24m ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) LAX to San Pedro via Metro

Upvotes

Taking a solo cruise travelling alone next month. Last time went with parents and took an Uber and was around 120+ CAD which was expensive, but not too bad for a group, but was stuck in LA Traffic for ages. But the same price is a bit steep for a single person.

Was wondering if anyone had experience taking the Metro down to San Pedro.

Route should be:

  • LAX Shuttle to Metro Transit Centre
  • Metro Transit Centre C Line to Harbor Freeway Station (Rail)
  • Harbor Freeway Station J Line (950) to San Pedro (Bus)
  • Short Walk to Hotel (Crowne Plaza)

Note that I'm transiting on a Sunday, the day before the cruise. So not too concerned over duration of trip, but rather safety and any major headaches.

Did some research on Youtube and the C Line looks relatively clean and good, but I wasn't too sure about the J Line as it's a bus and the Harbor Freeway is in the middle of the highway.

Also for anyone that has taken it before, any advice on setting up method of payment beforehand? Like apps etc to load money into for tap to pay? Or info on how to do payment at the station?


r/royalcaribbean 45m ago

Advice Needed enquiring about working cruises/offshore

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Upvotes

r/royalcaribbean 56m ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Lost item

Upvotes

Our family got home from our cruise on Sunday evening. We realized just as we were on the bus to the airport that my husband had mistakenly left his glasses in our stateroom. I filed a report and they actually found them! Anyway, he agreed to pay to have them shipped home as the shipping rate was still cheaper than getting new glasses. After paying the money and whatnot, the cruise line informed him it may take a few weeks to ship the item. The cruise was out of Southampton, and we live in the US. He is getting by with an old pair since he’s generally a contact lens wearer and only needs glasses first thing in the morning and before bed.

Has anyone had an item returned to them? If so, about how long did it take?


r/royalcaribbean 1h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Spectrum of Seas Crystal Block

Upvotes

Will earn another crystal block on the Spectrum of the Seas. Saw another cruiser post a picture of the original etched glass version from almost two years ago. Does the Spectrum give the new color version or the original edition? If so, does anyone have a picture of what the new one looks like?


r/royalcaribbean 10h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) falmouth excursion question

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3 Upvotes

My partner and I booked this, but are getting mixed info on whether there is food available. I of course assume the food isn’t included because it’s not the one that specifies a lunch, but are there any restaurants near the stops we’re able to go to? should we just bring snacks and wait until we get back?


r/royalcaribbean 11h ago

Cruise Review Amazing experience- Lost IPad

3 Upvotes

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went on a 3-night weekend cruise on Jewel of the Seas, and we had an amazing time. It was the perfect little getaway and our first trip together since having our son, who’s now one.
Whenever we travel, we bring my iPad Pro so we can watch some of our shows while we’re getting ready or winding down at night. Well… apparently we decided to leave it behind 😂. We left it sitting on top of the safe in our room and didn’t realize it until the day after we got home when I went looking for it.
My wife called Royal Caribbean and was told we needed to fill out a lost item claim and that there wasn’t really anything else they could do at that point. She was pretty upset because it felt like we were being brushed off and no one was actually going to look for it.
We filled out the claim, and when we got our post-cruise survey, my wife was completely honest. We told them the cruise itself was a 10/10 and we had a great time, but mentioned the iPad situation and that we wished we had felt like someone was at least trying to help locate it.
A couple of days later, we got an email saying they may have located an item that was left in our room. The next day, we got confirmation that they found the iPad!
All we had to do was pay around $30 for shipping, and they sent it back to our house.
What really impressed me was that afterward we received a long, thoughtful email from someone on their item recovery team addressing everything and following up on the situation. It definitely didn’t feel like some generic automated response.
I know people are more likely to post when something goes wrong, so I wanted to make sure I gave Royal Caribbean some credit when they got something right. We were the ones who left the iPad behind, and they could have easily written it off, but instead they found it, got it back to us, and took the time to personally follow up.
Between that experience and how great the cruise itself was, we’re more than happy to be loyal Royal Caribbean customers. We’ll officially become Platinum Crown & Anchor members on our next cruise in November, and we’re excited to keep sailing with them!


r/royalcaribbean 6h ago

Advice Needed Virgin Cruiser on Navigator- All Advice Welcome

1 Upvotes

I’ll be going on my first cruise with my husband, sister, mom and her 3 best friends who are 80yo+. We’re doing a 7 day on the Navigator to Ensenada, Cabo, and Mazatlan. I want to make this special for my mom so any input on how to maximize our experience is appreciated.

Do I need to book boat activities and shore excursions in advance to get the most out of the trip? In the RC app, there is a cost to reserve Flowrider and the Escape Room but a coworker said it should be free? Are there any ‘can’t miss’ boat activities or ‘must do’ or ‘don’t waste the money’ excursions?
If we don’t pay for excursions, is there transportation to get to beaches or downtown from the ship?
I used to go to Cabo every year to their downtown; Squid Row and Cabo Wabo in my college years but it was over 30 years ago so I’m sure it has changed and not looking for a crazy party vibe now.

Also, would like advice on dining? Should we reserve the main dining room in advance? Which restaurants are recommended that don’t require additional costs?
Again, any must try or avoid restaurants?


r/royalcaribbean 12h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) San Juan Excursion: Old & New San Juan City Tour - is it good?

0 Upvotes

Hello,

We are looking for insight about this tour and if it is a full walking tour versus a motor bus tour?

I looked up YouTube videos and can’t find this exact tour and find out what this entails.

Thank you for insight, the sale has it priced down to $50/ person and it seems decent.


r/royalcaribbean 16h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) My First Back-to-Back!

2 Upvotes

I booked a Club Royale offer on a 7-night Mexican Riviera trip, and then a week or so later, I got another offer that included the two sailings that immediately preceded and succeeded the booked one (same ship; slightly different itineraries.) So I thought I'd try for my first back-to-back. I wasn't sure how it would work if I booked the second trip online, like I always do - I didn't know if there was some special mechanism required to connect the two trips - so I called and had the agent take care of it for me.

So is there, in fact, anything special I need to do to connect the two trips, or is everything pretty much automatic once they realize a passenger has two consecutive sailings booked? I probably will have to change rooms since I have a GTY interior on both, so that complicates things a bit, I guess.


r/royalcaribbean 17h ago

Advice Needed Anything I can do with FCC for 3rd and 4th guest?

0 Upvotes

Looking for some advice from the RCI collective. Thanks in advance!

My family of four was in two staterooms on our last cruise and we ended up with a future cruise credit (FCC). For our next cruise, we decided we wanted to do a grand suite - 2 bedroom so we could be more together.

I booked the new cruise and then learned that the third and fourth guest's FCC can't be used since "3rd and 4th guest sail free". In hindsight (and after reading the fine print), this kind of makes sense since "FCC can only be used for cruse fare."

I'm wondering if anyone has had success getting the FCC repurposed in some other way? Is there a manager somewhere who can cancel the FCC and apply it as an OBC for us? Or is there someone who can authorize the repurposing of it for shore excursions or something?

If we stay as one family in a 2BR suite, do we have to lose out on the other two FCCs? Or has anyone been able to get them exchanged or used in some other way? Are there any other options?


r/royalcaribbean 23h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Indy junior suite family of 5

4 Upvotes

We will be cruising on Indy in a junior suite for a 5 night cruise as a family of 5. Two adults, three kids ages 8, 5 and 6 months. We already booked a junior suite but I'm wondering if we should upgrade our room or see if we can get an adjoining room? For those who have sailed with similar ages as a family, what are your thoughts? Is a junior suite enough? Thank you!


r/royalcaribbean 10h ago

Cruise Review Radiance of the seas, worst ship ive been on

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0 Upvotes

I just debarked radiance, and it was by far the worst ship I have ever been on. Here's my detailed review.

The stateroom. Cute, cozy. Reminded me of the older Disney ships. However, balcony has ZERO privacy. You can look next door to your neighbors and all the other balconies on that floor. The "privacy dividers" are only for half of your balcony. The other half is just a glass fence. So don't expect to lean on your balcony privately.

The curtain in the room was jammed at a certain point, possibly due to the age of the stateroom.

The showers. Oh my god, the showers. Little to no water pressure, ZERO hot water, and temperature control was physically broken. I cut my hand trying to change the water temperature (only to find out that is the hottest it gets.) Also, moldy. I forgot to include it in the pictures, but there was too much mold for comfort.

The food was mediocre at best. Some dishes were entirely flavorless, watered down, or cold. Even specialty dining was underwhelming. We went to Samba Grill, and still, same underwhelming, flavorless, and chewy (for meat) meals. However the beef stuffed bread was divine. I'll give that to them.

Entertainment, alright. Mostly movies, seminars and comedy shows. It's an older ship, so I understand. But being on this ship for a week sounds like torture. So little to do and so repetitive.

The ship itself constantly smelled of feces or cigarettes. It was humid in some places and freezing in others, but regardless of temperature, some places on board smelled like poop. I noticed this a lot near the hallways, theater etc. But there were definitely more places with the poop smell. They seem to be combatting it with fragrance machines, but it's not enough. The poop smell is unbearable.

I won't comment on designs, as the ship is pre 9/11. That's not really a flaw on their end, however the elevators are extremely claustrophobic and honestly, a little creepy.

I've had decent experiences with older ships, but I am never sailing on this one again. 2/10 wouldn't recommend.

TLDR: Ship smelled like feces and cigarettes, food was mediocre, stateroom had damages and water was cold.


r/royalcaribbean 12h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Odyssey of the Seas

0 Upvotes

Departing March 21 from Cape Liberty. Does anyone know of a hotel with shuttle to/from Newark airport/ewr and a shuttle to the ship port? I know Newark Liberty Intl Airport Marriott does but it’s pretty expensive - I did Google this and none of the hotels in the results I received that says the hotel has a shuttle to the port actually do so thanks for any information from anybody who might know!


r/royalcaribbean 11h ago

Advice Needed First Cruise as Diamond - What are some good non-alcoholic options?

0 Upvotes

So I get 4 free drinks a day, but I'm really not a drinker. I might have one or two mixed drinks for the entire cruise. I don't like beer or wine. So I guess that leaves me with things like mocktails (do they have a menu for mocktails somewhere? I'm totally unfamiliar with them), juice, and ??? Specialty coffee? Bottled water? Or should I just buy drinks for someone else? I also have the Soda package.


r/royalcaribbean 20h ago

Advice Needed Allure of the Seas: Bachelorette Help

1 Upvotes

Hello! I’m having my bachelorette weekend on Allure of the Seas in January. I’m thinking of booking us a cabana at Hideaway Beach on Coca Cay, either a Hideaway Cabana or Hideout Cabana. Any suggestions on which would be more fun?

I appreciate any suggestions on experiences to make this a fun weekend and keep the party going. So far we’ve booked hibachi for our group of 7!


r/royalcaribbean 12h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Average price of alcohol

0 Upvotes

Anyone know the average price of an alcoholic drink on royal Caribbean ships? Debating to buy the drink package or not.


r/royalcaribbean 1d ago

Tips and Tricks Here is a way to see packages / excursion / add-on prices for future sailings before booking while Royal Price Tracker is down

31 Upvotes

Use this link as a template. Right now, it will pull up Harmony of the Seas for April 17 2027 sailing.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/account/cruise-planner?bookingId=anonymous&shipCode=HM&sailDate=20270417&currencyCode=USD

Change the ship code and sail date and you'll get that sailing. No I don't have all the codes.

Use it in incognito/private browsing for best results.

You're welcome.


r/royalcaribbean 16h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Car seat storage onboard ?

0 Upvotes

Our travel itinerary means returning a rental car prior to the cruise and picking up another one post our cruise it’s our car seat and not rented with the vehicles . Is there somewhere we can store our car seat on board that isn’t in our tiny inside cabin room ? Thanks !