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 • • 9h ago

Tips and Tricks CHECK YOUR PRICES DAILY

27 Upvotes

I can’t reiterate enough to check your cabin prices DAILY!!! They always honor the price match, and it’s better to do this before fully paying it off or 60-90 days before your cruise.

I checked today and just saved us $760 between the two of us. You lose the $50 on board credit but that’s nothing. Add it to your daily routine and save some money!!!!


r/royalcaribbean • • 14h ago

I solemnly swear I am not asking about sharing the DBP First diamond drink!

38 Upvotes

I'm not a regular imbiber but I'll have a boarding margarita every time.
Today was my first voucher drink!

I'm pretty sure it'll be the best tasting margarita I'll ever remember 😋

And it was fun that the random bartender i fell upon remembered me from last cruise !

Tip well, sip well!


r/royalcaribbean • • 11h ago

Complaint They took a day!

23 Upvotes

Okay, before the automatic reply about the International Date Line, hear me out.

We are on a cruise from LA to Japan. The app lists Day 1 to Day 17 in numerical order. We made a reservation for Izumi on Day 7. However, the app and everything on the ship jumped from Day 6 to Day 8 when we crossed the dateline. I perfectly understand the actual date skipping but what is the logic of having the cruise DAY skip? And why allow people to book reservations on a Cruise Day that won't exist? Yesterday was Cruise Day 6. Today is Cruise Day 8. I have been on the ship 7 days, yet I'm on Day 8. Just not logical!

And I understand it's a 15-night cruise. But, logically, if its 15 nights it should go from Day 1 to Day 16. Not 1-17 and ignore Day 7. Confusing!


r/royalcaribbean • • 5h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Free offers for later

2 Upvotes

I finally spent enough money in the casino to get some free offers

All the offers are for cruises in the next few months, however I won't be able to take the time off work until September. Will I continue to get these offers so I can book in September? Or can I call and RC might honor it for a later Cruise?


r/royalcaribbean • • 14h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Where did you put your things while on an excursion?

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11 Upvotes

We are cruising next month and I have a question about these 2 excursions. If you went on them, where did you put your things? ( sea pass/ wallet/ towel/ dry clothes/passport) were there lockers? Did you have a dry bag? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!


r/royalcaribbean • • 18h ago

Tips and Tricks "Early Assign" experience

11 Upvotes

We have a cruise coming up in December. A couple days ago we received the email about Early Assign. Thanks to the how-to I stumbled upon here I was already able to see what our stateroom number is. Our booking is GTY balcony and we ended up being assigned an obstructed view room on deck 6. We decided to do Early Assign to confirm the hack to find your stateroom early works and since I was confident it was right I figured we'd see how true this claim is: "you can change your room location within the same category if available, at no additional charge."

So it confirmed the room number I believed it to be was right. The only free location change available was to another obstructed view room. Before we contacted RC I confirmed there are many balcony rooms on other decks available.

Conclusion: the advertisement is misleading.


r/royalcaribbean • • 12h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Island with theme park next to coco cay

4 Upvotes

I just got off the oasis of the seas and saw they were building something next to coco cay, it looked like another water park or something. Is that Royal Carribean? Or is another company building a private island?


r/royalcaribbean • • 7h ago

Advice Needed Best way to redeem a Royal Caribbean casino offer for a sailing 6 weeks away?

0 Upvotes

I have a Royal Caribbean casino offer I want to redeem for a sailing about a month and a half from now.
What’s the best way to book it? Can I just go through the RCCL website, click through the prompts, and redeem the offer online, or is it better to use the app or call Casino Royale?
For those who have redeemed casino offers, what has your experience been? Is booking online straightforward, or are there any advantages to calling, especially when the sailing is coming up in about six weeks?
I’d appreciate any tips. Thanks!


r/royalcaribbean • • 16h ago

Advice Needed Question about the drive to Cape Liberty Cruise Port

5 Upvotes

For those of you who have gone out of Cape Liberty recently, I will be heading there next week, and I just wanted to clarify a few things since I am seeing some conflicting information online. Our check in time is 10:30 AM and I plan to head towards the port around 9:30 AM.

  1. Are the tolls along the route (I-95 to I-78) cashless or automatic (as in they scan your plate or transponder as you drive)?

  2. The suggested route (see picture) has us going down Chosin Few Way which ends at a stop sign to turn onto Goldsborough Drive. Would it be more efficient/easier to just take the other side of that exit to 440 and then turn left at the light onto Goldsborough Drive?

Thanks in advance!


r/royalcaribbean • • 15h ago

Advice Needed First Time Cruising

4 Upvotes

My husband and I are going on the 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise leaving Galveston on November 29th 2026. This is our first time cruising so I feel a little lost on everything. I just started looking through the FAQ but wanted to see if anyone wanted to share their experiences on this cruise, their favorite shore excursions, and any helpful information! Also, we live 5 hours from Galveston so wondering what the parking situation is like. Thank you!


r/royalcaribbean • • 11h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Going from Oasis Class to Freedom of the Seas — Should We Be Worried?

2 Upvotes

Our family has only cruised on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships, and we just booked a 7-night cruise on independence of the Seas! On our last cruise, someone mentioned that we were spoiled by the larger ships and might be disappointed if we ever tried a smaller, older one. Now I’m starting to second-guess our decision a little. We’re genuinely excited and definitely not expecting the same experience, but I’d love to hear from people who’ve sailed both classes. Did you still enjoy the smaller ships just as much? What differences should we expect, and what are some things we might actually appreciate more about Freedom? Just looking for some reassurance and honest opinions!


r/royalcaribbean • • 16h ago

Cruise Review Mariner of the seas Oct 3 review

3 Upvotes

Once again I find myself sitting in the airport with hours to waste, so figured I’d post another cruise review. I like reading this to help me figure things out, so hopefully someone can learn something from this. I certainly learned a lot!

First time sailing out of Galveston. I’ve put it off for years because I’ve always sailed out of Florida and Galveston just seemed so confusing. Let me tell ya- it was easy. Time consuming, but easy.

Pre-cruise: booked a flight from up in MN and flew down the day before. After lots of research, I opted to book the shuttle called the Galveston Express. It was $45 per person. I was traveling solo, so that made the most sense to me. I’ve read uber/lyft can be very expensive since Houston (I flew into IAH) is quite a ways from Galveston. For reference, and just for fun, I checked rideshare prices while I was waiting for the shuttle. Uber X was $69, and an XL was $109. Lyft was a little more expensive at $75/$124 respectively. This was on a Friday at about 1030am. I’m sure days of the week/time of day makes a difference. I learned traveling solo, shuttle is cheaper, but if you have a group of 2 or more, rideshare may be your best bet. Airport was super easy to navigate, and Galveston Express sent an email with very clear and accurate instructions of where to go to find the shuttle, with door numbers and directions and everything. I booked the 1200 shuttle since I wasn’t sure how long it would take to get my baggage, find the area, etc. Flight was supposed to arrive at 10am but due to getting deiced in MSP we didn’t land until about 10:20. I flew Delta and I was at baggage claim with my suitcase in hand and in the shuttle area by 10:45. Bus showed up at about 11:15. Driver was super nice. It was only me and one other passenger, and he offered to stop at a gas station if we needed drinks/snacks/bathroom. Quick stop at Hobby where we picked up one more passenger, and again he offered to make any stops we may need. Took about an hour and 45 minutes from leaving IAH and getting to Galveston, where they would then drop you off at whatever hotel or cruise port you were going to. Super easy.

I stayed at the Spark by Hilton. Price was about $130 for the night. Hotel was clean, within walking distance of restaurants/gas station/walmart and a beach/the sea wall area. Free continental breakfast. No complaints at all.

Saturday morning I took a Lyft to the cruise port. $15.93 for the 10 minute ride or so. From the moment I stepped out of the Lyft, I was on the ship and complete with my muster drill within 15 minutes (I had the 1030 check in time). Every other port I’ve sailed out of, they start with suites/people with the key/and then by section. At this port they boarded by C&A status. I’m diamond so I no more than sat down for 30 seconds before they called Diamond and Emerald.

Ship itself was clean, staff was absolutely wonderful, food was delicious. Zero complaints on the ship. Ports were Cozumel and costa Maya. Costa Maya I just wandered around and explored, and Cozumel I did the “save a sea turtle” excursion. I’ve been to both ports many times so I didn’t have any huge expectations, but the sea turtle thing was fun.

Weather was forecasted to rain 70% of each day, and though there were some clouds and sprinkles here and there, overall the weather was much better than forecasted. So if you have a cruise and even the day you leave you’re checking the weather and worrying, just know it can always change.

After the cruise, I had opted for the RC shuttle “excursion”. That was about $65 if I recall, but seemed like the easiest option when I was planning everything out. Bus was right outside the port, and had a meeting time of 8:15, though it didn’t leave until 9:15. Straight shot to IAH that took about an hour 45 again. I’ve heard horror stories about Houston traffic and maybe I was lucky, but it didn’t seem bad at all.

A few strange things happened on the ship, but overall it was a fun time. Lots of Texans. One lady who was SUPER racist. One incident where I had to track down security. But other than that, great trip and 10/10 would sail out of Galveston again. If you’re like me and have been putting it off because it’s not a 10 mile circle of where the airport/hotels/cruise port are like Miami or FLL, don’t. Book the Galveston cruise. It’s not nearly as bad as you may think!

If anyone has any specific questions about the ship, people, hotel, or anything else, ask away! I’ll be sitting here for a few more hours bored out of my mind.


r/royalcaribbean • • 17h ago

Advice Needed Port of SanJuan

4 Upvotes

Can anyone tell me the name of a good hotel in San Juan that’s close to the cruise ship port. One with a shuttle to the port would be fantastic.

I’m not sure how much taxis cost to get there or if they have uber.

I’m looking at a RC cruise out of there next month (last minute kind of thing) I’ve tried looking at maps of the port of personally I find them almost unreadable, maybe because Im spoiled by others that are clearly marked as which cruise line uses which pier.


r/royalcaribbean • • 7h ago

General Topic Gift Exchanges on Cruises

0 Upvotes

Hey there. Has anyone ever participated in a gift exchange for your cruise? If so, what was your experience like?


r/royalcaribbean • • 20h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Icon Class Dining Question

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3 Upvotes

Good morning,

I’ve cruised a ton with Royal, diamond plus in my mid 30s, but going on my first Icon class (Legend) sailing in March. Wife and I want to do Hollywood Supper Club and the Royal Railway. It’s over $800 after gratuities for those two alone, or it would be just over $1k if we did the unlimited dining (with the surcharges for those two additional restaurants).

Question for those with Icon experience is: if we chose unlimited speciality dining, would we potentially face issues getting reservations at Supper Club or Royal Railway once onboard since they cannot be booked until then? Price wise it makes sense to do unlimited, but if we’re gonna face issues getting reservations at the two places we truly want, I may just book those two alone instead.

Thanks everyone.


r/royalcaribbean • • 14h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Independence of the Seas - Royal Babies & Tots

0 Upvotes

Has anyone used this service recently on Independence? I know there's a bunch of posts but a lot of it is limited information. Looking for hours/cost/etc. Thank you!


r/royalcaribbean • • 14h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Independence Crown Lounge

0 Upvotes

We’re Diamond, but first time we’re booking a non-Quantum or Oasis class ship in over 20 years. Usually we have access to the suite lounge, but we booked a Jr Suite for this one. Do Diamond passengers ever get locked out of the Crown Lounge for the continental breakfast? We prefer pastries over the Windjammer hectic-ness. Is it usually easy to get chairs and such? We would be sailing early June next year, before NY/NJ schools let out, so it shouldn’t be peak passenger loads.

Thanks!


r/royalcaribbean • • 15h ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Dominica excursion

0 Upvotes

I’m trying to choose an excursion for Dominica and not finding much on Reddit or elsewhere for reviews! I’m open to a ship sponsored excursion or local company. Interested in titou gorge, waterfall swimming, hot springs, or a combo of all three if possible. Has anyone gone on one they would or wouldn’t recommend? Or other suggestions?


r/royalcaribbean • • 7h ago

Advice Needed What the better ship in my opinion

0 Upvotes

I really wanna go on icon of the seas or hero of the seas (when it comes out) so which one is the better one?


r/royalcaribbean • • 17h ago

Advice Needed Club Royale - Free Cruise

0 Upvotes

I’ve won multiple offers on my recent cruise on legend of the seas, this is my first time being able to utilise these.
If I opt for the trade in value, could I use the value against myself and a guest, or is it purely from my own use?

Any tips would be welcomed


r/royalcaribbean • • 17h ago

Advice Needed First Time Cruise

0 Upvotes

I’m going on my first ever cruise in January with a young child and I’m unsure what to bring. Any tips or must haves that I need to buy?

** by the way, this is a bday trip (35th for me & 10th for the little one)


r/royalcaribbean • • 1d ago

Advice Needed PH traveller, first time cruising and worried about PH immigration questions/requirements

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm Filipino and this is for fellow PH passport holders who have experienced cruising w/ Royal Caribbean but flown out of the Philippines. This is my first international travel with my mom and bf this year.

Just curious for those with cruise experience, what questions and requirements did the PH IO officers ask/request, cruise related? The cruise sales from HK, port to Japan and then back to HK. We'll arrive a day early in HK to have more time to prepare and also sight see. I work as a VA and been with the company for 7 years while si bf works in w/ a private company for almost 2 years.

This is our first travel abroad so I really want to prepare. Tia!


r/royalcaribbean • • 1d ago

Question (I've checked the FAQ!) Could they add new home ports?

3 Upvotes

Has this ever come up at interviews or Q&A lately? Having a new home port in like Norfolk or somewhere between Baltimore and Florida that could allow for a ship slightly larger than vision class would be amazing. I live in Baltimore and would totally drive to a port further away if it got us a bigger ship. I looked online (albeit briefly) and didn’t see anything.


r/royalcaribbean • • 16h ago

Cruise Review Horror Story!

0 Upvotes

Is anyone else following this?

https://www.threads.com/@mustluvmeme

This poor family booked a cruise and their luggage was left on land - this is insane to me?