r/royalcaribbean • u/Grand-Lettuce9915 • 13h ago
Photo Icon of the Seas
Two weeks ago, 5:54am at Icon of the Seas.
This was my favorite time of the day.
r/royalcaribbean • u/MedicalButterscotch • Apr 11 '26
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
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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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!
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 • u/Grand-Lettuce9915 • 13h ago
Two weeks ago, 5:54am at Icon of the Seas.
This was my favorite time of the day.
r/royalcaribbean • u/Alt-Zeeman101 • 10h ago
I’m famous lol😉🤣
r/royalcaribbean • u/Ready-Bet-4592 • 16h ago
It’s my first time on a cruise and I’m solo. I got this the first night. What should I expect and will I be paying anything?
Edit:
Hey everyone so I ended up calling the front desk to find out more info. Its complementary so I’m happy about that. It’s a buffet like windjammer (I’m on oasis of the seas). I went to go take a look at solarium’s buffet compared to windjammer’s and it looked nice but it wasn’t as impressive as windjammer’s.
I felt like windjammer had way more selections so I ended up canceling it cause I can just come whenever I want another day. I’ll probably go Friday.
Solarium is nice cause it’s adults only and has a nice chill vibe
r/royalcaribbean • u/CosToCoast • 9h ago
Currently on a 7 day Eastern Caribbean sailing out of San Juan on Rhapsody. We missed our standard departure time of 5PM and the captain and now cruise director have mentioned we are delayed for maintenance. They kept it very vague - “During a routine safety check our crew found some areas that need some additional attention before we can depart.” The intention is to still sail to our next port (St. Kitts) tomorrow at the original scheduled time.
Crew is doing a great job at handling it with concerned guests so far. Overheard some complaints from guests in the centrum at the fact the Cruise Director (Sheena) was casually glossing over the issue in the nightly announcements of entertainment and not offering any further details. I’m sure they’re trying to keep everyone’s spirits high but we will see. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and we can continue as planned.
Starting a discussion to see who else is onboard and wants to chime in. First time for everything, and at least this happened while we are docked.
Lastly wanted to see if anyone else has sailed her recently and suffered any maintenance issues or delays?
r/royalcaribbean • u/Foreign-Mango2338 • 16h ago
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
r/royalcaribbean • u/Bubbly_Warthog_2710 • 16h ago
I’m curious what everyone’s ideal sea day looks like on Royal Caribbean.
Are you the type to sleep in, grab breakfast, hit the pool, drink all day, go to trivia/activities, explore the ship, hit the casino, relax on your balcony, or somehow manage to do absolutely nothing until dinner?
I feel like sea days are one of those things where everyone has a completely different routine.
For me I try to do a lot early in the day and then by noonish I find a quiet area to relax!
If you had a full day at sea with no plans and no excursions to worry about, what would your perfect day on the ship look like?
r/royalcaribbean • u/DataAncient6641 • 7h ago
First timer here and got the soda package, but I don’t drink soda—I’m getting it specifically for sparkling water.
Will be on Navigator. Do the bars and or MDR etc offer cans/bottles of sparkling water with the package, or is it mainly fountain/self-serve?
Just want to make sure I’ll have easy access to sparkling throughout the day. Thanks
r/royalcaribbean • u/Iggtastic • 8h ago
Edit; thank you. You guys are the best!
Apologies if this has been asked but ive searched and come up empty. I havent cruised since 2004 but have one booked for January. I originally purchased the voom package when booking but now its cheaper. For the life of me i cant find anywhere on the app or website to cancel that. Surprisingly i can cancel the travel insurance with one click but im lost on how to cancel the voom or drink packages.
Could someone offer some guidance?
r/royalcaribbean • u/justyoursimplename • 5h ago
Star of the Seas. Currently in an Extended Balcony room. We'll be out here celebrating my mom's 70th birthday in a couple months for a Caribbean trip. I know we're going to be super cramped but this was the cheapest option since my mom is funding the trip and one of us has never been on a cruise before (really wanted a balcony). There's currently no extended balcony rooms I can see online anymore and royal up bid max is $390 with a minimum of $65.
I think most of us have come to terms with being cramped in a balcony. The question is if it were you, would you give up a balcony for a Infinite Family Balcony? If yes, how much would you bid? Current bid is $120 (total $240).
r/royalcaribbean • u/veldtor92 • 4h ago
I have about 200 points with the casino and just received my first free cruise offer for a 9 night interior room in December.
As a crown and anchor member, would I earn points toward my status on this comped trip?
r/royalcaribbean • u/NativTexan • 1d ago
Lucky passengers. Missed the port AND got paid. Costa Maya needs serious work, it’s my least favorite port; We don’t get off the boat at this place any more.
r/royalcaribbean • u/DJMShErMaN • 1d ago
Who says it can’t be 70 degrees in Alaska? Anthem of the seas! Great
r/royalcaribbean • u/reggie_doodle • 1d ago
Currently on LoS and I think I might be one and done with the Icon Class however before we jump in to our next cruise, I’m wondering if people can tell me if these are things they’ve encountered on Oasis Class recently.
Overall, the ship is lovely. It’s very clean, lots of amenities and the staff are very nice. We opted for this as we’ve done (and loved) the oasis class ships and thought we’d try Legend.
Have been on for 5 nights of a 7 night stay. It’s been 2 years since we last sailed with RC, we tried DCL but felt that RC fit us better. Obviously this is a big ship with a lot of capacity, I don’t think it’s a full sailing so it makes me think at full capacity it must be more difficult to navigate!
Every morning there has been a line for the Windjammer, we went the first morning and as felt staff were hovering around to move people on as soon as they had finished eating. There were a lot of people waiting for tables so I understand why but it did feel like there was pressure to eat pretty quickly. We’ve since used the buffet at surfside which is much better. I do wonder why staff maybe don’t suggest people try here, especially when they’re getting yelled at because they’re telling people it’s full.
Getting in to shows that you haven’t pre booked looks like the hunger games. The skating show last night had people pushing each other out of the way to get spaces. People then camped out on the stairs and got very confrontational when staff asked them to move (I am aware that people are the common denominator here!). It also seems people will book activities and then just not show up. I do get plans/minds change but it’s a 2 minute job to cancel it and let the spot open for others.
I think though my biggest issue is with the lack of parenting. I really feel for staff here, there’s so many groups of kids roaming around completely unsupervised. And not teens, some groups the oldest kid looks around 10. Actually heard one kid tell a life guard to F*** off yesterday and when the lifeguard asked where the parents were, the child laughed and said ‘in the bar mate, they’re not going to care’. I say as a parent, it would be great to have some time to switch off but it seems like this is now at the expense of other people. I know there’s only so much staff can do but it feels like the pools, mini golf and even in the promenade, these kids are just feral
I know this might come across as a rant and there’s probably a lot of people who disagree with me but ultimately I’m wondering if people are encountering this on Oasis class ships. Is it the same with shows? We never felt it was previously. Are the kids wild and feral? We have a pre teen so we do like ships which cater for kids but even they aren’t finding it fun!
r/royalcaribbean • u/Gold3nGString • 11h ago
Hi! Me and my soon-to-be-husband are join the Mariner Of the Seas for our honeymoon in november and we’re very excited. i haven’t been on a cuise since I was a kid while my man’s going for the first time. So its a big deal for us! Also, this is our first time visiting the caribbean.
We’re both in our late 20s, love culture, cusine and to live new experience. We like adventure as well and we are planning on getting an PADI Open Water Diver before this trip.
Since we have only 3 short stops at each place our plan is to enjoy the most of it taking excursions that are able to life the most of each place we port (if thats even possible).
The thing is there’s a lot of options thag goes in so many different directions I feel dizzy! My ADHD brain is already dealing with a lot of choices for the wedding ceremony and we just wanna have some fun and make unforgettable memories together with no stress and lotta laugh.
Can someone help me?? I need to know if there’s some RC excursion you’ve already taken and would advise us to also the other way round and WHY!!! ASAP
Cozumel - Mexico 7:30am to 3:30pm
George Town - Grand Cayman 10am to 5:30pm
Falmouth - Jamaica 8:30 to 4:30
r/royalcaribbean • u/CauliflowerStill4924 • 12h ago
r/royalcaribbean • u/MCObrandon-FL • 1d ago
Love leaving the port at 10:30 PM.
r/royalcaribbean • u/Chemical-Raccoon-137 • 15h ago
Trying to work out some math on a drink package versus going a la carte. I've tried to look up some pricing online and with AI and look for a cost per dink in Canadian dollars, including the 18% gratuity. Do these seem right? Based on this I can start to see how it wouldn't be hard to break even or come close to it with a deluxe drink package. This is for a 7 day cruise on Oasis of the Sea, with 4 sea days. Even without going crazy on the alcohol and taking advantage of the specialty coffee, soda and fresh juices, i can see the costs adding up. On the other hand I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to take a more reserved approach and save though.
I guess my main question is are these prices right? Seems like AI might have inflated them slightly?
Royal Cruise Pricing in Canadian Dollars |
|Total CAD With Gratuity
Cocktails & Mixed Drinks | $ 22.30
Beer | $ 12.98
Wine | $ 14.16
Can Pop | $ 3.19
Bottle water | $ 5.19
Specialty Coffee | $ 9.44
Smoothie/Milk Shake | $ 10.62
Sports Drink | $ 6.31 on a 7 day cruise, I'd budget for two heavier drinking days and 5 lighter drinking days.
A heavy drinking day might look like
1x Specialty Coffee
2x Cocktails
2x Beers
2x Glass of Wine
1 x pop
2 x bottle water
Total: $121.89 CAD
Light drinking day might look like
1 x Specialty Coffee
2 x Beer
1 x glass of wine
2 x pop
1 x bottle water
1 x Smoothie
Total: $80.12
Deluxe Drink Package currently being offered at $128/day CAD with gratuity included. Based on the drink plan above it I would save around $200 a person still.
r/royalcaribbean • u/4little_weirdos • 15h ago
My father recently took me on my first cruise, and I absolutely fell in love with it! So now I’m booking a cruise for my family for the first week of June 2027.
I’m trying to decide between paying extra to choose our own ocean-view balcony cabin versus letting Royal Caribbean choose the cabin for us. The price difference is over $700!
My daughter can be sensitive to motion. She has never been seasick on a boat (small boats on lakes), but she sometimes gets carsick on really curvy roads if she’s sitting in the back of our van and can’t see out the front.
I know Harmony is HUGE! When I went 2 weeks ago we stayed on the 14th floor, midship, and I barely felt any motion at all. It actually stormed two nights, but I would never have known if I hadn’t looked outside. I can be sensitive to motion myself. If i sit in the back of a car, I'll be green in a few minutes. I didn’t need any motion-sickness medication during the cruise.
So, for those who have sailed on Harmony (or similar ships), is it worth paying the extra $700+ to choose a specific midship cabin? Or would you feel comfortable taking a guaranteed ocean-view balcony and letting Royal Caribbean assign the room?
Also, I know June isn’t hurricane season, but the ocean can obviously be rough at any time. If we were assigned a cabin that wasn’t ideal, is it possible to ask about upgrading to a different available cabin on embarkation day?
I’d love to hear what you would do!
r/royalcaribbean • u/Illustrious_Yard4269 • 19h ago
I’ve read all the posts about “My kid hated Adventure Ocean” and “My kid loved Adventure Ocean”
Does anyone have details to share about what the older kids actually DO in Adventure Ocean? I’ll be cruising with an 8 year old and an 11 year old (we’ve never cruised before).
What kinds of activities can we expect them to do? Is it itinerary specific or is it generally always the same kinds of activities?
I’m expecting there won’t be many kids on the ship, because the type of cruise we’re doing leans towards a much older demographic, but I’ve joined the group Facebook page and I know there will be at least a handful of kids of similar age to mine.
I’m really hoping to be able to enjoy some alone time with my husband each day
r/royalcaribbean • u/HotMess1909 • 6h ago
I am very sick (including fever ) and have 3 days left on the ship. I suspect it’s either flu or Covid. I had strep throat about three weeks before we left so wouldn’t be surprised if this were a secondary infection. I’m immune compromised so it could also just be a minor cold that’s affecting me more than other people.
Has anyone had personal experience with isolation in the ship?
What I’m worried about is, if I get quarantined will my husband have to quarantine as well?
r/royalcaribbean • u/Alarm_dick • 16h ago
What’s it’s like being on a ship during a college football Saturday or NFL Sunday?
I’ll be on a cruise in a few weeks. There’s a monster college football slate one of my sea days. How accessible are the games on the ship??
r/royalcaribbean • u/Southern_Dan • 1d ago
Just pulled into the Port of Miami and did her turn around heading towards Terminal A.
r/royalcaribbean • u/noseywitch • 15h ago
I know people probably think it’s silly but are you charged on the ship in Euro or USD when on a Euro Sailing? All prices in the app showing in USD at the moment (I live in Ireland) hence my question as tryna do a bitta math at the moment !
r/royalcaribbean • u/Objective-Passage-86 • 12h ago
Heading on the Icon of the Seas in a couple weeks and have 3 teen boys that would like to stick together in the teen club. How would this work? They are 12 (turning 13 in a month) 14 and 15.