Fall is in the air, but Royal Caribbean cruises in October are still taking you to places that are plenty warm.

This post will share important information what you should know before going on a cruise in October. This month we see the end of cruising in Alaska for the season, but there is still time to see Europe before that season comes to an end.  Meanwhile, Caribbean sailings will start to increase with ships returning to start winter itineraries.

Just like September, October is also one of the best times to get a great price on a cruise. The combination of school in session and the peak of hurricane season makes for some really low rates.  In fact, last minute cruise prices are pretty good if you can take advantage of certain October sailings.

Ships sailing in October 2023

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships will be operating in the Caribbean and Europe, with a few ships moving around to prepare for new homes in November.

October is the end of the Alaska and European cruise seasons, with ships in Europe heading back to the Caribbean.  Ships in Alaska typically move onto Australia for the summer cruise season down under.

October weather on a cruise

No matter when you cruise in October in the Caribbean, expect very warm summer-like temperatures.

The first half of October is also the peak of hurricane season, but as the month goes on, the chances of a storm begin to diminish a bit.

According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, 87 percent of minor and 96 percent of major hurricanes occur between August and October, peaking in early September.

Even if there is a storm somewhere in the tropics, your ship will go around it to avoid going anywhere near the storm.

The biggest impact you could face on an October cruise is a last-minute itinerary change due to a hurricane.

Read more: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean

Over in Europe, fall temperatures means pleasant daytime temperatures in the Mediterranean. While temperatures can heat up over the summer, October weather offers a slight chill in the air and can sometimes be warm enough to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.

Expect daytime temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit. 

Plan to wear layers so you can adjust to warmer or colder than expected temperatures easily.

Is October a good time to cruise the Caribbean?

In short, you will find some of the best prices for Caribbean cruises in October.

Because families have kids in school, there is less demand for cruises this time of year. The result can be some excellent rates for a cruise in October.

In addition, the looming threat of hurricane season is a benefit and disadvantage of cruising in October. Demand is lower, so that means you pay less.  But the possibility of a storm impacting your cruise means some cruise fans are unwilling to risk the sailing could be altered.

Does Royal Caribbean celebrate Halloween?

If your cruise sails over October 31st, you should plan on Halloween fun onboard.

In years' past, Royal Caribbean has held various Halloween events onboard its ships that sail over the holiday.

Costume contests, haunted houses, trick or treating, and even face painting have all been offered in the past.

If your cruise does not sail over the Halloween holiday, then don't expect Halloween decorations or events on your cruise.

In a new update yesterday, Royal Caribbean has announced some changes in protocols for guests traveling with cruises visiting or embarking in Canada and Barbados.

In an email to its travel partners, the cruise line highlighted new protocols for its customers, good news for many cruisers who had to endure the extra costs associated with testing and other entry paperwork.

Both the Canadian and Barbadian governments recently announced a number of updates to their Covid protocols as it relates to tourists. A welcome change for many, which has allowed cruise lines to modify their policies.

There are, however, no new updated protocols for Bermuda, which still requires pre-cruise testing and entry approval with a fee. 

Here is what cruisers need to know about the changes for cruises to Canada and Barbados.

Changes to cruises to Canada

Starting October 1, 2022, for sailings of 9 nights or less, Royal Caribbean is welcoming all guests, regardless of vaccination status, for cruises that embark, debark, or visit Canada. This is welcome news for cruisers leaving on New England sailings in the remainder of the year.  

Vaccination and testing

Royal Caribbean notes the following protocols based on vaccination status:

• Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, will no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less. And, boarding day tests are no longer required.
• Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date. 
• Additionally, for sailings of 10 nights or more, all guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.

Despite the changes in protocols, the cruise line continues to recommend that guests be vaccinated against Covid-19. Noting that for those eligible, “ we recommend that guests joining us be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population”.

Testing information

Royal Caribbean, in a major improvement for cruisers, is allowing guests to take advantage of at-home antigen tests; even unsupervised tests will satisfy this requirement for cruises to and from Canada.

Passengers must present proof of a negative test at boarding. This can be provided in the form of a printout, an email, or an app screen from the test provider. Additionally, guests can show a picture of their negative home test on their phone, or present the actual negative test itself.

ArriveCAN App

The ArriveCAN app was introduced by the Canadian government for cross-border travel during the pandemic. Travelers entering Canada had to complete the electronic form with health information and other details prior to arrival in Canada.

The Canadian government has announced that as of Effective October 1, 2022, completion of the ArriveCAN form is no longer required. As such, it is not a requirement for guests traveling to and from Canada as part of their cruise.

Although the government has said that it will be optional, and plans are to make it part of an advanced declaration form to speed up the process for those flying into Canada in the future, 

Current cruises that will be impacted by changes in 2022

This is good news for cruisers traveling on the remaining itineraries to Canada in 2022. Royal Caribbean has sailings running throughout October, including:

• 7-night cruise to Canada, leaving from Boston, Massachusetts, on Voyager of the Seas  
• 8-night Canada and New England Cruise leaving from Baltimore, Maryland on Enchantment of the Seas
• 9 night Canada and New England Cruise sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey on Adventure of the Seas

Changes to cruises from Barbados

For cruisers on or after October 1, Royal Caribbean is accepting all guests, regardless of vaccination status, back onboard for itineraries from Barbados. Royal Caribbean offers a number of cruises that originate in Bridgetown, Barbados in 2022 and the future. 

Vaccination and testing

For cruises out of Barbados, the requirements are as follows:

• Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, will no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less. And, boarding day tests are no longer required.

• Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of our sail date. 

• Additionally, for sailings of 10 nights or more, all guests age 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.

Despite the changes in protocols, the cruise line does continue to recommend that guests be vaccinated against Covid-19; for those who are eligible,  Guests are asked to disclose their status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.

Testing details

Passengers must present proof of a negative test at boarding. This can be provided in the form of a printout, an email, or an app screen from the test provider. Alternatively, passengers can show a picture of their negative home test on their phone, or present the actual negative test itself.

Barbados Customs and Immigration Form

All guests need to adhere to any entry requirements and complete the Barbados Customs and Immigration form within 72 hours of arrival in Barbados. The form can be completed in advance and once finished, a receipt will be emailed to passengers with a travel code.

Upcoming Barbados cruises impacted by changes

This will impact cruises with sailings out of Bridgetown, Barbados, including both the Rhapsody of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas, which start running in November of this year.

You've got a great Royal Caribbean cruise booked, so what's the best way to splurge to plus the vacation?

Cruise vacations are a fun tradition for many families, and part of the fun of a holiday is treating yourself to things and experiences you wouldn't do at home.

Certainly there are a lot of ways to budget for an affordable trip, but what if you want to splurge? What are the best ways to spend some extra money, such as $1,000 on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

There are a lot of different things you can spend your money on during a cruise: dining, shore excursions, staterooms, drinks and plenty more.

While I've shared many ways to save money and make your vacation budget stretch over the years, there are plenty of times people want to spend extra on their vacation to make it more special.  Perhaps it's an anniversary, honeymoon, graduation gift, or something else celebratory. If you fall into this category, there are definitely quite a few ways to put your money to use on Royal Caribbean.

Even if you're not looking to "make it rain" with cash, these tips could still help those out on a budget because it can illustrate the best ways to spend your money and make it go further. After all, you might be surprised the difference one thousand dollars can make.

Moving up to a suite

I think a lot of people think about their cruise cabin first when thinking about ways to spend more on a cruise.

Moving up to a larger balcony, especially a suite, means more living space and more amenities during your cruise. Suites include some of the best perks you'll get onboard, short of hitting the top tier of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

The suite concierge is a dedicated resource exclusively for suite guests that provides a lot of services to you, some of which are unavailable to other guests.

Read more: 10 Surprising things you didn't know the Royal Caribbean concierge can do for you

Then there's the special areas of the ship being in a suite gets you, such as the suite sun deck (or reserved seating at the pool deck) and suite lounge.

Speaking of the suite lounge, you'll enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages each evening in the suite lounge, which will return some value for the money spent to move up to a suite.

The caveat to spending your $1,000 on a suite is sometimes it may not be enough to move up. Depending on your group size, sail date, and ship, the cost to move up to suite may exceed the budget you have to spend, but if it's in the cards, a suite is tough to beat as a binge.

Making your cruise nearly all-inclusive

They say "money can't buy you happiness" but it sure can buy you a lot of unlimited add-ons which should help keep you happy.

Royal Caribbean sells various extra packages to its guests as an optional way to cap and include certain popular add-ons.

This includes a Royal Caribbean drink package, specialty dining package, or a photo package.

Each of these will include as many drinks, specialty restaurants and photos as you can handle on your cruise. As the name implies, each of these truly is unlimited, so you can go through your cruise not worrying what your final bill will be at the end of the cruise. The peace of mind that comes with these unlimited packages is a major relief.

Depending on the length of your cruise and how many people are in your group, $1,000 might not cover all three of these add-ons. The drink package alone often costs hundreds of dollars for a 7-night cruise with just two adults.

A way to still enjoy these popular add-ons at less of a cost is to purchase one of their lesser packages. The Royal Refreshment or Soda packages are significantly cheaper than the Deluxe Beverage package because it does not include alcohol. The 3-night dining package is going to cost less than the unlimited option. Ditto for a fixed photo package.

Whichever add-ons you buy, there is a tremendous amount of value you can unlock from them.

Read more: What's worth paying extra for on a cruise?

The Key

While I don't recommend Royal Caribbean's VIP add-on program as a must-buy for everyone, if you're spending a grand anyway, it's not the worst investment.

Read more: Counterpoint: why we love The Key

The Key is an option Royal Caribbean provides guests with special perks and access while onboard.

Internet access, early check-in, special times at signature attractions and more are included with The Key.

Having The Key removes anxiety and stress primarily at the beginning and end of the cruise, which is worth something to a lot of cruisers (especially first-timers).

You'll have to buy The Key for everyone in your cabin that is at least 6 years old, but it's likely your $1,000 should cover the entirety of your group.

If you do purchase The Key, be sure to take advantage of everything it offers so you can maximize its value.

Cabana rental

Ever since I tried a cabana for the first time at one of Royal Caribbean's private islands, I've been hooked on this optional purchase.

There are cabanas to rent at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee and they come at various prices.

The reason a cabana rental could be the right choice for your money is it provides lavish benefits during your visit to either of these destinations. For families with kids, having shade, food and drink service, and a base of operations for the day really makes a difference.

There's plenty of seating around both CocoCay and Labadee, but the couch and loungers that come with a cabana are lovely.

The waiter service also makes it extra enjoyable so you don't have to flag down anyone and there's prompt service too. I especially love the CocoCay cabanas will deliver lunch to your cabana.

Behind-the-scenes tour

How about spending your extra money on something most guests will never see?

Royal Caribbean has brought back the behind-the-scenes tours, and they are really interesting and fun to take.

The All Access Tour is a 2-hour walking tour of many areas of the ship that will take you to the bridge, engine control room, laundry room, galley and more. The goal is to show you areas you'd never see and get a better understanding of how much work goes on to keep the ship functional and optimal.

A lot of us wonder what goes into making a cruise ship work so well. It's insightful to see how a ship works, and if you've ever been curious about a cruise ship functions, then this is the tour for you.

More than likely this tour won't blow through your entire $1,000 budget, which will leave you with extra cash for something else.

If you're looking to save $1,000

These extras all sound nice, but what if you'd rather save $1,000 instead of spending it?

If you're looking to cut back on spending on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there are a few different things you can do to keep more money in your pocket for perhaps one of the splurges mentioned in this post.

First and foremost, work with a good travel agent that specializes in cruise vacations so you can take advantage of every discount offered. Did you know there are discounts for residents of certain states or countries? Discounts for active and retired military? Discounts if you're a senior citizen? Money off balcony rooms if you are Platinum or above in Crown and Anchor Society? Interline discounts?

Not only can a travel agent find all the discounts, but their agency or consortia may offer special rates that you would otherwise never know about if you booked on your own. 

Read more: Top things you didn't know travel agents can do for your cruise vacation

If you live in the United States, Canada, or Australia, you can also take advantage of re-pricing if there's a price drop. This strategy has saved me the most money over the years, and it's all thanks to my wonderful travel agent.

It's equally important if you want to shave lots of money off your cruise by booking a cruise during certain times of the year.

Known as "the shoulder season", these are times of the year when cruise prices are a fraction of what they usually cost. Sail the Caribbean in September, Alaska in May, or Europe in October to find incredibly low rates.

In addition to time of the year, you'll spend far less if you skip the new ships. Instead of sailing on Wonder of the Seas or Odyssey of the Seas, take a cruise on Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, or Freedom of the Seas. These ships are older, but were recently amplified with new features and are a great choice for families.

There's also plenty of waves to cut costs, such as bring your own wine or non-alcoholic drinks onboard.

Read more: 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise

So you’re planning a family cruise with a $2000 budget… is it possible?

While planning a Royal Caribbean cruise does not have to break the bank, having a $2000 budget will limit your choice of ships, itineraries, cruise length, and time of the year you can sail.

You and your family can have an amazing cruise vacation no matter the ship or itinerary, but it’s important to have an idea of what you can afford before booking a cruise. If you’re hoping to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest, most impressive cruise ships, you’ll likely have to fork over more than $2000 for a family of four.

If you’re willing to book a shorter cruise, sail on an older ship, or take the kids out of school to cruise during off-season, you can find much better pricing available.

Let’s dive in to learn more about what costs to expect on a Royal Caribbean cruise for a family vacation and see sample prices for many of Royal Caribbean’s top cruise ships.

Kids Sail Free

Royal Caribbean occasionally offers a Kids Sail Free promotion during which kids 12 and younger are eligible for a free cruise fare. 

This can lead to impressive savings on a cruise, but there are a few caveats:

• Kids Sail Free is not eligible during blackout dates, which tend to occur during school breaks and holidays.
• Taxes, fees, and gratuities are not included in the Kids Sail Free promotion
• There is no pattern as to when Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free promotions

Keep an eye out for when Royal Caribbean is running a Kids Sail Free deal by following our Facebook page.

Related: Guide to Kids Sail Free and current offers

Budget for additional costs

While it’s possible to cruise with Royal Caribbean and spend nothing extra once onboard, you’ll want to budget for additional costs like transportation, pre-cruise hotels, and any add-ons you purchase onboard like shore excursions and drink packages.

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included

One of the biggest costs you can incur is airfare. If you live in California and are flying to Miami for a cruise, you can easily spend $400+ on airfare per person. In this case, it might be better to look for cruises from Los Angeles or Seattle to save money instead of flying across the country.

Budgeting for a hotel the night before your cruise is another important consideration. We recommend flying or driving to your departure port the night before your cruise begins (unless you are a local to the port), so you’ll want to book a hotel for the night before the cruise.

Related: Why you shouldn’t fly to your cruise the same day it begins

Peak season vs off-season cruising

Some of the biggest differences in price you’ll find on Royal Caribbean cruises happen when comparing a peak season cruise with an off-season cruise.

The peak season for Royal Caribbean cruises is anytime kids are out of school, including President’s Day, spring break, summer vacation, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Off-season is during any other point in the year:

• January (after New Year’s)
• February (excluding President’s Day)
• March and April (excluding Easter)
• May
• September (excluding Labor Day)
• October
• November (excluding Thanksgiving)
• First two weeks of December

Related: What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

Most families have to stick to the school calendar and must pay peak season prices for a cruise. If you have a flexible schedule, though, you can find nice savings by cruising with your family during the off-season.

Look for last-minute deals

Finding a cheap last-minute deal is possible and can lead to amazing savings on a family cruise. When searching for a Royal Caribbean cruise, check if there are any last-minute deals available that can potentially save you hundreds of dollars per guest.

Related: Ultimate Guide to last-minute cruise deals

While cruising at the last minute may not be possible for all families, it’s still worth checking if there are any last-minute deals that coincide with your kids’ school schedules.

So… what does a family cruise cost?

To put the cost of a family cruise into perspective, I’ve calculated a few sample cruise fares for the following itineraries:

• 3 and 4-night cruises
• 6, 7, and 8-night cruises
• Cruises on Oasis Class ships only

The pricing was calculated based on the following factors:

• 2 adults and 2 kids over the age of 2
• Interior cabins
• Includes taxes & fees
• Does not include gratuities

These cruise fares were not priced during a Kids Sail Free promotion. During a Kids Sail Free promotion, you can expect to save several hundred dollars on the cruise fare per child.

Cabin choice

In the prices below, I have two pricing examples for booking a cruise cabin for a family: staying together in one interior cabin and booking two connecting interior cabins.

There are many other stateroom categories to choose from when traveling with kids, but these two are generally always the most economical.

Related: What’s the best cruise ship cabin for my family?

These cruise fares were found on Royal Caribbean’s website, but pricing is subject to change. What was a cheap fare one day could change drastically the next day, so don’t be surprised to find varied pricing when you search for your own cruises.

Note: Many of the prices below are over $2000, but I wanted to give a realistic look at what a family cruise can cost. While you can certainly find cruises under $2000 for a family of four, it’s more common to see pricing between $2000 - $3000 as opposed to under $2000, especially for week-long cruises.

Cost of a week-long cruise for a family of 4

A 6,7, or 8-night cruise is the standard length for a cruise vacation, and Royal Caribbean has plenty of ships sailing week-long cruises at any given time.

Many passengers find week-long to be a great length because they give enough time to get acquainted with the ship, visit at least 3-4 ports, and have time to relax without feeling rushed. 

The price of a week-long cruise can vary dramatically depending on the month you sail. During the summer months, it can be hard to find a cruise for a family of four under $2000. Off-season prices, however, can be more budget friendly, although it can still be tricky to find a cruise under $2000.

Peak season pricing (June) on a 7-night cruise:

• Grandeur of the Seas - Caribbean: $2,571 (1 room), $2,926 (2 connecting rooms)
• Ovation of the Seas - Alaska: $4,466 (1 room), $5,690 (2 connecting rooms)
• Allure of the Seas - Caribbean: $3,285 (1 room), $3,875 (2 connecting rooms)

Off-season pricing on a 6, 7, or 8-night cruise:

• Voyager of the Seas (6 nights - Caribbean): $1655 (1 room), $1,842 (2 connecting rooms)
• Enchantment of the Seas (8 nights - Bahamas): $2,082 (1 room), $2,919 (2 connecting rooms)
• Oasis of the Seas (7 nights - Caribbean): $2,303 (1 room), $2,830 (2 connecting rooms)

Cost of a short cruise (2-5 nights) for a family of 4

Shorter cruises (2-5 nights) will almost always have a lower cost than week-long cruises (6-8 nights). A variety of Royal Caribbean ships sail short cruise itineraries, but they’re most commonly scheduled on Voyager and Freedom Class ships.

Related: Here are the absolute best cruises for families

It’s definitely possible to book a 3 or 4-night cruise for under $2000 for a family, even during peak season. 4-night cruises are often cheaper than 3-night sailings as they fall mid-week (Monday through Friday) and therefore have less demand.

The caveat with shorter cruises is that they often have a higher cost per night compared to longer cruises, meaning you may get more bang for your buck on a 7-night cruise even if the total cost is higher per person.

That being said, here are a few prices you can expect for a short cruise.

3-night weekend cruise during the peak summer season in June:

• Independence of the Seas (Bahamas): $1,818 (1 room), $1,877 (2 connecting rooms)
• Navigator of the Seas (Mexico): $1,601 (1 room), $1,895 (2 connecting rooms)

3-night weekend cruise during the off-season in February:

• Freedom of the Seas (Bahamas): $1,277 (1 room), $1,452 (2 connecting rooms)
• Navigator of the Seas (Mexico): $1,264 (1 room), $1,062 (2 connecting rooms)

Can I sail on an Oasis Class ship with my family for under $2000?

Oasis Class cruise ships are the most popular Royal Caribbean ships for families, offering an amazing array of family-friendly activities like water slides, zip lines, rock climbing, mini golf, a sports court, FlowRider, and a carousel.

Related: All about Oasis Class cruise ships

With high demand comes high prices, however, and cruising on an Oasis Class ship will almost always be more expensive than a cruise of the same length and destination as an older class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

To see typical pricing for a family of four to sail on an Oasis Class ship in peak season, I priced out all 5 Oasis Class ships for a family of four on a 7-night cruise in July:

• Oasis of the Seas (Bahamas): $3,755 (1 room), $5,830 (2 connecting rooms)
• Allure of the Seas (Caribbean): $3,285 (1 room), $3,875 (2 connecting rooms)
• Harmony of the Seas (Caribbean): $4,572 (1 room), $4,312 (2 connecting rooms)
• Symphony of the Seas (Europe): $5,295 (1 room), $5,454 (2 connecting rooms)
• Wonder of the Seas (Caribbean): $5,783 (1 room), $5423 (2 connecting rooms)

Next up, I priced out the same ships for a 7-night cruise during the off-season in October.

• Oasis of the Seas (Bahamas): $2,303 (1 room), $2,830 (2 connecting rooms)
• Allure of the Seas (Caribbean): $2,048 (1 room), $2,279 (2 connecting rooms)
• Harmony of the Seas (Caribbean): $2,933 (1 room), $3,273 (2 connecting rooms)
• Symphony of the Seas (Europe): $3,674 (1 room), $4,615 (2 connecting rooms)
• Wonder of the Seas (Caribbean): $3,667 (1 room), $4,907 (2 connecting rooms)

As you can see, you’re unlikely to find a 7-night cruise for under $2000 on an Oasis Class ship, especially in the peak summer season. Expect to pay between $3000 and $5000 for a family of four during this time of year.

That being said, it’s possible to find a cruise for around $2000 during the off-season if you can make it work with your kids’ school schedules.

You’ll typically find the best pricing on Allure of the Seas, as this ship has not been amplified and is the only Oasis Class ship without water slides, the Ultimate Abyss, and updated dining venues. Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas usually have the highest pricing available, as they are the two newest ships in the Oasis Class.

So… can you actually cruise for $2000 with a family?

It’s possible to cruise for $2000 or under with a family when counting solely the cruise fare, especially if you book the cruise during a Kids Sail Free promotion.

However, you won’t have much selection when it comes to cruise length or ship choice. If this is important to you, it might be better to either stretch your budget or wait a few months until you can book the cruise that is of most interest to your family.

Outside of cruise fare, though, there are many factors that can drastically increase the total cost of a cruise vacation, including:

• Airfare
• Parking
• Shore excursions
• Gratuities
• Dining & drink packages

Before booking a cruise, be sure to consider all factors to ensure you can stay within your budget. In the meantime, check out our top articles on how to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise:

• How to cruise on the cheap
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• 7 ways to have a great time in port without booking a cruise ship shore excursion

Of all the mistakes a first-time cruiser could make, some are very easy to avoid because they are likely the easiest to identify as a pitfall.

I've shared lots of advice on how to avoid cruise mistakes over the years and most of these mistakes are the sort of problems new cruisers would have no idea exist until it's too late.

But there are plenty of mistakes that don't require years of cruise experience to identify as a fault.

I've certainly overlooked these mistakes as a given, but it's important to remember that plenty of people new to cruises try this sort of vacation every day, which means it's important to cover these topics too.

Consider this a refresher for what not to do in order to cover all your bases and not succumb to an easy first-time cruiser mistake.

Not knowing what time to be on the ship

The last thing you want to do is be late and your cruise ship to leave you behind. To that point, Royal Caribbean posts the time you need to be on the ship in multiple places and communicates it over the public address system.

To begin with, you'll need to be onboard the ship on the first day of the cruise (known as embarkation day) by a certain time in order to make the cruise.

Whether your travel plans to get you to the cruise ship are delayed, or you simply get busy in town, all passengers need to be onboard the ship by the all aboard time in order to be admitted to the cruise.

Often most passengers are competing to get the earliest check-in time for their cruise, but you'd be surprised how many guests get onboard in the final hour before the ship's gangway is disconnected.

The exact time you must be onboard by depends on the itinerary, but it's usually in the mid to late afternoon.

Similarly, you'll need to be back on the ship by a certain time in each port of call your cruise ship visits during your voyage.

Cruise ships remain docked in a port for a set amount of time and must leave by a certain time to ensure they can stick the planned schedule.

It's quite easy to avoid making this mistake, because times are posted in multiple places.

On the first day of the cruise, pick a time for check-in via the Royal Caribbean app and then get to the terminal at that time. It's okay if you're a little late (life happens), but there is a finite amount of time to get to the terminal before they will deny you boarding because the ship needs to leave.

On days your ship is in port, the all-aboard time is posted in the Cruise Compass, Royal Caribbean app, and signs near the gangway as you disembark.

Always triple-check whether the all-aboard time is based on the ship's clock or the local time.

Read more: What happens if you miss your cruise ship?

Picking a cruise ship that doesn't have the activity you want onboard

If you're disappointed in the cruise ship you're sailing on because it doesn't have a water slide, show, or activity you really wanted to do, that issue could have been avoided had you looked up information about the ship before booking.

Royal Caribbean has a fleet of over 20 cruise ships, and they are not all the same.

While the television commercials you see will show off a variety of fun things to do, these activities are not on every ship. 

You don't need to spend hours researching to know what each ship offers. Understanding what features a ship has (and doesn't have) is an easy way to avoid regret later.

• Royal Caribbean ship classes guide & explanation
• See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size
• 12 differences between the big and small Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?

Sunburn

After one day on a cruise, you'll start noticing a few people on your cruise walking around with that beet red look to them, and it could have easily been avoided.

Getting a sunburn is never fun, and on a cruise in the tropics, it's quite easy because of how strong the sun is in that part of the world.

When you're on vacation, it's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of the excitement that comes with time away from it all, but you will absolutely regret looking like a lobster later when the after-effects of the sunburn start to kick in.

Nothing ruins your beautiful cruise photos like a giant red sun burn, not to mention how painful it can be to the person who has it.

Be sure to not only pack sunscreen, but apply it early and often. 

Read more: 8 cruise ship tips from a former employee

Not putting phone into airplane mode

When you leave the country, your cell phone goes into roaming mode and that can be incredibly costly.

On a Royal Caribbean ship, you are outside your cell phone company's service area and that is what the cell phone industry refers to as "roaming."  Instead of using your cell provider's network, you use someone else's cell phone tower and network.

In simple terms, this means you'll be charged an arm and a leg to get cell phone access outside the United States.

Instead, just put your phone into airplane mode, which deactivates your phone's cellular antenna.

You can still use the phone while in airplane mode to connect to wifi, take photos, or any of your apps.

Read more: How to use your cell phone on a Royal Caribbean cruise (and not come home to a big bill)

Not knowing about activities

Missing out on a fun activity can be a real downer while on a cruise.

Karaoke, bingo, shows, and demonstrations are available every day of your cruise, but it's up to you to know when it's happening.

It's quite common to hear someone tell someone else about a really fun event they attended and hear the other person profess disdain for being unaware it was happening.

Moreover, some events only happen once onboard. Certain activities may only be offered once or twice, so you'll need to be aware of the schedule to avoid missing out.

All the events of the cruise are listed in the Cruise Compass as well as the Royal Caribbean app. It's a good idea to review the schedule each evening for the following day to ensure you wake up in time for anything you have your heart set on doing. You can even set reminders in the Royal Caribbean app by adding the event to "My Calendar".

It contains important information like the hourly activities, the weather, special happenings, the drink of the day, and information on the ports. 

Read more: 10 Tips to save you time on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Carrying your wallet around onboard

This tip is just about comfort more than anything else, but I really don't know why people carry their wallets around the ship once they are able to get into their staterooms.

Each cabin has a safe you can put valuables, such as a wallet, into to avoid theft or losing it.

In short, there's no reason to have a wallet on you while you're on the ship. Royal Caribbean ships are cashless, so all transactions are done via the SeaPass card. You won't need credit cards or identification in the regular flow of the day.

There are still a few times cash is needed, such as in the casino or when tipping a waiter, but there's less risk in carrying a wad of cash in your pocket rather than the entire content of your wallet.

Considering most men's wallets look more like George Costanza's wallet than a svelte money clip, you'll feel far more at ease with the wallet safely stowed away in the safe.

Packing prohibited items

There's a fairly long list of things you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and there's always plenty of people who try to bring them anyway.

On embarkation day, security will scan every piece of luggage coming onboard and if they find something you shouldn't have, they will hold your bag.

This means your luggage wont be delivered to your cabin and you'll have to wait several more hours for security to contact you. At that point you'll need to meet security and watch them confiscate the prohibited item until the end of the cruise.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

It's very easy to avoid this issue by reviewing the prohibited items before you start packing for your cruise.

Not double-checking you have travel documents before leaving home

If you forget to pack underwear, you can buy more at near the port, but if you forget your travel documents, you won't be able to go on the cruise at all.

Due to government regulations, you absolutely need to have the proper travel documents with you in order to cruise.

Make sure your passport, birth certificates, and other forms of identification are on your cruise packing list. Then when it's time to leave your house, check again that those documents are with you in the right bag.

One more tip is to keep all your travel documents with you during the cruise ship boarding process. Do not pack these items in the luggage you give the porters.

Not difference between port and starboard

There's a fair amount of cruise ship lingo, but two terms you should figure out quickly to make navigation easier for yourself.

When facing the front of the ship, port is the left side and starboard is the right.

An easy trick to remember this is "port" and "left" are both four letter words.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cruise ship term glossary

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

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

A lot of cruise ship passengers will drive to their port of embarkation, whether with their own vehicle or in a ride share and you might be wondering how to get there.

Cruise ship terminals are usually well-marked and have a reasonable amount of signage to indicate which exit they are located at, but it can be confusing which one is the right terminal.

Even in this age of mobile apps providing GPS directions to just about anywhere, if you don't pinpoint the right spot, you may end up driving in the wrong direction.

In an effort to provide a simple list of cruise ship terminals and associated parking information, here is what you should know about where to go at each of the major cruise ports Royal Caribbean sails from in the United States and what the parking situation is like at each port.

Miami

PortMiami has two possible cruise terminals Royal Caribbean sails from: Terminals A and G, but you'll probably end up sailing from Terminal A.

In fact, Oasis Class ships always sail from Terminal A.

Address

Terminal A: 2000 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Terminal G: 1103 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Driving Directions

From Miami International Airport (7 miles):

• Via Port Tunnel: Take 836 East through the toll. 
• Continue onto FL836 E/I-395 E, then keep right to merge onto MacArthur Causeway.  
• Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs to your pier terminal. 

• Via Port Bridge: Take 836 East through the toll.    
• Exit at US1 N.E. 2nd Avenue/Biscayne Boulevard, proceed straight through one light, and then turn right at the second light onto Biscayne Boulevard (US1). 
• Stay in your left-hand lane and turn left into the Port of Miami on N.E. 5th Street. 
• Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal.    

From Ft. Lauderdale International (26 miles):

• Via Port Tunnel: Take I-95 South to Exit 2D toward I-395 E/Miami Beach. 
• Merge onto MacArthur Causeway. 
• Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs for your pier terminal.

• Via Port Bridge: Take I-95 South to Exit 3B, N.W. 8th Street. 
• Turn left onto 5th Street and continue straight until you reach the Port of Miami entrance. 
• Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal. 

Parking Costs

Royal Caribbean Terminal A Garage rates as of January 15, 2022:

• For sailings 6 days or more – the rate will remain the same - $25 per night
• For sailings 5 nights or less – the new rate will be $28 per night

Other garages and lots:

• Long term (overnight or greater), per vehicle, per space, per day or fraction of $22

Fort Lauderdale

The cruise terminals in Fort Lauderdale are known as Port Everglades, and Royal Caribbean has two terminals it sails from: Terminal 18 and Terminal 29. Generally, most ships sail from Terminal 18.

Passengers should follow the port’s digital signage upon arrival to guide them to the correct terminal.

Address

Terminal 18: 1901 SE 19th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Terminal 29: Port Everglades Terminal 29, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Driving Directions

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport (5 miles):

• Exit the airport and follow signs for I-595 East/Port Everglades. Continue to the last exit on I-595 East and follow the signs to Port Everglades.
• This will automatically take you to the Port Everglades security entrance.
• From there, follow the directional signs for your designated ship's pier terminal.

From Miami International Airport (30 miles):

• Take 836 East to I-95 North.
• Exit I-95 North at 595 East.
• Follow 595 to the end; then follow the Port Everglades signs.

Parking Costs

Rates are $15 USD per day for the regular vehicles and $19 for the oversized vehicles (rates subject to change without notice by the Port Authority).

Orlando

Port Canaveral is the name of the port area that Royal Caribbean markets as Orlando, and it's where you'll find ships sailing primarily out of Terminal 1.

When there are multiple ships, Royal Caribbean will use other terminals as well, such as Terminal 5.

Address

Terminal 1: 9050 Discovery Rd, Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Terminal 5: 9245 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Driving Directions

From Orlando International Airport (MCO):
Approximately 45 minutes west of Port Canaveral.

• Take the North exit from the airport, staying to the right on SR 528 East.
• Take SR 528 East all the way to Port Canaveral.
• Upon approaching the port area, follow the signs indicating Port Canaveral Cruise Terminals B Side.

Parking Costs

• 3 Nights/4 Days - $68.00
• 4 Nights/5 Days - $85.00
• 5 Nights/6 Days - $102.00
• 6 Nights/7 Days - $119.00
• 7 Nights/8 Days - $136.00
• 8 Nights/9 Days - $153.00

Galveston

Royal Caribbean's home port in Texas is in the coastal island of Galveston, where Royal Caribbean is transitioning to a new cruise terminal in November 2022.

Address

Cruise Terminal 2: 2702 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

New cruise terminal: 1028 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

Driving Directions

From Hobby (HOU) Airport:

• Turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59
• Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
• Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
• Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
• The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

From George Bush International Airport (IAH):

• Exit the airport and turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59.
• Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
• Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
• Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
• The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

Parking Costs

There are three parking lots available and can be booked in advance directly from the Port of Galveston’s website.

There are three lots at Cruise Terminal 3: the North Lot, South Lot, and Pier 14 Lot.

Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean sails out of New Jersey instead of New York City. The good news is it's easier to get to without city traffic.

Cape Liberty is in the Port of Bayonne, just a few minutes from Newark International Airport.

There is just one cruise terminal in Cape Liberty, so it's easy to find where to go.

Address

4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Driving Directions

From Newark International Airport (9 miles):

• Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
• Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
• Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
• Follow signs for Route 440 South.
• Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
• Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
• This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
• Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
• Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

From NJ Turnpike north or south:

• Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
• Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
• Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
• Follow signs for Route 440 South.
• Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
• Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
• This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
• Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
• Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

Parking Costs

Parking fees are $25 per day including all taxes for the parking garage at the terminal.

Oversized vehicles, such as campers and RV’s, that occupy more than one space, will be charged double the normal rate.

The height restriction of the garage is 7’ 4”. There is an open lot adjacent to the parking garage to accommodate vehicles with height restrictions.

Tampa

Cruises from Tampa have two possible terminals your ship could sail from: Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.

Luckily, both terminals are adjacent to each other.

Address

Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Driving Directions

From Tampa International Airport (10 miles):

• Exit the Airport and follow signs to I-275 North.
• I-275 merges with I-4 East.
• Take I-4 East to Exit #1 (Ybor City).
• Go south on 21st Street, turn right on Adamo Drive (Hwy 60).
• Turnleft (south) on Channelside Drive.
• Cruise Terminal 3 main entrance is approximately 5 blocks South on Channelside Drive.
• Entrance is on the left at Cumberland Street.
• In the event of a last minute change in pier assignments, signage will indicate the assigned terminal for your particular ship.

Parking Costs

Parking will cost $15 Per Day. 

A valet option has a one time fee of $20 on top of the $15 daily rate. 

Baltimore

Cruises from Baltimore offer a convenient departure for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal.

Address

South Locust Point Cruise Terminal: 2001 E McComas St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Driving Directions

Traveling from the south:

• Follow I-95 North to Exit 55, Key Highway.
• From the ramp, stay straight on East McComas Street.
• The South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance is on the right.

Traveling from the north:

• Follow I-95 South through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel, be sure to be in the right lane when going through the tunnel.
• Take Exit 55, Key Highway.
• Turn left at the traffic light onto East McComas Street.
• Follow the signs to the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance on the right.

Parking Costs

Parking is approximately $15.00 per night.

Seattle

Royal Caribbean sails from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 in Seattle.

Address

2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98119

Driving Directions

From I-5 South:

• Head north on I-5 and follow signs to the Mercer Street Exit
• Take exit 167 (left-side off-ramp) to Mercer Street
• Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North (400 feet)
• Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
• Valley Street bends to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
• Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
• Bend right to Western Avenue (0.22 miles)
• Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
• Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
• Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection) (0.14 miles)
• Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street) (0.35 miles)
• Exit right. Follow signs to Smith Cove Park (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
• Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

From I-5 North:

• Head south on I-5 and follow the signs to the Mercer Street Exit
• Take exit 167 to Mercer Street (right-hand off-ramp)
• Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North ( 400 feet)
• Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
• Valley Street bends  to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
• Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
• Bend right to Western Avenue  (0.22 miles)
• Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
• Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
• Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection)  (0.14 miles)
• Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street)  (0.35 miles)
• Exit right.  Follow signs to “Smith Cove Park” (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
• Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

Parking Costs

General parking is available for $27 per day. Book online at Republic Parking Northwest.

Boston

Royal Caribbean offers seasonal cruises from Boston to Canada and New England from the Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

Address

1 Black Falcon Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Directions

From Logan International Airport (4 miles):

• When exiting Logan Airport, follow signs to enter the Ted Williams Tunnel (toll)
• Take Exit #25 (South Boston) and stay in the right lane
• Turn right onto Congress Street and turn left onto B Street
• At the next signal, turn right onto Seaport Boulevard (changes to Northern Avenue)
• At the end of Northern Avenue, turn right on Tide Street and make an immediate left onto Drydock Avenue
• Follow Drydock Avenue and turn right on Black Falcon Avenue
• There will be signs directing you to ship locations as well as police officers to assist

Parking Costs

Massport offers Cruise Parking at 492 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 (Lot D3). Parking arrangements must be made online prior to arrival here.

Seward, Alaska

If you happen to do an Alaska open-jaw sailing from Seward, Alaska down to Vancouver, here's what to know when it comes to getting to the cruise ship terminal.

Address

Port of Seward
Alaska Railroad Dock
Seward, AK 99664

Directions

From Anchorage Airport (130 miles):

• Take International Airport Road east until you reach Minnesota Drive.
• Take a right on Minnesota Drive and follow the signs to Seward Highway South.
• Once on Seward Highway, you’ll travel approximately 130 miles to Seward.
• Once in Seward, follow the signs to the Alaska Railroad Dock.
• You will also be able to see the ship terminal from the highway on your left as you enter Seward.
• For directions to the Hospitality Center in Anchorage please call (907) 278-8070.

Parking Costs

There is no parking at the terminal. You'll need to contact the City of Seward for parking information.

New Orleans

Royal Caribbean sails from Terminal 2 in New Orleans.

Address

920 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130

Directions

For guests being dropped off, not parking:

• Take I-10 East toward New Orleans.
• Follow signs for Westbank (Business 90) as you approach downtown.
• Exit at Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St. exit.
• Continue to Convention Center Blvd.
• Right on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue to Henderson St.
• Left on Henderson St.
• Continue to Port of New Orleans Place.
• Left on Port of New Orleans Place to cruise terminals.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 east to Exit 11C:

• Stay on I-10 all the way into the city.
• From the left lane, take exit 234C, Business 90 West/Westbank/Claiborne Ave.
• Stay left and take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
• Continue to Exit 11C.
• Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
• Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
• Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
• Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
• Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 west to Exit 11C:

• After passing the Carrollton Ave. exit, take Exit 234A, 90/Superdome, Claiborne Ave., Westbank.
• Stay in one of the left two lanes, under the "Business 90 West / Westbank" sign.
• Take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
• Continue to Exit 11C.
• Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
• Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
• Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
• Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
• Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
• Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

Parking Costs

The parking lot is a within a block of the terminal, and shuttle service is provided if needed. P

Parking rates: 4 day parking is $90; 5 days parking is $110; 7 days parking is $150.

Los Angeles

If your Royal Caribbean is sailing from Los Angeles, that means the terminal will be at the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.

Address

100 Swinford St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Directions

From Los Angeles International Airport

• Take the 110 Freeway South towards San Pedro.
• Exit at Harbor Boulevard (same exit as the Vincent Thomas Bridge).
• Stay to the right - Harbor Boulevard (Do not go over the bridge.)
• At the light, cross over the main road, turning right into the "World Cruise Terminal."
• Follow the directions to parking and passenger drop-off.

Parking Costs

Parking is available for $20 a day. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

When your Royal Caribbean cruise begins in San Juan, you will sail out of the Pan American cruise terminal, which is across the bay from Old San Juan.

Address

FW52+9V6, Calle Muelle, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Directions

From Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

• Exit the Airport to San Juan taking the middle lane on Baldorioty Ave.
• This avenue will take you to New and Old San Juan.
• Once you are at the end of the avenue you will find a traffic light.
• On the right you will see the Condado Lagoon and on your left you will see the Yacht Club.
• This is a one-way road.
• Stay in the left lane and follow the signs directing to San Juan or the Convention Centre.
• Keep to your left and make a U-turn whenever possible.
• After the turn, remain on the right hand side and continue forward past the Yacht Club, Sizzlers Restaurant.
• At the corner make a right, continue to the traffic light.
• Make a right hand turn at the next right.
• Follow the road to the entrance of the pier.

Parking costs

No parking available at the terminal. You'll need to find somewhere else to park and then take a taxi or shuttle to the terminal.

Have a Royal Caribbean cruise planned for September 2023? Fall is a popular time to sail because of lower prices.

There is plenty happening and changing with cruise ships, so here is a look at what to expect if you are going on a cruise in September.

This post will share important information what you should know before going on a cruise in September. September is the traditional beginning of fall, but it is still a very hot month in the Caribbean.  Meanwhile there are also ships sailing to Alaska and Europe.

September is also one of the best months to book a cruise in terms of value.  Since school is back in session, there are less families cruising and with it being the peak of hurricane season, demand for cruises dips a bit.  The result is competitive prices for going on a cruise.

If you can find time to hop on a ship, September is a great time to cruise and with more ships back in service, there are lots of good options again to consider.

Ships sailing in September 2023

You will find Royal Caribbean cruises sailing in three markets during September: the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe.

September begins the tail end of the Alaska cruise and European cruise seasons.  There are still plenty of cruises in these markets, but the combination of school restarting and cooler temperatures reduce demand for these markets.

In fact, September is one of the lowest demand months of the year for a cruise. This means if you want a bargain, September might be the best month for a cruise.

In the Caribbean, it's still the off season for cruises and the peak of hurricane season means demand tends be lower than almost any other month. 

September weather on a cruise

While it may be fall where you live, September is still very much summer in the Caribbean.

Expect typical summer weather in the Caribbean, which means hot and humid weather with passing rain showers at any given time.

If you are looking at the weather forecast for your cruise, don't be surprised if rain is in the forecast every day.  All that means is there is a chance for a passing or pop up storm.  More than likely you will have plenty of sun, with perhaps a quick downpour.

September is the beginning of the peak of hurricane season, which means the likelihood of a named storm is higher than it was earlier in the summer. 

According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, 87 percent of minor and 96 percent of major hurricanes occur between August and October, peaking in early September.

Hurricanes are obviously an issue, but Royal Caribbean monitors the weather and will move ships around storms.  Fear not: your ship will not go anywhere near a hurricane.

The biggest issue with cruising in September is the last-minute itinerary changes that can occur due to storms. 

Read more: What to know about cruising during hurricane season in the Caribbean

Over in Alaska, September begins the end of the Alaska cruise season, although Royal Caribbean extended the season this year by an extra month.

Just like in the Caribbean, September is one of the cheapest months to sail to Alaska because kids are back in school. 

In addition, the best time see the Northern Lights in Alaska is in September. September is the time of year when the sun sets earlier during the cruise season, which means the sky gets darker and makes for the most ideal viewing conditions.

Read more: 50 tips for planning your Alaska cruise

And yes, September is also a great time visit Europe for good deals.

September is a popular time to cruise the Western Mediterranean because you can avoid the families and still enjoy warm temperatures. 

Where is the best place to cruise in September?

Depending on if you prioritize weather, a low price, or something else, there are a few good cruise ideas for September.

One advantage of taking a cruise over the first weekend in September is the Labor Day holiday, which means one less day of vacation time required.

Hurricane season may mean cheap cruises, but if you want to mitigate your risk of a hurricane impacting your cruise, try a southern Caribbean sailing.

The ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) islands are in an area that rarely gets impacted by cruises, so it's less likely for a tropical storm to cause an issue. Of course, your ship still needs to get back and forth to this area, so it's not a completely fool-proof plan.

An Alaska cruise in September is a great idea to save money, especially for a last-minute cruise deal. The downside to Alaska in September is it tends to be colder and rains more than other months.

Europe might be your best bet for a September cruise in terms of comfortable weather and prices.  

Some guests are seeing a new way to get a copy of the daily guide to events on their Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean has traditionally provided guests with a paper copy of the daily guide to activities and events, known as the Cruise Compass.

Traditionally passengers receive a copy each evening in their stateroom that outlines the following day's events.

On Liberty of the Seas, guests have the option to get a digital download of the Cruise Compass directly to their phone in the form a PDF file.

Karen Fraser shared photos in the Liberty of the Seas Facebook group of the new option.

Ms. Fraser reported there are QR codes at both Guest Services and sent to the cabin that you can scan with your phone's camera.

Assuming you're on Royal Caribbean's wifi, after scanning the QR code, the day's Compass appears for use.

It's unclear how many ships offer this option yet, and if it will remain an option on future cruises or is simply a short-term test.

What Is Royal Caribbean's Cruise Compass?

The Cruise Compass is the name of the ship newsletter.

There is a new copy every day that contains times and locations for activities, special events, show times and more. 

You can also find listed special offers or discounts available for dining, drinks, onboard merchandise purchases and even shopping in port.

Additionally, there's an hour-by-hour schedule of everything happening on the ship, including live performances, children's programming and dining options.

Each day's newsletter also includes opening and closing times for all of the ship's facilities, a list of onboard services, medical contacts and information for each port of call, including law enforcement.

You can find past copies of Royal Caribbean's Cruise Compass in our archive.

A new digital option

The option to download a copy of the printed Cruise Compass is a new way to learn about what's happening onboard the ship.

For years, the printed Cruise Compass was the only option, but Royal Caribbean's app has also offered a list of activities.

While the app is designed to mirror the printed Compass, in practice, there have been discrepancies from time to time between the two.

Depending on the ship, there are also other ways to see activities, such as on a designated channel on the in-room television and/or via the wayfinders in the hallways.

Moving away from a printed copy

For years, the move to paperless daily newsletters has been discussed among cruise fans as an almost inevitability.

On some Royal Caribbean ships, printed copies have not been automatically distributed to all guests. Some guests have reported the need to request a copy be delivered by their stateroom attendant, or go down to Guest Services for a copy.

Royal Caribbean has not announced any formal change in the printed Cruise Compass policy in terms of how it will be distributed.

With society shifting towards digital consumption, many cruise fans have assumed a digital-only Cruise Compass is an inevitability.

It's not your imagination, the Royal Caribbean website experience has been refreshed to make things hopefully just a little bit easier in getting what you want.

Royal Caribbean's website has mirrored the larger travel industry trend of trying to improve its web presence and make things easier and faster for its customers.

New cruisers looking to book a cruise are likely to find the options - 2600 rooms, a dozen decks, shows, dining - are overwhelming. It’s no wonder users skip the aging websites and try calling instead.

Making its website easier is important considering that Royal Caribbean Group disclosed during an earnings call last month that every day there are "millions of interactions on our websites".

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty said web traffic is higher than ever, "Our websites are receiving close to double the visits compared to 2019, and we are generating record level of direct bookings."

To that point, Royal Caribbean sees opportunity with its online travel tools. Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley talked about the importance of enhancing its web portal, "I think, certainly, the investments that we made in our technology as it relates to getting to customers about their cruise experience and the opportunities and experiences that are available to them has proven to be successful."

"And I think that's connected and reflects the kind of the acceptance that the consumer has now at a much greater level to buy online."

"And I believe that everything that we've done with our pre-cruise marketing is really proving to be very effective."

Here's a look at some of the recent updates and enhancements Royal Caribbean has made to allow guests to book and manage their cruises with greater ease.

Making search easier

Finding the perfect cruise vacation starts off with lots of possibilities, which requires the user to comb through the search results for the right option.

Royal Caribbean recently updated its cruise booking site with the goal of returning results in an easier manner.

While the search form looks the same on Royal Caribbean's homepage, the results come through a new simpler layout that is not only easier to use on a mobile device, but provide filtering options with less clicks.

The search results are in a cleaner layout with less "fluff" around it so you can drill into the itinerary and ship you want. You'll find clear and simple messaging and pricing throughout the booking process. Visuals are important, but text is crucial.

Read more: How do I pick the perfect first cruise?

Royal Caribbean also included advanced paths, alternate routes, and exits throughout the booking process - so that experienced users can rapidly dial in the exact cruise they want.

The new search results seem to come up some of the time, which perhaps indicates they are testing it out until it's ready to fully replace the legacy search results. 

Upgraded cruise planner

Just as important to Royal Caribbean's bottom line as someone booking a cruise is someone booking a cruise add-on.

According to Royal Caribbean Group executives, every dollar a guest spends before the voyage, translates into about $0.70 more on the dollar when they sail and double the overall spending compared to other guests.

This year, guests are spending 30% more across all categories of pre-cruise spend than they did in 2019 before the pandemic.

It certainly is easier for guests to buy a drink package, wifi, or shore excursion if the website is simpler.

In early 2021, Royal Caribbean began rolling out a new look to its cruise planner tool.

Dubbed, "My Royal Cruise", it has slowly replaced the old Cruise Planner site where guests can browse the various add-ons for their sailing.

Read more: Everything you should book before the cruise to avoid it being sold out

The goal for this refresh was to make it more intuitive for guests to plan their sailing.

My Royal Cruise features a cleaner look, which takes advantage of contemporary web design.  It is simple and functional, while still visually appealing.

Moreover, returning guests have more of their personal information saved so purchases can be completed significantly faster than with the old site that required the user to enter all their information in over and over for each transaction.

App upgrades

Royal Caribbean's app has evolved from "nice to have" to "essential" since cruises restarted in June 2021.

For most cruises, scanning your passport and uploading a security photo will generate a mobile boarding pass that’s going to help make for a better experience at the terminal.

You can then choose your arrival time from a list of staggered options so you know what time to arrive.

The new eMuster process has also been rolled into the app, which allows you to start the mandatory safety briefing even before you board.

On several ships, like Odyssey of the Seas, the app can also be your very own Digital Key to unlock your stateroom.

Once inside, you can control the TV and even stream content right from your phone. The room temperature, lights and curtains for some staterooms can also be controlled.

Book a pre-cruise hotel

Because a lot of its guests were already booking a pre- or post-cruise hotel, Royal Caribbean made that option easier.

The Royal Caribbean Hotels program was launched in March of this year, and it gives cruisers an easy way to lock in a pre- or post-cruise stay.

Royal Caribbean says this new program offers exclusive rates with thousands of hotels in every Royal Caribbean departure and arrival port, including those in the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific as well as North, South and Central America.

Hotel search results can easily be filtered based on the number of travelers in your group, the sailing’s departure or arrival city, and dates — plus preferences such as hotel rating, amenities and more.

Have you every wanted to know about going on a cruise if you or someone you know has a special need?

Today, Royal Caribbean management participated in a discussion with travel agents, answering questions relating to special needs and accessibility while cruising.  

Ronald Pettit, Royal Caribbean’s Executive Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Officer, addressed several topics along with Renee Didier, Manager of the Sales Training Team.

Pettit has been with Royal Caribbean Group for over 16 years in varying positions and has led the cruise line as an industry leader in accessible cruise vacations. In the webinar today, Pettit elaborated on a number of Royal Caribbean’s practices in making the cruise experience more accessible.  

Here are some of the questions and answers from today’s session.

How much advance notice should we provide about a disability?

Ideally at the time of booking, but “no later than 30 days prior to sailing, except for sign language interpreting requests which must be submitted 60 days prior to sailing".

What are the steps Royal Caribbean takes to prepare for guests before coming on board?

Royal Caribbean collects and reviews all accommodation requests, working with relevant parties to prepare. C

loser to the sailing date, about 10 days beforehand, important details are disseminated to staff, such as housekeeping and dining. 

Where can you find the special needs form?

The special needs form is a very important tool for anyone to use. As listed on the website, the form requires basic information, including:

• Personal details such as name and address
• What accommodations are requested
• If an accessible stateroom is required
• Accessible hotel room pre or post-cruise
• Any equipment that needs to be brought on board
• Dietary request
• Accessible shore excursion
• Any other request

The website notes that information provided on the form will be shared with only those who need it, such as crew members, housekeeping staff, and third parties, including ground transportation staff or shore excursions where required.

How can I get assistance with embarkation and disembarkation?

The cruise line does provide a wheelchair and assistance in navigating the terminal and getting on the ship. Asking the day of can be an issue, as the information is collected and organized days in advance.

Pettit did note that staff does their best to make sure wheelchairs are available when needed, and organizing various boarding times is part of this process. Sometimes patience is required, though.

While onboard the cruise, scooters and wheelchairs are not provided unless it is a medical emergency. Royal Caribbean does work with companies that can provide mobility options that can be rented for the duration of the cruise and even delivered right to the guest’s cabin.

• Special Needs at Sea: https://www.specialneedsatsea.com
• Scootaround https://scootaround.com/en/cruise-services

What can be done for guests with food allergies or dietary restrictions?

Pettit noted that dietary restrictions and allergies are the second biggest request after pier assistance. Royal Caribbean is very experienced in dealing with common needs such as gluten, dairy and lactose-free foods, which he noted are well highlighted on menus. However, there are less common allergies that can be problematic for guests.

He advised cruisers can request the following evening's menu with modifications.

What type of options do we have on board for those individuals with autism?

Royal Caribbean is known to be first autism friendly cruise line in the world, partnering with Autism on the Seas, which helps them with specific products and services, including sensory friendly movies, an autism channel, a social storybook to name a few.

 In addressing this, Pettit explained that there is lots of programming that can be offered on board the ship, and literally, they can make any of them accessible.

Read more: How one group helps families with Autism cruise on Royal Caribbean

Can guests bring a service dog on a cruise ship?

When asked if service dogs are permitted onboard, the answer was an emphatic yes, with Pettit going on to discuss the critical, evolving role of service dogs play,  adding they do many things:  “Service dogs help retrieve object, alert people that somebody is at the door there now, medical alert dogs that help people to detect if they're going to have a seizure or to take their medication.

He did clarify that service dogs have been specifically trained to perform a very specific function or take to help a person with a disability, different than a therapy dog who may not qualify under the ADA as a service dog. 

Are there sharp containers and fridges for diabetics?

Yes, Royal Caribbean does provide these in the stateroom, and Pettit advised the need to clearly identify specific requirements.

For example, not all diabetes medicine needs to be refrigerated.  

If a guest needs oxygen, can Royal Caribbean provide it onboard?

Royal Caribbean does not provide oxygen for their cruise; it is only available for emergencies, so guests need to make their own arrangements in this regard.

He noted the advancements that have led to the portable oxygen concentrator that helps convert ambient air into on0demand oxygen, which may be of benefit to some passengers.

If a guest needs dialysis, can they sail with Royal Caribbean?

Guests who can bring their machines and do self-administered dialysis are welcome to sail, and this has been happening for decades.

Royal Caribbean is unable to provide medically supervised hemodialysis; however, some guests have been using self-administered NxStage equipment, which which are permissible.

Guests can book through Dialysis at Sea (https://www.dialysisatsea.com).

Are there accessible shore excursions available?

Discussing accessible short excursions, Pettit describes his team's effort, "I have a small six seven member team that deals exclusively with accessible shore excursions, which are akin to a concierge service."

"They work in various ports of call with tour operators to provide guests with what they are looking for. This is also why it is key to communicate well heard of time."

Are Royal Caribbean's private islands accessible?

Yes, they are, and Pettit elaborated that both Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti have a good amount of access with hard pathways throughout the island, accessible trams,  beach wheelchairs to navigate the sand, pull lifts to get in and out of the pool and accessible cabanas.