Royal Caribbean doesn't allow many changes before your cruise begins, but there's one important one you should know about.

Once you pass the final payment date for your cruise, your reservation is pretty much locked in without incurring change or cancel fees.

The final payment is typically 90 days before a sailing commences. 

As an example, you cannot add someone or remove some from a reservation without repricing the entire cruise.  If you want to change the ship and/or sail date, that is akin to cancelling and rebooking, and that's rife with penalties and new costs.

I've noticed a lot of people are unaware they can swap people on the reservation without penalty, even right up to the sailing itself.

Known as a name change, Royal Caribbean will allow passengers to swap out a person on the reservation for someone else without a price change or penalty, even if they booked non-refundable cruise fare.

The cruise line will allow name changes right up to 72 hours before the cruise begins.

The only "catch" is at least one person from the original reservation needs to remain on the reservation. 

There are many use cases for doing a name change. One common example is for newborn babies.

On the Royal Caribbean message boards, user Scotsman wanted to book a cruise for an unborn baby. Not only does the baby not have a name yet, but the baby does not have a birthday either.

In this situation, you could book the baby as "Baby surname" and change the name later.  It's essentially a placeholder.

"I wish I would have known that name changes were allowed," wrote AlmondFarmer.

Another common scenario is a friend or family member that can no longer sail.  Boyfriends and girlfriends break up, a spouse is called back to work, or a friend is no longer a friend.  

Royal Caribbean would allow you to swap out someone for another person on the reservation.

Name swaps, but not adding or subtracting

There's an important distinction with this rule, and that is you can swap people out, but not add or remove.

In Royal Caribbean's reservation system, adding or subtracting a person from the reservation (and thus changing the total amount of passengers booked in the cabin) will trigger a reprice.

A reprice is tantamount to making a new booking at prevailing rates. 

So in a scenario where there are two people booked on a cruise, you could change person A or person B with person C without a price change.

But if you wanted to remove person B without a replacement, you'd incur a change.  Similarly, if you tried to add person C to the reservation, that would be considered a change.

In a scenario where person B can no longer cruise and there is no replacement, your best bet is to leave person B on the reservation and no-show to the ship without them.

Royal Caribbean will later refund port fees and taxes for person B.

Other Royal Caribbean policies you might not know about

Name swapping is a great trick to remember for the future, and there are other things you might not have known about that are also equally helpful.

Residents of certain countries are able to re-price a cruise before final payment if the price goes lower than what you originally booked.

It's not a well-advertised policy, but I've used it time and time again to save money.  

Travel agents can do it easily on their end, whereas those that book directly with the cruise line need to call in to get it done and some of the phone agents are unaware of it (or confuse it with the 48 price protection policy).

It's open to residents of the United States, Canada, and a few other countries. Notably, resident of the United Kingdom are not eligible for it due to local laws.

As long as the price of the same exact room category is lower than you paid and you are before the final payment date, you can get a price adjustment to the lower price. It has to be the same cabin category, such as D4 or CB. 

This tip can go one step further, as it can sometimes be advantageous to change from refundable deposit to non-refundable deposit right before the final payment date.

It may seem silly, but sometimes it's cheaper to change the deposit type from refundable fare to non-refundable a day or two before final payment is due. That's because Royal Caribbean's pricing algorithm sometimes drops the price for different fare types.

If you know you're going to sail and make final payment date, switching to non-refundable cruise fare is easy savings.

The other useful policy a lot of cruisers are surprised to hear about is the workaround to Royal Caribbean's drink package rule.

If one adult tries to buy the Deluxe Beverage Package (the unlimited alcohol package), then all the other adults in the same cabin have to buy it too.  

There are situations where buying a drink package that includes alcohol wouldn't be practical, such if someone was pregnant or couldn't drink for medical reasons.

The lesser-known alternative is to call Royal Caribbean and explain the situation.  They'll allow the other adult to buy the Royal Refreshment package instead, which would save a lot of money.

The last morning of your cruise can feel like a confused rush as your vacation comes to an end, but it's a lot easier to manage if you know what to expect.

No matter how long or short your cruise is, the final morning is when you disembark the ship and end your voyage.  Nearly all passengers are on their way home, although some might be extending their vacation in another way.

Getting off a cruise ship is not like checking out of a hotel.  There's a few more logistical hurdles to overcome, and it's far more regimented to keep lines moving.

While the end of the cruise is disappointing, it doesn't have to be a disaster either. You might not be smiling walking off the ship for the final time, but at least you can be content.

What time do I have to depart the cruise ship?

There are two options for walking off your cruise ship on the final morning.

If you put luggage out the night before to have Royal Caribbean deliver your luggage down to the cruise terminal, then you have a luggage number that indicates the earliest time you can disembark and your bags will be ready.

The time associated with each luggage tag is listed on a piece of paper that was left in your cabin along with the luggage tags.  Every sailing is different, so don't assume a particular number will always correlate to the same time.

The time listed is the earliest time you can leave the ship and your bags will be ready.  You could disembark the ship earlier, but you'd be waiting in the cruise terminal for the bags to be delivered.  Alternatively, you can always leave later than that time and pick up your bags.

The other option is to bring your own luggage off the ship with you instead of having it delivered. With this option, you can disembark the ship as soon as local authorities clear the ship.

The exact time a ship will begin allowing passengers off the ship will depend on a variety of factors, but it's usually around 7am. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later. 

Regardless of your luggage situation, you can always stay on the ship later than the disembarkation time.  That time is just an indication of the earliest time you can stay on for.

Royal Caribbean's app will ask you a few days before the end of the cruise your disembarkation plans and assign you a disembarkation time as well.  Keep in mind that's the earliest time, not the exact time you need to leave.

So what time can you stay on a Royal Caribbean ship until? Not as late as you'd find at a land-based hotel.

Royal Caribbean asks all passengers to be out of their cabins by 8am on most sailings. The crew needs to turn the ship over and prepare it for the next voyage, and they need all previous passengers off the ship.

By about 9am, you're going to start hearing a lot of announcements encouraging passengers to disembark.  Sooner or later, they'll start paging individuals to leave. 

In my experience, the latest you can stay onboard is about 9:30am without getting in trouble.

What's open and what can you do on the final morning

The last morning of your cruise is a blend of finishing out the first voyage and preparing for the next one.

As soon as you leave your cabin, you'll see crew members working to turn over cabins and prepare them for the next journey.

While a lot of work is being done to prep the ship, there are some areas still operational for passengers.

Coffee and breakfast will be open at select venues on the last morning of the cruise.

You can expect at the very least the Windjammer buffet, Main Dining Room, and the quick service coffee location (Cafe Promenade) to be open.

If your ship has a Coastal Kitchen restaurant for suite guests, that will be open too.

Most other venues are closed, including the pool.

Guest services is open to settle any final billing issues you might have. Keep in mind you have to have a zero dollar balance in order to get off the ship.

What is the earliest flight I should book after the cruise is over?

Ideally, you want to book a flight that gives you enough time to easily disembark your ship and get to the airport and through security without being at the airport for many more hours than you need.

The problem is if you book a flight too early, you risk missing the flight because you couldn't get to the gate in time.

There are a lot of factors why it might take longer to actually disembark your ship, thus delaying your arrival to the airport:

• What time exactly your ship docks
• What time local authorities start the inspection process
• How long the inspection process takes
• How long a line there is to disembark the ship
• Unforeseen circumstances, such as a technical problem or guest blocking exiting the ship

If you look at your Royal Caribbean cruise itinerary, it lists a time your ship arrives back to the terminal. That's an estimate, and not when you can actually walk off the ship.

Plus, the actual disembarkation process may not begin for another hour or two after that time.

The fastest way off a Royal Caribbean ship is to take your own luggage off with you (known as self-assist disembarkation), but you're still at the mercy of when local authorities clear the ship and your ship begins allowing passengers to leave.

Another factor to picking the earliest flight home is how far the airport is from the cruise terminal.  

As a general rule of thumb, I recommend times after 11am. International flights and/or airports an hour or more from the cruise terminal should probably require a flight no earlier than noon.

What every passenger should do before leaving the ship

It will likely seem like you're in a rush to leave your ship, but there are a few important things to do before you disembark.

This may seem obvious, but so many people don't check they took everything out of their cabin with them.  

Double and triple check you have all your belongings.  Once you leave the ship, getting lost items back can be a challenge.

Common items left behind on the ship include children's toys (check under the bed), chargers in wall sockets, and valuables in the safe.

The next thing to do is verify your onboard balance is zeroed out.  If you have a credit card on file, that's pretty much assured.  But if you had a cash account, you'll need to settle up with Guest Services.  They won't let you off the ship until you do.

Speaking of your account, I'd recommend taking one last look to review any charges on there to verify it's all correct.  You want to correct any erroneous charges before you disembark.

If you ordered photo prints, this is your last chance to grab them.  Likewise, if you want to book another cruise at NextCruise, you can do so that final morning.

Be sure to return any pool towels that are still in your room, or you'll risk a $20 per unreturned towel fee.

What happens after you leave the ship?

After walking off the ship and back into the cruise terminal, the experience is somewhat like an airport when you fly home after an international trip.

You'll first make your way to pick up your luggage.  Only luggage that has been called will be available to pick up, and you'll see bags grouped by luggage tag numbers.

There are porters available to help with your luggage.  There is no cost to use the porters services, but they do expect a tip at the end.  Usually a dollar or two per bag is the norm.  

My advice is take advantage of the porters and use them. Not only will it be easier on you if you have a lot of bags, but in some cruise terminals the porters have their own special line for customs.

After retrieving your luggage, your next stop is the clear immigration.

In the U.S., there are two lines: people traveling with passports and people traveling with birth certificates.

In most U.S. ports now there is facial recognition is reserved for those with passports, and it's a fast and efficient process. You simply walk to the machine, it scans your face, and tells you if you're good to go or need to speak with someone.

The birth certificate line is slower because it requires an agent to inspect your documentation manually.

After you clear immigration, you'll depart the cruise terminal.  At this point, you're on your own to find a way home.  

There will be a mix of taxis, shuttle services, ride shares and more to get you home.  You should have a plan in place prior to that morning of how you'll get on your way to avoid complications or unexpected delays.

How to disembark before everyone else

If your goal is to be the first one off your ship and on your way home, then you'll need to have a proper plan of action.

In order to be the first one off a ship at its conclusion, you're going to need to carry your own luggage off.  Self-assist luggage guests have up to an hour head start on those waiting for luggage.

This express departure method will beat most of the crowds that come later, especially those that opted to have breakfast. Plus, there will be less people to contend with in the customs line or waiting for a taxi.

Prior to the final morning, you'll get an estimate of what time your ship expects to start the disembarkation process.  It could be around 6:30 or 7am.

It's a rough guess at the time, but my advice is to get in line at least 30 minutes before that estimate.  You'll be surprised how many other people are already there waiting to walk off the ship too.

Remember, if you opt for this, you'll need to carry all of your own luggage off the ship and there won't be any assistance available with it.  It's ideal for solo travelers, couples, or families without young children.

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise booked, chances are you've already started checking if this year's Black Friday sale is benefitting you.

Black Friday is a major shopping holiday best known for deep discounts, and Royal Caribbean has its own take on it.  Instead of super cheap electronics, we get lower prices on cruise add-ons. The exact discount will depend on your sailing, but this year's batch of Black Friday offers seem to be generally quite good.

There are a series of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales over the next few weeks, and it's the perfect time to see how much more it would cost to purchase an add-on extra for your vacation. 

Royal Caribbean's Black Friday sale on Cruise Planner items applies to purchases made through November 29, 2024.

I went through the various choices to narrow down the top buys you should consider this week, because they will absolutely cost you more money if you wait to book them onboard the ship.

Not only are these deals probably a better price overall than normal, but you stand to save a lot of money compared to people who buy it on the ship.

Unlimited drink package

Perhaps no other add-on for your cruise gets as much attention as Royal Caribbean's drink packages.

All of its drink packages are on sale, and we've seen prices as low as $54.99 per person, per day for the Deluxe Beverage Package.

Anytime we see the Deluxe Beverage Package under $60 per day, that's a tremendous value. You can expect to pay over $100 per day for the same drink package if you wait to buy it on the ship.

There's even a discount on the soda package, which is rarely discounted.

Granted, the exact price of the drink packages varies greatly depending on your sailing. Some people reported seeing deeper savings than others, and Royal Caribbean is also offering added discounts to top tier members of Crown and Anchor Society or senior citizens.

Nevertheless, it's worth re-checking prices again during the Black Friday sale if your eyes glazed over the last time you checked prices.

Internet access

Perhaps the most tried-and-true lower price you can expect any year during Black Friday is a discount on Royal Caribbean's Voom internet packages.

While there's no free Wi-Fi on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, it's not as expensive as you might think either.  And the prices you see during this sale are way cheaper than the same price onboard.

Here's an example of Royal Caribbean's onboard Voom prices:

The best discount comes with the multi-device Voom packages, so if everyone in your cabin needs to use the internet, it's cheaper to add additional devices rather than buying everyone their own plan.

One other thing worth noting is Royal Caribbean brought back to the Voom and drink package bundles.  

These packages are convenient, but do the math to ensure they will save you money.  Usually, they will be slightly cheaper if you just need one package.  

But if there are multiple people you want to buy the Voom and a drink package for, it's usually a better deal to buy the drink package and multi-device internet package separately. 

Admission to CocoCay areas

If you ever wanted to visit one of the extra cost areas of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Black Friday is when you want to buy a pass.

I've seen better than average prices for Thrill Waterpark, the Coco Beach Club, and Hideaway Beach.

As a general rule of thumb, I consider these prices to be good "deals" on them:

• Thrill waterpark: Less than $40 per person
• Coco Beach Club: Less than $100 per person
• Hideaway Beach: Less than $50 per person

Coffee card

I was pretty surprised to see a discount on the coffee punch card, because I'm not sure I've ever seen it discounted.

The Cafe Select Coffee Card offers 15 specialty espresso-based coffees that you can use during your cruise. It's redeemable at Cafe Promenade, Cafe Latte-tudes, Cafe@Two70 and pretty much any place that isn't a Starbucks kiosk.

If you're someone that isn't interested in a full drink package, but wants to get an espresso based drink every day, it's a good buy. Plus, you can share the coffee card, unlike the drink packages.

Specialty restaurants

One of my favorite ways to spend extra on things not included with my cruise fare are the specialty restaurants.

The Black Friday sale offers 15% - 30% off individual restaurants, and those savings can add up quickly when you're dining with a group or family.

When you can knock the price down to just $48.99 at 150 Central Park or $37.99 at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen for dinner, it makes for a great excuse to indulge.

Arguably the lunch prices are the best values.  On an upcoming Utopia of the Seas cruise I have booked, I could book Giovanni's for just $14.99 per person for lunch! 

If you're wondering, yes, some restaurants do change menus if it's lunch or dinner.

Shore excursions

There's a really good chance if you're going on a cruise, you're going to want to book a shore excursion, and Black Friday is a great time check prices on tours.

Average savings on a shore excursion range between 25% and 30% off, so this can be an excellent time to book a tour.

Not only is booking a shore excursion now a good idea to save money, but many shore excursions sell out.  In my experience, by the time the cruise rolls around, there aren't many options left to those that waited to book onboard.

It's sometimes difficult to know which excursion you really want to book, but my advice is book something now while the prices are lower and decide later. Remember, you can always cancel any purchase made on the Cruise Planner before the cruise begins for a full refund.

There are a variety of ways you can contact Royal Caribbean for assistance, including a handful of email addresses that can make a big difference.

Royal Caribbean has upped its game in how guests can take care of special requests using self-service tools. The Royal Caribbean app is a great example of how much is now done on your own.

However, there are times when you need more assistance, and sending out an email is still one of the best ways to get the issue resolved.

It's a little eye opening for me that a basic email still works as a primary method for getting an issue resolved or questions answered because so many other businesses now rely on ticket systems, chat bots, or rely on a phone call.

Nonetheless, there are a handful of email addresses you should know about in case you need them for your upcoming cruise vacation.

Special needs

Royal Caribbean's attention to ensuring any special needs are met is exemplary, and while they have a robust Special Needs form you can use to take care of many common requests, it may not suffice all the time.

In addition to the form, you can always email [email protected] to get confirmation that your specific situation is being taken care of.

The top reason why you'd want to email Royal Caribbean in the case of a special need is because there's an unique situation at hand.  Or you're trying to get confirmation that your request was received and set for your sailing.

This is especially true if you need to bring specialized equipment onboard and are unsure what's allowed or not.

Emailing the CEO

There are situations where a problem just doesn't seem to be getting resolved, or you believe there's a bigger issue at hand that needs attention.  In those scenarios, you want someone in authority to be able to step in.

When there's a problem that goes beyond the ordinary, many will turn to the head of the cruise line, Michael Bayley.

Mr. Bayley is the President and CEO of the cruise line, and his email has become a sort of issue escalation and resolution resource. His email is [email protected].

It's clear his emails are screened, so don't expect him to actually read or respond to your email directly. Issues guests have tend to get forwarded to the proper department.  However, many people report getting satisfaction in having their issues addressed, or at least acknowledged.

If you're going to send an email to him, it's best for "big picture" issues. You always want to resolve any problems you have during a cruise while still onboard, and feedback on how the cruise line can improve is best sent in your post-cruise survey.

Suite concierge

If you're booked in a suite, expect an email a few days before your cruise begins from the suite concierge.

The suite concierge is a tremendous asset, as they can help with so many potential questions, issues, or ways to make your cruise better.

You should feel free to email the concierge in the days leading up to your cruise with any pre-cruise requests you have.  You can even email them during your voyage rather than making the trip upstairs to the lounge.

My top reason to email the concierge is for them to make specialty dining reservations for you, although that need might be disappearing soon.

Since the suite concierge acts as Guest Services for suite guests, you can get a lot of questions or concerns addressed in the lead up to your cruise. Don't be shy about reaching out to them, because that's part of what you pay for when staying in a suite.

Main Dining Room requests

Want a table by the window in the Main Dining Room? How about a table alone, without being seated with other passengers?

You can send an email to [email protected] and make any request for a certain configuration or table arrangement when you're booked into Traditional Dining.

Another common request for this email is to be seated with specific people not in your cabin.

You'll want to give the team a few weeks to process your request. Send the email about 2-3 weeks prior to your sailing with your request.  

Be sure to include in the email your name, reservation number, ship, sail date, and cabin number.

Stock shareholder benefit

If you own at least 100 shares of Royal Caribbean Group stock, you're entitled to extra onboard credit during your sailing.

Depending on the length of your sailing, you can get up to $250 onboard credit.

• $250 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 14 or more nights
• $100 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 6 to 13 nights
• $50 Onboard Credit per Stateroom on Sailings of 5 nights or less

To redeem this benefit, you just need to email [email protected] with your name, address, confirmation number, ship and sailing date along with a copy of your shareholder proxy card or a current brokerage statement showing proof of share ownership.

Read more: 60 Royal Caribbean tips and tricks

Cruise hacks help passengers save time and money, so they can maximize their time onboard and ashore without breaking the bank. 

Royal Caribbean International took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask cruisers for their most underrated travel hack. Since being posted on October 22, the post has received over 25 replies, with cruise fans eager to share their best-kept secrets. 

From insider tips on pre-booking add-ons to travel advice, here's a list of some of the top cruise hacks shared by seasoned travelers to help you make the most of your next Royal Caribbean cruise. 

Fly in one day early

If you're like me, the closest major cruise port isn't within driving distance. Port Canaveral is over 500 miles—or nearly 8 hours—away from Charlotte, so I'm always on the lookout for flight deals to help make my cruising habit more affordable. 

Though some can drive to their nearest cruise port (or take the Brightline train!), flying is a practical option for those who don't want to spend hours on the road. 

@CaptPat48 recommends flying in at least one day early, and I couldn't second this motion enough! When I was pursuing my Master's, I booked a cruise with a few friends on Allure of the Seas after finding an unbelievable deal. Still, we weren't trying to spend more money than necessary and decided to fly to Florida on the morning of departure. 

Thankfully, we all made it without issue; however, I was an anxious wreck in the hours leading up to our flights. I vowed never to take that kind of risk again and have since always flown out at least one day before the ship's scheduled departure. 

You can't rely on the assumption that your flight will be on time. Even if it is, you must account for the time it'll take to deplane, collect your luggage, and navigate to the terminal. If you miss the ship's all-aboard time, you are responsible for the associated costs of meeting your Royal Caribbean cruise in the next port of call—if possible. 

Read more: The costly cruising mistake newbies make planning their first cruise

Pack take-out containers

There's food available 24/7 on your cruise, from late-night pizza at Sorrento's to poolside tacos from El Loco Fresh in the afternoon and early-morning pastries at Café Latte-tudes/Café Promenade/Pearl Café. Still, sometimes you might have a specific craving, such as french fries or cut fruit, or you may just want extra food on hand to help calm a fussy child! 

"We bring [take-out] containers for bringing snacks back to our room. Then the room steward won't accidentally throw it out and it won't get stale sitting on a plate," says @LisaLueyLutes.

With take-out containers, you can easily keep your favorite snacks in your stateroom without piling up plates in your mini-fridge. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean food: Review and guide

Book another cruise while onboard

@Gina4ISU advises passengers to book another trip while on their current one!

While disembarkation day is sad for everyone (who really wants to return to their daily responsibilities after a week of being pampered by crew members?), one of the best ways to battle the post-cruise blues is to book another one!

While on your ship, visit Royal Caribbean's Next Cruise desk, where the agents will help you explore available itineraries and place a deposit for your next sailing. Not only will you walk away excited for your next getaway, but Royal Caribbean offers incentives to guests who make their next booking while onboard, including:

• The best offer on any cruise, guaranteed
• Up to $600 in onboard credit
• Deposits as low as $100 per person
• Ability to handpick your cabin 
• Booking up to three staterooms with the same benefits for friends and family
• Up to 10% off shore excursions

Plus, you can transfer the booking to your travel agent within 30 days. 

Read more: 4 common mistakes people make when booking another cruise onboard their ship

Reserve add-ons early 

Royal Caribbean cruise fares aren't all-inclusive. While you'll enjoy unlimited dining in venues like the Windjammer Marketplace and Main Dining Room, specialty restaurants cost extra, as well as alcoholic and select non-alcoholic beverages. 

While many cruisers prefer to purchase drinks individually, others find value in one of Royal Caribbean's drink packages. If you're someone who doesn't want to worry about tallying up each beverage while onboard and will drink at least six cocktails daily, you will want to pre-purchase your drink package on Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner. 

"Plan ahead and book all of your 'extras' as early as possible (specialty dining, excursions, [The] Key, etc.) as early as possible," writes @DanielAshely13.

Not only will pre-purchasing add-ons help you budget for your vacation, but you will score better deals than if you were to buy them on the ship. 

Plus, everything on the Cruise Planner can be canceled up to 48 hours before your cruise starts, meaning if you purchase a shore excursion or drink package and later discover the price has dropped, you can cancel and rebook for no penalty. 

Read more: Cruise hack lets you preview Royal Caribbean add-on costs before you book a cruise

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes on embarkation day

If you score an early arrival time, you will have nearly the entire day to enjoy the ship's amenities before sailing away! While the casino and onboard shops will be closed, you can take a dip in one of the pools before they become crowded on sea days! 

However, since you'll hand your larger bags over to a porter at the terminal, if swimming on embarkation day is a must-do, make sure you have your swimsuit on under your clothes, as recommended by @rhendrix69.

Alternatively, you can put a bathing suit and change of clothing in your carry-on bag. Though you can't change in your cabin since it won't be available until around 1:00pm or 2:00pm, there are public restrooms on the pool deck! 

Read more: 15 things to pack in your cruise carry-on

Utilize packing cubes

Speaking of packing, @ChipHaynes1 is a fan of packing cubes. 

Packing cubes are a game-changer for keeping your luggage organized and maximizing space. These affordable compartments allow you to sort your clothing and other travel must-haves, making it easy to find what you need in your cabin. 

Plus, when it's time to unpack, you won't waste time taking each item out individually. Instead, simply slide the cubes into the drawers or shelves. 

Read more: 115-item Ultimate Cruise Packing List

Have your ride pick you up at the airport's departure area

To avoid dealing with the chaos of the airport's arrival area, tell your ride to pick you up at departures instead. "Sounds weird I know but it is faster," says @branches053, "Especially if late [at] night when not many flights [are] departing."

Of course, this won't work if you're utilizing a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, as airports have designated pick-up zones for those services. 

However, if a friend or family member picks you up, the departure area can be a great alternative to locate your ride without navigating crowds. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean is discounting airfare by hundreds of dollars for a 2025 cruise

Bring magnetic hooks

"I’m sailing [on] Anthem of the Seas on 7th November from Dubai and I swear by small magnetic hooks for the cabin," remarks @kevevs1908. 

Magnetic hooks are one of the most popular cruise cabin hacks! Since staterooms are much smaller than traditional hotels on land, cruisers have found savvy ways to utilize the available space. 

Hooks can be used to hang hats, beach bags, lanyards, and other miscellaneous items to help keep the vanity area clear of clutter. Plus, if you purchase some with clips, you can safely store important documents, such as shore excursion tickets, disembarkation tags, loyalty benefit info sheets, and more. 

Have a cruise "go bag"

If you're a frequent cruiser, unpacking and repacking the same essentials can be tiresome. 

Instead, @nospam23321 suggests keeping a cruise "go bag" with items like towel clips or bands, lip balm, magnetic hooks, a Bingo dobber, sunblock, door decorations, and rubber ducks. 

This way, packing will be easier since you won't have to worry about certain must-haves. Instead, you can focus on other details of your trip, such as reserving excursions or specialty dining, organizing pre-cruise transfers, or planning the perfect theme night outfit. 

Aim for nonstop flights

Nonstop flights may be hard to come by if you don't leave near a major airport. Even if you do, they can often be more expensive than connecting ones. Still, the extra cost may be worth it. 

@randybieri says, "Try to get nonstop flights, especially on your way to your vacation/cruise, to reduce the risk of losing your luggage during transitions." 

If nonstop flights are out of the question, consider condensing everything into a carry-on bag to minimize the chance of your chosen airline losing your luggage. 

You'll want to get onboard your cruise ship as soon as possible to get your vacation started. After all, the price you paid doesn't change if you board at 11am or 2pm.

As a result, you're going to want to get an early check-in time to assure you'll board the ship first.

Boarding a cruise ship is somewhat similar to boarding an airplane. Everyone waits for the ship to be cleared and ready to welcome passengers, and then boarding commences in groups.

Usually suite guests go first, followed by other passengers based on different criteria.

But before you can get into the cruise terminal, Royal Caribbean assigns check-in times to every passenger. It's part of the pre-cruise check-in process, and there are limited slots to each check-in window.

Knowing when to check-in for your cruise can be the difference between an early time and one in the afternoon. While a relatively straightforward process, it's important to know the proper steps as well as what to avoid when checking in.

Getting the earliest check-in time

You'll be able to reserve a check-in time closer to your sail date, and it's imperative to be on the ball to get those early time slots.

Royal Caribbean's online check-in opens 45 days before your cruise is set to begin. 

It's slightly confusing exactly what time check-in opens, because it's 45 days at midnight based on the ship's home port time. Meaning, if you live in New York, but your Alaska cruise departs from Seattle, your check-in time opens at 3am Eastern/midnight Pacific.

In my experience, check-in will open up a few minutes past midnight.  It's rarely exactly at midnight, usually five or ten minutes later.

You can do online check-in via Royal Caribbean's website or their app. Trust me, you'll want to use the Royal Caribbean app and not the website.

The primary reason to use the app is when check-in opens, you can skip right to the check-in times and select a time. The Royal Caribbean website will make you first fill out personal information before getting there.

You'll need to reserve a check-in time for everyone in your party.  After you're done and have the times confirmed, you can go back into the app later and fill out the rest of the personal information.

I know what you're thinking, "do I really need to stay up until midnight to check-in?" and the answer is yes, if you want the earliest time.

If you wait until morning, you'll probably have access to the second or third earliest check-in times.  That's far from terrible, and you'll still be way ahead of people that try to do it later. But if you absolutely, positively need to the earliest time, starting the check-in process at midnight is critical.

The earliest check-in times begin around 10:30am or 11:00am. It can vary from sailing to sailing.

Book a suite

The strategy outlined in this article applies to all passengers, but those staying in a suite have one advantage over other passengers.

Suite guests enjoy a flexible check-in window of plus or minus one hour based on the check-in time you reserved.

This means if you had an 11:00am check-in time via the app, you could check-in as early as 10:00am.

If you book a Star Class cabin, your Royal Genie will coordinate with you a specific time you want to arrive and they will work around your preference. It's the ultimate "fastpass" for checking in, but Star Class cabins will easily cost you five figures.

Keep in mind the check-in times doesn't correlate to boarding time.  It simply refers to what time they'll admit you into the cruise terminal to begin checking in.

It should go without saying that spending the extra money to move up to a suite just for an earlier check-in time almost certainly is not a great value.  But it's a lovely perk to add onto the suite experience.

Purchase The Key

There's one other way to get an early check-in by throwing money at the problem.

Royal Caribbean offers a VIP extra-cost add-on, known as The Key.

Guests that buy The Key get a number of added benefits, including priority access into the terminal on Day 1.

You still select a boarding time during online check-in, but a couple weeks before the cruise, you will get an email that tells you you can board with The Key (usually 11:30 after suite guests) or keep your scheduled time. 

I'm not a fan of purchasing The Key, but it's worth noting it could get you checked-in and onboard faster (among other benefits).

Cruise ships are known for their excellent value, and what's included that costs nothing extra is a big part of that.

When you consider how much you can eat, enjoy, and explore for absolutely no additional cost, a cruise sounds really enticing. Royal Caribbean ships are packed with so many things to do onboard included with your cruise fare.

While a lot of attention is placed on things that cost extra because they're flashy, you can go on a Royal Caribbean ship and spend nothing extra and have a really enjoyable vacation.

When I'm planning a cruise with my family, my wife and I often have moments where we realize we don't need to spend extra on costly add-ons, and simply enjoy the free things. On our recent visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, we opted to hang at the Oasis Lagoon pool which has no additional cost instead of spending over $100 for both of us to go to the new adults-only area.

If you're ready to enjoy a value-conscious vacation, here are the free amenities, services, and experiences you can take advantage of during your cruise.

Lots of food

It's always about food for me on a cruise, and Royal Caribbean includes a lot of pretty good food in your fare.

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a few restaurants that cost nothing to eat there. The most prominent ones are the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet, and the coffee shop.

Here is a list of restaurants on a Royal Caribbean ship that won't cost you extra. You won't find all of them on one ship, but it's a list to reference:

• Main Dining Room
• Windjammer Buffet
• Cafe Promenade
• Cafe Latte-tudes
• Sorrento's Pizza
• Sprinkles
• Coastal Kitchen (suite guests)
• Park Cafe
• Cafe @ Two70
• Solarium Bistro
• El Loco Fresh
• Boardwalk Dog House
• Aquadome Market
• Johnny Rockets (for breakfast on Oasis Class ships only)
• Spare Tire
• Surfside Bites
• Pearl Cafe
• Basecamp
• The Grove (suite guests only)

Between these venues, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with plenty of snacks too.

I really like having my meals in the Main Dining Room when I'm with my family because the waiters get to know your preferences and really focus on your meal experience being exactly what you want. Plus, I think the dining room food is rather tasty.

If you're booked in a suite on one of the newer ships, you can dine at Coastal Kitchen for all your meals, adding significant value for the higher cost a suite comes with.

Besides your meals, there are lots of places to snack too. Cafe Promenade, Sorrento's Pizza, Aquadome Market, and Park Cafe are all fan favorites. Depending on which Royal Caribbean ship you sail on, there are going to be different places to grab a snack or mini-meal.

No matter which ship you pick, you won't go hungry and there's somewhere to eat at almost any time of day or night. Moreover, I think the food you can get at no additional cost is pretty darn good.

My favorite places to eat for free:

• Anytime snack: Aquadome Market
• Fourth meal: Windjammer
• Grab 'n go: Pearl Cafe

Free drinks

There are quite a few drinks you can get for free onboard.

• Filtered tap water
• Lemonade
• Unsweetened iced tea
• Tea
• Basic coffee
• Hot chocolate
• Milk (regular, half and half, skim, lactose-free, chocolate)
  • Creamers
• Apple juice (breakfast only)
• Orange juice (breakfast only)
• Tomato juice (breakfast only)
• Flavored waters
  • Grapefruit
  • Strawberry kiwi

You can find these free drinks offered at any bar or restaurant, although some bars may not have everything on this list.

The best places to find all of these options are the Main Dining Room, Windjammer, or Cafe Promenade/Cafe Latte-Tudes/Cafe @ Two70.

Yes, the tap water is safe to drink on a cruise ship. It's filtered onboard and probably the safest water you can drink, given how treated it is.

Trivia, demonstrations, and movies

When I think of a cruise, I think of food first, and then all the fun things to do on the ship.

Royal Caribbean built its cruise ships to have more to do than you can possibly do in a week. They're meant to offer such a wide variety of activities that you come away impressed with how much you could have done.

Every day of your cruise there is a list of activities in the Royal Caribbean app (as well as the Cruise Compass).

There's trivia, napkin folding demonstrations, competitions among passengers, educational seminars, and much more.

Karaoke is one of the top events you'll find every day. You can count on there being at least a few karaoke sessions per day. Some of the new ships that have a dedicated karaoke venue will host sessions more often.

Karaoke on a Royal Caribbean cruise is pretty much like anywhere else you've done it. There is a book of songs to choose from, and guests sign up on a first-come, first-served basis to get a chance to sing.

On a sea day, you can expect at least 4 or 5 trivia sessions, and the topics range from general trivia to TV show theme songs to Taylor Swift. There are all sorts of trivia genres, and they're just about bragging rights rather than the novel prize for the winning team.

Royal Caribbean ships also show a lot of movies. Most have their movie screens by the pool, so you don't have to leave the hot tub. A few of the small ships actually have their own movie theater, which is also included in your cruise fare.

It's a good idea to go through the Royal Caribbean app every day to see what's scheduled. The cruise line will load in all the events a few days before the sailing begins, but I like to review each evening what's coming up the next day.

My favorite free events:

• Trivia
• Movies by the pool
• Karaoke

Thrills and chills

If conquering "Friends" trivia doesn't do it for you, how about ways to be in the sun and have fun?

A lot of people specifically choose a cruise because they want to go to beautiful and warm destinations where they can take advantage of the sunshine.

Every ship has pools and hot tubs you can go to for no additional cost. There's even an adults-only pool available too.

Many of Royal Caribbean's ships have pool areas for kids, that have splash pads, geysers, and all sorts of ways to get soaked. 

Splashaway Bay is the name of the children's aqua park, and it's the perfect spot for younger children who want to get as wet as possible.

If you need more adrenaline on your vacation, there are water slides and surf simulators on many ships. These also cost nothing extra to use, and it's open to kids or adults.

Speaking of slides, the Oasis Class ships have the Ultimate Abyss slide on the back of the ship, which is a dry slide and is also included in your cruise fare.

Don't overlook the sports court, where you can play soccer, basketball, pickleball, dodgeball, or volleyball throughout the day. Once again, it's complimentary.

On the Oasis Class ships, there's a zip line you can ride for free nine decks above the Boardwalk neighborhood.

There's also a mini golf course on most Royal Caribbean ships. It's a great family activity, and open day and night.

Speaking of family fun, check out the carousel on Oasis or Icon Class ships that guests of any age can ride. It's free and open day and night.

If your cruise ship has an ice rink, there are complimentary open ice skating sessions you can go to. Royal Caribbean provides all the equipment, you just need to bring long pants and socks.

My favorite pool deck fun and free things to do:

• Water slides
• Watch people try the Flowrider
• Ice skating

Private island day

If you have a Royal Caribbean cruise that visits the Caribbean, there's a good chance your ship will visit one of Royal Caribbean's private islands.

Perfect Day at CocoCay and Labadee are the two islands that only Royal Caribbean ships can visit, and it's a private enclave that is included with your cruise fare.

Think of this like a regular port visit, but the majority of what you can do comes at no additional cost. There are beaches, pools, and food you can enjoy without any fees.

While it's true both do have extra pay upgrades, you can certainly have a great day without spending extra. You'll find beaches, chairs, umbrellas, and food that come with your visit.

A day at a private island is one of my absolute favorite kinds of cruise days because it's a simple, yet well organized fun day in the sun. There's plenty of space, the ocean and beach are lovely, and there's the choice to upgrade your day with an add-on if you so choose.

Admission to either private destination is included, and you can walk off the ship and explore at your leisure. 

If given the choice, I prefer CocoCay over Labadee because of the breadth of choices of what to do there. Plus, CocoCay's food variety is superior, along with the option for a pool day.

Be sure to review everything Royal Caribbean offers at CocoCay for no extra cost.

Shows and live music

If there's one thing Royal Caribbean does better than any other cruise line, it's their entertainment. You'll find shows, musicians, performers, and comedians on any ship in the fleet.

Every evening there will be at least one production show onboard, with the biggest ships having multiple shows per night.

Some Royal Caribbean ships actually have full Broadway shows, and admission to them is included in your cruise fare.

Even if your ship doesn't have a Broadway show, it has a talented cast of singers and dancers who will perform on nearly every night. When they aren't performing, there's usually a headline entertainer or comedian to keep you busy.

Music is also a focal point for Royal Caribbean's entertainment. There are guitarists, pianists, bands, and singers who all perform and are wonderful acts. They're not just talented, they bring showmanship to their performances and it creates must-see shows.

Some of these shows are sing-alongs, while others are productions that you can sit back and enjoy.

You'll find most of the live entertainment in the evening, but there are still musical acts during the day.

You can find a poolside band to play easy-listening tunes while you're enjoying time by the pool. There's also a DJ on Royal Caribbean ships to offer sailaway parties, as well as late-night club scenes.

I recommend seeking out the musical acts and any shows you find in the schedule, because they're not just free to see, but they're actually really entertaining.

My favorite free entertainment:

• Pub singer
• Broadway show
• Ice skating shows

Kids club

Being a family cruise line, Royal Caribbean's crown jewel of kids programming centers around the Adventure Ocean kids club.

Many of the activities in this article apply to kids as well, but I think Adventure Ocean is where you'll find the most compelling and all-encompassing activities for kids.

Royal Caribbean's kids club is more than a place to drop your kids off. It's a hub of activities, playing, and meeting other kids their age.

Adventure Ocean is broken up by age so that the activities are age-appropriate. Moreover, it fosters kids making friends onboard the ship.

The great thing about kids club is it allows kids to be kids and play, draw, engage, and do the sort of things they want to do. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy time apart, whether at a restaurant, show, and just enjoying quiet time.

There is no charge for Adventure Ocean (before 10pm) or Teens Club, however, the nursery does cost extra. If your children are under the age of 36 months, they will need to go to the nursery and you should plan for an hourly charge.

• Nursery (6 - 36 months old): Hourly cost
• Adventure Ocean (3 - 12/13 years old): Free until 10pm
• Teen Club (12/13 - 17 years old): Free

Be sure to visit the Adventure Ocean and Teen Club open house on embarkation day, usually around 1pm to see the facility, meet the staff, and register the kids. It's a great way to see what's offered and get questions answered.

Free souvenirs

Can you get actual gifts or things to bring home for free on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Yes, but temper your expectations.

One easy souvenir is to attend a trivia session and win. The winning team will get a novelty gift, usually a highlighter, pen, or luggage pull straps.

There are also usually giveaways tied to ways to spend money onboard. The jewelry store may offer free charm bracelets to entice you to come in and check out their other items while you're in line for the freebie.

The art auction staff hold giveaways to get people to attend the auctions themselves. They even serve everyone that attends the art auction free champagne.

If you cruise enough to make it to a higher tier in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor society customer loyalty program, there are gifts offered.

At the Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club tiers, you'll get a personalized gift per household on each sailing you take. You can select the personalized gift from a list of choices. The Loyalty Ambassador onboard the ship can help you select or change your preference. Choices include logo items, drinks, or snacks.

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Explore the hidden benefits of cruising outside peak travel periods, such as fewer crowds, better deals, and unique itineraries.

You can take a cruise vacation throughout the year, but there are some great advantages to going during a less busy time.

According to Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty, he expects cruise prices to go up over the next few years, which means finding a lower fare cost will become more difficult.

One strategy to go on a cruise while spending less is to book a cruise in the off season or shoulder season.

I always book a few Caribbean cruises in September or October because there are lower prices. The combination of peak hurricane season and kids restarting school brings a welcome price dip after the busy summer season.

All forms of travel see ebbs and flows, and going when others cannot travel is a top strategy for getting a better deal.

No matter where in the world you want to take a cruise, you'll find times of the year when demand wanes and that's good for consumers.

Here's a look at the hidden benefits of cruising outside peak travel periods.

When are off season cruises?

Depending on which region of the world you want to take a cruise, there are a few months to target for off peak demand.

One common thread among all off season times is the fact that school is in session. Family cruising is a big component to cruise demand.  Even if the kids aren't going on the cruise, a lot of parents skip vacations because they are unwilling to pull them out for a trip.

The shoulder season and off peak times to cruise by region are:

• Caribbean: September and October, January, May
• Alaska: May or September
• Europe: April, May, September, October
• Australia: October, November, March, and April

Read more: When is the best time to go on a cruise?

In the Caribbean, cruising during hurricane season (especially after August) is a double edged sword.  On the one hand, you'll get better prices than earlier in the summer. However, you run a higher your itinerary being modified or completely changed because of a tropical storm.

Don't worry, your ship will avoid the worst of any storm, if there is a hurricane present. Royal Caribbean actually has its own meteorologist on staff to provide expert guidance of where ships should go if there are any weather issues.

Better deals

If you take a cruise during any of these months, there's consistently lower prices. It's even when you might be able to find a last minute cruise deal.

In general, pricing tends to be lower for an off season cruise because less people want to sail.  It could be because of school or work schedules, or cooler temperatures.

If you're very flexible, you could watch Royal Caribbean's Going, Going, Gone rates for a super last minute deal.  I find consistently every year great prices on Alaska cruises in September or European cruises in October and November. However, it requires you to be nimble in the booking process.

When you compare the price of a summer season sailing vs one earlier or later, it could save you hundreds of dollars.

As an example, a 7-night Royal Caribbean cruise to Alaska on Anthem of the Seas September 5, 2025 starts at $811 per person, whereas the same cruise on July 11, 2025 starts at $1235 per person.

That's $2,469.68 for two people in July vs $1,621.88 in September. And that's just for an inside cabin, which will cost more since a lot of people prefer a balcony on an Alaska cruise.

You'll often find Kids Sail Free deals on a cruise during these lower demand times, which can really rack up savings for families.

Off season cruising has other financial benefits beyond the cruise fare.

There's a good chance your flights will be cheaper too, as peak summer pricing affects airfare just as much as cruise fare. Ditto for hotels for a pre- or post-cruise stay.

If you happen to go during the tail end of a season (September in Alaska or Europe), you may find deals on end of season merchandise too.

Smaller crowds

I love going to Alaska in May or Europe in September because of how uncrowded the places your ship visits will be.

While saving money is indeed a great reason to pick an off season cruise, I think the lower crowd numbers is the best reason.

What you'll discover during the shoulder seasons is there are fewer ships, as well as fewer land tourists to contend with. This means less people in your port, and shorter waits for museums, natural wonders, tours, and more.

In Alaska it's very apparent the difference between a cruise in June vs July when you walk into a port like Sitka or Skagway and notice far fewer tourists.

With smaller crowds, you can do more with less wait and my satisfaction rate with the experience is much better.

Unique itineraries

Another advantage of going on a cruise at the very beginning or very end of the cruise season are the special sailings you can book.

Seasonal cruise markets have to move ships into position, and then return them at the conclusion of their time there.  This means cruise lines will offer repositioning cruises that begin in one region, and end in a different one.

You could sail from Australia to Hawaii, or Hawaii to Vancouver.  There are also transatlantic crossings that feel like the classic ocean liner voyages of the past.

These cruises visit ports not usually included on a typical sailing, and in some cases it's the only opportunity to go to these places on a cruise ship.

Plus, repositioning cruises are longer cruises, which means they tend to be cheaper per night than other cruises and it's a great way to earn more loyalty program points.

Royal Caribbean's ships come in various sizes, but how important is the area of the cruise ship?

While the cruise line generally leans towards the larger side, there are significant differences between the ship classes.

Within Royal Caribbean's fleet, the smallest ships are the Vision and Radiance Classes, which carry around 2,400-2,700 passengers.

The medium ships are the Voyager Class; ships with a capacity for 3,800-4,200 passengers.

The bigger ships are the Freedom, Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Classes: mega-ships with a capacity for 4,500 up to 7,500 guests. 

So with over 28 vessels to choose from, how do you decide which ship size is best for you?

The short answer? Size matters when it comes to your cruise ship.

Here's how the size of your cruise ship can affect the entire sailing experience.

Bigger, older ships come with the cheapest price tag

Big cruise ships are popular, but if you can sail on one of the older big ships, the price can be more affordable than you think.

Let's take a lot at some example cruises.

A Western Caribbean Cruise on the Voyager-Class Explorer of the Seas will cost about $889 per person for 7 nights (interior cabin price, sailing out of Miami, Florida, on February 16, 2025).

However, an Icon of the Seas cruise around the same time jumps to $1,194 per person for 7 Nights in the Western Caribbean (sailing out of Miami, Florida, on February 15, 2025).

Read more: Icon of the Seas size comparison

It makes sense that the brand-new, hugely hyped, largest cruise ship in the world would have a more expensive cruise fare.

If we contrast this with a big yet older ship, we'll see some cheaper prices.

A 6-night Freedom of the Seas cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida costs just $664 per person (interior cabin price, sailing on February 23, 2025).

The Freedom Class ship was first launched in 2006 and has the capacity for 4,515 guests.

Personalized service in a smaller ship community

If you're someone who enjoys personalized customer service, a smaller ship might be a great experience for you.

Smaller vessels mean fewer passengers for crew members to keep track of, and they can get to know you throughout a week-long sailing.

On a vessel with less than 3,000 passengers, you'll start to see familiar faces.

Whether it's your stateroom attendant, Main Dining Room wait staff, or the crew member passing out towels, you'll be able to recognize and get to know each other.

Read more: After sailing Royal Caribbean's mega ships, I tried a small ship and here's what I liked about it

Smaller ships tend to feel like a more tight-knit community, with both crew members and guests contributing to a comfortable environment.

However, one downside of a smaller ship is that it's harder to fade away into the crowds or to avoid a particularly annoying group of guests.

Endless entertainment on a large ship

Royal Caribbean mega-ships are renowned for their marvelous entertainment. From Broadway productions to stunning AquaTheater performances, guests have overwhelming options.

Read more: Royal Caribbean head of entertainment reveals how long it takes to create a new show for a cruise ship

The Oasis and Icon Classes, in particular, are packed with constant activities. 

A look at your Cruise Compass will reveal parties at the pool, craft activities, live musicians, game shows, famous comedians, musical productions, figure skating, and so much more.

One downside to this constant entertainment is that it can be hard to decide what to prioritize. Big ships offer endless shows and parties that you'll have to choose between.

For example, Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's latest Oasis Class ship, and "The World's Biggest Weekend," has been marketed as a non-stop party.

Smaller cruise ships visit more varied ports of call

Not every port has the capacity for a big cruise ship, so smaller ships have the benefit of visiting more ports of call.

If you value unique cruise itineraries and experiences, a small ship could have exactly what you're looking for.

They might have fewer activities onboard, but these vessels take you to more unique ports of call, where you can purchase unbelievable tours.

Royal Caribbean's Vision and Radiance Classes travel to exciting destinations, from Grand Bahama and Yucatan, Mexico to Belize and Colón, Panama.

The cruise line's Ultimate World Cruise, for example, took place on Serenade of the Seas, a 2,476-passenger Radiance Class vessel.

Read more: See how Royal Caribbean ships stack up by size (2024)

Smaller ships also don't use tender boats as frequently and have shorter lines for disembarkation.

Ample activities appeal to all ages

For those who enjoy a fast-paced cruise experience, a bigger ship will provide ample activities to enjoy.

Royal Caribbean's mega-ships have it all when it comes to activities onboard. The cruise line has developed a range of options, from rope courses to surf simulators.

Bigger groups, and those traveling with families of multiple generations, will find that a large vessel has something for everyone to try.

If you're looking for an adrenaline-packed cruise experience where you can zip line, ride water slides and dry slides, play mini-golf and arcade games, ice skate, play laser tag, sing karaoke, and gamble at the casino, all on one cruise ship, a mega-ship is the right choice.

Read more: Royal Caribbean CEO explains why mega cruise ships are so popular 15 years after their inception

Comparing alone time vs. large crowds

If you're more introverted, or like getting a quiet space to yourself, choosing a ship can be difficult.

On the one hand, bigger ships often are packed with crowds, from lines for the elevator to limited seating by the pool.

But on the other hand, it's easier to find quiet spaces on a larger ship. 

Spaces like Central Park, the Library, the Outlook, and quiet bars provide the perfect opportunity to get away.

Overall, there's more space to put between yourself and your lovable but tiring travel buddies.

Before deciding which ship to sail on, you'll have to decide which is more important: quiet spaces where you can be alone, or calm public areas with fewer lines?

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Royal Caribbean cruises are bookable through early 2026, but when will more cruises in 2026 and 2027 be available to book?

Summer 2026 cruises are not open to book yet, along with anything beyond April 2026.

While it may seem strange to book vacations more than 2 years in advance, booking a cruise that far ahead can net some of the best prices.

Booking a cruise early could get you a great room, a competitive rate, or a booking on a rare itinerary that could sell out quickly.

Whatever the reason, here's what you should know about when to expect Royal Caribbean to post new cruises for sale.

Royal Caribbean puts new sailings on sale twice per year

While nothing has officially been announced by Royal Caribbean as to when 2026 cruises will go on sale, based on historical data, it usually occurs on a set schedule.

Royal Caribbean typically has two release cycles: in the fall and again in the spring.

For the last few years, Royal Caribbean has posted their new sailings around:

• November to early December
• February through April

They've stuck to this pattern, even during the cruise industry shutdown of 2020.

Example deployment schedule from last year

Prior to the actual sailings going on sale, Royal Caribbean will post a deployment schedule, which specifies the week (but not day) of release for each block of itineraries. These blocks are grouped by cruise length and region. 

One trick some cruisers have come up with is to follow what sister brand Celebrity Cruises does, as Celebrity is usually ahead of Royal Caribbean in posting new deployments by about a month.

Which new sailings will be released first?

There's no way to know for certain which itineraries will be released in November or December of this year, but based on the pattern from the last few years, it seems like there's a likelihood of certain regions getting posted first.

In 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, Royal Caribbean opened up new bookings for three regions in November and December:

• Alaska
• Europe
• 7-night Summer Caribbean

In 2023, the first new deployment release came the week of October 30, and then continued through the week of December 4, 2023 (skipping the Thanksgiving holiday week).

The rest of the new itineraries were released in the spring.

It is very important to remember that this is what the cruise line has done in the past, and they may change everything up this year. But since the question of when new bookings will be released is such a common question, this is the best information we have at our disposal. 

Which new sailings will be released in the spring?

After the winter holidays are over, Royal Caribbean gears up to release new itineraries for the rest of the schedule in the spring.

In 2023, new itineraries were posted as early as the week of February 13, 2023. In 2022, the first new itineraries were posted the week of February 21. In 2021, it was posted during the week of February 15.

Just like the fall, you'll get one batch of itineraries posted per week and the process can take all the way until April or May to fully complete.

In the spring, you'll get the bulk of the new itineraries released that fill in the gaps left from the fall.

Short Caribbean cruises, cruises from New York and Baltimore, and long Caribbean cruises are the notable sailings that get posted in the spring.  Australia cruises are also released this time of year.

Why you want to book a 2026 or 2027 cruise as soon as possible

One of the best strategies to get the lowest price on your cruise is to book a cruise early, even two years early.

It may seem crazy to some to book a cruise quite that far in advance, but there are some really good benefits to placing a deposit that early.

At a very basic level, cruise lines increase the price of a sailing as the ship sells out. By booking early, inventory is at its highest, and that usually nets you some of the best prices (especially for suites). 

If you live in certain countries, you're allowed to re-price your cabin and take advantage of a price drop up until the final payment date. This includes the United States and Canada, but there are others too.

Beyond the cost of a cruise, another good reason to book early is to get a specific cabin.

Read more: What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?

There are certain types of cruise ship cabins that sell out quickly, and booking early is almost always the only way to get them.  Suites are usually the first type of cabin category to sell out because there are so few suites onboard.

Keep in mind that suites always have always non-refundable cruise fare, so there's a bit of a risk if you aren't totally certain what your vacation plans will be in two years or more.

Moreover, there could be a specific location you want, such as an aft balcony and once again, booking early can get you the best room location.

Read more: The 5 best cabin locations on a cruise ship

The other really important reason to book so early is because you may want to cruise over a holiday.

Holiday sailings are always competitive. This includes spring break, Christmas, summer, and New Years. If you want to take a cruise during these times of year, you will want to snag a cabin because prices will almost certainly only go up.

When I'm asked, "How far in advance should I book a cruise?", my answer is always as early as you can.  Certainly when new itineraries are published is the ideal time.

The likely plan

At the risk of jinxing the pattern that's been in play for years, the information in this article is my best guess of what we can expect.

Once a deployment schedule is released, I will post a new article with the information on this site, so until then, our fingers are crossed that it will line up as expected.

While there's no way to be absolutely certain of when Royal Caribbean will release new summer cruises, I hope this article gives you a frame of reference of what to expect.

Planning a 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
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• What is the best time to go on a Caribbean cruise?