Cruise ship cabins are smaller than traditional land-based hotel rooms, and while they may try and pack as many essentials and conveniences into the limited space, there's a chance that they will fall short of meeting all of your needs.

Whether you are staying in an inside cabin or splurging on a suite, there's one common household item that you should bring to upgrade your stateroom experience: a night light. 

Even if you have an expansive suite or balcony, the ocean is pitch-black at night, and you won't be able to rely on any natural light to guide you from your bed to the ensuite bathroom. 

While you can leave the bathroom light on, this sometimes emits more brightness than some would prefer when trying to sleep. 

A night light is a great workaround since it will illuminate your stateroom without potentially waking any sleeping cabinmates. Plus, some children (and adults) might not be fans of sleeping in total darkness. 

Read more: 30 Cruise cabin hacks that cruisers love

Bringing a night light on your cruise means you will not have to worry about tripping over a stray cord or pair of shoes in the middle of the night

If you are staying in an ocean view room or above, your stateroom will slowly brighten up as the sun rises in the morning, meaning that you'll only have to worry about having minimal light at night. Inside rooms, however, go dark as soon as you turn off the lights, even if that's at 12:00pm. 

Night lights will ensure that even these windowless rooms are never pitch-black. As someone who travels in inside cabins more often than not, it can be pretty disorientating to wake up to a completely dark room, even if it's in the middle of the night to use the restroom. 

I've found myself relying on my phone's flashlight to avoid accidentally stubbing my toe or running into the vanity. While this is not a bad option, the light can be pretty bright, so this is not ideal when I am sharing the room with someone else. 

Battery-powered tea lights work, too, as they can be placed next to your bed on the nightstand, on the vanity, or in the bathroom without having to worry about using a plug to illuminate the room. Since a single tea light is so small, it's easy to carry with you to the bathroom, too. 

Depending on which night light you have, tea lights might take up less space in your luggage, giving you more room for souvenirs, toiletries, etc. 

One drawback of traditional night lights is that they will take up one of your outlets at the vanity

The majority of cruise ship bathrooms don't have standard plugs in them, so you'll have to use the outlets at the vanity for your hairdryer, straightener, curler, etc. With some older rooms only having two American plugs, you might not want to sacrifice your phone's health for a night light. Navigator of the Seas, for instance, only has two standard American plugs, in addition to a single European one. 

While newer ships tend to have more charging options, they usually come in the form of USB ports, rather than extra outlets. If you are like me and only have USB-C chargers, these are not too useful; I rely on the actual outlets to charge all of my devices. 

Thankfully, there are night lights out there that are battery-powered. For less than $25, you can purchase one that is also motion sensored! With over 2,000 four- and five-star reviews, it's a great investment for your next cruise that you can also use when you return home. 

It can be stuck anywhere in the cabin, so you aren't limited to using it just at the vanity. This means that you can place it in your stateroom's bathroom, so you do not have to turn the light on at night. Coming from a pitch-black room, the bathroom's light can be pretty blinding, even if you're prepared for it. 

Please note that we’ve linked items on Amazon in the article, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase the item through the link.

Read more: The clever reason to bring a European power adapter on your cruise ship

What are some other cruise cabin hacks to make your stateroom more functional?

While a night light is a must-have on cruise ships to help better the cabin experience, there are some other items you may want to consider purchasing ahead of time to help make your stateroom as comfortable as possible, even if you only plan on using it as a base to rest and recharge for the next day. 

A shoe organizer, for instance, will help you organize toiletries, shoes, jewelry, and more. If you're going on a short weekend cruise, you might not find this too useful; however, those on longer voyages will appreciate the additional storage space. 

Plus, it's easy for staterooms to get messy a few days into the trip. An organizer will help ensure that everyone keeps their belongings in the correct place. 

Wrinkle-release spray is another must for me, especially since steamers and irons are prohibited onboard Royal Caribbean ships. Note that if you try to bring either of these items with you, it'll be confiscated on embarkation day. You will be able to retrieve it once you disembark. 

I hate walking around in wrinkled clothing, so I travel with a travel-sized bottle to help get out some of the bigger wrinkles. A small bottle is key, as I do not want to take up too much storage space. 

After spraying the item down, I'll usually place the article of clothing that I want to wear in the bathroom while I shower to help de-wrinkle it as much as possible. 

Finally, packing cubes are a great investment for your upcoming cruise if you don't already have them. They are truly the packing tool that keeps on giving since you can reuse them for future vacations, whether it's a weekend trip to the beach or an extended European holiday. 

Not only will they help keep your suitcase organized, but packing cubes will also help reduce the amount of time you spend unpacking. Upon receiving your luggage, simply pull the cubes out and place them inside of drawers or on the racks in the closet. 

The less time you spend unpacking, the more time you get to spend enjoying all of the embarkation day festivities! 

2024 is poised to be a big year for Royal Caribbean. Not only are they launching two brand-new ships, but they’ll be unveiling a new adult-only experience at Perfect Day at CocoCay called Hideaway Beach! 

Even if you’re a devout Royal Caribbean cruiser, there are some do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind when planning your cruise in 2024 to help you maximize your time onboard and minimize any pre-vacation stress. 

As was the case in previous years, you'll want to ensure that you follow timeless cruise tips, such as arriving the night before your ship is scheduled to depart, purchasing travel insurance, and repricing your cruise until final payment. 

Here's our list of the best 24 do's and don'ts for your Royal Caribbean cruise in 2024. 

DO book your Royal Caribbean cruise through a travel agent

Travel agents are valuable resources, and they act as your go-to expert for all things Royal Caribbean. Whether you can't decide between an itinerary, want advice on a stateroom, or have some questions about the complimentary youth programming, you'll benefit from utilizing a travel agent when booking your 2024 Royal Caribbean cruise. 

In addition to their expertise, travel agents have access to the best deals, meaning that not only will they save you time when planning your cruise, but it is likely that they'll save you money, too! 

Even if you're eager to book your next cruise before you disembark your current one, you can still head to the NextCruise desk and then transfer the booking to your travel agent after you get home. 

Read more: Top 5 things to look for in a good travel agent for your cruise vacation

DON'T assume bigger is better

With Icon of the Seas officially entering service, the "largest cruise ship at sea" will receive a new definition. For over ten years, that title has been held by Oasis Class vessels, all of which are relatively similar. 

Icon will be unlike anything that's ever been done before! With a recording-breaking water park, brand-new neighborhoods, dining experiences, shows, and more, she truly will be the ICON of the seas. 

Bigger, however, is not always better. If you are someone who prefers smaller ships that can visit more unique ports of call, Icon of the Seas might not be the best fit for you.

Similarly, despite Utopia of the Seas' unique features compared to other Oasis Class chips, the ship is only making 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas. If you've already been to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Utopia of the Seas may not have the ideal itinerary for you. 

Plus, you can often find better deals on older, smaller ships, meaning that you can stretch your vacation budget a little bit further than if you were to splurge on a stateroom on one of the newest ships. 

DO purchase travel insurance

Travel insurance is crucial regardless of whether you're going on a 3-night or 14-night cruise. While nobody wants to think about the worst-case scenario occurring while on vacation, life does, unfortunately, happen. Unexpected events, such as the sudden onset of an illness or injury, can impact your cruise. 

If you're a frequent traveler, it might behoove you to look into an annual policy, rather than purchasing insurance directly through Royal Caribbean for each sailing. 

A good policy will cover things like trip cancellation, trip interruption, travel delay coverage, baggage delays, emergency medical coverage, onboard medical expenses, and more. 

DON'T try and save money by booking the cheapest stateroom available 

Sometimes, you might come across a deal that you think is too good to be true. If you find yourself questioning that, then it probably is! The cheapest cruise fares tend to be for inside cabins on older ships. While bigger isn't always better, Oasis and Icon Class ships are so popular for a reason! 

There are so many different ways to cruise; there's not a one-size-fits-all methodology. You may be someone who doesn't care too much about the itinerary so long as you're sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's mega-ships. 

If that sounds like you, bypass the cheaper cruises on older ships, like Radiance of the Seas or Vision of the Seas, as the lack of onboard amenities could lead to a disappointing vacation. 

Read more: Things you'll notice when cruising on the newest cruise ship

DO know what's new for Royal Caribbean in 2024

In addition to Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, Hideaway Beach will finally open at Perfect Day at CocoCay. This new adults-only haven is not included in the cost of your cruise fare; however, it promises upgraded experiences including a private beach and pools, new bars and restaurants, cabanas, live music, and more.

Pricing for Hideaway Beach depends on your exact sailing, but costs seem to range between $43.99 and $79.99 per person, making it cheaper than Coco Beach Club. 

Additionally, you may not be docked beside another Royal Caribbean ship when visiting CocoCay, as Celebrity is going to begin cruising to Perfect Day at CocoCay in April 2024. 

This, however, won't impact how many guests are ashore, as there are still only berths for two ships per day.

Those cruising to Perfect Day at CocoCay with Celebrity Cruises on Royal Caribbean can purchase Hideaway Beach admission. It is not exclusive it either cruise line, simply the island itself!

DON'T be afraid to status match with sister-line Celebrity Cruises

Even if you've been loyal to Royal Caribbean for decades, there's nothing wrong with deciding to switch it up and cruise with Celebrity Cruises. With some of the most modern and innovative ships at sea that are geared more towards adults, you may find it time to "graduate" to the more upscale cruise line. 

Have no fear! You don't have to completely abandon your status and the accompanying perks. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean match statuses with the other sister-line up to Diamond and Elite. If you're a top-tier member (i.e., Pinnacle Club or Zenith), you won't be able to instantly match into the other cruise line's highest loyalty tier.

Elite comes with some pretty lucrative perks, though. From a complimentary nightly happy hour to priority tendering, a free bag of laundry, and discounts on Wi-Fi and drink packages, matching your Diamond or above status with Celebrity can save you hundreds of dollars and make your cruise experience more memorable! 

DO remain flexible

Nobody wants their dream cruise itinerary to be altered due to a storm or medical emergency; however, these things do happen. 

Sometimes, the weather will cause shows to be canceled. Other times, you might find that your favorite specialty restaurant is fully booked. When planning a cruise, it is important to remain flexible, rather than letting circumstances out of your control ruin your hard-earned trip. 

Rather than sulking because of a missed port, consider splurging on a spa treatment or upgraded excursion in your next port of call. While the trip will be memorable either way, it's important that you try to have as many good memories to negate the other ones!

DON'T be surprised by policy changes

Royal Caribbean implemented various policy charges in 2023, including no longer allowing passengers to order unlimited lobster tails on formal night, limiting Diamond members' access to the Crown lounge on busy sailings with many top-tier members, and increasing the daily gratuity amount. 

Looking back at these changes and those that occurred in 2022, it's likely that additional policies may either be added, changed, or removed altogether in 2024. 

DO select your ideal dining preference

When booking your cruise, you'll have to decide whether you want traditional or My Time Dining. If you select the latter, you'll be responsible for making your own dining reservations for each night of the cruise, whereas with traditional dining, you'll simply go to the Main Dining Room at the same time each night and have the same wait staff. 

If you make a selection that you are not happy with, you must contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean as soon as possible. On embarkation day, you should always plan on stopping by the Main Dining Room to confirm. 

Choosing the wrong dining time or preference can damper your trip. If, for instance, you're used to eating around 6:00pm each day, you likely will not enjoy having dinner around 8:00pm. Likewise, if you choose My Time Dining but forget to make reservations for 7:00pm, you will have to either wait for an available table or dine a little bit later. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean My Time Dining versus Traditional Dining 

DON'T fly into your cruise port the day your ship is scheduled to depart

One of the riskiest things you can do when making pre-cruise arrangements is booking your flight for the same day your ship is departing. A single flight delay or cancellation could cause you to miss the ship, and you might not have the opportunity to meet up with it at a later port of call. 

To be safe, you should always ensure that you fly into your cruise port at least the night prior. Even if you think your flight is scheduled to land early enough, you need to consider how long it will take to deplane, collect your luggage, and get to the port. 

While there might be a sigh of relief with an on-time arrival, traffic delays to the port, especially if it's located over an hour or two from the airport, are just as unpredictable. 

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

DO expect ports to be busier

In mid-2023, Nassau opened the first phase of their port expansion, which increased capacity to 10,000 guests. There are berths for six ships per day, including three Oasis or Icon Class vessels.

By the end of 2024, it's estimated that Nassau will see roughly four million cruise visitors, and throughout the year, construction will continue, as builders work towards finishing the second phase. 

Additionally, while not all Royal Caribbean vessels, over 100 ships are reported to visit the island of the Dominican Republic in December. In fact, the country saw the largest amount of cruise traffic to date on December 19. 

According to a Forbes research study, 49% of participants said that they expected to travel more in 2023 than they did in 2022, meaning that you can expect there to be more land-based tourists, too. If that trend continues, 2024 will be even busier! 

DON'T expect your ship to be sailing at half capacity

When cruise ships began operating after the pandemic, they were doing so at limited capacity. In the first quarter of 2023, however, Royal Caribbean Group ships sailed at 102.1% capacity. 

Prior to 2020, it was pretty usual for ships to sail above the 100% occupancy rate, simply meaning that some cabins had more than two people staying in them. In fact, mainstream lines typically sail between 103% and 107%, depending on the time of year and ship.

While you shouldn't expect to board a relatively empty cruise ship, a full sailing should not worry you, as venues are designed to accommodate a lot of guests at once. Plus, activities and other forms of entertainment are strategically offered to keep guests moving about the ship. 

DO understand how automatic gratuities work

As of November 2023, the gratuity rate for Royal Caribbean cruises is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

This means that a family of four in a standard stateroom on a 7-night cruise can expect to pay an extra $504 for the week. 

You have two options when it comes to paying them. First, you can opt to pre-pay them prior to your cruise. This can be done at the time of booking or by calling Royal Caribbean/your travel agent. Second, you can have them added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of the cruise. 

Even though you can adjust the amount by visiting Guest Services, this is not recommended, as the total amount is split amongst hard-working crew members, including those who stay behind the scenes and have important jobs.  

Read more: 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking

DON'T forget to check your travel documentation in advance

Not every cruise requires all guests to have valid passports. If, for instance, you're sailing on a round-trip cruise from Miami to the Caribbean, you can technically board with a government-issued photo I.D. and proof of citizenship, such as a driver's license and birth certificate or certificate of naturalization.

You will need a passport for specific sailings, though, like those from Vancouver to Whittier or Barcelona to Rome. While you can go off your memory and assume that your passport expires in 2026, it is best to make sure that you, one, know where it is and, two, ensure that it's valid at least six months after the end date of your cruise. 

Let's say that you're going on a cruise in May 2024. If your passport's expiration date is before November 2024, you will want to give yourself enough time to get it renewed. 

DO frequently check the price of your booking before final payment

Everyone wants to save money on vacation. This might allow you to cruise more frequently or splurge on cruise add-ons to enhance your trip. Either way, it feels good to pay less for your base fare. 

For those of you who have not made your final payment yet, you should frequently re-price your cruise. If you notice that the price has dropped, simply contact Royal Caribbean, and they'll honor the lower price. 

Note, however, that this is only for residents of certain countries, such as the United States and Canada. 

If you don't notice a price drop, you can rest assured knowing that you snagged your cruise for the lowest possible price!

Read more: The biggest cruise hack you're not doing that has saved me thousands of dollars

DON'T forget to purchase cruise add-ons through the Cruise Planner

Planning a cruise and all the exciting things you can do both ashore and onboard can be just as fun as setting sail! The best place to begin your planning is no place other than Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website. 

This is where you'll find Royal Caribbean-sponsored shore excursions, drink and Wi-Fi packages, specialty restaurants, and more. 

Nine times out of ten, you will save money by purchasing all of your cruise add-ons in advance, rather than waiting until you board, as Royal Caribbean has sales in the time leading up to your cruise. 

Plus, by making all of your reservations in advance, you will have the most options when it comes to availability. 

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner site

DO complete online check-in as soon as it opens

45 days before your cruise, you'll be able to complete the first step of Royal Caribbean's check-in process. This is where you'll input your documentation and credit card information, as well as select an arrival time at the terminal.

You should write the date check-in opens on your calendar or create a notification on your phone. This will ensure that you can complete the online portion as soon as possible and snag the best arrival time for your travel party. 

The earliest times tend to go first, so if you have hopes of being one of the first people onboard, make sure you don't wait too long! 

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process

DON'T bring any prohibited items onboard

There's no denying that packing for a cruise is stressful. You want to make sure that you have everything you'll need since you won't be minutes away from a local drugstore. That being said, having an idea of what is and isn't allowed can help. 

There is no point packing things like steamers or irons since they'll be confiscated during the embarkation process. It is better to save space in your luggage for essential items, like bathing suits, cover-ups, and appropriate dinner attire. 

Note that if you bring something illegal onboard, you face being kicked off. TikTok user @infamousxdrew was forced to disembark his cruise onboard Mariner of the Seas while the ship was docked in Falmouth, Jamaica because the ship's crew figured out he had medicinal marijuana with him. 

"...[The crew] saw my medical marijuana...and all the senior security advisors or whatever they're called...have [come] to the conclusion that I must disembark," he said. 

Read more: 15 things you don't need to bring on a cruise

DO ensure that you complete the muster drill on time

Before you sail away, you must complete the muster drill, even if you have been on many cruises before. Guests who fail to complete the drill will be hunted down by crew members. 

Personally, I like to complete the mobile component while at breakfast on the morning of embarkation or while en route to the terminal. That way, all I have to do onboard is visit my physical muster station, which only takes a few minutes. To do this, however, you'll want to have the mobile app downloaded to your device ahead of time. 

You don’t want to be that one passenger who causes the ship's departure to be delayed because you couldn't spare ten minutes of your day to complete the mandatory safety drill. 

DON'T wait until the last minute to book your airfare

Airfare prices increase as the departure date approaches. If you wait too long, you could find yourself paying hundreds of dollars more for the same flight that was substantially cheaper a few months, or even weeks, prior. 

While sometimes, last-minute airfare is unavoidable — like when you book a cheap last-minute cruise — you should look at prices as soon as you've booked your cruise. If your cruise is over a year in advance, you should start looking at the one-year mark, as that's when the majority of airlines release their flight schedules. 

Plus, if you're hoping to use airline miles to reduce your out-of-pocket cost, airlines typically limit how many reward seats are available on each flight. 

DO expect higher prices 

Similarly, while you can find last-minute cruise deals, you should expect the overall cost of a Royal Caribbean cruise to be more than what you might've paid in the past. 

When the cruising industry was restarting after the pandemic, there was less of a demand, so prices were pretty low. Now, however, demand is reaching new peaks. 

Despite higher base fares, there are ways to cruise on a budget, including staying in inside cabins, refraining from specialty restaurants, and sailing during the shoulder season. 

Read more: Hot demand: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas has new bookings for world's largest cruise ship

DON'T wait until you're home to resolve any onboard issues

If you notice any sort of discrepancy on your onboard account, don't wait until you are home to contact Royal Caribbean. You'll want to visit Guest Services as soon as possible. 

Any other issues should be addressed, too. Crew members are there to ensure that everything onboard is to your liking, and if there is a way that they can improve something, they will certainly try their hardest. 

Keeping problems to yourself and assuming they'll be resolved on their own is a surefire way to ruin your vacation. 

Read more: The top crew members to find if you have a problem onboard your cruise 

DO step out of your comfort zone

Royal Caribbean offers sailings all over the world. If you have been to The Bahamas or Caribbean a few times, perhaps you should consider going on your first-ever Alaska or European cruise. You will still get the same Royal Caribbean service that you have come to love, just new ports of call to explore! 

Perhaps stepping out of your comfort zone simply means trying an excursion that you've been thinking about for years, such as zip lining through the lush canopies of Jamaica or taking an ATV tour of St. Maarten. 

It could even mean going to an event that you would otherwise overlook. From pool deck parties to scavenger hunts, production shows, craft workshops, all-access tours, fitness classes, and more, there's so much offered on every sailing; it's impossible to do it all, no matter how hard you try!

Read more: 7 ways to do things differently on your next cruise

DON'T forget to leave your worries behind as you set sail

No matter what is going on in your personal life when you board the ship, try your best to leave those worries behind. 

Grab a cocktail during sailaway and watch the horizon disappear, then head to dinner and enjoy a delicious three-course meal knowing that you are not responsible for any dishes! 

Plus, you do not have to worry about constantly entertaining your children, so you can truly have a well-deserved break! They will probably have even more fun in Adventure Ocean, anyway! 

When I go on my cruises in 2024, I'll be making a few changes to how I cruise.

I went on 11 cruises in 2023, including 9 of them on Royal Caribbean ships. It was my best year yet of cruising, and I was able to sail to a variety of destinations around the world.

With the new year nearly upon us, I can't help but look back at what I did this year, and the new year resolutions I'll make to being a better cruiser in 2024.

With any cruise, you can alter the dynamic of how you approach it. It's not a "one size fits all" product, and that means you have the option to change it.

I came up with five changes I want to make in my 2024 cruises so that I can save money, avoid pitfalls, or simply improve my experience overall.

Book my second half cruises sooner (to save money)

The cost of travel went up in 2023, and cruises were no exception.

The average price of a Royal Caribbean cruise is higher now than in 2019, and as as consumer, I need to adjust my strategies.

While I have a number of cruises already booked for 2024, my plan is to be more proactive with booking anything new.

In the past, I would still rely on booking a cruise with about three months or so left to be able to squeeze another cruise in. This was partially because I live in Florida and can drive to any cruise port in the state, but also because I was slow to come up with ideas for articles to write and subsequently find a cruise to make it happen.

Instead, I'll book my cruises sooner to hopefully get a better price than if I try to get a last-minute deal.

I'd recommend anyone reading this to also aspire to book their cruises earlier. Prices are only going up, so booking early is still the best overall strategy for a better price.

Read more: The best time to book cruises by day, month, and last-minute

Skip the drink package

Depending on how long you've read posts on this site, you know I've generally been a fan of the Royal Caribbean drink package. But I think that may be changing this year.

Even at the higher prices, I still think the drink package is a good investment for someone looking to indulge during their cruise. It still has the propensity to save money.

However, I've found an alternative way to enjoy alcoholic beverages on my cruise without paying the price of a drink package. 

Many readers have told me about how lucrative Royal Caribbean's casino loyalty program can be, as it includes unlimited free drinks in the casino as one of its perks.

Read more: I gambled enough in Royal Caribbean's casino to get free drinks and a cruise

I'm not a big gambler by any means, but I cruise enough during the year that I can spend a little bit during each sailing to accrue enough points to reach Prime in the Casino Royale program.

Having achieved that status, I can now get free drinks in the casino.  Combined with the free drink vouchers I get from Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society, I want to try relying on this instead of buying a drink package.

The downside to this strategy is I'm reliant on going to the casino to get a drink. On big ships, this is quite the schlep.

Nonetheless, the money-saving opportunity this strategy has is too alluring to pass up, so I want to try it this year.

Take the train instead of driving to South Florida

From the first time I took the new Brightline train between Orlando and Miami, I was hooked.

It's about three and a half hours to traverse Central and South Florida, and it's an extremely boring drive. Much of Florida's interior is rural and there isn't much to see. Plus, that's a lot of time to be out of pocket for covering what's happening in the world of cruising.

Brightline opened daily service between Orlando and the ports Royal Caribbean ships sail out of in South Florida, and it has been a godsend for people like me that hate to fly but were sick of the drive.

I've taken the train five times now, and when Icon of the Seas begins her cruises from Miami, I'll be taking the train instead of my car to get back and forth.

Read more: I took the Brightline train from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale for my cruise. Here's what it was like

Driving is still cheaper, but my time is worth more to me, especially if it means never having to get stuck in traffic or slowed down by a downpour.

Rethink the unlimited dining plan

Earlier I said I'd skip buying a drink package, but for the specialty dining package, I'm going to commit to thinking twice before buying it.

I've bought the unlimited dining package for plenty of my cruises because it's a great way to enjoy many specialty restaurants. 

But like the drink package, the price of the dining package has gone up. And equally importantly, Royal Caribbean has stepped up with its complimentary food. While I love the hibachi or a filet, I never regret the stir-fry station in the Windjammer or a bowl of French onion soup in the Main dining room.

I think a lot of people are coming to a similar conclusion, especially on Icon of the Seas.

Jeffrey Robinson bought the unlimited dining package the first day it became available for the Icon of the Seas inaugural sailing, but then cancelled it a few weeks ago because he realized how much great complimentary food there was on Icon. 

I didn't cancel my dining package for Icon, but as I plan out the rest of my 2024 cruises, I might reconsider the investment.

Finally try the rock climbing wall

Believe it or not, I've never tried the rock climbing wall on any Royal Caribbean ship.

The rock wall has been a staple of Royal Caribbean ships ever since it was first introduced on Voyager of the Seas in 1999.

I've always wanted to try it, but never got around to doing it.  A few years ago I actually went to the wall to try it, only to hear it was closed because the wall itself was too hot.

I'm not sure which ship I'll try it on, but I aspire to finally get up on the rock wall this year! The Crown's Edge on Icon of the Seas can take the rock wall's place on my "never done it" list.

Go for a night swim with my kids

Not my kids

When I was brainstorming this list, I thought of something to do differently as it relates to my kids.

We've always talked about going up to the pool for a swim after dinner, but never end up doing it.  Either the kids find something else to do, or I realize we have plans elsewhere on the ship.  Or we just get lazy and call it a night.

In any case, I want to find time to go up at least one night per cruise with the kids up to the pool to get some time in for a night swim.  Maybe it's for half an hour, maybe it's for an entire movie, but I think this is a good year to make it happen.

As we approach the start of a new year, I can't but help look forward to all the new changes coming to Royal Caribbean.

There's always something new happening every year in the cruise industry, but it seems like 2024 is going to be the biggest yet for Royal Caribbean with everything opening and launching.

There's two new cruise ships, a new beach, and changes to the experience onboard.

I picked out five of the most intriguing changes or additions that someone going on a cruise in 2024 will want to be aware of before booking a new cruise.

1. Icon of the Seas launch

2024 will be the year of Icon of the Seas.

There will be plenty of other new cruise ships this year (including another Royal Caribbean one), but none of them will compare to Icon in scope, features, or buzz.

Icon of the Seas will be the first in the Icon Class, and Royal Caribbean's first new cruise ship in a decade.

Being the first in a class means it's an all new kind of cruise ship, with plenty to do and Royal Caribbean has gone all out with its design.  There's more to do than any other cruise ship has offered, and more importantly, it's a big play for the family cruise market.

Royal Caribbean cruise ships have always been family friendly, but Icon will do more to offer families onboard. There are more cabins designed with families in mind, and an entire neighborhood for young children and their parents.

Plus, there's an entire waterpark onboard, along with the award-winning entertainment that Royal Caribbean is well-know for.

More than the ship itself, expect an unparalleled amount of attention for it. Icon starts off the year with his first revenue sailing on January 27, but the red carpet will be rolled out in the weeks leading up the launch.  Even after her first sailing, Royal Caribbean will likely pour on the pomp and circumstance right into the summer when its other new cruise ship enters service.

2. Utopia of the Seas launch

Two new Royal Caribbean cruise ships launching in the same year is not something I can recall happening, but it will happen in 2024!

Utopia of the Seas is likely the last Oasis Class cruise ship, and she will begin cruises in June 2024.

While this will be the sixth Oasis Class ship, Utopia has a few notable changes from her sisters. When it comes to any new ship, Royal Caribbean almost always tends to mix up the entertainment and dining choices to keep it all fresh.

The Ultimate Abyss slide will be the longer than ever so that Utopia can say it has the longest dry slide at sea.  It will be 259 feet tall, which is 43 feet longer than other Royal Caribbean ships.

Royal Caribbean's first immersive dining restaurant will debut on Utopia, which will rely on mixed reality and have a classic train dining car motif. Located on deck 4, the restaurant will look like a train station where you board a train car for a trip.

Read more: Royal Caribbean shares a glimpse of its first mixed reality restaurant concept

Giovanni's Italian Kitchen moves to a new location that overlooks the Boardwalk neighborhood and even has an outdoor terrace.

Izumi will move to Central Park and offer a walk-up window option for sushi on the go.

There will also be a new bar, called the Pesky Parrot bar. This will be located in the Royal Promenade on Deck 5, effectively replacing Bionic Bar. The Pesky Parrot is a new bar with a Caribbean flair. You'll find fruit-based beverages made with rum, tequila and gin.

The other really big change with Utopia of the Seas is it will enter service with short cruises instead of 7-night sailings.

Traditionally, new cruise ships start their life with offering week-long cruises, but Royal Caribbean wants to offer short cruises on her in order to appeal to the new to cruise crowd.  People that have never cruised tend to book short cruises first, so the hope is having a brand new ship doing 3- and 4-night cruises will stand out ahead of any other short cruise offering.

Read more: Royal Caribbean has a plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations

The inaugural sailing of Utopia of the Seas will be July 22, 2024 and will be a 4-night cruise to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

3. New adults-only beach opens

In addition to Icon of the Seas starting service, something else will be new in January.

The next expansion of Perfect Day at CocoCay will open when Hideaway Beach becomes operational.

Hideaway Beach is for guests 18-years-old or older, and it's meant to be a haven for adults that want somewhere just for them. 

Poolside cabanas, a new pizza restaurant, swim-up bar and infinity pool are what Royal Caribbean will add to keep adults in a party mood all day long. 

The Hideaway pool will be the massive freshwater pool where you'll find the DJ located near a swim-up bar. Think Las Vegas pool party.

It will be an extra-cost add-on to consider for adults who want to enjoy a lively atmosphere and no kids.

4. Dining Package change

It's not quite clear when in 2024 this will happen, but it's about to become much easier to book a dining reservation pre-cruise if you have a Royal Caribbean dining package.

In conjunction with the launch of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean will finally allow guests that book a specialty dining package the option to pre-book online.

Up until now, guests that had booked a dining package had to wait until they got onboard the ship to make a reservation, and that created a pain point for them and added stress to the first day of the cruise as they would scramble once onboard to make reservations.

Before you get super excited for it, it's not certain when it will happen. Royal Caribbean executives told us it's "likely" in the first half of 2024.

5. New ships and itineraries in 2024

Every year there are new itineraries and ship homeports, and we found a few notable changes in 2024.

Symphony of the Seas will call the New York City area home for the first time when she begins sailing from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey.

Royal Caribbean made a splash when Oasis of the Seas was the first Oasis Class ship to sail from the Big Apple, and now it will be Symphony's turn.

Read more: Guide to cruises from New York

Speaking of Oasis Class ships, Oasis of the Seas will sail the Mediterranean in summer 2024. This isn't Oasis' first time in Europe, but it is the first time for Oasis since being amplified. 

Oasis of the Seas will offer7-night Western Mediterranean cruises to France and Italy from Barcelona and Rome.

Rounding out 2024 will be more weekend sailings from Australian shores than ever before. Sailing between November 2024 and April 2025, Royal Caribbean's Australia cruise season will feature a choice of eight 2- to 3-night weekend getaways from both Sydney and Brisbane. 

Which Royal Caribbean change are you most excited about for 2024? Tell us in the comments!

You might be surprised at some of the things you cannot bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including clothing irons.

You'll have shirts, dresses, suits, and pants packed in your suitcase, so one of the planning questions you might have for a cruise is related to ensuring those clothes look great when it's time to wear it.

Royal Caribbean does not allow guests to bring irons onboard, and they do not have irons for passengers to use in their cabins (or anywhere).

Irons are a fire hazard, and fire is the biggest threat to cruise ships. Fires on cruise ships are rare, but it's one of the most dangerous problems that could occur, so mitigating the threat is at the heart of many Royal Caribbean policies related to what you can and cannot bring onboard.

While there are not irons available to use in your stateroom, there are still ways to get your clothes looking their finest and adhere to the important rules of what you can and cannot bring onboard.

No irons allowed

You're not allowed to pack, bring, or use an iron on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. And steamers are also not allowed to be brought onboard.

If you try to bring one, it will be confiscated and returned to you after the cruise is over.  The security team screens every piece of luggage coming onboard the ship and they look for irons (and other contraband items).

A lot of passengers are unaware of the rule, and bring irons only to have them taken away.  

When you disembark your ship on the final morning of the sailing, look for a table with all the confiscated items somewhere in the cruise terminal. You'd be surprised at all the things people try to bring on a cruise ship.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

Unlike a hotel room, there are no irons available to use in your stateroom either.  In fact, there are no self-service laundry facilities on Royal Caribbean cruise ships either.

Laundry can be sent out

You cannot iron your own clothes, but you can pay to have Royal Caribbean do it for you.

Every ship has the option for guests to have their clothes washed, folded, pressed, or dry cleaned. There is a per-item fee for this service, but it's the only way to get your clothes washed and/or ironed during your sailing.

The price of Royal Caribbean's laundry services vary based on if you want it washed or dry cleaned, and each item has a specific cost. There's a specific cost for shirts versus underwear versus a jacket.

Royal Caribbean offers a more cost-effective laundry option known as the wash and fold special. 

Ask your stateroom attendant, but there will be an option to fill a small bag with whatever clothes you can fit in there for the flat fee of $35.

This is great to launder shirts, bras, shorts, and other small clothing and have clean clothes to wear again during the cruise.

Read more: Royal Caribbean laundry services on your cruise

Laundry for suite guests

Are you staying in a suite? If so, Royal Caribbean provides complimentary pressing for the first formal night on your cruise.

It's a lesser-known suite benefit, but all you have to do is ask your stateroom attendant about it on the first night of the cruise (usually formal night is on the second night) and they can arrange to have your clothes sent out and then ready for the first formal night.

In addition, if you're staying in a Star Class suite on an Icon, Oasis, or Quantum Class cruise ship, laundry is complimentary every day. 

Star Class guests just need to fill out the form and put their clothes in the provided bag that's found in the closet.  Leave it on the bed, and it will be done for you.

Star Class suites are the most expensive rooms you can book on a Royal Caribbean ship, but they do include free laundry every day and that means you could potentially end the cruise with clean clothes!

DIY solution to ironing

You want to get wrinkles out of your clothes but don't want to pay Royal Caribbean to press it for you? There's another option.

Cruise fans have devised a method for dealing with wrinkles without resorting to laundry services.

The first is to turn on your stateroom shower and get the bathroom steamed up. 

Spray the clothes with Downy Wrinkle Release (contains affiliate link, which costs you nothing extra to use but supports this site), which you are allowed the bring on the ship.

Then hang the clothes in the bathroom.

Other strategies to battle wrinkles

If you can avoid getting your clothes wrinkled in the first place, then an iron won't be necessary at all.

Here are the strategies our readers have tried over the years that might work for you:

Roll your clothes

This works well for t-shirts or dresses, but if you roll clothes up (rather than folding them), it helps prevents wrinkles.

Rolling clothes can help a lot, but you just can't do it quickly. Each item needs to be ironed, then when rolling make sure the pieces are flat and not creasing anywhere. 

Once you're done and put them in the bag they won't move or make any new creases, so if you're careful it can work really well. The thicker roll helps prevents wrinkles on thin items.

Not only does rolling clothes help with preventing wrinkles, but it's a good packing strategy too.

Unpack as soon as you arrive

Unpack your luggage as soon as your bags are delivered to your cabin and hang everything up.

The sooner you get clothes out of the bag, the better.

Anything that is wrinkled can be sprayed with the Downy Wrinkle Release spray.

Pack the right clothes

Certain clothes are going to be more likely to be wrinkled in the first place, so rethink what you're going to pack for the cruise.

As an example, khakis tend to be my biggest culprit to the wrinkle monster.  Instead of khakis, I'll bring dark blues or blacks. 

Ladies might consider yoga pants aa another good choice for casual clothes that won't get wrinkled.  A reader said she wont wear blouses with elaborate ruffles or peplums or fluttery things.  Those adornments are thin and they will wrinkle and the shower trick even struggles to get ruffle wrinkles out. 

For men, ask your dry cleaner at home to pack dress shirts with tissue paper to help fight wrinkles.

Reuse clothing

If you choose to pay for pressing, pay for formal night clothes so you could reuse the formal night clothes.  

That means bringing bringing two dress shirts, having them pressed on night one, and then alternate your dress shirt wearing just for dinner, so your amount of wear is reduced.  

Embrace the wrinkles if all else fails

At the end of the day, no one on the ship will really care if your clothes are wrinkled. You're not on a ship with your social circles that will hold it against you for decades; you're on a ship for a few nights with people you're likely never to see again.

Plenty of other people on the ship will have wrinkled clothes too, and the ones that pay a lot of money to have their clothes pressed will be in the minority.

Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or anticipating setting foot on a ship for the first time, there is a lot to be learned from each experience. Even as someone who has cruised over a dozen times, I still find myself making mistakes and thinking that I should have known better! 

When I took my first Mediterranean cruise, for instance, I waited until the week before to begin researching my ports of call and booking excursions. Similarly, I have forgotten my online check-in date more than once and gotten stuck with a later arrival appointment. 

From reserving My Time Dining reservations in advance to arriving the day before your cruise is scheduled to depart, here are 10 habits that you should make part of your cruise routine. 

Book your cruise early and reprice often

Royal Caribbean releases itineraries as far as two years in advance. Between sales, dynamic pricing, and other promotions, it can be difficult to know when the best time to book your cruise is; however, the further you book in advance, the more time you have to reprice if you notice a price decrease leading up to final payment. 

Often, the cheapest rates can be found as soon as Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries. If there's a specific ship or itinerary that you have your heart set on, the safest bet is to place a deposit as early as possible. As the ship fills up, prices are raised. 

Even if the price of your sailing doesn't decrease, you can rest assured knowing that you booked it when prices were the lowest. 

Read more: The biggest cruise hack you're not doing that has saved me thousands of dollars

Don't wait until you are onboard to reserve cruise add-ons

After you have placed your deposit, you will gain access to Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner website. This is where you'll be able to make reservations for shore excursions and specialty restaurants, as well as book drink and Wi-Fi packages, spa treatments, and more. 

While you technically can wait until you are onboard to worry about your add-ons, it is smarter to deal with that in advance. Not only will you be able to soak up every moment of your time onboard without thinking about planning, but you'll usually save money, too. 

The actual discounts will vary; however, it is not uncommon to find sales where you can receive 10% to 40% off the onboard prices of specialty restaurants, drink packages, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi. 

Over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I was able to take advantage of the Cruise Planner sale and score a great deal on an excursion in Naples, Italy. Rather than paying $285 for two people for the "Taste of Sorrento and Pompeii" excursion, my partner and I were able to pay about half, or $300 total. 

Read more: 45 easy ways how to save money on a cruise (2024)

Arrive the day before your cruise is scheduled to depart

Booking your flight on embarkation morning might seem like a smart way to save money since you won't have to take another day off of work and worry about a pre-cruise hotel. If, however, you fall victim to the unpredictability of the airline industry, you could find yourself missing your cruise, as the embarkation window on the first day of the cruise is limited. 

Even if you think that your arrival time leaves a lot of room to spare, you need to factor in how long it will take for you to deplane, collect your luggage, and travel to the terminal. 

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

Book with a travel agent 

To some, booking with a travel agent might feel like you're giving up agency over your vacation. From my experience, however, it has been the exact opposite. A good travel agent will only be as involved as you want them to be. 

One of the primary advantages of booking with a travel agent is their expertise; however, they also have access to exclusive group rates, so they can sometimes get you a lower rate on your cruise fare than is advertised on the cruise line's website! 

New cruisers will benefit from their knowledge, though, as they can help them select the best itinerary, stateroom, shore excursions, specialty dining meals, and more. 

Always bring a non-surge power strip

The older your cruise ship, the fewer power outlets your stateroom will have. When I cruised on Navigator of the Seas, for instance, I was shocked to find just two American outlets and a single European one. 

Even if you are sharing a stateroom with just one other person, you'll likely bicker over who gets to charge what device and when. Today, most people travel with multiple devices, such as mobile phones, AirPods, cameras, smart watches, iPads, etc. 

Royal Caribbean prohibits extension cords onboard their ships since they see them as a fire hazard. That, however, doesn't mean that they aren't solutions! Rather than bringing the random extension cord you have lying around in your kitchen drawer, head to Amazon to look for a non-surge power strip that's cruise-compliant.

This will ensure that even if you're cruising on one of the oldest vessels in the fleet, you will have plenty of outlets to keep all of your devices charged. 

Understand the Deluxe Beverage Package rule

Typically, if one person in a cabin wants a Deluxe Beverage Package. Royal Caribbean requires all other guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom to purchase it, too. This is to prevent guests from sharing it. 

There is a workaround, though. If you're sharing a cabin with an adult who doesn't drink, or does not drink much, you can call Royal Caribbean and ask that they get the Royal Refreshment Package instead. 

This will save you a lot of money compared to if you were to purchase two Deluxe Beverage Packages, as the alcoholic package is more expensive than the non-alcoholic one. 

Note, however, that if you get caught sharing a drink package, Royal Caribbean has the right to revoke it without issuing a refund. 

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink package rules overview

Check-in for your cruise as soon as possible

45 days before your cruise, Royal Caribbean's online check-in portal will open. You can either complete it via the app or on your web browser, such as Google Chrome or Safari. 

During this process, you will input your identification documentation, set up your onboard expense account, and select a check-in time, which is when you'll be able to enter the terminal on embarkation day. 

The earliest time varies based on your itinerary; however, the earliest tends to be somewhere around 10:30am, with the latest being somewhere in the mid-afternoon. 

While your travel plans might not allow you to select the earliest time available, there are many advantages to finishing your check-in as soon as possible. 

For instance, you won't have to worry about it as your sailing approaches, and you can focus your pre-cruise planning efforts on packing and getting everything in order before you leave. 

Read more: 11 reasons to get as early a check-in time as possible for your cruise

Pre-pay for your gratuities 

At the time of booking, you'll have the option to pre-pay for your gratuities. If you choose to do so, you will be able to pay them off with the rest of your cruise fare, as the total for the gratuities will be added to the amount to be settled by final payment. 

Additionally, pre-paying for your gratuities means that you will lock in the current rate. Every so often, Royal Caribbean revises their gratuity rates for their crew members. 

This just happened in November 2023, as Royal Caribbean announced that the automatic gratuity rate would be increasing from $16.00 USD for those in standard staterooms (Junior Suites and below) to $18.00 USD per day. Suite guests also saw an increase from $18.50 to $20.50. 

If you decide to book My Time Dining, make sure that you make reservations in advance

Royal Caribbean offers guests two different types of main dining experiences: traditional and flexible. If you choose the latter, known as My Time Dining, you'll be responsible for making your own dining reservations each evening, whereas those who opt for traditional dining will eat at the same time each evening with the same wait staff. 

My Time Dining is great for those who do not want to eat at the same time each night of their cruise.

You can choose what time works best for you and your travel companions, meaning that you can easily schedule dinner around the rest of your plans, whether that's a longer excursion in port or a much-needed afternoon nap after lounging by the pool. 

While you don't have to make reservations, it is recommended. Otherwise, you'll have to wait for an available table. 

Read more: How to book My Time Dining on Royal Caribbean

Don't save must-do onboard activities for the last day

If there are any activities that you really want to do, make sure you do them early on during your sailing.

Unpredictable weather could deem it too unsafe to operate the FlowRider or have the AquaTheater cast perform tricks. Waiting until the last minute could mean that you're out of luck, as there won't be any other opportunities on the current sailing. 

Of course, you shouldn't try and pack everything into the first day. With all the embarkation and sail away excitement, you do not want to tire yourself out too quickly. 

Read more: 30 cruise ship embarkation day do’s and don’ts

Before booking a Royal Caribbean cruise, you'll want to understand what is and is not included in your cruise fare. 

Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive. Before getting too excited about the cheap cruise deal that you found, you'll want to consider how much extra you will spend on cruise fees. 

While not all are required, there are some that you have to pay, such as port fees and gratuities. These two things alone can tack on an extra $400 per person depending on where you're cruising to and how long the sailing is. 

Read more: What's included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Here are 11 cruise fees you should know about before booking your Royal Caribbean cruise, so you can appropriately budget. 

Port fees

When Royal Caribbean sends out emails advertising cruise deals, the rate shown doesn't include port fees. These mandatory fees vary based on where you're sailing to, with port fees in Alaska costing more than those in Europe or the Caribbean. 

In July 2025, for instance, the port fees on a 7-night sailing to Alaska onboard Quantum of the Seas cost as much as $295 per person, while the fees for a 7-night cruise to the Caribbean onboard the brand-new Icon of the Seas cost around $185 per person.  

Port fees are charged by the ports of call to the cruise line, as ships do not get to dock for free, and are then passed on to passengers. They're usually a summation of a few different fees, including the docking fee, per-passenger fee (head tax), and pilot fee. 

Unlike gratuities that can be adjusted at Guest Services, port fees are paid in full by the time of final payment.

Wi-Fi

Hoping to stay connected while at sea? You will have to purchase a Wi-Fi package. Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean only offers a single package: Voom Surf + Stream.

With this package, you'll get 24-hour access to the internet. There aren't any restrictions on what you can access, either.

You can browse the web, send, and receive emails, and chat on messenger apps, as well as stream your favorite television shows, music, and movies. You're also able to video chat with those back home and post on social media.

Of course, there are ways for you to check in on everyone at home without paying $20 per day, such as only connecting while in port at local restaurants or coffee shops. For most, however, it's not feasible to be completely out of touch with the world. 

Related: How to get free wifi on Royal Caribbean

Gratuities 

As of November 2023, the automatic gratuity rate for Royal Caribbean cruises is $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins (Junior Suites and below) and $20.50 per person, per day for suites.

This means that a family of four in a standard balcony stateroom on a 7-night cruise can expect to pay an extra $504 for the week. 

You can choose to pre-pay them before your sailing, either at the time of booking or by calling Royal Caribbean/your travel agent, or have them added to your onboard account to be settled at the end of your cruise. 

Each guest, regardless of age, will be assessed the daily gratuity, which is then split amongst hardworking crew members. 

Premium menu options

Included in your cruise fare is unlimited food from complimentary dining venues onboard. While the restaurants vary based on cruise ship, all Royal Caribbean vessels have a Main Dining Room and buffet. 

If you choose to eat in the ship's dining room, you'll notice a few premium options on the menu:

• Maine lobster tail: $16.99 (a single lobster tail is included on itineraries with "The Royal Night" menu)
• Chops Grille filet mignon: $19.99
• Surf & turf: $34.99

There will be plenty of things to choose from if you don't want to pay for these upgraded offerings. If, however, you want a more intimate dining experience, you will want to consider splurging on a specialty dining meal. 

These range in pricing; however, if you book ahead through the Cruise Planner, you can take advantage of pre-cruise sales. 

Related: First look at Royal Caribbean's new main dining room menus

Room service

Speaking of dining, every Royal Caribbean ship offers 24-hour room service, where you can have breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks delivered right to your cabin. Whenever I cruise in a balcony, I make a point to enjoy breakfast on my private verandah at least once!

Aside from continental breakfast, all Royal Caribbean room service orders incur a $7.95 fee, as well as an 18% gratuity, bringing the total cost to around $9.40. 

The fee is a fixed-cost, meaning that you'll pay the same amount whether you order one dish or three. 

Royal Caribbean's continental breakfast includes items like toast (wheat, white, gluten-free), plain bagels, English muffins, assorted pastries, cereals, fruits, and yogurts. If you want any hot items, you'll have to order those and pay the service charge. 

Additionally, it’s customary to give a small cash tip to the crew member delivering the food to your stateroom. 

Corkage fees

Each guest is permitted to bring one 750ml bottle of wine or champagne with them when they board their ship. While this likely won't be enough to last you the entire cruise, bringing your own alcohol onboard, even in a limited quantity, is a great way to save a little bit of money and enjoy your favorite wine on the ship. 

You aren't charged to bring the bottle onboard; however, if you opt to consume it in a public area, such as the dining room, you'll be charged a corkage fee of $15 per bottle. 

To avoid this pesky fee, simply consume the wine in your stateroom. Don't bring the bottle with you to dinner or a show. 

Thermal suites 

There's no denying that cruise ship spas are expensive, with a 50-minute Swedish Massage costing upwards of $150. 

Thermal suites are popular because you can either a pass that gives you access for the entire cruise. For instance, on my upcoming cruise onboard Quantum of the Seas, the Cruise Planner lists a 7-day pass at $125, which is cheaper than a 50-minute treatment!

Childcare 

Don't worry, Adventure Ocean programming is complimentary for kids between the ages of 3 and 12 during the day. An hourly rate applies after 10:00pm, though. There is a separate program for teens (12-14 and 15-17). 

Additionally, children under the age of 3 cannot partake in the complimentary programming. Instead, Royal Babies & Tots is a nursery drop-off for guests between the ages of 6 and 36 months. This costs $6 per hour between 9:00am and 6:00pm and $8 per hour from 6:00pm until midnight. 

Regardless of where your child has to go, there will be age-appropriate activities for them to enjoy while parents get some much-needed alone time. 

Select non-alcoholic beverages 

Your base fare includes select beverages, including water, milk, tea, coffee (regular and decaf), lemonade, iced tea, flavored waters, juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed), and hot chocolate (via instant packets). 

If you want anything else, such as specialty coffees, sodas, or mocktails, you'll have to either pay for each drink individually or splurge on a Royal Caribbean drink package. 

As of December 2023, most zero-proof cocktails are $7.00, with specialty coffees at Cafe Promenade and Cafe Latte-tude ranging from $4.00-$5.50. Soda onboard Royal Caribbean ships costs $3.50. 

Royal Caribbean offers two different non-alcoholic packages: the Classic Soda Package and the Royal Refreshment Package. 

The latter is the more expensive package, as it includes all non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails), Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages and soda refills at any venue, bottled still and sparkling water, specialty teas and coffees, Johnny Rockets shakes, and freshly squeezed juices.

The Classic Soda Package includes just soda, so you'll have to pay extra for any other non-alcoholic beverages. 

Related: What drinks are free on your Royal Caribbean cruise?

Alcoholic drinks

Alcoholic beverages cost extra on Royal Caribbean cruises, too. Whether you want a cocktail, glass of wine, or crisp beer, you'll have to be willing to spend some additional money. 

The Deluxe Beverage Package is their only alcoholic package. As such, it's also their most expensive. Typically, it can cost anywhere from $56 to $105 per person, per day.

Packages are priced dynamically, meaning that the ship, itinerary, and time of year all play a role in what the cost is for your specific sailing. 

If you opt to purchase each drink individually, you'll find most cocktails around $14.00, with beer ranging from $7.49-$7.99. Hard ciders, like Angry Orchard and Strongbow, are $7.99, and most glasses of wine fall within the window of $8.00-$14.00. 

Those sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Lababee, Haiti will be delighted to know that drink packages work ashore!

Certain onboard activities

Royal Caribbean is known for packing its ships full of onboard thrills. Depending on which class you sail on, you'll find anything from ice skating rinks to skydiving simulators, bumper cars, zip lines, water slides, and more. 

While the majority of activities are included in the cost of your cruise fare, there are some you'll have to pay extra for, such as the North Star observation capsule on sea days or fitness classes. 

Similarly, if you want a FlowRider lesson, whether it's private or a group, you'll have to pay extra, with the latter being the cheaper option. Usually, group lessons cost around $60 per person. 

Related: Top 30 extra cruise costs that are not included

Selfies aren't just for influencers anymore. It's actually the important step to do pre-cruise to get on the ship faster.

When the day arrives to get on your cruise ship, the last thing you want to do is waste time in the cruise terminal instead of boarding the ship.  Yet, too many people skip a pivotal step that can move things along quicker.

Royal Caribbean has made its app easy the key to boarding your ship.  Similar to an airline boarding pass, you can do it all via the app. But unlike a flight, cruise ship passengers are asked to take a photo of themselves.

The purpose of taking a photo of your face is so that ship security has a record of it, and you have to do it before embarkation.

The photo is optional in the app, but if you wait to take the photo in the cruise terminal, you'll waste time there and more importantly, take longer to get onboard.

Read more: Royal Caribbean app walkthrough and tips

This might sound like it's not a big deal to take a photo before the cruise, but Royal Caribbean is about to make it far more important.

Why taking a selfie will become more important

It's easy to overlook taking a selfie during the check-in process, but soon you'll definitely want to do it ahead of time.

Royal Caribbean is getting close to introducing a new way to check-in for a cruise that rewards passengers who do everything they need to do before embarkation day.

A new Express Boarding option is being tested in PortMiami on at least one ship, and it's meant to speed up the process for people who do everything they are supposed to in the app ahead of time.

This means you scan your passport, take a selfie, and enter your credit card and emergency contact details.

It might not sound like a big deal to have the fastest way onboard, until you're waiting in a line that you didn't have to wait in.  No one likes waiting in line when others can breeze past them.  

Find the right spot for the photo

One word of advice to avoid having to re-do the photo later is ensure you pick a spot that has a neutral background.

Royal Caribbean doesn't want things in the background, so take the photo in front of that boring hallway in your home instead of in the car or at the office.

Speaking of things that don't belong in the photo, make sure you aren't wearing any hats or sunglasses in your selfie photo.

If you don't do this, you'll have to re-take the photo in the terminal.

How to take selfie

You can take a selfie photo and upload it two ways.

The easiest is through the Royal Caribbean app. You can start the check-in process 45 days prior to your cruise departure date. 

Once you have the option to check-in, you'll see "Check-in now" enabled.  From there, "Travel Info" is the first section to complete.

The selfie photo is available under "Snap a security photo".

Alternatively, you can do the check-in on the Royal Caribbean website.  The problem with the website is you need a way to take a photo and get it to your computer.  There's no doubt taking a photo from your phone while already in the Royal Caribbean app is easier.

Read more: Royal Caribbean check-in process guide

More tips to speed up embarkation

In addition to taking a selfie, you'll want to to do a few more things.

Be sure to enter all of the information in check-in process so that each section has a green check mark next to it. This means entering your personal information, travel documents, credit card, and emergency contact information.

A day before the cruise, the health questionnaire will become available in the app, and that's the final step in checking in for the cruise.

On boarding day, there are also a few good tips to assist in getting from curb to ship as quick as possible:

• Have your travel documents (passport) in hand
• Take a screenshot of your SetSail pass, just in case the app doesn't work
• Have luggage tags printed and attached to your luggage

Read more: 15 Royal Caribbean boarding process tips for a fast embarkation

Experts will tell you the best time to book a cruise is as soon as you pick out the right ship and itinerary, but some people still wonder if they're better off waiting to book a cruise later to try to get a better deal.

It's understandable why you might think there's a special or better time to book a cruise, because in other forms of travel there are inside scoops on when is the best time to book. 

The reality is a cruise ship is priced differently, and waiting to book is usually a mistake because of how the industry works.

While there are exceptions and times when a promotion seems lucrative, the best time to book a cruise is when you see a price that fits in your budget and and seems like a good price. If you think it's a good deal, go ahead and pull the trigger on booking it. There's no telling if or when the price may go down.

What is the best day to book a cruise?

There are definitely better days of the week to book a flight, but that's not the case with cruises.

Royal Caribbean does offer "Going, Going, Gone" rates on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, they tend to be very limited offers on close-in sailings. If you're planning your family vacation, waiting for one of these to roll around isn't a great strategy.

Prices of a cruise can change by the minute, and there isn't any kind of pattern that favors one day over another. While the cruise line's internal pricing logic isn't publicly known, anecdotally, there isn't any reason a price would be less on a certain day.  When it's time to raise or lower the price, it happens in real-time.

Just to confirm this theory, I reached out to a travel agent to get a sense of their experience.  Considering how many cruises they book every day, I wanted to know if there was a better day of the week to book a cruise.

"There isn't a best day of the week to book a cruise, as prices change often," said Sharla Manglass, Travel Planner with MEI & Mouse Fan Travel.

"Some people seem to believe that waiting for Black Friday, WOW, or Kids Sail Free sales will be the best option for them."

What is the best month to book a cruise?

There isn't necessarily one month that's better than another, but cruise lines love to tie sales to major holidays.

The month of November stands out because it has two of the most well-known shopping holidays: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While these sales tend to favor retail sales more, the truth is cruise lines trot out special bonus incentives for those that book a cruise during these days.

In fact, cruise lines get into the "spirit" of Black Friday by starting sales a week or more in advance, so you'll have time in the second half of November to take advantage of the sales.

However, it's a mistake to wait to book a cruise until Black Friday. Instead, book the cruise now.

Royal Caribbean allows price adjustments with no penalty until final payment date, so if you do notice a price drop when Black Friday rolls around, call Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to get the cruise fare adjustment.

Plus, you might find that Black Friday cruise deals are not very different from promotions you’ll see throughout the rest of the year. Unlike retail and technology stores, for example, cruise pricing does not drastically change on Black Friday. You might find that the Black Friday promotion is nearly the same as other promotions during the year.

What is the best time of year to book a cruise?

If you had the inspiration to book a cruise, ideally it would be in the beginning of the year during Wave Season.

“Wave Season” is a cruise industry term for the time of year in which cruise lines tend to offer their best promotions. Wave season traditionally occurs between January and March. The name comes from the fact bookings in this period are what carry the cruise industry for the rest of the year.

Wave season promotions vary based on year, but you might see savings like 60% off a second guest and up to $150 onboard credit to use onboard. If you’re browsing Royal Caribbean’s website during wave season, you should take advantage of the offer to hopefully save some money and get onboard perks.

The other really good time of year to book a cruise is when Royal Caribbean releases new itineraries.

Generally speaking, the best prices for a cruise are when a new sailing is put on sale and all the cabins are open to book. Inventory is at its highest, and prices only go up as rooms get booked.

Cruise itineraries are usually released around two years in advance. The first batch of new cruises go on sale around November and December, and the rest come out in February, March or April.

One way to stay informed about new cruise itineraries is by subscribing to Royal Caribbean’s marketing emails or following Royal Caribbean Blog.

Can I book a cruise at the last minute?

Your best bet is to always book as far in advance as possible, you could try for a last-minute booking instead.

Truthfully, booking a cruise at the last minute is a crapshoot.  If there are any good deals, the choices are going to be limited in terms of dates, ships, and cabin choice.

Equally importantly, you'll have to pay the entire fare at once, because cruises booked less than 90 days before sailing require deposit and the full fare to be paid at the same time.

The bigger issue is there may simply not be a last-minute cruise deal to be had.  Cruise ships are sailing full, and people are booking cruises earlier and in more numbers than ever before. 

However, if you're very flexible with when and where you sail, there could be something out there if you keep your eyes out for price drops. If a cruise is past final payment date and not all rooms have been booked, Royal Caribbean may drop prices in order to encourage more passengers to book the cruise.

It helps a lot if you can drive to your cruise so that you don't have to then figure out last-minute airfare or hotels.

Should you book your next cruise on the ship?

Cruise lines offer additional incentives if you book another cruise once on their ship, but it's not always the best strategy.

If you're on a ship and are suddenly struck with the inspiration to book another cruise, yes, booking onboard is a good idea. You will receive up to $600 in onboard credit  and a lower deposit amount simply for booking a cruise on the ship.

That may sound like a great reason to wait to book onboard, but waiting to book a cruise until you get on a ship is a mistake. Even if you have a cruise coming up in a few weeks or months, it’s almost always better to book a future cruise you are interested in while at home now because the price could go up between now and your sailing, negating the advantage of booking on the ship.

How do I know if I'm getting a good deal when I book?

January is the heart of winter in the northern hemisphere, so while temperatures are likely to be at their coldest, is this the right time for a cruise?

Picking the right month for a cruise depends on various factors, but January has its own considerations. It's also not as popular a month to take a vacation because nearly everyone just had time off with the December holidays just a few weeks earlier.

Among the cruise industry, January is actually one of the best months to go on a cruise because it has a few advantages that draw many back year after year.

You might be surprised how good of a time it is to go on a cruise in January.

Lowest prices of the year

Assuming you skip a cruise that goes over the New Year holiday, cruises in January tend to be quite inexpensive and that's because of the lack of demand.

Cruise prices tend to reflect demand, and when there's less demand, prices are usually lower.  In January, kids are back in school and adults are back at work.  It's not very common to take vacation time in January considering the built in time off that comes with Christmas and New Years.

Due to less demand, you will probably have a higher chance at finding a last-minute deal in January than in many other months. Keep an eye out for January cruise deals starting in November each year and check frequently to make sure you’re aware of the best deals being offered.

Read more: Ultimate Guide to last-minute cruise deals

Just like the cruises, flights tend to be cheaper too for a January cruise.  With less people in general interested in a vacation, you may find that getting a flight to your embarkation port isn't as expensive as a month or two later.

A winter escape

Nostalgia for a winter wonderland usually runs out by the time bitter cold temperatures arrive in January, so a January cruise is a great idea to get out of town.

By taking a January cruise, you get to head south and to warmer temperatures.  There’s something extra wonderful about suntanning on a beach when everyone else is freezing back home!

Less kids

If you prefer going on cruises with less kids onboard, then January is the perfect month for you.

With the exception of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, most kids will be in school and unable to cruise. Therefore, far fewer families and children will be onboard your cruise ship.

With school back in session, school aged kids will be far less likely to be on your sailing for the longer sailings.  Three night weekend cruises can still get their fair share of families from driving distance towns, but a seven night cruise should have less.

Of course, toddlers and other young children not yet in the day school system may be there, so don't expect an adults-only sailing.

Perfect outdoor weather

It's warm in the Caribbean year round, but January is one of the most comfortable months to be outside in this region.

January is the start of the dry season in the Caribbean, so you can expect less humidity and more comfortable temperatures than what you’ll find during the summer months. Plus, hurricane season is not a concern during January.

January can also be a great time to book shore excursions you wouldn’t otherwise book during the warmest months of the year. Visiting Mayan ruins in Mexico, hiking in St. Kitts, and exploring downtown Cozumel can be much more enjoyable in January compared to July or August.

The only downside to the lower temperature and humidity is the possibility of a cold front sliding through, especially in The Bahamas.

It’s not uncommon to see January averages in the Bahamas in the low 70s, which can surprisingly feel quite chilly on cloudy and windy days. Ocean temperatures can be colder, too, making swimming less comfortable.

If your cruise is headed further south, east, or west, it should be plenty warm to swim. Remember, ocean temperatures take longer to cool or heat up than air temperatures, so one cold front will not dramatically affect how warm the water is.

All things considered, weather is unpredictable and, more often than not, you’ll encounter warm, sunny skies on a cruise in January. Regardless of whether the forecast shows 70°F or 85°F, it will almost certainly be warmer than the weather back home!

Best cruises in January

If you're sold on a January cruise, there's plenty of great choices to consider.

In the winter, most Royal Caribbean ships offer cruises from North America. The abundance of ships in North America means there are more opportunities to find last-minute cruise deals and more flexibility over which ship to book.

Here are some ideas for which cruise to pick for a January sailing.

Cruises to Mexico

What's better than a cruise that gets you warm temperatures, tacos, beaches, and lots to explore?

Royal Caribbean offers a lot of itineraries that visit the Yucatan Peninsula, which means going to places like Cozumel and Costa Maya.

Not only are these ports sufficiently south to almost guarantee warm temperatures, but a visit in January is idyllic because of how less humid it is outside.

Mayan ruins are a favorite shore excursion, but since these ruins are located in the jungle, it can be downright sweaty most times of the year.  By going in January, you could check them out for yourself with far less perspiration involved.

In fact, being outdoors in general is lovely in Mexico, so don't overlook a beach day visit either.

Cruises to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao

If your goal is to find the absolutely hottest temperatures, you will want a Southern Caribbean cruise.

Cruises that go to the "ABC Islands" of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao are as far south as you can get in the Caribbean, and temperatures in this region rarely change much throughout the year.

The average high temperature in Aruba in the month of January is 86°F and the average low is 76°F. You won't have to worry about being chilly here.

Since these islands are known for their beaches, a Southern Caribbean cruise is perfect for this month.

West Coast cruises

Have you cruised from Los Angeles yet?

If you take a seven night cruise down the Baja Peninsula, you will get to visit the Mexican Riviera with the best possible weather.

Ports such as Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are very popular in winter because of how wonderful the weather can be.  By taking a January cruise, you could combine not only a January escape, but also an excuse to try this itinerary.

Read more: Mexican Riviera cruise guide