There are certain upgrades, perks, or conveniences on Royal Caribbean ships that once you try them, it’s hard to go back to cruising without them.
I speak from experience there are things you could buy, try, or sample and it will radically alter your future expectations.
Spoiling yourself is part of what makes vacation fun. I think you should be actively looking for ways to splurge so you can truly enjoy time away.
Here's my list of 10 ways you will absolutely spoil how you cruise going forward if you try them. Consider yourself warned (and you're welcome)!
Staying in a Star class suite
There are cruise ship suites, and then there are Royal Caribbean Star Class suites.
Royal Caribbean purposefully designed Star Class to offer the very best benefits on its ships, with an unmatched level of service.
The suites are massive, being the largest ones you can book on Royal Caribbean's biggest and newest ships. These are head turning suites, like the Ultimate Family Suite or Star Loft suites.
The sheer amount of space in these rooms is bigger than many apartments, and it makes going back to standard staterooms seem like a punishment given how much smaller they are.
But the real reason you'll always want to sail Star Class is because of the Royal Genie.
The Royal Genie can deliver on just about any need or want you have during the cruise, and they are the "easy button" to everything. It's not that you can't get some of these things on your own, it's that why not let someone else do it.
After the first time I tried Star Class, it went from "wouldn't it be nice" to "can we please do that every time".
Private island cabanas
Family cruising has its challenges, but one of the best ways to make it better is to book a cabana at one of Royal Caribbean's beaches.
Ever since trying our first cabana on Labadee, I've been hooked because of how it provides lots of space, good service, and prime location.
There are many types of cabanas now, with each offering access to a different area of CocoCay or Labadee. Royal Caribbean is planning even more cabanas when they open Perfect Day Mexico and beach clubs.
Cabanas spoiled our family early on because it was a great "home base" for the kids. They could play, splash, and nap, and gave us all room for it.
As my kids have grown up, cabanas allow them more flexibility if they want to hang out and talk, swim, or sun tan.
Just like being in Star Class, cabanas are the easy button for a day at the beach.
Eating at specialty restaurants every night
Ever since Royal Caribbean created dining packages, it's made specialty dining so much more accessible and you'll get used to dinners around the ship quite quickly.
I still enjoy the Main Dining Room a lot, but the more you eat at specialty restaurants, the more you'll want to continue.
Quickly you'll discover new favorite dishes and since so many restaurants are available on multiple ships, it's easy to want to return again and again.
Royal Caribbean's check-in process
Royal Caribbean has made checking in for a cruise so darn easy that it will spoil you for any other cruise line.
Over the years, Royal Caribbean has made it easier and easier to do online check-in, and now it's a few clicks in the app and you're good to go.
More importantly, the process in the terminal is fast.
When I've sailed from lesser frequented Royal Caribbean homeports and the process isn't as efficient as those in Florida, I always shake my head because I grew accustomed to how speedy it can be.
Crown and Anchor benefits
If you can reach Diamond Status in Crown and Anchor Society, it's great because of all the benefits you get. However, it radically alters your outlook on other vacations or cruise lines.
You get four free drinks per day, and that perk alone can save hundreds of dollars on every cruise.
When a friend and I were talking about a land vacation, the first thought I had was "I won't get free drinks every night there, like I can on Royal Caribbean." It almost sounds like a silly argument, but there's truth to it.
I think Royal Caribbean has the best loyalty benefits in the cruise industry, and I suppose that works for both customer and cruise line. I get what I want, and it steers me back to the line.
Having unlimited internet
Once you get internet access for a cruise, it seems impossible to go back to cruising without it.
Admittedly, I'm a geek and have been buying Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi packages for over a decade. However, I think having internet access objectively makes your cruise easier to manage.
The best thing about an internet package is it's so much simpler to stay in communication with anyone you want on the ship and back at home.
The Royal Caribbean app's free chat feature is fine, but I already have everyone I want to chat with in my own apps. Plus people that aren't on the ship.
Then there's simple pleasure of having internet access for checking social media, passing the time, and otherwise providing entertainment.
Cruises to bucket list destinations
You wouldn't think an itinerary would spoil you, but once you try a cruise to Alaska or Europe, you'll want more.
I had cruised exclusively in the Caribbean for many years before I ventured to Alaska. After being there a day or two, I instantly realized why everyone talks about this region and I fell in love with it.
Likewise, I was tepid about going to Europe and sailing from the UK, but it turned out to be the kind of trip I instantly wanted to repeat. And as it turns out, I've taken a cruise from there every year since.
Trying a cruise from a new region opens your eyes to new possibilities, and I think that's incredibly powerful.
Yes, going on a cruise from a bucket list worthy spot will spoil you, but this is more of a reward rather than an indulgence.
Cruising on a new ship
When I walked on Ovation of the Seas last month and reached the elevator bank, my heart sank a little bit when I saw there were no destination elevators.
Going on Royal Caribbean's newest ships will spoil you because of they're filled with the latest and greatest ideas, developments, and forms of entertainment.
It's easy to love a brand new cruise ship because of all the big and small features it offers. I dare you not to enjoy a sprawling Royal Promenade and coffee with a view at Pearl Cafe on Icon of the Seas and then go back to Cafe Promenade on an older ship and not feel a little sad.
Likewise, I love being on a ship that has Playmakers, the Mason Jar, a suite sun deck, or Dueling Pianos. Heck, just the change in shower dimensions and shapes (and curtains) is a reason I love new ships.
I'll still go on older ships, but the truth is once you try a brand new ship, it's hard to go back knowing all the features and amenities new ships have.
Buying a drink package
Another way to make your cruise easier and thus spoil you is to buy an unlimited drink package.
When you buy a beverage package, you don't have to think if you should spend money on another drink. It's all included, so you go for it.
I debated getting a drink package for my upcoming cruise because I get 6 free drinks a day with my Pinnacle Club benefits, but I went with the drink package because it's so much more convenient not to constantly be counting my drinks. Plus, a well-timed 40% off drink package discount helped sway my choice.
The convenience factor with a drink package is what sells me on it more often than not, and that's quite similar to the suite, cabana, or internet ideas mentioned earlier in this article. When you're on vacation, you want things to be easy.
Booking a private excursion
If you want to ruin shore excursions for yourself, try a private tour.
Group excursions are fine, but their slow pace always bugged me. So when I experimented with private excursions, it opened my eyes.
Renting a yacht, catamaran, or taking a private van tour allows so much more freedom and flexibility with your day plans.
We get to do what we want at the pace we prefer. Not to mention there's no awkwardness up front sitting with strangers until a few ice breakers (or alcoholic drinks) come out and then it gets sort of comfortable.
You only have a few hours in each port, so I'd prefer to get full use of the experience.
