Royal Caribbean offers lots of extras you can buy for a cruise, but a few of them are the kind of splurges I'll get every single time.
Part of my job is to try everything out that the cruise line offers. Most of them are enjoyable, but the kind of optional add-ons that you might try once or something that appeals to a certain person.
When I tried a new whiskey tasting aboard their new train restaurant, I appreciated the insight and various drink options, but immediately decided this was a "one and done" for me. Glad I did it, but no need to come back again.
However, other experiences have been much better and they usually end up in my cart for every sailing I take.
If you're looking for the things to buy on your cruise that are worth every penny, here are my 7 favorites of all time.
I always buy travel insurance to avoid a financial mess later
After a medical scare on one cruise, I've always bought travel insurance going forward on every sailing.
Moreover, I've heard so many stories from other cruisers who encountered unexpected illnesses, accidents, or last-minute emergencies that would have left them in a terrible financial hole if not for insurance.
Travel insurance policies usually don't cost very much, around $40 to $250 per person (depending on your policy needs).
It's become a non-negotiable cost that I buy every time without question. I probably will never use it, but it lets me sleep better at night knowing I have it.
I need internet access on any cruise for work and pleasure
I cannot remember the last time I didn't have internet access on my cruise, because it's so much easier to sail with it.
Royal Caribbean sells internet packages for unlimited use during your cruise. A one device package for a 7-night cruise when bought before the vacation starts is usually around $170.
Wi-Fi on Royal Caribbean is far from cheap, but I've found it to be incredibly helpful to have.
Besides the need I have for doing my work onboard the ship, it makes communicating with friends and family so much easier. Royal Caribbean has a free messaging service within its app, but it's clunky and won't allow you to message anyone at home.
Plus, having internet access makes it easy to check weather forecasts, keep up with news, and generally pass the time.
It certainly helps when you get to a higher tier of Royal Caribbean's loyalty program and get free days of Wi-Fi access. But, even paying out of pocket for the entire sailing is a must-buy for me. Heck, I'll buy extra plans so I don't have to swap connections between my phone and laptop.
I'll almost always book at least some specialty restaurants
The debate of if it's better to eat at the included restaurants or the specialty ones always results in the same answer: why not both?
Sometimes I'll buy the unlimited dining package because a ship has lots of my favorite restaurants, but the cost of the UDP has gone up a lot in recent years.
However, I'll almost always book at least one specialty restaurant just to mix things up. Most often, I buy the 3-night dining package because it's priced more reasonably and allows me to enjoy a few extra options, while still enjoying my favorite dining spots included in my cruise fare.
There's no question the specialty restaurants offer a great dining experience, especially considering they have cuisines you can't find elsewhere. But I don't think you need to spends hundreds extra. That's why sometimes I'll go with just a specialty restaurant or three, so I can mix things up.
Renting a cabana is pricey, but it's always a satisfying experience
Royal Caribbean's cabana rentals at Perfect Day at CocoCay have gone up in price a lot, but when the pricing isn't sky high, I never regret a cabana.
This is the very definition of a splurge, but you can't deny that Royal Caribbean knows how to deliver a great way to spend the day.
I love renting a cabana because it has shade, extra service, and no concerns over finding a spot. It's the "easy button" to a beach or pool day, and has been a boon for my family. Having shade and food delivered has been a winning recipe.
The prices are much more palatable if you can split the cost with someone else. So if I can find a price that isn't sky high, then I'll usually book one.
Booking a private trainer session made my gym workouts so much better
I've been on a journey to improve myself over the last year and a half, centered around going to the gym regularly. Royal Caribbean's fitness centers are impressive, but getting started and taking full advantage of what's offered isn't easy.
I booked a private training session on one cruise to see if the trainer could give me some pointers, show me where I can improve, and help give me new ideas for breaking up the monotony of exercise.
I've since booked private trainers many more times because it's cheaper than hiring a coach at home, but still gives me the right guidance to keep me on track. I think of it like a refresher course, as well as someone to push me to go harder.
A single session for an hour costs between $60-99, but it's absolutely helped me along the way.
Paying for onboard laundry has been the best packing hack I've found
If you want to know the secret to packing less for a cruise and being able to go with smaller luggage, the answer is Royal Caribbean's onboard laundry.
There are no self-service laundry machines on Royal Caribbean ships, so the only option is to send dirty clothes out for wash and fold or dry cleaning.
It's a couple of dollars per item, but it's worth it on sailings longer than 4 days so I can re-use clothing.
The smart play is to look for the wash and fold special, where you can stuff clothes into a bag for a fixed price.
I'll send out laundry every cruise instead of trying to pack tons of outfits, which is very helpful on summer cruises when I sweat through more clothes than I expect.
Paying for child care is the best money I ever spent
When my kids were younger, I paid the hourly costs for the nursery and late-night at kids club, and it was worth every penny.
Adventure Ocean is the kids club that's complimentary during the day and most of the night. But if your kids want to stay past 10pm, there's a $15 hourly charge.
Likewise, the nursery onboard for kids under the age of 3 costs $9-12 per hour.
Trust me when I tell any parent out there that this is the best money you'll spend. It allows the kids to have fun, while you get to enjoy adult time.
My wife and I focus a lot of our onboard fun at night seeing shows, having dinner, and going to bars. Being able to drop the kids off, even if it costs money, allows us much needed alone time.
You should pre-book to save money
If you decide to also book any of these things, pre-purchase it before the cruise begins to save money.
Royal Caribbean offers nearly everything on this list to book at a discount if it's done prior to the cruise.
Open the Royal Caribbean app or check out the Cruise Planner site and reserve it quickly.
