Royal Caribbean Blog

How do you pick a cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship that will be the right choice for you?

There are so many cabins you can choose from when booking a cruise, that the decision can be downright daunting. Royal Caribbean sails some of the biggest new cruise ships, and its newest ship will have 2805 rooms on just that vessel!

Besides the total amount of rooms, you also have to figure out the cabin categories.

As an example, Icon of the Seas has 28 unique cabin categories. Why so many? Primarily, Royal Caribbean wants to ensure they can offer something for everyone, and the goal is to be able to handle nearly any family onboard. Since cruisers come in all sorts of configurations, the cruise line has developed many cabin types to offer the most choices possible.

No matter which ship you choose, you'll find inexpensive windowless "inside" cabins that are small, but practical, to opulent and sprawling suites that seem more like an apartment.

In terms of cabins, Royal Caribbean has something for everyone. There are small, inside cabins that will get you on the cruise at a reasonable price to huge suites that add more benefits than you can probably use on a sailing.

Royal Caribbean cabin basics

You will find four main categories of cabins on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship: inside cabins, oceanview cabins, balcony cabins, and suites.

No matter which room you book, there is a base set of amenities any room will come with:

• Bed that can be split apart and put together to sleep at least 2 people
• Private bathroom with shower
• Vanity with mirror and chair
• Safe
• Mini-fridge
• Closet
• Television

There are more balcony cabins than ever on Royal Caribbean's newer ships because the popularity of these rooms has become enormous.  Plus, balcony cabins cost more than interior rooms, so it's a win-win for the cruise line and consumer.

No matter which ship you consider, suites are the category with the least amount of rooms available. Suites take up more space, and so there just isn't enough room to build as many.  Between the few that are available and the surging demand for suites, they are typically the first category to sell out. If you want a suite, you will want to book a cruise as early as possible.

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

Within each category of stateroom are subcategories that divide up rooms by configuration.  As an example, you will see a Superior Oceanview Balcony compared to an Oceanview Balcony.  The Superior room is larger, with more square footage than the other cabin.

There are also accessible cabins for those with mobility needs, as well as very limited cabins designed for solo cruisers. 

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean ships

Inside cabins are attractive to anyone looking to cruise on a budget. Inside rooms are usually the least-expensive choice when booking a cabin on a Royal Caribbean ship. Compared to higher category rooms, you could save quite a substantial amount of money by staying in an inside room.

Inside staterooms are distinguished from other rooms primarily because they offer no natural view of outside the ship. These rooms have no windows or balconies.  There's just four walls.

You will also find the smallest amount of living space in an inside cabin. A regular inside cabin on Icon of the Seas measures just 156 square feet, compared to a regular balcony cabin that has 204 square feet of space, plus 50 square feet of balcony space.

The compelling reason to book an inside stateroom is for the value, since they are often the least-expensive rooms you can book and that means it is the lowest entry point to getting on the cruise.  The exact size of the room will vary depending on the class of ship you are sailing on, but inside rooms will offer the least amount of space at the least price.

Read more: I always stay in an inside cabin on a cruise ship. Here's why I actually like these rooms

Over the years, Royal Caribbean has introduced new kinds of inside staterooms that retain the basic qualities of an inside stateroom, but with a new twist.

Promenade view: Promenade view staterooms are inside staterooms that feature a bay window that overlooks the Royal Promenade.  While the room has no view outside the ship, it does provide something to look at, with great opportunities for people watching as well as a great vantage point for events on the Royal Promenade.

Another added benefit of this room category is the bowed windows offer more square footage compared to standard inside staterooms.

The exact size of Promenade stateroom varies depending on the class of ships. Voyager and Freedom class ships Promenade staterooms are 160 square feet, whereas on Oasis class ships they are 193 square feet.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

Virtual Balcony: One of the newest innovations to the inside stateroom is the virtual balcony stateroom, which takes a conventional inside stateroom and adds an 80-inch LED high-definition television that provides live views around the ship.

The screens are 4K ultra high definition capable screens that stretch from floor to ceiling and receive a video feed from the ship's cameras that are mounted at the stem and stern of the ship.

With virtual balcony staterooms, guests can enjoy a balcony experience without the balcony price.

Oceanview cabins on Royal Caribbean ships

The next category up from an inside cabin is an oceanview cabin, which are slightly larger and have a porthole or window to the ocean. You can't open the window or get any fresh air, but there is natural light.

Generally speaking, oceanview cabins on Royal Caribbean ships are around the same size of a balcony cabin (minus the balcony space). In fact, some oceanview cabins at the front of a ship are substantially larger than balcony rooms, because of their odd shape.

Oceanview cabins at the front are a hidden gem because of how much more space they provide. Some are categorized as family cabins, and have bunk beds for the kids, along with separate bedrooms. Given their odd shape, you may find sloping walls and even a pole in the middle of the room.

Much like the inside staterooms, oceanview cabins are on the inexpensive side and provide guests with an affordable means of being on the ship and still have a view.  Natural light is important to many guests, and the ocean view provides that.   Essentially, oceanview rooms are slightly larger inside rooms with a window.

The reason to consider an oceanview room is if a view is important to you, but the price of a higher-category stateroom is not possible. Alternatively, sometimes the price difference between an inside room and an oceanview is not too large, and someone may want to upgrade their room option at not a lot of extra cost.

There is one variation on the oceanview stateroom, which offers even more of a windowed view without the balcony.

Panoramic oceanview: Panoramic Ocean View Stateroom gives much more of a view than a traditional oceanview room, with a floor to ceiling wrap around panoramic window that is 76 inches high by 103-321 inches wide.  That is a big window.

As you might imagine, the reason to book a stateroom like this is for the amazing views without the balcony view price.  

Balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean ships

The most popular stateroom category on Royal Caribbean ships are balcony cabins because they are an affordable way to get enough living space, fresh air, and private outdoor space.

Not only do you get a larger bedroom area, but you will get your own balcony attached to your room that you can step onto and enjoy the outside views.

Having your own balcony means you have a special spot on the ship just for you to enjoy, that provides views all around the ship, as well as that terrific ocean breeze. Many cruise fans swear by a balcony for the added space, private area and ambiance that only a balcony room can provide.

A balcony cabin gets you more indoor and outdoor space, and that means more room for everyone to maneuver and makes the room feel less crowded.  Additionally, having a balcony means you have a great spot for sail away, enjoying the ocean passing by, or seeing the port you are docked in from the comfort of your stateroom.

Read more: 8 reasons to book a balcony cabin

On Oasis Class ships, Royal Caribbean created balcony cabins that face inwards, rather to the ocean.

Central Park balconies: On Oasis-class ships, Central Park balcony staterooms are available that instead of offering a balcony that overlooks the ocean, this stateroom category offers a view of the Central Park neighborhood.

The Central Park balconies offer the same fresh air and light that ocean view balconies do but with the opportunity to enjoy the ambiance of Central Park along with the people watching aspect. In addition, Central Park view balcony staterooms are often slightly cheaper than ocean balconies.

The exact size of a Central Park view stateroom with balcony is 182 square feet with a 50 square foot balcony.

Boardwalk balconies: Just like the Central Park balcony staterooms, the Boardwalk balcony staterooms trade the oceanview of a traditional balcony for a view of the Boardwalk neighborhood.

In addition to the view of the Boardwalk fun, some Boardwalk balconies can offer views of the ocean and/or the AquaTheater, depending on where your room is located.  Boardwalk balcony rooms are also usually priced less than ocean balconies.

A Boardwalk balcony room offers 182 square feet of living space, with a private balcony between 47 and 52 square feet.

Suites on Royal Caribbean ships

If you want lots of space and benefits, you'll find a wide array of suites to choose from, with some even encompassing two decks in height.

Depending on which ship you select, there are various Royal Caribbean suite perks that you could choose between. There are rooms that come with a Royal Genie, which is kind of like a butler, and they will ensure you can get a spot in any restaurant, show, or venue and skip nearly every line.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites guide & review

As you might imagine, suites will cost more than any other Royal Caribbean cabin. These rooms are designed to attract travelers who can afford to spend more, and want to pay extra to get an elevated experience that gives them certain perks that other passengers will not have access to. 

Suites offer a tremendous amount of personal space, higher-end amenities, special bonuses and exclusive access.

Royal Caribbean has a few suites that really stand out compared to other cruise lines.

Read more: 5 best cruise ship suites on Royal Caribbean

The AquaTheater suites on the Oasis Class ships are enormous suites at the back of the ship, with even larger wraparound balconies that provide an unfettered view of the AquaTheater venue below, as well as the ocean.

Loft suites are two-story cabins that configured like a mini-apartment, with soaring ceilings.

And then there's the Ultimate Family Suites and Ultimate Family Townhouse.

These over-the-top suites are built with families that want to splurge in mind. You will find an in-suite slide, leg room, cinema, play room, and an enormous amount of living space.

These family suites can sell for as much as $80,000 for a week.

From Junior Suites to Loft Suites, there are a number of options to choose from. Nearly all suites offer access to a concierge lounge and the services of the concierge host. Cabin suites usually consist of more than one room in your cabin and have the most space of any cabin.  

In addition to the impressive rooms, suite guests typically enjoy double Crown and Anchor Society points for each night of their cruise, concierge planning assistance, complimentary drinks and a private lounge, reserved seating by the pool and shows, and a whole lot more.

On Royal Caribbean's Oasis, Quantum, and Icon class cruise ships, the suite program is enhanced, and referred to as the Royal Suite Class.  Suites on these ships offer the most benefits and highest level of service, split across three tiers of benefits. 

More on picking a cruise cabin

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

It looks like shorter Panama Canal cruises wont happen after all.

Royal Caribbean informed guests booked on Rhapsody of the Seas sailings in 2024 that were scheduled to visit the Panama Canal that their sailings will no longer visit the Canal. 

The plan was for Rhapsody to offer 7-night cruises through the Panama Canal that begin and ended in Panama. This was a novel idea to offer highly sought-after Panama Canal cruises without having to commit to a two week long cruise.

The Panama Canal represents one the premier sailings in the world, as it focuses on the transit itself. A marvel of engineering, this world wonder links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and revolutionized how good are shipped.

Instead, Rhapsody will offer cruises to the Southern Caribbean. 

No specific reason was given why the Panama Canal transit was being dropped.

The email from Royal Caribbean starts out by saying, "To enhance your experience, we’ve adjusted the itinerary for our upcoming March 16th, 2024 Rhapsody of the Seas sailing. Rhapsody will now sail a 7-Night Southern Caribbean itinerary."

Instead, Rhapsody will visit Aruba and Curacao, in addition to previously scheduled stop of Cartagena, Colombia.

Guests that were booked have three options going forward. They have until  August 29th, 2023 to make a decision.

1. Stay booked on Rhapsody of the Seas for the adjusted itinerary.

Royal Caribbean will attempt to move the booking to a like for like stateroom once the new sailing becomes available. 

The original stateroom category price will either be protected at the original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower).

Reimbursement for any non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car).

2. Rebook any other Royal Caribbean sailing

Royal Caribbean will waive non-refundable deposit change fees to re-book another sailing.

Reimbursement will be offered for any non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car).

3. Cancel for full refund

A full refund of any paid portion of the cruise fare (including non-refundable deposits) and any pre-paid amenities to the original form of payment within 14 business days. 

New sailings for Rhapsody of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has not formally announced the new sailings to the public, but it appears Rhapsody will offer Southern Caribbean cruises from a homeport in Panama in winter 2024.

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship homeported in Panama is a first for the the line in almost a decade.

Prior to the cancellation, Rhapsody was scheduled to sail from Panama between December 2023 and April 2024.

Cruise ships have rules and breaking them can result in serious consequences.

It's rare that you will encounter a scenario that gets you in trouble with the cruise line's guest policy, but you might be curious to know what you can and cannot do onboard. Royal Caribbean takes the safety of everyone on its ships seriously, and there are plenty of regulations related to how guests (and crew members) should conduct themselves.

While everyone can make a mistake, there are consequences to actions, and if the cruise ship determines you're a troublemaker, you could find your cruise coming to a sudden end. A slip in judgement could result in someone being left behind at a port of call, rather than returning home, and it would be that person's obligation to figure out how to get home.

You may recall in 2019 an incident where someone thought it would be funny to video himself jumping off the balcony of his Royal Caribbean cruise ship.  He was summarily kicked off the ship while it was still in Nassau, Bahamas and he was banned for life.

In fact, it wasn't just him that got kicked off, but everyone in his group too.

Obviously jumping off the balcony of a cruise ship is an extreme example, but there are other things you absolutely cannot do that you should be aware of so there's no confusion about what you can and cannot do on a cruise ship.

Guest conduct policy

There's a multitude of reasons you could be taken off a cruise ship, and it's spelled out in the guest conduct policy.

Every cruise line has a code of conduct that is outlined in the cruise contract that every passenger agrees to when they book a cruise. The cruise contract outlines what you can and cannot do onboard, as well as consequences. It also covers billing issues, such as cancelling a cruise and refund options.

The ship's Captain and security team can make an assessment if you're in violation of these rules. Consequences vary, but being escorted off the ship is one possibility.

Anyone that is removed from the ship is not entitled to any kind of refund or compensation for the lost time. It's as Gene Wilder once said in the role of Willy Wonka: you get nothing!

"I didn't see any cruise contract!"

Actually, you did, but may have not chosen to read it.

When booking a cruise on Royal Caribbean's website, it's one of the required selections to make that you comply with the contract.  Travel agents should also convey these terms to you in the booking process to review.

There's a lot more to the cruise contract than rules about kicked off a cruise ship. There's information about what happens regarding itinerary changes, billing discrepancies and more. 

In general, it's a good idea to read through the contract to understand what you're agreeing to when you sail on a cruise ship.

Things that will get you kicked off

In reading through the cruise contract for U.S. guests, there's a few notable situations that could get you taken off your cruise ship.

Keep in mind these are simply what's listed, and it's ultimately at the discretion of the Captain and the cruise line how to handle it.

Drugs

Among the list of prohibited items you are not allowed to bring on a cruise ship are illegal drugs, and that can get you in serious trouble.

"Passengers who bring on board dangerous items, marijuana in any form, or any illegal drugs or controlled substances are also subject to immediate disembarkation or denial of boarding."

Just because you are legally allowed to have otherwise illegal drugs (i.e. medical marijuana) where you live does not mean you are allowed to bring them on a cruise ship.

Cruise ships adhere to the laws of the countries you visit, and that supersedes local laws where you are from.

Dangerous behavior

Whether fighting with other cruisers, deliberately entering restricted areas on cruise ships, or damaging cruise ship property and violating serious safety rules, you can get kicked off the ship.

Royal Caribbean's policy covers pretty much anything that a guest does that is perceived to be dangerous.  The policy allows the line to confine someone to their cabin, or take them off the ship.

"When in the sole opinion of Carrier or the Captain the Passenger’s conduct or presence, or that of any minor for whom the Passenger is responsible, is believed to present a possible danger, security risk or be detrimental to himself or the health, welfare, comfort or enjoyment of others."

If it sounds vague, it's because Royal Caribbean cannot anticipate every possible scenario that could play out, so it gives the ship leeway in being able to determine who is a danger.

Engaging in a physical altercation, bothering fellow passengers on the pool deck, or assaulting a crew member may lead to being confined in the ship's holding area, commonly known as the brig or cruise ship jail. Additionally, such behavior could result in fines, forced disembarkation, or even a ban from the cruise line.

Heath Policies

While all cruise lines have rolled back nearly every Covid-19 policy from 2021-2022, the cruise contract still has verbiage in there in case onboard rules needed to be altered or amended.

Much of the policy is about what the cruise ship is allowed to do in terms of mitigating the spread onboard, and escorting a guest off the ship to stem the spread of the virus is an option.

"Passenger understands that Carrier’s COVID-19 Policies and Procedures may or will include (but are not be limited to): confinement of Passengers to cabins, quarantine or emergency disembarkation of Passenger if, in Carrier’s sole discretion, such steps are necessary to prevent or slow the spread of COVID-19."

Crew members can be kicked off too

It's not just passengers that have rules about being kicked off, because crew members can be removed from a ship as well.

Crew members are not allowed to fraternize with guests or invite them into crew quarters. It's one of the best known strict rules for crew members, and it prevents them from engaging in any romantic activities with passengers.

The reason this rule exists is because everyone employed on the cruise ship essentially represents the cruise line itself.

If a crew member is removed from a ship, they will very likely lose their job as well.

Crew members must also adhere to other aspects of the code of conduct, which includes rules against vandalism, illegal drugs, attendance and more.

Bottom line: Be respectful

It's unlikely you'll ever be escorted off a cruise ship for breaking these sort of rules, but it's important to be aware of what is expected of you when booking a cruise.

Ignorance is never an excuse, and that holds true on cruise ships.

As long as you don't start a fight, follow instructions given by crew members, and don't act in an inappropriate way, you'll probably be fine. 

In all my years of cruising on Royal Caribbean, situations like this have rarely occurred where I've been close enough to become aware of them, but they do occasionally occur. Just like in your hometown, there's always going to be someone who stirs the pot, and there are recourses on a cruise ship for bad behavior.

As they say, don't be that guy, and you'll have a great vacation.

I’ve been on 12 cruises to the Caribbean, and I constantly see passengers making the same rookie mistakes over and over again. Whether forgetting to apply sunscreen or exploring ports without a plan, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid to ensure your cruise goes as smoothly as possible.

The Caribbean is the most popular cruise region in the world. With dozens of diverse ports, sunny weather, and picture-perfect beaches, a Caribbean cruise offers everything you could ever need in a tropical getaway.

Yet even though passengers hope for the perfect vacation, there are a few mistakes that can easily have a negative impact on your Caribbean cruise. Knowing what to expect before your cruise begins is helpful to avoid any surprises (and disappointments) during your vacation.

Here are the 14 mistakes I see passengers making all the time while cruising the Caribbean.

Neglecting to bring small bills into port

On my most recent Caribbean cruise, I found myself in need of small bills on every port day. Whether to tip a taxi driver, purchase a cheap souvenir, or order food from a street food stall, I was happy I packed enough small bills in my daypack.

Unlike in the United States, you may frequently encounter cash-only businesses in the Caribbean. While most restaurants and tour operators will accept card payments, smaller businesses—souvenir stalls, food trucks, and taxis—may only take cash.

Related: How much cash should you bring on a cruise?

I always recommend taking around $50-100 worth of small bills ($1s, $5s, and $10s) with you in Caribbean cruise ports. You might have difficulty breaking a $50 bill for a $3 souvenir or $2 bag of churros, so being prepared with small bills is recommended.

Forgetting to apply sunscreen

Without fail, you’re bound to see at least a few bright red, sunburned passengers on your Caribbean cruise. Not applying sunscreen often is one of the most rookie mistakes you can make, and it can severely lessen the enjoyment of your vacation.

I always recommend applying sunscreen before you disembark the ship, as there may be a relatively long walk on the pier to reach the port. By the time you get to the beach, you may have already been in the sun for a half hour, and this can lead to unwanted sunburns.

Once you’re in port, whether at the beach or walking around town, remember to regularly apply and reapply sunscreen. The sun in the Caribbean can be much stronger than what you’re used to back home even if it’s cloudy outside.

Planning a beach day in every port

When most passengers picture a Caribbean cruise, they imagine white sand beaches, crystal clear water, and coconut trees swaying in the breeze. With some of the world’s most picturesque beaches, it’s no secret that a beach day in the Caribbean is a must.

That being said, one common mistake I see cruisers making while planning a Caribbean cruise is planning a beach day in every port.

While there’s nothing wrong with spending every day at the beach, it can be challenging to spend all day in the sun, especially on port-intensive itineraries. By the third or fourth beach day in a row, you might be exhausted, sunburnt, and ready to do something different.

Related: Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

Instead of sitting on the beach every day, why not switch it up? Other than beach days, the Caribbean offers excursions to Mayan ruins, introductory scuba diving courses, cooking classes, historical walking tours, and more.

Skipping a beach day in favor of a more unique activity in port can be a nice break from doing the same thing every day.

Picking the wrong ship

Another common mistake cruisers make when booking a Caribbean cruise vacation is picking the wrong ship.

Not all cruise ships are created equal, even if they belong to the same cruise line. Royal Caribbean’s small Vision Class ships, for example, are vastly different from the cruise line’s newest, biggest ships like Wonder of the Seas and Icon of the Seas.

Cruise ships come in all shapes and sizes, and with that they offer varied activities, amenities, and atmospheres. If you’re hoping for the latest and greatest, look for a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis or Quantum Class ships, or on a vessel that has been recently amplified to add new activities and venues.

There is a lot that goes in to picking the best cruise ship for your vacation, so we recommend reading these helpful tips:

• 8 questions to ask yourself before picking a cruise ship
• Which is the best Royal Caribbean cruise ship?
• Planning a cruise: What you need to know to get started

Winging it in port

I never have much difficulty “winging it” in European or Alaskan cruise ports—I almost always show up to ports in these destinations without a plan and have a great day. Many ports in these regions are small and walkable, allowing passengers to simply walk off the ship and into town.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the Caribbean, and whenever I "wing it" in a Caribbean cruise port, I almost always end up disappointed.

In the Caribbean, it’s best to plan your port days in advance to ensure you know everything that’s available in port, allowing you to pick the most interesting activity for your travel style. Many ports in the Caribbean are not located near the destination’s most beautiful beaches or attractions, so booking a tour or taxi might be necessary.

Related: 11 of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean

If you wing it, you might miss out on popular excursions, have difficulty arranging last-minute transport, or wind up trapped in a tourist area with thousands of other passengers.

Even some of the busiest cruise ports can be difficult to navigate without a pre-arranged tour or plan. Nassau, for example, has just a few attractions walkable from the cruise port, and most of the best beaches require a taxi ride and/or a day pass at a resort. It’s no surprise most cruisers wind up disappointed when they arrive without a plan.

While you don’t necessarily have to book an organized tour in every Caribbean cruise port, doing research ahead of time is recommended so you can properly plan your day.

Visiting the same ports over and over

It’s easy to get into the habit of booking Caribbean cruises to the same ports over and over, but if you cruise the Caribbean often, you should try something new.

There are three main itineraries for Caribbean cruises: western, eastern, and southern, and each has different highlights, from the tasty cuisine in Mexico to mountainous landscapes of St. Lucia.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, many cruisers find themselves booking the same region many times in a row, which means they are visiting the same few cruise ports several times.

Related: 4 great itineraries (and 1 to avoid) for a first cruise vacation

Instead of booking three eastern Caribbean itineraries, why not switch it up with a southern Caribbean itinerary that visits Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire? Or, if you always visit Mexico, consider a visit to ports like St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Antigua instead.

Exploring new destinations is a highlight of a cruise vacation, so make sure you don’t get stuck in the trap of visiting the same 3-4 ports time and time again.

Staying on the ship

Another Caribbean cruise mistake I see all the time is staying on the ship in port.

If you’ve never been to a port before, it would be a huge mistake to stay onboard instead of disembarking in port and exploring a new destination. Every port in the Caribbean is unique, and each island brings its own culture, history, and landscapes.

Whether visiting a volcano in St. Kitts, snorkeling in Roatan, or walking around Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, there are a wide variety of ways you can spend your time in port.

Even if you don’t have any plans for a port day, why not get off the ship for an hour or two to walk around? Most ports have at least a few things to do in the immediate port area, such as a pool, beach, or shopping district.

Disembarking in port will help lessen the chance of feeling stir crazy on the ship, and you can still return to the ship early in the day to enjoy the ship’s amenities with far fewer crowds.

Saving all activities for sea days

Hoping to try the FlowRider surf simulator, ride your ship’s thrilling waterslides, or test your strength on the rock climbing wall? If so, you don’t want to save everything for a sea day.

Sea days on a cruise are an excellent time to take advantage of all the fun things to do on your Royal Caribbean ship, from rollerskating to indoor skydiving and bumper cars. With nowhere else to be, many passengers use a sea day in order to try these exciting activities.

As a result, these activities can be very busy on sea days. It’s not uncommon to see long lines around the ship as thousands of passengers hope to try something new.

Related: 10 mistakes to avoid making on a cruise ship sea day

Instead of saving all activities for a sea day, knock some of them off your list on a port day instead. When most passengers go ashore, there’s far less demand for onboard activities, leading to fewer lines (or no lines at all).

Even if you have plans to go ashore, you can still try these activities before or after exploring port. In fact, one of my favorite tips is to ride your ship’s waterslides after a beach day in port. You’re already in your swimsuit, and it’s possible to ride the slides several times in a row with little to no wait time.

Not purchasing travel insurance

I’m always shocked to see people cruise without travel insurance, and this is one of the most common mistakes I see people making while planning their vacation.

Travel insurance covers a wide range of scenarios, from trip cancellation to medical coverage and travel delay reimbursement. Most plans will also include medical coverage in your cruise ship’s onboard medical center, and this is not typically covered under your regular health insurance plan.

On one of my recent cruises, a passenger had to be airlifted in a helicopter to a hospital on land, and such an emergency situation can easily cost tens of thousands of dollars. If you do not have travel insurance, you absolutely do not want to find yourself in this type of situation, but it might be out of your control in an emergency.

Related: Should you buy annual travel insurance plans?

Additionally, while on a cruise, you may be participating in a wider range of activities compared to what you do at home. You might book activities like a hiking excursion in the jungle or a horseback riding tour on the beach.

Although these activities are safe, there’s always a chance of an injury when doing something out of the ordinary, and you’ll want to have travel insurance should you need to visit a doctor’s office or hospital while in port or onboard.

Not haggling when purchasing souvenirs

Caribbean cruise ports have no shortage of souvenirs for sale, and many cruisers enjoy shopping while in port. From magnets to t-shirts, handicrafts, and local liquors, there are endless amounts of souvenirs you can buy in the Caribbean.

Some souvenir shops have set prices on each item, especially those in the immediate port area, but the vast majority allow you to haggle to get the best cost.

A mistake I see many passengers making is accepting the first price they are told when purchasing souvenirs. If you’re shopping for a bracelet and are told it costs $30, always ask if you can buy it for less.

Not all souvenir sellers are flexible, but more often than not you can save up to 50% on the original price they offered. Neglecting to haggle in price could cost you hundreds of dollars in the long run!

Not checking the price of a private tour

On a recent cruise with my family, we were searching for a tour in Roatan that would visit the port’s most popular attractions, including West Bay Beach and the monkey and sloth center.

I had previously booked a tour with Bodden Tours, a locally owned tour company in Roatan, and so I browsed the company’s website again for my recent cruise. The tour that stood out to me was only $30 per person, a total steal when compared to many of Royal Caribbean’s shore excursions.

Upon further research, however, I realized I could book a private tour for $35 per person, just $5 more than the group tour.

Related: 7 ways to have a great time in port without a cruise ship shore excursion

We were thankful to have booked a private tour during our day in Roatan, as it gave us complete flexibility over where we would go and how long we would stay in each place. Having a private guide is one of my favorite ways to spend a port day, and we found the tour provided an excellent value.

If you're cruising with a group, always check the price of a private tour versus a group tour, as the price difference may be negligible.

Doing little research before booking a shore excursion

Before booking the first shore excursion that interests you, be sure to read the fine print. Not all shore excursions are made equally, and it’s always better to know what to expect rather than return to your ship disappointed.

Some excursions may offer a beach day, as one example, but the fine print may state that you only have two or three hours at the beach. If you’re looking to spend the whole day in the sun, it’s better to book a day pass to a beach club on your own instead.

Or, if a tour includes a “visit to local artisan shops,” it might actually mean the tour spends far too much time at souvenir shops and not enough time at more interesting attractions.

Related: Top 10 cruise ship shore excursion mistakes to avoid

My favorite example of not reading the fine print on a shore excursion happened to me during a recent visit to Cozumel. I love visiting archaeological sites, so I jumped on the opportunity to visit Mayan ruins in Tulum during my port day.

I had read that the tour required a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen, but I did not research more about the details before the tour began. If I would have researched more, I would have read that many passengers get seasick on the 30-minute ferry, and it’s not uncommon for people to vomit during the crossing.

As it turns out, we encountered extremely choppy waters on route to (and from) Playa del Carmen, and feeling seasick nearly ruined my entire experience. If I would have read more about the excursion ahead of time, there’s little chance I would have gone through with booking the tour.

Not being aware of their surroundings

There’s a lot going on while walking around a cruise port. As thousands of passengers disembark a cruise ship, it’s easy to become distracted by the various shops, restaurants, and crowded walkways near the port.

Due to this, one of the most common mistakes I see cruisers make is forgetting to be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Regardless of where you are in the world, you should never lose awareness of your surroundings while traveling. Careless mistakes like leaving a purse hanging on the back of your chair at a restaurant or leaving a cellphone in a taxi can easily lead to these items being lost.

Related: Where to keep SeaPass card, phone, and cash while on a shore excursion?

It’s also a good idea to be responsible with making sure you don’t travel too far away from port. If you are only docked for a few more hours, avoid taking taxis to faraway destinations or walking too far from the port area. You might find yourself unaware at how long it will take you to get back to the ship, which could lead to you missing the ship’s departure altogether.

Remember to be cognizant of your belongings and schedule at all times while cruising in the Caribbean to avoid any mishaps.

Forgetting to stay hydrated

A mistake I make far too frequently when cruising the Caribbean is neglecting to drink enough water. Between the excitement of exploring a new destination, the hot temperatures, and a few too many cocktails, I find myself dehydrated way more often than I should.

When cruising the Caribbean, it’s crucial to stay hydrated. You’ll likely be sweating far more than you’re used to, whether suntanning at the beach or walking around port in 90% humidity.

Make sure to drink enough water every day of your cruise to ensure your body stays hydrated. Drink a few glasses of water with each meal, bring a water bottle into port, and balance the amount of alcohol you drink with water to avoid feeling dehydrated during your cruise vacation.

Is a balcony cabin worth paying extra for on a cruise?

There are advantages and disadvantages to every choice you make, but I think a balcony cabin is indeed worth the cost in many cases.

Of course, a balcony cabin will cost more than an inside cabin, but in many cases, the price difference is not significantly more. Every dollar counts in your vacation budget, but I've found with advanced planning, you can usually get a balcony room for a reasonable upcharge compared to an inside room.

One major component to getting a good price is booking a cruise as early as possible to take advantage of lower prices. The gap seems to grow as the sail date approaches and inventory gets booked up.

For some people, even a small price difference is enough to warrant sticking with a windowless inside cabin instead.

It can be a matter of maintaining a budget, or a preference to spend the extra money it would cost to move up to a balcony on cruise extras, such as a shore excursion or spa treatment. In fact, it's hard to argue with the logic of having more money leftover for add-ons, especially if you'll get more enjoyment out of it.

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

Regardless, I came up with eight reasons the extra cost of a balcony cabin is worthwhile if you can afford it.

More living space

If you thought the first reason to book a balcony room is because of the veranda, I think that's actually secondary to the fact a balcony room is bigger than an inside room.

No matter if you are sharing your stateroom with one person or three people, every square foot of space counts and I find the more space you get with a balcony room worth the cost.

Royal Caribbean's inside cabins are around 149 square feet in side, whereas a balcony room starts at 180 square feet. That may not seem like a lot of extra space on paper, but experiencing it in person gives all the perspective you need.

Let's not forget about the extra 50 or so square feet of space you get with your balcony.

That extra space means more room to maneuver through the room and the more people in your cabin, the more it matters.

And if you happen to have connecting balcony rooms, you can often have the stateroom attendant open up the balcony divider to create a larger balcony. We often book connecting balconies when sailing with my kids, and it feels almost opulent having that large of a combined balcony.

Access to fresh air

When you think of a cruise vacation, you probably have the ocean air in mind, and a balcony cabin gives you ample access to it.

It's quite refreshing to be able to open up you balcony any time of day and get the breeze immediately. The connection to the ocean is such a critical component for many on why they enjoy to cruise.

Even when the weather may be a bit chilly, having access to the fresh ocean air is refreshing. On some ships, the balcony forms a bit of an alcove, and it protects you from the wind and allows you to enjoy the crispness of the outdoors.

I took an Alaska cruise in 2022 and stayed in an oceanview room that had large windows, but no outdoor access. I didn't think I'd mind, but I really missed the fresh air component, as well as being able to peek your head over the balcony railing and get a wider angle of views.

Beautiful sailaways & arrivals

While I enjoy a fun pool deck celebration on the first day of a cruise when the ship sails away, enjoying your ship departing and arriving from your balcony is definitely more enjoyable.

Since you have a private balcony to enjoy, you don't have to contend with anyone else to get a spot (other than your cabin mates).

More importantly, I've found that I like to take things in in spurts. Sailaway and arriving in port can sometimes take a long time, so I don't mind going out for a few minutes to see us leave shore, go back inside to do something else, and return outside when there's something more scenic to take in.

In certain ports, the arrival and departure is more impressive.  This includes San Juan, Puerto Rico, Tampa, Florida, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Because there's more to see in these ports, it makes being able to see it easily more important.

Taking a seat in a chair and watching the world go by is a big reason why I enjoy being in a balcony cabin.

A private retreat

Besides what you can see from your balcony, I really enjoy having the outdoor space as simply a place outside to be.

My wife will grab her book and sit on the balcony and read. I prefer to take my laptop outside and write blog posts while on the balcony. Unlike the pool deck, it's quiet on a balcony, and the ocean waves are the perfect background noise.

While you might still hear other passengers talking on their balcony, I've found it serene enough on a balcony to make it noticeably more relaxing than the pool deck.

Piggybacking on the sailaway rationale earlier in this post, not having to worry about finding a spot.

Better cabin locations

This is a generalization, but I prefer the cabin placement of a balcony compared to inside rooms.

When I book a cruise, I always ask my travel agent for a cabin near an elevator bank for the convenience of being able to quickly get to and from my room. You'll find plenty of balcony cabins right off the forward or aft elevator banks, and they're usually just a quick turn to get to.

You'll find inside cabins on the same hallway, but they tend to be further down the hall.  Some inside cabins loop back on an internal hallway. Not a big deal, but most cruise fans will advocate choosing a stateroom midship, and that's where you'll find lots of balcony rooms.

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabins to avoid

The views

There are certain itineraries where a balcony room cost is justified just for the views you can enjoy.

If you ever take an Alaska cruise or a Norwegian fjord cruise, it's worth spending extra on a balcony room just to be able to make it easier to see the outdoors.

I took a solo cruise to Norway in 2023 and booked a balcony cabin because I wanted to ensure I did not miss any of the beautiful scenery. Usually when I cruise solo I just book an inside room because a balcony seems unnecessary, but being able to see the beautiful scenery from the comfort of my room was such a nice treat.

When something caught my attention, or I simply wanted to peek outside, it was so convenient to go out and get a view from my balcony. Afterall, you never know what you might be able to spot from a cruise ship on these kind of cruises.

Just as important as the views of the mountains or ocean are wildlife spotting opportunities. With a balcony, it is so much easier to see passing wildlife than even an oceanview cabin. Because you can peer over and around your balcony railing, you'll be able to see more around you.  Quite often dolphins or whales are just below to see.

Eating on your balcony

A vastly underrated perk of staying in a balcony room is you can have a snack or meal on your balcony.

Whether you bring food back to your room, or order room service, you can enjoy it on your balcony.

Having your morning coffee while sitting on your balcony is something I will never tire of, and something I can never replicate at home.

If you order room service, you can have the crew member set up your meal on your balcony.  There's a table on every balcony to put the food on, and with the ocean breeze and sound of the waves, it's surreal to enjoy. I'd recommend everyone try this at least once, because eating on your balcony is another fantastic reason to book a balcony.

Being able to check the weather

This may not seem like a big deal, but when I'm not in a balcony room, I always regret not being able to easily check the weather.

Royal Caribbean has a television channel with the temperature and even a view from the bridge, but being able to step out on your balcony and feel exactly how hot or cold it is, as well as if it's muggy, windy, or raining makes a big difference.

Later in the day, you might want to see what it feels like when preparing for dinner too.

Having a balcony to easily get out and experience the weather conditions for yourself helps every time.

What to think about if a balcony cabin cost is worth it

Depending on how long your cruise is, the decision to get a balcony may be more important.

On shorter sailings, where the amount of overall time you have on the cruise limited, you may find a balcony unnecessary since there is not much to enjoy it. 

However, if your cruise is 7-nights or longer, that provides significantly more time to relax and enjoy the private balcony area, especially on sea days.

Part of the decision is to determine what your plans are for the cruise and how much you plan on taking advantage of the room.

Royal Caribbean ships offer an incredible amount of activities, places to dine, and things to do onboard that you may not find much reason to stay in your stateroom, balcony or not. For some cruisers, a cabin is where you sleep, shower, and not much else.

While rock climbing walls, the casino, water slides and other activities are compelling options for some, other guests know they prefer to enjoy the weather from the comfort of their balcony. Book readers often cite having a balcony as a favorite activity.

Read more: Inside cabin vs. balcony room on a cruise ship

Conclusion

Ultimately, a balcony cabin will almost certainly cost more than an oceanview or windowless "inside" cabin, but I think the cost is justified in so many cases.

New cruisers may see a balcony room as a good investment and opportunity to try cruising in an ideal environment.

Someone who been on multiple cruises and wants to book more cruises may look at this conundrum as an opportunity to save money for a future cruise and book an interior stateroom.  Plus, they have already experienced a balcony cabin in the past.

Having access to a balcony and the associated benefits it brings makes the decision to splurge on a balcony worth it.

Planning a cruise? Start here:

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

Happy Sunday! We hope you are having a great weekend! Now it is time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the Royal Caribbean news from the week!

Is it worth spending extra to get a balcony room instead of an inside cabin?

There are a few reasons you should (and shouldn't) spend extra for a balcony, but the debate of an inside vs balcony room is something a lot of cruisers have to consider.

From cost, to living space, to comfort, there are a few things to think about before choosing your stateroom category.

Royal Caribbean News

• Souvenir cruise photos are now available in Royal Caribbean app
• Jamie Oliver announces new menu for his restaurant on Royal Caribbean cruise ships
• What first-time cruisers need to know
• A look at the crew member buffet restaurant
• Cruise advice from the past generation of ships that isn't necessary anymore
• Why Odyssey of the Seas is worth your attention

New RCB Video: Is a cruise ship cabin on a low deck bad?

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Have you subscribed to the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel? We share some great videos there regularly, all about taking a Royal Caribbean cruise! This week, we are sharing our latest video — Is a cruise ship cabin on a low deck bad? — Plus 1 to break — and don’t forget to subscribe here.

Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast

The 507th episode of the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is now available, talking about how to have an easier disembarkation process.

Matt reviews some tips a reader shared with how to have an easier time on the final morning of the cruise when it's time to get off the cruise ship.

Please feel free to subscribe via iTunes or RSS, and head over to rate and review the podcast on iTunes if you can! We’d appreciate it.

Cruise ship cabins that get booked up quickly

Among all the kinds of cruise ship cabins, there are a handful that seem to get booked quicker than the rest.

These specific categories of staterooms are highly sought after because they are limited in quantity and offer a certain advantage, whether extra space or lower price. Think of them like a "secret menu" at a restaurant, where only a few really know about them.

Check out this list of the cruise ship cabins that get booked up quickly so you might be able to book them first!

How cruise ships got so big

If you look at cruise ships today, it's amazing how enormous they are, especially when you consider how ships have evolved.

From ocean liner roots, cruise ship design has changed over the decades, and the ships of today are considerably different in their approach to sailing from passenger ships a century ago.

You might be interested to know how the biggest cruise ships today ended up getting to this point from the liners of the past.

Inside cabin tour from Navigator of the Seas

What does a small and windowless cabin look like when you actually stay there?

Elizabeth recently sailed on Navigator of the Seas and stayed in an interior cabin, which was the cheapest available option. 

She managed to get the price down to just $162 per person, per night and shared what her room looked like that she used for seven nights.

Guide to RoyalUp

Need the inside scoop on how to bid for a stateroom upgrade?

RoyalUp is Royal Caribbean’s stateroom bidding program that allows passengers to bid on higher cabin categories before their cruise, offering the chance to “win” an upgraded stateroom.

Before you bid, check out our RoyalUp tips and tricks for what to expect.

Why booking a last-minute cruise isn't always a great idea

While booking a last-minute cruise might seem like a great way to sneak in a cruise vacation, there are serious drawbacks to waiting to book.

There are a variety of considerations you should be aware of before booking a cruise in the final weeks or months prior to a cruise beginning that could make a last-minute cruise booking a problem.

From fewer choices to a higher overall vacation cost, here are the reasons why you shouldn't book a last minute cruise.

Celebrity Cruises has officially announced the two Godmothers for Celebrity Ascent, the cruise line's newest Edge Class ship launching in November. 

Captain Sandy Yawn, who is known for her appearance on Bravo TV’s reality show Below Deck, alongside her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), have been chosen to be the co-Godmothers of the brand-new ship.  

"We are honored to have Captain Sandy and her sister Michelle join the legacy of Celebrity’s Godmothers, as they are both inspirational women who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact in the world,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President.

“Captain Sandy’s life story is one of resilience, leadership and strength, as a pioneer in the maritime industry and as an inspirational role model for young women. Her sister Michelle is a tireless advocate for children with autism and shows us what is possible when you follow your vision for a better world. Both women live by Celebrity’s values, and we have no doubt they are the perfect choices for Ascent.” 

Both Captain Sandy and Michelle will join a group of other women who hold the title of Godmother for other Edge Class ships, Simone Biles of Celebrity Beyond in 2022, Reshma Saujani of Celebrity Apex in 2021; and Malala Yousafzai of Celebrity Edge in 2018.

When Celebrity Ascent is officially named on December 1, 2023, the sisters will bless and christen the ship. This is meant to bring good luck and protection for the crew and all passengers onboard.

Related: New Celebrity cruise ship will have whiskey tasting and plant-based multi-course dinner

Captain Sandy Yawn

Prior to launching her career in the yacht industry, Sandy Yawn survived a life-threatening accident, cancer, and struggles with addiction. 

In addition to her outstanding reputation, she received the prestigious Distinguished Crew Award from the International Superyacht Society in 2006 due to her leadership and bravery during a fire and pirate threat off the coast of Yemen. 

Captain Sandy Yawn says, “As I embark on this remarkable journey as a co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, I am deeply honored to represent not only the spirit of leadership but also the strength of women empowerment."

“This role serves as a reminder that women can steer their destinies with grace and determination, commanding the seas of possibility and inspiring others to follow their own paths with courage and conviction. I am so honored that my sister and I can share this distinction. She has always been my biggest inspiration in her selfless pursuit to help my nephew and other families impacted by autism.” 

Related: 20 Celebrity Cruises Tips & Tricks

Michelle Dunham

Michelle Dunham co-founded the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA) with her husband Mark in 2005 in order to give her son, Nicholas, better educational opportunities. 

JSA is a not-for-profit private school that serves grades K-12. Students and young adults with autism spectrum disorders are eligible to attend, and the school focuses on whole child development and individualized programs that encourage both family and community involvement.  

The school highlights the necessity for each student to develop independence while improving the quality of their lives. In order to accomplish this, they have created an inclusive environment for each student to be themselves in order to educate, engage, and inspire.

In March 2020, JSA relocated to a larger campus with more outdoor space, both introducing a vocational gardening program and giving students frequent opportunities for engagement with the outdoors. 

“It fills my heart with immense pride to stand as co-godmother of the Celebrity Ascent, alongside my sister, Captain Sandy Yawn. As we embark on this journey, much like Celebrity Cruise’s commitment to delivering exceptional vacations and enriching lives, we embrace the same spirit of compassion and positive change,” says Michelle Dunham.

“Together, we aspire to elevate lives, create boundless possibilities, and set sail towards a brighter, more inclusive future for all who grace our path through the charities we founded, Jacksonville School for Autism and Captain Sandy’s Charities.”

Related: First Timers' Guide to Celebrity Edge

The sisters are joining brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis, the industry's first brother Captains

Greek brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis will be co-captains of the highly-anticipated Celebrity Ascent. This will be the first time that the cruising industry will see brother Captains. 

Captain Dimitrios' entire maritime career has been spent exclusively with Celebrity Cruises. In 1990, he began working for the company as an Apprentice Office onboard Celebrity's first-ever ship, the Horizon. 

Eight years later, Captain Tasos joined the company. He grew up watching his brother work on cruise ships and followed in his footsteps. Since he began working for Celebrity Cruises in 1998, he has been involved in the opening of Celebrity Summit, Solstice, Equinox, and Reflection. His most recent position was Captain of Celebrity Edge. 

The pair of brothers will alternate who is working onboard Celebrity Ascent in three-month rotational periods. 

Alexa H. Bluth is a writer, living in Sacramento with her husband, two sort of well-behaved teenaged daughters and two not-at-all well-behaved dogs. She took some time to write this guest post entry about what she's learned to share with other first timers who are anxiously awaiting their embarkation date.

In summer 2019, I stepped foot on my first-ever cruise ship gangway, headed with my husband and pre-teens on a new kind of adventure.

This was a bucket-list trip to Alaska on a beautiful ship with all the bells and whistles. I researched the daylights out of it. I stressed over every detail, watched hundreds of YouTube videos, and memorized ship deck plans. It was overkill, to be sure, although some of that planning did come in handy. 

The cruise was an amazing, life-changing experience, but not because of any of the reasons I’d anticipated. It was the unexpected surprises and the unplanned moments that hooked me for life on cruising.

Cruises are fun and unique. You can travel to several different destinations, while only unpacking once. The feeling of a comfy stateroom and ready-made dinner plans after a long day exploring is priceless. The people in general - both crew members and fellow travelers - are typically interesting and friendly. Once you’re fully soaked in the music, game shows, and ocean breezes, it’s impossible not to have fun.

I’ve learned much since that first sail away to Alaska. Here are some lessons and tips in hopes that you, too, will love your first cruise. 

Do some basic research

On our first cruise, I wanted to know every granular detail beforehand, but by our third I was more relaxed and wanted to be surprised by some things.

I don’t advise overdoing it. Some basic research can be of help and will ignite excitement for your trip. You can read blogs and watch YouTube videos about your specific ship. You’ll even find room tours of the specific category of stateroom you picked.

Dig deep enough and you can find detailed deck plans and dining menus and daily activity newsletters from previous sailings. All of this can be a bit much, but there are a handful of areas that I do advise researching before and after booking your first cruise.

Before booking, research where the stateroom you’d like is located on the ship, and what generally are the activities and food options the ship offers to make sure it will meet your needs. The ideal room location will be midship, surrounded by other staterooms on all sides (including above and below), near-ish to the elevators but not right next to them, and not directly under a pool deck, buffet or dance club.

Ships vary from older, smaller ships with traditional activities and fewer crowds, to mega ships with trapezes and ice skating rinks and bumper cars, oh my!

After booking, find out if you need to make reservations for dining or entertainment before you board. These things do book up.

It also helps to know: How to get to the pier on embarkation day (and parking options if you are driving), what excursions are offered in your ports of call, and the basic ship layout.

You don’t need to memorize every deck but at least it’s helpful to know if your room is near the aft or forward elevators. On our most recent trip, I dug up where we needed to go once on board to get show and dinner reservations and we headed there the moment we got on board  By the time we had our reservations all set, the lines were out the door and we were glad we’d done that research.

Learn some lingo

You don’t need to memorize a whole new vocabulary. Just a few terms, including stateroom (cabin), MDR (main dining room), aft (back) and forward (self explanatory), and port (left) and starboard (right).

Also you will do a “muster drill,” usually by watching a video on your phone or in your stateroom and going to your designated “muster station,” which is the spot where you’d gather in an emergency. 

Bring incidentals

When packing for your cruise, you will want to make sure that you bring things like sunscreen, ibuprofen, bandages, diapers, etc.

Some items will be available in the ship’s main gift shop or in a vending machine near the medical facility, but what is available there and at the ports will be pricey. Onboard, there is often a limited supply, too. You won't find a full pharmacy, so it is best to bring everything from home. 

Don’t overpack

I have overpacked on each and every cruise. I always end up with clothes and shoes I never wear.

For warm weather cruises, you likely will wear the same shorts/dress/bathing suit repeatedly, and you definitely don’t need multiple outfits per day.

Cruises aren’t as formal as they once were, so you can even wear the same breezy outfit you wore to explore during the day to dinner if you want (just no swimwear, tank tops, or flip flops). You also don’t need to go gadget and gear crazy.

But do bring some heavy-duty magnetic hooks to hang things likes hats and sweaters on the metal cabin walls, a non-surge protector outlet extender with USB ports, and binoculars (you’ll love spotting dolphins, whales, and other cruise ships, which is weirdly exciting when you’re on a cruise). 

Decorate your stateroom door

Because, why not? Get into the spirit. Magnets and magnetic dry erase boards with fun messages are perfect to adorn metal cabin doors. You can mark special occasions with door decorations too. Plus, it helps you to easily identify your stateroom in those really long hallways.

Expect to get a little lost onboard, at least for the first couple of days

Cruise ships are like massive, confusing floating cities. But every ship has plenty of maps and, again, crew members around to help. Plus, you get the hang of it after a few days. 

Prepare for crowds

Crowds are inevitable in the elevators on embarkation day and after shows, in the buffet at peak lunch and breakfast hours, and at the guest services desk (a ship’s equivalent to a hotel’s “front desk”) pretty much all of the time.

But after the first day of the cruise, people disperse to various spaces, and the elevators aren’t so crowded. And there always are quiet spots onboard, often along the outside decks away from the pool, in the far aft of the ship, or in adult-only areas.

Related: How to beat the crowds on your cruise ship

Go to the sail away party

I mean it. Go. Even if it’s not your style to do the Cupid Shuffle, grab a glass of champagne or fruity drink and a spot along the top deck railing. It is impossible not to catch the spirit while listening to party music, watching people dance, and experiencing the ship gliding away from the pier (bonus if it’s at sunset!)

Go to the welcome aboard show

It’s typically either advertised specifically as a welcome show, or it will be the earlier (and more family friendly) showing on the first night of the evening headliner, such as the comedian or magician.

This is a fantastic opportunity to see the cruise director and cruise staff for the first time and to absorb the excitement of the fact that you’re on a cruise!

Be mindful of showtimes when planning meals

Ships feature a headline show each night, which typically are Broadway-style shows, magicians, musicians, or comedians. The headliners usually are shown at around 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., so though 6:45 is a lovely dinner time, it won’t work if you want to see the earlier and typically more family-friendly show.

Get the streaming internet package if you can

Cruise internet is notoriously slow, so if you can spring for the “fastest” and unlimited package, do. If your whole party has iPhones, you will be able to iMessage each other while onboard, and you can use FaceTime and FaceTime Audio to connect with folks back home.

You can post about your adventures on social media, or stream your favorite movie before bed. Of course, you still can unplug if you wish, but you’ve left your options open.

Research drink packages before you buy

They might be worth it, they might not. It depends how much they cost and how much you drink.

For us, on Royal Caribbean the unlimited drink package wasn’t worth the cost because we only ordered about two alcoholic drinks a day, but it was well worth getting the soda package because it included premium coffee drinks (hello, vanilla latte!) and mock-tails.

We also got our kids the soda package-- Nothing is more fun for kids than to be able to belly up to the bar anytime they want and flash their room card for a Shirley Temple or strawberry daiquiri. Honestly, don’t underestimate the ability of a paper umbrella or pineapple wedge to make a kid’s day.

Related: 2023 Royal Caribbean Drink Package Info, Tips, Pros & Cons

Watch the morning show on your stateroom television

Cruise lines typically have a channel on your stateroom television that offers a morning show that replays for most of the morning, featuring the cruise director highlighting some of the day’s activities or discussing logistics such as time changes and information about the day’s port.

I confess, there was nothing more relaxing for me than sipping my morning mocha and watching the morning show. 

Don’t be afraid to order another appetizer, entree or dessert in the main dining room

No-one will judge you, except perhaps your own family.

I’m not advocating wasting food; I simply am saying that it’s widely accepted in cruising to order a couple of courses in the main dining room, no questions asked. So go ahead and try the cheesecake and creme brûlée if you can’t pick just one.

Don’t be afraid to ASK

Ask for what you need, from directions to the soft serve machine to a couple extra pillows for your bed.

Need help or advice? Tap your fellow travelers. Experienced cruisers love to offer advice, even a little too much sometimes, and there will nearly always be a crew member within a few feet from you that will be willing to help.

Relax and go with the flow

Inevitably, something irritating will happen. A rude cruiser will swoop in front of you to grab a roll at the buffet or someone will cut you off to jump onto the elevator you’d patiently awaited.

A show you wanted to see might be sold out or a port might even get canceled because of weather.

Things won’t go exactly as planned. They just won’t. But the more you try to see the bright side and enjoy the positives, the better your overall experience will be.

Be prepared for people to try to sell you stuff

Onboard, you’ll be hawked drink packages, photos, canvas tote bags, art, and jewelry.

You’ll get lots of pieces of paper with your daily planner advertising jewelry sales and art auctions. Just toss ‘em if you aren’t interested.

On many beaches while in port, there are streams of vendors selling bracelets, hair braiding, and photos with iguanas. Jewelry store salespeople tend to be zealous in trying to get you to come in and be dazzled by their sparkly stuff.

In most if not all cases, a friendly but firm “no thank you” typically does the trick.

Do cruise-line sponsored excursions in ports

Rather than trying to go out on your own, it’s worth to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion that has built-in transportation to your destination, fewer logistics to plan, and peace of mind knowing you are guaranteed to get back to the ship on time.

Note: the ship does not wait for late travelers in port. It will leave you if you miss all-aboard time.

Don’t be shy! Chat up your room steward and other crew members

Crew members come from all over the world and many have fascinating stories.

On our most recent cruise, one tween boy sat at a bar for the better part of an hour, entranced by the bartender’s tales about the ships he’d worked on and the places he’d been.

A fun activity for kids is doing a “country scavenger hunt,” where you bring a list of countries and, for the duration of the cruise, they look for crew members from around the world (crew members’ home countries will be printed on their name badges). It’s like the license plate game for the high seas! 

Also chat up fellow cruisers! Cruises come with a special camaraderie, more so in my opinion than other types of travel. Don’t be afraid to ask where someone is from or how many cruises they’ve been on, or to compliment their matching T-shirts.

You could learn some tips, make new friends, or at least mitigate the drudgery while waiting in line for something.

Participate!

Go to the game shows and activities (and show up a little early to get a good seat). If these look silly, it’s because they are silly, but they’re also fun and entertaining.

I especially like the Newlywed Game-style shows, but I caution against bringing younger kids to this (or even older ones because, let’s be real, they don’t want to sit with their parents listening to people talk about making whoopee).

Get your kids involved from day one

Encourage (bribery works) your kids to participate in activities in the kids and teens clubs and take part in the family activities such as scavenger hunts and game shows. On each of the cruises we’ve taken, my daughters met friends from various places with whom they’ve kept in touch after the trip.

Bring a lanyard

The best kind are the ones that stretch, with a plastic card holder attached. This will conveniently hold your SeaPass card, which you use to buy anything onboard (and obviously to open your stateroom door).

If you forget one, you can visit the gift shop once your ship has set sail and purchase one. 

Prepare for the pool deck reality

I imagined a cruise would be mostly spent by the pool, or in the pool, or at the pool bar. I was wrong.

The pools are very crowded and the hot tubs are often, if not always, jam packed. If the weather’s nice, deck chairs generally are nearly all occupied or saved with towels. My kids still swam and had fun doing it, and I still managed to visit the pool bar a few times, but it was anything but serene.

Related: How to beat the chair hogs on your cruise ship

Don’t obsess about “marquis” activities such as onboard sky-diving, zip-lining, or go-karts

These are what you’ll see in the cruise line commercials, but they sometimes cost an extra fee, nearly always are crowded or booked, and, almost guaranteed, won’t be your favorite memories from your cruise.

My kids were determined to do the wave simulator on our Alaska cruise, so they shivered in their swimsuits in line for a half-hour for 30-second boogie boarding experiences that ended in wipeouts.

We waited almost an hour to experience ice-skating on a cruise ship, and my children gave up after about three minutes of frustration.

We rushed the moment we stepped aboard to make reservation for go-karts, and two teens racing each other kept bumping past us first-time go-kart drivers and nearly made my daughter cry. Bumper cars and roller skating on a cruise ship sounded awesome, but we missed the sign ups. Nevertheless, on each of these cruises, we had the times of our lives.

Bring some small bills

You’ll typically tip a porter to take your luggage immediately when you get to the port, and there are always opportunities to cash tip on excursions. They will ask. I promise.

Don’t miss a sunset over the ocean

Drop everything and head to your balcony or the upper deck at least once. Bring your camera, so you can create your phone’s new wallpaper and enjoy.

Don’t over schedule your days

Don’t bring a highlighter (I mean it, don’t!) for the daily planner, and do try to become zen about skipping some things.

Sometimes it’s nice to just take a nap in your stateroom or stand at the railing to watch the sea go by.

If you are traveling with multiple families or in a big group, it can be stressful, so plan to let people do what they want when they want. You’ll see them plenty, I promise.

Embrace the experience, every part of it

One time in the Bahamas, we thought we had found a reputable jet-ski rental company, only to find ourselves unwittingly riding through questionable neighborhoods in a beat-up minivan with kid-inappropriate music blaring.

We jet-skied off of a remote, trash-strewn beach where a few men quietly sat sharpening their machetes. It was dicey, to be sure, but we ended up having an amazing time jet skiing in the perfect blue-green sea that day and forever will have that story to tell.

In Mexico, a “jeep safari” turned out to be a dusty, harried, traffic-snarled caravan along major city streets and highways, with a prison and tequila factory as highlights. Not what we expected, but the tour guide was fabulous, and we saw parts of the culture we never would have otherwise. And, yep, we’ll always have the story to tell.

I’m not endorsing this type of expedition. In fact, it’s another reason to do your research and to go on cruise line sponsored excursions, but we went with the flow and didn’t let these unexpected turns of events ruin our trips.

The bottom line is that cruises are fun-filled vacations. Expect a few hiccups and hitches, crowds and lines, but also look forward to wonderful surprises, new friends and jaw-dropping sunsets.

Embrace the unplanned and even the cheesy moments. You might even find yourself dancing or hopping on stage to participate in a trivia game. And I can almost guarantee you’ll love it!

If you are sailing on a Voyager, Oasis, or Quantum Class ship in the future, you will find that Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver has a brand-new menu. 

As of August 4, the new menu is available onboard Symphony, Harmony, Mariner, Navigator, and Anthem of the Seas. It will be available on Quantum and Ovation soon; however, no date was provided. 

"I can't wait for you to all start tucking into this menu. I know that you're gonna love it," says Jamie Oliver. 

Related: 5 things you will love about Jamie's Italian on Royal Caribbean

Note that the title of the dishes on the menus below may be different in the United States, as they were taken on a European sailing to Norway onboard Anthem of the Seas.  

What's different on the lunch menu

All veteran cruisers know that eating lunch in a specialty restaurant is cheaper than dinner, and usually, you will have similar offerings. On a future sailing onboard Quantum of the Seas, the current onboard pricing for dinner is advertise to be $54.99, while lunch is only $24.99.

Of course, you can often get better rates if you book in advance on the Cruise Planner.  

Starting with the lunch menu, you will no longer find the Garlicky Prawns. Similarly, the Penne Pomodoro is no longer available. Instead, there's the Penne Vodka Arrabbiata, which Oliver says is one of his family's favorites. 

(Pictured above is the Penne Vodka Arrabbiata on Anthem of the Seas)

The biggest differences are evident in the main courses, with the removal of the JI Burger, Calabrian Chicken, and Jamie's Caesar Salad.

(Pictured above is the Avocado Caesar Salad on Anthem of the Seas)

These three menu items have been replaced by the brand-new Crispy Chicken Burger and Avocado Caesar Salad, meaning that instead of six options, you will only have five. 

(Pictured above is the Crispy Chicken Burger on Anthem of the Seas)

Similarly, there are only four sides on the menu instead of five: Rocket Salad, Charred Broccoli, Skin-on Fries, and Polenta Chips.

In terms of what is returning, Oliver said that the recipe for the bruschetta has been changed.

What's different on the dinner menu

On the dinner menu, you will have seven appetizers to select from.

(Pictured above is the Truffle Burrata on Anthem of the Seas)

Like the lunch menu, the Garlicky Prawns are no longer offered. It was replaced by the Crab & Avocado dish, which is described as "freshly picked crab, whipped avocado, heritage tomatoes, and Sardinian crackers." 

(Pictured above is the Tomato Bruschetta on Anthem of the Seas)

You will also have six pasta dishes to choose from, rather than five like on the lunch menu. The singular addition is the Risotto Rosso, which was not on the old menu. If you like creamy burrata, you'll love this dish that's also served with sun-dried tomato rice, slow-cooked cherry tomatoes, veggie Parmesan, and fresh basil. 

(Pictured above is the Eggplant [Aubergine] Parmigiana on Anthem of the Seas)

Like the lunch menu, the JI Burger is no longer on the dinner menu. Instead of a Crispy Chicken Burger, though, you will find Chicken Parmigiana. The Avocado Caesar Salad is available for dinner, too. 

The sides are the same as what you can order during lunch, with the addition of a Green Salad. 

Other menu changes onboard Royal Caribbean ships

This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has changed some menus this year. In early 2023, Royal Caribbean introduced brand-new Main Dining Room menus. 

The company began testing new menus in late 2022, and after receiving positive feedback from guests, they announced that they were going to change the menus fleet wide by February 2023.

Now, there is a more cohesive theme each night that highlights different cuisines and cooking styles. You may, for instance, have a Caribbean night, Mexican night, Italian night, USA night, and more. 

With this change, the “classics” section, which offered a subset of menu options that never changed and were available each night, was removed from the menu. 

Related: I tried Royal Caribbean's new main dining room menus, and here's what I thought

A new update to Royal Caribbean's app could save you time waiting in line on your cruise ship.

Souvenir photos have long been a cornerstone of the cruise ship experience, where passengers pose in front of backdrops with the ship's photographer to possibly purchase a print or digital download later.

Royal Caribbean's app now has a photos option on at least one ship that could make reviewing these photos much easier.

RoyalCaribbeanBlog reader and forum moderator Lovetocruise2002 spotted the new icon while sailing on Wonder of the Seas.

It's not clear which ships support this new feature in the app. It's not uncommon for some ships to support certain app features.

When you click the icon, photos you've taken that have been tagged by facial recognition appear in the app.

Guests can favorite the photo by clicking the heart icon, which makes it easier to spot the best photos later for ordering.

In testing on Wonder, Lovetocruise2002 reported guests would still need to go to the photo area if you had purchased a photo package.

Providing copies in the app potentially saves time for guests, as they no longer need to go to the photo station to review photos.

Not only is there only one area on the ship to go to review photos, but the photo area becomes inundated with other guests on the final day who all want to see how their photos came out.

Royal Caribbean has taken steps to speed up this process over the years, including going to digital copies instead of prints, utilizing facial recognition to group photos quicker, and adding more photo kiosks.

The app could potentially reduce demand for kiosks.

Cruise fans seem to love the new approach. LandstromCruise wrote on the Royal Caribbean Blog message boards, "This will be so much easier than running to the crowded photo area to try and view them.  This will make my wife happy! "

Jax also liked it, "This makes me very happy. I suggested improving this process on my post cruise survey last time."

asquared17 also likes how much more convenient this new option is, "This takes out a lot of the guess work when it comes to finding out which ones we will keep!"

Is a photo package worth it?

You could buy individual photos on your cruise, or buy a photo package that includes unlimited prints or digital downloads. But is this a good investment?

Given that a single 8x10 print will cost about $20, a package sounds like a more affordable way to get more for your dollar.

The price of a photo package will vary from ship to ship, but prices for an upcoming Independence of the Seas cruise are:

• 5 photos: $79.99
• 10 photos: $127.99
• 20 photos: $174.99
• 50 photos: $209.99

The photo package will include any photo that you, or anyone else from your cabin, are in the photo. Meaning, as long as someone from your cabin is in the photo, it could be included in your photo package.  If you have multiple cabins booked, you'd need another photo package for people in those cabins (unless someone from your cabin happens to be in their photo).

Just like Royal Caribbean drink packages, if you take the time to get enough photos for your photo package, it could be a great investment.

There are photo stations set up around the ship each evening, along with photographers on the dock when you disembark the ship.

In order to get enough photos for the package to make financial sense, you'll need to coordinate your plans so that you have time to stop for at least a few photos each evening. 

The evening photographers are the main draw to souvenir photos, and they're only around in the evening right around dinner time. Lines can sometimes be quite long for photos, especially on formal night.

While you could certainly take your own photos, many guests enjoy the fun backdrops you can only find at the photo stations. Moreover, the photographers have above average cameras, professional lighting, and do a good job of positioning everyone to produce great looking results.

One issue with the photo package is if you're traveling with a large group. While a photo package for a family staying in the same cabin makes sense, photo packages for groups spread across multiple rooms can make things quite pricey. So either your friends and family also buy a photo package, or only you come home with the printed memories.

If you want to get a photo package, always pre-purchase before the cruise to save money.  There's almost always a discount offered online, and it makes a difference.

You'll also want to plan your day around getting photos taken, so you can get the best value out of the cost. This sounds easy while you're still at home, but there's so much happening on a cruise, you'd be surprised how difficult it can be to muster the motivation to get everyone dressed and ready for photos every day.