There are all sorts of emotions new cruisers experience in the lead up to their first sailing: excitement, anxiety, impatience, and hope. 

When you're new to cruising, you're probably imaging warm sunny days on the beach, visiting incredible places, and making new memories with your family.

Every week I take questions from new cruisers on our YouTube channel and it's clear to me someone that has never cruised before wants to have a fabulous vacation but is also concerned they might be making a big mistake in the process.

I've been cruising for over twenty years, so I don't go through the same set of emotions anymore that a new cruiser does because of my familiarity with the process. My family has pretty much established our cruise routine.

However, I make my share of mistakes along the way.  Most people learn by experience, and it's part of the process sometimes.

I remember the concerns and internal debates I had early on in cruising as I dealt with the various decisions to be made with a cruise vacation.

If you've never been on a cruise before, I want to share the 10 tips I'd tell anyone new to cruise ship travel to avoid some of my early mistakes.

Use a good travel agent

It might sound strange when you hear people still use travel agents, but they're incredible useful for a cruise vacation.

Because of how personalized cruises are, it's not as simple as booking a hotel room. There are so many considerations: inside or balcony room; Traditional or My Time Dining; Refundable or non-refundable cruise fare.

Plus, travel agents have access to special rates and discounts.

As soon as someone tells me they want to try a cruise, I tell them to get with a good travel agent so they can get started on the right foot. Someone brand new to cruising is bound to have lots of questions that pertain to their situation, and a travel agent can answer so many of them.

How do you find such an agent? Ask friends and family for a recommendation. Here is one such recommended travel agency that specializes in Royal Caribbean. 

Choose your cruise ship based on what is important to you

When you start looking at all the ship options, it's easy to get overwhelmed with the choices.  

To narrow it down, take a step back, and think about what things you want on a cruise. 

New ships are flashy and enticing because they're the latest and greatest.  It's just like an iPhone: the newest model gets all the commercials and attention, but the iPhone from 3-4 years ago still works incredibly well and is cheaper to buy.

Opting for a new ship because it's new means you're paying more for it, and if you don't care there's a water park because you'll never go on a slide, maybe you'd be better off with a different ship.

The other thing to think about is not just looking for the cheapest cruise. 

If you shop by price alone, you might get onboard and realize there are no water slides, Broadway shows, or Aquatheater. 

Research before your cruise starts

The more you know about your ship, places you're visiting, and handy tricks, the better your cruise will be.

Being prepared means you'll waste less time and money and set yourself up for a great vacation. To do that, you just need to start researching your trip.

Don't worry, you don't need to spend tons of time doing this.  It's vacation, not an amphibious landing operation.

A very easy way to get started is hop on YouTube and search for your ship or ports you're visiting and just watch a few videos.

We have our own YouTube channel with ship tours, and tons of tips and advice for a great cruise.

Get travel insurance

Technically, you don't need to get travel insurance, but I'd recommend anyone trying a cruise to buy it anyway.

Travel insurance is more than just glorified medical coverage. It protects you in many unforeseen, yet common scenarios.

• Your flight is delayed or cancelled
• Your luggage gets lost
• You lose your job right before the cruise and can't travel
• Bad weather (i.e. hurricane) delays your ship returning on time
• You miss a port of call because of bad weather
• Death in the family

There are many more reasons to get travel insurance.  Even though you probably won't need it, it's worth the peace of mind that comes with it.  

It's such a handy add-on to have that you really ought to get it.

Get your travel documents in order

Did you know you need a passport to cruise? Or that you could travel with just a birth certificate and state issued ID under certain circumstances?

Either before or after you book a cruise, you want to double check you have the right travel documents to travel.  There's no wiggle room if you don't and you will be denied boarding and lose your money if you don't have it.

Besides verifying you have a passport, verify the expiration dates and renew them, if necessary, now. Or if you don't have one, apply for a passport and get the ball rolling on that.

It's a major mistake to wait until close to your cruise only to realize you're missing something or need to renew it.

Be flexible

In all forms of travel, you need to embrace the mantra of being as flexible as you can.

I won't sugar coat it: something is going to go wrong on your trip.  

If you do a little research and plan accordingly, it's probably going to something minor, like it could rain on your beach day in Cozumel.  Or dinner could take way too long one night.  

The secret is to go with the flow.  Some things are just bad luck, like a rainy day or the bar running out of your favorite liquor.

Even if a problem is more man made, my advice is make the best of it. When my kids throw tantrums and wont cooperate, or my excursion is cancelled at the last minute, I have to take a step back and remind myself I'm on a cruise and a bad day here is better than any day at home.

One time I was in St. Thomas and my plans for the day fell through when I couldn't get a ride to the ferry port for our adventure to a nearby island.  

I was fuming because of how incompetent I felt the logistics were, but I paced for a minute and then went to a nearby bar for a drink. My wife and I sat there and drank together, and we ended up laughing it all off because we realized there was no sense in getting irate over it.

While you shouldn't let major problems just go by, don't sweat the small things either.

Check-in as early as you can for your cruise

Everyone wants to get on their ship as early as possible, and it's actually really easy to do.

All you need to do is complete the online check-in within the Royal Caribbean app right when check-in opens at exactly 45 days before your cruise.

Set a calendar reminder to do you check-in and grab a time for everyone in your group.

So many people are unaware and do online check-in later and get check-in times later in the day.

Walk and tour the ship on your first day

No matter if you've never cruised or not, I recommend walking around the ship on the first day to better understand where everything is.

I think inevitably you're going to be excited anyway and want to see as much of the ship as possible, but sometimes people get onboard and run into a bar or area that is appealing and neglect to explore more.

I'd recommend spending a little time after you eat lunch to walk the ship's public areas and see where the major attractions and venues are located.  It will make navigating the ship much easier later.

Be more social than you would at a resort

Another major difference between a cruise and a hotel is how much more social people are on a ship.

If I'm at a hotel, it's rare to ever strike up a conversation with other people staying there.  But on a cruise, there's a more communal feel to the experience.

You don't have to be everyone's best friend, but in elevators, on shore excursions, or at the bar, I find people are much more open to conversation.

I've actually met a few people that are now good friends in this manner. I truly believe this is a matter of us being on a cruise rather than on land.

Don't be afraid to ask for help with a problem

Royal Caribbean wants you to have a great cruise, but if you're not, then say something.

I'll see people post online after their cruise problems they had, but it seems like they didn't say anything about it on the ship.

If you're waiter is slow, talk to the head waiter.  If something is broken in your cabin, tell your stateroom attendant. If you notice an issue with how something is being handled, go to Guest Services to inform them.

New cruisers sometimes have this fear they are being a bother, but I think in many cases alerting a crew member to an issue is warranted.

While you shouldn't complain about the weather to a crew member (yes, some people do this), be sure to ask for help when you need it.  

There are many choices for where to go on a cruise, but which is the best first time cruise destination?

You can have a great time anywhere a cruise goes, but certain regions might be a better idea for your first sailing than another simply because there's an aspect of it that is a good fit for a newbie.

Our team has been cruising for decades, and we've been on lots of cruises with new cruisers. In our experience in speaking with hundreds of cruisers, it's clear there are better choices for a first Royal Caribbean cruise.

Here are the top choices for best cruise itineraries for first-time cruisers.

A 7-night Caribbean cruise on a new ship

White sandy beaches, clear blue waters, and hot temperatures are why so many people that have never cruised before want to try a Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean dominates the Caribbean cruise market with a wide selection of ships and itineraries, but I think someone that has never cruised before should try a weeklong sailing on a cruise ship that was launched in the last 10 years.

Resist the temptation to book a weekend cruise because the experience goes by too quickly to really get a grasp of what cruising is all about.  Likewise, don't chase a low price on an old small ship because those ships lack the variety of activities and features a new cruiser expects to find on a ship.

My advice is to pick a cruise that goes to the Western Caribbean or Eastern Caribbean for 7-nights.  You'll be able to visit 3 or 4 ports, each with beautiful beaches and idyllic waters.

If you're feeling bold, try to find one that visits the Southern Caribbean ports of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.  

The Southern Caribbean has arguably the best beaches in all of the Caribbean, but you'll need to either go on a longer sailing or depart from a port outside of Florida (like San Juan, Puerto Rico).

Avoid this cruise: While Royal Caribbean advertises weekend cruises on the brand new Utopia of the Seas heavily towards people that have never cruised, trust me a weekend cruise is too short.

You might think about a short cruise out of trepidation of not liking what a cruise is all about, but think of a cruise as a floating resort rather than a boat. 

Plus, you'll go to more interesting places than The Bahamas on a longer cruise.

An Alaska glacier cruise from Seattle

There is no better way to see Alaska than on a cruise ship, so try a cruise as a way to get your feet wet.

The great thing about an Alaska cruise is it tends to be a port intensive itinerary, which means you're docked and on land most days of the cruise.  This is a crutch for new cruisers who might be worried about being bored on sea days.

Alaska is majestic, and the natural beauty will likely capture your imagination quickly. Because of how land-focused an Alaska cruise is, the cruise experience becomes almost secondary due to the landscape around you.

Royal Caribbean's ships sailing from Seattle offer a convenient option with plenty of flight options and they sail on Royal Caribbean's bigger and newer ships.

Bigger ships matter because there's better entertainment onboard, as well as a wider variety of restaurants. More to do onboard is really important for families with kids.

Avoid this cruise: The open-jaw sailings that offer one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

These cruises can be tempting, but the logistics involved with flying one-way is a challenge. Moreover, Royal Caribbean's smaller ships sail these routes, which offer less to do onboard. For someone that has never cruised, I'd save the smaller ships for a follow-up trip.

Ciao Italy! Cruise the Mediterranean

Similar to Alaska, a cruise along the Mediterranean is a great first-time cruise choice.

While you'll have limited time in ports, a European cruise is a great way to get a taste of the Old World without having to deal with transportation logistics, making your time in Europe that much more enjoyable.

One way to augment your first cruise in Europe is to combine it with a land trip.  Since you'll need to fly in early to acclimate to the new time zone as well as ensure travel delays don't cause you to miss the cruise, many people prefer combining a European cruise with a land-based vacation.

As an example, you could fly to London a week before a cruise from Southampton, giving you plenty of time to visit sites like Stonehenge, Windsor, and the Roman Baths.

Avoid this cruise: In considering the "worst" choice for a European cruise as a first-timer, skip a sailing that visits Northern France and Spain only.

In the grand scheme of European cruises, I think a cruise that only visits the coast of Normandy, Galicia and Basque Country is underwhelming compared to almost anywhere else on the continent.

In addition, the Bay of Biscay is notorious for rough seas.

So you still want a 3-night cruise? Fine, go to Royal Caribbean's private island

Earlier I recommended going on a 7-night cruise as your first cruise, but I know lots of first-time cruisers still prefer to dip their toe with a short sailing.

In that case, your best bet is a cruise on a big new ship that visits Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Royal Caribbean is well-known for offering the best options for families, kids, and adults because of how much they include on their ships. Plus, there are ways to splurge with a suite or keep it cheap with an inside cabin.

The advantage of picking a weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas or Wonder of the Seas that include stops in The Bahamas are the lineup of what you can do on land.

CocoCay is open exclusively to Royal Caribbean passengers, and so much of it is included in your cruise fare. This island is designed to be easy to navigate and a "no thinking required" kind of beach day.

Opening in December 2025 is a new beach club for Royal Caribbean passengers in Nassau, Bahamas. 

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will have an admission cost, but it will be all-inclusive and another easy button to press for a great first cruise.

Going on a cruise ship is becoming more popular each year for a family vacation, but there are some traditions of cruising that might seem weird.

As a new cruiser, there are things that people that cruise a lot typically do and it's not what you'd find in other forms of travel. It's part of the appeal of cruise ship travel, because it's not like going to a city or resort on land.

Cruises are different from any other kind of vacation, and if you're brand new to it all, prepare to embrace these differences. Remember, it's different, not bad.

Here are some cruise traditions that might confuse someone who has never cruised before.

Door decorating

I doubt anyone going on their first cruise would even think they should pack art supplies for the purpose of making their stateroom door stand out.

Decorating stateroom doors was born out of passengers wanting to share their excitement that they're on vacation and express themselves.

Door decorations can consist of name tags, lights, paper creations and pretty much anything else that can be attached to a door via magnets.

It's also very personal, where people might advertise they are celebrating a special occasion, whom they're traveling with, or show off their artistic prowess.

It's a fun way to share who is cruising and why, and your family can get in on the fun too if you bring the proper materials. Just be sure not to use any adhesives like tape or glue (magnets work best).

Code named events

If you flip through the event schedule on your Royal Caribbean app, you might see a couple of events with strange names.

"Friends of Dorothy" or "Friends of Bill W' may sound like someone got their own personal event listed, but they're actually code words for what the event really is.

Friends of Bill W. is an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, named after one of the founders of the organization.

Friends of Dorothy is a meeting for the LGBTQ+ community.

In both cases, they use code words to keep it somewhat anonymous.  These are also self-led events, so there won't be Royal Caribbean staff there to lead them.

No deck 13

On some Royal Caribbean ships you may go into the elevator and notice deck 13 is missing from the buttons.

This is one of those maritime superstitions that continues to today, where the number 13 is considered unlucky.

As an example, Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas, doesn't have deck 13.  A brand new cruise ship that launched in 2024 omits number 13 from its layout!

Hiding ducks

Probably the most popular trend right now on a cruise ship is to hide rubber ducks for other passengers to find, and it's not something I've seen anywhere else.

The way it works is passengers purchase rubber ducks before the cruise begins, and then proceed to place them around public areas of the ship so people can find them.

There's usually a tag on it that explains you can keep the duck or re-hide it for someone else to find.

Why do people do it? Because it's something to do, and some people relish in placing them around the ship to bring joy to others that find it.  Others, especially children, love the appeal of going on a "hunt" to find them and coming away with a gift.

Crew member code phrases

This tradition is one crew members use, and it's to communicate problems around the ship without alerting guests.

You might hear announcements over the ship's public address system that use Greek letters along with a location on the ship.

There's a lot of cruise ship lingo to begin with, but these code phrases are a way to quickly convey what's happening to other crew.

You really don't need to know about them, but the first time you hear, "Alpha, alpha, alpha," you might wonder what just happened and why it was said.

Upside down pineapples

We already covered stateroom door decorations, but there's particular door "art" that means more than an affinity for a particular fruit.

If you see an upside down pineapple, it means that the couple is trying to let others know that are looking to swap sexual partners. 

This isn't to be confused with pineapples on clothing or bags, because that's just about fashion.

Truthfully, actually seeing an upside down pineapple on a stateroom door is pretty darn rare and I doubt you'll ever see it. But you should know theoretically it's a thing, and probably not something you'd expect to run across.

Wearing matching t-shirts

A lot of families and groups will wear the same t-shirt on their cruise as a way to celebrate in the fun of the trip and let everyone else know they're part of a group.

On embarkation day especially, you can spot plenty of groups walking onboard in matching colored shirts that have a phrase like, "Getting Nauti" or "Get ship faced" or my favorite, "Yea Bouy!"

In addition, family reunions, birthdays, bachelorette parties and other special occasions see lots of matching shirts.  Some even take the next step and customize the shirt with names or nicknames.

To be fair, I have seen this trend on land in places like theme parks too. 

Flaunting loyalty status

I have yet to ever see Bonvoy or Delta Medallion club member walk around with their loyalty tier adorned to their shirt, but you'll see people doing that on a Royal Caribbean cruise!

It's a literal badge of honor for cruisers with the most loyalty club points to wear pins that indicate they are a Pinnacle Club member, which is the upper most level of Crown and Anchor Society.

It has no bearing on you or your cruise experience, but new cruisers sometimes confuse Pinnacle Club members with crew members because they expect only crew members to have their name on display on a pin.

Dining with strangers

Food is a big draw of going on a cruise, but new cruisers are usually surprised to hear there's a chance they could be sharing a dining table with people they don't know.

Sharing tables is a cruising tradition that goes back decades, and it still happens when you choose a traditional assigned-time seating and you are small group or alone.

Because the dining room has a fixed capacity and a lot of people want to dine each night, seats are limited.

The good news is you can request a table just for your family if this idea seems too weird for your taste.

Royal Caribbean cruises are not all-inclusive, so if you're new to cruising, you might wonder what is included in your fare.

Your cruise fare includes some thing that have no additional cost, including a lot of activities, food, entertainment, and destinations. But there are plenty of optional add-ons that cost extra.

Royal Caribbean realized some of its guests prefer to add extras on to their core cruise experience. As a result, Royal Caribbean created cruise add-ons like specialty dining packages, drink packages, fitness classes, and more. These add-ons come at an extra fee on top of the cruise fare.

It can be helpful to have an idea of what is and is not included in your Royal Caribbean cruise to make your time at sea and in port stress-free. Here’s a breakdown of what is and is not included in your cruise fare.

Accommodations

Accommodations are included in your cruise fare, with a stateroom exclusively for your use. 

Depending on which type of stateroom you book, the exact size, amenities and layout of the room will vary.  But at the very least, your cruise fare includes your own private room and bathroom.

In general, staterooms can accommodate between one and four guests, with two guests per room being the most common option.

Gratuities

Guests sailing on Royal Caribbean have two choices when it comes to gratuities for service-oriented crew onboard. They may elect to prepay gratuities prior to the cruise, or have gratuities automatically charged on a daily basis to their SeaPass account. Cruise fares in some countries, such as Australia, include the gratuities with your cruise fare.

As of November 11, 2023, the daily gratuity amount is $16.00 per guest, per day for those guests in standard accommodations.  Guests in suites will pay $20.50 per person, per day in gratuities.  

Purchases and services rendered onboard a Royal Caribbean ship will have gratuities added at the time of purchase.  If you buy a drink, get a massage at the spa, or eat at a specialty restaurant, you will be charged an 18% gratuity automatically.  Your receipt will display the cost breakdown.

Drink packages and specialty dining packages will be charged an automatic gratuity upon purchase of the package, which means no additional gratuity is required when taking advantage of the package benefits (i.e. ordering a drink at a bar with a drink package).

In addition to the gratuities listed earlier, there are opportunities to give crew members an additional tip for excellent service.  Even crew members who receive an automatic gratuity can receive additional gratuities if you feel it is warranted.

Meals & Snacks

All Royal Caribbean cruise fares include most meals and snacks onboard your ship and at any private destination you visit (such as Labadee or CocoCay).  This means there will be ample opportunity to enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks without additional cost.

The exact venues included with your cruise fare will depend on the ship you sail on, but here are some venues found on nearly every Royal Caribbean ship:

• Main Dining Room, the hub of dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise. It is open for breakfast and dinner every day, and for lunch on sea days.
• Windjammer buffet, Royal Caribbean’s signature buffet featuring a wide assortment of cuisines, dishes, and flavors. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
• Solarium Bistro, a Mediterranean-style restaurant open for breakfast and dinner on Oasis and Quantum Class ships
• Grab and go spots for food, such as Aquadome Market, Cafe Promenade, El Loco Fresh, Sorrento's Pizza, Boardwalk Dog House, Park Cafe, Cafe @ Two70, etc. These are casual venues with quick service meals, and the selection of grab and go venues changes by ship.
• Johnny Rockets (for breakfast on Oasis Class ships only)

There is an extensive amount of complimentary dining options on a Royal Caribbean cruise. It’s easy to go an entire cruise by eating at only the restaurants included in your cruise fare. Plus, Royal Caribbean maintains excellent food quality in all of its dining venues, complimentary or specialty.

You may find a few extra cost items on the Main Dining Room menu, such as a filet or lobster.  These items are available for free on cruise ship formal nights during your cruise, but come at an extra cost on other nights.

Royal Caribbean offers its guests pizza at some of its restaurants and buffets, as well as at Sorrento’s on the larger ships. Pizza at these locations is included in your cruise fare.

Soft serve ice cream can be found near the pool deck and is in operation for most of the day. The Windjammer and Main Dining Room also offer their own selection of hand-scooped ice cream.  Some Royal Caribbean ships offer Ben & Jerry's ice cream, which has an additional cost.

In addition to complimentary dining, Royal Caribbean offers specialty restaurants which come at an extra cost. Specialty restaurants follow either a cover charge or a la carte pricing model.

Here is a list of the specialty restaurants in Royal Caribbean’s fleet.  Specialty restaurants vary per ship, with some smaller ships offering 2-3 specialty venues and large ships offering up to 7 or 8 different restaurants.

• Johnny Rockets, Americana fare with burgers, fries, and milkshakes
• Chops Grille, the classic Royal Caribbean steakhouse
• Giovanni's Table, a traditional Italian restaurant
• Sabor, a Mexican-style restaurant with a tequila bar and build-your-own tacos
• Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, a Japanese teppanyaki and sushi restaurant
• Jamie's Italian, a modern take at Italian cuisine
• Samba Grill, an all-you-can-eat-meat Brazilian rodizio
• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen, modern Italian cuisine featuring a pizza and pasta menu
• Wonderland, a unique, molecular dining experience themed by the tales of Alice and Wonderland
• Portside BBQ, with a selection of barbecued meats and comfort food like mac and cheese, cornbread, and baked beans
• Chef's Table, a 6-course tasting menu where each course is paired with a different type of wine
• 150 Central Park, an elegant venue focused on locally-sourced ingredients
• Hooked Seafood, a seafood restaurant with oysters, fish sandwiches, lobster rolls, and more
• Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, a sports bar with standard bar food including nachos, burgers, and chicken wings
• The Mason Jar, a southern style restaurant with separate brunch and dinner menus
• Empire Supper Club, a three-hour meal that combines live music with a culinary adventure
• Royal Railway, an immersive dining experience set on a classic train

Specialty restaurants offer cuisine options not otherwise available onboard your ship, as well as an opportunity to indulge in meals that you may prefer to enjoy at your own pace. 

In addition, the ambiance is usually enhanced at these locations and the prices charged are not exorbitant. Even though Royal Caribbean’s complimentary dining options are very good, specialty restaurants can be a great way to enhance or splurge on your cruise. Dining at specialty restaurants can also be a nice way to celebrate a special occasion.

Drinks

Royal Caribbean provides a selection of beverages included in your cruise fare.  These drinks are available at any time, and include tap water, tea, coffee, lemonade, iced tea, milk, juices (not fresh squeezed), and hot chocolate.

These drinks are available at a number of locations onboard, such as Cafe Promenade and the Windjammer. Water can be found at any bar onboard as well, and it’s safe to drink the tap water onboard, as it is of high quality.

Alternatively, if you want beverages like alcohol, soda, fresh juices, mocktails, specialty coffee drinks, milkshakes, canned water, and Starbucks, you can purchase them for an additional cost during the cruise.

You can purchase each drink individually or purchase a Royal Caribbean beverage package. There are several types of beverage packages available. A Deluxe Beverage Package gives unlimited access to alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages. A refreshment package includes all beverages without alcohol, and a soda package includes only soda onboard.

Royal Caribbean does allow anyone to bring up to one bottle of wine per adult with them onboard a ship.  It must be brought onboard on embarkation day, and is subject to a corkage fee if opened in a public venue.

Room service

Room service on Royal Caribbean is available 24 hours per day, but there is a $7.95 fee per order, per room. As the fee is per room and not per person or per item, you can order as much as you like off the menu and only incur a $7.95 charge.

The continental breakfast option is complimentary and does not have an order fee. Continental breakfast includes items such as toast, yogurt, fruit, coffee, and oatmeal.

Kids club

Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean offers complimentary programming to children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old.  From when Adventure Ocean opens each day until 10pm, there is no additional cost. From 10pm to 2am, Adventure Ocean incurs an hourly cost.

While in Adventure Ocean, kids take part in activities led by the staff. There's a lot for kids to do at Adventure Ocean and the programming is specialized for each age group. It's a mix of learning, play time and socializing.

Select ships have science lab and craft workshop rooms within Adventure Ocean, where kids can participate in staff-led scientific experiments and crafts.

Teens aged 12-17 onboard have access to a complimentary teen club and hangout area.

Children between the ages of 6 months and 36 months old can participate in the Royal Babies & Tots program. Most Royal Caribbean ships offer a nursery, where parents can drop children off throughout the day and evening. Use of the nursery comes at an hourly charge.

Some ships often have an open play area set up during the day, where parents can bring toddlers to play. This is unsupervised play time and the parents must remain present.

Read more: Cruising with kids guide

Activities and Shows

A vast majority of cruise activities are included with your cruise fare.  Your daily Cruise Compass or the Royal Caribbean app will list a schedule of activities offered onboard, and most have no charge. 

Performances in the Royal Theater, as well as the AquaTheater, Two70, and Studio B are included in your cruise fare. Likewise, comedy shows, magic shows, live music, audience participation shows and more are included as well. Even the Broadway shows on Royal Caribbean ships are included in the price of your cruise.

There will be shows each evening, along with additional performances during the day on sea days. Live music is also included in your cruise fare, which comes in many genres and is offered throughout the day at multiple locations onboard.

Other activities like pool games, movies, trivia, dance classes, and scavenger hunts are regularly offered on Royal Caribbean and have no additional charge.

There are some activities offered that have an additional fee, such as some fitness classes, bingo, casino activities, drink seminars, spa services and more.

Signature activities and games

Royal Caribbean offers fun and unique signature activities onboard its cruise ships, the majority of which are included in your cruise fare.  If you watch any Royal Caribbean cruise commercial, you will inevitably see people tackling the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, skydiving simulator, and more.

Signature activities included in your cruise fare include the FlowRider, rock climbing wall, mini golf, waterslides, zipline, the Ultimate Abyss, sports court, SeaPlex, bumper cars, aqua parks (H20 Zone and Splashaway Bay), and ice skating.

RipCord by iFLY, the skydiving simulator found on Quantum Class ships, has both complimentary and extra cost options available. Complimentary time slots often get reserved quickly, so it’s important to reserve a time slot in the Royal Caribbean app as soon as you get onboard the ship.

Also on Quantum Class ships is the North Star observation pod. This activity is complimentary on port days and comes with an extra cost when the ship is at sea.

Fitness and Spa

Every Royal Caribbean ship has a fitness center that offers cardio and weight lifting machines, free weights, and more for no additional cost. Some, but not all fitness classes are included in your cruise fare, such as stretching and ab workouts.

Each Royal Caribbean ship also has a jogging track, which is available to use throughout the day at no additional cost.

The sports court (referred to as the SeaPlex on Quantum Class ships) also offers complimentary use of its facilities, with organized sport games held throughout the sailing.

Outside of the select few fitness classes included in your cruise fare, the fitness center offers extra fee classes for yoga, spinning, pilates, and more. The fitness center also offers personalized training and consultations for an additional fee.

The spa is not included in your cruise fare, and spa treatments, salon services, and day passes all come with an additional cost.

Some Royal Caribbean ships have a sauna, hot tub and/or steam room available for no additional cost. Others have a thermal spa for which you can purchase a pass.

Tours of the spa are available at any time during your cruise and have no additional cost or obligation. In fact, these tours are a great way to learn about what the spa offers.

Pool and sun decks

Access to Royal Caribbean's pools are included in your cruise fare, including the lounge chairs, hot tubs, water slides, aqua parks and more. The Solarium area has no additional cost, but is limited to adults only.

Some areas of the pool deck are reserved for suite guests only.  If you are a suite guest (Grand Suite and above), you will have complimentary access to these areas.  Depending on the ship, the suites-only area can be a small section of reserved lounge chairs or an entire deck area.

Wonder of the Seas has an entire Suite Neighborhood dedicated for suite guests with its own pool, bar, outdoor hangout area, lounge, and restaurant.

Miscellaneous services

The following services and activities onboard are also not included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare:

• Gambling (Including Bingo)
• Art Auction
• Any purchases made in the gift shops onboard
• Shore excursions
• Photographs
• Video Arcade
• Medical Services
• Internet Access
• Transfers (Unless guest has purchased our air/sea package)
• Laundry and Dry Cleaning Services
• Ship to Shore Telephone calls

Going on your first Royal Caribbean cruise may seem daunting, but it's easier than you think if you do the right things.

If you ask someone that has cruised a lot, they'll tell you it's easy, but that's largely based on knowing exactly what to bring, what to do in ports, and the best ways to save money when booking a cruise.

There's no shortage of Royal Caribbean tips, but when you're new to the cruise line, there's a different approach you need to take because some aspects of the experience may be completely different than you expect.

Using tried-and-true advice, you can arm yourself with the proper strategy to have a wonderful vacation.

Here's our best advice for someone who is taking their first cruise on Royal Caribbean.

Verify your travel documents

An easy rookie mistake to avoid is ensure you have the right travel documents for your cruise.

In order to go on any cruise, you need certain documentation and depending on your nationality, where you're sailing from and to, as well as your itinerary, there could be different requirements.

Ideally, everyone will have a valid passport. Royal Caribbean recommends cruising with a passport that will not expire in less than six months for any cruise, and we agree. Passports are the simplest and best document you can have to cruise.

If you're planning a European, Australian, or Asian cruise, you're going to need a passport for everyone, no matter what.

However, there are some cruises where you could cruise without a passport.

If you're an American citizen sailing on a cruise ship that departs and returns to the same U.S. city, then you can cruise with a birth certificate and state issued identification.

Read more: Do you need a passport for a cruise?

Check-in with the Royal Caribbean app

You really should download and install the Royal Caribbean app before your cruise begins.

The app is a powerful tool that makes the entire experience so much easier, and you're effectively doing yourself a disservice by not getting it.

Get the app and install it while you're at home, and then 30 days before your cruise is scheduled to begin, do the online check-in.

You'll want to check-in exactly 30 days early because that's when the earliest check-in times are available, and most people want to get onboard as early as possible.  If you wait, you'll end up with a check-in time in the afternoon.

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

Bring a carry-on bag for embarkation day

Plan to have a small carry-on bag to bring with you around the ship on the first day.

When you arrive at the cruise terminal, porters will greet you and take your luggage to be checked and delivered to your cabin onboard the ship. It's a great service, and you should totally take advantage of it.  There's no cost, but a small tip is expected.

In the time between when you drop off your luggage with the porters and the time it gets delivered, you're going to probably need a few items, such as:

• Travel documents
• Cash
• Hat
• Sun glasses
• Sunscreen
• Medication
• Phone charger

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

There could be more items, but it's a good idea to invest in a small carry-on bag, such as a backpack, small rolling suitcase, or other bag.

Pre-book shows, drink packages, and the spa

If there's a mantra about planning a great Royal Caribbean cruise, it's to plan as much as possible before the cruise begins.

Royal Caribbean makes a great deal of options available to reserve in the months leading up to your cruise, and doing so could save you money and time.

About 30 days before your cruise, shows will be bookable for Royal Caribbean's biggest ships.  If you're sailing on an Oasis, Quantum, or Icon Class cruise ship, you'll be able to pre-book entertainment.

Read more: Royal Caribbean ship classes ultimate guide

If you're sailing on any other class of ship, you won't be able to pre-book shows and that's because there's no need.

You can book shows in the Royal Caribbean app or through the Cruise Planner website on Royal Caribbean's homepage.

Show reservations are complimentary, so you should make a reservation. Keep in mind reservations will go very quickly, so it's likely shows will sell out. If you don't get into a show, not to worry. Standby lines will be available and if you arrive early, you'll probably be able to make it into the show.

Speaking of pre-booking, you ought to pre-book extra cost add-ons to save money. Royal Caribbean has an array of possible things to buy for your cruise, including drink packages, specialty dining packages, WiFi packages, spa treatments, and shore excursions.

To be clear, you will pay more if you wait to book these items onboard the ship.  So if you know you want them, book them before the cruise.

A common question is if it's worth it to buy them, and the answer it depends on the person.  Beverage packages and dining packages can absolutely save you money, provided you take advantage of them to make it worthwhile.

Research the ports you'll visit before the cruise

You only have a few hours in each port your ship will visit, so it's imperative to research the activities while you're still at home.

It's a mistake to try to wing it when you get there because you risk missing out on something better.

In nearly all cases, you'll be in port for around six or eight hours, so picking a tour or a plan to hit up one or three spots is a good idea.

Organized tours are the most popular way to visit any port of call. Royal Caribbean offers its own set of shore excursions you can purchase from the website or the app, but you could also plan to do something on your own.

There are pros and cons to booking a tour with the cruise line or through a third-party. Do your research and have a plan so you can have a really fun day in port.

Book your cruise as early as possible for the best price

Want to save the most money possible on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Book your cruise as early as you can.

Generally speaking, the best price for a Royal Caribbean cruise is when you book as many months in advance as possible.  This is because as cruise ship cabins get booked up, the amount of available cabins drops and prices go up.

Ideally, you'll book your cruise as soon as Royal Caribbean puts the sailing on sale.  Yes, that's two years or more in advance.

By booking that far in advance, not only will you get a low fare, but you can get the exact cabin category you want.  The cheapest cabins and the most expensive suites are the first types of rooms to be sold out and they are both highly desirable.

Read more: The best cabin locations on a cruise ship

Don't bring any banned items

There are things you can bring on an airplane that you can't bring on a cruise ship, many that would surprise you.

Packing for a cruise involves a lot of things that you'll need, but there are a few items you shouldn't bother packing because if you do, Royal Caribbean will confiscated them.

This includes:

• Firearms, ammunition, handcuffs, pepper spray, night sticks
• Coffee makers, clothing irons, travel steamers, electric kettles and hot plates
• Candles, incense, flammable liquids and explosives (including lighter fluid and fireworks), hookahs and water hookah pipes
• Power strip and surge protectors
• Dangerous Chemicals, including bleach and paint
• Drugs (including medically prescribed marijuana)
• Beer or liquors

Some of these may seem self-explanatory, but the appliances and candles are the most commonly confiscated items because people don't realize they aren't allowed due to being a fire hazard.

Don't even bother trying, all bags go through a screening machine and they will see them and take it.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

Fly to your cruise port a day or two early

The single costliest mistake you could make is flying to your cruise port the same day the cruise is scheduled to set sail.

Since Royal Caribbean cruises depart in the afternoon, a lot of newbies will think to book a flight that arrives in the morning on the same day of the cruise.  This is such a dangerous decision, because even a minor delay could prevent you from being able to board the ship.

What you want to do instead is book a flight at least one day before embarkation day so that you can protect yourself against any travel delays. Plus, you'll have more time to explore the city you're in and start your vacation a little bit earlier.

If you are traveling overseas for a cruise, we advise flying in at least two days early not only because of travel delays but to acclimate yourself to the local time and jet lag. Starting your international cruise without feeling exhausted is so important given how port intensive it tends to be.

Bring your own soda and wine

Royal Caribbean won't let you bring beer or liquor on your cruise, but you can bring a limited amount of wine and soft drinks.

Royal Caribbean allows one bottle of wine (or champagne) per adult in the cabin to be brought onboard on embarkation day. In addition, you can bring up to 12 standard cans, bottles or cartons of nonalcoholic drinks.

Bringing your own drinks can save a lot of money on a bar tab.

Read more: Royal Caribbean drink prices

Do the signature activities on the first day

There's a good chance you picked a cruise ship because of the fun attractions available onboard, but so did everyone else too.

Activities like the Flowrider surf simulator, water slides, bumper cars, and sky diving simulators are just some of the top must-dos, so the best time to try any of them is on the first day of the cruise.

Embarkation day is busy, and most people are still finding their way around the ship.  Heck, some might be oblivious these are options to do until later in the cruise.  The water-based activities are perfect for embarkation day because most people packed their swimsuit in their checked luggage.

Grab lunch and then hit up these signature attractions on day one.

Keep your phone in airplane mode

If you want to avoid a giant cell phone bill due to thousands of dollars in cell phone charges when you get home, make one simple change to your phone after boarding.

Cruise ships have a cell phone antenna on them, but they're out of network. When a phone is outside of its normal cellular network, and you try to use a cell phone for calls, data, or texting on someone else's network, you incur crazy high rates.

Many cellular plans (even international plans) do not include calls, texts, or data on cruise ships and they will charge you extremely high roaming rates for such services that will show up weeks later on your phone bill.

The easy way to prevent this from ever happening to you is to put your phone into airplane mode.

If you want to stay connected on your cruise, you can buy a WiFi package, which will let you make FaceTime calls and stream videos over Wi-Fi without using phone data.

You can re-price your cruise and add-ons

We talked about how important it is to book your cruise fare and add-ons early to lock in a good price, but what happens if there's a price drop later?

Anyone can cancel and rebook a Cruise Planner purchase at any time before the cruise begins.  That way, if the drink package or shore excursion price goes down, you can easily cancel and reprice it.

What if your cruise fare goes down? Many people hesitate to book early because they worry about missing out on a better deal later on.

If you're a resident of certain countries (such as the United States or Canada), you can get your fare reduced to match the lower price up until the final payment date.

Use a travel agent to book your cruise

There are many ways to book a Royal Caribbean cruise, but using a travel agent is the best choice.

There are so many decisions to make when booking a cruise as a first timer that you're much better off using an experienced travel agent to help.

A good travel agent will charge nothing extra for their services, and get a sense of your interests, needs, and travel style to help guide you through the booking process, as well as answer questions and deal with problems later on.

In addition, travel agents could spot special discounts or deals you might not find on your own, such as group rates or nabbing extra onboard credit.

Read more: Why first-time cruisers should use a Royal Caribbean travel agent

Things you don't need to bring

We've covered things you should pack, as well as things Royal Caribbean prohibits you from bringing, but we haven't talked about things you don't need to bring at all.

A lot more is provided for you on a cruise ship than at a resort, so you can leave certain items at home:

• Towels (bath, pool, or beach)
• Swim vests
• Walkie talkies
• Valuable jewelry

Either this is provided for you by the cruise line, or it's simple unnecessary.

Watch a ship tour

Royal Caribbean cruise ships are really big, so the sooner you understand the layout, the better.

While you could walk around the ship and get your bearings easily, I think it's even better to watch a walkthrough ship tour video before.

We have our own archive of ship tours you can watch, that take you through every inch of the ship and give you a good idea of where everything is.  It may also alert you to activities you were unaware of onboard.

Plus, I find watching these videos adds to the pre-vacation excitement!

The free food is plenty good

Once you start researching, you're going to see a lot of restaurants you can book for an additional charge, but the included restaurants are pretty good.

It's tempting to go all in with the specialty dining, and it is indeed quite good. But don't assume the restaurants that are complimentary aren't worth your time.

The Main Dining Room has dinner every night, and I think it's one of the best aspects of cruising. Having a sit down meal with your family served by waiters and a menu that changes daily is at the heart of cruising today.

The Windjammer buffet is great for picky eaters, as well as kids. It has the widest selection of food, and it's super casual.

Not everything on the menu is amazing, but I find most of the food ranges between "good" and "very good", and you can save a lot of money by relying on the included restaurants.

Don't forget to relax

There's going to activities day and night, but you really don't have to do any of it.

It's so easy to feel like you need to do it all, and that can make your vacation feel more draining than it should be.

Some days it makes sense to sleep in, hang at the pool instead of doing a shore excursion, or read a book. There isn't a right or wrong way to enjoy your cruise.

Buy travel insurance

I think travel insurance is more than an optional purchase, it's a must-buy.

Just like all insurance, travel insurance is a waste of money until you need it. I think first time cruisers are often naive to the how different medical care is when outside of the country and the lack of coverage your medical insurance offers.

Travel insurance also covers so much more than if you get sick. Hurricanes, travel delays, lost luggage, or a change in your employment, are just a few examples of how travel insurance could be useful.

Read more: Why you need travel insurance for your Royal Caribbean cruise

I took my first cruise one year ago because of a new opportunity, and it was so much more different than I expected.

I felt anxious before my first sailing, unsure of what to expect, despite doing careful research beforehand.

Beginning to cruise came with a lot of surprises, and some hard-learned lessons, whether through personal expenses or wasted time.

Now I've sailed on eight cruises, experiencing unique itineraries and ship classes with the cruise line.

Read more: 15 things that surprised me after my first cruise

After sailing Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Oasis Class, Quantum Class, Freedom Class, Radiance Class, and Vision Class, I've grown comfortable on Royal Caribbean ships.

Each sailing is its own adventure that holds something unexpected—but here are the 10 things I found most surprising about cruising.

It's not hard to find quality food onboard

To bring food onboard for a cruise, cruise lines have to order, load, and cook dishes all onboard a ship, preparing thousands of meals throughout a sailing.

It sounds like a huge endeavor, so I didn't have high expectations regarding the cuisine onboard.

However, I was surprised to see that you can find excellent food while on a cruise ship—dining is one of the most popular aspects of a Royal Caribbean cruise!

While not all of the complimentary venues are high-quality, I usually enjoy a meal in the Main Dining Room, and you can always splurge on a specialty restaurant for something more elegant.

I get more comfortable with every cruise

On my first cruise, I was surprised to feel claustrophobic while onboard.

The thought that I was stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean started to overwhelm me since we could only leave on port days or at the end of a cruise.

But as I began to cruise more and more, and I stuck with Royal Caribbean, this feeling of claustrophobia turned into one of comfort.

Each ship felt more and more homelike, as I recognized the familiar Royal Caribbean designs and layouts.

Instead of feeling trapped on the ship, I saw each vessel as a home away from home, a little world I could explore.

Although I was anxious on my first cruise, I quickly realized how safe and comfortable cruise ships can feel.

The cruising community is beyond welcoming

On my cruising journey, I've been pleasantly surprised by how many friendly faces I met along the way.

From conversations made in elevators to shared tables in the Windjammer Buffet, I realized that part of the joy of a cruise is getting to chat with and recognize others onboard.

And when I started joining Hyperlink events or making conversation in the hot tubs, I quickly discovered that it's easy to make friends on a cruise.

Read more: Plan ahead but embrace the unexpected: what first-time cruisers need to know

For someone like myself, who loves meeting new people and learning about other cultures, it's been an unexpected joy on each sailing.

Crew members are committed to quality service

I'm always caught off guard by just how kind, patient, and thoughtful Royal Caribbean's crew members are.

On my first cruise, I was almost uncomfortably surprised by the level of service onboard. 

I have two waiters at my table? The stateroom attendant cleans the room every day?

I've also been able to make unexpected connections with crew members onboard, and I enjoy seeing them go above and beyond to make sure passengers have an amazing time.

I've witnessed waiters folding animals out of napkins for children at their tables and had bartenders make me incredible custom drinks.

It can't be an easy job, but I'm always grateful for interactions with crew members.

Staterooms vary greatly and have a huge influence on your experience

Cruises are very adjustable to a passenger's preferences and budget, and staterooms are a big part of that.

You can opt for the cheapest possible cabin: a small, interior guarantee, or splurge on a huge two-bedroom suite.

However, your stateroom selection has a huge influence on the entire cruise. Since it's your home for the length of the sailing, sometimes it's worth paying more for a better cabin.

For example, the cabin on my Wonder of the Seas cruise was a small, windowless interior room located at the very front of the ship.

Not only did we hear the noise of the anchor banging at night, but I also suffered increased seasickness due to the cabin's position.

Each ship class is distinct, but vessels are remarkably similar within the same class

Royal Caribbean groups its ships into eight separate classes.

Each class varies greatly in terms of size, design, activities, and amenities.

However, ships within the same class feel surprisingly familiar to me.

After sailing on Wonder and Allure of the Seas, getting on Oasis (another Oasis-Class ship) felt like returning home rather than experiencing a new vessel.

I walked around the ship thinking that it felt like a classic Oasis Class experience.

Read more: I'm new to Royal Caribbean and tried 4 different kinds of cruise ships, here's what I like about each

The bigger ships have an overwhelming amount of activities onboard

It still surprises me just how much you can do while on a cruise ship.

Cruise lines seem to compete to see how much they can cram onto one floating vessel.

On Royal Caribbean's Icon, Quantum, and Oasis Classes, in particular, you can find activities for any interest.

These include ice skating, laser tag, zip lining, trivia, chess, waterslides, escape rooms, bumper cars, surfing simulators, sky diving simulators, rock climbing walls, and more.

If you're trying to pack for all of these events, it gets overwhelming quickly!

But the beauty of sailing on a mega-ship is that you can choose to do exactly what interests you.

A lot is included in your fare, but onboard expenses can add up

When I first started cruising, I felt surprised at how much was included in the base cruise fare; dining, stateroom, room service, entertainment, activities, and visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay.

However, you shouldn't let all of your budget go to the base fare. Onboard expenses like drinks, WiFi, and shopping can quickly add up.

For example, if you're sailing on a 7-day cruise and want to purchase an Internet package for the full week, you're looking at a $140 minimum, for just one device.

Solo cruises are worth it—they're one of my favorite ways to travel

Although I felt frightened to take a cruise alone, I quickly discovered that solo cruises are one of my favorite ways to travel.

As a young woman, cruises feel like a safe way to get around, with security guards and cameras everywhere.

Plus, you get a room to yourself, and the chance to go at your own pace.

And cruising solo doesn't necessarily mean you'll be lonely, it's actually a great way to encourage yourself to meet new people!

Days on shore are short, but you can still have amazing experiences

At first, cruising was a shock to my traveler spirit. 

The ship's itinerary only allows for 8 hours or less at most ports—hardly enough time to fully explore an area!

But with careful research and some amazing tours, I've been able to see once-in-a-lifetime places.

I've visited Mayan ruins, seen classical art in Florence, and touched tropical fish while snorkeling in Mexico. 

And each visit has planted a seed, just in case I ever want to go back for a longer visit.

Read more: 7 surprising things I learned when booking a cruise for the first time

Royal Caribbean has gained a well-deserved reputation for offering some of the best cruises worldwide.

Over the last year, I've sailed eight Royal Caribbean cruises, and seen firsthand how the cruise line excels.

The Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards named Royal Caribbean the Best Cruise Line Overall, Best Cruise Line in the Caribbean, and Best Cruise Line Entertainment.

With 28 ships in the fleet and more on the way, business is booming.

According to Royal Caribbean's CEO, it's selling more staterooms than ever.

Cruisers are buying their Royal Caribbean cruises at higher prices, and further in advance.

Its prices may be higher than other cruise lines (especially depending on the sailing) but I think you get great value for your money and the cruise is worth it in the long run.

Over the past year, I've learned and come to love the reasons why the cruise line is so popular.

1. Quality service from hard working crew members

Royal Caribbean's crew members go above and beyond.

The level of service onboard a Royal Caribbean ship can shock a newcomer to the cruise line.

You'll receive a personal stateroom attendant who cleans the cabin at least once a day (twice for suites).

If you choose to dine in the Main Dining Room, you'll be served by a waiter and an assistant waiter.

Bartenders come around to the pools for personal drink service, handing them directly to you so you don't even have to lift a finger.

Crew members onboard Royal Caribbean ships ensure excellent service that ensures a pleasant and memorable cruise.

Read more: This Royal Caribbean crew member reminds cruise ship passengers to wash their hands and has a cult-like following of fans

2. Diverse dining & cuisine

Although food is completely subjective, many cruisers enjoy Royal Caribbean's dining options.

The Main Dining Room offers complimentary, hot meals served in a formal setting.

Read more: 21 Tips for the Best Cruise Ship Main Dining Room Experience

The Windjammer Buffet has separate stations (usually at least 5) that offer various dishes for every meal.

Complimentary venues like El Loco Fresh and Cafe Promenade also offer a variety of dishes.

No matter your preference, you'll be able to find a quality cuisine onboard.

Splurging on a specialty restaurant also earns even tastier food, from the classic Chops Grill to delicious Izumi Hibachi and Sushi.

Read more: I spent a week on the world's largest cruise ship, the free food was the best of any Royal Caribbean ship

3. World class entertainment

Royal Caribbean has won countless awards for its ship entertainment, and I'm always stunned by the shows onboard.

The cruise line is one of the few that offers full-length Broadway productions. These include fan favorites like CATS, Mamma Mia!, and Grease.

Oasis Class and Icon Class ships with AquaTheaters have amazing water shows that combine synchronized swimming, high-diving, acrobatics, and other talented performers, alongside a marvelous soundtrack.

Royal Caribbean ships also have ice-skating shows, live music, magic shows, comedians, and original productions, all available for free during your cruise.

4. Great loyalty program benefits

The Crown and Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean's loyalty program, is one of the best among cruise lines.

It rewards guests even for sailing just a few nights onboard.

After signing up for the program, guests receive one point for every night they sail on a Royal Caribbean ship (two points for solo and suite guests).

At just three points, they'll become a gold member, and receive benefits such as:

• 10% off a glass of wine, soda, or beer
• 25% off any coffee beverage (excluding Starbucks)
• 50% off a Johnny Rockets milkshake
• 50% off any glass of wine, beer or soda
• Access to a private departure lounge
• 10% off any Internet package purchased onboard
• $2 Casino Royale FreePlay
• 10% off any spa service (excluding Medi-Spa services)

Not only that, but Royal Caribbean International also offers status matching across all its brands.

If you earn points on a Royal Caribbean ship, you'll receive equivalent benefits while sailing with Celebrity or SilverSea Cruises.

5. Pools and amenities

Your Royal Caribbean cruise fare will include access to the ship's pool deck, including lounge chairs, hot tubs, water slides, and aqua parks.

Royal Caribbean ships have a stunning pool area, complete with hot tubs, comfortable chairs, plentiful bars, and usually some fun activities, such as live music, dance classes, or belly flop competitions.

The Solarium pool area, an indoor section with additional pools and hot tubs, has no extra cost but it is limited to guests 18 and over.

Some ships also have a suites-only pool area, which can only be accessed by guests staying in suites.

Included amenities also include the fitness center, jogging track, and sports court onboard.

6. Complimentary childcare at Adventure Ocean

Active, educational kids programming is also included in your cruise fare.

From its opening in the morning until 10 P.M., Adventure Ocean is free for children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old.

From 10 P.M. to 2 A.M., there is an hourly cost for kid's care.

The programming is tailored to each age group, with kids taking part in fun, social activities led by the staff.

Some ships offer more social programming, such as games and scavenger hunts. Others have science labs and craft workshops.

Teens (ages 12 to 17) have access to a teen club and hangout area, where they can spend time and meet one another.

For babies between 6 and 36 months old, there is a Royal Babies and Tots program. Most Royal Caribbean ships also have a nursery that comes at an hourly charge.

7. Perfect Day at CocoCay, a private island in the Bahamas

Any Royal Caribbean cruise that includes a stop at Perfect Day at Cococay on its itinerary offers free access to this stunning tropical island.

Located in the Bahamas, Royal Caribbean's private island spans 120 acres and offers free beaches, activities, and amenities.

This ideal private island experience includes multiple beaches, a waterpark, a large freshwater pool, a beach club, a zip line, free tram services, and much more.

Guests on the island can pick their favorite activities to enjoy, from snorkeling to beach volleyball.

8. Limitless onboard activities

If you're looking for fun, unique activities to try for free, Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line for you.

Its ships include signature activities that are included in your cruise fare, such as:

• The FlowRider surf simulator
• Rock climbing wall
• Mini golf
• Waterslides
• Ziplining
• Bumper cars
• Ice skating
• Laser tag
• The Ultimate Abyss dry slide
• Aqua parks

Games and parties also abound onboard, including dance parties, movie nights, trivia, scavenger hunts, pool games, and nightclub events.

A look at any Cruise Compass reveals so many free activities all over the ship.

9. Stunning mega-ships

Another draw to Royal Caribbean's fleet is its stunning mega-ships and technological feats.

Every year, the cruise line breaks a new record with the largest cruise ships in the world, the largest dry slides at sea, and so on.

Read more: How cruise ships got so big

Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's latest feet, is currently the biggest cruise ship in the world at 250,800 gross tons.

The vessel features 20 decks, with a capacity for nearly 10,000 people onboard (including passengers and crew members).

The floating theme park has a water park, spa, casino, shopping mall, arcade, gym, three theaters, seven pools, 20 dining venues, and 15 bars.

Sailing on these ships grants you bragging rights as well as the opportunity to enjoy a new, high-tech vacation.

10. Quality staterooms, from two-story to small

Your cruise experience is completely adjustable, varying based on your preferences, priorities, and budget.

To help meet every cruiser's needs, Royal Caribbean offers a large range of cabin categories.

Icon of the Seas, for instance, has 28 distinct stateroom categories.

From cheaper, windowless interior cabins to huge, two-story suites with multiple bedrooms, there's something for everyone.

No matter your choice, each Royal Caribbean stateroom comes with a set of basic amenities: a bed that can split into two, a private bathroom and shower, a vanity, a safe, a mini-fridge, a closet, and a small TV.

I've taken 8 cruises in the past 12 months, and each one taught me something.

As a new cruiser, I knew I had a lot to learn from personal experience.

Not only was cruising a new form of travel when I started, but my cruises also took me to regions I'd never visited before.

Although all my sailings took place on Royal Caribbean ships, I sailed different ships each time; Wonder of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas.

Each different itinerary and ship type introduced me to a new aspect of cruising.

From choosing the right stateroom to saving money on shore excursions, I'll explore the top lessons I learned from each sailing. 

Read more: I've never been on a cruise, but spent a week researching what I need to know. My top 11 important lessons I think I learned

Your cabin selection has a huge influence on the experience

Cruise: Wonder of the Seas

My first cruise took place on Wonder of the Seas, sailing a 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay itinerary.

Any Oasis-class ship would make for the perfect first cruise.

I was blown away by the amount of dining, activities, and amenities onboard, and felt like I barely had enough time to experience it all.

But while we splurged on specialty dining and shore excursions, we also tried to save money by booking a guarantee stateroom.

It turned out that this cheaper cabin selection had a huge influence on the entire cruise.

We were assigned a windowless interior cabin at the very front of the ship, and I quickly learned why other cruisers tend to avoid that location.

The room was consistently dark, without a view, and we often heard the noise of the anchor chain banging on the ship's hull.

I also learned that I suffer from seasickness while cruising, and the forward location of the stateroom left me even more susceptible to the vessel's rocking motion.

If I hadn't packed Dramamine, the nausea would have been unbearable.

Although I've booked interior cabins since this cruise, and find that the darkness makes for a good night's sleep, I regret not picking a better cabin for my first cruise.

For a first cruise (or the first one in a while), splurging on a better cabin will upgrade your experience.

Snorkeling is worth it, and you don't always have to pay extra

Cruise: Freedom of the Seas

My Freedom of the Seas cruise took place over a few short days, sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

For this trip, I decided to invest in my experience on Royal Caribbean's private island. 

I purchased the snorkel shore excursion, which turned out to be an amazing way to see the beaches of the Bahamas.

After renting the snorkel equipment, I took a self-guided tour of the shipwreck and natural life near the shores of CocoCay.

I saw sea snakes, tropical fish, and a jellyfish!

It was a cool experience, and I later realized that there was nothing stopping me from purchasing and bringing my own snorkel equipment to the island.

At any visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay, you could experience the snorkel shore excursion for free.

Cruising smaller ships is a marvelous way to relax

Cruise: Radiance of the Seas

My third cruise was my first on a smaller ship—the 961-foot Radiance of the Seas.

The 5-night getaway sailed the Western Caribbean, taking me to ports I hadn't visited before.

While I wasn't sure what to expect, I learned that a smaller ship makes for a great way to relax.

The cruise was a calming getaway. The pool areas were always clear, and the elevators were easy to navigate.

I also noticed a more distinct ship culture; the crew members all seemed to know each other, and the captain even walked around to meet cruisers onboard.

Despite all the flack that smaller ships get, I found the cruise a quiet, enjoyable experience.

Plus, we got to visit exciting ports of call that the large ships can’t visit. 

Research thoroughly before sailing a new region

Cruise: Enchantment of the Seas

Enchantment took me to new regions as well: I cruised a 7-night Athens to Barcelona Mediterranean sailing, having never visited the continent before!

I tried to have a more flexible mindset for this cruise, assuming that I'd learn things as I went along.

While I'm usually a big researcher, I did less preparation beforehand and expected to learn from experience.

This isn't the best move when it comes to visiting a new country.

I found myself at a loss when it came to Greek culture or Spanish phrases. Also, when I visited some historical locations such as the island of Crete, I wished that I'd read up on their impact. While the tour guides did give us a lot of information, more reading beforehand would have enhanced my experience.

Read more: 8 lessons learned after trying a European cruise for the first time

The suite life is very sweet indeed

Cruise: Allure of the Seas

My 3-night weekend cruise on Allure was my first time staying in a suite—and it was luxe.

For the first time, I realized just what a huge difference splurging on your cabin could make.

We were greeted with champagne and snacks, and our own coffee machine.

The stateroom had a huge balcony we could eat dinner on and a deep bathtub I used twice during the 3-day cruise.

Plus, the Grand Suite granted access to the suite lounge and other great benefits.

Once again, I saw that splurging on your stateroom really makes a difference.

Purchase shore excursions separate from Royal Caribbean to save money

Cruise: Anthem of the Seas

For the majority of my cruises, I was a loyal to Royal shore excursion buyer.

As soon as the cruise was booked, I would hop on the website to peruse the cruise line's sponsored tours.

While I knew that it was more expensive to purchase through Royal Caribbean, I figured the safety and security it gave me would be worth it.

However, on my Anthem of the Seas Bahamas and Perfect Days sailing, I decided to branch out and find an excursion on shoreexcursions.com.

I purchased a Glass Bottom Boat Ride with a stop on Pearl Island for about $50 per person.

When we arrived at the tour, we had an amazing time, and I discovered that the guests who paid for the same excursion through Royal Caribbean had spent $100-$150 on the excursion.

That means they spent double or even triple for the same tour!

The guides winked and told us not to tell anyone how much we'd saved.

Try as many different dining venues and dishes as you can

Cruise: Icon of the Seas

My next cruise took place on the much-hyped Icon of the Seas, and I truly believe she deserves all the praise she gets.

On this 7-night Western Caribbean and Perfect Day sailing, I was grateful that I made it a priority to try all the different cuisines onboard.

The ship blew me away with its range of dining options and upgrades to previous Royal Caribbean venues.

Read more: 10 lessons learned after trying Icon of the Seas for the first time

It was the best food I'd had on a Royal Caribbean ship—and I only tried the complimentary venues!

If you're planning on cruising Icon, be sure to try as much of the food as you can, and I'd recommend splurging on the specialty dining as well.

A summer trip to Europe is rough, but a positive attitude will take you far

Cruise: Oasis of the Seas

On my second European cruise, I was determined to learn from my past mistakes, and I did tons of research beforehand.

I told myself it would be a great cruise, and it was one of my favorites!

However, sailing to Spain, Italy, and Greece during June is a sure-fire way to run into crowds of tourists, and I did.

Although my research told me I could expect huge crowds, I was unprepared for how much that affected my experience.

When I visited museums, I only got a few seconds in front of the paintings before a group would get in my way. And traffic on the roads cut into our time at port.

Although it ended up being an amazing experience, I would have much preferred a less crowded season.

It's normal to have a lot of questions about booking a cruise because of how personal the different options are during the booking process.

After all, cruise ships are a complex, all-in-one vacation that happens on the ocean, and it's your choice how you enjoy it.

And what should new cruisers know first about Royal Caribbean?

To find out, you won’t have to wade through Reddit posts or wait on hold to speak to Royal Caribbean representatives any longer. 

Here are answers to 8 questions a lot of people are sometimes too embarrassed to ask when it comes to their cruise.

1. Do I really need to pay gratuities?

When you book your cruise, you’ll find an additional gratuity charge will be added to your cruise fare, either before or after the sailing.

If you elect to prepay the gratuities, you’ll pay this in the final price before your sailing.

If not, you’ll receive a charge on your SeaPass account for each day of your cruise.

The service gratuity is currently $18 per person, per day, for guests in non-suite or Junior Suite staterooms.

For guests in Suites, the charge is $20.50 per person, per day.

Read more: Tipping on a cruise ship: what you should and shouldn't do

This charge is based on industry standards, charged for each guest as a way to reward crew members for their service.

While you can remove the gratuities from your account, it is not a good idea. It is split among all the crew members you will encounter on your cruise: waitstaff, bartenders, culinary services staff, stateroom attendants, and the hotel services team.

Because Royal Caribbean crew members work hard to provide exemplary service, these gratuities are a way to reward them.

These are required as part of your cruise fare, but it means that you don’t need to tip crew members individually unless you so desire.

Read more: 10 reasons why I didn't want to go on a cruise, but glad I gave it a try

2. How easy is it to fall off a cruise ship?

Whenever a guest does unfortunately fall off a cruise ship, it becomes a well-reported news story.

So it’s easy for first-time cruisers to fear such a tragedy happening to them.

How likely is it that you could actually fall off a cruise ship deck or balcony?

The reality is that it’s almost impossible to accidentally fall off a cruise ship.

All railings are built to be at least chest-high, around four feet tall. 

Incidents in which someone does fall off a cruise ship usually happen because they climbed on top of a railing or purposely jumped off.

As long as you are following Royal Caribbean rules, it's very unlikely that you could fall off a cruise ship into the ocean.

3. Is the water safe to drink on a cruise ship?

Given that a cruise ship floats and is unattached to typical plumbing systems on land, you might wonder if the tap water is safe to drink on board.

The answer is yes, all the water is rigorously distilled or purified according to sanitation standards approved by the U.S. Public Health Service.

The water is regularly desalinated, treated, filtered, and tested to confirm the water quality.

All Royal Caribbean ships are also inspected frequently for sanitation.

Read more: 15 free things to try on your next cruise

4. Is a Guarantee Cabin worth it?

When you book your cruise, you will have the option to choose your exact stateroom or go for a guarantee stateroom.

A guarantee cabin is when you select the cabin type you prefer (interior, oceanview, balcony, or suite), and Royal Caribbean assigns one to you at a lower price.

You are promised your chosen category of cabin, but give up the ability to choose the exact location.

Usually, cruise lines offer this option as a way to sell less-desirable cabins, and make sure a ship is filled before the sail date.

If you select this option, you will be assigned a specific cabin a few weeks before your cruise.

It’s a great money-saving strategy, but it means giving up control of the exact stateroom you cruise in.

To decide whenever it’s worth it, consider how flexible you are on the location of your cabin, and compare that with the deal you’ll get from booking a guarantee stateroom.

If the deal saves you a good amount of money, or if you’re open to multiple different cabins, booking guarantee is a great idea.

Read more: I took my first cruise ever and here's what I expected vs what actually happened

5. Do crew members sleep on the cruise ship?

Where do the crew members sleep when they’re done working?

Just like guests, the crew members sleep on board during a cruise. 

In fact, their contracts last months at a time, during which they are living onboard.

There are special crew quarters onboard, where crew members share a small cabin with one or more roommates.

The size of the cabins vary, but they run small—definitely smaller than the guest cabins.

Most crew cabins are around 120 square feet.

Crew members also have a separate set of amenities onboard, like a laundromat, crew gym facilities, hair salons, and a separate cafeteria and bar.

Read more: Royal Caribbean crew member reveals what it's like when joining a cruise ship

6. I'm really scared of being out on the open ocean. Am I crazy?

It’s normal to have a fear of the ocean, but some people worry that this might stop them from cruising.

The reality is that a cruise could actually be a great way to confront and overcome that fear.

Cruise ships are incredibly safe—the odds of dying on one are about 1 in 6.25 million.

Cruising is one of the safest forms of travel, especially compared to cars, which we use every day.

Vessels are very carefully built, regulated, and monitored. Ships receive frequent safety inspections, and most cruise lines go above and beyond government requirements.

Not only that, but cruise ships are very large—you won’t feel like you’re floating on the ocean.

They are more like huge hotels, where you’ll have too much fun to even worry about feeling scared.

You don't have to get close to the ocean at all. Instead, you’ll be able to admire its beauty from afar.

If you are afraid of traveling on a smaller boat, just avoid a cruise that uses tenders, which are smaller boats that transport you to shore.

You’ll have a fun, safe time on the cruise ship.

Read more: 15 things I look forward to every time I go on a cruise ship

7. How do I meet the Captain while I’m onboard?

The Captain is responsible for everything on the cruise ship, so will you have an opportunity to meet this important figure?

How interactive the captain is with passengers depends on the captain and the ship, each person is unique.

On some cruises, the Captain and Cruise Director hold a question-and-answer session for guests to ask about the workings of the ship.

After that event, there’s usually an opportunity to meet the Captain.

Some cruises also have a Captain’s welcome aboard reception, during which the Captain makes a toast and takes photos with guests.

To find the time and location of these events, you can check your Cruise Compass or Royal Caribbean app.

8. Will I be bored on a cruise?

Out of all the fears you may have about cruising, this one would be the most unreasonable.

A Royal Caribbean cruise is filled with an overwhelming amount of activities you can take part in, most of them being completely free.

The exact activities vary depending on the ship and sailing, but each day of your cruise is guaranteed to have a variety of activities.

If you’re looking for physical and sports events, check out a rock climbing wall, mini golf, the sports court, the FlowRider surf simulator, water slides, the zip line, ice skating, laser tag, or fitness classes.

If entertainment and shows are more your style, there are games, live music, theater and musical performances, comedians, acrobats, and karaoke nights.

For those who prefer to live on the edge and gamble, each cruise ship has a casino and bingo events.

More activities include nightclub events, movies, parades, tours, and educational classes.  And of course there are multiple trivia contests every day.

Besides all these activities, there are several pools and hot tubs, and a wealth of different venues to try.

Read more: Cruising with teenagers: Will they have fun on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

As a first-time cruiser, you never want to become a public nuisance.

After spending lots of time and money to book a relaxing and fun vacation, you’d hate to turn into someone inconsiderate onboard.

Being polite and following cruise ship etiquette will ensure that crew members and other guests won’t dread running into you. 

So, what details should you know, and what rules are important to follow?

New cruisers have some common, but specific questions that we’ve seen pop up over the years.

There’s a lot to learn when it comes to getting on a cruise ship for the first time.

Some common courtesies may not come automatically or seem obvious to you, so we’ve answered all your questions right here. 

From main dining room etiquette to who is allowed into the Crown Lounge, this is your guide to five common cruise ship etiquette questions.

Read more: 20 rules of cruise ship etiquette no one ever tells you (but should)

​​Should I tell the waitstaff if I won't be in the Main Dining Room ahead of time?

Royal Caribbean’s Main Dining Room is the spot for complimentary gourmet meals served in elegant dining rooms on several decks.

Because the venue is especially popular for its multiple-course dinners, many cruisers eat there every night.

However, itineraries can get busy on a cruise, and with all the onboard activities and onshore excursions available, it’s possible that you won’t be able to attend your traditional dinner time.

There are also plenty of other restaurants to try—such as the Windjammer buffet and specialty dining.

So, if you know ahead of time that you won’t make it to the Main Dining Room for dinner, should you let your waitstaff know?

I’ve been told by culinary staff that if you have a reservation at a specialty restaurant, the Main Dining Room waiters will see it in their system and already know that you won’t make it to dinner.

The same would apply if you’ve ordered room service instead.

But what if you’re going to the Windjammer, or eating onshore at a port restaurant?

If you know ahead of time, it is considered polite and customary to let your servers know. Also, if you are seated with other guests who are not part of your group, it is polite to let them know so they don’t hold off ordering their meal waiting for you to show up.

This ensures that they can adjust their plans for the following night and avoid any food waste.

Royal Caribbean tries to stay flexible with dining options of all varieties, so it’s polite to inform them of your plans as much as you can.

Do I need to pay gratuities for my infant?

Royal Caribbean adds gratuities to the final cost of the fare as a way to ensure crew members such as bartenders, waiters, cooks, and stateroom attendants are rewarded for their service.

Usually, gratuities are charged per person, for each guest onboard.

This includes children and even infants.

The cost of gratuity is applied to each individual guest, regardless of age or stateroom category.

Your child, no matter how young, is counted toward the number of people that the crew members are taking care of.

Read more: Mailbag: Why do I have to pay gratuities for my toddler?

While it makes sense that you don’t expect to pay the full price for smaller children, think about everything that crew members can do for your family.

Culinary service teams work to provide healthy food and high chairs and clean up any messes.

Your stateroom attendant will empty the trash with dirty diapers, and provide extra towels and sheets as needed.

And in the case of an emergency, crew members will also protect your children.

Even if you have a smaller human onboard, they still count as someone that the crew will be taking care of.

Read more: Should you prepay gratuities for a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Should I bring a Bluetooth speaker?

A waterfront vacation can be made even sweeter by the presence of your favorite songs, audiobooks, or even a loved one on a video call.

To hear these things better, should you bring a speaker onboard?

We don’t recommend it.

Most cruise lines ask that you keep Bluetooth speakers for use only in your personal stateroom.

By looking at any online forum, you’ll be able to tell that most cruisers do not appreciate the guests who bring their speakers and start blasting music for everyone else to hear.

Some guests may prefer silence at the beach. 

Other areas, like the pool deck on Royal Caribbean ships, could already have talented performers playing live music live.

The cruise line could even confiscate your speaker if you’re found to be disturbing the other cruisers.

Remember that, while a cruise ship has space for plenty of fun and excitement, you’re still sharing it with other guests and should be considerate of their needs.

Instead, pack along a quality pair of headphones that allow you some privacy while still listening to your favorite noises.

Is it okay to bring my friends who aren't Diamond-tier into the Crown Lounge?

The Crown Lounge is a special, elegantly decorated lounge reserved for guests who are members of the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club tiers of the Crown and Anchor Society.

The lounge access comes with snacks, nightly happy hour, and a Concierge to assist with any special needs or requests during the sailing.

It’s an exciting and luxurious benefit, so can you bring along friends and family?

The answer is no, not unless they are also a Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle level member.

Royal Caribbean’s website reads that this benefit is “exclusive” and “cannot be extended to include friends and family.”

Now, if you have a spouse or partner who is a member of your household and lives with you, you can request for them to be added to your Crown and Anchor account so they can receive the same status.

Royal Caribbean’s website says: “A Crown & Anchor Society member can be added into a relationship with other family members in the same household and receive equivalent tier status; however Cruise Points will remain according to actual cruises taken and calculated according to the number of nights sailed.”

Otherwise, they will not be able to enter the Crown Lounge.

We missed our traditional dining time, can I still go to the Main Dining Room that night?

The Main Dining Room offers two different dinner-time options.

You can either choose “My Time” Dining or traditional dining. My Time Dining will allow you to eat dinner whenever you choose. 

But with traditional dining, you’ll receive a particular assigned time and table. Guests who select traditional dining are expected to show up at their assigned time.

Can you still show up late?

If you are more than 15 minutes late (and especially if you haven’t warned your waitstaff ahead of time), they may close the doors or they may have reassigned your table.

Especially if you’re traveling with a larger group, they may no longer have the table space reserved for you.

From this point, you still have the option to switch to My Time Dining. If you get into that line, they will attempt to seat you when a table is available, although there may be a wait.

You can always try, as many guests find that Royal Caribbean waitstaff are as flexible as possible, and will attempt to seat you.

However, if you’d like to give up and try something else after showing up late, there are always other venues such as the Windjammer.