When your clothes get dirty, soiled, or just need to be pressed, how do you handle laundry on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Going on vacation for even just a few days will likely result in a lot of dirty clothes, and you may want your options are to take care of wrinkles, stains, and what to expect if you want to have your clothes laundered.

Laundry options on a cruise ship are limited compared to on land, especially if you're used to doing it yourself.

Since keeping clothes clean and wrinkle-free is something a lot of cruisers worry about, here's what you can expect when it comes to cruise ship laundry.

Self-service laundry options

If you'd like to do your own laundry on a Royal Caribbean cruise, you wont find any facilities to do it yourself.

Royal Caribbean does not offer any self-service laundry options. This includes washing machines or dryers.

Moreover, Royal Caribbean does not provide irons to use in any cruise staterooms.

Keep in mind that Royal Caribbean prohibits passengers from bringing irons onto the ship, because they are a fire hazard. It will be confiscated for the entire voyage.

Paid laundry and dry cleaning options

While you wont be able to do laundry on your own, there are paid laundry services available to Royal Caribbean passengers.

Both washing and dry cleaning services are available on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

For either option, you need to provide your stateroom attendant with the clothes to be cleaned, as well as a form listening all the garments. Look for a bag and form hanging in your cabin closet that you can use.

Once you have the form filled out and the clothes in the bag, just leave it on your bed and the cabin attendant will pick it up at their next cleaning.

Royal Caribbean offers:

• Wash & Press
• Pressing only
• Steaming only
• Dry Clean & Press

 The cost of the order will be deducted from your SeaPass account.

How much does laundry cost on Royal Caribbean?

The exact price depends on which laundry service you want, if it's expedited or not, and the type of clothing.

Pressing or steaming only will be the least-expensive laundry option, with dry cleaning being the most expensive.

How long does it take for Royal Caribbean to do your laundry?

The standard turnaround time for laundry on a Royal Caribbean ship is the next day by 5:30pm. This assumes you drop the clothes off with your stateroom attendant the day before.

Royal Caribbean also offers same day laundry service at a 50% extra charge.

Same day service must be picked up before 11am, so that it can be done before 5:30pm.

Wash and fold specials

Royal Caribbean ships usually offer a "Wash & Fold" special, where you can get as many clothes washed and folded that you can fit in one bag for a fixed cost.

For $34.99, you get a bag (usually plastic) that you can fill to be washed and folded for $34.99. Royal Caribbean says you can "fit as much as you can into the bag provided."

Just as your stateroom attendant for this special, although it's also advertised in the Cruise Compass as well.

How to get free laundry on Royal Caribbean

One of the best Crown and Anchor Society perks are for passengers that are at least Diamond Plus actually get this for free once per cruise.

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

While not free, there are discounts for the Wash & Fold bag for Gold members and higher (basically anyone that's cruised before).

If you're staying in a suite (Grand Suite or above), you automatically qualify for complimentary clothes pressing for the first formal night only.

Since the first formal night is usually the second night of the cruise, all you need to do is ask your stateroom attendant about the service on the first day so that there is sufficient time for it the pressed and returned to you before formal night.

Read more: What are the Royal Caribbean suite perks?

Laundry hacks to clean clothes yourself

While you wont find laundry machines you can use, there are a few ways to get laundry done on your own without paying the cruise line.

The tried-and-true method is to bring single-packet detergent on the cruise and then fill your sink up with water to wash small loads of laundry.

Wash the clothing in your sink and then hang the clothes to dry in your shower on the laundry line provided by the cruise line. This is best for undergarments and shirts, and kids clothing.

If the clothes don't dry fast enough, there is a hair dryer in the room you can use on anything that stubbornly won't dry.

Some cruisers on longer sailings (or back to back cruises) will bring their own clothes lines so they can dry more clothing at the same time.

Another idea is bring wrinkle-release spray that is useful for keeping clothes looking good after being packed away in your suitcase.

It's not your imagination: more people are booking up activities and things to do before their cruise than ever before.

If your approach to cruising has been to wing it and leave things to the last minute, you're likely going to face an uphill battle going forward if you want to try certain activities onboard.

One of the interesting anecdotes to come out of Royal Caribbean Group's quarterly conference call with Wall Street analysts was a revelation about how soon customers are booking things to do on a cruise.

Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty talked about a change his company is seeing in how far in advance people book up experiences once booked on a cruise, "Approximately 60% of our guests book some of their onboard activities in advance of their cruise, representing double digit growth in pre-cruise purchase penetration when compared to 2019 at significantly higher rates."

So not only are people booking things sooner, they're also willing to pay more for it.

Prices of shore excursions, drink packages, and just about anything you can reserve before a cruise have anecdotally gone up by cruise fans.  The exact price of these items varies from ship to ship and sailing to sailing, but without a doubt, prices are generally higher for 2023 cruises compared to a few years ago.

This is exactly what Royal Caribbean wants from a business standpoint, because people that book things early generate more revenue for the cruise line.

"Every dollar a guest spends before the cruise translates into about $0.70 when they sail with us, and over double the overall spending when compared to other guests," said Mr. Liberty during the call.

While the dollars and cents of the cruise industry business may not matter much to you, the trend of booking earlier should.

Royal Caribbean offers many different activities and things to do on a cruise, and these are quite popular.

Cabana rentals, shore excursions, culinary classes and more are popular among cruise ship guests, and Royal Caribbean sees more people booking them sooner.  This puts people that wait to the last minute at a disadvantage if they want to lock in these activities for themselves.

"Our guests are now engaging with us to book on board activities much earlier than in 2019."

"So far, guests booked on 2023 sailings purchased onboard experiences an average of more than two months earlier than in 2019."

For the company, they see this as a win-win for the company and passengers, "This translates into more revenue, stickier bookings and happy guests."

What's driving this change? Royal Caribbean thinks at least part of it is a consumer that is more comfortable making online purchases.

"The consumer at all different levels have gotten more comfortable using digital commerce to make their purchases," Mr. Liberty said.

Higher prices for cruises too

Besides excursions, wifi, and drink packages, the price for a cruise will cost you more than in 2019.

At the onset of the earnings call, Mr. Liberty talked about how cruise prices cost more today, "Pricing for our vacation experiences was higher than record 2019 levels when we operated with normalized occupancy."

North American itineraries in particular are trending up in terms of costs, which is where about 70% of its deployments are in 2023.

"From a cumulative standpoint, these itineraries are now booked at the same load factor as they were in 2019 and at higher prices," Mr. Liberty stated.

So far in 2023, Royal Caribbean Group has enjoyed busier than normal cruise bookings during wave season, which is an industry term for a popular time to book new cruises.

Demand has been so strong that even higher prices haven't diminished interest in new bookings.

"The demand is that is that strong that we're able to raise price across these different products and really not seeing a pullback from the consumer as we continue to do so."

"And that is really a reflection of what we've seen since our last earnings call, or really since the announcement of the protocols being dropped."

"Just acceleration and the propensity to cruise across all three categories of new to cruise, first to brand first cruise has returned and in many cases is better than what we saw pre-COVID."

More helpful information

• Should you buy pre-cruise purchases now or wait to buy it onboard?
• 45 ways to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise
• How much should I budget for a cruise?
• 30 Do's and Don'ts for the first day of your cruise
• The 20 worst cruise mistakes that will ruin your cruise vacation
• The best cruise itineraries for every type of traveler
• How to plan a Royal Caribbean cruise on any budget
• Best shore excursion in every Caribbean cruise port

A cruise ship vacation offers an experience that in many ways is completely different from land vacations, which is actually a benefit.

Cruise lines consider their primary competition not other cruise lines, but rather, land vacations. To that point, they have ensured that the experience and value differs enough from their land-based alternatives in order to highlight the advantages a cruise has.

When comparing a cruise to a land trip, you'll find some inherit nuances and differences between cruises and other forms of travel. For many people that choose to cruise, these subtleties are a compelling rationale to cruise instead.

From value to entertainment to experiences, here are the major ways a cruise vacation is completely different from a land vacation.

Cruises are still the best value

When you consider that a cruise ship is a floating hotel that includes meals, snacks, shows, and transportation during your voyage, it's easy to see how much more value a cruise vacation has over a land vacation.

If you choose to visit a theme park or city, you'll not only need to pay for lodging, but also be on the hook for food and activities.

Cruises include much of that in their cruise fare.  There are certainly optional add-ons that will cost you extra on a cruise, such as specialty dining or excursions, but more is included with the base cost than on land.

To illustrate that point, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty told investors in November 2022 that the value gap is sizeable, "We've seen this 40% gap to land-based vacation [this year]. It used to be about 20%"

When travel insurance comparison site insuremytrip.com compared the price of a land vacation to a cruise, it noted customers were paying about 30% less for cruises, with the average land trip costing $6,426 — $1,469 more than the average cruise.

When you consider a mass-market cruise line like Royal Caribbean to land-based hotels and resorts, the value offered is hard to beat.

Part of that gap is because land resorts have seen their prices sky rocket, despite the global health crisis of the last few years.  Meanwhile, cruise ship prices did not move much at all during the same time.

While cruise ship prices are certainly on their way up now, a cruise vacation remains a terrific value.

People are more social on cruises

If you've ever walked through a hotel versus a cruise ship, you'll probably get more greetings and get to know your fellow passengers on a cruise ship.

So many cruise ship activities result in passengers participating together, such as shore excursions, shows, and even just sharing a table in a dining room.

The result is you're likely to strike up a conversation with a stranger on a cruise ship more than on land.

Similar to being at a bar on land, there's more opportunity on a cruise ship to be seated next to someone you don't know and that tends to breed conversations.

People that cruise a lot will tell you the friendships they've formed on cruise ships have been life changing in many cases. Passengers meet someone in a lounge or bar, and they become good friends and they end up cruising with.

Even if you don't find your BFF on a cruise ship, the nature of being with other people on a cruise ship in certain situations tends to lead to far more conversations with strangers than I've found when I'm on land.

Stateroom door decorations

One phenomenon of cruising is that some passengers will decorate their cabin door, which is something I've rarely (if ever) seen on land.

I'm not sure where or when this cruising tradition began, but a great number of passengers will bring print-outs, magnets, and all sorts of decor to attach to their stateroom cabin.

Many first time cruisers are unaware of this tradition, but I've seen plenty of them that love the idea and make plans to do it also on their next cruise.

Stateroom door decorations are a fun way to share your excitement about the cruise, as well as convey to others special occasions you're celebrating, or who you're cruising with.

In short, it's a fun excuse to celebrate being on vacation and you probably won't see the same at your land hotel.

Incredible customer loyalty benefits

If you compare a cruise line's customer loyalty benefits to any hotel or resort's program, I think you'll be shocked how much more cruise ship guests get.

Using Royal Caribbean as an example, after just one cruise, you're entitled to a number of discounts that you can use every day of the cruise. The Crown and Anchor Society perks for Gold members include:

• 50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer, or soda
• 25% off any coffee beverage
• 10% off any wine, beer or soda by the glass

Once you hit the higher tiers, the perks really start to come in, such as free photos, discounts on balcony cabins, wifi plan discounts, and even free alcoholic beverages every day of the cruise.

Read more: The Crown and Anchor perks you should use on every Royal Caribbean cruise

Good luck finding any kind of similar benefits at a land based resort or hotel, even at their top levels.

You're somewhere different every day

It's pretty obvious a cruise ship will take you somewhere different every day, but this is a really big advantage for a cruise ship vacation.

When you do a land vacation, you pick a city, town, or resort and you're there for the duration of the trip.  While that place may be wonderful, variety is the spice of life, and being able to move around and see other places means more opportunity to mix things up.

You could do a beach day in one port, but then take in the culture and history of another.  Or double down on the beach. It's up to you.

Not to mention the fact that if a hurricane is headed for where you're going on a cruise, the ship can go elsewhere.  On land, you're stuck.

Beyond the weather, a cruise affords you the opportunity to visit cities and places in short order that are otherwise difficult to get to on your own. A great example are Alaska cruises, which visit cities, towns, and glaciers that are so remote it would be a more difficult task to see them on land.

And while you could travel around on a land vacation to try to replicate the same experience on land, you only have to unpack once on a cruise!

You don't have to worry about where to stay

If there's one aspect of planning a land vacation that gives a lot of travelers anxiety, it's where to stay to ensure it's clean, safe, and a good location.

With a cruise, you don't have to worry about picking a hotel in a bad part of town, or that the hotel you chose is rated poorly.

Despite February having the fewest days of any month, there are still plenty of Royal Caribbean cruises you can sail on this month.

This article is an effort to share what you need to know about going on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the month of February, with important news, tips, and helpful information along the way.

With the exception of President's Day holidays in the middle of the month, February is generally a slower month in terms of demand for cruises since school is in session.

Deal hunters will find good prices in the first two weeks, and the last week.

President's Week can see more families hopping on a cruise since there is either a long weekend or the entire week off for many schools.

Ships sailing in February 2023

• Freedom of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Anthem of the Seas from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
• Allure of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
• Symphony of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Independence of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
• Harmony of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
• Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Adventure of the Seas from Galveston, Texas
• Explorer of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Navigator of the Seas from Los Angeles, California
• Spectrum of the Seas from Singapore
• Grandeur of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore, Maryland
• Radiance of the Seas from New Orleans, Louisiana
• Serenade of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
• Voyager of the Seas from San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Quantum of the Seas from Brisbane, Australia
• Ovation of the Seas from Sydney, Australia
• Oasis of the Seas from Miami, Florida
• Brilliance of the Seas from Tampa, Florida
• Wonder of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida
• Odyssey of the Seas from from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Vision of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Rhapsody of the Seas from Bridgetown, Barbados
• Jewel of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida

Health protocols for February 2023 cruises

Royal Caribbean's health protocols have not changed this winter, and they're fairly straight forward.

If your cruise doesn't visit Colombia or sail from Australia, pre-cruise testing is no longer required to sail.

At this time, only the following sailings have pre-cruise testing requirements:

Cruises from the U.S. and Caribbean with stops in Colombia

Guests age 18 and up who are not fully vaccinated will need to present a negative result for a PCR test taken within 3 days or an antigen test taken within 2 days prior to sailing.

Guests under the age of 17 and fully vaccinated guests do not have have any testing requirements.

Tests must be arranged on your own and are at your own expense.

Cruises from Australia

All guests aged 2 and above, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative test result for a COVID-19  PCR test taken within 2 days before boarding day, or a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 1 day before boarding, for sailings of any length.

February weather on a cruise

February should be a little bit warmer than January, but it's still typically more comfortable outdoors than other months of the year,

High temperatures in the Caribbean in February are in the 70s, although it can drop as low as the 60s in The Bahamas. The Southern Caribbean is going to be the warmest, with high temperatures in the low 80s.

There is a good argument for February having some of the best weather of the year in the Caribbean because of the lower humidity levels, low rainfall, and generally comfortable weather outdoors. It's great for doing outdoor shore excursions without feeling excessively sweaty after.

While the weather may be lovely in the tropics, winter storms are still very prevalent back at home, which is why you want to be sure to arrive at least one day before your cruise so that if your travel plans are interrupted, you don't miss your cruise.

Read more: Packing for a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Winter

Is it warm enough to swim? Yes, albeit it won't be the most ideal pool or beach swimming conditions.

Average water temperatures throughout the Caribbean hover around 80 degrees (27 C), which is on the cooler side for the year, but not drastically cooler than the summer months.

Is February a good month to go on a cruise?

The best thing about taking a cruise in February is you get to escape the winter cold that by now has become a tired trend.

Similar to January, you'll find low prices on cruises in February (if you can avoid the holiday in the month). This is especially true of 4- and 5-night cruises that leave on weekdays.

If there's a negative to taking a February cruise, it's getting to your cruise could be a challenge. With winter in full swing, snow and ice storms around the country can impact your ability to fly to your cruise on time.  

It's extra important to fly into your cruise departure city at least one day early to protect against travel delays.

Super Bowl on a cruise

Yes, you can watch the Super Bowl on a cruise ship. In fact, it becomes a kind of big party around the ship to watch the big game.

Since a lot of passengers will want to watch the game, Royal Caribbean typically shows the game all around the ship at many venues. Depending on your ship, the game can be shown in bars, the pool deck movie screen and even in the Royal Theater. Exact locations will be posted in the Cruise Compass for that day.

In addition to showing the game in various spots, there will be typical football watching snacks as part of a "tailgate party" offering.  These have included hot dogs, nachos, chips and more. 

Read more: Guide to watching the Super Bowl on a Royal Caribbean cruise

Best cruises in February 2023

Ready to pick a great sailing in February? It's the perfect month to getaway from the winter cold and enjoy a warm Caribbean beach instead!

Ideally, you'll book a cruise many months in advance to get the lowest possible rate, but a last-minute cruise deal for February still exists.

Here are a few picks for a great February sailing:

• 3-night Ensenada cruise on Navigator of the Seas cruise from Los Angeles February 21, 2023
• 5-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Grandeur of the Seas February 5, 2023
• 11-night Southern Caribbean cruise on Rhapsody of the Seas February 5, 2023
• 4-night Bahamas & Perfect Day at CocoCay cruise on Freedom of the Seas February 21, 2023

A Royal Caribbean cruise is a great choice for a vacation, but is there a best time to sail?

Every destination has a peak season, low season, and shoulder season. Peak season is where you will encounter the best temperatures, but these sailings come with higher cruise fares and more crowded ships since they often correspond with the American school calendar.

Low season, on the other hand, can lead to the best savings, but you may come across poor weather and itinerary changes (i.e. hurricane season). In some destinations, such as Australia, cruises are simply not offered by Royal Caribbean during the low season due to lack of demand. 

Finally, there is shoulder season, where you will find lower cruise fares and fewer crowds along with relatively comfortable temperatures.

Knowing the best time to cruise in each region can be confusing, so we have put together a destination by destination guide to better help you plan your next cruise. Let’s jump in!

Best time to cruise the Caribbean: December - April

Cruises to the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean are offered year-round, and each season comes with pros and cons. Therefore, you should weigh which factors are important to you in each season before booking a cruise.

Winter is one of the best times to cruise the Caribbean, especially if you are looking to trade out blizzards for beaches. You will find temperatures in the 70s and 80s throughout the winter months, although ports located further north (such as Nassau or Perfect Day at CocoCay) might be chilly, as they are subject to the occasional cold front. 

Related: The best time to go on a Caribbean cruise

Summer is also a popular time to cruise the Caribbean, and many guests appreciate more hours of daylight during this time of year. However, summer brings some of the highest crowds and temperatures, so it is not necessarily the best time to sail for all guests.

Surprisingly, hurricane season can be a great time to cruise the Caribbean, but only if you remain flexible. Weather during the later part of hurricane season (August through October) is hot and humid, but you can often find fantastic cruise deals during this time of year. 

In July 2024, for instance, a 7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Harmony of the Seas starts around $980 per person for an inside cabin. The same cruise is offered for $440 less, or $540 per person, in September 2024. 

Related: What it's like on a cruise ship when there's a hurricane

However, you will have to be prepared for last-minute itinerary changes. Royal Caribbean will not sail into a hurricane, of course, so they might switch from a Western Caribbean to Eastern Caribbean itinerary (or vice versa) to avoid the storm.

Best time to cruise The Bahamas: March - May

Bahamas cruises are popular year-round, but what many passengers do not realize is that The Bahamas are located further north than other Caribbean cruise ports. The location of the islands can impact their weather patterns more than ports located further south.

Throughout most of the year, cruising to The Bahamas results in warm, sunny weather, but there is always the possibility of unfavorable forecasts in the winter months.

Related: Bahamas cruise guide

January is the coldest month for Bahamas cruises, although temperatures can be unpredictable. One week may have lows in the mid-50s with high winds and rain, whereas the following week can be 75 degrees with sunny skies.

Expect more precipitation from June to September and drier conditions between November and April. The months of March, April, May, and November often see the most comfortable temperatures with little precipitation.

Pricing is similar to that of Caribbean cruises. Summer months tend to be more expensive than cruises in the shoulder season. Likewise, since many cruises to the Bahamas are only 3- and 4-nights, any 3-day weekend will see an increase in pricing, too. 

As an example, a 3-night cruise on Allure of the Seas departing on February 23, 2024 starts at $392 per person, while a cruise the weekend prior over President's Day costs $522 each!

Best time to cruise Bermuda: April-June

Contrary to what some may believe, Bermuda is not located in the Caribbean! It is actually about 650 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Bermuda cruises are offered between April and October, and the island makes a popular port stop for those cruising from the northeast. 

The early season in Bermuda (April and May) sees some of the lowest prices and has comfortable temperatures in the 70s. The water temperature, however, can be cold at this time of year, so it is not the best time to visit for those hoping to enjoy beach activities.

Nonetheless, April and May are excellent times to enjoy Bermuda outside of just beaches, from cycling the historic Railway Trail to horseback riding and celebrating local holidays.

A 5-night cruise on Liberty of the Seas departing from Cape Liberty (New York) can cost as little as $460 per person during this time of the year. Expect them to increase at least $200 during the summer months, sometimes more! 

Related: What to do in Bermuda on a cruise

June, July, and August bring more crowds and higher cruise fares, but offer the best temperatures for water and beach activities. You can enjoy snorkeling, jet skiing, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach during these months.

The late season (September and October) is also a nice time to visit the island. Temperatures are still warm during these months, but there are far fewer tourists. This makes the island’s pace much more relaxed than the peak summer season, although you do have to remain flexible with your itinerary since September and October fall in hurricane season.

Best time to cruise Alaska: May-June

Royal Caribbean’s Alaska cruise season runs between May and September, with peak season starting in mid-June and continuing until late August. During the five month season, the weather can vary considerably, so it is important to know which type of weather should be expected before you book your cruise.

The best months for an Alaska cruise are in June, July, and August. The summer months bring the warmest temperatures, most wildlife viewing opportunities, and longest daylight hours. If you are hoping to participate in outdoor activities while in Alaska such as hiking or whale watching, the summer months are your best bet.

This time of year is extremely popular, so many itineraries can book up quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to book an Alaska cruise during the peak season as early as possible.

Related: Alaska cruise guide

The cheapest cruise fares to Alaska are found during the shoulder season months of May and September. In September 2024, for instance, you can book a 7-night one-way cruise on Radiance of the Seas for less than $450 per person for an inside cabin. Balcony cabins are always more expensive; however, they are often still less than $1,000 per person during the shoulder season. 

Although these months may not bring the best weather (frequent rainfall and cold temperatures are to be expected), they are undoubtedly the cheapest months to cruise Alaska. As a plus, you will find far fewer crowds during the shoulder season as well.

Best time to cruise to Europe: April-May, September-October

Royal Caribbean’s European cruise season runs from late April to late October, and itineraries are offered in a range of destinations, from the snowy fjords of Norway to the dramatic coastlines of the Greek Isles.

Due to the variety of destinations offered, the best time to cruise can vary from place to place.

Northern Europe itineraries are most popular during the peak of summer in June, July, and August. This is when you will find the best weather and most daylight in Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland, although higher cruise fares should be expected. 

A 7-night Norwegian Fjords cruise on Anthem of the Seas from Southampton begins at $1,270 for sailings that depart in July 2024. 

The Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Greek Isles are popular throughout the entire cruise season, but summer can bring very warm temperatures. Unlike on a Caribbean cruise, you will likely spend less time at the beach and more time sightseeing in busy cities while cruising Europe. Walking around ports like Florence, Athens, and Barcelona in the summer can be uncomfortably hot.

Moreover, summer is busy in general with many land-based tourists and Europeans taking summer holidays, meaning that you will encounter more people while exploring each port of call. 

Related: Western Mediterranean cruise guide

Because of this, the spring or fall can be a wonderful time to cruise these regions of Europe. Temperatures are not nearly as warm as in the summer, making it a perfect time to sightsee in cities like Rome and Paris. In addition, crowds will be far fewer as many families are at work and school. 

As another benefit, airfare tends to be much cheaper in the spring and fall compared to the summer months.

Best time to cruise the Mexican Riviera: October - April

Cruises to Mexico from Los Angeles sail to the Mexican Riviera, a name coined for the country’s picturesque towns along the Pacific Coast and Baja California. Ports like Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Catalina Island are found on Mexican Riviera itineraries.

While the Mexican Riviera is a year-round cruising destination, the region sees more diverse weather patterns compared to the Caribbean side of Mexico. Ports on Mexican Riviera itineraries are located in different climates and latitudes, so the best time to cruise to one port may not be the best time for another.

Related: Mexican Riviera cruise guide

There are two main Mexican Riviera itineraries found on Royal Caribbean cruises:

• 3 & 4-night cruises to Ensenada, Mexico and Catalina Island
• 7-night cruises to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta

Short cruises to Ensenada and Catalina Island are best during the summer months, when temperatures are in the mid-80s with sunny skies. During the winter, these more northerly ports can see temperatures in the 50s and 60s.

For itineraries visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, the peak season to sail is between December and April. Escaping the winter for a sunny holiday is popular during these months, and you’ll find comfortable temperatures in the region, with highs around 75 to 80 degrees.

Related: When is the best time to cruise the Mexican Riviera?

The Mexican Riviera also has a dry and rainy season, with the dry season from November to June and the most precipitation expected in August and September. More arid ports, such as Cabo San Lucas, will receive little rainfall year-round.

No matter the month you sail, it is recommended to bring a jacket, sweater, or other warm layers. It can be chilly as your ship sails down the coast of Baja California, so it’s common to need a light jacket during the mornings and evenings while onboard.

In terms of pricing, you will encounter the best pricing during the months of January and February, the last week of April after spring break, the end of August through mid-November, and the first two weeks of December for the winter holiday season begins. 

A 7-night cruise onboard Navigator of the Seas that departs on January 8, 2024, for instance, is currently priced at $486 per person. The same cruise increases to about $900 per person in June 2024!

Best time to cruise Australia and New Zealand: December-February

The cruise season in Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific runs from late October to April each year, coinciding with summer in the southern hemisphere. The most popular time of year for these cruises is in December and January, as these months coincide with school holidays.

Not only are holiday cruises more crowded, they see an increase in pricing, too. If you are cruising from Sydney, you may also want to be prepared for Australia Day, which occurs at the end of January, as this holiday draws large crowds to the city. 

The peak summer season in Australia offers the perfect temperatures for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the region’s breathtaking beaches and world-renowned cities. Like Australia, New Zealand is also best visited during the summer months.

South Pacific cruises to Vanuatu, Fiji, and New Caledonia are vastly popular, although most sailings are offering during the region’s rainy season from November to March. Just like the Caribbean, though, rain showers do not last all day and should not negatively impact shore excursions and activities.

Related: 15 countries you didn’t know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

Like all cruise destinations, shoulder season is the best time to sail for those looking to save money. Some of the cheapest fares are found in October and April when school is in session.

Best time to cruise to Asia: November-February

Royal Caribbean offers cruises from Singapore year-round. The majority of these sailings visit Southeast Asian ports like Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City. However, there are occasionally longer itineraries offered visiting ports in Japan, China, and the Philippines.

If you are planning a cruise to Southeast Asia, the most important distinction to make between seasons is the rainy season versus the dry season. Humidity and temperatures are high year-round, but the coolest and driest weather is typically found between November and February.

The warmest time of the year is between March and May, and the region’s monsoon season falls between June and October. Rainfall does not typically last all day, however; instead, it appears in short, strong bursts.

All things considered, the best months for a Southeast Asia cruise from Singapore are November, December, January, and February. Pricing will vary, but you can expect 5-night cruises to cost as little as $650 per person or upwards of $1,050 if you cruise over a holiday, such as Christmas or New Year's. 

For cruises visiting ports further north, such as in Japan and China, you will want to sail during spring, summer, and early fall. Royal Caribbean’s itineraries to these destinations are currently being offered only during the peak summer months.

Best time to cruise Canada and New England: September-October

New England and coastal Canada are known for their nature, views of the Atlantic Ocean, and fresh seafood. 

Cruises to Canada and New England typically operate between the months of May and October. Sailings in the latter half of the season are popular because of the fall foliage. 

Voyages in the beginning of the season are subject to pleasant temperatures in the 60s and low 70s, and since it is not yet peak season, you can often find a great rate. Once June rolls around, summer festivals begin to occur, such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Canada Grand Prix, and more.

The summer months are also a great time to try some fresh seafood. Plus, you are more likely to see wildlife during this time. If you are sailing off the coast of Prince Edward Island, be sure to keep an eye out for seals!

If, however, temperature is a concern, you should know that summer in New England brings temperatures in the 80s, but you should not be surprised if they extend into the high 90s.  

As fall rolls around, prices will begin to increase due to the peak foliage opportunities, and while many families may not be onboard, you can expect crowds in port. 

Best time to cruise Hawaii: April-June

Hawaii cruises are great because they allow you to travel from island to island without having to worry about going through airport security and other travel logistics--you can visit multiple islands and only have to unpack your suitcase once! 

Royal Caribbean does not offer year-round sailings to Hawaii. In 2024, they are only offering Hawaii cruises in April, September, and October. Moreover, none of them are round-trip sailings; they are repositioning cruises. 

April is part of the islands' dry season, meaning that you will encounter the lowest amount of rain, and the daytime average temperature is often somewhere between the high 70s and low 80s. Moreover, the spring months are the end of the humpback whale season, so you may be able to spot some migrating up to Alaska!

In the fall, October tends to be wetter than September. Regardless of which month you cruise, the temperature will average somewhere in 80s. 

Pricing varies based on length of itinerary and ship age. You can find 9-night cruises priced around $750 per person or 13-night cruises that begin at $1,165 each. 

Related: Ultimate Hawaii cruise guide

Best time to cruise the Panama Canal: December-March

Cruising through the 51-mile Panama Canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans is is a once-in-a-lifetime trip for many cruisers. 

The typical cruise season lasts from September to April, with a break in the summer due to the region's rainy season. Deployment schedules can vary, though. 

Between the months of December and mid-April, the weather is usually sunny and dry, with the average temperature avenging around the mid- to upper-80s. The region's rainy season begins in mid-April and extends through December. Usually, however, the rainfall does not begin to significantly increase until May. 

January through March is often the region's busiest season, as the weather is most ideal and offers passengers an escape from colder temperatures throughout the United States. 

The cheapest cruises are most likely going to be during the rainy season. A 14-night cruise onboard Brilliance of the Seas that departs on November 7, 2023, for instance, starts at $1,076 per person. In comparison, a 14-night cruise in April 2024 is currently priced at $1,481 per person. 

Thankfully, the rain showers are short-lived and most common in the afternoons and early evenings. 

For many, a cruise vacation is perhaps a once a year kind of vacation, but there are folks that cruise much more often than that, including myself.

We’d all love to cruise frequently with Royal Caribbean—or perhaps even live on a cruise ship—but what are the downsides to cruising a lot?

Millions of passengers sail on cruise ships each year, many of whom find themselves cruising several times per year. It’s not uncommon for those living near a cruise port to sail once a month (or even more!).

Like anything in life, though, doing something too frequently has its downsides. This isn't meant to be any kind of pity party for those of us that cruise often. Rather, I wanted to share with you an inside look at the realities of going on cruise ships often.

Suffice to say, I'm very lucky to have a job that allows me to cruise many times in a year and I love going on ships as a means of not only work, but a way to see the world.

From spending less time at home to gaining a few inches on the waistline, here are the top downsides to cruising a lot.

Cruising becomes less special

If you do anything too frequently, it loses its charm. The same can be said about cruising, and the more you cruise, the less likely you are to experience that “WOW” feeling you had when you boarded a Royal Caribbean cruise for the first time.

Cruising frequently—whether once a month or once a week—turns what would be a special experience into a routine. Elegant three course meals, complimentary entertainment, and a daily schedule of activities become your average day-to-day life instead of something unique.

If you start to feel dulled by the cruise experience, it might be best to take a short break from cruising so you can appreciate it more next time you get onboard.

Less time at home

The more you cruise, the less time you’ll spend at home. And while this may be a trade-off many frequent cruisers are happy to make, it’s important to realize the downsides of spending less time at home.

Cruising frequently means spending less time with your pets, friends, and family members. Not much makes me feel worse than when I'm cruising and picture my dog anxiously waiting for my return home!

Taking cruises a lot can be challenging if you have kids in school, too, and there’s a possibility they’ll fall behind on schoolwork if you take them out of class to cruise.

Before planning frequent cruises, account for how much time you’ll be away and whether commitments at home will allow you to do so.

Overindulgence of food and drinks

One downside to cruising a lot is that, unfortunately, your waistline might increase by a few sizes. Whether a second dessert at dinner or unlimited cocktails on the pool deck, most cruisers find themselves overindulging onboard.

If you cruise a lot, it’s possible you’ll find yourself eating and drinking much more than you otherwise would at home. This can wreak havoc on any healthy eating goals, although there are a few ways to combat cruise ship weight gain.

Related: How I kept from gaining weight on my cruise

Consider taking the stairs instead of the elevator, opting not to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package, and going on daily walks on the jogging track.

Watching the same shows over and over

Because Royal Caribbean ships often stick to the same homeport for several years, many frequent cruisers who live by a cruise port find themselves sailing on the same few ships over and over.

While there’s nothing wrong with this, one downside to sailing multiple times on the same ship is that the entertainment doesn’t regularly change.

Luckily, Royal Caribbean offers stellar entertainment options, from full-length Broadway musicals to brilliant AquaTheater performances. Therefore, even if you do end up sailing on the same ship several times, you’re still guaranteed to be wowed each time you see a show.

Visiting the same destinations

Although Royal Caribbean offers cruises to a diverse array of destinations around the world, many frequent cruisers find themselves sailing to the same few ports.

Texans who only cruise out of Galveston, for example, will usually only sail to ports in the Western Caribbean such as Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, and Belize City. Additionally, those in the northeast will have few choices, with the Bahamas or Canada being the most common options.

Related: 15 countries you didn’t know you could cruise to on Royal Caribbean

If you’re open to flying frequently, you can cruise to a wide range of destinations. For those who live near a cruise port, though, it’s often more tempting to pick the most convenient cruise possible, even if it visits a port you’ve been to twenty times before.

It can get expensive

While the idea of cruising a lot seems nice, the reality is that planning a cruise vacation frequently gets expensive.

It’s not uncommon to find cheap cruise deals for $50 a night per person, but if you cruise once a month (or even more frequently), you’ll be shelling away thousands of dollars throughout the year.

Related: How much does a cruise cost?

Add in the cost of internet, shore excursions, drinks, and specialty dining, and cruising several times a year can become cost-prohibitive for many cruisers.

The bottom line: should you cruise a lot or less often?

Even though there are downsides to cruising a lot, the advantages still outweigh the drawbacks. There’s something to be said about island hopping to gorgeous destinations on the regular, and I’ll always choose to cruise whenever I have the opportunity.

That being said, it’s important to realize that there are certain downsides to cruising often. Less time at home, spending too much money on vacations, and even becoming jaded with the cruising experience are all valid concerns with planning a cruise too often.

If you cruise frequently, have you experienced any of these downsides to cruising a lot? Let us know in the comments below!

Royal Caribbean cruises can cost as little as $50 per person, per night, but what’s the catch? Although it’s possible to find cheap cruise deals on Royal Caribbean, you should expect to pay more than what is advertised on the sticker price.

Budgeting for extras like gratuities, taxes and fees, shore excursions, and drinks are just some of the added expenses that come with any cruise. Plus, if you book the cheapest cruise deal you find, you'll have little choice over the ship, itinerary, and cabin category.

If you remain flexible, though, and understand what to expect when booking a cheap cruise, you can have a spectacular vacation for as little as $50 a day.

Here’s everything you need to know before you book a cheap Royal Caribbean cruise.

Manage your expectations

When booking a cheap, $50 per night cruise, you’ll probably be in an inside cabin.

If you book the cheapest cruise deal you can find, odds are that you’ll be sailing in an inside cabin. These windowless cabins are the smallest and lowest stateroom category found on a cruise ship, but that doesn’t mean they should be avoided.

Related: I tried the best inside cruise ship cabin hacks to see how well they worked

Inside cabins provide the same cozy amenities found in other staterooms, including a king bed, couch or chair, television, closets, vanity area, and private bathroom. Plus, because you’ll save money on cruise fare by staying in an inside cabin, you can stretch your vacation budget much further than if you were to book a balcony or suite stateroom.

Know the difference between a guarantee stateroom and choosing your cabin location.

Before booking a cheap cruise, check to see whether the cruise fare you’re booking is for a guarantee cabin or if you can pick your own cabin location.

A guarantee cabin is when Royal Caribbean assigns your stateroom location, meaning you are unable to select exactly where on the ship your cabin will be. If you aren’t picky about your cabin location, booking a guarantee rate can be a nice way to save money.

If you’d prefer picking your own cabin location, though, expect to pay slightly more per person on the cruise fare.

The cheapest cruises are usually on Royal Caribbean’s older ships. Before booking a $50 per night cruise, research the ship to decide if it’s the best fit for you.

There’s a good chance you’ll find the cheapest cruise fares on Royal Caribbean’s oldest and smallest ships. Vision and Radiance Class cruise ships often have the best deals available; these ships are in far less demand than brand new cruise ships like Odyssey of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas.

Related: Pros and Cons of sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship

While there’s nothing wrong with sailing on an older Royal Caribbean cruise ship, it’s important to manage your expectations about the ship before boarding. If you book a $50 per night cruise expecting the most updated amenities, activities, and dining venues, you’ll end up disappointed.

Most cheap cruises are during the off-season. It's unlikely you'll find a $50 per night cruise during peak season.

Royal Caribbean’s pricing varies drastically depending on the month you sail. Alaska cruises, for example, are priced highest in June, July, and August, but you can usually find fantastic cruise deals to Alaska in May and September.

Likewise, cruises during the holidays are always in high demand, leading to some of the highest prices found all year. As a general rule of thumb, the best Royal Caribbean cruise prices are found during the school year, and more expensive prices are typical during school breaks.

Related: What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

The lowest price per night on a cruise vacation is often found on longer sailings as opposed to short cruises.

While it’s possible to find a $50 per person, per night cruise fare on short sailings, you’ll have the most luck finding cheap deals on longer cruises. Longer cruises, especially those over 7 nights, offer a lower cost per day than shorter sailings.

Some of the absolute cheapest prices per day are found on repositioning cruises on older ships. As ships move from one homeport to another, they often need to cross an ocean, leading to a sailing 10-18 days in length.

It’s common to find prices as low as $50 per person, per day on these sailings, and they visit some of Royal Caribbean’s most unique destinations, from Madeira to the Azores.

Extra costs to consider when booking a cheap cruise

Before booking a cheap Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s important to understand the extra costs associated with a cruise vacation. Airfare, gratuities, and onboard add-ons can significantly increase the price of your cruise. Because of this, you should never view the baseline cruise fare as the entire vacation cost.

Here are some extra costs you may incur when booking a cheap cruise:

Taxes & fees

If you browse Royal Caribbean’s website and are stunned to see a $100 cruise fare on a 3-night sailing, check the fine print below the cruise fare. The price listed in big, bold numbers does not include taxes, fees, and port expenses.

You can expect to pay between $50 and $250 per person for these additional expenses on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The exact taxes, fees, and port expenses vary depending on the destinations your ship will visit.

Airfare & Parking

Unless you’re lucky enough to live within driving distance to a cruise port, you’ll have to purchase airfare to your cruise.

Airfare prices can range from cheap $50 fares on budget airlines to $1000 transatlantic flights. Before booking a cruise, consider the travel cost to the embarkation port. If flying to Barcelona negates the savings of a cheap cruise fare, you might want to consider booking a cruise closer to home.

Likewise, even though one-way Alaska cruise deals are usually cheaper than roundtrip sailings, you’ll have to account for booking two one-way flights, which can often be significantly more expensive than a roundtrip flight itinerary.

If you’re driving to port instead of flying, budget for parking at the cruise terminal. Parking at or near a cruise terminal generally costs between $15 to $25 per day.

Gratuities

All passengers on a Royal Caribbean cruise must pay gratuities, which can be prepaid before your sailing or charged on a daily basis once onboard. Gratuities are a way to reward crew members–including dining and bar staff, stateroom attendants, and hotel service teams–for excellent service.

Gratuities on a Royal Caribbean cruise are $16 per person, per night in Junior Suites and below and $18.50 per person, per night for passengers in Grand Suites and above. In addition, an 18% gratuity will be added to any beverages, specialty dining, mini bar purchases, and spa & salon services.

Pre-cruise hotel stay

Another pre-cruise purchase to account for–particularly if you’re flying to your cruise port–is a hotel stay the night before you embark the ship.

We always recommend arriving in your embarkation city the day before your cruise, as it gives extra wiggle room and flexibility in case of any travel delays. However, one additional cost required by arriving the day before is a hotel stay.

Related: Best Miami hotels near the cruise port

Hotels in cruise ports can range from $100 per night to over $500, depending on your budget and preferences. A rule of thumb is to budget around ~$200-250 for a pre-cruise hotel stay per night.

Drinks & specialty dining

While not a mandatory purchase, many passengers choose to spend extra on drinks and specialty dining on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

While it’s possible to spend an entire cruise without spending extra on food and drinks, purchasing cocktails, mocktails, soda, and specialty restaurant meals is a way many cruisers like to enjoy their cruise vacation.

Related: What’s included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare

Expect to pay between $10-14 for alcoholic beverages, $3 for a can of soda, and $8-9 for mocktails. Specialty dining costs around $25 per person for lunch and $50-60 per person for dinner.

Shore excursions

Shore excursions are another optional add-on for any cruise vacation, and organized tours can cost as little as $25 per person up to $500+ per person. Most excursions will cost between $50-100.

Excursions aren’t necessary, however, and you can almost always save money by planning a day in port on your own. Nonetheless, excursions still come with benefits, from offering a convenient way to see a destination’s top attractions to having added protections when booking through Royal Caribbean.

Related: Is it better to book excursions through the cruise ship?

Internet

If you plan to purchase internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise, budget around $18-20 per device, per day. Note that multiple people can share a 1-device internet package (the cheapest option), but both cannot use the internet on their devices at the same time.

If you don’t want to spend money on an internet package, you can always find internet in port at cafes and restaurants.

Bottom line: should you book a $50 per night cruise?

Cruises offer one of the best values in a vacation; food, entertainment, activities, and accommodations are included in one set price. A $50 per night cruise will almost certainly bring more value to your vacation compared to booking a hotel or resort on land.

Nonetheless, it’s important to understand what extra costs you may incur on a cheap cruise and what to expect once onboard. Although you may not sail on the newest ship or in the most luxurious cabin, there’s nothing wrong with booking a cheap cruise with the right expectations.

Royal Caribbean's chat feature in its app is free for everyone now, but how well does it work?

As of January 1st, 2023 the onboard messaging system on all Royal Caribbean ships is now complimentary for all guests to use during their voyage.

Prior to the 1st of this year, the messaging system was offered to guests for a cost of $1.99 USD per device, per day. With the recent change, guests can now enjoy messaging their fellow travel companions throughout their cruise journey free of charge!

At an event last year in 2021, the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean, Michael Bayley,  stated the following at a question and answer event held onboard Odyssey of the Seas, “I remember that we had a lot of arguments internally within the company about a dollar ninety-nine. I’m tempted to say we’ll drop it, but nobody seems to be reacting against it. So we’ll drop it. Yeah. I think that will be good.”

It seems that Mr. Bayley has made good on his promise, making the messaging feature on Royal Caribbean’s app free for guests traveling after January 1st of this year, 2023.

I recently sailed with Royal Caribbean onboard their ship Mariner of the Seas from January 2nd to January 6th, 2023. While on this trip I traveled with fellow Royal Caribbean Blog and Cruise.Blog writer, Allie. We enjoyed testing out the new complimentary version of Royal Caribbean’s messaging system.

Read on for the best way to use this onboard service!

Downloading Royal Caribbean’s App

(Home screen of Royal Caribbean's phone app)

For many frequent cruise travelers, the first step to planning any voyage is downloading the cruise line’s app. Royal Caribbean’s app has many helpful features for guests to use and enjoy complimentary while onboard, and prior to their trip.

The messaging feature can only be used when a guest is connected to the onboard ship wifi, through the Royal Caribbean app. The Royal Caribbean app can be found in the app store for most smart phones.

Upton check-in day, guests can connect to the ships wifi and use the Royal Caribbean app and the messaging for free.

Adding Travel Companions and Other Guests

After accessing the messaging system, guests can add their friends, family, and fellow travelers using either their stateroom numbers or their reservation numbers, and the guests’ birthdays.

To clarify, the messaging system only works for guests traveling onboard the ship. The messaging system can not be used to message individuals back onshore who are not traveling with Royal Caribbean, or who might be traveling onboard a different Royal Caribbean ship.

Messaging Other Guests

Once all of the travel companions have been added, guests can message people individually, as well as create group chats. The group chat feature is very helpful for notifying your fellow travelers where you will be at what time, for example “after breakfast we will be at the pool deck”, etc.

The messages appeared to be delivered immediately after being sent, and the group chat feature worked seamlessly and efficiently.

Pros of the Messaging System

I cannot count how many times this messaging system proved helpful throughout our 4-night voyage, traveling with friends!

Our entire party consisted of 8 adults and one child, and being able to message each other, check in with everyone, and tell others where we would be a different times during the day was incredibly useful and helpful.

The messaging system is very easy to use. Once you have the stateroom number and names of your travel party, adding them is quick and painless. The instructions in the app are easy to follow.

Messages seemed to deliver quickly and efficiently after being sent.

The physical layout of the messaging system is similar to that of texting normally, and most guests will be able to use the messaging without any issues. The layout is extremely similar to any smartphone.

Improvements that Could be Made

My biggest complaint with the messaging system, was its lack of notifications.

Normally during a vacation I would not want my phone being blown up with notifications, however for using the messaging system it would have been helpful if the app had notified recipients of messages similar to that of a text message.

Instead, I found that notifications seemed to come in only about 20-30% of the time, We tested this several times, but many of the individuals in our travel party also expressed that they were not being notified of received messages.

Along with the lack of notifications, some members of our party owned smart watches (such as an Apple Watch), and some received message notifications consistently on their watches, while others did only some of time.

Because of the lack of notifications, guests had to be diligent about opening the Royal Caribbean app, and checking the messaging portion of the application, to ensure that they were not missing any messages from their friends and family.

A feature of the messaging system that would have been nice to have, is the ability to send pictures to others.

While on our friend trip, we took many fun photos and wanted to share them with each other. While we could wait and send them to each other once the cruise was over, it would have been fun to send photos to each other while we were on the ship.

Other notes

When sending messages, most of the time it appeared that once a guest hit ‘send’, the message would send twice in the app. However, only one message was actually received by the recipients, and when the messaging system was opened again later on, the double message seemed to go away. If you experience this, be assured that your message was only sent once, not twice.

Adding individuals to a group message was very easy, which is helpful as members of your travel party are boarding and disembarking the ship.

Something important to know, is that guests onboard cannot receive messages until they do both of the following things: first guests must be connected to the ship’s wifi. Once connected, guests must then go in to the messaging system, and allow other guests to find their names to add to their messaging system.

If a guest does not select this setting, they will not be able to be added to group chats or individual messages.

Conclusion

(Cruise port in Cozumel, Mexico)

The use of a complimentary messaging system while onboard has already proved to be very helpful to guests. As a traveler who likes to save when they can, I appreciate Royal Caribbean deciding to include this feature as a complimentary service in their app.

Complimentary connectivity makes it easier and more convenient for Royal Caribbean guests to connect with their families, friends, and travel companions during their cruise!

As for us at Royal Caribbean Blog and Cruise.Blog, we are thrilled with the recent change, and will be using it in depth to better connect during our cruise sailings!

When your pull into port, how long does it take to deboard a cruise ship?

Cruise ships travel the world, with stops in many ports along the way. Whether it's the last day of your cruise or just a scheduled visit somewhere, the disembarkation process can be different depending on a few factors.

There's crowds to contend with, along with the logistics of getting passengers and belongings off the ship, local authorities, and more.

If you're to cruising, you want to know how long does it take to get off the cruise ship. Let's break down everything you need to know about debarking a cruise ship so you know exactly what to expect.

How long does it take to get off a cruise ship at port?

On a day your cruise ship visits a port of call, the disembarkation process depends on a few factors.

Before anyone can get off a cruise ship, the country you are visiting needs to clear the ship. Usually a maritime entity will board the ship and do some kind of an inspection to verify the paperwork is accurate and all regulations are being followed.

This must be done at every port of call, even private islands operated by the cruise lines.

How long it takes local authorities to clear a ship depends and can be a few minutes or closer to an hour.

Once the ship is good to proceed the next question is your ship docking at a pier or shuttling guests off via tenders?

The fastest option is if your ship can dock at a pier.  Once the ship is tied up and local authorities clear the ship, guests can walk off the ship just as fast as they can pass through security to indicate they've checked out for the day.

Tender boats have a limited capacity and it takes time to load them up and then subsequently unload them later. The result is usually a wait onboard the ship for a spot on a tender, followed by a wait for the tender to proceed to shore.

No matter which method you have to disembark the ship, you'll need to scan your SeaPass card to show you're off the ship. This is done to have an accurate guest head count for later in the day to know if all passengers are onboard.

Keep in mind any minors need to have an adult present when disembarking the ship, including teenagers. If you want to meet your teens later on shore, they will need an adult with them to disembark the ship. If not, they'll be denied disembarkation.

So how long does it take to get off cruise ship? Once the gangway is open for disembarkation, the real wait is simply how many other people are ahead of you.

When the gangway is open early in the morning, there's rarely a backup of guests to get off the ship (unless it's a tender stop).

If your ship is docked at a pier, expect the disembarkation process to only take a few minutes from when you get down to the gangway area.  In most cases, the longest time required  is the time needed to walk down the pier once off the ship.

If your ship is tendering, you're at the mercy of how many tenders are available, distance from shore, and demand from fellow guests. It could be 10-15 minutes or as long as an hour. 

How long does it take to disembark a cruise ship when it's over?

The process for getting off your cruise ship and going home when the cruise is over has a few more steps you should be aware of.

Royal Caribbean will publish a time your ship is due back into port, but this is only the time the ship docks.  Not the time guests can actually walk off the ship.

Just like a port call, your cruise ship will first need to get clearance from local authorities. Sometimes this is a mere formality and sometimes the inspection takes a while longer. There's no way to know in advance what to expect.

In order to prevent a mass exodus at the same time, Royal Caribbean divides up its passengers by groups. 

Once the ship is cleared, the first people allowed off the ship will be anyone taking their own luggage off the ship. 

Known as self-debark or "walking off the ship on your own", you are responsible for taking all your belongings off the ship and getting them through the cruise terminal.

The longest wait for this is from other people wanting to be among the first to walk off the ship, and there can sometimes be a line of guests waiting to walk off the ship in the morning. This is especially true for weekend cruises when locals are eager to get off the ship and back to work in time.

The good news is the time to walk off the ship is fairly quick once the line starts moving.  As long as there's no delay in the cruise terminal backing up the line, you should be able to walk off the ship in a matter of minutes since all you'll need to do is scan your SeaPass card to indicate you are off the ship.

I've found the longest waits can be for elevators in the morning of the last day of the cruise, rather than a wait to walk off the ship.

If you chose to have Royal Caribbean take your luggage off the ship for you, then you'll need to wait for your group number to be called.

The group numbers correspond to your luggage tag number. When a number is called, it means all the luggage for that number are ready to be picked up in the cruise terminal.

You could walk off the ship before your luggage tag number is called, but you'll simply end up waiting in the cruise terminal for all the luggage to be brought out. Plus, you'll create a crowd and that causes issues for everyone else.

Once your number is called, then you proceed to the gangway area and scan your SeaPass card as you leave the ship.

The time needed to walk off the ship is usually pretty steady, especially at Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship terminals. This includes:

• Port Canaveral: Terminal 1
• PortMiami: Terminal A
• Port Everglades: Terminal 18
• Galveston: Terminal 3

Don't worry if your cruise comes back to another terminal, things will likely still move quick enough.

The biggest issue with knowing how long it will take to walk off the ship are factors no one can truly know in advance:

• How many other guests will try to get off the ship at the same time as you?
• How long it will take authorities to clear the ship?
• Will there be any logistical issues encountered that slow the process?

It could take a few minutes or an hour to walk off the ship once it's over.

The entire process will take a few hours to get every single passenger off the ship when the cruise is over. Usually the last guests are walking off the ship in the 9:00am hour.

Suite guests

If you're staying in a Royal Caribbean suite, the disembarkation process can be faster than for other guests.

The suite concierge can provide expedited disembarkation, which means they will escort you and other suite guests off the ship at a pre-arranged time and bypass some of the line.

In my experience, this means the concierge will walk you past some or all of the line leading up to the check-point where you scan your SeaPass card.  This can save a lot of time, if the check-out line is backed up.

Similarly, a Royal Genie will provide the same service for their guests, albeit just for Star Class passengers. This includes a dedicated elevator and better luggage support on the final morning.

What's earliest time you can walk off if you take your own luggage?

Self assist early walk off is the first to leave the ship after clearance from local authorities. 

The issue here is what time the ship gets cleared, and there's no definitive way to know in advance.

In a lot of cases, it can begin around 7:00am. Sometimes earlier, sometimes later.

Do not assume the time listed for your ship to dock at the pier is the time you can actually walk off the ship.

Top ways to get off the ship fastest when your cruise is over

If your goal is to be able to get off your cruise ship fastest when it's over, here are some tried-and-true methods that work for a lot of people.

1. Walk off with your own luggage

If you can take your own luggage off the ship, then you can disembark just as soon as the ship is cleared. This puts you more in control of your own destiny.

You can even start lining up for disembarkation before the ship is cleared to ensure you're among the first off the vessel.

Of course, this means you have to lug all your belongings out of your room, down the hall, and into an elevator.  Then you have to be able to physically carry everything without any assistance off the ship. Solo cruisers and couples may be able to do this, but families usually find it impossible.

2. Have a passport

If you have a passport, you'll be able to get through the cruise terminal much faster than if you have just a birth certificate.

Most Royal Caribbean terminals now have facial recognition for guests with a passport. It's the fastest way to get on your way.

3. Stay in a suite

The suite concierge provides so many benefits, and priority disembarkation can be worth its weight in gold if getting off the ship with a minimal wait is important to you.

When long lines develop for walking off, the concierge can shave off a lot of time with their ability to cut the line.

You'll need to stay in a Grand Suite or higher for this benefit, and suites are far from inexpensive.

4. Purchase The Key

A benefit of being a guest that purchases Royal Caribbean's VIP program, The Key, is you'll get a special luggage tag.

You won't get to cut the line, but you will be assured your luggage is among the first delivered to the cruise terminal.

Several changes are coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023, from a new Main Dining Room menu to a Perfect Day at CocoCay expansion. Knowing what’s new with Royal Caribbean can help you book, plan, and enjoy your cruise vacation.

2022 saw several major changes for Royal Caribbean, including the return to service of the entire fleet and launch of Wonder of the Seas.

Every year brings the opportunity for more innovation and new projects, however, and here are 5 changes coming to Royal Caribbean in 2023.

New Main Dining Room menu

One of the biggest changes announced for 2023 is Royal Caribbean’s new Main Dining Room menu, which will be rolled out in January 2023 across the fleet. The menu features dishes from a new cuisine each night while still offering several of the old menu’s most popular dishes.

Royal Caribbean tested a new Main Dining Room menu on Symphony of the Seas in fall 2022, marking the first new dining room menu in over five years for the cruise line. A main reason for the change was the goal of quicker service in the dining room.

Related: Royal Caribbean will introduce new main dining room menu in January

Royal Caribbean is hoping to change the average dinner time in the Main Dining Room from 90-120 minutes down to 75 minutes.

The cruise line also feels the new menu will increase quality and consistency of the dishes offered with hotter, fresher, and more consistently plated food.

Adults-only beach at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Hideaway Beach, an adults-only area of Perfect Day at CocoCay, is expected to open in late 2023. The project was originally announced in September 2021.

This complimentary area of Royal Caribbean’s private island is located adjacent to Thrill Waterpark, although not much is known about what the area will entail.

Related: Guide to Hideaway Beach adults-only beach at CocoCay

What we do know is that Hideaway Beach will increase the island’s capacity by 3,000 guests and it will be the only adults-only area at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Icon of the Seas to finish construction

While the first revenue sailing of Icon of the Seas is not until January 2024, the ship will finish construction in 2023.

In early December 2022, Icon of the Seas was floated out of Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, marking a new construction phase for the vessel. Construction will continue over the next several months and the ship is expected to have sea trials in May or June of 2023.

Related: Icon of the Seas: Itinerary, features, and more

Following sea trials, Icon of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in the second half of 2023. Delivery marks the shift in ownership from the shipyard to Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean’s first world cruise sets sail

In October 2021, Royal Caribbean announced its first-ever world cruise, a 274-night journey visiting over 150 destinations in 60 countries. The world cruise on Serenade of the Seas sets sail from Miami on December 10, 2023.

From December 10, 2023 to September 10, 2024, Serenade of the Seas will sail around the world in four segments:

• Round the Horn, visiting the Americas and Antarctica
• Wonders of Asia and the Pacific, which includes a transpacific crossing before visiting Oceania and Asia
• Middle East Treasures and Marvels of the Med, visiting the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Adriatic
• Capitals of Culture, traveling to Morocco, northern Europe, and the Arctic before a transatlantic crossing

The world cruise will mark an important milestone for Royal Caribbean and its success could lead the way to more world cruises being offered in the future.

New homeports and destinations for select ships

Harmony of the Seas will sail from Miami in 2023 for the first time since the ship launched in 2017. Taking the space of Symphony of the Seas (who will spend summer 2023 in Europe), Harmony of the Seas will offer 7-night Caribbean cruises from Miami.

Western Caribbean cruises will visit Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Eastern Caribbean itineraries differ, but may visit St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, San Juan, and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Brilliance of the Seas will sail to Alaska during the summer 2023 season, a first for the ship. She will offer 7-night cruises from Vancouver with ports including Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, Ketchikan, Tracy Arm Fjord, and Icy Strait Point.

What else can we expect from Royal Caribbean in 2023?

It’s likely that we’ll learn more about Utopia of the Seas, the newest Oasis Class ship, at some point in 2023. Utopia of the Seas is currently under construction and set to enter service in spring 2024.

In addition, Royal Caribbean may also announce more information about their port projects in 2023, from Perfect Day at Lelepa in Vanuatu to the Royal Beach Club in Nassau. These projects have been delayed due to the global health crisis but are still being planned.

Which Royal Caribbean change are you most excited about for 2023? Tell us in the comments!