Cruise vacations aren't cheap, but what is the average cost of a 3 day cruise cost?

Prices will vary, but a quick 3-nighter could be the perfect option for those on a budget or looking to getaway quickly.

Royal Caribbean offers 3-night cruises for as little as $400 per person, but there's a catch. You're going to need to be flexible to get rates that low.

A really good last minute deal might come in closer to $500 for two people, but you can expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,500 for a 3-day cruise as a median price.

Prices vary greatly depending on a ship's size and age, the stateroom category you chose, and the sailing date.

Because the cruise is only a few days, you'll spend less on onboard expenses and shore excursions because there's simply less time on the ship.

What's the average cost of a 3-night cruise?

The price of any cruise can vary greatly from one sailing to another. 

The brand new Utopia of the Seas, which is dubbed as Royal Caribbean's weekend party ship has 3-night cruises that are as low as $603 per person. 

Here's a list of the average cruise cost for short cruises between 2025 and 2027:

• Utopia of the Seas: $644 per person
• Wonder of the Seas: $486 per person
• Ovation of the Seas: $300 per person
• Navigator of the Seas: $272 per person
• Jewel of the Seas: $304 per person

This is for the base price of the cruise fare only. That price can increase or decrease depending on cabin category, time of year, the popularity of the sailing, and the ship you choose.

You'll notice 3 day cruises from California are much cheaper than Florida, and that's because those are two very different cruise markets.  California cruises aren't nearly as tropical, despite going to Baja Mexico.  Florida cruises are also easier to get to for most Americans since it's on the east coast.

A 3-night cruise on an older ship will probably cost less than a newer ship, but both will cost more during Spring Break than the third week of January. In short, there are a lot of factors that determine the price of a cruise.

Additionally, while 3-night cruises are cheaper than week-long sailings, a cruise over the weekend tends to cost more than a 4-night cruise during the week. Why? Weekend cruises are generally more popular.

This base cruise fare for a 3-night cruise includes accommodations, meals and snacks at complimentary venues, Adventure Ocean children's programs, entertainment and activities, complimentary drinks, and access to ship amenities such as pools, hot tubs, and fitness centers.

Prices in the U.S. now include all taxes and fees (such as port fees), but exclude the cost of gratuities, add-ons, and your other transportation.

The ship's size and age also impact the cost

You'll want to start planning your weekend cruise by choosing a ship to sail on.

As a general rule, newer and bigger ships have more amenities but come at a higher cost.

For example, the cheapest 3-night Bahamas and Perfect Day weekend cruise on Utopia of the Seas costs $603 per person. That's if you choose an interior room in November 2025, coming out to $201 per night, per person.

In contrast, a Bahamas weekend cruise on Jewel of the Seas, a much smaller Radiance class ship, costs $295 per person in September 2025. For an interior stateroom, you'd be paying around $98 per person, per night.

The activities, restaurant choices, and amount for kids to do could not be more different between Utopia and Jewel.

Before you book a weekend cruise simply based on price, be sure that you'll enjoy all the ship has to offer.

You should choose a vessel based on the itinerary, amenities, and entertainment you appreciate.

Stateroom category has the biggest influence on price

Your cabin category will be one of the biggest influences on your final price tag.

It's one of the aspects that make cruising so adjustable to each budget. Whether you'd like to save money by choosing a smaller room or splurge on a suite, the category is completely your choice.

When booking a cruise, you'll want to carefully decide which has the most value to you: are you looking to save money for shore excursions at port, or do you want to splurge on a lavish suite?

Your choice can mean the difference between thousands of dollars.

Looking at a 3-night Bahamas sailing on Liberty of the Seas in December 2025 costs $338 per person in an interior cabin.

The cheapest cabin, an interior room is a smaller space with no windows.

Upgrading to a balcony room on this sailing takes you up to $571 per person, while a Junior Suite starts at $846 per person.

For the biggest leap in price, the huge Royal Suite comes in at $3,103 per person.

Sailing during peak season and holidays raises your cruise fare

Cruise fares also vary depending on the time and season.

The most expensive sailings will fall during holidays, 3-day weekends, spring and summer break, and the weeks from Christmas to New Year's.

On dates like these, when adults are off work and children have a break from school, supply and demand tend to affect the price.

Cruising during peak dates like these can increase your cruise fare to nearly double what the same sailing might cost in the low season.

To save money on your 3-day cruise, you'll want to cruise during the shoulder season.

Each region has a different season in which you'll find the lowest fares and fewer crowds. 

Additionally, if you're planning a cruise further in advance, it's still better to purchase the sailing as early as possible.

Prices increase as the sailing date gets closer, and from one year to the next.

Add-ons are your choice, but they increase the final bill

In addition to the cruise fare, you have the opportunity to add on optional amenities.

Since Royal Caribbean cruises aren't all-inclusive, it's up to you whether you'd like to purchase add-ons like WiFi, drink packages, specialty dining, spa treatments, shore excursions, and souvenirs. 

Prices on these cruise add-ons vary depending on the item and sailing, but they are typically cheaper for shorter cruises.

Though drink packages and spa treatments can be pricey, you'll find that the cost is less for your shorter, weekend cruise.

Royal Caribbean keeps its cruises non-inclusive so that cruisers can choose which add-ons to purchase based on their preferences.

Your overall base is cheaper overall, and you won't end up paying for anything you don't want.

Royal Caribbean Group shared with investors that the average cruisers spent between $90-100 per person, per day on cruise add-ons.

You'll also have to pay for transportation to and from the cruise port

Additional travel (before and after the cruise) is another factor to include in your cruise budget.

Getting to and from your cruise port will be your responsibility; another added expense.

When planning for your cruise, include in your budget the cost of flights, taxis, and baggage if you need to fly to the cruise port, or gas, parking, and tolls if you need to drive.

It's important to consider how and when you'll travel to the cruise port before purchasing the cruise.

We always recommend arriving at the embarkation port a day early, in case any travel delays occur. This will require you to find lodging or book a hotel room the night before embarkation day—another added cost.

Read more: I tried my first 3-night cruise, here's how it went

If you believe that time is money, there are ways to spend extra to bypass waits on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

A cruise vacation usually includes shows, activities, shore excursions, and lots of other fun onboard.  However, there are thousands of other passengers who also want to do the same thing.

Sometimes there are short waits, while other times, long lines develop for the very popular activities. You could plan ahead and arrive early, book certain things in advance, or hope for the best.  Or you could throw money at the problem.

Spending more money isn't always the solution and you can have a great cruise without spending more money on add-ons.  But for some people, it's worth it to have a more convenient experience. 

If you value time over money, here are four upgrades you could pay for to wait less and skip lines on your Royal Caribbean cruise.

The Key

Perhaps the most popular way to skip a few lines on your cruise is to buy Royal Caribbean's VIP pass, known as The Key.

The Key is an optional purchase to be made before the cruise begins, where guests get extra 1its.  

Benefits of The Key include priority embarkation, special reserved times at signature top deck attractions, tendering priority, and more.

Buying The Key should save you time with a shorter wait to board the cruise ship, as well as disembarking it.  Guests that buy The Key can also enjoy times at specific attractions on their ship, like the rock climbing wall or Flowrider.

The downside to The Key is you have to buy it for everyone in your group above the age of 6 and you have to pay a daily fee for every day of your cruise. Plus, most of the best benefits are just on embarkation day.

However, The Key is the most affordable option on this list and it will shave off some time.

Book a Suite

Another way to bypass a few lines is to stay in a suite instead of a lower category stateroom.

Royal Caribbean has two tiers of suite experiences: the Royal Suite Class on Oasis, Quantum, and Icon Class ships; and the rest of the fleet. There are more lucrative benefits if you're on a ship with Royal Suite Class benefits.

Read more: Royal Caribbean suites overview

There are a few ways staying in a suite can benefit you by skipping lines.

First, you'll get priority embarkation and disembarkation.  When you arrive to the cruise port, there will be a special line just for suite guests and that is almost always shorter than the regular line. Moreover, you'll board the ship first (if they have not started the embarkation process yet).

Priority disembarkation is my favorite suite benefit, as the suite concierge will escort you off the ship and cut through the usually long line on that final morning. This single benefit has saved me a lot of time and my family's sanity trying to get off the ship after the cruise is over.

Suite guests also have reserved seating at shows to enjoy. It's not always the best place to sit, but they are indeed reserved spots for suite guests (as well as top tier Crown and Anchor members). 

While suite guests do not get any special times at signature attractions like those that have The Key, there is reserved seating for suite guests on the pool deck.  Pool deck chairs go quickly, so it's a nice way to not have to be as competitive for a pool chair.

Some of the suite benefits sound similar to The Key, but with a suite you also get an opulent and expansive cabin.

It's also worth mentioning the suite benefits on Royal Caribbean's newer ships are more lucrative than on their older ships.

Read more: Differences between a suite and a balcony

Use a Royal Genie

If you really want to eliminate as many lines as possible, then you should book a Star Class suite.

Star Class is the exclusive top tier of Royal Caribbean's suite program, and guests in these cabins not only get the largest suites on the ship, they also get the service of the Royal Genie.

The Royal Genie is the "easy button" for your cruise, and they can get you access to just about anything without waits.

Not only do you have the regular suite benefits mentioned earlier, but your Genie escorts you onboard the ship at the cruise terminal and is there to get you pretty much anything you want.

You can completely bypass lines for shows, ice skating, laser tag, elevators, and even getting back on the ship.  You just message your Genie with Whatsapp and they'll help you out.

Genies cannot quite bypass every single line (i.e. water slides are still on your own), but it's truly the best choice for anyone that absolutely wants to avoid lines or waits on their cruise and money is not an object.

As you might imagine, a Star Class suite is not cheap.  Often the price for these suites cost five figures, with some of the top suites actually exceeding $80,000.

Private shore excursions

If there's one kind of waiting on a cruise that I personally detest the most, it's waits for a group shore excursion. 

Shore excursions are a lot of fun, but group excursions tend to epitomize the saying, "hurry up and wait". I like to explore things at my pace, and while group shore excursions are quite affordable, I prefer to do things on my own in certain ports.

Booking a private shore excursion could alleviate waits by allowing you to get going and stop and start when you want to.

You could book a private sightseeing tour, or charter a catamaran. There are even Royal Caribbean private excursions you can book through the Private Journeys department.

The downside to a private excursion is the cost.  You'll probably pay much more per person than on a group tour.

A free upgrade: Express Boarding

While everything in our list costs extra, there's an easy way to skip at least one line on your cruise and that's with Express Boarding.

If you happen to sail on a ship that supports Express Boarding, Royal Caribbean will reward you with a faster way to get onto the ship for free.

Read more: Royal Caribbean Express Boarding Review

If you complete all the steps of the check-in process via the Royal Caribbean app, you should get Express Boarding on your SetSail pass automatically.

You'll need to use the app to enter all your information, scan your passport, take a selfie, and answer the health questionnaire the day before the cruise begins.

Read more: Royal Caribbean boarding process walkthrough

It's only available at certain ports and ships, but it's free!

Air travel is different than cruising, and demands an entirely different set of decisions. 

Flying to your cruise adds another factor to your plans, requiring careful consideration. What airport will you fly into? Should you get a nonrefundable ticket?

Adding a second mode of transportation complicates your travel details, and opens up the possibility for even more to go wrong.

A delayed flight could delay your arrival at the cruise port, or a more expensive ticket could cut into your budget for the vacation.

Before you book your flight, there are a few important aspects to consider—and they're not just doubling-checking the booking dates.

If you're thinking about booking a flight to your cruise port, here are some details you should consider first.

Read more: Flight attendant shares 20 tips to minimize air travel fiascos

1. Refundable airfare if your plans aren't certain

A variety of factors could disrupt your travel plans—influencing anything from your cruise date to the passengers flying with you.

Your cruise fare may not be refundable, but you can purchase refundable airfare if your plans are uncertain.

If you're unsure where you're flying, if you'll be able to sail on the cruise, or who's coming with you, refundable airfare is the way to go.

Not all plane tickets are refundable, so you'll have to intentionally plan to make sure you get one.

Tickets that are refundable directly (not in flight credit) often cost more. You'll want to weigh your priorities and your level of certainty about travel plans to decide if this is the best option for you.

Not every airline has refundable fares. 

Southwest, Jetblue, Delta, United, and American Airlines offer refundable tickets for most of their flights.

If you don't want to pay the full price of a refundable plane ticket, some airlines also offer flight credit or points in exchange for a refund.

2. Never book a flight on the same day as the cruise

The most expensive cruise mistake you can make is to book a plane flight on the same day your sailing begins.

The air travel industry experiences frequent delays, and an on-time flight is never promised.

Should your flight arrive late, the cruise ship isn't obligated to wait for you.

If you miss your cruise, that's considered a no-show and the cruise fare won't be refunded, leaving you with an expensive loss and no cruise vacation to enjoy.

Instead, book your flight at least one day before the cruise departs, and plan to stay near the cruise port.

Booking the first flight in the morning also makes it unlikely for you to be delayed, and gives the airline lots of time to re-book you should anything happen.

3. Consider booking international flights through Royal Caribbean

Booking international flights can be a complex, expensive process. 

For an international cruise, you might find yourself needing 2-3 distinct flights to take you to your destination.

Royal Caribbean's flight booking system, Air2Sea, can help with that.

Through Air2Sea, cruisers can purchase air travel that links directly with the cruise booking.

Using Air2Sea is a convenient way to put all your travel information in one place. Additionally, it comes with extra perks like special deals and promotions, as well as 24/7 customer support.

If any unexpected delays or emergencies arise, Royal Caribbean will work to help you. 

Air2Sea offers "assured arrival," meaning that the cruise line will ensure you get on the ship at the next legal port of call should you miss the departure day.

4. Try a better seat for longer flights

As someone who's been on too many international flights to count, they are not easy.

Sitting inside a plane for over 8 hours is a marathon of patience and a test of your ability to plan ahead.

The most memorable flights are the disagreeable ones—where you've been squished between two passengers or seated in the same row as a screaming baby.

A good seat could mean the difference between hours of torture versus hours of relaxation and entertainment.

For longer flights, especially international ones, consider booking a better seat, whether that’s a window seat, or upgrading to business or first class.

If you choose a comfortable seat and more legroom, your body will thank you. 

Instead of arriving at your destination sore, cranky, and tired, you'll land feeling refreshed and ready for your cruise.

For those long flights, prioritizing your comfort is key. 

5. Fly to an alternate airport to save money 

Certain cities are cheaper to fly to than others.

For cruises out of major cities, consider looking for a smaller, nearby city to fly into instead.

Read more: Cheap places in the US to fly to for a cruise

Because smaller airports come with lower fees, airlines price those plane tickets at a lower cost as well.

To save money, consider flying into smaller airports, and then getting transportation to your cruise port. 

For example, if your cruise leaves from Miami, a flight to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is cheaper than one to Miami (MIA).

If the cruise begins in Vancouver, Canada, a domestic flight into Seattle may cost less.

Additionally, if your flight requires a long layover, choose your layover airport carefully. Ensure that it won't be overcrowded and that there is easy access between gates.

6. Get travel insurance

Flying to your cruise means you're adding even more money, time, and effort into your travel plans.

This huge investment—with the potential for more complications—is the perfect opportunity to purchase travel insurance.

Smart cruisers know that travel insurance covers many scenarios beyond your control, and allow you to get compensated should anything go wrong.

When it comes to flights, travel insurance can cover airline cancellations, lost baggage, and more.

Additionally, your health insurance can be out-of-network when you leave the country, so travel insurance can cover any mishaps like accidents, health problems, or even flight incidents.

Travel insurance gives you that extra peace of mind that you'll need when taking multiple modes of transportation on your cruise.

A weekend cruise sounds like the perfect Royal Caribbean cruise because you can get away for just a few nights and not need a lot of time off from work.

There are pros and cons to taking a short cruise over the weekend, but it's often the way a lot of people try a cruise for the very first time.

Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of taking a 3-night Royal Caribbean cruise. Knowing which departure ports offer weekend cruises, which destinations you can visit, and how much to budget for will help determine which weekend cruise will be best for your mini-getaway.

Best ship for a weekend cruise

While all Royal Caribbean ships may offer a 3-night cruise here and there, there are several ships that almost exclusively run on the same schedule every week. These ships tend to offer 3-night cruises from Friday afternoon to Monday morning and 4-night cruises from Monday afternoon to Friday morning.

While most ships running weekend cruises are not the newest and largest in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, the majority of these ships have recently been amplified in the cruise line’s Royal Amplified program. Amplifications bring an impressive upgrade to Royal Caribbean ships, adding new onboard activities, stateroom options, and dining/lounge venues.

Utopia of the Seas is the hottest new cruise ship on the market, and is designed to be the ultimate weekend cruise ship, especially if you're new to cruising.  

Sailing from Port Canaveral, Utopia of the Seas offers 3-night weekend cruises from Friday to Monday that visit Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas.

The new ship has 21 restaurants, five pools, two casinos, and an ice skating rink.

Allure of the Seas also offers weekend cruises from her homeport of Miami, Florida. She departs on Friday afternoons and visits both Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay before returning back to Florida on Monday morning.

Allure of the Seas makes a great weekend cruise option for those who love having a nearly endless amount of activities to choose from onboard, from zip lining to AquaTheater shows.

Voyager of the Seas offers longer weekend cruises from Port Canaveral. She has 4- and 5-night cruises in 2024 and 2025, and they go to Cozumel, Mexico, or Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic in addition to The Bahamas.

Voyager of the Seas is a mid-sized ship and the original Voyager Class cruise ship. She has a lot to do, and her prices tend to be very competitive. She doesn't sail the Friday to Monday weekend cruises, however.

Freedom of the Seas, a Freedom Class ship, will offer seasonal 3-night weekend cruises from Miami in 2025, visiting both CocoCay and Nassau.

Freedom of the Seas was amplified in February 2020 and received a major upgrade, with additions including the Perfect Storm waterslides, a Caribbean resort-style pool deck, and the new Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen restaurant.

Independence of the Seas is the weekend getaway ship of choice for those who prefer to depart from Miami, Florida. 

Independence of the Seas is a Freedom Class cruise ship offering 3-night cruises to Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas. Passengers on Independence of the Seas can enjoy an escape room, water slides, and the Izumi hibachi restaurant.

Navigator of the Seas, a Voyager Class ship, is the only Royal Caribbean cruise ship permanently homeported at the Port of Los Angeles. 

She offers 3-night weekend cruises to Ensenada, Mexico. Navigator of the Seas was amplified in 2019 with a Caribbean resort-style pool deck, new tropical-themed bars like the Bamboo Room, an escape room, and more.

Weekend cruise itineraries

Royal Caribbean offers cruises as long as 19+ nights and as short as 2 nights to destinations all over the world. Regardless of whether you book the longest cruise, a transpacific sailing visiting French Polynesia and New Zealand, or the shortest cruise to the Bahamas, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable cruise vacation.

How long are weekend cruises?

Most weekend cruises tend to be three nights, leaving port on Friday afternoon and returning early Monday morning. A 3-night cruise gives the perfect length for a true “weekend getaway,” allowing you to forget all the stress brought on by work or school and truly escape.

Occasionally you may find 2-night cruises over the weekend, which leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday morning, although these are much less common.

Weekend cruise departure ports

Most of Royal Caribbean’s regularly scheduled weekend cruises leave from the ports of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Los Angeles.

Due to the Passenger Vessel Services Act (otherwise known as the Jones Act), all foreign-flagged ships departing from the United States must include an itinerary stop in a country other than the United States.

Weekend cruises from New York, Boston or Baltimore don't exist because of the time required to reach a foreign port due to distance.

On some occasions you may find weekend cruises leaving from other ports around the world, such as Southampton, England and Haifa, Israel, although these tend to be more of a one-time cruise than a weekly itinerary choice.

Where can I visit on a weekend cruise?

Weekend cruises are fairly limited in the destinations they can visit, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience an amazing day in port on a 3-night getaway.

Nassau, Bahamas

Nassau is the capital of New Providence Island and is one of the most commonly visited ports on any Royal Caribbean cruise. The city is filled with fun activities, from waterparks to historical sites and enjoying day passes at all-inclusive resorts.

While it’s possible to disembark the ship in Nassau and simply walk around, we highly recommend planning what you would like to do in Nassau in advance to ensure you don’t miss out on the island’s best offerings and beaches.

Read more: Best things to do in Nassau on a cruise

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean’s private destination in the Bahamas and is a favorite port among cruise fans. The island offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking to spend the day relaxing at Chill Beach, join the party at the swim-up bar, reserve a private, floating cabana, or slide down the tallest waterslide in North America.

While it’s not necessary to have a plan for your day at CocoCay, it’s a good idea to be familiar with what is offered on the island to ensure you can book any excursions or addons in advance.

Ensenada, Mexico

Ensenada is a port city on Mexico’s Pacific coast in the state of Baja California. If you’ve taken a cruise to other Mexican ports like Cozumel and Costa Maya, you’ll be surprised at how different the geography and coastline of Ensenada is compared to the Caribbean.

Whereas the Yucatan peninsula offers dense jungles, Mayan ruins, and calm beaches, Ensenada has a dry climate. A day in Ensenada is best spent enjoying Baja California’s nature, whether exploring the Calafia Valley Wine Country, riding an ATV on the coast, or hiking through El Salto Canyon.

Read more: A day in Ensenada, Mexico while cruising on Navigator of the Seas

Other destinations

Royal Caribbean occasionally offers short cruises to more exotic destinations. Currently, there are cruises to Cyprus, Le Havre (Paris), and Naples, Italy available to book! The vast majority of weekend cruises, however, tend to visit the same ports due to their proximity to the United States.

Will there be a sea day?

The majority of weekend cruises departing from Florida do not have a sea day, although you may occasionally run into an itinerary with one day at sea. Weekend cruises tend to be port-intensive, meaning they stop in a new port each day.

The exception is with cruises departing from the Port of Los Angeles on Navigator of the Seas. Weekend cruises on Navigator of the Seas have a full day at sea prior to a port day in Ensenada, Mexico. A sea day is perfect for trying the newly amplified ship’s upgraded features, including the longest waterslide at sea and The Lime & Coconut Bar.

If your weekend cruise itinerary does not include a sea day, that does not mean you have to disembark the ship in each port you visit. Many passengers opt to spend one of the port days onboard instead of in port so they can make the most of the cruise ship’s activities, dining, and amenities.

Which cruise ship should I pick for a weekend cruise?

Most of Royal Caribbean’s ships offering weekend cruises are extremely similar to each other, but Utopia of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are the notable favorites.

Being among the biggest cruise ships in the world, Utopia of the Seas and Allure of the Seas offer the most to do onboard and the most choices in entertainment, dining, and activities.

The Voyager and Freedom Class cruise ships are almost identical in layout and onboard features. While some dining venues, bars, and water slides may differ, passengers should expect a relatively similar experience no matter which Voyager or Freedom Class ship they choose. The primary benefit of these ships over the Oasis Class ships is price, as they are likely going to be noticeably cheaper.

There are a few differences between them that should be noted, though:

• Utopia of the Seas is the perfect ship if you want the very best and newest features, and don't mind paying more than other weekend cruise options
• Allure of the Seas does not yet have as many upgrades as Utopia of the Seas. However, prices on Allure tend to be quite competitive
• Navigator of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas offer different styles of waterslides than the other ships
• There is an escape room available on Freedom, Independence, Navigator, and Utopia of the Seas
• Freedom Class ships are longer than Voyager Class ships, giving more space for a Splashaway Bay area for kids on the pool deck and more venues and stores inside the ship
• Utopia of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Navigator of the Seas offer the revamped Adventure Ocean kids programming, which offers kids more flexibility in activities rather than a rigid activity schedule

Should I pick Utopia of the Seas?

Utopia of the Seas stands apart from any other cruise ship offering weekend cruises because she's brand new and offers so much more to do onboard.

Royal Caribbean thinks Utopia of the Seas is the top choice for anyone who wants to do a weekend cruise, especially first-time cruisers. Utopia has the best in class offerings, which means her pools, activities, shows, and cabins are arguably superior to any other Oasis Class ship.

A 3-night cruise on Utopia of the Seas will almost certainly be the type of sailing where the ship is considered the destination. Whether dining outdoors in Central Park, watching impressive acrobatics and diving in the AquaTheater, or zip lining over the Boardwalk, it’s unlikely a weekend will be enough time to explore the entire ship!

Read more: Royal Caribbean has a plan to dominate short cruises with a new ship and private destinations

One important distinction to note before booking a weekend cruise on Allure of the Seas is that she has a few differences compared to other Oasis Class cruise ships. While she was scheduled to be amplified in 2020, her amplification has been postponed. Therefore she does not have many features you will find on other ships offering weekend cruises, including water slides, an upgraded pool deck, and new restaurants and bars.

Weekend cruise cost

Weekend cruises offer a great value for a short getaway, as food, lodging, entertainment, and onboard activities are included in your cruise fare. When comparing the price of a hotel, dining at restaurants, and purchasing tickets to entertainment on land, a cruise tends to come at a much lower cost.

In general, a weekend cruise in the cheapest stateroom category (interior) will cost between $700 and $1,000 total for 2 adults. The cost of a balcony stateroom will be slightly higher, usually falling somewhere between $1,000 and $1,450.

Weekend cruises can differ in price depending on the following factors:

• How far in advance you book the cruise
• What time of year you plan to cruise
• Which stateroom you select
• Whether you purchase cruise add-ons or shore excursions

Generally speaking, the further in advance you book a cruise, the cheaper your price will be. Booking a year in advance can usually net a better price than waiting until just a few weeks or months until the cruise.

This is not always the case, however, as there may sometimes be last-minute weekend cruise deals available. Last-minute deals should not be relied upon, though, and the last thing you want to happen is have a weekend cruise sell out before you can book it!

The time of year you sail can be one of the biggest factors in determining how much a weekend cruise will cost. Summer months and holidays can bring the highest prices due to demand, whereas the months of January, February, September (excluding Labor Day weekend), October, and November (excluding Thanksgiving) tend to be cheaper.

The category of stateroom you select can also make a big difference on the overall cost of a weekend cruise. Interior staterooms will almost always be the cheapest stateroom category available.

Interior rooms can actually make a fantastic stateroom choice for a weekend cruise. Not only will you save money, but with such a short cruise, it’s unlikely you will be spending much time at all in your stateroom anyway. There is so much to do onboard a Royal Caribbean weekend cruise that you might only be in your room to shower and sleep!

Cost of cruise add-ons and excursions

One of the biggest benefits to booking a weekend cruise is that booking a dining or beverage package comes with less of a “sticker shock” than on a longer sailing.

If a beverage package is priced at $75/day on a 7-night cruise, your total cost will be over $500 plus gratuities! If that same price is offered on a 3-night cruise, you’ll only be shelling out around $225 plus gratuities.

This can make purchasing a beverage package much more enticing. Plus, it’s unlikely you will get bored or tired of drinking on a short cruise. It’s common for many passengers to order fewer drinks as the days go on during a longer cruise, thus not getting the full value of their drink package. 3-nights is a more reasonable amount of time to enjoy unlimited tropical cocktails, beer, wine, coffee drinks, and fresh juices without feeling like you’ve been drinking too much!

Another great thing about the majority of Royal Caribbean’s weekend cruises is that they include a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay. It’s extremely easy to spend an entire day at CocoCay without spending anything extra, as food, beaches, pools, hammocks, and more are included in your cruise fare. Drink packages work on the island, too, meaning you won’t have to budget anything extra for drinks.

Pros and cons of weekend cruises

Pro: Relaxing getaway

A weekend cruise can offer a much-needed getaway for many passengers. Being able to leave any stress at home and visit multiple tropical destinations in a short amount of time is simply a wonderful way to spend a weekend.

Cruises tend to be much more relaxing than other weekend getaways as well. There’s no need to worry about constantly driving from place to place, paying high prices for food at every meal, and finding activities that are fun for both kids and adults. A cruise offers everything you need in one package.

Plus, many of the same benefits that you will receive from a longer cruise (excitement of going somewhere new, feeling pampered, etc.) you will also receive on a short sailing.

Pro: Less vacation time needed

A great benefit of a weekend cruise is that far less vacation time is needed compared to a 7-night cruise, especially if you live close to the departure port. By departing on Friday afternoon and returning Monday morning, it’s possible to take just one or two days off of work.

If you have few vacation hours or you’re saving them for a longer trip, a 3-night cruise offers the chance to have a mini-vacation without sacrificing your precious PTO time.

Pro: Ability to splurge

A shorter cruise can be a great time to splurge on things like drink packages, shore excursions, and specialty dining. Knowing you don’t have to budget for a full week’s vacation might make you more willing to pay for a few extras to enhance the cruise experience.

Spending $100 for a shore excursion in Nassau may not seem as bad when you don’t have 3 or 4 other ports to visit. Likewise, booking a specialty dinner at Chops, Izumi Hibachi, or Jamie’s Italian can be a nice way to “splurge” while still having a fantastic weekend getaway.

Con: higher cost per day

A major drawback to a weekend cruise is that the cost per day of a 3-night cruise is often more expensive than the cost per day of a longer cruise. To put this into perspective, I checked the prices of two cruises: a 3-night cruise on Freedom of the Seas and a 7-night cruise on Allure of the Seas. Both sailings take place in September, just after the summer cruise season is over.

On the 3-night sailing on Freedom of the Seas, the cruise fare for 2 adults in a balcony stateroom is $1,068. This makes the cost per day $356 per room, or $178 per person.

On the 7-night sailing on Allure of the Seas, the cruise fare for 2 adults in a balcony stateroom is $1,960 total. This makes the cost per day $280 per room, or $140 per person.

While the cost per day ($178 versus $140) may not seem too drastic, it becomes much different once the cost of airfare and a pre-cruise hotel stay are added to the total cruise cost.

Let’s say you pay $300 roundtrip (per person) in airfare and $250 for a hotel the night before your cruise. This adds $850 to your total cruise cost.

The 3-night cruise now costs $1,918, making the cost per day around $639 per room, or $319 per person. The 7-night cruise, on the other hand, now costs $2,810, making the cost per day $401 per room, or around $200 per person.

Con: It’s over before you know it

Booking a 3-night cruise sounds like a perfect idea… until it’s over! Weekend cruises go by very quickly, and they seem to be over just as you are getting acquainted with the ship and settling into “vacation mode”.

While a short cruise is still better than no cruise at all, you’ll likely wish you had at least one or two more days onboard.

Read more: Is it worth it to book a 3-night cruise?

Pro and Con: Party atmosphere

Weekend cruises tend to come with a bigger party atmosphere when compared to longer sailings. Bachelor parties, wedding guests, and friend groups are common on shorter cruises… and they come onboard to party!

Whether this is a pro or con ultimately depends on your preferences. It does lead to an extremely lively atmosphere onboard, but if you’re looking for a quiet sailing, a weekend cruise may not be the best choice for you.

Have you ever been on a weekend cruise? What tips and tricks do you have for others planning 3-night Royal Caribbean cruises? Let us know in the comments!

As someone that cruises for a living, there are a few things I'd never buy for my cruise.

There are many choices in what extras you can purchase for a cruise. Many are aimed at adding convenience, or simply an experience you cannot otherwise enjoy. 

To be clear, I'm not someone who shy's away from spending money on add-ons.  There are many I've come to relish, and some I pick up once in a while.

In my opinion, the items on this list are either cruise add-ons I think overall are not worth it, as well as some that simply do not mesh with my style of cruising.  Consider this a glimpse into my thought process, and perhaps it's something consider before you purchase something in the Cruise Planner.

Arcade credits end up being wasteful

I have two kids, but I never buy the pre-purchased arcade credits prior to the cruise.

Royal Caribbean sells arcade credit packages that save a few dollars off the total price, but my issue with arcade credits is how you actually get to use them.

You won't know which arcade games are actually on the ship until you board, which means your kids might love or hate the options there.  More problematic is the fact quite often there are a subset of arcade games that are out of order.

It's not unusual for a handful of games to be broken, thus reducing the choices available.

The other problem is that all games have different credit requirements, and I've found with the arcade packages you end up with unused credits and it becomes a challenge to use them all.

Instead of buying arcade credit packages, I'll just swipe and play games a la carte.  It ensures I don't have any leftover credits, and there are games to play my kids actually enjoy. Plus, if we run out of time or just never make to the arcade, I'm not worried about losing that arcade credit investment.

Photo packages are restrictive

I think a photo package might be a good purchase for larger families, but it's something I stopped buying.

I have no issue with the photo package value, but I've found we stop taking that many professional photos while we cruise. On an average cruise, if we take two or three photos, it's a miracle.  This is partly because we cruise often enough we aren't worried about getting photos since we can always get another later, and partly because of the long lines in the evening for photos.

The other lesser known detraction of a photo package is someone in your cabin needs to be in the photo for it to be included.  Meaning, if you're traveling with friends or family, unless one person from your cabin is in the photo, that would not be included in the package, even though they are part of your traveling party.

If you're new to cruising or do not cruise very often, a photo package can be a great purchase. But I stopped buying it.

Bus tours are disappointing

Of all the shore excursions you can take, a bus tour is arguably the least worthwhile purchase.

Bus tours sound like it could be a good way to see a port, but you're going to be in a large group and the bus may not stop at the places you want to stop at.  Moreover, the time you have at each stop inevitably is either too short or too long. What if you want to linger longer and explore more? Or completely skip that tourist trap souvenir shop near the scenic view?

Plus, you may not need a bus tour to enjoy your day. You could take a cab, walk and explore on foot, or book a smaller tour without the crowds.

I don't like the idea of animal encounters

My views on the use of animals for purpose of tourist meets has changed, and I don't have any desire to book a tour involving captive animals.

I'm referring to dolphins and other marine wildlife that you can meet in an enclosure.  I have no problem with whale, bear, or other animal watching tours in the wild. 

Besides the crazy high prices charged for these excursions, I find issue with them and won't book any.

The Key isn't as good as it looks

Royal Caribbean's VIP program to get you special benefits for a price simply sounds better than it really is.

I have found repeatedly guests can achieve similar results on their own with a bit of advanced planning, and I think the money is better spent elsewhere.

Priority embarkation on embarkation day? Just get an early check-in time when check-in times become available 45 days before the cruise starts and you'll be among the first to board the ship.

Chops Grille lunch on embarkation day? Book it on your own.

Priority for signature activities? It's always for the less desirable activities (Flowrider, rock wall, etc) and the times are never convenient. It's either early in the morning or around dinner time, and these are times when lines are naturally shorter anyway.

The appeal of The Key is to buy it and then not have to do anything else. It includes WiFi, and sometimes the price is barely more than buying just the WiFi package. But I think the benefits look better on paper than they are in practice.

Casitas are pricey and distant

No one likes to compete for a deck chair on a sea day, but casitas are expensive for what you get.

Beyond the price, I think casitas are located too far away from the actual pool (usually they are on the upper pool deck) and the have no walls, which means there isn't always shade provided.

The price is cheaper on port days, but you probably don't need to worry about finding a seat at the pool on a port day because so many other passengers are off the ship.

I find Up, Up, and away balloon ride to be unreliable

The chances the Up, Up, and away helium balloon ride is actually operational the day you visit Perfect Day at CocoCay are pretty low.

The Up, Up and Away helium balloon takes guests 450 feet above the ground, providing the highest vantage point in The Bahamas. While this sounds really neat, it rarely operates.

The balloon seems to require near perfect weather conditions to operate, and it's quite rare to see it working.

The reason I don't buy it is because you can't count on it, and I'd hate to pass up something else in favor of the balloon.

If you want to try your luck, I'd skip buying it in advance and if you spot the balloon in the air on the day you visit CocoCay, head over and buy a ticket on the spot. There's less disappointment in that scenario.

Watches are notorious for being a poor value

I have yet to buy a watch on a cruise, but stories from other cruisers will likely ensure that never happens.

Many people have a watch addiction, and you'll find plenty of watches in the onboard jewelry stores. The problem is how much they are actually worth.

There are lots of stories of guests feeling bamboozled after buying a watch on a ship.

Just like the art auction, I think you should buy something because you think it will look nice to own, and not primarily for an investment.

The pre-vacation checklist can feel endless, with tasks ranging from documents to packing and purchases. To add to that list, you also want to look your best during a cruise.

Depending on your preferences, you might want your hair, lashes, and nails done before a cruise.

However, there's a way to shorten this to-do list and simplify the process. Getting beautiful nails before your cruise doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive.

Here's how I get cute, sturdy cruise nail styles in just a few minutes.

Please note that we’ve linked items on Amazon, which contains an affiliate link. This affiliate link costs you absolutely nothing extra, but Royal Caribbean Blog makes a small commission if you purchase it.

How to do your nails for a cruise

For a convenient and cheap way to do your nails, I highly recommend press-ons.

The nice thing about press-ons is that they range in price, so they can fit any budget.

If you'd like a cheap set, you can find options for as little as $6. If you'd like a more quality set of nails, you can find handmade and custom options for $50 and above.

All you need to apply them are the nails, nail glue, and a nail file.

They can easily fit inside a carry-on bag, or quickly be applied before your cruise.

Press-ons have risen in popularity in recent years, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Rihanna sporting them on vacation.

You can find endless styles of press-ons in stores and online—I purchased mine from Amazon.

First, you'll want to start with a set of press-on nails.

Your pack of nails should come with a nail file and a cuticle pusher. 

Your set may also come with a pack of jelly tabs for adhesive. I don't recommend using these, especially on a cruise. These tabs are designed to come off in water, so washing your hands or going into the pool will cause your nails to fall off. Instead, purchase a strong nail glue—I like the Kiss or Sassi brands.

To prepare your nails, make sure they are clean and dry, and cut as short as possible.

Use an alcohol wipe to clean them off, and then push back your cuticles.

After this, you'll need to file your nails thoroughly. Filing them gives the nail glue a rough surface to stick to.

The nail file that comes with your press-ons should work fine, but I also like to purchase my own for a stronger hold and finer grit.

After filing, you can start to glue down the nails.

Start from your pinky fingers and do your thumbs last (this gives you enough strength to push down the nails with your thumbs).

Apply a small amount of glue in the middle of the press-on nail, and then spread a thin layer over your real nail. Make sure the glue is distributed evenly, without getting any on your skin.

Let the glue dry for a minute to 30 seconds, and then carefully press the fake nail onto your real one.

Be careful to line it up evenly, because you only have a short amount of time to adjust the angle before the glue dries.

After the nail is applied the way you like, press down on the nail to stick it to your finger.

Continue this process with each hand.

Once all of your nails are applied, try to keep your hands dry for about half an hour. This will give them the chance to set and dry securely.

Depending on how experienced you are, the whole process should take 15-30 minutes.

You can easily apply press-ons while in the packing process, instead of trying to rush to make an appointment with a nail salon before your departure.

Press-on nails don't use many supplies. You don't need a UV light to cure them or an electric nail file. 

They can also be packed up in a bag, and you can apply them at the beginning of your cruise!

Cruise nail ideas

What kind of nails should you do for a cruise?

Nail styles are so fun because you can change the theme depending on the occasion.

Press-on nails are also a great way to do this because they can be applied and removed quickly and easily. 

Even if your cruise is just for a weekend, you can apply these nails in a matter of minutes and remove them when the cruise is over.

The classic patterns for a cruise would involve blue or ocean themes, such as blue swirls or seashell and pearl styles.

However, you can also switch up your style and go as creative as you want.

Tropical flowers, summery fruit, or sea animals would all be cute styles for a cruise.

You could even style your nails based on the cruise's itinerary.

For a Mediterranean cruise, try designs like:

• Blue and white tile
• Classical or Impressionist art 
• Simple French tips

For a Caribbean cruise:

• Beach waves
• Hibiscus flowers
• Sunset colors
• Palm trees and coconuts

For an Alaskan cruise:

• Glow-in-the-dark
• Whale tails
• Mountains and icebergs

For a cruise to Mexico:

• Tequila and lime
• Tropical fruit
• Starfish and sea turtles

For a cruise in Asia:

• Lily pads
• Cherry blossoms
• Cute cartoons like Sanrio characters

For my recent cruise, I went with a light pink and white pearly pattern.

The textured patterns and pearl charms were reminiscent of sea animals and a mermaid theme, while the pink and white took the nails beyond a basic ocean look.

I choose a medium-length almond style, perfect for a cute look while also leaving me lots of room for movement.

I also tried a long coffin style on a recent cruise.

These nails were a cute nude to blue ombre, featuring white hibiscus flowers.

The pattern was cute and stylish, matching the blue and ocean themes all around.

However, these nails were very long. The longer your nails, the less mobility you'll have.

If you're less experienced with wearing long nails, consider what activities you want to do on your cruise before applying them. If you'd like to be active and have a lot of mobility on your cruise, I recommend purchasing shorter nails.

More press-on cruise nails:

• Pink mermaid with pearls
• Starfish in neon pink
• Short square fruit for summer
• Glossy starfish and beach wave design
• Short ocean design tips

While a lot is included in your Royal Caribbean cruise fare, there are extra costs that can add up to your final bill.

The base cruise fare you pay includes your cabin, most meals, and entertainment.  It represents an excellent value, and it's attractive to many people who want to try cruises for how much you get.

However, a Royal Caribbean cruise is not all-inclusive and there are things that will cost extra. Some may surprise you, but it's part of the modular approach to cruise ship pricing.

While you may not be shocked to see a spa treatment or souvenir costs extra, there are fees that will encounter that are not as obvious.

The more you know in advance of your cruise means there is less to be surprised by later on.

Gratuities

With the exception of Australia, Royal Caribbean does not include gratuities for crew members in its cruise fare and you'll be expected to pay it later.

Royal Caribbean charges an automatic gratuity to every passenger, regardless of age, that covers the services provided by your stateroom attendant and dining room staff. These crew members work extremely diligently to ensure you have a great cruise experience, and the gratuity is a way to recognize their hard work.

Decades ago, gratuities were paid by hand in the form of cash at the end of the cruise and it was always a bit awkward. To make it simpler, these have become automatic to be charged to the guest. 

If you were to book a cruise and then do nothing else, you'll see a daily charge of $18.00 per person, per day for standard cabins and $20.50 per person, per day for guests in Grand Suites and above. 

The best way to avoid paying gratuities onboard is to pre-pay them prior to the cruise beginning. Simply ask your travel agent (or Royal Caribbean if you booked directly with the cruise line) to add it to your account.  This ensures you pay the gratuities before the cruise begins and there are no surprises once onboard.

Before someone comments on this post and points out you can go to Guest Services to remove gratuities from your account all together, it's important to note that ability is so that the guest can then turn around and pay gratuities in cash "the old fashioned way".  It is not meant as a money-saving strategy.

Internet

When you're on a cruise ship, expect to have to pay to use the internet on mainstream cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean.

Unlike hotels on land, the cost of satellite internet is significantly higher. Internet on land relies on cables, whereas cruise ships don't have that ability.

Internet access on Royal Caribbean will cost you about $22.99 for one device at a time onboard, although you can get a discount if you pre-purchase it on Royal Caribbean's website.  Likewise, there are WiFi discounts offered for Crown and Anchor Society members.

You could avoid internet charges by waiting until you get to a port of call to use the internet. Quite often there are restaurants, bars, or cafes that include free internet for their visitors. Some cruise terminals offer complimentary WiFi as well.

Another option is to book a suite (Grand Suite or higher category suite) on an Oasis, Icon, or Quantum Class cruise ship.  Suites on these big ships include a complimentary one-device internet package for each guest in the cabin, regardless of age.

Onboard attractions

Royal Caribbean is known for the amazing things you can do on a cruise ship, and some come with an extra cost.

There are private lessons at the Flowrider surf simulator, rides on the North Star, and private karaoke sessions that all have an extra cost.

The good news is you can avoid these extra costs by taking a more DIY approach.

The Flowrider has plenty of complimentary sessions throughout your cruise. While you won't have an instructor, the crew members working are happy to offer tips and advice when it's your turn.  A few falls and you'll probably pick it up.

Read more: I learned how to surf on a weekend cruise

North Star costs money if you go for a ride while the ship is at sea, but it's complimentary while in port.  In my experience, there's no reason to pay for the sea day sessions.  You'll get a very similar experience while docked in port.

Newer Royal Caribbean cruise ships with private karaoke rooms can be rented at Spotlight Karaoke, but this is a luxury you don't need to buy. In the main venue, karaoke is complimentary, so you just need to sign up for a turn.

Some onboard activities have no workaround to the cost, such as the escape room or Crown's Edge experience. If you really want to try these, you'll have no choice but to pay them.

Room service fee

Royal Caribbean charges for room service to have food delivered to your cabin, and it's a $7.95 service fee with a 18% gratuity that brings the total price to $9.40. This is per order, not per item.

The continental breakfast has no service fee, and it offers toast, bagels, coffee, donuts, cereal and more. It's perfectly suitable for a light meal.

If you really love room service, then you could book a suite. Grand Suites and above include room service as part of the suite experience.

Specialty restaurants

No matter which cruise ship you sail on there, there will be a few restaurants that have an additional cost to dine there.

Read more: How does specialty dining work

The appeal of these restaurants are cooking styles and/or food quality you cannot find elsewhere on the ship.

Before you assume these restaurants are necessary, you shouldn't overlook the included restaurants. Most people find the Main Dining Room, Windjammer buffet and other included options satisfactory and an enjoyable experience too.

While there's nothing wrong with choosing to pay extra for a specialty restaurant meal, be aware there is more than enough food included with your cruise fare that you do not have to pay for the extra cost restaurants.

Read more: 7 reasons to eat at specialty restaurants instead of the Main Dining Room on your cruise

If you think you will eat at a specialty restaurant, be sure to pre-book before the cruise because there are discounts offered regularly off the onboard price.

Beverages

Just like dining, there are some drinks included with your cruise fare and others that cost extra.

Royal Caribbean includes coffee, water, tea, and flavored water in its cruise fare, so you don't need to pay extra for bottled water or specialty coffees.

If you want soft drinks or alcoholic beverages, you'll probably save money if you purchase those in the ports your ship visits.

Many times the cost of a beer, latte, or margarita is cheaper in the ports you visit than on the ship.

Another option for those that want to enjoy unlimited drinks without the surprise bill later is to buy a drink package. Pre-purchasing one could save you hundreds of dollars later.

Shore excursion prices

Royal Caribbean will offer many shore excursions in the ports you visit, and while these organized tours are a great way to see the place you are visiting, they're optional.

You could very easily walk off the ship and explore on your own. There's no requirement to have a tour booked in order to disembark a cruise ship.

By doing a little research prior to your vacation, you could come up with a walking tour on your own.  Or you could just walk around and see what you can find on foot.

A less-expensive option is to book a shore excursion through a third-party (rather than Royal Caribbean). Sometimes this gets you a similar tour at less of price. Be sure to vet the tour operator and ensure you have ample time to return to the ship before it is scheduled to depart.

Read more: Simple tips to safely take a cruise ship shore excursion

An oversold cruise ship isn't unheard of in the cruise industry.

Travelers may be used to hearing about oversold flights or hotels, but cruise lines do sometimes overbook their ships anticipating last-minute cancellations. It's much less likely for an oversold cruise ship to result in someone being booted off the ship, but it does rarely occur.

Unlike a flight, being out of a cruise vacation means a multi-day plan change and it's not like there are as many cruise ships as airplanes in service to pick up the slack.

In case you're wondering, here's how Royal Caribbean handles overbooked cruises so you know what to expect.

Looking for volunteers

In the weeks leading up to the cruise, Royal Caribbean monitors its bookings as part of its inventory management process.  If it sees a potential issue, the cruise line reaches out proactively to remedy the situation.

Guests sailing on Symphony of the Seas June 14, 2024 cruise received an email last week to ask select cruisers if they would consider rebooking.

Royal Caribbean did not come out and use words like "oversold" or "overbooked", but the email appears to be a way to free up cabins so the ship will not be oversold.

"Ahead of your Symphony of the Seas June 14, 2024, sailing, we are looking to see if you and your travel party have flexible travel plans," the email to booked passengers said.

The cruise line was quick to add that if you are committed to sail, to disregard the email.  The idea is to ideally find people booked on the cruise that might cruise a lot and can change their plans because this isn't their one and only major cruise they have booked.  Or, they are looking to find an opportunistic deal hunter that wouldn't mind deferring their trip in exchange for a good reason.

The exact compensation offered will depend on the situation, so don't take this example to be the most likely scenario you could expect.

In the case of Symphony of the Seas, guests had two choices:

1. Change to another Symphony of the Seas cruise departing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey in the same room category originally booked, plus get a full refund.

2. Cancel and get a 100% refund, plus 100% value of the cruise fare in the form a Future Cruise Credit.

With both scenarios, you'll get all your money back and a free cruise (or at least the value of a free cruise).

Usually forecasts work out

Why do cruise lines oversell cruises to begin with? It's because it's a practical approach to their business, Billy Hirsch, author of CruiseHabit, told Royal Caribbean Blog.

The reality is based on historical data there are usually people that either cancel at the last-minute or don't show up to the cruise.

"Even if a sailing is totally booked weeks out, there will almost always be some number of guests who cancel at the last minute or fail to show up. Trying to fill cabins at the last minute is risky and can harm price integrity," Hirsch said.

What cruise lines do is make a prediction, based on history, of how many empty staterooms they'll likely have ahead of sailing and sell that many extra rooms ahead of time.

"To cruise lines, cabins on a cruise are perishable commodities - if they aren't sold by sailing, they're worthless."

Read more: Royal Caribbean cabin and suites

As was the case with Symphony of the Seas, if those predictions are off, a lucrative offer can balance things back out, "If just before sailing it appears some guests will be turned away, lines tend to make, 'too good to refuse' offers, like a full refund, a 100% future cruise credit, and sometimes even additional credits or cash. 

"Usually forecasts work out, but when they don't, if those offers are so good that people are happy to accept them, then everyone leaves the port feeling good - whether on the ship or in a cab."

Can you be booted off a cruise?

It's extremely rare for a cruise to be oversold and not enough volunteers to make enough room, but it has happened.

In December 2023, guests on Quantum of the Seas sailing from Australia ran into a situation where a few passengers were left behind when the ship ran out of cabins.

Avoid guarantee cabins if you're worried about oversold cruises

In all my years of covering Royal Caribbean, the amount of oversold cruises occurring resulting in someone being kicked off a cruise can likely be counted on my hand. Nonetheless, there's one simple step to take to avoid the situation.

Guaranteed cabins (known as "GTY") are rooms sold without a specific assignment at a lower rate.  The idea is Royal Caribbean will assign you a room later from one of the unsold cabins.

Read more: What are the different types of cabins on a cruise ship?

While not an official policy that has been announced by Royal Caribbean, it stands to reason those with an unassigned room would be at a higher risk in this hypothetical situation.

If you're concerned about booking a guarantee cabin in the future, I would personally recommend you not worry about it. 

I've booked plenty of guaranteed cabins over the years, and will continue to do so. I believe the risk of an oversold cruise is so remote that it's not worth worrying about. Plus, the additional savings of a guarantee cabin are hard to overlook.

How can you cancel a cruise if a problem surfaces or you change your mind?

It's never ideal to cancel a vacation you were looking forward to, but there are all sorts of reasons to want to cancel.

Whether a family emergency comes up, you need to spend money elsewhere, or traveling isn't feasible anymore, life can unfortunately get in the way.

In case you need to cancel or modify a cruise booking, you should know the options Royal Caribbean offers.

Every cruise line has important policies when it comes to modifying a cruise booking and not all bookings are equal in terms of refunds.

No matter how excited you are for an upcoming cruise, it's crucial that you know the terms of the booking and cancellation policies.

Preparing yourself with this knowledge will prevent any expensive surprises later on.

This informational guide will provide an overview of Royal Caribbean's cancellation policy, ensuring that you know exactly what you're agreeing to when you book.

What if I have a nonrefundable deposit?

Refunds and penalties for cancellation depend on the type of fare purchased, the length of the cruise, and how long before the cruise you attempt to cancel.

Two different deposit types can affect your cancellation fee, and you agree to the terms of cancellation when you choose a particular deposit type.

When you book a cruise, you first make a deposit, without being required to pay the full amount right away. 

Royal Caribbean has both refundable and nonrefundable cruise fare deposits.

Some promotional and exclusive fares require a nonrefundable deposit.

This means that a booking made under this fare requires guests' full names and a paid deposit at the time of booking. 

This deposit cannot be refunded at any time but often comes at a lower price overall.

If you cancel a cruise booked with a non-refundable deposit, you'll lose the deposit amount.

Moreover, to change the sail date and/or ship, you'll incur a $100 per person fee for any change in the that aspect of the reservation.

What if I have a refundable deposit?

Refundable cruise fares are more flexible, promising almost a full refund when you cancel.

if you book your cruise under a refundable cruise fare, you can still receive a full refund of your deposit and any other payments made, as long as you haven't yet made the final payment.

Guests currently have up to 90 days before the sailing to make their final payment.

Once the final payment is made for a cruise, guests can be subject to cancellation fees that vary depending on how close it is to the sail date.

Typically, you will still receive a refund but with a penalty fee.

What is Royal Caribbean's cancellation fee?

You will get a full refund if you notify Royal Caribbean at least 75 days before the first day of the cruise (60 days for 3 and 4-night cruises or 90 days for holiday sailings). 

For cruises lasting 1 to 4 nights (including holiday sailings), the cancellation fee is as follows:

• 75 days or more before the first day of the cruise: No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts)
• 74 to 61 days: 50% of the total price
• 60 to 31 days: 75% of the total price
• 30 days or less: 100% of the total price (No refund)

For cruises 5 nights or over (including holiday sailings and CruiseTours), the cancellation fee by days prior is:

• 90 days or more before the first day of the cruise: No charge (except for Nonrefundable Deposit amounts)
• 89 to 75 days: 25% of the total price
• 74 to 61 days: 50% of the total price
• 60 to 31 days: 75% of the total price
• 30 days or less: 100% of the total price (No refund)

For cruises and CruiseTours, the taxes and fees will be completely refunded.

Essentially, if a guest cancels their cruise 90 or more days before the first day of the sailing, they'll receive a complete refund (excluding any nonrefundable deposits).

But if a guest cancels 30 days or less before the cruise, there is no refund.

How can I cancel a cruise?

If you've decided you need to cancel your cruise, that can be accomplished using the same method that you booked the cruise.

If you booked the cruise directly with Royal Caribbean or on the website, you can call the cruise line to cancel your reservation.

If you used a travel agent or another type of website, you should inform and consult with your travel provider to cancel the booking. Travel agents can handle any changes, delays, or cancellations for you.

Read more: How to cancel a Royal Caribbean cruise

Does my travel insurance cover a cancellation?

In general, travel insurance does not usually cover a canceled cruise.

Unless it is because of an illness or another covered scenario, most travel insurance will not kick in.

However, Royal Caribbean offers a Travel Protection Program for its cruisers.

If plans change and you need to cancel your cruise vacation, this cancellation penalty waiver will allow you to waive the non-refundable cancellation portion and receive the unused value of your cruise vacation.

You also can be eligible for credit toward a future cruise, ranging up to 90% of the non-refundable, prepaid cruise fare.

A "cancel for any reason" credit can be added at an extra cost.

To be eligible for this credit, you must purchase the travel protection plan prior to making your final payment for the cruise. Also, you must notify Royal Caribbean of this cancellation before the ship departs for the cruise.

Read more: Royal Caribbean will increase price of travel insurance policy

Do you need a passport to go on a cruise? The answer depends, and could be yes and no.

Before you book that cruise you're eyeing and leave for your trip, it's important to make sure all of your documents are cleared for travel.

Can you cruise without a passport? What kind of birth certificate is required? Will an enhanced driver's license do?

You might be able to go on the cruise without needing a passport, but there are certain requirements to be able to do so. 

U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport and with just a birth certificate and photo ID, but only on certain cruises. It gets confusing for someone new to cruising.

Just because you can cruise without a passport doesn't mean you should, and there's plenty of misinformation out there about the identification needed to cruise.

Take this post as your informative guide to cruising without a passport—and if it's a recommended method.

Can I cruise without a passport?

United States citizens can cruise without a passport on certain sailings.

As proof of citizenship, they need to bring a state-certified, United States birth certificate, issued by the Vital Records Department in the state where they were born.

Additionally, cruisers aged 16 and older need a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or state ID that denotes the correct photo, name, and date of birth.

Enhanced Driver's Licenses (EDL) are also taken as proof of citizenship and accepted in place of a birth certificate.

However, very few states currently offer enhanced driver's licenses, so don't assume that yours qualifies as proof of citizenship.

The only states that currently issue enhanced driver's licenses are Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.

All documentation must have the same name, match the identification on the reservation, and be valid for the dates of the cruise. 

Guests who do not bring the required documentation will be denied boarding.

Read more: Guide to cruising with a birth certificate

Where can I cruise without a passport?

United States citizens can cruise without a passport, but only on specific sailings.

The only itineraries where U.S. citizens can cruise without a passport are closed-loop sailings departing from United States home ports.

Closed-loop sailings are round-trip cruises that embark and disembark from the same U.S. port. 

A one-way cruise that embarks from a U.S. port but disembarks in a different U.S. port does not qualify.

These ports must be in the U.S., and include the following:

• Baltimore
• Boston
• Cape Liberty
• Fort Lauderdale
• Galveston
• Los Angeles
• Miami
• New Orleans
• Port Canaveral
• San Diego
• San Juan
• Seattle
• Seward
• Tampa

United States citizens on these closed-loop cruises are required to travel with proof of citizenship and a government-issued photo ID.

Should I cruise without a passport?

Even though US citizens can cruise without a passport, we don't recommend it.

If you have a cruise coming up, I would think twice before trying to board with just a birth certificate and identification.

A passport is the very best option for any method of travel, including cruises.

Royal Caribbean's website also recommends that cruisers try to bring along a passport, writing: "A passport is the hassle-free, gold standard for traveling between countries."

A passport must be valid for at least six months after the last day of the cruise (it shouldn't expire anytime close to the date of travel).

The name on the passport must also match the name on the cruise reservation.

If you're planning a cruise, it's not too late to go ahead and renew or apply for a passport.

Even for guests who aren't required to, Royal Caribbean and veteran cruisers alike recommend that you travel with a passport.

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

The U.S. Department of State also recommends that everyone taking a cruise out of the United States have a passport in case of emergency, such as a medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

Why is it better to cruise with a passport?

Using a passport opens up the number of itineraries you can cruise on, and makes the process of boarding and disembarking through customs and immigration much faster.

Not only that, but a passport protects you in case of any travel issues or emergencies while exploring a foreign port.

Traveling to any foreign country (even on a closed-loop cruise) places you in the position of possibly needing a passport.

If you miss the cruise ship and are left at port or require emergency transportation back to the U.S., you'll be left in a stressful situation without a passport.

Read more: Will a cruise ship wait for me if I'm running late at a port stop? Here's what a captain has to say.

Both immigration at foreign ports and air travel back to the U.S. will require a passport. 

In the case of an emergency, you'll first have to travel to a U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain a passport, further delaying your trip and increasing travel expenses.

A vacation could quickly turn into a nightmare if you become stranded in a foreign country without a passport.

Not only that but disembarking the ship once the cruise is over becomes much less of a hassle with a passport.

When cruisers exit the ship into the cruise terminal, there are separate lines for passengers with U.S. passports and passengers with birth certificates.

Cruisers traveling with a U.S. passport merely have to take a photo for security and facial recognition. The process takes less than two minutes, and there are usually multiple lines to choose from.

In contrast, cruisers with a birth certificate are delegated to just one or two lines, where they must wait for a security officer to thoroughly look over their documentation. This process takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes.

In case of emergency, it's much better to travel with a passport to speed up the travel process and open up a wider selection of cruise itineraries and international ports.