Planning

15 most commonly asked cruise questions we've been asked in 2022

In:

13 Oct 2022

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise can bring up endless questions. Which ship should I book? Should I buy a drink package? Which itinerary is best for my family?

While planning a cruise is almost as fun as the cruise itself, it can be challenging to figure out the right answers to these questions, especially for first time cruisers.

Here at Royal Caribbean Blog, we aim to make the cruise planning process as seamless as possible by providing our best tips & tricks for planning a cruise vacation.

One way we do this is through a live broadcast every Monday on the Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube channel. During this broadcast, our viewers can ask any questions they have about all things Royal Caribbean.

While we always receive unique questions each week, there are many questions we are asked time and time again. Here are the most frequently asked questions we’ve received about Royal Caribbean cruises this year.

What should I do in Cozumel, Costa Maya, Nassau, etc.?

We’ve been asked countless times for our recommendations on the best things to do in popular cruise ports.

Whether visiting Nassau, Falmouth, Ensenada, or Rome, it’s important to do a little research ahead of your visit to ensure you find the best shore excursion to fit your interests.

We have several helpful guides highlighting ideas of what to do in popular cruise ports:

These guides should help you have a better understanding of what is offered in popular cruise ports.

Is the Coco Beach Club worth it?

The Coco Beach Club is Royal Caribbean’s exclusive enclave at Perfect Day at CocoCay. It features a private infinity pool, beach access, lunch at the Coco Beach Club restaurant, and comfy seating areas. There are also two types of private cabanas to reserve at the beach club, including the highly coveted over-the-water cabanas.

The price of the Coco Beach Club can vary by sailing, but it has recently been priced around $160.99 per person.

What is “worth it” or not is highly subjective. Some guests may have no interest in spending $160.99 per person when there are free activities elsewhere on CocoCay. Others, however, may value the exclusivity of the Coco Beach Club and decide it’s worth it to treat themselves to a more luxurious day.

Consider your travel style and budget before reserving a day pass at the Coco Beach Club. What is “worth it” to one guest may not be worth it to another.

Which ship is best when cruising with kids?

A Royal Caribbean cruise makes for an excellent family vacation. It will be difficult for kids to get bored with activities like water slides, arcades, carousels, rock climbing, and kids programming at their fingertips.

We’re often asked which Royal Caribbean cruise ship is best for kids. While all cruises will offer enough to keep kids busy, not all ships are created equally.

We usually recommend sailing on an Oasis, Quantum, or amplified Freedom or Voyager Class ship when cruising with kids. These ships offer the best of the best of Royal Caribbean’s kid-friendly activities, such as the FlowRider, bumper cars, and zip lines.

However, you’ll still find that kids can stay busy on even the smallest Royal Caribbean cruise ships. All ships have Adventure Ocean kids programming, a rock climbing wall, and child-friendly activities offered every day of the cruise.

Should I upgrade my stateroom with RoyalUp?

RoyalUp is Royal Caribbean’s bidding program for cruise ship cabins. It allows passengers to bid on higher category cabins before their cruise. If they win the bid, they’ll be assigned an upgraded stateroom.

Listeners ask us nearly every week on our YouTube live whether or not it’s worth it to upgrade their stateroom with RoyalUp.

More often than not, our answer is the same. If you want to upgrade your cabin, it’s best to contact your travel agent or Royal Caribbean directly. Check how much it would cost outright to upgrade your cabin, and determine if the price is reasonable for your vacation budget.

The problem with RoyalUp is that cabin upgrades are not guaranteed. If you are 100% certain you would like to upgrade from a balcony to a suite, for example, it’s better to upgrade without an uncertain bid.

That being said, some cruisers enjoy the RoyalUp bidding process. It is possible to score a cabin upgrade for a lower cost than upgrading outside RoyalUp. As long as you understand that you may not win an upgrade, there’s no harm in placing a bid.

What does Royal Caribbean do for holidays?

If you’re cruising on a Royal Caribbean ship during a major holiday, you’ll find that there are many special events offered throughout the cruise.

Cruising during Thanksgiving and Christmas means the ship is decorated with festive decor, from inflatable turkeys and pumpkins to a Christmas tree in the Royal Promenade.

Special activities are offered throughout the day, including gingerbread cookie decorating, holiday movie screenings, holiday crafts, and scavenger hunts.

In addition, there are special menus offered in the Main Dining Room for holiday dinners. You’ll find courses like honey baked ham, oven-roasted turkey, and chestnut truffle risotto on the menu.

You’ll also find special events on days like Halloween, New Year’s, and Super Bowl Sunday. Be sure to pack a costume for Halloween, and don’t miss the celebration in the Royal Promenade to ring in the New Year onboard your cruise!

How does the Unlimited Dining Package work?

There always seems to be confusion with the ins and outs of Royal Caribbean’s Unlimited Dining Package.

The Unlimited Dining Package is unlimited, meaning you can dine at as many specialty restaurant locations as you’d like onboard. This includes lunch, dinner, and snacks.

Reservations cannot be made in advance with the Unlimited Dining Package. Instead, guests must visit a specialty restaurant on embarkation day and make all dining reservations for the cruise.

You do not have to visit each specialty restaurant individually to make reservations. If you visit Jamie’s Italian to make a reservation, for example, you can make reservations for all other restaurants at the same time.

The only exception to this rule is with Izumi Hibachi. All hibachi reservations must be made by visiting Izumi once onboard. We recommend that you do this as soon as possible, as hibachi tables can fill up quickly.

The Unlimited Dining Package covers both cover charge restaurants and à la carte options. Cover charge dining is offered at most venues, including Italian restaurants, Chops Grille, 150 Central Park, Wonderland, and Johnny Rockets. The cover charge is included in the dining package, and you won't have to consider the cost per item on the menu at these venues.

Izumi, Portside BBQ, and Playmakers are à la carte. At Izumi, each guest with a dining package receives a $35 food credit. Portside BBQ and Playmakers offer $20 in food credit per guest.

One exception to the Unlimited Dining Package is at Izumi Hibachi, where an additional $10 surcharge will be added to your bill once onboard.

Alaska cruise tips & tricks

Alaska cruises are some of Royal Caribbean’s most popular itineraries, and we receive countless questions from viewers planning an Alaska cruise.

Whether choosing an Alaska cruise itinerary, picking the best ship for Alaska, or planning which shore excursions to book in each port, there’s a lot to consider.

Luckily, we have plenty of helpful guides for planning the best Alaska cruise:

No matter which ship, itinerary, or time of year you sail to Alaska, you’re guaranteed to see stunning scenery, wildlife, and culture. Both small and big cruise ships sail to Alaska each year, so there’s really something for every type of traveler.

Should I wait until the price goes down on ______ before booking?

Another common question we are asked is if it’s better to purchase a pre-cruise add-on right away or wait to see if the price drops.

Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner is where you’ll purchase cruise add-ons like drink packages, dining packages, shore excursions, and internet packages before a cruise.

Let’s say you visit the Cruise Planner website and see a shore excursion listed for $120 per person. It may be tempting to wait and see if the price lowers to $80-100 per person before booking.

This is never a good idea. Why? You’re always able to cancel a Cruise Planner purchase and rebook later on if you notice a price drop. You can cancel and rebook up to 48 hours before your cruise.

Therefore, if you know you want to purchase a cruise add-on, it’s best to purchase right away so the price doesn’t increase while you’re hoping it will decrease!

Should I wait to book my next cruise at Next Cruise?

Next Cruise is a cruise booking office found on every Royal Caribbean ship. It’s where passengers can book a future cruise while onboard their current cruise–and receive several perks for doing so.

If you book a cruise at Next Cruise, you’ll see deposits as low as $100 per person and receive up to $600 in onboard credit on your future cruise.

These perks can make it tempting to wait to book a future cruise until you’re onboard an upcoming sailing, but this is usually not the best idea.

Let’s say your Caribbean cruise is a month away and you’re waiting to book next summer’s Mediterranean cruise once onboard. In that month, the price of the Mediterranean cruise may increase by several hundred dollars, thus negating any “savings” you would receive by booking the cruise onboard.

Therefore, it’s best to book a cruise today instead of waiting weeks or months to book it at Next Cruise. If you’re onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise, however, and suddenly get the urge to book a future cruise, there’s no harm in booking the cruise at Next Cruise.

Do both people in the room have to get the Deluxe Beverage Package?

Royal Caribbean’s Deluxe Beverage Package offers unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. However, Royal Caribbean states the following about the Deluxe Beverage Package policy:

The Deluxe Beverage Package policy requires all guests wishing to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package to do so for ALL guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom.

This policy creates a problem for some guests when one person in the stateroom wishes to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package but the other doesn’t consume alcohol.

In this scenario, call Royal Caribbean at 1-800-398-9819 to ask for an exemption on the second guest. In most cases, you will be required to purchase a Refreshment Package (non-alcoholic package) for that guest.

Should I be worried about hurricane season?

You’ve come across an amazing cruise deal, but you’re hesitant to book. Why? The itinerary sails right in the middle of hurricane season!

Many of those new to cruising are concerned about sailing during hurricane season. After all, the idea of sailing through a hurricane does not sound like the best way to spend vacation.

However, it’s important to dispel the myths regarding cruising during hurricane season.

Royal Caribbean will not sail a cruise ship directly into the eye of a hurricane. Itinerary changes, postponed embarkation, or delayed disembarkation may be necessary in order to keep all passengers and crew safe.

More often than not, you won’t run into any hurricanes when cruising during hurricane season. On the off chance that your cruise happens at the same time a hurricane is approaching the Caribbean, it’s important to remain flexible and realize that your itinerary may change.

What should I wear on formal night?

Many newbie cruisers are concerned with packing the right outfit for formal night.

Formal night is typically offered only once on 3, 4, and 5 night cruises, and twice on 6-10 night cruises. It only applies to dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Before you pack a tuxedo and ball gown, it’s important to realize that formal night is not nearly as glamorous as it once was. Many cruisers choose to wear a nice pair of slacks and a polo, a sundress, or a button-up shirt.

For more information on formal night, check out our guide on what to wear on a cruise formal night.

Is a suite worth the extra cost?

Many viewers have asked us if they should book one cruise with a suite or spread the money out and book two or more cruises in a lower category cabin.

Whether a suite is worth the extra cost is subjective. Some passengers love the extra space and perks that come with a suite, but others would prefer booking multiple cruises for the same cost as one cruise in a suite.

If your budget is tight, we recommend booking multiple cruises in a regular category stateroom over just one cruise in a suite. You likely won’t spend much time in your room anyway while onboard, and more days on a cruise ship is always a perk!

However, if budget isn’t an issue and you’re looking to treat yourself, you may find that a suite is worth the extra cost. Priority boarding, extra cabin space, Suite Lounge and Sun Deck access, exclusive dining options, and concierge service can be well worth the extra cost for many cruisers.

What tips do you have for solo cruisers?

Sailing solo on a Royal Caribbean cruise may seem daunting at first glance, but it’s actually a lot more common than you might think.

We often receive questions from viewers asking about our advice for planning a solo Royal Caribbean cruise. Here are a few of our best tips:

Consider a studio cabin

A major drawback of cruising solo is paying a single supplement fee for a standard cruise cabin. This means you are charged extra for cruising with just one person in a stateroom. This charge makes up for the lost revenue that a second person would otherwise bring.

However, several Royal Caribbean ships offer solo staterooms that do not come with a single supplement fee. These staterooms are smaller than a standard cruise cabin but can easily lead to large savings on cruise fare.

Participate in group activities

Cruising solo does not mean you have to spend the whole cruise alone. Consider attending onboard activities like drink seminars, wine tastings, and sports tournaments to get to know your fellow passengers.

Join Facebook groups for your sailings

Prior to your cruise, consider joining a Facebook group for your sailing. Here you can connect with other passengers on your cruise and organize onboard meetups.

For more tips & tricks on cruising solo, check out our guide to solo cruises on Royal Caribbean.

Do I need a passport to cruise?

Planning a cruise but you don’t have a passport? Depending on your sailing, you may not need a passport.

If you’re a U.S. citizen on a cruise beginning and ending at the same port in the U.S., you do not need a passport. Instead, you can provide proof of citizenship via a government-issued birth certificate and laminated government-issued picture ID (such as a driver’s license).

While there are some itineraries where passports are not required for U.S. citizens, we still recommend getting a passport before your cruise.

Not having a passport can lead to problems down the line, especially if you encounter any emergencies where you must fly back to the U.S. from a foreign country. Without a passport, you will need to travel to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in a foreign country and apply for a temporary visa to re-enter the United States.

This process is not quick and can be a huge headache. Therefore, we always recommend having a passport before your cruise.

The ultimate kids cruise packing list

In:

Planning

12 Oct 2022

Packing for kids is a lot like any cruise packing list, but any parent will tell you that kids come with their own set of requirements and nuances you don't get when packing for just adults.

There are also some child specific items that you should bring, especially if you are traveling with the youngest of sailors.

We’ve put together the ultimate kids packing list to help make your pre-cruise packing effortless and get you on your way to cruising.

Here’s what to make sure you pack for your next family cruise vacation.

Getting to your cruise

Traveling with kids, especially younger ones, does call for additional consideration, even before you get on the ship. Whether you are flying or driving straight to the port, there are a few major items that you should pack:

Stoller – A stroller is a must have for young kids; however, you may not want to bring your large double stroller from home, as this can be tricky to navigate in the narrow hallways of a cruise ship or some port areas. Many people go for a cheaper umbrella stroller, something light and easy to carry and maneuver.
Car Seat – While you don’t need one on the ship, some people like to bring theirs for excursions, especially not knowing what is available in port and the likelihood of taxis and buses having them.
Cruise paperwork – Like adults, kids need identification for their cruise, so don’t forget their set sail passes along with required ID, vaccine, or covid-testing requirements where needed.

Travel requirements

Many parents have questions about what is acceptable identification for kids. For US citizens under 16, Royal Caribbean accepts either an original, notarized or certified copy of a birth certificate. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by DOS, or a Certificate of Naturalization issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are also acceptable. The cruise line will not accept baptismal papers or hospital certificates of birth as a form of identification.

Do your research, though, as some cruises require passports, such as those leaving for Alaska from Canada. In this case, a birth certificate won’t do.

Although most cruises no longer require pre-cruise Covid-19 testing, there are a few itineraries, such as Bermuda, Australia and transatlantic/ transpacific sailings, that still require them. It is best to consult the Royal Caribbean website for your specific sailing to see what exactly you need.

Carry-on items

Once you are on the ship, with all the paperwork out of the way, you should have everything you need until your luggage arrives at your cabin. As with adults, kids need to pack for any activities as well as must haves such as glasses and prescription medication.

Make sure to bring a change of clothes, diapers, and any other immediate needs for your younger kids. A bathing suit, sandals, and a sun hat are all good to have. We can all get a little tired, especially if you travel far, so remember to add anything your kids may like such as their favorite stuffed animal or baby bottles, to help soothe an unhappy traveler.

It can be fun for kids to have their own backpacks to carry a few specialty things, like a toy. Or if they are teens, many want to bring their own phones and tablets. This, along with spending money, should be packed in a carry-on.

Clothes

How much to pack depends on the length and type of cruise. There are no self-service laundry facilities onboard but washing, pressing, and dry-cleaning services are offered (prices vary per item). The cruise line also offers wash and fold specials during sailings whereby guests can fill up a bag for the fixed amount of $34.99 per bag.

It is best to plan clothes for the number of days plus a return home outfit. Two outfits per day is a good rule of thumb (day and night) for adults. So you may want to increase this to at least one extra outfit, especially for younger kids.

Be sure to include:

Clothes for having fun on the pool deck, such as a bathing suit, sundress, t-shirts and shorts. Tip: Since many kids spend lots of time in the water, it is a good idea to bring extra bathing suits (three at least). No one likes putting a wet bathing suit on.
Sandals
Jeans and pants
Active wear, including running /walking shoes – especially for sports activities
Pants and a sweater for chillier spots like the ice rink
Don’t forget socks and underwear
Pajamas
Sun hat/ visor
Packing cubes can be helpful in organizing clothes in your suitcase or for your cabin.

Evening for kids can run the full gamut, depending upon how formal your family wants to be:

Pants, jeans or leggings
Nicer top, collared shirts
Dresses
Dress up shoes
Suit and tie

For cruises with colder itineraries, consider:

Shirts and t-shirts for inner layers
Warm layers, such as fleece pullovers
Waterproof jacket
Suitable closed-toe shoes
Boots for hiking/walking where needed
Gloves, hat and scarf

Baby specific items

Traveling with younger kids can definitely add more to your packing list. Beyond the standard clothes suggested, consider including:

Diapers – pack plenty of extra ones, including regular and swim
Baby and disinfectant wipes
Rash cream
Extra plastic bags for wet items
Light blanket
Bottles
Baby food and formula
Sippy cups

Excursions

Whether it’s a beach day, a bicycle tour, or snorkeling, there are a few things you should probably include for your port days.

Like adults, kids need comfortable, weather appropriate clothing and other items to make the best of their day. Don’t assume you can buy extra diapers when visiting ports.

For general water/ beach outings, consider kid sized/specific items such as :

Mask, goggles and snorkel
Water shoes (where needed)
Life jackets and flotation devices
Waterproof phone carrier
UV swimsuit (for those who prefer)
Sunscreen and lip balm
Hat/sunglasses
Collapsible silicone toys are a fantastic option for saving space in lieu of traditional bulky toys

Comfort items/ miscellaneous

After a busy day of fun, it is nice to take a break and relax in your cabin. Kids will feel better with some of their favorite comfort creatures from home. Cruise lines do provide pack and plays; just make sure to request them as soon as possible, as they are in limited supply.

Other items to pack:

A tablet with pre-downloaded movies/ games, as tv is limited onboard
Bring a few toys, including their favorite stuffed animal
Coloring supplies
Books
A nightlight – especially if you are in an inside cabin
Many parents prefer a bath for young children. A small blow-up bathtub that can be placed in the shower during a cruise
You may also want to bring your kid's favorite snack, like fish crackers or cheerios.
- You can only bring non-perishable items, so no fruits or vegetables.
Refillable water bottle
A pack of cards
Kids' shampoo and conditioner

With your family and all their stuff in a cruise cabin, it is a good idea to think about some organizational and storage techniques. Magnetic hooks and an over the door organizer, as well as ziploc bags for convenient storage, are all good options.

First aid and medications

While some items can be purchased onboard, it is a good idea to have a ready made first aid kit for easy access during the cruise. The last thing you want to do is spend time running around in port to find something. Don't assume that there will be an adequate supply on the ship. Best to pick them up at the local drugstore pre-cruise; a pharmacist can assist with determining what is best for you.

Here are some common medications/ first aid items to pack:

Pain and allergy products
Seasickness meds
After-burn care (aloe), lip balm (SPF), and bug spray
Anti-itch cream/ hydrocortisone
First aid items such as band-aids and anti-bacterial ointment
Upset stomach medications
Cold /flu medicine

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

Royal Caribbean cruises in October 2023: What to expect

In:

Planning

03 Oct 2022

Fall is in the air, but Royal Caribbean cruises in October are still taking you to places that are plenty warm.

This post will share important information what you should know before going on a cruise in October. This month we see the end of cruising in Alaska for the season, but there is still time to see Europe before that season comes to an end. Meanwhile, Caribbean sailings will start to increase with ships returning to start winter itineraries.

Just like September, October is also one of the best times to get a great price on a cruise. The combination of school in session and the peak of hurricane season makes for some really low rates. In fact, last minute cruise prices are pretty good if you can take advantage of certain October sailings.

Ships sailing in October 2023

Royal Caribbean's cruise ships will be operating in the Caribbean and Europe, with a few ships moving around to prepare for new homes in November.

October is the end of the Alaska and European cruise seasons, with ships in Europe heading back to the Caribbean. Ships in Alaska typically move onto Australia for the summer cruise season down under.

October weather on a cruise

Paradise Beach Cozumel 2021 shore excursion review | Royal Caribbean Blog

No matter when you cruise in October in the Caribbean, expect very warm summer-like temperatures.

The first half of October is also the peak of hurricane season, but as the month goes on, the chances of a storm begin to diminish a bit.

According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, 87 percent of minor and 96 percent of major hurricanes occur between August and October, peaking in early September.

Enchantment and Brilliance of the Seas in Cozumel

Even if there is a storm somewhere in the tropics, your ship will go around it to avoid going anywhere near the storm.

The biggest impact you could face on an October cruise is a last-minute itinerary change due to a hurricane.

Royal Caribbean releases summer 2017 European itineraries | Royal Caribbean Blog

Over in Europe, fall temperatures means pleasant daytime temperatures in the Mediterranean. While temperatures can heat up over the summer, October weather offers a slight chill in the air and can sometimes be warm enough to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.

Expect daytime temperatures in the low 70s Fahrenheit.

Plan to wear layers so you can adjust to warmer or colder than expected temperatures easily.

Is October a good time to cruise the Caribbean?

In short, you will find some of the best prices for Caribbean cruises in October.

Because families have kids in school, there is less demand for cruises this time of year. The result can be some excellent rates for a cruise in October.

In addition, the looming threat of hurricane season is a benefit and disadvantage of cruising in October. Demand is lower, so that means you pay less. But the possibility of a storm impacting your cruise means some cruise fans are unwilling to risk the sailing could be altered.

Does Royal Caribbean celebrate Halloween?

Halloween on Royal Caribbean ships | Royal Caribbean Blog

If your cruise sails over October 31st, you should plan on Halloween fun onboard.

In years' past, Royal Caribbean has held various Halloween events onboard its ships that sail over the holiday.

Costume contests, haunted houses, trick or treating, and even face painting have all been offered in the past.

If your cruise does not sail over the Halloween holiday, then don't expect Halloween decorations or events on your cruise.

Royal Caribbean drops vaccine requirement for cruises to Canada and Barbados

In:

Planning

29 Sep 2022

In a new update yesterday, Royal Caribbean has announced some changes in protocols for guests traveling with cruises visiting or embarking in Canada and Barbados.

In an email to its travel partners, the cruise line highlighted new protocols for its customers, good news for many cruisers who had to endure the extra costs associated with testing and other entry paperwork.

Both the Canadian and Barbadian governments recently announced a number of updates to their Covid protocols as it relates to tourists. A welcome change for many, which has allowed cruise lines to modify their policies.

There are, however, no new updated protocols for Bermuda, which still requires pre-cruise testing and entry approval with a fee.

Here is what cruisers need to know about the changes for cruises to Canada and Barbados.

Changes to cruises to Canada

Starting October 1, 2022, for sailings of 9 nights or less, Royal Caribbean is welcoming all guests, regardless of vaccination status, for cruises that embark, debark, or visit Canada. This is welcome news for cruisers leaving on New England sailings in the remainder of the year.

Vaccination and testing

Royal Caribbean notes the following protocols based on vaccination status:

Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, will no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less. And, boarding day tests are no longer required.
Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.
Additionally, for sailings of 10 nights or more, all guests ages 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.

Despite the changes in protocols, the cruise line continues to recommend that guests be vaccinated against Covid-19. Noting that for those eligible, “ we recommend that guests joining us be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While vaccination is not required, we kindly ask you disclose your status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population”.

Testing information

Royal Caribbean, in a major improvement for cruisers, is allowing guests to take advantage of at-home antigen tests; even unsupervised tests will satisfy this requirement for cruises to and from Canada.

Passengers must present proof of a negative test at boarding. This can be provided in the form of a printout, an email, or an app screen from the test provider. Additionally, guests can show a picture of their negative home test on their phone, or present the actual negative test itself.

ArriveCAN App

The ArriveCAN app was introduced by the Canadian government for cross-border travel during the pandemic. Travelers entering Canada had to complete the electronic form with health information and other details prior to arrival in Canada.

The Canadian government has announced that as of Effective October 1, 2022, completion of the ArriveCAN form is no longer required. As such, it is not a requirement for guests traveling to and from Canada as part of their cruise.

Although the government has said that it will be optional, and plans are to make it part of an advanced declaration form to speed up the process for those flying into Canada in the future,

Current cruises that will be impacted by changes in 2022

This is good news for cruisers traveling on the remaining itineraries to Canada in 2022. Royal Caribbean has sailings running throughout October, including:

7-night cruise to Canada, leaving from Boston, Massachusetts, on Voyager of the Seas
8-night Canada and New England Cruise leaving from Baltimore, Maryland on Enchantment of the Seas
9 night Canada and New England Cruise sailing from Cape Liberty, New Jersey on Adventure of the Seas

Changes to cruises from Barbados

For cruisers on or after October 1, Royal Caribbean is accepting all guests, regardless of vaccination status, back onboard for itineraries from Barbados. Royal Caribbean offers a number of cruises that originate in Bridgetown, Barbados in 2022 and the future.

Vaccination and testing

For cruises out of Barbados, the requirements are as follows:

Vaccinated guests, regardless of age, will no longer need to test for sailing lengths of 9 nights or less. And, boarding day tests are no longer required.

Unvaccinated guests aged 5 and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of our sail date.

Additionally, for sailings of 10 nights or more, all guests age 5 years and older must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the sail date.

Despite the changes in protocols, the cruise line does continue to recommend that guests be vaccinated against Covid-19; for those who are eligible, Guests are asked to disclose their status during check-in to ensure we maintain a highly vaccinated onboard population.

Testing details

Passengers must present proof of a negative test at boarding. This can be provided in the form of a printout, an email, or an app screen from the test provider. Alternatively, passengers can show a picture of their negative home test on their phone, or present the actual negative test itself.

Barbados Customs and Immigration Form

All guests need to adhere to any entry requirements and complete the Barbados Customs and Immigration form within 72 hours of arrival in Barbados. The form can be completed in advance and once finished, a receipt will be emailed to passengers with a travel code.

Upcoming Barbados cruises impacted by changes

This will impact cruises with sailings out of Bridgetown, Barbados, including both the Rhapsody of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas, which start running in November of this year.

What is the best way to spend an extra $1,000 on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

In:

Planning

20 Sep 2022

You've got a great Royal Caribbean cruise booked, so what's the best way to splurge to plus the vacation?

Cruise vacations are a fun tradition for many families, and part of the fun of a holiday is treating yourself to things and experiences you wouldn't do at home.

Certainly there are a lot of ways to budget for an affordable trip, but what if you want to splurge? What are the best ways to spend some extra money, such as $1,000 on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

There are a lot of different things you can spend your money on during a cruise: dining, shore excursions, staterooms, drinks and plenty more.

While I've shared many ways to save money and make your vacation budget stretch over the years, there are plenty of times people want to spend extra on their vacation to make it more special. Perhaps it's an anniversary, honeymoon, graduation gift, or something else celebratory. If you fall into this category, there are definitely quite a few ways to put your money to use on Royal Caribbean.

Even if you're not looking to "make it rain" with cash, these tips could still help those out on a budget because it can illustrate the best ways to spend your money and make it go further. After all, you might be surprised the difference one thousand dollars can make.

Moving up to a suite

I think a lot of people think about their cruise cabin first when thinking about ways to spend more on a cruise.

Moving up to a larger balcony, especially a suite, means more living space and more amenities during your cruise. Suites include some of the best perks you'll get onboard, short of hitting the top tier of Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society loyalty program.

The suite concierge is a dedicated resource exclusively for suite guests that provides a lot of services to you, some of which are unavailable to other guests.

Then there's the special areas of the ship being in a suite gets you, such as the suite sun deck (or reserved seating at the pool deck) and suite lounge.

Speaking of the suite lounge, you'll enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages each evening in the suite lounge, which will return some value for the money spent to move up to a suite.

The caveat to spending your $1,000 on a suite is sometimes it may not be enough to move up. Depending on your group size, sail date, and ship, the cost to move up to suite may exceed the budget you have to spend, but if it's in the cards, a suite is tough to beat as a binge.

Making your cruise nearly all-inclusive

They say "money can't buy you happiness" but it sure can buy you a lot of unlimited add-ons which should help keep you happy.

Royal Caribbean sells various extra packages to its guests as an optional way to cap and include certain popular add-ons.

This includes a Royal Caribbean drink package, specialty dining package, or a photo package.

Each of these will include as many drinks, specialty restaurants and photos as you can handle on your cruise. As the name implies, each of these truly is unlimited, so you can go through your cruise not worrying what your final bill will be at the end of the cruise. The peace of mind that comes with these unlimited packages is a major relief.

Depending on the length of your cruise and how many people are in your group, $1,000 might not cover all three of these add-ons. The drink package alone often costs hundreds of dollars for a 7-night cruise with just two adults.

A way to still enjoy these popular add-ons at less of a cost is to purchase one of their lesser packages. The Royal Refreshment or Soda packages are significantly cheaper than the Deluxe Beverage package because it does not include alcohol. The 3-night dining package is going to cost less than the unlimited option. Ditto for a fixed photo package.

Whichever add-ons you buy, there is a tremendous amount of value you can unlock from them.

The Key

While I don't recommend Royal Caribbean's VIP add-on program as a must-buy for everyone, if you're spending a grand anyway, it's not the worst investment.

Read more: Counterpoint: why we love The Key

The Key is an option Royal Caribbean provides guests with special perks and access while onboard.

Internet access, early check-in, special times at signature attractions and more are included with The Key.

Having The Key removes anxiety and stress primarily at the beginning and end of the cruise, which is worth something to a lot of cruisers (especially first-timers).

You'll have to buy The Key for everyone in your cabin that is at least 6 years old, but it's likely your $1,000 should cover the entirety of your group.

If you do purchase The Key, be sure to take advantage of everything it offers so you can maximize its value.

Cabana rental

Ever since I tried a cabana for the first time at one of Royal Caribbean's private islands, I've been hooked on this optional purchase.

There are cabanas to rent at Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee and they come at various prices.

The reason a cabana rental could be the right choice for your money is it provides lavish benefits during your visit to either of these destinations. For families with kids, having shade, food and drink service, and a base of operations for the day really makes a difference.

There's plenty of seating around both CocoCay and Labadee, but the couch and loungers that come with a cabana are lovely.

The waiter service also makes it extra enjoyable so you don't have to flag down anyone and there's prompt service too. I especially love the CocoCay cabanas will deliver lunch to your cabana.

Behind-the-scenes tour

How about spending your extra money on something most guests will never see?

Royal Caribbean has brought back the behind-the-scenes tours, and they are really interesting and fun to take.

The All Access Tour is a 2-hour walking tour of many areas of the ship that will take you to the bridge, engine control room, laundry room, galley and more. The goal is to show you areas you'd never see and get a better understanding of how much work goes on to keep the ship functional and optimal.

A lot of us wonder what goes into making a cruise ship work so well. It's insightful to see how a ship works, and if you've ever been curious about a cruise ship functions, then this is the tour for you.

More than likely this tour won't blow through your entire $1,000 budget, which will leave you with extra cash for something else.

If you're looking to save $1,000

These extras all sound nice, but what if you'd rather save $1,000 instead of spending it?

If you're looking to cut back on spending on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there are a few different things you can do to keep more money in your pocket for perhaps one of the splurges mentioned in this post.

First and foremost, work with a good travel agent that specializes in cruise vacations so you can take advantage of every discount offered. Did you know there are discounts for residents of certain states or countries? Discounts for active and retired military? Discounts if you're a senior citizen? Money off balcony rooms if you are Platinum or above in Crown and Anchor Society? Interline discounts?

Not only can a travel agent find all the discounts, but their agency or consortia may offer special rates that you would otherwise never know about if you booked on your own.

If you live in the United States, Canada, or Australia, you can also take advantage of re-pricing if there's a price drop. This strategy has saved me the most money over the years, and it's all thanks to my wonderful travel agent.

It's equally important if you want to shave lots of money off your cruise by booking a cruise during certain times of the year.

Known as "the shoulder season", these are times of the year when cruise prices are a fraction of what they usually cost. Sail the Caribbean in September, Alaska in May, or Europe in October to find incredibly low rates.

In addition to time of the year, you'll spend far less if you skip the new ships. Instead of sailing on Wonder of the Seas or Odyssey of the Seas, take a cruise on Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, or Freedom of the Seas. These ships are older, but were recently amplified with new features and are a great choice for families.

There's also plenty of waves to cut costs, such as bring your own wine or non-alcoholic drinks onboard.

Which family cruise can you book for $2000?

In:

Planning

16 Sep 2022

So you’re planning a family cruise with a $2000 budget… is it possible?

While planning a Royal Caribbean cruise does not have to break the bank, having a $2000 budget will limit your choice of ships, itineraries, cruise length, and time of the year you can sail.

You and your family can have an amazing cruise vacation no matter the ship or itinerary, but it’s important to have an idea of what you can afford before booking a cruise. If you’re hoping to sail on Royal Caribbean’s newest, most impressive cruise ships, you’ll likely have to fork over more than $2000 for a family of four.

If you’re willing to book a shorter cruise, sail on an older ship, or take the kids out of school to cruise during off-season, you can find much better pricing available.

Let’s dive in to learn more about what costs to expect on a Royal Caribbean cruise for a family vacation and see sample prices for many of Royal Caribbean’s top cruise ships.

Kids Sail Free

Royal Caribbean occasionally offers a Kids Sail Free promotion during which kids 12 and younger are eligible for a free cruise fare.

This can lead to impressive savings on a cruise, but there are a few caveats:

Kids Sail Free is not eligible during blackout dates, which tend to occur during school breaks and holidays.
Taxes, fees, and gratuities are not included in the Kids Sail Free promotion
There is no pattern as to when Royal Caribbean will offer Kids Sail Free promotions

Keep an eye out for when Royal Caribbean is running a Kids Sail Free deal by following our Facebook page.

Budget for additional costs

While it’s possible to cruise with Royal Caribbean and spend nothing extra once onboard, you’ll want to budget for additional costs like transportation, pre-cruise hotels, and any add-ons you purchase onboard like shore excursions and drink packages.

One of the biggest costs you can incur is airfare. If you live in California and are flying to Miami for a cruise, you can easily spend $400+ on airfare per person. In this case, it might be better to look for cruises from Los Angeles or Seattle to save money instead of flying across the country.

Budgeting for a hotel the night before your cruise is another important consideration. We recommend flying or driving to your departure port the night before your cruise begins (unless you are a local to the port), so you’ll want to book a hotel for the night before the cruise.

Peak season vs off-season cruising

Oasis of the Seas next to Liberty of the Seas in Cozumel

Some of the biggest differences in price you’ll find on Royal Caribbean cruises happen when comparing a peak season cruise with an off-season cruise.

The peak season for Royal Caribbean cruises is anytime kids are out of school, including President’s Day, spring break, summer vacation, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

Off-season is during any other point in the year:

January (after New Year’s)
February (excluding President’s Day)
March and April (excluding Easter)
May
September (excluding Labor Day)
October
November (excluding Thanksgiving)
First two weeks of December

Most families have to stick to the school calendar and must pay peak season prices for a cruise. If you have a flexible schedule, though, you can find nice savings by cruising with your family during the off-season.

Look for last-minute deals

Finding a cheap last-minute deal is possible and can lead to amazing savings on a family cruise. When searching for a Royal Caribbean cruise, check if there are any last-minute deals available that can potentially save you hundreds of dollars per guest.

While cruising at the last minute may not be possible for all families, it’s still worth checking if there are any last-minute deals that coincide with your kids’ school schedules.

So… what does a family cruise cost?

To put the cost of a family cruise into perspective, I’ve calculated a few sample cruise fares for the following itineraries:

3 and 4-night cruises
6, 7, and 8-night cruises
Cruises on Oasis Class ships only

The pricing was calculated based on the following factors:

2 adults and 2 kids over the age of 2
Interior cabins
Includes taxes & fees
Does not include gratuities

These cruise fares were not priced during a Kids Sail Free promotion. During a Kids Sail Free promotion, you can expect to save several hundred dollars on the cruise fare per child.

Cabin choice

In the prices below, I have two pricing examples for booking a cruise cabin for a family: staying together in one interior cabin and booking two connecting interior cabins.

There are many other stateroom categories to choose from when traveling with kids, but these two are generally always the most economical.

These cruise fares were found on Royal Caribbean’s website, but pricing is subject to change. What was a cheap fare one day could change drastically the next day, so don’t be surprised to find varied pricing when you search for your own cruises.

Note: Many of the prices below are over $2000, but I wanted to give a realistic look at what a family cruise can cost. While you can certainly find cruises under $2000 for a family of four, it’s more common to see pricing between $2000 - $3000 as opposed to under $2000, especially for week-long cruises.

Cost of a week-long cruise for a family of 4

A 6,7, or 8-night cruise is the standard length for a cruise vacation, and Royal Caribbean has plenty of ships sailing week-long cruises at any given time.

Many passengers find week-long to be a great length because they give enough time to get acquainted with the ship, visit at least 3-4 ports, and have time to relax without feeling rushed.

The price of a week-long cruise can vary dramatically depending on the month you sail. During the summer months, it can be hard to find a cruise for a family of four under $2000. Off-season prices, however, can be more budget friendly, although it can still be tricky to find a cruise under $2000.

Peak season pricing (June) on a 7-night cruise:

Grandeur of the Seas - Caribbean: $2,571 (1 room), $2,926 (2 connecting rooms)
Ovation of the Seas - Alaska: $4,466 (1 room), $5,690 (2 connecting rooms)
Allure of the Seas - Caribbean: $3,285 (1 room), $3,875 (2 connecting rooms)

Off-season pricing on a 6, 7, or 8-night cruise:

Voyager of the Seas (6 nights - Caribbean): $1655 (1 room), $1,842 (2 connecting rooms)
Enchantment of the Seas (8 nights - Bahamas): $2,082 (1 room), $2,919 (2 connecting rooms)
Oasis of the Seas (7 nights - Caribbean): $2,303 (1 room), $2,830 (2 connecting rooms)

Cost of a short cruise (2-5 nights) for a family of 4

Shorter cruises (2-5 nights) will almost always have a lower cost than week-long cruises (6-8 nights). A variety of Royal Caribbean ships sail short cruise itineraries, but they’re most commonly scheduled on Voyager and Freedom Class ships.

It’s definitely possible to book a 3 or 4-night cruise for under $2000 for a family, even during peak season. 4-night cruises are often cheaper than 3-night sailings as they fall mid-week (Monday through Friday) and therefore have less demand.

The caveat with shorter cruises is that they often have a higher cost per night compared to longer cruises, meaning you may get more bang for your buck on a 7-night cruise even if the total cost is higher per person.

Freedom of the Seas sailing away from Miami

That being said, here are a few prices you can expect for a short cruise.

3-night weekend cruise during the peak summer season in June:

Independence of the Seas (Bahamas): $1,818 (1 room), $1,877 (2 connecting rooms)
Navigator of the Seas (Mexico): $1,601 (1 room), $1,895 (2 connecting rooms)

3-night weekend cruise during the off-season in February:

Freedom of the Seas (Bahamas): $1,277 (1 room), $1,452 (2 connecting rooms)
Navigator of the Seas (Mexico): $1,264 (1 room), $1,062 (2 connecting rooms)

Can I sail on an Oasis Class ship with my family for under $2000?

Oasis Class cruise ships are the most popular Royal Caribbean ships for families, offering an amazing array of family-friendly activities like water slides, zip lines, rock climbing, mini golf, a sports court, FlowRider, and a carousel.

With high demand comes high prices, however, and cruising on an Oasis Class ship will almost always be more expensive than a cruise of the same length and destination as an older class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

To see typical pricing for a family of four to sail on an Oasis Class ship in peak season, I priced out all 5 Oasis Class ships for a family of four on a 7-night cruise in July:

Oasis of the Seas (Bahamas): $3,755 (1 room), $5,830 (2 connecting rooms)
Allure of the Seas (Caribbean): $3,285 (1 room), $3,875 (2 connecting rooms)
Harmony of the Seas (Caribbean): $4,572 (1 room), $4,312 (2 connecting rooms)
Symphony of the Seas (Europe): $5,295 (1 room), $5,454 (2 connecting rooms)
Wonder of the Seas (Caribbean): $5,783 (1 room), $5423 (2 connecting rooms)

Next up, I priced out the same ships for a 7-night cruise during the off-season in October.

Oasis of the Seas (Bahamas): $2,303 (1 room), $2,830 (2 connecting rooms)
Allure of the Seas (Caribbean): $2,048 (1 room), $2,279 (2 connecting rooms)
Harmony of the Seas (Caribbean): $2,933 (1 room), $3,273 (2 connecting rooms)
Symphony of the Seas (Europe): $3,674 (1 room), $4,615 (2 connecting rooms)
Wonder of the Seas (Caribbean): $3,667 (1 room), $4,907 (2 connecting rooms)

As you can see, you’re unlikely to find a 7-night cruise for under $2000 on an Oasis Class ship, especially in the peak summer season. Expect to pay between $3000 and $5000 for a family of four during this time of year.

That being said, it’s possible to find a cruise for around $2000 during the off-season if you can make it work with your kids’ school schedules.

You’ll typically find the best pricing on Allure of the Seas, as this ship has not been amplified and is the only Oasis Class ship without water slides, the Ultimate Abyss, and updated dining venues. Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas usually have the highest pricing available, as they are the two newest ships in the Oasis Class.

So… can you actually cruise for $2000 with a family?

It’s possible to cruise for $2000 or under with a family when counting solely the cruise fare, especially if you book the cruise during a Kids Sail Free promotion.

However, you won’t have much selection when it comes to cruise length or ship choice. If this is important to you, it might be better to either stretch your budget or wait a few months until you can book the cruise that is of most interest to your family.

Outside of cruise fare, though, there are many factors that can drastically increase the total cost of a cruise vacation, including:

Airfare
Parking
Shore excursions
Gratuities
Dining & drink packages

Before booking a cruise, be sure to consider all factors to ensure you can stay within your budget. In the meantime, check out our top articles on how to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise:

9 incredibly easy cruise mistakes to avoid

In:

Planning

14 Sep 2022

Of all the mistakes a first-time cruiser could make, some are very easy to avoid because they are likely the easiest to identify as a pitfall.

Odyssey of the Seas in the Mediterranean Sea

I've shared lots of advice on how to avoid cruise mistakes over the years and most of these mistakes are the sort of problems new cruisers would have no idea exist until it's too late.

But there are plenty of mistakes that don't require years of cruise experience to identify as a fault.

I've certainly overlooked these mistakes as a given, but it's important to remember that plenty of people new to cruises try this sort of vacation every day, which means it's important to cover these topics too.

Consider this a refresher for what not to do in order to cover all your bases and not succumb to an easy first-time cruiser mistake.

Not knowing what time to be on the ship

The last thing you want to do is be late and your cruise ship to leave you behind. To that point, Royal Caribbean posts the time you need to be on the ship in multiple places and communicates it over the public address system.

To begin with, you'll need to be onboard the ship on the first day of the cruise (known as embarkation day) by a certain time in order to make the cruise.

Whether your travel plans to get you to the cruise ship are delayed, or you simply get busy in town, all passengers need to be onboard the ship by the all aboard time in order to be admitted to the cruise.

Often most passengers are competing to get the earliest check-in time for their cruise, but you'd be surprised how many guests get onboard in the final hour before the ship's gangway is disconnected.

The exact time you must be onboard by depends on the itinerary, but it's usually in the mid to late afternoon.

Similarly, you'll need to be back on the ship by a certain time in each port of call your cruise ship visits during your voyage.

Cruise ships remain docked in a port for a set amount of time and must leave by a certain time to ensure they can stick the planned schedule.

It's quite easy to avoid making this mistake, because times are posted in multiple places.

On the first day of the cruise, pick a time for check-in via the Royal Caribbean app and then get to the terminal at that time. It's okay if you're a little late (life happens), but there is a finite amount of time to get to the terminal before they will deny you boarding because the ship needs to leave.

On days your ship is in port, the all-aboard time is posted in the Cruise Compass, Royal Caribbean app, and signs near the gangway as you disembark.

Always triple-check whether the all-aboard time is based on the ship's clock or the local time.

Picking a cruise ship that doesn't have the activity you want onboard

If you're disappointed in the cruise ship you're sailing on because it doesn't have a water slide, show, or activity you really wanted to do, that issue could have been avoided had you looked up information about the ship before booking.

Royal Caribbean has a fleet of over 20 cruise ships, and they are not all the same.

While the television commercials you see will show off a variety of fun things to do, these activities are not on every ship.

You don't need to spend hours researching to know what each ship offers. Understanding what features a ship has (and doesn't have) is an easy way to avoid regret later.

Sunburn

After one day on a cruise, you'll start noticing a few people on your cruise walking around with that beet red look to them, and it could have easily been avoided.

Getting a sunburn is never fun, and on a cruise in the tropics, it's quite easy because of how strong the sun is in that part of the world.

When you're on vacation, it's easy to get caught up in the euphoria of the excitement that comes with time away from it all, but you will absolutely regret looking like a lobster later when the after-effects of the sunburn start to kick in.

Nothing ruins your beautiful cruise photos like a giant red sun burn, not to mention how painful it can be to the person who has it.

Be sure to not only pack sunscreen, but apply it early and often.

Not putting phone into airplane mode

When you leave the country, your cell phone goes into roaming mode and that can be incredibly costly.

On a Royal Caribbean ship, you are outside your cell phone company's service area and that is what the cell phone industry refers to as "roaming." Instead of using your cell provider's network, you use someone else's cell phone tower and network.

In simple terms, this means you'll be charged an arm and a leg to get cell phone access outside the United States.

Instead, just put your phone into airplane mode, which deactivates your phone's cellular antenna.

You can still use the phone while in airplane mode to connect to wifi, take photos, or any of your apps.

Not knowing about activities

Missing out on a fun activity can be a real downer while on a cruise.

Karaoke, bingo, shows, and demonstrations are available every day of your cruise, but it's up to you to know when it's happening.

It's quite common to hear someone tell someone else about a really fun event they attended and hear the other person profess disdain for being unaware it was happening.

Moreover, some events only happen once onboard. Certain activities may only be offered once or twice, so you'll need to be aware of the schedule to avoid missing out.

All the events of the cruise are listed in the Cruise Compass as well as the Royal Caribbean app. It's a good idea to review the schedule each evening for the following day to ensure you wake up in time for anything you have your heart set on doing. You can even set reminders in the Royal Caribbean app by adding the event to "My Calendar".

It contains important information like the hourly activities, the weather, special happenings, the drink of the day, and information on the ports.

Carrying your wallet around onboard

Royal Promenade on Adventure of the Seas

This tip is just about comfort more than anything else, but I really don't know why people carry their wallets around the ship once they are able to get into their staterooms.

Each cabin has a safe you can put valuables, such as a wallet, into to avoid theft or losing it.

In short, there's no reason to have a wallet on you while you're on the ship. Royal Caribbean ships are cashless, so all transactions are done via the SeaPass card. You won't need credit cards or identification in the regular flow of the day.

There are still a few times cash is needed, such as in the casino or when tipping a waiter, but there's less risk in carrying a wad of cash in your pocket rather than the entire content of your wallet.

Considering most men's wallets look more like George Costanza's wallet than a svelte money clip, you'll feel far more at ease with the wallet safely stowed away in the safe.

Packing prohibited items

There's a fairly long list of things you can't bring on a Royal Caribbean cruise, and there's always plenty of people who try to bring them anyway.

On embarkation day, security will scan every piece of luggage coming onboard and if they find something you shouldn't have, they will hold your bag.

This means your luggage wont be delivered to your cabin and you'll have to wait several more hours for security to contact you. At that point you'll need to meet security and watch them confiscate the prohibited item until the end of the cruise.

Read more: What can you not bring on a cruise

It's very easy to avoid this issue by reviewing the prohibited items before you start packing for your cruise.

Not double-checking you have travel documents before leaving home

If you forget to pack underwear, you can buy more at near the port, but if you forget your travel documents, you won't be able to go on the cruise at all.

Due to government regulations, you absolutely need to have the proper travel documents with you in order to cruise.

Make sure your passport, birth certificates, and other forms of identification are on your cruise packing list. Then when it's time to leave your house, check again that those documents are with you in the right bag.

One more tip is to keep all your travel documents with you during the cruise ship boarding process. Do not pack these items in the luggage you give the porters.

Not difference between port and starboard

There's a fair amount of cruise ship lingo, but two terms you should figure out quickly to make navigation easier for yourself.

When facing the front of the ship, port is the left side and starboard is the right.

An easy trick to remember this is "port" and "left" are both four letter words.

Planning a Royal Caribbean cruise? Start here:

How to get to Royal Caribbean's cruise terminals and how much parking will cost

In:

Planning

13 Sep 2022

A lot of cruise ship passengers will drive to their port of embarkation, whether with their own vehicle or in a ride share and you might be wondering how to get there.

Cruise ship terminals are usually well-marked and have a reasonable amount of signage to indicate which exit they are located at, but it can be confusing which one is the right terminal.

Even in this age of mobile apps providing GPS directions to just about anywhere, if you don't pinpoint the right spot, you may end up driving in the wrong direction.

In an effort to provide a simple list of cruise ship terminals and associated parking information, here is what you should know about where to go at each of the major cruise ports Royal Caribbean sails from in the United States and what the parking situation is like at each port.

Miami

PortMiami has two possible cruise terminals Royal Caribbean sails from: Terminals A and G, but you'll probably end up sailing from Terminal A.

In fact, Oasis Class ships always sail from Terminal A.

Address

Terminal A: 2000 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Terminal G: 1103 N Cruise Blvd, Miami, FL 33132

Driving Directions

From Miami International Airport (7 miles):

Via Port Tunnel: Take 836 East through the toll.
Continue onto FL836 E/I-395 E, then keep right to merge onto MacArthur Causeway.
Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs to your pier terminal.

Via Port Bridge: Take 836 East through the toll.
Exit at US1 N.E. 2nd Avenue/Biscayne Boulevard, proceed straight through one light, and then turn right at the second light onto Biscayne Boulevard (US1).
Stay in your left-hand lane and turn left into the Port of Miami on N.E. 5th Street.
Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal.

From Ft. Lauderdale International (26 miles):

Via Port Tunnel: Take I-95 South to Exit 2D toward I-395 E/Miami Beach.
Merge onto MacArthur Causeway.
Use the left 2 lanes to take the exit towards Port of Miami Tunnel and follow the signs for your pier terminal.

Via Port Bridge: Take I-95 South to Exit 3B, N.W. 8th Street.
Turn left onto 5th Street and continue straight until you reach the Port of Miami entrance.
Drive across the bridge and follow signs to your pier terminal.

Parking Costs

Royal Caribbean Terminal A Garage rates as of January 15, 2022:

For sailings 6 days or more – the rate will remain the same - $25 per night
For sailings 5 nights or less – the new rate will be $28 per night

Other garages and lots:

Long term (overnight or greater), per vehicle, per space, per day or fraction of $22

Fort Lauderdale

The cruise terminals in Fort Lauderdale are known as Port Everglades, and Royal Caribbean has two terminals it sails from: Terminal 18 and Terminal 29. Generally, most ships sail from Terminal 18.

Passengers should follow the port’s digital signage upon arrival to guide them to the correct terminal.

Address

Terminal 18: 1901 SE 19th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Terminal 29: Port Everglades Terminal 29, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Driving Directions

From Fort Lauderdale International Airport (5 miles):

Exit the airport and follow signs for I-595 East/Port Everglades. Continue to the last exit on I-595 East and follow the signs to Port Everglades.
This will automatically take you to the Port Everglades security entrance.
From there, follow the directional signs for your designated ship's pier terminal.

From Miami International Airport (30 miles):

Take 836 East to I-95 North.
Exit I-95 North at 595 East.
Follow 595 to the end; then follow the Port Everglades signs.

Parking Costs

Rates are $15 USD per day for the regular vehicles and $19 for the oversized vehicles (rates subject to change without notice by the Port Authority).

Orlando

Port Canaveral is the name of the port area that Royal Caribbean markets as Orlando, and it's where you'll find ships sailing primarily out of Terminal 1.

When there are multiple ships, Royal Caribbean will use other terminals as well, such as Terminal 5.

Address

Terminal 1: 9050 Discovery Rd, Port Canaveral, FL 32920

Terminal 5: 9245 Charles M Rowland Dr, Cape Canaveral, FL 32920

Driving Directions

From Orlando International Airport (MCO):
Approximately 45 minutes west of Port Canaveral.

Take the North exit from the airport, staying to the right on SR 528 East.
Take SR 528 East all the way to Port Canaveral.
Upon approaching the port area, follow the signs indicating Port Canaveral Cruise Terminals B Side.

Parking Costs

3 Nights/4 Days - $68.00
4 Nights/5 Days - $85.00
5 Nights/6 Days - $102.00
6 Nights/7 Days - $119.00
7 Nights/8 Days - $136.00
8 Nights/9 Days - $153.00

Galveston

Royal Caribbean's home port in Texas is in the coastal island of Galveston, where Royal Caribbean is transitioning to a new cruise terminal in November 2022.

Address

Cruise Terminal 2: 2702 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

New cruise terminal: 1028 Harborside Dr, Galveston, TX 77550

Driving Directions

From Hobby (HOU) Airport:

Turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59
Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

From George Bush International Airport (IAH):

Exit the airport and turn right onto Eastex FRWY/US-59.
Merge onto US-59 S via the ramp- on the left.
Take I-45 south to Exit 1C, and turn left (east) onto Harborside Drive/Hwy 275.
Continue about 4.7 miles to Kempner / 22nd street (which is the street leading into the Cruise Ship Terminal entrance), and turn left.
The are adjacent to the terminal is for loading/unloading luggage curbside only.

Parking Costs

There are three parking lots available and can be booked in advance directly from the Port of Galveston’s website.

There are three lots at Cruise Terminal 3: the North Lot, South Lot, and Pier 14 Lot.

Length of Cruise	Economy Lots Park and Ride	Express Lot & SMP Parking Garage Park and Walk (NO SHUTTLE)
Four Days	$65.00	$80.00
Five Days	$70.00	$90.00
Six Days	$80.00	$105.00
Seven Days	$95.00	$120.00
Eight Days	$110.00	$135.00

Cape Liberty, New Jersey

Unlike other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean sails out of New Jersey instead of New York City. The good news is it's easier to get to without city traffic.

Cape Liberty is in the Port of Bayonne, just a few minutes from Newark International Airport.

There is just one cruise terminal in Cape Liberty, so it's easy to find where to go.

Address

4 Port Terminal Blvd, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Driving Directions

From Newark International Airport (9 miles):

Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
Follow signs for Route 440 South.
Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

From NJ Turnpike north or south:

Exit the airport, following signs to the NJ Turnpike.
Take the NJ Turnpike to exit 14A.
Pay toll at exit and continue straight (after traffic light onto bridge) onto Route 440.
Follow signs for Route 440 South.
Continue on Route 440 South to Port Terminal Blvd.
Turn left at Port Terminal Blvd. (there is a traffic light at the intersection).
This is the entrance for the "Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor" or the old "Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne."
Continue straight and approach the guard gate.
Continue past the guard gate and follow the signs to the cruise terminal.

Parking Costs

Parking fees are $25 per day including all taxes for the parking garage at the terminal.

Oversized vehicles, such as campers and RV’s, that occupy more than one space, will be charged double the normal rate.

The height restriction of the garage is 7’ 4”. There is an open lot adjacent to the parking garage to accommodate vehicles with height restrictions.

Tampa

Cruises from Tampa have two possible terminals your ship could sail from: Terminal 2 or Terminal 3.

Luckily, both terminals are adjacent to each other.

Address

Terminal 2: 651 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Terminal 3: 815 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602

Driving Directions

From Tampa International Airport (10 miles):

Exit the Airport and follow signs to I-275 North.
I-275 merges with I-4 East.
Take I-4 East to Exit #1 (Ybor City).
Go south on 21st Street, turn right on Adamo Drive (Hwy 60).
Turnleft (south) on Channelside Drive.
Cruise Terminal 3 main entrance is approximately 5 blocks South on Channelside Drive.
Entrance is on the left at Cumberland Street.
In the event of a last minute change in pier assignments, signage will indicate the assigned terminal for your particular ship.

Parking Costs

Parking will cost $15 Per Day.

A valet option has a one time fee of $20 on top of the $15 daily rate.

Baltimore

Cruises from Baltimore offer a convenient departure for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States from the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal.

Address

South Locust Point Cruise Terminal: 2001 E McComas St, Baltimore, MD 21230

Driving Directions

Traveling from the south:

Follow I-95 North to Exit 55, Key Highway.
From the ramp, stay straight on East McComas Street.
The South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance is on the right.

Traveling from the north:

Follow I-95 South through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel, be sure to be in the right lane when going through the tunnel.
Take Exit 55, Key Highway.
Turn left at the traffic light onto East McComas Street.
Follow the signs to the South Locust Point Cruise Terminal's entrance on the right.

Parking Costs

Parking is approximately $15.00 per night.

Seattle

Royal Caribbean sails from Smith Cove Cruise Terminal 91 in Seattle.

Address

2001 W Garfield St, Seattle, WA 98119

Driving Directions

From I-5 South:

Head north on I-5 and follow signs to the Mercer Street Exit
Take exit 167 (left-side off-ramp) to Mercer Street
Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North (400 feet)
Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
Valley Street bends to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
Bend right to Western Avenue (0.22 miles)
Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection) (0.14 miles)
Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street) (0.35 miles)
Exit right. Follow signs to Smith Cove Park (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

From I-5 North:

Head south on I-5 and follow the signs to the Mercer Street Exit
Take exit 167 to Mercer Street (right-hand off-ramp)
Take a right turn on to Fairview Avenue North ( 400 feet)
Take a left turn on Valley Street (0.18 miles)
Valley Street bends to the left and becomes Broad Street (0.75 miles)
Turn right to Denny Way (0.32 miles)
Bend right to Western Avenue (0.22 miles)
Western joins Elliott Avenue West (1.18 miles)
Follow signs to Magnolia Bridge
Turn right at 14th Ave West (signal light intersection) (0.14 miles)
Stay to the right and follow ramp joining the Magnolia Bridge (West Garfield Street) (0.35 miles)
Exit right. Follow signs to “Smith Cove Park” (0.55 miles) and Cruise Terminal
Turn right at bottom of ramp and follow signs for cruise terminal parking or cruise terminal

Parking Costs

General parking is available for $27 per day. Book online at Republic Parking Northwest.

Boston

Royal Caribbean offers seasonal cruises from Boston to Canada and New England from the Raymond L. Flynn Black Falcon Cruise Terminal.

Address

1 Black Falcon Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Directions

From Logan International Airport (4 miles):

When exiting Logan Airport, follow signs to enter the Ted Williams Tunnel (toll)
Take Exit #25 (South Boston) and stay in the right lane
Turn right onto Congress Street and turn left onto B Street
At the next signal, turn right onto Seaport Boulevard (changes to Northern Avenue)
At the end of Northern Avenue, turn right on Tide Street and make an immediate left onto Drydock Avenue
Follow Drydock Avenue and turn right on Black Falcon Avenue
There will be signs directing you to ship locations as well as police officers to assist

Parking Costs

Massport offers Cruise Parking at 492 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210 (Lot D3). Parking arrangements must be made online prior to arrival here.

Seward, Alaska

If you happen to do an Alaska open-jaw sailing from Seward, Alaska down to Vancouver, here's what to know when it comes to getting to the cruise ship terminal.

Address

Port of Seward
Alaska Railroad Dock
Seward, AK 99664

Directions

From Anchorage Airport (130 miles):

Take International Airport Road east until you reach Minnesota Drive.
Take a right on Minnesota Drive and follow the signs to Seward Highway South.
Once on Seward Highway, you’ll travel approximately 130 miles to Seward.
Once in Seward, follow the signs to the Alaska Railroad Dock.
You will also be able to see the ship terminal from the highway on your left as you enter Seward.
For directions to the Hospitality Center in Anchorage please call (907) 278-8070.

Parking Costs

There is no parking at the terminal. You'll need to contact the City of Seward for parking information.

New Orleans

Royal Caribbean sails from Terminal 2 in New Orleans.

Address

920 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130

Directions

For guests being dropped off, not parking:

Take I-10 East toward New Orleans.
Follow signs for Westbank (Business 90) as you approach downtown.
Exit at Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St. exit.
Continue to Convention Center Blvd.
Right on Convention Center Blvd.
Continue to Henderson St.
Left on Henderson St.
Continue to Port of New Orleans Place.
Left on Port of New Orleans Place to cruise terminals.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 east to Exit 11C:

Stay on I-10 all the way into the city.
From the left lane, take exit 234C, Business 90 West/Westbank/Claiborne Ave.
Stay left and take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
Continue to Exit 11C.
Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

To pier parking facility for Julia Street Cruise Ship Terminal #2 from Interstate 10 west to Exit 11C:

After passing the Carrollton Ave. exit, take Exit 234A, 90/Superdome, Claiborne Ave., Westbank.
Stay in one of the left two lanes, under the "Business 90 West / Westbank" sign.
Take the Business 90 West/Westbank exit.
Continue to Exit 11C.
Exit 11C Tchoupitoulas St./South Peters St.
Continue straight ahead in the left lane to Convention Center Blvd.
Turn left on Convention Center Blvd.
Continue past two traffic lights and cross the intersection for Julia Street.
Entrance to parking lot will be on the right directly after Julia Street.
Parking facility located directly next to the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.

Parking Costs

The parking lot is a within a block of the terminal, and shuttle service is provided if needed. P

Parking rates: 4 day parking is $90; 5 days parking is $110; 7 days parking is $150.

Los Angeles

If your Royal Caribbean is sailing from Los Angeles, that means the terminal will be at the San Pedro World Cruise Terminal.

Address

100 Swinford St, San Pedro, CA 90731

Directions

From Los Angeles International Airport

Take the 110 Freeway South towards San Pedro.
Exit at Harbor Boulevard (same exit as the Vincent Thomas Bridge).
Stay to the right - Harbor Boulevard (Do not go over the bridge.)
At the light, cross over the main road, turning right into the "World Cruise Terminal."
Follow the directions to parking and passenger drop-off.

Parking Costs

Parking is available for $20 a day.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

When your Royal Caribbean cruise begins in San Juan, you will sail out of the Pan American cruise terminal, which is across the bay from Old San Juan.

Address

FW52+9V6, Calle Muelle, San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico

Directions

From Luis Munoz Marin International Airport

Exit the Airport to San Juan taking the middle lane on Baldorioty Ave.
This avenue will take you to New and Old San Juan.
Once you are at the end of the avenue you will find a traffic light.
On the right you will see the Condado Lagoon and on your left you will see the Yacht Club.
This is a one-way road.
Stay in the left lane and follow the signs directing to San Juan or the Convention Centre.
Keep to your left and make a U-turn whenever possible.
After the turn, remain on the right hand side and continue forward past the Yacht Club, Sizzlers Restaurant.
At the corner make a right, continue to the traffic light.
Make a right hand turn at the next right.
Follow the road to the entrance of the pier.

Parking costs

No parking available at the terminal. You'll need to find somewhere else to park and then take a taxi or shuttle to the terminal.

Royal Caribbean cruises in September 2023: What to expect

In:

Planning

05 Sep 2022

Have a Royal Caribbean cruise planned for September 2023? Fall is a popular time to sail because of lower prices.

There is plenty happening and changing with cruise ships, so here is a look at what to expect if you are going on a cruise in September.

This post will share important information what you should know before going on a cruise in September. September is the traditional beginning of fall, but it is still a very hot month in the Caribbean. Meanwhile there are also ships sailing to Alaska and Europe.

September is also one of the best months to book a cruise in terms of value. Since school is back in session, there are less families cruising and with it being the peak of hurricane season, demand for cruises dips a bit. The result is competitive prices for going on a cruise.

If you can find time to hop on a ship, September is a great time to cruise and with more ships back in service, there are lots of good options again to consider.

Ships sailing in September 2023

You will find Royal Caribbean cruises sailing in three markets during September: the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe.

September begins the tail end of the Alaska cruise and European cruise seasons. There are still plenty of cruises in these markets, but the combination of school restarting and cooler temperatures reduce demand for these markets.

In fact, September is one of the lowest demand months of the year for a cruise. This means if you want a bargain, September might be the best month for a cruise.

In the Caribbean, it's still the off season for cruises and the peak of hurricane season means demand tends be lower than almost any other month.

September weather on a cruise

While it may be fall where you live, September is still very much summer in the Caribbean.

Expect typical summer weather in the Caribbean, which means hot and humid weather with passing rain showers at any given time.

If you are looking at the weather forecast for your cruise, don't be surprised if rain is in the forecast every day. All that means is there is a chance for a passing or pop up storm. More than likely you will have plenty of sun, with perhaps a quick downpour.

September is the beginning of the peak of hurricane season, which means the likelihood of a named storm is higher than it was earlier in the summer.

According to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, 87 percent of minor and 96 percent of major hurricanes occur between August and October, peaking in early September.

Hurricanes are obviously an issue, but Royal Caribbean monitors the weather and will move ships around storms. Fear not: your ship will not go anywhere near a hurricane.

The biggest issue with cruising in September is the last-minute itinerary changes that can occur due to storms.

Over in Alaska, September begins the end of the Alaska cruise season, although Royal Caribbean extended the season this year by an extra month.

Just like in the Caribbean, September is one of the cheapest months to sail to Alaska because kids are back in school.

In addition, the best time see the Northern Lights in Alaska is in September. September is the time of year when the sun sets earlier during the cruise season, which means the sky gets darker and makes for the most ideal viewing conditions.

And yes, September is also a great time visit Europe for good deals.

September is a popular time to cruise the Western Mediterranean because you can avoid the families and still enjoy warm temperatures.

Where is the best place to cruise in September?

Depending on if you prioritize weather, a low price, or something else, there are a few good cruise ideas for September.

One advantage of taking a cruise over the first weekend in September is the Labor Day holiday, which means one less day of vacation time required.

Hurricane season may mean cheap cruises, but if you want to mitigate your risk of a hurricane impacting your cruise, try a southern Caribbean sailing.

The ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) islands are in an area that rarely gets impacted by cruises, so it's less likely for a tropical storm to cause an issue. Of course, your ship still needs to get back and forth to this area, so it's not a completely fool-proof plan.

An Alaska cruise in September is a great idea to save money, especially for a last-minute cruise deal. The downside to Alaska in September is it tends to be colder and rains more than other months.

Europe might be your best bet for a September cruise in terms of comfortable weather and prices.

Spotted: Digital copy downloads of the Cruise Compass

In:

Planning

29 Aug 2022

Some guests are seeing a new way to get a copy of the daily guide to events on their Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean has traditionally provided guests with a paper copy of the daily guide to activities and events, known as the Cruise Compass.

Traditionally passengers receive a copy each evening in their stateroom that outlines the following day's events.

On Liberty of the Seas, guests have the option to get a digital download of the Cruise Compass directly to their phone in the form a PDF file.

Karen Fraser shared photos in the Liberty of the Seas Facebook group of the new option.

Ms. Fraser reported there are QR codes at both Guest Services and sent to the cabin that you can scan with your phone's camera.

Assuming you're on Royal Caribbean's wifi, after scanning the QR code, the day's Compass appears for use.

It's unclear how many ships offer this option yet, and if it will remain an option on future cruises or is simply a short-term test.

What Is Royal Caribbean's Cruise Compass?

The Cruise Compass is the name of the ship newsletter.

There is a new copy every day that contains times and locations for activities, special events, show times and more.

You can also find listed special offers or discounts available for dining, drinks, onboard merchandise purchases and even shopping in port.

Additionally, there's an hour-by-hour schedule of everything happening on the ship, including live performances, children's programming and dining options.

Each day's newsletter also includes opening and closing times for all of the ship's facilities, a list of onboard services, medical contacts and information for each port of call, including law enforcement.

You can find past copies of Royal Caribbean's Cruise Compass in our archive.

A new digital option

The option to download a copy of the printed Cruise Compass is a new way to learn about what's happening onboard the ship.

For years, the printed Cruise Compass was the only option, but Royal Caribbean's app has also offered a list of activities.

While the app is designed to mirror the printed Compass, in practice, there have been discrepancies from time to time between the two.

Depending on the ship, there are also other ways to see activities, such as on a designated channel on the in-room television and/or via the wayfinders in the hallways.

Moving away from a printed copy

For years, the move to paperless daily newsletters has been discussed among cruise fans as an almost inevitability.

On some Royal Caribbean ships, printed copies have not been automatically distributed to all guests. Some guests have reported the need to request a copy be delivered by their stateroom attendant, or go down to Guest Services for a copy.

Royal Caribbean has not announced any formal change in the printed Cruise Compass policy in terms of how it will be distributed.

With society shifting towards digital consumption, many cruise fans have assumed a digital-only Cruise Compass is an inevitability.

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