We all make mistakes, including when on a cruise ship.  While making a mistake is bound to happen, we can learn from each other by hearing the one big mistake our readers have had on a cruise.

A cruise vacation is filled with fun activities, great dining and exotic ports of call to explore.  With so many possibilities, a misstep along the way is not uncommon.  The key is to avoid the pitfalls.

I reached out to our blog readers to hear some of the worst mistakes they have ever made on a cruise. These pitfalls are the perfect lessons for the rest of us to know about and avoid on our own sailings.

Taking online reviews too seriously

This next cruise fail is a giant pet peeve of mine, which is to take one person's opinion of something as gospel.

WanderPam almost cancelled her cruise plans based on a negative review online!

"The worst thing I did was consider canceling our Explorer cruise because I took negative reviews too seriously. So glad I didn't because we had the most amazing 2 week cruise ever!"

There is nothing wrong with consulting others' opinions (this entire blog post is made up of opinions), but do not treat cruise ship reviews like you would a Yelp review.

Cruise ships offer such a varied and experiential vacation that it cannot be properly reviewed in its entirety based on a single experience. Cruises are by their very design a "create your own adventure" experience.  You could sit at the pool every day of the cruise and never do one activity, whereas the guy next to you could be zip lining, crocheting, belly flopping and dancing the night away.  In short, we all cruise differently.

My favorite way to explain why online reviews of cruise ships should not be used as a basis for anything other than entertainment is The Great Wall of China.

If you do an internet search for "The Great Wall of China", which is one of the greatest achievements of mankind, it only has a 4.2 star rating on Google!

No ship in the fleet is inherently flawed, and no ship is a mistake to sail on. Figure out what the ship offers (and doesn't offer), and make the right decision based on what you are looking for in a cruise vacation.

Not considering the holiday schedule

There are cruises offered throughout the year, including over major holidays.

Coneyraven booked a cruise on Brilliance of the Seas not realizing it was over the Easter holiday, which meant there were many more kids onboard than he was anticipating.

"Our biggest mistake was not looking at the holiday calendar before we booked a cruise. Had we known it was going to be Easter, we would not have booked that date.  We tend to gravitate more towards holiday's that are more "adult oriented", as opposed to "Family Oriented", like Halloween and New Years Eve."

You might be wondering why he did not cancel and rebook to a non-holiday cruise? He committed a double faux-pas by booking a non-refundable cruise fare, which is one of my pitfalls to avoid.

Beyond the issue of kids, not looking at the calendar means you could also end up paying more for hotels or aifare because holidays will drive up the cost of those incidentals as well.

Not researching anything

Our next cruise fail is one that I hear about all the time from first time cruisers and that is not learning about their ship, or where the places they are visiting.

Geoff P shared how on his first cruise, they did not research anything to maximize their vacation.

"We had a good time of course, but learned my lesson to do more research to really get the most out of our experience.  For our second cruise and now our third on upcoming have done much more research and planning ahead of time and its been so much better."

Learning about your cruise ship, as well as the ports you visit only benefits you in the long run. Not only can a little exploration into what your cruise ship offers save you time, it can reveal activities and opportunities you might not have otherwise know about.

All too often, I hear from cruisers who wish they knew about a certain activity, excursion or deal, and the key to not missing out on any of it is pre-cruise research.

Knowledge is power, so take advantage of your time before a cruise begins to learn as much as you can!

Going to a port without anything planned

Each port of call your ship will visit offers something a little bit different, and in many cases there are opportunities to explore the history, culture or natural beauty of these destinations.  

In the case of SteveinSC, not knowing about what the ports offered lead to a lackluster experience.

"My first couple of cruises, at our stops, I just got off the boat and walked around the port area. Big mistake. I wasn't taking advantage of all the stop had to offer!!! In my other cruises, I started booking excursions and taking taxis and really venturing out. Completely changed how I viewed, not only the itinerary, but the whole cruise."

One of the best things about the internet is the ability to learn about what nearly anywhere in the world has to offer, so look up the popular attractions and offerings to have a good idea of what the best choices are out there.

Next, look at booking a Royal Caribbean shore excursion to see what the cruise line is offering.

You have everything to gain by looking into what there is to do in any of the ports you will be visiting, and coming up with a plan for each port day.

Trying to do it all

I mentioned that cruise ships have so much to do onboard, and that leads us to our next cruise mistake, which is trying to do everything.

Melmar02 shared how she wanted to work everything in and that lead to more frustration than fun.

"I'm all for seeing and experiencing everything, but husband wants a laid back relaxing vacation...big fights may have broken out on our second cruise. I'm much more "go with the flow" now."

Achieving a balance of activities and relaxation is a great idea, and overdoing it in order to see it all often leads to burnout.

It is nearly impossible to do every single activity on a single sailing, so your best bet is to prioritize the must-do activities onboard and then come back for another sailing later to do more. 

Lots of people have had amazing cruise experiences by sleeping in, relaxing by the pool, and otherwise taking it easy. No one said a fabulous vacation can only be one where you are hiking, ATV-ing, and running around for 7 days.

Not pre-booking

If there is one mistake I always bring up it is not taking advantage of prebooking activities and add-ons to save you time and money later on.

JasonL shared how not pre-booking things cost him while on the cruise.

"Didn't use to pre-purchase as much as possible before the cruise. Also didn't pre-book activities. Of course I didn't have any money for extras back then, but  still it's a very common rookie mistake."

If you wait to purchase drink packages, shore excursions, restaurant reservations or spa appointments onboard your Royal Caribbean ship, you are wasting money.

Royal Caribbean offers pre-cruise discounts in the months leading up to its cruises and these discounts are significant enough to make it well worth your time to pre-book instead of waiting to buy it on the ship.

An intangible benefit to pre-purchasing anything is it saves you time onboard from doing the exact same thing, which means more vacation time back to you.

Taking the time to purchase anything onboard does not take very much time, but every little bit helps, and some purchases on the first day of the cruise can require waiting in a line, such as drink packages.

Not having a packing list

I still struggle with packing as efficiently as possible, but the fear of getting onboard a cruise ship only to realize you forgot something really important is an all too real concern.

ptod wrote about how her husband refused to use a packing list, and ended up getting onboard without something pretty darn important.

"My husband was a little irked that I wanted to review the basic clothes that we had packed for one cruise....so I just let it go.  Come to find out that he completely forgot to pack any underwear - none, nada, zilch.  All he had was what he wore to travel."

While I admit that I do not always use a packing list, it is generally a good idea to refer to one to ensure you bring the most important things to pack for your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Not putting phone into airplane mode

A very costly mistake is not protecting your phone against roaming charges that can run up a giant bill later.

Rose City Cruiser committed this mistake, and it was not pretty after the cruise was over.

"Forgetting to put my cell phone in airplane mode.  Was able to negotiate down the outstanding balance.  It was a huge lesson."

It is really easy to put your phone into airplane mode to protect against a costly bill later. 

Make sure once you get on the cruise ship, disable your phone's ability to connect to other networks, and then have the peace of mind that you will not have an expensive surprise waiting for you next month.

Missing the cruise because of a flight delay

Perhaps the most common mistake I see made is by people that fly in the same day their cruise departs. In my opinion, you are playing with fire by doing this instead of flying in at least a day ahead of time.

twangster wrote how it cost him once by doing that.

"I don’t make cruise mistakes. Okay, there was that one time I flew to the cruise on the morning of the cruise... and missed my cruise."

If you are flying to your cruise embarkation port, be sure to fly in at least one day early to avoid travel delays impacting your ability to make the cruise.

Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays.  You really do not want to be that person in the airport losing their mind because the latest delay means the entire vacation is in jeopardy.

As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner!  And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore.

Having cash with you

While Royal Caribbean's ships are cashless, other people outside the ship definitely still use green backs.

Brobbins246 confessed to a time she forgot to grab some cash.

"My confession is completely forgetting to have some cash available for tipping the porters on embarkation day.  We had a rental car to return that morning, so my husband dropped me, our kids and our luggage at the cruise port, then drove off to return the car.  After a porter took care of our luggage, I realized all our cash was still with my husband and I had nothing to give him except a profuse apology, thank you, and a hand shake.  Awkward....."

It is a good idea to bring some cash with you for before and after the cruise, as well as in any of the ports you visit. Be sure to also have smaller bills for tipping.

What's your worst cruise mistake?

Time to fess up to the worst rookie mistake you made on a cruise, even if you aren't a first time cruiser. Is there one here that you also committed, or do you have your own story to share? Please share the single mistake/slip up/fail you made on a cruise, so that we can all learn from these mistakes!

If you have done even a tiny bit of research, you are well aware of common cruise tips, such as not overpacking or to pre-purchase add-ons to save money, but here are the secrets and tricks people that cruise all the time do, so you can do it too!

There is plenty of good cruise advice to go around, and this blog was started as a means of learning from each other.

In that spirit, I wanted to highlight five tips that I, and so many other people that cruise all the time, do on pretty much every cruise we book.  These tips may save you time and money, and not something the average cruiser may know about.

Changing their booking to non-refundable at the last minute

Many of you know I am a big proponent of booking refundable cruise fare because it adds a great deal of flexibility in case your plans change.  But you can change to non-refundable cruise fare down the line, especially if it is in your financial best interest to do so.

While not something that always occurs, there are plenty of situations where a booking is made a year or two in advance with a refundable cruise fare.  As the sail date approaches, it becomes clearer that you will almost certainly want and be able to sail on that cruise.

A good tip is to monitor the non-refundable cruise rates prior to final payment, because there are scenarios where the non-refundable rate drops to a point where it makes sense to rebook under that deposit program and take advantage of the savings.

I will employ this strategy once I am certain I will go on the sailing, and the savings bu changing are worth the jump.

Booking solo stateroom with a fake second person

This is one of my favorite tips for saving money when cruising by yourself.

Going on a cruise solo is a really fun experience, but it can also be an expensive sailing. Royal Caribbean charges something known as the "single supplement fee" to offset the loss for not achieving double occupancy in a stateroom.

When someone seeks to book a solo cruise, they usually enter just one person in the room reservation, and Royal Caribbean sticks you with that single supplement fee.

Instead, try looking for a reservation that has two people on it: you and a fake person.

When you add a second person, it is not uncommon that the total price is cheaper than if you price the same room out solo. 

Don't worry, you will not get in trouble for booking a fake second person.  You simply show up to the cruise terminal alone, let the agent know the other person will not be coming and you will get the fake second person's port fees and taxes refunded later.  And you still get double Crown and Anchor Society points for sailing solo!

Pre-book gratuities

When you book a cruise, there is the option to pre-book gratuities or pay them onboard.  Cruise pros always pre-book gratuities because it simplifies things, and locks in the gratuity rate in case of a rate change later.

Every so often, Royal Caribbean will revise the gratuity rates for its crew to keep pay in line with the industry.  When this occurs, anyone who pre-booked gratuities will be grandfathered in under the old rates.  

By pre-booking gratuities, you not only spread out the total cost of the cruise, but you assure yourself of the lowest price you can pay.

Book cruises years in advance

People that cruise a lot will book their cruises many months in advance to take advantage of the lowest prices. 

This is the best strategy for locking in the lowest price, as well as getting the most sought-after cabins that get booked up quickly (such as suites).

When Royal Caribbean releases new sailings, cruise pros will comb over the new options and usually place deposits as soon as they can to lock in low prices.

By booking early, you will often find the best rates available because cruise fares operate on a supply and demand basis.  The less supply there is (i.e. staterooms available to book), the higher prices.  So by booking one to two years early, you will find the best rates.

Book with a travel agent

I will never tire of sharing one of my favorite tips that will save you time and money in the long run - work with a good travel agent.

A good travel agent is more than somebody to take your credit card details and reserve a cabin.  Travel agents are your advocate throughout the cruise process, and are invaluable if an issue should arise at any point. 

In these days of delayed refunds, cancelled cruises, and future cruise credit tracking, having a good travel agent working on your behalf is incredibly important.

Since a good travel agent should cost you nothing extra to use (the cruise line pays them a commission), you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by using one.

Your best tips

Did I miss a cruise tip employed by the most cruise-ninjas out there? How many of these tips have you heard about? Share your suggestions and experiences in the comments!

Regardless of if you are going on your first or fiftieth Royal Caribbean cruise, maximizing the experience is something everyone wants to do.

I love to share cruise tips, tricks, and advice, so that everyone can benefit from saving time or money (or both). With that in mind, I have some of my favorite expert-level Royal Caribbean cruise hacks that repeat cruisers swear by.

More storage with magnetic hooks

While storage space on Royal Caribbean's newer ships has gotten better, you will find somewhere to stuff all of your things still at a premium.

One great trick is to invest in magnetic hooks that hold up things like jackets, dresses, hats, swimsuits and pretty much anything you may have.

Since the cabin walls are all made of metal, you can stick magnetic hooks pretty much anywhere and greatly expand your storage options.

Here are some magnetic hooks you can order. (This link contains an affiliate link, which means I get a commission for purchases made. There is no additional cost to you)

Plan for signature activities on embarkation day

One easy way to tell who has cruised before is to spot which guests are already hitting up the FlowRider, pools and water slides on embarkation day.

It may not occur to new cruisers that these activities are open on embarkation day, or that lines for them are nearly non-existent.

In order to take advantage of the rock climbing, ziplining,or mini golf, be sure to pack (or wear) sneakers and athleisure wear.

If you are interested in aquatic activities, pack a bathing suit flip-flops and sunscreen in your backpack. You can typically find a bathroom near the pool areas to change in if your room is not ready yet.

Skip a port day

Visiting the ports of call your ship will take you to can be a real highlight, but if you have been to these before, or perhaps do not see anything tremendously appealing, you could always stay onboard.

Royal Caribbean's ships offer a ton to do onboard, and long lines can make it difficult to "do it all" during sea days.

Long time cruisers will often stay onboard during a port day in order to take advantage of discounts at the spa, wide-open pool decks and short lines for signature activities.

Book early and reprice often

The tried and true strategy for cruisers who live in a country that allows price adjustments (United States, Canada and others) is to book a cruise as soon as they know they want to go on that sailing, and then re-price if the fare drops.

Royal Caribbean allows cruisers to reprice their cruise at the lower cruise fare if the price for that cruise goes down at any time before final payment date. As long as the price drops for the same ship and sail date that has been booked previously, and it is before final payment date, guests can reprice their cruise as many times as they want.

Unfortunately, residents of the United Kingdom cannot use this strategy since local laws prevent price adjustments.

The final payment date for Royal Caribbean cruises is 75 days prior to the sailing date for 1 - 4 night cruise vacations and 90 days prior to the sailing date for 5-night or longer cruise vacations. The payment schedule for groups is different from that of individuals. 

The strategy of booking early and then taking advantage of price drops ensure you always have the lowest price, as opposed to trying to time a price drop later (which may or may not happen).

Arrive to the cruise terminal early

Royal Caribbean provides everyone with a boarding time in the afternoon, but many veteran cruisers will say in practice, boarding times are much earlier than what is stated. Royal Caribbean does this to help break up crowds.

When boarding does commence, Royal Caribbean will board their ships with Suite guests firsts, followed by guests based on their Crown and Anchor Society status, and finally, all other guests.  Regardless of your status, the earlier you check-in, the sooner you will board the ship.

The advantage of arriving to the cruise port early is you will likely find shorter lines, and board the ship sooner.  That means your vacation begins sooner, and you will have more time on embarkation day to explore and have fun. 

Use breakfast room service as a wakeup call

While room service has a fee, there is still a complimentary continental breakfast option.

Not only does it mean you get coffee, Danishes and some fruit to start your morning delivered to your room for nothing extra, a lot of cruisers will order breakfast room service as a sort of wake up call.

Prior to the breakfast being delivered, room service will call ahead to ensure someone is awake and that provides a good impetus to get up and ready and start the day.

Special requests at the main dining room

One of my favorite tips for the main dining room is not to assume that what you see on the menu is what you are limited to ordering.

The menu is a starting point, but the wait staff is willing and able to accommodate many different special requests.

Whether customizing menu items, coming up with allergy or dietary preference friendly options, you should feel free to inquire about other options.

Most dietary requests can be handled onboard the ship, and with 24 hours notice, the waiters can usually accommodate most needs.

If you have a dietary restriction, then you may want to let Royal Caribbean know about them up front. 

Royal Caribbean can accommodate dietary needs such as food allergies, gluten-free, Kosher, low-fat, and low-sodium.

In additional, vegetarian meals (including Indian-style vegetarian) are available on all menus in the main dining room.  Guests do not need to make a special request for these meals.

Lactose-free/soy milk, Ensure, and Kosher meals are available no extra charge. All you have to do is notify Royal Caribbean at least 45 days prior to sailing (90 days for European/South American Itineraries).

You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected]; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date.  It's best to make requests like this at least 90 days in advance of your sailing.

What are some of your favorite Royal Caribbean vacation hacks? Let us know in the comments!

You can have a great time on a Royal Caribbean cruise on pretty much any budget, and if you are looking to plus your cruise experience without breaking the bank, here are ten fun ideas.

Vacation costs can add up quickly, so if you want to balance having a good time, making memories and not costing a ton, I came up with ten fun upgrades that are all under $50 each.

Wowband

At $4.95 per Wowband, I think these wrist-based digital keys are worth every penny because they make so many things around the ship so much easier.

Wowbands are available on select Oasis and Quantum Class ships, and can be purchased once onboard the ship from Guest Services.

They can open your stateroom door, pay for a drink, check into a show, and do pretty much everything else a SeaPass card can do while onboard the ship. They are especially helpful when at the pool or gym and not having to worry about a card falling out of your pocket.

Photo souvenir

Creating memories on a cruise vacation is something I think we can all agree is a must-do, and taking home a photo from formal night, or a family photo on the Royal Promenade is a great idea.

While you can buy photo packages for the duration of your cruise, a single 8x10 photo will cost just $19.95, and perhaps one photo is all you need for that great family portrait together.

Sushi making class

I love sushi, and one of my all-time favorite onboard activities is the On A Roll Sushi Making Class offered by the Izumi chefs.

At $34.99, it is a combination instructional learning opportunity and meal rolled into one.

You will learn to make a few different sushi rolls, and then enjoy eating your creations at the end of the class.

Not only is this a satisfying experience, it was incredibly fun and something I would recommend everyone try out.

Men's express shave

I think I can speak for every guy out there when I say waking up in the morning and remembering you need to shave is not a fun thought. So let someone else deal with it!

Rather than grow a vacation beard, you can go to the Vitality Spa and enjoy the Elemis Express Shave. If you pre-purchase it before the cruise, I have seen it as low as $29 ($45 onboard).

The deep cleansing exfoliation and double close shave will leave you refreshed.

Manicure

I am equal opportunity, so while the man in your life is getting rid of his five o'clock shadow, book a salon appointment to get your nails done.

The Fire & Ice Manicure will cost $39 or the Fire & Ice Pedicure runs $49, with either service offering a combination of mini-massage and great looking nails.

Snorkeling at CocoCay

There is plenty to do at Perfect Day at CocoCay, including diving under the ocean waves to check out the marine life with an all-day snorkel gear rental.

At $37 per set, you can can explore the underwater world that surrounds CocoCay and check out the tropical fish and marine life.

Taste of Royal meal 

The Taste of Royal meal is a relatively new offering by Royal Caribbean, where guests can enjoy one meal that combines the very best food from different specialty restaurants.

Available for lunch at $34.99, you will enjoy food from Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, Chops Grille and 150 Central Park.

It is a gastronomical tour that includes filet mignon, shrimp, tuna tartare and fried cheesecake.

Arcade games

I picked the arcade games with kids in mind, but I would be remiss if I did not say these games are just as fun for the adults too. After all, schooling your children is a great lesson in humility, right?

Most arcade games cost around $1-3 per game, and Royal Caribbean keeps its arcades up to date with a blend of classic games and brand new offerings.

If you have younger kids, try the "Plucky Ducky" game as there is a good chance your child will walk away with a rubber duck souvenir.

Learn to play casino table games

When talk of the casino comes up, it can very quickly cost you more than $50, but a brand new offer allows you to learn popular table games with a fixed cost.  In fact, you might walk away with more money in your pocket!

The "Learn To Play: Casino Table Games" costs $25 per adult, and it includes $25 in FreePlay, plus two complimentary drinks.

Guests that sign up will get step-by-step instructions for either Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker or Ultimate Texas Hold’em.

The cost of the activity is credited back in casino FreePlay, and the two free drinks are a bonus.

Escape room

One of my favorite activities to do on any Royal Caribbean ship is the escape room.

Available on more and more Royal Caribbean ships, these deeply themed timed challenges pit you and a hand full of other guests in a race against the clock to solve a variety of puzzles and clues.

I was leery of going into a room with random other people to figure out riddles, but this has quickly become a top activity.

The escape room costs $19 per guest, and considering the level of sophistication these experiences entail, I think it is well worth the extra cost.

After hours at adventure ocean

I saved the best upgrade for last, which is letting your kids have extra fun at Adventure Ocean while you get to dance, sing, or laugh the night away on your own.

I love my kids, but some alone time with (adult) family and friends is one of the highlights of any cruise vacation. Plus, the kids love extra time with the Adventure Ocean counselors playing their favorite games and activities.

After 10pm, Adventure Ocean charges $7 per hour per child. It is the best money I ever spend onboard.

Will you be upgrading your next Royal Caribbean cruise? Share your plans in the comments!

With so many cruise tips and advice out there, which ones are the best of the best to trust and use?

Our readers recently shared their number one, favorite cruise tip that they always use, and we're sharing them all in our brand new video!

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our Royal Caribbean Blog YouTube Channel!

By the way, have you subscribed yet? Be sure to subscribe to our channel and never miss a single video!

So check out the video and then let us know: What is one cruise tip that you always use when cruising?

Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean's private island in The Bahamas, and it has become an instant hit with so many guests who visit the island. 

Royal Caribbean has added so many great activities and things to do, and I wanted to share some of the lesser-known tricks, secrets and need to know tips about this private destination.

Wave pool is the secret thrill

Thrill Waterpark is home to a lot of fun activities that will get you pumped for a fun day, and while the water slides are what most people gravitate towards, the lesser-known but still awesome thrill is found in the wave pool.

Perfect Day at CocoCay features the largest wave pool in the Caribbean, and if you venture to the deepest part of the pool, you will find some significant waves waiting for you.

If you want to encounter roughest surf in the wave pool, be sure to go to the extreme left or right of the pool and as deep in as you can manage. The force and height of the waves is at their greatest in this location.

Kids splash area is awesome

Families will consider a variety of fun things to do while at Perfect Day at CocoCay, but they should not overlook the two kids splash areas.

Captain Jill's Galleon and Splashaway Bay are very large freshwater splash and play areas between Oasis Lagoon and Thrill Waterpark.  They feature water slides, geysers, drench buckets and more and it is all totally complimentary and well-worth any kids time.

Sure, Thrill Waterpark has some amazing activities, and there are lots of fun shore excursions you can try, but do not overlook spending a few hours at either Splashaway Bay or Captain Jill's to take advantage of an included and fun spot.

Crispy Chicken sandwich is the best food on the island

Photo by Twangster

Royal Caribbean completely revamped their lunch offerings at Perfect Day at CocoCay when the island got its makeover, and among the many changes is the food.  

In my opinion, the best food on the island is the Crispy Chicken sandwich from the Snack Shack. 

Served on a brioche bun, you will find a freshly fried chicken patty with the perfect amount of secret sauce, garnish and more.  Try it and thank me later.

Look for the in-water seating at Oasis Lagoon

At 33,175 square feet, Oasis Lagoon is the largest fresh water pool in the Caribbean.  When you think of a pool, you think swimming, but there are lots of fun spots to chill inside the pool too.

There are stools at the swim up bar, underwater benches surrounding the vegetation in the pool, and even in-pool lounge chairs to enjoy.

Underrated excursion: Up, Up  & Away

If you are looking to plus your day at Perfect Day at CocoCay and want to try something fun that will not break the bank, the Up, Up & Away helium balloon ride is a must-do.

Up, Up  & Away will take you up to 450 feet up in the air to provide the highest vantage point in The Bahamas. The views at the top are incredible, and you can maneuver around the balloon to take it all in.

Be sure to bring your camera, because you will find some amazing photo opportunities.

Ice cream sandwich hack

Photo by Nick Vitani

If you scream for ice cream, then check out this awesome way to enhance this time-honored dessert.

At Chill Grill, grab a few chocolate chip cookies and then take them to the soft serve ice cream station.  Put them together, and you have a DIY ice cream sandwich!

The best part about this trick is that it is totally free, so repeat it as many times as you like!

Bring cash for the Artisan Market

Did you know there is a straw market at Perfect Day at CocoCay? Bahamian vendors have set up a few shops near Chill Island to peruse hand crafted goods.

It is important to know that you need to bring cash with you off the ship to shop at the straw market, because the local vendors do not work for Royal Caribbean and thus, cannot accept your SeaPass card.

You do not need tickets

If you booked a shore excursion, there is no need to worry about losing shore excursion tickets.  At Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean loads your purchases onto your SeaPass card instead.

Since you need your SeaPass card anyway to get on and off the ship, keep your SeaPass card with you at all times for identification, and for enjoying any activities you have booked.

Toddlers in diapers are welcome to use all pools

Unlike onboard the ships, toddlers in swim diapers are allowed to use any of the pools at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Health rules are different on land versus onboard a ship, and while kids in swim diapers are restricted to designated areas of the pool deck to splash around, there are no restrictions at CocoCay, so feel free to let the kids join you for the fun in the water!

WiFi and drink packages are honored at CocoCay

Many first time cruisers are surprised to hear that any WiFi or drink packages purchased on their cruise will also work at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

There is no additional charge to use your internet or beverage packages on the island, so it is added value for anyone visiting.

Looking for a few tips to make the most of your Royal Caribbean cruise vacation? We are sharing some of our top tips and secret tricks for an awesome Royal Caribbean cruise experience.

Social media to the rescue

When you have a question about your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise, your natural instinct may be to pick up the phone and call someone, but we have found you can get equally good service at a faster speed by reaching out to Royal Caribbean's social media channels.

The social media team at Royal Caribbean are rock stars who's job it is not only to help promote new and exciting things happening at the cruise line, but respond quickly to customer queries.

If you have a question, consider tweeting Royal Caribbean or sending a message to Royal Caribbean's official Facebook page the question.  The social media team routinely answers questions at a fantastic pace, and go to great lengths to get you the answer.  No hold music required!

How to get around the alcohol drink package rule

You may or may not be aware that all Royal Caribbean passengers 21 years of age and older (18 years in Australia and the U.K) are now required to purchase the Deluxe Beverage Package if at least one other person in their cabin has one.

That is fine if each adult in the room wants the alcohol package, but what if someone does not want it or cannot consume alcohol? 

Before the cruise, call Royal Caribbean and explain that you would like to purchase the deluxe beverage package, but someone else in your room does not want it. While not an official policy, in every instance we have tried, the cruise line will allow you to purchase the Royal Refreshment (non-alcoholic) drink package instead for that person. This helps save money on what would have otherwise been a drink package that the other person would not have been able to fully utilize.

Ask waiter for special menu items

When you sit down for dinner in the main dining room, do not assume what you see listed is the entire menu.

Royal Caribbean is known for its fantastic cuisine, and there are a few extra options to consider.

First and foremost, Royal Caribbean recently rolled out a new vegan menu.  Whether you are vegan, vegeterian or simply looking to try something else, this is an option that you can ask for during your sailing.

In addition, the chefs in the galley are happy to provide additional options upon request. Provided they have the ingredients, there is a lot of flexibility to get additional culinary choices that can cater to tastes, health needs or special request. 

As an example, I always ask for an Indian curry dish to be included with my dinner meal every night. On other cruises, I have seen special orders that served up Mediterranean favorites, Chinese specialties, various breads and more.  The key is to simply (and politely) ask your head waiter for additional options.  They are usually very open to doing what they can to make your dining experience even better.

Free breakfast at Johnny Rockets

If you are sailing on an Oasis Class ship, you can go to Johnny Rockets for breakfast and pay absolutely nothing extra to enjoy a hearty American-style breakfast.

On Oasis, Allure, Harmony or Symphony of the Seas, Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast and charges nothing extra for guests to enjoy eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes and more.

Johnny Rockets retains a cover charge for lunch and dinner, but many guests are unaware Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast, or that it is complimentary for that meal.

Custom pizzas at Sorrento's

Sorrento's pizza has improved considerably lately, but many guests are unaware you are not limited by the daily selection made by the crew.

You can request to customize an entire pie to be prepared to your liking.  This includes gluten-free crust options as well. A new pie will take about 10 minutes to cook, and you can include whichever fresh toppings you prefer.

Go to the pool, water slides or signature activities on embarkation day

If you are excited to try all the amazing things to do on a Royal Caribbean cruise, one of the best times to try them all with minimal waits is embarkation day.

The first day of your cruise is a busy day, with guests coming onboard and exploring the ship.  While most are getting their bearings on day one, activities such as the zip line, water slides, FlowRider surf simulator, mini golf and pools are open and it is the best time to try them all.

Pack a bathing suit in your carry-on bag to bring aboard the ship.  Once onboard, you can change clothes in one of the public restrooms and then take advantage of shorter lines for these fabulous activities.

Secret menu item at Perfect Day at CocoCay

If your Royal Caribbean cruise is visiting the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, be sure to order the secret chicken sandwich!

At any of the Snack Shack locations on the island, you can ask for a chicken parmigiana sandwich, which is essentially a cross between the crispy chicken sandwich, mozzarella sticks and marinara sauce that are on the menu.

How to avoid long waits for the water slides at Perfect Day at CocoCay

Thrill Waterpark is where you will find the fun water slides at Perfect Day at CocoCay, and as you might imagine, a lot of other guests on your sailing are going to want to try them too.

If you want to enjoy these slides with a minimal wait, try to hit the slides before 11am or after 3pm.

Alternatively, Royal Caribbean offers the Rise & Slide option on select sailings, which includes priority access to the water slides to guests who have already purchased a full day pass to Thrill Waterpark. For an additional fee, up to 200 guests can enjoy exclusive access to the water slides before Thrill Waterpark opens.

Your favorites?

Do you have any favorite "hacks" for making a Royal Caribbean cruise easier or better? Let us know in the comments.

Oasis of the Seas is one of the most impressive Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and it is packed with plenty to see, do and enjoy onboard.

Naturally, it is easy to miss something onboard, so we have our list of the best hidden secrets easily overlooked on Oasis of the Seas. This includes the changes Royal Caribbean made to Oasis of the Seas in 2019 as part of her $165 amplification.

10. Solarium sun deck wings

On deck 15, if you venture to the front of the ship and into the Solarium, you will find a vast outdoor sundeck in the very front that offers not only ample seating, but viewing platforms that jet out from the side of the ship to provide a fantastic perfect vantage point.

Whether sailing into a port, departing another, or just enjoying the view of the ocean, these sun deck wings are always a good photo opportunity.

9. Central Park viewing overlook

There are a pair of overlooks in Central Park that provide not only additional seating in this popular neighborhood, but a neat vantage point.

They are accessible from the aft elevator banks on 9.

8. Johnny Rockets for breakfast

Everyone knows Johnny Rockets offers some amazing burgers and milk shakes for lunch, dinner and late night but did you also know that Johnny Rockets is open for breakfast?  And it's free!

Usually, Johnny Rockets is open from 7:30am to 10:00am, and it is a great spot to grab breakfast that will not be as crowded as the Windjammer or even the main dining room.  You will have a choice of scrambled eggs, omelettes, pancakes, French Toast and more.

Plus, you get a nice morning walk on the Boardwalk to go along with those eggs!

7. Less crowded lunch spot on embarkation day

When you board Oasis of the Seas on your first day and want somewhere a less crowded for lunch, try the Solarium Cafe.

Located on Deck 15 forward, the Solarium Cafe does not get nearly as crowded as the Windjammer and if you are boarding in the afternoon when everyone wants to grab lunch, try the Solarium Cafe as a good alternative.

The Solarium Cafe also has some beautiful views of the Solarium pool and the ocean too.

6. Quiet spot to relax

Looking for somewhere that is shaded and is quiet and a great spot to sit and relax?  

Head to deck 5 and go all the way to the aft of the ship.  You will find chairs that have a great view of the ocean and are usually devoid of other passengers. You can also access this area by going behind the AquaTheater and going down the stairs.

5. Secret AquaTheater viewing area

If you do not have tickets to a show in the AquaTheater, there is a hidden viewing area most guests are unaware of to see the show.

Walk to the AquaTheater, but go to either the left or right of the theater to find stairs that lead to the rock climbing wall area. There is a large viewing area, that even has a few chairs to enjoy. 

When there is not a show, it is still a great spot to enjoy a view of the ocean going past you.

4. Small wonders

Hidden all over Oasis of the Seas is a series of art displays known as "Small Wonders", where you will find 42 natural wonders positioned all over the ship.

When you find one, there will be something that looks like a periscope or telescope that if you peer into, you will find these tiny three dimensional pieces of art.

This is a fun activity for kids or adults to try to find them all and it is one of those hidden gems many guests simply overlook.

Hint: if you give up and cannot find them all, Guest Services can provide you with a list of them all to help!

3. Virtual reality games

Royal Caribbean's smart phone app is free to use onboard the ship, and features a few virtual reality games that you can play in the Boardwalk neighborhood.

Once in the Boardwalk, look for the various game posters near Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.  Launch the app, select the icon that looks like a circus tent and then point your camera towards the poster.

There are a variety of games you can play, and no cost to use it.

2. Teach yourself to play the steel drum

At the Lime & Coconut bars, look for mini-steel drums that you can play and learn a song or two.

The steel drums have their notes labeled, along with sheet music to learn to play some classic bar songs.

1. Secret USB charging spots

When on a Royal Caribbean ship, it seems phone batteries run out even quicker with all the photo opportunities, app options and whatnot.  If you remember to bring a charging cable with you, there are a few spots you can charge up!

These include:

• Below the bar seating at Lime & Coconut
• Select napkin dispensers at Portside BBQ
• USB charging port behind your stateroom television
• Phone charging station on pool deck near aft elevator bank on starboard side.

Did we miss any Oasis of the Seas secrets? Share them in our comments!

If you have your first Royal Caribbean cruise coming up soon, I wanted to share some helpful things you should be aware of before you get onboard.

1. Have the proper travel documents

The exact travel documentation required depends on what citizenship you hold, as well as where your cruise is sailing from and to.  It is critical to understand the proper documentation needed for a cruise, as no refunds are provided for guests who fail to bring proper documentation.  

The simplest approach for having the proper documentation for a cruise is to invest in a passport. A government-issued passport for all friends and family you are sailing with is the ideal scenario for going on a cruise. 

Yes, you can cruise with other documentation, such as a birth certificate, passport card or other documents, but in my opinion, these documents are less reliable than a passport.

2. Decide on a drink package

Royal Caribbean offers guests drink packages to enjoy unlimited beverages while on their cruise.  The decision to get a drink package is totally dependent on your drinking habits, and a drink package has the potential to save money, provided they drink enough every day of the cruise.

What you want to do is decide if a Royal Caribbean drink package is worth it, prior to getting onboard the ship.  The price of a drink package before the cruise will always be cheaper than compared to buying it onboard.

Here is what drinks are included with a cruise:

• tap water
• milk
• tea
• coffee (regular and decaf)
• lemonade
• iced tea
• flavored waters
• juices (at breakfast and not fresh squeezed)
• Hot chocolate (via instant packets)

Any other beverages will cost you extra, including: 

• soda
• beer
• wine
• liquor
• cocktails
• premium coffee and tea, such as Starbucks
• bottled water (still or sparkling)
• fresh squeezed juice

These beverages can be purchased individually or included as part of a beverage package. 

3. How you will get to the cruise

You will need to arrange transportation to get you and your family from your home to the cruise ship terminal, and that can involve taxis, buses, airplanes or more. 

Some options will be more economical than others, but here are a couple of tips you should be aware of to help get you there:

• If you need to get from the airport to the cruise terminal, a Lyft or Uber ride is usually the simplest, and most economical option.
• If you are flying to your cruise embarkation port, be sure to fly in at least one day early to avoid travel delays impacting your ability to make the cruise.
• Royal Caribbean does offer transfers between the airport and the cruise terminal, but they come with an additional cost.

4. Print out your luggage tags

Prior to leaving for your cruise, you should print out luggage tags to affix to your checked luggage so that it can be delivered to your stateroom.

After you complete online check-in for the cruise, you will find printable luggage tags. There is a luggage tag that is specific to the guest, ship, sailing date, stateroom and deck number.

Once you print out copies of the luggage tags, you simply fold the tags, loop them around the handle of the bag and staple the ends together.

Some guests opt for luggage tag holders, which can be purchased online and provide additional protection of the tag from being accidently ripped off. I recommend these luggage tag holders (disclosure: I make a small commission for someone that buys tags via this link).

5. Research shore excursions

Shore excursions are a major part of any Royal Caribbean cruise because a large part of your overall vacation is exploring the ports of call you will visit.  You have just a few hours at each stop, but it should be enough to get a taste of the city you are visiting.

Before you even look at one shore excursion, you should research the most popular activities in each port. 

When looking at shore excursion options, you can book tours through Royal Caribbean or on your own. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so I advise to consult both.

The key is to determine which tours you want to book, and reserve it in advance. In some cases booking in advance will save you money, and everyone can benefit from having the luxury of time to consider all options.

6. You can bring wine on your cruise

One of the best ways to save money on a cruise is to bring your own wine onboard.

Guests wishing to bring personal wine and champagne onboard may do so only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom. No beer or hard liquor may be brought onboard for consumption.

7. Pre-purchase WiFi access

Royal Caribbean's cruise ship WiFi will allow you to stay connected and surf the web, check email, and post to social media.

If you want to buy an internet package, your best bet is to pre-purchase it via Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site to take advantage of some big discounts.

It is not uncommon to find discounts of up to 60% off the onboard prices for a Voom internet package. Regardless of the discount offered, pre-purchasing internet will save you money compared to buying it onboard.

8. The Key

You may notice an optional pre-cruise purchase that provides VIP access to select offerings onboard, known as The Key, and wonder what it is and if it is worth it.

The Key provides priority embarkation and disembarkation, a special boarding day lunch, internet access, access to signature activities and more.

There are some nice to have perks that come with The Key, but you should look at it like upgrading your airplane ticket to first class, or booking a suite.  A great way to splurge, but not necessarily required.

Generally speaking, The Key can make sense to purchase if you....

• Are not staying in a suite
• Are below Diamond in Royal Caribbean's Crown and Anchor Society
• Were already planning to purchase internet package for everyone in your group

9. Read the Cruise Compass every day

Each evening, your stateroom attendant will deliver to your stateroom the Cruise Compass, which is a daily guide to the news, events and activities that will be occurring on your ship the next day.

Royal Caribbean packs a lot of things to do into each day and you are best served by reading it each evening to be aware of what is happening onboard. 

The Cruise Compass is more than just knowing what time bingo is at.  It offers you insight into the next day's weather, which bars will have drink specials, shore excursion information and much more.

Most importantly, there is a chronological listing of events from the early morning to the late evening. Each event has a time, event name, location and possibly brief description listed.  There will also be an indication if this event costs extra.

Some events are not repeated while other activities can change daily, so it is in your best interest to track what is happening so you do not miss any of it.

10. Arrive to your embarkation city at least one day early

If you are flying to the embarkation port your cruise departs from, you should absolutely fly in at least one day in advance to avoid a travel delay causing you to miss your cruise.

Having an extra day or two provides a buffer to account for travel delays.  You really do not want to be that person in the airport losing their mind because the latest delay means the entire vacation is in jeopardy.

As an added bonus, by arriving to your embarkation port at least a day early, that means you get to start your vacation sooner!  And in many cases, the port you are departing from has its own cultural and historical attractions that you can explore.

11. Daily gratuities

Cruise gratuities are a daily fee that is automatically paid to reward the hard work of the crew members that take care of you.

On Royal Caribbean, gratuities apply to all passengers. Royal Caribbean charges $14.50 per person, per day for most guests. This rate applies to interior cabins, ocean view, balcony and junior suites. The cruise lines charges $17.50 per person, per day for guests in grand suites and above.

You can also opt to go to Guest Services to have the gratuities adjusted. Guests have until the morning of their departure to make changes to the gratuities they pay.

12. You can arrive to the cruise terminal earlier than you think

Royal Caribbean may send you an email about boarding times, but those are mostly suggestions and not enforced at all. If you followed our previous advice about arriving to your port city early, then likely your hotel will have a check-out time in the early part of the morning, which is the perfect excuse to head to the cruise port.

If you are wondering what time constitutes, "early", we are talking about sometime between 10am and 11:30am. The earlier you arrive on embarkation day, the earlier you will board the ship. And the price you paid for the cruise is the same whether you get onboard at 11am or 2pm, so may as well get the most time possible.

13. Seasick

If there is one thing many first time cruisers ask a lot of questions about it, it is about getting sea sick.

Let us be clear, going on a Royal Caribbean cruise is nothing like going out on your buddy's fishing boat.  Royal Caribbean ships are massive vessels, equipped with precise GPS and stablizing technology. Moreover, the Captain will regularly plot courses that take optimal routes for guest comfort.

There are certain steps you can take to mitigate the risk of getting sea sick, such as over the counter medications and homeopathic treatments. 

The bottom line is while one could get sea sick on a cruise, it is a very low risk.  In fact, if you ask veteran cruisers, they will likely tell you their concern over getting sea sick is ranked somewhere around the feature film selection shown onboard.

14. Eating onboard

There is so much food available throughout the day and night on a Royal Caribbean cruise that being concerned with there not being enough to eat is one less thing to worry about.

On a Royal Caribbean ship, guests will find a lot of food included in their cruise fare, along with specialty dining options that augment the standard fare.

Complimentary food is available for all meals, and time inbetween. Simply put, there is plenty of great food included in the cost of your Royal Caribbean cruise. One can easily go an entire food and enjoy nothing but food that has no additional cost from morning to night. After all, that is what the concept of a cruise has been for a long time.

In addition to all the food that is included in your cruise fare are specialty dining options, that carry with it an extra cost to enjoy the food there. The exact amount extra will vary from restaurant to restaurant, and ship to ship.

In most cases, the specialty dining options offer a greater variety of food choices than what is available at complimentary dining locations. Royal Caribbean has designed its specialty restaurants around themes or cuisines (Italian, steakhouse, sushi, etc).

15. Travel insurance

Travel insurance is not necessarily a must for everyone, but it is something you should consider. Depending on your risk tolerance, it may be a good investment.

A variety of offerings are available from Royal Caribbean, your travel agent, and a number of companies.

Trip insurance can protect you against a multitude of emergencies, unforeseen events and accidents.  It is one of those things that you are glad you have it, if you need it.  

It is important to not just look at price but consider what is actually covered by the plan.  A common misconception surrounds hurricanes.  Many people think trip insurance will cover them if there is a hurricane in the general vicinity of their cruise and they can cancel with a full refund.  The reality is most plans only cover hurricanes if the cruise is canceled or otherwise directly impacted by the storm.  A guest's desire to cancel because they fear a storm is not usually grounds for the insurance to kick in, so it is important to understand what the plan does and does not cover and what circumstances allow for the insurance to kick in.

Be sure to check if any of your credit cards include complimentary trip insurance as part of the card benefits.

16. Prepare a carry-on bag for the first day

You should plan to have a small carry-on bag with you for the first day of your cruise to bring a few items that will be useful in the couple of hours that you are onboard before your luggage is delivered.

It might be a good idea to pack these items:

• Medications
• Bathing suit
• Sunscreen
• Travel documents

As a bonus, use this same bag later in the cruise when you go on shore excursions to carry some of these items, as well as beach towels.

17. What to pack

I could write pages and pages on what to pack for a cruise, but the short answer is you will need to pack for time spent at pool, on shore and in the evening for dinner.

Where your cruise sails to will determine what exactly you need to pack, so it may be a good idea to research the weather in the ports you will be visiting, as well as figuring out if there will be any formal nights or themed nights on your sailing (more on formal nights and themed nights later).

This is also a good opportunity to check your luggage is good to go (i.e. no holes or rips).

In addition, you should start thinking about what clothing and outfits you want to bring with you.  This may trigger a memory that you wanted to replace a suit or shirt or get new shoes.

18. Don't be afraid to say something if there is a problem

One very common mistake among first time cruisers is not pointing out and taking care of a problem if something is not to your liking.

The crew wants you to have a fantastic cruise, so if there is something missing, broken, or could be improved, do not hesitate to speak to a crew member about how it can be made better.

The key is to politely point out the issue, and ask how to improve the situation. Do not let the issue fester, or otherwise disrupt your vacation.

19. Know what you cannot bring

You should definitely be aware of the kind of items you are prohibited from bringing on your Royal Caribbean cruise.  Some are pretty obvious (no baseball bats), while others are surprising (no surge protectors or clothing irons).

Refer to Royal Caribbean's list of prohibited item list, as their list changes from time to time.

20. How to stay in contact onboard

Once you are onboard the ship, there are a few ways to remain in contact with everyone in your group.

• Utilizing Royal Caribbean's in-room phones and phones in common areas is a simple way to communicate with guests onboard your ship and onshore.
• Royal Caribbean is working on a chat feature with its smart phone app, although it is still in development.  Currently, it is available on two ships: Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.
• Walkie Talkies are an option, but I do not recommend them.  Interference from the ship's electronics and metal structure cause issues with reception. Moreover, they are annoying to other guests.
• A tried and true method is to leave notes on the stateroom door.  Go to a dollar store and purchase a dry erase board to post on the door and leave notes on the door.

Anyone booking a Royal Caribbean cruise is going to want to know how to save some money. The price of a cruise will vary depending on a lot of factors, but there is always an opportunity to keep more cash in your pcket.

Cruise fares vary considerably, and insiders know there are a few tried-and-true ways to keep the cost of your next Royal Caribbean cruise low and save some of your money for other things (like spending it onboard your cruise).

1. Book Early

Booking early is one of the best strategies to save money on a Royal Caribbean cruise.  As more and more people book a cruise, inventory drops and prices go up.  

Generally speaking, booking early is the safest and most reliable way to save on the price of your cruise. Booking more than a year in advance will garner you the lowest rates for quite some time and get you on the cruise you specifically want.  Heck, it's likely to even get you the best prices on even the most sought after staterooms.

Booking early also affords you the ability to track prices after you book because you can always apply any cheaper rates to your cruise up until final payment. 

2. Book at the last minute

This tip is clearly the opposite of our first tip but when all else fails, Royal Caribbean sometimes offers good prices on a cruise in the last couple of months leading up to the cruise. Some cruise fares drop to really absurd prices that make living at home more expensive. 

If you have the means to get to the port in short notice without incurring high travel costs, last minute cruises can be a great choice.  The problem with last minute sailings is you will have limited selection of itineraries and/or stateroom options.

Last minute cruises are usually past the final payment date, so booking the cruise will require full payment up front but the deals that are out there can be substatial if you can time it right.

3. Research your discounts

Royal Caribbean offers numerous discounts to different groups of people and demographis, so it is worth researching if any apply to you.

Regional and military discounts are offered from time to time to the general public while past Royal Caribbean cruises can get discounts based on their level of membership in the Crown and Anchor Society.

Crown and Anchor Society offers Savings Certificates that are available by logging into the Royal Caribbean site and seeing which certificates are currently available.  Select sailings will receive anywhere from $25 to hundreds of dollars off their cruise, which is usually stackable with other discounts.

4. Consider different room(s)

Sometimes booking two staterooms instead of one can actually save you money.  Larger families or those seeking more space may find two inside cabins cheaper than a larger room/suite.  This is especially true on older Royal Caribbean ships, where large balconies and suites are in less abundance.

Likewise, family staterooms and some suites may become available to the general public if unbooked and can offer lots of space for less cost.  It's important to consider all cabin categories before deciding which is the best choice.

5. Consider your time of year

Supply and demand dominates Royal Caribbean pricing strategy, which means cruises during Christmas, Spring Break and the Summer can much more expensive than other times of the year.

If you have the flexibility to go when kids are still in school, you can save lots of money.  Likewise, cruising during hurricane season can net you savings along with immediately after or before major holidays when most people do not have vacation time.

The difference in price between one week and the next can be tremendous, so if you can swing it, consider alternative weeks as a way to reduce the cruise fare.  Combining this tip with our first tip of booking early can save you even more.

6. Older ships are a great value

Royal Caribbean loves to advertise their newest cruise ships but the older class of ships are still great options for a cruise vacation and are prices much less on average.

Royal Caribbean has been working on refurbishing every one of its older cruise ships with amenities found first on the Oasis-class and Vision and Radiance class ships now offer modern upgrades and options that have breathed new life into these ships.

Even with the upgrades, older Royal Caribbean ships will have more competitive prices and are often located in smaller cruise markets that may mean a shorter trip to the port for you.  

And did we mention the older ships are still a lot of fun?  Radiance class ships are beautiful with their glass protected views of the ocean and Vision class ships pack a lot of fun into each vessel. 

7. Look for booking incentives

These days the fare you pay for your Royal Caribbean cruise may not change all that much but what you get for booking can make the difference between an average priced cruise and a cheap cruise.

Booking incentives like onboard credit, free gratuities and complimentary unlimited drink packages can save you hundreds of dollars and it's important to see what offers are out there.  

Travel agents are often the best people to assist in finding these booking incentive deals.  

These days, most cruises can offer you at least some sort of booking incentive and every dollar saved counts!

8. Use your credit card rewards

Credit card rewards programs have never been more competitive and if you use credit cards to pay for every day purchases, you can rack up savings for your next Royal Caribbean cruise quickly. 

Royal Caribbean has partnered with Bank of America to offer a credit card that allows everyone to earn points towards onboard credits and even a free cruise.

Other credit cards also offer cash rewards that can be used towards your Royal Caribbean cruise.  By saving your points, you can cash out your reward points close to your cruise date to help reduce the cost of your cruise fare or help pay for things on your cruise.

9. Book your next Royal Caribbean cruise onboard

Royal Caribbean will reward new bookings made onboard its ships with bonus incentives.

Depending on how far in advance you book, the length of the sailing, stateroom type and fare type, you can get hundreds of dollars in bonus onboard credit. While the cruise fare price is the same onboard as back at home, the difference is Royal Caribbean will give you extra money to spend onboard.

10. Use a travel agent

Travel agents have their fingers on the pulse of what's happening in the world of Royal Caribbean offers.  They get word of new offers first and because it's their job to book cruises all day long, they know the system in an out.

I have used a travel agent to book every one of my Royal Caribbean cruises and I can't tell you how much time they have saved me, as well as money.  A good Royal Caribbean travel agent can be your partner in the planning process as well as saving you money.

I will admit not all travel agents are the same, and some are definitely better than others, so it is important to ask questions of them.  The good ones will be able to find the best deals for you and track any new deals that come out that can lower your cruise fare.

Our sponsor travel agency, and one I recommend, is MEI Travel.

Thanks to Tammy from TouringPlans.com for the inspiration for this post!